SHERRILL'S MOVE TO DODGERS HELPS BUILD POSTSEASON INTEREST FOR INDEPENDENTS

Major league baseball's postseason might be a lot more interesting to Independent fans now that George Sherrill has been traded from Baltimore to the Dodgers. It certainly should be that way in Evansville, IN (Frontier League), Sioux Falls, SD (then of the Northern League and now of the American Association) and Winnipeg, Canada (Northern League).

Sherrill spent his first 4 1/2 years of professional baseball in those communities (1999-2003) before the majors got interested in this strong southpaw.

THREE MORE IN MAJORS

Independent Baseball can be proud of three other grads who have gotten back to the majors in recent days.

The latest addition is catcher Robinson Cancel, who has rejoined the New York Mets where he had some big moments last season. Cancel played for both Somerset, NJ and the traveling Road Warriors in the Atlantic League as well as in Edinburg, TX of the United League.

Randy Williams, who as we noted in this week's Independent Baseball Insider column had not been to The Show since 2005, is now in the Chicago White Sox bullpen. He had pitched in Edinburg when that city had a Central League franchise.

And, R. J. Swindle is once again with Milwaukee. His Indy days were spent with Newark, NJ of the Atlantic League and Schaumburg, IL of the Northern League. The only casualty from a major league roster in this span was Josh Kinney (River City, which is in O'Fallon, MO of the Frontier League), and I imagine he will be back with St. Louis later this season.

THE CHASE TO HIT .400

We had planned to feature Independent Baseball's top hitters in this week's column before other news crowded that item out. Two players were hitting above .400 as of Thursday with Brian Frichter of San Angelo, TX (United League) at a robust .422 and Jason James of Rockford, IL (Frontier League), whose 40-game hitting streak we featured a week ago, at .405. Calgary (Golden League) infielder Nelson Castro was knocking on the door at .392. The Golden League had seven of the top 10 hitters in all of Independent Baseball, with everyone at .364 or better.

Subscribe now to 2009 Independent Baseball Insider columns

REQUEST A FREE WEEK OF THE INDEPENDENT BASEBALL INSIDER

GAGNE IS GETTING BETTER RESULTS, EVEN FLIRTING WITH A NO-HITTER

His season-long earned run average of 5.91 will not overwhelm; neither will his 23 strikeouts in 53.1 innings. This is especially true of the strikeout figures when one considers this man has 718 major league strikeouts in 644 innings.

But there is more to the story.

This is Eric Gagne, the onetime nemesis of any National League team trying to collect even one measly ninth inning run during his power days of early this decade with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Gagne seems to be definitely finding his way back to at least some degree of pitching efficiency in the starting rotation of the Can-Am League's Capitales de Quebec.

He was within three outs of a seven-inning no-hitter Sunday, stifling the New Jersey Jackals with his first complete game since back in 1998 with the Class A Vero Beach (FL) Dodgers. The Yogi Berra Stadium crowd in Little Falls, NJ finally saw the home team get two hits in the seventh only to have a triple play end the 10-0 whitewash.

Gagne has worked at least six innings in each of his last five starts, and in the last four of those contests he has put together a 2.31 ERA (seven earned runs in 27.1 innings) while winning three times and taking a no-decision in the other outing. It also is somewhat encouraging that the 33-year-old Gagne has fanned 14 hitters in his last three starts, which is significant improvement over the nine strikeouts total in his first six starts. He has issued six walks in the three games and only 16 for the season, which includes three wins in five decisions.

We understand Gagne's velocity also has gone up about five miles per hour since he first took the mound for Quebec a month and a half ago. He is now getting back into the high 80s.

That is progress.

Subscribe now to 2009 Independent Baseball Insider columns

REQUEST A FREE WEEK OF THE INDEPENDENT BASEBALL INSIDER

OUR LIST MAKES IT PRETTY CLEAR MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL IS THE NO. 1 SUMMERTIME SPORTS VALUE

While everyone associated with minor league baseball--affiliated or non-affiliated, staffer or fan--has known it all along, it is nice to see broader recognition that this is one of the best summer values around. Heaven knows, we need bargains in these times of all sorts of financial perils around us.

Credit Sports Illustrated magazine for this latest recognition by ranking minor league baseball as No. 7 on its list of the "25 Best Summer Sports Bargains."

Then, examine the list more closely and minor league baseball jumps up, essentially to No. 1. There cannot even be much argument that minor league baseball is the absolute top attraction for families coast to coast.

SI has $1 Fridays at Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport, NJ ranked first, but this is hardy family entertainment and it is in only one location, not the more than 200 communities with professional minor league baseball. Other single location events follow Monmouth Park in positions two and three, and No. 4 is Cape Cod League baseball, which is a great treat but takes place only in this Massachusetts resort area.

