POWER RANKINGS (AFTER 22 GAMES)

BIG MOVERS
Moving Up- Chicago Prime Movers & New Britain Connecticut Ghosts
Slipping Down- Toronto Thoroughbreds & Washington DC Lawmakers

Team........................... Record ........... Last Week ............... Comment

1. Monterrey Cheese (21-1)......1........ 20 game winning streak Dominating!!
2. San Diego Land Sharks (17-5)......... 3............ 70 steals in 22 games!!
3. Los Angeles Blue Knights (17-5)............4......... 168 runs scored leads league
4. Augusta Vactioners (17-5)...........5........... 5-0 in 1-run games
5. Seattle Spartans (15-7)............ 7............. only 18 HR’s allowed in 22 games
6. Detroit FC Dinamo (14-8)........... 2..............518 slugging pct is 3rd in baseball
7. Milwaukee Brewers (14-8)............. 6.............most saves in the league without a blown save 8. San Jose Crabs (14-8)........... 11............... 4-1 in extra inning games
9. Atlanta Shredders (14-8) .............17........... .313 team BA is 2nd in baseball
10. Little Rock Razorbacks (11-11)...........13........... Juan Berroa, 7-8 in save situations
11. New Orleans Nasty (11-11)............ 14……………..Freddie Hudson, 7 saves and 0.83 WHIP
12. Chicago Bruisers (11-11).............. 8............. 58 walks allowed, 3rd in baseball for best control 13. Chicago Prime Movers (12-10)............ 25………outscored opps 45-21 during 6 game Win streak
14. Helena Hitters (11-11)........... 19…………….. .258 team BA is not “Hitter” like
15. New Britain Connecticut Ghosts (11-11) ............15............... pitching should carry team in weak division
16. Baltimore O’s (10-12) .............20.............. 1.60 WHIP is killing this team
17. Florida Beach Bums (10-12).............. 21................. hitters have K’d 164 times which is 2nd in baseball
18. Colorado Commodores (10-12)............... 22............ astounding .339 team BA
19. Toronto Thorougbreds (8-14).............. 9..............reputation keeping this team from being ranked lower
20. Richmond Spiders (9-13)................ 10................. hitters are really struggling
21. New York Mets (10-12)................ 15................ .289 OBP is 31st in the league
22. Arizona Painted Rocks (10-12)................ 28............ beginning to rebound from a poor start
23. San Juan Slugging Diablos (9-13)............ 12............have already played eight 1-run games (5-3)
24. Wichita Earps (10-12) ............30 ...............have won 7 of 12 but defense is ranked 31st
25. Buffalo Iroquois (8-14)............... 24..............been caught stealing 18 times to lead the league 26. Tampa Bay Yankees (8-14) ............26…………2-5 in 1-run games
27. Houston Crackerjacks (8-14)............. 18...............lost 9 of 12 but starter Spud Small has a 1.91 ERA in 5 starts.
28. Washington DC Lawmakers (7-15).............. 16............... outscored 68-34 during current 9 game skid
29. El Paso Miners (7-15).................. 32................ .showing signs of life lately
30. Tacoma Mist (7-15)................ 29................ pitchers have issued a league leading 106 walks
31. Oklahoma City Farfanoogats (6-16) .................23................averaging less than 4 runs scored a game
32. Pittsbugh Great Ones (5-17) ..................31 ..............6.24 ERA to go along with 7 blown saves

POWER RANKINGS (After 10 Games)

Let the debate begin. The updated rankings took the schedule so far into consideration as well as record.

BIG MOVERS
UP- San Jose Crabs & Atlanta Shredders
Down- Arizona Painted Rocks & Colorado Commodores

Team........................... Record ........... Last Week ............... Comment

1. Monterrey Cheese 9-1......1........ 8 game winning streak and a 4-gm lead.

2. Detroit FC Dinamo 7-3......... 2............ .311 team BA through 10 games.

3. San Diego Land Sharks 8-2............ 6......... 2.33 ERA leads the entire league

4. Los Angeles Blue Knights 7-3 ...........4........... 2.90 ERA 2nd in the league

5. Augusta Vacationers 7-3............ 3............. cupcake schedule so far

6. Milwaukee Brewers 7-3........... 5................. closer Ricky Allen off to great start

7. Seattle Spartans 7-3............. 9............. sweep in Baltimore was impressive

8. Chicago Bruisers 7-3........... 12............... split with rival Tor. 5-1 vs cupcakes

9. Toronto Thoroughbreds 5-5 .............7........... 18 steals is 2nd in all of baseball

10. Richmond Spiders 5-5........... 8........... .235 team BA has to be concerning

11. San Jose Crabs 6-4............ 27................. Impressive start vs difficult schedule

12. San Juan S'Diablos 5-5.............. 17............. held own vs Aug, Bal & Az

13. Little Rock R'Backs 5-5............ 14............ needs to show better vs Cheese

14. New Orleans Nasty 5-5........... 18............. careful, 6.03 ERA is frightening

15. New York Mets 5-5 ............15............... series vs LA was a downer

16. Washington DC L'makers 5-5 .............20.............. lost 2 outta 3 to the Mets

17. Atlanta Shredders 6-4.............. 24................. great start, team could surprise

18. Houston Crackerjacks 5-5............... 19............ good power, poor speed, average

19. Helena Hitters 4-6.............. 16.............. needs to play better vs TB

20. Baltimore O's 4-6................ 10................. reeling after Seattle sweep

21. Florida Beach Bums 4-6................ 30................ nice series win at Colorado

22. Colorado Commodores 4-6................ 11............ only 9 players have AB's so far

23. Oklahoma City F'noogats 4-6............ 25................. stayed afloat after difficult sched

24. Buffalo Iroquois 4-6 ............31 ...............won 2 out of 3 in Houston

25. Chicago Prime Movers 4-6............... 23.............. pitching needs to improve

26. Tampa Bay Yankees 4-6 ............21............ sorry, can't put last

27. New Britain Con Ghosts 4-6............. 22............... easy schedule, little results

28. Arizona Painted Rocks 3-7.............. 13............... panic on the streets in Phoenix

29. Tacoma Mist 3-7.................. 26................ .231 ave might spell doom

30. Wichita Earps 3-7................ 28................ 15 errors in 10 games

31. Pittsburgh Great Ones 3-7 .................32................ 16 errors in 10 games

32. El Paso Miners 1-9 ..................29 ..............7.42 team ERA, uh oh

AL EAST SNEAK PREVIEW- SEASON 10

AL EAST PREVIEW

1) AUGUSTA VACATIONERS

Owner- Averyk73
Career Record- 861-597 .591
Franchise Record- 861-597 .591
History- 7 AL East Division Championships (Season 3 to Season 9) World Champs (Season 5)

Key Returnees- 3 Time All Star P Rich May, Former league MVP OF Harold Martin, 2 time All Star and former Rookie of the Year P Danys Vasquez, 2 time All Star and Silver Slugger 1b Russ Flanagan.

Key Additions- Rookie Sam Ledee

Strengths- Team Power, Arm Accuracy, Glove, Batting Eye
Weaknesses- Range, Velocity, Pitch 2

Season 10 outlook

The Vacs have owned this division for the past 7 seasons even though ownership wise, this has been one of the more stable divisions. Until someone knocks them off, the 1st place prediction is an easy one. (Power Ranking- 3rd)


2) BALTIMORE O’S

Owner- jfribush
Career Record- 533-601 .470
Franchise Record- 620--838 .425
History- 1 Wild Card berth….Season 9

Key Returnees- Season 9 Rookie & Fireman of the Year Felipe Cora, All Star P Matty Gibson
Key Addition- SS Miguel James

Strengths- Velocity, Contact, Baserunning, Stamina
Weaknesses- Durability, Power, hitting vs Lefties, batting eye

Season 10 outlook

The O’s took a major stride last season and look to continue the momentum in S10 to upend the Vacs. It appears ownership has things figured out and the addition of Miguel James may really boost the offense. (Power Ranking-10th)


3) SAN JUAN SLUGGING DIABLOS

Owner- Swindy10
Career Record- 708-750 .486
Franchise Record- 708-750 .486
History- no playoff appearances despite having won 90 & 94 games in a season.

Key Returnees- Silver Slugger SS Lorenzo Perez, All Star and Gold Glove P Rick Douglas, 3-Time All Star Reliever Tanyon Dunn, 3-Time All Star Reliever Seth Brower

Key Additions- P David Chang, P Mark Cohen, P Pedro Marquez

Strengths- Durability, Power, Control
Weaknesses- pitching vs righties, pitch 2, Speed

Season 10 outlook

The Diablos are optimistic about Season 10 but have a lot of ground to make up on Augusta and Baltimore. Pitching has always been the Achilles heel and playing 81 games in San Juan doesn’t help. But 86 wins in Season 10 should be reachable. (Power Ranking- 17th)

4) FLORIDA BEACH BUMS

Owner- itomcny
Career Record- 99-235 .296
Franchise Record- 689-769 .473
History- Franchise won the World Series in Season 2 as well as 2 AL East crowns in Seasons 1 and 2.

Key Returnees- P Tom Hauser, 1b Phil Carver, P Don Lambert

Key Additions- SS Douglas Kelleher, P Carlos Delgado(on DL in Season 9)

Strengths- Arm Strength, Durability, Power, Baserunning
Weaknesses- Arm Accuracy, Makeup, Control, Velocity

Season 10 outlook

The Beach Bums do not have a player on their opening day roster older than 29 and only 4 players on payroll who make over $378k. Ownership obviously has a plan but much work to do. There was improvement in Season 9 and Season 10 should probably see this team lose less than 100 games for the first time in 3 seasons. (Power Ranking- 30th)

S10 POWER RANKINGS- POLL 1

Let the debating begin. Email me and say "screw you swindy"! But nothing like a "Power Rankings" to last throughout the season. Obviously this 1st one will be the hardest since I went on last season, ownership, stability and franchise rankings. Here you go ...and good luck in S10 (Season 10).

