John Shelby Signed By Chicago White Sox

Photo courtesy of Paul Baillargeon

Hello all!  More good news coming from the Grizzlies today.  Just two days after reliever Logan Mahon signed with the Baltimore Orioles, outfielder John Shelby has signed with the Chicago White Sox.   Congrats to 'T'!

Shelby heads back to the organization that drafted him in the 5th round in 2006.  In fact, John spent 2006-2010 in the White Sox farm system, making it to Double-A Birmingham.  He put up outsanding #'s @ every stop in the White Sox system until he reached Double-A and his production dipped slightly, which prompted his move to the Rays organization and time with Double-A Montgomery and Triple-A Durham for the 2011 season.

It's great to see John get back to affiliated ball and it's real nice to see two guys from the 2012 team get picked up in the same week.  The pattern is both Logan and John were drafted rather early and both guys have previous affiliated experience, with Shelby having much more than Logan.  Shelby was on track to a big league career in his early 20's, he was a top-notch prospect and a big piece of the White Sox organization, but now he's going to have to prove to people that he can still play at a really high level at the age of 27 (turns 28 in August). 

Photo courtesy of Frank Orris

Shelby struggled early in the 2012 season for the Grizzlies, which came as a shock to everyone.  He picked it up in the second half of the season and finished strong.  He was a big reason the Grizzlies made a late season push and got into the playoffs.  I recall a two HR game for Shelby @ Florence when he started to turn the corner and looked locked in @ the plate.  It was also a game that he played in front of family and friends since it was in Florence, KY and he's from Lexington.  Below are the radio highlights from Shelby's 2 HR game @ Florence. 

John Shelby Radio Highlights @ Florence

Photo courtesy of Frank Orris

I know John will work his tail off and take advantage of this opportunity.  Personally, the thing I was most impressed about from John Shelby in 2012 was the kind of person he was on and off the field.  As the broadcaster, you meet different personalities, some good and some bad.  John was one of the great guys in the game..always said hi, always had a smile on his face..a great teammate..and of course, a heck of a talent.  He put on displays in batting practice that many around the organization had never seen before.  I recall Grizzlies pitching coach Randy Martz (former MLB player) say to me on numerous occasions around the cage during BP.."Adam, this kid has big league power."  Martz doesn't get amazed to often, but he often times was while watching John hit.

I texted back and forth with Shelby earlier today and he told me he still doesn't know where they will send him.  It most likely depends on how well he does in spring training.  It looks like at the very least he will report to Double-A and if he performs well in spring training he could get a Triple-A shot out of the gate. 

Everyone with the Grizzlies is extremely excited for John Shelby.  I'll continue to follow his career and I hope he gets a shot in the big leagues one day soon!

       -Voice of the Grizzlies, Adam Young

Logan Mahon headed to Baltimore Orioles Organization

Photo courtesy of Paul Baillargeon

Hello all!  Great news coming out of the Grizzlies office this afternoon.  Gateway reliever Logan Mahon had his contract purchased by the Baltimore Orioles and will join their organization.  Excited for Logan and happy that he will be getting another opportunity in affiliated ball after appearing only five times for Rookie Ball Casper in 2011 with the Colorado Rockies.

Logan had a solid year for the Grizzlies out of the 'pen and showed the ability to get out both RH and LH batters.  He was drafted in the 22nd round by the Rockies in 2011 out of SEMO (first OVC player drafted that year) and is as deserving as anyone to get another shot.

Photo courtesy of Paul Baillargeon/ActionImaging

The loss of Mahon will leave a void in the bullpen for the Grizzlies (he was the only LH arm last season), so don't be surprised if we see manager Phil Warren sign a couple LHP's in the coming months.  By the way, I had a chat with Phil earlier today and he's excited for next year and don't be surprised if there are a lot of players back from the 57-39 playoff team from 2012.  Much more to come on player signings in the coming months (things should pick up soon). 

Since it's not even December and we are still a little ways away from baseball season, I figured I'd post radio highlights from Game 1 of the 2012 playoffs to give you fans a little taste of baseball.  What a ride it was in 2012!

  Divisional Series Game 1 Radio Highlights

Go Grizzlies!

      -Voice of the Grizzlies, Adam Young 

College Basketball is Back

I like college football..I watch/follow it closely when I get a chance, but in my opinion, it doesn't even come close to college basketball.  I'm a basketball junkie..have been and always will be.  Nothing compares to being in a gym full of fans on a cool Thursday night in December.  I grew up loving basketball as a player and now I love calling basketball and being the guy who describes the action as a broadcaster.  One week from tonight I'll be behind the mic for the first of many games in 2012-2013.

First off, my 60-plus game schedule had a great recent addition.  I'm excited to announce that Learfield Sports has hired me to call the play-by-play of the November 14th Toledo @ Northern Iowa Men's Basketball game in Iowa.  I'll be broadcasting for the Toledo Rockets Sports Network from Learfield Sports.  Can't wait!

For the second year in a row I'll team up with Joe Pott on the SIUE Cougar Radio Network.  Same as last year, I'll work with Joe as an analyst on the Men's games and serve as the play-by-play man for the Women's games.  I can't wait to work with Joe once again and continue to learn under one of the best broadcaster's I've been around and a guy who I've always considered to be a great mentor.

I'll have 43 games this season for SIUE.  This year's travel will take me to, most notably, Bloomington, IN where I'll get the chance to call the play-by-play of SIUE and Indiana in WBB @ historic Assembly Hall on December 16th.  The Ohio Valley Conference schedules take us to Tennessee and Kentucky for a good portion of January and February with some neat stops along the way.  Can't wait to call a full season of games once again for my alma mater!

