Monthly Archives: January 2013

Craig Tatum, who all but disappeared in 2012, recently signed a minor league deal with Miami and presumably will compete this spring for the backup catcher job with the Marlins. Tatum, 29, a former third-round pick by Cincinnati out of Mississippi State, spent last season in the New York Yankees system but appeared in only eight games. Better known for his defense than his bat, Tatum hit .195 in 31 games for Baltimore in 2011 and .281 for the Orioles in 43 games in 2010. … Former Delta State catcher Eli Whiteside is no longer on Texas’ 40-man roster but likely still will have a shot at the backup catcher job. The Rangers signed A.J. Pierzynski in late December to be their No. 1. … Ramon Castro, the ex-Jackson Generals catcher, has signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers after not playing in 2012. … Also coming back from a year off is ex-Mississippi Braves pitcher Blaine Boyer, signed by Kansas City. … M-Braves alum Brent Lillibridge, who played for the Chicago White Sox, Boston and Cleveland last season, has inked with the Cubs. … Former M-Braves and current Atlanta closer Craig Kimbrel reportedly will pitch for Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.

Of all the seasons good, bad or ugly put up by Mississippians in the majors in 2012, none was more curious than Cliff Lee’s. The former Meridian Community College left-hander had a 3.16 ERA and struck out 207 batters while walking just 28. But his record, with a Philadelphia club that made a late playoff push, was 6-9. Six and nine? It doesn’t add up. Lee averaged just over seven innings per start, so it wasn’t that he failed to go deep in games. The Phillies’ bullpen, at least the back end, was not a problem. They had Jonathan Papelbon, the ex-Mississippi State ace, closing and he recorded 38 saves. Mostly, it was just dumb luck that turned Lee’s record sour. His career mark over 11 MLB seasons is 125-78, with a 3.59 ERA. He’ll turn it around in 2013. At 34, he still has some quality innings in his arm.

In recognition of Elvis Presley’s birthday, MLB Network’s Hot Stove program had former Tupelo High star Kirk Presley on via telephone. Kirk, a third cousin of the late, great Elvis, gave an engaging interview. Best line: “I don’t even sing in church.” Kirk Presley, a dominant prep pitcher in the early 1990s, was the eighth overall pick by the New York Mets in 1993 and was lumped with the likes of Jason Isringhausen, Bill Pulsipher and Paul Wilson as the organization’s arms of the future. Beset by shoulder problems, Presley pitched just five years in the low minors, posting an 8-10 record and a 4.04 ERA in 30 games. Presley still lives and works in Tupelo.

Another reason to look forward to the March 31 MLB opener: It’ll mark Lance Berkman’s debut for Texas and put him in Houston, his original club, for the Astros’ debut as an American League team. Former Jackson Generals star Berkman also considered Houston before signing as a free agent with Texas. The switch-hitting Berkman likely will be the Rangers’ DH and cleanup batter in 2013, possibly helping to ease the club’s loss of Josh Hamilton. There was speculation last year that the 36-year-old Berkman, beset by injuries in 2012, would retire. It’s good to see that he wants to give it another shot. If his legs hold up, he can certainly swing the bat. Recall that in 2011, when many were doubting what he had left after an injury-plagued 2010, he helped St. Louis win a World Series while batting .301 with 30 home runs. He also gets to renew his pursuit of 2,000 hits; he’s at 1,843. He’s already got 360 homers and 1,200 RBIs. With 2,000 hits, and a .295-plus career average, Berkman will be a strong Hall of Fame candidate.

The Caribbean leagues have begun postseason play, and former Mississippi Braves standout Gorkys Hernandez, the Venezuelan Winter League batting champ, stayed hot in his club’s opener. Hernandez, now with the Miami Marlins, went 3-for-4 in Caribes’ 8-1 win on Wednesday. Hernandez batted .316 and dazzled in center field during a half season in Mississippi in 2009. He was traded to Pittsburgh in the Nate McLouth deal. Miami dealt for him last summer. He hit just .212 for the Marlins in 45 games, but after batting .367 with VWL-bests of 48 runs and 15 stolen bases, he should get a long look this spring. … Former M-Braves slugger Ernesto Mejia, now on Atlanta’s 40-man roster, led the VWL in RBIs with 48 and tied for the lead in homers with 16. Evan Gattis, a 2012 M-Brave, also hit 16. He’s not on the Braves’ big league roster, but he’ll be in camp, possibly vying for time in left field. … Also, Mauro Gomez, another former M-Braves star, led the Dominican Winter League with 38 RBIs. Gomez is now with Boston. Ex-M-Braves closer Jairo Asencio (Milwaukee) topped the DWL with 12 saves, and M-Braves alum Barbaro Canizares led the Mexican Pacific League with 66 RBIs. P.S. Delta State coach Mike Kinnison will be the speaker at Northeast Mississippi Community College’s First Pitch Banquet on Jan. 21. The college season is fast approaching.