The On-Deck Circle

2008: "A Game of Inches";

Volcanoes Finish An Inch Away From Third Consecutive NWL Championship

It is said that baseball is "A Game of Inches", and the 2008 Salem-Keizer Volcanoes certainly lived up to that famous quote in their quest for a third consecutive Northwest League Championship after winning the coveted title in 2006 and 2007.   Finishing league play with a record of 40-36 (.526 winning percentage) which was matched by the Eugene Emeralds at 40-36, the Volcanoes won the tie-breaker by "an inch" with a better record than Eugene against the third place team -- the Vancouver Canadians, thus qualifying the Volcanoes to meet the Eastern Divisional Champions, the Spokane Indians, who sported the best record in the league at 51-25 (.671), for the 2008 Northwest League Title.   And speaking of inches, the Volcanoes found themselves in 24 one-run games, nearly 1/3 of the season schedule, and being triumphant in 14 of those games.  

The "Game of Inches" began immediately in 2008 as the Volcanoes went 8 and 6 in June, continued with a 14-15 record in July, a 17-13 record in August, and finished with a 1-2 league record in September.   With Volcanoes Manager Tom Trebelhorn having to deal with a rotating lineup, as over 50 players wore a Volcanoes uniform in 2008, partly due to substantial injuries to several key players such as Michael Ambort, Francisco Peguero, Skyler Stromsmoe and others, it is absolutely amazing that the Volcanoes were never out of first place from game one thru the last game of the regular season -- tied on several occasions -- but never out of first place.

And true to form, the "Game of Inches" continued in the 2008 Northwest League Championship Series.   The Volcanoes opened the best three-of-five playoffs with a very hard fought 5-3 victory in Spokane with pitcher Andy Reichard leading the way with one of his best performances of the season going 5.1 innings, not allowing any runs on 4 hits, and striking out 4.   In the bottom of the 9^th, closer Edwin Quirarte struck out all three Spokane batters to seal the victory.

Game 2 in Spokane, the "Game of Inches" was still present as the Indians rallied in the bottom of the 10^th inning to break a 10-10 score to win 11-10.   Both teams had 15 hits.   And the series was tied 1-1.

The Volcanoes felt like they were in a great position returning to "The Crater" and the loyal, highly-supportive and energetic Volcanoes fans behind them for Game 3.   The Volcanoes struck early and often, and led 10-2 after the completion of five innings, and it was looking good for the home team.   Then disaster struck in the 6^th inning as the Volcanoes bullpen was unable to corral the Indians.   They scored 5 in the 6^th, 1 in the 7^th and 2 in the 8^th to tie the score at 10-10 for the second consecutive night.   In the 9^th inning, with ace closer Edwin Quirarte on the mound and two outs, the Indians got a single, a Volcanoes error and a single to score the winning run, and once again the Volcanoes lost a "Game of Inches" 11-10 despite outhitting the Indians 13-5.

Down 2 games to 1 entering game four, the Volcanoes trailed 4-3 after five innings, however, took a 5-4 lead after the seventh inning.   Spokane tied the game at 5-5 in the eighth inning setting up another extra-inning game.   With Volcanoe runners on second and third and two out, a screaming liner heading to rightfield to score the winning run, hit the base umpire to cause a dead ball, and put the batter at first base.   With bases loaded, the Volcanoes grounded out to end the comeback, and Spokane scored one in the tenth inning to win the game and the NWL Championship 6-5.   Yes, indeed, it was not just a "Game of Inches", but a "Season of Inches".   So close, yet so far away from a three-peat.

The Volcanoes fans got a look at both of the Giants 1^st round draft picks -- catcher Buster Posey of Florida State, college player of the year, who was promoted to the San Jose Giants just prior to the playoffs, and third baseman, Conor Gillaspie of Wichita State, who was called up to the San Francisco Giants after game two of the playoffs.

