Arena Impact

            The loss of a professional sports team to the Sacramento region would do more damage to the city than one may think. Anyone who has flown into Sacramento has seen the open fields surrounding what is, but most people wouldn’t think to be, the capital of California. With Los Angeles being one of the biggest and most popular cities in America, it shadows Sacramento enough so, that the average person might believe Los Angeles to be California’s capital. When the Kings moved to Sacramento in 1985 they were not very good. Going through a few rough seasons before they even made the playoffs and eventually finding those glory years that many people of Sacramento still hold close to them. Twenty-six years later, Sacramento finds itself wondering if this team will even be around next season. A question that could have a lasting effect on the community has yet to be considered to the degree that it should. The answer not just affecting the fans that fill the seat on any given night during the season, but the many other pieces in play that could determine the outcome of the current situation Sacramento find itself in.

Although an entertainment facility/sports complex may not be the political brouhaha of the century, deciding on a way to get a plan drawn up and agreed upon involves a lot of politics. While the Kings would hold just 40 to 55 home games each year, the facility would allow for many other forms of entertainment to come in. That small portion of game time makes up for less than 13 percent of the calendar year; allowing a lot more time for other forms of entertainment to be held in the new facility. Whether it be a concert, Disney on Ice or allow for another professional team to share the building, coming up with the funds to finance an arena will come easier while the sports team is already here.  Those involved include the following: Mayor Kevin Johnson, the Maloof’s (Kings Majority Owners), local businesses, David Stern (NBA commissioner) and the citizens or fans that populate the area. While it would be nice to pick a few million off the money tree and drop an Arena in Cal Expo or the rail yards, the fact is that the plan needs to make sense for all parties involved, and until that happens there is no plan. Mayor Kevin Johnson is looking to do what is best for his city and the people in it. Mayor Kevin Johnson has put together a task force that’s sole purpose is to come up with the plan, with the March 12012 deadline looming. Mayor Johnson, a former NBA star, made a presentation on what he believed to be the best possible selling points to David Stern and his people. Although they aren’t the sole owners of the franchise, the Maloof family took majority ownership soon after purchasing the team in 1998. Soon after coming to Sacrament the family had expressed interest in putting the team in a newer, more up-to-date facility. Thirteen years later they find themselves in the same position, minus a few more tallies in the win column. This inability to come up with an arena plan has pushed them to their breaking point and that was publicized this past summer as they got very close to parting ways with Sacramento. The NBA’s Commissioner, David Stern, has made it known that he wants to keep the team in Sacramento; enough so, that he sent some of his people to Sacramento in order to help with ticket sales and marketing. That move was a success as it boosted season ticket sales noticeable weeks after, but unfortunately for Sacramento, the current lockout has prevented the season from getting started. Like Mayor Kevin Johnson, the local businesses were quick to act, realizing that if the team were to move, much of their money would be lost. Those businesses that realized this pledged a combined 10 million dollars to keep Sacramento here for just one more year, hoping a plan could be met before the deadline passes. While an agreement has yet to be reached regarding a new entertainment facility, it’s common knowledge that each party wants the team to stay in Sacramento. Deciding on the specifics of this plan is where things get interesting.

State of the League

            NBA commissioner David Stern took over the league in the 1980’s and is credited for much of the popularity gained the past three decades. Although players like Shaquille O’Neal, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant deserve some of the credit, Stern has been the constant in a league that is continually adding and subtracting players. Television ratings are up by double digits and the average local TV deal for an NBA team around 12 million dollars (Thomsen, p. 12). Income varies from team to team but, but the average NBA team is thought to make in the upwards of $100 million dollars annually, with the Lakers and Knicks bringing in more even if their team is struggling on the court. Sacramento is no New York or Los Angeles when it comes to market size, but the capital of California still has a market bigger than cities like Utah, San Antonio, New Orleans, Indiana and Minnesota. So while some may think that Sacramento is too small to garner the corporate sponsors that they are thought to need, the fact is that they aren’t at the bottom of the league. Sacramento is a middle-tier market. The success of the league has allowed for an increase in improved arenas with a handful of NBA cities either building a new arena or renovating the one they currently have to home their NBA franchise. The same can be said in other professional sport leagues as sixty-four major league facilities have been built between 1991 and 2006 (Robertson, p. 1). The next step for Sacramento is coming up with a plan that works for all sides involved.

