Thursday, June 30, 2005

Standings!!!!

I finally got around to reading the paper today. And what did I find next to the article on last nights loss:


MINK STANDINGS
League Overall
W L W L
Omaha 9 4 11 5
St. Joseph 9 5 19 6
Topeka 9 5 11 5
Beatrice 6 6 8 7
Parkville 7 9 14 9
FCA 5 11 5 11
Chillicothe 4 11 9 12


Sorry, I can't seem to get those to look right using Blogger's interface. Anyway, Topeka is 1/2 game back from Omaha, in a tie for 2nd place with St. Joe.

If anyone has Wichita results, please post a comment below.

Standings info

KMAJ reported this morning that the Topeka Golden Giants are only 1/2 game behind first place Omaha Varsity Gold in the MINK standings.

Wednesday, June 29, 2005

Giants fall to Bruins

The Giants lost to the Beatrice Bruins tonight 5-1. Next home game is against the Chillicothe Mudcats, Friday night at 7 p.m. The Giants also have a non-league road game against the Wichita Gators of the WJL tomorrow night.

Doubleheader with Saints on July 5th

Today's paper has a brief article on last night's rainout and says it will be made up as part of a July 5th doubleheader.

The Giants will play someone tonight at 7 p.m. The schedule says the Bruins, the article mentioned above says the Mudcats.

Tuesday, June 28, 2005

Rain out

Apparently today's rains haven't adequately drained away, there was no activity at the ballpark tonight.

No info on a make-up date with St. Joe. The Golden Giants will try again against the Bruins tomorrow night at 7 p.m.

Saturday, June 25, 2005

Topeka CJ article on last night's doubleheader

Looks like I missed a good game 1 yesterday. The exciting conclusion from the Topeka Capital Journal:
Each game was scheduled for seven innings, but the first game went to extras tied 4-4. Topeka's Reed Kreiser was hit by a pitch to lead off the bottom of the eighth. Tych Cowdin laid down a would-be sacrifice bunt, but was able to reach first for a single.

Two batters later, Omaha reliever Tommy Masten delivered a wild pitch, moving the runners up to second and third and prompting an intentional walk of Truman Marek.

Topeka Golden Giants infielder Jason Cooper throws out an Omaha Varsity Gold batter during the Giants' doubleheader sweep Friday. Head came to the plate with one out. His chopper to short left Omaha no chance of a force at home or a double play, and pinch runner Mike Grosdidier scored the winning run.

Friday, June 24, 2005

Giants sweep Varsity Gold

The Topeka Golden Giants won both games of a doubleheader with fellow expansion team Omaha Varsity Gold on Friday night. The Giants are now 9-4 in the MINK and 11-4 overall.

Unfortunately, I missed game one so I can't provide any details. The Golden Giants won 5-4 in 8 innings. (this was a 2-7 DH).

Game two was never close, Topeka scored 7 runs in the first and 5 in the 2nd. Topeka eventually won 14-1. As you can imagine, offensive highlights were numerous, but there were some defensive gems as well. In the 3rd, shortstop Jerad Head made a long 1 hop throw to Daniel Heflin at 1st from on or near the outfield grass for an out. Head also made a nice little flip to Jason Cooper at 2nd to end the same inning. Tommy Mangino was involved in all 3 outs in the top of the 4th. He made the tag in a close play at the plate after a throw from Jake Dean, gunned down an Omaha runner attempting to steal 3rd, and caught a foul ball up against the backstop for the 3rd out.

Hopefully the new and improved league site will post standings soon, a 9-4 record surely puts our Golden Giants in the pennant race for an NBC berth.

Wednesday, June 22, 2005

Golden Giants down Bruins

The Topeka Golden Giants keep winning at home. Tonight they defeated the Beatrice Bruins 6 to 3. Highlights include Gus Milner's long home run to straight away center with 2 outs in the bottom of the 3rd and Jesse Schmidt legging out a bunt single in the bottom of the 5th.

The Golden Giants are now 7-4 in the MINK and 9-4 overall. They take a well deserved day off tomorrow and then continue the home stand with a doubleheader against Omaha Varsity Gold on Friday.

