The Toledo Mud Hens will open their 2013 regular season with 15 returning players and a blend of major league experience and young prospects.

“We had a good spring,” said Mud Hens manager Phil Nevin. “A lot of tough decisions had to be made and when you’re putting a team together, that’s a good thing; we had to get rid of and send down some quality players and that means we should be all right.”

In his third year as Toledo’s skipper, Nevin said the main priority is developing his players “for the needs at the major league level.”

Toledo Mud Hens Manager Phil Nevin. Photo Courtesy Toledo Mud Hens

“Unfortunately, you go into a season and you’d love to say Detroit is only going to use their five starting pitchers and they’re going to make every start and no one’s going to get hurt and no one’s going to pull a hamstring or take a foul tip; but that just doesn’t happen,” he said. “Guys struggle, that’s just baseball, it happens. There’s moves to be made; our job is to have those players be ready to go to the major leagues and help out when those situations occur.”

Nevin said one of the best ways to prepare his players is by putting them in every possible game situation.

“Whether it’s a guy that never really bunts but hey, he goes to the big leagues and bats eighth and he might have to bunt; they’ll have to encounter at that level,” he said.

“It’s not always about a victory at that particular day, it’s about making those guys better to play at the major leagues.”

Although his main priority is to develop the players in the Tigers organization, Nevin said, “When we step between those lines at 7 o’clock at night, I want to win the baseball game.”

Although it is difficult to predict a minor league season, Nevin said his team’s defense is going to be a strong point. Twelve of Toledo’s 13 pitchers have experience playing AAA or in the major leagues, with seven of them a part of last year’s squad.

“Our defense is our strength and that really starts with our pitching,” Nevin said. “It’s a veteran staff for me who understands how to pitch and they’re going to be pretty excited about the defense playing behind them.”

Returning to the Mud Hens is catcher Bryan Holaday, who batted .240 with 25 RBIs with Toledo last season.

Quintin Berry, who was an impact player during the Detroit Tigers American League pennant run last season, will start in center field for the Mud Hens, who have missed the International League playoffs since 2007.

Berry batted .258 with the Tigers last season, knocking in 29 runs and stealing 21 bases.

One new face fans will recognize is Detroit Tigers top prospect Nick Castellanos. Castellanos, who was ranked No. 21 overall according to MLB.com, batted .360 with a home run and six RBIs with the Tigers during spring training down in Lakeland, Fla.

The 21-year-old prospect will play in left field despite starting his pro career at third base.

“He can really hit, he’s got a really good idea of how to hit,” Nevin said. “He’s new to playing left field still.”

Despite having a younger roster, Nevin said there will be some veterans and leaders, such as Holaday and first baseman John Lindsey.

“We have a very high-character clubhouse, which I like,” Nevin said. “I know they will kind of police themselves. They all play the game right, they play the game hard, they’re very professional guys and that’s nice to know going in because it makes my job a heck of a lot easier.”

Nevin said one the biggest impacts on the Tigers organization has been consistency in the minor league system. The different coordinators, such as the infield coordinator, hitting coordinator and minor league director, each have different responsibilities and Nevin said the consistency has allowed everyone to be “on the same page.”

“We’ve had a lot of turnover in our minor league system the last couple of years and to have some consistency from last year to this year I think is going to be beneficial to a lot of people, not just in the coaching personnel, but the players understand that as well,” he said. “Those people have all been consistent so that makes our jobs easier … you are on the same page.”

Tags: Mud Hens Opening Day 2013, Phil Nevin, Toledo Mud Hens

This entry was posted on Friday, April 5th, 2013 at 1:52 pm and is filed under Baseball, Featured, Mud Hens, Mud Hens Opening Day, Special Section, Sports.
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The Mud Hens saw two very familiar names traded away on July 23 as their parent club, the Detroit Tigers, bolstered their roster for a playoff push.

Detroit traded away two of its top prospects in starter Jacob Turner and catcher Rob Brantly to Miami, acquiring major league talent in its two biggest positions of need, starter Anibal Sanchez and second baseman Omar Infante.

