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reds1 · 12-04-2017, 08:07 PM

March 29, 1948

Western League: Generals, Unions to Square Off in Unique Pennant Matchup

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The Fort Richmond Generals put it all together in the final two months to not only secure their first winning season, but also their first first-place finish and first playoff appearance. They are a nicely balanced club that richly deserved their success this season. They are just the second team not named the Kingston Pelicans to finish in top spot in the West. The Cambria Cannons accomplished it three times.

Offense: .267/.332/.400 (3rd/5th/3rd)
Pitching: 3.33/3.36/3.17 (1st/1st/2nd)
Defense: .725 (Tied for 1st)
Chemistry: Happy

Top Position Players: 25-year old CF Dylan Moyne (.312/.371/.508, 20 HR, 83 RBI, 59 BB, 17 SB, 7.4 WAR) took the next step this season, dominating the League on both offense and defense (.983 PCT, 3.52 RNG, +16.8 ZR, 1.044 EFF). He is rated 4th overall among all ULB players. 26-year old C Louis Wearne (.299/.407/.477, 17 HR, 71 RBI, 78 BB, 5.5 WAR) put in his second-consecutive solid season behind the plate. He is rated 12th overall among all position players.

Top Pitchers: The Generals’ pitching came together this season, and deserves the lion’s share of credit for carrying Fort Richmond into the playoffs. 26-year old LHP Mo Goldstraw (16-12, 2.82 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 139 ERA+) and 28-year old LHP Joy-shan Liu (14-6, 2.83 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 139 ERA+) both enjoyed their best seasons thus far. 25-year old RHP Nicky Sherlock (14-10, 3.47 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 113 ERA+) and 23-year old Shinzo Okamoto (15-16, 3.85 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 102 ERA+) weren’t far off their previous best, giving the team a formidable rotation heading into the playoffs.

Noteworthy:

March 11 – 1B Ron Gavin (.328/.367/.482, 10 HR, 64 RBI, 30 BB, 2.7 WAR) saw the ball well against the Pulberry Trolleys, going 5 for 6 on the day. He hit an RBI double in the 1st, singled in the 4th, grounded out in the 5th, singled in the 7th and 9th, and then hit a 2-run single in the top of the 11th. Those runs proved to be the game winners, as the Generals prevailed 9-7.

Key Injuries:

RHP José Rodríguez – March 10 – shoulder inflammation. Out for: 3 weeks.
SS Nobuyoshi Yoshida – March 27 – mild hip strain. Out for: DtD, 4 days.
RF Brandon Robinson – March 28 – strained rib cage muscle. Out for: DtD, 4 days.

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The Wolseley Unions looked poised to lock up first place for the first time, but a couple of average months to finish the season saw them lose their grip and forced them to settle for second place for the second year in a row. Still they are well positioned for another deep playoff run, with a steady offense and a beefed-up bullpen.

Offense: .269/.345/.406 (2nd/2nd/1st)
Pitching: 3.88/3.66/4.98 (3rd/2nd/8th)
Defense: .708 (4th)
Chemistry: Content

Top Position Players: While the lineup was solid from top-to-bottom, individual performances were off a little from last season. Still, 26-year old LF Carlton Hawking (.320/.444/.523, 24 HR, 90 RBI, 124 BB, 4.6 WAR) kicked things up in the final two months, although his defense remained a concern (.971 PCT, 2.43 RNG, -16.9 ZR, .929 EFF). 30-year old RF Ramón Tavira (.324/.353/.515, 11 HR, 67 RBI, 18 BB, 3.4 WAR) has found a home in the No. 2 spot in the Unions’ lineup in his first year with the club. His defense was terrific as well (.988 PCT, 3.12 RNG, +7.8 ZR, 1.044 EFF).

Top Pitcher: The rotation is a very solid unit, but No. 4 starter 27-year old RHP Ian Peter (15-9, 2.99 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 136 ERA+) was Wolseley’s best pitcher, leading the team in 9 pitching categories.

