2007 Birmingham Barons

The 2007 Birmingham Barons open their 2007 campaign on April 5 with a home game against the Carolina Mudcats. The Barons compete in the South division of the Southern League along with the Jacksonville Suns, Mississippi Braves, Mobile BayBears and Montgomery Biscuits. They play their home games at Regions Park in Hoover. All games are broadcast on WYDE-FM "The Source" and are called by Director of Broadcasting Curt Bloom.

This marks the Baron's 22nd season as the Chicago White Sox AA affiliate, and their 20th year in Hoover. The minor league contract was extended by 4 years to 2010 on July 20, 2006. It is the first season under new owners Don Logan and his sons Jeff and Stan. Rafael Santana was announced as the Barons new manager on January 18, 2007.

Roster

Pitchers

• Adam Russell (3-3, 3.53 ERA)
• Gio Gonzalez (4-2, 3.46 ERA)
• Jack Egbert (3-3, 3.23 ERA)
• Wes Whisler (2-4, 4.02 ERA)
• Kris Honel (1-1, 3.34 ERA)
• Tim Bittner
• Dewon Day
• Fernando Hernandez, Jr
• Oneli Perez
• Edwardo Sierra
• Carlos Vazquez, promoted to Charlotte May 4
• Ryan Wing
• Corwin Malone, received from Charlotte May 15

Catchers

• Eric Hollis, activated from DL May 4, returned to DL May 15
• Donny Lucy
• Jeremy Frost

Infielders

• Jason Bourgeois
• Chris Getz
• Chris Kelly
• Michael Myers
• Micah Schnurstein
• Robert Valido

Outfielders

• Cory Aldridge
• Thomas Collaro
• Ricardo Nanita
• Sean Smith

Coaches and trainers

• Rafael Santana, manager
• Richie Hebner, hitting coach
• Rich Dotson, pitching coach
• Joe Geck, athletic trainer
• Adam Tischler, conditioning coach

Results (19-26)

April (14-11)

• 5-9: Won 4 of 5 vs Carolina Mudcats (3-5, 4-2, 10-0, 6-4, 5-0), finishing 1 game back
• 11-14: Won 4 of 5 at Mobile BayBears (5-1 in 7, 5-2 in 7, 5-2, 2-3, 7-5), taking the division lead
• 16-20: Won 3 of 5 vs Montgomery Biscuits (2-1 in 10, 10-1, 4-6, 2-3, 3-2), keeping the division lead
• 21-25: Won 0 of 5 at Mississippi Braves (5-6 in 11, 1-2, 0-2, 1-4, 2-5), falling 4 games back
• 26-30: Won 3 of 5 vs Huntsville Stars (1-0, 6-3, 4-2, 0-8, 4-6), remaining 4 games back

May (5-15)

• 2-6: Won 1 of 5 vs Tennessee Smokies (3-4 in 11, 5-0, 1-16, 0-1, 3-10), falling 5 games back
• 7-11: Won 2 of 5 at Jacksonville Suns (6-3, 1-4, 1-4, 11-12, 2-1), falling 6 games back
• 12-16: Won 1 of 5 vs Mississippi Braves (1-2, 3-14, 3-4 in 11, 0-7, 6-4), falling 9 games back
• 17-21: Won 1 of 5 at Montgomery Biscuits (4-7, 5-2, 2-6, 1-5, 3-4), falling 10 games back
• 22-26: at Carolina Mudcats
• 28-31: vs Jacksonville Suns

Notable games

The Barons got off to a fast start, winning 10 of their first 12 games, but dropped a five game series to the Mississippi Braves in late April and have struggled ever since. The Barons lead the Southern League in fielding errors.

On April 14 Barons utility man Jason Bourgeois hit two triples versus Mobile. Two days later he scored the winning run with a walk-off homer in the 10th. The next day he stole three bases versus Jacksonville, and on May 7 he got four hits in another game against the Suns. Two days later he scored an in-the-park home run.

On April 27, Barons ace Gio Gonzalez struck out 13 Huntsville batters.

The team suffered its worst loss on May 4 with a crowd of 6,150 on hand. In the midst of a dense fog the Tennessee Smokies scored 16 runs and held the home team to one score.