It was a night at the "Show" to remember. But after a one-night-stand in the big leagues, RHP and former '09 Traveler Sean O'Sullivan was optioned back to Salt Lake today and another former Traveler, Rafael Rodriguez was recalled to the Angels.
But what a night for the 21-year-old O'Sullivan, who started the season in the Travelers' rotation. O'Sullivan kept the Angels' victory streak alive with a win over the San Francisco Giants Tuesday night in his Major League debut. (Complete coverage prior Travelerocity post.)
There was another promotion late last week involving the Texas League, but this time it was a manager.
Former Tulsa Driller Manager Stu Cole (above) Is now calling the shots for the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox. The recent firing of Colorado Rockies manager Clint Hurdle got Cole the promotion and caused a string of managerial changes for the Colorado system.
Stepping in for Cole at Tulsa as the new Drillers manager for the remainder of the '09 season will be 44-year-old Ron Gideon.(above) Gideon had been the Roving Field Coordinator for Colorado since 2006 and has been involved in the Rockies' system for 14 years. He has ten years experience managing in the minors and was also a player in the Texas League.
Cole replaces former Sky Sox manager Tom Runnels, who was promoted to the big leagues as bench coach for the Rockies replacing Jim Tracy, who was named manager of Colorado after Hurdle was fired.
At the time of his promotion Cole, seen above at Dickey-Stephens, had the Drillers in second place in the Texas League North Division. He spent more than three season seasons as manager of the Drillers, but his new job will be a homecoming of sorts. He played for the Sky Sox from 1993-95 and helped the club win a PCL Championship.
--Lonesome Traveler
Hi Travelers fans!
Thought I'd add a game note you might enjoy. Bell's GO:AO was 15:6, meaning he got plenty of defensive help for the win, most notably from former Traveler Ben Johnson. Playing 1B last evening, Johnson tallied 14 PO, including 2 DP (Patchett-Johnson, Kendrick-Johnson), and 4 of which he fielded himself. One of those outs was don't-blink-or-you'll-miss-it diving snag of a line drive, and then a quick scramble to the bag. . .Your friend in baseball. BeesGal
Posted by: BeesGal | June 17, 2009 at 06:17 PM
Sorry BeesGal, stats aren't the cup of tea on this board...we like our whinin' and complainin' with no facts to back it up.
How's Kendrick looking in SL? I hated to see him sent down, but he's just not putting up the numbers this year.
Posted by: Sidd Finch | June 17, 2009 at 10:19 PM
LT, check your gmail, I just sent your scan.
Posted by: cobra22nd | June 18, 2009 at 06:30 PM
what a phenomenal picture of me. At least you got my good side
Posted by: Stu Cole's Ass | June 18, 2009 at 07:55 PM
Ha, ha, ha! Didn't mean to go geek-gal crazy on y'all. Just trying to give a little love to Johnson since he was otherwise a non-entity in the game stories.
Howie's still Howie. Smiling, swinging, diving and digging.
The other night, Terry Evans struck out on a rather questionable low-and-outside called strike. T.E. rarely, I mean rarely flares up. This time, he flipped his bat so hard I was worried for a sec it would end up over the railing and inside the dugout. Terry was still saying a few choice words as he collected his hat/glove to head out to right field. As Howie ran out,he made a little detour on the way to his 2B spot and slapped Terry on the rump with a smile and a comment.
The guy just got busted down to the bush leagues and he's being a motivational coach.
He's hitting well, although not much power thus far. Um, . . .no other way to put it , so here goes. . .he's 6-for-21, with four of his hits being doubles. And one stolen base.
In the warm and fuzzy department, he's nearly always the first out of the dugout to come sign autographs. Hope he gets his groove back soon. Nonetheless, we're sure enjoying his visit while he's stuck here in Triple-A. .BeesGal
Posted by: BeesGal | June 18, 2009 at 10:22 PM
Kendrick is just another in a long, long line of middling Angels prospects. That orgainization will never, ever develop a legitimate every-day major league position player.
All they do is sign free agents and make trades while developing the supporting cast in the minors.
Their pitching has been stellar in recent years, but c'mon, look at the list of position 'prospects' all the Angels psycophants like Stephen C. Smith have gotten wood over - no pun in intended: Kendrick, Wood, Aybar, S. Rodriguez, Napoli, Mathis, Willits, Brown
I get so tired of people trumpeting how great the Angels are. I just don't see it.
But, hey, they smile and play hard...just like hundreds of other players.
Posted by: Seething C. Smith | June 20, 2009 at 12:06 PM
oops phenomenal picture what does it mean....
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Posted by: Britney | July 14, 2009 at 05:31 AM