Noteworthy:

March 18 – The Wolseley Unions and Pulberry Trolleys ran roughshod over the beleaguered pitchers on this day, bashing out 36 hits combined, including 4 doubles, 4 triples and 9 HRs en route to an exciting 15-14 walk-off win by the Unions. Wolseley appeared to lead this game comfortably 11-3 at the end of 7 innings, but the Trolleys scored 3 runs in the top of the 8th, which included a 2-run shot by RP Brad Goulter, the first of his career. In the top of the 9th, Pulberry led off with three consecutive singles to load the bases off rookie LHP Axel MacKay. That set up 1B Albert Unicume, who smashed a first-pitch grand slam, his second HR of the game to get Pulberry to within one. With RHP Luke Woodward taking over, the Trolleys continued their onslaught, with a single, a walk, a triple, a successful squeeze bunt and another triple to pull ahead 14-11.
But in the bottom of the 9th, the Unions returned the favour against RHP Noberto Ortíz. 1B Steve Laurence led off with a first-pitch home run, followed by a full-count home run by CF Glen Traill, getting Wolseley to within one. Lastly, after PH Rizalino Ringor reached safely on an error, 2B Burt Willey smashed a one-out 2-run homer to give the Unions the victory in walk-off style.

Key Injury:

LHP Bruce Whitten – October 16 – partially torn UCL. Out for: 2 months.

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The Balmoral Giants recovered from a horrendous October to finish above .500 for the first time since 1944-45. But at the same, it prevented them from reaching the playoffs for the first time since 1943-44. Still, the Giants have some promising young talent on both sides of the ball could see them take the next step next season. They also boast a deep farm system (second overall), that should serve them well going forward.

Offense: .266/.334/.377 (4th/3rd/7th)
Pitching: 3.99/3.98/4.09 (5th/4th/5th)
Defense: .716 (3rd)
Chemistry: Happy

Top Position Players: Balmoral enjoyed a nice rounded lineup, led by 29-year old veteran SS Francisco Rodríguez (.302/.356/.412, 2 HR, 67 RBI, 48 BB, 4.8 WAR), who was once again brilliant on defense (.977 PCT, 4.77 RNG, +10.1 ZR, 1.037 EFF). 30-year old RF Carleton Broadbent (.312/.408/.525, 29 HR, 95 RBI, 81 BB, 3.4 WAR) continues to be force on offense, but man, he needs to take his defence more seriously (.974 PCT, 2.40 RNG, -17.7 ZR, .921 EFF). Scouts say that he’s capable of better play in the field.

Top Pitchers: 35-year old RHP Bailey Keedwell (16-13, 3.46 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 116 ERA+) enjoyed the best season of his 9-year career, but Balmoral’s best pitcher was perhaps 23-year old rookie RHP Quintilliano Galeo (13-14, 3.74 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 107 ERA+). He led the Giants in 6 statistical categories, and he has a very high ceiling (47/80). He is currently rated the second highest pitching prospect in the United Leagues, after Stratford’s 21-year old RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco (61/80).

Player of the Week Awards:

February 2 – RF Carleton Broadbent (.500, 12 H, 3 HR, 9 RBI)
February 9 – 2B Sean Brearton (.455, 10 H, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 5 R)
February 16 – 2B Sean Brearton (.429, 9 H, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 7 R)

Key Injuries:

CF Ellis Rothwell – March 5 – partially torn labrum. Out for: 2-3 weeks.
LF Clyde Whitaker – March 17 – broken knee cap. Out for: 5-6 months.
RHP Bailey Keedwell – March 25 – sore shoulder. Out for: 5 weeks.
2B Sean Brearton – March 27 – strained abdominal muscle. Out for: DtD, 2 weeks.

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The Kingston Pelicans find themselves in unfamiliar territory, as they are on the outside looking in for this season’s playoff run. After 10 consecutive playoff appearances and averaging almost 94 wins per season, the Pelicans could only muster 79 victories and a 4th place finish. They are the first team to reach 1,000 victories (1,016), but that is small comfort to an organization that has become accustomed to reaching the playoffs season in and season out. The major culprit is the pitching, as the staff overall had a sub-par campaign. The offense is seeing change as well. Some stalwarts are either in decline (SS Katsunan Chikafuji) or are now long gone (LF Jayden Tennant).
Kingston is clearly in transition; in fact, their top 6 prospects got their feet in the major leagues this season. But with the third deepest farm system in the United Leagues, the Pelicans may make a return to the playoffs sooner rather than later. That, of course, is if all their young players pan out.

