When new Pirates general manager Neal Huntington took over the organization last month, it seemed to be only a matter of time before he made moves to take the club into a different—and hopefully winning—direction.

Huntington cleaned house in a big way over the weekend, firing manager Jim Tracy, farm director Brian Graham and scouting director Ed Creech.

The most surprising firing is Graham, who Huntington was extremely familiar with from their days in the Indians organization. Graham, 47, had a solid reputation throughout the game for working with what he had been given from the scouting department, and the Pirates had one of the most homegrown rosters in the majors. [...] Continue Reading »

USA Baseball finally unveiled its professional national team roster Wednesday, a team that will play first in the Arizona Fall League and then represent the U.S. in the 2007 World Cup.

The World Cup in Taiwan begins Nov. 6, and while it’s not the World Baseball Classic, it will feature a field of most of the same teams that will participate in the 2008 Olympics. Davey Johnson once again will manage Team USA’s entry, which is well-suited to improve on the ninth-place finish Team USA mustered at the 2005 World Cup in the Netherlands.

Talented hitters dominate the American roster, led by Cardinals outfielder Colby Rasmus, Devil Rays third baseman Evan Longoria, Pirates first baseman Steven Pearce and the Minor League Player of the Year, Reds outfielder Jay Bruce.

[...] Continue Reading »

North Shore scored two runs in the top of the ninth to break a tie on the way to a 3-1 win over Honolulu. Honu First baseman Chris Johnson (Astros) was 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI.

Catcher Brian Jeroloman led his West Oahu CaneFires to a 14-4 rout of Waikiki with three hits and six RBIs, including a three-run home run in the seventh inning. Seven different players had a multi-hit game for West Oahu.

This week’s installment considers all transactions reported between Sept. 22-28. Last week’s transactions available here.

Suspended players who were reinstated from 50-game suspensions will continue serving their time in 2008.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Reinstated from inactive list: SS Donnie Sadler

Atlanta Braves
Outrighted off 40-man roster: RHP Kevin Barry

Boston Red Sox
Reinstated from inactive list: C Luis Exposito, 3B Claudio Arias
Reinstated from disabled list: RHP Antony Alvarado, RHP Adam Bernero, RHP Caleb Clay, RHP Felix Diaz, RHP Matt Goodson, RHP Kevin Guyette, RHP Wang-Yi Lin, RHP Brantley New, RHP Thomas Pressly, RHP Pedro Rodriguez, LHP William Latimer, LHP Mike Rozier, C Daniel Milano, 2B Luis Segovia, 3B Manny Arambarris, OF Bubba Bell, OF Ryan Kalish, OF Yahmed Yema
Assigned to Arizona Fall League: RHP Craig Hansen, RHP Jose Vaquedano, LHP Daniel Haigwood, LHP Hunter Jones, C Dusty Brown, C Jon Still, SS Jed Lowrie [...] Continue Reading »

Hawaii Winter Baseball began Saturday with the North Shore Honu against the West Oahu CaneFires and Waikiki BeacbBoys against the Honolulu Sharks.

First baseman Chris Errecart (Brewers) paced a four-run fourth inning for North Shore with a three-run homer that led to an 8-5 victory. He finished the day 3-for-5 with three RBIs and three runs scored.

Waikiki shut out Honolulu 7-0 thanks to strong outings by seven pitchers. Righthander Yutaka Tamaki was most impressive, striking out four of the six batters he faced.

On Sunday, third baseman Mat Gamel (Brewers) launched two late home runs to help North Shore rally past Waikiki 8-3.

The other Sunday match-up was also decided by a scored of 8-3 with Honolulu beating Waikiki. Eight different Honolulu players had a hit, but Waikiki had three errors and the Sharks only needed two official RBIs to get the victory. Brandon Snyder (Orioles) had a hit and played his second game at third base, after splitting the 2007 regular season between first base and DH.