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11-18-2017, 11:57 PM
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#381 |
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Major Leagues
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Chicago
Posts: 364
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This dynasty is easily the gold standard of OOTP. I always enjoy reading the recaps and have been monitoring this over time. It's what's given me inspiration about starting my own dynasty thread with my fictional league that I've built 10 years of history with and currently am in my 11th season. Keep up the good work Reds, I'll keep reading.
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11-20-2017, 01:30 AM
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#382 |
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,929
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February 1, 1948
Eastern League: Barons, Monarchs Reign Supreme    --------  The Stratford Barons are the class of the entire ULB and it’s no illusion: their Pyt. Rec is the same as their actual and they are a hard team to beat in close games, as evidenced by their extra inning (9-2) and 1-run game records (21-12). They lead the entire United Leagues in run differential as well, with +129. The next best is +65, by the Wolseley Unions. The Barons’ leaders on offense and pitching remain the same. CF Roberto Ríos (.290/.409/.519, 17 HR, 79 RBI, 81 BB) and SS Jake Walker (.315/.406/.446, 8 HR, 48 RBI, 60 BB) power the lineup, while LHP Ryan Borden (14-4, 1.78 ERA, 1.03 WHIP) and RHP Kelvin Hutchinson (9-6, 2.58 ERA, 1.20 WHIP) are Nos. 1 & 2 respectively in the rotation. At the same time, Stratford has a couple of exciting future starters getting their feet wet in the bullpen: 21-year old RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco (6-2, 4 SV, 3.47 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 6th overall pick in 1945-46, 64/80) as the stopper, and 21-year old RHP Bill Wolf (1-3, 2 SV, 4.57 ERA, 1.72 WHIP, 15th overall pick in 1944-45, 68/78) as middle reliever. Six Barons made the all-star team: SP Ryan Borden (6th selection), SP Kelvin Hutchinson (1st), C Aaron Skidmore (7th), SS Jake Walker (9th), CF Ricardo Castellanos (4th) and CF Roberto Ríos (2nd). Offense: .266/.355/.397 (4th/1st/2nd) Pitching: 3.32/3.18/4.16 (1st/1st/6th) Defense: .720 (2nd) Chemistry: Ecstatic Noteworthy: December 26 – 1B Won-ho Kim (.300/.373/.371, 12-2B, 29 RBI, 43 BB) did all he could to help the Barons, going 5 for 6, but it wasn’t quite enough, as the Brunswick Legends prevailed 10-9. Kim singled in the 1st, 5th and 6th innings; hit an RBI double in the 7th and an RBI single in the 9th. He grounded out in the 2nd. Kim enjoyed a couple of other big games in Dec/Jan. He went 4 for 5 against the Pulberry Trolleys on December 17 and 4 for 6 against the Queensland Eagles back on January 15. Key Trade: January 4 – The Barons ship 31-year old RF Steven Winstanley (49/49) to the Wolseley Unions. The Unions agree to send 25-year old 2B Chris Spiller (30/39) and 17-year old prospect LHP Bill Southon (20/71). Knee-jerk reaction: Winstanley’s (.275/.354/.450, 9 HR, 32 RBI, 23 BB) days as an elite player appear to be long over, but the former 1940-41 Babe Ruth Award winner can still play. For now, it seems he is viewed as a 4th outfielder at best and that is what the Unions have him penciled in as after they acquired him. A couple of their young outfielders are struggling at bit, so Winstanley should provide some depth down the stretch. The Barons appear happy with their current outfield and thus deemed Winstanley expendable. In return, they get a young utility player in Spiller (.310/.365/.466, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 5 BB) and a promising pitching prospect in Southon, who was selected 15th overall in this season’s draft.  Key Injury: RHP Bill Blair – December 22 – ruptured disc. Out for: 4-5 months. --------  Despite Stratford’s dominance, the Braeland City Monarchs remain hot on their heels, thanks largely to a tremendous January. However, their Pyt. Rec is only 55-48, a difference of +8, the largest in the ULB at this point. Like the Barons, they are remarkably tough to beat in one-run games (21-13). So, it remains to be seen if they can keep it up in the final two months. But they enjoy a 13.5 game lead in the wildcard (M# = 38), so it appears the playoff picture in the East is being settled early. The reason for the Monarchs success is simple: the pitching has been rock solid. In the rotation, three of their starters are enjoying career years: LHP David Cooling (15-5, 2.69 ERA, 1.04 WHIP), LHP Max MacColl (12-8, 3.10 ERA, 1.43 WHIP) and RHP Harold Barr (12-3, 3.78 ERA, 1.59 WHIP). If only LHP Nicholas Grimes (5-6, 2.92 ERA, 1.31 WHIP) could stay healthy for any length of time, the Monarchs could boast the top-rated staff in the ULB. Grimes missed most of last season due to a torn elbow tendon and is gone for the rest of this season due to a serious injury as well. The offense is on shakier ground. Although he made the All-Star team, 3B Adam Ashley (.293/.359/.372, 18-2B, 27 RBI, 35 BB, 6 SB)) has regressed severely from his established level of performance set over the past three seasons. 1B Kyle Pryor (.272/.389/.482, 12 HR, 49 RBI, 51 BB) is leading the offense thus far, although 1B Dean Witherden (.267/.313/.453, 7 HR, 23 RBI, 10 BB) is getting the starts against LHP and is viewed as having a higher ceiling. If the rookies can find some consistency, then the offense will be more balanced. LF Daniel Tantoco (.339/.350/.518, 4 HR, 33 RBI, 3 BB) and C Christopher Dainty (.233/.326/.323, 3 HR, 32 RBI, 44 BB) are slowly earning more playing time. Three players represented the Monarchs at the All-Star game: SP David Cooling (8th), SP Max MacColl (6th) and 3B Adam Ashley (9th). Offense: .272/.333/.387 (2nd/5th/4th) Pitching: 3.45/3.48/3.29 (2nd/2nd/1st) Defense: .707 (4th) Chemistry: Ecstatic Player of the Week Awards: January 12 – 1B Kyle Pryor (.500, 15 H, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 7 R) Key Injuries: RF Gavin Bansfield – October 19 – fractured fibula. Out for: 3-4 months. LHP Nicholas Grimes – December 11 – torn labrum. Out for: 2-3 months. RHP In-sin Ahn – December 3 – torn back muscle. Out for: 8-9 weeks. RHP Freddie Trerise – January 28 – sprained elbow. Out for: DtD, one week. --------  The rest of the Eastern League appears to be in shambles and the Embro Suns acknowledged that in announcing that they have switched to ‘rebuilding’ mode. But unlike the Brunswick Legends, they did not make any major moves before the trade deadline. It will be interesting to see what they do in the off-season. The number of standout players on offense is dwindling, as 40-year old SS Gary Watkinson (.320/.454/.388, 5-2B, 13 RBI, 26 BB) and now 34-year old CF Terence Durney (.286/.375/.409, 8 HR, 44 RBI, 45 BB) are in decline. Only C Scott Weller (.291/.387/.446, 7 HR, 48 RBI, 41 BB) is having a career year to go along with 1B Jim Friend (.299/.398/.497, 16 HR, 71 RBI, 67 BB), who is his usual steady self – when he’s not injured. While the bullpen is decent, only RHP Myung-gu Son (9-8, 3.51 ERA, 1.44 WHIP) is offering any steady starting pitching. There are a couple of potential starters down in AAA; namely 21-year old Carl McBroom (24/76) and 22-year old Juan Rivas (29/78), but the scouting reports are not exactly glowing for either of them, so they will need further refinement before they’re ready for prime time. Six Suns earned All-Star considerations this season: SP Myung-gu Son (5th), RP John Palm (8th), RP Colm Soper (10th), C Scott Weller (2nd), 1B Jim Friend (8th) and RF Tzu-yu Song (2nd). Offense: .267/.352/.381 (3rd/2nd/6th) Pitching: 4.59/4.93/3.49 (7th/7th/2nd) Defense: .692 (8th) Chemistry: Content Player of the Week Awards: December 8 – C Scott Weller (.524, 11 H, 1 HR, 9 RBI) Key Injuries: LHP Edward Hill – October 27 – bone chips (elbow). Out for: one week. LF Tzu-yu Song – January 18 – strained hamstring. Out for: 2-3 weeks. 1B Jim Friend – January 30 – fractured thumb. Out for: 5 weeks. --------  On January 9th, the Brunswick Legends threw in the towel and switched their focus from ‘win now’ to ‘rebuild’. They didn’t waste any time either, as the Legends said goodbye to two of their long-time starters just before the trade deadline. Despite the loss of LHP Hirotada Fukushima, who is currently rated as 6th overall among pitchers, the Legends still have some talent on the roster. But it appears GM Reomel Buesa is set on dismantling this once-great franchise. Certainly, players like 31-year old LHP Anastasio Rodríguez (12-7, 2.97 ERA, 1.31 WHIP), 31-year old 1B Stuart Bentham (.311/.403/.538, 24 HR, 78 RBI, 60 BB) and 27-year old RF Marcus Peyto (.291/.387/.534, 18 HR, 83 RBI, 60 BB) would have fetched premium prospects if Brunswick opted for a complete sell-off before the deadline. Like Embro, we’ll just have to see what the Legends do in the off-season. Brunswick sent 6 players to the All-Star game: SP Hirotada Fukushima (5th), SP Anastasio Rodríguez (8th) RP Matthew Monroe (9th), 1B Stuart Bentham (7th), SS Jorge Arredondo (1st) and RF Marcus Peyto (3rd). Offense: .251/.339/.391 (7th/4th/3rd) Pitching: 3.88/3.68/4.70 (4th/3rd/8th) Defense: .693 (7th) Chemistry: Unhappy Player of the Week Awards: December 15 – 1B Stuart Bentham (.444, 12 H, 2 HR, 6 RBI) December 22 – RF Marcus Peyto (.571, 16 H, 1 HR, 5 RBI) January 19 – RF Marcus Peyto (.389, 7 H, 4 HR, 6 RBI) January 26 – 1B Stuart Bentham (.474, 9 H, 4 HR, 12 RBI) Noteworthy: December 16 – The Legends defeated the Braeland City Monarchs 10-7 at Kings Park and Marcus Peyto led the way. He went 5 for 6 on the day. He singled in the 1st and 3rd innings, doubled in the 5th, flied out in the 6th, then hit a solo home run and a two-run single in the 9th. December 26 – In the same game that Stratford’s Won-ho Kim went 5 for 6, SS Jorge Arredondo (.302/.395/.448, 12 HR, 46 RBI, 60 BB, 14 SB) went 5 for 5 in the Legends’ 10-9 victory. Arredondo singled in the 1st, 2nd, 4th and 6th innings; then hit an RBI double in the 7th. Key Trade No. 1: December 12 – 29-year old RHP Luke Woodward (59/65) heads to Wolseley, in exchange for 27-year old CF Ray Carver (45/48). Knee-jerk reaction: The Unions’ bullpen is struggling, with an ERA over 5.00. In the first of two moves to address that, Wolseley acquired Woodward (7-8, 7 SV, 4.62 ERA, 1.72 WHIP) in exchange for OF Carver (.258/.405/.495, 5 HR, 13 RBI, 24 BB). Carver will continue as a 4th outfielder with Brunswick, while the Legends wait for 22-year old CF Lance Oakley (.234/.276/.309, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 11 BB, 16th overall pick in 1945-46) to deliver on his promise. Despite the baggage he carries (he is not well-liked and Wolseley is his 6th team), Woodward is still a capable stopper, with outstanding movement to go along with decent stuff and command. He got off to a rough start with Brunswick this season, but is performing better with Wolseley. He takes over from 22-year old LHP Axel MacKay (2-1, 3 SV, 4.62 ERA, 1.62 WHIP), who was sent back down to AAA for more seasoning.   Key Trade No. 2: January 31 – The Legends and Hespeler Stars complete a 6-player deal. Brunswick sends 33-year old LHP Hirotada Fukushima (70/70) to Hespeler. In exchange, the Legends receive 5 minor league players: • 20-year old RHP Kent Dundon (20/77), • 22-year old C Mitchell Swynnerton (23/57), • 22-year old 1B Robert Ryan (22/49), • 24-year old RHP Dan Turner (29/40), • 18-year old CF Dane Evans (21/30). Knee-jerk reaction: The winds of change are blowing in Brunswick, as they part with their long-time No. 2 starter in Fukushima (7-4, 3.19 ERA, 1.30 WHIP). Despite their failing in the standings, the Stars apparently feel that they are still within reach of the playoffs and decided to make this move at the trade deadline. Fukushima immediately becomes their ace. It’s a gamble, especially since they tumbled severely down the standings in January. We’ll see how this benefits them the rest of the way. For Brunswick, they are set on rebuilding. The biggest prize is Kent Dundon, who was drafted 4th overall last season. If he can refine his command and learn to locate his pitchers better, he should be an effective starter at the top level. Dan Turner is being given the chance to start with Brunswick in the No. 5 spot. Robert Ryan could surprise. Drafted in the 4th round this season, Ryan saw his overall potential bump up all the way to 74 from 49 when checking on him again when writing this.  Key Injuries: 1B Stuart Bentham – January 31 – mild oblique strain. Out for: DtD, one week. CF Ray Carver – January 31 – oblique strain. Out for: 2-3 weeks. --------  It may be hard to see, but the Downie Chiefs are making some progress. Indeed, if not for a rough 7-18 November, the Chiefs would be at or just above .500. No threat to challenge for a playoff spot, but progress nonetheless. 