Offense: .273/.350/.405 (1st/1st/2nd)
Pitching: 4.05/4.08/3.90 (6th/5th/3rd)
Defense: .708 (5th)
Chemistry: Ecstatic

Top Position Player: This is the easiest selection to make, as 29-year old C Danny Trowbridge (.372/.463/.565, 19 HR, 75 RBI, 86 BB, 8.3 WAR) was head and shoulders above his teammates. He also won the Western League Batting Title for the third straight season.

Top Pitchers: It was an up and down year for the staff, but 28-year old LHP Patrick Denman (16-16, 3.38 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 120 ERA+) finished the last two months strong, going 7-3, 2.34 ERA over that stretch and winning Pitcher of the Month honours in March. Another positive was 23-year old LHP Dana Listman (11-9, 3.49 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, 116 ERA+) in his first full season in the majors.

Player of the Week Awards:

March 15 – SS Katsunan Chikafuji (.579, 11 H, 1 HR, 9 RBI)

Key Injury:

RF Luca Bewick – January 10 – ruptured tendon (foot). Out for: 3 months.

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The Sherburn Tigers improved somewhat from last year, when they finished in last place, but the 1945-46 season where they won 91 games and reached the playoffs seems like a long time ago now. That’s a bit of shame, as the Tigers have some phenomenal talent on the roster that is essentially being wasted. Sherburn has one of the weakest farm systems as well (15th overall), so an infusion of young talent isn’t in the offing anytime soon. So it would appear the Tigers are at a crossroads.

Offense: .253/.329/.365 (7th/6th/8th)
Pitching: 4.12/4.14/4.04 (7th/7th/4th)
Defense: .691 (7th)
Chemistry: Unhappy

Top Position Player: 28-year old SS Otton Overbeek (.299/.350/.477, 13 HR, 91 RBI, 48 BB, 5.8 WAR) slumped in January and February, but resurged to finish strong in March. His bat and steady defense (.956 PCT, 4.82 RNG, +6.3 ZR, 1.019 EFF) combined to produce his best season since 1943-44 when he was with Balmoral.

Top Pitcher: It was a down year for the pitchers. That included 24-year old RHP Jesús Chapa (14-12, 3.37 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 120 ERA+) who struggled over the final two months (2-5, 4.11 ERA). Still, he remains Sherburn’s top starter and one of the United Leagues’ very best (4th overall).

Key Injury:

CF Bert Helmer – March 8 – post-concussion syndrome. Out for: 3 weeks.

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The Pulberry Trolleys seem to be in a never-ending holding pattern, as they finish well out of a playoff spot for the 11th season in a row. They have never won more than 76 games in a season or risen higher than 4th in the West. But they are not completely hopeless. They boast the deepest farm system and some of that talent is starting to percolate up to the majors. But it wouldn’t hurt to start acquiring some young pitching talent, as that is one area they are very thin on.

Offense: .249/.323/.378 (8th/8th/6th)
Pitching: 3.87/3.82/4.12 (2nd/3rd/6th)
Defense: .719 (2nd)
Chemistry: Unhappy

Top Position Players: 26-year old SS Roland Binns (.312/.381/.501, 22 HR, 81 RBI, 55 BB, 7 SB, 5.8 WAR) has been very steady in his 5 full seasons for the Trolleys, and this season was one of his best. That included his defense (.979 PCT, 4.59 RNG, +5.7 ZR, 1.023 EFF). A pleasant surprise was 24-year old LF Jon Pring (.307/.357/.489, 7 HR, 70 RIB, 36 BB, 7 DB, 3.0 WAR) who finally became relevant this season. The 3rd overall from 1942-43 had done very little in his first 3 years in the ULB.

Top Pitchers: The rotation was the Trolleys’ greatest strength this season, and No. 1 starter, 31-year old RHP Patrick Tennant (17-10, 3.40ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 116 ERA+) had one of the best seasons in 7-year career. A promising development was the performance of 29-year old RHP Ben Banwell (4-2, 2.76 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 143 ERA+). Banwell has seen very little playing time with the Trolleys since he was drafted in the 8th round back in 1941-42. This is the first season the starter actually got to start a game (8 of them in total). Although it’s a small sample size, if Banwell is able to build on this season, then the Trolleys may have found themselves a diamond in the rough.

