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Wednesday, September 28, 2065

Yesterday in the IPA

The Islandian Times
Thursday, October 15, 2009

2009 Islandian Pro Alliance Pro Cup Finals - Game 7

Comeback Kids Win, Turon Tops FM 5-4 In Game 7
The Comeback Kids did it!... They have won the 2009 IPA Pro Cup!... The Turon Typhoons came back and took four games in a row from the Far Mountain Redhawks... This is the third Pro Cup for Whitey Richburn and his never-say-die crew... They also won in 2003 and 2006... The Typhoons took the crown with a heart-pounding 5-4 win over a very tough team... In a stout-hearted performance 36-year-old Anthony Nardone (4-1 2.20) went the route, scattered eight hits, walked only one and put a stop to a ninth-inning rally.

Turon scored first with a run in the opening frame against Robby Kelly... CF Mac McCurnan's (.256) sacrifice fly scored 2B Alan Hansen (.243) from third... C Fats Dalton's (.271) double and SS Spook Estes' (.214) single increased the lead to 2-0 in the second... Redhawk CF Shotgun Boggs (.296) cut it to 2-1 with a solo homer in the third... Estes' base hit drove in another run in the top of the fourth, giving the Typhoons a 3-1 edge... in the top of the fifth 3B John Cottrell's (.358) roundtripper and LF Jimmy Tremayne's (.235) sac fly increased Turon's lead to 5-1... RF Hank Burleigh got Far Mountain back within three with an RBI single in the last of the fifth... the score remained 5-2 until the bottom of the ninth when the Redhawks came close to tying the score with two last-ditch runs... 3B Gabie Barksdale (.500) doubled in one run and then scored on an error, cutting it to 5-4 with the tying run on second... Nardone reached down and got Burleigh on a grounder to short to bring the title home to Turon.

The Typhoons outhit Far Mountain 10-6, led by Estes with three hits and two RBIs... Cottrell and RF Andy Porter (.283) also chipped in with a pair of hits each... Barksdale and Burleigh topped the Redhawks with two hits apiece... Kelly (4-2 2.85) departed after five innings with the loss... He was tagged for five runs and six hits in a poor outing... Kelly also walked five batters.

Holding the Pro Cup above his head, Turon Manager Whitey Richburn described his feelings to reporters after the game, "This is the goal. This is the pinnacle of success. This is why we play the game."

The Typhoons have now won three IPA championships, two more than any other teams. During the season the new champs compiled a 91-63 record in the Tycobbian Union South and finished in first place in the standings.

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Wednesday, September 28, 2065

Yesterday in the IPA

The Islandian Times
Saturday, October 17, 2009

Turon's Lemaire Named Pro Cup MVP
The Turon Typhoons had many heroes this year on the way to their third IPA Pro Cup crown. Picking a Pro Cup Most Valuable Player was not an easy task. There was no clear-cut winner. Jacques Lemaire, a left-handed pitcher, prevailed in a close vote over third baseman John Cottrell. Lemaire stood out on the mound and chalked up a 4-0 record with a 2.87 ERA, while Cottrell batted .358 with one homer, 11 RBIs and 11 runs scored.

The 31-year-old Lemaire received 37 votes in the BNN poll to 33 for Cottrell. Others receiving votes in the balloting were pitcher Anthony Nardone with 15, center fielder Mac McCurnan 12, first baseman Johnny Carducci 10 and right fielder Andy Porter 8.

Nardone carded a 4-1 mark with a 2.20 ERA. McCurnan drove in 15 runs, scored 9, homered once and batted .256. Carducci belted 4 roundtrippers, has 13 RBIs and scored 12 runs, while Porter hit .283 with 3 home runs, 8 RBIs and 13 runs scored.

Previous Pro Cup MVPs were Volusia 2B Francisco Abreu (2001), High Mesa SS Rolf Kellgren (2002), Turon SP James Longstreet (2003), Red Bluff SP Mila Mohoski (2004), Middlefield RF Bailey Norcross (2005), Turon SP Freddi Spiegel (2006), Oxford SP Bomber Belinsky (2007) and Wynnamac SP Skeets Hobart (2008).

Will get busy recapping the 2065 season and previewing the Pro Cup playoffs.

