Heels On The Field: A Baseball Blog

Phillies Pitcher Scott Mathieson Talks About His Release

Here are quotes from my conversation earlier today with Phillies pitcher Scott Mathieson, who was granted his release to play in Asia.

It's a great opportunity for me to play with a very good team. I'm getting the chance to really pitch. I signed the contract and knew it was going to be great for me and my family.

This did not come from any dissapointments with the Phillies. Obviously I want to play in the big leagues. This was just a really great opportunity I discussed with my family and we all agreed to it.

I wish I had pitched more in the big leagues. I don't blame the Phillies for anything. I should've pitched better. Hopefully in the next few years I can get back there.

This has been discussed for about a month and a few weeks ago the opportunity arose. My agent and I have discussed it through the years a few times. I talked about with him and my wife and we decided to sign the contract and see how it went.

I hope to prove myself over there. I want to pitch on a winning team and also hope to achieve personal success.

 

Off-Season Check-In With Yankees Austin Krum

2011 marked leftfielder Austin Krum's fourth year of service, the better part of three of those years spent playing for Double-A Trenton. But in 2011 he saw Triple-A pitching in 64 games for Triple-A Scranton. It was a productive season. He finished with career high numbers in hits (126) stolen bases (28) and was a recipient of the Rawlings Gold Glove in September.

Winter ball wasn't in the cards this time around.  "I decided not to play winter ball this year.  Something to be said about quality time off," he said.

Here's the rest of my discussion with him about making improvements, Yankees meetings, and "Twitter World."

The Running Man

Speed, speed, speed.  To me, speed is the name of the game so I view it as the most important part of my off-season.  Everyday I try to incorporate something in my routine that helps develop my speed.  The most important thing I do every off-season is hire the same speed coach I've had since High School and try to find ways that we can both get better.  One can never be too fast so I always push myself to test my own limits in the speed department.

Don't Worry, Be Focused

I don't pay any attention to any off-season rumors involving me or not.  Once they actually happen determines on whether or not it affects me personally.  I realize that it is sometimes fun to guess or hypothesize what will occur in this crazy baseball world but it doesn't get anyone anywhere so I try not to get caught up in it.

Waiting On Line?

I am having a hard enough time catching up with the Facebook world I don't think I am anywhere near trying to tackle the twitter world.  Maybe one day but I need some catching up to do.

Liking the Leadoff Spot...Yes?

Absolutely.  First off, I see myself wherever I can fit into a lineup in that managers eyes but I love the lead off role.  I pride myself in getting on base, making things happen once I'm on base and scoring as many runs as I possibly can for my team.  It's so awesome to be able to get on first, steal second, and have one of the big boppers in the lineup drive me in with a big hit.  I love the lead-off spot and love being able to set the tone for the entire lineup.

The Truth and Nothing But

The Yankees are always great at the end of every year with telling you exactly what they see in your progression and where you are as a player.  That is one of the things I have been blessed with is the honesty of this organization.  While I may not always like what I hear, it is the truth and means that is something I need to improve. So it is nice to have those end of the season meetings.  I feel, everyday, that I have something to prove to not only the Yankees, but myself, my family and everything that my career has become so far.  So yes, I have everything to prove to them everyday and every off-season.  I do that for myself, my family, and ultimately the Yankee organization.  

Also on Austin Krum on BaseballDigest.com:

Eastern League Report: Trenton Thunder’s Austin Krum http://bit.ly/upAt5M

Trenton Thunder’s Austin Krum’s Hitting Path http://bit.ly/upZKsg

*Apologies for the glitch in the type. Wasn't able to resolve it.

Timeout: Penn State, Joe Paterno, And The Problem With Hero Worship

My blog is reserved for Minor League Baseball coverage and, once in awhile, I address something more personal. It's usually not football-related, but this is an exception. This isn't exactly about football. Thank you for reading. Please feel free to share your comments here or on Twitter @heelsonthefield.

Glorifying sports and athletes accomplishments is a beloved pasttime. There is nothing quite like watching legends born, whether it's a moment in one game or a long career filled with victories.

The legend of Joe Paterno is a Pennsylvania institution. The Penn State University football coach has secured his place in the history books throughout his 46-year career with the school. Unfortunately, he now also has a place in the story of a despicable crime against innocent children. It is a matter of opinion how much responsiblity he bears in the alleged sex-abuse assistant coach Jerry Sandusky committed against numerous children. In 2002 he was informed of an incident involving a ten year old child. After he was told by graduate coach Mike McQueary that an incident of a 'sexual nature' had occurred, he then informed his superiors. And that was apparently all he thought he needed to do. If he knew of the horrific details - of a boy being raped in a shower at Penn State - that would be an inconceivable act of moral failure. If he didn't know those details, the very idea that anything was going on should have alarmed him. He should have fought for the truth to be revealed as hard as he fought to win a football game.

