Thursday, March 15, 2007
Marquis Attraction
Despite lackluster numbers in 2006, the Cubs brass is counting on Jason Marquis to bolster the rotation.
February 13, 2007
By Jeff Vorva Staff writer
Jason Marquis put up some eye-popping numbers in 2006.
That wasn't a good thing.
He pitched for the World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals and yet lost 16 games, posting an enormous ERA of 6.02.
He did win 14 games, but his performances down the stretch were so poor that the Cardinals left the right-hander off the roster for the National League Championship Series and World Series.
So what did the Cubs do?
They inked him to a three-year, $21 million deal with all the confidence in the world that pitching coach Larry Rothschild will be able to turn the 28-year-old around and help him recapture his form of 2004, when he was 15-7 with a 3.71 ERA.
Cubs pitchers and catchers are slated to report to camp at Fitch Park in Mesa, Ariz., on Wednesday, and Marquis and Rothschild will hook up again to continue some lessons that started shortly after the World Series.
On the recommendation of Greg Maddux, among others, Marquis visited Rothschild at the coach's home in Tampa, Fla., and worked out for him. The free agent had no idea he would end up with the Cubs, but he was aware of Rothschild's reputation and figured him to be a guy who could point him in the right direction.
Rothschild, a former Homewood-Flossmoor High School baseball star, said Marquis can be successful if he wipes the 2006 campaign from his memory bank.
"He needs to get back out there and get his confidence back," Rothschild said. "The last half of last year, he ran into major problems. Hopefully, he can get back on track quickly.
"He called me out of the blue after the World Series and flew down (to Tampa) on his own. I watched him throw and gave him feedback. You can see the arm worked fine."
Rothschild figures by tweaking a few mechanics and helping Marquis get his head together, the Cubs could have a pretty good pitcher in the middle of the starting rotation. It's likely Marquis will follow Carlos Zambrano and Ted Lilly in the rotation.
Marquis thinks he'll go to camp with the right attitude.
"I wanted to finish the offseason feeling good about myself, and Larry came recommended highly," Marquis said. "He knows mechanics. He knows pitching. He's obviously been doing it a long time. Whether I was with the Cubs or not, after I talked to him, I felt I made some strides and found the direction I want to go in. I've been working on it all winter. It worked out great."
Marquis broke into the majors with Atlanta in 2000 when he was 21. He learned from some of the best hurlers in the business, including Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz.
Marquis had some decent moments with the Braves but was never spectacular. He was involved in the five-player trade in which J.D. Drew was sent to Atlanta on Dec. 13, 2003.
Then came the huge run in 2004 in which Marquis enjoyed an 11-game winning streak from May 31-Sept. 4. He also made two appearances for the Cards in the World Series that season.
In 2005, however, he had a so-so 13-14 mark, following it up with his 2006 debacle.
Despite the ups and downs in Marquis' career, Cubs general manager Jim Hendry is convinced he made a wise investment.
"We knew he had a bad second half, but he still won 14 games and pitched almost 200 innings," Hendry said. "Over three years, he won more games than (Barry) Zito and (Jason) Schmidt (who were both top free agents during the offseason). I doubt the average person knows that. He's 28 years old. He's a great athlete. Very healthy.
"Sometimes you don't get players like that coming off a great year. Sometimes you get them after a terrible couple of months, but he is certainly fixable."
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2007 AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL TRYOUTS
March 28-29, 2007
The American Association tryout camp is Wednesday March 28 and Thursday March 29 at LaGrave Field in Fort Worth, TX. (Home of the Fort Worth Cats). The American Association has the same 10 teams as last season. Participants are required to have played professional or collegiate baseball within the last two years, no exceptions. Also, participants are required to pre-register on-line. The cost to participate is $20.
Click Here for Details
2007 CANAM LEAGUE TRYOUTS
April 4-5, 2007
The Can-Am League tryout camp is Wednesday April 4 and Thursday April 5 at Lee County Sports Complex/Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, FL. It is the home of the Minnesota Twins Spring Training. The Can-Am League has the same 8 team as last season, plus the addition of the Atlantic City Surf and a road team (Grays). Participants are required to have played professional or collegiate baseball within the last two years, no exceptions. Also, participants are required to pre-register on-line. The cost to participate is $20.
Click Here for Details
Do you have what it takes to play professional baseball?
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Many players are unaware that there are many professional baseball leagues throughout the United States, and they're always looking for talent. In addition to U.S. leagues, there are several world leagues. Several players in the big leagues have played in these leagues, and many of them use these leagues to get back into the big leagues.
