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Gettin' Ziggy With It (Season 2, Vol. 3)

Hey, everyone! It’s good to be back up and running on AN! I’ve had a little extended period of time without much Internet access, and now it looks as if I’ll be good to go for virtually the rest of the season.

The season’s gotten off to an up-and-down start for the River Cats. We’re currently 12-11 (tied for 1st place in the PCL Pacific South) and looking forward to opening up an 8-game homestand tonight.

Our first homestand was awesome! We had great crowds, received our championship rings from last season, and went 5-3 to get our season going in the right direction. This last road trip took us to a couple good hitter’s parks (actually, isn’t most of the PCL that way?!?). Las Vegas (always a fun trip) and Colorado Springs (maybe the prettiest city in America) hosted us for 4 games apiece. Now we’re back home to face Omaha and Iowa for the next 8 nights.

The A’s have already gotten some help from the AAA club, calling up Joey Devine, Kirk Saarloos, Dallas Braden, Greg Smith. Also, we had Chad Gaudin and Justin Duchscherer make rehab starts for us, so the River Cats seem to be doing their part to help the parent club thus far.

The season’s gotten off to a pretty good start for me personally. Dating back to last season’s all-star break, when I really started feeling comfortable with the submarine delivery, I’ve posted a 1.36 ERA over 33 innings. This year, we haven’t really had too many defined roles in the bullpen, so the opportunities have come in a variety of situations. I’ll try to keep the stats updated with each journal entry throughout the year…

My 2008 Season Stats: 7 G, 9 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 7 K, 0 BB


Quick Q & A:

For a guy in your position, how much do Spring Training numbers matter in terms of the club's perception of you vs. how good your pitches were? Does the club keep track of "good pitches" vs "bad pitches" in addition to the results of the pitches? -- WaddellCanseco

I’m sure the numbers didn’t overly excite the coaching staff, but I think they knew (and they told me so) that I pitched better than the numbers indicated. Plus, spring training, while it is a chance to show a little of what you can do, is a time where everyone is still trying to get into mid-season form. So I think a little rustiness from most players is to be expected. Facing hitters 4 times in a 4-week span isn’t going to keep very many relief pitchers sharp, which is why it was important for me to get to minor league camp and start facing hitters more regularly before the season started.


If I'm in town working a game with credentials, is there a good time to say hello before the game? -- Flashfire

I think you found the perfect time. The pictures on your website from one of our Tucson games look great. Thanks for introducing yourself, and feel free to say ‘hi’ anytime you see me when I’m not in the middle of a game.


Hope to make a Rivercats game this year and see you pitch! I hope that I get a chance to meet you too and give you a present for the baby. Will your family be joining you in sac this year? -- IM4Oakgal

That’d be great. Please make it a point to introduce yourself! There are some outside circumstances that have an affect on it, but Kristi and Kaylin have spent some time in Sacramento already this year, and I’ll definitely be seeing them a lot more this year than in the past. Hopefully it will be permanent sooner rather than later.


It’s great to see the A’s doing well, isn’t it? Hopefully they can keep it up and make this an exciting season for at least PART of the Bay Area :-) Have a great week! See ya at the ballpark!

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Hey Brad

Thanks again for taking a few moments after the seminar with the kids. Without knowing much about some of the things other members of the team have experienced getting to this level so far along with their lives in general, I don’t think they could’ve asked a better person to speak to the kids there. When I heard them mention you down there I thought, “How fitting is that?” I like that the River Cats do something like that. Especially in an area with a minor league presence, I think it’s important to do things for the kids and keep their interest in the sport up, even if it’s just bringing a group of them to the ballpark and giving a motivational talk.

Luck was on my side with you getting into the game as well. I thought you might since it’d been a few days between appearances and the kids could see the guy they listened to, but you never know what the skipper will decide. Last year it worked out with a game against Oklahoma, so you’ve seen action in both of the last two games I’ve made it out to so it made for good photo ops in the process.

I may be out there again this Wednesday. I was never good enough to play past high school but it’s a lot of fun being able to go out there and work a game from this side of things. It’s something I hope to keep doing as more opportunities arise and with twelve minor league teams in the state (counting the California League) it’s a great place to be.

Keep up the solid work. In particular, no walks so far is something to be proud of, but don’t blame me if that streak ends the next time you pitch! At least, it makes the other team have to beat you by doing something with your pitches and they haven’t done much of that up to this point. Hopefully the big club will give you a shot at the right time. I can’t deny there’s an extra rooting interest this blog plays a part in because it helps add a more personal touch to things fans don’t usually get to see, but going out and getting the job done helps. ;-)

Last of the Ninth - Photography Site
jamesvenes.com - Blog

by Flashfire on Apr 28, 2008 7:31 AM PDT reply actions  

I love how Brad...

...takes a little jab at our cross-bay rivals.

Thanks for the update, Ziggy! I hope you stay in Sac long enough for me to catch a Rivercats game before you’re called up!

by Jaxe on Apr 28, 2008 8:03 AM PDT reply actions  

As always

Thanks for taking the time to check in with us, Brad.

