Saturday, April 28, 2012

I Know You Love Your Son, but Really????!!!!!!


by Kevin Zeni


While tracking the ongoing NFL draft on my computer today, I came across the name of the New Orleans Saints' fourth-round pick, wide receiver Nick Toon, out of the University of Wisconsin.


Yes, Nick Toon, like the famous television network widely known for such cartoon shows as "Rugrats", "Rocko's Modern Life" and "Doug."

While there have been countless unfortunate and sometimes hilarious names in sports... Dick Trickle, Coco Crisp, Milton Bradley, and Picabo Street immediately come to mind... this one truly stands out as one that the Toon family should have given some serious thought to before finalizing the paper work.

For Nick's sake, let's hope the Saints don't further embarrass him by giving him a jersey number that matches that of the local New Orleans' Nickelodeon station number.

Click here for NFL.com's draft story on Nick Toon.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

California Here I Come... Again: An Interview with Inland Empire 66ers pitcher Trevor Reckling



by Kevin Zeni

Growing up in New Jersey, were you a Yankees fan growing up?

Yeah, growing up I was a big Yankees fan, but now I’m an Angels fan.

How often would you go to see the Yankees in your youth?

I went to the games a lot growing up. It seemed like I would go every other day.

Did you have a favorite player growing up or someone that you try to model yourself after?

When I was young I played the outfield, so Ken Griffey Jr. was my favorite player. I really liked how he would just go out and have fun and play the game with style. As far as a pitcher I model myself after, that would have to be CC Sabathia. He’s just a beast and a big-time competitor any time he takes the mound.

After a strong year with Double-A Arkansas last year, you find yourself back in the Advanced-A California League to begin this season. Have the Angels filled you in on their decision-making regarding your assignment?

No, not really. I really can’t control anything like that anyway. I just have to take care of business and help the ball club win, first and foremost.

So you’re back in the California League, where you made three early season starts in 2009 with Rancho Cucamonga. Do you have any memories or have you imparted any strategy based on those starts?

No, I just go out and have fun. That’s the biggest key. When you’re in the game it can be real easy to get caught up in other things, so just focusing on having fun out there and executing your game is the most important thing you can do.

Having pitched at every level of the minor leagues in your career, how much do you talk to some of your younger teammates about what to expect as they advance themselves?

I talk to a lot of the guys about my experience at the higher levels. I’ll tell them things that I picked up that work or don’t work, but really when it comes down it, you just have to trust your stuff.



You have been reunited with Pitching Coach Brandon Emanuel, who was with you in Arkansas last year. What is it that you’ve been working on with him for this season?

Mainly just focusing more on just playing ball and having fun, not think too much about mechanical issues. Some of the work we’ve done in the bullpen and on drill days is to just fine-tune everything and try to refine the front side of my delivery.

In your first two appearances this season you’ve been a bit wild on the mound, giving up walks and hitting batters. Is that due to the mechanics of your delivery and is it something Emanuel has been helping you with?

Yeah, it’s definitely something I’m aware of when I’m out there (on the mound). It’s a matter of me getting out of control and having the game speed up on me. (Emanuel) and I have worked on it the last couple days so that I can be ready for my next start.

In your first appearance this season, the team brought you out of the bullpen. It was the first time you’ve come out of the ‘pen since your rookie year in 2009. Do you prepare any differently when you do come on in relief?

Like you said, I never really pitch out of the bullpen, but it is a scenario where you have to get loose quicker and just go at your opponent with all your stuff, all your weapons. As a starter, you may use one or two of your pitches the first time through the order before you start working in your other pitches. You also have more time to prepare as a starter, where when coming out of the bullpen you’ve just got to attack straight out of the gate.

Despite being a Texas League All-Star last season and being ranked as high as the Angels’ fourth-best prospect in 2009, you were left exposed in the Rule 5 draft this winter. Was there any part of you that was wishing another team would pick you up and maybe give you more of an opportunity to reach the big leagues faster?

You know, I can’t really worry about it. My job is to just play baseball and so long as I do that, everything else takes care of itself.

Where do you see yourself in the Angels’ big-picture plans?

I’m really not worried about it. I just want to have fun and help the ball club win. I can’t control any of that stuff.

As you know, the Angels are loaded with quality pitching at every level of the minor leagues. Do you feel that having so much talent together on teams is helpful or harmful to a pitcher’s development?

I definitely think it helps guys get better to see what they’re going up against. It’s a challenge. It allows guys to get better at performing on a consistent basis, which is something you need to be able to do at the higher levels if you want to succeed. So yeah, its always helpful to have guys that you can compete with and try to get better everyday.

Lastly, is there anything you want to tell your fans?

I appreciate all the fan support that has been given to me and I’m looking forward to getting to Angels Stadium.