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April 9, 2012 · 9:11 pm

IronPigs – 27 LOB – .121 with RISP – Record 4-1

Scott Elarton who did not pitch in 2011 due to various injuries made his IronPigs debut against RHP Doug Mathis (0-5, 4.27 in AAA with Sacramento and Fresno in the PCL) in sunny Pawtucket in game 3 of the series this afternoon.

Bottom 3 (Cuutt on and Missed)

Che-Hsuan Lin (CF) leads off with a walk.

Josh Kroeger (RF) and Alex Hassan (LF) fly out.

Nate Spears (2B) singles to bring runners to 2nd and 3rd with two outs.

Starting pitcher Elarton gets Jose Iglesias (SS) on a swinging strike for the third out.

Top 4 (Brown RBI – Brown Picked)

After a lead-off golf shot just over Rae’s Creek for a Hector Luna (3B) double, Dom Brown adds his 3rd RBI in as many at bats. Pigs 1-0.

Cody Overbeck lined out for the first out and after a few throws to 2nd, Dom Brown is picked off in a not so close play – two outs.

Derrick Mitchell just misses a jack but it’s held up by blustering winds up to 25 MPH – inning over.

Top 5 (LOB + RISP = O)

Rich Thompson (single) and Kevin Frandsen (HPB) both reach base but the ‘Pigs are unable capitalize. Pigs 1-0

Bottom 5 (Elarton loads ’em and stowes ’em)

After a single to Will Middlebrooks (3B), Lin flies out on a deep shot to Rich Thompson, Kroeger does the same – 2 outs.

Middlebrook steals second on a strong throw by Erik Kratz (C) to the wrong side of the bag.

Alex Hassan (LF) and Spears both drew walks to load the bases with two outs bringing Jose Igesias to the plate who Colorado born 6’8″ Elarton blows Iglesias away with 3 straight pitches (1 foul, 2 swinging strikes). Still 1 – nothing ‘Pigs

Top 6 (Sanches puts ’em trances)

Elarton leaves with 5 strong innings surrendering 2 hits, no runs, 3 BB and 4 SO and is replaced by Major League veteran, rightie Brian Sanches.

Maura Gomez (DH) leads off with a single.

Andres Blanco (SS) knocked over by a smashed line drive throws Gomez out at 2nd from his backside and Frandsen completes the double play.

Lars Anderson (1B) grounds out to Frandsen to end the inning. Pigs 1 – PawSox 0

Top 7 (Cannonball Kratz)

Following a pop-up and a OinK, Josh Kroeger (RF) reaches on a walk then is caught stealing on a BB by catcher Erik Kratz to end the inning. ‘Pigs 1-0

Top 8 (Can you hear me Major DOM?)

Kevin Frandsen (2B) lines out 2nd and Lou Montanez (DH) files out to center for two quick outs.

Hector Luna then gets his 2nd hit of the game for his first multi-hit game of the year bringing Dom Brown for his first multi-hit game of the year. Brown began the year 0-7 with 5 K’s to start but has been strong since. Stay strong Dom!

Cody Overbeck came to the plate with 2 on 2 out and whiffed to end the inning. Pigs 1-0

Bottom 8 (Phear the Phro)

Brian Sanches goes 2 innings, 1 BB, 1 SO and is replaced by Michael Schwimer.

Hassan led off with a 5 pitch walk but is erased on a sac bunt try by Nate Spears.

Frandsen ranges far to his left to snag the popped up foul ball for a 2nd quick out.

Mauro Gomez (DH) bloops a single to right moving Spears to third.

The dreaded Ryan Lavarnway (C) grounds out to short to end the inning. ‘Pigs 1 – PawSox 0

Top 9 (Insurance – no)

Derrick Mitchell gets and infield single off a tough play by third-baseman Nate Spears.

Kratz rocks one off pitcher Junichi Tazawa that caroms to short and he’s thrown out at first – Mitchell advances to 2nd. Out 1

Andres Blanco grounds out to pitcher Tazawa for the 2nd out – Mitchell still at 2nd.

Rich Thompson flies out to right to end the inning.

Bottom 9 (Diekman got ’em with the skidooch)

Jake Diekman replaces Schwimer who gets the hold.

