ATY Alumni
Billy Traber
Another Test for this Indian
Well, there is a full week left in the season, but unfortunately mine is done. I discovered that my elbow needed to be surgically repaired this off-season, therefore rendering my services next year to a minimum.
Sep 25, 2003, 08:56
Billy Traber
Scavenger hunt
No other professional sport has more ups and downs than baseball. The season itself is so long, and strenuous that its almost a miracle to maintain 100% health through the entire season.
Sep 7, 2003, 22:29
Billy Traber
Have Passion for the Game
Very rarely will you ever see me write about baseball directly in these essay's (except for this one). Playing in the big leagues brings to mind a whole new set of luxuries, a brand new lifestyle, and the highest level of competition.
Jun 25, 2003, 08:46
Billy Traber
Dress like a Pro with Billy Traber
As the season's roll along, and you keep advancing to higher ground in this game, one thing starts to become inevitable: Your dress attire has to improve!
Jun 2, 2003, 09:59
Billy Traber
New Role for Billy
Its funny how things change quickly. After just 6 weeks of spring training I found myself making the big league ballclub, but at a new role I never thought I'd be doing.
Apr 1, 2003, 22:13
Billy Traber
Billy Wraps Up
Well the long season is finally over. It seemed so long, but that's what made it so exciting. I was fortunate enough to be on a team that played itself into the second round of the playoffs. It was a fun time. Everyone was firing on all pistons with only winning on their minds. It was kind of strange because I would thought that guys would get a bit apprehensive about whether they were going to get called up or not. Pretty much everyone in our clubhouse didn't want to get called up, and I thought that said a lot about us. Obviously things didn't turn out as planned for us, but what are you going to do!
Sep 3, 2002, 13:17
Billy Traber
What really bothers Billy
It was great to see that everyone involved with Major League Baseball decided to finally get things done. Both sides decided to put aside their differences and get a deal done for baseball and its fans. It definitely was a close call though.
Aug 21, 2002, 13:16
Billy Traber
The Game is a Business
Its funny how the game of baseball works. Right about now people should be talking about the closes races, good seasons, and achievements of those deserving of it. But quite frankly no one really cares about that right now. People inside and outside of baseball can only think of one thing: Strike! And I'm not talking about a ball being hurled into the catcher either.
Aug 8, 2002, 12:11
Billy Traber
Traber on Steroids
Alright, like most other people and baseball players I've been trying to put this issue past me and aside for too long. Its one that's given baseball a bad name for the past couple of years due to the accomplishments of some. Of course I'm talking about steroid abuse.
Jul 24, 2002, 12:09
Billy Traber
Future Star
Just this past weekend I was lucky enough to be selected to play in what Major League Baseball call's its Futures Game. The game was held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin the Sunday before the Big League Game. Naturally I didn't know what to expect from a weekend of this sort so I decided to ask around about what the city of Milwaukee has to ask for.
Jul 18, 2002, 12:07
Billy Traber
It's the Economy, Stupid
In these ever so troubling times in the economy the safe bet is to save your money, and try to limit your extraneous purchases to a minimum. Very understandable. So why does it always feel that your losing money everyday instead of gaining. I tell you what, that's how I feel everyday. And you know what's really sad, it's true! So lately I've taken a different approach. Instead of trying to save money I've been spending it. Sounds ridiculous right! Just here me out on this one.
Jun 4, 2002, 12:06
Billy Traber
Same Odds Same Bad Luck
Over the course of a season you travel to various towns within your league. Some places are a good time, and others are not so good at time. At this moment we're in Norwich, Connecticut. Now for me traveling into this town seemed a bit drab, but then it was brought to my attention about a certain place here (the Mohegan Sun Casino).
May 24, 2002, 12:05
Billy Traber
Stop Smiling or I'll Bean You!
This last road trip was sort of a landmark trip for me. I've never really had to pitch against a former team of mine before in my life. Let alone in professional baseball. It was a bit weird to be back at the old stomping grounds, but refreshing as well. Let me explain.
