Leo: Cactus League Clippings

It’s been a week since we last visited and there is plenty to discuss, too much in fact for just one blog entry so Ryan and I will have to turn up our blogging intensity a bit as the season draws closer. For now, here are some of the things happening in the world of Clippers baseball…

* My friend, sportswriter Chuck Murr has added to the list of former Clippers that are now playing elsewhere. From what I can tell, most or all of these are in minor league camp, but it’s a nice addition to our recent “Where are they now”… RHP Jon Meloan (Athletics), LHP Zach Jackson (Rangers), RHP Greg Aquino (White Sox), INF Josh Barfield (Phillies), RHP Jose Veras (Pirates), RHP R.J. Swindle (Rays).

* Ryan and I recently chatted with Tony Lastoria of Indians Prospect Insider about several topics. Click here to listen to a portion of the sensational broadcast journalism on display!

* The Indians traded Aaron Laffey to Seattle last week. The acquired player is 25 year old INF/OF Matt Lawson. He batted .293 26 doubles, 7 triples, 9 HRs, and 56 RBIs in a combined118 games in Double-A. Lawson started the 2010 campaign with Texas, but was traded to Seattle in the same deal that moved Cliff Lee to the Rangers. Lawson was originally drafted in the 14th round of the 2007 Rangers draft.

* Shelley Duncan is now playing in the Cactus League. He was out because of a pulled back muscle.

* Jason Donald was hit by a pitch on the hand last week, but the x-rays were negative and he’s listed as day-to-day.

* Jordan Bastian of MLB. com recently wrote a nice piece about outfielders Travis Buck and Chad Huffman. They are both fighting for a job in Cleveland or possibly Columbus. Buck does have an out-clause in his contract if he doesn’t make the Indians 25-man squad.

* Most assume top prospect Lonnie Chisenhall will start the year with Columbus, but he’s making it tough to for Manny Acta to bump him off of the Indians roster. Chisenhall is 7-for-15 (.467) with two doubles, two HRs, and 4 RBIs in the early portion of the Cactus League. The 22 year old smacked 17 homers with 84 RBIs over 117 games with Akron last year.

* Congratulations to John Strawn, Wittenberg University’s assistant sports information director. He finally took the plunge and is purchasing a Clippers 20-game season ticket plan! I’ve only been telling him for the past three years that it was a no-brainer. For all the benefits of being a season ticket holder (even having a partial plan) check out this page.

* The Clippers now have a Tumblr page! I don’t know anything about Tumblr, but I’m told it’s awesome.

* Don’t forget to follow the Clippers, the Clippers broadcast, and the Indians on Twitter.

* The Cincinnati Enquirer believes the Louisville Bats will have a really good team in April. I tend to agree.* Less than three weeks until the Indians arrive at Huntington Park for the exhibition game against the Clippers. Click here for tickets!

* We have a new champion! “Livin’ La Vida Leo is the new name of my portion of this blog. Thanks to Clippers caricaturist Steve Campbell for that submission. You can usually find Steve in the left field pavilion at Huntington Park drawing until his wrist hurts! Click here for more on his work. We may begin some negotiations for a Scott and Ryan caricature for this blog!

Here some of the other recent blog name suggestions:

Leo’s Line Drives
At the Stadium: By Leo
Letter High Fastballs with Scott Leo
Leo’s In the Dugout
Touching All the Bases with Scott Leo
Baseball Works Cited: By Leo
Scott Gets Real
Ahead in the Count with Scott Leo
Leo’s On Base Blog

Keep them coming! Who knows when there may be a new winner! Remember, not even ”The Nature Boy” Ric Flair was the champ forever. Bring on more contenders!

It’s been a week since we last visited and there is plenty to discuss, too much in fact for just one blog entry so Ryan and I will have to turn up our blogging intensity a bit as the season draws closer. For now, here are some of the things happening in the world of Clippers baseball…

* My friend, sportswriter Chuck Murr has added to the list of former Clippers that are now playing elsewhere. From what I can tell, most or all of these are in minor league camp, but it’s a nice addition to our recent “Where are they now”… RHP Jon Meloan (Athletics), LHP Zach Jackson (Rangers), RHP Greg Aquino (White Sox), INF Josh Barfield (Phillies), RHP Jose Veras (Pirates), RHP R.J. Swindle (Rays).

* Ryan and I recently chatted with Tony Lastoria of Indians Prospect Insider about several topics. Click here: 
Tony Lastoria 2-18-11.mp3 to listen to a portion of the sensational broadcast journalism on display!

* The Indians traded Aaron Laffey to Seattle last week. The acquired player is 25 year old INF/OF Matt Lawson. He batted .293 26 doubles, 7 triples, 9 HRs, and 56 RBIs in a combined118 games in Double-A. Lawson started the 2010 campaign with Texas, but was traded to Seattle in the same deal that moved Cliff Lee to the Rangers. Lawson was originally drafted in the 14th round of the 2007 Rangers draft.

* Shelley Duncan is now playing in the Cactus League. He was out because of a pulled back muscle.

* Jason Donald was hit by a pitch on the hand last week, but the x-rays were negative and he’s listed as day-to-day.

* Jordan Bastian of MLB.com recently wrote a nice piece about outfielders Travis Buck and Chad Huffman. They are both fighting for a job in Cleveland or possibly Columbus. Buck does have an out-clause in his contract if he doesn’t make the Indians 25-man squad.

* Many assume top prospect Lonnie Chisenhall will start the year with Columbus, but he’s making it tough to for Manny Acta to bump him off of the Indians roster. Chisenhall is 7-for-15 (.467) with two doubles, two HRs, and 4 RBIs in the early portion of the Cactus League. The 22 year old smacked 17 homers with 84 RBIs over 117 games with Akron last year.

* Congratulations to John Strawn, Wittenberg University’s assistant sports information director. He finally took the plunge and is purchasing a Clippers 20-game season ticket plan! I’ve only been telling him for the past three years that it was a no-brainer. For all the benefits of being a season ticket holder (even having a partial plan) check out this page.

* The Clippers now have a Tumblr page! I don’t know anything about Tumblr, but I’m told it’s awesome.

* Don’t forget to follow the Clippers, the Clippers broadcast team, and the Indians on Twitter.

* We have a new champion! “Livin’ La Vida Leo” is the new name of my portion of this blog. Thanks to Clippers caricaturist Steve Campbell for that submission. You can usually find Steve in the left field pavilion at Huntington Park drawing until his wrist hurts! Click here for more on his work. We may begin some negotiations for a Scott and Ryan caricature for this blog!

Here some of the other recent blog name suggestions:

Leo’s Line Drives
At the Stadium: By Leo
Letter High Fastballs with Scott Leo
Leo’s In the Dugout
Touching All the Bases with Scott Leo
Baseball Works Cited: By Leo
Scott Gets Real
Ahead in the Count with Scott Leo
Leo’s On Base Blog

Keep them coming! Who knows when there may be a new winner! Remember, not even ”The Nature Boy” Ric Flair was the champ forever. Bring on more contenders!