Player of the Week Awards:

February 23 – LF Jon Pring (.474, 9 H, 1 HR, 4 RBI)

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Despite the moves leading up to the trade deadline, the Hespeler Stars were unable to reverse their downward slide in the standings. The Stars got the short end of the stick in close games (19-31 in 1-run games), no doubt contributing to a Pyt. Rec. of 76-78. But they were model of consistency: their home and road records were both 34-43. They have a couple of young prospects that reached the major league roster, but overall, Hespeler does not have any truly impact players on their roster. Ironic, for a team names the ‘Stars’.

Offense: .265/.327/.384 (5th/7th/5th)
Pitching: 3.95/4.11/3.16 (4th/6th/1st)
Defense: .705 (6th)
Chemistry: Unhappy

Top Position Player: 25-year old LF Bart Warwick (.254/.367/.426, 17 HR, 65 RBI, 80 BB, 3.0 WAR) is as good as it gets right now on offense. The second-year Warwick took a modest step forward from his rookie season, although he slumped at the plate after the all-star break.
After 9 seasons and only one all-star selection, I think it’s safe to say that 30-year old IN/OF Vic Weetman (.300/.344/.419, 10 HR, 66 RBI, 37 BB, 5 SB, 2.2 WAR) has been a huge disappointment since being selected first overall back in 1939-40. Especially compared to C Danny Trowbridge, who was selected right after him in that year’s draft.

Top Pitcher: Although 33-year old LHP Hirotada Fukushima (12-9, 3.11 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 130 ERA+) is clearly Hespeler’s top starter going forward, he was with the club for only part of the season. So this year’s best pitcher was actually a rookie: 23-year old RHP Paul Woodruff (10-11, 1 SV, 3.26 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 125 ERA+). Woodruff finished strong, going 5-2, 2.79 ERA over the last two months.

Player of the Week Awards:

March 22 – SS Oliver Aland (.583, 7 H, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 4 R)

Key Injuries:

LHP Carlton Sherrell – January 20 – surgery to remove bone chips (elbow). Out: 7 weeks.
RHP Marvin Fewings – February 18 – rotator cuff inflammation. Out for: 6 weeks.
2B Jesús Crasto – March 3 – torn meniscus (knee). Out for: 2-3 months.
RHP Rodney Gabrielson – March 28 – back spasms. Out for: DtD; 1 week.

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The steady slide continues for the Cambria Cannons and when they will bottom out is anybody’s guess. There was little to write home about, especially with the pitching. But the Cannons have started the process of rebuilding. For years, they had the weakest farm system in the ULB. It’s made some strides and a few prospects got their first taste of the big leagues this season, but the Cannons are going to a bit more young talent to become relevant again. And that will take some time.

Offense: .257/.333/.385 (6th/4th/4th)
Pitching: 4.75/4.74/4.80 (8th/8th/7th)
Defense: .686 (8th)
Chemistry: Content

Top Position Player: Performances were down across the board compared to the last few seasons, but 30-year old C Heung-su Park (.298/.356/.499, 21 HR, 87 RBI, 46 BB, 5.4 WAR) was just outstanding in the final two months and led the team in a score of offensive categories. He was easily his team’s best player.

Top Pitcher: It was a forgettable year for the pitchers. That said, 32-year old RHP Leon Hankey (14-13, 4.12 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 96 ERA+) showed some flashes of brilliance at times throughout the season. But he struggled in February and March (3-5, 5.06 ERA), like the rest of the staff.

Player of the Week Awards:

March 1 – C Heung-su Park (.423, 11 H, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 7 R)
March 8 – C Heung-su Park (.474, 9 H, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 7 R)

Key Injuries:

RHP Rizal Doctolero – December 15 – elbow ligament reconstruction surgery. Out for: 2 months.
1B Brad Mitchinson – December 24 – torn labrum (shoulder). Out for: 2-3 months.
RHP Ramón Ramírez – February 7 – torn rotator cuff. Out for: 4 months.
RHP Pete Allison – March 24 – sore elbow. Out for: DtD; 1-2 weeks.

