Month: May 2005

Big Ten Tourney Update

The first two games were played today at Illinois Field. Ohio State 7 Michigan 3 Minnesota 14 Iowa 7 But now I’m confused. Look at the updated bracket and see if this makes sense to you. According to the playoff bracket, shouldn’t Illinois be playing Ohio State? Anyway, Illinois is scheduled to play Minnesota Thursday … Continue reading “Big Ten Tourney Update”

i.gif
The first two games were played today at Illinois Field.

Ohio State 7 Michigan 3

Minnesota 14 Iowa 7

But now I’m confused.

Look at the updated bracket and see if this makes sense to you. According to the playoff bracket, shouldn’t Illinois be playing Ohio State?

Anyway, Illinois is scheduled to play Minnesota Thursday night at 7:05pm and barring any last minute crises, I should be there rooting them on.

Update: I am confused no longer. If I taken the time to look at the original bracket (below), it explains it clearly. Illinois is playing the lower seeded team.

Resize of big10.jpg

Big Baseball Weekend at the U of I

Well, classes have been over for a couple weeks but if you’re a college baseball fan, things are still abuzz this week here in Champaign-Urbana. Tomorrow, the Big Ten Baseball Tournament begins! Big Ten Coach of the Year Itch Jones First things first though. Illinois Coach Itch Jones was named Big Ten Coach of Year. … Continue reading “Big Baseball Weekend at the U of I”

i.gif
Well, classes have been over for a couple weeks but if you’re a college baseball fan, things are still abuzz this week here in Champaign-Urbana. Tomorrow, the Big Ten Baseball Tournament begins!

p-Jones.jpg
Big Ten Coach of the Year Itch Jones

First things first though. Illinois Coach Itch Jones was named Big Ten Coach of Year. Jones guided the Illini to a 20-12 conference season (30-21-1 overall) and won the Big Ten title.

Congratulations Coach Jones!

Other Awards
74407.jpeg
Big Ten Player of the Year Drew Davidson

UI Centerfielder Drew Davidson won Big Ten Player of the Year. Drew hit 14 homers with 51 rbis while batting .326. All while playing excellent defense (he had no errors for the season). Nice going, Drew!

Five Illini made the All-Big Ten team first team.

1B- Dusty Bensko
OF- Drew Davidson
OF- Ryan Rogowski
C- Chris Robinson
SP- Brian Blomquist

and three made the second team.

2B- J.R. Kyes
DH- Mike Rohde
SP- Jimmy Conroy

Finally, Chris Robinson won the Big Ten Sportsmanship Honorees Award.

Official story from fightingillini.com

Congrats to all for a great season!!

But It’s Not Over Yet

As mentioned earlier, the Big Ten tournament begins tomorrow. Being the first place team, the Illini have a bye and don’t play till Thursday night.

Here is the tournament bracket:

Resize of big10.jpg
You can find the bracket pdf here

Also, check out The Tournament Central web page.

Finally, a comment from Coach Jones regarding the Illini’s chances:

“I feel confident in our players. We didn’t have a hot, cold, hot, cold season like other teams. We just went hot, hot, hot and then cold.”

I hope that’s a good thing.

Good luck, team!!

Garland/Sox Shut Down by Rook

It took a shutout by Santana to end Jon Garland’s winning streak. The punchline is that it wasn’t Johan. LAA’s Ervin Santana, in his second MLB start pitched a CG shutout to give Garland his first loss of the year. Santana struck out seven and walked one. Let’s put the Santana rook on the Rookie … Continue reading “Garland/Sox Shut Down by Rook”

It took a shutout by Santana to end Jon Garland’s winning streak.

The punchline is that it wasn’t Johan.

LAA’s Ervin Santana, in his second MLB start pitched a CG shutout to give Garland his first loss of the year.

Santana struck out seven and walked one.

Let’s put the Santana rook on the Rookie Watch. Maybe the Angels fans out there can give us the scoop on E. Santana.

Ouch! The DL List Grows and Grows.

Every year about this time I look at the number of players on the DL and wonder if injuries are up from the previous year. I have no data to prove this, it’s just a hunch. This year is no exception. Right about this time, just like clock-work, key players are dropping like flies. A … Continue reading “Ouch! The DL List Grows and Grows.”

Every year about this time I look at the number of players on the DL and wonder if injuries are up from the previous year. I have no data to prove this, it’s just a hunch.

This year is no exception. Right about this time, just like clock-work, key players are dropping like flies.

