CATCHING UP
Thoughts running through this size 8 plus noggin of mine.
The trip to Charlotte is a homecoming of sorts for a couple of guys. Marcus McBeth is expecting several friends and family members to make the trip from nearby Spartanburg, South Carolina at some point over the next four days. Adam MIlls, just promoted from AA Portland, is a former Forty-Niner from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte. He is expected to start for Pawtucket on Wednesday. Mills made a cameo start for the PawSox during the 2008 playoffs against Scranton. Brian Anderson was a member of the Knights just before his trade from the White Sox in exchange for Mark Kotsay. Before he was sent to Boston, Javier Lopez pitched for Charlotte. Hitting instructor Russ Morman is a former Knight, as well.
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Rhode Islands’ Mark McKinnon is the facilities manager at Knights Stadium. Mark is the younger brother of Matt McKinnon, head groundskeeper at McCoy Stadium.
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Justin Cassel (rhp), is on the Charlotte roster. Notable for a couple of reasons, he was a teammate of PawSox catcher Mark Wagner at the University of California, Irvine. Justin is also the brother of former New England and current Kansas City quarterback Matt Cassel. The Cassels have a third brother we have seen this season. Jack pitched against Pawtucket this May in Columbus.
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Jake Peavy will begin a Major League rehab assignment against the PawSox. He is slated to be the starting pitcher Thursday. The 2007 National League Cy Young winner was acquired by the White Sox on July 31 for 4 prospects. With the Padres in 2009, Peavy was 6-6, 3.97 in 13 starts. Peavy is rehabbing a partially torn ankle tendon.
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Former PawSox infielder Keith Ginter is on the Charlotte roster. Ginter is hitting .266, 5, 25 primarily as a second baseman. In 2008 Ginter played mostly at third base for the PawSox, hitting .250, 7, 54. Word is, he has impressed farm director Buddy Bell enough, to earn an invitation back for 2010.
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Former Knight Carlos Torres pitched a five inning, perfect game against the PawSox at McCoy on June 15. Rain washed out the remainder of the ballgame. In fact, three of the 4 gmes in Pawtucket were less than nine innings. A double header on June 16 featured a pair of 7 inning games and the weather-shortened Torres perfecto.
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As if I’m not down enough after the weekend debacle at Yankee Stadium, I have to sit and watch former Yankee Chris Chambliss manage for the next four days. While I really hate the current crop of Bronx Bombers, I have a special loathing for the Chambliss generation. Players like Munson, Nettles, Rivers, Piniella, Dent and Randolph were the bane of my existence as a child. If anything, my Yankee hatred has intensified over the years. Again, I realize it isn’t normal- but I honestly can’t help it.
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Got a sweet e-mail from Samantha, David Pauleys’ fiance. She wrote to tell us that the PawSox front office sent them PawSox gear for new baby daughter, Emme. A generous gesture on the part of the Pawtucket brass. The “caveat” was that Sam was to dress Emme in the Pawtucket clothing for a Tides game at Harbor Park. She promises pictures if she does.
HYDE'S INSIDE PITCH 