Results tagged ‘ Shawon Dunston ’
5/3 Exclusive Topps cards set on tap today
Today’s a big day at Wrigley Field as fans can start collecting a limited edition of Topps baseball cards. The Topps Company and the Cubs have partnered to create an exclusive, 82-card Topps Archives set, featuring current and former Cubs players on classic card designs. The player and design pairings are unique to the set. The cards will be given away in four installments, starting today. Other dates are July 5, Aug. 2, and Aug. 30. Today’s packet features Hall of Famers Ernie Banks, Andre Dawson and Ron Santo plus Shawon Dunston and Anthony Rizzo.
3/25 Shawon Dunston & Shawon Jr.
(Photo courtesy of Larry Woolis)
8/22 Minor League report
Seth McClung threw seven shutout innings in Iowa’s 2-0 win over Memphis on Tuesday. McClung, 31, struck out six, gave up six hits and walked one. The right-hander has not pitched in the big leagues since 2009, and was a reliever then with the Brewers. This year, he was 2-13 with a 6.36 ERA in 21 games (20 starts) with Triple-A Nashville. Jeff Frazier hit a two-run home run, his first. Blake Parker earned the save.
Jae-Hoon Ha had two hits in Tennessee’s 3-1, 13-inning loss to Chattanooga. Justin Bour notched his 108th RBI of the season.
Daytona has had a rough stretch. Tuesday’s game between Daytona and Clearwater was postponed because of rain. Over the last 13 games, Daytona has been delayed twice, postponed five times, played two doubleheaders and cancelled four games (all at home) with two of the 13 played as regularly scheduled nine inning games.
Jorge Soler was 3-for-4 with one RBIs in Peoria’s 4-2 win over Wisconsin. The Chiefs scored twice in the seventh for the win. Autin Reed threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings in relief for the “W.” Sergio Burruel had three hits and one RBIs.
Gioskar Amaya led off the game with a home run, his seventh, to help Boise beat Yakima, 7-4. Amaya finished with three hits and two RBIs. Felix Pena picked up the win in relief.
Duane Underwood threw three shutout, hitless innings in Mesa’s 4-1 six-inning loss to the Mariners. Justin Marra had two hits along with Trevor Gretzky, who drove in Mesa’s only run. In the second game, Shawon Dunston and Tony Giansanti each had two hits in a 7-6 win. Chad Martin picked up the win in relief.
News & notes:
* Peoria Chiefs president Rocky Vonachen says they were “caught off guard” by reports that the Cubs may switch their Midwest League affiliate from Peoria to Kane County. No announcement was expected until mid September at the earliest. Major League teams and Minor League teams face hefty fines for publicly discussing future re-affiliation agreements. Negotiations outside of the existing relationship cannot begin until Sept. 16. The Chiefs have a seven-game home stand remaining, starting Saturday. They close the season at Kane County. The only Midwest League team with a player development contract (PDC) for next year is Wisconsin with the Brewers.
– Carrie Muskat
6/23 Minor League report: Wednesday & Thursday
Wednesday’s games
Brooks Raley gave up one unearned run on two hits over seven innings and struck out seven in Iowa’s 4-1 win over Round Rock. Ty Wright hit his fifth home run and Blake Lalli had two hits. Raley is holding opponents to a .207 batting average with runners in scoring position. Rafael Dolis picked up his second save.
Tennessee had Wednesday off.
Rubi Silva hit a two-out walkoff homer in the ninth to lift Daytona to a 3-2 win over Tampa. P.J. Francescon gave up one earned run on nine hits over six innings. It was his third quality start.
Peoria had Wednesday off.
Jeimer Candelario hit his first home run in Boise’s 7-4 loss to Eugene. Shawon Dunston Jr. and Xavier Batista each had multi hit games.
The Cubs’ Mesa Rookie League team opened its season Thursday with a 3-1 win over the Giants. Zach Cates gave up one run on four hits over 3 1/3 innings. Gregori Gonzalez had two hits and one RBIs.
Thursday’s games
Josh Vitters hit his 11th home run in Iowa’s 6-2 loss to Round Rock. Iowa totaled three hits, including a double by Brett Jackson, who is batting .257. Ty Wright hit a RBI double in the seventh.
Tennessee opened the second half with a 3-1 win over Jacksonville. Nick Struck gave up one run on two hits and struck out seven over six innings. Junior Lake had four hits, Justin Bour had three hits, and Marcus Hatley picked up the save.
Daytona opened the second half with a 3-0 win over Clearwater. Austin Kirk threw seven shutout innings and Roni Torreyes hit his second homer. Rebel Ridling had three hits. Jeffrey Lorick picked up his first save.
Peoria had Thursday off.
