Pop Snyder (1854)
Jerry Grote (1942)
Gene Clines (1946)
Victor Bernal (1953)
Alfredo Griffin (1957)
Oil Can Boyd (1959)
Rich Yett (1962)
Ruben Sierra (1965)
Archi Cianfrocco (1966)
Darren Oliver (1970)
Right-hander Victor Bernal was drafted by the Twins in the 1975 January draft, but the pick was voided. He went on to be chosen by San Diego in the June draft of 1975 and played in fifteen games for the Padres in 1977.
Phoenix scored six runs in the fourth to overcome a 6-3 deficit on the way to a 12-8 victory over the Mesa Solar Sox in Phoenix.
Michael Choice (Oakland) led the way for Phoenix with a single, a double, and a home run. Anthony Gose (Toronto) and Jesus Aguilar (Cleveland) each doubled and homered, with Gose driving in three. Aaron Loup (Toronto) got the win despite allowing two runs on two hits in 1.2 innings. Brad Boxberger (Cincinnati) struck out all four batters he faced to get the save.
For Mesa, Josh Vitters (Cubs) hit two homers and drove in five runs. Chris Herrmann singled and doubled, going 2-for-4. Brian Dozier was 1-for-5 with a double. Cole DeVries started and allowed three runs on five hits in 2.2 innings. Dakota Watts took the loss, surrendering five runs on two hits and three walks in just two-thirds of an inning.
Mesa hosts Phoenix this afternoon.
Henry Chadwick (1824)
John Reilly (1858)
Claude Ritchey (1873)
Jim Bagby (1889)
Sam West (1904)
Si Johnson (1906)
Andy Kosco (1941)
Dan Fife (1949)
Onix Concepcion (1957)
Randy Bush (1958)
Rey Sanchez (1965)
Brandon Puffer (1975)
There are six teams in the Arizona Fall League. They are divided into two divisions, east and west. The east has the Mesa Solar Sox, the Salt River Rafters, and the Scottsdale Scorpions. The west has the Peoria Javelinas, the Phoenix Desert Dogs, and the Surprise Saguaros.
People who have followed this league in the past may notice that there have been a couple of franchise shifts. The Peoria Saguaros team has been moved to Surprise. The former Surprise Rafters team has been moved to Salt River.
Here are the major league affiliations of each team:
Mesa--Baltimore, Cubs, White Sox, Minnesota, Pittsburgh.
Peoria--Milwaukee, San Diego, St. Louis, San Diego, Seattle.
Phoenix--Cincinnati, Cleveland, Yankees, Oakland, Toronto.
Scottsdale--Boston, Angels, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Washington
Surprise--Atlanta, Florida, Kansas City, Tampa Bay, Texas.
As you can see, the Twins' team this year is the Mesa Solar Sox. The manager is Joe McEwing and the hitting coach is Jeff Branson. Two pitching coaches are listed, Jeff Fassero and Steve Mintz. Twins players in the Arizona Fall League are Cole DeVries, Brett Jacobson, Bruce Pugh, Dakota Watts, Chris Herrmann, Brian Dozier, and Aaron Hicks.
Other top prospects in the AFL this season include Matt Dominguez (Florida), Nick Franklin (Seattle), Grant Green (Oakland), Bryce Harper (Washington), Brett Jackson (Cubs), Wil Myers (Kansas City), and Mike Trout (Angels).
The season begins on October 4 and ends on November 17. The Fall Star Game (actual name: Rising Stars Game) will be played November 5. The league championship game will be played November 19. Let's play ball!
Ray Fisher (1887)
Frank Crosetti (1910)
Red Munger (1918)
Rip Repulski (1928)
Jimy Williams (1943)
Tony LaRussa (1944)
Glenn Adams (1947)
Dave Johnson (1948)
John Wathan (1949)
Lary Sorensen (1955)
Charlie Liebrandt (1956)
Billy Hatcher (1960)
Joe Boever (1960)
Dennis Cook (1962)
Chris James (1962)
Bruce Ruffin (1963)
Mark McLemore (1964)
Steve Olin (1965)
Kyle Lohse (1978)
Tony Gwynn, Jr. (1982)
Fred Clarke (1872)
Bob Skinner (1931)
Jack Lamabe (1936)
Chuck Scrivener (1947)
Dave Winfield (1951)
Dennis Eckersley (1954)
Jim Joyce (1955)
Daryl Sconiers (1958)
Darrin Fletcher (1966)
Junior Felix (1967)
Wil Cordero (1971)
Eric Munson (1977)
Infielder Chuck Scrivener was drafted by the Twins in the seventeenth round in 1966, but did not sign.
We would also like to wish a very happy birthday to spookymilk.
Mike Dorgan (1853)
Eddie Murphy (1891)
Masayori Shimura (1913)
Maury Wills (1932)
Earl Wilson (1934)
Bob Robertson (1946)
Greg Pryor (1949)
Alan Newman (1969)
Matt Walbeck (1969)
Eddie Guardado (1970)
Scott Schoeneweis (1973)
Jose Morban (1979)
Ray Kolp (1894)
Carmen Hill (1895)
Jimmie Reese (1901)
Jim Russell (1918)
Hal Naragon (1928)
Chuck Hiller (1934)
Rod Carew (1945)
Bill Bonham (1948)
Pete Falcone (1953)
Jeff Reardon (1955)
Vance Law (1956)
Mark McGwire (1963)
Roberto Kelly (1964)
Chuck McElroy (1967)
John Thomson (1973)
Brandon Knight (1975)
We would also like to wish Beau a very happy birthday.
Joe Mauer was placed on the fifteen day disabled list.
Justin Morneau was placed on the fifteen day disabled list.
Tsuyoshi Nishioka was placed on the fifteen day disabled list.
Esmerling Vasquez was claimed off waivers from Arizona.
Alexi Casilla was transferred to the sixty day disabled list.
Not much happening this time of year:
Arizona organization activates Michael Restovich from the disabled list.
Arizona organization activates David Winfree from the disabled list.
Mets organization activates Boof Bonser from the disabled list.
Philadelphia organization activates Juan Morillo from the disabled list.
Sioux City (independent) re-signs Stan Cliburn as manager.