Renegades Rumblings

Evan picks up another award

2009-11-12T18:51:00.003-05:00

Another day, another postseason accolade for former 'Gade Evan Longoria.

Today, the Tampa Bay Rays' third baseman earned a Rawlings Silver Slugger Award, a nice complement to the Gold Glove the second-year big-leaguer picked up earlier this week. Longoria hit .281 this past season — that's nine points higher than in his rookie year — with 33 home runs, 44 doubles and 113 runs batted in. Longoria also finished the year with a .364 on-base percentage and a .526 slugging mark. The lone blemish on his offensive résumé this season: Longoria grounded into 27 double plays this season, tops in the American League. This is the first Silver Slugger award for the 2008 AL Rookie of the Year.

In the summer of '06, Longoria played first eight professional games with Hudson Valley, hitting .424 with four homers, and 11 RBIs.

Longoria wins AL Gold Glove

2009-11-10T21:13:00.002-05:00

Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria, who played his first eight games as a pro with the 2006 Renegades, was awarded an American League Gold Glove earlier today.

The defending AL Rookie of the Year played 151 games at third base this season, and made just 13 defensive errors in 427 chances, good enough for a .970 fielding percentage. Additionally, he helped turn 43 double plays from the hot corner; by comparison, Longoria compiled a .958 fielding percentage last year, making a dozen gaffes in the field in his 328 chances. Additionally, the two-time AL All-Star hit .281 with 33 home runs and 113 RBIs in his sophomore season.

Ironically, Longoria also grounded into 27 double plays this season, leading all AL batters.

Watch HVR TV on your PC

2009-11-09T17:31:00.009-05:00

Implementing its first phase of its new "Be Your Own Fan" marketing initiative, the Renegades' ownership unveiled its first webisode earlier today.
The first installment of the new Web series, available by clicking here, features representatives from each of the Goldklang Group's minor-league teams, including the Hudson Valley Renegades.

Renegades' management to meet

2009-10-24T16:26:00.005-04:00

Officials with the New Jersey-based Goldklang Group, which owns and operates four minor-league teams across the country including the Renegades, are set to hold their annual meetings.

The confab, which will draw executives from the Charleston (S.C.) RiverDogs, St. Paul (Minn.) Saints, Fort Myers (Fla.) Miracle and the Renegades, not to mention the Goldklang Group's top officials, will take place in Atlantic City. In addition to working with each other throughout the baseball season, the group's teams meet during the offseason to talk about, among other things, the upcoming seasons at the various teams.

The Renegades will begin their 17th season in Fishkill in mid-June.

'Gades exec to speak locally

2009-10-13T16:50:00.003-04:00

One of the front-office executives responsible for the Renegades' success in recent years will share her expertise at a local college later this week.

Tyler Tumminia, a graduate of Our Lady of Lourdes High School and Mount Saint Mary College, will address this Friday's 14th annual SUNY New Paltz Business Day Conference, sponsored by the school's chapter of the American Marketing Association. The vice president of marketing and operations for the Goldklang Group, which owns and operates several minor-league teams including the 'Gades, will speak at the School of Business from 2:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. on Friday.

Officials said the objective of the conference is to help students develop knowledge and skills to gain a competitive advantage. The workshops and keynote cover a variety of topics considered to be relevant and timely for students.
When she addresses a crowd (like this one at SUNY New Paltz several years ago), Tumminia will be focusing on advertising within the sports world, different media along with the advantages and disadvantages of using certain media.

You can click here for more information about the event.

Former 'Gade is Clemente nominee

2009-09-09T17:18:00.006-04:00

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher James Shields, who began his pro career with the Renegades in 2001, has been nominated for MLB's Roberto Clemente Award.
Shields, who is 9-10 with a 4.02 ERA with Tampa this season, but it's his work off the field that put him up for the Clemente honor.

For several years, Shields has been active in the Heart Gallery, which deals with foster care for children in need. Fans can click here to read more about Shields' involvement and vote for him.

The award has been handed out annually since 1971, with such winners through the years ranging from Willie Mays, Gary Carter and Brooks Robinson to Craig Biggio, Tony Gwynn and last year's recipient, Albert Pujols. Each year, 30 players throughout MLB (one from each team) are nominated, with the winner being announced during the World Series.

