2006 Toledo Mud Hens Diary

[mattie]

Hens To Host Championship Celebration Weekend Thursday, April 6th - Sunday, April 9th!
Hens To Host Championship Celebration Weekend!
Fans and team are excited to welcome back our 2005 Governors’ Cup Champions…

2006 Toledo Mud Hens Will Try And Defend Their IL Title...Which Players Will Be Back?
The 2006 Toledo Mud Hens are coming off their first Governors’ Cup Championship in 38 years and will have several returning players to try and defend their title.

2006 Toledo Mud Hens Roster

That's all I have time to post right now, but will be posting more later tonight!

[NJ Jackal]

I'll be there both Thursday and Friday night. I have the Friday season ticket package that includes all 11 Friday games and seven games on other nights. Every single seat and standing room ticket has been sold for Thursday's Opening Day!

[NATE]

I am reviewing my 2005 farm system spreadsheet to see if there are some players not yet assigned. I have not seen Lee Rodney nor Eddie Bonine, a pitcher they picked up from Portland in the AAA if memory serves me. I had them pencilled in for AAA or AA but they do not appear on any of those two rosters. Same with Chris Maples, who I mentioned in the Erie thread.

I haven't counted but I seen to have more unassigned players than Lakeland has roster spots. I assume McIntyre is still with Lakeland?

[shamrock07]

McIntyre will be with Lakeland.

Chris Maples could win the last spot at Erie, but Reggie Taylor is also an option with the limited mobility of their only other outfielder, Kurt Airoso.

Bonine will pitch frome the Lakeland pen.

[mattie]

Toledo Mud Hens 2006 April Schedule

[mattie]

NOTE: Three ex-Tiger's will be facing the Mud Hens this weekend. Jeff Farnsworth, Hideo Nomo and Ernie Yound are all with the Charlotte Knights (Chicago White Sox).

[redshark63]

Super-duper Hen
Hooper the champions' spark plug

Mud Hens infielder Kevin Hooper is only 5-9 and 160 pounds, but he packs enough energy in that frame to supply his teammates and fans. He once played every position and pitched - in a game.

By MAUREEN FULTON
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

Middle infielder Kevin Hooper isn't exactly in love with his "Super Hooper" nickname, and can't guarantee the return of the Toledo Mud Hens' pregame dance that centered around him last season.

"It's to-be-determined," Hooper said, adding some suspense by saying, "We'll find out [tomorrow]."

Everything else will be business as usual for Hooper as the Hens open their season tomorrow at Fifth Third Field against the Charlotte Knights in a 5:30 p.m. start.

One of 11 returning Hens from the 2005 Governors' Cup champions, Hooper will gladly resume his role as clubhouse leader and resident "spark plug."

"He's a valuable guy to have on your club," Hens manager Larry Parrish said. "Whether he's playing, working with the other infielders, or on the bench, he brings a lot of energy. He's a special kid."

Tomorrow will be Hooper's fifth opening day with a Triple-A ball club. At 5-foot-9, 160 pounds, he joined the Tigers organization last season and quickly became known for his speed and versatility.

"Everyone knows he's a little guy, but he plays his heart out, I'd take him on my team any day of the week," infielder Mike Hessman said. "He's always on base, he's always stealing bags, he's making the plays when we need it, he's laying down a bunt when we need it, the guy just does everything on the field."

That culminated, of course, when Hooper played all nine positions in the Hens' final regular season game on Sept. 5, picking up a save when he pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning. "Super Hooper" was born.

"He keeps things loose, he's a ball of energy," shortstop Don Kelly said. "He's a great guy to have on the club as a leader."

Hooper, 29, is as eager as anyone to recreate last season's 89-55 record and International League Championship run. It was a good year all around for him. On June 27, his daughter, Lucy was born, and a week later he was called up to Detroit for the first time, spending 2 1/2 weeks with the Tigers.

"You've got to be excited coming back to this place," Hooper said. "Hopefully we can all gel like we did last year."

A career .268 hitter in the minor leagues, Hooper gets as much satisfaction giving younger infielders pointers in practice as he does stealing a base or making a leaping catch.

