Results tagged ‘ Brandon Kintzler ’
Getting to Know Your 2013 MLB Fan Cave Fandidates
Yesterday, I wrote about how MLB revealed the top 52 fans vying to be a contestant in the 2013 MLB Fan Cave–including two Brewers candidates (or FANdidates, as I like to call them), Peter Gourlie and Kevin Kimmes.
Now through Wednesday, February 13, fans can view video submissions from all 52 applicants on MLBFanCave.com and vote for their favorites.
Based on fan voting, quality of the original submissions, and the ability of the contestants to generate buzz and interest in their campaigns, MLB will narrow the field to 30 finalists who will then earn a trip to Spring Training in Arizona at the end of February, where they will compete in a variety of challenges to determine the final group of contestants.
These winners will begin the season in the MLB Fan Cave in New York City with the goal of watching all 2,430 MLB games on a large wall of big screen Sony televisions while chronicling their experiences online through videos, blogs, and social media. Along the way, they will compete with one another over the course of the season in a series of challenges, with fans online helping decide who gets to stay in the Fan Cave and who gets eliminated with one eventual winner crowned before the end of the World Series.
All 52 finalists have been hard at work rocking the vote since the announcement was made and this morning, I had the chance to catch up with these gentlemen so I can give you a little background on why you should, as always–VOTE BREWERS!
Peter Gourlie, better known as “Super Fan Pete,” is a Wisconsin native. He is a 31-year-old mattress store manager. He’s been a Brewers fan for as long as he can remember, coming to at least a couple of games a year as a child even though he grew up north of Wausau, Wisconsin.
Peter believes fans should vote for him because, “I am the ultimate super fan. I go to 60-plus games per year, including on the road. I support the players through good times and bad,” he said.
And if you need anymore proof that Peter truly is a super fan, well, you need not look any further than his Brewers Super Fan tattoo!
Since 2008, Peter and his friends have been traveling to Arizona to see the Brewers in Spring Training and he already has a trip planned for this year–only he now he hopes that during that trip he will be otherwise occupied as one of the Top 30 contestants for the MLB Fan Cave.
“If you’re selected as one of the Top 30 fans, you get to go to Spring Training in Arizona,” Peter said. “Well, I’ll already be down there. They can just send a car.”
To get there, he’s got to campaign hard and so far, he’s been able to garner a good buzz, primarily through Twitter and with the support of some of our current and former players–former Brewers pitchers Mitch Stetter (now with the Los Angeles Angels) and Manny Parra (now with the Cincinnati Reds) and current Brewers pitcher Brandon Kintzler all make appearances in Peter’s Fan Cave video, giving him ringing endorsements.
If he’s lucky enough to make it to the actual Fan Cave in New York, he’s not scared of the city, even though he’s never been there, or the prospect of living with 5-7 others for the season. “I’d be rooming with the best, most elite super fans from other teams,” Peter said. “We’ve all got baseball in common–something great to talk about.” Click here to vote for Peter. Also, follow him on Twitter: @SuperFanPete
Kevin Kimmes is a 34-year-old insurance salesman from Green Bay, Wisconsin. A self-proclaimed entertainer, he’s worn many hats from special effects assistant to playing in bands and even managing pro wrestling. Most importantly, though, he’s passionate about baseball and he’s a lifetime Brewers fan.
“The Brewers have been such a big part of my life. My first memories are sitting in my grandpa’s garage listening to Uecker,” he told me. “I would love the opportunity to live every fan’s dream.
Living up in Green Bay, Kevin says he is not able to get to as many games as he’d like, but he catches all the games on TV and/or radio. He also stays in touch with our farm system–last year, he covered the Timber Rattlers for CreamCityCables.com.
Kevin has never been to New York before, nor has he been to see the Brewers in Spring Training, but he’s hoping that he’ll get to do both things this year if he remains in the running for the Fan Cave. “It would be great to be in the Fan Cave,” Kevin said. “We know that we all have the passion and drive to do this; we’re all baseball fans. You’d form friendships and bonds that you’ll take with you for life.”
