On Fourth of July weekend, with the Iowa general assembly in recess, District 1 Representative J.D. Scholten was spending his time as he often did, at a Sioux City Explorers game.
He enjoyed a bratwurst and a few beers while taking in a game of the team he pitched for from 2003 to 2007, following a standout college career first at local Morningside and then Nebraska.
Explorers pitchers weren't having nearly as much fun playing the game. They were mired in a stretch during which manager Steve Montgomery had depleted the staff. In one game, he used 10 pitchers.
"One of the people as I was walking out jokingly said, 'Oh, they need to get you a uniform,' Scholten said. "And I just laughed it off."
Montgomery wasn't laughing. His pitching staff was taxed. His scheduled starter for the July 6 game was injured. So he put out a call to Scholten, asking if the 44-year-old had anything in the tank.
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Denne historien er fra November 2024-utgaven av Baseball America.
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THE SERVICE TIME CONUNDRUM
MLB’s byzantine service time rules cloud rookie status and now PPI eligibility
LUIS TIANT WAS MLB'S MOST SUCCESSFUL CUBAN PITCHER
On a scouting trip to Cuba in 1957, Bobby Avila discovered 16-year-old righthander Luis Tiant on the island's Juvenile League all-star team.
ORGANIZATION REPORT
Outfielder Heston Kjerstad's career has been unique, to say the least.
TOP 10 NL EAST
From the moment Thomas White stepped on a high school mound, he was viewed as the top lefthander available in the 2023 draft.
PREPARATION PAYS OFF
lowa politician J.D. Scholten makes a surprising return to pro ball at age 44
MAKING THE GRADE
Assessing the future value of graduated National League prospects
TOP 10 NL WEST
Even in high school, Bryce Eldridge could hit the ball a mile. The 6-foot-7 righthander could also touch 96 mph off the mound.
Wood Has Towering Upside- Nationals rookie James Wood also stands 6-foot-7 and also has game-changing power.
Aaron Judge and Oneil Cruz are 6-foot7 sluggers who stand out for their power in this year’s MLB Best Tools voting. Wood spent half of this season with Triple-A Rochester before making his MLB debut on July 1. While he was in the International League, he captured managers’ attention. Wood unanimously won Best Power Prospect and also claimed Most Exciting Player in a survey of league skippers. Wood hit .353/.463/.595 with 10 home runs in 52 games for Rochester. His .242 isolated slugging was the best for a player 21 or younger at Triple-A this season.
ROAD BLOCK?
Scholarship expansion puts mid-majors at a major disadvantage on the road to Omaha
ROYALS REVIVAL
A revamped and rejuvenated farm system has Kansas City ready to rebound
