Baseball in Fort Wayne

Posts Tagged ‘Ducksnorts’

Geoff over at Ducksnorts has announced the availability of a ddownloadable excerpt of his Ducksnorts 2009 Annual. If you follow the Wizards/TinCaps at all or are a Padres fan, YOU MUST BUY THIS BOOK. Here’s what Geoof has to say about it:

I am pleased (and relieved) to announce that excerpts from the Ducksnorts 2009 Baseball Annual are now available as a free download (PDF, 226k). The download is 24 pages long and includes the following:

• From “Player Dashboards” — An explanation of what these things are, some league context, and dashboards for Adrian Gonzalez and Jake Peavy
• From “Padres Farm Report” — An explanation of depth charts, player capsules, and commentary; also a spotlight on center field, with reports on Will Venable, Drew Macias, Cedric Hunter, Brad Chalk, Blake Tekotte, Jaff Decker, and Rymer Liriano
• From “Hatching a Franchise” — The introductory essay, plus a detailed review of June 1969 (including top performers of the month, a brief list of events from around the world, and the Padres ‘69 amateur draft)

The entire 254-page book will ready for purchase on Tuesday. Myron Logan over at Friar Forcast has this to say about initial impressions:

I read through most of the preview, and I’m amazed at how detailed the commentary is. I mean, it’s not like you get a few comments on the players. With Gonzalez and Peavy, the two players available in the preview, it’s basically a full-blown essay. And a very fun, informative read, too.

I also really like the presentation of the stats, especially giving last years season line, plus the DS community projection and Geoff’s own personal projection. On Gonzalez and Peavy, the community was remarkably close (as was GY).

Former Wizards pitcher, Dirk Hayhurst has had one heck of an eventful 2008. He’s gone from being a “non-prospect” scribe to Major League pitcher, only to be released and snatched up by another team just days into his marriage.

I’ve heard a few folks say they don’t like his style of wit when he writes. Perhaps that’s becuase he’s real.

Two fine examples popped into my headlines today. The first is his latest Non-Prospect Diary entry. He describes what he’s going through mentally as he performs some public service at a children’s cancer ward. The second is a very insightful interview with Geoff at Ducksnorts.

Think all Major Leaguers are spoiled stars who have no perspective? Think again…

baseball’s most dangerous side effect is its ability to make you think you are above or beyond the world around you. Baseball may feel like it’s everything, and it may demand you to take a knee in its presence, but it’s not. It’s a job with a steeper list of sacrifices and a media industry magnifying all its production, but a job nonetheless. Baseball can’t tell you who you are. If it does, you’re in trouble. Baseball has a tendency to tell you you’re a failure more often than not. Untrue. You can be a poor baseball player and a fantastic human being or a fantastic baseball player and a terrible human being. I’m sure you can cite some individuals? My advice: Work on being a fantastic human being while doing your best at baseball.

Geoff Young, who covers the Padres organization over at Ducksnorts has posted his spotlight on Fort Wayne. It includes a brief team overview, highlights some of the more highly touted and breakthrough prospects and includes a nice interview with John Conniff of MadFriars.com, where he discusses his recent trip to our area.

There are many comments (wish I could get that level of comments here!). Lots of good stuff there too.