Gehringer Power Rankings

1. Monterrey Cheese ------------2 Rings in 4 seasons..and Zach F’ing Bones
2. Detroit FC Dinamo -----------Still stinging over last seasons World Series Collapse
3. Augusta Vacationers---------- 7 straight AL East Championships
4. Los Angeles Blue Knights --------8 straight NL West Championships…no rings….ouch
5. Milwaukee Brewers ------------5 straight NL North Championships
6. San Diego Land Sharks -----------stuck in the wrong division, might make a push in S10.
7. Toronto Thoroughbreds ----------see above San Diego
8. Richmond Spiders ---------------are they ready to push Monterrey?
9. Seattle Spartans -------------------improved by 30 games from S8 to S9…bigger push now?
10. Baltimore O’s ------------------another major improvement from S8 to S9
11. Colorado Commodores--------------- big players in free agency took over solid team
12. Chicago Bruisers ------------------in oh so tough division year after year
13. Arizona Painted Rocks ---------------might be a player this season, could surprise
14. Little Rock Razorbacks ----------solid foundation but has Monterrey and Richmond in front
15. New York Mets --------------------might drop off some this season
16. Helena Hitters -----------------------nother tough division, can he bust outta 3rd?
17. San Juan Slugging Diablos ----------------long time franchise heading up
18. New Orleans Nasty ---------------------took over a division champ but has work to do
19. Houston Crackerjacks ------------------can new ownership turn things around?
20. Washington DC Lawmakers -----never finished higher than 3rd but division is getting easier
21. Tampa Bay Yankees -------------one time World Champ needs to reverse recent trend
22. New Britain Connecticut Ghosts --------ownership hopes the season isn’t as long as the team name
23. Chicago Prime Movers ----------------new owner improved franchise by 10 games in S9
24. Atlanta Shredders -----------------2nd place finish in S9 but just 75 wins
25. Oklahoma City Farfanoogats -----------tough division and but this owner knows how to win
26. Tacoma Mist -------------------franchise has never placed higher than 3rd
27. San Jose Crabs---------------- this historic poor franchise has some talent
28. Wichita Earps -------------------a playoff team just 2 years ago needs work
29. El Paso Miners ---------------------franchise has 4 divisional crowns but 4th in S9.
30. Florida Beach Bums -----------------110+ losses in 3 straight seasons
31. Buffalo Iroquois -------------previous ownership kept getting worse by 10 games each year
32. Pittsburgh Great Ones ------------------ton of work to do with this bunch

Free Agency Frenzy--Big $$$ Spent

Big bucks are being tossed around and clearly teams such as Little Rock, New Orleans, San Juan and Colorado are opening their wallets in order to improve in Season 10.

Former league MVP Mo Osborne struck it rich by signing with Colorado for 3 years $41.4 million. Osborne, 31 will stay with the same organization he has been with that moved from Portland to Colorado. Colorado struck another deal with 26 y/o OF Cristobal Garces. The former 3rd round pick of the Baltimore O's has played in only 2 career games at the ML level but parlayed a solid minor league season last year into a 4 year $15.2 mil deal. Garces stole 46 bases in AAA last season.

The Little Rock Razorbacks have been extremely agressive and snagged coveted free agent OF Jamie Lee. Lee hit .270-30-83 last season and signed a 5 year $62.5 million dollar deal. The former bonus baby from Japan has won 3 Gold Gloves in his career. Little Rock wasn't finished though. Starter William Stanley was snatched away from El Paso for a 4-year $28 million deal after posting a 11-16 record last season with a 5.68 ERA. And finally. the Razorbacks signed former All Star P Enrique Calderon to a 4 year $24.5 million deal after going 2-6 with a 5.96 ERA with KC. $113 million paid on those 3 players as the Razorbacks will be looking for immediate results.

The New Orleans Nasty signed what appears to be a brand new middle infield. 2b Vic Alarcon and SS Julio Moreno look to man the middle of the diamond for a few years in the big NO. Alarcon signed a 3 years $13.5 million deal after hitting .284-16-48 with Tampa Bay last year. Moreno was signed to a 3 year $14.1 million deal after hitting .316-26-76 in AAA. The Nasty also scooped up SP Harpo Munoz from DC. Munoz went 9-5, 4.23 in the Nation's Capitol last year and used that to get a 2 year $9.2 million deal from N.O.

Finally, the Slugging Diablos of San Juan looked to upgrade their pitching after signing starter Mark Cohen to a 5 years $30 million deal. Cohen went 10-2 with a 4.82 ERA last year with Chicago. The former Rookie of the Year will look to bolster the rotation. Also, San Juan signed 1b Desi Peron who has yet to play a game at the ML level. Peron hit .307 with 20 HR's in Tacoma last season.

Other key free agent signing:

Tampa Bay signed OF Juan Owens to a 2 year $8.8 million deal. Owens is a former gold glover and hit .305-17-61.

Washington DC signed OF Andy Thurman to a 5 year $22 million contract. In 596 career AB's, Thurman has a .289 average. Also, DC re-signed SP Dan Redman for 3 years $14.4 million.

Richmond bolstered their bullpen by signing David Yamamoto away from KC after appearing in 72 games last year and posting a 4.69 ERA. Yamamoto signed for 2 years for $7.4 million.

Pittsburgh signed highly regarded pitching prospect Harold Moore to a 4 year $16.4 million contract after appearing in 59 games at AAA Iowa last season. Pittsburgh also gave OF prospect Al Campos a 5 years $18.6 million deal after hitting .307 at AAA with Monterrey.

The Chicago Bruisers re signed SP Ed Crummack for 2 years $9.4 million after going 9-7 with a 3.67 ERA.

San Jose made a big splash by signing SP Bill Smith to a 4 year $24 million deal after he went 8-11 with a 5.48 ERA with Chicago last season.

Detroit Takes 2-1 Series Advantage Over Augusta

GAME 1

DETROIT 7 AUGUSTA 0

Through 6 innings, Dinamo ace Julius Webster and Augusta ace Rich May were locked up in a dominating pitcher's duel. It was 0-0 heading to the bottom of the 7th when super reliever Vic Ordonez took the place of May on the hill and he sent the Dinamom bats down silently, 3 up and 3 down. Things took an ugly turn in the bottom of the 8th however. Ordonez walked 9-hole hitter Benji Leon to start the inning and then allowed a single to Dante Seo and a run scoring double to Luis Crespo breaking the scoreless tie. That's when the Vacs' nightmare ensued. Gordon Howington relieved Ordonez and when the dust settled, Dinamo had taken a 7-0 lead and took game 1 of the ALCS. Webster was the star going 8 innings allowing 2 hits and 2 walks while striking out seven. Ordonez took the loss.

GAME 2

AUGUSTA 7 DETROIT 0

Turnabout was fair play in Game 2 as Vacs starter Danys Vasquez was amused at the simplicity of the game. Vasquez allowed just 1 hit in 8 solid innings while walking none. It took only 86 innings for him to mow down the stunned Detroit bats. Offensively, the Vacs had their way with Dinamo starter Erubiel Valenzuela and tattooed him for 7 earned runs in 4.1 innings. Vacs CF Virgil Seanez went 3-3 with a HR and 3 RBI enabling the Vacs to tie the series at 1 game each.

GAME 3

DETROIT 9 AUGUSTA 6

A pivotal matchup played in Augusta started out as non contest and then became extremely exciting. Detroit jumped out to a 6-0 lead heading to the bottom of the 7th as they rocked 4 HR's, 3 off of Vacs starter Pablo Mesa. Luis Crespo, Juan Hernandez and Ugueth Pascual all homered (Pascual twice). Things became interesting late though as Dinamo starter Aaron Baker tired issuing 2 bases loaded walks to make the score 6-2. The 8th was even more exciting as the Vacs scored 3 runs on a bomb by Harold Martin off reliever Calvin Woo. Detroit put the game away in the 9th as Hernandez hit for the cycle with a single in his last at bat. On the day, Hernandez was 4-5 with 2 runs and 3 RBI. Baker took the win and Lou Crosby got the save by retiring 2 hitters in the 9th with the tying run on base. Mesa took the loss.

Vacs complete sweep of O's, Detroit up Next

The Baltimore fans gave the home team a standing ovation after Julio Julio hit a soft lazy fly to RF to end their season. The O's who broke a franchise record in attendence have nothing to be ashamed of and will be a force again in Season 10.

Ultimately, the Augusta Vacationers were too much for the O's to handle as they complete the sweep and move on to face Detroit FC Dynamo in the ALCS. Slugging firstbaseman Russ Flanagan crushed a solo HR off O's right Miguel Estrella in the 1st inning and that was basically it. Felipe Castro, Kenneth Cannon and Flanagan added RBI's later in the game to cushion the lead to 4-0 which was more than enough for Vacs ace Rich May. May gave up 1 run while scattering 7 hits, walking 2 and striking out 4. Closer Louie Nieto pitched a perfect 9th to complete the series and earn a save.

The O's did make things interesting in the 8th down 4-0. Michael Kingland led off with an infield single. After Al Melo and Walt Seneca were retired, May showed signs of fatigue and walked Chad Mercker. Arthur Webster nailed a fastball up the middle to score Kingland setting the stage for Douglas Cardona. Cardona who struggled in the playoffs, forced every O's fan to their feet as he blasted a drive to deep left that Harold Martin caught up against the wall. Threat, game, series, season....over.

