Last season, Dillon Gee was one of the Cyclones best pitchers, amassing a 3-1 record with a 2.47 ERA and only nine walks in 62 innings. Recently assigned to the Mets high-A affiliate in St. Lucie, Gee is climbing the organizational ladder and could find himself in the big leagues one day. Chatting over the phone from St. Lucie, Gee talked about his experience in Brooklyn last year and what to expect from him in the future.

Dem Brooklyn Bums: This was the first time you had to prepare for a year of professional baseball. Considering that you jumped right into action with the Cyclones last year after a long college season, how did this offseason go for you?

Dillon Gee: I don’t think I went about it any differently than I did in college. All I did was put on some weight and work on some fundamentals like I usually do. In a situation like that, all you can do is work hard and hope everything goes well for you. Right now I feel good and I’m ready to start the season.

DBB: What were your goals going into the offseason?

Gee: I was pretty worn out at the end of last season because of the college season and playing in Brooklyn, so my main goal was to put on some weight. I had to recharge my batteries and get some weight back. I feel great now. I always made sure I ate well and worked out a lot. You always want to get a little heavier during the offseason because you lose plenty of weight during Spring Training. They really work you hard down there. My biggest goal was to make a team out of Spring Training and they told me I’m going to high-A in St. Lucie, so I’m really happy about that. I just hope I can be as successful over here as I was in Brooklyn.

DBB: Considering how fast you were sent to Brooklyn after you were drafted, where you nervous at all last season?

Gee: I’m not going to lie and say I wasn’t. I was really nervous. I went from playing at a school where we got 10 fans a game to Brooklyn where they get 7,000. I was definitely nervous my first couple of outings, but after a while the crowd and the atmosphere helped me stay strong out there and play well under pressure.

DBB: Out of college, your numbers weren’t as good as some of the other players. Did you feel like you had something to prove? Were you happy with the way things turned out?

Gee: I definitely felt like I had something to prove, considering that I was drafted in the 21^st round and didn’t have great numbers in college. I wouldn’t say I was totally satisfied with how the season went because I don’t think anyone is ever totally satisfied, but I do think I had a good season.

DBB: Do you have any favorite games from last season that you still remember?

Gee: To be honest, my favorite games last year were the ones that I was on the bench for. I still remember when Matt Bouchard hit that walk-off home run; that was crazy. I remember when we were on top of the division and trying to secure a playoff spot and how much fun we had as a team. Those guys were so much fun to play with and fun to hang out with in the locker room. Those are the things I remember the most.

DBB: What was it like playing with those guys last season?

Gee: I have never come across a group of guys like that in my career. We all came from different states and different schools and we didn’t know each other from Adam, but when we got on the field it was like we knew each other and had played together our whole lives. It was the best team I’ve ever played on by far just because of the comradery we all had. It was awesome.

DBB: You wowed fans last season with your control. Is that something you’re going to try and do this season in St. Lucie? Have you been working on any new pitches?

Gee: When I’m out on the field, I like to get out of every inning throwing as few pitches as possible. I don’t like to be out on the field for a long period of time. I can throw strikes and that’s what I do. I want the hitter to take swings at my pitches and put the ball in play. There’s no reason to be fancy out there and just stand around. As far as any new pitches I’m working on, I’m still refining the pitches I have [fastball, changeup and slider] and trying to get better. Overall, I’m pretty happy with my repertoire.

DBB: Do you know of any other Cyclones from last year that are going to be in St. Lucie with you this year? Is that going to make things easier for you?

Gee: Matt Bouchard, Stephen Clyne, Will Morgan, Dylan Owen, Brant Rustich and Lucas Duda are all going to be there. I know I’m going to have to prove myself all over again there, but playing with guys that know my game and are comfortable around me is going to make things a little easier. I think it’s going to be fun having all of them around.

DBB: How has St. Lucie been treating you? Have you ever been there before?

Gee: I’ve only been here since Spring Training, so I really haven’t been here very long. I like it though; it’s a lot like Texas as far as the weather is concerned. It’s really easy to get loose and I’m really excited about getting started this year.

DBB: In a perfect world, what do you think your stats will look like this season?

Gee: It’s kind of hard to guess how many starts I’m going to get, but I think in a perfect world, I’d have a lot more wins than losses and keep my walks down. Also, I try to maintain a solid WHIP and strikeout to walk ratio. If I can do that, then I’ll be happy.