This site is dedicated to bringing its members the most up to date pro baseball tryout information available. As a members, you'll gain immediate access to all pro baseball tryouts being held throughout the nation. As new tryouts become available, members of this site are notified via e-mail. If you'd like to gain immediate access to pro baseball tryouts being held throughout the United States, please join our site by click "Join."
There are literally dozens of pro baseball tryouts held throughout the United States each year. There are a total of seven (7) professional baseball leagues currently operating in the United States. Each of these leagues have both individual, and league-wide tryouts throughout the year.
In addition to tryouts put on by these leagues, there are independent scouting agencies who conduct pro baseball tryouts to find talent for both domestic and foreign leagues.
Bottom line is, if you want to be the first to know when and where these tryouts occur, you need to join this site. We'll tell you when, where, and everything else you need to know about any and all tryouts being held in the United States.
Join the thousands who have become members of this site. For some of you, it'll be the best $10 you ever spent! There are three ways to join, so there's not excuse for you not to become a member. If you're serious about playing pro baseball, then join this site today. You'll be glad you did!
Cecil Fielder All-Inclusive Hitting Sessions
ProBaseballTryouts.com is pleased to announce that Major League Baseball All-Star and Home Run Champion Cecil Fielder will be accepting a limited number of hitters to work privately with him in a 10 hour / 3 day hitting session.
Fielders list of baseball achievements include several All Star appearances, home run and RBI titles, becoming the 11th overall and the first player to hit 50 home runs since George Foster accomplished the feat in 1972 when Fielder belted 51 homers for Detroit in 1990. One of Fielders most impressive accomplishments was winning three consecutive RBI titles which has only been done once before in Major League history by none other than Babe Ruth. No MLB hitter hit more homers between 1990 and 1995 than Fielder. Although known as a intimidating power hitter, people within baseball were just as amazed with Fielders ability to handle the bat and hit with two strikes. His performance in the ’96 World Series led to several clutch hits for the New York Yankees where Fielder showed tremendous tenacity in getting huge two strike, two out hits in helping the Yankees win the World Championship.
Cecil now offers his expertise to young hitters that are looking to become the best hitter they can be while taking their offense to its highest levels. Cecil offers hitting sessions in Atlanta, Georgia where the player may drive or fly into Atlanta’s Hartsfield Airport. Once the player arrives in Atlanta, for one price, the session includes a 10 hour hitting experience that lasts over three days in which the hitter will work personally with Cecil. This is one on one* or two on one* instruction with Cecil with no other instructors involved! Housing and meals are provided in the cost of the session. Hitters will learn Major League wood bat mechanics and will also be taught a major league mental approach to hitting from the best power hitter of the ‘90’s.
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World Free Agent Spring Training – This is IPB’s second event of the year and longest in duration (18 days). This event takes place in March of each year either in Cocoa, Florida. This event targets free agent players that IPB staff members put through a professional spring training. Live game evaluation, instruction, and education are the key parts of this event. Players will be evaluated and instructed daily by professional coaches and scouts from Major League Baseball Organizations and Independent Professional Leagues. The key component of this event is scheduled games against Major League Baseball organizations. Over the last three years this event has produced over 40% of the players attending signing professional contracts. In 2006, 19 players signed professional contracts.
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Support your favorite sports teams and athletes any time of the day or night with fan t-shirts, caps, accessories, game souvenirs, and more. Whether you want to wear a team jersey on game day or find the right gift visit the chasing the dream portal- www.chasingthedream.net
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Right Click on the link below and open in a new window.
http://betajournal.comcast.net/rlotito
Monday, June 13, 2005
Marquis Attraction
Despite lackluster numbers in 2006, the Cubs brass is counting on Jason Marquis to bolster the rotation.
February 13, 2007
By Jeff Vorva Staff writer
Jason Marquis put up some eye-popping numbers in 2006.
That wasn't a good thing.
He pitched for the World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals and yet lost 16 games, posting an enormous ERA of 6.02.
He did win 14 games, but his performances down the stretch were so poor that the Cardinals left the right-hander off the roster for the National League Championship Series and World Series.
So what did the Cubs do?
They inked him to a three-year, $21 million deal with all the confidence in the world that pitching coach Larry Rothschild will be able to turn the 28-year-old around and help him recapture his form of 2004, when he was 15-7 with a 3.71 ERA.
Cubs pitchers and catchers are slated to report to camp at Fitch Park in Mesa, Ariz., on Wednesday, and Marquis and Rothschild will hook up again to continue some lessons that started shortly after the World Series.
