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Spring Training Surprises

Spring Training, people call it the MLB version of the NFL's Pre-season. The only reason we have it is to see if a bunch of guys who were bagging groceries can still play baseball. Looking at th guys who got non-roster invitees, I see a couple of guys that can make there way onto the 25-man.

Brian Anderson is a lefty throwing righty batting pitcher from Portsmouth, VA. Looking at his stats, its nothing special, on his good days, he seems to do better as a reliever than a starter, on his bad days when he starts, hes like Dewon Brazelton. It doesn't look like he'll make it to consideration of being in the rotation, but another lefty in the pen would help, and Joe Maddon doesn't want to put J.P. Howell in there anytime soon.

Chris Richard, this guy has been traded for some semi-big names in the past. In 2000 he was traded to Baltimore from St.Louis for Mike Timlin. Back in March of 2003, he was traded to the Rockies for Jack Cust. This guy is a converted 1B turned outfielder when they couldn't use him with Helton at 1st. He hasnt played a major league game since 03. But he played pretty well in Durham, batted .284 with 14 HR's and 57 RBI's in 102 games, he may be needed if Ruggy or Gomes gets hurt in the near future.

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Re: Spring Training Surprises
I really want to go to the game tomorow since it is in Sarasota (where I live) the problem is skipping school and my mom not finding out.

by Flabull on Feb 28, 2008 10:47 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Re: Spring Training Surprises
Education or meaningless baseball exhibition?

The answer to that is pretty obvious.

by R.J. Anderson on Feb 28, 2008 11:04 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Re: Spring Training Surprises
Ya, its meaningless baseball exhibition by a landslide
General Manager Manifesto Matt Bishoff

by Matt Bishoff on Feb 29, 2008 9:21 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Re: Spring Training Surprises
Barely appropos, more like free association, but it reminds me of one of my favorite radio moments for years. Every year for a while, Jonathan Schwartz, a disc jockey on an MOR station, would devote one hour of his show exclusively to baseball sounds. He would often select an ordinary game from the previous year, perhaps one between two also-rans in June, and play excerpts from the play by play. And he might have some stadium sounds (vendors, crowd noise et al) and perhaps some baseball songs, stuff like that.

The part I loved is that he would only do it one day of the year. And that day was superbowl Sunday.

by bobr on Feb 29, 2008 10:26 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Re: Spring Training Surprises
What's more important dude.  I say go for it.

by Sandy Kazmir on Feb 28, 2008 10:57 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Re: Spring Training Surprises
I have plan and need to execute it. I gotta finish this World War class essay and then just call my dad cuz he won't care and depart. This is when it sucks going to a small school that will call if I just don't show up.

by Flabull on Feb 28, 2008 11:05 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Epiphany
I realize now, I am old. I will just retire to my thoughts and Simon and Garfunkel...

Oh, and go to school... the ramifications of cutting class will be more dear then missing Spring training game.

Viva Los RAYniacs!

by thebaddancingraysfan on Feb 28, 2008 11:13 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Re: Epiphany
the fact is I am technically not cutting a class of importance or learning of anything intelligent. I would leave during my lunch period and then miss only Art class and free period.

by Flabull on Feb 28, 2008 11:19 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

usf vs. yankee
go bulls!!!! hopfully we wont lose 0-13 again like we did agaist the devil rays. way back when...

by Boricua on Feb 28, 2008 11:32 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Re: usf vs. yankee
That has to be the coolest thing ever for those guys. To play against a major league team and be in college, I mean I don't think that many are gonna get drafted let alone make it to the show.

by Flabull on Feb 28, 2008 11:40 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Re: usf vs. yankee
lol I agree with you. It think its great that we have these kinds of games. I didnt even know these kinds of games existed until i started going to USF.

I was always curious to see how the best team in college football would do against the worst team in the NFL, but that will never happen. lol.

its nice to see baseball allowing this kind of opportunity.

by Boricua on Feb 28, 2008 11:52 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Re: usf vs. yankee
Yeah it is cool. It also gives those kids a once in a life time experience. I mean think how cool it be to say example "I struck out A-rod" or "I got a hit by Jeter"

by Flabull on Feb 28, 2008 11:54 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Re: usf vs. yankee
The latter shouldn't be too hard
General Manager Manifesto Matt Bishoff

by Matt Bishoff on Feb 29, 2008 9:27 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Re: Spring Training Surprises
Anyone wanna fly me out from IL tomorrow so I can see this game?  Much appreciated! Lmao!

 

by DevilRayRomano on Feb 29, 2008 12:32 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

Re: Spring Training Surprises
Where in Illinois you located? Oh and I am leaving school at lunch :)

by Flabull on Feb 29, 2008 10:27 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Re: Spring Training Surprises
take pictures
General Manager Manifesto Matt Bishoff

by Matt Bishoff on Feb 29, 2008 11:50 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Re: Spring Training Surprises
I will don't worry. I brought my camera and a pack of batteries because it eats them away like no tomorow. OMG 5 more mins till I depart.

by Flabull on Feb 29, 2008 11:51 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Re: Spring Training Surprises
Hey wats up, I have a question about pics, I took some pics from Fanfest, i was wondering if i can post a few of them.

by Boricua on Feb 29, 2008 1:35 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Re: Spring Training Surprises
Yeah I took a crap load today. is there a site that i can upload a lot quickly?

by Flabull on Feb 29, 2008 5:23 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Re: Spring Training Surprises
Imageshack or photobucket are your best bets.

by R.J. Anderson on Feb 29, 2008 5:26 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Re: Spring Training Surprises
k. I will have to pick the better ones. Anything you would want to see.... I got mostly everyone doing something I think.

by Flabull on Feb 29, 2008 5:29 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Re: Spring Training Surprises
To address the actual post, do you really see either of these guys as having a chance? Anderson hasn't pitched since 2005 and almost exclusively as a starter. Seems like insurance at best, and well down the chart. Richard same thing - it'll take a number of injuries for him to see the inside of the Trop, and John Rodriguez seems a more likely choice first.

Cannizaro has a shot - the roster has to break right and he has to beat out Zobrist. Hinske is a virtual lock, and Di Felice (or the Stash?) has a good chance as well among NRI's. Then of course there's Longoria.

I think the better question is who gets booted off the 40 man to make room for Hinske and or DeFelice et al?

by nyyfaninlaaland on Feb 29, 2008 1:44 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

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