Rick Peterson is expected to be announced as the new pitching coach of the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday, according to a report in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Peterson, the former pitching coach with the Oakland A's and New York Mets, worked with Brewers manager Ken Macha and third-base coach Brad Fischer in Oakland, and Brewers bench coach Willie Randolph in New York.

Peterson will be charged with helping turn around a Brewers staff that posted the second-highest ERA in the National League this season, including the worst mark among starters (5.37 ERA).

Have you seen what's new at the Baseball in Wartime Blog?
 
Remembering Billy Hebert
Breaking the Color Line during WWII
A WWII Baseball Bibliography (Part 1)
A WWII Baseball Bibliography (Part 2)
Walt Shinn – War Hero and Minor League Outfielder
Remembering Bob Mayence
October 16 was National Registration Day in 1940
 
There are daily updates at the Baseball in Wartime Blog
 
http://baseballinwartime.blogspot.com/
  
************************************************
Gary Bedingfield
Baseball in Wartime (Founder and Editor)
www.baseballinwartime.com
http://baseballinwartime.blogspot.com/
gary@baseballinwartime.com

RICK PETERSON NAMED BREWERS PITCHING COACH

Stan Kyles Returns as Bullpen Coach; Chris Bosio Offered a Position

 

                

                MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee Brewers today named Rick Peterson pitching coach, signing him to a two-year contract. The Brewers also invited bullpen coach Stan Kyles back for the 2010 season. Interim pitching coach Chris Bosio has been offered a position within the organization. Bosio and the Club will continue to discuss his role. The announcements were made by Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Melvin.

 

                “Rick brings a number of years of experience as a pitching coach and an extensive background in the study of motion analysis,” said Melvin. “He is a high energy individual and a forward thinker with a comprehensive program of motivation and instruction that is in tune with our current pitching philosophy.”

 

                Peterson has 11 seasons of experience as a Major League pitching coach with Oakland (1998-2003) and New York-NL (2004-08). He served under current Brewers manager Ken Macha while with the Athletics (2003) and under current Brewers bench coach Willie Randolph while with the Mets (2005-08). He has 15 seasons of Major League coaching experience overall, also serving as a bullpen coach with Pittsburgh (1984-85) and Chicago-AL (1994-95).

 

                As pitching coach with the Athletics, Peterson guided staffs which finished in the top three in the American League in ERA every season from 1999-2003. His staffs led the American League in ERA twice, posting a 3.58 ERA in 2002 and 3.63 ERA in 2003. While in Oakland, he helped develop the “Big Three” of Barry Zito, Tim Hudson and Mark Mulder. All three pitchers became 20-game winners under Peterson, and Zito captured the 2002 American League Cy Young Award.

 

                As pitching coach with the Mets, Peterson led staffs which ranked third in the National League in ERA twice (2005 and 2006). He was relieved of his duties on June 17, 2008, the same day manager Willie Randolph was let go.

 

                In addition to his Major League coaching experience, Peterson has had coaching roles in the minor leagues with Pittsburgh (1979-83), Cleveland (1986-88), Chicago-AL (1989-94) and Boston (1997). He also served as minor league pitching coordinator with Toronto (1996-97). He joined the Oakland organization as a minor league roving pitching instructor in 1998 before being named Athletics pitching coach in March of that year.

 

                Peterson, who turns 55 on October 30, resides in Wall, New Jersey with his wife Betsy. The couple has three sons, Sean, Derek and Dylan.

BECKHAM NAMED ROOKIE OF THE YEAR BY THE SPORTING NEWS Third baseman Gordon Beckham of the Chicago White Sox joined left-handed pitcher J.A. Happ of the Philadelphia Phillies as The Sporting News Rookies of the Year.

Beckham, 22, batted .270 (102-378) with 28 doubles, 14 home runs and 63 RBI in 103 games with the White Sox in 2009. He is the ninth rookie in White Sox history to be honored by The Sporting News and the first since current manager Ozzie Guillen in 1985.