Lars Anderson is sent down looking – 1 down

Middlebrooks goes down swinging – 2 out

Che-Hsuan Lin singles down the first base line followed by another single by Kroeger. 2 on – 2 out

Diekman throwing hard (upper 90’s) takes the count 0-2 to Hassan (LF) and STRIKES HIM OUT looking.

Pigs Fly! (again)

Elarton with the win, Sanches and Schwimer with holds and Diekman with a strong save.

Click below for the Matt Provence IronPigs Radio Recap of the Game.

Dom Brown has had the game winning hit in the last two games!

There is this to consider -> In the first 5 games the ‘Pigs have left 27 on base and are 4 for 33 with RISP. (.121 with RISP)

Also this -> The pen has given up only 7 earned runs in 5 games with a sub 2 ERA

Imagine the possibilities when the bats warm up!

Pig Out!

DiPro’s Dish

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April 9, 2012 · 1:15 pm

IronPig’s Updated Roster – 4/9/12

Like we didn’t see this one coming..

RHP Dave Bush activated from MLB suspension (reduced from 5 G to 4 G).

OF Scott Podsednik activated from Temporarily Inactive List.

RHP Tyler Cloyd assigned to Reading (AA).

While it will improve the IronPigs with Podsednik returning, it’s a shame the International League Pitcher of the Week gets demoted.

I have a feeling he’ll be back mid-season.

OinK!

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April 9, 2012 · 10:44 am

Tyler Cloyd Named IL Pitcher of the Week!

On his first start at AAA, and possibly his last for quite a while, Tyler Cloyd has achieved what few IronPig pitchers have done.

He was named the International League Pitcher of the week!

From the IL:

Right-handed pitcher Tyler Cloud had never pitched at the Triple-A level prior to his Opening Day start for Lehigh Valley. In fact, Cloud was slated to open the 2012 season with Double-A Reading, but was summoned to Lehigh Valley for the IronPigs first game to replace suspended pitcher Dave Bush. The young prospect delivered six perfect innings en route to the IronPigs’ 3-0 victory over Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He is the first pitcher in club history to toss six perfect frames in a game. Cloyd struck out eight Yankees hitters, a number he reached just twice in 22 starts last season. 24-year-old Tyler Cloyd is in his fifth season of professional baseball, having spent his entire career in the Philadelphia organization. Last season he combined to go 9-7 with a 2.77 ERA between Class-A and Double-A. Cloyd is a native of Bellevue, Nebraska.

Paul Janish of the Louisville Bats was named Hitter of the Week.

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April 8, 2012 · 8:20 pm

Transactions 4-8-2012

Mike Zagurski was removed from Arizona’s 40 man roster.

Ozzie Chavez (Braves) was placed on the 7 day disabled list.

Jeff Larish was released by the Orioles.

Jason Jaramillo was released by the Cubs. He later signed with the Brewers.

The Indians aquired Chin-Lung Hu from the Phillies for future considerations.

Cory Sullivan was released by the Dodgers.

Terry Tiffee was released by the Marlins.

Mike Cervenak (Marlins) was placed on the 7 day disabled list.

Phillies released:
RHP Leonel Bastidas
RHP Nate Bump
RHP Cody Fick
RHP Eric Pettis
LHP Matt Way
C Nolan Clark
C Jeff Lanning
C Chabriel Pizarro
OF Luis Amaro
OF Brent Clevlen
OF Bill Rice

Phillies placed on 7-day disabled list:
RHP Chance Chapman
RHP Jordan Ellis
RHP Drew Naylor
RHP Adam Worthington
LHP Nick Hernandez
LHP Mario Hollands
2B Harold Garcia
OF Anthony Hewitt

Keoni De Renne (Pirates) was placed on the 7 day disabled list.

Dennis Tankersley (No connection with the IronPigs but with a name like that, resembling Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersly, you could imagine the fun his opponent’s fans have) was released by the Padres.

Aaron Heilman was released from the Mariners.

Nelson Figueroa was released from the Blue Jays.

Brian Bocock (Blue Jays) was placed on the 7 day disabled list.

Chad Durbin was released from the Nationals.

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April 8, 2012 · 6:25 pm

Back to .500! Steelhawks Take 2-0 Lead in 222 Bangathon!

The Lehigh Valley Steelhawks defeated the Reading Express earlier this season at Stabler Arena and were looking to go ahead 2-0 in the 2nd of 4 games vs. their neighbors down route 222.

