With lots going on, I missed this development: Bucky was playing winter ball in Mexico. It looks like he had been playing with Yaquis de Obregon for 17 games. In those games, he batted .233, had an OBP of .361 and hit 6 homeruns with 14 RBIs. He has evidently left the team and rumor has it is in Japan.
Even though his team fell short in the playoffs, Bucky Jacobsen was named to the 2006 Atlantic League Postseason All-Star Team as the DH. Bucky finished the season with a league leading 89 RBIs, finished third in homeruns (21) and OBP (.410) and fifth in slugging percentage (.506). Bucky joins Mel Stocker as Long Island's representatives on the team.
Heading into the second half of August, Bucky Jacobsen is still near the top of many of the Atlantic League's offensive categories. Going into Friday night's game against Somerset, Bucky was 3rd in league in homeruns at 19, three behind the league leader. He's leading the Atlantic League in RBIs with 76. Bucky is 3rd in on-base percentage (.401) and just out of the top 10 in batting average at .299. Bucky's slugging percentage is up to .550 (2nd in the league) and has a total of 43 extra base hits (3rd place). He's also 6th in doubles at 22.
In terms of where Bucky stands on the team, Bucky leads the Long Island Ducks in all of the above categories in addition to walks (53). He's 2nd in hits (99), and 3rd in runs scored (55).
Here's an article by Mark Herrmann from Saturday's Newsday about the Bucky and the Ducks: There's no 'I' in ducks, just 'us'
After a crazy beginning to the summer, I've finally started to update the backlog of boxscores. I've also (finally) moved articles from the old web design to Blogger, so you should be able to read about the early years of the BuckyBackers. Just click on the the buckybackers.blogspot.com link and look under the Archives. You can access articles all the way back to May 11, 1998.
Bucky Jacobsen, along with six other Long Island Ducks, was named to the Atlantic League's North Division's starting line up. The game is being played in Bridgeport on Wednesday, July 12th, at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard.
Bucky finished the first half of the season leading the Atlantic League with 13 homeruns, 48 RBIs, and 29 extra base hits. He is tied for second with 15 doubles and third in the league with slugging percentage (.529).
League Press Release
Duck's Press Release
Bucky Jacobsen found his form this weekend, hitting two homeruns Monday night with a franchise record seven runs batted in. Both shots are reminiscent of homers we've seen in the past. His three-run shot highlighted the Long Island Ducks third inning, and Bucky added a grand slam in the seventh. The first homerun cleared the 24 foot high second fence in left which stands 350 feet from home plate. The grand slam was to straight center landing more than 400 feet away. Said Ducks' manager Don McCormack, "His ball will go out anywhere when he hits it. Left. Center. Right. The moon. Yellowstone." The Long Island Ducks' website, liducks.com, has audio clips of Bucky's thoughts of his night as well as manager Don McCoramack.
The two homer game follows Bucky's Sunday performance where he hit a double and his first triple of the season.
Bucky Jacobsen hit his first homerun at home for the Long Island Ducks Wednesday night. He went three for five with four runs batted in. Click here to to listen to Bucky's interview on the the Ducks' website, liducks.com. The Ducks dropped the game 13-8 to the Bridgeport Bluefish, but are still a game and half ahead of the Bluefish in the Northern Division of the Atlantic League.
Photo: www.liducks.com
In the following article, Bucky gives his thoughts on being released by the Mariners, and mentions that scouts from the Japanese League will be into see him play.
Kerry Eggers of the Portland Tribune:
Bucky Jacobsen hasn’t picked up where he left off in Seattle in 2004, when he joined the Mariners in late season with a bang, swatting nine home runs with 28 RBIs in 160 at-bats.
But at least he is playing baseball with a healthy right knee for the first time in three years.
The pride of Hermiston, designated for assignment at the end of last season to give him free-agent status, is playing first base and batting cleanup for the Long Island (N.Y.) Ducks of the independent Atlantic League. After going through a minislump the last week, Jacobsen is batting only .254, with two homers and 11 RBIs and an on-base percentage of .395 through 18 games.
“So far, so good,” says Jacobsen, 30. “The caliber of baseball in this league is a lot better than I thought it would be. I thought it was going to suck a little, but we have 13 players with big-league experience in our club.”
Jacobsen says he’s not bitter about the Mariners giving up on him, but he expected better after providing a breath of fresh air for the fans during a trying 2004 season in Seattle. Two surgeries on his right knee — the second necessary after the first one didn’t get the job done — limited him to a week in Class A and two weeks in Triple-A in the Mariner organization last year.
“I didn’t do enough to ensure a future with the club,” the 6-4, 280-pound Jacobsen says. “I didn’t etch my name in stone. I understand that. But I had done some good stuff for them. They’re the ones who told me to get the first surgery. For them to turn their back on me and say we’re done with you, it made me feel bad a little bit. They washed their hands of me, and now I’m perceived as broken goods.”
