Dealing at the deadline
If you're a regular at Consol Energy Park, then there's little doubt the Wild Things have occasionally left you scratching your head and asking "how did that happen?" as you leave the ballpark. Whether it's a late-innings comeback, a policy decision or an in-game promotion - either good or bad - you sometimes left wondering what just happened.
For me, the latest such case was Friday night.
This story begins Tuesday, the first night of the current homestand. I went to the ballpark to confirm that the Frontier League's transaction deadline was Aug. 12, as I had seen noted in another newspaper. I was told by the Wild Things that the Aug. 12 date was not correct and that the deadline was midnight the night of Aug. 18. I posted this information on this blog.
Much to my surprise, I was informed Friday night by the Wild Things that what I was told earlier this week was wrong. The transaction deadline is midnight Monday night. The Wild Things, it seems, were under the impression that the deadline was a week later than it is.
That left me wondering just how a baseball team doesn't know when the final day is to make a trade or a roster move? I didn't think this was possible.
Well, the following is a story I had originally planned to run next week instead of today:
For at least eight teams in the Frontier League, this weekend will be a bargain-hunting shopping spree. And for one of the few times in the league’s 16-year history, there are more buyers than sellers.
The transaction deadline is midnight Monday night. After that time, rosters are frozen. Only if a player suffers a season-ending injury or is signed by an affiliated team can a team make an adjustment to its roster. Trades among teams within the league will not be permitted.
With the wild-card picture still muddled, it might be difficult for teams like the Wild Things to acquire a player who could be the final piece to a playoff push.
Kalamazoo is running away with the East Division and is a lock for one of the four postseason spots. In the West, Southern Illinois and surging Windy City are separated by 1 1/2 games heading into Saturday night. Both seem to be bound for the playoffs, either as a division champion or one of the two wild cards.
The last wild-card berth won’t be decided until the season’s final week and possibly final day (Sept. 3). Only 2 1/2 games separate Gateway, Florence, Traverse City, Rockford and Washington. River City is hanging around, 3 1/2 games out of the final playoff spot.
One good trade could make the difference between making and missing the postseason. But it might be difficult to finalize a trade because there are so many buyers this year.
“It’s tough to make a deal with the playoff format the way it is,” Wild Things general manager Ross Vecchio said. “It’s a case of not many teams being out of it. We’re still talking. We have feelers out in our league and other independent leagues. We still have time. A lot can change between now and the deadline.
“One thing you don’t want to do is make a trade just for the sake of making a move. It has to be with the thought process that it’s going to improve your club. You also need a willing partner to make a trade.”
There is no doubt what the Wild Things are shopping for.
“We need a stopper,” manager Greg Jelks said. “Am I going to give up somebody who is definitely going to help me next year for somebody who will be here for two or three weeks? No. I’m not giving up a guy who will be a key player next year for a closer.”
The Wild Things’ need for a ninth-inning relief pitcher has been glaring for more than month. Washington is last in the league with a mere eight saves. No other team has less than 12.
While there are a number of factors that can determine the order of finish, the biggest is pitching.
“Everyone is looking for pitching,” Vecchio said. “We’ll see what transpires. We’ll be aggressive, but any move we make will be to make our club better, not just to change the roster.”
For me, the latest such case was Friday night.
This story begins Tuesday, the first night of the current homestand. I went to the ballpark to confirm that the Frontier League's transaction deadline was Aug. 12, as I had seen noted in another newspaper. I was told by the Wild Things that the Aug. 12 date was not correct and that the deadline was midnight the night of Aug. 18. I posted this information on this blog.
Much to my surprise, I was informed Friday night by the Wild Things that what I was told earlier this week was wrong. The transaction deadline is midnight Monday night. The Wild Things, it seems, were under the impression that the deadline was a week later than it is.
That left me wondering just how a baseball team doesn't know when the final day is to make a trade or a roster move? I didn't think this was possible.
Well, the following is a story I had originally planned to run next week instead of today:
For at least eight teams in the Frontier League, this weekend will be a bargain-hunting shopping spree. And for one of the few times in the league’s 16-year history, there are more buyers than sellers.
The transaction deadline is midnight Monday night. After that time, rosters are frozen. Only if a player suffers a season-ending injury or is signed by an affiliated team can a team make an adjustment to its roster. Trades among teams within the league will not be permitted.
With the wild-card picture still muddled, it might be difficult for teams like the Wild Things to acquire a player who could be the final piece to a playoff push.
Kalamazoo is running away with the East Division and is a lock for one of the four postseason spots. In the West, Southern Illinois and surging Windy City are separated by 1 1/2 games heading into Saturday night. Both seem to be bound for the playoffs, either as a division champion or one of the two wild cards.
