Coop Scoop

Your questions, my answers – Feb. 27

Adam Tweeted to me: I still can't believe (Channel 13 sports director) Dave Holmes prefers the version of "Life Is a Highway" by Rascal Flatts to the original version done by Tom Cochrane. Can you?

Dear Mud Hens fans: I'm sure you are wondering two things ... What is Adam talking about? And why is this question on the Mud Hens blog?

Well, let's answer that second question first, shall we? This off-season the Mud Hens announced a renovation at Fifth Third Field that will allow fans to "see" inside the press box during a game. I still shake my head at the concept of fans having an interest in watching me type, but then again I never understood the appeal of the television show "Seinfeld," so who knows?

At any rate, in a similar vein I often hear this question: "What do people in the Fifth Third Field press box talk about?" You would think "baseball," right? Well, yes. But not all the time.

Which brings me to Adam's comment. The topic of conversation in the press box on any given day could be just about anything ... and one day, it was the song, "Life Is A Highway."

True story: Between innings of a game a few years back, the Rascal Flatts version of the song started blaring over the loudspeakers, and Dave Holmes, now the sports director at Channel 13, said, "I much prefer the Tom Cochrane version of this song."

Well, I'm not a Rascal Flatts fan. I'm not a country music fan. But I prefer the Rascal Flatts version ... I think the guitar work in their version is better, and I think Gary LeVox does a better job of singing the song (although he does tend to yodel a bit). And having watched this version with my children in the movie Cars plays a role, too, I'm sure.

Whatever. To make a long story short ... Dave and I spent some time discussing this topic. OK, we spent a LOT of time discussing it. In fact, that discussion now is a part of Mud Hens press box lore; it's a running joke in that, many times when Dave and I discuss one topic, one of us will say, "You're right about such-and-such, but I STILL can't believe you prefer Tom Cochrane's version of 'Life Is A Highway' to Rascal Flatts' version!"

OK, not "one of us." I will say it.

So, what's the point? Two things: First, I want to prove to Dave that I'm right about this debate ... Oops, I mean I want to settle this debate with a vote.

Click here to listen to Tom Cochrane's version of "Life Is A Highway" ...

Click here to listen to Rascal Flatts' version of "Life Is A Highway" ...

Pick your favorite and vote in the poll located on the navigation bar on the left-side of this page. One vote per customer, please!

And second, I just want everyone to get a glimpse of the excitement that permeates the Fifth Third Field press box during games. Looking forward to adding to everyone's enjoyment of Mud Hens games this season!

Thanks for revealing the inner workings of the press box, Adam. John.

Have a question you would like me to answer? Post it as a comment (click on the "comments" link below), Tweet to me at @jwagnerblade or send me an e-mail to jwagner@theblade.com. I will edit for clarity, length and style, but I promise you will recognize your question when you read it. Looking forward to hearing from you!

Mud Hen Mindbender – Feb. 15

In an effort to have a little fun with the Coop Scoop blog, I am producing a (somewhat) daily trivia quiz called "Mud Hen Mindbender." No prize; this is just a way to get your morning moving. Ready? Here we go ...

I saw a game of Who's Line Is It Anyway? break out, and I thought it would work here ... So let's give it a go. The game is simple: I'll give you some stats from a past Mud Hen, and you tell what player produced that line. Got it? Then here we go with a difficult line from last season ... This hitter had a .287 batting average with four home runs and four stolen bases. Don't peek, just guess: Who's Line Is It Anyway?

The answer to Friday's question? Here was the line, you name the player ... This pitcher went 8-6 with a 3.24 ERA. Who's Line Is It Anyway? That was the line for Adam Wilk last season.

Do you think you know the answer to today’s question? Click on the "comments" link below and let's find out! I'll post the answer tomorrow along with another trivia question. Looking forward to hearing from you!

Mud Hen Mindbender – Feb. 10

In an effort to have a little fun with the Coop Scoop blog, I am producing a (somewhat) daily trivia quiz called "Mud Hen Mindbender." No prize; this is just a way to get your morning moving. Ready? Here we go ...

I saw a game of Who's Line Is It Anyway? break out, and I thought it would work here ... So let's give it a go. The game is simple: I'll give you some stats from a past Mud Hen, and you tell what player produced that line. Got it? Then here we go with a little more difficult line from last season ... This pitcher went 8-6 with a 3.24 ERA. Don't peek, just guess: Who's Line Is It Anyway?

