THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Sunday, October 15, 2034

2034 IPA Pro Cup Finals - Game 6
(best-of-seven)

Hooper Leads Hawks To First Pro Cup Title
Unsung number three starter Nelson Hooper hurled a career game and brought home to North Hills its first ever Pro Cup in the club's history... Hopper fired a 3-hitter at the Crystal Lake Crushers, taming them 4-1 at the Hawk's Nest... that gave the Hawks the IPA crown in six games... in this year's Pro Cup playoffs, North Hills was the third-seeded team and the Crushers were rated fourth in THE ISLANDIAN TIMES Pro Cup poll... top seed Eastshore and second seed Tuckanarra both fell in the first round of play.

In a brilliant, route-going performance Hopper (3-3/4.19) struck out 7 and walked one batter... Douglas Merrill (2-3/3.66) was the victim as he allowed 4 runs on 8 hits in 7 innings... the Crushers took an early lead in the second when 3B Willy Burke (.383) singled with 2 outs and scored on RF Augie Danka's (.182) triple... but that was all she wrote on the scoreboard for the Crushers... the Hawks took charge in the last of the fourth with 4 runs... 3B Dean O'Donnell (.354) singled and was doubled in by LF Adam Thurgood (.432) to tie it up at 1-1... RF Fred Watson (.143) doubled in Thurgood... then C Mikhail Romanovsky (.282) delivered the coup de grace, a 2-run shot into the left field bleachers... it was his 4th playoff roundtripper and gave him 17 RBIs, tops on the Hawks.

"Clutch hitting and marvelous pitching won it for us," beamed Hawks' skipper Todd Simons at the post-game press conference. "David Michael carried us in the first two rounds, then got great help from Hooper in the Finals... Romanovsky's bat got us to the Finals... and Thurgood and O'Donnell stood out throughout the whole playoffs."

Disappointed that he failed to win his third Pro Cup, Crushers' manager Herman "Baby" George said, "This was a painful loss... a few well-placed base hits would've made a lot of difference... it was a closer series than you think... we had good chances in games one and three, but lost them... but you've got to give the Hawks credit... they have outstanding pitching in Michael and Hooper... and they got the hits when they needed them... youngsters Thurgood and O'Donnell are very talented ballplayers... Todd has a very fine ballclub and they deserved to win."

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Tuesday, October 17, 2034

RU Golden Glove Award Winners Announced
It's been said that the best offense is a good defense. That's why contending teams are always looking to improve on the defensive side of the game. Keeping runs from scoring is just as good as driving them in. Shortstop Larry Romney won the honor for the third time in his career and pitcher Warren Noland has been named twice. Two rookies made the squad: second baseman Johnny Hensley and third sacker Taylor Hampshire.

The top fielders have been chosen in the Ruthlandian Union for 2034. Here are the Golden Glove Award winners:
Pitcher: Walter Noland (Rocky Rapids Snappers) (1.000 FA/9-17/4.87)
Catcher: Tonio Libertore (Ancona Red Elephants) (.994 FA/9 PB/50.0% RTO) (.237/6/65/44)
First Baseman: Glenn Childress (Waleska Westerners) (.992 FA) (.279/18/100/83)
Second Baseman: Johnny Hensley (Glasco Athletics) (.975 FA) (.270/12/63/88)
Third Baseman: Taylor Hampshire (Glasco Athletics) (.956 FA) (.262/14/67/80)
Shortstop: Larry Romney (Eastshore Elegants) (.975 Fa) (.290/21/73/64)
Left Fielder: Benny Hooper (Valmara Vipers) (.991 FA) (.263/15/69/74)
Center Fielder: Alonzo Venacio (Taranto Tars) (.997 FA) (.283/23/65/78)
Right Fielder: Sonny Oliver (Volusia Vigilantes) (.996 FA) .277/18/81/71)

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Wednesday, October 18, 2034

Tycobbian Union Announces Golden Glove Award Winners
Good defense can be the difference between taking the championship and coming in second. Catcher Arnie Murphy and left fielder Charley Kota were chosen for the second time in their careers. No rookies made the club this season.

The Tycobbian Union announced its top defenders at each position today. Here are the Golden Glove Award winners for 2034:
Pitcher: Pablo Pilar (San Alejo Montaneros) (.956 FA) (21-9/2.47)
Catcher: Arnie Murphy (White River Rascals) (.999 FA/2 PB/42.0% RTO) (.273/16/67/73)
First Baseman: Wesley Cox (Arroyo Grande Suns) (.994 FA) (.268/15/59/70)
Second Baseman: Todd Benson (Bayview Vikings) (.980 FA) (.264/6/50/89)
Third Baseman: Dean O'Donnell (North Hills Hawks) (.953 FA) (.310/19/86/93)
Shortstop: Joe Korman (Blue Lake Blue Sox) (.971 FA) (.279/16/88/81)
Left Fielder: Charley Kota (Chicopee Braves) (.985 FA) (.283/27/94/104)
Center Fielder: Brad Holland (High Mesa Cowboys) (.995 FA) (.247/6/42/59)
Right Fielder: Milt Powers (Bay St. Clair Buccaneers) (.992 FA) (.252/19/93/81)

When I heard about Stan Musial first thing I thought about was this thread.

Yeah, Stan the Man was a very special ballplayer... and more importantly, he was a very special man... nothing but class in all respects. He was the first National League player to get $100,000 a year. I think Mickey Mantle was the first in MLB to get that big of a contract. After a disappointing season, Stan took the maximum cut allowed and had his salary lowered to $75,000. He had not lived up to the bargain with his sub-par season. Now that's character.

I first got to know him a little bit by listening to Harry Caray on KMOX in St. Louis in the 50s doing the Cardinals games at night. The signal would fade in and out as AM radio is prone to do, but I would go sleep each night listening to the Cards.

