Mr. Clean

Bruce,

You sure the University doesn't have someone to do this for you?

Ahh, what the heck. A little elbow grease was just what the doctor ordered.

Illini 52, Golden Smophers 41.

Best,
Bevormo

Criminy!

Bruce,

What ... was that? A 38-33 loss? At home? To Penn St.?

38 to 33?

Snakes that was a strange bad loss. Not only was the team shooting like they didn't want the ball to go through the hoop, but even when they did start to make some shots, they managed to blow a nine-point second half lead.

That potential 3 or 4 seed now looks a lot like a potential 6 seed.

It's not just Illini fans that are upset. That loss may have jobbed up the whole Big Ten. As my advisor Tatty Mareeco, a Michigan fan, wrote this morning:

Also tell Weber and the boys thanks. My squad is having enough of a hard time making the tourney basedo [sic] on their suspect play, I didn't need your boys to gift wrap a game for PSU last night.

Tatt can't spell but he does have a point. Not that I think Michigan is a tournament quality team, but after last night's game, barring some unforeseen conference tourney runs, the Big Ten is looking at 5 teams in the Big Dance. Shameful.

The Ohio St. game on Sunday now looms larger than before. I know you can rally the troops and pull out a win in Columbus.

Best,
Bevormo

Antonelli's Bomb

The 2009 Baseball America Prospect Handbook arrived on my doorstep this afternoon. I peeled it open and found that the Padres farm system fell to 29th (out of 30) in the BA rankings. Rumors of that precipitous fall (the Padres were ranked 12th last year) have been circulating around the web for a week or so, but I was still annoyed to see it in print today.

Fact is, I think BA is wrong.

BA's logic in ranking the Padres so low seems to be that Chase Headley and Nick Hundley have graduated to the majors (and thus no longer qualify for the rankings), while other prospects, such as Wade LeBlanc, Drew Miller, Nick Schmidt, Will Inman, Steve Garrison, Cory Luebke, Yefri Carvajal, Cesar Ramos and Cesar Carrillo, have suffered injuries or simply underperformed. No less than 10 Padres from last year's top 30 are still in the Padres system but have "dropped out" of the top 30 rankings. I haven't compared those numbers to other teams but that smacks of a high percentage.

Perhaps no Padre farmhand is more responsible for the lower ranking than Matt Antonelli. He had a rough season in AAA and a poor showing during a September cup of coffee in the Bigs, and now BA seems to have written him off and made him the poster boy for a 17 point drop in the team rankings. If you don't believe me visit your nearest Barnes & Noble and flip through the book for free. You'll see.

But I don't buy BA's logic. This blog, among others, thinks BA ranks the Padres farm system way too low. Not only that, methinks Matty Antonelli is going to rebound this season. He may even win the starting job out of Spring Training. That's what the hunch monster grumbling in my stomach is telling me, anyway.

In what is both a review and preview of better days, I posted the above photo of Matt Antonelli's first - and currently only - major league bomb. It happened last September 15 in the top of the 3rd inning at Coors Field in Colorado. Jason Hirsh had come on in relief and struck out Nick Hundley while Chase Headley bounced off second base. Antonelli stepped in and Hirsh, clearly scared out of his wits at the prospect of pitching to Antonelli, threw three straight balls nowhere near the plate. Hirsh grooved the 3-0 pitch for a strike and then, on 3-1, he left a fastball on the outside corner and Antonelli leaned over the plate and drove it on a line over the left field wall.

Voila. Two. Run. Bomb.

Unlike BA, I have a feeling Antonelli has a lot more of that type of AB in his future.

Peoria, AZ

One month until I head to Peoria, AZ for Spring Training.

Hurry, calendar! Hurry!

Presidents Day

No question Abe was an Illini fan.

No. Question.

Hold The Line

Jeffrey, Mike and Mike,

I need you to hold the line today in Bloomington. The troops have advanced into second place in the Big Ten and this is no time to lose ground against an inferior foe like the Indy Anna Hoo Shers.

Take care of business and we'll see you on the flip side.

