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Many stars started their careers filling in for an injured teammate and today Jason Donald will be the starting shortstop for the Cleveland Indians in their game against the Tampa Bay Rays this afternoon.

Good luck Jason!

Anyone who has attended an Ironpig’s game knows who fan favorite Andy Tracy is. Many a broken bats, balls and autographs have come out of that dugout to a smiling kid when Andy is around. He is the closest thing to a legend that the franchise has. When you think baseball in the Lehigh Valley you think Andy Tracy.

How much do you really know about him though. Yes, he hits home runs.. his name rhymes with the character “Casey” in the famous poem “Casey at the Bat” written in 1888 by Ernest Thayer. The broadcast team call him the Mighty Tracy and I’ve heard “Achilles” applied also. He is the hero that Ironpig fans needed over 2+ losing seasons.

Andy was born on December 11, 1973 in Bowling Green, Ohio. He attended Bowling Green State University where is was also the teams punter. A story related to me that Andy had the opportunity to play in one nationally televised bowl game in his football career and spent most of the game on the bench with a concussion after a touchdown saving tackle made early in the game. Thus began Andy’s baseball career.

Transactions:
June 1, 1995 : Drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 28th round of the 1995 amateur draft, but did not sign.

June 4, 1996 : Drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 16th round of the 1996 amateur draft. Player signed June 10, 1996.

March 27, 2002 : Selected off waivers by the New York Mets from the Montreal Expos .

April 9, 2003 : Released by the New York Mets .

April 25, 2003 : Signed as a Free Agent with the Colorado Rockies .

October 15, 2003 : Granted Free Agency.

January 7, 2004 : Signed as a Free Agent with the Colorado Rockies .

October 6, 2004 : Granted Free Agency.

December 15, 2004 : Signed as a Free Agent with the Colorado Rockies .

October 15, 2005 : Granted Free Agency.

December 14, 2005 : Signed as a Free Agent with the Cleveland Indians .

February 18, 2006 : Sent to the Baltimore Orioles by the Cleveland Indians as part of a conditional deal.

October 15, 2006 : Granted Free Agency.

January 23, 2007 : Signed as a Free Agent with the New York Mets .

October 29, 2007 : Granted Free Agency.

November 20, 2007 : Signed as a Free Agent with the Philadelphia Phillies .

November 10, 2009 : Granted Free Agency.

November 18, 2009 : Signed as a Free Agent with the Philadelphia Phillies .

He certainly has traveled and earned a good deal of respect across minor league baseball.

You can’t forget the 2/3 an inning that Andy pitched for the Ironpig’s in 2008. He came on in the 9th after Les Walrond was ejected and struck out one batter and caused the other to pop out.

Major League Stats

Year	Team	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA
2000	MON	83	218	192	29	50	8	1	11	32	1	0	22	61	.260
2001	MON	38	63	55	4	6	1	0	2	8	0	0	6	26	.109
2004	COL	15	17	16	1	3	1	0	0	1	0	0	1	8	.188
2008	PHI	4	4	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	1	.000
2009	PHI	9	12	12	1	5	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	3	.417
5 Seasons		149	314	277	35	64	10	2	13	43	1	0	30	99	.231
PHI (2 yrs)		13	16	14	1	5	0	1	0	2	0	0	1	4	.357
MON (2 yrs)		121	281	247	33	56	9	1	13	40	1	0	28	87	.227
COL (1 yr)		15	17	16	1	3	1	0	0	1	0	0	1	8	.188

Who can forget Andy getting called up for the 2008 World Champion Phillies or the game winning RBI in the division clinching game in 2009. Andy broke hit wrist during batting practice before the playoffs began in 2008 but he got a ring regardless. What player doesn’t strive to get a World Series Championship ring? He’s got one!

Minor League Hitting Stats

Year	Team	Class	Aff.	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA
1996	Vermont	A-	MON	57	212	175	26	47	11	1	4	24	1	1	32	37	.269
1997	Cape Fear	A	MON	59	236	210	31	63	9	2	8	43	6	1	21	47	.300
1998	2 Teams	A+-AA	MON	133	540	462	70	115	28	4	21	86	7	6	63	131	.249
1998	Jupiter	A+	MON	71	298	251	37	67	16	1	11	53	6	4	39	69	.267
1998	Harrisburg	AA	MON	62	242	211	33	48	12	3	10	33	1	2	24	62	.227
1999	Harrisburg	AA	MON	134	573	493	96	135	26	2	37	128	6	1	70	139	.274
2000	Ottawa	AAA	MON	55	234	195	28	60	18	0	10	36	2	2	34	63	.308
2001	Ottawa	AAA	MON	53	217	190	17	39	11	1	4	19	4	2	24	72	.205
2002	Norfolk	AAA	NYM	125	491	432	61	86	16	1	20	61	4	1	56	123	.199
2003	Tulsa	AA	COL	106	432	384	75	115	24	1	25	62	3	3	41	116	.299
2004	Colorado Springs	AAA	COL	126	529	464	98	146	42	3	33	120	4	2	58	115	.315
2005	Colorado Springs	AAA	COL	12	55	40	14	13	1	1	4	13	2	1	15	12	.325
2006	Ottawa	AAA	BAL	132	534	455	64	108	29	1	20	73	7	6	69	107	.237
2007	New Orleans	AAA	NYM	135	574	472	88	128	24	1	23	87	2	3	89	110	.271
2008	Lehigh Valley	AAA	PHI	124	507	430	71	124	34	0	22	85	5	0	65	96	.288
2009	Lehigh Valley	AAA	PHI	129	540	453	76	115	23	1	26	96	7	1	74	110	.254
2010	Lehigh Valley	AAA	PHI	34	143	122	13	26	4	1	3	11	1	0	19	32	.213
15 Seasons				1414	5817	4977	828	1320	300	20	260	944	61	30	730	1310	.265
AAA (10 seasons)				925	3824	3253	530	845	202	10	165	601	38	18	503	840	.260
AA (3 seasons)				302	1247	1088	204	298	62	6	72	223	10	6	135	317	.274
A (1 season)				59	236	210	31	63	9	2	8	43	6	1	21	47	.300
A- (1 season)				57	212	175	26	47	11	1	4	24	1	1	32	37	.269
A+ (1 season)				71	298	251	37	67	16	1	11	53	6	4	39	69	.267

