Voyagers family! It's been a while. I hope everyone is doing well and gearing up for an exciting 2012!
Since my last blog post, I have received a lot of very kind notes from several people and I want to thank all of you for your kind words. In that post, I wrote about how amazing my experience was. I feel even stronger about my words now than I did four months ago.
I was very fortunate to receive an offer from Kattie to come back for the summer of 2012. That was an option I seriously considered, but wanted the chance to explore broadcasting opportunities at the full-season level before making a decision. A few days ago I officially accepted the position to broadcast for the Great Lakes Loons, an A-ball affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. In addition to serving as the team's #2 broadcatser for baseball, I will also lead the local ESPN affiliate, 100.9 FM, as the program director. On top of those responsibilities, I will host my own sports show and broadcast football and basketball in the area. It is a year-round job which means I will be shifting my life from Dallas to Midland, MI in late February.
To all of you who were so kind to welcome me into your community and in some cases, your homes, be it physically or through a radio/internet stream, I can't thank you enough. It is such a privilege to have the microphone, bringing you as close as possible to the action and to the wonderful team.
The acceptance of the offer from Great Lakes was very bittersweet. While I was and am incredibly excited for the challenge, I very much enjoyed my time in Great Falls and am sad to leave behind some very close friends.
My goal is and has always been to become a Major League broadcaster. Great Falls will always be the first professional stop on that journey. Everyone that made my experience so special will always have a unique place in my heart.
Fortunately, in the world of facebook and airplanes, this is not a 'farewell forever,' but merely a 'see you later.' The drive to Great Falls from Midland is 27 hours, so I think I am going to honor the Wright Brothers and fly to the Great Falls at some point this summer to say hi to everyone. But, I am on facebook and nothing would make me happier than to chat or message with any and all of you.
To the men of the press box: Here's to one last handshake! Please give the next broadcaster the same opportunity to join in on the camaradarie as you all gave me, and make sure to give him equally as hard of a time!
To everyone: Thank you so much for making my experience so special. Please keep in touch.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Below is footage from the Championship clinching game. There is a video I put together, the final call, followed by the raw footage beneath.
Once again, it was an absolute honor and privilege to be a part of all of this. A tip of the hat to the players and the coaching staff. I have had several people congratulate. I do not want to be rude so I accept and appreciate their words, but I do not feel worthy of any such praise. The players and coaching staff deserve all of the credit. The way they fought, the way they faced adversity, and the way they won as a team combined to make them such a special group. So, to the players and the staff, thank you for bringing me along for the ride and, to you, CONGRATULATIONS.
Once again, it was an absolute honor and privilege to be a part of all of this. A tip of the hat to the players and the coaching staff. I have had several people congratulate. I do not want to be rude so I accept and appreciate their words, but I do not feel worthy of any such praise. The players and coaching staff deserve all of the credit. The way they fought, the way they faced adversity, and the way they won as a team combined to make them such a special group. So, to the players and the staff, thank you for bringing me along for the ride and, to you, CONGRATULATIONS.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
09.17.2011: Pioneer League Champions
That's all she wrote. Only one playoff team in every sport in every league gets to end their season with a win. It's nice to be that team. What a way to end the season...as Champions. In a few days I will put up a post with a whole bunch of media from the final game.
I thought about individually thanking just about everyone in this final blog but decided against it. Individually, I will be thanking people on my own time. As a group, however, I want to thank you all for such an amazing experience this summer. Each and every person I spoke to or communicated with played a role and will forever be a part of the memories from this summer I will forever cherish.
It feels like yesterday I was saying goodbye to a world I called home for four great years--USC. On May 29, the night of our final game versus Washington State, I said by to my LA family, the USC Baseball team. That next morning, after making one last round of goodbyes, I began a drive with my father from the City of Angels to Great Falls, the city of...Waterfalls?
I had just graduated a few weeks earlier. Most of my friends were going to play baseball, make a Europe trip or, maybe go home. I was going farther away from home to a destination filled with so much uncertainty. I was nervous, yet excited; confused, yet eager; and definitely hungry--and I mean for food.
Back in December of '10, I committed to the Voyagers. Instead of holding out and weighing potential options, I took no chances and accepted the offer of the first team that expressed interest. Making that initial step into affiliated baseball is very difficult. There was no guarantee anyone else would offer, but I was not going to wait until March to find out. So, much like I chose a college, I blindly agreed to become the Voice of the Voyagers.
Great Falls was unlike any placed I had lived. There was a bit of a culture shock. Not that I couldn't handle it, but I had to get used to it. As I drove around town and saw a few things my first day, my nerves increased. I just wanted the season to begin, but I had 3 weeks.
My first night had great potential. The Mavericks and the Heat played game 1 of the NBA Championship. The Heath won. Whoops. I am big on signs and symbols, and I was worried the anger I felt towards the television set at the Fairfield Inn that night was the same anger I would feel all summer.
As stupid as it might seem, though, the Mavericks played a huge part in my transition. It served as a ground to get to know my co-workers, watching every game with fellow front office members, Scott and Erik. It is a mystery why they let me watch with them as I paced, fidgeted, talked...to myself, screamed, yelled, and cheered. But, they did, I and appreciate that. Ultimately, of course, the Mavericks won. Not to sound unappreciative of certain events in my life or immature, but witnessing the Mavericks win the NBA Championship was absolutely amazing, and, if anything, that statement underexaggerates my emotions towards that event. Regardless, the Mavericks games helped me make a transition to Great Falls.
Then came the MLB Draft. It was awesome following it and seeing where my friends went. I was pretty psyched early on in Day 2 when a pair of Trojans--Logan Odom and Austin Wood--were drafted by the Angels. All I wanted was one Trojan to be in the league and there, I had two. The day progressed and then, Cal catcher, Chadd Krist--a guy I was good friends with from my time spent broadcasting last summer--was drafted by the White Sox. I was sure Chadd would be a Voyager, though he never did end up signing. Seven rounds later turned out to be one of the most important events of the summer. After just texting him moments before, I saw that the White Sox drafted Joseph De Pinto. Without even considering the possibility that he would be assigned to Bristol, I was ecstatic that one of my best friends was going to be in Great Falls with me.
I was so fortunate for those two events to take place as I began an extended period of time in a city unlike any other I had lived around people I did not know, beginning my post-college life. It made things so much easier and, it turns out, those two positive events were symbolic of the summer, rather than that game 1 loss.
As I look back on this summer, I will always have a smile and very fond memories. This was my first summer as a professional broadcaster. This was the first Championship team I have ever been a part of. Good English suggests I need a third 'This was' sentence to make it sound good, but I just can't think of one. Anyway, I learned so much this summer, more than I can express in this blog.
Feel free to contact me at any time. You can reach me at radio@gfvoyagers.com or on twitter, @j_sandler.
On Friday I will begin a trek with dad and my car back to Dallas. Along the way I will stop in Denver to see a friend and go to a Rockies game. On Sunday I will get back to Dallas and go right to see my nephew, Chase. On Monday, work begins. As I head back, though, I will undoubtedly feel nervous, yet excited; confused, yet eager; and, the whole trip without question, 100% hungry.
Great Falls was not a Europe trip, it was not Dallas or Los Angeles, but, for the summer, it was home. I wouldn't trade my experience for anything else.
Goodbye, Baseball. Hello, Pioneer League Champions.
I thought about individually thanking just about everyone in this final blog but decided against it. Individually, I will be thanking people on my own time. As a group, however, I want to thank you all for such an amazing experience this summer. Each and every person I spoke to or communicated with played a role and will forever be a part of the memories from this summer I will forever cherish.
It feels like yesterday I was saying goodbye to a world I called home for four great years--USC. On May 29, the night of our final game versus Washington State, I said by to my LA family, the USC Baseball team. That next morning, after making one last round of goodbyes, I began a drive with my father from the City of Angels to Great Falls, the city of...Waterfalls?
I had just graduated a few weeks earlier. Most of my friends were going to play baseball, make a Europe trip or, maybe go home. I was going farther away from home to a destination filled with so much uncertainty. I was nervous, yet excited; confused, yet eager; and definitely hungry--and I mean for food.
Back in December of '10, I committed to the Voyagers. Instead of holding out and weighing potential options, I took no chances and accepted the offer of the first team that expressed interest. Making that initial step into affiliated baseball is very difficult. There was no guarantee anyone else would offer, but I was not going to wait until March to find out. So, much like I chose a college, I blindly agreed to become the Voice of the Voyagers.
Great Falls was unlike any placed I had lived. There was a bit of a culture shock. Not that I couldn't handle it, but I had to get used to it. As I drove around town and saw a few things my first day, my nerves increased. I just wanted the season to begin, but I had 3 weeks.
My first night had great potential. The Mavericks and the Heat played game 1 of the NBA Championship. The Heath won. Whoops. I am big on signs and symbols, and I was worried the anger I felt towards the television set at the Fairfield Inn that night was the same anger I would feel all summer.
As stupid as it might seem, though, the Mavericks played a huge part in my transition. It served as a ground to get to know my co-workers, watching every game with fellow front office members, Scott and Erik. It is a mystery why they let me watch with them as I paced, fidgeted, talked...to myself, screamed, yelled, and cheered. But, they did, I and appreciate that. Ultimately, of course, the Mavericks won. Not to sound unappreciative of certain events in my life or immature, but witnessing the Mavericks win the NBA Championship was absolutely amazing, and, if anything, that statement underexaggerates my emotions towards that event. Regardless, the Mavericks games helped me make a transition to Great Falls.
Then came the MLB Draft. It was awesome following it and seeing where my friends went. I was pretty psyched early on in Day 2 when a pair of Trojans--Logan Odom and Austin Wood--were drafted by the Angels. All I wanted was one Trojan to be in the league and there, I had two. The day progressed and then, Cal catcher, Chadd Krist--a guy I was good friends with from my time spent broadcasting last summer--was drafted by the White Sox. I was sure Chadd would be a Voyager, though he never did end up signing. Seven rounds later turned out to be one of the most important events of the summer. After just texting him moments before, I saw that the White Sox drafted Joseph De Pinto. Without even considering the possibility that he would be assigned to Bristol, I was ecstatic that one of my best friends was going to be in Great Falls with me.
I was so fortunate for those two events to take place as I began an extended period of time in a city unlike any other I had lived around people I did not know, beginning my post-college life. It made things so much easier and, it turns out, those two positive events were symbolic of the summer, rather than that game 1 loss.
As I look back on this summer, I will always have a smile and very fond memories. This was my first summer as a professional broadcaster. This was the first Championship team I have ever been a part of. Good English suggests I need a third 'This was' sentence to make it sound good, but I just can't think of one. Anyway, I learned so much this summer, more than I can express in this blog.
