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Francona's Farm
Boston skipper Terry FRANCONA attributes the Red Sox' World Series success story to leadership from his farmhands. [Article] |
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Blowing Up Da Brick!
Lou Merloni leads the Sacramento River Cats to slaughter the Richmond Braves as the Pacific Coast League slams the International League for the second straight Bricktown Showdown, the Triple-A Championship. [Article] |
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The Best Damn Minor League Sports Movie (of all time)
Did Paul Newman's band of misfits from the 1997 Universal Pictures film "Slap Shot" send Kevin Costner and "Bull Durham" to the showers? Find out in the first-ever fan vote for the best minor league or alternative pro sports movie of all time. [Article] |
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HU's Da Man
Los Angeles Dodgers Taiwanese prospect, shortstop Chin Lung Hu, powers up the World team in a 7-2 blowout at the MLB Futures game. [Article] |
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Coolbaugh: 1972-2007
A great life in baseball remembered, Mike Coolbaugh was a professional baseball player, a father, and, until his tragic accident on the field, a new coach for Tulsa. [Article] |
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International League is the Life of the Fiesta
2007 Triple-A All-Star game in Albuquerque was a celebration of Triple-A Talent [Article] |
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The Doryfication of Baseball
How does Barry Bonds get away with 200+ (allegedly) juiced home runs? Do baseball fans have Dory-like attention spans? What about the tough minor league drug policy? Brian Ross takes us to task for not being 'mad as hell.' [MAJOR BLOGS]
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The VIP Room
Branch Rickey Weighs In on the Helmet Debate
Is there a practical way to protect base coaches from injrues? Pacific Coast League president Branch Rickey gives us his two cents.
[MAJOR BLOGS]
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Rising on the radar
MLN ONES2Watch 2007
Beyond the MLN FAB50 Baseball 2007 prospects on the fast track to the major leagues, there is another group of rising stars just starting out, or not quite ready to advance as fast as our FAB50 picks. They are the MLN Ones2Watch™. Tyler Colvin of the Daytona Cubs (Chicago Cubs) is no. 1 in a list of 25 players that may be headed to an international league park over the next season or two... Check them out!
[Article]
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The Editor's Raves
The Height of COOL
The tragic death of base coach Mike Coolbaugh, who played for Columbus in the International League reignites the debate over whether the guys on the line deserve a little protection. MLN Sr. Editor Brian Ross issues a challenge to the baseball powers-that-be.
[MAJOR BLOGS]
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The Guerrilla Stringer
On Picking One's Battles
Columnist Dan Hickling who blogs his journey through minor league sports from the road that he has well traveled, takes on his most fearsome opposition.
[MAJOR BLOGS]
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The Best of the Best in the Minors
MLN FAB50 Baseball 2007
The Durham Bulls latest promotion, third baseman Evan Longoria is the no. 1 player in the minors. Who are the other 49? Twelve more come from the ranks of the International League.
Big photos. Feature articles on each player by some of the best writers in the biz.
[Feature Section]
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Raves for Rantz
The Minnesota Twins inducted farm director Jim Rantz into their Hall of Fame this spring. Many fans don't know him well, yet every player for more than 21 years has had to get his personal seal of approval before they even set foot on a farm field. [Article] |
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The Big Save
Boston Red Sox rookie hurler Jon Lester has been responsible for many a save over his baseball career, but an automobile accident last August may have saved his. [Article] |
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Tides Tradition Ebbs with Humdrum Help on Orioles Farm
The deal may make sense on paper, but as freelancer Jon Elliot opines, the drop in the quality of talent is a hard pill to swallow for Tides fans who have watched Mets superstars since the sixties. [MAJOR BLOGS]
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The Lobsterman
Pitcher Devern Hansack was set adrift by the Astros in 2004 and returned to a life of lobster fishing in Pearl Lagoon, Nicaragua. Now the lanky righty owns part of a major league record and he is fishing for a major league career with Boston. [Article]*
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Why Mike Moore May Become the Unintentional Savior of Baseball
Mike Moore retires this week leaving minor league baseball's owners a whole lot richer. Will his move to turn MiLB.com into MLB.com's Mini-Me have an unintended payoff?
