Jim Seip: July 2009 Archives
Corey Thurman noticed a dull ache in the palm of his right hand before he pitched July 3. He didn't want to alarm anyone. He wanted to play through the pain. He respects that trait in other players, so he didn't think much of it. He used a heating pad on his hand, swallowed some ibuprofen and -- as he would say later -- lasted seven innings on adrenaline.
He won. It would be his last victory of the month. Thurman hopes it won't be his last victory of the season.
The York Revolution starting pitcher and former Toronto Blue Jay will attempt to pitch again after undergoing a procedure at the Curtis National Hand Center in Baltimore last week. Diagnosed with a blood clot in the base of his right palm -- his pitching hand -- doctors determined the clot is not life-threatening or career threatening. It cannot, however, be removed from the ulnar artery without surgery.
The Revolution purchased the contract for Southern Maryland infielder Jermy Acey, 28. To make room for Acey on the roster, the Revs released Anthony Manuel. York has also traded backup catcher/infielder John Purdom to the Camden Riversharks for future considerations.
A career .312 hitter, Acey has experience playing second, short and third. He's never risen above Class A during his career, but he hit .341 in 34 games in the Mexican League -- considered an equivalent to Triple-A -- this year.
File this one with the rest of the managerial moves this season: It was only a matter of time. Lancaster Barnstormers manager Von Hayes stepped down after Thursday's game. The team made it official this afternoon.
The franchise's first skipper, Tom Herr, returns to the helm of the team he last managed in 2006 -- when Lancaster won both halves and the league title. He left in the offseason to work for the Nationals affiliate in Hagerstown. Lancaster has not posted a winning record since his departure.
This move is not a surprise. Since his arrival, players and sources from around the league have voiced opinions about Hayes. Most of the comments have been off the record and unfavorable. And when the team hired Herr as a bench coach, it appeared only a matter of time until Herr earned the title of manager again. A blog entry from the preseason explained why this was a bad decision.
This guy.
Southern Maryland outfielder Jeremy Owens blasted a grand slam to complete a seventh-inning rally in the Blue Crabs' 8-5 victory against York. Owens has clubbed eight homers in 17 games against the Revs and five in his last four games against York. And, oh yeah, the Crabs have won nine straight against the Revs.
Closer Franklin Nunez pitched (3 IP, 1 H) for the Newark Bears Wednesday night. He's the second former Revs player to end up in Newark after having conversations, or working through a third party, about a return to York. Center fielder Tike Redman (Revs '07) had interest in returning to York before his new agent worked out a deal with the Bears earlier this season.
Nunez (Revs '07, '08) had been pitching at Triple-A in the Rockies system this year. Released -- after going 0-2 with a 6.65 ERA -- Revs Director of Baseball Operations Adam Gladstone had conversations with the league's Latin baseball coordinator, Ellie Rodriguez, about bringing Nunez back to York. Gladstone told Rodriguez, York "absolutely" wanted Nunez. The Revs were prepared to clear a spot for him on the roster.
But because Nunez is a free agent, he had no obligation to return to York. Nunez is friends with several members of the Bears, and decided to pitch for Newark. This is not a huge loss, because -- while he lacks the velocity of Nunez -- Bob Zimmermann has better control and has worked out of several ninth-inning jams in the closer's role this season. Nunez is now pitching for a fellow Freedom Division foe.
Jim and Steve ask what happened to the York Revolution that started the second half of the season 4-0.
After an awful first half, the Revs came out blazing in the second half until .....
UPDATE: With starting pitchers Tim Harikkala and Corey Thurman already on the disabled list, Dave Gassner left Wednesday night's game with an undisclosed injury. The lefty threw 81 pitches through 5 1/3 innings. And that sound you hear? It might be the Revs dropping completely out of the second-half picture.
The Revs placed backup infielder/catcher John Purdom on the inactive list, paving the way for newly acquired first baseman Kala Ka'aihue to be activated. The Revs now have 25 active players, and Purdom (inactive) and RHP Tim Harikkala (disabled list, elbow).
Blogger's note: Portions of the following article appeared at inyork.com and the Daily Record/Sunday News.
For once, the expansion of the Atlantic League doesn't appear clouded with questions about its current stable of teams. Asked if all eight teams are on solid ground and expected to return to play in 2010, league executive director Joe Klein responded: "Of course."
