How They Got Here: The San Francisco Giants is a
one-by-one look at how each member of the 2012 World Series Champion San
Francisco Giants found their way to the squad. We'll look at all of the
players on the roster, as well as notable players who did not make the
postseason roster for whatever reason and the coaching staff and general
manager. Part twenty-one talks about reliever Jeremy Affeldt.
Jeremy Affeldt was born on June 6, 1979, in Phoenix, Arizona. In his childhood, he moved to Colbert, Washington, where he attended Northwest Christian High School. He graduated in 1997, and was a third round draft pick of the Kansas City Royals in the same year. He was assigned to the Gulf Coast League to play with the Rookie-level Royals, working mostly as a starter. He had a modest 4.50 earned run average with thirty-six strikeouts in forty innings pitched. Affeldt spent most of the 1998 season in the Gulf Coast League as well, posting a 2.89 earned run average as well as sixty-seven strikeouts in fifteen innings. This prompted a promotion to the Class A Lansing Lugnuts of Lansing, Michigan in the Midwest League, which was disastrous for Affeldt. The Royals changed Class A affiliates in 1999, and Affeldt played with the Charleston AlleyCats of Charleston, West Virginia, in the South Atlantic League. His numbers were significantly better this time, and he posted a 3.83 earned run average with 111 strikeouts spanning 143 and 1/3 innings pitched. Affeldt was again promoted in 2000, pitching for the Wilmington Blue Rocks of Wilmington, Delaware in the Class A Advanced Carolina League. He pitched a 4.09 earned run average and ninety-strikeouts in 147 and 1/3 innings. Affeldt worked all of 2001 and three starts in the middle of 2002 with the Class AA Wichita Wranglers in Wichita, Kansas of the Texas League. His total numbers in Class AA baseball were twenty-eight starts over 151 and 1/3 innings, with a 3.81 earned run average and 131 strikeouts. His major league debut was on April 6, 2002, working out of the bullpen, which he did for most of his time with the big league Royals. He ended the year with a major league earned run average of 4.64, while striking out sixty-seven in seventy-seven and two-thirds innings. Affeldt made no minor league appearances in 2003, staying with Kansas City for the entire year. He made eighteen starts and eighteen relief appearances, pitching to a 3.93 earned run average with ninety-eight strikeouts in 126 innings. He also had his first major league hit on June 6th, and his time in the bullpen was intended to fix blister problems he had all season. The Royals stated that if the problems persisted, he would permanently work as a reliever. In 2004, he was originally the Royals number three starter, but his ineffectiveness coupled with a thinning of the bullpen pushed him back to a reliever role for the rest of the season, and he was named the closer on May 21st. He suffered a rib injury nearly a month later, having turned eight of ten save opportunities (he added five more after returning from the disabled list). He made his rehabilitation appearances with the Class AAA Omaha Royals of the Pacific Coast League, where he showed he was up to speed. His final numbers of the year were a 4.95 earned run average, forty-nine strikeouts, and seventy-six and one-third innings pitched. Affeldt was confirmed as the closer for 2005, but due to the Royals' lack of winning, he did not have a save chance until April 15th, which he did not convert because he injured a groin that caused him to sit out for about six weeks. He did not regain his closing job, and re-aggravated the groin injury on June 20th, causing another disabled list stint. He made his rehabilitation appearances again with Omaha, but struggled in the nine games he appeared. From July 7th on, he stayed with Kansas City, but his final numbers were not great. He ended the year with a 5.26 earned run average and thirty-nine strikeouts in forty-nine and two-thirds innings. The Royals returned Affeldt to the rotation in 2006, but he again struggled, and his last major league start came on May 27th. He worked out of the bullpen after that, posting a 5.91 earned run average and twenty-eight strikeouts in seventy innings before being traded on July 31, 2006 with Denny Bautista to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for Scott Dohmann and Ryan Shealy. In Colorado, he was even worse, pitching to a 6.91 earned run average and twenty strikeouts in twenty-seven and one-third innings of bullpen work. The Rockies used Affeldt in the bullpen for all of 2007, working primarily in a lefty-specialist role, where he posted a 3.51 earned run average, forty-six strikeouts, and fifty-nine innings, while earning a postseason roster spot. He appeared in just three games between the National League Division and Championship Series, with a decent amount of success, before trying to stop the bleeding against the Boston Red Sox in the World Series. While Affeldt was used in every game and did not give up a run in the World Series, the Red Sox were still able to prevent Affeldt and the Rockies from earning the championship, finishing them off in a four game sweep. Interestingly enough, Affeldt crossed paths with a future teammate during this World Series, as Javier Lopez was pitching with the winning Red Sox. Affeldt parted ways with the Rockies at the end of the season, signing a free agent deal with the Cincinnati Reds for the 2008 season. He had continued success in the bullpen for the Reds, pitching to a 3.33 earned run average with eighty strikeouts in seventy-eight and one-third innings. He did not resign with Cincinnati, opting instead to sign with the San Francisco Giants on November 17th. In 2009, Affeldt worked out of the bullpen in a set up role to closer Brian Wilson, and he had his best season to date. He had a 1.73 earned run average and fifty-five strikeouts in sixty-two and one-third innings pitched, and was named Set Up Man of the Year. Unfortunately for Affeldt, 2010 was not as good personally, and the low point came on July 24th as he went on the disabled list for the first time in five years. A month later, he returned to finish the season with a 4.14 earned run average and forty-four strikeouts in fifty innings, as well as a postseason roster spot. In the playoffs, Affeldt made five appearances spanning four innings. He had a 4.50 earned run average with four strikeouts, allowing a run to the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League Championship Series and another run to the Texas Rangers in the World Series. His iconic moment from the postseason was his appearance in the third inning, spelling an injured Jonathan Sanchez with two innings of perfect baseball to help the Giants clinch their World Series bid, which they eventually won over the Rangers, giving Affeldt his first championship. Affeldt remained an important member of the Giants bullpen in 2011, where he continued to work in a set-up role at times and he posted a 2.63 earned run average with fifty-four strikeouts in sixty-one and two-thirds innings pitched. However, 2011 had an abrupt end for Affeldt, as he made headlines for all the wrong reasons. He suffered a serious hand injury on September 8th, while infamously trying to separate frozen hamburger patties, and the injury required surgery to address nerve damage. Affeldt was back in tip-top shape for the Giants in 2012, again working in relief, and even garnering time in the post-Wilson closer committee. He ended the regular season with a 2.70 earned run average and fifty-seven strikeouts over sixty-three and one-third innings, easily earning his postseason roster spot. He maintained a strong role in ten postseason appearances, not allowing a single run of any kind in the playoffs, and only eight baserunners made it on Affeldt's watch. While not garnering big headlines in the playoffs, the most critical appearance came in Game 4 against the Detroit Tigers in the World Series, where Affeldt struck out Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera, nine-figure earner Prince Fielder, and postseason hero Delmon Young in the eighth inning. This allowed the Giants to keep the game tied, and eventually win it in the tenth inning to put Affeldt on the winning side of a World Series sweep, and he was given his second championship in three years.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
KHL November 18th 2012
Ten games for this Sunday, which I'm rushing (no pun) to get out. I'm out at what is likely the last Sounders game of the season, which will delay my late games post by a day. How They Got Here will be out around 1 PM Pacific. That's how it is, now let the games begin with...
Avangard Omsk hosting Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Christopher Holt for Avtomobilist and Eduard Reizvikh for Avangard are playing in goal. Omsk struck first as Dmitry Syomin scored a power play goal, helped along by Tomas Zaborsky. Avangard extended the lead late in the second period as Andrei Ivanov scored, with assists from Anton Kuryanov and Anton Belov. Omsk padded the lead in the third period as Alexander Frolov potted the puck with a lone assist provided by Sergei Kostitsyn. This made the final score 3-0, and the three stars are Reizvikh (31 save shutout), Syomin, and Frolov.
To the north, Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk welcomes Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett for Traktor and Mikhail Biryukov for Yugra are the masked men. Khanty-Mansiysk opened with a second period goal by Stanislav Bocharov, assisted by Artyom Bulyansky. This prompted Traktor to change goalies, putting in Andrei Mezin for Holt. Chelyabinsk tied the game late in the third period on a Evgeny Katichev goal, fueled by Dmitry Ryabykin and Yegor Dugin. Yugra took the game 2-1 in overtime as Marek Troncinsky put away the decisive goal, with a lone assist coming from Igor Magogin. The three stars go to Biryukov (34 for 35 in saves), Troncinsky, and Bocharov.