Because of the broadcasts I began following baseball in the newspapers. At the school library I would read The Sporting News. Each day I would memorize the box scores, especially the Cardinals and Stan stats. It was the beginning of a lifelong romance. One of my favorite photos is of me standing next to his plaque in the Cooperstown Hall of Fame.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Thursday, October 19, 2034

CL's Dillon Cops RU Top Rookie Award
Paul Dillon of the Crystal Lake Crushers got a good initiation into the Ruthlandian Union. The talented 19-year-old outfielder batted .343 in his first season and came away with the league's Rookie of the Year honor. Dillon socked 177 hits with 11 home runs, 64 RBIs, 102 runs and 31 stolen bases, while playing in 131 games. He sparked the Crushers to the RU South title and the runner-up spot to IPA Pro Cup champion North Hills. Dillon finished third in the batting title race. In a rare occurence all three of the top rookies played for teams in the Ruthlandian South.

San Dimas outfielder Denny Hendrix was the second-highest votegetter. He participated in 131 games, rapped 148 hits with 27 doubles, 4 triples, 27 roundtrippers, 78 RBIs and scored 93 runs for the fourth-place Rancheros.

Third in the voting was Belair Beach hurler Kerstan Mak, who made his debut in the IPA at ripe old age of 33 and put up a 19-7 mark with a 3.57 ERA. Mak paced the Sunbirds to a third-place finishe in the RU South.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Friday, October 20, 2034

Frogs Hudson Named Best TU Rookie
2034 was a heck of a season for Michael Hudson of the Fairfax Frogs. He batted .323 in 149 games and was named the Tycobbian Union Rookie of the Year. The 21-year-old center fielder totaled 33 doubles, 7 triples and 18 homers in his first season in the IPA, along with 107 RBIs, 85 runs and 29 stolen bases. Fairfax came in fourth in the TU North.

Second in the vote was the leading hitter in the Tycobbian Union, Kenny Kuebler of the Denton City Redbirds. The 22-year-old first sacker collected 160 base hits, batted .335 and has 21 homers, 86 RBIs and 94 runs for the sixth-place Redbirds.

Junior Bristow, the son of a legendary Hall of Fame pitcher, Titus Bristow, garnered third place in the best rookie voting with a 21-13 record and a strong 2.80 ERA for the TU East title-winning Tuckanarra Blue Jays.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Saturday, October 21, 2034

RU Gold Bat To Eastshore's Lagrange
The 2034 Ruthlandian Golden Bat has been awarded to Scotty Lagrange of the Eastshore Elegants, who put up career numbers this season and led his club to the most victories in the IPA with 98 and the RU East crown. Lagrange outpolled Allen Dundee of Wynnamac and Russell Watkins of LaGrange in THE ISLANDIAN TIMES voting.

Lagrange is a 3-time All-Star and 2-time Gold Glover. This is his first Golden Bat Award. The 27-year-old center fielder topped the RU with 41 homers and 127 RBIs, while finishing fifth in the batting race with a .332 average. In 147 games Lagrange notched 191 hits and scored 111 runs. He was one of the prime reasons Eastshore was a powerhouse this season. Career-wise Lagrange is a .305 hitter with 184 home runs and 599 RBIs.

The Wynnamac Sundowners wound up in the fourth spot in the RU East, aided by the fine play of 7-year vet Allen Dundee, who batted .329 with 41 doubles, 7 triples and 20 home runs. Dundee was in 145 games and drove in 106 runs and scored 92. Dundee came in second in the Golden Bat balloting.

Coming in third in the poll was LaGrange's center fielder Russell Watkins, who posted a .312 batting mark in 139 games with 40 homers, 104 RBIs and 87 runs scored as he paced the Sports to a fourth-place finish in the RU North.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Sunday, October 22, 2034

Evans Captures 5th Golden Bat In TU
Lorne Evans has been a superstar in the IPA in his 10-year tenure, a 7-time All-Star, twice a Golden Glove winner and now for the fifth time, the Tycobbian Golden Bat trophy winner. Evans outlasted two worthy opponents in a tight vote in The Islandian Times poll. Jim Lewellen of the Colchester Elites was the runner-up with Joe McGarrett of Hartsdale winding up in third place.

Evans, the 29-year-old Tuckanarra left fielder, was first in two batting categories with 46 doubles and 128 runs. He sparked the Blue Jays to the TU East crown with a .331 batting average, 39 homers and 124 runs batted in. Lifetime Evans has compiled a .315 BA in the IPA with 403 homers and 1015 RBIs.

At age 30 Colchester center fielder Jim Lewellen had another standout season with an IPA-leading 50 home runs in 141 games, while hitting .292, driving in 125 runs and scoring 110 times, helping the Elites to second place in the TU South. In his 11 seasons with Colchester Lewellen has clouted 400 roundtrippers and batted in 1068 runs.

The Hartsdale Hellcats had a successful year with third place in the TU North, topped only by Pro Cup champ North Hills and White River, two of the most powerful clubs in the IPA. Joe McGarrett had a huge hand in the Hellcats' success with some very impressive numbers: .312 BA, 35 HRs, 110 RBIs and 112 runs in 147 games. The 27-year-old center fielder has found a good home in Hartsdale, his fifth team in eight seasons. McGarrett has reached star level in his two years with the Hellcats.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, October 23, 2034

Gillespie Wins Gold Arm 2nd Straight Year
Cold Creek's veteran right hander J. J. Gillespie copped the Ruthlandian Union Golden Arm Award for the second straight season with a terrific 26-13 record, beating out two youngsters, Marston's Pat Brown and St. John's Jeremy Kirk.

The 29-year-old Gillespie rang up 26 wins and was tied with North Hills' Dave Michael for the most victories in the IPA this year. Gillespie started 39 games, completed 22 of them, fired 6 shutouts and posted a 2.06 ERA for the Catamounts, who came in second to champ Eastshore in the RU East. The 6-year vet is 77-41 overall with a sparkling 2.32 ERA. This is the second time Gillespie has received the honor. He won it last year along with the Ruthlandian Most Valuable Player plaque.

Brown, only 23 years old, was 25-11 with a 2.69 ERA for the Marston Nine of the RU East, the fourth-place club in the RU East. He was second to Gillespie in The Islandian Times Golden Arm poll. Brown stood out with 28 complete games and 242 strikeouts, both of which led the IPA.

