I attended a 66ers game and the Lake Elsinore Storm were the visiting guests. After the game I stuck around and waited for the Storm manager, Jamie Quirk. Jamie had a very lengthy major league career with a number of teams.

I didn’t take a picture with Jamie since I didn’t take a camera with me.

Facts about Jamie

• Full name is James Patrick Quirk.
• Attended Whittier College.
• Drafted in the 1st round of the 1972 amateur draft.
• 1985 World Series champion.
• Had a very long 18 year major league career.

Wikipedia

The Modesto Nuts made a trip to San Bernardino to visit the 66ers. Yes, the Modesto Nuts. It’s probably the most odd team name in the California League.

Former big league pitcher Dave Burba, is the Nuts pitching coach. Dave has had that gig for the past few seasons now, but this was the first time that I was able to attend while he was in town.

Facts about Dave

• Full name is David Allen Burba.
• Attended Ohio State University.
• Was drafted in the 2nd round of the 1987 amateur draft.
• Won a career high 16 games in 2000.
• Had a 15 year major league career.

Baseball Reference

After the Jethawks and 66ers game, I stuck around and waited for Denny Hocking. Denny is the new manager of the 66ers and played 13 seasons in the big leagues.

Last season Denny managed the Angels’ rookie-level team in Arizona.

Facts about Denny

• Full name is Dennis Lee Hocking.
• Attended El Camino College.
• Was drafted in the 52nd round of the 1989 MLB Draft.
• Played every position in the big leagues except pitcher and catcher.
• Had a 13 year major league career.

Wikipedia

On May 3rd, 2014, Christopher John Cron made his Major League debut with the Anaheim Angels. C.J. went 3-for-5 with two runs batted in.

C.J. spent the entire 2012 season at Class A Inland Empire, where he hit 27 home runs with 123 runs batted in.

I want to wish C.J. the best of luck in the big leagues.

I attended my first Inland Empire 66ers game of the season. The 66ers don’t just have a new look this season, they also have a few new faces on their coaching staff.

Former major leaguer Matt Wise, is the new pitching coach for the 66ers. If the name sounds a little familiar, it’s because he’s a member of the Angels’ 2002 World Series team.

Matt Herges always signs everything I bring for him to sign.

According to MLB Prospects Watch, Chris Anderson is the 5th ranked prospect in the Dodgers organization.

According to MLB Prospects Watch, Julio Urias is the 3rd ranked prospect in the Dodgers organization. It’s hard to believe he’s playing in the California League at just 17 years old.