THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Thursday, October 7, 2038

2038 IPA FINAL 4 SERIES

Tycobbian Union

HAWKS PRO CUP BOUND, WHIP LYNX IN 7 GAMES
It was a wild and wooly finish to the IPA Final 4 Series at the Hawk's Nest... North Hills zoomed out to a 7-1 lead in the first four frames and then withstood La Claire's belated rally to whip the Lynx 7-5 in game seven for the Tycobbian championship and the right to play for the IPA Pro Cup against the Ruthlandian champ Far Mountain.

Frankie Lambert weathered the storm... he went all the way, surrendered only 4 hits and 2 earned runs, but was in constant trouble because of 5 walks and three errors... Lambert (1-2/6.10) had 5 Ks in the game... John Page (2-1/6.75) started for La Claire and was treated harshly by the Hawks, who pounded him for 7 runs and 8 hits in 3.2 innings.

CF Kris Anastas (.271) got things going offensively for the Hawks by rapping a 2-run homer in the second... 3B Jim McDermott (.375) highlighted the 4-run third with a 3-run shot... it was Anastas' third roundtripper of the playoffs, McDermott's second... Anastas has 12 RBIs and McDermott 8 so far in the postseason... RF Gerry Rice (.277) added 3 hits and scored a run for the Hawks.

Leading the Lynx at the plate with 2 hits was SS Jarrod O'Neal (.298)... RF Billy Holland (.273), 3B Rog Clemens (.289), C Weldon Waller (.296), LF Rod Conklin (.219) and CF Jason Baker (.243) drove in the Lynx's five runs.

Todd Simons, manager of the North Hills Hawks, was elated about getting another shot at the Pro Cup... his Hawks won it in 2034 and 2036... "This will be the third time in five years we've been there... I hope the end results will be the same."... ask to compare this year's club to his previous Pro Cup champions, Simons said, "I think we have gotten a little better each year, both on the mound and at the plate... the Hawks are ready to bring the Pro Cup back to Tycobbia."

La Claire skipper Zeppy Deshotels lamented his pitching... "We just didn't have the depth you need to beat playoff-caliber teams... our hitting got us past Tuckanarra and we almost pulled it out against North Hills... but in the end they had better pitching."

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Saturday, October 9, 2038

HAWKS SLIGHT PRO CUP FAVORITE
Five pennants in a row and two Pro Cups in the last four years have put the North Hills Hawks in the role of favorite in the 2038 IPA Pro Cup Finals, set to start tomorrow afternoon at the Hawk's Nest in North Hills. In addition, the Hawks were ranked fourth by the baseball experts in The Islandian Times Pro Cup poll, while their opponent, Far Mountain, was rated only seventh. Still, it should be a very close series, going six or seven games. North Hills got to the Pro Cup Finals by defeating fifth-ranked Turon and eighth-rated La Claire, while Far Mountain got past number two Claxton and number six Colfax.

This season Far Mountain returned to the playoffs for the first time in 14 years. The Redhawks have captured three Pro Cups in their history. They all came in consecutive years - 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Statistically, the Hawks get the nod based on regular season numbers, but the Redhawks have done better in the postseason with its outstanding mound corps. Far Mountain posted a superb 2.19 ERA against two of the best hitting clubs in the IPA. North Hills had a higher 3.46 ERA against lesser opponents. So far in the playoffs, neither club has stood out at the plate. The Redhawks have the edge .248 to .245. Record-wise they were both 12-8.

North Hills hit .279 (3rd) during the year with 156 home runs (18th) and scored 751 runs (9th-tied)... on the hill they led the league with an excellent 3.01 ERA (1st)... only Cold Creek of the RU East was better with a brilliant 2.81 ERA... the Hawks have a quality bullpen (3.30 ER-7th)... on the defensive side the Hawks did very well with a .976 FA.

In the regular season Far Mountain batted .264 (18th) with 153 dingers (16th-tied) and scored 747 runs (13th)... on the mound the put up a 3.57 ERA (5th)... the Redhawks were just average with the gloves with a .972 mark... they are very poor in the bullpen with a 4.50 ERA (28th)... if Far Mountain's starters continue to shut down the opposition, they could surprise and take home a fourth Pro Cup... that will be the key to the series.

