Want to learn even more about secret life of chalk lines, tarps and diamond dust? Well, fortunately there’s Murray Cook’s Field Blog—blogging about groundskeeping since 2005! . . .Your friend in baseball.

It’s been quite a year for the Angels’ farm system. All the affiliates, save Advanced-A Rancho Cucamonga, qualified for post-season playoff berths. In addition, all contributed ballplayers (and a couple managers) to the various All-Star/All-League Teams. Take a gander at this star-studded tally:

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The best and brightest achievement of the 2008 has to be Kevin Jepsen and Matt Brown being selected to play for Team USA Baseball and their winning of the Bronze Medal at the Beijing Olympics.

I’d like to take a moment to show a little extra love for Matt Brown, who’s had a season for the ages. In addition to the accolades noted above, there’s first cycle of the PCL season, PCL Batter of the Week and Angels Minor League Player of the Month. And my favorite corner infielder was a big part of the Bees’ record-setting, 23-and-2 April.

In Beijing, Team USA faced some truly odd IBAF rules—such as 10-run mercy forfeits, extra-inning tiebreakers and umpiring via translator. In the high-stakes, winner-takes-all tournament format, top prospects LaPorta and Fowler, and seasoned veterans Hessman and Gall didn’t fold exactly. But they didn’t live up to their highly publicized billing either.

Matt, on the other hand, put up offensive numbers that topped his teammates in several categories: .281 BA (4th highest), 32 AB (5th highest) and leading in RBI, SLG%, TB (tied) and BB. In short, he got dropped into the pressure-cooker and didn’t even singe an eyelash. Well, except maybe a few belonging to opposing pitchers.

Seeing Matt for the first time since Beijing, I noticed a new gleam in his eye. A glimpse, perhaps, of the coming-of-age for a promising young ballplayer. Ask any coach dedicated to developmental athletics; these are the moments we live for.

Remember to have fun up there in Anaheim, Brownie! Bye for now!

End of Part 1
Check back tomorrow for Part 2!

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September 12, 2008 — Just discovered the Salt Lake Bees added a whole bunch of medals pix to their Photo Gallery. Check ‘em out! Bye for now!

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• EPILOGUE•

September 10, 2008 — Yours truly must have been sleep-writing when I announced the last of the Olympic posts. Du-oh! Of course, . . . gotta give our returned Olympians the chance to flash their stylin’ new bling-bling. Bye for now!

See Part 2

• WRAP-UP•

August 24, 2008 — Congratulations to the USA Baseball Team for winning the Bronze Medal at the Beijing Olympics by defeating Japan, final score 8-4. Japan took the lead in the top of the third inning after a three-run homer by center fielder Norichika Aoki. The lead was short-lived, however, thanks to Matt Brown’s three-run tater in the bottom of the third that tied the game 4-4. In the fifth inning, the U.S. forged ahead with another four runs and never looked back. Japanese phenom, Yu Darvish, pitched two scoreless innings, numbers eight and nine; however, Japan’s hitters couldn’t plate any runs to close the gap. Putting a nice bow on the package was Kevin Jepsen, who closed out the ninth inning to end the game.

Here are how the final numbers for Kevin and Matt add up:

Matt Brown

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Kevin Jepsen

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Matt had a particularly good showing as an Olympian—leading the team in RBI, TB (tied with Terry Tiffee), SLG% and BB. Good job Brownie! Can’t wait to see you kick some Sacramento you-know-what this September.

And of course, we gotta have pix. Bye for now!

Team USA Baseball | Bronze Medal | 2008 Beijing Olympics SPACER TEXT

Bronze Medal Game | U.S. versus Japan SPACER TEXT

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Bronze Medal Game | U.S. versus Japan | slide #27 SPACER TEXT

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Bronze Medal Game | U.S. versus Japan | slide #24 SPACER TEXT

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Bronze Medal Game | U.S. versus Japan | slide #20 SPACER TEXT

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See Part 3

• UPDATE •

August 21, 2008 — Team USA Baseball has earned the #3 seed during the preliminary rounds of the baseball tournament. This means a rematch against Cuba in the semifinal game on Friday, August 22 (6 p.m. Beijing = 6 a.m. EDT/4 a.m. MDT). #4-seed Japan will play undefeated #1-seed South Korea in the other semifinal game scheduled for earlier that day (10:30 a.m. Beijing = August 21, 10:30 p.m. EDT/8:30 p.m. MDT). The winners of the semifinals proceed to the gold/silver medal game; the losers play for the bronze.

