The day Jerry Hairston Jr. was traded for Chase Weems
Posted on 26. Aug, 2009 by Corey in All, Dayton Dragons Baseball, General Baseball.
NEW blog entry from my INSIDE THE CLUBHOUSE BLOG on DAYTONDRAGONS.com
Chase Weems was on the field with his Charleston River Dogs teammates beginning stretch before batting practice. The 2007 sixth round pick in the MLB First Year Player Draft was trying to climb his way up the New York Yankees farm system. After splitting time between the GCL Yankees and Charleston in 2008, Weems returned to Charleston for the 2009 season.
Coach Tory Tyson walked towards Weems as he was stretching and had a cell phone in his hand. Tyson told Weems that Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman was on the phone, and wanted to speak to him. “I had no idea what this could be about,” Weems said. “I had met Cashman once before during Instructional League in the Dominican, but I didn’t think he was calling in the middle of stretch to say hello.”
What Cashman did have to say to Weems was that he had been traded to the Cincinnati Reds for Major League utility player Jerry Hairston Jr. How the rest of the phone conversation went, is a blur to Weems. “I really do not remember anything else that was said by either of us.”
Tyson then gathered his River Dogs team together and told everyone that Weems had been traded to the Reds and would be leaving shortly. Weems teammates all wished him good luck and lots of hugs and handshakes were given out. “I was drafted with most all of these guys,” Weems said. “We all sort of grew up together in professional baseball and it was sad to leave them.”
After cleaning out his locker at the stadium, Weems returned to his apartment to begin packing everything for his move to the Reds organization. He was thankful that his parents were in town from Georgia and could share in the experience and help him pack.
Weems said he received several phone calls from Lois Hudson with the Cincinnati Reds, telling him he would be assigned to the Dayton Dragons and giving him his travel and flight information. The club would need him there before the game the following night.
“It was bittersweet leaving Charleston that night,” Weems said. “I really knew my teammates well and will miss them, but I was also excited for the new opportunity. It’s no secret that the Yankees don’t have too many home grown products in the big leagues, so being with the Reds gives me a new chance to reach the ultimate goal of the Major Leagues.”
The next morning, Weems boarded a plane for Dayton. Upon his arrival, he was transported straight to the field, arriving about 45 minutes before game time. “I had to leave most of my equipment behind because it was Yankees blue and I couldn’t wear the wrong color.” Weems has been borrowing a pair of cleats from Dragons outfielder Anthony Brown until he was sent some to match the Dragons color scheme.
“This really seems like a great group of guys,” Weems said of his new team. “They’re really laid back and fun to be around. They all accepted me right away and I am excited to be able to get into the lineup and play.”
