ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE (RUTHLANDIA and TYCOBBIA BASEBALL UNIONS) - Page 139

Eugene Church · 10-01-2011, 11:12 PM

The Islandian Times
Friday, October 23, 2026

Beechwood Pitcher Racks Up Golden Arm Award
The top twirler in the Ruthlandian Union was Beechwood's brilliant young Maury Patterson. The 23-year-old Bobcats star has been awarded the RU Golden Arm trophy in a poll conducted by The Islandian Times. Patterson, just in his second season, fashioned an extraordinary 26-8 won-loss record in 2026 with a fantastic 1.70 ERA. He also won the pitcher's Triple Crown -most wins, best ERA and most strikeouts. In 322 innings of work and 39 starts, Patterson struck out 324 while giving up 203 hits and 101 walks with 8 shutouts. He held opposing batters to a .182 average and led the league in strikeouts, shutouts, ERA and lowest batting average. He completed 23 games, second best in the league. The Bobcats easily won the RU East this year.

Runner-up vote-getter Lon Marshall of the Wynnamac Sundowners had a remarkable year, too. The 27-year-old Marshall posted a 24-14 record with a minuscule 1.87 ERA, topped only by Patterson. Workhorse Marshall hurled 336 innings, struck out 210 batters with 5 shutouts and 22 complete games. Wynnamac finished a distant second to Beechwood. Coming in third in the balloting was St. John's Don Baillie, who was one of the primary reasons the Crusaders leaped from seventh to first place in the RU South. Baillie crafted a superb 23-6 record with a 2.24 ERA.

Eugene Church · 10-03-2011, 04:18 PM

The Islandian Times
Saturday, October 24, 2026

Hobbs Haul In RU MVP Trophy
Earlier in the week, Waleska's superb Roy Hobbs won the RU Golden Bat Award, symbolic of the best hitter in the league. Now Hobbs had added the Ruthlandian Union Most Valuable Player honor to his laurels. This is the first time the Westerner outfielder has been selected in his 14 years in the IPA. He has come close many times and finally nabbed it this year. Hobbs sparked Waleska to a second place spot in the RU South with a .346 batting average, which was the top average in the league. He has won the batting crown 4 times in his career. Hobbs also picked up his first Golden Glove this season. Hobbs belted 36 doubles, 16 triples and 24 home runs, while driving in 92 runs and scoring 116 time. He also stole 18 bases.

Second in The Islandian Times poll was Beechwood's super pitcher Maury Patterson, who won the Golden Arm this year. Patterson led the Bobcats to the RU East title with a standout 26-8 record, 8 shutouts and a 1.70 ERA. Patterson was Triple Crown winner this season as he topped the league in wins, ERA and strikeouts. He also had the most shutouts in the IPA.

Third in the balloting was St. John's Don Baillie, who paced the Crusaders to a surprising pennant in the RU South. Baillie racked up a 23-6 mark with a fine 2.24 ERA. St. John was deep in the second division last year in seventh place. It was a remarkable turnaround year for the Crusaders.

Eugene Church · 10-03-2011, 04:52 PM

The Islandian Times
Sunday, October 25, 2026

TU MVP Goes To Colchester's Burns
It's been 8 long seasons since the Colchester Elites had contended for the TU South, but this year they almost won it, falling just one game short of first place Ginza. Gifted first baseman Steve Burns was very instrumental in the team's rise in the standings. Burns batted .350 for the Elites, good for second place in the batting race. In a whale of a season he hit 28 homers, batted in 97 runs and scored 107 runs. Those numbers got him the 2026 Tycobbian Union Most Valuable Player Award presented by The Islandian Times. After his first four years in the IPA, Burns is sporting a terrific .331 career batting average.

IPA icon Jack Elliott was a very close second in the poll. Earlier in the week Elliott edged Burns for the TU Golden Bat Award. But this time around the voters gave it to Burns. The High Mesa Cowboy first baseman had another excellent season with a .344 BA, third in the league. Elliott led the IPA in homers with 47, hits with 205 and runs scored with 135. He also drove in 116 runs. Elliott helped High Mesa to a third place finish in the strongest division in the IPA, the TU East. Lifetime he is a .353 batter, the all-time best average in IPA history.

Unheralded Travis Tuttle of the Mahaska Haymakers finally got some deserved recognition in the IPA. The 26-year-old outfielder wound up third in the MVP poll. Tuttle sparked Mahaska to its first TU North flag in 11 years with a .319 BA, 33 HR, 102 RBI and 92 runs scored. Tuttle is a .307 hitter in his four IPA seasons.

Eugene Church · 10-03-2011, 10:05 PM

The Islandian Times
Monday, October 26, 2026

Tanussa Selected Top TU Skipper
It was a very good year for Rusty Tanussa and his Mahaska Haymakers. Not only did they win the TU North, but he was chosen the Tycobbian Union Manager of the Year, edging out Colchester's Uncle Robby Wilbertson and Ginza's Huroko Uchiyama. The Haymakers climbed up from fifth place last season to first place this year. They improved from 70-84 to 87-67. Tanussa was a first-time honoree.

Second in The Islandian Times poll was Wilbertson, who guided the Colchester Elites to the best year they have had in 9 seasons. The Elites were fifth in 2025 with a 78-76 mark, but shot up to 87-67 and second place this year, losing out by a single game to the Ginza Ninjas. Ginza skipper Huroko Uchiyama ended up third in the balloting. His Ninjas won the TU South again, for the third year in the last four. This season Uchiyama had strong competition from Colchester and the Arroyo Grande Suns, who clung to the Ninjas throughout the season.

Eugene Church · 10-03-2011, 10:26 PM

The Islandian Times
Tuesday, October 27, 2026

Rookie Luck Named RU Best Skipper
Nobody could have predicted what happened in St. John this year. The hapless Crusaders were bad the season before, winding up in seventh place. After finishing up on bottom or near the bottom for the last four years, they got a new rookie manager, Clayton Luck, who promptly turned things around in no time at all, going from one of the worst clubs in the RU South to the best in the division. St. John posted an exceptional 98-56 record to win the pennant. They tied the Beechwood Bobcats for the best record in the IPA. The previous year the Crusaders were 67-87. For his efforts Luck was named the Ruthlandian Union Manager of the Year. It's been 13 years since the team's last division title.

