Jim Goulart

A 2006 article on Coach's program -- At George Washington High School, Beisbol is a Hit By Tripp Mickle, NYC24.org Fernando Frias is baseball crazy. The sophomore at George Washington High School spends close to 20 hours a week playing baseball games and practicing with the Trojans, then adds an additional five hours of specialized training with a private coach. Of the immigrant communities coming to New York, few share the passion for baseball carried by the Dominicans who live for the sport. So when the 6-foot-1-inch, 192-pound slugger walked off the diamond with a .700 batting average after a week long high school tournament in late April, it came as no surprise. Nor did it come as any surprise that George Washington won the tournament. Frias is just one of more than 25 equally dedicated and enthuasitic Dominican baseball players who have helped turn the high school baseball program into one of the best in the city. While coach Steve Mandl has guided the team's rise, the Dominican ballplayers from Washington Heights and the Bronx have carried the team to prominence. "They bring a talent and a passion for the game you don't see anywhere else," said Arnaldo Cubero, a citywide umpire, who's been calling games for 25 years. "They want to play more than anyone else." The Dominican Republic accounts for the largest source of immigrants to New York City with more than 369,000 people arriving since 1990. That same influx can be seen in Major League Baseball, as the Dominican Republic supplies more players for the league than any other nation outside the U.S. For Dominican immigrants and their children who hope to play professional baseball, George Washington High has become the place to foster that dream. Since the mid-1980s, the school has produced two World Series winners in the Major Leagues: Manny Ramirez of the Boston Red Sox and former Florida Marlins shortstop Alex Arias. Both Dominican, their success has given other young ballplayers hope. "That's the only reason I came here," Juan Brito, a 17-year old junior said. "Our coach is like a hall of famer. I knew I'd come out of here a good player." All but two players on the George Washington team are Dominican. Many are the children of immigrants or immigrants themselves. Most believe baseball offers the best way to obtain a better life for themselves and their families. "Baseball was what we were born to do," said Chris Jones, a 17-year old junior and son of a Dominican. "We just want to get drafted." During the course of the spring break baseball tournament at George Washington, both the rise of Dominicans in New York and in baseball was on display. Schools like Walton, Norman Thomas and Kennedy high schools featured rosters filled with Spanish names - more than 80 percent of which were Dominican. But none of those teams could rival George Washington's appeal, history and dedication among Dominican ballplayers. "In the Dominican tradition, if you play at George Washington, it's like playing at Yankee Stadium," said Youman Wilder, a private baseball instructor who works with players citywide. "For some insane reason, it's known in the Dominican Republic." George Washington, a collegiate four-story brick building, sits on the crest of a small hill near the northeastern tip of Manhattan. The school technically encompasses four different ones: the High School for Media and Communications; the High School for International Business and Finance; the High School for Health Careers and Sciences; and the High School for Law and Public Service. Just below the school lies one of only two high school baseball fields on the island. While most of George Washington's players come from the surrounding Washington Heights neighborhood, others travel from outlying boroughs. Angel Nunez, a senior second baseman on the team, comes to the school from Brooklyn in order to play baseball. Though he has left his home in Brooklyn for school before 6 a.m. many mornings, he has said it's worth the trek to play ball at George Washington. Part of the reason players like Nunez and others travel so far is the school's rich history. Not only has it produced players like Ramirez and Arias, it has also won more than 298 league games since Coach Mandl took over the program in 1983. Since 2001, the team has gone 77-4. The only other Public Schools Athletic League team to come close to that record is Staten Island's Tottenville, which is 65-2. Mandl's leadership has been central to the team's success. Since taking over, he's built an overall record of 696 wins and 92 losses. Opposing coaches, players and umpires admire him for his work ethic and his team's discipline. Mandl arrives at school at 5:15 every morning to run a one-hour daily camp for junior high students. While the camp gives him a chance to evaluate young talent, he does it to give the players instruction, assistant coach Ronny de la Rosa said. His high school team warms itself up before games, forming an organized row for coordinated stretches and jumping jacks. "He's not a loud mouth coach," said Arnaldo Cubero, an umpire, who's been working city high school games for 25 years. "He's a the-way-it's-supposed-to-be coach with signs and discipline." For the Dominican ballplayers who form the backbone of the team, it's hard to imagine playing for anyone else. "It's a big honor just to have George Washington on your shirts," Rodriguez said, as he sat in the concrete stands above the field and watched as two other baseball teams played. "It's not just a name," Brito added. "It has meaning to it."

