Month: August 2006

8/4/06 Linescore of the Day: Tom Gorzelanny

8 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K (Win) Pittsburgh rook Tom Gorzelanny is finding his groove. After a decent debut on July 1, he suffered a couple blowouts before settling down. He allowed two runs each on his starts on July 23 and 29. But his outing against the Cubs … Continue reading “8/4/06 Linescore of the Day: Tom Gorzelanny”

8 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K (Win)

Pittsburgh rook Tom Gorzelanny is finding his groove.

After a decent debut on July 1, he suffered a couple blowouts before settling down. He allowed two runs each on his starts on July 23 and 29.

But his outing against the Cubs yesterday might show what Gorzelanny, a Chicago area native, is capable of. His minor league stats show a high K/IP.

Gorzelanny is 2-2 for the season and lowered his ERA to 4.41.

Trivia answer

The answer to the Bob Richards trivia question from yesterday: Chicago Bob was on the right track. Bob Richards was “The Vaulting Vicar” who was the Olympic gold medal winner from the University of the Illinois.

Two things you can gather from Richards’ nickname… one, he was a pole vaulter and two, he was a official church reverend.

– he was the only two-time Olympic gold medal winner in the pole vault (he also bronzed).
– first athlete to appear on a Wheaties cereal box.
– member U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame.
– ran for President of the U.S. on the right-wing U.S. Ppopulist Party.
from Wikipedia’s entry on Bob Richards

Inventor of “the clear” sentenced to jail

Patrick Arnold, inventor of “the clear” has been sentenced to 3 months in prison. He has been convicted of “steroid-distribution charges”.

Local readers may or may not know that Arnold is a Champaign resident. Proviant Technologies, his research laboratory (since raided by federal agents) is also located in Champaign.

Arnold, of course, put forth an apologetic front:

“I’m very regretful for what I’ve done and especially since what it has precipitated in sports and society,” Arnold said outside court. “I do believe there should be a level playing field and that this whole things [sic]needs to be addressed.”

Yeah, you’re a real crusader.

8/3/06 Linescore of the Day: Matt Murton

4 for 4, 4 2B, 5 rbis Murton tied the MLB record for doubles in a game. The last player to do it was Billy Williams in 1969. Murton has been doing well as of late. His BA since the All-Star break is .395. Perhaps of more importance to the Cubs, Juan Mateo won his … Continue reading “8/3/06 Linescore of the Day: Matt Murton”

4 for 4, 4 2B, 5 rbis

Murton tied the MLB record for doubles in a game. The last player to do it was Billy Williams in 1969. Murton has been doing well as of late. His BA since the All-Star break is .395.

Perhaps of more importance to the Cubs, Juan Mateo won his very first start. He wasn’t dominating (3 runs, 2 earned in 5 innings with 2 Ks and 3 walks) but it was good enough.

The Cubs can use any good news regarding their pitching staff they can get. Here’s a quick writeup on Mateo.

U of I players looking toward postseason in summer leagues

Somebody’s sitting in my usual seat tonight. The booth I usually sit at has a picture above it of Bob Richards. He’s a University of Illinois alumni and a former athlete. My question for you is what was his unusual nickname and what was his sport? They go hand in hand. No fair searching the … Continue reading “U of I players looking toward postseason in summer leagues”

Somebody’s sitting in my usual seat tonight. The booth I usually sit at has a picture above it of Bob Richards. He’s a University of Illinois alumni and a former athlete.

My question for you is what was his unusual nickname and what was his sport? They go hand in hand.

No fair searching the web.

The college summer leagues are winding down and many (most?) of the Illini are involved in the playoff picture. The fightingillini.com website has all the details. I won’t bother repeating what’s already there. However, since they didn’t bother linking the team’s or league’s web sites, I took the time to look them up and link them on this post.

Good luck, Illini and look forward to seeing you at the Alumni Game this fall!!

Coastal Plain League

Northwoods League

Central Illinois Collegiate League

Ronnie Woo Woo and SoxMan

I didn’t know quite what to think of this video. If this is Sox-Cubs unity, then give me divisiveness. That Soxman is kinda freaky. (hat-tip to Sneetch at Cubscast.com)

I didn’t know quite what to think of this video.

If this is Sox-Cubs unity, then give me divisiveness. That Soxman is kinda freaky.

(hat-tip to Sneetch at Cubscast.com)

First pick Hochevar signs with the Royals

Word has come down that Luke Hochevar has signed a contract with the Royals. Hochevar, a pitcher from the University of Tennesee, was the first pick in this year’s rookie draft. No official word but it is believed that Hochevar will earn $5.2 million with incentives up to $7 million. He is expected to join … Continue reading “First pick Hochevar signs with the Royals”

Word has come down that Luke Hochevar has signed a contract with the Royals. Hochevar, a pitcher from the University of Tennesee, was the first pick in this year’s rookie draft.

