Tag Archives: Brian McCann

09 Sep

remember that time …

It wasn’t the kind of finale the Mississippi Braves would have hoped for. In the team’s last game at Trustmark Park, they lost 10-3. The last batter of the last game struck out. A crowd announced at 4,111 on a breezy, sun-splashed Sunday groaned at that last out but then gave the home boys a final round of applause. Just like that, 20 years — 19 seasons — of Double-A baseball in Pearl ended. The Atlanta affiliate sent scores of players to the big leagues. Won two league championships. Produced five no-hitters, a Southern League MVP, a pitcher of the year and a bunch of league All-Stars. There were shutouts and grand slams and walk-offs aplenty. Sunday’s game might not have been one for the scrapbook of memories, but there were plenty of those through the years for the more than 3 million fans who passed through the gates. Here’s one: On April 30, 2005 — the inaugural season — Brian McCann, the 21-year-old catching prospect just weeks from his first big league call-up, stepped to the plate in the bottom of ninth with the M-Braves down 1-0. West Tenn’s Rich Hill — yes, that Rich Hill — and three relievers had no-hit the M-Braves for 8 2/3 innings. Lefty Yorkin Ferraras was on the bump to face the lefty-hitting McCann with a man on first. As West Tenn manager — and Laurel native — Bobby Dickerson said after the game: “McCann is the one guy we didn’t want to face right there.” On a 2-2 pitch, Ferraras left a fastball out over the plate and McCann smacked it high and deep over the right-field wall for a 2-1 victory. “I’ve never had a feeling like that as long as I’ve been playing sports,” McCann said afterward. Nineteen years later, it still resonates. Baseball does that.

26 Nov

remember the time

Brian McCann, the first player to advance from the Mississippi Braves to Atlanta, back in the summer of 2005, is coming back to the Braves for 2019 after several years in other uniforms. McCann, now 34, was a highly rated prospect when he arrived in Pearl for the M-Braves’ inaugural season and lived up to the hype in the big leagues, quickly rising to stardom and putting up numbers that may someday put him in the Hall of Fame. McCann hit .265 with seven home runs and 26 RBIs in 48 games for the ’05 M-Braves, typically hitting fifth behind Jeff Francoeur and Scott Thorman in the middle of a very good lineup under manager Brian Snitker. McCann had a lot of big hits in his short time with the M-Braves, but none was bigger than the one he produced on April 30, 2005, at Trustmark Park. West Tenn’s Rich Hill — yes, that Rich Hill — and three relievers had no-hit the M-Braves for 8 2/3 innings. The Diamond Jaxx held a 1-0 lead when McCann came up with a runner on to face lefty Yorkin Ferraras. As West Tenn manager — and Laurel native — Bobby Dickerson said after the game: “McCann is the one guy we didn’t want to face right there.” On a 2-2 pitch, Ferraras left a fastball out over the plate and McCann deposited it over the right-field wall for a 2-1 victory. “I’ve never had a feeling like that as long as I’ve been playing sports,” McCann said afterward. It still has to rate as one of the great moments in TeePee history. If you were there, you remember it.

08 Nov

grab bag

Southern Miss product Brian Dozier, shifted from shortstop to second base this season, was named the Minnesota Twins’ defensive player of the year by Wilson. Dozier committed just six errors and posted a .992 fielding percentage. … Brian McCann, the former Mississippi Braves star, reportedly is interested in the Texas Rangers. McCann, a free agent, got a qualifying offer from Atlanta but isn’t expected to return, which is sad. He was the first M-Braves alum to make the majors in 2005 and has been, when healthy, a standout in Atlanta. McCann, soon to turn 30, hit .256 with 20 home runs and 57 RBIs this season. … Jarrod Saltalamacchia, another ex-M-Braves catcher and free agent, wasn’t offered by Boston (though he might return there anyway). Wonder if Atlanta might have an interest in bringing Salty back? He batted .273 with 14 homers and 65 RBIs for the world champs. He is 28. … Tupelo native and former Jackson State star Dave Clark, recently cut loose from Houston’s field staff, was hired by Detroit as third base coach for new manager Brad Ausmus. … Belhaven left-hander Chris Good, 14-3 with a 2.18 ERA in 2013, has been named an NAIA Preseason All-American. … Mississippi College’s Mike Rice Baseball Field House is slated to open in March. Rice, an Alabama businessman who made a large donation toward construction of the 2,500-square foot facility, was a Choctaws star in the 1970s. … Billy Hamilton, the ex-Taylorsville High star, has four stolen bases in four Puerto Rican Winter League games. And two hits.