By the way here's an updated schedule from the Capital-Journal and the write-up on Tuesday night vs. Chillicothe. (Check out their picture of Heflin's stretch at first base.)

Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Golden Giants defeat Mudcats

The Topeka Golden Giants defeated the Chillicothe Mudcats 8 -4 at Hummer Sports Park on Tuesday. The bottom of the 7th was again kind to the Giants, they scored 6 runs via three 2-run home runs by Jake Dean, Daniel Heflin and Nick Carlson.

The Giants continue the home stand against the Beatrice Bruins tomorrow night at 7 p.m.

Emerick drove in winning run last night

Here is the Topeka Capital Journal article on last night's victory over Parkville. Looks like the writer got Truman Marek and Russ Emerick confused.


The 14-inning home opener was still fresh in fans' minds, as well as the minds of both teams, as the bottom of the ninth began. But Dean blasted a shot to left-center field and ended up on second.
Marek followed with a towering drive to right center that looked like it had walk-off homer potential. The ball fell short of the wall, but Parkville had trouble getting the ball back in, and Dean scored standing up to win it.

Monday, June 20, 2005

3 victories to report

The Golden Giants defeated the Parkville Sluggers in Topeka tonight 9 runs to 8, pulling ahead in the bottom of the ninth. The game was a pitchers duel for the first 6 innings, with a 1-1 score going into the top of the 7th.

It wasn't the happiest 7th inning stretch for the Golden Giants fans after Parkville scored 4 runs in the top of the 7th, but the Giants answered with 7 runs in the bottom half, most in the form of a 2-out rally. For me, the play of the game had to be Russ Emerick's head first slide into first base to keep the rally alive. Parkville managed to tie the game 8-8 in the top of the ninth, requiring one more half inning of Giants offense to win the game 9-8.

I was able to touch base with GM Brett Cowdin, and the Golden Giants swept the doubleheader against Springfield on Saturday, winning 7-4 and 2-0.

By my count, the Golden Giants are now 5-4 in the MINK and 7-4 overall. Next game is 7 p.m. tomorrow against Chillicothe at Hummer Sports Park.

Sunday, June 19, 2005

Esposito article in Pittsburg Morning Sun

This article ran in the Pittsburg paper yesterday, the day of the Golden Giants-Springfield Generals doubleheader at Pittsburg State. Still no results to report from those games.

Saturday, June 18, 2005


Golden Giants watch the action from the dugout. Posted by Hello

Great atmosphere. Posted by Hello

After sunset. Posted by Hello

The history of "The Phil" inspired a black and white photo. Posted by Hello

An extra innings view of Phil Welch Stadium from the 1st base side. Posted by Hello

Golden Giants winning streak ends in St. Joe

The Golden Giants fell to the St. Joseph Saints 9-8 in 13 innings Friday night. The Giants nearly took the lead twice in the 11th when a squeeze play and an attempted staight steal of home resulted in close plays at the plate.

Things looked promising for the Giants early, when some Saints miscues resulted in 3 runs in the top of the 1st. The Saints came back with 1 run in the 1st, 3 in the 2nd, and 4 in the 3rd. The Giants tied the game at 8 with 3 runs in the 5th and 2 more in the 6th. The scored stayed 8-8 until the game ended in the unluckly 13th. Jon Hansen had an impressive long relief performance on the mound.

The Golden Giants are now 4-4 both overall and in the MINK. The Giants have a neutral site, non-league double header against the Springfield Generals today in Pittsburg. I not going to make it to Pittsburg, and may not be able to post again this weekend. If anyone has results from Pittsburg, please leave a comment below.

Thursday, June 16, 2005

GGs win at FCA Grays

The Topeka Golden Giants defeated the FCA Grays for the third time this week, winning 4-2 in Blue Springs, Missouri.

The win brings the Golden Giants record to 4-3, and brings the winning streak to 4 games.

The Golden Giants face the St. Joseph Saints at historic Phil Welch Stadium in St. Joe tomorrow night at 7 p.m.

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

Two Bruins articles

Here's an article from the Beatrice Daily Sun about some of this year's Bruins and another article about Bruins that were drafted.

