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A fond farewell to Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda, who died Friday at 86.  The first home-grown Giants star to debut in San Francisco, he made history as the first player to unanimously win both NL Rookie of the Year and MVP honors. He later starred for pennant or division winning teams in St. Louis and Atlanta.
(Below:) Trea Turner had a terrific 31st birthday for the Phillies, contributing three hits and driving in the tying and go-ahead runs in a come-from-behind 7-6 victory the Marlins on Sunday.  


Congratulations to Nationals top prospect Jacob Young.  After hitting .350 in AAA the first half of the minor league season, he's been promoted to Washington.  (I caught him in Rochester’s March 29th season opener at Syracuse.)

(Below:) While we're talking minors, how about a shout-out for Mets prospect Ryan Clifford.  Obtained along with Drew Gilbert in last year's deadline deal for Justin Verlander, the Raleigh native bashed his ninth homer since joining AA Binghamton in May.  It made the difference in a 1--0 nightcap victory in Friday's doubleheader.


Catcher Agustin Ramirez is another of the Yankees young power bats.  After hitting 16 homers in the season's first half with Somerset, the catcher/DH was just promoted to Scranton.  And his power show continued -- the Dominican native hit his first AAA home run on Saturday.  I shot this photo last September when he was in the Eastern League playoffs against Binghamton.

(Below:)  Former Red Sox 1st round pick Marcelo Mayer is healthy again and shredding AA pitching.  I caught him in action last Friday when Portland visited Binghamton, where the San Diego-area product also showed his skills in flipping a bat after a walk.






 Cepeda

James Wood Nationals recall

Ryan Clifford HR

Agustin Ramirez - promoted to AAA - hit 

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