By Bob Loblaw, Voice Writer
June 5, 2008
LOS ANGELES, CA. — $4.25 for gas?! It seems ridiculous, but in the baseball market some people are paying $110 million for 'gas'. We're talking about Major League pitchers here. The ones who can blow a fastball by you at 97 mph.
Recently, highly-touted Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka signed a $110 million contract to pitch for the Boston Red Sox. A staggering $51 million of that contract was paid by the Sox just to have the opportunity to talk to Daisuke and negotiate a contract!
And you thought that we were in a recession.
Not so in the major leagues, where the New York Mets will pay $137.5 million over six years for the services of ace pitcher Johan Santana. With that kind of money being thrown around by big-time ball clubs it won't be long before most teams get involved in the 'arms' race.
When Binh Tran took control of the Marauders almost a year ago, the team had finished the season 2-5, with a disappointing first-round exit in the playoffs. It seemed almost a certainty that the franchise would be sold to the highest bidder. But after some soul searching and the influence of a new scouting director Dominic Lau, the Pewter Pirates are reloaded and ready for another exciting season.
June 5, 2008
LOS ANGELES, CA. — $4.25 for gas?! It seems ridiculous, but in the baseball market some people are paying $110 million for 'gas'. We're talking about Major League pitchers here. The ones who can blow a fastball by you at 97 mph.
Recently, highly-touted Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka signed a $110 million contract to pitch for the Boston Red Sox. A staggering $51 million of that contract was paid by the Sox just to have the opportunity to talk to Daisuke and negotiate a contract!And you thought that we were in a recession.
Not so in the major leagues, where the New York Mets will pay $137.5 million over six years for the services of ace pitcher Johan Santana. With that kind of money being thrown around by big-time ball clubs it won't be long before most teams get involved in the 'arms' race.
When Binh Tran took control of the Marauders almost a year ago, the team had finished the season 2-5, with a disappointing first-round exit in the playoffs. It seemed almost a certainty that the franchise would be sold to the highest bidder. But after some soul searching and the influence of a new scouting director Dominic Lau, the Pewter Pirates are reloaded and ready for another exciting season.
What keyed this dramatic turnaround?
"Practice," says Tran. "We sent almost everyone on the team to play in the winter leagues during the off-season and I liked the improvement I saw. Dom [Lau] knew of two winter leagues in Arcadia and Glendale where our fielders could sharpen their skills and our batters could get some good cuts in."
And it seems that their efforts have paid off. Asked how the winter teams have fared, Lau responded, "Well we were a little out of our league playing with heavy hitters in Arcadia, but we learned a lot. The Glendale league finishes up this weekend and we're in the playoffs, so we'll see. We're playing like a team and constantly battling - there's a lot to be excited about."Indeed. Some of the biggest news floating around the ball club is that Tran and Lau recently traveled to China and Indonesia to scout out talent for the new season. Rumors have it that the duo wanted to look for prospective players in Asian countries where baseball isn't as popular, hoping that they could get the scoop on the competition and beef-up their lineup.
"Unfortunately," Tran remarked candidly "even with all of the practice and conditioning the team put in during the off-season, I still thought we needed more. And we knew we could get some good talent on the cheap in China. I mean, I just bought Indiana Jones 4 on DVD for $3!"
Lau had some similar feelings about the team's needs. "We've got a solid team, don't get me wrong...but another big bat or a golden glove wouldn't hurt. Plus, traveling to China means we get to explore some of the local food and culture and I'm all for that!"
In fact, the Chinese media reported several disturbances taking place in Hong Kong during the late hours of the evening as, allegedly, Tran, Lau and a couple of hand-picked prospects enjoyed some of the local brew. While Hong Kong police said that it was nothing out of the ordinary, they reminded this reporter that foreign travelers should be cautious about attracting attention to themselves on empty streets.
"That wasn't us at all!" Tran said. "Dom and I were preparing for some early-morning meetings with Chinese coaches at the Olympic training facilities. We were in our hotels working on our presentations and getting some good sleep. Those guys just looked like us - probably some locals."
Putting the gossip columns aside, the owner and his new scouting manager found plenty of raw athletic talent to develop while visiting China.
One particular prospect is a short-stop who goes by the name of "Lolo" and who, after getting his travel visa in order, looks to be an important part of the Marauder's tournament roster. "He's a five tool player," said Lau. "He's going to be a big bat in the line-up, as long as we can get him out of Hong Kong."
Look to see Lolo in action in mid-July...and look to see the Marauders put up some stiff competition this season.
*****************
New recruits that have joined the Marauders this year:
Adnan Choudhary (RF)
Chuck Hall (CF)
Candace House (C, Utility)
Marly Miller (Utility)
Meghan Lieberman-Moore (1B)
Carolyn Suckow (C, Utility)
In fact, the Chinese media reported several disturbances taking place in Hong Kong during the late hours of the evening as, allegedly, Tran, Lau and a couple of hand-picked prospects enjoyed some of the local brew. While Hong Kong police said that it was nothing out of the ordinary, they reminded this reporter that foreign travelers should be cautious about attracting attention to themselves on empty streets."That wasn't us at all!" Tran said. "Dom and I were preparing for some early-morning meetings with Chinese coaches at the Olympic training facilities. We were in our hotels working on our presentations and getting some good sleep. Those guys just looked like us - probably some locals."
Putting the gossip columns aside, the owner and his new scouting manager found plenty of raw athletic talent to develop while visiting China.
One particular prospect is a short-stop who goes by the name of "Lolo" and who, after getting his travel visa in order, looks to be an important part of the Marauder's tournament roster. "He's a five tool player," said Lau. "He's going to be a big bat in the line-up, as long as we can get him out of Hong Kong."
Look to see Lolo in action in mid-July...and look to see the Marauders put up some stiff competition this season.
*****************
New recruits that have joined the Marauders this year:
Adnan Choudhary (RF)
Chuck Hall (CF)
Candace House (C, Utility)
Marly Miller (Utility)
Meghan Lieberman-Moore (1B)
Carolyn Suckow (C, Utility)
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