Maybin

No kidding...I about spit out my drink Fri night when I saw his name on the crawler...for he had just gotten the boost to AA a week ago. It only seems like yesterday watching Cameron as a 10 year old ONE-HOPPING the 300 foot fence in a state tournament.

Cameron is one of my favorite players

We played his team in Jupiter and beat them and when it was over he and his Dad came over to say congratulations--- not only a great player but a class act

Him and his dad have been that way since LL. Great family and very hard working.

I just saw this a few minutes ago on SC. Apparently, out of five AB in double A, he had hit four out. Being a big Tiger fan, this is awesome stuff!

Way to go CAM!! Known him since Tball, both boys played HS ball with him. Class act all the way. Spelling is Maybin.

Yea, he's a great athlete. How fast is he to first exactly?

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Originally posted by Tiger Paw Mom:
Goes yard in his MLB debut.

Then gets plunked by Clemens,

I love that moron analyst Tim McCarver. Rookie Maybin already had one hit and then absolutely pulverizes a HR to center field and McCarver says with surety that Clemens won't retaliate against Maybin. He says Roger will be wary and STAY AWAY FROM PITCHING INSIDE because he's just come off a suspension. Roger won't retaliate? Roger will be afraid to come inside? C'MON!!! Of course Maybin gets chin music next time up and gets plunked on the wrist. Why Clemens didn't get thrown out right then (the ump doesn't even give a warning!) I'll never know, but, McCarver's silence was deafening. The only tv baseball analyst worse than McCarver is Joe Morgan. Am I right?

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The only tv baseball analyst worse than McCarver is Joe Morgan. Am I right?

Joe Buck deserves consideration.

Well, Buck's a play by play guy. They aren't expected to be the wealth of knowledge these so-called "expert" former players portend to be.

Here is our report from the 2004 National Showcase. He actually switch hit at that event and hit one out of Tropicana Field both ways.
Cameron Maybin

Also have a long file on him as an amateur. He played for the Midland Redskins and also attended many other PG events. Justin Upton and Cameron were ranked one, two their entire junior and senior (2005) HS year. Kind of interesting that they were both called up within a few weeks of each other two years later.

In one WWBA tournament in Marietta, GA. he hit a tape measure HR with wood that was one of the longest we have seen.

I think we've all known this kid's talent for a while. I've got to tell you though, after that HR, seeing those bright eyes and the wide smile with the braces on his teeth, my eyes almost welled up!

Great article by Mitch Albom today in the Free Press:
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/2007081...90/1048/SPORTS&imw=Y

To all of you that provided us with your personal experiences with Cameron and his family...thank you.

This major league ball player will be an easy one and a pleasure to root for...thanks for the insight.

My player faced him when he played for Midland and mine for the Pokers.

He told me that he was just as awesome then as he is now.

I loved the smile with braces.

I am starting to wonder if baseball could be on the verge of a Golden Era where the sport may recapture itself as America's game.

The young talent that is being brought into the game right now is almost mind-boggling. This talent seems so spectacular that it rivals or exceeds any sport.

Along with Maybin, BJ and Juston Upton, Ryan Braun, Ryan Zimmerman, Andrew Miller, Duston Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury, Delmon Young, Carl Crawford, Scott Kazmir, Joba Chamberlain, Phillip Hughes, Alex Gordon, and so forth.

How about Micah Owings last night? 4-5, two homeruns, and oh yah he was the starting pitcher who pitched into the 7th inning. I absolutely love what the DiamondBacks and the Tigers are doing. People will pay to see that type of talent.

There is also a very talented group of young veterens out there. Grady Sizemore, Joe Mauer, Justin Verlander, Justin Morneau, Jose Reyes, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, etc.

By the way, Maybin reminds me of Bobby Bonds.

CD...I was thinking more of a young Griffey...the way he seems to play with that "joy" that Junior displayed.