A sampling of stars, key players and prospects who are now on the DL:

O. Hernandez SP Shoulder 15-day DL
M. Ordonez RF Hernia 15-day DL
V. Guerrero RF Shoulder 15-day DL
F. Rodriguez RP Arm 15-day DL
N. Swisher CF Shoulder 15-day DL
B. Crosby SS Ribs 15-day DL
B. Madritsch SP Shoulder 60-day DL
C. Koskie 3B Hand Late June
K. Wood SP Shoulder Mid June
N. Garciaparra SS Groin 15-day DL
T. Walker 2B Knee 15-day DL
J. Valentin 3B Knee Mid Aug
M. Loretta 2B Hand Late July
S. Rolen 3B Shoulder Late June

Update: Add Roger Clemens to this list. He left today’s game with a groin injury. Fortunately for him and the Astros, it’s not too serious and it’s possible he might not miss a start.

Illinois Takes Big Ten Title!

I never thought I’d say this but: Thank you, Indiana! Here’s the scenario: Going into the last game of the season, Illinois still had a magic number of one. Either they had to win or Purdue had to lose in order for them to win the Big Ten title. Well, I went to the game … Continue reading “Illinois Takes Big Ten Title!”

i.gif I never thought I’d say this but:

Thank you, Indiana!

Here’s the scenario:

Going into the last game of the season, Illinois still had a magic number of one. Either they had to win or Purdue had to lose in order for them to win the Big Ten title.

Well, I went to the game against Iowa and it just wasn’t happenin’ for the Illini. Iowa jumped out to a quick 7-1 lead. The Illini had their chances. Two innings in a row they loaded the bases (once with no outs) but couldn’t capitalize.

And it wasn’t like they weren’t hitting the ball hard either. Most of the time though, it was hit hard at a defender. In one frustrasting inning, each batter hit a hard rope only to be snared by a Iowa fielder for consecutive outs.

Final Score: Iowa 7 Illinois 1

But here comes the Good News part. Last place Indiana defeated Purdue 6-0. The score was announced over the PA after the game. That put Illinois at 20-12 and Purdue at 17-11.

It’s not how Illinois wanted to win it all but I like how shortstop Toby Gardenhire put it:

“This isn’t exactly the way we wanted to win it, but we won a lot of games early to put ourselves in this position.”

Story from fightingillini.com

Final Big Ten Standings

5-22illinibaseball 00701.jpg

Unfortunately, UI starter Aaron Saving didn’t have his stuff today.

5-22illinibaseball 00401.jpg

This Iowa runner is getting dangerously close to getting booted from the game. He was out on a fielder’s choice and the umpire ruled he interfered with the throw to first for the attempted DP. The ump ruled it a DP. This guy argued for a good minute or so and was not happy.

5-22illinibaseball 02401.jpg

This kid was awesome. In between innings, he managed on his own to lead a cheer and get at least 3 sections of fans to participate. In his high-pitched voice, he would yell, “I-L-L!” and the rest of us would respond with “I-N-I!”

Kid, I hope you’re back next year!

5-22illinibaseball 01601.jpg

Toby Gardenhire rounding third to score Illinois’ only run.

5-22illinibaseball 03501.jpg

The team celebrating their Big Ten title.

5-22illinibaseball 03801.jpg

Sunday games at home include a really neat promotion. After the game, kids get to go on the field and play wiffleball with the Illinois players. This is immensely popular with fans and has been nationally recognized in NCAA baseball as one the best promotions in college baseball.

Next up is the Big Ten Tournament at Illinois Field this weekend.

Prior Lifts Cubs, Saves Them From Sweep

…and saves me a buck. The Sox went with Brandon McCarthy in his major league debut. All said, he didn’t too bad allowing 2 runs in 5 1/3 innings and striking out six. The Sox could expect good things from this kid. I’ll put him on my Rookie Watch. Offensively, the Cubs have rookie Jason … Continue reading “Prior Lifts Cubs, Saves Them From Sweep”

…and saves me a buck.

The Sox went with Brandon McCarthy in his major league debut. All said, he didn’t too bad allowing 2 runs in 5 1/3 innings and striking out six. The Sox could expect good things from this kid. I’ll put him on my Rookie Watch.

Offensively, the Cubs have rookie Jason Dubois to thank for the win. He had a key 3-run homer in the 6th.

Well, it looks like I owe Teddy B a buck.

Kyle Davies- Rookie Watch

Kyle Davies from Atlanta made the most of his first appearance in the majors. He shut down Baltimore in five innings and got the win. He struck out six and walked three. He’s on my Rookie Watch.

Kyle Davies from Atlanta made the most of his first appearance in the majors. He shut down Baltimore in five innings and got the win. He struck out six and walked three.

He’s on my Rookie Watch.