The last wild-card berth won’t be decided until the season’s final week and possibly final day (Sept. 3). Only 2 1/2 games separate Gateway, Florence, Traverse City, Rockford and Washington. River City is hanging around, 3 1/2 games out of the final playoff spot.
One good trade could make the difference between making and missing the postseason. But it might be difficult to finalize a trade because there are so many buyers this year.
“It’s tough to make a deal with the playoff format the way it is,” Wild Things general manager Ross Vecchio said. “It’s a case of not many teams being out of it. We’re still talking. We have feelers out in our league and other independent leagues. We still have time. A lot can change between now and the deadline.
“One thing you don’t want to do is make a trade just for the sake of making a move. It has to be with the thought process that it’s going to improve your club. You also need a willing partner to make a trade.”
There is no doubt what the Wild Things are shopping for.
“We need a stopper,” manager Greg Jelks said. “Am I going to give up somebody who is definitely going to help me next year for somebody who will be here for two or three weeks? No. I’m not giving up a guy who will be a key player next year for a closer.”
The Wild Things’ need for a ninth-inning relief pitcher has been glaring for more than month. Washington is last in the league with a mere eight saves. No other team has less than 12.
While there are a number of factors that can determine the order of finish, the biggest is pitching.
“Everyone is looking for pitching,” Vecchio said. “We’ll see what transpires. We’ll be aggressive, but any move we make will be to make our club better, not just to change the roster.”
posted by Chris Dugan at
11:31 AM
63 Comments:
Greg Jelks said. “Am I going to give up somebody who is definitely going to help me next year
Lord God Almighty, does he really think he will be back next year? It's depressing to even think he may be back next year. Please, please, please say it isn't so - PLEASE! How much does the Wild things management think we will put up with. Jells is the biggest freakin' disaster we've ever had here and to think he may be back is just more than the fans should stand for.
Hey Wild Things management, are you people even listening to your fans? The ones that are lining your pockets.
I propose a boycott of the WT if Jelks is re-hired! This crap, including players like Haran, just has got to stop! Coming to CEP is just not fun anymore for people that like baseball. It's probably ok for little kids (if they don't get to close to swearing bal players)but that's all
You beat me to it! NO WAY JELKS IS BACK NEXT YEAR!
I'd put money on it that Jelks was the one that didn't know the date of the trade deadline. Ross is pretty sharp and more than likely he's fed up with Jelks and didn't bother to share the date with him. Jelks isn't bright enough to figure it out on his own, he's only been in the league for 7 years. He'd be lucky to even get a return phone call from another manager about a trade.
I hope that other teams will just refuse to deal with the Wild Things. Just let them hang there.
The management has had a free ride here in Washington since the team's inception. Now they are starting to just plan piss a lot of folks off.
I am also fed up with both Jelks and new showboat guy from New Jersey. Anybody from our area should know his type is not appreciated but it seems he will be shoved down our throats.
Let's see that arm!!
Mr. Haran, if you would like me too, I'll take up a collection to pay your bus ticket back to where the hell you came from. From what I've heard from the fans attending the last few games, I should be able to collected enough money in about 30 seconds. It will be a one way ticket, of course.
Frankly, I think Mr. Haran is getting much more attention than he deserves.
Next year there will be a whole new cast of characters out on the former Falconi Field. Mr. Jelks will probably be gone and Mr. Haran also.
If not, a suspect a whole lot of fans will be gone.
Hate to say it, but that's the way I see it after talking with a lot of other fans.
Ron Wilson
Illegitimati non carborundum!
Correction: I meant to say "I suspect" a suspect.
I'm just old and confused.
Ron Wilson
Illegitimati non carborundum!
Boycott? Are you kidding? Who would waste their money on this sort of nonsense anyway?
After hearing Chris Sidick tell one of his own team members to go do what is physically impossible (I think) to himself, I made a promise to myself never to expose my children to that again – ever!
I have to seriously doubt the parenting skills of people that would take their children to a place like this. Just about anyone that pays attention knows this happens frequently now at CEP. I might just as well take them to a ‘biker bar’.
As far as Haran goes, I don’t know what he does that makes so many folks angry. I have to believe he is not such a good guy because where there is this much smoke there just has to be fire.
So, how did this all happen? How could the Wild Things higher ups allow this team to get so out of control?
Wild Things, you disappoint me.
Let’s face it – the Wild Things management just flat ass doesn’t care what you think. If they did do you think this would still be going on? They are all too content to just sit back and count their money. If you don’t like the product -–don'’ buy it. I stopped about 6 weeks ago. Do you really need to give your hard-earned money to people that have so little regard for your concerns and wishes?
