Ozzie Guillen: Loud Mouth, Championship Manager, Baseball Genius, and above all: Family Man

"KW always gets his man."

Sox fans repeat this mantra every off season and all season until the trade deadline every year- applauding KW on such acquisitions in the past as Nick Swisher, Carlos Quentin (not someone like him.. THE Carlos Quentin), and most recently, Jake Peavy.

But there may be one man, or 4, that might be a little hard for KW to capture.

Entire: The Guillens.
As close-knit as they come, Ozzie Guillen and company are your overly entertaining, Hispanic Catholic, "mess with one of us and you mess with all of us family." A lot like mine- Just replace "Hispanic" with "Irish." There's nothing my family wouldn't do for me, and if you cross me the wrong way- watch out. You'll have 3 cops, an ex-cop, an ex-fire captain, and one VERY angry Catholic school teacher all over you. Not to mention a slew of other aunts, uncles, and cousins that would just as easily verbally kick your ass as they would sneak a flask of Jameson into one of our family's many weddings (and a rosary, mind you).

Which is why after spending my one evening off of work on Twitter, drinking a glass of red wine, and watching Field of Dreams for the 15,495 time, I'm officially in 100% support of the Guillen family.

Now here's the back story.

The middle of three of Ozzie and Ibis' sons, Oney has held a position with the White Sox in the scouting system for a little over a year.

Like the eldest son of the family, Ozzie Guillen Jr., and his father- famed manager and all-around bad-ass, Ozzie Guillen Sr., Oney has a twitter account set up to reach out to family, friends, and fans. A low number of followers (340) compared to his father's (42,773), Oney's twitter consists mainly of quirks, updates, and opinions here and there. (Unlike my personal twitter which chronicles everything from what I eat for breakfast to quotes from what episode of The Office my roommates and I happen to watching.)

It was no surprise that when Ozzie Sr set up his own Twitter account to personally connect with fans and friends (and I say "personally" because Ozzie made it clear that his twitter was specifically about his personal life), there was a backlash from the White Sox front office. Kenny Williams and Ozzie haven't always seen eye-to-eye. Most recently KW has publicly expressed his doubt in Ozzies DH-by-committee idea for the upcoming 2010 season. When Ozzie exploded onto the twitter scene in such a way that blew his call-in to Mike North on 670 The Score out of the water two weeks ago, KW had something to say about that too.

Ozzie expressed that his twitter account would be used for personal reasons only... and why not? Ozzie Guillen is human. He has a mouth on him, he's a manager of a major league baseball team, and was once one of the best short stops in the game- but he's only human. No one complains that Nick Swisher, Jason Grilli, CJ Wilson, or even the Sox's own Mark Teahen has a twitter. So why should Kenny Williams care about Ozzie's? Maybe it was that Ozzie doesn't have a filter, or that he IS the manager of a potential division-winning 2010 team, but should that really matter? As long as Ozzie's not tweeting on his blackberry during the 7th inning of a game, is it really Kenny Williams' business?

The answer to that is an obvious "no."

Ozzie may not be from America but as a citizen he's protected under this nation's First Amendment.

And as a dual-citizen of both Venezuela and the USA, so is Oney Guillen.

Oney was told in a round-about way by Kenny Williams to "tone down his tweets." I'm not sure, after reading all of Oney's tweets over the last week or so, what he was supposed to "tone down." Perhaps his excitement about seeing his brother at dinner, or having fun playing poker with his family, or his tweet about going to wrestlemania? Nor do I understand how that affected the White Sox front office, or scouting dept., but apparently it pissed off KW.

Oney responded by stepping down from his position and a very equally (and rightfully so) pissed off Ozzie Guillen refused to talk to Chicago press or media after the Sox loss to the Cubs this afternoon.

The drama surfaced a few days ago when Oney tweeted "I love it how people are monitoring my tweets like I'm someone important. Everyone is entitled to there own opinion"

After we found out that Oney had resigned from his position with the Sox, Ozzie tweeted "Hey kid we are behind you. no matter what"
Ozzie also apologized for his snubbing of the Chicago media today via twitter saying "I extremely apologize to the chicago media from the bottom of my heart but it wasn't the right time for me to talk and hope this doesn't ... affect our relationship... also the respect I have for all of you tomorrow is another day"

Ozzie makes contact.......this could go a long way.... the center fielder is running back, back to the warning track, he looks up... and that ball is OUTTA HERE!!!!

