Month: April 2008

Illini Split Sunday DH with Gophers; Take Series 3-1

Today in Minneapolis, Illinois split their doubleheader with the Golden Gophers of Minnesota giving them a 3-1 weekend win after winning both games yesterday. 

Recap:

The first game was a squeaker with Minnesota winning 4-3.  Illinois took the lead 3-2 in the fifth with two runs.  Dom Altobelli’s double down the left field line was responsible for one of those runs but Minnesota coach wasn’t ready to see it that way.  He and most of the crowd were convinced it was foul.  I was listening to the game on radio and I could clearly hear the taunts of the ump.  Even later in the game when an Illini ball was hit foul near the baseline, I could hear the taunts, “Hey Ump, Are you sure it wasn’t fair?”  Well, Coach John Anderson was ejected for his vociferous objections to the ump’s fair call.

Anyway, In the bottom of the sixth, a Gopher sac fly tied the frame.  It stayed knotted up till the bottom of the 7th when Matt Nohelty scored on a Jeff DeSmidt base hit to win it for the Gophers. 

Another matter of interest… Kyle Hudson seemed to pull up a bit while running out a ground ball in the fifth inning.  An inning later he was pulled from the game in favor of Nick Stockwell.  He didn’t return for Game two.  I’m hoping it isn’t serious.

[4/20 Update:  Team Sports Information Director Ben Taylor tells me that Hudson is ok.  According to Ben, Kyle just “tweaked his ankle” on the play and it’s really “shouldn’t be a big thing”.  Good to hear.]

Speaking of Game 2, it was an offensive game with a score of 9-7 but most of the runs came late in the game.  By the top of the fifth, it was still Illinois 1 Minnesota 0.  Minnesota poured it on in the bottom of the eighth with five runs making it 6-4. 

Illinois responded with a five run inning of their own in the top of the final frame thanks to 3 errors by Minnesota. 

Kudos to Joe Bonadonna who responded well to taking over the leadoff spot for the game.  ‘Donna was 4 for 4 with a run, 2 rbis and 2 stolen bases.

What now?

The series win put Illinois at 9-7 in the Big Ten and back up a notch or two at third place in the standings behind Michigan and Purdue.  They’re one half game up on Ohio State. 

Tuesday, the good guys take on the Cardinals of Illinois State.  The game is at home at Illinois Field at 6:05pm.  We play host this coming weekend to Penn State for some good Big Ten action.  Another important series as State is one game behind us in the standings. 

NL Central on the rise?

For years now, I’ve heard from White Sox fans about the supposed “weak” NL Central division pointing to their low win totals of the division winner.  I’ve always denied it preferring to call it “competitive” and “parity”.

But forget all that.  Look at the respective Central divisions now in the admittedly young 2008 season. 

 

NL

Central Division
Team           W   L   WL%  GB
St.Louis STL  12   6  .667  --  
Chicago  CHC  11   6  .647  0.5
Milwkee  MIL  11   6  .647  0.5
Pittsbgh PIT   7  10  .412  4.5
Cincnnti CIN   7  11  .389  5.0
Houston  HOU   6  12  .333  6.0

AL

Central Division
Team           W   L   WL%  GB
ChicagoW CHW  10   7  .588  --  
KansasCy KCR   9   9  .500  1.5
Minnesta MIN   8  10  .444  2.5
Clvlnd   CLE   7  11  .389  3.5
Detroit  DET   6  12  .333  4.5

 

Again, the season is early but through 17-18 games, the NL Central games, the NL Central has maintained a slim winning margin at 54-51 total record. 

The AL Central on the other hand, are suffering at 40-49.  Of course, much of that is at the hands of the Detroit Tigers.  You could make the argument though, that the Cincinnati Reds (who are at 7-11) are playing below their potential.  Some nit-wits have picked them to win the division.  Kidding, Reds fans.

Only one team in the AL Central (yes it IS the Sox) have a winning record.

Throwing the numbers out, I see three solid teams (Cubs, Reds, Brewers) plus one very team that I either misjudged or is very lucky (Cardinals).  I honestly don’t know what to make of the Astros.  Add to that a perennial doormat that is improving (Pirates) and I see a division that is on the rise.

 

 

Book Review: Hammerin’ Hank, George Almighty & the Say Hey Kid

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“Mr Aaron, for every one of those bad letters you receive, there are thousands pulling for you. Good luck in your quest… after you leave the Astrodome.”

Greeting on the Astrodome scoreboard welcoming Hank Aaron during his quest to break Babe Ruth’s homerun record in 1973

–

It was a nice gesture to be sure but it underscored the pressure Hank Aaron must have been going through the year he attempted to break Babe Ruth’s record.

That drama that unfolded that year is one of several that is detailed in the book Hammerin’ Hank, George Almighty & the Say Hey Kid. The book essentially focuses on baseball during the year of 1973.

Now, when it comes to baseball history I love the 1970’s. I liked the style of play with its balance of speed, power and pitching. There were interesting players and other people of importance in the game. Before the era of “spin”, it didn’t take a scandal for a player to be “colorful”.

Author John Rosengren does a fine job picking his stories to tell. You’re not going to find a game-by-game account of the 1973 season. Rather he finds the important tales that remain relevant or at least interesting to today’s audience.

