Joey Wong-Rockies prospect

Joey's mom sent a nice note recently!  He is playing Winter ball in Australia at the moment.  She wanted me to know that Joey appreciates the fan support he has received!

Mike Devine- Frontier League

Mike Devine spent 2014 in the Frontier League.  He took the time to send me a great note recently about his career.

He says that, being from Pittsburgh, he grew up a Pirates fan.  He mentions that, at the end of his baseball seasons, he has enjoyed coming home to see the Pirates making it in to the post season!

He went from Traverse City to Normal in the middle of the season.  Concerning his time in Traverse City, he mentions that it is a great area, and he is grateful that they gave him his start in professional baseball.  It is a great town he says.

I asked him about favorite baseball books, and he mentions that he really enjoyed reading Josh Hamilton's book, "Beyond Belief: Finding the Strength to Come Back."  He talks at length about how he can relate to it because he has witnessed many friends and ballplayers get into drugs, and have the game taken away from them.

He continues, "No matter what the situation I think it is extremely tough to go from that low and get back to an elite level, and that book did a really nice job of highlighting the struggle he went through."

Mike talks a lot about his love of the game.  "I have been blessed to play with and against many people all over the country, and while I am a strong competitor, the wins and losses come and go.  What stays with me is the friendships and going to the park each day during the season knowing that there are 23 or 24 guys in that locker room and dugout with me ready to go compete together for the next 9 innings.  Baseball has blessed me with many things, but the thing that never leaves me is the friendships of my teammates and coaches that extend into life off the field."

I wanted to put Mike's feelings on baseball in quotes, because he said it perfectly!

Good luck next year Mike, and thanks for the nice note!

Tim Dillard

Brewers organization pitcher Tim Dillard sent a very kind note recently about his career.

Tim expresses that he appreciates support as a player of such an awesome game!

He has been a fan of many teams in his life, but at this moment, he is a die hard fan of his current team, the Huntsville Stars.

He says that the Nashville Sounds (AAA Brewers) are a special team to him too, as he considers that team his home team.

I asked him about his brief time in the Atlantic League.  He says that the league is very professional and competitive.  He mentions that many former MLB players are there.

I asked about his experiences in or near Kentucky.  He says that in 2012 he played in Cincinnati.  He had a burger with an egg on it and he also enjoyed some Graeter's Ice Cream.  At that time he also went to the Creation Museum.  He thought that was amazing, and he asks if I have been!

I have- see my entry on my other blog about that visit-

http://kentuckytravels.blogspot.com/2010/09/creation-museum-petersburg-ky.html

Thanks for the GREAT note Tim!

Angel's Pitching Prospect Michael Roth

Angels pitcher Michael Roth sent a note about his career, and his time at the major league level last year.

He let me know that "the show is everything you dreamed about as a kid."

His dad raised him as a Yankees fan, since he is from Long Island.

Thanks Michael!

Joe Van Meter

Joe Van Meter, currently pitching in the Orioles organization, sent a nice note recently.

He let me know that he was a Yankees fan growing up.  He is happy to be in the Orioles organization, and he thought Hickory was a fun place to play.

He says that Lexington was a cool place to play and visit (he played in town against the Legends in the SAL).
He was happy to be close to Louisville and Churchill Downs.  He would like to go to the Derby someday.

Brent Powers

I got a really nice note from A's organization pitcher Brent Powers the other day.  He was very kind to tell me about his career so far!

Brent says that playing for the Lake Monsters was fun.  He says it was a fun city with great fans.  He enjoyed his years there.

He says that he grew up in Texas as a Rangers fan.  Now that he is with the A's he jokingly says that he feels that might be a conflict of interest.  Ha!

He does say that he misses Texas, as it is a great place to live, and his family is there.

I asked about Beloit and he says that the area has a small town feel and he described it as a hidden gem.  He feels lucky to be a part of the team, as there are some great players there now.

I asked Brent about baseball books, and he says that when he was growing up, he read every book on Babe Ruth that he could.

