Nashville Sounds Broadcaster Blog

A City of Blues and A Series of Blues!

2011-07-03T09:40:00.000-07:00

In my 1 1/2 years of broadcasting in the Pacific Coast League, I've had the pleasurable experience of visiting many new and great cities. One of them is Memphis, Tennessee. Of course, it is only a three-hour bus ride from Nashville to Memphis, but what I also like about it is the close proximity to a variety of restaurants, sights and of course, AutoZone Park, the home of the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds, which are not only a division-rival of the Sounds, but a cross-state rival as well.

Within walking distance, you have Beale Street, which kind of reminds me of Nashville's Broadway, with its many fine restaurants, barbecue joints and music venues as well. If you really want to take a long hike or better yet, a trolley, there is also the Civil Rights Museum, which is housed next to the former Lorraine Motel, where Civil Rights Activist Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated back on April 4, 1968. It was a surreal experience when I got to visit that place last year and to see the sight of the shooting. MLK was in town to support Garbage Collector strikers, who were unhappy with the way they've been treated as well as being underpaid. Anyway, MLK was there to support them, but unfortunately, Memphis would be the last city where MLK would also experience his last breath of life.

Anyway, let's turn the clock forward to 2011. After taking 3 out of 4 from the Round Rock Express at Greer Stadium, the Sounds hit the road and bussed it down I-40 West to the Blues City for a vital 4-game set against the Redbirds. It was a pleasant day for the trip, even though it was cloudy. We got to our downtown hotel and got to relax a bit. Around 4PM that afternoon, I headed for the ballpark and exchanged pleasantries with people whom I met last year. Melissa Rhinehart, who is the press steward, greeted me warmly and was happy to see me back. She was already getting the press food prepared for that night's event. I was also happy to see former Sounds' radio announcer and current Memphis Redbirds' play-by-play man, Steve Selby as well as his broadcast partner, former big league pitcher Charlie Lea. We immediately got to talking baseball, which, of course, is among our favorite subjects.

The first game was a pitching classic. Frankie De La Cruz, who had won his first game of the season 11 days earlier, was getting the nod for the Sounds and he was up against Brandon Dickson of the Redbirds. both pitchers threw gems and each went seven innings and both did not allow a single run and each scattered 3 hits. Earlier in the game, the Sounds had a couple of chances to score, but to no avail. In the first inning, Eric Farris led off with a single to left, but Jordan Brown immediately hit into a double play. Brett Carroll then followed with another single, but was caught stealing as he tried to go to second base and that ended the inning. The following inning, Sounds' Catcher Mike Rivera led off with another single and went to second when Redbirds' left fielder Daryl Jones misplayed his base hit. But the next three batters were retired and Rivera was left stranded at second base.

The game would stay scoreless until the ninth inning when Sounds' lefty reliever Daniel Meadows came on to pitch. He hasn't been with the club that long after he got called up from Class AA Huntsville. After Daryl Jones grounded out to start the inning, Memphis Third Baseman Matt Carpenter singled to center field. Pinch batter Aaron Luna struck out, but while he swung and missed for strike three, Carpenter took off for second and was able to steal his third base of the year. The next batter, First Baseman, Freddie Bynum, put out the lights when he singled over the head of the Sounds' First Baseman Mat Gamel as Carpenter raced home with the winning run as the Redbirds took the opener of the series, 1-0.

After the game, I strolled back to the hotel, both frustrated and excited since it was a well-pitched game. It was a Friday Night and I walked down Main Street and the streets were lively with people hanging out at the restaurants as well as on the street corners. I also passed by the Peabody Hotel, which is right across the street from the ballpark. No, we don't stay there, but I heard a lot of things about what is inside the lobby and it is kind of a touristy hotel. Perhaps the next time we visit Memphis, I will check out the hotel.

I feel for Frankie De La Cruz because he's been a victimized by the lack of run support. However, he realizes that he has no control over it, so all he can do is pitch and do whatever he can to keep the team in the ballgame. Having said that, De La Cruz still deserves a better fate.

The next night didn't fare any better because even though the Sounds took an early 2-0 lead, they couldn't hang onto the lead because the Sounds' starting pitcher, Josh Butler, continued to be inconsistent. With him, it's either giving up the walks and/or the home runs. Memphis tied the game at 2-2 in the second inning when Memphis Right Fielder Aaron Luna lead off with a home run. It was the 11th homer that Butler would give up this year and two batters later, Catcher Bryan Anderson singled to left and went to third when Second Baseman Jose Garcia doubled to center. Anderson would eventually score the tying run when Butler uncorked a wild pitch. Memphis eventually scored single runs in the 4th and 5th innings to take a 4-2 lead. The Sounds wouldn't roll over and play dead when Jordan Brown pinch hit for Butler and belted a two-run homer right inside the right field foul pole and suddenly the game was tied at 4-4. Memphis Manager Chris Maloney vehemently argued with the first base umpire Chris Segal and with him getting so animated, he eventually got tossed from the game. The Sounds regained the lead in the 8th when Mat Gamel lead off with a home run over the right center field wall. It was Gamel's third hit of the night and the Sounds suddenly found themselves in front, 5-4. They would get an insurance run in the 9th inning when Third Baseman Zelous Wheeler lead off with a single to center field. Brandon Boggs walked and after Taylor Green moved Boggs to second with a sacrifice bunt, Brett Carroll was intentionally walked. The Sounds picked up an insurance run when Mike Rivera singled to right to score Wheeler to make it a 6-4 ballgame. Unfortunately, Gamel then hit into a 3-6-1 double play to end further threats.

Going into the 9th inning, the Sounds had the lead and a very talented reliever in Mike McClendon, who was asked to save the ballgame. Unfortunately, he gave up a leadoff double to Donovan Solano and then an RBI single to Daryl Jones and the Sounds lead was cut to 6-5. Matt Carpenter moved Jones to second on a sacrifice bunt and Aaron Luna drove in second run of the game with a single to center, scoring Jones as the game was tied again at 6-6. McClendon then got tough by striking out both Freddie Bynum and Bryan Anderson. Well, it's on to extra innings.

The Sounds failed to score in the 10th inning. So now, the Redbirds come to bat in the bottom of the frame with Zack Segovia coming on to pitch. Zack retired the first batter, Jose Garcia, on a fly to center. However, the Redbirds got a man on base on a base hit and after Jim Rapoport singled to right, Donovan Solano ended things on a walk off nature when he doubled to left and the Redbirds came back to defeat the Sounds again, 7-6, in 10 innings. Another frustrating walk off loss. You wonder how the Sounds can find a way to put teams away on the road.

Well, the Sounds finally won a game at AutoZone Park when Brett Carroll had his 2nd two-home run game the following night. However, he wasn't the only one who had a two-homer game. Brandon Boggs became the 6th Sounds player to have two homers in one game and not only that, he did it from both sides of the plate. The Sounds provided enough runs for Texas native Chase Wright, who started for the Sounds and pitched well, allowing just 2 runs on four hits and relievers Sean Green and Zach Braddock finished things off despite the fact that Braddock struggled in the ninth when he allowed a run to make it a 5-3 ballgame with the Sounds still leading. However, after allowing the first 3 batters to reach, Braddock got tough when he struck out the next 2 batters with his electric stuff and got pinch batter Bryan Anderson to fly out to right field. It was a nice way to end the night.

The Sounds are now looking for the split in the series, but Sounds' left hander Sam Narron got into trouble in the first inning when he gave up 4 runs in the inning, highlighted by a bases-clearing 3 run double by Matt Carpenter. Narron would eventually settle down after that and he would go the distance. He would become the first Sounds pitcher to complete a game, but unfortunately, Narron did not get the win. The Sounds would get to the starter Lance Lynn for a single run in the 2nd and two more runs in the 5th, but fell short and lost 5-4. The Sounds had two on and two out in the 9th, but Brett Carroll bounced into a force play to end it. Nashville would find themselves six games back of the 2nd place Redbirds and six and a half back of Omaha. The Sounds know they are in a critical part of their schedule playing teams in their own division, the American North. Now it's back home to take on another American North Foe, the Omaha Storm Chasers and after them, the New Orleans Zephyrs. The Sounds need to find that momentum. Now is the time. More to come on the next blog.

Two Battles..one team batting another..an announcer battling an illness!

2011-06-20T14:39:00.001-07:00

After our frustrating series with Albuquerque ended, the Sounds headed back to Nashville early Monday Morning on Monday, June 13th to open a four-game set against the Texas Rangers' Triple-A affiliate, the Round Rock Express. This was a series that I couldn't wait for the start of since the Sounds got swept by the Express at the Dell Diamond just a month earlier when they had their infamous 0-8 road trip. Part of me couldn't wait to return home because I was at the beginning stages of battling a bronchial condition, which made my voice very hoarse. As a sportscaster, I can deal with illness if it occurs during the off-season when I don't cover as many events as I do in baseball and I have more free time. However, during the baseball season, it can be a very tough and unpleasant experience, especially when I have to rely on my voice to make my living. After I ate something in the Albuquerque Press Box the previous Sunday, I felt my throat give out a bit and when I went on the air, I sounded horrible. I was a bit embarrassed, but I couldn't do anything about it. The old saying: The Show must go on!. Of course, I was determined to still not disappoint anybody plus the fact that I am a one-man crew. I was inflicted with this hoarseness for nearly a week. I did start to take Mucinex and other medications to relieve my condition. I started feeling better, but my voice was still not 100 percent. There wasn't much that I can do otherwise, except to deal with it the best way I can as long as I felt strong enough to have enough of a voice to keep on going. I've come to learn to "play with the hurts" as athletes say when they play when they are not 100 percent.

I recall a story from my friend, the late great Merle Harmon, who was a sportscaster for almost 50 years when he started broadcasting back in 1949 when he was the Radio Voice of the Class C Topeka Owls and he made his debut by broadcasting a doubleheader, which was an oddity then and an oddity now. It could not have been a more challenging experience for Merle. The temperature hovered around 103 degrees. One game of the doubleheader went 14 innings and the other game was something like 14-13. There were many passed balls, wild pitches and errors to boot as well. Not only that, Merle admitted that he was announcing the twinbill with a terrible headache! Merle felt obligated when he apologized to his audience for not going out 100 percent that day! He mentioned on the air, "You know what it's like to have a splitting headache!". Merle felt proud that he did his duty in telling his audience--UNTIL he got a postcard a few days later. It was from a female fan who tuned in to the broadcast. Merle was crushed when he read the postcard with the following message: "We enjoyed the broadcast that you did the other day UNTIL you mentioned the headache! Please don't tell us your troubles-just broadcast the game!". Eventually, Harmon got the message as he realized that people were depending on him to entertain and inform and more importantly, keep people from thinking about their own problems. He thought that someone might have been either sick in bed or in the hospital and then understood that people had worse experiences than he and that he shouldn't complain about his own problems. Put people ahead of yourself. That is something that stays with me to this very day. I never uttered about my condition on the air because NO one needed to hear about my dilemma. I had a job to do and a broadcast to do and I was determined to do it no matter what the situation was for me! People were looking up to me and I had a responsibility.

The Sounds won a squeaker in the opener on June 13th when they nipped Round Rock, 7-6. The Sounds led 7-2, but had to sweat it out since the Express' offense continued to persevere. They scored three runs in the 5th inning off Josh Butler, the eventual winner and scored another run in the 6th on a lead-off home run by another Butler, Joey Butler. Sounds' Reliever Sean Green closed out the game with 2 superb innings of relief as he retired all six batters that he faced and fanned 4 of them. It was a badly needed victory after the Sounds had blown a 14-9 lead only to lose 16-14 to the Isotopes in Albuquerque the day before. Going back to the game, the Sounds' home run barrage continued as Brandon Boggs lead off the first inning with a home run and Mat Gamel belted 2 homers in the game, including a 2-run shot in the 3rd inning. It would be the 2nd time this year that the Brewers' top prospect would have a 2-homer game against Round Rock!

The next night, Gamel's hot hitting would continue as he collected three hits and drove in what appeared at the time was a big run-and it was as the Sounds increased their lead to 4-2 going into the 9th inning. Unfortunately, Sounds Lefty Reliever Daniel Herrera could not hang onto the lead. After a scoreless 8th and not allow a run at all since joining the Sounds/Brewers in May, Herrera proceeded to give up a game-tying pinch hit 2 run homer to Matt Kata. It was the first 2 runs that Herrera had allowed since joining the Brewers organization after he was picked up on waivers from the Cincinnati Reds. The Sounds would bail him out in the bottom of the 10th as Taylor Green doubled with one out and after Brandon Boggs was intentionally walked by the Express' flame thrower, right hand reliever Pedro Strop, Sounds Second Baseman Eric Farris came through with an RBI single to drive in Taylor Green with the winning run. Green had almost held up at third, but when Express' right fielder Joey Butler bobbled Farris' batted ball, Green would eventually score the winning run as the Sounds won their first extra-inning game of the season by defeating Round Rock, 5-4 in 10 innings. The Sounds appeared as if they are getting revenge from Round Rock after the Express swept the Sounds during their first trip to Texas in early May.

The next night, though, the Sounds would fall short of their sweep attempt as they lost the 3rd game of the series to the Express, 4-3. The Sounds did grab the lead, 2-1 in the 6th inning against former Brewer and current Round Rock Pitcher, Seth "Big Red" McClung, who did not allow a run in the game until giving up a 2-run single to Sounds Catcher Mike Rivera in the inning. Round Rock would respond with two runs against Sounds Starter Sam Narron, after the first 2 Express Batters were retired in the inning. Express 3rd Baseman Brian Barden homered over the right field fence to tie the game at 2-2 and then Joey Butler doubled and scored when former Sound Luis Cruz would single to left field to give the Express a 3-2 lead. It would stay that way until the 8th inning when Sounds Center Fielder Brett Carroll would tie it with a homer just inside the right field foul pole. It was Carroll's 8th homer of the year and suddenly the score was 3-3. The Sounds had a golden opportunity to win it in the 9th inning. Taylor Green lead off with a double to right and Jordan Brown then sacrificed Green to third. Round Rock Manager Bobby Jones then summoned reliever Cody Eppley into the game to face Sounds 3rd Baseman Zelous Wheeler, but unfortunately, the young Alabama native struck out and after Brandon Boggs was intentionally walked, Sounds Second Baseman Eric Farris struck out and two runners were left stranded. Round Rock would win it in the 10th inning as the usually reliable reliever Sean Green would come into the pitch in the game. Unfortunately, it was not Green's night as Julio Borbon reached on a bunt single with one out. After Brett Kata walked, Rangers' Top Prospect Chris Davis sinlged home Borbon from 3rd to give the Express the lead for good. It was also a tough night for Davis, who had gone hitless in his first four at-bats and had fanned 3 times. But not so in the 10th inning and collected his 32nd RBI of the year. Brett Carroll lead off the bottom of the inning with a walk, but Eppley retired the next 3 batters, including 2 on strikeouts to get the inning. It was a frustrating loss for the Sounds who played and won 2 tough games against the Express at the start of the series.

For the Sounds the next night, it would be a great comeback as Amaury Rivas hurled seven scoreless innings and walking just two and fanning 8 as the Sounds won the ballgame, 1-0. It was a great bounceback for Rivas who walked six batters in 4.1 innings in his previous start against the Isotopes in Albuquerque as the Sounds lost that game 5-2. At one stretch, Rivas retired 9 in a row and had everything working. Scott Feldman, the Express starter who had spent time in the past with the Rangers, would exchange goose eggs as well. Derek Hankins relieveed in the 6th and had a scoreless 1-2-3 inning. However, the next inning, Brett Carroll would pretty much decide things when he homered over the left field wall for his 9th homer of the year and the Sounds won the game. It was the ONLY hit the Sounds had all night, but this one was the decisive one and pretty much decided things as Sounds Relievers Donovan Hand and Zack Segovia each hurled one scoreless inning in relief. It was also Segovia's first save of the year. Prior to the game, I spoke with Carroll and like myself, he was under the weather. He felt flu-like with a terrible headache. I told him that if one is sick, they usually relax more since they are so pre-occupied with their illness. Anyway, he came through with his screaming line drive over the left field wall to clinch the Sounds' win.

The Sounds took 3 of 4 from Round Rock and sort of gain revenged against the Express, albeit the Sounds didn't sweep them. It gave the Sounds hope and promise going into their next series with the Memphis Redbirds at AutoZone Park. It was going to be a vital series since the Sounds would begin to play a stretch of 9 straight games against teams in their own division: first the Redbirds and then second with the Omaha Storm Chasers at home. It gave the Sounds a chance to think and to reflect and it gave them some much needed confidence. There were more than 6,200 fans for the 1-0 win since it was Taco Bell Throwback Night with Fans enjoying reduced prices of concession items at the ballpark and the Sounds wearing their 1980's style retro jerseys. This is a promotion the Sounds have every Thursday night and we encourage you to come out. The next blog will involve the important games against the Memphis Redbirds at AutoZone Park and then back home against the Omaha Storm Chasers at Greer Stadium! Can the Sounds continue the momentum? You'll find out more on the next blog. Until then, thank you for checking in as always!

Big Easy was easy in New Orleans while there was smoke, there's fire--In Albuquerque

2011-06-14T11:45:00.000-07:00

The baseball season continues to have its share of nooks and crannies and the last road trip to New Orleans and Albuquerque was no exception. If you read the title, it was true on both counts. Although there was no fire in Albuquerque, there was the smoke from the neighboring state of Arizona where the wildfires were taking place. That was not the only smoke that was taking place. There was smoke coming off the flaming hot bats of the Nashville Sounds.

It was a road trip for the ages. There were at least three players who had two homer games. On five different occasions, the Sounds scored six runs or more in one inning. They also had two four-homer games. No question that this was not a boring road trip by any means.

For the Sounds' first leg of their road trip, it was their final trip to New Orleans this season. Whew, it was great to great away from the combined heat and humidity and not to mention those annoying cicadas that flew around Nashville during the last homestand. The previous homestand ended on a positive note with the Sounds not only winning their last 2 home games against the Iowa Cubs, but for the first time in my life, I witnessed a triple play-LIVE! Not only as a fan, but as a broadcaster. It was in the 7th inning and the Sounds were winning when the I-Cubs had two on and nobody out. Scott Moore was the batter and he proceeded to hit a sinking line drive which Sounds' Shortstop Edwin Maysonet grabbed! He was so close to the bag at second that I sensed something special would happen. I was right. The base runner at second base, Bryan LaHair was way off the bag at second and Maysonet proceeded to step on the bag there to double off LaHair. Then I'm thinking that the rarity would happen. A TRIPLE PLAY! Maysonet threw onto first and the base runner there, Ty Wright, could not get back to the first base bag in time, so it was a 6-3 Triple Play! The crowd, needless to say, went nuts! The triple-killing occurred in the seventh inning on Friday, June 2nd at Greer Stadium as the Sounds gained a split in their 4-game set by winning over Iowa, 5-1.

Then it was on to New Orleans and Sounds' veteran left hander, Sam Narron took the mound and continued to pitch well. He hurled 5.2 scoreless innings as Nashville won the opener, 6-1. Narron didn't disappoint with the bat as he collected a single and a double in the game. It was also great to see Erick Almonte do what he always does well. Erick came off the bench and delivered a big two-run double in the 8th inning to ensure the Sounds' victory over the Zephyrs at Zephyr Field.

The second game of the series was a relief for Amaury Rivas. It seems like whenever he pitches against the Zephyrs, he owns them. On that night, Rivas won for the first time since April 22nd and at, of all places, New Orleans. Rivas had his command despite giving up a run in the first inning. At one stretch, Rivas had retired 8 in a row, despite throwing a season high 110 pitches. He got huge help in the first inning when Taylor Green hit a tremendous grand slam home run over the right field wall. No one in the Zephyrs outfield had to move as the ball left the park as it soon it left Green's bat. It was the first grand slam for the Sounds this year as they scored six of their runs in the first inning and won it, 7-1.

Monday, June 6th was one game for the ages as the Sounds pounded out 18 hits and scored a season high 19 runs in their 19-1 win over the Zephyrs. It was a big night for Catcher George Kottaras, as he joined the elite group of 2011 Sounds players by belting two home runs in that game. Third Baseman Zelous Wheeler got into the act with a 3 run homer of his own. It was great to see Wheeler back in action as he missed two months of the season due to a leg injury. Erick Almonte had a career high seven runs batted in, which included a 2-run single, a 3-run homer and a two run double. It was also a night to remember as Sounds' starter Frankie De La Cruz FINALLY picked up his first win, but pitched as if he didn't need all of those runs. In fact, he didn't. De La Cruz hurled seven scoreless innings and got relief help from Chase Wright and Sean Green as each threw one inning to seal the deal. The win was also the Sounds' fifth in a row, as they had their longest streak of the year.

