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1/25/12

Baseball: Fijian Latuis, Ryne Sandberg, Les Mueller, Jeff Keppinger



THE Fiji men's baseball side has made a huge impact on the International Baseball Federation (IBAF) world rankings following its powerful performance at the Pacific Games in New Caledonia last year. The "Fijian Latuis" remarkable performance has Fiji ranked 62nd out of 76 countries that participated at IBAF sanctioned tournaments. Fiji Islands Baseball and Softball Association (FIBSA) development officer Inoke Niubalavu said after just 10 years in Fiji, baseball was developing slowly every year and its performance in the past three Pacific Games had enhanced its profile in the international arena. http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=191792

Ryne Sandberg didn’t start his managerial career at the bottom as an act of nobility. The Hall of Famer went to Class A ball because he didn’t have a choice. When Sandberg told his old team, the Chicago Cubs, that he wanted to manage, they said they had an opening at Peoria of the Midwest League. Sandberg gratefully took it and didn’t think twice. Five seasons later Sandberg is still riding buses, still making the long, slow climb to what he hopes is a managerial job in the big leagues. http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/baseball/other_mlb/view.bg?articleid=1398694&srvc=sports&position=recent

Although he only appeared in 26 major league games, right-handed pitcher Les Mueller made quite an impression. Big things were predicted ever since he was a lanky high school sensation from Illinois. As a senior in 1937, he averaged 18 strikeouts per game, which were 7 innings each. Many teams were interested in him, but he chose to sign with the Detroit Tigers because they offered a $5,000 bonus. Mueller’s best work came in a historic tie against the Philadelphia Athletics. On July 21st, he went the first 19.2 innings of a 24 inning tie. When he came out with two down in the 20th inning, he had only relinquished 1 unearned run and 13 hits, while facing a staggering 74 batters. He later estimated that he threw 370 pitches in the herculean effort.  When Tigers manager Steve O’Neill came out to pull him for a reliever, Mueller reportedly said, “Gee, Steve, the game isn’t over, is it?” No major league pitcher has ever thrown as many innings in one game since http://networkedblogs.com/taEsa

The Tampa Bay Rays have signed infielder Jeff Keppinger to a 1-year major league deal, according to Jerry Crasnick. The deal is pending a physical, adds Crasnick. The deal was rumored since Monday, when Crasnick tweeted the initial interest by the Rays:  •Twitter / @jcrasnick - "Jeff Keppinger has agreed on a one-year big league deal with #Rays, pending a physical, says a source."  •Tampa Bay Rays Close To Signing Jeff Keppinger - MLB Daily Dish The Tampa Bay Rays are close to signing infielder Jeff Keppinger, according to Mark Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. This follows the rumors from Monday (via Jerry Crasnick) that that club was interested in acquiring him for infield utility purposes. http://www.mlbdailydish.com/2012/1/25/2735362/tampa-bay-rays-sign-jeff-keppinger-to-1-year-deal

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