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reds1 · 02-03-2018, 04:08 PM

December 1, 1948

Eastern League: Monarchs Mean Business

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Offense: .309/.380/.464 (1st/1st/1st)
Pitching: 3.30/3.40/2.70 (1st/1st/1st)
Defense: .729 (1st)
Chemistry: Ecstatic

The United Leagues has seldom seen a performance this dominant. While the Brunwick Legends and Kingston Pelicans have both been powerhouses and enjoyed incredible seasons, the Braeland City Monarchs are taking it to a whole new level. The Monarchs opened the season with a 7-game winning streak, then went on a 14-game tear in the middle of November with all their wins coming on the road – against Western League teams no less. Indeed, the vagaries of the schedule has seen the Monarchs play 35 of their first 53 games on the road – and they are 29-6 thus far away from Kings Park. Now, with the schedule soon to see them play most of their games at home, could a 110-win season be a possibility? One can rightly expect them to cool off at some point, but they are firing on all cylinders right now – from the veterans to the rookies. The offense is averaging 6.5 R/G (Fort Richmond is next with 5.5), and there is a huge gap between them and the rest of the Eastern League.

28-year old LHP Nicholas Grimes (10-1, 2.53 ERA, 1.16 WHIP), a 2nd-round pick back in 1943-44, enjoyed a fine rookie season in 1945-46 (16-8, 3.86 ERA, 1.43 WHIP in 31 starts). But since then, he suffered one injury after another, going just 10-14, 2.68 ERA in 30 starts over the past two seasons. It appears the promise he has showed is now joined with a measure of health, as Grimes is enjoying his best start. If he stays healthy, he is on pace for 29 wins.

Player of the Week Awards:

November 1 – RF Daniel Tantoco (.600, 6 H, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 6 R)
November 22 – C Christopher Dainty (.529, 9 H, 2 HR, 8 RBI)

Noteworthy:

October 13 – 23-year old CF Patrick Lidgate (.306/.418/.510, 7 HR, 33 RBI, 37 BB) is having an incredible rookie season. That now includes a 5 for 5 performance against the Queensland Eagles. Although the Monarchs fell 6-5 in 12 innings, Lidgate did his part, singling in the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 6th innings, as well as hitting an RBI triple in the 8th and drawing a walk in the 10th.

October 25 – 22-year old RF Daniel Tantoco (.343/.410/.582, 5 HR, 18 RBI, 9 BB) enjoyed a huge game, smashing 3 HOME RUNS against the Cobourg Red Stockings. His heroics helped defeat the visitors 8-4. All three jacks were against SP Trent Beaton. Tantoco crushed a 3-run home run in the 2nd, hit a 2-run home run in the 4th and finally smacked a solo shot in the 5th. He walked in the 7th. In all, he went 3-3, 6 RBI, 3 R. Tantoco becomes the 6th player in ULB history to hit 3 home runs in a single game.

End of the Line?: 31-year old IF Trevor Bolen was the first overall pick back in the United Leagues first amateur draft. But apart from his wonderful rookie season (.321/.365/.502, 4.2 WAR), Bolen has not lived up to his high selection. On October 13, the Monarchs finally cut ties, waiving then releasing him outright. On November 3, the Downie Chiefs signed him to a minor league contract. He is currently toiling with their AAA club, the Renforth Braves. He is the only United Leagues player to hit for the cycle twice in the same season. He first accomplished it back on December 20, 1938 against the Stratford Barons. Then, just over two weeks later, on January 5, 1939, he did it again against the Brunswick Legends.

Current Injuries:

RHP Freddie Trerise – November 24 – elbow tendinitis. Out for: 5 weeks.

