akira world

After receiving the necessary final approvals, the Altoona Curve have officially been sold from Curve Baseball LP to the team's original co-owners, the family of Robert F. Lozinak.

Following the Eastern League, Minor League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Office of the Commissioner approvals, the sale was completed. The deal was finished less than a month after Curve president and managing partner Chuck Greenberg announced his group's agreement to sell the franchise to the Lozinak family during a Dec. 1 press conference at Blair County Ballpark.

"My family and I are happy to return to Altoona and the Eastern League," Lozinak said. "We look forward to a great 2009 season and are anxious to see our many friends and families at the ballpark. Altoona will always be my hometown."

The Lozinaks originally owned the club with the late Tate DeWeese when the club began play in 1999. The family owned the team through the 2001 season before agreeing to sell the franchise to the group led by Greenberg in October 2001.

"We are pleased that the approval process was able to be completed as quickly and smoothly as it was so that the official ownership transfer could take place before the end of the calendar year," Greenberg said. "I'd like to personally wish the best to Bob and Joan Lozinak and their entire family, and Rob Egan and the rest of the Curve front office staff. I know they will do a wonderful job. To all of our incredible fans, we wish you a final thank you, and know that the franchise is in the best of hands."

David Lozinak has assumed the duties of chief operating officer, while Rob Egan officially has taken over as general manager. Egan, who was announced as the club's incoming GM on Dec. 5, served as the club's play-by-play broadcaster and director of broadcasting from the club's inception in 1999 through 2004. He spent the past four years as the secretary for communications for the Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. Egan also hosted the daily sports talk show "Front & Center" on ESPN Radio affiliates in Altoona and State College.

Greenberg has formed a new company, Greenberg Sports Group, which will provide management, consulting and marketing services to the sports industry across the country. GSG will manage the overall operations of the Class A Short-Season State College Spikes and Class A Advanced Myrtle Beach Pelicans.

Outgoing Curve general manager Todd Parnell will head GSG's management, which will include State College Spikes GM Rick Janac, former Curve associate general manager Jeff Garner and former Curve chief financial officer John Donley.
벅스의 더블 A팀인 앨투나 커브(Altoona Curve)가 원래 주인인 Robert F. Lozinak가족으로 다시 넘어갔다고 합니다.
2001년까지 커브의 팀 오너였지만, 그 이후에 변호사 Chuck Greenberg의 그룹에게 팔았다가 최근에 다시 샀습니다.
본문에 나오는 사람이름들은 위키피디아에서 찾아도 없어서 자세한 내용을 저도 잘 모르겠네요.
일단 앨투나는 98년에 애리조나와 템파베이의 메이저리그 팀이 생겨나면서 생겨난 팀이라서 팀의 역사, 마이너리그 플옵진출 경험이 많지는 않습니다.
2003년부터 2006년까지 플옵에 올라갔지만, 2004년에 딱 한번 세미파이널에서 이기고 나머지는 다 졌습니다. 그 04년 세미파이널에서 이긴 시즌도 챔피언쉽 시리즈에서는 토론토의 더블 A팀인 뉴 햄프셔(New Hampshire)에게 졌습니다.

Pirates starter Ian Snell will pitch for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, that nation's team announced today.

Snell was born in Delaware but has Puerto Rican ancestry on his father's side.

He is the first player off the Pirates' roster to be named to a Classic team, though at least a couple others are likely to follow. It will be Snell's first experience in the Classic.
벅스의 SP인 이안 스넬이 WBC 푸에르토리코 대표팀소속으로 출전한다고 합니다.
출신은 뉴저지주 근처에 있는 델라웨이주에서 태어났지만, 아버지쪽이 푸에르토리코라는군요.
아무래도 내년 WBC에서 대만, 캐나다, 푸에르토리코가 전부 1라운드에서 필히 탈락해야 한다는 생각이 드는군요.