Feel free to contact me at any time. You can reach me at radio@gfvoyagers.com or on twitter, @j_sandler.
On Friday I will begin a trek with dad and my car back to Dallas. Along the way I will stop in Denver to see a friend and go to a Rockies game. On Sunday I will get back to Dallas and go right to see my nephew, Chase. On Monday, work begins. As I head back, though, I will undoubtedly feel nervous, yet excited; confused, yet eager; and, the whole trip without question, 100% hungry.
Great Falls was not a Europe trip, it was not Dallas or Los Angeles, but, for the summer, it was home. I wouldn't trade my experience for anything else.
Goodbye, Baseball. Hello, Pioneer League Champions.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
09.14.2011: One More To Go...
(Writing this on the bus back from Ogden to Great Falls. The Voyagers have just won Game 1 of the Championship League Series and now have an opportunity to clinch the title at home on Thursday).
Got some quick hitters.
-Last long bus ride of the season. Personally, I do not mind the bus trips. I love movies. I love getting work done. It doesn't totally phase me. A lot of jokes and memories have come from these bus trips. If I didn't have my own row would I feel the same? Not sure. Having my own row is nice.
-So fitting how the Voyagers won tonight's game. It was a grind. They had to comeback--weird, right? The Voyagers coming back. Who'd a thunk? In all seriousness, it did not go as planned. Did Scotty have some bad luck? Ya. But he also did not have his A-game. There's nothing wrong with that, either. He was playing the league's highest-scoring offense. Last I checked, I do not broadcast for the Great Falls Snodgresses. This is a team and the best teams pick up their teammates in situations like this. That is what this group is about: TEAM. Do they have the most individual talent of the teams in the league? Personally, I don't think so. But I genuinely believe they are the best team. They just need to win one more game to prove it.
-The stereotype is that the minor league baseball player is out for himself. He just cares about his numbers. He doesn't care about a ground out to the right side to advance a runner because it is an 0-for him and does not show up in the stat sheet. What is interesting is that, in Rookie Ball, the emphasis is on the individual development. Ryan Newman and every other manager in the league manages to win. They do not want to lose. But they also manage to develop. In game 3 of the season, you are not seeing a manager play the matchups to win. They put players in positions to give them a challenge and to see how they respond. This is slightly different than other levels, where the focus is more and more on winning. With this in mind, it almost gives players a "right" to be selfish, a "right" to care about themselves. What is so impressive about these guys is that they genuinely care about winning. At the beginning of the second half, all you could hear about was "Second Half Push." After finishing in last in the first half, all these guys wanted was to win. Not finish second. Not do better. But win. I admire that. When they were five and six and seven, they were not saying their dream was to win the Pioneer League Championship. They all hope to advance within the organization. But right now, for the team, they want to win. I think this is reflective of their unique competitiveness and their unique bond as a group. This is a special bunch. As pumped as I am that Thursday could be the end, I don't want it to be the end.
-As far as development is concerned, I have to believe that winning is a big part. There are certain players that win. It's what they do. Some of these guys have great stats, but some are more pedestrian. They come in all shapes and sizes but they all have something. I do not know what it is. It is a combination of qualities and characteristics that make them winners. Winning makes people better. Ya, if I am a MLB GM, I salivate when I look at my farm teams and see guys with .350 BAs and high HR, RBI totals or a 3.00 ERA with a K/9 rate of 10+. But, I would like to think if I was a GM, I would be more pumped about a group of players that seem to win at every level. A group of guys like the players on the Voyagers. Guys that win.
-A lot of people have asked about a post-season blog. I will likely keep my blog up, but it will not be centered around the Voyagers after the season. What will the subject matter be? Whatever my ADD mind wants. BUT, I will submit a final Voyagers post that wraps up the summer, my memories, my experiences, some good-byes and thank yous, and hopefully some video footage of the Voyagers reaching the top of the mountain. I hope you enjoy it.
-Even more people have asked about my "Final Call" if we were to win a fourth game in the Playoffs. What will it be? Have you thought about it? I hope to be doing this for years and maybe I will change my stance on this over time, but I do not like to plan ahead for a call like that. Just as you see the natural emotions of the players pour out as they celebrate, I feel like a call like this is best spontaneous. If a corny cliche pops out, so be it. But all I care about is that my call reflects my genuine emotion and passion and not something scripted. It is impossible to totally ignore it, but I do not have something set.
-
Got some quick hitters.
-Last long bus ride of the season. Personally, I do not mind the bus trips. I love movies. I love getting work done. It doesn't totally phase me. A lot of jokes and memories have come from these bus trips. If I didn't have my own row would I feel the same? Not sure. Having my own row is nice.
-So fitting how the Voyagers won tonight's game. It was a grind. They had to comeback--weird, right? The Voyagers coming back. Who'd a thunk? In all seriousness, it did not go as planned. Did Scotty have some bad luck? Ya. But he also did not have his A-game. There's nothing wrong with that, either. He was playing the league's highest-scoring offense. Last I checked, I do not broadcast for the Great Falls Snodgresses. This is a team and the best teams pick up their teammates in situations like this. That is what this group is about: TEAM. Do they have the most individual talent of the teams in the league? Personally, I don't think so. But I genuinely believe they are the best team. They just need to win one more game to prove it.
-The stereotype is that the minor league baseball player is out for himself. He just cares about his numbers. He doesn't care about a ground out to the right side to advance a runner because it is an 0-for him and does not show up in the stat sheet. What is interesting is that, in Rookie Ball, the emphasis is on the individual development. Ryan Newman and every other manager in the league manages to win. They do not want to lose. But they also manage to develop. In game 3 of the season, you are not seeing a manager play the matchups to win. They put players in positions to give them a challenge and to see how they respond. This is slightly different than other levels, where the focus is more and more on winning. With this in mind, it almost gives players a "right" to be selfish, a "right" to care about themselves. What is so impressive about these guys is that they genuinely care about winning. At the beginning of the second half, all you could hear about was "Second Half Push." After finishing in last in the first half, all these guys wanted was to win. Not finish second. Not do better. But win. I admire that. When they were five and six and seven, they were not saying their dream was to win the Pioneer League Championship. They all hope to advance within the organization. But right now, for the team, they want to win. I think this is reflective of their unique competitiveness and their unique bond as a group. This is a special bunch. As pumped as I am that Thursday could be the end, I don't want it to be the end.
-As far as development is concerned, I have to believe that winning is a big part. There are certain players that win. It's what they do. Some of these guys have great stats, but some are more pedestrian. They come in all shapes and sizes but they all have something. I do not know what it is. It is a combination of qualities and characteristics that make them winners. Winning makes people better. Ya, if I am a MLB GM, I salivate when I look at my farm teams and see guys with .350 BAs and high HR, RBI totals or a 3.00 ERA with a K/9 rate of 10+. But, I would like to think if I was a GM, I would be more pumped about a group of players that seem to win at every level. A group of guys like the players on the Voyagers. Guys that win.
-A lot of people have asked about a post-season blog. I will likely keep my blog up, but it will not be centered around the Voyagers after the season. What will the subject matter be? Whatever my ADD mind wants. BUT, I will submit a final Voyagers post that wraps up the summer, my memories, my experiences, some good-byes and thank yous, and hopefully some video footage of the Voyagers reaching the top of the mountain. I hope you enjoy it.
-Even more people have asked about my "Final Call" if we were to win a fourth game in the Playoffs. What will it be? Have you thought about it? I hope to be doing this for years and maybe I will change my stance on this over time, but I do not like to plan ahead for a call like that. Just as you see the natural emotions of the players pour out as they celebrate, I feel like a call like this is best spontaneous. If a corny cliche pops out, so be it. But all I care about is that my call reflects my genuine emotion and passion and not something scripted. It is impossible to totally ignore it, but I do not have something set.
-
Saturday, September 10, 2011
09.10.2011: The Belt
(Currently on the bus heading to Missoula as i write
this)
I wish we could get a population on the gnats in attendance to tonight's game. They must have enjoyed the action they caught because a good group of them are on the bus with us to Missoula. Thankfully this is only a three hour trip.
I am always thankful as I watch the players spend every second in between each pitch swatting away the insects. For the most part, I stay out of harms way in the box, although for the past few weeks, I get about two big bees per game joining me for a few pitches. Now, I am right along with the guys swatting away these freakin' things. Not conducive for a relaxing environment. Dealing with this after a win makes it much better.
Anyway...at the bottom of this post is a small little video I made which honors Jamaal Hollis and Jeffer Patino, the winners of the "Championship Belt" awarded to the hardest winning pitcher and position player at each level, as decided on by Strength and Conditioning Coach, Tim Rodmaker, the field staff, and Strength and Conditioning Instructor, Dale Torborg. As you will see below, the belts are exactly like those you see awarded to wrestling champions or boxing champions. Of course, Dale, formerly known as the Demon, used to be a professional wrestler.
Before we get into tonight's game, let's backtrack a bit...
To close out the season, the team won 9 of their final 11 games, highlighted by an 8-game winning streak, including a big sweep of Missoula on the road and two huge wins over Billings to claim a two-game division lead. Despite the streak, those buggers from Billings wouldn't lose and the Voyagers could not increase their lead beyond 2 games. Eventually, after losing back-to-back games, first Helena and then to Missoula, the Voyagers found their lead down to one game with one to play. It was tough to consider that the Voyagers, the hottest team in the league just a few days before, was in jeopardy of losing their playoff berth. But they pulled it together and clinched the division with the win over Missoula in the finale. It was neat how the game developed because I believe it was a microcosm of the season.
After the first inning the Voyagers trailed 3-0. Right away, the Voyagers came back to get two runs to cut the deficit to one and then, while they had an opportunity to tie the score and maybe even take the lead with some base runners, they settled for just the two runs in the inning. After falling behind 4-2, the Voyagers tied it up in the fourth only to see Missoula immediately reclaim the lead, 5-4. Sure enough, the Voyagers took a lead, 6-5 but, once again, they immediately gave it right back, falling behind 8-6. So, what do the Voyagers do? They score five runs in the top of the sixth to lead 11-8. The final few innings were by no means relaxing. Missoula threatened in both the eighth and ninth only to have Kevin Vance shut the door on both occasions. Ultimately, the Voyagers won 11-8.
So...let's think about this.
On a larger scale, the Voyagers put themselves behind the eight ball pretty early on in the season. While they were never out of the division until the end of their Utah trip, specifically the series in Orem, they were constantly fighting from behind. On a more specific scale, the Voyagers, in the early part of the season, would fall behind in individual games, fight back, but just come up short, kind of like the top of 2nd where they came to within one, had an opportunity to put more on the board, but fell short.
