It would have been a complete shock if he hadn't signed. Here's a link to an article on it: Report: Yankees sign third-round draft choice Michael O'Neill. It says he "will likely begin his pro career with the Short-Season Class A Staten Island Yankees, who begin their 2013 schedule on Monday."
On an important Michigan baseball note—and great news for the program, pitching coach Sean Kenny has decided to stay at Michigan after it appeared he might be headed to Georgia to become the pitching coach there for new head coach Scott Stricklin:
Sean Kenny, leading candidate for @UGABasebll pitching job decided to stay at #Michigan. New name at #UGA: former #Auburn HC John Pawlowski.
— Kendall Rogers (@KendallRogersPG) June 14, 2013
Rogers had earlier said he would be surprised if Kenny turned down the Georgia job. Not sure if he accounted for Kenny being an Ann Arbor native.
Congratulations to him. Welcome to the greatest franchise in baseball!! As much as I love Michigan, it would be hard to pass up that opportunity. I hope he becomes as great a player and personality as his uncle.
I'm not saying I disagree with your statement that the Yankees are the greatest franchise in baseball. But pardon me while I throw up at that statement. Go Tigers!
Probably not the greatest right now, but in the history of baseball. I'd say the Tigers have as much if not more talent right now and they grow most of it through their farm system, unlike my Yankees (although the core of most of our championships was home grown).
I wish that were true. Over half our rotation was acquired via trade, and pretty much all of our key pieces were acquired either via trade or free agency: Cabrera, Fielder, Jackson, Hunter, Infante (kind of, he's kind of a half breed since he started in Detroit, left, then came back via trade), and Peralta. I don't know what a typical team's breakdown is, but when I think of home-grown teams, I think Rays, A's, Cards, Nats, Reds, Pirates... I don't really think of the Tigers as a homegrown team.
I knew some of your position players were trades, but didn't realize that much of the rotation was. I stand corrected. At least your GM is getting younger, non washed up free agents!
Especially now.
One of my best friends has given up going up to the Bronx (tix cost too much, 97-year-old dad can't really make it up there) has Staten Island season tix and celebrates his August birthday every year by renting a suite in Staten Island. A luxury box for 20, including free food, free cap, A/C inside and great seats outside, costs about the same as a good seat at Yankee stadium. Just saw him last night and he said chances are O'Neill will be planning at S.I. "because they usually take the college guys." For those of you in the area who don't care about seeing megabuck stars, it's a great evening out, especially with a family. Human-size stadium, clowns and on-field activities for the kids, and the outfield view is the New York harbor and downtown Manhattan. Easy to get to (short walk from the Staten Island Ferry, which is a great buy in itself, being free). And comparing the cost for taking a family to see the pros...
For descendants of disgruntled former Brooklyn Dodgers fans, the Brooklyn Cyclones brought baseball back to the borough, playing in another family-friendly stadium in Coney island. Patrick Biondi was drafted by the Mets, so maybe he'll be playing out there. (The Cyclones and Baby Bombers are in the same division, so it may be possible to see Biondi & O'Neill at the same time.)