Luck had some mighty stiff competition for the award. He just barely nudged out Valmara's Jet Kazmarek and Eastshore's Killer Brewster. Kazmarek led his Vipers to the RU North crown with a 98-58 mark. Valmara was third in the standings in 2025 with an 86-68 record. Brewster's Elegants showed marked improvement, rising up from the cellar (63-91) to third in the RU East (87-67). Kazmarek was the runner-up in The Islandian Times poll, while Brewster was a very close third.

Eugene Church · 10-05-2011, 12:29 AM

27th year coming up.
I plan to switch from OOTP9 to OOTP12. Wish me luck on the conversion process. I'm not very computer literate.
I am going to work on the Hall of Fame players and will announce them soon.
It's time to select them after 26 years.

Thanks again for supporting the IPA.

Eugene Church · 10-08-2011, 09:30 AM

Conversion has gone well.
I have now converted to OOTP10 and OOTP11.
Just one more to go to OOTP12.
It takes 7-8 hours to convert each one.

robmitchum · 10-09-2011, 02:01 PM

Eugene, very impressed with your work here. I'm writing an article about long-running text-sim dynasties for a new sportswriting website, and was wondering if you'd be interested in doing an interview? If so, please contact me at rdmitchum at gmail dot com. Thanks for your time.

Eugene Church · 10-09-2011, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robmitchum

Eugene, very impressed with your work here. I'm writing an article about long-running text-sim dynasties for a new sportswriting website, and was wondering if you'd be interested in doing an interview? If so, please contact me at rdmitchum at gmail dot com. Thanks for your time.

Sure, I will consider it, if you think it will help you.

Thank you for the nice compliment.

Eugene Church · 10-10-2011, 08:08 AM

Conversions all went great.
Just took about 24 hours in all... about 8 hours for each version.
I am now using OOTP12.

I am working on the Hall of Fame's first set of entries.

Eugene Church · 10-10-2011, 10:59 PM

The Islandian Times
Sunday, April 4, 2027

IPA Announces First-Year HOF Inductees
After 26 great years of play the Islandian Baseball Writers Association announced the first 11 players to be enshrined into the Islandian Pro Alliance Hall-of-Fame. The historic first class includes pitchers Cody Burg, Mila Mohoski, Titus Bristow and Ilya Szabo and position players Phil Gravelli, Jet Kazmarek, Mike Luzzatti, Rocco Belasario, Hal Stevenson, Don Nichols and Quincy Peterson. The new Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame will be housed in the birthplace of Islandian baseball, Marston.

Burg In IPA HOF
The IBWA has put the crowning touch on Cody Burg's outstanding baseball career. They selected the great mound superstar for the Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame today. He modestly gave credit to "better than average pitching skills and lots of three-run homers" for making it possible for him to move up into the legendary class of baseball players -- but the sportswriters, his teammates and peers knew differently.

In reality Burg was a craftsman, an artist. He was a perfectionist. He painted a ballgame stroke by stroke and when he got through pitching a game, it was a masterpiece. Burg sparked the Cape Coral Hurricanes to 4 pennants and 7 playoff appearances in his 21-year career (2001-2021). The talented right-hander is the all-time IPA leader in victories and strikeouts. He won the Tycobbian Union MVP in 2014 and 3 Golden Arm Awards (2004, 2005, 2014), plus he was an 8-time All-Star.

By the time he retired at age 39, Burg fashioned an impressive record of 369-264, had an ERA of 2.79, struck out 5250 batters and held opposing teams to a .227 batting average. Burg made 787 mound appearances and worked 5880 innings in his career. Burg was even more brilliant in the playoffs with a 9-2 record and a 1.54 ERA in 15 starts.

Gravelli Enters Hall Of Fame
Phil Gravelli, the great first baseman and consummate professional, was inducted into the Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame today. He played for 25 years (2001-2025) with Belair Beach and Crystal Lake, was a 12-time All-Star, twice a Golden Glove winner and the Ruthlandian Union MVP and RU Golden Bat recipient in 2007. Gravelli led his teams to 2 Pro Cups, 5 pennants and 7 playoffs. Crystal Lake won the IPA Pro Cup in 2020 and 2022. In addition, he holds 4 all-time IPA records. At the induction ceremony, he grew misty-eyed as he recalled the highlights of his playing career: his first base hit, his first home run, and -- humorously -- the first time he was thrown out at home plate. Gravelli says he barged through his third base coach's stop sign. As he returned to the dugout, his manager simply glared at him. "His eyes just burned a hole right through me. If looks could kill, I wouldn't be here today," he chuckled. More often than not, Gravelli pleased his managers and coaches during his superb career.

His all-time numbers show Gravelli as the IPA leader in games, hits, homers, and RBIs. He compiled a .315 batting average and collected 4260 hits, 726 home runs and 2493 RBIs. In all, he played in 3628 games. In 65 postseason games Gravelli was even more productive with a .340 batting average, 7 homers and 44 runs batted in. Gravelli retired from baseball at the age of 42.

Eugene Church · 10-11-2011, 09:53 PM

The Islandian Times
Monday, April 5, 2027

Szabo Newest Hall-Of-Famer
Today was a historic day that Ilya Szabo will never forget. The superb pitcher was enshrined into the Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame alongside the great baseball immortals of the past. He was the third player inducted. Szabo is ranked seventh in all-time wins in IPA history with 327. He played 20 years (2002-2021) for Colfax and paced the Blasters to the 2010 Pro Cup, 7 division crowns and 8 postseason appearances. Colfax set an IPA record for most wins in a season in 2010 with a remarkable 107-47 record. That year Szabo topped the IPA with a magnificent 27-4 mark and a ridiculously low 1.79 ERA. Szabo retired in 2021, still a quality pitcher. He went 18-17 with a 3.76 ERA for a fifth place club that finished under the .500 mark. Szabo twice was selected the Ruthlandian Union Most Valuable Player in 2010 and 2014. Four times in his career Szabo won the prestigious RU Golden Arm Award, in 2010, 2011, 2014 and 2015. He was also named to the RU All-Star squad 9 times.

Szabo was introduced by his former manager, Clem Rogers, who said, "He was the best I have seen in my lifetime. Ilya was a fabulous pitcher. The key to his success was that he threw the ball as far from the bat and as close to the plate as possible."

