Survey says...

Published on July 23, 2008 under Southern League (SL1)
Huntsville Stars News Release


Interesting enough, Stars fans, there was a survey on Minor League Baseball's web site a week ago that asked fans "Who got the better end of the deal, the Milwaukee Brewers or the Cleveland Indians?" This was in reference to the CC Sabathia trade that sent Matt LaPorta from Huntsville to the Akron Aeros, the Indians AA affiliate. Included in the trade were three other Brewers Minor League players. There were 69% of the fans stated that the Indians clearly cheated the Brewers on the deal.

You know we got the better end of that deal. It won't be long before Cleveland Indians fans realize it as well. And secondly, numbers don't lie. Let's go to the chalkboard...since the trade on July 7th:

-both the Milwaukee Brewers and Huntsville Stars have recorded 8-4 records

-both teams have moved up into second place in their respective divisions

-the Akron Aeros have gone 7-7 in that stretch

-new Brewers pitcher CC Sabathia has posted a 3-0 record, including two complete games

-old Stars batter Matt LaPorta's Batting Average has dropped 53 points from .288 in Huntsville to .235 in Akron...also interesting enough is the fact that while he banged out 20 homers here in 84 games, or, if we round this out, one home run every four games, give or take...currently he has only one home run in nine games...his doubles and triples have also dropped off the radar screen with a big zero point zero, Mr Blutarsky. Hopefully he gets out of the funk soon as he will be going to the Olympic Games in China. We'll be cheering for Team USA and we wish him and the rest of team all the best!

We still got the better end of the deal.

With three percent of the precincts reporting in...it appears once again that the guys in Milwaukee's head-shed at Miller Park have come thru again. Say what you want, the numbers don't lie. You can read the blogs all over the internet that have questioned some of the Brewers moves in year's past, but I have to think that the bandwagon will be getting full and picking up steam shortly. Congratulations to Doug Melvin, Gord Ash, Jack Zduriencik, Reid Nichols and the rest of the staff for having built a rock-solid Minor League system that allows them to gamble and for having the guts to pull the trigger when opportunity presents itself, even though some fans will always question their reasoning and methods.

Heck, they'll have Brett Favre in uniform before too long.

The Stars dropped a 3-2 decision at Carolina last night; however remain only one game back as the first place Tennessee Smokies also lost.

Here are the latest transactions:

7/11 Guilder Rodriguez-Activated from the DL

7/21 Troy Cate-Transferred to Nashville

7/21 Alex Periard-Transferred from Brevard County

7/21 Michael Brantley-Placed on the DL

7/21 Ryan Crew-Activated from the SL and released

To the mailbag:

Do other Southern League stadiums allow artificial noisemakers?

Noisemakers, like umbrellas, are banned in some ballparks. Hey, don't ask me why...I attend hockey and arena football games and they're welcome in those indoor venues, so it makes no sense that they aren't welcome outdoors. As far as we know, only the Tennessee Smokies allow 'em. Some of our fans found out the hard way that other stadiums like the atmosphere and serenity of a funeral home. Fortunately we're not one of those stadiums. So if you have cowbells and stadium horns and you're visiting some of the other stadiums, please check with their staff before taking them inside. The way some of the other SL teams are playing, their fans are in mourning and wish to have a more somber environment. Please be courteous of others when using noisemakers.

Where do I donate and get my chance at the season tickets for next season?

You're referencing our Muscular Dystrophy Association fundraiser. We have been tasked to raise $2600 by August 27th. Currently we're sitting at $1521 in cash, checks and credit card donations. That leaves $1079 to go. Here's what's at stake: all donors will receive two (2) tickets to our final regular season game on August 27th and also a raffle ticket for every dollar donated. Before the game we'll conduct a drawing and one of you will win a four-pack of 2009 season tickets just for supporting this worthwhile cause. If you can't make the game, we'll contact you if you're a winner.