CUBS SIGN ESTEEMED HITTING COACH JARAMILLO

The Cubs have agreed to a multi-year contract with former Texas Rangers hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo, who completes Lou Piniella's staff for 2010.

Jaramillo's hitters have won 17 Silver Slugger Awards, four Most Valuable Player Awards, three home run titles, and three RBI crowns under his tutelage. He had been the Rangers' hitting coach since 1995, and worked with current Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano.

From Sporting News…..

 

Twins catcher Joe Mauer and Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols highlight Sporting News' 2009 A.L. and N.L. all-star teams, as selected by a panel of 31 Major League Baseball general managers and assistant GMs.
 
Mauer received votes from all 17 A.L. executives who participated, while Pujols, Phillies second baseman Chase Utley and Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun were on the ballots of all 14 N.L. team executives who voted.
 
Mauer led the majors with a .365 batting average and won his third A.L. batting title in the past four seasons. His .444 on-base percentage also was the best in the majors, and he set career highs with 28 homers and 96 RBIs despite missing all of April because of back problems.
 
Pujols, named SN's 2009 player of the year, led the majors with 47 homers, 124 runs scored, a .658 slugging percentage and a 1.101 OPS. His 135 RBIs and 115 walks both ranked third in the majors, his .443 on-base percentage was second and his .327 batting average was sixth.
 
In addition to Mauer, the A.L. all-star team features Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira, Blue Jays second baseman Aaron Hill, Rays third baseman Evan Longoria, Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, Red Sox outfielder Jason Bay, Angels outfielder Torii Hunter and Yankees DH Hideki Matsui.
 
In addition to Pujols, Utley and Braun, the N.L. all-star team includes Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, Diamondbacks third baseman Mark Reynolds, Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez, Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp and Phillies outfielder Jayson Werth.
 
Sporting News is unveiling its award winners throughout the week on sportingnews.com. On Tuesday, Phillies lefthander J.A. Happ and White Sox third baseman Gordon Beckham were named SN's 2009 rookies of the year. On Wednesday, Royals righthander Zack Greinke and Giants righthander Tim Lincecum were named SN's pitchers of the year, and the Angels' Mike Scioscia and Rockies' Jim Tracy were named SN's managers of the year. Today, SN also named Pujols as 2009 player of the year.

 

The remaining schedule:
 
— Friday morning: Comeback players of the year, relievers of the year
 
SN's entire 3-page awards package can be found in the new issue of the magazine, which arrives later this week at all Barnes & Noble, Borders and Hudson Retail outlets.

The Brewers today named Chris Bosio Major League advance scout. Bosio served as the Brewers’ interim pitching coach from 8/12 through the end of the season.

The cities of Mesa, Ariz., and Naples, Fla., are gearing up for a battle over the Cubs.

On Thursday, officials from Chicago-based Esmark Inc. and Naples-based Fifth Avenue Advisors held a news conference in Naples announcing their intent to convince the team to move from Arizona to Collier County in Florida.

Tom and Laura Ricketts, siblings who are part of the Cubs' new ownership group, and Cubs chairman Crane Kenney recently visited the Naples area to look at possible sites.

Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN - The Minnesota Twins today announced the Diamond Awards, their annual awards for the 2009 season based on voting conducted by the Twin Cities Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America. In addition, the Twins and the BBWAA announced plans for the Fifth Annual Diamond Awards Event which will be held January 28, 2010 and will benefit brain, nerve and muscle disorders research at the University of Minnesota.

Twins' All-Star catcher Joe Mauer is the winner of the Calvin R. Griffith Award (the Twins' first owner) given to the Most Valuable Twin. Mauer, who won his third batting title in 2009, led the league with a .365 batting-average, hit a career-high 28 home runs and drove in a career-high 96 runs. Mauer, who missed the first month of the season due to injury, was named to his third All-Star Team and his second as the starting catcher.

For the second year in a row, righthanded relief pitcher Joe Nathan is the winner of the Joseph W. Haynes Award (Former Twins' Executive Vice-President) given to the Twins' Pitcher of the Year. Nathan, 34, was 2-2, 2.10 (68.2 ip, 16 er) converting 47 saves (52 opportunities) in 70 relief appearances in 2009. Nathan, who was named to his fourth career American League All-Star team, set the Twins single season save record in 2009.