The Sounds were hoping to get their first sweep of the year and yes, I was kind of getting real greedy with the team building up such momentum, but unfortunately, the Sounds couldn't pull it off. Josh Butler started and he had his ups and downs. With the score tied at 3-3 in the 5th inning, Butler proceeded to walk the first three batters and it has been the walks that have been the Sounds' occasional downfall this year. Two of the Zephyr players who walked, would eventually score and gave New Orleans a 5-3 lead. Taylor Green would hit his 2nd homer of the series in the 8th inning, a solo shot over the right field wall. It would turn out to be the Sounds' final run of the season as they came up short, 5-4 in the finale. Oh well. At least three out of four wasn't bad at all. In fact, it was great.

The Sounds would have the evening off since it was a day game and they wouldn't have to fly to Albuquerque until the next day and that was an off-day. As much as I would have liked to travel the night before, I still couldn't complain. We flew to Albuquerque the next morning and knowing we would have a day off. It was also nice to meet up with an old friend of mine, whom I have not seen since my high days growing up in Brooklyn, New York City. My friend has lived in the Albuquerque area for almost 20 years and did mention to me about the smoke that was coming to New Mexico because of winds blowing it toward his state. It just so happens that a wildire was taking place in Arizona and he warned me about it. Luckily, the skies were clear the following day, so we made it to Albuquerque without any problems. On Thursday night, we would start a 4-game set against the Albuquerque Isotopes. I was enjoying a nice dinner with my friend on Wednesday night when we notice the smoke coming in. You could not see the mountains. In fact, when our bus driver picked us up at the airport on that Wednesday, June 8th, he mentioned to us that the conditions were much worse a few days earlier. However, that night, at 8PM in the evening, you couldn't see the mountains like you normally do and the smoke was bad! Not enough to choke me, but bad enough. I even smelled it in the hallway of our hotel that I decided and had to put a towel at the crack of my door and that seemed to work as the smoke STAYED OUT! I had no trouble sleeping that night because of my idea of covering the crack. The smoke did not seep in, but the smell of it did!

Anyway, there was more smoke, like I said, the next night and it came from the Sounds' bats. They won their 2nd lopsided game of the road trip, 14-1 over the Albuquerque Isotopes. The Sounds tied a season-high record with 20 hits and Caleb Gindl joined in the two homer in one game act with a two run shot in the first inning and three run shot in the third. Both blasts went over the left center field wall. Gindl told me that he never hit 2 homers in one game in his life prior to that particular night. George Kottaras had his third homer of the road trip in the first inning. Mark DiFelice made his 2nd start of the year and he showed WHY he earned his spot in the rotation. DiFelice threw five scoreless innings and allowed four hits while walking just one and fanning five. If he keeps it up, he will definitely earn another shot at the big leagues! I was praying for a shutout, but it was not to be as Albuquerque Outfielder and Dodgers' prospect, Trayvon Robinson extended his hitting streak to 11 games with an RBI single with two outs in the 9th, but the Sounds still won it and they had a 4-1 start to the road trip.

Unfortunately, that opening win would turn out to be the last win for the Sounds on their road trip as they proceeded to drop the next three games. The following night was tough because the Sounds trailed, 6-3 in the 7th inning when they tied it with 3 runs in the inning and that included a two-run homer by Sounds' First Baseman and Brewers' Top Prospect, Mat Gamel. Sean Green came on in the 10th inning and--you guessed it--Trayvon Robinson won the game with a walk-off homer. The round-tripper would extend his hitting streak to 12 games! The guy is a machine! Amaury Rivas pitched in Game 3 and started off well by pitching quality ball in the first two innings. However, he proceeded to walk six batters over the next 3 innings as the Isotopes prevailed, 5-2. Trayvon Robinson, who was really starting to become the Sounds' main nemesis, walked in a run to give the 'Topes a 3-2 lead and then he added insurance with a two-run double in the 7th inning off the usually effective and reliable Mike McClendon, who just didn't have it that night and everyone has those nights. In fact, McClendon was caught up in a numbers game at the big league level when Zach Braddock was activated on the Brewers' big league roster and since McClendon hadn't pitched much for the big club in recent days, was the odd man out. As always, McClendon showed the grace, positive attitude and professionalism that has made him a class individual and not to mention, he has the talent to pitch in the majors for years to come! McClendon is always willing to adapt to the situation and that's why he is an outstanding professional! Mat Gamel continued to show why he is on the Brewers' radar as he belted a home run in the 9th inning, but it wasn't enough as the Sounds lost, 5-2. The game was pushed up to 4:35PM Mountain Time because of the report that more smoke would come in from Arizona that night. Later that night, it wasn't the case, but I don't blame the Isotopes' management for making the decision. It showed how responsible and professional they are because they wanted to be on the safe side. You can't blame them for that. The Isotopes wanted to ensure the health and safety of the players as well as the fans and everyone else who was at Isotopes Park that night. They still had a great crowd and also had a nice fireworks show, even though it was not completely dark.

The final game was on Sunday, June 12th and it was ONE FOR THE AGES. The Sounds lost a wild one, 16-14, but were up 14-9 in the seventh. However, the bullpen could not hang on to the lead as the Isotopes scored 5 runs in the bottom of the seventh to tie it at 14-14 and then they scored twice in the following inning to take the lead for good! The Sounds had the lead at least 3 times, but they were not able to hang on to the lead.

The Sounds had their 2nd 4-home run game of the year and Taylor Green had his 2nd two-homer game of the year. His 2 run shot in the 7th game the Sounds a 14-9 lead. The inning was also highlighted by Erick Almonte's pinch hit home run leading off the inning and giving Nashville a 10-9 lead. It was a tremendous blast as it cleared the bullpen and left field bleachers. Edwin Maysonet also had a bunt single that also knocked in a run in the inning. Caleb Gindl would extend his hitting streak to 12 games with a home run in the third inning. It was preceded by Taylor Green's first homer of the game. In the bottom of the 7th, disaster struck as the Isotopes scored five times with two outs to tie the game at 14-14. Albuquerque took the lead for good in the 8th inning when Jerry Sands doubled home Eugenio Velez and Sands scored when Russ Mitchell collected his fifth RBI of the game with a base hit to left. It was also a big day for Trayvon Robinson again, as he went 4 for 5 with four runs batted in.

The loss was a disappointed end to what started out as a promising road trip as the Sounds finished up their journey at 4-4. It was a memorable road trip as the Sounds still managed to pound out 15 home runs. Then they would head home to take on the Round Rock Express at Greer Stadium on Monday, July 13th. I will have another blog coming up on the series with the Round Rock Express. Until then, I bid farewell. I hope you come on out to support the Sounds when they play Round Rock as they look to gain revenge after being swept by them in Round Rock earlier this year. As always, thank you for reading!

Getting back on track against Iowa

2011-06-06T16:18:00.000-07:00

After the Nashville Sounds took 3 out of 4 from the Oklahoma City RedHawks at the friendly confines at Greer Stadium, the homestand continued with the American North Division Arch Rival Iowa Cubs who came into town in 2nd place in the division.

The first couple of games did not fare well as the Sounds dropped both of those games. The Cubs had Casey Coleman, who was just demoted from the parent club, the Chicago Cubs. During his start in the opener, Coleman showed why he made it to the major leagues in the first place. He had a dazzling curveball that night as he struck out the first 2 batters. He also held the Sounds to just two hits through the first five innings. The Sounds finally got to Coleman for a couple of runs in the 6th inning, but in the top of the inning, Sounds' right hander Amaury Rivas coughed up four runs in the top of the inning as Iowa increased their lead to 6-0. Mat Gamel tripled in one run and Edwin Maysonet singled in another run. Coleman picked up the win in the game while Rivas took the loss as he gave up 6 earned runs in 5.1 innings. He had not won a game since he defeated New Orleans on April 22nd at Zephyrs Field. The loss was the Sounds' 2nd in a row.

Game 2 was more competitive, but it was too little, too late as the Sounds lost a tough game to the I-Cubs, 7-5. Frankie De La Cruz started for the Sounds, but got himself into a deep hole very early as he gave up a 3 run homer to Scott Moore in the 1st inning and the Sounds were trailing, 3-0 and then Marquez Smith hit a tremendous home run over the left field wall as the Cubs increased their lead to 4-0. Single runs scored in the 4th and 5th by the Cubs made it a 6-0 lead after five innings. Bobby Scales got into the power act with a home run just inside the right field foul pole. The Sounds didn't get on the board until the 7th inning when first baseman Mat Gamel lead off with a double to right center and then scored on an RBI single by Catcher Mike Rivera. In the 9th inning, the Sounds made things interesting when both Rivera and Third Baseman Taylor Green hit two-run homers to cut the I-Cubs' lead to 7-5. Unfortunately, that would turn out to be the final score as the Sounds came up short and dropped their third straight!

Game 3 of the series between the Sounds & the Iowa Cubs didn't start off so nicely for the Sounds since they fell behind 8-2 early in the game. Josh Butler started for Nashville and after escaping a shaky first inning, the roof collapsed on him when I-Cubs Catcher Wellington Castillo lead off with a home run over the left center field wall and then later on, Butler walked two straight batters and Fernando Perez took advantage of the offensive opportunity when he doubled to right field and the Cubs lead 3-0. Iowa scored five more runs in the 3rd highlighted by a two run double by Bobby Scales.

Later on the Sounds would be trailing 10-6 going into the bottom of the 5th inning when the Nashville came back with five runs in the bottom of the 5th inning to take the lead for good. Brett Carroll lead off the inning with a bunt single and then Mat Gamel homered over the right center field wall for his 9th homer of the year. Later on in the inning after the Sounds tied it up at 10-10, Edwin Maysonet put the Sounds on top for good with a looping single to right center that scored Brandon Boggs, who was a pinch batter early on in the inning and reached base with a walk. The Sounds would score 3 more runs in the 6th inning and one insurance run in the 7th when Carroll lead off with a home run over the left field wall. Carroll would go on to have a four for four night with 3 singles and the home run. The Sounds won it 15-11 and pounded out a season high 22 hits in that game.

On Friday, June 3rd, the Sounds wrapped up their homestand with a unique moment. Sounds' right hander, Mark DiFelice got the nod to make his first start of the year since Pitching Coach Rich Gale had mentioned to me in the interview that the Brewers want to see DiFelice get involved in a multi-inning outing. Milwaukee had a desire to see DiFelice increase his innings and as usual, Mark did not disappoint. Although he is now 34 years old and no longer possesses a 92 MPH fastball like he did earlier in his career, DiFelice continued to utilize his off-speed stuff and showed why his maturity, experience and talent are assets to the Brewers. Mark was on a 45 pitch count limit and proceeded to hurl 50 pitches. Despite giving up a home run to Scott Moore (who would be part of the "unique" situation later on), DiFelice was outstanding as he allowed just the one run and hit in the 2nd inning and struck out four and did not walk a batter. DiFelice retired 12 of the 13 batters that he faced. Chase Wright, who piggybacked for DiFelice, continued the great pitching as he hurled 4 scoreless innings himself and allowing just 2 hits while Sean Green continued to be on a hot streak by hurling a scoreless 9th and the Sounds won it, 5-1.

Now for the "unique" situation. Against Wright in the seventh inning, the Iowa Cubs would threaten. Bryan LaHair lead off with a double to left center field and then Ty Wright walked. Now Scott Moore stepped up to the plate. What did he do? He hit a line drive right to the Sounds' Shortstop Edwin Maysonet who was playing near the bag at 2nd base. Maysonet proceeded to grab the line drive, then stepped on the bag to double off Bryan LaHair and then threw on to Mat Gamel at first to triple off Ty Wright! A TRIPLE PLAY!! It was the first kind of play that I have ever called in nearly 30 years of broadcasting. The crowd went nuts! It was that kind of a night! Nashville gained a split in the 4 game set with Iowa after taking 3 of 4 from Oklahoma City. It was a nice way to kick off a road trip that would see the Sounds travel to New Orleans and then Albuquerque. I will have my New Orleans blog coming up and so far it's been a whale of a time in the Big Easy. Until next time, thanks for reading and enjoy your day!

Home Sweet Home!

2011-06-01T14:09:00.000-07:00

As much as I enjoy being on the road, it seems that I always need to energize myself when I come home from a road trip and Greer Stadium is a great place for such energizing! Even though the stadium has been around for a long time and has seen its better days, I still enjoy the view from my own catbird's seat known as my broadcasting booth! No matter what ballpark I'm in, I always remember to this small compartment as my office. Guess what? During the day when I report to the Sounds' office, the booth is also my office where I make phone calls in my continuous efforts to get more businesses and fans involved with the ballclub. Still, my favorite kind of call is in the booth when I am broadcasting the ballgame for that particular night or any night at all.

The Sounds were happy to end their last road trip in Tacoma on a positive note, when they won the nightcap of their doubleheader with the Rainiers by a 3-2 score. Eric Farris singled home the winning run from second when Taylor Green scored to break a 2-2 tie in the sixth inning! Our reward was a 2-3 hour sleep in our hotel before we had to check out of the Hotel Murano at 4:30 in the morning! As I mentioned in my last blog, such the life in the Pacific Coast League. Still, I enjoy flying and since we don't have to wake up that early every day, it doesn't really bother me. I count my blessings every day because I get to broadcast sports, especially a baseball game on a daily basis during the spring and summer!

On Friday, May 27th, we made our way onto the plane at the Seattle-Tacoma Airport for our 4 hour trip to Chicago's Midway Airport, where we would connect to our flight back to Nashville. I was able to get some shuteye, except there were a couple of times that the couple sitting next to me had to excuse themselves to either walk around or go to the restroom! Of course, I didn't want to be rude to them, so I still picked myself up and let them go through. Had I been asleep, I don't think they would have been able to communicate to me. Still, I was able to get as much sleep as I could and as a result, it really didn't feel like a four-hour flight. Anyway, from Chicago to Nashville, where I picked up my luggage bag and hopped on the bus that would take the team, including myself back to the ballpark.

I didn't know how I was going to feel when I got to the ballpark. Normally, I would go home first and unpack my bag, check my mail and put my laundry in my washer/dryer as soon as possible. Having arrived at the ballpark at 4:30PM, I knew that there was no way that I would have time to go home and get settled since the start of the game was only two and a half hours away!

The Sounds would have the first leg of their homestand against the Oklahoma City RedHawks, a team who was on their LAST leg of a 4-game road trip having started out west in California and playing in Sacramento and then Fresno. Since both teams were travelling two time zones to the Music City, there was no favorable advantage for either team with the exception that the Sounds were back home in the friendly confines of Greer Stadium.

As it turned out, it was a great night for a ballgame and I didn't feel tired at all nor had I experienced any after-effects of the long flight. I knew that I had my job to do and I was NOT going to disappoint. I took the night like I would take any night and I felt so relaxed and was excited when I saw broadcast booth again and was ready to go to work as well as a nice crowd assembling at Greer Stadium. The booth is my office and it literally is since I also use it as an office whenever I make calls during the day so I can get businesses and fans involved with the ballclub. I grabbed my equipment and got everything set up. As it turned out, it was a well-pitched ballgame on Friday night when the Sounds' starter Frankie De La Cruz and former Seattle Mariner Ryan Rowland-Smith locked heads in a fine pitching duel with the Sounds winning the opener, 3-1. Despite giving up a run in the 1st inning, De La Cruz settled down as he did not allow another run through the 6th inning, which turned out to be his last for the night. The Sounds' bullpen did a fine job as Jim Henderson won it in relief! Sounds' 1st Baseman Mat Gamel showed why he is a top prospect with the Brewers as he belted a home run over the right field wall to tie the game at 1-1. Nashville would win it when they broke a 1-1 tie in the 8th inning when Caleb Gindl scored on a wild pitch and then Brendan Katin added good measure with an RBI single in the inning for insurance. The Sounds would win the next 2 games, 8-3 on Saturday and 4-2 on Sunday. Gamel added two more homers in the game on Saturday as the Sounds wore special pink jerseys to commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Night as the Sounds and the Nashville Chapter of the American Cancer Society continue the war on this terrible disease. I had a woman named Jennifer Purdom who was representing the Society in my booth for one inning and we discussed the many ways on how funds are raised and what the Society is doing to improve the quality of every cancer patient's life. She is an inspiration since she is a breast cancer survivor herself.

During the game on Sunday with the Sounds winning, left hander Chase Wright escaped trouble in the 1st inning despite giving up a couple of walks and hitting a batter. He then settled down after that in picking up his 2nd win of the year. Relievers Donovan Hand, Zach Braddock and Sean Green did a nice job in relief. Braddock struck out the side in the 7th inning in his only inning of work. Braddock is on a rehab assignment since he was placed on the Brewers' Disabled List due to a sleep disorder, but it was no secret that his stuff put the RedHawks to sleep in the inning. Sean Green, who had been struggling when he got sent down to Nashville, continued to pitch like he is capable of doing as he picked up his 2nd save of the year. Normally, that role would go to Mark DiFelice, but unfortunately, early in the game, DiFelice was tossed for expressing his disbelief on the umpire's call of a drive that Erick Almonte hit to the left field wall in the 1st inning and drove in a run. DiFelice and Manager Don Money both thought the ball went off the upper wall of the double-decked wall in left field and if that was the case, that should have been ruled a home run. It was the umpire's judgement and he had the best view of anyone although from any spot in the stands, you can see the double-decked wall. DiFelice apologized on my pre-game interview with him the following day. Mark is a class individual who doesn't seem to be the type that would get so vehement on stuff like that. Apparently, he just got caught up in the emotions of the situation and those things do happen. Both Almonte and Brandon Boggs were with the club and earlier in the season, they had spent time with the Brewers as reserved players, only to be caught up in the numbers game when Josh Wilson was picked up by the Brewers on waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks and Nyjer Morgan, the former Washington National, was activated on the big club's roster. Boggs and Almonte each contributed with 2 hits in Sunday's 4-2 win and both showed why they made it to the show. Both are veterans who are experienced, professional and disciplined hitters who never beat themselves at the plate. I wish both Erick and Brandon the best just like I do with everyone else.

On Memorial Day night, the RedHawks took the finale with a 3-2 win over the Sounds at Greer Stadium. Nashville didn't go down quiet since Jeremy Reed doubled in a run and Mike Rivera, who was also returned to the Sounds from the Brewers, also added an RBI with a single in the 9th. Even though the Sounds didn't sweep the series, taking 3 of 4 is nothing to sneeze at and this Sounds team showed they can bounce back. Now that Iowa is in town, hopefully things will change for the Sounds. They are now playing a team in their own division and these games are just as important as well. I will have a blog on the Sounds-Iowa Cubs series coming up. Until then, I like to thank you for reading and your loyal support of Sounds Baseball and we hope to see you out at the ballpark. Happy Reading as always!

Sounds Road Trip Number 3-Salt Lake City & Tacoma

2011-05-30T14:21:00.000-07:00

One of the most enjoyable aspects of being a professional sportscaster is the time that I spend on the road. This provides me with the opportunity to enjoy exploring new cities as well as ballparks. I'm the type of guy who doesn't always like to hang around a hotel room. Life is more than just hotels and ballparks and being from a large city myself, I enjoy getting around to check out the streets of any city I visit for the first time (sometimes even the second time, etc.) and tour some of the best points of interests that I can find.

On the previous road trip, it was my first visit ever not only to Salt Lake City, but to the state of Utah. I can't say enough on how impressed I was with its cleanliness and the friendliness of the people. Everyone greeted me very warmly like you were a part of them. The first couple of days were unpleasant weatherwise because it was overcast and rainy. Fortunately, on the Saturday that I was in Utah, I got the chance to really explore downtown, especially in the Temple Square area. I was able to see one of the most famous churches in the Tabernacle. It looked like a castle from either Disneyland or Disney World. The gardens were well kept and saw some neat flowers and there was a large congregation inside the fences of the church. Everyone was well-dressed and were just outside waiting for the services to start. The carvings were very clear with the words being so legible on the outside walls. There was the Lion's house, where there were plenty of people doing gardening outside the building.

The streets of downtown Salt Lake City are so amazingly clean and every other block, I saw men riding around the cleaning machines with rollers and I can see why it's so immaculate. The people in Salt Lake City have pride in their city and want to preserve it as best as possible to make sure that visitors in town will give the city a rave review. They already got one from me. There is a TraxTrain that goes downtown and it reminds me of the ones I've seen in Memphis, New Orleans and Sacramento.

From the city streets, we move along to the ballpark. The mountains from beyond the outfield walls are breathtaking and you can't beat the snowcaps on top. I can imagine how cold it can really get with that altitude. Spring Mobile Park is a nice double-deck park and from the third base side, you can see a nice glimpse of the city's downtown with the mountains in the background. It's too bad that the Sounds go to Salt Lake once every other year since the Bees and the Sounds are in different conferences.

The Series with the Bees was a great one as the Sounds took 3 out of 4. George Kottaras, one of the Sounds' Catchers, caught fire as he hit his first home run of the season at Spring Mobile and kept spraying the ball to the gaps in the outfield. Kottaras was among the hottest Sounds as he collected six hits in the series!