Game Plan

            Everyone involved is of the understanding that an arena is an expensive venture. Many cities building new stadiums costing excess of $200 million, plus infrastructural expenditures and debt service obligations that often double the cost of the project (Rich, p. 58). Knowing what you’re dealing with and how much certain things may cost is a tough game but it has been so many times that the resources are available to find such information. Depending on the assumptions made, one can get wildly different estimates. For instance, two studies were made about the impact of the Colts on the Baltimore economy in 1984. One study found an impact of $30 million and the other an impact of just $200,000 (Rich, p. 62). The Colts eventually lost their team but were lucky enough to get a new team. Mayor Kevin Johnson and his task force are of the understanding that once this team leaves, a new one won’t take their place.  Where exactly the arena will be placed is yet to be determined. Public subsidies make up a large portion of the arenas funding, providing hundreds of millions of subsidies for the construction of these arenas. This is being done through the issuance of bonds. Different taxes enacted specifically for this purpose are usually used to pay off these bonds (Robertson, p. 3). And although many people believe it should be the Maloof’s who anti-up for the new arena, only 30 percent of the sports facilities nationwide are privately owned (Robertson article-Stadiums and Arenas). Sacramento will look to fall in line with the other 70 percent using these specific taxes to find the money to pay for these bonds; whether it be a tax on hotel’s, rental cars or something else that would bring in new money. This new money would allow for the bonds to be paid off sooner rather than later, preventing the citizens to pay for a large portion of the money.

Weighing the Options

            With any decision one may have the positive and negative effects of that decision must be considered. Whether it’s what you decide to wear for the day or whether or not you should spend hundreds of millions of dollars on an entertainment facility. Most decisions can be made based upon the past decisions, or examples made by others. The Sacramento Kings are lucky to have two new examples of how, or how not to build arena, if they decide to stick a shovel in the ground. The Orlando Magic opened the Amway Center in October 2010 and they have felt a direct impact on the surrounding area. In addition to the thousands of jobs created during its construction, there were an additional 3,000 jobs created during the year, whether it is for the Magic games or some other avenue of entertainment. The Barclays Center, which is currently under construction, will lend as an example to the Sacramento task force.  In 2004, a study was done by Brad Humphreys and Dennis Coats that aimed to show prove that there was little to no economic benefits to a new sports facility. They pointed out the substitution effect arguing that “as sport- and stadium related other spending declines because people substitute spending on sports for other spending (Coats and Humphreys, p. 4). A study was performed by Xia Feng and Brad Humphreys (same guy) four years later, looking at the economic effect of housing values. Their results showed that sports facilities have a “significant positive effect on the value of surrounding houses and this positive effect decreases as the distance from the facilities increases (Feng and Humphreys, p. 3). The same study also showed that a new sports facility constructed outside of the center of a large city and unrelated to an urban redevelopment program will have the same positive effect on housing values in upwards of tens of millions of dollars.

With the opportunity for such increases in property value and the potential for lost profits if the team were to move, it’s not hard to understand why 33 local businesses pledged over 10 million dollars to the Sacramento Kings. SMUD (Sacramento Municipal Utility District), committed $250,000 over the next five years after hearing the team may be on its way out. Sutter Health, a nonprofit organization that is one of the region’s largest employers, committed $1 million to the team in it’s first-ever sponsorship with the Kings. The United Auburn Indian Community added an additional $650,000 dollars in sponsorship as the tribe’s Thunder Valley Casino and Resort is one of the primary sponsors of the team (Johnson, p. 2-4). These businesses were quick to react when the news of possible relocation was brought to their attention and hopefully for them their investment works out.

