hiddengem's Regular Season Thread

[racosun]

With hiddengem's ST thread a smashing success, he has kindly accepted an invitation to continue giving us updates and answering our questions. So, without further delay, here is hiddengem's regular season thread. Enjoy!

[hiddengem]

Hey guys...sorry I couldn't get back to your posts on the ST thread. As you can imagine I have had a busy and exciting 3 days here in So Cal. I was able to fulfill a life long dream of playing in Anaheim stadium the other night in front of man many friends and family.

Today I played for 6 or 7 innings. Again all of the guys were very positive today, and hopefully I can get back up here soon.

We have a workout at 11am on Tuesday and Wednesday with media day on Tuesday, and our season opens up on Thursday.

We have a new owner and are going to be introduced before the game.

Thanks for the support.

[hiddengem]

Originally Posted by Bluesteve32

Good luck HG. Saw you last night on TV today. I think your style is a good fit with this club, and you will contribute to a successful season.

Yea, I think so...we'll see what happens.

[hiddengem]

Originally Posted by KHenry14

HG, I gotta tell ya how great that bunt single you put down yesterday was. What a big time play! It was clear that nobody in the park expected that play, so much so that the announcer mentioned it a number of times. And that's a guy who's seen everything that baseball can offer.

Also, I was curious about getting your perspective about the play at the plate that you made after the bunt single. Do you think much about how you are going to score, or is going into home when they are making a play on you more instictive?


Anyway, congrats on a great ST, and good luck in SLC!

KH14

Well thank you...and as I was walking to the dish I was thinking just that....nobody in the park is thinking about a bunt right now, everybody is thinking about that 3 run blast that just left the yard. I peeked down to third, that guy was asleep and I knew I just had to get it on the ground and I had a chance. I ended up scoring and it turned out to be a big run.

As far as me scoring, I assume you are asking how I'm going to touch home plate? What kind of slide? Barrel the catcher?

For me its pretty insinctive, I watch what the catcher is doing and adjust. I've become pretty good over the yrs at getting around the catcher and catching an edge of the plate. I did that yesterday, but I was more surprised that the catcher was blocking the plate giving an opportunity for me to run him over in Spring Training. I had a clear shot to hit him, but I didn't want to risk hurting either of us right before the season.

[hiddengem]

Originally Posted by Bluesteve32

The announcer told the TV audience a couple of tidbits about you today as well. Hopefully, someone got it on tape for you.

I haven't seen it..did anbody get it?

[hiddengem]

Originally Posted by Ontarioguy

Hey HG, Congrats on a solid ST and good luck this season!

I remember you saying that the family (even the dog) was with you for ST. Now that you have been assigned where does the family go? Back home (wherever home is)? How often will you see them now?

Thanks

Well, after the recent series we packed up the truck and the uhaul and off we went back home. Got about 2 hrs outside of the park and realized I forgot all my baseball stuff...Turn around go back an hr and meet her dad... we ended up getting home at 3:00. We have a 3 bedroom house here that we are renting with another couple..beautiful place right at the base of the mountains.

[Sweet Lou]

HG, you didn't bother to mention your accomplishments. For shame! Don't be afraid to "brag" we want to hear the good and the bad.

I have checked the score on the team's website. Great game HG.

We're proud at you.

Go on like this and the parent club can not ignore you.

[hiddengem]

Hey..I said it was a good win, I'm not big on tooting my own horn, sorry guys. Its a long season, and I'm sure there will be many more good games and many more bad games...hopefully more good than bad.
Take care

[Captain Cold Nose]

Originally Posted by hiddengem

Hey..I said it was a good win, I'm not big on tooting my own horn, sorry guys. Its a long season, and I'm sure there will be many more good games and many more bad games...hopefully more good than bad.
Take care

Your humility and groundedness are just two more reasons why there are so many of us rooting for you here.

[KHenry14]

Originally Posted by hiddengem

I'm not big on tooting my own horn, sorry guys.

The good news is that we will be doing the tooting of the horn for you HG!! Like when you stole home in pre-season, the people on this board know how rare that is, so we will easily recognize good playing when we see it.

So play your game, have fun, and know that you've got a bunch of people pulling for ya!

KH14

[west coast orange and black]

thanx again for welcoming us into your space, h-g.
please continue to see the ball and hit the ball and pick it so that the parent club'll call you sooner rather than later.

[ndistops]

Way to go HG! That's one way to catch some attention!

[hiddengem]

Originally Posted by KHenry14

Hey HG, I notice that your team has you batting clean-up. In the minors have you batted there a lot? And do you like hitting there, or would you prefer a different place?

KH14

Just another case of "Don't believe everything you read"...I'm hitting in the 2 hole, and I like it alot.

[hiddengem]

Originally Posted by trosmok

Our opening day here was rainy and cold, low forties with a howling wind, but by the fourth game it was sunny and 82 degrees. I'll try to use my connections and get some of the more baseball friendly weather to push up this way. Seriously, though, I've bookmarked the team web page, check it often, and as questionable as it may sound, when I read the sports section I turn instinctively to the transactions and injuries list. Force of habit from my younger days, when the DL and trade deals determined who was going where and when. Protracted slumps, trade bait, blistered pitching fingers and all kinds of things can have a peculiar way of opening the door for opportunities to make the show. I'm the last person to wish injury or illness on another, but in the course of a long season some rotten things are bound to happen. With the first suspensions coming down, it is just one more thing that juggles rosters and increases player movements. Isn't there a May 1 roster rule, MLB teams can't bring somebody on board from another team if they weren't already on the 40 man roster? Or is that a thing of the past?

