Diamondbacks close out a dismal season against the Padres

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks (66-93)  will be at home for their final three games of the season as they take on the San Diego Padres on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Diamondbacks split two of four games at Washington -- the final road trip of the year.

Not much left to sort out for the Diamondbacks. Jean Segura did get his 200th hit while in Washington -- 201 to be exact. There's still a battle for the top dog in RBI as Paul Goldschmidt has knocked in 93 runs, while Jake Lamb is at 91.

The Diamondbacks will have a lot to sort out during the off-season.

MSBL World Series schedules

Men's Senior Baseball League World Series

Phoenix, Arizona

Oct. 16-22

70-and-over American Division

San Antonio Texans (four members of the TOTS on the roster -- Bob Daliege, Ron Petersen, Pigpen Price and Eddie Eckert)

Date/site/time/opponent

Sunday, Oct. 16  Riverview SE#4  10:00 a.m.  against Tri Valley Giants

Monday, Oct. 17 Maryvale #4  9:30 a.m.  against Red Deer Legends (Canada)

Tuesday, Oct. 18 Tempe Diablo Stadium  9:15 a.m.  against Virgin Islands

Wednesday, Oct. 19  Salt River D5  1:00 p.m.  against San Diego Mudcats

Thursday, Oct. 20  Riverview SE#6  9:30 a.m.  against Arizona Scorpions


Oct. 22-28


65-and-over Central Division

Tucson Aces (15 members of the Tucson Old Timers)

Date/site/time/opponent

Saturday, Oct. 22  Salt River D6  10:00 a.m.  against Tri Valley Giants

Sunday, Oct. 23  Papago #3  9:45 a.m.  against Legends (Canada)

Monday, Oct. 24  Maryvale #7  2:00 p.m.  against Salty Dragons (Salt Lake City)

Tuesday, Oct. 25  Tempe #6  9:00 a.m.  against Broncos (San Antonio)

Wednesday, Oct. 26  Scottsdale Stadium  8:30 a.m. against Fresno Grizzlies (California)

Palmer homers at Udall

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Reed Palmer, 60, singled, hit a solo home run over the centerfield fence, and drove in two runs as Team Blue played to a 2-2 tie with Team White at Udall Park this morning.

It was a pitching duel all the way as Doc Thompson went the distance for Team Blue and Lloyd Barzell hurled all seven innings for Team White. Team Blue had a chance to break it open in the top of the seventh. With two outs and two runners on base, Barzell walked the power-hitting Palmer to load the bases. The strategy worked as  the next batter, Pigpen Price, hit a shot back to the mound into the glove of Barzell for the final out.

The TOTS will close out the week with a game on Friday. Start time is 9 a.m.

Photo: The hard-hitting Reed Palmer

65-and-over Tucson Aces prepare for MSBL World Series

The Tucson Aces to play at MSBL World Series, Oct. 22-28

The 65-and-over Tucson Aces, a team comprised mostly of members from the Tucson Old Timers (TOTS), will head for Phoenix, Oct. 22-28, to play in the MSBL World Series.

The players from Tucson include Arnie White, Bob Daliege, Dennis Crowley, Pigpen Price, Tim Tolson, Dave Rhoades, Ron Petersen, Pete Peters, Lloyd Barzell, Joe Opocensky, Bill Mishler, Ted Davis, Chico Bigham, Doc Thompson and Daniel Boxberger. Non-Tucson players include Don Kladstrup, Reese Wellman and Ernie Hernandez.

The Aces will play a five-game round robin and will take on Tri-Valley (California) in the Saturday opener, Red Deer (Canada) on Sunday, Salty Dogs (Utah) on Monday, San Antonio Broncos (Texas) on Tuesday and the Fresno Grizzlies out of California on Wednesday. The teams with the top records will advance to the playoffs on Thursday with the championship game slated for Friday.

The Aces finished 3-2 at the MSBL World Series last year.

Pete Peters, the manager of the Aces, figures this may be the year the team puts it all together. "We came close last year and this year we have a stronger pitching staff." Peters and the Aces will count on the addition of hard-throwing right-hander Doc Thompson to get them over the hump. Thompson is the only player on the roster who has pitched professionally. Of course, that was back in the 60s -- a long time ago. Still, Thompson is the hardest thrower on the Tucson Old Timers pitching staff and will be a welcome addition to the Aces pitching staff.

With a possibility of six, seven or eight games over a seven-day period, the Aces will need more than one flame thrower. Also expected to see action on the mound are eight players -- White, Daliege, Crowley, Price, Wellman, Bigham, Hernandez and Petersen (all of them pitched in 2015 at the MSBL World Series).

Go get 'em, Aces!

