Jim Goulart

Florida State League: Jeremy Jeffress # 4, Taylor Green # 16, Jonathan Lucroy # 19

On MiLB.com's home page right now (bottom right), you can vote for photo of the year -- let's keep infielder Matt Cline's photo in the top spot!

Here we go, box score from Game One.

Game Two: Oahu wins again, 6-3; Logan Schafer a key double -- game story. (From MiLB.com, another good source for you all). This one has a box score. Tough day for DH Caleb Gindl, Schafer two hits while playing CF.

The HWL season opened on Saturday night. The four Brewers' kids are playing for West Oahu this season. The CaneFires opened their season with a 12-3 victory. Mike Ramlow took the win with two scoreless relief innings, and Chris Cody also tossed a scoreless inning. Ramlow allowed one hit, walked one, and struck out two. He pitched the 3rd and 4th innings as six Oahu pitchers saw action. Cody struck out one in his perfect 8th inning. OF Logan Schafer went 1-for-4, scored two runs. OF Caleb Gindl doubled in five AB's, striking out once and was caught stealing once. While the box score isn't available as of this post, season-to-date stats are. Game Two from day Two (Sunday) should be wrapping up any moment. *** I am hopeful that we can have a combined effort among readers who wish to follow the league on a daily basis and post updates. Towards that end, please feel free to use the links just posted above as well as links to the sports sections of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and the Honolulu Advertiser. These papers will post occasional game details and player features. I personally will be taking a bit of a less active role in this forum through the offseason, a self-imposed sabattical if you will. I may kick off and guide story lines and threads such as this, and then ask for a community effort. I'll be reading all off-season, and will be back with guns blazing full-time again about the time minor league rosters are announced late next March. And of course, for Link Reports after that. Thanks to everyone for your support, both past and future. Jim

Let's not forget, peavey, Leskanic's cousin Katrina sang "Walking on Sunshine" Oh yeah, baby! http://img.skitch.com/20080412-ja6det1kce8ksd4tfurtrjknfu.preview.jpg

Let's not forget, peavey, Leskanic's cousin Katrina sang "Walking on Sunshine" Oh yeah, baby! http://img.skitch.com/20080412-ja6det1kce8ksd4tfurtrjknfu.preview.jpg

Gee, Frank Kremblas would have made a heck of a third base coach during this stretch.

Counsell now batting under .150 with runners in scoring position. Yay!

Positive vibes? I'm "positive" I hate myself for tying my life's baseball journey to this miserable franchise. EDIT: OK, thats harsh, but c'mon.

Chris Cody - September 15, 2008 Manhattan Jaspers and fans, It's been almost a month since my last installment. A lot has been going on since then. The '08 season has come to a close. Although my Manatees finished below .500, I see the year as a success. A lot of our players were promoted to AA, and just about everyone got better... and that's what its all about in the minor leagues. The 2008 season was also a success for me personally. After starting the year on the DL, my goal all season long was to remain healthy and finish on a good note. "It's not how you start. It's how you finish that matters." This was the point that the staff drove home during spring training as all of the players got ready to start the season. I knew it was important for me to stay true to that thought. With some luck and a lot of help, I was able to put together a nice season between two levels (low A and high A) and finished with a long string of quality starts that I was quite proud of. After the season finished on August 31st, no one could have raced up I-95 any faster than I did. Having been away from home since February 22nd (without an all-start break to boot), I was anxious to get home and see my family and friends. Hanging out at home and being back in New York with my dad, brother, girlfriend, and friends has been very relaxing and rewarding after all the hard work this season. It is now September 15th, and I am back in an airport waiting to go to the home away from home, Phoenix , AZ. This time it's because I have been selected by the Brewers to play in the Hawaiian Winter Baseball League. The plan is for me to go to our facility in Phoenix for about ten days to get ready for the short 40 game season, and then its off to the islands for two months (Not sure why they call it the Hawaiian Winter League... it's over before Thanksgiving.) The league is made up of four teams which are comprised of a mixture of all the MLB teams. It's a place for organizations to send their players to get more experience and a taste of better competition. Players are generally a mix of single A and double A prospects. There will also be some professional Japanese players in the HWB league. I'm looking forward to the whole experience. The Hawaiian league has seen players like Todd Helton, Ichiro, and most recently, Joba Chamberlain on their way to the big leagues. It's a great thing for a player's career, not to mention the idea of spending two months in Hawaii and getting paid for it! I couldn't be more excited about this opportunity. Hopefully I can continue the success I finished the regular season with. I'll try to send updates on my Hawaiian experience as soon as I can. I want to thank all my family, friends, Jasper fans and everyone else who has followed me and the other Jaspers in pro ball throughout the '08 season. Knowing that people are back home keeping tabs on what we're doing makes all the long days and hard work that much more rewarding. Another big thanks goes to the Jaspers' SID, Steve Dombroski, for puting this blog together. Thanks again. Go Jaspers! Chris Cody