The fact is, Paterno did what he was obligated to do within the confines of the school. But that was simply not enough.

If he knew even a small amount of information, he should have done more. If he knew there was even a possibility that this was going on, he should have done more. So should anyone else with knowledge of a child being molested. When Paterno found out something was going on, nothing was stopping him from following through and making sure the situation was being taken care of. Penn State was protecting themselves, but they weren't protecting innocent children. Not to mention innocent children involved in Sandusky's Second Mile program, created to help underpriveleged children.

Penn State Athletic Director Athletic Director Timothy Curley and Gary Schultz, the university's senior vice president for finance and business perjured themselves. Paterno is not part of that and no one is implying he is. But if they are found guilty on a charge of failing to report a crime, it would be difficult not to shine the spotlight on Paterno's own failure.

Trying to rationalize Paterno's actions is an example of how we lose our senses when the actions are committed by an athletic hero.

Joe Paterno did the wrong thing. If he were some bum off the street that saw or heard molestation of a child was occuring, it's safe to say no one would bother to defend him. And try to imagine that the child being assaulted was your own. It is also safe to say you wouldn't give a hoot about a historic football program or dismiss the legendary coach's actions. As more victims come forward,  concern should be with them and what they were subjected to.

We are willing to overlook or forgive athletic heroes. Sports creates a community of believers, like a religion. We worship together. We cry together. We hold hands and say a Hail Mary when the chips are down. We also find it very difficult to not worship false idols.

There are a lot of questions about Paterno's knowledge. He's not being accused of the crimes Sandusky is, but his response to those crimes is difficult to reason. The fact that Sandusky was allowed to continue his association with the school after the board was alerted is baffling.

We can all lament the death of a belief. That's fine. Mourn the loss of what was a golden reputation. But that reputation was tarnished by a choice. Those at Penn State who looked the other way have no one to blame but themselves.

At this point, the questions are numerous. Why didn't Paterno do more? Why didn't the school do more? How can one feel squared up morally when a child molester is not being investigated and apprehended? Why was Sandusky not reported to law enforcement in 2002? Why didn't the school put the safety of their children and their own glowing history before any loyalty to Sandusky? And if loyalty was not the reason, what possible reason could they have? A predator was given the freedom to harm children. What is their excuse?

If there are answers, let's hear them.

So far, no answers we've heard have been enough.

But the reality is that no one in this situation is a victim but the children Penn State and the employees of their university failed to protect. In it's failure, they created a sanctuary for a criminal.

 

 

 

 

Cubs GM Theo Epstein's Minor Project

Making over the Chicago Cubs farm system is a much different task than leading the Boston Red Sox to two world championships.

But former Red Sox GM Theo Epstein, now the Cubs General Manager, has the distinction of helping to deliver Red Sox fans from their long-suffering existence. Taking the reigns of the long-suffering Cubs seems like his kind of gig.

The Cubs developmental system needs his ambition, passion, and intelligence, not to mention a good dose of creativity. In their quest to do business differently, they're hiring someone who has the background of making some unpopular moves. He did a lot right, but had his failures. There were historic meltdowns mixed in with the historic victories. He's also made personal history by being the youngest GM in baseball history when the Red Sox hired him at 28. Now 37, Epstein is no stranger to pressure. And the Red Sox farm system is part of his success.

After an eight-player trade for Matt Garza that included top prospects Chris Archer and Hak-Ju Lee, the Cubs system has taken a bit of a hit. The interesting twist is that his own "trade" to Chicago from Boston impacts the farm system. Part of the compensation will likely involve some prospects plucked from a system that needs replenishing.

Epstein seems the perfect fit for such a project. His big reputation could be just what a team like the Cubs need. They are not without promise. Starting from the bottom and developing players is an important aspect of the Cubs rebuilding plans. Reshaping their future with someone who has the same approach matters.

Epstein has made it clear that he has that exact plan in mind. His statements to the press show he's a man with a desire to focus on talent they can develop over the next few years. He comes to the team at a time when Tom Ricketts and his club set a franchise record investing $12 million on high school and college players. Spending and signing players they drafted proves their own commitment to player development. 

They're taking risks, but they're good risks in an area that could benefit them greatly when trying to compete over the next few years. A team that finishes 71-91 has to take risks. There's a business plan in place and the Cubs are putting it action by focusing on the system and by hiring Epstein. Ricketts needs only to observe the Red Sox farm system to get an idea of how to keep executing that plan.

The team Epstein takes over doesn't have the players that Red Sox team had. He has a far more challenging job in trying to build a winning team in Chicago. Turning attention toward signing talent the Cubs can put time and effort into, as well as spending more in the draft, could prove to be a major turn in the road for the team.