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Offense: .268/.370/.390 (3rd/2nd/5th)
Pitching: 3.81/3.71/4.50 (2nd/2nd/6th)
Defense: .693 (6th)
Chemistry: Happy

There is a huge gulf right now between the Braeland City Monarchs and everyone else in the Eastern League. The Stratford Barons are currently holding down the wild card spot, but just barely. The Queensland Eagles and Cobourg Red Stockings are still very much nipping their heels. Two players enjoying outstanding seasons are 29-year C Aaron Skidmore (.361/.531/.625, 7 HR, 38 RBI, 58 BB) and 26-year old 2B Chris Spiller (.373/.418/.515, 2 HR, 25 RBI, 11 BB). Skidmore is on pace for 10.5 WAR and recently usurped Kingston’s C Danny Trowbridge as the Top Player in the ULB. Spiller, a former 3rd round pick back in 1944-45 by Wolseley is on pace for his best season in the United Leagues with 4.3 WAR. He is rated as the 3rd best 2B in the ULB.

Player of the Week Awards:

November 8 – C Aaron Skidmore (.615, 8 H, 2 HR, 8 RBI)

Noteworthy:

October 8 – 29-year old 2B Quinlevan Goldfinch (.390/.468/.463, 2-2B, 6 RBI, 6 BB) has played sparingly for the Barons, but he made the most of his start against the Cobourg Red Stockings. Goldfinch went 5 for 6, with 4 singles and a double. Alas, Stratford lost in 10 innings, 10-9.

October 31 – 2B Chris Spiller hit for the CYCLE in a 5-2 victory over the Braeland City Monarchs. Spiller flied out in the 1st, singled in the 3rd, hit a 2-run home run in the 5th, hit an RBI triple in the 7th and finally, doubled in the 9th. He finished the game going 4-5, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 3 R. It was the 15th cycle in ULB history.

November 1 – LHP Joel Fearn (7-3, 3.18 ERA, 1.20 WHIP) was impressive in a 9-1 victory over the Wellington Athletics, going the distance; scattering 5 hits with 3 strikeouts and just one unearned run. It was also his 200th victory. He is the first pitcher in the United Leagues to reach that milestone. As of December 1, he sits atop the leaderboard with 202.

Current Injuries:

LHP Max MacColl – October 29 – radial nerve decompression surgery. Out for: 4 months.

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Offense: .256/.343/.374 (7th/6th/7th)
Pitching: 4.16/4.24/3.79 (3rd/3rd/2nd)
Defense: .696 (5th)
Chemistry: Happy

The Queensland Eagles appear to be bouncing back from their disappointing 1947-48 season, one year removed from their United Cup Championship. But their offense will have to pick things up if they hope to grab a playoff spot. Currently, their run differential is -12. Like the Monarchs, they have played the bulk of their games on the road so far (22-17 away, 5-8 at home) and should benefit from playing most of their games at home in the second half of the season.

29-year old RHP Aaron Saunderson (7-3, 3.10 ERA, 1.32 WHIP) is enjoying his best season in years (No. 6 rated SP overall), but the offense will be challenged to pick up the slack now that 28-year old RF Jilenko Vergara (.370/.463/.500, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 11 BB) is out for an extending time due to injury.

Player of the Week Awards:

November 15 – CF John Peterkin (.542, 13 H, 1 HR, 10 RBI)

Current Injuries:

RF Jilenko Vergara – October 27 – partially torn labrum. Out for: 2 months.
LF Zak Kidd – November 1 – shoulder tendinitis. Out for: 4 more days.

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Offense: .290/.354/.401 (2nd/4th/3rd)
Pitching: 4.42/4.49/4.14 (5th/4th/4th)
Defense: .704 (4th)
Chemistry: Unhappy

The Cobourg Red Stockings are not as dominant on offense as they were last season, but they are still very much a formidable unit thus far. What has helped in stay within reach of the wild card is a modestly improved pitching staff. While its not overly impressive, the Red Stockings are getting help from some expected sources, like No. 1 starter 39-year old RHP Lenny Freke (4-4, 3.86 ERA, 1.29 WHIP) as well as from some unexpected sources, such as No. 5 starter 34-year old RHP Wayne Smith (5-3, 2.90 ERA, 1.43 WHIP). Smith was claimed on waivers by Cobourg from the Wellington Athletics back in January 1948. But the entire pitching staff is going to have pick things up and stay competitive if the Red Stockings are going to have any chance of ending their playoff drought. But like so many other Eastern League clubs, Cobourg will be playing the bulk of the games in the second half at home.

