Mark Maloney on Kentucky sports

My kind of town, Chicago is; my kind of town.

Which is where, on vacation last week, I caught up with two members of the Lexington Legends Hall of Fame: John Buck and Josh Anderson, in town for the Kansas City Royals series against the Chicago White Sox.

Buck, a catcher, played for the first and most popular Legends squad — the 2001 team that compiled the best record in professional baseball (92-48) and won the South Atlantic League championship.

Anderson, a centerfielder, is unquestionably the most popular individual to play for the Legends, in 2004. The first Kentuckian (Eubank, in Pulaski County) to play for the team, Anderson was selected by the Houston Astros in the third round of the 2003 draft, out of Eastern Kentucky University. He led the NCAA in stolen bases that season with 57.

With the Legends, Anderson set club records by batting .326 and stealing 47 bases in just 73 games before being promoted to High-A Salem (where he hit .268 and stole 31 bases). He tied a minor-league record by going 6-for-6 in a home game against the Greensboro Bats, scoring five times and stealing four bases in a 13-6 victory.

He rose to the big leagues in 2007, hitting .358 and stealing one base over 21 games with the Astros.

Soon after that season, the Astros traded Anderson to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for RHP Oscar Villarreal. Anderson spent most of the 2008 season with Triple-A Richmond, but also played 40 games for Atlanta (.294, 10 steals).

Josh Anderson

This season has been especially busy for Anderson, who turned 27 on Aug. 10.

On March 30, the Braves traded him to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for RHP Rudy Darrow. Anderson hit .242 with 13 steals for Detroit.

Then, just ahead of the trade deadline, the Royals got Anderson from Detroit on July 30 for cash.

Six days later, Anderson’s wife Heather gave birth to their first child, Easton Aaron.

“I got time off for the birth, but it kind of drug out and we waited around and waited around,” Anderson said. “Finally, he was born Aug. 4, and I had to leave Aug. 5. So my time at home wasn’t really with him a lot, but I was there for the birth and that’s the most important thing.”

If you thought going from the first-place Tigers to the last-place Royals would “bum out” Anderson, then you don’t know him very well.

“I just want to play,” he said. “And wherever I go I’m going to play my best and play hard. … The fact that I went from the Tigers (to) here, I didn’t think about that one bit, really. I just looked at the opportunity that was available here and the opportunity that I’ve been blessed with. And for that I’m thankful and looking forward to it.”

In his first 13 games with Kansas City, Anderson is hitting .233 and has a pair of steals.

He says the Royals have “made the transition very easy for me.” And he is enchanted by refurbished Kauffman Stadium.

“I think, of all the stadiums I’ve ever played in, it’s the prettiest park you’ll ever see,” he said. “The fans are great. They draw great crowds. And it’s a great place to play.

“You’ve got a staff here that cares about each guy and wants to win. And this clubhouse is full of great guys, so I don’t see how you can ask for much more than that.”

John Buck

Buck, now 29, hit 22 homers and drove in 73 runs to help the Legends to their 2001 title. His most memorable game came against the Charleston (W.Va.) AlleyCats. He smacked a first-inning grand slam homer and, an inning later, had a three-run blast.

He also handled a pitching staff that finished third in the SAL with an ERA of 3.10.

Now, he’s in his sixth season with the Royals. His career totals for 569 games include a .232 batting average, 67 homers and 252 RBI.

He came to Kansas City as part of a three-team deal involving the Astros, Royals and Oakland A’s.

An early season back injury has limited Buck to 44 games (through Monday) this season. Now, the injury is behind him.

“I feel great. The back’s good,” said Buck, who is hitting .212 with five homers and 29 RBI. “Didn’t play a whole lot when I had the bad back. With three catchers, it definitely gave me time to heal the way I don’t ever feel it, which is a good thing.

“Obviously, with a back injury, you’ve got to take it seriously and let it heal. Even though you feel good and want to go out there and just do it every day. But I’m glad I took the time off that I did because now I don’t feel it at all.”

Kansas City’s struggles are difficult on the psyche. Buck says the team isn’t playing up to it capability. Nevertheless, he continues to savor life in the big leagues.