The Loudon County (Va.) Board of Supervisors passed zoning changes by a 6-2 margin Tuesday to allow the construction of a baseball stadium. The plan had some support from the public. An Atlantic League expansion franchise is expected to take the field there in 2011. If the Northern Virginia franchise begins play when expected, Klein assumes the league will bring back the Road Warriors. The league needs an even number of teams for scheduling purposes, so suddenly the Atlantic League could be looking at a 10-team setup in two seasons.
"My understanding of the situation ... there needs to be two votes to make this deal fully happen," said Peter Kirk, the Revs owner and one of the Board of Advisors in the Loudon County project. "The first vote was today and I'm told this was a really significant one. It was to grant a special exception to allow a baseball stadium at this particular site. That was a big vote. There will be a second vote in September that will detail a 400-acre development.
"But I've been told even if the second vote runs into obstacles, the baseball stadium can move forward."
Former Braves prospect and Hawaiian native Isaiah "Kala" Ka'aihue joined the Revs in Waldorf, Md., Tuesday. Ka'aihue has not been activated, and the Revs now have a maximum 25 players on the roster. So a roster move will have to be made before Ka'aihue is activated.
A young right-handed hitter, Ka'aihue can platoon at first with left-handed hitting P.J. Rose. Coming off of a solid season at Double-A with the Mississippi Braves, Ka'aihue (pictured in the above video from Class A Myrtle Beach in 2007) struggled in his second full season at Double-A. Usually a slow starter, he experienced a four-month slump. He batted .157 in 69 games and hit just four homers this season. He played his last game in the Braves system on July 2.
Hawaiian native Kala Ka'aihue joined the Revs and is still waiting to be activated. So the Revs now have two Hawaii natives with the team. (Atlantic League record? Anyone? Are you out there Mike Ashmore?)
So this brings up an interesting question: Any chance Keoni DeRenne knows Ka'aihue?
Today's news comes in two parts. Starter Tim Harikkala has been placed on the seven-day disabled list retroactive to Monday. The best starter for the Revs, Harikkala (5-3, 3.54 ERA) has been taken off the active list as a precautionary measure -- according to Revs head of baseball operations Adam Gladstone. The team expects Harikkala to miss one start.
Gladstone did not elaborate on Harikkala's injury, because he thought the former major leaguer would be fine after a week off. But York manager Chris Hoiles noted earlier this month that the right-hander has experienced elbow tightness. Harikkala, 38, joked after a recent outing that he's experienced nothing more than the usual aches and pains of someone his age. Lefty Brian Holliday is expected to take Harikkala's spot in the rotation, but York is now without its best two starting pitchers -- including Corey Thurman (numbness in right hand).
Catcher Luis Taveras (pictured above left at the Atlantic League All-Star Game in 2007 with York's Nate Espy) rejoined the Revs Monday, and he will be activated for Tuesday's game at Southern Maryland. Gladstone traded Taveras to the Long Island Ducks for future considerations last week. Gladstone and the coaching staff always wanted to keep Taveras on the roster, but they also needed to evaluate backup John Purdom.
Unable to get both players action, York traded Taveras to Long Island with the hope of re-acquiring him later in the season. After watching Purdom play last week, and at the same time getting Taveras some at-bats with Long Island, York decided to reacquire Taveras. So the former Tigers prospect was essentially traded for himself.
Revolution pitcher Corey Thurman has been placed on the disabled list, and the team remains cautious about his future. Revs officials have stopped talking about his return to the field as the focus now turns on the correct line of treatment for Thurman's ailing right hand.
Revolution Director of Baseball Operations Adam Gladstone said Sunday that Thurman has not undergone surgery and he is not currently scheduled to undergo surgery. Thurman, 30, missed a start July 14 after admitting he has experienced numbness and a dull ache in the palm and fingers of his right hand in his previous two or three starts. The pain intensified when he threw, but he also experienced a dull ache days after pitching.
UPDATE: Revolution general manager Matt O'Brien released a statement by Thurman Monday: "I appreciate all the love from the York (fans). Not to worry. Everything's positive. I hope to pitch in the near future."
O'Brien also noted Thurman is scheduled to see a hand specialist. Doctors have not determined the cause of the discomfort, according to O'Brien.
The Revs have signed right-hander Wes Wilkerson to fill out York's 25-man roster.
York Revolution pitcher Corey Thurman is scheduled to undergo tests at York Hospital, according to several members of the Revolution coaching staff. Thurman has left the team, and he did not participate in batting practice Thursday.