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Tuesday, September 29, 2065

IPA PICKS DIDN'T CLICK IN '65 SEASON
Only three of the vaunted eight preseason picks lived up to expectations and aspirations in the Islandian Pro Alliance baseball season in 2065... the baseball gurus are shaking their fists, banging and hanging their heads in shame... only preseason powers LaGrange in the Ruthlandian North and Rolling Hills in the Tycobbian West and Tuckanarra in the Tycobbian East managed to prevail in their divisions... five other preseason favorites lost their early season glow and failed to rise and shine by season's end... Waleska lost the Ruthlandian South to Claxton, last year's Pro Cup champion... Cold Creek was beaten handily by the Wynnamac Sundowners in the Ruthlandian East race... and Colfax surprised the Stoner Stars and everybody else in the Ruthlandian West chase... it went fairly much the same way in the Tycobbian Union... unsung Hartsdale topped highly-regarded Oxford in the Tycobbian North in a tight and tense struggle... and regular contender Southport toppled favored San Alejo in the Tycobbian South hunt.

2065 Ruthlandian Union Final Standings
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2065 Tycobbian Union Final Standings
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Around the Ruthlandian North Division in '65

Attachment 718411

1st Place: LaGrange Gators (95-59)
Last Pennant: 2063
Pro Cup: None

The Gators are back in business after a year's relapse... they won the pennant in '63 and played well in the playoffs, but dropped to 4th place last year... LaGrange and Claxton Diamonds will meet in the first round of the playoffs... the winner will be a serious challenger for the IPA overall title this year... both have outstanding pitching and just enough offense to get by... that's the formula for success in the postseason in the IPA in recent years... the Diamonds are the defending Pro Cup champ and have a shot to repeat... LaGrange took charge of the RU North at midyear and tore it up in the second half, winning by double digits, 11 games better than its closest contender.

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2nd Place: Glasco Foxhounds (84-70) (11 GB)
Last Pennant: 2045
Pro Cups: None

An up-and-coming club... 7th in '62... came real close to taking the RU North flag in '63, missing out by just one game to Valmara... this year the Hounds had a steady and consistent season, just couldn't keep pace with LaGrange, a really fine club.
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3rd Place: Ranford Bulls (82-72) (13 GB)
Last Pennant: 2060
Pro Cup: 2040
The Bulls made a major jump from 8th and 7th places in '62 and '63 to 3rd in '64... wasn't ranked high in the preseason polls, forecast to finish 7th... did much better... but Ranford didn't play well in May and June this season... otherwise would have been right up there with LaGrange.

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4th Place: Valmara Vipers (80-74) (15 GB)
Last Pennant: 2064
Pro Cups: 4 (2026, 2043, 2049, 2050)

The Vipers are just a run-of-mill team... no great shakes at the plate or on the hill... played steady .500 baseball this year... Valmara doesn't have the offense they used to have in the last decade... pitching is less than adequate, too.

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5th Place: Far Mountain Redhawks (78-76) (17 GB)
Last Pennant: 2062
Pro Cups: 3 (2011, 2012, 2013)

The Redhawks have a solid core of hitters throughout the batting order... they just don't have the pitching to go with it... Far Mountain won the RU North title in '62 with good pitching, then slip back to the 5th spot in the standings the last three seasons.

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6th Place: Ancona Red Elephants (74-80) (21 GB)
Last Pennant: 2022
Pro Cups: None

The Red Elephants have been a mediocre club for the last five seasons... '58 and '59 were the last winning years... second-rate offense, mound staff and defense.

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7th Place: Kilkenny Cats (66-88) (29 GB)
Last Pennant: 2042
Pro Cups: None

Poor Cats, only made the postseason one time in its pathetic history... two 4th-place finishes in the last 15 seasons ('52 and '63)... the future does not bode well for Kilkenny.

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8th Place: Taranto Tars (57-97) (38 GB)
Last Pennant: 2056
Pro Cups: 1 (2015)

This year the Tars had the worst season in its history with 97 losses... 92 was their previous worst season in '34... Taranto ranks near the bottom in most statistical categories... 'nuff said.

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Around the Ruthlandian South Division in '65

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1st Place: Claxton Diamonds (94-60)
Last Pennant: 2064
Pro Cups: 1 (2064)
The success of the Diamonds is keyed to its fine pitching... excellent starters and a strong bullpen, coupled with better-than-average scoring, fair firepower and standout defense... Claxton will be severely tested in the first round of the postseason when they clash with the powerful LaGrange Gators, the winner of the RU North... both clubs are primed for a run at the 2065 Pro Cup trophy.

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2nd Place: Crystal Lake Skippers (87-67) 97 GB)
Last Pennant: 2059
Pro Cups: 3 (2022, 2028, 2058)

Crystal Lake has been on the rise for several seasons... 7th in '62... 5th in '63... and 3rd last year... the Skippers have a potent attack and can hit with anybody, but they lack pitching, especially starters... they hung in tightly with the Claxton Diamonds as late as July 1st, then struggled through August... Crystal Lake surged in September, but by then it was too late... the future is looking brighter for the Skippers.