Photos by Jim Dolan and Daniel Wos

With a few more days until the regular season starts, I’ll have a better idea of who is winding up where in the organization and I can get a little less reminiscent on this site. It’s not that I don’t like telling stories about players I’ve encountered over the past couple of years; I just want to be a little more current.

Anyway, enjoy this piece about one of the Cyclones’ most effective and unusual pitchers in their history.

I still remember when Jake Ruckle got “demoted” to Brooklyn in the summer of 2006. He was pitching well in St.Lucie, but the ‘Clones were struggling big time and needed reinforcements. In the span of a week, guys like Joe Holden, Jonathan Sanchez, John Malo and Grady Hinchman were all in Keyspan and in the lineup or on the field in one way or another. While Sanchez and Malo struggled and were eventually shipped out of there, Holden, Hinchman and Ruckle thrived with the latter looking phenomenal early on and through most of the season.

Anyone that hasn’t seen Ruckle pitch is missing out on a pretty cool experience. Kind of a combination of Satchel Page and Orlando Hernandez, Ruckle has such great deception that it’s virtually impossible to get a hint of what pitch he’s throwing until after it’s out of his hand. By then, it’s already too late.

I still remember asking him where he came up with his crazy delivery and thanks to some old-school archiving on my official site, I still have the quote:

“I have a scout that signed me with the New York Mets; his name is Dave Birecki,” said Ruckle, who the Mets drafted in the 41^st round of the 2004 draft. “When I was just coming out of high school, he asked me to try and create some deception or something and I asked him what I should do and he said, ‘Just try to flare your front arm up.’ I kind of exaggerated a little bit and I’ve always had kind of a high leg kick, so I started doing that and I liked it. It felt comfortable right from the get go. So far it’s worked for me and I’ll continue to use it. I like it, it’s different. You don’t see any other guy like that.”

I used to joke around in the press box during games that season [and still do time from time] and call pitches before they leave the pitchers hand. Let’s just say I would have been a good guy to have around on the ’51 Giants ha-ha. I would have fit right in with the telescopes and the sign stealers. Anyway, while I was able to pick up on several pitchers motions, Ruckle’s was so challenging to crack that when he would pitch, I was always behind on my recap and would have to buzz through it after he left the game, that’s how much fun he was to watch.

To go along with his unbelievable deception, the guy had pinpoint control as well, walking only eight batters in 81 innings for Brooklyn. The only problem was he didn’t throw very hard, having a fastball in the mid-80s that didn’t have much movement. As the season wore on, people started taking advantage of it and his ERA climbed to a still respectable 3.38 by the seasons end. Nonetheless, despite his bumpy patch over the last quarter of that season, he was still a fan favorite and someone the fans loved to watch.

By the way guys, I should have an interview with 2007 Cyclone Dillon Gee up by Friday, as we’re scheduled to have a phone interview sometime during the night.

Photos taken by Conroy Walker

It’s funny how this week turned out. I was so busy that I didn’t have time to set up a few stories that I wanted to work on, but while listening through some old tape, I came across a gem. You see, in August, one of my friends wanted to start a music website and since Jason Jacobs had a few awesome walk-up tunes, I figured I’d interview him for the site. The only problem was the site never really launched and I never got a chance to use this. Nonetheless, it’s a fun piece that shows the softer and human side of the former Cyclones slugger.

Jacobs Has His Own Soundtrack

Playing professional baseball is often deemed as an occupation filled with plenty of glitz and glamour, but it’s not that way for everyone, especially young players trying to work their way up to the big leagues. Unlike players in the major leagues, most minor leaguers make their way across the country to their games by bus rather than plane and have to carry their own bags. During these long journeys, most minor leaguers develop an intimate relationship with their iPods, listening to their favorite tracks to not only pass the time, but to get them ready for work.

Mets prospect Jason Jacobs is no different. As a matter of fact, judging by the music that played every time he stepped up to the plate last season, which ranged from songs by Queens of the Stone Age, Audioslave and Red Hot Chili Peppers, music plays a huge part in his life and career. At times last season it was hard to figure out what was more entertaining, listening to the music that played when Jacobs approached the plate or watching him hit, as he slugged 12 home runs and 46 RBI with the Cyclones last season.

