Celebrate good times
Here's a photo, from the Daily Republican in Marion, Ill., of the Southern Illinois Miners celebrating in the clubhouse after clinching a playoff berth Tuesday night with a come-from-behind win over Gateway. Do you know the guy in the front row of the photo? You get one guess.Labels: Ernie Banks, Southern Illinois Miners
posted by Chris Dugan at
11:18 AM
35 Comments:
Ernie Banks
Ernie can't stand to play for a loser. That is why his stays in Washington were not secussful.
I am guessing Ernie Banks.
He wasn't there long enough to be of any real help. Ernie is, and has always been a glory hunter. In other words - a REAL loser.
I see Gov. Corbett can't fund education but can give $20 million in taxpayers money to the New York Yankees to renovate their ballpark in Scranton.
By Josh Leventhal and Everett Merrill
August 19, 2011
While their ballpark gets an extreme makeover, the Scranton-Wilkes/Barre Yankees will spend next year away from home.
The International League has tentatively approved Scranton's plan to play at an alternate location next season, while a $40 million renovation project goes on at PNC Field, league president Randy Mobley said.
The team and league have not settled on a temporary site for the team, Mobley said, but about six locations are under consideration. The Yankees have until the IL's fall meeting on Sept. 20 to submit a final proposal, though Mobley expects it to be done before then.
In May, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett approved a $20 million state grant to renovate PNC Field. The Lackawanna County Stadium Authority will match the grant with $20 million to complete the project. The majority of that money will come from the proceeds of a previously agreed upon $14.6 million sale of the team to SWB Yankees LLC—an entity made up of the New York Yankees and Mandalay Baseball that currently operates the team.
I beg to differ about Ernie Banks contribution to the Miners. In his 29 games, he has hit .284 with 7 doubles, 7 home runs and has driven in 20. He has played a solid 1b and has been a tremendous teammate. He has been an important addition to our teams push to the playoffs.
Mike Pinto
Field Manager, Southern Illinois Miners
Better spent on baseball than trying to educate some of the brain dead village idiots that you can find hanging out at any mall. If my tax money were to be wasted, I’d prefer to see it used to improve ballparks
that just may have some value. Let the parents of the village idiot’s pay for their children’s education. It’s not my responsibility to do it. Way to go Governor Corbett. You ARE doing the right thing.
BTW: Wild Things are now officially eliminated. I’m shocked at this development. Who would have thought that would happen? LOL! EVERSON MUST GO!
I agree with Mr. Pinto's post about Ernie Banks. This kid never had a chance here (with the Wildthings), and after two stints, I think he realized that. Good for him.
I've always enjoyed watching Ernie play and wish him nothing but continued success on and off the field. Good luck to Ernie and the Miners on their playoff push.
“I agree with Mr. Pinto's post about Ernie Banks. This kid never had a chance here (with the Wildthings), “
Have you ever taken a long range look at Mr. Banks attitude? If you enjoy what you saw then I’m sorry for you that he has been removed from the Washington roster – not just once, but twice. The ”kid” (more properly called man-child) killed his chances with his stupid antics like throwing paper cups all over the field, throwing equipment, etc. I will not, and do not miss his glory seeking ways. He contributed nothing to the Wild Things and if Mr. Pinto thinks so highly of Mr. Banks, please be sure to keep him on your team. DON’T worry, sooner or later, Mr. Banks will make you regret your remarks. You want him and you can have him, temper tantrums and all! There are plenty of reasons Mr. Banks can’t stick with any team for very long.
Ima Fraid
BTW: Mr. Pinto, why are you posting here. Shouldn’t you be getting ready for the playoffs? There should be nothing the Wild Things are doing that would be of much interest to a team of the high stature of the Miners.
"Ernie can't stand to play for a loser. That is why his stays in Washington were not secussful."
Nobody was holding a gun to his head when he signed on, were they?
I agree with Mr. Pinto's post about Ernie Banks. This kid never had a chance here (with the Wildthings), and after two stints, I think he realized that. Good for him.
To be more accurate; After two stints here, with plenty of opportunity to display his worth, he failed miserably.
