Pelicans clinch first half title!

by RainDelay on Jun 7, 2008 1:55 PM EDT

Congrats to Rocket Wheeler and the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, as they've clinched a first half title in the Southern Division of the Carolina League. Rocket Wheeler was not in attendance (he was attending his daughters graduation) last night when the Pelicans clinched the title with a 8-5 victory over the Kinston Indians.

This will be Myrtle Beach's first post season appearance since 2002. This was the longest drought between play-off appearances in the Carolina League. This also ended Kinston's four year run at the top of the Southern Division.

Quoth the Rocket (Wheeler):

"It's a great feeling," Wheeler said via telephone. "I'm at my daughter's graduation, so I missed the game, but I've got a great coaching staff. Most of all, I want to thank these kids because these kids don't quit."

Wheeler gave a lot of props to his pitching staff who, leads the Carolina League in ERA (3.02) and Strike Outs (488). And lets not forgot they lost both Tommy Hanson and Kevin Gunderson to Double A Mississippi.

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I'll be there

All next week (the 8th through the 15th). The Pelicans will be home that week, and I’ll be going to six games. I’m hoping for sunny skies so I can get some good pictures – I’ve never seen Gorkys Hernandez play, and I’m also hoping to catch a Duante Heath start. On the other side of the field, I’ll get to see former Braves prospect Jamie Romak who was traded with Laroche for Gonzalez and Lillibridge. Romak was one of the nicest players on the team when he was in Rome, and he’s doing well this season (.289, 10HR, .963 OPS). In the series that follows will be Koby Clemens, son of the Rocket, who played 3rd last year in Lexington, but is listed as a catcher for Salem. We’ll see what gives there.
Full report when I get back!

by secondbass on Jun 7, 2008 2:26 PM EDT reply actions

Cant' wait!

..and I’m jealous. I’m stuck over here on the west coast – and the Braves haven’t had a minor league team here in years – They did have the Eugene Emeralds back in the day, hell John Rocker was on the Emeralds staff. I think they only lasted a couple years, realizing it was just to far away when all the other teams were in the south.

Revisit the Braves World Championship Year, all Season!

You can also check out my stuff at Baseball Digest Daily

by RainDelay on Jun 7, 2008 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Wow, you get around!

by Lizziebeth on Jun 7, 2008 11:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Family vacation

Well, we usually go to a beach once a summer, and my wife wanted to go to Destin, FL , but I talked her into MB…..we went to Destin last year. This is actually a compromise of sorts; so in other words, probably never, ever again will I get this opportunity! Well, maybe in another 5 years or so. Plus it’s going to be father’s day, so I’m really laying it on, you know?
I may be able to look in here once in a while on the condo’s computer. If the connection is fast enough, I may type a quick word or two, especially if anything really interesting happens baseball-wise. We leave in an hour….see you in a week!

by secondbass on Jun 8, 2008 5:11 AM EDT reply actions