Archive for December, 2010

Orlando Hudson Inks A Deal With the San Diego Padres December 20th, 2010

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A contract between Second baseman Orlando Hudson and the San Diego Padres has reached agreement, with pending completion of a physical exam.

During an interview with MLB Network Radio on Friday morning, Hudson said he expected to sign with San Diego. According to the Associated Press, his deal with the Padres is worth $11.5 million over two years. Hudson had announced that he would be joining the Padres as he said that it is a great place, with a great atmosphere and unbelievable ballpark.

David Eckstein will be replaced by Hudson, 33. With the AL Central champion Minnesota Twins, Hudson played last season, hitting .268 with six homers and 37 RBIs. He was with Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks and Toronto Blue Jays, prior to that.

In 2011, Hudson will make $4 million and in 2012, he will make $5.5 million. For 2013 with a $2 million buyout, there is an $8 million mutual option.

In the past four seasons, the Padres will be Hudson’s fourth team. Batting .268/.338/.372 and missing time with wrist and oblique injuries, he spent last season with the Twins. Between 2005 and ’09, Hudson won four Gold Gloves and his defense surely appeals to the Padres. In several advanced ratings systems last season, he is again rated among the top defenders.

Hudson has not fared as well on the offensive side. Over the past three seasons, his OPS have declined from .817 to .774 to .710.

For major-league relievers Adam Russell and Cesar Ramos and two minor-leaguers, the Padres got Bartlett and a player to be determined from the Rays.

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Waterford High Has New Baseball Coach – Peluso December 6th, 2010

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Long-time baseball assistant coach Art Peluso took over as head coach of the Waterford program, after the announcement from the Waterford athletic director, Dave Sousa.

For 13 seasons, Peluso worked with former coach Jack O’Keefe. After serving as head coach for 16 years, O’Keefe announced his retirement in late October.

The Lancers were led by O’Keefe to six state championship games, winning four, and captured five Eastern Connecticut Conference titles.

Waterford athletic director Dave Sousa said that he was told that no one else could be the perfect man for this head coach job as Peluso. There will not be any major transition issue and it will be a seamless one for Peluso as he fully familiar with the program. Sousa said that the he is a well-respected member and the kids like him. He also said that although it may be a very big step for Peluso, he has committed for the same.

Peluso teaches in Waterford’s special education department and he is an in-house product. For the first 35 years, Gerry Rousseau started junior varsity, varsity programs and coached, while Jack O’Keefe coached for the last 15. Both combined, they won nine state championships. Rousseau won 5 titles and 512 games.

Peluso said that he is fortunate to get to learn from coach O’Keefe. As per him, he was one of the best. Peluso admitted that he has very big shoes to fill. He wants to keep what the previous coaches started going. He appreciated Dave for showing confidence in him.

At Fitch, a fellow Eastern Connecticut Conference Large Division team, Peluso’s younger brother Marc is the coach.

Going 8-2 in the Large Division, Waterford was 21-6 last year. In the CIAC Class M final, the Lancers lost to Montville 6-4. Last season’s state Gatorade player of the year, Colin O’Keefe was among the graduates from that team. He is now on a scholarship, attending Virginia Tech.

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