Jeimer Candelario hit his second homer in as many games in Boise’s 5-4 win over Eugnee. Hayden Simpson earned the win in relief, striking out seven over four innings.
Ben Carhart and Tim Saunders each had two hits in Mesa’s 5-1 loss to the Athletics.
– Carrie Muskat
1/15 Fathers & sons
Shawon Dunston and son, Shawon Dunston Jr., Bob Brenly and son Michael, and Keith Lockhart and son Daniel took part in an entertaining session on Sunday to close the 27th Cubs Convention at the Chicago Hilton. Dunston Jr. and Daniel Lockhart were selected in last June’s First-Year Player Draft in the 11th and 10th rounds, respectively, while Brenly was a 36th round pick in 2008 and helped Daytona win the Florida State League championship last season.
Both Lockhart and Dunston Jr. are going from high school to pro ball. Lockhart’s Hebron Christian Academy in Georgia is coming off a state championship. Shawon Jr. said it was a tough decision to choose between school and baseball; he wanted to go to Vanderbilt University. The Cubs’ signing bonus included money for school, which helped convince the outfielder.
“I want him to be a better player than me, to have a better career than me,” said Dunston Sr., who was the Cubs’ first-round pick in 1982.
Keith Lockhart, a former Major League infielder who is now a scout with the Cubs, said Daniel developed an early love for the game. When he was 3 years old, Daniel would stand on a seat at ballgames to watch, rather than go play with the other kids. Bob Brenly said Michael was determined to be a catcher and would dig out dad’s old gear to wear. What will happen if Michael does make it to the big leagues and dad is broadcasting the game?
“That sound you hear in the background will be me throwing up [out of nervousness],” said Bob Brenly, the analyst for Cubs TV broadcasts.
All of the fathers and sons did give credit to the moms for taking them to games and supporting them. Michael said his mother often sounded just like his dad in giving advice.
Shawon Sr., who works in the Giants organization with Minor Leaguers, made sure his son put school first. Shawon Jr. had to maintain a 3.55 GPA. If it was lower, he couldn’t play baseball.
“My job is to hate me now but you’ll love me later,” Shawon Sr. said.
Someone suggested Cubs fans would be eager to dust off the “Shawon-O-Meter” sign popular during Dunston’s days with the Cubs from 1985-95.
“I have a t-shirt at home with that on it,” Shawon Jr. said.
Shawon Sr. is doing his best to keep his son on track. The latest argument in the Dunston house is about what car young Shawon will get. Dad will probably win this one.
“Best advice, always listen to your father,” Shawon Sr. said.
Dunston wears a 20-year-old gold chain with charms for each of his children on it.
“I always keep my kids with me,” he said.
– Carrie Muskat
1/8 Cubs Convention kicks off Friday
Many Cubs fans will get their first chance to talk to Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer, Dale Sveum and many of the newest players at the 27th annual Cubs Convention, which opens Friday at the Hilton Chicago. Opening ceremonies will begin at 5 p.m. CT in the Grand Ballroom.
Players scheduled to attend include Starlin Castro, Marlon Byrd, David DeJesus, Ian Stewart, Chris Volstad, Travis Wood, Ryan Dempster, Carlos Marmol, Darwin Barney, Tony Campana, Brett Jackson, Matt Szczur and Josh Vitters. In total, more than 80 current and former members of the Cubs, coaches and prospects are scheduled to interact in the three-day fan fest.
After the opening ceremonies Friday, there will be the Autograph Treasure Hunt, Cubs Bingo and a chance to sit in on WGN Radio’s live two-hour broadcast of “WGN Sports Night” featuring some of the players and staff.
On Saturday, Epstein, the new president of baseball operations, will kick off a “Behind the Scenes” seminar at 9 a.m. CT in the Grand Ballroom, followed at 10 a.m. CT by “Meet Cubs Baseball Management” featuring Sveum, Hoyer and assistant GM Randy Bush in the Continental Ballroom.
Additional Saturday sessions include:
* “Player Development: From the Dominican Republic to Mesa,” featuring Starlin Castro, Welington Castillo and Jeff Samardzija discussing their experiences in the Dominican Republic and Mesa, AZ, as well as front office leadership providing an update to the progress of each site.
* “From the Field to the Booth,” featuring host Dave Otto talking with Bob Brenly, Todd Hollandsworth, Gary Matthews, Keith Moreland and Rick Sutcliffe about the benefits and challenges of taking the player perspective to the broadcast booth.
* “For Kids Only Press Conference,” presented by Advocate Health Care, with Darwin Barney, Tony Campana, Reed Johnson, Todd Walker and newcomer David DeJesus facing questions from a room of pint-sized reporters.
