Slugs Baseball

Slugs Manager Blasts Team

2009-01-06T12:20:00.000-08:00

Slugs Bench Coach Bernard Leary came out swinging after the teams latest loss. Unfortunately for the team he is about the only one to do any swinging of any kid over the seasons first 2 weeks.

“We are brutal,” he said. “It is time for guys around here to step up and have some accountability.”

The Slugs are currently the worst in the majors in batting average (.216), home runs (6), and runs scored (24).

“We have two kids that come to play every day and the rest are just sitting on their (butts) coasting through the season,” Leary continued.

He was presumably talking about LF Dewey Heaving and RF Pedro Alomar who are the only two Slugs regulars above .260.

The pitching staff was not spared either despite posting a 3.38 ERA good for 5th in the majors. When asked about their performance Leary laced into his starters.

“We’ve got to go deeper that 5 innings a game. If 5 innings and two runs is going to be considered a good outing hell, I may as well be on the roster. We cannot ask for our bullpen to go that long every game. Its just not going to happen.”

Some have sited pressure from management as the leading cause for the outburst. After finishing 82-82 and loosing out on the division in a tie breaker two seasons ago the team has added payroll both seasons and finished 63-99 a year ago and is off to a 2-9 start this year.

Team officials have said that under no uncertain circumstances would the GM or coaches be retained if the team did not improve this season.

The organization does have a few talented players waiting in AAA but the belief was that they would not yet be ready and that the Slugs could swing one more year out of their veterans who are coming off the payroll next year.
“It is truly a make or break time for this team,” said Leary. “If these guys can’t find a way to make it I promise you I will break all of them!”

Slugs Cruze to First Win of the Season

2008-07-02T12:08:00.001-07:00

The Slugs opened the season with a 7-3 victory over the Salt Lake City Ranchers, the team pundits have picked to win the division.

Brian Simontachi and Hiram Mercedes both hit solo home runs and all but one Slug in the starting line up collected a hit.

“It was a complete team effort,” said Herm Bradley, the Slugs bench coach.

The Slugs used a surprise starter, Jason Boyd on the mound. While many anticipated Dean Lange to get the ball opening day it was journeyman Boyd who held the Ranchers in check for the first two innings, giving up a run on three hits, before giving way to Milt Thompson.

“It is something we may use from time to time this year,” said pitching coach Frank Perez. “We are short on guys who can go deep into games and give us quality starts. So we may pop one of our veterans in there for a few innings before making way for Thompson.”

Thompson who has been known to throw 40-50 pitches a game has troubles when his arm is asked to go much further than that. The Slugs seem poised to use him frequently and limit his pitches this season taking him out of a starters role.

“If one of our older guys can keep us in a game early then we can pop ole Milty in there who will give us 3 to 4 solid innings and have the ability to bounce back a day later,” added Perez.

The team did not rule out using Thompson as the set up man either.
The Slugs continue their series with the Ranchers tonight. The Slugs have indicated that Boyd would be starting again tonight and Thompson is available in the bullpen if necessary.

Slugs Make Moves to Improve Team

2008-06-23T06:54:00.000-07:00

The flurry of off season moves seems to have died down as the Slugs roster inches closer to becoming complete.

In what must be considered their signature move, the Slugs acquired veteran right-hander Hong-Chih Yoshii, the 34 year old sinkerball. The Slugs signed him to a 3 year deal valued at 46 million dollars.

“Did we overspend for him?, yeah probably a little. But in this market, with this team I felt we had to,” said first year GM Jim Kneeneighbor. “He gives us that one two punch with (Dean) Lange that gives us a shot at the division.”

There are concerns that Yoshii may be hitting the down slop of his career. The contract carries him through age 37 and at 15 million a year it could be an expensive contract should he break down.

“I would like very much to pitch into my forties,” said Yoshii thru his interpreter when asked about his age and injury concerns at his age.

Staying with the veteran theme the Slugs also signed veterans Lynn Crosby and Albert Pujols, both left-handers, to one-year deals for a combined 3.6 million.

“Good value,” said Kneeneighbor.

They are expected to battle for spots in the rotation with AAA pitchers Luther Ballboa, Ivan Hayes, and Milt Helton, all right-handers.

“You don’t just want to hand a kid a job in the show,” said newly acquired pitching coach and former Santa Cruz Slug himself Frank Perez. “I would say the final three spots in our rotation are up for grabs.”