The Newport Polo Club in Portsmouth, RI gets fifth place billing, followed by the semi-pro North American Football League which is not going to have 200 organized sites.

That brings us to No. 7, which is Minor League Baseball.

A great reputation is a wonderful thing, and that is what got the Cape Cod League its billing and placed the longtime Independent Baseball favorite Saint Paul (MN) Saints at No. 14 as well as being the only individual team from Abner Doubleday's grand sport on the list.

This is meant as praise for the Cape and the Saints. Both have earned their spurs, the Cape because that is where many of this country's top collegiate players have been spending their summers honing their skills for decades. Each individual team on the Cape has an imposing list of players who have gone on to major league stardom.

The Saints came out of the chute with zest back in 1993, the first season of modern day Independent Baseball. They grabbed attention with former major leaguers hoping to prolong their career, and with the involvement of actor Bill Murray and Mike Veeck, who started creating the zaniness fans love. Both remain involved today, with Veeck heading up the staff that still does the type of stunts the Sports Illustrateds of the world and the everyday fan loves.

"...the between-innings stunts make the ticket costs (as low as $5 a pop) one of the best deals of the summer," the magazine praised. "A pig delivers baseballs to the umpire between innings, and upcoming promotion nights include Twitter-my-face (this Thursday) and pocket-protector giveaway night (Friday) which features The Nerd Pride Parade."

So load up the kids, the neighbors or whomever you like to be with and take advantage of some days and nights of minor league baseball. There is a team not far from home. Relaxing and smiling at inexpensive prices are not bad, either.

Bob Wirz

Subscribe now to 2009 Independent Baseball Insider columns

REQUEST A FREE WEEK OF THE INDEPENDENT BASEBALL INSIDER

IRONIES ABOUND, WITH THESE IN ATLANTIC AND FRONTIER LEAGUES

One cannot help but find delight at some of the sidelights that come out of baseball.

This corner found the irony surrounding one of Kenny Baugh's Atlantic League performances worth sharing.

Baugh played his final home game for Southern Maryland on a day when the Blue Crabs wore retro uniforms as part of a promotion in which the jerseys were auctioned to assist Hospice of Charles County. These uniforms were patterned after those love 'em or hate 'em rainbow colored togs the Astros wore years back.

Baugh tossed six solid innings to defeat Lancaster, PA that game, made one more winning start on the road to run his record to 6-3, 4.52, then his contract was sold. You guessed it, he went to Houston, which also happens to be his hometown. He had been a collegiate star at Rice in the same city.

The only disappointing post script for the 30-year-old is that his first two appearances for Class AA Corpus Christi, TX have been difficult, resulting in a loss and nine earned runs in a mere 10.1 innings.

TWINS LIVEN FRONTIER LEAGUE ALL-STAR GAME

Fort Walton Beach, FL twins Jason and Josh Lowey have one more experience to share the rest of their lives. The River City (O'Fallon, MO) pitchers were selected to play in the Frontier League All-Star Game, the first this had happened in the 17-year-old circuit.

Closer Jason (0-0, 12 saves, 4.50) and starter-reliever Josh (3-0, 3 saves, 2.03) won't be ragging on each other, though, since both hurled a scoreless inning

Subscribe now to 2009 Independent Baseball Insider columns

REQUEST A FREE WEEK OF THE INDEPENDENT BASEBALL INSIDER

THE DOTS DO NOT CONNECT, BUT TOMMY JOHN TAKES PART IN HOT DOG RACE ON THE DAY HE STEPS DOWN AS MANAGER

Always expect the unexpected.

How many times have we learned this lesson at a baseball game?

It happened again Wednesday. This typist was enjoying a leisurely Camp Day morning game at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard; the final game in the first half of the Atlantic League season between Freedom Division champion--and defending overall league king--Somerset, NJ and the homestanding Bridgeport (CT) Bluefish.

First came the hot dog race in about the second inning when the last of three participants in the mascot-like contest turned out to be none other than 288-game major league winner Tommy John, Bridgeport's fun-loving manager. The lefty, who is not so fleet of foot now that he is 66, has been a frequent participant in on-field events during his 2 1/2 years at the helm of the Bluefish. He often has taken part in a golf chipping contest against a fan.

Little could anyone--save the Bluefish players--know that in the middle of the fourth inning the public address would reveal this was John's last game as manager. No, he did not get sacked for losing the race. He told the Bridgeport players during a pre-game meeting that he would be leaving.

The hometown newspaper web site, ConnPost.com, reported that General Manager Todd Marlin said John resigned to "pursue an opportunity outside of baseball". The oddity of this is Marlin had told beat writer Rich Elliott he was caught off guard by the announcement.