Mike Loberg (.292, 8 home runs, 49 RBI's) was the Volcanoes lone NWL All-Star.   His 49 RBI's led the league and he was second in runs scored with 53.  Teammate Michael Ambort was second in the league for homeruns with 11 despite missing many games due to injury.

Pitcher Mike Loree led the league in Innings Pitched with 87, second in ERA at 2.44 and third in the league in strikeouts with 75.   Wilbur Burcardo was tied for second in Wins with 6, and Andy Reichard was third in the league with an ERA of 2.87.

The Volcanoes drew 112,425 fans during the season, bringing the team's total attendance over 12 years to more than 1.49 million fans (3,212 per game).

2008 Volcanoes provided an intriguing season of baseball

By Mark Gilman, Volcanoes Radio

I expected my first year behind the Volcanoes broadcast microphone to be a busy one, but I never expected to be so overwhelmed with records set or tied by the 2008 team.

A total of 52 players--including 30 pitchers--called themselves Volcanoes during the 76 game season and post season play.  Some players even made two appearances.  It made for a long summer of roster updates made by yours truly.

Manager Tom Trebelhorn's team set or tied another 17 franchise records during the season.  Some were major milestones--such as Michael Ambort's ground breaking three home runs in one game on the road against Boise, Mike Loberg's four consecutive contests with a homer, and Mike Lorre's record-shattering 40 consecutive batters retired.

Other records were a little more dubious.  The 21 runs given up to Eugene on August 27^th at Volcanoes Stadium is one most every Salem-Keizer fan and player would just as soon forget.

The 2008 team continued the Volcanoes' long standing tradition of winning.  Despite receiving only brief appearances from their top two draft picks Buster Posey and Conor Gillaspie, Salem-Keizer scratched and clawed its way to a third consecutive Northwest League Western Division championship, winning on the next-to-last night of the regular season with a 40-36 record.   And although they lost the NWL title to Spokane, the Volcanoes were in every game--losing by just one run in each of their three defeats, including two extra-inning affairs.

First baseman Mike Loberg was the only member of the team to earn all-league honors after leading the league in runs batted in with 49.  On the whole, the Volcanoes were an average team at the plate, but the roster filled with defensive standouts. 

As a squad, the Volcanoes were number one in fielding percentage at .976--just .001 off the franchise mark.  By position, Salem-Keizer had the top fielding players at first base (Loberg-.990), second base (Ryan Lormand-.981), third base (Jose Flores-.962), shortstop (Pepe Frias-.969) and in the outfield (LF Casey Bond-.992).  Center fielder Caleb Curry had perhaps the best play of the season for the Volcanoes with a diving catch near the wall at Spokane's Avista Stadium, a feat captured by local television crews and forever etched in my mind.

Curry's grab is the way I prefer to remember "my" first Volcanoes team:  a close knit group of young men who always put out their best effort, win or lose.  It was reflective of the gritty wisdom imparted by Trebelhorn, who brought his years of major league experience to a very lucky group of rookies.  The team also projected Treb's special mix of humor and competitive fire all summer long--making them a joy to talk with in the clubhouse and to watch on the field.

Here's to more of the same in 2009.

2008 VOLCANOES RECORDS TIED OR SET

Just In!  2008 Volcanoes Baseball Card Update Set

Top Picks Included

Click HERE for $5.00 off the in-Store price for the

2008 Volcanoes Baseball Card Update Set

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?  (Former Volcanoes within the Giants system)

Here are the totals for former Salem-Keizer Volcanoes who played in the Giants system in 2008:

San Francisco Giants:                 Record:  72-90 - .444, 4^th Place, 12.0 Games Back

Pitchers:  Kevin Correia (3-8,6.05, 25 games), Brad Hennessey (1-2, 7.81, 17 games),

                Tim Lincecum (18-5, 2.62, 34 games), Jonathan Sanchez (9-12, 5.01, 29

                games), Jack Taschner (3-2, 4.88, 67 games), Alex Hinshaw (2-1, 3.40, 48

                games), Sergio Romo (3-1, 2.12, 29 games), Geno Espinelli (2-0, 5.06,

                15 games).