Jeremy Kirk was one of the reasons St. John wound up a close second to RU South champion Crystal Lake. At 21. Kirk registered a 23-10 mark with a 2.73 ERA, 23 complete games and 4 shutouts in 38 starts. He ranked third in the balloting.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Tuesday, October 24, 2034

Bucs McBride Top TU Twirler
After three quality seasons in the IPA, Bay St. Clair right hander Jim McBride stepped it up a notch or two and soared to new heights with a marvelous 25-10 record to snap up his first Tycobbian Golden Arm Award. In a hotly-contested vote McBride bested two strong candidates Bobby Reid of Tuckanarra and Dave Michael of North Hills for the coveted honor as the best pitcher in the Tycobbian Union.

With McBride leading the way, the Bay St. Clair Buccaneers ran third in the TU West. McBride, 28, led the IPA in shutouts with 8. He went the distance 23 times and carded a 2.34 ERA. In his four years McBride is 62-39 in his career with a 2.81 ERA.

Tuckanarra's Bobby Reid was a very close second to McBride in The Islandian Times Golden Arm polling. Reid went 25-8 with a 2.59 ERA for the first place Blue Jays, who won the TU East.

Running a very close third was Dave Michael of the Pro Cup champion North Hills Hawks. Michael tied with J. J. Gillespie of the Cold Creek Catamounts for the most victories in the IPA with a 26-13 record and had a 2.80 ERA.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Wednesday, October 25, 2034

Eastshore's Lagrange RU MVP
What a special season for Scotty Lagrange of the Eastshore Elegants! First, he spurred the Elegants to the Ruthlandian East crown, then he was chosen the league's top hitter and now Lagrange has been bestowed the RU Most Valuable Player Award, edging out Cold Creek's ace J. J. Gillespie and Crystal Lake's standout rookie Paul Dillon. It's the first time in his career Lagrange has captured the award.

Lagrange, 27, put up a strong set of stats with a .332 batting average, 34 doubles, 5 triples, 41 homers, 127 RBIs and 111 runs, while playing in 147 games. The Elegants' center fielder paced the RU in homers and RBIs.

Gillespie, last year's RU Most Valuable Player, finished second in The Islandian Times poll this time around. He had another outstanding year for the Catamounts with a 26-13 record and a great 2.06 ERA. Gillespie tied David Michael of North Hills for the most IPA wins and sparked Cold Creek to the runner-up spot to Eastshore in the RU East.

Dillon, only 19, led Crystal Lake to the RU South division title with a .342 mark, scoring 102 runs, batting in 64 and stealing 31 bases in 131 games. Dillon was third in the MVP voting and also hailed as the RU Rookie of the Year.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Thursday, October 26, 2034

Tucks' Evans Racks Up 4th TU MVP
For the fourth time in his 10-year career Tuckanarra star Lorne Evans has been picked the Tycobbian Union Most Valuable Player. He got the prestigious award for leading the Blue Jays to the RU East pennant with another fabulous season. The ace of Pro Cup champion North Hills David Michael was number two in The Islandian Times MVP voting with his Hawks' teammate Adam Thurgood coming in third. Evans is second to all-time IPA great and Hall of Famer Jack Elliott for the most MVPs in a career. Elliott won it 5 times in a spectacular career, mainly with the High Mesa Cowboys.

After spending his first nine IPA seasons with the Southport Sun Sox, Evans signed with Tuckanarra as a free agent and had a tremendous year, hitting .331 with 46 doubles, 1 triple, 39 homers, 124 RBIs and scored 128 runs. The 29-year-old left fielder was the IPA leader in runs and topped the Tycobbian Union in two-baggers. Evans, a future IPA Hall of Famer, is a 7-time All-Star, 5-time Golden Bat winner and twice a Gold Glover with a career .315 batting average, 403 roundtrippers and 1015 RBIs.

David Michael cranked out a 26-13 record and a 2.80 ERA for the Pro Cup-winning North Hills Hawks this season. Michael tied Cold Creek's J. J. Gillespie for the most victories in the IPA this year. Second-year man Adam Thurgood really blossomed this year with a .329 BA, 35 HRs, 114 RBIs and 107 runs for North Hills, giving the Hawks a dynamic duo on the mound and in the field.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Friday, October 27, 2034

Hawks' Michael Acclaimed Pro Cup MVP
The top winner in the IPA this season David Michael, didn't stop after 26 victories in the regular campaign, he kept right on chalking up more victories in the playoffs and pitched the North Hills Hawks to the Pro Cup championship with 7 more wins. Michael tied Errol Gaudet of the Rolling Hills Reds for the most postseason wins. Gaudet led the Reds to the title in 2029. In the Finals, Michael won games one and four. For his very impressive postseason performance Michael was voted the IPA Pro Cup Most Valuable Player. He posted a 7-0 mark in 8 starts and registered an outstanding 1.96 ERA. Michael had 5 complete games. Two other players received support in The Islandian Times poll, Michael's teammate Adam Thurgood, was the second-highest votegetter and Crystal Lake's standout catcher Stan Stanek finished third in the balloting.

Thurgood had a wonderful postseason with a .432 batting average in 20 games, 7 doubles, 5 home runs, 16 runs batted in and 15 runs scored. In a losing effort, Stanek walloped 7 out of the park, while driving in 22 runs and batting .312 for the runner-up Crushers.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Saturday, October 28, 2034

Brewster Is Top RU Skipper For 3rd Time
There were many worthy and deserving skippers in the IPA this year for the Manager of the Year Awards with support spread fairly evenly in The Islandian Times poll. A total of 10 managers were in the running in a hot-and-heavy vote with the honors going to Killer Brewster of the Eastshore Elegants in the Ruthlandian Union and to Ivan Burkholder of the Chicopee Braves of the Tycobbian Union.