* “Ron Santo: Beyond the Game,” featuring host Pat Hughes talking with widow Vicki Santo, son Ron Santo Jr., and friends and teammates Glenn Beckert, Randy Hundley and Billy Williams about the late broadcaster and third baseman and his recent Hall of Fame election.
* “Coaches’ Den,” featuring Sveum, new bench coach Jamie Quirk, new pitching coach Chris Bosio, new first base coach Dave McKay, hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo and bullpen coach Lester Strode discussing their coaching philosophies, moderated by Bob Brenly.
* “Outside the Foul Lines,” featuring Tony Campana, Ryan Dempster, Geovany Soto and Randy Wells sharing their personalities and experiences beyond the game.
* “The Ricketts’ Family Forum,” featuring Ricketts family members Tom, Laura, Pete and Todd discussing their journey as team owners and what they hope to accomplish in the coming years.
* “When Super Fans Unite,” a session dedicated to the fans and their questions targeted to members of the legendary 1984 team, including Bob Dernier, Gary Matthews, Keith Moreland and Lee Smith.
* “The Scouting Formula,” featuring Jason McLeod, senior VP of scouting and player development; Oneri Fleita, VP of player personnel; Tim Wilken, director of amateur scouting; and Joe Bohringer, director of professional scouting, discussing their secrets behind scouting and player development.
* “Meet Cubs Business Management,” offering a look toward the future of the Cubs and Wrigley Field with Crane Kenney, Cubs president of business operations; Wally Hayward, executive VP, chief sales & marketing officer; Mike Lufrano, VP of community affairs; Carl Rice, VP of stadium operations; Colin Faulkner, VP of ticket sales; Alex Sugarman, VP of business development; and Jahaan Blake, director of fan experiences.
Saturday’s programs will conclude with a live two-hour broadcast of WGN Radio’s Sports Central from 4-6 p.m. CT, featuring a variety of current, former and new Cubs players. Guests can then head over to the “Rock ‘n’ Roll Revue” for a night of dancing, singing and plenty of laughter during a live show from Rod Tuffcurls & The Bench Press.
* On Sunday, the sessions include “Down on the Farm,” which highlights each team in the Minor League system with players Jeff Beliveau, Brett Jackson, Junior Lake, Matt Szczur and Josh Vitters. Former Cub Shawon Dunston and his son Shawon Dunston Jr. will be joined by Bob Brenly and his son, prospect Michael Brenly, and Cubs scout Keith Lockhart and his son, prospect Daniel Lockhart, to discuss the pros and cons of “The Father-Son Connection” in Major League Baseball.
Among the new activities this year:
* The LEGOLAND® Discovery Center is a LEGO building area that will feature Master Model Builder Jayson Mueller as he constructs impressive creations, shows different building techniques and answers questions from fellow builders of all ages.
* The Best Buy Experience will allow fans to try their hand at a number of gaming consoles with the latest sports titles; discover their musical talents at an interactive DJ station; and connect at a computer cyber bar and charge their mobile devices.
* The Baseball Interactive Zone, hosted by Illinois Baseball Academy, provides an opportunity for fans to learn a few tricks of the game in a live setting. Professional instructors and special Cubs guests will give lessons to fans of all ages in designated areas for baseball skills, batting and pitching.
Proceeds from the Convention benefit Chicago Cubs Charities. The Cubs Convention has helped generate more than $4 million for charity since its inception in 1986.
– Carrie Muskat
1/5 Cubs Convention schedule set for Jan. 13-15
Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer, Dale Sveum and new Cubs Ian Stewart, David DeJesus, Travis Wood and Chris Volstad will take part in the 27th annual Cubs Convention, Jan. 13-15, at the Hilton Chicago. The fanfest also will be a chance for family and former teammates of Ron Santo to celebrate his entry into the Hall of Fame. Santo, who died in December 2010, was elected to Cooperstown last month.
Former Cubs shortstop Shawon Dunston and his son, Shawon Dunston Jr., who was selected in the First-Year Player Draft by the Cubs, will headline a father-son session.
Players in attendance will include Starlin Castro and Marlon Byrd; veterans Ryan Dempster and Carlos Marmol; as well as Darwin Barney, Tony Campana and Andrew Cashner. Among the prospects scheduled to participate are Brett Jackson, Matt Szczur and Josh Vitters, part of the more than 80 current and former members of the Cubs, coaches and prospects who will attend the convention.
Saturday’s schedule includes a “Behind the Scenes with Theo Epstein” in the Grand Ballroom with the new president of baseball operations. It will be followed by “Meet Cubs Baseball Management” featuring Hoyer, the new general manager, plus Sveum, the new manager, and assistant GM Randy Bush. Proceeds from the Convention benefit Chicago Cubs Charities. The Cubs Convention has helped generate more than $4 million since its inception in 1986.
