It looks like the Illini are representin’ in minor league playoff action in 2011. Joe Bonadonna (left, with the Illini) and the Greensboro Grasshoppers (Marlins Single-A) are seeing playoff action for the first time in 12 years. They did in style too. They won 13 of their last 15 games…
I always say this at time of year but it’s nice to watch Illini baseball even if it’s only practice. The last couple days, I stopped by Illinois Field to watch the team of 2012 go through their drills. No they may not be playing a game but it’s still…
On his fifth day on the roster of the Baltimore Orioles and his second game, former Illini outfielder Kyle Hudson got his first hit. On Labor Day, the Orioles were playing the New York Yankees. The Orioles lost to the Yanks 11-10 but Hudson singled to Curtis Granderson (who by…
A couple of former Illini pitchers are having some success for their respective minor leagues teams. Slammin’ Pack Chris Pack, who was instrumental in Illinois’ success in the 2011 season as a reliever, is showing that same effectiveness for the Joliet Slammers. Thanks in part to Pack (left, pitching for…
It’s been quite a month for former Illini shortstop Brandon Wikoff. First, he hit two homeruns in two games last week. Then he was honored by the Astros organization getting the Minor League Defensive Player of the Month award for his team. Now it looks like he’s moving up to…
Good news for former University of Illinois outfielder Kyle Hudson. The fleet-footed centerfielder been called to the bigs! The Baltimore Orioles called up Hudson yesterday to the parent organization to meet the September 1 deadline. He had been playing for the AAA Norfolk Tides and doing quite well. For the…
A few former Illini baseball players have been making noise in the minors in the past few days… Brandon Wikoff hit his second homerun in as many days last Wednesday. Unfortunately, it was in a losing cause as his AA Corpus Christi Hooks lost 3-2. But Brandon’s effort’s were rewarded…
As someone who works at the University of Illinois and lives four blocks from campus, I can tell you the atmosphere has really changed in the past week. U of I students have been back at classes for a week for the 2011 fall semester and campus is hustling! Good…
Former Illini and current Iowa Cubs fan favorite Chris Robinson is getting is due at the last game of the season. As a promotion on September 5, the AAA I-Cubs are recognizing the popular catcher by giving away jerseys commemorating him. From the Iowa Cubs website: Chris Robinson has been…
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I’ve been migrating my Illinois baseball photos to a new and hopefully better photo gallery (using Smugmug). I was slightly delayed because I took a desperately-needed vacation this past two weeks but I’m ready to unveil it to everybody. You already see the…