The gold/silver medal game is scheduled for Saturday August 23 (6 p.m. Beijing = 6 a.m. EDT/4 a.m. MDT), preceded by the bronze medal game (10:30 a.m. Beijing = August 21, 10:30 p.m. EDT/8:30 p.m. MDT). The medals ceremony takes place after the finish of the gold/silver medal game (9 p.m. Beijing = August 21, 9:00 a.m. EDT/7:00 a.m. MDT) BTW, many thanks to the folks at NBC.com for making the live and archived baseball broadcasts available via their website:*

Watch via the Internet

*You’ll need a high-speed Internet connection and plenty of RAM for this to work. Also, I should point out this is a bare-bones video feed. There is no voice-over or soundtrack, and minimal written commentary and/or statistical overlays. You might want a pen and paper handy to keep track of pitch counts and baserunners.

As for the status of our two favorite Olympians, you can peruse their stats and game boxscores at USA Baseball. In summary, Kevin Jepsen has faced 12 batters in 3 appearances for 3.2 IP, 0.00 ERA, 4 SO and 1 BB. Matt Brown has started in 7 of 7 preliminary games and is batting .240 (6 for 25) with 6 RBI, 5 BB and 7 SO. Defensively, Matt’s played four games at 3B and two games at 1B (and one as DH) with 1 E, 12 A (assists) and 20 PO (put-outs).

And lastly, I found some photos of Kevin and Matt going for gold in Beijing. Bye for now!

U.S. versus China Taipei, slide #7 SPACER TEXT

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]]> http://www.chiburibird.net/sporkballblog/2008/08/21/olympics-kevin-jepsen-matt-brown-2/feed/ 0 http://www.chiburibird.net/sporkballblog/2008/08/13/olympics-kevin-jepsen-matt-brown/ http://www.chiburibird.net/sporkballblog/2008/08/13/olympics-kevin-jepsen-matt-brown/#comments Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:00:00 +0000 BeesGal http://www.chiburibird.net/sporkballblog/?p=291 See Part 2

See Part 3

Kevin Jepsen Photo credit | Brent Asay©2008 Used with permission

Matt Brown Photo credit | Brent Asay©2008 Used with permission

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August 13, 2008 —As readers of TSJ are aware (all 12 of you out there), Kevin Jepsen and Matt Brown of the Salt Lake Bees are in Beijing, China to compete in the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. In honor of today’s commencement of the baseball events, I’d like to give these athletes their well-deserved due.
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Kevin Jepsen, pitcher

Kevin was 17 years old when he was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the 2nd round (53rd pick overall) in 2002. He spent 2003 and 2004 with the Single-A Cedar Rapids Kernels. He started 2005 at extended spring training, rehabbing from a shoulder injury and finished the season with the Advanced-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. In 2006 and 2007, he continued to build up his arm strength and work on his control at Rancho—his walks-to-strikeouts ratio through two seasons, 2006-07, was 72 BB: 96 SO (yikes).

An Olympic roster spot is the latest car to be linked onto the fast-moving train of Kevin’s 2008 season. He began the season with the Double-A Arkansas Travelers. On June 06, he was voted to the Texas League All-Star Game with a 1.52 ERA and 33 SO in 29.2 IP. He didn’t pitch for the North Division All-Star Team, however, due to his promotion to the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees on June 10. That same day, the Los Angeles Angels announced he was their Minor League Pitcher for the Month of May.

In early July, Kevin was selected to pitch for the U.S. Team at the MLB Futures Game, Yankee Stadium. Savvy fans know this prospect showcase adds a huge boost to a player’s career highlights. What many didn’t know was this year’s game was also an Olympic Team qualifying event. So it must have been no small disappointment when Kevin was unable to travel to New York because of a bout with strep throat. On the other hand, we can imagine this made the surprise even sweeter—he was indeed headed for Beijing as a member of the U.S. Olympic Baseball Team.