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12-04-2017, 08:07 PM	#389
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,929	March 29, 1948 Western League: Generals, Unions to Square Off in Unique Pennant Matchup -------- The Fort Richmond Generals put it all together in the final two months to not only secure their first winning season, but also their first first-place finish and first playoff appearance. They are a nicely balanced club that richly deserved their success this season. They are just the second team not named the Kingston Pelicans to finish in top spot in the West. The Cambria Cannons accomplished it three times. Offense: .267/.332/.400 (3rd/5th/3rd) Pitching: 3.33/3.36/3.17 (1st/1st/2nd) Defense: .725 (Tied for 1st) Chemistry: Happy *Top Position Players:* 25-year old CF Dylan Moyne (.312/.371/.508, 20 HR, 83 RBI, 59 BB, 17 SB, 7.4 WAR) took the next step this season, dominating the League on both offense and defense (.983 PCT, 3.52 RNG, +16.8 ZR, 1.044 EFF). He is rated 4th overall among all ULB players. 26-year old C Louis Wearne (.299/.407/.477, 17 HR, 71 RBI, 78 BB, 5.5 WAR) put in his second-consecutive solid season behind the plate. He is rated 12th overall among all position players. *Top Pitchers:* The Generals’ pitching came together this season, and deserves the lion’s share of credit for carrying Fort Richmond into the playoffs. 26-year old LHP Mo Goldstraw (16-12, 2.82 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 139 ERA+) and 28-year old LHP Joy-shan Liu (14-6, 2.83 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 139 ERA+) both enjoyed their best seasons thus far. 25-year old RHP Nicky Sherlock (14-10, 3.47 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 113 ERA+) and 23-year old Shinzo Okamoto (15-16, 3.85 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 102 ERA+) weren’t far off their previous best, giving the team a formidable rotation heading into the playoffs. *Noteworthy:* March 11 – 1B Ron Gavin (.328/.367/.482, 10 HR, 64 RBI, 30 BB, 2.7 WAR) saw the ball well against the Pulberry Trolleys, going 5 for 6 on the day. He hit an RBI double in the 1st, singled in the 4th, grounded out in the 5th, singled in the 7th and 9th, and then hit a 2-run single in the top of the 11th. Those runs proved to be the game winners, as the Generals prevailed 9-7. *Key Injuries:* RHP José Rodríguez – March 10 – shoulder inflammation. Out for: 3 weeks. SS Nobuyoshi Yoshida – March 27 – mild hip strain. Out for: DtD, 4 days. RF Brandon Robinson – March 28 – strained rib cage muscle. Out for: DtD, 4 days. -------- The Wolseley Unions looked poised to lock up first place for the first time, but a couple of average months to finish the season saw them lose their grip and forced them to settle for second place for the second year in a row. Still they are well positioned for another deep playoff run, with a steady offense and a beefed-up bullpen. Offense: .269/.345/.406 (2nd/2nd/1st) Pitching: 3.88/3.66/4.98 (3rd/2nd/8th) Defense: .708 (4th) Chemistry: Content *Top Position Players:* While the lineup was solid from top-to-bottom, individual performances were off a little from last season. Still, 26-year old LF Carlton Hawking (.320/.444/.523, 24 HR, 90 RBI, 124 BB, 4.6 WAR) kicked things up in the final two months, although his defense remained a concern (.971 PCT, 2.43 RNG, -16.9 ZR, .929 EFF). 30-year old RF Ramón Tavira (.324/.353/.515, 11 HR, 67 RBI, 18 BB, 3.4 WAR) has found a home in the No. 2 spot in the Unions’ lineup in his first year with the club. His defense was terrific as well (.988 PCT, 3.12 RNG, +7.8 ZR, 1.044 EFF). *Top Pitcher:* The rotation is a very solid unit, but No. 4 starter 27-year old RHP Ian Peter (15-9, 2.99 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 136 ERA+) was Wolseley’s best pitcher, leading the team in 9 pitching categories. *Noteworthy:* March 18 – The Wolseley Unions and Pulberry Trolleys ran roughshod over the beleaguered pitchers on this day, bashing out 36 hits combined, including 4 doubles, 4 triples and 9 HRs en route to an exciting 15-14 walk-off win by the Unions. Wolseley appeared to lead this game comfortably 11-3 at the end of 7 innings, but the Trolleys scored 3 runs in the top of the 8th, which included a 2-run shot by RP Brad Goulter, the first of his career. In the top of the 9th, Pulberry led off with three consecutive singles to load the bases off rookie LHP Axel MacKay. That set up 1B Albert Unicume, who smashed a first-pitch grand slam, his second HR of the game to get Pulberry to within one. With RHP Luke Woodward taking over, the Trolleys continued their onslaught, with a single, a walk, a triple, a successful squeeze bunt and another triple to pull ahead 14-11. But in the bottom of the 9th, the Unions returned the favour against RHP Noberto Ortíz. 