This one should be easy, right? Well, I broke the rules to add a twist!
Ha! Get it?
@Kram209
Should the @IronPigs Retire Uniform Numbers?
I’ll answer this with a solid and distinct, Yes.
Many teams have retired uniform numbers for players who have made a long term impact for the team and the fans. Popularity doesn’t always allow the cut but more so a combination of success on and off the field pushes the organization to honor the player by retiring their number.
While the IronPigs certainly have had their fan favorites and top performers but how many Pigs can you think of that have:
1. Longevity with the team
2. Outstanding and consistent performance
3. Solid reputation within the community
I can’t think of any. If an IronPig accomplished the first two on this list they are either traded or sent up to the Phillies. That goes for any minor league team. Do good – go up. Do bad – don’t go up, maybe go down or go away.
So what would an IronPig player have to do to earn a retired number from the team?
One answer. Get promoted to the bigs, become an All Star, retire, get elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. That’s how Reading retired three numbers with all three being Hall of Famers. Who can name them? I can.
Sounds like the Lehigh Valley is a long ways away from retiring Cody Asche’s number at Coca Cola Park. (That’s my call for retired IronPig #2)
Right now you’re saying.. number two?! Yes, number two. There is one number that the IronPigs could easily “retire” and recognize at Coca Cola Park and where I say could I’m going to change that to say SHOULD recognize this number.
Yeah. Not sure how this has been overlooked for six years but it does need to happen.
With that said, how can the IronPigs honor the best of the IronPigs? Let’s look at what we already have…
Blue stars under a sign that says, “Pigs to the Bigs.” Yeah, it’s cool but it includes everybody.
How can they show something for say… Andy Tracy. That guy could still be elected Mayor of Bethlehem if he wanted to run. Someone like Rich Thompson.
Perhaps the IronPigs could take a note from football. How about a “Ring of Honor?” The 360 degree concourse at Coca Cola Park does resemble a ring…
A piece of treated plywood bolted to the outfield fence or concourse wall wouldn’t cost too much would it?
Just my thoughts… what are yours?
Filed under Lehigh Valley IronPigs
Looking Back 25 Years: When The Olympics Came To Quakertown
With Mickey Morandini set to join the coaching staff of the Lehigh Valley Ironpigs it reminded me of August 19, 1988, when the USA National Baseball Team came to Memorial Park in Quakertown to play an exhibition game against the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League All-Stars. It would be their final game in the USA before leaving for the Summer Olympics in Seoul, Korea. Although baseball was only a demonstration sport at that time, the USA team won the gold medal in Korea. It was likely the greatest amateur baseball team to ever play a game in the extended Lehigh Valley area.
Members of that team were:
Jim Abbott, LHP. Born without a right hand, he was the 1st Rd. pick of the California Angels in 1988. He threw a no-hitter for the Yankees vs. Cleveland on 9/4/93 and won 87 big league games.
Bret Barberie, IF. 7th Rd. pick by the Expos in 1988. The switch hitting infielder was a member of the inaugural Florida Marlins team and got the first hit ever by a Marlins player. Played parts of 6 seasons with the Expos, Marlins, Orioles & Cubs
Mark Beck, RHP. 16th Rd. pick by the Braves in 1989.
Andy Benes, RHP. Overall 1st Rd. pick by the Padres in 1988. 155 big league wins playing for the Padres, Mariners, Cardinals and Diamondbacks. Named Sporting News Rookie Pitcher of the Year. He was the starting pitcher in the first game in the history of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Jeff Branson, SS . 2nd Rd. pick by the Reds in 1988. Hit .260 with 12 HR for Cincinnati in 1995. In November, 2013 he was named as the new hitting coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Jim Campanis, C. 3rd Rd. pick by Seattle in 1988. Son of former major leaguer Jim Campanis and grandson of baseball executive Al Campanis.
Pat Combs, LHP 1st Rd. pick by the Phillies in 1988. In his first professional season (1989) he pitched at all 4 levels in the Phillies organization, Class A Clearwater, AA Reading, AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and for the Phillies where he went 4-0 2.09. He started 31 games for the Phillies in 1990 going 10-10 with a 4.07 ERA.
Mike Fiore, OF. 15th Rd. pick by the Cardinals in 1988 out of the University of Miami. After retiring from baseball he became a staff member for sports agent Scott Boras.
Tom Goodwin, OF. 1st Rd. pick by the Dodgers in 1989. Played parts of 14 big league seasons. 369 career SB. He is currently the first base coach for the New York Mets.
