R A FF LE DOORS OPEN
Q BB F O
TS LO
&RIB F
!
T
5:30P
ES
VE N DO RS &
CH
&
M US IC
S
LI VE
EW
S
E
ONT EL E S M NT ER C O AT N G WA T I
$
K
BR
SI ’
AUG 31
R OC
SAT
A H C N K U
2,000 RIB CONTEST LIVE MUSIC FEATURING
T HE LAST
BANDOLEROS MOTEL DRIVE • A.C. MYLES BAND
C H U K C H A N S I G O L D O U T D O O R PAV I L I O N
$10 TICKETS AT CHUKCHANSIGOLD.COM OR CALL 1-800-514-3849
All ticket proceeds will be donated to AMVETS American Veterans Department of California. SPONSORED BY: ONE PUTT BROADCASTING Must be 21 to attend concert. Rain or shine. No refunds available. Management reserves all rights to cancel or modify all offers, promotions and/or events without prior notice.
In this Issue Contents Upcoming Promotions ....................................................... 5 Cover Story ...................................................................6-9 Grizzlies Take the Field as Lowriders ................................8-9
Matchups JULY 4-8 Tacoma Raniers Seattle Mariners Affiliate
Concessions Map ............................................................ 10 Grizzlies Roster............................................................... 11 Players to Watch ........................................................ 12-13 Coaching Staff........................................................... 16-17 A Conversation with Andrew Stevenson ........................ 19-23
JULY 23-25 Sacramento River Cats San Francisco Giants Affiliate
Grizzlies on Twitter ......................................................... 25 2019 Schedule .............................................................. 29 Mercury Insurance $50 Drawing........................................ 33 Score card................................................................. 34-35
JULY 26-28 Reno Aces Arizona Diamondbacks Affiliate
2019 Theme Jerseys & Auctions ................................. 36-37 Broadcast Partners & TV Schedule............................... 38-39 On the Road ................................................................... 45 Autograph Page .............................................................. 47
After 42 starts with the Grizzlies in 2017 and 2018, an off-season trade allowed Trent Thornton to break into the big leagues; now he’s an internationally known Rookie-of-The Year candidate in Toronto. Cover story on Page 6. Cover design by Dorian Castro, Fresno Grizzlies Play Ball layout by Jamie Dierking, Fresno Grizzlies 3
Upcoming Promotions JULY PROMOTIONS 7/4
Fourth of July Fireworks Extravaganza
7/5
25-cent Hot Dog Night
7/6
Parker’s Birthday Party
7/25 7/26
Pride Night
7/27
Lowriders de Fresno / Copa de la Diversion Interchangeable Hat Giveaway (First 1,500 fans)
7/28
Lowriders de Fresno / Copa de la Diversion
Presented by Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino and ABC30 Presented by JD Food
Friday Night Fireworks
Presented by Fresno Madera Farm Credit
Masked Singer Night Presented by FOX
Friday Night Fireworks
Presented by Farm Credit West
Presented by Helena Agri-Enterprises
PRESENTED BY
Outdoors Night
Presented by Toscano RV
Monday Madness
Toyota Taco Tuesdays
Happy Hour Thursdays
Presented by The Fresno Bee Two Reserved tickets, two hot dogs, two sodas, two Fresno Chaffee Zoo vouchers and two VIP passes to DEFY Clovis... ALL FOR JUST $25!
Presented by Toyota 2-for-1 Field Box, $2 tacos, $2 sodas and $2 churros as the Grizz play as the Fresno Tacos on each Tuesday home game. Specials available through the end of the 5th inning.
Happy Hour special from gates open to first pitch on Thursdays includes $5 burger, fries and 12-oz beer or soda combo.
Friday Night Fireworks & Farm Grown Fridays Post-game fireworks will continue to follow every Friday home game in 2019, and the farmer’s market on the concourse pre-game and during the game returns for this season as well.
Save Mart Sundays Presented by Save Mart Supermarkets Bring your Save Mart receipt or show the “Save Smart” app at the box office to get $5 off each ticket (up to 8 tickets). Grizzlies players autograph session (pre-game); Kids Run the Bases (post-game) presented by Producers Dairy; and Family Catch on the Field pre-game.
5
FRESN(OH), CANADA
Trent Thornton was drafted amidst a championship-caliber Houston Astros rebuild. After a trade, he’s hoping to help the Toronto Blue Jays fly to the same heights. BY PAUL BRAVERMAN
On June 16, the rookie strikeout leader of America’s pastime was on his way back to Canada after six and two-thirds shutout innings against the organization that traded him. For the Pittsburgh-born, North Carolinaraised, Houston-drafted Trent Thornton, settling in Toronto may be a culture-shock of sorts. But there’s only one (okay technically two) big league(s), and the 2017 and 2018 Fresno Grizzlies alum (42 starts) is one of those 750 world-class players. “I had just gotten home from the (Arizona) Fall League actually. I was home for one day, I was getting ready to go to a football game with my dad and my uncle. I get a phone call from 6
the Astros front office that says ‘hey we got some good news for you.’ I was thinking ‘oh, they are putting me on the 40-man (Major League roster)’, but instead they traded me to the Blue Jays which was a blessing as well.” As Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch has pointed out the last few spring trainings, the Houston MLB side is “a hard club to make.” Indisputably, the Astros’ ability to nail draft picks and develop those picks into big league-worthy players is the reason they’re ticketed for a fourth postseason in five in 2019, which includes the “Farm Grown” 2017 World Series Championship that the Fresno Grizzlies were a part of. It’s also the reason there are
several Major League-ready players in the higher levels of Houston’s system that simply don’t have an unfettered path to The Show in that organization. A dilemma Thornton, still only 25, was well aware of. Across the Blue Jays’ clubhouse, another former Astro/Grizz, outfielder Teoscar Hernandez, was also a big league-ready trade chip in 2017 at the July deadline, after making his MLB debut with the Astros – in Toronto – earlier that season. Thornton was traded in November, but once again it was familiar dance partners Toronto and Houston getting together as the Blue Jays were looking for young prospects as they continue to rebuild, and the Astros were looking to fine-
tune another contender. The righthander was swapped straight up for middle infielder Almedys Diaz, a depth piece to play behind all-stars Jose Altuve and former Grizz Carlos Correa. Former Astros closer Ken Giles is now pitching the ninth inning for Toronto. With first place Houston at 48-24 on June 16, it’s unlikely they were lamenting the loss of Thornton, and certainly Thornton, who exercises the diplomacy you’d expect regarding the trade, understands why his short-term and long-term future was blocked with the Astros due to rotation stalwarts Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole and next season’s return of Lance McCullers after Tommy John surgery.
