Ringing Bell
A bunch of projects and events — this site, work and other — are converging on me today, so just a few notes.
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*A few Sox sites — WSI, FutureSox and I — had a conference call with Buddy Bell. I’ll share more when I preview the minor league teams, but the most interesting things I learned:
No. 1: Bell agreed with my comparison of Jordan Danks to Darin Erstad, although the good, early-career version. He said that Danks doesn’t have problems with the fastball, but is oriented to go the opposite way, which he’d prefer over “pull-conscious” hitters.
No. 2: C.J. Retherford is going to get plenty of utility work this year with the Knights.
No. 3: They’re going to move the fences back at Charlotte after this season to bring it closer to Birmingham’s dimensions.
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Highlights from Thursday’s 5-3 loss to San Diego:
- Mark Buehrle allowed no earned runs over five innings. Two unearned runs came around to score after Alex Rios dropped a two-out flyball.
- Mark Teahen, Mendoza Line. Mendoza Line, Mark Teahen. He went 1-for-3.
- Sergio Santos allowed his first two runs of the spring on two hits and a walk. He struck out two.
- It also became known that Santos was in a break dancing group in junior high, and he went by the nickname of “Mr. Wizard.”
- Brent Lillibridge hit a solo homer.
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Christian Marrero Reading Room:
*Jake Peavy and Daniel Hudson have a healthy mutual respect for one another. Fun quote:
“I sat with some pitching coaches from San Diego [recently] and they were talking about some of the guys they had over there. So much physical talent, but they didn’t like their makeup. It’s a huge part of being successful in this league.”
“A certain pitcher … for privacy’s sake, let’s call him Aaron P….”
*The Sox play in Tucson for the last time today, and Ozzie Guillen is getting misty:
- Love tucson great city great memories first town is a manager yesssss never forgat that
- Why I love this town so much very cool town very calm to bad is my last to game fort me hear for now lol
As Ozzie might say, “Here, here.”
No, that’s too obvious. Let’s call him “A. Poreda.”
Mr. Wizard! That’s some nice police work, Teahen’s dog.
I dont like the idea of AAA moving the fences back, I want that to be a hitters park because the pitchers we send there will be better prepared for the cell then.
I don’t know if it’s that big of a factor. Look at Carlos Torres — he dominated at Charlotte, and you think little of his major-league potential. And you’re not wrong to do so.