I thought Ed Wade didn't believe in using September Call-Ups as a reward. But that's exactly what it means for Tri-City hitting coach Joel Chimelis, who has been brought to Houston for the three games with the Braves, Lancaster pitching coach Don Alexander (this weekend against the Pirates), and Round Rock manager Marc Bombard (Sept 21-27).
Wade:
"We usually bring people up in September when we have extra guys on the roster, but it's also somewhat of a reward. Bomby's been up several times over the course of his career, so he wanted to spend a little bit more time with his family. So I asked Ricky (Bennett) for some alternatives, and he recommended Joel and Donnie. These guys work hard and don't get a lot of recognition for what they do, particularly at the lower levels.
"So it's nice to give them an opportunity to be here. Plus, I think it helps from the standpoint of a frame of reference and perspective. They spend an entire season, (Chimelis) does, in the New York-Penn League looking at those kids. When he's in spring training and you ask him to evaluate talent and put prospect grades on guys, if all you've watched is New York-Penn players, it's hard to say this guy's an impact. Then you come up here and spend three or four games up here and you see the game at field level and I think in your mind's eye you begin to sort of maybe slide back a little bit of those evaluations."
Where's the love for Luis Pujols!
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
