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It's been over two years since I've successfully posted here, but indeed the BayBears are still a team, and I am still a blogger. Not as active as before, but still, I remain a blogger for the BayBears. I haven't been able to post because of college, but now that I am back home in Mobile consistently for the first time in two and a half years, I should be able to post more often, and the quality of the posts should be higher as well.

There have been several changes to the team and organization as a whole, including a new Major League afiliate in the Arizona Diamondbacks, a new manager, and a new website (still not up to par, but a huge improvement).

Maybe it's me, since I haven't seen more than three professional baseball games in the past two years, but the BayBears staff has made some great improvements to the franchise. Merchandise is better, promotions are more professional, and get this: they don't play intro music for the other team anymore! I went into the gift shop to buy tickets last week, and the staff was very kind and warm-hearted. They even gave me the heads up on upgrading to Stadium Club tickets before the game (something I never knew you could do in 11 years of baseball at the Hank).

The Southern League remains the premiere Double-A collection of talent, and in the past few years has seen talent such as Prince Fielder (Huntsville Stars), James Loney (Jacksonville Suns), Justin Upton (Mobile BayBears), and recently Clayton Kershaw (Jacksonville Suns), all successfully making their mark in the big leagues. The talent has been, is, and will be some of the best in all of the minor leagues.

This blog certainly won't be what it used to be, but it will certainly be a place for commentary on the Mobile BayBears and Southern League that you can't get anywhere else. Stay tuned for more thoughout the season...

So I went to the BayBears game Tuesday night to find out that not only was it raining, it was "Cinco de Mayo" night. Walking into the stadium, I received a plastic bag containing about five packets of mayonnaise. Mayo. Worst promotion ever. They did give out some latin themed Mardi Gras beads and those were nice. I ended up buying one of the $2 burritos that was no larger than a cigar. Asinine. But at least we won, and Colt Morton had a couple homers, so I'm not complaining.

The BayBears have now won 6 in a row. They just finished off a sweep of the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx here at home and make their way up to Birmingham for a series against the 12-13 Barons beginning tonight. What has led to the recent surge or power? I really couldn't tell you. But I do think that the Bears have done a much better job of actually executing when it really counts. Like Matt Lauderdale's 12th inning hit to win it. Interesting stat: the BayBears are undefeated without George Kottaras so far.

I hate the BayBears promotions staff. They can't get anything right. Tonight was scheduled to be Plunger Giveaway, BUT, low and behold, it is now baseball giveaway. Cliche? Yes. I mean come on, who really cares about a promo baseball? I don't. I was actually planning to go to tonight's game to witness a truely unique giveaway item. Not anymore.

It's been quite a series so far including a 12 inning win on Wednesday against the Diamond Jaxx. The Bears won last night 3-1 with help from Dale Thayer as he picked up his 16th save of the season. Mobile will play West Tenn through Sunday so get out to the ballpark. Saturday night is Plunger Giveaway Night. I will most likely be there so keep an eye out and say hello.

George Kottaras can do it all, folks. He's all that and a plate of Greek cuisine. Today in the MLB All-Star Futures Game G-Kott hit a two-bagger and blasted a 2-run home run for the World team. Ladies and gentlemen, we have our new catcher for the Padres. Well, not yet. Kottaras has been promoted to AAA Portland. This is huge for any Padres fan. George Kottaras has just shown us all that he can and will perform on a big league level on a big league stage. Look for Kottaras on the 2007 Opening Day lineup card.

On a personal note, I will be getting a gum graft tomorrow morning which means I'm not sure if I will be able to post on the Beat for the next few days. The SL All-Star Game is tomorrow so keep an eye out for that and of course all of the MLB All-Star events.

Mother Nature had it's way with the BayBears on Independence Day and caused them to lose in a rain shortened game of only 5 innings. Last night's game was postponed due to the wet stuff and will be made up today as part of a DH. I was at the July 3 home game and boy what a crowd. Over 5,600 fans packed the stadium for a very very disappointing loss in 10 innings. On his final strike, former Bear Corey Smith laced out a single that eventually led to the Barons knotting up the score and winning it in the 10th. It was as big a meltdown as I had ever seen. It capped off a wacky series that included a would-be walk off HR for the BayBears that was contested and overturned. After this series in Mississippi, four BayBears will head to Montgomery for the Southern League All-Star Game which will be played on July 11. Feel free to comment, I know people read this, so your feedback (on anything really) is wanted and appreciated.

For the second year in a row, there will be two former BayBears in the Major League All-Star Game lineup. Making his second appearance in the past two years is Jason Bay, and making his All-Star debut is Texas Ranger Gary Matthews Jr. Matthews has developed into one of the great center fielders in the game. Does anyone remember his unbelieveable catch he made with the Cubs when the ball bounced out of his glove and he barehanded it full extension--ALL while sliding on his back? In my opinion, the best baseball catch of all time. Jake Peavy is the only other BayBear that has made it to the mid-summer classic.

The BayBears finish up a five game set tonight against Birmingham. A win gets Mobile a series win. Jack Cassell will be on the mound for the BayBears. Fireworks to follow the game.

Four BayBears have made the list of the best players in the Southern League. Unlike last year, these players are actually deserving of the spots. You might remember last year when Mobile hosted the game that many BayBears were hardly deserving of the honor. This year, they got it right. The 2006 SL All-Star BayBears are:

Luis Cruz
George Kottaras
Drew Macias
Jared Wells

Jared Wells will of course not be there as he has been promoted but will be replaced by Sean Thompson, another deserving candidate. More coverage on the All-Star game as it gets closer.