Let's go to the innings 4 and 5, which, to me, symbolizes a first-half trend on inconsistency that represented the anchor preventing the team from taking off. The Voyagers tied the game in the fourth only to give the lead right back. They then took the lead and lost the lead all in the 5th. In the first half of the season, the Voyagers were unable to put together a three-game winning streak. Even Casper, the worst team in the first half by a decent amount, had two streaks of three wins or more. But, the Voyagers would trade a win with a loss and another win with two losses then a win and a loss, two wins, and then a loss, etc etc etc. While they never let it all fall apart (throughout the regular season, the Voyagers, quite remarkably if you ask me, had losing streaks of four games twice and three games just once), they were unable to get on a roll. But then, right when the second half got going, in the case of this game, the top of the sixth inning, the Voyagers started to pull it together. In the five run inning, the Voyagers got three runs to take a one run lead. Instead of stopping there--like the inability to win three straight in the first half or settling in the first part of the game--the Voyagers added two more big runs, kind of like how they were finally able to win three or more and give themselves an opportunity to separate. What happened next? The Voyagers battled. Their inability to score the rest of the way was not as much due to struggles at the plate as it was good pitching from Missoula. And Missoula's continued pressure was not because of poor pitching from the Voyagers, just the inevitable of a very strong lineup trying to get back in the game. This is all parallel, to me, to how Billings would not just bow down to the Voyagers and continued to hand around and hang around. Ultimately, in the end of the game, the Voyagers pulled through, just like they did in the division. And how did they get it done? For one, Michael Earley's huge double with the bases loaded gave them the lead. Fitting that it was Earley, one of the leaders in the clubhouse and, in my opinion, an unsung hero of the offensive attack, who got the eventual game-winning hit. Earley's consitent production was overshadowed by Kevan Smith's tear and Mark Haddow's power surge, but Earley was a consistent force in the middle-to-bottom part of the lineup. Secondly, the bullpen. They brought it home in the game and they were huge in the second half. Great Falls' bullpen ERA, which was around 2.70 in the second half, was the best in the league. Not even really close. Oh, and how could I forget. The team that made their mark coming from behind--including a five-game winning streak in the second half featuring five comeback wins--won their most important game...coming from behind.
If that was a stretch, I am sorry...but I just couldn't let it go.
Now let's talk playoffs...
I said in my introductory blog that, among my few singular passions, is competing or the idea of competition. I am a competitive son of a gun. Yet, I never won a state championship or, in college, working for the USC baseball team, never made the post season. As a media member at USC, I never witnessed the powerhouse Trojans make a National Championship game, despite, my first two years, having the most talented team in the country--you can argue with me, but I will win. I mean, jeez...until this recent year, my favorite teams struggled to bring home the bacon. Nonetheless, I cannot tell you how excited I am that, in my first professional season, I get to broadcast playoff baseball. I love being a part of sports on a big stage. Is this the World Series? No. But for the Great Falls Voyagers and every team in the Pioneer League, this is what is at stake. It is awesome to be a part of a team that is winning and I am so thankful to all the players and field staff for providing me this opportunity. They work their butt off and they deserve all of this. I am just thankful that I am along for the ride which I hope keeps going all the way to the Championship.
But, like I said, this is because of them. This is not about me, nor should it ever be. This is about the Voyagers. The players. The coaches. Their trainer and their strength and conditioning coach. This is about the White Sox people that come to Great Falls. They are the ones that, despite finishing in last place in the first half, entered the second half with an awesome attitude. They are the group that consistently fought and fought, both in individual games and in a tight late-season playoff race. They came up with the big hit, made the big pitch, or made the big adjustment to enjoy more success.
We are on the bus to Missoula with the hope of winning one of two so as to advance to the Championship. If that's the case, baseball will return to Great Falls in a just a few days. Tonight, the boys played in front of a loud crowd. To all of those in attendance, I tip my cap to you for your support. But the crowd was just shy of 700 and I find it hard to believe more people in the town would not enjoy some men representing their town with some playoff baseball. I hope that, if baseball comes back here next week, we can get some of the biggest crowds of the season. Chances are that those of you reading this are the same people at the games, making noise, or you are the families thousands of miles away. For those with an influence, spread the word. Help us promote the Voyagers game. But don't do it because I am asking you because, as I have said, this is not about me. Do it because these men deserve it. They deserve to play in front of a few thousand fans.
One win down, one more to go, and then another two after that. One game at a time. It all continues Saturday night in Missoula. What will the end result be? Only time will tell. But I can guarantee you that these boys will fight their effing tails off for nine innings--or more if the game dictates such--because that's what they have done since day 1. I hope everyone can appreciate and admire that. I know I sure as hell do.
--------------
Without further ado...THE CHAMPIONSHIP BELT
this)
I wish we could get a population on the gnats in attendance to tonight's game. They must have enjoyed the action they caught because a good group of them are on the bus with us to Missoula. Thankfully this is only a three hour trip.
I am always thankful as I watch the players spend every second in between each pitch swatting away the insects. For the most part, I stay out of harms way in the box, although for the past few weeks, I get about two big bees per game joining me for a few pitches. Now, I am right along with the guys swatting away these freakin' things. Not conducive for a relaxing environment. Dealing with this after a win makes it much better.
Anyway...at the bottom of this post is a small little video I made which honors Jamaal Hollis and Jeffer Patino, the winners of the "Championship Belt" awarded to the hardest winning pitcher and position player at each level, as decided on by Strength and Conditioning Coach, Tim Rodmaker, the field staff, and Strength and Conditioning Instructor, Dale Torborg. As you will see below, the belts are exactly like those you see awarded to wrestling champions or boxing champions. Of course, Dale, formerly known as the Demon, used to be a professional wrestler.
Before we get into tonight's game, let's backtrack a bit...
To close out the season, the team won 9 of their final 11 games, highlighted by an 8-game winning streak, including a big sweep of Missoula on the road and two huge wins over Billings to claim a two-game division lead. Despite the streak, those buggers from Billings wouldn't lose and the Voyagers could not increase their lead beyond 2 games. Eventually, after losing back-to-back games, first Helena and then to Missoula, the Voyagers found their lead down to one game with one to play. It was tough to consider that the Voyagers, the hottest team in the league just a few days before, was in jeopardy of losing their playoff berth. But they pulled it together and clinched the division with the win over Missoula in the finale. It was neat how the game developed because I believe it was a microcosm of the season.
After the first inning the Voyagers trailed 3-0. Right away, the Voyagers came back to get two runs to cut the deficit to one and then, while they had an opportunity to tie the score and maybe even take the lead with some base runners, they settled for just the two runs in the inning. After falling behind 4-2, the Voyagers tied it up in the fourth only to see Missoula immediately reclaim the lead, 5-4. Sure enough, the Voyagers took a lead, 6-5 but, once again, they immediately gave it right back, falling behind 8-6. So, what do the Voyagers do? They score five runs in the top of the sixth to lead 11-8. The final few innings were by no means relaxing. Missoula threatened in both the eighth and ninth only to have Kevin Vance shut the door on both occasions. Ultimately, the Voyagers won 11-8.
So...let's think about this.
On a larger scale, the Voyagers put themselves behind the eight ball pretty early on in the season. While they were never out of the division until the end of their Utah trip, specifically the series in Orem, they were constantly fighting from behind. On a more specific scale, the Voyagers, in the early part of the season, would fall behind in individual games, fight back, but just come up short, kind of like the top of 2nd where they came to within one, had an opportunity to put more on the board, but fell short.
Let's go to the innings 4 and 5, which, to me, symbolizes a first-half trend on inconsistency that represented the anchor preventing the team from taking off. The Voyagers tied the game in the fourth only to give the lead right back. They then took the lead and lost the lead all in the 5th. In the first half of the season, the Voyagers were unable to put together a three-game winning streak. Even Casper, the worst team in the first half by a decent amount, had two streaks of three wins or more. But, the Voyagers would trade a win with a loss and another win with two losses then a win and a loss, two wins, and then a loss, etc etc etc. While they never let it all fall apart (throughout the regular season, the Voyagers, quite remarkably if you ask me, had losing streaks of four games twice and three games just once), they were unable to get on a roll. But then, right when the second half got going, in the case of this game, the top of the sixth inning, the Voyagers started to pull it together. In the five run inning, the Voyagers got three runs to take a one run lead. Instead of stopping there--like the inability to win three straight in the first half or settling in the first part of the game--the Voyagers added two more big runs, kind of like how they were finally able to win three or more and give themselves an opportunity to separate. What happened next? The Voyagers battled. Their inability to score the rest of the way was not as much due to struggles at the plate as it was good pitching from Missoula. And Missoula's continued pressure was not because of poor pitching from the Voyagers, just the inevitable of a very strong lineup trying to get back in the game. This is all parallel, to me, to how Billings would not just bow down to the Voyagers and continued to hand around and hang around. Ultimately, in the end of the game, the Voyagers pulled through, just like they did in the division. And how did they get it done? For one, Michael Earley's huge double with the bases loaded gave them the lead. Fitting that it was Earley, one of the leaders in the clubhouse and, in my opinion, an unsung hero of the offensive attack, who got the eventual game-winning hit. Earley's consitent production was overshadowed by Kevan Smith's tear and Mark Haddow's power surge, but Earley was a consistent force in the middle-to-bottom part of the lineup. Secondly, the bullpen. They brought it home in the game and they were huge in the second half. Great Falls' bullpen ERA, which was around 2.70 in the second half, was the best in the league. Not even really close. Oh, and how could I forget. The team that made their mark coming from behind--including a five-game winning streak in the second half featuring five comeback wins--won their most important game...coming from behind.
If that was a stretch, I am sorry...but I just couldn't let it go.
Now let's talk playoffs...
I said in my introductory blog that, among my few singular passions, is competing or the idea of competition. I am a competitive son of a gun. Yet, I never won a state championship or, in college, working for the USC baseball team, never made the post season. As a media member at USC, I never witnessed the powerhouse Trojans make a National Championship game, despite, my first two years, having the most talented team in the country--you can argue with me, but I will win. I mean, jeez...until this recent year, my favorite teams struggled to bring home the bacon. Nonetheless, I cannot tell you how excited I am that, in my first professional season, I get to broadcast playoff baseball. I love being a part of sports on a big stage. Is this the World Series? No. But for the Great Falls Voyagers and every team in the Pioneer League, this is what is at stake. It is awesome to be a part of a team that is winning and I am so thankful to all the players and field staff for providing me this opportunity. They work their butt off and they deserve all of this. I am just thankful that I am along for the ride which I hope keeps going all the way to the Championship.
