OK, let’s not pull any punches here, a failure to win it all hurt. The 2009 Winnipeg Goldeyes had a team that was good enough to win the Northern League championship and had every opportunity to win, but it failed in its quest. You can’t lie about that, nor can you sugar coat it.
But all things considered, for the Winnipeg Goldeyes Baseball Club of the Northern League of Professional Baseball, 2009 was a very, very good year.
Let’s review:
1) Juan Diaz hit 29 home runs, tying him with Sean Hearn for the most hit by a Goldeyes player in a single season and he also drove in 90 runs, exceeding Terry Lee’s 1996 franchise mark. Juan liked Winnipeg so much, he’s already declared he’d like to be back next season.
2) Ace Walker (12-6 with a 3.32 earned run average) was named Northern League pitcher of the year.
3) Shortstop Adam Frost, who did a remarkable job filling in for the injured Wes Long, hit .280 with two game-winning, walk-off home runs and was named the Northern League Rookie of the Year.
4) Walker, Diaz and second baseman Josh Asanovich were all named to the post-season Northern League all-star team.
5) For the fifth time in eight years, Andrew Collier was named executive of the year in the Northern League.
6) For the fourth time in the seven years since the award has been bestowed, the Winnipeg Goldeyes were named the Northern League’s Organization of the Year.
Interestingly, Collier himself was less impressed with his own success as he was about his organization’s success.
“Even with some terrible weather this summer, we still managed to lead all of independent baseball in average attendance (6,180 per game),” Collier pointed out. “And we had 55 wins, the most in Rick’s (manager Forney) tenure as manager and finished second overall in the standings. We have the best organization around and there are many positive things to take out of this season.”
None of this will soothe the pain felt by everyone in the organization when the team fell in five gut-wrenching games in the opening round of the playoffs to the eventual Northern League-champion Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks.
But it certainly gave everyone the incentive to come back next year, better than ever before.
While we will have plenty of news right here at The Nibble in the off-season, we don’t know what that news will bring. However, one thing is certain: See you all back at the ballpark in May 2010!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
September 7: RedHawks Eliminate Goldeyes From Northern League Playoffs
In the end, the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks had one big inning in them and the Winnipeg Goldeyes just didn’t have enough.
In front of a nice Game 5 crowd at Canwest Park on Sunday night, the RedHawks put up six runs in the top of the sixth inning – on five hits and two Goldeyes errors – to come back from a 3-2 deficit and beat the Goldeyes 8-3.
With the win, Fargo moves on to face the Gary SouthShore RailCats in the Northern League final while the Goldeyes head home.
“We just got some big hits from every part of our line-up tonight,” said RedHawks catcher Alan Rick, who drove in the winning run with a double off reliever Bill Pulsipher in the sixth.
“We have some great bats in the bottom of the line-up as well as the top and we got some important hits tonight. It was a great win, but we still have to get past Gary and that won’t be easy.”
For the Goldeyes, it was a bitter loss. The team probably should have won the series in three games, but a throwing error in the bottom of the 10th inning of Game 2 allowed the tying and winning runs to score. And while the Fish eventually took a 2-1 series lead, there was this sense that the series should have been over and the Goldeyes had let a very good opponent up off the canvas.
When Fargo won 3-2 on Saturday night to force a fifth-and-deciding game, it was obvious Fargo wasn’t going to roll over and play dead.
“We got a good start from Jeff (Icenogle) and the bullpen was outstanding throughout the series,” said Fargo manager Doug Simunic. “Then in the sixth inning we got some big hits and Winnipeg made two boo-boos that cost them. We have a team that plays hard and hangs in there and we kept it close long enough to allow ourselves to get something going there in the sixth.”
Goldeyes manager Rick Forney looked at the Game 5 loss philosophically.
“It was a good season for us,” Forney said. “We worked hard but we came up short. I liked this team and I was proud of the guys.
“We’re very fortunate in Winnipeg. The front office staff works hard to fill seats and that makes it easy for me to sign players and entice them to come here. Andrew (Collier) is more than just my general manager, and the best general manager in the league, he’s a great friend. Jonathan (Green) always works hard to help me get players in here. It’s just a great place for me to be able do this. I appreciate being here.
“I look forward to coming back next year and trying again.”
In front of a nice Game 5 crowd at Canwest Park on Sunday night, the RedHawks put up six runs in the top of the sixth inning – on five hits and two Goldeyes errors – to come back from a 3-2 deficit and beat the Goldeyes 8-3.
With the win, Fargo moves on to face the Gary SouthShore RailCats in the Northern League final while the Goldeyes head home.
“We just got some big hits from every part of our line-up tonight,” said RedHawks catcher Alan Rick, who drove in the winning run with a double off reliever Bill Pulsipher in the sixth.