Good Team, Good Investment

            The Sacramento Kings have been rebuilding for the past few years missing the playoffs every season since 2006. The Maloof’s have taken a few body shots of their own to keep the team, selling their beer distributorship last year while also selling a stake to their Palms Casino and Hotel. They have reiterated that they would like the team to stay in Sacramento but their patience is wearing thin. If the team were to get an arena the Maloof’s would have to open up their pocket books as their public interest would take a shot if they promised to be the spenders in free agency that they said they would be. The team has shown promise with some of the young talent they have but it will take a few more pieces to reach the playoffs once again. Among the factors already stated is the sense of civic pride and unity a team can have on a community. Many fans and businesses took to Twitter and Facebook organizing meets and “Purple Fridays”, which allowed fans to show their team pride by wearing purple to work. There was a study done that demonstrated how a team’s success increases the personal income in the metropolitan area from which the winning team comes (Davis and End, p. 49). “The performance of sport teams predict the extent to which fans identify with the teams. Team performance affects personal reactions and, thus, may have real consequences for the economy,” (Davis and End, p. 39). The study was done focusing on NFL teams but they included baseball and basketball in their study. The study showed that a Super Bowl victory had the greatest effect on the individuals in the city for which the team is from but solid play from a NBA team has a similar effect just to a lesser degree. The better the team plays, the better off the city is.

Conclusion

            The city has until March 1, 2012 to reach an agreement. Giving the sides involved enough time to decide what exactly they want to do. Deciding on the where and how, while keeping those involved happy. The Maloof’s want to make sure they make a wise business decision. Mayor Kevin Johnson wants to keep the team in town, but getting that done in a way that will keep the citizens happy. David Stern wants the Kings to stay put but not at the expense of the league. And lastly, the citizens want to have a new entertainment facility just as long as it affects them in a positive light. Based on the studies shown it is possible to come up with a reasonable plan that goes along with the interests of both sides. Some compromises may have to be made by those involved but the plan won’t formulate by itself. It comes down to how much each side wants it and the quality-of-life benefits one can justify with the large public spending. These kind of benefits are hard to include in the debate on subsidizing sports facilities because they are so difficult to gauge. It is clear that if the Maloof’s and the team pack up and leave Sacramento it won’t do Sacramento any good. There won’t be as many jobs and that civic pride that few cities can hold onto will be lost. As nice as it would be to look and a crystal ball to see the city the ultimate affect this arena has, the simple fact is that it isn’t that easy. But it’s a different kind of ball that if taken away, could lend itself to more problems than this city currently has.

Works Cited

COATS, D. and HUMPHREYS, B. “Caught Stealing: Debunking the Economic Case for D.C. Baseball.” CATO Institute Briefing Papers (2004): 1-12. Web. 6 Nov. 2011.

END, CHRISTIAN and DAVIS, MICHAEL. “A Winning Proposition: The economic impact of successful National Football League franchises.” Economic Inquiry, Vol. 48 (2010): p 39-50. Web. 6 Nov. 2011.

FENG, XIA and HUMPHREYS, BRAD. “Assessing the Economic Impact of Sports Facilities on Residential Property Values: A Spatial Hedonic Approach.” IASE/NAASE Working Paper Series (2008): 1-19. Web. 6 Nov. 2011.

JOHNSON, KELLY. “NBA cutting deals with Kings sponsors.” Sacramento Business Journal (2011): 1-6. Web. 6 Nov. 2011.

RICH, WILBUR C. “The Economics and Politics of Sports Facilities.” (2000): 1-248. Web. 6 Nov. 2011

ROBERTSON, ROBBY. “The Economic Impact of Sports Facilities.” The Sport Digest (2008): 1-4. Web. 6 Nov. 2011.

THOMSEN, IAN. “NBA’s Future: Star-crossed.” Sports Illustrated, Vol. 114 Issue 10 (2011): 12-13. Web. 6 Nov. 2011.

2011
12/22
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River Cats Top-10 Defensive Plays (through July 22)

2011
07/27
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Academic success celebrated at Raley Field

Although the 4,000 students came by bus, it was their attitude, attendance and academics that brought them to Raley Field as part of the AAA School Program.Each year since its inception in 2000, the River Cats U.S. Bank AAA Program has celebrated the achievement of a select group of students in the Sacramento region. With the 25,000 students and educators making the trip to the ballpark each season, approximately 250,000 kids have made this program a memory of their own.Headed by award-winning speaker and educator Tony Asaro, the AAA School Program reinforces educational goals that schools in the area already have in place, while teaching the students in a fun, interactive and exclusive learning environment — Raley Field.

“These students right here are students of influence in their school,” says Asaro as he looks upon the students in attendance on a Wednesday in May. “They are changing the culture of their community. These are the leaders of the future.”

