Whitecaps Update
2010 Coaching Staff: The Detroit Tigers organization announced the coaching staff for this season’s Whitecaps team. Returning to the helm as manager for his thrid season is Joe DePastino. He led the ‘Caps to two playoff appearances in 2008(72-65) and 2009(81-59). Also returning for a third season is former Tiger and pitching coach Mark Johnson. Joining the staff this season as hitting coach is Luis Quinonnes. Quinnones was the hitting coach for the Class A-Short Season Oneonta Tigers for the last three seasons. Moving on is former hitting coach Benny Distefano who has been in West Michigan since 2006. He resigned to accept a position in the Mets organization. Benny was very good to the fans and always good about signing autographs. Below is a good pic of him and my daughter from last season.
2009 Promotional Video: Click HERE for the Whitecaps 2009 Promo Video. It’s entertaining and gives a good view at what to expect at future Minor League games.
Tiger Fridays are back: This will be the second season the Whitecaps are offering Tiger Fridays, where a former Detroit player or players will be at 5/3 Ballpark to sign autographs. They usually have a bobblehead giveaway, or something like that, too. Here’s the lineup for this season; Jack Morris (June 4), Juan Berenguer and Ozzie Virgil (June 25), Larry Herndon (July 23), Mike Henneman (Aug. 6), Dick McAuliffe (Aug. 20), and Frank Howard (Aug. 27).
Path of the Pros: MiLB.com is continuing it’s Path to the Pros series this time featuring former Whitecap Jair Jurrjens. Jurrjens was part of one the worse trades in Tigers history (maybe that’s pushing it, but my opinion) being sent to Atlanta in a deal for Edgar Renteria. You can read the full story at MiLB.com HERE.
Prospect Chat: Baseball America has a nice interview with Casey Crosby who played for the Whitecaps last season and was named the top Minor League Pitcher in the Tigers organization. You can check this out HERE.
Winter Beer Festival: 5/3 Ballpark is hosting the 5th annual Winter Beer Festival this year on Saturday Feb. 27. You have a unique chance to sample some great beers that are brewed in Michigan. They are expecting over 35 microbreweries and beerpubs to participate, and over 200 beers to sample. Sounds like a good way to handle the winter weather to me.
Photo property of MIB
Minoring In Baseball 
Jack Morris! I’d love to meet him (and rally for his HOF induction but that’s a different issue). The minor league teams — as I understand it — rely heavily on creative promotions so all of the above are pretty fitting. The Renteria/Jurrens trade may be one of the worst, but doling out those contracts to Robertson, Willis and Maggs are even WORSE decisions in my opinion.
–Jeff
http://redstatebluestate.mlblogs.com/
http://mtrredstatebluestate.com
Cool interview with Casey Crosby… I love interviews with prospects, and I love interviewing them even more so.
Elizabeth
http://redsoxgirl46.mlblogs.com
Cool promo video for the “Caps. As you know, I went to South Bend games all the time when I was a kid. Love the minors. In fact, I am looking forward to getting out to more Port Charlotte Stone Crabs games this year. Went to last year’s championship game and had a blast–despite the rain and LATE return time to my bed. Good stuff.
http://raysfanboy.mlblogs.com
Jeff-we got to meet Jack Morris a few years ago in Mackinaw City for an opening of a new sporting goods store. He and Mickey Lolich were up here. He definately is a HOFer.
Elizabeth-prospects are what the Minors are all about and what makes it so much fun. It’s fun to track these guys through the system.
Rays-we had a good time in South Bend last year. Would love to see your pics of the Stone Crabs games.