“We have some great bats in the bottom of the line-up as well as the top and we got some important hits tonight. It was a great win, but we still have to get past Gary and that won’t be easy.”
For the Goldeyes, it was a bitter loss. The team probably should have won the series in three games, but a throwing error in the bottom of the 10th inning of Game 2 allowed the tying and winning runs to score. And while the Fish eventually took a 2-1 series lead, there was this sense that the series should have been over and the Goldeyes had let a very good opponent up off the canvas.
When Fargo won 3-2 on Saturday night to force a fifth-and-deciding game, it was obvious Fargo wasn’t going to roll over and play dead.
“We got a good start from Jeff (Icenogle) and the bullpen was outstanding throughout the series,” said Fargo manager Doug Simunic. “Then in the sixth inning we got some big hits and Winnipeg made two boo-boos that cost them. We have a team that plays hard and hangs in there and we kept it close long enough to allow ourselves to get something going there in the sixth.”
Goldeyes manager Rick Forney looked at the Game 5 loss philosophically.
“It was a good season for us,” Forney said. “We worked hard but we came up short. I liked this team and I was proud of the guys.
“We’re very fortunate in Winnipeg. The front office staff works hard to fill seats and that makes it easy for me to sign players and entice them to come here. Andrew (Collier) is more than just my general manager, and the best general manager in the league, he’s a great friend. Jonathan (Green) always works hard to help me get players in here. It’s just a great place for me to be able do this. I appreciate being here.
“I look forward to coming back next year and trying again.”
Sunday, September 6, 2009
September 6: Goldeyes Bang Out 10 Hits But Fall 3-2 To Fargo
It’s on to the fifth-and-deciding game. Winner take all.
Goldeyes starter Ace Walker and relievers Zach Baldwin and Chris Homer pitched well, but the Winnipeg hurlers couldn’t get any run support and lost Game 4 of the Northern League semi-final 3-2 to the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks on Saturday.
That sets up Game 5 tonight. The winner will meet either Gary or Kansas City in the final because the other semi-final is also tied 2-2 after Kansas City shaded Gary 2-1 in Game 4.
Fargo scored two in the first and one in the fourth while Winnipeg managed one in the first and one more in the sixth and that was it. Even though both teams pounded out 10 hits, seven pitchers combined to keep the runs to a minimum. There were only four extra-base hits in total and Kevin West’s solo homer in the sixth was the only long ball of the game.
“All we wanted to do was get on top early and see if our pitching staff could hold on,” said Fargo hero Zach Penprase, who went three-for-four with a run scored and the game’s first run batted in.
“The top of our order was good tonight and when we get the top of the order on base, we can usually score enough runs to win. Because we got some great pitching, we were able to get a lead and hold it.”
In fairness, every pitcher in the ball game had to thank at least one player behind him. There were some tremendous defensive plays in Game 4, especially from Goldeyes third baseman Vince Harrison, second baseman Josh Asanovich and Fargo second baseman Carlo Cota.
So now it comes down to one game. Game 5 on Sunday night, the first time in the team’s 16-year history that the Goldeyes will play a Sunday night game at home.
“I’m excited about Sunday night’s game,” said Goldeyes manager Rick Forney. “I believe in my club. I like my club and I think they’ll come out on Sunday night and play hard.”
Bear Bay will pitch for Winnipeg while Jeff Icenogle replies for Fargo. Game time at Canwest Park is 7:00.
THE BLOOM OFF THE ROSE
Friday night, Goldeyes third baseman Vince Harrison started the first triple play in Goldeyes history. With Nic Jackson on second and Mike Coles on first, Fargo’s Ruben Salazar hit a ground ball to Harrison who tagged Jackson between second and third, fired to Josh Asanovich at second to get Coles and then Asanovich made a sensational turn at second and fired a strike to first baseman Cody Ehlers to get Salazar.
The fans went wild, many of the Goldeyes players admitted it was the first triple play they’d seen, while it was “the first one I’ve seen live in 19 years in baseball” for Forney.
But Harrison, the man who started the whole thing, just shrugged.
“It was my third triple play this season,” he said. “I was involved in two of them in Schaumburg this year. And I was part of two triple plays in the Devil Rays system. This was the fifth triple play I’ve been a part of.”
Guess it wasn’t that big a deal.
Goldeyes starter Ace Walker and relievers Zach Baldwin and Chris Homer pitched well, but the Winnipeg hurlers couldn’t get any run support and lost Game 4 of the Northern League semi-final 3-2 to the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks on Saturday.
That sets up Game 5 tonight. The winner will meet either Gary or Kansas City in the final because the other semi-final is also tied 2-2 after Kansas City shaded Gary 2-1 in Game 4.