The talented pitcher retired from baseball at 42, but not before he amassed 327 victories. In his illustrious career, Ilya Szabo was 327-210 with a 2.57 ERA. He made 765 mound appearances and struck out 3162 in 5261 innings with an amazing 2.54 career ERA, third best in IPA history after Southport's Bob Montgomery, who posted a .254 ERA and Luxora's Tiago Torres with a 2.55 ERA. He was ranked ninth in strikeouts and number two in shutouts with 53. Only fellow Hall-of Famer Titus Bristow of Tuckanarra had more with 60 shutouts. Szabo was also very effective in the Pro Cup playoffs with a standout 14-8 mark in 25 games with a 2.44 ERA. He is second to Denton City's Hall-of-Famer Mila Mohoski for most playoff victories. Mohoski is the leader with a 16-11 record in 31 starts and a 3.07 ERA.

Szabo brought down the house with his closing remarks: "This is really a sad day for me. I've never had a job. I've always played baseball. I guess I'll have to go to work now."

Eugene Church · 10-12-2011, 04:09 PM

The Islandian Times
Tuesday, April 6, 2027

Luzzatti Gets Call From Hall
Mike Luzzatti of the Claxton Diamonds played baseball a long time and he played it well from 2006 to 2025. Then at the age of 41, he called it a career. In recognition of his outstanding accomplishments, Luzzatti has been voted into the IPA Hall of Fame.

"There is so much to love about this game," the newest honoree said during his induction speech at the Islandian Pro Alliance Baseball Hall of Fame in Marston. "I couldn't imagine anything greater than my first major league game. Then I hit my first home run. Then the other landmarks came. But nothing tops today... to think that I made it to the Hall of Fame."

The legendary first baseman put up some impressive numbers and is sixth on the IPA all-time home run list. Luzzatti played in 2614 games, compiled a .316 batting average, hit 562 home runs, drove in 1698 runs and scored 1670 times during his career. Luzzatti performed quite well in the postseason with a .327 BA, 7 home runs and 27 RBIs, while playing in 40 games.

Eugene Church · 10-12-2011, 05:21 PM

The Islandian Times
Wednesday, April 6, 2027

Mohoski Takes Place Among IPA Greats
The latest member of the Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame is Mila Mohoski (2002-2021), who excelled for 20 years with the Red Bluff Red Sox and Denton City Redbirds, registering 353 wins, second best in IPA history. Only HOF-er Cory Burg with 369 victories has won more games. However, Mohoski has won the most postseason games with 16 victories.

Mohoski starred for the Red Sox for 5 years, leading them to the playoffs three times and one division title. He was also a vital force in the 2004 Pro Cup championship year. Mohoski was the Pro Cup Most Valuable Player that year with a 4-1 record and a 1.80 ERA. The stylish southpaw won the deciding game of the series. Mohoski was the 2004 Golden Arm winner, too. In addition he was acclaimed the Tycobbian Union Most Valuable Player for the 2004 regular season. Twice in his career Mohoski was an All-Star.

Mohoski spent the rest of his career with Denton City, playing 16 years for the Redbirds. They won 5 division pennants during his stay. Overall Mohoski was 353-267 with a 3.19 ERA. In the playoffs he was 16-11 in 31 starts and compiled a 3.07 ERA.

Eugene Church · 10-12-2011, 05:43 PM

The Islandian Times
Thursday, April 7, 2027

Nichols Joins HOF Immortals
The Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame just added a fine shortstop and hitter to its number. The newest member of baseball's most elite group is Don Nichols, who recently retired at the age of 43 in 2024. Nichols (2001-2024) played for 24 seasons, 7 with the Marston Nine and 17 for the Far Mountain Redhawks. His teams won 3 Gold Cups, made the postseason 5 times and copped 3 division crowns. Nichols was an 11-time All-Star, 2-time Golden Glover and in 2018 took the Ruthlandian Union MVP Award and the Golden Bat. In his career he was near the top in all-time IPA stats, ranking 6th in games (3253), 2nd in hits (3760), 7th in RBIs (1773), 3rd in runs (2164) and 7th in stolen bases (668).

"I always knew I was good enough to play, but the Hall of Fame was one of the few things I never even dreamed of," said Nichols at his induction ceremony. "For me to focus a lot on the individual, that's not the way I learned to play the game. Baseball is a team game. You win as a team, you lose as team. You also do so many things together, but it is not an 'I' thing."

During his illustrious career, Nichols had 386 home runs among his 3760 hits, while batting .310. He played in 3253 games, scored 2164 runs and knocked in 1773 runs.

Eugene Church · 10-12-2011, 11:43 PM

The Islandian Times
Friday, April 8, 2027

Kazmarek Enters IPA Hall of Fame
The only batter in IPA history to hit .400 is Hall of Fame bound - outfielder Jet Kazmarek, the number two hitter in IPA history with a fantastic lifetime .350 average, has found a new home.

"He simply produced - game after game after game. That's what I loved about him." Those sentiments were expressed by Jet Kazmarek's manager J. Samuel Jackson when the gifted left fielder's Hall of Fame selection was inducted yesterday. Kazmarek played for Valmara in his first 6 seasons in the IPA and 10 years in Arroyo Grande. Alltogether his teams made the playoffs 5 times.

Kazmarek stood only 5 feet and 6 inches high, but he stood real tall in the batter's box, playing from 2001 to 2016. He won the RU Golden Bat Award in 2002 with a stunning .428 batting average and captured the RU Most Valuable Player trophy twice, in 2002 and 2003. 9 times Kazmarek won the league batting crown and was an 8-time All-Star. He also topped the league in thefts on 5 occasions, stealing 822 bases in his 16-year career with Valmara and Arroyo Grande. Only Arlon's Hall of Famer Rocco Belasario with 1023 finished ahead of him. Kazmarek's 215 three-baggers are the most in IPA history, leading the league 8 seasons.

The newest Hall of Famer assessed his career in these words: "I did my best to contribute to the team -- in the field, at the plate, in the dugout. I didn't care about personal numbers. I just went out there to win."

Kazmarek played in 2191 games with a .350 career batting average and 2746 hits. He also scored 1522 runs and drove in 1207 runs with 186 home runs. Kazmarek retired from baseball in 2016, when he was 41. He is now the manager of the Valmara Vipers. Since taking over from Jackson in 2017, Kazmarek has led the Vipers to 4 RU North pennants and to the Pro Cup title last season.