Thornton, who had only pitched an exhibition game at Minute Maid Park in Houston at the tail end of 2018 spring training, seemed plenty pleased with the site of his second Major League win. His first big league win was also on the road, at another site frequented over the years by several Fresno Grizzlies alumni, Oracle Park in San Francisco. Thornton worked five and two-thirds innings allowing only three hits and two earned runs on May 14, striking out seven in the Jays’ 7-3 victory over the Giants, which included a fifth inning punchout of former Grizz Brandon Crawford. During the interleague affair, Thornton also garnered his first three MLB at-bats,
with my parents there as well. They got to see my first win and my first two hits as well. Ken Giles closed it out and gave me the ball that made it official. I gave my parents both the first hit ball and the first win ball. They went home with two souvenirs.” All of this experience is coming on the (Tar) heels of Thornton’s 25-man roster spot being far from guaranteed entering Blue Jays camp in Dunedin, Florida. Having no prior big league experience and joining a new organization, an option to Triple-A Buffalo and a mid-season MLB debut seemed likely, fairly standard practice for a starting
“They really helped me out a lot with pitching and life in general. I have a lot to thank them for but the Blue Jays have now given me that opportunity and I am thankful that I am here. It has been a dream come true,” said the Astros’ fifth round draft pick in 2015 following three seasons at the University of North Carolina. Kind words aside, that doesn’t mean Thornton wasn’t amped up to face his former organization when the Blue Jays visited Houston on Father’s Day. After facing 2018 Fresno teammates Yordan Alvarez, Tyler White, Tony Kemp, Jack Mayfield and Myles Straw in Houston’s lineup that afternoon, striking out seven without allowing a run, Thornton remained on the top step of the Toronto dugout – despite the score being 12-0- to watch reliever Justin Shafer strand two runners with a strikeout to preserve the shutout. White, Mayfield and Straw singled off Thornton for limited bragging rights, in a game that included Hernandez in centerfield in what was tantamount to a Fresno reunion.
and after grounding out in the second inning, he dropped a single into right field in the fourth off former Sacramento foe Tyler Beede, before rolling another base hit between third and short in the sixth. “I was pretty nervous, I hadn’t hit since high school. I was trying to just put the ball in play and hit it hard. Luckily, I got a lot of fastballs to hit and I managed to get two hits. I can’t even fathom how crazy it was
pitcher getting his feet wet at the highest level. Instead, after a spring training where Thornton struck out 16 batters in 15 innings while holding batters to a .232 average, he was tossed right into the pool, making Toronto’s opening day roster. The player finding out he’s now a big leaguer is hardly without luster, regardless of it happening at the team’s southern complex instead of mid-season at Triple-A as it normally does. 7
“It was right when the team was heading to Montreal for the exhibition games. The starters stayed back in Florida and I was about to go throw with the bullpen coach and our assistant GM came in and says he needs to talk to me real quick. I was thinking this is make or break, I was getting optioned to Triple-A or something. Instead, they told me I was going to The Show which was a pretty emotional moment for me. I got to call my parents and some tears were dropped but it was pretty awesome.” Thornton’s solid spring contained a brief controversy, after he (inadvertently) hit Bryce Harper in the ankle with a pitch on March 15, little more than a week after Harper had signed with the Phillies. Thornton’s tenure as public enemy number one in Philadelphia was short-lived after Harper was no more than bruised despite leaving the game as precaution, and Thornton’s notoriety quickly dissipated upon news he’d made the big club out of camp. Days later, it was his turn to pitch in his Major League debut, at Toronto’s Rogers Centre, against Detroit. Thornton, his signature leg kick quickly drawing the attention of many Blue Jay fans seeing their new right-hander live for the first time
along with the rest of baseball media/ Twitter, worked five shutout innings on March 31, allowing nary two hits while striking out eight. Thornton would whiff double-digit batters for the first time as a big leaguer on May 24 at home against San Diego. “Against the Tigers, I honestly wasn’t nervous, I was more excited. I was ready to get out there and throw that first pitch and get it out of the way. I ended up having a pretty good start and I got out on the right foot. It was pretty awesome to get there and finally do it. This is something you dream of your whole life, so there was no time to be nervous.” Thanks to the Astros’ aforementioned depth, plenty of former Fresno Grizzlies from that four-season affiliation (20152018) are scattered throughout the Major Leagues, and continue to make Central Valley baseball fans proud. From his teammate Teoscar Hernandez to utility man J.D. Davis (New York Mets) to pitcher Joe Musgrove and third baseman Colin Moran (Pittsburgh Pirates), Thornton is joining a long list of Grizz alums once expendable by trade with the Astros, now blazing their own paths and endearing themselves as everyday big leaguers in new cities. While Fresno may be in that
group’s rearview mirror at this point, each city and teammate shapes each player’s journey along the way. “I lived with Mike Hauschild and Matt Ramsey in Fresno, it was an awesome set-up. Fans were awesome, the coaches were great and the whole organization with the Astros was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed those moments out there. I tried to do as much as possible with the community when I wasn’t playing whether it was with Jon Kemmer or Whitney Campbell. It was cool going around to schools and what not. I wanted to get out and do as much as possible.” The banners lining the sidewalks around Chukchansi Park provide a who’s who of “we saw them when” players, homage to time spent in Fresno prior to the trappings of Major League stardom. From the recent (Correa and Kemp) to the more nostalgic (Lincecum and Bumgarner), when fans in future years see the leg kick frozen in time from the 2017 or ’18 season, they’ll immediately know who is the latest to have “made it.” Fresno Grizzlies broadcaster Doug Greenwald contributed to this story.
