The Confederation of European Baseball has selected twelve prominent teams from eight nations for two European Cup tournaments to be held in 2009.
At a meeting in Frankfurt, Germany last weekend, the CEB set the draw for a pair of six-team tournaments in Italy between March 30 and April 4. One group will include Danesi Nettuno of Italy, the Amsterdam Pirates of Holland, France’s Rouen Huskies, Spain’s Puerto Cruz Marlins, the Antwerp Greys of Belgium, and the Regensburg Buchbinder Legionaere of Germany. Games will be played in Nettuno.
The second group will feature T&A San Marino, Italy’s Fortitudo Bologna, FC Barcelona of Spain, AVG Draci Brno of the Czech Republic, Corendon Kinheim from The Netherlands and France’s Templiers Senart. The site for these teams has not been determined.In addition, the CEB awarded four cities with Euro Cup Qualifying tournaments in mid-June: Trnava, Slovakia; Attnang-Puchheim, Austria; Antwerp, Belgium; and Ostrava, Czech Republic.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
SEARCH FOR NEW KOREAN COMMISH IN LIMBO
The search for a new Korea Baseball Organization commissioner is being postponed until early 2009. Seven KBO team presidents met last week and decided to put the selection process on hold, according to league secretary general Hal Il-sung, who is acting as commissioner while the search is underway.
Former commissioner Shin Sang-woo resigned earlier this month after less than three years on the job. Shin’s contract was due to expire in March of 2009. Originally, the KBO offered the commissioner’s post to Yoo Young-koo, who is vice chairman of the Korea Sports Council. However, Yoo pulled his name from consideration just prior to a meeting in which he was expected to be approved for the commissioner’s post. Two former political figures with Korea’s Grand National Party, Park Chong-ung and Kang Jae-sup, have been mentioned as possible candidates.Since the KBO was established in 1982, the league has had ten commissioners, nine of whom were figures linked to politics and many involved in scandals.
Former commissioner Shin Sang-woo resigned earlier this month after less than three years on the job. Shin’s contract was due to expire in March of 2009. Originally, the KBO offered the commissioner’s post to Yoo Young-koo, who is vice chairman of the Korea Sports Council. However, Yoo pulled his name from consideration just prior to a meeting in which he was expected to be approved for the commissioner’s post. Two former political figures with Korea’s Grand National Party, Park Chong-ung and Kang Jae-sup, have been mentioned as possible candidates.Since the KBO was established in 1982, the league has had ten commissioners, nine of whom were figures linked to politics and many involved in scandals.
VALENTINE LIKELY DONE WITH MARINES AFTER NEXT SEASON
Former major league player and manager Bobby Valentine may be out as skipper of Japan’s Chiba Lotte Marines after his four-year contract expires following the 2009 season. Valentine told the Associated Press last week that the Marines have decided not to offer him a contract extension, saying “they just wanted to go in a different direction.”
Valentine led the Marines to a Japan Series championship in 2005, but the team finished fourth in the Pacific League standings in 2008 and did not make the playoffs. Valentine managed the New York Mets to a National League pennant in 2000 before losing the World Series to the rival New York Yankees in five games that fall. He managed the Texas Rangers from 1985 to 1992 before running the Mets between 1996 and 2002, winning 1,117 major league games against 1,072 losses.
As a player, Valentine made his major league debut in 1969 as a 19-year-old infielder with the Los Angeles Dodgers. After a final season in the minors in 1970 (when he was the Pacific Coast League’s Most Valuable Player with the Spokane Indians), Valentine spent nine seasons in the majors, batting .260 with 12 homers and 157 RBI for five teams before retiring in 1979.
Valentine led the Marines to a Japan Series championship in 2005, but the team finished fourth in the Pacific League standings in 2008 and did not make the playoffs. Valentine managed the New York Mets to a National League pennant in 2000 before losing the World Series to the rival New York Yankees in five games that fall. He managed the Texas Rangers from 1985 to 1992 before running the Mets between 1996 and 2002, winning 1,117 major league games against 1,072 losses.
As a player, Valentine made his major league debut in 1969 as a 19-year-old infielder with the Los Angeles Dodgers. After a final season in the minors in 1970 (when he was the Pacific Coast League’s Most Valuable Player with the Spokane Indians), Valentine spent nine seasons in the majors, batting .260 with 12 homers and 157 RBI for five teams before retiring in 1979.
CARIBBEAN LEAGUES ROUNDUP
Carolina will need a strong showing from Williams if they hope to break into the Puerto Rico League’s playoff picture. Currently, Ponce leads the league with a 23-11, giving the Leones a comfortable five-game cushion over 17-15 Arecibo. Ponce’s Andy Gonzalez leads Puerto Rico batters with a .385 average, while Arecibo’s Jorge Padilla continues his strong season with a .363 mark, 12 homers and 63 RBIs.
The regular season is over in the Dominican League, with the 30-20 Ciboa Gigantes edging the 30-22 Este Azucareros for first place. The two teams will be joined by Licey and Cibaenas in the first round of the playoffs. After an 18-game round robin, the top two finishers will advance to the final series. Oriente’s Pablo Ozuna led Dominican batters with a .390 batting average, while Victor Diaz of Cibaenas set a record with 17 homers.
Caracas continues to sit pretty in the Venezuelan League standings with a 38-19 record, five games ahead of 33-24 Aragua. Pablo Sandoval of Magallenes leads Venezuelan batters with a .396 average, and Caracas’ Jesus Guzman continues his phenomenal campaign at the plate with a .363 average, 12 homers and 63 RBIs. David Austen of Zulia is 7-2 with a 1.87 ERA, leading the league in wins and ERA.
In the Mexican Pacific League, 19-8 Mazatlan is three games ahead of 17-12 Guasave in the second half standings with a week to go in the regular season. Augie Murillo of Obregon leads the MexPac with a .356 batting average, while Arturo Lopez of Los Mochis is 6-2 with a 2.89 ERA. Among relievers, Tim Lavigne of Guasave leads the league with 19 saves. Lavigne is 3-0 and has a 1.80 ERA.
The regular season is over in the Dominican League, with the 30-20 Ciboa Gigantes edging the 30-22 Este Azucareros for first place. The two teams will be joined by Licey and Cibaenas in the first round of the playoffs. After an 18-game round robin, the top two finishers will advance to the final series. Oriente’s Pablo Ozuna led Dominican batters with a .390 batting average, while Victor Diaz of Cibaenas set a record with 17 homers.
Caracas continues to sit pretty in the Venezuelan League standings with a 38-19 record, five games ahead of 33-24 Aragua. Pablo Sandoval of Magallenes leads Venezuelan batters with a .396 average, and Caracas’ Jesus Guzman continues his phenomenal campaign at the plate with a .363 average, 12 homers and 63 RBIs. David Austen of Zulia is 7-2 with a 1.87 ERA, leading the league in wins and ERA.
In the Mexican Pacific League, 19-8 Mazatlan is three games ahead of 17-12 Guasave in the second half standings with a week to go in the regular season. Augie Murillo of Obregon leads the MexPac with a .356 batting average, while Arturo Lopez of Los Mochis is 6-2 with a 2.89 ERA. Among relievers, Tim Lavigne of Guasave leads the league with 19 saves. Lavigne is 3-0 and has a 1.80 ERA.
BERNIE WILLIAMS WINTERBALL COMEBACK BEGINS
Former New York Yankees star Bernie Williams, who never actually announced his retirement after becoming a free agent in 2006, has embarked on the comeback trail with the Carolina Gigantes of the Puerto Rico Winter League.
A 40-year-old native of San Juan, Williams hopes to play for Puerto Rico in next year’s World Baseball Classic. He took his first step last Monday by going 1-for-3 in Carolina’s 4-1 win over Mayaguez, stroking a line drive single up the middle off starter Jerome Williams in the first inning. Current Yankees catcher Jorge Posada is also on the Carolina roster, but has not played this winter.
A 40-year-old native of San Juan, Williams hopes to play for Puerto Rico in next year’s World Baseball Classic. He took his first step last Monday by going 1-for-3 in Carolina’s 4-1 win over Mayaguez, stroking a line drive single up the middle off starter Jerome Williams in the first inning. Current Yankees catcher Jorge Posada is also on the Carolina roster, but has not played this winter.
CUBAN PITCHER HITS 102 ON RADAR GUN IN GAME
According to both the Baseball de Cuba website and Cuban Ball Players blog, Holguin pitcher Aroldis Chapman registered a 102 MPH pitch during a recent Cuban National Series game with Las Tunas. The clocking is a record in Cuban ball, and a pretty good indicator as to why the lefty is off to a 4-0 start with a 1.65 ERA for Holguin. The 10-7 Perros are 2.5 games behind Villa Clara, who have finally lost games to both Santiago de Cuba and Ciego de Avila and are 14-2 for the season in the Oriental Division.
In the Occidental Division, La Habana leads with a 10-6 record, a half-game ahead of 10-7 Industriales and one game up on 11-9 Pinar del Rio.
In the Occidental Division, La Habana leads with a 10-6 record, a half-game ahead of 10-7 Industriales and one game up on 11-9 Pinar del Rio.
MLB TO HOST SPRING GAMES WITH EURO NATIONAL SIDES
Major League Baseball teams will play three games apiece against two national teams from Europe during spring training in Florida next March. The Italian National Team is scheduled to play the Washington Nationals, Florida Marlins and New York Mets; while the Dutch National Team is slated to face the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds and Minnesota Twins after playing a contest against the University of South Florida.
The two three-game sets with big league teams are scheduled to take place between March 3 and 5 as both the Italian and Dutch teams prepare for the upcoming World Baseball Classic. While they are considered the two strongest baseball countries in Europe, neither is expected to contend for the WBC title.
The two three-game sets with big league teams are scheduled to take place between March 3 and 5 as both the Italian and Dutch teams prepare for the upcoming World Baseball Classic. While they are considered the two strongest baseball countries in Europe, neither is expected to contend for the WBC title.
JAYS OUTFIELDER MENCH TO PLAY IN JAPAN IN ‘09
Outfielder Kevin Mench has signed a one-year contract with the Hanshin Tigers of Japan’s Central League for the 2009 season. The deal is reportedly worth $1.8 million.
The 30-year-old Mench hit .243 in 51 games for the Toronto Blue Jays last season. He has a career batting average of .269 with 89 homers and 330 RBIs in 702 MLB games with the Jays, Milwaukee Brewers and Texas Rangers. He hit 51 homers and drove in 144 runs for the Rangers between 2004 and 2005.
Mench was named the America East Conference Player of the Year in both 1998 and 1999 while playing college ball for the University of Delaware, and earned Baseball America’s Class A Player of the Year honors in 2000 with the Rangers’ Florida State League affiliate in Port Charlotte after batting .334 and leading the league in six offensive categories. His brother-in-law is Colorado Rockies outfielder Scott Podsednik.
Mench is expected to replace import Lew Ford in the Hanshin lineup after Ford struggled to a .225 average with just three homers in 47 games for the Tigers in 2008.
The 30-year-old Mench hit .243 in 51 games for the Toronto Blue Jays last season. He has a career batting average of .269 with 89 homers and 330 RBIs in 702 MLB games with the Jays, Milwaukee Brewers and Texas Rangers. He hit 51 homers and drove in 144 runs for the Rangers between 2004 and 2005.
