[trman73]

We officially reach the one-third mark of PT21 today as we’re 17 and 1/3 weeks into it. So here’s a recap and some awards for each of the teams, starting with the Hammers. It’s actually most fun to do this type of exercise with this team, as the Hammers being packs-only means I don’t have lot of choice in player selection and have come across some hidden gems, and some duds.

West Ham United Hammers

The story of the Hammers over the first third has been quality pitching, elite defense, and subpar run-scoring ability. We are consistently in the top half in both starters and relievers ERA, and are almost always top three in the key defensive categories. We just can’t score, and it’s been incredibly frustrating, especially since we do have a couple pretty high-level offensive players.

Overall Record: 1387-1409, six playoff appearances, one Series appearance, no titles
Best Result: A 95-67 record and trip to the Silver Series in 2032
Highest Level Achieved: Gold

Franchise MVP: Peak 1B Albert Pujols (99)
Runners-Up: Peak 3B Brooks Robinson (98), SP Noodles Hahn (94), Peak CL Dave Smith (94)
No surprise here. Pujols arrived in 2022 thanks to the sale of 99 Nap Lajoie, and has been great. He’s got a 63.0 WAR in 14 full seasons. He’s got two MVPs to his name, along with four Platinum Sticks and three Gold Gloves. He’s a 10-time All-Star. He’s earned 12,000 PP. He is easily the best player we’ve had.
Robinson has been the best defensive 3B in every league I’ve been in, winning nine Gold Gloves in nine full seasons. He’s also won an MVP (in Silver), three Platinum Sticks at 3B, and is a three-time All Star. Hahn surpassed 200 career wins for us this season and has been our best and steadiest SP since arriving in 2023. Dave Smith was an excellent closer before being replaced by Bruce Sutter, and has been great in the 8^th inning role. Sutter is obviously better, but hasn’t been around long enough for me to fall in love with him. Still, he’s got a 2.04 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in what amounts to two full seasons.

Biggest Surprise: SP Noodles Hahn (94)
Runners-Up: SP/MR Future Legend Dustin May (88), RF Paul Waner (82), MR Peak Tom Burgmeier (88)
I was excited to get Hahn back in 2023 and he’s gone 201-161 for us as our #3 starter. Of course we have not advanced to Diamond, and I believe he’ll struggle when we do get there, but I’ve really liked having this guy. Dustin May has greatly exceeded expectations as both a long man and a setup guy in the bullpen. He’s got a 3.67 career ERA and 1.18 WHIP. And Burgmeier is the type of guy I avoided in PT20 but he’s contributed to what is consistently a good bullpen.

Biggest Disappointment: SP/MR Jose DeLeon (94)
Runners-Up: Every catcher who has ever been on the roster
DeLeon was just a total nightmare with the walks. Lasted three seasons and is one of the most inaccurately-rated Diamond players on the market. Just awful.
I just have not been able to fill that catcher spot with anything worthwhile. Jim Pagliaroni, Omar Narvaez, Yasmani Grandal, now JT Realmuto. This position has been an offensive black hole for me from Day One.

Best Decision: Selling Nap Lajoie for 63,000 PP that yielded Albert Pujols, Paul Waner, and Tom Burgmeier, who all remain solid contributors.

Worst Decision: Not saving historical irons, bronzes, etc. to cash in on them during this FOTF period. In the rush to get more packs, I did not see the big picture.

Overall Assessment: I’ve enjoyed this bunch the most out of my three teams, and feel like we’re two hitters away from a legitimate shot to reach Diamond. We can’t advance past where we are with the offense we have. Still, there’s 34 weeks to get a new SS, C, and 2B. And to not have any of the usual suspects on the roster has been a breath of fresh air, even though some of those Special Edition, Live Mission players would clearly be nice upgrades for us.

Current Team Home Screen below...