Results tagged ‘ David Ortiz ’
Hazelbaker Gets the Call to Pawtucket
With Ryan Kalish recalled to Boston Monday afternoon as David Ortiz once again landed on the disabled list, speedy 6-foot-3 outfielder Jeremy Hazelbaker has been called-up to Triple-A Pawtucket for the first time in his career.
Boston’s fourth round pick in 2009, Hazelbaker is in the midst of his best professional season. In 114 games with Double-A Portland, the 25-year-old is batting .273 with 19 home runs and 64 runs batted in (both career highs). Add to those numbers 33 stolen bases — good for second-most in the Red Sox minor league system (Garin Cecchini, Single-A Greenville, 46).
At the time of his promotion, Hazelbaker was riding a 10-game hitting streak (17-for-46) with the Sea Dogs while batting .360 during August. From July 28 to August 15, Hazelbaker put together a Portland-best 13-game hitting streak where he hit .400 (20-for-50).
Hazelbaker joins the PawSox after spending parts of two seasons in Double-A (204 games) where he hit .270 with 31 homers and 105 RBI. (Kelly O’Connor)
My good friend, and “Voice of the Sea Dogs,” Mike Antonellis (@seadogsradio) pointed out to me that the Ball State product reached base in 11 straight plate appearances from July 17-18, and set a Portland franchise record with four stolen bases on July 22 at New Hampshire. (Mike’s blog is well worth a vist everyday for the latest on the Sea Dogs.)
After a slow start where he hit just .231 with four home runs over April and May, Hazelbaker has really cranked things up. Since June 1, he is hitting .295 with 15 homers and 50 RBI and is batting nearly the same versus righties as he is lefties (.272/.274).
Although there’s not much left to the regular season, it will be interesting to see how Hazelbaker hits away from Hadlock Field in Portland where he crushed with a .333 average (.203 on the road), and hit 14 of his 19 homers. He also had 30 more runs batted in at home than he did away.
Hazelbaker joins the PawSox in Lawrenceville, Ga. on the last leg of the final road trip of the regular season.
-AG
@aaronmgoldsmith
agoldsmith@pawsox.com
Valentine: Mauro Gomez Recalled to Boston
At approximately 2:45 Wednesday afternoon, Bobby Valentine told WEEI’s The Big Show that David Ortiz (achilles) will be placed on the disabled list with Mauro Gomez being recalled from Pawtucket.
The PawSox first baseman/designated hitter was just recently optioned from Boston on July 14 to make room for Clay Buchholz coming off the disabled list. Normally the Red Sox would have to wait 10 days to recall Gomez, but because Ortiz is reportedly headed for the DL, Gomez is eligible to be recalled.
Gomez, in eight games this year with the Red Sox, is hitting .308 (8-for-26) with three doubles and three runs batted in. (Kelly O’Connor).
On Monday, in his one game with the PawSox after he was recently optioned, Gomez went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a home run, and two runs batted in.
In addition to his obvious power, having Gomez in the PawSox lineup “puts everyone back where they need to be,” said PawSox manager Arnie Beyeler.
“You just don’t realize how a guy like him and [Pedro] Ciriaco, when they’re where they need to be in the lineup, the other guys go where they need to be. When those two guys are gone, then other guys move up and get into spots that they’re not used to or probably shouldn’t be in.”
Gomez currently ranks among the International League leaders in batting average (.317, 2nd), home runs (20, T-3rd), total bases (180, 3rd), and slugging (.634, 2nd). Meanwhile, his 49 extra-base hits are the second-most in all of Triple-A.
-AG
@aaronmgoldsmith
agoldsmith@pawsox.com
Baseball Wishes Happy Father’s Day on Twitter
It wouldn’t be Father’s Day without baseball. With thousands of dads spending today at ballparks around the country with their sons and daughters, many throughout the game took a moment this morning to publicly wish a “Happy Father’s Day” on Twitter.
PHOTOS: Red Sox vs. Yankees at JetBlue Park
Well before Bobby Valentine created a stir by saying he was upset by Joe Giradi’s decision to end Thursday night’s game in a 4-4 tie, it was a circus at JetBlue Park for one reason: Terry Francona.
The former Red Sox manager was part of the ESPN broadcast team covering the game and the media went crazy over Tito’s return to Red Sox Spring Training. Below are some pics I took throughout the day.
Every reporter in the house wanted to talk with Tito before the game.
Francona looked like he enjoyed seeing some familiar faces from the Boson media.
Bobby Valentine talking with David Ortiz during batting practice.
PawSox manager Arnie Beyeler throwing BP before the game.
The view of batting practice from the dugout.
A single Rawlings MLB baseball on the MLB.com Shop costs $16.99. Maybe this is why parking at Fenway costs so much?
Red Sox super-shortstop-prospect Jose Iglesias taking some infield during batting practice.
Bobby Valentine chatting with Dan Schulman and Orel Hershiser of ESPN. Buster Olney is sitting to the left.
This was taken about two hours before first pitch. Gates open at JetBlue Park 90 minutes prior to the start of the game. One security guard told me that there were people who camped out overnight!
