Monthly Archives: March 2013

Keeping Track

Happy Birthday–March 24

Kip Selbach (1872)
Roy Thomas (1874)
Fatty Arbuckle (1887)
Ernie Shore (1891)
George Sisler (1893)
Jesus Alou (1942)
Mark Marquess (1947)
Garry Templeton (1956)
Bruce Hurst (1958)
Wilson Alvarez (1970)
Steve Karsay (1972)
Jose Valverde (1978)
Chad Gaudin (1983)

Silent film comedian Fatty Arbuckle was the owner of the Vernon Tigers of the Pacific Coast League from about 1918-1921.

Mark Marquess is the longtime head baseball coach of Stanford.

No players with connections to the Twins were born on this day; however, we would like to wish a very happy birthday to Mom SBG.

Keeping Track

This Week in Twins Transactions

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I'm out of internet range today, so this was written yesterday morning.  If I missed something because of that, I'll try to pick it up next week.

Chad Rogers was signed to a minor league contract.
Miguel Sano was assigned to major league camp.
Eric Fryer was assigned to minor league camp.
Chris Colabello was assigned to minor league camp.
Mark Sobolewski was assigned to minor league camp.
Brian Dinkelman was assigned to minor league camp.
Clete Thomas was assigned to minor league camp.
Deolis Guerra was assigned to minor league camp.
Shairon Martis was assigned to minor league camp.
Pedro Hernandez was optioned to Rochester.
Joe Benson was optioned to Rochester.
Luis Perdomo was assigned to minor league camp.
Cole Nelson was released.
Gerardo Ramirez was released.
Tyler Herr was released.
Patrick Arnold was released.
Danny Rams was released.

Keeping Track

This Week in Ex-Twins

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I'm out of internet range today, so this was written yesterday morning.  If I missed something because of that, I'll try to pick it up next week.

Baltimore options Danny Valencia to AAA Norfolk.
Boston re-assigns Terry Doyle to minor league camp.
Camden of the Atlantic League signs Erik Lis.
Camden of the Atlantic League signs Armando Gabino.
Angels re-assign Trent Oeltjen to minor league camp.
Oakland assigns Tyler Ladendorf to major league camp.
Pittsburgh re-assigns Kyle Waldrop to minor league camp.
Toronto assigns Tony Davis to major league camp.
Washington assigns Erik Komatsu to major league camp.
Washington agrees to terms with J. C. Romero on a minor league contract.

 

Keeping Track

Happy Birthday–March 23

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Mike Smith (1868)
Gavvy Cravath (1881)
Cy Slapnicka (1886)
Ray Kremer (1893)
Johnny Moore (1902)
Johnny Logan (1927)
Jim Lemon (1928)
Lee May (1943)
George Scott (1944)
Pat Bourque (1947)
Lanny Frattare (1948)
Bo Diaz (1953)
Mrs. A (1954)
Mike Remlinger (1966)
Chris Turner (1969)
Ramon Ortiz (1973)
Mark Buehrle (1979)

Cy Slapnicka was a long-time scout.  Players he is credited with signing include Bob Feller, Lou Boudreau, and Herb Score.  Somehow, "Cy Slapnicka" just sounds like a name a baseball scout should have.

Lanny Frattare was a radio broadcaster for the Pirates from 1976-2008.

Happy birthday to my Hall of Fame wife.

Continue reading Happy Birthday–March 23 →

Friday Music Day

FMD: March 22, 2012

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Apropos of nothing (other than listening yesterday): Is Fog's "Pneumonia" the best song to come out of Minneapolis since Purple Rain (and disallowing any later Prince)? Listen and decide for yourself (Lyrics contain profanities):
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WavKots-bK0
"The casserole was good and the drives were so nice. Welcome to the worst part of your life."
I'd also entertain notions that "Check Fraud" (vocal version) and "What-A-Day Day" by the same artist could be nominated, but by gum does that turntable solo kick ass and flip genres. Basically, it's a Neil Young-type ballad with record scratches for drums and guitar solo. I saw Broder play this once at First Ave, after I had become familiar with the album. I was mesmerized.

Keeping Track

Happy Birthday–March 22

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Jack Boyle (1866)
Ernie Quigley (1880)
Goldie Holt (1902)
Bob Elson (1904)
Marv Owen (1906)
Billy Goodman (1926)
Al Schroll (1932)
Gene Oliver (1935)
Frank Pulli (1935)
Dick Ellsworth (1940)
Ron Wojciak (1943)
Jake Brown (1948)
Eddie Bane (1952)
Bob Costas (1952)
Eric Rasmussen (1952)
Scott Bradley (1960)
Matt Sinatro (1960)
Rich Monteleone (1963)
Glenallen Hill (1965)
Sean Berry (1966)
Ramon Martinez (1968)
Cory Lidle (1972)
Mike Morse (1982)
Ike Davis (1987)

Ernie Quigley was a National League umpire for twenty-six years and then became the NL supervisor of umpires.

Goldie Holt is credited with teaching Charlie Hough to throw the knuckleball.

Bob Elson was a baseball broadcaster for over thirty years, mostly in Chicago.

Frank Pulli was a National League umpire from 1972-1999.

Ron Wojciak helped the Minnesota Golden Gophers win the College World Series in 1964 and played in the Twins’ farm system in 1965.  He passed away from lung cancer in 1966.

Jake Brown was drafted by Minnesota in the thirty-third round in 1967, but he did not sign.

Scott Bradley was drafted by Minnesota in the twelfth round in 1978, but he did not sign.

Continue reading Happy Birthday–March 22 →