We can continue to discuss Angel and Jonathan in this thread, I had hoped to take a break from that discourse, and asked Salome's former coach and still mentor a few questions here. Since coach was kind enought to respond, that Q&A has been broken off in its own thread. One other note -- coach, I'm not sure what you're using for a web browser / typing application. I've gone in to edit your posts to provide paragraph formatting, and I can see that you are doing so yourself. It's something to do with how our message board here at Yuku is then combining all your text into a single paragraph, don't know why. There's a symbol, coach, above where you type that looks like a capital "T" with a small "x" next to it. If you click it and remove formatting before you click "post", it may help, otherwise I'll continue to help you out.

NOTE: This text was split from our Angel Salome / Jonathan Lucroy discussion thread. Nationally prominent high school coach Steve Mandl was Angel's coach and has often chimed in on Angel during his pro career. This thread is meant to take a break from some of the specific discussion on Salome vs. Lucroy (or sould we say Salome and Lucroy, wonderful to have both), although that lengthy thread is still active. Coach, since you're currently able to be around, let me ask: Can you believe this article was written over 18 years ago? Do you still have the same bench rules now as then? What has kept you at Washington Heights all these years? Did your family background have any special ties to the Latino community before you became an educator there? Are the kids in your program speaking Spanish or English on the field, do you make sure they become fluent in conjunction with school programs? *** Everyone, Coach Steve is one of the most unique and interesting people involved in baseball on this planet, and we're lucky enough to have him visit here from time to time. Perhaps we can take a moment to break free from the Jonathan / Angel discussion for a bit. Coach, sorry if this puts you on the spot. If you wish to pass and come back when it's more convenient, we'll understand.

Nice post. We'll pin the designated 2010 batting lineup thread and close this thread, though.

No, it's not the same one or two confrontational posters each time, but the fact is that it usually only takes one or two of these posters each time. Is that partly the fault of those insiders who have left? Perhaps, but it doesn't really matter who's at fault, if anyone, does it? I just know things usually end up poorly. I'm reminded that nearly any sports talk radio host will tell you that when someone agrees to join them on air, the best hosts will always treat that person as if they were a guest in their home, regardless of how controversial or topical the guest might be. That's a great policy to live by when it comes to insiders on a message board, too. But the problem is that our insiders aren't being quizzed or commented on by a single radio host. There are 100, 200, more, whatever, "hosts", and it's impossible to have all of them follow the same policy. It'd be cool if everyone previewed their comments to insiders before hitting "post", and thought to themselves, if I was interviewing that person as a guest in my home, would I ask the same question and comment in the same exact way? But that's not reality.

The ESPN Milwaukee audio with Doug Melvin that has been alluded to in a thread or two here this week Doesn't sound like offering arbitration to Cameron or Lopez is an option. Obviously touches on a variety of topics during the interview.

My thoughts as a staffie / moderator here, comment in the linked thread if you wish.

I've seen it over nine years here time and again, and it's worth mentioning -- as much as we enjoy having the friends, relatives, and coaches of Brewer players here, it never seems to end well. All it takes is for one or two posters to make a comment considered the least bit confrontational (even if it's considered that way by only one other poster as such), and before you know it, our "insider" friend says goodbye, why should they even bother. I'm aware of one instance, one single instance, where a very close relative of one of your Brewers has posted among us all for several, yes, several years, blending in to the Major League, Minor League, and Game Thread Forums deftly and anonymously for hundreds and hundreds of posts. That person would never have been able to do so if this person (and we) hadn't maintained his/her anonymity. I know we have some current insider posters who would like to be with us for the long-term. Although it may take some of the fun and "juice" away from our Brewerfan regular readers, I just want to remind these folks to do their best to maintain their anonymity. If we combed the archives, we could list far too many friends and relatives over the years who picked up their keyboard and went home under trying circumstances. Too much drama for us all.

