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reds1 · 03-06-2018, 12:40 AM

March 28, 1949

Eastern League: Braeland City, Stratford Set for Pennant Rematch

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Offense: .296/.367/.453 (1st/2nd/1st)
Pitching: 3.74/3.80/3.46 (1st/2nd/1st)
Defense: .710 (3rd)
Chemistry: Ecstatic

The Braeland City Monarchs finished in first place in the East for just the second time in their history. Three times previously they have won 96 games, but this year, they topped out with a ULB-wide best of 104 games. Two other teams have reached the 104-win mark: the 1942-43 Embro Suns and 1945-46 Kingston Pelicans. Interestingly, neither of those teams won the United Cup in their respective years. So, nothing is guaranteed for the mighty Monarchs.

Top Position Player: 26-year old C Christopher Dainty (.328/.427/.534, 20 HR, 84 RBI, 82 BB, 6.6 WAR) was just outstanding in his second full season in the ULB. In July 1948, he was rated the 13th best catcher in the United Leagues. Now, he is rated the 3rd best, behind only Stratford’s Aaron Skidmore and Kingston’s Danny Trowbridge.

Top Pitcher: 28-year old LHP Nicholas Grimes (21-9, 3.06 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 138 ERA+, 6.8 WAR) finally put together an injury-free season, allowing him to take over as Braeland City’s No. 1 starter and win over 20 games for the first time in his career. He is only pitcher in the United Leagues to win 20+ games this season. The last time he was able to play a complete season was in 1945-46, where he went 16-8, 3.86, ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 109 ERA+.

Player of the Week Awards:

February 21 – 1B Dean Witherden (.462, 12 H, 1 HR, 9 RBI)
March 7 – 1B Dean Witherden (.545, 12 H, 2 HR, 10 RBI)

Noteworthy:

March 14 – 39-year old LHP David Cooling (15-5, 3.90 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 108 ERA+) became the third pitcher to reach 200 career wins, when he defeated the Queensland Eagles 6-3. He now joins Stratford’s Joel Fearn and Brunswick’s Anastasio Rodríguez in the 200-victory club.

March 26 – It took 13 innings for the Monarchs to finally prevail over the Cobourg Red Stockings at Cobourg’s Radcliffe Field. The final score was 9-7 and included a 5 for 7 effort from 30-year 2B Dennis Borton (.354/.399/.495, 12 HR, 90 RBI, 39 BB, 3 SB, 4.3 WAR) against his old team. Borton flied out in the 1st, singled in the 4th, tripled in the 5th, flied out in the 7th, hit an RBI single in the 9th, singled in the 11th and hit what proved to be the winning two-run triple in the 13th.

Current Injuries:

CF Curt Tiffany – January 5 – ruptured tendon (finger). Out for: 6 days.
RHP Freddie Trerise – March 25 – sore shoulder. Out for: DtD, 3 days.

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Offense: .265/.372/.385 (5th/1st/5th)
Pitching: 3.98/3.74/5.28 (3rd/1st/7th)
Defense: .702 (5th)
Chemistry: Ecstatic

The Stratford Barons finally woke up in March to nail down the wild card and prevent any chance of the Downie Chiefs from catching them. It’s the fifth time the Barons have qualified for the post-season, but the first time they do as the second-place team. It’s also the first time they have made the playoffs two seasons in a row. They have alternated United Cup championships. They failed to win last year; they may be due this season if that trend continues.

Top Position Player: 29-year C Aaron Skidmore (.311/.488/.538, 21 HR, 98 RBI, 160 BB, 8.4 WAR) has entrenched himself as the United Leagues top player this season. He has averaged 6.9 WAR over the past 5 seasons. He set two new records this season: OBP and walks.

Top Pitchers: This goes to Stratford’s aging nucleus of pitchers: 40-year old LHP Ryan Borden (15-12, 2.98 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 140 ERA+, 5.6 WAR) and 38-year old LHP Joel Fearn (17-9, 2.98 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 140 ERA+, 4.7 WAR). Without these two, it’s doubtful the Barons would have made the playoffs.