Just check his stats while playing for the Wild Things. Everybody was shocked him Everson signed him – small wonder why. Just another of his many mistakes. The Wild Things finally realized just how much effort was being wasted on him and shipped him off the seek the glory he does NOT deserve!
How appropriate that the last out of the last game was a strikeout by Blake Ochoa. It sort of symbolizes
the way things have gone for the Wild Things this season. Not to mention that the play before Ochoa’s K was a double play! Things can only change for the better next year.
That being said, I don’t see that happening unless the Wild Things can sign a new manager. They need one that has better talent evaluation than Mr. Everson. He has had two years to show some improvement and that just has not happened. I would hope that there are going to be a lot of roster changes too. If Sidick returns, that would be a good thing. If Blake Ochoa returns, it should be only as a back-up catcher, or perhaps at a different position (I can’t even imagine that). Blake is a nice man but his skills as a catcher
are somewhat sub-standard, at lest that’s how I see it. I think he has some batting skills and shows some power at times, but needs a really good hitting coach to bring them into focus.
Off the field, the Wild Things are a real mess. Hopefully, Mr. Williams will address the lack of leadership at CEP during the off season!
I am hopeful that next year we will see some very real and positive changes. I would just love to see a return to the “good old days” at CEP!
Ima fraid
Let's face the facts. You racist, bigoted people didn't like Banks because he was black. You looked for reasons to root against him in '09 when he hit .343/19/55 in 54 games! I'm disgusted by how the people on this blog constantly hamper on the minority players. "Ochoa is a terrible catcher because he's Venezualan!"
Wake up people, it's 2011. You should all be ashamed of yourselves.
RW, do you even know what GOOD OLD DAYS are? You have complained since day one about almost everything. Nothing ever pleases you, unless of course it is your idea, then it is gospel! Much of the "fun" days at the park are gone because of the minority of fans like you (and I mean only a handful)! Go Wildthings!
It is good to hear from you again Jamal.
You might not like what he said but everything RW has said was going to happen actually did happen.
A lot of you clodhoppers will settle for anything rather than make waves. The problem with that approach is that when you start kissing somebody’s fanny, it’s really hard to stop. I guess you haven’t learned that yet! Probably never will.
Ima Fraid
I'm disgusted by how the people on this blog constantly hamper on the minority players. "Ochoa is a terrible catcher because he's Venezualan!"
NO ONE, NO one, has posted anything like the remark that you enclosed in quotes in your post. If they did - show me where.
Ochoa is an less than average cather no matter whar color he is or, no matter where he is from.
Ima Fraid
Ron Wilson, Ima Fraid, RW. Is Ron referring to himself in the 4th person now? Don't know that anything RW predicted came true. What exactly did he predict? Think RW lost credibility when he said Ochoa has some batting skills.
Went to the Wild Things season ticket holders’ picnic last evening. They gave was nice buffet and a prize for every attendee. Chris Blaine briefed us on all the changes that will be in effect for next season. One can only hope that these changes will actually take place. We have heard this same story several times in the past and nothing has ever materialized. Unfortunately, the Wild Things were VERY poor listeners and they now see the need to perhaps listen to want the true supporters of the team have to say. When I say “ true supporters”, I am referring to those of us that have spent thousands of dollars at CEP over the years.
I have spoken with Mr. Williams and he has assured he the situation at the ballpark WILL change. This will include usher that feel free to sit people in seats that belong to season ticket holders and, the surly employees at the concession stands.
I really want to believe that finally, things will change. Time will tell.
Some of the players showed up, as did Manager Darin Everson. They did not seem too enthusiastic about being there and pretty much just kept to themselves without mixing with the fans. If Darin Everson were as adept at avoiding the crowd as he was at avoiding the attendees, the Wild Things would be this years Frontier League champion.
Ima Fraid
While for thinking of having No skills what are the Wild things going to do with that dead wood WH?
Since you are not using your name, in any person, I consider your lack of courage strong enough to ignore anything you say!
Ima (better man than you)Fraid
Chris,
It is amazing how Ron Wilson can call people anything he cares to (ball less, clodhoppers, idiots, etc.) and his post is ok, but let anyone challenge him on it and they are screened and not published. As Ron thinks anyway - Ron Rules!
This guy never uses his name or initials on this blog. His name is Wayne Herrod and his initials are WH.
