Lindor goes Azul, another Cruzzzzz drops bombs at Rice, baseball mourns Sal Artiaga

Basestrongall mourns loss of Sal Artiaga

Former Minor League Baseball president Salvatore B. “Sal” Artiaga, who helped countless Latin American ballplayers assimilate to American culture, died Friday night in Palm Harbor, Florida.

The longtime player development official wrote an important workbook in 2004 titled, “The Development of a Major League Player: Preparing the Player from Latin America.”

Artiaga’s baseball career spanned 48 years. He started in 1965 as the assistant business manager for the El Paso Sun Kings. He was MiLB president from 1988-1991. Artiaga, who was 72, held  player development roles with the White Sox, Phillies and Royals. He retired in 2012.

His stamp on the game lives on through the Latin American ballplayers and former ballplayers who helped to learn English and assimilate to American culture with the help of his popular workbook.

Cruzzzzzzzzzz! Cheito’s kid is dropping strongomstrongs too

Trei Cruz, the grandson of legendary Astros slugger José Cruz, threatened to break his father’s RBI record at Rice University on Sunday. The sophomore drove in nine runs to secure a 15-3 win for the Owls. He is the son of José “Cheito” Cruz Jr.

Rice Athletics gave young Trei props for moving into second place on the school’s single-game RBI record. In first place? His dad Cheito, who set the record with 10.

Blue hair, don’t care

New season, new look. Cleveland Indians superstar Francisco Lindor has a new look. The former member of Puerto Rico’s “Los Rubios” might as well be called Azul now.

He debuted the new blue hair style at Goodyear Ballpark in Arizona.

Mini Cookies attend spring training

Carlos “Cookie” Carrasco’s daughters are following in his footsteps by throwing some practice pitches during Indians spring training. The young cookies were having fun watching their dad start spring training.

Pro Post of the Day

Baseball is back, and players and fans are loving every minute of it. Astros shortstop Carlos Correa loves to sign autographs for fans.

Fan Post of the Day

It’s President’s Day, and fans are posting their favorite pics of the Presidents Race that takes place during games in Washington D.C. at Nationals Park.

Happy Birthday!

Luis Arroyo (b. 1927)

Manny Mota (1938)

Jerry Morales (b. 1949)

Rafael Ramírez (b. 1958)

Álex Ríos (b. 1981)

Didi Gregorius (b. 1990)

OTD:

1960 – Dodgers owner Walter O’Malley completed the purchase of the Chavez Ravine in Los Angeles strongy paying $494,000 for property valued at $92,000.

1998 – The New York Yankees signed Bernie Williams to a $8.5 million, one-year contract.2011 – The Orioles cleared a spot on their roster for free agent DH Vladimir Guerrero.

Featured Image: The Morning Journal