GAME 2 BLOWOUT! VACS 13 O'S 0

O's No Match for Vacs who go up 2-0

There is a reason the Augusta Vacationers won the AL East by 13 games and for the 7th consecutive season. They're the best team. However, the O's were given 2nd life in the 2nd round of the playoffs with a head to head match with to get to the ALCS.

After a hard fought 8-5 loss in game 1, the O's laid the biggest of eggs and were waffle-stomped in game 2 13-0. Vacs starter Danys Vasquez was masterful over 7 innings allowing just 2 hits while walking 3 and striking out 2. Offensively, Adam O'Malley was 3-3 with 3 runs scored while Harold Martin drove in 3 runs and Flip Hill, Russ Flanagan and Jordan Lee pitched in 2 RBI each.

O's starter Willie Rios was bombed for 4 runs in the first inning and 7 overall in 3.1 innings.

Both teams will get a travel day off before heading to Baltimore to pick up the series. If Baltimore doesn't do something quick, that 2nd chance will be flushed away quickly as the Vacs have their eye, and the upper hand on getting to the ALCS.

GAME 1 AUGUSTA 8 BALTIMORE

Bats Come Alive in Game 1 Win for Vacs

The proposed pitching matchup between the Vacs Rich May and the O’s Matty Gibson never materialized as the well-rested Augusta squad busted out for 4 runs in the 1st inning. The Vacs eventually went up 7-0 and held on to take game 1 8-5.

Gibson fell in trouble right away, allowing the first 4 batters of the game to score. Adam O’Malley singled to right and Virgil Seanez followed with a high chopper to Miguel James at short who had no play. DH Flip Hill then crushed the first pitch he saw over the LF wall to give the Vacs a 3-0 lead. Gibson, obviously rattled, then gave up a solo HR to the following hitter, Russ Flanagan. Gibson wasn’t finished giving up the long ball as O’s killer Felipe Castro hit a 2- run blast to right in the 3rd inning to go up 6-0. Flanagan hit a Sac fly in the 4th to go up 7-0 but things got interesting after that.

May who had cruised for the first 4 innings, couldn’t make it out of the 5th. Douglas Cardona reached on a single, Phil Ludwick walked, and with 2 outs…Michael Kingland also walked. Three consecutive singles by Al Melo, Walt Seneca and Chad Mercker sent May to the showers in favor of reliever Jeff Prince. Prince allowed Arthur Webster to single narrow the lead to 7-5.

Prince pitched solidly for the next 3 1/3 innings and the Vacs added an RBI groundout by John Rolen and game 1 goes to the Vacs. Hill and Flanagan both had 2 hits while Mercker, Ludwick and Crespo each had 2 hits for the O’s. The O’s went without an extra base hit however scattering 10 singles.

There was some controversy however as it appeared that O’s starter Matty Gibson was pretty tired to start the game. Gibson declined comment after the game but was visibly shaken and tempers flared in the O’s clubhouse as media was forced to depart.

AL EAST REPORT, REGULAR SEASON COMPLETED

1. Augusta Vacationers (106-56, 13 games ahead, 11-6 since last report)

With an en fuego 2nd half of the season, the Vacs coast to their 7th consecutive AL East title. They captured the #2 seed for the playoffs and await the winner of the Seattle Spartans and Baltimore O’s series which is knotted up at a game each after 2 games. The 106 wins was 3rd best in the history of the franchise. They hope to win their 2nd World Series.

Major League Pitcher of the Year
Starter Rich May tied his career high with 19 wins and now owns a lifetime record of 99-43. His 3.04 ERA on the season was a career best as was his 1.10 WHIP. Incredibly, we won every one of his last 9 starts. The 3-time All Star finished 3rd in the Cy Young balloting.

Major League Player of the Year
Harold Martin played in 159 games hitting .278 with 44 HR’s and 124 RBI. Martin also scored 107 runs and added 7 stolen bases. Statistically, it wasn’t Martin’s best year but quite possibly his most consistent and like the Vacs, had a wonderful 2nd half of the season.

Minor League Playoff Watch

The AA Vacs are up 2-0 against the Charleston Trawlers in the AA AL Championship Series. It is the furthest the AA squad has ever advanced and their 100-44 record was also the best in their AA history. The HA Vacs lost 3 games to 1 against Toronto in the Division Play In Series. The Rookie Vacs were swept by the Seattle Spartans in the AL Championship series 4-0 after downing the Chicago Bruisers 4-1 in the Division Championship round.

2. Baltimore O’s (93-69, 13 games back, 11-6 since last report)

The streets of Baltimore were dancing as the franchise made the playoffs for the very 1st time with a franchise best 93 wins. They overcame a hellish beginning to the 2nd half of the season to capture the #6 seed and a 1st round match up vs the Seattle Spartans. The 93 wins are 10 more wins better than the previous franchise high of 83 set back in Season 5.

Major League Pitcher of the Year
Closer Felipe Cora was sensational all season long and finished the season with 49 saves in 53 chances. Cora appeared in 72 games and finished with a 6-6 record and a 2.99 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP. He struckout 64 hitters in 69.1 innings. His hardware includes a Pitcher of the Week award, an All Star appearance, Rookie of the Year and Fireman of the Year. Quite the beginning of a career for the 22 year old Venezuelan.

Major League Player of the Year
2B Walt Seneca provides stellar defense and a steady bat. Seneca hit .279 with 26 HR and 103 RBI in 143 games while fielding at a .980 clip. Seneca also came through when the team needed him the most hitting safely in 13 of the last 14 games of the season, hitting .345 over that stretch with 8 walks and 10 runs scored.

Minor League Watch

The AAA O’s, as the #6 seed have reached the League Championship series after a stunning upset sweep over #3 seed Charleston Trawlers in the 1st round and 3 games to 1 over the #2 seed San Juan Slugging Diablos in the 2nd round. They are up against it down 2-0 to the Toronto Thoroughbreds and have made it further than any previous AAA O’s team.

3. San Juan Slugging Diablos (68-94, 38 games back, 6-11 since last report)

The Season 9 Slugging Diablos could never get on track. The season started by winning 1 of their 1st 10 games and it never righted itself. There were some solid individual performances but the 68 wins was 2nd worst in franchise history as they recorded their 3rd straight losing season and 5th in their last 6.

Major League Pitcher of the Year
Veteran hurler Ben Walton takes home the award despite tiring out at the end of the year dropping his final 6 decisions. Walton went 13-16 with a 4.43 ERA and 1.34 WHIP. He walked only 51 hitters in 197 innings pitched over 35 starts which matched his career high. Opponents hit just .267 against the 31 y/o Indiana native. Walton is set to become a Free Agent.

Major League Player of the Year
21 year old Rookie Lorenzo Perez takes home the honor. He was named the SS on the Silver Slugger team in the American League and deservedly so. Perez hit .328 with 34 HR’s and 123 RBI. He also finished with 36 doubles and a solid .965 OPS. Perez was extremely versatile starting at 6 different positions settling in at SS in the 2nd half.

Minor League Watch

The AAA Diablos were upset in the Division Championship Series by the Baltimore O’s 3 games to 1. It was the 1st time the AAA team made the playoffs in 3 seasons. The HA Diablos took care of the Toronto Thoroughbreds 3 games to 1 in the Division Championship series and now lead 2-0 over the Charleston Trawlers in the League Championship series. They have made the HA World Series in each of the previous 2 seasons only to lose.
The LA Diablos won a thrilling 1st round series over the New Orleans River Crashers 3-2 but then were swept by the Toronto Thoroughbreds 3-0 in the 2nd round. In 9 seasons, the LA squad has made the playoffs in every season.

4. Florida Beach Bums (51-111, 55 games back, 6-11 since last report)

The Bums were consistently inconsistent for most of the season. They had one 5-game winning streak and two 4-game streaks but at the same time captured seven losing streaks of 6 games or more. Shockingly though, they swept Detroit in a 3-game series in early September that the team should hang their hat on and build momentum for season 10.

Major League Pitcher of the Year
Don Lambert started 31 games and finished with a 7-13 record. His 4.60 ERA and 1.48 WHIP was tops on the staff as well as the opponents OBP of .349. The rookie, and former 1st rounder has a bright future and is a definite building block for future Bum seasons.

Major League Player of the Year
Designated Hitter Rob Towers is another young rising star for the Bums. The 22 yr old Georgia native hit .280-20-89 in his rookie campaign. The former 4th rounder of the Monterrey Cheese should only improve as a hitter as he matures and will likely dwarf the numbers he put up in season 9.

Minor League Watch

None of the teams in the farm system made the playoffs. The Season 9 season is all complete.

SEASON 9 ALL- AL EAST TEAM

C- Felipe Castro, Augusta .271-24-59
1b- Russ Flanagan, Augusta .270-41-123
2b- Walt Seneca, Baltimore .279-26-103
SS- Lorenzo Perez, San Juan .328-34-123
3b- Lawrence Grieve, San Juan .269-37-90
OF- Harold Martin, Augusta .278-44-124
OF- Fred Eyre, San Juan .295-35-119
OF- Chad Mercker, Baltimore .281-25-78
DH- Douglas Cardona, Baltimore .275-32-109

SP- Rich May, Augusta 19-4, 3.04
SP- Pablo Mesa, Augusta 17-6, 3.47
SP- Danys Vazquez, Augusta 12-0, 1.63
SP- Miguel Estrella, Baltimore 16-8, 4.08
RP- Felipe Cora, Baltimore 49 saves, 2.99
RP- Ryan Crosby, Baltimore 14-9, 85 appearances, 2.60
RP- Vic Ordonez, Augusta 9-4, 10 saves, 91 appearances, 2.68

AL East Report- After 145 games

1. Augusta Vacationers (95-50, 13 games ahead, 16-9 since last report)

The Vacs look like they’ll win their 7th consecutive AL East crown as their magic number has dwindled down to just 5 games. Danys Vasquez has been unbelievable since returning from the 60-day DL going 7-0. Altogether he is 11-0 on the year in 13 starts with a 1.58 ERA. Rich May continues to lead the team in wins with 16 and a solid 3.32 ERA. Rubber armed reliever Vic Ordonez has appeared in 86 games and is 8-4 with 9 saves and a stellar 2.85 ERA in an amazing 158 innings of relief work.