But, like I said, this is because of them. This is not about me, nor should it ever be. This is about the Voyagers. The players. The coaches. Their trainer and their strength and conditioning coach. This is about the White Sox people that come to Great Falls. They are the ones that, despite finishing in last place in the first half, entered the second half with an awesome attitude. They are the group that consistently fought and fought, both in individual games and in a tight late-season playoff race. They came up with the big hit, made the big pitch, or made the big adjustment to enjoy more success.
We are on the bus to Missoula with the hope of winning one of two so as to advance to the Championship. If that's the case, baseball will return to Great Falls in a just a few days. Tonight, the boys played in front of a loud crowd. To all of those in attendance, I tip my cap to you for your support. But the crowd was just shy of 700 and I find it hard to believe more people in the town would not enjoy some men representing their town with some playoff baseball. I hope that, if baseball comes back here next week, we can get some of the biggest crowds of the season. Chances are that those of you reading this are the same people at the games, making noise, or you are the families thousands of miles away. For those with an influence, spread the word. Help us promote the Voyagers game. But don't do it because I am asking you because, as I have said, this is not about me. Do it because these men deserve it. They deserve to play in front of a few thousand fans.
One win down, one more to go, and then another two after that. One game at a time. It all continues Saturday night in Missoula. What will the end result be? Only time will tell. But I can guarantee you that these boys will fight their effing tails off for nine innings--or more if the game dictates such--because that's what they have done since day 1. I hope everyone can appreciate and admire that. I know I sure as hell do.
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Without further ado...THE CHAMPIONSHIP BELT
Friday, September 9, 2011
09.09.2011: Stache Crew Update
It's been a while but here's the pre-playoff update on the Stache Crew. The two founding members who have held strong all summer: Tim Rodmaker and Kevin Vance and they are joined by Jamaal Hollis
Top to bottom:
Kevin and Tim
Tim
Jamaal
Kevin
Kevin Jamaal Tim
Top to bottom:
Kevin and Tim
Tim
Jamaal
Kevin
Kevin Jamaal Tim
09.09.11
The last week has been intense. I am going to put all of my thoughts together after tonight's playoff opener. I always have a video I am working on some final kinks to post as well.
Plain and simple, we got playoff baseball again in Great Falls. These boys have fought their tails off all year long to make the worst-to-first possibility a reality. They deserve your support and it would be great to see that support at the ballpark tonight.
VOYAGERS. OSPREY. GAME 1. 7PM.
Plain and simple, we got playoff baseball again in Great Falls. These boys have fought their tails off all year long to make the worst-to-first possibility a reality. They deserve your support and it would be great to see that support at the ballpark tonight.
VOYAGERS. OSPREY. GAME 1. 7PM.
Monday, September 5, 2011
09.04.2011: Inside the Dugout: Michael Earley
Michael Earley is in his second year with the Voyagers and he is without a question one of the leaders of this team. Keeping it loose in the clubhouse, he's the team comedian but when it comes time to strap it on, he is an absolute competitor. He's come up with clutch hits and big plays in the field and is a huge reason why the team has had such great success in the second half...
Without further do...
Without further do...
Friday, September 2, 2011
08.02.2011: Big Time Baseball
Plain and simple: I am PUMPED. Two teams. Same record. One playoff spot. A two-game series. No better way to try and get some separation than play mono e mono.
Going to Missoula was a tall task. On paper, taking 2 of 3 would have been a big win, but a sweep? That's rising to the occasion. Hats off to Mark Haddow, Kevan Smith, and the pitching staff. And how about David Herbek? He hit .247 in August but had a team-high 19 RBIs. That, to me, further builds towards the point that he gets BIG hits. He might go 0-for-the-season with nobody on base in a 10-run ballgame, but with runners on base or in any big spot, he delivers and he did so again in the series.
During the road trip my FlipCam got hijacked again, this time by Stew Brase. Once again, I utilize this blog to bring you closer to the team, not for my own self-promotion. But, I ask these guys for their time day after day, so if they want to have some fun, I am more than happy to oblige.
Going to Missoula was a tall task. On paper, taking 2 of 3 would have been a big win, but a sweep? That's rising to the occasion. Hats off to Mark Haddow, Kevan Smith, and the pitching staff. And how about David Herbek? He hit .247 in August but had a team-high 19 RBIs. That, to me, further builds towards the point that he gets BIG hits. He might go 0-for-the-season with nobody on base in a 10-run ballgame, but with runners on base or in any big spot, he delivers and he did so again in the series.
During the road trip my FlipCam got hijacked again, this time by Stew Brase. Once again, I utilize this blog to bring you closer to the team, not for my own self-promotion. But, I ask these guys for their time day after day, so if they want to have some fun, I am more than happy to oblige.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
08.25.2011: Back To School...Kinda
So I decided to give the guys a Montana State Quiz to see how well they truly knew the state they were living in. Take a look and see how they did...
#37 Chris Devenski
#11 Michael Earley vs. #34 Blair Walters
#45 Jamaal Hollis
#20 Jimmy Jacquot
#21 Kevan Smith
Strength & Conditioning Coach, Tim Rodmaker
#5 Manager, Ryan Newman
#37 Chris Devenski
#11 Michael Earley vs. #34 Blair Walters
#45 Jamaal Hollis
#20 Jimmy Jacquot
#21 Kevan Smith
Strength & Conditioning Coach, Tim Rodmaker
#5 Manager, Ryan Newman
Monday, August 22, 2011
08.22.2011: Home At Last
At long last, the road trip comes to an end. Twelve days is a long time but I think it's good that everyone experienced this because trips like this are likely to occur every year as the players continue with their careers. The trip got off to a slow start, losing three in a row to Billings before squeaking out the finale. It was nice to finish the trip with a 6-5 record and a share of first place in North. Exciting baseball is coming up but the Voyagers need to take advantage of the upcoming homestand of seven games.
Too much occurred throughout the trip but here are some highlights...
-On the bus, we watched a total of ten different movies, while finishing nine of them
-On my own, I watched an extra four movies and watched the entire final season of Friday Night Lights.
-I listened to over 20 hours of audio, whether it was listening back to my own games or listening to recordings or live broadcasts.
-I, along with everyone else (I hope) had their bed made and room cleaned every day...definitely missing this
-As far as I know (knock on wood) I did not lose anything
-The trip included the first no-hitter in the Pioneer League in almost a year as Scott Snodgress (6ip), Blake Drake (1ip), and Joe Dvorsky (2ip) turned the trick against the Casper Ghosts in the finale
-Mark Haddow doubled seven times in the final seven games of the road trip
-Kyle Eveland homered twice
-The Voyagers set a season high with 15 runs and set a season high with 19 hits in a game against Casper, only to tie the hit mark in the final game against Idaho Falls
-In the first game in Casper, the Voyagers participated in a game that featured winds as strong as 45 mph
-Kevan Smith came to life, collecting ten hits in the final four games
Final numbers over the course of the 11-game road trip and how they compare to season numbers...
BA: .284 (+.010)
R/G: 7.8 (+2.2)
OBP: .364 (+.008)
BB/G: 4.5 (+.8)
ERA: 5.26 (+0.60ish...in a bad way)
K/G: 10.5 (+2ish)
Final numbers over the course of the 7-games against South division opponents and how they compare to season numbers
BA: .320 (+.045...wow)
R/G: 7.3 (+1.7)
OBP: .396 (+.040)
BB/G: 4.8 (+1.1)
ERA: 4.65 (same)
K/G: 8.7 (around the same)
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This is a funny video of Joe Maddon...One of my favorite managers
http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=18297313&c_id=tb
Pretty funny argument
-------
Ok so I haven't used the blog this summer to voice my own sports opinions nearly as much as I did last summer...
While we were away, there were a few noteworthy occurrences in the sporting world...
Let's start with Carlos Zambrano walking out on his team and threatening to retire. Through all of his antics, I still somehow have a soft spot for "Big Z." Regardless, what he did was inexcusable. I don't care about his own personal agenda or why he decided to walk out, whether it was an argument with a coach, an individual player, an umpire, or maybe even a combination of the above. Whatever the case, in the time he woke up that day to the time he decided to pack up and leave in the middle of the game, I can promise you that not all of his teammates and coaches wronged him. I can promise you that not every front office member wronged him. I can promise you that not every person who is employed by the Cubs, be it as an usher, a beer salesman, or a janitor, wronged him. And I can definitely promise you that not every fan--the same people who stuck with Zambrano through his outbursts and inconsistencies, wronged him. By walking out like he did, regardless of who he intended to prove a point to, Zambrano walked out on all of those people, among others. They didn't deserve that.
I don't like to voice strong opinions regarding players and contract situations because I feel like their money is their business, and while I might think a player is being ridiculous at times, or a GM is being stingy for not paying a deserving athlete, I tend to keep quiet on those issues. But a player walking out on a team? Yeah, I've never been a professional athlete, but that is wrong.
Let's just focus on the 24 other players that wear the Cubs uniform every night. What does that tell your teammates? When the going get's tough, quit? Why is he so special that he can do that?
I will continue to pull for Carlos Zambrano to turn his life around, but I would never want Carlos Zambrano on my team...and I wonder how many baseball players now share that same sentiment.
-------
I am a proud USC Trojan. They recently suffered some pretty harsh penalties for actions of those not connected to the University. Am I oblivious? No. I am sure those who represent the University broke a rule or two or three or more than I care to know over the years. So does every school. Whatever. USC punishment's were more extreme than they should have been, especially since other programs, namely Ohio State, have merely gotten a slap on the wrist for infractions since.
The University of Miami, however, stands to face even harsher punishment for the various infractions involving their athletic programs that have recently come to light. Two things that come to mind on this issue for me...
First, comments made by former Miami AD, Paul Dee, are really disturbing. The same guy who was on the board that oversaw USC's case suggested that the Trojans should be responsible for the dealings of their own players without people outside of the University. He said that USC should have been aware of what each on of its athletes was doing or with whom they were interacting. Weird, but now that Miami has been implicated, the man who was running the ship during the years most of these illegalities took place, is now defending Miami saying that, "How were we supposed to know what our players were doing?"...
Talk about hypocrisy.
Second, and more importantly, is that the term "Death Penalty" has been thrown around for potential punishment. I am all for punishing Miami but I feel the death penalty does way more bad than it does good. Think of something incredibly jaw-dropping and extreme and maybe the death penalty is appropriate. And by extreme, I am talking about lives or well-beings being put in danger.
