Results tagged ‘ memphis redbirds ’
Arizona Fall League
Although it’s the beginning of our off-season here at AutoZone Park doesn’t mean our players aren’t already working hard to prepare for next year. Two Redbirds, Adron Chambers and Tony Cruz, have joined the Arizona Fall League playing for the Surprise Rafters. The team includes players from the Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers farm systems.
Adron Chambers was the Cardinals’ 38th round selection (1153rd overall) in the June 2007 First-Year Player Draft. Chambers joined the ‘Birds mid-July this year, appearing in 37 games for a .290 average (20Hx69AB) with 11 runs, eight RBI, nine walks and 18 strikeouts. During a 16-inning game on August 16th, the Florida Native was hit in the jaw by a wild pitch from Sky Sox reliever Franklin Morales and was forced to leave the game. Painful as this was, Chambers recovered well and made his way back into the Memphis line up.
Tony Cruz was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 42nd round of the 2005 June free agent draft, but did not sign. He became a Cardinal after being selected in the 26th round (802nd overall) of the June 2007 free-agent draft. He, like Chambers, joined the Redbirds late in the 2010 season appearing in only four regular season games. Going 3-for-14 (.214 average) with two runs and one RBI, the career catcher hit his first Triple-A home run in his first game as a Memphis Redbirds on September 1st.
Here’s a look at yesterday’s game recapitulation, where both Chambers and Cruz collected a hit.
We will be keeping tabs on these ‘Birds and updating the blog to let all of you know just how well they do, so continue to check Chirp Chatter for updates on your Memphis Redbirds while they endure winter ball!!
To catch up with the Cardinals affiliates participating in the AFL click here: AFL Surprise Rafters.
Player Spotlight: Relief Pitcher and Mr. Funny Man, Andrew Brown
A little background information on Andrew Brown before the interview portion begins. This year, he joins the Memphis Redbirds in his 12th season of baseball. Brown was originally drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the sixth round of the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft. He’s pitched for not only the Braves organization but also for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Sand Diego Padres, Cleveland Indians, Oakland Athletics and Washington Nationals organizations.
He made his first big league appearance August 13th, 2006 with the Cleveland Indians. Brown pitched nine games with the Indians that season, finishing with a 3.60 ERA allowing four runs on six hits in 10 innings of work.
He was traded to the Oakland Athletics the next season and eventually made his way back to the majors appearing in 33 games tacking on his first big league win August 1st against the Detroit Tigers. He also pitched in 33 games for the A’s during the 2008 season. His major league totals are as follows: 73 games, four wins, 86.2 innings pitched, 38 runs on 67 hits with 46 walks and 78 strikeouts for a 3.84 ERA.
Enough with all the statistics and baseball talk…I think it’s time for you to get to know a little bit more about the relief pitcher who sports the number 51 for your Memphis Redbirds.
Full Name: Andrew Aaron Brown
Nicknames: Brownie and in high school, Doodoo Brown
Hometown:Orange City, FL
Favorite baseball player of all time: The guys on the team would say Stephen Strasburg but I’d have to say I was a big Wade Boggs fan growing up.
What team did you watch growing up? The Boston Red Sox
If you weren’t in baseball, what would you be doing? I’d probably be a pastor…or doing plus size modeling as a pastor.
Most embarrassing moment while playing baseball: Long story short, I was trying to play a joke on a guy and throw a baseball into the stands to kind of scare him by having it hit the seats close to him. It was a guy I used to play with but unfortunately it smoked him right in the neck from about 120 ft. away…it was pretty embarrassing.
What is your best moment on the diamond? First win ever was pretty
cool, that was against the Detroit Tigers…I also struck out A-Rod once.
What is your favorite off-day activity? Hanging out with the family. Hanging out with the little one and the wife doing something fun.
What is the most difficult part about playing professional baseball? The mental grind, especially as a reliever because you could pitch any day. Just having to go out and be successful and dealing with not being successful because in your own mind you’re supposed to do well every time so if it doesn’t go well it’s hard to get over and if you do well, it’s not really satisfying because you were expected to do well.
If you were a kid would you rather be the one in Rookie of the Year, Angels in the Outfield or Little Big League? Rookie of the Year
Where do you see yourself in 25 years? Hopefully with a house full of kids and just spending a lot of time with my family and doing my best to raise them right.
If you were on a reality TV show, which one would it be and why? Either the Biggest Loser or Celebrity Fit Club
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a Fighter Pilot for the Air Force. I’m kind of infatuated with planes, used to have simulators for my computer and stuff like that but I think at some point I grew too large to fit in the cockpit. (He’s 6’6)
Favorite food: Sushi, Jeremy Piven and I have mercury poison from all the sushi we eat.