"This is going to be something I stay involved in when I'm done playing," Hooper said. "Either manage, or stay among baseball as long as I can. They see me as a leader and I look forward to that role."

Contact Maureen Fulton at:
mfulton@theblade.com
or 419-724-6160.

[Edman85]

By my count, there is an extra player in Toledo, probably a pitcher. Would it be incorrect to say that somebody (Colon, Lewis, Ledezma?) is starting on the DL?

[Fool Inc.]

Originally Posted by redshark63

Super-duper Hen
Hooper the champions' spark plug

Mud Hens infielder Kevin Hooper is only 5-9 and 160 pounds, but he packs enough energy in that frame to supply his teammates and fans. He once played every position and pitched - in a game.

By MAUREEN FULTON
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

Middle infielder Kevin Hooper isn't exactly in love with his "Super Hooper" nickname, and can't guarantee the return of the Toledo Mud Hens' pregame dance that centered around him last season.

"It's to-be-determined," Hooper said, adding some suspense by saying, "We'll find out [tomorrow]."

Everything else will be business as usual for Hooper as the Hens open their season tomorrow at Fifth Third Field against the Charlotte Knights in a 5:30 p.m. start.

One of 11 returning Hens from the 2005 Governors' Cup champions, Hooper will gladly resume his role as clubhouse leader and resident "spark plug."

"He's a valuable guy to have on your club," Hens manager Larry Parrish said. "Whether he's playing, working with the other infielders, or on the bench, he brings a lot of energy. He's a special kid."

Tomorrow will be Hooper's fifth opening day with a Triple-A ball club. At 5-foot-9, 160 pounds, he joined the Tigers organization last season and quickly became known for his speed and versatility.

"Everyone knows he's a little guy, but he plays his heart out, I'd take him on my team any day of the week," infielder Mike Hessman said. "He's always on base, he's always stealing bags, he's making the plays when we need it, he's laying down a bunt when we need it, the guy just does everything on the field."

That culminated, of course, when Hooper played all nine positions in the Hens' final regular season game on Sept. 5, picking up a save when he pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning. "Super Hooper" was born.

"He keeps things loose, he's a ball of energy," shortstop Don Kelly said. "He's a great guy to have on the club as a leader."

Hooper, 29, is as eager as anyone to recreate last season's 89-55 record and International League Championship run. It was a good year all around for him. On June 27, his daughter, Lucy was born, and a week later he was called up to Detroit for the first time, spending 2 1/2 weeks with the Tigers.

"You've got to be excited coming back to this place," Hooper said. "Hopefully we can all gel like we did last year."

A career .268 hitter in the minor leagues, Hooper gets as much satisfaction giving younger infielders pointers in practice as he does stealing a base or making a leaping catch.

"This is going to be something I stay involved in when I'm done playing," Hooper said. "Either manage, or stay among baseball as long as I can. They see me as a leader and I look forward to that role."

Contact Maureen Fulton at:
mfulton@theblade.com
or 419-724-6160.

That's my adopt-a-tiger!

[John Reynolds]

Originally Posted by Edman85

By my count, there is an extra player in Toledo, probably a pitcher. Would it be incorrect to say that somebody (Colon, Lewis, Ledezma?) is starting on the DL?

Just checked the link and counted 25

Not sure if they just updated the roster - read that Reggie Taylor has been released - so that's maybe the discrepancy

[rgfohio]

Pitcher Colby Lewis is on DL,from my best guess.

[Edman85]

The limit is 24.

[rgfohio]

Ok,correction

[rgfohio]

My mistake

[rgfohio]

Mud Hens Roster has....
13 Pitchers,2 Catchers,6 Infielders,and 4 Outfielders for a total of 25 players,so one of the 13 pitchers is on the DL to start the season

[redshark63]

Welcome rgfohio!

You in the Toledo area?

[rgfohio]

Yes,I am

[Edman85]

Lee Gardner is the pitcher on the DL.

