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Wednesday, July 02, 2008

York lands Shea Hillenbrand

While the Revolutionary War vessel, HMS Ontario has been saved...I’m not sure about the York Revolution’s newly sinking ship.

Former major league third baseman Shea Hillenbrand arrived in York, ready to join the team as its everyday third basemen.

Hillenbrand is the most recognizable player signed during the York Revolution’s short two-year history. The franchise, and the ownership group Opening Day Partners, have typically filled rosters with Triple- and Double-A talent. When ODP teams have reached out to sign former major leaguers, the players typically have had short careers in the big leagues.

Players with long careers and All-Star seasons typically ended up on one team: The Long Island Ducks. But that has changed this season with the acquisition of longtime big league closer Dave Veres and now Hillenbrand.

“I would just say it has been a combination of availability and desire to play,” Revs Director of Baseball Operations Adam Gladstone said.

..."What’s in the past is in the past,” Gladstone said. “The biggest thing he’s known for is being a .284 hitter in the major leagues.”

Repoz Posted: July 02, 2008 at 09:16 AM | 65 comment(s)
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1. Dr Love Posted: July 02, 2008 at 09:35 AM (#2840140)

The franchise, and the ownership group Opening Day Partners, have typically filled rosters with Triple- and Double-A talent.

And they still are.

2. Ryan Jones Posted: July 02, 2008 at 09:41 AM (#2840145)

“The biggest thing he’s known for is being a .284 hitter in the major leagues.”

This is the most questionable statement I've ever read in my life.

3. Ryan Posted: July 02, 2008 at 09:52 AM (#2840156)

Dave Veres

He's still pitching? Wow.

4. zonk Posted: July 02, 2008 at 09:59 AM (#2840163)

All-time BBTF whipping boy squad:

C ????
1B JT Snow
2B Neifi Perez
SS Omar Vizquel
3B Shea Hillenbrand
OF Garrett Anderson
OF Juan Pierre
OF ???
SP Sidney Ponson
CL Todd Jones

5. Cowboy Popup Posted: July 02, 2008 at 10:01 AM (#2840165)

OF ???

Historical version: Jim Rice

Now: Luis Gonzalez

6. gef the talking mongoose Posted: July 02, 2008 at 10:02 AM (#2840166)

Steve Garvey is historical 1B, surely. Jack Morris would be a good candidate for SP.

7. Shooty Is A One Man Legion Posted: July 02, 2008 at 10:02 AM (#2840167)

Catcher is LoDuca.

8. zonk Posted: July 02, 2008 at 10:02 AM (#2840168)

How did I miss Garvey!?!?!

9. gef the talking mongoose Posted: July 02, 2008 at 10:04 AM (#2840170)

I think you missed Garvey because he was long retired by the time BBTF came along. Which is why, after a few moments of thinking, I shifted him to the "historical" lineup.

Of course, his utter iniquity transcends all considerations of time ...

10. flournoy Posted: July 02, 2008 at 10:06 AM (#2840174)

Why is J.T. Snow a whipping boy?

11. The Good Face Posted: July 02, 2008 at 10:07 AM (#2840176)

The BBTF All Hated Team

C Paul LoDuca
1B Steve Garvey
2B Neifi Perez
SS Omar Vizquel
3B Shea Hillenbrand
OF Elijah Dukes
OF Juan Pierre
OF Luis Gonzalez/Darren Erstad
SP Sidney Ponson
CL Todd Jones

Manager Tommy Lasorda

12. gef the talking mongoose Posted: July 02, 2008 at 10:10 AM (#2840177)

I'm sure we could come up with a full pitching staff. Brett Myers & Carl Pavano, come on down!

13. Shooty Is A One Man Legion Posted: July 02, 2008 at 10:12 AM (#2840178)

I don't think Vizquel is hated, only his HOF candidacy. Neifi is the permanent shortstop on this team. A case could be made for Jeter as well.

14. ekogan Posted: July 02, 2008 at 10:13 AM (#2840179)

Now is the summer of York's delight
Made dismal winter by this jerk of Shea.
Cheated of future by disruptive nature,
Defamed, unfinish'd, sent after his time
Into this minor league, scarce half dressed up,
And that so lamely and unfashionable
That dogs bark at him as he halts by them;

15. gef the talking mongoose Posted: July 02, 2008 at 10:13 AM (#2840180)

A case could be made for Jeter as well.