Noteworthy:

March 12 – Although the Barons fell to the Brunswick Legends 5-4 at Babe Ruth Park, there was still reason to celebrate. 36-year old SS Jake Walker (.301/.435/.413, 6 HR, 65 RBI, 133 BB, 4.6 WAR) went 2 for 4 in the game, which included his 2000th career hit. He becomes the second player in the United Leagues to reach that milestone, after Wellington Athletics’ 3B Ryley McLarnon.

Current Injuries:

LHP Max MacColl – October 29 – radial nerve decompression surgery. Out for: 2 weeks.
CF Won-ho Kim – March 26 – strained back. Out for: DtD, 1-2 weeks.

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Offense: .268/.347/.405 (4th/4th/4th)
Pitching: 4.06/4.07/4.04 (4th/4th/4th)
Defense: .712 (1st)
Chemistry: Content

The Downie Chiefs were unable to keep their momentum going from January and attain their first playoff appearance, but they still finished above .500 for the first time in 9 seasons. They have the third deepest farm system in the ULB, but it is still light in arms, something they desperately need if they want to finally challenge for a playoff spot.

Top Position Players: The Chiefs now have two bonafide stars on their roster, after going so many years without one: 23-year old CF Alfonso Léon (.302/.356/.485, 21 HR, 102 RBI, 58 BB, 8 SB, 7.5 WAR) whose offensive numbers were almost identical to last season, while his defense was even better (.988 PCT, 3.61 RNG, +24.6 ZR, 1.061 EFF). Joining him was 23-year old 3B Dominic Dudding (.336/.395/.575, 30 HR, 134 RBI, 59 BB, 7 SB, 7.3 WAR) who came into his own in his first full season. Dudding and Léon are rated 6th and 7th respectively among all position players.

Top Pitcher: 26-year old RHP Kelii Pelanekelina (17-13, 3.55 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 115 ERA+, 3.8 WAR) performed strong from November to January (11-5, 2.75 ERA), but cooled off dramatically in February and March (4-5, 4.80 ERA). Pelanekelina needs help; he’s been carrying a heavy load as the No. 1 starter for the past 5 seasons. He is more suited as a No. 3 starter.

Current Injuries: None.

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Offense: .260/.339/.373 (6th/7th/7th)
Pitching: 3.88/3.95/3.57 (2nd/3rd/3rd)
Defense: .711 (2nd)
Chemistry: Happy

An anemic offense sunk the Queensland Eagles once again, seeing the club end the season with only a modest improvement in their record. They have some talent down on the farm, but they will have to exercise some patience for it to give the team the boost it so desperately needs. Pitching is not the problem, as it averaged 4.4 R/G, best in the Eastern League. But the offense only average 4.3 R/G.

Top Position Player: 29-year old RF Jilenko Vergara (.364/.455/.596, 12 HR, 36 RBI, 39 BB, 3.5 WAR) missed 3 months of the season due to a partially torn labrum, but still managed to outperform his teammates. That’s the kind of season it was for the offense.

Top Pitcher: 32-year old RHP Pi-ao Quian (14-12, 3.16 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 131 ERA+, 7.8 WAR) rebounded in a big way after a couple of down seasons to take over the No. 1 spot in the rotation from Aaron Saunderson.

Player of the Week Awards:

February 14 – RF Jilenko Vergara (.591, 13 H, 1 HR, 2 RBI)
March 21 – RF Jilenko Vergara (.409, 9 H, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 6 R)

Current Injuries:

RHP Bartolo Sánchez – March 16 – oblique strain. Out for: unknown.

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Offense: .284/.346/.410 (2nd/5th/2nd)
Pitching: 4.50/4.42/4.86 (5th/6th/6th)
Defense: .677 (8th)
Chemistry: Happy

A combined 27-22 record in February and March helped the Embro Suns avoid a sub-70-win season, but that was small comfort for a team that has missed the playoffs for three straight seasons now and counting. The farm system has been getting stronger, but the Suns are still looking for one young ones to truly breakout. Until then, the Suns will continue to be an afterthought in the East.

