Minigoon

Ottawa punched their ticket to the Stanley Cup finals today eliminating Buffalo with an overtime win. They are looking very strong right now, but I am not convinced Emrey can win it for them.

Since the Brewers do not have a 2nd round pick this June due to the Suppan signing, it would not surprise me to see them spend a good bonus getting Haydel signed. Remember when they signed Damian Miller, and gave up their 2nd round pick, they drafted Will Inman in the 3rd round and were able to pay a higher bonus to get him signed.

TJ Macy has signed a national letter of intent to play for Penn State. Not sure if this completely closes the door on him signing with the Brewers but it does complicate things. www.gopsusports.com:80/pr...ncid=12508

Not only the whole series, but basically since he came over from Florida. Being a Canucks fan, and having Center Ice, I see just about every game they play and there were so many game they won this season they shouldn't have because of Luongo. Tough way for the season to end, but considering they were not expected to make the playoffs, a good season. I have to agree with the Anaheim prediction going forward. They really seem to be on top of their game right now.

Another vote for Kate!

Another overtime, another Vancouver win. Series tied after a 2-1 win in double overtime. Famed goal scorer Jeff Cowan with the game winner. Also, Buffalo with a 2-0 lead over the Rangers.

You got that right. After about the first 8 minutes the Ducks got their game going.

10-5 during the regular season in those throwbacks. Pretty cool color scheme. I like them. Since tonight is a road game, they will be in their usual road whites.

Third time's the charm for Vancouver as they eliminated Dallas tonight with a 4-1 win. Next up, Duck hunting season.

Chad Robinson, RHP 1-2, 3.15 ERA, 10 games, 34 1/3 IP, 38 K, 18 BB, 3 saves. ERA up a bit, and walks doubled for Robinson. Aaron Tullo, RHP 1-3, 3.72 ERA, 10 games, 36 1/3 IP, 56 K, 38 BB. Either the NJCAA stats are incorrect, or Aaron struck out just about every batter he faced since the last update. Lee Haydel, CF Unable to find any stats for Haydel. Mehdi, Djebbar, LHP 3-1, 2.17 ERA, 8 games, 37 1/3 IP, 31 K, 9 BB. Djebbar gave up some runs since the last update, but has still been outstanding this spring. T.J. Macy, RHP 7-2, 1.65 ERA, 65 2/3 IP, 69 K, 19 BB. Macy continues to impress. Terrell Alliman, OF Alliman appears to have changed his mind. He is playing for the Inter County Terriers instead of the CC of Southern Nevada. The Terriers season starts 4/28. Robert Bryson, RHP 5-2, 2.94 ERA, 12 games, 10 starts, 2 CG, 1 SHO, 1 save, 85 K, 21 BB. Bryson still looking strong this spring. Nicholas Tyson, RHP No change from the last update. Clay Jones, C No change from the last update. Todd Fitzgerald, LHP Fitzgerald is showing on the San Jose CC roster, but has not shown up in their stats all season. Matt Peck, RHP No stats for Cowley College yet. Bryan Crosby, 3B .317/.438/.404, 104 AB, 3 2B, 2 HR, 17 RBI, 3 for 6 SB. Average has dropped a bit for Crosby. Matthew Thompson, SS No change from the last update. Aaron Johnson, C No information for the Prairie Baseball Academy. Matthew Coburn, RHP 2-1, 1.69 ERA, 12 games, 32 IP, 31 K, 15 BB, 4 saves. Coburn continues his strong spring. Brandon Owens, RHP 1-1, 0.00 ERA, 7 games, 13 IP, 9 K, 5 BB. Owens, working back from an injury, has not allowed an earned run, but still has been credited with a loss. Nicholas Spears, SS .345/.379/.478, 113 AB, 9 2B, 2 HR, 18 RBI, 4 for 5 SB. Not much of a change from last time for Nicholas. Ricky Alvarnez, 3B .306/.370/.408, 49 AB, 3 2b, 1 3b, 10 RBI, 1 for 1 SB. Only 1 AB for Alvarnez since last time.

Some of these series are developing that edge that makes the Stanley Cup playoffs so exciting. Pittsburgh and Ottawa starting to really dislike each other, and the San Jose and Nashville series with a couple of questionable hits. On a positive note, at least for me, Vancouver pulled out another OT win in Dallas tonight. Only took 7:47 this time. And now are up 2-1.

I have Center Ice through Time Warner. It shows the Islanders/Sabres starting at 7:00 on channel 883.

at 18:06 of the 4th overtime, Henrik Sedin scores to give Vancouver the win! Unfortunately, nobody saw it. Versus dropped the game at 2:00 in favor of an infomercial! I called Time Warner and they said nothing they can do. I called Versus and they were closed. They will have a very angry e-mail waiting for them tomorrow morning! BTW - This was the 1st playoff game for Roberto Luongo. He fininshed with 72 saves.