Current Injuries:

RHP Tom Mayor – October 26 – torn labrum. Out for: 5 months.

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Offense: .267/.356/.402 (4th/3rd/2nd)
Pitching: 4.99/4.81/5.81 (7th/6th/8th)
Defense: .680 (7th)
Chemistry: Unhappy

For the Brunswick Legends, the concern going forward was their offense. However, recent acquisitions have helped the offense stay competitive. But it appears the bottom has fallen out of the pitching staff. The Legends have no one of consequence after ace 32-year old LHP Anastasio Rodríguez (6-5, 3.00 ERA, 1.24 WHIP). Gone are likes of Hirotada Fukushima (traded to Hespeler) and Mathew Monroe (traded to Wellington, now 38-year old free agent), who in their prime led the Legends to three United Cup championships. Also alarming is that 28-year old RF Marcus Peyto (.210/.293/.376, 6 HR, 29 RBI, 24 BB, -0.5 WAR) is having his worst season in years. It appears the back injury he suffered in spring training has affected him.

Player of the Week Awards:

October 18 – SS Jorge Arredondo (.481, 13 H, 1 HR, 12 RBI)
October 25 – 1B Stuart Bentham (.438, 14 H, 4 HR, 12 RBI)
November 29 – SS Jorge Arredondo (.417, 10 H, 2 HR, 3 RBI)

Noteworthy:

October 12 – 27-year old SS Jorge Arredondo (.390/.468/.463, 2-2B, 6 RBI, 6 BB) enjoyed a big day at Babe Ruth Park, going 5-5 against the Embro Suns. Arrendondo single in the 1st, hit an RBI double in the 2nd, hit a 2-run single in the 3rd, walked in the 5th, hit an RBI single in the 6th and hit a 2-run single in the 7th. The Legends prevailed in a shoot-out, 14-8.

Current Injuries:

CF Lance Oakley – October 9 – torn anterior cruciate ligament. Out for: 4 months.
RF Robin Gare – November 9 – fractured fibula. Out for: 3 months.
2B Matthew Shelley – November 28 – strained back. Out for: DtD; 4 more days.

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Offense: .257/.329/.383 (6th/7th/6th)
Pitching: 4.38/4.51/3.86 (4th/5th/3rd)
Defense: .714 (2nd)
Chemistry: Unhappy

The Downie Chiefs made some curious moves in the off-season and nothing so far has vindicated them. They have been some fine individual performances, but this is still a team unable to put it together, despite the young talent already on the roster. That said, its nice to see 26-year old RHP Kelii Pelanekelina (6-5, 3.47 ERA, 1.31 WHIP) have a bit of a bounce back from the down year he had last season (14-17, 4.08 ERA, 1.23 WHIP).

Noteworthy:

October 23 – 24-year old SS Manuel Castaneda (.205/.278/.273, 4-2B, 8 RBI, 9 BB) saw his 21-game hitting streak end when he went 0-3 against the Stratford Barons.

October 29 – 22-year old 2B Dominic Dudding (.318/.380/.479, 4 HR, 32 RBI, 19 BB) racked up 5 hits in 5 at-bats against the Queensland Eagles, helping the Chiefs to a 10-3 win. Dudding hit an RBI single in the 1st, singled in the 3rd, doubled in the 5th, hit an RBI single in the 6th and hit an RBI double in the 8th.

November 17 – 26-year old 1B Robin Duerdon (.323/.389/.484, 3 HR, 21 RBI, 21 BB) enjoyed a fantastic day against the Pulberry Trolleys, leading the Chiefs to a 12-5 victory. He did so by going 5-5 on the day. Duerdon singled in the 2nd, hit a RBI triple in the 4th, hit a RBI triple in the 5th, hit a single in the 7th, walked in the 8th and then singled in the 9th.

Current Injuries:

CF Connor Buswell – November 15 – intercostal strain. Out for: 2 weeks.