I'll continue my role in the winter as the Public Address Announcer of McKendree MBB, but unfortunately due to my rigorous schedule with SIUE, I'll only be able to do half a dozen or so 'Cats games behind the PA mic.  It's always a treat watching 47th year McKendree head coach Harry Statham coach his team to victory.  My MCK schedule will take me on the road January 31st, where I'll be filling for the great Scott Cummings, calling the play-by-play of McKendree WBB and MBB @ Kentucky Wesleyan in a Great Lakes Valley Conference matchup.

I'll continue my work on 590 AM KFNS in the winter for the High School Sports Caravan with Jim Powers and his crew.  I'll be studio hosting/play-by-play for about 8 Friday's during the winter months when my college bball schedule allows.  Looking forward to seeing some of the great HS talent in the area.

It all starts this Sunday at the Hilton in O'Fallon with the McKendree MBB Tip-Off Dinner.  Can't wait to get the college basketball action started next Thursday @ the Vadalabene Center in Edwardsville.  This winter will include a lot of travel and will be extremely busy..my planner is packed, but in a good way..ready to get started again!

                                                                                                                                    -Adam Young

Grizzlies Release 2013 Schedule

Hello all!

Photo courtesy of Paul Baillargeon/ActionImaging.com

The Grizzlies have released their 2013 schedule.  What jumps out to me at first glance is that the Grizzlies will not be opening the season at home for the first time in a while.  They begin 2013 regular season action at Lake Erie on Friday, May 17th.  The Grizzlies play their home opener on Tuesday, May 21st against Joliet.

Unlike 2012, the Grizzlies have numerous off days in the month of June.  In fact, the Grizzlies will have every Monday off that month (4 Mondays in total).  August will have the Grizzlies two hardest road trips travel wise (@ Traverse and @ Washington) which is a change from 2012 when the Grizzlies had good travel in the second half, especially in August.

It will be interesting to start off the season on the road, especially in Avon, OH, which is one of the longer trips.  Then again, it's also nice to get that long trip out of the way to start the season.

Here's the link to the full Frontier League schedule for 2013.  Game times will be released in the coming weeks and I'll check back in with more breakdown in the coming months! 

Voice of the Grizzlies, Adam Young

Grizzlies Make Roster Move

Photo courtesy of the Rockford RiverHawks

Hello all!  The Grizzlies have made their first roster move after the completion of the 2012 season, trading right-handed pitcher Jordan Cudney to the Rockford RiverHawks in exchange for infielder, Jet Butler.

I talked this morning with manager Phil Warren and hitting coach Mike Breyman and both guys are excited about the potential of this deal.  Mike compares Butler to former Frontier League star Joash Brodin and feels that Butler has the potential to be one of the best hitters in the league.  Cudney may have the chance to be a starting pitcher for the RiverHawks, which is ultimately the position he wants to be in.  Only time will tell if this deal will sway in favor of the Grizzlies, but at least on paper it looks like a great move for Gateway.  Butler is a versatile defender who can play any of the infield positions and also the corner outfield spots.

Photo courtesy of Paul Baillargeon

I continue to stay busy in the offseason with broadcasting assignments.  Below are highlights from the O'Fallon/East St. Louis football game I called last Friday night with Howard Balzer.  I really enjoyed working with 'H'..great football mind.

Football Play-by-Play Highlights

Talk to you soon..Go Grizzlies!

      -Adam Young

Grizzlies 2012 Radio Highlights

Hello all!  It has been almost a week since the Grizzlies season ended in Game 5 of the Divisional Series.  While the loss still stings, as each day passes, I believe Grizzlies fans are getting more and more excited for the 2013 season.  Below are Radio Highlights from the 2012 season..this is your chance to go back and hear some of the great moments from one of the best seasons in Grizzlies history!

2012 Gateway Grizzlies Radio Highlights

Below is the link to my 2012 Gateway Grizzlies Season In Review.  Enjoy!

2012 Gateway Grizzlies Season In Review

       -Voice of the Grizzlies, Adam Young 

Playoff Time For The Gateway Grizzlies

Hello all!

Photo courtesy of Paul Baillargeon/ActionImaging.com

For the first time 2007, the Gateway Grizzlies are the West Division Champions!  Gateway clinched on Friday night and then took two of three from Rockford over the weekend to finish off the regular season with 57 wins, which is second most in team history.

The Grizzlies first round opponent in the Division Series will be the red-hot Florence Freedom.  They finished off the regular season as hot as anyone and they will certainly be a tough opponent for the Grizzlies.

Below is the schedule for the first round against Florence:

Wednesday, September 5th @ GCS Ballpark; 6:35 CT
Thursday, September 6th @ GCS Ballpark; 6:35 CT
Saturday, September 8th @ The Home of the Freedom; 5:05 CT
Sunday, September 9th @ The Home of the Freedom (If necessary); 5:05 CT
Monday, September 10th @ GCS Ballpark (If necessary); 6:35 CT

We hope to see you at the ballpark.  As always, all games will be broadcast on the Grizzlies Radio Network (590 AM KFNS, 1400 AM KJFF, gatewaygrizzlies.com, kfns.com and the FREE KFNS App on your cell phone).

                                                                                            *Grizzlies Note*

Photo courtesy of Paul Baillargeon/ActionImaging.com

Manager Phil Warren announced his postseason team awards on Sunday night prior to the game with Rockford to end the regular season.  Zac Treece was named Rookie of the Year, Justin Dunning picked up the Fan Favorite award, Tim Brown was tabbed Pitcher of the Year and Jonathan Johnson earned MVP honors.  Congrats to all!  

Go Grizzlies!

       -Voice of the Grizzlies, Adam Young