Five-Star Prospects
1. Pedro Alvarez, 3B
2. Andrew McCutchen, CF
Four-Star Prospects
3. Jose Tabata, OF
Three-Star Prospects
4. Bryan Morris, RHP
5. Robbie Grossman, CF
6. Quinton Miller, RHP
7. Brad Lincoln, RHP
Two-Star Prospects
8. Neil Walker, 3B
9. Jim Negrych, 2B
10. Brian Friday, SS
11. Donald Veal, LHP

Just Missed: Chase D'Arnaud, SS; Daniel McCutchen, RHP; Jaime Romak, 1B/OF

Ranking Challenges: The moment that he signed (or signed again, depending on how you look at it), Alvarez instantly became the top prospect in the system. Morris' youth and his performance after Tommy John surgery gives him an advantage over Lincoln, who is coming back from the same procedure, while the two over-slot 2008 draftees fit in between. Walker was a rather easy (albeit uninspiring) choice to follow at number eight, and the number nine through 11 slots could be occupied by any of the next 10 players.
일단 모든 사이트에서 추측한대로 6월 드레프트에서 벅스 1라운드(전체 2번)에 지명된 페드로 알바레스(Pedro Alvarez)가 1위와 별 5개를 받았습니다. 그리고 드레프트 이전에 벅스 최고의 유망주였던 앤드류 맥커첸(Andrew McCutchen)이 2위와 별 5개를 받았습니다. 일단 팀 유망주중에 별 5개짜리가 2명이 있다는것은 호의적인 소식일 수 있습니다.
그 뒤로는 양키스에서 데려온 호세 타바타(Jose Tabata)가 뒤이어 별 4개를 받았습니다. 역시 이 선수는 자신을 컨트롤 할 수 있느냐가 미래의 성공을 좌우할 듯합니다.
뒤이어 다저스에서 받아온 브라이언 모리스(Bryan Morris)는 일단 현재 토미 존 서저리를 받은 어깨가 부상이 아니라 다리쪽의 부상이라서...암튼 복귀는 내년 5월달이라고 하네요.
그 외에 5~7위는 별로 기대안하고 있습니다.
8위에 선정된 닐 워커(Neil Walker)같은 경우는 아무래도 페드로 알바레스의 성장속도나 컨버전 여부에 따라 워커의 포지션이 결정되지 않을까 싶습니다. 일단 08시즌에 트리플A팀에서 풀시즌을 소화했기때문에 내년에 3루부분에서 역시 다저스에서 건너온 앤디 라로쉬와 경쟁을 하지 않을까 생각됩니다.
9위는 올해의 벅스 마이너리거로 뽑힌 Jim Negrych가 선정되었습니다.
단지 의문인것은 브라이언 프라이데이(Brian Friday)가 10위라는 것과 양키스에서 건너온 다니엘 맥커첸(Daniel McCutchen)이 선정되지 못했다는 점, 쉴비 포드(Shelby Ford)의 이름을 찾아볼 수도 없다는 것입니다.
제이미 로막은 아무래도 나이(85년생)때문에 순위가 밀리지 않았나 싶네요.

The Pirates are one of three finalists in a freshly pared-down field of suitors for free-agent reliever Derrick Turnbow, a source said yesterday.

The source described the Pirates as "very much still in the mix" but declined to divulge if they had offered a major league contract or any other specifics. The other two suitors are not known, either, although varying reports have linked Turnbow to the San Francisco Giants, Florida Marlins, Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays.

Turnbow, 30, was the Milwaukee Brewers' closer when he pitched in the 2006 All-Star Game at PNC Park, but he has fallen far since that 39-save season: He lost the closer's job in 2007 while posting a 4.63 ERA, then made eight erratic appearances last season -- 15.63 ERA, 13 walks in 6 1/3 innings -- before being demoted to the minors and, ultimately, shut down by shoulder trouble.

Turnbow had been scheduled to pitch before scouts in mid-January to demonstrate his shoulder's health, but it is possible he will sign before then.
2주 전 5개의 팀이 데릭 턴보우(Derrick Turnbow)에게 관심있다는 루머가 나왔었는데, 오늘 포스트가제트지(Post-Gazette)에서 3개팀으로 압축되었다고 하네요.
물론 그 3개팀중에 벅스도 포함되어 있으니 벅스지역지에서 이런 소식을 전하겠죠.
벅스 이외에 팀은 밝혀지지 않았다고 하네요.
아마 저 위에 있는 팀인 SF, 플로리다, 템파, 필라델피아, 디트로이트, 텍사스 중에 2팀이겠죠.
하지만, SF와 필라델피아는 로스터가 다 찬걸로 아는데..
제가 생각하기에는 디트로이트와 텍사스같아 보이는군요.
돔브로스키 단장이 강속구투수를 좋아하니 말이죠.
일단 1월중순에 트라이아웃을 펼칠거라고 하는데, 그 전에 계약될 가능성도 있다고 하네요.
일단 부상부위가 브래드 페니(Brad Penny)와 같은 부위인걸로 아는데....그의 던지는 모습을 지켜보기전까지 계약할 팀이 있을라나 모르겠네요.

Today we take a closer look at the remainder of the Pirates depth at first base, including those who aren't yet but may eventually be in the Pirates' system.
벅스 1루 자원을 살펴보도록 하자. 물론 이 명단은 아직 벅스 조직이 없는 선수일지라도....


Jason Delaney

Originally drafted by the Pirates in the 12th round of the 2005 draft, Delaney has split his time in the organization between first base and the corner outfield positions over the past three-plus seasons.
05년 벅스 12라운드로 지명된 제이슨 딜레이니(Jason Delaney)는 벅스조직에서 1루수와 코너 외야수를 왔다갔다했다.

After a poor showing during his short stint in Williamsport, Delaney spent '06 putting up a very respectable .300/.379/.432 line at Hickory that was low on power but not excessively low for a player who wasn't really known as a heavy-hitter. He complemented that with a respectable 79:56 K:BB ratio that reflected the strong plate discipline he had shown in college.
05시즌 윌리엄즈포트(Williamsport)에서 대삽질을 기록한 후 06시즌 상위 싱글 A에서는 300/379/432의 좋은 모습을 보여주었다. 파워면에서는 부족하지만 좋은 K/BB 비율(79/56)을 보여주었다.

He followed that up with a strong start to '07, posting a .340/.432/.536 line at Lynchburg in the first half of the season, but then fell off badly to the tune of .265/.370/.404 upon being promoted to Altoona. He did, however, put up the same 52:38 K:BB ration for the Curve as he did in Lynchburg in only 27 fewer AB's, a definite positive to carry forward.
07시즌 전반기를 린츠버그에서 340/432/536의 좋은 모습으로 후반기 앨투나로 승격했지만, 265/370/404의 모습으로 실망을 안겨주었다. 하지만, 그는 전반기보다 27타석이나 적게 들어선 후반기였지만, K/BB 비율은 52/38로 동일했으며 이건 확실히 좋은 징조다.

He began last season repeating Altoona and appeared to have learned from his mistakes, posting a .294/.405/.425 line and a nearly 1:1 ratio while spending most of the season there, but again fell off while spending the last month of the season at AAA.
08시즌 다시 앨투나에서 시즌을 시작했지만, 자신의 보완점을 수정해가면서 294/405/425와 K/BB 비율이 거의 1:1에 육박하는 모습을 보여주었지만, 인디에나폴리스로 승격해서는 그 비율이 다시 낮아졌다.

Delaney, who turned 26 in November, has shown ability and isn't ridiculously old, so I would still wager that there is room for him to become a useful, maybe even productive major leaguer - as long as you aren't expecting a power hitter. Judging by their numbers comparison, not unlike a poor man's Adrian Gonzalez.
11월에 26살이 된 딜레이니는 아직 그렇게 많은 나이가 아니다. 그래서 나는 과감하게 그가 미래에 좋은 모습을 보일거라고 장담할 수 있다. 그의 장타력은 빼고 말이다. 대충 비교해서 파워가 없는 아드리안 곤잘레즈(Adrian Gonzalez) 정도로 생각할 수 있을 겁니다.


Calvin Anderson

Anderson was the 12th round pick in this summer's draft, and the most glaring landmark to this young man's career is that he is an absolute behemoth. Standing at 6'7" and 240 lbs., it's hard to argue against Anderson fitting the power hitter mold. In three seasons at Southern A&M University, Anderson posted a .349/.450/.590 line and a 81:42 K:BB ratio in 330 AB's.
앤더슨은 올해 12라운드에 픽업되었고, 확실히 이 녀석은 물건이다.

