Who wasn’t a fan of Mickey Morandini back in the day. He turned an unassisted triple play with the Phillies, he had an awesome looking rookie card, and was even an All Star back in 1995. These days he is managing the Phillies Low-A Lakewood Blueclaws team in New Jersey. Earlier this week he produced one of the more animated minor league managerial ejections of the year. Not sure what set him off as the video picks up mid argument. Check out the video from the folks at the Phillies blog PhoulBallz.com.
Category Archives: Minor League Baseball News
Interview With Cleveland Indians Outfield Prospect Jordan Smith
By: Andrew Martin
@historianandrew
BaseballHistorian.Blogspot.com
Currently in first place in the AL Central, the Cleveland Indians are starting to emerge from rebuilding mode and they have many reasons for optimism. The influx of young talent the team has brought up in recent seasons has helped return the Indians to winning ways. However, outfield continues to be an area needing more depth, as evidenced by the recent signing of 38 year old Johnny Damon.
One young player the Indians are counting on to remedy this by moving quickly through their system is Jordan Smith.
A big left-handed hitting, right-handed throwing corner outfielder, Smith was drafted in the 9th round of the 2011 MLB draft out of St. Cloud State College in Minnesota, where he played third base. Because of his athleticism and big arm, the Indians decided to move him to the outfield to give the organization the potential for more impact options. Smith rewarded the Indians faith by having an excellent first professional season last year, collecting a .300 batting average and 47 RBI in 65 short-season games. He is already off to a quick start at A-ball in 2012 and if he keeps producing like this, he should place himself in an excellent position to join the Indians outfield before long.
Who were your favorite team and player when you were growing up?
My favorite team growing up was the Minnesota Twins, but my favorite player was Cal Ripken, Jr. I just looked up to him. He was a good shortstop and hitter; just somebody you could really look up to, especially since he played every day.
Prior to being drafted, what was your favorite baseball moment or memory?
I would say when we competed in Nationals, 12 and under, AAU. We finished third in Nationals and that was just a fun time. My dad was my coach.
How did you first find out that the Indians were interested in you?
You get letters and whatnot, but if I made a list of the top ten that were interested, I wouldn’t put the Indians on that list. They were kind of just the sleeper team. On draft day they called and said I had been selected by them.
What was draft day like for you?
I was in the Cape. We were at a practice and I had my phone on me, and then it kind of got a little more intense. I set my phone in the grass and when I went back to my phone I had like 200 missed calls and texts. I saw one from the Indians that said they had drafted me in the ninth. It was a pretty exciting moment.
After you signed with Cleveland, did you do anything fun or exciting for yourself or your family?
I went back to Minnesota. I was in Massachusetts during the draft and then I flew back to Minnesota. We signed at my house in Minnesota and then had a little draft party with family and friends. No new vehicles or anything.
What has been the hardest part about adapting to life as a professional baseball player off the field?
I would say the being away from home. Just missing your family and missing your friends. But it’s definitely a good time. Good guys and good coaches.
Interview With Chicago Cubs Prospect Shawon Dunston Jr
By: Andrew Martin
@historianandrew
BaseballHistorian.Blogspot.com
Chicago Cubs fans enjoyed the play of mercurial shortstop Shawon Dunston for better than a decade in the 1980s and 1990s. Soon those same fans may think they have deja vu because Dunston’s son, Shawon Jr., has joined the organization and drawn the excitement of many throughout baseball because of his ability and potential at such a young age.
The right-handed throwing and hitting Dunston, Jr. has a build reminiscent of his father, but his position of centerfield shows that he is his own player. He was a star player in high school and set to play collegiately with Vanderbilt, but then the Cubs took him in the 11th round of the 2011 MLB draft. The signing bonus they dangled in front of him was too much and he decided to sign and start his professional career.
Dunston has yet to appear in his first professional game, but is expected to play in short season ball in 2012. If things go well “Dunston” should once again become a familiar name being announced over the loudspeaker at Wrigley Field in the near future. This past off-season, Dunston checked in to discuss his experiences in baseball. You can also follow his progress this season by giving him a follow on Twitter.
How much time did you spend around clubhouses and major league players when you were a kid?
When my dad was playing, quite some time. My dad is a coach with the Giants, so a little bit now as well.
How difficult was it for you to pass up your Vanderbilt scholarship for the Cubs?
Very difficult. The hardest decision I’ve made. It came down to the wire and I got first round money, so I took it.
Did you and your family/friends do anything special to celebrate after you signed with the Cubs?
Not really. I just got a lot of text messages through friends and family when they found out.
What kind of mental preparation have you been given about assuming the life of a minor league player?
It’s a long season and it’s a grind. You are going to have your good days and your bad days.
What are the main attributes of your game?
I’m a very athletic player.
Your dad was legendary for his throwing arm; how daunting was it to play catch with him?
When I was younger I used to be scared to play catch with him, but now it’s not as bad.
Growing up around Barry Bonds, did you pick up any good advice directly from or by watching him?
Yes, people do not realize how hard he works, and the work he put into baseball. Best player I’ve seen, hands down.
