Chang Plays All Nine Positions
PENSACOLA, Fla. - Where is Ray Chang?
That was the game played by the 4,202 Pensacola Blue Wahoos fans during Monday's Labor Day game at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
Chang became the first Wahoo to play all nine positions in the field, as Pensacola had loads of fun but dropped the final game of the series with the Mobile BayBears, 4-2.
Pensacola clinched the Southern League South Division second half championship Sunday for the first time since its inaugural season in 2012, so its game Monday was inconsequential to its playoff run.
So, when Chang entered the clubhouse, Pensacola manager Pat Kelly gave him two options-sit out and rest or play all nine spots in the field. Chang said the decision was easy.
"It was not even close," said Chang, who is 32-years-old and an 11-year minor league veteran. "I want to thank Pat Kelly for giving me the chance to do that. It was such a great day."
Kelly said it was something he had been thinking about for a while. Former Blue Wahoo Juan Perez had asked to do it last year in Bakersfield under Kelly.
"It was fun and everything worked out perfectly," Kelly said. "The fan reaction was awesome, especially in that eighth and ninth inning."
In his professional career, Chang had never played center field, right field or catcher in a live game.
On Monday, he went 3-4 with three singles and scored a run in the ninth inning when shortstop Zach Vincej smashed a two-run homer - his fifth of the year - to left field. Chang, who lifted his average to .283 on the season, also stole his first base since 2012.
"I told the first baseman, 'I haven't stolen a base all year.' He said, 'Do it! Take off!'" Chang said. "It was definitely ugly."
He played catcher in the eighth inning and caught Zack Weiss, who leads the Southern League with 25 saves and was named to the league's postseason All-Star team. Weiss throws a fastball in the mid-90s.
That was the hardest position "by far," Chang said. "My heart was racing."
Chang then warmed up in the bullpen and pitched the ninth inning. He already had pitched two games this season on May 4 against the Jackson Generals and on Aug. 19 against Chattanooga Lookouts. He threw two innings gave up one hit, a walk and one earned run.
Fans gave Chang a standing ovation when he took the mound as the pitcher. Chang needed all of four pitches to retire the side in order, including a fly out that was chased down by center fielder Billy Hamilton who leaped in the air at the wall.
"There's not another human being alive besides (Hamilton) who makes that play," Kelly said.
Fans chanted, "Ray!" and he came out of the dugout. Hamilton had tossed the ball into the stands but the fan gave the ball back, so Chang could have it. Chang gave the young man one of his black bats and autographed it in exchange for the ball.
Hamilton, who played three games for Pensacola to help in his right shoulder recovery, said he looks forward to returning to the Cincinnati Reds. He went on the disabled list Aug. 19 and he still leads the National League with 54 stolen bases.
"I'm ready to get back to Cincinnati and battle with my guys," Hamilton said. "But it's always good to come back to Pensacola and visit. I come back in the off season sometimes just to visit."
Hamilton, who set the minor league record of 155 steals in 2012 with Pensacola, said he plans to follow the Blue Wahoos in the playoffs.
"I just really feel like they're going to win it," Hamilton said. "Their mindset is about winning. They really want it. I'll be rooting for them and checking up on them."
Mobile scored first Monday when catcher Mark Thomas gave Mobile the lead, 1-0, with a solo home run deep to left field. Thomas enjoyed Pensacola pitching smashing three home runs and driving in seven runs. Thomas entered the series against Pensacola batting .162 with three home runs and 13 RBIs and finished it batting .174 with six home runs and 20 RBIs.
Mobile led, 2-0, in the third inning when left fielder Socrates Brito tripled in third baseman Raul Navarro. Mobile added one run in the sixth on Gabriel Guerrero's solo homer to left field and another in the seventh when Pensacola pitcher Wandy Peralta walked Thomas to score Alex Glenn to put Mobile up, 4-0.
The winner of the South Division then plays either the Twins Double-A affiliate Chattanooga Lookouts or the Tampa Bay Devil Rays affiliate the Montgomery Biscuits.
Pensacola, which was 38-32 in the second half, takes on the Biloxi Shuckers at 7:10 p.m. Thursday and Friday at MGM Park. Biloxi then moves to Pensacola for a 6:35 p.m. game Saturday and, if needed, will play at 4:05 p.m. Sunday and 6:35 p.m. Monday at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
The Blue Wahoos playoff rotation is slated to be Daniel Wright (10-11, 4.53), Cody Reed (6-2, 2.17) and Tim Adleman (9-10, 2.64).
GAME NOTES
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos play the best-of-five Southern League South Division playoff series against the Milwaukee Brewers Double-A affiliate the Biloxi Shuckers at 7:10 p.m. Thursday and Friday at MGM Park. Biloxi then plays at Pensacola at 6:35 p.m. Saturday and, if needed, Sunday and Monday at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.
Buy your five-game Southern League Playoffs ticket package online at bluewahoos.com.
The games are broadcast live on the Blue Wahoos flagship station NewsRadio1620 (WNRP-AM). Listen for free at bluewahoos.com and by using the TuneIn Radio app on your mobile, desktop or home devices. Stream Wahoos games on MiLB.TV, a subscription-based service provided by Minor League Baseball.
BIG FISH Chang played all nine positions, went 3-4 at the plate, scored a run and stole his first base since 2012…Shortstop Zach Vincej hit his fifth homer of the year and had two RBIs. He was 2-4…Third baseman Seth Mejias-Brean was 2-4 with two singles.
The Blue Wahoos are heading into the playoffs for the first time in team history! Don't miss your chance to experience family-fun entertainment with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos! You can follow the team at BlueWahoos.com, facebook.com/PensacolaBlueWahoos and twitter.com/BlueWahoosBBall.
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