Eugene Church · 10-13-2011, 03:47 PM

The Islandian Times
Saturday, April 9, 2027

Tucks Bristow Enshrined In IPA Hall Of Fame
Titus Bristow has just become immortal -- the star pitcher has just been inducted into the Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame. What a fabulous career he has had. Bristow's lifetime record shows a 342-258 won-lost mark, an ERA of 2.75 and 60 shutouts. In 741 game appearances he fanned 2041 batters in 5434 innings and held opposing hitters to a .256 average. The stubby, little 5 foot 6 inch right-hander wound up 4th in all-time IPA wins and first in shutouts. The 6-time All-Star led the Blue Jays to 6 postseason appearances and 2 division flags. Bristow played from 2002 to 2020 and was the Tycobbian Most Valuable Player and Golden Arm winner in 2006 with a superb 27-7 record and a 1.73 ERA.

His name will now be added to the list of legends at the Hall of Fame in Marston. Bristow was 38, when he retired from baseball. He closed out his career with a 22-14 record for a sixth place club. That's how good the diminutive junkballer was.

At the enshrinement ceremony Carlton "Lefty" Stevens, his Blue Jay manager, commented on what it was like to hit against the new Hall of Famer. "When you think it's a ball, it's a strike. When you swing at what you think is a strike, it's in the dirt. He was a remarkable pitcher.

Bristow was well-known for winning ballgames and for pitching inside.
"Show me a guy who can't pitch inside and I'll show you a loser."
Writers once asked him on Mother's Day, if he would brush back his mother.
He curtly replied, "Only if she was diggin' in."

Eugene Church · 10-13-2011, 04:43 PM

The Islandian Times
Sunday, April 10, 2027

Peterson Enshrined in HOF
The best of the best, that is an apt description of baseball superstar Quincy Peterson, who starred in the IPA from 2001 to 2021, performing mainly with LaGrange and Elnora. The talented outfielder was inducted into the IPA Hall of Fame today at ceremonies in Marston. Peterson was honored 6 times as an All-Star and gathered in 4 Golden Glove Awards. The latest Hall-of-Famer participated in 5 Pro Cup playoffs in his career and was on 3 pennant winners.

Peterson retired at the age of 44 with a .294 career batting average. He mainly played left fielder, participated in 3087 games, rang up 3514 hits, 589 doubles, 565 home runs and batted in 1956 runs. Peterson was 5th in all-time hits, 4th in roundtrippers, 3rd in runs batted in, 9th in doubles and 10th in triples. Peterson was even tougher in the postseason, batting .343 with 13 homers, 38 RBIs and scoring 30 runs in only 41 games. However, he never got a Pro Cup ring.

"From the first time I saw him play, I knew he had the potential to be one of the best," Quincy Peterson's first manager Zoggy White said, "and the more I saw him play, the more certain I was that he would reach that potential."

White, along with Foxy Jimison, Peterson's longtime skipper at LaGrange were there at his enshrinement in the Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame. It was a celebration of the career of one of the shining stars of his generation. His teammates loved him and opposing fans loved to hate him, but respect followed him everywhere, as evidenced by the large crowd at the ceremony.

The man of the moment was overcome with emotion when he finally took his turn at the podium to speak. "This is one of the greatest moments of my life and to share it with all of you here is... simply amazing. I would just like to thank my family and all my teammates for their support during my journey here. Individual honor was never my goal, winning was, but this is more than I could have ever dreamed."

Eugene Church · 10-13-2011, 05:26 PM

The Islandian Times
Monday, April 11, 2027

Stevenson Now Hall of Famer
Sugar Valley's Hal Stevenson, a standout catcher throughout his Islandian Pro Alliance career, has been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Stevenson was gifted at the plate and with the mitt. He is number four on the IPA career homer list with 567. The Rattler superstar was a 12-time All-Star and hauled in 8 Golden Gloves from 2001 to 2024. He sparked the Rattlers to 8 division pennants and to the postseason 9 times. Stevenson played in one Pro Cup Final. Sugar Valley was beaten by the Red Bluff Red Sox in 2004. In 2013 Stevenson was honored with the Golden Bat Award. That year Stevenson topped the Ruthlandian Union with 49 home runs and 134 runs batted in, while batting at a .311 clip.

During the induction ceremony, he credited the coaches, who taught him to play the game and the teammates, who taught him to be a professional. However, the most important influence, Stevenson said, was his father. "Pops never gave up on me," he said, "no matter how often I felt like giving up on myself".

In his 2466-game career, Stevenson hit .287 with 2503 hits, 567 home runs, 1574 runs scored and 1758 RBIs. He wrapped up his career at the age of 40.

Eugene Church · 10-13-2011, 06:50 PM

The Islandian Times
Tuesday, April 12, 2027

Legends Welcome Belasario to HOF
One of the best players ever, Arlon's fabulous center fielder Rocco Belasario, has received the ultimate honor for a baseball player -- induction into the Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame. The installation ceremony, which was held today, included tributes from his former teammates. One of them recognized his unparalleled work ethic, another his "naturally pure" swing, and yet another, his love for the game. Belasario received numerous awards during his playing days, but he said, nothing can compare to being enshrined into the Hall of Fame. In a career spanning 3023 games, Belasario batted .301 with 3076 hits, 508 home runs, 1658 RBIs and 2116 runs scored.

For most of his career played in obscurity, but brilliantly. Arlon has been to the postseason only 3 times and has never come close to winning the Pro Cup. But Belasario excelled with 9 All-Star selections and 5 Golden Gloves. The swift Belasario hold the all-time IPA mark for stolen bases with 1023, almost 200 better than Jet Kazmarek, who is in second place. 7 times Belasario has led the Tycobbian Union in thefts. He is 7th all-time with 508 homers, 6th in walks and 4th in runs scored.

Belasario was 40, when he retired. He played 22 years in the league from 2005 to 2026. Belasario took the managerial reins of the Champions last year, replacing Gary Louis, who retired after 25 seasons.