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3rd Place: Waleska Westerners (86-68) (8 GB)
Last Pennant: 2056
Pro Cups: 3 (2028, 2037, 2039)

The Westerners were a middle-of-the pack team in '62 and '63 coming in fourth both seasons... in '64 they stepped it up a bit, but still came in fourth... this year it all came together... good offense, good pitching and strong defense combined for a fine season... but the Cowpokes had a swoon in June... otherwise they would have been right up there with Claxton.

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4th Place: St. John Crusaders (77-77) (17 GB)
Last Pennant: 2062
Pro Cups: None

For almost the last decade the Crusaders have been a strong contender in the Ruthlandian South, winning it 4 times in 8 seasons... doing it mainly with solid hitting and pitching... but hard times have set in and they have slipped in the standings... 6th and under .500 in '64... and a lackluster break-even season this year... pitching and hitting is off... and the Crusaders play poor defense... St. John is just an average ballclub.

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5th Place: Grand City Cybercats (74-80) (20 GB)
Last Pennant: 2055
Pro Cups: None

The Cybercats have not been a very successful franchise in the IPA... with one of the worst won-lost percentages... only 4 postseason appearances and no Pro Cup trophies in their history... pretty much a second-rate team for the last decade... winding up 3rd in '62, 6th in '63, 5th in '64 and 5th this year... just one winning season in the last four... Grand City can score runs, hit with power, has pretty good pitching and lousy defense... the Cybercats need a lot of improvement in order to contest for the RU South pennant.

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6th Place: San Dimas Rancheros (69-85) (25 GB)
Last Pennant: 2041
Pro Cups: None

The Rancheros are not a very good IPA franchise... 4 postseason appearances and no Pro Cups... poor winning percentage historically... only one winning season in the last 15 years... don't hit or score well... but has fairly good pitching and very good defense... San Dimas needs to much improve its offense to become a contender in the RU South... looks like it may take a while.

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7th Place: Valka Blackhawks (67-87) (27 GB)
Last Pennant: 2054
Pro Cups: None

The Blackhawks don't have a very good history in the IPA with no Pro Cups and just 5 playoff appearances... Valka has lost a lot more games than they have won... but the Blackhawks have been flying fairly high in recent years... winding up 2nd in '62, 3rd in '63 and again 2nd in '64... but they tanked it this year, near the bottom in 7th place... pitching totally failed them and the offense was almost nil... the outlook is not very optimistic for Valka... lots and lots of rebuilding to do.

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8th Place: Belair Beach Sunbirds (62-92) (32 GB)
Last Pennant: 2047
Pro Cups: None

It's been 17 years since the Sunbirds had a winning season... '48 was the last time... only appeared in the postseason playoffs on 8 occasions... never won a Pro Cup trophy... have a losing record overall in the IPA... Belair Beach has been mired near the bottom of the RU South for the last three seasons... in the cellar the last two... the Sunbirds hit for average pretty well with no home-run power, therefore they don't put a lot of runs on the scoreboard... plus pitching is pathetic and pitiful... it's gonna take a long, long time for Belair Beach to right the ship... it's stuck in sinking sand right now.

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Around the Ruthlandian East Division

2065 Ruthlandian East Final Standings
Attachment 719167

1st Place: Wynnamac Sundowners (94-60)
Last Pennant: 2064
Pro Cups: 2 (2008, 2055)

Easy season for the Macs this year in the Ruthlandian East... they led from the git-go in April, jumped way ahead by 10-11 games in June and July, but cooled down in August and September and won by 7 games over Sugar Valley... Marston came in third, trailing by 11 and Cold Creek finished in the fourth spot, 12 games off the pace.

The Sundowners won the RU East for the second straight season and 6th time in the last 8 years... Wynnamac is a solid, good all-around club... they can hit, score runs, go deep, have fine starting rotation, good bullpen and they play excellent defense... no wonder they do well year-after-year in the regular season... the Sundowners will have a tough time in the postseason playoffs... they depend on 2-3 stars in the batting order... they don't seem to have enough solid bats to get by pitching powers like Claxton and LaGrange... Wynnamac will have to play one of them for the Ruthlandian Union title... their first round opponent is the offensive-minded Colfax Black Sox... the Macs might get past Colfax in the first round, but don't seem to have the talent to go deeper in the playoffs.
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2nd Place: Sugar Valley Rattlers (87-67) (7 GB)
Last Pennant: 2051
Pro Cups: 1 (2045)

The Rattlers are one of the better franchises in IPA history with 18 postseason appearances and one of the best won-loss percentage (.536)... they ran good races the last two seasons and are on the upgrade... Sugar Valley has a good staff, but can't match Wynnamac at the plate... that's the difference... the Rattlers didn't get it going until July... April, May and June they were just a .500 team and 12 games behind Wynnamac... then they took off and had a strong second half, but they were too far behind the Macs to catch them and fell 7 game short.

