Bubba Links
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Because how can you not love a baseball player named "Bubba"?
Wow. The flooding in Houston is unreal. They're calling it "worse than the worst-case scenario."
The last time I was in Houston, Brays Bayou had hardly any water in it. It was just a huge, mostly empty canal. Now it's overflowed and is flooding Houston.
This storm really is unprecedented. It reminds me a bit of Hurricane Charley, which was supposed to be Cat. 2, but "bombed out" right before hitting Florida, and made landfall as a Category 4. But with Harvey, it's not the winds but the rains that are disastrous.
And they are still predicting the storm will loop out to sea, then back over Houston. CNN is reporting that double the amount of rain they've gotten so far will fall in the next two days.
The Minnesota Twins have three players on the roster from the Houston area. Including Tyler "The Doof" Duffey. He said his neighborhood, the Westbury section of southwest Houston, is holding up well. Jason Castro lives near Rice University, and Robbie Grossman lives downtown. They said some streets have flooded but their homes are okay. Castro grew up in Cypress, which has significant flooding, but says his parents' house is safe.
Houston is calling for boat owners to help out with water rescues, and hundreds have responded. It's like Dunkirk. (Hopefully without the shooting.)
Labels: Hurricane Harvey, Tyler Duffey
The Baltimore Orioles announced today that they have granted Paul Janish his release from the AAA Norfolk Tides. Previously, they had said he would play out his contract, including through the end of MLB season if needed. But I guess they don't need him any more, with Ruben Tejada outrighted to Norfolk and JJ Hardy there on rehab assignment. And, sadly, the Orioles are playing so poorly they are unlikely to need to call up anyone for the stretch run or the post-season, no matter what happens.
Paul said he couldn't wait to start at Rice, so this is probably good news for him.
He's had quite a career. A lot of players were drafted out of Rice that year. Janish has lasted longer than any of them.
Jeff Niemann (#4 overall) was probably the most successful of the lot, by money earned and Wins Above Replacement, but he had just a 7 year career. First rounder (#3 overall) Phil Humber played 10 years (and had that perfect game). First round pick Wade Townsend didn't sign that year and ended up playing just 5 years (the last year in independent ball) and never made it to the big leagues (shoulder injury). Fourth rounder Josh Baker played only three years and never made it out of A-ball. Tenth rounder Chris Kolkhorst played two years, peaking in high-A.
Paul Janish is retiring with 14 years in pro baseball, including parts of 9 seasons in the big leagues. Quite an accomplishment.
Labels: Paul Janish
Some links to articles about Paul Janish's retirement announcement...
Tides infielder Paul Janish will retire after season, take coaching job
“I have a lot of vested interest in Rice, and having the opportunity to coach under him, it’s just a pretty cool deal,” Janish said Saturday from Rochester, N.Y., where the Tides were scheduled to play the third game of a four-game series. “And being able to do it at home, where I’m from and stuff – a lot of stars aligned, to be honest with you. It’s just the right time to do it.“The only complication, really, was that I’m still playing. But at this point in my career, it’s pretty clear to me with this opportunity being presented what’s supposed to happen.”
...Janish’s career .983 fielding percentage in the big leagues has helped establish his reputation as one of the game’s most sure-handed shortstops. His friendly, approachable demeanor has made him a clubhouse favorite among teammates and the media.
...“Paul has got strong leadership qualities and that will definitely help, and of course his character is impeccable,” Graham said in a statement. “I think it’s all good. It’s an all-win situation. We’re really happy to have him, and I think the Rice community will be real happy to have him.”
Norfolk Tides shortstop Paul Janish to retire, join Rice University coaching staff
“I am of course very happy to have Paul come back home to Rice and join the coaching staff,” said coach Graham, who in 2017 completed his 26th season at the helm of the Owl program. “Paul has always had high character and I think he will be a great teacher and coach.Wayne Graham also tells the story about the last time he was ejected from a game...when Janish was playing for him.“He was a team captain for us in (the national championship season of) 2003,” Graham explained. “For all the talented players we had on that team, I am not certain we still could have won the national championship without Paul Janish at shortstop. He was a great player and great leader. His leadership qualities are among the reasons we first recruited him, well before 2003.
“I don’t think I could ask for a better transition of going from playing to the next chapter,” Janish said. “I have long kept in touch with coach Graham and always tried to visit when I have been in town. Now having a chance to come back and coach at Rice, under coach Graham, is very important to me. There are a lot of things that had to align for this to happen, and I am very thankful. I cannot wait to begin.”
“I will add that the last time for me to be ejected from a game (in 2003) was for arguing with an umpire when Paul was called out on strikes,” Graham recalled. “I was thrown out of a game because I have always been a big believer in his judgement.”
"He’s a quality human being. His priorities are a good husband, a good father, and then try to be a good shortstop," [Buck] Showalter said. "He’s got things in order."That last bit reminds me of one of Janish's former teammates, Bronson Arroyo. Arroyo's first priority was always baseball. But now his rubber arm has finally given out. He's 40 years old, and doesn't expect to come off the 60-day DL. He knows his career is over. Like Janish, he will be retiring after this season. Unlike Janish, he doesn't want to be a coach, though it sounds like they would welcome him if he did. He's ready for life beyond baseball.