This was the third time in his managerial career that Killer Brewster was honored as the best manager in the Ruthlandian Union. He has won previously in 2016 and 2019. Brewster is now tied with Alex Groveland of Far Mountain and Lefty Stevens of Tuckanarra for second place in the category. The IPA leader for most Manager of the Year honors is Matty Christianson of the Rolling Hills Reds. He has captured the award four times. The Elegants had a fabulous season, winning the RU East with the best record in the IPA. Both Eastshore and Tuckanarra of the TU East chalked up 98 wins. Brewster's club blossomed this season, going from an 81-73 mark in 2033 to 98-56 this year, rising up from sixth place to first place. Brewster edged out Crystal Lake's Herman "Baby" George, Belair Beach's Slim Mosley and Volusia's Alfonso Feliz in an extremely close vote.

Baby George was second in the balloting for the RU skipper of the year. He sparked Crystal Lake to the RU South title with a 91-63 record, climbing up from 81-73 and fourth place the previous year. Slim Mosley of Belair Beach finished third in the RU South as he paced his Sunbirds to an 86-68 mark, up from 71-83 and last place in 2033. The Volusia Vigilantes got marked improvement with Alfonso Feliz at the helm, in a swift turnaround from the cellar to champ in the RU West. His V's were 68-86 the year before and 84-70 this season.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Sunday, October 29, 2034

Braves' Burkholder Best Skipper In TU
2034 was a fabulous season for Ivan Burkholder, manager of the Chicopee Braves. First, the Braves finally made the IPA Pro Cup playoffs after three decades of postseason frustration, then Burkholder was named the Tycobbian Manager of the Year by The Islandian Times. This was his first time to capture the award. Burkholder guided Chicopee to the TU West pennant this season with a 96-58 mark, third-best in the IPA behind Eastshore and Tuckanarra, who won 98 games each. In 2034 the Braves were third in the division with a 78-76 record. It was a tightly-bunch vote as Burkholder fended off five other well-qualified skippers: Carlton "Lefty" Stevens of Tuckanarra, Todd Simons of North Hills, Alberto Herrera of San Alejo, Mick Cronyn of White River and Chancey Quibedeaux of Bayview.

Runner-up Stevens directed Tuckanarra to an exceptional year, winning the Tycobbian East with a 98-56 season. That was much improved over fourth place the year prior with an 82-72 record. Third in the balloting was Todd Simons of the Pro Cup champion North Hills Hawks, who rose up from a fifth-place tie to the TU North title. The Hawks had the fourth-best record this season with 94 wins, up from 76 the year before. San Alejo's Alberto Herrera finished fourth in the best manager poll, lifting his Montaneros up from sixth in 2033 with a 73-83 mark to the TU South division flag with a 91-63 record in 2034. Mick Cronyn of the White River Rascals was fifth in the voting. His Rascals jumped from a tie for fifth in the tough TU North to a very close second, rising up from 76-78 to 92-62 record and losing out to Pro Cup champ North Hills by just two games. Sixth place Chancey Quibedeaux improved his Bayview Vikings from a last place finish to second in the TU West. The Viks posted a 71-83 record last year and climbed to an 85-69 mark this year.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Sunday, April 1, 2035

IPA Set To Start 35th Season Tomorrow
Another exciting IPA season is set to go tomorrow all across the Islands as Year 35 gets underway. The baseball scribes are sharpening their pencils in readiness for the new season. In the Ruthlandian Union according to The Islandian Times preseason poll, the powers-to-be are Cold Creek, Wynnamac, Sugar Valley and Eastshore, all from the the RU East. The Fort Benton Defenders of the RU West were also given an outside chance to take the league title. Over in the Tycobbian Union, which has taken five of the last six Pro Cups looks like a great race between East Point, Tuckanarra, Chicopee, Fairfax and San Alejo. Reigning Pro Cup champ North Hills and Pro Cup finalist Crystal Lake were forecast to be also-rans this season.

Ruthlandian North

The Far Mountain Redhawks are the favorite to dethrone the last year's RU North winner, the Ranford Bulls. Kilkenny is also expected to be in the mix because of its strong pitching. The Redhawks finished a very close second to the Bulls last year. They lost long-time ace Jakob Wagner (20-12/2.77) to free agency to Rolling Hills in the TU, but picked up a solid replacement in Chad Cummings (17-14/2.43), who departed Ranford after five seasons. Two rookies RF Kyle Gottwald and C Gil Erwin should add strong punch to the Far Mountain lineup. Ranford is not as good as last year, but they still are a capable club with the likes of Jimmy Collins (21-9/3.38), Joah Satcher (9-9/3.17) and Rube Satcher (14-15/2.80) on the mound. The Bulls lost Cummings to free agency and have not re-signed their fine SS Sonny Statum (.285 BA), who is a free agent. All-Star/Gold Glove C Kyle Hunt (.257/7/49 RBI) has jumped ship and gone to Claxton. They did sign 40-year-old pitcher Duncan Welch (10-3/2.98), who was quite effective for St. John last year. Welch is a future HOFer with a great 320-221 career record with a super 2.67 ERA... Ranford will have the same problem this year as last year - no offense... 3B Alex Vanno (.280/27 HR/88 RBI/84 R) is the only dependable bat in the order.

Top performers for the LaGrange Sports are 29-year-old Ryan Janssen (21-14/3.09), 30-year-old Walt Thurber (17-14/2.99) and 31-year-old Mike York (11-17/3.72) on the hill... Janssen is 137-96 with a 3.10 ERA after 8 years... Thurber is 106-82 and a terrific 2.86 in his 11 seasons... York is 190-181 with a 3.00 ERA in his 12 years... best position players are 8-year-veteran RF Russell Watkins (.312/40 HR/104 RBI/87 R)... career-wise he sports a .296 BA with 231 homers and 732 RBIs... Watkins is 28... and 1B Chris Charbonnier (.293/31 HR/80 RBI/83 R) overall is .297 for average with 233 roundtrippers and 672 RBIs in his 9 seasons... Charbonnier is 30.

