Rex Hudler

Let's not forget Centipede, Donkey Kong and Frogger too!

I guess I am really old school because I can actually remember Pong! The two arcade video games that come to mind when I think back are Galaga and Robotron. A buddy and I alternated and played Robotron for 13 straight hours (one game) one night before the manager made us stop playing so she could close up. We could have played all night on that same quarter!

QUOTE(BHAMBARONS @ Jul 10, 2005 -> 03:59 AM) Barons Game Suspended 2 1/2 completed Mobile 4 Barons 0 Jerry Owens just stood in the batters box when a huge bolt of lighting struck just outside of the ball park causing the park to lose power by the time power was restored about 10 mins a heavy downpour about 2 hours in long came the Barons grounds crew worked on the field had it ready to go and another down poru broke out and that ends things here. With chances for a game on sunday and monday being remote at best the Barons and the SL will have to find a way to resechdule somehow. Barons play in Mobile for a 3 game set in August but 3 DH's in a row won't happen. In the game rain started in the top of the 3rd which meant trouble for knucle baller Charlie Haeger and Chris Stewart, Stewart had 2 passed balls in the inning a 3rd border line pitch was called a wild pitch. In the inning Stewart dropped 7 Haeger knuclers and 12 in the 3 innings, The weather had a lot to do with the drops as it is hard enough to catch a knucler but to try and catch a wet one is even worse. They should have never started this game........

Don't think Birmingham will get their game in tonight. Tomorrow and Monday's games don't look good either. It is supposed to stop raining here within the hour, but they have gotten 2-3 hours straight of real hard rain. If they play, it will be a muddy track, as they say in horse racing.

QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Jul 9, 2005 -> 04:31 PM) Who cares where the offense comes from... basicly only difference in that lineup is insert Anderson lose Konerko.... and Konerko isnt as big of a loss as some might think he is. In terms of run production, I think that would be a terrible swap. Anderson will struggle, especially once MLB pitcher realize he still can't hit a good breaking ball low and away. That is where his strikeouts come from. Last night he looked good as long as they were throwing him fastballs, but in his last at bat, they finally got smart and throw him a low and away slider with two strikes. He swung wildly and looked terrible. MLB pitchers will find and exploint that weakness in a hurry.

1:15 pm on Saturday......

Personally I don't think Anderson is any better in CF than Rowand.

An update as of 7:40 am Saturday......

QUOTE(Sonik22 @ Jul 9, 2005 -> 04:47 AM) Jim where are you in florida? Jw because my family has a house in Gulf shores alabama and it survived Ivan and we fixed up the place. If this next storm hits which it probably will we have said we will not rebuild if the house is destroyed. Good luck to you and lets hope this storm doesnt restrengthen. Best of luck to you and your family and house in Gulf Shores. I hope you don't need it, but I think you can count on it restrengthening. At this point the only question is where it will do the most damage.

Anyone wanna be in Key West right now??

I'm 4 hours inland in Birmingham and Dennis looks to be our 2nd one in a week. We got 4-5 inches of rain on Monday from Cindy and they are predicting 6-10 more inches Sunday/Monday from Dennis, to go along with 80-85 mph winds. That's nothing compared to the Alabama/Florida coasts which are just now getting back to normal after Ivan last year. Being where I am, I know the impact here is much less than on the coasts where they hit, but these things are still a major pain in the ass. They have already turned I-65 from Mobile to Montgomery Alabama into all lanes going north. All southbound lanes are history for the time being. Not too often do Interstate highways become one way streets.

QUOTE(FoxySoxGirl @ Jul 8, 2005 -> 07:19 PM) Yeah, I think I'm just too bitter to learn anything from it right now. But at least no kids, house, etc. exist to complicate things. At least my new job is in an industry that's predominantly male You're too young to be thinking about marriage anyway. Think of the fun times and go find some more. The rest will work itself out!