As Kevin alludes to in his video, he recently got married last year. And, although his “man cave” might be relegated to a bathroom for now, he says that his wife is one of his biggest supporters in his quest to be a cave dweller. “She knows how much baseball means to me. She’s been behind me 100%.”
Click here to vote for Kevin. Also, follow him on Twitter: @KevinKimmes.
So there you have it! The two Brewers Fandidates for the 2013 MLB Fan Cave.
Are you still here? Stop reading and go vote for Peter and Kevin!
-Cait
Kintzler’s Dream Season Continues In Arizona
Brewers RHP Brandon Kintzler has had quite a complicated career for someone who is only 26 years old. He joined the Brewers organization in 2009 after his contract was purchased from the American Association St. Paul Saints. Prior his time with the Saints, he missed the entire 2006 season following arm surgery, spent time with Winnepeg of the independent league and with the Padres organization. This year, after pitching in Double-A Huntsville and Triple-A Nashville, Kintzler was called up to the Big Leagues and made his Major League debut in September.
“This year has been a dream,” Kintzler said. “I set goals for myself and after I had surgery in 2006, I set a goal to be in the Fall League in 2007. I know it’s three years later that I am here, but it really has been a great year for me professionally. The fact that I was in the Big Leagues this year and I’m on the 40-man is great. I’m in a good position for next year and being here in the Fall League is really helping continue to develop.”
Kintzler has made seven relief appearances this fall and has a 1-0 record with a 3.60 ERA (10ip/4er), he has struck out nine and walked only two.
”It took me a little bit to get settled, but once I became settled in, I was able to get on a nice roll and everything is going well right now. (Brewers pitching coach) Rick Peterson has had me work on hand movement and took my windup away. My velocity went back up from when I was in Milwaukee which is good to see as well.”
Shortening the delivery of Kintzler and allowing him to hold runners on base was one thing the Brewers staff wanted to work on. He has a different delivery and, according to the Las Vegas native, it has helped him out.
Surprise manager Mike Guerrero said he has been pleased with what he has seen with Kintzler so far this fall.
“He has really shown improvement all season long,” said Guerrero. “Seeing his development from last Spring Training here in Arizona to know is great. He was really pitching well with us in Huntsville early in the season; he continued to improve and was ultimately rewarded with a call up to the Brewers. He throws had and with control and there is always a need for that on the Big League level. His work ethic is something that will always keep him in conversations.”
Kintzler specifically pointed to the pregame workout routine that Trevor Hoffman organized with the Brewers bullpen on a daily basis for the last two seasons as something that is helping him physically.
“The Milwaukee guys stick together when working out (here in Arizona),” Kintzler said. “We have really stuck with Trevor’s routine of running and working out on a daily basis. He really had a big impact on all of us and we really learned a lot from him.”
A routine is something that Kintzler is excited about getting into once the Fall League season is complete. After starting the season in Huntsville, then going to Nasvhille, finishing in Milwaukee and then continuing here in Arizona, Kintzler has had a whirlwind 2010.
”It’s been a grind lately,” Kintzler said. “After this, I want to get in a routine of working out but at the same time, getting a little rest. February will be here fast and I want to be as strong as possible for Spring Training to compete for a job.”
Overall the experience and work Kintzler is getting here is something he is making the most out of and truly enjoying.
”It’s a really fun team, we have a good group. “It’s kind of funny that I’m the oldest guy on the team at only 26, but everyone meshes really well. It was quiet the first day, but everyone really gets along now. We are winning and Mike (Guerrero) really keeps it loose.”
TODAY’S GAME: Surprise is home against Scottsdale today with a 2:35 p.m. (Milwaukee time) first pitch. There are four Brewers in today’s Rafters starting lineup: Logan Schafer leading off and playing centerfield, Eric Farris batting second and playing second base, Caleb Gindl batting third and playing right field and Hunter Morris batting sixth and playing third base. Also playing in today’s game for Scottsdale is Washington Nationals top prospect and the 2010 First overall draft selection, Bryce Harper. Harper is a member of the Scorpions “taxi” squad and since today is a Wednesday, he is eligible to play in today’s game.
–JOHN
John and Cait
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