Top Position Player: Although he led the Suns in a slew of offensive categories, 35-year old CF Terence Durney (.312/.415/.481, 18 HR, 98 RBI, 101 BB, 2.6 WAR) was downright awful on defense (.993 PCT, 2.82 RNG, -39.4 ZR, .887 EFF). So, this goes once again to 34-year old 1B Jim Friend (.289/.403/.481, 22 HR, 106 RBI, 107 BB, 5.0 WAR) who also enjoyed one of his best seasons defensively (.992 PCT, 10.20 RNG, +2.4 ZR, 1.046 EFF). He surpassed 1000 RBIs this season and currently stands second on the all-time list with 1,085, behind only Kingston’s Katsunan Chikafuji (1,096).

Top Pitcher: It was once again a mediocre season for Embro pitchers. 34-year old RHP Myung-gu Son (12-15, 4.19 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 100 ERA+, 5.5 WAR) was as good as it got. 30-year old RHP Jim Hogue (16-10, 4.21 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 99 ERA+, 4.3 WAR) wasn’t far behind.

Noteworthy:

February 14 – RHP Jim Hogue led the Suns to an easy 6-0 victory against the Hespeler Stars. Hogue threw a 1-HITTER allowing 2 BB and 3 K. The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the 8th inning, when the Suns finally got to the Stars’ RHP Stephan Tindall, cashing in all their 6 runs on 4 hits and 1 error in the inning. Hogue carried his no-hitter into the top of the 9th with just one out to go. However, 1B Vic Weetman ended it with a clean first-pitch single to shallow left field. Hogue got the next batter out to end the game.

Current Injuries: None.

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Offense: .284/.346/.410 (2nd/5th/2nd)
Pitching: 4.50/4.42/4.86 (5th/6th/6th)
Defense: .701 (6th)
Chemistry: Content

Despite the bevy of talent, the Cobourg Red Stockings continue to play middling ball, mired near the bottom of the standings. The pitching did see some improvement but staff has some ways to go for this team to truly compete for a playoff spot. This year’s 6th overall pick, 20-year old LHP Bill Budd (6-7, 2.97 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 120 ERA+, 2.5 WAR – 60/80) is knocking on the door and even 23-year old LHP Lester Counsell (3-5, 23 SV, 2.35 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 152 ERA+, 1.0 WAR – 22/61), a 3rd-round pick from 1947-48, is showing some promise. Encouraging signs for a team desperate for some quality arms.

Top Position Player: 27-year old SS John Medley (.357/.414/.529, 6 HR, 84 HR, 62 BB, 29 SB, 8.0 WAR) remained head and shoulders above his teammates and greatly improved his defensive performance from last season (.955 PCT, 4.54 RNG, -1.9 ZR, .991 EFF). He also won his second consecutive Eastern League Batting Title.

Top Pitcher: 39-year old RHP Lenny Freke (16-12, 3.27 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 129 ERA+, 6.6 WAR) enjoyed his best season since 1941-42 and got stronger as the season wore on, as evidenced by winning Pitcher of the Month honors in March.

Player of the Week Awards:

March 14 – 1B Harry Doxey (.542, 13 H, 3 HR, 9 RBI)

Current Injuries:

RHP Tom Mayor – October 26 – torn labrum. Out for: 2-3 weeks.
LHP Enéas Maleitas – March 17 – sprained elbow. Out for: DtD, 3 days.

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Offense: .258/.344/.383 (7th/6th/6th)
Pitching: 4.59/4.37/5.56 (6th/5th/8th)
Defense: .685 (7th)
Chemistry: Feuding

It’s the worst of times right now for the Brunswick Legends, as the team fell to 7th place with a 65-89 record, their worst in team history and the first time they finished below .500 since their inaugural season, when they also finished in 7th place (72-82). They also have one of the worst-rated farm systems in the ULB (second only to the Kingston Pelicans). But they had an impressive run: 6 playoff appearances in 9 seasons and 3 United Cup championships. Not too shabby.

Top Position Player: 27-year old SS Jorge Arredondo (.314/.387/.494, 17 HR, 96 RBI, 75 BB, 17 SB, 5.3 WAR) finished on top in a score of offensive categories for Brunswick, as the rest of this teammates suffered down years.