Giants win game 2 against FCA Grays

The Topeka Golden Giants won the nightcap against the FCA Grays, 4 runs to 3. The Giants are now 3-3 after a 3 game winning streak.

Tuesday, June 14, 2005

MINK League site updated

The MINK League web site has been updated and now acknowledges the Topeka Golden Giants and Omaha Varsity Gold. There is a Standings page as well, it currently has no numbers, but if it is kept up to date, it should be a great way to follow the MINK pennant race.

New Golden Giant Gus Milner runs down the line after a hit to left field, while Vince Rodden streaks toward second. Posted by Hello

Golden Giants win game 1 against FCA

The Topeka Golden Giants won game one of tonight's doubleheader 8-7 in the bottom of the 7th. Jerad Head hit a game winning double after Vince Rodden's sacrifice bunt moved the winning run into scoring position.

Monday, June 13, 2005

Doubleheader tomorrow

There is an early 4 p.m. start tomorrow for 2 seven inning games against the FCA Grays of Blue Springs, Missouri.

See below for images from the Golden Giants game at Parkville on 6/10/05


Welcome to Grigsby Field, it's a bee-yoo-tiful day for baseball. Posted by Hello

This creek runs behind the left field fence. Posted by Hello

A view of the field. Posted by Hello

The fans at Parkville, with the concession stand and the Missouri River in the background. Several foul balls found the water during the game. Posted by Hello

Matt Wulfers at bat for the Sluggers, with downtown Parkville in the background. Posted by Hello

Sunday, June 12, 2005

See below for images from Saturday's game at Chillicothe


Topeka dugout, pregame. Posted by Hello

About 600 in attendence. Posted by Hello

Shaffer Park features Old Kauffman Stadium club level seats, in no particular order. Posted by Hello

Heflin at bat, Cooper on deck. Posted by Hello

Daniel Heflin, ready for a pickoff throw. Posted by Hello

Golden Giants infield reacts to a ball hit to the 3rd base side. Posted by Hello

Steve Soper bats for Chillicothe. Posted by Hello

Rain out

Looks like Sunday's game is rained out. No activity at the ballpark.


Update: Topeka Capital-Journal article on the rainout

Golden Giants win slugfest in Chillicothe on Saturday

The Golden Giants got their first win in Chillicothe on Saturday, defeating the Mudcats 16 runs to 12.

Golden Giants highlights were numerous, but the momentum seemed to turn in the top of the 3rd. The Giants were down 3 runs when Mudcats starter Josh Davis hit batters Jake Dean, Tommy Mangino and Nick Carlson, loading the bases. All three scored on Brian Martinek double to right field, tieing the game. Martinek ended the game 2 for 4 with 4 RBIs and 3 runs scored. Also hitting well were Russ Emerick (3 for 6 with 1 RBI and 1 run scored), Jason Cooper (2 for 4 with 2 runs scored) and Daniel Heflin (2 for 5 with 2 RBIs).


box score from Chillicothe

Golden Giants lose in Parkville on Friday

The Golden Giants lost to the Parkvile Sluggers by the score of 7-2 in Parkville on Friday. The Giants consistently made contact at the plate, but most of the balls put in play found a Parkville glove or went into the tall infield grass for an easy groundout.

Highlights for the Golden Giants: Nice defensive plays by Jake Dean in the 5th and Nick Carlson in the 6th, Jon Hansen's solid pitching performance in the 8th, and Jerad Head's stand-up double off the left field wall in the 9th.

Capital Journal article

Thursday, June 09, 2005


Late Night with the Golden Giants: June 7th vs. Parkville. Posted by Hello

Chillicothe article on June 5th game

Here is an article from the Chillicothe newspaper on the Mudcats' 1 run win over the Golden Giants last Sunday.

Wednesday, June 08, 2005

Giants lose 14 inning marathon

It was a game that had everything, except a positive outcome for the home team. The Topeka Golden Giants lost to the Parkville Sluggers 11 runs to 9 on Tuesday night. (Or was it Wednesday morning by the end?) It was both an exciting game where every pitch mattered and a frustrating game where things never quite fell in to place.