Back south a bit, with Barys Astana hosting Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Ari Ahonen for Metallurg and Teemu Lassila for Barys are in blue paint. Magnitogorsk was first to score in the first period on a Georgy Misharin goal, going in unassisted. Astana evened the score with a Roman Starchenko goal, fueled by Vitaly Novopashin and Victor Hedman. Barys took the lead on a Mikhail Rakhanov goal, with a lone assist by Dustin Boyd. Metallurg retied the game with an unassisted and shorthanded Evgeny Malkin goal. Astana retook the lead with a second period goal off the tape of Nigel Dawes, passed from Brandon Bochenski. Magnitogirsk tied it again with a Sergei Mozyakin goal, guided in by Misharin. Metallurg took the lead on a Viktor Antipin power play goal, powered by Mozyakin and Malkin. Magnitogorsk added on with another unassisted Malkin goal. There was no scoring in the third period, leaving the final at 5-3 in Metallurg's favor. The three stars belong to Malkin, Mozyakin, and Misharin.
Well to the west, Spartak Moscow hosts Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Matt Dalton for Neftekhimik and Sergei Borisov for Spartak are given the starting nods. The scoring began in the third period as Nizhnekamsk's Pyotr Khokhryakov scored, thanks to Stanislav Alshevsky. Moscow tied it with a Eduard Lewandowski goal, set up by Branko Radivojevic and Mikhail Yunkov. Spartak took the lead as Lewandowski scored again, and the lone assist came from Radivojevic. This held up for a 2-1 win, and the three stars went to Lewandowski, Borisov (32 for 33 in saves), and Radivojevic.
Staying in the oblast, we head north to Mytishchi, as Atlant Moscow Oblast hosts Lev Praha. Tomas Popperle for Lev and Stanislav Galimov for Atlant have the green light to start. Alexander Rybakov got things going for Mytishchi in the first period, with a goal helped along by Roman Rukavishnikov. Atlant extended the lead in the second period as Alexei Mikhnov scored an unassisted goal. Praha got one back in the third period with a Petr Vrana goal, set up by Tomas Rachunek. They didn't get the equalizer, falling 2-1 to Atlant, with the three stars going to Galimov (33 for 34 in saves), Mikhnov, and Rybakov.
A touch north to Cherepovets, as Severstal hosts SKA St. Petersburg. Sergei Bobrovsky for SKA and Vasily Koshechkin for Severstal tend the twines. Cherepovets led off with a first period unassisted power play goal by Evgeny Ketov. St. Petersburg tied it as Igor Makarov scored, thanks to Anton Burdasov. Severstal retook the lead in the second period on a Ruslan Nurtdinov goal, made possible by Nikolai Kazakovtsev and Alexander Fedoseyev. SKA tied it with a shorthanded Tony Martensson goal, courtesy of Patrick Thoresen. Cherepovets regained the lead again on a Fedoseyev goal, passed from Nikita Alexeyev. St. Petersburg tied it again in the third period as Evgeny Artyukhin scored an unassisted goal. The game required a shootout to determine the win, and Severstal came out on top 4-3 after Alexei Medvedev scored the only goal in the fifth round of the shootout. The three stars go to Fedoseyev, Medvedev, and Artyukhin.
Across the lake, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hosts CSKA Moscow. Rastislav Stana for CSKA and Semyon Varlamov for Lokomotiv play between the pipes. Moscow started in the first period as Yakov Rylov scored an unassisted goal. CSKA extended the lead with a Mikhail Grabovsky goal, fueled by Pavel Datsyuk and Alexander Radulov. Yaroslavl got on the board in the second period as Sergei Plotnikov scored, with a lone assist by Emil Galimov. Lokomotiv tied it when Yury Petrov scored, thanks to Vitaly Vishnevsky and Alexander Chernikov. Yaroslavl took the lead as Artyom Anisimov potted the puck, and the assist was credited to Galimov. This prompted CSKA to pull Stana in favor of Ilya Bryzgalov. The scoring ended here though, with Lokomotiv pulling out a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Anisimov, Galimov, and Varlamov (31 for 33 in saves).
To the east, as Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod hosts Slovan Bratislava. Jaroslav Janus of Slovan and Vitaly Koval of Torpedo are wearing the pads. Bratislava opened in the first period on a Roman Kukumberg goal, with a lone assist by Vladimir Dravecky. Nizhny Novgorod tied it as Mikhail Varnakov cashed in on a penalty shot after being held by Jan Tabacek on a breakaway. Torpedo took the lead as Martin Thornberg scored, assisted by Mikko Kousa and Matt Ellison. Slovan retied the game in the third period as Michel Miklik scored, with the help of Kukumberg and Lubomir Visnovsky. The game needed a shootout to determine the winner, which was Nizhny Novogord after a fourth round shootout goal from Dmitry Makarov. The three stars go to Kukumberg, Makarov, and Thornberg.
Southwest to Minsk, as Dinamo Minsk hosts Dynamo Moscow. Alexei Volkov for Dynamo and Pekka Rinne for Dinamo guard the cages. Moscow struck first in the second period as Denis Tolpeko scored, thanks to Ilya Gorokhov and Nicklas Backstrom on the power play. Dynamo added on with another Tolpeko goal, with a lone assist from Backstrom. Minsk got on the board as Tim Stapleton scored, with the help of Geoff Platt and Teemu Laine. Dinamo tied the game with eleven seconds left on a penalty shot, as the net was deliberately knocked off by Maxim Solovyov, and Stapleton converted the shot as an equalizer. Moscow won 3-2 in overtime as Alexander Ovechkin scored, powered by Janne Jalasvaara and Tolpeko on the power play. The three stars belong to Tolpeko, Stapleton, and Backstrom, while Ovechkin gets an honorable mention.
Finally, we end the day to the southeast in Donetsk, as Donbass hosts Ak Bars Kazan. Konstantin Barulin for Ak Bars and Jan Laco for Donbass are in the creases. Donetsk began with a Sergei Peretyagin goal, fueled by Alexei Ponikarovsky and Sergei Varlamov. Donbass extended the lead in the second period on a Denis Kochetkov unassisted goal. Kazan got on the board with Konstantin Korneyev's goal, made possible by Alexei Morozov and Ilya Nikulin. Ak Bars tied it in the third period with a power play goal from Danis Zaripov, powered by Morozov. The game went to overtime, where Donetsk won 3-2 on an Evgeny Dadonov goal, courtesy of Vaclav Nedorost. The three stars go to Morozov, Dadonov, and Kochetkov.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Avangard Omsk hosting Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Christopher Holt for Avtomobilist and Eduard Reizvikh for Avangard are playing in goal. Omsk struck first as Dmitry Syomin scored a power play goal, helped along by Tomas Zaborsky. Avangard extended the lead late in the second period as Andrei Ivanov scored, with assists from Anton Kuryanov and Anton Belov. Omsk padded the lead in the third period as Alexander Frolov potted the puck with a lone assist provided by Sergei Kostitsyn. This made the final score 3-0, and the three stars are Reizvikh (31 save shutout), Syomin, and Frolov.
To the north, Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk welcomes Traktor Chelyabinsk. Michael Garnett for Traktor and Mikhail Biryukov for Yugra are the masked men. Khanty-Mansiysk opened with a second period goal by Stanislav Bocharov, assisted by Artyom Bulyansky. This prompted Traktor to change goalies, putting in Andrei Mezin for Holt. Chelyabinsk tied the game late in the third period on a Evgeny Katichev goal, fueled by Dmitry Ryabykin and Yegor Dugin. Yugra took the game 2-1 in overtime as Marek Troncinsky put away the decisive goal, with a lone assist coming from Igor Magogin. The three stars go to Biryukov (34 for 35 in saves), Troncinsky, and Bocharov.
Back south a bit, with Barys Astana hosting Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Ari Ahonen for Metallurg and Teemu Lassila for Barys are in blue paint. Magnitogorsk was first to score in the first period on a Georgy Misharin goal, going in unassisted. Astana evened the score with a Roman Starchenko goal, fueled by Vitaly Novopashin and Victor Hedman. Barys took the lead on a Mikhail Rakhanov goal, with a lone assist by Dustin Boyd. Metallurg retied the game with an unassisted and shorthanded Evgeny Malkin goal. Astana retook the lead with a second period goal off the tape of Nigel Dawes, passed from Brandon Bochenski. Magnitogirsk tied it again with a Sergei Mozyakin goal, guided in by Misharin. Metallurg took the lead on a Viktor Antipin power play goal, powered by Mozyakin and Malkin. Magnitogorsk added on with another unassisted Malkin goal. There was no scoring in the third period, leaving the final at 5-3 in Metallurg's favor. The three stars belong to Malkin, Mozyakin, and Misharin.
Well to the west, Spartak Moscow hosts Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Matt Dalton for Neftekhimik and Sergei Borisov for Spartak are given the starting nods. The scoring began in the third period as Nizhnekamsk's Pyotr Khokhryakov scored, thanks to Stanislav Alshevsky. Moscow tied it with a Eduard Lewandowski goal, set up by Branko Radivojevic and Mikhail Yunkov. Spartak took the lead as Lewandowski scored again, and the lone assist came from Radivojevic. This held up for a 2-1 win, and the three stars went to Lewandowski, Borisov (32 for 33 in saves), and Radivojevic.
