Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Bergesen, Bluefield, and the Baby Birds

Call it Twofer Tuesday, as two big stories dominated the local baseball scene last night: Brad Bergesen (8 IP, 5 hits, 0 ER, O BB, 6 Ks in a 3-1 O's win) and the amateur draft. All the better when you can fit both into the same story.

Just ask Dave Trembley: "I think tonight was kind of appropriate, being draft day, that a couple of our guys, drafted by the scouts that I met here today, did so well. I think that's just tremendous. Bergesen was good. That's the best we've seen out of him."

Down in Bluefield, home of the Orioles' Rookie League affiliate, the focus is the same. They're excited about stocking up on the team's new young talent and proud of the success of one of their own - Bergesen is the first MLB product since Daniel Cabrera to have played in Bluefield.



From the Bluefield Daily Telegraph:
Bluefield, which has had Minor League baseball since 1937, and have been part of the modern Appalachian League since 1957, has produced numerous big leaguers as well, includ ing Hall of Fame inductees Cal Ripken, Jr., and Eddie Murray.

Others to start at Bowen Field include Bobby Grich, Don Baylor, Mark Belanger and Doug DeCinces, who had the unenviable task of following Brooks Robinson at third base in Baltimore.

It had been a while since any Baby Birds had reached ‘The Show’ until Brad Bergesen, a pitcher with Bluefield in ‘04, made his debut this season in Baltimore. Daniel Cabrera, who pitched in Bluefield in ‘02, had been the last to get there, making it in '04.

...

The Orioles, meanwhile, have 10 players on the Prospect list, including first round picks Billy Rowell (No. 7, ’06) and Brandon Snyder (No. 9, ‘05), along with second round selection Ryan Adams (No. 28, ‘06).

The Prospect book — the bible for anyone interested in the future stars of baseball — includes numerous players who have visited Mercer County from the league’s other organization.

...

In a tough economy, why not take a break from the long trip this summer and catch an Appalachian League game? Make sure you purchase a program and check it out on a few years.

Who knows who you may have seen once upon a time?
Here is a past Roar from 34 posting about Bluefield and its love for the "Baby Birds."


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