Highlights for me include: Vince Rodden's leg single in his first at-bat; Russ Emerick's shutting the Parkville batters down, ending a costly 2nd inning, and setting the tone for a great performance by the Topeka bullpen, a long stretch to get the out at first base by Daniel Heflin in the third, and the Jesse Schmidt 2-run homer in the 7th.

From today's Topeka Capital-Journal:
"I'm proud of or guys for battling back," Giants coach Daniel Esposito said. "We were six in the hole in the second inning and we came back and got it tied. There's no quit in these guys."

Can't argue with that. Also in the CJ article:
The Giants left the bases loaded twice, in the second and 10th innings, and straned a total of 24 runners on base.

"We were one big hit away from breaking it open and winning it in regulation," Esposito said.

In this game that hit never came, but throughout the season I expect it will more often than not.

Tuesday, June 07, 2005

Royals draft a Beatrice Bruin

With the 2nd overall pick in the MLB draft, the Kansas City Royals selected third baseman Alex Gordon from the University of Nebraska. Two short years ago, in the summer of 2003, Alex Gordon played in the MINK League for the Beatrice Bruins.

From the May 2nd edition of the Daily Nebraskan:

Alex Gordon will be a millionaire at 21. Next month, Gordon will be drafted – likely one of the first five picks, definitely in the first round.
From then, it’s only a matter of time.
Gordon isn’t really thinking about what his future holds for him, but Bob Steinkamp, a scout with the Seattle Mariners organization, believes the Lincoln native will be in “The Show” within a few years.
Besides being a scout, Steinkamp has spent 3½ decades coaching the Beatrice Bruins, a summer team full of talented college players from around the nation. He’s managed more than 200 future minor leaguers.
Few, if any, have stood out as much as much as Gordon, who was on Steinkamp’s team during the 2003 summer.
“He’s one of the most gifted and talented players I’ve coached in 35 years,” Steinkamp said. “He’s pretty close to being big league ready.”
In scout talk, Steinkamp grades Gordon with plus marks in ability, work ethic and makeup. He’s “above major league average” in everything but pure running speed.
“It’s really hard to say anything negative about him.”


In other draft news, former Topeka Capital Cesar Carrillo was drafted 18th overall by the Padres. Here's a quote from an old Capital-Journal article about a game in which Carrillo pitched well:
Topeka, which out-hit the A's 9-3, opened the scoring in the third inning. Catcher Kyle Dahlberg doubled and scored on Shawn Smarsh's groundout to shortstop. Designated hitter Kyle Wilson's sixth-inning sacrifice fly made it 2-0.
Meanwhile, Capitals starter Cesar Carrillo cruised until the eighth inning, allowing one hit and striking out six batters through seven innings.
Suddenly, the game was tied at 2, and Carrillo was pulled in favor of Derek Dunne, who retired the only two batters he faced.
"That's the best he's thrown since high school," Abney said of Carrillo, who redshirted last year at the University of Miami and will be eligible next season as a freshman.

Home game against Parkvile tonight

The Parkville Sluggers (aka Kansas City Sluggers) come into Hummer Sports Park tonight at 7:05. The Sluggers are a unique team in the MINK, in that the MINK League Sluggers are the top team in a Sluggers system that starts with 15 year-olds. Chris Carlson, brother of Golden GIant Nick Carlson, was a former Slugger. A roster is availiable on the Sluggers website.

The stats and the Golden Giants half of the box score from Sunday's game in Chillicothe are posted on the official site.

Monday, June 06, 2005

Giants lose close one in Chillicothe

Here's the article from the Capital Journal. The Giants lost 6 to 5 after a rally in the ninth inning fell short.

Sunday, June 05, 2005

Scouting the Mudcats

Here's a selection of recent articles from the Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune about the Mudcats' roster and facility.

Improvements at Shaffer Park continue
Seven former Chillicothe Mudcats returning
Mudcats to mix in Bass, son of ex-big leaguer

CJ article on last night's rainout

Well it looks like I didn't miss any baseball by leaving when the typhoon hit. The Golden Giants and A's never got past the top of the third. Here's the story from this morning's Topeka paper.