Favorite TV Show: Currently, my favorite show is anything that has to do with the NFL. Anything on the NFL channel or ESPN (pronounced as a word, not as individual letters)
I’m afraid…that I won’t represent Jesus Christ the way I should.
Tell us one thing about you the fans don’t already know: I was home schooled from the fourth grade on. And I took my sister to prom…too much? That was a joke people.
Who is your greatest influence? My parents.
Do you have any autographs? I’ve been in pro ball for twelve years and I’ve only asked for three people’s autographs. I’ve asked for Frank Thomas, Mike Piazza and Stephen Strasburg’s. I’ve caught a lot of flack for the Stasburg one since he is younger than me, but he’s a good dude and he’s going to be pretty good some day.
Newest Hobby: Cycling and I’m pretty excited about my new bib shorts.
(These are the bib shorts he is referring to and no, this is not actually Andrew Brown)
What do you like best about the city of Memphis? I like the weather, people seem nice and the food it good.
Any broken bone stories? Just a broken heart (that part he sang)…no but seriously, no broken bones. I did break some teeth in high school on a bad hop on a ground ball and I had braces at the time. The teeth broke, stuck to the braces and my lip was embedded in the braces. But we won the game, so it was all good.
Describe yourself in five words or less: Chill, goofy, responsible, shnuggly (that’s for you honey!) and Christian.
Three things you can’t live without: My family, my Bible and my laptop
Lightning Round Responses
Dogs or Cats
Summer or Winter
Fruits or Vegetables
Movies or Books
Offense or Defense
Ketchup or Mustard
Sunflower Seeds or Bubble Gum
Have the ability to fly or read people’s minds
Know it all or have it all
Be able to stop time while you slept or never have to do laundry
That’s a wrap on Andrew Brown.
Jordan. Out.
Player Spotlight: Second Baseman, Daniel Descalso
Good news is, it’s been almost a month and Descalso was reactivated from the DL July 27th going 3-for-9 with one run scored since being back and has extended his hit streak to five games, including three games from before his DL stint. Looks like he’s back and better than ever!
Here is an article about Descalso from earlier this year:
Redbirds’ Daniel Descalso wants clutch situations and a video of him from when he first arrived in Memphis: Daniel Descalso interview with StLtoday
…and a little more about number 13 that most of you probably didn’t know, enjoy!
0
Full Name: Daniel William Descalso
Nicknames: DD, Dirty D, ‘Scals
Hometown:San Carlos, CA
Favorite baseball player of all time: Carney Lansford
What is your best moment on the diamond? Being a part of the gold medal winning team USA last year in the Baseball World Cup.
What team did you watch growing up? I was a big Oakland A’s fan
If you weren’t in baseball, what would you be doing? Probably something business related, running my own company.
Where do you see yourself in 25 years? Sitting in my backyard by my pool.
Favorite food: My Grandma’s homemade ravioli
Newest Hobby: FIFA World Cup Soccer
Favorite movie: Rudy
I’m afraid of… heights.
Favorite TV Show: “24″
Song that gets you pumped up: “Automatic” by E-40
Most embarrassing moment while playing baseball: Forgetting the number of outs one time in college and running and getting double up.
Favorite play in a baseball game: Anytime you can make a diving play and take a hit from someone is pretty fun.
Tell us one thing about you the fans don’t already know…I have five younger brothers and sisters and my last name in Spanish is ‘barefoot’.
If you were on a reality TV show which one would it be? The Real World
Best prank pulled that you’ve seen or been a part of while in pro ball: In 2008, a teammate and I took another guy’s keys to his car, filled his AC vents
with baby powder and turned his air conditioning on high so when he got in and turned on his car after the game he got sprayed with baby powder all in the
face.
Who is your greatest influence? My dad, growing up he was always around coaching me in baseball and always being a good role model for me.
What is your favorite off-day activity? Nice BBQ, hang out by the pool, etc.
Describe yourself in five words or less: Hard-working, all around good guy.
Do you have any autographs? I have a Derek Jeter one and my favorite one is my Joe DiMaggio autograph picture
What is the most difficult part about playing professional baseball? The grind, the long season, the 140 games and the travel, it all adds up.
What do you like best about the city of Memphis? The history
Any broken bone stories? I have a broken collar bone right now…it was a play over second base, me and Tyler Greene were both going after it. I dove and he slid, his knee hit me in the shoulder and I broke my collar bone.