North Hills:
Top Starters: David Michael (22-13/2.53), Jeff Owens (20-13/2.81), Frankie Lambert (16-10/2.80), Tony Mack (18-11/3.32)
Top Relievers: Joey Santini (6-6/3.14/7 saves), Kyle Oliver (6-5/3.27/7 saves)
Top Batters: RF Adam Thurgood (.326 BA/40 HR/122 RBI/101 R), RF Gerry Rice (.340 BA/8 HR/45 RBI/79 R), 1B Ric Hamilton (.297 BA/23 HR/86 RBI/91 R), 2B Tommy Vavas (.308 BA/10 HR/61 RBI/84 R), 3B Jim McDermott (.283 BA/19 HR/78 RBI/60 R)

In the postseason David Michael (3-1/1.73) has stood out in 4 starts... so has Jeff Owens with a 2-1 record and a fine 1.67 ERA in 3 starts... Tony Mack has done well in his 2 starts with a 1-0 mark and a 3.00 ERA... closer Joey Santini has not allowed a run in 4 relief appearances with 3 saves and a 1-0 record... a key factor will be starter Frankie Lambert regaining his regular season form... he was 1-2 in 3 starts with a poor 6.10 ERA... in the batter's box the big sticks have been 3B Jim McDermott (.375 BA/2 HR/8 RBI/10 R), SS Norris Henry (.357 BA/0 HR/3 RBI/8 R), CF Kris Anastas (.271 BA/3 HR/12 RBI/4 R), LF Adam Thurgood (.184 BA/4 HR/10 RBI/7 R) and RF Gerry Rice (.277 BA/1 HR/5 RBI/7 R).

Far Mountain:
Top Starters: Dennis Sasek (2-3/2.81), Karl Nordheim (20-12/3.56), Frankie Moreland (20-14/3.31), Chad Cummings (17-16/3.54)
Top Relievers: Kippy Wilhelm (7-3/3.77/4 saves), Paul Young (6-9/4.29/14 saves). Keith Griggs (1-0/2.91/2 saves)
Top Batters: LF Harlan Silver (.326 BA/23 HR/85 RBI/81 R), 1B John Burrell (.300/25 HR/94 RBI/78 R), SS Dan Vance (.324 BA/3 HR/39 RBI/75 R)

In the playoffs the Redhawks have been led by its superb starters... Karl Nordheim is 3-0 with a 1.67 ERA in 3 starts... Frankie Moreland is 2-1 with a 2.42 ERA in 3 starts... Chad Cummings is 1-1 with a 1.06 ERA in 2 starts... and Dennis Sasek is 1-2 with a 3.19 in 4 starts... most of the regulars are hitting under .300 in the postseason... they will have to hit better to beat the Hawks.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Sunday, October 10, 2038

2038 IPA PRO CUP FINALS

HAWKS NIPS REDHAWKS 3-2 IN PRO CUP OPENER
North Hills' postseason master, David Michael, rose to the occasion like he has done in past years and hurled a strong 3-hitter to nip the Far Mountain Redhawks 3-2 in the first game of the 2038 IPA Pro Cup Finals at the Hawk's Nest in North Hills... Michael (4-1/1.39) limited them 2 unearned runs, fanned 5 and issued no walks to run his career postseason record to 14-6 with a 2.39 ERA... North Hills snapped a 2-2 tie in the last of the eighth when Dennis Sasek's control left him and he walked 3 batters in the inning, eventually forcing in the winning run... Sasek (1-3/3.23) issued 4 walks in the game, allowed 3 runs on 9 hits and struck out 4... both Michael and Sasek pitched complete games.

In the decisive inning, 2B Tommy Vavas (263) and RF Gerry Rice (.280) worked Sasek for walks... then RF Adam Thurgood (.226) singled to load the bases... clean-up hitter 1B Ric Hamilton (.195) got a free pass and forced in the winning run... Thurgood led the Hawks with 3 hits in 4 tries... CF Kris Anastas (.288) socked 2 hits and drove in a run... and C Mikhail Romanovsky (.156) had the other Hawk RBI.

North Hills took a 2-0 lead in the second frame on a single by Hamilton, double by 3B Jim McDermott (.365) and an RBI groundout by Anastas, but Far Mountain came back and tied it in the fourth on singles by RF Harlan Silver (.212) and 1B John Burrell (.239) and a throwing error by right fielder Gerry Rice to put runners at second and third... RBI groundouts by 3B Kyle Ainslie (.346) and RF Wes Wernstedt (.250) scored the runs... Burrell paced the Redhawks with 2 hits.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, October 11, 2038

2038 IPA PRO CUP FINALS

HAWKS WIN AGAIN, TAKE GAME TWO 3-0
Good pitching was forecast for this year's Pro Cup Finals and that's exactly what we've gotten in the first two games... North Hills won again with a mound gem from Jeff Owens, who stumped Far Mountain 3-0 on a 5-hit shutout... that gave the Hawks a 2-0 lead in the series.

Owens (3-1/1.25) fired 5 strikeouts and walked one to fashion the victory... he got all the runs he needed with a fifth-inning homer by Kris Anastas and a 2-run clout by himself in the seventh.

