Chicago Cubs
Jon joins ATY after having his career captured in the first issue of At The Yard, The Magazine. Searles is an exceptional talent, being able to pursue a professional baseball career during the summer, while going to The Warton School of Business during the off-season. Originally an 8th round pick of the Pirates, Jon was traded (along with pitcher Chris Young) to the Expos prior to the 2003 season in exchange for major league pitcher Matt Herges.Jon Searles
Benedict Arnold?
Another year is underway and again, I am with a new team. I became a minor league free agent this October and chose to sign a contract with the Boston Red Sox.
Mar 30, 2006, 11:04
Jon Searles
The Bus Breakdown
Since I’m always writing about the games and how the season is going I thought I’d change it up this time and talk about where I am right now, the bus.
Sep 13, 2005, 15:27
Jon Searles
Nomar Opens Eyes
This past week was an interesting one for us in West Tenn. Nomar Garciaparra came to town on a rehab assignment. It’s pretty remarkable that he was ready for game situations considering his injury happened earlier this season.
Aug 16, 2005, 16:26
Jon Searles
Blues Traveler
Well, another All-Star break came and went. This year I was not able to make it back home to NY but had still had a great time. The first day of the break was used to catch up from the 11 hr bus ride home from playing the Mudcats...
Jul 27, 2005, 11:18
Jon Searles
Keeping It In the Yard
So far this season has been one of the most enjoyable I've been a part of. Our team, West Tenn clinched the first half title in the Southern League. We played great for the first month and about .500 the rest of the way.
Jun 30, 2005, 11:00
Jon Searles
Congrats Graduates
I'd like to take time and congratulate all those who are graduating both high school and college this spring.
May 20, 2005, 15:49
Jon Searles
Ex-Brave Paves the Way
Another season is under way and so far so good. I feel as though I just began last year in Brevard County. Our team is very good here in West Tenn and we've been on a roll.
May 3, 2005, 15:14
Jon Searles
You're In the Hole
They always say that if you hang around this game long enough you'll see just about everything. I'm starting to think that is true. So I'm sitting on the bench...
Apr 12, 2005, 12:43
Jon Searles
AZ vs. FLA
Since I’ve been through this spring training business a time or two I figured I’d compare the two sites. I’ve only been in Arizona for close to 3 weeks compared to 4 different camps with 2 teams.
Mar 31, 2005, 09:23
Jon Searles
Joining the Cubbies
As usual, my off season was anything but ordinary. I managed to head back to UPenn and finish up another semester towards my degree.
Mar 2, 2005, 10:35
Jon Searles
It's begun
The off-season has officially begun. I know this because I found myself sitting through a couple hours of classes at Penn just the other day.
Sep 13, 2004, 08:58
Jon Searles
Winding Down
The last month of the season is always an interesting time. In every locker room across the league I would bet there is a countdown posted just in case anyone forgets how many games are left (highly unlikely). It’s not that we don’t enjoy the game anymore, it’ just that we haven’t done much else for the past 5-6 months. The August heat can start to wear you down.
Aug 31, 2004, 12:25
Jon Searles
Canada and Baseball?
The Olympics have always been one of my favorite things to watch. Everything about them is a spectacle and done in a first class fashion. I recently watched the opening ceremonies in the locker room with the guys on the team.
Aug 16, 2004, 12:28
Jon Searles
Lessons from Crash
Crash Davis has a line in the movie Bull Durham. In regard to baseball he says “You have to play this game with both fear and arrogance”. For a pitcher that means having the confidence to face even the best hitters in any situation and know they can’t touch anything you throw up there.
Aug 2, 2004, 13:07
Jon Searles
Is it that Easy?
I watched the Major League All-Star game and realized a few things last night. For one, those guys are unbelievable and make the game look so easy.
Jul 17, 2004, 09:35
Jon Searles
Back to Dubs
Turns out my time in the Florida State League ended up being nothing more than a two week road trip. After picking up 2 saves and a few more solid innings of work out of the pen, I was on my way to the Eastern League’s AA.
Jun 29, 2004, 13:34
Jon Searles
Much Needed Break
I don’t have much to update as far as baseball goes. But I can tell you I had one of the best weekends of the season so far. The Florida State League All-Star Game was this past weekend.
Jun 16, 2004, 10:50
Jon Searles
Baseball 101
Over these past 2 weeks I’ve certainly had a crash course in Minor League Baseball 101. If I recall correctly my last entry had me being called up to the AA team following a long and hectic night of packing and traveling.
Jun 7, 2004, 10:14
Jon Searles
3 Crazy Days
What a crazy 3 days I’ve had. It started on Saturday night during a rain delay in the final game of our series against the Lakeland Tigers. Tim Raines called me into the manager’s office to inform me that I was being called up to the AA team in Harrisburg, Pa.
May 19, 2004, 09:51
Jon Searles
The Rock is Cool
The other really cool thing about the season so far is our manager Tim (Rock) Raines. It’s so cool to walk into the clubhouse everyday and see someone who I grew up watching just hanging out.
May 5, 2004, 00:39
Jon Searles
Ready to GO!
So I’m just minding my own business in the bullpen of Space Coast Stadium during Spring Training one night, after being lucky enough to have gotten called up to the Big League game when it hits me…..John Smoltz is on the mound right now for the Braves.
Apr 19, 2004, 14:12
Jon Searles
Searles' School of Business
Senior year at
Apr 1, 2004, 16:19