The trip to Raley Field isn’t something that happened overnight. The teachers and students have been looking forward to the day for some time.

“Tony (Asaro) came to our school a few months ago and we had our U.S. Bank AAA Assembly,” said Julia Patrick, an English teacher at Westmore Oaks Elementary in West Sacramento. “The kids are really receptive to him. He’s very dynamic.”

Tony speaks with 150 schools annually, but this year is on pace to speak with more than 200 schools.

“We go and set the tone with the motivational assembly,” Asaro says. “They set their goals for the year and at the end of the year they come out here.”

After students were recognized for academics and character, River Cats Manager Darren Bush and catcher Anthony Recker spoke with the students. Talking about their childhood experiences with school and athletics, Bush and Recker let the kids know about the importance of academics and character.

Bush, a graduate at Valdosta State University in Georgia, told the kids that good character is “making the good choices, not the easy ones.”

Bush and Recker then put themselves out there, allowing kids to ask them an assortment of questions, enabling the students to speak with the player and manager they will see on the field later in the day.

Although the kids are out here because of their academics, the students have been looking forward to watching some baseball. For some, it is their first time at the ballpark.

“For some kids athletics is the only thing they connect to, so to me it is very important,” said Miss Patrick. “You would be surprised how many kids in Sacramento haven’t been able to come to a River Cats game.”

For some kids, their first time to the ballpark could be their only time, but Tony wants to make sure these kids leave understanding the importance of good character, with the River Cats being a prime example.

“It’s the only way you can be successful in life,” Asaro said. “We here at the River Cats can teach anyone to be part of our organization, whether it’s in the media, marketing, whatever. We try to make sure the character is there first.”

John Harris, a seventh grade math teacher at Southport Elementary in West Sacramento, has been to Raley Field before.

“Last year the kids got to speak with the manager and a couple of the players,” said Mr. Harris. “We brought them back because it was close to where we are and it’s a lot of fun. We get to be outside and watch baseball.”

Bush and Recker aren’t the only River Cats who have made academics a priority. Teammates Adrian Cardenas is currently enrolled at New York University, while Michael Taylor is working toward a degree at Stanford. Many more River Cats players have graduated college and had successful careers in and out of baseball.

For many of the kids it was nice to see their new team come away with the win. But for teachers like Miss Patrick and Mr. Harris, that win is just a symbol for what the future holds for their students and the thousands of other students who were able to make it out to the ballpark.

2011
07/18
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Framed to Perfection

Wearing glasses has helped Eric Sogard become a PCL All-Star. (photo courtesy of Sara Molina)

 

 

Whether instructing hitting or fielding, baseball coaches consistently tell players to keep their eyes on the ball. Sacramento infielder Eric Sogard keeps four eyes on the ball.

It may not be the improvement Charlie Sheen’s character Ricky Vaughn saw in the movie “Major League,” but Sogard believes he is “winning” with his spectacles.

“It’s something I’ve been doing since my sophomore year of high school,” said Sogard, the River Cats leadoff batter and shortstop. “I just see the ball better with them on.”

Although contacts are a quick fix for most players, Sogard found early on that he feels most comfortable with glasses. So, in his sophomore year at Thunderbird High in Phoenix, he made the switch to glasses. He used contacts in the classroom, but when he got to the field, he came with his glove, bat and glasses in hand.

“I would go to school with the contacts on and practice and play games with my glasses,” he said.

What he did was working, as Sogard was ranked as the seventh-best prep prospect in Arizona out of high school in 2004. Sogard played for Arizona State from 2005-2007, where he hit .371, including a .400 average and 100 hits in 2007. After the season, Sogard was drafted in the second round of the 2007 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres, a team 350 miles down the road.

After moving around the Minors from 2007-09, Sogard has landed in Sacramento the last two seasons. Last season, “Sogie,” as he is known around the clubhouse, hit .300 with 65 RBIs and 82 runs.

“His game’s not going to wow you,” said River Cats Hitting Coach Todd Steverson. “It’s consistent. He’s a pest, and he just ends up grinding you. He doesn’t strike out a lot. He puts the ball in play. That’s the best way to go.”

Sogard could have hit .400 with 40 home runs and his teammates would still find a way to poke fun.

“I’ve been called Harry Potter, The Mad Scientist, little nicknames like that,” Sogard said. “But it’s all in good fun.”