Jeter occurred to me as well, but his squad of fellators probably offsets the negativism. Sort of the same dynamic applies to Bonds.

16. zonk Posted: July 02, 2008 at 10:15 AM (#2840182)

Why is J.T. Snow a whipping boy?

Snow used to get plenty of grief in the pre-registration days when he was the pretty boy who didn't hit like a 1B... but Garvey is the definitely the best choice.

I think the team GM has to be Beatagan.

Jeff Loria and Carl Pohlad would do battle for team ownership

17. retro-shiite Posted: July 02, 2008 at 10:16 AM (#2840184)

Isn't Dave Veres around 80 (aside from being injury prone)? Well, good for him; he obviously loves the game. (And playing for York has to beat giving up 2 triples to my next door neighbor in an amateur league game, like Todd Hollandsworth did a couple weeks ago.)

Veres didn't have a very long Cub tenure, but he did induce the game-ending double play grounder in the 2003 division clincher, so I'll remember him for that.

18. flournoy Posted: July 02, 2008 at 10:22 AM (#2840199)

Snow used to get plenty of grief in the pre-registration days when he was the pretty boy who didn't hit like a 1B

I don't remember that at all.

19. gef the talking mongoose Posted: July 02, 2008 at 10:24 AM (#2840202)

Snow used to get plenty of grief in the pre-registration days when he was the pretty boy who didn't hit like a 1B

Mark Grace also appears to fall somewhat short of being universally loved.

Also, as for manager, since Lasorda has been inactive for awhile, there's always Dusty Baker.

Others GM nominations -- Ed Wade & JP Ricciardi.

20. Shooty Is A One Man Legion Posted: July 02, 2008 at 10:25 AM (#2840204)

Hmmm, it might be fun to imagine BBTF existing in, say, 1973, and figuring out who we would have hated.

21. zonk Posted: July 02, 2008 at 10:25 AM (#2840205)

I'm probably over-remembering a few threads.... I put together the draft roster in haste - Garvey is certainly the best choice.

22. zonk Posted: July 02, 2008 at 10:31 AM (#2840212)

Hmmm, it might be fun to imagine BBTF existing in, say, 1973, and figuring out who we would have hated.

Repoz taunting the class with WaPo articles by Woodward and Bernstein because there's an allusion to the Senators coming back town...

Halcyon days of Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin...

Charlie Finley and the A's. Reggie Jackson. Joe Morgan being beloved rather than derided. Nolan Ryan. The coming of Steinbrenner.

23. Shooty Is A One Man Legion Posted: July 02, 2008 at 10:35 AM (#2840215)

Charlie Finley and the A's. Reggie Jackson. Joe Morgan being beloved rather than derided. Nolan Ryan. The coming of Steinbrenner.

Garvey would have still been hated, I think. Gene Tenace would have been the BBTF love child. Dick Allen would have been an interesting figure in these parts. Wilbur Wood would also have been idolized.

24. aleskel Posted: July 02, 2008 at 10:37 AM (#2840217)

Earl Weaver would be another favorite. Probably Willie Stargell, too.

25. Hack Wilson Posted: July 02, 2008 at 10:41 AM (#2840222)

Earl Weaver = Billy Beane?

26. zonk Posted: July 02, 2008 at 10:42 AM (#2840223)

Garvey would have still been hated, I think. Gene Tenace would have been the BBTF love child. Dick Allen would have been an interesting figure in these parts. Wilbur Wood would also have been idolized.

I'd like to think Nazi child molesters would be hated in any era.

27. Shooty Is A One Man Legion Posted: July 02, 2008 at 10:45 AM (#2840229)

Earl Weaver = Billy Beane?

Yep. What would Met fans be complaining about, I wonder.

28. retro-shiite Posted: July 02, 2008 at 10:51 AM (#2840237)

Gene Tenace would have been the BBTF love child.

Well, maybe not. Sure, Tenace had power and drew a ton of walks, but BTF would surely have recoiled at all the ignorant masses anointing him a clutch god after his '72 world series performance.

29. retro-shiite Posted: July 02, 2008 at 10:54 AM (#2840240)

C'mon, Pete Rose has to be on that list. He's certainly more universally hated than Erstad or Gonzalez.

