2006 Toledo Mud Hens Diary

[NJ Jackal]

Originally Posted by Mudman

It was interesting watching the game because I found myself watching the (High School) umpires more closely than normal. Except for the "floating" strike zone they didn't miss much.

I agree with that assessment. High school and college umps always have a bigger strike zone because if they didn't, the games would never end with all the walks that would be given up if they followed the MLB strike zone. There was one call on Friday that the one ump effed up royally (Hooper running about 100 feet out of the baseline), but it was overturned and corrected.

I'm with you, aside from a wide strike zone, these umps have been dead on.

[hueytaxi]

Don't know anything about the benefit, per diem or travel allowance for A ball, but from what I've seen published; our FSL umps receive a little over $26 per hour, based on working all 70 games and somehow the other 70 away games.
Roger

[Mudman]

I'll ask the umps to be a little more specific on their wages. When I asked them they gave me minimum yearly wages for each level but didn't respond respond beyond "Yes." when I asked if they made more than the minimum for years of service. The umps that I talked with varied from the Sally league to the IL.
A humorous moment (from my viewpoint) came when an older fan came up to the picket line and asked "Aren't you the guys that crossed the line when the Major League umpires went on strike?" They looked back and forth amongst themselves and one mumbled "That was different."

[hueytaxi]

Thanks John..I don't remember if I read the salaries here or in the Sports section of our Ledger. It was not a lot of money for an annual salary, but only based upon 6 months of part time work.

Roger

[Mudman]

The man I talked with from the Sally league seemed more upset by the mileage allowance. He said he drove over 20,000 miles last season and with those gas prices, broke even. My math isn't great but he must be getting 10 mpg or burning a quart of oil every few hours.

[Mudman]

This looked like the team that won the IL last year. Ledezma looked great. I don't know his pitch count through his six innings work but he was in control. He surrendered 4 hits, 0 runs and the gun had him constantly hitting 90-92. It was great to see St. Pierre get his fisrt (and second) hit of the season. Hanahan hit HR #1 and Ludwick #2 on the season. Final score 7-0. The umps did a good job inside tonight and the outside umps are giving me my own picket sign tomorrow.

[kpking3032]

Jack Hannahan -- your 2007 Starting third baseman for the Detroit Tigers -- a poor man's Joe Crede....(see my sig. line)

[Edman85]

Originally Posted by Mudman

The man I talked with from the Sally league seemed more upset by the mileage allowance. He said he drove over 20,000 miles last season and with those gas prices, broke even. My math isn't great but he must be getting 10 mpg or burning a quart of oil every few hours.

Sounds like my old car...

[redshark63]

Hens get in swing of things Toledo pounds out 11 hits to back Ledezma

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs...TS07/604120470

By JOHN WAGNER
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

After five days of nightmares, last night was nothing but sweet dreams for the Mud Hens.

Toledo's bats awoke from a season-starting slumber and doubled their previous season-high hit total. That helped the Hens produce two innings in which the team scored more runs than it had in any previous game this season.

The result was a 7-0 victory over Scranton/Wilkes-Barre that snapped Toledo's three-game losing streak - and put a smile on the face of Mud Hens manager Larry Parrish.

"There was no way we could be that bad," Parrish said of his team's offensive struggles. "Maybe we've got a few hits coming to us the next few days."

The offensive explosion began in the second inning when Jack Hannahan lined Red Barons starter Allen Davis' first pitch onto the walkway behind the right-field fence for his first home run of the season.

That hit seemed to open the floodgates for the Hens, who proceeded to score three more times. Josh Phelps doubled into the right-field corner, then moved to third one out later on Don Kelly's single.

Ryan Raburn's double sent Phelps home and pushed Kelly to third, and Max St-Pierre's first hit of the season was a single that plated Kelly. Kevin Hooper capped the four-run outburst with a sacrifice fly that scored Raburn.

"Any time you see your team-mates string some hits together, it livens the bench up," Ryan Ludwick said. "You've heard the phrase, 'Hitting is contagious,' and for us it was more contagious than ever.

"When you get off to such a slow start, just three hits in a row makes you feel as if the world has been lifted off your back."

Toledo added three runs in the fourth thanks to Ludwick's second home run of the year, a two-out, three-run blast to left-center that scored Raburn and St-Pierre, both of whom had singled.