1B Steve Laurence led off with a first-pitch home run, followed by a full-count home run by CF Glen Traill, getting Wolseley to within one. Lastly, after PH Rizalino Ringor reached safely on an error, 2B Burt Willey smashed a one-out 2-run homer to give the Unions the victory in walk-off style. *Key Injury:* LHP Bruce Whitten – October 16 – partially torn UCL. Out for: 2 months. -------- The Balmoral Giants recovered from a horrendous October to finish above .500 for the first time since 1944-45. But at the same, it prevented them from reaching the playoffs for the first time since 1943-44. Still, the Giants have some promising young talent on both sides of the ball could see them take the next step next season. They also boast a deep farm system (second overall), that should serve them well going forward. Offense: .266/.334/.377 (4th/3rd/7th) Pitching: 3.99/3.98/4.09 (5th/4th/5th) Defense: .716 (3rd) Chemistry: Happy *Top Position Players:* Balmoral enjoyed a nice rounded lineup, led by 29-year old veteran SS Francisco Rodríguez (.302/.356/.412, 2 HR, 67 RBI, 48 BB, 4.8 WAR), who was once again brilliant on defense (.977 PCT, 4.77 RNG, +10.1 ZR, 1.037 EFF). 30-year old RF Carleton Broadbent (.312/.408/.525, 29 HR, 95 RBI, 81 BB, 3.4 WAR) continues to be force on offense, but man, he needs to take his defence more seriously (.974 PCT, 2.40 RNG, -17.7 ZR, .921 EFF). Scouts say that he’s capable of better play in the field. *Top Pitchers:* 35-year old RHP Bailey Keedwell (16-13, 3.46 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 116 ERA+) enjoyed the best season of his 9-year career, but Balmoral’s best pitcher was perhaps 23-year old rookie RHP Quintilliano Galeo (13-14, 3.74 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 107 ERA+). He led the Giants in 6 statistical categories, and he has a very high ceiling (47/80). He is currently rated the second highest pitching prospect in the United Leagues, after Stratford’s 21-year old RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco (61/80). *Player of the Week Awards:* February 2 – RF Carleton Broadbent (.500, 12 H, 3 HR, 9 RBI) February 9 – 2B Sean Brearton (.455, 10 H, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 5 R) February 16 – 2B Sean Brearton (.429, 9 H, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 7 R) *Key Injuries:* CF Ellis Rothwell – March 5 – partially torn labrum. Out for: 2-3 weeks. LF Clyde Whitaker – March 17 – broken knee cap. Out for: 5-6 months. RHP Bailey Keedwell – March 25 – sore shoulder. Out for: 5 weeks. 2B Sean Brearton – March 27 – strained abdominal muscle. Out for: DtD, 2 weeks. -------- The Kingston Pelicans find themselves in unfamiliar territory, as they are on the outside looking in for this season’s playoff run. After 10 consecutive playoff appearances and averaging almost 94 wins per season, the Pelicans could only muster 79 victories and a 4th place finish. They are the first team to reach 1,000 victories (1,016), but that is small comfort to an organization that has become accustomed to reaching the playoffs season in and season out. The major culprit is the pitching, as the staff overall had a sub-par campaign. The offense is seeing change as well. Some stalwarts are either in decline (SS Katsunan Chikafuji) or are now long gone (LF Jayden Tennant). Kingston is clearly in transition; in fact, their top 6 prospects got their feet in the major leagues this season. But with the third deepest farm system in the United Leagues, the Pelicans may make a return to the playoffs sooner rather than later. That, of