“It’s a great two additions for our big league club and that’s something we are obviously excited about as they go forward,” Toledo head coach Phil Nevin said. “To make your major league club better you have to dip into your future and we had to do that with Jacob Turner and Rob Brantly. Miami is getting two very good players with a good catcher and a good pitcher and someday they will be very happy with them.”

The Tigers also sent away Double-A pitcher Brian Flynn and along with Miami became the first teams to swap competitive balance picks for the 2013 Draft. Detroit will now have the final pick in compensation round A, which is after the first round, while the Marlins will have the last pick in compensation round B, following the second round.

Turner entered the season ranked as the organization’s top prospect by Baseball America and Baseball Prospectus and the 10th overall prospect in the majors by MLB.com. In 62.2 innings for the Mud Hens, Turner posted a 3.16 ERA and 1.21 WHIP while striking out 40 and walking 24.

Turner struggled, however, in his three major league starts this season. The 21-year-old gave up 11 runs in 12.1 innings and allowed more home runs (4) than he did in his 62.2 innings in Triple-A this season (2).

“Jacob Turner is someone I have enjoyed watching mature and grow over the last couple of years,” Nevin said. “He is going to be a good big league starter and I look forward to watching him down the line.”

Turner wasn’t the only talented player in the trade. Brantly was also beginning to make a name for himself across the league at catcher. The 23-year-old entered the year as the team’s No. 7 prospect from Baseball America and No. 10 prospect from Baseball Prospectus. He was also named to the 2012 All-Star Futures Game this season.

Brantly was the only player in the deal on the Mud Hens at the time of the trade, with Turner getting called up to Detroit on July 17. He learned of the trade before the team’s July 23 matchup against Indianapolis and was unavailable for comment after leaving for Miami before the game started.

In 2012, Brantly is hitting .254 for Toledo in 130 at bats with 11 runs and six RBI. He hit .311 in Double-A in 180 at bats with 16 runs, three home runs and 24 RBI.

“Rob Brantly can hit and does a fine job behind the plate,” Nevin said. “He is full of energy and wants to learn. He has done a heck of a lot as far as his advancement since he’s been here.”

Flynn, who had not yet reached the Mud Hens, was ranked as the No. 11 prospect by Baseball Prospectus before the season.

In return, the Tigers will add an experienced starter in the seven-year veteran Sanchez. The 28-year-old is 5-7 this season in his last year of his $8 million contract and has a 3.94 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 121 innings of work. He has struck out 110 batters this season, walking 33.

Detroit will also add a familiar face in Infante, who played for the team from 2002-07. The middle infielder is hitting .287 this year with 42 runs, eight homers and 33 RBI. Those numbers will help improve on those from the team’s current second basemen Ramon Santiago (.216, 18 R, 2 HR, 17 RBI) and Ryan Raburn (.172, 13 R, 1 HR, 12 RBI). Infante is signed through 2013, making $4 million a season.

“To get that type of talent you have to give up a lot and we did,” Nevin said. “At the end of the day these are your guys and you’ve developed them for a reason and that’s to help your big league club. Those players were developed and they helped our big league club now because we were able to obtain two quality guys for the Tigers.”

Tags: Anibal Sanchez, Jacob Turner, Mud Hens, Omar Infante, Phil Nevin, Rob Brantly

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 24th, 2012 at 8:55 am and is filed under Baseball, Mud Hens, Sports.
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For fans of minor league teams, it’s not unusual to see the roster’s best player leave.

Departing for Japan, however — now, that’s a different story.

Slugging designated hitter Brad Eldred was released from his contract and signed a deal with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp this week. He was scratched from the lineup before the June 18 game against LeHigh Valley and was seen saying goodbye to his teammates following the contest. The move became official the following day.

“From my seat, my job is to make these guys better and move them on to bigger and better things,” Toledo head coach Phil Nevin said. “Usually that’s the big leagues, but regarding Brad, this is a great opportunity for his family.”