Kenneth Cannon has been a nice shot in the arm for the offense and is hitting .312-10-30 in 59 games. Adam O’Malley has played the role of table setter very well with 36 steals and 111 runs scored while missing just 1 game. Harold Martin has played in every game this season and leads the team with 42 long balls.

Minor League Watch
Final Records
AAA- 80-64 no playoffs
AA- 100-44 #1 seed (bye)
HA- 82-62 #6 seed (vs Toronto)
LA- 83-61 no playoffs
RK- 53-23 #2 seed (bye)

Minor League Player of the Year-
CAM GREISINGER
Greisinger was the first round pick of Augusta in Season 7. The 6’4 180 22 year old played the entire season at AA and led the team to a league best 100-44 record. He crushed 50 HR’s while driving in 159 runs and scoring 143. He also had 100 extra base hits while stealing 11 bags. Tons of potential for the versatile outfielder who will be knocking on the big league door very soon.

Minor League Pitcher of the Year
TOM NEAL
Early in the Season 8 season, Neal was acquired in a trade with the Louisville Reds who made Neal their #1 selection (8th overall) in the Season 6 draft. Neal came into his own this year with a 20-6 record in 30 starts at AA. The 21 year old with an above average fastball and slider struck out 175 in 204.2 innings while issuing just 43 walks.


2. Baltimore O’s (82-63, 13 games back, 15-10 since last report)

The O’s have rebounded from their horrid post All Star game collapse and are back to playing solid baseball. While it is too late to make a run at the division, they are in a 3- team dogfight with the Toronto Thoroughbreds and Portland Red Ducks for the wild card. Only 2 of those teams will make it with the O’s being tied with Portland and 2 games behind Toronto. The team ERA is at 4.17 which is much higher than the start of the year. Miguel Estrella has had the best year at 16-6 with a 4.10 ERA. Closer Felipe Cora has 45 saves in 48 chances while appearing in 64 games. Unheralded reliever Carl Lloyd has been solid of late and overall posts a 2.68 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 90 innings of relief work.

One area the O’s could improve is on base percentage where their .335 average as a team is just 24th overall in the majors. Douglas Cardona leads the team in that area at .357 and is having a solid year with 30 HR’s & 100 RBI. Speedy Michael Kingland has 57 steals in 60 chances but has struck out 94 times in just 389 AB’s. He needs to put the ball in play more. Phil Ludwick leads the team in games played at 140 but is just 5th on the team with 62 runs scored.

Minor League Watch
Final Records
AAA- 85-59 #6 seed (vs Charleston)
AA- 83-61 no playoffs
HA- 81-63 no playoffs
LA- 37-107 no playoffs
RK- 38-38 no playoffs

Minor League Player of the Year-
BOOTS BRUNETTE
Brunette, the 22 yr old Kansas native and former 4th rounder of the O’s back in season 5 came into his own at AAA this season. He hit .349-45-159 while scoring 126 runs and racking up 40 doubles as well while leading the AAA O’s squad to a playoff appearance.

Minor League Pitcher of the Year
YORK SCHMIDT
Last season, the O’s scouting department were so confident in Schmidt, they drafted the 6’0 190 southpaw in the 1st round (#11 overall) and the flame throwing closer has not disappointed. Playing at AA at the young age of 19, Schmidt saved 25 games in 27 chances while appearing in 52 games. He skipped both A levels and was not intimidated compiling a 2.93 ERA and striking out 51 hitters in 55.1 innings.

3. San Juan Slugging Diablos (62-83, 33 games back, 10-15 since last report)

After the horrid start to the season, the Diablos have basically been a .500 team but can not find any consistency whatsoever. One 4-game winning streak was the hottest they were able to get all season. Ben Walton and Rick Douglas have both started 31 games this year. Walton is 13-13 with a 4.52 while Douglas is 10-14 with a 4.66. Season 8 first round pick Dwight Thurman has made 23 starts and is 8-6 with a 4.75 ERA but in his last 6 starts is 3-1 with a 2.95 ERA.

Slugger Fred Eyre was lost for the season and it is too bad for he was having a great year. (.295-35-115 with 93 runs scored and a .382 OBP). He should be fully recovered from the torn groin muscle for next season. Lawrence Grieve has really picked up the slack in Eyre absence with 10 HR’s in his last 17 games and 36 now on the season. Lorenzo Perez is making a run at rookie of the year. Overall he is .333-34-119

Minor League Watch
Final Records
AAA- 87-57 #2 seed
AA- 85-59 no playoffs
HA- 101-43 #2 seed
LA- 84-60 #4 seed (vs New Orleans)
RK- 39-37 no playoffs

Minor League Player of the Year-
PHILIP FORRESTER
Forrester was a 7th round selection in the Season 8 draft but is now looking like a steal. He skipped Low A and came out swinging in High A totaling 46 HR and 208 RBI. His .351 average was tops on the team and he also had 61 doubles, 8 triples and a super high 1.125 OPS leading the HA squad to a 101-43 record. The Virginia Tech grad has some work to do defensively at 3rd but he may be in line to skip another level in Season 10.

Minor League Pitcher of the Year
BUCKY YORK
York was a 2nd round selection in Season 7 out of a small Texas university (Hardin Simmons). In 28 starts at AA, he went 17-4 with a 3.69 ERA. He struck out 167 in 190 innings while completing 2 games. The skinny 6’6 Wisconsin native was promoted to the bigs after rosters expanded and picked up a no decision in his 1st start allowing 2 runs in 5 innings.

4. Florida Beach Bums (45-100, 50 games back, 10-15 since last report)

Another long season for the Bums but there were signs of improvement throughout the season. Starters Don Lambert and Tom Hauser were consistent and Lambert led the team in quality starts with 18 in 28 starts. $10 million dollar bonus baby Yamid Chavez got his feet wet in the bigs and pitched well for a 21 year old. Opponents hit just .239 against the Cuban defector in 83 innings of work.

While there were signs of life from the rotation, offensively, the Bums still have work to do. Brad Roosevelt is wrapping up a solid season with .267-19-71 and Rob Towers has been productive at .280-19-82 but there is a huge lack of the big bopper. Their .319 team OBP and .699 OPS leaves a lot to be desired but ownership is being aggressive signing 1b Tony Medrano and SS B.C. Cruz and spending a combined $5.3 mil.

Minor League Watch
Final Records
AAA- 55-89 no playoffs
AA- 63-81 no playoffs
HA- 75-69 no playoffs
LA- 74-70 no playoffs
RK- 31-45 no playoffs

Minor League Player of the Year-
JORDAN O’KEEFE
O’keefe played in every game at HA and produced mightily with a .320 average, 41 HR and 133 RBI. The former 8th round pick back in Season 7 might be one of the future bum boppers so desperately needed in their lineup. At 6’3, 208 lbs, the Louisville, KY native followed up a great Silver Slugger season at LA and is making great progress.

Minor League Pitcher of the Year
CARMEN SCARSONE
Scarsone, in his 5th year in the organization finally put it together in Season 9 at HA going 15-9 with a 4.02 ERA. At 25, Scarsone needs to progress or he may be plucked in the Rule 5 draft. His 171 strikeouts in 177 innings is outstanding and the former 5th round draft pick has been durable never being disabled in 5 seasons.

AL EAST WEEKLY REPORT (after 120games)

1. Augusta Vacationers (79-41, 10 games ahead, 22-7 since last report)

So the Vacs showed what kind of character this team is made of. They fell behind the O’s and then began a hot streak that has basically won the division since the O’s sunk to ridiculously low depths. Rich May and Pablo Mesa have been the most consistent starters and have 5 complete games between them and a record of 23-9. Closer Louie Nieto has 22 saves in 25 chances with a solid 3.34 ERA.

Harold Martin continues to swing a hot stick and sits at .279-36-100. Russ
Flanagan is putting up Russ Flanagan-like numbers with 32 bombs and 96 RBI. There is probably no other player in the league that hits more clutch HR’s than C Felipe Castro who has 21 and quite possibly single handedly set the tone with the second half of the season with his clutch performance in the 4-game series vs Baltimore.

Minor League Watch

AAA-Rookie overall record (332-204, .619 pct)

Pitcher- Tom Neal(AA) 16-5, 3.18, 1.19 WHIP
Hitter - Cam Greisinger (AA) .342-44-142, 1.176 OPS



2. Baltimore O’s (67-53, 12 games back, 8-21 since last report)

Over the stretch of just 29 games, the O’s went from a 2-game lead to 12 games back and eyeing the Wild Card instead of the division. Where did it all go wrong? For starters, the 5-man rotation which was a strength the 1st half of the season has become pedestrian at best except for Matty Gibson who has been stellar at 14-6 with a 3.80 ERA. Todd Baxter has been a torch in his 24 starts at 4-11 with a 6.17 ERA and folling no one as opponents are hitting .307 against him. Felipe Cora (40/41 saves) is still solid out of the pen but he failed in some clutch situations against Augusta.