He’s ready for his second chapter. He said he’ll pop back into the baseball world every so often, but he wants to catch up with the people he’s missed the last two decades.Arroyo used to tell young players to simplify their lives, so they could concentrate on baseball. Unlike many players, he never bought a big mansion. He lived in a small apartment, so he wouldn't have to worry about maintaining a house. He never married or had children, seeing them as a distraction he could not afford.“The ride the last 22 years, it was my life’s work. It’s what I set out to do, man,” he said. “Like I tell people, if my body would hold up as if I was a 30-year-old guy for the next 50 years in this game, I’d probably continue to pitch. And then you’d look around and all your friends would be dead and you would have done nothing else but play this game.
“In a lot of ways, the exit from this is an opportunity to enjoy the millions of other things that are out in the world.”
There's a lot of sacrifice involved in a career in baseball. Maybe it's good that it doesn't last forever.
Labels: Paul Janish
There's a pretty waterfall in downtown Rochester, NY. The Genesee High Falls. It used to power their industry back in the day. Now it’s a park. An old railroad bridge has been made into a pedestrian bridge that you can view the falls from.
Anyway, it’s pretty close to Frontier Field. Walking distance. And there’s a parking garage between Frontier Field and the falls. Parking is free in the garage (at least on weekends - not sure about evenings). You can pay $6 to park across the street from the ballpark, but I recommend parking in the city garage for free instead, and stopping off to see the falls.
I went to scenic Rochester, NY to see Tides play the Red Wings. (That's the Rochester Red Wings, the Twins' AAA team, not the hockey team.)
Janish made a really nice play Saturday night, laying out to rob Twins top prospect (and IL player of the month) Zack Granite of a hit. Holding up the ball so the umpire can see he made the catch:
I wanted to get a nice shot of him on defense, seeing as it’s probably my last chance. That was the best I could do in the low light. He moves too darned fast, even at his advanced age. ;-)
Some photos from Sunday's game. (The lighting was a lot better, since it was a day game, though there was a lot less action to photograph.)
Warming up before the game...
During the national anthem.
At bat.
They light up the falls with colored lights at night.
I should have gone to the lookout on the far end of the bridge after the Saturday night game. I bet the post-game fireworks would have looked great. Next time...
MLB sources: Former @RiceBaseball star Paul Janish,who has played for Reds,Braves& @Orioles,expected to join Owls staff following 2017season pic.twitter.com/hDGw8VZDhP
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) August 10, 2017
I'm not surprised he's contemplating retirement. He’s been talking about the end of his playing career for awhile now. I was planning to go see the Tides in Rochester this weekend, in part because I suspected it might be my last chance to see him play.
But I am surprised he's returning to Rice. I was expecting him to join the Baltimore Orioles minor league coaching staff. Buck Showalter said he wanted Janish as a coach when he retired, and Janish seemed happy at the idea. I guess Rice would be a more appealing option to a guy with three little kids. Less travel, and family around to help out.
I am disappointed that it's looking like Janish won't be on the big league roster for Player's Weekend. I wonder what name he would choose? Maybe "Soft-J," the nickname given to him in Cincinnati?
Tony Cingrani, now a Dodger, is going with "Grani." Tyler Duffey is "The Doof." Brock Holt is "Brock Star." Anthony Rendon is "Ant." At least they didn't go with their real first or last names, like a lot of players did.
Labels: Anthony Rendon, brock holt, Paul Janish, Tony Cingrani, Tyler Duffey
Paul Janish was the hero in Friday's Norfolk Tides game. With the game tied in the bottom of the ninth, he hit a blooper over the second baseman to drive in the winning run, sending his former team, the Louisville Bats, to defeat.
They interviewed him yesterday before the game. They asked him if he felt any pressure, coming to bat in the bottom of the 9th with the game on the line. His response was, "Nah, I just didn't want to play extra innings."
The announcers loved that answer, but I guess the baseball gods were not amused. The game after that interview went 16 innings. Both teams ended up using position players as pitchers. (Not Janish, alas.) Hernan Iribarren pitched three shutout innings for Louisville. Jesus Montero (yes, the former Yankees catching prospect) pitched the last inning for the Tides, and took the loss.
Janish did not play in today's day game. He probably wouldn't have anyway, it being a day game after a night game, but after 16 innings, I'd have been really shocked if they started him again.
And it's possible he'll get another call up tomorrow. Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy was hit by a pitch on his wrist in today's Orioles game, and the x-rays are reportedly "not good."
Hardy is likely headed to the DL. They could let Ruben Tejada make most of the starts at SS, or they might move Manny Machado to SS and let Tejada cover 3B. In any case, they'll need another backup infielder. It could be Janish getting the call, or another Norfolk player. Luis Sardinas is another possibility, though Janish has hit better and is better on defense. Johnny Giavotella has hit very well in Norfolk, but his glove is so bad it almost cost him his spot on the Tides during spring training.