ATM
108-109, 118-119
PO GR
OL
AS
SB
&
UR
SP A
M
RESTROOMS
Womens: 107-108, 112-113, 116-117, 125-126 Mens: 107-108, 111-112, 115-116, 126-127 Special Needs: 112-113, 124-125, 214, 224
COURTESY BOOTH 116
1.
2.
6.
3.
5. 4.
STANDS 1 & 4 (Flashpoint Grill)
Burgers, Hot Dogs, Chicken, Corndogs, Pizza, Fries, Nachos, Pretzels
STAND 2 (Sweets & Uncle Bear B-Q) Ice Cream, Churrwaffles, Tri-tip, Brisket, Pulled Pork, Pulled Chicken
STAND 3 (Flashpoint Grill and Me-n-Ed’s)
Burgers, Hot Dogs, Chicken, Corndogs, Pizza, Fries, Nachos, Pretzels
STAND 5 (Parker’s Sweet Tooth) Snacks, Candy
STAND 6 (The Oppo Taco) Tacos, Ice Cream, Churrwaffles, Nachos, Pretzels
10
Portable/Cart
Located Near Section
Steakadelphia (Cheesesteaks) Grrrito (Burritos & Burrito Bowls) Beer Dippin’ Dots Bar
108 112 109 110 114
Smokies- Sausage Cart Nachos Popcorn Bar Dippin’ Dots Rita’s Ice
118 120 122 125 127
Fresh Market (Salads, Wraps) Bear Flag Grill (Burgers & Dogs)
116 117
111
Roster
Pitchers B/T HT/WT DOB AGE BIRTHPLACE
18 Alvarez, Henderson R/R 6-0/205 4/18/90 29 Valencia, VZ 27 Bacus, Dakota R/R 6-2/200 4/2/91 28 Moline, IL 24 Blazek, Michael R/R 6-0/210 3/16/89 30 Las Vegas, NV 22 Bourque, James R/R 6-4/190 7/9/93 25 Ann Arbor, MI 34 Copeland, Scott R/R 6-3/220 12/15/87 31 Longview, TX 32 Espino, Paolo R/R 5-10/215 1/10/87 32 Panama City, Panama 49 Kontos, George R/R 6-3/225 6/12/85 34 Lincolnwood, IL 12 McGowin, Kyle R/R 6-3/189 11/27/91 27 Southampton, NY 50 Ondrusek, Logan R/R 6-8/230 2/13/85 34 Hallettesville, TX 56 Rodney, Fernando R/R 5-11/240 3/18/77 42 Samana, DR 41 Ross, Joe R/R 6-4/220 5/21/93 26 Berkeley, CA 11 Self, Derek R/R 6-3/225 1/14/90 29 Louisville, KY 16 Voth, Austin R/R 6-2/201 6/26/92 26 Redmond, WA
Catchers # NAME
B/T HT/WT DOB AGE BIRTHPLACE
19 Gushue, Taylor 26 Read, Raudy
S/R R/R
6-1/233 6-0/221
12/19/93 10/29/93
25 25
Boca Raton, FL San Jose de Ocoa, DR
Infielders # NAME
B/T HT/WT DOB AGE BIRTHPLACE
15 Difo, Wilmer S/R 5-11/200 4/2/92 27 Santiago de los Caballeros, DR 8 Kieboom, Carter R/R 6-2/190 9/3/97 21 Marietta, GA 29 Marmolejos, Jake L/L 6-1/225 1/2/93 26 Perth Amboy, NJ 5 Noll, Jake R/R 6-1/200 3/8/94 25 Punta Gorda, FL 1 Reynolds, Matt R/R 6-1/200 12/13/90 28 Tulsa, OK 10 Snyder, Brandon R/R 6-2/225 11/23/86 32 Las Vegas, NV
Outfielders # NAME B/T HT/WT DOB AGE BIRTHPLACE 7 Cowgill, Collin R/L 5-9/200 5/22/86 32 Lexington, KY 13 Hernandez, Yadiel L/R 5-9/185 10/9/87 31 Matanzas, Cuba 9 Keller, Alec L/R 6-2/200 5/13/92 26 Richmond, VA 6 Stevenson, Andrew L/L 6-0/192 6/1/94 24 Layfayette, LA
Coaching Staff
Affiliate
Manager: Randy Knorr (#53) Pitching Coach: Brad Holman (#38) Hitting Coach: Brian Daubach (#23) Athletic Trainer: Eric Montague Strength Coach: Mike Warren
FresnO GRIZZLIES
# NAME
Roster current as of 6/17/19
11
Players to Watch
OF Ian Miller Miller enters his seventh professional season with the Mariners organization and his third at the Triple-A level. The speedy outfielder was a 14th round draft pick by Seattle back in 2013 and has climbed through the system ranks. Through his first 59 games, Miller has a .291 average with 18 steals in 20 attempts.
JULY 4-8 Tacoma Raniers Seattle Mariners Affiliate
2B Chris Mariscal Mariscal enters his sixth professional season with the Mariners organization and is in the middle of his first Triple-A stint. Like Miller, Mariscal was taken in the 14th round, but in 2014 out of Fresno State. The former Bulldog made his Tacoma debut May 21st versus the Grizzlies, notching two hits and scoring three times.
JULY 23-25 Sacramento River Cats San Francisco Giants Affiliate
SHP Pat Venditte Venditte enters his 12th professional season and first with the Giants organization. He is recognized as being the only active professional pitcher who can throw with both hands. Venditte also has a rule named after him, where he must designate which hand he will throw with prior to the at-bat starting and must stay pitching with that hand for that entire batter.