In other news the Slugs added 37 year old Al Ortiz to their outfield. Ortiz should give the team a decent bat off the bench and at under a million dollars for the year he was a risk worth taking, especially considering the lack of depth in the Slugs outfield.

“If I get a chance to start great. If I am pinch hitting late in a game that’s fine too,” said Ortiz. “I have been around this game a long time and am ready to contribute.”

A lot of veterans would be looking for a chance to be a starter but Ortiz caught the Slugs eye because of his willingness to be a role player and his leadership in the club house.

“Here is a guy who spent 10 years in the minors before making it to the show,” said Kneeneighbor. “He knows its all about hard work and dedication and I think he will be a great influence on all of our young guys, especially in spring training.

In other outfield news the Slugs also picked David Canseco off the waiver wire. It is believed Canseco will be the starting CF on opening day.

Slugs Announce Affiliates

2008-06-19T12:57:00.000-07:00

The Slugs are pound to announce their Season 1 Minor League affiliates. The Slugs look forward to a long standing working relationships with the teams and communities.

The Slugs have selected the city of Albuquerque to host their AAA affiliate in the Pacific Coast League. The Army Ants, as they will be known will host a variety of players just a step away from the show.

“The close proximity of Albuquerque and the PCL makes this a good fit,” said Mike Chance, director of Minor Leagues for the Slugs. “It is a great town and it is not more than an hour flight from Albuquerque to Santa Cruz, allowing for quick call ups.”

The Slugs AA team will be playing out of Longview, Texas in the Texas League. The Longhorns, located in the northeast corner of the state will compete in what is considered the top AA league in the minors right now.

The Mid West League will host the HiA affiliate. The St. Paul Saints and Midway Stadium will have long been the class of independent baseball. Now they join the Slugs and the Mid West League to form a strong working relation.

“The Saints have a long standing fan base in Minnesota. Not only that but the team has always been a winner,” said Chance. “St. Paul was once home to guys like Darryl Strawberry, Jack Morris, Kevin Millar and J.D. Drew.”

The Lake Worth Lizards are the LoA affiliate out of the Florida State League. Sitting near Prot St. Lucie and a variety of other minor league towns Lake Worth is the perfect fit.

Finally the majority of rookies drafted by the Slugs will head to Kingmond, Arizona where the Kings will play ball in the Arizona League. “Again that close proximity to our headquarters should make evaluations easier,” said Chance.
“All in all it is a pound day for our organization,’ Chance said.

Slugs Trim the Roster

2008-06-17T09:53:00.000-07:00

On the first day of spring activities the Slugs trimed thier roster down designating pitchers Bum Ashley and Vic Shannon for assignment. They also gave 1B Oscar DaVanon his outright release.

Season 1 Promo Schedule Released

2008-06-16T19:44:00.000-07:00

The season 1 Slugs promotional schedule has been released. Mark your calenders now and don't miss a moment of Slugs action! For tickets call 1-(555)-GO-SLUGS

7/2/am Salt Lake City Ranchers Magnent Schedule Night
7/12/pm2 Atlanta Tartans Slugs Gummy Treats #
7/17/pm Cleveland Federals Slugs Hat Night presented by Target
7/22/pm2 Cincinnati Seven Hills All You Can Eat Seats*
7/27/pm Colorado Springs Sky Sox Dean Lange Bobble Head
7/28/pm2 Baltimore Weavers Meet the Kids Growth Chart #
7/29/pm Baltimore Weavers Slugs Beach Towell presented by Coke
8/3/pm Cincinnati Seven Hills Season 1 Team Poster
8/9/pm Detroit Teamsters Wiki Matos Bobble Head
8/13/pm Boston Becons Slugs Sock Puppet #
8/15/pm2 Houston Havoc TBA Bobble Head
8/19/am San Juan Islanders All You Can Eat Seats*
8/21/am Syracuse Spinners Raul Franco Bat Day
8/23/pm Detroit Teamsters All You Can Eat Seats*
8/28/am Okland Athletics Hiraam Mercedes Bobble Head

* - All you can eat seat includes ticket in left field bleachers, all the soda and water you can drink, and all the hot dogs, nachos, pretzels, and popcorn you can eat

#- kids 14 and under

For all giveaways not for children fans will recive a ticket to redeme for giveaway that will be handed to fans as the leave the building after the completion of the game. You must arive before the first pitch and stay untill the last out. If you want a bobble head you better watch the game folks!