Mench was named the America East Conference Player of the Year in both 1998 and 1999 while playing college ball for the University of Delaware, and earned Baseball America’s Class A Player of the Year honors in 2000 with the Rangers’ Florida State League affiliate in Port Charlotte after batting .334 and leading the league in six offensive categories. His brother-in-law is Colorado Rockies outfielder Scott Podsednik.
Mench is expected to replace import Lew Ford in the Hanshin lineup after Ford struggled to a .225 average with just three homers in 47 games for the Tigers in 2008.
YANKS SIGN WANG TO ONE-YEAR DEAL
The New York Yankees will have new players and a new ballpark in 2009, but the team will welcome Taiwanese pitcher Wang Chien-Ming back into the fold next season. The Yanks have signed the 28-year-old Wang to a one-year contract for $5 million, avoiding salary arbitration for the right-hander.
Wang was 8-2 with a 4.07 ERA in 15 starts for New York in 2008 before his season ended June 17 with injuries to his right foot. He began the year with six consecutive wins after starting the Yankees’ final opener in Yankee Stadium April 1 with a 3-2 win over Toronto. He was 5-0 in April, earning his 50th career win on April 22.
Signed by the Yanks as a non-drafted free agent in 2000, Wang won 19 games in both 2006 and 2007, and his .754 winning percentage since 2006 is second only to Boston’s Jon Lester among major league pitchers during that period. Wang has won more MLB games than any other Taiwanese-born pitcher, and ranks third all-time in wins by Asian-born hurlers, trailing only the 123 victories by Japan’s Hideo Nomo and 117 by Korean Park Chan-ho.
The Yankees have signed first baseman Mark Teixeira and pitchers C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett as free agents, and will move into their new billion-dollar stadium next season.
Wang was 8-2 with a 4.07 ERA in 15 starts for New York in 2008 before his season ended June 17 with injuries to his right foot. He began the year with six consecutive wins after starting the Yankees’ final opener in Yankee Stadium April 1 with a 3-2 win over Toronto. He was 5-0 in April, earning his 50th career win on April 22.
Signed by the Yanks as a non-drafted free agent in 2000, Wang won 19 games in both 2006 and 2007, and his .754 winning percentage since 2006 is second only to Boston’s Jon Lester among major league pitchers during that period. Wang has won more MLB games than any other Taiwanese-born pitcher, and ranks third all-time in wins by Asian-born hurlers, trailing only the 123 victories by Japan’s Hideo Nomo and 117 by Korean Park Chan-ho.
The Yankees have signed first baseman Mark Teixeira and pitchers C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett as free agents, and will move into their new billion-dollar stadium next season.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
MORNEAU TO PLAY FOR CANADA IN WORLD CLASSIC
Minnesota Twins star Justin Morneau has confirmed with Team Canada officials that he’ll represent his home country in March’s World Baseball Classic. It will be the second time the New Westminster, British Columbia has played for the Canadians in the WBC.
The left-handed-batting first baseman finished second in American League Most Valuable Player balloting this year after hitting .300 with 23 homers and 129 RBIs. Morneau led the AL with 163 games played and 16 intentional walks, finishing second in RBIs. He won the MVP trophy in 2006.
Morneau may be joined by a Twins teammate in the WBC. Toronto native Jesse Crain, a right-handed middle reliever, is a candidate for the final Team Canada roster. Crain was 5-4 with a 3.59 ERA and no saves in 66 appearances for the Twins.
The left-handed-batting first baseman finished second in American League Most Valuable Player balloting this year after hitting .300 with 23 homers and 129 RBIs. Morneau led the AL with 163 games played and 16 intentional walks, finishing second in RBIs. He won the MVP trophy in 2006.
Morneau may be joined by a Twins teammate in the WBC. Toronto native Jesse Crain, a right-handed middle reliever, is a candidate for the final Team Canada roster. Crain was 5-4 with a 3.59 ERA and no saves in 66 appearances for the Twins.
BLYLEVEN NAMED PITCHING COACH FOR DUTCH WBC TEAM
Longtime major league pitcher Bert Blyleven has been named pitching coach for the Dutch National Team in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. Blyleven’s selection was announced by the Dutch Baseball and Softball Association earlier this month.
Blyleven spent 22 seasons in the big leagues, debuting with a 10-9 season for the Minnesota Twins in 1970 as a 19-year-old. A 6’3” right-hander who was born in the Dutch town of Zeist, he won 85 games for the Twins over the next five seasons, including a 20-17 mark in 1973. He never won 20 games again, but reached double figures in wins 17 times in a career that also saw him pitch for Pittsburgh, Cleveland and California, as well as a second stint with the Twins. He finished with a lifetime record of 287-150 with 3,701 strikeouts registered over 4,970 innings. Blyleven won two games apiece in the 1979 and 1987 World Series, and pitched for the American League in the 1973 and 1985 All-Star Games.
Blyleven replaces former Dodgers pitcher Bob Welch as The Netherlands’ WBC pitching coach, and will join fellow ex-big leaguers Mike Hargrove, Mike Piazza and Tom Treblehorn on new Dutch manager Rod Delmonico’s staff.
Blyleven spent 22 seasons in the big leagues, debuting with a 10-9 season for the Minnesota Twins in 1970 as a 19-year-old. A 6’3” right-hander who was born in the Dutch town of Zeist, he won 85 games for the Twins over the next five seasons, including a 20-17 mark in 1973. He never won 20 games again, but reached double figures in wins 17 times in a career that also saw him pitch for Pittsburgh, Cleveland and California, as well as a second stint with the Twins. He finished with a lifetime record of 287-150 with 3,701 strikeouts registered over 4,970 innings. Blyleven won two games apiece in the 1979 and 1987 World Series, and pitched for the American League in the 1973 and 1985 All-Star Games.
Blyleven replaces former Dodgers pitcher Bob Welch as The Netherlands’ WBC pitching coach, and will join fellow ex-big leaguers Mike Hargrove, Mike Piazza and Tom Treblehorn on new Dutch manager Rod Delmonico’s staff.
MLB CUTS TIES WITH HAWAIIAN WINTER LEAGUE
Major League Baseball and Hawaii Winter Baseball have severed their ties for a second time, this time after three MLB-affiliated seasons of winterball in the Aloha State. HWB fielded four teams in 2008, with the Waikiki BeachBoys winning the pennant by defeating the Oahu CaneFires, 5-1, in the title game last month. San Francisco’s first round draft pick, catcher Buster Posey, whacked a three-run homer for Waikiki that afternoon.
MLB is expected to create a similar four-team league in Arizona, where expenses would be much lower than in Hawaii. Like HWB, a new league in Arizona would feature players with less professional experience than those in the Arizona Fall League, which just concluded its 17th season. Both leagues would use the same training camp complexes.
Winterball has had two runs in Hawaii, the first spanning from 1993 through 1997 with young players from Japanese and Korean teams as well as MLB organizations, including future stars Ichiro Suzuki, Jason Giambi, Todd Helton and Mark Kotsay.
MLB is expected to create a similar four-team league in Arizona, where expenses would be much lower than in Hawaii. Like HWB, a new league in Arizona would feature players with less professional experience than those in the Arizona Fall League, which just concluded its 17th season. Both leagues would use the same training camp complexes.
Winterball has had two runs in Hawaii, the first spanning from 1993 through 1997 with young players from Japanese and Korean teams as well as MLB organizations, including future stars Ichiro Suzuki, Jason Giambi, Todd Helton and Mark Kotsay.
ALABAMA COLLEGIANS PLAY THREE GAMES IN CUBA
The University of Alabama’s baseball team got a two-run homer from Kent Matthes and some strong pitching to come away with a 3-3 tie against the Cuban Collegiate All-Stars last Tuesday in Habana in the opener of the three-game Friendship Tournament.
Crimson Tide starter Austin Hyatt settled down after allowing three unearned runs in the first inning, allowing no more runs through the fifth inning while striking out five Cuban batters. Hyatt retired 13 of 14 batters at one point.
The Cubans defeated the Crimson Tide, 6-2, in the second game on Wednesday. Shortstop Adonis Garcia collected three of Cuba’s 11 hits as home team starter Maikel Forch, who pitched for Cuba in the 2008 World University Games, held Bama to just one run on three hits in five innings on the mound.
In the third and final game of the series on Thursday, Cuba defeated Alabama, 7-5. The game was scoreless until Cuba’s Reiner Bello tripled off Tide starter Adam Morgan to drive in Jose Ruiz with the game’s first run. Alabama came back to take their first lead of the series by scoring five times in the top of the fifth, including an RBI single by Alex Kubal. The Cubans came back to score six seventh-inning runs and held on for the win.
After getting approval from the U.S. State Department this summer, the Tide became the first Alabama team to play in Cuba since 1957, two years before Fidel Castro took power.
Crimson Tide starter Austin Hyatt settled down after allowing three unearned runs in the first inning, allowing no more runs through the fifth inning while striking out five Cuban batters. Hyatt retired 13 of 14 batters at one point.
The Cubans defeated the Crimson Tide, 6-2, in the second game on Wednesday. Shortstop Adonis Garcia collected three of Cuba’s 11 hits as home team starter Maikel Forch, who pitched for Cuba in the 2008 World University Games, held Bama to just one run on three hits in five innings on the mound.
In the third and final game of the series on Thursday, Cuba defeated Alabama, 7-5. The game was scoreless until Cuba’s Reiner Bello tripled off Tide starter Adam Morgan to drive in Jose Ruiz with the game’s first run. Alabama came back to take their first lead of the series by scoring five times in the top of the fifth, including an RBI single by Alex Kubal. The Cubans came back to score six seventh-inning runs and held on for the win.
After getting approval from the U.S. State Department this summer, the Tide became the first Alabama team to play in Cuba since 1957, two years before Fidel Castro took power.
LAZO WINS 24OTH GAME, VILLA CLARA REMAINS UNBEATEN
Longtime pitching legend Pedro Lazo has become the first hurler in Cuban National Series history to reach 240 career wins after Lazo pitched Pinar del Rio to a 2-1 win over Cienfuegos last Wednesday. The 35-year-old right-hander struck out eight and walked just one in a complete game win as Pinar stretched their record to 10-5, best in Cuba’s Occidental League and two games ahead of 6-5 La Habana.
Lazo broke Jorge Valdes’ Cuban record of 233 career wins last winter, but he needed Mijain Rivera’s tiebreaking solo homer in the seventh inning to beat Cienfeugos in Lazo’s second win of the season.
One night later, Villa Clara held off Guantanamo, 5-4, to pick up their 12th win of the season without a defeat. Yorkis La Rosa was 3-for-3 with three RBIs for Villa Clara as starter Yuliest Lopez won his third game. Guantanamo led 4-2 until the seventh inning, when Villa Clara posted three runs to take a 5-4 advantage they never relinquished.
Villa Clara is two games ahead of Ciego de Avila, who is 11-3 in the Oriental League standings. Unlike last winter, when the Cuban National Series was divided into four four-team divisions, this year’s edition features two eight-team leagues.
Lazo broke Jorge Valdes’ Cuban record of 233 career wins last winter, but he needed Mijain Rivera’s tiebreaking solo homer in the seventh inning to beat Cienfeugos in Lazo’s second win of the season.