Now let me just go "mom" on everyone for a minute. I have a two year old son. He's the love of my life. There is not a thing I wouldn't do or a bullet I wouldn't dodge for my child. One of the first words we taught him was "ozzie"... now he runs around the house saying "Ozzie!" whenever we ask him where the Sox are, and claps for himself. My child is the love of my life and I imagine that when I have more children I will feel just the same about them. My grandmother told my mom when she was pregnant with my little brother that "love for your child doesn't divide, it just multiplies."

I hope to God (and I wouldn't even have to hope, because I already know) that my father would stick up for me and be just as equally pissed off as Ozzie was for his son today.

Ozzie is a father. He is a major league baseball manager. But it is his first and foremost duty to protect his children. Today shows me and reaffirms every love I've had for Ozzie Guillen since I was a little girl watching him play for the White Sox. Ozzie Guillen is a lot of things, but above all he is a father, and today he showed that.

The first time my son was sick after he was born, around 8 months of age, I left him in the care of my parents while I went to work on a Friday night.

I may or may not have rung 80 things in wrong while bartending, dropped 4-5 drinks, and had to go on at least 7 "cigarette breaks" to call and check on him. All he had was a fever and a runny nose. Nothing life threatening, nothing that he probably even cared about. He slept the entire night, was given some Children's Tylenol, and was fine. And he was in the perfectly caring hands of my parents.

With that said, I can't imagine the distraction Ozzie Guillen must have been under after hearing of all the stupid CRAP going down with his son today. Could that have affected the outcome of today's game? Don't get me wrong- I'm not a Cub fan. I don't make excuses for how my team plays... but any baseball fan knows that a team plays well that has a great manager. A manager that is in the zone, in the game, and is 120% focused. Was Ozzie Guillen 120% focused today? I'll tell ya what, I wouldn't have been even 50% focused enough to manage a baseball team if my son were under distress or going threw the crap that the organization I had won a World Series Championship for had treated him the way Oney was treated.

I just have one question for Kenny Williams and whoever else was so "offended" by Oney Guillen's tweets- why the hell do you care?

Shouldn't you be more concerned about a lack of a big left-handed bat in the lineup? Or the fact that Scott Linebrink sucked AGAIN today? Or how about the fact that we left, oh, I dont know, 249120481947921 men on base today? What about Danks' outing? Or maybe the fielding by Teahen last week during the Sox/Cubs game? Maybe giving up extra bases on the first play of a game is something you should be spending your time analyzing? Perhaps that fact that Bobby Jenks gave up 5 runs on 4 hits this last week.... or that Ramierez is STILL chasing shit outside? Maybe, Kenny Williams, you should concentrate on THAT instead of Oney Guillens twitter account?

Perhaps KW should heed his own advice when, according to Joe Cowley's article in the Sun Times, he responded to inquires about a website with "don't talk to me about twitter, websites, blogs....." Maybe, KW, you shouldn't pay SUCH CLOSE attention to things posted on Twitter? Are you an Internet babysitter in your spare time? Are you getting paid extra for that? I'd prefer knowing your head was in the GAME and was dissecting what was going on on the field rather than was was going on on Oney, Ozzie Jr, or Ozzie Sr.'s twitter accounts.

The fact stands. These guys (and the youngest, Ozney) love the White Sox. They love that team with every bone in their body. To think they would do or say anything to hinder or embarrass the team is insane. The boys are close with both Suntimes and Tribune White Sox beat writers. They banter back and forth... they all joke around with eachother. The relationship is fine- and Chicago LOVES THE GUILLENS.

If KW is so concerned about what they are tweeting about he needs to find a new hobby- one that doesn't involve what happens with people OFF the baseball field. Maybe he should start monitoring Mark Teahen's "Quotes of the Day" on twitter which involve making fun of White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper. Maybe THAT is more out of line than whatever the Guillens are tweeting- or maybe Williams has a vendetta. Who knows? All I know is that even my 44 year old father doesn't monitor my tweets as closely as KW monitors the Guillens and something, my friends, is wrong with that picture.

So to Ozzie Guillen, and every other father who puts his "dad" role first- kudos. I'm glad to have such a family driven, amazing man managing the team I love to root for. It only makes me that much more passionate about the Sox, and about you as their manager. I've been a big Ozzie Guillen fan since I was 5 years old and as I grow up I only become more and more enthralled with Ozzie and his family. His sons are a group of amazing, well behaved, respectful young men. I'm proud to call Ozzie one of my hero's, a great manager, and a father that ranks in the top percentage of dads in my book. My father and Ozzie have the same "I don't care what you think about me" attitude, and I love it. After today, I more importantly, love that I know Ozzie and my father have the same "don't you care screw with my kid" attitude. Good for you Ozzie- I back you and your family 100000%. Now let's get out there and win another division title!!