Extra-inning games are so much less fun on the road. Is there anything more deflating than a scoreless top half of the inning -- other than four-run bottom of the 9th's?

Can't leave the office now, keep supper warm for me, honey! It could be a long time...

Maddux never came out to talk to Torres once during that entire stretch, right?

Only the Willie McGee Game Seven loss in '82 will hurt me more than this one will. I was so looking forward to watching the Mets and Phillies games tonight. Heaven save us from ourselves.

Cue the cuss filter

The indomitable Buck Rogers: Cue the music: Roll out the barrel, we'll have a barrel of fun...everybody sing along... Today the Huntsville Stars have finalized a two-year extension of its Player Development Contract (PDC) with the Milwaukee Brewers. The extension ensures that the Stars will be the Brewers' Double-A affiliate through at least 2010, continuing the 10-year alliance. During that span, the Brewers have sent more than 75 future Major Leaguers through Huntsville. That list includes 2007 National League Rookie of the Year Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder, Ben Sheets, J.J. Hardy, and 14 other members of the Brewers' current active roster. Since signing on as the Brewers' Double-A affiliate Huntsville has been no stranger to the playoffs. Since 1999, the Stars have appeared in Southern League Championship Series in 2001, 2003, 2006, and 2007. The Stars were named Southern League co-Champions in 2001 with the Jacksonville Suns. In 2008 the Stars' posted one of the most impressive offensive seasons ever in Huntsville. Catcher Angel Salome set a new franchise record with a .360 batting average, and became only the second Stars player ever to win the Southern League batting title. Shortstop Alcides Escobar also set a single-season franchise record for the most hits in a season. Both previous records were set when the Stars were affiliated with the Oakland Athletics. The 2008 Huntsville Stars line-up was voted the #1 talent-laden roster in Minor League Baseball by Minor League News. The bottom line is that the Milwaukee Brewers have always stocked the Huntsville roster with talent. The team will always be competitive and exciting to watch - the Brewers have proven that to us - so today's signing is a reason to celebrate. I've worked for various Minor League Baseball teams and was a part of Major League spring training for a few years as well; from the Montreal Expos to the Chicago Cubs to the Washington Nationals, I've met some interesting people. Although there have been some good memories along the way, there is no other organization that is more classy and none that treats its affiliates with more respect than the Milwaukee Brewers. From the top down, the Brewers personnel staff, coaches, rovers, scouts, etc., they've always been first class to work with and the fact that this union continues on makes us appreciate them even more. I'm not afraid to say it. When the Brewers staff comes to town, they're openly friendly, appreciative and very easy to do business with. I've worked with a few MLB GMs and except for somebody like the NY Mets Omar Minaya, you won't find anybody in the class of Doug Melvin. Behind the scenes you won't find anybody in any other organization who will go to the lengths to ensure your success more than Scott Martens in the Player Development Office. He never gets the attention and thanks he deserves, but I really don't think we'd function well without him. Always asking what he can help with, always going out of his way for our ownership and staff, Scott is the guy who makes things happen and I'm ashamed to say we probably never thank him enough. You can keep the Cubs, Yankees and the Red Sox and all their fanfare and history, I'll take the Brewers every time. No prima donna attitudes, no big market $200 million payrolls, just good salt-of-the-earth people doing what they do best. And in the end that's all you need to be successful...good people. I read all the blogs and posts online...fans blasting the Brewers as the team struggles down the stretch. Writers saying the team is falling apart. I don't buy any of it. When I was a paratrooper in the 82d Airplane Gang back at Ft Bragg we carried a Guide to Leadership written by then Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell. I still carry it today. Lesson #12: Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier. You can achieve awesome goals by surrounding yourself with optimists. I think the Brewers are doing just that. They've built a remarkable team and it's on the verge of achieving some awesome milestones. Watch and see. You know there'll be bandwagon jumpers in the future. The team is on the rise and the wild card race is as close as it gets, but the future will belong to the Brewers. I'm just glad we're going to be a part of it. On that note, let's get some brats on the fire. It's time to party. Here's to a couple more years with Bernie Brewer's slide, Bob Uecker's "Get up...get up...get outta here...GONE!" and secret stadium sauce. Rock On!