If you were a kid would you rather be the one in Rookie of the Year, Angels in the Outfield or Little Big League? Rookie of the Year Rookie of the Year because he’s the only one that actually plays.
Three things you can’t live without: My computer, my ipod and my family.
What is your favorite thing about being a Redbird? Playing at AutoZonePark..
Lightning Round Responses
Dogs or Cats
Summer or Winter
Fruits or Vegetables
Movies or Books
Offense or Defense
Ketchup or Mustard
Sunflower Seeds or Bubble Gum
Have the ability to fly or read people’s minds
Be able to stop time while you slept or never have to do laundry
That about wraps it up!
Jordan. Out.
Player Spotlight: Outfielder, Joe Mather
Full name: Joseph Paul Mather
Nicknames: Joey Bombs, Jumper, Joe Joe
Favorite Color: Right now it’s royal blue.
So it changes? How often does it change? If I see a color that I really start liking, I’ll just change it.
Favorite baseball player of all time: Trot Nixon
What team did you watch growing up? The Red Sox
If you weren’t in baseball, what would you be doing? Hopefully I’d be traveling around. If I had to have a job, I’d like to try and play tennis.
Where do you see yourself in 25 years? On a lake somewhere with my family watching my kids grow up.
Do you have any rituals? Drink a cup of coffee, hot tub, stretch and then pre-game high-fives.
Newest Hobby: FIFA 2010 Soccer for Play Station
Best prank pulled that you’ve seen or been a part of while in pro ball? I saw a cop come into the clubhouse and fake arrest a guy for being out after curfew.
Favorite movie: Hot Rod 
Favorite movie quote: “Life is short- stunt it.” ~ Rod Kimble from Hot Rod
Greatest memory since playing baseball: There’s so many…probably getting called up to St. Louis for the first time.
Who is your greatest influence? My parents
Song that gets you pumped up: “Forever” by Drake and “Drop the World” by Eminem
Most embarrassing moment while playing baseball: Running all the way back into the dugout with only two outs.
Describe yourself in five words or less: Goofy (just a little bit), fun-loving and super rad
Can I have five dollars? Sure. 
If you were a drink, what kind of drink would you be? Water because I love it. That’s pretty much all I drink, it’s good for you and…I like to be good for people?
Favorite play in a baseball game: Home run, it’s got to be a home run.
Any broken bone stories? Yes, I broke my hand. I broke it in Phoenix, we were playing the Diamondbacks and I was facing Randy Johnson and I swung and broke that bone. I ended up
striking out after that.
If you were a kid would you rather be the one in Rookie of the Year, Angels in the Outfield or Little Big League? Rookie of the Year
Three things you can’t live without: Pizza, Nerf basketball hoop and my iphone
Three people you can’t live without: My mom, my dad and Andy Sandberg
Lightning Round Responses
Dogs or Cats
Summer or Winter
Fruits or Vegetables
Offense or Defense
Movies or Books (although books are usually better)
Ketchup or Mustard
Cold or Hot
Have the ability to fly or read people’s minds
Be able to stop time while you slept or never having to do laundry again
Joe Mather, everybody.
Jordan. Out.
More Catcher Clues!!
Good news, I have more clues from the Memphis Redbirds catcher! Hopefully we’ll be able to figure out exactly what classroom Kevin is headed to.
The catcher was told he might learn a little about Canada and Mexico in the classroom he is visiting since it is what the students are currently learning. This seems so interesting to him and he’s packed his pencil and notebook for the trip to take notes if he needs to.
He also found out there is one student in the class who loves the New York Yankees, Kevin plans on asking the student why he likes them so much. And hopes he is still a Memphis Redbirds fan also. This would make Kevin very happy.
He is more than excited to meet these 17 students this week and cannot wait to read Junie B. Jones books and talk about the best baseball team around.
Now with these clues I need everyone’s help to find out exactly where Kevin the Catcher will be this week. Can you figure it out? Check
back on Thursday for the answer!
Jordan. Out.
Where to next?
The Memphis Redbirds infamous catcher is on the loose once again. What is he up to now, you ask? I’m not quite sure, but these are the clues I’ve gathered to help us figure out the mystery location.
Kevin the Catcher is going to an elementary school next week. He heard the class he is going to see likes Junie B. Jones books just like he does! He is still quite frightened to visit because of the Lions they say roam the hallways, but is very excited to know the teacher loves the St. Louis Cardinals and the class is full of Memphis Redbirds fans!
Check back again in a few days for more clues on our catcher’s whereabouts. Hopefully we can figure out where he’ll be before he gets there! Until then…
Jordan. Out.