So why all the memories you’re wondering? Well, I thought it was time that the Noise Nation recognized him for his great career.

Thank you Andy Tracy! I can truly say that you are my personal favorite Ironpig!

I guess I should send not-so-supportive posts out more often. After my earlier post about John Mayberry, he proceeded to go 4 for 6 with 3 RBI tonight. Wonder who out there reads my humble little blog 🙂

The Pigs took 3 hit by pitches in the 15th and John Mayberry scored the go ahead run on a sacrifice fly by Brian Bocock. Concepcion came on to close the game in his first appearance since returning from the DL.

This win is the first time in 2010 that the Pigs have won consecutive games!

The Pigs pulled off a win on their longest game (time and innings) in franchise history ending their road trip with a 3 and 5 record.

Both Mayberry and Ransom homered.

Duckworth struck out 8 in 5 innings allowing 2 runs on 4 hits.

Villareal gave up 4 runs in 1 inning pitched. The Pigs were up by 4 runs in the bottom of the 9th when he gave up those runs. He also had an error in this inning.

The Pigs have a 4:00am flight tomorrow and will return to face the Louisville Bats tomorrow night. Don’t expect cheerful faces tomorrow. These guys will be beat. Heck, I’m going to be groggy in the morning staying up this late again…

Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman is slated to start at Coca Cola Park on Wednesday. The Ironpigs concessions, never to miss an opportunity, have brought out a Cuban sandwich for this night and this night only.. (unless they sell a lot of them.. then expect it to return)

The sales gimmick is that they will charge $4.63 per sandwich.. which happens to be Chapman’s current ERA! With Chapman getting shelled in his last outing against Rochester last week, his ERA jumped to 4.63 from 2.84. Too bad he didn’t pitch better against the Redwings or we would have had a cheap Cuban sandwich.. or would we?

The Ironpig’s website boasts of the Cuban sandwich as being available at only the Pizza stand (also home of the Pretzel roll sandwiches) and that the cost will be $4.63 + sales tax the final total being $5.00 even.

$5.00 even. Someone needs to get this to their statistician. Last I checked sales tax was $0.06 per dollar.

4.63 x .06 = 4.90

Where does the extra 10 cents go? Where? Yeah I know.. I know. I know all too well. 🙂

If anyone tries the Cuban.. let us know how it is.

Yeah, I know it’s cheesy. I wanted to put showers and Mayberry in the same sentence but was aiming for something like.. “Hit the showers Mayberry”

I keep watching this guy in wonder. I hear things like “Big prospect” or “Top notch” or “Future of the Phillies Outfield!” I just don’t see it.

Let me explain.

A number of years ago I heard an interview by former major leaguer Jose Canseco. He said something to the point of not even liking baseball but it was a quick and easy buck. I suppose the steroids he used were an afterthought but one call from a game in Charlotte last week made me think back to that interview.

“The ball one hops the outfield wall and Mayberry headed to score.. no he gets the stop sign.. he wasn’t running at full speed.”

I really wonder… Does John Mayberry Jr. really like baseball? Has he lost interest in baseball? Looking at his life, he grew up in the game. His father was an All Star and growing up he had a head start in the game. Being around baseball then growing into an athlete’s body pushed him towards the game, a career, following in dad’s footsteps. A lot of people take on their parents careers and some do that reluctantly. I wonder if Mayberry falls into this category.

Now I know he is hitting .276 with 5 homeruns and 21 RBI this season. He can hit the ball alright, but this guy does not hustle. From right center field you get to see a lot of Mayberry and he lopes after fly balls, half heartedly jogs around the bases and only really runs when the Pigs get 3 outs and he heads back to the bench.

Needless to say but I will anyway, John Mayberry does not impress me.

If anyone knows.. leave us a comment. Let us know. Does Mayberry love the game or is he just trying to make other people happy? He has talent, he has the athletic prowess needed to play, he has the opportunity..