course, is if all their young players pan out. Offense: .273/.350/.405 (1st/1st/2nd) Pitching: 4.05/4.08/3.90 (6th/5th/3rd) Defense: .708 (5th) Chemistry: Ecstatic *Top Position Player:* This is the easiest selection to make, as 29-year old C Danny Trowbridge (.372/.463/.565, 19 HR, 75 RBI, 86 BB, 8.3 WAR) was head and shoulders above his teammates. He also won the Western League Batting Title for the third straight season. *Top Pitchers:* It was an up and down year for the staff, but 28-year old LHP Patrick Denman (16-16, 3.38 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 120 ERA+) finished the last two months strong, going 7-3, 2.34 ERA over that stretch and winning Pitcher of the Month honours in March. Another positive was 23-year old LHP Dana Listman (11-9, 3.49 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, 116 ERA+) in his first full season in the majors. *Player of the Week Awards:* March 15 – SS Katsunan Chikafuji (.579, 11 H, 1 HR, 9 RBI) *Key Injury:* RF Luca Bewick – January 10 – ruptured tendon (foot). Out for: 3 months. -------- The Sherburn Tigers improved somewhat from last year, when they finished in last place, but the 1945-46 season where they won 91 games and reached the playoffs seems like a long time ago now. That’s a bit of shame, as the Tigers have some phenomenal talent on the roster that is essentially being wasted. Sherburn has one of the weakest farm systems as well (15th overall), so an infusion of young talent isn’t in the offing anytime soon. So it would appear the Tigers are at a crossroads. Offense: .253/.329/.365 (7th/6th/8th) Pitching: 4.12/4.14/4.04 (7th/7th/4th) Defense: .691 (7th) Chemistry: Unhappy *Top Position Player:* 28-year old SS Otton Overbeek (.299/.350/.477, 13 HR, 91 RBI, 48 BB, 5.8 WAR) slumped in January and February, but resurged to finish strong in March. His bat and steady defense (.956 PCT, 4.82 RNG, +6.3 ZR, 1.019 EFF) combined to produce his best season since 1943-44 when he was with Balmoral. *Top Pitcher:* It was a down year for the pitchers. That included 24-year old RHP Jesús Chapa (14-12, 3.37 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 120 ERA+) who struggled over the final two months (2-5, 4.11 ERA). Still, he remains Sherburn’s top starter and one of the United Leagues’ very best (4th overall). *Key Injury:* CF Bert Helmer – March 8 – post-concussion syndrome. Out for: 3 weeks. -------- The Pulberry Trolleys seem to be in a never-ending holding pattern, as they finish well out of a playoff spot for the 11th season in a row. They have never won more than 76 games in a season or risen higher than 4th in the West. But they are not completely hopeless. They boast the deepest farm system and some of that talent is starting to percolate up to the majors. But it wouldn’t hurt to start acquiring some young pitching talent, as that is one area they are very thin on. Offense: .249/.323/.378 (8th/8th/6th) Pitching: 3.87/3.82/4.12 (2nd/3rd/6th) Defense: .719 (2nd) Chemistry: Unhappy *Top Position Players:* 26-year old SS Roland Binns (.312/.381/.501, 22 HR, 81 RBI, 55 BB, 7 SB, 5.8 WAR) has been very steady in his 5 full seasons for the Trolleys, and this season was one of his best. That included his defense (.979 PCT, 4.59 RNG, +5.7 ZR, 1.023 EFF). A pleasant surprise was 24-year old LF Jon Pring (.307/.357/.489, 7 HR, 70 RIB, 36 BB, 7 DB, 3.0 WAR) who finally became relevant this season. The 3rd overall from 1942-43 had done very little in his first 3 years in the ULB. *Top Pitchers:* The rotation was the Trolleys’ greatest strength this season, and No. 1 starter, 31-year old RHP Patrick Tennant (17-10, 3.40ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 116 ERA+) had one of the best seasons in 7-year career. A promising development was the performance of 29-year old RHP Ben Banwell (4-2, 2.76 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 143 ERA+). Banwell has seen very little playing time with the Trolleys since he was drafted in the 8th round back in 1941-42. This is the first season the starter actually got to start a game (8 of them in total). Although it’s a small sample size, if Banwell is able to build on this season, then the Trolleys