Tom Koehler- Miami Marlins

Pitcher Tom Koehler has been in the Marlins organization since 2008.  He has had a TON of success (he went 16-2 for Jacksonville in 2010).  Over the last couple of years he has spent time between New Orleans and Miami.

He sent a letter recently to let me know that he grew up a Yankees fan (he was born in the Bronx).

I asked him about playing in Kentucky and he let me know that he has never played in the state.

Thanks for taking a moment to say howdy Tom!

Charles Blackmon 2011-2012 Rockies

Charles Blackmon spent a good amount of time in 2011 and 2012 in the outfield for the Rockies!  He signed a card I made and let me know about his life.

He tells me that he was a Braves fan growing up (he grew up in Georgia). 

He enjoyed playing with the Modesto Nuts.

His favorite book is the Bible, and he has not yet contributed to any baseball books.

Frontier Greys

I was able to catch the Frontier Greys playing against the Florence Freedom this weekend!

There is something so odd about a league's "traveling team".  It has no home.  It is pretty much expected to lose most of its games.  There is no real hope of making the playoffs.

I do love the fact that this team is in the league because it is a tribute to the 1st Frontier League championship team from 1993, the Zanesville Greys.

The Greys looked impressive to me against the Freedom.  I looked over the roster, and there are some impressive names that have spent time in affiliated ball.

I saw some good base running and smart plays in general from this team.  Outfielder Mark Micowski went all out going after a ball and tripped over the VERY short outfield fence.  Talk about giving 100%.

Anyway, its great to see the Greys back on the field again.

Helfaer Field- Milwaukee Wisconsin

Birthplace of the American League- in Milwaukee

Yorfrank Lopez

Yorfrank Lopez has played in the Tiger's system for a couple of years now, and he is currently with West Michigan.  He signed a pic for me recently and sent a nice note.

He let me know that he misses his home country of Venezuela very much, but he is very happy right now to be in Michigan!

His favorite team is the Tigers- "because I plan on pitching for them one day"!

Yorfrank says that he appreciates supportive fans!



Tennessee Smokies in Kodak

I know....  I have mentioned Smokies Park before, but it is such a great one to go to.  This is one of those parks to go to because it is a nice park, and because the park is in a great area.

We try to get to a game or two here each year and I hate to use an over used concept- but this park almost feels like an old friend now.  I want to give it a hug as soon as I get there.  There is something very comforting once you get to this park and walk through the gate.  You can relax and know that everything will be good in the world for the next several hours.

I like how they do things at this park too.  There are deals (and variety) in the team shop.  The on field promotions are fun yet not excessive.  There is something VERY cool about seeing a bunch of kids chasing a guy in a chicken costume across the field.  That never gets old.

There are nice restaurants near by, and good shopping (the Bass Pro Shop near by is always part of our road trip to the area).  Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Knoxville are all areas that you can visit as park of your day or weekend trip to see the Smokies.

Oh, and we love the hotel next to the park, the Hampton Inn and Suites.  You can get a room there and you are about a 5 minute walk from your room to Smokies Park's main entrance.  VERY convenient.  We have had a ton of good experiences at that hotel over the last few years.

It seems like I have spent a lot of time here, and this park almost feels like another home park for me.  Fireworks and Steve Goodman at the end of an evening in Tennessee sound perfect!

You can't beat this park for a perfect night- the game day atmosphere is the best.  People are friendly and the air is the same air that passes over the Great Smoky Mountains.