Top Pitcher: Like Lenny Freke in Cobourg, there is a steep drop off after 32-year old LHP Anastasio Rodríguez (18-13, 2.92 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 144 ERA+, 8.5 WAR) and the other starters. It wasn’t always like that, but the Legends have failed to bolster their pitcher core and the years of neglect is now showing. They have 21-year old RHP Kent Dundon (2-1, 2.55 ERA, 1.27 WHIP – 28/54) in AAA who scouts say may be ready for the majors, but that’s about it. He was a former 4th overall pick from 1946-47 by the Hespeler Stars.

Player of the Week Awards:

February 28 – 1B Stuart Bentham (.409, 9 H, 3 HR, 8 RBI)

Noteworthy:

February 26 –LHP Anastasio Rodríguez reached a milestone at Babe Ruth Park when he blanked the Downie Chiefs 5-0 on 3 hits, 4 K and no walks. He picked up his 200th victory in the United Leagues, just the second pitcher to reach that milestone, after Stratford’s Joel Fearn and just before Braeland City’s David Cooling.

March 6 – 32-year old 1B Stuart Bentham (.274/.372/.459, 25 HR, 98 RBI, 93 BB, 3.1 WAR) saw his 20-game hitting streak come to an end at the hands of the Wellington Athletics, who dropped the Legends, 5-0 at Santop Stadium.

Current Injuries:

CF Lance Oakley – October 9 – torn anterior cruciate ligament. Out for: 3 weeks.
LF Gary Therien – December 29 – torn labrum (shoulder). Out for: 3 months.

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Offense: .256/.320/.360 (8th/8th/8th)
Pitching: 4.60/4.89/3.49 (7th/7th/2nd)
Defense: .709 (4th)
Chemistry: Unhappy

The Wellington Athletics wrap up another dismal season, but unlike other teams in the second division, there are signs that the Athletics may soon return to relevance. They enjoy the second-deepest farm system and a good portion of that talent has either already joined the big-league roster or are knocking on the door. One player not yet included in the rankings is 21-year old LF Matthew Floyd (23/80), who was promoted to the Athletics starting lineup in March. Floyd was the 1st overall pick back in the January amateur draft. In addition to him on the major league roster are 21-year old CF Harvey Thornber (46/76 – 5th overall pick), 23-year old LHP Jorge Ortíz (21/78 – 4th-round pick by Downie) and 22-year old RHP Bert Morrow (32-65 – 3rd-round pick). So good things may be just around the corner, especially if some their other young veterans can bounce back from a disappointing year.

Top Position Player: Not a clear-cut choice, but 25-year old SS Zhao-hui Qian (.278/.335/.404, 8 HR, 66 RBI, 51 BB, 21 SB, 4.6 WAR) enjoyed his best year at the plate and was outstanding in the field (.988 PCT, 4.38 RNG, +12.7 ZR, 1.051 EFF) once again.

Top Pitcher: He wouldn’t be considered a No. 1 ace on a lot of other teams, but 29-year old LHP Arthur Bence (15-17, 3.65 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 113 ERA+, 4.4 WAR) was the team’s most consistent hurler this year.

Player of the Week Awards:

February 7 – LF Harvey Thornber (.750, 12 H, 2 HR, 8 RBI)

Noteworthy:

February 6 – It was a tough day for the Sherburn Tigers at Wellington’s Santop Stadium, as the Athletics pummelled them, 14-1. Front and center in that offensive onslaught was 21-year old rookie LF Harvey Thornber (.353/.403/.511, 2 HR, 24 RBI, 9 BB, 2 SB, 1.5 WAR), who went 5 for 5 in the game. Thornber started things off with a GRAND SLAM in the 1st and then singled in the 2nd, 4th, 5th and 7th innings.

Current Injuries:

RHP Darren Whiteley – January 7 – Shoulder inflammation. Out for: 4 weeks.
LF Alex Turner – March 12 – Strained back. Out for: DTD, unknown.
RHP Wilfried Schop – March 22 – Sore elbow. Out for: DtD, unknown.