Anyway, after the Salt Lake series, it was on to Tacoma, Washington, where we would play a four-game set against the Tacoma Rainiers, the Seattle Mariners' AAA affiliate. This is a perfect marriage for the Rainiers and the Mariners since the two teams are so close together and it is just a 20 to 25 minute drive from Seattle to Tacoma. The Tacoma Franchise has had many great players passing through such as Juan Marichal, Gaylord Perry, Jesus Alou, Burt Hooton, Jose Canseco, Mark McGwire, etc. From 1960 to the present day, the Tacoma franchise has been the only team to play in the Pacific Coast League every season on. The franchise used to have the same nicknames as the major league teams until the Tacoma Tigers, who were a longtime affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. When the Mariners became the parent club, the nickname was changed to Rainiers, in honor of Mount Rainier which happens to be in the area.

The longtime minor league team in Seattle used to be nicknamed the Rainiers before that city became a major league town in 1969 when the Seattle Pilots played their only season there. Without their move to Milwaukee, you wouldn't have the Milwaukee Brewers, whose franchise was purchased by then young auto executive and dealership owner Bud Selig, who now reigns as the Commissioner of Major League Baseball. Eight years after the Pilots played their only season in the Pacific Northwest, the Mariners came of being when they were an expansion team in 1977 and have been there since.

This trip was also my first trip to Cheney Stadium, which has been around since 1960. I can tell right away that the folks did such a marvelous remodeling job. It was freshly painted and instead of having the pressbox on the roof, it was on the second row and off to the third base side. The pressbox, visiting radio booth, the tv booth and the home radio booth, were in separate compartments and my booth was a little bit off the third base side, but right at home plate. I was told that in the past that you had to climb a stepladder to get to the pressbox during the pre-modeling days and the ladder would sway if it got windy. Fortunately, I didn't have to experience that. There were a collection of pine trees beyond the right field wall and from what Don Money told me, they lowered the height of the walls, so it wouldn't be as high as the batter's eye wall, which is approximately 20 feet! I do tip my cap to those who fixed the park up. It looks great!

One unique experience about the hotel where we stayed in downtown Tacoma, sort of reminded me of an art museum. It is the Hotel Murano and every floor you go on there are displays of different artwork and the name of the artist that created such masterpieces. We would walk into the lobby and continue to see many other artwork pieces as well. What was also unusual is that you had to use your room key and slide it into a card machine when you get on the elevator or you won't be able to get on your floor. If someone else uses his/her card, then you can be able to press the button in the elevator and get on your floor! As you go down Broadway Plaza, there are a few eateries, but not that many. The Varsity Grill is a great choice and their burgers are outstanding, especially the black and blue burger with its cajun and blue cheese dressing! The onion rings that come with it are great. I got to also see the NHL and NBA playoff games on the screen! I highly recommend it whenever you're in Tacoma!

Unfortunately, the Sounds lost 3 of 4 in the series, but did take the finale on a single by Eric Farris that broke a 2-2 tie! Since we are in Triple-A and the Pacific Coast League, it was a short night as I slept only 2 1/2 to 3 hours the night before we had to check out of our hotel at 4:30 in the morning. Such the life of travel in the PCL, but I didn't mind at all. I knew that we would be on a plane for a while and I can catch some shuteye, which I did. We flew into Chicago's Midway Airport and then we flew home. The only thing is that we had to play Oklahoma City that night and we couldn't feel too bad because the RedHawks were flying in from Fresno, California after they concluded their Californ1a portion of their road trip with Sacramento and Fresno. I didn't feel tired at all as the Sounds won, 3-1 on that Friday night and the broadcast went well. Normally, I would go home first to drop my luggage off and unpack and drop my laundry into my washer/dryer in my apartment. A nice perk to have since I don't have to find a coin-operated laundromat as well as leave to try to find such a place. I wash my clothes in the privacy of my own home! This time, I left my luggage bag in the trunk of my car and as soon as I got home the previous Friday night after starting the homestand, I loaded my clothes in the washer and cleaned them. I dried them the next morning and they are good as new! Even though we ended up at 4-4 on the last road trip, it was better than the previous one when we went 0-8 in Oklahoma City and Round Rock. So far, we've won our first 3 games vs. the RedHawks here at Greer Stadium and hope to complete a sweep of the series with a win tonight. I will have another blog on the Sounds-RedHawks series. Before I sign off, I want to wish everyone a Happy Memorial Holiday weekend! Hope you have fun, but above all, be safe! Also, please let's not forget the men and women who have sacrificed their lives and continue on to do so to keep this country and this world a safe haven to be in! Amen! Until next time, thanks for reading!

It's Okie Dokie in Oklahoma City

2011-05-05T08:21:00.000-07:00

Well, it's almost a month since the 2011 Pacific Coast League Campaign has started. In all of my years that I've broadcast sports, I've never seen such a revolving door that I've been seeing with the 2011 Nashville Sounds. One of the reasons for this is because of the rash of injuries that have taken place with the parent club, the Milwaukee Brewers. Whether you're a broadcaster, fan, athlete or executive, you never like to see anyone get hurt. Unfortunately, injuries are a part of sports and they result from all of the efforts that professional athletes put out every day.

I've seen Corey Hart, Manny Parra and Zack Greinke pass through Nashville and even though it's a thrill to see guys from the parent club, you never like to see them have to come back to the minors to rehab. Having said that, Triple-A Nashville is the best option for guys like these since they need to try to get back to being 100 percent. Nyjer Morgan, the former Washington National has also spent time with the Sounds, but has since been called back up to the Brewers. One can certainly hope that these guys will be healthy again and can do what they can to help the Brewers, who have had an up and down season.

As of this writing, I am on the first leg of a two-city road trip, starting in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and then it's on to Round Rock, Texas, where the Sounds will begin that series this Friday against the Rangers' new Triple-A farm club, the Round Rock Express.

Going back to Oklahoma City, I had the chance to walk around downtown and the city has really grown. I can't believe how much the Bricktown part of downtown has developed. There are plenty of restaurants and not to mention a riverwalk as well. I had lived in San Antonio, Texas, for a decade and that city was always famous for its riverwalk. Even though Oklahoma City's Riverwalk is not as big, it is still nice to walk around. In addition to the many fine restaurants it has to offer, the walls on the riverwalk are covered with wonderful murals to give it a scenic charm. A lot of time and effort was put into the artists' work.

This week has also been a busy sports week for the city because not only are we in town to play the Oklahoma City RedHawks, but the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder was in town to host the Memphis Grizzlies for Games 1 and 2 of their post-season series. After losing the opener of the series, the Thunder came back to win Game 2 at the Oklahoma City Arena. The Arena is only a block from our hotel and needless to say, after the Thunder had won Game 2, it was pandemonium outside of our hotel with people cheering, car horns honking. Fortunately, the noise didn't last too long, but people were excited. There was even a giant screen outside the team's arena for those to see the game and who could not get tickets.

I was hoping to eat at Mickey Mantle's, right across the street from AT&T Bricktown Ballpark, but it was only open for dinner and since we have all night games, it would be virtually impossible for me to dine there. I did get to eat at Coach's, which is at the ballpark. It's a popular restaurant around Oklahoma. Their burgers and wings are out of this world and inside, there are plenty of Oklahoma Sports mementos, including a picture of three of the greatest baseball players in Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams, all of whom have since sadly passed away. They will never been forgotten. There is an area in the restaurant where you can look out at the field and whenever one can, that person can eat and watch the ballgame at the same time. Speaking of Mantle, there is a statue of "The Mick" swinging a bat outside the ballpark and other monuments of Oklahoma's greatest players including the late Bobby Murcer, the Oklahoma City Native, who would be a great player with the Yankees, Giants and Cubs as well as a fine broadcaster with the Yankees. There's "Big Poison" and "Little Poison", Paul and Lloyd Waner, who were both hitters in their day. Across the street from the ballpark, there is a Pizzeria, a Movie Theatre and a bowling alley as well as other small restaurants. Earl's Rib Shack offers great BBQ Food, so I recommend going there if you are into barbecue. Two of the best italian restaurants, are also situated there in Zio's Italian Kitchen and the Spaghetti Warehouse. Both are in my old haunt in San Antonio and the Spaghetti Feast is something I highly recommend.

It was also great to see former Oklahoma City RedHawks Broadcaster and current radio broadcaster for the American Hockey League's Oklahoma City Barons, Jim Byers, who was an official scorer for one of the games. Jim and I go way back since we also both broadcast professional hockey in the Central Hockey League. Jim has been a fixture in Oklahoma for years and is a multi-talented and versatile announcer, who also has broadcast Horse Racing, one of the toughest sports to cover. Jim has done it all and I wish him well with the Barons.

Going through downtown Oklahoma City, I had a chance to check out Myriad Gardens except that there were plenty of construction workers who were re-doing the park, so I didn't get a chance to see a whole lot. Maybe next time. I got a nice glimpse of City Hall as I entered the Business District and saw the Courthouse and the Oklahoma Tower. The Santa Fe Plaza also featured a nice garden and statues in the area as well. I even got to visit the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. Unfortunately, the top 2 floors were being renovated, so I visited the first two floors. They featured an exhibit from George Nelson, who was a great city planner and designer in his days during the first half of the century and featured many office furnishings from the 1950s, although they looked like furniture that was created in the 1970s. Nelson was before his time. I even saw many great paintings as well.

I even got to see the sign that pointed to the Oklahoma City National Memorial from the tragedy that took place on April 19, 1995 when scores were killing during the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building attack. I didn't get a chance to go to the Memorial and Museum, but I plan on doing so during my next visit. I can imagine how surreal things had to be for Oklahoma City during that fateful day 16 years ago.

As for the baseball, it has been a frustrating road trip. The Sounds have lost the first 3 games of the series, with two of the games being decided by one run. Nashville's usually reliable pitching has turned out otherwise. There have been way too many walks and the Sounds' clutch hitting has continued to be lacking. As of this writing, they are 9-16, but of course, one winning streak can cure all ills. I felt for Sounds' reliever Donovan Hand, who had just got called up from Class AA Huntsville yesterday. He was happy to see me and he came over to hug me. One of the most congenial players on the team. Well, in the 10th inning of last night's game, he got thrown into duty. He struck out the first batter he faced and the 2nd batter grounded out to 2nd. However, pinch batter Drew Locke abruptly ended things with a long home run over the left field wall to clinch the victory for the RedHawks, who are now 5-2 against the Sounds this season. I felt bad for Hand since he pitched real well for the Sounds last year. Of course, giving up a home run can happen to any professional pitcher, but except that Donovan just re-joined the Sounds and wanted to impress. Still, I'm not worried about Hand because he is one of many great relief pitchers that the Brewers have in their farm system as well as at the big league level. I know that Hand will rebound from this and I look to see Nashville rebound from their disappointing start. Well, we have one more game here in Oklahoma City tonight and then it's on to Round Rock, Texas, where the Sounds start their 4-game set against the Express at the Dell Diamond tomorrow night. It will be nice to be back in Texas, where I have lived for years, but I would anticipate that the weather will be hotter there than it is here and the weather here in Oklahoma City has been nice this week.

Tune in to nashvillesounds.com for tonight's broadcast at 6:50PM and throughout the entire series with Round Rock. I will try to get another blog update in regarding the series with Round Rock. Until then, so long and thank you for your continued support. Happy Reading!

Great to have baseball again in Nashville!

2011-04-19T11:18:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm finally glad to get around writing up my first Nashville Sounds Blog during the 2011 Pacific Coast League Campaign. It was so nice to get the first homestand out of the way as well as being on the road for the first time this year.

Before I go further, please accept my apologies for not presenting this blog sooner. Whew, with a few rainouts that turned a few games into doubleheaders and some early morning day games, I had to take care of some priorities and not to mention to get adjusted to a new format when it comes to writing this blog.

Now that I am caught up, here are my first experiences with the 2011 season. Opening Night between the Sounds and the New Orleans Zephyrs started off with a bang on the field as well as in the stands. It was so nice to see more than 7,100 fans come into the venerable Greer Stadium and get to see some great baseball. It was nice to see Mayor Karl Dean throw out the ceremonial first pitch during opening night. Mr. Dean is up for re-election this coming fall and one of the projects that Nashvillians as well as the Sounds organization is hoping for is spearheading a campaign for a new ballpark. There has been a case study of either having the ballpark at the old Sulphur Dell site or downtown near the Cumberland River. If it was up to me, I would prefer having the new ballpark at the downtown site since it is so convenient to many fine restaurants, night spots, office buildings and the highways are not too far away. Whenever I've been on the road, it has always been nice to walk to and from the ballpark in Oklahoma City, Memphis and Sacramento. Through my walks, I explored so many places where you can find things to do before and after a game and in my opinion, having a new downtown stadium is a no-brainer. However, I'm going to let the powers-to-be to decide on this. I hope the concept does turn into fruition and a new stadium becomes a reality down the road.

Anyway, going back to opening night against the New Orleans Zephyrs, two of the newest Sounds came through. Sounds' righthand pitcher, Amaury Rivas, made the start and was outstanding. Despite giving up a run in the first, Rivas settled down to retire 14 in a row at one stretch and induced many Zephyrs players to hit the ball on the ground. Even though it was only the first start, Rivas showed what a great future that he has in the Brewers' organization. Former Texas Ranger Brandon Boggs supplied the fireworks as he belted a three-run homer over the right field wall to give the Sounds a 4-1 lead. Boggs was designated for assignment by the Brewers after being with them during Spring Training and Brandon accepted it. I certainly hope he will eventually earn a spot with the Brewers down the road. Another newcomer, former Astro Farmhand, Edwin Maysonet, added a home run of his own, so it is nice to see guys get off to a great start with their new organization. The Sounds wound up winning, 5-1 and wound up taking 3 out of 4 from the Zephyrs.

The Oklahoma City RedHawks came in with a new look as well as a new broadcaster. The RedHawks are now the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros after being affiliated with the Texas Rangers for so many years. This is not the first time, however, that the Oklahoma City Franchise has been affiliated with Houston. From 1962 to 1972 during the Colt .45s/Astros existence, the top farm club was the Oklahoma City 89ers and produced eventually major leaguers such as Jimmy Wynn, Joe Morgan, Rusty Staub and Jerry Grote. Former Nashville Sound Tony DeFrancesco is the new manager for the ballclub and joined the Astros organization after managing in the Oakland Athletics farm system for so many years. I certainly wish Tony the best. J.P. Shadrick is the new announcer for the RedHawks after spending five seasons with the Class AA Jacksonville Suns, which was one of the clubs that I used to work for. Shadrick is also in charge of handling Media Relations for the ballclub and we certainly welcome him to the Pacific Coast League. He is a class individual who also won the 2008 Southern League Broadcaster of the Year, so I know he will do a great job with the team. He is replacing the very talented and versatile Jim Byers, whom I've had the pleasure of knowing for more than a decade since our days broadcasting professional hockey in the Central Hockey League. Jim joined the new American Hockey League's Oklahoma City Barons and he will be missed. Hope to see Byers during my subsequent visits to Oklahoma City. In fact, many former RedHawks front office staff members and execs are working for the hockey team, so at least Jim will still be working with old and familiar faces. Keep up the great work, Jim!

After the Sounds had a 5-3 start on their first homestand, they travelled to the Omaha area and became part of history when they were the first opponents in brand new Werner Park, which is located southwest of Omaha in Sarpy County. The ballpark is located in the town of Papillion, Nebraska, which is one of the largest bedroom communities of the Omaha Metropolitan Area. Contrast to playing in the antiquated Rosenblatt Stadium, which seated 24,000 fans, Werner Park is more compact and seats 6,400., but can draw as many as 10,000 fans to a game with grass berm areas in left center and right center fields. There are amusement and fun zone areas with basketball courts, a merry-go-round and wider concourse spaces.

It kind of reminded me of a mini Dell Diamond in Round Rock and I mentioned this to the Chasers' Vice President and General Manager, Martie Cordaro. He was very humbled and flattered by the compliment. Cordaro has always made me feel at home whenever I come to Omaha and I wish him nothing but continued success with the Storm Chasers!

I had the liberty of taking some pictures of the new facility and I hope you enjoy them! It was such an honor to be the first opponents against the brand new Omaha Storm Chasers! Yes, you read that correctly! The Omaha Storm Chasers! After being the Omaha Royals for so many years, the franchise decided to brand their new ballpark with a new nickname, especially with the unpredictable nature of storms in Mid-America. Hall of Famers George Brett and Omaha Native Bob Gibson were part of the ceremonial first pitch with Brett ironically pitching to Gibson, who's fiery fastball befuddled many major league hitters in Gibson's 16 year career as the ace of the St. Louis Cardinals. Brett came close to hitting .400 one year back in the pennant-winning season of 1980 for the Kansas City Royals as he wound up batting .390 and would punch his ticket to the Hall of Fame with his great play at third base. The Sounds lost the game, 2-1 and eventually lost the series to the Chasers, 3 games to 1. We were originally supposed to open up in Nebraska on Friday, April 15th, but due to heavy rain and winds, the ballclub elected to postpone the festivities the following night. A wise decision because the next night the weather was great and there was not a cloud in the sky. It was nice to see a couple of old familiar faces as well. Mike Feigen is the new media relations director for the Storm Chasers. I got to meet Mike when he interned for Texas League President Tom Kayser back in 2009. Part of his internship was to assist former Missions Media Relations Director and current Fresno Grizzlies Media Relations Director Noah Frank and Feigen did a nice job. Glad to re-connect with him as well as a longtime friend, Brett Pollock. Pollock is no stranger to the Brewers' organization as he was the Radio Voice of Huntsville Stars for five seasons. He knows a lot of the current Sounds and manager Don Money as well as coach Sandy Guerrero and Trainer Dave Yaeger since Brett worked with them in Huntsville. He is now the Number 2 Radio Broadcaster to Mark Nassar, another great broadcaster and class individual. It was nice that a triumvirate of former Syracuse University Alumni in Nassar, Pollock and myself call the action on opening night. Pollock left the Stars after 2009 and was out of baseball last year. When former Omaha Royals announcer Kevin McNabb decided to leave the ballclub, the spot opened up for Pollock and I'm happy for him. I was sorry to see McNabb go and I wish him the very best. In fact, he succeeded me after I left the Jacksonville Suns many years ago.

Well, after playing a morning game yesterday, we flew to New Orleans and go in very late. Still, it was nice to get some shuteye before starting a new series against the New Orleans Zephyrs tonight. As of this writing, the Sounds are 6-6 and they need to have better clutch hitting in order to compete in the PCL's American North Division. It was nice to walk down Canal Street in downtown New Orleans as I headed for lunch and didn't have to wear a jacket. It was about 75 degrees and I realize that being back down South that the weather would be a contrast to the chilly midwest winter and people in that region are accustomed to this time of the year. Anyway, I better get ready for tonight's first game of the series with the Zephyrs at Zephyrs Field at 7:05PM. Don't forget to tune me in on nashvillesounds.com. I'm glad to be back for my 2nd year with the Sounds. It has been a great experience. Thank you for your support during my time in Nashville so far and I wish you the best as always. Until next time, so long! Enjoy tonight's game and broadcast!

The 2011 baseball season is finally here! (posted April 7, 2011)

2011-04-19T07:47:00.000-07:00

After experiencing a treacherous rain and wind storm in the Nashville area this past Monday, Mother Nature made a 360-degree turn and yesterday (Tuesday, April 5th), no one could ask for a better day, weather-wise. The sun was out and there wasn't a cloud in the sky and the players as well as Nashville Sounds Manager Don Money and his staff were on hand to prepare for the new Pacific Coast League Campaign.

Before I go any further, I was glad to see things started off with a bang as I would like to congratulate former Nashville Sound, Erick Almonte, on making the big league club with the Milwaukee Brewers. Erick is now 33 years old and had played professional baseball for more than a decade. His previous (and only big league experience up to this point) was playing for the New York Yankees in late 2001 as well as early in 2003. He was at the right place at the right time in March, 2003 when Yankees' shortstop and future Hall-of-Famer Derek Jeter injured his shoulder, sliding into third base in the 2003 opener against the Toronto Blue Jays on March 31, 2003. It was obvious that Jeter would be out for an indefinite period of time and Almonte came in and took over for Derek at shortstop, even though it would be only on a temporary basis. Almonte filled in admirably, but he also realized that once Jeter would be taken off the disabled list, his playing time with the Yankees would be limited or he would be sent back to the minors.

