One Chapter To Another: On To New Mexico

Hello all:

Thursday was a bittersweet day for me. After four years as the play-by-play Voice of the Gateway Grizzlies & a broadcaster for both SIUE and McKendree University, I accepted a position with New Mexico State University (Division I/WAC).

First off, I want to thank everyone with the Grizzlies, Cougars and Bearcats for giving a young fresh out of college 22-year-old a chance four years ago. Also a big thanks to Saint Louis University and Washington University-St. Louis and every other organization/college I've called games for the last four years.

This decision wasn't an easy one. I grew up in St. Louis and have been able to settle in near my hometown and do what I love. I called games for teams and colleges I grew up watching and was a short drive away from family. I was happy, but not content. I was still searching for that 'big break' and I feel like I got it with my new job at New Mexico State University.

I'm joining a University that is BIG on TV broadcasts. I'll get the chance to call play-by-play on TV and Radio while also serving as the host of the weekly coaches show on TV (below is an example of one of their shows from last year).

The TV broadcasts and coaches shows will be airing on FOX Sports Arizona, FOX Sports Southwest, FOX College Sports, Comcast in New Mexico, Altitude Sports and ESPN 3. 

I'll be leaving for New Mexico next Wednesday morning and my first assigment is on September 5th. My first Football TV play-by-play game will be on September 20th when New Mexico State takes on New Mexico on FOX Sports Southwest, FOX Sports Arizona & FOX College Sports.

I'll be finishing the Grizzlies road trip with games this weekend in Washington, Pennsylvania. I will also do the first inning Tuesday night before officially handing things over to Sam Levitt for the rest of the season. It looks like the Grizzlies will be doing a little ceremony on-field during the second inning Tuesday night.

It's hard to leave the St. Louis area, but this opportunity is to great to pass up. Thanks to everyone who has listened along the way. Go Aggies.

#AggieUp

   -Adam Young

Remembering 'JJ': Jonathan Johnson Becomes a New York Met

One of the good guys got some great news Saturday morning as Grizzlies second baseman Jonathan Johnson had his contract purchased by the New York Mets.

Since I took over for Joe Pott in 2011, there hasn't been a player wearing the Grizzlies uniform that cared more, respected the game more and wanted to win more than 'JJ'. While I could list how many bases he stole, his career on-base percentage, his career average, how many hits he stole away from opponents, etc., I'll instead go behind the scenes and explain what I've witnessed since 2012.

I still remember Spring 2012 when Johnson came to Gateway. He was acquired in an offseason trade from the American Association and Grizzlies manager Phil Warren was already raving about this left-handed hitting second baseman that he thought could be his table-setter at the top of the lineup. Quickly, I noticed the hype. He was pesky, had a swagger to him and played the game the way every person should. Whether the score was 2-2 or 11-2, Johnson still sprinted on the field every inning, ran out every ground ball and ran down every foul ball until it went to the seats. Simply put, he was like a kid in little league. He was thrilled to be out there playing and never took it for granted. Never a lack of hustle - maximum effort every game, every inning. In a world where all scouts tend to look at is numbers, I always wondered doesn't this matter?

He hit walk-off home runs, made game-saving defensive plays, received standing ovations for remarkable

sliding over-the-shoulder catches and continued to make his hometown of Lakewood, CA proud every single time he took the field. He was a leader, one heck of a teammate and easy to get along with for everyone in the organization. In a league where guys come and go, Johnson was a mainstay for three years and the face of a  franchise. Dads could tell their kids, "that's the way the game is supposed to be played" when watching Jonathan Johnson.

Well, 'JJ' got his chance. His dream is to make it to the major leagues and this opportunity brings him closer to that dream.

I know I speak for everyone when I say we are going to miss 'JJ', still follow his career closely and continue to pull for him as he takes this next step.

Thanks for the memories, JJ. Continue 'chasing the dream'.

        -Voice of the Grizzlies, Adam Young

Grizzlies Continue Homestand Tonight/Early Season Notes

We are 17 games into the season and the Gateway Grizzlies have a raced out to an 11-6 start.
After an 8-2 start, Gateway has gone 3-4 in their last 7 games. Nonetheless, a solid start for Phil Warren's team.