Wanted: Memphis Redbirds Catcher, #47
He took all of our ticket vouchers!!
If you see the Memphis Redbirds catcher- please let us know. He’s been hiding on the outskirts of the ballpark and was last seen in the elevator on his way out of AutoZone Park late Monday afternoon with buy one get one ticket vouchers in his glove. These are the photos we’ve received of where he’s been spotted around downtown:
We have a lead that #47 will be at the St. Patrick’s Day parade on Beale Street this Saturday, March 13th and is said to have an entourage with him including nine Redbird Redhots and Rockey. We urge you to act with excitement if around the catcher and approach him for one of the ticket vouchers he has taken from the Memphis Redbirds. All you have to ask #47 is, “have you caught the baseball fever?”
Anyone who finds this catcher and is able to get a good photo of him, please e-mail them to me at jordan.johnson@memphisredbirds.com. It is crucial that we get a hold of this Memphis Redbird in order to bring you fans great promotions and more ticket voucher deals!
Surprise!!! More Baseball
The Arizona Fall League starts today out in the dessert and several other Winter Leagues are already underway. The Arizona Fall League is probably the most glamorous of all the Winter Leagues due to the fact it is normally a who’s-who of top prospects from all 30 MLB teams. Let’s just run down the list of who will be in Arizona for a few extra weeks of fun in the sun. Well the top two picks from this summer’s draft will be there with Stephen Strasburg (Washington Nationals) bringing his millions of dollars and 100-MPH fastball. No. 2 pick Dustin Ackley will be there representing the Seattle Mariners. Including Strasburg and Ackley, five of the first 10 picks from last summer’s draft are scheduled to be in Arizona. The Giants uber-catching prospect Buster Posey will be there. The Marlins are sending Andrew Miller in hopes of getting the big lefty back on track. The Kansas City Royals top prospect Mike Moustakas will play third for the Surprise Rafters. Former Ole Miss Rebel and Collierville, TN-native Zach Cozart will represent Cincinnati. And all those guys are just a few of the best, future big leaguers.
So if this the best-of-the-best prospects league, who are the Cardinals sending? Since the Cardinals traded four of their Top 10 prospects from last year fans will definitely see some new, yet familiar faces wearing the Birds on the Bat while playing for the Surprise Rafters this fall. The players the Cards have slated on the Rafters Opening Day Roster are below along with their position and the highest level they reached in 2009.
- Gary Daley – RHP – Double-A Springfield - Daley pitched in just nine games, all in relief, for the S-Cards this past season going 0-2 with a 4.76 ERA. The right-hander didn’t make his debut until August 19 for Springfield after starting the year with Single-A Quad Cities, where he went 4-3 with a 6.93 ERA in 32 games, 10 starts. Daley was the Cardinals third round pick out of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 2006.
- Scott Gorgen – RHP – Double-A Springfield - Gorgen reached Double-A in just his first full year of pro ball after being a fourth round pick out of California-Irvine in 2008. The right-hander went 4-5 with a 5.20 ERA in 11 starts for the S-Cardinals after posting a 3-5 record with a 2.93 ERA in 14 games, 13 starts, for Single-A Palm Beach. Gorgen’s twin brother was a 16th
round pick of the Rays last year.
- Mike Parisi – RHP – Single-A Palm Beach - Former Redbird Mike Parisi will be one of very few guys in the Fall League with MLB experience. Parisi pitched in 12 games, two starts, for St. Louis in 2008 before blowing out his elbow in a game with Memphis at Sacramento in early August. The right-hander missed almost all of 2009 recovering from Tommy John surgery.
- Adam Reifer – RHP – Single-A Palm Beach - Reifer racked up 21 saves in 54 games for the Cardinals this past summer going 4-7 with a 4.47 ERA along the way. In his first full year of pro baseball Reifer followed up a stellar 2008 when he was tabbed the third-best prospect and best pitching prospect in the New York-Penn League after punching out 41 batters in 30.1 innings.
- Bryan Anderson – C – Triple-A Memphis - Anderson is another former Redbird scheduled to get some extra at-bats in the Fall League after missing significant time due to an injury. Anderson was the ‘Birds starting catcher before going down with a shoulder injury sustained in a collision at the plate in late June. The California-native is still considered one of the Cardinals best prospects but needs to use the Fall League to vault into 2010.
- Daniel Descalso – 2B – Triple-A Memphis - The Arizona Fall League will be the icing on the cake to an amazing 2009 campaign for Descalso. After crushing the Texas League for a .323 average and 26 doubles in 73 games, Descalso was promoted to Memphis for 46 games before joining Team USA for their gold medal run in the World Cup. He’ll share the Rafters infield with Team USA teammate Ike Davis from the New York Mets organization.