Thurman experienced a dull ache and numbness in the palm and fingers of his pitching hand. It caused him to miss his scheduled start Tuesday. York manager Chris Hoiles said doctors originally believed the injury may have been similar in nature to carpal tunnel. But doctors want to perform tests to see if the pain is being caused by nerve, tendon or circulatory problems.
"They just don't know what it is at this point," Hoiles said.
Revolution Director of Baseball Operations Adam Gladstone did not expect to add a player to take Thurman's spot on the roster immediately. The Revs will use Daryl Harang in Thurman's slot in the starting rotation.
Colorado Springs Sky Sox infielder Kenny Perez (Revs 2008) didn't have a guaranteed job in spring training. Perez (pictured above) managed to hold a .300 batting average through June in the Pacific Coast League, but has struggled of late (batting .065 in July). He's batting .257 with 23 runs scored and 29 RBIs in 73 games in Triple-A.
Norfolk utility man Brandon Pinckney (Revs 2009) continues to play anywhere the O's Triple-A affiliate needs him. He has pitched twice, played left field, right field, second and third. He is batting .265 in 33 games.
Tulsa shortstop Danny Sandoval (Revs 2009) recorded a hit in 16 of 19 games in Double-A earlier this season. But he's currently in a 2-for-15 slide. He's batting .234 with nine runs scored in 25 games.
And, after a position change, former pitcher turned outfielder Matt Hirsh (Revs 2007) has hit a homer and is batting .250 in three games with the Long Beach Armada in the Golden Baseball League. (And a big thank you to Hirsh's former host family member, Don Kain, for the update on Matt.)
Revs right fielder Jason Aspito broke up a perfect game by Southern Maryland's Kenny Rayborn by hitting a solo homer with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning. York trailed 10-0 before the homer. Southern Maryland won 11-1, and York managed just one hit against Rayborn and Blue Crabs closer Paul Estrada.
Aspito, the Revs' team MVP last season, has struggled this season. Playing with a foot injury for most of the season, Aspito entered the night batting .240. His solo blast to the right field picnic deck marked his first homer since June 11.
Rayborn's bid for perfection came on the 40th anniversary of Frederick Cambria's seven-inning perfect game for the York Pirates. The Pirates beat the Waterbury Indians 5-0 in Eastern League action that night, and York eventually won the league title. The Pirates left the city after attendance dipped during a summer in which race riots caused many county residents to avoid the city. Professional baseball did not return to York until the Revolution arrived in 2007.
Cambria reached the majors the next season, appearing in six games for Pittsburgh in 1970.
The first half is over, so Jim and Steve podcast about the Revs once again looking to make a second-half run.
Revolution starting pitcher Corey Thurman still had no answers for the numbness and dull ache that he's experienced in the palm and fingers of his pitching hand. Team doctors at Orthopaedic and Spine Specialists recommended more tests after seeing Thurman Wednesday.
Thurman did not pitch Tuesday night, scratched from his regular start after he continued to experience more discomfort in his palm and fingers. Thurman has experienced the discomfort in his hand dating back "two or three starts." The ache and numbness only increases when Thurman pitches, and Thurman said he did not want to risk hurting the team by fighting through the pain.
"Right now they want to find the origin of the pain, because there has been no trauma to my hand," Thurman said. "I wasn't hit, I don't swing a bat, I didn't feel something during a start. They just don't know what it might be right now. They want to conduct more tests.
"But the shoulder and elbow seem fine, as far as we know right now."
The Revs scratched Corey Thurman from Tuesday's start, turning to reliever Daryl Harang to make a spot start.
Harang threw five innings, allowing six hits and one run. He struck out three and walked one. He took the loss, but it was an impressive outing considering Harang was pitching on two days rest after tossing four innings Saturday. York manager Chris Hoiles estimated Harang threw only 40 pitches during Saturday's game, so the staff felt confident turning to the southpaw.
But the real question is whether Thurman will be OK.
Caught in a numbers crunch, the Revolution traded one of the original members of the team. Interested in activating center fielder Kennard Jones from the disabled list, the Revolution had 26 players and only 25 active roster spots.
Director of Baseball Operations Adam Gladstone confirmed he has traded catcher Luis Taveras (pictured at right) to the Long Island Ducks. Working in a two-man platoon during his first two years with the club, Taveras has been relegated to a backup catcher this season with Josh Johnson earning most of the playing time.
Taveras, 33, batted .172 in just 21 games this season.
Skipper Willie Upshaw had a trying first inning in his first game back as Bridgeport manager. Bridgeport starter Corey Lee threw exactly one pitch before leaving the game with an injury.