QUOTE(BHAMBARONS @ Jul 8, 2005 -> 09:11 AM) Barons 19 Huntsville 15 W-Meaux (4-1) L- Ballouli (3-7) Wow now that was a game, 2nd longest game of the year at 3:53 only to a 4:45 played on May 21st at the Met (15 innings). Honel's outing started bad by walking the leadoff hitter followed by a wild pitch and a base hit to put runners at the corners. After getting consecutive pops from Rotino and Nelson Kris gave up back to back run scoring hits to Cruz and Gemoll. Honel's second inning was not better a lead off double by Jeff Winchester, a sac and base hit by Gwynn Jr scored the 4th run, Huntsville would load up the bases with a base hit and walk but then Gets Nelson to Strike out and a force out. Barons would grab the lead in the top of the 3rd starting with a 1 out double by Young, Stolen base a Josh Fields walk and Sweeney was hit by a breaking pitch to load them up. Blakely smashed a ball high and deep to center for a 3 run triple back to back doubles by Stewart and Gray finished the Barons scoring that frame. Huntsville followed by Knocking out Honel with a 7 run bottom of the inning the worst part was Honel got the first 2 out with no one reaching then back to back singles a walk and a 2 run single spelled the end of the outing. Malone came in Walked Rottino to load them up for Brad Nelson who already left 6 guys on this time delivered a 2 run single a Cruz walk and a Brandon Gemoll Triple scored the last 3 runs of the frame. Barons against a Huntsville reliever made the score 11-7 after 3 1/2. Malone really settled in after the rocky start had a scoreless 4th and 5th meanwhile the Barons grabbed a 2 spot in the top of the 5th to pull within 11-9. LaMura entered the game in the 6th promptly walked the leadoff hitter and a solid double set up a 2 run inning for the Stars to make it 13-9. Barons lead off the 7th and received a gift error by SS Cruz and Barons made them pay as Pedro Lopez followed a base hit a Young Walk loaded up the bases for Rogo who delivered a 2 run single to make the score 13-11, Fields Ked but a double steal set up 2nd and 3rd for Sweeney against the 4th Huntsville pitcher Khalid Ballouli, Ryan laced a ball up the middle to score both Young and Rogo to tie the game at 13. Huntsville went right to work on LaMura who gave up a one out double to Nelson Castro who stole 3rd. Ryan Meaux with a badly cut finger came in pitched through the pain giving up only the one LaMura run to make it 14-13. Barons would not give up starting the 8th with back to back singles by Blakely and Stewart and the key play a 1-2 pitch Gray put his hole heart into a bunt and got the job done, Pedro Lopez came up hit a shot up the middle instead of doing the look the runner back he tried to get Blakely and failed. Ballouli loaded up the bases for Jerry Owens, Don Money brought in Andy Pratt who wasn't on my roster but was allowed to pitch as he arrived from AAA Nashville early, Razor pulls a great move by bringing in Andy Gonzalez who drew a walk on a 3-1 pitch that tied the game, Chris Young fell behind 1-2 but took 3 straight out off the zone to force in a run (15-14), Rogo came up looking first pitch fastball got drilled it up the middle for a 2 run single to make it 17-14 after Young was thrown out at 3rd Josh Fields Crushed a Pratt pitch way out to Center to finish the scoring. Meaux pitched a scoreless 8th after smearing a liner turning it into a DP. Pollok came on in the 9th surrender a leadoff homer to Cruz and a single by Gemoll Pollok settled in got a pop and a Fielders choice a Kennard Bibbs walk set up the final play a bullet to left and Blake made a fine running grab to end it. In the game Barons collected 22 hits (3 Homers, Triple 3 Doubles) Stolen Bases by Fields, Rogo and CY 2 times. Rogo had a huge night (4-6 HR 6 RBI 3 Scored and SB), Chris Stewart also had a huge night (4-5 HR 3 RBI 2 Scored), Blakely 3-5 3 RBI. Also Josh Fields had a huge game (3-5 HR 2 RBI scored a pair and SB). Every Baron Starter had a hit and every player either picked up a hit or run scored. Finally a gutsy team effort by Meaux going with a cut finger. Man, that paragraph was almost as long as the game itself!

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Jul 7, 2005 -> 04:23 PM) If there is one great thing about the hot summers, that is it! Try living in Alabama from March to October......... Nothing like Southern women, I'm telling you.

Steff, I feel her pain....... last time I wore capris, my boss "strongly suggested" I not wear them again. I was flabberghasted, as I am sure you can imagine!! Tell your friend to get back at them the creative way....... Tomorrow, tell her not to wear any pants at all!! That'll teach those stupid, commie bosses!