Bear in mind all this occurred between April 03 and July 16, a mere 3-1/2 months. Nonetheless, the just-turned 24-year-old has handled the “Summer of Change” quite well. His ability to absorb the unexpected should prove very useful under the pressure of a winner-takes-all tournament format and the quirky rules of IBAF-sanctioned baseball. As a hard-throwing short reliever for Salt Lake, Kevin showed a fastball that regularly climbed into the high-90s. By the time he left to join his USA Baseball teammates, Kevin had racked up a 1.87 ERA and 55 SO in 53.0 IP.

Matt Brown, infielder

Matt was selected out of high school by the Angels in the 10th round (299th pick overall) of the 2001 draft. He spent his first five years of professional baseball at the Rookie-A/Single-A levels, one season at AA and arrived in Salt Lake in 2007. The word on Matt through the lower tiers was a tendency to swing at bad pitches and occasionally lose his temper. Perhaps then, the simple math of Father Time has helped him come into his own. Last year about mid-season he started swinging the proverbial “hot bat.” And this year? Woo-doggies. Matt didn’t miss a step, straight out of the starting gate. He started the season hitting for the cycle on April 10, was named PCL Offensive Batter of the Week (April 3-13) and then was awarded Angels Minor League Player of the Month for April.

I must confess that despite the Maddux Theory of Hitology, this gal’s heart really belongs to great glove-men (think Mike Moriarty and Alfredo Amezaga). Although his hitting gets considerably more attention, there’s never been anything wrong with Matt’s glovework. He can play left or right outfield and 1st base; however, the hot corner (3rd base) is where Matt’s defense really shines.

Along with Jason Bulger, Matt was named to the PCL roster for the Triple-A All-Star Game held on July 16 in Louisville, KY. Matt played 3rd base and hit 2-for-3 (.667 BA)—including a 9th-inning single to tie the game, which the PCL eventually won. Afterwards Matt was named PCL Star of the Game.

The kid from “a small town in Idaho” turns 26 on the day of the Opening Ceremonies—what a B-Day present! Like teammate Kevin Jepsen, Matt was informed during the All-Star break of his selection to the U.S. Olympic team. When he boarded the plane for North Carolina and beyond on July 29th, Matt left behind a .326 BA with 67 RBI, 21 HR, 4 triples and 32 doubles. What I like about Matt is he works hard, plays hard and doesn’t showboat. Let’s hope he can keep his cool through the heat and smog of Wukesong Baseball Stadium.

Last but not least, kudos to the Salt Lake Bees for setting up Kevin and Matt with their own online journal page: Bees in Beijing. They’ll be chronicling their Olympic experience, so be sure to check the Bees website for the latest news.

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Some links to help you find the latest news:

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Let us close with some pure eye candy, shall we? Bye for now!
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Photo credit | Brent Asay©2008 Used with permission

Photo credit | Brent Asay©2008 Used with permission

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Photo credit Photo credit | Linda Giger Used with permissionn

Photo credit Rick R Dykhuizen AAA Photos Used with permission

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Photo credit Rick R Dykhuizen AAA Photos Used with permission

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Photo credit | FutureAngels.com Used with permission SPACER TEXT

Photo credit Rick R Dykhuizen AAA Photos Used with permission

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Photo credit | Brent Asay©2008 | Used with permission

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Salt Lake Buzz Manager Phil Roof was our highly respected and rather conservative skipper. He frequently commented that his job was to teach these young men how to be professional ballplayers. Longtime broadcaster Steve Klauke occasionally noted that Phil seemed to place particular emphasis on the “professional” part, with rules such as athletes being required to show up 10 minutes early for interviews and take turns sitting at the pre-game player autograph table. He was old-school, and believed players should interact with fans. A former catcher who’d logged in 15 years in the major leagues, Phil would sign autographs and graciously chat with fans prior to every game.

Funny thing was, Midre seemed to have been granted an exemption from this policy. He shied away from signing before games. If a youngster managed to catch him alone, he would usually stop; however, he clearly wanted nothing to do with the adult autograph hounds seeking his signature on the Pirates and Red Sox cards they brought by the handfuls. It got to be a battle of wills between the fans and Midre.

A few went so far as to complain to Phil one day, “Hey, Phil, that Midre Cummings never comes over and signs anything. What’s up with THAT?”