Rightfielder Michael Cuddyer is the winner of the Charles O. Johnson Award (Former Minneapolis Star and Tribune Executive Sports Editor) given to the Most Improved Twin. Cuddyer, 30, batted .276 with 34 doubles, seven triples, 32 home runs and 94 rbi in a career-high 153 games in 2009 after playing in only 71 games in 2008.

Lefthanded pitcher Jose Mijares is the winner of the Bill Boni Award (Former St. Paul Dispatch-Pioneer Press Executive Sports Editor) given to the Twins' Most Outstanding Rookie. Mijares, 24, was 2-2, 2.34 (61.2 ip, 16 er) with 23 walks and 55 strikeouts in 71 appearances in 2009. His 2.34 ERA was the sixth lowest among American League relief pitchers.

Along with being the Twins MVP, catcher Joe Mauer is the winner of the Dick Siebert Award (Former University of Minnesota Baseball Coach) given to the Upper Midwest Player of the Year for the second year in a row. In addition to leading the American League in batting, Mauer also led the league with a .444 on-base percentage and a .587 slugging percentage.

Michael Cuddyer, along with being named Most Improved Twin, is this year's winner of the Bob Allison Award (Former Twins' Player) given to the Twins player who exemplifies determination, hustle, tenacity, competitive spirit and leadership both on and off the field. Along with serving as a member of the Minnesota Twins Community Fund Board, Cuddyer hosts a "Cuddy's Buddy" at batting practice prior to each Saturday home game, as well as other charitable events throughout the season.

Outfielder Denard Span, is the winner of the Mike Augustin Award (Former Pioneer Press Sports Writer) given to the Twins player who fosters healthy relations with the media. Span set an example to teammates by always making himself available to local, national and international media members, appeared on a weekly radio show, and participated in several public service announcements throughout the season.

MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee Brewers today announced their postseason award winners as voted by members of the Milwaukee Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA). A total of six ballots were cast for each award.
First baseman Prince Fielder was unanimously voted Brewers Most Valuable Player after batting .299 with 46 HR and a franchise-record 141 RBI in 162 games. This marks the second time that Fielder has won the award (also 2007).

The National League Most Valuable Player candidate ranked among the league leaders in nearly every offensive category, including RBI (T1st, 141), home runs (2nd, 46), OPS (2nd, 1.014), slugging percentage (2nd, .602), total bases (2nd, 356), extra-base hits (3rd, 84), walks (4th, 110), on-base percentage (5th, .412), multi-hit games (5th, 54) and runs (6th, 103).

Yovani Gallardo received four first-place votes to be named Brewers Most Valuable Pitcher. Trevor Hoffman received the other two first-place votes. Gallardo, in his first full season in the majors, went 13-12 with a 3.73 ERA in 30 starts. He became just the fifth pitcher in franchise history to have 200 strikeouts in a season. His 204 strikeouts ranked fifth in the National League while his .219 opponents' batting average ranked third.

Trevor Hoffman earned five first-place votes to earn Top Newcomer honors. Infielder Casey McGehee received the remaining first-place vote. Hoffman went 3-2 with a 1.83 ERA and 37 saves in 55 appearances this season. He extended his all-time Major League saves record to 591 as he ranked fifth in the National League in that category in 2009.

Reliever Todd Coffey was voted Brewers Unsung Hero, receiving three first-place votes. Infielder Craig Counsell (2) and McGehee (1) also earned first-place votes. Coffey went 4-4 with a 2.90 ERA in 78 games. He led the National League with a career-high 83.2 relief innings while his 78 appearances tied for seventh in the league and ranked third in franchise history behind Ken Sanders (83 in 1971) and Ray King (82 in 2001).

Craig Counsell earned the Good Guy Award for the second consecutive season. His four first-place votes edged outfielder Mike Cameron for the honor.

