Rock the Vote

Thanks to my friend, and former Grizzlies centerfielder, Mark Schulte for this one. . .

You can vote here for former Grizzlies right-hander Scott Patterson for the Triple-A All-Star Game. It would be nice to get a former Grizzlie in the game.

Take some time and vote!

Just a couple of things

Chillicothe and more. . .
I really enjoy coming to Chillicothe. Maybe the facilities aren't the greatest, but they treat you like Kings and there's something about V.A. Memorial Stadium that gives you a nostalgic baseball feeling. That being said, I wish the team had the same good feelings. They must not, because the Paints have owned the Grizzlies in Chillicothe. If my records are right, the Paints have won at least the last nine games at V.A. The Grizzlies overall record in Chillicothe dropped to 7-15 all-time after last night's beating. Maybe the two games today can help turn things around. The road has not been a kind place to the Grizz. If you're keeping track, you know the Grizzlies are now 0-7 away from the friendly confines of GCS. I thought the last series against Evansville would have really helped turn things around. They won three games, and did it, for the most part, without the long ball. Sure they hit a few, but they played three pretty solid all around games. Sunday was probably the most complete game the Grizzlies have played this year. They had 14 hits and were driving in runs. Brandon Williams went seven strong innings, then they got a pair of scoreless innings from Alex Merricks and Zach Gray. As I said, hopefully the two tonight will be better. Tune in beginning at 4:50 central time. 88.7 FM or online at KMOX.com!

Changes. . .
Speaking of Alex Merricks-neither he or Billy McKinney was very happy here and both requested trades. They thought they should be starting. Both them were dealt to San Angelo of the United League.

Patty's a Yankee. . .
In case you haven't heard, former Grizzlie Scott Patterson is now a New York Yankee. He is the first Gateway alum to make the bigs. Big congrats to him. Obviously everyone in the organization is happy for him. I had no idea how proud I would feel for him. I am ecstatic for Scott, and have no doubt he worked his butt off to get to the Major Leagues. I feel a real sense of pride in his accomplishments when I had nothing to do with it what so ever! I hope he flourishes for the Bombers.

That'll do it for now.

Weekend Musings

NCAA. . .
The Division II Baseball Championships are wrapping up as I write this. I haven't been here for most of the tournament because we have been on the road. Just walking around talking with some of the fans has been fun today. From all accounts the Grizzlies staff has done a great job. I know Jeff O'Neill has worked his [tail] off, as he does for all of the "extra events" at the ballpark. The other staffers have been busy as well, namely Brent Pownall, Will Myers, Jason Murphy and CJ Hendrickson. That's not saying anything for our GM Steve Gomric who has had to take this on after being named GM in April. Congrats to all of our staff as well as the staffs at SIUE and UMSL for making this happen.

SIDS. . .
I had the pleasure of emceeing an event this morning for SIDS Resources. Thanks to Lori Behrens for inviting me out. They held their first annual Strides for SIDS walk/run in Forest Park. A commemorative ceremony was held prior to the run getting started. It was a moving tribute for/with the families that have lost little ones. It was tough to get through. I thought it was a beautiful ceremony and I was proud to be a small part of it. I am thankful for the opportunity and glad they had a good weather day.

The Grizz. . .
Finally on to the Grizzlies. A tough first week for the hometown team. I really don't think it is one particular thing that has gone wrong, but a combination. Last night they looked good and all parts seemed to click and because of it they took down previously unbeaten Evansville. It showed me and the fans would good can come when they all play together. Hopefully they can keep it up. Some moves today and the next few days should help. I guess we shall all see.

I'll try to check in from the road next week. Should be fun-I like going to Chillicothe.

Spring Training thoughts and more

Finally it is here, Grizzlies baseball back at GCS Ballpark. Spring Training officially opens today around the Frontier League. I, couldn't be more excited. Too bad the weather isn't great, but that's ok the guys are still going to work out this afternoon. Several players have been for a week or so, but now the real fun starts. Should be a good season. We shall all see.