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I am starting to wonder if baseball could be on the verge of a Golden Era where the sport may recapture itself as America's game.

The young talent that is being brought into the game right now is almost mind-boggling. This talent seems so spectacular that it rivals or exceeds any sport.

CD,

Great point and I think it's just going to keep getting better and better. The minor leagues, college and even high school baseball are full of extra special players right now. And even more important some very special young men, many who will be great role models.

We have been very lucky to have seen and gotten to know so many of these kids. It seems to me that there has been a big improvement (overall) in the quality of player and the quality of character over the past several years. Also there's been a change in the amount of importance scouts are placing on things beyond just talent. I think it's all great for the game.

I think a lot of teams have learned alot from the Marlins organization. Teams have been afraid to bring up their young talent from the farm, now we know that you definetly can integrate them with veteran players.

The Marlins problem is that they bring all the younger guys in at once.

I hear grumblings of getting rid of Cabrerra and Ramirez, two of the best "young veterans" in baseball today, IMO.

CD,
You forgot our own Zach Duke.

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Originally posted by Tiger Paw Mom:
I hear grumblings of getting rid of Cabrerra and Ramirez, two of the best "young veterans" in baseball today, IMO.

We'll take Hanley back!!!!!

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The Marlins problem is that they bring all the younger guys in at once.

I hear grumblings of getting rid of Cabrerra and Ramirez, two of the best "young veterans" in baseball today, IMO.

TPM,

The Marlins have been trying to stay away from the big payroll. Some clubs try to keep (sign) their best players. The Marlins MO has been to get rid of them when they are close to arbitration eligible or getting close to free agency. Rather than pay out big contracts, they reload with (much cheaper) young prospects, some that they received by getting rid of their best players.

Cabrerra must be getting close to that point of being worth a fortune in the open market. Not sure about Ramirez, but he doesn’t have as much MLB time and should be considered one of baseball’s biggest bargains, for awhile yet. In a trade these guys would bring in several more of the best young prospects in baseball.

Poptime,
You can't have him!

I am also enjoying watching Txmom's son, Dan Ortmeier this weekend, who was called up on Friday to play in the Marlins/Giants series.

PG,
The Marlins are #1 in getting young very good talent ready for the much larger market teams. My point being that for so many years very good young talent would remain in the milb system because big market teams were afraid people wouldn't pay to watch them play. Not true, anyone would pay to see young talented players, but not a whole team of them at one time.
I heard an interview with Cashman, he would like to bring up more rookies, have a cheaper payroll, but the fans won't allow it. The expectations are too high. They will embrace one new face at a time.

We are not a baseball town, not really sure why there is a team here when some where else no one shows up unless they are playing a more popular team or one with a super star on it. We need a few of those to even things out.

But I am really happy to see all of these talented guys come up quicker than they have in years, instead of hanging around in AAA forever.

Mic and Dontrelle will be gone by next year. They will do the same as they have done with everyone else. You are correct, Ramirez has some time left before free agency.

I am still mad they got rid of Girardi. He wasn't a "yes sir" guy, and Loria didn't like that.



JMO.

quote:

Originally posted by PopTime:

quote:

Originally posted by Tiger Paw Mom:
I hear grumblings of getting rid of Cabrerra and Ramirez, two of the best "young veterans" in baseball today, IMO.

We'll take Hanley back!!!!!

Not for Beckett and Lowell. Both sides won on this trade. How about turning back the clock and signing Cabrera when he became a free agent? He's much better than Renteria or Lugo. Speaking of Cabrera's, the Red Sox should line up with a list of prospects and dangle it in front of the Marlins. They can throw Willis into the trade if they like.

Another thing I'd like to see is the Red Sox offer a list of pitching prospects to the Rays for Kazmir. Kazmir would win 17-20 every year on the Sox. The Rays need pitching. The Sox need another stud. I doubt the Sox will offer Schilling a contract.

quote:

Originally posted by ClevelandDad:
The young talent that is being brought into the game right now is almost mind-boggling. This talent seems so spectacular that it rivals or exceeds any sport.