22-year old CF Alfonso Léon (.291/.346/.487, 14 HR, 56 RBI, 34 BB) is having a monster year in his sophomore season, perhaps the best thus far in Downie history. But he is not the only one. 25-year old 2B Robin Duerden (.284/.343/.446, 10 HR, 49 RBi, 33 BB), 22-year old 3B Dominic Dudding (.296/.336/.494, 9 HR, 61 RBI, 21 BB) and 23-year old SS Manuel Castaneda (.266/.337/.329, 2 HR, 25 RBI, 38 BB, 11 SB) continue to progress. Downie currently has 11 players in the farm system with potential ratings over 60, including two starting pitchers in AAA. So, if the majority deliver on their promise, then Downie may be making some noise soon. But that’s getting to be a broken record. There is severe discord in the clubhouse as well, with selfishness and isolation from other teammates the most common complaints. Offense: .250/.320/.377 (8th/8th/7th) Pitching: 4.22/4.21/4.28 (6th/5th/7th) Defense: .714 (3rd) Chemistry: Feuding Three Chiefs headed to the All-Star game: SP Bernie Knowles (1st), 3B Dominic Dudding (1st) and CF Alfonso León (1st). Player of the Week Awards: January 5 – 3B Dominic Dudding (.625, 10 H, 3 HR, 8 RBI) Key Trade: December 12 – The Chiefs receive 35-year old RHP Chris Sappington (40/40), sending 28-year old IF/OF John Pickett (34/51) to the Sherburn Tigers. Knee-jerk reaction: 33-year old RHP Arnold Perkins (3-4, 7.67 ERA, 1.74 WHIP) was no longer getting it done, even by Downie’s standards, so the Chiefs went out and acquired Sappington (9-7, 3.75 ERA, 1.34 WHIP) to be their No. 2 starter (he was Sherburn’s No. 4 starter). Perkins was given his outright release immediately thereafter. Pickett (.227/.340/.320, 3 HR, 17 RBI, 32 BB) is a versatile utility player who is being given the chance to start regularly with the Tigers. Initially he played 2B but has moved over to 1B, taking over from a recently slumping 33-year old Francis Pynchon (.255/.318/.380, 4 HR, 25 RBI, 21 BB).   Key Injuries: RHP Harley Bracher – December 22 – torn labrum. Out for: 4-5 months. 3B Dominic Dudding – January 28 – fractured thumb. Out for: 3-4 weeks. --------  The Wellington Athletics are another team that could be close to .500 if not for a miserable November (8-18). But that is small comfort, as the playoffs are out of reach in any scenario for the Athletics. The pitching has been quite competitive – it’s the offense that has pushed the team’s fortunes south. There are only a few impact players on the roster and one-time all-star C Mick Gunnis (.251/.319/.357, 5 HR, 34 RBI, 22 BB) is having a down year. That said, CF Edgardo Barrón (.313/.345/.475, 9 HR, 55 RBI, 22 BB, 10 SB) is the real deal, as he rises in the Top Player standings (No. 15). He did not appear at all in the ratings at the start of the season. Mention must also be made of 24-year old SS Zhao-hui Qian (.251/.320/.385, 6 HR, 29 RBI, 36 BB, 17 SB). The 2nd overall pick from 1945-46 is making strides in his second season as Wellington’s lead-off hitter. Offense: .265/.326/.374 (5th/7th/8th) Pitching: 3.80/3.86/3.50 (3rd/4th/3rd) Defense: .734 (1st) Chemistry: Happy The Athletics saw two players selected for the All-Star game: 2B Ryley McLarnon (5th) and CF Edgardo Barrón (2nd). Noteworthy: December 25 – the Brunswick Legends took a beating at Santop Stadium, falling to the Athletics, 9-1. 34-year old IF Rubén Sánchez (.219/.259/.298, 3 HR, 23 RBI, 13 BB) was front and center, going 5 for 5 on the day. He doubled in the 2nd, tripled in the 4th, hit an RBI single in the 5th, singled in the 7th and hit an RBI single in the 8th. December 31 – CF Edgardo Barrón saw his 24- game hitting streak come to an end, going 0-4 against the Downie Chiefs. January 28 – SS Zhao-hui Qian proved too much for the Queensland Eagles, as he went 5 for 5 in Wellington’s 14-8 victory. Qian doubled in the 1st, doubled in the 2nd, hit a two-run home run in the 4th, hit an RBI single in the 8th, walked in the 6th and singled in the 8th. Key Injury: 3B Ryley McLarnon – January 22 – elbow contusion. Out for: DtD, 2 days left. --------  The Queensland Eagles made some bold moves before the trade deadline, but its obvious they are looking to next season, as they will certainly not successfully defend their United Cup title this year. Practically every player on the 25-man roster has regressed when compared to last season. But this is a team that could easily be back in the thick of things, as they have proven talent throughout the roster. With some intriguing prospects in AAA, they may enjoy a nice bounce back next season, in the same way Braeland City is experiencing it this season. C Elijah Sheppard (.252/.375/.397, 8 HR, 36 RBI, 57 BB) and RF Jilenko Vergara (.291/.376/.451, 10 HR, 48 RBI, 49 BB) are still the team leaders on offense, but their output has seen a definite drop from last season. Two Eagles qualified for the All-Star game: C Elijah Sheppard (5th) and RF Jilenko Vergara (3rd). Offense: .259/.329/.386 (6th/6th/5th) Pitching: 4.15/4.21/3.85 (5th/6th/5th) Defense: .703 (5th) Chemistry: Unhappy Noteworthy: January 9 – RF Jilenko Vergara went 5 for 6 against the Brunswick Legends at Babe Ruth Park, helping the Eagles thump the Legends 16-1. Vergara doubled in the 1st, hit an RBI single in the 2nd, hit an RBI double in the 3rd, singled in the 5th, doubled in the 7th and finally grounded out in the 8th. Key Trade No. 1: December 21 – The Queensland Eagles complete a deal with the Wolseley Unions, sending 40-year old RHP Stewart Colcott (69/69) to the Unions in exchange for 29-year old OF Zak Kidd (57/63). Knee-jerk reaction: Queensland and Wolseley exchange team icons, as Colcott and Kidd had spent their entire careers with their respective clubs before this trade. Wolseley makes a second move to shore up their pitching, as Colcott (3-3, 1 SV, 3.23 ERA, 1.38 WHIP) will join recently acquired Luke Woodward in the bullpen. Colcott doesn’t have the best stuff around, but his movement and control are still top-notch. However, at 40-years of age and now injury prone, how effective he will be for Wolseley going forward remains to be seen. He has already missed 16 weeks from one injury or another since spring training. Replacing him is Bruno Skinner (7-7, 2 SV, 5.02 ERA, 1.55 WHIP), who moves from the bullpen to the No. 5 spot for the time being. Zak Kidd (.235/.302/.404, 14 HR, 39 RBI, 32 BB) is struggling offensively, which appears to have got its start last season. He returns to the lead-off spot with the Eagles, which he had lost with Wolseley. Despite his struggles, Queensland has entrenched him as one of their starting outfielders, even shipping last season’s Rookie of the Year winner, LF Ron Gavin to Fort Richmond in a trade in late January, as discussed below.   Key Trade No. 2: January 25 – The Queensland Eagles send 26-year old IF/OF Ron Gavin (60/69) and 19-year old minor league CF Haywood Malloy (22/23) to the Fort Richmond Generals, getting 25-year old CF John Peterkin (26/35) in return. Knee-jerk reaction: With the Eagles committed to Zak Kidd, Ron Gavin (.330/.367/.502, 7 HR, 45 RBI, 17 BB) was deemed expendable, so he is off to Fort Richmond to be their 1B and clean-up hitter against RHP. He replaces 1B Juan Sánchez, who was traded to Cambria a few days later (more on that in the Western League coverage). Gavin may be slightly better that Sánchez overall but not markedly so. Gavin is described as selfless, while Sánchez is considered a good leader, but thick-headed, so maybe that was the difference. With Gavin gone, Peterkin (.315/.370/.453, 8 HR, 33 RBI, 20 BB) takes over CF and the No. 2 spot in the lineup. He was a 3rd round draft pick back in 1944-45 and is getting his first taste of the majors. He won a Rookie of the Month honour for December and made the All-Star team, so perhaps he will exceed the scouts’ ratings. While his bat is acceptable, he has solid speed and defense at all three OF positions.   Key Injuries: SS Dermott Akers – September 9 – post-concussion syndrome. Out for: 5-6 weeks. RHP Joong Ling – October 30 – radial nerve (elbow). Out for: 2-3 months. LF Zak Kidd – January 15 – hand soreness. Out for: DtD, 1-2 weeks. --------  The problems or more specifically, the problem facing the Cobourg Red Stockings is very simple – they have a starting rotation in name only. As a result, all their offensive ability is being undone by lousy pitching, sending them back to the cellar. Only 38-year old RHP Lenny Freke (12-9, 3.84 ERA, 1.34 WHIP) is having a decent year. In fact, its his best in four years. The only glimmer of hope pitching-wise is 20-year old Fergus Hirst (20/77), who was selected in the second round in this season’s amateur draft. And he is a long way off. So, I would figure GM Denzel Seamon will need to do more work in the off-season in acquiring more ULB-ready pitching. It would be a shame to waste such a potent offense. A number of players are enjoying fine seasons, but 26-year old 3B Alexander Tolmie (.317/.391/.496, 14 HR, 72 RBI, 46 BB) is having an incredible year. At this rate, he will be in the conversation when choosing the All-Braeland Team after the United Cup. Five Red Stockings were selected for the All-Star game: SP Lenny Freke (5th), 2B George Simpson (1st), 3B Alexander Tolmie (3rd), SS John Medley (3rd) and CF Raymond Williams (1st). Offense: .292/.343/.422 (1st/3rd/1st) Pitching: 4.79/5.03/3.69 (8th/8th/4th) Defense: .697 (6th) Chemistry: Happy Player of the Week Awards: December 29 – SS John Medley (.560, 14 H, 2 HR, 5 RBI) Key Injury: RHP Ramón Ortíz – October 7 – torn rotator cuff. Out for: 7-8 weeks. --------  
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United Leagues of Braeland |
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11-20-2017, 01:43 AM
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#383 | |
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,929
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11-21-2017, 06:24 PM
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#384 | |
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Major Leagues
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Chicago
Posts: 364
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11-23-2017, 01:10 AM
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#385 |
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,929
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February 1, 1948
Western League: No One’s Running Away With This Thing Yet    --------  The Wolseley Unions bounced back in a big way in January, after having fallen to fourth place at the end of December. That’s largely due to the pitching staff picking up its game, as the offense continues to be one of the top units in the West. The only blight has been the bullpen, and the Unions made a couple of moves prior the trade deadline to try and shore it up. As discussed in the East write-up, they acquired RHP Luke Woodward from the Brunswick Legends to be their new stopper and former starter RHP Stewart Colcott from the Queensland Eagles to be their set-up man. 26-year old LF Carlton Hawking (.310/.442/.497, 14 HR, 59 RBI, 89 BB) continues to be Wolseley’s offensive leader, but his defense has been dreadful this season (.971 PCT, 2.45 RNG, -13.4 Z, .919 EFF). But 23-year old sophomore C Éric Denis (.313/.357/.445, 8 HR, 62 RBI, 25 BB) is proving his award-winning rookie season was not a fluke. 27-year old RHP Ian Peter (9-7, 2.91 ERA, 1.16 WHIP) has proven that he was a shrewd pickup. Since he was acquired from the Sherburn Tigers in a trade early last season, he has gone 23-13, 2.79 ERA for Wolseley. Four Unions were selected to the All-Star game: SP Ian Peter (3rd), SP Kai Tosh (2nd), SS George Kimpton (1st) and LF Carlton Hawking (3rd). Offense: .274/.351/.412 (2nd/2nd/2nd) Pitching: 3.91/3.68/5.03 (3rd/2nd/8th) Defense: .715 (3rd) Chemistry: Happy Player of the Week Awards: December 15 – CF Ramón Tavira (.500, 11 H, 11 RBI) December 29 – LF Carlton Hawking (.480, 12 H, 3 HR, 10 RBI) Noteworthy: January 30 – C Éric Denis went 5-5 against the Kingston Pelicans, lifting the Unions to a 7-5 victory. After starting things off with a solo home run in the 2nd, Denis singled in the 3rd & 5th innings, hit an RBI double in the 7th and singled in the 9th. Key Injury: LHP Bruce Whitten – October 16 – partially torn UCL. Out for: 4 months. --------  The Fort Richmond Generals enjoyed a brief moment at the top of the standings at the end of December, but a .500 January sees them fall back to second, just ahead of the Kingston Pelicans. Pitching is not the problem; rather, they need more offensive consistency from the lineup if they hope to reach the playoffs for the first time. Thus far, only 25-year old CF Dylan Moyne (.315/.368/.510, 11 HR, 56 RBI, 34 BB, 11 SB) and 26-year old C Louis Wearne (.325/.432/.537, 14 HR, 48 RBI, 50 BB) are providing a consistent spark. It appears the Danny Trowbridge trade is bearing fruit for the Generals. Despite parting with the best player in the United Leagues back in 1943, three of the four players they received in return are in the rotation: the ace 25-year old RHP Nicky Sherlock (10-8, 3.44 ERA, 1.37 WHIP), 26-year old LHP Mo Goldstraw (11-8, 2.86 ERA, 1.39 WHIP) and 28-year old LHP Joy-shan Liu (8-4, 2.82 ERA, 1.15 WHIP). Although Sherlock is dealing with an injury at the moment, the three hurlers have helped make the Generals’ pitching staff the top-rated unit in the West. Fort Richmond sent five players to the All-Star game: SP Nicky Sherlock (2nd), C Louis Wearne (1st), 1B Juan Sánchez (1st), CF Dylan Moyne (2nd) and RF John Peterkin (1st). Offense: .262/.328/.391 (5th/7th/4th) Pitching: 3.39/3.39/3.44 (1st/1st/2nd) Defense: .723 (Tied for 1st) Chemistry: Happy Player of the Week Awards: January 19 – CF Dylan Moyne (.450, 9 H, 1 HR, 5 RBI) Noteworthy: December 9 – The Generals had a field day against the Cambria Cannons, defeating them 20-6 in Cambria. CF Dylan Moyne went 4 for 7 with 4 RBI, 3 R; C Louis Wearne went 4 for 4 with 1 RBI, 3 R and OF John Peterkin batted 4 for 7 with 3 RBI, 3 R. Eight errors were committed in the game, 5 by Cambria. December 23 – 28-year old 3B Loïc Billon (250/.356/.500, 5 HR, 22 RBI, 12 BB) set the Fort Richmond regular season game record for RBI with 8, in a game against the Kingston Pelicans, going 3 for 4 with 1 HR (grand slam). He also tallied 2 R, 1 BB. The Generals won 15-2. Key Trade: January 28 – The Fort Richmond Generals acquire 33-year old RF Clint Jones (51/51) and 17-year old minor league 1B Asa Miller (21/74) from the Cambria Cannons. In exchange, Cambria receives 27-year old 1B Juan Sánchez (54/55). Knee-jerk reaction: Jones (.264/.393/.473, 11 HR, 41 RBI, 47 BB) is an eight-time all-star who is on the down-side of his career. He is traded away from the Cannons for the second time in his career, and will provide outfield depth for the Generals, after they traded rookie OF John Peterkin to Queensland. That said it appears he will start at 1B against LHP, with newly acquired Ron Gavin manning 1B against RHP. Doesn’t quite make sense to me, since Gavin (.749 OPS) has been just fine against LHP in comparison to Jones (.743 OPS). Miller appears to be a future stereotypical 1B; future pull, flyball hitter but with little fielding or base running ability. He was a third-round pick from this season’s amateur draft. As for Cambria, they lost 1B Brad Mitchinson (.293/.348/.417, 13 HR, 50 RBI, 22 BB) for the season back in December due to injury. So in a vacuum, acquiring Sánchez (.314/.390/.483, 13 HR, 55 RBI, 41 BB) makes perfect sense – only Cambria is nowhere near to competing for a playoff spot and when Mitchinson returns, they will have two 1B on their hands with no other position to play. But one could always be used as a trading chip I guess.   