hiddengem's Regular Season Thread

[racosun]

With hiddengem's ST thread a smashing success, he has kindly accepted an invitation to continue giving us updates and answering our questions. So, without further delay, here is hiddengem's regular season thread. Enjoy!

[hiddengem]

Hey guys...sorry I couldn't get back to your posts on the ST thread. As you can imagine I have had a busy and exciting 3 days here in So Cal. I was able to fulfill a life long dream of playing in Anaheim stadium the other night in front of man many friends and family.

Today I played for 6 or 7 innings. Again all of the guys were very positive today, and hopefully I can get back up here soon.

We have a workout at 11am on Tuesday and Wednesday with media day on Tuesday, and our season opens up on Thursday.

We have a new owner and are going to be introduced before the game.

Thanks for the support.

[hiddengem]

Good luck HG. Saw you last night on TV today. I think your style is a good fit with this club, and you will contribute to a successful season.

Yea, I think so...we'll see what happens.

[hiddengem]

HG, I gotta tell ya how great that bunt single you put down yesterday was. What a big time play! It was clear that nobody in the park expected that play, so much so that the announcer mentioned it a number of times. And that's a guy who's seen everything that baseball can offer.

Also, I was curious about getting your perspective about the play at the plate that you made after the bunt single. Do you think much about how you are going to score, or is going into home when they are making a play on you more instictive?


Anyway, congrats on a great ST, and good luck in SLC!

KH14

Well thank you...and as I was walking to the dish I was thinking just that....nobody in the park is thinking about a bunt right now, everybody is thinking about that 3 run blast that just left the yard. I peeked down to third, that guy was asleep and I knew I just had to get it on the ground and I had a chance. I ended up scoring and it turned out to be a big run.

As far as me scoring, I assume you are asking how I'm going to touch home plate? What kind of slide? Barrel the catcher?

For me its pretty insinctive, I watch what the catcher is doing and adjust. I've become pretty good over the yrs at getting around the catcher and catching an edge of the plate. I did that yesterday, but I was more surprised that the catcher was blocking the plate giving an opportunity for me to run him over in Spring Training. I had a clear shot to hit him, but I didn't want to risk hurting either of us right before the season.

[hiddengem]

The announcer told the TV audience a couple of tidbits about you today as well. Hopefully, someone got it on tape for you.

I haven't seen it..did anbody get it?

[hiddengem]

Hey HG, Congrats on a solid ST and good luck this season!

I remember you saying that the family (even the dog) was with you for ST. Now that you have been assigned where does the family go? Back home (wherever home is)? How often will you see them now?

Thanks

Well, after the recent series we packed up the truck and the uhaul and off we went back home. Got about 2 hrs outside of the park and realized I forgot all my baseball stuff...Turn around go back an hr and meet her dad... we ended up getting home at 3:00. We have a 3 bedroom house here that we are renting with another couple..beautiful place right at the base of the mountains.

[Sweet Lou]

HG, you didn't bother to mention your accomplishments. For shame! Don't be afraid to "brag" we want to hear the good and the bad.

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

I have checked the score on the team's website. Great game HG.

We're proud at you.

Go on like this and the parent club can not ignore you.

[hiddengem]

Hey..I said it was a good win, I'm not big on tooting my own horn, sorry guys. Its a long season, and I'm sure there will be many more good games and many more bad games...hopefully more good than bad.
Take care

[Captain Cold Nose]

Hey..I said it was a good win, I'm not big on tooting my own horn, sorry guys. Its a long season, and I'm sure there will be many more good games and many more bad games...hopefully more good than bad.
Take care

Your humility and groundedness are just two more reasons why there are so many of us rooting for you here.

[KHenry14]

I'm not big on tooting my own horn, sorry guys.

The good news is that we will be doing the tooting of the horn for you HG!! Like when you stole home in pre-season, the people on this board know how rare that is, so we will easily recognize good playing when we see it.

So play your game, have fun, and know that you've got a bunch of people pulling for ya!

KH14

[west coast orange and black]

thanx again for welcoming us into your space, h-g.
please continue to see the ball and hit the ball and pick it so that the parent club'll call you sooner rather than later.

[ndistops]

Way to go HG! That's one way to catch some attention!

[hiddengem]

Hey HG, I notice that your team has you batting clean-up. In the minors have you batted there a lot? And do you like hitting there, or would you prefer a different place?

KH14

Just another case of "Don't believe everything you read"...I'm hitting in the 2 hole, and I like it alot.

[hiddengem]

Our opening day here was rainy and cold, low forties with a howling wind, but by the fourth game it was sunny and 82 degrees. I'll try to use my connections and get some of the more baseball friendly weather to push up this way. Seriously, though, I've bookmarked the team web page, check it often, and as questionable as it may sound, when I read the sports section I turn instinctively to the transactions and injuries list. Force of habit from my younger days, when the DL and trade deals determined who was going where and when. Protracted slumps, trade bait, blistered pitching fingers and all kinds of things can have a peculiar way of opening the door for opportunities to make the show. I'm the last person to wish injury or illness on another, but in the course of a long season some rotten things are bound to happen. With the first suspensions coming down, it is just one more thing that juggles rosters and increases player movements. Isn't there a May 1 roster rule, MLB teams can't bring somebody on board from another team if they weren't already on the 40 man roster? Or is that a thing of the past?

I'm not to sure about the rules...I really try and focus on the things I can control. I feel that if I'm spending time wondering who is hurt and who is doing good or bad, than it is taking away from the time I could be getting better. I've seen so many times guys that are hitting .350 don't get moved at all, and guys that are hitting .220 get the call. It all depends on what the club needs...Take care