Speaking of relevance, Aaron’s story is told. Anyone who has not heard any version of it must read that chapter. There’s also Willie Mays’ last stand with the Mets. The rise of George Steinbrenner. And Orlando Cepeda making the most of the new Designated Hitter rule in Boston before his knees blow out.

Of course, Rosengen spends a lot of print on the World Champion Oakland A’s. We read much about the team interaction, with each other and with Dick Williams and Charlie O. Rosengren gives a pretty good insight into the workings of Reggie Jackson.

I’ve been asked to review books fairly often and I can honestly say I’ve enjoyed all them to some degree. But Hammerin’ Hank, George Almighty & the Say Hey Kid has got to be one of my favorite. That’s partially because I like baseball history books and because of the time period written about. But John Rosengren did his research (the book is well documented) and wrote a book that didn’t put me to sleep. THAT makes it a keeper.

Hammerin’ Hank, George Almighty & the Say Hey Kid

Author: John Rosengren

Publisher: Sourcebooks. Inc

Illinois-Minnesota: DH Sweep!

Yes, that is exactly what the doctor ordered!  After a five straight losses, we needed a couple wins to get us back on track and that’s exactly what we got against Minnesota on Saturday. 

The first game seemed to be outlet of pent-up burst of energy and frustration (not to mention offense) as the Illini crushed the Gophers 15-2.  Everything clicked on all cylinders… hitting and pitching. 

Major kudos to DH Daniel Webb who cranked two homers and went 3 for 5 with 3 rbis.  Dom Altobelli also parked one to go along with his 3 rbis.  Craig Lutes went 3 for 5 with 2 runs and an rbi.

Webb’s two homeruns was the first multi-homerun game by an Illini this year, by the way.

Kevin Manson was very efficient allowing 2 runs, 6 hits and only one walk in eight innings for the “W”.

Game 2 was no blowout it was a good solid win.  Illinois took the Gophers 7-3.  The Illini were pretty much in control of the game for the duration.  Scott Shaw pitched 4 1/3 solid innings allowing one run.  Catcher Aaron Johnson homered for the second time this season.  Brandon Wikoff contributed by going 2 for 4 with 3 runs and 2 rbis.

SB record in Hud’s sights?

Kyle Hudson stole three more bases.  Add the one from the first game and he’s got 31 for the season.  The team record is held by his buddy and former teammate Shawn Roof with 40.  No doubt at this pace, that record is in danger.  Also, at the beginning of the weekend, Hud was two behind national leader in SB.

—

You can read the official wrap up of the games at fightingillini.com.  Also, Michael Schroeder has posted Diamond Notes #6 for anyone to read. 

Up Next:  One more doubleheader today at Siebert Field starting at 11:05am.

Illowa APBA League web site updated

I finally got around to updating the Illowa APBA League web site.  Final 2007 standings and stats are reflected.

Don’t miss Teddy Ballgame’s IAL Rookie Draft Report Card and Trade Analysis.  They’re always good for a laugh. 

The IAL is a 10-team league that uses the APBA basic game and has been around since 1975. 

Game called for… pity??

white flag

Yikes!  A high school baseball game in Japan was called in the second inning because one team had scored 66 runs in less than two innings. 

…the coach of Kawamoto technical high school threw in the towel with one batter out in the bottom of the second to spare his pitcher, who had already thrown over 250 pitches. He allowed 26 runs in the first inning and 40 in the second before the club asked for mercy.

The game was recorded as a 9-0 win for the opponents. 

Big win for Hill and other Cubs notes

rhill It was a big win today for the Cubs against the Pirates.  

It was an even bigger win for lefty Rich Hill.  The ‘W’ was his first of the year and the first for a Cub lefty (are you listening Ted Lilly?).  Hill’s start not only garnered a victory but apparently there was a vast improvement in his approach. 

Hill allowed only one run in five innings with 3 walks and 4 strikeouts. 

 

In the game, call-up Eric Patterson notched his first career rbi on a fielder’s choice.  Is anyone else happy that E-Pat was called up and not the red head?  I’ve already talked to two Cub fans who wished it was Murton on the roster?

 

Meanwhile, Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman calls Cubs fans “obnoxious”. 

Fans at Wrigley Field traditionally throw the opposing team’s home runs back onto the field, but after Adam Dunn connected Wednesday in the eighth inning, they got carried away and tossed 15 balls onto the field. Brennaman said the behavior was “obnoxious” and the type of action that “makes you want to see this Chicago Cubs team lose.”

*Sigh*  Welcome to Wrigleyville, Marty. 

 

Speaking of obnoxious, a stupid T-shirt with a stereotypical Japanese reference to Harry Caray was being sold today at Wrigley.  I’ve seen some comments like “who would wear such a thing?”.  I know our society and I hate to say it but more people would buy it than I would want to admit.

Former Illini starting out well in A ball

Former Illini SS Shawn Roof is making the most of his second year in the minors.  Currently, Roof is assigned to the Lakeland Flying Tigers, Detroit’s A team. 

Right now, Roof is leading the club with a .409 batting average.  Hopefully, management is now starting to take notice.  The Lakeland Flying Tigers Blog, a team fan blog certainly has. 

larscropped Shawn shot me an email and mentioned that Lars Davis hit a couple homers over the weekend.  The former Illini catcher and Big Ten player of the Year is stationed with the Rockies class A affiliate, the Asheville Tourists. 

Sure enough, Davis homered in consecutive days on April 12-13. 

Good luck to both!!