He could hold the distinction of being on the list for both 1973 *and* the present day, as he was overrated even at his peak.

30. gef the talking mongoose Posted: July 02, 2008 at 10:55 AM (#2840243)

Yep. What would Met fans be complaining about, I wonder.

They'd still be carrying out a self-immolation thread over the Nolan Ryan trade.

31. retro-shiite Posted: July 02, 2008 at 10:56 AM (#2840246)

The best thing about Tenace is his given first name. "Fury."

32. Shooty Is A One Man Legion Posted: July 02, 2008 at 10:58 AM (#2840248)

I shudder to imagine the DH debates in BBTF 1973.

33. gef the talking mongoose Posted: July 02, 2008 at 10:58 AM (#2840249)

Halcyon days of Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin...

I'm sure some of us would be extolling the virtues of the Dolls, Lou Reed & Iggy Pop.

34. aleskel Posted: July 02, 2008 at 11:03 AM (#2840253)

Yep. What would Met fans be complaining about, I wonder.

*cough*

35. Shooty Is A One Man Legion Posted: July 02, 2008 at 11:05 AM (#2840255)

*cough*

He was an all star! What's to complain about?

Would Bowie Kuhn be as loathed as Bud Selig, or moreso?

36. Eraser-X is emphatically dominating teh site!!! Posted: July 02, 2008 at 11:06 AM (#2840257)

Hmmm, it might be fun to imagine BBTF existing in, say, 1973, and figuring out who we would have hated.

I'm not sure, but I don't think they even had internet then...

37. Shooty Is A One Man Legion Posted: July 02, 2008 at 11:07 AM (#2840260)

I'm not sure, but I don't think they even had internet then...

No way!

38. Craig Calcaterra Posted: July 02, 2008 at 11:13 AM (#2840266)

1973 preceeded the highly inflationary period that came later in the decade, so back then Tommy Lasorda would have only been dumber then 3.5 dogs.

39. Joe Bivens, Proud Union Member Posted: July 02, 2008 at 11:15 AM (#2840267)

I'm sure some of us would be extolling the virtues of the Dolls, Lou Reed & Iggy Pop.

And still do. Proudly.

40. Prostetnic Vogon Steve Jeltz (Dan Lee) Posted: July 02, 2008 at 11:20 AM (#2840272)

The weavers live up the street from me
The crackheads, they live down the street from me
The tall grass makes it hard to see
Beyond my property

Gotta live, gotta live, gotta live
In #### towne
Gotta live, gotta live, gotta live
In our town.

(Somewhere, Ed Kowalczyk is laughing at Hillenbrand.)

41. catomi01 Posted: July 02, 2008 at 11:57 AM (#2840310)

Revs Director of Baseball Operations Adam Gladstone

--This guy is the biggest douche I have ever met.

42. H_Vaughn08 Posted: July 02, 2008 at 12:28 PM (#2840332)

When's Chalkboard Night at Sovereign Bank Stadium?

43. Edmundo, more Jules than Jim Posted: July 02, 2008 at 12:42 PM (#2840347)

Raging BTF debate circa 1973: Will the calculator ever really replace the slide rule?

44. Edmundo, more Jules than Jim Posted: July 02, 2008 at 12:43 PM (#2840348)

Rico Brogna gets honorable mention at 1B.

45. Steve Treder Posted: July 02, 2008 at 01:01 PM (#2840363)

The best thing about Tenace is his given first name. "Fury."

Well, it's actually "Fiore."

46. Traderdave Posted: July 02, 2008 at 01:05 PM (#2840370)

Since James was still in the Army in '73, other than Earl Weaver, whowould have been around promoting sabremetric ideas? In context of the era, Garvey & Rose might well be popular on Primer '73.

47. Biff. You know, for kids! Posted: July 02, 2008 at 01:15 PM (#2840379)

“The biggest thing he’s known for is being a .284 hitter in the major leagues.”

Hm. He seems to have misspelled "Being a doucheclown of the highest caliber". A common mistake.

48. CrosbyBird Posted: July 02, 2008 at 01:22 PM (#2840386)

Joe Carter deserves at least an honorable mention for the All-Hated squad.

49. Eddie Gaedel Posted: July 02, 2008 at 02:42 PM (#2840458)

Sabean @ GM.

