Travelerocity

Biggest news of the summer:No Cardinals games on Comcast

If you are a St. Louis Cardinals fan and Comcast customer planning to take off work for opening day and watch Monday's game on Fox Sports Midwest as you have for the last several years, don't do it because you are going to be furious when you turn the channel to 96 and instead of the game you see Tony Cotton smoking a cigar and leading a line dance of employees at a used car lot.

I don't know just how factual this information is at this point, but I've had several tipsters send e-mails in the last few days saying that they've heard Comcast will not be carrying the Cards -- the overwhelming favorite among baseball fans in Arkansas -- this season. Interestingly enough, at least one of these tips came from someone in the state to the north of us.

Even if you are among the minority of baseball fans who swing another way and don't follow the Cardinals (not that there's anything wrong with that), this should be disappointing news to you as well because it means a drastic cut in the number of baseball games on your television for the next six months. Fox Sports Midwest is broadcasting 135 Cardinals games this year, so subtract that and suddenly the product you are paying way too much for every month doesn't quite hold its same value.

If all this is true, I can summarize this decision in two words: This sucks.

What can you do about it?

First, call Comcast at 501-375-5755 and request that St. Louis Cardinals games be carried. If they know there are a lot of customers out there who care about this programming, maybe it will help them make the right decision.

Second, contact the Fox Sports Midwest office at 314-206-7000 or midwest@foxsports.net and ask them why this decision is being made and request that they please work with Comcast to ensure that the huge fan base in Central Arkansas has access to watching the 135 Cardinals games. As a bonus, you might call the St. Louis Cardinals office at 314-345-9000 and let them know how important it is to have the games shown here and how much they influence people to travel to St. Louis for a weekend or two each summer.

Third, if none of the above works and there are no Cardinals games all season, call AT&T at 1-800-288-2020 and tell them you are ready to order U-Verse.

-- Travelerocity reporter

Prospect notes on potential players headed to Travs roster

Do you smell a repeat? Maybe if some of these guys end up on the Travs roster sometime soon. Or maybe that is just Umps that is smelling. Regardless, some notes on Angels prospects courtesy of MLB.com:

Predictions: Hitter of the Year -- OF Peter Bourjos
It's tempting to take Conger (again), but we need to see him healthy for a full year first. Bourjos gets the nod as he continues to develop into one of the better leadoff prospects in the game.

Predictions: Pitcher of the Year -- RHP Jordan Walden
This would make two in a row, both in predictions and selections, should he win it. He's not the best pitching prospect in the system for nothing.

Top Draft Pick 2006: Hank Conger, C
Injuries have slowed him, but he still hit .303 in 73 California League games. He then drove in 13 runs during the Texas League playoffs, showing that his bat is ready to move ahead. Improving his catching skills will be the next test.

Under the Radar: Efren Navarro, 1B
Usually a 50th-round pick out of college isn't going to get any attention, let alone a chance to play. But Navarro came out of the Universiry of Las Vegas in 2007 and played at two levels in his first full season. He hit .349 at Rancho Cucamonga and is so good with the glove that he was the organization's defensive player of year.

Also noted from Farmer Flores: The organization is putting an emphasis on fewer strikeouts this year, and Conger will start the season with the Travelers if healthy.

-- Travelerocity reporter

Valentine's restaurant now goingby name of 'Umps Pub and Grill'

Remember when the Junkyard Dog was suspended from Mid-South Wrestling but came back as the mysterious masked man Stagger Lee?

That was my first thought when I saw the announcement on Tuesday that Bill Valentine's Ballpark Restaurant will close at the end of this week and re-open on opening day (April 9) under the name Umps Pub & Grill, which will "continue to pay tribute to Bill and his historic baseball career," according to GM Pete Laven in the news release.

Regardless of the change of theme, or maybe I should say change of food because it sounds like a familiar theme, Umps is going to do a business. I think there's room for everybody on that side of the river, but Creegan's and all the other competitors in that corner of the woods can't compete with a sports bar located in a baseball stadium. But will it be open in the offseason?

In keeping with the theme, can we kick dirt on the wait staff if we disagree with the bill?