KW-I love you as a GM but..... Mind your own business......Damn.

Prospects Q&A with Michael Schlact

Texas Rangers pitching prospect Michael Schlact sits on his back porch reflecting on Spring Training. "One tweets a lot when they're rehabbing. And I feel like I'm 10 years old again playing baseball."

They say you have to have a lot of little boy in you to play professional ball, and Schlact has just that. His passion and love for the game emulates out of his respect and care for his career, his fans, his teammates, and all those around him. After coming off of a near career-ending injury that lead to surgery and currently, rehab, Michael agreed to do a brief interview with me in between chronicling his "March to the Mound" on Twitter (clever), playing Words With Friends, and going to In-And-Out Burger with his wife.




Me: You were drafted in the 3rd round out of high school. Do you think not playing at a collegiate level helped or hindered your performance in pro ball?

Michael:I believe that foregoing college helped my performance in pro ball. I was able to jump right into professional competition, with the best coaches,against the best players. I think that helps you become a better player every day, because you have to rise to the occasion in order to compete.

Me: The Rangers organization, before your injury, was really into developing your 4-seam fastball to compliment your sinker. Any hopes of continuing that when you're done rehabbing or has the 4-seam gone to the wayside?

Michael:I will still use the 4seam fastball. my primary pitch is my sinker, and I will use that the majority of the time when I return. The Rangers were developing my 4seam fastball to help me add arm strength, and give the hitters a different look.

Me: I haven't found a whole lot about your injury aside from what you mentioned briefly to me a few days ago. Can you tell me more about it?

Michael: I had 3 small tears on the backside of my rotator cuff, a small tear in the labrum, and some bursists. They cleaned up the shoulder (debridement) and then removed the bursa sac and shrank the shoulder capsule at the end.

Me: I've heard your sinker is your go-to pitch, but that you have trouble with letting it go high. Is keeping it down in the zone something you struggle with?

Michael:I don't think that I have trouble keeping it down, but in the past, I had some trouble trusting the pitch. Pitching is all about trusting your stuff to do what it's meant to do. When you don't do that, and you try and aim your pitches, they will usually not do what they are meant to do. a big focus on mine is trusting my sinker to go down in the zone, and I will work on that tirelessly when I return to pitching.

Me: How is life on the road being married? I know your faith in God means a lot to you, does that help you deal with the distance?

Michael:My faith in God is key in dealing with being away from my family. Fortunately, my wife can travel with me during the season. Being married is tough as a ballplayer, because we move around a lot, I leave for long roadtrips, and sometimes living conditions in the minors are less than favorable. She is such a blessing for me though. She supports my dream, and has been by my side through everything.


Me: Tell me about one of your most fun moments in either Spring Training or during your time in the minors.

Michael:I think playing in the Championship series with the Frisco Roughriders in 2008 was my most fun moment in Pro Ball. We made it all the way to the final game of the series, where it's either win and you're champs, or lose and you're not. There is something fun and exciting about playing for all the marbles.


Me: What have you been doing during your rehab? What % would you put your health at today?

Michael: I have been working out every day, and running a lot. The key to returning healthy is to be stronger than you've ever been before. I do shoulder routines each day, that compliment my workouts. I told myself that I will never go through this again, so being as strong as I possibly can is the only option. I would say that I'm 70-75% right now.



Me: Aside from rehabbing this spring training, what are you working on fine-tuning, especially with your secondary pitches?

Michael: Once I get to the mound again, I'm going to work on my mental side of pitching. Trusting my stuff, being a competitor, focusing on one pitch at a time, rather than who the next 8 hitters are. My slider could be much better, and I can also make my change up be a lot more consistent down in the zone.


Me: What do you think your biggest fault is as a pitcher?

Michael:It would have to be giving the hitter too much credit. One of my favorite baseball quotes is "the ball is round, the bat is round, but you have to hit it square." There are many great hitters that play this game. But, just like pitching, it's very hard to hit. If I can control the mental side of my game that will help me become a much better pitcher.

Me: What benefits you most as a pitcher?

Michael: I think my height. Creating a downward angle on pitches definitely adds a whole new look to pitching versus pitches that come in flat.