Eldred put up massive numbers for the Mud Hens this season. The 31-year-old designated hitter led the International League with 24 home runs and 65 RBI, and could have improved those numbers even more if not for a short promotion to the Tigers where he played in five games. He hit .305 in 2012 in 236 at bats and scored 49 runs.

That production makes Eldred’s departure a tad bittersweet for Toledo fans who will now look to find a replacement in the heart of their order. For Nevin, however, the move isn’t bittersweet at all. He is content facing the problem of replacing Eldred.

“We have plenty of good players here,” Nevin said. “It’s a positive thing and that’s how I look at it. When I get between the lines it’s about wins and losses, of course. But with a guy like Brad he has been great for this organization, even if it’s been a short time. He’s earned the right to go provide for his kids.”

Over his career, Eldred has played for three major league teams: Detroit, Colorado and Pittsburgh. Eldred posted a .203 career average in the majors in 276 at bats, hitting 15 home runs and driving home 34. He also struck out 109 times and walked 17.

The Carp are no strangers to signing major league players, let alone former Tigers. Among the players who played for Detroit then left for Hiroshima are Rod Allen, Sean Douglass, Colby Lewis and Timo Perez.

As for the Mud Hens, the team has tried to find Eldred’s replacement from outside the organization with the signing of Jeff Baisley. The 29-year-old played 64 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers Triple-A affiliate Albuquerque before he was cut in early June, recording a modest .284 average with eight home runs and 41 RBI. In his first two outings, Baisley is 2 for 8 with an RBI for Toledo.

Tags: Brad Eldred, Hiroshima Toyo Carp, Phil Nevin, Toledo Mud Hens, Zach Davis

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 21st, 2012 at 9:30 am and is filed under Baseball, Mud Hens, Sports.
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While recovering from an injury, one of the more prominent members of the Detroit Tigers made his way through the Mud Hens lineup this week.

Detroit starting center fielder Austin Jackson played in two games this week for Toledo as he began his return to the major leagues on a rehab assignment.

“It felt pretty good getting back into the swing of things and kind of getting the blood flowing again,” Jackson said. “It was tough trying to get the timing back and I definitely wanted to see some pitches and wanted to swing a little bit too just to see if I felt anything. I didn’t have any pain so that’s definitely a good sign.”

Jackson was placed on the 15-day DL after he suffered an abdominal strain on May 16 at home against Minnesota. With Jackson in the lineup this season, Detroit boasts a record of 19-18. Without Jackson, the Tigers are just 8-14 in 2012.

“I thought Austin looked good,” Toledo starter Adam Wilk said. “He ran down balls where it just looks like he’s cruising but he’s flying around the outfield covering a lot of ground. Our outfield isn’t as big as it is in Detroit but it looks like he will be able to cover that ground again. He’s got his speed back and he looks fine in the outfield and at the plate.”

In 2012, Jackson is hitting .321 in the majors with 29 runs and 17 RBI. He has also hit five home runs and walked 20 times while striking out 30 times in 140 at bats. That walk-to-strikeout ratio of 0.67 is a career-high, over double that of last season’s mark of 0.31.

In his time at Toledo, Jackson went 1 for 8 at the plate with two strikeouts and was caught stealing once in two losses for the Mud Hens to Charlotte. His time in the lineup, however, was more about testing his body to see if he was ready. That test included seeing his reaction to swinging and missing on a pitch, running down fly balls and attempting to steal a base.

“His first at bat was probably the most telling one for us,” Toledo head coach Phil Nevin said. “To start out the game and swing and miss a couple times with those obliques, those are the ones that are going to get you some times. To see him swing and miss and feel fine his next at bats, he looked fine to me. He ran after a couple balls in the outfield and reached for them. He looked fine.”

With Jackson returning to Detroit he was immediately inserted back into the leadoff spot on June 9 against the Reds. Despite going 0 for 4 at the plate, Jackson and the Tigers edged out Cincinnati 3-2, grabbing their second win in the last six games.