Position Players:  Fred Lewis (.282, 9 HR, 40 RBI), John Bowker (.255, 10 HR, 43 RBI)

                               Emmanuel Burris (.283, 1 HR, 18 RBI), Pablo Sandoval (.345, 3 HR,

                               24 RBI), Travis Ishikawa (.274, 3 HR, 15 RBI), Stephen Holm (.262,

                               1 HR, 6 RBI), Nate Schierholtz (.320, 1 HR, 5 RBI), Connor Gillaspie

                               (.200, O HR, 0 RBI).

LINCECUM SETS NEW GIANTS STRIKEOUT MARK

With a strikeout of Colorado slugger Matt Holliday to end the 4^th inning on Tuesday night, September 23^rd, former Salem-Keizer Volcanoes pitcher, Tim Lincecum (2006) established a new Giants, single-season strikeout record.   Lincecum's nine punchouts at AT&T Park against the Rockies brought his season total to 252, eclipsing Jason Schmidt's club record of 251 in 2004.   Lincecum ended the season with 265 strikeouts against only 84 walks.

Source:   Fresno Grizzlies Website

Fresno Grizzlies:  AAA                Record:   67-76 - .469, 3^rd Place, 15.5 Games Back

Pitchers:  Geno Espinelli (1-1, 2.66, 38 games), Jesse Foppert (2-1, 7.62, 24 games),

                  Pat Misch (6-5, 5.38, 20 games), Matt Palmer (6-10, 4.18, 26 games), Nick

                  Pereira (7-8, 5.70, 19 games), Ryan Sadowski (8-4, 4.80, 31 games),

Position Players:   Brian Bocock (.163, 0 HR, 3 RBI), John Bowker (.237, 2 HR, 9 RBI),

                                Ben Copeland (.341, 0 HR, 4 RBI), Brian Horowitz (.277, 7 HR,

                                29 RBI), Daniel Ortmeier (.206, 1 HR, 9 RBI), Nate Schierholtz

                                (.320, 18 HR, 73 RBI), Clay Timpner (.245, 3 HR, 46 RBI).

Connecticut Defenders:  AA     Record:  68-73 - .482, 4^th Place ND, 18.5 Games Back

Pitchers:   Garrett Broshuis (13-9, 3.78, 28 games), Joe Martinez (10-10, 2.49, 27

                   games), Adam Cowart (8-7, 3.76, 32 games), Dave McKae (8-9, 4.57,

                   28 games), Ben Snyder (1-6, 5.98, 13 games), Kelvin Pichardo (2-4, 2.48,

                   46 games), Paul Oseguera (3-2, 4.58, 19 games), Daryl Maday (1-1,8.35)

Position Players:  Pablo Sandoval (.337, 8 HR, 37 RBI), Eddy Martinez-Esteve (.298,

                              6 HR, 42 RBI), Ryan Rohlinger (.296, 6 HR, 19 RBI), Travis Ishikawa

                              (.291, 8 HR, 48 RBI), Jake Wald (.262, 2 HR, 15 RBI), Adam Witter

                              (.238, 20 HR, 77 RBI), David Maroul (.230, 10 HR, 35 RBI), Carlos

                              Sosa (.253, 10 HR, 53 RBI), Ben Copeland (.261, 5 HR, 42 RBI).

San Jose Giants:  Advanced Long-Season A  Record:  85-55, 1^st ND First Half,

                                                                                                       2^nd ND Second Half

                                                                                                       Lost Division Playoff

Pitchers: Jesse English (13-4, 2.79, 26 games), Kevin Pucetas (10-2, 3.02, 24 games),

                Clayton Tanner (10-8, 3.69, 24 games), Ben Snyder (8-3, 2.00, 15 games),

                Steve Edlefsen (8-5, 3.36, 40 games), Juan Trinidad (1-1, 1.53, 43 games),

                Joe Paterson (3-2, 3.11, 34 games), Danny Otero (1-1. 3.67, 34 games),

                Daryl Maday (3-0, 2.05, 4 games), Taylor Wilding (1-6, 3.39, 46 games).