So the Stanley Cup Playoff begin tomorrow. Any fans here have their predictions? I believe it will be Vancouver vs Buffalo with the Canucks winning in 7.

Dane Renkert and Gerrit Simpson have landed in Fargo with the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks of the Northern League. Best of luck to both of them. www.oursportscentral.com:...id=3447230

This also will give them flexibility to add a player mid season from within the organization (Thatcher, Spurling, Gallardo, Braun) without having to remove a player first.

Community College of Southern Nevada pitcher Chad Robinson with another game in. 0-1 record, 3 saves, 7 games, 19 1/3 innings, 20 hits, 6 earned runs, 9 walks, 25 strikeouts, ERA of 2.79. Saint Petersburg College pitcher Aaron Tullo with another game in, and 7 more walks. 1-2 record, 7 games, 26 2/3 innings, 18 hits, 14 earned runs, 28 strikeouts, 32 walks, 4.72 ERA. Unfortunately, no information on Lee Haydel. Seminole State College pitcher Mehdi Djebbar with some more innings pitched, and some amazing numbers. 2-0 record, 23 innings, 18 strikeouts, 4 walks, 14 hits allowed, 1 earned run for an ERA of 0.39!! Remember, he is a lefty and has only been pitching for 6 to 7 years. Scottsdale Community College pitcher T.J. Macy with more early season success. 4-1 record, 39 1/3 innings, 44 strikeouts to 16 walks, and an ERA of 1.60. Still trying to track down Terrell Alliman. Seminole CC pitcher Rob Bryson continues to pitch well. 4-2 record, 7 games, all starts, 1 complete game, 45 1/3 innings, 54 strikeouts, 15 walks, .189 opponent batting average and an ERA of 3.18. Lake City CC pitcher Nicholas Tyson still getting hit hard this spring. 3-2 record, 13 games, 9 starts, 54 innings, 46 strikeouts, 16 walks, 70 hits, 31 earned runs, opponents batting average of .303, ERA of 5.17. Shelton State CC catcher Clay Jones is off to a good start. 21 games, 26 for 74, 6 doubles, 3 homers, .351 batting average, and a team leading 22 RBI's. Lefty Todd Fitzgerald not showing up in the San Jose CC stats. Possible injury? Still no stats for Cowley College righty Matt Peck. Cleveland State CC third baseman Bryan Crosby with some extra base hits finally. 29 games, 28 for 81, 3 doubles, 1 homer, 3 for 6 in stolen base attempts, .346 batting average and 16 RBI's. Eastern Arizona College shortstop Matthew Thompson with some good early numbers. 32 games. 34 for 92, 2 doubles, 5 triples, 1 homer, .370 batting average, and 23 RBI's. No stats for Prairie Baseball Academy catcher Aaron Johnson. San Jacinto pitcher Matthew Coburn seeing more action. 2-1 record, 10 games, 29 innings, 28 strikeouts, 13 walks, 14 hits, 6 earned runs, and an ERA of 1.86. Truett-McConnell JC right hander Brandon Owens has made a few more appearances. 1-1 record, 5 games, 1 start, 9 2/3 innings, 7 strikeouts and 3 walks, no earned runs, and an opponent batting average of .162. San Diego CC shortstop Nicholas Spears with a huge jump in his batting average and the extra base hits starting to come. 25 games, 30 for 87, 7 doubles, 1 homer, 16 RBI's, .345/.392/.460. Cisco Junior College third baseman Ricky Alvernaz with a few more at bats and a few more hits. 18 games, 15 for 48, 3 doubles, 1 triple, 1 stolen base, 10 RBI's, .313/.377/.417.

