Ten-Inning Trials

Box, Wrap, SWB Blog, Herald-Sun

Box, Wrap, SWB Blog
Season: 13-24; Trip: 2-4; Standings

Just who the heck are the Empire State Yankees? Well, they are the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. However, they aren't playing baseball in Scranton or Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania this year. On the other hand, they never did. When they did play baseball in Pennsylvania, they played in Moosic, Pennsylvania. Moosic is sort of between Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. Someday (probably next year) they may be playing there again, once their field in Moosic gets repaired/renovated. This year they are playing "home" games wherever they can find a vacant stadium. Mostly their home games will be in New York (such as this series being playing in Rochester). So, for one year only, some marketers have christened them the "Empire State Yankees". Except that the new, one year only, name hasn't quite caught on. Nevertheless, for one year only, you can buy stuff, for just one year. Is the point made? For one year the Empire State Yankees, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, Moosic Yankees are homeless, but you can still buy stuff. But only for a year.

Meanwhile, there's some baseball being played in Rochester, New York between the Rays affiliate and the Yankees affiliate. They have been terrific games. Both have gone for ten innings. Both have featured interesting play. Five steals by Shawn O'Malley and a home run by Reid Brignac in the first game were the highlights of the first game. Home runs by Leslie Anderson and new guy Henry Wrigley in the second game. On the negative side, the Bulls penchant for leaving players on base has never been more evident than in the second game when out of 13 hits only two (the homers) resulted in runs.

Outside the game:

• Leslie Anderson's homer was his first of the year. But he's beating on the door of the Rays. His numbers, .347/.409/.441, are among the best in the International League. He plays a competent first base. He was dropped from the Rays 40-man and had no trouble getting through waivers last year. But he's a better player this year, showing us why he was a favorite of the Cuban National Team in his prime. If the Rays keep banging themselves up, he might finally get his chance.
• Brandon Guyer got his first big league hit of 2012 last night, a home run.
• Several Bulls and support staff are reported to be fighting some sort of flu-like illness. Wish them well.