Another possibility is that they'll call up Pedro Alvarez to play 3B if Machado moves to SS. Alvarez has been in a deep slump this season, and his glove is so bad the O's are trying to transition him to right field. But El Toro has an opt out clause, and the O's may be reluctant to lose him.
Hoping it's Janish...
Labels: Paul Janish
Well, I have to say, I wasn't expecting this. Paul Janish was called up by the Orioles about three weeks ago, when utility infielder Ryan Flaherty went on the DL with shoulder inflammation. I figured his roster spot was safe until Flaherty came off the DL.
But the O's had other plans. They acquired Ruben Tejada from the Yankees, two days ago. They announced he was being assigned to AAA, but today purchased his contract and designated Janish for assignment.
Janish has had all of five at-bats in his three weeks with the O's this year, so it seems odd that they would even bother to switch utility infielders.
Unless they are hoping Tejada can be more than a utility infielder. JJ Hardy has been really struggling this year. And it's the last year of his contract. Baltimore may be hoping Tejada can be the starting SS, at least part of the time.
Janish can refuse a minor league assignment and elect free agency if he clears waivers, but I expect he will report to Norfolk. He has in previous years, and this year, he's moved his family to Norfolk. It sounds like the Orioles have offered him a coaching job once his playing days are done.
Here's a short interview MASN did with Janish last weekend.
He talks about finishing his Rice degree, interning in real estate, and wanting to stay in the game even after he retires from playing. And about what a great experience winning the CWS was, and how he's still good friends with the guys he played with back then. (He said that when he was in Cincinnati, too: that winning the CWS with Rice was the best experience he ever had in baseball, because they won it all.)
Roch Kubatko had another interview with Janish the other day, that was kind funny. Janish said he wanted to be the emergency catcher and the disaster relief pitcher (roles he filled in Cincinnati). Kubatko warned him it could be dangerous. The O’s have had to put two catchers on the DL with...um...testicular injuries. Janish said he’d be okay, because with two boys and a girl, he’s not planning on having any more kids.
Good ol’ Janny, always ready to take one for the team. Maybe he'll get called up again later this year.
Meanwhile, the Reds activated Tony Cingrani today. He's been on the DL for a couple of months with an oblique injury. The Reds have given up on Cingrani starting; he's just not durable enough. But he's been solid out of the pen, at least when healthy.
Labels: Paul Janish, Tony Cingrani
If the first game of the season is on opening day, then the last game must be on closing day, right? Today is "closing day" for AAA. There's still the postseason for teams that have made it, but for most minor leaguers, the season is over.
Unless they get called up to the big leagues. The Orioles say they are still considering calling up Paul Janish. They seem to really like him, but they're facing a bit of a roster crunch, and they have other needs. Lots and lots of other needs.
If they don't call Janish up tomorrow, I assume they will send him to Sarasota to work out with the other players they are keeping warm on the backburner in case they are needed. Though Janish was not on the roster by August 31, he can still be added to the postseason roster if he replaces someone on the DL.
Labels: Baltimore Orioles, Paul Janish
Last Saturday was the 70th Annual Old-Timers Day at Yankee Stadium. Bubba Crosby was there, donning pinstripes again for the first time in ten years.
At 39, he was the youngest "old timer" there.
He played left field.
And batted ninth.
Some of the other old timers in attendance: David Cone, Hideki Matsui, Ralph Terry, Hector Lopez, Don Larsen.
Bernie Williams got a warm welcome.
Hideki Matsui hit a home run. David Cone promised to give him something hittable, and he did. (After sending him a message by throwing above his head - "retaliation" for Matsui's saying watching Cone pitch in the post-season made him realize he could hit in MLB.)
A NY Post photo of Bubba greeting fans as he was introduced.
Labels: Bubba Crosby, NYY, Old Timers Day
The Yankees 70th annual Old-Timers' Day is June 12, and Bubba Crosby is among the players who will be there.
Very cool. I'm going to poke around on StubHub and see if I can get a ticket for less than an arm and a leg.
Labels: Bubba Crosby
Paul Janish is making a great first impression with the Orioles. He got a hit in his first at-bat the other day, and made a nice diving grab.
Today was even better. He wasn't even supposed to be in the lineup, but ended up subbed in when the CFer was injured. (No, he didn't play CF. They moved the SS to 1B and 1B to CF, which meant they needed a SS.) He was the only Oriole to get a hit off Yordano Ventura - and he got two of them.
Not to mention his usual sparkling defense, like this much needed double play, and this acrobatic catch.
J.J. Hardy has really struggled this year, probably due to injury. His wRC+ is just 52. Janish won't continue batting .500, but even if he doesn't hit a lick, his defense might make him the better choice. He's opening up some eyes in Baltimore, that's for sure.
He'll likely play in the next two games in Texas, with lefties as the probable pitchers.
Labels: Baltimore Orioles, Paul Janish