One night later, Villa Clara held off Guantanamo, 5-4, to pick up their 12th win of the season without a defeat. Yorkis La Rosa was 3-for-3 with three RBIs for Villa Clara as starter Yuliest Lopez won his third game. Guantanamo led 4-2 until the seventh inning, when Villa Clara posted three runs to take a 5-4 advantage they never relinquished.
Villa Clara is two games ahead of Ciego de Avila, who is 11-3 in the Oriental League standings. Unlike last winter, when the Cuban National Series was divided into four four-team divisions, this year’s edition features two eight-team leagues.
PUDGE HOMERS IN SECOND WINTERBALL GAME
Free agent catcher Ivan Rodriguez has played his first winterball game in his native Puerto Rico since 1996, ending an absence of eleven seasons. Rodriguez went 1-for-3 last Tuesday for Caguas against Santurce, then went 3-for-5 with a homer and a double one night later against Mayaguez. He scored six times over his first two games.
The 37-year-old Rodriguez hit .273 for Caguas in 29 games for the 1995-96 Puerto Rican League season. He hit .276 with seven homers this past summer for Detroit and the New York Yankees. Rodriguez has played in 14 All-Star Games, won 13 Gold Gloves and won the 1999 American League MVP award. He has a .301 average with 295 homers in his career.
The 37-year-old Rodriguez hit .273 for Caguas in 29 games for the 1995-96 Puerto Rican League season. He hit .276 with seven homers this past summer for Detroit and the New York Yankees. Rodriguez has played in 14 All-Star Games, won 13 Gold Gloves and won the 1999 American League MVP award. He has a .301 average with 295 homers in his career.
KOREAN COMMISH RESIGNS POST EARLY
Korea Baseball Organization commissioner Shin Sang-soo stepped down last Tuesday, nearly three years after his appointment to the post in January 2006. The 71-year-old former politician was nearing the end of a three-year contract in March of next year, but had hinted at resigning before the end of his term shortly after the 2008 season ended.
Despite a strong Korean showing in the 2006 World Baseball Classic and a gold medal in this year’s Beijing Olympics, Shin did not have an easy tenure as KBO commissioner, dealing with problems regarding the Hyundai Unicorns/Woori Heroes franchise, an attempted selloff by the cost-conscious Heroes of star pitcher Jan Won-sam to Samsung, allegations by LG Twins manager Kim Jae-park of signal-swapping between opposing players during games, and a police probe into illegal online gambling involving 16 KBO players.
KBO team presidents have picked Korea Sports Council vice chairman You Young-koo as Shin’s replacement. The 62-year-old You served on the LG Twins advisory board in 1990 and in a similar capacity with the KBO in 2003.
Despite a strong Korean showing in the 2006 World Baseball Classic and a gold medal in this year’s Beijing Olympics, Shin did not have an easy tenure as KBO commissioner, dealing with problems regarding the Hyundai Unicorns/Woori Heroes franchise, an attempted selloff by the cost-conscious Heroes of star pitcher Jan Won-sam to Samsung, allegations by LG Twins manager Kim Jae-park of signal-swapping between opposing players during games, and a police probe into illegal online gambling involving 16 KBO players.
KBO team presidents have picked Korea Sports Council vice chairman You Young-koo as Shin’s replacement. The 62-year-old You served on the LG Twins advisory board in 1990 and in a similar capacity with the KBO in 2003.
JAPANESE TEAM SIGNS TWO CHINESE MAINLANDERS
Two players from the China Baseball Association’s Tianjin Lions have signed preliminary minor league contracts with Japan’s Yokohama BayStars for 2009. Twenty-year-old infielder Wang Jing-Chao and 25-year-old pitcher Chen Wei inked interim agreements to play in the BayStars system next year on November 30 at the Tianjin Sports Hotel prior to a December 12 press conference in Yokohama.
The Tianjin Lions are the reigning three-time champions of the CBA, but went winless in three games at last month’s Asia Series in Tokyo. A number of Lions players represented China in last summer’s Olympics in Beijing.
The Tianjin Lions are the reigning three-time champions of the CBA, but went winless in three games at last month’s Asia Series in Tokyo. A number of Lions players represented China in last summer’s Olympics in Beijing.
CEBU WINS SECOND PHILIPPINES LEAGUE PENNANT
Joseph Orillana pitched a shutout while driving in the game’s only run with a suicide squeeze bunt to lead the Cebu Dolphins to a 1-0 win over the Dumaguete Unibikers last Sunday, giving the Dolphins their second Baseball Philippines pennant in four seasons. Cebu defeated Dumaguete, 4-3, last Saturday in Game One of the best-of-3 championship series.
The 28-year-old Orillana, a former college MVP, allowed just four hits en route to winning top player honors for both the regular season and playoffs. Orillana was 4-1 with a 1.32 ERA while turning in a .461 batting average for the Dolphins. Baseball Philippines plays two schedules per year, with one spring season and one fall season annually. Cebu becomes the first BP team to win more than one pennant.
The 28-year-old Orillana, a former college MVP, allowed just four hits en route to winning top player honors for both the regular season and playoffs. Orillana was 4-1 with a 1.32 ERA while turning in a .461 batting average for the Dolphins. Baseball Philippines plays two schedules per year, with one spring season and one fall season annually. Cebu becomes the first BP team to win more than one pennant.
GERMAN STAR HUGHES TO PITCH IN DUTCH LEAGUE
German National Team pitcher Andre Hughes is going to try his luck in the Dutch National League next year after a highly successful 2008 season in the Bundesliga. The 23-year-old lefty was 11-1 with a 1.79 ERA in 13 starts for the Solingen Alligators last summer, striking out 77 hitters in 80.2 innings. Hughes allowed more than two runs just two times, and on the last day of the regular season, he tossed five no-hit innings against the Cologne Cardinals, striking out six. He was 1-2 in the playoffs with a 2.53 ERA. Internationally, Hughes has played for Germany in the European Championships, the Baseball World Cup and the Olympics Qualifier Tournament.
Hughes has signed a deal for 2009 with the Hoofdklasse’s HCAW Mr. Cocker club.
Hughes has signed a deal for 2009 with the Hoofdklasse’s HCAW Mr. Cocker club.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
WBT Blog and Podcast On The Horizon
As 2009 approaches, I'm working on a couple of fronts for WBT: I have an account with Podbean, and hope to get those long-promised podcasts up and running by the end of the year; and a new online WBT blog will be making its debut by 2009 as well (thanks to Tanya Sullivan for all the help on THAT). I'm hoping to keep track of all four Caribbean league playoffs on a daily basis via the blog. I'm also looking into the possibility of putting the program on a second shortwave station next year.
Don't forget that you can already hear the program online via his http://www.baseballguru.com/ website... Gracias to Craig Tomarkin for generously adding WBT audio to the Guru, which has posted my stuff since the Viva Beisbol days. It's an interesting site, with lots of fun subpages to explore. Check it out.
Don't forget that you can already hear the program online via his http://www.baseballguru.com/ website... Gracias to Craig Tomarkin for generously adding WBT audio to the Guru, which has posted my stuff since the Viva Beisbol days. It's an interesting site, with lots of fun subpages to explore. Check it out.
TWO TAIWANESE TEAMS TO PLAY IN CHINA NEXT SEASON
The Chinese Professional Baseball League says it will move forward in 2009 with four remaining teams in the wake of this season’s gambling scandal which led to the disbanding of the dMedia T-Rex. The Chinatrust Whales also went under due to lack of funds. The four Taiwanese teams left standing are the champion Uni-President Lions, Brother Elephants, La New Bears and Sinon Bulls.
CPBL teams will play 60 games each in 2009, up from 50 games apiece this year. However, due to the loss of the T-Rex and Whales, the league as a whole will play 240 games, down from 300 in 2008.
Two teams, the Lions and Elephants, will visit Shanghai next March for a series of three exhibition games. The two teams will each play the China Baseball League’s Shanghai Golden Eagles once before facing each other in the finale.
CPBL teams will play 60 games each in 2009, up from 50 games apiece this year. However, due to the loss of the T-Rex and Whales, the league as a whole will play 240 games, down from 300 in 2008.
Two teams, the Lions and Elephants, will visit Shanghai next March for a series of three exhibition games. The two teams will each play the China Baseball League’s Shanghai Golden Eagles once before facing each other in the finale.
GAMBLING PROBE TOUCHES 16 KBO PLAYERS
Gambling problems apparently are not limited to Taiwanese baseball. Sixteen active players in the Korea Baseball Organization, including 13 from one team, have been accused of taking part in illegal internet gambling. The Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office says it suspects the 16 players to have gambled over 1 billion won (or about $678,000US) on an illegal gambling website operated by Koreans overseas.
According to the prosecutors, 13 of the players are from the Samsung Lions, two are with the Hanwha Eagles and one plays for the Lotte Giants.
The investigation is ongoing, and KBO secretary general Hal Il-sung says the league will discuss its own disciplinary measures afterward.
According to the prosecutors, 13 of the players are from the Samsung Lions, two are with the Hanwha Eagles and one plays for the Lotte Giants.
The investigation is ongoing, and KBO secretary general Hal Il-sung says the league will discuss its own disciplinary measures afterward.
A-ROD DECIDES TO PLAY FOR DOMINICAN TEAM
New York Yankees All-Star third baseman Alex Rodriguez says he will play for the Dominican Republic in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. The three-time American League MVP was born in New York in 1975 to Dominican parents, and lived three years in the Caribbean nation before his family moved to Miami, where he attended high school.
Three years ago, Rodriguez raised some hackles when he vacillated between playing for the USA or Dominican Republic in the first WBC, and even considered bypassing the event entirely. He eventually played for Team USA after some pressure from WBC organizers. The 33-year-old A-Rod is a 12-time All-Star, with career totals of 533 homers, 2,404 hits and a .306 batting average for Seattle, Texas and the Yankees.
In A-Rod’s absence, Team USA is expected to go with Tampa Bay’s Evan Longoria and David Wright of the New York Mets, All-Star third basemen themselves.
Three years ago, Rodriguez raised some hackles when he vacillated between playing for the USA or Dominican Republic in the first WBC, and even considered bypassing the event entirely. He eventually played for Team USA after some pressure from WBC organizers. The 33-year-old A-Rod is a 12-time All-Star, with career totals of 533 homers, 2,404 hits and a .306 batting average for Seattle, Texas and the Yankees.
In A-Rod’s absence, Team USA is expected to go with Tampa Bay’s Evan Longoria and David Wright of the New York Mets, All-Star third basemen themselves.
PIAZZA, HARGROVE AND TREBLEHORN TO COACH FOR ITALY
Future Hall of Famer Mike Piazza, former first baseman and manager Mike Hargrove and ex-Milwaukee skipper Tom Treblehorn have all been named as coaches with Italy for the upcoming World Baseball Classic. The three will serve under Italian manager Marco Mazzieri.
Piazza will serve as Italy’s hitting coach and catching instructor in the WBC. He retired last winter after 16 big league seasons with five teams, batting .308 with 427 homers and 1.335 RBIs. Hargrove was an All-Star first baseman with Texas during his playing career, and managed three teams over 16 seasons in the majors (winning five straight division titles with Cleveland). He is currently coaching a semipro team in Kansas, and will be a bench coach for Italy. Treblehorn managed the Brewers for six seasons and one campaign with the Cubs, and has a lifetime .505 record as a skipper. He coaches in San Francisco’s minor league system, and will serve as Italy’s third base coach.