There have been a few situations in Sacramento when his glasses became an issue. It happened last season at a very in-opportune time for Sogard.

“I was on deck and I was bending my glasses when they just snapped,” Sogard said. “The next swing was a hit by (Michael) Taylor so I didn’t have a lot of time. Luckily I always have an extra pair in the clubhouse so someone ran in and grabbed them for me.”

It’s not common that MLB players sport seeing-eye glasses; Sogard looks to add his name to the short list of players. Last year in Oakland, he played in four games where he hit for .429 in seven at bats. This season, Sogard is hitting .288 with a team-high 49 runs and 13 steals through July 6.

“I don’t care what he wears up there,” Steverson said. “He can wear a facemask with a prescription in it for all I care, as long as he keeps swinging the way he does.”

2011
07/18
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Grizzlies edge Cats in Highway 99 Showdown

Fresno continued what it started a week ago, winning their fourth game in a row against Sacramento.

Guillermo Moscoso continued what he has done all season, pitching well for Sacramento and Oakland. However, it wouldn’t be enough as Fresno came away with the 3-2 victory before 10,511 fans at Raley Field.

The right-hander struck out nine while allowing five hits and three runs (two earned) on Thursday night. Moscoso started the season in Sacramento, going 3-2 with a 4.02 ERA before making the jump to the Majors on May 24. In Oakland, he had a 3-4 record with an outstanding 2.16 ERA. Thursday night was Moscoso’s second start against Fresno, as he pitched against the Grizzlies last August, allowing one run and striking out three in 6.1 innings.

Both teams seemed rusty coming off the All-Star break, as each team committed three errors on the night. Sacramento committed two errors on the same play in the first inning, allowing Fresno shortstop Edgar Gonzalez to score from first on an infield single. Fresno committed three errors, as well, but the two they had in the third inning cost them.

Matt Carson walked early in the inning and reached third on a throwing error, following a single by Jermaine Mitchell. In the ensuing at-bat, Eric Sogard reached on a force attempt but a fielding error by Fresno’s Brandon Belt allowed Carson to score. It wouldn’t be the River Cats’ last run, as Daric Barton drove in Mitchell with a single to put Sacramento ahead, 2-1.

Despite a strong performance from Moscoso, two of the five hits he allowed were sent out of the park, one in the fourth and one in the sixth. Gonzalez hitting the game-tying home run before Belt sent one to the River Cats’ bullpen for a 3-2 lead in the sixth.

Belt’s home run would have cued a pitching move or at least a visit to the mound for most other pitchers, but Moscoso stayed in and struck out two of the next three batters.

Vinnie Chulk, Jerry Blevins and Fernando Cabrera pitched a combined three shutout innings, but Sacramento was unable to put another run on the board.

Adrian Cardenas and Sogard are still very confident despite losing four in a row against Fresno.

“From a team standpoint I think our record speaks for itself,” Cardenas said. “We’ve been a really good team from Day 1 and we’ve had so many ups and downs with (play movement), yet we still lead the division.”

Las Vegas’ win Thursday trimmed Sacramento’s division lead from 8.0 to 7.0 games.

“As a team we’re having a great season,” Cardenas said. “We went through a little cold streak there but we swept Las Vegas before the break putting us back where we were before. Our pitching had been outstanding and we continue to have guys coming down from the Big Leagues with (Josh) Outman, Moscoso, and Graham (Godfrey) so that’s always going to be helpful.”

The River Cats must win three in a row this weekend in order to win their first series against Fresno this season. If not, Sacramento will wait until the August 24-28 when they face Fresno the last time this season.

The River Cats look to get on track with right-hander Graham Godfrey (8-1, 2.32) and left-hander Josh Outman (5-1, 4.64) going Friday and Saturday for Sacramento.

2011
07/18
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Koonce a slugger to remember

Graham Koonce, Retired (River Cats, 2003-2004)

Drafted in the 60th round of the 1993 MLB draft, Koonce was a player who left his imprint on an upstart Minor League franchise but was never able to stick in the Major Leagues. With just eight at-bats in Oakland in 2003, Koonce’s only hit was a double, striking out six of the seven other times he was at the plate.

