Oakland Takes Three More Atlantic Leaguers, Building Recent Total to Five and Passing Phils

It seems a little like a runaway freight train the way Oakland has swooped into the Atlantic League for player talent, and all of a sudden the Athletics have moved past Philadelphia as the major league organization with the most players out of the 13-year-old league active in their farm system. Oakland has purchased the […]

Trade Mate Hurls No-Hitter on Day Lima Died; Second Hurler Missed Gem by One Out

In an amazingly ironic twist, Kris Honel hurled a no-hit game for Chico, CA on the same day Jose Lima passed away.  The two pitchers were traded for each other last season with Lima moving from Long Beach to Edmonton in the Golden League swap. Honel, a first-round draft choice of the Chicago White Sox […]

Moved by Jose Lima’s Death, Joe Klein Looks Back at Going To the Dominican to Sign Him and on His Atlantic League Days

Jose Lima’s sudden death was felt throughout baseball, amplified by the fact he was pitching as recently as last summer, but the depth of the loss of the fun-loving 37-year-old may not have been felt much deeper than in the Atlantic League’s home office in Camden. “I knew Jose when he was 16, and I […]

Atlantic And Golden Leagues Played Sizeable Roles In Jose Lima’s Life

The tributes have been pouring in regarding the tragic loss of life by Jose Lima, who was only 37. I was on my way to the Ballpark at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, CT Sunday when I heard the news on the radio. It seemed like everyone I encountered at the York-Bridgeport Atlantic League game had […]

Houston Suburb Only First Link as Atlantic League Develops a Western Division

Sugar Land, TX city officials called their agreement to place an Atlantic League team in the upscale Houston suburb “historic”, and they might as well have been speaking for the heretofore Eastern-based league itself because this market seems destined to be the first step toward establishing a Western Division for the 13-year-old league. Peter Kirk, […]

Atlantic League on Brink of Adding Texas Team; Can-Am Tries Exhibitions in Maine

It appears much more likely the Eastern-based Atlantic League will tilt more to the west after what the City of Sugar Land, TX called the approval of a “historic agreement” earlier this week with Peter Kirk’s Opening Day Partners to place a team in the Houston area community, probably starting in 2012. Kirk, who already […]

Bierbrodt Puts Fire-Fighting on Hold to Pitch; Pulsipher, Padilla Have Double Roles

It is easy tracking Atlantic League players when they have their contract picked up directly by a major league organization.  But what happens to everyone else who was in the league a year or two or three ago and is neither with an organization nor still in the league?  Sure, some give up playing and […]

Parity Exists, But Injuries and Player Losses Make the Challenges Tougher

Parity appears extremely strong three weeks into the Atlantic League season with every team within two games of the division lead, but the challenge to managers and player personnel bosses to keep it that way is certain to build now that the expected roster-juggling has started. It seems every person this typist talks to has […]

Who Will Be Next to Majors? Lindsey Stays Hot, Weber Warming Up

Michael Ryan had not been in the majors since 2005 until joining the Angels last weekend, and Cuban-born Raul Valdez had never been there until the New York Mets added the onetime Can-Am Leaguer (New Jersey Jackals and Nashua, NH) a few weeks ago.  And, it is anyone’s guess on where lightning will strike next, […]

Somerset Nears Lead for Graduates Getting to Majors; St. Paul Has 15, Patriots 14

Michael Ryan’s recall to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim brings Somerset, NJ within reach of tying for the all-time (1993-2010) record of the most alumni from one Independent team reaching the major leagues. The St. Paul (MN) Saints, who got a five-year jump on the Patriots since they started play in the Northern League […]

Northern League’s New Eight-Team Lineup Taking Shape With Lake County Hoping to Build and Be Home in Five Weeks

Training camps started opening for the expanded Northern League this week as the eight-team circuit zeroes in on the start of its 18th modern day campaign May 20, but the happiest news might well have been one more step toward getting a shovel in the ground on the new stadium for the fledgling Lake County […]