Key Injuries: RHP Reece Leevers – October 1 – partially torn labrum. Out for: 4-5 weeks. RHP Nicky Sherlock – January 18 – shoulder tendinitis. Out for: 3 weeks. --------  The Kingston Pelicans are humming along nicely on offense, but they are facing a bit of a crisis with their pitching. Most of their starters and the bullpen are having down years, far from the dominant force they were over the past several seasons. 27-year old LHP Patrick Denman (9-13, 3.91 ERA, 1.50 WHIP) and 37-year old Joey Cumberledge (10-4, 4.17 ERA, 1.60 WHIP) are regressing for the second straight season. 29-year old RHP Charlie Gilbert (7-9, 5.15 ERA, 1.62 WHIP) and 28-year old RHP Ben Currall (11-8, 4.34 ERA, 1.41 WHIP) are struggling, especially compared to their terrific seasons last year. 23-year old rookie LHP Dana Listman (8-5, 3.29 ERA, 1.49 WHIP) is the only bright light on the staff. There is also a bit of flux in the lineup. While 29-year old C Danny Trowbridge (.396/.482/.619, 17 HR, 57 RBI, 57 BB) continues to be his awesome self, he has a fresh face batting behind him in the clean-up spot. 22-year old LF Benjamin Nishikawa (.400/.457/.633, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 4 BB) was promoted from AAA in late November, but was just made Kingston’s starting leftfielder on January 30. He was a 16th overall pick from 1944-45. If he’s equal to the challenge, it will help offset other players that appear to be in decline, such as 32-year old SS Katsunan Chikafuji (.325/.388/.472, 6 HR, 38 RBI, 20 BB). Although he won Batter of the Month honours in January, he is on pace for 3.3 WAR. Last season, he was worth 4.3 WAR. The season before that, he was worth 9.2 WAR. Of course, recent injuries haven’t helped. Five players represented the Pelicans at the All-Star game: SP Ben Currall (3rd), RP Luis Velásquez (5th), C Danny Trowbridge (7th), 1B Dean Bishop (4th) and 3B Wen-huan Liu (3rd). Offense: .280/.357/.417 (1st/1st/1st) Pitching: 4.26/4.14/3.82 (7th/6th/7th) Defense: .704 (5th) Chemistry: Ecstatic Player of the Week Awards: January 12 – SS Katsunan Chikafuji (.481, 13 H, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 3 R) Noteworthy: January 21 – The Balmoral Giants took down more than just the Kingston Pelicans in their 11-10 victory at Foster Field. They also ended Danny Trowbridge's 29-game hitting streak by holding him hitless in 2 at-bats. He was also walked three times in the game; one was intentional. Balmoral’s Carlton Broadbent won the game in the bottom of the 10th with a lead-off first pitch solo home run. Key Injury: RF Luca Bewick – January 10 – ruptured tendon (foot). Out for: 4 months. --------  The Balmoral Giants were in next to last place at the end of November, 5 games below .500. But back-to-back solid months have seen them rise to 4 games above .500 and just 2.5 games back of the wild card. But it remains to be seen if they can keep it up: their Pyt. Rec is 49-55 and they are average to below average in both pitching and offense metrics. It may all come down to how the rookies perform this season. 22-year old C Dominic Pepard (.318/.375/.397, 1 HR, 38 RBI, 25 BB), a former 4th round pick from 1943-44, has been very steady at and behind the plate. No. 2 starter, 23-year old RHP Quintilliano Galeo (8-9, 3.72 ERA, 1.49 WHIP), a second-round pick from 1946-47 has improved over the course of the season. But other rookies, like 27-year old LHP Sam Chapman (4-7, 5.42 ERA, 1.54 WHIP) and 24-year old CF Yo Yoshida (.206/.265/.322, 1 HR, 32 RBI, 23 BB, 5 SB) are still adjusting. The Giants sent three players to the All-Star game: 3B Allen Cattanach (4th), SS Francisco Rodríguez (8th) and RF Carlton Broadbent (7th). Offense: .266/.334/.375 (4th/5th/8th) Pitching: 4.25/4.22/4.44 (6th/7th/5th) Defense: .709 (4th) Chemistry: Happy Key Injury: RHP Connor Ainsley – November 8 – ulnar nerve entrapment. Out for: 7 weeks. --------  The Pulberry Trolleys fall back a bit in the West, which isn’t all that surprising, considering the offense is rather anemic. The pitching though, is holding up its end o the bargain; particularly 31-year old RHP Patrick Tennant (14-6, 3.28 ERA, 1.42 WHIP), who is enjoying his best season in years, and 29-year old RHP Lenny Tennison (8-12, 2.96 ERA, 1.21 WHI), who is enjoying a nice bounce-back, after going 10-18, 4.15 ERA, 1.55 WHIP last season. The offense is powered by 26-year old SS Roland Binns (.310/.376/.514, 16 HR, 59 RBI, 37 BB, 5 SB) and 29-year old RF Jarod Dwyer (.280/.373/.487, 10 HR, 68 RBI, 52 BB) and little else. They have the deepest farm system in the ULB, and have a number of intriguing position prospects doing well in the minors. But most of them are still in AA, so for now, the Trolleys are still idling. Four Trolleys were selected to the All-Star game: SP Patrick Tennant (3rd), SP Lenny Tennison (2nd), SS Roland Binns (4th) and RF Jarod Dwyer (2nd). Offense: .254/.327/.383 (8th/8th/6th) Pitching: 3.78/3.70/4.16 (2nd/3rd/4th) Defense: .723 (Tied for 1st) Chemistry: Happy Player of the Week Awards: December 8 – RF Jarod Dwyer (.429, 9 H, 2 HR, 8 RBI) January 26 – SS Roland Binns (.385, 10 H, 2 HR, 7 RBI) Key Injuries: RHP Bradley Paris – September 17 – torn UCL. Out for: 3 weeks. 3B Colin Strudwick – January 20 – bruised collarbone. Out for: DtD; 3 days. RHP Dorian Geissler – January 30 – oblique strain. Out for: 5 weeks. --------  The Sherburn Tigers are slowly regressing as well, as they just don’t have the horses on both the pitching staff and lineup to keep up with Wolseley or Fort Richmond. 27-year old SS Otton Overbeek (.306/.363/.503, 10 HR, 66 RBI, 36 BB) is enjoying perhaps the best season of his seven-year career; but that’s about it. 29-year old C Neil Voigt (.295/.338/.468, 10 HR, 55 RBI, 19 BB) and 27-year old RF Javier Serrano (.284/.346/.408, 5 HR, 32 RBI, 26 RBI, 5 SB) are contributing as well, but not consistently. 26-year old LF Gary Therien (.287/.418/.439, 6 HR, 46 RBI, 51 BB) is respected at the plate, but his woeful defense is eating away at his overall value (1.00 PCT, 2.20 RNG, -13.1 ZR, .858 EFF). The concern in the rotation is the off year 28-year old RHP Roberto Taváres (11-9, 4.32 ERA, 1.60 WHIP). He started off strong in October (2-2, 0.91 ERA), but has gotten worse with each passing month (1-4, 8.26 ERA in January). But then again, perhaps the porous defense that’s playing behind him is responsible. At least, 24-year old RHP Jesús Chapa (12-7, 2.74 ERA, 1.12 WHIP) is his usual dependable self. Unfortunately for Sherburn, he’s the only one. The All-Star game saw four Tigers selected: SP Jesús Chapa (4th), SP Roberto Taváves (5th), SS Otton Overbeek (5th) and RF Javier Serrano (1st). Offense: .260/.336/.379 (6th/3rd/7th) Pitching: 4.11/4.11/4.13 (5th/5th/3rd) Defense: .682 (8th) Chemistry: Content Key Injuries: LHP Phi Wiebe – September 21 – torn flexor tendon. Out for: 6 weeks. RHP Bartolo Sánchez – December 15 – bone chips (elbow). Out for: 8-9 weeks. --------  The Hespeler Stars have nosedived over the past two months, but they are not ready to throw in the towel just yet. Before the deadline, they traded for 33-year old LHP Hirotada Fukushima (7-4, 3.19 ERA, 1.30 WHIP) and IF Thomas Murphy (as noted below). Fukushima should help make a competent pitching staff even better. Long time Star pitcher, 29-year old LHP Jake Osmotherley (12-7, 3.15 ERA, 1.23 WHIP), is enjoying his best season of his 8-year career. 23-year old rookie RHP Paul Woodruff (5-9, 1 SV, 3.55 ERA, 1.34 WHIP) had a rough December (1-3, 5.90 ERA) before recovering somewhat in January. The offense, however, is quite underwhelming. There is no one that jumps out at you with overly impressive numbers. Maybe 25-year old LF Bart Warwick (.268/.374/.464, 13 HR, 50 RBI, 51 BB) will be that guy in the near future; the second-round pick from 1942-43 is enjoying a fine sophomore season. Lead-off hitter, 28-year old RF Wayne Savory (.327/.399/.495, 11 HR, 37 RBI, 31 BB), is enjoying his best season at the plate, but his poor defense is hurting him (.994 PCT, 2.75 RNG, -7.9 ZR, .937 EFF). Four Stars represented the hometown team in this year’s All-Star game: SP Jake Osmotherley (2nd), RP Rodney Gabrielson (1st), LF Bart Warwick (1st) and RF Wayne Savory (3rd). Offense: .270/.333/.393 (3rd/6th/3rd) Pitching: 3.98/4.08/3.38 (4th/4th/1st) Defense: .700 (6th) Chemistry: Unhappy Key Trade: December 27 – The Hespeler Stars acquired 29-year old IF Thomas Murphy (72/74), sending 25-year old LF Toby Dooley (70/72) to the Wellington Athletics. Knee-jerk reaction: The Athletics trade Murphy (.259/.342/.383, 3 HR, 31 RBI, 42 BB) for the second time since originally drafting him 14th overall back in 1940-41. Murphy missed two seasons while serving in the Braeland Armed Forces, but he has yet to live up to his high selection. He takes over 3B from Vic Weetman, who was moved to 1B. Weetman (.298/.342/.401, 5 HR, 31 RBI, 23 BB), a former 1st overall pick from 1939-40, is another player that has not quite played up to expectations. Murphy is a decent hitter with terrific defensive and base running skills. He is rated 5th overall in the ULB among 3B. The Stars are hoping he finally delivers on his talent. In Dooley (.298/.358/.458, 5 HR, 20 RBI, 17 BB), the Athletics get a utility outfielder whose greatest strength is his speed on the basepaths. But his bat just OK; if he had better strike zone judgment, the former 2nd round pick might find his way into a starting lineup. So I’m not sure what Wellington was thinking here, unless they think Dooley can still improve at this stage.   Key Injuries: LHP Carlton Sherrell – January 20 – surgery to remove bone chips (elbow). Out: 4 months. SS Juan Ramírez – January 30 – back stiffness. Out for: DtD; 1-2 weeks. --------  The Cambria Cannons teased in December, nearly escaping the basement, but came back down to earth in January. At this point, it's probably best to focus on rebuilding, as their best players are now in the 30s and will not likely be around when the Cannons’ fortunes improve. The value of players like 31-year old SS Wenseslas Jasmin (.305/.368/.377, 2 HR, 30 RBI, 41 BB) and 30-year old C Heung-su Park (.277/.341/.467, 12 Hr, 60 RBI, 33 BB) are not going to get any better, so perhaps Cambria should think about moving them for young prospects. Like young players such as 24-year old LF Ichizo Ando (.304/.377/.504, 6 HR, 18 RBI, 15 BB) who are steadily earning their spot in the lineup. Cambria sent four players to the All-Star game: RP Carl Luscombe (6th), C Heung-su Park (3rd), 1B Clint Jones (8th) and SS Wenseslas Jasmin (5th). Offense: .259/.336/.386 (7th/4th/5th) Pitching: 4.89/5.01/4.48 (8th/8th/6th) Defense: .683 (7th) Chemistry: Content Player of the Week Awards: December 22 – C Heung-su Park (.526, 10 H, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 6 R) January 5 – RF Hao Wang (.421, 9 H, 2 HR, 6 RBI) Key Injuries: RHP Rizal Doctolero – December 15 – elbow ligament reconstruction surgery. Out for 4 months. 1B Brad Mitchinson – December 24 – torn labrum (shoulder). Out for: 4-5 months. LF Ichizo Ando – January 29 – wrist soreness. Out for: Dtd, 4 days. --------  
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United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 11-23-2017 at 01:38 AM. |
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11-23-2017, 01:46 AM
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12-01-2017, 08:46 PM
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#387 |
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Hall Of Famer
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(Had to get a new motherboard for my computer this past week. Good thing I still had warranty.