None of the other clubs look capable of contesting for the RU North pennant, but they do have some standout players:

Kilkenny Cats:
at 32 potential HOF-er Dave Whitaker (16-14/2.93) is a career 220-178 with a super 2.86 ERA for a team that seldom has a winning season... 3B-SS Leevi Viru (.286/20 HR/90 RBI/71 R) is a lifetime .319 hitter and 6-time All-Star in his 8 seasons, 7 of them with Valka... Viru is 28.

Ancona Red Elephants:
8-year vet Matt Loudermilk (18-20/3.11) has played for losing teams most of his IPA career, but is 129-137 with a solid 3.22 ERA at age 27... SS Tommy Richardson (.338/18 HR/65 RBI/85 R) shows fine potential after his first two seasons... he is 26 years old.

Valmara Vipers:
33-year-old relief specialist Ivan Guzek (2-1/3.02) and Garry Gronek (13-24/3.85) are quality hurlers... Guzek is a 12-year vet with a lifetime 96-50 mark with a great 2.62 ERA with 145 saves... after 5 seasons Gronek, age 27, is 79-89 with a 3.40 ERA... Guzek played for some real good Viper teams, while Gronek was 21-17 when Valmara won the RU North pennant in 2031 and was 18-18 when they finished fourth in 2032... the last two seasons have been downers for Valmara... RF Benny Hooper (.263/15 HR/69 RBI/74 R) has hit .300 in three of his five seasons as a starter... the 29-year-old Hooper is a lifetime .298 hitter with the Vipers in his 8 seasons.

Glasco Athletics:
talented 1B Kees Draeger (.258/17 HR/70 RBI/64 R) is Glasco's best ball player, but he may be nearing the end of a very good career... Draeger was with Belair Beach for 11 seasons and made the All-Stars on 7 occasions... he carry a lifetime .305 BA with 346 home runs and 1048 RBIs... at age 30 SS Greg Stone (.291/18 HR/72 RBI/70 R) is the A's most reliable batter... he is a .277 hitter in his 6 seasons.

Taranto Tars:
17-year veteran 2B Greg Murphy is beginning to show his age... Murphy batted only .249 with 9 HRs, 35 RBIs and scored 45 runs in 107 games... however in his career Murphy has been a solid .286 batter with 214 homers, 976 RBIs and has scored 1187 times... and he is going into this season as a regular in the lineup... 1B Pasquale Zavaglia, after playing in only 55 games from 2023 to 2026, was dropped from the roster for 5 years, but then he got a reprieve in 2032 and got a late start in the IPA, finally getting a chance at age 30... but Zavaglia came on with a big bang - 49 homers, 102 RBIs and a .287 BA... since then his numbers dropped to 30 home runs, 82 RBIs and a .275 average in 2033... last year to 26 homers, 72 RBIs and a .269 BA... the Tars' best player last year was 28-year-old CF Alonzo Venacio with a .283 BA, 23 HR, 63 RBI and 78 runs... in 5 seasons Venacio is batting .284 for an average.

My Ruthlandian North Forecast: Far Mountain should win and by a good margin over second place LaGrange and third place Ranford... the Sports get the nod over the Bulls because of better hitting... other five clubs are at a level below the three contenders.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Sunday, April 1, 2035

Tight Race In RU South, St. John Slight Favorite
A wide-open race is predicted in the Ruthlandian South this season with as many as six clubs contending according to The Islandian Times preseason poll. The winner could come from St. John, Claxton, Belair Beach, Grand City, San Dimas and last year's champ and Pro Cup runner-up Crystal Lake. Anyone of them could hoist the 2035 pennant in their ballpark. St. John with an impressive mound corps and adequate hitting is slightly favored by the sportswriters.

The St. John Crusaders won the RU South two years ago and was second last year, so it could be their season to shine again. Heading up a fine group of starters is Jeremy Kirk (23-10/2.73) and Nelson Hawthorne (17-14/3.74). Bullpen ace Raydon Burk (12-5/2.16/8 saves) tops the relievers. As a team the Crusaders batted a lofty .286 last year, but they don't possess the longball. Top bats are SS Hal Burton (.316/2 HR/71 RBI/103 R)), 2B Byron Johannsen (.316/12 HR/73 RBI/80 R), 1B Johnny Zaun (.319/12 HR/76 RBI/81 R), CF Ted Price (.301/4 HR/69 RBI/68 R) and IF/OF Gerry Sives (.306/4 HR/65/68)).

The number-two pick in the poll, the Claxton Diamonds, will be in the thick of things according to the baseball experts. The Diamonds have four quality starters in Tommy Brothers (16-13/3.83), Max Jung (13-12/3.54), Richie Raeburn (12-7/3.98) and Sam Nathan (13-20/3.56). The offensive leaders are vets RF Ivan Krause (.278/37 HR/86 RBI), C Jaan Hoogendoom (.310/11 HR/60 RBI), 1B Alekos Kotas (.280/18 HR/63 RBI) and 3B Jonas Weiss (.272/17 HR/75 RBI). Also on the plus side, Claxton has added 7-time All-Star and 5-time Gold Glover C Kyle Hunt (.257/7 HR/49 RBI) via free agency from Ranford.

Third in the balloting was the Belair Beach Sunbirds, who came in a strong third last year and is poised to move up in the standings. Kerstan Mak (19-7/3.57), Joel Gregg (19-17/2.97) and Todd Clyman (17-12/3.85) are the leading hurlers. Topping the bats are CF Bobby Meusel (.292/26 HR/84 RBI/102 R), SS Johnny Wofford (.307/12 HR/73 RBI), LF Pat Webb (.291/18 HR/77 RBI) and 2B Joey Harris (.270/18 HR/71 RBI/104 R).

Grand City was chosen the fourth-best club in the RU South. The Cybercats can hit the ball, both for average and for distance, and have sufficient pitching. Four free agents will add to the scoring power and defense: IF Jan Kessinger (.310) from Kenwood, RF Justin McCall (.313) from Midway, 1B Chuck Moyer (.295) from Fort Benton and C Durward Anderson (.269) from High Mesa. Add in top guns 2B Teddy Grantham (.327/34 HR/80 RBI/95 R), LF Bull Durham (.284/26 HR/84 RBI/80 R) and CF Thomas Hall (.304/20 HR/63 RBI) and you've got a scoring machine. Grand City has two solid starters in Herb Stewart (19-15/3.64) and Quentin Tyler (16-13/3.65). They also have signed free agent Doug Hansack (13-20/3.41) away from High Mesa.