12
JULY 26-28 Reno Aces Arizona Diamondbacks Affiliate
Players to Watch
Pictured: C Raudy Read Photo by Aaron Provencio
Pictured: RHP Austin Voth
C Raudy Read
RHP Paolo Espino
CF Andrew Stevenson
Read enters his ninth professional season with the Nationals organization and his second at the Triple-A level. The catcher is on the 40-man roster after making his debut in 2017. Read boasts a .988 career fielding percentage and has thrown out 36.7 percent of baserunners as a professional. He could be a nice backstop option for Washington in September when rosters expand.
Espino enters his 13th professional season and his second stint with the Nationals organization. The right hander ranks in the top two of the PCL in wins (7), strikeouts (82) and innings (80.2) as of June 18. Fresno has won seven of Espino’s last eight outings and eight of 10 starts ranging from April 24-June 16. In that span, Espino went a seasonhigh seven innings four times while allowing three runs or less in eight of those 10 games.
Stevenson enters his fifth professional season with the Nationals organization and his third at the Triple-A level. The speedy outfielder has played 94 major league games and is on the 40-man roster for Washington. Stevenson was a 2nd round pick back in 2015 and was teammates with former Grizzly Alex Bregman at LSU. He made his debut in 2017 and could be back with the Nationals very soon.
13
The All-Inclusive Print and Marketing Partner
800.343.3139 • domeprinting.com
GET 2 MONTHS FREE!
M E M B E R O F A N O T H E R C L U B? TRADE-IN-SPECIAL
- Yogi Berra
free guest pass MUST BE 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER WITH A VALID ID. LIMITED TIME OFFER. SOME RESTRICTIONS APPLY. SEE CLUB FOR DETAILS.
Coaching Staff Randy Knorr, Manager Former Major League catcher Randy Knorr is the inaugural Fresno Grizzlies manager during the Washington Nationals affiliation, and is the 11th manager in franchise history. Knorr, 50, has minor league managerial and coaching experience in the Washington organization dating to the 2005 season, and served as Senior Advisor for player development to Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo in 2016 and 2017. A veteran of 11 MLB seasons as a player, Knorr turned pro after being selected in the 10th round of the 1986 First Year Player Draft out of high school in Baldwin Park, California, by the Toronto Blue Jays. After making his Major League debut in 1991 for Toronto, Knorr caught 47 games for a pair of World Series-winning clubs between 1992 and 1993, remaining with the Toronto organization through the 1995 season. He would also appear in the Majors for the Houston Astros (1996-1997, 1999), Florida Marlins (1998), Texas Rangers (2000) and Montreal Expos (2001), prior to his retirement as a player following the 2004 season. Knorr played his final three seasons in Triple-A with Montreal for Ottawa of the International League (2002) and Edmonton (2003-2004) of the Pacific Coast League, before remaining with the organization as a minor league manager as MLB operations shifted from Montreal to Washington, D.C. Knorr appeared in 1,423 games as a 19-year-professional, including 253 games in the big leagues. Guiding Class A Savannah of the South Atlantic League in 2005, Knorr was just 36 during his first season as a manager, before a promotion to A-Advanced Potomac. In 2008, Knorr led the Potomac Nationals to the Carolina League Championship, the franchise’s first domestic minor league ring after relocating to Washington, D.C. In 2009 he served as Washington’s Major League bullpen coach, before taking the reins of the Double-A Harrisburg Senators of the Eastern League in 2010, a pivotal club in developing the Nationals’ Major League squads that would win four of six National League East division titles between 2012 and 2017. Pitchers Stephen Strasburg, Tanner Roark and Drew Storen were all under Knorr’s tutelage at Harrisburg in 2010, as was infielder Danny Espinosa. Knorr also managed franchise staples Ian Desmond and Ryan Zimmerman in the lower levels. Before moving into a front office role as Senior Advisor for player development in 2016 and 2017, Knorr was the Nationals’ Major League bench coach for four seasons (2012-2015), and was also manager at Triple-A Syracuse in 2011, before re-assuming that post in 2018 during the final year of the clubs’ affiliation. 2019 in Fresno will be Knorr’s first experience in the PCL since playing for Edmonton (current Round Rock Express franchise) in 2004.
16
Coaching Staff Brian Daubach, Hitting Coach Entering his ninth season as a coach with the Washington Nationals organization, former Major League first baseman Brian Daubach, 46, will instruct the organization’s Triple-A hitters for a fourth-consecutive season. Daubach played in 661 MLB games over eight seasons for the Florida Marlins (1998), Boston Red Sox (1999-2002, 2004), Chicago White Sox (2003) and New York Mets (2005), and suited up for 1,235 additional minor league games during a 17-year playing career (1990-2006). Daubach was selected in the 17th round of the 1990 First Year Player Draft out of high school in Belleville, Illinois, and makes for a total of three World Series rings on the 2019 Fresno Grizzlies coaching staff. Daubach was a member of the 2004 Red Sox.
Brad Holman, Pitching Coach A veteran of seven professional seasons as a player, Brad Holman, 50, enters his second season as Washington’s Triple-A pitching coach, after serving as the Texas Rangers’ Major League bullpen coach in 2016 and 2017 and at Triple-A Syracuse (International League) in 2018. After turning pro in 1990, selected in the 35th round of the First Year Player Draft by the Kansas City Royals, Holman made his Major League debut in 1993 for the Seattle Mariners with 19 relief appearances. Holman also pitched in the PCL for Seattle affiliates in Calgary (1993-1994, current Albuquerque Isotopes franchise) and Tacoma (1995).
Eric Montague, Athletic Trainer Eric Montague enters his second season as head athletic trainer for the Triple-A Nationals, first assuming that post for the 2018 Syracuse club (International League). Montague is in his 21st season in professional baseball, and his seventh with the Washington Nationals, spending the previous four seasons (2014-2017) as head trainer at Double-A Harrisburg (Eastern League). Prior to first joining Washington for the 2013 season at A-Advanced Potomac (Carolina League), Montague spent 10 seasons as a minor league athletic trainer with the Houston Astros, including two seasons with Double-A Corpus Christi (Texas League) in 2011 and 2012. He first worked in baseball for the New York Mets from 1998 through 2001.