Young 21-year-old lefty Karl Nordheim (3-1/2.06) also went the distance in defeat, giving up 3 runs and 7 hits... Anastas (.309) led the Hawks with 2 hits and scored twice... he now has driven 14 runs in the playoffs.

The series will now change venues, going from the Hawk's Nest in North Hills to the friendly confines of Sky High Stadium in Far Mountain... both are pitchers' ballpark with big dimensions.

AROUND THE TOWN IN THE IPA

FAR MOUNTAIN REDHAWKS

Owner: Johann Becker
General Manager: Alex Groveland
Manager: Don Nichols

Far Mountain, located in northern Ruthlandia in the Appian Mountains, is a very popular year-round ski resort and convention center. A beautiful town of 75,000 founded by immigrants from the German and Swiss Alps, Far Mountain oozes Tyrolian charm and culture. Horse drawn sleighs and buggies provide free public transportation. The Islands' rich and famous come here for wonderful ski vacations, to savor the good life and to enjoy the great hotels, nightclubs, shops, restaurants and nightlife. Yet it is priced for every pocketbook. Middle class families also partake of its many pleasures and activities. And with fine convention facilities, Far Mountain plays host to many professional and educational organizations.

And it is the home of the Far Mountain Redhawks baseball team of the Ruthlandian Union. The team is in the North Division and plays their games at Sky High Stadium with a magnificent panoramic view of the Appian Mountains in the distance. A specialty at all Redhawks games is a great polka band that furnishes music and songs, whenever there is a break in the game action. During the seventh-inning stretch Redhawks supporters have a great time doing the “Chicken Dance” and singing “Take me out to the ballgame” to the accompaniment of the polka band. And fans get to enjoy special culinary treats of Bavarian beers, Nurnberg bratwurst mit sauerkraut (fried sausage with sauerkraut), Schwartzwalder kirschtorte (Black Forest cake) and Apfelstrudel (apple strudel) pastries and hot gourmet soups at the games. Many fine German beers are served in profusion, too. In addition all of the traditional ballpark favorites are provided.

The Far Mountain Redhawks are owned by Johan Becker, whose family has been for 150 years the proprietors of one of the oldest hotels in town, The Bavarian Gasthaus. Becker developed a love for baseball in high school and college and played varsity baseball for both. He met Jock Ewing of Ewing Oil and Ewing Enterprises and developed a business relationship with him to make Far Mountain into a tourist resort. When Ewing offered him one of the franchises in the IPA, Johan quickly invested in it.

For a general manager he hired one of the great pitchers of the industrial leagues, Alex Groveland. As skipper Groveland led Far Mountain to three consecutive Pro Cup championships in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

The Redhawks are managed by IPA Hall-of-Fame shortstop Don Nichols. As a player Nichols sparked Far Mountain to three Pro Cup titles in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and seven division flags. In his 24 years in the league Nichols batted .310 in 3523 games (7th) with 3760 hits (3rd), 1773 RBIs (11th), 2161 runs (4th) and stole 668 bases (8th). In 95 playoff games he hit .300 with 9 homers, 51 RBIs, 53 runs and 17 stolen bases. Nichols was elected to the IPA Hall of Fame in 2027. He played 17 years with Far Mountain and 7 with the Marston Nine.

Sky High Stadium (1997)
Capacity: 10,444
Dimensions:
LF Line 330
LF 354
LC 380
CF 402
RC 380
RF 354
RF Line 330

Around the Town in the IPA

NORTH HILLS HAWKS

Owner: Hawk Steel
General Manger: Hub "Scroogie" Carlson
Manager: Todd Simons

North Hills, a modern and vibrant town with 71,000 population, is in the Appian Mountains in northeastern Tycobbia. It is situated on the important Appian River, which flows the length of the country north to south, passing Hartsdale, La Claire (the capital) and finally coming to an end at Bay St. Claire on the Kelnyck Ocean.

North Hills is rich in natural resources, forests and mining deposits (coal and iron ore). It is the home of Hawk Steel Corporation whose product is much in demand because of its very high quality and relatively inexpensive cost.

North Hills is a cosmopolitan town with a rich and diverse population. Immigrants from the coal and steel industries from the United States, England and Eastern Europe have forged a vibrant culture in the hills of Tycobbian.

Hawk Steel is the owner of the local club, the North Hills Hawks, who play at The Hawk's Nest, a relatively new stadium, from which in the background you can see the majestic Appian Mountains. North Hillian fans love their baseball. And that’s all you get at The Hawks Nest. There are no in game promotions or sideshows. They sing the National anthem, play ball, sing “Take me out to the ball game” during the seventh inning stretch, have a beer or soft drink, peanuts, crackerjacks, hamburger or hot dog, watch the ball game, cheer their Hawks to victory, then go home and get ready for another day at the mines or steel mills.