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03-06-2018, 12:40 AM	#421
reds1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 3,919	March 28, 1949 Eastern League: Braeland City, Stratford Set for Pennant Rematch -------- Offense: .296/.367/.453 (1st/2nd/1st) Pitching: 3.74/3.80/3.46 (1st/2nd/1st) Defense: .710 (3rd) Chemistry: Ecstatic The Braeland City Monarchs finished in first place in the East for just the second time in their history. Three times previously they have won 96 games, but this year, they topped out with a ULB-wide best of 104 games. Two other teams have reached the 104-win mark: the 1942-43 Embro Suns and 1945-46 Kingston Pelicans. Interestingly, neither of those teams won the United Cup in their respective years. So, nothing is guaranteed for the mighty Monarchs. Top Position Player: 26-year old C Christopher Dainty (.328/.427/.534, 20 HR, 84 RBI, 82 BB, 6.6 WAR) was just outstanding in his second full season in the ULB. In July 1948, he was rated the 13th best catcher in the United Leagues. Now, he is rated the 3rd best, behind only Stratford’s Aaron Skidmore and Kingston’s Danny Trowbridge. Top Pitcher: 28-year old LHP Nicholas Grimes (21-9, 3.06 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 138 ERA+, 6.8 WAR) finally put together an injury-free season, allowing him to take over as Braeland City’s No. 1 starter and win over 20 games for the first time in his career. He is only pitcher in the United Leagues to win 20+ games this season. The last time he was able to play a complete season was in 1945-46, where he went 16-8, 3.86, ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 109 ERA+. Player of the Week Awards: February 21 – 1B Dean Witherden (.462, 12 H, 1 HR, 9 RBI) March 7 – 1B Dean Witherden (.545, 12 H, 2 HR, 10 RBI) Noteworthy: March 14 – 39-year old LHP David Cooling (15-5, 3.90 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 108 ERA+) became the third pitcher to reach 200 career wins, when he defeated the Queensland Eagles 6-3. He now joins Stratford’s Joel Fearn and Brunswick’s Anastasio Rodríguez in the 200-victory club. March 26 – It took 13 innings for the Monarchs to finally prevail over the Cobourg Red Stockings at Cobourg’s Radcliffe Field. The final score was 9-7 and included a 5 for 7 effort from 30-year 2B Dennis Borton (.354/.399/.495, 12 HR, 90 RBI, 39 BB, 3 SB, 4.3 WAR) against his old team. Borton flied out in the 1st, singled in the 4th, tripled in the 5th, flied out in the 7th, hit an RBI single in the 9th, singled in the 11th and hit what proved to be the winning two-run triple in the 13th. Current Injuries: CF Curt Tiffany – January 5 – ruptured tendon (finger). Out for: 6 days. RHP Freddie Trerise – March 25 – sore shoulder. Out for: DtD, 3 days. -------- Offense: .265/.372/.385 (5th/1st/5th) Pitching: 3.98/3.74/5.28 (3rd/1st/7th) Defense: .702 (5th) Chemistry: Ecstatic The Stratford Barons finally woke up in March to nail down the wild card and prevent any chance of the Downie Chiefs from catching them. It’s the fifth time the Barons have qualified for the post-season, but the first time they do as the second-place team. It’s also the first time they have made the playoffs two seasons in a row. They have alternated United Cup championships. They failed to win last year; they may be due this season if that trend continues. Top Position Player: 29-year C Aaron Skidmore (.311/.488/.538, 21 HR, 98 RBI, 160 BB, 8.4 WAR) has entrenched himself as the United Leagues top player this season. He has averaged 6.9 WAR over the past 5 seasons. He set two new records this season: OBP and walks. Top Pitchers: This goes to Stratford’s aging nucleus of pitchers: 40-year old LHP Ryan Borden (15-12, 2.98 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 140 ERA+, 5.6 WAR) and 38-year old LHP Joel Fearn (17-9, 2.98 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 140 ERA+, 4.7 WAR). Without these two, it’s doubtful the Barons would have made the playoffs. Noteworthy: March 12 – Although the Barons fell to the Brunswick Legends 5-4 at Babe Ruth Park, there was still reason to celebrate. 