Atlantic League: September 2009 Archives

Here's a quick glance at some of the players who may or may not return to York next season.

Josh Arhart, C
"(Etchebarren and I) talked a little bit," Arhart said about a possible return. "That's something I'm interested in, but we're going to talk more at the end of the season."

Etchebarren said he wants him to return.

Jason Aspito, OF
The team MVP from 2008 remained undecided about his future plans.

"(Injuries) will definitely weigh on my decision," Aspito said. "When I get my exit physical I'm going to go (to the doctor's office) so he doesn't have to write a book in (the clubhouse)."

Aspito suffered torn fascia in both feet. He dislocated a pinky finger, experienced biceps tendinitis, and experienced discomfort in his wrist -- an injury that dates back to being hit by a pitch in 2007.

Tom Collaro, DH
Believed he was one of the few players who did not meet with Etchebarren.

"I'll probably be playing somewhere," said Collaro, who did not expect to be invited back to York.

How does Revs manager Andy Etchebarren expect to build a winner in York next season? He has a few thoughts on the subject:

"I'm going to try to build the ballclub next year to this ball park. It's going to be a dominant right-handed hitting ballclub next year."

"I've got some players in mind that I haven't acquired yet. Hopefully I'll work some deals to bring them here."

"I've got three jobs I told the guys I talked to today:
* One is to win,
* two is to get players signed to an affiliate
* and No. 3 is to have a good reserve, when I lose players I need to have players I can put in."

A former No. 1 overall draft pick, Ben McDonald is prepared to attend a bow hunting trip organized by former Revs manager Chris Hoiles.

The following story appeared in the Daily Record/Sunday News.

The two men have been good friends almost from the day they pulled on Baltimore Orioles' uniforms.

Ben McDonald and Chris Hoiles broke into the majors during the same season. Hoiles had been a slugging catching prospect, working through the minors. McDonald had a more direct route after being touted as one of the best prospects to ever come out of college.

Blogger's note: Portions of the following story will appear in the Thursday edition of the York Daily Record/Sunday News.

Chris Hoiles and Adam Gladstone ended their affiliation with the York Revolution in August. Hoiles resigned and days later the ownership group Opening Day Partners fired Gladstone. The two announced their future plans Wednesday afternoon.

Hoiles and Gladstone have formed a sporting events management company -- The Hoiles-Gladstone Group. The company plans to host two hunting trips featuring sports celebrities this year. The trips, which cost $2,900, will take place on 7,000 acres of privately-owned land in Northeast Pennsylvania. The North Fork Lodge is owned by Kip Fulks, the senior vice president of outdoor for Under Armour, and located near St. Mary's. Hoiles and former Orioles Will Clark, Ben McDonald and Jamie Walker will hunt with up to 16 hunters during a five-day, four-night trip.

"We want to try to bring people that our so-called 'untouchable,' people like sports celebrities, in to rub shoulders with fans," Hoiles said. "That's what I tried to do in York ... be approachable. We want fans to have that opportunity to interact."

York manager Andy Etchebarren hasn't ruled out bringing back Dover graduate Shawn Hedrick next season as a spot starter. But it's unlikely, Etchebarren said, that he would bring him on as a full-time player.

"I certainly can't pay him enough for him to quit his job," Etchebarren said. "He has a family."

Hedrick has gone 1-1 with a 4.20 ERA in three starts. He's struck out five and walked five in 15 innings.

"He'd be an option," Etchebarren said about the possibility of Hedrick returning to the Revolution in 2010, "if I needed a starter for a doubleheader or if one of my starters went down. I would have enough confidence in him now. ... I wouldn't be afraid to bring him in."

York manager Andy Etchebarren released former major leaguers P.J. Rose and Chris Britton Monday.

Still bothered by the move, hours later, Etchebarren refused to comment about the specifics surrounding the moves.

"Today was a tough day with the moves we made," Etchebarren said. "That's between the players and I, and that's something I don't want to get into."

Etchebarren said he had no plans to release the players, but something happened during Sunday's doubleheader.

"Something happened yesterday and let's leave it at that," Etchebarren said.

Here's some good news for York baseball fans: Corey Thurman is scheduled to return to the mound Friday. Manager Andy Etchebarren has named him the starter Friday against Lancaster. The former Blue Jays reliever has not pitched since July 8, weeks before a blood clot was discovered in his pitching hand.

Thurman had been one of the best starting pitchers for York before experiencing numbness in his palm and fingers. Describing the discomfort as a dull ache, even on the days he didn't pitch, Thurman pulled himself out of the lineup. He underwent several tests before doctors discovered a clot near his palm.

Thurman's return to the mound will highlight a six-game homestand, the Revs' final series at Sovereign Bank Stadium. Dover graduate Shawn Hedrick is scheduled to pitch Saturday. The team closes out their home schedule with a three-game set against Long Island starting Monday.

We take a look at the final days of the 2009 season. The Revs take a look at some of the new players on the roster, and fans earn a glimpse at what the 2010 season could offer.

The York Revolution acquired Aharon Eggleston, a left-handed hitting outfielder. After leaving Southern Arkansas University he's spent the last five seasons in the Northern League. He batted .318 in 90 games with Kansas City this season. According to two different statistical Web sites -- howesportsdata.com and thebaseballcube.com -- Eggleston has never appeared in affiliated baseball.

The Revs made room for Eggleston trading center fielder Kennard Jones (pictured above) to the Newark Bears Friday for future considerations. A deal involving "future considerations" usually involves one team dumping salary but, in case of last-place York and manager Andy Etchebarren's plan for rebuilding the club, the Revs needed roster spots and playing time for new players to showcase their talent or their lack of it.

Mistake No. 1: I bought a house during baseball season.

Mistake No. 2: Took a couple days off to move -- during what should have been a meaningless roadtrip to Newark.

Result: Scanning the roster, a few new names showed up and a few familiar faces left the club.

So let's recap the last few days of moves for the Revs.

Pitcher Shawn Hedrick has been examined by the York Revolution's medical staff and has been cleared to start Sunday at Sovereign Bank Stadium.

Hedrick experienced tightness in the back of his shoulder during his second start with the Revs. The Newark Bears knocked around the Windsor resident for five runs -- three earned -- in 1 1/3 innings Tuesday. But the longtime amateur standout admitted that about halfway through the first inning he experienced pain with every pitch. Having little command, he walked five batters. His lack of command was out of character. He lasted into the seventh frame without issuing a free pass in his pro debut against Newark last Wednesday.

Examined by York's Orthopaedic and Spine Specialists' Dr. William H. Ulmer Jr. on Wednesday, Hedrick was diagnosed with a muscle strain.

"The way he explained it, I have a tired muscle surrounding my rotator cuff," Hedrick said.