“It’s what I dreamed of. We don’t win as much here as we did in Lexington, but you’re still playing baseball, you’re doing what you love to do,” he said. “Playing at the highest level. Even though we’re not having the best season, still, you’re playing big-league baseball.”

South Atlantic League baseball

Coming up

Lexington Legends
vs. Kannapolis Intimidators

What: Four-game series

When: Monday through Thursday (7:05 each night)

Where: Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium (Kannapolis, N.C.)

Probable pitchers (Legends listed first): Monday, RH Kyle Greenwalt (7-11, 3.90) vs. RH Nevin Griffith (2-4, 4.24); Tuesday, RH Jordan Lyles (6-10, 3.27) vs. LH Joey Serafin (1-1, 2.70); Wednesday, LH Brad Dydalewicz (7-5, 3.91) vs. RH Stephen Sauer (6-5, 3.27); Thursday, RH Robert Bono (8-8, 3.39) vs. LH Charlie Leesman (12-4, 2.97).

Jared Mitchell

Intimidator to watch: CF Jared Mitchell (6-foot, 195 pounds, from New Iberia, La.) was a first-round draft pick (23rd overall) of the Chicago White Sox in the June draft. In 24 games with the Intimidators (through Saturday), he is 24-for-78 (.308), with nine doubles, two triples, six RBI, eight runs scored, four stolen bases and a .443 on-base percentage. Mitchell hit .327, with 11 homers, 50 RBI, 64 runs and 35 stolen bases this year to help LSU win its sixth NCAA title. He was named Most Outstanding Player of the College World Series. Mitchell led the Tigers in steals, walks and on-base percentage. Baseball America tabbed him as Best Athlete and Fastest Runner among draft-eligible collegiate players. Mitchell also played on LSU’s national championship football team (2007). Over three seasons at wide receiver, he caught 24 passes for 274 yards.

Patrick Urckfitz

Legend to watch: LHP Patrick Urckfitz (6-3, 190 pounds, from Rochester, N.Y.) has developed into a dominant closer. Over 48 1/3 innings and 41 games, he is 4-0, with 13 saves and a 2.61 ERA. He has struck out 40 and walked 13. At the all-star break, he was 3-0, seven saves, 3.00 ERA. Since then, he is 1-0, six save, 1.96 ERA. Signed with the Houston Astros as non-drafted free agent out of Monroe (N.Y.) Community College on June 29, 2008. Worked 15 games in relief for Greeneville last year, going 1-0 with one save and a 1.40 ERA. Had 23 strikeouts and nine walks over 19 1/3 innings.   

Radio: WLXG AM-1300

Fernando Nieve

Hard to tell in snowy Central Kentucky, but baseball season soon will be here. (Not soon enough, though!)

The Houston Astros, parent club of the Lexington Legends, open spring training at Kissimmee, Fla., on Feb. 14, when pitchers and catchers are due to report. Position players report for the first full-squad workout on Feb. 17.

Eleven Astros are on provisional rosters for the World Baseball Classic, including former Legends pitchers Wandy Rodriguez (Dominican Republic) and Fernando Nieve (Venezuela). Rodriguez, known as Eny Cabreja during his time in Lexington, recently signed a one-year deal worth $2.6 million, plus incentives.

Spring training invitees include past Legends Sergio Perez, Chris Johnson, Lou Santangelo and Bud Norris.

Watch out for camels

Meanwhile, the Legends annual radio caravan will visit Cynthiana, Somerset, Richmond, Danville and Lexington, Tuesday through Thursday, Feb. 10-12.

Atlanta Braves outfielder Josh Anderson, a former Legend and Eastern Kentucky University standout, will join the Caravan for its visit to Somerset. Anderson is a native of nearby Eubank.

Another former EKU Colonel, Legends pitching coach Charley Taylor, will be along for Caravan stops at Somerset and Richmond.

The final stop, at Applebee’s Park, will feature Lexington’s Michael Bertram, Doug Flynn, Ben Revere and John Shelby.

