Tag Archives: Vernon Wells

by | February 27, 2013 · 12:29 pm

What We’re Reading (2/27/13)

Throughout the 2013 baseball season, the Smokies on Radio staff will be rolling out all the Cubs, Smokies, and baseball news each weekday. To stay current with all the latest news, follow Smokies on Radio on Twitter and like the Smokies on Radio Facebook page.

Edwin Jackson pitches two scoreless innings in his Cubs debut.

Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune

Edwin Jackson pitched a scoreless two innings in his Cubs debut Tuesday after being signed to a four-year, $52 million deal this offseason. Photo Courtesy: Hardball Talk

Edwin Jackson pitched a scoreless two innings in his Cubs debut Tuesday after being signed to a four-year, $52 million deal this offseason. Photo Courtesy: Hardball Talk

Jackson faced eight hitters in only two innings of work and allowed two hits on no runs while facing the Colorado Rockies Tuesday at Hohokam Stadium.

“It’s all mental. You keep the ball down and execute pitches,” Jackson said after the game.  “And everything is pretty good. I can have a lot of success if you keep the ball down in the zone.”

Welington Castillo looks to be the Cubs’ starting catcher in 2013.

ESPN Chicago / Jesse Rogers

Cubs manager Dale Sveum said he expects Castillo to catch near 110 games. Photo Courtesy: Vineline

Cubs manager Dale Sveum said he expects Castillo to catch near 110 games. Photo Courtesy: Vineline

After Geovany Soto signed a one-year deal with the Texas Rangers in December, Welington Castillo became the favorite to land the Cubs’ catching spot for the 2013 season.  Castilo played in 52 games last season and left an impression on manager Dale Sveum by batting .265 with a .337 on-base percentage.

“It helps to come to spring training and know you have a job, but at the same time I don’t feel comfortable, just have to keep working hard and feel like I don’t have anything,” Castillo said after Monday’s Cactus League game against the Dodgers.

Versatility is the key for Brent Lillibridge’s chance at a roster position.

ESPN Chicago / Bruce Levine

Lillibridge could be valuable to the Cubs given his ability to play almost every position. Photo Courtesy: AP

Lillibridge could be valuable to the Cubs given his ability to play almost every position. Photo Courtesy: AP

Lillibridge signed a minor league contract with the Cubs this past offseason after his 2012 campaign consisted of stops with the White Sox, Red Sox, and Indians.  With injuries and a lack of depth with the Cubs, manager Dale Sveum is trying out Lillibridge at every position.

I have been working my butt off all winter to be ready for an opportunity,” Lillibridge said.  “If I showcase what I can do, then it will be a no-brainer for them. If that happens, hopefully I will be in Chicago soon.”

Alfonso Soriano shoots down Yankee trade rumors following Curtis Granderson’s injury.

Patrick Mooney / CSN Chicago

Soriano said Monday he plans on winning in Chicago and is not looking to leave. Photo Couresy: Getty Images

Soriano said Monday he plans on winning in Chicago and is not looking to leave. Photo Couresy: Getty Images

Trade rumors instantly swirled late Sunday evening regarding a possible return to the Yankees for Soriano after Curtis Granderson was ruled out the first month of the season after suffering a fractured forearm in the Yankee’s Grapefruit League game against the Toronto Blue Jays.  Even with prior ties to the Yankees, it’s still unclear whether Soriano would be open to a return to the Bronx.

“I signed here to win and I prepared my mind from the first day I signed the contract to win the World Series here.…My dream is winning here,” Soriano said regarding feelings towards the Cubs.

Former Smokies outfielder Vernon Wells plans to retire after the 2014 season.

Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com

Wells announced earlier this week that he plans to retire following 2014, although he will only be 35 years old. Photo Courtesy: Getty Images

Wells announced earlier this week that he plans to retire following 2014, although he will only be 35 years old. Photo Courtesy: Getty Images

Wells announced Monday that he will play out his current seven-year, $126 million contract with the Angels and will retire following 2014, citing his children and ownership opportunities as reasons for his impending retirement.

I’ve gone through this for long enough. My thoughts right now as a family is to be done after two years, enjoy [my children], get to be there for them in those years where they’re going to need their dad every day, not just every now and then,” Wells told reporters.

As for ownership opportunites, Wells said he and Tigers outfielder, and former teammate, Torri Hunter have discussed partnering up to own a Major League franchise.