Me: What do you love most about the Rangers organization?

Michael: I love that Nolan Ryan is our president, and that he has a huge hand in the pitching department. Having the greatest pitcher to ever play as one of your leaders in the pitching department is the coolest. Also, they only hire the best. Everyone is our organization is a class act. They are knowledgeable and want the best for us.


Me: You were being developed primarily as a starting pitcher, will it be the same when you finish rehabbing?

Michael: I haven't heard much about what my role will be when I return. I guess right now I'm focusing on just getting healthy. I want to pitch in the big leagues, so whatever role they think will get me there, I'll take.

Me: My favorite question to end with- Who is your favorite ballplayer of all time, and why?

Michael:My favorite ballplayer of all time would probably be John Smoltz. He is a warrior on the mound, a great person, and he'll do whatever it takes to win. He's one of my childhood heros.

Joe Torre's Safe At Home Foundation

About the Foundation (from www.joetorre.org)

Joe Torre, former professional baseball player and manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, grew up the youngest of five children in Brooklyn, New York. His father was a New York City police detective and revered in his community. He was the cop that made everyone feel safe. Everyone except his own family.

Joe, Sr. ruled his home with an iron fist. He was a physically abusive husband and an emotionally abusive father. The violence that had besieged the Torre household for so many years was a well-kept family secret and stayed a family secret for generations. However, in December of 1995, Ali and Joe Torre attended a seminar called Life Success. As a result of Joe's participation in that seminar, he began to talk openly of his childhood experience with domestic violence. He went public with his family secret in his autobiography, Chasing the Dream: My Lifelong Journey to the World Series.
Ali and Joe Torre wanted to educate children about the issue of domestic violence. In 2002, they created the Joe Torre Safe At Home® Foundation. The mission of the Foundation is "educating to end the cycle of domestic violence and save lives".

Initially, the Joe Torre Safe At Home® Foundation focused its resources on awareness building through a local and national multimedia campaign. However, the Joe Torre Safe At Home® Foundation quickly determined that they want to educate children about violence so that children understand that they are not alone and that there is hope.

In 2005, the Joe Torre Safe At Home® Foundation opened its first school-based programming initiative, Margaret's Place, at Hostos-Lincoln Academy, Bronx, NY. Margaret's Place, a tribute to his mom, is a comprehensive program which provides students with a safe room in school where they can meet with a professional counselor trained in domestic-violence intervention and prevention. Currently, the Joe Torre Safe At Home® Foundation has ten fully funded and operational Margaret's Places in New York City and Westchester County. The sites are fully funded and have a minimum commitment of three years.

I didn't know about this charity until a friend of mine brought it to my attention. After doing some research I realized it really hit home for me. Those of you who know me know I was in a really abusive relationship for years. Under some great advice (this morning surprisingly) I've decided not to let that man affect my life anymore. For some reason talking about him has happened a lot lately and I've realized that it's my own fault for keeping up the discussion by agreeing to answer questions and discuss him.

Of course I was never married or had children that were affected by his rage, but it affected my life greatly and has ultimately made me the person I am today. I believe I would probably be a completely different woman if I hadn't been through said relationship.

Domestic Violence is not only physical. What most people don't understand is that a person (man, woman, or child) can be hurt and scarred just as badly emotionally as they can physically. The emotional abuse, I found, took a worse toll on my life than anything physical could have.

Abuse doesn't just affect a person when it happens or in the moments after, or during recovery. It affects the way they live their life, who they trust around them, and the choices they make. I feel as though doing a spotlight on blog about this charity is a closing for me. A way for me to move on with my life. Baseball has always been a huge part of it, and for a while I was afraid that because of my past relationship I would give up on my love for the game all together. Luckily, things happened in my life that forced me to not give up, and reminded me about why I'd loved baseball since I was a little girl in the first place.

I'm so glad that what happened to me (even though I wish it hadn't happened at all) happened early enough- before I had children, before I got married. I know now that the way I continually let my ex treat me was not "ok," no matter how much I convinced myself that it was. I never want my children to think it's okay for a man (or a woman) to treat their significant other in that manner.

Joe and Ali Torre believe it's important to educate children about the effects of domestic violence and I couldn't agree more. I grew up in a family where my father and mother never treated each other with anything other than love and respect. I only remember once them getting into a huge argument but it never escalated past yelling, and ended with my father getting down on the floor trying to make a distinction between "chocolate... vanilla... chocolate... vanilla!" (I'm not sure WHAT he was trying to use that as a metaphor for)... I laughed... a 5 year old laugh.. my parents looked at each other, my dad started cracking up- and though the fight probably wasn't resolved, for that moment it was over.

