Today in the CBO
News and Notes - Reports from around the Commonwealth
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
12 December 2298 - Chemists Catcher Cola Chomped
Sunshine Tidings minor league catcher Cola Kulp had a scare while passing the Jalbert Brothers Disposal dump north of Graygarden yesterday. One of the guard junkyard dogs broke from its chain and made a death-kill lunge at Kulp. Luckily for the agile catcher, he was able to avoid taking the vicious dog's jaws to the neck and instead got a bite on his right pectoral muscle. Unfortunately for the dog, Kulp's companion put a quick 10mm through its skull, ending the standoff.
Kulp was not seriously injured and only had a slight cut where the dog's teeth bit him. He did not wish to seek treatment.
12 December 2298 - Rockets' Benton Makes Christmas Wish List: Get Traded
Jamaica Plain backup left fielder Bryan Benton made it clear that he only wants one thing for Christmas: get traded.
The 9th-round pick of the Red Rockets in the 2296 Inaugural Draft, Benton has been stuck behind a talented outfield on a bad team. In an interview series with Atom Cats Radio titled "What Jazzin' Gift Do You Want for Christmas?" Benton claimed that he wanted to get traded.
"Look, this team is bad and doesn't have any place for me to play," Benton said on the program. "I'm sitting the bench while some stiffs play in the infield doing nothing to help us win. Why not get rid of me and find someone who can hit in those positions? So, that's what I want. I want to get traded to a team where I can play."
Benton may have a point. In 78 games played with four starts in 2298, Benton was 26 for 73 (.356) with seven doubles, a triple, three home runs, 14 runs, and 12 RBI. He has a career batting average of .333 in three seasons in Jamaica Plains with 12 home runs in only 213 career at bats. The Red Rockets have among the most talented outfield with starters Carney Cornseed, Hid Matsumoto, and David Seaweed but perhaps the least talented offensive infield.
Asked about Benton's comments, Jamaica Plain GM Jason Walenga said, "Oh, he'll get his Christmas wish, all right. I guarantee he won't suit up in the red and orange anymore. Maybe we'll trade him to the Baby Bellies." The Baby Bellies are a Youth Development League team that plays out of Boston Common.
17 December 2298 - Sewers Contracts Rare Disease
Postal Square Action Boys (Quincy) second baseman Israel Sewers is hospitalized in Bradberton after he contracted a rare infection the local doctor is calling "swamp rot" on his legs.
Sewers was visiting his hometown and fishing with his siblings at the Northpoint Reservoir. After the fishing venture, he started to complain of irritation in his legs. By morning, he could not walk. One of his brothers sought a doctor in Bradberton, who admitted him into the J.C. Bradberton Clinic.
While there is not more information currently available, the Quincy front office has said that they were in contact with Marie Curie about traveling to Bradberton to look into the virus or bacteria currently affecting Sewers.
Sewers signed with Quincy two years ago as part of the "Bradberton 50," a select group of teenage players from the Bradberton area. In 2298 with the Action Boys, Sewers appeared in 18 games, starting four. He batted .182 with four singles, four runs, and four RBI.