Piazza will serve as Italy’s hitting coach and catching instructor in the WBC. He retired last winter after 16 big league seasons with five teams, batting .308 with 427 homers and 1.335 RBIs. Hargrove was an All-Star first baseman with Texas during his playing career, and managed three teams over 16 seasons in the majors (winning five straight division titles with Cleveland). He is currently coaching a semipro team in Kansas, and will be a bench coach for Italy. Treblehorn managed the Brewers for six seasons and one campaign with the Cubs, and has a lifetime .505 record as a skipper. He coaches in San Francisco’s minor league system, and will serve as Italy’s third base coach.
GORDON SOLE VETS PICK FOR HALL OF FAME
Former Yankees and Cleveland second baseman Joe Gordon is the lone Veteran Committee pick for baseball’s Hall of Fame in 2009. Gordon played 11 war-interrupted years in the majors between 1938 and 1950, batting .268 with 253 homers and 975 RBIs. He was a nine-time All-Star and played in six World Series.
VILLA CLARA ONLY REMAINING UNBEATEN CUBAN TEAM
Following the first week of action in the Cuban National Series, the Villa Clara Naranjeros are the only undefeated team in the league with a 6-0 record. Villa Clara beat Metropolitanos, 2-1, last Sunday as Naranjeros starter Juan Yasiel Serrano pitched seven innings and allowed just one run on six hits with a half-dozen strikeouts.
Villa Clara was losing 1-0 in the eighth inning with two runners on base when pinch-hitter Yeniet Perez stroked a two-run double to center. Misael Silveiro came out of the bullpen to nail down the save for the Naranjeros.
Defending champion Santiago de Cuba got off to a rough start, winning just twice in their first seven games.
Villa Clara was losing 1-0 in the eighth inning with two runners on base when pinch-hitter Yeniet Perez stroked a two-run double to center. Misael Silveiro came out of the bullpen to nail down the save for the Naranjeros.
Defending champion Santiago de Cuba got off to a rough start, winning just twice in their first seven games.
CARIBBEAN LEAGUES ROUNDUP
Among the four leagues sending teams to February’s Caribbean Series, the Caracas Leones have perhaps been the strongest of the 28 teams battling for their respective pennants. The Leones lead the Venezuelan League with a 30-14 record (the best in winter ball), and are 4.5 games ahead of the 27-20 Lara Cardenales. Catcher Pablo Sandoval of Magallenes is having a solid season, leading the league with a .388 average and 11 homers. Caracas third baseman Jose Guzman has driven in a mind-bending 51 runs in just 44 games. David Austen of Zulia leads Venezuelan pitchers with five wins, while Caracas’ Juan Gutierrez is 4-0 with a 1.74 ERA and a shutout after nine starts.
The Ponce Leones are on top of the Puerto Rico League tables at 16-9, three games up on the 12-11 Arecibo Lobos. Ponce defeated Santurce, 7-5, Wednesday night as Mets prospect Michael Antonini allowed just one run over six innings for the Leones. Arecibo kept pace with a 5-0 shutout over Mayaguez. Lobos starter Bradley Mumma combined with three relievers on a one-hitter, while Nationals farmhand Jorge Padilla homered and had four RBIs. Padilla leads Puerto Rico League batters with 27 RBIs, five more than Caguas catcher Raul Casanova. Casanova leads the league with a .371 average.
In the Mexican Pacific League, the perennial powerhouse Mazatlan Venados are in a three-way dogfight for the second-half title with first-half champ Los Mochis and Guasave. Mazatlan is 30-22, a half-game ahead of 29-22 Mochis and a full game up on the 29-23 Algodoneros. Mazatlan lost to Guasave, 6-5, Wednesday night as Algodoneros outfielder Dionys Cesar cracked a pair of homers. Mochis missed on a chance to tie for first by losing to Hermosillo, 2-1, as Chris Roberson smacked a two-run homer while Elmer Dessens tossed six scoreless innings for the Naranjeros.
And in the Dominican League, only four games separate the top five teams. The 24-17 Cibao Gigantes lead the circuit, while fifth-place Escogido is one game below .500 at 20-21. Outfielder Victor Diaz of Cibaenas is having a monster season for the Aguilas, batting .318 with a league-leading 15 homers and 42 RBIs in 40 games. Licey’s Jorge Sosa has had a great year on the mound for the defending Caribbean Series champions, going 5-1 with a 2.11 ERA over nine starts. Sosa’s 17 strikeouts in 47 innings aren’t very impressive, but his 11 bases on balls are.
The Ponce Leones are on top of the Puerto Rico League tables at 16-9, three games up on the 12-11 Arecibo Lobos. Ponce defeated Santurce, 7-5, Wednesday night as Mets prospect Michael Antonini allowed just one run over six innings for the Leones. Arecibo kept pace with a 5-0 shutout over Mayaguez. Lobos starter Bradley Mumma combined with three relievers on a one-hitter, while Nationals farmhand Jorge Padilla homered and had four RBIs. Padilla leads Puerto Rico League batters with 27 RBIs, five more than Caguas catcher Raul Casanova. Casanova leads the league with a .371 average.
In the Mexican Pacific League, the perennial powerhouse Mazatlan Venados are in a three-way dogfight for the second-half title with first-half champ Los Mochis and Guasave. Mazatlan is 30-22, a half-game ahead of 29-22 Mochis and a full game up on the 29-23 Algodoneros. Mazatlan lost to Guasave, 6-5, Wednesday night as Algodoneros outfielder Dionys Cesar cracked a pair of homers. Mochis missed on a chance to tie for first by losing to Hermosillo, 2-1, as Chris Roberson smacked a two-run homer while Elmer Dessens tossed six scoreless innings for the Naranjeros.
And in the Dominican League, only four games separate the top five teams. The 24-17 Cibao Gigantes lead the circuit, while fifth-place Escogido is one game below .500 at 20-21. Outfielder Victor Diaz of Cibaenas is having a monster season for the Aguilas, batting .318 with a league-leading 15 homers and 42 RBIs in 40 games. Licey’s Jorge Sosa has had a great year on the mound for the defending Caribbean Series champions, going 5-1 with a 2.11 ERA over nine starts. Sosa’s 17 strikeouts in 47 innings aren’t very impressive, but his 11 bases on balls are.
PERTH WINS CLAXTON SHIELD SHOWCASE ROUND
The Australian Baseball Federation’s 75th Claxton Shield competition got underway earlier this month with a one-week Showcase Round at Blacktown Olympic Park, home of the New South Wales Patriots. The five Claxton Shield teams played each other once in a round-robin format between December 2 and 7 in a week that also included a Celebrity Home Run Derby and the MLB Roadshow, among other events.
When the dust settled, both the Perth Heat and Victoria Aces were 4-1, New South Wales and the Queensland Rams were both 2-2, while South Australia was winless. Perth gets the nod for first place in the Showcase Round by virtue of their 6-5 win in 11 innings over Victoria on December 4. Perth centerfielder Nick Kimpton had three hits in the game, including a game-winning double in the 11th frame.
The Claxton Shield schedule runs through the league finals in early February.
When the dust settled, both the Perth Heat and Victoria Aces were 4-1, New South Wales and the Queensland Rams were both 2-2, while South Australia was winless. Perth gets the nod for first place in the Showcase Round by virtue of their 6-5 win in 11 innings over Victoria on December 4. Perth centerfielder Nick Kimpton had three hits in the game, including a game-winning double in the 11th frame.
The Claxton Shield schedule runs through the league finals in early February.
CEBU TO MEET DUMAGUETE IN PHILIPPINES FINALS
The Cebu Dolphins and Dumaguete Unibikers will square off this weekend for the Baseball Philippines Series 4 championship. The best-of-3 series was set to begin Saturday at Manila’s historic Rizal Memorial Stadium.
Cebu reached the BPCS by beating Batangas in the semifinals, 2 games to 1. After being spotted a win going into the series due to their first place finish in the regular season, the Dolphins lost to the Bulls last Saturday, 9-2, before winning the rubber match 8-6 Sunday.
Taguig had an incoming one-game advantage over Dumaguete after tying Cebu for first, but the Unibikers swept the Patriots, 7-1 and 3-1, to advance to the Finals against Cebu.
Cebu reached the BPCS by beating Batangas in the semifinals, 2 games to 1. After being spotted a win going into the series due to their first place finish in the regular season, the Dolphins lost to the Bulls last Saturday, 9-2, before winning the rubber match 8-6 Sunday.
Taguig had an incoming one-game advantage over Dumaguete after tying Cebu for first, but the Unibikers swept the Patriots, 7-1 and 3-1, to advance to the Finals against Cebu.
DAVE JOHNSON TO MANAGE USA IN WBC
Former major league player and manager Dave Johnson will lead the United States in the World Baseball Classic next March. Johnson was introduced as Team USA manager at a press conference during the annual winter baseball meetings in Las Vegas last week.
Johnson played in all or part of 13 MLB seasons with Baltimore, Atlanta and Philadelphia, batting .261 with 136 homers. He was a four-time All-Star second baseman who played in five World Series. He went on to manage four teams over 14 years, including the 1986 World Champion New York Mets. Johnson led the USA to a bronze medal at last summer’s Beijing Olympics.
Team USA finished 3-3 in the first World Baseball Classic in 2006 under Buck Martinez.
Johnson played in all or part of 13 MLB seasons with Baltimore, Atlanta and Philadelphia, batting .261 with 136 homers. He was a four-time All-Star second baseman who played in five World Series. He went on to manage four teams over 14 years, including the 1986 World Champion New York Mets. Johnson led the USA to a bronze medal at last summer’s Beijing Olympics.
Team USA finished 3-3 in the first World Baseball Classic in 2006 under Buck Martinez.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
DELMONICO NAMED DUTCH NATIONAL TEAM MANAGER
Former University of Tennessee head coach Rod Delmonico has been selected as manager for The Netherlands National Baseball Team. The 50-year-old Delmonico becomes the 14th American to manage the Dutch squad since longtime Miami coach Ron Fraser began his first stint in Holland in 1960. Current USA National Team coach and former big league player and manager Davey Johnson managed the Dutch team in 2003.
Delmonico is a 1980 graduate of Virginia’s Liberty University, and spent six years as an assistant coach at Florida State before taking the reins at Tennessee in 1990. In 18 seasons with the Volunteers, Delmonico coached teams to nine Southeast Conference tournament titles, 14 NCAA Regional Championships, and six appearances in the College World Series. During his time with the Vols, 73 of his players were taken in the major league draft, including ten first-rounders. In all, 95 of Delmonico’s Tennessee players signed professional contracts, including Todd Helton, Jimmy Key, Luis Alicea and Paul Sorrento.
Delmonico takes over the Dutch National Team from former Yankees infielder Robert Eenhorn, who led the squad for eight years. He inherits a team that is considered Europe’s best, along with Italy, and will manage The Netherlands in next spring’s World Baseball Classic.
Delmonico is a 1980 graduate of Virginia’s Liberty University, and spent six years as an assistant coach at Florida State before taking the reins at Tennessee in 1990. In 18 seasons with the Volunteers, Delmonico coached teams to nine Southeast Conference tournament titles, 14 NCAA Regional Championships, and six appearances in the College World Series. During his time with the Vols, 73 of his players were taken in the major league draft, including ten first-rounders. In all, 95 of Delmonico’s Tennessee players signed professional contracts, including Todd Helton, Jimmy Key, Luis Alicea and Paul Sorrento.
