Today in the CBO
News and Notes - Reports from around the Commonwealth
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
30 September 2298 - CBO News: The Offseason Begins
With the Commonwealth Baseball Organization playoffs settled and a new champion crowned, it might appear as though baseball is ready to slink into hibernation until next year. Instead, the offseason begins today, bringing a different flurry of activity. Trades and roster moves will continue over the next several months as teams look for that magic combination that will find them playing for next year's championship.
In baseball, nothing stands still and general managers can't afford to take this time off, lest they find themselves sitting in the unemployment line next year at this time. So while players are finally resting away some of their aches and pains, General Managers had better be ready to act!
Voting for league award winners is currently taking place with the first award for the CBO's best defensive players being announced on October 8 all the way to the last award for the all-CBO team being announced on October 15.
Also, tomorrow, Saturday, October 1, the Goodneighbor settlement is holding an all-day celebratory festival and team parade. All interested in attending are invited. Festivities begin at 10 AM. Bring lots of caps!
30 September 2298 - End of Season BNN Top Prospect List Published
Now that the season has finished, it's time to look forward to the future, and what better way than to look at the brightest future stars of the league, courtesy of BNN. This year 21-year-old C Ayag Mour of the Jamaica Plain Red Rockets is the #1 prospect overall.
Here is the top 10:
1) C Ayag Mour, 21, Jamaica Plain Red Rockets
2) RHP Digger Vadim, 20, Jamaica Plain Red Rockets
3) 2B Harry Byrd, 19, Vault 81 Dwellers
4) CF Kurt Kilgore, 20, Egret Ninjas
5) 2B Chris Connexx, 18, Roxbury Knuckle Punchers
6) LHP Whokill Poole, 18, Roxbury Knuckle Punchers
7) LHP Ugio Church, 20, Salem Witch Hats
8) 1B Oren Gep, 20, Diamond City Swatters
9) RHP Emperry Alizm, 19, Vault 81 Dwellers
10) RHP Mike Rubric, 21, Abernathy Adamantium
30 September 2298 - The Slog Manager O'Shea Gets the Boot
It may be a surprise move of the offseason. However, few players in the The Slog Ghouls organization seemed upset to learn about Mack O'Shea's dismissal as manager, a move announced today in a team press release.
While no player would speak on the record, one disgruntled reliever complained about O'Shea's confrontational style, saying, "He's the kind of guy who thinks the best leader is the guy who yells the most."
Another added, "Mack wanted to win, but he just didn't have the respect of the clubhouse."
O'Shea was one of the few true managers in the league in 2296 when The Slog won the CBO championship. That prompted Nate Howard to budget for teams to have actual coaching staffs. In 2297, O'Shea led the Ghouls to the Brotherhood League title, though they could not repeat their success in the playoffs. In 2298, The Slog dropped to third in the league, prompting team owner Wiseman and GM Plop Wyman to make a change.
"It was a tough decision," the press release stated, "but we are ready to move in a different direction."
O'Shea's replacement has not yet been named, though an official announcement is expected soon. There are rumors that Wyman already had a replacement in mind before announcing the firing of O'Shea.
30 September 2298 - Szymanowski Bounced, No Longer Atom GM
Team officials and representatives for Rich Szymanowski huddled around the conference room table this morning before announcing that the embattled general manager would be let go. Noting that it was a mutual decision, the two sides parted on civil terms.
Szymanowski will be replaced by an interim general manager, but the team declined to specify who that would be. It could be team owner Deke himself.
30 September 2298 - Skipper Stoudt Banished from Dugout by Cats
In an expected move, the Atom Cats fired manager Ben Stoudt today.
The team had not been performing up to expectations, and it was thought to be just a matter of time before the move was made.
"Ain't got no time for regrets and preserved pies," team owner Deke explained to the assembled press. "We've decided to go in a different direction with the top two positions. Those two cats are copper not gold. We need gold-plated perfection."
The organization has been mum on possible candidates for the position, but expect to name a replacement soon.
30 September 2298 - Roxbury Manager Gets the Pink Slip; O'Sullivan Let Go
There was not a dry eye in the Roxbury Knuckle Punchers clubhouse today as word spread of Squatty O'Sullivan's dismissal as the team's manager. Along with The Slog's Mack O'Shea, O'Sullivan possibly spells the end of two of the original managers in the league.
Despite the team's recent woes, O'Sullivan was widely respected.
"He was a real player's manager, a real leader and mentor to so many of the guys on this club," said one player.
Another player had the same sentiment. "Man, this ain't right. I know baseball is a business, but Squatty deserved better. It's not his fault we stink worse than a mirelurk's armpit."