 )March 29, 1948 Eastern League: Barons, Monarchs to Battle for Pennant    --------  The Stratford Barons continued their impressive play in February and March to capture their fourth first place finish in the East. Their 99 victories are the highest in club history, one more than the 1940-41 club that won the United Cup. But it was not a runaway; Braeland City remained just one game back when the two teams concluded the season with a four-game series in Braeland City. The Monarchs won the first game 5-1 to pull into a first place tie, but the Barons took the next three, 3-2, 4-2 and 14-3 to secure home field advantage in the Pennant Series, against the same Monarchs. Offense: .267/.362/.402 (3rd/1st/3rd) Pitching: 3.43/3.32/4.09 (1st/1st/6th) Defense: .715 (3rd) Chemistry: Ecstatic Top Position Player: 24-year old CF Roberto Ríos (.288/.428/.514, 24 HR, 121 RBI, 137 BB, 11 SB, 8.2 WAR) has been a very fine player for the Barons the past couple of seasons (5.2 WAR last year), but he became a force in his third full year. His final home run was a grand slam on the last day of the season against the Monarchs. He went 3 for 5 with 1 HR, 6 RBI in Stratford’s 14-3 thumping of Braeland City. Top Pitcher: It was a return to form and then some for 39-year old LHP Ryan Borden (22-7, 2.13 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 188 ERA+), who rebounded from a torn should muscle, forcing him to miss most of the season last year. Borden led all ULB pitchers in wins and ERA this season. Noteworthy: March 7 – 1B Won-ho Kim (.290/.369/.379, 2 HR, 42 RBI, 89 BB, 10 SB, 2.9 WAR) had another big day at the plate, going 5 for 5 against the Brunswick Legends. Kim singled in the 1st, hit an RBI triple in the 3rd, hit an RBI single in the 5th, singled in the 7th and tripled in the 9th. His efforts helped the Barons eke out a 3-2 win. Key Injuries: RHP Bill Blair – December 22 – ruptured disc. Out for: 2-3 months. CF Roberto Ríos – March 20 – sprained thumb. Out for: DtD, 2 days. --------  They very nearly pulled it off but in the end, the Braeland City Monarchs had to settle for second place, finishing 3 games back of the Barons. Still, their 96 victories marks the third time they have reached that total, the most in team history. They won 28 games more than last year and as a result, they reach the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons. But their Pyt.Rec. was only 84-70 – a whopping +12 difference, the largest in ULB history. So it will be interesting to see how they fare in the playoffs. Top Position Players: 25-year old 1B Kyle Pryor (.305/.410/.542, 23 HR, 83 RBI, 73 BB, 4.9 WAR) was simply outstanding from November on. He faced RHP almost exclusively and was terrific on defense. This season was a letdown in some ways for 34-year old 3B Adam Ashley (.303/.384/.400, 2 HR, 45 RBI, 69 BB, 12 SB, 4.0 WAR), especially compared to the last couple of seasons. But he finished strong over February and March. Top Pitcher: 38-year old LHP David Cooling (21-7, 2.62 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 155 ERA+) was the only other pitcher in the ULB besides Stratford’s Ryan Borden to reach the 20-win plateau. He enjoyed his best season since 1940-41, when he won the Satchel Paige Award. Offense: .279/.342/.407 (2nd/5th/2nd) Pitching: 3.61/3.60/3.71 (2nd/2nd/3rd) Defense: .706 (5th) Chemistry: Ecstatic Player of the Week Awards: February 16 – 1B Kyle Pryor (.611, 11 H, 1 HR, 3 RBI) Key Injuries: RF Gavin Bansfield – October 19 – fractured fibula. Out for: 6-7 weeks. LHP Nicholas Grimes – December 11 – torn labrum. Out for: one week. SS Luwen Rodenburg – March 11 – strained triceps. Out for: 2-3 weeks. --------  The Brunswick Legends finished with a winning record for the 10th straight season, but there was little else, apart from individual performances, to cheer about. The Legends were just part of the ‘rest of the pack’, as they finished a distance third, 21 games back of Stratford. And with their announcement back in January that they are switching to ‘rebuild’ mode, the make-up of the team may be very different come next season’s Spring Training. Interestingly, the clubhouse has quickly lost its cohesion, as there are reports of in-fighting. My how things change when success starts to dry up. Top Position Players: Four players deserve mention here. 27-year old RF Marcus Peyto (.309/.401/.568, 33 HR, 129 RBI, 90 BB, 6 SB, 6.1 WAR) lived up to his billing, as he easily enjoyed the best season thus far of his 7-year career. But 31-year old 1B Stuart Bentham (.322/.418/.525, 29 HR, 107 RBI, 96 BB, 5.5 WAR) was his usual outstanding self as well. Mention should also be made of 26-year old SS Jorge Arredondo (.316/.406/.446, 15 HR, 71 RBI, 90 BB, 21 SB, 5.3 WAR), who was acquired from Wolseley last season. Finally, 31-year old LF Ron Westmacott (.285/.390/.506, 15 HR, 59 RBI, 52 BB, 8 SB, 3.1 WAR) saw his first productive season since 1944-45, when he was with the Cambria Cannons. Top Pitcher: No question here. 31-year old LHP Anastasio Rodríguez (19-10, 3.01 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 134 ERA+) has been Brunswick’s ace since 1938-39 and this season was no different. But it may have gone to his head, as reports suggest Rodríguez is a major source of strife on the club. His teammates consider him a plague in the clubhouse and want nothing to do with him. Offense: .261/.350/.402 (6th/2nd/4th) Pitching: 4.02/3.74/45.12 (4th/3rd/8th) Defense: .692 (7th) Chemistry: Feuding Player of the Week Awards: March 1 – RF Marcus Peyto (.391, 9 H, 3 HR, 11 RBI) March 8 – RF Marcus Peyto (.450, 9 H, 2 HR, 4 RBI) March 22 – RF Marcus Peyto (.391, 9 H, 4 HR, 7 RBI) Noteworthy: February 17 – Brunswick pummelled the Wolseley Unions 9-1 at Babe Ruth Park, and utility 2B Derek Myers (.267/.368/.347, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 15 BB, 0.3 WAR) played a featured role. He went 5 for 5 on the day. He hit an RBI double in the 1st, singled in the 3rd, hit an RBI single in the 4th, singled in the 7th and hit a 2-run single in the 8th. --------  Their 77 wins represent a modest 5-game improvement over last season, but the Embro Suns will miss the playoffs for the second consecutive year. But the Suns have already announced that they are switching to ‘rebuilding’ mode, so like the Legends, their roster may look very different come next season. With the weakest farm system in the ULB, they sure could use an infusion of young talent. Top Position Players: He missed 5 weeks to injury, but 33-year old 1B Jim Friend (.299/.403/.510, 22 HR, 90 RBI, 85 BB, 4.4 WAR) continued to be Embro’s offensive stalwart. But he was joined by 28-year old C Scott Weller (.290/.377/.453, 13 HR, 78 RBI, 59 BB, 4.3 WAR) as one of the top players for Embro. The former 2nd-round pick from 1941-42 saw his best season so far in his 4th full year in the United Leagues. Top Pitcher: It was not a stellar year for Embro pitchers, but a couple of veterans still deserve mention. 33-year old RHP Myung-gu Son (14-10, 3.66 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 110 ERA+) provided reliability on the mound, while 38-year old stopper RHP Colm Soper (3-3, 24 SV, 1.77 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 227 ERA+) remained one of the top relievers in the United Leagues. Offense: .262/.349/.383 (5th/3rd/6th) Pitching: 4.69/5.11/3.38 (8th/8th/1st) Defense: .688 (8th) Chemistry: Happy Player of the Week Awards: February 23 – CF Terence Durney (.435, 10 H, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 5 R) Key Injuries: RHP Reece Leavers – February 25 – partially torn UCL. Out for: 5 months. CF Terence Durney – March 16 – forearm stiffness. Out for: 1 week. LF Tzu-yu Song – March 24 – torn ankle ligaments. Out for: 5 weeks. --------  It was more of the same for the Downie Chiefs, as they failed to reach 70 wins for the sixth time in their 11-year history. Still, they may not be far away from finally becoming relevant in the Eastern League. But the bevy of talent they have on the roster is going to have to step up at some point if that is to happen. Next season would be a perfect time to do it. Top Position Player: The Chiefs have never really had a ‘superstar’ on their roster – until this season. 22-year old CF Alfonso Léon (.300/.357/.505, 22 HR, 86 RBI, 54 BB, 7.1 WAR) had just an incredible year in just his second season in the ULB. His defense was jaw-dropping as well (.982 PCT, 3.38 RNG, +18.1 ZR, 1.050 EFF). The former 2nd-overall pick from 1944-45 is currently rated 7th overall among position players. That rating should only rise as his career takes off. He is a keystone player that the Chiefs can/should build around. Top Pitchers: 27-year old RHP Bernie Knowles (12-12, 3.16 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 124 ERA+) was a solid pick-up and enjoyed a nice bounce-back season in his first year with the Chiefs. 25-year old RHP Kelii Pelanekelina (14-17, 4.08 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 96 ERA+) recovered somewhat from his rough first-half, enough to suggest that Downie might have a very respectable tandem at the top of the rotation next season. Offense: .251/.321/.376 (8th/8th/7th) Pitching: 4.19/4.20/4.14 (6th/5th/7th) Defense: .724 (2nd) Chemistry: Feuding Key Injuries: RHP Harley Bracher – December 22 – torn labrum. Out for: 2-3 months. 3B Dominic Dudding – January 28 – fractured thumb. Out for: 2 weeks. 1B Tobias Yogore – March 8 – plantar fasciitis. Out for: 1-2 weeks. 2B Robin Duerden – March 28 – intercostal strain. Out for: 3 weeks. RHP Bernie Knowles – March 29 – tired arm. Out for: 1-2 weeks. --------  It was a season of missed opportunities for the Cobourg Red Stockings, as an offense that came to life was undermined by a pitiful pitching effort. GM Denzel Seamon recognized the need of improved pitching heading into this season, but I doubt even he expected that the pitching would have been this bad. If Seamon can work out a deal to bring in another steady pitcher like he did with Lenny Freke or if the present pitchers can bounce back, then Cobourg will be back in the playoff hunt in a big way next season. Last year, they missed out on the wild card by just a single game. Top Position Players: No shortage here as a number of position players blossomed. 26-year old SS John Medley (.363/.416/.522, 9 HR, 81 HR, 57 BB, 44 SB, 6.5 WAR) became a force at the plate and on the basepaths, scoring 105 R and coming just 2 SB shy of the record. He won the Eastern League Batting Title to boot and went on a 22-game hitting streak until the Brunswick Legends ended it on February 23. Only his defense was suspect (.930 PCT, 4.40 RNG, -18.0 ZR, .935 EFF). 26-year old 3B Alexander Tolmie (.305/.373/.473, 19 HR, 99 RBI, 63 BB, 5.9 WAR) and 21-year old CF Raymond Williams (.300/.342/.502, 18 HR, 100 RBI, 41 BB, 11 SB, 5.1 WAR) ably supported Medley to make the Red Stockings’ lineup the most potent in the ULB. All three players were one-time first overall picks.  Top Pitcher: In contrast to Cobourg’s incredible performance at the plate, the Red Stockings’ pitching was downright woeful. Only 38-year old RHP Lenny Freke (17-13, 3.51 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 115 ERA+) provided the kind of pitching a contender needs. And at his age, it’s only fair to ask how much he has left in the tank. Offense: .293/.347/.423 (1st/4th/1st) Pitching: 4.52/4.63/3.97 (7th/7th/4th) Defense: .700 (6th) Chemistry: Content Player of the Week Awards: February 2 – SS John Medley (.429, 12 H, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 9 R) February 9 – SS John Medley (.600, 15 H, 3 RBI) Key Injury: RHP Brent Nix – March 28 – sore back. Out for: 1 week. --------  The Queensland Eagles suffered a championship hangover, as they saw an across the board drop-off in performance, especially on offense. As a result, they were never close to competing for a playoff spot and will have to look to next year. But this team still has plenty of exciting talent that a return to the playoffs next season is not out of the question. Top Position Players: They both had down years compared to last season, but 29-year old C Elijah Sheppard (.253/.387/.401, 13 HR, 57 RBI, 92 BB, 4.3 WAR) and 28-year old RF Jilenko Vergara (.295/.377/.482, 18 HR, 72 RBI, 68 BB, 3.9 WAR) were still the players that drove Queensland’s offensive engine this year. Again, it would be no surprise if they come back in a big way next season. Top Pitchers: He doesn’t get a lot of ink, but 27-year old RHP Okura Suzuki (15-12, 2.68 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 148 ERA+) had another outstanding season (he went 13-5, 2.04 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 164 ERA+ last year). As well, No. 1 starter 28-year old RHP Aaron Saunderson (15-17, 3.45 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 115 ERA+) actually improved over last season (17-15, 3.54 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 94 ERA+). Offense: .258/.330/.388 (7th/6th/5th) Pitching: 3.99/3.99/4.00 (3rd/4th/5th) Defense: .708 (4th) Chemistry: Content Player of the Week Awards: March 15 – C Elijah Sheppard (.526, 10 H, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 5 R) Noteworthy: March 26 – The Queensland Eagles crushed the Downie Chiefs 15-2 on the strength of 9 homeruns (out of a total of 10). 3B Alexander Crutcher hit two home runs, as did CF Jon Moreau – all solo shots. SS Dermot Akers contributed a solo home run as well and C Blake Nankervis smacked a two-run shot in the 5th inning. But LF Weldon Walker (.340/.402/.532, 11 HR, 36 RBI, 25 BB, 2.0 WAR) achieved something that had not been accomplished since 1943 – he hit three home runs in a single game. He hit a 2-run home run in the 5th, a 2-run shot in the 6th and a solo home run in the 8th. In all, he went 3 for 4, with 6 RBI and 3 R. Downie got the last laugh however. The Chiefs blanked the Eagles in the next two games, the final ones of the season, to finish 1 game ahead of them in the standings.  Key Injuries: RHP Joong Ling – October 30 – radial nerve (elbow). Out for: 3 weeks. CF John Peterkin – March 14 – herniated disc. Out for: 2 days. --------  After sneaking into the first division last season, the Wellington Athletics fall to the bottom of the standings, something they have never done before, although they have come close on a few previous occasions. The Athletics were simply lacklustre this year, and it showed in their final month. But they have some young up-and-coming talent and if some the established players can bounce back from a down year, then Wellington, too can be a player in the East next year. They do not look like a basket case to me. Top Position Player: 23-year old CF Edgardo Barrón (.301/.342/.455, 13 HR, 71 RBI, 40 BB, 16 SB, 5.4 WAR) was outstanding both at the plate and in the field (.992 PCT, 3.17 RNG, +11.7 ZR, 1.033 EFF). He is quickly becoming the face of the franchise. Top Pitchers: There were no standouts like there was last year, when 28-year old LHP Arthur Bence (11-16, 3.81 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 104 ERA+) won the Triple Crown. But he was still Wellington best pitcher this season overall. But 23-year old rookie RHP Matt Price (8-12, 3.38 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 117 ERA+) showed promise, leading the team in five pitching categories (plus walks allowed). Offense: .262/.324/.367 (4th/7th/8th) Pitching: 4.03/4.11/3.63 (5th/5th/2nd) Defense: .726 (1st) Chemistry: Unhappy --------  
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United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 12-10-2017 at 10:48 PM. |
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12-01-2017, 09:15 PM
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#388 |
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All Star Starter
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Land of Lincoln
Posts: 1,255
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[QUOTE=reds1;4256603](Had to get a new motherboard for my computer this past week. Good thing I still had warranty.