The Hawks are run by Hub "Scroogie" Carlson, one of the best left-handed pitchers ever in Tycobbian amateur baseball circles. Carlson was known for his wicked screwball.

IPA Hall of Fame member, Todd Simons, manages the Hawks. Simons, a catcher, batted .270 in his 24-year career, hit 323 homers with 1641 RBIs, 1726 runs scored and hold the all-time IPA mark for walks with 2682. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2036. Simons has led the Hawks to five TU North pennants and two IPA Pro Cups in the last five years.

The Hawks Nest (1998)

Capacity: 6,965

Dimensions:
LF Line 338
LF 370
LCF 402
CF 395
RCF 402
RF 365
RF Line 335

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Tuesday, October 12, 2038

2038 IPA PRO CUP FINALS

HAWKS WIN IN 11 INNINGS, UP 3-0 IN SERIES
The North Hills Hawks are right on the brink of capturing a third Pro Cup in the last five years... At Sky High Stadium in Far Mountain, Chad Cummings walked Adam Thurgood with the bases loaded in the top of the 11th frame to give North Hills a 5-4 victory and a three-games-to-none lead in the IPA Pro Cup Finals... one more Hawks' win and it's over... the Redhawks will need to sweep the final four games of the series to take the IPA crown... a feat that is rarely pulled off.

North Hills drew first blood with a 3-run first, highlighted by Adam Thurgood's 2-run shot, his fifth of the postseason... the Hawks added another run in the sixth to go up 4-0, before the Redhawks mounted a comeback and sent the game to extra innings with a run in the sixth, 2 in the seventh and one more in the eighth... the Hawks managed 13 hits to 10 for the Redhawks.

Frankie Lambert (2-2/5.28) guttied out 10 innings for the win... he gave up 4 runs on 9 hits, struck out 4 and walked 3 before making way for Joey Santini in the last of the 11th... Santini got his fourth save, but got into some hot water with a hit and a walk after two were out before finishing off the Redhawks... reliever Chad Cummings' (1-2/1.42) wildness cost him the game... he walked 3 and allowed 2 hits in his 2 innings... Frankie Moreland started and worked the first 7 innings... the Hawks got to him for 4 runs and 11 hits, but only 2 were earned... Keith Griggs held the Hawks scoreless in the eighth and ninth.

LF Adam Thurgood sparked North Hills with 2 hits and 3 RBIs... 2B Tommy Vavas (.250) and 3B Jim McDermott (.361) also chipped in with a pair of hits... and CF Kris Anastas (.333) got 3 hits for North Hills... leading Far Mountain at the plate was 1B John Burrell (.264) with 2 hits and 2 RBIs... RF Gilbert Bauer (.143) and C Lou Ranson (.245) added 2 hits apiece... and pinchhitter Bert Richter got a 2-run homer.

Game four will also be in Far Mountain... both clubs will have their aces ready to go... it will be David Michael (22-13/2.53) for the Hawks and Dennis Sasek (20-3/2.81) for the Redhawks... Michael triumphed in game one 3-2 and is 4-1 in the playoffs with a standout 1.39 ERA in 5 starts... Sasek is 1-3 in his 5 starts with a 3.23 ERA.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Wednesday, October 13, 2038

2038 IPA PRO CUP FINALS

HAWKS SNARE 3RD PRO CUP IN 5 YEARS
Tremendous pitching and solid hitting brought North Hills its third Pro Cup in the last five years... the Hawks wrapped up the 2038 Pro Cup Series with a 5-1 win in 10 innings to sweep the weak-hitting Far Mountain Redhawks in four games... David Michael and Joey Santini teamed up to hold the Redhawks to just 4 hits with the victory going to Santini (2-0/0.00)... he blanked Far Mountain over the final two innings after Michael stopped them on one run and 3 hits is his eight innings... North Hills hammered losing pitcher Chad Cummings (1-3/3.15) for 4 runs and 4 hits in the tenth... Cummings lost the last two games of the series in relief... the Hawks banged out 16 hits in game four, but left 13 baserunners on.

The Hawks went in front in the top of the fourth when 2B Tommy Vavas (.278) singled and went to second on a miscue by third baseman Kyle Ainslie on a grounder by RF Gerry Rice (.266)... a wild pitched moved them up to second and third... 1B Ric Hamilton (.185) got the first run in with an RBI single.

The Redhawks tied it up in the last of the seventh... back-to-back singles by LF Harman Silver (.200) and 1B John Burrell (.268) placed runners on first and second... a base on balls to RF Wes Wernstedt (.233) loaded the bases with one away... C Lou Ranson's (.232) deep flyout to right-center easily tied the score at 1-1.

