Look at the task of Buffalo Bisons’ general manager Mike Buczkowski and his staff as they prepare to host the 2012 Triple-A All Star game, the 25th anniversary of the event. Buczkowski was at this year’s event and talks about what he learned and how his staff is preparing to host the 2012 version of the Triple-A All Star week.
Now the real work begins for Bisons’ Buczkowski — BuffaloNews.com
This is an article from 2009, but a pretty cool read when you see that it focuses on current Toronto Blue Jays pitching prospect Henderson Alvarez and Seattle Mariners prospect Johermyn Chavez and their struggles with the language barrier during their first taste of pro ball. The in depth article follows Alvarez, Chavez, and then Lansing Lugnuts teammates Jonas Cuotto and Balbino Fuenmayor as they go through the Toronto Blue Jays mandatory language classes, live with host families, and work to apply the lessons learned to real world experiences. It’s a fascinating look at the social challenges faced by many Latin prospects as they begin their journey to the major leagues.
Venezuelans practice twice as hard off field — Lansing State Journal
At age 28, Cleveland Indians Triple-A outfielder Jared Head is still looking to make his major league debut. The Columbus Clippers outfielder talks about the successes he’s had in the minors and his longing to make it to the big leagues while trying to balance life as a new dad.
Topekan closer to big-league shot — CJOnline.com
Birmingham Barons second baseman Tyler Kuhn who currently leads the Double-A Southern League in hitting with a .368 average, talks about what he learned in his brief promotion to Triple-A and the prospects for a September call up with the White Sox.
Kuhn ‘on the map now’ for majors with White Sox — DailyMail.com
Former Florida Marlins prospect Jai Miller, now 26 years old, is having a Triple-A All Star season for the Sacramento River Cats in the Oakland Athletics system. Miller has hit 7 Home Runs in his last 10 games and has a career high 22 Home Runs on the season. Miller talks about his motivation to make it back to the big leagues after getting a taste majors, playing 55 games for the Royals in 2010.
Miller’s bat heats up for River Cats — SacBee.com
Came across this outstanding comedy piece by National Post columnist Bruce Arthur. He takes Jose Canseco’s recent tweets, couples it with his stint as a player/manager for the Yuma Scorpions and creates a sitcom script. Well worth the read.
A Vacant Mind — National Post
Pitcher Kris Honel has gone on quite the journey since being selected as the 16th overall pick in the 2001 draft by his hometown Chicago White Sox. The 27 year old who is still hanging on in the Independent Golden League talks in depth about the long winding road his career has taken including his battle back from Tommy John surgery, his brief retirement, and his current journey through the Indy Leagues.
Comeback kid? Honel says yes — South Town Star
The Herald News in Chicago recently sent sports writer Tim O’Brien to join the Joliet Slammers independent league ballclub for a day. In this story, O’Brian chronicles joining the Slammers for batting practice, his clubhouse experience, and watching the game from the dugout.
Minor League Baseball: Slammers player-for-a-day lives the dream — HeraldNews.com
Former New York Mets catcher Mackey Sasser of the “Mackey Sasser Syndrome” fame is being inducted into the Wiregrass Sports Hall Of Fame which honors athletes who are from the Wiregrass region of Southern Georgia and Southeastern Alabama. Sasser who has been the baseball coach at Wallace Community College in Dothan for the past 14 years talks about his induction as well as his big league career and what he’s been up to lately.
HoF inductee Mackey Sasser honored as player, coach — EPriseNow.com
Chicago Cubs Dominican Summer League pitcher Yomar Morel and Houston Astros DSL pitcher Manuel Sanchez were each suspended 50 Games for violations of the Minor League Baseball Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Morel was 3-3 with a 2.08ERA and 28 strikeouts in 26.2 innings. Opposing batters were hitting just .151 against the right hander. Sanchez was 4-0 with a 2.55 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 24.2 innings.