Delmonico takes over the Dutch National Team from former Yankees infielder Robert Eenhorn, who led the squad for eight years. He inherits a team that is considered Europe’s best, along with Italy, and will manage The Netherlands in next spring’s World Baseball Classic.
DARVISH SIGNS NEW CONTRACT WITH FIGHTERS
Nippon Ham Fighters ace Yu Darvish will be returning to the Pacific League team in 2009 after signing for an estimated salary of 270 million yen next season, which translates to about $2.9 million U.S. dollars. Darvish earned 200 million yen in 2008 on the heels of a Sawamura Award-winning season for the Fighters in 2007.
The son of an Iranian father and Japanese mother, the 22-year-old Darvish is considered one of Japan’s top pitchers. The 6’5” righty has a career record of 63-18 with 518 strikeouts in 600 innings over four seasons with the Hokkaido-based Fighters. He has won 43 of 57 decisions the past three years, two seasons with an ERA of below 1.90. Darvish was 16-4 in 2008 with a 1.88 ERA, 208 strikeouts and Japanese-best ten complete games.
Darvish also pitched for Japan in the Beijing Olympics last summer, but did not do well. He appeared in three games and finished 0-1 with a 5.14 ERA. While he struck out ten batters in seven innings, he also issued five walks, uncorked two wild pitches and hit a batter.
The son of an Iranian father and Japanese mother, the 22-year-old Darvish is considered one of Japan’s top pitchers. The 6’5” righty has a career record of 63-18 with 518 strikeouts in 600 innings over four seasons with the Hokkaido-based Fighters. He has won 43 of 57 decisions the past three years, two seasons with an ERA of below 1.90. Darvish was 16-4 in 2008 with a 1.88 ERA, 208 strikeouts and Japanese-best ten complete games.
Darvish also pitched for Japan in the Beijing Olympics last summer, but did not do well. He appeared in three games and finished 0-1 with a 5.14 ERA. While he struck out ten batters in seven innings, he also issued five walks, uncorked two wild pitches and hit a batter.
ROYALS SIGN MEXICAN RELIEVER TO MINOR LEAGUE CONTRACT
Hoping to repeat the great success they’ve had with the signing of Mexican closer Joakim Soria to a contract two years ago, the Kansas City Royals have inked another reliever from south of the border. Federico Castaneda was a classmate of Soria’s at the Mexican baseball academy near Monterrey, and (like Soria) is a 24-year-old with a good fastball and slider who has shown well in the Mexican Pacific League prior to signing with Kansas City.
A native of Torreon, Castaneda pitched last summer with the Mexican League’s Laguna Vaqueros, going 4-1 with a 4.28 ERA in 58 appearances out of the bullpen. Pitching for the Culiacan Tomateros in the MexPac this winter, the 6’3” righty middleman has a 1.19 ERA in 19 relief stints with 16 strikeouts in 22 innings. He has not been involved in any decisions.
Castaneda is expected to open the 2009 season with Northwest Arkansas in the Class AA Texas League after signing a minor league contract with the Royals, but may be invited to Kansas City’s major league training camp in February as a non-roster pitcher.
A native of Torreon, Castaneda pitched last summer with the Mexican League’s Laguna Vaqueros, going 4-1 with a 4.28 ERA in 58 appearances out of the bullpen. Pitching for the Culiacan Tomateros in the MexPac this winter, the 6’3” righty middleman has a 1.19 ERA in 19 relief stints with 16 strikeouts in 22 innings. He has not been involved in any decisions.
Castaneda is expected to open the 2009 season with Northwest Arkansas in the Class AA Texas League after signing a minor league contract with the Royals, but may be invited to Kansas City’s major league training camp in February as a non-roster pitcher.
12-07-08 CARIBBEAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP
The 27-19 Mazatlan Venados have taken the Mexican Pacific League second half lead despite a 6-5 loss to Hermosillo on Wednesday. Humberto Cota led the Narajeros with a pair of two-run homers. First half champion Los Mochis is hot on Mazatlan’s heels at 26-19. Mochis lost to Obregon, 7-3, Wednesday as Iker Franco homered for the eighth time in nine games for the defending MexPac champion Yaquis.
In Puerto Rico, the 11-7 Arecibo Lobos are a game ahead of 10-8 Mayaguez after the Lobos lost to Santurce, 8-7, as Jose Valentin smacked a homer for the Crabbers on Wednesday. Ponce (11-9) is in a virtual tie for second with Mayaguez after beating Caguas, 8-6, as Red Sox farmhand Joe Thurston went 3-for-4 with four runs for the Leones.
The Cibao Gigantes are on top of the Dominican League tables with a 22-16 record. Cibao lost Wednesday night to the 21-17 Este Azucareros, 3-2, thanks to Danny Richar’s two-run eighth inning single for the Azucareros. Licey is tied with Este for second despite losing to Cibaenas, 10-4, on Wednesday as Luis Polonia had two hits and three RBIs for the Aguilas.
In the Venezuelan League, Caracas is holding on to the league leadership at 25-13 following a 6-5 loss to LaGuaira Wednsday night. Rangers catching prospect Max Ramirez swatted a three-run walkoff homer to hand the Tiburones their second straight win over the Leones, who got a homer from infielder Marco Scutaro.
In Puerto Rico, the 11-7 Arecibo Lobos are a game ahead of 10-8 Mayaguez after the Lobos lost to Santurce, 8-7, as Jose Valentin smacked a homer for the Crabbers on Wednesday. Ponce (11-9) is in a virtual tie for second with Mayaguez after beating Caguas, 8-6, as Red Sox farmhand Joe Thurston went 3-for-4 with four runs for the Leones.
The Cibao Gigantes are on top of the Dominican League tables with a 22-16 record. Cibao lost Wednesday night to the 21-17 Este Azucareros, 3-2, thanks to Danny Richar’s two-run eighth inning single for the Azucareros. Licey is tied with Este for second despite losing to Cibaenas, 10-4, on Wednesday as Luis Polonia had two hits and three RBIs for the Aguilas.
In the Venezuelan League, Caracas is holding on to the league leadership at 25-13 following a 6-5 loss to LaGuaira Wednsday night. Rangers catching prospect Max Ramirez swatted a three-run walkoff homer to hand the Tiburones their second straight win over the Leones, who got a homer from infielder Marco Scutaro.
PINAR CLOBBERS SANTIAGO IN CUBAN SEASON OPENER
Pinar del Rio pounded defending Cuban National Series champion Santiago de Cuba, 12-3, on November 30 in the league’s season opener. Starter Yuniesky Maya gave Pinar 5.1 solid innings of pitching, while Donald Duarte reached base all five times he strode to the plate (including an inside-the-park home run).
Maya retired ten consecutive batters at one point en route to breaking Pinar’s ten-game regular season losing streak to Santiago, whose ace Norge Vera was clobbered by the Pinar batsmen, allowing eight runs before leaving the contest with the bases loaded and two out in the sixth inning. Last season’s MVP, Santiago’s Alexei Bell, had to leave the game for X-rays after being struck in the face by a Maya pitch in the first inning. Bell smashed 31 homers and drove in 111 runs last winter, but his untimely exit was indicative of what kind of night it was for Santiago, who lost their first opener in four years.
Maya retired ten consecutive batters at one point en route to breaking Pinar’s ten-game regular season losing streak to Santiago, whose ace Norge Vera was clobbered by the Pinar batsmen, allowing eight runs before leaving the contest with the bases loaded and two out in the sixth inning. Last season’s MVP, Santiago’s Alexei Bell, had to leave the game for X-rays after being struck in the face by a Maya pitch in the first inning. Bell smashed 31 homers and drove in 111 runs last winter, but his untimely exit was indicative of what kind of night it was for Santiago, who lost their first opener in four years.
GREG MADDUX CALLS IT A CAREER, RETIRES WITH 355 WINS
Future Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux announced his retirement late last week, ending a career in which he won 355 games, struck out 3,371 batters and had an ERA of 3.16. Maddux was a 20-game winner for the Chicago Cubs in 1992 and the Atlanta Braves in 1993, and was an eight-time All-Star. He spent his entire 23-year major league career in the National League, and recently earned his record 18th Gold Glove.
Maddux split the 2008 season between the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers, going 8-11 with a 4.22 ERA. He made three relief appearances for the Dodgers in the playoffs, tossing four shutout innings.
Maddux split the 2008 season between the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers, going 8-11 with a 4.22 ERA. He made three relief appearances for the Dodgers in the playoffs, tossing four shutout innings.
RAYS OPEN BASEBALL ACADEMY IN BRAZIL
The American League champion Tampa Bay Rays announced last week that they have entered into an agreement with the city of Marilia, Brazil to construct and open that country’s first baseball academy operated by a major league organization. The complex is expected to be built in 2009, with the cost borne by both local and Brazilian government funding. It will include two full playing fields, two diamonds for youth teams and a dormitory for up to 40 players. The academy will be overseen by Adrian de Souza, who was hired earlier this year by Tampa Bay to scout for Brazilian prospects. There are currently twelve minor leaguers from Brazil, but no player from the soccer-mad country has ever made it to the majors.
In addition to searching for baseball talent in a nation with a population of over 200 million people, the Rays will also introduce the game to groups between 7 and 14 years of age in the Marilia area. Marilia is a city of about 225,000 residents northeast of Brazil’s capital of Sao Paolo. Rays president Andrew Friedman says the team’s special assistant of baseball operations Andres Reiner has worked for years on the Brazilian project, which Friedman acknowledges is “obviously a long-term initiative” that is not “going to pay dividends in a year from now, necessarily.”
The Rays also operate baseball academies in the Dominican Republic and Venezuela.
In addition to searching for baseball talent in a nation with a population of over 200 million people, the Rays will also introduce the game to groups between 7 and 14 years of age in the Marilia area. Marilia is a city of about 225,000 residents northeast of Brazil’s capital of Sao Paolo. Rays president Andrew Friedman says the team’s special assistant of baseball operations Andres Reiner has worked for years on the Brazilian project, which Friedman acknowledges is “obviously a long-term initiative” that is not “going to pay dividends in a year from now, necessarily.”
The Rays also operate baseball academies in the Dominican Republic and Venezuela.
TAZAWA AGREES TO DEAL WITH RED SOX
Japanese amateur pitcher Junichi Tazawa has agreed to a three-year, $3 million deal with the Boston Red Sox, according to the Boston Globe. Last week, the 22-year-old right-hander flew from Narita to Boston, where he was expected to take a physical exam prior to signing a contract with the Red Sox.Tazawa pitched the Nippon Oil team to Japan’s industrial baseball championship last spring, then shocked the Japanese baseball establishment by opting out of that country’s amateur draft to pursue a professional career in the USA. The Globe quoted a “baseball source” as saying Tazawa’s contract with Boston will be a major league deal, and that he would not be eligible for free agency until he completes six years of service. One Red Sox source told the Boston paper that Tazawa was expected to begin his career in the States as a minor leaguer because he needs additional experience.Besides the Red Sox, Tazawa received contract offers from the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers and Atlanta Braves.