10-01-2011, 11:12 PM	#2761
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,944	The Islandian Times Friday, October 23, 2026 Beechwood Pitcher Racks Up Golden Arm Award The top twirler in the Ruthlandian Union was Beechwood's brilliant young Maury Patterson. The 23-year-old Bobcats star has been awarded the RU Golden Arm trophy in a poll conducted by The Islandian Times. Patterson, just in his second season, fashioned an extraordinary 26-8 won-loss record in 2026 with a fantastic 1.70 ERA. He also won the pitcher's Triple Crown -most wins, best ERA and most strikeouts. In 322 innings of work and 39 starts, Patterson struck out 324 while giving up 203 hits and 101 walks with 8 shutouts. He held opposing batters to a .182 average and led the league in strikeouts, shutouts, ERA and lowest batting average. He completed 23 games, second best in the league. The Bobcats easily won the RU East this year. Runner-up vote-getter Lon Marshall of the Wynnamac Sundowners had a remarkable year, too. The 27-year-old Marshall posted a 24-14 record with a minuscule 1.87 ERA, topped only by Patterson. Workhorse Marshall hurled 336 innings, struck out 210 batters with 5 shutouts and 22 complete games. Wynnamac finished a distant second to Beechwood. Coming in third in the balloting was St. John's Don Baillie, who was one of the primary reasons the Crusaders leaped from seventh to first place in the RU South. Baillie crafted a superb 23-6 record with a 2.24 ERA. Last edited by Eugene Church; 10-01-2011 at 11:19 PM.

10-03-2011, 04:52 PM	#2763
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,944	*The Islandian Times* Sunday, October 25, 2026 TU MVP Goes To Colchester's Burns It's been 8 long seasons since the Colchester Elites had contended for the TU South, but this year they almost won it, falling just one game short of first place Ginza. Gifted first baseman Steve Burns was very instrumental in the team's rise in the standings. Burns batted .350 for the Elites, good for second place in the batting race. In a whale of a season he hit 28 homers, batted in 97 runs and scored 107 runs. Those numbers got him the 2026 Tycobbian Union Most Valuable Player Award presented by The Islandian Times. After his first four years in the IPA, Burns is sporting a terrific .331 career batting average. IPA icon Jack Elliott was a very close second in the poll. Earlier in the week Elliott edged Burns for the TU Golden Bat Award. But this time around the voters gave it to Burns. The High Mesa Cowboy first baseman had another excellent season with a .344 BA, third in the league. Elliott led the IPA in homers with 47, hits with 205 and runs scored with 135. He also drove in 116 runs. Elliott helped High Mesa to a third place finish in the strongest division in the IPA, the TU East. Lifetime he is a .353 batter, the all-time best average in IPA history. Unheralded Travis Tuttle of the Mahaska Haymakers finally got some deserved recognition in the IPA. The 26-year-old outfielder wound up third in the MVP poll. Tuttle sparked Mahaska to its first TU North flag in 11 years with a .319 BA, 33 HR, 102 RBI and 92 runs scored. Tuttle is a .307 hitter in his four IPA seasons. Last edited by Eugene Church; 10-03-2011 at 04:56 PM.

10-03-2011, 10:26 PM	#2765
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,944	*The Islandian Times* Tuesday, October 27, 2026 Rookie Luck Named RU Best Skipper Nobody could have predicted what happened in St. John this year. The hapless Crusaders were bad the season before, winding up in seventh place. After finishing up on bottom or near the bottom for the last four years, they got a new rookie manager, Clayton Luck, who promptly turned things around in no time at all, going from one of the worst clubs in the RU South to the best in the division. St. John posted an exceptional 98-56 record to win the pennant. They tied the Beechwood Bobcats for the best record in the IPA. The previous year the Crusaders were 67-87. For his efforts Luck was named the Ruthlandian Union Manager of the Year. It's been 13 years since the team's last division title. Luck had some mighty stiff competition for the award. He just barely nudged out Valmara's Jet Kazmarek and Eastshore's Killer Brewster. Kazmarek led his Vipers to the RU North crown with a 98-58 mark. Valmara was third in the standings in 2025 with an 86-68 record. Brewster's Elegants showed marked improvement, rising up from the cellar (63-91) to third in the RU East (87-67). Kazmarek was the runner-up in The Islandian Times poll, while Brewster was a very close third. Last edited by Eugene Church; 10-03-2011 at 10:30 PM.

10-10-2011, 08:08 AM	#2770
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,944	Conversions all went great. Just took about 24 hours in all... about 8 hours for each version. I am now using OOTP12. I am working on the Hall of Fame's first set of entries. Last edited by Eugene Church; 10-10-2011 at 11:20 PM.

10-10-2011, 10:59 PM	#2771
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,944	*The Islandian Times* Sunday, April 4, 2027 IPA Announces First-Year HOF Inductees After 26 great years of play the Islandian Baseball Writers Association announced the first 11 players to be enshrined into the Islandian Pro Alliance Hall-of-Fame. The historic first class includes pitchers Cody Burg, Mila Mohoski, Titus Bristow and Ilya Szabo and position players Phil Gravelli, Jet Kazmarek, Mike Luzzatti, Rocco Belasario, Hal Stevenson, Don Nichols and Quincy Peterson. The new Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame will be housed in the birthplace of Islandian baseball, Marston. Burg In IPA HOF The IBWA has put the crowning touch on Cody Burg's outstanding baseball career. They selected the great mound superstar for the Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame today. He modestly gave credit to "better than average pitching skills and lots of three-run homers" for making it possible for him to move up into the legendary class of baseball players -- but the sportswriters, his teammates and peers knew differently. In reality Burg was a craftsman, an artist. He was a perfectionist. He painted a ballgame stroke by stroke and when he got through pitching a game, it was a masterpiece. Burg sparked the Cape Coral Hurricanes to 4 pennants and 7 playoff appearances in his 21-year career (2001-2021). The talented right-hander is the all-time IPA leader in victories and strikeouts. He won the Tycobbian Union MVP in 2014 and 3 Golden Arm Awards (2004, 2005, 2014), plus he was an 8-time All-Star. By the time he retired at age 39, Burg fashioned an impressive record of 369-264, had an ERA of 2.79, struck out 5250 batters and held opposing teams to a .227 batting average. Burg made 787 mound appearances and worked 5880 innings in his career. Burg was even more brilliant in the playoffs with a 9-2 record and a 1.54 ERA in 15 starts. Gravelli Enters Hall Of Fame Phil Gravelli, the great first baseman and consummate professional, was inducted into the Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame today. He played for 25 years (2001-2025) with Belair Beach and Crystal Lake, was a 12-time All-Star, twice a Golden Glove winner and the Ruthlandian Union MVP and RU Golden Bat recipient in 2007. Gravelli led his teams to 2 Pro Cups, 5 pennants and 7 playoffs. Crystal Lake won the IPA Pro Cup in 2020 and 2022. In addition, he holds 4 all-time IPA records. At the induction ceremony, he grew misty-eyed as he recalled the highlights of his playing career: his first base hit, his first home run, and -- humorously -- the first time he was thrown out at home plate. Gravelli says he barged through his third base coach's stop sign. As he returned to the dugout, his manager simply glared at him. "His eyes just burned a hole right through me. If looks could kill, I wouldn't be here today," he chuckled. More often than not, Gravelli pleased his managers and coaches during his superb career. His all-time numbers show Gravelli as the IPA leader in games, hits, homers, and RBIs. He compiled a .315 batting average and collected 4260 hits, 726 home runs and 2493 RBIs. In all, he played in 3628 games. In 65 postseason games Gravelli was even more productive with a .340 batting average, 7 homers and 44 runs batted in. Gravelli retired from baseball at the age of 42. Last edited by Eugene Church; 10-15-2011 at 12:59 AM.

