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Spring baseball in Peoria One of my favorite parks to watch a game is the Peoria Sports Complex. When you sit in the stands in the evening, you can see the F-16s kicking in their afterburners as they streak down the valley. Every evening I have been there has been pleasant weather-wise. And, I have seen some very memorable hits struck there. Brian Dopirak drove a ball almost to the scoreboard during the 2004 AFL season; Eli Whiteside drove a ball off the centerfield fence, which really brightened my day since he was the Orioles best catching prospect at the time. Last night did not disappoint. The weather was terrific, and the whole show started with the US Navy’s parachute team, the Leapfrogs, making a jump into the stadium before the game. The Leapfrogs are precision parachutists who belong to the elite Navy Seals. They jump from very high up, ignite pyrotechnics on their heels as they descend, and, generally, make a very good show. The game featured the San Diego Padres and the Colorado Rockies. It gave me a chance to see some players I had not seen before, as well as some I wanted to see again. Kahlil Thabit Greene fit the first category. He is a player I have wanted to see for years but never had a chance to since he plays in the NL and is on a west coast team. Greene is a member of Baha’i religion, an Islamic sect which has its roots in Iran. Khalil means “Friend of God” and Thabit means “Steadfast.” Greene is only the second Baha’i to play major league baseball. The first was Albert Raffo who played with the Phillies in 1969. Greene was the Padres #1 pick (13th overall) in the 2002 draft. The ex-Clemson Tiger won the Golden Spikes award in 2002 where he hit .470 with 27 homeruns in 71 games for the Tigers. In addition, he was all-ACC academic honor roll for four years. Greene was selected by the Cubs after his junior year, he did not sign. He laid claim to the Padres shortstop job in 2004 and has played solidly ever since. He may be the best shortstop the Padres have ever had. Although he has limited range, he manages to get the best position possible so he can make the play. Last night, he went 2 for 3! The game also featured an appearance by the largest person to play in the majors, Walter Young. Big Walt is listed by the Padres as 6-5 and 320 pounds. I suspect this is generous. I am guessing Walter may tip the scales at something more like 350 or more. I can remember standing next to Sam Horn ... Walter Young is bigger. Big Walt is on his third organization. Baltimore claimed him off the waiver wire from the Pirates in 2004 and he immediately became the Birds best power prospect. Although he got a September call-up, Young saw minimal service with the Orioles and after the season; he was unexpectedly placed on waivers and claimed by San Diego. Both moves were odd in that the Orioles had no serious prospect at first other than Young, and the Padres had several prospects at the position. It was good to see the Big Man again, even if he entered the game in the 8th as a replacement for ex-Brave, Ryan Klesko. He hasn’t lost any weight since I saw him last year in Richmond. He went 0 for 1. The Padres also have Jack Cust in their camp. Cust is the OBP poster boy who has never really lived up to his billing. Last season, he played in the only organization in baseball which really seemed to be made for him --- the Oakland A’s. Yet this year, he finds himself trying to catch on with the Padres. He entered the game as a pinch hitter last night and did not get a hit. The game featured a home run by a much thinner Mike Piazza. The Rockies came from behind to win the game, 5-3! --- John
Kazlo |
