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by Derek Felix

More HB: How To Catch A Pop Up 101

June 13, 2009 in More HB, NY Mets, NY Yankees

Luis Castillo drops a routine A-Rod pop up in another excruciating Met loss to their crosstown rivals in the Bronx.

Luis Castillo drops a routine A-Rod pop up in another excruciating Met loss to their crosstown rivals in the Bronx.

Sometimes, baseball’s a funny game. You just never know when you’re going to get the bounces/breaks. As someone who’s covered the Low-A Staten Island Yankees four summers, I know all about that borrowing that quote from a former player who used it quite a bit.

I’ve seen my share of wild endings where the Baby Bombers came out on top. I can recall one huge walkoff win over the bitter Verrazano rival Cyclones a couple of years prior in which it was the wild pitch that scored the winning run was very predictable, concluding a topsy turvy game filled with mistakes. Sometimes, baseball can be a sloppy game. It’s to be expected when you cover most kids only out of college who were just drafted and still adjusting to their first summer of pro ball.

Errors are part of the game and it even can happen to guys at the highest level as was the case during last night’s unreal finish in the Bronx where Luis Castillo botched a routine A-Rod pop up- muffing it allowing both Derek Jeter and a hustling Mark Teixeira to come in and score the tying and winning runs in a stunning 9-8 win over the Mets.

You just can’t make it up. There I was watching the wild conclusion following a great Game 7 that saw the Pens shock the Red Wings winning Lord Stanley 2-1. As the celebration ended, we flipped to SNY to watch Francisco Rodriguez try to close out the Yankees. The new Met closer entered perfect in 16 save chances. And here he was one out away from save No.17 with Jeter in scoring position and Teixeira, who earlier took Livan Hernandez deep for his AL leading 20th was on first with K-Rod opting to give an intentional pass and take his chances versus the Lightning Rod.

It was a night before that Alex Rodriguez delivered a big two out two-run double giving the Yanks a 3-1 lead on the Red Sox only to see teflon skipper Joe Girardi stay with C.C. Sabathia too long before not going to Mariano Rivera as Boston plated three in the eighth to make it eight for eight in 2009 (nine in a row dating to last year). This time, here was the big third base slugger in another huge spot looking to deliver in the clutch. And he was being pitched to over Teixeira due in large part to K-Rod’s history against him. Surely, one of the game’s best players would make the cocky Met closer pay. When he missed with three straight, the deck was stacked in Alex’s favor. After taking a 95 MPH heater down the middle, he had the green light on 3-1. Here it came. A perfect fastball that had “hit me” on it yet all he could manage was one of those dreadful uppercut swings producing a weak pop to second.

The game was over, right? A-Rod felt so slamming down his bat in frustration while jogging to first probably pondering how he didn’t crush it. But a funny thing happened. Here was Castillo calling everyone off backing up to short right. That’s when I noticed how messed up his footing was with the ball traveling further left than the Met second baseman anticipated. It was at that moment that I actually wondered, ‘Is he really gonna drop it?’ in not believing fashion.

You never figure a routine pop could somehow elude a major league player. Especially one the caliber of Castillo, who once was an All-Star who helped the Marlins win the 2003 World Series. Especially an experienced guy who once won three consecutive Gold Gloves. So, he’s certainly capable defensively. Maybe at 33, Castillo isn’t quite as sure handed and has lost some range which happens to middle infielders as they get older. Entering last night, he had five errors- one fewer than all of last year in half a season and all of two of those three Gold Glove seasons in Florida.

Still, even the biggest Yankee homer had to figure the game was over with Girardi once again the goat for bringing in his aging closer in a tie game only to see him see his shadow with David Wright driving one to the right center gap for the go-ahead run. Instead, here was Castillo struggling with his footing as the ball came down. And then it happened. No. Not George Foreman stunning Michael Moorer with a big right to once again claim the heavyweight title as HBO’s Jim Lampley excitedly called last decade.

Listening to Gary Cohen describe the action was something else. When A-Rod popped it up, the SNY play-by-play man got excited anticipating the end of the game and what would’ve been a good win in which the Amazin’s showed grit coming back three separate times. And why not? Especially after two bitter extra inning defeats to the Phillies and this was at the new evil Yankee Palace. A chance to get back on track and gain a game with Philly losing in 13 to Boston. But instead of calling that final out for K-Rod’s 17th save, he couldn’t fathom what happened next.

There was Castillo backing up and the ball bouncing off the heel of his glove. Stunned disbelief as Jeter scored and Teixeira came around from first sliding in with Alex Cora’s relay too late. Why did he have the ball? Because Castillo panicked tossing into second. We’ll never know why. Was it the moment? Who knows. Just like that, the Mets had invented a new way to lose.

What followed from a Yankee standpoint was pandemonium as they mobbed A-Rod like he was some hero for his weak pop that 999 out of 1,000 times would’ve ended the game. Afterwards, he called it a huge break referring to it as “a gift from God and Castillo.” You don’t say.

For Castillo, who was the whipping boy last year, he came under huge fire from angry Met fans who now want him banished. Only thing is the Mets don’t exactly have a replacement. And last we checked, he has bounced back entering today at .277 with 14 RBI’s, seven steals and a solid .376 on-base percentage (29 walks). Good on Jerry Manuel running him back out there for today’s game which his team is currently leading 5-1 halfway thru.

Can they hang on with no-name call-up Fernando Nieve’s only mistake a solo shot to A-Rod? Hopefully for Castillo’s sake, that’s the case. After all, this is baseball. Where you get to comeback after a brutal loss the next day and try to win and forget the previous night. If the Mets show character and take these next two with ace Johan Santana going tomorrow and go on a run, will anyone remember Friday night? For now, the lingering thoughts will remain until we get to September when the games take on a whole new meaning.

So, Castillo will hear the boos when the Mets return to Citi Field next Friday. But hey. He didn’t duck the postgame interview and there weren’t any excuses. It’s baseball and sometimes, these things happen. So, the radio experts will continue to kill him for only using one hand to make the catch. But how many ballplayers use two on routine pops? And it starts at a young age.

We can always second guess from our armchairs but are we playing a kid’s game having made it as far as Mr. Castillo has? Hell no. Of course, it doesn’t keep us from ripping into him for not squeezing it. At least Jeter understood that these things can happen. He is human and last we checked, we all are bullet proof. Unfortunately in this town, you’re remembered for what you just did. It can change though. Maybe it does a month from now with the Mets still chasing the Phils.

That’s what makes baseball so unpredictable. A funny game indeed.

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by Derek Felix

Cyclones hang on to edge Baby Bombers

August 2, 2008 in Staten Island Yanks

Staten Island Yankee right fielder gets ready during first inning versus Brooklyn.