Sunday, December 7th
Today's stories:
*Tazawa to sign contract with Red Sox
*Rays open baseball academy in Brazil
*Maddux retiring after 23 years, 355 wins
*Pinar clobbers Santiago in Cuban season opener
*Caribbean winter league roundup
*Royals sign another Mexican reliever
*Darvish re-signs with Fighters for 2009
*Ex-Tennessee coach Delmonico to manage Dutch Nationals
*Baseball Philippines semis begin this weekend
And while you're reading/listening to WBT, please pause with a moment of silence for one of our WBT subscribers, whose beloved Alabama Crimson Tide lost to Florida in Saturday's SEC football championship game. At least it wasn't to Vandy, Gene.
TAZAWA AGREES TO DEAL WITH RED SOX
Japanese amateur pitcher Junichi Tazawa has agreed to a three-year, $3 million deal with the Boston Red Sox, according to the Boston Globe. Last week, the 22-year-old right-hander flew from Narita to Boston, where he was expected to take a physical exam prior to signing a contract with the Red Sox.
Tazawa pitched the Nippon Oil team to Japan’s industrial baseball championship last spring, then shocked the Japanese baseball establishment by opting out of that country’s amateur draft to pursue a professional career in the USA. The Globe quoted a “baseball source” as saying Tazawa’s contract with Boston will be a major league deal, and that he would not be eligible for free agency until he completes six years of service. One Red Sox source told the Boston paper that Tazawa was expected to begin his career in the States as a minor leaguer because he needs additional experience.
Besides the Red Sox, Tazawa received contract offers from the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers and Atlanta Braves.
RAYS OPEN BASEBALL ACADEMY IN BRAZIL
The American League champion Tampa Bay Rays announced last week that they have entered into an agreement with the city of Marilia, Brazil to construct and open that country’s first baseball academy operated by a major league organization. The complex is expected to be built in 2009, with the cost borne by both local and Brazilian government funding. It will include two full playing fields, two diamonds for youth teams and a dormitory for up to 40 players. The academy will be overseen by Adrian de Souza, who was hired earlier this year by Tampa Bay to scout for Brazilian prospects. There are currently twelve minor leaguers from Brazil, but no player from the soccer-mad country has ever made it to the majors.
In addition to searching for baseball talent in a nation with a population of over 200 million people, the Rays will also introduce the game to groups between 7 and 14 years of age in the Marilia area. Marilia is a city of about 225,000 residents northeast of Brazil’s capital of Sao Paolo. Rays president Andrew Friedman says the team’s special assistant of baseball operations Andres Reiner has worked for years on the Brazilian project, which Friedman acknowledges is “obviously a long-term initiative” that is not “going to pay dividends in a year from now, necessarily.”
The Rays also operate baseball academies in the Dominican Republic and Venezuela.
GREG MADDUX CALLS IT A CAREER, RETIRES WITH 355 WINS
Future Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux announced his retirement late last week, ending a career in which he won 355 games, struck out 3,371 batters and had an ERA of 3.16. Maddux was a 20-game winner for the Chicago Cubs in 1992 and the Atlanta Braves in 1993, and was an eight-time All-Star. He spent his entire 23-year major league career in the National League, and recently earned his record 18th Gold Glove.
Maddux split the 2008 season between the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers, going 8-11 with a 4.22 ERA. He made three relief appearances for the Dodgers in the playoffs, tossing four shutout innings.
PINAR CLOBBERS SANTIAGO IN CUBAN SEASON OPENER
Pinar del Rio pounded defending Cuban National Series champion Santiago de Cuba, 12-3, on November 30 in the league’s season opener. Starter Yuniesky Maya gave Pinar 5.1 solid innings of pitching, while Donald Duarte reached base all five times he strode to the plate (including an inside-the-park home run).
Maya retired ten consecutive batters at one point en route to breaking Pinar’s ten-game regular season losing streak to Santiago, whose ace Norge Vera was clobbered by the Pinar batsmen, allowing eight runs before leaving the contest with the bases loaded and two out in the sixth inning. Last season’s MVP, Santiago’s Alexei Bell, had to leave the game for X-rays after being struck in the face by a Maya pitch in the first inning. Bell smashed 31 homers and drove in 111 runs last winter, but his untimely exit was indicative of what kind of night it was for Santiago, who lost their first opener in four years.
CARIBBEAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP
The 27-19 Mazatlan Venados have taken the Mexican Pacific League second half lead despite a 6-5 loss to Hermosillo on Wednesday. Humberto Cota led the Narajeros with a pair of two-run homers. First half champion Los Mochis is hot on Mazatlan’s heels at 26-19. Mochis lost to Obregon, 7-3, Wednesday as Iker Franco homered for the eighth time in nine games for the defending MexPac champion Yaquis.
In Puerto Rico, the 11-7 Arecibo Lobos are a game ahead of 10-8 Mayaguez after the Lobos lost to Santurce, 8-7, as Jose Valentin smacked a homer for the Crabbers on Wednesday. Ponce (11-9) is in a virtual tie for second with Mayaguez after beating Caguas, 8-6, as Red Sox farmhand Joe Thurston went 3-for-4 with four runs for the Leones.
The Cibao Gigantes are on top of the Dominican League tables with a 22-16 record. Cibao lost Wednesday night to the 21-17 Este Azucareros, 3-2, thanks to Danny Richar’s two-run eighth inning single for the Azucareros. Licey is tied with Este for second despite losing to Cibaenas, 10-4, on Wednesday as Luis Polonia had two hits and three RBIs for the Aguilas.
In the Venezuelan League, Caracas is holding on to the league leadership at 25-13 following a 6-5 loss to LaGuaira Wednsday night. Rangers catching prospect Max Ramirez swatted a three-run walkoff homer to hand the Tiburones their second straight win over the Leones, who got a homer from infielder Marco Scutaro.
ROYALS SIGN MEXICAN RELIEVER TO MINOR LEAGUE CONTRACT
Hoping to repeat the great success they’ve had with the signing of Mexican closer Joakim Soria to a contract two years ago, the Kansas City Royals have inked another reliever from south of the border. Federico Castaneda was a classmate of Soria’s at the Mexican baseball academy near Monterrey, and (like Soria) is a 24-year-old with a good fastball and slider who has shown well in the Mexican Pacific League prior to signing with Kansas City.
A native of Torreon, Castaneda pitched last summer with the Mexican League’s Laguna Vaqueros, going 4-1 with a 4.28 ERA in 58 appearances out of the bullpen. Pitching for the Culiacan Tomateros in the MexPac this winter, the 6’3” righty middleman has a 1.19 ERA in 19 relief stints with 16 strikeouts in 22 innings. He has not been involved in any decisions.
Castaneda is expected to open the 2009 season with Northwest Arkansas in the Class AA Texas League after signing a minor league contract with the Royals, but may be invited to Kansas City’s major league training camp in February as a non-roster pitcher.
DARVISH SIGNS NEW CONTRACT WITH FIGHTERS
Nippon Ham Fighters ace Yu Darvish will be returning to the Pacific League team in 2009 after signing for an estimated salary of 270 million yen next season, which translates to about $2.9 million U.S. dollars. Darvish earned 200 million yen in 2008 on the heels of a Sawamura Award-winning season for the Fighters in 2007.
The son of an Iranian father and Japanese mother, the 22-year-old Darvish is considered one of Japan’s top pitchers. The 6’5” righty has a career record of 63-18 with 518 strikeouts in 600 innings over four seasons with the Hokkaido-based Fighters. He has won 43 of 57 decisions the past three years, two seasons with an ERA of below 1.90. Darvish was 16-4 in 2008 with a 1.88 ERA, 208 strikeouts and Japanese-best ten complete games.
Darvish also pitched for Japan in the Beijing Olympics last summer, but did not do well. He appeared in three games and finished 0-1 with a 5.14 ERA. While he struck out ten batters in seven innings, he also issued five walks, uncorked two wild pitches and hit a batter.
DELMONICO NAMED DUTCH NATIONAL TEAM MANAGER
Former University of Tennessee head coach Rod Delmonico has been selected as manager for The Netherlands National Baseball Team. The 50-year-old Delmonico becomes the 14th American to manage the Dutch squad since longtime Miami coach Ron Fraser began his first stint in Holland in 1960. Current USA National Team coach and former big league player and manager Davey Johnson managed the Dutch team in 2003.
Delmonico is a 1980 graduate of Virginia’s Liberty University, and spent six years as an assistant coach at Florida State before taking the reins at Tennessee in 1990. In 18 seasons with the Volunteers, Delmonico coached teams to nine Southeast Conference tournament titles, 14 NCAA Regional Championships, and six appearances in the College World Series. During his time with the Vols, 73 of his players were taken in the major league draft, including ten first-rounders. In all, 95 of Delmonico’s Tennessee players signed professional contracts, including Todd Helton, Jimmy Key, Luis Alicea and Paul Sorrento.
Delmonico takes over the Dutch National Team from former Yankees infielder Robert Eenhorn, who led the squad for eight years. He inherits a team that is considered Europe’s best, along with Italy, and will manage The Netherlands in next spring’s World Baseball Classic.
FINAL FOUR PLAYOFF MATCHUPS SET FOR PHILIPPINES
Following a flurry of makeup and first round playoff games last weekend at Manila’s Rizal Memorial Stadium, four teams remain standing in the Baseball Philippines Series 4 postseason this weekend.
The Cebu Dolphins finished the regular season tied with the Taguig Patriots for first place at 8-2, while the Dumaguete Unibikers and Muntinlupa Mariners finished tied for third with 4-6 records. The defending champion Batangas Bulls tied with the Manila Sharks for fifth and last places at 3-7 apiece, but Batangas leaped past Muntinlupa into their semifinal berth by beating the Mariners in their first round matchup while Dumaguete dispatched Manila in their matchup as both Cebu and Taguig earned first-round byes.
This weekend, Cebu was set to open the semis on Saturday with a game against Batangas, while Taguig was scheduled to take on Dumaguete. The winners will meet in a best-of-three BP Championship Series, beginning next weekend.
*Tazawa to sign contract with Red Sox
*Rays open baseball academy in Brazil
*Maddux retiring after 23 years, 355 wins
*Pinar clobbers Santiago in Cuban season opener
*Caribbean winter league roundup
*Royals sign another Mexican reliever
*Darvish re-signs with Fighters for 2009
*Ex-Tennessee coach Delmonico to manage Dutch Nationals
*Baseball Philippines semis begin this weekend
And while you're reading/listening to WBT, please pause with a moment of silence for one of our WBT subscribers, whose beloved Alabama Crimson Tide lost to Florida in Saturday's SEC football championship game. At least it wasn't to Vandy, Gene.
TAZAWA AGREES TO DEAL WITH RED SOX
Japanese amateur pitcher Junichi Tazawa has agreed to a three-year, $3 million deal with the Boston Red Sox, according to the Boston Globe. Last week, the 22-year-old right-hander flew from Narita to Boston, where he was expected to take a physical exam prior to signing a contract with the Red Sox.
Tazawa pitched the Nippon Oil team to Japan’s industrial baseball championship last spring, then shocked the Japanese baseball establishment by opting out of that country’s amateur draft to pursue a professional career in the USA. The Globe quoted a “baseball source” as saying Tazawa’s contract with Boston will be a major league deal, and that he would not be eligible for free agency until he completes six years of service. One Red Sox source told the Boston paper that Tazawa was expected to begin his career in the States as a minor leaguer because he needs additional experience.