This was a real thrill for me to be able to see these three great broadcasters: Joe Castiglione, the “Voice of the Red Sox,” Don Orsillo, the TV voice of the Red Sox on NESN, and all the way at the end is Dan Schulman of ESPN Sunday Night Baseball.
The Monstah.
There is seating on top of the Monster and in the Monster. You can’t see it well in this picture, but there is netting in front of the seats in the Monster to protect the fans.
Pesky’s Pole in right field already getting some signatures.
The view from on top of the Green Monster.
Today I’m off to the Twins’ complex for a 1:00 first pitch between Pawtucket and Rochester with my good friend and “Voice of the Portland Sea Dogs,” Mike Antonellis. More on today’s game coming later tonight.
-AG
@aaronmgoldsmith
agoldsmith@pawsox.com
Live From Ft. Myers: Day 2
David Ortiz is at the plate as the Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays play in front of a sellout crowd tonight at JetBlue Park. I’ll watch the game soon enough but right now, from my seat in the press box, I want to get you up to speed with what happened earlier today in Port Charlotte between the PawSox and Durham Bulls.
Chris Balcom-Miller (left) started for Pawtucket and went four innings, allowing two runs. The PawSox scored their first run thanks to a 2nd-inning solo shot off the bat of catcher Matt Spring (below). Unfortunately, that was half of the club’s run production on the afternoon. In the 6th inning first baseman Mauro Gomez singled and scored on an RBI double by right fielder J.C. Linares.
Caleb Clay (0-1) came on and worked a scoreless 5th inning but then allowed the go-ahead run in the 6th inning to suffer the loss. Lefty Hunter Jones could not keep things close and was charged with five runs over two innings. Eammon Portice tossed the bottom of the ninth inning (even though the Bulls were up by six) and retired the side in order, including a pair of strikeouts.
Today’s loss marks the first of the Spring for the PawSox who are now 5-1 in Grapefruit League play.
PawSox Notebook
- Daniel Nava’s solid hitting continued today with a double to center field (the wind helped it some).
- Will Middlebrooks did not play in today’s game; Gomez played only as the DH.
- Parking at JetBlue Park is $9.00. That’s $9.00 more than you’ll pay for parking at McCoy Stadium.
- Tomorrow I’ll be in attendance for the PawSox 1:00 p.m. first pitch against Rochester.
- I’m on the hunt for the best local fish taco. If you happen to know where that might be, please let me know!
PHOTOS: Boston Baseball Writers Dinner
I had the rare fortune to spend last night with countless other Red Sox fans eager for 2012 at the 73rd annual Boston Baseball Writers Dinner at the Westin Copley Place Hotel in Boston. Nine other PawSox front office members joined me for what was a fun night with great people all eager for baseball. As you can see, I even made a new friend.
One of the highlights of the night for me came when I got to talk one-on-one with the program’s emcee, ESPN’s Karl Revech. Originally from Needham, Ma., Karl was a pleasure to talk with and had great respect for the PawSox.
Below are some pics I took throughout the night:
We had a great view from Table No. 18 only a few rows back.
Red Sox GM Ben Cherington, manager Bobby Valentine, David Ortiz, and Josh Reddick.
Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, PawSox catcher Ryan Lavarnway, former PawSox pitcher Tommy Hottovy (now with the Kansas City Royals).
Ravech did a terrific job as emcee with the perfect blend of humor and history.
Ortiz accepted the Tim Wakefield Award for his work with children both in Boston and his native Santo Domingo.
Saltalamacchia was given the Good Guy Award. An honor given in memory of the late Tommy McCarthy, a long-time Red Sox press steward. Friendly and cooperative with the press, Salty fits the description of a “good guy” in every way.
The Red Sox Minor League Player of the Year award was given to PawSox catcher Ryan Lavarnway. Between Portland and Pawtucket, the Yale product combined to hit .290 with 32 home runs and 93 RBIs in 2011.
The Ben Mondor Award, close to the hearts of all PawSox fans, went to John McDonald. This honor is given the the New England Player of the Year. A Providence College alum, McDonald played in 84 games last season between the Blur Jays and Diamondbacks.
A Special Achievement Award was given to Red Sox great Jim Lonborg. He was the ace of the staff during his magical 1967 season where he finished 22-9, 3.16 ERA and won the Cy Young. Of almost equal importance, he was my wife’s childhood dentist (no joke).
Despite recently being traded to Oakland, former PawSox Josh Reddick took home the Red Sox Rookie of the Year Award. He ended 2011 with a .280 average, 18 doubles, three triples, seven home runs, and 28 RBIs. Fun fact: this award was first given out after the 1939 season to another left-handed hitting outfielder, Ted Williams.
Hottovy walked away with the Lou Gorman Award and was a perfect choice for his dedication and perseverance in overcoming career obstacles. On June 3rd, a month short of his 30th birthday, he pitched his first major league game for the Red Sox. Tommy is great guy who was recently signed by the Royals.
Let’s get to the important part of the night: the food. Chicken thigh with potatoes and carrots were served.
My thanks to the PawSox for treating me to such a fantastic event. Baseball will be here before we know it.
-AG