My parents loved me and always told me that it was never okay for a man to hit a woman, my dad being a cop was always the up most advocate against that, but I never really was talked to or talked about emotional abuse. By the time I had been with my ex long enough for his emotional abuse to infiltrate my confidence, the "no guy should ever hit you" rule was null-in-void.

The Torre's recognize that emotional abuse affects someone just as deeply as physical, and I couldn't be more in love with this charity. Thankfully Torre has recognized and dealt with the abuse he dealt with as a child, and I can only pray that what I've dealt with will always help me to be a strong woman so that my children don't have to deal with the kind of abuse Torre dealt with and witnessed. I wish what happened to me had never happened but I'm glad it made me just that much stronger of a person.

I truly believe that this is one of those organizations where getting the word out helps more than anything. Education IS prevention. Funding will not only help with the education but will ultimately help prevent domestic abuse in family homes.

To donate you can click here. Ali and Joe Torre will match any donations up to $500,000. Donate $50 and you're actually donating $100! If that isn't awesome, I don't know what is!

You can also order this amazing key chain- its a house and a key and when you flip the house over it's Home Plate engraved with Joe Torre's signature. You can follow this link to do so.

I encourage everyone to check out Torre's foundation- it's a great cause and really hits home for me. No child should ever be abused or witness abuse. Parents should know that its not ok to put up with abuse, and everyone should be able to say "no" and feel like it's okay to walk away. I will be donating to Torre's charity tomorrow morning and would like to rally and get at least $500 donated in the name of this blog. Please comment when you've donated, or send me an email, and we'll tally the donations at the end of the month.

Please make sure and spread the word. Domestic violence is NOT OKAY. We can help prevent it!!!!!

We Are Chicago Baseball

White Sox Retire Frank Thomas' #35

Frank Thomas' Proud, Honored that White Sox will Retire his Number.

By Dave van Dyck

The White Sox said Friday they will retire Frank Thomas' No. 35, as their former slugger officially announced his retirement at U. S. Cellular Field.Thomas' uniform number will be retired during an on-field ceremony on "Frank Thomas Day," Aug. 29, when the team hosts the New York Yankees at 1:05 p.m.

"I'm very, very proud and honored," Thomas said of having his number retired. "If it was up to me, I would have played every year of my career here in Chicago. But I understand pro sports, and as guys get older, guys move around. But this is where I've always wanted to be, and to have my number retired here, it's a huge honor."

Thomas, who last played for the White Sox in 2005 before finishing in Toronto and Oakland with 521 career home runs, didn't play last season. At age 41, he said he realizes his retirement announcement has been "a long time coming.""I had to get baseball out of my system before I made this announcement," Thomas said."I'm at peace with it. I had one heck of a career, proud of it. It's been one hell of a ride."

Thomas' No. 35 becomes the 10th uniform number to be retired by the White Sox, joining No. 2 (Nellie Fox), No. 3 (Harold Baines), No. 4 (Luke Appling), No. 9 (Minnie Minoso), No. 11 (Luis Aparicio, currently un-retired for the 2010 season), No. 16 (Ted Lyons), No. 19 (Billy Pierce), No. 42 (Jackie Robinson) and No. 72 (Carlton Fisk)."

Everyone who enjoyed watching Frank Thomas perform during his outstanding career with the White Sox quickly realized we were watching one of the greatest offensive players of all-time, a player destined to re-write our club's record books," Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement. "When your career comes to an end and your body of work is compared to Hall of Famers like Mel Ott, Babe Ruth and Ted Williams, you truly rank among baseball royalty."I believe it is only a matter of time until Frank receives the game's greatest honor in Cooperstown and he unquestionably deserves the honor of being recognized among the elite White Sox players in this franchise's history by having his No. 35 retired."

No one will ever play the game the way Thomas played it.. I grew up watching Frank and he will FOREVER be a huge part of my life and my love for baseball. I respect this man so much and am so happy that the Sox are retiring his number. I can't wait til 2014 when he gets inducted into the Hall of Fame- no one deserves it more! I'm so glad I got to see such an amazing player steroid-free in an era when finding untainted players is so hard. Thank you so much for the great memories and for turning me into such a big baseball fan, Frank!