Upshaw (pictured above during his playing days in Toronto) is managing his first game for Bridgeport this season after Tommy John stepped down following Wednesday's game. John posted a two and a half year mark of 160-176 with Bridgeport, including a 33-37 last-place finish in the Liberty Division during the first half. Upshaw, meanwhile, has the best career winning percentage (.614) of any manager in league history. Upshaw compiled a 220-138 career record while managing the Fish from 1998-2000.
The Revs traded their onetime closer, Travis Hughes, to Calgary of the independent Golden League for future considerations or cash. If York does not receive a player, Calgary will complete the trade by sending cash to York. A former major leaguer, Hughes finished seven games for York this season. He went 1-2 with one save. He had a 5.93 ERA.
Lauded as a veteran presence in the bullpen upon his arrival, Hughes appeared in 24 games in the majors -- last appearing in the big leagues in 2006. He also pitched in Japan last season.
He looked solid during his first month with the team (six appearances, one earned run), but he suffered two outings in which he allowed four runs during June. Hughes suffered a hamstring injury in June. He tried to play through the injury, but he never looked the same. Obviously bothered by it when he pitched, York placed him on the disabled list. The Revs traded him after they activated him Tuesday.
The reason for trading Hughes is simple.
The Revs signed infielder Anthony Manuel today and placed center fielder Kennard Jones on the disabled list. Jones has nursed a tight hamstring in June, and he aggravated the injury last weekend in a series against the Somerset Patriots. He has been replaced in the lineup by Ryan Goleski and newly-acquired Carl Loadenthal.
The son of Mets skipper Jerry Manuel, Anthony has experience in the Mets system. But he has not played above Class A. He played just two games last season.
He started the season with the Newark Bears, batting .243 in 33 games. Manuel has actually improved greatly at the plate this season. He batted .333 in June (15 games), but his .184 average in May created a big hole. He played his last game for Newark on July 1. The Bears have had an incredible amount of player turnover and York has managed to sign two former Bears -- adding P.J. Rose last weekend.
One big benefit from the move will be added flexibility for York manager Chris Hoiles. Hoiles has been unable to sit Keoni DeRenne (sore hamstring) or Matt Rogelstad because of the lack of depth on the York bench in June.
Looking to solidify center field after Kennard Jones pulled his hamstring, the Revolution signed former Braves and Mets prospect Carl Loadenthal. To make room on the roster for Loadenthal, the Revs released infielder George Sandel.
Loadenthal entered the season with a six-year career batting average of .291. A minor league All-Star in the Braves system in 2003, '04, '06 and '07. He earned an invite to major league spring training in 2008. He batted .278 in 68 games for Triple-A Richmond last season, posting three hits and caught the final out in the Braves' final game at Richmond's Diamond. Following the season the Braves pulled out of Richmond, ending a 43-year relationship with the city.
"He's a fast outfielder who can take a lot of bags," Revs left fielder Matt Esquivel said about Loadenthal -- a teammate in the Braves system in 2005 and '07.
Loadenthal stole a career-high 40 bases in 2007. He swiped 19 bases last season in Triple-A. Loadenthal arrived with York at Clipper Magazine Stadium, and started in center. He batted ninth in the lineup.
Here's an interesting story from the New York Daily News about Atlantic League Executive Director Joe Klein and his attempt to land an up-and-coming Mariano Rivera in exchange for David Wells when Klein worked as the Detroit Tigers GM in 1995. The deal fell through after Yankees noticed a drastic improvement in Rivera's velocity. After resting a sore arm for two weeks, Rivera's velocity jumped from a top speed of 90 mph to 95-96 mph.
Talking to Klein at a recent Revs game, he said he was able to take a little piece of Tiger Stadium with him before the demolition of the old ballpark received final approval this year. One of Klein's former colleagues was able to snag a piece of Klein's old desk for him.
In other Atlantic League news: Former Cardinals slugger Jack Clark in a radio interview admits never being a fan of current Long Island Ducks manager Gary Carter.
Clark on Carter: "He wanted to be the one the whole game was about. ... "(H)e talked his way more into the Hall of Fame than deserving it."
The New York Times relays the story here.
Daily Record/Sunday News reporter Steve Navaroli sits down with us to discuss the recent signs of life with the Revs. The Revs won a season-high three straight games during the last week, so what happened to this club? And what players are responsible for the last-place team's recent offensive turnaround?