36-year old SS Jake Walker (.301/.435/.413, 6 HR, 65 RBI, 133 BB, 4.6 WAR) went 2 for 4 in the game, which included his 2000th career hit. He becomes the second player in the United Leagues to reach that milestone, after Wellington Athletics’ 3B Ryley McLarnon. Current Injuries: LHP Max MacColl – October 29 – radial nerve decompression surgery. Out for: 2 weeks. CF Won-ho Kim – March 26 – strained back. Out for: DtD, 1-2 weeks. -------- Offense: .268/.347/.405 (4th/4th/4th) Pitching: 4.06/4.07/4.04 (4th/4th/4th) Defense: .712 (1st) Chemistry: Content The Downie Chiefs were unable to keep their momentum going from January and attain their first playoff appearance, but they still finished above .500 for the first time in 9 seasons. They have the third deepest farm system in the ULB, but it is still light in arms, something they desperately need if they want to finally challenge for a playoff spot. Top Position Players: The Chiefs now have two bonafide stars on their roster, after going so many years without one: 23-year old CF Alfonso Léon (.302/.356/.485, 21 HR, 102 RBI, 58 BB, 8 SB, 7.5 WAR) whose offensive numbers were almost identical to last season, while his defense was even better (.988 PCT, 3.61 RNG, +24.6 ZR, 1.061 EFF). Joining him was 23-year old 3B Dominic Dudding (.336/.395/.575, 30 HR, 134 RBI, 59 BB, 7 SB, 7.3 WAR) who came into his own in his first full season. Dudding and Léon are rated 6th and 7th respectively among all position players. Top Pitcher: 26-year old RHP Kelii Pelanekelina (17-13, 3.55 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 115 ERA+, 3.8 WAR) performed strong from November to January (11-5, 2.75 ERA), but cooled off dramatically in February and March (4-5, 4.80 ERA). Pelanekelina needs help; he’s been carrying a heavy load as the No. 1 starter for the past 5 seasons. He is more suited as a No. 3 starter. Current Injuries: None. -------- Offense: .260/.339/.373 (6th/7th/7th) Pitching: 3.88/3.95/3.57 (2nd/3rd/3rd) Defense: .711 (2nd) Chemistry: Happy An anemic offense sunk the Queensland Eagles once again, seeing the club end the season with only a modest improvement in their record. They have some talent down on the farm, but they will have to exercise some patience for it to give the team the boost it so desperately needs. Pitching is not the problem, as it averaged 4.4 R/G, best in the Eastern League. But the offense only average 4.3 R/G. Top Position Player: 29-year old RF Jilenko Vergara (.364/.455/.596, 12 HR, 36 RBI, 39 BB, 3.5 WAR) missed 3 months of the season due to a partially torn labrum, but still managed to outperform his teammates. That’s the kind of season it was for the offense. Top Pitcher: 32-year old RHP Pi-ao Quian (14-12, 3.16 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 131 ERA+, 7.8 WAR) rebounded in a big way after a couple of down seasons to take over the No. 1 spot in the rotation from Aaron Saunderson. Player of the Week Awards: February 14 – RF Jilenko Vergara (.591, 13 H, 1 HR, 2 RBI) March 21 – RF Jilenko Vergara (.409, 9 H, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 6 R) Current Injuries: RHP Bartolo Sánchez – March 16 – oblique strain. Out for: unknown. -------- Offense: .284/.346/.410 (2nd/5th/2nd) Pitching: 4.50/4.42/4.86 (5th/6th/6th) Defense: .677 (8th) Chemistry: Happy A combined 27-22 record in February and March helped the Embro Suns avoid a sub-70-win season, but that was small comfort for a team that has missed the playoffs for three straight seasons now and counting. The farm system has been getting stronger, but the Suns are still looking for one young ones to truly