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3rd Place: Marston Nine (83-71) (11 GB)
Last Pennant: 2059
Pro Cups: None

The Marston Nine topped the Ruthlandian Union with a robust .292 batting average, but they had no home-run power... only 73 roundtrippers this year... but the pitching was solid... however, the Nine don't play good defense... consequently, they did not play well the first couple of months and had a losing record, then Marston kicked it in gear and played well the rest of the way, but like Sugar Valley, they had too much ground to make up to get back inTO serious pennant contention... a couple of heavy-hitting sluggers could make serious contenders out of the Marston Nine... overall in its history Marston has been a decent ballclub, but they have never won a Pro Cup or even gone deep into the playoffs.

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4th Place: Cold Creek Raccoons (82-72) (12 GB)
Last Pennant: 2041
Pro Cups: None

Cold Creek has just been an average franchise down through the years in the IPA... only 8 appearances in the playoffs with no Pro Cups... it's been a 25-year drought as far as winning the RU East... 2041 was the last year... the Raccoons have done fairly well the last four years, but have been stuck in fourth place... there are no great sticks in the batting order... not a lot of power... just average on the hill and defense... Cold Creek began to click in August, going 31-20 the final two months of the season... the Raccoons are looking for a serious run at the pennant in 2066.

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5th Place: Elnora Clippers (77-77) (17 GB)
Last Pennant: 2063
Pro Cups: 1 (2033)

Elnora has a fairly good IPA history with 12 postseason appearances and one Pro Cup... they have played well in recent seasons... however, this was a disappointing year for Clippers... they won the RU East in '62 and '63 and played well in the playoffs both years... they went into a slight decline in '64 and fell to third place, but they were still a pennant contender, 8 GB... not so this year... lousy pitching was the culprit... the Clippers can still hit and put runs on the scoreboard with good power, but they finished the year just a .500 club... for Elnora to get back into pennant contention, they have to get much better pitching.

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6th Place: Eastshore Cotton Kings (76-78) (18 GB)
Last Pennant: 2056
Pro Cups: 2 (2016, 2017)

Overall Elnora has not been a successful IPA franchise... only made 8 postseason appearances, but they have won 2 Pro Cups... did it years ago in back-to-back seasons... the Cotton Kings have not been in high cotton since... '61 was the last good season (3rd place)... they had a terrible year in '62 (8th place), but have somewhat rebounded and turned it around... this year Eastshore almost had a winning season... they can make contact and score fairly well in spite of the lack of firepower... only 96 homers... however, the pitching is pretty bad... especially the starters... defense is also mediocre at best... the Cotton Kings began the season well... heading into June they were 33-19 and just a couple of games behind leading Wynnamac (36-17)... but they went into a tailspin and dropped completely out of the pennant chase... the Cotton Kings posted losing marks in the next three months and fell to the wayside... improved pitching could get Eastshore back in contention.

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7th Place: Belle Plaine Musketeers (61-93) (33 GB)
Last Pennant: 2009
Pro Cups: None

You might say the Musketeers are just about the absolute worst franchise in the IPA... they ranked 59th in won-lost percentage at .470 (4637-5219)... only one time have the Muskies managed to make the playoffs... about a century ago in 2009... no Pro Cups... and no winning record since 2055... no better than 6th in the last decade... wound up 7th for the last three seasons... Belle Plaine can make contact (.271 BA), but doesn't score much... lack of longball power... only 93 home runs... couple that with second-rate pitching and just average defense and you wind up near the bottom of the division... sho 'nuff 7th place again.

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8th Place: Beechwood Jackrabbits (56-98) (38 GB)
Last Pennant: 2027
Pro Cups: None

Beechwood is another awful franchise... no Pro Cups ever... just 3 playoff appearances... no pennant for over 4 decades... no winning season for 20 straight years... 8th place this year... you name it and the Jackrabbits don't have it... no pitching, no offense, no defense... however, they do hit for a little power (135 HR).

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Deleted.