Staten Island Yankee right fielder gets ready during first inning versus Brooklyn.

STATEN ISLAND, NY- Do the Cyclones have the Baby Bombers’ number? You won’t hear a peep from Brooklyn skipper Edgar Alfonzo, whose team got a big four-game weekend series off on the right foot by pitching their way past their Verrazano rival 3-2 before a seventh consecutive sellout (7,171) at Richmond County Bank Ball Park Friday night.

“That’s not true,” the veteran Brooklyn (23-21) manager modestly expressed outside the winner’s dugout after his team pulled within two along with Hudson Valley of the first place Bombers (25-19), who dropped their third straight while falling to 4-7 in the season series with three left. “They’re a good team. Sometimes, you take your chance when they make mistakes, you got to take your chance and score some runs like that. They are tough. They are tough to beat. They come at you until the last out every every game. They give me a headache sometimes.”

After the teams traded runs in the third and fourth, the game was still hanging in the balance when some wildness from Staten Island reliever Daniel Kapala contributed to the Bombers’ demise in the seventh. The second-year right handed reliever started the frame by plunking Jason Jacobs and Jose Jimenez to quickly put himself in a bind. Following Eric Campbell’s successful sacrifice, some bad luck allowed the Cyclones to go ahead when a Kirk Nieuwenhuis swinging bunt was fielded too late by first baseman Jahdiel Santamaria allowing Jacobs to score from third.

With runners on the corners, Staten Island manager Pat McMahon went to reliever Drew Shetrone but with Sean Ratliff batting, he uncorked a wild pitch allowing a second run to come in.

On a night in which the Bomber bats were silenced with runners on base, they didn’t go away easily as hot hitting designated hitter Brian Baisley went to the opposite field in the home half for his club-leading fifth home run off Brooklyn lefty reliever Roy Merritt. The ball just cleared the right field fence out of a leaping John Servidio’s reach to cut the lead to 3-2.

Merritt settled down to get the final two and pitched into the ninth after getting Santamaria to bounce into an inning ending 6-4-3 twin killing. He started the inning by getting struggling center fielder Ray Kruml chasing a pitch out of the zone. However, the Bombers mounted a rally thanks to consecutive line drive singles from shortstop Addison Maruszak and second baseman David Adams putting the tying and winning runs on first and second.

That’s when Alfonzo wisely went to closer Yury Santana, who had his work cut out for him facing Baisley and solid hitting third baseman Mike Lyon. It didn’t matter because Santana brought a wicked slider which he used to get Baisley swinging on a 2-2 pitch and then quickly got Lyon behind 0-2 on balls down and away before he hit a soft liner right to second baseman J.R. Voyles to end matters.

“It was tough,” Lyon lamented. “That kid’s got a pretty good slider. I knew he was trying to get ahead of me with the slider and I kept pulling off it. And then the last one, I made contact just knocking it down. I came up at the end and swung down. It started up and in. And I just started getting concerned about it coming into my hands like a fastball. Just went back up and ended up getting it off the end.”

“That was a good game. That was some good pitching from both sides. That was a good game. It was a good win,” a happy Alfonzo noted. “[Santana] did well. He did well. He threw a couple of good sliders and a couple of change ups. He pitched away and threw the breaking ball and threw strikes.”

“Very tough,” was how Maruszak described his club’s close defeat after finishing with a pair of hits but failing to get a runner in from third with one out in the home sixth due to a 5-2 fielder’s choice. “We battled them the whole way. So did they. It was a grind for both teams.”

The Bombers got pretty good pitching from starter David Phelps, whose only mistake in five innings was a Matt Smith two out home run to right in the third which gave the Cyclones a 1-0 lead. His teammates got it back for him in the fourth cashing in on some shoddy D. Adams singled and advanced to second on a Chris Schwinden wild pitch. The Brooklyn starter made more of a mess for himself with an errant toss during a fielder’s choice allowing both runners to arrive safely with an out.

Lyon, who a couple of frames earlier got caught napping off second atoned with a sac fly. However, it turned into a bizarre 7-6-4 double play when Ratliff relayed to Smith, who then tossed to Voyles, who applied the tag on Baisley to end the inning.

“We made a couple of mistakes throughout the whole game that could’ve put us right back in the ballgame,” the third baseman said after a 1-for-3 RBI night. “It was a couple of key situations with hard hit balls and mental lapses. I had a mental lapse getting picked off second. I didn’t realize how far off second base I was and ended up getting picked.”

That was all they could manage against Schwinden, who tossed an effective six yielding just an unearned run on four hits walking nobody and striking out seven for his first win.

“You have to tip a cap to [Schwinden]. Their pitcher commanded both sides of the plate very well with his fastball and that makes his offspeed that much better. He did a good job,” praised Maruszak.

“[Phelps] did the same thing and unfortunately, we lost tonight because we had not very good hitting. We had chances to. They had three errors but we didn’t capitalize on them. … I got up there with a runner on third and one out and grounded out. That’s not good. I should have – Should have. Could have. Would have. But it’s part of the game. Hopefully, next time I can come through again.”

Instead, their comeback bid fell short and now they’ll look to rebound later today in Keyspan Park.

“We just got to bounce back from today’s game,” Maruszak pointed out. We play them three more times. So, hopefully, we can get the next three and that would be nice to put them three more behind us.

“That’s what we’re going to plan on doing and keep battling through for the rest of the season.”

Notes: Phelps went five allowing a run on three hits walking nobody and striking out four to get a no-decision. … Kapala fell to 1-1 working an inning and a third giving up two earned on one hit with the two hit batsmen proving costly. … Despite a wild pitch which turned into the winning run charged to Kapala, Shetrone put up zeros for two and two thirds on two hits fanning a pair. … Maruszak and Adams, who hit 1-2 in the order paved the way with multi-hit nights finishing with four of the team’s seven on the night. … Merritt went 2.1 IP giving up one earned on three hits while walking the only batter for either side and whiffing four. In fact, BK pitchers fanned 12 while S.I. pitchers issued no walks with six K’s. … S.I. stranded 10 while BK left eight. … The contest took a very manageable two hours and thirty five minutes before a 13th sellout. … Game Two is later tonight in Coney Island with Old-Timer’s Day preluding a 6 PM start on Sunday back at the Ferry Terminal.

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by Derek Felix

Video of Day: Tom Green

July 29, 2008 in Staten Island Yanks, Video of Day

When the Staten Island Yankees first came here 10 years ago, they played their home games on the College of Staten Island campus better know as CSI to people out here in Shaolin, NYC.