Almonte then bounced around with several organizations, including the Detroit Tigers and the Chicago Cubs. He was invited to spring training with the Cubs a couple of years back, despite not being on the 40-man roster. He didn't make the Cubs, but it was nice to see that he got a good look with them. Erick played for teams that were overseas as well as independent ball. He was with the Sounds for a few years and had a great year last year, hitting over .300 and was invited to join the Brewers for spring training this year even as a non-roster invitee. Almonte's discipline and approach at the plate, wowed new Brewers' manager, Ron Roenicke as well as other members of the Brewers' brass and he earned himself a spot on the big club as a pinch-hitter and utility player. What will happen with Almonte this year remains to be seen, but personally, I wish him the best and hope he stays in the major leagues for the rest of his career. Perseverance is a major key to success in life and Almonte's story is remarkable and admirable. Even when I spoke with Almonte from time to time last year, I can tell how much passion and enjoyment that he's had for the game and he deserves the honor. I also must mention a friend and a guy whom I knew from the San Antonio Missions, who finally made the major leagues last September with the Dodgers after toiling in the minors for so many years. His name is John Lindsey and he has been one of the best hitters in the PCL in recent years. As a member of the Albuquerque Isotopes last year, he continued to smack the cover off the ball and he is one of the classiest people I've ever met. Yes, I realize he is not a Nashville Sound nor a Milwaukee Brewer, but like Almonte, his story is also a great one and it only goes to show what can happen if you NEVER GIVE UP!

Now that I've mentioned these success stories in such lengthy detail, it is on to discussing the 2011 Sounds. Of course, I have yet to see the new guys who've never been here, but it's so nice to see a lot of familiar faces when I walked into the Sounds' clubhouse yesterday.

Of course, Manager Don Money is back and so is the rest of the Sounds' staff from 2010. Last year, he continued where he left off in needling me. Don had a very impressive major league career and is good at teaching the young prospects in the minor leagues on how the game is supposed to be played. As much as he jokes around, he is the ultimate professional when it comes to teaching baseball. It was also nice to see Hitting Coach Sandy Guerrero, Pitching Coach Rich Gale, Trainer Dave Yaeger and Strength and Conditioning Coach Andew Emmick back as well. All of those gentlemen are so dedicated in working hard and do a tremendous job to ensure the success of the Sounds as well as the Brewers' organization and they were all very helpful to me last year. I certainly look forward to be working with them as well as travelling with them this year. I even got to see Guerrero up in my hometown of New York City when I went up there to visit friends and relatives and my hometown since I was on vacation. I was so happy to see him and quite a few Sounds get the call-up to the majors late in the year. I even caught a game between the Brewers and the Mets at New York's Citi Field and it was great to see a few former Sounds in the Brewers uniform. I even had a laugh from reliever Brandon Kintzler when he spotted me in front of the team's New York hotel. He was surprised to see me and asked me what I was doing in town and I did explain that I was home visiting. I asked him if this was his first trip to New York and it was! I told him how much I enjoyed growing up in his city. I also got a laugh when he quipped to me, "No wonder why you walk so fast!" I couldn't stop laughing when I then responded as saying, "Welcome to New York, Brandon!". I don't think he's ever been in such a fast-paced and very energetic city like New York. I wished him well and I know he will have a great future in the majors with his stuff and his approach to the game!

Based on last year's stats, it seems as if the Sounds will rely more on pitching and defense and not as much power as they had last year. Brendan Katin is back and we all know what power numbers he is capable of putting up! He and former Sound Joe Koshansky were tied for the club lead in homers with 26, despite the fact that Katin missed much of the early part of the season with a knee injury that he sustained in the home opener against the Iowa Cubs at Greer Stadium last year on April 15th. I wish Katin the very best since with his power, he does have the potential to still make it to the show. It was nice to also shake hands with returnees such as Eric Farris, Tim Dillard, Sam Narron, Mike McClendon and the rest of the last year's squad that has returned. McClendon was one of those who got called up to the majors last year. He did a very nice job in the bullpen in 2010 and even though he got called up in a numbers game, I am confident that he will get called up again to Milwaukee because of his talent and work ethic!

I look for bigger things out of Eric Farris, especially after he was out for a few months due to a knee injury in 2010. The Sounds started off well and then when Farris went down, the team started playing inconsistent ball. With a sound knee, Farris can wreak havoc on the basepaths and with his hitting being even better after returning last year, I see him as a prototype leadoff hitter. Best of luck to Eric.

Mat Gamel is hoping to make it back with the Brewers and he is getting a good look at first base this year. A third baseman by trade, I know that Gamel is looking to expand his game by playing other positions and the key for him is to 1) stay healthy and 2) have the Brewers find a regular position for him. It was great that Prince Fielder signed with the Brewers once again in 2011 and he has been tremendous. However, with Fielder's long-term status to remain with the Brewers is still up in the air, Gamel realizes that it is up to him to step up and to keep improving. I know he will continue to work hard and I know that Don Money and Sandy Guerrero will keep a sharp watch on Gamel to make sure he continues to progress.

The Sounds are also in good hands with a fine catching corps with the likes of Martin Maldonado and veterans Patrick Arlis and Mike Rivera, who has played for the Sounds in the past. Maldonado was called up to Nashville during the middle of last year and displayed a tremendous throwing arm and whenever he hit a home run, he crushed the ball! I know he will continue to progress and of course, Arlis and Rivera will also work hard to help as catchers as well.

I know that I can go on and on, but there will be plenty of days that I have a chance to report on this edition of the 2011 Sounds.

Yes, this was a long blog, but with all the excitement and things that have developed, I felt that I needed to bring all of this up.

I encourage all of you to come on out for opening night, which is tomorrow night, Thursday Night, April 7th at Greer Stadium when the Sounds take on the New Orleans Zephyrs, the Marlins' AAA affiliate. The Sounds will also have their first Throwback Thursday Night with some concession items being offered at reduced prices. If you can't make it to the game, you can certainly tune in to yours truly on 104.5 The Zone and on nashvillesounds.com, to listen to the action! I'm excited about another year behind the microphone and it was a pleasure to deliver the games to all of the loyal Sounds Fans. I look forward in continuing where I left off last year. I hope that all of you enjoy the season and whenever you see me at the ballpark, please don't hesitate to come up to me and say hello. I always enjoy chatting with the fans and to talk baseball with them.

Please stay tuned for more future blogs, especially since I will also be making my first trips to Salt Lake City, Utah, Colorado Springs, Colorado and Tacoma, Wash., and I will mention about the ballpark and those cities when I visit them!

Until then, so long and Happy Reading! I look forward to seeing all of you out at the ballpark for the 2011 season! Thank you for your continuous support of Sounds Baseball!

A look back on my first year with the Sounds, Triple A and the Pacific Coast League (posted September 10, 2010)

2011-04-18T11:48:00.001-07:00

Well, after another long and grinding, but yet an exciting baseball season, I can now sit back and reflect on my first year with a new team, a new classification and a new league.

When I can sum it all up, it’s still baseball as well as experience something that I enjoy and hope to do forever. It is also the experience of a new mode of travel, a new circuit of cities, new broadcasters and of course, new stadiums.

Of course, it all started when I went to spring training in the Phoenix area in Arizona back in late March for getting a chance to watch the Brewers and their minor league players in action. I was getting acquainted with Sounds’ 2nd year Manager, Don Money, Hitting Coach Sandy Guerrero as well as Pitching Coach Rich Gale and Trainer Dave Yaeger.

It was also a nice experience to be in the broadcast booth during the Brewers’ Exhibition Season and got to meet Brewers’ radio announcer, Cory Provus, face to face. What a gentleman he is. I also met former Brewers’ Catcher Bill Schroeder, who was now a Brewers’ broadcaster himself, primarily doing color for the Brewers on television. I got to watch Cory and company work during one Brewers’ radio broadcast in Arizona and it was neat, and simultanesouly imagining what it would be like to do a major league broadcast. Anyway, a few days later, I got that opportunity to do one inning of play-by-play with Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun and Casey McGehee coming up against the Padres’ Jon Garland. Even though it was a 1-2-3 inning, I felt the exhilaration on what it would be like one of these days to see these guys on a regular basis, regardless of what major league team I would ever call.

In any event, I got to meet a lot of the future Sounds and they were all great. Of course, I could tell right away with some of the guys on the team, that I would be dealing with a lot of needling during the season and sure enough I did. I even needled them back and were able to take it quite well.

It was great to see Luis Cruz again since he and I go back to our days with the San Antonio Missions, the Class AA affiliate of the San Diego Padres, whom I worked for prior to my joining the Nashville Sounds as their new broadcaster. Luis and I were part of the 2007 Texas League Championship club and it was nice that he was getting a long look with the Brewers. He didn’t make the final cut to stick with the big club, but he showed a lot of promise with the bat and glove this past season. As a result, he would eventually get the call to the majors when the Sounds’ regular season was over this past week. Cruz earned the opportunity with his hard work and I can only wish him the best for the future. He is still only 26 years old and the sky is the limit for him. He also has a right to be proud since he and his wife became parents for the first time this year when Luis Cruz III was born.

I can’t say enough for my fellow announcers in the PCL. They were all wonderful to me and they along with their media relations folks were outstanding during the season. Of course, let’s not forget the Sounds’ own Doug Scopel and Michael Whitty, as those two furnished myself and others with a wealth of information that helped with the broadcasts. I always try to prepare as much as possible, but their notes certainly helped as well. Doug has a vast knowledge of Sounds’ history since he is so much a part of the franchise. It was especially nice to see Oklahoma City RedHawks’ broadcaster, Jim Byers, again. He and I go back to our days as broadcasters in the Central Hockey League and Jim was always providing keen insight on his clubs and it was nice to reminisce about our hockey days as well.

I got a chance to see some old familiar faces with other broadcasters whom I met in the past and became friends. Doug Greenwald, the Fresno Grizzlies’ main play-by-play man and the son of longtime San Francisco Giants’ broadcaster Hank Greenwald, was a colleague of mine when we were both in the Texas League with Greenwald being with the Shreveport Swamp Dragons and myself with the Missions. There is Russ Langer, the longtime voice of the Las Vegas 51s, and we met at the baseball winter meetings in Dallas back in 1987. It was nice to broadcast in the same league as him and Rich Burk of the Portland Beavers as we used to exchange e-mails regarding information on Padres’ farmhands when I was in San Antonio. The list goes on and on!

I got to meet so many of the wonderful stadium game-day personnel at Greer Stadium and I kept getting stopped on how nice of a job I have done and “what a great voice you have!”. I chuckle when I keep hearing that, but I work hard and take pride in everything I do, but it is nice to get that kind of recognition.

The fans were also great. I loved hearing those cowbells from my broadcast booth below. Phil Krigel is one person I have enjoyed chatting with and was among the first to write me a nice note, especially after my very first game against the Iowa Cubs in Des Moines, Iowa last April 8th. Of course, there is Chuck Ross, a man with such a knowledge of the game and is the Sounds’ Number One Fan. He would always hang around in the Sounds’ front office and on occasion, we would talk baseball.

The Sounds’ Front Office Staff, led by George King and Brad Tammen as well as the interns,are wonderful to work with and have done everything they could to make every game like it was AN EVENT. On occasion, I enjoyed serenading “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” during the seventh inning stretch at Greer Stadium. Darren Feller, one of the Sales Reps for the Sounds, was also the on-field MC during the between-inning contests and he kept the fans energized.

I enjoyed travelling to the many great ballparks such as Memphis’ AutoZone Park, which was among my favorites. Melissa, the Media Relations rep, made me feel at home and immediately led me to the visiting booth upon my first arrival at the ballpark this year. She can tell that I was the “new guy” in the PCL. She was magnificent.

During the season, I had the pleasure of seeing the Sounds experience at least 15 walk-off wins. Joe Koshansky, the Sounds’ First Baseman, won at least 3 games at Greer Stadium with game-ending home runs. and despite missing two months with a knee injury, Brendan Katin managed to belt a career-high 26 home runs as he and Koshansky wound up sharing the club lead for the most home runs.

I thought the Sounds’ bullpen was the strongest suit with the likes of John Axford, Kameron Loe, Mike McClendon, Zach Braddock and Brandon Kintzler getting called up. Carlos Villanueva got sent down to Nashville, but worked hard to make his way back to the major leagues and got called back up to the Brewers when they expanded their roster to 40.

Of course, I was happy when future Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman got his 600th career save against the St. Louis Cardinals this past week, but it’s so nice to see the current Sounds became current Brewers and are solidifying the future in the Brewers’ bullpen.

I enjoyed flying around the cities in the league and even though there were a few very early wake-up calls, I didn’t mind that at all as I was still going from city to city and as long as it was taking me to the ballpark, that’s what I was happy about.

As I look towards the off-season and get ready for 2011, I can look back on many great things in my first year with the Sounds and the PCL and I know that there will be more excitement in the PCL for 2011. Only time will tell. To the fans who came up to me and to introduce themselves as well as contact me via e-mail, thank you for your support and advice and I look forward to continuing our relationship down the road. Enjoy your winter and I can hardly wait when we can say “PLAY BALL” in April, 2011.

Posted on September 10, 2010 at 9:33 pm

Blame it on Rio…uh…..Reno (posted August 10, 2010)

2011-04-18T11:47:00.002-07:00

Well, with all of the hustle and bustle of travelling in and out of Nashville to continue my first year in the Pacific Coast League, I’ve had the marvelous opportunity of continuing to vault into new cities and see new ballparks.

The first leg of this road trip was my first ever visit to Reno, Nevada. It was two thumbs up…and more! I continue to be impressed with the West Coast ambience of seeing wonderful mountains and experiencing comfortable weather. The Sounds stayed at the Silver Legacy Hotel in downtown Reno. There are a lot going on in town while we were there from August 4th through the 7th. The city itself had what was known as “Hot August Nights”. In other words, there was a large display of vintage cars dating back to the 40′s, 50s, and 60s. I couldn’t believe how these cars were in such tip top shape. They were lined up for about four blocks around the hotel and a lot of them were for sale. Some were being sold for the same amount of a van at 2010 prices. Of course, I am not in the market for a new car, but I couldn’t help but enjoy the enormous site of these cars. I had no idea how many of these cars still existed. However, they were there and lined up. There was also a band playing and singing songs from the 1960s. I felt like I was in a time warp. People were everywhere and it was a carnival-like atmosphere.

As for the hotel itself, the rooms were nice and there were plenty of restaurants and needless to say…casinos! I am not the gambling type and didn’t bother to participate. Still, it was nice to see the hotel flooded with people who are willing to risk their money, but at least they were having a nice time.

I had a chance to walk through downtown and couldn’t get over how laid back and friendly that people really are. As far as Reno is concerned, it is not a bad place to retire and/or raise a family. I also had the pleasure of having former Sounds Radio Announcer Duncan Stewart join me in the visiting radio booth at Aces Park for one game. He had been in Nashville for many years, but decided to take the plunge and move to Reno. He and his wife, Cheryl, really have enjoyed their time in the “Biggest Little City” in the country. The day after I had Duncan in the booth, he was kind enough to invite me to lunch and he showed me around the town. There was also a running stream of water where people were swimming and rafting and he showed me the scenery. It was certainly breath-taking and I couldn’t get enough of Reno. Although I still consider my an East Coast Kid (having grown up in New York City), I couldn’t help but really enjoy Reno. I’m not sure if I will ever retire to the West Coast or what have you, but it’s nice to come back and visit once in a while. I recommend the city.

As for the four-game set against the Aces, the Sounds had no chance. They ran into a buzz-saw as the Aces swept the Sounds in four games. They just came out with guns blazing, bats swinging and swept the Sounds four straight. As for my broadcast facility, I was right below the skyboxes and just about at field level. Fans were sitting in front of me and at first, I wasn’t sure how they would react listening to me. The Aces’ booth was right next to mine. The booth was rather small and I had to leave a kickstand next to the door because if the door was shut, it would lock and the only way I can get it to open again is to have an Aces’ staff member to unlock the door or otherwise, I had to go into the stands and climb through the window into the booth (which I was able to do at one point). The Press Box was in the upper deck and down the right field line. The broadcasters were isolated away from the press box, but at least we had a speaker system where we can hear of any scoring decisions, pitching changes, etc.

Aces Park kind of reminded me of Fenway Park and they have a high wall from the left field foul pole to the batter’s eye in straightaway center. A much smaller wall was in right field with both bullpens behind a plexy glass in right field. Well, not quite completely Fenway Park, but close. Still, the view behind the netting and home plate was clear and great, although I prefer to be elevated.

Another feature at the ballpark is the “Triple Play Barbecue Sandwich”. I was determined to give it a shot. It is a humongous sandwich and it has three pieces of bread and in between, was cole slaw, barbecued brisket and pork and on top of both halves of the sandwich were meatballs held together by a skew. Somehow, I managed to eat half of the sandwich, but didn’t have time to eat most of the other half since I had to get “on the air” for the broadcast. I ate part of it afterwards, but didn’t have time since it was our last night at the ballpark. I did manage to take a picture of half the sandwich for the world to see what it looks like. If you ever go to Aces Park, I highly recommend the sandwich. You better have a big appetite and NOT eat anything else before or after the sandwich. Otherwise, you will dearly pay for it.

It’s a shame that this was our only series against the Aces and our only trip to Reno this year. It was a great one, but I wish the Sounds could have had better luck against the Aces. Oh well. Better Luck next time. I will talk about my first experience at Cashman Field coming up. Again, I hope you get to visit Reno, Nevada one of these days. The trip will be worth it!

Posted on August 10, 2010 at 2:16 pm

The Rain, the Park and the Other Things (with apologies to The Cowsills) (posted August 1, 2010)

2011-04-18T11:47:00.001-07:00

The title of this blog was certainly appropriate on the previous Monday, July 26, 2010. I apologize to the 1960s Rock Group, The Cowsills because this was the title of one of their biggest Top 40 hits in late 1967.

However, the reason why I am using this title is because of what I experienced on that late July day. The Nashville Sounds were scheduled to play at 12:05PM game (Albuquerque time) at Isotopes Park and it was the final game they would play this season against the Isotopes.

The Sounds had lost a rain shortened game the night before and it was the same game when the Isotopes belted three 3-run homers. The Sounds took two of the first three games and of course, we were all looking forward to getting home after the game. It was nice to know that instead of waking up early the next day to leave at 4AM for an early morning flight, we would be taking a 6PM flight back to Nashville (with a connection through Dallas) that night.

While I was getting ready to leave my luggage bag in one of the conference rooms at the hotel where we were staying, I ran into Sounds’ reliever David Johnson and I said, “Nice to have a day game and a flight home this evening”. He replied, “Yep, let’s hope it is a quick game and that things will work out!”. Little did we know!

I took the shuttle to the ballpark and saw it was cloudy, but it didn’t appear to be any rain at first. I was doing my usual pre-game preparation until it was noon and the game would get underway. Chase Wright was starting for us and I know how badly he wanted to face the Isotopes again, especially after he gave up 4 home runs in an inning against them during his previous start at Greer Stadium. If you can also believe this, the noon game was the eighth consecutive game against the Istopes after the first 4 games were played in Nashville and then the scene shifted to Albuquerque.

The game started off on a blazing and positive note as the Sounds promising center fielder, Lorenzo Cain smacked two triple in the same inning with him driving in three runs during the first inning as the Sounds took a 7-0 lead against the Isotopes. Then the ‘Topes struck back against Chase Wright with a run in the bottom of the first. I prayed that not very much would happen after that. I was wrong.

When the Sounds came to bat in the top of the 2nd inning, the rains came down and came down hard. It would be a 50-minute rain delay before play would resume. I’m thinking, “Oh boy, this will be interesting!”. The rain delay finally stopped but the offensive barrage continued on both sides. The Sounds would have another big inning in the top of the third when they scored at least three times, but the Isotopes responded with three runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. Somehow, I kept saying to myself to “stay calm and relaxed and not worry about anything I can’t control”. By the time the 6th inning ended, there were a combied 18 runs and the game kept dragging. I said to myself, “there is no way I can do the post-game radio show”. The game was on the internet that day and I had total control on what I decided to do. I never like to diss a post-game show, but I got a text message from one of my colleagues in the Sounds office, telling me that our General Manager, George King, had warned me to hurry up quick since no one will wait around since we had to go to the airport immediately afterwards.’ Then I got another text message from the Sounds’ Trainer, Dave Yaeger, telling me, “No post-game radio, we are going to dash out to the airport!”. I responded by telling him that I was way ahead of him.

Well, LaTroy Hawkins came on to relieve Chase Wright after the sixth and pitched well for a couple of innings. Still, the game was moving along slowly when I saw the clock was at 4PM. It was going into the 9th and I said to myself, “please let’s get this game going!”. Then, it happened again! The rains came down once more! I said, “OH NO!” since I thought for sure we would miss our flight. Only thing I could hope for was this rain to be longer than the first. Well, it kept pouring and pouring down and I’m just thinking, “LET’S BANG THIS SINCE WE NEED TO BE AT THE AIRPORT SOON!”. I started packing whatever I could to be ready. Then suddenly, the game was finally called. I breathe out a huge sigh of relief. The game was official and we won. I was almost packed when the game was banged. I said goodbye to my fellow broadcaster, Istopes’ voice Robert Portnoy and we wished each other the best. I got everything packed in my equipment bag and chose to WALK DOWN the stairs instead of taking the elevator. Even though the elevator worked properly, I was not going to risk getting stuck in the elevator and missing the bus and the flight.

I dropped off my equipment bag with the rest of our equipment as the Albquerque clubbies were loading it on the truck for the trip to the airport. I saw the bus and got on it. Whew, I made it! The rain was still coming down, but it was letting up. The bus finally took off and we made our way to the airport.