North Hills exploded for 4 runs against Cummings in the top of the tenth frame... after Ric Hamilton (.185) singled and Jim McDermott (.369) doubled to put runners on second and third, CF Kris Anastas (.323) drove in the winning run with a single... SS Norris Henry (.370) made it 3-1 with a single... Joey Santini (.000) got another run in when he hit into a 5-4-3 double play... and 2B Tommy Vavas (.278) finished out the scoring with an RBI double.

North Hills' skipper Todd Simons proudly held up the Pro Cup trophy at the press conference and said "You never get tired of hoisting this baby... it's the thing dreams are made of." This is the third time Simons has had the pleasure of winning the Islands' baseball championship. The Hawks also won it in 2034 and 2036... Simons said, "Hey, I don't mind winning this every other year."

Simons praised his great pitching staff, "Holding anybody to 7 runs in 4 games is remarkable pitching... and my boys did it in the Pro Cup Finals... Michael, Owens and Santini really took it to another level this year... they were fabulous." Simons later also recognized his team's hitting, "Anastas, Thurgood, McDermott and Henry certainly had a hand in the championship... they came through time after time in the postseason, too."

Losing manager Don Nichols echoed Simons' sentiments, saying, "The Hawks' hill corps really clamped down on our bats... that was the key to the series."

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Thursday, October 14, 2038

PRO CUP MVP GOES TO HAWKS' MICHAEL AGAIN
For the third time in his career David Michael of the North Hills Hawks has sparked his club to an IPA Pro Cup championship and for the second time he has been named the Pro Cup Most Valuable Player. The 31-year-old right-hander also won the award in 2034 and he played an important role on the 2036 title team. Michael is only the fourth two-time winner. Previously Far Mountain outfielder Xavier Soto won it two years in a row in 2011 and 2012, Eastshore pitcher Duncan Welch in 2020 and 2022 and Valmara hurler Teddy Lem in 2026 and 2030.

Michael captured it this year as he posted a 4-1 record in 6 starts with an exceptional 1.35 ERA. HIs closest competitor was teammate Jeff Owens, who took the MVP Award in 2036. Michael defeated him 60 to 50 in The Islandian Times' annual poll. A distant third in the balloting with 18 votes was Hawk' center fielder Kris Anastas.

Michael beat Turon 2-1 and 10-8 in first-round action. In the second game he allowed 4 runs in 8 innings for the win with only 2 runs earned. He exited with a 10-4 lead. His only loss was 2-1 in 10 innings to La Claire in second-round play. Michael later beat them 5-3 in game four to even up the series. In the Pro Cup Finals he won game one against Far Mountain 3-2 and whipped them again in game four 5-1. Michael completed 2 games in the postseason.

Owens was also outstanding this year with 3-1 mark in 4 starts with a 1.25 ERA and 4 complete games. Anastas batted .323 in 16 games with 4 homers and 15 RBIs.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Friday, October 15, 2038

FARNSWORTH PICKED BEST RU ROOKIE
Not a bumper crop of rookies this year in the IPA. Marston's 22-year-old right-hander Val Farnsworth was acclaimed the top rookie in the Ruthlandian Union. Farmsworth easily beat out two freshmen batters, Eldon Aldrige of Ancona and Franco Zinacola of Fort Benton.

Farnsworth notched 20 wins in his first IPA season. He posted a 20-9 mark with a 3.60 ERA and led the Marston Nine to a fourth-place finish in the RU East.

Aldridge played a solid left field for the Ancona Red Elephants and put up a .344 batting average in his first season. In 105 games he totaled 23 home runs, 72 RBIs and scored 61 runs.

Zinacola played in 125 games and paced the Fort Benton Defenders to a third-place spot in the RU West. He batted .288 with 7 HRs, 52 RBIs and scored 64 runs. Defensively Zinacola was average.

TUCKS' REDD TOP FROSH IN TU
The freshman pickin's in the Tycobbian Union were quite sparse this year. too. The best of the lot was Tuckanarra third baseman Daniel Redd, who was selected the TU Rookie of the Year. He outpolled Southport southpaw Johnny Swanson and Rolling Hills' center fielder Al Gentry for the honor.

Redd registered a .289 BA with 30 doubles, 5 triples and 10 home runs. In 143 games the 24-year-old Redd scored 92 runs, stole 21 bases and batted across 69 runs for the Blue Jays, who won the TU East Division crown for the fifth year in succession. Redd is the son of Danny Redd, a Tuckanarra standout outfielder for 18 years and a .318 career hitter.

Swanson was 14-11 for the sixth-place Southport Sun Sox. He posted a 3.23 ERA and had 11 complete games.