Crystal Lake had a superb season last year, winding up second in the IPA. The Crushers have a wealth of hitters with 1B Big Sam Takota (.313/31 HR/98 RBI), C Stan Stanek (.315/23 HR/88 RBI), SS Mackie Cummings (.320/22 HR/89 RBI/91 R) and RF Paul Dillon (.342/11 HR/64 RBI/104 R). However, they lost ace Denny Mills (22-13/3.35) to Denton City, one of the prime reasons the Crushers were not picked to repeat. They still retain two quality starters in Arnie Cason (21-5/2.84) and Douglas Merrill (16-16/3.70).

The San Dimas Rancheros finished fourth last season and still have a good ball club with four good starters and a bunch of big bats. The Rancheros are ranked sixth in the preseason poll, but could easily be a pennant threat. Gregg Hughes (19-8/3.23), Zack Dowdle (16-14/2.91), Raul Carrasco (16-12/3.98) and Carroll Cain (10-9/3.98) are the starting rotation. Leading the Rancheros' hit parade are SS Gordon Pratt (.353/12 HR/61 RBI/67 R), 1B Mick Langston (.331/29 HR/92 RBI), RF Denny Hendrix (.312/27 HR/78 RBI/93 R) and 2B Weldon Reeder (.258/20 HR/95 RBI/71 R).

The Waleska Westerners and the Valka Blackhawks will battle it out to stay out of the basement. Waleska will be led by superstar LF Loco Dillinger (.301/20 HR/80/73), who missed one-third of the season in 2034... he should get some good support from RF Niles Gregory (.266/31 HR/105 RBI/112 R), who was really the big man in the batting order last season, along with 1B Glenn Childress (.279/18 HR/100 RBI/83 R) and 3B Dorak Aranda (.278/23 HR/86 RBI/65 R)... 2B Monty McMurtry (.287/9 HR/49 RBI/95 R) also chipped in as well... the Westerners can put runs on the scoreboard, but they just do not have the pitching to contend... Terry Richards (14-12/2.73) is the only quality arm from last year... free agent from the Sligo Rovers Earl Perkins (19-14/4.06) could be a big help.

Valka has stuck near the bottom of the RU South for the last six seasons... the Blackhawks have no pitching except for Jake Weiland (17-14/3.36), but they can hit pretty well with 1B Mikk Kukk (.301/13 HR/81 RBI/79 R), 3B Bill Bradford (.309/14 HR/84 RBI/60 R), RF Kenny Mitzusaka (.294/11 HR/72 RBI/61 R) and veteran SS Olari Ojastu (.275/17 HR/82 RBI/79 R)... again the Blackhawks look like the worst team in the division... looks like last place for the third time in six years.

My Ruthlandian South Forecast: Too close to call... should be a great race... anyone of the six contenders could win the flag.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Sunday, April 1, 2035

CC 'Cats Choice In Strong RU East
The Eastshore Elegants ran away with the Ruthlandian East last year by running up an IPA best 98 victories. The Elegants easily won the division by a dozen games. It may be tough to repeat in a division where six of the eight teams finished above .500. The Islandian Times preseason predictions show the RU East is still strong, but it's going to be a dogfight between number-one rated Cold Creek, second choice Sugar Valley and third-ranked Wynnamac. Last year's titlewinner Eastshore is forecast to come in fourth in the standings. The Marston Nine and Elnora All-Stars should also have winning season, but will be second-division clubs behind the Big 4. As far as the prognosticators are concerned Beechwood and Belle Plaine will likely share the bottom rungs of the division.

Cold Creek has had excellent pitching the last three years and it could be even better this season. The Catamounts will feature three impressive pitchers with J. J. Gillespie (26-13/2.06), who has won the RU Golden Arm the last two years and was the league MVP in 2033, Harvey Fullerton (20-11/3.22) and George Bailey (19-14/3.17). Cold Creek thinks they picked up another good arm in free agent Jules Capet. He was only 8-18 with mediocre Arroyo Grande last year, but he notched a 20-16 mark as a rookie in 2032 and 16-14 the following season. Capet is expected to be the fourth starter. The offense is sufficient with CF Guy St. Laurent (.283/25 HR/92 RBI/92 R/43 SB), RF Pat Foreman (.298/18 HR/54 RBI/90 R/32 SB), 1B Steve Daniels (.283/15 HR/84 RBI) and 3B Maska Chandler (.258/21 HR/74 RBI/73 R).

Last year Sugar Valley was tied for last, but better things are expected this time around. Sugar Valley has decent pitching, actually quite good, considering the small ball park they play in, along with a good offense that has a good bit of power. The Rattlers pulled off a coup by signing free agent infielder Roger Hobbs, son of IPA icon Roy Hobbs, away from Waleska. Hobbs is only 19 and he debuted with a .324 BA, 10 HR, 55 RBI, 91 R and 21 SB. Add him in with CF Bobby Gamble (.305/28 HR/97 RBI/106 R/32 SB), LF Tyler White (.237/31 HR/111 RBI/94 R/14 SB), SS Jesse Burns (.318/2 HR/44 RBI/83 R) and RF Carlo Velucci (.271/20 HR/55 RBI/87 R/25 SB) and you've got a potent batting order. Bayview free agent Jergen Fyelstad (16-10/3.61) will be a good addition to the starting rotation that includes Jeremy Blanchard (12-18/4.15) and Juan Navarro (13-18/3.26).