Bertram, a third baseman, hit .285 with eight homers, 55 RBI and 51 runs over 102 games last year with the Detroit Tigers’ Class A Lakeland, Fla., team. Bertram has risen through the minors with Ryan Strieby, a teammate on Kentucky’s 2006 Southeastern Conference co-championship team.

Flynn won World Series titles with Cincinnati’s “Big Red Machine” in 1975 and ‘76. He also won a Gold Glove in 1980 as second baseman for the New York Mets.

Minnesota Twins prospect Revere earned MVP honors in the Midwest League last season, leading all of minor-league ball with a .379 average for the Class A Beloit Snappers. He also had a homer, 43 RBI, 51 runs and 44 stolen bases (57 attempts) over 83 games. He had nearly as many walks (27) as strikeouts (31).

Shelby, a Chicago White Sox prospect, was a teammate of Bertram on UK’s SEC co-championship team. He hit .295 with 15 homers, 80 RBI and 81 runs over 114 games for High-A Winston-Salem last season. In addition, he stole 33 bases in 38 attempts. His father, a former big-league outfielder of the same name, is first-base coach for the Baltimore Orioles.

The Legends note that other guests may be added, and that the schedule of guests is subject to change.

The schduled stops:

Tuesday, Feb. 10 – Live broadcast (8-9 a.m.) of Coffee Break with Rick Chasteen on WCYN-AM 1400, Biancke’s Restaurant, 102 South Main, Cynthiana. Harrison County High School coach Mac Whitaker will be a special guest.

Wednesday, Feb. 11 – Backyard Burgers (3-4 p.m.), Highway 27, Somerset; and

Powell Building (5:15-6:15 p.m.), Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond.

Thursday, Feb. 12 — Danville (details incomplete); and

Maker’s Mark Club (5:30-6:30 p.m.), Applebee’s Park, Lexington.

Talking Legends baseball

Keith Elkins hosts a weekly radio show, Legends Inside Scoop, on WLXG-AM 1300, Tuesdays from 7:20-8 p.m.

Recent guests include Manager Tom Lawless, pitching coach Charley Taylor and Astros “Scout of the Year” Nick Venuto.

* The Legends will host their annual national anthem tryouts Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 14-15, at Lexington’s Fayette Mall.

The auditons will take place in the mall wing nearest Dick’s Sporting Goods, noon-3 p.m. Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sunday.

For details, or to reserve an audition time, call the Legends at   (859) 252-4487  . Walk-up entrants also are welcome.

* You say you’ll save the fans from your vocals, but you’d still like to be at the park?

Well, senior slugger, the Legends have a pitch to make to you about the Silver Sluggers Club.

SSC membership, for fans 55 and over, costs $30. That will get you “a special package of gifts,” as well as Sunday tickets for half price, meal vouchers for Sunday games and “exclusive sale opportunities at the Legends Locker merchandise store.” Those registering before April 1 will receive a free box seat to the April 13 home opener.

Club members who attend six Sunday home games will receive a dinner for two in the Maker’s Mark Club. Those who attend all 10 Sunday home games will receive an autographed set of team cards. More details are available from the Legends:   (859) 252-4487  .

Jordan Parraz, a standout outfielder on a very bad 2007 Lexington Legends team, was traded Thursday by the Astros to the Kansas City Royals as the ”player to be named” in a deal that brought left-handed pitcher Tyler Lumsden to Houston on Nov. 24.

Parraz, a third-round draft pick in 2004, hit .281 with 14 homers, 76 RBI and 33 stolen bases during his time as a Legend. The coaching staff named him the team MVP, and Baseball America picked him as the Astros prospect with the Best Outfield Arm.

Last season, with High-A Salem, Parraz totaled .289, six homers, 42 RBI and 21 stolen bases, playing right field (mostly) and center.

Parraz, 24, has been assigned to the Royals Double-A affiliate, Northwest Arkansas.

Lumsden, 25, was 3-13 with a 7.21 ERA with Triple-A Omaha this year. He appeared in 28 games, including 18 starts.

A Chicago White Sox ”sandwich pick” between the first two rounds of the 2004 draft, Lumsden was traded to Kansas City during the 2006 season.

His 95-game minor-league totals include a 26-25 record and 4.89 ERA.