Link while active, text follows: Aspiring major leaguer helping young Dawgs By Bruce Campbell, WesternWheel.com, Okotoks, Alberta, Canada An award-winning pitcher is spending his off-season helping youngsters in the organization that catapulted his baseball career - the Dawgs. Jim Henderson, 27, a pitcher in the Milwaukee Brewers' organization, was selected the 2009 Canadian Minor League Pitcher of the Year by the Canadian Baseball Network.He is residing in Okotoks for the winter, volunteering his time to help young ballplayers train at Okotoks Dawgs' camps. "I was with the Dawgs the first year they started in Calgary when I was 13," Henderson said. "I got exposed (to scouts) so much by playing with the Dawgs. They helped me out tremendously." Henderson played for seven or eight years with the Okotoks Dawgs organization. It was while with the Dawgs program that Henderson was scouted by Midland College in Texas when he played in a tournament in Arizona - a tournament the Junior Okotoks Dawgs continue to attend. From Midland College Henderson went to the University of Tennessee-Wesleyan before being drafted by the then Montreal Expos in 2003. Boy, have things changed since 2003. The Expos are gone; Henderson is knocking on the door of the majors with the Brewers; and the Dawgs moved to Okotoks from Calgary in 2007. To top it off, the youngsters in the Okotoks Dawgs' camps are taking ground balls and batting practice at the spectacular Duvernay Fieldhouse adjacent to Seaman Stadium."It blew me away the first time I saw it," Henderson said. "It is amazing. To see how far this program has come is amazing." Henderson has also come a long way since injuring his shoulder while pitching with the Iowa Cubs in 2008 the Chicago Cubs' Triple A affiliate. He pitched only one month that year.He was released by the Cubs and signed with the Brewers for the 2009 season. Henderson ended the2009 season with the Huntsville Stars in Alabama, the Brewers' Double A club, where he had a 1-0 record and a 2.57 ERA."I had shoulder surgery last year (2008) and I need to get stronger," Henderson said. "But I pitched the full season healthy which was a big step for me." He also pitched for the bronze medal-winning Team Canada in the World Cup in Italy in the fall. "The World Cup was an experience of a lifetime," he said. "I had an opportunity to try out for the Olympics, but injuries have kept me from participating. To get a medal was a big accomplishment for the team and for me." He has signed a minor league contract with the Brewers and his goal is to play for their Triple A affiliate, the Nashville Sounds - just one step from the Big Leagues (Henderson came close to being called up to the Chicago Cubs in 2007, but the shoulder injury prevented him from making his Major League debut). He realizes he would be a million miles away from the Bigs without the help of the Dawgs. That's why he is spending the winter in Okotoks, to help train young ballplayers, just like the Dawgs did for him as a youngster."I am pretty passionate about the Dawgs program and I want to show these kids that they can do the same things that I have - this is the right place for them," he said. http://www.westernwheel.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/jimhenderson-300x200.jpg Jim Henderson helps two young players with their pitching mechanics at the Okotoks Dawgs Duvernay Fieldhouse on Thursday. Henderson was named Canada's Minor League Professional Pitcher of the Year. Photo by Bruce Campbell

Former Brewers minor league free agent signees on the latest Baseball America transaction list: Braves re-signed C J.C. Boscan (12 of Boscan's 14 pro seasons have been with Atlanta, never to the big leagues) Cubs re-signed RHP Vince Perkins Mariners re-signed RHP Steve Bray Tampa Bay Rays Signed: RHP Joe Bateman, LHP R.J. Swindle Bateman and Swindle have long track records of success as minor league relievers-not to mention low arm angles-so at worst they'll provide Triple-A Durham with significant tactical weapons. Toronto re-signed C Kyle Phillips (58 games with Brevard County in 2006, did you remember?)