[MAJOR BLOGS]
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The Real Deal
MLB Draft 2007
Watch the ESPN-2 coverage on day one? Did they have clue-zero about the inner workings of the Major League Draft? HINT: It's really the minor league draft.
[Feature]
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The Results Are In!
MLN Vote4TheBest 2007
This year, we let the fans choose the best venue, arena or baseball stadium. You told us about your favorite features, food, and entertainment too. What is the best minor league sports facility in North America? You chose wisely.
[Feature]
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Spark Plug
Can Sarasota Reds outfielder Jay Bruce reignite the Big Red Machine in Cincinnati the way that he's lighting up the Florida State League? [Article] |
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Not Your Father's Catcher
Braves catching phenom Jarrod Saltalamacchia is the third man on one of the few 40 Man rosters deep in catchers. Can he break the major league roster? Will it be in Atlanta? [Article]
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ZAMBONI SPRING
Would someone please explain to me why the International League is scheduling April games in the Northeast? To give the Central and South the make-up games. Jim Mandelaro catches the fox in the henhouse. [MAJOR BLOGS].
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MLN Sports Spring Baseball Report 2007
As the ravages of this snow-bound spring thaw out, warm your hands over the computer keyboard as you check out our spring reports for the major league farm systems. Minor League News has dispatched reporters to Spring Training to bring you back not only the movers for this year's major league rosters, but the prospects making their way to your home towns to populate your favorite farm franchise.
Some old faces in new places, some exciting new prospects, and why Yankee fans might find going 'organic' will be cool.
[Feature Section]*
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EXPRESS DELIVERY
New York Yankees phenom Philip Hughes is the club's new golden arm. Slated for delivery off the farm in mid-season 2007, was he rushed into service at the major league level to hush the media cries for Joe Torre's scalp after the atrocious April that sent the Bombers to the bottom? MLN senior editor Brian Ross offers his take. [MAJOR BLOGS]
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Finish BIG
Glen Perkins 2006 season ended with a taste of life on the mound of the Metrodome. Will this Minnesota native get to make it a permanent address in 2007? [Article] |
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Slow Hand
For Minnesota Twins prospect Kevin Slowey, it isn't about speed. It isn't about finesse. It's all about the control. [Article] |
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Putting His Imprint on 1000
Ron Johnson began his minor league managerial career believing that he was the second coming of Earl Weaver. After topping 1000 games in 2006, what does the Pawtucket Red Sox skipper do for an encore? [Article]
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Overnight Sensation
Ryan Howard graces the covers of the major league media machine, as it gears up for the greatest new "super slugger" in a generation. MLN MAJOR MOMENTS kicks off with a look back our coverage of Howard before he became an overnight sensation.
[Photo Essay]
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Tucson Sidewinders Take A Bite Out of the
Bricktown Showdown
At the inaugural Bricktown Showdown, the Pacific Coast League takes the first bite out of the new Triple-A championships. A look back at the 2006 debut. [Article]
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Boston Herald Columnist Steve Buckley is Full of Bulls
Boston Herald columnist Steve Buckley calls Durham "just another minor league tank town." Them's fightin' words. [MAJOR BLOGS]
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The VIP Room
The VIP Room, a guest blog for leaders in the minor league sports biz and players with a take, makes its debut. [MAJOR BLOGS]
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Finding Fenway
This winter, 12 players were selected by the Boston Red Sox for a special camp to prepare them for their journey to the major leagues. [Article]* |
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TITANIC Talent
Elijah Dukes career was steaming towards Tampa Bay through troubled waters. Has it finally run aground? [Article] |
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50 v. 50
Minor League Baseball put out its most recent round of Top 50 players for the end of the 2005 season. I think our MLN FAB50 Baseball rankings are better. Here's why.
by MLN Consulting Baseball Analyst Lary BUMP
[The NEW Writers' Bullpen @ MAJOR BLOGS]
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SPEED KILLS
The more speed you've got, the more money you're worth. After a minor tune up in the Arizona Fall League, will Boston Red Sox prospect Jacoby Ellsbury be big money in 2007? [Article]
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Have Gun - Will Travel
Who is the guy with the radar gun sitting behind home plate? The most important person in the game. [Article]
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