Other thoughts. . .
As you probably know, GM Tony Funderburg has left the Grizzlies. I know this is a great opportunity for Tony and his family, it is also a great loss for the Grizzlies. Tony had been here since before the team played a game. There was a time when he (and I) were one of just three employees. Personally it is sad for me, simply because Tony taught me this business, and I mean that. Not the broadcasting but the baseball business-the pro sports business. It was Tony who taught me how to sell by going on some of my first appointments with me. He taught me how to talk to clients, how to relate with them, and ultimately how to get them involved in what we were doing. For that I am eternally grateful and will miss him. The Grizzlies will be fine, don't get me wrong. Steve Gomric will do a great job, and already has. Steve has taught each of us a thing or two about the business too. I don't expect any sweeping changes since we are so close to the stadium, but Steve knows what he is doing and knows what it takes for this organization to keep operating at the high level fans have come to expect. It will be a great season!

Something else you may have heard-the Grizzlies will be gracing the (powerful) airwaves of WSIE FM this summer. 88.7 FM is the campus station at SIUE and I am so excited that they will be carrying our games. This is a legitimate signal and Grizzlies fans should be able to hear our games no matter where they are. Honestly it is that strong. We're also partnering with KMOX.com, which also affords us some promotion on the "mighty 'mox." KJFF, 1400 AM, will return to carry their usual load of Grizzlies games. All in all it should be a nice set up for our games this year.

Getting away from the Grizzlies. . .but not baseball: Rick Ankiel, wow!
What a night the Cards centerfielder had last night, huh? If you didn't see it, do yourself a favor and find some highlights of him throwing out not one, but two, base runners at third. It was sensational. I must admit I was very very skeptical of the plan to bring Ankiel back as a hitter/outfielder. I thought it was a waste of money. I did not think it would work. I was wrong. I am big enough to admit it. He is a phenomenal athlete and his contributions have been many to this Cards team that has been fun to watch. By the way I did not think the birds would be as bad as many national writers and media types thought, however I also didn't think they'd have the best record in baseball at the beginning of May. For the record I picked them third in the Central behind Chicago and Milwaukee with a record of around 74-88, I think. I wrote it down, as I do every year with a couple of friends, before the season starts. We seal it up in an envelope. We open our picks during the World Series to see how we did. My pick for the Series this year was Cleveland and the Mets. I picked Cleveland to win it all.

That's it for now. Once again I will try to be more diligent in my updating of the blog during the season. Feel free to comment, and get on me if I'm not on top of it!

Just checking in

Quick weight-loss update: I realized I haven't updated you on the end of the competition. I lost the most weight, 34.5 pounds, didn't win the money. Someone else got me by a few percentage points. Oh well. I think I have made a permanent change as far as eating better and I am happy about that.

Baseball season is here: At least for the big boys. Can't tell you how happy that makes me. Had a chance to get to Cards opening day with the Grizzlies crew. We actually got to go twice-thanks to the rainout. We had the pleasure of sitting in the Champions Club. All I can say is congrats to the Cardinals for that masterpiece. All-you-can eat/drink in a beautiful setting. The buffet included some typical ballpark fare, but also some non-traditional food, including pasta and mussels, beef tips, roast pork, barbecue brisket and some great desserts. Some of the best brownies I have ever had. It was great, and that club is no doubt going to be a hit (pun fully intended) for the birds.

As for the team, to loosely quote the movie Major League they don't look too stinking bad. I was part of the group that said that I thought they would be better than people think anyway and after the opening series against the Rockies I'll stick to it. I don't really think they'll compete for the division, but it won't be as gloomy a season as some would have you believe. For the record my pick to win the division is the Cubs. I have the Mets and Indians in the World Series with the Indians winning.