In addition to the awards voted on by the BBWAA, the Brewers announced Mike Cameron as the winner of the Michael Harrison Award for Community Service. Among his charitable contributions was $20,000 to "Team Smile," which allowed 298 children from the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee to receive free dental care. Cameron also hosted and contributed $13,400 for a Bowl-A-Thon event which gave 17 Milwaukee-area youths the opportunity to attend recording artist Usher's Camp New Look in Atlanta.

Have you seen what's new at the Baseball in Wartime Blog?
 
Discovery of another Minor League Player Killed in World War II
Update on Baseball's Dead of World War II
Remembering Herm Reich
Remembering Ray Gabrych
Remembering Les Palmer
Remembering Ted Kerr
Happy Birthday Bobby Thomson!
Remembering Gil Hodges
Remembering Skippy Roberge
Remembering Harry Walker
There are daily updates at the Baseball in Wartime Blog
 
http://baseballinwartime.blogspot.com/
  
************************************************
Gary Bedingfield
Baseball in Wartime (Founder and Editor)
www.baseballinwartime.com
http://baseballinwartime.blogspot.com/
gary@baseballinwartime.com

The Brewers' spring training exhibition schedule:

March 4: San Francisco at Scottsdale.

March 5: Oakland at Phoenix.

March 6: San Francisco at Maryvale.

March 7: Cincinnati at Maryvale.

March 8: Seattle at Maryvale.

March 9: Chicago Cubs at Mesa.

March 10: San Diego at Peoria.

March 11: Oakland at Maryvale.

March 12: Chicago Cubs at Maryvale.

March 13: Colorado (ss) at Maryvale; Chicago White Sox (ss) at Glendale.

March 14: San Francisco at Scottsdale.

March 15: Cleveland at Maryvale.

March 16: Kansas City at Surprise.

March 17: Cincinnati at Goodyear.

March 18: Texas at Surprise, 7.

March 19: Los Angeles Angels at Maryvale.

March 20: Kansas City at Maryvale.

March 21: Chicago White Sox at Maryvale.

March 22: Los Angeles Dodgers at Maryvale.

March 23: Cleveland at Goodyear.

March 24: Off day.

March 25: Los Angeles Dodgers at Glendale.

March 26: San Diego at Maryvale.

March 27: Texas at Maryvale.

March 28: Arizona at Tucson.

March 29: San Francisco at Maryvale.

March 30: Los Angeles Angels at Tempe.

March 31: Chicago Cubs at Maryvale.

April 1: Arizona at Maryvale.

April 2: Detroit Tigers at Miller Park, 7:10

April 3: Detroit Tigers at Miller Park, 1:10

All games at 2 p.m. CST (1 p.m. local time) unless otherwise noted. Daylight Saving Time begins March 14.

Edited by author 11-05-2009 09:54 AM
Please find attached issue No. 26 of the Baseball in Wartime e-Newsletter which focuses on the Service All-Stars and American League All-Stars game of 1942.

BIWNewsletterVol3No26November2009.pdf
 
You will need Adobe Reader to view this newsletter. You can get it for free at www.adobe.com/
 
Have you missed a previous issue? You can download them all at www.baseballinwartime.com/newsletter.htm
 
Have you seen what's new at the Baseball in Wartime Blog?
 
Hall of Famers at War – Warren Spahn
Remembering Shelly McConnell - WWII, Korea and Vietnam Vet!
Happy Birthday Bob Feller
Hall of Famers at War - Joe DiMaggio
Babe Ruth in World War II
American Games Day in Glasgow, Scotland 67 Years Ago
Al Schacht Entertains the Troops Overseas
Three More Minor League Veterans Passed Away Recently
There are daily updates at the Baseball in Wartime Blog
 
http://baseballinwartime.blogspot.com/
  
************************************************
Gary Bedingfield
Baseball in Wartime (Founder and Editor)
www.baseballinwartime.com
http://baseballinwartime.blogspot.com/
gary@baseballinwartime.com

Order your Twins season ticket plan now and enjoy valuable benefits all season long.