10-03-2011, 04:18 PM	#2762
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,944	The Islandian Times Saturday, October 24, 2026 Hobbs Haul In RU MVP Trophy Earlier in the week, Waleska's superb Roy Hobbs won the RU Golden Bat Award, symbolic of the best hitter in the league. Now Hobbs had added the Ruthlandian Union Most Valuable Player honor to his laurels. This is the first time the Westerner outfielder has been selected in his 14 years in the IPA. He has come close many times and finally nabbed it this year. Hobbs sparked Waleska to a second place spot in the RU South with a .346 batting average, which was the top average in the league. He has won the batting crown 4 times in his career. Hobbs also picked up his first Golden Glove this season. Hobbs belted 36 doubles, 16 triples and 24 home runs, while driving in 92 runs and scoring 116 time. He also stole 18 bases. Second in The Islandian Times poll was Beechwood's super pitcher Maury Patterson, who won the Golden Arm this year. Patterson led the Bobcats to the RU East title with a standout 26-8 record, 8 shutouts and a 1.70 ERA. Patterson was Triple Crown winner this season as he topped the league in wins, ERA and strikeouts. He also had the most shutouts in the IPA. Third in the balloting was St. John's Don Baillie, who paced the Crusaders to a surprising pennant in the RU South. Baillie racked up a 23-6 mark with a fine 2.24 ERA. St. John was deep in the second division last year in seventh place. It was a remarkable turnaround year for the Crusaders.

10-03-2011, 10:05 PM	#2764
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,944	*The Islandian Times* Monday, October 26, 2026 Tanussa Selected Top TU Skipper It was a very good year for Rusty Tanussa and his Mahaska Haymakers. Not only did they win the TU North, but he was chosen the Tycobbian Union Manager of the Year, edging out Colchester's Uncle Robby Wilbertson and Ginza's Huroko Uchiyama. The Haymakers climbed up from fifth place last season to first place this year. They improved from 70-84 to 87-67. Tanussa was a first-time honoree. Second in The Islandian Times poll was Wilbertson, who guided the Colchester Elites to the best year they have had in 9 seasons. The Elites were fifth in 2025 with a 78-76 mark, but shot up to 87-67 and second place this year, losing out by a single game to the Ginza Ninjas. Ginza skipper Huroko Uchiyama ended up third in the balloting. His Ninjas won the TU South again, for the third year in the last four. This season Uchiyama had strong competition from Colchester and the Arroyo Grande Suns, who clung to the Ninjas throughout the season.

10-05-2011, 12:29 AM	#2766
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,944	27th year coming up. I plan to switch from OOTP9 to OOTP12. Wish me luck on the conversion process. I'm not very computer literate. I am going to work on the Hall of Fame players and will announce them soon. It's time to select them after 26 years. Thanks again for supporting the IPA.

10-08-2011, 09:30 AM	#2767
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,944	Conversion has gone well. I have now converted to OOTP10 and OOTP11. Just one more to go to OOTP12. It takes 7-8 hours to convert each one.

10-09-2011, 02:01 PM	#2768
robmitchum Bat Boy Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 2	Eugene, very impressed with your work here. I'm writing an article about long-running text-sim dynasties for a new sportswriting website, and was wondering if you'd be interested in doing an interview? If so, please contact me at rdmitchum at gmail dot com. Thanks for your time.

10-11-2011, 09:53 PM	#2772
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,944	*The Islandian Times* Monday, April 5, 2027 Szabo Newest Hall-Of-Famer Today was a historic day that Ilya Szabo will never forget. The superb pitcher was enshrined into the Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame alongside the great baseball immortals of the past. He was the third player inducted. Szabo is ranked seventh in all-time wins in IPA history with 327. He played 20 years (2002-2021) for Colfax and paced the Blasters to the 2010 Pro Cup, 7 division crowns and 8 postseason appearances. Colfax set an IPA record for most wins in a season in 2010 with a remarkable 107-47 record. That year Szabo topped the IPA with a magnificent 27-4 mark and a ridiculously low 1.79 ERA. Szabo retired in 2021, still a quality pitcher. He went 18-17 with a 3.76 ERA for a fifth place club that finished under the .500 mark. Szabo twice was selected the Ruthlandian Union Most Valuable Player in 2010 and 2014. Four times in his career Szabo won the prestigious RU Golden Arm Award, in 2010, 2011, 2014 and 2015. He was also named to the RU All-Star squad 9 times. Szabo was introduced by his former manager, Clem Rogers, who said, "He was the best I have seen in my lifetime. Ilya was a fabulous pitcher. The key to his success was that he threw the ball as far from the bat and as close to the plate as possible." The talented pitcher retired from baseball at 42, but not before he amassed 327 victories. In his illustrious career, Ilya Szabo was 327-210 with a 2.57 ERA. He made 765 mound appearances and struck out 3162 in 5261 innings with an amazing 2.54 career ERA, third best in IPA history after Southport's Bob Montgomery, who posted a .254 ERA and Luxora's Tiago Torres with a 2.55 ERA. He was ranked ninth in strikeouts and number two in shutouts with 53. Only fellow Hall-of Famer Titus Bristow of Tuckanarra had more with 60 shutouts. Szabo was also very effective in the Pro Cup playoffs with a standout 14-8 mark in 25 games with a 2.44 ERA. He is second to Denton City's Hall-of-Famer Mila Mohoski for most playoff victories. Mohoski is the leader with a 16-11 record in 31 starts and a 3.07 ERA. Szabo brought down the house with his closing remarks: "This is really a sad day for me. I've never had a job. I've always played baseball. I guess I'll have to go to work now." Last edited by Eugene Church; 10-13-2011 at 03:23 PM.

