The Fightins » Don’t look now, but Antonio Alfonseca is making a comeback

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Jun

2009

Don’t look now, but Antonio Alfonseca is making a comeback

Posted by meech.one at 8:27 am ET 22 Comments

Alfonseca

OOOOOOOooohhhh, baby!

You see that large mound of flesh up there about to toss a slider past some unsuspecting schlub?

Yeah, that’s Antonio Alfonseca. “El Pulpo” for short. And now, the ex-Phillies reliever and cuddliest man in the history of the majors is making a comeback with the Lancaster Barnstormers of the (independant) Atlantic League.

Here’s the press release to prove it:

Former Major League pitchers Antonio Alfonseca and [some other guy] have been signed by the Lancaster Barnstormers and will join the team for [last] weekend’s four-game road series in Southern Maryland, it was announced [on the 24th of June.]

And that press release wasn’t lying. On Saturday night, Alfonseca started off his Atlantic League career by going two-thirds of an inning giving up a single and an UNEARNED run while striking out one in the Barnstormers 8-0 loss to some other independent team that definitely doesn’t have a six-fingered pitcher on their roster.

Then last night, in his first real test since joining the squad and his debut at Clipper Stadium (home of your ‘Stormers), Tony entered in the ninth inning of a tie game, and proceeded to set down six in a row — 4 by way of groundout, 1 flyout, and a K.

That kept the Barnstormers in the game long enough so they could win in the most improbable of ways — on a walkoff wild pitch courtesy of Tip Fairchild in the bottom of the twelfth as he was TRYING TO INTENTIONALLY WALK A GUY. That’s the power of ‘Seca.

Good luck, Antonio. We’ll be occasionally monitoring your progress and rooting you in.

After the jump, you can find some Bigfoot-like evidence of his first game with the ‘Stormers.

AlfonsecaBarnstormers

22 Comments on “Don’t look now, but Antonio Alfonseca is making a comeback”

themajor Says:
June 30th, 2009 at 8:44 am
I don’t know whats better having el pupo on the team or von hayes as the manager
Jon Says:
June 30th, 2009 at 9:03 am
You gotta love a Fonzy sighting. The people of Lancaster know not how lucky they are.
Zach Says:
June 30th, 2009 at 9:15 am
I happen to live in Lancaster and can tell you that Von Hayes manages the club. When the club originally started Tommy Herr was managing.
Eminencegirl Says:
June 30th, 2009 at 9:33 am
Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.
beelove Says:
June 30th, 2009 at 9:34 am
in case the 90 minute drive to lancaster’s too long, the barnstormers make their next visit to campbell’s field in beautiful camden the weekend of july 24-26. the saturday 7/25 game is Reusable Shopping Bag giveaway Presented by Campbell’s (Limited to the first 1,000 fans) / Medical Professionals Night and Fireworks Show Presented by Lourdes Health System / Wrestling Night / Post-Game Kids Run the Bases.

ps: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mL7AKmD1fI
Here Come Da Judge Says:
June 30th, 2009 at 9:42 am
“After the jump, you can find some Bigfoot-like evidence of his first game with the ‘Stormers.”

perfect description of that picture
Colin_K Says:
June 30th, 2009 at 9:51 am
I cannot believe I am the first person to bring up the losing pitcher’s name in said game…Tip Fairchild.

What a great 70s porn/80s adventure sitcom name. His parents must have been fans of the deep cheeks series, with a little MaGyver and Fall Guy sprinkled on top.
Chris Says:
June 30th, 2009 at 10:20 am
Why the fuck didn’t we pick him up?
85 Says:
June 30th, 2009 at 10:42 am
Tony entered in the ninth inning of a tie game, and proceeded to set down six in a row — 4 by way of groundout, 1 flyout, and a K.

So you’re telling me he’s having a decidedly better year than Lidge… sigh…
Hummer Says:
June 30th, 2009 at 11:05 am
Im a half hour away from Lancaster and didnt know this?!

/runs off to buy tickets for every home game left on the schedule
Loren Coleman Says:
June 30th, 2009 at 11:06 am
I am a fan of Antonio Alfonseca whom I watched often here in Portland, Maine, when he was on our AA Marlins’ farm team, before he went up to the bigs (with the Marlins).

He’s a powerful hitter, btw. He was the only pitcher in our minor league history here at Hadlock Field to hit a towering home run over the centerfield clock! I was there to watch that feat, and it will be the type of thing to tell my grandkids about some day.

Yes, his multiple digitals are intriguing, which only add to his mystic.

The Barnstormers should feel lucky to have him.
Larry Says:
June 30th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Yes, he has quite a history. Also, when he was in kindergarten, he was the first kid who could count to twelve.
fuck the mets Says:
June 30th, 2009 at 11:21 am
Can not WAIT for the Camden game, ordering my tickets today.
Gabrielle Says:
June 30th, 2009 at 11:25 am
that’s a whole lotta baseball player right there..
CarlosBeltransexual Says:
June 30th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
I’m headed down to the game tonight.
bikewobble Says:
June 30th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
i hope to see el pulpo in newark in a few weeks.
PhiPhan5648 Says:
June 30th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Ahah… so the twelve fingered wonder is still pitching somewhere, I was wondering what happened to him since his short stint with the PHILS.
Gonzo Says:
June 30th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Here’s the video of the walk-off wild pitch. Crazy stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GOtAQ__wks&feature=player_embedded
meech.one Says:
June 30th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Gonzo, that’s not it. That was another walkoff wild pitch that the Barnstormers were involved in. The one from last night they actually won.
Gonzo Says:
June 30th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Yeah, that’s not the right video. but funny, nonetheless.
Gonzo Says:
June 30th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
thanks for correcting me, otherwise, Jay Mariotti would have my head.
CarlosBeltransexual Says:
June 30th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
I just watched him blow a save. Come on, Pulpo! You’re better than that!