Ty Griffin, 2B. 1st Rd. pick (9th overall) by the Cubs in 1988. Played 9 minor league seasons. Never played in the majors.
Tino Martinez, 1B. 1st Rd. pick by Seattle in 1988. 339 major league HRs, 192 with Yankees. Finished 2nd to Ken Griffey Jr. for 1997 AL MVP. He resigned as the Miami Marlins hitting coach on July 28, 2013. In 2014 he will be inducted into the Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame.
Bill Masse, OF. 7th Rd pick by Yankees in 1988. Managed 9 years in the minors.
Ben McDonald, RHP. Drafted 1st overall by Orioles in 1989 draft. 78-70 big league record. He threw a complete game shutout in his first major league start. He retired prematurely after rotator cuff surgery in 1998.
Mike Milchin, LHP/1B. 2nd Rd. pick by Cardinals in 1989. 3-1 career big league record. He is currently managing partner of SFX Baseball Group, now Relativity Baseball, the agency that represents Tigers pitching ace Justin Verlander and AL MVP Miguel Cabrera, first baseman Paul Goldschmidt of the Diamondbacks and Red Sox DH David Ortiz.
Mickey Morandini, 2B. 5th Rd. pick by Phillies in 1988. Played 11 big league seasons with Phillies, Cubs & Blue Jays. After coaching the Lakewood BlueClaws in 2013 he was named as bench coach for the Lehigh Valley Ironpigs for the 2014 season although rumors continue to circulate that he may join the broadcast booth of the Phillies for the upcoming season..
Charley Nagy, RHP. 1st Rd. pick of Cleveland Indians in 1988. 129 big league wins in 14 big league seasons. He was pitching coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks for past 3 seasons but was fired at the end of the 2013 season.
Jim Poole, LHP. 9th Rd. pick by Dodgers in 1988. Relief pitcher spent parts of 11 seasons in the majors from 1990-2000. He was the losing pitcher in Game 6 of the 1995 World Series when David Justice hit a 6th inning homerun and the Braves defeated the Indians by a 1-0 score and won the World Series 4 games to 2.
Doug Robbins, C. Orioles 10th Rd. pick in 1988.
Scott Servais, C. 3rd Rd. pick by Astros in 1988. Played 11 big league seasons mostly with the Astros and Cubs. He is currently the assistant general manager for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Dave Silvestri, SS. 2nd Rd. pick by Astros in 1988. 336 career at bats over 8 big league seasons. He managed 2 seasons of minor league baseball.
Joe Slusarski, RHP. 2nd Rd. pick of the Oakland A’s in 1988. 13-21 career record over 7 seasons.
Eddie Zosky, SS. 1st Rd. pick by Blue Jays in 1989. Played briefly in the majors during the 1990’s.
Ed Sprague, 3B. 1st Rd. pick of Blue Jays in 1988. 152 career HR, 36 in 1996 for Toronto. His father was a big league pitcher in the late 60’s and early 70’s. He has been the baseball coach at Pacific University since 2004.
Robin Ventura, 3B. 1st Rd. pick by White Sox in 1988. In 1987 he had an NCAA record 58 game hitting streak while playing at Oklahoma State. He had a 16 year big league career with 294 HR, 18 of them grand slams. He also won 6 Gold Gloves at third base. He is the current manager of the Chicago White Sox.
Ted Wood, OF. 1st Rd. pick of Giants in 1988. Played briefly in the majors from 1991-1993 and played professional baseball in China and Korea for several years.
By the way, the Olympic team defeated the ACBL all-star team that night in Quakertown in front of a sold out crowd, by a score of 19-1. Starting pitcher Joe Slusarski threw 5 no-hit innings and catcher Scott Servais had 6 RBI’s. Robin Ventura chipped in with a grand slam and Tino Martinez also homered for team USA.
Filed under From the Desk of Decal
Another @PigsRadio Alumni Steps Up! @VentingDaily
As many players as the IronPigs have sent up to the Phillies, I don’t think it comes close percentage wise on the success that the IronPig’s Media team has accomplished.
We have Tommy V or Tommy Viola as he is known in his current role as Director of Media relations for the Charlotte Knights. Tommy is having a great time down there opening up a brand new park actually in Charlotte. Who could ever forget… “The IronPig’s Radioooooooooo Network!”
Then we have Tim Doohan who is the Director of Communications for the Rochester Red Wings.
Also at the Triple A level is Matt Sutor who recently became the Media Relations Coordinator for the Durham Bulls!