The Hens finished with seven runs and 11 hits, both season highs. What was most pleasing to Parrish was that every starter in the lineup had at least one hit except Alexis Gomez and Mike Hessman.

"St-Pierre got a couple hits, Raburn had a double. We had contributions throughout the lineup," Parrish said. "It was like everyone could relax. But we've got some key guys in Gomez and Hessman that we've still got to get going."

Last night's outburst raised Toledo's team batting average from .151 to .189 and gave credence to the Hens' mantra of practicing patience.

"You've got to keep things in perspective. Before last night we had played only five games," Phelps said. "Most of us have been professionals long enough to know that, sooner or later, something is going to break.

"And when we put that crooked number on the board in the second, it took some of the pressure off."

The offensive explosion made a winner of Wil Ledezma, who threw six innings of three-hit, shutout ball. The left-hander didn't allow the Red Barons to move a runner past first until the fifth, then escaped a bases-loaded, two-out jam in that inning by getting Danny Sandoval to ground out.

In two starts Ledezma has allowed just six hits and one earned run while striking out 13 in 10 2/3 innings.

"He's pitched well in both starts. We just didn't score any runs for him in his first outing," Parrish said. "Any time you go out there and give up one run in two starts, that's a pretty good job."

Steve Green followed Ledezma with two shutout innings, and Hector Mercado survived a ninth-inning jam to preserve the shutout.

[redshark63]

Coaching staff gets some roving relief

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs...TS07/604120472

By JOHN WAGNER
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

The Mud Hens' coaching staff finally got some relief yesterday.

Well, yes, the team's offensive outburst and strong pitching were a breath of fresh air following a 1-4 start. But the real relief was the appearance of two of the parent Tigers' roving instructors.

The arrival of Gene Roof, Detroit's roving baserunner/outfield instructor, on Monday and Toby Harrah, the Tigers' roving hitting instructor, before last night's contest gave the Mud Hens two more batting-practice pitchers.

With Roof and Harrah in town, Toledo manager Larry Parrish and hitting coach Leon Durham got a respite from pitching batting practice. Pitching coach Jeff Jones had gall bladder surgery late in spring training and has not been allowed to throw batting practice since.

"It can wear you down, throwing every day, especially when the old aches and pains and the cold weather show up," said Parrish, who has knee problems that have forced him to wear a brace. "To have Toby and Gene here helps out a little bit, especially with Jonesie not being able to throw."

Of course, the problem has been exacerbated by the Mud Hens' offensive struggles. Toledo entered last night's game batting just .151 and had scored just six runs in five games, with both totals ranking last in the International League.

That resulted in extra batting practice - and more wear and tear on Parrish and Durham.

"It's been strange to see a club have this much trouble throughout the lineup," Parrish said. "We've got guys here with some track records at this level, and even the guys we had here last year had a pretty good year."

All but two members of last night's starting lineup entered with batting averages below .200, which has presented Parrish with problems just making out a lineup.

"Generally speaking, you may have a guy or two struggling, but not seven of them," Parrish said. "Your work around the guys [who are struggling], or you may give them a day off.

"I don't have enough guys to give seven a day off."

That's why Parrish was pleased his Mud Hens scored more runs last night than they had in their previous five games combined. But he was equally pleased to note that Jones expects to start throwing batting practice when Toledo begins an eight-game road trip Friday.

HOT HEN: The lone hot bat in the lineup belongs to Jack Hannahan, who entered play last night tied for 10th in the IL with a .385 batting average and went 1-for-2 with a home run that raised his batting mark to .400.

Hannahan reached base safely in each of his first three plate appearances last night, homering in the second before getting hit by a pitch in the third and walking in the fourth.

When Hannahan grounded out to lead off the seventh, it broke a string of nine straight plate appearances in which the left-handed hitter reached base.

"From game one we've had guys hitting balls hard, it's just that mine have been falling," Hannahan said. "I'm not trying anything drastically new. My hits have just been finding some grass."