'Gades set single-season attendance record

2009-09-06T23:33:00.002-04:00

Direct from the Renegades' home office in Fishkill...

The Hudson Valley Renegades, Short-Season A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, are excited to announce that they have set a new single-season attendance record, along with a new per-game average attendance record. During the 2009 season 165,601 fans went through the turnstiles over 36 openings at Dutchess Stadium while breaking the previous mark of 164,425 set in 2006 that had been accomplished over 37 openings that year.

During the 2009 campaign the Renegades averaged 4,600 fans per game. The average of 4,600 tops the previous per-game average attendance record of 4,526 that was set back in 2005.

Not only did the Renegades set new records in overall attendance and average attendance over the course of the season but they also set a single-game attendance record earlier this year. On Thursday, July 16 when 5,253 fans came out to Dutchess Stadium to watch the Renegades take on the Batavia Muckdogs (affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals). The 5,253 fans in attendance that night marked the largest crowd to ever see a Renegades game at Dutchess Stadium.

“I want to thank the fans for making the 2009 season the best season in Renegades history,” said General Manager Eben Yager. “The fans have always been the heart of the Renegades so this milestone is not only for the Renegades but also for the fans…thank you!”

With the 2009 season coming to an end the entire Renegades staff would like to say thank you to all of our fans for making this season the best in Renegades history.

Make sure to get your 2010 season tickets now and help the Renegades raise the bar even higher and set another attendance record next year. Contact the Renegades box office at 845.838.0094 or visit us on the web at www.hvrenegades.com

Carlos Beltrán has left the diamond

2009-09-03T20:29:00.007-04:00

FISHKILL — Just got back from talking to Mets CF Carlos Beltrán in the Brooklyn Cyclones' clubhouse following his 5 1/2 innings here at Dutchess Stadium.In his second rehab game with the Brooklyn Cyclones, Beltrán finished his night 0-for-2 with a walk. He also made one put-out in center, catching a soft ball of David Genao's bat in the second inning.

“It felt good to be out there,” Beltran, who’s been on the Mets’ disabled list with a bone bruise in his right knee since June 22, said after his 0-for-2 night, which included a walk. “It’s been a long time that I wasn’t able to play in the outfield, so today was a very good day for me.”

Among the highlights of Beltran's post-game interview:

* Beltrán said he expects to remain with the Cyclones through the remainder of the New York-Penn League regular season, which ends Sunday;
* He's enjoyed getting to "share my experience" with the young Brooklyn players;
* Despite the injuries (including his own) which have cost the Mets any chance of contending for a playoff spot, Beltrán still plans on finishing the season on the big-league team's active roster.

If nothing else, the five-time all-star said he's appreciated the reception he's received the past two night — first at Coney Island's KeySpan Park last night, and now tonight here at Dutchess Stadium. “When you hear the fans cheering for you and supporting you the way I’ve been supported, it’s always great,” Beltrán said. “It makes you work harder, and it makes you love this game a little bit more and enjoy what you love to do — play baseball.”

For the complete story on Beltrán's appearance at Dutchess Stadium, check out the Poughkeepsie Journal's Web site on Friday.

This space (not) available

2009-09-03T15:55:00.005-04:00

FISHKILL — The Brooklyn Cyclones filed, one-by-one, off their team bus when I arrived here at Dutchess Stadium just at 3:30 p.m.Inside the press box here at the ballpark, each spot has been reserved for media members — everyone from the the NY Daily News and Newsday, to the Mets' SNY network and yours truly.

Additionally, the Renegades have published a media advisory up here detailing the ground rules for Carlos Beltrán's appearance (locker room access, etc.) here with the Brooklyn Cyclones.

Beltrán's big day in Fishkill

2009-09-03T14:12:00.003-04:00

Renegades officials have filled me in on a few details of Carlos Beltrán's rehab start at Dutchess Stadium today.
The NY Mets' center fielder is set to arrive in Fishkill around 4 p.m., separate from the rest of the Brooklyn Cyclones. After last night's game in Brooklyn, Beltrán said he planned on playing the field tonight; that will now be a gametime decision, I've been told.

If the NL all-star does play in the outfield, it will likely only be for five innings, though that plan is subject to change given how he feels. Shortly after he leaves tonight's game, Beltrán will address the media in the visitors' clubhouse at Dutchess Stadium.

