York Revolution: June 2009 Archives

The U.S. Military All-Stars will play against the Central and Susquehanna leagues All-Stars at 7 p.m. Friday at Sovereign Bank Stadium.

Northern grad Jody Roof is scheduled to play for the U.S. Military All-Stars. Roof played against several local players during his time growing up in York. A former twilight player, Roof is stationed on the Japanese island of Okinawa with the Air Force but has been granted a month of leave to play for the Military All-Stars during their "Red, White and Blue Tour."

It will be an unusual weekend. The Revs still use the locker room during their road games with the Barnstormers, so three baseball teams could be at the stadium Friday afternoon.

Prepared to market the Beard Power of Revolution designated hitter Tom Collaro (pictured at right). Sovereign Bank Stadium's First Cap Team Store expects to sell fans No. 25 Collaro T-shirts and adhesive goatees. Revs general manager Matt O'Brien hopes to have the stick-on whiskers for York's next home series scheduled for July 6-8 against Camden.

Collaro earned the starting slot for the Freedom Division in the Atlantic League All-Star Game. He entered Monday's game ranked 10th in the league in batting average (.307). Through 56 games he has knocked in 37 runs and hit seven homers.

A former White Sox prospect, Collaro, 26, is playing his first season in independent baseball. His batting average has not dipped under .300 all season, and he is coming off a 2-for-4 night in the Revs' victory Sunday.

Thanks to assists from all three outfielders, the Revs' 6-5 win over Somerset on Sunday could be one to keep the team rolling.

With York leading 4-0, the Patriots loaded the bases and no outs against Corey Thurman. However, rightfielder Jason Aspito (pictured at right) caught a line drive, then turned that into a double play with a perfect throw to the plate and Somerset was held off the board in the fourth.

One inning later, the Patriots got to Thurman, cutting the gap to 4-3 behind a pair of home runs. But another ball off the top of the 38-foot wall was hauled in by Matt Esquivel, who nailed the batter trying to go to second for the second straight night.

Center fielder Ryan Goleski got in on the act in the eighth. The Pats had runners on second and third and no one out and Goleski caught a sacrifice fly, then nailed a Somerset runner trying for third on yet another great throw from York's outfield.

Despite the 4-2 loss to Somerset, Saturday evening was a perfect night for baseball, experienced by 4,903 fans at Sovereign Bank Stadium.

A beautiful evening gave way to a pleasant night, ideal for both baseball and the postgame fireworks display.

And despite a season-high three-game winning streak coming to a close, the Revs did not play poorly. In fact, a break or two and York might have won this one.

The team stung the ball most of the night - even some of their outs were hard hit - but the Revs couldn't get the big hit when needed - again.

Not that we haven't said that all season.

P.J. Rose, the son of Major League Baseball's all-time hits leader Pete Rose, went 2-for-4 in his first game with the Revs before John Purdom took over at first base in the eighth inning.

Rose (pictured above) drilled a bad-hop single over the head of Somerset first baseman Jeff Nettles for an RBI in the first inning that tied the game at 1.

He also singled with one out in the fifth, two batters after Matt Rogelstad blasted a home run over the picnic area in right, that made the score 2-2.

Blogger's note: The following is a version of a story scheduled to appear in the York Daily Record in the coming days. Rose batted third in York's lineup Saturday against Somerset.

P.J. Rose (pictured above right) left the Newark Bears in April not knowing if he would play baseball again. After knocking in 95 runs in each of the last two seasons in the Atlantic League, he played in exactly one game for the Bears this season.

He didn't want to be a part-time player. So he returned home to Cincinnati.

"Staying there and sitting on the bench wasn't going to do me any good," Rose said. "I wanted to spend time with my kids (ages 2 and 4), because that's more important than anything. I was just at home and enjoying my family. It's tough. You play the game for 21 years, you're away all the time, it was nice to be at home."

Thanks again for the reader responses on the blog. If you ever need to ask me a question shoot me an e-mail at jseip@ydr.com or post on the blog -- it's anonymous, and I have tough -- sun-damaged -- skin. Shoot away.