Koonce was a player who put Sacramento fans on the edge of their seat. His .259 average won’t be found in the top-10 for the River Cats all-time, but it seems everything else can be.

In two seasons for Sacramento, Koonce put up gaudy numbers. In 2003, he had the best year of any Sacramento power hitter, hitting 34 homers and 115 RBIs. He currently ranks first in both home runs (56) and walks (175), third in RBIs (192) and seventh in runs (155).

Soon after the 2004 season, the 29-year-old was granted free agency and bounced from team to team the rest of his career. Koonce was a victim of terrible circumstance. Stuck behind a guy by the name of Cecil Fielder when he was drafted by Detroit in 1993, much of the same would happen throughout his career. Stuck behind Wally Joyner on the San Diego Padres, Jason Giambi, Carlos Pena and Dan Johnson on the A’s, his career would close stuck behind another Fielder in Milwaukee.

Gio Gonzalez, Oakland Athletics (River Cats, 2008-2009)

A teammate of current River Cat Adrian Cardenas at Monsignor Edward Pace High in Miami Gardens, Fla., Gonzalez has gone on to be a star in Oakland.

The first-round pick (38th) by the Chicago White Sox in the 2004 MLB draft, Gonzalez was traded four years later in a deal involving former River Cat Nick Swisher.

Gonzalez soon found himself pitching for a champion in the second year of Sacramento’s back-to-back Triple-A titles. Gonzalez finished the 2008 season with an 8-7 record and 4.24 ERA, but followed that season with a year that would warrant a trip to Oakland. In 2009, Gonzalez was 4-1 with a 2.51 ERA in 12 games for Sacramento, allowing him to trade his River Cat red for some green and gold.

Although he pitched for Oakland in 2008 and 2009, it was in 2010 that Gonzalez found his groove. A 15-9 record with a 3.23 ERA and 171 strikeouts in 2010, Gonzalez looks to improve on that this season. Through 17 starts in 2011, he is 8-5 with a 2.31 ERA and 106 strikeouts, earning a spot on the American League All-Star team.

Clayton Mortensen, Colorado Rockies (River Cats, 2009-2010)

Mortensen was a PCL All-Star for the River Cats last season, boasting a 13-6 record with a 4.25 ERA while leading the team with 112 strikeouts. Months after the River Cats season came to a close, so did Mortensen’s time with the club, as he was dealt to the Colorado Rockies for Ethan Hollingsworth.

A first-round pick (36th by the St. Louis Cardinals) in 2007, Mortensen has pitched in 16 games for Colorado this year (six starts). The 26-year-old right-hander is currently 2-4 with a 3.86 ERA.

In June, Mortensen went a span of five games (June 6-25) allowing just three earned runs in 13 innings of relief pitching.

2011
07/18
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Farm Report: Sulentic having hot June

Matthew Sulentic, Midland RockHounds

Double-A Midland may not scare anyone with its 30-46 record, but Matthew Sulentic has used the last month to open eyes that may have lost sight of him since he was drafted by the A’s in third round of the 2006 Amateur Draft.

The 23-year-old outfielder from New Jersey hit .256 in April and .253 in May. This June, Suletic has flipped the switch, hitting .358 from through June 29. His spectacular June has turned his lowly .254 average at the beginning of the month to .287, second highest on the team.

Sulentic has jumped around the A’s minor league system that last few seasons, playing for Vancouver, Kane County, Stockton and Midland. Sulentic made the jump from Vancouver to Stockton in two seasons, and hit .309 in 95 games for the Ports. His next stop was in Midland where he has found himself playing the last three years.

He hit above .275 the last two seasons while scoring 50-plus runs while driving in 45 or more. If he can continue at the rate he is going, the kid from New Jersey may find himself wearing a new jersey soon, making his last step until the majors.

Michael Gilmartin, Stockton Ports

Someone forgot to tell Michael Gilmartin that the talent level goes up as you make your way up the farm system.

The Stockton Ports second baseman played in Vancouver and Kane County the two seasons, prior to suiting up Stockton (High-A). However, he has had better numbers this season than in past seasons. In 60 games for Vancouver, Gilmartin hit .232 with 10 doubles, one triple, three home runs, 34 runs, 22 RBI and five steals. In 119 games for Kane County Gilmartin hit .245, 30 doubles, four triples, five home runs, with 41 runs, 53 RBI and 15 steals.