Concerning Kentucky, he says that he has never played in it, but he has played all around the state.

Thanks Brent!  Good luck!

Dan Black- White Sox Prospect

Alright, I am now a huge fan of White Sox prospect, and funny as heck eccentric, Dan Black.  I sent him a couple of photos I took last year in Birmingham.  He added VERY artistic touches to each one, in addition to signing them.  He wrote a note on a card (DIRECTLY on the card) hoping that the card does not end up on ebay!

Don't worry Dan, I always appreciate and value weird and different notes, inscriptions, and doodles on my cards and photos!

Tyler Saladino- White Sox prospect

Tyler Saladino is working his way up the White Sox system!  He let me know recently that the new Charlotte Knights park is beautiful, and definitely worth checking out.  He says that he loved Birmingham too!

Linda Ruth Tosetti- Babe Ruth's Granddaughter!

I sent a brief note to Babe Ruth's granddaughter not too long ago.  I hoped she might send a note, or a signed picture, but she took the time to send me a VERY nice long note, and some other info.  I must say that I was touched by her generous response.

She says that Babe loved home runs because he hit one once as a child.  It went over the right fielder's head.  The other boys cheered him, so he kept hitting them.

Concerning Moe Berg (who was a spy, see my review on this blog on the book about him), Babe said that he could speak seven languages, but he couldn't hit in any of them.

I thought the quote about Berg was the best Babe quote Linda mentioned, but then she also mentioned this one-

"Baseball is the greatest game in the world and it deserves the best you can give it."

Thanks Linda!  AND, check out her site at:

thetruebaberuth.com/

Jared Reaves- Tigers Minor League Prospect

I got a great note from Jared Reaves talking about his career and the past season!

Jared let me know that this season started slow, but he feels that he managed to catch his stride and finish well.

He loved playing for the Whitecaps, and he let me know that the most impressive park in his league was Fort Wayne.

I asked him about missing home, and he said that he does miss the South when he is away, especially in April and May when it is warm.

He did grow up a Braves fan, but that changed when he was drafted by the Tigers organization.  He is proud to be with the Tigers, and he says that the people are caring and professional.

He does acknowledge that he still likes to see the Braves win...  unless they are playing the Tigers!

He ends his note with a "Roll Tide!"

Steve Stewart- Kansas City Royals Radio Ntwork

Steve Stewart has been in baseball for over 20 years!  He has worked with the Red, Cardinals and the Royals during that time!

Steve was kind enough to send me a note recently about some of his thoughts on baseball.....

I asked Steve about his favorite players and he mentions Sean Casey, Brandon Phillips, and Bronson Arroyo.  He says Adam Dunn is a favorite too, and he is a funny guy.

"For the Royals...my favorite current players would probably be Alex Gordon...and among the young guys Salvador Perez and Eric Hosmer are both a lot of fun to watch.  Favorite former player...just in terms of being a great guy...is Jeff Francoeur."

He says that, other than Kansas City, Chicago is his favorite road city.  He went there a lot with the Reds, and now with the Royals.  Steve describes Chicago to be like a second home to him.

He says that he feels Detroit is the best sports city in America.  This might sound a little odd at first, but Steve Stewart makes a good argument, noting that they have all of the major sports team (MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL) AND major college sports.  All of those teams draw good crowds.  PLUS, Detroit has a NASCAR race each year and golf majors from time to time.

Concerning the Royals, Steve says that the Royals fans are the best and most loyal in baseball.  He says that the town was electric this past summer as the Royals were fighting for a playoff spot.  He says the Chiefs broke the decibel record last Sunday when they beat Oakland.  He also talks about how huge college sports are here.

Check out his blog!

http://stevestewart.mlblogs.com/

Joe Kruzel and Modern Woodmen Park

http://www.stanleyconsultants.com/markets-we-serve/water/water-resources/modern-woodmen-park-flood-protection/

I was thinking about some of my favorite baseball experiences over the last few seasons.  One of the all time coolest minor league parks is Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport Iowa.