Staying in the oblast, we head north to Mytishchi, as Atlant Moscow Oblast hosts Lev Praha. Tomas Popperle for Lev and Stanislav Galimov for Atlant have the green light to start. Alexander Rybakov got things going for Mytishchi in the first period, with a goal helped along by Roman Rukavishnikov. Atlant extended the lead in the second period as Alexei Mikhnov scored an unassisted goal. Praha got one back in the third period with a Petr Vrana goal, set up by Tomas Rachunek. They didn't get the equalizer, falling 2-1 to Atlant, with the three stars going to Galimov (33 for 34 in saves), Mikhnov, and Rybakov.
A touch north to Cherepovets, as Severstal hosts SKA St. Petersburg. Sergei Bobrovsky for SKA and Vasily Koshechkin for Severstal tend the twines. Cherepovets led off with a first period unassisted power play goal by Evgeny Ketov. St. Petersburg tied it as Igor Makarov scored, thanks to Anton Burdasov. Severstal retook the lead in the second period on a Ruslan Nurtdinov goal, made possible by Nikolai Kazakovtsev and Alexander Fedoseyev. SKA tied it with a shorthanded Tony Martensson goal, courtesy of Patrick Thoresen. Cherepovets regained the lead again on a Fedoseyev goal, passed from Nikita Alexeyev. St. Petersburg tied it again in the third period as Evgeny Artyukhin scored an unassisted goal. The game required a shootout to determine the win, and Severstal came out on top 4-3 after Alexei Medvedev scored the only goal in the fifth round of the shootout. The three stars go to Fedoseyev, Medvedev, and Artyukhin.
Across the lake, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hosts CSKA Moscow. Rastislav Stana for CSKA and Semyon Varlamov for Lokomotiv play between the pipes. Moscow started in the first period as Yakov Rylov scored an unassisted goal. CSKA extended the lead with a Mikhail Grabovsky goal, fueled by Pavel Datsyuk and Alexander Radulov. Yaroslavl got on the board in the second period as Sergei Plotnikov scored, with a lone assist by Emil Galimov. Lokomotiv tied it when Yury Petrov scored, thanks to Vitaly Vishnevsky and Alexander Chernikov. Yaroslavl took the lead as Artyom Anisimov potted the puck, and the assist was credited to Galimov. This prompted CSKA to pull Stana in favor of Ilya Bryzgalov. The scoring ended here though, with Lokomotiv pulling out a 3-2 win, with the three stars going to Anisimov, Galimov, and Varlamov (31 for 33 in saves).
To the east, as Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod hosts Slovan Bratislava. Jaroslav Janus of Slovan and Vitaly Koval of Torpedo are wearing the pads. Bratislava opened in the first period on a Roman Kukumberg goal, with a lone assist by Vladimir Dravecky. Nizhny Novgorod tied it as Mikhail Varnakov cashed in on a penalty shot after being held by Jan Tabacek on a breakaway. Torpedo took the lead as Martin Thornberg scored, assisted by Mikko Kousa and Matt Ellison. Slovan retied the game in the third period as Michel Miklik scored, with the help of Kukumberg and Lubomir Visnovsky. The game needed a shootout to determine the winner, which was Nizhny Novogord after a fourth round shootout goal from Dmitry Makarov. The three stars go to Kukumberg, Makarov, and Thornberg.
Southwest to Minsk, as Dinamo Minsk hosts Dynamo Moscow. Alexei Volkov for Dynamo and Pekka Rinne for Dinamo guard the cages. Moscow struck first in the second period as Denis Tolpeko scored, thanks to Ilya Gorokhov and Nicklas Backstrom on the power play. Dynamo added on with another Tolpeko goal, with a lone assist from Backstrom. Minsk got on the board as Tim Stapleton scored, with the help of Geoff Platt and Teemu Laine. Dinamo tied the game with eleven seconds left on a penalty shot, as the net was deliberately knocked off by Maxim Solovyov, and Stapleton converted the shot as an equalizer. Moscow won 3-2 in overtime as Alexander Ovechkin scored, powered by Janne Jalasvaara and Tolpeko on the power play. The three stars belong to Tolpeko, Stapleton, and Backstrom, while Ovechkin gets an honorable mention.
Finally, we end the day to the southeast in Donetsk, as Donbass hosts Ak Bars Kazan. Konstantin Barulin for Ak Bars and Jan Laco for Donbass are in the creases. Donetsk began with a Sergei Peretyagin goal, fueled by Alexei Ponikarovsky and Sergei Varlamov. Donbass extended the lead in the second period on a Denis Kochetkov unassisted goal. Kazan got on the board with Konstantin Korneyev's goal, made possible by Alexei Morozov and Ilya Nikulin. Ak Bars tied it in the third period with a power play goal from Danis Zaripov, powered by Morozov. The game went to overtime, where Donetsk won 3-2 on an Evgeny Dadonov goal, courtesy of Vaclav Nedorost. The three stars go to Morozov, Dadonov, and Kochetkov.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
KHL November 17th 2012
Today, we only have one game on, which is Sibir Novosibirsk hosting Amur Khabarovsk. Alexei Murygin for Amur and Jeff Glass for Sibir are playing in goal. Novosibirsk opened in the first period with a power play goal by Nikita Zaitsev, powered by Jori Lehtera and Konstantin Glazachev. Sibir added on as Lehtera scored an unassisted power play goal. Khabarovsk got on the board in the second period on a Dmitry Tarasov goal, set up by Jakub Petruzalek. Amur tied the game when Petruzalek scored an unassisted goal. Novosibirsk took the lead back in the third period on another Lehtera goal, with Jonas Enlund getting the lone assist. This was good for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Lehtera, Petruzalek, and Glass (37 for 39 in saves).
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
How They Got Here: The Story of the 2012 San Francisco Giants Part 20
How They Got Here: The San Francisco Giants is a
one-by-one look at how each member of the 2012 World Series Champion San
Francisco Giants found their way to the squad. We'll look at all of the
players on the roster, as well as notable players who did not make the
postseason roster for whatever reason and the coaching staff and general
manager. Part twenty talks about the epic journey of pitcher Ryan Vogelsong.
Ryan Vogelsong was born on July 22, 1977, in Charlotte, North Carolina. His family moved to Pennsylvania as Vogelsong was growing up, and he graduated from Octorara High School in Atglen, Pennsylvania. He went on to play college baseball from 1996-1998 at Kutztown University in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, where he was drafted in his third year by the San Francisco Giants in the fifth round of the 1998 draft. Vogelsong's professional carer began in the Class A Short-Season Northwest League with the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes of Keizer, Oregon. He excelled in ten starts here, pitching to a 1.77 earned run average, with sixty-six strikeouts in fifty-six innings. He was promoted to the Class A Advanced California League to make four starts near the end of the season, but he struggled mightily in those appearances. He stayed with San Jose for the 1999 season, and improved his statistics to a 2.45 earned run average with eighty-six strikeouts in sixty-nine and two-thirds innings pitched. This earned him a promotion to the Class AA Texas League to play with the Shreveport Captains of Shreveport, Louisiana. Again, in the short stint with a new team, Vogelsong struggled, but he was able to right the ship in 2000 by staying with the Captains. In the next season, he pitched to 4.23 earned run average, with 147 strikeouts in 155 and 1/3 innings, before getting his first major league call up, making his debut on September 7th. He appeared with San Francisco in a relief role, pitching in four games for six innings without allowing a run. Vogelsong was assigned to the Class AAA Fresno Grizzlies in 2001, where he pitched a portion of the season with a 2.79 earned run average, as well as fifty-three strikeouts in fifty-eight innings. Vogelsong returned to San Francisco in late May, and pitched there until he was traded on July 30th with Armando Rios to the Pittsburgh Pirates, in exchange for Jason Schmidt and John Vander Wal. He made two horrendous appearance with the Pirates in September, working out of the bullpen after posting a 3.98 earned run average with thirty-three strikeouts in thirty-one and two-thirds innings with the Class AAA Nashville Sounds of the Pacific Coast League. He suffered an arm injury in his second major league appearance with Pittsburgh, and underwent Tommy John ligament replacement surgery, which cause him to sit out most of the 2002 season. He made rehabilitation appearances in 2002 with the Class A Advanced Lynchburg Hillcats of Lynchburg, Viriginia in the Carolina League, before moving along to the Class AA Altoona Curve in Altoona Pennsylvania, playing in the eastern League. For the year, he had statistics of a 6.22 earned run average, with fifty-five strikeouts in fifty-nine and one-third innings. He returned to play with the Nashville Sounds in 2003 for most of the season, posting a 4.29 earned run average, 146 strikeouts, and 149 innings of work. He also made six major league appearances for Pittsburgh, which were either really good or really bad. He worked in a number of roles with the Pirates, and stuck with them for the entire 2004 season, pitching mostly as a starter. This backfired, and he had a 6-13 record with seven no-decisions and five relief appearances in which he produced a 6.50 earned run average, ninety-two strikeouts, and 133 innings pitched. The Pirates shifted Vogelsong to the bullpen for 2005, where he pitched in forty-four games. He worked mostly in a long relief role, and he accumulated a 4.43 earned run average as well as fifty-two strikeouts in eighty-one and one-third innings. Vogelsong continued to work from the bullpen in 2006, appearing in twenty games. He posted a 6.39 earned run average and twenty-seven strikeouts over thirty-eight innings, and was logically sent down after June 22nd to pitch with the new Class AAA Pirates affiliate in the International League, the Indianapolis Indians. While experiencing modest success as a starter with the Indians by posting a 2.66 