Around the Ruthlandian West Division

2065 Ruthlandian West Final Standings
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1st Place: Colfax Black Sox (92-62)
Last Pennant: 2063
Pro Cups: 1 (2010)

It was a great comeback season for the Black Sox... they were picked in the preseason to finish near the bottom, seventh place... instead, they captured their second Ruthlandian West in the last three years... Colfax fought Sligo, Fort Benton and Middlefield most of the season... running third most of the time... however, they went 19-4 in September and blew everybody out of the saddle and won the division flag by 7 games... the Black Sox had a great season in '63, losing out in the Pro Cup Finals to IPA overall champion Hartsdale in 6 games... is Colfax back and ready for another run for the Pro Cup trophy?... maybe... historically, Colfax has made 14 postseason appearances and won one Pro Cup.

This year's edition of the the Black Sox may be better than the '63 club... they have more a little more offense in the lineup... Colfax has some top guns this year (.279 BA)... they topped the Ruthlandian Union in scoring (780 runs) and were second in homers (173)... the Black Sox have three solid starters, but possess a mediocre bullpen... and they are good with the gloves (.979 FA)... the big question is can Colfax win the Pro Cup with just its bats?

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2nd Place: Sligo Rovers (85-69) (7 GB)
Last Pennant: 2064
Pro Cups: 1 (2021)

Should one feel sorry for the Sligo Rovers, the eternal bridesmaid in IPA history?... 10 times in the last 13 seasons the Rovers have come in second... the other three times they were the Ruthlandian West champion... naw, ain't gonna feel bad for such a good ballclub... there is no shame in coming in second... Sligo won it last year and looks like they would go back-to-back and repeat this year... they led the tight RU West in May, June, ranked a razor-thin second in July and August to Middlefield, then took the top spot again in September, only to be outdone by a red-hot Colfax team by season's end... the Rovers have very good pitching, starting rotation and bullpen, but they don't score a lot of runs... however, the lineup is dependable from one to eight in the batting order... not great, but reliable contact hitters, combined with a little bit of power... defense is solid with a .979 FA... all Sligo needs to be a perennial Pro Cup challenger is a couple of respectable longball hitters... that would do it... actually, one might do it... till then, the Rovers will have to be happy to be a bridesmaid... and occasionally, a beautiful bride in the RU West.

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3rd Place: Fort Benton Defenders (83-71) (9 GB)
Last Pennant: 2057
Pro Cups: None

It was going to be a good year for the perennial also-ran Defenders... Fort Benton has made the postseason playoffs only two times in its history... they have posted one of the worst won-lost record in IPA history (.469), but they were second in '64... things were looking good... in '65 the baseball critics picked them to wind up a close third, expecting them to make a good run for the RU West title and they did... they stayed close to the leaders until September, when Colfax (19-4) put them all away with a great month of baseball... Fort Benton has some rock-solid contact hitters (.279 BA) that can put runs on the scoreboard, despite the lack of home-run power... the Defenders also have a fine starting rotation, but not much in the bullpen... another negative and shortcoming is the defense is subpar (.976 FA)... a good closer and a good longball hitter would do wonders in Fort Benton.

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4th Place: Middlefield Roosters (77-77) (15 GB)
Last Pennant: 2056
Pro Cups: 3 (2005, 2052, 2056)

The Roosters have had much success in the IPA with 20 postseason playoff appearances and 3 Pro Cup trophies... but little success in the last six seasons... Middlefield was not forecast to have a good year, picked to wind up 6th in the Ruthlandian West... but, much to the experts' surprise, the Roosters played well until late in the summer, then tanked... they had the league lead on the first of July and August, then Middlefield stumbled badly the rest of the season and ended up a very distant fourth in the standings, 15 games behind... the '65 club could hit (.264 BA), score runs (700) and crack homers out of the park (174 HR)... the starting pitching was fine, but the bullpen was dismal... and the defense was horrible (.973 FA)... a good closer is just what the doctor ordered for the Roosters... might make them a contender next year.
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5th Place: Volusia Vigilantes (74-80) (18 GB)
Last Pennant: 2062
Pro Cups: 1 (2001)

The press and broadcasters liked the Vigilantes' chances this season... Volusia won the pennant in '61 and '62 and almost won the Pro Cup both years, losing in 6 games to Oxford and in 7 games to Rolling Hills, both powerhouses... they were picked second to the Stoner Silver Sox in the Ruthlandian West this season... but, in neither case, did it happen... both teams flopped badly... the V's just didn't have any pitching this year... they still hit and scored well, but couldn't get anybody out... as usual, Volusia did not hit a lot of homers (94)... and the defense was average (.978 FA)... the Vigilantes played poorly to midseason (32-47), but did fairly well the rest of the year (40-33), but it was way to late.
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6th Place: Rocky Rapids Snappers (73-81) (19 GB)
Last Pennant: 2046
Pro Cups: 2019

