Category Archives: Uncategorized

RHP Michael Cisco promoted to Lehigh Valley from Reading (AA).

RHP Nate Bump assigned to Reading (AA) from Lehigh Valley.

I guess the 8 runs Bump gave up a couple nights ago Kyle Kendrick’ed him to Reading….

It’s only 33 minutes away as I start writing this post but what a day tomorrow could be for Ironpig and Phillies fans.

The Pigs pulled out a win tonight in Indianapolis. Duffy and Chavez both homered (off McCutchen) and Andy Tracy was not back in the lineup yet.

What didn’t happen is of more interest though. Twitter was awash with comments about JA Happ pitching only 3 innings.

A few scenarios could be involved. The first is that Jamie Moyer left the Phillies game tonight real early with a reported elbow strain. Happ is expected to be pulled back to the Phils to replace Kendrick in the rotation. Carpenter also got into the game tonight replacing Moyer in his early departure.

Another thought is that JA Happ is involved with a trade.. I don’t feel that this is as likely.

The BIG rumor is a 3 way trade where the Phillies give up Jayson Werth, receiving Roy Oswalt and a third team getting prospects to the Astros in exchange for Jayson Werth. Weeks ago I posted a thought about the Phillies chasing Roy Oswalt…. wait for it.. wait for it… Honk honk!

http://noisenation.wordpress.com/2010/06/24/could-roy-oswalt-be-heading-to-phillies/

Oswalt would be a great addition but the offense needs a kick. Add in a young strong and fast Domonic Brown and look out NL East.

I have a gut feeling that John Mayberry, as hot as he has been hitting… could be part of this deal.

We’ll see.. just have to wait.

OinK!

Thanks to Noise Nation member Matt Metal (Don’t forget to nominate him for the LVMA for best college DJ) who sent me a note today that Kyle Kendrick has joined JA Happ on the Ironpigs and that Drew Carpenter will be called up to the Phillies.

This was first reported on CSN Philly’s website:
http://www.csnphilly.com/07/20/10/Source-Phils-Option-Kendrick-to-Lehigh-V/landing.html?blockID=274360&feedID=704

This isn’t really a surprise with Kendrick’s outing last night. My long term thoughts on Kendrick are the same. He needs to become less predictable in his pitching. Very surprised this hasn’t improved with Jamie Moyer in the dugout with him and noone can question that Kendrick hasn’t been working hard to remedy this. Hoping this AAA stint is short and he becomes effective again.

The next time you complain that a prospect isn’t advanced quickly enough.. think about Kyle Kendrick. He was great until the league figured him out and he wasn’t deep enough to adapt. Those minor league years develop skills and experience and are invaluable to a player.

OinK!

Per ESPN… Softball legend Jennie Finch has announced her retirement upon the close of the 2010 NPF Season.

To read the full article: http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/news/story?id=5394292&campaign=rss&source=twitter&ex_cid=Twitter_espn_5394292

It’s a sad day for softball everywhere. Jennie has been the face of USA softball for many years and she will be missed.

I had the privelage to meet her last summer as she competed in the NPF here in Allentown. What a great person! She went out of her way for fans young and old.

Looking to the future, softball isn’t out of stars. The NPF still has a solid core of players who love the game and love the fans. The likes of Monica Abbott, Cat Osterman, Rachel Folden and Megan Gibson will keep the league around a little longer. A quality game with quality people. I truly hope this league expands and becomes mainstream.

I always wondered about those girls who come to The Coke every game. You know these girls. They are the ones wearing their prettiest dresses, make up shoes, fancy sunglasses. Dressed to the nines. I never understood this until I attended my first National Pro Fastpitch game. I noticed that the more games I attended the better I dressed, I actually combed my hair and was on my best behavior. Well, my best as I could be at a ballgame. 🙂

Good luck in your future Jennie!

I turned the radio off early… Nate Bump gave up 8 runs in the first two innings. I didn’t want to risk losing the footlong Subway club I ate for dinner.

Checking back later, the Pigs took back a few in the 2nd and 7th.

Then it came down to 2 strikes and 2 outs with the bases loaded for “slugger” Brian Bocock. I was ready to turn the radio off and go to bed but then Bocock came through with a 3 run triple to put the Ironpigs up 10 to 8 in the 9th inning! This is the greatest comeback in Ironpig history as they have never come back from more than a 4 run deficit to win a game!

John Mayberry has been swinging a hot bat going 4 for 5 with 2 RBI.

Bocock finally achieved the .200 Batting average mark!

A good note with Savery pitching 4 innings of scoreless relief.

Zagurski, Schwimer and Bastardo each pitched an inning to close out the game.

Pigs win! Very fitting that the Indianapolis folks played the Ironpig’s post game song “Don’t Worry Be Happy” following the final out.

Like I said earlier.. they may not win a lot of games, but they sure are exciting!

OinK!

With the AAA All Star Valley long gone, minus of course the brief aftertaste that Pigapalooza will be, I find myself asking how much longer can the Ironpigs keep the Lehigh Valley fascinated with the ballpark and the team.

