2011 Mustangs: Rally Leave a comment
Major League Debut: Johnny Giavotella Leave a comment
When Manny Pina made his major league debut on August 3rd I posted this card. I said that Johnny G was next to get a major league debut card, I never thought it would only be 2 days later. Gio landed with a splash the same way Manny Pina did. He went 2-3 with a double for his first major league hit. He also drove in a run, stole a base and looked comfortable in the field. His scrappy Dustin Pedroia-like play is sure to win over Kansas City Royals fans. His call-up got a lot of momentum of late, so fans were really excited to see him in the lineup. It was great to see the infield of Hosmer-Giavotella-Escobar-Moustakas, that is a lot of young talent on one field.
2011 Mustangs Season Highlights: Cody Cunningham Leave a comment
The Mustangs amazingly had two complete game no-hitters in 2011. Cody Cunningham tossed the first of the two great games. He threw his in Omaha against a good Omaha Diamond Spirit team early in the season.
The Mustangs stayed alive in the NBC World Series by knocking out the team from Derby, KS on Friday. They scored 2 runs in the top of the 9th inning to break a tied score and win 3-2. The Mustangs pitching is the reason that they are where they are in this tournament. Friday’s game was no exception, Kyle Jackson tossed a great, going 8 innings and only surrendering two runs while picking up a big win.
The Mustangs play on Sunday in another must-win situation. The Mustangs battle the Hutchison Kansas Monarchs at 10:30 in the morning. I don’t know who is starting for the Mustangs but it very well could be Cody Cunningham, the first three games were started by Huett-Maddox-Jackson.
2011 Mustangs Season Highlights: Adam Maddox Leave a comment
Here is my second “Season Highlights” cards for the Mustangs. Adam Maddox tossed a great, exciting no-hitter to win the MINK League championship. If you would like to read more about this game check here: https://ahairoffsquare.wordpress.com/2011/07/23/2011-mustangs-mink-league-champions-adam-maddox/
The Mustangs lost yesterday at the NBC World Series, they fell 4-3 in 10 innings. Adam Maddox had another good start throwing 7 innings and only giving up one run. The bullpen let him down though as normally air-tight Doug Shields gave up 2 runs in 2 innings and Josh Parrish gave up the winning run in the 10th.
The tournament is double elimination so the Mustangs are still in it. They take on the Derby Twins (KS) on Friday at 1pm. They need to win from here on out or they will be eliminated.
Major League Debut: Manny Pina custom card 1 comment
Manny Pina made his major league debut on Wednesday August 3rd 2011. He was called up to replace injured veteran catcher Matt Treanor. He might not be up long but in his first start he caught a great game, threw out a runner on the bases and notched 2 hits. He was 2-4 with a double in his major league debut against the Baltimore Orioles.
As is a tradition now on this site, each time a Royal make his major league debut he will get a card in this design dedicated to him. This is Pina’s, Johnny G could be any time.
2011 Just Fair: Derrek Lee 3 comments
Derrek Lee got traded at the trade deadline this year. He went to the Cinderella Pittsburgh Pirates and played his first game on August 1st. He promptly hit 2 home runs in his first game with his new team. Even though the game was a loss to the Cubs Lee created a folk hero out of himself right away with the team. It probably won’t happen but I really want this team to make the playoffs and Derrik Lee will have to be a huge part of that.
2011 Mustangs Season Highlights: Kris Koerper 1 comment
Here is the first of a few “Season Highlights” cards I made for the 2011 Mustangs season. This one if for Kris Koerper who was serenaded on his birthday with the crowd singing to him led by Mustangs general manager Rick Muntean. Koerper responded by hitting an absolute bomb to left center field for a 3-run homer. It may not have been a big moment for the team and their playoff chances but it was one of those cool moments that I will certainly remember from 2011 at Phil Welch Stadium. If you are keeping track this makes 3 cards of Koerper in my 2011 set.