I grew up in Dallas, Texas and I often forget that I lived down the street from a D1 Athletics Program at SMU. Ya, most of their programs were in good shape but the program that puts you on the map, football, was abysmal and never talked about. The death penalty set SMU back a couple of decades. I think the Miami brand might prevent such a lengthy setback, but it will cause major long term damage. I feel like the death penalty effects an umbrella of people and that umbrella includes too many people that do not deserve to be punished.
Whether right or wrong, Miami got caught doing something or taking part in something that several other universities do. I would like to think that the NCAA knows this stuff goes on. Make an example of Miami? If it makes you sleep better at night, then do it. But don't do it to such an extreme degree that they are effected for a larger span of time than which the infractions occurred.
Too much occurred throughout the trip but here are some highlights...
-On the bus, we watched a total of ten different movies, while finishing nine of them
-On my own, I watched an extra four movies and watched the entire final season of Friday Night Lights.
-I listened to over 20 hours of audio, whether it was listening back to my own games or listening to recordings or live broadcasts.
-I, along with everyone else (I hope) had their bed made and room cleaned every day...definitely missing this
-As far as I know (knock on wood) I did not lose anything
-The trip included the first no-hitter in the Pioneer League in almost a year as Scott Snodgress (6ip), Blake Drake (1ip), and Joe Dvorsky (2ip) turned the trick against the Casper Ghosts in the finale
-Mark Haddow doubled seven times in the final seven games of the road trip
-Kyle Eveland homered twice
-The Voyagers set a season high with 15 runs and set a season high with 19 hits in a game against Casper, only to tie the hit mark in the final game against Idaho Falls
-In the first game in Casper, the Voyagers participated in a game that featured winds as strong as 45 mph
-Kevan Smith came to life, collecting ten hits in the final four games
Final numbers over the course of the 11-game road trip and how they compare to season numbers...
BA: .284 (+.010)
R/G: 7.8 (+2.2)
OBP: .364 (+.008)
BB/G: 4.5 (+.8)
ERA: 5.26 (+0.60ish...in a bad way)
K/G: 10.5 (+2ish)
Final numbers over the course of the 7-games against South division opponents and how they compare to season numbers
BA: .320 (+.045...wow)
R/G: 7.3 (+1.7)
OBP: .396 (+.040)
BB/G: 4.8 (+1.1)
ERA: 4.65 (same)
K/G: 8.7 (around the same)
-------
This is a funny video of Joe Maddon...One of my favorite managers
http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=18297313&c_id=tb
Pretty funny argument
-------
Ok so I haven't used the blog this summer to voice my own sports opinions nearly as much as I did last summer...
While we were away, there were a few noteworthy occurrences in the sporting world...
Let's start with Carlos Zambrano walking out on his team and threatening to retire. Through all of his antics, I still somehow have a soft spot for "Big Z." Regardless, what he did was inexcusable. I don't care about his own personal agenda or why he decided to walk out, whether it was an argument with a coach, an individual player, an umpire, or maybe even a combination of the above. Whatever the case, in the time he woke up that day to the time he decided to pack up and leave in the middle of the game, I can promise you that not all of his teammates and coaches wronged him. I can promise you that not every front office member wronged him. I can promise you that not every person who is employed by the Cubs, be it as an usher, a beer salesman, or a janitor, wronged him. And I can definitely promise you that not every fan--the same people who stuck with Zambrano through his outbursts and inconsistencies, wronged him. By walking out like he did, regardless of who he intended to prove a point to, Zambrano walked out on all of those people, among others. They didn't deserve that.
I don't like to voice strong opinions regarding players and contract situations because I feel like their money is their business, and while I might think a player is being ridiculous at times, or a GM is being stingy for not paying a deserving athlete, I tend to keep quiet on those issues. But a player walking out on a team? Yeah, I've never been a professional athlete, but that is wrong.
Let's just focus on the 24 other players that wear the Cubs uniform every night. What does that tell your teammates? When the going get's tough, quit? Why is he so special that he can do that?
I will continue to pull for Carlos Zambrano to turn his life around, but I would never want Carlos Zambrano on my team...and I wonder how many baseball players now share that same sentiment.
-------
I am a proud USC Trojan. They recently suffered some pretty harsh penalties for actions of those not connected to the University. Am I oblivious? No. I am sure those who represent the University broke a rule or two or three or more than I care to know over the years. So does every school. Whatever. USC punishment's were more extreme than they should have been, especially since other programs, namely Ohio State, have merely gotten a slap on the wrist for infractions since.
The University of Miami, however, stands to face even harsher punishment for the various infractions involving their athletic programs that have recently come to light. Two things that come to mind on this issue for me...
First, comments made by former Miami AD, Paul Dee, are really disturbing. The same guy who was on the board that oversaw USC's case suggested that the Trojans should be responsible for the dealings of their own players without people outside of the University. He said that USC should have been aware of what each on of its athletes was doing or with whom they were interacting. Weird, but now that Miami has been implicated, the man who was running the ship during the years most of these illegalities took place, is now defending Miami saying that, "How were we supposed to know what our players were doing?"...
Talk about hypocrisy.
Second, and more importantly, is that the term "Death Penalty" has been thrown around for potential punishment. I am all for punishing Miami but I feel the death penalty does way more bad than it does good. Think of something incredibly jaw-dropping and extreme and maybe the death penalty is appropriate. And by extreme, I am talking about lives or well-beings being put in danger.
I grew up in Dallas, Texas and I often forget that I lived down the street from a D1 Athletics Program at SMU. Ya, most of their programs were in good shape but the program that puts you on the map, football, was abysmal and never talked about. The death penalty set SMU back a couple of decades. I think the Miami brand might prevent such a lengthy setback, but it will cause major long term damage. I feel like the death penalty effects an umbrella of people and that umbrella includes too many people that do not deserve to be punished.
Whether right or wrong, Miami got caught doing something or taking part in something that several other universities do. I would like to think that the NCAA knows this stuff goes on. Make an example of Miami? If it makes you sleep better at night, then do it. But don't do it to such an extreme degree that they are effected for a larger span of time than which the infractions occurred.
Friday, August 19, 2011
08.19.2011: Making History
Earlier today I got Scott Snodgress, Blake Drake, Joe Dvorsky, and Kevan Smith to join me for a "No-Hitter Roundtable."
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(This was written while on the bus driving to Idaho Falls from Casper)Wow. That was special. A no-hitter of any kind is a unique moment in a player's career, even more so for those on the field making plays behind the pitcher, and most of all, for those on the mound and the man behind the plate calling pitches.
Congratulations to the Voyagers, the seven men behind the mound in the field, catcher, Kevan Smith, whose role should not be overlooked, and of course, the three pitchers: Scott Snodgress, Blake Drake, and Joe Dvorsky.
That moment--or, the collection of moments--is about those men. We are currently on the bus en route to Idaho Falls as a write this (but not when this gets posted). When we arrive, it will be early morning and everyone will want to sleep. As soon as I get the opportunity, content from the players, specifically those mentioned above, will be on here as I will give them an opportunity to tell their story because that is what it is about. For now, as I have everything fresh on my mind, all I can provide is my account of what took place.
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As a broadcaster, I will point out on air as most broadcasters will, when the first base runner reaches for each team and when the first hit is collected for each team. As a broadcaster, no matter how early or how late these events take place, it is relevant information to convey and typically it is without substantial gravity due to how soon into a game these events typically occur. However, as a baseball fan I always recognize a team's first base runner as the inability for the opposition to throw a perfect game and, if it occurs separately, a team's first hit as the opposition's inability to throw a no-hitter. When both occur for each team, I recognize it as another night in which I will not witness a no-hitter or a perfect game, two of the most unique and special accomplishments in sports. Even if the first batter of the first inning gets a
hit, the first thing that crosses my mind is, Well, no no-hitter or perfect game for that team.
Last summer I broadcasted two seven inning no-hitters in the Northwoods League. Both of them were accomplished against the team I broadcasted for, however, it was still special ad exciting nonetheless. As a matter of fact, in the second of the two, the team I broadcasted for actually won the game in which they were no-hit. Tonight, being a part of the broadcast for the team that accompished the feat, being that it was nine innings, and being that it was a professional baseball game, was incredibly special.
I genuinely mean this:
Scott, Blake, Joe, Kevan, those in the field, and everyone else a part of the team: Thank You So Much for providing me this special opportunity.
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As the manager of the USC baseball team, I was very in tune with the college baseball scene, specifically the scene existing within the then Pac-10.
Scott Snodgress was a freshman at Stanford when I was a sophomore at USC. I remember hearing his name being mentioned among the top recruits in the coutnry when he signed with Stanford. I remember hearing USC players talk about him, especially those that had faced him before college. While his numbers were never jaw-dropping, I remember hearing players, coaches, and scouts alike douse Snodgress with compliments--whether it was his "stuff," or his "ceiling" or his "work ethic."
I have always been and still am very intrigued with how scouts "project" certain players, especially those whose numbers did not match the praise they received. Obviously college is a different game. Different bats, you got to focus on school (epecially at Stanford), and you receive different coaching (not saying it is better or worse, each case is different). Those are just some of the factors that may explain why a player's numbers underwhelm based on praise or where they are drafted or how large their bonus is etc.
Not a knock on Scott, but his numbers were not that of a 5th-Round pick. I have talked to Scott about his time at Stanford and there is good reason why his numbers were what they were. His performance was obviously a part of it, but there were other factors. I don't know that it is my place to divulge, but, from someone who hates excuses, Scott's explanation of his time at Stanford was very interesting (Note: His story came up in a conversation simply about playing at Stanford, not me prodding about his numbers or him trying to make excuses at all.)
When I saw that the White Sox drafted Snodgress I was very excited and hopeful that he'd come to Great Falls. I was intrigued by him. I was intrigued by his potential and I was intrigued by the hype. I was intrigued by a guy who played at Stanford, one of the most successful programs of all-time, much like USC, but also in the present, something USC is not at this time (however, will be soon under the direction of Frank Cruz).
I picked Scott up the airport late in the wee hours of the morning when he arrived and have enjoyed every minute spent with him since.
I always look forward to watching him pitch. Not only have his improvements been noticeable start after start, but, with him, his talent, and his work ethic, I know something unique can happen each time out. Whether it's him making a subtle improvement, or the flashes of dominance we had seen from Scott for a couple of innings this season, it's fun to watch.
As usual, I was looking forward to Scott's start. Little did i know...
----------------
Even through the first inning, I did not expect a pitcher's duel. While Jefri Hernandez retired the side on 5 pitches, the final two outs were hard hit balls within range of the pursuing outfielders.