Currently, the Lehigh Valley is leading AAA attendance with an average per game of 9,075 tickets sold per game. There are a few close behind but mostly is well above the average of the rest of minor league baseball. (Including teams that do not charge admission!) Well done Lehigh Valley! Well Done!

One point I would like to look at is how Andy Tracy’s 3 year stint has kept people coming in droves. You ask any child at The Coke who a favorite player is… they will say Andy Tracy. Ask the average fan to name 3 players on the Ironpig’s current roster they will say.. “Andy Tracy… ummm… Andy Tracy.. did I say him already?” Yes, Tracy has become the face of the Ironpig’s organization and it is well deserved. Andy has performed incredibly both on and off the field. Just interact with him for a few minutes and you will see what a great man he is.

Looking at the future, Andy is getting up there in years (as baseball players go) and his shoulder injury hasn’t been getting much better lately. You have to wonder if the Phillies are going to keep him around another year. As tough as nails, great personality, plays through the pain day after day… how could you let a player go like this? Just ask the Phillies. As the Morning Call’s Hog Blog frequently expresses, the Ironpigs are here to support the parent Phillies. They don’t see the Andy Tracy who stays late to sign autographs. The guy who, when spotted at a restaraunt, will sit down and have few beers with a fan. They don’t see the guy that brings 9,000+ fans to Coca Cola Park for 72 games each summer. What the Phillies see is a possible replacement if the rest of the team’s injury problems rub off on Ryan Howard. They see a quality pinch hitter to give the regulars some rest in September.

Andy Tracy is irreplaceable to the Lehigh Valley.. he is not to the Phillies.

Ok, you can say that last year the Lehigh Valley lost Mike Cervenak to free agency and attendance still increased. Valid point.

Mike Cervenak brought the young women to the park. Andy Tracy brings the families.

That’s all I have to say about that… for now.

*****

I do admit I feel a little lagging after the All Star festivities ended. I had a long weekend with 3 parties/picnics. The heat and humidity took its toll on me but I really look forward to the rest of the season. Where we can all kick back and enjoy some baseball. It’s pretty clear that the Ironpigs have created a great big fan base. No doubt to that. There is still a lot of baseball to come and although the Pigs again have a poor record, they still play hard. You never know what you will see on any given day. Will they break out for 10 runs in the first inning? Will they let themselves be no-hit through nine innings only to have the last batter break it up with a hit? Will they overcome a large deficit to win walk off fashion? All these things keep us fans intrigued and ready to get to the next game.

The next game is on Friday the 23rd. Just a few days away. It seems like forever since there was a home game. Oh and it’s a Friday! That means Friday night fireworks. I may have gotten a little complacent, but from the reactions of visiting team officials during the All Star game.. we have it REALLY good here. REALLY good.

Looking forward to seeing you all at the Park on Friday and for those interested the Noise Nation is planning a trip to Scranton for the final series against the SWB Yankees in Scranton. Come along with us and let the SWB fans see how the Lehigh Valley can really support a team!

OinK!

One of those fun things that always showed up at amusement parks and carnivals in the 80’s and 90’s made its debut at The Coke this summer.

The speed pitch.

I used to love this. Years ago the catch was, you get three tosses and if you guessed your speed on the last pitch, you won a prize… normally one of those plastic batting helmets. The Ironpig’s version pits fans against each other offering a prize for the fastest pitch in 3 categories.

12 & under
13-17
18 & older

If, at the middle of the 7th inning, you have the fastest pitch… you win a prize!

You get 4 balls for $2 and get to throw to a frighteningly realistic batter and catcher.

Another one of those neat things to keep you occupied/distracted during a Joe Savery 1st inning…

OinK!

More transactions announced by Ironpigs today..

INF Keoni De Renne promoted to Lehigh Valley from Reading (AA).

LHP Brian Mazone activated from the D.L. (left turf toe).

RHP Ty Taubenmehim placed on the D.L. (left turf toe).

INF Melvin Dorta placed on the D.L. (right thumb sprain).

Andy Tracy was last listed as day to day and no word if there is a trip to the DL for him yet. Looks like today would have been the day he would have been added so I would imagine that he should be back soon.

OinK!

The Ironpig’s announced a roster revision today adding Bastardo to the roster and that the Phillies have released Ryan Vogelsong.

OinK!

The Pigs headed to Louisville early this morning and started the game off with a bang, batting around in the first inning and scoring 5 runs. They tacked on 2 runs in the second and it appears they took a break.

Home runs by both Ozzie Chavez and Andy Tracy (13).

Brown, Mayberry and Chavez all had a 3 hit night!

JA Happ went 5 innings allowing 3 runs on 3 hits.

Zagurski came on in the 7th and gave up a 3 run HR. He doesn’t seem to have the same fire he did before he got called up to the Phillies.

Michael Schwimer came on in what I believe is his Ironpig debut, pitching a scoreless 8th allowing 1 hit.

Then Scott Mathieson gave up a walk off game winning Home run to lose the game.

Pigs lose 7 to 8.

Oink…