Fargo scored two in the first and one in the fourth while Winnipeg managed one in the first and one more in the sixth and that was it. Even though both teams pounded out 10 hits, seven pitchers combined to keep the runs to a minimum. There were only four extra-base hits in total and Kevin West’s solo homer in the sixth was the only long ball of the game.
“All we wanted to do was get on top early and see if our pitching staff could hold on,” said Fargo hero Zach Penprase, who went three-for-four with a run scored and the game’s first run batted in.
“The top of our order was good tonight and when we get the top of the order on base, we can usually score enough runs to win. Because we got some great pitching, we were able to get a lead and hold it.”
In fairness, every pitcher in the ball game had to thank at least one player behind him. There were some tremendous defensive plays in Game 4, especially from Goldeyes third baseman Vince Harrison, second baseman Josh Asanovich and Fargo second baseman Carlo Cota.
So now it comes down to one game. Game 5 on Sunday night, the first time in the team’s 16-year history that the Goldeyes will play a Sunday night game at home.
“I’m excited about Sunday night’s game,” said Goldeyes manager Rick Forney. “I believe in my club. I like my club and I think they’ll come out on Sunday night and play hard.”
Bear Bay will pitch for Winnipeg while Jeff Icenogle replies for Fargo. Game time at Canwest Park is 7:00.
THE BLOOM OFF THE ROSE
Friday night, Goldeyes third baseman Vince Harrison started the first triple play in Goldeyes history. With Nic Jackson on second and Mike Coles on first, Fargo’s Ruben Salazar hit a ground ball to Harrison who tagged Jackson between second and third, fired to Josh Asanovich at second to get Coles and then Asanovich made a sensational turn at second and fired a strike to first baseman Cody Ehlers to get Salazar.
The fans went wild, many of the Goldeyes players admitted it was the first triple play they’d seen, while it was “the first one I’ve seen live in 19 years in baseball” for Forney.
But Harrison, the man who started the whole thing, just shrugged.
“It was my third triple play this season,” he said. “I was involved in two of them in Schaumburg this year. And I was part of two triple plays in the Devil Rays system. This was the fifth triple play I’ve been a part of.”
Guess it wasn’t that big a deal.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
September 5: Cruse Brilliant As Goldeyes Take 2-1 Series Lead
Andrew Cruse gave all the credit to his teammates. Even though the Goldeyes starter in Game 3 of the Northern League semi-final pitched a sensational four-hit shutout, he was more interested in praising the defence behind him than taking credit for the best start of this year’s playoffs.
Of course, it’s not every day you get out of a jam with a triple play.
“I’m just ecstatic about that game,” said Cruse, shortly after the Goldeyes had beaten Fargo-Moorhead 5-0 to take a 2-1 series lead. “I could not have done it without that great defence behind me.
“I mean, I’ve never seen a triple play before, let alone be on the mound when one took place. Those guys had my back tonight. I was really happy with the way I pitched, but that defence was just great. What more can you say about the way those guys played.”
In the box score, this game looks like a tidy complete game, four-hit shutout. But the game-within-the-game suggests something completely different.
In the first inning, the RedHawks got runners on first and second with one out, but a double play put an end to the threat. Then, in the second inning, with Mike Coles at first and Nic Jackson at second, Ruben Salazar hit a ground ball to Vince Harrison at third. Harrison tagged Jackson between second and third, fired to Josh Asanovich at second to get Coles and then Asanovich made a terrific turn at second and fired a strike to first baseman Cody Ehlers to get Salazar.
It was the first triple play in Goldeyes history to back up only the third complete game shutout in franchise playoff history.
In the third inning, Cruse got into a bit of trouble once again, but after a visit from manager Rick Forney, he settled down and allowed only two hits and two walks the rest of the way.
“He came out and talked to me and got me re-centred,” Cruse said. “He wanted me to make an adjustment and I went ahead and did it and then just settled down and threw strikes. And with the guys playing so well behind me, it all just fell into place.”
There were tremendous plays made in the field by Cory Patton (diving catch in centre), Harrison (a barehanded play on a slow roller at third), Ehlers (diving for a grounder in the hole between first and second) and Dee Brown (covering up for Patton who lost a fly ball in the lights).
Meanwhile, the Goldeyes got a solo homer from Juan Diaz (his second of this series) and a two-run bomb from Ehlers (his second homer of the series), built a 5-0 lead by the fourth inning and took a 2-1 series lead with Game 4 at Canwest Park tonight at 6:00.
“Andrew was just sensational out there,” Forney said. “He challenged the hitters, threw strikes and did more than we could have asked. It was just an outstanding effort. I only had a couple of available pitchers down in the bullpen and with Andrew pitching as well as he did, I was able to keep those guys out of the ball game. Now, thanks to Andrew, I have a lot of options in the bullpen for Game 4.”