Tags: Adam Wilk, Austin Jackson, Detroit Tigers, Phil Nevin, rehab assignment, Toledo Mud Hens

This entry was posted on Monday, June 11th, 2012 at 2:06 am and is filed under Baseball, Mud Hens, Sports.
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Fresh off nearly being no-hit the night before, Toledo’s Adam Wilk responded with a strong pitching performance of his own.

Unfortunately, it still wasn’t enough.

Wilk and the Mud Hens lost their sixth straight game on July 8 falling 3-2 to Charlotte as the Knights took the four- game sweep.

Against the Knights, Wilk had a career game. The 24-year-old starter struck out a personal record of nine batters and threw the team’s first complete game of the season.

“I definitely think this was a good outing,” Wilk said. “I’ve had a couple good ones and this was probably one of my top. I made a couple mistakes including that two-run home run and put myself in a little trouble in the sixth inning with a run on that double. I was very efficient and getting outs very quickly and even with nine strikeouts the pitch count was at exactly 100. It was definitely a strong outing and I just have to keep building.”

For Wilk, it was another solid performance on the year. The Anaheim native is second among the team’s starters with a 3.34 ERA and has racked up 46 strikeouts with just 11 walks in his 59.1 innings of work.

Still, despite his success, the team has struggled at the plate on his starts. After winning his first two outings of the year, Wilk has lost six of his next seven starts. Other than a seven-point outing on May 29, Toledo has averaged just 1.67 runs a game in those six outings.

Among the reasons for Wilk’s success is a key adjustment he’s made on the mound. Per the instructions of head coach Phil Nevin and his staff, Wilk has moved from pitching on the first base side of the rubber to the third base side. While he is still trying to fully adjust, Wilk has seen improvements highlighted by his nine-strikeout shutout.

“Adam’s made some adjustments in his delivery, we have moved him over to the other side of the rubber,” Nevin said. “We think that will help him at the next level. It’s a different look for hitters and he can reach different parts of the plate with his stuff. I really think this will help him and I think he’s starting to get comfortable with it. It’s just creating better angles with his stuff and I’ve noticed a big difference.”

“The biggest thing is the visual,” Wilk said. “It’s just the visual difference of everything, that was the weirdest thing for the first couple starts along with the release point being different but I’m definitely getting more comfortable. The pitches are coming around and I’m starting to understand where to put the ball to get guys out.”

Wilk will make his next start on June 14 when the Mud Hens travel to Norfolk at 7:15 p.m.

Tags: Adam Wilk, Charlotte Knights, Phil Nevin, Toledo Mud Hens, Zach Davis

This entry was posted on Saturday, June 9th, 2012 at 11:12 pm and is filed under Baseball, Mud Hens, Prep Sports, Sports.
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The way the Mud Hens were playing, they were due for an off game.

Entering the day winning four of their five games in May, Toledo fell at Fifth Third Field in an 8-1 loss to Columbus on May 6. The Mud Hens recorded just five hits in the game and never led.

“We didn’t swing the bats well today and that’s no secret,” Toledo head coach Phil Nevin said. “It was one of those games where you really didn’t feel like you were in it. This team has played extremely hard for a month and throughout the course of the season you might have a stinker or two and that was today. You are never happy with those but you correct it and it won’t happen again.”

Mud Hens Head Coach Phil Nevin, photo by Zach Davis

Toledo has exploded out of the gate in 2012 with the second best record in International League play at 18-11. The Mud Hens also have a two-game lead over Columbus, the two-time defending IL Champions, in the IL West.

“We have played well for a month, close to 30 games, and we have played well the entire time,” Nevin said. “You hate to sit there and say that you will have games like this but it happens. You don’t have to like it but you understand what it’s all about. We didn’t have everything today and we will go on the road tomorrow and fully anticipate us getting back to playing good ball.”

Their turnaround from last year’s squad, which finished the season at 67-77, has been highlighted by their play against the defending champions. The Clippers won 14 of 22 games against Toledo last season but the Mud Hens have turned the tables in 2012, winning six of eight against Columbus.

“That’s a good team over there,” Nevin said. “If you would have told me at the beginning of the year that we would be 6-2 at this point against that team, I would say we must be playing pretty good because that is a really good team.”

