WPK Team Records, Pt. 5 (MGL, 6-10, winning %)
Baltimore Lords:
What is there to say about the Lords? Their one 90+ winning season was largely the result of vastly over-achieving their expected win-loss record. Last season they greatly under-achieved. Mostly they are just pretty much the epitome of middle of the road. They have a few good young players (Robert Mustard, Sako Zakian) and a few aging stars (Chris Tobin, Jesse Hartong) and a poor farm system. They steal quite a few bases. But mostly, they just aren't all that interesting.
San Francisco Velocity:
The Velocity have the top ranked farm system in the game, led by a dynamic trio of young outfielders. They play in the best pitching park in the WPK. They have an above average market size and fan loyalty. But they also have an interfering, economizing owner. They have little history of success. Does the future hold a dramatic upswing? Perhaps. Only time will tell. But for now, they remain mediocre at best.
Portland Wild Things:
The Portland Wild Things started their history with the most celebrated of the early WPK superstars, shortstop Andy Wilson, and soon added another league MVP in first baseman Frank Hernandez. These two, along with 1968 MGL MVP Danny Sanchez, led the Wild Things to two straight MGL pennants (1967-68). But couldn't get them a championship. It's been mostly downhill for the franchise since then. They currently sit in 8th place, their most talented young player (Justin Ficklin) is a disruptive influence in the clubhouse, and their farm system is exactly middle of the pack in the WPK. A return to the glory days may still be a long ways off.
Charlotte Sting:
There has been no more surprising WPK championship club than the Sting team of 1972. Their 6th place finish the season before was the highest the club had achieved yet, but certainly no indication that a 101-win season capped with a KCS win and championship trophy lifting was impending. Everything just went right in '72, including some luck (over-achieved expected wins total by 6), a 6.1 WAR season from reliever extraordinaire Jamel McNeil and good seasons from 3 young starters- Jalen Cotton, Adam Getchell, and Mike Hiatt. No batter had higher than a 5.4 WAR season (Gold Glove winning shortstop David Flesh), but they were a well-rounded club. And the next season they returned to mediocrity. Although there was a bit of bounce back in 1974, they have never really contended since that championship season. And they sit in last place at the moment. They have a strong farm system, particularly when it comes to pitching. But there is no real evidence that a return to glory is imminent. Still, for one glorious season the Sting were the talk of the WPK.
Detroit Falcons:
And finally we have the Detroit Falcons, perpetual also-rans in the Moonlight Graham League. In their best season, 1968 (on the heels of their worst season) they won 88 games and finished in 4th place. And that's what they call a great season in Falcons history. They have a tremendous young center fielder in John Hemmah, a strong farm system with several good pitching prospects, one of the bigger markets in the WPK and great fan loyalty. And even an owner who is willing to spend to win. And they have to win eventually, right? I mean, it doesn't look like it will be this season, but someday, maybe? (I find myself thinking of Dan Bejar's words in the song Rubies by his excellent band Destroyer: "all good things must come to an end, the bad ones just go on forever.")