PITTSBURGH, Pa -The first fifteen games of the 2008 season are on the books for the Rochester Inn Bulldogs Baseball Team leading to a record of 7-8. The Bulldogs are sitting at 4th place in the Allegheny Division and 4 games behind the division-leading Warriors. With several key games remaing against division foes, the Bulldogs will look to rebound in the 2nd half of the season to garner a playoff spot.
The Bulldogs were dealt a few blows at the beginning of the season in losing a two key faces from last season's division champions. In an unfortuante batting practice accident, Mike DeLodovico fractured a bone in his arm from a line drive off the bat of Rankin. The retirement bug also bit the 'Dawgs in losing 2007 MVP Rick Beyer to the state of Rhode Island. Evidentally, Rhode Island is the new Florida. However, thanks to several off-season moves by the Bulldog front office, which included the signing of pitchers Dan Morgan and Geoff "Dobber" Dobbson, utility-man Doug Dellapenna, and short-stop/pitcher BJ Rankin, the 'Dawgs are looking forward to the remainder of the season.
Notes:
- Joe Graff looks to continue a successful 2008 campaign, a year in which he boasts a team-leading OBP of .556 and a SLG of .500. Graff also leads the team with walks (11) and is tied for the team lead (Gala) in HBP (3).
- Brian Strom's bat is hot as of late as the power-hitting outfielder is tied for the team lead in HR (Jacobs, Dobbson) with one, and singles (11). Strom also boasts a .382 Batting Average.
- Geoff Dobbson, Dan Morgan, and BJ Rankin have each had very good outings, but due to incomplete statistics, no numbers can be reported in this article.
- Vinny Gala has entered the All-Star break with a team-leading 11 RBI's and is hitting .321.
- Bill Jacobs is having a fine season and is in the running for Bulldog Offensive Player of the Year sharing the lead in HR, and convincingly holding the team lead in SLG and OPS.
Odd Notes:
- Joe Graff is 4 positions away from playing every position on the diamond in a single season for the second season in a row. Graff will need to play 1B, SS, 3B, and CF to recoup this honor.
- Bill Jacobs is the only Bulldog to be ejected this year without knowing it (until several batters later)
- Bill Boyd is the only Bulldog to vomit while playing second base (twice, with a pitch separation between each episode).
- Joe Graff is the only Bulldog to scout out said vomit location in order to avoid sliding in it.
- Greg Wittmer is the only Bulldog to be referred to as a "Nancy Boy" by a home plate umpire during a baseball game.
No related posts.
