Heels On The Field: A Baseball Blog

Brad Myers and Paul Bush Attack: Harrisburg @ Trenton Thursday Doubleheader

The story advising young players on handling umpires develops for Junior Baseball- I'm getting a lot of chuckling when questioned on that subject. In the meantime, I was able to see tremendous pitching by the Harrisburg Senators and Trenton Thunder Thursday.

Brad Myers took the hill for the Senators in game one and while he had to pitch out of some jams, Harrisburg's offense (7th in the league) pounded Thunder starter Wilkin De La Rosa. De La Rosa entered the game with a 3.84 ERA. Harrisburg made the most of their 12 hits, with Edgardo Baez, Michael Daniel and Matt Whitney knocking in a run a piece. Ofilio Castro knocked in three runs with a base-clearing hit to break the game wide open for the Senators.

Both games were seven innings, but game one went extras. With a 6:05 start for game one, you can probably do the math. But you'd be wrong. Because game one went into extra innings and lasted three hours and nineteen minutes. The name Bill Rinehart will invoke a smile from me forever. With his pinch hit he broke the tie, eventually leading to an 8-4 victory over the Thunder.

Following that one, I was able to talk to Senators reliever Clint Everts, who pitched in the eighth to close out the game for the win.

"Tonight my fast ball command was there and I was throwing my curve ball for strikes. And the guys behind me were making pretty good plays."

As for his take on Harrisburg's success over Trenton?

"Our whole [pitching] staff is just working ahead of hitters. If you fall behind in the count as a hitter, you become real defensive. We've kept them on their heels."

Trenton had lost six straight, all to Harrisburg until....

Paul Bush pitched game two and attacked hitters, pounding the strike zone fearlessly. Every pitch just looked  hard and fast. This time, the Thunder offense did all the right things. Despite several of the guys arguing called strikes with home plate umpire Matthew Hansel, they made Harrisburg pitcher Erik Arnesen pay early and consistently. Arnesen struggled with control for much of the time, allowing six hits, two walks  and four earned runs over six innings. He's 6-4 on the season and 4th in the league.

Thunder shutout Harrisburg 5-0.

Trenton needed that win before heading out on their week long road trip. If nothing else, they were able to gain some confidence back.

Thunder manager Tony Franklin seemed a bit weary (hello, early morning bus ride!), but also upbeat post-game.

"There were a couple plays that hadn't gone our way, but I'm not crying about it," Franklin said after the game two victory. "We haven't gotten any breaks, largely because we haven't created any for ourselves. Tonight we did."

Adam Rubin Takes One For The Team

There are many signs that the New York Mets are having problems. You could look at their place in the standings. You could look at their extensive Disabled List. Or you could look at the case of Mets beat writer Adam Rubin. Sounds strange, right? He's been dragged into the Mets mess and, of all things, it seems to be the straw that's breaking Flushing's back.

While none of us can judge one way or the other if he was angling for a job with the Mets, GM Omar Minaya's conduct was reprehensible. So what if Rubin was looking for a new job? It's not uncommon. If Minaya thought that the reports of Player Development VP Tony Bernazard's abusive behavior was fiction, he could have voiced his feelings privately. Not in a press conference, with Rubin sitting in the interview room.

Media members walk a tight rope when they become friendly with front office people. They put themselves in a position to be first in line for exclusive information and conflict of interest comes into play. But a member of the media looking for a job within the organization he or she's covering is not unique, nor is it unethical.

There's often an attitude that media members don't deserve respect, that we're intruders. In a sense, we are intruders. But most (hopefully all) of us are there trying to do our job to the best of our ability. Wanting to advance ourselves is no different than an athlete wanting to do the same.

It's hard to believe that the GM of a baseball team would address such private issues publicly.

Rubin may very well have been hoping that if Bernazard was fired, he'd have an opportunity to get the open position. But that's not the story. Minaya thought it was and thought wrong. The story is: the Mets are self-destructing. And here's just the latest example.

Kevin Kouzmanoff For Junior Baseball Magazine

Here are excerpts from my interview with San Diego Padres 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff:

On his childhood, learning about baseball:

We'd play catch all the time. I think anytime you can put on a baseball glove and just play catch you'll get better. Baseball is a great family sport, because you can play catch with your mom, your dad, your sister, your grandfather.

On going from the minors to the majors:

I think going from college to the minors is different. You go from playing 60 games then to the minors...and that's a big adjustment. But the biggest thing is the grind, because you're playing everyday.

Memories of Akron and Buffalo:

I wasn't used to playing for 20,000 people so that was a big deal. Akron has a great ballpark and fans.

On the ups and downs:

You're going to have your good days and your bad days, you're not going to be perfect everyday. It's important to let the losses go, because you're going to have a game the next day.

An Open Letter To Christine Brennan

On behalf of women in the sports journalism industry, I want to address your comment that women shouldn't "play to the frat house," because, well, "there are a lot of nuts out there."

I wonder, what we are supposed to believe about ourselves and our value in this industry, based on that comment. It was one of your several responses to the sexual violation of Erin Andrews. Only one of your Twitter responses was particularly considerate of her and that was after you'd been criticized.

If she were considered by men to be a cold bitch, the "frat house" would say she was asking for it for not being friendly enough. Let's get real. Someone filmed her naked, because of the way she looks. Whether she's a person known for being flirtatious- as she is- or known for being not at all flirtatious, made no difference.

But I wonder if you can see the flip side of your "frat house" comment: You implicated Erin Andrews in a crime against her.

Am I supposed to be proud of that? As a baseball writer still in the early part of my career, I wonder if being friendly, might mean that I'll be accused of playing to the frat house. Hope to God I'm never filmed naked, since it appears burning women at the stake for having some sort of evil power is still alive and well.

And you're right, Ms. Brennan. There are a lot of nuts out there. And they're all pointing fingers at a woman who has just been the victim of a crime.

Respectfully,

A friendly blond...gulp.

I wrote this letter out of frustration and hurt. It is no way meant to start a war of words or create bad feelings. I'd just like to know that we have each other's backs, as this incident suggests we have some things to talk about.

A.J. Battisto Shines With Suns

Jacksonville Suns reliever A.J. Battisto is having one heck of a run.

After being promoted to Double A Jacksonville on July 1st, in three appearances, Battisto's got a 0.00 ERA, two walk allowed and he's given up just three hits. The Suns remain in first place, with a one-game lead on the Birmingham Barons.

"I've pitched in six games and done fairly well," he told me.

Battisto remains typically positive when discussing a few troubles he's had.

"I had one bad outing, but we're checking with a statistician [about a call] that led to four runs," he goes on to say, "But if God wants it to happen it will. I trust him one hundred percent."

Battisto's faith is the foundation of his life and career. Not one to fret over the road ahead, he focused on school even when he wasn't entirely sure baseball would work out.

He admits that lately, he's had some consistency issues.

"My walks are up since getting here," he says. "I just need to attack guys like I always have and not give up walks."

While he works out the kinks, he's also having a good time and doesn't forget to have fun.

"Everyone in the front office gets the fans in the seats every night. We probably average 8,000 a night. And it's a beautiful stadium."

It's unclear when or where the Florida Marlins might need Battisto, or when he might be ready for the majors, but he stays true to his positive nature.

"It truly is a blessing to be playing."

Have You Heard The One About Trading Kyle Drabek? Maybe You Live In A Cave....

While on assignment Thursday, I had a chat with Phillies broadcaster Gary Mathews. He was talking about how players mature mentally at different speeds in their careers. Earlier that day, a reporter friend and I had a similar conversation about the mental makeup of some players. It matters, perhaps more than physical ability, to be able to handle everything that comes their way when they make it to the majors.

Is Phillies prospect Kyle Drabek prepared for the biggest stage in baseball? There's no guarantee that he comes to the Phillies and can handle the pressure, but plenty of young players learn on the job. Being young doesn't mean he can't, but being able to deal with the grind of 162 games takes some time. It's a huge physical and mental transition.

The 21 year old is 6-1 with a 3.12 ERA in 60 plus innings pitched this season at Double A Reading.

There's also been talk that trading Drabek wouldn't be such a loss, because he's possibly only a number three starter. I don't think anyone ever said they thought he was a number one starter. And my point is, I don't care if he's a number five or is in the bullpen. Depth matters. Quality up and down the rotation matters. Trading him for Roy Halladay, of course we'd be getting one of the top pitchers in baseball. But that's, in my humble opinion, a short term fix. Is it worth giving up your top prospects, guys that could be helping you win for years to come?

The reasons I've heard for trading Kyle Drabek just aren't good enough.

Erin Andrews Doesn't Deserve Your Lousy Behavior

Women in sports journalism have busted down clubhouse doors to gain respect.

Being a pretty blonde who some perceive as too friendly, is not an affront to women who fought so hard. What is an affront to all women and all those trailblazers, is the attitude that a woman who's considered attractive, should be treated like a whore.

Did it make you smirk when ESPN reporter Erin Andrews was violated in her hotel room by a peeping tom? Did you immediately jump to her defense? 

If you didn't defend her, you are beneath the dirt of a baseball field. You're not even fit to be the spit on a spit ball.

A friend in the business has a great response to men who mistreat her in any clubhouse. "If I were your wife, or sister, or daughter, and some guy were treating her the way you're treating me, how would you feel?"

What if a girl you're close to or related to, was filmed naked against her will? I don't believe you'd take the attitude that she deserves it. Nor would you laugh with your buddies or, if you're a woman, contemplate the level of which "she had it coming to her."

News flash to all: being friendly and pretty doesn't constitute you having a right to treat a woman any way you please. It's not an invite. You may feel Erin Andrews is flirty, but that's her personality. You have no right to abuse her.

News flash to women in the business: We are in this together. We are outnumbered. There is strength in our numbers if we support each other. Let us not be weakened or our bond be damaged. We've come too far. It's too important. We are making history everyday. Never, NEVER forget that. Lipstick and a sundress don't make any of us less as baseball writers.

I've not spoken of this incident publicly until now. Last season, I traveled on the road with an independent baseball team. To cut costs, I went on the bus. I'm sure most of you who've read my blog will be able to figure out what team it was.

My first trip was fine. No problems.

But on the second, I was not so lucky. I was staying in the team hotel and at three in the morning received a frightening phone call.

"Hey, baby when you coming to the room?" a male voice asked.

I told the guy I thought he had dialed the wrong room.

"No," he said, "You tried to come in our clubhouse today and my manager wouldn't let you. Yeah, that's right. You're not allowed in, sweetie. But how about coming up to my room? Or I'll come to yours?"

He kept whispering into the phone, then I could hear the laughter of guys in the background. One laugh, distinct, and I knew who was in the room. Later, I tricked a couple of players into confirming I was right. (sharp tools in the shed joke, anyone?)

I spent that night and the night's after humiliated and scared. Not to mention confused.

What did I do to deserve that behavior?

The answer for me, is the same for Erin Andrews. Nothing.

And for all my humiliation inside, I made sure of one thing the next day. During batting practice I stood on the top step of the dugout, so everyone saw me.

It was to say, "I'm here, and you can't run me out."

Hang your head in shame, if you for one moment took the attitude that what happened to Erin Andrews was even remotely funny.

And to Erin: Let nothing run you out.

ESPN takes a stand: http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/watchdog/blog/2009/07/espn_bans_new_york_post_staffe.html

Keep The Farm, Take The Chance

If Kyle Drabek lives up to the hype, if J.A. Happ continues to become one of the best in the National League, if Kyle Kendrick gets a bit more seasoned, the Phillies will have three excellent arms in their future rotation. And they will then be branded geniuses.

If not, Phillies fans will lament that they should've traded some of those guys for top MLB pitcher Roy Halladay. And they won't forget.

But the Phils have always been frugal, focused, unimpressed with the big guy that they could trade for, for the sake of possibly - maybe, maybe, possibly- becoming one of the best clubs in the Majors. Offering the farm to the highest bidder is not their way. And it's served them well. Chase Utley, Cole Hamels and Ryan Howard are proof that their famously stubborn"untouchable" philosophy works.

The Phillies pitching has appeared at times to be a science experiment of some kind- morbid, complicated, messy but, ultimately, pretty successful even with a few questions left unanswered. Even when the X Files ended, you still needed those movies.

With all the injuries - most significantly closer Brad Lidge and the season-loss of starting pitcher Brett Myers- the rotation and bullpen managed to achieve a commanding lead of the National League East. The Mets, ten games back from the first place Phillies, appear to be finished. The Braves and Marlins, while nipping, still trail by over six games. What would the Phillies need to run away with it and never look back?

Seasoned vet Pedro Martinez MIGHT be part of the answer. That's a big if, but in baseball, there are always plenty of those. While we've all heard the positive progress reports, his ability to be effective on a consistent basis in a Major League uniform again, has many uneasy. But, as has been mentioned countless times now, it's a deal low on risk for the World Champions.

The Martinez deal apparently won't keep the Phils from continuing to improve the pitching, but did anyone ever believe the Halladay deal was going to happen? It's easy to get frustrated and say the team isn't doing enough, and, hey, they're just prospects. But Phillies fans were saved a lot of heartache- though it seemed to take forever- with the likes of Howard and Hamels kept off the trading block.

Baseball fans have to trust in the process. And part of the process is assessing how a move is going to affect the club long-term, not just for the moment, or rather, the last several weeks of the season.

Take a step back and ask yourself: What would the 2008 Phillies have been without that way of thinking?

Can-Am League, Brockton: John Kelly Time Out; Clyde Williams Hits 1,000th

I've kept an eye on the Can-Am League from time to time (Justine Siegel! Yeah!), and thought I'd update readers on a few favorites.

Clyde Williams, now playing for the Brockton Rox, just achieved some personal history. In a game against the American Defenders of New Hampshire, he went 3-3 with two home runs and collected his 1,000th career hit. Williams is a lifer, a dedicated baseball guy who's wife often travels with him, even all the way to his stint in Nicaragua. They were both well-liked during Williams time with the Atlantic City Surf. Williams contract was recently sold to Brockton by the very team he got his career milestone hit off.

Also in Rox news, longtime player and coach John Kelly will be taking a break. Kelly has long been considered the Rox ace and Brockton resigned him in the offseason. He is the career leader in wins and strikeouts, but has been dealth some challenges physically this year. The 36 year old has elbow tendinitis and asked manager Chris Carminucci to possibly bring in some help, while he tries to get back to form. Kelly, a former New York Mets draft pick, was 0-3 with a 10.91 ERA. He hopes to return later in the summer according to reports.

The Rox are seven games back from first, but have the two best pitchers in the league: Craig Anderson and Justin Long. Anderson is 4-1 with a 1.99 ERA and 24 strikeouts, while Long is 2-1 with a 2.22 ERA. He's struck out 11 and allowed just 17 hits, the league's second best.