A Noise Nation contingent made the trip to Reading, the first at Sovereign Center for most of us, and we were impressed. Several parking garages nearby offered safe parking for $5 (discounted this season for Express and Royal’s hockey games) and it was a short walk to the arena.

Inside we were greeted by friendly fans and employees alike. A little ribbing here and there but all in good fun.

Some things I like about the Sovereign Center:

– The cheesesteak. It was good. Very similiar to what is served at CCP. Sauce mixed in real chopped steak meat and the cheese wasn’t of the plastic yellow variety. (I’m more a provolone guy)

– There is a luxary box that looks just like someone’s back porch. It is beautiful. If I ever win the Powerball.. I’d reserve that one for life.

– The dangling scoreboard at mid-field was pulled into the rafters allowing long field goals.

Some things that the Allentown Arena could improve on looking at the Sovereign Center:

– Bigger and better placed video board

– Multiple entry points

– Better scoreboards. Granted, those from last night were designed for hockey.. a more multi-function scoreboard will be appreciated.

Overall, a fun time.

We ran into our friend Willie the Clown! It’s great to see others out there who share our passion for local sports. The Reading Express group is known as the “Da Railyard” and is just about as loud as us during games.

Two peas in a pod, Willie the Clown and Jimmy T!

Game review courtesy of the Steelhawks:

After a long bye week, following a tough 36-34 loss at the hands of the Bloomington Edge, the Steelhawks headed across Rte. 222 to face their cross town rivals the Reading Express (0-5) for the second of four matchups on the 2012 season. The final result ended the same as the first meeting as the Steelhawks were able to even their record at 3-3 with a hard fought 62-41 victory.

This game however, was vastly different then the first matchup in the first half. The Express this time were able to see their offense and Special Teams click early and went into half time with a 34-28 lead. The Express were able to return two kickoffs on the evening for scores, but were unable to stop the Steelhawks potent offense.

The ‘Hawks were lead by Quarterback Bryan Randall and standout Wide Receiver Irani DeAraujo Jr. on the night. DeAraujo put in one of the top performances on the year offensively hauling in 12 Randall passes, for 134 yards and FIVE touchdowns. Randall finished the evening 23 of 33 passing for 236 yards and seven touchdown passes.

“Irani busted out in a big way tonight,” stated Steelhawks Head Coach Chris Thompson. “He and Randall were on the same page and were able to find some great throwing lanes and get the offense in a rhythm. The Express came in hungry in this game and gave us a run for our money, but I am very proud of the way our guys buckled down and made adjustments at halftime. One game at a time is our mentality going forward.”

The Steelhawks now set their sights on a rematch with the Cedar Rapids Titans back inside the Stabler Arena this coming Saturday night, April 14th at 7 p.m. The game is being deemed Youth Sports Night and is presented by TeamX Sports, the local chapter of NFL Flag Football.

I have to say the game was hard fought and although the final score leaned heavily to Lehigh Valley, it wasn’t until late in the third quarter before the game was out of hand.

Another great time and I encourage you to check out this exciting sport!

ScreecH!

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April 7, 2012 · 9:17 pm

‘Pigs vs. PawSox – Game 2 – The Revenge

The IronPigs Tom “Life is a Highway”* Cochran and rightie prospect Alex Wilson for Pawtucket began on the Hill. Dom Brown gets the start in LF, Mitchell in CF, and Montanez in RF, Frandsen, Thompson, Kratz get the rest.

This being Coach Sandberg’s fourth different line-up in as many days hopefully the ‘Pigs can earn the split in chilly Rhode Island.

TOP 1 (‘Pigs jump to early lead)

Andres Blanco (SS) singled and advanced to 3rd on a balk and then a wild pitch and and scored on a sac fly by Lou Montanez (CF). Pigs lead 1-0.

Joe Thurston (2B) flied out to center Hector Luna (3B) goes down swinging to end the inning.

Top 2 (Play at the Plate)

Dom Brown lead off with a walk and moved to 2nd on a single by Cody Overbeck to left, a 2nd wild pitch of the game moves up the runners.

Derrick Mitchell strikes out swinging.