Through 61 games this season, Gilmartin has matched many of those numbers while adding on to personal numbers that he has already surpassed. As of June 29, Gilmartin is hitting .298 for Stockton with 13 doubles, six triples, seven home runs, with 40 runs, 38 RBI and three steals. Numbers any 27th round-pick would be proud to have. Or any Minor Leaguer for that matter.

2011
06/30
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In the River Cats’ 11 seasons, hundreds of players have called Sacramento home, winning championships at the Minor League level while aspiring to break into the Majors.

Jeff Baisley, Salt Lake Bees (River Cats, 2008-10)

Jeff Baisley was part of a 2008 team that was the last team standing in the Pacific Coast League. Three years late Baisley can be found in the same league putting up numbers that are better than he has ever had.

In Sacramento Baisley played 228 games hitting .271(226-for-833) with 60 doubles, two triples, 24 home runs, 115 runs and 114 RBI. This year Baisley boasts a .308 average, with 14 doubles, two triples, 15 home runs, 50 runs and 55 RBI. His play has gained the attention it deserves as he is sixth overall in the all-star balloting while leading all PCL third baseman in total votes.

Corey Wimberly, Indianapolis Indians (River Cats, 2010)

Wimberly quickly became a fan favorite for Sacramento last season with his pre-game front flip and lighting speed on the field. The 5-foot-8 170 lb. giant left his mark in the River Cats record book and an imprint on the minds of River Cats fans last season.

Last year Wimberly crushed the steal record that was set by Eric Patterson in 2009. Last season the speedy Wimberly stole 13 more bases finishing the season with 56, moving into second all-time in River Cats history. Wimberly also ranks fourth in total runs over one season (97), fifth in triples (7) and seventh in total games (135).

Following the season Wimberly was traded to Pittsburgh for 23-year-old right-hander Ryan Kelly who never pitched a game in the A’s system. Wimberly has played in 32 games for the Indianapolis Indians (Triple-A Pittsburgh Pirates affiliate) hitting .225 with two doubles, two triples, 10 runs, eight RBI and seven steals.

Josh Outman, Oakland A’s (River Cats, 2008 & 2011)

Josh Outman was the opening day starter for the Sacramento River Cats this season but has found himself in Oakland for the first time since 2009 when he went down with an elbow injury. That elbow injury in 2009 lead to Tommy John surgery that took him out for the rest of 2009 and all of 2010. Before his elbow injury in 2009 Outman posted a 4-1 record with a 3.48 ERA in his rookie season.

Outman appeared in just five games for Sacramento in 2008 but returned to Sacramento on his long road back to the show this past Spring having a 1-0 record while sustaining a 1.76 ERA. Outman showed River Cats’ fans that the two years prior was no fluke and he made it back to where he was before the injury.

The combination of his play in Sacramento and injuries to the Oakland rotation opened up and avenue that allowed him to make the move last month. The 26-year-old lefty has had even better numbers since he made his most recent jump to the majors. In six games in green and gold Outman has recorded a 3-1 record with a 2.86 ERA. With the way he’s been pitching it might be a while until we see him in Sacramento again.

Carlos Gonzalez, Colorado Rockies (River Cats, 2008)

Our Andre Ethier of this week is Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez. It’s easy to look back and say we should have done this or done that, but Cargo was as average as they come for Sacramento. In 2008 Gonzalez played in 46 games hitting .283 (49-for-173) with nine doubles, four homers, 23 runs and 28 RBI. Numbers that have turned into MVP candidate worthy numbers 1200 miles away in Colorado.

Gonzalez didn’t start the year how he would have liked coming off a year in which he won a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger award. Cargo, who was third in MVP voting last season has began to turn things around this year after making the switch from the No. 3 spot in the lineup to No. 1 position. Gonzalez had turned his average from .254 to .281 in that period.

Since June 7 Carlos Gonzalez is hitting .370 (27-for-73) with seven doubles, two homers, nine RBI, 12 runs, four walks and three stolen bases.

