The End Is The Begining Is The End

Been super busy lately so I havent had time to write. All apologies. JC Sulbaran pitched for the Netherlands against Cuba in the Olympics the other day. It was such an amazing experience watching one of our guys throw on such a huge stage. He ended up with 4 2/3 6 k's against a vastly more experienced ball club. I cant wait to see how he does in pro ball.

Adrian Nieto has gotten off to a good start in the GCL for the Nationals. I know they're excited to have him and he is very excited to be there. I also ended up getting him all 4 major card deals so be on the look out for your new Adrian Nieto trading cards one of these days....

Im headed to huntsville tomorrow to see my marlins/brewers guys one more time before the season ends. Im glad the hurricane that passed over here is over and done with. What a waste of time. I hate nature sometimes but what can you do? And on a random note Mike Brantley, Omar Aguilar, Barret Browning, and Todd Doolittle all were named to Arizona Fall League rosters so congratulations to them.

Only thing left is for the season to end and for the Indians to pick their PTBNL already. At least Ive still got a secret.


Mahalo

J

I've Been Waiting For You

Well the Reds finally got it done today and got Juancarlos Sulbaran signed today. JC Got 500k plus school and the chance to play in the WBC. It's a great opportunity for JC and his family, but I suppose more to the point, a major coup for the Reds. JC as things stand now, is the Reds highest paid draft pick despite going in the 30th round. We expect big things from JC, he's pitching saturday against china in the olympics, and after that he returns stateside I believe. I'm relieved all the negotiating is over.

It's nice to have a couple of major deals to your name. Nieto and Sulbaran got major contract and it's a relieving feeling to not have to coast on potential anymore. In a way I feel like I myself have arrived somewhat and the best is yet to come.

Brent Brewer is amazing. He makes a game saving play the other night, then the following ab hits a walkoff then today hits another bomb and had three or four hits. He's a special guy and I cant believe anyone would doubt his ability.

Saw Brevard play today as per usual. Green/Chappy on the DL so only Brewer played. Staying at the team hotel. Nieto has his first game tomorrow. Those are the updates

Mahalo

J

This Is The First Day Of My Life

I stayed up until three in the morning to go to the airport to pickup my father who was coming back from the players association meetings in new york last night. Thats all well and good since I usually stay up until three am anyway however on this special occasion I had the great pleasure of waking up at six in the freaking morning because I had a spur of the moment road trip planned to go take Adrian Nieto to Melbourne for his first day as a professional. I picked up Adrian where it all began for us (American Heritage, not cuba) and away we went. The drive was about 180 miles but seemed to go rather quickly. We talked at length about what the future might hold and how today probably would go. It was one of those rare moments where you can actual watch a player transition right in front of your very eyes in the matter of a few moments. Before we walked in to the facility he was still just the kid I knew from AHS, and after he goes through those doors, he's property of the Nationals. And like that, his career has begun. Hilariously, I am almost certain the people in the front office had a real hard time accepting that I was the guy that guy this player 376k in the 5th round. I looked half dead, sweatshirt, jeans and slightly torn nike's. I thanked them for allowing me to be there and told them to pass along a thank you note to the front office for not banning me from the facility after our negotiations. (kidding) I love getting those "what the hell?" looks from everyone in this business. Ill keep doing my thing and just keep surprising everyone each day I stay alive in this business. It's interesting watching all the reactions to say the least but what can you do?

Today Adrian took his physical and I believe if all goes well he will have his first game on thursday in Jupiter against the GCL Cardinals. We're going to dinner tonight with a few of my Brewers clients that live in Melbourne (Taylor Green, Brent Brewer, Stephen Chapman) so it's going to be nice to at least introduce him to some of our clients on the pro side of things to help make his transition go a bit more smoothly. On a business note I finished three trading card deals for him today which is always fantastic and I think I am close to a massive equipment deal. We shall see. Hopefully I have one more monster announcement before friday. And on a final note, Adrian really appreciate all the support the fans have been giving him and cant wait to show everyone what he can do.