Tuffy Gosewhisch launches what was surely a sac fly to right to score another ‘Pigs run but Alex Hassan (RF) gunned down Dom Brown at home on a strong throw to home ending the inning. The MiLB TV replay appeared to show Brown slide under that tag. ‘Pigs 1-0

Bottom 2 (It’s all tied up)

Mauro Gomez (1B) takes a 0-2 pitch and launches it over the left field fence to bring the PawSox even, 1-1.

Will Middlebrooks (3B) struck out swinging.

Jason Repko (DH) bunt singles to pitcher Cochran and he tosses it down the right field line moving Repko to 2nd.

Che-Hsuan Lin (CF) popped out in fair territory on a shot up the elevator shaft for the 2nd out.

Luis Exposito (C) flied out to center to end the inning. Pigs 1 – Sox 1

Top 3 (Blanco blanked)

Andres Blanco (SS) got his 2nd hit with a liner to right and is LOB following 3 straight outs.

Bottom 3 (Sox take the lead)

Alex Hassan was the recipient of the first official walk of the 2012 season. Third baseman Hector Luna made a great backhand stab off the bat of Pedro Ciriaco (SS) to punch out the speedy Hassan at 2nd.

Ciriaco moved to 2nd when Cochran hits a piece of fuzz on Nate Spears, (2B) jersey for a HBP.

Daniel Nava (LF) ripped a pitch to left and a poor throw by Dom Brown results in Ciriaco scoring and the first lead for Pawtucket, 2-1.

Gomez flies out to Brown in left for the 2nd out. Sox are still up 2-1.

Bottom 4 (Super-Tuff)

“You don’t step on super-man’s cape, you don’t spit in the wind and you don’t run on Tuffy Gosewisch”*. Tuffy with a strong (SO) / throw out double play to punch out Jason Repko (DH) on a caught stealing – 2 out.

Cochran, after surrendering 2 walks to Exposito and Hassan escaped further damage with a charging play and throw to first by second baseman Joe Thurston off the bat of Pedro Ciriaco.

Top 6 (Dom Brown – Redemption)

Right-hander Chorye Spoon now pitching for the PawSox.

Andres Blanco grounds out to second baseman Nate Spears. 1-out

Two walks to Thurston and Montanez lead off the 6th bringing former Pig Killer Hector Luna to the plate. The runners advanced on a passed ball with runners on 2nd and 3rd and Luna strikes out – two down.

Dom Brown came through with two huge RBIs on his first hit of 2012 after chopping a grounder up the middle past the diving Ciriaco. Let’s hope that’s the beginning of Dom Brown’s come-back year!

Overbeck grounds out to end the inning. Pigs up 3-2.

Bottom 6 (Horst Power)

Lefty Jeremy Horst takes the hill to make his IronPigs debut.

Jason Repko struck out swinging. 1-down

Horst ranges to his right and makes a strong throw to spank out the swift a foot Che-Hsuan Lin. 2-down

Exposito – Cut on and missed for the easy 3-up 3-down for Jeremy Horst.

Pigs 3 – Sox 2

Top 7 (3 LOB – RISP – again)

Derrick Mitchell lead off with a perfect bunt single past the pitcher.

Tuffy Gosewisch struck out swinging – Mitchell is on second after a stolen base.

Suomi goes down swinging. 2 down

Pitching change – Will Inman (right-hander) on the hill for Pawtucket to face Andres Blanco.

Blanco walks bringing up Joe Thurston who also walks to load the bases.

Lou Montanez with 3 runners in scoring position proceeded to work the count full only to pop-out to Nate Spears just behind first base.

Bottom 7 (Phillipe “Wild Thing Williams” Aumont – gets the save)

Phillipe Aumont on the mound for his first attempted save of the year.

9th batter Hassan works a full-count and flies out to Derrick Mitchell. 1-out

Ciriaco is pounded in the upper arm by a 92+ MPH fast ball and reaches first. Still 1-out.

Spears draws a 4 pitch walk to move the tying run to 2nd and bring the winning run on base.

Nava also draws a walk to load the bases. 1-out

Gomez grounds out in a 6-4-3 double play to end the game.

Pigs Fly! On their way to a 3-1 record!

Cochran gets the win, Horst a hold, and Aumont his first (nail-biting) save of the year.

Strong pitching and (finally) some clutch hitting with RISP earned the IronPigs the split of the double-header.

I vote for no more 7 inning games!