Gentry hit at a .317 clip for the Rolling Hills Reds with 11 HRs, 49 RBIs and 58 runs in 104 games.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Saturday, October 16, 2038

GAMBLE GARNERS RU GOLDEN BAT AGAIN
Sugar Valley's fabulous superstar center fielder Bobby Gamble is making shambles of the Ruthlandian Union Golden Bat balloting - he just won it for the fourth year in a row. The Rattlers' superb all-around star has done it again, beating back quality competition from two Claxton standouts Jojo DeLucca and Foxy Fuchs.

The 25-year-old Gamble played a big part in Sugar Valley winning the RU East pennant and running up an IPA-best 104 victories. He participated in 143 games, batted .306 with 34 homers, 136 RBIs and 132 runs. Gamble led the IPA in RBIs and was ranked second in runs scored. The gifted Gold Glover also finished third with 46 stolen bases. Lifetime Gamble has hit .317 in his six years in the league.

DeLucca and Fuchs were vital in Claxton winning the RU South Division flag this year. First baseman DeLucca played all 154 games for the third consecutive year, notched a .340 batting average with 30 HRs, 106 RBIs and scored 129 runs. He easily topped the IPA with 220 hits and was third in scoring. DeLucca is the son of Joe DeLucca, who starred for 20 years in the IPA and ended up with a .305 career BA.

Left fielder Foxy Fuchs also had another excellent season with a .335 BA in 145 games, 32 HRs, 109 RBIs and 115 runs. He and DeLucca form one of the most explosive tandems in the IPA.

THURGOOD ACCLAIMED BEST BAT IN TU
North Hills' fine outfielder Adam Thurgood rebounded from a "down year" with a resounding recovery. He did so well he was voted the best batter in Tycobbian and won the league's Golden Bat Award for the first time in his impressive career. Cape Coral's Rikky Van Dalen was number two in the voting and San Alejo's Filipe Zamora was third in The Islandian Times' poll.

Thurgood sparked his North Hills Hawks to a fifth straight TU North title. In 2037 the career .313 hitter saw his average dip to .271, but he came roaring back with a .326 mark this season. Thurgood slammed 40 home runs, drove in 122 runs and scored 101 times, while playing in 146 games. He came in second in the Tycobbian Union with 205 hits. Thurgood is 27 years old.

Coming in second in the balloting was 22-year-old Rikky Van Dalen. The Cape Coral third sacker posted a .324 BA with 38 HRs, 105 RBIs and tallied 109 runs in 145 games. Van Dalen helped the Hurricanes to a fourth-place finish in the tough TU South.

Zamora was one of the prime reasons his San Alejo Montaneros came in second in the TU South this year. He walloped 41 homers, drove in 120 runs and scored 105 runs in 130 games. Zamora, a four-year vet, batted .301 for the season.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Sunday, October 17, 2038

BEECHWOOD STAR PATTERSON GETS RU GOLD ARM
Beechwood's Maury Patterson may have a lot of mileage on him, but the 35-year-old righty can still pitch with the best of them. For the third time in his career Patterson copped 26 wins and for the second time in his wonderful career he is the recipient of the prestigious Ruthlandian Union Golden Arm Award, symbolic of the top pitcher in the league. Ranking second and third respectively in The Islandian Times' poll were Cold Creek's Joey Baker and Fort Benton's Jordy Raeburn.

Primarily because of Patterson's great 26-8 season the Beechwood Bobcats chalked up 90 victories and came in third to powerful Sugar Valley and Cold Creek in the RU East. Patterson had a remarkable year with 23 complete games in 38 starts with a superb 2.35 ERA. He also won the Golden Arm in 2026 at age 23 with a 26-8 mark and a ridiculously low 1.70 ERA. Patterson registered 26 wins again in 2027. Lifetime he is 261-181 with a 2.99 ERA and pretty much a sure cinch for the IPA Hall of Fame.

32-year-old Joey Baker of the Cold Creek Catamounts paced them to 96 victories and second place in the standings to Sugar Valley, who led the IPA with 104 triumphs. Baker was 22-8 with a fine 2.38 ERA with 19 complete games.

Third in the voting was Jordy Raeburn, age 23. He compiled a very impressive 25-9 record with a 3.13 ERA, striking out 238 in 290 innings. Raeburn helped the Fort Benton Defenders to a tie for the second spot in the RU West.