I can still remember it like it was yesterday when then MTV’s own Tom Green decided to visit a ballgame and play one of his unpredictable pranks by doing his own version of PA announcing in a game between the home club and the Expos Low-A affiliate. To say the zany Canadian comedian took it to a whole new level would be understating it a bit. :-D

His announcing got so loud that it distracted players from both sides. He was even tossing in some play-by-play which eventually got him the heave ho from the plate umpire. There aren’t many workers left these days but current Community Relations VP John Davison is still there and was in view on the infamous episode escorting him out of the press box.

It’s still one of the more memorable skits from his show and of course one of my personal faves. If you haven’t yet, see it for yourself now:

Tom Green PA Announces at SI Yankee Game
It still cracks me up till this day. :lol:

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Avatar of Derek Felix

by Derek Felix

Baby Bombers go for three in a row versus archrival

July 28, 2008 in Staten Island Yanks

Later tonight, the Staten Island Yankees will look to make it three straight against their Verrazano rival Brooklyn Cyclones at the ballpark in St. George.

After losing the big four-game series opener Friday despite a furious ninth inning rally which fell short, the Baby Bombers have responded with back-to-back wins taking Saturday’s game 4-1 and blowing out the Baby Bums at Keyspan last night 15-2. Staten Island batted around in the first inning scoring five runs KO-ing Cyclone starter Tim Stronach.

First baseman Brian Baisley continued to swing a sizzling bat driving in two of his game high six with a two-run triple getting the party started. Consecutive RBI hits by Addison Maruszak (double), Dan Brewer (single) and Mike Lyon (triple) made it a five-run inning.

While winning starter David Phelps was busy putting up zeros in the first five for his fourth victory of the season, his teammates continued to pound Brooklyn pitching putting up an eight spot in the fourth highlighted by a Baisley grand slam (team-leading 4th HR) and left fielder Taylor Grote’s first home run as a pro- a three-run job with the two dingers accounting for seven of the eight runs with Lyon’s run scoring double sandwiched between.

Though the ‘Clones scored a run each in the seventh and eighth off relievers Tim Dennehy and Jacinto Gonell including a Jose Jimenez solo shot, a game which included a lengthy one hour and 35 minute rain delay had been long decided. The Bombers tacked on two more in the ninth on RBI singles by Ray Kruml and Jahdiel Santamaria putting the exclamation point on the blowout win.

Andy Shive came in and fanned two of three to finish off a game which took nearly five hours due to the rain (3:08 overall).

The Bombers (24-15) lead the McNamara Division by four games over Hudson Valley (20-19) with Aberdeen trailing by five and Brooklyn six out with tonight’s series finale on tap. They’re 13-6 at home compared to 11-9 on the road.

Former Bomber Updates:

1.3B Mitch Hilligoss has struggled in his first season for Tampa hitting .244 with a homer, 17 doubles and 28 RBI’s along with 12 steals in 91 games for the High-A affiliate. Once rumored to be in a potential deal for Johan Santana, the 23 year-old Windsor, Illinois native who the Yankees took in the 2006 sixth round hasn’t been able to follow up an impressive second season in Charleston which included a South Atlantic record 38-game hit streak. There’s still five weeks left in the Florida State League season for him to finish strong.

2.Seth Fortenberry has also had a rough go of it going from Charleston to Tampa. The former S.I. Yankee star who teamed with Hilligoss to help them repeat two summers ago has gotten into 86 games and is hitting .242 with seven homers, nine doubles, seven triples and 22 RBI’s while swiping eight bases. Despite that, his .348 OBP isn’t bad and he has hit better in July (.282) than in prior months. The 24 year-old former Baylor star who the Yanks grabbed in Rd. 11 in 2006 can still finish with decent numbers if he puts it together.

3.George Kontos nearly was included in the six-player trade with the Pirates this past weekend but he and teammate Phil Coke wound up staying in Trenton. Apparently, someone failed a physical which was why the deal was changed. We may never know who. The 23 year-old former Northwestern star who the Yanks tabbed in the fifth round in 2006 has struggled lately in for the Double-A affiliate suffering his 10th defeat of the season the other night allowing six earned in six frames while walking four and striking out seven. While the Bomber hero who K’d 11 in six scoreless to help S.I. repeat two years ago has more than a K-per-inning over the last 51-plus, he’s 1-6 during that span with over a 5.00 ERA. In 21 outings, he’s 3-10 with a 4.05 ERA including 110 K’s in 113 and a third.

4.Kevin Smith has fared better than his teammates in Tampa hitting .277 with four homers, 23 doubles and 45 knocked in including 127 total bases in 92 contests. The 24 year-old first baseman who also starred on the 2006 Staten Island championship team was selected by the Yankees in Rd.39 in 2006. He finished very strong last year for the River Dogs hitting .297 with eight dingers and 52 RBI’s in 83 games. He’s continued to perform respectably.

5.Jonathan Hovis has followed up a solid first two pro seasons in Staten Island and Charleston with an even better third one with Tampa. The 24 year-old out of North Carolina who the Yankees signed as a free agent on 7/3/06 has done a good job closing games for Tampa posting a 2-0 record with a 1.14 ERA and 10 saves in 21 games. In 23 and a third, he’s allowed 13 hits while walking only three and striking out 24 with opposing hitters batting .155 against. Last season, he saved 30 games for Charleston.

6.Colin Curtis has had mixed results in his second season with Trenton. In 101 games, the 23 year-old left fielder out of Arizona State who the Yanks took in Rd.4 in 2006 is batting .258 with five homers, 17 doubles, two triples and 51 RBI’s while stealing five bases and posting a .336 OBP (46 walks). The former S.I. Yankee 2006 center fielder has fared better than his initial stint last year where he hit .242 with three long balls and 15 RBI’s. With top prospect Austin Jackson playing center, Curtis has made the transition to left and will try to help the defending Eastern League champs repeat.

7.James Cooper is still adjusting to life in Double-A where he’s hitting just .205 with two doubles and 10 RBI’s in 83 at bats since getting promoted from Tampa after batting .311 with a homer and 22 RBI’s in 66 games. The 24 year-old Los Angeles native who’s in his fourth pro season after the Yanks took him in the 2005 ninth round has battled back from leg injuries to get his chance. He was a member of the 2005 Staten Island championship team.

8.Justin Snyder has continued to progress well following an impressive first pro season which included Penn League AS honors by hitting .293 with 34 extra base hits including 26 two-baggers and three triples while knocking in 46 and totaling 159 bases with Charleston. The scrappy 22 year-old out of the University of San Diego who the Yanks grabbed in Rd.21 last year continues to get on-base drawing 42 walks along with a .361 OBP with a slugging of .416 in 98 games. He’s also a perfect 5-for-5 in stolen base attempts. Last season, he set new club records for Staten Island in average (.335) and hits (87) while totaling 26 extra base hits, 68 runs and a gaudy .459 OBP (58 BB) out of the leadoff spot. He batted first some this summer but lately has been moved to the middle of the River Dogs order.