breakout. Until then, the Suns will continue to be an afterthought in the East. Top Position Player: Although he led the Suns in a slew of offensive categories, 35-year old CF Terence Durney (.312/.415/.481, 18 HR, 98 RBI, 101 BB, 2.6 WAR) was downright awful on defense (.993 PCT, 2.82 RNG, -39.4 ZR, .887 EFF). So, this goes once again to 34-year old 1B Jim Friend (.289/.403/.481, 22 HR, 106 RBI, 107 BB, 5.0 WAR) who also enjoyed one of his best seasons defensively (.992 PCT, 10.20 RNG, +2.4 ZR, 1.046 EFF). He surpassed 1000 RBIs this season and currently stands second on the all-time list with 1,085, behind only Kingston’s Katsunan Chikafuji (1,096). Top Pitcher: It was once again a mediocre season for Embro pitchers. 34-year old RHP Myung-gu Son (12-15, 4.19 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 100 ERA+, 5.5 WAR) was as good as it got. 30-year old RHP Jim Hogue (16-10, 4.21 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 99 ERA+, 4.3 WAR) wasn’t far behind. Noteworthy: February 14 – RHP Jim Hogue led the Suns to an easy 6-0 victory against the Hespeler Stars. Hogue threw a 1-HITTER allowing 2 BB and 3 K. The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the 8th inning, when the Suns finally got to the Stars’ RHP Stephan Tindall, cashing in all their 6 runs on 4 hits and 1 error in the inning. Hogue carried his no-hitter into the top of the 9th with just one out to go. However, 1B Vic Weetman ended it with a clean first-pitch single to shallow left field. Hogue got the next batter out to end the game. Current Injuries: None. -------- Offense: .284/.346/.410 (2nd/5th/2nd) Pitching: 4.50/4.42/4.86 (5th/6th/6th) Defense: .701 (6th) Chemistry: Content Despite the bevy of talent, the Cobourg Red Stockings continue to play middling ball, mired near the bottom of the standings. The pitching did see some improvement but staff has some ways to go for this team to truly compete for a playoff spot. This year’s 6th overall pick, 20-year old LHP Bill Budd (6-7, 2.97 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 120 ERA+, 2.5 WAR – 60/80) is knocking on the door and even 23-year old LHP Lester Counsell (3-5, 23 SV, 2.35 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 152 ERA+, 1.0 WAR – 22/61), a 3rd-round pick from 1947-48, is showing some promise. Encouraging signs for a team desperate for some quality arms. Top Position Player: 27-year old SS John Medley (.357/.414/.529, 6 HR, 84 HR, 62 BB, 29 SB, 8.0 WAR) remained head and shoulders above his teammates and greatly improved his defensive performance from last season (.955 PCT, 4.54 RNG, -1.9 ZR, .991 EFF). He also won his second consecutive Eastern League Batting Title. Top Pitcher: 39-year old RHP Lenny Freke (16-12, 3.27 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 129 ERA+, 6.6 WAR) enjoyed his best season since 1941-42 and got stronger as the season wore on, as evidenced by winning Pitcher of the Month honors in March. Player of the Week Awards: March 14 – 1B Harry Doxey (.542, 13 H, 3 HR, 9 RBI) Current Injuries: RHP Tom Mayor – October 26 – torn labrum. Out for: 2-3 weeks. LHP Enéas Maleitas – March 17 – sprained elbow. Out for: DtD, 3 days. -------- Offense: .258/.344/.383 (7th/6th/6th) Pitching: 4.59/4.37/5.56 (6th/5th/8th) Defense: .685 (7th) Chemistry: Feuding It’s the worst of times right now for the Brunswick Legends, as the team fell to 7th place with a 65-89 record, their worst in team history and the first time they finished below .500 since their inaugural season, when they also finished in 7th place (72-82). They also have one of the worst-rated farm systems in the ULB (second only to the Kingston Pelicans). But they had an impressive run: 6 playoff appearances in 9 seasons and 3 United Cup championships. Not too shabby. Top Position Player: 27-year old SS Jorge Arredondo (.314/.387/.494, 17 HR, 96 