Q&A With Top Prospect Drew Storen

I recently did a top prospects blog on Washington National's first round pick, Drew Storen. Nicely enough, Drew agreed to "sit down," if you will, with me for a question and answer session. As nervous as I was, this being my first professional interview, Drew talked lightly, and was insanely nice and easy to talk to. Our conversation quickly switched back and forth from baseball, to minor league antics, to mutual friends, to our disdain for PED's. By the end of the interview, I realized that Storen really was as nice as all the articles painted him, and that's exactly how he wants to be known.

Me: This is going to be your first visit to Spring Training. How are you feeling about that?

Drew: Well, kinda nervous because its something new and Ive never been there and I'm kinda excited. I used to go to spring training with my dad so its gonna be kinda cool to be on the other side of it. They gave us the schedule and it said "Yankees and Mets" and its not like the farm teams or minor league teams- it's the actual major league teams so it'll be a little different.

Me: Who did you go see in Spring Training when you were younger?

Drew: We would go see the Red Sox, Twins. They were down there in Florida so we'd always go see them.

Me: Did you grow up a fan of any team in particular?

Drew: I didn't really grow up a fan of any team in particular, but I did like the White Sox. I was a big Frank Thomas fan. I wouldn't say I had a specific team as much as I was fan of a bunch of different players.

Me: Who's your favorite pitcher in the game?

Drew: Mariano [Rivera]. Hard not to like that guy. There's different things about different guys but he's such a professional- just kinda poker face the whole time.

Me: Some people are criticizing the National's organization for planning on rushing you through the minor league system. I was telling you earlier about how I'm not a fan of that- How do you think that's going to affect you when you make it to the show?

Drew: I think its (short pause)...I don't really worry about it. You've seen guys do it before- Zim (Ryan Zimmerman) moved quickly and obviously he's doing ok. They're doing a good job not moving me too quickly. Doing things like the AZ fall league is good preparation. My performance is going to warrant that call and they're also look at the big picture.

Me: You've only spent 3 months in the minors. It hasn't been that long since you were drafted- walk me through draft day.

Drew: We had a big thing of friends and family...probably like 40 people all down in my basement. I had an idea that I could be the pick, but I wasn't for sure. I didn't tell anyone except for my parents. I really had no idea it was gonna happen for sure, it was kinda cool. It happened and then all of a sudden my phone started ringing. I had like 250 texts and however many phone calls... I was up doing interviews all night, I didn't go to bed until late and then the next morning I was on the plane at 7am. It was probably the craziest 24 hours. I still get chills talking about it.

Me: What advice did your family give you when you were drafted?

Drew: A lot. I wouldn't say it was one of those things where my dad was like "let's sit and talk about this." He ingrained in my head a long time to not be "that guy".. to treat people right. I dont want people to meet me and be like "that guy was a jerk." Another thing is, that not gonna cheat to get there, that's not how I like to do things. if I'm going to make it its going to be on my own count and not because some kinda PED (Performance Enhancing Drug).. that's something big for me.

Me: That's so admirable- you seem so natural talking during an interview. Have you always been so open with the media?

Drew: Its just easy because my dad's been in the media (his father is Mark Patrick) and I've always been around it so its really easy for me to do. Its not like reporters aren't people... its easy for me to sit and talk to people.

Me: I just read Odd Man Out by Matt McCarthy, have you read it?

Drew: (laughing) No, I haven't but I've heard so many stories that I feel like I have

Me: Do you read a lot of books about baseball?

Drew: I've read Livin on the Black, Moneyball of course. The only thing is when I drive I listen to books, Ive listen to Outliers and Talent is Overrated.... Freakenomics.

Me: Moneyball- Billy Bean of course- that's kind of you in a way.

Drew: Yeah being drafted out of college.

Me: College and the minors are two totally different atmospheres, I bet.

Drew: Yeah well in college you're playing ball and going to class and flying to games and staying in hotels. The minors aren't quite like that.

Me: Long bus rides, tons of fast food.

Drew: Yeah I think I've had more buffalo wings this last summer than I have my entire life. This summer when I was in AA I went and bought a $4 blow up raft and laid it in the middle of the aisle of the bus so that I could sleep.

Me: That's hilarious. You're known a lot for you low number of walks. You rarely walk a guy- but when you do, how's it make you feel? Walk me through Drew Storen walking back to the rubber after the ump tells the batter to take his base.