)Looks like Christmas came early for you!   Your Braeland League is so hot, you burned it up! 
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12-04-2017, 08:07 PM
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#389 |
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,929
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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. --------  
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United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 12-10-2017 at 10:48 PM. |
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12-05-2017, 02:16 AM
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#390 | |
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,929
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Quote:
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United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 12-05-2017 at 02:17 AM. |
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12-08-2017, 11:25 AM
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#391 | |
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Major Leagues
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Chicago
Posts: 364
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Quote:
Excited to see how the playoffs go. The Generals making it as #1 seed is exciting. I always love seeing fresh blood in the playoffs. No offense to the Pelicans.
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12-09-2017, 02:48 PM
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#392 |
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,929
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 Stratford Barons (99-55) vs. Braeland City Monarchs (96-58) Season Matchup: 8-7 in favour of Stratford Stratford: Runs scored – 801 (1st); runs allowed – 595 (1st) Braeland City: Runs scored – 705 (5th); runs allowed – 636 (2nd) Stratford and Braeland City meet for the second time in the battle for the Eastern League Pennant, and both have rebounded in a big way from sub-par seasons last year. In their first meeting back in 1940-41, the 98-56 Barons prevailed over the 96-58 Monarchs in 6 games. Stratford is back in the playoffs after a one-year absence, while the Monarchs return for the first time since that meeting with the Barons back in 1940-41. Braeland City has reached the United Cup Series once, in 1939-40, when they lost to the Cambria Cannons in 7 games. Meanwhile, the Barons have three Pennants and two United Cup titles to their credit. Monarchs’ manager 50-year old Toby Reakes, a former rightfielder who played 5 seasons with the Hespeler Stars and Queensland Eagles has been at the helm for the past 4 seasons. This is his first time leading the team into the playoffs. Similarly, 51-year old Zachary Smith is leading a team into the playoffs for the first time, in his first season as Stratford’s manager. He previously managed the Pulberry Trolleys for a couple of unsuccessful campaigns. The ballparks are decked out for the playoffs, the teams have their game faces on and fans are scrambling for the few remaining tickets to witness the action. It’s time to play! -------- Game 1 – March 30 Bosworth Field plays host to Games 1 and 2, as 26,150 crowd the stands for the first match. The skies are clear with warm sunshine and a slight breeze blowing out to left. The United Leagues’ two 20-game winners (both lefties) square off against each other: 39-year old LHP Ryan Borden (22-7, 2.13 ERA, 1.07 WHIP) gets the start for Stratford, while 38-year old LHP David Cooling (21-7, 2.62 ERA, 1.04 WHIP) takes the hill for Braeland City. Bottom of the 2nd: As expected, the game turns into a pitcher’s duel between Borden and Cooling. Only Aaron Skidmore crosses the plate when he leads off the bottom half by taking Cooling deep for a solo home run, 408 ft. to leftfield. In the top of the 9th, RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco relives Borden. Patrick Vick singles with one out and is replaced by PR Andy Mack. But PH Jorge Valentín grounds into a 4-6-3 double play to snuff out any threat. Stratford takes Game 1 in a squeaker. FINAL: Braeland City 0 – Stratford 1  Player of the Game: No surprise a pitcher takes this. Ryan Borden goes 8.0 IP, 7 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 2 K on 121 PI, 0.00 ERA. For Braeland City: David Cooling got a higher game score than Borden (75 to 67). He went 8.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 1 HR on 146 PI, 1.13 ERA. -------- Game 2 25,908 happy fans return the next day to Bosworth Field. The weather is warm once again with partly cloudy skies and a moderate breeze blowing out to right. 30-year old RHP Kelvin Hutchinson (14-10, 2.94 ERA, 1.24 WHIP) is on the mound for Stratford while 36-year old LHP Max MacColl (19-11, 3.05 ERA, 1.41 WHIP) gets his first start in the playoffs since he was a 25-year old novice with Queensland in the ULB’s inaugural season. Top of the 1st: Braeland City strikes fast as Simon Flatt leads off with a triple, two pitches into the game. Another two pitches later, Adam Ashley doubles in Flatt for the game’s first run. Braeland City 1 – Stratford 0 Bottom of the 3rd: Tony Blakeney draws a walk with one out, then advances to 2B on a sac bunt. Won-ho Kim follows with a double, scoring Blakeney and tying the game. However, SP MacColl suffers a mild abdominal strain and is forced out of the game. Rookie RHP Freddie Trerise comes in and gets Jake Walker to ground out to end the inning. Braeland City 1 – Stratford 1 Top of the 4th: Carlos Ruíz and Jesús Ortega bang out back-to-back doubles to start the inning, scoring a run and giving the lead back to Braeland City. After Ortega advances to 3B on a groundout, RP Trerise reaches safely on an error (E6), allowing Ortega to score and add to the Monarchs’ lead. Braeland City 3 – Stratford 1 In the bottom of the 5th inning, Braeland City is dealt another blow, as RP Freddie Trerise suffers a serious injury with two out and a runner on 1B. RHP Kai Torr comes in to replace him and immediately gets Jake Walker (again) to ground out to end the inning. Bottom of the 9th: RP Torr keeps the Barons at bay until the 9th. Aaron Skidmore leads off with a walk, but Ricardo Castellanos grounds into a 4-6-3 double play. That proves timely for Braeland City, as Britt Wing follows, sending a 2-0 pitch, 362 ft. into the leftfield bleachers for a solo home run, closing the gap to one. The rally is snuffed out however, as Korr induces a 6-3 groundout from Quinlevan Goldfinch to end the game. Braeland City manages a series split before heading home for the next three games. FINAL: Braeland City 3 – Stratford 2  Player of the Game: Adam Ashley goes 3-4 with 1-2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB Kai Torr gets the save, going 4.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 HR, 2.08 ERA. Freddie Trerise gets the win, going 2.0 IP, 0 R, 4 BB, 1 K, 0.00 ERA. Trerise suffered a torn rotator cuff and is gone for 8 months. Max MacColl went 2.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 0 K, 3.38 ERA. He experienced a mild abdominal strain and is DtD for about 6 days. For Stratford: Kelvin Hutchinson takes the loss, going 8.0 IP, 10 H, 3 R 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K 2.25 ERA -------- Game 3 Kings Park hosts playoff action for the first time in 7 years as the series switches to the nation’s capital. 26,934 take in the action under cloudy skies. The weather is mild with just a gentle breeze blowing out to center. Four members of the immediate royal family are in attendance: King William, Queen Lily and their two children, both budding baseball fans. 27-year old RHP Robin Medellin (14-15, 4.73 ERA, 1.65 WHIP) is tabbed by Braeland City, while 37-year old LHP Joel Fearn (17-13, 4.22 ERA, 1.27 WHIP) takes the ball for Stratford. Bottom of the 1st: The Monarchs waste no time: Simon Flatt and Dean Witherden lead off with back-to-back solo home runs to get Braeland City on the board quickly. After SP Fearn gets two quick fly-outs, Adam Ashley singles. Dennis Borton then follows him with a double to score Ashley and extend the Monarchs’ lead to 3. Stratford 0 – Braeland City 3 Top of the 2nd: Aaron Skidmore draws a one-out walk, then advances to 2B when Ricardo Castellanos singles. After Britt Wing strikes out, Chris Spiller doubles home Skidmore, for the Barons’ first run. Stratford 1 – Braeland City 3 Bottom of the 7th: Jason Pollock leads off with a single, reaches 2B on a wild pitch, then to 3B on a sac bunt by SP Medellin. After Stratford elects to intentionally walk Simon Flatt, Pollock scores on Dean Witherden’s sac fly. SP Fearn then throws another wild pitch, allowing Flatt to reach 2B. Up next is rookie Christopher Dainty, who singles home Flatt for the Monarchs’ fifth run. In the bottom of the 9th, SP Medellin induces ground-outs from both Aaron Skidmore and Ricardo Castellanos. Although Britt Wing follows with a single, Medellin gets Chris Spiller to fly out to CF to end the game and give the Monarchs the series lead. FINAL: Stratford 1 – Braeland City 5  Player of the Game: Robin Medellin pitches an outstanding game in his first post-season appearance. He goes 9.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 1 K, 1.00 ERA for the win. Dean Witherden goes 2 for 3, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R. For Stratford: Joel Fearn couldn’t fool the Monarchs on this day, going 8.0 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 2 HR, 5.63 ERA. -------- Game 4 Braeland City looks to keep the momentum going in Game 4. 26,723 fans return to see if they can take a commanding lead in the series. The weather has heated up with partly cloudy skies and with the same gentle breeze blowing out to centerfield. Unheralded 28-year old rookie RHP Harrison Revell (3-1, 2.36 ERA, 1.33 WHIP) is tasked with the job of holding the Barons at bay. 28-year old RHP Donn Griffin (11-3, 3.62 ERA, 1.30 WHIP) starts for Stratford. Top of the 1st: Curt Tiffany leads off with a single, but is thrown out on a 4-6 fielder’s choice by Won-ho Kim. Jake Walker then doubles, putting runners on 2B and 3B. Kim scores to get Stratford on the board on a 6-3 ground out by Roberto Ríos. Stratford 1 – Braeland City 0 Bottom of the 1st: Simon Flatt leads off with a single. Rookie Daniel Tantoco then doubles with one out, moving Flatt to 3B. Next up is Kyle Pryor, who connects on a full-count pitch for a 3-run home run, 344 ft. to the leftfield bleachers. Stratford 1 – Braeland City 3 Top of the 3rd: With one out, Won-ho Kim, Jake Walker and Roberto Ríos crank out consecutive singles, scoring a run. Walker immediately ties the game when Aaron Skidmore grounds out to the shortstop. Stratford 3 – Braeland City 3 Bottom of the 3rd: Adam Ashley leads off with single, then advances to 2B when Kyle Pryor draws a walk with one out. With two out, Dennis Borton singles home Ashley, giving the lead back to Braeland City and putting runners on the corners. Following Borton is Jesús Ortega, who takes SP Griffin yard on a 1-0 pitch, for a 3-run home run, 355 ft. to the left field stands. Stratford 3 – Braeland City 7 Bottom of the 4th: Simon Flatt leads off with a single. Adam Ashley is immediately hit by a pitch and is forced to leave the game. PR Andy Mack takes his place at 1B, while Flatt moves up to 2B. Daniel Tantoco then doubles home both Flatt and Mack, extending the Monarchs’ lead. Stratford 3 – Braeland City 9 Top of the 8th: With two out, PH Lyndon Inagaki draws a walk. Back-to-back singles by Curt Tiffany and Won-ho Kim score Inagaki for the Barons’ fourth run. Stratford 4 – Braeland City 9 Bottom of the 8th: With RP Alberto León taking the mound, PH Carlos Ruíz leads off with a triple and scores when Simon Flatt follows with a single. After rookie Andy Mack hits into a 6-4 fielder’s choice, Steve Newsholme singles Mack to 2B. With two out, defensive replacement C Jorge Valentín singles home Mack for the game’s final run. RP In-sin Ahn takes over from SP Revell in the top of the 9th. PH Quinlevan Goldfinch leads off with a single, but Ahn gets Aaron Skidmore to ground into a 6-4-3 double play. Ricardo Castellanos then flies out to left field to end the game. Braeland City takes a commanding 3-1 lead in the series. FINAL: Stratford 4 – Braeland City 11  Player of the Game: Kyle Pryor got one hit, but it was a big one. He went 1 for 3, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB. Harrison Revell gets the win in his first playoff start, going 8.0 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 6 BB, 2 K, 4.50 ERA. Adam Ashley suffered a bruised shin and will be DtD for 4 days. For Stratford: Donn Griffin got roughed up, going just, 5.0 IP, 11 H, 9 ER, 9 R, 2 BB, 1 K, 2 HR, 16.20 ERA. Won-ho Kim went 4 for 5, with 1 RBI, 2 R. -------- Game 5 With the Monarchs looking to wrap things up at home, 26,796 fans