50. flournoy Posted: July 02, 2008 at 02:48 PM (#2840472)

Sabean has no claim to that title. At the least, he's in a battle with Littlefield, Lamar, Bowden, Coletti, Bonifay, Ricciardi, and most of the Baltimore guys.

51. Edmundo, more Jules than Jim Posted: July 02, 2008 at 02:53 PM (#2840481)

1973 preceeded the highly inflationary period that came later in the decade, so back then Tommy Lasorda would have only been dumber then 3.5 dogs.

Heh. But I have a relativistic question -- does a dog also adhere to the laws of inflation of dumbness or is that strictly a Lasordian attribute?

52. ValueArb Posted: July 02, 2008 at 04:02 PM (#2840532)

Wasn't he once a career .300 hitter? If so nice that he lost that.

Oh and when I read the title why did I expect the word New and Mets had been accidently dropped from the announcement?

53. Tim Lincecum doesn't Wang Chung tonite (GGC) Posted: July 02, 2008 at 04:26 PM (#2840561)

Raging BTF debate circa 1973: Will the calculator ever really replace the slide rule?

What about the DH?

54. Tim Lincecum doesn't Wang Chung tonite (GGC) Posted: July 02, 2008 at 04:28 PM (#2840566)

Since James was still in the Army in '73, other than Earl Weaver, whowould have been around promoting sabremetric ideas? In context of the era, Garvey & Rose might well be popular on Primer '73.

Earnshaw Cook, the Mills brothers. I don't know if Palmer or Cramer were published yet.

55. Edmundo, more Jules than Jim Posted: July 02, 2008 at 04:35 PM (#2840572)

Raging BTF debate circa 1973: Will the calculator ever really replace the slide rule?
What about the DH?

Shooty was all over that in #34.

Spring of 1973 was when I roomed with my now brother-in-law in college. He did ferocious shopping for a calculator that had the x**y function. He ended up paying $140 for a calculator that in 15 years later would be a tenth of its size plus be included in a moderately priced purse. Later that year programmable calculators came out, starting at $400.

56. Dingbat Charlie Posted: July 02, 2008 at 04:44 PM (#2840581)

Earl Weaver = Billy Beane?

I guess, though Earl was more crusty and less precocious.

57. Dan Szymborski Posted: July 02, 2008 at 05:40 PM (#2840630)

“I would just say it has been a combination of being in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Defendant Göring's defense counsel Adam Gladstone said.

..."What’s in the past is in the past,” Gladstone said. “The biggest thing he’s known for is the largest appetite in all the Reich!”

58. Dan Szymborski Posted: July 02, 2008 at 05:43 PM (#2840633)

I guess, though Earl was more crusty and less precocious.

It still amazes me that Weaver was only 56 when his managerial career ended (he's only a few months older than Jack McKeon)

My most amazing managerial observation remains that Herman Franks is actually alive.

59. Stealfirstbase (Liberalthinkfactory.org member) Posted: July 02, 2008 at 07:37 PM (#2840722)

So the pitching staff for the all-hated team is

Sidney Ponson
Carl Pavano
Brett Myers

Might I also nominate Mark Prior and Jose Lima? Jeez, that would be a hard staff to watch.

Edited to add: Maybe Shawn Chacon could fill in for Prior or Pavano

60. gef the talking mongoose Posted: July 03, 2008 at 09:49 AM (#2841910)

Names notable by their omission (unless I missed them) -- Carl Everett, Mike Hampton, Denny Neagle. Steve Trachsel.

Chris Truby.

And Mike Crudale.

61. Edmundo, more Jules than Jim Posted: July 03, 2008 at 10:07 AM (#2841923)

It still amazes me that Weaver was only 56 when his managerial career ended

And from Tom Lehrer, long ago: "It is a sobering thought that when Mozart was my age, he had been dead for two years"

Doing a mashup of the two, as I sit on the cusp of age 57, I offer this quote: "It is a sobering thought that when Earl Weaver was my age, he had accomplished everything he was going to accomplish and would be loved by a cult following for the rest of his life."

62. RB in NYC (Now with a Training Schedule!) Posted: July 03, 2008 at 10:19 AM (#2841931)

I always thought the It Gets Late Early Out There award went to Tom Kelly, who was the same age as my parents but had somehow become a grouchy old man by age 51 and had trouble connecting to his young players.

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York lands Shea Hillenbrand

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