Best,
Bevormo

They Call Him Mr. Meacham

I can't begin to describe how impressed I was by the Illini's comeback last night. So many great things happened in the last six minutes of the game - Wayne McClain drawing up that trapping press with 5:00 to play comes to mind - that I hesitate to single out one guy for honors.

That said, Trent Meacham really was a monster beast in those last minutes.

If you haven't seen the finish of the Illini's stirring 60-59 victory at Northwestern, please check this out. It's the best way I can imagine to spend 8:21 of your day.

If you can't spare the full 8 plus minutes, allow me to point you to Trent's artistry (these are times on the YouTube video, not the game clock):

1:06: the Illini come out of a time out in Coach McClain's trapping press and Trent steals a pass at the top of the key and lays it in to pull the Illini to 57-47 with 4:53 to play;

2:40: Demetri McCamey flies down the court on a fast break, puts the ball behind his back and then finds Meacham on the perimeter for a long two ... 57-50 with 3:38 to play;

4:25: Northwestern has just hit a bucket (their last of the game) to go up 59-50 with 2:15 to go ... Meacham takes the ball at the top of the key and splits two players to lay it in (after a suspensful bounce on the back of the rim) and pick up a foul ... he sinks the free throw to make the game 59-53 with 2:09 to play;

6:04: the Illini get the ball back on the possession arrow and McCamey dribbles up, spots Trent in the corner, and Meacham catches-and-releases in a split second, firing up a moon ball that drops through the hoop ... Illini down 59-56 with a minute to play;

(Incidentally, Stephen Bardo was calling the game for ESPN and as McCamey passes the ball to Meacham at this point, Bardo starts to say, "This finish for Northwestern has an eerie feeling ... [now Meacham's shot drops through the hoop and Bardo finishes raising his voice] ... like the Purdue game!" Classic.)

6:37: the Illini force another turnover and have the ball down three points ... Tisdale thinks about a three pointer but then gives it up and sets a monster pick for Meacham, who takes the ball at the perimeter and cuts through the defense for a leaning one-hand layup ... Illini down 59-58 with 42.6 seconds to play;

7:11: Meacham guards Northwestern's Michael Thompson as Thompson dribbles around the perimeter ... Thompson finally decides to drive to the basket and Meacham reaches out for a block just as Thompson starts to elevate for a layup ... the ball bounces out of bounds to the Illini;

and finally ...

7:30: with under ten seconds to play, McCamey passes the ball to Meacham who, seeing McCamey curve around him, dishes the ball back to McCamey for the game winning assist and bucket.

Just an incredible job down the stretch.

Chris Britton ... "Middle Relief Monster"

Chris,

Yesterday, I was sitting at my computer when one of my advisors, Geleaux, e-mailed me this missive he pulled from a Joe Sheehan chat on Baseball Prospectus:

"San Diego Padres: You can't possibly be sick of me pumping up Chris Britton, who is all set to ape the Heath Bell career path. Relief pitcher with lots of skills washes out of a New York organization, heads to San Diego, and becomes a middle-relief monster."

Sheehan was discussing non-roster invitees across the league and pegged you as someone to watch. To be specific, he pegged you as a "middle-relief monster." Now I'm not generally a fan of Sheehan's work, but I'm not about to disagree with him on this one.

Anything you can do to get the Drino bullpen back on track won't be overlooked by this humble blog.

Good luck and enjoy the next month or so of Spring Training.

Or as I call it: "Prelude to the Diego."

Best,
Bevormo

Kurt Bevacqua ... Query

Kurt (aka Secret Weapon),

I don't mean to disturb what looks to be a very busy retirement, but I have a question for you. A few of my advisors - Tam O' Flannel, Father D.P. McGillicutty, Geleaux, Tatty Mareeco - have asked when this blog is going to start interviewing former members of the Padres, Chargers and Illini.

Considering that you are probably the greatest Padre of all time not named Tony Gwynn or Trevor Hoffman, they naturally suggested you as the first interviewee.

So, what do you think?