We made it through security and there was still one hour to spare. It was nice to finally relax. We travelled from Albuquerque to Dallas for a one hour layover. Then we connected on our flight to Nashville. The weather was not the greatest as I was flying home, I noticed that lightning was crackling through the clouds below. We were thankful to be away from those clouds. The weather was still not all that great when it was really cloudy when we flew through the clouds. The next thing I knew was the pilots were asking for the flight attendants to prepare for landing. I knew we were just about home. We finally touched down at midnight, but now I can see what can happen in Triple-A with us not having a bus to take the leisurely stroll back or a charter plane (like they have in the major leagues) to have a leisurely stroll as well. Since AAA teams flight on commercial flights, it’s like you hope you have no rain delays, missed connections, etc., or otherwise you are stuck. You can be late or the equipment gets late. Luckily, things have worked out well on every road trip we’ve had so far.

I have continued to enjoy my first year in Triple-A and in the Pacific Coast League. Hopefully, we won’t have too many days like this to sweat out, but this sure made a great story. As they say, “things tend to work out well for the best” and they do. Not always smoothly, but they do.

Side Note: Tonight is Game 2 of a 4-game set between the Nashville Sounds and the Round Rock Express (Astros’ AAA affiliate) and the game will be broadcast on 104.5 The Zone and on nashvillesounds.com. Sounds look to end a four-game losing streak. Hope you tune in. Otherwise, enjoy the rest of your Sunday and have a great week!

Posted on August 1, 2010 at 1:39 pm

Eight Days a week..not quite, but eight straight games vs. the same club (posted July 25, 2010)

2011-04-18T11:46:00.000-07:00

As of today, the Nashville Sounds are in serious contention in the PCL’s American North Division, being only 1.5 games behind the first place Iowa Cubs in the standings.

Today is also the seventh straight game that the Sounds are playing the same team, the Albuquerque Isotopes. Both clubs are almost ending an eight-game “home and home” stretch against each other. It’s a quirk in the daily baseball schedule that you don’t find very often.

I’ve seen quite a few interesting things…one team scoring six runs in one inning with only ONE HIT? However, there were five walks involved and then the Sounds come back to score three runs in the bottom of the inning, thanks to three Isotopes’ errors. Then the next night, Albuquerque belts six home runs, four in one inning! Those are the kind of things that you don’t see very often.

The Sounds dropped the first three games of this eight-game stretch to the Isotopes, albeit they have come back to win three in a row. Nashville has continued to show that they are a team that can bounce back from adversity. We’ve seen quite a few transitions made…a promising centerfielder by the name of Lorenzo Cain who went 3 for 6 in one week with the Milwaukee Brewers, only to come back to the Sounds, so he can get daily playing time. Cain has shown he can swing the bat and play center field. Norris Hopper has really been hot at the plate lately and continues to show great discipline of a veteran, with him continuing to go the opposite way with pitches and getting key hits. Adam Stern has been catching fire and having his best stretch at the plate as a Nashville Sound this season.

What is also good is to see promising young Second Baseman Eric Farris back in the lineup after being sidelined for three months due to a knee injury and he collected a double and triple in last night’s 8-5 Sounds victory at Isotopes Park. RHP Josh Butler made his first start in Triple-A this season for the Sounds and pitched very well in getting the win last night.

Sometimes teams may get sick and tired of seeing each other after playing together for so many consecutive days and that is the test of a professional baseball team. It’s a bigger test to see how a team can react after dropping the first three games of this eight-game stretch, especially against a heavy hitting club like the Albuquerque Isotopes.

The Sounds have reacted well and have not let a long home and home series and a bad start to it get them down. It almost feels like the old Beatles’ song, “Eight Days A Week”. Still, the Sounds know that this is on the 2010 schedule and they still must focus on continuing to play the best baseball they can possibly play and which they are capable of playing.

It’s nice to also see a tight divisional race with six weeks left to go in the regular season and all four teams in the American North are playing better than .500 ball and all in serious contention.

After this series with Albuquerque is over, there will be three homestands and three road trips left for the Sounds. Their next road trip is Nevada, where they go to Reno and Las Vegas. At this time of the year, Las Vegas is among the hottest places in the country, weather-wise and that will be a big test on how the Sounds can deal with that kind of heat. However, like the eight straight games against Albuquerque, it is part of the schedule.

The Sounds return home on Tuesday for the start of an eight game homestand against the Omaha Royals, a team that Nashville had just played during the last homestand at Greer Stadium. I have noted how the attendance has picked up and interest is really high with the Sounds being in the American North race. It has really made for interesting and exciting baseball. However, there are still two games left here in Albuquerque and the Sounds can assure themselves of winning this “home and home” series with two wins in a row. They play tonight at 7:05PM Central Time and a 1:05PM Central Time (12 noon here in Albuquerque) start tomorrow. What’s also great is that the Sounds will be travelling home after the game tomorrow night instead of the following morning. That could be an advantage since they can get a reasonable amount of sleep before the big homestand and series with Omaha starts this week. It is big since Omaha is an American North Division and this will be the last series of the year between the Sounds and O-Royals. Let’s take them one game at a time. Tonight and tomorrow night’s broadcasts can be heard over the internet on nashvillesounds.com.

One side note about Isotopes Park. You can’t beat the scenery. There’s a tremendous mountainous scenery beyond the outfield walls and there is an upward slope as you go towards centerfield. Another “quirky” thing about the PCL. There are nice bushes beyond the center field wall as well and a huge lawn and inflatable playground beyond the right field wall. Not to mention that the last two nights, the weather has been perfect. The temps were in the 70s and a nice cool breeze was a big huge welcome. Easier to play ball in. Anyway, have a nice Sunday and a great week and I will see you at Greer Stadium on Tuesday. I urge all of you to come on out to cheer on the Sounds as they vault towards winning the PCL’s American North Division!

Posted on July 25, 2010 at 12:59 pm

Visit to Oklahoma City and the 4th of July (posted July 8, 2010)

2011-04-18T11:44:00.000-07:00

For the first time in seven years, I got to go back to Oklahoma City, one of my favorite sports towns! I had gone there in the past when I was broadcasting hockey for the San Antonio Iguanas and the Tulsa Oilers in the Central Hockey League. At the time, it seemed like a city on the rise, especially after the Morrow Building Tragedy that took place on April 19, 1995 when countless lives were lost in the event.

The Sounds travelled there on the 4th of July and we split up in two groups. One group left very early in the morning and flew from Nashville to Chicago to make the connecting flight to Oklahoma City. The other connected in Dallas. I was among the smaller group that connected in Texas. We arrived in town, seeing the skies looking very unpromising. We have experienced so much rain since the floods that took place in Nashville in early May. It was the start of a nine-game road trip, including a five-game set (not to mention a doubleheader in the mix) with the Memphis Redbirds.

It was also my first broadcast at the beautiful AT&T Bricktown Ballpark in downtown Oklahoma City. Our hotel was within walking distance, but it was pouring like crazy during the afternoon. I was hoping that we did not have to play more than one twinbill on the road trip. A few Sounds players, Pitching Coach Rich Gale and myself decided to take a cab to the park, even though it was only a few blocks away. I walked around the ballpark and I was so impressed. A nice two-deck ballpark with the Coach’s Restaurant in the left field corner for those who want a sumptuous meal as well as a great view of the ballgame.

Even Oklahoma City looked great from outside the park with their Riverwalk as well as many great new restaurants and hotels (including ours, which I recall was not there during my last visit back in 2003). Anyway, going back to the ballpark, the view from the pressbox looked great. However, the booth did not provide a complete obstructionless view since the windows have four separate panes and you had to stick out neck out a bit to see the action. Otherwise, Bricktown Ballpark is a great place and it is also the sight of the Annual Bricktown Showdown, where the PCL Champions take on the champions of the other Triple-A league, the International League, which consisted of cities in the Northeast, Midwest and Southeast. A one-game playoff would determine the winner of the overall Triple-A Champions in the land.

A huge crowd assembled at Bricktown ballpark on Sunday for the game and the subsequent 4th of July Fireworks show. With the noise level being so loud, I felt like I was in a major league park. It was so nice to see a large assemblage of people at Bricktown and I was excited about being among the festivities. Unfortunately, the rain continued to pour down, but it eventually stopped. The tarp had been covered the whole time, though, but when they finally unveiled the infield, the infield dirt looked very damp. After the umpires as well as the two managers, Don Money of the Sounds and Bobby Jones of the Oklahoma City RedHawks examined the field, I saw that Money and Jones shook hands as well as with the umpires and the umps and the managers went their separate ways. I knew that it was not a good sign as the game was called on account of wet grounds. Needless to say, even though the rain had stopped, the crowd was disappointed that the game was postponed and their reaction was of frustration. However, cheers erupted when it was announced that the club would still have its fireworks show. Of course, the RedHawks did not want to disappoint their huge crowd. It was decided for the following night to have a single game and then a doubleheader on Tuesday night.

The Sounds won the opener of the series, 10-5, as they pounded out a season high 19 hits and Sounds’ First Baseman Joe Koshansky belted a pair of home runs, one to left field and the other to right center. However, the rains came down again on Tuesday night, so they had to postpone that twinbill. It was decided to still have a doubleheader on Wednesday night and the other game to be made up as part of a twi-night twinbill on August 31st, when the Sounds would make the second and last visit to Oklahoma City this season.

Well, the Sounds and RedHawks did what they did NOT want to do and that was play a doubleheader on getaway night since both teams would be having overnight bus rides afterwards. The Sounds would head to Memphis on I-40 while the RedHawks would travel south on I-35 to Round Rock, Texas, where they would play the Express.

The Sounds came back from a 5-1 deficit to take a 6-5 lead in the opener, but the RedHawks struck back and won the opener 11-6. Then the nightcap occurred. Nashville would take a 1-0 lead in the second inning, but Oklahoma City would rebound again while belting a pair of homers against Sounds starter, Chuck Lofgren in the third. It would be the 14th and 15th homers off Lofgren, who has given up more gopher balls on the Sounds than any other pitcher on the team. A solo shot by Craig Gentry would tie it (he would have five hits in the game) and All-Star Bound Chris Davis hit a two-run shot in the same inning. The Sounds tied the game up when Ben Johnson (who just got off the Disabled list) would belt a game-tying two run homer off reliever Willie Eyre (pronounced “Air”) in the sixth inning with two outs in the sixth. The Sounds had a chance to take the lead in the seventh when Brendan Katin had an infield hit with one out in the inning. After Joe Koshansky walked, Sounds First Baseman Erick Almonte singled to center field. Manager Don Money, who was coaching third, waved Katin home. However, Center Fielder Craig Gentry nailed Katin at the plate with a strong throw home for the second out of the inning. Koshansky and Almonte would take an extra base on the throw to the plate. Unfortunately, the rally was stymied when All-Star Bound Shortstop and new Father Luis Cruz took a called third strike to end the inning. Oklahoma City had made a bid to win it in the eighth when the game went into extra innings (doubleheaders are seven innings apiece) when former Sounds infielder and RedHawk Second Baseman Hernan Iribarren double to left field. The following batter, Shortstop Gregorio Petit, smashed a sinking liner towards the right field line, but at that particular moment, Brendan Katin got even with the RedHawks when he made a sprawling and diving catch to thwart that threat. The Sounds would take the lead in the ninth when Second Baseman Johnny Raburn looped a single to right to score Katin to give Nashville a 4-3 lead. However, Sounds reliever Mike McClendon (who was the pitcher of record on the winning side at the moment) got into a jam in the bottom of the inning. He gave up a leadoff single to Craig Gentry. After Esteban German lined out to second, the following batter, Mitch Moreland, singled to right center as Raburn made a diving attempt after the ball and couldn’t make a play and Gentry raced to third. Suddenly, the t ying run was 90 feet away from home plate when Manager Don Money summoned reliever Brandon Kintzler from the bullpen. I felt good about our chances, especially since we had a long bus ride after the game. Kintzler faced the ever so dangerous Chris Davis and he went after the first pitch and fouled out to the Sounds Third Baseman Mat Gamel. One more out to go! Left fielder Matt Brown came to the plate and immediately, Kintzler was ahead of him on an 0-2 count. ONE MORE STRIKE TO GO! Afterwards, Brown fouled off two straight pitches. While I was broadcasting, I kept saying to myself, “Brandon, don’t try to be so fine, keep throwing your best stuff!”. Unfortunately, the next pitch was in the dirt and it got away from Catcher Ben Johnson! OH NO! The tying run scored and Moreland went to second base. Wow, how could this happen? Brown would eventually bounce back to Kintzler and Brandon threw him out at first. Inning over, but unfortunately, not the game. I’m thinking, “this is going to be a long night”. It would stay tied at 4-4 until the bottom half of the 13th inning when Sounds lefty reliever Mitch Stetter was pitching in the second inning of work. After having an uneventful 12th inning, the wheels came off in the following inning. After Ryan Garko grounded out to lead off the bottom of the 13th, Hernan Iribarren would walk. He went to second when a wild pitch would advance him to second. Stetter got tough and got Petit on a called third strike and then up to the plate stepped the Sounds’ nemesis of the nightcap, Craig Gentry. Gentry already collected four hits in the game when he looped a single to center. Sounds Center Fielder Lorenzo Cain raced in vain to go after the ball. Cain doved for it, but the ball fell in front of him for a base hit and Iribarren would score the winning run. It was the second straight doubleheader that the Sounds were swept in. It would turn out to be a long and quiet ride to Memphis. This was not the prelude the Sounds needed, especially with a big series with the Redbirds coming up, starting tonight at AutoZone Park. Nashville trails Memphis by 1 1/2 games in the standings in the American North. The Sounds will need to start being more consistent and they know they need to do well in this series to not only hope to seize First Place away from the Redbirds, but to stay tight in the American North race. One strike away from gaining a split in the twinbill against Oklahoma City, but it was not meant to be.

Adversity can be a big testing factor for a professional sports team and we will see how the Sounds respond from a disappointing loss and not to mention a long bus ride from Oklahoma City to Memphis. Tonight’s opener against Memphis starts at 7:05PM with Sounds Left Hander Chase Wright getting the nod against Memphis Left Hander Evan MacLane. Broadcast will be on nashvillesounds.com so please tune in. Please feel free to write to me if you were among the faithful that stayed up and listened to the entire 13 inning affair and doubleheader. Always looking to hear from you. As always, thanks for tuning in. Hope you all had a nice 4th of July holiday!

Posted on July 8, 2010 at 3:20 pm

Farewell Rosenblatt Stadium (posted June 11, 2010)

2011-04-18T11:43:00.000-07:00

I’m happy that I joined the Pacific Coast League just in time to see the venerable and historic old ballpark on near the border of Nebraska and Iowa, situated off I-80 and 13th Street near downtown Omaha, called Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium. For many years, this ballpark has been the home of the College World Series and the home of the Omaha Royals, the Kansas City Royals’ AAA affiliate since 1969. The Omaha Royals were successful in 1969 when they were in their first year of existence in the American Association and won the championship that year. Over the years, many future Royals players have passed through this ballpark as well as many future major league stars in general, who were fortunate to play in the College World Series.

For the Nashville Sounds, this is their swan song for their final games ever to play at Rosenblatt. The Sounds have won four of their first five games played here this season and even though this ballpark has seen better years, I enjoy the view from the broadcast booth and the field is still in great playing shape. I enjoy the downtown view of Omaha from beyond the left field corner.

Johnny Rosenblatt has been gone since 1979, but his impact on baseball in this town is just as big as the blazing fastball from an Omaha native, the Cardinals’ pitching great Bob GIbson, who has a street named after him right behind the left field wall. Rosenblatt played semi pro ball and worked in a dairy during the off-season. He would become the dairy’s General Manager and instrumental behind the ballpark’s beginning, which was in 1948.

Starting next year, the O-Royals will move to a new ballpark in nearby Sarpy County and I heard nothing but great things and look forward to get to broadcast in it. There will also be a new downtown ballpark in Omaha for the College World Series and other local amateur games. For the Royals, it’s kind of a blessing since they won’t have to be on the road every year for almost three weeks. I wish the best for both the Royals and Amateur Baseball and future College World Series classics. It will be a nice transition for both.

Tonight is Game 2 of a 4-game series with the Sounds and the Omaha Royals at Rosenblatt Stadium. Broadcast is at 6:50PM on nashvillesounds.com. Hope to see the Sounds make it two in a row after their thrilling come-from-behind, 10-inning win over the Royals here in Omaha last night. Brendan Katin was the hero with his two-run homer that broke a 4-4 tie in the tenth. Mat Gamel had an outstanding night at the plate with three hits including a three-run homer in the sixth inning to give the Sounds a 4-3 lead until the Royals came back to score a run and tie it in the eighth. The Sounds are now 4-3 in extra inning games in 2010. Keep it up, fellows. Go get ‘em tonight.

Posted on June 11, 2010 at 3:37 pm

Goodbye Adam Heether….Welcome Back Katin! (posted June 7, 2010)

2011-04-18T11:32:00.000-07:00

It is so funny how the daily routine of baseball can alter, especially when it comes to one person. Last week, in one game against the Albuquerque Dukes at Greer Stadium, Adam Heether hit two home runs in that game. Unfortunately, it would turn out to be the last game for the former Sounds Third Baseman as he was placed on waivers the following day and picked up by the Oakland Athletics. Of course, I was sorry to see Adam go, but it was nice to see him go out with a bang. In a way, it’s a blessing in disguise for Heether because he is from California and grew up as an A’s fan, but he will get a chance to perhaps move up quicker in the A’s organization since they could use a guy like Heether with his bat and glove. Now with Mat Gamel activated on Nashville’s roster and Casey McGehee being the regular third baseman for the parent club, the Milwaukee Brewers, it was going to be difficult for Heether to move up the Brewers’ hierarchy. I believe in the long haul, it will turn out to be a blessing in disguise for Heether since he is back out West. He was assigned to Triple-A Sacramento, where the Sounds were on their previous road trip. Adam, you’re a great guy and a fine talent and I wish you nothing but the best! You will be missed!

It’s too bad that I don’t have John Sebastian’s “Welcome Back” song that he performed back in the mid 1970s when “Welcome Back Kotter” was a hit TV show on ABC-TV then. This is the appropriate song for the man that I am about to discuss about. For Brendan Katin, it is a wonderful welcome back after all. He got off to a great start with his powerful bat this season until he went down with a knee injury on Friday, April 16th, in the home opener against the Iowa Cubs at Greer Stadium. Katin would eventually undergo knee surgery and rehab his knee in Florida. He came back on this road trip in Round Rock, Texas and already, his impact is being felt. Katin had three hits (including an RBI triple) this past Saturday in the Sounds’ 9-6 win over the Express at the Dell Diamond and despite Nashville losing to Round Rock, 8-2, last night, Katin crushed a long home run over the centerfield wall. It is the kind of lift that the Sounds have needed since they’ve been basically playing .500 ball since their 7-1 start this year.

Brendan certainly has the tools to make it to the major leagues. The only thing he needs to do to get that chance is being consistent. Katin will certainly give you more than 20 home runs and 70-90 runs batted in per season, but cutting down on the strikeouts and being consistent is what will get him to that next level. Like everyone else on the team and in baseball, I wish Katin the very best in getting that opportunity. He also has the attitude and determination to do it.

It is so nice to be back in Texas (where I lived in San Antonio for a decade). Nice to see some old friends and even ones from my hometown in New York, who transplanted to the Lone Star State. The only thing that I don’t welcome is the oppressive heat that is common in Texas during this time of the year and throughout the summer. Still, I go through it and focus on doing my job in Round Rock (which I consider one of the best places I’ve ever been in during all of my years in baseball).

Tonight, Sam Narron will get the nod for the Sounds. He pitched for them in the past and was just re-signed by Milwaukee after performing well for Camden in the independent Atlantic League. Camden is Camden, New Jersey, where the ballpark is just right across from Philadelphia via the Ben Franklin Bridge. Narron was released by the Tigers’ organization in early April and I wish him the best in his latest chapter of his baseball career.

The broadcast can be heard over nashvillesounds.com at 6:50PM tonight. Hope you tune in and hope the Sounds can get back on another winning streak and be consistent themselves!

Posted on June 7, 2010 at 1:17 pm

Great way to end May and a Great Way to start June!! (posted June 2, 2010)

2011-04-18T11:31:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday, one of the Sounds’ relief pitchers, Tim Dillard, did a wonderful impersonation of the late great sportscaster, Harry Caray. When I think of Caray, I think of his catch phrase “HOLY COW!”. Well, after what I have witnessed on this current homestand for the Sounds against the Iowa Cubs and the Albuquerque Isotopes, I would like to borrow the phrase and shout out “HOLY COW!” because of the great comebacks that the Sounds have made on this homestand. Even when they experienced their only loss on this homestand to Iowa on Sunday, I still liked and appreciate the effort that the ballclub made in nearly pulling out that ballgame.