-- Travelerocity reporter

Remembering George Kell

 

George Kell

"George Kell is an Arkansas legend and a true treasure. The baseball world will remember him as one of the all-time great third basemen and an uncommonly gifted announcer. Arkansas will also remember George's love of his family, his service to this State, and his legacy at Arkansas State University. No matter the heights George reached, he always remembered where he came from, and he called Swifton his home for his entire life."

 -- Gov. Mike Beebe

The Detroit Free Press has a package of stories up on Kell . They also have a photo gallery. Be sure to read the comments from the readers, all seem to have fond memories of Kell.

Share your memories of Kell here as well.

-- Crash Davis

Breaking news: Budweiser products returning to Arkansas Travelers games

That's the hot rumor, anyway.

It's not confirmed, but after years of exile, your favorite Budweiser products may be returning to Johnny "Cold Beer" Strickland's metal tub and other points of purchase at Arkansas Travelers games.

Budweiser was a fan favorite at Travs games at Ray Winder Field until then-GM Bill Valentine had a "falling out" with our local Budweiser distributor (at least that's the story to some people in the know), and since then many fans have complained on an annual basis for a return to their favorite beverage.

Also out is the "unique" taste of Bitburger, according to a source.

Truth or rumor? We'll have to wait and see.

--Travelerocity reporter

Coolbaugh book coming

Let this be a little distraction from all the Bill Valentine news.

 

Sports Illustrated writer S. L. Price is doing a book on Mike Coolbaugh. If you are reading this blog, you already know the Coolbaugh story, so I won't be repeating it.

The details:

Sports Illustrated writer S.L. Price has signed a contract with HarperCollins imprint Ecco to write a book about Mike Coolbaugh, the minor league baseball player-turned-coach who died this summer at the age of 35 after being struck in the head by a foul ball, according to Ecco’s director of publicity. The book is based on an article Price wrote about Coolbaugh for Sports Illustrated in September.

The book, titled Heart of the Game, will be Price’s second with Ecco; his first was Pitching Around Fidel, a book about sports in Cuba that came out in 1998. His latest, Far Afield, came out this past fall on Lyons Press.

Here's a link to Price's original story in Sports Illustrated.

— Crash Davis

Arrivederci chocolate gelato bomb: Valentine's Italian restaurant is closing within days

As first posted by someone named "Tom" in the comments section of this blog on March 16, Arkansas Business is now reporting that Bill Valentine's Ballpark Restaurant is closing as of March 23. The same poster predicted yesterday on this site that Valentine's would close by April 1 and turn into a sports bar. The Travelers have yet to confirm the restaurant is closing or that it will change into something else.

A sports bar makes a lot of sense. They could leave the Valentine memorabilia up, and they've already got the big screen above the bar. A sports bar also adds one more viable dining option for fans during games. The upscale Italian theme didn't lend itself to walk-up sales from outside.

Opening a restaurant seemed like a dream come true for food connoisseur Valentine, and the way he visited tables indicated he was enjoying the operation. But I can see how running a restaurant and ballpark could get old, especially by closing time night after night, and the location wasn't the easiest sell during the offseason.

I have to say, this is curious timing, though.

So as we send off the two-year run of Valentine's Italian eatery, what was the best dish you had while it was open? And while we are at it, anyone have any suggestions for a theme for a sports bar?

-- Travelerocity reporter

Breaking news: Bill Valentine retires from Travs

From the news release put out by the Travelers:

NORTH LITTLE ROCK - After a 40-year association, including the last 33 as the club's executive vice president, Bill Valentine has announced his retirement from the Arkansas Travelers. The Executive Committee of the Travelers has accepted his decision and resignation effective as of March 10, 2009.

"I've been in baseball for almost 60 years," said Valentine. "Over the past couple of years, I think the daily grind has gotten to me a bit. Most nights I have been the last person to leave the ballpark, and I'm usually here seven days a week. I've just gotten tired."

"I think I've done everything that I possibly can with the Travs," continued Valentine. "The franchise has come a long way from when they hired me to take over in 1976. I'm very proud of what we have accomplished here. I think I can say that baseball in Central Arkansas is better off today than it was when I started here."

Developing...

