Happy New Year 2014

Its been a nice holiday season, one that has kept me busy enough enjoying the tidings and away from the blog. Not that there isnt plenty to cover!

 like....

BYE BYE BILLY

Gardner hands the lineup card to the umps

Billy Gardner Jr taking the manager job with the Nationals AAA team in Harrisburg PA. I think its great for them, and maybe sucks for us. We lose one of the best managers in the minors, not just the Southern League. How valuable is he? Not only did Montgomery's newspaper cover it, but so did Birmingham, Mobile and Jacksonville. They know it likely means a few less wins for the Biscuits!

Its great for Billy, who finally gets to enjoy having a job AND seeing his lawn grow in the summer for the first time in who knows how long.

It should be even better for the Nationals, who get the benefit of Gardners experience and on field ability as well as his mentoring skills. Its a well deserved promotion.


WHO REPLACES HIM?
Ah, tough question!
It could mean an opening for Jim Morrison to finally take the helm. MrMojo has been at the helm for Single-A Port Charlotte since they arrived in 2009, though this past year he was skippering the Rookie league Rays.

Or perhaps Stone Crabs manager Brady Williams gets the job and moves up a level. Brady, son of legendary manager Jimy Williams, his first manager assignment was to skipper the 2009 Hudson Valley Renegades. Previously Williams had coached for the Rays following his exit from minor-league ball in 2005. On the upside, Williams has been to the playoffs twice in the past three years!

It could also be an opening for a new face in the Tampa coaching chain, someone maybe not yet in the organization.


ANDERSON JAPANESE GIANT BISCUIT
Leslie Anderson, former Biscuits 1b/Of, has signed with the Yomiuri Giants of the NPB. He officially becomes the first Japanese Giant Biscuit!

Leslie Anderson and Fidel Castro

ORIGINAL GIANT BISCUIT
Of course, the VERY first Giant-Biscuit is Jean Machi - the former Skitz RP has done well in the SanFran bullpen. Hes posted a 2.87 ERA in 59 games the past two years, finishing out 14 games for the Gigantes.

Listed at six foot, 260lbs, Jean Machi is a Giant in more ways than one!

AROUND THE HORN
Other teams have already announced their double-A field staffs. Mobile brings back Andy Green to defend the league title.

The Tn Smokies will welcome back Buddy Bailey to the helm, along with new pitching coach Storm Davis. Davis is a two-time World Series champ who won over 110 games for seven MLB teams during a career that spanned 12 seasons.

Razor Shines 2005

The Chattanooga Lookouts have a new skipper, Razor Shines. Shines is a legend to the people of Indianapolis and has managed in the Southern league previously - having captained the Bham Barons from 2004-05.