OinK

DiPro’s Dish

*credit to Matt Provence

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April 7, 2012 · 6:15 pm

‘Pigs vs. PawSox – Game 1

The IronPigs kicked off a dreaded (7 inning) double-header againgst the Pawtucket RedSox at McCoy Stadium.

In 2011 the ‘Pigs went an abysmal 4-10 in 7 inning games and were 1-5 back in August. Hopefully, 2012 will bring a better result.

TOP 1 (Richie T on – Richie T gone)

After resting last nights game, Rich Thompson (CF) began the game with a lead off single against Pawtucket starting pitcher Aaron Cook and his first hit of the year but was erased quickly by a 6-4-3 double play.

TOP 3 (‘Pigs jump to early lead)

Derrick Mitchell (LF) beat out a great play by Jose Iglasias (SS) and wound up on 2nd from the resulting throwing error.

Erik Kratz (C) advanced Mitchell to 3rd on a sac fly to right.

Switch hitting Andres Blanco (SS) following a hard fault battle brought in Mitchell after squirting one up the middle against the drawn in infield for his 3rd RBI of the season. IronPigs lead 1-0.

BOTTOM 4 (Crucial out-field error)

Ryan Lavarnway (C) singled to left, Mauro Gomez (1B) doubled to left to bring Lars Anderson to the plate. Anderson smacks sac fly to left a and Lou Montanez concerned with throwing home has the ball drop out of his mitt to score the PawSox first run.

Will Middlebrooks (3B) ground out to Andres Blanco and scored Gomez giving the Pawsox their first lead of the game 2-1.

TOP 5 (Aggressiveness – not this time)

Derrick Mitchell (LF) lead off with a single and is then thrown out trying to grab two bases off a past ball by pitcher Cook. The aggressiveness of Mitchell can certainly be admired but in a 7 inning shortened game perhaps it was bad timing.

BOTTOM 5 (Second out-field error results in 2 runs)

Jason Repko (CF) began the inning with a 1-0 blast over the left fence to give the PawSox a 3-1 lead.

Nate Spears (2B) lined a single to right followed by a Daniel Nava (LF) single. The runners advanced when the ball squirted under Mitchell’s glove in left in another costly IronPig Error. PawSox now lead 4-1.

The first walk of the season issued by any IronPig hurler was of the intentional kind and it paid off and resulted in Mauro Gomez grounding into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning.

TOP 6 (Rally Killed)

Thompson and Kevin Frandsen (2B) started the 6th with 8 consecutive balls and the rally was started until ground ball specialist Aaron Cook tossed a 6-4-3 double play ball to Lou Montanez and ended the inning by striking out Hector Luna (3B). The score remained 4-1 with the IronPigs last chance coming up.

TOP 7 (Rally Caps – ineffective)

After reaching a 3-2 count, Joe Thurston (DH) grounds out to first for out one, bringing Cody Overbeck to the plate.

Overbeck flied out deep to right for out number 2.

Derrick Mitchell ended the game with a 3 pitch strike out to complete PawSox Pitcher Aaron Cook’s 5 hit 1 run complete (shortened) game gem.

While Pitching & Defense were instrumental in the first two victories it certainly didn’t help in game one and the ‘Pigs dropped their first game of the year 4-1 on two crucial outfield errors.

IronPigs starter Pat Misch was credited with the loss after giving up 4 runs (2 earned) on 6 hits in 5 innings.

First pitch for game two will begin at 6:40 pm. The Pigs split 4 double headers in 2011, let’s hope they can get the split today in Rhode Island.

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April 7, 2012 · 11:28 am

Bryce Harper + One – Syracuse Chiefs Coming Soon

From an article on Yahoo Sports website, I saw that the Bryce Harper circus that arrives with the Syracuse Chiefs will also include left hander John Lannan.

As the above story shows, Lannan was sent to Syracuse to make room for Ross Detwiler.

Lannan actually could have been a huge footnote in baseball history but he succeeded in avoiding that fate.

On August 6, 2007, in just his third major league start, found himself on the national stage as he faced the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in Barry Bonds’s first start after tying Hank Aaron’s Major League Baseball’s home run record. The 22-year old Lannan held Bonds to no hits; in four plate appearances Bonds fouled out to third, walked, grounded into a double play, and, as Lannan’s last batter, struck out on a 3-2 curveball with two out and one on in the seventh. (wikipedia)

I’d expect we could see Lannan against the IronPigs at some point this season, if not in the upcoming series against the Chiefs.