In Sunday’s finale, Toledo entered the fifth tied with the Clippers at one before Columbus scored seven runs in the next four innings to pull away 8-1. The game was sealed after a seventh-inning grand slam by Chad Huffman.

The Mud Hens will now hit the road for the next eight days as they look to improve on their 8-2 record on the season away from Fifth Third Field. They will take on Charlotte (15-15) and Gwinnett (19-10) each in a four game series before returning home for four more against Scranton Wilkes-Barre beginning at 6:30 p.m. May 15.

Tags: Columbus, Phil Nevin, Toledo Mud Hens

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 8th, 2012 at 12:37 am and is filed under Baseball, Mud Hens, Sports.
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In front of 12,000 fans at Fifth Third Field, the Detroit Tigers topped the Mud Hens 8-3 on April 4 in an exhibition matchup. The game was the first between the Tigers and their Triple-A affiliate in the past 12 years and all proceeds are to be donated to charity, with half going to the Detroit Tigers Foundation and half to Helping Hens Foundation.

“Boy, what a beautiful day and a neat atmosphere. It was just a perfect day for baseball,” Toledo head coach Phil Nevin said. “It was a special day for the city, without a doubt. I know everybody has looked forward to it for a long time, and I don’t think it disappointed. You couldn’t have asked for a better day outside and there was a great crowd. They saw some big league guys for a while, it was a really neat day.”

Tigers first baseman Prince Fielder, taken by Jason Mack

Detroit’s high-powered offense, which finished fourth in baseball with 787 runs last season, showcased its newest addition in slugging first baseman Prince Fielder, who signed a nine-year, $214 million deal in the offseason. The Tigers’ major hitters, including Fielder (0 for 1, R) and Miguel Cabrera (1 for 2, R, RBI), played the first few innings before giving way to their backups. That starting unit propelled Detroit to a 6-1 lead in the first three innings.

The Tigers’ starting lineup racked up a combined nine hits in 20 at bats, scoring seven times while driving in six. Delmon Young (2 for 2, 2 R, RBI) scored a pair of runs while Ryan Raburn (1 for 3, R, 2 RBI) drove in two. Catcher Alex Avila (2 for 2, RBI) also notched a pair of hits with a run batted in.

“There’s no doubt about it, on paper they are as good as it probably gets,” Mud Hens first baseman Ryan Strieby said. “They are going to be a tough team to beat, that’s for sure.”

With the victory, Detroit extended their lead in the all-time series — but not by as much as you might think. The Tigers historically lead the series by an 11-9 margin, and there have also been two ties.

A combined 46 players entered the game, including 27 from Detroit. Among those on the Tigers who have previously played in Toledo are Brennan Boesch (OF), Andy Dirks (OF), Don Kelly (UTIL), Rick Porcello (SP), Ryan Raburn (OF), Ramon Santiago (2B) and Danny Worth (3B)/

Porcello got the start and allowed three runs on seven hits and lasted just 4.2 innings. He gave way to Wilsen Palacios, who shut down the Mud Hens, giving up just one hit in 4.1 scoreless frames.

For Toledo, leadoff hitter Quintin Berry (3 for 5, R) led the way offensively with a game-high three hits. Third baseman Audy Ciriaco (1 for 3, R, RBI) had a run and an RBI for the Hens while Strieby (1 for 4, RBI) also drove home a runner.

Fu-Te Ni earned the loss after being tagged for six runs on nine hits in 2.2 innings against the Tigers’ starting lineup. Other than Luke Putkonen, who gave up two runs in an inning of work, five Toledo relievers combined for 5.1 scoreless innings: Brooks Brown, Matt Hoffman, Brayan Villarreal, Austin Wood and Jose Ortega.

The game was the preseason finale for both teams. Detroit will host the Red Sox in their season opener at 1 p.m. April 5 while Toledo will host the Indianapolis Indians at 5 p.m. April 6.

See more photos from the game in our Facebook gallery.

