BamaJason

One day in last weeks games, I witnessed Valido overthrow from short to first and hit someone about 4 rows up. Thank goodness it was during pre-inning fielding instead of during game action. Either way, it was typical of him.

Where is Getz? I saw that he was reassigned to Minor League Camp on March 12th. He is not on the published rosters of the AA or AAA team. Anyone know what's up?

I will be flying back to Birmingham from Vegas at midnight Friday, and then drive up for the game Saturday afternoon (about 4 hours). My seats are 4th row behind the Sox dugout!

HOOVER, AL – The Birmingham Barons announced Thursday the coaching staff for the team’s 2008 season. First-year manager Carlos Subero is one of four first-year staff members in Birmingham, joining J.R. Perdew (pitching coach), Wes Clements (hitting coach), and Raymond Smith (strength and conditioning coach). Joe Geck (trainer) is the lone returner from last season. Carlos Subero enters his first season with the White Sox organization as manager of Class AA Birmingham. He spent the 2006-07 seasons as manager of Class A Bakersfield (California League) and has gone 381-431 (.469) over seven years in the Texas farm system. A Venezuela native, the 35-year-old spent four seasons as a minor-league infielder in the early-1990s. He began his coaching career in 1999 with the Gulf Coast League Rangers before assuming the managerial duties the following season. He then skippered the Clinton LumberKings (Midwest League) for three seasons before leading Bakersfield for two. “I am looking forward to managing the Barons in 2008 as we anticipate having a fun and competitive team made up of several White Sox prospects,” Subero said. “The White Sox and the Barons have had a great player development partnership for many years and we look forward to another great season of Barons baseball at Regions Park. I’m excited to work with my fellow coaches and I’m eager to get to know the fans in Birmingham as well.” Subero will be joined in the dugout by pitching coach J.R. Perdew, who will start his first season at the Double-A level. He begins his 12th season with the White Sox organization after having served for five years at Class-A Winston-Salem (Carolina League). A native of Frostburg, Md., Perdew graduated from Fort Hill High School in Cumberland, Md. Perdew attended Allegany (Md.) College and then George Mason University from 1986-87. He entered the major league draft following his junior season, but did not sign. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and later received his masters in education from Frostburg (Md.) College. Before joining the White Sox organization, Perdew spent seven seasons at Allegany (Md.) College as the pitching coach, where his teams appeared in the Junior College World Series in five of his seven seasons. Wes Clements begins his first year with the Barons as hitting coach after being a staff member in Winston-Salem last season. Clements, a native of Hawthorne, Calif., lettered in golf and basketball at Hawthorne High School, but didn't play baseball. He played at El Camino Junior College before transferring to the University of Arizona. While at Arizona, Clements was part of the 1980 NCAA National Championship team and was named a Sporting News All-American. Considered a top prospect, he played five seasons as a 1B/DH in the Houston Astros farm system before joining Milwaukee's organization in 1986. Clements hit 173 home runs with 664 RBI in his minor league career and retired from playing in 1990. Clements was head baseball coach for Calabasas (Calif.) High School for three years and previously worked as a hitting coach in the Brewers and Angels organizations. Raymond Smith will begin his first season in Birmingham as the strength and conditioning coach. The 29-year-old Winston-Salem, N.C. native had previously been the conditioning coach with the hometown Warthogs for two seasons. An Appalachian State University graduate, he began his minor league coaching career with the White Sox as the conditioning coach at Advanced Rookie Bristol (Appalachian League) in 2004. After serving in the same role in the Atlanta organization at Class A Rome (South Atlantic League) in 2005, he rejoined the White Sox system in 2006 at Winston-Salem. He is a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association and the Association of Professional Ball Players of America. Joe Geck, 34, returns for his eighth season as the Barons trainer, and 16th year in the White Sox organization. Geck was named Southern League Athletic Trainer of the Year in 2002 and has worked several All-Star Games over the course of his career. His White Sox organizational journey began with the Gulf Coast League Sarasota White Sox, and he had worked for both Class A Hickory and Winston-Salem before coming to Birmingham. An Ann Arbor, Mich. native, he began his baseball career with the Kansas City Royals in 1990 as the Gulf Coast League Athletic Trainer. He is a graduate of the University of South Florida and is a member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association. Subero and the Barons will don their new uniforms for the first time when they open the 2008 Southern League schedule on April 3rd, 2008. Birmingham will welcome the Tennessee Smokies, the Class AA affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, to Regions Park in a battle between the Southern League affiliates of Chicago’s two Major League franchises.

The Birmingham News is reporting that Santana will not return as the Barons manager in 2008. He is being reassigned to scouting duties in the Dominican Republic.

The AFL and Mexican Leagues are available on MILB.com.