RBI, 75 BB, 17 SB, 5.3 WAR) finished on top in a score of offensive categories for Brunswick, as the rest of this teammates suffered down years. Top Pitcher: Like Lenny Freke in Cobourg, there is a steep drop off after 32-year old LHP Anastasio Rodríguez (18-13, 2.92 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 144 ERA+, 8.5 WAR) and the other starters. It wasn’t always like that, but the Legends have failed to bolster their pitcher core and the years of neglect is now showing. They have 21-year old RHP Kent Dundon (2-1, 2.55 ERA, 1.27 WHIP – 28/54) in AAA who scouts say may be ready for the majors, but that’s about it. He was a former 4th overall pick from 1946-47 by the Hespeler Stars. Player of the Week Awards: February 28 – 1B Stuart Bentham (.409, 9 H, 3 HR, 8 RBI) Noteworthy: February 26 –LHP Anastasio Rodríguez reached a milestone at Babe Ruth Park when he blanked the Downie Chiefs 5-0 on 3 hits, 4 K and no walks. He picked up his 200th victory in the United Leagues, just the second pitcher to reach that milestone, after Stratford’s Joel Fearn and just before Braeland City’s David Cooling. March 6 – 32-year old 1B Stuart Bentham (.274/.372/.459, 25 HR, 98 RBI, 93 BB, 3.1 WAR) saw his 20-game hitting streak come to an end at the hands of the Wellington Athletics, who dropped the Legends, 5-0 at Santop Stadium. Current Injuries: CF Lance Oakley – October 9 – torn anterior cruciate ligament. Out for: 3 weeks. LF Gary Therien – December 29 – torn labrum (shoulder). Out for: 3 months. -------- Offense: .256/.320/.360 (8th/8th/8th) Pitching: 4.60/4.89/3.49 (7th/7th/2nd) Defense: .709 (4th) Chemistry: Unhappy The Wellington Athletics wrap up another dismal season, but unlike other teams in the second division, there are signs that the Athletics may soon return to relevance. They enjoy the second-deepest farm system and a good portion of that talent has either already joined the big-league roster or are knocking on the door. One player not yet included in the rankings is 21-year old LF Matthew Floyd (23/80), who was promoted to the Athletics starting lineup in March. Floyd was the 1st overall pick back in the January amateur draft. In addition to him on the major league roster are 21-year old CF Harvey Thornber (46/76 – 5th overall pick), 23-year old LHP Jorge Ortíz (21/78 – 4th-round pick by Downie) and 22-year old RHP Bert Morrow (32-65 – 3rd-round pick). So good things may be just around the corner, especially if some their other young veterans can bounce back from a disappointing year. Top Position Player: Not a clear-cut choice, but 25-year old SS Zhao-hui Qian (.278/.335/.404, 8 HR, 66 RBI, 51 BB, 21 SB, 4.6 WAR) enjoyed his best year at the plate and was outstanding in the field (.988 PCT, 4.38 RNG, +12.7 ZR, 1.051 EFF) once again. Top Pitcher: He wouldn’t be considered a No. 1 ace on a lot of other teams, but 29-year old LHP Arthur Bence (15-17, 3.65 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 113 ERA+, 4.4 WAR) was the team’s most consistent hurler this year. Player of the Week Awards: February 7 – LF Harvey Thornber (.750, 12 H, 2 HR, 8 RBI) Noteworthy: February 6 – It was a tough day for the Sherburn Tigers at Wellington’s Santop Stadium, as the Athletics pummelled them, 14-1. Front and center in that offensive onslaught was 21-year old rookie LF Harvey Thornber (.353/.403/.511, 2 HR, 24 RBI, 9 BB, 2 SB, 1.5 WAR), who went 5 for 5 in the game. Thornber started things off with a GRAND SLAM in the 1st and then singled in the 2nd, 4th, 5th and 7th innings. Current Injuries: RHP Darren Whiteley – January 7 – Shoulder inflammation. Out for: 4 weeks. LF Alex Turner – March 12 – Strained back. Out for: DTD, unknown. RHP Wilfried Schop – March 22 – Sore elbow. Out for: DtD, unknown. -------- __________________ United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 03-06-2018 at 11:21 PM.