Tags: Detroit Tigers, Detroit Tigers Foundation, exhibition, Helping Hens Foundation, Phil Nevin, Toledo Mud Hens, Zach Davis

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 5th, 2012 at 10:06 am and is filed under Baseball, Mud Hens, Sports.
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The Mud Hens are looking to improve on a tough 2011 season as the team wraps up spring training in manager Phil Nevin’s second year on the job.

“It’s been a great camp,” Nevin said. “We have new leaders in place as far as our minor league director and field coordinator, and they’ve done a heck of a job. The preparation and attention to detail has been smooth for camp. The players have been very receptive to everything and working hard. I really enjoy the people involved here. Everybody has come to camp in great shape and ready to go. We’ve added some pieces that will help our Triple-A roster out, mostly on the offensive side, guys like Jerad Head and Quintin Berry.”

Nevin said he is excited about additions to the roster, but there are still some questions about who will be with the team.

Phil Nevin, photographed by Paul Nelson.

“We still have some major decisions going on with the roster,” he said. “Quintin Berry is still with the major league team and you don’t know what’s going to happen. Jerad Head, Eric Patterson and Matt Young have already come down. Those are quality players that have had success in Triple-A in the past and for the time being will help us out quite a bit in Toledo.”

Second nature

Adjusting to an ever-changing roster is second nature to Nevin after last season.

“We have an idea of when things are going to happen,” he said. “You can’t account for injuries on any level, but we have an idea of who is going to be where, and we have from the beginning of spring. It’s just a matter of getting pieces in place toward the end and getting everybody ready for the season.”

The Mud Hens went 67-77 in Nevin’s first season with the team. First baseman Ryan Strieby paced the offense with team highs of 19 home runs and 76 RBI, but Toledo finished with only 586 total runs, the third-fewest in the International League (IL). With the Detroit Tigers two deep at first base, Strieby should be a mainstay with Toledo in 2012. Left-hander Duane Below led the pitching staff  last season, with nine wins, finishing 9-4 in 18 starts with a 3.13 ERA in 115 innings.

The team finished 21 games back in the division behind IL champion Columbus. In its attempt to close the gap with the Clippers, Toledo will rely on a young pitching staff and veteran leadership on offense.

“Columbus always has a veteran mix with sixth-year free agents and prospects,” Nevin said. “That’s along the lines of what we’re doing this year. Most of our younger guys are on the mound, and having veterans in the lineup is really going to help our offense.”

Opportunity to expand

Nevin said he is eager for the opportunity to expand on his first season.

“For me, it’s the familiarity with different people,” he said. “It’s going to be nice going back to the same place for the first time. I won’t have to learn new names, whether it’s in the front office, umpires or clubhouse people throughout the league. It will be more familiar for me. It makes the season start off a little smoother.”

Despite the advantages of another year on the job, Nevin is not ready to speculate about how it will translate on the field.

“It’s hard to predict championships and rosters and records and things like that until you go throughout the league,” he said. “I’m excited going into the season. I think we have a chance to be pretty good. There’s a good mix of veteran guys on offense, and we’ll have some solid young starting pitching and a good bullpen. It’s our job to have them prepared to play every day and we’ll see where it goes.”

Tigers tune-up

Toledo will tune up for the season with a charity game at Fifth Third Field against the Detroit Tigers at noon April 4.

“It’s an exciting time for the city,” Nevin said. “It will be an exciting atmosphere the first time you get into the stadium and see a packed house. It will be neat for the players to get a taste of Toledo before we start our season a couple days later.”

The Mud Hens open the season 5 p.m. April 6 at home against division rival Indianapolis, which went 76-68 last season.

“This is about the time where you’re starting to count down the days,” Nevin said. “Guys are getting antsy to get out of spring training. A lot of guys have been here over a month now and are ready to get the season started.”

Tags: Mud Hens, Phil Nevin

This entry was posted on Friday, March 30th, 2012 at 10:38 am and is filed under Featured, Mud Hens Opening Day, Sports.
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There have been some strong sports celebrations leading up  to the April 14 doubleheader that will kick off the 2011 Toledo Mud Hens season.