Photos: (Top photo) Doc Thompson, a new addition to the MSBL World Series bound Tucson Aces pitching staff this year, (bottom Photo) Pete Peters, the manager of the Aces, also plays infield and catches.

Cubs reach 100 wins

The Chicago Cubs routed the Pirates 12-2 in Pittsburgh last night to reach 100 wins on the season. The Cubs have lost 56 games and hold a 57-24 record at home and a 43-32 slate away from home.

Kyle Hendricks (16-8) pitched six scoreless innings and lowered his ERA to 1.99 -- the best in the majors.

Diamondbacks will avoid a 100-loss season

Arizona Diamondbacks

The good news is the Arizona Diamondbacks (64-91) will avoid a 100-loss season.

The bad news: They will come close. The Diamondbacks have seven games remaining -- four at Washington and three games back at Chase Field to close out the season against the San Diego Padres.

Cubs seek 100th win in Pittsburgh tonight

The Chicago Cubs (99-56) have the best record in baseball and will go for their 100th win tonight in Pittsburgh. The Cubs have already won the NL Central.

Go, Cubbies!

Arizona loses another running back

Arizona Wildcats Football


The Arizona Wildcats fought their way to a tie in regulation and then lost  35-28 in overtime to the visiting Washington Huskies last night at Arizona Stadium.

Arizona loses yet another running back as J.J. Taylor, after scoring one touchdown and rushing for 97 yards, breaks his ankle. Gone are J.J., Nick Wilson and a much needed Orlando Bradford, who is no longer with the team.

Brandon Dawkins did his part in keeping the Wildcats in the hunt with 176 yards rushing and two scores, while tossing a TD pass and collecting 167 yards through the air. In the end, it just wasn't enough as his last toss, after a poor snap from center, leads to an incomplete pass in the end zone.

The result: a 4-0, 1-0 start for the Huskies and a 2-2, 0-1 record for the Wildcats. The Wildcats head for UCLA next Saturday and a match up with the Bruins.

Archie Burke hangs up his cleats

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Archie Burke, 84, is retiring from active duty with the Tucson Old Timers.

Burke has been a member of the TOTS since 1991 and has played for the 60-and-over baseball club for 25 years. Archie played his last game last Wednesday. Burke, a former school teacher with the Tucson Unified School District for more than 30 years, was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

"It's time to hang it up," Burke said, after Wednesday's game. "I've got 25 years in, that's enough."

Burke, an outfielder, got his chance to bat lead off and play first base for an inning during his final game. Archie received a standing ovation from his teammates, before he took the field for his final game as a TOT.

Way to go, Archie!

Photos: Archie Burke

Goldy homers twice, reaches 90 RBI

Arizona Diamondbacks


Paul Goldschmidt hit two home runs and drove in three runs as the Arizona Diamondbacks salvage the final game of a three-game series in San Diego with a 3-2 win over the Padres last night.

Goldy takes over the RBI lead for the Diamondbacks. He now has 90 RBI to go along with 23 home runs. Zack Greinke (13-7) pitched six strong innings, allowing just two hits, and picked up his 13th win of the season.

The Diamondbacks (64-88) take a day off today and open up a three-game series in Baltimore on Friday.

Just 10 games left for the Diamondbacks.

Pigpen caught sleeping on the base paths

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Team White edged Team Blue 5-3 at Udall Park today in a 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers game. Lloyd Barzell went 3 for 3 at the plate and pitched all seven innings for Team White, while Team Blue's John Mathews went 2 for 3, drove in two runs and hit a booming double over the head of Team White's center fielder Reed Palmer.

Team Blue trailed 5-0 early, but bounced back and had a chance to do some damage in the top of the seventh inning. With two outs, Petersen stepped to the plate, represented the tying run. Pigpen Price had collected his second hit of the game with a single down the third base line and had moved to second on a force out.

Petersen didn't get a chance to swing the bat as Price was caught in a pick off play at second base. Barzell's throw to second was right on the money as Team White's shortstop Tim Tolson applied the tag.

"No excuse," Price said. "I had my head down and felt the tag a split second before I tagged the bag. My head wasn't in the game."

Photo: John Mathews, went 2 for 3 today and drove in two runs in a losing cause.

Daliege, Petersen, Eckert, Price to play at MSBL World Series

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Four members of the Tucson Old Timers will play for San Antonio, Texas, at the Men's Senior Baseball League (MSBL) World Series in Phoenix, Oct. 16-22.

Ron Petersen, 71, Pigpen Price, 71, Ed Eckert, 76, and Bob Daliege, 68, will play for the Texans in the 70-and-over division. Petersen will see playing time at first base, behind the plate, and in the outfield, while Price will play second and third base. Daliege will see action in the outfield and behind the plate and Eckert will play in the outfield.