No official word but it is believed that Hochevar will earn $5.2 million with incentives up to $7 million.

He is expected to join the Royals’ 40-man roster on Saturday.

8/2/06 Linescore of the Day: Jimmy Rollins

3 for 5, 2 HR, 5 runs, 4 rbis JRoll scored five times in the Phillies 16-8 walloping of the Cardinals. I guess he’s not one of players Cory Lidle was talking about on his way to the Yankees. Neither was #2 hitter David Dellucci who was 3 for 4 with 4 rbis. For that … Continue reading “8/2/06 Linescore of the Day: Jimmy Rollins”

3 for 5, 2 HR, 5 runs, 4 rbis

JRoll scored five times in the Phillies 16-8 walloping of the Cardinals.

I guess he’s not one of players Cory Lidle was talking about on his way to the Yankees. Neither was #2 hitter David Dellucci who was 3 for 4 with 4 rbis. For that matter, he certainly couldn’t have been referring to Chase Utley who just hit in his 35th straight game.

Be quiet Cory.

Cub Catchup

Zambrano doing it with his arm and bat

With all the troubles the Cubs’ starting rotation has gone through, thank goodness for Carlos Zambrano. Carlos won the NL Pitcher of the Month for July. He won all six of his starts with 40 Ks. His 4.15 ERA was somewhat mediocre but can you imagine where the Cubs would be without him?

Not only that, the media stories have mentioned his offensive exploits as well. His two homeruns helped his cause. Zam leads the league in HRs, runs, rbis, and total bases by a hurler.

Last week, I started hearing whisperings of Zambrano being a candidate for the Cy Young this year. To be honest, I never considered the thought. But looking at the stats of the league leaders, I think he’s got a real shot. He’s 5th in the NL in ERA but leads in wins and strikeouts.

Hill’s Rich Outing
To a non-Cub fan, Rich Hill’s 3 runs allowed in 8 innings against the Diamondbacks on Tuesday may not seem like a big deal. But boy, I think that was so important on so many levels. First, we got a glimpse of the Rich Hill who has pitched so well in the minors. His first win after 6 losses in the bigs takes the pressure off of him. Now he knows what a win feels like.

Not only was it a win, it was a strong 8 inning outing, taking the burden off the bullpen. The way the starting staff has pitched (save Zambrano, of course), that’s big.

The next time Hill is slated to pitch, maybe we all won’t collectively groan.

7/31/06 Linescore of the Day: Orlando Hudson

2 for 3, 2 HR, 3 runs, 6 rbis ”It was hot. It was hot like South Carolina hot. It’s the kind of weather I’m used to playing in every day at home in South Carolina.” So said the D-backs Orlando Hudson after yesterday’s 15-4 shellacking of the Cubs. Suffice to say, it was O-Dog’s … Continue reading “7/31/06 Linescore of the Day: Orlando Hudson”

2 for 3, 2 HR, 3 runs, 6 rbis

”It was hot. It was hot like South Carolina hot. It’s the kind of weather I’m used to playing in every day at home in South Carolina.”

So said the D-backs Orlando Hudson after yesterday’s 15-4 shellacking of the Cubs.

Suffice to say, it was O-Dog’s day. A list of accomplishments from yesterday’s game.

– He hit 2 homers… from both sides of the plate.
– one was a grand slam.
– he had a career high 6 rbis
– was involved in 2 defensive double plays
– one DP consisted of Hudson making a catch in right field and throwing out Ronny Cedeno out at the plate.
– oh yeah, he stole a base, too.

What did the Rays get for Lugo?

One of the best minor league players involved in a trade this week is Joel Guzman who was dealt by the Dodgers to Tampa Bay in exchange for Julio Lugo. With the departure of Izturis to the Cubs, the Dodgers needed to fill the hole at short. Lugo, who hitting .308 with decent speed and … Continue reading “What did the Rays get for Lugo?”

One of the best minor league players involved in a trade this week is Joel Guzman who was dealt by the Dodgers to Tampa Bay in exchange for Julio Lugo.

With the departure of Izturis to the Cubs, the Dodgers needed to fill the hole at short. Lugo, who hitting .308 with decent speed and pop, capably does that. But in return they gave up Joel Guzman.

Guzman is a shortstop-turned-OF/3B.

Much has been made of the Dodgers’ list of rookies this year. Players like Russ Martin, Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp have made a splash in the lineup. Joel Guzman with just 19 at-bats hasn’t had much of a chance to show his stuff.

And from what I’ve been hearing, he could be better than all of ’em. In April, Baseball America rated him as the third best prospect and Best Power Hitter.

I know many Rays fans weren’t too thrilled about giving up Lugo but considering what they were getting back, they weren’t feeling too bad.

By the way, here is a full list of trades made within the last week.

Followup: The Professor at the Rays Index opines on the Lugo/Guzman deal. He seems pretty satisfied with the deal.