I'm starting this thread for anyone who has a comment following the hot stove meeting. If you went, what did you think? I'm also looking for reports from Thursday's press conference and the NLR Chamber of Commerce banquet, in case anyone would like to tell us what went down.
Update: There are some posts in the comments section with reports from Wednesday night's hot stove meeting, and here are some more thoughts and observations ... Travs GM Bill Valentine opened the meeting with this line: "We can't start the meeting as yet. Travelerocity hasn't gotten here."... Valentine had a few great jokes, but I won't repeat them because he was testing some of them for the NLR chamber banquet... The scoreboard at Dickey-Stephens will be the second-largest in the Minor Leagues and will show replays. The size will be larger than the screen monster at Ray Winder Field. I once mentioned to NLR Mayor Pat Hays the importance of a Major League scoreboard at the new park, and he liked that idea because he wanted to have camp outs at the stadium where attendees can watch something on the big screen at night. Glad he listened, and thanks to Warren Stephens for paying the extra money for a first-class scoreboard. Now here's hoping they show lots of MLB scores so that we feel connected with the rest of the baseball world while watching the Travs... Opening night at Dickey-Stephens will feature a commemorative baseball to the first 4,000 fans, the largest Travs fireworks show ever after the game, and a tribute to the Dickey brothers hosted by Pat Summerall... Valentine said the exhibition games are out of his control because MLB teams are required to play them during spring training, and few teams are willing to break camp early to fly off to the Minor League city with the exception of teams like the Cardinals who own the Double-A affiliate and others who made it part of the under-the-table deal to sign the Minor team... The Travs will have three times the staff they had at Ray Winder. Sounds like a real professional operation they've got going in the new park. I was impressed... Most of the Sunday games will be at 6 p.m. with a few exceptions in the early part of the schedule... I was thoroughly impressed with new manager Bobby Magallanes. He came off as a real quality person. I think Central Arkansas is really going to like this guy. He said he made his Double-A debut with the Jackson Generals at Ray Winder Field... Angels farm director Tony Reagins said that if Erick Aybar doesn't make the Angels in spring training, either he will move to center field or Brandon Wood will move to third base at Triple-A Salt Lake... Valentine had some funny comments about the sewage system going bad at Ray Winder and how they discovered remnants of tin cans holding parts together... Thanks to Petit Jean Meats for the great hot dogs and the beer distributor for providing the kegs... Clunker Car Night will continue at Dickey-Stephens... One promotion late in the season will be to give away the red LR hats... Why don't more people come to this? It's free beer, people... The Travs will probably hold an open practice on April 3 where fans will get a first glimpse inside Dickey-Stephens... The Travs won't get the keys to Dickey-Stephens until around March 23, and Valentine foresees some understandable glitches on opening night... The outfield wall, at least in one corner (not sure if I heard the whole thing correctly), will only be 4 feet high. Prepare for some Fenway shenanigans!... The new Travs.com web site will debut in a few weeks with a train theme and might include old commercials of Valentine's many antics over the years... Jose Arredondo will indeed be a closer to give him a better shot at reaching the big league... During Riverfest, people with Riverfest buttons will get into the game for a discount... The July 4 game has an early start, and fans are invited to stay in the park to watch the annual fireworks from the river... Yes, Lavin and Valentine did indeed make cracks about Shelly, who was performing some antics to the side of Reagins when he started speaking. Pete, we can't get rid of Shelly. This mascot has developed into something that can't be replaced. Part of the appeal is making fun of Shelly, I guess, but this mascot has gained cult-like status. Shelly predicted one win this season in the run around the bases, which would match last season's total... And most importantly, Valentine asked Reagins if Greg Porter was going to return this season. Reagins pleaded the fifth. If the Angels don't bring back Porter, they don't care about you the fan.
so is somebody gonna ask "why don't we get any rehab assignments?" or an exhibition to open the park? Reporter, we are counting on you!
Posted by: Mars | February 07, 2007 at 04:48 PM
Yeah, I will be the guy demanding a Vlad Guerrero appearance this season and also suggest that the Rally Monkey make the trip should he ever need to work his way back from an injury.
Posted by: The Travelerocity reporter | February 07, 2007 at 05:00 PM
About to walk out the door.
And I'd like to see a rally monkey appearance.
For the kids.
Posted by: JeremyPepppas | February 07, 2007 at 06:48 PM
Dear Mars
I asked about rehab assignments after it was over. Reagins told me that assignments were more of a possibility with the new playing surface.
It was something along the lines of, "we didn't want a $10 million player on that outfield."
But if the geography and if some other factors like the opposition work out, then you'll see some people here.
Truthfully though, if you can send a kid 30 minutes to Rancho, that makes more sense than packing him off to Little Rock.
At least it's a possibility now. Maybe the morning papers will say something different.
Posted by: JeremyPepppas | February 07, 2007 at 08:54 PM
Just got back. I will let someone else give the detailed play by play. One question: At the beginning, Pete mentioned the mascot to Valentine. Valentine jokingly said "what is it, is it a horse, a mule, etc.". I thought I heard Pete say something like I don't know, but we need a new one.
Did anyone else hear this?
Posted by: closet baseball Fan | February 07, 2007 at 08:55 PM
Great time at the fan meeting...short on player information, who's coming and all....(the worst ever on that issue).Riggins had nothing to say of importance. He likes us....thats cool...Pete Lapin is always a great info guy...a real pro...what special dates are planned...we get a July 4 game...and we play during Riverfest....radio station is probably better....I always like these meetings...and thanks goes to Bill V !!!...Im excited about the park
Posted by: Danny | February 07, 2007 at 09:47 PM
You heard exactly right about Shelly. While I appreciate that they are listening to the fans who have complained, the cult-like status Shelly has now is just too rich to trash. Not only should they keep the moose, have the moose make more public appearances like the time he was dancing behind the KATV reporter as she tried to broadcast a remote!
Posted by: The Travelerocity reporter | February 07, 2007 at 10:36 PM
Great wrap-up for those of us who couldn't be there. Thanks!
Reading all this stuff gets me more and more excited about the park the upcoming season. The scoreboard sounds awesome.
Anybody else remember the time Shelly got shoved back over the seats by some old lady? I think she was from Tulsa and he was shakin' his horse-bone in her face and she gave him a 2-handed shove. Needless to say, security came to his aid. Classic. God I love that donkey.
Posted by: cracker | February 08, 2007 at 08:44 AM
Althought I agree with your opinion that Shelly has achieved cult-like status, I would love to see the 2007 season start off with a "Noose the Moose" campaign.
As for Porter, I want to see him in Little Rock (Central Ar) so bad that I highly considered him for a write-in canidate for mayor back in November. If we don't get GP in a Travs uniform this year I recommend that we start the search for a new parent club!
Posted by: TravelingCard | February 08, 2007 at 09:11 AM
Great, from now on he is simply known as "GP".
Posted by: The Travelerocity reporter | February 08, 2007 at 11:32 AM
Shelly's not going anywhere, we love the guy. I was just giving him a hard time last night because when allowed to pack his own bags, he sometimes forgets things such as his jersey. Which he did last night. Luckily , the church was only 5 minutes away to retrieve. He'll be back and better than ever in 07. Thanks to all that came on Wednesday night.
Posted by: Pete Laven | February 08, 2007 at 05:18 PM
I'm cool with Master Slinter (Shelly), just as long as I don't see he/she/it mock the National Anthem like he/she/it did at the 2006 All-Star Game.
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