News and Notes

With the first portion of the season over, let’s take a look at some of the events of the early season:

In the National League, the Los Angeles Trojans have streaked out of the gate to post a league-best 26-8 record. The long time Fish Taco team move to its new and improved digs in Los Angeles, and so far the team has responded well to their new home. The fans have also responded, coming out in droves and becoming something an “in” spot for local celebrities, including Tom Cruise, Jeff Bridges and Cameron Diaz among others.

“It’s great to see the fans out here supporting us. With all the money in this town, it’s great to see the production that goes into our home games.” Said Brian Evers, the slugging Trojan 1B. “It was a little overwhelming at first, I was even rumored to be to dating Emma Stone at one point! But things have settled down, and it’s been great.”

In the American League, the New York Bombers have rallied around their fallen hurler, Julio Saenz and posted a ML best 28-6 record. The Bombers, one of the few remaining original Clarkson teams, were dealt a devastating blow early in the season with the loss of Saenz, who may be out up to two years recovering. However the Bombers have come together, and are currently being led by one of the all-time greats in Raul Urbina, who was acquired in the offseason after leaving Jackson.

“I had a great run in Jackson, but it feels great to be here in New York on the big stage. I’ve had a great career, and I don’t know how many years I have left after my current contract runs out.” The Clarkson great said in a recent interview, “So I’m just trying to maximize my time and enjoy it as much as possible. Hopefully I can help push the Bombers to a World Series title this year, and next for that matter.”

In International news, the Cincinnati Scallywags made a huge acquisition after negotiating the rights to Cuban defector Kiki Navarre. Navarre looks to be a sure-fire all-star with electric stuff, and the Scallywags had to pay top dollar to get him. It has been an interesting ride for Navarre to say the least:

“In Cuba, it is a very hard life from where I am from.” Navarre said through a translator, “We had very little, and it was hard to find the equipment to play baseball. My uncle gave me a glove one year for my birthday, but I think he might have stolen it. I used that glove every day until I was discovered by some scouts from America. Now I am here and very happy, and look forward to buying a new glove.”

It has been an exciting year so far in Clarkson, and we all are looking forward to see what happens next. Until next time, you stay classy Hard Ball Dynasty.

Saenz Health Scare

Tragedy strikes in New York, as a serious injury has claimed one of the Bombers brightest stars. In the second inning of last nights game against the Philadelphia Flame Throwers, SP Julio Saenz began to complain of odd feelings in his pitching arm and pain in his fingers. Precautionary tests were run at the stadium, the results of which caused alarm with Bombers officials. Saenz was rushed to a nearby hospital for further tests and kept overnight, but was released this morning.

Julio Saenz, the Bombers' 28-year-old star pitcher, is suffering from complications of a rare type of aneurysm in an artery in his right shoulder that most likely developed from the motion he used to deliver countless pitches during his career, according to a doctor familiar with his case.

Blood clots that formed in the aneurysm near the shoulder apparently broke off and blocked blood flow, causing tingling and pain in his fingers and making his ring finger turn white. Medication has apparently alleviated the potentially dangerous problem in Saenz's fingers. But the prime problem -- the aneurysm in his arm -- remains and will require surgery.

It is not clear if or when Saenz will be able to return to the team. But two other pitchers on minor league teams who developed similar aneurysms had the problem corrected surgically and one of them has resumed playing professional baseball.

Officials of Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City, where Saenz continued to be treated yesterday, have refused to discuss his case. The Bombers were unclear about the medical plans for Saenz, saying that additional opinions were being gathered from doctors.

An aneurysm is a ballooning of an artery that results when diseases or injury weaken the inner lining of the blood vessel. They can occur anywhere in the body. The most common type results from arteriosclerosis and occurs in the aorta, or main artery leading from the heart. Many aneurysms in the brain result from congenital weakening of the lining of an artery.

The type of aneurysm Saenz developed resulted from the mechanical stress of his pitching motion.

Although rare, this type is being recognized more commonly in such athletes as handball and volleyball players, kayak enthusiasts and a range of others who perform strenuous shoulder rotation movements.

“It was quite a scare for us last night, but thankfully the prognosis for Julio’s long term health is good after surgery. We’re unsure when or if he will return to baseball, but right now, his health is the top priority, of course.” said Max Schmidt, VP of Baseball Operations for the Bombers.

We here at the Clarkson Gazette wish a speedy recovery to Saenz.