Bill Mitchell's Minor League Ramblings

Minor League Ramblings For the week of :
June 17, 2002

Minor League Ramblings is produced by Bill Mitchell for Minor League Watch.

Walk-off steal of home highlights first weekend
of Arizona League action
June 23, 2002

Jemel Spearman

"The adrenaline was flowing and I told Coach I could take it," said Cubs first year shortstop Jemel Spearman, excitedly, "and he let me take it."

Very few baseball players begin their professional careers as dramatically as the Cubs' 16th round pick from Georgia Southern University. Spearman stole home in a tie game against the White Sox with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Spearman's manager, former major league outfielder Carmelo Martinez, confirmed that it was Spearman's idea to attempt the steal of home. The play completed a five-run rally as the rookie Cubs defeated the White Sox, 6-5, on opening day of the Arizona League.

Jerry Hairston

"That really caught me by surprise," remarked White Sox manager Jerry Hairston. "I called my third baseman in ... I didn't want the kid to drop a bunt." Hairston added that he had never before witnessed a successful steal of home in a game-winning situation. "It was amazing!" added the White Sox skipper, himself a former big league player.

The Cubs' "come from behind" victory erased a strong opening day start by the White Sox own 16th round choice, left-hander Daniel Haigwood, and a solid three scoreless innings from Orionny Lopez. Reliever Anderson Mejia, who until recently was a catcher in the Cubs organization, got the win by pitching a scoreless ninth inning in his first professional pitching appearance. Right fielder Carlos Marmol and second baseman Matt Creighton each collected three hits for the Cubs. Heralded third baseman Alfredo Francisco singled twice for the Cubs in his pro debut. Catcher Shane Scoville, from the University of South Alabama, collected three hits for the White Sox.

A few diehards take in the action at the Cubs / White Sox opening day game.

While the Saturday opener between the two Chicago farm teams was as good a game as could be seen, few fans witnessed the contest. Arizona League games are not publicized in the local media, and only the most diehard baseball devotees will venture out into the oppressive Arizona heat, with game time highs already at 100 or higher by the 10 a.m. start time. Only about a dozen fans watched from the comfort of the little shade available at Mesa's Fitch Park.

"We start early," answered Hairston in response to how the White Sox players and staff deal with the heat issue in Arizona. "We start our flips in the batting cage at a quarter 'til seven. Then we do our fundamentals so all that's done. We start our games at 10 o'clock before most of the heat of the day. We get the job done."

Spearman, who only reported to the Cubs' camp two weeks ago, is still getting used to the Arizona weather. "Yeah, it's kind of hot," replied the 21-year-old shortstop. "The first couple of days during mini-camp I swore I'd pass out."

White Sox lefthander Ryan Rodriguez

Despite the fact that most of the players in the Arizona League are in their first year or two of pro ball, the caliber of baseball is higher than one would expect ... most of the time. The few baseball followers who venture out to the games are rewarded by the fans' proximity to the action and the fact that no admission is charged for the games.

The managers in the Arizona League also enjoy working in this level of baseball. "I like to teach and I like to help guys in their first experience in professional baseball," said Hairston, now in his fourth year with the Arizona League White Sox. "It's a big step crossing over from high school or college, and you need someone there that's kind of a father figure. I have three sons myself and I know what it's like to train a kid from the cradle." Hairston continued, "You've got to have somebody who's understanding and has the patience to do that. I feel like I can do that ... that's why I'm here."

Lekis Mejia of the A's and White Sox first baseman Casey Rogowski.

In other Arizona League action from the weekend, A's third baseman Lekis Mejia went five for five with a homerun in Saturday's home game against the Angels. Rafael Rodriguez, one of Anaheim's top young pitching prospects, made his professional debut, giving up three runs in 2 1/3 innings.

The White Sox sent another highly regarded southpaw, fourth round choice Ryan Rodriguez, to the hill against the A's on Sunday. The Texas native pitched four innings, yielding only one run on one hit by mixing an effective breaking ball with a sneaky fastball.

Giants' shortstop Waner Santana homered and drove in four runs in their 15-4 victory over the Brewers on Saturday.

The seven Arizona League teams will play a 70-game schedule, concluding the season on August 30.

--- Bill Mitchell