Former Brewers minor league free agent signees on the latest Baseball America transaction list: Braves re-signed C J.C. Boscan (12 of Boscan's 14 pro seasons have been with Atlanta, never to the big leagues) Cubs re-signed RHP Vince Perkins Mariners re-signed RHP Steve Bray Tampa Bay Rays Signed: RHP Joe Bateman, LHP R.J. Swindle Bateman and Swindle have long track records of success as minor league relievers-not to mention low arm angles-so at worst they'll provide Triple-A Durham with significant tactical weapons. Toronto re-signed C Kyle Phillips (58 games with Brevard County in 2006, did you remember?)

Everything is locked in until 2011, so this topic is a non-issue until the rumors get juicy for the Crew and everyone else around next July / August, with nothing official until next fall. There was this one adjustment made for 2010.

Latest from Rotoworld

This has been a great series by MiLB.com, and this article on Prince is lots of fun. Cool Prince photos

Link High praise for catcher Martin Maldonado's arm...

This update is from Huntsville GM Buck Rogers: Stars fans, we received word from Pitcher Bobby Bramhall's family that Bobby is doing well after undergoing 'Tommy John' surgery earlier this month: Bobby is doing well. He is in the post-op elbow brace and his range of motion is improving in physical therapy. He will go to Phoenix to the Brewers spring training facility on Sunday November 29th and start his rehab program. He will stay until mid-December and come home for a month. Then he will return to Phoenix in January for the remainder of the spring and summer seasons. So the lefty will miss his "age 24/25" season, we wish him well during the long rehab. He found some success out of the pen late last season.

Your Answer.

Seems the only early free agent signees are Counsell-types: Omar Vizquel, Juan Castro, John McDonald...

From a prior post on this forum: RHP Rolando Pascual, 2005 -- $710,000 OF Jose Garcia, 2007 -- $550,000 RHP Wily Peralta, 2005 -- $450,000 SS Yohannis Perez, 2006 (DR via Cuba) -- $450,000 OF Hitaniel Arias, 2007 -- $450,000 RHP Roque Mercedes, 2004 -- $375,000 Garcia and Arias a combined $1,000,000 in '07, significant investments. I would contend that the Brewers have actually received decent bang for their buck given the circumstances. Instead of fielding 30-40 man Dominican Summer League squads in recent years along with the costs of maintaining an academy, their more selective spending earned them Peralta, who should be considered a "hit", and Mercedes, one as well, a chip in the Felipe Lopez deal now on Arizona's 40-man roster. Pascual and Perez were obviously big misses, while Garcia and Arias remain possibilities. But more impressive are the oft-mentioned Alcides Escobar at $33,000, RHP and new 40-man member Amaury Rivas a mere $30,000 in 2005, and some usefulness out of Hernan Iribarren for only $15,000 in 2002. I think they share their academy down there with the Orioles, so that helps them save money, too. They provided the combined 2009 Orioles / Brewers entry in the DSL with 14 players. To put that in some perspective, the Orioles maintain a second full DSL squad of their own, and the Cubs, among a few others, I believe, fill two full squads. It'll be interesting to see if there's a single Brewer entity in 2010.

Thread discussion for Capuano, John Halama

Chris Capuano back on a minor league deal, spring training big league camp invite

For lack of a better thread to add on to, Bob Elliott (formerly with the slam.ca site we used to rely on for North of the Border news), who knows Canadian baseball as well as anybody, named RHP's John Axford and Jim Henderson the 2009 Canadian Professional Co-Pitchers of the Year (by the Canadian Baseball Network). Now that's an awkward sentence, but you got the message. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif Link

2009 11th round RHP Andre Lamontagne will be among those in a film on the Alaskan Summer Baseball League set for DVD release November 30th. I've read previous articles on the league, this linked article discussing the film's release is peppered with big names. The DVD, plus a DVD of extra features, will be available at www.touchingthegame.com.

Why that Florida Independent Winter Ball League failed after only three weeks...

Let's keep this a Josh Johnson thread, thanks.