Nick Busick may have most-famously portrayed a growling, stomping, cigar-smoking “Bully” on World Wrestling Federation (WWF) television, but that’s the only showboating he has ever done. In a strong, genuine and authentic voice, Nick Busick wants his fans to know that he is not looking for empathy in announcing that he has esophageal cancer. He’s battled tougher opponents in and out of the squared circle, and in no way feels he is a victim of this disease. “More than anything, I want everyone ... Read More
Beatty gets second chance with Wild Things
Washington Wild Things outfielder C.J. Beatty has been through one wild ride over the past year. The slugger helped lead the Wild Things to a Wild Card spot before having his contract purchased by the Chicago White Sox prior to the Frontier League playoffs, where he would finish the year in his hometown with their High-A Winston-Salem club. Beatty started the 2015 season in Winston-Salem, but only played in two of the club's games over the first month of the season. He then asked for his ... Read More
Otters shock Wild Things 5-3
Down to their final out, the Evansville Otters scored four times to shock the Wild Things 5-3 to complete a three-game sweep on Thursday night at Consol Energy Park. The comeback erased a solid start by Australian Luke Wilkins, who threw five innings of one-run ball while allowing five hits and walking two. He experienced trouble in the first and second innings allowing four hits, but he settled down both times to allow only the one run. "Wilkins did a great job," said Wild Things manager, ... Read More
Wild Things bats silent in 5-2 defeat
The Washington Wild Things fell victim to a hot arm as Evansville starter Efrain Nieves threw six shutout innings while allowing only one hit in an Otters 5-2 victory at Consol Energy Park on Wednesday night. That lone hit came in the third inning on a Sam Mende leadoff double and error sending the Washington third basemen to third. He would not score, however, as Nieves (1-0) induced two ground outs to third and a fly out to center to end the threat. Nieves then retired nine of the final ... Read More
Wild Things drop another in extras
The Washington Wild Things, once again, fell victim to a late-inning comeback as the Evansville Otters overcame a two-run deficit twice to take the first game of a three-game set 7-6 in 10 innings at Consol Energy Park. Leading 5-3 in the seventh inning, reliever Matt Purnell allowed a lead-off single and then threw wide of second on a bunt attempt setting up first and second with no out. Evansville lead-off hitter Ronnie Richardson then lined a double down the right field line to tie things ... Read More
The squared circle: Lord Zoltan has full dance card as he closes in on 40 years in the ring
One might think that any man who wrestled Andre the Giant in the mid 1980’s should be signing autographs at a fan gathering and staying far away from the professional wrestling ring. Yet more might believe that a man who successfully battled prostate cancer wouldn’t be tying up worn, yellow boots on most Saturday nights. No one is like Lord Zoltan. Later this year, the wrestler born Ken Jugan in Glassport, Pa., will officially celebrate his 40th anniversary inside the squared circle. And ... Read More
Cole Tucker earning respect early on in Pirates system
Cole Tucker might be the youngest player on the West Virginia Power roster, but he has already established himself as one of the most respected leaders of the squad. An 18-year-old in a new environment with people older and more experienced than him would usually be intimidating, but for Tucker, it's been the direct opposite as his maturity level and attitude has fit him in nicely with the WV Power roster regardless if he's the youngest or not. "He's special in terms of where he's at and ... Read More
Wild Things split twin-bill for first victory of 2015
The Washington Wild Things got into the win column for the first time in 2015 with a 2-0 victory over the Schaumburg Boomers in the second game of a doubleheader at Consol Energy Park. The Wild Things were paced by a solid start by lefty Kyle Helisek, who threw 5.2 innings of three-hit, no run ball while striking out five and walking five. "We cornered up the ball real well," said catcher John Fidanza, "Helisek threw a lot of strikes. They were giving us the inside corner, so he kept going ... Read More
Wild Things fall on opening night
One couldn't ask for a better night to kick off the 2015 Frontier League campaign, but the Washington Wild Things couldn't find the big hit when they needed it as they fell to the Schaumburg Boomers 1-0 on opening night. Wild Things starter Matthew Sergey started his season off with a 25-pitch first inning allowing a walk and a single, but got out of the inning with a strikeout and a groundout to first. His counterpart, Boomers starter Eddie Cody, had the same first inning 25-pitch jitters ... Read More
Pirates Minor League review: West Virginia Power
The West Virginia Power could be defined by one word...scrappy. The Pittsburgh Pirates' Low-A club currently holds an 18-13 record, which is four games out of first and good for second place in the South Atlantic League's North Division. The Power have scored 15 runs in their final at-bat over those 31 games. "We're finding ways to win ballgames," said first-year manager Brian Esposito. "We're finding ways to keep ourselves in the ballgame and at least giving ourselves a chance to win. ... Read More