Arkansas Times comments on the story

Thank you, KKYK (Comcast 15), for showing Cards' spring game

As I was flipping through the channels on Saturday looking for the best conference-tournament game, I came across a surprise on Comcast channel 15 –– the St. Louis Cardinals playing a spring game against the Atlanta Braves from sunny Jupiter, as broadcast by St. Louis's flagship KSDK station, which carries games on Sundays and an occasional Saturday throughout the season.

KKYK has been through a lot of changes recently, so it is a relief to see they are still carrying the Cardinals this year, and I have to send them a shout out for even carrying the spring games.

Now we wait for the annual last-minute announcement from Comcast about Cardinals, Rangers, and Astros games on channel 96, a fabulous addition to their channel line-up many years ago. I know the Cardinals games ensures I am a Comcast customer every year.

Now if only Comcast would include the Cards' spring games broadcast on Fox Sports Midwest. Yeah, that's probably asking too much. But it won't stop me from checking when FSN Midwest is carrying Cardinals games the next two Wednesdays.

-- Travelerocity reporter

Former Traveler Pujols makes cover of Sports Illustrated

 

If only that headline were true.

How great would it be to be able to call the greatest player in baseball a former Traveler? If I have one grievance with the St. Louis Cardinals in their longtime role as parent club to the Travs, it is that Pujols bypassed his should-have-been-Double-A-home of Ray Winder Field, even if only for a month, on his way to St. Louis. I like to think Bobby Bonilla's injury is largely to blame for Walt Jocketty fast-tracking Pujols through the minors, but man it would have been nice to have him for at least a week.

It's nice to dream about it, but the fact remains Pujols was not a Traveler. Our only hope of seeing him now is if he ever gets injured and needs a rehab assignment, he will be coming to Dickey-Stephens Park with the Springfield Cardinals. And make no mistake Springfield will get him.

-- Travelerocity reporter

Top thirty Traveler prospects for 2009

Just like spring training, it's with great anticipation each season when I open my new copy of Baseball America Prospect Handbook -- the source for each big league club's top 30 prospects and overall talent pool.

Naturally the first look is always dedicated to the Los Angeles Angels' section (page 222). For me, the most fun is to anticipate which ranked prospects will be sent up to the Travelers, and it looks like the team will be loaded with them to start '09. (Unlike '08 when the club began the season with only these three: #6 RHP Stephen Marek, who was traded later in the season; #11 Hainley Statia, SS, who spent the second half on the DL; and #19 Chris Pettit, OF, who broke his foot opening night at Dickey-Stephens Park.)

Along with all the new faces, there have been a lot of changes this year, most notably the rise of RHP Kevin Jepsen, and the fall of Statia.

So thanks to Baseball America, here is its Top 30 for the Los Angeles Angels. (Predictions on these prospects coming to Arkansas to start the season or later are based on Player Development Director Abe Flores' comments at the Hot Stove last month, Baseball America, and other sources.)

#1 Nick Adenhart, RHP, best changeup. (spent all of '07 with Travs) 

     

After a poor '08, slated to begin season at Triple-A Salt Lake. (I personally was very surprised at Nick being rated #1. I thought it would be Hank Conger or Jordan Walden.)

#2 Jordan Walden, RHP, best fastball. (Should be with Travs later, if doesn't open the season.)

       

The 6' 5" right hander was very impressive in his Cactus League debut last week.

#3 Peter Bourjos, OF, fastest baserunner, best defensive outfielder. (Will start with Travs.)

 

#4 Trevor Recking, LHP

#5 Sean O'Sullivan, RHP (Will start with Arkansas.)

   

#6 Kevin Jepsen, RHP, best curveball.

Not even on the radar at the start of '08, Jepsen began his brilliant season with the Travelers and zoomed up to Triple-A, the All-Star Future's Game, Team USA in the Olympics, and finally... a major league debut on Sept. 8 against the Yankees.

He worked a scoreless inning last week in his spring training debut against Oakland.

#7 Hank Conger, C, best hitter for average. (Saved the playoffs and championship for the Travs with his monster bat after being called up as a DH for the playoff run.)

     

Huge power and offensive threat from both sides of the plate. Sadly, Abe Flores said last month Hank would spend most of the season at Rancho, if not all of it. Better late than never.