Talking about his musical tastes, Jacobs sat down with DemBrooklynBums.com and talked about what music inspires him while on the job in addition to some of his all-time favorites.

DemBrooklynBums.com You have four great songs that accompany you to the plate and they really get a reaction from the fans. Did you pick all of them and are you a fan of theirs?

Jason Jacobs: I actually only picked two of those songs, the Red Hot Chili Peppers one [“Californication”] and the Audioslave track [“Show Me How to Live”]. The other ones the PA announcers picked for me. I really love the Chili Peppers – I always have and that Audioslave song is really good.

DBB: How long have you liked the Chili Peppers?

Jacobs: Oh, man. Since, like, forever. I’ve been listening to them since “Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magik.” It’s one of my all-time favorite CDs. They got pretty complex lyrics, they’re not just stupid rhymes or anything. I really like what they have to say in their songs. The bass is really good, the guitars are great and so are the vocals. They have everything.

DBB: What about Audioslave? Are you a big Chris Cornell fan?

Jacobs: Yeah, I love his stuff. I also like the guitarist in the band, even though I can’t remember his name at the moment [Tom Morello]. I like their lyrics too, and it’s really fun to just relax and jam to their stuff.

DBB: Do you play any instruments?

Jacobs: I played piano when I was younger and my sister Jaime taught me a few songs, but I never really got into it.

DBB: What do you listen to out on the road?

Jacobs: Most of the time, I’ll throw on some Led Zeppelin and just cruise to that. As far as what I listen to from them, it depends on what mood I’m in. “Kashmir” is a great song and “Tangerine” is a good one, kind of reminds me of going to California. Again, like the other artists I’ve mentioned, I love their lyrics and how they go about their business.

DBB: If you could chill out with any musician for a night, who would it be and why?

Jacobs: Considering the way I was raised, with my parents playing a lot of older music, I think it would have to be John Lennon. I really like his stuff. I’d love to hang out with him for a night and just talk music. Jimmy Buffett would be my second choice, just because I think he would be a fun guy to hang out with and you can tell he knows how to have a good time.

DBB: You go through any musical phases growing up that you’re not too fond of now?

Jacobs: I used to listen to listen to a lot of rap, stuff like Master P, but it doesn’t really hold up for me anymore. I listen to Tupac [Shakur] from time to time – he’s still good. But I still look back sometimes and say, “What the heck was I thinking?” It’s totally different from what I listen to now.

DBB: Can you name five songs you have on your iPod right now?

Jacobs: Drive-By Truckers’ “Outfit”, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Hard to Concentrate,” “Can’t Stop,” “Dani California ” and “Otherside.” I also have plenty of Audioslave, Sublime and Rage Against the Machine. I think I’m definitely a rocker.

DBB After a long, hard day of playing baseball, if you had a chance to listen to one song to relax to, what would it be?

Jacobs: Definitely “Outfit” by the Drive-By Truckers. I love that song.

Photos by Daniel Wos  and Conroy Walker

When I think of some of the best players I’ve ever seen play in Keyspan Park, Jason Jacobs is probably one of the first that comes to mind. Joining the team after the college World Series in 2006, Jacobs immediately assumed a leadership role and made the New York Penn-League All-Star team for his efforts. However, much like Matt Bouchard last season, Jacobs made the team primarily for his defensive skills and his ever-blossoming ability at managing a pitching staff. That’s not to say that he wasn’t a capable hitter, but with a .217 average and only two homers in ‘06, he wasn’t exactly Carlton Fisk.

The first time I saw him last season though, he looked like he was busy eating steak and potatoes all winter in addition to working out like a madman. About 10 pounds heavier, Jacobs almost looked like a different player all together. As the season progressed, he supported that notion, hitting 12 homers and knocking in 46 runs in only 66 games. In the locker room the year before, Jacobs, alongside guys like Dustin Martin [who was traded to Minnesota as a part of the Luis Castillo deal] and Tobi Stoner were the vocal leaders on the team, but in 2007, there was no mistaking it. This was Jacobs’ team. Every player looked up to him like a big brother and depended on him to produce.

Seeing him develop from a college player who just finished a long season the year before to this blossoming young star was extremely fun for me. Truth be told, a lot of the writers didn’t have particularly high hopes for him when the season got started, but that didn’t mean they weren’t secretly pushing for him. Unlike a few of the other players I’ve mentioned in prior posts that the media was absolutely petrified of, Jacobs was always an easy guy to talk to. As a matter of fact, I think if the Cyclones had a “Good Guy” award, I probably would have nominated him for it.