Thought I would revive this thread. www.bellinghamherald.com:...52406.html Close friend's major league opportunity hits close to home -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dane Renkert FOR THE BELLINGHAM HERALD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I can remember about this time last year standing under the sun at spring training shagging balls during batting practice with my good friend Joe Thatcher. We were talking about where we would live when we got to our low Class A affiliate in West Virginia ? trying to figure out where we would live, and how we were excited to be making a team. Then together we processed the thoughts of how great it would be to move up during the season and the prospects of becoming that much closer to the big leagues. Well, Thatcher, a left-hander from nowherville Indiana who was never drafted out of college and who was picked up out of and independent league, started in West Virginia like a steamroller, cruised through the next level and ended the season in Class AA. His dominance was well noted throughout the organization and the team was so pleased they invited him to play winter ball in Hawaii. He got to play a 40-game schedule with a collection of young minor league prospects and paid to play on the sandy beaches of Hawaii, calmly improving against stiff competition with a laid-back four-games-per-week schedule. To make a long story short, Thatcher ended up pitching the final four innings of what was a championship season for the Honu Warriors ? a perfect end to a storybook season. After celebrating with his teammates Thatcher was able to sneak home just in time for Thanksgiving and a quick three-month hiatus after a long season filled with plenty of travel and success. And although everyone loves going home and seeing old friends and family, Thatcher was excited about getting back to Arizona ? back to baseball and competing. He showed up to camp slimmed down and with pocket?s full of experience and fun stories of his travels to tell his teammates. From the first side bullpen he threw all the way until last week?s game, Thatcher's dominance continued with his tremendous fastball command and movement and the ability to throw breaking balls when needed. His slightly hitched and unique three-quarter arm slot can be noticed from a far. Then, last week, as we were all stretching, Thatcher was uncharacteristically called off the field for a huddled meeting of coaches and instructors. I paid close attention and watched Thatcher break this huddle and head into the locker and didn't see him for the rest of the day. Thinking nothing of it, I called him that evening to see why he left the field and never came back. He said, ?They told me to clean out my locker!? I exclaimed with a doubt and confusion in my voice, ?Did you get cut?? ?No they told me to move all my stuff to the big league locker room, and that I am competing for the last spot on the roster.? I was immediately silenced with my jaw open and realized that an undrafted, free agent has in two years gone from rookie ball to the doorstep of the majors. Last year we were shopping for a place to live, and now he may now have to shop for a suit to wear as a player to opening day. You read about these stories all the time how a guy beats the odds to make it big. But for me, happening so close to home, per say, is just another reminder of how close all of us are to achieving a dream. Dane Renkert is a pitcher in the Milwaukee minor league system. Before joining the Brewers, Renkert played at Sehome High School, for the Bellingham Bells and at Washington State University. He will be writing about his experiences and thoughts in the minor league this season.

Correct on Parra. My mistake on missing that one. Jones was bumped up earlier this week when Hackman was moved up to replace Sarfate in Nashville.

Here is a story with a little more info on the Hawaii Fall League. www.oursportscentral.com/...id=3337265 Hawaii Winter Baseball Announces Its Return For the 2006 Season 06/29/06 - Hawaii Winter Baseball (HWB) HONOLULU-Hawaii Winter Baseball officials announced Hawaii's professional baseball winter league will return for the 2006 season--after an eight year absence. HWB Chairman and CEO Duane Kurisu opened the June 28th press conference on a respectful note by dedicating the event at the Willows Restaurant to one of the local sportswriters' own-Ferd Borch-who died Sunday. Kurisu then began by telling a story from the initial 1993 HWB season. "I remember seeing an undersized Japanese kid consistently hitting bombs over the warehouse beyond the right field fence. This was the first time America saw Ichiro (Suzuki), and it was the winter before he won his first batting championship in Japan." Suzuki went on to become Major League Baseball's American League Rookie of the Year and also won the American League MVP honors that same year, 2001. Now, some 136 HWB players have gone on to "the Bigs" giving many players in the Major League a strong connection with Hawaii. Speaking on behalf of Governor Linda Lingle, State Director of Finance Georgina Kawamura told of the league's home-stay program. "Back in the early days of the league we kept Mark Kotsay in our home." Even after he made it to the majors, Kawamura said, he sent us an invitation to his wedding, and invitations to his kids' birthdays. "We've remained close all these years." Honolulu mayor Mufi Hannemann, who has been involved in securing use of Hans L'Orange Field in Waipahu for the league, pledged his continued strong support for the league. League president Hervy Kurisu announced that HWB's executive committee was led by Roy Krasik, the senior director of operations from the office of the commissioner of Major League Baseball, and other members of the committee include Dayton Moore, general manager of the Kansas City Royals, William Geivett, vice president and assistant general manager of the Colorado Rockies, Ben Cherington, vice president of player personnel for the Boston Red Sox, and Bobby Evans, director of player personnel for the San Francisco Giants. Joining Krasik and Geivett on HWB's Advisory Board are: Acey Kohrogi, director of Asian operations for the Los Angeles Dodgers and executive advisor to the president of the Orix Buffalos of the Nippon Professional Baseball League, Steve Munatones, president HWB Japan, Paul Yonamine of the Hitachi Corporation, and Derek Kurisu, vice president of KTA Superstores. The four teams in the league include two from the past and two that are new, said Clyde Nekoba, HWB vice president and director of operations. Joining the Honolulu Sharks and West Oahu CaneFires will be the new North Shore Honu and the Waikiki Beach Boys. The level of professional play is at the Single A and Double AA level for U.S. players. The professional baseball leagues in Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China will provide players chosen by their respective baseball organizations. The teams will play a 40-game schedule, said Nekoba, starting October 1 at Hans L'Orange Field and October 2 at Les Murakami Stadium. A championship game will be played November 21. "HWB is about catching the dream that is baseball and the convergence of cultures," said Rob Farrow, general manager of HWB West. "Throughout the season we will be hosting a series of promotions that highlight our different cultures and represent all things that are Hawaii." Nekoba announced that Wayne Miyao will serve as general manager of HWB East. The presenting sponsor for the league will be IamHawaii.com. Kyle Tanouye, representing the sponsor, announced that the comprehensive website featuring all that's special about Hawaii will launch October 1. Andy Scott, who coordinates game telecasts for the league, announced that K5--The Home Team will broadcast one HWB game per week each Wednesday, starting October 11. The game will be delay-broadcast at 10:30 p.m. A new feature of the league this year will be HWB games telecast in the U.S. via both terrestrial and cable television networks on the East Coast, and in Hawaii, reaching an estimated 35 million television homes. HWB game telecasts are also scheduled to appear in selected television networks in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and China, reaching an additional estimated 40 million television homes throughout North Asia. The league also announced the launch, June 28, of a comprehensive website which can be found online at www.hawaiiwinterbaseball.com. Season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling the league office at (80http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/glasses.gif 973-7247.