10-12-2011, 04:09 PM	#2773
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,944	*The Islandian Times* Tuesday, April 6, 2027 Luzzatti Gets Call From Hall Mike Luzzatti of the Claxton Diamonds played baseball a long time and he played it well from 2006 to 2025. Then at the age of 41, he called it a career. In recognition of his outstanding accomplishments, Luzzatti has been voted into the IPA Hall of Fame. "There is so much to love about this game," the newest honoree said during his induction speech at the Islandian Pro Alliance Baseball Hall of Fame in Marston. "I couldn't imagine anything greater than my first major league game. Then I hit my first home run. Then the other landmarks came. But nothing tops today... to think that I made it to the Hall of Fame." The legendary first baseman put up some impressive numbers and is sixth on the IPA all-time home run list. Luzzatti played in 2614 games, compiled a .316 batting average, hit 562 home runs, drove in 1698 runs and scored 1670 times during his career. Luzzatti performed quite well in the postseason with a .327 BA, 7 home runs and 27 RBIs, while playing in 40 games. Last edited by Eugene Church; 10-13-2011 at 03:24 PM.

10-12-2011, 05:21 PM	#2774
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,944	*The Islandian Times* Wednesday, April 6, 2027 Mohoski Takes Place Among IPA Greats The latest member of the Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame is Mila Mohoski (2002-2021), who excelled for 20 years with the Red Bluff Red Sox and Denton City Redbirds, registering 353 wins, second best in IPA history. Only HOF-er Cory Burg with 369 victories has won more games. However, Mohoski has won the most postseason games with 16 victories. Mohoski starred for the Red Sox for 5 years, leading them to the playoffs three times and one division title. He was also a vital force in the 2004 Pro Cup championship year. Mohoski was the Pro Cup Most Valuable Player that year with a 4-1 record and a 1.80 ERA. The stylish southpaw won the deciding game of the series. Mohoski was the 2004 Golden Arm winner, too. In addition he was acclaimed the Tycobbian Union Most Valuable Player for the 2004 regular season. Twice in his career Mohoski was an All-Star. Mohoski spent the rest of his career with Denton City, playing 16 years for the Redbirds. They won 5 division pennants during his stay. Overall Mohoski was 353-267 with a 3.19 ERA. In the playoffs he was 16-11 in 31 starts and compiled a 3.07 ERA. Last edited by Eugene Church; 10-15-2011 at 01:05 AM.

10-12-2011, 05:43 PM	#2775
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,944	*The Islandian Times* Thursday, April 7, 2027 Nichols Joins HOF Immortals The Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame just added a fine shortstop and hitter to its number. The newest member of baseball's most elite group is Don Nichols, who recently retired at the age of 43 in 2024. Nichols (2001-2024) played for 24 seasons, 7 with the Marston Nine and 17 for the Far Mountain Redhawks. His teams won 3 Gold Cups, made the postseason 5 times and copped 3 division crowns. Nichols was an 11-time All-Star, 2-time Golden Glover and in 2018 took the Ruthlandian Union MVP Award and the Golden Bat. In his career he was near the top in all-time IPA stats, ranking 6th in games (3253), 2nd in hits (3760), 7th in RBIs (1773), 3rd in runs (2164) and 7th in stolen bases (668). "I always knew I was good enough to play, but the Hall of Fame was one of the few things I never even dreamed of," said Nichols at his induction ceremony. "For me to focus a lot on the individual, that's not the way I learned to play the game. Baseball is a team game. You win as a team, you lose as team. You also do so many things together, but it is not an 'I' thing." During his illustrious career, Nichols had 386 home runs among his 3760 hits, while batting .310. He played in 3253 games, scored 2164 runs and knocked in 1773 runs. Last edited by Eugene Church; 10-13-2011 at 03:26 PM.

10-12-2011, 11:43 PM	#2776
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,944	*The Islandian Times* Friday, April 8, 2027 *Kazmarek Enters IPA Hall of Fame* The only batter in IPA history to hit .400 is Hall of Fame bound - outfielder Jet Kazmarek, the number two hitter in IPA history with a fantastic lifetime .350 average, has found a new home. "He simply produced - game after game after game. That's what I loved about him." Those sentiments were expressed by Jet Kazmarek's manager J. Samuel Jackson when the gifted left fielder's Hall of Fame selection was inducted yesterday. Kazmarek played for Valmara in his first 6 seasons in the IPA and 10 years in Arroyo Grande. Alltogether his teams made the playoffs 5 times. Kazmarek stood only 5 feet and 6 inches high, but he stood real tall in the batter's box, playing from 2001 to 2016. He won the RU Golden Bat Award in 2002 with a stunning .428 batting average and captured the RU Most Valuable Player trophy twice, in 2002 and 2003. 9 times Kazmarek won the league batting crown and was an 8-time All-Star. He also topped the league in thefts on 5 occasions, stealing 822 bases in his 16-year career with Valmara and Arroyo Grande. Only Arlon's Hall of Famer Rocco Belasario with 1023 finished ahead of him. Kazmarek's 215 three-baggers are the most in IPA history, leading the league 8 seasons. The newest Hall of Famer assessed his career in these words: "I did my best to contribute to the team -- in the field, at the plate, in the dugout. I didn't care about personal numbers. I just went out there to win." Kazmarek played in 2191 games with a .350 career batting average and 2746 hits. He also scored 1522 runs and drove in 1207 runs with 186 home runs. Kazmarek retired from baseball in 2016, when he was 41. He is now the manager of the Valmara Vipers. Since taking over from Jackson in 2017, Kazmarek has led the Vipers to 4 RU North pennants and to the Pro Cup title last season. Last edited by Eugene Church; 10-13-2011 at 03:27 PM.

