A conversation about the art of scouting and drafting, and the mysteries of “The Dodger Way.”
Garrett Jones came out of nowhere in 2009. Well, maybe it wasn’t nowhere, but it’s probably fair to say that not many people expected the heretofore 4A journeyman to take Pittsburgh by storm. A veteran of 1,038 minor-league games over parts of 11 seasons — and just 31 in the big leagues — Jones was…
In the sixth installment of this series, Derrick Loop, a pitcher in the Padres organization, returns to talk about a housing option available to many minor-league players, the host family. DERRICK LOOP: Making a rather menial wage, ball players look for many ways to save money while they play. What many teams have turned to are host families. These are typically…
For Chris Herrmann, spring training is a new experience. One year ago, the 22-year-old infielder turned catcher was at the University of Miami, soon to be taken in the sixth round of the June draft by the Twins. Now he’s in Fort Myers, not only preparing for his first full professional season, but also acclimating…
Two top basestealers, one in the majors and the other in the minors, talk about the running game.
The Red Sox manager gives his interpretation of quotes from some of history’s best skippers.
When Scott Moore was selected by the Tigers in the first round of the 2002 draft, he was a starry-eyed 18-year-old with big dreams — and only a vague idea of what life in professional baseball would be like. Now going into his ninth season, and with his third organization, he knows all too well…
The Red Sox outfield and baserunning instructor reflects on his career as a ballplayer.
Scott Atchison is familiar with the ups and downs of baseball. A 34-year-old right-hander who is in camp with the Red Sox after spending the last two seasons in Japan, Atchison knows what it feels like to get called up — and sent down. The journeyman reliever has made 53 big-league appearances, with the Mariners…
The Dodgers’ farm director talks about a pair of middle infielders with good baseball bloodlines.
The Cardinals’ reliever, holder of some quirky records, talks about life as a LOOGY.
This is the second installment of Minor Issues, a column which will explore life in the minor leagues. Featured today is Derrick Loop, a left-handed pitcher in the Padres organization, who will be a regular contributor to this series. DERRICK LOOP: After the initial excitement/celebration of being drafted or signed to your first professional baseball…
This is the first installment of Minor Issues, a new series which will explore—mostly through the eyes of the players themselves—life in the minor leagues. The focus won’t be on statistics or prospect rankings, but rather on the lifestyle itself, from the day-to-day challenges to the inevitable clashing of dreams with the sometimes brutal reality…
Revisiting a conversation with the long-time official scorer in Boston.
The Brewers catching prospect talks about his upwardly mobile career path.
The Nationals’ relief pitching prospect talks about a multitude of subjects.