9.Wilkins De La Rosa has successfully converted from right field to an effective left handed pitcher for Charleston. After struggling mightily at the plate in 2006 for the Bombers, the 23 year-old Santo Domingo native who the Yankees signed on 11/15/01 became a pitcher last year going 1-0 with a 2.63 ERA in 12 games for the Gulf Coast Yankees fanning 32 in 24 frames. This summer, he’s risen up the charts posting a 6-3 mark with a 2.32 ERA in 27 games. After starting the year as a reliever, De La Rosa is now starting games and faring well. In his last five starts, he’s gone into the sixth allowing two runs-or-less while striking out 34. Overall in 81.1 IP, he’s permitted 55 hits with only two long balls while walking 35 and whiffing 102 with opposing batters hitting only .192 against.

We’ll have more updates on former Staten Island Yanks later.

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by Derek Felix

Baisley’s three RBI’s lead Bombers past Cyclones

July 26, 2008 in Staten Island Yanks

Brian Baisley gets ready to bat for Staten Island Yankees.

Brian Baisley gets ready to bat for Staten Island Yankees.

STATEN ISLAND, NY- All summer long, Brian Baisley has had the magic bat. The 25 year-old elder statesman was money again driving in three of the Baby Bombers’ four in a 4-1 triumph over the Verrazano rival Cyclones before an 11th sellout crowd of 7,171 at Richmond County Bank Ball Park in St. George Saturday night.

“I’m just trying to be productive. Get good pitches to hit and be productive,” the Staten Island first baseman modestly explained after finishing with a two-run double and a bizarre inside the park home run which took Brooklyn center fielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis to the track where it appeared he hauled it in. However, the ball jarred loose and fell underneath the wall.

Meanwhile, a hustling Baisley never stopped running rounding the bases and headed into the dugout before plate umpire Shea Gipson ruled that it was indeed a homer giving the Bombers a 4-0 lead in the home sixth. Not surprisingly, Cyclones’ skipper Edgar Alfonzo came out to get an explanation with Gipson actually taking him all the way to the scene to describe what happened.

“Hell. I don’t know. I wasn’t watching. I was running. … I was talking to one of the guys on the team and they said he caught it and then it went off the scoreboard. I’ll take them anyway I can get them,” Baisley chuckled. “I’ve never seen a home plate umpire go out there. … I’ve never seen something like that.”

In any event, it didn’t matter how his third dinger of the season resulted which supported the strong pitching of winning starter Brandon Braboy, who followed up a solid performance last week with a season best six innings of scoreless ball scattering three hits while walking a pair and fanning five for his first victory.

“It felt pretty good today. I got them to swing at a lot of first and second pitches. Didn’t go too much in the hole. So it felt good today,” he said.

“My pitching coach [Pat Daneker] is teaching me how to pitch. Before, I was trying to throw as hard as I can. Now, I try to pitch and not worry about how hard I throw. My change up worked good my last two starts and tonight I had a slider. All my pitches worked real good.”

“Braboy did very well today. He stayed low in the zone and got guys to swing at some bad pitches. Put the ball in play for our defense to go to work,” added battery mate Mitch Abeita, who contributed with a pair of hits and run scored.

Following a scoreless seventh, Drew Shetrone ran into trouble giving up three straight singles loading the bases to start the eighth forcing Staten Island manager Pat McMahon to bring in Brad Rulon into a hairy situation. The move paid off as he limited the damage getting Jordan Abruzzo to hit an RBI ground out to Baisley. With runners in scoring position, Sean Ratliff lined right to third baseman Mike Lyon and Eric Campbell flied out to center fielder Ray Kruml allowing the Staten Island Yankees to take a three-run lead to the dugout.

“Bases loaded, I just came in and threw strikes and had some good plays behind me. The first two guys hit the ball hard and got lucky that they snagged them. So, good defense right there,” Rulon pointed out.

With closer Pat Venditte unavailable, the right handed setup man got to close the deal pitching around a one out Jose Jimenez double by getting Nieuwenhuis and John Servidio swinging to notch his first save.

“Yeah. Pat was down and had a lot of saves lately. Just another outing. Not really worried about the end of the game. I’ve been in that situation before in college like a couple of inning saves like I came in the eighth and threw well. Then finished up. I haven’t done it here but kind of have been in that situation.”

The game started with both starters tossing zeroes but the Bombers finally broke through against Brooklyn’s Pedro P. Martinez with a three-run third. Abeita and left fielder Taylor Grote had consecutive one out base hits putting runners at the corners. Following a Kruml RBI ground out to short which scored the first run, second baseman David Adams kept it going with a bloop single to center. That brought up Baisley, who laced a two out deep drive off the right field sign for a two-run double making it 3-0.

“We fell behind last night and scored four in the ninth. We came out and battled. To come out and jump on them like that was good for the team,” Baisley noted.

“Brooklyn always plays us tough. They’re a good team and lately we haven’t scored until the ninth inning. So, it was good to get some runs early in the game. … Nice to get an early lead on them and then hold it,” Grote indicated after following an RBI in Friday’s late bid with a 2-for-3 night. “I had been struggling for quite a while but I’m starting to see the ball better. Just some minor adjustments. Trying to cut down. See the ball a lot better. So swing better.”

“We’ve been losing a lot of games lately to them,” added Rulon. “So it was good to get a win against them.”

Notes: The three RBI’s allowed Baisley to pass Dan Brewer for the team lead with 19 knocked in. His three homers are tied with Lyon, Addison Maruszak and Melky Mesa for a share of the club lead. … Seven Bombers have at least 10 RBI’s. … Servidio and J.R. Voyles each had a couple of hits in a losing effort for the Cyclones. … Some early defense prevented Brooklyn from grabbing the lead when Brewer started a 9-2-6 putout with Abeita finishing it off by pegging Voyles at second. … Martinez fell to 0-2 allowing all four earned on seven hits while K-ing three. … With two more scoreless and three K’s, Rulon lowered his ERA to a team best 0.36. … The win improved first place Staten Island to 23-15- four better than both Aberdeen and Hudson Valley with Brooklyn (18-20) trailing by five. … The third game of four is later today at Keyspan Park in Coney Island set for 5 PM with the clubs returning to the Ferry Terminal Monday for the series finale.