For example, last season and the year before that, yours truly was focused on catching a foul ball in the press box. Journalists aren’t allowed autographs and any other type of gift from players as it poses a conflict of interest, but a foul ball is totally fair game. I had a few opportunities to get one, but they were always snagged by my cohorts, most notably the Wave of Long Island Sports Editor and good buddy of mine Elio Velez, who had one bounce off of a million things in the press box to only roll right over to him without him even having to get out of his chair.

Anyway, one game in July, while yours truly was stocking up on soda in the inside part of the press box, Jacobs hits a screamer right into the press box that smacked right off the now shatter-proof glass [ask any of the older writers what the first season in Keyspan was like] and then my laptop. Once it hit the floor, I opened the door and got it before anyone else could. However, I had a bigger problem, my laptop was off now. Luckily, it turned on again with no problem [I’m using it right now actually] and I could gloat the rest of the night about my accomplishment and still write.

After the game, I showed Jacobs the ball and joked that he almost broke my laptop. Most players would have just laughed it off, but Jacobs actually apologized to me for it. You could see in his eyes that he even felt bad for it. It was kind of funny to me how a guy that didn’t have to care about something like that managed to affect him. That’s why I think the writers really loved the guy. He knew that we all had a tough job and he made sure he never turned anyone down for a quick quote or interview.

Upon interviewing the guy over two dozen times over the past two years, I can tell you that he’s definitely looking to get a roster spot on a team out of spring training, something that managed to elude him last year. If he can continue to produce like he did last season, he’ll get it easily. If that roster spot is given to the player with the most class and heart, he’ll start every game this year.

Photos by Daniel Wos 

As I’ve told you guys a few times before, 2006 was my first year covering the team. That year for me was out of this world, simply because I was finally doing what I’ve always wanted to do, which is of course, be a beat writer and cover a professional baseball team. Young reliever Josh Appell was also living his dream that summer, playing first for the Mets former Single-A affiliate the Hagerstown Suns and then in Brooklyn where he played the entire season. The only problem was things weren’t going nearly as well for him as he would have hoped.

For those who don’t know, Appell is a University of Pennsylvania graduate, making him a tremendously smart cookie. He’s probably one of my favorite interviews of all-time too based on the fact that he’s extremely intelligent and really explains the answers to the questions you ask him. Simply put, I [And I’m sure several other reporters feel this way too], feel that Appell could do anything he wanted with his life and doesn’t need to play professional baseball. After posting a 5.40 ERA in nine appearances and basically wasting away in George Greer’s bullpen in 2006 however, not many people thought Appell was going to be a player to watch in 2007.

However, Appell came to Brooklyn in 2007 with a secret weapon, a slider. Already armed with a solid fastball, a changeup and a curveball, Appell was a totally different pitcher, as his new pitch danced over the strike zone all season long. Having problems with his control in 2006, naturally from not being used enough, Appell exhibited pinpoint control for most of the season and was one of Edgar Alfonzo’s favorite guys out of the pen. In 24 games last season, Appell had a 3.68 ERA, despite some bumpy terrain over the last half of the season that caused his ERA to jump about a run and a half. Nevertheless, it was still clear that Appell had made a name for himself in Brooklyn and that he’d get a shot somewhere else in the organization in the future.

To see a guy in the bullpen all season the year before, just sitting there, bored, just waiting to be used, to becoming a vital cog in a team’s pitching staff was a very fun process. Seeing Appell’s confidence grow as the season went on was also a great experience, as he went from being a happy-go lucky kind of guy to one that was truly confident in his abilities and was modest about it. When I first started doing this, I was always skeptical of the type of personalities I’d encounter amongst the players and if they’d be the kind of guys I would really want to write stories about. Appell was one of the players that really had a story to tell and made me realize how much fun covering Minor League baseball could be if you were willing to dig and get to know the players and understand why they were here.

After two years of watching him play, I know why Appell is trying to make a name for himself in baseball, rather than earn a six-figure salary somewhere else; he loves the game.

Again, like some of the other ‘Clones I’ve mentioned over the past few weeks, I highly doubt we’ll be seeing Josh Appell around Coney Island again, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be missed by anyone.

Photo by Jim Dolan