OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE (RUTHLANDIA and TYCOBBIA BASEBALL UNIONS)

Eugene Church · 10-20-2008, 02:19 PM

The Islandian Times

Tuesday, July 24, 2001

Around the IPA
Tycobbian Union - West Division

The hapless Bay St. Clair Buccaneers made big splash in the Islandian Pro Alliance with a huge 4-for-1 trade in mid-June. Since then they have become the scourge of the Tycobbian Union West, going 18-6 in July, the best record by far. GM/Manager Guy Rondre took a big gamble trading one of the best hitters in the IPA for four quality players in an effort to turn the club around. He traded All-Star first baseman Maury Smith (.354/26 D/2 T/11 HR/64 RBI/65 R) for three pitchers, starter Duncan McFalls (7-3 3.23), reliever/starter Kenny Metcalf (4-2 3.88) and reliever Jeremiah McDonald (1-2 3.12), and outfielder Jose Valenzuela (.288/21 D/4 T 8/HR/39 RBI/48 R/6 SB). Rondre also brought in George Lyons (.255/12 D/1 T/18 HR/54 RBI/55 R), a power-hitting first baseman, from Arlon, and sent outfielder Andy Pettorini (.333/10 D/4 T/4 HR/20 RBI/29 R) in return. Rondre got power and gave up a Punch-and-Judy hitter. It has worked well for both teams. Arlon needed someone to get on base and got it in Pettorini, who is also an excellent outfielder to boot.

Since then, the Buccaneers have gone from 20 games out of first to 12.5 games off the pace. They are still in last place, but won't be there long if they play anywhere near the current pace.

Bay St. Clair is the top hitting team in the TU West with a .284 batting average, which sounds great, but they are a contact team, not a power team. If they had one or two home run hitters, the Bucs would be unbeatable.

The Buccaneers are paced by second baseman Tony Mann (.327/14 D/1 T/7 HR/45 RBI/60 R/9 SB), shortstop Chuck Hankins (.320/10 D/1 T/11 HR/43 RBI/52 R/20 SB), left fielder Charley Moon (.292/24 D/5 T/13 HR/51 RBI/64 R/11 SB), right fielder Jose Valenzuela (.288/21 D/4 T/8 HR/39RBI/48 R/6 SB), first baseman George Lyons (.255/12 D/1 T/18 HR/54 RBI/55 R), catcher Jake Singleton (.309/16 D/0 T/1 HR/36 RBI/37 R) and center fielder Nickie Friedrich (.290/23 D/5 T/0 HR/24 RBI/37 R).

The Buccaneers have added two more new players to the lineup. Center fielder Wayne Latham (.423/2 D/3T/2 HR/14/RBI/14 R) has played in 12 games and performed extremely well, while third baseman Ed Albrecht (.294/2 D/0 T/0 HR/3 RBI/7 R) had played in 10 games and done well. They add more offense and more defense. They replaced Nickie Friedrich (.290/0 HR/24 RBI/37 R) and Bobby Tracy (.325/1 HR/20 RBI/22 R).

On the mound Rondre has regrouped, too. Since taking over the closer role in mid-June, Chris Van Arden (3-1 1.10) has been stunning with 5 saves in 10 relief appearances. 10 days ago he traded for 17-year old Hal Meissner (2-1 2.54) from Arlon for third baseman Bubba Tate (.325/5 HR/29 RBI/14 R) and put him directly into the starting rotation and he has been very impressive. Jeremiah McDonald (1-2 3.12) has been installed as his long reliever and has done very well. The trades have worked magically so far.

Bay St. Clair's ace is All-Star Norm Gross (12-7 3.48). Rondre switched reliever Adam Lundgren (5-3 3.19) to the starting rotation and he has run off a 5-2 record in the last month. Duncan McFalls (7-3 3.23) has fit in nicely as the number three starter.

Rondre has dependable hurlers in middle relief, too. All are ex-starters: Sean Lawrence (2-8 3.71), Kenny Metcalf (4-2 3.88) and Gary Robinson (6-9 4.43). All of them have done better in relief roles.

The future is looking good for the Bucs, but they turned it around too late for this season. 12.5 games is almost impossible to make up, but third place is not out of the question. Bay St. Clair will play a role in deciding who wins the Tycobbian Union West flag.

