I stopped by Illinois Field today after work and there was a noticeable difference. The Illinois baseball players were dressed up in their numbered jerseys. Not only that, they were already divided up in the Oranges and the Blues, gearing up for next week’s Orange and Blue World Series. It’s…
Now it’s getting to the point where I hope the pressure doesn’t get to former Illini Tanner Roark… pressure from the media as well as his coaching staff. From Nationals Pastime: Not only did (Nationals manager Davey) Johnson say that he views Roark above Jordan, who had a very impressive…
With a 7-0 record, Tanner Roark is quickly climbing the lists of former Illini pitchers with most wins. No doubt, this is the quickest start any of them has gotten off to in such a short time. Roark has won his seven games in just over a month. His first…
It was a bright, hot, 96-degree afternoon on Wednesday when the Illini baseball team when out to Illinois Field to practice. It was my first chance to see the new 2013-14 squad in action. There were some changes, of course. New haircuts, new signage at the park, and yes, some…
It isn’t taking former Illini Tanner Roark long. After just one month with the Washington Nationals, he already ranks 14th all-time among pitchers who hailed from the University of Illinois with five wins. Rk From To W ▾ L W-L% 1 Ken Holtzman 1965 1979 174 150 .537 2…
Former Illini pitcher Tanner Roark is now 5-0 with a microscopic 0.94 ERA since being called up by the Washington Nationals last month. More importantly, he earning glowing praise from his teammates AND his manager, Davey Johnson. After his latest victory on Saturday, a six inning scoreless effort, Johnson drew…
Just forget about my heartfelt article regarding former Illini catcher Chris Robinson who got demoted to the minors on August 17th. It seems that the Padres have had a change of heart. They’ve recalled him just in time for the big league roster expansion. At the time of the most…
Congrats to former Illini outfielder Willie Argo and his Class A Advanced Charlotte Stone Crabs teammates. They clinched a spot in the 2013 Florida State League postseason with a 38-27 record in the second half of the season. Argo had a banner year for the Stone Crabs. He…
It was less than two weeks ago when it was announced that former Illini catcher Chris Robinson made the jump to the Major Leagues. Unfortunately for Robinson, that stint lasted all of three days. Those of us Illini fans who remember Robbie when he played for the Illini have been…
The last couple of days have been move-in days for the students as they get ready for the new semester at the University of Illinois. First classes begin this coming Monday (study hard, players!) If past years are any indication, the Illinois baseball team will be getting some practice in…