Not a lot of success postseason-wise for the Snappers... only 6 playoff appearances in the club's history... but they do have one Pro Cup trophy... and their overall won-loss record is fairly good at .506... until this year, Rocky Rapids had finished 3rd or 4th in the standings the previous six seasons... picked for fifth place in the preseason poll, the Snappers came in sixth... they hit well for average (.268 BA), are average in scoring runs (646) and hitting homers (126) with average pitching (3.87 ERA)... but the Snappers are solid defenders (.980 FA)... overall Rocky Rapids is just a second-rate team.
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7th Place: Stoner Silver Sox (68-86) (24 GB)
Last Pennant: 2029
Pro Cups: None

The Silver Sox (nee Stars) have not had a lot of success in the Islandian Pro Alliance... only 3 playoff appearances and no Pro Cup trophies... it's been almost 50 years since the Sox won a pennant... the last good seasons were in '56 (81-73) and '62 (82-72)... the last three years Stoner came in 6th, 7th and 7th... however, optimism was rampant for '65... the Silver Sox were the preseason favorite in the Ruthlandian West... but the pitching let them down (4.05 ERA)... it was forecast to be much better... as far as the rest of the team... they were average hitters (.266 BA), not a lot of punch... just 100 home runs... and the Sox didn't score a lot of runs (636)... but they had good fielders (.979 FA)... overall Stoner is not a very good baseball team.
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8th Place: Forest City Firebirds (64-90) (28 GB)
Last Pennant: 2048
Pro Cups: None

The Firebirds (nee Lumberjacks) are a poor franchise in the IPA... only 5 postseason playoff appearances and no Pro Cups in its history... 8 years have past since the last winning season in '57 (78-76)... 5 of the last 6 years Forest City has come in dead last in the Ruthlandian West... the offense is fairly good (.264 BA) with pretty good power (141 HR) and average scoring (643 runs)... pitching is lackluster and mediocre (4.17 ERA)... and the defense is just plain bad (.975 FA)... the Firebirds need a lot of improvement to get up with the contenders in the RU West.
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Around the Tycobbian North Division

2065 Tycobbian North Final Standings
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1st Place: Hartsdale Hellcats (87-67)
Last Pennant: 2063
Pro Cups: 2 (2046, 2063)

The up-and-down Hartsdale Hellcats are up again... happy days are here again in Hartsdale... they were sixth in '62, in a shocker won the Pro Cup in '63... then they slumped below .500 and dipped to 5th place in '64... now the Hellcats are back atop the Tycobbian North... Hartsdale was picked for the middle-of-the-pack in the preseason poll (4th place)... they started slowly (24-27) and did poorly in April and May, trailing White River, Luxora, Blue Lake, Oxford and Mahaska in the standings... then went on torrid winning spree in June and July with a 36-16 mark and took charge of the TU North... everybody except the Oxford Red Caps dropped out of the race... and Hartsdale managed to hold the Oxonians off down the stretch and won the pennant by 4 games... this will be the Hellcats' 11th postseason appearance.

This year's edition is much like the 2063 Pro Cup champion... will it be deja vu all over again?... Hartsdale hits well with a .273 BA, scores well with 730 runs and had good power with 137 homers... pitching is pretty much average with a 3.71 ERA... defense is just average with a .977 FA... nobody expects the Hellcats to whip the Tycobbian powers, Rolling Hills, Tuckanarra and Southport, or even to get a chance to knock off the Ruthlandian division champs, LaGrange, Claxton (current Pro Cup champ), Wynnamac and Colfax... will the impossible dream of another Pro Cup trophy be on the Hartsdale horizon?... highly unlikely, but that's what they said two years ago.
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2nd Place: Oxford Red Caps (83-71) (4 GB)
Last Pennant: 2064
Pro Cups: 2 (2007, 2061)

The Red Caps are the dominant power in the Tycobbian North for the past 14 seasons... during that time they have piled up 8 division crowns and also captured the 2061 Pro Cup... even when they lose in the pennant race, Oxford almost always is within a few games of first place... the only exception was 10 games out in third place in 2054... the Red Caps have good firepower with 152 homers, score well with 697 runs, hit for a good average (.265 BA)... and have pretty fair pitching with a 3.86 ERA and standout defense (.982 FA)... the Red Caps still have superstars Buddy Blackford and Showboat Lynn in their lineup... and they are still going strong, along with two fine pitchers, Rico Alessi and Pat McFarlane... only McFarland (35) is up in age... these guys keep Oxford in the race year-after-year.
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3rd Place (tie): North Hills Hawks (78-76)
Last Pennant: 2045
Pro Cups: 4 (2034, 2036, 2038, 2041)

