Home Run Derby

It’s a long standing tradition for a rehabbing Major League player to pick up the postgame spread for the Minor League club hosting him.  

From Minor League Dugout …

One of baseball’s unwritten rules, along with not talking to a pitcher throwing a no-hitter, requires major league players on rehabilitation assignments to furnish a post-game meal for their often under-funded minor league teammates. [snip]

Tradition holds that the big leaguer will approach the clubhouse manager about picking up something for post game on their last day with the minor league club.

MILB.com reported on this back in May in a piece about Rehab stints.

And the team’s players have the chance to suit up alongside an established star, who following established protocol, nearly always pays for a primo postgame food spread.

And why not?  The usual Minor League spread is akin to pasta, cold cuts, or peanut butter and jelly and typically costs the players $3-10.  MLB players get paid their normal salary even while they’re (usually briefly) in the minors.  Add to that the fact that they’re taking away playing time from a guy trying his heart out to make the bigs and the gesture is a small one that goes a long way.

Angels’ catching prospect Chris Rosenbaum blogged that minor league players look forward to them …

A tangible perk for the players of these assignments is that a post-game spread is usually purchased for us by the Major Leaguers.

“Nearly Always?”   ”Usually?”  

What Major Leaguer would stiff their rehab teammates on such a tradition?  The name should not surprise you.

Manny Ramirez. 

According to the Modesto Bee, Manny stiffed both his Minor League teammates at Albuquerque and Inland Empire of their traditional post-game meal during his little warmup stint before he returned to the Dodgers from his 50-game suspension for taking a banned substance.

Never heard of this tradition before?  Here’s some examples from the past couple years…

• In 2007, D-Backs pitcher Randy Johnson bought the Visalia Oaks a $3,000 dinner from a “national chain steakhouse.”
• Roger Clemens refurbished the Lexington Legends clubhouse with “four new black leather couches, two love seats, a 42-inch plasma television, a 20-inch television, a microwave, DVD and a VCR.”   In 2007 Clemens  bought the Tampa Yankees a post-game spread from Outback Steakhouse.
• Kei Igawa and Hideki Matsui bought the Tampa Yankees a spread from Lee Roy Selman’s.  It’s a barbeque joint.  Yum.
• Rick Ankiel bought a ping-pong table for a minor league clubhouse.
• Jose Valentin treated the St. Lucie Mets to Outback.
• Heck, fifteen years ago, Michael Jordan provided the Birmingham Barons with a tricked out bus. 

 And the big names aren’t the only ones who do it …

• Last season, Florida Marlins pitcher Josh Johnson bought dinner for the Jupiter Marlins.  The year before that he bought a flat screen TV for the Class-AA Carolina Mudcats.
• In May, the Colorado Rockies’ Ryan Spier and Jeff Baker (now withthe Cubs) each bought a postgame meal for the Modesto Nuts.
• In June, SF Giants’ rookie reliver Joe Martinez (the one who was hit in the head by a Mike Cameron line drive in April)  bought the spread for the San Jose Giants.

But Manny couldn’t do that. 

Perhaps someone forgot to tell Manny about the tradition.  Then again, Manny spent three seasons in Cleveland’s farm system and had Minor League rehab assignments in 2000 and 2002.  He would have known about that.

Of course, during his stint in the Minor Leagues, Manny was still officially under suspension and wasn’t being paid a dime (which raises a whole new question of why MLB players under suspension are allowed to play in the minors) … but that’s no excuse. 

Manny will be paid nearly $16.5 Million this season even after pulling out the cash ($7.4 million) he lost as a result of his suspension.

Maybe Manny’s just a big prima donna cheap ass.  He apparently tips about 10%.  Here’s another example when Manny made a producer from “Jimmy Kimmel Live” pick up a $860 tab after a night of drinking with David Ortiz and Johnny Damon.

Manny being Manny, I guess.  Now hit some homers so ESPN can blow their wad and we’ll go back to ignoring what a self-centered douchebag you are.

Funny thing about that MILB.com article about Major Leaguers doing rehabs in the Minors … Manny Ramirez’ picture is prominently featured.

Fire up the Wayback machine – set for fifteen years ago … 1994.  

When Michael Jordan tried his hand at baseball. 

In 1993, Jordan threw out the first pitch before Game One of the American League Championship Series between the Sox and Blue Jays.  It was the first pitch of an interesting footnote in Jordan’s legacy.

Sometime during the game, Jordan’s agent told Bulls (and White Sox) owner Jerry Reinsdorf that Jordan was about to retire.  And during the game … that rumor spread to everyone watching on television. 

A few days later … Jordan held a press conference saying he was done with basketball.  His father had been murdered over the offseason.  During the 1993 NBA playoffs, the media had scrutinized MJ’s gambling habits … and Jordan needed time away.  Stating he wanted to spend more time with his family … Jordan shocked the world … and was done.

But like most professional athletes who say that they’re retiring to spend “more time with their family” – Jordan was looking for something to do.  And … Michael Jordan came back.  But not in a way anyone ever anticipated.  

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Yesterday, Home Run Derby told you about the impending Minor League Contract of former Child Star Gary Coleman.  Coleman signed a one-game deal with the Madison Mallards beofore the game last night.

Surely some hijinks would ensue.  And they did. 