There is a road game tonight in Chillicothe, then Parkville comes to Topeka on Tuesday. The Clarinda game will be made up by a doubleheader on July 11th.

I won't be making the trip to Chillicothe today, if anyone does and has results please post a comment below.

Saturday, June 04, 2005

Opening Night

Well I managed to see a little baseball tonight. After a few false starts the rain hit with a vengence with one out in the top of the third. Let the record show that I wimped out about 15 minutes into the rain delay.

I'm relying on memory here, since my scorecard turned to mush in the bottom of the second, but the highlight of the first two inning was an RBI single by Zack Walton. I believe it was Nick Carlson who scored from second on that play. The Golden Giants were up 1-0 when the rain delay began.

The game may very well restart. Hopefully there will be a happy box score in tomorrow's paper. If anyone reading this stayed longer than I did and knows the ultimate result, please post a comment below.

Opening Day rainout story from CJ

http://www.cjonline.com/stories/060405/gol_gameppd.shtml

Friday, June 03, 2005

Southwest Slashers preview from Joplin

This article may be of interest to Golden Giant fans since it discusses a team in Joplin which has many parallels to ours. A new team (well...new to Joplin, at least) that focuses on recruiting local players and keeping costs down.

Missed CJ article with updated schedule

I missed this one when it was first published, and am posting it now because it contains the most current schedule that I am aware of.

GIANTS SCHEDULE

JUNE

3 SALINA, 7 p.m.; 4 CLARINDA, 7 p.m.; 5 at Chillicothe, 7 p.m.; 7 PARKVILLE, 7 p.m.; 10 at Parkville, 5 p.m.; 11 at Chillicothe, 7 p.m.; 12 WICHITA GATORS, 7 p.m.;14 FCA, 4 p.m. (DH); 16 at FCA, TBA; 17 at St. Joseph, 7 p.m.; 18 Springfield Generals at Pittsburg, 4 p.m. (DH); 20 PARKVILLE, 7 p.m.; 21 CHILLICOTHE, 7 p.m.; 22 BEATRICE, 7 p.m.; 24 OMAHA, 7 p.m. (DH); 28 ST. JOSEPH, 7 p.m.; 29 BEATRICE, 7 p.m.; 30 at Wichita Gators, 7 p.m.

JULY

1 CHILLICOTHE, 7 p.m.; 3 at Clarinda, 7 p.m.; 5 ST. JOSEPH, 7 p.m.; 6 at Beatrice, 7 p.m.; 10 at Clarinda, 7 p.m.; 11 CLARINDA, 7 p.m.; 13 at St. Joseph, 7 p.m.; 14 at Parkville, 5 p.m.; 15 at Omaha, 6 p.m.; 16 at FCA, 7 p.m.; 19 at Beatrice, 7 p.m.; 22-27 NBC Central Regional at Clarinda.



It also includes a roster which has new addition Reed Krieser from Dallas Baptist, and does not include K-State pitchers Adam Cowart and Chase Mitchell.

Opening Day Rained Out

It's Official. Tonight's game against Salina has been rained out.

Tonight's game

Apparently two days has't made any difference in Omaha's roster, looks like we are playing the Salina Blue Jays of the Walter Johnson League tonight and not a league game against Omaha Varsity Gold as planned. Jake Lenherr is the probable starter.

Here's a link to the Topeka Capital Journal's opening day article.

Thursday, June 02, 2005

Opening Day-eve

See below for pictures from the media day/open practice. It was nice to see the players out on the field. No real insights except that I was impressed by the infield and outfield arms in general. That's something that you can't determine from internet box scores.

Opening Day is tomorrow, first pitch at 7:05 at Hummer Sports Park. As far as I know the broadcast on KMAJ 1440 AM is still planned, so bring your headphones.

The Royals just swept the Yankees, and NBC baseball returns to Topeka tomorrow. It's a great time to be a baseball fan in northeast Kansas. See you at the ballgame!

Taking infield at first base. Posted by Hello

Wood bats. Posted by Hello

The cap Posted by Hello

The GM is interviewed by 27 News. Posted by Hello

Uniform front. Posted by Hello

A little BP. Posted by Hello