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April 7, 2012 · 1:49 am

IronPigs Start 2-0 – Suomi the Money

To borrow a phrase from IronPigs broadcaster Matt Provence, John Suomi The Money (DH) rocked a home run to right field for what turned out to be the game winner. The rest of the ‘Pigs plated 6 runs on 8 hits to beat the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees 6-5 at a frigid Coca-Cola Park.

DH John Suomi following his blast (Photo courtesy of Cheryl Pursell) (click to enlarge)

The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees began the scoring early with a double to left by Steve Pearce (1B) followed up by an RBI single by former IronPig DH Jack Cust.

SWB took a 3 zip lead in the top of the third with a throwing error by Kevin Frandsen plating two again off the bat of Jack Cust.

The ‘Pigs would finally get on the board in the bottom of the third when Andres Blanco (SS) plated Tuffy Gosewisch (C) who reached on a fielders choice. Blanco would plate two on the evening and add some stellar field play. The wide ranging Blanco snared a ball behind 2nd base and snapped a throw to snare Brandon Laird (3B) who strayed a bit too far from 3rd base that surely saved a run and ended a SWB scoring rally.

The IronPigs would score 3 more in the bottom of the 6th when a double by Cody Overbeck (1B) scored Lou Montanez (RF) and Hector Luna (3B) who reached on back to back singles. The scoring rally ended early however on a base running error by Overbeck who while it appeared had an easy chance to make it back to 2nd was called out in a run-down.

SWB would score two more in the game but it was John Suomi’s 0-1 blast to the Bud Light Trough in right field that scored the last run of the evening and led to the 2nd victory in as many nights.

Craig and Annemarie Ritter of Whitehall pose with the first HR ball of 2012 (click to enlarge)

In fact, Suomi’s shot landed right into our own Noise Nation founder Dan Kehl’s seat in the Bud Light Trough while he was away. Craig and Annemarie Ritter of Whitehall were the lucky recipients of the first Home Run Ball at Coca-Cola Park in 2012.

The Pigs start 2-0 for the first time in their history and the last time a Philly AAA team began the season 2-0 was 20 years ago, ironically it was the SWB Red-Barons.

The spectacular week at Coca-Cola Park began with Monday’s Media Day, then Reading on Tuesday, Wednesday’s Red Carpet Premier of IronPigs Fan-tastic to Thursday’s opening day shut-out victory and ended loudly with the best Friday fireworks show yet.

Thursday’s perfect through 6 winner Tyler Cloyd may be in the running for IL Pitcher of the week and still end up back at AA Reading. How do you like that? So far there is great depth in the Minor League pen and the Phils should have no problem calling up some fine tossers – let’s just hope they don’t need to.

The ‘Pigs are on the bus North to Pawtucket for a 4 game series commencing with a double-header tomorrow at 4:05 pm.

Action returns to Coca-Cola Park on Wednesday the 11th at 7:05 pm when the Nationals 19 year old phenom Bryce Harper (.375) arrives with the Syracuse Chiefs for a 3 game series – it should be fun to watch!

Go Pigs!

DiPro’s Dish

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April 6, 2012 · 1:23 pm

IronPigs – Opening Day 2012 – Around the Park

The anticipation – the countdown – the long winter – media day – it was all done – opening day 2012 had finally arrived. The sky was clear, the Spring air was crisp and the wind wafted that familiar ball park scent that is so fondly remembered from seasons past.

The gates opened at 5:00pm to start the festivities and the queue arrived early in anticipation of the 5th Anniversary

The crowd anticipates opening day festivities. (click to enlarge)

Print sponsored by Service Electric. Larry Holmes and the Lehigh University’s (Duke) upset Basketball Team were also on hand. And of course the IronPigs were playing!

After the always pleasant and courteous service from the ticket office folks, I moved on to the Administrative Offices to spend a few moments with Receptionist Pat Golden. I’ve seen Pat throughout the fall/winter and each time we discussed the upcoming season. I wanted to know her thoughts now that opening day had arrived and Pat was kind enough to oblige.