Also, there isn’t one O’s regular hitting above .290. Walt Seneca has only 1 HR and 5 RBI in the past 27 games. Albert Sosa is 42 for 44 on the base paths but his .298 OBP is not gonna get it done. Julio Julio’s shakey glove may have demoralized the O’s. They haven’t been able to recover since his circus act against the Vacs.

Minor League Watch

AAA-Rookie overall record (278-260, .517 pct)

Pitcher- York Schmidt (AA) 21/23 saves 2.60 ERA 1.40 WHIP
Hitter - Boots Brunette (AAA) .334-36-133, 1.045 OPS3.


3. San Juan Slugging Diablos (52-68, 27 back, 15-14 since last report)

The rotation has finally stabilized but obviously too little too late. Ben Walton has anchored the staff and is now 12-10 with a 4.29 ERA. Walton has allowed only 5 runs in his last 5 starts for a 1.36 ERA over that stretch and has not allowed a HR. Rick Douglas is among the league leaders with 123 K’s. Karim Rivera was called up at the break and has appeared out of the pen in 14 games and carries a 2.93 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP.

Fred Eyre has carried the offense of late and is hitting .293-34-106. Speedy 2-bagger Davey Vazquez went down with an ankle injury but still has 74 steals in 79 chances. Rookie Lorenzo Perez is tiring but still is having a great year at .322-31-105.

Minor League Watch

AAA-Rookie overall record (333-202, .622pct)

Pitcher- Jacque Burns (HA) 13-3, 3.19, 1.28 WHIP
Hitter- Phillip Forrester (HA) .360-40-174, 1.141 OPS



4. Florida Beach Bums (35-85, 44 back, 11-18 since last report)

Pitching has actually been solid for the Bums since the All-Star break. Don Lambert has witnessed his ERA drop down to a respectable 4.21 in 23 starts. Reliever Paul Clifton leads the team in appearances with 49 and is 3-2 with 3 saves and a 3.89 ERA. Rookie Felipe Estrada was recalled from AAA and so far is fooling no one. In 12 appearances and 1 start he is 0-4 with a 11.28 ERA while opponents are lining up to join in on the .340 clip he’s allowing their average to rise to.

In the offseason, the Bums could really use some pop in the middle of their lineup. Only 3 players have reached double digits in HR’s and when .436 leads your team in slugging then you know you have problems. Rob Towers has been the most productive at .277-16-72 but those numbers would make a solid 6 or 7 hole….not cleanup. There is plenty of speed throughout the Bums’ lineup as Phil Carver has 42 steals and Luis Concepcion has 24.

Minor League Watch

AAA-Rookie overall record (249-286, .465 pct)

Pitcher- Matt Pose (RK) 8-3, 3.12, 1.14 WHIP
Hitter- Tim Powell (AA) .332-31-129, 1.131 OPS

Team in Focus: Philadelphia Phanatics

Under new ownership in Season 9, the Philadelphia Phanatics have experienced a solid run of success in the tumultuous NL East. However, four Division titles and two Wild Card victories have yet to put a World Series ring on anyone's finger, and Philly fans are notoriously demanding. New owner austinaaron has chosen to hold the line, largely preserving the same roster that he acquired, while jettisoning a few aging veterans (including home run king Denny Masato).

The Phanatics currently stand at 58-49, only two games behind the surprising New York Mets for the Division lead. Starter Daniel Corsi has followed up his solid Season 8 with an outstanding performance, earning All-Star accolades. His 125 Ks are good for seventh in MLB, and his 14-1 record speaks for itself. The sixth overall pick in Season 1, Corsi has worked his way through the Philadelphia minor league system and now anchors the rotation. "This is a great organization," says Corsi. "When they offered me a long-term contract last season, I was very excited to sign on. I want to be here for a long time, to be a part of what we're building here." When asked about the new ownership, Corsi responded: "The new front office is picking up right where the last group left off. We are here to win."

Fellow starter Trevor Cox has followed a similar path with the club. A Season 4 first-round draft pick, he made his major league debut this season. However, the transition has not been without its bumps. Cox has posted a 3-8 record and a 6.56 ERA, showing only flashes of the potential that the club envisions.  The most recent flash, eight shutout innings against Tampa Bay, was a more of a relief for Cox than anything else: "That's what I can do. That's the kind of performance I expect from myself. This club has battled all season, and I have not done my part. It's time to get my breaking stuff up to par," said the 23-year-old.

The team had been on a hot streak until running into NL powerhouse Monterrey, who cut through them like a chainsaw. The first game of the series was a back-and-forth battle that saw Philadelphia jump out to a 3-0 lead, then surrender that lead, only to surge ahead again.  However, closer Miguel Uribe was unable to protect a two-run lead in the top of the ninth, and he was relieved by Al Little, who surrendered what proved to be the game-winning run. Philadelphia followed that disappointing performance with a solid outing from starter Dick Hoover that was spoiled by two two-run bombs in the fifth. The Cheese rounded out the sweep with an extra innings victory, despite bottom-of-the-ninth heroics from C Don Farrell (grand slam) and CF Willie Perez (game-tying solo shot) to send the ballgame to extra frames. "What else can you do?" asked bench coach Luke Diggins. "At some point you just have to realize that you've done everything you can and tip your cap to the other guys, and admit that they beat you."

Going forward, the Phanatics will need more than just dramatic home runs; they are led by 3B Daryle Benson with only 18 round-trippers, and their team total of 120 places them near the bottom of the league. The power outage has not gone unnoticed: "We have some real talented hitters," said hitting coach Bill Everett. "They're taking solid approaches up there; we're just not producing the way we need to."

The road (literally) does not get any easier for Philadelphia; 20 of their next 23 games are away from Citizens Bank Park.  They currently hold a precarious one-game lead over two other NL clubs for the final Wild Card slot, but if the power outage continues, they will need the rotation to step up and the bullpen to lock it down if they want to continue their tradition of success.  

Owner Profile: TAVoorhees

Owner TAVoorhees has been in charge in America's Finest City since Season 1, guiding the San Diego Land Sharks to a Division Title in the NL West that season and three Wild Card playoff berths since then. The club currently sits at 50-49, in third place and 13 games back in the Division but very much alive in the Wild Card race.  Ace Nash Hyers pitched well enough in the first half to earn an All-Star nod, and fans are buzzing over this team's postseason chances. Amid all the hubbub, TAVoorhees was gracious enough to sit down with this Gehringer P-D correspondent to talk about Southern California rivalries and relaxation.  

Who is your team’s rival and why?
The Los Angeles Blue Knights because they have been dominating the division, leaving us to fight for a wild card spot every year (with the exception of Season 1). Av84aal is a great, active owner and is always willing to help out fellow owners, but I do want to catch up to him one of these years!

What is the best and worst part about living/playing in your team's city?
The weather and the women! SD boasts the best of both.

Who is your organization’s most highly anticipated prospect?
Wilbur Booker (C) and Wayne Barber (1B) are both starting as rookies at the MLB level this year. I think both will contend for ROY and have long, productive careers. The organization also has high hopes for Steve Ward (Triple-A RF), and we had a very good draft last year considering we usually pick in the mid-20s.

What one contract/transaction do you wish you could undo and why?
This year, I’m happy to say, there are none.

Which player do you consider your team’s MVP/indispensable?
My entire starting rotation.

Which player is your team’s emotional/veteran leader?
Steve Choate, my Gold Glove winning 2B, who is now attempting to win the award as a CF.

If you could move your franchise to any other city, which one would it be and why?
I love SD and really wouldn’t consider moving the franchise, but I guess if I had to it would be to New Orleans. Just a wonderful city. Gumbo, excellent food, and of course the 3-for-1 beers!!!

If your franchise wins the World Series, how will you celebrate/reward your players?
We’ll either go to New Orleans and get drunk, or hit Vegas for a Jimmy Buffett concert! If it is a sweep, we’ll do both.

What is your team’s mascot and why is it significant?
It is a Land Shark. During the 7th inning stretch he gets the fans going to Jimmy Buffett’s “Fins.” Fins to the left, fins to the right. It very much resembles a Jimmy Buffet concert.

Tell us one thing we do not know about your home stadium.

PETCO Park is painted to reflect our wonderful beaches and to resemble the 

color of the Torrey Pines cliffs.

Who is the most overpaid player in your organization?

Probably Marty Young – a very talented pitcher who just hasn’t put it together in SD.

Who will win your team’s division? Where will you finish?
LA and 2nd. I feel like the 1950s Brooklyn Dodgers, “Wait ‘til next year.” But, I do think with a year of playing these rookies under my belt, our club can catch him next year.

How do you really feel about Detroit FC Dinamo?
Lfkbibanul is a great owner … However, I’m perplexed at how he stockpiles so many great prospects for trade. I’m glad he is in the A.L.!!!

O's-Vacs Al East Showdown Series Recap

Here is a recap of the 4-game series between Augusta and Baltimore, the battle for AL East Supremacy.



Game 1

Augusta 10 Baltimore 2

Ace Rich May squared up against probably the weakest O’s starter Todd Baxter and the mismatch was quickly revealed as the Vacs scored 4 runs in the 3rd inning and never looked back. Baxter got into trouble in the 3rd by walking Adam O’Malley and John Rolen to start the inning. After a Russ Flanagan strikeout and Flip Hill popout it appeared Baxter was out of trouble. However, Harold Martin found a hole and delivered a big 2-out single that plated O’Malley setting the stage for Felipe Castro who nailed a 3-run bomb to left center. That was enough for May (10-3) who allowed 2 runs in 6 innings. Super reliever Vic Ordonez tossed a solid 3 innings allowing to innocent singles for his 7th save. Flanagan, Hill and reserve Guillermo Mosa all added solo HR’s later in the game to seal the deal and take game 1.