Daliege will be one of two players on the Texas roster receiving an under-70 waiver, the other player, Emerson Hayes, 69, is from San Antonio.

The Texans open up against the Tri Valley Giants, a team out of the San Francisco area, and will take on Red Deer, Canada, in Game 2 of the five-game round-robin. The Texans are scheduled to play the Virgin Islands in Game 3, the San Diego Mudcats in Game 4 and the Arizona Scorpions in the fifth game.

The top won-loss records after the five-game round robin will determine which teams will advance to the playoffs. The championship game in the 70-and-over division will be played on Saturday, Oct. 22, at Tempe Diablo Annex Field #1, just west of Tempe Diablo Stadium.

Photos: Bob Daliege, Ron Petersen, Pigpen Price and Ed Eckert

Diamondbacks split 4-game series with Dodgers

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks (63-86) split the four-game series with the Dodgers at Chase Field -- capping off the series with a 10-9 win in 12 innings today as Brandon Drury knocks in the game- winner with a walk-off single.

Drury collected four hits  today-- including a home run.

Arizona opens a three-game series tomorrow night against the Padres in San Diego.

Dawkins, Taylor lead Wildcats to win over Hawaii

Arizona Wildcats Football


Brandon Dawkins did it again.

The Arizona quarterback rushed for three touchdowns and threw for another score as the Wildcats win at home tonight over Hawaii, 47-28. Dawkins rushed for 118 yards and passed for 235 yards as Arizona scored 20 points in the first quarter and led at the half, 34-7.

Nick Wilson left the game early with a leg injury and the Wildcats inserted  J.J. Taylor, who responded with 168 yards rushing and a touchdown.

Arizona improves to 2-1 on the season.

Lamb at 88 RBI, Goldschmidt with 85

Arizona Diamondbacks

Jean Segura, with 184 hits and counting, will finish the season as the top hitter on the Arizona Diamondbacks. He's currently hitting at  a .316 clip with 15 games to go. Yasmany Tomas leads the team in home runs with 29, but is being pushed by Jake Lamb with 28. As for the top RBI man, it's still in question.  Lamb has the lead with 88 RBI, but Paul Goldschmidt, the player who usual finishes as the top dog in that category, is three behind at 85.

As for the Diamondbacks' won-loss record: a dismal 62-85 with 15 games to go.

As they say, "wait until next year."

Cubs and the Chicago fans are on top of the world

It's been a long time coming.

The Chicago Cubs won the NL Central Division two days ago and their fans are still celebrating. They celebrated after a walk-off win last night as Miguel Montero homered in a 5-4 Cubs' win over Milwaukee -- their 94th victory of the year.

Chances are the Cubs (94-53) will be the first and only team to reach 100 wins this season -- just six away from the century mark with 15 regular-season games remaining.

Way to go, Cubs!

Photo: Montero hits walk-off homer. Remember that guy? He used to be a Diamondback!

Senior Baseball Action at Udall Park

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Photos by Conrad Royksund: 1) Top photo, Pigpen Price chases down a fly ball; 2) Pete Maldonado hurls a fastball as first sacker Ron Petersen and runner Reed Palmer look on; 3) Pete Peters eyes the pitch; 4) Reed Palmer takes a mighty cut; 5) Dennis Crowley connects and 6) bottom photo, Tim Tolson picks up the ball and prepares to throw to first as runners -- Lloyd Barzell eases into second and Bob Daliege heads for third.

Diamondbacks sweep Rockies

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks (61-84) made it a three-game sweep of the Colorado Rockies with an 11-6 win last night as lead-off man Jean Segura homers twice. Arizona banged out 17 hits.

Arizona opens up a four-game series with the Dodgers tonight as Archie Bradley (6-9) takes the mound.

Game Day at Udall Park

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball


Game Day at Udall Park...

Photos:  1) Jesse Ochoa hits, 2) Bob Daliege pitches, 3) Doc Thompson hurls, 4) Floyd Lance fields, 5) Ron Petersen swings, 6)  Ted Davis fouls off a pitch.

Dawkins leads Arizona to first win

Arizona Wildcats Football


Quarterback Brandon Dawkins led a second-half comeback as the Wildcats, down 21-3 at the end of the first half, roared back to beat Grambling State 31-21 tonight at Arizona Stadium.

Dawkins, playing in place of the injured Anu Solomon, struggled at times but managed to run for two touchdowns and connected through the air to Trey Griffey on another scoring play as the Wildcats blanked the gritty Tigers in the second half, while putting up 28 points on the scoreboard.

The Arizona defense created six turnovers in the final 30 minutes of the game.

Dawkins connected on 15 of 29 passes for 223 yards. He also rushed for 97 yards on 16 carries. Nick Wilson gained 116 yards on 24 carries and a touchdown.

