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The Islandian Times
March 2, 2004
Claxton Diamonds Bid For Playoff Berth
Under Stacy Engel as manager, Claxton has made the IPA playoffs once in its three years of existence. In the league's initial season the Diamonds went 68-92. They were sixth and in the basement, 16 games behind the leader, the Marston Nine. In 2002 they regrouped and jumped up to second place, tied with Grand City with a fine 82-72 mark, ending up just three games in back of the pennant-winning Valka Blackhawks. 2003 was a down year as Claxton plunged to a 74-80 record and finished in the fifth spot in the Ruthlandian Union South, 15 games off the pace of the division champs, the St. John Crusaders.
"The Old Perfesser" Stacy Engel just missed out on the playoffs by a measly game in 2003, so he went out and procured what he thinks will put him over the top and into the playoffs this season. Asked by the press to give an analysis of the upcoming season, Engel replied, "I never make predictions, especially about the future. However, I think pitchers Bob Grba and Tom Dahl, along with my fleet-footed center fielder Jackie Faust will be enough to get the Diamonds into the first division and into the playoffs."
Grba is a portsider and will used as the closer, while Dahl is a righthander and will be used in middle relief. Faust is 34 years old, but still covers a lot of ground, has a good arm and rarely makes an error in the field. At bat Faust has good power and makes good contact. Talking about his new center fielder, Engel said, "I don't like players that knock in two runs and let in three."
Best Pitchers: Teddy Kuznetsov (17-12 3.06), LHP Sal Tallis (17-14 3.84), Doug Torvik (8-5 2.86)
Best Batters: LF Dixie Baker (.267 BA/31 HR/91 RBI), Won Golden Glove
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