How about Micah Owings last night? 4-5, two homeruns, and oh yah he was the starting pitcher who pitched into the 7th inning. I absolutely love what the DiamondBacks and the Tigers are doing. People will pay to see that type of talent.

CD - Couldn't agree with you more! Those teams that are bringing up their young talent and allowing them to produce adding to some veterans on each team... makes for great baseball. We attended a Tigers/Red Sox game back in July. To watch the young guys succeed, including Andrew Miller pitch that night, was an amazing atmosphere!

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The young talent that is being brought into the game right now is almost mind-boggling. This talent seems so spectacular that it rivals or exceeds any sport.

CD & PGStaff - The really 'fun' thing for me is seeing a number of these kids that our son played against or with or against (a few even remains friends) just a few short years ago break into the big leagues.

Just last night I watched Billy Butler (former USA teammate of our son) bat cleanup for the Royals against the A's. My memories of Billy just a few years ago were of one fun-loving and happy young man with an infectious personality.

There are more to come and in at least one former teammate's case I plan to get on a plane to be there when he breaks through (should be soon). I'll see you in Cleveland when that happens!

I think an important reason why there are so many
very talented young players now who can play at the major league level so soon is travel baseball. These kids are the first batch of players who have grown up in the current youth travel system. I think the high level national tournaments, showcases, etc have helped prepared these guys. The pressure and expectations of playing in the major leagues is more manageable now than in the past for young players due to the level of play they experienced when they were younger.

igball - I don't know if thats right or not? It very well could be.

But weren't there a fair number of 19/20-year old big leaguers over the years? Just checking of a few that I remembered.

Mickey Mantle was 19.
Sandy Koufax was 19.
Nolan Ryan was 19.
Pee Wee Reese was 21.
Pete Rose was 21.
Joe Morgan was 20.
Johnny Bench was 19.
Jim Palmer was 19.
Cal Ripken was 20.
Ken Griffey Jr. was 19.
Derek Jeter was 20.
Alex Rodrigues was 18.

Many, many more in the 21/22 age ranger (Yogi Berra, DiMaggio, Clemens, etc...).

And then there was Satchel Paige...41 (or so he said).

Thats just a quick random sampling. I know, these are some of the all-time greats. But I think Justin Upton, Cameron Maybin and Phil Hughes are thought to have high potential for "all-time great" too.

Looks like he's made a pretty good impression. The Tigers traded Craig Monroe to the Cubs for cash and considerations to clear a roster spot for him. Nice.

To add to justbb's list above, Robin Yount was quite young when he broke into the majors.

I saw two young players last night that caught my eye for the Mariners. Adam Jones had a nice night with a homerun and Brandon Morrow was letting his pitches fly at 98 mph.

The Indians are currently playing a young player named Asdrubel Cabrerra who has sparked the whole team.

I think Al Kaline went straight to the bigs out of high school, if I recall.

And then there was Joe Nuxhall -- pitched for the Reds at what, 16?

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And then there was Joe Nuxhall -- pitched for the Reds at what, 16?

Joe Nuxall is a good one but I think he might have been more of a gimmick at that age when there were many players serving in the war. From Wikipedia:

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Nuxhall is most often remembered for becoming the youngest player to appear in a Major League game during the modern era when on June 10, 1944, at age 15 years, 10 months, and 11 days, he pitched 2/3 of an inning for the Cincinnati Reds.

After his 2/3 of an inning, he spent many years in the minor leagues before having a decent major league career.

My favorite young kid story is Bob Feller. He started in the Majors when he was in 11th grade and struck out 15 batters in his first game. He is currently the oldest living hall of famer after the death of Phil Rizzuto. He served fours years in the war during the prime of his career and was one of the greatest pitchers of all time imho.