For the last decade Wynnamac has been a competitive club and many scribes think this could be a pennant year for the Sundowners. Three talented veterans Killara Bardo (21-15/2.64), Jason Meeks (19-12/4.13) and Jeremy Vincent (14-13/3.53) will head up a good mound staff. They will be matched up with a fairly good line-up that consists of LF Allen Dundee (.329/20 HR/106 RBI/92 R), CF Terry Weigand (.275/21 HR/71 RBI/65 R), 3B Lou Borcellino (.360/8 HR/68 RBI/52 R), 1B Mick Saunders (.317/8 HR/43 RBI/65 R) and 2B Ed Lane (.281/7 HR/57 RBI/80 R/24 SB).

Eastshore had it all last year. They won 98 games, tied for the best in the IPA with Tuckanarra of the Tycobbian Union, were favored to win the Pro Cup, but didn't - unheralded and low-seeded Volusia upset them in seven games in the first round. The Elegants still have everybody from last year's great team and have even added a couple of seasoned bats with 1B Radley Singleton (.297/20 HR/68 RBI/71 R) from Valmara and LF Kelly Chamberlain (.251/16 HR/65 RBI/90 R) from La Claire to go along with the fence busters CF Scotty Lagrange (.332/41 HR/127 RBI/111 R), the 2034 RU Golden Bat and MVP winner, RF Neil Richard (.367/16 HR/78 RBI/82 R), the batting champion, rookie phenom 2B Johnny Petrak (.296/22 HR/90 RBI/94 R) and Golden Glove SS and good stick Larry Romney (.290/21 HR/73 RBI/64 R). And if that's not enough, Eastshore has four darn good starters in Don Klingenberg (21-10/2.90), Koy Clampett (22-13/2.90), Ramon Contreras (18-11/2.76) and Randy Boone (14-8/3.36), along with fine relievers Delaney Moss (6-8/2.37/17 saves) and Terry Noble (5-2/3.04). It's hard to believe the sportwriters placed them fourth behind Cold Creek, Sugar Valley and Wynnamac. Only time will tell - we'll know for sure in mid-September.

Unless they get improved mound performance this year the Elnora All-Stars will fight it out for fifth place with the Marston Nine. Last year the All-Stars fell off drastically to sixth place after three super seasons, which included taking the Pro Cup in 2033. But they still wound up 8 games over the .500 mark. Elnora suffered on the hill and in the bullpen... Jeremy Sellers (13-17/4.02) and Freddy Pfeffer (12-12/4.53) had sub-par seasons... Jesus Robles (18-8/3.50) and Stan Kivas (15-14/2.82) were the only dependable starters... however the offense was still there, sparked by LF Clint Thomas (.320/19 HR/85 RBI/100 R), 2B Akihiro Samurakami (.328/11 HR/48 RBI/90 R), 3B Matt Boyd (.295/20 HR/80 RBI/71 R) and RF Travis Glass (.266/30 HR/89 RBI/82 R).

Marston had a good year with a winning record, but could only tie Elnora for fifth place. Pat Brown was brilliant with a 25-11 mark with a 2.69 ERA and pretty much carried the team. He got some help from Alex Ehrlich, who finished with a good 3.31 ERA, but was only 17-18 because of spotty offense. Rookie Jimbo McGinnity (6-8/2.14/10 saves) helped out, too. At the plate it was 1B Marco Ameche (.314/24 HR/92 RBI/83 R), RF Warren Cleveland (.279/23 BA/81 RBI/89 R) and SS Johnny Church (.302/13 HR/53 RBI/89 R) leading the way. The Nine may not be able to come out as high as they did last season. Seventh place looks good to me.

The Beechwood Bobcats are surprisingly picked to come in seventh in The Islandian Times preseason poll despite deadlocking with Cold Creek for second place last year. The Bobcats still have three fine starters in Neil Palmer (21-10/2.90), who came out of nowhere to win 21 games in his second year in the league, and strong vets Maury Patterson (20-10/3.34) and Ken Arby (18-16/3.15). They are no slouches in the batter's box either... standouts were CF Howie Baldwin (.320/19 HR/85 RBI/100 R), LF Herb Douglas (.303/6 HR/66 RBI/99 R), 1B Kelly Hardison (.313/9 HR/69 RBI/71 R), SS Leonard Mason (.262/8 HR/42 RBI/94 R) and 3B Joey Hagburn (.320/14 HR/70 RBI/51 R).

To show how strong the RU East was last year, the last place Belle Plaine Musketeers and Sugar Valley Rattlers almost broke even with 76-78 records. The Muskies top pitchers were pretty good with Lou Neuman going 18-11 with a 3.80 ERA, Leon Lacombe 13-6 with a 3.53 ERA and Benny Lucas 15-12 and a 4.10 ERA... though he was only 12-22 Rocket Richard posted a good 3.35 ERA and completed 19 games... Belle Plaine also boasted two impressive hitters in CF Harry Tashina (.316/15 HR/59 RBI/114 R) and RF Noel Martin (.297/25 HR/109 RBI/98 R). The Musketeers are destined for the basement again this year. The Ruthlandian East is just too strong for them.

My Ruthlandian East Forecast: To heck with the experts, I'm picking Eastshore to roll again and win the RU East flag... Cold Creek will end up second... could be a very close second because of their outstanding staff... and Wynnamac will beat Sugar Valley for the third spot because of better pitching. I also think Beechwood will be battling for a first division berth. They have a good ball club and could wind up as high as third place in the standings... Wynnamac will be fourth... Sugar Valley is more than likely going to end up fifth with Elnora sixth.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Sunday, April 1, 2035

Fort Benton Best In The RU West
The weak Ruthlandian West only had three teams .500 or better last season and much the same is expected this year by the Islands' baseball gurus. The best in the West in 2035 is the Fort Benton Defenders, who got a shaky nod in The Islandian Times preseason poll. In reality, none of the eight teams are overpowering. Anyone could win it. Forest City was voted the number two team with Stoner third and Middlefield rounding out the first division in fourth place. The Sligo Rovers are slated to come in fifth, followed by Rocky Rapids sixth, Colfax seventh and last year's champion Volusia last, which is difficult to understand.