10-13-2011, 03:47 PM	#2777
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,944	*The Islandian Times* Saturday, April 9, 2027 Tucks Bristow Enshrined In IPA Hall Of Fame Titus Bristow has just become immortal -- the star pitcher has just been inducted into the Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame. What a fabulous career he has had. Bristow's lifetime record shows a 342-258 won-lost mark, an ERA of 2.75 and 60 shutouts. In 741 game appearances he fanned 2041 batters in 5434 innings and held opposing hitters to a .256 average. The stubby, little 5 foot 6 inch right-hander wound up 4th in all-time IPA wins and first in shutouts. The 6-time All-Star led the Blue Jays to 6 postseason appearances and 2 division flags. Bristow played from 2002 to 2020 and was the Tycobbian Most Valuable Player and Golden Arm winner in 2006 with a superb 27-7 record and a 1.73 ERA. His name will now be added to the list of legends at the Hall of Fame in Marston. Bristow was 38, when he retired from baseball. He closed out his career with a 22-14 record for a sixth place club. That's how good the diminutive junkballer was. At the enshrinement ceremony Carlton "Lefty" Stevens, his Blue Jay manager, commented on what it was like to hit against the new Hall of Famer. "When you think it's a ball, it's a strike. When you swing at what you think is a strike, it's in the dirt. He was a remarkable pitcher. Bristow was well-known for winning ballgames and for pitching inside. "Show me a guy who can't pitch inside and I'll show you a loser." Writers once asked him on Mother's Day, if he would brush back his mother. He curtly replied, "Only if she was diggin' in." Last edited by Eugene Church; 10-13-2011 at 03:58 PM.

10-13-2011, 04:43 PM	#2778
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,944	*The Islandian Times* Sunday, April 10, 2027 Peterson Enshrined in HOF The best of the best, that is an apt description of baseball superstar Quincy Peterson, who starred in the IPA from 2001 to 2021, performing mainly with LaGrange and Elnora. The talented outfielder was inducted into the IPA Hall of Fame today at ceremonies in Marston. Peterson was honored 6 times as an All-Star and gathered in 4 Golden Glove Awards. The latest Hall-of-Famer participated in 5 Pro Cup playoffs in his career and was on 3 pennant winners. Peterson retired at the age of 44 with a .294 career batting average. He mainly played left fielder, participated in 3087 games, rang up 3514 hits, 589 doubles, 565 home runs and batted in 1956 runs. Peterson was 5th in all-time hits, 4th in roundtrippers, 3rd in runs batted in, 9th in doubles and 10th in triples. Peterson was even tougher in the postseason, batting .343 with 13 homers, 38 RBIs and scoring 30 runs in only 41 games. However, he never got a Pro Cup ring. "From the first time I saw him play, I knew he had the potential to be one of the best," Quincy Peterson's first manager Zoggy White said, "and the more I saw him play, the more certain I was that he would reach that potential." White, along with Foxy Jimison, Peterson's longtime skipper at LaGrange were there at his enshrinement in the Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame. It was a celebration of the career of one of the shining stars of his generation. His teammates loved him and opposing fans loved to hate him, but respect followed him everywhere, as evidenced by the large crowd at the ceremony. The man of the moment was overcome with emotion when he finally took his turn at the podium to speak. "This is one of the greatest moments of my life and to share it with all of you here is... simply amazing. I would just like to thank my family and all my teammates for their support during my journey here. Individual honor was never my goal, winning was, but this is more than I could have ever dreamed."

10-13-2011, 05:26 PM	#2779
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,944	*The Islandian Times* Monday, April 11, 2027 Stevenson Now Hall of Famer Sugar Valley's Hal Stevenson, a standout catcher throughout his Islandian Pro Alliance career, has been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Stevenson was gifted at the plate and with the mitt. He is number four on the IPA career homer list with 567. The Rattler superstar was a 12-time All-Star and hauled in 8 Golden Gloves from 2001 to 2024. He sparked the Rattlers to 8 division pennants and to the postseason 9 times. Stevenson played in one Pro Cup Final. Sugar Valley was beaten by the Red Bluff Red Sox in 2004. In 2013 Stevenson was honored with the Golden Bat Award. That year Stevenson topped the Ruthlandian Union with 49 home runs and 134 runs batted in, while batting at a .311 clip. During the induction ceremony, he credited the coaches, who taught him to play the game and the teammates, who taught him to be a professional. However, the most important influence, Stevenson said, was his father. "Pops never gave up on me," he said, "no matter how often I felt like giving up on myself". In his 2466-game career, Stevenson hit .287 with 2503 hits, 567 home runs, 1574 runs scored and 1758 RBIs. He wrapped up his career at the age of 40. Last edited by Eugene Church; 10-13-2011 at 05:27 PM.

10-13-2011, 06:50 PM	#2780
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,944	*The Islandian Times* Tuesday, April 12, 2027 Legends Welcome Belasario to HOF One of the best players ever, Arlon's fabulous center fielder Rocco Belasario, has received the ultimate honor for a baseball player -- induction into the Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame. The installation ceremony, which was held today, included tributes from his former teammates. One of them recognized his unparalleled work ethic, another his "naturally pure" swing, and yet another, his love for the game. Belasario received numerous awards during his playing days, but he said, nothing can compare to being enshrined into the Hall of Fame. In a career spanning 3023 games, Belasario batted .301 with 3076 hits, 508 home runs, 1658 RBIs and 2116 runs scored. For most of his career played in obscurity, but brilliantly. Arlon has been to the postseason only 3 times and has never come close to winning the Pro Cup. But Belasario excelled with 9 All-Star selections and 5 Golden Gloves. The swift Belasario hold the all-time IPA mark for stolen bases with 1023, almost 200 better than Jet Kazmarek, who is in second place. 7 times Belasario has led the Tycobbian Union in thefts. He is 7th all-time with 508 homers, 6th in walks and 4th in runs scored. Belasario was 40, when he retired. He played 22 years in the league from 2005 to 2026. Belasario took the managerial reins of the Champions last year, replacing Gary Louis, who retired after 25 seasons.