The PA announcement did not mention a replacement although it was later revealed to be Willie Upshaw, the third base coach, and the only man to lead Bridgeport to an Atlantic League title. Upshaw is the winningest manager in Bluefish history (220-139, .613), and guided the team to three consecutive playoff berths before stepping down after the 2000 season to return to major league baseball. He had returned as the top assistant to John this season, the first in which the Bluefish are owned by Atlantic League Founder Frank Boulton.

Bridgeport won the game, 6-4, to give John a 160-176 record for his time at the helm, although none of his teams qualified for the playoffs.

Subscribe now to 2009 Independent Baseball Insider columns

REQUEST A FREE WEEK OF THE INDEPENDENT BASEBALL INSIDER

SIXTH INDEPENDENT GRAD GETS HIS INITIAL MAJOR LEAGUE TRIUMPH IN 2009

No sooner had I written in last week's Independent Baseball Insider that five former Independent Baseball hurlers had picked up their first major league victory this season when, bingo, Greg Burke was added to the list.

That's a pretty nice feat for half a baseball season.

Four of the six started their professional careers in non-affiliated ranks, making it even better.

Burke, who pitched for the Atlantic City (NJ) Surf of the Atlantic League in his initial season of 2005, got his first major league win--first decision, for that matter--against the National League West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers. Hurling for San Diego in the "Manny Returns" series which packed PETCO Park, Burke was the Independence Day winner with two-thirds of an inning of work. His rookie earned run average is a very acceptable 3.57 for 22.2 innings of work.

The other first time winners who started in the Indy ranks are Chris Jakabauskas of Seattle, Josh Kinney of St. Louis and Arizona's Max Scherzer. Jakubauskas broke in at Florence, KY of the Frontier League and also has worked at Ohio Valley, Fullerton, CA (now Orange County) of the Golden League and Lincoln, NE of the American Association. Kinney was at River City (O'Fallon, MO) of the Frontier League and Scherzer at Fort Worth, TX (American Association). The other two hurlers to get their first victory in 2009 are Craig Breslow of Oakland, who pitched for the New Jersey Jackals (Little Falls), now a member of the Can-Am League, and Clay Zavada of Arizona, who was with Southern Illinois (Marion) of the Frontier League.

Subscribe now to 2009 Independent Baseball Insider columns

REQUEST A FREE WEEK OF THE INDEPENDENT BASEBALL INSIDER

SOME PLAYERS CREATED THEIR OWN FIREWORKS BEFORE THE HOLIDAY

Here is hoping everyone gets to enjoy a fireworks show at a ballpark near home on this Fourth of July Weekend. Baseball does these events really well.

The Lincoln (NE) Saltdogs might have been expecting fireworks when Jarrett Gardner took the mound Tuesday at St. Paul, MN since he had hurled the franchise's first no-hit game his last time out, allowing only a single walk to El Paso and winning, 4-0. Gardner (5-3, 4.10) gave up seven hits and four runs against the Saints, leaving with one out in the seventh and a 6-4 lead. The Saltdogs' bullpen coughed up the lead, eventually losing 8-7 in the American Association battle.

GAGNE CONTINUES TO STRUGGLE

Longtime major league closer Eric Gagne probably would have traded places with Jarrett Gardner since he is continuing to struggle. Now 33 and trying to return to form as a starting pitcher, Gagne's earned run average for Quebec in the Can-Am League jumped to 10.80 when New Hampshire bombed him for 14 hits and nine runs (eight earned) in only five innings on Monday.

The most telling statistic may be that the once overpowering right-hander has only been able to strike out eight Can-Am League hitters in 20 innings covering four starts.

1,000-HIT MILESTONES

It is an understatement to say it takes a while to collect 1,000 professional hits, but the feat was accomplished twice in a short span in Independent Baseball.

Brockton, MA first baseman Clyde Williams achieved the feat in style when he slugged two home runs, scored four times and drove in five runs as the Rox routed the American Defenders of New Hampshire, 10-3. Saving the best for last, Williams blasted a towering three-run homer to cap off a 3-for-3 performance in a Can-Am League game.

Meanwhile, Gary, IN shortstop Jay Pecci's 1,000th hit (in only 1,024 games) landed behind the pitcher's mound against Northern League rival Kansas City, KS. Like Williams, Pecci got to enjoy his accomplishment in front of home fans.

AN EXCEPTIONAL MONTH

It is no wonder Wichita, KS outfielder Greg Porter was named American Association Player of the Month for June. He had 50 hits in a mere 27 games, good for a .481 average. Porter also drove in 21 runs, scored 23 times and had a blistering .571 on-base percentage.

Subscribe now to 2009 Independent Baseball Insider columns

REQUEST A FREE WEEK OF THE INDEPENDENT BASEBALL INSIDER