Monday, January 30, 2012

Grizzlies Radio Network

Hello all! 

If you keep close tabs on the Grizzlies website, I'm sure you noticed that we have reached a two-year agreement with 590 The Fan KFNS to continue airing Grizzlies games through 2013.  This season will be the third for the Grizzlies on the 590 AM airwaves. 

590 will be the flagship station once again while 1400 AM KJFF remains as the affiliate station on the Grizzlies Radio Network.  This is very exciting for everyone involved.  Everyone at KFNS and KJFF are outstanding to work with and this continues to give the Grizzlies outstanding exposure on the airwaves.

I'll be returning for my second season as the Voice of the Grizzlies..can't wait for Opening Day!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Grizzlies Busy With Roster Moves

It's only January, but a lot of moves were made this week for the Gateway Grizzlies.  The most noticeable move for Grizzlies fans is a trade involving star outfielder Joe Agreste (pictured right: courtesy of Paul Baillargeon/ActionImaging.com).  Gateway traded Joe to Laredo in the American Association for a player to be named later.  This gives Joe a chance to head to another league and see if he can make it back to affiliated ball, where he was in 2010 with the San Diego Padres organization.  Joe's bat will be missed in the lineup, but I feel like this is a good move for him.  We wish him the best in Laredo. 

Gateway has also traded reliever Derrick Miramontes (pictured right) to Wichita (American Association) as part of a three-team trade.  Derrick was acquired by GWY in a September 2011 trade (involving Charlie Lisk).  Therefore, he never appeared for the Grizzlies.  Tough to see him go because he has been a great pitcher in the league, but the return value is VERY high.  As part of the trade, GWY receives top-flight starter Tim Brown, a St. Louis native.  Brown began his professional career in 2009 with the Lincoln Saltdogs (AA) and went 5-1 with a 2.59 ERA In 17 appearance (7 starts).  Brown was named the fifth best prospect in Independent Baseball by Baseball America after the '09 season.  He then spent time in the Phillies organization for their Gulf Coast League affiliate..put up great numbers..returned to Lincoln and has been a big time pitcher for them the last couple of seasons.  BIG signing for sixth-year manager Phil Warren.  I think Tim Brown will be one of the top starters in the FL this season. 

Gateway also signed two guys, Jerod Yakubik and Nick Popescu:

Yakubik (pictured right: courtesy of milb.com):  34th round pick of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the '10 draft out of Ohio University.  He hit .307 @ Rookie ball in '10 and then won the Pioneer League batting title @ Rookie ball Orem in '11 (.372 avg).  Yakubik also had brief stints at single-A and high-A with the Angels. 

Popescu (pictured left: courtesy of texastech.com):  Texas Tech grad..hit .312 with 73 RBI in 102 career games @ TTU.  33rd round pick of the Atlanta Braves in '11 draft.  He's a switch-hitter who can play second, short and third.  He is only 22-years-old and was born in St. Louis. 

 Excited to see how all of the moves pan out.  Personally, I've very excited about the new additions and anxious to see how they perform on the field.  Grizzlies skipper Phil Warren has done and outstanding job assembling the Spring Training roster thus far.  Can't wait for players to report! 

           -Voice of the Grizzlies, Adam Young

Friday, January 13, 2012

Hello all.  The countdown continues to opening day..only 126 days.  I know it's only mid-January, but opening day will be here before you know it.

This week was a sad week for the Gateway Grizzlies.  If you keep tabs on the Grizzlies on facebook, then I'm sure you're aware that Aunt Rose, as she was referred to at the ballpark, passed away.  Aunt Rose was one of the Grizzlies most dedicated fans, a season ticket holder since the team's inception and a true historian of the team.  She was well known by the front office, players and fans.  If you were a regular at Grizzlies games, you knew who Aunt Rose was.  She was hanging K's from her right field picnic table seating area, keeping score of every game (Home or Road) and listening to every single game on the Radio (Home or Road).  I loved stopping by Aunt Rose's seats before or during a game and chatting about the team.  She was always optimistic, whether the team was winning or losing.  The Grizzlies were her team and she wasn't afraid to say it.   Aunt Rose loved baseball and most importantly Gateway Grizzlies baseball.  When I came to Gateway in 2009 as the No. 2 man to Joe Pott..one of the first things Joe talked about was Aunt Rose.  He always referred to Aunt Rose during the broadcast when a foul ball was hit her way.  I found myself doing the same thing last season.  I know she meant a lot to Joe and she meant a lot to me as well.  The Grizzlies front office will be heading to St. Theresa's in Belleville this morning for a 'Celebration of life Ceremony' for Aunt Rose.  RIP Aunt Rose.   