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You'll not only enjoy the game from any seat, you'll also enjoy exclusive benefits such as:

• Merchandise Discounts
• Postseason Priority
• Twins Publications
• Guaranteed Giveaway Program

Don't miss your chance to reserve your place in the sun as a member of the Twins Season Ticket Holder family in Minnesota's beautiful new outdoor ballpark – Target Field.

La Crosse Area
Hot Stove
League
La Crosse Area
Hot Stove
League

Dear Fellow Baseball Junkie –

We hope this letter finds you enjoying the fall and looking forward to what will certainly be an action-
packed “Hot Stove Season”!

Speaking of the old “Hot Stove” … We are contacting you today to invite you to an introductory
meeting for the first ever La Crosse Area Hot Stove League. We will be holding the informational
meeting on Monday, December 7 from 7-8 p.m. at Lumber Jack’s Saloon (inside the Stoney Creek Inn,
Onalaska) and are looking for any and all diehard baseball fans!

Are you looking for that baseball fix throughout the winter? Does spring training seem too far away?
Are you interested in helping baseball programs in our area grow? Then the La Crosse Area Hot Stove
League may be just the thing for you. Join us for an informal meeting on December 7 and learn all
about La Crosse’s newest group that will be devoted entirely to baseball!

There is no cost to attend the introductory meeting and members of the La Crosse Loggers front office
staff, the La Crosse Area Sports Commission and Gregg Hoffman from
www.midwestdiamondreport.com and Old School Collectibles will be on hand to discuss this new
venture.

Should you have questions or can’t make the meeting, but would like to receive additional information
about the La Crosse Area Hot Stove League, feel free to e-mail the Loggers office at
info@lacrosseloggers.com or call their business office at 608-796-9553 Monday thru Friday from 8-5.

Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to seeing you on December 7 as we “Start the
Fire” on this Hot Stove Season!

Yours In Baseball,

La Crosse Loggers, La Crosse Area Sports Commission, Midwest Diamond Report and Old School Collectibles

Hot Stove Update

This first Hot Stove Update includes news that happened off the field during Post-Season play.

Brewers

** Prince Fielder was named the Brewers Player of the Year, and Yovani Gallardo the Pitcher of the Year by the Milwaukee area baseball writers.

** Former Mets and A’s pitching coach Rick Peterson has been named the Brewers’ pitching coach. Peterson worked with both manager Ken Macha and bench coach Willie Randolph. Stan Kyles will return as bullpen coach.

** Chris Bosio, who served as interim pitching coach during the season, has been named advance scout for the team.

** LF Ryan Braun was named to the Sporting News NL All Star team.

** Nine Brewers, including C Jason Kendall and CF Mike Cameron, filed for free agency. The club declined RHP David Weathers’ option.


Cubs

** RHP Rich Harden and OF Reed Johnson were the first two Cubs to file for free agency.


** The Ricketts family was introduced to the Chicago media as the new owners of the Cubs.

** LHP Ted Lilly underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder and should be ready to pitch by spring.

** Former Rangers hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo was named the team’s hitting coach.


** Naples, Florida, and Mesa, Arizona, are competing to host the Cubs in spring training. The team has trained in Arizona since the 1950s and at the Mesa site since 1979. The Cubs can buy out their contract with Mesa after 2012.


Twins

** C Joe Mauer was the top vote getter in the Sporting News All Star poll of 31 MLB general managers and assistant general managers.

** Mauer also was picked the Outstanding Player in the AL by his peers, the AL MVP by the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the Twins’ MVP by the area baseball writers. He is considered a leading candidate for the AL MVP, which will be announced Nov. 23.


** RHP Joe Nathan was picked the team’s Most Valuable Pitcher by the writers. For other honors, go to the Twins’ web site via MDR links.

** The club picked up an option for 2011 on OF Michael Cuddyer.

** Five players, including SS Orlando Cabrera and RHP Carl Pavano, are eligible for free agency. The Twins are likely to let Cabrera go now that they have dealt for J.J. Hardy.

** IF Brian Buscher was moved to the Triple A roster.


White Sox

** The Sox bought out the contract of OF Jermaine Dye, which means he will become a free agent.

** 3B Gordon Beckham was named the Sporting News Rookie of the Year in the AL. Beckham will move to second after Chris Getz was included in the trade for Mark Teahan.

** Infield prospect Dayan Viciedo was shut down in the Arizona Fall League because of an elbow problem.

** OF Alejando De Aza was claimed off waivers from the Marlins. Utility player Mark Kotsay signed a one year deal.

** The Sox are talking with the agent of OF Scott Podsednik, who had a comeback season in 2009.

** OF Dewayne Wise has declared free agency. The Sox picked up the options of pitchers Freddy Garcia and Matt Thornton.

Sox Also Work Deal

Hardy, Gomez Trade Places

The Brewers and Twins swapped .229 hitters Friday, but believe both OF Carlos Gomez and SS J.J. Hardy could help their new teams.

“Carlos brings to our club great speed, athleticism and energy at a position that we needed to fill,” said Brewers GM Doug Melvin. “His defense will serve as a key component to us improving our pitching. At only 24 years of age, Carlos can further develop the offensive aspect of his game and give us a different look to our lineup.”

Gomez batted .229 with 3 HR, 28 RBI and 14 stolen bases in 137 games with Minnesota this season. He made 86 starts in center field and committed just one error. The highlight of his season came on October 6 vs. Detroit when he scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the 12th inning of the Twins’ victory in the American League Central tie-breaker game.


In 2008, his first full season in the Major Leagues, he batted .258 with 7 HR, 59 RBI and a team-leading 33 stolen bases in 153 games, including 143 starts in center field. He set a Twins single-season record with 30 bunt hits, leading the Major Leagues, and produced 50 infield hits overall, which ranked second only to Ichiro Suzuki (52).


Gomez was acquired by the Twins on February 2, 2008 as the key player in the deal that sent two-time American League Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana to the Mets. He joined the Twins after being ranked as the Mets’ third-best prospect by Baseball America heading into that season.


"He's very, very talented and has a lot to learn, yes," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said of Gomez during the playoffs. "But like I said, when you see him out there in center field covering all that ground and then some of the offensive things that he can do that other people can't do, that's why the guy is in the big leagues."

Hardy, 27, batted .229 with 11 HR and 47 RBI in 115 games with the Brewers this season.


“J.J. has been a steady performer for the Brewers,” said Melvin. “His professionalism and popularity with our fans and his teammates made this difficult, but he has been given the opportunity to go to a great organization to play and perform at the high level he is capable of playing.”

In another deal involving a MDR team, theWhite Sox have acquired infielder/outfielder Mark Teahen and cash considerations from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for infielders Chris Getz and Josh Fields.


Teahen, 28, hit .271 (142-524) with a career-high 34 doubles, 12 home runs and 50 RBI in 144 games with the Royals in 2009. He made 99 starts at third base, 31 in right field and three at second.


The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder is a career .269 (667-2,480) hitter with 146 doubles, 24 triples, 59 home runs and 293 RBI in 676 career games, all with Kansas City (2005-09). He was named the Royals Player of the Year in 2006 after establishing career bests in average (.290), home runs (18) and RBI (69).


For more on the deals, go to the team web sites via MDR links.

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Off-Season Schedule

Breaking news, such as trades, free agent signings and others, will be posted when events happen. Regular weekly features will include:

** Mondays - Hot Stove Update, a review of news notes for the previous week through the weekend for the four MDR big league teams.

** Wednesdays - A Look Back historical feature or Elsewhere in Baseball, a brief of interest about Midwest baseball at some level other than the MLB.

** Fridays - The Weekend Rhubarb, an opinion brief intended to stir some debate on the MDR Archives/Blog board, or a Featured Collectible, about a baseball collectible offered by MDR's sister site, Old School Collectibles.

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MDR Season Honors

Players of Year - Joe Mauer, Twins & Prince Fielder, Brewers

Pitcher Of Year - Joe Nathan, Twins

Manager of Year - Ron Gardenhire, Twins

Rookie of the Year - Casey McGehee, Brewers