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
September 2: It May Be Just A Fish, But It’s An Ace
It’s just a big, angry, painted fish. But it’s glaring out from its big, gold eyes, right behind home plate at Canwest Park and it’s fantastic!
If you were one of the 8,212 fans at the downtown ballpark on Monday for Fan Appreciation Night, you saw the “Angry Goldeye” behind home plate, and you probably wondered how it got there.
If you were one of the 8,212 fans at the downtown ballpark on Monday for Fan Appreciation Night, you saw the “Angry Goldeye” behind home plate, and you probably wondered how it got there.
Well, you can thank Ace Walker, the guy that tossed a complete game gem in Winnipeg’s 7-2 win that night over Schaumburg.
“It’s just outstanding,” said Goldeyes general manager Andrew Collier. “He came out with four cans of spray paint (red, blue, gold and white) and was done in an hour-and-a-half. It just looks great and he did it without much set up at all. He just did it by sight. The guy has a lot of talent.”
Walker, who finished the regular season with a record of 12-6, led the league in wins and complete games (6). He was second in earned run average with an ERA of 3.32 and innings pitched with 149. He’s got a very legitimate shot at being named Northern League Pitcher of the Year.
But he’s also an accomplished artist.
“This is just something I’ve wanted to do for a long time,” Walker said. “I’ve talked to Andrew (Collier) about it for a while and we just decided to go ahead and see how it looked.
“I got some great help from Dennis on the grounds crew and, together, we were able to get it done pretty quickly. It was fun. I like how it looks.”
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
September 1: Walker Sharp As Goldeyes Win En Route To The Playoffs
For Goldeyes starter Ace Walker, the final game of the 2009 regular season began early in the day. That’s when he wandered out onto the field, with the blessing of general manager Andrew Collier and head groundskeeper Don Ferguson, and began drawing a spectacular angry Goldeye on the field behind home plate.
Walker’s first work of art was tremendous. His second was a masterpiece.
In the final regular season start, Walker pitched his club-record sixth complete game as the Goldeyes whipped Schaumburg 7-2. Walker allowed two runs on only six hits to improve to 12-6 on the season. He led the league in wins and complete games, is second in earned run average and in the Top 5 in innings pitched.
“I have to give the credit to my defence,” Walker said. “When a guy gets five double plays (also a franchise record) behind him, it should give him a good chance to win. Cory (centre fielder Patton) made a great catch to end the game so that defence was my best friend tonight.
“I just care so much about being a Goldeye that getting that club record was something I really wanted to accomplish this year and being part of a club record for double plays is pretty nice, too. Having that record makes this a really great season.”
It was a big night all-around for the Fish, who pounded out 10 hits to give Walker plenty of run support. Second baseman Josh Asanovich led the way with a three-run homer, his ninth of the season, while catcher Brent Metheny hit his 20th double of the year and drove in two runs.
With the win, the Goldeyes finished the season with a record of 55-41 – the most wins in a season in manager Rick Forney’s four years at the helm – good enough for second place in the Northern League. They open the playoffs on Wednesday at Newman Outdoor Field against the third-place Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks.
“We’re all focused on the playoffs now,” said Walker, who is penciled in to start Game 4 back here in Winnipeg on Saturday night. “This team will be ready to go on Wednesday.”
Check back tomorrow for Ace Walker’s take on the “Painted Fish” behind the plate at Canwest Park.
Walker’s first work of art was tremendous. His second was a masterpiece.
In the final regular season start, Walker pitched his club-record sixth complete game as the Goldeyes whipped Schaumburg 7-2. Walker allowed two runs on only six hits to improve to 12-6 on the season. He led the league in wins and complete games, is second in earned run average and in the Top 5 in innings pitched.
“I have to give the credit to my defence,” Walker said. “When a guy gets five double plays (also a franchise record) behind him, it should give him a good chance to win. Cory (centre fielder Patton) made a great catch to end the game so that defence was my best friend tonight.
“I just care so much about being a Goldeye that getting that club record was something I really wanted to accomplish this year and being part of a club record for double plays is pretty nice, too. Having that record makes this a really great season.”
It was a big night all-around for the Fish, who pounded out 10 hits to give Walker plenty of run support. Second baseman Josh Asanovich led the way with a three-run homer, his ninth of the season, while catcher Brent Metheny hit his 20th double of the year and drove in two runs.
With the win, the Goldeyes finished the season with a record of 55-41 – the most wins in a season in manager Rick Forney’s four years at the helm – good enough for second place in the Northern League. They open the playoffs on Wednesday at Newman Outdoor Field against the third-place Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks.
“We’re all focused on the playoffs now,” said Walker, who is penciled in to start Game 4 back here in Winnipeg on Saturday night. “This team will be ready to go on Wednesday.”
Check back tomorrow for Ace Walker’s take on the “Painted Fish” behind the plate at Canwest Park.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