[mattie]

Versatile Hens: Toledo's lineup will see many different looks
By JOHN WAGNER
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

As the Mud Hens begin the 2006 season today, manager Larry Parrish sees at least one similarity between this year's team and last season's squad that claimed the International League's Governors' Cup.

"Having guys who can play multiple positions was a strength of last year's club," Parrish said. "We lost guys, but we had other guys we could plug in - [Mike] Hessman and [Kevin] Hooper playing the outfield, the infield shuffling with [Jack] Hannahan moving from third to second, then he and [Jason] Smith playing first base after we lost [Chris] Shelton and [Carlos] Pena to the big leagues."




Live hens came HERE!

[mattie]

[shamrock07]

Roman Colon is also on the DL. Looks like they signed RHP John Ennis.

[grandma g]

Are you sure the rosters are not 25? They were at my last count...we have 25 active on WM roster............but what would I know I am just a female!!!

[shamrock07]

24 for Toledo and Erie, 25 for Lakeland and WM. Short-season is 30 I think.

[mattie]

Hens Drop Season Opener, 1-0 To Charlotte

The 2005 Governors’ Cup champions struggled offensively in the season opener, falling 1-0 to the visiting Charlotte Knights.

Mud Hens opening-day starter Wil Ledezma wasted little time giving the sell-out crowd of 12,500 Toledo fans something to cheer about, striking out the first three batters of the game. The six-foot-four, 212 pound lefty racked up nine strikeouts in just 4.2 innings of work, tying his career-high nine K’s he recorded back in 2002 with Single-A Augusta. Charlotte’s starter Tim Redding was hot early as well, fanning five Hens in the first two innings. Redding picked up the win by throwing 6.0 scoreless innings, allowing four hits, one walk while striking out seven.

[mattie]

Amateurs call Hens game
Minor league umpires call a strike, so they were out

The Mud Hens' opening day game yesterday featured replacement umpires. Earlier this week, the Association of Minor League Umpires called a strike when the union and the Professional Baseball Umpires Corporation, which oversees the umpires, were unable to reach a new contract agreement.

Hens open without bats
Ledezma sharp but loses pitchers' duel

Nobody in the Mud Hens' clubhouse is panicking after yesterday's 1-0 loss to Charlotte in the 2006 season opener.

Yes, the Hens had only six hits. Yes, Toledo was 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position. And yes, the Mud Hens squandered a fine pitching performance by starter Wil Ledezma and three relievers.


DEFENDING CHAMPS BACK IN ACTION
Mud Hens' fans flock to opener; new season energizes downtown area near Fifth Third Field

The seats are always packed at Fifth Third Field for Opening Day. But yesterday, it was more about what was happening out of them.

Before the Toledo Mud Hens took the field against the Charlotte Knights for their first game of the season, the Siefke family was in the Swamp Shop purchasing the gear they needed to start the year.

[NJ Jackal]

The Hens won tonight. I was at the game until the 7th inning when I got frozen out. It was beyond windy at 5/3 Field and pretty much the opposite of the opening game weather-wise. Both games were nice and boring though...

[kpking3032]

Just a snapshot of the guys, copying and pasting box scores never works for me: Mud Hens win 3-1

Ludwick hit a 2 run homer in a 1 for 4 performance where he struck out the other three times. somebody's swinging for the fences a lil' eh?

Looks like he was the offensive star, NJ Jakal is right, 2 snoozers in 2 consecutive days...Mud Hens got 4 hits, 1 each from Espinosa, Ludwick, Hooper and Gomez.

4 IP from Miner. He have up 4 hits, 3 walks, K'd 4, and gave up an unearned run.

Herrera pitched 3 innings and got the win, Woodyard with the save.


FYI -- My AAT is losing playing time to Mike Hessman and Josh Phelps

[storminN]

Who is the starter tonight ?

[kpking3032]

Chad Durbin goes tonight for the Hens against Charlie Haeger for Charlotte.

Sunday afternoon should be interesting to keep an eye on as the Hens have Colby Lewis versus Heath Phillips.

[rgfohio]

OF Nook Logan is on the DL(placed on DL after the game on 4/7)

[mattie]

Nook broke his pinky finger on his right hand during Thursday's game!