If one needs an example of how stupid people can be just go to Wild Things game and have the same old stale act every night from “your boy, Dutch” He starts out EVERY night with ‘you can make more noise than that’ ad nauseam through the entire game. Then watch how silly the fans can act to get a piece of foam rubber coal – it’s so silly you wonder how these people have made through the years.
On the subject of coal – Consol Energy, are you really proud of your sponsorship of this type of “family entailment”? You should be embarrassed beyond belief. It sure doesn’t say much for your judgement.
I have but one thing to say about the Wild things - GO THUNDERBOLTS!!
Somebody needs to send Ross and Jelks a link to this site. Just in case they don't know their fan base is evaporating.
Perhaps Jelks should stay out of Ernie's Bar and tend to his ball club instead of nursing the booze.
Perhaps Jelks should take Ross to Ernie's bar also.
Tonight, wow another fantistic game. Is 22 runs the most a Wild Things team has given up in their 7 year history?
We are once again below .500!!!
And to think they thought the roster freeze was a week later.
It's about time for John Swiatek to clean house!!!!!
Chris, you will probably once again be banned from the clubhouse with this post.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Yes indeed, this is the most runs ever allowed by the Wild Thing as well as the most home runs allowed in one game. Great team the WT management put together for us this year, isn’t it?
Vecchio said. “We’ll see what transpires. We’ll be aggressive, but any move we make will be to make our club better, not just to change the roster.”
The best move you can make is take out the garbage at the helm. Good grief, wake up and smell the coffee Ross, you made a mistake hiring Jelks.
My beautiful wife, after observing Mr. Haran for a couple of nights made this observation.
“Can’t you just see that egotist swaggering down a fashion show runway with nothing but a jock strap on chewing on his little wad of bubble gum. He would probably think he was the most beautiful one there”. Well, I don’t fight with my wife when she has a valid point.
I'm sorry, but all of this talk about Haran is ridiculous. He has done nothing but help the ball club thus far. Several guys I have spoken with seem to like him, and think he is an asset to the team. Obviously none of you know the true nature of some of these young men. Many of them (whom I know personally) are working very hard, and in some cases, playing through injuries. I am certainly hope none of these men would stumble across this blog to see their efforts undermined and their characters unjustly slandered.
Ross, give up serving the milk and cookies and go sit in the section behind homeplate. Or maybe you could serve milk and cookies the whole game so maybe the kids would be in your line and not down there learning the filth from the players.
all of this talk about Haran is ridiculous.....
Several guys I have spoken with seem to like him, ......
Birds of a feather flock together.
If you like Haran and his cocky ass attitude than you just have to be either his boyfriend or his Mom.
I hope to Budda that every team that can deal with the Wild Things just refuse to do anything to help them. NO DEALS for the WT! That should be the mantra until they get their act together and dump that dumb Jelks.
Yankees of the Frontier League? That has got to be the most stupid thing I've heard yet. Did that jackass really really say that?
WT pitching staff: Desperate times call for desperate measures! These WC boys have really "showed you up" big time tonight. Tomorrow: MOUTHS TO THE PREGAME MIKES! READY AT THE BEANBALLS! POUR SOME COFFEE DOWN JELKS AND SOBER HIM UP! (no....wait... that'd probably just make it worse...)
The Wild Thugs are only a half game from becoming the Mild Thugs.
Was Jelks first order of business to trade Tom Cochran or did Ross make that decision? I noticed in the follow up story he is 11-0 in his league. Everything these guys have done is wrong.
If Mr. Swiatek wasn’t able to handle the problem at the end of the last season, how does one think that he will be able to handle this mess? Neither he, nor Ross had a clue what to then and I doubt they know what to do now. A good start would be to fire Jelks immediately if for no other reason than the fact the entire foul mouthed team is out of control. Next, dump that swaggering gum chewing jerk from Jersey – now!
His type is not what the fans here want to see. Despite what Mr.Haran thinks, he is NOT God’s gift to the Wild Things and most of the fans are in no mood to put up with it. I have never seen a player so disliked by the Washington fans. Who cares what the players think, thet don't pay to get into CEP, we do!
One of the things that starts an organization down the path to self destruction is to get out of touch with thier customers. (We ARE customers not just fans) This is exactly what is happening now with the Wild Things management. If they don’t wake up, and soon, things will start rolling downhill in a hurry.
So John, Ross, et al; you better start to realize that the fans don’t like Mr. Haran and they don’t like Mr. Jelks. DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! Stop serving up the same old spaghetti.
Wild Things general manager Ross Vecchio said. “It’s a case of not many teams being out of it. We’re still talking. We have feelers out in our league and other independent leagues. We still have time. A lot can change between now and the deadline.......
That is if you know when the deadline is.
