Roberts out for 2011 after Tommy John surgery

It seems once we find a good closer, he’s taken away from us… at least for a year. My heart sank a little when I read the news that Bryan Roberts had Tommy John surgery last week.  Doing so means that he’ll be out for the 2011 season.  The good news is that Roberts will [...]

Filed under: Announcements on June 29th, 2010 | Leave a Comment! »

Illini coaches recruit four more

With the baseball season over and nothing better to do (I’m kidding there), the Illinois coaching staff have gone off and signed up some more players for the team.  Last week, they announced that four players have signed letters of intent to play baseball for the University of Illinois.  Most notably was the announcement that [...]

Filed under: Recruits on June 23rd, 2010 | Leave a Comment! »

Hey Hey Hey! Brandon Wikoff jumps to Triple A!

There was some good news for former Illini shortstop Brandon Wikoff that came down the wire today.  Wikoff is being promoted to AAA ball.  That’s a nice jump for Brandon who had spent 2009 and early 2010 in single A.  Most currently, he has been playing for the A Lexington in the Sally League.  Not [...]

Filed under: Former Illini in the pros on June 23rd, 2010 | Leave a Comment! »

Dom Altobelli moves up in the minors

Good news from the Altobellis.  Former Illini 3B Dominic Altobelli, who has been playing in extended spring training so far this year, has been promoted to the Tri-City Dust Devils, a single-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies.  He’ll be moving up in more ways than one.  Dom will be leaving the warm climes of Arizona [...]

Filed under: Former Illini in the pros on June 15th, 2010 | Leave a Comment! »

Welcome Huskers

Nebraska won unanimous approval to join the Big Ten from conference leaders Friday.  U of I interim president Stan Ikenberry assured us that academically, Nebraska was a “good fit” as if it were an afterthought.  The idea of Big Ten expansion is a bit scary and to some, irritating.  I ran the issue by a [...]

Filed under: Big Ten on June 12th, 2010 | 1 Comment »

Big Ten players picked (so far) in the 2010 MLB draft

Highest pick from the Big Ten Alex Wimmers who was nabbed 21st overall Below are all the Big Ten players picked in the first two days.  As is usual with the Big Ten, catchers are heavily represented.  Five backstops were drafted. [UPDATE]:  I’ve updated the list to reflect yesterday’s picks.  Some quick thoughts: Six catchers [...]

Filed under: Draft on June 8th, 2010 | Leave a Comment! »

10 Illini ballplayers named to Academic All-Conference team

Wednesday, the Big Ten recognized the academic achievements of 1,037 conference athletes from Spring 2010 by naming them to the Academic All-Conference teams of their respective sport.  Of the 79 baseball players honored, ten were from the University of Illinois.  Congrats to them all!   University of Illinois Spring Academic All-Conference Honorees John Anderson Jr. [...]

Filed under: Awards on June 2nd, 2010 | Leave a Comment! »