#8 Mark Trumbo, 1B, best power hitter. (Will start with Travs.)

     

Called up to the Travelers in July last season and hit some bombs. One, the longest ever at Dickey-Stephens, was crushed off the building across the street from the scoreboard in left field. Funny, everyone but the Angels wanted him as a pitcher.

#9 Anthony Ortega, RHP. Breakthrough season began at Arkansas in '08, moved to Triple-A and ended by being named the Angels' Minor League Pitcher of the Year.

   

Anthony is vying this spring for a starter's role in the Angels' rotation.

#10 Mason Tobin, RHP.

 

#11 Tyler Chatwood, RHP; #12 Will Smith, RHP; #13 Bobby Wilson, C (former Traveler); #14 Ryan Mount, 2B, (should be with Travs); #15 Rafael Rodriguez, RHP, best slider, (star of the staff as closer and dominator as the Travs pushed through the playoffs in '08); #16 Clay Fuller, OF; #17 Chris Pettit, OF (will start with Arkansas); #18 Matt Sweeney, 3B (may be with Travs); #19 Manuarys Correa, RHP; #20 Robert Fish, LHP; #21 Ryan Chaffee, RHP; #22 Andrew Romine SS, best strike-zone discipline, best infield arm (may be with Travelers).

 

#23 Rolando Gomez, SS, best defensive infielder; #24 Alex Torres, LHP; #25 Matt Brown, 3B, 1B (former Traveler all-star); #26 Luis Jimennez, 3B; #27 Terell Alliman, OF, 3B; #28 David Herndon, RHP, best control (will start season at Arkansas)

 

#29 Nick Green, RHP (former Traveler traded to Milwaukee after publication came out); #30 Hainley Statia, SS (will start season with Arkansas again after struggling last year with a DL hamstring injury). Started '08 as #11 prospect.

Best defensive catcher, Anel de los Santos, who spent a little time at Arkansas last season if he remembers it after getting whacked at home plate in a huge concussion-causing collision.

Best outfield arm, Julio Perez

Sadly the Angels have now slipped to #25 in overall talent rankings. Baseball America says, "The Angels have dominated the American League West in recent seasons, but that could change soon. Oakland and Texas have two of the game's best farm systems, while Los Angeles has given away more draft picks in the last five years than any other club. It shows in the system's talent drop off."

The L.A. Angels were ranked 10th entering spring last season, a drop of 15 spots to the bottom tier of MLB's thirty teams.

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Travs a go go............

Check out this summary by MLB.com of former Travelers during a recent Cactus League game.

Angels at the plate: Reggie Willits singled and walked twice in three at-bats, stealing a base. Mike Napoli banged a two-run single, and Terry Evans had two singles, driving in a run. Sean Rodriguez doubled and walked in three at-bats, Chris Pettit delivered an RBI single, and Freddy Sandoval doubled and drove in two runs.

WOW... sounds like old times!

-- Lonesome Traveler

NWA 1, LR 0 on spring media coverage of Texas League teams

 

While visiting Fayetteville for Sunday's Razorback basketball game honoring the 1994 national championship team (more on that below), I was perusing the Morning News thrown at my hotel door and was astonished to discover a story this size on the NWA Naturals -- on March 1!

The story doesn't really say a whole lot, but just the fact that the sports editor at the paper found Naturals news important enough to put in a Sunday edition mostly devoted to a big basketball event impressed me.

Hey, for all the criticism I will heap on northwest Arkansas, this paper is making the Naturals matter and giving baseball fans an outlet for finding news on the minor-league team, even more than a month before they take the field. Well done, Morning News.

---

And about this weekend to honor the '94 basketball team? The only thing missing was an apology from all the fans, media people, and administrators who viciously ran off Nolan seven years ago. Reading the columnists and other media coverage, you would have thought that all these people felt the same way then as they do now. Let me remind you that they didn't. The least they could have done seven years later is admit they were wrong.

Sitting in that crowd in Bud Walton Arena was like watching all the people who yelled "crucify him" return to later cheer Jesus as if nothing happened and they had no role in the matter. Good call on firing Nolan, everybody. I expect we will be saying the same about running off Houston Nutt.

-- Travelerocity reporter