Be sure to check out Shawon Jr’s baseball cards. He’s got a whole bunch of cool ones.
Division III Pitcher Learns He’s Related To Hall Of Famer Christy Mathewson
Cool story from our friend Jason Bristol. Pitcher Chris Mathewson from NCAA Division III Franklin and Marshall College recently found out he was related to Hall of Fame pitcher Christy Mathewson. Check out the cool story via the video below.
VIDEO: Check Out This Umpire’s NINJA Strike Three Call
We’ve featured a few wild strike three umpire calls on our site before, but this Little League umpire may provide the best of the bunch. Check out his Ninja action as he sends the little guy back to the dugout.
Video of Bryce Harper’s First Triple-A Home Run
After more than two weeks at Triple-A Syracuse, Bryce Harper finally connected for his first Home Run at the Triple-A Level. The Washington Nationals prospect blasted it to deep right field off of New York Mets pitching prospect Jeurys Familia. Check out the blast below via Saratoga County Sports and also be sure to check out how much Bryce Harper baseball cards are going for these days. You need a few bills to have a chance at one.
VIDEO: Mycal Jones & Keenan Wiley Have Scary Head To Head Outfield Collision During Mississippi Braves Game
This clip is about as scary as it gets. Mississippi Braves centerfielder Mycal Jones and right fielder Keenan Wiley each dive for a Marc Krauss line drive and crack heads at full extension. Krauss got a 3 run inside the park home run on the play. Jones, who is one of the most active minor league baseball players on twitter @MykeJones2 tweeted that he should be back in the lineup on April 11th after passing all his tests. Wiley is also ok. Pretty amazing that both guys came out of this just a little cut up but otherwise ok.
If your not squeemish, take a look at the picture of the cut above his eye and the stitched up cut that Mycal Jones posted to his twitter account following the collision.
VIDEO: Reliving One Of The Greatest Minor League Baseball Promotions Of All Time: Jose Herrera vs race horse Zippy Chippy
One of the greatest promotions in Minor League Baseball history took place on August 18th 2000 when the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings put speedy outfielder Jose Herrera in a race against famously winless race horse Zippy Chippy. A decade later Herrera revisits the famous night with Harrisburg PA’s CBS 21 News Sports Director Jason Bristol who is a must follow on twitter @JasonBristol. If you’ve never heard the story or seen the race, check out the video below. It’s awesome.
VIDEO: Harrisburg Senators Field Goes From Underwater To Opening Day Prestine
Natural disasters can take their toll on anyone and anything. Last September the Harrisburg Senators saw their entire stadium under feet of water after severe flooding in Central Pennsylvania. Through the hard work of Tim Foreman and his stadium operations staff, the 2012 Senators arrived to find a pristine Metro Bank Park for opening day. Check out the transformation via the video story below.
Q&A With Former Marlins First Round Pick Josh Booty
By: Andrew Martin
@historianandrew
BaseballHistorian.Blogspot.com
In 1994, Josh Booty was one of the most coveted high school athletes in the country. He was a star in football and in baseball, and everyone was anxious to see what sport he would choose. It was settled when the Florida Marlins took him with the 5th overall pick in the first round of that year’s MLB draft and signed him to a contract.
Booty, a third baseman, showed great power during his time in the minor leagues, but not enough plate discipline. He had 62 home runs in 478 games, but hit only a combined .198 and struck out in nearly a third of his at bats. The Marlins kept aggressively pushing him through their system, calling him up for brief stints during the 1996-1998 seasons. In 13 career major league games, he collected 7 hits and 4 RBI in 30 at bats, but was never given any extended opportunity.
Following the 1998 baseball season, Booty decided to return to football. He enrolled at LSU under coach Nick Saban and became the team’s starting quarterback, showing a big arm and production. In 2001 he was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the 6th round. He was with the Seahawks, Cleveland Browns, and Oakland Raiders for parts of four seasons, but never got into a game, and ended up retiring from the NFL in 2007.
Today, Booty leads a busy life. In addition to his family, he has been extremely active in charitable work, worked as a sports commentator, and started his own sports performance and nutrition company called Atleta (http://atletanutrition.com), currently serving as their vice president. Despite his busy schedule, I was recently able to catch up with him and ask him some questions about his baseball career.
Who were your favorite team and player when you were growing up?
The New York Yankees and Will Clark.
How did you know the Marlins were interested in drafting you?
Gary Hughes, the Head of Scouting for Florida, took a real interest in me, so I knew If I was still around for the fifth pick that they were going to draft me.
How did the Marlins recruit you to give up football for baseball?
Money and big league call ups.
Who was your most influential baseball coach or manager?
Tony Taylor, infield instructor, ex major leaguer, great guy and wonderful coach.
What was your favorite moment from your baseball career?
Big league debut. I singled in my first at bat.
What do you remember most from your stints in the majors leagues?
World Series year in 1997.
How much pressure did you feel during your minor league career from being such a highly regarded prospect and how did that impact you?
I tried to do too much, and wanted to set the world on fire with my bat, and wasn’t patient enough for the sport
If you could do anything differently about your baseball career, what would that be?
Give it more of a chance. I laid it down to go play football, which I loved.