may have found themselves a diamond in the rough. *Player of the Week Awards:* February 23 – LF Jon Pring (.474, 9 H, 1 HR, 4 RBI) -------- Despite the moves leading up to the trade deadline, the Hespeler Stars were unable to reverse their downward slide in the standings. The Stars got the short end of the stick in close games (19-31 in 1-run games), no doubt contributing to a Pyt. Rec. of 76-78. But they were model of consistency: their home and road records were both 34-43. They have a couple of young prospects that reached the major league roster, but overall, Hespeler does not have any truly impact players on their roster. Ironic, for a team names the ‘Stars’. Offense: .265/.327/.384 (5th/7th/5th) Pitching: 3.95/4.11/3.16 (4th/6th/1st) Defense: .705 (6th) Chemistry: Unhappy *Top Position Player:* 25-year old LF Bart Warwick (.254/.367/.426, 17 HR, 65 RBI, 80 BB, 3.0 WAR) is as good as it gets right now on offense. The second-year Warwick took a modest step forward from his rookie season, although he slumped at the plate after the all-star break. After 9 seasons and only one all-star selection, I think it’s safe to say that 30-year old IN/OF Vic Weetman (.300/.344/.419, 10 HR, 66 RBI, 37 BB, 5 SB, 2.2 WAR) has been a huge disappointment since being selected first overall back in 1939-40. Especially compared to C Danny Trowbridge, who was selected right after him in that year’s draft. *Top Pitcher:* Although 33-year old LHP Hirotada Fukushima (12-9, 3.11 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 130 ERA+) is clearly Hespeler’s top starter going forward, he was with the club for only part of the season. So this year’s best pitcher was actually a rookie: 23-year old RHP Paul Woodruff (10-11, 1 SV, 3.26 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 125 ERA+). Woodruff finished strong, going 5-2, 2.79 ERA over the last two months. *Player of the Week Awards:* March 22 – SS Oliver Aland (.583, 7 H, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 4 R) *Key Injuries:* LHP Carlton Sherrell – January 20 – surgery to remove bone chips (elbow). Out: 7 weeks. RHP Marvin Fewings – February 18 – rotator cuff inflammation. Out for: 6 weeks. 2B Jesús Crasto – March 3 – torn meniscus (knee). Out for: 2-3 months. RHP Rodney Gabrielson – March 28 – back spasms. Out for: DtD; 1 week. -------- The steady slide continues for the Cambria Cannons and when they will bottom out is anybody’s guess. There was little to write home about, especially with the pitching. But the Cannons have started the process of rebuilding. For years, they had the weakest farm system in the ULB. It’s made some strides and a few prospects got their first taste of the big leagues this season, but the Cannons are going to a bit more young talent to become relevant again. And that will take some time. Offense: .257/.333/.385 (6th/4th/4th) Pitching: 4.75/4.74/4.80 (8th/8th/7th) Defense: .686 (8th) Chemistry: Content *Top Position Player:* Performances were down across the board compared to the last few seasons, but 30-year old C Heung-su Park (.298/.356/.499, 21 HR, 87 RBI, 46 BB, 5.4 WAR) was just outstanding in the final two months and led the team in a score of offensive categories. He was easily his team’s best player. *Top Pitcher:* It was a forgettable year for the pitchers. That said, 32-year old RHP Leon Hankey (14-13, 4.12 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 96 ERA+) showed some flashes of brilliance at times throughout the season. But he struggled in February and March (3-5, 5.06 ERA), like the rest of the staff. *Player of the Week Awards:* March 1 – C Heung-su Park (.423, 11 H, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 7 R) March 8 – C Heung-su Park (.474, 9 H, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 7 R) *Key Injuries:* RHP Rizal Doctolero – December 15 – elbow ligament reconstruction surgery. Out for: 2 months. 1B Brad Mitchinson – December 24 – torn labrum (shoulder). Out for: 2-3 months. RHP Ramón Ramírez – February 7 – torn rotator cuff. Out for: 4 months. RHP Pete Allison – March 24 – sore elbow. Out for: DtD; 1-2 weeks. -------- __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 12-10-2017 at 10:48 PM.