Beltrán says he's headed to Fishkill

2009-09-02T22:44:00.006-04:00

After tonight's 4-2 loss to the Renegades, Carlos Beltrán announced something that should interest Renegades fans.

The NY Mets' center fielder, who went 1-for-3 in a rehab assignment with the Brooklyn Cyclones in that 4-2 loss to Hudson Valley tonight at KeySpan Park, said he plans on plating at Dutchess Stadium on Thursday when the teams finish their home-and-home series in Fishkill. Beltrán, an all-star outfielder, hasn't played with the Met since June 22, sidelined with a bone bruise in his right knee. He managed an RBI single in his first at-bat tonight before later walking and striking out, respectively, in his next two plate appearances.

A veteran of a dozen seasons in the majors, Beltrán batted third tonight as the Cyclones' designated hitter.

Wade Davis finally gets the ball

2009-09-02T17:45:00.002-04:00

Four years after being the ace of the '05 Renegades' staff, pitcher Wade Davis is set to make his big-league debut with the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday.

According to a story on the Rays' Web site, Davis will join the big-league team tomorrow and make mis first start on Sunday against the visiting Detroit Tigers. In his second year as a pro, Davis went 7-4 with a 2.72 ERA as a 19-year-old when he pitched for the Renegades, overshadowing then-teammate and Rays' first-round pick Wade Townsend. He's gone on to become what many people believe to be the Rays' top minor-league pitcher, leaving those same people to wonder when he'd finally get called up. Now, we have our answer.

In his six seasons in the minors, Davis is 49-39 as a pro with a 3.28 ERA. He's struck out 730 batters in 746 2/3 innings, walking 279 over that span.

Live from Fishkill, it's Saturday night!

2009-09-02T17:39:00.001-04:00

The Renegades will celebrate their penultimate game with a "Saturday Night Live" celebration at Dutchess Stadium.
Hudson Valley, which boasts former "SNL" star Bill Murray as a co-owner, will celebrate the Not Ready For Primetime Players with festivities throughout the evening as the Renegades host the Oneonta Tigers.

In addition to giving the first 1,500 kids at Saturday's game a free 'Gades cap, Hudson Valley will also help out a worthy cause, the final in a string of such fund-raisers the Renegades have held this summer.

The first 100 fans who bring a school supply to the game will receive a $1 general admisstion ticket for that night's contest. All the school supplies collected will be donated to the Beacon City School District. Throughout the season, the 'Gades have collected various items — from baby supplies to sporting goods — that have been donated to several local organizations.

Beltrán in Brooklyn vs. 'Gades

2009-09-02T15:22:00.004-04:00

The Renegades will face their second big-league foe tonight when they play at KeySpan Park.

After facing NY Mets pitcher Oliver Perez back in June, the 'Gades are scheduled to face a fellow Amazin', outfielder Carlos Beltrán (seen here), when they take on the Brooklyn Cyclones tonight. Just like Perez, Beltrán is on a rehab assignment from the major-league club; the former NL All-Star injured his knee earlier this season, one of several injuries that have hampered the Mets in 2009. A veteran of a dozen big-league seasons, Beltrán is a .283 career hitter.

Hudson Valley hosts Brooklyn on Thursday before wrapping up the season with three straight games against the visiting Oneonta Tigers.

Coming to a batter near you

2009-09-01T19:46:00.003-04:00

Minor League Baseball announced earlier this week it will mandate all hitters wear a new, reinforced batting helmet starting next season.

The S100 helmet, manufactured by Rawlings Sporting Goods and seen here, is heavier than today's average helmet and designed to withstand being hit by a 100 m.p.h. fastball. You can read a story about the new helmets, posted on MLB.com, by clicking here.

As part of its extensive testing, Rawlings sent some of their new helmets to every big-league team. Pitcher Ryan Dempster was one of the few big-leaguers to try out the S100.

A former Renegade, Dempster (seen here wearing the new helmet recently) had mixed reviews about the helmet. "It felt like my own bobblehead day," Dempster, now with the Chicago Cubs, said in the MLB.com story. "I have a big enough head as it is. They could probably see that from the top of the Sears Tower." In addition to its minor-league-wide (including with the Renegades) usage in 2010, more players are expected to use the S100 next month when the Arizona Fall League starts.