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by Derek Felix

Brooklyn clips Venditte to take series

July 21, 2008 in Staten Island Yanks

STATEN ISLAND, NY- This time, the Cyclones got the last laugh on Pat Venditte. Brought into a tie game with a runner on, the Staten Island ambidextrous closer couldn’t deliver against a more disciplined Brooklyn bunch who touched him up for two of their three runs in the eighth of a much needed 4-1 win over the Baby Bombers Monday night to take the latest installment of the Verrazano series before a 10th sellout (7,171) at Richmond County Bank Ball Park by the Ferry Terminal.

Switch hitter Jordan Abruzzo got the better of Venditte from the left side pulling a flat change up deep to right taking Staten Island’s Dan Brewer to the warning track. At first, it looked like it would stay in the park but the night air took it out over Brewer’s outstretched glove for a go-ahead two-run home run.

“I’m surprised it went out,” Abruzzo said afterwards on the field as teammates celebrated their second series win over their rivals. “I thought it got the fence. So, when I finally saw it go out, I was just relieved.”

“I left some pitches up in the zone. You can’t do that here,” Venditte lamented after also giving up a two strike two out RBI single to Brooklyn third baseman Eric Campbell.

“I shouldn’t get beat on my third best pitch,” he explained of the second homer he’s allowed this season. “I saw the wind was blowing out. I thought maybe for a second, [Brewer] might have a chance. When it got to the wall, I knew it was out.”

“Pretty close,” Brewer added of how close he was to getting the glove on it. “It’s tough out there with the lights. The wind pushed it out.”

The victory was more important for the Cyclones (15-18), who entered in last and trailed by as many as seven to first place Staten Island (20-13) following Melky Mesa’s walkoff the other night.

“Huge. Huge. It could’ve meant the season. If we didn’t take two games, we could’ve been buried. We knew what we had to do. We came out feeling no pressure and just played the game. That’s basically how we have to go about our business the rest of the year,” Abruzzo noted after his team pulled into a third place tie with Aberdeen five out.

Campbell’s insurance run could’ve been big if Brewer had found a way on base in the bottom of the eighth following a leadoff walk to third baseman Mike Lyon off Cyclones’ reliever Stephen Clyne. The Staten Island right fielder had a rough night striking out three times including once leaving the bases loaded in a tie game back in the fifth. On Clyne’s 3-1 pitch, it looked like he had drawn another walk which would’ve meant the tying run coming up with nobody out.

Instead, plate umpire Nick Mahrley called the low inside pitch a strike making it a full count. He had a wide strike zone all night. On the next pitch, Brewer struck out swinging for the first out. Clyne then got Braedyn Pruitt and Mitch Abeita to bounce out ending the frame.

“I don’t really know what to say about it. … I thought it was a ball. I thought for a second, [Mahrley] thought it was a ball. Nothing you can do about it. … It could’ve gone either way. I took a swing and tried to put it in play,” Brewer explained.

After Dan Kapala came on for Venditte tossing a scoreless ninth which included a nifty inning ending 4-6-3 double play started with a flip by David Adams to Addison Maruszak, who fired to first, the Bombers went quietly in their last licks going 1-2-3 against Clyne. He fanned the last couple including tough leadoff man Ray Kruml after a battle to end it. It was Clyne’s third save this summer.

“We had our chances,” Brewer pointed out. “You have games like that where you don’t drive in runs when you need to, don’t get the calls you’re going to get. They came through in the eighth and got their runs. We had our chances but just didn’t produce when we needed.”

“Obviously, the rivalry’s very intense,” Lyon added after reaching base twice via walks in the defeat. “But they got a lot of good players over there. A good pitching staff. They got a good team.”

“Obviously, we wanted to win it. A call here. A call there. Who knows what could happen? They definitely have a solid staff. Hopefully, we’ll get them next weekend.”
Notes: Overlooked in the defeat was the pitching of starter Brandon Braboy, who if not for some shaky defense in the second where his teammates booted three balls could very well have not allowed a run and been in line for the win. He went a solid five permitting one unearned on two hits while only walking one and striking out five before giving way to reliever Brad Rulon, who continued to dominate tossing two scoreless fanning a couple. … Lefty Tim Dennehy started the eighth and pitched to two batters retiring one and allowing a solid single to Ike Davis before the ‘Clones roughed up Venditte for two runs on four hits in two thirds. Unfortunately, Dennehy was charged with the loss falling to 1-1. … Brooklyn SP Pedro P. Martinez went four and a third allowing one earned on six hits while walking and K-ing a pair. … The fourth pitcher of the night Brandon Moore improved to 3-1 after retiring two batters to end the seventh. … In a losing effort, Pruitt and Abeita each finished 2-for-4. … The Bombers’ only run came on consecutive doubles by Maruszak and Kruml in the fifth to tie before stranding three. … Due to a couple of arguments which included S.I. hitting coach Ty Hawkins getting tossed for arguing a check swing strike on Brewer, the game took three hours and 22 minutes to complete.

“I might’ve been a little distracted,” told Brewer of the heated argument which even saw manager Pat McMahon come out of the dugout to hold Hawkins back. “But it’s my job to not let that bother me. … Next time, I’ll be ready.”

Added Lyon:

“That was for last night when I hit a home run which was turned into a double. I was hoping they were going to give me a few gracious calls. It was really strange.”

Bombers to face league’s best: Staten Island hits the road for three against Penn League leader Jamestown (22-9) before returning to New York for another series against Brooklyn with two in Keyspan and the middle game back in St. George this Saturday.

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by Derek Felix

Rul-ing the Penn League

July 20, 2008 in Staten Island Yanks

STATEN ISLAND, NY- It’s all on the line. A game between the Staten Island Yankees and the visiting Batavia Muckdogs is tied at two in the eighth inning with the next run probably deciding who wins.

Out to the mound steps Baby Bomber setup reliever Brad Rulon. Wearing No.57, the 22 year-old righthander who the Yankees grabbed in the 34th round last month out of Georgia Tech throws nothing but strikes combining a fastball with a curve and slider which helps explain all his success this summer in a setup role to switch-pitching closer Pat Venditte.

On this particular night, Rulon has no trouble against the Muckdogs tossing a scoreless eighth and ninth while fanning four making it an impressive 28 strikeouts in only 20 innings while allowing just one earned. Opposing batters are hitting .183 against him. It’s all working for the 5-11 189-pound reliever who idolizes Atlanta starter Tim Hudson and any other pitcher under six feet.

“You just try to come in and try not to think about what the situation is,” he explained after improving to 2-0 in a 3-2 win thanks to Jack Rye’s bases loaded walkoff in front of another home sellout at the ball park in St. George. “I just try to go in and throw strikes. When you come in, you try to get ahead in the count.”

Along with that 2-0 record and 28 K’s is a miniscule 0.50 ERA while allowing just 13 hits in 20 frames ruling Penn League batters over the first month.

“I just feel really locked in. I’m pitching really confident right now. My breaking ball’s really working. Just using that to put hitters away and I’m feeling good right now.”