What’s missing? Could it be the same syndrome Carlos Carrasco had last season? For those who missed it Carrasco was very upset at not starting the season at Philadelphia and it reflected in his play. He did the same thing in Reading the year before. He struggled until he was promoted and then was lights out with the Pigs in 2008.

I know some of you out there love this guy, and even I hope he turns his play up a few notches.. but until I see some hustle out of this guy he’s on my list of disappointments.

The Pigs pulled off a win against the Braves this afternoon winning 3 to 1.

Rich Thompson rode the bench again. Nothing like sitting your hottest players.

DeWayne Wise homered.

Brian Mazone tripled. Yeah, tripled. He also went 5 scoreless innings. Sometimes you just have to stand and applaud a good performance. Kudo’s to Huppert for pulling him after 5 and resisting the temptation to let him collapse later in the game.

The Braves only run came off of Scott Mathieson who gave two innings in relief for his 6th save of the season.

Via Twitter, Pigs radio made a statement that Andy Tracy was “day to day” and that usually means injury. Let’s hope it’s nothing serious as he is one of the good guys.

That’s all I got tonight.. keep on oinking on!

As the Phillies pulled Bastardo back to their roster, the Pigs will activate Concepcion off of the DL.

Also of note.. Andy Tracy pulled himself from last night’s game after 1 at bat. Hitting around .200 all season, you can say slow starter all you want, this move makes any fan worried.. looking back a few number of years when John Kruk retired mid-game to end his career really makes me say Hmmm. I don’t see Andy leaving any time soon but this cannot be a good sign.

Rich Thompson had a hit tonight. Unfortunately, he didn’t start and could probably be quoted saying, “My only regret is that I have but one at bat to give to my team.”

The Pigs were capable of one hit before the ninth inning where 3 singles allowed them to score once in the 9th inning. Their “mini” rally was squashed when Maza hit into a double play.

Memories of the movie Major League come to mind and I keep thinking.. Who are these ^%#&! guys? Do they even like playing baseball? Is Huppert losing his fire that brought around the 2008 team? (Remember, after 2 months they were playing .500 ball until pieced apart by call ups)

Man, this stinks.. this really stinks. I feel like I am one of the biggest fans of the Ironpigs but even I want to give them a collective BOOO when they return on Tuesday.

They’ve given me nothing positive to write about. No errors tonight so that’s a positive.

Brad Lidge hit the DL hard again, Bastardo up. Hoping we bring back someone from Reading who wants to play. Kinda hoping that Wasserman goes down and sends us someone worth watching too.

Also for those following prospects, Aroldis Chapman may make an appearance at CCP this week. Rumor has it that wednesday should be his start in the rotation.

Another rumor is that Jimmy Rollins will not make any rehab appearances with the Pigs. He played in Clearwater and will probably make the jump back to the big team soon. Not sure if we will get Valdez back yet though.

On a completely off topic note.. Stooges Bar & Grill makes a great Cuban sandwich. Try it sometime.

What can the Pigs do to win a game? I’m not really sure but I will still go back to my gut feeling that there is a bad apple corrupting the barrell. Who knows, really. They seem to hit and score a lot of runs when pitchers are lights out and then don’t hit at all when their pitchers struggle.

One pitcher who has struggled is Joe Savery. Watching him pitch is a little league coach’s nightmare. Not sure how much of a view of his delivery can be seen from the seating bowl but from centerfield you will notice the beginning of his delivery is textbook.. then he stops, hitches his throwing arm and tries to muscle the ball in. I imagine that could have something to do with his “lower” velocity and lack of dominant control. I was always taught that using the legs to pitch was a solid way to reign in power and endurance. Where is Rod Nichols? With his delivery as it is I would not be surprised to see him on the DL sometime this season.

Hoover and Valdez have been pulling their weight with the Phillies this week. Hoover had a hit last night and today led off an inning and later scored the Phil’s first run scoring from 2nd on Victorino’s base hit.

Rich Thompson lost his consecutive game hitting streak last night from the bench. He was sent in as a pinch hitter in the 8th ending a good run. Makes you wonder why you would sit somebody for a days rest, as hot as he was, and then toss him in cold. I know, I know.. these streaks are only looked at fondly by us fans but I put that managerial move right up there with bunting in the 9th inning of a potential perfect game.

I didn’t post game notes last night. I just couldn’t. I also can’t join on the bandwagon that Nate Bump is the team’s ace. An ace just exemplifies qualities that Bump isn’t. This team needs to wake up and wake up soon.

Pigs lost another 1 run game. Not really news there.

Rich Thompson did extend his hitting streak to 11 games. The current Ironpig streak record is held by Mike Cervenak at 18 games.

DeWayne Wise hit his league leading 5th triple.

Brian Bocock had a 2 hit night! Holy cow!

Bump and Wasserman each gave up a run with Wasserman taking the loss. He is now 0-3 and being 0-3 this early in the season is a bad bad thing.

Tomorrow is another day and the Ironpigs travel to Gwinnett tomorrow.