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Offense: .258/.352/.391 (5th/5th/4th)
Pitching: 5.57/5.86/4.79 (8th/8th/7th)
Defense: .661 (8th)
Chemistry: Content

Things are starting to look very grim for the Embro Suns. Pitching has long been the week point for the club and that hasn’t changed. The staff has been down right awful – again. But now the offense is starting to show signs of slowing down as well.

While 34-year old 1B Jim Friend (.281/.365/.452, 6 HR, 42 RBI, 28 BB) continues as a perennial all-star, he is showing signs of slowing down. Other than Friend, only 34-year old CF Terence Durney (.325/.428/.510, 8 HR, 29 RBI, 36 BB) and 33-year old LF Steven Winstanley (.262/.396/.476, 6 HR, 25 RBI, 28 BB) are providing a consistent spark on offense.

Player of the Week Awards:

October 11 – CF Terence Durney (.429, 12 H, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 7 R)

Current Injuries:

LHP Colm Soper – November 24 – herniated disc (back). Out for: 2 weeks.
CF Terence Durney – November 30 – sore elbow. Out for: DtD, 3 days.

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Offense: .249/.309/.344 (8th/8th/8th)
Pitching: 4.74/4.88/4.21 (6th/7th/5th)
Defense: .708 (3rd)
Chemistry: Unhappy

The Wellington Athletics hit rock-bottom last season and it appears they will stay there for the foreseeable future. Only 37-year old 3B Ryley McLarnon (.303/.357/.364, 10-2B, 18 RBI, 16 BB) is showing some spark to his game and even he is having a down year compared to the last few seasons. Not much room for optimism in Wellington right now (well, I guess they do have the second-best farm system right now. So, there’s that).

Noteworthy:

November 17 – 3B Ryley McLarnon went 2-4 in a 6-2 loss to the Cambria Cannons. But play was stopped briefly just enough to acknowledge McLarnon’s recent achievement: he had just become the first player in ULB history to reach 2000 hits.

Current Injuries:

RHP Wilfried Schop – November 18 – sore elbow. Out for: Dtd, 2 weeks.
RHP Darren Whiteley – November 29 – strained oblique. Out for: Dtd, 4 days.