Jacobsen’s ultimate goal is a return to the big leagues, but a more realistic one would be for the beefy slugger to play in Japan.
“Some (Japanese) scouts are going to be here to watch me the first week of June,” he says.
Since I often get requests about where to get Bucky Jacobsen baseball cards, I've gotten a rather large lot of Bucky'sbaseball cards to offer up to other Bucky Backers. Check out the cards on the Memoribilia page to see what's available and e-mail me with what you want. I'll send you an invoice for the cards, you pay, and you should have your cards within a week.
You will also find autographed baseballs from an autograph signing Bucky did with Royal Awards in 2004 after he was called up with the Mariners. Each ball is signed by Bucky and comes with a certificate of authenticity (COA). In addition, both the ball and the COA come with destructible holograms that have matching numbers. If you are interested, include that in your e-mail as well.
And as always, you'll find links to BuckyBackers™ t-shirts, etc.
Bucky has had a solid season so far. While the homers haven't come quickly (Newsday points out he has as many stolen bases as homers), his plate discipline has been very good. While it's only ten games into the season, Bucky has more walks (11) than strikeouts (8). Bucky's on-base percentage is hovering around .475 meaning he's getting on base almost every other time up to bat.
Sorry updates haven't been as quick this past week. I've been out of town with a family funeral.
Steve Kelley of the Seattle Times wrote a great article on Bucky, his knee surgeries, trying to find a job in affiliated baseball, and life in the Atlantic League - it's really worth the read: Independent League Satisfies Jacobsen's Hunger - for Now.
You may remember from last Friday that Bucky's first homerun in the Atlantic League was a shot over both left field walls at Camden's Campbell's Field. From Minor League Ballparks.com, you can see that while it's only 325 down the line, the first fence clearly taller than the left fielder. Tack on the taller secondary wall, and Bucky's dinger was quite the shot.
Graphic from Minor League Ballparks.com
Bucky Jacobsen and the Long Island Ducks completed a three game sweep of the Camden Riversharks with a 10-4 win Sunday. Bucky went 3-5 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI. His average and on-base percentage rose to .417 and .500 respectively. Yes, it's a small sample size, but hopefully it's a good sign of Bucky being back to old form. But Mike Ashmore of AtlanticLeagueBaseball.com has the Riversharks ranked 7th out of the eight team league in his preseason ranking with weak pitching being the problem.
The Ducks and the rest of the league have the next two days off. The Ducks start a two-game set in Bridgeport against the Bluefish on Wednesday, and then have their home opener on Friday against the Riversharks on Friday. If you are in the area, the Ducks have an average attendance over their capacity! Tickets are still available, with lots of promotions all weekend.
The redesign of BuckyBackers.com is almost done. The biggest feature is the revised Box Score page that lists out Bucky's game-by-game progress in addition to links to articles from around the internet about Bucky and the Ducks.
By the end of this week, we should have a revised page for baseball cards. We will also offer autographed baseballs from a signing Bucky did back in 2004. After that page goes up, the back history of Bucky and the Backers will be updated as time allows over the next month or so.
Those of us who've followed Bucky Jacobsen for awhile (and I'm somewhat embarrassed to admit I've been at it for eight years now) know that Bucky's home runs are something that are best appreciated in person. The fans in Camden, New Jersey can now appreciate Bucky's blasts as well.
As the game recap on the Long Island Ducks' website described it, Bucky's three-run homer in the fifth inning cleared both sets of fences. It wasn't a cheap shot. The home run helped the Ducks to a 5-1 win over the Camden Riversharks.
Bucky Jacobsen and the Long Island Ducks begin the Atlantic League season tonight on the road, facing the Camden Riversharks for a weekend series.
There was also a L.I. Duck article from Newsday that talked about Bucky and the hopes the Ducks have for him this season. Newsday has Bucky projected to be the DH, with former major-leaguer Henry Rodriguez playing first base.
As we have in the past, we'll have Bucky's line from each game up at BuckyBackers.com. Check back each morning to see how Bucky did the night before and for links to photos, articles, etc.
(Newsday Photo / David L. Pokress - Apr. 27, 2006)
Let's hope that the Long Island Ducks are getting the losing out of their system now. Four games, four losses. Bucky didn't get a mention in today's Spring Training Report.
The Ducks take on the Bridgeport Bluefish at 10:00 a.m. at Lakeland.
Bucky Jacobsen and the Long Island Ducks were beat by the Somerset Patirots, 7-2 today. This drops the Ducks' record to 0 - 3 in spring training.
Bucky had a double today, according to the Duck's website. The Ducks continue their spring training schedule Monday with a game against the Road Warriors (a team run by the Atlantic League the doesn't have a home stadium to play in). Game time is 1:00 pm EDT in Lakeland, Florida.