The Grizzlies made a big addition to the ballclub yesterday with the signing of Edwardsville, IL native Aaron Conway (Picture from the MSU Athletics website), a former Triad High School star.  Conway played his college ball @ Missouri St, where he had an outstanding career.  He has a great chance to win a starting outfield spot in Spring Training.  He has great speed AND power.  Conway batted .298 in 192 career games @ MSU..he belted 14 homers and drove in 91 career runs.  He also collected 16 triples and stole 69 bases in his career.  I'm excited to see what Conway can do for the Grizzlies this season.

It's back on the road for me this weekend.  I'm heading with the SIUE WBB team to Nashville, TN later today.  We have DH action tomorrow from the Gentry Center @ Tennessee State University.  All the action starting @ 5:20 with the Women's game, followed by Men's action.  Joe Pott and I will be courtside for the call of both games.  Catch all the action on the Cougar Radio Network:  88.7 FM WSIE, 590 AM KFNS, KFNS.com and the KFNS App on your phone.  Go Cougars!

                                                                   -Adam Young

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Hello all!  The transformation from grass to field turf at GCS Ballpark continues to go well.  The Grizzlies were happy to have Paul Baillargeon of ActionImaging.com stop by the ballpark on friday afternoon and take some pictures.  Paul has done an outstanding job for the Grizzlies over the years and once again, we are fortunate to be able to use his great photos.  All photos in this post are courtesy of Paul.  If you are looking for more of his work, check out www.ActionImaging.com.  Along with owner Frank Orris, Paul helps operate ActionImaging.  You can also see Paul's photos in numerous newspapers, most notably the Belleville News Democrat.  Enjoy these great photos!

Quick note:  The Grizzlies traded away lefty reliever Nick Walters to the Wichita Wingnuts of the American Association for infielder Jonathan Johnson.  Hate to see Nick go, but this gives him a chance to go a league with more veterans and it appears to give him a better chance of getting picked up by an affiliated club.  Walters had two outstanding seasons with the Grizzlies.  He was unhittable in '10 and in '11 he was one of the Grizzlies most reliable relievers.  Grizzlies Manager Phil Warren mentioned to me numerous times during  the season, "Walters has a major league slider, but he needs to have better command of his fastball."  The lack of command with the fastball might be what is still holding Nick back.  Best of luck to Nick and welcome to Gateway Jonathan Johnson!

I'll stop by this week with more news and notes.  It will be a busy week of broadcasting for me starting Monday night with SIUE/Eastern Illinois Women's Basketball @ the Vadalabene Center in Edwardsville.  Have a great week and Go Grizzlies!

     -Voice of the Grizzlies, Adam Young

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Field Turf Progress/Road Trip

Hello all!  The weather has been outstanding the last couple of days, which means there has been solid progress to the field @ GCS Ballpark.  In this post are two pictures which show the updated field.  At this rate, the field should be done within the next couple of weeks, just in time for college baseball to begin @ the Ballpark.  Can't wait to see the finished product. 

Changing subjects:  It has been an oustanding start to the Ohio Valley Conference Basketball season for SIUE.  The Women's Basketball team is undefeated @ 2-0 in the conference and the Men won their first two conference games before falling @ home to EIU on Wednesday.  That means the two teams are a comnbined 4-1 in their first-ever OVC season.  Great stuff! 

I'll be hitting the road with Joe Pott and the team on Friday..we head to Martin, TN as the Cougars take on UT Martin Saturday.  The Women's broadcast gets underway @ 3:50 while the Men's game will get underway @ around 6.  You can tune in to the Women's game on 88.7 FM WSIE..Men's game will air on 88.7 FM and 590 AM KFNS.  Hope to have you along the Cougar Radio Network!

      -Adam Young