On the recommendation of Greg Maddux, among others, Marquis visited Rothschild at the coach's home in Tampa, Fla., and worked out for him. The free agent had no idea he would end up with the Cubs, but he was aware of Rothschild's reputation and figured him to be a guy who could point him in the right direction.
Rothschild, a former Homewood-Flossmoor High School baseball star, said Marquis can be successful if he wipes the 2006 campaign from his memory bank.
"He needs to get back out there and get his confidence back," Rothschild said. "The last half of last year, he ran into major problems. Hopefully, he can get back on track quickly.
"He called me out of the blue after the World Series and flew down (to Tampa) on his own. I watched him throw and gave him feedback. You can see the arm worked fine."
Rothschild figures by tweaking a few mechanics and helping Marquis get his head together, the Cubs could have a pretty good pitcher in the middle of the starting rotation. It's likely Marquis will follow Carlos Zambrano and Ted Lilly in the rotation.
Marquis thinks he'll go to camp with the right attitude.
"I wanted to finish the offseason feeling good about myself, and Larry came recommended highly," Marquis said. "He knows mechanics. He knows pitching. He's obviously been doing it a long time. Whether I was with the Cubs or not, after I talked to him, I felt I made some strides and found the direction I want to go in. I've been working on it all winter. It worked out great."
Marquis broke into the majors with Atlanta in 2000 when he was 21. He learned from some of the best hurlers in the business, including Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz.
Marquis had some decent moments with the Braves but was never spectacular. He was involved in the five-player trade in which J.D. Drew was sent to Atlanta on Dec. 13, 2003.
Then came the huge run in 2004 in which Marquis enjoyed an 11-game winning streak from May 31-Sept. 4. He also made two appearances for the Cards in the World Series that season.
In 2005, however, he had a so-so 13-14 mark, following it up with his 2006 debacle.
Despite the ups and downs in Marquis' career, Cubs general manager Jim Hendry is convinced he made a wise investment.
"We knew he had a bad second half, but he still won 14 games and pitched almost 200 innings," Hendry said. "Over three years, he won more games than (Barry) Zito and (Jason) Schmidt (who were both top free agents during the offseason). I doubt the average person knows that. He's 28 years old. He's a great athlete. Very healthy.
"Sometimes you don't get players like that coming off a great year. Sometimes you get them after a terrible couple of months, but he is certainly fixable."
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Jason Marquis #21 | Starting Pitcher | St. Louis Cardinals |
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Height: 6-1 Weight: 210
Bats: L Throws: R
Born: Aug 21, 1978 - Staten Island, NY
College: None
Draft: 1996 - Sandwich Pick by the Atlanta Braves |
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St. Louis Cardinals' Jason Marquis pitches in the first inning against the New York Yankees, Friday, June 10, 2005, at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.
Here is the box score of his work vs, the New York Yankees
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Next Game: 6/13 vs. TOR (Scheduled Next Start: 6/15 vs. TOR) |
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G |
GS |
W |
L |
SV |
CG |
SHO |
IP |
H |
R |
ER |
HR |
BB |
K |
ERA |
WHIP |
BAA |
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Career vs.TOR |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1.0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0.00 |
2.00 |
.143 |
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Away (this year) |
7 |
7 |
4 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
44.2 |
39 |
19 |
14 |
4 |
17 |
19 |
2.82 |
1.25 |
.239 |
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Here is a picture of St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jason Marquis (21) running the bases after hitting a two-run home run as Houston Astros' Adam Everett, right, watches during the third inning Saturday, June 4, 2005 in Houston and below is the future Babes hitting box score vs. the Astros.
Learn about your favorite sports teams and athletes buy t-shirts, caps, accessories, game souvenirs, and more. Visit the chasing the dream portal- www.chasingthedream.net
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Jason Marquis and the Cards welcome Bronx Bombers.
New York (29-30) at St. Louis (38-21), 8:10 p.m. EST, Friday
New York native Jason Marquis (7-3, 3.50 ERA) will take the mound on Friday against Chien-Ming Wang. He has only faced the Yankees once in his career, in a 2001 relief appearance. He pitched two innings, struck out three batters and gave up two runs on a homer by Bernie Williams.
Marquis is at times more dangerous from the plate than he is on the mound. He leads all Cardinals with a .375 batting average (12-for-34 with a triple, home run, three doubles and seven runs scored).