- Tyler Henley – OF – Double-A Springfield - Henley just wrapped up the best season of his young career leading Springfield with a .303 average and 31 doubles in a career-best 123 games. The former Rice star hadn’t even played in 123 games in his two previous years as a pro until this past summer. Henley is on the taxi squad for the Rafters, which means he is only active on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
- Daryl Jones – OF – Double-A Springfield - Jones has been one of the Cardinals top prospects since he was drafted in the third round out of high school in 2005. However, since then his career has been up-and-down until 2008 when he was named the Cardinals Minor League Player of the Year. Jones will be making up some at-bats this fall as well after missing a lot of time in the second half of the season with a leg injury.
Other former Redbirds playing ball this fall are Jon Jay, who is hitting .400 in four games for Leones del Caracas in the Venezuelan Winter League, and Fernando Salas, who has turned in 1.1 scoreless innings for Naranjeros de Hermosillo in the Mexican Pacific League. Naranjero translates to orange seller in case you were wondering. Follow us on twitter (@memphisredbirds) and check back here for updates on our Boys of Fall. You can also follow the Arizona Fall League games pitch-by-pitch over on MiLB.com. Games start at 1:35 p.m. CT so if you’re bored at work or like us and get to say it’s part of your job check it out.
Headed Home
Well, as they say, all good things must come to an end and our Spring Training trip is no different. The Redbirds traveling party disbanded this morning with the important people (President/GM Dave Chase and President Bill Harter) leaving first thing this morning and the not quite as important people (Broadcaster Steve Selby and myself) sitting in the Palm Beach Airport right now waiting to fly back to Memphis. (Side note: the trip is already off to a great start as they just announced our flight is delayed by nearly an hour.)
The last day of the Spring Training trip is always a little bittersweet. First, you don’t want to leave the baseball behind and second, no one wants to leave the sun and the fun of southern Florida. But the end of the trip always comes with a silver lining, especially this year. Baseball at AutoZone Park is only one week away with the ‘Birds and Cards kicking off the 10th season of AZP next Friday at 7:05.
I will say one thing about this trip, it has made me more excited for the 2009 season than any other since I started working for the Redbirds in 2005. There are still a few roster spots to be determined but even with those spots still up in the air the ‘Birds Opening Day Roster is going to be packed with young talent. The pitching staff will arguably be one of the best in the Pacific Coast League with the majority of last season’s rotation and part of the bullpen returning. Memphis posted the best ERA in the league last season and will be a serious threat to do it again. With Mitchell Boggs, P.J. Walters, Clayton Mortensen, Jess Todd and Blake Hawksworth penciled in as the starting five it should help what could potentially be a really young bullpen. There are no big boppers for the offense this year with David Freese looking more and more like he’ll be in St. Louis with each passing day. So look for a little more running on the basepaths and a lot more small ball this year…at least to start the season.
We’ll see you at the yard.
Spring Training is Fun
Director of Communications Kyle Parkinson is at Spring Training this week which means updates from Jupiter on Chirp Chatter all week. This is the first official non-Ben and Alex post on this blog and I promise I will not use awesomeness in any of the headlines this week.
The Redbirds traveling party arrived yesterday in time to catch the majority of the ‘Birds loss to New Orleans and have dinner with athletic trainer Chris Conroy. It’s hard to believe we’ve already been here for two days. And when I say we I mean myself, President of Baseball Operations/GM Dave Chase, President of Business Operations Bill Harter and Broadcaster Steve Selby. The two days we
have been here have been action packed, we’ve seen the ‘Birds lose a game, win a game, talked with our field staff, caught up with former Memphis manager Gaylen Pitts and pitching coach Dyar Miller, watched a few innings of the Marlins/Twins and I already have a pretty good tan going which is tantastic.
Today’s game against Springfield was a great chance to see players that are on our team and players that will likely be on our team at some point in the future. Normally, we don’t get much of a chance to see the players on the Springfield roster due to them playing on another field at the same time the Redbirds are playing. Mitchell Boggs and Clayton Mortensen were both strong in their three-inning efforts. Boggs pitched against the Redbirds which was a little weird to watch him head to the other dugout after the inning. The ‘Birds
infield had a new look to it with Jarrett Hoffpauir at third, Tyler Greene at shortstop, Casey Rowlett at second and Nick Stavinoha at first. Out of those four only Greene played the position he played today for the Redbirds last season. It looks like the word for this camp is versatility.