earned run average while striking out forty-three over sixty-seven and two-thirds innings, Vogelsong elected for free agency at the end of the season. No one offered a contract, so Vogelsong began his overseas journey. He found himself pitching with the Hanshin Tigers in Nishinomiya, Japan of Nippon Professional Baseball's Japan Central League in 2007. He made twenty starts, accumulating a 4.13 earned run average in 106 and 2/3 innings, while striking out ninety-one. He hit his first home run at any level on April 12, 2007. He pitched with Hanshin again in 2008, making twelve starts with a 3.99 earned run average, fifty strikeouts, and sixty-five and one-third innings. The 2009 season saw another change for Vogelsong, as he pitched with the Orix Buffaloes of Osaka, Japan in the Japan Pacific League. Here, he was used as a reliever in thirty games, pitching to a 4.54 earned run average and fifty-six strikeouts in forty-one and two-thirds innings. On January 7, 2010, Vogelsong was signed as a free agent by the Philadelphia Phillies. He was assigned to their Class AAA affiliate in Allentown, Pennsylvania, pitching for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in the International League. He made twenty-five appearance (seven starts), pitching to a 4.91 earned run average with seventy-three strikeouts in fifty-eight and two-thirds innings, before being released by the Phillies on July 15th. On July 27th, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim signed Vogelsong and assigned him to the Class AAA Salt Lake City Bees of Salt Lake City, Utah in the Pacific Coast League. He made seven starts and one relief appearance here, with a line of a 4.66 earned run average, with thirty-seven strikeouts in thirty-six and two-thirds innings pitched. Vogelsong was granted free agency at the end of the season, and he was discovered by the organization that drafted him, the San Francisco Giants. He spent the winter pitching in the Venezuelan Winter League, which he later said had a huge effect on his future performance. The Giants placed him with Fresno again, but an early season injury to Barry Zito gave Vogelsong a chance to return to the major leagues for the first time in five years. He stepped into Zito's fifth slot in the rotation, and excelled in the role for the Giants. He was selected by his own manager, Bruce Bochy, for the 2011 All-Star Game, although he did not make an appearance in the game itself. He experienced a second half regression, but maintained his spot in the rotation, and ended the year as arguably the best starter on a San Francisco staff that presumably had three other aces in Matt Cain, Tim Lincecum, and Madison Bumgarner. He ended the year with a 2.71 earned run average, as well as 139 strikeouts in 179 and 2/3 innings, although his 13-7 record was deceiving. Five of his losses came during a power outage for the Giants offense. He was named the 2011 Willie Mac Award winner for his demonstration of spirit and leadership that the award's namesake, Willie McCovey, frequently showed for the Giants, as well as being named Giants breakout player of the year. Vogelsong began 2012 on the disabled list, and returned after two more rehabilitation starts in Fresno to pitch with the Giants. While his numbers were not as good as the year before, he held a 14-9 record with eight no-decisions, while posting a 3.37 earned run average and 158 strikeouts in 189 and 2/3 innings. He was snubbed for the All-Star Game despite having the lowest earned run average in the National League midway through the season, but he did not let it deter him from a team-first philosophy. Vogelsong was a vital part of the Giants postseason rotation as well, with a 3-0 record as well as one no-decision. He saved the San Francisco on a handful of occasions, beginning a three-game win streak against the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Division Series to avoid a first round elimination. While he did not get the win in that game, the team won in the tenth inning. Vogelsong also had two wins against the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship Series, evening the seven-game set in both Game 2 for a 1-1 series tie and then by forcing a decisive Game 7 after defeating the Cardinals again at home in Game 6. His postseason finale was five and two-thirds shutout innings in Game 3 against the Detroit Tigers in the World Series, which placed the Tigers in a stranglehold they failed to escape the next day when Matt Cain clinched a San Francisco World Series Championship. His postseason numbers were a 1.09 earned run average and twenty-one strikeouts in twenty-four and two-thirds innings pitched. Vogelsong's long and winding journey tells us a lot about our own lives as well, showing that determination, perseverance, and second chances can put us on top of the world. Originally though of as a castoff, Vogelsong did whatever was necessary to return to Major League Baseball, and was rewarded by the Giants. He in turn helped them to a championship, so far the pinnacle for a thirty-five year old who hopes to continue his newfound success in the years ahead.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Ryan Vogelsong was born on July 22, 1977, in Charlotte, North Carolina. His family moved to Pennsylvania as Vogelsong was growing up, and he graduated from Octorara High School in Atglen, Pennsylvania. He went on to play college baseball from 1996-1998 at Kutztown University in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, where he was drafted in his third year by the San Francisco Giants in the fifth round of the 1998 draft. Vogelsong's professional carer began in the Class A Short-Season Northwest League with the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes of Keizer, Oregon. He excelled in ten starts here, pitching to a 1.77 earned run average, with sixty-six strikeouts in fifty-six innings. He was promoted to the Class A Advanced California League to make four starts near the end of the season, but he struggled mightily in those appearances. He stayed with San Jose for the 1999 season, and improved his statistics to a 2.45 earned run average with eighty-six strikeouts in sixty-nine and two-thirds innings pitched. This earned him a promotion to the Class AA Texas League to play with the Shreveport Captains of Shreveport, Louisiana. Again, in the short stint with a new team, Vogelsong struggled, but he was able to right the ship in 2000 by staying with the Captains. In the next season, he pitched to 4.23 earned run average, with 147 strikeouts in 155 and 1/3 innings, before getting his first major league call up, making his debut on September 7th. He appeared with San Francisco in a relief role, pitching in four games for six innings without allowing a run. Vogelsong was assigned to the Class AAA Fresno Grizzlies in 2001, where he pitched a portion of the season with a 2.79 earned run average, as well as fifty-three strikeouts in fifty-eight innings. Vogelsong returned to San Francisco in late May, and pitched there until he was traded on July 30th with Armando Rios to the Pittsburgh Pirates, in exchange for Jason Schmidt and John Vander Wal. He made two horrendous appearance with the Pirates in September, working out of the bullpen after posting a 3.98 earned run average with thirty-three strikeouts in thirty-one and two-thirds innings with the Class AAA Nashville Sounds of the Pacific Coast League. He suffered an arm injury in his second major league appearance with Pittsburgh, and underwent Tommy John ligament replacement surgery, which cause him to sit out most of the 2002 season. He made rehabilitation appearances in 2002 with the Class A Advanced Lynchburg Hillcats of Lynchburg, Viriginia in the Carolina League, before moving along to the Class AA Altoona Curve in Altoona Pennsylvania, playing in the eastern League. For the year, he had statistics of a 6.22 earned run average, with fifty-five strikeouts in fifty-nine and one-third innings. He returned to play with the Nashville Sounds in 2003 for most of the season, posting a 4.29 earned run average, 146 strikeouts, and 149 innings of work. He also made six major league appearances for Pittsburgh, which were either really good or really bad. He worked in a number of roles with the Pirates, and stuck with them for the entire 2004 season, pitching mostly as a starter. This backfired, and he had a 6-13 record with seven no-decisions and five relief appearances in which he produced a 6.50 earned run average, ninety-two strikeouts, and 133 innings pitched. The Pirates shifted Vogelsong to the bullpen for 2005, where he pitched in forty-four games. He worked mostly in a long relief role, and he accumulated a 4.43 earned run average as well as fifty-two strikeouts in eighty-one and one-third innings. Vogelsong continued to work from the bullpen in 2006, appearing in twenty games. He posted a 6.39 earned run average and twenty-seven strikeouts over thirty-eight innings, and was logically sent down after June 22nd to pitch with the new Class AAA Pirates affiliate in the International League, the Indianapolis Indians. While experiencing modest success as a starter with the Indians by posting a 2.66 earned run average while striking out forty-three over sixty-seven and two-thirds innings, Vogelsong elected for free agency at the end of the season. No one offered a contract, so Vogelsong began his overseas journey. He found himself pitching with the Hanshin Tigers in Nishinomiya, Japan of Nippon Professional Baseball's Japan Central League in 2007. He made twenty starts, accumulating a 4.13 earned run average in 106 and 2/3 innings, while striking out ninety-one. He hit his first home run at any level on April 12, 2007. He pitched with Hanshin again in 2008, making twelve starts with a 3.99 earned run average, fifty strikeouts, and sixty-five and one-third innings. The 2009 season saw another change for Vogelsong, as he pitched with the Orix Buffaloes of Osaka, Japan in the Japan Pacific League. Here, he was used as a reliever in thirty games, pitching to a 4.54 earned run average