For my part, I have to say I am intrigued by the idea. My first reaction, however, was to wonder just how many f bombs you'd drop if some random blogger - me - dialed you up and asked to conduct an interview. I can't imagine you'd be too pleased with that. I'm tentatively setting the over/under at 43 f bombs, but I guess it really depends on the length of the call.

Anyway, I figure you have a lot better things to spend your time on - like playing poker, heading to TJ or taking batting practice down at Petco and sending blistering line drives off Kouzmanoff's bald noggin. But maybe not. Maybe you would be interested in an interview.

I may be in touch soon.

Best,
Bevormo

Roll Call

Padres, Chargers , Illini ... rise and report!

Here is a brief recap as to where my teams stand on this fine Monday in February, in the year of our Lord 2009.

1. The Padres

Pitchers and catchers report in scant days. Mark Prior is an optimist. Jeff Moorad is the new man in charge. Sandy Alderson is packing his belongings. Adrian Gonzalez is hitting jonrons in the Caribbean Series. Jake Peavy plans to pitch in the WBC. Matt Bush is but a memory. Cliffy Floyd is playing the role of Tony Clark.

2. The Chargers

Darren Sproles is shopping himself around the League. The stadium deal languishes. The '63 team used roids. LT and AJ have muzzled up. Draft talk can now begin in earnest. Linebacker? D Lineman? Running Back?

3. Illini Pigskin

The class of 2013 is signed and ready. Zooker never sent a schollie offer to Kraig Appleton. Spring game will give Mike Schultz first chance to show his stuff.

4. Illini Hoop

Made Purdue look silly in Champaign on Sunday. Looked clueless themselves in Madison on Thursday. Legion looking lost. Keller flashing get-to-the basket skills. Mike Davis back on a double double pace.

We've Got A Ballgame

Illinois versus Purdue this afternoon. In the Assembly Hall in Champaign. Nationally televised on CBS.

Robbie Hummel is out for Purdue.

The Illini need a win to stay in the upper half of the Big Ten standings.

This game could not be more critical.

See you on the flip side.

The Matty Bush Era

As most anyone who would read this blog is already aware, the Matty Bush era ended yesterday when the Padres DFA'd him to open a roster spot for Cliff Floyd. The move coincided with reports of a criminal investigation involving an alleged assault by Bush on some high school lacrosse players in El Cajon, CA, a suburb of the Diego.

This afternoon one of the Bevormo's advisors, Tam O'Flannel, a Red Sox fan and general baseball enthusiast, sent an e-mail seeking comment on the situation.

The exact text of my response, sent at 1:59 EST this afternoon, is below:

I think he's safely leading the argument now for worst #1 overall pick of all time, at least since 1965. He still has a chance to pass Brien Taylor and Steve Chilcott and make the majors, but that seems dubious. The kid is no doubt a straight up dickhead, possibly an alcoholic, and maybe even has some more serious personality disorders. It could just be a maturity question but, regardless, I thought the Padres handled it well in giving him a three strikes and you're out policy. It was time to be done with it.

I thought this blog post summed up Matty Bush nicely.

From a baseball ops standpoint, its probably the worst episode of both the Moores and Towers eras, with the handling of Trevor this offseason probably second, and the failure to protect Joakim Soria in last year's Rule V draft possibly third. That's just off the top of my head, there's no doubt been some other bad personnel decisions but those strike me as particularly heinous. The lesson I hope the Padres learned is twofold (1) building through the draft is the best way to build a mid-to-low market team, but (2) you can't be chintz on the draft. It's one thing if you pay for Stephen Drew and he busts, but to try to get a bargain at #1 and then have that player bust is a recipe for a PR, and baseball operations, disaster.

Going forward it is what it is. Matty Bush may catch on with someone and make the bigs as a relief pitcher. Apparently he has some very good stuff. But I think his leash is going to be very short and the fact he is a jabrone will be too high a hurdle. The Padres will move on and, under the policy began by Alderson, and hopefully continued by Moorad, will invest a ton of caysh in the draft and not shy away from spending on a legit high draft pick when they have one. For example, this June.

The one bright side of this whole episode is that the 2004 draft might not end up a total bust. The Padres drafted Kyle Blanks in the 42nd round that year.

