Heels On The Field: A Baseball Blog

Brian Gump's Spirited Jump To Lakewood

No dramatic rain storm could dampen the spirits of Brian Gump.

Nor could teasing teammates or a recent struggle at the plate.

Nope.

His grin was unmistakable when I visited with him in the midst of the SAL playoffs.

"My playoffs have been great, statistically and even more so experience wise," he said.

He spent most of 2008 with the Gulf Coast League Phillies, the team's Rookie level affiliate where he hit .317 and knocked in 19 runs. He finished the regular season at Lakewood hitting .200, and a .317 OBP. 

The BlueClaws were a team with superb pitching, boasting a roster with guys like Jesus Sanchez  and Matt Way. Gump pitched a little (!): in one inning of work he gave up no runs and no hits.

To say 2009 was a full experience would be an understatement. The BlueClaws were a group of talented guys that Gump has the utmost respect for.

"As we have gone further and further into the playoffs, I have become more and more appreciative of how special this team and this opportunity is."

One week after talking to him, the BlueClaws won the SAL championship title for the second time in franchise history. They defeated the Greenville Drive in four games.

Gump chronicled his first professional season in baseball in a  very personal and entertaining blog. It got him local attention when Philadelphia Daily News writer Paul Hagen did a story on him. His genuine and warm personality comes through, but it would: this is a guy who lists "make people happy" as one of his goals. In meeting him you realize it's the real deal. He relates in a genuine way that translates on the blog and has let people get a true glimpse of minor league life. 

As most minor leaguers do, he returned to a winter job doing marketing work for UC Santa Barbara.

In describing the overall championship-winning experience, the English major doesn't get too literary.

"Words kind of fail, not surprisingly as they usually do in explaining great experiences, in describing the playoff experience," he says. "But it has been a hell of a lot of fun."
 

Finding A Translator Isn't Always Necessary: Brian Dinkelman, Ryan Howard, A.J. Battisto & Other Favorite 2009 Quotes

Yes, there's a script of sorts and some players don't stray from it.

They say all the things a player needs to say to both himself and those around him, whether it's to teammates, his manager, or the media.

But there are always those great moments when a player, coach, or manager says something memorable.

I put together a list of favorites from 2009. I want to thank each and every person who gave me this stuff. I like when you gentlemen rewrite the script:

"In the next few years." Ryan Madson, when asked about his readiness to be a closer. After Brad Lidge struggled as the Phillies closer, Madson has had to be called on in the role. He's 4-1 in five save opportunities since September 3rd .

"The fans have their moments here. They get on you, but at the same time when we were going to the playoffs it was one of the most electric feelings you could ever have. I would say that has been the best part of playing here." Phillies 1st baseman Ryan Howard, when asked what his favorite part of playing in Philadelphia is.

"I don't play this game for money. I play because I love it and I want to."- Gateway Grizzlies infielder Brad Thoma...or the Saint of Baseball. Either way.

"It's hard to pick out one weakness, because I've got a ton of them." Reading Phillies outfielder Michael Taylor, before being promoted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs on September 3rd.

"Their work ethic is damn good."- Tom Nieto, New Britain RockCats manager. The RockCats defeated the Trenton Thunder for the final Eastern League playoffs spot.

"Of course, the minute I got the call from the Phillies my allegiance instantaneously shifted."- Lakewood BlueClaws outfielder Brian Gump, who sure knows how to get on Phillies good side. And, yes, there is one.

"It's important to let the losses go, because you're going to have a game the next day."  San Diego Padres third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff, who's had to let a lot of losses go this season.

"It truly is a blessing to be playing."- Jacksonville Suns pitcher A.J. Battisto

"Harry was as much a part of that team as any of the players," Boone said. "He was treated as one of us."- Bob Boone, former Phillies Catcher on 1980 World Series winning team, remembering Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas.

"I'm not sure I'm allowed to say."- Harrisburg Senators pitcher Eric Arnesen, when asked what team was his favorite growing up in New Jersey. Mets? Yankees? Phillies? I just couldn't pry it out of him.

"My job and the job of the coaches here is to help players define who they are."- Trenton Thunder manager Tony Franklin

And also:

"I've seen a lot of progress. The numbers don't necessarily explain the progress they've [Thunder] made."

"Learning I don't have to blow everyone away."- Reading Phillies pitcher Scott Mathieson, when asked what he's learned about pitching in the past few years.

"I don't think about that all the time, but yeah, it's the Yankees and I feel a responsibility to that legacy. "- Trenton Thunder infielder Chris Malec, on being a part of the New York Yankees organization

"I'm comfortable in any of position, it doesn't matter to me."- New Britain RockCats outfielder Brian Dinkelman

"As a reliever you come out and you have one, two, maybe three innings to blow it out and throw as hard as you can. I love that." Trenton Thunder pitcher Grant Duff. Duff was called up to the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees after the Thunder's playoffs chances ended. He'll play in the Arizona Fall League for the first time in his career this year.

"I think I can be a good reliever, but I believe I can do both." - Trenton Thunder pitcher Wilkins De La Rosa

"You try not to let it affect you, but I think everyone on the team is trying to be 'the guy'."-  Trenton Thunder outfielder Austin Krum during the Thunder's playoffs push.

"It doesn't matter if I'm hitting or I'm pitching. Just playing baseball is what matters." Trenton pitcher Mike Dunn, before his promotion to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre . Dunn was a Yankees September call-up.

FAVORITE QUOTE OF 2009:

"It's not science." Tony Franklin, on baseball. 

*By the way, the title of the piece is a nod to Trenton Thunder infielder Eduardo Nunez. Gracias, Mi Amigo ;)

Derek Jeter's Detractors? They Don't Know Why They Don't Like Him.

Baseball's biggest stars aren't necessarily guys you'd like on a personal basis.

There are some players that make it tough to root for.

Derek Jeter isn't one of them.

On Wednesday night, Jeter got three hits in the Yankees game against the struggling Tampa Bay Rays, who lost their eighth straight. The win was most important, yes, but with that third hit the Yankees shortstop tied Lou Gehrig's franchise hit record of 2,721.

Jeter, like Gehrig, was captain of his team. Gehrig was known for being a tireless teammate, a man who worked hard all his life and knew that's all that mattered. He'd come from humble beginnings and Jeter is no different in all those ways. Jeter, like Gehrig, could do grand things on a field, but he was also a good man and didn't behave in a boastful, egotistical manner.

That's why it amazes me every time I hear anyone speak badly of Jeter.

One has to know when people are being critical in a constructive way as opposed to having their own agenda. And criticism of Jeter is often clearly jealousy. Rarely does anyone criticize the way he plays the game. In fact, I don't think I've ever heard that. What is oft-repeated is that if he weren't a Yankee, he wouldn't get the same level of attention.

Well, yeah. Sure.

But what does that have to do with him? What does that say of his abilities? Nothing.

Am I actually going to say don't be a player hater?

I guess so. So don't.

Jeter's ability to lead his team over the past fourteen years, is in the numbers (3 AL Gold Gloves, 4 World Series rings, 10-time All Star), but the numbers are only part of the story. Not every teammate is as highly regarded. Not every teammate commands the kind of respect he does and gets that respect because of how hard he plays and how he carries himself. Proud, but never boastful. Strong, but never aggressively macho.

His love life has gotten him a lot of attention over the years, as has his masses of female admirers impressed by his physical appearance. They swoon, sure.

But what does that have to do with him?  And what does that say of his abilities?

Nothing.

You can root for a guy who plays baseball with quiet dignity, mixed with a good dose of confidence and leadership. A guy who's never been anything but a good role model on the field and off the field has lived his life fairly drama free. He's never embarrassed the uniform or put himself above the team. He respects the uniform and hopes to be a Yankee his whole career. He is a person who took his pure talent and continued to work hard to improve. He never expressed anger toward Yankees fans when they booed him during a particularly bad slump a few years ago. His response was, "I'd boo me too." And he just tied, and will break, a very precious record in Yankees history. You can respect him for that.

Or you can hate him because he's a New York Yankee.

Your choice, of course. BASEBALL FANS.

Ryan Garko, Phillies Lacking But Winning, Trenton Thunder Keep It Going

Scoring a lot of runs and winning aren't exclusive and the Phillies are certainly proving that lately.

They have scored seven runs in their last five games. On Thursday night, I was on the job when the Phils defeated the Giants by the skin of their teeth, coming away with a 2-1 victory. They won 2-3 over the Giants.

I was there to do a story on Giants 1B Ryan Garko and watch a lot of batting practice. Oh, that's a joke...never mind.

Garko earnestly spoke about the struggles of the team on their road trip and appeared upbeat, as did the rest of the team. The Giants are battling for the Wild Card spot in the National League, trailing the Colorado Rockies by just one game. They entered the series with the most strikeouts in the majors, fewest hits allowed, fewest runs allowed and the 2nd lowest ERA in the majors.

In his pre-game interview session with the media in the dugout, Phils manager Charlie Manuel spoke about Brett Myers being activated today and that he'll likely be used in the 6th and 7th.

Phillies fans are anticipating Myers return from rehabbing. He's been throwing his fastball for strikes in the minors, a good sign he's ready and could prove to be highly important to the structure of the bullpen. That extra arm will sure come in handy if the Phils continue to score few runs. He was there yesterday and seemed in good spirits.

And, finally,  the Trenton Thunder are on the final leg of their own mission tonight when they face the New Britain RockCats. The Thunder remain two games behind the RockCats for the final playoffs spot. Jeremy Bleich is on the mound for the Thunder and Deolis Guerra goes for the RockCats.