Drew: That makes me the most mad of anything- that's what I tell people. Oooooohhhhhh I can not stand walking people! You just look at the numbers. Why not let him put it in play? You have good enough fielders who are gonna make the play, why let the guy have a free pass? Even the best of the best relievers get in trouble because they walk a guy. Especially in big spots like that it just takes that one swing and momentum that changes things. The biggest thing to me is when i get 2 quick outs I never want to fall behind 2-0 to a guy. Everybody does it, but the guys that don't do it as much are the most successful.

Me: What matters most when you're trying to get a guy out? Velocity or getting the ball in the zone?

Drew: Its all about results.. you talk about any major league pitcher or hitter.. it doesn't matter how hard you throw... you gotta get the ball down. I went into the minors going okay-- I'm throwing, I'm going to try and throw it past guys here...That quickly changed.

Me: Haha, yeah, isn't that mentality you had when your second pitch of your career got belted 500 feet over the center field wall this summer?

Drew: Yeah, haha. I realized I need to throw the ball down in the zone. I was going to try and throw it past him, that was a 96 MPH fastball too.

Me: Besides that moment, did you have any other "welcome to pro ball" moments this summer?

Drew: My first week and 1/2 was a welcome to pro ball moment. I would have outings where they were good outings, except for one or two pitches. I'd give up a home run in Hagerstown and it was after falling behind the guy. It was like an acclamation period.

Me: Spring training this year, besides throwing down in the zone, what else do you hope to work on?

Drew: Being quicker to the plate- something that kinda resolved by using a slide step. I'd used it a bit in college, but I used it all the time in the fall league. That and minimizing my pitch count.

Me: If they do throw you in as a starter, what adjustments are you going to need to make with your change-up?

Drew: Oh geeze, I guess get a feel for it, get that confidence, that mental confidence. They haven't said a word to me a bout becoming a starter though, all these wild rumors started flying around.

Me: What's your favorite baseball movie? And choose wisely, I'm really picky about my baseball movies.

Drew: Well you have to love the classics like The Natural and Major League, and of course Field of Dreams.

Me: Perfect answer. Anyone can tell you, I'm obsessed with that movie. Around this time I start getting cabin fever and I'll just put it on to fall asleep with it. I've never not teared up at the "Hey dad, wanna have a catch?" line.

Drew: Oh yeah, and that reminds me of me and my dad. We'd always have a catch- he'd come home in his shirt and tie and throw with me. I also like For Love of the Game. It's got a few cheesy lines but I love the "clear the mechanism." I've never obviously pitched in such an intense game but it really is true, that you have to just clear your mind.

Me: Okay Drew, last question- and most important. Who's your favorite ballplayer of all time?

Drew: Oh uhm... Eric Van Leemer from Summer Catch!

Me: haha, seriously?

Drew: Oh yeah! No one else can rock cut off shirts and leather pants like that guy.

Me: That is an awesome answer.

Drew: Haha, thanks. Real player though, I'd say Ken Griffey Jr. He's always been my favorite. My dream is to face him.

Prospects: Drew Storen

One of my favorite parts about baseball is that it's such a fine-tuned sport. MLB players are brushed through with a fine tooth comb, meticulously looked over and judged every plate appearance or visit to the mound until they are deemed "ready" to play with the greats.

Or deemed not good enough.

Unfortunately there's a bigger chance of not making it than even having a chance of making it. Roughly 10% of minor league ballplayers will have a chance to make it through the roughly 6 levels of play before they lace on the spikes for their Big League debut. Only 3% of minor league ballplayers actually will make it to the bigs.

Which is what makes MiLB top prospects so interesting. These guys are the valedictorian's of their class. They are the captain of the football teams, the million-dollar babies. They have the greatest chances of making it, and we as fans love to watch their journey.

I grew to love baseball even more by being around minor leaguers. I sold Dippin Dots for the low class-a affiliate for the Cardinals (and later Cubs) when i was 16 as my first job, and I realized that watching a minor league game is the closest you can come to watching baseball at it's purest.

I still go to that ballpark that I sold Dippin Dots at and sit behind the visiting bullpen, drink beer, and keep score by myself. I love the smell of the ballpark, watching the guys goof off in the bullpen, hearing the crack of the bat with only 800 people on a Wednesday night to keep me company. I love traveling to different minor league stadiums and doing the same thing, and I love following guys in the Midwest League.

Watching some of the guys I still have scorecards for, and was close to when I worked for the Peoria Chiefs make it to the big leagues is the most amazing feeling. It sounds dumb but 5-6 years after watching them, guys like Sam Fuld, Jake Fox, and Brendan Ryan are making it to the bigs and some of them even playing in the post season,.I feel like a proud sister watching her surrogate big brothers reach their dreams.