QUOTE(Randar68 @ Jul 6, 2005 -> 01:03 PM) Yep, the Baj vs. Walker argument is silly, it's like saying the team should call up a 3rd baseman when they're in need of an OF'er. So you are saying that if you are LH you don't have to be any good?? I don't buy the lefty/righty argument here. I might, if the lefty could actually get people out. Hell, I'd rather have Munoz in the pen than Walker.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Jul 6, 2005 -> 08:21 PM) Seems like the key word with Jenks is control, and will dictate what type of impact he has with us this season. There is no doubt. Can he repeat his delivery well enough to throw strikes? Can he show control within the strike zone as well? Can he handle adversity after he gives up his first three-run blast? How will he handle the pressure of the bigs? I'd say those should cover it.

QUOTE(Spiff @ Jul 6, 2005 -> 02:28 PM) Wicked pumped about the season Heath is having. Repeating AA, he should be having that kind of season.

Here is a story on Charlie from Saturday's Birmingham Post-Herald.... The same place but different directions Commentary by PAUL BEAUDRY BIRMINGHAM POST-HERALD The last time I saw Charlie Haeger, we were in the same place heading in different directions. It was in Detroit Metropolitan Airport in 2002; I was headed to Birmingham for a weekend date, he was headed to Arizona for spring training. The Chicago White Sox selected him in the 25th round of the 2001 draft. After covering him for two seasons at Detroit Catholic Central High School, truth be told, I was surprised he was taken so high. That he joined the Birmingham Barons this week shows why I'm not a scout. Haeger had a solid 6-0 record as a sophomore at CC helping the Shamrocks to a state title — a team lead by Michigan's Mr. Baseball that year, current Barons first baseman Casey Rogowski. But arm trouble kept him off the mound until the state playoffs as a junior as CC returned to the state finals. His senior year saw a solid 7-2 record with scouts clocking him at 84-87 mph — but more of a sneaky spot pitcher than overpowering. I thought he had a better long-term future playing at Central Michigan University. Haeger, a 17-year-old pup who headed to Arizona hours after his high school graduation party, thought differently. "I think I went on what my brother (Greg, the baseball coach at Michigan's Madonna University) said," said Charlie, who discovered the arm trouble was actually caused by a growth plate. "He was drafted by the (Detroit) Tigers and went to college instead. He said if he had a chance to do it again, he would have gone straight into baseball." It might have been the case with Greg, but maybe not for Charlie. He struggled in his first two seasons, with a 1-7 record in Rookie League ball and an ERA three times higher than my high school GPA. After two seasons, he walked away. "I don't think I was mature enough yet," said Haeger. "I think I was a little young and I don't think I was ready to play ball with 19 and 23 year olds when I was 17. I was falling out of love with baseball. I thought I'd try something else." Haeger returned to Michigan, helped his brother coach baseball and took a spot on Madonna's golf team. He began to think he quit too soon. And that a pitch he'd dabbled with all his life might be his ticket back. "When I helped out Greg, I started missing the game again and realized I still had so much ahead of me," said Haeger. "When I left, I always had the opportunity to come back from (assistant player development director) Brian Porter. So I did." In the process, he became a very dangerous pitcher. "I had the velocity back to where I was before, about 88 mph," said Haeger. "But I had started to throw the knuckleball before I quit and developed it. Now I throw it 80-85 percent of the time." The knuckleball's penchant for driving hitters crazy, of course, makes his current pitching coach very happy. "Yeah, the days he's pitched I've been able to just sit back and watch him," said Rich Dotson, who dabbled with his own knuckler toward the end of his playing career in Kansas City. "It's a nice way to mix it up because when you throw a 65-68 mph knuckler and you come in with an 84 mph fastball, it looks like its 94-95 mph. There isn't a lot for me to do other than see if he's rushing or dropping his arm a bit." Baseball has become fun again. Haeger didn't have a great record at 2-9 in 2004 at Rookie League Bristol and low-A Kannapolis, but his ERA dove four runs at Kannapolis. An 8-2 start at Winston-Salem this season gave the Sox a reason to move him to Birmingham. "The biggest thing is I'm just keeping it as a game. Before there was a lot of pressure on myself to succeed," said Haeger, who won his first Barons' start and will go again Monday at Huntsville. So here we are again. He's trying to move up the baseball ladder and part of my job is to write about it. We're in the same place again, heading in different directions.