Too much pine tar on your bat and superballs inside the bat will get you thrown out of the game.  Even if your at-bat is a total sham.

Here’s the video of Coleman’s “at-bat”.

Now, that wasn’t totally set up or anything. And Gary Coleman still can’t act – because he sure didn’t sell that. Heck, the lady who played Mrs. Garret was a better actor than that.

The Madison Mallards of the Northwoods League (a summer collegiate baseball league) are hosting an 80’s night tonight. 

On hand will be former child star Gary Coleman.  That’s no big deal. 

Kind of a little deal, if you ask me.  Like 4 foot 8 inches.

But the Mallards are going to offer Gary Coleman a contract to appear in tonight’s game. 

“As the Mallards prepare for the playoffs we feel that we need a special player to help put us over the top,” said GM Vern Stenman. “Gary brings a lot of intangibles to the field and I feel like his presence would help invigorate our club as they get ready for a run at a championship. You can’t coach a strike zone like Gary has and I anticipate him being a force at the top of our lineup.” 

“I feel like he could develop a couple different strokes to rule the Northwoods League,” said Manager CJ Thieleke.

Wat’choo talkin’bout, Willis? Is this the little leagues or the minor leagues?
Will he be playing SHORTstop?

If he plays, he’ll lead off as the Designated Hitter.

Now, Coleman’s had some issues with his finances over the years, so I don’t tthink he’ll accept the contract when he finds out that the Mallards can’t pay him anything to play.  Amateur baseball league, don’t you know.

The Mallards could always just hire him as a Security Guard.

Somewhere, Eddie Gaedel is laughing.  So is Bill Veeck.

UPDATE (5:21PM CDT):  Coleman will bat leadoff.  He’ll do it.

UPDATE (8/2/08): Coleman was ejected from the game for having a corked bat. VIDEO right here.

Jon Lieber’s not getting a lot of playing time this season with the Cubs … he’s only pitched 37.1 innings in 21 appearances (20 out of the bullpen for a 1.78 ERA and a 2-2 record – don’t ask about that one start). 

Because of that, there’s speculation that the 38 year old Lieber might call it quits if he can’t get a starting gig.

But that doesn’t mean he’s not getting some pitching in at Wrigley Field.  Check out this video of Lieber pitching to one of his sons (5-year old Justin Lieber) after a recent game.

Oh yeah – a warning … this is the same guy who recorded Joe Smith of the Mets swearing and heckling at some Cub fans … so get set for a lot of unnecessary commentary unlees you hit mute …

Yep.  Even five-year old lefthanded hitters can hit Lieber (for his career … lefties hit .310 against him while righties only hit .244).  Kid hit four balls out of twelve pitches that I counted – .333 average.

To Lieber’s credit, he’s putting balls right in Justin’s wheelhouse.  I think 7-year old Jared Lieber is shagging flies.

Jon might have a future as a Little League coach when his MLB career is over.  Because his kids might have a future in baseball.

I love Minor League Baseball …

You get to see washed up pros, creative hecklers, vicious bench clearing fights, smokin hot Mexican cheerleaders, and … oh, maybe some baseball, too.

There’s also a lot of players who will NEVER make it to the Show.

Let’s go to the Atlantic League (indepedent high-AA baseball) and see one of the worst pitching performances ever thrown in the history of baseball. I don’t think I’m exaggerating either.

July 2, 2007. Newly acquired Lance Odom is pitching for the Lancaster (Pa) Barnstormers against the Somerset Patriots. Bottom of the 12th inning. Game tied 6-6.

• Odom hits the leadoff man, former Met 2B Danny Garcia.
• Odom commits an error on a pickoff attempt; Garcia advances to second base.
• Sacrifice bunt; Garcia advances to third base.

And with one out and a runner on third, the fun begins. Watch as Odom tries to intentionally walk the next two batters in order to load the bases …

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I really can’t explain this post any better than that title.

Let’s go South of the Border to a Minor League baseball game in the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol (LMB) where Chacho, the mascot of the Tigres de Quintana Roo (Cancun) is about to have a dance off with the bat-boy.

Did I mention the Bat-Boy is a midget? Video after the jump.
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Suffice it say, South Atlantic League rivals Kannapolis Intimidators and the Greensboro Grasshoppers do not like one another.

Calling these two teams bitter rivals doesn’t even come close.

On Tuesday, one of the Kannapolis Intimidators (White Sox Low Class-A Affiliate) got hit in the face by a pitch thrown by a Greensboro Grasshoppers (Marlins) pitcher. Benches cleared.

All was not forgiven on Thursday night, as you’ll see.

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We don’t cover the Minor Leagues enough here at Home Run Derby …

So let’s go to an unidentified Minor League Ballpark sometime last summer to see some very unique heckling of a “pint sized player named ‘Scooter’ ” …

… by what appears to be the Bogeyman

The recipient of that barrage has got to be Kevin “Scooter” Jordan – a former 33rd round draft pick of the Boston Red Sox in 2003. He’s a “pint-sized” 5′8″ tall and weighs 180 pounds.

Last summer he was with the St. Joseph Blacksnakes of the indepedent American Association. He’s currently an outfielder with the St. Paul Saints of the independent Northern League.

Watch your back in the parking lot, Scooter. The Bogeyman is waiting to eat you.