and fifty-six strikeouts in forty-one and two-thirds innings. On January 7, 2010, Vogelsong was signed as a free agent by the Philadelphia Phillies. He was assigned to their Class AAA affiliate in Allentown, Pennsylvania, pitching for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in the International League. He made twenty-five appearance (seven starts), pitching to a 4.91 earned run average with seventy-three strikeouts in fifty-eight and two-thirds innings, before being released by the Phillies on July 15th. On July 27th, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim signed Vogelsong and assigned him to the Class AAA Salt Lake City Bees of Salt Lake City, Utah in the Pacific Coast League. He made seven starts and one relief appearance here, with a line of a 4.66 earned run average, with thirty-seven strikeouts in thirty-six and two-thirds innings pitched. Vogelsong was granted free agency at the end of the season, and he was discovered by the organization that drafted him, the San Francisco Giants. He spent the winter pitching in the Venezuelan Winter League, which he later said had a huge effect on his future performance. The Giants placed him with Fresno again, but an early season injury to Barry Zito gave Vogelsong a chance to return to the major leagues for the first time in five years. He stepped into Zito's fifth slot in the rotation, and excelled in the role for the Giants. He was selected by his own manager, Bruce Bochy, for the 2011 All-Star Game, although he did not make an appearance in the game itself. He experienced a second half regression, but maintained his spot in the rotation, and ended the year as arguably the best starter on a San Francisco staff that presumably had three other aces in Matt Cain, Tim Lincecum, and Madison Bumgarner. He ended the year with a 2.71 earned run average, as well as 139 strikeouts in 179 and 2/3 innings, although his 13-7 record was deceiving. Five of his losses came during a power outage for the Giants offense. He was named the 2011 Willie Mac Award winner for his demonstration of spirit and leadership that the award's namesake, Willie McCovey, frequently showed for the Giants, as well as being named Giants breakout player of the year. Vogelsong began 2012 on the disabled list, and returned after two more rehabilitation starts in Fresno to pitch with the Giants. While his numbers were not as good as the year before, he held a 14-9 record with eight no-decisions, while posting a 3.37 earned run average and 158 strikeouts in 189 and 2/3 innings. He was snubbed for the All-Star Game despite having the lowest earned run average in the National League midway through the season, but he did not let it deter him from a team-first philosophy. Vogelsong was a vital part of the Giants postseason rotation as well, with a 3-0 record as well as one no-decision. He saved the San Francisco on a handful of occasions, beginning a three-game win streak against the Cincinnati Reds in the National League Division Series to avoid a first round elimination. While he did not get the win in that game, the team won in the tenth inning. Vogelsong also had two wins against the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Championship Series, evening the seven-game set in both Game 2 for a 1-1 series tie and then by forcing a decisive Game 7 after defeating the Cardinals again at home in Game 6. His postseason finale was five and two-thirds shutout innings in Game 3 against the Detroit Tigers in the World Series, which placed the Tigers in a stranglehold they failed to escape the next day when Matt Cain clinched a San Francisco World Series Championship. His postseason numbers were a 1.09 earned run average and twenty-one strikeouts in twenty-four and two-thirds innings pitched. Vogelsong's long and winding journey tells us a lot about our own lives as well, showing that determination, perseverance, and second chances can put us on top of the world. Originally though of as a castoff, Vogelsong did whatever was necessary to return to Major League Baseball, and was rewarded by the Giants. He in turn helped them to a championship, so far the pinnacle for a thirty-five year old who hopes to continue his newfound success in the years ahead.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Friday, November 16, 2012
KHL November 16th 2012
Another eleven games on the schedule in the KHL, starting with...
Avangard Omsk hosting Traktor Chelyabinsk. Andrei Mezin of Traktor and Karri Ramo of Avangard are set to start. Omsk led off in the first period as Georgijs Pujacs scored with the help of Sergei Kalinin. Chelyabinsk tied it with a Jan Bulis goal, with a lone assist by Evgeny Kuznetsov on the power play. Traktor took the lead in the second period as Vladimir Antipov scored, and Yegor Dugin was credited with the assist. Avangard retied the game on a Dmitry Syomin goal, courtesy of Sergei Kostitsyn. Chelyabinsk pulled back ahead as Konstantin Panov scored, assisted by Dugin and Antipov. Omsk retied it in the third period with another goal by Syomin, fueled by Nikita Pivtsakin on the power play. The game required a shootout to determine the winner, which was Traktor by a 4-3 margin after shootout tallies from Panov and Kuznetsov. The three stars were Kuznetsov, Syomin, and Panov, while Dugin and Antipov get the honorable mentions.
To the north, as Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk hosts Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Georgy Gelashvili for Metallurg and Edgards Masalskis for Yugra are the masked men. Khanty-Mansiysk was first on the board with a first period goal from Rinat Ibragimov, assisted by Igor Magogin and Igor Skorokhodov. Magnitogorsk tied it on a power play goal by Sergei Mozyakin, powered by Viktor Antipin. Yugra retook the lead in the second period as Artyom Bulyansky put away an unassisted goal. Khanty-Mansiysk extended the lead in the third period when Marek Troncinsky scored, via Stanislav Bocharov and Anton Krysanov. Metallurg got one back with Denis Platonov scoring, thanks to Mozyakin. They failed to tie the game, leaving the 3-2 win with Yugra, with the three stars being Mozyakin, Troncinsky, and Bulyansky.
South into Kazakhstan, as Barys Astana welcomes Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Evgeny Lobanov for Avtomobilist and Teemu Lassila for Barys are in the blue paint. Astana quickly scored in the first period as Roman Starchenko scored, with the help of Konstantin Rudenko and Victor Hedman. Barys added on with an Alexei Litvinenko power play goal, powered by Talgat Zhailauov and Andrei Gavrilin. Astana struck again when Nigel Dawes potted the puck, with a lone assist credited to Dustin Boyd. Avtomobilist pulled Lobanov at this time in favor of Christopher Holt. Yekaterinburg got on the board with an unassisted power play goal by Sergei Gusev. Barys answered in the second period on a Mikhail Rakhanov goal, fueled by Vitaly Novopashin and Dawes. Avtomobilist replied as Fyodor Malykhin netted the puck, and Nikita Tryamkin and Evgeny Lapenkov were credited with the assists on the power play goal. Astana scored again in the third period on an unassisted Litvinenko power play goal. Barys padded the lead as Brandon Bochenski recorded a goal, guided in by Novopashin and Hedman. Astana finished the scoring at 7-2 when Dmitry Upper scored a goal, made possible by Rudenko. The three stars belong to Litvinenko, Dawes, and Novopashin, while Hedman and Rudenko get the honorable mentions.
Way to the west, we land in Yaroslavl, as Lokomotiv hosts Lev Praha. Jakub Stepanek for Lev and Curtis Sanford for Lokomotiv are in between the pipes. Praha got going in the second period as Nathan Oystrick scored an unassisted goal. Yaroslavl tied it in the third period when Alexander Chernikov potted the puck, thanks to Yury Petrov and Yegor Averin. Lokomotiv won it 2-1 in overtime as Staffan Kronwall scored, with a lone assist from Sergei Plotnikov. Kronwall, Sanford (34 for 35 in saves), and Chernikov earn the three stars.
Northeast and back in Russia, Severstal Cherepovets host Dynamo Moscow. Alexei Volkov for Dynamo and Vasily Koshechkin for Severstal receive the starting nods. Cherepovets began in the first period as Alexander Fedoseyev scored, with guidance from Teemu Laasko. Severstal extended the lead in the second period on an Ignat Zemchenko goal, fueled by Nikolai Kazakovtsev and Alexei Medvedev. Moscow got on the board as Richard Gynge potted the puck, thanks to Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Ovechkin. Dynamo tied the game in the third period when Dominik Granak scored, with the help of Denis Kokarev and Alexei Tsvetkov. Cherepovets regained the lead on a Evgeny Ketov goal, made possible by Gennady Stolyarov and Vadim Shipachyov. Severstal made it 4-2 after Backstrom was called for hooking on the breakaway, which resulted in a successful penalty shot by Zemchenko. This was a final, with the three stars going to Zemchenko, Ketov, and Koshechkin (33 for 35 in saves).
A little to the east, as Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod brings in CSKA Moscow. Rastislav Stana for CSKA and Vitaly Koval for Torpedo are wearing the pads. Moscow was first on the board in the first period as Alexander Radulov scored a power play goal with a lone assist by Pavel Datsyuk. Radulov added on to CSKA lead later with his second goal of the game, assisted by Yakov Rylov and Datsyuk, also on the power play. Nizhny Novgorod got on the board as Mikhail Varnakov scored, with the help of Alexander Syomin. Moscow shot back as Patrick Davis netted the puck, thanks to Janis Sprukts. CSKA extended the lead in the second period as Niklas Persson scored, guided in by Ilya Zubov. Moscow kept going in the third period when Vladimir Zharkov struck with a power play goal, powered by Persson and Maxim Kondratyev. CSKA put the game away at 6-1 with a Mikhail Grabovsky goal, set up by Datsyuk, who got the three-assist sock trick, and Rylov. The three stars belong to Radulov, Datsyuk, and Persson, with an honorable mention for Rylov and Stana (26 for 27 in saves).