Scott, on his end, struck out two but threw 18 pitches and it wasn't one of those He's got something special tonight feelings. At least, that's what I observed, not sure how he felt.
It was in Scott's second inning, when he struck out the side, and Hernandez's third, where I figured runs were not going to be aplenty tonight.
However, with that being said, a few times this season Scott will dominate through two or three innings and then all of a sudden look much different thereafter. So, in the back of my head, I was wondering if tonight would be different.
So, while I expected a strong performance from Scott after he flawlessly struck out the side in the second inning, I didn't start taking his perfect game seriously until after the fourth and then, really, not wholeheartedly until after the fifth when he got through the middle of the Ghosts lineup for the second time.
As a baseball fan, I am well aware of what is considered a jinx to a perfect game or a no-hitter. As a broadcaster, it is my responsibility to tell the story. I didn't want to overreact and marvel over perfection through five innings because, let's be real, that's just over halfway. However, I was sure to consistently point out that Scott had faced the minimum or that no one had reached.
When Scott exited after six, I threw out the word perfect for the first time, recognizing his outing as six perfect innings. At that point, I felt like it was okay to throw around the word cautiously. Blake Drake walked the second man he faced but i was quick to point out that the no-hitter was still in tact. At that point, jinx aside, it is my responsibility to identify the potential feat of greatness. However, rest assured, each time i mentioned it, before each upcoming pitch, I sub-consciously prayed it didn't get broken up right then and there with a direct link to my mention. Thankfully, it didn't.
When Drake got through the seventh and Dvorsky came on to throw--one of our best relievers and certainly someone who had demonstrated dominance--I was very excited at the possibility of this all coming full-circle.
The first batter Joe faced, DIllon Thomas, hit a sharp ground ball to the middle. TIMEOUT--without trying to throw anyone under the bus, the Casper playing surface was not smooth at all and created a lot of bad hops. Bad hops are often times ruled hits and for as many ground balls as we fielded, it was awesome that not won trampolined over the head of an infielder or anything else that could result in a hit and not an error--TIME IN. The minute Jeffer Patino had to slide to make a backhanded pickup on the ground ball by Thomas, that opened the door for a hit to be awarded had something from his pickup to the throw gone awry--be it a bad hop, a bobble, a bad throw, or whatever. When a player has to get dirty to make a play, very rarely is an error charged. Sure enough, "The Bossman" made the play and that right there is the proverbial "Gem" each no-hitter seems to include.
Honestly, for the sake for Dvorsky and for just my own giddiness, I wanted nothing unusual about the top of the ninth. I didn't want us to hit around or have a lengthy inning. I was comfortable with the 4run lead and wanted to see Joe get to work.
In between the top and bottom of the ninth, there was a slight case of chaos. Being getaway day, I got to packup all of my equipment on top of my usual post-game responsibilities I need to fulfill before I get to the hotel. There are certain things I can do after I leave the booth when I get back to the hotel, but others need to get done. The lengthiest task is the post-game write up. Frequently, throughout the night as the story unfolds, I will add a paragraph here or a paragraph there. However, tonight, not wanting to jinx anything, I left the slate clean from start until finish. I was worrying about getting everything done, on top of the extra responsibilities that might arise with the potential completion of the no-hitter (which, inevitably, did pop up). Additionally, I was scrambling to find no-hitter information which, with the Pioneer League website backdated to 2005, is not readily available. And, I spent a good five seconds thinking what the no-hitter call might be. I didn't even make any kind of progress towards that and was going to wing it. Oh, and my heart was start to beat faster and faster and faster.
The task was not an easy one. Having to face 9-1-2 is means that Joe had to face Rivera, a sub-.200 hitter which was fine, but also Kandilas, the man with the league's tenth best batting average, and Trevor Story, the eighteen year old taken in the sandwich round and a very unique talent.
Dvorsky struck out Rivera but as the ball got away from Smith, while the no-hitter was still in tact, that meant it was very likely that Joe was going to have to face the .300 hitter in Rossell Herrera, a switch hitter who was much better off of righties. Joe is a righty. For one, Joe is a fly ball pitcher and, secondly, trying not to give up a dribbler through the right side, Jimmy Jacquot was playing off of the base conceding second to Rivera, which he would ultimately take.
Anyway, Joe got Kandilas and Story on routine fly outs and then got ahead of Herrera 1-2.
During this whole thing, I am not providing too much color because at this point in time, if it wasn't no-hitter related, it really wasn't necessary. Some tidbits were included but it was mainly score, count, and the pitch.
Sure enough, in a full-count battle, Joe gets the groundout and the no-hitter is completed.
The call? I don't know how good it was but I didn't botch it.
My heart continued to pound. The moment was pretty special.
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I am so happy for the team that they got to experience this. I am so happy for Scott, especially, getting his first professional win in a very memorable ballgame. And hey, the fact is, its another win for a team chasing a playoff spot.
So, here I sit, typing this out on a long bus trip to Idaho Falls. We are watching Forrest Gump. Everything seems normal. But its not.
The staff in front of me and the gentlemen behind me, specifically Scott, Blake, Joe, and Kevan, just part in one of baseball special and unique accomplishments...a moment they will remember forever.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Quick Update
Kevin Vance, Tim Rodmaker
Quick update on a few members of the "Stache Crew"
Very long bus trip ahead. I can't sleep on buses so probably belt something out
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
08.17.2011: Unplugged
That sixth inning was pretty ridiculous as ten straight batters reached base to begin the innings? After almost two weeks of offensive ineptitude, it was nice to see the Voyagers break out the bats and do so with a lineup that, with all due respect to everyone involved, was by no means their strongest. Or at least, it was completed with some degree of uncertainty.
The 6-7-8 spots in the lineup, on paper--I repeat...on paper--appeared to be a bit of a black hole. Jeffer Patino was hitting just above .200 and Michael Schwartz and Sean O'Connell were hitting under .200 at Bristol. To Patino's defense, he has consistently provided the team with solid at-bats, just hasn't gotten the results. While I would love to come to the defense of Schwartz and O'Connell, I haven't seen them play enough to do so.
With everyone contributing, it's tough to say that the 6-7-8 spots came together as the most productive trio but they all were very helpful in the attack. Patino walked once and collected two hits, Schwartz walked three times with a hit, and O'Connell drove home a pair of runs on three hits and a sacrifice fly.
Things I loved about last night:
-The consistent offensive attack from start to finish
-The aggressiveness of the hitters when they came up with men on base, specifically in scoring position
-The fact that the team, through two games versus Casper, has walked 11 times. Coming into the series, Casper had issued (and still has) the fewest walks in the league at just under 2.5 per game. There is a reason why, despite the league's second worst average coming into last night, the Voyagers had reached base at the third highest rate in the league. Love the patience.
I will say this...I have to think that the team's lack of power is a negative. I am not saying that they need to be Bronx Bombers reincarnated, but it is somewhat disconcerting that they slug at such a low rate and hit home runs at an ever lower rate. A home run is instant offense and, maybe even more importantly, serves as a huge momentum boost. I think for this team to qualify for the playoffs, we will have to see a bit of a spike in power down the stretch. Makes coming back slightly easier, among other things...
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I am trying something new for the blog called "Unplugged." I will sit down with an athlete and just talk to them. A conversation. Pretty simple, huh? The first guinea pig? Kevin Rath. We spend most of the time talking about movies while enjoying some Qdoba. Enjoy:
Saturday, August 13, 2011
08.13.2011
Hopefully we are seeing the low-point of the second half. Just one game back of first and 14 games upcoming against Casper and Idaho Falls puts us in a good spot to make a run at this thing.
Everyone's spirits are still high. A win tonight and we are back in first place, tied with at least Billings. On top of that, we gain a game in the overall standings on Billings which will be huge down the stretch as far as tiebreakers are concerned.
Prediction: Kevan Smith is going to start hitting and the team is going to take off.
ANYWAY...
Yesterday I was supposed to conduct a new feature for this blog with Kevin Rath. It is called "Unplugged" in which the recorder starts and a conversation--not an interview--ensues. When I met Kevin, he informed me that plans had changed. After discussing it with his roommate, Jamaal Hollis, Rath decided the tables were gonna be turned and he was going to be interviewing me. I told him no one cares what I have to say, but he insisted. In fairness, I ask them answer my questions all of the time, so I thought it was only fair...
The "Unplugged" segment will take place and be posted in the next few days, for the record.
Before I post this, I want to say a few things about Kevin. A lot of people have the idea that Minor League baseball is filled with guys that only care about themselves and put the team's success secondary. Is that a total lie? No. Is it understandable? Yeah. These guys have goals of making it to the Major Leagues so you can't hold it against someone who feels that way. But Kevin, who has the same goals, is an absolute competitor and has made it clear how badly he wants to win at this level. The man behind the "Second Half Push," Rath is always rallying guys together in the clubhouse. Every team needs a guy like Rath. I am excited for the "Unplugged" because I think people will get to see how genuine Kevin is.
Without further ado...
So there you go. Enough of me. More of the Men of Summer. Time to turn the ship around. It starts tonight.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
08.11.2011: How Well Do You Know Your Teammates?
Still in first place, holding on by a game. A win tonight would be huge as it would bring us within a game of Billings in overall record, which may be a huge factor in deciding this final playoff spot as a tiebreaker.
We got some fun stuff upcoming on the blog. Below is something new. I pulled a handful of Voyagers aside and grilled them on their teammates to see how well they actually knew each other. Once again, we have average video editing but I feel like I make up for it with the instrumentals in the background...just saying. Anyway, here is how they fared...
Monday, August 8, 2011
08.08.2011: Working Out With Sam Phippen...
Ok so 6 days ago I took on the challenge of doing Sam Phippen's post-start, day 1 workout--the toughest between-start workout for a pitcher.
This all came about when, while walking through the hall while the pitchers were doing some medicine ball exercises a few weeks back, I picked up a medicine ball and joined in for two minutes. I wasn't trying to mock them or anything and they knew that but, remember...me, ADD...it looked fun. So Tim Rodmaker quickly brought up the challenge and without hesitation, I agreed. We decided it would be best to do it at home and so that's why we waited until earlier last week because we needed the team to be at home following a start of his.
Anyway, below is a video of the experience filmed by Tim Rodmaker and unprofessionally edited by me. The video does not fully capture everything. I did not want the filming to get in the way of the workout at all, so, while conducting interviews and doing interactive stuff between exercises was an option, by my own preference, I did not want to hold up either Sam or Tim and instead, wanted the workout to proceed as normally as possible. Before you watch, read through the below information which I feel is somewhat pertinent...I don't know, maybe it isn't
Why Sam? Being fully immersed in the organization's workout program as a returner, he carries out the workout to the most extreme degree. the younger guys, in most cases, do similar exercises but do not do as many reps or sets. Regardless of my performance, doing it with Sam would allow people a full idea of what goes on. Additionally, players and coaches alike recognize Sam as, if not the hardest, one of the hardest workers not only on the Voyagers but in the organization.