See my previous post on it, but there have been some flooding issues (see link above). 

I sent former hitting coach Joe Kruzel a photo to sign that I took of him at the park.  I love his inscription!

Alfredo Aceves- Red Sox Pitcher

Alfredo Aceves sent a very nice note to me recently during this hectic season!

He told me that playing for the 09 Yankees and pitching at the highest level in 2 countries can't compare to anything!

The A's were a favorite team growing up, and his favorite book is the Bible!

Thanks Alfredo!

Kory DeHaan- 2000 & 2002 Padres

Former MLB outfielder Kory DeHaan signed a custom card for me recently and sent a nice note.

I asked him about coaching in the independent leagues vs. affiliated baseball.

He says that he loved affiliated baseball because, as a coach, it is more of a team effort.  In indy baseball you have to get it done and produce or you're gone!

Eddie Butler

Eddie Butler, who is currently pitching in the Rockies system, signed a picture I took recently and let me know that he favorite team growing up was the Atlanta Braves.  He says he really enjoyed playing in Asheville.  The home team crowds were great and welcoming.

Cody Clark- Catcher

Cody Clark has spent most of his career in the Royals organization, hanging out at AAA Omaha for a lot of the time between 2007 and 2012.  This year he started at AAA Oklahoma City for the Astros organization.  He sent a very nice note recently!

He tells me that he played in Kentucky twice- once in college where his team beat UK 2 out of 3 his freshman year.  He played in Lexington in 2006 when he was with the Braves organization.  He says it was a great place to play and he remembers eating at the Waffle House by the hotel.

He says that he loved his experience in the GBL (independent league).  He had a great manager in Terry Kennedy.  Also, he got to play with Ricky Henderson!  He also says that he loved Omaha a lot.  He says it is a great baseball city, and he has become a  KC Chiefs fan!

Ethan Stewart- Phillies minor league LHP

Ethan Stewart from the Phillies organization signed a photo I took AND sent a great note about his life!

He told me his favorite major league team is the Angels, because his favorite player, Ervin Santana, pitched for them.  Unfortunately, Ethan says, Santana now plays for the Royals.

His only favorite minor league team is the one he currently plays for!  He does say that he likes the Montgomery Biscuits because of their cool name.

Growing up, his favorite player was Randy Johnson.

He loved Lakewood, mentioning that people were great, there were big crowds, and the people in general were just great.  The only thing he didn't like was the 14 hour bus rides!

He does miss his home country of Canada, though he does make it back in the off season.

He has no favorite book, though he did read "The Hunger Games" series in spring training and he enjoyed them a lot.

Thanks for the great note Ethan!

Chad Huffman 2010 Yankees

Chad Huffman spent some time in 2010 with the Yankees, but he hung out in AAA with different organizations all through 2009-2012.

He sent a nice note recently about playing.

He is from a big football family, and he admitted that there was temptation to go that path over baseball.

He mentions that "Mind Game" is his favorite book, and he is in one of my favorite books, "The Bullpen Gospels".

Concerning Kentucky, he says that he loved playing against the Bats- Great stadium and great fans!

Thanks Chad!

Jeff Manship- former Twins pitcher

Jeff Manship let me know recently that, though he grew up in Texas, he was a Mariners fan because of Ken Griffey Jr.!

The highlight of his career has been making it to the majors.

Growing up, he loved the series of baseball books by Matt Christopher.

Jeff signed a pocket schedule for me from his days with New Britain.

Slade Smith- Pitcher in the Tigers System

Slade Smith, pitcher in the Tigers system, sent a very nice note recently, and he signed a photo I took earlier!

 

He says that he appreciates the fan support, though he does miss his family and fiance in Alabama very much!

 

His favorite stadium is probably Fort Wayne.

 

His favorite team is his Auburn Tigers.

 

He suggests checking out 1 John 4:7-10.

 

Thanks Slade!