 

2011
06/24
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Sacramento River Cats
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Farm Report: Mitchell hot in Midland

Four RockHounds will represent Midland and the Oakland Athletics at the 2011 Texas League All-Star game in San Antonio on June 29. Texas League batting leader Jermaine Mitchell will be playing with teammates Michael Spina, Ethan Hollingsworth and Grant Green, who was a focus on last week’sRiver Cats Farm Report. This week we will be focusing on Midland center fielder Jermaine Mitchell and Stockton Ports pitcher Jose Guzman.

Jermaine Mitchell, Midland RockHounds

Jermaine Mitchell has had a breakout year that outshines most players in all of Minor League Baseball. Through June 13, Mitchell has hit .367, with 12 doubles, 13 triples, 10 home runs and 41 RBI through the first half of the season. Although he was caught stealing 11 times, he showed some speed on the base paths with 11 steals through 59 games.

The Texas native was a fifth-round pick in 2006 out of the University of North Carolina. Mitchell spent two full seasons and a portion of the third season in Stockton before being promoted to Double-A Midland. In his first two years for Stockton Mitchell hit just under .250 but hit .309 for Stockton in 2010. Mitchell wasn’t able to keep that pace for Midland in 2010 but did see some time in Sacramento, going 2-for-12 with a double and two RBI for the River Cats.

If Mitchell can continue playing at the pace he is right now he could soon find himself playing in Sacramento once again.

Jose Guzman, Stockton Ports

Although he might not be the biggest guy, 5-foot-11 and 185 lbs, Jose Guzman has played big for Class A-Stockton. In 21 games this year (as of June 13) the 24-year-old righty has allowed just eight runs. Guzman has pitched 36.1 innings for Stockton while striking out 37 on the season.

Although he struggled at the start of the season, having a 3.68 ERA in April, he has been an entirely new pitcher since then. So far this June, Guzman has allowed just one hit in five appearances, striking out seven in seven innings of work.

If Guzman can have a second-half of the season that is in any way similar to that of his first-half he could make that same jump that Mitchell made last year.

2011
06/24
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Alumni Report: Weeks shines in Oakland

In the River Cats’ 11 seasons, hundreds of players have called Sacramento home, winning championships at the Minor League level while aspiring to break into the Majors.

The River Cats have seen players such as Barry Zito and Bobby Crosby make their mark with the Oakland A’s. Zito was awarded the 2002 AL CY Young after going 23-5 in 2002. Crosby was the 2004 AL Rookie of the Year, one vote shy of being a unanimous selection.

Other players like Carlos Gonzalez and Nick Swisher have found themselves in different organizations, reaching goals they had while they were playing in Sacramento. “Cargo” was an MVP candidate last season, earning a Gold Glove and sharing Silver Slugger honors with AL MVP Josh Hamilton. Swisher was an All-Star last season for the Yankees, hitting .288 with 29 home runs and 89 RBIs.

This blog will take a weekly look at three former River Cats:

Andre Ethier, Los Angeles Dodgers (River Cats, 2005)

Ethier, who played only four games with Sacramento in 2005, made his mark on the Majors earlier this season. While some Major Leaguers struggle to put a five-game hit streak together, Ethier had a 30-game hit streak before his run at Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hit streak came to an end.

Byrnes, Retired (River Cats, 2000-02)

Byrnes was a fan favorite in Sacramento, and still remains in the top-10 of a few offensive categories. Entering 2011, Byrnes is seventh in total home runs (33), 10th in RBI (114s), eight in runs (152), eighth in doubles (53) and fifth in steals (42).

Byrnes soon found himself in the Majors, but bounced around the league before retiring last year. Byrnes played in Oakland, Colorado, Baltimore, Arizona and Seattle, hitting .258 with 109 homers in 11 seasons. Byrnes made the jump from player to media member months after playing his last game. Byrnes currently works for KNBR and hosts a nightly talk show.

Jemile Weeks, Oakland A’s (River Cats, 2011)

Weeks started the season in Sacramento, where in 45 games he hit .321, with six doubles, four triples, 30 runs and 22 RBIs. The lead-off man for the River Cats made his first jump to Oakland on June 7 after A’s second-baseman Mark Ellis went down with an injury.

Weeks has taken advantage of his opportunity in Oakland, where in his first nine Major League games he has hit .344 with two doubles, three triples and five RBIs. Jemile is the younger brother of Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Rickie Weeks.

2011
06/24
CATEGORY
Sacramento River Cats
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