Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout became one of a select few players in major league baseball history to make his big league debut while he was still 19 years old. Since being called up from Double-A Arkansas after a Peter Bourjos injury, Trout has batted just .176 in his first 10 games, however according to many has shown a level of maturity not expected from someone of his age. In the story Trout talks about living up to the expectations of being a top prospect at such a young age, making adjustments to American League pitching, and enjoying the chance to play on a series at Baltimore in front of a number of family and friends from his native New Jersey.
Former New York Mets and Detroit Tigers catcher Vance Wilson is looking to eventually join the long list of former big league catchers who have become major league managers. Wilson is currently the skipper of the Kane County Cougars of the Low-A Midwest League. In the story Wilson talks about his big league days, getting the chance to manage six months after his retirement from baseball and the challenges of coaching his Kansas City Royals affiliate through a rough first half.
The South Bend Silver Hawks are honoring five former Negro League players at their upcoming game on Monday July 25th against the Kane County Cougars. Among them are 89 year old Hank “Baby” Presswood and Lou “The Grey Cat” Clarizio who was the first white player to ever play in the Negro Leagues as a member of the Chicago American Giants. In the story Clarizio talks about being accepted by his teammates and coaches, but finding it much tougher to win over the fans. Presswood also looks back on his career with the Cleveland Buckeyes and the Kansas City Monarchs. It’s a fascinating story on both players.
Not baseball, but bare with me for a moment. There is apparently tons and tons of interest in the Decorah Eagles, a family of Bald Eagles and their three Eaglets living in a nest in Decorah, Iowa. There is around the clock coverage of the Eagles that has generated over 100 million views on UStream. My dad decided to visit Decorah last week, and shot this awesome video of one of the Eaglets catching a fish in a local fish hatchery. Check it out if you enjoy that sort of thing, and we will be back to baseball shortly 🙂
Don’t know much about the origins of this video other than a 9 year old outfielder named Jayden makes the best catch you will see a 9 year old make all year.
Phil Gosselin is probably best known for cranking a Home Run off the then unbeaten Stephen Strasburg that helped the Virginia Cavaliers beat San Diego State in the 2009 NCAA Regional. However now that he’s turned pro, Gosselin is beginning to makie a name for himself in the Carolina League as the second baseman is one of the batter hitters on the Lynchburg Hillcats. The Atlanta Braves farmhand is batting .272 with 22 doubles, five triples, five home runs, and 51 RBI’s so far this season. In the story below, Gosselin talks about staying focused in his first full season, playing close to home in Lynchburg, getting to see his Virginia Cavaliers make it to the NCAA’s once again, and playing minor league ball for Luis Salazar who lost his eye after being hit with a line drive during spring training.
It’s been four years to the day since tragedy struck Minor League Baseball when Tulsa Drillers coach Mike Coolbaugh was struck with a line drive and killed while coaching first base during the Drillers game at Arkansas. Coolbaugh’s brother Scott is now the Texas Rangers’ hitting coach. In the story Scott talks about his brothers memory, forming the Diamond Dreams foundation, and how tough it was not to be able to call his brother and tell him he was headed to the big leagues.