What did the workout consist of? Lasting around two hours, we started with a run close to 3 miles. We then did various lower body exercises composing a leg circuit. Afterwards were a series of rotation and twist exercises with a medicine ball. Following that were shoulders and back, which composed of weight-room exercises. Finally, we did a series of ankle/hip exercises before finishing with more rotation and twist exercises and abs. The idea is that you break as little as you need to between sets/circuits.
My expectations? I still think of myself as an athlete and a hard worker. I was not/am not in the best shape, but I was only mildly concerned for my life.
My goal? To finish the workout. I did not expect to keep up with Sam on the run (he is 6'9" and runs like a gazelle...he finished a good five minutes before both myself and Tim Rodmaker, who ran with me, otherwise would have likely finished a minute or so ahead.) But, I am a competitor and was determined to get through the workout.
How Did I Do? I got through the workout but I did not do the same amount of sets/reps as Sam in some exercises. Tim said that it is unrealistic to expect me to get through the a "Sam workout" without being a part of the program for at least a summer. Several of the players, particularly those fresh out of college, do not come close to executing the workout to the same degree as Sam. For instance, the first thing we did after the run were leg circuits. Sam completes three circuits while wearing a 50-pound vest. Some of the college guys just recently advanced past one circuit and are now expected to do two without any kind of a weighted vest. For the leg circuits, I did two without a vest.
The Aftermath? Sam and I went to grab some lunch and hung out. After sitting down for thirty minutes I was so sore getting up. I felt some kind of soreness for the next three days. The day of the workout, it was incredibly difficult going up and down the press box stairs. I have some weird thing that prevents me from walking up stairs--nothing medical, just me being weird. For whatever reason I always have to jog up and down stairs--don't know why. Anyway, the stairs were brutal.
What You Should Take From It? Pitchers do way more than just throw and relax for a few days. While most people like to point out an identify a guy like David Wells who looks like he sits on his couch and drinks beers in between starts, pitchers, Wells included, are in great shape (and have to be to be successful). They all stick to a dedicated workout program and it is very taxing. Every organization has different philosophies about the best way to keep a pitcher healthy and in shape, but all of these exercises are geared towards maintaining, strengthening, and recovering a pitcher's arm and their level of conditioning.
I want to thank Tim and Sam for agreeing to take part in this.
Without further ado...
Thursday, August 4, 2011
08.04.2011: Inside the Dugout: Mark Haddow
Mark Haddow leads the Voyagers in home runs (6) and has arguably been the most clutch hitter on the team this year. His two-run home run late in the game against Helena was right in the middle of the team's 5-run comeback. His double in Ogden to begin the top of the 9th inning began a rally in which the Voyagers, down 7-2 to begin the inning, took a 9-7 lead heading to the bottom of the ninth. And recently, on Sunday, July 31, Haddow hit the team's first walk-off home run of the season for the Voyagers, a part of the Great Falls' 4-3 victory to begin the second half.
Defensively, Mark has demonstrated a rocket arm and made a sensational catch in yesterday's 5-2 win over Helena. Ranging into foul territory from his position in right field, Haddow reached over a railing, flipped head-over-heels into the Voyagers bullpen, while holding onto the ball completing a highlight-reel catch.
On top of all that he provides the team on the field, Mark is, plain and simple, a great kid. Speaking to those he left behind at UC-Santa Barbara, they were all excited that I had the opportunity to get to know Mark, voicing an array of incredibly positive opinions about the former Gaucho. In just two months, I have been able to spend ample time with Mark and he truly is a great person. He is very humble and a genuinely nice young man. And, for a first-year professional, Mark carries himself like he's been around the block for a long time.
Without further ado, here is Mark Haddow...
Monday, August 1, 2011
08.01.2011: Off on the Right Foot
How's it? It is nice to be writing after such an exciting game yesterday. And, for the record, I plan on updating the blog with either posts or videos on a more regular basis in the coming half.
The second half got underway with some fireworks. Mark Haddow's opposite field home run was the first walk-off blast of the season for the Voyagers. The squad now has two walk-off victories, both on Sundays versus Missoula (June 26th, Martin Medina collected a walk-off single).
After being around Pac-10 baseball for four years and now half a season of Rookie Ball, Mark Haddow has some of the best, smoothest, opposite power I've seen. Yes, I watch Major League Baseball and I am not trying to compare Mark with the game's best active opposite field home run hitter, Ryan Howard, or Roberto Clemente, who hit over 50% of his career home runs to the opposite field. But Mark, who showed in the first game of the season he has no problem pulling balls deep out of the yard, is so tough to pitch to because he can beat you on both sides of the plate.
Let's hope yesterday's ballgame, which included a great start from Jarrett Casey, a great outing from Joe Dvorsky out of the pen, and a great performance by Jimmy Jacquot behind the dish, is a harbinger of what's to come in the second half.
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OK, so I made mention of this a few weeks ago but tomorrow (Tuesday) I will join Sam Phippen in his Day 1-post start workout. All players are on a unique and rigorous workout schedule to strengthen, maintain, and recover. Starting pitchers follow a routine of workouts in the days between starts. The workout the day after a start is the most tiring and taxing and, between my desire to stay in shape and a bit of challenge from S&C Coach, Tim Rodmaker, I have agreed to join Sam, who is regarded by his coaches and teammates as one of the organization's hardest workers. The workout will last around two hours and will include cardio, core, and other exercises. Tim has agreed to document the workout for you all to not only see me struggle, but to get an idea of what pitchers do in between starts. I am excited for it to be posted later in the week.
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I thought this video was pretty funny...
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I think I am going to start featuring a song in each post. It will be G-Rated and, if I keep up with the reasoning behind choosing today's song, I am not going to choose Top 10 hits and, if I do, they will be from year's ago. As I have noted, I am ADD. Not sure if there is a connection, but I love ALL types of music from slow pop stuff to hardcore rap to classic rock to country and more. Today's song, to me, is very calming. When it doesn't randomly play during my shuffle, I will listen to it when I am doing work or in a very pensive mood. Anyway, it's "Collide" by Howie Day.
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The transaction frenzy that has been the sports world for the last week has been awesome. I have been glued to twitter, hearing all the rumors--5% of which actually make the transition from rumor to actuality--in both the football and baseball worlds.
A few HSO's (Hot Sports Opinions)...
-I think Nnamdi Asomugha is a very good cornerback, but I think he is a tad bit overrated. Maybe I am wrong, I am not guaranteeing anything at all. But just because you do not get attacked by opposing quarterbacks does not always mean YOU are the reason why, when, in some instances, it just might mean that the cornerback opposite you, or the rest of the team's coverage, is just that weak. Football has some Sabermetric-like stats for players and among those for cornerbacks, Asomugha does not necessarily rank atop the league.
Below is a little blurb written up by ESPN NFL Insider, Aaron Schatz:
"Here's the biggest question about Asomugha: Just how much stock do you put in the fact that opponents don't throw in his direction?
Asomugha's advanced charting stats aren't as impressive as you might think. He really struggled in 2009: 69th in adjusted success rate and 62nd in adjusted yards per pass, according to Football Outsiders charting. He was better last season: ninth in adjusted success rate, 25th in adjusted yards per pass. But still, that's not performing at a Darrelle Revis level.
On the other hand, while quarterbacks have been surprisingly willing to throw to receivers covered by Revis, they have completely avoided throwing to receivers covered by Asomugha. We have Asomugha with 31 targets in 14 games last season. No other cornerback who started at least 12 games had fewer than 54 targets.
The gap between Asomugha and other starting cornerbacks has been that big for at least three seasons."
-I have always liked Carson Palmer, even before I knew I was going to USC. And I am not going to get into holdouts because I am not, nor have I ever been a professional athlete put in that situation, but it bugs me that he is threatening to "retire" if he does not get traded. No, no you are not going to "retire." Why not just tell it like it is and say, I am going to sit out and not partake in any team activities and then when I get the opportunity, I am going to go elsewhere. Saying you are going to retire is soooo Brett Favre and too dramatic.
-Michael Vick has made the Eagles a hotspot destination. From the time he was at Virginia Tech, Michael Vick has been this sports phenomenon admired by, not only fans, but his peers. People want to be a part of it. I love dogs a ton, but I was excited to Vick thrive last year. I believe people deserve second chances. He made a mistake. He learned. So far, he has delivered on the gridiron, but more importantly, he has delivered off of the field as well...
-...And I am happy that Plaxico Burress has found a home. As dumb as it was on his part, the guy was put in jail for basically having a gun and being an idiot about it. I do not know his intention with the weapon beyond self-defense, but I do know that people commit far more severe crimes. Hopefully he can turn things around, as well.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
07.30.2011: Getting a Second Chance
Salvador Sanchez, to me, provides the neatest story on the team. Being around him everyday, Salvador is truly one of the most genuine, nicest people I have ever met. Back in Rookie Ball at age 25, Salvador is by no means where he envisioned himself when he first came up with the White Sox organization. I picked up "Sanchey" from the airport and I remember how much he impressed me during our conversation on the ride back. With the direction of the conversation, he had every opportunity to candidly complain or mope about being back in Great Falls, but, instead, all he could talk about was how excited he was to see his host family--the same family he stayed with in 2007--and excited he was at the opportunity. Not a single ounce of negativity in his sentiments and, to be honest with you, if anyone deserved a free pass to be upset, he was the guy. And his words were not just lip-service. Sanchey's been a leader on this team. One of the most loved guys in the clubhouse, he still talks to young hitters about their approach and serves as a "Big Brother" so Jeffer Patino, the lone other Latin-American player (and he did the same for Jerry Puentes while he was still here). I have had plenty of conversations with people a part of the White Sox organization--even those who specialize in an area that in no way, shape, or form involves Sanchey, but every one of them goes out of their way to speak highly of him.
In my position, you meet guys you like, you meet guys you don't like, and then you meet truly special young men. Salvador is a truly special young man.
Check out the story KFBB's Lindsey Thiry did on him...
Friday, July 29, 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
07.24.2011: Update on the Stache Crew
Word on the street is that Joe Dvorsky, fresh off of his engagement, is going to join in on the fun...
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Kinda Neat...