On this particular night, Rulon stuck with what was having success pounding the outside corner catching a couple of Batavia batters looking.

“The umpire gave me a good zone tonight,” he modestly indicated with a grin. “They were right where I want them. Low and away. So, just hitting the target.”

Thus far, he’s worked quite well with starting catcher Mitch Abeita. The two have been on the same page which has been a great thing for manager Pat McMahon late in games.

“I really like throwing to him. He’s a really good catcher. We’re starting to really get. We know each other now. He calls a great game.”

It hasn’t hurt that a relief corps which includes lefty Tim Dennehy, Andy Shive, Daniel Kapala, Drew Shetrone and Josue Selenes has been equally as effective getting the ball to Rulon and Venditte to finish off games.

“The whole team’s throwing well, you kind of just think about what you’re expected to do. Everyone’s doing it. Just go out and get the hitters,” he pointed out.

Rulon also hasn’t minded the overwhelming support from the home crowd which has come out in huge numbers selling out Richmond County Bank Ball Park nine times already with number 10 against Verrazano rival Brooklyn expected Monday at the Ferry Terminal before the team hits the road.

“It’s awesome. The fans here are great since I came here from Florida. Just great to be playing here. A nice stadium. … It’s really been awesome.”

As for playing in the big city, that hasn’t bothered Rulon in the least.

“That’s cool too. Whenever we’re off the bus, I just love playing to that scenery. It’s just awesome.”

Having been off a couple of weeks prior, he and the club toured Yankee Stadium.

“That was awesome too. That was unbelievable. We got to tour the locker room. And we checked out the new Yankee Stadium. It was really cool. It makes you want to work that much harder to come get here.”

Most importantly, Rulon and his Staten Island teammates are playing good ball leading the McNamara Division by three games while boasting a 20-12 record.

“We got plenty of players and everybody’s working hard. Right now, we’re winning and basically, everybody’s rolling.”

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Avatar of Derek Felix

by Derek Felix

Mesa’s walkoff blast lifts Bombers over rival Cyclones

July 19, 2008 in Staten Island Yanks

Staten Island Yankee third baseman Braedyn Pruitt takes a lead off first in the bottom of the second against the Cyclones.

STATEN ISLAND, NY- One of the characteristics Staten Island Yankee manager Pat McMahon likes most about his team is their never say die attitude.

Once again, that was on display in a thrilling come from behind 5-4 walkoff win over the Verrazano rival Cyclones before a third consecutive sellout (7,171) at a loud Richmond County Bank Ball Park by the Ferry Terminal Saturday night. It was the second straight win in their final at bat bolstering Staten Island’s (20-11) McNamara Division lead to seven games over the last place Cyclones (13-18), who looked poised to take their third of four in the season series.

A night earlier, it was Jack Rye who delivered a walkoff bases loaded hit defeating Batavia. This time, the heroics were provided by left fielder Melky Mesa, who drilled a one out three-run home run to left giving his team an exciting victory.

“It feels good,” he said in front of his locker via translator Victor Valencia following getting cream pied by teammate Jahdiel Santamaria with shortstop Addison Maruszak the orchestrator sharing a good chuckle along with teammates. “The way I hit the ball, it felt good to win the game.”

“When you got that many guys contributing, it’s a special group that’s worked very hard and believes in itself,” a happy McMahon praised in the winner’s dugout as he took in some fireworks from across the water. “[Mesa] has been working hard in the cage with Hawk [Ty Hawkins]. It was his moment.”

The scoreboard says 1-1 as Staten Island catcher Mitch Abeita's image is on the scoreboard while he bats.

After jumping out to an early one-run first inning lead thanks to second baseman David Adams’ first professional home run to center, the Baby Bombers were held in check by Brooklyn starter Brad Holt, who settled down after escaping a first and second one out second inning jam by getting Ray Kruml chasing a breaking pitch out of the zone and Adams looking at another nasty curve.

In fact, the Cyclones’ righty retired 12 of the final 13 he faced before parting ways with one out in the sixth due to reaching his limit. By that point, his teammates had supported him with four runs including a deep two-run Jordan Abruzzo blast to left off Bomber lefty reliever Tim Dennehy a half inning earlier.

“[Holt] is an outstanding prospect who has a good career ahead of him,” McMahon said. “We hit the ball hard early. He pitched himself out of a jam. Got some strikeouts because he’s a quality guy. I saw him in college a lot. His breaking ball has really really come along well. And with his fastball and straight change, it makes it tough.”

Staten Island didn’t fare much better against Brooklyn’s Roy Merritt, who retired six of the first seven he faced before Adams nearly had his second home run of the night driving one to the opposite field off the right field fence. The night before, his hustle helped the team comeback to beat Batavia. This time, that same aggressive baserunning got Adams’ a one out triple in the eighth, allowing him to score on Brian Baisley’s RBI bouncer back to Merritt for a 1-3 forceout slicing the deficit to 4-2.

“Great feeling,” Adams boasted. “We had great clutch pitching. Our relievers. Casey [Erickson] did a good job holding them to two. Dennehy did a great job. Unfortunately, had a blunder with me up the middle on that hit. What are you going to do. And then Brewer with that key bunt. Pruitt kept it going and of course, Mesa with that bomb. What more could you ask for?”

Trailing by a couple, the stirring comeback wouldn’t have been possible without some splendid pitching from Andy Shive. After putting the first two on via a leadoff Eric Campbell double off the center field wall and getting himself in further trouble by choosing to go to third on a comebacker but throwing high and too late, the righty suddenly was facing a first and third no out hole.

That’s when he showed great poise by getting on the same page with catcher Mitch Abeita, striking out the next three to climb out of it. First, he put a heater right on the outside corner getting Sean Ratliff looking. The next victim was John Servidio, who went fishing on a dipping curve out of the zone. With the outside formula working to perfection, the battery duo didn’t change much as Shive’s 2-2 curve down and away caught nothing but air from Jake Eigsti allowing him to pull a houdini act and give his team some momentum.

“I kind of left the ball up and got in trouble early giving up that leadoff double off the wall. And then on that ball, I didn’t get a good grip on it and put myself in a really bad situation,” Shive explained. “I just had to refocus and compose myself. Try to do my best to get those three outs and give my team a chance.”

“I got a lot of confidence in [Abeita]. When I’m ahead in the count, that’s a huge deal. It allows me to throw my pitch. I have a lot of confidence in him. … We’re just trying to attack the zone the best we could. Make him hit our pitch in that situation.”