throng the stands to cheer on their surging club. Weather won’t be a factor: partly cloudy skies, warm sunshine and a slight breeze blowing in from the right set the scene. The Game 1 pitchers clash once again: Braeland City’s LHP David Cooling faces Stratford’s LHP Ryan Borden, who won that first game. Top of the 4th: It shapes up to be another fine pitcher’s duel until the 4th when Stratford takes advantage of some miscues by Braeland City. Jake Walker leads off, reaching 1B on dropped throw (E1). Roberto Ríos singles but Walker is thrown out when he tries for 3B. Ríos steals 2B, but a throwing error (E2) on the play allows him to take 3B. The Monarchs then decide to intentionally walk Aaron Skidmore. But Ricardo Castellanos makes them pay for that move, as he crushes a 3-run home run 373 ft. to right field. Stratford 3 – Braeland City 0 Bottom of the 6th: Dean Witherden leads off with a first-pitch single, then reaches 2B when Jesús Ortega singles with one out. Dennis Borton singles with two out to load bases. Following Borton is Daniel Tantoco, who singles home Witherden to get Braeland City on the board. Ortega tries to score on the same play, but is cut down at home plate to end the inning. Stratford 3 – Braeland City 1 Top of the 7th: Tony Blakeney leads off with a single, then advances to 2B on a Ryan Borden sac bunt. Won-ho Kim ekes out an infield hit, to put runners on the corners. Although SP Cooling strikes out Jake Walker, Cooling later throws a wild pitch, allowing Blakeney to score and Kim to reach 2B. A Roberto Ríos single then scores Kim, putting Stratford up by four and ending Cooling’s day. Stratford 5 – Braeland City 1 Bottom of the 7th: Jason Pollack leads off with a 4-pitch walk, then takes 2B on a PH Trevor Bolen single. After Simon Flatt hits into a 3-6 fielder’s choice to put runners on the corners, Dean Witherden singles home Pollock. SP Borden gives up another 4-pitch walk, this time to Christopher Dainty, to load the bases. Jesús Ortega then smacks a deep fly ball to right-centerfield, driving in Flatt and getting the Monarchs to within two. Stratford 5 – Braeland City 3 Top of the 8th: With RP Samuel Hollier taking over in the 8th, Ricardo Castellanos leads off with a double. Castellanos then reaches 3B when 3B Britt Wing hits a sac fly to right field. After Quinlevan Goldfinch is intentionally walked, Tony Blakeney drives in Castellanos on a sac fly to rightfield for the Barons’ sixth run. In the bottom of the 9th, RP Magtanggol Jaojoco who came in to start the 8th inning, gets Simon Flatt to fly out, Dean Witherden to strike out and Christopher Dainty to ground out to end the game. Stratford stays alive, sending the series back home for a game 6. FINAL: Stratford 6 – Braeland City 3  Player of the Game: RF Ricardo Castellanos, who goes 2-5, with 1-2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R. SP Borden picks up his second win of the series, going 7.0 IP, 10 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, 1.80 ERA. RP Jaojoco earns his second save, going 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 0.00 ERA. In the top of the 9th inning, SS Jake Walker led off with a first-pitch single on an infield hit, but injured himself while beating out the throw and was forced to leave the game. He suffered a hip flexor strain and will be DtD for two weeks. He had earlier strained his hip flexor in late March. For Braeland City: SP Cooling gets stuck with his second loss, going 6.2 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 3.68 ERA. -------- Game 6 The Pennant Series returns to Bosworth Field as the Barons look to even things up and the Monarchs looking to regain the momentum. The beautiful weather continues for the sixth straight game, 78 F, with partly cloudy skies and a slight breeze blowing from right to left. 25,778 are on hand to cheer on their team. The pitching matchup is the same as in Game 2: LHP Max MacColl for Braeland City; RHP Kelvin Hutchinson for the Barons. Top of the 1st: Adam Ashley reaches safely on an error (E4) with one out. A walk issued to Daniel Tantoco and a single by Kyle Pryor score Ashley for the game’s first run. Christopher Dainty singles as well, scoring Tantaco, putting the Monarchs’ up by two. Braeland City 2 – Stratford 0 Bottom of the 1st: Won-ho Kim leads of with a triple and scores on Jake Walker’s 3-1 groundout. Braeland City 2 – Stratford 1 Bottom of the 4th: The Barons start to take the momentum in the game, when they load the bases with one out. A Won-ho Kim single, a Jake Walker sac fly and a Roberto Ríos single push three runs across, giving Stratford the lead. The inning ends with SP MacColl striking out Adam Ashley, but MacColl injures himself for the second time in the series and is forced out of the game. Braeland City 2 – Stratford 4 Bottom of the 5th: With RP In-sin Ahn taking over from MacColl, the Barons load the bases once again with nobody out, thanks to a walk, an error and an intentional walk. But after Tony Blakeney scores a run on a sac fly to right field, Ahn works his way out of the jam to limit the damage. Braeland City 2 – Stratford 5 Bottom of the 6th: The Barons continue to pull ahead. Roberto Ríos leads off with a double, while Aaron Skidmore is given a free pass with 1B open. Ricardo Castellanos then singles home Ríos. After Britt Wing lays down a sac bunt to advance the runners, Quinlevan Goldfinch is also issued a free pass. But with two out, SP Hutchinson singles in both Castellanos and Goldfinch. Braeland City 2 – Stratford 8 Top of the 7th: Dennis Borton leads off with an infield hit. With one out, Jason Pollock, Carlos Ruíz and Simon Flatt all crank out singles, scoring two runs. Braeland City 4 – Stratford 8 Bottom of the 7th: With RP Kai Torr taking over, the Barons load the bases once again on a Jake Walker single and back-to-back walks issued to Roberto Ríos and Aaron Skidmore. Walker scores on a Ricardo Castellanos sac fly. Ríos then steals 3B but scores on a throwing error (E4) made on the play. The bleeding continues as Britt Wing doubles in Skidmore and Tony Blakeney drives in Wing with an infield hit. Finally, after Blakeney steals 2B, he scores the Barons’ thirteenth run when PH Ienobu Okazaki reaches 1B on an error (E5). Braeland City 4 – Stratford 13 Top of the 9th: The Monarchs do not give up. Jason Pollock and PH Dean Witherden lead off with back-to-back singles off RP Alberto León. Back-to-back walks by Simon Flatt and Adam Ashley drive in a run. After Daniel Tantoco strikes out looking, Kyle Pryor draws another walk, forcing in Witherden. But Chistopher Dainty and Dennis Borton both fly out to end the game. Stratford evens up the series in an impressive offensive performance. FINAL: Braeland City 6 – Stratford 13  Player of the Game: RF Ricardo Castellanos earns the nod again, who goes 2-4, with 2 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB. Kelvin Hutchinson get his first win, going 7.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 3.00 ERA. 2B Quinlevan Goldfinch goes 1-2, 2 R, 3 BB. LF Tony Blakeney went 1-3, 2 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB. Aaron Skidmore set the EL playoff record for BB with 4. For Braeland City: Max MacColl went just 4.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, 6.75 ERA. He strained an oblique muscle and is DtD for one week. -------- Game 7 On the cusp of winning the series, Braeland City has seen the Barons fight back to even things up. Now the stage is set for a winner-take-all at Bosworth Field. 25,745 on hand to see if their team can complete the comeback. The temperature has shot up (81F) and there’s not a cloud in the sky. Just a slight breeze blowing in from left. The Game 3 starters meet each other again: Stratford’s LHP Joel Fearn and Braeland City’s RHP Robin Medellin. Medellin won the first meeting between the two. Bottom of the 1st: Curt Tiffany generates Stratford’s first run, when he leads off with a single, steals 2B, reaches 3B on a sac fly and scores on a Jake Walker ground out. Braeland City 0 – Stratford 1 Top of the 2nd: Adam Ashley and Dennis Borton lead off with back-to-back singles. With one out, Jason Pollack draws a walk to load the bases. With two out, Simon Flatt draws a second walk, forcing in the tying run. Braeland City 1 – Stratford 1 Top of the 3rd: With one out, Jesús Ortega and Adam Ashley bang out back-to-back singles, putting runners on the corners. A 3-6 fielder’s choice by Dennis Borton scores Ortega. A single by Daniel Tantoco, an error (E5) during Jason Pollock’s at-bat and a single by Robin Medellin score two more runs. However, Pollock is cut down at home plate on the play to end the inning. Braeland City 4 – Stratford 1 Bottom of the 3rd: With two out, Stratford loads the bases with back-to-back singles by Won-ho Kim and Jake Walker and a walk drawn by Roberto Ríos. Aaron Skidmore then singles in both Kim and Walker to get to within one. Braeland City 4 – Stratford 3 Top of the 5th: Jesús Ortega leads off with a double. With two out, Daniel Tantoco doubles in Ortega. Braeland City 5 – Stratford 3 Bottom of the 5th: Jake Walker triples with one out. Roberto Ríos follows with a single, scoring Walker. After advancing to 2B on an Aaron Skidmore ground-out, Ricardo Castellanos singles in Ríos to tie the game once again. Braeland City 5 – Stratford 5 Bottom of the 6th: Stratford retakes the lead on Chris Spiller’s lead off solo home run, 348 ft. to right field. After getting SP Joel Fearn to ground out, Robin Medellin is relieved by RP Harold Barr, after throwing 132 pitches. But an error and three walks drives in another run, putting the Barons up by two. Braeland City 5 – Stratford 7 Bottom of the 7th: Britt Wing leads off with a single, then reaches 2B on a Chris Spiller sac bunt. SP Joel Fearn then cranks out a triple, scoring Wing as the Barons seemingly begin to pull away. Braeland City 5 – Stratford 8 Top of the 8th: The Monarchs refuse to quit. Simon Flatt doubles with one out. Dean Witherden follows him with a walk. Christopher Dainty drives a single into shallow left field, but Flatt is cut down at home plate. Undeterred, Jesús Ortega steps up to the plate and smashes a 3-run home run, 354 ft. to left field, tying the game up and ending Joel Fearn’s day. No one is able to score in the remaining inning and a half, forcing the game into extras. Braeland City 8 – Stratford 8 Top of the 10th: Christopher Dainty takes RP Bill Wolf’s first pitch and slams it 358 ft. into the left field stands for a one-out solo home run. Braeland City 9 – Stratford 8 Bottom of the 10th: Roberto Ríos keeps Stratford’s hopes alive when he responds with his own one-out solo home run off RP Kai Tosh, 403 ft. to the boisterous right field bleachers. Braeland City 9 – Stratford 9 Top of the 12th: Dean Witherden singles with one out, then advances to 2B when Christopher Dainty draws a walk. Witherden is then replaced at 2B with PR John Tassell. With two out, Adam Ashley singles to load the bases. Next up is Steve Newsholme, who sends RP Bill Wolf’s 2-2 pitch deep into centerfield for a 3-run triple. In the bottom of the 12th, RP Malcolm Willis looks to make the lead stand. Roberto Ríos and Aaron Skidmore each fight Willis to full-counts, but fly out to right and centerfield respectively. Ricardo Castellanos and Brian Ilderton follow and draw back-to-back walks, putting the tying run at the plate. But Willis gets Chris Spiller to fly out to left field, ending the marathon game and series. The Braeland City Monarchs are the Eastern League Pennant Champions! FINAL: Braeland City 12 – Stratford 9   Player of the Game: Jesús Ortega had a big game, going 3-6, 1-2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 3 R, 1 BB. He also won MVP honours. Christopher Dainty was terrific too, going 3-6, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 3 R, 1 BB. RP Malcom Willis picks up the win. His line was 2.0 IP, 1 HR, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, 0.00 ERA. For Stratford: Roberto Ríos had a great game in his own right. He went 3-5, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB. Aaron Skidmore went 2-5, 3 RBI, 2 BB. RP Denzel Vyse took the loss in a wild affair. He went 0.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 10.13 ERA. -------- 
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United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 12-13-2017 at 11:59 AM. |
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12-12-2017, 11:17 AM
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#393 |
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Major Leagues
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Chicago
Posts: 364
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Gotta say, happy to see the Braeland City Monarchs advance. I always tend to pull for the underdog or the team that hasn't won much in the past. Pretty exciting Game 7!
