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5 SERIES PREVIEW WHITTLE ENJOYS FIRST FULL SEASON IN THREE YEARS
BY THE NUMBER
With just two homestands left, the Charleston RiverDogs return to Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park this week to battle the Lynchburg Hillcats in a 6-game series. This will be the second meeting between these two teams, as both clubs split a six-game series at Lynchburg back in July.
Lynchburg, an affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians, were the North Division Champions of the Carolina League in the first half and have already clinched a spot in the playoffs. They come into this series with a 49-52 record (14-21 in the second half) and are 10.5 games back in the North Division. The Hillcats have won three in a row, having took four out of six games from the Myrtle Beach Pelicans last week. In that series, they averaged almost eight runs per game. Omir Santos is in his first season as manager in Lynchburg. Santos spent last season as manager for the Dominican Summer League team. Offensively, the Hillcats are tied for sixth in the Carolina League with a .240 team batting average. They are led by Jake Fox, who is the 23rd best prospect in the Guardians organization. At 19-years old, the third-round pick of the 2021 draft is hitting .268 with three home runs and 34 RBI. On the mound, the Hillcats have found a gem in Will Dion. The lefty is second in the Carolina League with a 2.49 ERA and leads the Carolina League in strikeouts with 121 on the season.
The RiverDogs, an affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays, come into this series with a 68-33 record (21-13 in the second half). Led by Blake Butera, who is in his second season in the Holy City, the RiverDogs own the best record in all of Minor League Baseball. The team is riding into this series hot, having won five out of six games against the Columbia Fireflies; a series that included two come from behind, extrainning victories. Offensively, the RiverDogs have been led by Willy Vasquez in the second half. In his last 25 games, the #7 prospect in the Rays farm system is hitting .360 and leads the team with 25 RBI during that span, winning him Carolina League Player of the Month for July. On the mound, JJ Goss has been nothing short of magnificent. In his last five starts, Goss has allowed just four runs (three earned) in 28.0 innings while striking out 31. He also set and matched his career-high in innings pitched, going 6.0 innings in each of his last three starts. Despite missing out on a first half playoff berth by just one game in the first half of the season, the RiverDogs lead the South Division and look to earn an opportunity to defend their title from a year ago.
Tuesday, August 9, 7:05 p.m.: National Night Out with the Charleston Police Department/Spinx 50th Anniversary Celebration/Dog Day presented by Twisted Tea: We invite everyone in the community to join the Charleston Police Department at The Joe for National Night Out. The night was created to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support and participation in anti-crime programs and strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships. The police department will have emergency vehicles at the ballpark, a dunk tank featuring local police officers and McGruff the crime dog will be in attendance! In addition, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Spinx, $1,000 worth of Spinx gas cards will be hidden around the ballpark. We hope to see you and your dog at the game on this night! The RiverDogs invite you to bring your pup to The Joe for each Tuesday home game this season. In addition, enjoy $2 hot dogs and beer as Twisted Tea adds a new twist to Tuesdays this season with goofy on-field games and fan-oriented fun throughout the game. Tuesday games are presented by 96.9 The Wolf.
Wednesday, August 10, 7:05 pm: Rainbows Pride Night presented by MUSC Health/Wicked Wednesday presented by Wicked Weed: This entire night will be a celebration of inclusiveness with our friends from Charleston Pride and MUSC Health. In an ode to the team’s former identity from 1985-93, the RiverDogs will take the field in Charleston Rainbows jerseys that will be part of a jersey auction throughout the night. You will have a chance to leave with a game-worn uniform from one of our players! Make sure to keep an eye out every Wednesday for a new wicked ticket deal. This week, we are offering eight general admission tickets for $8 with the code: CRAZY.
Thursday, August 11, 7:05 pm: Charlie Poster Giveaway/Thirsty Thursday presented by Budweiser: There is a reason that Thursday nights at The Joe provide one of the best atmospheres in Minor League Baseball. As always, $1 beers are available throughout the ballpark all night long. $4 well cocktails will also be available during “happy hour” from 6:00-8:00 p.m. They were a huge hit last season, so we decided to come back with a new one this year. Thanks to Budweiser, Charlie posters will be available in all beer lines. Enjoy live music in the Ashley View Pub courtesy of DJ DollaMenu. Bottoms up! Thursdays are presented by 95sx.
Friday, August 12, 7:05 pm: Friday Fireworks presented by REV Federal Credit Union/Boeing Red Shirt Friday: The RiverDogs will shine a spotlight on active duty and retired military members and their families, while the team wears their brand-new red alternates on the field. The red jerseys will be auctioned to fans at the end of the season. For the second time in the homestand, stick around for an incredible display of post-game fireworks! Enjoy this week’s fireworks along with a soundtrack of Motown hits. Fridays are presented by 103.5 WEZL and Live 5 News.