– Carrie Muskat
7/9 Castro to start ASG?
There’s a chance Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro could start in Tuesday’s All-Star Game and it could depend on whether Troy Tulowitzki starts Saturday night for the Rockies.
Jose Reyes, voted as the starting National League shortstop, will not play in Tuesday’s game in Phoenix because he’s on the disabled list with a hamstring injury. Tulowitzki and Castro are the backups. Tulowitzki has been bothered by a sore right quadriceps strain, suffered Monday. If he plays Saturday, when the Rockies face the Nationals, he’ll play in the All-Star Game, the Rockies said.
Tulowitzki missed last year’s All-Star Game because of a fractured left wrist. The Rockies want their shortstop healthy for a second half run.
“In Tulo’s case, we’re going to monitor very closely how things go this weekend,” Rockies manager Jim Tracy said. “With that being said, I’d hate to see the guy get grinded on in the All-Star Game. In order to take a run at the division, I know full wel that if we’re without him for an extended period of time, it’s not going to happen.”
This is Castro’s first All-Star Game, and he is the first Cubs shortstop to be named to the team since Shawon Dunston in 1990.
– Carrie Muskat
3/6 First-round Cubs facts
On Friday, the Cubs had three first-round Draft picks in the starting lineup: Tyler Colvin, Josh Vitters and Brett Jackson. All they needed was for 2008 pick Andrew Cashner to start. The trio went 5-for-8 with three RBIs, a double and a triple, and scored three runs in the 8-7 come from behind win over the Diamondbacks. Here are some first-round Draft pick tidbits, courtesy of Cubs historian Ed Hartig:
* On Sept. 21, 2009, Tyler Colvin was the first Cubs’ first-round pick to start a regular sesaon game for the team since Mark Prior did so Aug. 20, 2006.
* The last time two former Cubs first-round picks started in the same game was Sept. 28, 2005, vs. the Pirates when Corey Patterson and Prior did so.
* The last time three former Cubs first-round picks started a game was April 20, 1997, vs. the Mets. In that game, Shawon Dunston started at shortstop, Doug Glanville in center field and Brooks Kieschnick in right.
Only two other Cubs June first-round trios have have started in the same game. In 1988, Dunston, Rafael Palmeiro and Mike Harkey started on Sept. 11. In 1986, Dunston, Palmeiro and Drew Hall started three games: Sept. 14, Sept. 19 and Sept. 24.
– Carrie Muskat
12/23 The Hawk waits for HOF call
Andre Dawson’s wife Vanessa was determined to get their son, Darius, a pair of the latest Nike Air Jordan shoes for Christmas, which meant they had to be at the store by 5 a.m. Wednesday. Andre went with her.
“I told her, ‘Michael [Jordan] is sleeping, dreaming, and counting his millions and we’re out buying sneakers,’” Dawson said Wednesday from his Florida home.
They came away empty handed because the store didn’t have their son’s size. Dawson is hoping he gets better news on Jan. 6 when the Hall of Fame announces the induction class for 2010.
This will be Dawson’s ninth year on the ballot and it’s his best chance to get into Cooperstown. The former Cubs outfielder, who won the NL MVP in 1987, has heard from plenty of other players and Hall of Famers surprised the Hawk isn’t already enshrined.
“They say, ‘You should have been in already,’” Dawson said. “I hear that a lot. A lot of them say, ‘It’s going to happen.’ … A lot of people ask, ‘Why are they waiting?’ I obviously don’t have an answer for that. With no one ahead of me to hurdle, there’s a reason to be a little more optimistic.”
He’ll spend the day the same way as any other day, going to the gym in the morning. He’ll be home in time for the announcement.
“You want to be there when it is announced, just to get some of the feedback from the analysts on who got in and the reasons why the other players didn’t,” Dawson said. “That’s what I’ve had interest in the last few years is if the vote percentage is going up and how much.”
All the Baseball Writers Association of America voting members need to do is check with Dawson’s teammates, like Shawon Dunston. He worships the Hawk.
“When he was hurt, he just played and played and I was very impressed,” Dunston told me in September. “People always talk about intangibles. He had bad knees and never complained, not once. He never asked to come out of a game, if we were winning 10-0 or down 10-0. … He’s a true gentleman and a true professional.”
Dunston bonded with Dawson immediately. The shortstop was stationed between Ryne Sandberg and Dawson in the home clubhouse at Wrigley Field.
“They were two of the quietest people in the world,” Dunston said. “They didn’t say more than 10 words a day. … I learned from Andre and Ryno how to go about your business and never complain.”
– Carrie Muskat
mlblogsmuskat1
Recent Comments