The Sounds have done a great job being “Houdini” since they’ve been able to escape trouble. They were one out away from losing both ballgames last Friday and Saturday nights against the Iowa Cubs until both Third Baseman Adam Heether and First Baseman Joe Koshansky won games with back-to-back walk off home runs. The Sounds also had broken a scoreless deadlock on Memorial Day when they exploded for eight runs in the bottom of the eighth and defeated Iowa, 8-0.

Well, last night in the opener against the Albuquerque Isotopes at Greer Stadium, it was no exception. Veteran Seth Etherton started for the Isotopes and was masterful for seven solid innings and not allowing a single run on the board. However, the Topes’ relievers, lefthander Juan Perez and righthander Scott Dohmann could not seal the deal as the Sounds scored one run in the eighth and four in the ninth and defeated Albuquerque, 5-4 when Norris Hopper beat out an infield hit to second base with the bases loaded and two outs in the inning.

For the Nashville Sounds, getting hot and winning four of five on this homestand could not have come at a better time since the Omaha Royals are among the hottest teams in the Pacific Coast League as of this writing and they have won eight of their last nine as their is a 1 1/2 game difference between the First Place Sounds and Second Place Omaha in the PCL’s American Conference Northern Division.

This is all happening IN SPITE of the many recent rosters moves that have affected the Sounds since a number of players have been called up to the parent club. I feel no resentment at all about this because even though I want to see the Sounds continue to compete and win, it is great for the guys to get called up to the Brewers as they need more help than the Sounds do. Don’t forget that this is what Minor League Baseball is all about. It’s about getting these guys to the majors for not only for them to live out a dream, but to help the parent club as they try to get back into the thick of things regarding the National League’s Central Division.

Kameron Loe was supposed to start last night, but got the callup to Milwaukee instead. He pitched one perfect inning of scoreless baseball and fanned two against the Florida Marlins down in Miami. Kameron had an “out” clause in his contract as he could have been a free agent by June 5th if he was not placed on the parent club’s roster. However, help is much needed for the Brewers and Loe did pitch well enough and was at the right place at the right time when he was called up to the Brewers. I wish Kam nothing but the best for years to come.

Reliever Mike McClendon took Loe’s place instead and even though he did not do a brilliant job, McClendon still pitched creditable enough ball to keep the Sounds in the ballgame before they made their comeback. People must realize it is not easy to accept a last-minute starting pitching assignment, but McClendon has the attitude and professionalism to be ready for everything. He certainly has the potential to pitch in the majors and has been lights out in the Sounds’ bullpen. How long will he be in the rotation remains to be seen, but I know he will do better in his next assignment. He is also a great guy off the field as well.

Tonight, the Sounds will start RHP Mark Rogers, who got called up from AA Huntsville. He was 2-4 with the Stars when Rogers got promoted to Triple-A Nashville. He may make one start here in Nashville and possibly sent back to Huntsville. However, things can change depending how Rogers does tonight and we all wish him the best. Catcher Martin Maldonado was also called up from Huntsville with Ben Johnson being placed on the DL. I wish Johnson a quick return to active duty real soon.

Don’t forget to tune in to 104.5 The Zone for tonight’s broadcast of Game 2 of the Sounds-Isotopes series as it will start at 7:00PM sharp. Otherwise, I look forward to seeing you out at Greer Stadium if you can make it out here. Bring your radio if you do since I always enjoy providing people with company.

How will tonight’s game end? Will find out more. Like in the old Batman series from the 1960s, it’s the SAME BAT TIME (7:00PM)…SAME BAT CHANNEL (104.5 The Zone). Well, you ge tthe idea!

Posted on June 2, 2010 at 1:18 pm

Sacramento Trip Continues On (posted May 27, 2010)

2011-04-18T11:30:00.003-07:00

So far, it’s been an up and down road trip for the Nashville Sounds after splitting four in Fresno, but losing two of their first three games here in Sacramento.

On both losses, both Chris Waters and Chase Wright had one bad inning that hurt them (both had given up two homers in one inning) and it cost the Sounds the ballgame. Tonight, it will be the final game of the Sounds’ California Road Trip before an early wakeup call tomorrow and for the flight back to Nashville.

The great thing about being on the road is the cities that you can see. I’ve had my share of enjoyment here in Sacramento, getting around downtown and visiting a museum or so. I am hoping to visit Old Sacramento today before I head out to the ballpark. A lot of history seems to be involved in this part of town.

It’s nice that I can continue to walk to and from the ballpark via the Tower Bridge that gets me from West Sacramento (where Raley Field is) to our hotel, which is downtown. There is so much to see and do.

Anyway, tonight’s game between the Sounds and the Sacramento River Cats will be on radio (104.5 The Zone) as well as on nashvillesounds.com. I look forward to heading back home as the Sounds start an eight-game homestand against the Iowa Cubs at Greer Stadium tomorrow night at 7:05PM. There will be Fireworks after the game, courtesy of Firestone.

I encourage you to tune in as always, since the Sounds are involved in a heated race for the American North with Iowa and Memphis catching fire. It sure has gotten interesting.

I look for a split in this four-game set before heading back to the Music City tomorrow. Hope to see you out at the ballpark to cheer the Sounds on!

Posted on May 27, 2010 at 12:25 pm

Survival of the Fittest! (posted May 23, 2010)

2011-04-18T11:30:00.001-07:00

Just as I thought the internet problems were behind me, here we go again! This time, there was a problem throughout the entire pressbox at Chukchansi Park (through no fault of anyone there) as I was supposed to get ready to broadcast over our team website for last night’s third game of the four-game set between the Sounds & the Fresno Grizzlies from Chukchansi Park.

I had an internet connection for the broadcast UNTIL the connection disappeared for some inexplicable reason. I tried a variety of available wireless connections as well as a hard line with an ethernet cable, but NOTHING worked! Alas, I was told that I can broadcast-OF ALL PLACES-in the Fresno Grizzlies’ conference room one floor below, where I should have a hard line connection.

Well, guess what? The hard line connection didn’t work out, albeit my computer was fine. I was thinking to myself at first, “Oh noooo, here we go again!”. I thought for sure that we were not going to be able to broadcast last night’s game. Until this series, I never had a problem with ANY internet connection involving a Sounds’ broadcast.

Anyway, as I was thinking about my fate, I was wondering what the fans were going to think now? When I broadcast, I use an audio mixer, a mixer-connector device to hook between my regular audio mixer and computer and hope and pray that there is an internet connection because without it, the broadcast would not be able to go over the internet/website.

I was desperate in trying to find ways to get on. I was told that no wireless connection exists on the same floor as the Grizzlies’ office. Still, despte being told that, I gave it a shot anyway and looked up available wireless connections. I usually connect through the Grizzlies’ wireless network. Instead, I saw the City of Fresno wireless network available, so I thought, “What have I got to lose?”. Well, lo and behold, the broadcast connected! I scrambled to get ready and to broadcast. We were a few innings in when I FINALLY got “on the air”. With the help of Grizzlies’ Media Relations Director (and former San Antonio Missions’ colleague and Media Relations Director) Noah Frank, I asked him to go on our website and text message me to see if we were on and we were. I still had to make some additional adjustments on my regular audio mixer to make sure that we were assured of a louder and clearer signal. Alast, we were!

Picture a broadcaster in a conference room that does have a window looking out towards the playing field and having all of his equipment in a conference room and broadcasting the game instead of a regular broadcast booth! Crazy, isn’t it? However, the show must go on and fortunately, IT DID!

There was also a door leading to the stands, so I stuck my crowd mike there. I started to see people looking inside the office with strange looks and wondering who was this crazy guy in the headsets? Obviously, the fans had no idea that I had to broadcast there due to the troubles up in the pressbox.

What a ballgame it turned out. A great pitching duel between starters Kameron Loe of the Sounds and late-minute starter, Matt Kinney. The Sounds would score first on doubles by Josh Anderson and Trent Oeltjen. Then speaking of double, the Grizzlies would tie the score late in the game when they pulled off a double steal, including Ben Chapman stealing home. However, Jesus Guzman, who stole second, saw that Catcher Pat Arlis was taking his time in making the play at home. Despite that, Arlis was alert and saw Guzman break towards third and Pat made a strong throw to Sounds’ third baseman Adam Heether and Heether tagged Guzman out.

The Sounds would win it in the ninth when Trent Oeltjen led off with a walk and then stole BOTH second and third. Thanks to the Austrailian’s daring base running and stealing, Heether drove in the winning run with a sacrifice fly to Center that scored Oeltjen and Nashville led, 2-1. Sounds’ reliever Chris Smith would pick up his PCL-leading 15th save with a scoreless ninth and the Sounds have won two in a row against the team with the best record in the league.

Now the Sounds hope to make it three out of four in the series with a win today. I will have the webcast (conference room or not) over www.nashvillesounds.com at 4:05PM Central Time. This is our only trip to Fresno this season as well as the only series we play the Grizzlies (unless we somehow play in the PCL Championship series and that is still very possible). The Sounds head to the California State Capitol of Sacramento to start a series against the Athletics’ AAA farm club, the Sacramento River Cats, beginning tomorrow night at Raley Field. Hope you are enjoying your weekend. Thank you for tuning in. Speak to you again soon!

Posted on May 23, 2010 at 1:13 pm

Bounceback for the team..and for yours truly! (posted May 22, 2010)

2011-04-18T11:29:00.001-07:00

Well, after the Sounds and me experienced a disastrous Thursday night, we both were resilient as I was able to get the broadcast on the internet (LOL, at least I hope I did; didn’t hear either way, but I was told the signal was connected) and the Sounds won, 3-1 over the Grizzlies in Fresno, despite early control problems from starter Chase Wright. Chase settled down and pitched much better and Johnny Raburn made a couple of outstanding catches–and in succession in one inning.

Shortstop Luis Cruz made a diving stop on Angel Berroa’s hard hit grounder towards short and turned it into a force play to end the inning and further threats by the Grizzlies’ offense. Chris Smith picked up his league-leading 14th save despite giving up a lead-off triple to Fresno Centerfielder Eugenio Velez in the ninth inning. Smith struck out Buster Posey to end the game.

The last three days, the weather here in Central California has been ideal and I look to see continued success tonight. The Sounds’ hottest pitcher, Kameron Loe, will start tonight. Airtime for the webcast is at 8:50PM Central Time over www.nashvillesounds.com. Hope the Sounds will continue where they left off last night.

Posted on May 22, 2010 at 6:43 pm

Loss of a game…and a loss of a broadcast connection! (posted May 21, 2010)

2011-04-18T11:28:00.002-07:00

If anyone tried tuning in to the webcast over the internet tonight and couldn’t get anything, then I want to sincerely apologize for not being able to get on tonight.

The worst feeling in the world is when you try feverishly to do everything to get the ball rolling and unfortunately, when certain things are beyond your control, there is not much you can do about it.

For whatever reason, the primary server could not get connected and I worked all night to try to salvage everything that I possibly could to get the coverage of the game going. In my nearly thirty years of broadcasting, I’ve never had a problem like the one I had tonight when there was an event going on that I was supposed to cover–and couldn’t do it. It’s a helpless and frustrating feeling.

I contacted as many people as I could to help, but nothing worked out. Anyway, going to the game between the Nashville Sounds & the Fresno Grizzlies tonight, it was not a good start for the Sounds on their road trip, either. Fresno beat the Sounds, 6-2 before a crowd of 7,630 at Chukchansi Park.

Since I feel responsible for what happened tonight, I owe everyone a report of the game as much as possible. Fresno did not waste any time against Sounds Starter and losing pitcher Chuck Lofgren in the first inning. Second Baseman Brock Bond led off with a double in the inning. After Tyler Graham grounded out slowly to third to advance Bond to third base, Catcher Buster Posey drove in the first run with a sacrifice fly to center to score Bond from third to make it 1-0, Fresno. Third Baseman Jesus Guzman homered over the left field wall to give the Grizzlies a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning.

The Grizzlies built up their lead in the sixth inning when Chuck Lofgren got knocked out when he gave up an additional four runs in that inning. Bond singled to lead off the inning and advanced to third on a double by Tyler Graham. Buster Posey singled to drive Bond in to make it 3-0 Fresno. Graham advanced to third on the base hit and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly to center by Joe Borchard. Brett Pill then unloaded with a three run homer to give the Grizzlies a 3-0 lead and that’s all the runs that Grizzlies’ starter Joe Martinez would need.

Martinez pitched very well in his 7.2 innings of work as he allowed just two runs on five hits while walking three and fanning two.

The Sounds would get to Martinez in the eighth inning when Left Fielder Drew Anderson led off with a walk and scored when Ray Olmedo doubled to right and he would score on an RBI single by Trent Oeltjen. It would cut Fresno’s lead to 6-2, but that’s all that Nashville could muster for the night.

The Grizzlies have someone in their office who is a computer whiz and I will try to see how the primary server can get connected for the broadcast tomorrow night. I am determined that I won’t lose sleep over this, but I was disappointed and upset that I couldn’t deliver the game to you because of these circumstances that were beyond my control. Please accept my apologies for this unfortunate event.

Hopefully, the Sounds will rebound from tonight’s loss and I know they are capable of doing so.

One thing for myself and the Sounds that we know: the sun will come out tomorrow and another day will come and I will make every attempt to get the webcast running again. Tomorrow’s game is at 9:05PM Central Time (don’t forget that there is a two hour difference between Fresno time and Nashville time). Hope you still had a nice evening, but have a better day tomorrow. I will definitely intend to do so!

Posted on May 21, 2010 at 1:24 am

Open up that Golden Gate…California, Here I come (and I am!) (posted May 20, 2010)

2011-04-18T11:28:00.001-07:00

It is so nice to visit the wonderful state of California. My only visit to the Golden State was back in 2005, when I visited the City by the Bay, San Francisco. I highly recommend a visit there if you have never been there.

The Sounds arrived in town at approximately 9:40PM Pacific Time (Close to midnight via Nashville time) and after getting our bags, we bussed it to our hotel in Fresno. The Radisson Hotel here in town reminds me of the John Hammons-like Hotels where you have a whole open space inside the building and when you come out of the elevators, the rooms are against the wall and you can still see the lobby below via the balcony.

I had the chance to go around downtown Fresno today and I was real disappointed. Except for a walk-through outdoor mall, it didn’t offer a whole lot. On the East Side part of downtown, there were some nice restaurants, patios and more modern buildings,while the Central and Western part of downtown was older and more industrialized. Some blocks where I walked, it felt like a ghost town. I will say this: if you like Mexican Food, Fresno is the place since it has a lot of Mexican Restaurants here in town.

The great thing about where we stay, it is within walking distance of the ballpark. I had a chance to look upclose at Chukchansi Park, where we will play the Fresno Grizzlies (Giants’ AAA affiliate) for the next four days and it is a nice park. The pressbox is on top and the seats are modern and I hope to see more from the inside. The grass is well-manicured and I think the ballpark will help revitalize downtown Fresno in many ways.

Fresno is also the hometown of Hall-of-Fame Pitcher Tom Seaver, who went on to win 311 games, three Cy Young Awards and a World Series Ring in his illustrious career. Tom attended Fresno State College in town before transferring to USC and then on to his pro career.

Fresno also has a casino and a few museums, but I haven’t had a chance to visit the museums yet After Fresno, the Sounds head to Sacramento, the State Capitol, where we play four games with Oakland’s top farm club, the Sacramento River Cats. I will get to more about Sacramento later on.

Well, tonight, it is Game 1 of the four-game set between the Sounds and the Grizzlies. Lefthander Chuck Lofgren gets the nod for the Sounds against Grizzlies’ righthander, Joe Martinez. Grizzlies had some good prospects in the likes of Joe Borchard and Buster Posey. I know that Lofgren is glad to be back in California since he is from the Bay Area. He grew up North of Fresno, in San Mateo and that is just south of San Francisco. I know that a number of friends and family members of Chuck’s family will be in town and in Sacramento.

I will have the call tonight at 8:50PM Central Time over www.nashvillesounds.com. If any of you wonder why a late start, remember it is a two hour difference. Anyway, hope all of you have a great evening and the remainder of the week. Thank you as always for tuning in!

Posted on May 20, 2010 at 5:13 pm

The Reunions continue….(posted May 15, 2010)

2011-04-18T11:27:00.002-07:00

Last night was a frustrating night for the Sounds. There was good news and bad news. The good news was that the rain that had plagued Nashville much of the afternoon had subsided. The bad news was that the Sounds let one slip away. After converting successfully on his first twelve save opportunities this season (and 21 dating back to last year), Sounds’ reliever Chris Smith proved that he is only human after all.

Coming into the ninth with Nashville ahead 3-1, Smith proceeded to give up two home runs: one was a two-run shot by Tacoma First Baseman Mike Carp inside the right field foul pole to tie up the game at 3-3, but then Third Baseman Matt Mangini drove in the eventual game winner for the Rainiers when he blasted a shot over the right-centerfield wall. The Sounds could not score in the ninth against former Washington Nationals Reliever Chad Cordero and the Sounds lost 4-3. Originally, Carp was not supposed to be in the starting lineup, but he was a last minute change and the changed proved to be a good call for Tacoma Manager Daren Brown. I might have mentioned that I was with Daren when he was the manager for the Class AA San Antonio Missions back in 2006, when they were a Double-A farm club for the Seattle Mariners then. I was the San Antonio broadcaster for a decade and I enjoyed my relationship with Brown and still do, even though we are now on opposite sides. He was the only person I was really happy for last night because you always want to see nice guys do well. Of course, I was frustrated by the loss, but life goes on and tonight is a new night and a new team in town.

The only thing that is NOT new to me regarding the Portland Beavers are the names and faces of many of their players. It was only last September when I was still broadcasting for the Missions (having already been affiliated with San Diego) and they saw their season end with a playoff loss in Midland, Texas. Terry Kennedy, the former All-Star Catcher, was the manager with Orv Franchuk and Steve Webber as his coaches. Well, guess what? They have been promoted to the Triple-A Beavers and they will be in town for the next four days. Guys like Craig Cooper, Matt Buschmann and Mike Baxter (whom both attended Vanderbilt University) are among the players who were with me in San Antonio the last couple of years and are now in AAA. I want to let people know that I definitely want to see the Sounds win. However, having said that, I still have an emotional attachment to a lot of the Beavers since I rode the busses with them, interviewed them, stayed in the same hotels as them and saw them continue to vault up the ladder in the Padres’ organization. You can’t help but want to see these guys still play well since I was once with them. You develop great relationships with the players who are with you and you can’t help but pull for them. That’s what makes a series like this become difficult sometimes. Since they are in the enemy uniforms, I can’t pull for them to win, but I want them to continue to develop so they will get a chance to play in the major leagues with the Padres or any other team for that matter. Naturally, I want to see my Sounds players continue to flourish as well.

I also continue to develop great relationships with my new colleagues, the other broadcasters in the PCL (some whom I have known before I got here to Nashville). Rich Burk, the longtime Beavers’ announcer, is one guy I know. We’ve never met face to face, but we used to exchange e-mails while I was working for the Padres’ AA affiliate in San Antonio and he with the current Triple-A team in Portland. The only thing I will regret is that I won’t see the Portland ballpark. After this year, the Beavers must move to a new ballpark/location since their longtime home, Civic Stadium, is being converted into a soccer-only facility. It’s a shame because Portland has been in the Pacific Coast League forever! I keep hearing that Tucson (a former longtime member of the PCL) may be a feasible site for the franchise, but perhaps temporary and I heard the club may move to Southern California to be near the parent club, the San Diego Padres. Only time will tell. Since this franchise will host the Sounds next year, it’s just too bad I won’t see one of the most historic parks in the PCL as well as all of minor league baseball. I wish the franchise the very best.

Just like the Sounds/Brewers, I’ve had a very good relationship with the Padres and I wish BOTH organizations the very best. I will just continue to broadcast like a professional and not let my personal feelings get in the way for either side. Just always have to report and let the game be the story. That has always been my broadcasting philosophy.

Tonight, it is Chuck Lofgren and former Brewer farmhand and former SA Missions colleague Will Inman pitching in tonight’s game for Nashville & Portland respectively. Both pitchers are great young prospects and I wish both Chuck and Will the very best. The game will start at 6:35PM and there will be fireworks after the game. Come on out if you have not formulated your plans for tonight yet. Otherwise, tune in to yours truly at 6:30PM on 104.5 The Zone and on nashvillesounds.com. Again, best of luck to both teams and we will see what unfolds from here.

Posted on May 15, 2010 at 1:53 pm

Capuano on the comeback trail (posted May 14, 2010)

2011-04-18T11:27:00.001-07:00

Last night, I witnessed and broadcast one of the best pitched games by a Nashville Sounds pitcher this year. The pitcher’s name is Chris Capuano and here was a guy who won 18 games for the Milwaukee Brewers one year (2005). Here is a guy who has also endured two “Tommy John” surgeries on his left elbow and many wondered if he would ever pitch again? Well, last night, I think I got the answer and I believe that he WILL continue to pitch as long as he stays healthy.