Gateway will continue their homestand tonight with Game 2 against the Rockford Aviators at GCS Ballpark. Right-hander Aaron Newcomb, the only local player (Carlyle native) on the Grizzlies roster, gets the start tonight. Newcomb is off to a hot start with a 2-1 record and a 0.47 ERA. Warren preaches series wins and so far the Grizzlies have won 4/5 series.

Early season notes:

• Gateway is second in the league in runs (87) through 17 games.
• The Grizzlies have the third best ERA in the league (2.97).
• Gateway has shown the ability to steal bases early in the season with 27 swipes in 17 games.
• After this series, Gateway will play their next 6 games on the road.
• Closer Richard Barrett has yet to allow a hit in his 6 innings of relief (4 saves).

Below are radio highlight montages from recent games. Go Grizzlies!

Grizzlies/Rockford June 3 Radio Highlights

Grizzlies/Schaumburg May 29 Radio Highlights

Grizzlies/Rascals May 25 Radio Highlights

       -Voice of the Grizzlies Adam Young

What Keeps You Striving For Greatness?

Time to take a pause from my usual Grizzlies/College Athletics posts and post about something that I've

been thinking about. Just some thoughts.. 

What keeps you going? That's a question that a lot of people should ask themselves on a daily basis. When life/your career gets hectic, who helps you push through? 

I know in my career I often overlook it and take it for granted. When I started my broadcast journey in college my parents supported me and helped me get through the stressful and tough times then and they still do today. Nobody can achieve success on their own. They need support. You need support, a pat on the back, a little push now and then and sometimes you need to hear some constructive criticism.

For me, my parents have always been the people to do that. I have a mother who has never missed listening to one of my broadcasts and a father who may care more about my career than I do. If it wasn't for them, I know I wouldn't be in my current position. They do the same for my sister and I know she appreciates it just as much.

It doesn't just end with my parents. I have friends/family that continue to support me and my career. When you have people behind you, the last thing you want to do is let them down. Therefore, you keep plugging away and working towards an end goal. After all, you always have certain people you want to make proud.

For me, that's to broadcast games at the highest level. I dream of the day I can call up my parents and tell them I got that 'dream job', knowing they plugged away with me.

Don't take those people for granted. Take some time to thank for them for being there for you. Because after all, those are the people that keep you striving for greatness.
 
    -Adam Young

Grizzlies Prepare For Start Of Spring Training

Hello all! We are less than a week away from the start of preseason practice for the Gateway Grizzlies. The first workout is Thursday morning and the Grizzlies open up Exhibition play Tuesday, May 6th @ Southern Illinois. The season is almost here!

Our first broadcast on the Grizzlies Radio Network will be the final home Exhibition game on Saturday, May 10th vs. the Wichita Wingnuts of the American Association.

Here are some notes leading up to the season:


*Grizzlies manager Phil Warren heads into the 2014 season with 358 career wins. He has the most wins in franchise history and is sixth all-time in league history.

*The Grizzlies have added former slugger Mike Breyman to the coaching staff, giving them arguably the best coaching staff top-to-bottom in the league. Breyman was the manager of the Joliet Slammers a year ago.

*Landon Hernandez will start the season on the suspended list and miss the first 2 weeks. Hernandez will not report to Gateway until May 25th as he finishes up the season with the University of Hawaii, where he's an assistant coach.

*Position player wise, the Grizzlies will start the season with only 2 returning position players (Johnson and Wing). Wing was acquired in a late season trade in 2013 and only played in 19 games for the Grizzlies.

*4 (Vasquez, Wing, Faulkner, Macklin) of the Grizzlies position players were drafted out of HS and entered the drafted or entered the draft after their junior year of college.

*Starting pitching questions: It will be interesting to see which five pitchers finish up camp in the Grizzlies starting rotation. Candidates for the rotation appear to be Aizenstadt, Barrett, Bos, Jensen, Newcomb, Oliver, Stephens, Stiles and West. Certainly some of these guys could also go to the 'pen if they aren't in the rotation.

More notes coming as Spring Training opens up Thursday!

    -Voice of the Grizzlies Adam Young

  

Grizzlies Radio Network Ready For 2014

Baseball is back in MLB and before we know it Grizzlies baseball will be back as well. Thanks for checking in to www.AdamYoungOnTheAir.blogspot.com. I hope you enjoy today's blog post.