Donny is an awesome athlete with a tremendous work ethic. I think he will continue to develop through the fall and then in spring training and definitely earn his spot on the roster for next season.

QUOTE(BB2ZZ @ Sep 19, 2007 -> 07:48 PM) Where did you see the Baron's MVP announcement? I was at the game when the presentation was made. Surprisingly, it is not on their website.

QUOTE(mumbles3k @ Sep 10, 2007 -> 08:15 PM) Hello, Someone I know was asking about which Sox uniforms Michael Jordan wore, and the numbers he used for those uniforms. I've seen pictures of him in the batting practice jersey and the black alternate jersey with #45, presumably during his spring training stint and what appears to be a Sox/Cubs exhibition game. I've also seen pictures of him in the red BP jersey with #23 from the late '80s/early '90s, which I remember him taking batting practice in one time. But I've also seen a picture of him in the white pinstriped jersey with #23. When would this have been? Also, during his "career," was there ever an occasion for him to have worn any other uniforms, maybe in exhibition games or whatever? Thanks, Mike MJ wore #45 all season with the Barons in 1994.

Jack was awarded the Pitcher of the Year Award by the Barons this past Sunday night.

Tommy was awarded the Barons Most Valuable Player award this past Sunday night.

QUOTE(greasywheels121 @ Aug 27, 2007 -> 08:21 AM) That's a pretty cool giveaway, definitely a rare collectors item. I made it to the game right before the National Anthem and missed the giveaway (had out-of-town houseguests all weekend). I mentioned it to one of the staff members and he gave me his. I certainly appreciated that tremendously. I came up to the office over the weekend to go ahead and place it on my bookshelf.

QUOTE(JPN366 @ Aug 27, 2007 -> 01:15 AM) He played for B'ham in 2000. It's a nice bobble, he's actually in mid pitch and he's wearing his #40 Barons uniform. I'll try to get a picture up soon. Here is a pic from the Barons webpage. Buehrle Bobblehead

That's what I was looking for! Thanks!

At some time in the past, I saw a listing of salaries, signing bonuses, etc for the organization from the big club through the minors. I have looked for it again, but can't seem to find it. Can someone please point me in the right direction? Thanks in advance.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Aug 1, 2007 -> 10:51 AM) Here is the G Molina thread. If he was there last night, maybe they don't intend to promote him. Just seemed like a good time to do so. They are now saying Kenny Perez will be promoted. Why him I don't know. Thanks for the info about Molina. As for Perez, with Getz coming off the DL, Perez was not needed any longer. I wouldn't be surprised if we hear a little more about Lucy in the next week or so. Just a gut feeling.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Aug 1, 2007 -> 10:04 AM) Hey JPN- With Gustavo leaving Charlotte, and D Lucy out of the lineup last night... any word on Lucy being promoted? I was expecting that would be the result, but I don't see anything on it yet. Not JPN, but I will add a little to this. Lucy was at the game last night. I think he deserves a promotion, but I would really hate to see him go. He is a helluva guy and great to watch. I've been away with a death in the family for a few days and am just now hearing about Molina leaving Charlotte, but can't find anything about it? What's going on?

Heard a rumor tonight at the Barons game that Honel retired today. I don't know if it is true or not; has anyone else heard this?

Great interview! Thanks for posting it. Eggy was named Southern League Pitcher of the Week after a phenomenal outing last week (7.0 innnings, 2 hits, 0 walks, 13 Ks).

Named to SL All Star team. Probably won't get to play because of knee injury though.

Named to SL All Star team.

Named to SL All Star team.

Named to SL All Star team.

QUOTE(Rex Hudler @ Jun 4, 2007 -> 11:19 PM) Same one, just without the giveaway sponsor logos. Take a look at one up close and tell me what you think. I designed it. Oh yeah! I have checked that one out in the gift shop. It does have great detail. I went to Montgomery a couple of weeks ago when they were giving stadium replicas away. They were really small with much less detail than the Rickwood I've seen.

QUOTE(Rex Hudler @ Jun 1, 2007 -> 10:38 PM) The weather Wednesday was perfect and there was a nice crowd. I may see if I can dig up some old pics and post them on here. I didn't take any this week as I just sneaked over for a long lunch. Nice job with the photos Jason. Did you get one of the stadium replicas given away a few years ago?? Thanks for the comments on the pics. I took a couple hundred, but I especially liked the dive back to first. I also got a few of Donny Lucy doing the same thing. About 10 years ago (after the restoration) I went over to Rickwood and took about 50 shots with B&W film. They turned out great as I recall, but I can't find them now. I did not get a stadium replica during the promotion a couple of years ago, but I have noticed the gift shop at Regions Park sells a replica of Rickwood. I wonder if it is any larger or more detailed than the promotional item?