After posting a 2-0 record with a 1.23 ERA at Class A Brevard County in the Florida State League, Capuano was promoted to Triple-A Nashville and his seasonal debut with the Sounds was the perfect script for a great comeback. Chris hurled eight strong innings last night and I thought he could have completed the game. Of course, the Brewers had him on a pitch count and considering the circumstances that Capuano has dealt with, I can totally understand why Milwaukee has been careful with him. He spotted his fastball where he wanted it to go and he showed the poise and presence of a major league pitcher. Capuano received help when his batterymate, Catcher Jonathan Lucroy, set the tone early when he crushed a three-run homer to give the Sounds a 3-0 lead and that was all the runs that Capuano would need as the Sounds clobbered the Tacoma Rainiers, 8-0 last night after being blanked 4-0 by Tacoma starter Steven Shell the day before. Capuano allowed just three hits while walking only two and striking out five in his eight solid innings of pitching.

Reliever Zach Braddock also showed the form on why he is a top pitching prospect in the Brewers’ system. After being shelled for eight runs in one inning against the Isotopes in a 15-12 loss in Albuquerque last Sunday, Braddock finished out the game by striking out the side despite giving up a run. What I admire about Braddock was that he did NOT let his previous performance get him down. Zach did not allow an earned run prior to getting shellacked last Sunday and he just showed his resiliency by pitching with the outstanding stuff he has to be a big leaguer.

So far this year, the Sounds pitching staff has been very good, particularly the bullpen. The Nashville relief corps has had its moments, but overall, the bullpen has been solid and reliable. Pitching Coach Rich Gale has been an outstanding mentor and teacher for these Sounds pitchers.

Tonight, the Sounds look to make it three out of four against Tacoma here at Greer Stadium. For those youngsters interested in a special souvenir, don’t forget that tonight is Kids’ T-Shirt night. The first 1,000 youngsters, ages 12 and under, will receive a free Sounds’ T-Shirt, courtesy of First Bank. Gametime is at 7:05PM. This will be the last game between the Sounds and the Rainiers this season, unless both of these teams meet in the post-season playoffs.

I encourage everyone to keep coming out and supporting this outstanding Sounds team, which is in first place in the Northern Division of the PCL’s American Conference. If you cannot make it out to the game, then I will have the radio broadcast at 7:00PM Central Time over 104.5 The Zone (WGFX-FM) and at nashvillesounds.com. If you can make it to the game, then bring your portable radio along and I am sure that I can be great company for you.

See you tonight at the ballpark!

Posted on May 14, 2010 at 11:27 am

Back Home Again…and another dramatic win! (posted May 12, 2010)

2011-04-18T11:26:00.002-07:00

Fresh off a come from behind win due to Joe Koshansky’s pinch hit home run on Monday afternoon at Albuquerque, the Nashville Sounds continue their dramatic ways to pull out victories out of their own hats.

Yesterday, the Sounds left their Albuquerque Hotel at 4:00AM in the morning to head to the airport for the return flight home. The team got to the airport at 4:25AM only the find themselves as the only people who were at the airport. We were scheduled to fly home at 6:10AM and to my surprise, there were no attendants present at the Southwest Airlines Ticket Counter. We already got our airline tickets, but we needed to check our bags in and get a boarding pass to get on the plane.

We finally saw an apologetic airline ticket counter agent make it to work. I certainly understand that dragging yourself to work at 4:30AM in the morning is not an easy task by any means. Still, when there are early flights that have to depart, then someone knows that he/she needs to be at the counter. We got our bags checked and made it to the security. There was a new security system where i also had to remove my belt (which I never had to do before) and to go into a booth and raise my arms to above my head. Still, whatever the people at the airport need to do to ensure our safety, I am all for it. Anyway, everything went smoothly as planned and I was able to proceed to the boarding gate. We flew to our connection city to Houston, Texas, where we had a two hour layover. I had a nice breakfast platter at the airport to keep my stomach happy. I had scrambled eggs, bacon, a biscount, home fries and an orange juice. Normally, I am a “Special K” cereal eater in the morning, but since we don’t get served meals on the plane (only drinks and a snack), the meal was a welcome sight for my stomach.

At 11L35AM, we hopped on our plane for the ride to Nashville. I was surprised and aghast to discover that some of the seats were wet because there was a leakage in the air conditioning system. Someway and somehow, the flight crew got everyone seated, but some had to have towels to pllug up the leaky parts of the plane. Fortunately, I didn’t have to do this.

The plane was temporarily delayed for a few minutes due to some maintenance and paperwork that had to be done. Still, we were on our way. Due to the air conditioning system, we had to fly in a plane with no A/C. The flight lasted 90 minutes and we finally were able to make it back to Nashville by 1:45PM.

We were scheduled to play the Tacoma Rainiers at 7:05PM last night. Tacoma took a “red eye” flight the night before since they had an 11:30AM game the previous morning. The Rainiers somehow got into Nashville by 8AM yesterday. It was so nice to see Tacoma Manager Daren Brown, who was with me while I broadcast in San Antonio as the Mariners were the parent club of San Antonio’s AA club during most of the 2000s decade. Brown was our manager in 2006 and just like he was back then, he is one of the most classiest and approachable gentlemen in this game. I interviewed him for a pre-game chat (which you can listen to on the Sounds’ website). The Mariners made a coaching change and had the Rainiers’ hitting coach Alonzo Powell promoted to the parent club. Seattle had lots of expectations since they made some off-season moves that looked to improve their ballclub, but they have struggled. It’s a shame that this series will be the only time we play Tacoma since I’ve always enjoyed chatting baseball with Daren Brown. I always wish him the best in his career since he is a hard worker and again, he is such a super nice guy!

The Sounds scored early in the ballgame when Ray Olmedo hit his first homer of the season. Joe Koshansky and Erick Almonte had hits in the first inning as well and Nashville had a 2-0 lead. Koshansky and Almonte have really put things together at the plate and both have drastically cut down on their strikeouts. A lot of credit also goes to Hitting Coach Sandy Guerrero, who is a patient man when it comes to helping players.

The Sounds trailed in the game, but came back to tie the game at 3-3. Then in the 10th inning. Johnny Raburn walked with one out and advanced to second on a groundout. Centerfielder Norris Hopper, who was back in the leadoff slot, singled to center field. It looked like the throw from center would nail Raburn at the plate, but Tacoma’s catcher never touched Raburn. Johnny didn’t touch home plate at first either, but he got back to the plate and was ruled safe. The Sounds had a 4-3 victory that sent the Sounds’ faithful home and happy! This Sounds team continues to show how resilient they really are. Now they play an 11:05 game this morning, so this will be a test for both teams, especially since they had long airline flights yesterday.

On a side note, I want to congratulate outfielder Adam Stern for his promotion to the major leagues. Stern has hit well despite missing three weeks due to an injury. He got the callup after the game on Monday in Albuquerque when it was learned that Brewers’ centerfielder Carlos Gomez was placed on the Disabled List due to an injury. How long that Stern is with the big club remains to be seen. Knowing Adam, I know he will take advantage of this opportunity and I wish him the very best.

Pitcher Chris Capuano has joined the Sounds after having a great start at Class A Brevard County. He will start on Thursday against Tacoma. Capuano has had two “Tommy John Surgeries” on his left elbow and I wish him the best. I admire his determination and perseverance.

Only time will tell as to what Capuano and Stern do. Anyway, it’s nice to be home again. Today’s game is on internet only at www.nashvillesounds.com before every home game and a certain amount of road games will be on 104.5 The Zone. Thank you as always for tuning in. If you don’t have plans today, come on out to the ballpark. I promise I won’t tell your bosses that you are playing hooky, but this 2010 Sounds Team is certainly fun to watch and broadcast. I continue to look for the best out of them because they ALWAYS play hard and look to ALWAYS play the game right! Keep up the great work, fellows!

Posted on May 12, 2010 at 8:03 am

Back on the winning track…(posted May 8, 2010)

2011-04-18T11:26:00.001-07:00

On Friday night, I witness and broadcast one of the best displays of offense provided by the Nashville Sounds. After losing three out of four to the Express in Round Rock, Texas, the Sounds really sounded off with three home runs and bombarded the Albuquerque Isotopes, 11-1 at beautiful Isotopes Park.

I was happy for First Baseman Joe Koshansky, who had his best game as a Sound this season. Koshansky set the tone immediately with a three-run homer off Josh Towers in the fst inning and shoddy throws by the Isotopies led to more runs for Nashville early on. Luis Cruz and Trent Oeltjen also went deep against the Istopes as they sealed the deal very early.

Isotopes Park is a great park with a wonderful inflatable playground beyond the rightcenter field wall and a nice grass lawn and bushes provide the backdrop behind the center field fence instead of the traditional “Batter’s Eye”. I loved the mountainous scenery beyond the outfield walls and that is exactly what the West Coast is famous for. It is also shared by the University of New Mexico Lobos, which have a series with TCU this weekend. Still, the Sounds play as scheduled.

Meanwhile, Sounds’ starter Chris Waters hurled eight solid innings and allowed just one run to get the win.

This was nice, especially since the Sounds had an early wakeup call to head to the Austin airport to head to Albuquerque for the second leg of the road trip. Part of the life of being in Triple-A, but it is nice to get to Albuquerque early Hope the hitting will be contagious.

Congrats to the Sounds on a nice display of offense and a win! Tomorrow night’s (tonight’s) game will be on nashvillesounds.com at 7:50PM. Please tune as the Sounds look to make it three in a row!.

Posted on May 8, 2010 at 2:35 am

Another loss…but nothing like losing a legendary colleague! (posted May 5, 2010)

2011-04-18T11:25:00.000-07:00

Well, the month of May has been ANYTHING but Merry as this first week has been an unfortunate one. This past weekend, the torrential downpours that Nashvillians and Middle Tennesseans have experienced led to devastating and catastrophic consequences and not to mention that the Nashville Sounds, who came into Round Rock with the best record in the Pacific Coast League, have not fared well at all against a struggling Round Rock Express Team during the first couple of games. One may figure that after two straight rainouts that the team has appeared to be “out of sync” and perhaps so.

The baseball season is a marathon and every team will have its share of peaks & valleys and the Sounds are certainly no exception.

Even though this is a Sounds blog, I want to devote the rest of today’s blog to a man who had contributed so much to the game of baseball. You think of the floods and Sounds’ losses, but they still must take a back seat for the moment after the passing of the legendary Voice of the Detroit Tigers, Ernie Harwell.

Yesterday, Harwell lost his brave battle with cancer at the age of 92. Here was a man who was devoted to his family, his country (he was an ex-Marine) and of course, to the game of baseball and the broadcasting field. Harwell spent 55 seasons as a Major League Baseball Announcer. He also covered NFL and College Football in his illustrious career, but he will always be synonymous with our National Pastime.

When Ernie was diagnosed with an inoperable tumor at the bile duct last September, he handled the situation just like he did the others: with grace and class. Here is a man who continued to exercise every morning and to take care of himself to be in the utmost physical condition. Ernie was happily married for nearly 70 years, being blessed with four children, seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. I did not grow up in Detroit to listen to Ernie. However, I first heard him as a child when he broadcast for the Detroit Tigers on NBC Radio during the 1968 World Series when his Tigers came from behind to defeat the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games. St. Louis was one game away from winning their second straight World Series Title and their third in five seasons. However, Detroit came back to win three straight games to take the championship. 1968 was an embattled year for the United States, thanks to the Vietnam War, riots in our major cities, other civil disturbances and the tragedy of losing two prominent men in the likes of Martin Luther King and New York State Senator Robert F. Kennedy. Kennedy’s Death hit me since he was the Senator in my home state and it was the second Kennedy in less than five years to be tragically killed. Detroit itself went through a horrible riot the previous July in 1967, leaving death and destruction.

The City of Detroit needed something soothing and the Tigers and Ernie’s voice provided that comfort. His voice was heard nightly on WJR Radio with the sounds of Denny McLain striking out batters, en route to winning 31 games that year; Norm Cash and Willie Horton’s power hitting and the great defensive wizardry of Centerfielder Mickey Stanley. Ernie was the Voice for those people who suffered in Detroit in the late 1960s and for many years beyond that. Ernie also witnessed the Tigers winning the Championship in 1984

The one stir that was caused in 1991 was when then Tigers’ President (and former University of Michigan Football Coach) Bo Schembechler FIRED Ernie Harwell. Fired? Yes, fired! Apparently, Bo claimed that Ernie may have been too old (Ernie was 73 back then) and you wondered since Bo had been in Michigan as long as Ernie was, why he did such a thing? Fans in Detroit were outraged and you thought another riot would take place in the city like the one in 1967. Well, as always, Ernie handled everything with class. He would broadcast some games for the then California Angels in 1992, but when Detroit Red WIngs’ owner Mike Illitch purchased the Tigers, one of the very first things he did was hire Ernie Harwell back. Fans were relieved and for the next decade, Ernie’s voice cadence was heard and appreciated once again by the Tigers Fans on TV and Radio, even when the team moved from Tiger Stadium to Comerica Park. Ernie would retire after the 2002 season at the age of 84. He would still live in Michigan, do guest appearances, write books, do speaking engagements until his passing yesterday.

Harwell started his broadcasting career in 1940 at WSB Radio in his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia and eventually received an opportunity to broadcast for the minor league Atlanta Crackers of the Southern Association. He would get his major league break when the Crackers needed a minor league catcher from the Brooklyn Dodgers. At this time, Dodgers’ legendary broadcaster, Red Barber, was having some health issues and the club inquired about Ernie’s services when they spoke to Crackers’ owner, Earl Mann. Mann agreed to “trade” Harwell to the Dodgers for Catcher Cliff Dapper, who would eventually become the team’s field manager. Thus, a legendary broadcasting career was born. Harwell stayed with the Dodgers through 1949 and then in 1950, he was hired by the cross-town New York Giants baseball team. On October 3, 1951, Harwell and his partner, Russ Hodges, covered the National League Pennant-Deciding Playoff game against the Dodgers at the Polo Grounds. Harwell told Hodges that it was Ernie’s turn to do television. At the time, the Giants’ telecasts were on WPIX-TV in New York and NBC Television elected to carry the telecast. Ernie would announce the “shot heard ’round the world” when Giants’ outfielder hit the pennant-winning three run homer off the Dodgers’ Ralph Branca and the Polo Ground went wild. Unfortunately, in those days, games were not taped and there was no actual recording of Harwell’s call while Russ Hodges shouted six times “THE GIANTS WIN THE PENNANT!” and a fan recorded it and mailed it to Hodges. Russ’ call on WMCA Radio became very famous and the call is still heard today and it will be heard forever. Ernie’s call, like Ernie himself, is gone forever and we will never know how it will sound.

Ernie became the first major league announcer in Baltimore when the St. Louis Browns moved to this great Maryland city and Ernie was the O’s leading voice throughout the 50s. Then in 1960, the Tigers had an opening and Harwell applied for it. He was hired by the ballclub and would stay in Michigan for the rest of his life.

Harwell would always start the baseball season with a special poem, dictating the end of winter and now spring and baseball is here. He was always famous for mentioning the “town” of where a fan was from whenever a foul ball was caught. When a batter would take a called third strike, Harwell would say, “He stood there like the house at the side of the road!”

Harwell was honored at Comerica Park last September, knowing that he had only months to live and made his speech as heartfelt as he possibly could.

Ernie may be gone, but he will always be remembered. What a long career and life. I hope that I will have the same kind of success that he’s had over the years. Harwell was more than a broadcaster. He was a mentor, a role model, a friend (albeit I never met him and I’m sad that I will never have the opportunity) and a tribute to the game, to the city of Detroit, to the state of Michigan, to the United States and to the whole world.

RIP, Ernie and God Bless You and Your Family. You will be missed, but no one will ever forget you!

Posted on May 5, 2010 at 12:00 pm

I-40 Tennessee Rivalry off to a great start vs. Memphis (posted May 1, 2010)

2011-04-18T11:24:00.002-07:00

Well, a couple of nights ago, the defending PCL Champion Memphis Redbirds stormed into town and probably wished they would have reversed direction and headed back on I-40, only to go West instead.

The Redbirds have been off to a slow start in 2010, albeit they have some fine young players in the likes of Outfielder Shane Robinson and Infielder Daniel Descalso.

The 2010 Nashville Sounds continued where they left off from the four-game sweep against the New Orleans Zephyrs in The Big Easy and have taken the first two games of the I-40 Tennessee Rivalry Series against the Redbirds. The Sounds won last night, 7-4 and have continued to be the best team in the league with a 16-6 record and extending their winning streak to a season-high seven games. It was nice to see Outfielder Adam Stern make his first start in a game since he injured himself on April 9th in Des Moines, Iowa and he showed why he got a good and long look in Spring Training by the parent club, the Milwaukee Brewers. Stern collected three hits last night, including an RBI late in the game for major insurance. Starting Pitcher Chuck Lofgren had another quality start and picked up his club-leading fourth win of the season. Lofgren has taken advantage of getting a new lease on life with the Brewers after spending his entire career with the Cleveland Indians organization prior to this season.

What really impressed me about last night’s game was the determination, moxie and clutch pitching from reliever John Axford. After giving up a bases-loaded walk to Descalso that cut the Sounds’ lead to 5-4 in the eighth inning, Axford got tough when he struck out leftfielder Allen Craig and got first baseman Mark Hamilton to pop out to Shortstop Luis Cruz, leading the bases loaded for Memphis. The Sounds would get insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth and held on to win the game. Closer Chris Smith picked up his PCL-leading tenth save with a 1-2-3 ninth, including a pair of strikeouts. Smith has pitched in the majors in the past with the Red Sox and Orioles and has showed why he can pitch. At the rate he is doing, he will get the callup to Milwaukee and so will anyone else in the Sounds’ bullpen, which continues to be outstanding.

This Sounds team has continued to click despite not having a fully healthy squad. Even with Stern back in the lineup, both Brendan Katin and Eric Farris are sidelined with injuries. Once those two come back, watch out! It will get even more serious with this Sounds team.

Last night, it was another Reading Club Night at the ballpark. It was nice to see so many people parade around the track on the field prior to the game at Greer Stadium. It is a nice and unique way to honor these young people since the Sounds implemented this popular program. I encourage youngsters to read whenever they can. Not only are they maximizing their potential as students, but also help themselves in the future once they enter the workforce.

As I am typing now, it is raining outside my home. It would be such a shame if Mother Nature dampens the Sounds’ spirits with more rain since the club has played so well and that tonight is a Fireworks Show after the ballgame. For those of you who have not formulated your plans for tonight, I encourage you to come out and see the Sounds play Memphis at 6:35PM at Greer Stadium. The largest crowd of the season formed at the ballpark. 8,520 fans really got into the game and what I like about them is they love getting involved in singing Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline”. Sometimes the song would be turned in so the fans can chime in with “chorus words” of the song. It has become such a popular song throughout minor league parks around the country. It’s nice to see the fans happy and even though Greer Stadium is getting up there in years, it doesn’t seem like the fans care. They’re happy with the product (credit goes to the Sounds’ staff here) and the product on the field with the ballclub playing solid and fundamental baseball.

Tonight’s game will be broadcast on radio on Nashville’s 104.5 The Zone (WGFX-FM) and atwww.nashvillesounds.com. I still encourage you to come out tonight and take your radios with you. If you can’t make it to the game, then we look forward to seeing you tune in to the broadcast. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and keep supporting the Sounds. Hopefully Mother Nature will do so by making the rain go away. Please come back another day! Especially when the Sounds are on the road! Thank you as always!

Posted on May 1, 2010 at 10:36 am

Winning and walking through New Orleans (posted April 27, 2010)

2011-04-18T11:24:00.001-07:00

Well, after getting to taking in the sights of New Orleans, my impression of the entire city is one that is worthy of visiting. Full of history, architecture, culture and people watching as well.

I didn’t get to go to the French Quarter as much, but I was impressed with the French-named signs and the old buildings that date back to the 19th century and how well-kept they are, especially even after Hurricane Katrina.

The city has many fine cajun restaurants and there are plenty of historical statues as well.

As for the action on the ballfield, the Sounds continue to excel, having won their first three games of this brief 4-game road trip against the Zephyrs.

Over the last two games, Nashville came from behind to win and the relief corps continues to be unstoppable. I’ve never seen a core of relievers who can throw the kind of breaking stuff that I have seldom seen over the years I have broadcast baseball in the minor leagues. A lot of credit also goes to Sounds’ Pitching Coach Rich Gale, whose straightforward approach has been bought by the players.

Johnny Raburn has been an excellent pickup since he joined the Sounds from the Brewers’ extended Spring Training Camp and Luis Cruiz and Ray Olmedo have come through in the clutch.

A couple of days back, Pitcher Chuck Lofgren got into the act with two hits and three runs-batted-in. I think Chuck might have lost out a bit on being an everyday player the way he can swing the bat. However, he has proven to be a very effective pitcher in his brief tenure with the Sounds.

