Heisey called up to Louisville after Mudcats drop third straight
Mike Potter · 26 Jun 2009, 11:08 PM · Comment


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FIVE COUNTY STADIUM/ZEBULON I get to the park extra early for fifth game of the Carolina Mudcats’ series against the Jacksonville Suns, with the hosts needing two wins to salvage a tie.

The mission is to connect with Mudcats southpaw Travis Wood, for a feature story about him as one of the minor leagues’ top prospects for another website.

But Wood doesn’t seem to be around, and it takes a while to find out why.

“Didn’t you hear?” one teammate says. “He got promoted to Triple-A.”

Since it’s not my first day doing this, I ask manager David Bell if his team has had any transactions since last night’s contest.

Bell answers in the negative and confirms the more plausible clubhouse rumor that Wood - who does arrive in time to pick up a certificate for two earlier Southern League pitcher of the week awards in a pregame presentation - had to make an unplanned trip to the dentist.

That’s about 45 minutes I’ll never get back, but “hurry up and wait” has long been a reality of sports journalism.

At least I have plenty of time to fill out my scorebook - which is dangerously close to being full already - and get some computer things accomplished after making my pregame cheeseburger disappear.

Play ball!

(Spoiler alert, the Mudcats fall 6-2 for their third straight loss, and after the game center fielder Chris Heisey, pictured, - who will play in the Major League Futures Game on July 12 - is promoted to Triple-A Louisville.) Continue reading »

Baseball, Carolina Mudcats Bryan Petersen, Carson Kainer, Chris Hatcher, Chris Heisey, Christhian Martinez, Cincinnati Reds, Dallas Buck, David Bell, Florida Marlins, International League, Jacksonville Suns, Jerry Gil, Jordan Smith, Jose Castro, Kevin Randel, Kinston High School, Logan Morrison, Logan Parker, Louisville Bats, Major League Futures Game, Mike Stanton, Myron Noodleman, Nic Ungs, Scott Cousins, Sean Henry, Shawn Cumberland, Southern League, Tim Torres, Travis Wood, UNC Wilmington

Mudcats have a tough ending, but Heisey gets a nice surprise
Mike Potter · 25 Jun 2009, 11:38 PM · Comment


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FIVE COUNTY STADIUM/ZEBULON It’s Game 4 of the Carolina Mudcats’ first series of the second half, a six-game set against the chosen opponents from the Southern League’s South Division that they’ll play a whopping 25 times before it’s all over.

Tonight the Mudcats will try to even the current series at two games apiece. There are 10 former Mudcats - along with skipper Brandon Hyde, hitting coach Theron Todd and pitching coach Reid Cornelius - on the Jacksonville Suns’ squad since Carolina was affiliated with the Florida Marlins before switching to the Cincinnati Reds for this season.

One Mudcat gets some very good news early in the day. Chris Heisey (pictured) will be playing in the Major League Futures Game in St. Louis on July 12, the day before he’ll probably be playing in the Southern League All-Star Game in Birmingham.

They’re playing some Michael Jackson songs before and during the game. Odd that he and fellow ’70s-and-later icon Farrah Fawcett die on the same day.

(Spoiler alert: The Mudcats lose 4-2 in 10.)

Anyway, I promised another Theron Todd story yesterday, and here it is. Continue reading »

Baseball, Carolina Mudcats, Durham Bulls Andy Tomberlin, Birmingham Barons, Brandon Hyde, Chris Denove, Chris Heisey, Christhian Martinez, Cincinnati Reds, Dallas Buck, David Bell, Ever Magallanes, Florida Marlins, Florida State League, Jacksonville Suns, Jose Castro, Kasey Olenberger, Lee Mitchell, Lorenzo Scott, Michael Jackson, Mike Stanton, Phil Plantier, Reid Cornelius, Russell Mitchell, Salem Buccaneers, Scott Henion, Sean Henry, Sean Watson, Southern League, Theron Todd, West Tenn Diamond Jaxx

Ex-Mudcats bomb the current crop