John Skudris has moved on to do play by play for UMass Boston.
This morning we got news from That Baseball Team out in Reading that Mike Ventola has been hired as their Radio broadcaster!
Congrats to Mike and all the Pig’s Radio Alumni! We’re proud of you!
From That Baseball Team out in Reading:
Ventola Named Fightins Radio Broadcaster
Photo from Mike Ventola – Faceboook account
Easton native will call 2014 slate on 1340 WRAW-AM
The Reading Fightin Phils, Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, have announced that Michael Ventola will be joining the club in 2014 as the team’s radio broadcaster.
“The Fightins are thrilled to have Mike join the club this season,” said Fightin Phils General Manager Scott Hunsicker. “Mike’s energy and experience broadcasting on the East Coast will make him a great fit with our front office and team.”
Ventola, 25, comes to Baseballtown after spending the past two seasons as the Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations for the Southern Illinois Miners of the independent Frontier League. Prior to his time with the Miners, Ventola spent the 2010 season in Reading as a media relations assistant and with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs in 2011 as a broadcast assistant. He also worked as broadcasting and promotions assistant in 2009 with the Augusta GreenJackets (A).
“I am thrilled to be joining a well-respected organization here in Reading,” said Ventola. “I hope to convey my excitement and love for this great game with each and every sentence I broadcast to this great fan base.”
Along with his vast experience in baseball, Ventola is the play-by-play voice for both Wagner College and NJIT Women’s Basketball. A 2010 graduate of Immaculata University, he has also worked with the Lehigh Valley’s ESPN Radio affiliate and the Danny Bonaduce Morning Show in Philadelphia.
Ventola will call the complete 142-game Eastern League schedule in addition to the 222 Showcase Exhibition Game on April 1st on 1340 WRAW-AM. Live coverage begins 30 minutes prior to the start of each Fightin Phils game with the pre-game show. On Friday’s, the pre-game show is expanded to an hour, featuring exclusive interviews with Fightins players, coaches, and additional special guests.
Filed under Lehigh Valley IronPigs
Is #SmellTheChange Good? Or, Bad?
We’re sure having a lot of fun with this #SmellTheChange IronPigs promotion which will culminate in some kind of “Major Announcement” on Monday. Let’s face it, though, we’re going to have fun no matter what. It’s what we do. But,
It appears the IronPigs are serious about this one. Would something as simple as a new bacon-serving concession stand warrant billboards? Goodness, anyone can create an internet “storm” with the amount of followers the IronPigs have on Twitter and FaceBook. But billboards? That’s some cash.
And if they’re willing to pour real cash into this launch–whatever it is–it’s gotta be something rather big. Is a new Saturday Jersey with a bacon theme big enough for this? I kinda doubt it. Like a black jersey with the numbers made out of bacon photos? Maybe cool for one time, but not every Saturday. Please no. That’s probably not a big enough deal to order 10 billboards over, though. And I wouldn’t like it. I don’t think we need to get MORE goofy about things.
But this is the team that brought us uninal gaming. And this has been in the works for some time. Our sources are completely mum so far, but we were able to determine that the smellthechange.com website was registered last fall. That means, whatever this is, it has been in the works for some time.
But at this point, I’m just hoping it’s not something horrible. I’m still a little jaded by the whole Reading Fightins thing from last season. I don’t hate their new name, exactly, but I hate that they’ve all but abandoned the Phillies portion of the moniker. And, I’m not keen on the ostriches or the new logos. Are the IronPigs getting ready to re-brand? Really? Golly, I hope not.
I’m thinking happy thoughts. Here’s the best I could come up with:
This is a random photo I took during the 2012 season because I like bunting. You know, to move the runner over…
In the photo above, do you see the empty girder space below the club level railing? It’s mostly filled with 69News ads and the like. The speakers impinge on it a little, and further down the baselines, there’s a small scoreboard there. What if they filled that whole area with entire STRIP (You know, like a bacon strip? Like THE bacon strip, where the seats are in right field. Hey, we’re running out of puns over here) of LED like the one that appears below the scoreboard right now. That LED could then be used for advertising, stats, scores, advertising, light-show entertainment when there’s a home run, advertising, a picture of bacon, and advertising. It would add a big-league feel to the park. I’ve written about it before. Perhaps they just want to get this announcement in because we’re going to see some evidence at Pig Day anyway. That addition would cost some money, so I’m sure they’d want to crow about it. It would be worth making a big deal over. And, it wouldn’t promote itself like pee-games would.