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02-03-2018, 04:08 PM	#415
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,919	December 1, 1948 Eastern League: Monarchs Mean Business -------- Offense: .309/.380/.464 (1st/1st/1st) Pitching: 3.30/3.40/2.70 (1st/1st/1st) Defense: .729 (1st) Chemistry: Ecstatic The United Leagues has seldom seen a performance this dominant. While the Brunwick Legends and Kingston Pelicans have both been powerhouses and enjoyed incredible seasons, the Braeland City Monarchs are taking it to a whole new level. The Monarchs opened the season with a 7-game winning streak, then went on a 14-game tear in the middle of November with all their wins coming on the road – against Western League teams no less. Indeed, the vagaries of the schedule has seen the Monarchs play 35 of their first 53 games on the road – and they are 29-6 thus far away from Kings Park. Now, with the schedule soon to see them play most of their games at home, could a 110-win season be a possibility? One can rightly expect them to cool off at some point, but they are firing on all cylinders right now – from the veterans to the rookies. The offense is averaging 6.5 R/G (Fort Richmond is next with 5.5), and there is a huge gap between them and the rest of the Eastern League. 28-year old LHP Nicholas Grimes (10-1, 2.53 ERA, 1.16 WHIP), a 2nd-round pick back in 1943-44, enjoyed a fine rookie season in 1945-46 (16-8, 3.86 ERA, 1.43 WHIP in 31 starts). But since then, he suffered one injury after another, going just 10-14, 2.68 ERA in 30 starts over the past two seasons. It appears the promise he has showed is now joined with a measure of health, as Grimes is enjoying his best start. If he stays healthy, he is on pace for 29 wins. Player of the Week Awards: November 1 – RF Daniel Tantoco (.600, 6 H, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 6 R) November 22 – C Christopher Dainty (.529, 9 H, 2 HR, 8 RBI) Noteworthy: October 13 – 23-year old CF Patrick Lidgate (.306/.418/.510, 7 HR, 33 RBI, 37 BB) is having an incredible rookie season. That now includes a 5 for 5 performance against the Queensland Eagles. Although the Monarchs fell 6-5 in 12 innings, Lidgate did his part, singling in the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 6th innings, as well as hitting an RBI triple in the 8th and drawing a walk in the 10th. October 25 – 22-year old RF Daniel Tantoco (.343/.410/.582, 5 HR, 18 RBI, 9 BB) enjoyed a huge game, smashing 3 HOME RUNS against the Cobourg Red Stockings. His heroics helped defeat the visitors 8-4. All three jacks were against SP Trent Beaton. Tantoco crushed a 3-run home run in the 2nd, hit a 2-run home run in the 4th and finally smacked a solo shot in the 5th. He walked in the 7th. In all, he went 3-3, 6 RBI, 3 R. Tantoco becomes the 6th player in ULB history to hit 3 home runs in a single game. End of the Line?: 31-year old IF Trevor Bolen was the first overall pick back in the United Leagues first amateur draft. But apart from his wonderful rookie season (.321/.365/.502, 4.2 WAR), Bolen has not lived up to his high selection. On October 13, the Monarchs finally cut ties, waiving then releasing him outright. On November 3, the Downie Chiefs signed him to a minor league contract. He is currently toiling with their AAA club, the Renforth Braves. He is the only United Leagues player to hit for the cycle twice in the same season. He first accomplished it back on December 20, 1938 against the Stratford Barons. Then, just over two weeks later, on January 5, 1939, he did it again against the Brunswick Legends. Current Injuries: RHP Freddie Trerise – November 24 – elbow tendinitis. Out for: 5 weeks. -------- Offense: .268/.370/.390 (3rd/2nd/5th) Pitching: 3.81/3.71/4.50 (2nd/2nd/6th) Defense: .693 (6th) Chemistry: Happy There is a huge gulf right now between the Braeland City Monarchs and everyone else in the Eastern League. The Stratford Barons are currently holding down the wild card spot, but just barely. The Queensland Eagles and Cobourg Red Stockings are still very much nipping their heels. Two players enjoying outstanding seasons are 29-year C Aaron Skidmore (.361/.531/.625, 7 HR, 38 RBI, 58 BB) and 26-year old 2B Chris Spiller (.373/.418/.515, 2 HR, 25 RBI, 11 BB). Skidmore is on pace for 10.5 WAR and recently usurped Kingston’s C Danny Trowbridge as the Top Player in the ULB. Spiller, a former 3rd round pick back in 1944-45 