One of the posters -- thanks again Ken -- asked why it was necessary to print the history of P.J. Rose. Super fan Don Kain had the same type of question for me before Friday's game. Please, they said: Don't bring up the past, keep it positive.

Let me try to answer why the paper published the information about Rose's past.

Somerset pitcher Jim Magrane failed to win his ninth straight start -- pulled by Patriots manager Sparky Lyle after allowing 10 hits and seven runs in 3 2/3 innings. Magrane would have tied a team record for most consecutive victories without a loss. Brian Adams set the team mark in 2007 -- winning three of his nine games against York -- but his streak included five no decisions and one in which he allowed seven earned runs.

Magrane won eight consecutive starts, dating back to May 12. He lasted at least seven innings in each of his victories. His outing Friday was his shortest of the season. He forced in one run in the third inning when he committed a balk with Kennard Jones standing on third base. The ball appeared to slip out of Magrane's grip and landed on the grass behind the mound. Two pitches later, York second baseman Keoni DeRenne homered to right field. Magrane faced eight York batters in the fourth before being yanked.

With the Revs in the process of wrapping up a terrible first half, we want the fans to have a say. Feel free to answer the following questions:

To make York a better team, what would you do if you were a part of the team's management?

What players would you like to sign?

What on-field moves would you make if you were manager Chris Hoiles?

Please post your comments.

Atlantic League veteran infielder P.J. Rose, 39, and relief pitcher Jason Olson (pictured at right) worked out with York before Thursday's game. Revs head of baseball operations Adam Gladstone expected to activate Olson Friday and Rose Saturday. One of the moves York manager Chris Hoiles wanted to make, the York skipper has known Rose since the two met as players in the Orioles organization. It will be Rose's fifth season in the Atlantic League.

The son of Major League Baseball hits leader Pete Rose, P.J. (pictured above) batted .289 with 15 homers in 129 games for Long Island last season. He was a member of a troubled clubhouse in Long Island last season, where players clashed and the Ducks once again failed to reach the championship series despite a roster loaded with former big league talent. Rose played 11 games in the majors for Cincinnati in 1997, but he's played indy ball exclusively since 2003. He also spent 30 days in jail after he pleaded guilty in 2005 to charges he distributed GBL, a drug sometimes sold as a steroid alternative, to minor league teammates with the Reds Double-A club.

He also brings a checkered past, spending 30 days in prison after he pleaded guilty in 2005 to charges he distributed GBL -- a drug sometimes sold as a steroid alternative, sleep aid or sexual stimulant -- to his minor league teammates with the Chattanooga Lookouts, a Double-A affiliate of the Reds. He was one of at least 18 people charged in a six-year investigation led by the DEA.

"Look, he's been in this league how many years? He's subjected to the same random drug tests of every player in the league," Gladstone said. "And he's never had any problems.

An architect's rendering of a proposed stadium in Loudon County Va.

After hearing a proposal during the Atlantic League owners' meeting during the All-Star festivities in Newark, N.J., the league granted provisional approval for an expansion franchise to be placed in Loudon County Va. in 2011. Consider the move an act of confidence by the league, proof for the Loudon County board of supervisors to proceed with plans to build a 5,500-seat stadium.

Revolution owner Peter Kirk, who along with fellow York owner and Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson serve as advisors for the project in Northern Virginia, described the approval as an early step toward placing a team in Loudon County.

"The league doesn't like to give approval and just have (a potential franchise) hanging out there," Kirk said. "But political people often want to know ... like they did in York ... how do we know if we proceed we'll have a team."

The last few days an anonymous poster has been commenting at the end of the Daily Record/Sunday News and Dispatch articles, stating the Revolution is moving to Richmond.