In case anybody didn't notice, Haran was being great with the kids on the field before the game. He went around and fist pumped all of them. Second he went and shook all the umpires hands at home plate and wished them luck. Third he busted his butt down the first base line to back up plays to first all night. Plus this kid has tore up the ball. In three games he hit 2 homeruns and 2 doubles. I some fans need to clam down and come to the fact that this team is just not very good. the pitching is horrid. We've all been spoiled with play off teams. Teams aren't supposed to make the playoffs every year. Something has to go wrong every once in a while. This year is the pitching. Look at that roster and everyone from this past year and tell me anyone who has been anygood. even the good arms like Ledbetter and tonight, Schellinger, have been up and down. Whoever posted about Tom Cochran, he was awful last year. He lost like his last 10 starts and got blown out in the playoffs. Now it's time for a clever, "Its Jelks" from the bitters. Come up with something new...
Anonymous said, “I certainly hope none of these men would stumble across this blog to see their efforts undermined and their characters unjustly slandered.”
You Sir must be endowed with a a paper head – no insult intended.. First, calling these guys ‘men’ is an insult to manhood. Men Sir, do not act as if they are children. Secondly, no one has been slandered. Perhaps you failed to complete law school.
I earnestly hope they DO read this stuff so they may realize how they look to the fans. They seem so wrapped up in themselves that they don’t know the harm they are doing to their reputations by acting so stupid. If most people would act that way in front of their boss, I dare say they would be dismissed on the spot. These ‘men’ need to grow up. Being criticized is part of ones maturation. Perhaps they should experience some military discipline and then they would realize how stupid they are acting.
Haran's little bruise he was milking was a foul ball he took to the cup. Even though he may have the boys covered, it still tingles badly.
From the Observer Reporter on Saturday, "We had a bull's eye on our chest at the start because of having a great season last year, but nobody panicked. We stayed calm and STUCK TOGETHER. ... Windy City coach said.
That's the difference in their team and our WT. Jelks has dumped everybody but 3 original players. He needs to take note of this. We lost Maz but we didn't have to loose all of the other guys. They were traded, released, and retired at a morons will.
You might have noticed that one comment in this string has been eliminated. Here's why:
Apparently, some anonymous poster takes great delight in a player taking a foul ball off the family jewels. He/she even went so far as to accuse the player of faking the injury to gain sympathy from the fans.
We have now officially hit rock bottom on this board.
I know the poster of the comment can't relate to such a play - he obviously doesn't have a set of stones or else he would have used his name when accusing a player of faking an injury.
I've saved the text of the comment. If the poster wants to add his name to it, I'll send to him and he can post it again. Until then, anonymously accusing players of faking injuries to gain sympathy from the fans is where we draw the line.
Anonymous said, “he busted his butt down the first base line to back up plays to first all night”
No kidding, did he really? What is unusual about that? He is supposed to do that. If you knew jack about baseball nobody would have to tell you that. The issue with this lad, (can’t say boy these days) not yet a man, is his smart-ass attitude – don’t you get that? The Barry Bonds act he pulled the other night should have gotten his head knocked off his next at bat. Had the game situation been different it probably would have happened. If you like his dick-weed attitude then you are in he minority. But, you are entitled to your opinion.
Chris, I posted that. I was not referring to the shot in the cup. It was the other one were he took a hit on the instep. This guy is nothing but all show.
Remove whatever you like from any post you like, it doesn't change a thing.
You hit rock bottom by assuming something without first checking the facts. I always thought that was a reporters responsibility.
Sorry you read something into it that wasn't there. So much for "stones"
Below is the text of the deleted comment (you did use "injuries" - perhaps a typo with the "s" led to the misunderstanding. Plus, you posted anonymously - how am I supposed to check "the facts" with you when you do that, Anonymous?
The previously deleted comment:
After the game tonight (Saturday) if anybody still thinks that Jelks is a fine manager than you need help. Tonight it was Schellinger’s turn to have a hissy fit after be put in a miserable performance. What a bunch of losers this team is. They have absolutely NO class.
Couldn’t help seeing Haran’s fake little injuries tonight – anything to get folks to look at him and, just perhaps, a small round of polite applause. Crap, can’t you even tolerate a little bruise like a man? I have your ‘get out of Dodge’ money collected Mr. Haran – please don’t forget to take all your things with you because we don’t really need a showboat here.
It was sure great watching the Wild Things get their butts handed to them tonight – they deserved it. Do any of you think that Ross will finally get around to handing Jelks his walking papers? It was Jelks that said at the start of the season that the Wild Things were “the New York Yankees of the Frontier League” Yeah, sure. I suppose he thinks Haran is A-Rod too.
