Miami signs Bowen

The Superior League is late getting their season started, but the Miami Stars have signed one of the last free agents remaining in Brant Bowen, a 40 year old first baseman.

The Stars have little depth in the minor league system and no first basemen other than Joe Young and designated hitter Andy Moore, and Young has averaged a month on the disabled list in his two seasons with the Stars.  Bowen not only adds depth, but gives RJ Duke a strong glove at the position and a .383 lifetime OBP.

Last season Bowen played for Orlando, hitting .298 with a .374 OBP.  The 16 year veteran has 2761 career hits and 3 world series rings, one with Charlotte and 2 with Phoenix.

Kimba Bartee Peveto, 1994-2013

APBA baseball lost a legend today as Kimba Bartee has passed away, I received this note today:

It is with a heavy heart that I report one of the greatest defenders in APBA history has passed.  The only pet ever to live long enough to manage, Kimba Bartee Peveto died tonight 3 months from his 19th birthday.  Kimba, also one of the fastest players in history finished his final APBA season hitting .300 with a stolen base.  Kimba just 9 days ago celebrated his 125th birthday in dog years.  He will be missed.  The Hounddogs have now promoted Nomad Garciajawa to manager effective immediately.  Rumor has it GM Kana Wake is already talking to King Lewis about a trade for SnowSox minor leaguer, Bobby Rayburn to take Kimba's place on the 25 man roster.  Both the Penguins and Hounddogs will wear a patch on their jersey with Kimba's number 3 for the remainder of the season.

I know Kimba always appreciated the fact that Sam (Kimba) and Sean (Bartee) named him.  He also really loved Sam.  In fact, last year when Sam was here he still wagged his tail and got excited when seeing Sam.  Something he really stopped doing for anyone else about 5 years ago. 

Jeff

Retired second baseman Quilvio Gato, who spent his kittenhood with Kimba, gave a long and mournful meow when asked for comment.  He then coughed up a hairball as a protest against the transitory nature of life.

Major League Opening Day 2013

Scores from around the League:

New York 11 Denver 2.  Pedro Lewis goes 7-6-2-2-4-8 for the win over Ruben Rogers.  Brett Solo, Manfred Mueller, and Marcus Redmon hit HRs for New York.

Philadelphia 7 Toronto 6.  In a battle of the blown saves, Hank Jenks blows a 1-run lead in the 9th, giving up 3 to Toronto.  New closer Jabba Robinson gives up 2 in the bottom half of the 9th to Philadelphia to send it to extra innings.   Jimmy Taylor's double wins it in the 11th.  Hank Crowell goes 0-5 in his debut for Philadelphia.

Hawaii 3 Florida 2.  Hawaii fields an old AAA team but still manages to beat Florida.  Yoda Skywalker, perhaps the only legitimate major league regular on the roster, is hit by a pitch in his first at bat, and breaks his wrist.  He will not return until close to the end of the month (18 games).  

St. Louis 3 Alaska 0.  Wayne Gardella throws a 6 hit shutout, walking 1 and striking out 10.  Bryce Parkman goes 0-3 with a walk and a strikeout in his debut.

Hollywood 6 Green Day 4.  Homeruns from BJ Lewis and Miguel Tejawa.  Keith Cerrano collects 3 hits for Hollywood, who may have the worst starting OFs in the league.  Javier Cavazos gets the 1-2-3 save for Hollywood.

Portland 3 Detroit 2.  Roger Lewis 7-7-2-2-3-9 and Bjorn Frostad 8-4-2-2-4-9 both get no-decisions.  Rookie RP Kevin Ribaudo pitches a scoreless 9th, and picks up the win on a George Kird walk-off HR in the bottom of the 9th.

Los Angeles 9 Bay Area 6.  Both starting pitchers get knocked around, Mazdahonda going 6-6-6-6-3-7 and Larry Reynolds going 5-4-5-4-1-4.  Mazdahonda helps his own cause by hitting a 3-run HR.  Brent Johnson also homers for LA, and Corey McGarvey hits 2 homers for Bay Area.  J-Rod pitches the 9th for the save.