The answer to Thursday's question? Here was the line, you name the player ... .306 with three homers and 13 stolen bases. Who's Line Is It Anyway? That was the line for Will Rhymes last season.

Do you think you know the answer to today’s question? Click on the "comments" link below and let's find out! I'll post the answer tomorrow along with another trivia question. Looking forward to hearing from you!

Where are they now? Dane Sardinha

THE PRESENT: Former Mud Hen C Dane Sardinha signed as a minor-league free agent with the Baltimore Orioles.

THE PAST: Originally signed by Cincinnati after he was taken in the second round of the 2000 draft, Sardinha eventually played for the Reds in one game in both the 2003 and 2005 seasons. In 2007 he signed a minor-league contract with Detroit and played for the Mud Hens for the next three seasons. His most productive year in Toledo was 2007, when he hit .202 with 10 homers and 47 RBIs in 117 games. He also played in 17 games with Detroit in 2008 and 12 in '09. In 2010 Sardinha signed with Philadelphia and spent most of the next two years in Lehigh Valley, although he did see action with the Phillies in 13 games in 2010 and 15 games last season.

THE FUTURE: Sardinha probably is ticketed for a back-up role in the minors with the Orioles, although he also gives the major-league club insurance behind the plate. Mud Hens fans may have a chance to see him if he is with Norfolk when the Tides visit Fifth Third Field on June 22-25.

Potential Hens for 2012 – Brent Dlugach

THE PRESENT: SS Brent Dlugach signed a minor-league deal with Detroit in early February.

THE PAST: Dlugach signed with the Tigers after he was selected in the sixth round of the 2004 draft. A string of injuries forced Detroit to promote him to Toledo for the 2006 playoff run, and his steady defense helped the Mud Hens win the Governors' Cup that season. Injuries forced him to miss nearly all of the 2007 and '08 seasons, but he had a breakthrough year for the Hens in 2009, batting .294 with nine home runs and 59 RBIs to earn a September call-up to Detroit, where he played in five games for the Tigers. He returned to Toledo in 2010 and wasn't as successful, hitting .258 with six homers and 41 RBIs. In November of 2010 he was traded to Boston and spent last season with Pawtucket, where he batted .222 with six homers and 25 RBIs in just 63 games.

THE FUTURE: Dlugach is an interesting signing by the Tigers after SS Cale Iorg had shoulder surgery that will effectively keep him off the field for most of the 2012 season. The path isn't clear for Dlugach to return as the Hens' shortstop next year, though; there are plenty of other options, including Argenis Diaz, Danny Worth, Audy Ciriaco and Niuman Romero. One advantage Dlugach has is that he developed some versatility with Pawtucket last summer, spending time at second and third base as well as shortstop.

Mud Hen Mindbender – Feb. 9

In an effort to have a little fun with the Coop Scoop blog, I am producing a (somewhat) daily trivia quiz called "Mud Hen Mindbender." No prize; this is just a way to get your morning moving. Ready? Here we go ...

I saw a game of Who's Line Is It Anyway? break out, and I thought it would work here ... So let's give it a go. The game is simple: I'll give you some stats from a past Mud Hen, and you tell what player produced that line. Got it? Then here we go with an easy line from last season ... .306 with three homers and 13 stolen bases. Who's Line Is It Anyway?

The answer to Wednesday's question? Ryan Ludwick was a International League all-star when he played for the Mud Hens in 2006. He began his career with Oakland, but was part of a six-player trade that sent him to Texas. One past Tiger (and Mud Hen) and one present Tiger were part of that trade. Who were those two players? The former Tiger/Mud Hen was Carlos Pena, who was traded to Oakland by Texas, and one of the other players who went to Texas was current Tiger Gerald Laird. The full trade was Ludwick, Laird, Jason Hart and Mario Ramos going to Texas in exchange for Pena and Mike Venafro.

Do you think you know the answer to today’s question? Click on the "comments" link below and let's find out! I'll post the answer tomorrow along with another trivia question. Looking forward to hearing from you!

Mud Hen Mindbender – Feb. 8

In an effort to have a little fun with the Coop Scoop blog, I am producing a (somewhat) daily trivia quiz called "Mud Hen Mindbender." No prize; this is just a way to get your morning moving. Ready? Here we go ...

Ryan Ludwick was a International League all-star when he played for the Mud Hens in 2006. He began his career with Oakland, but was part of a six-player trade that sent him to Texas. One past Tiger (and Mud Hen) and one present Tiger were part of that trade. Who were those two players?