Nobody will find my rear-end at another Wild Things game until some major, and I mean major, changes are made.
Chris,
Now I understand. That was a typo on my part. Being of the male gender I know full well the agony of - well, that type of injury.
I apoligize for what was an error. I do however remain convinced of the statement regarding the other, less painful injury.
I don't like the way this person acts on the field and I don't mind saying so. I'm most certainly NOT the only one.
When he the hit the HR against Rockford he could just as easily just rounded the bases and let it go at that. Instead he acted as if he had never before hit one out of the park. In short, he needs to grow up! Given the recent rash of on field incidents, he should have shown much more restraint.
I think he is an immature person that needs to have the wise guy knocked out of him one way or the other.
Thanks for reposting my comment. If you still want to delete it - that's entirely up to you. It IS your blog, not mine.
Haran wasn't here for the incidents and Rockford couldn't afford to get another suspension and the game was 3-2, they couldn't afford the base runner. Plus the people involved on the last incidents were Robbie Knapp and Ledbetter, former teammates...apples and oranges. And whoever pointed out he supposed to run down the bases, I was pointing that even if he has a "swagger" as you guys are calling it, he still is doing the little things right.
even if he has a "swagger" as you guys are calling it, he still is doing the little things right.
Is he not a 'professional' player. He should be expected to run down the baseline under most circumstances. That doesn't mean that he is a great baseball player. Are you sure you know how baseball should be played?
I don’t know know crap from Shinola about Mr. Haran but I DO know that his ‘first impression’ with a LOT of the fans is not very favorable. There have been a lot of things said about Mr. Haran on this blog the last few days. I’ve also heard some considerable talk about him at the former Falconi Field. I have absolutely NO idea of what he is like personally – don’t even care. I do know that from where I sit he just ‘projects’ a cocky, arrogant manner that I do not care for. Many others have the same impression of him. I see from his bio that he is from Old Bridge, NJ. Well, that’s real close to New York City and I’m sure most of us are familiar with the ‘attitude’ of many of the people that reside in that area.
So, perhaps that accounts for the appearance of what seems to be his personality. He is probably just reflecting what is the norm for people, especially athletes, from the NYC area. If any of you have ever spent more than a day there, then you know just what I mean. I don’t think he should be ridiculed as much as he has been on this blog BUT he has brought a lot of it on himself. I was especially turned off by the display of bravado after he hit the home run against Rockford. Even though, as one poster pointed out, he was not here when the Ledbetter-Knapp thing occurred he almost had to be aware of it If you hit one out of the park everyone knows it – no need for all the added BS. He could have at least acted as if wasn’t the first time for him. I sure don’t see him act that way when he strikes out and he has probably done that a lot of times too! It probably wouldn’t hurt to not blow a bubble just after striking out. We already know – your cool man!
Anyway, with the way things have gone this year what is one more distraction going to hurt now. I don’t like the way this man projects himself and it appears many others don’t care for it either. That does not make him a bad guy. For all I know he is as nice a guy as he seems to think he is! For my part, I just sit back and watch what I consider just another sad story from the 2008 season that has many other sad stories.
Ron Wilson
Illegitimati non carborundum!
BTW: At least those of us in attendance at Saturday’s game got to see a couple of records broken!
What is wrong with the Wild Things?
Jelks – New Manager, so predictable that you can set your sun dial by watching him. So slow walking that I can catch a power nap while he visits the mound. I appreciate the fact that he is ‘buying time’ for me to get my proper rest- I am getting very old.
Wayman – New Pitching Coach – Looks more like a university professor than a baseball man, or perhaps a mob ‘hitman’, but that’s another story. Can’t tell a book by its cover you know. If this man goes to the mound to council the pitcher you can bet that the batter will get a hit on the next pitch. Just look at the pitching staff’s ERA. I know - most of the Bullpen guys couldn’t pitch horseshoes.
Chris Carter – New Hitting Coach – Really nice person. Now check the team batting average. Most of the hitters can, and do, throw their bats farther than their batting average numbers. At least they are consistent, they do it every night.
Bob Bozzuto – Bench Coach - Nice Guy – Who the hell knows what he does? I guess he coaches the bench and eats a lot! Well, we all need to have a tile. Probably does the best job of all those guys ‘cause at least it is the same ‘ol bench as last year. Probably the only thing at the former Falconi Field that hasn’t changed. WAIT, I’m wrong, Ol’ Bobby was there last year too! So, none of the stuff that has happened can be put on his shoulders. He just has to be the Coach of the Year! Hands down, no other choice.
Ron Wilson
Illegitimati non carborundum!
BTW: Please don’t anybody be offended – just having a little fun. Got to laugh to survive in this world.