Kevin Millar Is Returning to His Roots To Play a Week for the St. Paul Saints

Kevin Millar’s playing days are not over. “I am going to play a week with the St. Paul Saints,” the best player ever to start his professional career in Independent Baseball told a national audience on SiriusXM Radio one morning this week. The hosts on The Power Alley wanted to know if Millar was retired […]

It Is Easy to Tell How Much Sparky Lyle Loves Managing and the Atlantic League

It only takes a few minutes with Sparky Lyle to understand how much the Somerset manager thinks of the Atlantic League.  It is equally impressive that the 65-year-old, who was a major league star as early as the late 1960s, still has fire in his belly for his job, which has to be part of […]

Major Leaguers Ponson, Spiezio Stand Out in Openers

Two of the most seasoned former major leaguers were among the opening night stars in the Atlantic League Thursday.  Sidney Ponson would have had an unblemished six-inning stint in leading Long Island past Lancaster 8-5 if not for a three-run, second inning blast by Joe Gaetti, the son of former big league star Gary. And, […]

Atlantic League Economics Seem Bright As 2010 Independent Baseball Season Launches

As best we can read it, the economic picture could not look a whole lot better than it does in the Atlantic League as the 13-year-old circuit prepared to raise the curtain on the 2010 Independent Baseball season this very evening (Thursday). Definitive figures are not easily assembled, but Camden (NJ) Riversharks General Manager Adam […]

Half of ’09 All-Stars Return, Some in New Uniforms; As Incentive, Former Players Setting a Hot Pace

Fans anxiously awaiting Thursday night’s season openers in the Atlantic League can look forward to the return of half of last season’s 14-man All-Star team although seven of the eight managers may not be quite so happy that three of them will be wearing the uniform of the back-to-back championship Somerset Patriots. In addition to […]

Gibbons On Exceptional Hitting Streak, Tom Cochran Very Stingy On Mound

It is difficult to imagine anyone wielding a hotter bat than veteran Jay Gibbons, who is going to make it increasingly difficult for the Los Angeles Dodgers to keep him out of the major leagues if he maintains anything close to his current pace. After starting the season 1-for-9 in three road games for Triple-A […]

Bluefish Lose All-Star Jesse Hoorelbeke, But Replacement Josh Phelps Has Better Power Numbers

It could not have been two weeks ago when we heard all-star first baseman Jesse Hoorelbeke and Bridgeport were in negotiation for the 32-year-old slugger to return for a fourth season with the Bluefish.  But news came down Thursday that both Jesse and younger brother Casey have signed to play with Fargo, ND of the […]

Yes, Considerable Similarity as 64 Teams Get Ready to Open the 18th Independent Season

Any new baseball season brings excitement, and while some of it has to do with the hope brought on by spring flowers and warmer days there also is the optimism that last year’s stinky bullpen will be better this time and that the hits will come at the most opportune time. We finally get to […]

Front Office Changes in Newark and Bridgeport Steal Some Attention Away From Early Camp Days

It is on the diamond where all of the outward attention is being focused these days around the Atlantic League, especially with all eight teams in action and shaping their rosters toward Opening Night just nine days from now.  Yes, the April 22 openers are that close.

Sweeney Returns From Japan and Rayborn From Taiwan To Bolster Somerset, Southern Maryland Mound Staffs

It is only a little bit of a stretch to say “they are coming from around the world” to play in the Atlantic League this summer.  Recent signees include a pair of 35-year-old right-handed pitchers who have spent the last three seasons working in Asian leagues.

From 4-Foot-8 All the Way to Triple-A

On the flip side of those getting released as Major League teams made their final cuts is the story of Boston farmhand Daniel Nava.  The switch-hitting outfielder is said to have been only 4-foot-8 and 80 pounds when he entered high school. But he plays up.

With Nelson Figueroa Joining Phillies, An Even Dozen Independent Grads in Majors

There were a number of late disappointments to be sure, but 11 former Independent Baseball players were on Opening Day major league rosters, and the number will climb to 12 since Philadelphia claimed Nelson Figueroa from the New York Mets. Who are the others?