I agree with randar and jim to a point, but what does a guy have to do to prove himself?? I like Jenks stuff as well, but that does not mean he will be able to handle the big leagues. He may be able to, and if he does, that's great. But I'd say there is equal chance that he will struggle once hitters have been able to see him once. If he has trouble with control, it may happen sooner. Great stuff helps, but it does not a pitcher make. Personally, I'd have tested Jenks in AAA first, but that's just me.

QUOTE(rangercal @ Jul 5, 2005 -> 06:18 AM) Fair enough. Thats still impressive regardless. His stuff most certainly is......

QUOTE(rangercal @ Jul 5, 2005 -> 05:53 AM) He currently has a 101 mph fastball ? HOLY s***!! I thought he lost it for some reason. Thanks!! Didnt realize he had a 12-6 either. Wow, I think he has the stuff to stay up here. How about we say a mid to high 90's fastball that tops out around 100mph?? Let's not get expectations too high here. Blowing away AA hitters with top notch stuff is one thing. Let's see how he fares against big league hitters, especially after they have seen him a few times and begin to adjust.

I probably tend to lean slightly to the side of seeing players play everyday and knowing what they are capable of than relying on stats. That said, like Cheat said and you alluded to, a mix of both is preferrable. I tend to be slow to accept some of the new, what I can designer stats, but i will readily admit that when evaluating someone over the long haul, stats are very useful and I study them myself. At least the old school ones. ;-)

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Jul 4, 2005 -> 09:53 PM) The more balls in play, the better chance for a higher BAPIP. It's good to know that his sinker is working, but I'd rather have him K more guys to know that they really don't know/recognize what he's throwing... I'll say this and only this, because I don't want to get into a "stats" argument. But what stats like BAPIP and others forget to evaluate is the human element of the game. In college, I became a better pitcher when I stopped trying to strike everybody out. Sure I gave up a few more hits, but I could go longer in games, got more double plays and my defense played better behind me when I worked fast and got ahead of hitters, and I walked less. I found that I could often get a guy to ground out to SS on the first pitch rather than have to go to 3-2 on him trying to strike him out. Numbers are useful in evaluating players, but you can never eliminate the human element. Some guys are just better under pressure. Some guys crumble when their defense makes errors behind them. Other guys get tougher so they can pick up the teammate that just made an error. Case in point.... Game tied 1-1 in the 5th inning.... Pitcher A gets the first two outs of an inning and then the SS makes an error allowing the next hitter to reach first. The pitcher is upset and shaken because he knows he should be out of the inning. The next guy bloops a pitch to RF for a lucky single and now we have men on 1B and 3B. Pitcher A is seething inside at this point, knowing he is now in trouble and has to face the other team's #3 hitter and he has done nothing wrong. Said # 3 hitter promptly hits a 3-run blast and the game is now 4-1. Pitcher A's ERA still shows only one earned run, even though he will eventually get the loss. Pitcher B also gets the first two outs and the SS makes an error. Pitcher B looks his SS in the eye and tells him to make the next one, he'll pick him up. Pitcher B buckles down and makes a great pitch to get the next hitter and avoids any potential harm caused by the error. Pitcher B's ERA is affected the same as Pitcher A's, yet which pitcher would you rather have? What stats are going to tell me that Pitcher B did his job better than Pitcher A, other than HR's allowed?? My only point is not to forget the human side of the game and use stats to support that. Stats cannot tell the whole story, I don't care what Billy Beane says.

QUOTE(Rex Hudler @ Jul 4, 2005 -> 01:56 AM) Nice outing by Tracey tonight.... never saw 97 though. Where did you see that reading Tom? Honel had a radar gun behind the plate tracking the pitches when I am sitting in my normal seat I use the Parks gun. But where I was at tonight I couldn't see the gun and had to depend on Kris. What is your take on Delmon, The Barons have done well against him and Dukes both. Last night was the first time I had seen the Biscuits (still the dumbest nickname in baseball) and Delmon. He didn't show much last night aside from that deep drive to CF. You could see enough speed and a powerful enough swing to see the potential, but hard to see much more from last night. Obviously the numbers speak for themselves. By the way, where were you at the very end of the game last night?