Horan is the only guy I see trying to get his team up after they come off the field every inning.
Also, his batter-up music is a Hendrix song...beats Johnny Cash and whoever sings "yes sir" any time. Wish Difabio would quit trying to get in on that act.
Speaking of Difabio, is he related to the people who own Pro Tech Auto Glass? That ad is funny...like the first time you ever hear it. After about 60 times a night, it is just annoying.
Pro Tech must pay fifty times what the other sponsors dish out, to have their names mentioned once a game.
I see White's towing service sitting outside the gate every night to give free service, but never hear a mention for them.
Maybe last night after one of many homerun balls, difabio could have said something like, "White towing needs to call Pro Tech", or we could call someone to take a look at our scoreboards. Windy City has been giving them a beating.
Hey Ron, your nothing but a stupid jackass. Haven’t you noticed we are losing game after game?
This isn’t the time for jokes. Get serious man the season is slipping away – jokes my ass!
BTW: That new guy Haran is a craphead, what’s with the “could be a nice guy” stuff? I probably won’t be long before you will be saying Jelks is a good manager. Get a life you old man! Geez
I am Robbie Knapp's father. I suppose it would be impolite not to respond to father Ledbetter's two- thousand word essay/explanation from the other day. I'll be briefer.
To begin with, whatever "sign" Aaron thought he "saw" from Robbie (at Rockford) would have been meant for someone else, not Aaron. I mean, give Robbie a break here! The WT management was pretty rough on Robbie right in the middle of a serious injury. Also, would it dawn on any Wild Things players that WT management could or would "dump" them in the middle of an injury, too? Robbie left Washington not really knowing if his injury was going to affect his game. In a right-side-up world,
it would seem empathy alone would have EVERY WT player quietly thinking to himself "Good for Robbie" every time Rockford Robbie did something good. Are baseball friendships really that thin? Is baseball really that important?
Robbie had a lot of fans in Washington, and he has fan mail to prove it. He would faithfully sign autographs as long as there were little kids wanting one. When Robbie was 10 or 12 I took him to a Braves game where Chipper Jones brushed Robbie aside twice like Robbie wasn't even there. On the ride home Robbie said he'd never be that "kind" of person, no matter how far he got in baseball.
Anyway, I'm sure many fans were confused when they saw Aaron throw at his former teammate, who was still nursing a broken face. Aaron's webcast interview must have left them even more confused. An awful lot of people probably never thought six-foot-six
could look so small. It just didn't fit the legend.
So here's the moral to this story:
A baseball player, especially one playing at this level, should keep the testosterone wiped out of his eyes so he doesn't steal a sign that wasn't meant for him and end up making a damn fool of himself.
Last year the WT management happily told us,"Robbie Knapp is exactly the kind of player we're looking for." I guess they've changed their policy on that.
Thriftyone:
I'm saving 3 bucks a night for the rest of the season after watching Windy City take batting practice all evening yesterday. I'm not coming back to CEP at all for the rest of this year. My Ol Lady frustrates me enough - I don't need to go there to get even more of the same.
Where did the WT get all those batting practice pitchers anyway? Did they just trade for them? Ross is dumb enough to do that you know.
Will somebody please volunteer to go to Ernie’s Bar and keep Jelks crap-faced so that he will be unable to make to CEP tonight. That way perhaps the WT may have some small chance of at least making a game if that is even possible. When, if ever, are Swiatek and Ross going to get the ‘message’ the fans are trying to send them? Are these guys really that slow? They just CAN”T be, can they? Send this man back to the kangaroos! Let him screw something down there up and leave us alone.
Arnold"the train" Edwards called me this morning and said you have to read the Wild Things Blog.My first thought was why?
I've been in amazement for the last hour going thru some of this crap. I don't want to be critical of Wild Thing fans because I don't think this blog represents them. It represents spineless people who want to attack peoples character without giving their name, or people that know it all.
This blog should be about discussing baseball and strategy not assisnating character.
If you want to be critical of Greg or Ross's decisions thats your right as fans, Greg and Ross know that's part of their jobs.You can't attack people in paper Chris without your name, why can you do it here?
I don't know this years team except for 4 guys. I know Greg has high standards for players character and I know Ross has as much class and character as anyone Ive ever been around.
I can personally attest for Ledbetter,Hollenbeck, Sidick and Messner as solid people with great character, you can put Robbie Knapp in their too.
I've been in professional baseball for over 22 years and the Washington Wild Things are at the top of my list for Class, Integrity and Character.
Chris, clean up the blog and make it about Baseball.
Oh one more thing...
The Frontier League is a great league with great baseball. I've coached and managed over 60 players who are currently in the big leagues and I love them, but I will take my 4 years of Frontier League athletes over major league athletes any day, because they love baseball as much as I do.