So the older I got the more I got into following top prospects, and especially Midwest League players. I enjoy going to see the guys play first hand, and I thought I would share my joy of watching these boys' journey's by doing a Spotlight on: Prospects, blog now and again.

I'm not going to force any players down your throat- and I'm not going to specify my prospects blogs to Top Prospects- there are a lot of players in the Midwest League who aren't top Prospects but for those of you who live in the Peoria Area (and Chicago- as there are some Midwest League affiliates up North), it might be fun for you to get out and see some of these guys play.

You might be watching the next Albert Pujols :)

So today I want to concentrate on one of MLB Network's top prospects- Drew Storen.

Storen is MLB Networks number 40 Top Prospect.

A Right Handed pitcher from Stanford, Storen was drafted in the 2009 Amateur draft in the 1st Round, 10th overall for 1.6 million by the Washington Nationals (After they chose Stephen Strasburg with the Number 1 pick). A small(er) signing bonus is product of Storen not wanting to fuss over his contract, hoping to catapult his career quickly through the minors- perhaps even becoming the Nat's closer at the end of the 2010 season.

Storen has a fastball in the 90-94 MPH range with quality movement, a cureveball that breaks in hard at 79-83 MPG (that he refers to as more of a "slurve"), and a changeup that he rarely uses due to his pitching in relief.

Drew flew through his first season in the Minors starting out in A and ending out in AA pitching for the Harrisburg Senators in the Eastern League.

His 2009 combined stats look a little something like this:

2-1 Record

1.95 ERA

28 Games

11 Saves

37 IP

21 Hits

8 runs

2 HR's

8 Walks

49 Strike Outs

.784 WHIP.

I've clearly bolded the most impressive of his stats. (check out that WHIP!)

In the Arizona Fall League, he had 2 wins, 4 saves, a .66 ERA, and a 1.39 WHIP.

So after a productive first year in the minors and in the Arizona Fall League, what has Storen been working on in the off season? Improving his control will always be at the top of the list, but he also specifically began working on his control over the running game. Base runners have had an easier time stealing bases against him and Storen has successfully lowered his time-to-the-plate from 1.7 to 1.3 without losing velocity or movement.

Drew is likely to start the season in AA again, and as I said before, we can look at him to be the potential closer for Washington at the end of the 2010 season.

Spotlight On: Mel Ott

Kevin Youkilis, Jeff Bagwell, Barry Bonds, Ichiro Suzuki.

What do these guys have in common?

Out of the ordinary batting stances.

Back in the 1930's there was another guy with an odd batting stance that caused a lot of talk- Mel Ott.

New York Giant's right fielder, Mel was brought up into the majors at the ripe age of 16 because Giant's manager John McGraw, was scared that his time in the minor leagues would mess with his more than interesting batting stance.

Known to lift his right leg prior to impact, this helped Ott with his power. Clearly it worked becaused Mel was the youngest player in baseball history to hit for the cycle, was the first NL player to surpass 500 home runs, was a 6 time NL home run hitter in 1932, 1934, 1936-38, and 1942. In addition to being a power hitter, Mel was also a 6x NL leader in walks.

"Whoa that's Smokey Joe Wood, and Mel Ott, and Gil Hodges!"
-Archie Grahm, Field of Dreams

After playing for 22 seasons in the major leagues, Mel managed the Giants from 1942-1948. His lax-a-dazy managing style left the standings for the Giants with much to be desired. In fact, then Dodger's manager Leo Durocher came to coin Ott's managing style with the phrase "Nice guys finish last!" He was insanely popular with his team and also with the fans.

"Look over there. Do you know a nicer guy than Mel Ott? Or any of the other Giants? Why, they're the nicest guys in the world, and where are they? In last place!" - Leo Durocher

After his stint managing the Giants, Ott teamed up with Van Patrick in 1955 as the radio and video commentator for the Detroit Tigers.

In 1951 Ott was elected on the first ballot with 87.2% of the vote to the Baseball Hall of Fame. His number 4 was retired by the Giants in 1949. Ott passed away tragicially in a car accident in New Orleans in 1958. He is remembered by the Mel Ott Little League in Amherst, NY, which was begun in 1959 in rememberence of this great ballplayer.

" 'O' is for Ott

of the restless right foot

When he leaned on the pellet,

the pellet stayed put."

-Ogden Nash, 1949