You can take it to the bank
Bob Hunt
Actually, Blake does have some pop in his bat. He definitely needs some hitting instructions
and there simply is no one in the Wild Things coaching capable of performing this task. Besides a new manager, the Wild Things need to find an established batting instructor that is willing to work overtime.
I assume the above Anonymous was the person who wrote that RW wants his fanny kissed (your phrase, not mine).
And you still wonder why I didn't publish the comment? I appreciate that you used "fanny" but let's remember that this blog is on a newspaper's website. That kind of phrasing is not something that would ever make it into a newspaper and it shouldn't make it onto this blog. Surely, you can come up with some better phrasing to explain your point, or attach your name to the comment and write "In my opinion ..."
My wife and I were at the same picnic last night and after conversing with us we observed Darin going from table to table greeting Season Ticket Holders. Some of the players talked at great length to my wife while I was down on the field. Her comment - very nice young men! I guess you reap what you sow Ron!
...but yet RW uses the kissing fanny line and it is printed.......
Ima Fraid referred to nobody in particular. It was a general comment. You, however, made a definitive claim about only RW.
If the attacks on this blog aimed at Ochoa and Banks weren't racially driven, why then has nobody here called Feiner out for his miserable hitting? And Ditthardt? And Stephens?
Hmmmm.
"It is amazing how Ron Wilson can call people anything he cares to (ball less)"
Please don't post something you can't back up. You really shouldn't be so thin skinned - it just shows how weak you are.
Nobody has said a word about Rivera, Battle, or any other person of color on the Wild Things roster. Why the race baiting?
Ima Fraid
yo, hello, anon at 5:02 am....can you read?
"sad, quiet ending to a sad, quiet season...
tough to win when you don't score. tough to win in the frontier league when you score only two. got to be tough to pitch for this team when you know you have to be almost perfect to have a chance to win.
no offense = no chance to win. that is the story of the 2011 washington wild things season.
August 28, 2011 7:10 PM"
"how about tonight's flop....
only one inning did more than 4 wild things bat...one time.
then, holding 4-1 lead, wulf flops more than the fish on the gorton fisherman's boat.
with a two-run lead in the ninth, single, groundout, rbi single, flyout, rbi triple, wulf pitch, er, wild pitch--flop complete.
another complete insanity wulflop!
August 30, 2011 7:07 PM"
"Nobody has said a word about Rivera, Battle, or any other person of color on the Wild Things roster. Why the race baiting?
Ima Fraid"
Just because ALL minorities haven't been discriminated against doesn't mean that racial discrimination hasn't happened.
Ima Fraid,
I can appreciate your sentiments about Ernie and that his two stints in Washington obviously gave you strong impressions about him.
However, I can only speak of my/our experience with him in a Miners uniform. He has been a good player, a contributor and a good teammate during his time here. He wasn't brought here to be "THE guy", he was brought here to be "ONE of the guys". Contrary to questions posted elsewhere, we did not trade Ernie last season because of lack of performance/character issues. We traded him because of the LS-2 classification and had Ryan Bird coming off the DL, thus Ernie had to be moved.
On your point about throwing bats/helmets etc.In the event that i would have a problem with him or any other player with behavior on/off the field, I tend to deal with those issues quickly and impatiently. Our players are fined for throwing any equipment as well as cursing on the field. At this point that has not been an issue with Ernie and I am hopeful that it continues to be the case.
As to following your blog, I follow the news of every team, every week. Just as I follow posts on social media as well. Information is valuable, and you might be surprised about what kind of information that can help in competition has come off places like this.
And thank you for the reference to us being a "team of high stature". Much appreciated and I hope to be able to maintain that perception by our efforts on and off the field. Best of luck to your team in its off season moves. I enjoy coming to Washington and despite the controversy which has nothing to do with baseball, I love the new turf and hope it is installed at other facilities considering using it.
Mike Pinto
Field Manager
Southern Illinois Miners
southern illinois, trailing in the series 2-1, trailing in game four 3-1 in the sixth, gets two on with two out, the much-maligned ernie banks at the plate. what would possess the runner at first to get picked off, ending the inning with the power-hitting banks in the box? wonder if southern illinois hired the wild things' baserunning coach for some help in the playoffs?
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