2003 Cafe Awards

[Arlo]

Ahh... the light has dawned.

Probably something subconscious involved there (like: "I need a vacation").

[DK]

Ahh... the light has dawned.

Probably something subconscious involved there (like: "I need a vacation").

Lol.

[Kepi73]

Rod Beck lived in a motor home behind Sec Taylor Field in Des Moines, the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs before becoming the closer for San Diego.

Where did you get your information that he lived in a trailer in Iowa City? Des Moines is an hour in a half drive west of Iowa City on I-80!!!!!! Iowa City only has the Iowa Hawkeyes. It has no pro baseball team.

I do agree with you on one thing. It was a great story to see Beck succeed this year. Gotta love the Shooter!!!!

[DK]

beck is a great story

[Arlo]

Oops - charge us with an error there. Kepi73 is absolutely right: Iowa City has quite a bit to offer (including some good places to eat ), but not the Cubs' farm team...

Apologies.

[DK]

"Bad Arlo! Bad!"

[Kepi73]

If Prince Fielder can control his weight (listed as 220 in Beloit Brewers program this past summer, but closer to 260), he will be in Milwaukee in probably two years. He is a powerful man who proved he can hit around .300 too. If he can keep from ballooning out, he will outdo his dad in the bigs.

Another Milwaukee prospect, Anthony Gwynn, Tony's son, will be a solid big leauge outfielder too. The second-rounder this year was Prince Fielder's teammate in Beloit this season. He will be playing alongside Prince in 2-3 years in Milwaukee.

Angel Guzman, SP, Chicago Cubs.
Just what the Cubbies need, another guy who can zip it up there in the upper 90s. And he's only 20 years old. He is a raw talent. Once he gains some experience, he'll join Wood, Prior, Zambrano and Cruz in the 2005 or 2006 starting rotation.

Grady Sizemore, OF, Cleveland
Was the MVP of the future stars game this summer and is on the USA Olympic qualifying team. Played in Double-A this year and hit well over .300. Will be in Cleveland possibly by the end of the 2004 season.

Nathan Panther, OF, Cleveland.
Another Cleveland farm hand who played for a Lake County team in Class A ball this year that won 93 games. The 19-year old lefty is a five-tool player who hit 15 home runs and stole 39 bases this year while make the South Atlantic All-Star team. He was an 18th round selection in the 2002 amateur draft, but mark my words, he will replace Milton Bradley in the Indians' outfield and as their leadoff hitter by the 2005 or 2006 season!!!!!!!

[DK]

thanks for the prospect list! i definitely like guzman.

[Lofunzo]

Looking at that list brought a tear to my eye as Javy Lopez wasn't even drafted in my league and stupid me decided that Toby Hall was going to heat up so I shouldn't pick him up.