[kpking3032]

while the tigers haven't been this fun to watch in 10 years -- the MudHens are horrific to watch so far.

A 1-0 10 inning loss, but Chad Durbin was terrific (49 strikes in 70 pitches), as was Ennis (17 strikes in 28 pitches), but there just has been very, very little offense thus far. The Hens had 3 hits in 10 innings, 0 BB, and I want to fall asleep just looking at the boxscore.

Charlotte had 4 hits, Durbin struck out 5, walked 2, and gave up 2 hits in 6 IP. Ennis gave up zero base-runners and K'd 2 in 2 IP.

** The Mud Hens pitching staff may in fact be better than the Texas Rangers pitching staff.

[Mudman]

Typical cold weather where it is more of a pitchers game. I actually prefer well pitched low scoring games. The run came in the 10th. on a grounder to third...Hanney, going to his left had no play at the plate and the double play was unsuccessful. Brian Peterson opened the bottom with a solid single that should have read double. Trying for two made sense but no slide and has was tagged out trying to tippy toe around it.
Ex-Tiger Farnsworth came in and struck out Rayburn for the save.
I arrived late to a quick game and missed Durbin's performance.

[Big Toe]

Nice to see Colby Lewis put up an excellent start. If he can get rolling again he's a nice prospect that's under the radar. Anyone know what his velocity's like now?

[Mudman]

I didn't see the gun but he looked like he was throwing some heat. I have to believe he was on a pitch count because he came out early. The Hens are batting around the .150 mark but with their lineup I am sure that this will soon change. Rayburn looks lost at the plate. Lance Davis should stop the bleeding tomorrow.

[mattie]

I went to last nights game and here are a few of my thoughts:
*The scab umpires SUCK! The guy behind the plate last night was making some horrible calls. He was calling pitches that were strikes balls and pitches that were balls strikes. It was horrible. There was one pitch that he ruled a 3rd strike on Hesseman that would have put 2 on. The Mud Hens might have had a chance to tie the game but that made the 3rd out! It was horrible!

*Durbin looked good on the mound. He only allowed 2 hits in 6 innings. The game was purely a pitchers duel!

*The hitters were swinging at some awful stuff. It doesn't seem like they have a lot of patience at the plate.

*The fielding was relatively good. They didn't commit any errors so that was a good sign.

*It was FREEZING! I don't know what I was thinking sitting there through all 10 innings!

I took a few pictures. They're not that great but when I get them on the computer I'll post some of them.

[redshark63]

Tike Redman, the recent Pittsburgh Pirate, will be joining the Mudhens
today to take Nook Logan's spot on the active roster (according to the Blade)

Tike's career stats:
http://www.thebaseballcube.com/playe...e-redman.shtml

[Edman85]

Originally Posted by redshark63

Tike Redman, the recent Pittsburgh Pirate, will be joining the Mudhens
today to take Nook Logan's spot on the active roster (according to the Blade)

Tike's career stats:
http://www.thebaseballcube.com/playe...e-redman.shtml

Further proof that anybody is an upgrade over Nook Logan...

[Mudman]

I am headed up early today to possibly snag a few autographs but moreso in the hopes that umpires are picketing again. I want to hear first hand what their beefs are.

[Mudman]

An interesting night in Mudville. I walked the picket with the umpires for over 45 minutes before the gates opened. I have always been a pro-anyone should make as much as they can-believer. Their gripes seem to focus more on benefits than wages. I have no way to verify what I was told but taken at face value their medical insurance, meal and mile allowances, etc. stink.
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.
The Hens lost 4-2 but tied a season high of 6 hits (not a misprint) and have scored a total of 6 runs through the first 5 games.
Rayburn, though struggling at the plate, is playing great in left field. He provided my nights highlight by throwing a perfect strike home getting Scranton's Carlos Ruiz out at the plate. When he first let go of the ball I thought it was a foolish attempt and would allow the batter to advance to 2nd. Whew...did I underestimate his arm. Tomorrow I will again join my new friends on the picket line. I have always been asked why I arrive so early to the park each night and I now have an excuse to give them.