Everyone here at Brewerfan absolutely wishes the entire West Virginia family well. We had a heck of a lot of fun listening to Andy Barch, and had the benefit of two local newspapers, the Charleston Gazette and Daily Mail, providing with us with Link Report coverage loaded with feature articles and photos. Personally, I can't say enough about Andy, and the cooperation we received from the Daily Mail in particular, especially Jack Bogaczyk and Jacob Messer. And we mustn't forget our own reader and poster, John Blackwell, for his first-hand insights and amazing photo galleries. Gentlemen, take care, enjoy the Pirates' kids, and thanks, thanks, thanks.

Milwaukee and Helena Renew Partnership Teams Agree on Two-year Player Development Contract Helena, MT: The Helena Brewers and Milwaukee Brewers announced Wednesday that the two organizations have come to an agreement to extend Milwaukee's Player Development Contract (PDC) through the 2010 season. Helena will remain as Milwaukee's advanced-rookie level in the Pioneer League. Milwaukee has been Helena's sole parent club since the franchise was resurrected in 2003 following a two-year absence from the league. Helena was a Milwaukee farm team between 1985-2000 as well. "We've had a great relationship since returning to Helena and we are glad that it will continue," Helena Brewers Owner DG Elmore said. "It would not be possible without the community supporting us at the ballpark and with the 2007 bond issue vote. The renovations on the stadium are important in keeping professional baseball in Helena and we are excited that the Brewers are the team that we will be working with." Since the return of professional baseball to Helena in 2003, the Helena Brewers have accrued a 250-206 record over that span, a winning percentage of .548. "Milwaukee has sent us competitive teams annually and that is one of the reasons we were eager to continue as an affiliate," Helena General Manager / President Paul Fetz said. "We feel like every season our fans get an opportunity to see future stars because of the job that Milwaukee does with their scouting and player development departments." The City of Helena has recently begun renovations on Kindrick Field's playing surface. In the coming months, work will begin on further upgrades including lighting, clubhouse facilities and bleachers. "We are excited to be back in Helena," Milwaukee Player Development Director Reid Nichols said. "The city has shown their commitment to baseball with the improvements to Kindrick Field to make it more enjoyable for the fans and players. We look forward to continuing a lasting relationship in the capital city."

POWER ANNOUNCES AFFILIATION PIRATES MOVE HOME TO CHARLESTON Andy Milovich, Executive Vice President of West Virginia Baseball, LLC., announced today that the West Virginia Power will enter a Player Development Contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. "We are very excited about our new affiliation with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Charleston's proximity to Pittsburgh, combined with the new and exciting leadership of Neal Huntington, Pittsburgh's Senior Vice President and General Manager, makes the Pirates Affiliation a homerun," said Milovich. "Our relationship with Neal dates back to our launch of the Mahoning Valley Scrappers (Class A Affiliate of the Cleveland Indians) in 1999 when he was the Indians' Farm Director. He understands the challenges of building a championship team and the emphasis that must be placed on player development to succeed. Neal is a great fit for the Pirates and the baseball fans throughout West Virginia will benefit from that focus and his leadership." "Our move to affiliate with the Pirates will allow fans to follow former West Virginia Power players in person at PNC Park or via local cable television on Fox Sports Pittsburgh. Charleston is a National League City and we think it's important that our fans have the opportunity to follow our players after they reach the big leagues. We have enjoyed working with the Brewers and wish them well. They're a good organization that has built a successful player development system", continued Milovich. "We are very pleased to move our affiliation to Charleston, WV and re-establish Pirates' roots in a great community," said Neal Huntington. "It is an opportunity for the Pittsburgh Pirates to have another of our affiliates close to Pittsburgh, be associated with a quality ownership group, a quality front office group, and to develop players in a beautiful facility. We are very pleased with this new affiliation" The Power will hold a formal press conference with Neal Huntington at noon on Friday, September 19th, at The Clubhouse banquet facility located at Appalachian Power Park. For more information contact the Power Office at (304) 344-2287 or the Pittsburgh Pirates at (412) 323-5000.