I'll be at the game tomorrow afternoon as well. I am headed down with my father-in-law and his brother. Looking forward to nice afternoon. I am meeting Nationals broadcaster Bob Carpenter before the game. I first met Bob a few seasons ago at a Cards opening day. He has been kind enough to help me out on a number of occaisions. He has sort of become a mentor to me, and I sure appreciate him taking his time to help out a lowly indy guy like myself.

That's it from me today. Look for more Grizzlies news soon as we approach our eighth season.

Did I mention I love this time of year?

I do love this time of year, honestly, but it can also be gut-wrenching if you are a fan of a "bubble team" which I am. A Dayton alum actually. This certainly isn't the first time the Flyers have been in this situation. A couple of years back they were a 10-seed in the NCAAs and they were the very last team revealed on the selection show. Talk about nerve-wracking. I'm only a fan. Can't imagine being a player.

Anyway, they had the opportunity to put themselves far far from any bubble talk this year. They had two huge non-conference wins-at Louisville and then vs. Pitt. They beat Pittsburgh by 25 when the Panthers were fifth ranked. They were 14-1, nationally-ranked and then injuries absolutely devestated this program. They lost two players-one being their second leading scorer who hasn't played since. They only recently figured out how to win without him and finished the regular season 20-9, and 8-8 in the Atlantic 10 Conference. They are the 8 seed in the conference tourney which begins tomorrow. They open up their tournament with #9 Saint Louis. There prize for a first-round win is a match-up with rival and #1 seed Xavier!

I am not going to make all kinds of comparisons here and try and make a case for Dayton. It is too hard, and really doesn't mean much. Besides if that is what you want there are plenty of places to find it and plenty of people who like to predict the tournament field. Don't get me wrong, I love to look at it and try and hash it out, but the fact remains it is up to that committee and you can show me all of the numbers and compare all of the records you want-what it comes down to is what teams the individuals on the committee feel deserve to be there.

Do I think Dayton deserves to be there? Probably. I think they absolutely needed to win their last three conference games to get to .500 in league play. I originally thought they needed three conference tourney wins to get them to 23, then I saw the A-10 tournament draw and thought maybe 22 wins with one of them being over Xavier would get them in. Then some upsets in other conference tourneys and now I am just not sure what gets them in as an at-large. The one thing that remains certain is that if they can somehow reel off four wins in four days there in! Pretty simple. So I'll be rooting for just that.

I'll have my red and blue on tomorrow afternoon and probably tuning in to Bob Ramsey and Earl Austin Jr. on the Billikens broadcast. Game time is 11 am St. Louis time.

Go Flyers!!

One of my favorite times of the year!

Here we are, March! What a great time on the sports calendar. MLB starts in a few weeks, but before that. . .March Madness! I don't know if I can leagally use that term, but I'm not profiting from the site, so I'll use it. Point is this is a great time of the year, easily one of my favorites, and it starts tonight.

The Missouri Valley Conference tournament kicks off tonight at Scottrade Center with their opening round games. #8 Indiana State takes on #9 Wichita State is at 6:00 and then #7 Missouri State takes on #10 Evansville at 8:30.
By the way our GM, Tony, is a Missouri State alum and will be rooting hard for the Bears this weekend!

This will be the third consecutive season I have had the pleasure to work with the Valley staff during the tournament. I'll be one of a legion of media assistants. The Valley staff does a fantastic job on putting on the tournament and I am proud to be a part of it. The basketball is some of the best you'll find. The fan support is outstanding and it makes for a great atmosphere.

As you may know my heart lies with a certain Atlantic 10 team that is perched squarely on the bubble right now, the Dayton Flyers. I won't get into the Flyers at this point. I will talk more about them next week. I will only say they end the regular season on Saturday at home against St. Joe's. They need that win to stay in the NCAA conversation.

So join me at Scottrade Center this weekend, and don't forget the FL radio show airs Saturday afternoon. Details on that below!