For a glorious decade or so, 2034 to 2045, the Hawks flew sky-high in the Islandian Pro Alliance with 11 Tycobbian North pennants in 12 years, plus they won an amazing 4 Pro Cups, too... North Hills has just been fair to mediocre since those glory days... this year the Hawks were below .500 much of the season, but they closed well and finished tied for third place with Blue Lake, 9 games out... this season was a tightly-bunched bunch in the TU North... from third to seventh was just a two-game spread... the Hawks hit very well for average (.277 BA), but didn't have much punch in the lineup... only 89 homers... therefore they are just average in scoring (632 runs)... also average on the mound... however, in the field the Hawks are downright bad with a .974 FA.
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3rd Place (tie): Blue Lake Schooners (78-76) (9 GB)
Last Pennant: 2030
Pro Cups: 1 (2030)

Blue Lake is not a very successful IPA franchise... only 3 playoff appearances, but they won a Pro Cup in 2030 as the Blue Sox... won-lost record not very good overall (.486 winning percentage)... since finishing last three times in a row from '56 to '58, the Schooners have been on the uptick with 7 consecutive winning seasons... 5 years in a row from '59 to '63 they came in third in Tycobbian North standings... up to second in '64... and back down third this season... Blue Lake could use some longball hitters... only 108 roundtrippers for the year... they hit .263 as a team... but are only average in scoring runs with 631... just average on the hill... but strong on defense with a .981 FA... the Schooners are one of the 6-7 clubs in the TU North that are just run-of-the-mill.
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5th Place: Mahaska Haymakers (77-77) (10 GB)
Last Pennant: 2028
Pro Cups: None

Overall in its IPA history Mahaska has been a lackluster club... only 4 playoff appearances... the last was years and years ago in '28... with no Pro Cups... but for the last 6 seasons the Haymakers have been somewhat in contention with no losing seasons and three second-place finishes... Mahaska's mound corps is a little better than the four teams above them with a 3.52 ERA... they score well with 683 runs... the Haymakers hit well with a solid .272 BA... and have fairly decent firepower with 121 homers... with the gloves they are just average with a .978 FA... Mahaska had a good September and came within an eyelash of third place, winding up 10 games behind champ Hartsdale.
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6th Place (tie): White River Rascals (76-78) (11 GB)
Last Pennant: 2056
Pro Cups: None

In its IPA history the Rascals have made the postseason on 11 occasions, but they are still seeking their first Pro Cup trophy... White River had a good run from 2048 to 2056 with 7 pennants... not so for the last 9 seasons... they've been near the bottom of the TU North the last 5 years... no winning season since '60... 3 times in 4 years the Rascals have wound up in the cellar... but this year they played quite well for about half a season... 32-20 in April and May... White River was in first place as late as July 2nd (45-35)... then their season quickly fell apart and they fell out of contention... they ended up tied for sixth place, 11 games behind champ Hartsdale... the TU North is a very well-balanced and even league... 7 clubs almost had winning records... like most of the other teams, the Rascals hit fairly well with a .263 BA, go deep fairly well with 132 home runs, and can score (640 runs)... and the pitching is solid with a 3.54 ERA... defense is just fair with a .976 FA.
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6th Place (tie): Luxora Zorros (76-78) (11 GB)
Last Pennant: 2058
Pro Cups: None

Luxora is probably about average as an IPA franchise with 12 postseason appearances... overall won-lost percentage is .501... but the Zorros have never won a Pro Cup... they were picked 8th in the preseason poll... the Z's surprised out of the gate in April and was in first place (18-8)... but reality set in soon and they slipped back to third in May (28-24)... and all the way to 7th by July 1st (37-42)... like most of the teams in the TU North, Luxora had a pretty good offense with a .264 BA, 615 runs and 121 home runs... the mound staff was better-than-average with a 3.62 ERA... but the Zorros were poor in the field with a .974 FA... the last good season was in '58... they won the pennant with an 89-65 mark... just twice since the Z's had a winning record, but on 5 occasions it was below .500.
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8th Place: Fairfax Frogs (61-93) (26 GB)
Last Pennant: 2033
Pro Cups: None

Fairfax has had some good years in the IPA and some bad years... overall won-lost record is almost even with 4998 wins and 5011 defeats (.499 winning percentage)... the last playoff appearance came in '33... the Frogs have been to the postseason just 8 times... never won a Pro Cup... for the last 5 years the Frogs have been at or near the bottom of the Tycobbian North... Fairfax is the worst team in the division... they did not have a winning month this year... the Frogs were bad start to finish... Fairfax can hit alright with a .271 BA, can score alright (654 runs), but have little power with 102 roundtrippers... however, the pitching is pathetic with a lofty 4.40 ERA... and they are terrible with the gloves... a .971 FA... 'nuff said... the Frogs have a ways to go to get competitive in the Tycobbian North race.
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Around the Tycobbian South Division