The Mustangs have won their first game of the NBC World Series in Wichita. They defeated the Plaza Tire Capahas 7-3 behind Jayson Huett’s strong start. Jordan Guida drove in 2 runs as the Mustangs jumped out to a 7-0 lead early. They play again on Wednesday at 5pm with Adam Maddox making his first start since his no-hitter.
Manny Pina to get the call to the big leagues Leave a comment
It’s funny how baseball works sometimes. It appears that all in the same week Manny Pina will get demoted to AA Northwest Arkansas from the AAA Omaha Storm Chasers and now be called up to the Kansas City Royals. Matt Treanor got hammered in a collision at home plate in Cleveland and was almost immediately put on the 7 day disabled list meaning the Royals needed a second catcher.
Manny Pina reportedly left his AA game in Springfield minutes later indicating that he was trying to catch a plane to Cleveland for the series finale between the Royals and Indians. I’m excited to see him at the big league level even though it appears Salvador Perez has passed him in the chain of players ready for the Royals at the catcher position. Pina is already on the 40 man roster so it makes perfect sense that he will be joining the team.
Custom Card of the Day: 1984 Donruss Mike Aviles Leave a comment
Mike Aviles’ last stand.
So Mike Aviles recently commented about not liking his utility infielder role with the Royals. I think that was what stamped his ticket out of town. Aviles was traded to the Boston Red Sox for Yamaico Navarro and a single A pitcher today. A good move for the Royals I feel. Aviles wasn’t happy and really didn’t fit in the scheme for the future for Kansas City.
Aviles had a chance to be an everyday player for the Royals on Opening Day. He proceeded to bat around .200 and get sent to AAA Omaha. He also played horrible defense this year. That is the most important thing for a utility infielder so it makes sense that Aviles didn’t fit the role. I would like to see Johnny Giavotella fill the roster spot instead of the newcomer Navarro but I don’t see that happening unless Navarro is unable to play the middle infield (I don’t know if he can or not)
I just predicted this would be the only move the Royals would make before the deadline this morning on Pine Tar Press. I believe the Royals are done trading now.
2011 Mustangs Award Winners Part 2: Brent Seifert and Jayson Huett Leave a comment
Brent Seifert was a slam dunk for Player of the Year. He batted .353 in league games this year with 2 homers, 3 triples, an eye-popping 23 doubles and drove in 35 runs in just 43 games. Seifert was also great in the field, he consistently made good plays at both third base and second base for the team. If it weren’t for Peter Barrows’ huge year for the Nevada Griffons I think Seifert would have been the player of the year for the entire MINK League.
Jayson Huett had a very good season. He started 6 games and went 4-0 with a 1.82 ERA. In my mind he had some stiff competition for the Pitcher of the Year award. I have narrowed it down to 4 major candidates. They are Jayson Huett, Adam Maddox, Cody Cunningham and Doug Shields. The first three players are starting pitchers and Doug Shields served as the team’s closer. Maddox had slightly better numbers than Huett but was padded by his no-hitter late in the year that happened after the Pitcher of the Year award was announced. Cunningham had a slightly higher ERA than Maddox and Huett and also had a no-hitter to propel his stats into contention. Of the three starters, I think Huett was the correct choice for the award given that Maddox’s no-hitter came after the award was given so it really didn’t count in this case.
Then there is Doug Shields. Shields came in for the Mustangs and closed out many tight affairs without being hit much at all. His sidearm delivery and great breaking pitches made him extremely hard to hit late in the game. His stats were 3-1 record, 0.62 ERA with 9 saves. The ERA is almost invisible and the 3 wins are a big number for a reliever who pitched in only 20 games. All things considered, I think Shields would be my pick for pitcher of the year for the 2011 Mustangs. Huett pitched great and deserved the award but when the game was on the line in the late innnings the Mustangs constantly called on Shields, and he came through in a big way.
A Hair Off Square 