Besides the Red Sox, Tazawa received contract offers from the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers and Atlanta Braves.
RAYS OPEN BASEBALL ACADEMY IN BRAZIL
The American League champion Tampa Bay Rays announced last week that they have entered into an agreement with the city of Marilia, Brazil to construct and open that country’s first baseball academy operated by a major league organization. The complex is expected to be built in 2009, with the cost borne by both local and Brazilian government funding. It will include two full playing fields, two diamonds for youth teams and a dormitory for up to 40 players. The academy will be overseen by Adrian de Souza, who was hired earlier this year by Tampa Bay to scout for Brazilian prospects. There are currently twelve minor leaguers from Brazil, but no player from the soccer-mad country has ever made it to the majors.
In addition to searching for baseball talent in a nation with a population of over 200 million people, the Rays will also introduce the game to groups between 7 and 14 years of age in the Marilia area. Marilia is a city of about 225,000 residents northeast of Brazil’s capital of Sao Paolo. Rays president Andrew Friedman says the team’s special assistant of baseball operations Andres Reiner has worked for years on the Brazilian project, which Friedman acknowledges is “obviously a long-term initiative” that is not “going to pay dividends in a year from now, necessarily.”
The Rays also operate baseball academies in the Dominican Republic and Venezuela.
GREG MADDUX CALLS IT A CAREER, RETIRES WITH 355 WINS
Future Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux announced his retirement late last week, ending a career in which he won 355 games, struck out 3,371 batters and had an ERA of 3.16. Maddux was a 20-game winner for the Chicago Cubs in 1992 and the Atlanta Braves in 1993, and was an eight-time All-Star. He spent his entire 23-year major league career in the National League, and recently earned his record 18th Gold Glove.
Maddux split the 2008 season between the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers, going 8-11 with a 4.22 ERA. He made three relief appearances for the Dodgers in the playoffs, tossing four shutout innings.
PINAR CLOBBERS SANTIAGO IN CUBAN SEASON OPENER
Pinar del Rio pounded defending Cuban National Series champion Santiago de Cuba, 12-3, on November 30 in the league’s season opener. Starter Yuniesky Maya gave Pinar 5.1 solid innings of pitching, while Donald Duarte reached base all five times he strode to the plate (including an inside-the-park home run).
Maya retired ten consecutive batters at one point en route to breaking Pinar’s ten-game regular season losing streak to Santiago, whose ace Norge Vera was clobbered by the Pinar batsmen, allowing eight runs before leaving the contest with the bases loaded and two out in the sixth inning. Last season’s MVP, Santiago’s Alexei Bell, had to leave the game for X-rays after being struck in the face by a Maya pitch in the first inning. Bell smashed 31 homers and drove in 111 runs last winter, but his untimely exit was indicative of what kind of night it was for Santiago, who lost their first opener in four years.
CARIBBEAN LEAGUE ROUNDUP
The 27-19 Mazatlan Venados have taken the Mexican Pacific League second half lead despite a 6-5 loss to Hermosillo on Wednesday. Humberto Cota led the Narajeros with a pair of two-run homers. First half champion Los Mochis is hot on Mazatlan’s heels at 26-19. Mochis lost to Obregon, 7-3, Wednesday as Iker Franco homered for the eighth time in nine games for the defending MexPac champion Yaquis.
In Puerto Rico, the 11-7 Arecibo Lobos are a game ahead of 10-8 Mayaguez after the Lobos lost to Santurce, 8-7, as Jose Valentin smacked a homer for the Crabbers on Wednesday. Ponce (11-9) is in a virtual tie for second with Mayaguez after beating Caguas, 8-6, as Red Sox farmhand Joe Thurston went 3-for-4 with four runs for the Leones.
The Cibao Gigantes are on top of the Dominican League tables with a 22-16 record. Cibao lost Wednesday night to the 21-17 Este Azucareros, 3-2, thanks to Danny Richar’s two-run eighth inning single for the Azucareros. Licey is tied with Este for second despite losing to Cibaenas, 10-4, on Wednesday as Luis Polonia had two hits and three RBIs for the Aguilas.
In the Venezuelan League, Caracas is holding on to the league leadership at 25-13 following a 6-5 loss to LaGuaira Wednsday night. Rangers catching prospect Max Ramirez swatted a three-run walkoff homer to hand the Tiburones their second straight win over the Leones, who got a homer from infielder Marco Scutaro.
ROYALS SIGN MEXICAN RELIEVER TO MINOR LEAGUE CONTRACT
Hoping to repeat the great success they’ve had with the signing of Mexican closer Joakim Soria to a contract two years ago, the Kansas City Royals have inked another reliever from south of the border. Federico Castaneda was a classmate of Soria’s at the Mexican baseball academy near Monterrey, and (like Soria) is a 24-year-old with a good fastball and slider who has shown well in the Mexican Pacific League prior to signing with Kansas City.
A native of Torreon, Castaneda pitched last summer with the Mexican League’s Laguna Vaqueros, going 4-1 with a 4.28 ERA in 58 appearances out of the bullpen. Pitching for the Culiacan Tomateros in the MexPac this winter, the 6’3” righty middleman has a 1.19 ERA in 19 relief stints with 16 strikeouts in 22 innings. He has not been involved in any decisions.
Castaneda is expected to open the 2009 season with Northwest Arkansas in the Class AA Texas League after signing a minor league contract with the Royals, but may be invited to Kansas City’s major league training camp in February as a non-roster pitcher.
DARVISH SIGNS NEW CONTRACT WITH FIGHTERS
Nippon Ham Fighters ace Yu Darvish will be returning to the Pacific League team in 2009 after signing for an estimated salary of 270 million yen next season, which translates to about $2.9 million U.S. dollars. Darvish earned 200 million yen in 2008 on the heels of a Sawamura Award-winning season for the Fighters in 2007.
The son of an Iranian father and Japanese mother, the 22-year-old Darvish is considered one of Japan’s top pitchers. The 6’5” righty has a career record of 63-18 with 518 strikeouts in 600 innings over four seasons with the Hokkaido-based Fighters. He has won 43 of 57 decisions the past three years, two seasons with an ERA of below 1.90. Darvish was 16-4 in 2008 with a 1.88 ERA, 208 strikeouts and Japanese-best ten complete games.
Darvish also pitched for Japan in the Beijing Olympics last summer, but did not do well. He appeared in three games and finished 0-1 with a 5.14 ERA. While he struck out ten batters in seven innings, he also issued five walks, uncorked two wild pitches and hit a batter.
DELMONICO NAMED DUTCH NATIONAL TEAM MANAGER
Former University of Tennessee head coach Rod Delmonico has been selected as manager for The Netherlands National Baseball Team. The 50-year-old Delmonico becomes the 14th American to manage the Dutch squad since longtime Miami coach Ron Fraser began his first stint in Holland in 1960. Current USA National Team coach and former big league player and manager Davey Johnson managed the Dutch team in 2003.
Delmonico is a 1980 graduate of Virginia’s Liberty University, and spent six years as an assistant coach at Florida State before taking the reins at Tennessee in 1990. In 18 seasons with the Volunteers, Delmonico coached teams to nine Southeast Conference tournament titles, 14 NCAA Regional Championships, and six appearances in the College World Series. During his time with the Vols, 73 of his players were taken in the major league draft, including ten first-rounders. In all, 95 of Delmonico’s Tennessee players signed professional contracts, including Todd Helton, Jimmy Key, Luis Alicea and Paul Sorrento.
Delmonico takes over the Dutch National Team from former Yankees infielder Robert Eenhorn, who led the squad for eight years. He inherits a team that is considered Europe’s best, along with Italy, and will manage The Netherlands in next spring’s World Baseball Classic.
FINAL FOUR PLAYOFF MATCHUPS SET FOR PHILIPPINES
Following a flurry of makeup and first round playoff games last weekend at Manila’s Rizal Memorial Stadium, four teams remain standing in the Baseball Philippines Series 4 postseason this weekend.
The Cebu Dolphins finished the regular season tied with the Taguig Patriots for first place at 8-2, while the Dumaguete Unibikers and Muntinlupa Mariners finished tied for third with 4-6 records. The defending champion Batangas Bulls tied with the Manila Sharks for fifth and last places at 3-7 apiece, but Batangas leaped past Muntinlupa into their semifinal berth by beating the Mariners in their first round matchup while Dumaguete dispatched Manila in their matchup as both Cebu and Taguig earned first-round byes.
This weekend, Cebu was set to open the semis on Saturday with a game against Batangas, while Taguig was scheduled to take on Dumaguete. The winners will meet in a best-of-three BP Championship Series, beginning next weekend.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
PHILS BEAT RAYS THREE STRAIGHT TO WIN WORLD SERIES
The Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Tampa Bay Rays to win the 2008 World Series last week at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. In winning the World Series 4 games to 1, the Phils copped only the second Major League Baseball championship in a long team history dating back to the 19th century.
The Phillies and Rays were tied at one game apiece heading into Game Three last Saturday. In what turned out to be a rain-delayed marathon that lasted until 1:47 in the morning, the Phils bested Tampa Bay, 5-4, by plating the winning run in a bizarre ninth inning. With the game knotted up at 4-4, Tampa Bay's J.P. Howell hit Phils leadoff batter Eric Bruntlett with a pitch, and was immediately replaced by Grant Balfour on the mound to face Shane Victorino.
As Victorino squared off for a bunt to advance Bruntlett into scoring position, but instead, Balfour uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Bruntlett to advance to second. Rays catcher Dioner Navarro then threw the ball to second in an attempt to get Bruntlett sliding into the base, but Navarro's throw sailed past second into center field, upon which Bruntlett popped back on his feet and scurried safely into third base.
Balfour went on to intentionally walk both Victorino and pinch-hitter Greg Dobbs to fill the bases with nobody out. Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon then brought Ben Zobrist in from right field to set up behind second place, giving the Rays five infielders with just two outfielders and Carlos Ruiz stepping up to the plate for Philadelphia.
Ruiz topped a dribbler on a 2-2 pitch to Rays third baseman Evan Longoria, who bobbled the ball and could not make a play as Bruntlett crossed home plate with the winning run. One bright spot for Tampa Bay was center fielder B.J. Upton, who stole three bases in the game to tie a World Series single-game record.
After Saturday's tight ballgame, Sunday's Game Four was a good old-fashioned slugfest in which the Phillies did most of the slugging as Philadelphia beat Tampa Bay by a 10-2 count. Ryan Howard crushed two of the Phillies' four homers while Joe Blanton became the 13th pitcher in World Series history to hit a longball, the first since Oakland's Ken Holtzman hit one against the Cincinnati Reds in 1974. Jayson Werth also homered for the Phils.
The Phils got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first when Rays starter Andy Sonnanstine walked Pat Burrell with the bases loaded to bring Jimmy Rollins in from third, and the home side never looked back. Carl Crawford and Eric Hinske each hit solo homers to account for Tampa Bay's scoring in the game.
