2016 American Association/Can-Am All-Star Game Part 1: the Winnipeg connection

Got back from St. Paul yesterday, full credit to the St. Paul Saints organization, who collectively worked their asses off to make for a memorable two-day American Association/Can-Am All-Star event. CHS Field is a world-class facility and it was the perfect location to showcase the best players in indy ball. The North beat the South/Can-Am team 6-1, thanks in large part to an outstanding performance by MVP David Rohm. He's as reliable a hitter as they come, and Aug. 2 was no exception.

As one of the shooters in the Goldeyes' photo pool, my main goal of the trip was fairly simple: get as many shots of Rohm and Willie Cabrera (a late addition to the North All-Stars in place of injured Saint Angelo Songco) as possible. So I definitely had my lens pointed in their direction much of the time. At one point, while he was fielding, Rohm looked over at me as if to say "dude, quit it, I'm not even doing anything right now." I don't think David and Willie will be filing restraining orders against me just yet...they asked me to shoot several shots during pre-game and the home-run derby...but I won't push my luck much further...

Another highlight was seeing former Goldeyes Josh Mazzola and Luis Alen once again. Regardless of what jersey these gentlemen are wearing, they are two of the best ambassadors for the game the American Association could ask for.

More shots to come in the next few days. A big thanks to Paul McKeen, who came through with a 70-200 lens after I bounced mine off the concrete steps at Shaw Park a couple weeks ago (a casualty of Bark in the Park). Every lens has its own personality, and while I don't think I got my strongest shots at the All-Star event, I got by all right and that's all that matters. 

Also a big thanks to Kevin Luckow, Bill Tyler, leaders of the St. Paul tailgate crew. They were great hosts and it was fun to meet Steve Hamburger, Alonzo Harris Sr. and Will Alexander--a few of the all-star dads who also enjoyed a few hot dogs and beer just like the rest of us. Great, down to earth people who made the trip all the more enjoyable.

The Boys Will Be Back...

Yesterday we finally got word of which players the Goldeyes would be exercising their options on. Of course, each player must be signed to a new contract, but here's what the line-up looks like: OF Reggie Abercrombie; C Luis Alen; LHP Kyle Anderson; C Ryan Babineau; IF James Boddicker; RHP Edwin Carl; SS Casio Grider; 1B Casey Haerther; OF Adam Heisler; LHP Nick Hernandez; RHP Matt Jackson; OF Nic Jackson; LHP Jon Jones; LHP Brendan Lafferty; RHP Brad Mincey; RHP Michael Noteware; RHP Jailen Peguero; RHP Mark Pope; OF Tillman Pugh; and RHP Rett Varner. No complaints here about any names on that list--a good combination of vets and young talent. Nic Jackson had an injury-plagued season so it would be nice to see him get a full season in with The Fish. The big name missing is Josh Mazzola, who chose to play out his option in 2015. The AA's home run king for 2015 will likely get plenty of offers from other teams.

2015 American Association All-Star Team

A special wave of Digital Gum, on the heels of yesterday's 2015 All-Star team announcement. Sadly, this is an incomplete set: Outfielder Denis Phipps and the Laredo Lemurs never came through Winnipeg this year. And I struck out on both pitchers...Sioux City's Patrick Johnson and Joplin's Winston Abreu. Abreu did pitch an inning's worth of relief here, but this was pre-blog and I missed him on the mound. Johnson did not start in Winnipeg, but I borrowed a shot from xsbaseball.com for his card; if I can dig up shots of Abreu and Phipps, I'll include them here later.

Kyle Anderson, Winnipeg Goldeyes

Kyle Anderson pitched the 4-1 win as the Goldeyes swept their series with Amarillo, July 31. Reggie Abercrombie and Adam Heisler were the suspects in a post-game ambush during Anderson's TV interview. Bonus photos: Thunderheads' Christian Ibarra reaches for the ball at third; Goldeyes' Josh Mazzola practises some full moon levitation. Photos by Dan LeMoal.

Josh Mazzola, Winnipeg Goldeyes

Josh Mazzola currently leads the American Association in home runs with 16 over the fence; the next closest batter is Laredo's Dustin Geiger, with 12. File photos by Dan LeMoal.