Also, the mountain range to the left of the above picture is the same range that represents the logo of Paramount Pictures....really neat
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
07.19.2011: It's Been A While
Ooooooook. So it's been a while since I kind of just scattershot a bunch of thoughts and such so, here it goes...
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First, the videos and the funny stuff: More funny next time...but this is still pretty good stuff...
Edward Mujica is caught sleeping!
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One of the tough things as a broadcaster is you got to pick your spots on what comments to explain and elaborate on and what to just leave as is. Comments are interpreted differently by different people. Not everything you say is as cut and dry as: a routine ground ball to the shortstop Herbek, he plays it on a couple of hops and throws over to first for the out.
I have got to call it how I see it but, maybe this is just me being a 22 year-old who knows he has no skins on the wall, I am not about to use my platform to bash anyone. If someone is not playing well I have to identify it, but I am not going to sit there and rant about that player's struggles. I try, as best as I can, to put a positive spin on everything. And, I am lucky in that I have yet to have a parent voice anything other than positive towards me, but broadcasting to them has the potential of being very difficult. Because every parent is their son's (or daughter, in a different spot) biggest fan. And when their son strikes out or commits an error, they are not going to like what they hear. Hypothetically, you are broadcasting my hypothetical son's game and you say, Sandler chases wildly on the breaking ball out of the zone for the strikeout, I would hope I can translate that as: well, my son swung at a bad pitch and struck out and not as: the broadcaster just said that my son has no command of the zone and he is awful and he struck out because he swung at the worst pitch. That's
more rambling...back to the issue.
There has been a time this year when I made a comment about a player and immediately afterwards thought, wait a second, I wonder if someone might interpret it differently than how I meant it. So, what did I do? I immediately went to that player after the game and said, I said this, I meant it in this way, but I wonder if people might think of it differently. I just wanted to let you know that that is not at all how I intended for it to come across. Luckily, in that instance, I was wrong in my uncertainty of the interpretation, but if it became an issue I would make sure to address it on air if I felt necessary. Additionally, not that I make polarizing comments, but I make sure I am always available to the players in case they have a question about something I said, a right I feel like they have but, thankfully have not needed to exercise yet.
And to the point: I will not get into specifics because it is not relevant, but I made a comment on a recent broadcast that was totally misconstrued. Overhearing it, someone made mention of it to a person they thought it reflected poorly on and that person approached me. I was able to explain what I touched on above that, in making that comment I did not intend to reflect anything negative at all. Thankfully, that person and I had a very strong relationship before hand which was founded upon a mutual respect and the air was cleared. Unfortunately, I did not even consider that the comment had negative connotations so that person approached me first. Another good thing is that it did not i
nvolve a player, coach, or parent because those can be tricky. What I'd like to make clear to anyone who listens is this: If you have an issue with a comment I make or want clarification as to what I meant, please email me. radio@gfvoyagers.com. Understand this, though 22 and without skins, it is still my job to broadcast what I see and a lot of times, in addition to calling what I see, I need to explain why. Just because someone is unhappy, I cannot then lie about what is going on. But, I will never use my microphone to throw someone under the bus.
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First, the Great Falls Voyagers. The team has been playing much better. The addition of Keenyn Walker has added much-needed depth to the lineup. I think the offensive success the team has had since his arrival (the last three games against Orem notwithstanding), will rub off and carry forward even if he were to leave at some point to move upward within the organization.
One of the interesting quirks of the Pioneer League is the unbalanced schedule, half-to-half. In the first half we, along with Billings, play Orem and Ogden seven times each, while Missoula and Helena play Idaho Falls and Casper seven times each. Those matchups are then flip-flopped in the second half. But, with that being said, on paper, the teams that draw the Utah squads seem to be at a bit of a disadvantage as those two squads have clearly established themselves as the two superior teams in that division, whereas, up until the beginning of interdi
vision play, everyone was bunched together in the North.
Regardless, you still have to play the games and Missoula has gotten hot and they have established themselves as the team to beat with just ten games to go. Great Falls is not out of it, but having to battle with Helena and overtake Billings and Missoula will be tough considering almost all of the remaining first half schedule is against Ogden (4) and Orem (4, including tonight).
It isn't over. I wouldn't count any time that's just 3 games back with ten games to play out of any race, especially not this bunch, a very resilient group. But, regardless of what happens the rest of this half, I am very excited for the second half with, in my opinion and nothing factual, the team's played better baseball more consistently as the season has progressed.
Either way, ten games to go and an important one tonight. I am not sure how much home field plays a role at this level and in this particular league. I think home field in some cases is very overblown, but in others it isn't. It must be analyzed on a player-by-player, team-by-team, league-by-league, and maybe even sport-by-sport case basis. Still, to have a seven-game homestand, I would have to guess finishing above .500 is a goal. The team is 3-3 through six games and can not only avoid a three-game losing streak with a win tonight, but they can secure a winning record over the weeklong return home. Jarrett Casey is on the mound. Let's Get It!
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Two players are leaving today (or, will have left by the time you read this): J.C. Casey and Jerry Puentes. Let me give you a little brief on each as, in such a short time, I am not sure how exposed people were to either.
J.C. was an undrafted free agent signee. While I did not know him, I broadcasted for a team in a league he played in in the Northwoods League last summer. He was one of the league's best pitchers. An all-around athlete, he has several of high school's records for various sports. A great kid, a hard worker, and a really neat story. He basically was picked up by the White Sox after going 10 scoreless relief innings in a big conference tournament game. Through the baseball inner-circles and a scout being from his area and a friend of his coach and there to support the coach happening to see the outing, J.C. was picked up. I spent a decent amount of time with him because I had to carpool him and other new guys to and from the field to their hotel until they get put up with a host family. J.C. was about as thankful for the rides as anyone. The rides weren't tough, but I think it just shows how genuine of a person he is. No one wants to just get up and leave but he had a positive attitude about the move and is excited to hopefully get more innings. I am taking him to the airport to catch a 6AM flight and am excited to see him off.
Jerry Puentes was the youngest member of the Voyagers and, unt
il his birthday yesterday, the team's only teenager. Unfortunately, Jerry heard the news he was being sent down on his birthday. Both he and J.C. are being sent "down," but I don't think, at this level, that should have as negative of a connotation as it might as player progress in other levels. To me, it's kind of like the whole, A coach who doesn't yell at you is a coach who doesn't care maxim. If the organization didn't care as much, they'd just let Jerry stay in Great Falls and play in 3 games a week. Instead, he'll go to Bristol and get more consistent playing time. I didn't know how the dynamic would play out between the American-born players and the Latin-American born players, and I can only speak for this clubhouse, but EVERYONE gets along really well. Jerry, or, "Yeddy" as his teammates called him, was always smiling and having a blast. His teammates loved him and would tell you, despite his inconsistent grasp of speaking the language (he understands just about everything), he is the funniest guy on the team. He was such a joy to be around. He would always go out of his way to say hi. And was always trying to make people happy.
The tough part of sports, whether it is as a player, a coach, a fan, or a broadcaster, is the turnover amongst the personnel. I spend a ton of time with these guys and it's tough seeing them leave. I am not going to lie and say that I have an amazing relationship with everyone I have ever broadcasted, but when you witness the work these guys put into their craft and the pressures they deal with and the odds they are trying to defeat, its so tough to not outwardly want them to ALL succeed to the degree that they want to. I hope Jerry and J.C. continue to improve as ballplayers and that they do not forget that, while they are still chasing a dream, they are, at the same time, living a dream.
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I have talked about how special it is for me to broadcast Joe and the USC players that we play (Adam Dedeaux and Logan Odom) because that was my USC family. I also had a close relat
ionship with a core group of broadcasters at USC. Not coincidentally, this group happened to be the group who were pursuing broadcasting seriously as a career, not just doing it because it was fun to do in college--which, for those who approached it in that way I had no problem with at all. Of those in our group who have graduated, all four are broadcasting professionally. To me, that is really neat. We all remain in good contact and are very supportive of each other's careers. On top of the four of us, another who was a senior my freshman year, and another who didn't overlap at USC with us but, ironically, is from Dallas, like me, and went to the same school (Greenhill), are also both broadcasting professionally. I really take pride in that. That we came from the same program at USC--a program that is not nearly as heralded as Syracuse's or Northwestern's--and are all chasing our dreams.
Inevitably, our careers are going to take us to different parts of the country but also bring us together. One of the group of four of us (the other three are a year older) is the broadcaster for Orem, Brandon Marcus. It has been really neat to see him and spend time with him before games just chatting. It's a nice change to be able to chat with a broadcaster about life and not just the assortment of pitches their starter throws. I will see him again in a week and I am excited.
Keep an eye out for all of them: Jason Schwartz (Tri-Cities, LEFT), Grant Tunkel (Mahoning Valley, MIDDLE LEFT), Brandon Marcus (Orem, RIGHT), and then Chris Fisher (Eugene and USC Men's Basketball PBP) and Josh Feldman (Kannapolis).
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I just touched on it, but getting broadcast more Trojans that I spent countless hours with while at USC like Adam Dedeaux (Ogden) and Logan Odom (Orem) is really special. Adam threw three innings of relief against us and Logan will start next time around.
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I love getting to meet the parents of players. It really is neat and if you are reading this and will be coming to games, please take time to introduce yourself. I would say that I would go and find you, but I have no clue what you look like. Not that you know what I look like, but, when we are at home, you know where I am and, really, same with the road. Plus, I am the only Jared who will be walking around in a Voyagers polo constantly getting pulled in 12 different directions usually for screwing things up ;-)...just kidding....I hope.
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It was scorching in the press box last night. Gametime temperature was 98 degrees? In the press box, courtesy of official scorekeeper, Mike Lewis, it was 104.1 at gametime. I felt it. I almost an entire roll of paper towels wiping off my sweat. I have a fan but it was just blowing hot air. I am used to getting sweat in my eye as an athlete, but never before as a broadcaster. And, being from Texas, it wasn't the heat that bothered me as much as it was the sweating and pressure that resulted from being in a small enclosed space.
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I am very proud of Blair Walters, who just won Pioneer League Pitcher of the Week. This league is all about improving, right? He has improved each time out, but even at the beginning, you still saw signs that suggested he has great potential. It's funny how good scouts are. For all the times people think they mess something up, there is a Blair Walters. Blair was an 11th round pick, which is a pretty high selection. At Hawai'i he was a reliever, and it's not like he was battling with a staff like UCLA's which featured a Freshman All-American pitching behind two top-5 picks, including the first overall. Yet, they took this lefty in the 11th round committed to making him a starter and he has, allow me to use a baseball term, CARVED! He was made the transition to the rotation seamlessly. I am excited to see him as the season plays out. And, might I mention, another great kid.
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