I watched, wondering what Phil’s response would be. Phil looked the complainer right in the eye and said, “He’s a good kid. And he’s a good ballplayer.” Then he smiled and that was the end of that conversation. I was intrigued.

People started booing when Midre struck out, their feelings bruised by his insistence in staying as far away from us as possible. They cursed him, in English and French. As the summer wore on, his hitting heated up. By July, he was helping the Buzz through a long winning streak and getting serious notice throughout the league. Knowing how time and a plus-300 BA tends to heal all wounds, I was curious to see what would happen if he kept at it after the All-Star Break.

And then in late July Midre disappeared. I mean literally. For two weeks, Midre was on the roster without appearing in the lineup or dugout. Finally, around the second week of his mysterious absence, Steve mentioned on the radio that Midre had to take care of some family matters. Unless you were listening to that particular broadcast, you wouldn’t have known even that much. Then just as suddenly, Midre was back. Unfortunately, he had lost his groove. People were booing louder.

In the meantime, it soon became apparent that the Buzz were in a playoff race for the PCL title. The booing lessened as people started to rally behind the team in anticipation of the 5-game showdown with the Vancouver Canadians. The PCL Championship series was a thrill-a-minute, screaming ride all the way. The Buzz started the series by going 0-2 at home, tied the series 2-2 on the road, and came home for the deciding Game #5. We went into the 9th inning with a two-run lead and, . . .blew it.

Our season was over. Everyone in the ballpark sat in stunned silence and disappointment. A couple of players stood in the dugout, looking over the field for a very long time before they disappeared into the tunnel. Quite a few fans, including yours truly lingered as well. I perched on the wall next to the field, listening to the postgame “lowlights” show and feeling like a bride who’d been left waiting at the altar for 3-1/2 hours and then dumped.

A player walked up behind me and handed me a bat, “This is for you, because you are the ultimate fan. It’s for you.”

I jerked my head up to find myself staring (and undoubtedly with mouth attractively agape) at the least approachable player on the entire team. Midre Cummings. The player who wouldn’t sign for fans. The player who hid in the dugout until the last possible moment and then sprinted out onto the field while avoiding all eye contact.

I barely managed to stammer out, “Um, . . .thank you.”

He reached out, shook my hand and walked away. Unbeknownst to me at the time, Midre got his MLB call-up that evening. I looked down at my gift. The heavy black-lacquered bat had been well used, heavy with pine tar on the grip, ballmarks on the barrel and large crack along the handle. I turned it over and read the custom engraving, “Geniune C271, Midre Cummings, Boston Red Sox.”

Disappointment was replaced by confusion. Why the h*ll would a ballplayer go to the extra effort of making a connection with a complete stranger; a person with whom he has never exchanged a single word prior to this one and only moment? I went home and started digging through the Internet. Sadly, I didn’t save any of the stories or else I’d link to copies. (Who knew I’d be blogging about it nine years later? Did we even have weblogs back then?) Here’s what I found. After the Red Sox released him on the last day of March, Midre had trouble finding a team to pick him up. He finally found a place with the Twins, providing, he was willing to sign a minor league contract with their Double-A team and earn his way back up to the parent club.

OK, nothing special there, except it made his sudden disappearance in the midst of a white-hot batting streak all the more puzzling.

Then I discovered the real shocker. In 1999, a minor flu epidemic swept across parts of Florida. Midre’s wife and two boys, who were only one and two years old, had been stricken with the bug so badly they had to be hospitalized. Midre asked the Twins for permission to return to Florida, where he stayed until his family was released from the hospital.

OK, so now I understood the full measure of the man. The prima donna, when faced with the choice between a shot at making the big leagues and taking care of his family, went home. The jock who was too good for us bush-league fans, noticed a woman who never asked for autographs, cheered his successes and “ignored” his failures.

The very next morning I found a FedEx office and overnighted a card to the Minnesota clubhouse, thanking Midre for the incredible gift and wishing him all the success in the world as a ballplayer, husband and father. Two years later, pinch running for catcher Damian Miller, Midre scored the tying run for the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game #7 of the 2001 World Series, which Arizona eventually won. It doesn’t happen often enough, nonetheless it is comforting to know that nice guys (and gals) do finish first.

Bye for now!