Mahalo

J

A Savage Journey To The Heart Of The American Dream

It's better late than never, however I am very happy to announce the signing of Adrian Nieto to the Washington Nationals Baseball Club. Adrian and his family would like to thank the entire front office of the Washington Nationals including but not limited to, Dana Brown, Bob Boone, Tony Arrango, Stan Kasten, Mike Rizzo and the Lerner Family for helping this deal come to fruition. It was a long process, however Adrian looks forward to reporting to the GCL this week so he can at long last get his pro career started. This is a dream that began in Cuba for Adrian, a dream that was nurtured in the States and was able to finally come true here today. Adrians life long aspiration is to play in the Major Leagues and now that he has signed a professional contract he is one step closer to reaching his ultimate goal. I would like to commend Mike Rizzo on all of his hard work that went into getting this deal done and I look forward to Adrian and the Nationals having a long and fruitful relationship from here on out.

Thats the big news, and as a note to fans, try and keep the faith sometimes. It is a business after all. Thankfully 10 years from now nobody is going to remember how you Adrian got started, it's what he does now that matters.

Mahalo

J

No music today, a much more relevant video.

Taylor Green Video Link

Just adding this, will hopefully blog later.


http://mfile.akamai.com/14668/wmv/milb.download.akamai.com/14668/2008/atm/video/061408_fslasg_green_400.wmv

If You're Going To Be Crazy, You Have To Get Paid For It Or Else You're Going To Be Locked Up.

In another random hotel in another not so random city. Im in orlando today and actually got half a day to go to Universal Studios with the bossman. See I am human after all. On the phone most of the day as per usual especially with the draft deadline approaching. The eastcoast professional showcase was this weekend but for 1000.00 dollars to enter........ well you get the point. I would like to finish up my 2008 guys before I worry about 2009. One foot in front of the other. Also got another massive autograph deal for Lorenzo Cain this week. So awesome for him and his family. I'm happy to have helped.

Met up with Taylor Green's parents who were in from BC last night in Brevard county. What an awesome family to be around. Had dinner with Stephen Chapman, Casey Mulligan and Brian Cartie over at the local Chilli's. Brent Brewer was exhausted and of course Taylor was with family so it wasnt a big post game crowd. It was your run of the mill night in the florida state league. No amusing stories, no hilarious situations. Well, Chapman put me in a chokehold as usual but I mean come on, really? I'm 5'8 on a good day, like I ever stood a chance..... Chapman is awesome, I love that guy.

http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080801&content_id=3235546&vkey=news_mil&fext=.jsp&c_id=mil

Thats the link to the Green story.....

An awesome article was posted on mlb.com I believe on Taylor Green. It's dead on and just a terrific story. Thats it for today.

Mahalo

J

Grandma Take Me Home

Back from San Jose then seven hours later hit the road and now Im in Vierra Florida. Im going to see the Brevard guys again for about the 700th time this season. They're semi-local so at least it makes sense. The trade deadline came and went for me quietly which is a nice relief (I dont have to travel anywhere thank god). The manny trade was good for a couple of my players. Josh Bell has one less roadblock to the show while Sean Danielson has one less OF to worry about now that Brandon Moss is gone. Hopefully both guys make the most of their opportunity (I know they will)

Spent three quality days with Darren in SF. I enjoyed helping him get setup out there. It's one of those things that doesnt come with the job description but it's important to adapt with what the job brings you. We went to the local mall where someone in the Giants team store recognized him. He signed a ball for the guy and that was that. It's an interesting experience watching someone grow up and become "known" right in front of your eyes. Darren is a long way away from celebrity but this is one of those awkward first steps. Enjoy anonymity while it lasts, once it's gone it's gone for good.

Tired as hell which is to be expected. Im a walking zombie. Ill update again when I can with hopefully a better story or five. Anything worth doing is worth doing right.


Mahalo

J