Speaking of Moscow, we head southwest to there as Spartak hosts Ak Bars Kazan. Konstantin Barulin for Ak Bars and Sergei Borisov of Spartak are in the creases. Kazan struck first in the first period as Ilya Nikulin scored, thanks to Artyom Lukoyanov. Ak Bars extended the lead as Denis Kulyash potted the puck, with the help of Evgeny Skachkov and Lukoyanov. Moscow got on the board in the second period when Andrei Shefer scored, fueled by Oleg Petrov and Alexander Suglobov. Kazan answered in the third period on a Lauris Darzins goal, made possible by Denis Golubev and Evgeny Medvedev. This produced the 3-1 final, with the three stars being Lukoyanov, Kulyash, and Barulin (39 for 40 in saves).
Staying in the oblast, we head north to Mytishchi as Atlant Moscow Oblast hosts Slovan Bratislava. Jaroslav Janus for Slovan and Stanislav Galimov for Atlant are the designated goalies. Bratislava opened in the first period on a Peter Olvecky goal, courtesy of Andrej Sekera. Slovan extended the lead in the second period as Mario Bliznak scored, thanks to Martin Stajnoch and Lubomir Visnovsky. This was all they needed for a 2-0 win, and the three stars went to Janus (28 save shutout), Olvecky, and Bliznak.
To the south, Vityaz Chekhov welcomes SKA St. Petersburg. Sergei Bobrovsky for SKA and Ivan Kasutin for Vityaz tend the twines. Chekhov led off in the first period as Alexei Badyukov scored, with a lone assist from Nikita Dvurechensky. Vityaz added on as Brian Fahey scored, thanks to Vyacheslav Kulyomin. St. Petersburg got on the board with a Maxim Afinogenov goal, made possible by Tony Martensson and Alexei Semenov. SKA tied it in the third period as Martensson scored, with the help of Maxim Chudinov. St. Petersburg took the lead late on an Ilya Kovalchuk goal, set up by Vladimir Tarasenko and Alexander Kucheryavenko with just forty-two seconds remaining. They held on for the win, and the three stars were given to Martensson, Kovalchuk, and Badyukov.
Further south, Donbass Donetsk brings in Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Vadim Tarasov for Salavat Yulaev and Jan Laco for Donbass guard the cages. Ufa was first on the board with a first period goal by Alexander Stepanov, fueled by Oleg Saprykin and Sergei Yemelin. Donetsk tied it in the second period as Evgeny Belukhin scored, thanks to Denis Kochetkov and Tomas Matousek. Donbass took the lead on an Alexei Ponikarovsky goal, set up by Ruslan Fedotenko. Donetsk extended the lead in the third period on a Tuomas Kiiskenen goal, assisted by Evgeny Dadonov. Donbass iced the game at 4-1 when Kochetkov scored, and the helpers came from Belukhin and Matousek. This was a final, with the three stars going to Belukhin, Kochetkov, and Laco (28 for 29 in saves), while Matousek gets an honorable mention.
Finally, we end in Nizhnekamsk, as Neftekhimik hosts Dinamo Riga. Mikael Tellqvist for Dinamo and Maxim Sokolov for Neftekhimik are in net. Riga began with a first period power play goal by Kaspars Daugavins, powered by Aleksandrs Nizivijs and Paul Szczechura. Nizhnekamsk replied with a Maxim Pestushko power play goal, made possible by Renat Mamashev and Alexander Seluyanov. Dinamo retook the lead as Alexandre Giroux scored, thanks to Nizivijs. Riga padded the lead with a Miks Andrasis goal, courtesy of Jamie Johnson. Neftekhimik got one back as Stanislav Alshevsky potted the puck, with the help of Yaroslav Alshevsky and Pyotr Khokhryakov. Dinamo responded in the second period as Maris Bicevskis scored a goal, helped along by Guntis Galvins and Raitis Ivanans. Riga struck again with a Gints Meija goal, pushed in by Daugavins and Bicevskis. Nizhnekamsk got one back as Pestushko scored, via Petr Koukal and Mamashev. Neftekhimik pulled closer with an unassisted goal by Tomas Netik. Dinamo answered on a Martins Karsums goal, guided in by Johnson and Arvids Rekis. The third period stood in stark contrast to the other two, with no scoring leaving the final as a 6-4 Dinamo win. The three stars are given to Daugavins, Pestushko, and Bicevskis, while the honorable mentions go to Nizivijs, Mamashev, and Johnson.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Avangard Omsk hosting Traktor Chelyabinsk. Andrei Mezin of Traktor and Karri Ramo of Avangard are set to start. Omsk led off in the first period as Georgijs Pujacs scored with the help of Sergei Kalinin. Chelyabinsk tied it with a Jan Bulis goal, with a lone assist by Evgeny Kuznetsov on the power play. Traktor took the lead in the second period as Vladimir Antipov scored, and Yegor Dugin was credited with the assist. Avangard retied the game on a Dmitry Syomin goal, courtesy of Sergei Kostitsyn. Chelyabinsk pulled back ahead as Konstantin Panov scored, assisted by Dugin and Antipov. Omsk retied it in the third period with another goal by Syomin, fueled by Nikita Pivtsakin on the power play. The game required a shootout to determine the winner, which was Traktor by a 4-3 margin after shootout tallies from Panov and Kuznetsov. The three stars were Kuznetsov, Syomin, and Panov, while Dugin and Antipov get the honorable mentions.
To the north, as Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk hosts Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Georgy Gelashvili for Metallurg and Edgards Masalskis for Yugra are the masked men. Khanty-Mansiysk was first on the board with a first period goal from Rinat Ibragimov, assisted by Igor Magogin and Igor Skorokhodov. Magnitogorsk tied it on a power play goal by Sergei Mozyakin, powered by Viktor Antipin. Yugra retook the lead in the second period as Artyom Bulyansky put away an unassisted goal. Khanty-Mansiysk extended the lead in the third period when Marek Troncinsky scored, via Stanislav Bocharov and Anton Krysanov. Metallurg got one back with Denis Platonov scoring, thanks to Mozyakin. They failed to tie the game, leaving the 3-2 win with Yugra, with the three stars being Mozyakin, Troncinsky, and Bulyansky.
South into Kazakhstan, as Barys Astana welcomes Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg. Evgeny Lobanov for Avtomobilist and Teemu Lassila for Barys are in the blue paint. Astana quickly scored in the first period as Roman Starchenko scored, with the help of Konstantin Rudenko and Victor Hedman. Barys added on with an Alexei Litvinenko power play goal, powered by Talgat Zhailauov and Andrei Gavrilin. Astana struck again when Nigel Dawes potted the puck, with a lone assist credited to Dustin Boyd. Avtomobilist pulled Lobanov at this time in favor of Christopher Holt. Yekaterinburg got on the board with an unassisted power play goal by Sergei Gusev. Barys answered in the second period on a Mikhail Rakhanov goal, fueled by Vitaly Novopashin and Dawes. Avtomobilist replied as Fyodor Malykhin netted the puck, and Nikita Tryamkin and Evgeny Lapenkov were credited with the assists on the power play goal. Astana scored again in the third period on an unassisted Litvinenko power play goal. Barys padded the lead as Brandon Bochenski recorded a goal, guided in by Novopashin and Hedman. Astana finished the scoring at 7-2 when Dmitry Upper scored a goal, made possible by Rudenko. The three stars belong to Litvinenko, Dawes, and Novopashin, while Hedman and Rudenko get the honorable mentions.
Way to the west, we land in Yaroslavl, as Lokomotiv hosts Lev Praha. Jakub Stepanek for Lev and Curtis Sanford for Lokomotiv are in between the pipes. Praha got going in the second period as Nathan Oystrick scored an unassisted goal. Yaroslavl tied it in the third period when Alexander Chernikov potted the puck, thanks to Yury Petrov and Yegor Averin. Lokomotiv won it 2-1 in overtime as Staffan Kronwall scored, with a lone assist from Sergei Plotnikov. Kronwall, Sanford (34 for 35 in saves), and Chernikov earn the three stars.
Northeast and back in Russia, Severstal Cherepovets host Dynamo Moscow. Alexei Volkov for Dynamo and Vasily Koshechkin for Severstal receive the starting nods. Cherepovets began in the first period as Alexander Fedoseyev scored, with guidance from Teemu Laasko. Severstal extended the lead in the second period on an Ignat Zemchenko goal, fueled by Nikolai Kazakovtsev and Alexei Medvedev. Moscow got on the board as Richard Gynge potted the puck, thanks to Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Ovechkin. Dynamo tied the game in the third period when Dominik Granak scored, with the help of Denis Kokarev and Alexei Tsvetkov. Cherepovets regained the lead on a Evgeny Ketov goal, made possible by Gennady Stolyarov and Vadim Shipachyov. Severstal made it 4-2 after Backstrom was called for hooking on the breakaway, which resulted in a successful penalty shot by Zemchenko. This was a final, with the three stars going to Zemchenko, Ketov, and Koshechkin (33 for 35 in saves).