Monday, May 23, 2005
GREGORIO TRADED
TO
OAKLAND A'S
Tuesday May 17, 2005
In a rare trade that took place in-between games of Tuesday's doubleheader, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim dealt catcher Tom Gregorio to the Oakland Athletics for pitcher Mike Ziegler, who assigned to double-A Arkansas. Gregorio had just been activated from extended spring training after suffering a torn calf muscle in his left leg this spring. Gregorio spent parts of the last three seasons with the Stingers, batting .230 with 12 homers andd 59 runs batted in. The move allowed the Stingers to activate outfielder Chris Prieto, who was sent to Salt Lake by the Angels following his first career big league call-up.
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Marquis torments Reds in victory
Cards pitcher earns win, smacks three-run triple
ST. LOUIS -- When Jason Marquis entered the batters' box, bases loaded in a one-run game, the Reds pitched to the Cardinals hurler as though he were a regular position player. Marquis obliged them by hitting like one.
After falling behind 0-2 against Reds starter Aaron Harang, Marquis worked a 3-2 count, then zinged a three-run triple down the first-base line to give St. Louis a 3-1 lead and eventually a 5-1 win over Cincinnati on Tuesday night. The lefty-swinging, righty-tossing Marquis also happened to pitch, by the way, and he pitched well: Marquis held the Reds to a run on five hits over 6 1/3 innings.
But good pitchers pitch good games all the time. Even good-hitting pitchers -- of which Marquis certainly is one -- don't often smoke game-breaking extra-base hits. Marquis' triple was the first of his big league career, but not the first time he'd done damage against Cincinnati pitching.
Last season he had a double and two RBIs in 10 at-bats against St. Louis' division rival, so the Redlegs had some clue that the guy in the nine spot could swing the bat a bit. Hence, their approach.
With the count decidedly in his favor, Harang elected not to come straight at his opposite number. Instead, he twice tried to make Marquis chase pitches out of the strike zone, and Marquis wouldn't bite. Harang missed with his 2-2 pitch as well, setting up a full count for one of the league's most dangerous hitting pitchers.
On the sixth pitch of the at-bat, Harang left a fastball over the middle of the plate, and Marquis hit a sizzler that Reds first baseman Sean Casey couldn't make a play on. He kept motoring all the way to third base, and the Cards had a lead they wouldn't relinquish.
"I was looking for a pitch to hit early on, with one out, maybe get one run driven in, a ground ball or something like that," Marquis said. "But I know as a pitcher, if I've got a 3-2 count on a pitcher with the bases loaded, I don't want to walk him. I'm not gonna give him a great pitch to hit, but I don't want to walk him. I looked for a pitch out over the plate to put in play. I happened to get good wood on it."
The hit changed the tone of the game in more ways than one. Not only did St. Louis have its first lead of more than one run since Opening Day, but Marquis appeared to come after hitters more aggressively once he had the advantage. After needing 48 pitches to get through the first two innings after rain delayed the start of the game by 35 minutes, he made his way through the next four on 50.
It was Marquis' miniature milestone, though, that turned the game. An inning earlier, Harang was in the same position, but the right-hander bounced a ball off his foot for an out. Marquis struck out D'Angelo Jimenez to end the threat, and settled in afterward. Marquis retired 14 of 16 batters starting with the Harang at-bat.
"The game was very close and the difference was three RBIs from the pitcher," said manager Tony La Russa. "You look at the game, their guy had the same chance and Jason got ahead of him and made a pitch right away."
Harang let Marquis hang around, though, and Marquis made him regret it.
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Toronto Blue Jays solidify middle infield
Blue Jays sign Frank Menechino
| By Spencer Fordin / MLB.com |
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| Frank Menechino was one of Toronto's best hitters last season. He has been a role model for Staten Island and the rest of the ChasingTheDream.com team along with St. Louis starter Jason Marquis and Angels catcher Tom Gregorio who have made a name and good reputation in the Major Leagues. (Aaron Harris/AP) |
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Toronto's middle infield picture is starting to look a lot less murky. The Blue Jays solidified their defensive depth with a transaction on Thursday, ending their silent offseason.
Frank Menechino agreed to a one-year deal worth $650,000, with an option for 2006, which means the Jays bring him back without going to arbitration.
"Menechino has a great skill-set. The infielder was one of Toronto's best hitters last season, batting .301 with 13 doubles and nine home runs. He did all that in 71 games, rebounding from an .091 mark in his first 13 games with Oakland.
Menechino was acquired for cash considerations in early May, and he helped Toronto stay afloat during a brutal flurry of injuries. Menechino even pitched in one game, but the Jays are hoping he doesn't have to reprise that role.
