Threshers Season Ticket Update

The 2007 Clearwater Threshers Season Ticket books have arrived. We are just waiting on the VIP cards and parking passes to complete the packages. Also, if you are a Threshers Season Ticket Holder, you should be receiving a letter that we sent out late last week that invites you to our Season Ticket Party in April.

Updated on 3/21/07 at 6:15pm: Most of the VIP cards and all of the parking passes are printed and I started to put together a few of the packages today. You should get contacted (by your account manager or by me) when yours is ready. I don't imagine that that many packages will be put together tomorrow and Friday with the Spring Training games going on, but I'll do my best to get it done as efficiently as possible.

Update on former Thresher Jake Blalock

T.R. Sullivan has a story on MLB.com about Hank and Jake Blalock. Jake is with Minor League Spring Training with the Texas Rangers.

Some news about former Threshers from St. Patrick's Day

Joe Bisenius picked up the win, his first of the Spring, against the New York Yankees. His line included one run, one hit, and three walks.

J.A. Happ is scheduled to start today in Ft. Myers against the Minnesota Twins. Don't know who else as of yet is making the trip down, or who is staying here for the game against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Alfredo Simon, a Rule 5 pick from the 2006 draft, cleared waivers and was offered back to the Texas Rangers.

Former Thresher J.A. Happ blogging on Phillies.com

Former Thresher J.A. Happ is blogging about his experience at Spring Training on Phillies.com. It's called What's HAPPening and you can get to it by clicking on this link. I've also added it to our list of links on the right side of the blog.

Media reaction from John Vukovich's funeral

John Vukovich's funeral took place yesterday at St. Andrew the Apostle Roman Catholic Church. Hundreds of people from all over the baseball world were in attendance. Threshers GM John Timberlake and Assistant GM Dan McDonough made the trip from Clearwater, and a number of former Threshers were also there.

Jim Salisbury of the Philadelphia Inquirer and Ken Mandel of MLB.com each have stories about it. You can find Jim Salisbury's story at the Wilkes Barre Times-Leader web site here. Ken Mandel's story on MLB.com can be found here.

No comments?

I know we have visitors to the blog, but I've noticed throughout the last few weeks that we've gotten few, if any, comments. What are you interested in seeing on this blog? What would you comment on? Let me know.

Media reaction from Roberson being optioned to Minor League Spring Training

Former Thresher Chris Roberson was one of the bigger names that was recently sent from Major League Spring Training to Minor League Spring Training. The media had some reaction to the move.

Marcus Hayes has a story in the Philadelphia Daily News

Ken Mandel has this on MLB.com.

Media reaction from Happ's start yesterday

Michael Radano from CourierPostOnline.com got these quotes from J.A. Happ:

"I'm happy to get the opportunity, but unfortunately it didn't work out," said Happ, who allowed six runs, all earned in two-plus innings in the Phillies' 6-6 tie. "I'm a realistic guy, maybe almost to a fault where maybe I look negatively on things. At the same time, my goal is to make an impression. If there's any shot, whether it's in the bullpen or wherever, I want to stay with the club. I'm hoping to stay here for as long as I can. Hopefully, I'll put my name on the radar."

Read his whole story here.

The AP has this story on the wire:

After two impressive outings in spring training, manager Charlie Manuel and pitching coach Rich Dubee wanted to get a better look at Happ, a tall, lanky left-hander who doesn't throw appreciably hard - his fastball hovers a tick above or below 90 mph - yet he strikes out batters like a power pitcher (162 strikeouts in 160 2-3 innings last season).

"We're going to watch him and see what we think of him," Manuel said. "We have interest in him. The brass says that he misses bats, so that's a good sign."

Happ's start against the Astros didn't go so well. After a relatively smooth opening two innings, he didn't get an out in the third, as four hits and a walk led to five runs.

You can read the whole story via the Biloxi Sun-Herald here.

Marcus Hayes from PhillyNews.com also had a story that can be found here via the Wilkes Barre Times-Leader.

Todd Zolecki from the Philadelphia Inquirer had this story.

Phillies send several former Threshers to minor league camp

The Phillies made thirteen transactions prior to today's game with the Houston Astros re-assigning all of them to the minor league camp at the Carpenter Complex.

Former Threshers on the list include Tim Gradoville, Greg Golson, and Chris Roberson.

Former Thresher Happ scheduled to start vs. Astros tomorrow

Former Thresher J.A. Happ is scheduled to make the start tomorrow against the Houston Astros. The game is scheduled for a 1:05pm start at Bright House Networks Field. Gates open at 10:35am and great seats are still available.

Update 3/12/07 at 5:00pm: Happ did not have a very successful outing today. In his two innnings of work he gave up six runs. They came off six hits and three walks. Former Thresher Joe Bisenius had a better afternoon, striking out two Astros in his one inning of work.

Former Thresher Alfredo Simon pitched today

Former Thresher Alfredo Simon pitched one and one-third innings today in Winter Haven as the Phillies lost to the Cleveland Indians 7-6. Simon struggled on the mound today, giving up two runs on four hits and a walk. On a positive note, he did strike out one batter.

Former Thresher Cole Hamels is scheduled to start for the Phillies tomorrow against the Boston Red Sox. Several hundred tickets for the Berm (grass, no chairs) will be released for sale starting at 9am Friday morning. Day of Game Tickets can only be purchased in person at the Bright House Networks Field Ticket Office. We will try to fit as many people as we can in the ballpark for a great afternoon of Phillies Spring Training baseball.

Phillies coach John Vukovich dies at 59

Long-time Phillies coach John Vukovich died early this morning at a Philadelphia hospital. Vukovich was 59 years old and suffered from an inoperable brain tumor. He spent 31 years as part of the Phillies organization and his son Vince is a former Thresher.

Former Thresher J.A. Happ struck out 3 Toronto Blue Jays today

Former Thresher J.A. Happ got in the ballgame today against the Toronto Blue Jays. He pitched three and two-third innings, giving up only one hit and one run to go along with his three strikeouts.

Threshers Season Ticket Books are in

We just received our 2007 Clearwater Threshers Season Ticket Books from the printer. Once we have our parking passes and VIP cards printed we will be able to start passing out everything for the upcoming season. Stay tuned!

Buy your Threshers tickets on-line now!

2007 Clearwater Threshers single-game tickets are on-sale now in person at the Bright House Networks Field Ticket Office, by phone at 727.467.4457, and on-line at www.ThreshersBaseball.com.

Minor League Spring Training Update

Minor League Spring Training has begun over at the Carpenter Complex. Pitchers and catchers had their first workout yesterday (3/2) and the full squad has its first workout on Wednesday (3/7). The first Minor League Spring Training game is scheduled for Tuesday, March 13.

Spring Training Update: Former Threshers (through 3/2)

Chris Roberson has struggled so far striking out in each of his three plate appearances this spring with the big league club.

J.A. Happ pitched two innings during yesterday's win against the Cleveland Indians. Happ struck out one and gave up one hit.

Got a chance to catch up with former Thresher Ryan Barthelemy last night

Ryan and Lisa Barthelemy were at the ballgame yesterday between the Phillies and Florida State University. Ryan starred for the Seminoles in the early part of the decade.

It's been awhile since I've seen them at the ballpark, but it was nice catching up with them. I don't recall where they are living these days, but Ryan has retired from baseball and working in the private sector. Ryan spent last season with the Palm Beach Cardinals after four seasons in the Phillies organization.