A little to the east, as Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod brings in CSKA Moscow. Rastislav Stana for CSKA and Vitaly Koval for Torpedo are wearing the pads. Moscow was first on the board in the first period as Alexander Radulov scored a power play goal with a lone assist by Pavel Datsyuk. Radulov added on to CSKA lead later with his second goal of the game, assisted by Yakov Rylov and Datsyuk, also on the power play. Nizhny Novgorod got on the board as Mikhail Varnakov scored, with the help of Alexander Syomin. Moscow shot back as Patrick Davis netted the puck, thanks to Janis Sprukts. CSKA extended the lead in the second period as Niklas Persson scored, guided in by Ilya Zubov. Moscow kept going in the third period when Vladimir Zharkov struck with a power play goal, powered by Persson and Maxim Kondratyev. CSKA put the game away at 6-1 with a Mikhail Grabovsky goal, set up by Datsyuk, who got the three-assist sock trick, and Rylov. The three stars belong to Radulov, Datsyuk, and Persson, with an honorable mention for Rylov and Stana (26 for 27 in saves).
Speaking of Moscow, we head southwest to there as Spartak hosts Ak Bars Kazan. Konstantin Barulin for Ak Bars and Sergei Borisov of Spartak are in the creases. Kazan struck first in the first period as Ilya Nikulin scored, thanks to Artyom Lukoyanov. Ak Bars extended the lead as Denis Kulyash potted the puck, with the help of Evgeny Skachkov and Lukoyanov. Moscow got on the board in the second period when Andrei Shefer scored, fueled by Oleg Petrov and Alexander Suglobov. Kazan answered in the third period on a Lauris Darzins goal, made possible by Denis Golubev and Evgeny Medvedev. This produced the 3-1 final, with the three stars being Lukoyanov, Kulyash, and Barulin (39 for 40 in saves).
Staying in the oblast, we head north to Mytishchi as Atlant Moscow Oblast hosts Slovan Bratislava. Jaroslav Janus for Slovan and Stanislav Galimov for Atlant are the designated goalies. Bratislava opened in the first period on a Peter Olvecky goal, courtesy of Andrej Sekera. Slovan extended the lead in the second period as Mario Bliznak scored, thanks to Martin Stajnoch and Lubomir Visnovsky. This was all they needed for a 2-0 win, and the three stars went to Janus (28 save shutout), Olvecky, and Bliznak.
To the south, Vityaz Chekhov welcomes SKA St. Petersburg. Sergei Bobrovsky for SKA and Ivan Kasutin for Vityaz tend the twines. Chekhov led off in the first period as Alexei Badyukov scored, with a lone assist from Nikita Dvurechensky. Vityaz added on as Brian Fahey scored, thanks to Vyacheslav Kulyomin. St. Petersburg got on the board with a Maxim Afinogenov goal, made possible by Tony Martensson and Alexei Semenov. SKA tied it in the third period as Martensson scored, with the help of Maxim Chudinov. St. Petersburg took the lead late on an Ilya Kovalchuk goal, set up by Vladimir Tarasenko and Alexander Kucheryavenko with just forty-two seconds remaining. They held on for the win, and the three stars were given to Martensson, Kovalchuk, and Badyukov.
Further south, Donbass Donetsk brings in Salavat Yulaev Ufa. Vadim Tarasov for Salavat Yulaev and Jan Laco for Donbass guard the cages. Ufa was first on the board with a first period goal by Alexander Stepanov, fueled by Oleg Saprykin and Sergei Yemelin. Donetsk tied it in the second period as Evgeny Belukhin scored, thanks to Denis Kochetkov and Tomas Matousek. Donbass took the lead on an Alexei Ponikarovsky goal, set up by Ruslan Fedotenko. Donetsk extended the lead in the third period on a Tuomas Kiiskenen goal, assisted by Evgeny Dadonov. Donbass iced the game at 4-1 when Kochetkov scored, and the helpers came from Belukhin and Matousek. This was a final, with the three stars going to Belukhin, Kochetkov, and Laco (28 for 29 in saves), while Matousek gets an honorable mention.
Finally, we end in Nizhnekamsk, as Neftekhimik hosts Dinamo Riga. Mikael Tellqvist for Dinamo and Maxim Sokolov for Neftekhimik are in net. Riga began with a first period power play goal by Kaspars Daugavins, powered by Aleksandrs Nizivijs and Paul Szczechura. Nizhnekamsk replied with a Maxim Pestushko power play goal, made possible by Renat Mamashev and Alexander Seluyanov. Dinamo retook the lead as Alexandre Giroux scored, thanks to Nizivijs. Riga padded the lead with a Miks Andrasis goal, courtesy of Jamie Johnson. Neftekhimik got one back as Stanislav Alshevsky potted the puck, with the help of Yaroslav Alshevsky and Pyotr Khokhryakov. Dinamo responded in the second period as Maris Bicevskis scored a goal, helped along by Guntis Galvins and Raitis Ivanans. Riga struck again with a Gints Meija goal, pushed in by Daugavins and Bicevskis. Nizhnekamsk got one back as Pestushko scored, via Petr Koukal and Mamashev. Neftekhimik pulled closer with an unassisted goal by Tomas Netik. Dinamo answered on a Martins Karsums goal, guided in by Johnson and Arvids Rekis. The third period stood in stark contrast to the other two, with no scoring leaving the final as a 6-4 Dinamo win. The three stars are given to Daugavins, Pestushko, and Bicevskis, while the honorable mentions go to Nizivijs, Mamashev, and Johnson.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
How They Got Here: The Story of the 2012 San Francisco Giants Part 19
How They Got Here: The San Francisco Giants is a
one-by-one look at how each member of the 2012 World Series Champion San
Francisco Giants found their way to the squad. We'll look at all of the
players on the roster, as well as notable players who did not make the
postseason roster for whatever reason and the coaching staff and general
manager. Part nineteen is about eccentric reliever Brian Wilson.
Brian Wilson was born on March 16, 1982, in Winchester, Massachusetts. He grew up in Londonderry, New Hampshire, and attended Londonderry High School there as well. During his teen years, Wilson matured quickly due to his father's five-year battle with cancer, which he, tragically, ultimately lost. This developed a rough edge for Wilson, and led him to challenge authority on occasion, but his fiery personality did not deter the Cleveland Indians from drafting him out of high school in the 2000 draft. Wilson, a thirtieth round selection, opted not to sign, and went to college at Louisiana State University. He was in his junior year of college, where he was excelling at baseball, when he suffered an elbow injury that required Tommy John ligament replacement surgery. Despite the extensive rehabilitation ahead, Wilson was a twenty-fourth round pick of the San Francisco Giants. He finally made a professional debut in 2004, pitching with the Hagerstown Suns of Hagerstown, Maryland, in the South Atlantic League at the Class A level. In twenty-three appearances (three starts; he opted to become a reliever after a lack of success starting) he pitched to a 5.34 earned run average with forty-one strikeouts in fifty-seven and one-third innings. He worked his way through the ranks in 2005, beginning with San Francisco's new Class A affiliate, the Augusta Greenjackets of Augusta, Georgia, in the South Atlanta League first, where he pitched in twenty-six games, over half of his total for the season. Notably, he worked in a closer role for part of the season, throwing thirteen saves while posting a 0.82 earned run average with thirty strikeouts in thirty-three innings. He stepped up to the Class AA Norwich Navigators of Norwich, Connecticut in the Eastern League next, where his numbers read 0.57 for earned run average, eight saves, twenty-two strikeouts, fifteen and two-thirds innings of work, all over fifteen games. He made a late season stint with the Class AAA Fresno Grizzlies of the Pacific Coast League, where he threw a 3.97 earned run average in eleven and one-third innings with thirteen strikeouts. Wilson bounced around a bit in 2006, starting with the Grizzlies but earning a major league call up, where he made his major league debut on April 23, 2006. While it wasn't known when he was pitching, he injured himself in the first of two innings he pitched, and he was placed on the disabled list after that. He made his rehabilitation appearance with the San Jose Giants of the Class A Advanced California League. Wilson appeared in five games before returning to Fresno, where he stayed for nearly a month before rejoining the major league Giants. Overall, the back-and-forth season saw Wilson pitch to a 2.89 earned run average in Fresno and a 5.40 in San Francisco. He totaled fifty-three strikeouts for the year as well as fifty-nine innings. Wilson was the designated closer for San Francisco in the 2007 spring training, but struggled in the role and was sent down to the Grizzlies for most of the year. Here, he had a line of a 2.10 earned run average, eleven saves, thirty-seven strikeouts, and thirty-four and one-third innings. He returned to the majors on August 11th, and closed out six games while posting a 2.28 earned run average with eighteen strikeouts in twenty-three and two-thirds innings. Wilson was named the full-time closer ahead of the 2008 season, and finally had his breakthrough season, earning an All-Star bid midway through the season. While his overall numbers of a 4.62 earned run average with sixty-seven strikeouts in sixty-two and one-third innings were unimpressive to many, his forty-one saves in forty-seven chances spoke well of progress. Wilson kept the closer role in 2009, and rewarded the team's faith in him with thirty-eight saves in forty-five chances, while holding a 2.74 earned run average, nearly two runs lower than the previous season. He also struck out eighty-three batters in seventy-two and one-third innings in one of his heaviest professional workloads. He also became a local star through his Life of Brian reality show. The media attention and strong pitching both continued in 2010, as he earned his second All-Star nomination en route to a dominant 