by Wolseley is on pace for his best season in the United Leagues with 4.3 WAR. He is rated as the 3rd best 2B in the ULB. Player of the Week Awards: November 8 – C Aaron Skidmore (.615, 8 H, 2 HR, 8 RBI) Noteworthy: October 8 – 29-year old 2B Quinlevan Goldfinch (.390/.468/.463, 2-2B, 6 RBI, 6 BB) has played sparingly for the Barons, but he made the most of his start against the Cobourg Red Stockings. Goldfinch went 5 for 6, with 4 singles and a double. Alas, Stratford lost in 10 innings, 10-9. October 31 – 2B Chris Spiller hit for the CYCLE in a 5-2 victory over the Braeland City Monarchs. Spiller flied out in the 1st, singled in the 3rd, hit a 2-run home run in the 5th, hit an RBI triple in the 7th and finally, doubled in the 9th. He finished the game going 4-5, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 3 R. It was the 15th cycle in ULB history. November 1 – LHP Joel Fearn (7-3, 3.18 ERA, 1.20 WHIP) was impressive in a 9-1 victory over the Wellington Athletics, going the distance; scattering 5 hits with 3 strikeouts and just one unearned run. It was also his 200th victory. He is the first pitcher in the United Leagues to reach that milestone. As of December 1, he sits atop the leaderboard with 202. Current Injuries: LHP Max MacColl – October 29 – radial nerve decompression surgery. Out for: 4 months. -------- Offense: .256/.343/.374 (7th/6th/7th) Pitching: 4.16/4.24/3.79 (3rd/3rd/2nd) Defense: .696 (5th) Chemistry: Happy The Queensland Eagles appear to be bouncing back from their disappointing 1947-48 season, one year removed from their United Cup Championship. But their offense will have to pick things up if they hope to grab a playoff spot. Currently, their run differential is -12. Like the Monarchs, they have played the bulk of their games on the road so far (22-17 away, 5-8 at home) and should benefit from playing most of their games at home in the second half of the season. 29-year old RHP Aaron Saunderson (7-3, 3.10 ERA, 1.32 WHIP) is enjoying his best season in years (No. 6 rated SP overall), but the offense will be challenged to pick up the slack now that 28-year old RF Jilenko Vergara (.370/.463/.500, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 11 BB) is out for an extending time due to injury. Player of the Week Awards: November 15 – CF John Peterkin (.542, 13 H, 1 HR, 10 RBI) Current Injuries: RF Jilenko Vergara – October 27 – partially torn labrum. Out for: 2 months. LF Zak Kidd – November 1 – shoulder tendinitis. Out for: 4 more days. -------- Offense: .290/.354/.401 (2nd/4th/3rd) Pitching: 4.42/4.49/4.14 (5th/4th/4th) Defense: .704 (4th) Chemistry: Unhappy The Cobourg Red Stockings are not as dominant on offense as they were last season, but they are still very much a formidable unit thus far. What has helped in stay within reach of the wild card is a modestly improved pitching staff. While its not overly impressive, the Red Stockings are getting help from some expected sources, like No. 1 starter 39-year old RHP Lenny Freke (4-4, 3.86 ERA, 1.29 WHIP) as well as from some unexpected sources, such as No. 5 starter 34-year old RHP Wayne Smith (5-3, 2.90 ERA, 1.43 WHIP). Smith was claimed on waivers by Cobourg from the Wellington Athletics back in January 1948. But the entire pitching staff is going to have pick things up and stay competitive if the Red Stockings are going to have any chance of ending their playoff drought. But like so many other Eastern League clubs, Cobourg will be playing the bulk of the games in the second half at home. Current Injuries: RHP Tom Mayor – October 26 – torn labrum. Out for: 5 months. -------- Offense: .267/.356/.402 (4th/3rd/2nd) Pitching: 4.99/4.81/5.81 (7th/6th/8th) Defense: .680 (7th) Chemistry: Unhappy For the Brunswick Legends, the concern going forward was their offense. However, recent acquisitions have helped the offense stay competitive. But it appears the bottom has fallen out of the pitching staff. The Legends have no one of consequence after ace 32-year old LHP Anastasio Rodríguez (6-5, 3.00 ERA, 1.24 WHIP). Gone are likes of Hirotada Fukushima (traded to Hespeler) and Mathew Monroe (traded to Wellington, now 38-year old free agent), who in their prime led the Legends to three United Cup championships. Also alarming is that 28-year old RF Marcus Peyto (.210/.293/.376, 6 HR, 29 RBI, 24 BB, -0.5 WAR) is having his worst season in years. It appears the back injury he suffered in