Monday was a big day on the radio side of things as the Grizzlies signed a deal with 590 AM KFNS in St. Louis to be the flagship station on the Grizzlies Radio Network. 1400 AM KJFF in Festus, MO will serve as the Affiliate station, teaming up with KFNS to form the Radio Network.

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This is an exciting deal for us as 590 moves back to all-sports. Grizzlies games have been on 590, one way or another, since 2010. Last year 590 aired weekend games only. We're thrilled to have them on board for all games this season.

Our first broadcast will be the final home Exhibition game on May 10th when the Grizzlies welcome in the Wichita Wingnuts of the American Association. Click the link below for the entire 2014 Grizzlies Broadcast Schedule.

GATEWAY GRIZZLIES 2014 BROADCAST SCHEDULE

I'm happy to welcome Sam Levitt to the broadcast team for the upcoming season. The recent Northwestern grad will be the No.2 broadcaster, Media Relations assistant and GTV talent for the upcoming season. He will be on the air with me for all home games and select road contests. Sam most recently spent two seasons as a play-by-play broadcaster in the Cape Cod League. While at Northwestern he broadcasted nearly a dozen different B1G sports and served as Sports Director of WNUR-FM. Sam grew up just outside of New York City.

Sam will be a great addition to our Broadcast team. He's an extremely talented young broadcaster who I feel will excel from the start. He's very advanced for his age and I'm going to have him doing the middle innings play-by-play from day one.

In case you missed it, I sat down with Grizzlies 8th year manager Phil Warren yesterday for the April Manager's Chat. Listen to the entire INT at the link below.

APRIL MANAGER'S CHAT WITH PHIL WARREN

Hope you enjoy the games this season. Sam and I are looking forward to bringing them to you.

  Go Grizzlies!
 
         -Adam Young

Grizzlies Make Big Splash: Sign Vasquez & Newcomb

Grizzlies manager Phil Warren was busy this week adding two players who figure to play a vital role in the team's 2014 success.

Centralia, IL native and former Angels 19th rounder Aaron Newcomb signed with Gateway Thursday while former Cardinals 3rd rounder Niko Vasquez was traded to the Grizzlies from the Joliet Slammers Friday afternoon. 

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Let's start with Vasquez, who comes to Gateway with a lot of hype.  He was a High School draft pick in 2008 out of Durango HS (Las Vegas, NV).  Vasquez reached Double-A Springfield in the Cardinals system in 2011 and 2012, combining to play in 56 games at that level.  He was the 91st overall pick in '08 and as recent as 2011 he was considered to be a top 50 prospect in the Redbirds system.

Vasquez by the #'s: 

• 603 professional games over the course of 6 seasons.  
• He has 218 games at High-A.  
• His career average isn't eye-popping (.235) and the only stop with an average over .300 was Rookie Ball Johnson City in '08 during his first pro season.  
• Decent power numbers for Vasquez who plays all 3 infield spots.  He has 44 career HR's and collected 12+ in 2010 and 2011.  He also smacked 8 in only 59 games with the Slammers last season.

This is a huge signing by the Grizzlies because of the recent loss of 3B Chris McClendon.  Vasquez can play SS, 2B or 3B, but it looks like he'll be the everyday man at 3B for the Grizzlies going into Spring Training.  Ironically, this is the position he has more experience in at the pro level.

Vasquez played for Grizzlies bench coach Mike Breyman last season when Breyman was the manager at Joliet.

Newcomb, who turned 24 on March 2, was drafted by the Angels after finishing up his collegiate career @ Division II powerhouse Delta State University.

"I'm excited to join the Grizzlies this year," Newcomb said.  "I've been working hard this offseason trying to improve my mechanics.  I'm ready to see my progress."

Newcomb went a combined 4-5 in 2012 & 2013 in the Angels system.  The 6-2 right-hander appeared in 27 games (15 starts).  He pitched for Rookie Ball Orem in 2012 and Single-A Burlington in 2013.

Newcomb has an impressive college career at DII Delta State University, winning a combined 18 games in 2 seasons and helped guide the Statesmen to a DII College World Series Runner-Up finish in his senior season.  He led the team with 11 wins during his senior season while notching a 3.07 ERA.

The name is familiar to a lot of local baseball fans because of his days at nearby Centralia HS.  Judging by #'s, talent and upside, I expect Newcomb to have an impact in the Grizzlies starting rotation in '14.  We'll see come May.

Go Grizzlies!

   -Voice of the Grizzlies, Adam Young