7K/0BB in 9IP? Sounds pretty good so far. Keep it up and we’ll see you in Oakland before too long!

Cheers!

by LoveDemAs on Apr 28, 2008 8:36 AM PDT reply actions  

You've been pitching awesomely...

I hope the next free 40-man spot includes you!!!!

So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one

by baseballgirl on Apr 28, 2008 9:22 AM PDT reply actions  

Great to hear from you!

Thanks for the update—sounds like you’re kicking arse in AAA, keep it up! Hope you’re up in Oakland soon!

I quickly scanned through your old posts, and didn’t see this asked before (though I’d be surprised if it hasn’t come up):
  • Can you describe your pitch repertoire? What’s your go-to pitch when you’re facing a tough right-handed bat?

by nickolai on Apr 28, 2008 9:57 AM PDT reply actions  

A's bullpen is starting to approach levels of awesomeness I cannot recall

We are looking stacked right now:

Casilla: Yesterday was a level of dominance I didn’t think he was capable of. He threw a 98 MPH fastball and a 92 MPH slider with solid accuracy. (The 98 MPH was def overthrown though.) I hadn’t seen him pitch all season, but his numbers indicate that yesterday might not have even been his best stuff of the season.

Devine: High-ceiling rapidly improving flamethrower, with good movement on it too.

Street: Appearing healthy with great movement and location, not so much the flame.

Foulke: Having delivered a very high-quality 7 innings of classic relief work for the A’s.

Not to mention the nothing if not consistent Embree. Just imagine if we added a surging Ziggy to that mix. Id be curious to find out lefty/right splits for Ziegler because if he continues to prove his mastery of submarine pitching he will find his way into Oakland by the end of the season.

by ChadGod on Apr 28, 2008 10:53 AM PDT reply actions  

Calero?

Maybe I missed something (or forgot), but whatever happened to Kiko Calero? Is he injured or did he get moved somewhere else?
Thanks!

by streetfan on Apr 28, 2008 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions  

60-day DL, I think...

The kings remain missing, so they're playing with Eric Chavez Bobbleheads. "Chavvy does have six Gold Gloves," Brown explained. "That's good enough to be king."

by pam5981 on Apr 28, 2008 2:33 PM PDT up reply actions  

Scratch that

15-day DL

The kings remain missing, so they're playing with Eric Chavez Bobbleheads. "Chavvy does have six Gold Gloves," Brown explained. "That's good enough to be king."

by pam5981 on Apr 28, 2008 2:45 PM PDT up reply actions  

I'm certain that he's on the 60-day DL

Check the 40-man roster page.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Apr 28, 2008 4:49 PM PDT up reply actions  

Calero is on 60 day DL, if I remember correctly

If Foulke ends up there, they should bring Ziggy up to fill that role.

So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one

by baseballgirl on Apr 28, 2008 4:58 PM PDT up reply actions  

there is no indication foulke will end up on the 60 day DL

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Apr 28, 2008 5:04 PM PDT up reply actions  

Brad

You’ve really earned a shot. I hope to see you in Oakland very soon.

Thanks for these diaries. They are always awesome.

by Tyler Bleszinski on Apr 28, 2008 11:12 AM PDT reply actions  

These are great

I’ve really appreciated getting this in-depth look – you’ve made a bunch of fans! I’d love to see you in Oakland in time for the playoff push!

One question: Where do you think you’d be if you hadn’t made the transition to sidearm?

"To me, boxing is like a ballet, except there's no music, no choreography, and the dancers hit each other." - Jack Handey

by JJ on Apr 28, 2008 12:04 PM PDT reply actions  

And the all-important question

We all know what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, but what kind of fun did you have there that you’re at liberty to discuss around polite company? ;-)

Last of the Ninth - Photography Site
jamesvenes.com - Blog

by Flashfire on Apr 28, 2008 12:46 PM PDT reply actions  

Just chiming in with another "Thanks!"

Thanks for taking the time and effort to write a narrative. Good stuff!

Sounds as if the Sacto experience is good. Great to hear! As others have done, I hope you get a chance to pitch for Oakland this year.

Whoknows? The A’s may go all the way like the 82-80 Cardinals in 2006!

"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer

by One won lost won on Apr 28, 2008 1:15 PM PDT reply actions  

It's always great to read Ziggy's posts

Winning players with winning personalities never get old.

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on Apr 28, 2008 3:12 PM PDT reply actions  

I'm leaving for Anaheim...

...ya’ll can be jealous now ;-)

So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one

by baseballgirl on Apr 28, 2008 4:59 PM PDT reply actions  

Good luck

Hope you didn’t forget the D-Con.

"Evidently, a large number of people said, 'We really need more vermin at the ballpark, Artie.'" - Nick (AN), 10/7/07

by doctorK on Apr 28, 2008 5:47 PM PDT up reply actions  

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