2065 Tycobbian South Final Standings
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1st Place: Southport Sun Sox (96-58)
Last Pennant:2062
Pro Cups: 3 (2027, 2044, 2047)
Southport made shambles of the Tycobbian South this season, winning by a whopping 10 games over runner-up Summerland... the Sun Sox had a lackadaisical first two months, going 26-25 and resting in 4th or 5th place in the standings... but they then turned on the afterburners and warp-speeded past everybody in June, July, August and September, rolling up 96 victories... Summerland, Cape Coral, Ginza and Turon stayed in the chase for awhile, but they all dropped far out of contention in August and September.

This just might be the Year of the Sun Sox... they copped the pennant in '62 and lost in the TU title series to the eventual Pro Cup winner Rolling Hills in 6 games... finished a pretty close second in '63 (5 GB)... and came in second in '64 (7 GB)... on paper Southport just may be the best team in the IPA this season... they possess the best pitching staff in the IPA (2.86 ERA)... just as good as the LaGrange Gators (2.86 ERA) or the Claxton Diamonds (3.11 ERA) over in the Ruthlandian Union, two very likely opponents in the Pro Cup Finals... coupled with a solid batting order... the Sun Sox hit well for average with a .266 BA, have average scoring with 631 runs and can go deep on occasion with 126 home runs... and on defense they are average at .978 FA... it looks like Southport is tailor-made to win a Pro Cup... their pitching can handle the offense-minded teams and their offense can score enough runs to whip the pitching-strong clubs.
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2nd Place: Summerland Sunsets (86-68) (10 GB)
Last Pennant: 2063
Pro Cups: None

The Sunsets have been a steady challenger in the Tycobbian South pennant races the last 8 seasons... they wound up third in '62 (13 GB)... won the division flag in '63... and were tied for second in '64 (7 GB)... lack of offense always hampered them, especially when the Sunsets get to the playoffs... this year Summerland finally had some firepower in its lineup and it paid off... they ran a good race for about half the season, but then a superior Southport pulled away from them and everyone else and left them all drowning in their wake... the Sunsets had good home-run power with 157 roundtrippers, scored well with 680 runs on the scoreboard, were just fair with a .253 BA, but rock-solid on the mound with a 3.29 team ERA... plus they had standout defense with a .981 FA... the future is looking good for Summerland... they have rarely made the postseason playoffs... just 5 appearances... with no Pro Cups... never have come close... all the Sunsets need is one more reliable threat in their batting order.
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3rd Place: Cape Coral Hurricanes (82-72) (14 GB)
Last Pennant: 2041
Pro Cup: None

The 'Canes have a spotty history in the IPA... just a little less-than-average franchise (.491 won-lost percentage)... usually hits well, but never has good pitching... no Pro Cup ever... never gone deep in the postseason playoffs... but Cape Coral made some progress this year, coming in third (14 GB)... the Hurricanes were 7th in '62 (38 GB), 6th in '63 (20 GB) and 4th in '64 (9 GB)... this year's club could belt the baseball with the best, ranking sky-high with a .290 BA and 776 runs... but the Hurricanes were just average with a .978 FA... and woefully weak on the hill with an awful 4.36 ERA... a few good pitchers could put Cape Coral over the hump and get them up to being a serious pennant contender.
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4th Place (tie): Ginza Ninjas (77-77) (19 GB)
Last Pennant: 2060
Pro Cups: 2059

Ginza has had modest success in its IPA history with a .500 won-loss mark (5007-5001)... only 9 postseason appearances... just one Pro Cup trophy... the Ninjas have just been a second-rate club since the glory years of '59 and '60 when they were the darlings of the IPA... the Karate Kids came out of nowhere and won the hearts of many baseball fans across the Islands... they unexpectedly won the IPA Pro Cup in 2059 and came close again in 2060... not much success since then... 5th place in '61 (10 GB), 6th in '62 (34 GB), 4th in '63 (18 GB), 6th in '64 (11 GB) and 4th again this year, 19 games behind Southport... the Ninjas have solid pitching with a 3.58 ERA, but no offense and no power... only 591 runs scored and just 89 HRs... not so good with the gloves, either... just a .975 FA... started off with a poor April (10-15), but they shot into contention with a great May (21-6), only to drop back into the pack by August, 11 games behind in the pennant race at 52-52... Ginza has a fine starting rotation, but needs help in the bullpen... and at the plate.
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