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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 | Frank Menechino 4 | 2B |
Current Status: Active |
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Full Name: Frank Menechino
Born: 01/07/1971
Birthplace: Staten Island, NY
Height: 5'8" Weight: 200
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
College: Alabama
MLB Debut: 09/07/1999 |
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G |
AB |
R |
H |
2B |
3B |
HR |
RBI |
TB |
BB |
SO |
SB |
CS |
OBP |
SLG |
AVG |
| 2004 |
84 |
269 |
40 |
74 |
13 |
4 |
9 |
26 |
122 |
37 |
52 |
0 |
2 |
.371 |
.454 |
.275 |
| Career |
379 |
1109 |
185 |
270 |
51 |
7 |
32 |
136 |
431 |
175 |
246 |
3 |
9 |
.358 |
.389 |
.243 | |
Thursday, February 03, 2005
It has been a blessing to grow up, practice and play with three personal friends that have been ChasingTheDream to the Major Leagues. Jason is a wonderful person. He has strong values in reguards to family and work. He is a GREAT ROLE model for todays youth... I remember the days his girlfriend now wife Debbie would watch Jay and I work out in my college facility during his time with the Atlanta Braves. Debbie would study while we worked and had a some fun with SLAM DUNK practice... Thats right we can jump to.....“Ryan Lotito”
Cards reach deal with Marquis
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| Jason Marquis established career highs in wins, strikeouts and innings pitched. Also pitched well in a major part of Major League / Boston Red Sox History starting game four of the 2004 World Series. www.ChasingTheDream.com founder Ryan Lotito has played and trained with personal friend Jason Marquis. (James A. Finley/AP) | |
01/17/2005 11:22 PM ET
By Matthew Leach / MLB.com
ST. LOUIS -- Over the past 12 months,
Jason Marquis has picked up all the following titles: Major League regular,
15-game winner, and most important of all,
Dad. Now he has one more, one that follows from the first two and is sure to help out with the third:
millionaire.
Marquis and the Cardinals agreed to a one-year contract worth a reported $3 million late on Sunday night, avoiding arbitration. According to The Associated Press, the deal includes incentives based on the number of innings the right-hander pitches and could be worth as much as $3.2 million.
Marquis, acquired from Atlanta in December 2003, flourished in his first season with the Redbirds, going 15-7 with a 3.71 ERA and 138 strikeouts in 201 1/3 innings. He set personal bests in wins, starts (32), innings and strikeouts while recasting himself as a sinkerballing, ground-ball pitcher.
"I'm still the same guy," he told reporters at the Cards' Winter Warm-Up fan festival on Monday. "I'm out there to compete and prove I still belong. I'm not yet in the likes obviously of the guys I've played with -- [Greg] Maddux, [Tom] Glavine, [Matt] Morris -- who have the luxury of being 10-, 11-year vets, but those guys are still striving to compete and do their best.
"[My success] gives me a little peace of mind that I'm able to work on more things. I don't have to go out there and get guys out [in Spring Training] with my main pitch. I'm gonna try and work on different things and explore different options just in case my sinker may not be working that day. I'll work on other pitches in order to get other hitters out."
It's Marquis' first year of arbitration eligibility, and service time is a significant factor in an arbitrator's decision. That explains the lower value of the deal as compared to many of the contracts signed by free agent pitchers this offseason. The sharp spike in the market contributed to the team's reluctance to sign Marquis to a longer contract.
"We talked about it at one time, but I think right now we'll wait," general manager Walt Jocketty said on Sunday. "The market just kind of went crazy this year for pitchers. I don't think we want to right now go beyond this year. It might end up costing us, but I think it's best to wait and see if things flatten out at all."
Marquis was the subject of some trade rumors this offseason. His name reportedly came up in discussions between St. Louis and the A's over Oakland's Tim Hudson. Yet the Cards held on to him, acquiring Mark Mulder instead without relinquishing any remaining members of their 2004 rotation.
"It's something that happens to everybody over the course of their career," he said of the rumors. "It happened to me when I was in the minor leagues, it happened when I was in the big leagues with the Braves, and eventually [a trade] did happen.
"You've got to look at it as a lot of teams want you. You can't look at it the reverse way, that the Cardinals don't want you. Obviously they wanted me last year. I came over and had success. Sometimes you've got to tell yourself it's a business, and teams make decisions based on trying to stay under a certain salary. That's the way the business goes. You can't take it personally."
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.