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12-12-2017, 11:06 PM
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#394 |
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,929
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 Fort Richmond Generals (88-66) vs. Wolseley Unions (86-68) Season Matchup: 8-7 in favour of Wolseley Fort Richmond: Runs scored – 678 (7th); runs allowed – 599 (1st) Wolseley: Runs scored – 740 (2nd); runs allowed – 662 (2nd) For the first time since the United League’s inaugural season, two Western teams who have never won the United Cup will face each other in the League Pennant finals. The Fort Richmond Generals, who won only 699 games over the course of their first 10 seasons, reach the playoffs for the first time, after finishing this year in first place. Meanwhile, the Wolseley Unions return for their second consecutive playoff appearance, again as the wild card. The Unions upset the 96-58 Kingston Pelicans last year in the Western League Pennant series, but lost to the Queensland Eagles in the United Cup Series in 5 games. They return with a chance to repeat as Western League champions and win the United Cup. But the Generals finished the season strong to overtake the Unions for first place in the West. In their final 6 meetings of the season – all in Wolseley – Fort Richmond took 4 of them. Both teams are nicely balanced outfits, with the Generals’ offense getting stronger as the season wore on and the Unions’ bullpen their only area of concern. On paper, this series should be dandy. But we’re dealing with real flesh and blood, er, bits and bytes here. Nothing can be taken for granted! Play ball! -------- Game 1 Fort Richmond’s Generals Stadium plays host to playoff action for the very first time. The weather is magnificent in the Island’s north-west: warm, clear skies with a gentle breeze blowing out to center. 24,302 fans pack into the ULB’s smallest ballpark to enjoy it. The Generals go with their No. 4 starter: 28-year old LHP Joy-shan Liu (14-6, 2.83 ERA, 1.20 WHIP), while Wolseley counters with their No. 4 starter: 27-year old RHP Ian Peter (15-9, 2.99 ERA, 1.21 WHIP). Bottom of the 4th: Liu and Peters keep the game scoreless until the 4th. Dylan Moyne leads off with a first-pitch single and reaches 3B when Ron Gavin follows with a single of his own. Next up is Louis Wearne, who reaches safely on an error (E6), allowing Moyne to score. Nobuyoshi Yoshida then singles, loading the bases. Although Loïc Billon grounds into a 5-4-3 double play, Gavin scores Fort Richmond’s second run on the play. Finally, after Oscar Agnolutto is intentionally walked, SP Liu singles in Wearne for the Generals’ third run. Wolseley 0 – Fort Richmond 3 Top of the 6th: Wolseley puts runners on the corners when Glen Traill leads off with a walk and Ramón Tavira singles. Although Carlton Hawking grounds into a 6-4-3 double play, Traill scores to get the Unions on the board. In the top of the 9th, SP Liu makes it a complete game, as George Kimpton and Éric Denis both ground out, while Make-make Kamaka flies out to leftfield to end the game. Fort Richmond draws first blood. FINAL: Wolseley 1 – Fort Richmond 3  Player of the Game: Joy-Shan Liu pitched a great game, going 9.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 1.00 ERA on 116 PI. For Wolseley: Ian Peter was great too, having only one tough inning and shaky defense behind him. He went 8.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 1.13 ERA on 119 PI. -------- Game 2 The beer vendors are declared co-victors for this game, as they do brisk business. The Unions and Generals convene under scorching weather: 84F, no clouds and just a slight breeze blowing in from right. 24,376 return to cheer on their Generals, after having witnessed Fort Richmond win their first playoff game the day before. No. 2 starter 23-year old RHP Shinzo Okamoto (15-16, 3.85 ERA, 1.29 WHIP) gets the call for Fort Richmond, while Wolseley’s ace 24-year old RHP Jeremy Albury (18-9, 3.99 ERA, 1.25 WHIP) takes the hill for the visitors. Bottom of the 3rd: Jake Stunt leads off with a first pitch bunt and beats out the throw to 1B. Brandon Robinson follows with a double, putting runners on the corners. Dylan Moyne then flies out to deep centerfield, scoring Stunt for the game’s first run. Wolseley 0 – Fort Richmond 1 Bottom of the 4th: Clive Lanham, who replaced an injured SS Nobuyoshi Yoshida in the 3rd inning, leads off with a single. Following him is Loïc Billon, who battles Albury to a full count before crushing a 2-run home run, 429 ft. to the raucous left-centerfield stands. Wolseley 0 – Fort Richmond 3 Top of the 8th: SP Okamoto keeps Wolseley off the board until the 8th. Carlton Hawking line drives a single into centerfield with one out. George Kimpton is next up, and he belts a 2-run home run, 415 ft. into the left-centerfield bleachers, getting the Unions to within one. Wolseley 2 – Fort Richmond 3 Top of the 9th: PH Rizalino Ringor reaches 1B safely on the first pitch thanks to a dropped throw (E3). PH Carlos Féliz follows up with a double. Ringor comes home to score unchallenged on the play, tying up the game and ending SP Okamoto’s day. Wolseley 3 – Fort Richmond 3 Bottom of the 9th: RHP Luke Woodward comes into the 9th in relief of SP Albury. Jake Stunt singles with one out, then advances to 2B when Brandon Robinson draws a full-count walk. Next up is Dylan Moyne, who smashes a line drive single into centerfield, scoring Stunt for the winning run. Fort Richmond takes game 2 in walk-off fashion. FINAL: Wolseley 3 – Fort Richmond 4  Player of the Game: Shinzo Okamoto went 8.1 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 1 HR, 2.16 ERA on 125 PI. Nobuyoshi Yoshida injured himself on a defensive play. He was diagnosed with chronic back soreness and will be out for 3 weeks. For Wolseley: Jeremy Albury just about as good as Yoshida, going 8.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 1 HR 3.38 ERA on 131 PI. George Kimpton went 2-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R in a losing effort. -------- Game 3 Satchel Paige Park plays host to Game 3 as it did last season. 30,745 fans pack the Stadium hoping their Unions can solve the Generals. Partly cloudy skies, 75F and just a slight breeze blowing in from left make it a perfect afternoon for baseball. Wolseley’s No. 2 starter, 28-year old RHP Kai Tosh (18-12, 3.60 ERA, 1.24 WHIP) gets the call, while Fort Richmond’s ace, 25-year old RHP Nicky Sherlock (14-10, 3.47 ERA, 1.33 WHIP) responds. Top of the 3rd: As he did in the 3rd inning of Game 2, Jake Stunt leads off with a first pitch bunt and beats out the throw to 1B. But Brandon Robinson grounds into a 6-4-3 double play. Dylan Moyne follows with a first-pitch double and scores when Ron Gavin doubles right after him. After Louis Wearne draws a walk, Loïc Billon singles home Gavin for Generals’ second run. Fort Richmond 2 – Wolseley 0 Top of the 5th: Ron Gavin leads off with a first-pitch single. Behind him is Louis Wearne, who takes SP Tosh yard for a full-count 2-run home run, 346 ft. to the leftfield bleachers, doubling the Generals’ lead. Fort Richmond 4 – Wolseley 0 Top of the 8th: Oscar Agnolutto leads off with a first-pitch single, then advances to 2B on a SP Sherlock bunt. After Jake Stunt strikes out, Brandon Robinson doubles home Agnolutto, ending SP Tosh’s day. Fort Richmond 5 – Wolseley 0 Bottom of the 8th: The Unions finally get something going when PH Rizalino Ringor doubles with one out, then advances to 3B on a Make-make Kamaka ground out. Ramón Tavira then singles home Ringor for Wolseley’s first run. After Carlton Hawking singles to put runners on the corners, George Kimpton reaches 1B safely on an error (E6, popup). That allows Tavira to score the second run for Wolseley. Fort Richmond 5 – Wolseley 2 Bottom of the 9th: Glen Traill draws a walk with one out. That ends SP Sherlock’s afternoon, as he is replaced by RP Ch’ang-chieh Li in a double switch. Vincent Colón then triples home Traill, getting Wolseley to within two. But Li gets PH Carlos Féliz and Make-make Kamaka to both ground out to end the threat and the game. Fort Richmond now takes a commanding 3 games-to-none lead in the series. FINAL: Fort Richmond 5 – Wolseley 3  Player of the Game: A pitcher takes the honor once again. Nicky Sherlock goes 8.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 2.16 ERA on 132 PI. Louis Wearne goes 2-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB. For Wolseley: Kai Tosh suffers the loss, going 7.2 IP, 13 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, 1 HR, 5.87 ERA on 116 PI. -------- Game 4 Facing elimination and a sweep at the hands of Fort Richmond, Wolseley looks to get on track. The weather is pleasant with partly cloudy skies, 73F. The wind has picked up a bit however, blowing out to right. 30,649 return to see if the Unions can halt the march of the Generals. No. 3 starter, 30-year RHP Hun Park (11-10, 3.71 ERA, 1.35 WHIP), is tasked by Wolseley to reverse their fortunes, while Fort Richmond responds with their No. 3 starter: 26-year old LHP Mo Goldstraw (16-12, 2.82 ERA, 1.36 WHIP). Bottom of the 1st: It is immediately apparent that SP Goldstraw will have trouble with his control, as he leads off the bottom half with three straight walks, issued to Glen Traill, Ramón Tavira and Carlton Hawking. George Kimpton hits into a fielder’s choice, scoring Traill. Although Goldstraw issues another walk to Éric Denis, he is able to get Make-make Kamaka and Steve Laurence to both fly out to end the inning and limit the damage. Fort Richmond 0 – Wolseley 1 Bottom of the 2nd: Vincent Colón leads off with a walk, then reaches 2B on a SP Park sac bunt. Glen Traill follows with a double, scoring Colón. SP Goldstraw then issues two more walks to Ramón Tavira and Carlton Hawking, loading the bases. George Kimpton then comes through with a double, scoring both Traill and Tavira, doubling the Unions’ lead. Fort Richmond 0 – Wolseley 4 Bottom of the 3rd: Steve Laurence leads off with a solo home run, 360 ft. to leftfield. A single by Vincent Colón, a walk by SP Park and double by Glen Traill scores Colón for Wolseley’s sixth run. Ramón Tavira then flies out to rightfield, scoring Park. After Carlton Hawking draws a four-pitch walk, George Kimpton scores Traill on a 6-4 fielder’s choice. Fort Richmond 0 – Wolseley 8 Top of the 4th: With two out, Fort Richmond gets on the board with two runs, thanks to back-to-back-to-back doubles. Fort Richmond 2 – Wolseley 8 Top of the 5th: Fort Richmond adds another run when Jake Stunt leads off with a double and beats out the throw to home plate on a Brandon Robinson single. Fort Richmond 3 – Wolseley 8 Bottom of the 5th: Carlton Hawking draws his fourth straight walk off of Goldstraw with one out. George Kimpton follows with a single, ending Goldstraw’s day. LHP Gavin Flatt comes in relief. But Éric Denis singles off of Flatt’s first offering, scoring Hawking. Fort Richmond 3 – Wolseley 9 Bottom of the 7th: Gavin Flatt loads the bases with a Ramón Tavira double and back-to-back walks issued to Carlton Hawking (his fifth) and George Kimpton with nobody out. Éric Denis then smacks a double, cashing in both Tavira and Hawking. After Steve Laurence draws a walk, Vincent Colón hits a sac fly to deep centerfield, scoring Kimpton for the Unions’ twelfth run. In the top of the 9th, LHP Gavin Hewat, who relieved SP Park in the 7th, gets Clive Lanham to ground out and Oscar Agnolutto to strike out looking. But PH Brian Earle reaches 1B on an error (E6), then moves up to 3B when Jake Stunt singles. However, the threat is extinguished when Hewat gets Brandon Robinson to fly out to leftfield. Wolseley staves off elimination in a big way, forcing a Game 5. FINAL: Fort Richmond 3 – Wolseley 12  Player of the Game: George Kimpton went 2-4, 1-2B, 4 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB. Glen Traill went 2-5, with 2-2B, 2 RBI, 3 R, 1 BB. Éric Denis went 2-4, 1-2B, 3 RBI, 1 BB. Carlton Hawking went 0-1, but tied the Western League playoff game record for BB with 5. He also had 2 R. Hun Park picked up the win, going 6.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 4.50 ERA on 98 pitches. For Fort Richmond: It was just a rough day for Mo Goldstraw in his first playoff appearance. He went 4.1 IP, 8 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 10 BB, 0 K, 1 HR, 18.69 ERA on 112 pitches. His game score was ‘1’ and he set a new Western League playoff game record for BB with 10. Fort Richmond coughed up 14 walks in total. -------- Game 5 Optimism returns to Satchel Paige Park as the Unions responded in a big way when faced with the prospect of bowing out in a 4-game sweep. 30,419 fans return to cheer on their club for a second consecutive win. The heat is on (79F) both clubs, with partly cloudy skies and a gentle breeze blowing left to right. The pitchers of Game 1 face each other for Game 5: RHP Ian Peter for Wolseley and LHP Joy-shan Liu for Fort Richmond. Liu won their first meeting. Bottom of the 1st: Glen Traill leads off with a solo home run, 344 ft. to the leftfield bleachers. Ramón Tavira and Carlton Hawking then smack out back-to-back singles, putting runners on the corners. With one out, Éric Denis draws a full-count walk, loading the bases. Make-make Kamaka then hits into a 4-6 fielder’s choice, allowing Tavira to score Wolseley’s second run. Fort Richmond 0 – Wolseley 2 Bottom of the 3rd: George Kimpton and Éric Denis lead off with back-to-back singles. With one out, Steve Laurence and Vincent Colón draw back-to-back walks, scoring Kimpton. But SP Peter hits into a 5-2-3 double play to end the inning. Fort Richmond 0 – Wolseley 3 Top of the 4th: With one out, Brandon Robinson doubles on the first pitch he sees, then advances to 3B on Dylan Moyne’s single. Next up is Ron Gavin, who takes Peter’s 0-1 pitch and launches it 356 ft. into the leftfield bleachers for a 3-run home run, quickly tying up the game. Fort Richmond 3 – Wolseley 3 Top of the 7th: Clive Lanham singles with two out. PH Brian Earle reaches 1B safely on an error (E6), putting runners on the corners. Fort Richmond surges ahead when PH Miguel Sánchez slashes a line-drive single to rightfield, scoring both Lanham and Earle. That ends SP Peter’s day. RP Luke Woodward takes over and quickly ends the inning on a Jake Stunt 5-3 groundout. Fort Richmond 5 – Wolseley 3 Bottom of the 8th: RP Jorge Martínez, who took over from SP Liu in the 7th, gives up a Vincent Colón lead-off double. Next up is PH Rizalino Ringor, who battles Martínez to a full count. On the eighth pitch, Ringor connects on a 2-run home run, 362 ft. into the delirious rightfield bleachers, knotting the game up at 5-apiece. No one is able to score in the 9th, so the game heads into extra innings. Fort Richmond 5 – Wolseley 5 In the bottom of the 10th, Glen Traill and Ramón Tavira crank out back-to-back singles, putting the winning run on 3B with two out. But Carlton Hawking flies out to left-centerfield, ending the threat. Top of the 11th: With RP Gavin Hewat taking over from RP Stewart Colcott to start the inning, Louis Wearne connects on a 1-1 pitch for a one-out solo home run that barely clears the outfield wall, 339 ft. to leftfield. After taking over to start the 10th inning, RP Ch’ang-chieh Li looks to close things out in the 11th. George Kimpton leads things off with a 4-pitch walk. But defensive replacement C Xanthus Veniselos pops-out to SS Clive Lanham. Make-make Kamaka then flies out on a line drive straight to 3B Loïc Billon. Lastly, Steve Lawrence battles Li to a full-count, but hits into a 6-3 groundout to end the game and the series. The Fort Richmond Generals prevail to win their first Western League Pennant! FINAL: Fort Richmond 6 – Wolseley 5   Player of the Game: Ron Gavin goes 2-5, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 R. Joy-shan Liu’s line was 6.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 7 BB, 2 K, 1 HR, 2.40 ERA, 124 PI. Ch’ang-chieh Li picked up his second win of the series (and MVP honours), going 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 0.00 ERA, 31 PI. For Wolseley: Glen Traill went 3-5, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB. Rizalino Ringor went 1-1, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R. Ian Peter went toe-to-toe with Liu, but again came up short. He went 6.2 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 1 HR, 2.45 ERA, 85 PI. Gavin Hewat took the tough loss, going 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 1 HR, 2.08 ERA, 7 PI. -------- 
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United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 12-13-2017 at 11:52 AM. |
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12-13-2017, 11:01 AM
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#395 |
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Major Leagues
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Chicago
Posts: 364
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Awesome! Two teams with little playoff history are going face to face for the title. I always like these scenarios where you know you are going to get a new champion.
