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Another Year and Still Losing

January 19, 2010
By cubfan377

Every member of the Yukon Miners organization was left disappointed as they watched the Canadian Baseball League playoffs go on without them.  Going into the year there was excitement abound as the team moved from Dawson City and moves in the off-season to boost the offense.

After a great month of April the Miners weren’t able to play consistent ball and ended the year 18 games below .500.  For General Manager Greg Liebbe there were still some bright spots from the year.

“We had some guys step up and play well through most of the year.  The top of the order with Dock, Gordon and Hart really had a good year.  Then at the end of the year we bring up Zhi Tse and he has a great month plus for the club.  We expect him to bring that energy next year as he will be in the starting lineup from Opening Day.”

Overall the offense did what was expected of them.  The Miners hit for a great average but were at the bottom of the league in extra base hits and home runs.  Still the team finished sixth in the league in runs scored.

It doesn’t seem like any moves will be made for the lineup but changes can be expected on the pitching staff.  After a strong year in 2031, this years pitching staff struggled for most of the year.  Ace Jose Cabral was the lone bright spot for the staff that was in the bottom three in almost every pitching stat over the season.

“The staff had a good first month or so with McRaney behind the plate,” said Liebbe.  “Then we made the decision to put Hart back there and threw everything off for the staff.  We got a little greedy with wanting more offense which influenced the decision to move Hart from the DH.  Unfortunately we had to learn the hard way this year.”

Liebbe suggests the team will look to spend a little money on free agency for another arm or two.  But the organization is excited about some prospects like Walt Rancourt and Gerald Villeneuve who could make it up to the big club as early as next year.

Hopefully the fine tuning over the winter can bring in the pieces that help the Miners get back to the playoffs.

Gaudet’s Son Makes Professional Debut

December 31, 2009
By nanaimo

Young shortstop Roy Gaudet made his debut with the Estevan Widgets Single A farm team this year.  It was a normal, quiet debut with little fan fare.  But then again, not many knew that his father was famous.  Or notorious, depending on your point of view.  The son of the Hamilton Hawks General Manager looks like a younger, baby-faced version of his dad, but carries a quiet demeanour and doesn’t demand attention like his namesake.  Some might have speculated that the Hawks would have drafted him, but instead Edmonton took him in the 6th round of this years draft where he will try and find his way among dozens of other young ball players attempting to get noticed.

“I’m proud of him.  He is a fine athlete and a good kid and I wish him well but I know better than to meddle with his life.  Roy will be fine under the excellent coaching available in the Edmonton system,” said Gaudet in a recent interview.  Gaudet senior is busy trying to cajole his Hawks into a playoff appearance in his first year back as manager.  Montreal is stubbornly refusing to give up the lead though and efforts to improve the Hawks appear to be leading Gaudet to the path of getting rid of some players he has been loyal too for many years.  ”I think we can do this.  I think we can make this a winning team here.  We are in a good position to improve this team, though I won’t deny that a playoff berth in year one of my return would make me very happy.”

Gaudet seemed distracted though as he watched the Widgets game play out live over his internet feed.  His son is 0 for 2 at the plate this season and has mainly been used as a pinch runner.  He is famously quick on his feet, and you can see that his father knows that he has one stolen base so far this game and is hoping for more.  As for the Hawks, it is do or die time and Montreal has both eyes on the birds from Hamilton.

Quiles is Back!

November 16, 2009
By nanaimo
Quiles is Back!

The Hamilton Hawks announced the signing of Eduardo Quiles today to a free agent contract.  Hamilton fans were thrilled to see him return to the Hawk bullpen where the manager says he will not fill his traditional role as closer, but instead will (for the first time in his career) be middle relief.  Quiles was signed to a one year deal for a rumoured $5 million.  He had refused extension offers from the team as far back as last fall and reportedly only signed back with the Hawks after receiving very few other offers.  He has pitched his whole career in Hamilton where he was a first round draft pick, and is very popular with fans.  He will join the team in time for the Monday home game against Yukon.  To make room on the roster Oscar Torre was sent down to AAA.  He had been rumoured to be unhappy with his bullpen assignment, preferring to be used as a starter.  The team however continues to want to use him in middle relief after not feeling he is good for much more than 5 or 6 innings on a regular start.  He had an 8.10 ERA over 10 relief innings to this point in the season.  Quiles has a 2.79 lifetime ERA.

Regina Prepares for the Draft

November 14, 2009
By jazzrack
Regina Prepares for the Draft

Senor Normando walks slowly yet deliberately along a narrow dusty street in the oldest part of Regina. For a man who is relatively new to the city, he seems to know where he is going.

He stops in front a two storey building that has indeed seen better days. It appears that the first floor is a bar/restaurant of some type and the rooms above are rented by travellers low on cash or simply people who do not want to be found.

Senor Normando turns the knob on the door and it creaks open under his pressure. He steps in and slowly looks around the room. One side has a bar running its length. Only one stool is occupied and that is by a woman who appears to have seen a bit too much makeup and not enough dress. She glances at our manager and gives him a knowing smile as her hand drops to her thigh. Obviously she is not here for the drinks. But whatever her interests may be, they are not shared by Senor Normando.

He continues to survey the room, his eyes passing from empty table to empty table. Near the window that has seen much cleaner days, there sits a man with his feet up on the table. His dusty boots betray a long trip that possibly could be coming to an end at this very bar.

His sleeves are rolled up and he is wearing a dusty goucho hat, its draw string hanging loosely against his chin.

Senor Normando and this man have often met this time of year; most recently in Mexico when Senor Normando was running the Chihuahua Chihuahuas.

He approaches the table and with one hand pushes the boots off the table. “My friend, where are your manners? A man does not put his boots on the table in front of a lady. “ The woman at the bar turns and raises an eyebrow in their direction, but there will be no transaction for her from that table. She turns away.

The stranger at the table looks up. He rises to his feet. Slowly he extends an ink stained hand out and Senor Normando firmly takes it in his. “Are you registered in this flea bag of an outhouse?”

“What do you think my friend?” Read more »

Yellowknife’s Wester & Ulloa hit waivers?

November 13, 2009
By jazzrack

Rumors out of Yellowknife have the Diamonds putting Devon Webster & Hector Ulloa on waivers. Webster is not much of a suprise, the lifelong Diamonds skills have diminished over the last few seasons and with the Diamonds need of outfield help they don’t have room for a DH only. Webster hasn’t played in any games this year, the 14 year vet has a career .280avg, 197hr, 1080 rbi

The diamonds plans for Ulloa are not clear, But this clears the way for Roy McFayden & William Scott to take over the full time 1b & DH Duties. It is clear to this reporter that the time is now for Yellowknife.

Welcome to the Yukon Mr. Gordon

November 8, 2009
By cubfan377

Whitehorse-  Excitement was in the air has the newly anointed highest paid player in the CBL made his introduction with his new team, the Yukon Miners.  Thousands of fans also met the first basemen as he walked into Miners Park.

General Manager Greg Liebbe opened the press conference by voicing his excitement at bringing in the star slugger who his hitting .322 after the first 6 years in the big leagues.

“On behalf of the entire organization we are very pleased to welcome Jerome Gordon to the organization.  We wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the success of our team last year that helped bring back our faithful fans to the ballpark.  Our goal is to put the best team on the field by using all the money that we bring in.  I know our fans are feeling excited and shocked by this announcement, but we don’t want to settle for anything less than a championship.”

Gordon shared the same excitement and described what brought north to the Yukon.
Read more »