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The Islandian Times
Thursday, October 23, 2025
Ranford's Fargnoli Top RU Skipper
The Ranford Bulls made a huge turnaround this season under manager Rick Fargnoli. The Bulls soared from deep in the cellar to fourth place in the RU North, winding up 84-70 this year 7 games off the pace. Last year they were a lowly 62-92 and trailed by a whopping 35 games. For his efforts Fargnoli has been selected as the Ruthlandian Union Manager of the Year for 2025. This is the first time Fargnoli has been so honored.
Dave Torregrossa of the Belle Plaine Musketeers was the runner-up in The Islandian Times poll. Torregrossa improved the Muskies from third to second place this year, just barely losing out by a game in the RU East to the Wynnamac Sundowners. Belle Plaine went from 81-73 to 91-63 and still couldn't win.
Benny Stern guided his Stoner Stars up from fifth to second in the RU West. Stoner fell just one game short of the pennant, losing out to Middlefield. The Stars went from 70-84 and 15 games back to 84-70.
SF's Leon Snares TU Best Manager Award
The Tycobbian Manager of the Year was also a first-time winner. This season Duroche "Lips" Leon piloted his South Fork Stallions to a great season, moving them up from sixth to first place. The Stallions were a dismal 69-85 in 2024, winding up 27 games out of first. South Fork was the winningest club in the IPA with a 96-58 mark. In a remarkable season the Stallions eventually won the Pro Cup.
Leon won a tight vote with Huroko Uchiyama of Ginza, Whitey Richburn of Turon, Dane Wesner of Fairfax and Charley Oscar of Southport. Uchiyama was the second-highest vote-getter. The Ninjas won the TU South by a slim game in a great battle with the Typhoons of Richburn. Uchiyama also edged Richburn in the Manager of the Year poll. Tied for the fourth spot in the poll were Fairfax's Wesner and Southport's Oscar. The Frogs won the TU North this season after finishing 4th the year before. The Sun Sox climbed up from seventh to fourth in the strong TU South, just 6 games out.
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