Mike Warren, Strength & Conditioning Coach Mike Warren enters his ninth season with the Washington Nationals organization, and his fifth leading the strength and conditioning program at the Triple-A level. Warren was strength and conditioning coach for Syracuse (International League) from 2015 through 2018, and was with A-Advanced Potomac (Carolina League) for the four prior seasons.
17
2305 W. SHAW AVENUE | FRESNO, CA 93711 | HOTEL-PICCADILLY.COM | 559-348-5520
HOTEL PICCADILLY ﮭ ﮭ ﮭ ﮭ ﮭ ﮭ
184 GUEST ROOMS & SUITES OUTDOOR POOL & SPA FITNESS CENTER COMPLIMENTARY HOT BREAKFAST ELEGANT MEETING & EVENT ROOMS ON-SITE DINING & BAR
We’re more than just a hotel.
Book your next event with us! Call 559.348.5527
Mochuelo
At Hotel Piccadilly
Featuring Spanish-Style Tapas & Handcrafted Cocktails |Bar Hours| 4:30PM – 10:00PM |Restaurant Hours| 5:00PM - 9:30PM Closed Sundays (off of Shaw & Van Ness Ext.)
a conversation with
ANDREW STEVENSON Now in his fifth season with the Washington Nationals organization, outfielder Andrew Stevenson made his Major League debut in 2017, and has been up in the big leagues each of the last three seasons, including this one. The 25-year-old was the Nats’ second round draft pick in 2015 out of LSU where he was an all-SEC First Team performer. Q: How was growing up in Lafayette, Louisiana? Andrew Stevenson: It was great. Great city and people. I had three brothers and you can definitely imagine how that was. There was always competition with somebody which always made things fun and interesting. We pretty much played everything, we tried every sport and whatever season it was, we were doing it. Our parents wanted us to play everything to see what we liked. I definitely liked football and baseball. Q: Who influenced you the most to concentrate on baseball?
AS: It was something that I had a knack for early on. I loved playing it, running around hitting the ball. It was one of the most fun things to do, so I stuck with it. My uncle also coached high school baseball so when I outgrew my dad’s knowledge of the
game, I went to him for advice. We would try working on things and see what needed to be changed which is where it just kept going and going for me. Q: Now into high school, your manager Gary Perkins was pretty instrumental in your success? AS: He was great. I went to St. Thomas More High School which had some really good talent come through there. He gave me a chance early on in my sophomore year. Not a lot of the bigger schools gave chances to underclassman but Gary believed in me at the time. I realized if I can play varsity as a sophomore, then I can get better every year which led me to LSU. I couldn’t thank him enough. Q: As you said, LSU was the next stop, so what was the major factor in your decision to go there? AS: I think growing up in Louisiana, LSU is kind of like every kid’s dream. You see LSU wherever you go. 19
YOUR LOCAL MASSEY FERGUSON DEALER
10273 S Golden State Blvd Selma, CA 93662 559.896.4040
20
A Conversation With... Whether you go to football or baseball games, you go wow this is crazy. I had a few options to go where I wanted but LSU was always the one that if they gave me an offer, I would say yes to it. I would never look back at my decision. Q: What does LSU head coach Paul Mainieri mean to you? AS: He was awesome. He knew how to get the best out of the guys. He was tough but somebody that loves to win. If you were somebody that was going to help him win, then he was going to push you to be the best player you can be. Q: One of your teammates at LSU was Alex Bregman, who played a few weeks with the Grizzlies in 2016. What was he like in college? AS: He was such a competitor, that’s the biggest thing. He is going to try to be the best player on the field every single day. He was going to bring it and be there to help his team the best way he can. He was one of the guys you wanted to feed off of that kind of energy and drive. Watching him work to a whole another level pushed me as well. Great guy to be around. Q: One of the accomplishments during your time at LSU was getting to the College World Series, how was that experience for you? AS: Playing in Omaha is any college player’s dream. You see the CWS every year, the craziness of the fans, the stadium and so much more. To go there and experience it; that was crazy. Shoot, we played in front of 25 to 30,000 people at the time which made it such a cool atmosphere.
first and that was something that gave us a lot of momentum. I remember hearing about people comparing it to Odell Beckham Jr.’s catch but I don’t know about that comparison. It was just great to win the game in front of the home crowd. Q: One the Nationals drafted you in the second round in June 2015, you were off to pro ball. Do you remember the whole process and was Washington one of the organizations you thought might pick you? AS: No I didn’t, we had just won the Super Regional to get to Omaha so I was back at my house. I kind of knew where I might end up or land but I didn’t know the team, so we were just waiting. I got the phone call a couple of picks before it happened so there were a lot of emotions that day. It was great. Q: Who was the first person you hugged?
Q: One of the coolest moments of that tournament was during regionals against UNC-Wilmington- you made an outstanding diving catch. Do you remember that play?
AS: I think at the time it was my now wife. We were dating and I remember hugging her first. Then I of course hugged my parents. It was a surreal moment.
AS: Yeah, I went towards the rightcenter gap and made a diving catch. I remember doubling off the guy at
Q: After you were drafted, Nationals General Manager Mike Rizzo said, “He plays 100 MPH with his hair on fire.” Would you say that statement is
accurate? AS: Every time I cross that line, I try to be going 100 percent or close. My dad and coaches growing up taught me saying that if I would make it, to go 100 percent and bring whatever you got that day. So I think it is somewhat accurate. Q: When you were in Spring Training in 2017, Nats manager at the time, Dusty Baker, said you were always ready, always looking at him. Were you anxious to get in? AS: The thing is I always wanted to put myself in a position to be successful. So whether that was being ready and being the first guy to have his stuff, I wanted to be there. I didn’t want to be the guy that wasn’t ready when the opportunity showed itself. I wanted to be mentally locked in and ready to give 100 percent to every opportunity. I wanted to run out there and show what I could do. Q: That same year in 2017, you were promoted to the big leagues for the first time. Who told you? Where were you? Who did you call first? AS: So we (Triple-A Syracuse) were in Columbus, Ohio I believe. We were done playing the game so it was like 10:30 or 11:00 at night and I was at
21
We stay vigilant so you can stay connected.
