Illinois Baseball Report

Last night, I went with friends (thanks to all of you, I know you’ll read this) to see the Triple-A  Indianapolis Indians-Toledo Mudhens game.  A baseball game is always fun but when former Illini Shawn Roof is the starting thirdbaseman for one of the teams, it makes it awesome.  So it was. Let’s get this [...]

Filed under: Former Illini in the pros on August 28th, 2010 | 2 Comments »

As you may know, Shawn Roof is now playing for the AAA Toledo Mudhens and tonight and tomorrow night, he’s playing in Indianapolis.  This is as close as he’s gotten to Urbana in his minor league career.  Here’s my chance to see him in action.  So with the help of some friends, I’m heading to [...]

Filed under: Former Illini in the pros on August 26th, 2010 | Leave a Comment! »

It’s a busy week on campus.  All the University students are back and finding their way to their new classes.  Good luck to the players this semester.  I don’t need to remind them how important their studies are.  To their credit, Coach Hartleb and the rest of the coaching staff do a pretty good job [...]

Filed under: Former Illini in the pros on August 24th, 2010 | Leave a Comment! »

I just got back in to town from a well-deserved and very-much-enjoyed two week vacation.  Our family spent most of it in Wyoming.  I was a hop, skip and a jump away from Casper which made me think of Dom Altobelli who did a short stint with the single-A Ghosts last year. Speaking of short [...]

Filed under: Former Illini in the pros on August 17th, 2010 | Leave a Comment! »

There’s good news coming from former Illini shortstop Shawn Roof.  He’s now playing AAA baseball.  The Tigers’ affiliate Toledo Mudhens now have Shawn on the team and given his performance in his first game, they might be happy they do.  He went 2 for 4 in his AAA debut!  Nice going, Shawn! In case anyone [...]

Filed under: Former Illini in the pros on July 31st, 2010 | Leave a Comment! »

I saw the “It’s not crazy, it’s sports” advertisement on ESPN the other day but I didn’t pick out the baserunner as Joe Bonadonna, the former Illini speedster who now spends his time with the Texas Ranger organization. Great, not only is he a pro baseball player but now he has celebrity status.  He’s going [...]

Filed under: Former Illini in the pros on July 19th, 2010 | Leave a Comment! »

Congrats to Brian de la Torriente who was named to the Prospect League’s West Division All-Star team.  The East and West played to a 3-3 tie on July 6.  de la pitched one inning allowing a run and striking out two batters.  The Northwoods League All-Star classic is coming up in one week.  It’s no [...]

Filed under: Former Illini in the pros, Summer League on July 13th, 2010 | Leave a Comment! »

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! »

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! »

This isn’t showing up on the official roster yet but Northwest Indiana Times reports that former Illinois pitcher Drew Dickinson has been signed by the Gary Southshore Railcats.  The Railcats are in the independent Northern League.  Dickinson came over from the Schaumburg Flyers to help complete a trade.  Indeed, only a month and a half [...]

Filed under: Former Illini in the pros on March 26th, 2010 | Leave a Comment! »