“It’s definitely something we’re interested in doing once we’re both done playing,” Wells said. “Instead of playing fantasy GM, you’re actually putting together your own team and learning what it takes to pretty much make money in an organization, especially in the Minor Leagues.”

Nick Roark is a Broadcast & Media Associate for the Smokies Radio Network.  You can follow him on Twitter here: @NickRoark4.

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by | February 19, 2013 · 3:05 pm

The End of an Era for the Smokies Was Only the Beginning for Vernon Wells

Vernon Wells, now with the LA Angels, spent 1999 with the Smokies.

Vernon Wells, now with the LA Angels, spent 1999 with the Smokies.

The 1999 season was a time of beginnings and ends in the Smokies organization.  For Vernon Wells it was his first season with the Smokies, and later that year would be his first call-up to the Majors.  For Knoxville, it was the last season the Smokies would call Bill Meyer Stadium home.

Bill Meyer Stadium was the home of the Smokies organization from 1955-1999.  Though the organization began and ended its run at Bill Meyer as “The Knoxville Smokies”, the organization was also called the Knoxville White Sox (or Knox Sox) and the Knoxville Blue-Jays (or K-Jays).  Only in 2000, when the organization made the move from Bill Meyer (located in downtown Knoxville) to the Smokies’ current home of Smokies Park (the greater Sevierville area), did they become the Tennessee Smokies.

Bill Meyer Stadium during the 1995 Season. (Photo Courtesy: minorleagueballparks.com)

Bill Meyer Stadium during the 1995 Season. Photo Courtesy: minorleagueballparks.com

For the Smokies this was the end of an era.  For Vernon Wells, he was just getting started.

Wells was selected by the Toronto Blue Jays as the 5th overall pick in 1997 MLB Draft.  He would spend the 1999 season with the Smokies (then the AA affiliate of the Blue Jays), Syracuse Sky Chiefs, and then was a September call-up to the majors.

During his time with the Smokies Wells played in 26 games batting .340 with 3 HR 6 Doubles and 17 RBI in 106 at bats.  He also showed his ability on defense with a 1.000 fielding percentage in 26 games as a Center Fielder.

Wells spent 8 full seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays, winning 3 straight Gold Gloves.

Wells spent 8 full seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays, winning 3 straight Gold Gloves.

Once Wells became an every day player beginning in the 2002 season for Toronto, he hit .275 with 23 home runs, 100 RBI and 87 runs.  He also began to set himself apart as one of the best defensive center fielders in the league committing only 3 errors in 394 chances.

Wells followed up by batting .317 in 2003 with 33 home runs, 117 RBI and 118 runs scored. He also led the league with 215 hits, 49 doubles, and 373 total bases and made his first All-Star Team.

Wells was rewarded for his defense with his first of 3 straight Gold Gloves in 2004.  In 2006, along with his Gold Glove, Wells hit 3 Home Runs in a game against the Boston Red Sox, a game-winning Home Run against Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees, and collected his 500th RBI.  He was rewarded in the off-season with a new contract for $126 million over seven years.

Wells was plagued with injuries the next 4 seasons, including a shoulder injury in 2007, a broken wrist in 2008, and various hamstring injuries.  However, he was still producing.  Hitting the 1,500 hit milestone in 2010 and launching over 30 Home Runs, placing him in an elite class that includes former Smokies Carlos Delgado and Fred McGriff as Blue Jays players that had 3 or more seasons with 30 or more Home Runs.

Wells was traded after the 2010 season to the Los Angeles Angels for Catcher Mike Napoli and outfielder Juan Rivera.  He got off to a slow start in his first season with his new team, but finished strong hitting 11 home runs in two months including the first pitch he saw in his return to Toronto as an Angel.

The upcoming season could be a struggle for Wells.  2012 was a down year with Wells getting only 262 plate appearances due to injury and lack of production.  In the offseason the Angels acquired Josh Hamilton from the Texas Rangers, signing Hamilton to a 5-year contract worth $125 million.

Due to the signing of Hamilton, Vernon Wells became the subject of trade rumors to various teams including the Philadelphia Phillies.  None of the rumors materialized due, in large part, to Wells’ large contract.

Vernon Wells now finds himself in a very similar position as he was in 1999 with the Smokies.  He will be working hard to earn playing time, and show his value to the Angels organization.

Jay Lifford is a Broadcast and Media Intern for the Smokies Radio Network. You can follow Jay on Twitter here: @JayLifford

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