“I wait 6 months for this and I’m estatic right now especially that it’s so beautiful out. I think this is our best week ever for opening week weather wise – it can’t get any better than this!” Pat’s score prediction was “Pigs all the way! We gotta beat those Yankees! Score 4-2”
-Receptionist Extraordinaire Pat Golden

Strolling to the East Gate I recognized a familiar face, one that I’ve actually know for over 30 years. I called out – Marty! And there he was, the infamous umpire’s attendant and IronPigs documentary star ‘Uncle’ Marty Ondrovic.

As many 40 somethings who fondly remember Marty umpiring our Summer and High-School leagues, I said to him

Uncle Marty Ondrovic - LHV Sports Legend (photo courtesy of Jim Laubach) (click to enlarge)

“You used to umpire our games back in the day.” Uncle Marty replied: “I still do!” Next, I mention recalling Marty writing the score in the dirt between innings and in his signature bellowing voice he again said: “I still do!” That’s the Marty Ondrovic I remember and now in his 80’s you’ll find his enthusiasm and knowledge of Lehigh Valley Sports unsurpassed.

We chatted a bit more about Dean & Denton Lakatosh both fixtures in Lehigh Valley Sports for many years who also played some minor league ball back in the mid 1950’s.

Marty has been in the game for countless years and I was curious what he was feeling on this particular opening day which he’s been a part of so many times in one way or another.

“Well the weather was real nice in March, but now if you see I have a hoodie on and a coat – it sure got colder. Oh yeah, all excited about a new season starting – I’m way ahead of the game as far as rubbing baseballs. I usually do 10 dozen balls a game and believe or not we go through 8 or 9 dozen baseballs in a game and I must have at least 40 cases or 40 dozen ready to go.”
-Umpire Attendant Marty Ondrovic

I can bet that if Baseball Scuffer Magazine created a top 100 list – Uncle Marty would win the Golden Scuffer Award!

As I made my to the Club Level I ran into Nick Wootsick, Manager, Events & Catering. I’ve also seen Nick a few times during the Winter and while on the subject of opening day let’s see what Nick had to say.

“First thought is getting back to the playoffs and hopefully wining the Championship”. Upon listening to my recording I believe I interrupted Nick’s next thought with with my request for his score prediction – sorry about that Nick and thanks for giving me a few moments during a busy opening day. Nick’s score prediction 7-3 ‘Pigs.

Roaming the concourse I encountered Kesha Patterson who put the deuce on the back of my latest Jersey while working in the Majestic Clubhouse Store. Her concession stand is just in front of the section where my season ticket is located. I know Kesha is a big sports fan so let’s see what she had to say about the arrival of opening day.

“I’m very very excited I can’t wait to get the game started. All day I was just thinking about it – they have a lot of new changes even from the small things like the cool decorations. Sandberg is back and I think it’s really going to be a great year! Kesha’s score prediction 5-2 IronPigs”.
-Concessions and Majestic Clubhouse Jersey iron-on Expert, Kesha Patterson

I must have seen Jan Giejda nearly 15 times all around CCP including the Tiki Terrace. Jan is always kind to stop and chat about his menu fare and the food we all enjoy on a nightly basis. Jan was very busy so we’ll get a chance to catch

Another fine Jan Giejda creation (click to enlarge)

up with him in the future.

Later in the evening as the weather grew colder the logical place to gain some warmth was back up to the club level although a bit chili to sit in my seat .

The food lines were long – even Bypass Lane had a longer then normal wait so I worked my over to the Pig Stop to see what Jan had cooked up this evening. The Life Saver looked delicious and the item was so popular they needed to re-stock.

The Life Saver certainly didn’t disappoint and as I was concentrating on taking photos of the menu sign, I heard a voice jokingly say “I’m sorry, I’m going to have decline any photos”. Sure enough wasn’t it Chef Jan! Jan has got to be the hardest working Chef in Baseball and that sandwich was amazing and I’m looking forward to tonight’s.

Since the end of my trip Around the Park was nearly complete I had one further place to visit – The Press Box. All of the media boys were in there toiling away on their laptops using Tweetdeck, opening web pages , and tallying their

The best seat in the house? (click to enlarge)

score books.

When they had a moment I paid a quick visit to the Radio Broadcast room, it’s always entertaining to listen to Matt and Jon but to hear them in person is an interesting experience. There really should be a live webcam broadcasting those guys even without audio as their interaction is at times quite comical.

That was about it for the Around the Park opening night tour and it’s always a pleasure to visit with the IronPigs staff.

PIG OUT

DiPro’s Dish

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