Tyler Hamer throwing from the mound at last year’s Orange and Blue World Series

It’s time for some October baseball.  Yes, Cardinals fans, I know your team is in the playoffs but I’m talking about Illinois Baseball Orange and Blue World Series.  Once again, the annual split squad series is upon us.  Here’s your chance to come see a game at Illinois Field and be guaranteed that the Illini will win… or at least half of them.

And if you’re wondering, the weatherman is being nice to us.  The forecast is fantastic!  Sunny and high in the mid-70s for all three days.

Monday is the first game.

Mon., Oct. 3 – 3:30 PM (Orange & Blue World Series Game 1)
Tues., Oct. 4 – 4 PM (Orange & Blue World Series Game 2)
Wed., Oct. 5 – 3:30 PM (Orange & Blue World Series Game 3)

It’s a good chance to see what the 2012 Illini will look like and you’ll see all of the new freshman recruits getting some time.

So go ahead, take off work early.  The boss won’t mind.

Hudson makes a memorable exit

Former Illini Kyle Hudson made a difference in the final game of the year for the Baltimore Orioles in which the Red Sox were eliminated from postseason.

With the Orioles down a run and staring at their final out, third baseman Chris Davis kept the game alive with a double off Papelbon, and Reimold’s scorcher, which was ruled a ground-rule double, scored pinch-runner Kyle Hudson to tie the game at 3. Andino, whose heroics helped the O’s win Monday’s game, dug in against Papelbon hitless in his all four of his previous at-bats. But all it took was a 1-1 splitter with just enough of the plate to change his night and alter the Red Sox’s fate, sending Boston packing in a historical September collapse.

Congrats Kyle!  It’s the last impression of the season that’s the lasting one.

Earlier in the second, Hudson, also drove in his first rbi.  Teammate Robert Andino scored on his fielder’s choice.

Hudson had a odd game Sunday for his career first game in the majors.  Hud, known for his speed, hit into two double plays.  He got razzed about it by his new teammates.  No doubt, Hudson feels good to get that first hit out of the way.

“It’s been a pretty wild couple of days for me but it’s been exciting,” Hudson said. “To get my debut out of the way is nice. Today was pretty unbelievable going into Yankee Stadium with all the tradition.”

Congratulations, Kyle!  Keep ‘em comin’!

Robbie gets 100

Hud wasn’t the only one with a milestone.  Former Illini catcher Chris Robinson reached 100 rbis for the year in the Iowa Cubs’ season finale.  Robbie went 2-4 for the game and finished with a .316 batting average for the year.

Good news for former University of Illinois outfielder Kyle Hudson.  The fleet-footed centerfielder been called to the bigs!  The Baltimore Orioles called up Hudson yesterday to the parent organization to meet the September 1 deadline.

He had been playing for the AAA Norfolk Tides and doing quite well.  For the year, Hudson hit .296 with 38 stolen bases 57 runs scored.

If I’m correct, the Orioles’ 1998 4th round pick will be the first Illini player to make the majors since infielder Chris Basak who spent some a little time with the New York Yankees in 2007.

Hudson was obviously known as a speedster in his years at Illinois, ranking third all-time among Illini with 66 steals.  We sometimes forget what he could with the bat.  He was second all-time among Illini in career hitting with a .376 batting average.  In his last year with the Illini in 2008, he hit an astounding .398.

Good luck to Hud!  Illini fans are all rooting for you!

I learn from Kyle of the Chillini blog:

Big Jeff (Pfeffer) was born and raised in Champaign and attended the University of Illinois. He is currently buried at St. Mary’s cemetery, which is located on the southwest side of Champaign. Big Jeff will always have my respect for being a member of the Chicago Cubs (1905, 1910), but he will forever be remembered for throwing a no-hitter in 1907 as a member of the Boston Doves.

Perhaps next time, I’ll take some extra time to find his gravestone. 

Basak has spent most of his time at Scranton-Wilkes Barre but did see 5 major league games for the Yanks. 

/thanks to Teddy Ballgame for the tip

Former University of Illinois infielder Chris Basak, at age 28, got the call to the bigs. He is now on the New York Yankees’ active roster.

He did well in Spring Training and he can play all infield positions. That was pretty much what the Yankees needed.

“Obviously you’re hoping he can do the job,” Torre said. “In the spring, he just seemed to be very comfortable — not overwhelmed. Whether he hit very well or because he’s been around so long, he handled it very well. New York is unlike any other place when you have to do something like that.”

In 1999-2000, Basak hit for tasty averages (.393 and .329) while playing shortstop for the Illini.