Shredders Tell Sparks to Take a Long Walk Off a Short Go **** Yourself| Hitting the High Notes TN 60.07

[Chuck V]

Before the season, the Austin Shredders had high hopes for Bryce Sparks. The right hander was coming off a season as the closer for the Rocky Mountain Oysters where he posted a career high 21 saves. GM Chuck Valenches figured that they had plugged the holes of a leaky bullpen. Austin signed the 33 year old to a one year $7 million dollar deal.
Sparks never lived up to his end. He started the season on the IL with back stiffness and got his schwantz knocked off in the only two innings he threw in April. Things did not improve much as the season wore on. Sparks blew five of nine save opportunities and was quickly relegated farther back in the bullpen. Sparks complained. He claimed that if he were put back in the closers role he could really show the front office staff something, but the front office had had enough of Sparks. A ninth inning meltdown vs Phoenix on July 29th in which he blew a 4-2 lead and an eight inning, one hit stellar performance by Glenn Hargrove. That sealed the fate of Bryce Sparks. A visibly frustrated Valenches was on the phone before the game even ended and five days later Sparks was sent packing to Dayton, Ohio area where he could ruin the hopes of the Yellow Springs 9. In exchange for Sparks, the Shredders received reliever Michael Dixon who had pitched his way off the Yellow Springs Christmas card list.

It is hoped the change of scenery will benefit both players and lower the blood pressure of both GMs who were sick of looking at the two. Dixon will join the Austin bullpen for their August 2nd tilt versus the Mexico City Aztecs.

[Jwalk100]

th.jpeg (19.5 KiB) Viewed 1102 times

Found it!

[Trebro]

haha this is great!

[RonCo]

.401 BABIP. Yeesh.

[Trebro]

He's played closer to his typical numbers with us but I also have him in middle relief not closing.