The answer to Tuesday's question? What major-league teams has Ludwick played for in his career? Ludwick played for Texas, Cleveland, St. Louis, San Diego and Pittsburgh; this off-season he has signed with Cincinnati.

Do you think you know the answer to today’s question? Click on the "comments" link below and let's find out! I'll post the answer tomorrow along with another trivia question. Looking forward to hearing from you!

Where are they now? Max St-Pierre

THE PRESENT: Former Mud Hen C Max St-Pierre signed as a minor-league free agent with the Boston Red Sox.

THE PAST: Originally drafted by the Tigers in the 26th round of the 1997 draft, St-Pierre slowly rose through the organization before playing in one game with the Mud Hens in 2002. He spent the next three seasons in Double-A Erie before making the Toledo roster in 2006; he hit .202 with three homers and 31 RBIs for the Hens in '06. In 2007 he signed with Kansas City, then was traded to Milwaukee before the season began. In early May he was released by the Brewers, who sent St-Pierre to their training camp to try and make him a pitcher. That effort didn't work, and St-Pierre resigned with the Tigers in 2008 and split the next two seasons between Erie and the Mud Hens. In 2010 he again began the season with the SeaWolves but was promoted to Toledo on May 13 and hit .300 in 39 games with the Hens. He was promoted to Detroit on Sept. 4 that season and hit .222 in six games with the Tigers. Last season St-Pierre played in 77 games with the Mud Hens and hit .207 with four home runs and 25 RBIs.

THE FUTURE: St-Pierre probably is ticketed for a back-up role in the minors with the Red Sox, who have several top catching prospects in the upper levels. His legion of fans in Toledo hope he will be with Pawtucket when the PawSox visit Fifth Third Field on May 1-4.

Potential Hens for 2012 – Brad Eldred

THE PRESENT: 1B Brad Eldred signed a minor-league deal with Detroit in January.

THE PAST: Eldred is a 31-year-old who once was considered one of Pittsburgh's better minor-league prospects. Eldred was a sixth-round draft pick of the Pirates in 2002 and rose to Triple-A Indianapolis in 2005, where he hit 15 home runs in just 53 games. He also played briefly for Pittsburgh that season, hitting 15 home runs in 53 games. In 2006 he was returned to Indianapolis and was injured early in the season, playing in just 18 games. Eldred returned to the Indians in 2007 had hit 15 home runs in 86 games while also playing in 19 games for the Pirates. In 2008 he signed with the White Sox and played for Charlotte, where he hit .244 but led the IL with 35 home runs and 100 RBIs and was voted to the league's post-season all-star team. In 2009 Eldred played with Syracuse and hit .269 with 17 home runs and 59 RBIs. In 2010 he spent most of the season with Colorado Springs, hitting .264 with 30 home runs and 84 RBIs in 106 games. Eldred also played in 11 games with Colorado that season. Last year he signed with San Francisco and played in 111 games with Triple-A Fresno, hitting .278 with 23 home runs and 57 RBIs.

THE FUTURE: If there's one thing Brad Eldred can do, it's hit home runs. He has 227 in his minor-league career, which ranks at least sixth on the list of active players (several of those "active" players are bound to retire, which means he'll likely begin the season even higher on that list. Presuming he begins the season with the Mud Hens, he provides a power bat in the middle of the lineup and gives more "thump" to a lineup that last season really had only one constant power threat, Ryan Strieby.

Mud Hen Mindbender – Feb. 7

In an effort to have a little fun with the Coop Scoop blog, I am producing a (somewhat) daily trivia quiz called "Mud Hen Mindbender." No prize; this is just a way to get your morning moving. Ready? Here we go ...

Ryan Ludwick was a International League all-star when he played for the Mud Hens in 2006. What major-league teams has Ludwick played for in his career?

The answer to the Jan. 31 question? Max St-Pierre was a Mud Hen for six different seasons. In the "modern" era (since the Hens returned to Toledo and joined the International League in 1965), he is tied with two other players as the longest-tenured Mud Hen. What two other players also spent six different seasons with the Hens? Wayne Comer played for the Mud Hens from 1966-68 and again from 1971-73, while Shawn Hare played for the Hens from 1990-94, and again in 1997.

 

Do you think you know the answer to today’s question? Click on the "comments" link below and let's find out! I'll post the answer tomorrow along with another trivia question. Looking forward to hearing from you!