THREE-DOT DATA: Tike Redman played in his first game for the Mud Hens last night. He entered the game in the top of the eighth as a defensive replacement in center field and beat out an infield hit leading off the bottom of the inning. … Mud Hens reliever Hector Mercado escaped ninth-inning trouble thanks to a Scranton/Wilkes-Barre baserunning blunder. With runners on first and second with one out, Bobby Scales lifted a popup to right that glanced off the glove of right-fielder Alexis Gomez. But Scales ran past Shawn Garrett, the baserunner moving from first to second, and was called out. Mercado then got Dusty Wathan to fly out to end the game.

[Mudman]

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[IMG]IMG_0003.jpg[/IMG]

[Mudman]

A convincing 9-5 win tonight. I thought it was going to be a very long night when Zach Minor took 32 pitches (4 R, 5H) to get through the first inning. He held Scranton scoreless through the fourth getting out of a bases loaded jam. Fiore pitched well in relief and got the win with the benefit of five more Toledo runs in the next two innings. Hooper, batting leadoff, was 3 for 4 (.364) and with the exception of the opener has hit in every game this season. Something that the box score will not show is how terrible the officiating was. I shouldn't complain because all the bad calls went Toledo's way. As much as I want the team to repeat last years success I prefer to see it on a level field rather than from out of place umpires.

[zachcadillac]

I didn't see any egregious mistakes by the umpiring crew (although I did have my head down on occasion to fill out the scorecard). What did you see?

[zachcadillac]

Don Kelly had a good night at the plate. He had only one hit, the RBI triple, but he pounded the ball four times.

[Mudman]

Egregious...good word but not what I meant...the individual calls were not of that magnitude but consistantly in doubt.
Maybe after spending so much time with the picketers on Monday and Tuesday I am becoming a bit biased.

[NJ Jackal]

Originally Posted by Mudman

A convincing 9-5 win tonight. I thought it was going to be a very long night when Zach Minor took 32 pitches (4 R, 5H) to get through the first inning. He held Scranton scoreless through the fourth getting out of a bases loaded jam. Fiore pitched well in relief and got the win with the benefit of five more Toledo runs in the next two innings. Hooper, batting leadoff, was 3 for 4 (.364) and with the exception of the opener has hit in every game this season. Something that the box score will not show is how terrible the officiating was. I shouldn't complain because all the bad calls went Toledo's way. As much as I want the team to repeat last years success I prefer to see it on a level field rather than from out of place umpires.

Don't dump on the umps on the field. Dump on either the league or the umps who refuse to work. These guys are used to high school and college ball. College baseball in northwest Ohio is very different from a league full of former or future major leaguers. It would be like tossing me (a h.s. basketball ref) into a Final Four game and expecting perfection.

[Mudman]

I can indeed criticize the umpiring both the ones inside working the games and the marchers outside. I've criticized both. I have a full understanding of the caliber of differences from HS to higher levels of the minors. If you reread my post you will see that I stated I want to see a repeat of success and "...I prefer to see it on a level field..." In my opinion, a few frames in last nights game were either extended or shortened because of poor calls. I want to leave the stadium each evening without the thought that an asterick belongs next to the standings. That arena is Triple-A, as are the players and coaches and my wish is to see Triple-A baseball. The umpiring situation sucks. I cannot change that-which is fact. With that said: I don't have to like or agree with it.

[mattie]

Sorry that I haven't had any in-put lately. My daughter has had pink eye so she's been really fussy. That makes it hard to get on the computer. And, by the time she goes to bed I'm so tired that I head to bed myself! She's getting better so I should be able to pay attention a little more now!

[Mudman]

A lot of offense on both sides tonight. Hens lose 7-5. It is not often that you see each of the nine offensive starters on both teams get a hit.

[mattie]

Hens Fall To The Red Barons - On To Durham
The Mud Hens high-octane offensive attack continued tonight against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons at Fifth Third Field. Unfortunately, the Red Barons brought a powerful offense of their own, beating the Hens 7-5.


Picketers protest the use of replacement umpires in IL

About 40 people picketed around Fifth Third Field yesterday to protest the use of replacement umpires for the Toledo Mud Hens' game against Charlotte.

The group was showing support for the Association of Minor League Umpires, which went on strike at the start of the minor league baseball season last week.