Arizona improves to 1-1 on the season and will tangle with Hawaii at Arizona Stadium next Saturday in the final non-conference game of the season.

Arizona Wildcats open home schedule with Grambling

Arizona Wildcats Football

After a heart wrenching 18-16 loss to BYU in Phoenix last week, the Arizona Wildcats focus on its home opener in 2016 against Grambling (1-0) tonight at Arizona Stadium. Game time 7:45 p.m.

Anu Solomon is already hurt and Brandon Dawkins will get his shot tonight.

Let's hope the injury bug doesn't settle in for a lengthy stay as far as the Wildcats are concerned.

Go get 'em, Wildcats!

Diamondbacks lose opener of 10-game home stand

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks lost 7-6 in 12 innings last night at Chase Field to the San Francisco Giants, the first game of a 10-game home stand.

Kyle Jensen, Brandon Drury and Jake Lamb homered for Arizona. Lamb leads the Diamondbacks with 86 RBI.

Arizona falls to 58-82 and a dismal 25-44 at home.

Oldest active TOT Floyd Lance turns 91

Tucson Old Timers


60-and-over baseball



Congratulations to Floyd Lance, the Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) oldest active TOT, who turned 91 on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016.


Photos of Floyd by Conrad Royksund

A "B" Draft for my fantasy football team, Team Priceless

UPC Hood Fantasy Football League

Team Priceless


I'm back for another try at Fantasy Football. I received a "B" grade on my draft last Sunday and my Team Priceless will head into the first week of the NFL season with a 50-50 chance of making it to the playoffs in the 10-team UPC Hood Fantasy Football League.

Of course, I open Week 1 up against a team with an "A" draft and my opponent has Carolina quarterback Cam Newton, New York Giants' wide-receiver Odell Beckham Jr., and running back Matt Forte, who has moved on from the Chicago Bears to the New York Jets.

In my draft, I focused on running backs and a quarterback this year. I ended up with Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers and two quality running backs (they still need to produce, of course) -- Adrian Peterson of Minnesota and Houston's Lamar Miller. Of course, by focusing on a quarterback and running backs, I lost out on the top wide receivers, although I did manage to pick up Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald, Eric Decker of the New York Jets and Seattle's Doug Baldwin. I also selected the Arizona defense, the kicker from Seattle, Steven Hauschka, and a tight end from Philadelphia, Zach Ertz.

My bench includes: a second quarterback in Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger and a few substitute wide receivers -- Tyler Lockett (Seattle), Corey Coleman (Cleveland) and Travis Benjamin from San Diego. I added two running backs -- Tevin Coleman (Atlanta) and San Diego's Danny Woodhead as backups.

Wish me luck!

Cubbies still rolling

It's Labor Day and the Chicago Cubs are rolling along like an old locomotive.

The Cubs win again today, this time 7-2 over the Brewers in Milwaukee and are an amazing 89-48 -- a mere 41 games over the .500 mark.

The locomotive is steamrolling with 51 wins at home and 38 wins on the road.

The Cubs are doing it with pitching and hitting. Look at this great pitching staff: Kyle Hendricks won today and is now 14-7; Jake Arietta 16-6; John Lester 15-4; Jason Hammel 14-7 and John Lackey 9-7 -- and that's just for starters. Throw in reliever Hector Rondan with 18 saves and recently-acquired, superstar closer Aroldis Chapman with 12 and you have an overabundance of talent on the mound.

Of course, it doesn't end there. Stepping up to the plate is Kris Bryant, who leads the team with a batting average of .302, to go along with 157 hits, 91 RBI and 36 home runs, while teammate Anthony Rizzo leads the club in RBI with 93 to go along with 146 hits, 26 home runs and .292 batting average.

Throw in a few more guys like Addison Russell with 112 hits and 88 RBI, Ben Zobrist (124 hits, 66 RBI),  Jason Heyward (108 hits), Dexter Fowler ( 104 hits) and it's no wonder the Cub fans in the Windy City are ready to blow the cap off a championship season.

Barzell top TOTS' hitter for the month of August

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Lloyd Barzell is a hitting machine.

Lloyd proved it once again as he went 22 for 27 for a hefty .815 batting average for the month of August. He led the team in runs scored for the month with 22, while Pete Peters was a distant second in runs scored with 11.

Tim Tolson led the team in RBI with 17, while newcomer Reed Palmer finished second with 10.

Other top hitters for the month included Ron Petersen (15 for 25, a .600 average), Palmer (15 for 23, a .652 average) and Tolson (16 for 26, a .615 average). Floyd Lance, who turn 91 next week, finished the month as the top hitter among the group of 80-and-over players. Lance played in all 10 games and batted .280 with seven hits in 25 at bats.