Facing Brooklyn’s Stephen Clyne, they were able to carry it thanks to a great drag bunt up the third baseline by pinch hitter Dan Brewer, who just beat the throw across the diamond for a leadoff hit. Third baseman Braedyn Pruitt followed with a clean line drive single up the middle putting runners on at first and second forcing Cyclones’ skipper Edgar Alfonzo to go over strategy with his infield. Abeita’s sac bunt failed to advance the runners as Clyne quickly picked it up and tossed out Brewer at third for the first out.

Following McMahon sending in Santamaria to pinch run for Abeita, the hero Mesa stepped up to the plate and drilled the winning three-run walkoff homer over the left field fence touching off a nice celebration at the plate for the struggling left fielder, who this time came through with his bat instead of his arm.

“It was a battle tonight,” McMahon pointed out. “So many different guys contribute in so many different ways. … That’s the players taking care of it. You put them in their success role and it’s all good. They work hard on hitting. They work hard on their situational game. They work hard and love to play for each other.”

“It’s always exciting to win a game on a walkoff,” Shive added.

“It was all them though. I just tried to give them a chance. It was good and hopefully we can take this momentum into the game [Sunday].”

Notes: In a losing effort, Holt went five and a third permitting one earned on four hits while walking a couple and fanning seven getting a hard luck no-decision. … Though he didn’t have his best stuff, Staten Island SP Casey Erickson still went the first five allowing a couple of earned on six hits while walking a pair and K-ing six while escaping numerous jams to give his team a chance. … RP Daniel Kapala tossed a perfect seventh and eighth while striking out one before the winner Shive came on and stranded a couple with splendid pitching to improve to 4-2. … The game was delayed seven minutes but took a very manageable two hours and 41 minutes before the ninth sellout of the summer with Monday expected to be No.10. … The middle game is later today at 5 PM at KeySpan Park in Coney Island.

Bombers honor Rogers in Home Run For Life: During  break in the game, the Staten Island organization held their second Home Run For Life celebration honoring nine year-old son of owner Jane, Jack Rogers. It was a couple of years after he was born hat he was diagnosed with autism. His problems got even worse when as a five year-old, he was diagnosed with ITP, which is a rare blood disorder that affects the immune system.

Due to health issues, he’s been in the hospital 15 times with each requiring IV treatment to increase his platelet count. His fight might continue but this brave kid has perservered. With both teams out just like Opening Night, he took a victory lap slapping each player’s hand as he rounded the bases to a nice round of applause.

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by Derek Felix

Rye’s walkoff hit gives Bombers win before another sellout

July 18, 2008 in Staten Island Yanks

Staten Island starting pitcher Nick Montgomery delivers a pitch against a Batavia batter.

STATEN ISLAND, NY- Runs were at a premium but Pat McMahon’s pesky bunch still had enough thanks to Jack Rye’s walkoff basehit with the bases loaded in the home ninth allowing the Staten Island Yankees to pull out a 3-2 win over Batavia before a second consecutive sellout of 7,171 at Richmond County Bank Ball Park to take the series.

It was the eighth sellout of the season with a couple of more expected against the last place Cyclones over the next three days.

“Guys came up in big situations,” right fielder Dan Brewer noted after contributing in the field with a couple of nice running catches. “Pitchers threw well. [Brian] Baisley had a great game today. He’s swinging it well. A two-run homer. Back to battling. Some guys just had big at bats. In tough situations, they came through.”

The Baby Bombers got a good outing from Nick Montgomery, who permitted just one earned in five innings allowing a two out Xavier Scruggs second inning RBI double which put his team down a run. With Batavia’s Thomas Eager holding the Staten Island bats in check tossing five scoreless while scattering a couple of hits and fanning three, that run seemed like more.

The Bombers finally got a break thanks to some hustle from second baseman David Adams in the sixth against new pitcher George Brown. After the first two batters were retired, the Muckdogs’ reliever appeared on his way to a 1-2-3 inning but Adams’ lazy fly to short center was lost in the lights by center fielder Frederick Parejo allowing it to fall for a double. However, Adams never stopped completely and when he saw that nobody was covering third, he didn’t hesitate taking the base for a very unconventional triple.

Unfortunately for Brown, that meant trouble because he had to face the Bombers’ hottest hitter Baisley, who after falling behind 0-2 got back to 2-2 before clocking a homer to dead center off the batter’s eye suddenly giving them a 2-1 lead. It was his second home run of the series and fifth RBI. He drove in at least a run in all three games.

“At first, I thought I hit it off the wall. I didn’t know it was a home run until I saw the umpire,” a very pleased Baisley acknowledged in the winner’s locker room after going a perfect four-for-four raising his average to .379. ”I’m seeing the ball well. I’m actually surprised cause of the break. … I’ve had good runs but nothing quite like this.”

The lead was shortlived as returning reliever Jason Kiley served up a seventh inning two out dinger to Parejo, who atoned by hitting a line drive in the same area to tie it.

With the game still in the balance, McMahon went to setup man Brad Rulon (2-0), who was more than up to the challenge putting up two consecutive zeroes in the eighth and ninth while striking out four including a couple looking on perfect pitches which painted the outside corner.

“You just try to come in and try not to think about what the situation is,” he said. “When you come in, you try to get ahead in the count.”

“They’ve done that all year. Ever since the first game, they’ve been lights out,” Baisley pointed out.

After Rulon retired the side in the ninth getting a couple swinging, the stage was set for the home club to send an eighth sellout Friday night Fireworks crowd home happy. It started with some plate discipline by backstop Mitch Abeita, who worked out a leadoff walk off Brown. The pitcher than put himself in more trouble with a throwing error on Addison Maruszak’s successful sacrifice overthrowing first which allowed both runners to move up a base leaving the winning run 90 feet away with nobody out.

Both managers played by the book with McMahon having righty hitting first baseman Jahdiel Santamaria ready to hit against the lefty but Batavia skipper Mark DeJohn immediately went to righty sidearmer Jason Buursma. In full winning mode, McMahon quickly countered with veteran lefty corner infielder Braedyn Pruitt. The move paid dividends when he fought back from an 0-2 hole drawing a walk to load the bases.

“That was huge for us. For [Pruitt] to get on base. Rye came through the other day. He hit the ball hard last time against him. So it was just bound to happen. He got a hit and we win the game,” Brewer added.

With left fielder Melky Mesa struggling at the plate, the Staten Island manager had one more trick up his sleeve sending up outfielder Jack Rye to pinch hit. He fell behind 1-2 but delivered the walkoff basehit up the middle past a drawn in infield allowing pinch runner Taylor Grote to walk home for the winning run.

