Sorry for the lack of posts recently, another cross-country trip got in the way, with the baseball highlight being a trip to Turner Field to see Javier Vazquez strike out 12 Pirates (above) and the Braves still lose. But no more weddings or trips planned for the rest of the season means more Las Vegas 51s news at 51s Today, so please keep reading.
Another former major leaguer lands in the outfield: David Dellucci is the newest 51, continuing his journeyman career in the Blue Jays system after he was signed late last week. Dellucci has played in more than 1,000 major-league games with six different clubs and won a World Series title in 2001 with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Dellucci was a disappointment after signing a contract with the Cleveland Indians, as injuries and ineffectiveness led to him playing in more than 100 games only once in three seasons. In that one season, 2008, he still was not much of a presence, hitting .238/.307./.405 and driving in 47 runs.
He now joins a crowded outfield in Las Vegas, with former big leaguers Jason Lane, Buck Coats, Travis Snider and Russ Adams on the roster, along with career minor leaguer Aaron Mathews. However, all of those players combined have played in only 877 career MLB games, and all of Adams' work in the majors so far has been in the infield, so Dellucci's 1,091 games of experience may give him the edge if Toronto needs an outfielder.
So far, Dellucci has played in two games and gone 3-for-7, all singles, with one RBI and one stolen base. With Snider on the disabled list, it will be interesting to see how the playing time is doled out, considering Coats has been solid in centerfield and in the leadoff position and Snider needs his work. This could squeeze Lane and Mathews out and put Adams back in the infield.
Will the South rise again? The long-awaited Reno-Las Vegas baseball rivalry officially begins tonight, as the 51s make their first appearance at the new Reno Aces ballpark.
The two teams have agreed to participate in the annual Silver State Diamond Challenge, which will award the winner of the 16-game season series a trophy. The two cities' mayors have put down a side wager as well, and the losing city's mayor will have to don the winner's jersey for a full day of business and donate money to the winning mayor's charity of choice --- $100 per game for the difference in wins in the season series, according to a press release.
The first battle of the intrastate war is a three-game series beginning tonight in Reno, with 7:05 p.m. start times tonight and tomorrow and a 1:05 p.m. day game on Wednesday. Las Vegas sits three games behind Reno in last place in the PCL Pacific South division, so a 51s sweep would pull the two teams even in a third-place tie. Check it out on the radio, 920 AM, or on the Web at sportsjuice.com.
Hayhurst v. Hanley, round one: Former 51s Today favorite Dirk Hayhurst has made a famous enemy in the majors. All-Star Florida Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez told reporters after last night's game that Hayhurst beaned him on purpose, and was very unhappy about it. Most of the vitriol was reserved for his own team, which really makes him look like a leader of men, but it's good to know Dirk is making friends.
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