What, It's 2015 Already ??

I have been in blogificational hibernation for over a year. I woke up this morning and couldn't see the sun, so forget any shadow. Monday is usually golf day with Tim and Chuck and Ron, so today will have to be an indoor day. I just checked, over 45 hours of stuff recorded and stored in my Genie HD-DVR, so I won't lack for entertainment, as vague as it may be. Plus, the MLB Extra Innings package and MLB Channel will always occupy idle time.


The Rockies and Yankees are both exceeding expectations thus far in the 2015 season. Walt Weiss seems to be growing into his role as a big league manager, and it seems that he has had a lot more input, as far as team personnel decisions, since Jeff Bridich took over as General Manager. Former Rockies GM, Dan O'Dowd, is comfortable as the expert inside-baseball-guy on the MLB Channel, as he waits for his next job interview (hopefully with the Dodgers or Giants or Red Sox).


Jeffrey Thomas Bridich is originally from the Milwaukee area and attended Marquette University High School before enrolling at Harvard. He played for the Crimson as a catcher and outfielder before graduating in 2000. Bridich then got a job as an intern for Major League Baseball's executive offices. Among the duties during his four years with MLB, was running the Arizona Fall League. He then got a job (hired by Dan O'Dowd) with the Colorado Rockies in 2004 to manage the team's minor league baseball operations. He was subsequently promoted to director of minor league operations, then senior director of player development through 2014. When O'Dowd and director of baseball operations, Bill Geivett, "quit" at the end of the 2014 season, Bridich was tapped to succeed them both. He won't turn 38 until September, so it would be nice if the Rockies were still in the hunt at that point in the 2015 season.


The AFL (Arizona Fall League) consists of six teams that are staffed by up to seven members of each of five Major League organizations. The 35-player squad is entirely AA and AAA players, but clubs have an option to send up to two players below AA. Foreign players are allowed as long as they are not on their native country's protected list. Additionally, each MLB team can assign two "taxi-squadders". who are only available on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The teams are divided into West and East Divisions, play around 30 games, and a playoff decides a champion between the East and West Divisions. 


The East Division is made up of:

• The Mesa Solar Sox (Cubs, Angels, Athletics, Blue Jays and Nationals)
• The Salt River Rafters (Rockies, D-Backs, Astros, Marlins and Twins)
• The Scottsdale Scorpions (Yankees, Mets, Phillies, Pirates and Giants)

The West Division consists of:

• The Peoria Javelinas (Braves, Cardinals, Indians, Royals and Rays)
• The Surprise Saguaros (Reds, Rangers, Padres, Red Sox and Mariners)
• The Glendale Desert Dogs (Orioles, Tigers, Brewers, White Sox and Dodgers)

Last year, the Salt River Rafters won the title, besting the Peoria Javelinas. Some notable players that are in the AFL Hall of Fame: Derek Jeter, Nomar GarciaParra, Mike Piazza, Jeremy Giambi, Todd Helton, Mike Scioscia, Albert Pujols, Terry Francona, Roy Halladay, Torii Hunter, Matt Holliday, Dustin Pedroia and Mark Teixeira. League MVPs, notably, in 2011 Nolan Arenado and 2013 Kris Bryant. So, the Arizona Fall League has a rich history of player development and helps raw talent perform in front of Major League scouts and management. The most publicity originating about the AFL was in 1994, when a certain baseball prospect named Michael Jordan appeared, batted .252 (31 for 123 with 34 Ks). He didn't really distinguish himself statistically, but he more than tripled attendance figures for Fall games that year. I dare say that maybe a trip to Arizona with my golf clubs next October might be a worthy goal.


I am running out of steam for now, but I have a lot to say about the Broncos, Nuggets and Avalanche. So, I will endeavor to sit down soon, as weather and circumstance force me indoors. Laundry's in the dryer, cookies in the oven. So long for now. Be good to each other.