And there you have it. That is this blog's view of the Matty Bush era as of 1:59 EST on February 6, 2009.

What Happened In the Game?

I was stuck at work all night and haven't watched the Illini-Wisconsin game. Shockingly I managed to keep from learning the score while I toiled away doing the Man's work. On my way home now to watch the game on DVR.

Because I have nothing better to do at 2 AM on a weeknight.

[Update - 3:09 PM EST 2/6/09: That game was so not worth staying up until 4:30 AM sober to watch.]

S-S-S Signing Day!

Way to get r dun today, Zook! Signing day always measures an 11 on the stress-chter scale but I get the sense its one of your favorite days of the year.

You're so cool.

All in all the class seems strong, albeit not spectacular. It would have been nice to top off the class with a 5-star like, say, Jelani Jenkins, but I'm not complaining. As I look over the class I see a lot of guys who look like "football players." They're talented sure, but maybe not so talented that they'll arrive in Champaign and coast. They look like guys who have a little something to prove.

They look like guys with a little bit of hunger.

Here are the main storylines I see with this class:

1. Terry Hawthorne. Getting Hawthorne in the fold was huge. Some experts say he might start opposite Arrelious as early as next September. At a minimum it will be interesting to watch the built-in rivalry with his high-school teammate, Kraig Appleton, who bailed on the Illini for the 'Sconsin Badgers.

2. Nathan Scheelhaase. By my count, now that Nathan has signed, the Illini have four stud quarterbacks on the roster: Nathan, Juice Williams, Eddie McGee and Jacob Charest. I like the way you operate, Zook.

3. Defensive Linemen. Craig Drummond and Tank Carradine were notable drop outs from the class in the last week but I still like what I see here. Lendell Buckner reeks of studlydom, and Michael Buchanan was a choice last-minute addition when he picked the Illini over the Annoilermakers. Not to mention Akeem Spence and Tim Kynard, two guys who I get the feeling fell under the radar but will bloom in college.

4. Running Backs. Bud Golden and the coup of the day, Justin Green. Me likey. Golden seems like an athletic, do-everything back that can make plays, not to mention he has an awesome name. And Green is an absolute speedster who might also run track at Illinois when he's not galloping toward the end zone on Saturday afternoons in the Fall. I sense good things from these two guys.

There are a few more stories with this class, but I'll leave it at that for now. Can't wait to see these guys at Camp Rantoul.

Congrats, Mr. Moorad, You're The New Owner Of The San Diego Padres

Jeff,

You look sleepy in that photo. Perhaps that's understandable considering it was taken when you were CEO of the Arizona DiamanteBacks.

Well, wake up!

You just bought the San Diego Padres.

Congratulations, sir. I look forward to your stewardship and will, for the foreseeable future, continue my humble support of the Drinos as a season-ticket holder.

A few notes as you complete your deal and begin the (5-year!?!) process toward becoming the controlling owner in the franchise:

1. Manny is still on the market.

2. Manny is still on the market.

3. Speed plays at Petco.

4. Outfield defense plays at Petco.

5. A strong bullpen plays at Petco.

That is all for now. I'll see you in the Diago on April 6th.

Best,
Bevormo

Well Played, Carey Davis, Formerly of the Illini, Now Of The Steelers

A few weeks ago, after the Stillers beat the Bolts in the Divisional Playoffs, I referred to a fullback that Quentin Jammer blew up behind the line as that "big, fat Steeler fullback."

Turns out that "big, fat Steeler fullback" was one of the Illini's own, Carey Davis.

Carey, my man, I apologize.

All I can say is congratulations on playing for a Super Bowl champion. That's gotta feel pretty good.

Here's a more recent photo of you:

Oh hey, Carey, by the way, do you think Rashard is getting a ring? Do you think he deserves one?

Team That Beat Chargers Wins Super Bowl

The exact date hasn't been announced yet, but the Chargers play at Pittsburgh sometime during the 2009 season.

I. Cannot. Wait.

And you know who else can't wait?

Here's a hint: