The headline and lead note are about what you expect:
Rattlers excited for Sandberg's visit
Wisconsin, a Class A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, launches its Midwest League slate on April 5 at 6:35 p.m. at Fox Cities Stadium against the Peoria Chiefs, a Chicago Cubs affiliate that will be managed by rookie skipper and former Cubs great Ryne Sandberg.
Needless to say, Zerjav and his staff are anticipating a good showing at the gates given Sandberg's Hall of Fame status and the fact he will be making his professional managerial debut in Grand Chute.
"Obviously, this isn't going to happen every year, but we really want to take this and run with it," Zerjav said prior to Tuesday's annual Red Smith Sports Award Banquet. "Is ESPN going to show up? I'm sure there's going to be a lot of media from Chicago and Illinois coming up this way, so we're getting prepared for that. We're getting ready for the media onslaught that's going to take place because this is a big deal."
Zerjav is hoping Sandberg's star power will be strong enough to attract a crowd of close to 4,000 for the opener, which would easily surpass the Rattlers' Opening Day average of approximately 2,000.
According to Rattlers director of ticket operations Aaron Hahn, a total of 61 specially-designed Sandberg ticket packages had been sold through mid-Tuesday. The packages include single-game tickets to three Rattlers-Chiefs contests at Fox Cities Stadium — April 5, May 13 and Aug. 22 — and cost $21 for reserved seats and $25.50 for box seats.
Also, there are a few notes from manager Jim Horner and Mariner director of player development about the potential makeup of the Rattler roster:
Adding to the Opening Day buzz is the possibility that Tony Butler, a left-hander pitcher and Oak Creek native, could earn the start for the Rattlers.
Selected by the Mariners in the third round of last June’s annual draft, Butler is considered by Baseball America as the Mariners’ fourth-best minor league prospect.
Although Mariners director of player development Frank Mattox wouldn’t say if Butler will indeed begin the 2007 season at Wisconsin, he admitted it would make sense given how the organization has handled its younger pitchers in the past.
“He finished in (short season) Everett (Wash.) and threw the ball very well. Normal progression for our pitchers, this is normally their next spot.”
...
Although nothing has been finalized in terms of an official roster, Mattox and Horner anticipate a solid showing out of the Rattlers this season, especially from what they feel will be a deep and talented pitching staff.
And finally there was this:
The Mariners have altered their player development contracts this off-season, moving their high Class-A affiliate from Inland Empire (San Bernardino, Calf.) to High Desert (Adelanto, Calif.) and their Double-A affiliate from San Antonio to Jackson, Tenn., home of the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx.
Mattox said talks have not yet begun with the Rattlers in renewing their player development deal, which expires following the 2008 season, but he expressed hope that the two sides would extend their relationship.
Wisconsin has served as a Mariners affiliate since 1993.
“I can tell you, we’re very happy working with Rob and the Timber Rattlers,” Mattox said.
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