From everyday technology management, server maintenance and data backup to complex security solutions, we’ve got your business covered. At M Cubed Technologies, we support clients in 25 different states and 3 countries. We have offices in Fresno, CA and Lawrence, KS with 365-day support, 24/7 emergency help and service specially tailored to your business needs.
F U L L S E R V I C E I T • F I R E WA L L / S PA M F I LT E R I N G • B A C K U P S O L U T I O N S C O N S U LTAT I O N T E C H N O LO G Y S A L E S • H O S T E D S E R V E R S • C O N S U LTAT I O N D ATA / S E R V E R B A C K U P • S E R V E R M A I N T E N A N C E • C Y B E R S E C U R I T Y C O N S U LTAT I O N
22
MCUBEDTECHNOLOGIES.COM • 559.512.0610
the hotel. I got a call that I was going to the big leagues. At that moment, my heart started pounding and my hands were starting to get sweaty. This is something I have dreamed about since I was a kid. I called my dad up and said hey it’s happening. He booked the flight and flew out to Arizona where I got a couple of atbats. Q: What was the feeling when you joined the club and got your first hit? AS: Luckily I was in big league camp during spring training so I knew the guys pretty well. There were familiar faces and they welcomed me in with open arms and congratulatory comments. I just wanted to help them win and they wanted the same from me. I didn’t start the game but walking up to the plate was tough because pinch hitting isn’t easy. I had a lot of nerves running through and I just told myself to make something happen. First at-bat, I didn’t really get it done with a groundout. I got one later and put it in play and got the job done. I have my first hit ball as well, which is now with my family. Q: Kevin Long, Washington’s hitting coach, paid you a visit after the season ended. What did you both work on and how has that helped you this season?
AS: So after the 2017 season, he flew down to Louisiana to see me to make a few adjustments on my swing. He is great, a great hitting coach who understands and knows the game. We had a plan for what we wanted to do and at the time it worked but we still had to tweak my swing. I think that is what makes you a great coach and player, is adapting. Say something doesn’t work, then let’s try this. I think he is really good at having a plan for what a guy wants and needs to be successful. Just meshing all of that together has helped me and I am happy with his support. Q: In early June the Grizzlies went on a road trip to New Orleans, where you saw former LSU teammate Parker Bugg. How was playing against a fellow alum? AS: It was cool. He is climbing his way through the system and is one step away with the Marlins. I am pumped for him. He was that guy that every time he was out there, he was going to compete and give you everything he had. He has such a great arm and we saw him a couple of times down there. He threw a couple of scoreless innings so he belongs there at Triple-A. I wish I got to face him though because who doesn’t want to face an old teammate, but I definitely tried telling our guys what
he has stuff wise. I still gave him a tip of the cap though. Q: How was playing close to home in New Orleans? It was your first professional playing experience in Louisiana. AS: I had a bunch of family and friends come watch me. To be able to play baseball back home was something I don’t get to do that often. Just seeing my parents and grandparents at the game plus everybody else is kind of cool. You get extra fired up and a little jump to your step having that kind of support. It was great. Q: Even though you were able to see family on that trip, a nice coincidence about being in Triple-A at the time, you’re ready for another opportunity out in Washington, right? AS: Absolutely, that is why you come to the ballpark and wake up every day. I just try to come to the field and put in my work. Every day isn’t easy but I know what adjustments I have to make to get to Washington again. I am just enjoying my time here for now and helping the Grizzlies win. By Stephen Rice, Fresno Grizzlies Photos by Aaron Provencio
COMPLETE
l o g i s t i c s Strategically located throughout California, Established 1978
TRUCK RAIL WAREHOUSING LOGISTICS COMPANY
LOCATIONS:
Lathrop • Sanger • Fowler • Selma
www.VanGLogistics.com Transpor tation • Storage • Truck to Rail • Truck to Stora ge Rail to Truck • Rail to Storage • Cross-Docking • Unit Train Capability o D o • r t g o Door Intermoda Floor Loadin l Services • O n-Site Scales
WE HANDLE All coMMo DitiEs •
Served directly by UPRR and BNSF Railway Company
•
Oils, Solvents, Acids, Chemicals
•
USDA Food Grade Approved warehousing & cold storage
•
Blending / Mixing
•
Organic and Kosher
•
Custom Packaging-Bulk to Drum or IBC’s
•
Cold Storage-Refrigerated or Frozen
•
Vacuum Services for products transfer or recovery
•
Dry Storage / Warehousing-Open or Covered
Brick, Sand, All building materials, Lumber, Steel
•
Federal Distilled Spirits Plant Permit-for the handling and distribution of Pure Alcohol
• • •
•
HazMat Certified
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT US TODAY
Over 150 trailers to accommodate a variety of commodities: Hoppers, Flatbeds, Tankers, Dry Vans, Refrigerated Vans, Vac/Pneumatics, End Dumps
www.VanGLogistics.com
8000 East Manning Ave | Fowler, CA 93625 | PH: 559-834-5500 | FX: 559-834-4395
Grizzlies on Twitter
Fresno Grizzlies Henderson Alvarez Dakota Bacus Scott Copeland Collin Cowgill Paolo Espino Taylor Gushue J.J. Hoover Alec Keller Carter Kieboom Jordan Mills
@FresnoGrizzlies @HendersonA37 @Dakotabacus33 @SCopeland345 @Ccowgill12 @PaoloEspino10 @TGush17 @JJ_Hoover @alec_d_keller @carterkieboom @25jordanmills
Jake Noll Vidal Nuno Kevin McGowan Logan Ondrusek Tanner Rainey Raudy Read Matt Reynolds Derek Self Brandon Snyder Austin Voth Austen Williams
@Jake_Noll @Vidalnuno45 @kevinmcgowanjr @LoganOndrusek @THErain_ey @RealRaudyRead @ReyRey_5 @CaptainDurrack @BrandonSnyder29 @AustinVoth31 @ADUB_44
MORE THAN
BRATS!
