"A Day at the Races" - Kentucky's Rants and Raves

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Duane · #1 Post by **Duane** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 3:24 pm

Thoroughbred GM Duane Rudis and sidekick Bill are proud to announce the arival of the team BLOG. In this first edition we'd like to introce ourselves and talk about recent activity.

Duane "Rude-Man" Rudis hails from the far Northern mountains of Northern Illinois (ok, the wet-land area surrounded by corn and horse farms). I will be directing the team and it's farm from my dimly lit basement with the assistance of my sidekick Bill "Captain" Shatner. I am sure you will be reading many of his thoughts and ideas (trust me it really is entertaining).

Recent News:
Hankins makes ML debut
Dan Hankins, recently aquired from WV, spent all of 8 days with the Jefferson County Independence where he started 1 game - the game in which Hankins controled from the start to finish allowing just 1 man reach base. Who was this man - who cares ... it's all about Dan now! After his performance in AAA and the continuous battle for 'Biggest Loser' on the ML level, Olivas was released and Hankins got the call. IN his first game for the Thoroughbreds Dan went the distance again - 9 innings, 125 pitches, 1 BB, 7 K and only 2 runs surrendered ... He has arrived!

Sancho Martinez makes ML debut
In a less than impressive showing, highly touted OF prospect arrives to take the stage from injurred Juan Acosto (who will miss 4+ weeks). In his first 6 games, Martinez struggled hitting a paulty .174 with 2 BB and 3 K in 23 AB. It may not be the time for this kid but he is getting his first taste of a very promising career in the majors

#2 Post by **John** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 3:35 pm

Glad to see the blogs are coming fast and furious now! When enough entries get added I'll post these on the homepage so visitors can view your musings.

In addition to the news here, I hear that Kentucky has a trade in the works...

Duane · #3 Post by **Duane** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 4:04 pm

Duane has completed 1 trade and has another in the works ... and I ... have a 3rd one ... that I .. am .. working on as a .... surprise .... for Duane's b-day.

Kentucky has agreed to trade with Crystal Lake
I didn't wna tto do it becasue I didn't feel we were getting enough in return but Duane did it anyways ... All ... I can tell is that .. Duane .. was financially .. motivated .... to agree to the deal
36 year old Alfonso Hernandez, a middle reliever on the Thoroughbreds, was dealt for 3 minor leaguers:
AAA utility infielder Carlos Paz, who is under contract for this season only at 380,000
AAA closer Cesar Leal, under contract for this season only at 380,000
AA releiver Dale Jones, who is out for the season.

Now .... the way I see it is this ... Paz goes away after the season - he just takes up .... way to much space. We try to retain Leal on a .... minor league .. contract ..... since he .. seems .. to have .. pretty good .. stuff - if he agrees then we have .... insurance. Now as for Jones, if he can comback from his .... injury .... he should be a .... bright spot .... on our AA team (was rated with 3 * potential before going down).

As for the works in progress I ..... really shouldn't comment, but what the hell, I have had a scotch on the rocks with lunch - why not? I have heard that there is a chance that Duane has been contacted about taking on a player ... who is ... out ... of options - not sure why this kid is in the ML, but I've heard ... he has some ... potential .... to be a good .. ML .. first-baseman. The other deal is my surprise ... I am trying to land another ... 'old timer' ... neglected ... starter ... to help fix the ... situation ... on the Thoroughbreds

Duane · #4 Post by **Duane** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 5:07 pm

Hankins to make Second PEBA Career Start

Dan is already a household name after coming over in a minor-league deal. He is scheduled to go in game 2 of the Cennecticut series, at home in front of his 'new' fan club (Danimal Dispatch)

on hand. We are all hoping that he his magic continues.

Duane · #5 Post by **Duane** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 3:00 pm

Is Dan Hankins ready for the PEBA league or is the league ready for him???

In just his second career PEBA start Dan dominates by throwing his second complete game of the year and this time he was baked up with 7 runs. Playoffs here we come!!!

Does the playoff odds calculator take into consideration the impact of special players? Dan is as special as they come - just ask Sancho and Buddy.

Duane · #6 Post by **Duane** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 4:00 pm

Augusto Acostarefuses to talk extension. He has cited his limited playing time due to injuries cause by tripping on horse droppings on the practice field. GM Rudis refused comment

Duane · #7 Post by **Duane** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 4:14 pm

Powell Lilleyinjured in Peba debut.

Lilley was called up to take the place of recently traded Alfonso Hernandez, and in his first game goes down with an arm issue.

#8 Post by **John** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 4:23 pm

Thoroughbreds wrote:Is Dan Hankins ready for the PEBA league or is the league ready for him???

In just his second career PEBA start Dan dominates by throwing his second complete game of the year and this time he was baked up with 7 runs. Playoffs here we come!!!

Does the playoff odds calculator take into consideration the impact of special players? Dan is as special as they come - just ask Sancho and Buddy.

Hankins has really been a horse. 6 of his 15 starts on the year have been complete games! He's on pace to throw over 230 innings. He's not a young colt, so ride him hard and see what you get!

Duane · #9 Post by **Duane** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 5:29 pm

Just a minor league note ... on the single A team Roanoke Colonists is a 6'4" 225lb little guy by name of Carl French. Carl has started 3 games so far and has thrown a total of 27 innings without giving up a run ... only 8 hits and 2 walks have been allowed by this sleeper. I guess his new idol is Dan The Animal Hankins

Duane · #10 Post by **Duane** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 2:20 pm

"Bill's surprise"
It's official! I have .. agreed to trade .... single A SS Itsweire ... for ... 37yo 6'2" AAA SP Ron Colton. I ... hope that ... Mr Rudis ... will ... in fact ... enjoy this ... aquisition. Maybe now .... he .... will actually buy a round at ... Scooter's pub. The guy has been crabbin for weeks, and so has Ron, that's why I approached Fargo for the deal.

We hope Ron arrives in AAA before the next series begins so we can evaluate his repitore', and convince him to see a specialist about that 'goat' on his face

or at least shave it off

.

Duane · #11 Post by **Duane** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 6:43 pm

Hey, I think Bill is sad over the Hernandez trade. He hasn't been the same this past week. Not even with presenting me news of the Colton aqusition.

Any suggestions?

Duane · #12 Post by **Duane** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 1:54 pm

Sancho Martinez agrees to record-setting deal

Hankins declines extension offer

Duane · #13 Post by **Duane** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 2:54 pm

Rod Carver, the Thoroughbred manager, decided that Dan Hankins needed a rest. After throwing 3 complete games back-to back-to back, Rod pulled the hurler after 5+ innings in both starts this week. "It's not that he was pitching poorly" Rod said "On the contrary, he was pitching real fine and on his way to two more compelte games. I just wanted to save some of his arm for the later part of the season. He was looking a lttle tired this last game walking 4 which is so unlike him."

Duane · #14 Post by **Duane** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 2:49 pm

Todays question is What do you do with a player who no-one likes, SISA and 7 of 8 scouts feel that he hasn't any talent, yet 1 scout ranks him as one of the top prospects in system???

That is the BIG question surrounding starting pitcher Ryan Anderson. An overlooked Free Agent who agreed to contract in early June. His numbers suck, his ratings suck, his 3 games started in AAA were bad, BUT the head scout has a thing for him. Well, in trusting head scout Santos, the Thoroughbreds Waived and DFA the talentless pitcher, in hopes that if he goes unclaimed he will find a new home in Roanaoke and learn to pitch.

Anyone with ideas or thoughts???

#15 Post by **Coqui** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 2:54 pm

When he is 19? You put him in A ball and wait.