Position Players:  Pablo Sandoval (.359, 12 HR, 59 RBI), Brad Boyer (.348, 7 HR,

                              45 RBI), Matt Downs (.304, 17 HR, 75 RBI), Mike McBryde (.295,

                              5 HR, 46 RBI), Brock Bond (.297, 0 HR, 19 RBI), Ryan Rohlinger

                              (.285, 7 HR, 46 RBI), Bobby Felmy (.283, 6 HR, 58 RBI), Brett Pill

                              (.266, 9 HR, 65 RBI), Tyler Graham (,264, 2 HR, 29 RBI), Tyler

                              LaTorre (.253, 2 HR, 8 RBI), Sharlon Schoop (.246, 7 HR, 52 RBI),

                              Jackson Williams (.231, 3 HR, 16 RBI).

Augusta Greenjackets:  Long-Season A          Record:  88-50, Won South Atlantic

                                                                                                         League Title  

Pitchers:  Scott Barnes (3-2, 1.38, 6 games), Steve Calicutt (2-3, 4.25, 10 games),

                 TJ Brewer (10-4, 2.95, 6 games), Craig Clark (8-4, 3.51, 23 games),

                 Chance Corgan (4-5, 2.93, 13 games),Andy De La Garza (6-2, 3.33, 53 games)

                 Oliver Odle (10-7, 3.77, 24 games), Wilmin Rodriguez (2-1, 2.45, 18 games).

Position Players:  Garrett Baker (2.64, 9 HR, 63 RBI), Dayton Buller (.281, 5 HR,

                               17 RBI), Andrew Davis (.253, 3 HR, 56 RBI), Shane Jordan (.253,

                               0 HR, 29 RBI), Thomas Neal (.276, 15 HR, 85 RBI), Angel Villalona

                               (.263, 17 HR, 64, RBI).

Arizona Giants:  Rookie A                     Record:  36-20   Won Arizona Rookie League

Pitchers:  Kelvin Marte (2-1, 1.78, 8 games), Ryan Verdugo (1-0, 2.08, 8 games),

                 Andrew Bowlin (1-0, 12.10, 7 games), Carlos De La Rosa (1-2, 5.06, 7 games)

Postiion Players:   Brooks Lindsley (.349, 0 HR, 14 RBI), Carlos Quintana (.333, 0 HR,

                               10 RBI)

CLUBHOUSE CHAT with JERRY WALKER

Words from the Co-Owner

SALEM-KEIZER PLAYERS IN THE MAJOR LEAGUES

After 12 Seasons - 54 of OUR players have made it to the bigs!

Thirteen former Volcanoes players made their Major League debut this year, making a total of fifty-four Salem-Keizer players who have played in the Big Leagues.  The list is headed by Conor Gillaspie who was selected in the June 2008, draft by the San Francisco Giants.  Gillaspie played for the Volcanoes this season and was called up to San Francisco after Game 2 of the Northwest League Championship Series in Spokane.  Gillaspie's rise to the big leagues was the fastest ever for a Volcanoes player.

Pablo Sandoval (2005 Volcanoes), made a big impact in San Francisco this summer.  Pablo hit .345 in 145 at bats for the Giants.  Emmanuel Burris (2006 Volcanoes) and John Bowker (2004 Volcanoes) also saw considerable playing time hitting.  Burris hit .283 in 240 at bats and Bowker hit .255 in 326 at bats.  Of course the biggest star for the Giants was on the mound as Tim Lincecum (Volcanoes 2006) compiled a 18-5 record in 227 innings of work and struck out a San Francisco Giants all-time high 265 batters.  Lincecum's amazing statistics, including his 2.62 earned run average, makes him a candidate for the National League's Cy Young Award!

email: Volcanoes@Volcanoesbaseball.com

phone: 503-390-2225

web: http://www.volcanoesbaseball.com