[Westheim]

1983 PORTLAND RACCOONS – Opening Day Roster (first set shows 1982 numbers, second set overall; players with an * are off season acquisitions):

SP Christopher Powell, 34, B:L, T:R (18-6, 2.37 ERA | 78-74, 3.27 ERA) – without a doubt the ace on the staff. Took a couple of 1-0 losses last year, and was 2nd in ERA behind “Mauler” Correa. Remains long ball prone, but makes up for that by hardly walking anybody to keep the bags clear before surrendering a homer.
SP Logan Evans, 27, B:L, T:L (16-13, 3.26 ERA | 43-46, 3.33 ERA) – he never really found solid ground last season and his command issues will never be resolved, but he turned a winning record for back-to-back seasons.
SP Shayne Nealon *, 29, B:R, T:R (13-11, 3.25 ERA | 34-30, 3.72 ERA) – signed as free agent, last with the Condors. Struggled with command early in his career, but had about 2 K/BB in his last two seasons.
SP Kinji Kan *, 31, B:L, T:R (18-7, 3.27 ERA | 67-61, 4.14 ERA) – won the title with the Canadiens in his most awesome season. Now he just has to repeat.
SP Yoelbi Maurinha, 29, B:L, T:L (5-8, 3.58 ERA | 5-8, 3.58 ERA) – made his debut in 1981 and after a few rocky outings was very solid in the #5 spot.

MU Carlos Morán, 27, B:S, T:R (6-10, 3.50 ERA | 14-24, 3.71 ERA, 1 SV) – started ’81 in the rotation, but was moved back to mopup in the summer after a string of heavy losses. He won three games in long relief after that, where he seems to fit much better after all.
MR Burton Taylor *, 28, B:L, T:L (4-2, 3.71 ERA | 18-21, 3.83 ERA, 34 SV) – our new situational lefty, won the FL pennant with the Miners last year, reaches 2.5 K/BB for a nice 1.34 career WHIP.
MR Jason White, 24, B:R, T:R (0-1, 2.20 ERA | 0-3, 4.20 ERA) – keeps coming and going because he is so unreliable. Has only 60 IP to his majors career in parts of three seasons.
MR Fletcher Kelley, 24, B:R, T:R (1-4, 4.09 ERA | 2-4, 4.23 ERA) – melted away late in the season, ruining his record and ERA. He is actually very reliable.
SU Richard Cunningham, 23, B:R, T:R (3-2, 2.45 ERA, 3 SV | 4-5, 2.28 ERA, 3 SV) – was most awesome in his first full season; can also do long extra inning stints; struck out 9.5 per nine innings.
SU Wally Gaston, 26, B:R, T:R (1-6, 3.20 ERA, 3 SV | 23-29, 2.85 ERA, 82 SV) – continues to take more losses than he deserves by pitching a lot in late tied games going into overtime. He is mostly deadly and under long term contract. He also is the last remaining Raccoon from the 1977 season opener.
CL Grant West, 26, B:L, T:L (1-0, 1.25 ERA, 32 SV | 5-0, 1.59 ERA, 47 SV) – he’s not nicknamed “Demon” for no reason, was automatic in 1982.

C Enrique Sanchez, 29, B:R, T:R (.247, 9 HR, 66 RBI | .260, 33 HR, 229 RBI) – could not live up to expectations in his first season in Portland, but was still one of the most solid catchers in the league.
C Spencer Dicks, 30, B:R, T:R (.190, 1 HR, 6 RBI | .194, 2 HR, 43 RBI) – very weak at the plate, even for a backup, while his catching abilities were better than Sanchez’.

1B Matt Workman, 27, B:L, T:L (.288, 19 HR, 78 RBI | .284, 21 HR, 86 RBI) – had an awesome rookie season and is our 1B starter. His defense was not as great as his batting with 16 errors.
1B/2B/SS/3B Winston Thompson *, 29, B:L, T:R (did not play | .111, 0 HR, 4 RBI) – has 27 AB with the Gold Sox in ’79, that’s it. My scouts talked me into signing him. Worst case, he’s a defensive replacement or pinch runner.
1B/2B/3B/SS Jayson Bowling, 23, B:L, T:R (.238, 0 HR, 14 RBI | .249, 0 HR, 15 RBI) – has zero power, but is a nice fielder and contact batter. Has 225 AB in parts of two seasons.
1B/3B/RF/LF Mark Dawson, 29, B:R, T:R (.244, 25 HR, 90 RBI | .251, 116 HR, 522 RBI) – 3B starter; in his first full season in the CL, he tied for the home run title, and is 3rd on the all time home run table. He also functions as fifth outfielder in which case Green would start at third.
3B Cameron Green, 26, B:R, T:R (.255, 11 HR, 54 RBI | .239, 22 HR, 115 RBI) – was leadoff hitter with a .376 OBP due to 94 BB in 1982, but loses his 3B starter job with Alex White coming on board.
1B/3B/SS/2B/RF/CF Steve Walker, 23, B:R, T:R (.248, 7 HR, 39 RBI | .263, 12 HR, 113 RBI) – his batting did not keep up with his numbers in Sioux Falls, but his ability to play everywhere and everything makes him an incredibly valuable asset. He starts at second.
1B/SS/3B Edgardo Gonzalez, 29, B:S, T:R (.239, 1 HR, 24 RBI | .237, 2 HR, 120 RBI) – slumped late in the season, was batting over .250 into August as a starter at short. He will be the starting shortstop.

LF/RF Daniel Hall, 27, B:R, T:R (.273, 18 HR, 71 RBI | .267, 66 HR, 256 RBI) – played his first season without hitting the DL and a good one on top of that. Has batted between .270 and .280 for three years now, and has good power and defense. He is our starter in left.
LF/CF/RF Ramón Borjón, 32, B:L, T:L (.208, 15 HR, 64 RBI | .264, 117 HR, 498 RBI) – his first season in Portland was his worst at the plate, batting 60 points below his career average. He starts at center, but has Short in his rear view mirror. Borjón's main asset is his good defense and his power: he's 2nd all time in home runs in the ABL.
LF/CF/RF Jason Short *, 30, B:L, T:L (.235, 7 HR, 44 RBI | .262, 47 HR, 331 RBI) – free agent signing and backup, he was used in all possible roles by the Crusaders the last four years with varying success. The K is his biggest enemy.
LF/RF Alex White *, 28, B:L, T:L (.354, 8 HR, 60 RBI | .345, 58 HR, 593 RBI) – starts in right, career .414 OBP, quick, prototypical leadoff hitter, signed as free agent. Is one of the most popular players in the nation. If he doesn’t bat over .300 in Portland, nobody ever will.

I came up with the following lineups for opening day:

Vs. RHP: RF White – 1B Workman – LF Hall – 3B Dawson – CF Borjón – 2B Walker – SS Gonzalez – C Sanchez – P Powell
Vs. LHP: RF White – LF Hall – 1B Workman – 3B Dawson – 2B Walker – C Sanchez – SS Gonzalez – CF Borjón – P Powell

The Raccoons have added a staggering +13.8 WAR this offseason, leading the ABL by far. Next in the Top 5: Indians (+8.9), Miners (+2.0), Cyclones (+1.9), Gold Sox (+1.4); biggest losers: Warriors (-5.7), Pacifics (-6.3), Stars (-6.5), Thunder (-6.7), Loggers (-6.9);

I repeat: 90+ wins is a must for this team, especially with the Loggers, Canadiens, and Crusaders all bleeding some talent this offseason.

We won’t have to wait for long for our first true test, we’ll play the Canadiens at home to start the season.