Thanks Wild Things.
Mazz
p.s if your going to bash someone at least be like Ron, we all know he's an old horses ass.
Mr Knapp move on, i know things ended bad here for your son and theres still alot of bad blood, that showed itself this week. Get over it, i understand your sticking up for your son but there is no reason why you should even be wasting your time with this blog. To comment to Mr. Ledbetters comment is childish ( I guess we know where Robbie gets it from now). Mr. Ledbetter was just sticking up for his (like you were) because he was being attacked by the so called fans on this site who were calling him a thug when all he was doing was reacting to what your son had done when he hit his HR in rockford (I believe people are now giving Haran trouble for the same)
Its over now, enjoy Rockford
P.s.
Anyone who has ever spoken with Haran knows he is a nice guy, just because he plays with confidence doesnt mean hes the devil. Last night he even took time after the game to carry a debilitated child around the bases. Then after he came out of the locker room spent extra time with fans. Sound like a bad guy to you?
John Massarelli said...
p.s if your going to bash someone at least be like Ron, we all know he's an old horses ass.
John, how good to see you post something here. Your dead wrong about the “horses ass” part though.
I’m just the south end of a northbound horse.
You are also of the great ambassadors for the classy Frontier League.
Good luck to you.
Ron Wilson
Illegitimati non carborundum!
John,
I forgot to say that I HIGHY resemble being call 'old'. The rest of what you said is true.
Ron Wilson
Illegitimati non carborundum!
I can't spell either!
Ron Wilson
Illegitimati non carborundum!
Ron,
I just wanted people to be able to differentiate between the two of us.
mazz said...
Ron,
I just wanted people to be able to differentiate between the two of us.
No problem John. Most folks already know the difference 'cause I'm the ugly fat one with no hair!
Ron Wilson
Illegitimati non carborundum!
I thought I’d seen everything on this board until today! The great John Massarelli trying to tell Chris how to run the blog. The same person that managed the team that heaped a lot of crap on Chris last year.
The same loser that mis-manageed the Wild Things so badly last year. The very same person that let all the wonderful characters ruin the teams, up to that point, good name after falling flat on their asses against Windy City? The same person that could never get his teams up for the BIG games.
John, you are out of Washington so why do you think you should stick your nose into Chris’s blog. Don’t you have anything else to do?
You said “I can personally attest for Ledbetter, Hollenbeck, Sidick and Messner as solid people with great character”. Are you talking about the same Ledbetter that threw at a batter that was already suffering from serious facial injuries? Great example for the young players don’t you think? Chris Sidick, About the most foul mouthed player ever to step on the ground at CEP. Another example of what you apparently feel is a person of “great character”. Then we have Mr. Messner, what a really fine example he sets for our youngsters, throwing equipment like a 4th grader – another ‘great character”. Mr. Hollenbeck can keep emotions under control at least to the viewing public. Except for Mr. Hollenbeeck, your perception of “solid” and “great character” is about as questionable as your – never mind! If that is the sort of environment you want for your children that is up to you. Don’t try to make our judgement values for us.
It’s obvious you don’t have good judgement if the above is any example.
Why don’t you just BUTT OUT!
I guess I believe character is what you do when nobody is around. Or in your case, nobody knows my name. Please continue to honor yourself on this board anonymous....
The Wild Things won one tonight.
What happened?
Yes with this season, we could use Mr. Wilson's humor because this season has been a real menace.
I wonder what changes will be made before the ROSSter is frozen tomorrow night.
WAYMAN,I am DUNN, a tired MANN,without a HARAM and am LED-to-BETTER take a KNAPP. Are they still serving ALBERTS hot dogs?
Good night, I am getting GROHy.
Mr. Knapp,
What a shame that you felt the urge to respond to me out of a concern of being impolite. From reading your response one would can see you are upset, but at which topic the most, Aaron or the Wild Things. I figured you would respond, but didn’t anticipate the things that you wrote by tying in Aaron with your ill feelings of how you felt Robbie was treated by the Wild Things. I will not indulge on your remarks concerning the Wild Things, but will on those towards my son and towards myself.
I was especially careful to write in my previous entry of only the things that concerned the game of baseball and made sure that nothing negative or demeaning was aimed at your son. What I wrote was in an attempt to downplay the remarks towards Aaron’s character as he was being attacked by the so called fans on this site, by calling him a thug and classless, nothing more and nothing less.
From the games that we were fortunate enough to go to last year and this year, my wife and I visited with you and your wife on several occasions, enjoying them fully. Imagine my surprise when you respond with the words you chose attacking myself and my son on a personal basis.