The World Series finally came to a close Wednesday night when the Phillies vanquished the Rays, 4-3, in a game that began Monday night and went through two postponements because of rain. Game Five was tied at 3-3 when the Rays' Rocco Baldelli homered in the seventh innings, but the Phillies went ahead for good in the bottom of the seventh when Pedro Feliz' single up the middle drove in Bruntlett from third. It was left to Brad Lidge to record his 48th save since opening day for the Phils to put both the Rays and the Series away. Lidge did not blow a single save opportunity throughout the 2008 season.
The Phillies and Rays were tied at one game apiece heading into Game Three last Saturday. In what turned out to be a rain-delayed marathon that lasted until 1:47 in the morning, the Phils bested Tampa Bay, 5-4, by plating the winning run in a bizarre ninth inning. With the game knotted up at 4-4, Tampa Bay's J.P. Howell hit Phils leadoff batter Eric Bruntlett with a pitch, and was immediately replaced by Grant Balfour on the mound to face Shane Victorino.
As Victorino squared off for a bunt to advance Bruntlett into scoring position, but instead, Balfour uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Bruntlett to advance to second. Rays catcher Dioner Navarro then threw the ball to second in an attempt to get Bruntlett sliding into the base, but Navarro's throw sailed past second into center field, upon which Bruntlett popped back on his feet and scurried safely into third base.
Balfour went on to intentionally walk both Victorino and pinch-hitter Greg Dobbs to fill the bases with nobody out. Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon then brought Ben Zobrist in from right field to set up behind second place, giving the Rays five infielders with just two outfielders and Carlos Ruiz stepping up to the plate for Philadelphia.
Ruiz topped a dribbler on a 2-2 pitch to Rays third baseman Evan Longoria, who bobbled the ball and could not make a play as Bruntlett crossed home plate with the winning run. One bright spot for Tampa Bay was center fielder B.J. Upton, who stole three bases in the game to tie a World Series single-game record.
After Saturday's tight ballgame, Sunday's Game Four was a good old-fashioned slugfest in which the Phillies did most of the slugging as Philadelphia beat Tampa Bay by a 10-2 count. Ryan Howard crushed two of the Phillies' four homers while Joe Blanton became the 13th pitcher in World Series history to hit a longball, the first since Oakland's Ken Holtzman hit one against the Cincinnati Reds in 1974. Jayson Werth also homered for the Phils.
The Phils got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first when Rays starter Andy Sonnanstine walked Pat Burrell with the bases loaded to bring Jimmy Rollins in from third, and the home side never looked back. Carl Crawford and Eric Hinske each hit solo homers to account for Tampa Bay's scoring in the game.
The World Series finally came to a close Wednesday night when the Phillies vanquished the Rays, 4-3, in a game that began Monday night and went through two postponements because of rain. Game Five was tied at 3-3 when the Rays' Rocco Baldelli homered in the seventh innings, but the Phillies went ahead for good in the bottom of the seventh when Pedro Feliz' single up the middle drove in Bruntlett from third. It was left to Brad Lidge to record his 48th save since opening day for the Phils to put both the Rays and the Series away. Lidge did not blow a single save opportunity throughout the 2008 season.
YOMIURI TO MEET SEIBU IN JAPAN SERIES
Alex Ramirez swatted a tiebreaking two-run homer in the eighth inning last Saturday to lift the Yomiuri Giants to a 6-2 win over the Chunichi Dragons and a slot in this month's Japan Series against the Seibu Lions. The victory gave the Giants their first Central League berth in the Japan Series in six years after winning the regular season pennant by overtaking the Hanshin Tigers in the last week of the season. Yomiuri won the regular season title last year as well, but fell short against Chunichi in the Central League Climax Series.
Not so this time. After being spotted a win going into the finals against the Dragons by virtue of their first-place finish, the Giants won two games and lost one, with one contest ending in a tie. With the score tied at 2-2 in the bottom of the eighth in the clinching game, Yomiuri's Takayuki Terauchi stroked a leadoff double off Chunichi left-hander Akifumi Takehashi. Ramirez then stepped to the plate and bashed a Takehashi pitch into the left field seats to give the Giants a lead they would never relinquish. Mark Kroon, who saved 41 games over the regular season, came on in the ninth and retired the Dragons without a run to preserve the win and eliminate the defending Japan Series champions.
The Giants and the Pacific League champion Lions were slated to begin the Japan Series this weekend.
Not so this time. After being spotted a win going into the finals against the Dragons by virtue of their first-place finish, the Giants won two games and lost one, with one contest ending in a tie. With the score tied at 2-2 in the bottom of the eighth in the clinching game, Yomiuri's Takayuki Terauchi stroked a leadoff double off Chunichi left-hander Akifumi Takehashi. Ramirez then stepped to the plate and bashed a Takehashi pitch into the left field seats to give the Giants a lead they would never relinquish. Mark Kroon, who saved 41 games over the regular season, came on in the ninth and retired the Dragons without a run to preserve the win and eliminate the defending Japan Series champions.
The Giants and the Pacific League champion Lions were slated to begin the Japan Series this weekend.
TAIWAN SERIES TIED AT 1-1, T-REX FRANCHISE FORCED TO DISBAND
The President Lions defeated the Brother Elephants, 5-4, last weekend in Game Two of the 2008 Taiwan Series to tie the title set at one game apiece. A crowd of more than 17,000 turned out for the contest as Lions first baseman K.C. Kao went 2-for-3 at the plate with a triple and two RBIs. President's ace pitcher Pan “Du Du” Wei-Lun pitched eight innings and gave up four runs on seven hits, including a two-run homer by Lin Ming-Hsien.
Brother won the opening game 9-3 behind Wang Chin-Yong's two-run homer, three hits including two doubles with two RBIs from Chen Kuan-Jen, and game MVP Wang Sheng-Wei's single and double with a ribbie.
While the playoffs wind down in Taiwan, the league disbanded the dMedia T-Rex franchise after the team was embroiled in game-fixing allegations following their offseason purchase by new ownership alleged to have deep ties with organized crime. The reduction of the T-Rex leaves the Chinese Professional Baseball League with five teams after a year marked by financial problems and low attendance figures. There is some concern among observers that the league may not return in 2009, leaving Taiwan without pro baseball.
Brother won the opening game 9-3 behind Wang Chin-Yong's two-run homer, three hits including two doubles with two RBIs from Chen Kuan-Jen, and game MVP Wang Sheng-Wei's single and double with a ribbie.
While the playoffs wind down in Taiwan, the league disbanded the dMedia T-Rex franchise after the team was embroiled in game-fixing allegations following their offseason purchase by new ownership alleged to have deep ties with organized crime. The reduction of the T-Rex leaves the Chinese Professional Baseball League with five teams after a year marked by financial problems and low attendance figures. There is some concern among observers that the league may not return in 2009, leaving Taiwan without pro baseball.
PUERTO RICAN SEASON TO BEGIN THIS WEEK, PUDGE TO PLAY FOR CAGUAS
The reformed Puerto Rico League will open their 2008-09 season later this week after taking last winter off due to financial troubles. There are six teams slated to play this season, including the Caguas Creoles. The Creoles lineup will include catcher Ivan Rodriguez for two weeks in November and one in December. Rodriguez, a likely future Hall of Famer who finished the recently-concluded Major League season with the New York Yankees, has not played winter ball in Puerto Rico for ten years.
The season will begin Thursday night when Santurce takes on Carolina.
The season will begin Thursday night when Santurce takes on Carolina.
GUASAVE TAKES EARLY LEAD IN MEX PAC STANDINGS
The Guasave Algodoneros are the early leaders in the standings two weeks into the Mexican Pacific League standings. After 15 games, Guasave have an 11-5 record, 1.5 games ahead of the Mexicali Aguilas and Los Mochis Caneros (who are both 9-6). The Algodoneros have won seven of nine home games, best in the Mex Pac, and were victorious in seven of their past ten league games.
Guasave's Jose Rodriguez is the Mex Pac batting leader with a .414 average, just ahead of Obregon's Augie Murillo, who is hitting .410. Oscar Robles of Mexicali is off to a hot start with a .370 average, along with five homers and 15 RBIs. Jorge Vasquez of Culiacan has hit a middling .265 so far, but he's made the most of his 13 hits, with a Mex Pac-best seven homers. However, most of those have come with the bases empty, as Vasquez has just ten RBIs to show for it.
Among pitchers, Hermosillo's Juan Delgadillo is off to the best start, with a 3-1 record, a 1.29 ERA and 15 strikeouts over 21 innings.
Guasave's Jose Rodriguez is the Mex Pac batting leader with a .414 average, just ahead of Obregon's Augie Murillo, who is hitting .410. Oscar Robles of Mexicali is off to a hot start with a .370 average, along with five homers and 15 RBIs. Jorge Vasquez of Culiacan has hit a middling .265 so far, but he's made the most of his 13 hits, with a Mex Pac-best seven homers. However, most of those have come with the bases empty, as Vasquez has just ten RBIs to show for it.
Among pitchers, Hermosillo's Juan Delgadillo is off to the best start, with a 3-1 record, a 1.29 ERA and 15 strikeouts over 21 innings.
CARACAS, ZULIA OFF TO STRONG STARTS IN VENEZUELAN LEAGUE
The Caracas Leones and Zulia Aguilas are doing some early jostling in the Venezuelan League standings heading into November. Both clubs have 8-5 record to top the stables, although Caracas has been a bit stronger of late with three straight wins and seven victories over their past ten games, while the Aguilas have played .500 ball in the same timespan.
Two reasons for Zulia's early success have been pitchers Heath Totten and Michael Connolly. Totten has been outstanding in three starts for the Aguilas, with a 2-0 record, an ERA of just 0.90 and 12 strikeouts over 20 innings. Connolly's line is actually more intriguing. Although he has yet to give up an earned run in 12.1 frames, Connolly has an 0-1 record in three starts for the young season. One reason might be the 17 walks he's issued so far.
Among batters, Anzoategui's Josh Kroeger leads the league with a .441 average.
Two reasons for Zulia's early success have been pitchers Heath Totten and Michael Connolly. Totten has been outstanding in three starts for the Aguilas, with a 2-0 record, an ERA of just 0.90 and 12 strikeouts over 20 innings. Connolly's line is actually more intriguing. Although he has yet to give up an earned run in 12.1 frames, Connolly has an 0-1 record in three starts for the young season. One reason might be the 17 walks he's issued so far.
Among batters, Anzoategui's Josh Kroeger leads the league with a .441 average.
CIBAO DUELING WITH AZUCAREROS IN EARLY DOMINICAN RACE
The Cibao Gigantes and Este Azucareros have taken the reins in the early going of Dominican League baseball action this winter. The Gigantes have won four straight games and are in first place with an 8-2 record, a mere half-game up on the Azucareros in the six-team league standings.
Pitcher Joselo Diaz is one reason the Azucareros are off to a strong start. In 14.1 innings pitched, Diaz has a 2-0 record with a 1.26 ERA and 16 strikeouts while giving up just three walks. Anderson Hernandez of Licey leads the league in batting with a .408 average, nearly 20 points ahead of Oriente's Willis Otanez' .389 mark.
Pitcher Joselo Diaz is one reason the Azucareros are off to a strong start. In 14.1 innings pitched, Diaz has a 2-0 record with a 1.26 ERA and 16 strikeouts while giving up just three walks. Anderson Hernandez of Licey leads the league in batting with a .408 average, nearly 20 points ahead of Oriente's Willis Otanez' .389 mark.
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