WP- May (10-3)
LP- Baxter (4-8)
SV- Ordonez (7)

HR- Julio (18), Rosa (8), Flanagan (22), Hill (20), Castro (16)

Game 2

Augusta 6 Baltimore 3

Great pitching has been the staple of the Augusta franchise but what goes unnoticed at times is their ability to hit the long ball. With Baltimore’s Willie Rios cruising through 6 innings of 2-hit shutout baseball, he made a mistake and walked the Vacs Harold Martin to open the 7th. Catcher Felipe Castro then strolled to the plate, wasting no time, nailed the 1st pitch he saw over the left field fence to tie the game at 2. It was the second big dinger by Castro in two games. That was enough to chase Rios as O’s skipper jfribush went to Ryan Crosby. Crosby who has been sensational was coming off one of his poorer outings of the season as he gave up 3 runs in just 2/3 of an inning the previous game against the Vacs. This is when the circus suddenly came to town in the form of third basemen Julio Julio. Crosby retired the first batter he faced and then got Jordan Lee to hit a routine ground ball to 3rd that Julio booted. With one down, Ned Corey then hit a double play ball to Julio who wasn’t able to handle the easy 2-hopper and was credited with his 2nd error of the inning. Crosby should have been innocently out of the inning with the game knotted at 2. He wasn’t and John Rolen hit a towering fly to center that just cleared the wall and the leaping efforts of CF Al Melo that gave the Vacs a 5-2 lead. To make matters worse, slugger Russ Flanagan nailed a solo shot to right on the very next pitch to give the Vacs a commanding 6-2 lead. Julio then went for the hat trick successfully booting the routine grounder that Flip Hill. 3 errors in the inning an essentially the game was lost and Augusta was back in a 1st place tie with the O’s. Vacs starter Pablo Mesa (10-3) went 8 strong innings allowing just 6 hits while striking out 3.

WP- Mesa (10-3)
LP- Crosby (10-5)

HR- Cardona (22), Rolen (7), Flanagan (23), Castro (17)

Game 3

Baltimore 9 Augusta 5

The O’s could have hung their heads and thought… “oh well, lets go for the wild-card” after the demoralizing loss of Game 2. Instead, their offense picked up the slack and exploded for 9 runs on 17 hits to take Game 3 and regain sole possession of 1st place. All Star Matty Gibson was on the hill for the O’s and allowed yet another HR to Felipe Castro to fall behind 1-0 in the 2nd inning but then the O’s bats came alive against Vacs veteran starter Cookie Whang. Whang (6-7) allowed 3 runs in the 3rd, 1 in the 4th and 2 more in the 5th before departing. Julio Julio chased Whang in the 5th after crushing his 19th HR of the year, a 2-run shot that gave the O’s a 6-1 lead. 7 O’s players had multi-hit games led by C Esteban Crespo who went 4-5, Julio who went 2-5 with 2 runs and 2 RBI and Phil Ludwick who connected for his 10th HR of the year, a solo shot in the 9th. Gibson went 6 innings scattering 5 hits while allowing 2 HR’s, the other to Kenneth Cannon. Ryan Crsoby pitched 3 innings for his 2nd save and allowed 2 unearned runs, thanks again, to the stone hands of 3-bagger Julio who made 2 more errors making it 5 in 2 games.

WP- Gibson (11-4)
LP- Whang (6-7)
SV- Crosby (2)

HR- Julio (19), Ludwick (10), Castro (18), Cannon (3)


Game 4

Augusta 6 Baltimore 4

It had to happen sooner or later, but the timing could not have been worse for O’s closer Felipe Cora. Cora entered the game with 1 out in the 9th inning with the O’s clinging to a 4-3 lead and Vacs slugging catcher Felipe Castro coming to the dish. Castro who has had just a phenomenal series hit a-3 run jack the opposite way to take the game and the series away from the O’s who lost 3 out of 4. 2 of the losses, the O’s have to think they coulda, or shoulda won. O’s starter Jerry Butler pitched into the 9th inning but ran out of gas. He retired Russ Flanagan on an easy pop to center to start the inning but Harold Martin singled to right and Flip Hill walked on 4 pitches setting up the Cora-Castro confrontation. The O’s Douglas Cardona smacked a solo HR off of the left field foul pole in the 8th off Vacs reliever Vic Ordonez that broke a 3-3 tie. Reliever Gordon Howington (6-1) tossed one pitched in the 9th and was the winning pitcher. Butler fell to (8-6) with the loss and Cora blew his 1st save. Both teams are now 60-35 and just have a 3-game series remaining at Baltimore the last week of the season.

WP- Howington (6-1)
LP- Butler (8-6)

HR- Cardona (23), Killebrew (6), O'Malley (14), Castro (19).

All Star Game Final: NL 4, AL 3

The Season 9 MIdsummer Classic lived up to its billing, with the NL riding solid starting pitching performances from two Monterrey Cheese hurlers en route to a 4-3 victory at Zephyr Field, home of the AL South's New Orleans River Crushers.  

Zach Bones and Travis Roosevelt combined to twirl three shutout innings, getting the Senior Circuit off to a nice start. In the top of the fourth inning, Los Angeles SS Miguel James capped an NL rally with a two-run blast that snuck over the wall in right field, giving the NL a 3-0 lead.

The AL battled gamely back, however, pushing a run across in the bottom of the fourth on an Alejandro Cruz double, scoring another in the fifth courtesy of a Rex Rhodes home run, and pulling even on an RBI groundout by Harold Martin in the bottom of the sixth.

The NL answered quickly, with Chicago catcher Heath Leius lining a home run just over the left field wall to lead of the seventh. That home run, which proved to be the decisive shot, came off of Detroit closer Lou Crosby. While he has converted 18 of 19 save chances this season for FC Dinamo, the only batter he faced in the clash between the leagues got the better of him. "What can I say," said Crosby slowly after the game. "You can't make even a single mistake against hitters like these. I made one too many."

Winning pitcher Wally Valentine of Los Angeles went one and two-thirds scoreless innings, and Alejandro Bennett tossed two shutout innings to earn the save, to go along with his perfect 23 saves in 23 opportunities for the Fargo Argonauts.  "This was a lot of fun," said Bennett, "and it's just a little bit easier because you know that everyone is relaxed.  There just isn't as much on the line; there isn't as much pressure."  Augusta ace Rich May, who gave up the first three NL runs, agreed: "This was a fun couple of days, but it's time to get back to the games that matter," he said. For his club, like many others, that will mean a return to the rigors of a pennant race.

AL East All-Star Break Report

1. Baltimore O’s (59-32, 2 game lead, 9-4 since last report)

At the All-Star break, it’s the O’s who are the surprising leaders of the AL East having won 23 of their last 33 games. They have used the same 5-man rotation so far and they are a combined 42-24. Matty Gibson was named to the All-Star team with a 10-4 record and a 3.97 ERA and 1.15 WHIP. Willie Rios looked like an All-Star shoe in but in his last 4 starts allowed 24 earned runs in just 20.1 IP’s. The league’s best closer, Felipe Cora was also named to the team and is a perfect 35 for 35 in saves situations at the break with a .210 opponents average.

The 1st place O’s didn’t have any offensive players named to the team but have some players having solid seasons or are currently red-hot. Handle-bar mustached Julio Julio is 15 for 40 during his current 10-game hitting streak raising his average to .270 with 17 HR’s and 47 RBI. Walt Seneca leads the team in AB’s (346), Runs (61), Hits (99), HR’s (21), RBI (84) and OPS (.895). Douglas Cardona leads the team in extra base hits (45) and will need to raise his batting average (.272) to more in the neighborhood of his career .294 average for the O’s to remain on top. It appeared owner jfribush is feverishly working the trade market to acquire help at SS and CF.

1st Half MVP- Walt Seneca, .286-21-84
1st Half Cy Young- Felipe Cora, 35 saves, 2.14 ERA
1st Half LVP- Andre Killebrew, .237-5-21 for $4.72 mil
1st Half Cy Yuck- Harold Sheldon, 6.12 ERA, .314 opponents average

Minor League Watch

AAA-Rookie overall record (197-196, .501 pct)

AAA MVP- Russ Leach, .345-28-90
AAA Cy- Dean Shields, 8-1, 4.37 ERA

AA MVP- Felipe Guillen, .378-21-103
AA Cy- Jerry Goldberg, 14-3, 2.66 ERA

HA MVP- Phillip Appier, .344-16-86
HA Cy- Ryan Waters, 2-0, 5saves 4.00 ERA

LA MVP- Tim Washburn, .347-7-36
LA Cy- Eugene Grace, 0-9, 4.48 ERA

Rookie MVP- Matt Wilkins, .349-2-24
Rookie Cy- Luis Nunez, 2-0, 1.13 ERA

2. Augusta Vacationers (57-34, 2 games back, 6-7 since last report)

For the first time in a few seasons, the Vacs actually have some competition in the AL East and it will be interesting to see how the handle the pennant race in the 2nd half since they usually are coasting towards the playoffs. Rich May & Louie Nieto will represent the Vacs at the All-Star game. May, who has 2 shutouts under his belt this season is 9-3 overall with a 3.15 ERA. Closer Nieto has saved 17 in 19 chances and has held opponents to a .217 average. Probably no one has been more valuable then rubber-armed reliever Vic Ordonez though who has appeared in 55 games and has 6 wins, 6 saves and a sparkling 2.81 ERA.