Fort Benton is the favorite in the RU West, but not by much. The Defenders have been in the top three for the last five seasons. They finished tied for second last year with Middlefield, both with 77-77 records, 7 games back of Volusia. Pitching is the Defenders' best trait. They don't have much of an offense. Augie Marquis (24-15/2.87) was superb last season and will be joined in the rotation by two other quality arms: Chris Calsworth (17-16/3.72) and Edd Farmer (7-7/3.44). The bats are few in number with 3B Edmund Daisak (.280/21 HR/87 RBI/67 R) and 2B Alec Leclerc (.268/1 HR/42 RBI/83 R) the best of the lot.

It's been five seasons since the Forest City Lumberjacks had a winning season. They have a shot at it this year. Last year they were tied for 4th with Stoner and 14 games under .500. On the mound and at the plate the 'Jacks are a run-of-mill club. The best starters are Rich Barstow (17-18/3.34), Jeff Watford (17-18/3.47) and Judson Davis (14-16/3.88). Third-year man Walter Gibbons (5-8/2.49) made good progress last year and shows good potential. C Bob Brisdon (.306/23 HR/70 RBI/64 R) is the only decent batter in the order.

The Stoner Stars have a ways to go to respectability. The last four seasons have not been very good. The pitching is suspect with veteran Frank Robichaux (15-17/3.95) the most experienced and most dependable. There are lots of question marks about the mound staff, but rookie Mel Glosterman has gotten glowing comments from the scouts. The Stars have three solid hitters in LF Felix Jobin (.350/21 HR/ 77 RBI/86 R), 1B Fletch Fowler (.317/13 HR/75 RBI/65 R) and CF Don Cain (.316/5 HR/60 RBI/79 R).

The Middlefield Roosters haven't had anything to crow about since the glory days of 2023 to 2026 when they copped four RU West flags in a row. They did make a little progress last year with a tie for the runner-up spot with Fort Benton. As per usual the Roosters will depend on the longball for success. The power guys are C Brad Alexander (.270/31 HR/69 RBI/65 R), 2B Paul Coker (.260/29HR/85 RBI/68 R), RF Yank Quinlan (.286/24 HR/62 RBI/65 R) and RF Timmy Agelakos (.259/21 HR/67 RBI/48 R) and the contact hitters are SS Kenny Johnston (.310/10 HR/65 RBI/95 R) and 3B Colt Chadwick (.293/9 HR/61 RBI/71 R). The lackluster starting rotation consists of Ron Sinclair (16-14/4.09), Lou Page (10-10/3.76), Peder Ree (12-13/3.51) and Judd Hampton (10-18/3.66).

The Sligo Rovers went from first in 2033 to last in 2034, going from 79-76 to 63-91. The Rovers pitching went into the pits. Tom Pierson (9-9/3.28/14 saves) was the most productive as he spent time in the bullpen and finally as a starter. Mark Smith (17-18/3.57) performed well at times, as did Ricky Cooke (14-14/4.22). The bats did a good job and were led by late bloomer 3B Paul Newton (.301/33 HR/97 RBI/77 R), who got his first chance ever to start with the Rovers at age 35 after spending two years as a benchwarmer in Eastshore. LF Vasco Aguilar (.283/24 HR/74 RBI/78 R) and 2B Neil Mitchell (.289/20 HR/59 RBI/90 R) also lent good run support. 1B-3B Lou Wilhoit (.270/24 HR/72 RBI/48 R) was signed as a free agent. He played last year with Colfax.

It's been a long dry spell for the Rocky Rapids Snappers, who haven't been to the postseason in years. The last time the Snappers were in the Pro Cup playoffs was a string of pennants from 2017-2020, including their only Pro Cup trophy in 2019. It appears the drought will continue at least through 2035. The most reliable pitchers are Paulie Pieroni (17-18/3.18) and Ed Ayers (13-17/3.33). Leading the offense this year will be SS Kelvin Cassidy (.316/23 HR/70 RBI/65 R) and free agents RF Billy Gray (.341/8 HR/47 RBI/50 R) from Southport and 2B Dwight Dickey (.310/6 HR/49 RBI/66 R) from San Alejo.

The Colfax Blasters had an excellent year in 2032, when they won the RU West with 98 wins, but it's all been downhill since as they fell to fourth in 2033 and seventh last year. Colfax has a poor offense and mediocre pitching. The Blasters lost ace pitcher Rudy Rosario (15-13/1.83), who posted the best ERA in the IPA last season. Rosario went to Tuckanarra in the off-season. Randell Perkins (14-19/3.85) and Milton Garnett (10-17/3.92) will try to rebound from tough seasons. The Blasters signed no one to replace Rosario. Vet C Mitch Fullerton (.287/16 HR/47 RBI/69 R) and SS Kristian McEly (.259/22 HR/71 RBI/54) paced the club offensively last year.

It was an exciting season for the Volusia Vigilantes in 2034 as they made the playoffs for the first time in almost three decades and in the first round they eliminated the powerful Pro Cup favorite Eastshore. Strange as it may seem the pollsters have made them the worst team in the RU West this year. The V's still retain the good offense from last season and the pitching looks pretty fair with the signing of free agents Bob Bondy (16-19/3.73) from Southport and Fabio Medeiros (12-16/3.98) from Luxora. Medeiros sat out the entire 2034 season in protest and didn't sign with anyone. They will join Jacy Chandler (20-8/3.40) and Marv Webb (18-9/3/57) to give them a pretty fair set of starters. Bats are aplenty in Volusia with 1B Ernie Pryor (.303/31 HR/100 RBI/82 R), C Tubby Tarkanian (.316/29 HR/85 RBI/77 R), 3B Antonio Diaz (.302/19 HR/85 RBI/83 R), CF Ernesto Andujar (.316/25 HR/79 RBI/96 R) and 2B Carl Kendall (.306/12 HR/60 RBI/45 R). Actually, Volusia still looks like the best team in the RU West.

My Ruthlandian West Forecast: I totally disagree with The Islandian Times preseason poll. Volusia is still the class of a weak division and should win the division handily. After the Vigilantes, it's a toss-up among the other teams. Middlefield has the best chance to finish second because they can score some runs. The remaining teams are all fairly mediocre without any redeeming qualities.