It was a delight to meet former major leaguer Ron Swoboda, who played for both the Mets and Yankees in my hometown of New York City. He has been a sportscaster in New Orleans for many years, having done sports on TV for stations here in town and is now a broadcaster for the Zephyrs. Swoboda is best remembered for being part of the 1969 World Champion Miracle New York Mets and made a diving catch in Game 4 of the 1969 World Series against the Baltimore Orioles at Shea Stadium. He robbed Brooks Robinson of at least an addtional RBI or two with a great catch of a low line drive. It tied the game up when Frank Robinson scored from third on the play in the ninth of Game 4. Very unusual sacrifice fly, but it was not enough as the Mets won that game and the World Series the next day.

It is a bit chilly but nice as the Sounds look to sweep the Zephyrs before heading home on a long bus ride after the ballgame. Since the team has the day off tomorrow, it will be bussing it back to Music City. The team certainly deserves the day off, but then again, I’m sure they want to continue to play as they share the best record in the PCL with the Oklahoma City Redhawks.

Don’t forget that when the Sounds return this Thursday, April 29th when they host the Memphis Redbirds at Greer Stadium at 7:05PM, it will be the Second Taco Bell Throwback Thursday at the ballpark. Certain concession items will be only $2.00 per item and college students will pay only $5.00 for a General Admission Ticket when they show their ID. The Sounds will wear throwback uniforms. We’ll be back on 104.5 The Zone for the game.

Having said that, we still have a game today at 11:30AM. Tune in atwww.nashvillesounds.com for the action. See you when we return to Nashville. It’s been a fun trip!

Posted on April 27, 2010 at 10:40 am

First Day in New Orleans (posted April 25, 2010)

2011-04-18T11:23:00.002-07:00

After the Sounds split their last two games with Oklahoma City at home, it was nice to be “on the road again” as Willie Nelson would sing since this is my first year in the Pacific Coast League, my excitement to visit new cities and ballparks continued to build.

We had a bit of a bumpy flight to New Orleans yesterday morning, but it was still a great ride. The bus ride from the airport to the hotel was lengthy, but worth it. The ride to downtown New Orleans was exhiilarating. We passed by the Superdome, the home of the defending Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints. The Sounds’ pitching coach, Rich Gale, mentioned that the Cardinals had their Triple-A affiliate play in the Superdome one year and the talk was that if the Triple-A club drew at least one million fans, there was talk of having a major league team come to the Big Easy. Unfortunately, the team drew 650,000 fans, way short of the goal of one million. Therefore, the plan to have major league baseball in New Orleans was scratched. The City went without professional baseball until the Zephyrs moved from Denver, Colorado to New Orleans in 1993. This was due to the Mile High City getting the expansion Colorado Rockies to start play in the National League that year.

I got to see a bit of downtown and saw the abundance of Southern and Cajon Style Restaurants that were there for the taking. I didn’t have too much time to head out since I had to prepare for the game last night.

It was a lengthy ride to Zephyrs Park in suburban Metairie, but it was worth it. The park looked a bit older than its age, since the park opened up in 1997. It seemed older, ,but the view in the broadcast booth was great. It was also nice to see former Met and Yankee, Ron Swoboda, who is now a Zephyrs’ broadcaster. He played on the 1969 Miracle Mets World Championship team and is always asked about his famous and great “CATCH” that saved Game 4 of the 1969 World Series. It’s something that Ron always treasures.

The Sounds won, 8-3 and Chuck Lofgren started for Nashville and won the game. Lofgren pitched a good five innings, but he also showed WHY he loves to hit. Chuck helped his own cause by driving in three runs with a two run double off the right-center field wall and a single to center. Both of those hits came with two outs. Lofgren is a very hard worker.

Anyway, with today’s game being an afternoon game, I won’t have time to sightsee until either later today as well as tomorrow. The city is hosting a Jazz Festival in town this weekend. Of course, Jazz has always been BIG here in New Orleans. There’s the French Quarter and other places where I hope to tour. Looking forward to visiting this city by the Bayou. It’s my first time that I am ever here.

Well, the Sounds look to make it three in a row with RHP Marco Estrada going for Nashville this afternoon. It’s a beautiful and sunny day as I look outside my hotel window. The Sounds hope to make it three wins in a row. The webcast starts at 1:45PM Central time today at www.nashvillesounds.com. Hope you get to tune in. In the meantime, enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Posted on April 25, 2010 at 11:07 am

Baseball….Kids….and a WIN! (posted April 22, 2010)

2011-04-18T11:23:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was a beautiful day here in Nashville with a crowd of more than 5,000 fans at Greer Stadium when the Sounds took on the Oklahoma City Redhawks. Speaking of many schools getting involved with the Sounds’ Reading Program, Nashville area school kids took in the ballgame and really got to see something.

Sounds’ lefthander Chris Waters made his third start of the season and he did not disappoint. He pitched seven solid innings despite giving up a two-run homer to Redhawks’ Centerfielder Craig Gentry.

Sounds’ leftfielder Trent Oeltjen, who had been battling a slump, came through with two runs-batted in while newcomer and Catcher Jonathan Lucroy, doubled in a run in his Triple-A Debut. He was batting .452 at Class AA Huntsville when he got called up to Triple-A Nashville to take over Angel Salome’s place on the roster. There is nothing wrong with Salome, physically or talentwise, but he had to come home to New York for a second trip since his wife is still anticipating the arrival of the couple’s second child. We certainly wish the Salome clan the very best once their bundle of joy enters the world

It was encouraging for Centerfielder Norris Hopper, who was relegated down to the Number 7 spot in the batting order after struggling at the leadoff slot. He came through with two hits int he game. Sometimes when a lineup gets tweaked a bit, things can happen in bunches.

The Sounds defeated Oklahoma City, 4-2 to snap a three-game losing streak. It was also nice to have a night off, albeit I enjoy going to the ballpark every day. I will say one thing about the beauty of day baseball. When the sun is out and you have a nice crowd, it builds the excitement. Baseball was made to be played under sunlight, but it is fun no matter what. Still, when the weather is ideal and you play in the daytime, there is nothing like it. I can understand why former Cub First Baseman and Shortstop as well as Hall of Famer Ernie Banks one day said, “Let’s play Two!”. Of course, in his days with the Cubs, he always played day baseball since the Cubs home games at Wrigley Field used to be played during the daytime only since the ballpark did not install lights until 1988.

Well, it’s nice to see the three-game losing streak come to an end. Tonight is another night and the Sounds are 9-5 and still in first place in the Northern Division of the Pacific Coast League’s American Conference. Of course, there is still a long ways to go, but like I said, I like the 2010 edition of the Nashville Sounds. Naturally, I hope these guys will make the next and FINAL move up in their careers and that’s making it to the majors with the Milwaukee Brewers. Who will get that chance? That remains to be seen.

Until then, continue to enjoy this 2010 Nashville Sounds Team. I have. I enjoy covering this team a lot. We will be broadcasting on the webcast tonight at 6:50PM atwww.nashvillesounds.com. Please join me for the broadcast with LHP Chase Wright pitching for the Sounds. Until next time, take care and have a nice day.

Posted on April 22, 2010 at 9:58 am

Sounds lose first series of the year (posted April 20, 2010)

2011-04-18T11:22:00.002-07:00

As they say, don’t get mad, get even. That’s exactly what the case was for the Iowa Cubs. Last night, the Cubs blanked the Sounds, 4-0 and it marked the first series loss for the Nashville Sounds in 2010. So far, it hasn’t exactly been “Home Sweet Home” for the Sounds, but there is quite a ways to go in the baseball season. Keep in mind that it is a marathon and not a sprint.

I-Cubs’ righthander and starting pitcher, Jay Jackson was magnificent in last night’s game. He allowed just two hits and no runs in eight solid innings while the Sounds’ starter, Chuck Lofgren, had his worst start so far. He pitched well during his first two starts, but last night, Chuck had one of those nights that will happen to anyone. He gave up a pair of home runs and he walked the first two batters in the fourth inning. His pitched count was higher than 70 when Sounds’ manager, Don Money, took him out of the game in the fourth inning.

Nashville’s own Tim Dillard and Mitch Stetter were the only two positives for the Sounds last night as the Nashville Bullpen continues to flourish. Dillard’s new sidearm delivery has done wonders for him so far and he went 4.1 innings and struck out five and allowed no runs and no hits. Dillard retired the last 11 batters he pitched while Stetter pitched a scorless ninth inning. Having said that, the Sounds’ bats went cold last night as they were blanked for the second time this year. Not having Brendan Katin in the lineup has certainly taken its toll on the rest of the Sounds’ lineup and the guys know they will have to pick up the slack while Katin is still absent.

It was nice to see the Special Assistant to Doug Melvin of the Milwaukee Brewers, Dan O’Brien, Jr. Dan used to be the GM of the Cincinnati Reds and his dad, Dan, Sr., was a long baseball exec himself. Dan is one of the shrewdest and classiest baseball men around. I had interviewed him last night and will have it broadcast while I am doing the webcast for tonight’s game. He seems to be pleased with the Sounds’ bullpen as well.

For the other positive in last night’s game was the pre-game media spread. Chicken and Beef Rigatoni was on the menu and it was awesome. We have outstanding pre-game meals in the pressbox and both Doug Scopel and Michael Whitty have continued to do a fabulous job when it comes to assisting the broadcasters and the rest of the media. They are top-notch.

Well, the Oklahoma City Redhawks come to the Music City for the start of a 4-game set at Greer Stadium tonight. The Redhawks saw their six-game winning streak end when they lost to the Memphis Redbirds, 4-3, at Autozone Park in Memphis last night. The Redhawks, the Las Vegas 51s and the Sounds have the share for the best record in the Pacific Coast League at 8-4. Between the Sounds and the Redhawks, one of them will have a better record after tonight’s first game of the series. Gametime is at 7:05PM. The broadcast will be on internet only at www.nashvillesounds.com starting at 6:50PM with the Sam’s Sports Bar & Grill Pre-Game Chat.

Tonight is Kraft Singles Night at Greer Stadium. This is a universal baseball promotion you can buy one ticket and get one free, but you need to have a Kraft Singles Wrapper/Proof of Purchase to take advantage of this great promotion, so don’t forget your Kraft wrapper when you come to the ballpark tonight. The Redhawks are the Texas Rangers’ Triple-A affiliate and they have some big offensive weapons coming to Nashville tonight. Hope to see all of you out there, but if you can’t make it to the ballpark, tune in to the webcast. I’ll be speaking to you soon. Have a nice day!

Posted on April 20, 2010 at 9:35 am

You win some…you lose some! (posted April 19, 2010)

2011-04-18T11:22:00.001-07:00

After losing the home opener on Friday night, the Sounds responded with a bang as they scored six runs in the second inning on Saturday night against Iowa and won the ballgame, 7-1. Sounds’ starter Chase Wright pitched six quality innings and even helped his own cause with an RBI single. More importantly, some of the guys like Erick Almonte and Eric Farris are starting to show signs of improving on their offense.

Things were tempered a bit when outfielder Brendan Katin was placed on the Dl due to a knee injury, but it doesn’t seem that he will be out of action too long. Only time will tell. However, the Sounds will certainly need his bat in the long haul if they want to continue playing at the level they are at. Infielder John Raburn was activated on the Sounds’ roster to take Katin’s place for the moment. Raburn can play a variety of positions, which will help the Sounds.

Unfortunately, there was no carryover from Saturday night to the following day as the Sounds committed an uncharacteristic amount of errors: 5. The Sounds have been (pardon the pun) fundamentally sound all year until today’s game. It was just one of those games and Sounds’ starter Kameron Loe lost his second straight decision. Cubs’ Catcher Wellington Castillo had four runs batted in, including a home run and Bobby Scales added to the Cubs’ attack with three hits of his own.

Well, the Sounds are hoping to gain a split in their four game set with the Iowa Cubs at Greer Stadium tomorrow night. Gametime at 7:05PM. Lefthander Chuck Lofgren bids for his third win of the season for Nashville. He has done an outstanding job since joining the Brewers’ organization after spending five years in the Cleveland Indians’ farm system

Fans, don’t forget it is Dollar Dog Night at Greer Stadium. Even despite the loss, the Sounds have been off to an impressive start at 8-3. Tune in tomorrow if you can’t make it to the game. I will broadcast the ballgame on 104.5 The Zone (WGFX-FM) and on nashvillesounds.com. .

Posted on April 19, 2010 at 12:04 am

Home Sweet Home! (posted April 17, 2010)

2011-04-18T11:21:00.000-07:00

Please accept my apologies for omitting my blog yesterday. After hoping on a plane at 6:25AM leaving Omaha, the Sounds and yours truly, arrived in Nashville between 10 and 10:30AM yesterday morning. Once we got our bags from the baggage claim, we made our way to the bus and I was relaxing and smiling because the team has started off winning seven of their first eight games.

I arrived home and played catch up like any other announcer coming from out of town. I checked my mail and paid any bills that needed to be paid and of course, there was laundry and ironing (which I am still doing this morning as of this writing).

The weather was outstanding on the road and I can say the very same here in Nashville. It’s nice that it is spring and the Boys of Summer are back in town to play ball.

Last night, the Sounds had their home opener at Greer Stadium and for a lot of the staff, it was their first home opener with the club. Everyone and I mean everyone did an outstanding job getting things ready. There was a crowd of 8,122 at the venerable ballpark and there were 2010 Sounds Magnetic Schedules to be given out, a spectacular fireworks show after the game, kids were running the bases and it was also a spectacular ballgame. The ONLY disappointment was the result of the game, but the effort has ALWAYS been there.

The Sounds trailed much of the game against the Iowa Cubs, the team that was swept by the Sounds in Des Moines the week before. I-Cubs Catcher Chris Robinson and left fielder Jason Dubois made Sounds’ starting pitcher Chris Waters pay when they hit some pitches that were right down the middle of the plate and were deposited over the left field wall.

However, after trailing 4-2 in the ninth, the Sounds loaded the bases and pinch batter Ray Olmedo came through with a base hit to left field that drove in two runs and that tied the game at 4-4. Unfortunately, with the winning run on third and two outs in the ninth, Norris Hopper struck out and the threat ended. It would stay that way until the eleventh inning. Sounds’ reliever John Axford had no troubles in the tenth, but in the eleventh, he ran into trouble for the first time this year. Iowa got to him for three runs in the inning on an RBI single by Shortstop Darwin Barney and added insurance when Second Baseman Bobby Scales doubled in a pair of runs to make it 7-4, Iowa. That would turn out to be the final score. Just like what has been their fashion all year, the Sounds threatened again in the bottom of the eleventh. Hopper came to bat with the bases loaded and two outs in the inning, as he hoped to redeemed himself for the missed opportunity in the ninth. However, he struck out again and the Sounds lost the home opener. Still, despite the loss, this 2010 edition of the Sounds, is showing they are capable of being in every ballgame and they continue to be resilient, even in defeat. If all of this is a prelude to what we hope and expect to see for the season, then I certainly like what I am seeing and I know the Sounds’ fans did last night. I even liked when the fans were on their feet during the rallies. They really got into it.

Despite playing in an old park, this Sounds team has a lot to offer on the field and speaking of the field, Groundskeeper Thomas Trotter and his staff have done a tremendous job manicuring the field and continue to keep it in excellent shape. Keep up the great work, guys. There is also entertainment going on even away from the field with more promotions coming up at Greer Stadium.

After being pre-empted from regular radio last night due to the Predators’ hockey playoff game, I’m happy to say that we will be back on radio again on 104.5 The Zone (WGFX-FM) at 6:30PM for Game 2 of the series against Iowa at Greer Stadium tonight. If you have not formulated your plans to come out to the ballgame, I encourage you to do so because of the great play and there will be another post-game fireworks show at Greer Stadium tonight. Great seats are still available for tonight’s game and for the rest of the homestand, which features two additional games against the Iowa Cubs after tonight’s game and four games with the Texas Rangers’ Triple-A affiliate, the Oklahoma City Redhawks, starting this Tuesday, April 20th. Check on the Sounds’ website for more ticket and promotional information. As always, every game will be broadcast on the internet atwww.nashvillesounds.com.

On a side note, Sounds’ rightfielder, Brendan Katin had to leave the game in the fourth inning. Why? I don’t know. I never got the answer, but I will when I get to the ballpark today. Hopefully, it is nothing serious because Katin is one of the best hitters in the Pacific Coast League and he has been off to a very good start this year.

Well, see you at the ballpark tonight or otherwise, if you can’t make it, then tune in to 104.5 The Zone and the Sounds’ website for the broadcast! Until then, take care and have a nice day!

Posted on April 17, 2010 at 11:02 am

Back on the winning track! (posted April 15, 2010)

2011-04-18T11:20:00.002-07:00

After losing for the first time this season on Tuesday night, the Sounds bounced back in a hurry and continued where they left off after their 5-0 start. Brendan Katin belted a two-run homer and Joe Koshansky followed with a solo shot over the right field wall in the first inning and that was all the runs the Sounds need as they defeated the Omaha Royals, 3-2, at Rosenblatt Stadium last night.

Katin and Koshansky have shown from time to time over their careers as to how important they will be to the ballclub with their power capabilities. Whenever those guys hit one, fans can’t help but get awestruck with the distance they hit the ball.

As for the pitching, it continues to be top-rate. It was the second straight quality start for Sounds’ lefthander Chuck Lofgren as he attacked the Omaha hitters with a very good fastball and despite giving up a two-run single to Royals’ second baseman Marc Maddox and hitting a pair of batters in the fifth inning, Lofgren held Omaha to just the two runs while walking just one and fanning four in his seven innings of pitching last night.

Phillip Humber, the Royals’ starter, pitched well after allowing the three runs in the first inning, but the entire Sounds’ pitching staff did their job and continued to get key strikeouts whenever they needed them. Chris Smith picked up his fourth save of the year when he struck out Jordan Parraz to end the game. Parraz was the only batter who faced Smith last night.

Well, after having internet-only broadcasts for the first seven games, it will be exciting for the fans to tune in to 104.5 The Zone as I will be on the air tonight at 6:30PM for the finale of the series against the Omaha Royals as well as the first road trip.

It’s been a great road trip for me and the team and I look forward to my first homestand with the Sounds when we fly back to Nashville tomorrow and have our home opener against the Iowa Cubs at Greer Stadium at 7:05PM tomorrow night.

I urge all of you to not only tune in to the first radio broadcast tonight, but to formulate your plans and come on out to root for the Sounds, especially now that they have began the season on an outstanding note.

The fans will certainly enjoy the 2010 edition of the Sounds Baseball Club. Of course, depending on what happens with the big club in Milwaukee, the Sounds must deal with any player moves that can happen at a moment’s notice. As nice as it is to have a competitive team in Nashville, fans must realize that the primary goal for the Brewers’ organization is to get these players to Milwaukee as soon as possible. It all depends on what the Brewers want and need at this point.

It may be early in the season, but this has been a nice prelude to a potential Pacific Coast League Championship for 2010. Only time will tell what happens. However, in baseball as in life, we must take things one day at a time.

I hope to meet as many of you fans tomorrow night during the home opener as well as for every home game during the season. If you ever have the chance to see the team while on the road, that would be great as well.

As always, thank you for reading and thank you for listening!

Posted on April 15, 2010 at 11:41 am

A clean sweep–and a night of rest and relaxation! (posted April 11, 2010)

2011-04-18T11:20:00.001-07:00

What a way to start a new job, by seeing your new club sweep an opponent in the very first series of the season. Today, Brendan Katin and Adam Heether went deep and the Nashville Sounds won it 4-2 over the Iowa Cubs and are now 4-0 on the young season.

After the game, we took a nice two-hour bus trip towards Council Bluffs, Iowa, where we are staying for the remainder of the road trip as we play the team across the river from Council Bluffs, and that is the Omaha Royals.

There are quite a few casinos outside our hotel and no, I didn’t go gambling. However, when it comes to casinos, they always have buffets. I took advantage of the buffet at the AmeriStar Casino and ate some nice delicacies, but I won’t probably eat for another 24 hours after I got stuffed. The price was $18.00, but well worth it. I highly recommend it.

Twice, the Sounds trailed and twice they came back. This 2010 edition of the Sounds continue to show resiliency and now they hope to carry that momentum into the beginning of tomorrow night’s opener of the series against the Omaha Royals at venerable Rosenblatt Stadium. It will be my first visit to the ancient ballpark, which has so much history with the College World Series taking place there annually for decades.

Former Yankee Chase Wright makes his first start for the Sounds tomorrow night. I’ll have the webcast, starting at 6:20PM at www.nashvillesounds.com. Right now, I’m still too stuffed and just want to relax, so I am keeping tonight’s blog short. I enjoyed my first visit to Des Moines and looking forward to my next visit there in late August. Until then, there’s more baseball to go.

Thank you to Presdent and GM Sam Bernabe, Broadcasters Deane Ehlis and Randy Wehofer and Media Relations Director Andrea Breen for their help and making me feel at hoome at Principal Park. Have a great week, folks!

Posted on April 11, 2010 at 11:15 pm