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12-15-2017, 06:53 PM
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#396 |
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,929
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 April 9, 1948 Braeland City Monarchs (96-58) vs. Fort Richmond Generals (88-68) Season Matchup: 4-2 in favor of Fort Richmond Braeland City: Runs scored – 705 (5th in EL); runs allowed – 636 (2nd in EL) Fort Richmond: Runs scored – 678 (7th in WL); runs allowed – 599 (1st in WL) For the second season in a row, two teams who have never won the United Cup meet to battle for the United Leagues’ greatest prize. The Braeland City Monarchs make their second appearance in the Final, their first since 1939-40, when they fell to the Cambria Cannons in 7 games. The Monarchs nearly squandered a 3 games-to-1 lead in the Eastern Pennant Series, finally prevailing over the Stratford Barons in the 12th inning of Game 7. The Fort Richmond Generals are making their first appearance in the United Cup Final in their very first playoff appearance. The Generals dispatched the Wolseley Unions, the defending Western League Pennant Champions, in just 5 games. Thus they will be much more rested than the Monarchs. But both clubs are dealing with injuries that will impact their roster heading into the finals. Fort Richmond will be without SS Nobuyoshi Yoshida (.276/.332/.435, 7 HR, 42 RBI, 25 BB, 1.9 WAR). The 23-year old rookie injured himself in the field in Game 2 of the Western League Pennant. He was diagnosed with chronic back soreness. 25-year old SS Clive Lanham (.268/.336/.364, 4 HR, 28 RBI, 23 BB, 0.9 WAR) took his place and will continue to do so. Incidentally, both Yoshida and Lanham were 8th overall picks for Fort Richmond: Lanham in 1943-44 and Yoshida in 1946-47. Meanwhile, Braeland City will be without rookie RP Freddie Trerise (2-3, 5.70 ERA, 1.69 WHIP). The 22-year old Trerise tore a rotator cuff in the Game 2 of the Eastern League Pennant, the same day as Fort Richmond’s Yoshida. However, the Monarchs welcome back 27-year old SP Nicholas Grimes (5-6, 2.92 ERA, 1.31 WHIP), who suffered a torn shoulder muscle in December. He is on their playoff roster and is thus eligible to pitch in the United Cup. Regardless of how the Series plays out, the very appearance of the Generals in the Finals is validation of sorts for their 52-year old manager, Eugene Rogge. Rogge has been Fort Richmond’s only manager, and he has overseen a lot of losing during that time. Meanwhile, Braeland City’s field manager, 50-year old Toby Reakes, is also making his first playoff appearance. He is in his fourth season as a manager. So either way, a new team is soon to be crowned United Cup Champions – again! -------- Game 1 Pomp and ceremony are the order of the day, as Braeland City’s Kings Park hosts Game 1 of the United Cup. Skies are clear, the weather is mild and a gentle breeze is blowing out to center. 26,813 are on hand to witness the action. The two teams go with their aces: 38-year old LHP David Cooling (0-2, 3.68 ERA) gets the start for the Monarchs, while Fort Richmond responds with 25-year old RHP Nicky Sherlock (1-0, 2.16 ERA). Top of the 4th: Home runs are the order of the day for this game. Both Cooling and Sherlock go toe-to-toe until the 4th inning, when RF Brandon Robinson connects on a 1-0 pitch from Cooling for a one-out solo home run, 432 ft. to dead centerfield. Fort Richmond 1 – Braeland City 0 Top of the 5th: The Generals double their lead, when C Louis Wearne leads off with a solo home run, 396 ft. to left centerfield. Fort Richmond 2 – Braeland City 0 Bottom of the 5th: Braeland City finally gets to Sherlock, when SS Simon Flatt cranks out a one-out solo home run, 430 ft. to centerfield. In the bottom the 9th, RP Ch’ang-chieh Li looks to get the final three outs. PH Dean Witherden leads off with a single. But he is thrown out at 2B when CF Jason Pollock unsuccessfully tries to bunt him over. After PH Jorge Valentín strikes out on a full count, Simon Flatt pops-up to the second baseman, ending the game. Fort Richmond takes Game 1. FINAL: Fort Richmond 2 – Braeland City 1  Player of the Game: Nicky Sherlock picks up his second win of the playoffs, going 7.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 1 HR, 128 PI (2-0, 1.62 ERA). Brandon Robinson goes 2-3, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB. Louis Wearne goes 1-4, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 R. For Braeland City: Once again, David Cooling finishes with a better game score (66 to 64), but gets stuck with a tough loss. He went 9.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 2 HR, 108 PI, (0-3, 3.04 ERA). -------- Game 2 Braeland City looks to at least get a series split before heading to Fort Richmond. The weather continues to be a non-factor: clear and warm with a slight breeze blowing in from right. 26,899 pack to stadium to support the home team. LHP Nicholas Grimes gets his first start since December 11, 1947. Fort Richmond counters with their No. 2 starter, 23-year old RHP Shinzo Okamoto (0-0, 2.16 ERA). Bottom of the 2nd: The Monarchs get things going in the 2nd. Three consecutive singles by 1B Kyle Pryor, C Christopher Dainty and 2B Dennis Borton load the bases with nobody out. RF Jesús Ortega then grounds out, scoring Pryor. With two out, the Monarchs pummel Okamoto some more with four straight singles, this time by SP Grimes, SS Simon Flatt, 3B Adam Ashley and LF Daniel Tantoco. That scores 4 more runs. The Monarchs bat around the lineup (if you’re a member of ‘Team 10’) when Kyle Pryor and Christopher draw back-to-back walks. That scores another run, before Dennis Borton pops up to the second basemen to end the inning. Fort Richmond 0 – Braeland City 6 SP Grimes is unable to finish the 4th inning, when he injures his shoulder while pitching. RHP Harrison Revell comes in to relive him. [Note: When I played out this game, I swear that Grimes finished the inning before being replaced in the 5th by Revell. The game log agrees with me. Nevertheless, the box score only shows Grimes going 3.2 IP.] Bottom of the 6th: Jesús Ortega leads off with a single, ending SP Okamoto’s afternoon. With RHP John Bullivant getting the call from the bullpen, Jason Pollack singles and Simon Flatt draws a walk to load the bases with one out. Adam Ashley then comes through with a 2-run single, upping the Monarchs’ lead. Fort Richmond 0 – Braeland City 8 Top of the 7th: SS Clive Lanham smashes a two-out solo home run, 409 ft. to left-centerfield, getting the Generals on the board. Fort Richmond 1 – Braeland City 8 Top of the 9th: 3B Loïc Billon leads off with a solo home run, 380 ft. to leftfield. But RP Revell gets Clive Lanham and 2B Oscar Agnolutto to fly out to centerfield and rightfield respectively. Lastly, Revell induces a 6-3 ground out from PH Brian Earle to end the game. Braeland City evens up the series before heading out to Fort Richmond. FINAL: Fort Richmond 2 – Braeland City 8  Player of the Game: Harrison Revell gets the honor, after coming in to replace an injured Nicholas Grimes. Revell went 5.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 2 HR, 63 PI (2-0, 4.05 ERA). Adam Ashley went 2-5 with 3 RBI, 1 R. Nicholas Grimes suffers yet another injury. He suffered a sore shoulder while throwing and is DtD for 3 weeks. For Fort Richmond: Shinzo Okamoto lasts just 5.0 IP, with 8 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 88 IP (0-1, 6.07 ERA) Loïc Billon went 2-4, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 R. Brandon Robinson went 3-4. This is interesting: In the first two games, Fort Richmond has scored 4 runs – all of them on solo home runs. -------- Game 3 The United Cup makes its first ever appearance in Fort Richmond, with the two teams knotted up at one apiece. 24,486 arrive to cheer on their team. Skies are partly cloudy with just a pleasant breeze blowing from right to left. 26-year old LHP Mo Goldstraw (0-1, 18.69 ERA), who got roughed up in his lone outing against Wolseley, gets the start for Fort Richmond. Meanwhile, 36-year old LHP Max MacColl (0-1, 6.75 EA) is tabbed by Braeland City. Bottom of the 1st: Fort Richmond wastes no time. LF Jake Stunt leads things off with a double, then advances to 3B when RF Brandon Robinson follows with a line drive single. With one out, Stunt crosses the plate on a wild pitch. 1B Clint Jones then slices a line drive single into shallow left to score Robinson. Braeland City 0 – Fort Richmond 2 Bottom of the 2nd: 3B Loïc Billon and SS Clive Lanham lead off with back-to-back first-pitch singles. With one out, SP Goldstraw advances the runners on a sac bunt. Jake Stunt then cashes in both runners with a first-pitch single to left-centerfield. Braeland City 0 – Fort Richmond 4 Bottom of the 7th: Jake Stunt draws a 4-pitch walk to start the inning. A sac bunt and ground out moves him to 3B. After Clint Jones is intentionally walked, C Louis Wearne singles in Stunt for the Generals’ fifth run, ending SP MacColl’s day. Braeland City 0 – Fort Richmond 5 Top of the 9th: C Christopher Dainty and RF Jesús Ortega lead off with a walk and a single respectively, then advance when 3B Adam Ashley grounds out to 1B. 2B Dennis Borton breaks the goose egg with a deep fly ball to centerfield, scoring Dainty. But after LF Daniel Tontoco draws a walk, CF Jason Pollock hits into a 5-3 ground out to end the game. FINAL: Braeland City 1 – Fort Richmond 5  Player of the Game: Mo Goldstraw settles down and pitches a great game, going 9.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 3 K, 122 PI (1-1, 6.75 ERA). Jake Stunt goes 3-4, 1-2B, 2 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB. Clint Jones went 1-2, 1 RBI, 2 BB. For Braeland City: Max MacColl suffers his second loss: 6.2 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 1 K, 97 PI (0-2, 6.75 ERA). -------- Game 4 The streak of beautiful weather ended today. While the temperature is very mild (76F), it has been raining off and on throughout the day. The wind has picked up a little as well, blowing in from right. Nevertheless, 24,279 fans converge on Generals Stadium to see if Fort Richmond can carry the momentum. 28-year old LHP Joy-shan Liu (1-0, 2.40 ERA) is handed the game ball for Fort Richmond, while 27-year old RHP Robin Medellin (1-0, 4.40 ERA) takes the hill for Braeland City. Top of the 4th: 3B Adam Ashley leads off with a 4-pitch walk. With two out, CF Jason Pollack doubles home Ashley for the game’s first run. Braeland City 1 – Fort Richmond 0 Bottom of the 4th: The Generals load the bases with a LF Jake Stunt double, a RF Brandon Robinson walk and a CF Dylan Moyne single with nobody out. 1B Ron Gavin hits a ground ball to 2B, but the Monarchs’ Dennis Borton cuts down Stunt at home plate. C Louis Wearne then draws a 4-pitch walk off SP Medellin to force in Robinson and tie the game. 3B Loïc Billon then breaks it open with a 3-run double. After SS Clive Lanham draws an intentional walk, 2B Oscar Agnolutto singles to load the bases once again. SP Lui then comes through with a bloop single into shallow centerfield, scoring both Billon and Lanham. Braeland City 1 – Fort Richmond 6 Top of the 5th: SS Simon Flatt leads off with a double and scores when 1B Dean Weatherden follows him with a single. With one out, the game is delayed for 55 minutes as the rain intensifies. Braeland City 2 – Fort Richmond 6 Bottom of the 5th: Ron Gavin cranks out a one-out solo home run, 421 ft. to right-centerfield, ending SP Medellin’s soggy afternoon. Braeland City 2 – Fort Richmond 7 Top of the 6th: LF Daniel Tantaco gets that run back with a lead-off solo home run, 364 ft. to rightfield. Braeland City 3 – Fort Richmond 7 Bottom of the 6th: Some miscues lead to the Generals’ next run. With RHP Danilo Narvaez pitching in relief, Brandon Robinson draws a one-out walk. Robinson steals 2B, but a throwing error on the play allows him to take 3B. With two out and runners on 1B and 3B, C Louis Wearne hits a groundball to shortstop, but SS Flatt misplays the ball, allowing Robinson to score. Braeland City 3 – Fort Richmond 8 Top of the 7th: C Christopher Dainty takes RP John Bullivant yard on a lead-off solo home run, 356 ft. to leftfield. Braeland City 4 – Fort Richmond 8 Top of the 9th: Christopher Dainty leads off with a walk. Adam Ashley and Dennis Borton then hit back-to-back singles with one out to load the bases. Daniel Tantaco follows with a line drive sac fly to left-centerfield, scoring Dainty. But Bullivant gets Jason Pollock to ground out to 3B, ending the threat and the game. The Generals now take a commanding 3-games-to-1 lead in the series. FINAL: Braeland City 5 – Fort Richmond 8  Player of the Game: Despite the loss, Braeland City’s Christopher Dainty got game honors, going 3-4, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB. Robin Medellin took the loss, going just 4.1 IP, 6 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, 72 IP (1-1, 6.75 ERA). For Fort Richmond: Loïc Billon went 2-5, 1-2B, 3 RBI, 1 R. Brandon Robinson went 1-3, 2 R, 2 BB. Joy-shan Liu picked up his second win in the playoffs. He went 5.2 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 0 K, 95 PI (2-0, 3.05 ERA). -------- Game 5 The dreary weather of the day before has finally moved on and clear, warm skies have returned. The temperature has shot up (78F) with just a soft breeze blowing in from right to left. With Fort Richmond aiming to win the United Cup at home, 24,394 have jammed themselves into tiny Generals Stadium to hopefully join in the keenly anticipated celebrations. The pitching matchup is the same as Game 1, with RHP Nicky Sherlock (2-0, 1.69ERA) looking to lead the Generals to victory, while LHP David Cooling (0-3, 3.04 ERA) looks for his first win of the playoffs and send the Series back to Braeland City. Top of the 1st: On the very first pitch of the game, SP Sherlock hits SS Simon Flatt. Flat then advances to 2B on an Adam Ashley U3 groundout. With one out, 1B Kyle Pryor reaches safely on an error (E4), allowing Flatt to score. Braeland City 1 – Fort Richmond 0 Bottom of the 1st: After LF Jake Stunt strikes out to start the inning, Brandon Robinson reaches base safely on an error (E1). Next up is CF Dylan Moyne, who slams SP Cooling’s first offering 358 ft. into the rightfield bleachers for a 2-run home run. Braeland City 1 – Fort Richmond 2 Bottom of the 5th: Nicky Sherlock leads off with a first-pitch single. Jake Stunt then moves him to 2B on a sac bunt. After Brandon Robinson is intentionally walked, Dylan Moyne singles home Sherlock, who beats out the throw to home plate. In the top of the 9th, SP Sherlock looks to go the distance. PH Dean Witherden flies out to centerfield. Simon Flatt flies out to leftfield. Finally, Adam Ashley flies out to rightfield on a 3-0 pitch to end the game and series. The Fort Richmond Generals win their first United Cup and become just the third Western League team (after Kingston and Cambria) to win it all. FINAL: Braeland City 1 – Fort Richmond 3  Player of the Game: Nicky Sherlock was magnificent, going 9.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 6 BB, 3 K, 130 PI (3-0, 1.08 ERA). He also earned United Cup MVP honours. Dylan Moyne goes 2-4 with 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 R. For Braeland City: David Cooling did all he could to keep Braeland City in the game, but it was not to be. He went 8.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 1 HR, 100 PI (0-4, 2.84 ERA). Simon Flatt went 1-3, 1-2B, 1 R, 1 BB. -------- 
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United Leagues of Braeland |
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12-16-2017, 02:00 AM
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#397 |
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,929
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United Leagues of Braeland |
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12-16-2017, 06:10 PM
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#398 |
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Major Leagues
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Chicago
Posts: 364
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Wow, a bit anti-climatic of a series but the Generals seem to have caught fire at the right time and finished strong! I don't know about their chances of repeating though. Sherlock had himself a heck of a series and year.
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12-17-2017, 02:09 AM
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#399 | |
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
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12-27-2017, 07:16 AM
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#400 | |
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,929
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