The Vacs will also send 2 offensive players to the All-Star game as 2-bagger Adam O’Malley will make his 6th appearance thanks to his .308 average and 71 runs scored. LF Harold Martin will join him making his 2nd All Star team. Martin’s 31 HR’s and 81 RBI leads the team. Newly acquired Kenneth Cannon has provided some punch hitting .371 in 10 games with a 1.029 OPS. The 33-year old slugger once hit 64 bombs in a season and was a nice addition to a team that needs to play better baseball.

1st Half MVP- Harold Martin, .277-31-81
1st Half Cy Young- Rich May, 9-3, 3.15 ERA
1st Half LVP- Virgil Seanez, .234-11-33 for $5.8 mil
1st Half Cy Yuck- Buddy Weiss, 0-0, 8.53 ERA, .360 opponents ave


Minor League Watch

AAA-Rookie overall record (240-153, .611 pct)

AAA MVP- Sam Ledee, .281-23-79
AAA Cy- Paulie Benson, 5-1, 3.15

AA MVP- Cam Greisinger, .352-35-113
AA Cy- Tom Neal, 13-4, 3.63

HA MVP- Wilt Clifton, .354-14-88
HA Cy- Miguel Flores, 8-3, 4.01

LA MVP- Javy Santana, .372-10-67
LA Cy- Victor Henry, 9-3, 3.56

Rookie MVP- Preston Justice, .337-10-38
Rookie Cy- Ivan Olivares, 2-0, 3.71


3. San Juan Slugging Diablos (37-54, 22 back, 7-6 since last report)

No Diablos in the All-Star game this season as 17 games below .500 just aint gonna do it. While their 23-23 road record is respectable, somehow this team is just 14-31 in the unfriendly confines of Hiram Bithorn Stadium. Ben Walton has been the most consistent starter and is 8-8 with a .279 opponents average in 20 starts. 2 of the 3 big off season signees, Willie Flores 3-2, 3.66 and Tanyon Dunn, 10 saves, 3.41 have pitched really well of late.

Fans and ownership believe rookie Lorenzo Perez was an All-Star snub with his .330-23-77 numbers but there are many more in this 21 year old’s future. Quietly, Fred Eyre is putting a nice season together at .301-23-76. Eyre has also played in every game. Finally, Davey Vazquez was gunned down on the paths. After 54 consecutive steals to begin the season, he was actually nailed his next 2 attempts and stands 54-56 on the year.

1st Half MVP- Lorenzo Perez, .330-23-77
1st Half Cy Young- Tanyon Dunn, 10 saves 3.14 ERA
1st Half LVP- Vic Coronado, .228-6-27 for $5 mil
1st Half Cy Yuck- Seth Brower, 2-3, 7.57 ERA 1.83 WHIP


Minor League Watch

AAA-Rookie overall record (251-142, .639pct)

AAA MVP- Les Cooper, .348-22-98
AAA Cy- Karim Rivera, 20-22 saves, 3.38 ERA

AA MVP- Dick Cash, .283-37-109
AA Cy- Bucky York, 11-3, 3.63

HA MVP- Philip Forrester, .348-30-132
HA Cy- Jacque Burns, 12-2, 3.28

LA MVP- Fausto Quevedo, .350-21-94
LA Cy- Doc Gilbert, 4-2 5sv 3.21

Rookie MVP- Todd Holloway, .388-6-27
Rookie Cy- Orber Pulido, 1-0, 1.80



4. Florida Beach Bums (24-67, 28 back, 2-11 since last report)

The Bums are also without an All Star rep and after a semi-respectable start have really fallen upon hard times. They are 11-43 in their last 54 games. 9 pitchers total have already started a game for the Bums with Tom Hauser leading the way with 18 starts. Hauser’s 4-9 record and semi respectable 4.61 ERA anchors the staff. Don Lambert has made 17 starts and has a 4.73 ERA but is just 2-9. Marino Lecuona has given up an alarming 17 bombs in just 46 innings.

The team’s .248 overall average has contributed to some of the pitcher’s poor records. Rob Towers and Brad Roosevelt lead the team in HR’s with just 11. Opponenets have hit 150 HR’s against the Bums who have hit just 75 themselves. The team’s OBP of .312 is even more frightening and every day left fielder J.P. Guerrero has played in every game this season and carries a very light .265 OBP.

1st Half MVP- Rob Towers, .274-11-54
1st Half Cy Young- Tom Hauser, 4-9, 4.61
1st Half LVP- JP Guerrero, .199-10-24
1st Half Cy Yuck- Marino Lecuona, 9.00 ERA, 17 HR's in 46 IP's


Minor League Watch

AAA-Rookie overall record (187-206, .476 pct)

AAA MVP- Ugueth Romero, .277-20-52
AAA Cy- Lariel Rios, 5-5, 4.37

AA MVP- Tim Powell, .330-26-104
AA Cy- Rico Martinez, 9saves, 4.79

HA MVP- Jordan O’Keefe, .307-27-74
HA Cy- Carmen Scarsone, 11-5, 3.77

LA MVP- Tanyon Hendrickson, .331-12-73
LA Cy- Tim Beck, 8-6, 3.86

Rookie MVP- Rob Greisinger, .506-13-43
Rookie Cy- Matt Pose, 4-1, 2.30

Prospect Watch: Carlos Borbon

Twenty-year-old pitcher Carlos Borbon has had a brief but illustrious and well-publicized professional baseball career. A military brat and native of Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, Borbon is the son of two talented Mexican-American soccer players. Despite the fact that futbol is in his genes, American hardball has always been in his blood. For years he played with athletes twice his age on the air force base fields, firing that signature high fastball past batter after batter. As he matured, he learned from some of the older players on the base how to throw a sweeping curve ball, sort of a slurve, to compliment that heater. 

When he finally went to pitch for the local high school team, he was simply too much for his opponents. Recording 516 strikeouts and racking up an incredible 56-8 record over the course of his career, Carlos considered heading straight for the major league baseball draft after his senior season. However, concerns about the low level of competition in his tiny Texas home town led him to be projected as a later round draft pick, so he headed for tiny Snow College, with an enrollment of only 2800 students.

The Snow Badgers had never seen anything like young Carlos before.  In his first practice with the club, he struck out every returning starter from the previous year's team; indeed, not a single hitter even made contact!  Over the course of his freshman season, Carlos Borbon made 21 starts and appeared in relief six times, compiling a 17-2 record, a 1.92 ERA, and 161 strikeouts.  That performance led him to be taken with the sixteenth overall pick in the Season 8 Draft by the New York Mets; Carlos was still only 19 years old at the time.  

Part of his development at Snow, and what led the Mets to spend such a high pick on him, was Borbon's development of a cut fastball to go along with his fastball-curve ball-change up repertoire.  Thanks to that cutter, Borbon went 8-0 in sixteen Rookie League starts for New York in Season 8, striking out more than one batter per inning.  After starting somewhat slowly at Low-A ball in Season 9, posting a 5.63 ERA in nine starts, Borbon was dealt to the Chicago Prime Movers straight up for Rule 5 Selection 2B Eric Corbin and cash.  

Owner evilleteache has high hopes for Borbon; the front office immediately assigned the young pitcher to the Double-A squad where he has been solid, if not yet special.  However, a 4.11 ERA at that level at only age 20 gives some indication of what kind of talent fans can expect to see on the mound at Wrigley Field in the not too distant future.  In fact, the fan base is already clamoring to see the young phenom take over the rotation spot of veteran starter Hee Martin, whose 6.20 ERA is about what can be expected from a pitcher whose career ERA is 6.14.

The club has shown admirable restraint and patience with the youngster thus far, however.  Double-A pitching coach Jason Reynolds believes that Borbon still has plenty to work on: "Down here, he can just blow these hitters away with his stuff, but at the major league level, he's gonna have to be able to hit his spots.  He can't do that well enough yet."  

Left-handed hitting Jeff Blank a slugging 1B prospect and teammate of Borbon at Double-A, agrees that the kid has even more potential than has been seen: "the righties already have a tough time with his velocity, but I've seen him flash that curve ball and just bend it right in on my hands," said Blank. "If he can do that consistently against left-handed hitters, the guy could be nasty.  I'm talking unhittable."  

With the major league club floundering just below .500 and 10 games back in the Division, such talk is welcome news everywhere within the organization.  "Great," said staff ace Bill Smith, whose unsightly 1.70 WHIP and gaudy 82/46 K/BB ratio are part of the problem creating the need for Borbon. "We're really hurting for guys who can give us quality innings right now." For a staff whose 5.81 ERA is third worst in the NL, Borbon's 30 Ks in 35 innings look like just the ticket. The question now is only how long the club will wait to move Carlos Borbon into a prime spot in Chicago.

Season 1 Draft Study

I did a study of the top 40 selections of the very 1st Amateur Draft from Season 1. Here are the findings....

*8 of the 40 (20%) have participated in at least 1 All Star Game.
*24 of the 40 (60%) are currently on a ML Roster.
*1 of the 40 (2.5%) has become a league MVP.
*4 of the 40 (10%) has been rewarded as a Silver Slugger.
*2 of the 40 (5%) became Rookie of the Year.
*2 of the 40 (5%) are current Free Agents.
*1 of the 40 (2.5%) has retired.
*12 of the 40 (30%) did not sign and were never heard from again.

Other notes....

**#1 overall selection and current El Paso Sandstorm pitcher Tony Merrick has 86 career wins which leads all of the draftees but has never made an All Star team.

