Enough vacation stuff....

How about a little baseball news?

It did not take long for former Timber Rattler and Seattle Mariner pitching coach Rafael Chavez to find a job after his ten years in the Seattle system came to an end after the 2007 season.

Former Mariners pitching coach Rafael Chaves has accepted an offer to join the Yankees as the pitching coach for the Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre club in Moosic, Pa.

"I'm very happy to get this opportunity," Chaves said from his Puerto Rico home on Thursday. "We all know how prestigious the New York Yankees are, and I feel excited and honored to be a Yankee."

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"I want to thank the Mariners for all they did for me," Chaves said, "and it's time to make new friends and show the Yankees the same passion I had with the Mariners. I think I have some good things to offer."

Brookens is back

After leading the Whitecaps to a Midwest League Championship in his first season as manager, Tom Brookens will return to West Michigan in 2008 for his second season as Whitecaps manager and fourth overall in the Tigers organization.

Brookens guided the Whitecaps to an 83-57 overall record in 2007 and captured the Whitecaps fifth Midwest League Title in the team’s 14-year history while being named Midwest League Manager of the Year. The Pennsylvania native spent two years (2005-06) as manager of the Oneonta Tigers in the short-season New York-Penn League, leading them to an 88-61 record in two seasons with one Stedler Division Title. Brookens is best known throughout Michigan as the Tigers gritty third baseman during the 1980s and part of the Tigers last championship team in 1984.

“I’m very happy to be back in the Detroit Tigers organization and thrilled to return to West Michigan for another year with the Whitecaps,” said Brookens. “We had a great season last year that took us to the league championship and I’m ready to get going for another year.”

What's your bid? Do I hear a bid?

A long-awaited renovation to the Kane County Cougars’ stadium could cost more than $12 million, based on bids opened Tuesday.

The planned renovations, which include an upper deck of seats and increased space for concessions, gift shops and offices, were part of a contract signed in 2006.

For this round of bidding, the forest preserve sent bid packets to 15 construction companies. Two replied. They were Skender Construction of Palos Hills and R.C. Wegman of Aurora.

R.C. Wegman had the lowest of the two bids, at just more than $12.1 million. Skender’s bid was close to $12.5 million.

A year of the Looooooooooooons in a "beautiful hardbound book". Just $29.99 + tax.

This limited-edition collector's item is a must-have for any Loons fan. The book will feature stories and full-color photos of the team's first season from spring training to the final out.

Skyhawks claim Van Dusen

Friday, the Sussex Skyhawks claimed left-handed pitcher Derrick Van Dusen off waivers from the Coastal Bend Aviators of the American Association.

Van Dusen started 18 games for the Aviators this year, compiling a 6-7 record with a 4.37 ERA. In 107 innings, he allowed 52 earned runs on 117 hits and 39 walks. He struck out 78.

Van Dusen, a Rattler in 2001, pitched the only 9-inning no-hitter in Timber Rattler history.