No mention of Bucky in yesterday's game notes. The Ducks lost to Camden 3-1. In two games so far, the Ducks have scored once. But it's spring training, right?
Bucky and the Ducks take on defending Atlantic League champions, the Somerset Patriots today at 10:00 am EDT.
Bucky Jacobsen and the Long Island Ducks started Spring Training this week. Their first game was today, a 2-0 loss to the Lancaster Barnstormers. Bucky didn't earn a mention in the write up on either the Ducks' website nor the Barnstormers' recap of the game.
Bucky and the Ducks continue their spring training with a 1:00pm game against the Camden Riversharks at 1:00 p.m. tomorrow in Lakeland, Florida.
Bucky Jacobsen's signing with the Cardinals has not happened. Evidently, while Bucky passed the physical, they still had some concerns about his knee and decided not to sign him.
At this time, it appears Bucky will be playing in Independent baseball (probably the Long Island Ducks). As stated a couple of posts ago, this will keep Bucky a free agent in regards to the clubs in the majors and Japan. Once the season starts, hopefully if Bucky goes on a tear like he did in two years ago (hitting 26 homeruns by the All-Star Break), someone will take a chance and sign the big guy.
Links:
Springfield News-Leader - (Scroll way down)
According to his agent, Bucky Jacobsen has signed with the St. Louis Cardinals as of this afternoon. This obviously ends his relationship with the Long Island Ducks.
As of this point, it sounds like Bucky will initially report to the Cardinals AA affiliate, the Springfield Cardinals. Some of you may remember that Bucky was with the Cardinals' organization in 2002 and 2003.
I would guess that we'll see news online tomorrow. I'll post them as I find them.
Bucky Jacobsen signed with the Long Island Ducks on Friday, March 31st. The Ducks play in the independent Atlantic League that is comparable to AAA ball.
Bucky's agent, Joe Speed, said that the benefit of playing independent ball is that Bucky is still effectively a free agent, available to sign with any team in the majors or Japan any time during the season. This way, Bucky would have the opportunity to play for a top team without having to worry about a trade, being released, etc.
Links
OurSportsCentral.com
Long Island Ducks Press Release
While I was responding to an e-mail from someone in Washington, I realized the irony of Bucky's signing with the Sox. Bucky will be playing for the AAA Charlotte Knights which is about as far away from Seattle as a AAA team can get. I believe Durham is just a bit further, but same difference.
John Hunt of the Oregonian has a great article in Wednesday's edition on Bucky's first day of camp with the White Sox. I had forgotten that Bucky had played with Ozzie Guillen in Venezuela in winter ball.
John you may remember did an article on the Backers' trip (ok, it was just me and my dad) to spring training back in 2004. He's also Baseball Weekly's chief fantasy baseball guru.
After injury, Jacobsen tries again for Chicago
Knee surgery ended Bucky Jacobsen's stint in Seattle, but he will play this season for the White Sox's Triple A team
The news took awhile to float around the Internet and print media, but from fan reaction on message boards like Soxtalk.com the White Sox's signing of Bucky Jacobsen seems as a big plus and a no-brainer.
Then before I can come on and give my two cents (life has a way of breaking into hobbies), Dave Wilder, White Sox director of player development, comes out and says all of the things I thought of the signing. Speaking to MLB.com, Wilder points out that Bucky provides a good insurance (I assume in case Paul Konerko or Jim Thome, the Sox 1B/DH tandem go down). And given Bucky's age, experience, and demeanor, he'd be like having another coach in the clubhouse. Here's the quotes from MLB.com
"If he was healthy last year, we wouldn't get the guy," said White Sox director of player development Dave Wilder of Jacobsen. "We can add some insurance with him in Triple-A."
Wilder anticipates Charlotte being very young, position player-wise. Along with serving as far-ranging insurance, Jacobsen immediately becomes a strong influence on the Knights' lineup.
"I've known Bucky for a little bit," Wilder said. "We felt the makeup was good with our kids, and he fits in with our organization."
Again, nothing new to the Bucky Backers, but it's always good to hear other people say it too.
Bucky Jacobsen is now officially a member of the Chicago White Sox organization. He will report to minor league camp March 6th with the goal of becoming a major league player once again. He is full recovered from knee surgery and extremely excited to be a part of the organization. Joe Speed, President
GMG Baseball
From columnist Jim Moore (the Go 2 Guy) this morning's Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
"WHAT'S UP WITH BUCKY? Explain something to me. How can ex-Mariner Bucky Jacobsen lose 25 pounds, have a healed knee and possess power galore and still not get a major league or minor league offer from any team in baseball? But then, I still don't know why the Mariners released him."
I think we all share the same thought.