NOTES: Kevin Hooper has hit safely in the last seven games. … The Hens travel to Durham today to meet the Bulls, beginning an eight-game road trip. They will return home on April 22 against Columbus. … Pitcher Lee Gardner was activated from the disabled list before Wednesday’s game. He filled the roster space that opened when Lance Davis was placed on the temporary inactive list. Davis is expected to be activated for a start tomorrow in Durham, so the Hens will have to make a move before tomorrow’s game.

***The Mud Hens are on an 8 game road trip now. They travel to Durham to play 4 game series against the Bulls and then head to Charlotte where they also play a 4 game series against the Knights before returning home for a 6 game home stand against the Columbus Clippers, Louisville Bats, and Indianapolis Indians.

[Mudman]

Where did the picketers story come from...yesterday (Thurs) there were three, one ump from the Sally League, a UAW friend and me (until the gates opened)

[tigers2series]

I'll be at the game this evening as the Hens come to Durham to take on the Bulls. Should be an interesting game as the Bulls have some of the best young talent in baseball. I believe Colby Lewis is getting the start for the Hens.

[Mudman]

You are right...Durham has a strong team. Should be fun.

[mattie]

Originally Posted by Mudman

Where did the picketers story come from...yesterday (Thurs) there were three, one ump from the Sally League, a UAW friend and me (until the gates opened)

It was in the Toledo Blade. If you click on the title it takes you to the article.

[Mudman]

It figures...I guess they needed a story. The only day there were any number of picketers was Sunday.

[tigers2series]

Left the game a bit early tonight with the score still tied at 1, but it was a solid game for both sides. Lewis looked ok. Not as good as the numbers will suggest. He had a few rocky innings, but looked unhittable at times. Phelps hit the ball hard a couple of times and Hannahan did a nice job at the plate as well.

[Mudman]

Top of 9...Hens up 4-1...3 runs unearned

[Mudman]

Toledo's latest moves
4/13/2006 Lee Gardner (RHP) Activated from the disabled list
4/12/2006 Lance Davis (LHP) Placed on the Temporary Inactive List
4/11/2006 Matt Mantei (RHP) Signed as a Minor League free agent
4/11/2006 Matt Mantei (RHP) Placed on the disabled list (strained oblique)
Gardner pitched last night and looked sharp.

[Mudman]

Through the first nine games the Hens are 6th in pitching with an ERA of 3.20. Wil Ledezma is ninth in ERA with an outstanding 0.84 in two starts. He is tied for the league lead with 13Ks. Colby Lewis' ERA stands at 0.90.
Offensively the team is 6th in average (.240). The are led by Kevin Hooper's .353 avg but held down by Ludwick's 16Ks in 31 ABs. Hessman is struggling with one hit in 23 ABs (.043). When these two get on track this lineup will be as potent as last seasons.

[shamrock07]

4/16/2006 Jackson Melian (OF) Promoted to Toledo from Lakeland (A)

[mattie]

Hannahan plates 3 for clutch-hitting Mud Hens

http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll...TS07/604170381

DURHAM, N.C. - Timely hitting plus timely pitching equaled victory for Toledo yesterday.

Designated hitter Jack Hannahan went 3-for-4 and drove in three runs as the Mud Hens plated all of their runs with two outs in a 7-4 win over the Durham Bulls.

Left-hander Wil Ledezma (2-1) worked six solid innings and three relievers worked in and out of trouble over the final three innings as Toledo (5-6) beat the Bulls (8-3) for the second straight day.

Get to know: Mike Hessman, third baseman

http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll...TS07/604160663

This season: Has struggled to start the season, batting just .043 in his first seven games. … Has drawn five walks, tops on the team. … Has played third primarily, but also has seen action at first base and has experience playing in the outfield as well.

Bulls and Hens Washed Out In The Sixth Inning – Toledo Wins 8-1

http://mudhens.com/view_news.asp?id=224

RHP Zach Miner had himself a 2-0 lead before he even threw a pitch on Monday afternoon, as the Hens beat the Bulls in Durham, NC – 8-1. The Hens struck first – in the first, and never looked back. The game ended after the Hens batted in the sixth inning – due to rain.

The Hens (6-6) are now playing (.500) baseball for the first time all season. The Bulls fall to 8-3 on the year.

[Mudman]

It is too bad the Hens are in such a tough division...their 6-6 record only merits them a TIE for first place!