We'll help out our friends in Huntsville by posting GM Buck Rogers' message: Minor League Baseball has a new fan poll on its web site. It lists the top 10 promotions of the year as determined by MiLB promotions writer Ben Hill. The voting is open and like they say in Chicago, vote early and vote often. To vote, go to www.minorleaguebaseball.com and scroll to the lower right side of the page. If you click on each promotion you will get a description of the event. Here are your 10 finalists: Everett AquaSox - Win Spyder Webb's Car Fresno Grizzlies - Mascot Showdown Huntsville Stars - First Pitch World Record Kane County Cougars - Pillow Fight World Record Lancaster JetHawks - Skateboard Giveaway Quad Cities River Bandits - Tattoo Night Reading Phillies - Spam Carving Competition South Bend Silver Hawks - Josh Collmenter Mustache Awareness Night State College Spikes - Night of 100 Promotions West Michigan Whitecaps - Dave Rozema Karate Kick Bobbleleg The voting will run through next Wednesday, September 24th and an article on the winner will run the following day. 2007's Promotion of the Year was the Fort Myers Miracle's "Billy Donovan Night." I don't know about you, but giving away a clubhouse manager's car didn't necessitate opening the gates 19 hours early. That's like putting lipstick on a pig. A karate bobbleleg or a skateboard giveaway? Pleeease. I know you'll do the right thing and vote your conscience so we can clean up this list of unflattering wannabes and lead our nation, um, team into a bright future. You came out throughout the night, 'weathered' some light rain, suffered in the Alabammy heat and humidity and set the record of 11,689 first pitches. I don't know how much effort you have to put into a pillow fight, but I think Stars fans deserve better than being in this company. Log on to www.minorleaguebaseball.com and get it done. You're voting for your efforts against some cheesy competition. Make sure your friends and neighbors get the link and vote as well. I think it'll take about 11,689 votes to win this thing. For those that are undecided and have trouble casting a vote, I just wanted to make a final pitch for our promotion from an old friend of our, Colonel Jessup. "We live in a world that has polls and those polls need to be guarded by men with votes. Who's gonna do it? You? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You vote for car and skateboard giveaways and curse the task of getting out of a warm bed, facing the rain and throwing pitches, like Ben Gay isn't available for us crusty ol' folks when it's all said and done...you have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that some of those other team's promotions, while remotely amusing, probably saved their bottom line and their very existence with minimum effort and planning, while ours is grotesque and incomprehensible to you. You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties you want me on that poll, you need me on that poll. We use words like humor, fun, fan loyalty. We use then as the backbone of a life in Huntsville trying to defend something while playing in the oldest stadium in the league. You use them as a punch line. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very fun we provide and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you," and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest that you pick up a telephone and help sell a promotional idea. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to...now vote for the Stars and Cabinet NG's World Record First Pitch promotion." - Col Jessup. WOW! What can I say. As Colonel Jessup wrote that I had the National Anthem going off in my head, fireworks shooting in the background...it was like Boon and Otter defending themselves and Delta House against double secret probation in the movie 'Animal House.' A more patriotic and justifiable reason to vote for us has never been written or spoken and I must stop and wipe a tear from my eye. OK, Stars fans, you know we're in it for the fun. We laugh at ourselves and have had a great season with you. We don't really care if you vote for us, but you'll have a good laugh reading about some of the best promotions of the year and voting for the one you thing was the best. I'm Buck Rogers and I approve this message. We're down to 203 days and a wakeup until baseball season begins again. As always, Rock On. Buck Rogers General Manager Huntsville Stars AA Affiliate - Milwaukee Brewers

It keeps baseball in Helena. Whether the Brewers will be affiliated in Helena, even for the next two years, is yet to be determined. If an affiliate switch occurs (unlikely, we think), the Helena team would obviously change their team name.

We're hearing that word on the street in Huntsville is that a renewal is pretty much a "go". So look for a re-up eventually, although never say never, I guess, to a change until official.

It's huge if Gallardo can prove valuable as a right-handed set-up man in the pen. If Yo had been two weeks ahead of where he is now, do you think he may have faced Burrell Sunday afternoon after the fateful intentional pass to Howard? Again, he won't be starting under any circumstances, regular season or postseason.

Here is what Jim Powell has been reporting: Gallardo will throw in an instructional league game today and, if it goes very well, he could be put on the active roster later this week when he has recovered. He will only be used in the pen, Jim does not think he is even trying to hit. They are just getting him ready to pitch and field.