Weber Honored As Top Yankees Rookie; Aldridge, Coby Smith Key Angels Wins

Jon Weber got some consolation even though he does not get to open the season with the New York Yankees. His name now goes alongside the likes of Hideki Matsui, Jorge Posada, Don Mattingly, Willie Randolph, Tippy Martinez, Roy White, Tom Tresh, Tony Kubek and Norm Siebern as a winner of the James P. Dawson […]

If Only Cashman and Hendry Were Paying Attention Millar and Jon Weber Might Have Big League Jobs

Would someone get Brian Cashman and Jim Hendry on the telephone for me?  Please! Cashman, general manager for the New York Yankees, said Jon Weber might have had a chance of opening the season with the World Series champions if he hit right-handed.  Counterpart Jim Hendry of the Chicago Cubs said his team needed another […]

Mike Benacka’s Impressive Climb With Oakland Includes One Scoreless Cactus League Inning

It is challenging, but fun to try keeping up with every former Independent Baseball player who gets even one day in a major league spring training camp. With 30 teams and split-squad games plus those one-day additions from minor league camps that have become more common in recent years, I have to admit someone may […]

After Years of Fighting Injuries, Randy Williams Is Having an Unblemished Spring

If Randy Williams turns out to be so fortunate as to spend all of 2010 with the Chicago White Sox, it will be his first such major league campaign, and he will turn 35 before fall. Williams certainly is off to a great start in following up on the second half of last season when […]

Two Atlantic Leaguers May Be Vying for Same Job In Los Angeles Angels’ Outfield

If we allow ourselves to dream once in a while why not conjure up a scenario where two former Independent Baseball players are competing for the same job in the major leagues. I cannot say that is the case because it is not possible to get all the way into Mike Scioscia’s head.  But this […]

Weber and Young Arms of Crow, Scheppers and Parise Making Their Mark in Spring Training

It would be much like splitting hairs if we tried to give a definitive answer as to who among the former Independent players hopeful of becoming a first time major leaguer is having the best spring training up to this point.  Jon Weber,  Aaron Crow and Tanner Scheppers certainly have offered up their work.  Pete […]

Two-Thirds of Players Who Start in Independent Play And Reach the Majors Are Pitchers

Among all players who would like to be the next success story by playing their first professional game in an Independent league and later making it to the major leagues, pitchers Aaron Crow, Pete Parise and Tanner Scheppers have to be the three leading candidates. It is pretty basic reasoning since they are in big-league […]

More Shame For Eric Gagne And Another Indy Shortstop Gets to a Big League Camp

Eric Gagne has spent a chunk of his early days back in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ spring training camp trying to explain his admitted “shame” at the use of human growth hormone (HGH). He needs to apologize on another front, too. The onetime record-breaking closer, who now is trying to get back to the major […]

Gagne Headed Back To Dodgers; Raul Valdes and Roger LaFrancois Also In the News

Can you go back home? This is not a reference to Tiger Woods, but rather to onetime unbeatable Los Angeles Dodgers relief ace Eric Gagne. Gagne’s problem seems much simpler of the two. His is more a question of how much speed and movement remain on his bread and butter pitches. The Dodgers and Gagne […]

10 Championship Rings Should Help Jon Weber Get Over His Jitters in the World Champs’ Spring Camp

For a player who earned 10 championship rings during the decade just ended and has a world of confidence in his ability it would not seem that reporting to spring training would be any big deal. On the other hand, Jon Weber is not reporting to any ordinary training facility.  He will be at Camp […]

Twins Give Newark’s Jacque Jones Another Try, But Greg Burke Loses His Major League Job With Padres

This is one of those times when I might ask “do you want the good news first or the bad news?”

Figueroa, Parise Give the Indy Game Two Members on the Caribbean Series All-Star Team

Veteran Nelson Figueroa and fast-rising rookie Pete Parise will be able to carry a little extra pride when they report to spring training camps within the next two weeks.

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