Just to clarify, Opening Day Partners -- York's ownership group -- paid one third of the cost of York's $32-million ballpark. To think the ownership group would then pick up and move the franchise after Year 3, Year 4 or Year 5 is laughable. The ownership group may operate a terrible team on the field this season, but they aren't stupid businessmen. They aren't going to leave a city where they have invested millions of dollars and more than 10 years of behind-the-scenes work because the baseball team is terrible. And to call Richmond's facilities better than York's Sovereign Bank Stadium is just wrong. Smaller? Yes. But Richmond's Diamond is outdated and one of the big reasons why the Atlanta Braves pulled their Triple-A affiliate out of Virginia. I've heard it said the Diamond was outdated the day it opened in 1985.

York ranks fourth in the league in attendance this season, ahead of Camden and Southern Maryland -- two franchises also owned or operated by ODP.

The joke around The Vault this week centered around the Washington Nationals: At least the Revs didn't have the title of Worst Team in Baseball. The front office placed the Nats on the standings board at the stadium, listed as the fifth team in the Freedom Division.

Ah, big laughs.

But then the Nats started winning, three games and counting after Friday night's victory. OK, so the joke is no longer funny if York -- still looking for a three-game winning streak by the way -- sinks even lower. They aren't the worst team in all of professional baseball, but they're in the conversation.

After a quick glance at more than a dozen leagues around the majors and minor league baseball, here's an unofficial look at the worst teams in all of pro ball:

We sit down again with York Daily Record/Sunday News reporter Steve Navaroli to talk about one of the worst teams in all of baseball -- the York Revolution.

Looking forward, one of the big obstacles will be York's start in the second half. And looking forward to next season, it will be interesting to see if Opening Day Partners decides to shift its philosophy on how it builds teams. Who can argue with the job Southern Maryland's Butch Hobson has done managing his club and signing his players?

Upset about being hit numerous times and being pitched high and tight all season by the Newark Bears, Jason Aspito took offense after being hit for the fourth time by Newark. Newark starter Edgar Martinez plunked Aspito in the calf on the first pitch of his at bat in the first inning. Aspito immediately turned to Newark catcher Salomon Manriquez and the two talked. It appeared nothing would happen until Martinez ran to home plate and grabbed Aspito from behind with both hands.

Both teams' benches and bullpens emptied, but no punches were thrown.

After a long conference Martinez and Aspito were ejected.

Aspito warned of this very incident if Newark continued its approach of pitching inside after York's victory Tuesday.

Revolution third baseman Jeff Eure has been traded to the St. Paul Saints in the independent American Association for future considerations. He batted .234 in 37 games for York with one homer and eight RBIs.

Ranked eighth in the eight-team Atlantic League in batting average (.250) and homers (27) -- York has moved Matt Padgett to third and Matt Rogelstad to first.

York's opening day third baseman, Eure admitted he struggled to adjust to Atlantic League pitching.

"Anytime you come to a league for the first time you have to make adjustments," Eure said earlier this month. "It's a long season, so you just try to grind it out."

Revs manager Chris Hoiles will lead a sizable York contingent to next week's Atlantic League All-Star Game. Asked to manage the Freedom Division side earlier this week, Hoiles will be joined by right-handed pitcher Corey Thurman (2-3, 3.81 ERA), lefty Jason Kershner (1-1, 3.62 ERA), designated hitter Tom Collaro (.320 batting average) and infielder Keoni DeRenne (.285).

Hoiles will be joined in the dugout by third base coach Sam Snider, first base coach Jeff Barkdoll, head of baseball operations Adam Gladstone and athletic trainer Bob Burton.

Thurman (pictured above) allowed four or more runs in just one of his first eight starts this season. Kershner had not allowed a walk in his first 28 1/3 innings. He's struck 19 and walked one in 32 1/3. DeRenne has solidified the middle infield, playing mostly second base but filling in at short after a pair of York's shortstops signed deals with major league organizations. Collaro entered the night ranked fifth in the league in batting.

York signed catcher John Purdom and activated him before Wednesday's game. York's backup catcher Luis Taveras has played part of one game since pulling his groin in a game against Newark June 10. Asked about the injury Tuesday night, Taveras said he continues to struggle to make lateral movements when he's behind the plate.

Purdom spent the majority of his career with the Reds and Marlins. He spent a large portion of his career at the Class A level, but he has been playing in Triple-A all of this season -- batting .203 in 20 games for New Orleans. He entered the season with a .250 career batting average in five minor league seasons.