I’m just guessing, but I’ve got to cling to something good. If it’s something horrible, or dumb, I’m going to be bummed out. I need this season to help me forget this winter..C’mon man.
Thinking–and smelling–good thoughts,
@Kram209
@IronPigs Uniforms Over the Years #CanYouSmellIt ?
We’re still mulling over what the IronPig’s are planning with their Smell the Change deal. Brian G and Heather M brought up a good point that the hoopla could be in reference to redesigned IronPig uniforms. Perhaps with a Bacon inspired font… I like that idea!
Speaking of uniforms…
There is one thing you are guaranteed to hear during an IronPig’s radio broadcast and that is Matt Provence’s detailed description of each team’s uniform selection for that day.
Uniform rules have slackened a bit for minor league baseball, with many different variations, promotions and pitcher’s superstitions.. along with the ability to fill up the team store with a plethora of authentic uniform options.
For the first few years the IronPigs had a pretty standard uniform set.
The Home uniforms have been pretty much the same since 2008.
The Home uniforms, worn on weekday home games, have been a standard since 2008. The all white with red trim and blue lettering with the IronPig logo are easily the most often worn uniform at home.
The Saturday home uniforms worn since 2008. White pants with red jersey and Ironpigs across the chest. Red pig snout hat included.
The former Sunday Home jersey differed from the weekday version with the removal of sleeves.
Occasionally the team will play in the Dark Blue Batting practice jerseys with a Swinging IronPig on the chest. Normally seen as a part of a double header.
In 2013 the Sunday vests were replaced by a powder blue jersey with an IronPig logo on the chest.
Some various “Auction” jerseys…
Photo by Decal
Photo by Decal
Photo by Decal
Photo by Decal
Photo by Decal
Photo by Decal
Photo by Decal
Photo by Decal
Photos by Cheryl Pursell, unless otherwise noted.
Filed under CherylPursellsPhotos, Lehigh Valley IronPigs
Can You #SmellTheChange @Ironpigs ?
The IronPigs have alerted us to some changes coming with a secret “Smell the Change” media blitz!
They devoted an entire website to it, http://smellthechange.com/ so it must be significant…
The big reveal is Monday February 24th so we won’t have to wait too long, but until then…
Some of the Noise Nation’s ideas!
Pigs at the Park!
Real live Pigs at the Park!
I grew up in rural Berks county. We had many farms nearby and we knew which ones not to ride past on a bicycle. The Pig farms. Whoooeeeee doesn’t even come close to sum up that stank.
Possible? Maybe. They could bring in those cute little pet style pigs but would hate to be the intern in charge of it.
Restrooms by the Tiki Terrace, permanent or portable.
Now this is something we’ve been asking for. Anyone who chooses to imbibe at the Tiki Terrance in left field or the Trough in right field knows how long that walk can be to the concourse restrooms.
We probably would have seen more construction if the weather was better, so permanent facilities in the outfield might be possible.. but I seriously doubt they’re going to cart in some porto-dumpers for the outfield.
Possible? Not really.
New Parking Prices?
You’ve heard the rumors. So have I. No official word on if parking prices will increase from the historical $3.00 per visit.
If it does happen, people will sure “Raise a Stink” about it..
Possible? Possible but doubtful it’s part of this promotion.
Long Term Sponsorship with Old Spice?
Move over Coca Cola.. Old Spice Park coming in 2014!?
Possible? Probably not.
“Do you SMEEEEELLLL what the Schaff… is cooking?!”
IronPig radio talent takes it to another level with Jon Schaeffer modifying one of Dwayne Johnson’s old tag lines. Keeping it in the Valley and all…
Possible? While it would be cool, I don’t think so.
More Food Options
Could they possibly have any more pork food offerings?
Pork Nachos…
Big Porker sandwich…
Bacon wrapped everything…Possible? Highly likely. This one is probably the best bet of all listed so far.
Some of the ideas that didn’t quite make it, even on our list:
- Smell-o-vision on the stadium scoreboard.
- Bacon flavored hand rails
- Little tree air freshener giveaway night
- Skunk petting zoo
- The team trying to lose all the games
- Bacon scented bubbles at the East gate
- Construction smells from the bridge over the river Lehigh, American parkway project
- Free deodorant for those who.. umm, need it
- Burning the new Ferrous and FeFe “clothes” and going back to the old ones.
Anyways, it’s all in fun and historically the IronPigs haven’t failed to come through for us. Looking forward to Monday!
Is it April yet? OinK!
Filed under Lehigh Valley IronPigs
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