I’m referring to:
1. You wrote: “father Ledbetter's two- thousand word essay/explanation”-
(my name is not “father” and what did I ever do to you for you to disrespect me in that manner. The reason it was lengthy was to explain with thought, not “shooting from the hip”, to avoid making statements out of anger or frustration such as this).
2. You wrote: “I'm sure many fans were confused when they saw Aaron throw at his former teammate, who was still nursing a broken face”-
(The very reason I wrote to the extent that I did, because it has nothing to do with Robbie nursing a broken face. If that is the case, he shouldn’t be playing. Like I said, he seems to be doing very well. Also like I stated, HE DIDN’T THROW AT HIS FACE.)
3. You wrote: “Aaron's webcast interview must have left them even more confused. An awful lot of people probably never thought six-foot-six could look so small”.
(First, I made mention that I didn’t approve of how my son handled that interview and that he had stated that he regretted it. However, Aaron is a grown man and if you want to make personal remarks about him I would suggest that you call him. Just as I stated, “Personal remarks are just that, personal, and should be handled personally, not over the airways or in a blog such as this”)
4. You wrote: “So here's the moral to this story: A baseball player, especially one playing at this level, should keep the testosterone wiped out of his eyes so he doesn't steal a sign that wasn't meant for him and end up making a damn fool of himself”.
(??? testosterone wiped out of his eyes??? Steal sign not meant for him???? Making a damn full of himself???? Are you serious???? Why would you say such things about him. Are you also so caught up in the personal side of this situaiton, obviously upset at the organization as well, and saying things to demean an individual almost ½ your age. Amazing. Regardless of who your son’s “sign” was meant for, whether it be Aaron or the Wild Things team, it doesn’t matter because they are one in the same, therefore players take up for their team just like a team will take up for a player.)
For what it is worth, I wish your son success as he continues his journey through baseball and regret that this has took such a personal twist. Another note of thanks to those of you that support the Wild Things and stood up to attest for the character of Aaron, it is truly appreciated.
Curt Ledbetter...........
llib...
get a life... using the names for a statement... still in high school?
hahaha......FACT!!!
Mr Ledbetter 2,..... Mr Knapp 0
So much more class Mr Ledbetter, bravo
also to mention, knapp was wearing a softball-ish type mask to protect his face. he was fully protected.
mazz said...
“I guess I believe character is what you do when nobody is around. Or in your case, nobody knows my name. Please continue to honor yourself on this board anonymous.”
...
John,
I could have predicted that somebody would have reacted to your post with that sort of response. Nothing surprises me here. Don’t let it bother you.
I think a lot of people on this board don’t use their names for a couple of reasons, neither of which are good. First, there are so many guys that are afraid somebody will dislike them for what they say or for fear another person will make a better counter point to what they post. The second reason is probably that they see the way people that do use their names are subjected to abusive name-calling. Here is an example of what I talking about. This was in response to a humorous post I had made.
“Anonymous said...
Hey Ron, your nothing but a stupid jackass. Haven’t you noticed we are losing game after game?
This isn’t the time for jokes. Get serious man the season is slipping away – jokes my ass!
BTW: That new guy Haran is a craphead, what’s with the “could be a nice guy” stuff? I (sic) probably won’t be long before you will be saying Jelks is a good manager. Get a life you old man! Geez
If I put something on this board I do so using my name because that represents MY values. I am responsible for what I say and have the courage of my convictions. Opinions are like ass holes – everybody has one! If I post a message I expect some individual to respond in some negative way to me because I have made myself an easy target. Hell, if that’s what it takes to float their boat, I can live with it. If they are ticked off at the ‘little woman’ and want to use me as a whipping boy well, so be it. I CAN take the heat. Of course it would give them at least a modicum of creditability if they used their name. If they had even a small amount of guts (which they don’t) their name would follow their remarks. No matter to me. When I post something it WILL have my name on it because that way nobody can ever say I was too cowardly to do so..
So, keep on posting John. If anyone doesn’t like what you have to say all they have to do is – not read it!
Ron Wilson
Illegitimati non carborundum!
Any trades today?
Let me tell all of you people something. Greg Jelks can not make any moves without Ross giving the ok. Ross makes the decision on what players come and what goes on. If you want to blame anyone for the season blame ROSS AND THE FRONT OFFICE. Everyone thinks they know what is best what in the hell do any of you know. Have you ever Managed a team? No you haven't so maybe you should keep your mouths shut about something you know nothing about. It is not Gregs fault that the players aren't playing well. He can't bat or pitch for them. They are responsable for this team losing. I hope that Greg Jelks is back he is a great person and a great manager. He has had problems with these players that you have no idea about. Who are you to judge anyone else. I PRAY THE GREG IS BACK NEXT SEASON!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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