I'm not to sure about the rules...I really try and focus on the things I can control. I feel that if I'm spending time wondering who is hurt and who is doing good or bad, than it is taking away from the time I could be getting better. I've seen so many times guys that are hitting .350 don't get moved at all, and guys that are hitting .220 get the call. It all depends on what the club needs...Take care

[hiddengem]

Originally Posted by KHenry14

HG, since we are talking about the batting order, I am curious about something. Down in San Diego Bruce Bochy switched Klesko to the 4 spot and Nevin to the 5 and it created quite a stir. But I'm wondering if that is a media thing or do the players really get protective of where they hit in the lineup?

KH14

Often times guys get heated when they are switched around in the lineup. But if they understand its for the good of the team they won't say much. Sounds like the guys aren't too happy.

[pads4ever]

Originally Posted by hiddengem

Often times guys get heated when they are switched around in the lineup. But if they understand its for the good of the team they won't say much. Sounds like the guys aren't too happy.

LOL, yeah they aren't happy alright. They aren't happy with Petco.

It would seem that a few of these guys got this park in their head and it is stifiling them. Me, I'm trying to give them a chance. It's only the start of the second week. After they get settled in some hopefully they will get over the mental block for the park. IMO, Bochy's gotta do something different to find what works best.

[west coast orange and black]

Originally Posted by pads4ever

LOL, yeah they aren't happy alright. They aren't happy with Petco.

but weren't these the same two who whined all last seasonlong?
maybe you gotta get it through their heads that a pitcher's park favors the team that plays there most often, pads.

speaking of parks, i am curious, h-g: what is your home infield like for you? will the crew comply with an infielder's wishes as far as how he likes an area? say, harder/faster or softer/slower?

[hiddengem]

Originally Posted by west coast orange and black

but weren't these the same two who whined all last seasonlong?
maybe you gotta get it through their heads that a pitcher's park favors the team that plays there most often, pads.

speaking of parks, i am curious, h-g: what is your home infield like for you? will the crew comply with an infielder's wishes as far as how he likes an area? say, harder/faster or softer/slower?

They hired a new crew this year, and the main guy is great. He told us to tell him anything we want and he'll do it. So far the infield is much better in only 4 days. Those guys are usually really good about trying to make the field they way you want it. Some crews just don't care, most are great.

[hiddengem]

Originally Posted by KHenry14

HG, there is a thread about best fans, and it got me to wondering, amoung the places you've played, who has the best fans? Worst?

Just curious...

KH14

I haven't played in very many big league ball parks...but from the guys I've talked to Boston has the worst fans, right up there with the Yankees. I've heard great things about St. Louis, and Anaheim was great. I didn't like the Dodgers crowd.

[hiddengem]

Originally Posted by Augustin_"Gus"

I know they often give those things at random, but I just need to ask: In All-star baseball 2005, you only have a D+ health rating. Have you been bothered by injuries during you career in the pros?

No not at all, I can't even think of a season where I played under 110 games, out of 144. I've had a few muscle pulls here and there, but nothing major. (knock on wood)

Didn't know I was in that game..need to check it out.

[hiddengem]

Originally Posted by KHenry14

Hey HG, just curious about something. How difficult is it to have relationships with the media, especially after they have criticised you? I can't imagine it's easy to pretend that the guy didn't just hammer you on the air or in the paper. Or do you look at it as they are just doing their job? It just seems that it would be hard to not take it personally. Or is ignoring it something that you just get used to over the years?

KH14

I try and look at like they have a job to do, and our society feasts on negativity so they look for anything negative to write and they do, most of the time.
But if they hammer me in the paper, they better not ever come up to me and try and be buddy buddy. And if they ever write something out of context or write something they heard me say to somebody else, that will be the end of me talking to them.

[hiddengem]

Originally Posted by Imapotato

and who is on the 40 man, and who has options, and who can clear waivers, who has revocable and irrevocable waivers, who is more versatile defensively...and so on and so forth.

It really must be aggravating for a club to keep track of this stuff

This is all true, and why I'm a player and not a front office staff member.

[hiddengem]

Sorry its taken me so long to respond to you guys. Had terrible hotel situation so I hardly got online, then in another city they wanted $12/day for highspeed and a $1 ever local call, so I thought I'd just wait unitl we got home. Ok let me get to your questions.

[hiddengem]

Originally Posted by trosmok

What a stellar attitude, HG. I'm going to have to remind myself of that the next time some scribbler bashes our office's good works with innuendo, exaggerations and outright lies, which has been a daily staple in the local rag for about the last six weeks. Our mayor has decided to eliminate dozens of elected officials here, needs the help of our legislature to accomplish this, and it may wind up costing our taxpayers even more in the near future. I'd rather be playing ball, if I had my druthers.

I've been following your team through their web page, and you must be enjoying the warmer climate. The team has had some ups and downs, but your numbers seem to be right up with where you were before, if not a little better since you're playing more. Is there any difficulty adjusting to those 30+mph windy chilly days, or is it just something you prepare for and deal with?

Finally, I just want to thank you again for taking the time with us here; while society in general focuses on the negatives, most of us here at the Fever are delighted to keep this thread upbeat and positive. It gives us a chance to look forward to your continued successes, and enjoy the season of '05 with your notes on playing the game we all respect and love.

I'm not a very big fan of cold weather or wind, so I've been bundling up pretty good at night and using hand warmers. Tonight it rained and was in the 40's and we're supposed to have more rain for the next 3 days..should be interesting.