March 17, 2008- Clearwater 

ST. PADDY’S DAY in Clearwater. This means that the Phils will be decked out in their green caps for the game against the Cleveland Indians. But, it is not only the players in green, almost everyone in the stands is wearing some kind of green to celebrate the great day of the Irish. 

By this time in the spring, many changes have been made to the major league roster. Most of the invited pitchers have been sent out to the minor league complex. The front line pitchers for the big club are pitching more innings and extending their appearances. This means there are fewer innings for the other pitchers and they need to pitch to get themselves ready for the season. To accomplish this, they have to get sent out to work out with their team for the 2008 season. 

The same thing goes for position players. They need at-bats to get ready so they get sent down to make room for the players at the major league level to get work and at the same time, players in the minor league camp get their at bats. Some, who have performed well, will perhaps go to a team at a higher classification than originally thought. At any rate, a player who has been with the big club for all this time, there is some disappointment at being sent down. Many former BlueClaw players have done well this spring with the Phillies. Greg Golson has made great strides in his development, playing a superb centerfield and getting some timely hits and excellent baserunning. Before being sent down, Golson hit .429 with an on base percentage of .714. These are great numbers and Greg Golson will certainly get a good look when he takes his place in centerfield for the IronPigs in Lehigh Valley. 

Former BlueClaw Ryan Howard is hitting .375 with 4 homeruns and 8 runs batted in. 

Today was a very hot day in Clearwater. In spite of the heat over 9,000 people filled Brighthouse Networks Field for the Phillies-Indians game. Meanwhile, at the minor league complex where about 36 people watched, the Reading and Lehigh Valley teams went through their paces against the AA and AAA teams from the Tampa Bay Rays. This is something that is being discussed here in Florida this year, the Rays name has taken over for the Devil Rays name. We shall see if getting the “devil” out helps the “Rays” climb out of the AL East Cellar. If spring training is any indication, they just might be on their way. The Rays lead the Grapefruit League with a 13-3 record. The Yankees are 8-7 and the World Series Champion Boston Red Sox are 7-9. 

The Red Sox leave for Japan in a few days and tomorrow the Yankees take on Virginia Tech at the school in Blacksburg. This will be easily the biggest game ever played in Blacksburg. The Yankees are playing on campus to help raise money for charities begun after the shootings on the campus last year. 

Tomorrow the BlueClaws will be playing the Rays at the Carpenter Complex. 

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