ENGSTROM TOP TWIRLER IN TU
This year's Tycobbian Golden Arm Award winner came from pretty good stock. Clyde Engstrom's father is IPA Hall-of-Famer Nicky Engstrom, who holds the all-time league record with 387 victories. Young Clyde led the Turon Typhoons to first place in the TU South this season with a masterful 26-10 record and a 2.90 ERA. Engstrom went the distance 24 times and fanned 214 batters in 322 innings. This season he tied the RU Golden Arm winner Maury Patterson of Beechwood for the IPA lead in wins. Engstrom is 28, but has played only four seasons in the IPA. So far, he is 75-47 with a strong 2.91 ERA. It was the first time in his career he was honored with the top pitcher selection.

34-year-old Pat Kovacs of the La Claire Lynx gave Engstrom quite a challenge for the best pitcher trophy. He sparked the Lynx to their second TU West pennant in a row with a 25-10 mark and an impressive 2.80 ERA.

North Hills ace David Michael wound up third in the balloting with a 22-13 record and a 2.53 ERA. He tossed 23 complete games and struck out 204 batters in 341 innings. The Hawks won the TU North for the fifth successive season and went on to win their third Pro Cup in the last five years. Michael was named the Pro Cup MVP this season, the second time he has won the award.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, October 18, 2038

GAMBLE WINS RU MVP SECOND TIME
In a great climax to a great season Bobby Gamble of Sugar Valley added the Ruthlandian Most Valuable Player honor to his Golden Bat trophy. It was the second time in his super career to win the MVP mantle. He also claimed the award in 2035. Gamble outpaced Claxton's Jojo DeLucca and Beechwood's Maury Patterson in the close balloting.

The Rattler center fielder was a vital cog in his club's extraordinary season. Sugar Valley led the IPA with 104 wins this year. Gamble batted .306 in 143 games and collected 34 home runs, 136 RBIs, scored 132 runs, walked 102 times, struckout only 15 times and stole 46 bases. For his six-season career the 25-year-old Gamble is hitting .317.

Claxton Diamonds' first baseman JoJo DeLucca also had a marvelous season and led Claxton to the RU South flag. Not missing a game, he played in 154 games and cracked out a terrific .340 BA with 32 HRs, 109 RBIs and scored 129 runs. DeLucca was runner-up in The Islandian Times' MVP poll.

In the third spot was this year's RU Golden Arm, Beechwood's Maury Patterson, who ran up 26 victories to tie for the IPA lead with Clyde Engstrom of Turon in the Tycobbian Union. His Bobcats flourished this year and came in third in the ultra-strong RU East. Patterson fashioned a brilliant 26-8 record with a 2.35 ERA.

ENGSTROM ALSO TYCOBBIAN MVP
Turon's talented Clyde Engstrom is not only the Golden Arm of Tycobbian baseball, he's also the TU Most Valuable Player this year. Engstrom edged Golden Bat winner Adam Thurgood of North Hills and Pat Kovacs, the ace of the La Claire Lynx for the MVP Award.

The Turon Typhoons won the TU South for the first time in two decades this year, thanks to Engstrom's fine mound work. The son of HOF-er Nicky Engstrom stood out with a 26-10 mark and a 2.90 ERA this season. Young Engstrom posted 24 complete games, fanned 214 batters in 322 innings and held batters to a .228 batting average.

Fresh off being named the best batter in the league, North Hills' splendid outfielder Adam Thurgood almost came up a double winner in postseason honors. However, this time around the best he could do was a close second place. Thurgood batted .326 and led the Hawks to their fifth straight TU North Division title with 40 homers, 122 RBIs and 101 runs scored.

Third place in the Tycobbian MVP race went to La Claire's mound star Pat Kovacs, who sparked his Lynx to a second successive TU West crown. Kovacs chalked up a 25-10 record and an impressive 2.80 ERA. He came in second to Engstrom in the TU Golden Arm voting.

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Tuesday, October 19, 2038

RU GOLDEN GLOVERS ANNOUNCED
The 2038 Ruthlandian Union Golden Glove Awards were handed out recently with only one player, right fielder Pettis Pentleton, the only one to have ever won one. Pentleton picked up the fourth Gold Glove of his 12-year career.

RUTHLANDIAN UNION GOLDEN GLOVE TEAM:
P - Rob Hutchens - Cold Creek (16-4/2.74/1.000 FA)
C - Lee Leslie - Belle Plaine (.253/13/70/65) (.994 FA/6 PB/38.0% RTO)
1B - Denny Simmons - Sligo (.297/29/95/121) (.993 FA)
2B - Mel Smith - Beechwood (.272/18/74/95) (.985 FA)
3B - Taylor Hampshire - Glasco (.299/20/59/89) (.977 FA)
SS - Hal Burton - Forest City (.282/0/67/81) (.966 FA)
LF - Yank Quinlan - Middlefield (.258/16/57/67) (.982 FA)
CF - Norman Antonioni - Middlefield (.257/37/75/71) (.991 FA)
RF - Pettis Pentleton - Ancona (.275/12/63/57) (.994 FA)

TU BEST DEFENDERS NAMES
Five players added more Golden Gloves to their collections in the Tycobbian Union in 2038. Four of the recipients were first-timers. Repeat winners were Dusty Rogan (3), Terry Johnston (2), Sammy Thornton (2), Charley Hastings (2) and William Snyder (2).