Order Online! www.rocketdogbratsandbrew.com
READ PLAY BALL ONLINE Click on “Fans” then “Play Ball Magazine”
Sign Up Today! Get rewards, exclusive offers, digital coupons, and more!
Proud Sponsor of Our Fresno Grizzlies!
Shop. Save. Repeat. Visit: savemart.com or search Save Mart on
or
Experience America the beautiful We’re here to get you there For reservations visit hertz.com or call one of our branches at telephone numbers below: • • • •
Hertz North Fresno: 559-436-6640 Hertz Central Fresno: 559-266-2148 Hertz Clovis HLE: 559-325-8252 Hertz Palm Bluffs: 559-412-4795
Toll-free number 1-800-704-4473
Fresno Grizzlies fans get 10% Discount. Use CDP # 2076426
2019 season schedule
ABQ - Albuquerque Isotopes Colorado Rockies
OKC - Oklahoma City Dodgers Los Angeles Dodgers
ELP - El Paso Chihuahuas San Diego Padres
OMA - Omaha Storm Chasers Kansas City Royals
FRE - Fresno Grizzlies Washington Nationals
RNO - Reno Aces Arizona Diamondbacks
IOW - Iowa Cubs Chicago Cubs
RR - Round Rock Express Houston Astros
LV - Las Vegas Aviators Oakland Athletics MEM - Memphis Redbirds St. Louis Cardinals NAS - Nashville Sounds Texas Rangers
NO - New Orleans Baby Cakes Miami Marlins
SAC - Sacramento River Cats San Francisco Giants SL - Salt Lake Bees Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim SA - San Antonio Missions Milwaukee Brewers
TAC - Tacoma Rainiers Seattle Mariners
29
OUR WINGS ARE LEGENDARY
PROUD SUPPORTERS OF
FRESNO GRIZZLIES BASEBALL
VISIT OUR TWO LOCATIONS IN TOWN 3331 W SHAW • FRESNO 3065 E SHAW • FRESNO 559.230.1641 559.348.9080
IT PAYS TO BE A
MERCURY CUSTOMER
Mercury Insurance customers get some of the lowest rates, but when you’re part of the Mercury family you also get some incredible benefits at Grizzlies games!
MERCURY
MERCURY
SUMMER PASS
WINS-DAYS
Mercury customers can purchase a “Summer Pass” for $49, which grants them and a guest access to all games during the months of June and July*. Plus, you’ll get a 10% discount** at the team store!
Mercury customers receive a buy-one-get-one ticket offer at every Wednesday Grizzlies home game and a 10% discount** on merchandise purchases in the team store.
Learn more at
FRESNOGRIZZLIES.COM/MERCURY *Two(2) reserved tickets per game per “Summer Pass.” Excludes game on 7/4/19 **Must show Summer Pass in June or July or Mercury Insurance ID card on Wednesdays to receive 10% team store discount.
ENTER TO WIN $50 CASH! Remove entry form, fill out back and turn in before the start of the 8th inning! One winner every night, guaranteed. Fill out the entry form on back completely and legibly to win. Turn in at the Courtesy Booth or the Kodiak Club. The winner will be announced in the middle of the 8th inning. Must be 18 years or older to enter. Must be present to win. By completing this form, you agree that Mercury Insurance may contact you. You may be required to confirm information you have provided on this form.
33
The Baseball Scorecard Visitor: Home: #
S U M S
Score Card
Line Up
Pos
Date:
Start Time:
Weather:
Team: Date: Scorer: End Time: Time of Game:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
W/L/S
IP
H
R
ER
BB
SO
HB
BK
TBF
AB R
H RBI
Runs Hits Errors Left on Base
# Opposing Pitchers
# Catchers
PB
Umpires HP: 3B: PLEASE PRINT LEGIBLY 1B: 2B: NAME ____________________________________ EMAIL __________________________________________
ADDRESS __________________________________________________________________________________________
Copyright © 2000 Patrick A. McGovern All Rights Reserved
This page may be freely reprinted or photocopied
CITY _________________________________________________ HOME PHONE _____________________________________
SIGNATURE ___________________________________________
34
REQUIRED FOR PARTICIPATION
http://www.baseballscorecard.com
ZIP ___________________________
MOBILE ________________________________ DATE__________________________
The Baseball Scorecard
Score Card
Visitor: Date: Start Time: Team: Date: Home: Scorer: End Time: #
S U M S
Line Up
Pos
Weather: Time of Game:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
W/L/S
IP
H
R
ER
BB
SO
HB
BK
TBF
AB R
H RBI
Runs Hits Errors Left on Base
# Opposing Pitchers
# Catchers
PB
Umpires HP: 1B: 2B:
3B:
$5 BEERS EVERY GAME!
Copyright © 2000 Patrick A. McGovern All Rights Reserved
This page may be freelyBEER reprinted or photocopied THE MOST INEXPENSIVE IN TRIPLE-A BASEBALL
http://www.baseballscorecard.com
DOMESTIC & PREMIUM
35
STARS AND STRIPES
JULY 4
Benefiting Central California Food Bank
LOWRIDERS DE FRESNO JUNE 15 && 28 16 JULY 27 &28 JULY 27 Benefiting Marjaree Mason Center Jerseys will be auctioned on July 28th
PRIDE NIGHT
JULY 25
Benefiting Common Space
WOODSTOCK
AUGUST 10
Benefiting Live Again Fresno
PAW PATROL AUGUST 30
Benefiting Valley Animal Center
A BETTER WAY TO BID
Grizzlies Announce LiveSource App as Online Auction Partner
1. On your phone or tablet, download the LiveSource app from Apple iTunes or Google Play 2. Create an account and the app will automatically find the auction nearest you 3. Bid for your favorite items and get notifications when others outbid you 4. Pay for your items securely via credit card 5. Immediately pick up your item(s) from the stadium that night or arrange for pick up during regular office hours. 36
PRESENTED BY
37
Broadcast Partners
CAN’T MAKE IT TO CHUKCHANSI PARK? CATCH THE ACTION ON RADIO OR TV!