Renegades rained out in Lowell

2009-08-29T17:54:00.003-04:00

Tonight’s series finale between the visiting Hudson Valley Renegades and the Lowell Spinners was rained out.

No make-up date was announced, and the game likely won’t be made up at the end of the season, considering each team’s playoff prospects. Given the tight schedule under which the league operates — the playoffs begin on Sept. 8, just two days after the regular season concludes — the Renegades and Spinners would only make up today's game it had a direct impact on either team reaching the postseason.

Having been eliminated from the New York-Penn League’s McNamara Division earlier in the week, Hudson Valley (32-35) entered the day with an playoff elimination number of three: Any combination of Renegades losses or Staten Island Yankees victories would eliminate Hudson Valley’s from the chase for the league’s wild-card playoff spot.

The Yanks, who lead the wild-card race won the opening game of a doubleheader at Tri-City on Saturday, 8-0, lowering the Renegades’ elimination number to two.

At 38-28 on the season, Lowell came into today in first place in the Stedler Division, four games ahead of the second-place Oneonta Tigers, who’d lost six straight games coming into the weekend.

Such a make-up would have to be played on Sept. 7 in Lowell.

McEachern picks up first HVR win

2009-08-23T15:18:00.004-04:00

FISHKILL — Throwing seven full innings in today's opening game, righty Jason McEachern won his first game of the season as a Renegade.

Fanning five Staten Island Yankees without walking any, McEachern scattered three hits without allowing a run in Hudson Valley's 1-0 win over the visitors to start today's doubleheader. "The ball was moving where I wanted it to. (Catcher) Mayo (Acosta) and I were on the exact same page. I had great defense behind me. Today was just one of those days that you thank the Lord for."

That first win ensured at least a split of today's doubleheader; Hudson Valley came in having split both of the previous twinbills it had played coming in to the day.

Tweet me out to the ballgame

2009-08-23T13:22:00.006-04:00

FISHKILL — Can't make it to the ballpark today? No problem!

You can watch the Renegades host the Staten Island Yankees right here, thanks to the wonders of technology.

The opening game of today's doubleheader is the first pro game ever broadcast on Twitter.

The micro-blogging, social-networking site is carrying today's Time-Warner Cable feed live on its site, as you can see above. Fans can log on to the Renegades' Twitter page, and not only watch the game, but also chat back and forth with each other.

Let's play two!

2009-08-23T11:22:00.005-04:00

FISHKILL — Hall of Famer Ernie Banks coined the phrase, and the Renegades are obliging today.

Somewhere, the Cubs' star infielder is smiling as Hudson Valley hosts the Staten Island Yankees for a doubleheader this afternoon. The Renegades bring in a 28-32 record, while the visitors from Richmond County are 33-25 on the year. The Yanks and 'Gades sit in second and third, respectively, in the New York-Penn League's McNamara Division, both behind the first-place Brooklyn Cyclones.

Hudson Valley has played a pair of twinbills this season, splitting each.

Lineups subject to change

2009-08-22T19:23:00.005-04:00

FISHKILL — With just over two weeks left in the season, manager Brady Williams said he might juggle the lineup from time to time to get some different players a few last looks.

“Obviously, we want to see what everyone can do,” said the skipper, whose Renegades come into tonight's game with the Staten Island Yankees in sixth place in the New York-Penn League's wild-card race, six games out of the lead with six games ahead of them. “Guys that have proven that they’ve had a good year, they might taper off a little bit, get some other guys some playing time. For the most part, we’re just going to stick with what we’ve been doing all year — trying to mix everyone up.”

With a playoff spot a long shot, Williams said he wants Renegades to wrap up the season on a positive note.

"The one thing I did tell them is, you’ve got to try to finish strong," the manager said. "A lot of times, guys start strong and at the end of the year, they look back and say, ‘If I could have just focused or had some better at-bats late in the season, maybe my season would have been better.’ "

Reynolds' rest of season doubtful

2009-08-22T19:06:00.002-04:00

FISHKILL — Manager Brady Williams said third baseman Burt Reynolds' return before the end of the season is "highly unlikely" following an injury 10 days ago.
“I wish I could say he’d come back, but his shoulder is still kind of messed up,” Williams said of Reynolds, who hurt himself on Aug. 12 while running out a ground ball. “By the time he rehabs it and gets back, it’s going to be who knows when?”