May 3, 2002, 12:03
Billy Traber
Early Season Brrrrs
Now its time to talk about something that I've had to deal with for the first part of the season. The cold weather. I don't care who you or where your from, when its cold everyone feels it.
Apr 24, 2002, 12:02
Billy Traber
Sorry NY
It' s that time again. Another season is upon us, and its my turn to tell you a little bit about it. Except this time there's more to talk about from the get-go. There was a big change for me this off-season.
Apr 2, 2002, 12:00
Billy Traber
Stats are worthless
As it happens every year the season is rapidly coming to a close. Now is the time for reflection upon all the hard work that you have put forth in making that year possible. For myself, this year was all about surviving the ups and downs that the season puts on your dinner plate every night. But instead of citing each of those occasions bit by bit I'm going to take a different approach. Yah, I've decided to tell you (the reader) how I myself evaluate the season, and why I choose to evaluate the way I do.
Aug 26, 2001, 11:44
Billy Traber
High Tech Billy
The computer is your friend. It's probably the best toy you'll ever buy in your lifetime. There are just too many things that can be done while you have nothing else to do. And when you're on the road like I am time just seems to standstill.
Jul 6, 2001, 11:42
Billy Traber
Still the Minors
Since being promoted to Binghamton, New York things have been awesome. More fans are at the field watching games, and that makes the games much more exciting. But one thing I wasn't prepared for was the travel. This is going to take some getting used to.
Jun 30, 2001, 11:40
Billy Traber
Binghamton, here he comes
Things happen fast when news travels. I learned this first hand upon receiving a promotion to Double A ball in Binghamton, New York. Everything happened all so quickly that I didn't have a chance let anything sink in.
Jun 24, 2001, 11:39
Billy Traber
The Pleasant Surprise
Well, the All Star Break has come and gone for most of us here in the minors. Some had three days to relax, and vacation form baseball. But others received the honor of attending their leagues All Star weekend festivities. Due to an absence of one Josh Beckett, I was chosen as a substitute in his place to play in the Florida State League All Star Game held at Fort Myers, Florida.
Jun 24, 2001, 11:38
Billy Traber
The Card Master
If you're like me then sitting on long rides in the same seat really get to you. Just the idea of sitting in the same upright position for more than 30 minutes can really put a damper on your senses. This is the agony I go through every road trip when I ride on a bus to the opposing teams field. So here are some hints on how to get through this tough spot.
May 20, 2001, 11:36
Billy Traber
Reading is Fundamental
Nothing kills time better on a long bus ride than reading a book. I know, it sounds crazy. Even as I just wrote those words it sounds crazy, but hear me out. Bus rides do at times get pretty boring after re-watching the same old movies you've seen all your life. Solution: get a book.
Apr 24, 2001, 11:33
Billy Traber
The Ole' Six String
The journey through a minor league baseball season is a long and tough one from what I'm told by my friends and coaches. So to keep my sanity throughout the ups and downs there are many things I'll do on a regular basis to soothe my nerves. One of them is to strum away on my six string acoustic guitar.
Apr 24, 2001, 11:31
Billy Traber
In Memory of Brian Cole
Well, its here. Spring training has ended for me and its time to embark on my first season as a professional baseball player. As excited as this time is this season must begin on a tragic note for me and the rest of the Mets organization.
Mar 31, 2001, 11:31
Billy Traber
Up for the Challenge in 2001
For starters I should probably introduce myself. My name is Billy Traber and I'm about to start my professional this season with the New York Mets organization. I'm a left-handed pitcher, and spent three years playing college baseball at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles California.
Mar 8, 2001, 11:29
Billy Traber
Kids Galore
So I show up to the park at around 9:45am for a game that is scheduled to start at 11:00am. It was tough to get up in the morning after we just finished our game the night before at 11:00pm.
Mar 3, 2001, 11:35