10-20-2008, 02:19 PM	#508
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 36,061	The Islandian Times Tuesday, July 24, 2001 Around the IPA Tycobbian Union - West Division The hapless Bay St. Clair Buccaneers made big splash in the Islandian Pro Alliance with a huge 4-for-1 trade in mid-June. Since then they have become the scourge of the Tycobbian Union West, going 18-6 in July, the best record by far. GM/Manager Guy Rondre took a big gamble trading one of the best hitters in the IPA for four quality players in an effort to turn the club around. He traded All-Star first baseman Maury Smith (.354/26 D/2 T/11 HR/64 RBI/65 R) for three pitchers, starter Duncan McFalls (7-3 3.23), reliever/starter Kenny Metcalf (4-2 3.88) and reliever Jeremiah McDonald (1-2 3.12), and outfielder Jose Valenzuela (.288/21 D/4 T 8/HR/39 RBI/48 R/6 SB). Rondre also brought in George Lyons (.255/12 D/1 T/18 HR/54 RBI/55 R), a power-hitting first baseman, from Arlon, and sent outfielder Andy Pettorini (.333/10 D/4 T/4 HR/20 RBI/29 R) in return. Rondre got power and gave up a Punch-and-Judy hitter. It has worked well for both teams. Arlon needed someone to get on base and got it in Pettorini, who is also an excellent outfielder to boot. Since then, the Buccaneers have gone from 20 games out of first to 12.5 games off the pace. They are still in last place, but won't be there long if they play anywhere near the current pace. Bay St. Clair is the top hitting team in the TU West with a .284 batting average, which sounds great, but they are a contact team, not a power team. If they had one or two home run hitters, the Bucs would be unbeatable. The Buccaneers are paced by second baseman Tony Mann (.327/14 D/1 T/7 HR/45 RBI/60 R/9 SB), shortstop Chuck Hankins (.320/10 D/1 T/11 HR/43 RBI/52 R/20 SB), left fielder Charley Moon (.292/24 D/5 T/13 HR/51 RBI/64 R/11 SB), right fielder Jose Valenzuela (.288/21 D/4 T/8 HR/39RBI/48 R/6 SB), first baseman George Lyons (.255/12 D/1 T/18 HR/54 RBI/55 R), catcher Jake Singleton (.309/16 D/0 T/1 HR/36 RBI/37 R) and center fielder Nickie Friedrich (.290/23 D/5 T/0 HR/24 RBI/37 R). The Buccaneers have added two more new players to the lineup. Center fielder Wayne Latham (.423/2 D/3T/2 HR/14/RBI/14 R) has played in 12 games and performed extremely well, while third baseman Ed Albrecht (.294/2 D/0 T/0 HR/3 RBI/7 R) had played in 10 games and done well. They add more offense and more defense. They replaced Nickie Friedrich (.290/0 HR/24 RBI/37 R) and Bobby Tracy (.325/1 HR/20 RBI/22 R). On the mound Rondre has regrouped, too. Since taking over the closer role in mid-June, Chris Van Arden (3-1 1.10) has been stunning with 5 saves in 10 relief appearances. 10 days ago he traded for 17-year old Hal Meissner (2-1 2.54) from Arlon for third baseman Bubba Tate (.325/5 HR/29 RBI/14 R) and put him directly into the starting rotation and he has been very impressive. Jeremiah McDonald (1-2 3.12) has been installed as his long reliever and has done very well. The trades have worked magically so far. Bay St. Clair's ace is All-Star Norm Gross (12-7 3.48). Rondre switched reliever Adam Lundgren (5-3 3.19) to the starting rotation and he has run off a 5-2 record in the last month. Duncan McFalls (7-3 3.23) has fit in nicely as the number three starter. Rondre has dependable hurlers in middle relief, too. All are ex-starters: Sean Lawrence (2-8 3.71), Kenny Metcalf (4-2 3.88) and Gary Robinson (6-9 4.43). All of them have done better in relief roles. The future is looking good for the Bucs, but they turned it around too late for this season. 12.5 games is almost impossible to make up, but third place is not out of the question. Bay St. Clair will play a role in deciding who wins the Tycobbian Union West flag. Last edited by Eugene Church; 10-20-2008 at 07:05 PM.