**The #2, #3 & #8 selections, Brendan Spradlin, Randall Matthews and James McGrady are all current Los Angeles Blue Knights.

**The #20, #27 & #30 selections, Keith Driskill, Lou Crosby & Toby Hodges are all current Detroit FC Dinamos.

** #2 overall selection Brendan Spradlin leads the draftees in career average (.320) HR's (239) & RBI (963).

** #29 overall selection Todd Baxter has the most disappointing career numbers at 32-61 with a 6.28 ERA

MVP
Randall Matthews, Season 8- Los Angeles

Silver Sluggers
Brendan Spradlin (2nd overall)
Randall Matthews (3rd overall)
Kevin Gant (P) (7th overall)
Alex Franco (32nd overall)

Rookie Of The Year
Daniel Corsi (6th overall)
Lou Crosby (27th overall)

Gold Glovers
Don Milliard (5th overall)
Giovanni Sanders (16th overall)

All Stars
Brendan Spradlin (2nd overall)
Randall Matthews (3rd overall)
Daniel Corsi (6th overall)
Brad Riggs (9th overall)
Fergie Stargell (14th overall)
Giovanni Sanders (16th overall)
Lou Crosby (27th overall)
Alex Franco (32nd overall)

Current Free Agents
Travis Washington (31st overall)
Octavio Rodriguez (37th overall)

Top 3 Highest Current Rating
1. Brendan Spradlin (2nd overall) 85
2. Randall Matthews (3rd overall) 83
3. Daniel Corsi (6th overall) 80

Top 3 Lowest Current Rating
1. Danny Gil (40th overall) 57
2. Gary Hall (21st overall) 65
2. Toby Hodges (30th overall) 65

AL East Report, 8/19/08

1. Augusta Vacationers (51-27, 1 game lead, 11-9 since last report)

The Vacs actually spent a few days outta 1st place as the race for the division is on with the O’s. The team ERA has climbed to 3.85 which is as high as it has been on season. Key to that stat is veteran Cookie Whang who is winless in his last 9 starts. Whang and is now 4-5 on the season. Reliever Buddy Weiss who carried a stellar 2.39 ERA for the Vacs last season is getting bombed with an 8.78 ERA and a bloated 2.25 WHIP this season in 10 appearances. Rich May continues to anchor the staff at 9-1 with a 2.84 ERA.

Russ Flanagan who got off to such a putrid start is now putting up Flanagan type numbers at .279-16-62. Adam O’Malley continues to lead the team with a .312 average and 23 steals and 60 runs scored. Harold Martin continues to lead the team in the power categories (25 HR & 64 RBI) but his .257 average is well beneath is .286 lifetime average.

Minor League Watch

Pitcher- Phil Chang (AA) 5saves 19apps 1.54 ERA 0.91 WHIP
Hitter- Raymond Brower (AA) .388-21-70 1.231 OPS

Interesting Fact- The AA Vacs have 4 players on pace to hit 40 HR’s- Cam Greisinger, Darrell Phillips, Santos Wilfredo & Raymond Brower.

2. Baltimore O’s (50-28, 1 game back, 14-6 since last report)

As predicted by yours truly, the O’s aren’t going anywhere. They are a legit contender and should make the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. They spent a few days atop of the AL East but have now dropped 2 straight while the Vacs have won 5 in a row. All hail closer Felipe Cora who remains perfect at 29 saves in 29 ops. Starter Jerry Butler is 3-0 in his last 6 starts to improve to 6-5 on the season with a 3.39 ERA. Willie Rios is looking to make his 1st All star team with a 9-4 record and a 3.59 ERA.

Walt Seneca has been on fire with 16 RBI in his last 7 games. Overall Seneca is hitting .286-18-76 and is the only O’s player to play in every game. Michael Kingland is playing everyday now and is hitting .324 with 27 steals in 29 chances. Former 1st round pick Al Melo can’t seem to get enough AB’s and is 0 for his last 10 dropping his average to .291 yet still carries a solid .375 OBP.

Minor League Watch

Pitcher- Jerry Goldberg (AA) 12-3, 2.74 ERA 1.02 WHIP
Hitter- Abraham Jones (AA) .313-30-95, 1.107 OPS

Interesting Fact- The 5 man rotation at LA is a combined 5-41.

3. San Juan Slugging Diablos (30-48, 21 back, 7-13 since last report)

Despite the team’s slide of late, starter Ben Walton is 4-1 in his last 6 starts with a 3.71 ERA. Tanyon Dunn has been an effective closer of late and has the best WHIP on the team at 1.25 but he hasn’t had a lot of opportunities of late with just 6 saves on the season. Reliever Bobby Little was acquired via trade from Charleston on August 1, and has struck out 19 in just 13 innings…in 14 games.

Lorenzo Perez continues to swing a hot bat in his rookie season hitting .347-20-70 and a .405 OBP. 2b Davey Vazquez started the season in a platoon but is now playing everyday and is still perfect on the paths with 45 steals in 45 attempts. Overall he is hitting .314-8-30 and leads the team with 57 runs scored. Vic Coronado, a career .296 hitter with a .920 OPS still is struggling at .245-6-25 and is now playing part time at just 30 years old.

Minor League Watch

Pitcher- Karim Rivera (AAA) 16-18 saves, 3.13 ERA .213 OAV
Hitter- Alfredo Sanchez (AAA) .338-10-57, 36 SB’s

Interesting Fact- The High A Diablos have a TEAM OBP of .403.

4. Florida Beach Bums (22-56, 28 back, 7-13 since last report)

Former 1st rounder Tom Hauser has been the most consistent starter with a 4.93 ERA. Closer Craig Rivers has only appeared in 13 games this season but has a sparkling 1.07 WHIP and is a perfect 5 for 5 in save ops. Yamid Chavez has been solid as a starter and out of the pen with 59 k’s in 68.2 IP’s.

7 Bums have played in every game this season. Brad Roosevelt has maintained consistency and is the team’s main threat hitting .283-11-43. Phil Carver has stolen 25 bags but is hitting just .229. Rob Towers is just 1 for his last 23 sinking his average down to .282.

Minor League Watch

Pitcher- Carmen Scarsone (HA) 10-4, 3.61 95k’s in 102.1 IP’s
Hitter- Tim Powell (AA) .341-22-95, 1.158 OPS

Interesting Fact- 2nd overall pick this year, Rob Greisinger is hitting .488-3-16 in his first 12 games.

AL East Wins, ERA & Saves Leaders

Wins
1. Rich May, Augusta 9
1. Willie Rios, Baltimore 9
1. Miguel Estrella, Baltimore 9
4. Pablo Mesa, Augusta 8
4. Ryan Crosby, Baltimore 8

ERA
1. Rich May, Augusta 2.84
2. Vic Ordonez, Augusta 3.01
3. Pablo Mesa, Augusta 3.14
4. Jerry Butler, Baltimore 3.39
5. Chris Wright, Augusta 3.58

SAVES
1. Felipe Cora, Baltimore 29
2. Louie Nieto, Augusta 15
3. Tanyon Dunn, San Juan 6
3. Vic Ordonez, Augusta 6
5. Craig Rivers, Florida 5

Owner Profile: Swindy10

Since Season 1, the San Juan Slugging Diablos have been managed by veteran owner swindy10. He has guided them to three second-place finishes in the AL East, but amazingly, despite winning as many as 94 games in a season, the Diablos have never appeared in the post season. After a frustrating Season 8 that saw the team finish 76-86, swindy10 made a big splash in offseason free agency, signing veteran relievers Seth Brower, Tanyon Dunn, and Willie Flores. Despite those big name additions, the Diablos have struggled out of the gate, going 30-46 while blowing 10 saves and posting a 5.50 team ERA.

Owner swindy10 has also become a major contributor to the coverage of major league baseball, acting as the AL East correspondent for the Gehringer Post-Dispatch. He gave a few moments to this correspondent and discussed the Diablos' prospects for Season 9 and beyond.

Who is your team’s rival and why?

I'd say Augusta, though owner averyk73 may not think so; we're the only two owners who have battled in the AL East since Season 1.

What is the best and worst part about living/playing in your team's city?

I've only been to San Juan once in my life and that was a layover. I wanted a HR hitting ballpark and it has been death to my franchise.

Who is your organization’s most highly anticipated prospect?

SS Lorenzo Perez just reached the bigs and is raking to the tune of a 1.045 OPS and 20 HR already. Next in the pipeline are CF Mike Smith, whom we just called up and who has started strong with a .376 OBP, and Venezuelan international free agent starter Miguel Mercado, who has a blazing fastball and a nasty cutter.

What one contract/transaction do you wish you could undo and why?

Our entire organizational plan of spending big bucks on the bullpen this last offseason; it killed us.

Which player do you consider your team’s MVP/indispensable?

Recent call-up SS Lorenzo Perez. We gave him a $16 million bonus to sign with us. He's only 21; we really expect big things from him.

Which player is your team’s emotional/veteran leader?

Kennie Munoz, who DHs and catches part time, is our all-time leader in basically every category. Where would we be without him?

If you could move your franchise to any other city, which one would it be and why?

Philadelphia. Their fans are crazy.

If your franchise wins the World Series, how will you celebrate/reward your players?

We'll think of something.

What is your team’s mascot and why is it significant?

Slugging Diablos.... we are the Devils of Puerto Rico.

Tell us one thing we do not know about your home stadium.

It sucks for my pitching staff.

Who is the most overpaid player in your organization?

Pitcher Seth Brower, whose $6 million salary is not worth his 7.01 ERA.

Who will win your team’s division? Where will you finish?

Augusta and 3rd.

How do you really feel about Detroit FC Dinamo?

Savy.