York now has the maximum 25 players on the roster, but another transaction is pending final approval.

UPDATE: The Atlantic League made it official this morning, the Revs Chris Hoiles will manage the Freedom Division squad at the Atlantic League All-Star Game on June 23 at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium in Newark, N.J. The league makes no mention of it, but apparently Sparky Lyle has refused to manage the game this year. Hoiles managed the other Freedom Division playoff squad last season, hence his invitation to the Atlantic League's version of the not-quite midseason classic.

Somerset's Sparky Lyle and Camden's Joe Ferguson earned the right to manage the Freedom Division and Liberty Division squads by virtue of managing in the league championship series last season.

Revolution right-hander Tim Harikkala has been moved out of the starting rotation, according to pitching coach Tippy Martinez. Harikkala has some family issues and may need to leave the team for more than one day. Revolution head of baseball operations Adam Gladstone is aware of the situation, and hopes if Harikkala leaves the club he will be placed on the inactive list and return to the team.

Harikkala looked strong in his last outing, allowing four hits and one run in seven innings to earn a victory against Lancaster this weekend -- the club's only victory in a four-game set. A former major leaguer, he looked like he would bolster the rotation. But if he needs to leave the team for several days, Harikkala can be replaced with more ease if he's pitching in the pen. If he's a starter, the team would have to scramble to find a replacement.

Martinez also expects to use Bob Zimmermann in the bullpen in the future. The Revs starting rotation seems set with Corey Thurman, Dave Gassner, Shane Youman, Dan Foli and Daryl Harang.

York manager Chris Hoiles has been through tough stretches with his club before, but he rarely lets the game rattle him. During his three-year tenure, it's an odd night when Hoiles allows his temper or frustration to show.

But for the first time this season, and perhaps just the third or fourth time during his tenure, he didn't feel like talking after York managed six hits in a 4-2 loss to Lancaster at Sovereign Bank Stadium.

"I don't have anything to say," he said. "Go talk to all the offensive guys."

Released during the first month of the season when the York Revolution had too many middle infielders, George Sandel (pictured above) returned to York today -- signed to fill a roster spot vacated after the Colorado Rockies signed Danny Sandoval.

Sandel batted .267 in five games for York in April.

York also traded away reserve outfielder Colin Roberson, acquiring left-handed pitcher Shane Youman (0-1, 10.50 ERA) from the Bridgeport Bluefish. Youman pitched in the majors in 2007 for the Pirates, but has struggled this season.

Revolution owner Peter Kirk outlined a $28-million plan to renovate Richmond's Diamond at Ballpark Digest. Kirk and Opening Day Partners made a strong play to move an Atlantic League club or affiliated club into the ballpark after the Braves Triple-A affiliate left for suburban-Atlanta after the 2008 season.

But the plan to bring a Double-A affiliate from Connecticut to Virginia fell through, so Kirk and ODP is back in the picture again. The latest proposal calls for a portion of the Diamond to be saved in an upgrade for an outdated ballpark. Kirk's plans calls for a team to be in place in Richmond as soon as next season.

Usually an Atlantic League club has some warning before a player is snatched up by a major league organization. A major league club often makes an inquiry, the player and his agent often discuss the move and about 24 hours later a deal could be in place.

The Colorado Rockies, however, move faster.

In a matter of about two hours, the Rockies contacted the league and the Revolution and worked out a deal to sign former major league shortstop Danny Sandoval. The former Phillies infielder is expected to be assigned to the Double-A Tulsa Drillers. Sandoval's signing mirrors the Rockies move to acquire former Revs third baseman Kenny Perez last season -- working in hours as opposed to days to acquire a player.

The York Revolution have agreed to terms with former Yankees pitcher Chris Britton, 26, according to team sources. Revolution GM Matt O'Brien posted on Twitter that Britton will join the team in a couple days. Revs head of baseball operations Adam Gladstone added that Britton has joined the Revs Tuesday and expects to activate him Wednesday.

