Yakima Bears 2009 Review

The 2009 Yakima Bears finished 28-48, which was last in the eight-team Northwest League and the worst record among the seven Arizona Diamondbacks affiliates. A couple of standout performances brightened what was otherwise another dismal season for the D-backs' Short-Season affiliate.   Full Story

After beginning the season 10-0, the newly-named Visalia Rawhide were 22 games under .500 the rest of the way. Armed with a renovated ballpark to go along with their new name, logo, uniforms, and mascot, however, the Rawhide set a franchise record for attendance   Full Story

The play of indefatigable defensive ends Cullen Jenkins and Johnny Jolly was a big reason for the success against Matt Forte, Jay Cutler and Greg Olsen. Without B.J. Raji to give them a break, Jenkins and Jolly earned game balls in consistently keeping the Bears in third-and-long situations and allowing Dom Capers to use his bag of tricks.   Full Story

Matt Helm delivered two clutch hits for the Bears, including the game-winner in the bottom of the twelfth inning, as the Yakima Bears topped the Spokane Indians 4-3 to complete their first series sweep of the season Monday night. Daniel Taylor continued his dominance, culminating in a Player of the Month Award for the starting pitcher.   Full Story

Dan Taylor carried a no-hitter into the sixth and Ryan Wheeler collected the game-winning walkoff RBI in the Yakima Bears' 10th-inning victory Friday night.  Taylor now boasts a 1.59 ERA in six starts and Wheeler continues to be the best hitter in the Northwest League.   Full Story

Outside linebackers Clay Matthews III and Jeremy Thompson sustained injuries, plus more from Thursday night.   Full Story

A look at musical chairs on the offensive line, the return of Cullen Jenkins, and more...   Full Story

In Part 8 of our position-by-position look at training camp, we look at a group that must rebound after an injury-plagued and ineffective season. The potential is there, with the addition of B.J. Raji and a healthy Cullen Jenkins.   Full Story

In Part 5 of our position-by-position look at training camp, we look at a position that slipped in 2008. Can Donald Lee bounce back and can Jermichael Finley play to his potential?   Full Story

Rawhide southpaw Pat McAnaney pitched a scoreless 10th to get the victory in the Cal/Car All-Star Game. A walkoff homer by Lancaster's Jon Gaston did in the Carolina League, as Team California won 2-1.   Full Story

The Visalia Rawhide have the best pitching in the California League, and that is being reflected in their All-Star representation for the Cal-Carolina All-Star Game scheduled for June 23 in Lake Elsinore. Right-hander Josh Collmenter and southpaw Pat McAnaney have been excellent despite unfriendly pitching conditions in the California League.   Full Story

MOUNT PLEASANT - Former Central Michigan University offensive lineman Joe Staley has agreed to a six-year contract extension with the San Francisco 49ers.   Full Story

With all of the recent prospect promotions to the Arizona Diamondbacks, you would expect the farm system to struggle. That hasn't happened this week. The four D-backs affiliates combined to go 22-6 with the Mobile BayBears - the team that has lost Gerardo Parra, Clay Zavada, and Daniel Schlereth to the big league club - leading the way with a remarkable nine-game winning streak.    Full Story

DES MOINES -- Right-hander Greg Reinhard made his first start for Class AAA Iowa (17-13) on Monday and allowed no hits and one walk in four solid shutout innings of work in a 6-2 win over first-place Memphis (17-12) at Principal Park. He struck out three batters.   Full Story

MOUNT PLEASANT - Former Central Michigan University left tackle Andrew Hartline will sign with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent.   Full Story

Josh Collmenter, Chase Christianson, and Billy Spottiswood combined to four-hit the Modesto Nuts in a 5-0 victory. The Visalia Rawhide improve to 10-0, tying the all-time California League record for best start to a season, set by Visalia in 1978.    Full Story

The Chargers have no questions about their starting center. Nick Hardwick is a former Pro Bowler who expects to raise his game in 2009 after playing through a foot injury last season. There are, however, some questions behind Hardwick. Jeremy Newberry is an unrestricted free agent who won’t return, leaving the cupboards virtually bare.   Full Story

Rams cornerback Ron Bartell spoke Wednesday about his new contract. He talked about having a defensive head coach for the first time, on the free agency process, on his ups and downs, on his change in his leadership role, and on if he thinks a player getting rewarded will play well with the locker room.   Full Story

According to Jim Thomas of the Post-Dispatch, the St. Louis Rams have signed cornerback Ron Bartell for four years, $28 million if all incentives are reached with $13.6 million guaranteed.   Full Story

Rams corner back Ron Bartell talked Wednesday about comparing Cardinals receivers Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, on if the team can take anything out of last week's loss to Miami, and on if Kurt Warner could be MVP.   Full Story

Defensive end is the second starter to go down in as many weeks for banged-up Packers.   Full Story

Josh Collmenter added five strong innings of pitching in Game One of the Eastern Division Championship Series to an already impressive resume. Last year's 15th-round draft choice out of CMU has established himself as an effective workhorse.    Full Story

The Eastern Division Champion South Bend Silver Hawks open a best-of-three playoff series against the West Michigan Whitecaps today while the Dayton Dragons face the Lansing Lugnuts. We analyze the current matchup and who South Bend should want to face in the next round.   Full Story

Who exactly is going to make up your 2008 Chicago Bears? The 53-man roster was announced during the afternoon hours Saturday, and there are some fairly well-known names on the list. GM Jerry Angelo had to hand pink slips to six former draft choices, including a pair taken on Day 1 just two Aprils ago.   Full Story

Injury-riddled Tory Humphrey getting back up to speed with Packers   Full Story