After hitting a ground ball to second base against the Tri-City ValleyCats in the bottom of the first inning of that Aug. 12 game, Reynolds ran to first and stumbled over the bag, colliding with ValleyCats first baseman Nick Stanley. He left that game and hasn’t played since.

Reynolds was hitting .230 with a home run, seven doubles and four triples in 38 games with the Renegades.

Three 'Gades named all-stars

2009-08-12T14:29:00.005-04:00

Six days before the New York-Penn League All-Star Game, three 'Gades learned today they're heading to the showcase of the league's best.
Catcher Mark Thomas, pitcher Alexander Colome and infielder Tyler Bortnick will represent Hudson Valley in next Tuesday's all-star activities in State College, Pa.

Bortnick, the Tampa Bay Rays’ 16th-round pick in this year’s draft out of Coastal Carolina University, came into Wednesday leading the team with his .302 batting average, ranking 14th in the league.

The ace of Hudson Valley’s pitching staff, Colome has won five games so far, leading the team. He’s struck out 66 batters, the most in the league, and his 1.79 ERA ranks fourth among the league’s starters.

After hitting .234 in 52 games as a Renegade last season, Thomas comes into tonight's game at Tri-City hitting .261.

For more on the three all-star Renegades, check out tomorrow's edition of the Poughkeepsie Journal.

Lefty Lobstein lights it up

2009-08-08T20:17:00.005-04:00

FISHKILL — Manager Brady Williams called Kyle Lobstein's Friday-night start the lefty's best of the season. Even though Lobstein took the loss, it's hard to disagree with the skipper.
Lobstein fanned eight batters and walked just one on Friday, though an unearned run sent him and Hudson Valley to the loss.

“I feel this is where I should have been in the beginning of the season,” Lobstein, the Tampa Bay Rays' second-round draft pick in '08, said earlier today. “It’s starting to come around now, I feel. Hopefully, it just keeps getting better.”

Signing his contract with Tampa Bay right up against last year's Aug. 15th deadline, Lobstein didn't pitch last season, making his pro debut with the Renegades on June 21.

Alexander Colome: streak-buster?

2009-08-08T19:13:00.002-04:00

FISHKILL — Coming into tonight on a four-game losing skid, there was no one the Renegades wanted on the hill more than starting pitcher Alexander Colome.

In addition to leading his team with his four victories, entering the game, Colome was tied for the league lead with his 59 strikeouts and posted a league-best 1.60 ERA. Aberdeen’s Kenny Moreland and his 0.88 ERA was recently promoted to the full-season Fredrick Keys of the Carolina League; Moreland held Hudson Valley to one hit earlier this season.

“He’s got overpowering stuff,” Renegades manager Brady Williams said of his ace before tonight's first pitch. “He can locate. He can be dominating. Hopefully he can stay under control tonight and give us some quality innings."

Colome fanned two of the first three batters he faced tonight.

Doby, Negro League legends lauded

2009-08-07T18:04:00.006-04:00

FISHKILL — Negro League veterans Bob Scott and Pedro Sierra are on hand for tonight's Renegades-Spikes game, as Hudson Valley honors Larry Doby.
A few years after Doby became the first African-American to play in the American League in July 1947, Scott played with him on the Jackie Robinson barnstorming all-star team of 1950.

"I'll tell you, Doby was a great ballplayer in the Negro Leagues," said Scott, who played in the Negro Leagues from 1941 to 1950.

Jackie Robinson was the first African-American to play in the majors, breaking in with the National League’s Brooklyn Dodgers in April 1947, but Doby became the first black player in the American League, making his big-league debut three months after Robinson. Scott said Doby's feisty personality might have prevented him from breaking baseball's color barrier.

"(Doby) wasn't that type of ballplayer that would take a lot of abuse," Scott said, referring to the hassles Robinson encountered during his rookie year. "Jackie was the guy, and he showed that he was the right guy."

Tonight, the Renegades will wear old-school Newark Eagles jerseys — Doby played with the Eagles before he reached the majors — while State College will don Homestead Grays uniforms.