New radio home for all 140 games is KRDU 1130 AM
22 home games to air LIVE in HD on MyCentralValley TV (KAIL) See schedule on facing page
BEER BATS IT’S BEER...IN A BAT. AND YOU NEED ONE.
38
Home games not on KAIL-TV
39
POST-GAME FIREWORKS EVERY FRIDAY With the Friends & Family Membership, up to
PLUS JOIN US FOR THE VALLEY’S LARGEST FOURTH OF JULY EXTRAVAGANZA!
six (6) of your friends or family members will get tickets to every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday Grizzlies game of the 2019 regular season for just $229! Youʼll also be invited to exclusive Grizzlies player autograph sessions, VIP stadium tours and get discounted $10 tickets on weekends! Excluding Fourth of July. For more info, call a Grizzlies representative at 559.320.HITS or visit FresnoGrizzlies.com.
YOUR COMMUTE IS IN ACRES. You are an American farmer and there’s a whole world out there depending on what you do. And we’re here to help you do it.
FarmCreditAlliance.com (855) 611-4110 toll free WE ARE FARM CREDIT — a nationwide network
of customer-owned associations supporting rural communities and agriculture with reliable, consistent credit and financial services.
American AgCredit | CoBank | Farm Credit West | Fresno Madera Farm Credit | Golden State Farm Credit
PAW PATROL NIGHT FRIDAY, AUGUST 30
ON-FIELD THEME JERSEYS BENEFITING VALLEY ANIMAL CENTER CHARACTER APPEARANCES BY YOUR FAVORIATE PAW PATROL PUPS! buy tickets today! PRESENTED BY
Community Engagement
FOOD FOR EVERYONE Every Friday home game for the Grizzlies features the Farm Grown farmer’s market on the concourse behind Fresno Social near the speed pitch. Prior to and throughout the game, you can stop by to gather up some of
the Central Valley’s freshest produce. A special package of produce is available, pre-bagged, for a suggested donation of $5 to $10. Proceeeds from the sale of this special bag benefit the Central California Food Bank.
COMMUNITY PARTNER SPOTLIGHT the weekend.
The Central California Food Bank provides food to more than 220 agencies in Fresno, Madera, Kings, Kern and Tulare Counties and serve over 280,000 people each month totaling over 38 million pounds of food served in fiscal year 2016. Over the years, Central California Food Bank has added many new services for the families served, including farmers market style distributions through mobile pantries and neighborhood markets, a nutrition on wheels program where recipes and teaching demonstrations are provided to teach people how to prepare healthy food, using a
Because of the generosity of the local farming community over half of the product served is in fresh fruits and vegetables straight from the farm. This is critically important due to the ongoing challenges of diabetes and childhood obesity that are faced by many of the families served in the Central Valley. custom food truck. Ten local schools also have a BackPack program, whereby elementary school children are given a backpack with enough healthy food to serve their family for
You can help. Just one dollar provides seven meals and more. Your donation helps provide hope to your neighbors in need. To learn more, visit ccfoodbank. org.
GO BEHIND THE SCENES WITH RANDY KNORR
MANAGER’S LUNCHEON SATURDAY, AUGUST 10 11:30 AM FLEMING’S PRIME STEAKHOUSE & WINE BAR
Join us to catch up with and greet your favorite Grizzlies coaches and players. Hear Grizzlies Manager Randy Knorr talk about the 2019 season. $45 per adult or $400 for VIP tables (eight guests and two Grizzlies players.) Space is limited.
RESERVE YOUR SEAT OR TABLE TODAY ONLINE AT
OR BY CONTACTING MADELINE HAMADA AT 559-320-2542 OR MHAMADA@FRESNOGRIZZLIES.COM
Your Fresno Furniture And Houseware Rental Provider and Proud Sponsor of The Grizzlies. We furnish your home away from home. For Free Delivery Use Code “Grizzlies� This is a $100 Savings for Grizzly Fans! Order online @ efrental.com or call 800-933-3689
ON THE ROAD... Presented by
Q: What are your favorite road trip destinations? SS WILMER DIFO Miami Los Angeles Toronto
OF ALEC KELLER NYC Princeton, NJ Richmond, VA
C TAYLOR GUSHUE Chicago Dadeville, AL Islamorada, Florida Keys
OF/1B JOSE MARMOLEJOS NYC Miami Las Vegas
OF ANDREW STEVENSON Gulf Shores, AL Destin, FL Las Vegas
RHP KEVIN McGOWAN Las Vegas NYC Los Angeles
IF MATT REYNOLDS Telluride, CO San Diego Miami
MIKE WARREN, STRENGTH & CONDITIONING Charlotte, NC Park City, UT Salina, KS
CARPOOLING IS A TEAM SPORT!
LOUIE RAYA, CLUBHOUSE MANAGER Los Angeles Santa Barbara, CA Phoenix
Save Gas. Win Prizes. Help Reduce Air Pollution. Do you carpool to work or school at least 2 days a week? Then you’re our kind of Team Player! Be sure to sign up for the Measure C Carpool Incentive Program! You can’t strike out with the great incentives and prizes awarded to Carpool participants. Just log in your weekly carpool miles and you’ll be notified when you’re chosen at random to win!
Get all the details at www.ValleyRides.com or call (559) 441-RIDE (7433) to learn more. Register your carpool at
valleyrides.com
FresnoHOME Grizzlies Home RUN REDRun Red and&Wild Pitch White available WILD PITCH WHITE at Chukchansi Park, AVAILABLE AT Total Wine, FRESNO INSIDE CHUKCHANSI PARK, andSOCIAL www.agajanian.com. TOTAL WINE AND WWW.AGAJANIAN.COM!!
BRANDON SNYDER 1B / OF
47
Fresno Police Chaplaincy
E
ach year through
American Red Cross
Charitable giving, Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino proudly supports non-profits making a Downs Syndrome Assoc. of Central CA
positive impact in the lives of others throughout our local communities. Poverello House
Over the last 15 years, Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino has donated over
$18 million.
711 Lucky Lane Coarsegold, CA 93614 1-866-794-6946 chukchansigold.com