Notes: Behind the plate, Abeita threw out two of three runners trying to steal second. On the Staten Island side, Brewer stole his fifth base turning out to be the only steal attempt of the night. … Playing in left, Mesa made a key defensive play tossing out a runner trying to go for two to end the Batavia fifth before a second run crossed the plate with plate umpire Joel Myers emphatically waving it off as McMahon rushed out of the dugout. … In his home debut as a starter, Montgomery went five allowing a run on four hits while walking a pair and K-ing four to get a no-decision. … For Batavia, Brown took the loss giving up all three earned in three frames falling to 0-1. … RP Drew Shetrone worked a scoreless sixth escaping a bases loaded one out situation by striking out the last two. … Brian Chavez returned from the DL getting the start at the hot corner going 0-for-3. … First place Staten Island (19-11) plays host to Verrazano rival Brooklyn (13-17) in the first of a three-game set with the middle game at KeySpan Park with the series finale wrapping up back at the Ferry Terminal.

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by Derek Felix

Kruml adjusting well to new surroundings

July 13, 2008 in Staten Island Yanks

STATEN ISLAND, NY- The stage was set. He had a chance to be the hero but ultimately came up short striking out swinging with the bases packed and two outs in the home ninth in a recent Staten Island Yankee 3-1 loss to Oneonta. As the traditional Friday night fireworks bombarded the sky, there sat Ray Kruml in the dugout thinking the tough at bat through as he took in the lighting show.

Before he went back into the locker room, skipper Pat McMahon pulled the first-year Baby Bomber center fielder aside telling him how much he admired his approach. He still put together a quality at bat working the count full before swinging and missing at a Lester Oliveros outside heater to end it which was why McMahon was reinforcing the positives despite the end result.

“He got me down 0-2 right away. 1-2. You know. It was a battle. Caught me chasing a pitch that might’ve been outside. I tip my cap to him. It was a good pitch,” the 22 year-old Lisle, Illinois native later expressed.

Kruml hasn’t gotten beat often while batting leadoff the majority of his 19 games hitting a solid .318 (21-for-66) with eight RBI’s, 12 runs scored and eight stolen bases providing the kind of spark needed from a No.1 hitter. Thus far, he’s made the necessary adjustments from college to the pros.

“It’s a little different,” he noted. “They just tell me to keep my same approach. Every ballgame. Ground balls. Line drives. Stuff like that. That’s always nice to hear. I can just keep doing what I’ve been doing. The coaches have helped me a lot helping me make the adjustment from college to pro ball.”

Of batting leadoff which is something he also did in college helping set the table, he said, “It’s a little tough facing pitchers for the first time if I don’t know anything about them. But I’ll try to do my best to give the guys a a good report when I get back to the dugout.”

Selected by the Yankees in the 11th round of the 2008 MLB Draft, the University of South Alabama product who never missed a game in two years while posting a .350 average with an impressive on-base percentage of .421 while pacing the Sun Belt with 31 stolen bases has adjusted well to pro ball. It’s his first time in New York but it hasn’t fazed him one bit.

“I’ve enjoyed it,” he said. “Especially lately. I think we’ve won 10 of our last 12 games. Something like that. It’s been fun. A lot of fun.”

One thing which hasn’t gone unnoticed is the kind of support Kruml and his new teammates have been getting. In fact, last Friday’s game was the sixth sellout already- one better than they managed all of last year.

“There’s been great support. We got great fans. It’s always nice playing on a Friday night with the fireworks. Everybody comes out and has a good time. It’s a real good atmosphere.”

Not only has he been able to enjoy playing in front of big crowds but also got a chance along with the rest of the team on a rare off day last Tuesday to visit legendary Yankee Stadium and take in the House That Ruth Built one time before it’s replaced by the new Stadium.

“That was awesome. Went to old Yankee Stadium and afterwards toured that along with the new Yankee Stadium show us all how everything’s being built. Just the foundation and everything’s up right now. And you could see how big the Stadium is up. It’s going to be real nice.”

“It gives you a little bit more motivation I guess. A new building. Billion dollar stadium. So, it’s a little extra incentive to push a little harder and reach our goals.”

As for being drafted and getting the chance to wear Yankee Pinstripes, the solid defensive center fielder who makes things happen with his speed replied emphatically, “It was unbelievable. Great feeling that day. Just sitting around waiting. My name popped up by the New York Yankees. It was a very happy day for me and my family.”

“I was just out playing some video games. Just checking the computer and then all of a sudden saw my name pop up with the Yankees. I was real excited. A few seconds later, I got a phone call.”

His family celebrated like you’d expect with a little home cooking.

“Yeah. My parents gave me a little barbecue. A lot of my parents’ friends are Boston fans. So put the Boston jerseys on and gave me some crap for it. But it was all in good fun.”

While he’s playing for the more well known New York baseball team, that surprisingly wasn’t the case for Kruml who grew up in the Windy City rooting for the sister White Sox.

“I had to trade the black and white pinstripes for the navy and white. It’s a good trade though,” he quipped with a big grin.

Kruml had good success in college going from a junior college All-American to All-Second Team in the Sun Belt while starring for the Jaguars.

“It was a great experience playing two years at South Alabama. Great bunch of coaches. Great team. Had a lot of fun there,” he said. “It was a great opportunity and a great experience.”

“I played pretty well. It was fun. We had a good team. We just couldn’t put it altogether. Just didn’t have enough good pitching, good defense and great offense.”

One of five players from South Alabama selected, Kruml noted a little of the school’s recent draft history which produced the likes of outfielders Juan Pierre, Luis Gonzalez and Adam Lind.

“The previous year, there was two. I think the year before that, there was four. There’s a lot of guys that get drafted and a lot of guys who got good opportunities. Hopefully, they can excel real well.”

One notable difference from staying healthy and not missing a game is that now he has a little friendly competition with center fielder Melky Mesa, who also is getting his share of playing time. Kruml doesn’t seem to mind at all and understands the situation.

“I normally get my at bats. He gets his at bats. We get along real well. He’s a great guy. So we help each other out doing different things whether it’s outfield work or hitting. It’s a mutual respect even though we’re battling for the same position. But it’s a lot of fun.”

One key area which Kruml has adjusted well to is wooden bats. That can sometimes be a burden for drafted college players going from aluminum to wood but thus far hasn’t slowed down the center fielder at the plate.

“Every summer, I played in summer leagues where it’s all wood bats. I mean I’m not 100 percent used to it but I’m pretty used to it.”

As for how he views himself, Kruml assessed:

“Runs well. I guess a contact guy. Tries to draw walks. Will bunt. Stuff like that.”

As for who he tries to pattern himself after, the South Alabama alum stayed true to a player he admires.

“Like a Juan Pierre, Grady Sizemore type. Speedy centerfielders. … Certain guys like that Juan Pierre likes to bunt. Likes to put pressure on defenses. I try to look at him and try to play the way he plays.” 

So far. So good.

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