Bobby Cramer made it

Here's another player that finally made it to the big leagues: Bobby Cramer. The picture on the left taken when he was at Double-A A's affiliate Midland Rockhounds in 2007. For Cramer he came in the hard way. Originally drafted by Seattle Mariners in 2001 he didn't play til 2003 when he signed with Tampa Bay Rays. After two seasons in their minor league system they released him. He was out of baseball for two years working jobs as a substitute teacher and pipeline maintenance. Oakland brought him back to baseball in 2007 which pitched the season through their A and AA club. A's released him in 2008 and he spent the year playing in the independent Golden Baseball League. In 2009 A's signed him back playing through all through all levels of their minor league system with various success including battling a fatigue arm. This year he played through the club's Mexican and Pacific league putting up impressive resumé for the A's to give him a September call-up. Cramer got the call at age 30 (and soon to be 31) and the start in his first major league game. He pitched 5 1/3 inning giving up 4 hits and a run in a win against the Royals. Cramer long way to the majors showed you can never give up if you have the mentality to play the game. Great job well done Bobby Cramer on making it to the majors and getting your first win.

Dallas Braden is perfect

Oakland A's pitcher Dallas Braden enter in the history books pitching Major League Baseball 19th perfect game of all-time against Tampa Bay Rays. What made it special it happened at the team's home stadium on Mother's Day. I saw Dallas Braden played when he was at A's Double A club Midland Rockhounds (2005) along the time Texas Tech played at then new stadium (2004). He came a long way to make it on A's roster being the team ace and putting his name on the history books. Congratulations to Dallas Braden for pitching a special moment on Mother's Day.

MIDLAND ROCKHOUNDS = 2009 TEXAS LEAGUE CHAMPIONS!!!

Oakland A's Double-A and my minor league team, Midland Rockhounds, defeated Northwest Arkansas 4-2 in 12 innings to clinch the championship series for their third league title.

On a verge going to a deciding game 5 Corey Brown hits a two-run homerun to send the game into extra innings.

On the top of the 12th the last player on the bench Raul Padron hits two-run homerun to put the Rockhounds on top for good as Jason Fernandez manage to shut down the Naturals for the victory.

Just when the team was gutted with call ups of Adrian Cardinas, Tommy Everidge, Sam Demel, Mike Benacka, and Chris Carter in the middle and late of the season they manage to deal and trudge through winning the second half crown, beating San Antonio Missions in the South division championship (3-1 series) then beating Northwest Arkansas (3-1) to win the Texas League title.

Graham Godfrey was gold on the mound along side with Travis Banwart, late-season call-ups and signees of Tyson Ross and Kyle Middleton. Despite losing three key offensive players to call-ups Corey Brown who wasn't 100% throughout the season led the way alongside with supporting cast of Josh Horton, Matt Spencer, and Shane Peterson (one of the players picked up in the Matt Holliday trade) with last year first round pick Jemile Weeks coming through at the right time.

Let me thanks the entire Rockhounds from players to management for the nights and entertainment I spent at the stadium. What I saw like each and every year I been is a magical moment on the diamond. Thanks to Bob Hards for his radio play-by-play when the Rockhounds were on the road.

Congratulations Midland Rockhounds for winning the 2009 Texas League championship!