[Mudman]

The Hens dropped from a three way tie in first to a three way tie for second. Chad Durbin pitched well leaving in the 7th a 2-2 tie. Jackson Melian hit a double with 2 gone in the top of 9 followed By a RBI St. Pierre double. Steve Green ended the bottom of the eighth, facing one batter, and was in line for the win. Gardner entered for the save attempt and surrendered two hits including a homer the Lopez...Boom!-game over.
I think the most glaring stat for the Hens are their Ks. The nine tonight give them a total of 107 strike outs in 13 games. Ludwick leads 22, Hessman and Rayburn have 13 apiece and Plelps 11. The only K that benefited the team was tonight when Jackson Melian outran a dropped third strike and scored the Hens first run, a few batters later on a Kevin Hooper single.

[Mudman]

Entering tonights game the Hens are currently 5th (.261) in batting and 7th (3.02ERA) in pitching in the 14 team IL. Zach Minor has recorded the only complete game in the IL to date. Tonights probable starter Colby Lewis has only surrendered one earned run in the ten innings he has pitched this season. Wil Ledezma is third in the league in Ks (17). Also third is Kevin Hooper's batting average (.395) and Jack Hannahan's RBI total (12). Ryan Ludwick's 22Ks (46ab) look ugly but he has 5 extra base hits, 8 RBI (2nd on the team) and a .352 on base percent.

[Mudman]

83 days 6 hours 5 minutes until the Triple-A All Star game begins!!!!!!!

[mattie]

Good Knights - Not So Good Night...

http://mudhens.com/view_news.asp?id=224

The Charlotte Knights have the Mud Hens number. Period. The Knights won a lopsided game Wednesday night, defeating Toledo 12-4. With the win, Charlotte (9-5) is now 5-1 versus the defending International League champs. Toledo is now 6-8 this year.

Tempers got heated up in the first inning, as DH Josh Phelps was ejected after arguing a “non-balk” call that resulted in 1B Jack Hannahan being picked off of first base.

[mattie]

The game tonight is in the bottom of the 7th inning. Charlotte is up by 1 run (5-4). Starting pitcher for the Hens, Lance Davis, didn't last too long. He only pitched 4 2/3 innings giving up 11 hits, walking 3 and allowing 5 runs to score. John Ennis has done much better with 2 innings pitched, 0 runs, 2 strike outs and 1 walk.

[MonkeyDarts]

Attended Friday night's Hens v. Knights game in Fort Mill, SC. Ledezma pitched every bit as well for 6 innings as that pitching line indicates. His fastball was consistently clocked at 92/93 MPH and his off speed stuff had them baffled. Wil had 9 K's and had only allowed 1 hit but got into trouble in the 7th when Charlotte tied the game 3-3. Woodyard did not pitch terribly well in relief and gave up a 3 run walk off HR to Eric Young.
I was really interested in seeing Josh Phelps. Hitting in the 4th hole he looked very bad all night, unfortunately. It wasn't a matter of having an Ofer night--- he looked lost--- didn't compete on any at bat. Hoping that was an off night for him. Hooper and Espinosa looked good. Despite being swept by the Knights this week the Hens were hustling and played pretty well Friday night-- they didn't mail it in.

For those who are just interested in the Minor League experience I would add this abt a Knights game-- $2 parking puts you steps from the ticket window, $12 for a seat 4 rows behind plate end of MudHens dugout, $5.50 for a dog and soft drink and, as you exit the ballpark a free bag of peanuts and a $10 coupon for Dick's sporting goods. Not a bad Friday night.

[mattie]

Grand Slam To Start Trip - Walk Off To End It
http://mudhens.com/view_news.asp?id=224

Former Hen Ernie Young is the latest opposing hitter in the last eight games to hit a walk-off home run. Luckily for Toledo, this time, they get to board a plane and come back home.

Young crushed a three-run homer off of RHP Mark Woodyard in the bottom of the ninth inning, ruining the Mud Hens hopes of salvaging at least one game in Charlotte. The Hens fell to the Knights, 6-3 and lost all four at Charlotte Knights Stadium.

[shamrock07]

RHP Steve Green goes on the DL to make room for RHP Chris Spurling.

Spurling will most likely work the late innings for Toledo, especially with Woodyard strugling.