Hidden Gems from Central Also-Rans
Since the AL Central has been a two-team race for the majority of the season, most of the space in this column has been occupied by coverage of the White Sox and Twins. However, despite their teams’ lack of success, there is at least one player each for Cleveland, Detroit and Kansas City who has had an unexpected breakout season. In this election season, it’s important to respect the concept of equal time, so this week’s Centrally Located will be devoted to the overlooked breakthroughs of 2008.
Mike Aviles (SS/2B, Kansas City Royals)
Aviles had been buried at Triple-A for the last two seasons, and this spring all signs pointed to him spending a third year in Omaha. But between Aviles knocking the cover off the ball on the farm, Tony Pena turning in one of the worst hitting seasons since the dead ball era, and Mark Grudzielanek choosing from his annual buffet of nagging injuries, Aviles was called up at the end of May and hasn’t looked back. He’s leading American League rookies in batting average (.324) with 34 extra-base hits, including 7 home runs. His defense gets mixed reviews, but his performance at the plate has allowed Royals fans to forget Pena’s glovework. He’s a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate.
Kelly Shoppach (C, Cleveland Indians)
Shoppach’s been on the scene for a few seasons, but he’s never had regular playing time before this year. Thanks to Victor Martinez’s injury troubles, Shoppach has been given a chance to showcase his skills, and he’s made the most of it. Shoppach’s batting average (.261) won’t turn any heads, but he’s getting on base at a respectable rate (.330) and has banged 17 homers and 23 doubles, resulting in a .503 slugging percentage. That’s not production that will rival a healthy Martinez, but it gives the Indians the option of moving Martinez to first next season and put an end to the Ryan Garko Experience.
Shin-Soo Choo also warrants a mention for the Tribe. He missed the first two months of the season with an injury and hasn’t had full-time duty until recently, but when he’s in the lineup he’s been the second-best bat in the Cleveland lineup, after Grady Sizemore. Choo’s hitting .303 with 9 homers and 26 doubles in only 254 at-bats.
Armando Galarraga (RHP, Detroit Tigers)
Detroit’s pitching staff has been a mess this season, but one bright spot has been Galarraga, who’s compiled a 12-5 mark with a 3.39 ERA as a starter for the Tigers. He’s leading their rotation in wins and ERA despite starting the year at Triple-A Toledo. Dontrelle Willis went down with an injury early in the season, Galarraga was called up, and the rest, as they say, is history. Galarraga was acquired in a trade with the Texas Rangers in the offseason in return for the renowned prospect Michael Hernandez. It’s too early to close the book on that trade yet, but I’d say the Tigers have the early lead. Galarraga doesn’t claim an unusual number of strikeout victims (or survivors, if you will) but he’s limited walks and homers, and that’s a recipe for success at the big league level.
Keep an eye on these players next season, as they try to prove that 2008 was no fluke. Who knows, their teams might be decent then, too.
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Oh, by the way, the “Champaign County YMCA” no longer exists. The official name is now the “Stephens Family YMCA” (the website has not been updated, but check out the latest program guide). And no, it’s not just the name of the building. It’s the name of the organization.
Very inspired Photochops as well….
Props on the new YMCA dig. I think it’s a terrible spot for it, but then again, I’m not well-to-do and I’m not willing to drive 15 minutes at $4/gallon to exercise for an hour.
http://motorcycle-intelligence.com/do-loud-pipes-save-lives/1119/ Are you a smoker, too? I feel like I’m just getting recycled arguments.
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/streetsurvival/dangerous_motorcycle_safety_myths/index.html “Myth 2: Loud Pipes Save Lives”
Yes, I also love the idea of the downtown! However, the “turds” that ride Harley’s or any other motorcycle have the right to ride their motorcycles regardless of the “loudness” anywhere they want. They are buying gas, hence they are contributing to the motor fuel tax that…
Yup, this was the year I realized there’s no way this is my last CU marathon, even though I’m gradumacating next week.Where else am I gonna get cheered on by 70+ year old heart-of-gold volunteers who smile at me so genuinely I could believe I’m their granddaughter?…
I always have a good, but disappointed, laugh when marathon time creeps up and I start seeing posts on the WCIA Facebook page lamenting race day and how difficult it is to get around town that day. One this year said, “can’t they just go run in…
Reminds me of Total Football (soccer) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_Football
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I don’t know about Gerard and a random police sargeant. My (mild) outrage is based on this: “...he worked closely with Champaign City Clerk Marilyn Banks to make sure he was licensed properly as a transient food peddler, filling out the necessary paperwork and paying a $225…
Local Yocal pretty much nails it here. I suspect there will be merchants who oppose food trucks because they arguably don’t pay their fair share to locate their trucks in high traffic (high rent) areas. The food trucks take away business from rent payers, park in city…
Oh nice! I’d totally vote for Matt Campbell!
“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
This makes me so sad. (Happy to live in Urbana, though!) Crave Truck has been a GREAT addition to the food choices in C-U, and it’d be a travesty to chase them away. This town should be supporting small businesses. I’m glad to hear that they’ll still…
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
This weekend will mark the first appearance of Kayla Brown’s Fire Doll Candle booth at the Market. Check it: http://www.facebook.com/firedollcandles
And without bloodshed. Sounds like the Savoy trustees aren’t as narrow-minded as some of their whiny pants constituents. Do you think quack Snell is already planning an asinine counterattack or is he still laying low after those “threats” against his person?
hey, if hair ain’t gon’ be over your head, my jokes may as well be.
Okay, almost 24 hours later and I finally got Issac’s Summer joke. I’m an idiot.
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@Dan - Wow. Unfortunately, I have to refrain from further comment due to a previous employment relationship. But with that brief context you might be able to imagine possible comments or responses I could have.