Those numbers make Anderson's Pirate debut - a .265/.337/.453 line at short-season State College - seem like a bust, but the power numbers and strikeout totals look a lot like a player who either wore down a bit or started pressing - some proof of which might lie in his nearly identical .293/.887 and .293/.898 numbers in June and August that sandwiched a July swoon.
앤더슨은 바로 숏시즌 스테이츠 칼리지로 보내져 265/337/453의 성적을 찍었지만, 삼진이 좀 많은게 흠이다.(170타석에서 57개)
그는 올시즌 6월과 8월에 각각 293(AVG)/887(OPS), 293/898을 찍어냈지만, 7월에 대삽질을 했다.(239/330/364)

Anderson may only become the next Brad Eldred if he doesn't reign in his plate discipline, but he's young enough (22 in May) that there's still reason to be hopeful. Besides, he's fricking huge!
앤더슨은 이런 식의 성적을 계속 찍어낸다면 제 2의 브래드 엘드레드(Brad Eldred)가 될 수 있다. 하지만, 그는 아직 어리고, he's fricking huge.
주 : Fricking이 뭔지 모르겠네요. 사전을 찾아도 없고...



Pedro Alvarez

Do I really need to remind you when this guy was drafted? Of course not. We are all well aware of his impressive pedigree and his power potential, but we also know he was drafted as a third baseman. There have been inklings of rumors that Alvarez's body may eventually grow into a first-baseman role, a la Albert Pujols, Lance Berkman or Mark Teixeira. There's also still the possibility that Andy LaRoche reaches the .295 AVG, .900 OPS potential he showed
throughout his minor league career, and that by the time Alvarez reaches Pittsburgh moving him across the diamond might be necessary. That's a ways away, but it's certainly not an alien-abduction level shot in the dark.
우리는 알바레스가 좋은 혈통과 좋은 배트가 있으며, 그는 트레프트 될때 3루수였다는걸 알고 있다. 그리고 알려지지 않은 루머에 따르면 다저스에서 데려온 앤디 라로쉬(Andy LaRoche)가 그의 포텐셜을 터트려 준다면, 알바레스는 결국 1루수에 정착하게 될것이다.


Dustin Ackley

As we all know, the Pirates once again have a top-five draft pick this season - No. 4 to be exact. Ackley is a 1B (slash future OF?) that everyone is absolutely raving about, even referred to - like Avarez - as the best pure hitter in the upcoming draft. He is now dueling with Grant Green, the SS out of USC, for the title of best collegiate hitter in the draft. The Pirates may well take a pitcher this year in the first round, but two of the three teams picking ahead of them either have a 1B in the system (Chris Marrero with the Nats) or aren't showing a glaring need for one (Adrian Gonzalez with the Pads), so the Pirates just might find themselves again having the chance to pick between a really great CIF hitter and a really great MIF hitter.
우리모두 알고 있듯이, 벅스는 다시 한번 탑 5 드레프트를 뽑을 권리를 가졌다. 엑클리는 1루수이며 그의 파워는 대단하다. 내년 6월에 있을 드레프트에서 벅스는 투수를 뽑을 거 같지만, 벅스 앞에 3팀중에 2팀(네츠와 파즈)은 이미 1루자원이 있기때문에 벅스에게 기회(1루수를 뽑을 기회)가 찾아올 것이다.
주 : CIF와 MIF가 뭔지 모르겠네요.

Drafting Ackley could likely hinge on whether the team is convinced of either LaRoche or Alvarez's development predicating a move, which is still very up in the air, but it's a definite option to consider. Also, even if management does think that Alvarez would need to move eventually, having two top-flight first basemen in your system is what some would refer to as a "happy problem."
벅스는 앤디 라로쉬나 페드로 알바레스 둘 중 한 명을 컨버전하느냐에 따라 엑클리는 뽑을 것이다. 그리고 알바레스가 1루수로 컨버전하고, 엑클리를 뽑는다면 벅스는 행복한 고민을 시작할 것이다.