Saturday, August 13, 6:05 pm: Bite Fight 25th Anniversary/Pillow Fight Championship/Saturdays Live at The Joe presented by Breeze Airways: 25 years ago, in the heat of battle, one famous boxer bit off more than he could chew in the ring. We’ll pay homage to this infamous occurrence by trying to take a bite out of the Lynchburg Hillcats. The first 2,000 fans into the game will receive an ear-shaped stress reliever. We would advise you not to eat them. Before the game, we’ll host youth pillow fights in our full-sized boxing ring in the beer garden in preparation for the main event post-game. Following the contest, fans will be treated to exhibition pillow fights featuring top fighters from the Pillow Fight Championship! Saturdays are presented by 92.5 Kickin’ Country, 101.7 Chuck FM and FOX 24. Sunday, August 14, 5:05 pm: Charlie’s Birthday Bash/Jewish Heritage Night/CCPL Reading Night/ MUSC Health Family Sunday: It’s Charlie T. RiverDog’s birthday! Come out and wish the big guy a happy birthday as many of his mascot friends will be in attendance as well. We also have partnered with the Charleston Jewish Federation for the 8th annual Jewish Heritage Night, celebrating Charleston’s diverse Jewish community. Glatt kosher food options will be available in a special kosher food stand, and members of the Jewish community will be highlighted throughout the night. On reading night with the Charleston County Public Library we will host pre-game reading with kids and local branches will be recognized throughout the game. Parking is free on every Sunday! Before, during and after each Sunday home game, we will make it all about the kids. From the video board, to between innings contests, and even the opportunity to run the bases, Sundays are sure to be a memorable day for the whole family. Sundays are presented by Mix 95.9, Star 99.7 and ABC News 4.
Daiveyon Whittle has dealt with a lot during his time in professional baseball. He has had to overcome multiple obstacles leading up to his time in Charleston.
The oldest of four children, Whittle grew up in Fresno, California. His father was in the Navy and his mother is where he got his athletic background from and his ability to grind from. She wanted him to graduate high school early and go onto college, so that is what he did.
After playing high school at Central High School, Whittle was introduced to Ron Scott, a legendary coach at Fresno City College, who convinced him to come and to stay home and play for the Rams.
In his time pitching for the Rams, Whittle was impressive. In 2018, he had a 6-5 record and was 5-0 in conference play. What was more impressive was his strike out per nine innings rate of 11.17.
Following the 2018 season, Whittle was committed to play Division I baseball at the University of Southern California; however, a turnover in the coaching staff as well as other reasons is what motivated him to set his sights on the highest level.
Whittle was expected to be selected between the seventh and tenth round of the MLB Draft. Teams were calling him and telling him that they would select him, but he found himself getting passed up multiple times. Finally, the area scout from the Tampa Bay Rays called and said that they were going to select him with their 23rd round pick.
“I was very excited to go to the Rays because of their reputation for developing pitchers,” said Whittle. “It was an easy decision.”
After playing for the FCL Rays to close out the 2018 season, Whittle was sent to Hudson Valley for the 2019 season, which was the Single-A affiliate of the Rays at that time. He appeared in 11 games for the Renegades (8 GS) and was very successful. He finished with an ERA of 0.95 and gave up just five earned runs in 47.1 innings pitched while walking just 11 batters.
After that season, Whittle had high hopes, until one day during the 2019 offseason changed things. While throwing a live bullpen, Whittle felt a pop in his elbow and felt what he described as a stabbing pain. He tried to throw one more pitch, but it was too much for him.
After visiting a doctor in California, Whittle was told that the injury would be about a six-week recovery, but after the Rays sent him to their team doctor in Florida, the injury that he feared was confirmed.
“They told me that I would need Tommy John Surgery,” he said. My heart immediately dropped to the floor.”
A few days later, Whittle had surgery to repair his ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow, and from there, the rehab process began. The process was not easy for him, and at times, it was frustrating.
“It was hard mentally; doing the same thing over and over again was tough,” he said. “Some days, I felt good, and some days, I thought I blew my elbow again.”
Whittle continued to grind out his rehab, when one day, another setback came his way. During one of his
workouts, he broke his elbow, which put a halt on his road to recovery.
While he would have already lost a season in 2020 due to the cancellation of the Minor League Baseball season, Whittle was forced to miss the 2021 season as well.
“The toughest thing was not being able to be with the guys,” he said. “They were out there playing and I was back home recovering.”
After two years of hard work and tough times, Whittle has gotten his opportunity to pitch again in 2022. On May 8, he was added to the RiverDogs roster and made his first appearance out of the bullpen in three years.
“There was a lot of adrenaline,” he said. “I could not believe that I was back on the mound. [Pitching Coach] R.C. Lichtenstein just reminded me to breathe and to go out there and do what I do.”
In his first game, Whittle was great. In 1.2 innings, allowing one hit and striking out a batter as well. He was flawless out of the gate, not allowing a run in his first three appearances.
Through it all, Whittle has learned a lot about himself. He took what he learned from each of his parents, his biggest role models, and applied it to not only his baseball career, but in life as well.
“I am a grinder,” he said. “I am willing to stand up to anything that is thrown at me.” “My dad is who I get my mental toughness from. He always told me that baseball was 90% mental.”
This year has been a good one for Whittle. He carries a 3.78 ERA into this series against the Lynchburg Hillcats as the RiverDogs currently have the best record in all of minor league baseball and are fighting for a playoff spot and the right to defend their 2021 championship.