TYCOBBIAN UNION GOLDEN GLOVE TEAM
P - Tony Rossi - La Claire (14-19/4.28) (.976 FA)
C - Mikhail Romanovsky - North Hills (.238/13/52/77) (.995 FA/2 PB/39.5% RTO)
1B - Fred Phelps - Chicopee (.282/11/68/65) (.995 FA)
2B - Kunta Burton - White River (.265/0/44/48) (.987 FA)
3B - Terry Johnston - Southport (.241/15/50/78) (.947 FA)
SS - Sammy Thornton - Denton City (.287/5/57/79) (.966 FA)
LF - Charley Hastings - Arlon (.311/19/85/115) (.987 FA)
CF - Dusty Rogan - San Alejo (.301/21/74/87) (.995 FA)
RF - William Snyder - Cape Coral (.335/32/107/98/) (.977 FA)

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Thursday, October 28, 2038

FM'S NICHOLS BEST SKIPPER IN RU
Far Mountain's Don Nichols had great success as a player, but he found out that managerial success is harder to come by. Nichols' patience and hard work have finally paid off. The Ruthlandian Union named him the Manager of the Year for 2038. In a close vote Nichols bested three other fine skippers for the award. Claxton's Dixie Baker finished second in The Islandian Times' poll with Sugar Valley's Gibby Bobkins third and Beechwood's Bret George fourth. This is Nichols' first time to be honored as Manager of the Year. He was inducted into the IPA Hall of Fame in 2027 after a great career with the Redhawks. Nichols hit .310 and belted 386 homers in 23 seasons, 16 of them with Far Mountain.

Under Nichols the Redhawks won the pennant for the first time in 13 years. They rose up from fourth place (76-78) to the top spot with a 93-61 mark. In Claxton, with Baker in charge, the Diamonds improved from 79-75 (2nd) to 96-58 to take the RU South title. With Bobkins at the helm, the Sugar Valley Rattlers racked up 104 victories to lead the IPA and captured the RU East Division crown for the first time in nine seasons. The Rattlers moved up from second place (97-57) in 2037 to the number one spot this year, beating out powerful Cold Creek, who were 96-58 this season. Unheralded Beechwood was vastly better this year as George raised them up from 79-75 (6th) in 2037 to 90-64 (3rd), right behind powerhouses Sugar Valley and Cold Creek in the RU East.

TU PICKS TURON'S HANSEN TOP MANAGER
It has also been tough going for Alan Hansen, the 2038 Tycobbian Manager of the Year. Finally in his eighth season as skipper of the Turon Typhoons, Hansen won the pennant. In 2037 he lost the division title to San Alejo by a single game. This year the Typhoons improved from 93-61 (2nd) to first place with a sparkling 95-59 record. Hansen also had stiff competition for the award from Carlton "Lefty" Stevens of Tuckanarra, Todd Simons of North Hills and Jack Elliott of High Mesa. Hansen is a first-time recipient of the best manager honor. He is also a member of the IPA Hall of Fame. Hansen was inducted in 2029. Hansen, a solid second baseman and gifted lead-off man, posted a .296 lifetime batting average with a .413 on-base percentage, scored 2262 runs and walked 2351 times in 23 seasons. Hansen played in Turon his last 17 years.

Stevens was the runner-up in the voting. His Blue Jays won the TU East for the fifth straight year. Last year they had a splendid 99-55 record. This year they were 95-59. It's a good season in the IPA anytime you win 90 or more games. Third in the balloting was North Hills' Todd Simons. His Hawks went from 90-64 (1st) to 93-61 (1st) to cop their fifth TU North Division flag in a row. In fourth place was a relative newcomer to the managerial ranks, IPA icon and Hall-of-Famer Jack Elliott. In his second year, he sparked the perennial losers, the High Mesa Cowboys, from fourth place (70-84) to a respectable third place (81-73), right behind Tuckanarra and Ozarka in the hotly-contested TU East.

That puts a wrap on year 2038 in the Islandian Pro Alliance.

I will now begin work on next year.

Thanks for following this Dynasty.

I much appreciated it.

20 of the 64 rosters have been updated.

2039 Season begins in a week or so.

28 of the 64 team rosters have been updated.

I do it manually to insure that I get some decent rookies in the league each season. The game is poor at generating them.

36 of the 64 team rosters have been completed.