spring training has affected him. Player of the Week Awards: October 18 – SS Jorge Arredondo (.481, 13 H, 1 HR, 12 RBI) October 25 – 1B Stuart Bentham (.438, 14 H, 4 HR, 12 RBI) November 29 – SS Jorge Arredondo (.417, 10 H, 2 HR, 3 RBI) Noteworthy: October 12 – 27-year old SS Jorge Arredondo (.390/.468/.463, 2-2B, 6 RBI, 6 BB) enjoyed a big day at Babe Ruth Park, going 5-5 against the Embro Suns. Arrendondo single in the 1st, hit an RBI double in the 2nd, hit a 2-run single in the 3rd, walked in the 5th, hit an RBI single in the 6th and hit a 2-run single in the 7th. The Legends prevailed in a shoot-out, 14-8. Current Injuries: CF Lance Oakley – October 9 – torn anterior cruciate ligament. Out for: 4 months. RF Robin Gare – November 9 – fractured fibula. Out for: 3 months. 2B Matthew Shelley – November 28 – strained back. Out for: DtD; 4 more days. -------- Offense: .257/.329/.383 (6th/7th/6th) Pitching: 4.38/4.51/3.86 (4th/5th/3rd) Defense: .714 (2nd) Chemistry: Unhappy The Downie Chiefs made some curious moves in the off-season and nothing so far has vindicated them. They have been some fine individual performances, but this is still a team unable to put it together, despite the young talent already on the roster. That said, its nice to see 26-year old RHP Kelii Pelanekelina (6-5, 3.47 ERA, 1.31 WHIP) have a bit of a bounce back from the down year he had last season (14-17, 4.08 ERA, 1.23 WHIP). Noteworthy: October 23 – 24-year old SS Manuel Castaneda (.205/.278/.273, 4-2B, 8 RBI, 9 BB) saw his 21-game hitting streak end when he went 0-3 against the Stratford Barons. October 29 – 22-year old 2B Dominic Dudding (.318/.380/.479, 4 HR, 32 RBI, 19 BB) racked up 5 hits in 5 at-bats against the Queensland Eagles, helping the Chiefs to a 10-3 win. Dudding hit an RBI single in the 1st, singled in the 3rd, doubled in the 5th, hit an RBI single in the 6th and hit an RBI double in the 8th. November 17 – 26-year old 1B Robin Duerdon (.323/.389/.484, 3 HR, 21 RBI, 21 BB) enjoyed a fantastic day against the Pulberry Trolleys, leading the Chiefs to a 12-5 victory. He did so by going 5-5 on the day. Duerdon singled in the 2nd, hit a RBI triple in the 4th, hit a RBI triple in the 5th, hit a single in the 7th, walked in the 8th and then singled in the 9th. Current Injuries: CF Connor Buswell – November 15 – intercostal strain. Out for: 2 weeks. -------- Offense: .258/.352/.391 (5th/5th/4th) Pitching: 5.57/5.86/4.79 (8th/8th/7th) Defense: .661 (8th) Chemistry: Content Things are starting to look very grim for the Embro Suns. Pitching has long been the week point for the club and that hasn’t changed. The staff has been down right awful – again. But now the offense is starting to show signs of slowing down as well. While 34-year old 1B Jim Friend (.281/.365/.452, 6 HR, 42 RBI, 28 BB) continues as a perennial all-star, he is showing signs of slowing down. Other than Friend, only 34-year old CF Terence Durney (.325/.428/.510, 8 HR, 29 RBI, 36 BB) and 33-year old LF Steven Winstanley (.262/.396/.476, 6 HR, 25 RBI, 28 BB) are providing a consistent spark on offense. Player of the Week Awards: October 11 – CF Terence Durney (.429, 12 H, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 7 R) Current Injuries: LHP Colm Soper – November 24 – herniated disc (back). Out for: 2 weeks. CF Terence Durney – November 30 – sore elbow. Out for: DtD, 3 days. -------- Offense: .249/.309/.344 (8th/8th/8th) Pitching: 4.74/4.88/4.21 (6th/7th/5th) Defense: .708 (3rd) Chemistry: Unhappy The Wellington Athletics hit rock-bottom last season and it appears they will stay there for the foreseeable future. Only 37-year old 3B Ryley McLarnon (.303/.357/.364, 10-2B, 18 RBI, 16 BB) is showing some spark to his game and even he is having a down year compared to the last few seasons. Not much room for optimism in Wellington right now (well, I guess they do have the second-best farm system right now. So, there’s that). Noteworthy: November 17 – 3B Ryley McLarnon went 2-4 in a 6-2 loss to the Cambria Cannons. But play was stopped briefly just enough to acknowledge McLarnon’s recent achievement: he had just become the first player in ULB history to reach 2000 hits. Current Injuries: RHP Wilfried Schop – November 18 – sore elbow. Out for: Dtd, 2 weeks. RHP Darren Whiteley – November 29 – strained oblique. Out for: Dtd, 4 days. -------- __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 02-03-2018 at 11:46 PM.