1.81 earned run average, ninety-three strikeouts, and seventy-four and two-thirds innings. Additionally, Wilson led the National League in saves with forty-eight, and blew just three save chances all season. With stability in pitching across the board, the Giants made a postseason appearance, with Wilson making ten appearance against the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and Texas Rangers in the playoffs. His first playoff appearance could be attributed to butterflies (although with the cool and calm Wilson, this is not a solid assumption), as he blew a save by allowing an unearned run against the Braves in two innings of work. Over the next nine and two-thirds innings, Wilson was virtually unhittable, allowing nine baserunners while striking out sixteen batters, and throughout the time he posted a perfect 0.00 earned run average. Wilson capped the run off with a Game 5 strikeout in the World Series against the Rangers, allowing the Giants to claim a World Series title that Wilson had a very big role in making happen. His predominant jet-black beard gained a fair amount of TV time throughout the run, and the Fear the Beard campaign that Wilson and teammate Sergio Romo put together got widespread attention. The attention did not subside in 2011, and Wilson didn't either. He remained an elite closer, while pitching to a 3.11 earned run average with fifty-four strikeouts in fifty-five innings, while also turning thirty-six saves. He also pitched in his third All-Star Game, recording the save as the National League won, under the watchful eye of his manager Bruce Bochy. However, Wilson and the Giants appeared to have a bit of a championship hangover, and failed to make the playoffs. The 2012 season was sour for Wilson as well, as he pitched in only two games before suffering another arm injury requiring Tommy John surgery on April 12th. The surgery was on April 19th, and Wilson remained upbeat in the dugout, supporting his Giants teammates as he was left a spectator for their second World Series Championship in three years. While the list of players to be successful after two Tommy John surgeries is short, Wilson likely hopes he can return to an elite level and help San Francisco defend their title in 2013.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Brian Wilson was born on March 16, 1982, in Winchester, Massachusetts. He grew up in Londonderry, New Hampshire, and attended Londonderry High School there as well. During his teen years, Wilson matured quickly due to his father's five-year battle with cancer, which he, tragically, ultimately lost. This developed a rough edge for Wilson, and led him to challenge authority on occasion, but his fiery personality did not deter the Cleveland Indians from drafting him out of high school in the 2000 draft. Wilson, a thirtieth round selection, opted not to sign, and went to college at Louisiana State University. He was in his junior year of college, where he was excelling at baseball, when he suffered an elbow injury that required Tommy John ligament replacement surgery. Despite the extensive rehabilitation ahead, Wilson was a twenty-fourth round pick of the San Francisco Giants. He finally made a professional debut in 2004, pitching with the Hagerstown Suns of Hagerstown, Maryland, in the South Atlantic League at the Class A level. In twenty-three appearances (three starts; he opted to become a reliever after a lack of success starting) he pitched to a 5.34 earned run average with forty-one strikeouts in fifty-seven and one-third innings. He worked his way through the ranks in 2005, beginning with San Francisco's new Class A affiliate, the Augusta Greenjackets of Augusta, Georgia, in the South Atlanta League first, where he pitched in twenty-six games, over half of his total for the season. Notably, he worked in a closer role for part of the season, throwing thirteen saves while posting a 0.82 earned run average with thirty strikeouts in thirty-three innings. He stepped up to the Class AA Norwich Navigators of Norwich, Connecticut in the Eastern League next, where his numbers read 0.57 for earned run average, eight saves, twenty-two strikeouts, fifteen and two-thirds innings of work, all over fifteen games. He made a late season stint with the Class AAA Fresno Grizzlies of the Pacific Coast League, where he threw a 3.97 earned run average in eleven and one-third innings with thirteen strikeouts. Wilson bounced around a bit in 2006, starting with the Grizzlies but earning a major league call up, where he made his major league debut on April 23, 2006. While it wasn't known when he was pitching, he injured himself in the first of two innings he pitched, and he was placed on the disabled list after that. He made his rehabilitation appearance with the San Jose Giants of the Class A Advanced California League. Wilson appeared in five games before returning to Fresno, where he stayed for nearly a month before rejoining the major league Giants. Overall, the back-and-forth season saw Wilson pitch to a 2.89 earned run average in Fresno and a 5.40 in San Francisco. He totaled fifty-three strikeouts for the year as well as fifty-nine innings. Wilson was the designated closer for San Francisco in the 2007 spring training, but struggled in the role and was sent down to the Grizzlies for most of the year. Here, he had a line of a 2.10 earned run average, eleven saves, thirty-seven strikeouts, and thirty-four and one-third innings. He returned to the majors on August 11th, and closed out six games while posting a 2.28 earned run average with eighteen strikeouts in twenty-three and two-thirds innings. Wilson was named the full-time closer ahead of the 2008 season, and finally had his breakthrough season, earning an All-Star bid midway through the season. While his overall numbers of a 4.62 earned run average with sixty-seven strikeouts in sixty-two and one-third innings were unimpressive to many, his forty-one saves in forty-seven chances spoke well of progress. Wilson kept the closer role in 2009, and rewarded the team's faith in him with thirty-eight saves in forty-five chances, while holding a 2.74 earned run average, nearly two runs lower than the previous season. He also struck out eighty-three batters in seventy-two and one-third innings in one of his heaviest professional workloads. He also became a local star through his Life of Brian reality show. The media attention and strong pitching both continued in 2010, as he earned his second All-Star nomination en route to a dominant 1.81 earned run average, ninety-three strikeouts, and seventy-four and two-thirds innings. Additionally, Wilson led the National League in saves with forty-eight, and blew just three save chances all season. With stability in pitching across the board, the Giants made a postseason appearance, with Wilson making ten appearance against the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and Texas Rangers in the playoffs. His first playoff appearance could be attributed to butterflies (although with the cool and calm Wilson, this is not a solid assumption), as he blew a save by allowing an unearned run against the Braves in two innings of work. Over the next nine and two-thirds innings, Wilson was virtually unhittable, allowing nine baserunners while striking out sixteen batters, and throughout the time he posted a perfect 0.00 earned run average. Wilson capped the run off with a Game 5 strikeout in the World Series against the Rangers, allowing the Giants to claim a World Series title that Wilson had a very big role in making happen. His predominant jet-black beard gained a fair amount of TV time throughout the run, and the Fear the Beard campaign that Wilson and teammate Sergio Romo put together got widespread attention. The attention did not subside in 2011, and Wilson didn't either. He remained an elite closer, while pitching to a 3.11 earned run average with fifty-four strikeouts in fifty-five innings, while also turning thirty-six saves. He also pitched in his third All-Star Game, recording the save as the National League won, under the watchful eye of his manager Bruce Bochy. However, Wilson and the Giants appeared to have a bit of a championship hangover, and failed to make the playoffs. The 2012 season was sour for Wilson as well, as he pitched in only two games before suffering another arm injury requiring Tommy John surgery on April 12th. The surgery was on April 19th, and Wilson remained upbeat in the dugout, supporting his Giants teammates as he was left a spectator for their second World Series Championship in three years. While the list of players to be successful after two Tommy John surgeries is short, Wilson likely hopes he can return to an elite level and help San Francisco defend their title in 2013.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Thursday Night Football Week 11 2012
Thursday Night Football headlines the last of the bye weeks (and therefore the last of my partial-workload weeks as well). Tonight's games is a battle between AFC East... cellar dwellers, as the Buffalo Bills host the Miami Dolphins. Buffalo began with a 79 yard punt return by Leodis McKelvin for a touchdown, and Rian Lindell made the extra point. The Bills added on as Lindell booted a 32 yard field goal. Miami replied on the ensuing kickoff with a 96 yard return for a touchdown by Marcus Thigpen, and Dan Carpenter handled the extra point. Buffalo replied with a 34 yard field goal. The Bills continued in the second quarter as Lindell was true on a 42 yard field goal. Buffalo got some more as Lindell knocked in a 19 yard field goal. The Dolphins pulled back a bit in the fourth quarter as Ryan Tannehill passed 2 yards to Davone Bess for a touchdown, and Carpenter made the PAT. They failed to tie the game, losing 19-14, with both teams now at 4-6.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Subscribe to:
Posts
(
Atom
)