AFTER HIS GEM, SCHLICHTING GOES TO MINORS WHILE THE BAT OF THE 'KNUCKLE PRINCESS' GOES TO COOPERSTOWN

If there is anything more difficult than getting to the major leagues it may be staying there. Just ask Travis Schlichting.

"Schlichting pitched his tail off", was the quote from Los Angeles Dodgers Manager Joe Torre that we used in yesterday's Independent Baseball Insider column, courtesy of The Los Angeles Times. The 25-year-old former infielder and Independent Baseball reliever with the Northern League's Kansas City (KS) T-Bones had just won his first major league game with four shutout innings as the Dodgers edged Arizona, 1-0, in 14 innings.

Schlichting was sent back to Triple-A Albuquerque one day later because the Dodgers needed a fresh arm in its bullpen. "It wasn't easy to tell Travis," Torre confessed to MLB.com. The 6-foot-4 right-hander was gracious, however, saying: "I'm just happy I got the opportunity to pitch in a game situation." It was only his third major league appearance, with two shorter outings last season.

He likely will return to the majors before long, and also can be thankful to have his health after missing two months last season with back issues and fighting off the effects of Gilbert's syndrome (fatigue and weight loss), which limited his work during spring training this season.

DODGERS HONORING JOSE LIMA'S LIFE SUNDAY

The Dodgers are making good on their promise to pay tribute to fallen hurler Jose Lima with various musical numbers and recollections of his fun-filled time in baseball during Viva Los Dodgers Day Sunday. Lima had planned to perform during the celebration, as he had previously.

While the 37-year-old is best remembered for his colorful antics during his major league career, he also re-energized his career during stints in the Atlantic League with Newark, NJ in 2003 and Camden, NJ five years and 27 major league wins later.

YOSHIDA MEMORABILIA HEADED TO HALL OF FAME

It is great to know the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY will be getting both the jersey and the bat used by Japanese teen Eri Yoshida during her historic debut in the Golden League May 29.

The bat is a neat sidebar to her first United States pitching appearance for Chico, CA because the "Knuckle Princess" had a bases-loaded single in the bottom of the first inning. The Hall of Fame has confirmed, according to the Golden League, that the hit was the first by a female player in men's professional baseball in this country since the days of the Negro leagues. Ms. Yoshida, of course, is primarily known for her sidearm knuckleball pitching delivery. She will next take the mound June 12, also in Chico.

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