If you want to get in on the action, here's the URL: https://www.joinmda.org/MyLockup/MyHomepage/tabid/14309/Participant/buck/Default.aspx

If the link doesn't work, please cut and paste into your browser.

Click on the HELP MAKE MY GOAL button on top of the page. THERE IS NO MANDATORY AMOUNT! Unlike other fundraisers, nobody's requesting a minimum amount here, a couple bucks will be welcome, you'll be entered in the season ticket drawing on August 27th and you'll also be helping Jerry's Kids!

Here's a current list of donors...out of state donors have their states listed:

Allen Anderson

Ari Skalet (VA)

Babs Rogers

Bonnie Leyko (FL)

Bradley Miller

Breann Rogers (MS)

Brian Barnes (FL)

Brian Lorge

Carson Rogers (TX)

Chuck & Emo Murphy (FL)

Denise & Lou Palmisano (FL)

Dennis Fortier (FL)

Eddie Fisher (NY)

Gary Wheeler (MA)

Greg Patterson

Hal Myers (OH)

Howard & Roslyn Siegel (NY)

Jean & George Silver (FL)

Jeff Rogers (TX)

John Skilton (MD)

Johnny & Heather Raburn (FL)

JR Rinaldi (TN)

Julie Gahl (WI)

Kylee Hanish

Larry Veeder

Mellissa Meeks

Mike Johannes

Pat Drosten (FL)

Roger Hoffman

Steve & Lisa Foley

Steve DeSalvo

Tom & Gere Van Haag (WI)

Van & Debbie McNeese (TX)

Why a 6:05 start on Tuesday (the 29th)?

Because of the distance of travel home from the road trip at Carolina, our guys won't get back to The Joe until well after the sun comes up on Sunday, the 27th. To have them play a game that night would've been a disaster, hence we received the OK from the League Office to play a DH which was scheduled for the 2nd game of the homestand. Both games will be seven innings in length. This action allowed both teams to travel in and not face a DH on the first game of the series, something everybody tries to avoid.

And finally, because we support area fundraisers to make the community a better place to live, work and play, here's a food drive that needs your help...we received this message this past weekend and is a great way to have some family fun when you're not at Joe Davis Stadium, hence we're forwarding it on in our newsletter:

HELP US HELP OTHERS! TIMES ARE HARD ON OUR FOOD BANKS THESE DAYS AND OUR COMMUNITY IS HURTING. WE WANT TO HELP! RICHLAND GOLF CENTER WILL BE HOLDING A FOOD DRIVE JULY 28 THRU JULY 31 TO BENEFIT THE FOOD BANK OF NORTH ALABAMA.

BRING A CAN GOOD ITEM OR NONPERISHABLE FOOD ITEM AND RECEIVE A VOUCHER FOR A FREE GAME OF MINI GOLF OR A SMALL BUCKET OF BALLS - GOOD FOR 30 DAYS.

(ONE VOUCHER PER ITEM)

Bring your donation to Richland Golf Center between the hours of 9 am. and 9 pm. Monday thru Saturday and 9 am. until dark on Sunday.

Dry foods, cake mixes, Hamburger Helper, cereals, canned vegetables, and high protein food items such as peanut butter, tuna fish and canned meats are always needed at the Food Bank of North Alabama. Please do not bring any home canned items, glass containers or perishable items.

THANK YOU AHEAD OF TIME FOR YOUR SUPPORT. LET'S HELP TAKE CARE OF OUR NEIGHBORS! - Charlie Richardson, PGA & Dean Kane, British PGA

Richland Golf Center

10028 North Memorial Parkway, Huntsville, AL 35810

(256) 858-6622 (866) 858-6622 - TOLL FREE

(256) 851-6622 - FAX

www.richlandgolf.com

Located 2 miles north of Alabama A&M

Public 9 Hole Golf Course - Driving Range - Mini Golf - Short Game Area

PGA Golf Professionals - Private Lessons - Party Room

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Southern League Stories from July 23, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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