A right-hander, Britton is expected to bolster the Revolution bullpen. York has not made a roster move to replace relief pitchers Steve Andrade and Josh Sharpless since it released the pair last week. And the team only had five relievers after David Shafer retired Sunday.

Britton came up through the Orioles system, and he made his major league debut in 2006, appearing in 52 games. He recorded a 3.35 ERA as a 23-year-old rookie for Baltimore. Traded to the Yanks for Jaret Wright in Nov. 2006, Britton appeared in 15 major league games for the Yanks last season. One of the rare cases of a player who has gone from the majors to the Atlantic League in one year, Britton has struggled this season at Double-A (10.80 ERA in 10 games) and Triple-A (9.53 ERA in five games) before being released by the Padres.

Three Revs, including Corey Thurman (pictured above), expect to be filmed this week for a movie directed by James Brooks. The picture stars Reese Witherspoon, Owen Wilson and -- perhaps -- Jack Nicholson. The sports scenes are being coordinated by Mark Ellis, a former college football player who has coordinated the sports scenes for numerous movies -- including "Jerry Maguire."

Starting pitchers Daryl Harang, Bob Zimmermann and Thurman were scheduled to attend a rehearsal and fitting Monday. Shooting is tentatively scheduled for Friday and Saturday. About 10 Revolution players and manager Chris Hoiles attended a casting call at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., when the team traveled to play the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs June 1. Hoiles and catcher Josh Johnson also earned call backs but could not attend the two-day shoot.

The experience is detailed in an article from the York Daily Record/Sunday News.

York Revolution home games debuted on Revs TV Friday night after a 59-minute rain delay. The Daily Record/Sunday News and Revs have teamed together to offer real time video with streaming audio by 910-AM WSBA play-by-play broadcaster Darrell Henry for all home games.

Fans can check out Revs TV at http://yorkrevstv.com or http://extras.inyork.com/revs/.

Fans who are on the road, and without a laptop, can also access a linescore and real-time scoring on their cell phone browser by logging on to http://yorkrev.com/mobile.cfm.

Members of the York Revolution's ownership group and front office met Wednesday afternoon in an attempt to sort out the team's on-field problems, according to Opening Day Partners President Jon Danos.

Danos is convinced manager Chris Hoiles and the coaching staff is not at fault, and Danos did not expect to replace Hoiles or any members of his coaching staff this season.

"Well, first of all our organization has (switched managers in midseason) in the past," Danos said. "But we're supportive of Chris and his staff, and we feel the problems are elsewhere."

After talking with Hoiles and Revolution Director of Baseball Operations Adam Gladstone, ownership hopes to see improvement from the team with the worst record (11-27) in the Atlantic League. Conversations have centered on what players have underperformed so far.

The Revolution continued to remake an underachieving roster, releasing relief pitchers Steve Andrade and Josh Sharpless after York's 1-6 road trip ended in a rain-shortened loss to Southern Maryland.

Expected to be York's closer when the season opened, Andrade (pictured above) suffered from biceps tendinitis in May. He sat out 15 straight days before returning to the mound May 19. He made three straight hitless appearances before allowing a combined three runs during his last two appearances. He went 1-0 with a 6.75 ERA and one save in 10 games.

Sharpless (1-1, 7.85 ERA) never appeared comfortable on the mound during his 15-game stay in York. The former Pittsburgh Pirate reported to spring training later than most of his teammates for personal reasons and struggled to find the strike zone. Sharpless (pictured at right) walked 17 and struck out 17 in 18 1/3 innings.

Former major league pitcher Tim Harikkala joined the Revolution and made his debut Tuesday. But after retiring the Blue Crabs in order in the first inning players were pulled off the field for a rain delay that lasted 41 minutes. Harikkala left the game in the bottom of the third, and the Blue Crabs held a comfortable 8-0 lead through three innings.

Harikkala appeared in 73 career big league games from 1995 through 2007.

The Revolution placed reserve outfielder Colin Roberson on the inactive list to make room for Harikkala (pictured above pitching for Tigres de Aragua in Venezuela this winter).