So with Yo Gallardo and Steve Hammond nearing or at the seasonal inning limits, any chance someone like Manny Parra or Sam Narron get bumped up to Huntsville for the playoffs?

Nice Brett Whiteside artice. www.azcentral.com/communi...11Z12.html Pro ball is fast transition for ex-Mesquite star Jason P. Skoda The Arizona Republic Aug. 11, 2006 12:00 AM Life has been coming at Brett Whiteside at 100 mph since graduating from Mesquite High in the spring. It comes in the form of an eight-ounce sphere with red seams. It dips and rises and cuts in every direction. And sometimes it leaves bruises. advertisement "I'm adapting to it, but catching someone throwing 100 mph takes time to get used to it," said Whiteside, who after playing mostly the outfield in high school is mostly catching since turning pro. Whiteside was drafted in the 15th round by the Milwaukee Brewers in June and has started his pro career with the Brewers' team in the Arizona Rookie League. Two Brewers pitchers, Jeremy Jeffress and Mark Rogers, the team's 2006 and 2004 first-round picks, respectively, have hit 100 mph with their pitches. While their fastballs might handcuff Whiteside when he is behind the plate now and then, the right-handed hitter has done well at bat. "In high school when someone threw 90-plus, he'd shut us down because you don't see many throw that hard," he said. "Now, I see 92-93 every day, and I am seeing the ball really well. I really didn't make any adjustments. I'm just putting the bat on the ball and now I adjust automatically to hard throwers because I see it more consistently." His average has dipped of late - it was at .320 - but he is still hitting a respectable .274 in 27 games. In his first 95 at-bats, the Class 5A All-State honorable-mention pick had 12 extra-base hits, including a home run, and ranked second on the team with 19 RBIs. As a senior at Mesquite, he hit .391 with nine doubles, five triples, a home run and 23 RBIs, but now he is getting paid to do it. "It's amazing," said Whiteside, who signed a three-year deal. "I get a check every two weeks." His paycheck should include charges for being the local concierge for his teammates. He lives in the team hotel, and most of the players who are away from home ask him for entertainment ideas. He didn't have to look too far recently when his parents, Jack and Denise, had most of the team over to their home for a barbecue. "They players had a blast," Denise said. "We gave some home-cooked food, and they went swimming. Brett is having the time of his life, and he enjoyed giving his teammates a chance to get away for a bit." The most difficult thing for Whiteside has been talking to some of the Dominican players, even though he took two years of Spanish in high school. "I can usually understand what they are saying," he said. "But I can't always say what I need to, but it's part of the experience. "It's been incredible so far. I've always wanted to play professionally and I am learning something new every day." Whiteside has enjoyed having his family and friends close by for support, but part of him wanted to be assigned elsewhere. "I wanted to get away from Arizona a little bit," he said. "I was glad to be close to home, too, because it makes it easier, but I want to get out on my own, too. "I am now, but I know my family is there if I need something. It will be interesting once I start playing in a different state and making long road trips." When he does, life will be coming at him pretty fast, but Whiteside already has showed he can handle it.

Cole Gillepsie already 4 for 4 and it's only the top of the 5th!

Interesting article on 20th round draft pick. Since the Brewers have been scouting him for the last 3 years, I'd be surprised if they didn't get him signed. www.canada.com/montrealga...b601fd126c

The waiting is over. Gillespie is signed and heading to Helena. milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com...p&c_id=mil