As in, “I’m lagging” way behind.  There’s more FLP news than I have time to keep up with right now.  First off, HT to Tricia for alerting me to the fact that FLP, Alejandro Friere was playing for Spain in the recent Olympic qualifier.  Neate wrote here about former Lynx internet broadcaster, Shawn McCart’s return to Ottawa - nice to see that the Sun also gave him some column space for the story.

“It’s great to be back in Ottawa,” McCart said.

“I loved every minute of it,” McCart added of his time with the late and lamented Triple-A ballclub in 2006. “I called over 120 games and got to make some very good friends. I missed it so much last year that when my fiancee had vacation time, we went to (Triple-A cities) Buffalo, Rochester and Toledo … it ended up being my vacation more than hers.”

McCart is now co-ordinator of athletic sponsorship and marketing for the St. Catharines based university, his alma mater.

Nice work Neate.

In other FLP news, catcher Jason Jaramillo continues to impress down in ST and has survived yet another round of cuts to the minor league camp.  From the Phillies website:

Jaramillo has survived three rounds of cuts this spring, as he soaks up knowledge from Major Leaguers. He spent all last season at Triple-A Ottawa, batting .271 in 118 games and learning from then-manager John Russell, a former Major League catcher.

The strides he made with the Lynx last season convinced general manager Pat Gillick that the Phillies are covered should something happen to Carlos Ruiz or Chris Coste and Jaramillo’s services are needed at the big league level.

The switch-hitter, selected in the second round of the 2004 First-Year Player Draft, knows he’s close.

“It’s an awesome feeling, and frustrating at the same time, because you can see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Jaramillo said. “The biggest thing for me is knowing I can compete at this level. It’s nice to know that I’m still around here learning and getting at-bats. I’m just taking it all in.”

In describing his joy in calling a good game to earn a win for a pitcher, Jaramillo revealed his true thrill, which is likely shared by many catchers.

“Throwing out runners,” said Jaramillo, who grew up watching Benito Santiago and Ivan Rodriguez. “I really enjoy that.”

J.J. was one of Zack’s favorite players last year and someone he’ll always remember from his time in the clubhouse.  J.J. was the last player we saw after the final game last year as he loaded his gear out in the parking lot.  A smile and a wave, and then he was gone.