Coach Brian Kinsella and the St. Francis de Sales hockey team won the state championship March 13 in an amazing 2-1 overtime victory against Lakewood St. Edward. It is the school’s first state hockey title, and the school is to be congratulated for the win and for the way its young men conducted themselves throughout the season and playoffs.

On April 2, head coach Tricia Cullop led the Lady Rockets to a national basketball title, winning the Women’s National Invitational Tournament by vanquishing  Pac-10 powerhouse University of Southern California.

Thousands of basketball fans packed Savage Arena during the final few games of the run, which created a moment in history that will be savored for many years.

Off the field, University of Toledo legend Chuck Ealey is working on a foundation that is focused on establishing mentoring programs in Toledo-area schools. Ealey, who was an undefeated 35-0 during his UT career, is giving back to the community in ways that further enhance his legacy.

All this good news creates high expectations and excitement as the Mud Hens enter the season under the direction of new manager Phil Nevin. Nevin is a former Detroit Tiger as well as an Erie SeaWolves manager.

There is no day as exciting and full of optimism in Downtown Toledo as Opening Day. In this issue, Toledo Free Press offers the region’s most comprehensive and entertaining coverage of the season’s beginning, from Nevin’s debut to the schedules, rosters and behind-the-scenes stories that make local baseball so intriguing.

There is one sad note, as this will be the first season in nearly six decades without the presence of announcer Frank Gilhooley. But there is no doubt that Frank will watch this season from a grand seat, talking stats and trading stories with Jim Thorpe, Moses Fleetwood Walker,  Casey Stengel, Hack Wilson, Kirby Puckett and the other heavenly all-stars of Mud Hens lore.

So enjoy this 92-page mega-issue, soak up the stories and let’s hope for warm weather.

It’s Opening Day 2011, and I can’t wait to see you at Fifth Third Field for the first pitch and the first two Hens wins!

Thomas F. Pounds is president and publisher of Toledo Free Press and Toledo Free Press Star. Email him at tpounds@toledofreepress.com.

Tags: Brian Kinsella, Chuck Ealey, Frank Gilhooley, Mud Hens Opening Day 2011, Phil Nevin, Publisher's Statement, Tom Pounds, Tricia Cullop, WNIT

This entry was posted on Friday, April 8th, 2011 at 12:00 am and is filed under Opinion, Publisher's Statement.
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The Toledo Mud Hens announced Phil Nevin as the team’s new manager at a press conference Nov. 11 at Fifth Third Field, replacing longtime Mud Hens’ manager Larry Parrish, who left the organization last month to become the hitting coach for the Atlanta Braves.

“It goes without saying that this is the most famous, storied minor league franchise in all of baseball,” Nevin said. “To be standing here as the new manager for this team is quite an honor.”

Nevin comes to Toledo after serving as the manager of the Erie SeaWolves in 2010, whom he led to a 66-76 overall record. The SeaWolves are the Double-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, and last season was Nevin’s first year with the organization. Prior to his stint with the SeaWolves, Nevin served as the manager of the Orange County (CA) Flyers in 2009, whom he led to a 37-39 overall record.

The 39-year-old Nevin was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1992 Major League Baseball draft by the Houston Astros, spending 12 years in the majors with seven different teams, including the Tigers from 1995-97. Nevin batted .270 for his career with 208 homers and 743 RBI.

“It was something I thought about as I played,” Nevin said of eventually becoming a manager. “I was a student of the game.”

Nevin also cited the late Sparky Anderson as having a big influence on him.

“He told me that he still comes to the field every day to learn something new, and I’ve taken that with me since I’ve played for Sparky,” Nevin said. “I relay that message to the players, [and to] my son who plays in little league. That was something that stuck with me for a long time.”

The Mud Hens’ 2011 home opener takes place at 4 p.m. on April 14 in a doubleheader against Columbus.

Tags: Mud Hens, Phil Nevin

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 11th, 2010 at 5:20 pm and is filed under Mud Hens, Sports.
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