Courtesy the New York Times
From a potential new Buckeye, an emotional day in the Bronx, summer league action, to a pair of former Buckeye hurlers, the last day has been a busy one in the Buckeye baseball landscape. News and notes will become a regular here, and while it might not be a daily staple, it'll be often.
Here is the latest news and notes.
Alumni
Swisher Salutes Steinbrenner
With the passing of Bob Sheppard and George Steinbrenner, the first game after the all-star break for the Yankees was set to be an emotional one as the Bronx Bombers honored the two legends. An evening that started out somber ended in jubilation as former Buckeye Nick Swisher capped a big game with a walk-off hit, giving the Yanks the win against divisional rival Tampa Bay. The All-Star Swisher who went 3-for-5 on the day with a home run and three RBI's perhaps gave the Boss a fitting farewell as of the Ben Shpigel New York Times writes "Perhaps the only thing Steinbrenner adored more than his Yankees was Ohio State. Swisher, a proud Buckeye, felt the same way."
MLB.com also has touches on the story as Swisher captures moment for Buckeye Boss. "Mr. Steinbrenner loved his Yankees and loved his Buckeyes. And a Buckeye got it," manager Joe Girardi said. "I was thinking how fitting it would have been if Derek got the hit. ... I thought for sure Derek was going to get it done. But George's second love was the Buckeyes."
Luebke a Wanted Man
As mentioned yesterday in our Buckeyes in the pros, Cory Luebke has had a stellar season in the San Diego Padres farmsystem. So stellar that the 2007 Big Ten Pitcher of the Year is being sought after by other clubs as the MLB trade deadline approaches. San Diego sits in a surprising first place in the NL West and have made no secret of their desire to add a bat to their lineup. As MLB.com writes about the Padres, you can see Luebke is one of three highly sought Padres prospects as San Diego GM Jed Hoyer states "teams are always looking for arms."
Oltorik Arrives in Arizona
As first-repoted here, former Buckeye RHP Ross Oltorik decided to transfer to the University of Arizona. As the Tuscon Citizen reports, Oltorik has arrived at Arizona. Oltorik who was projected to follow fellow Moeller product Alex Wimmers in the Buckeye weekend rotation spoke on his injury touches on his decision. “A week before the season started, I tore my rotator cuff. Once that happened, I came to the conclusion that it’s time to focus on being the best quarterback I can be … and do I want to do that at Ohio State or somewhere else?"
Current Buckeyes
In summer league action, Brian DeLucia went 1-for-3 as Luray lost 8-1 to New Market while Brad Hallberg went 0-for-2 with a walk as his Rapid Rafters fell to La Crosse.
Program News
Cashing In
If nothing else makes new Buckeye coach Greg Beals realize he no longer is at Ball State, his paycheck surely will. Accoring to the Twin Cities Pioneer Press as the head coach of the nation's largest athletic department's oldest varsity team, Beals will receive a salary that is the highest in the Big Ten, a total that nearly doubles Minnesota's John Anderson. Anderson if you are unaware is the longest tenured Big Ten baseball coach, a coach with more than 1,000 collegiate wins, and recently was named the 2010 ABCA MidEast Region Coach of the Year.
Recruit Selects Kentucky over Ohio State
While the Buckeyes have Jacob Hayes coming to Columbus from Terre Haute, Indiana, one potential Buckeye from the same area will not be following suit. AJ Reed of Terre Haute South, Hayes attended Terre Haute North, has opted to go to be a Wildcat and not a Buckeye. Reed selected Kentucky over Ohio State, Indiana, Indiana State, and Vanderbilt.
1 comment:
Correction: Jacob Hayes attended Terre Haute South, and was a teammate of AJ Reed. I errored when stated he attended Terre Haute North, was thinking of his cousin and former Buckeye Mike Hayes.
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