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07-04-2023, 02:42 PM
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#801 |
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,899
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  The Pulberry Trolleys and Sherburn Tigers face each other for the second straight year for the Western League Pennant. The last time two Western League teams repeated as Pennant contenders was when the Wolseley Unions and Fort Richmond Generals met in four straight Pennant Series from 1947 to 1950. Although the regular season matchup between the Trolleys and Tigers was relatively close on the surface, with seven of their 15 games being decided by a single run, there was a distinct momentum shift as the season progressed. Pulberry won seven of the first 10 matchups, outscoring Sherburn 45-29 during that stretch. But the Tigers took four of the remaining five, outscoring Pulberry 25-15 and limiting the Trolleys to a single run in three of those games. There is only one injury to speak of as the two teams prepare to face each other, but it’s a significant one: 32-year old 2B Vic Lewis (.251/.297/.460, 25 HR, 69 RBI, 29 BB, 3 SB, 2.5 WAR), who Sherburn acquired from the Hespeler Stars in mid-January, suffered a herniated disc with one week left in the regular season and is out of commission for at least two more months. Replacing him will be 26-year old 2B/SS Will Thomas (52/52), a former 6th round pick from 1951-52. Thomas’ bat is merely average, but he is outstanding defensively with speed to burn. He is considered a ‘sparkplug’ as well. Prior to 43-year old manager Jaime Blair (313-303, .508), Sherburn made the playoffs just twice over the course of 18 seasons. But under his guidance, the Tigers have doubled their playoff appearance total and have done so in back-to-back seasons for the first time. As for the Trolleys, their four playoff appearances thus far have all occurred under the watch of 51-year old Ryo Ichikawa (1095-911, .545) and are looking to defend their first United Cup championship. The Trolleys and Tigers were easily the class of the West and are certainly no strangers to each other. With both clubs on a mission, its time to get down to business. Play ball! -------- Game 1 – March 27 Trolleys Stadium hosts Game 1 of the Pennant Series for the fourth straight year. Not surprisingly, it’s hot, the skies are clear, and the stadium is packed. The two clubs’ respective aces will face each other in the opening match. 20-year sophomore LHP Bart Ohara (2-1, 0.84 ERA, 1.06, 4 playoff starts) takes the hill for Pulberry, while 33-year old RHP Jesús Chapa (1-2, 3.00 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 3 playoff starts) responds for Sherburn. Bottom of the 2nd: Ellis Dibble lofts one just over the head of SS Dwayne Vick and into short left-center for a lead-off base hit. Paul England hits a bouncer out toward 2B Will Thomas and is thrown out at first as Dibble takes second on the play. Sean Abercrombie then hits a hard grounder past a diving 3B Adrian Flynn, putting runners on the corners. Wade Billyard hits one sharply out to short. Vick snares it and throws to second for one, but Abercrombie breaks up the double play with a hard slide as Dibble comes home to open the scoring. Sherburn 0 - Pulberry 1 Top of the 3rd: Albert Sulley leads off and shoots one past first base and into rightfield for a base hit. On a full count, Dwayne Vick lines a slow cutter down the line into rightfield for a hit. Sulley rounds second and heads for third. RF Ellis Dibble rifles a tremendous throw to third but its off the mark as 3B Dwayne Stace can’t reach it. Sulley scores on the errant throw to tie up the game as Vick takes second. Sherburn 1 - Pulberry 1 Bottom of the 4th: Aidan Thirkettle leads off with a full-count walk. Ellis Dibble taps one out toward the mound on the first base side. SP Chapa tracks it down and throws to first, but Dibble just beats out the throw as Thirkettle moves up to second. Paul England then smashes one into deep left center. LF Ross Shewman races back and lunges for it but its beyond his reach as the ball ricochets off the wall. England rounds second and charges for third. Shewman whips the ball back in, but England slides in under the tag for a 2-run triple. Still with nobody out, Sean Abercrombie lofts one out to short centerfield in front of CF Leon Albrecht for a base hit as England comes home to score. Sherburn 1 - Pulberry 4 Top of the 5th: Jesús Chapa gets a hold of an Ohara sinker and belts it high into deep left center. CF Cooper Tyson tracks it down and reaches for it but comes up short. Chapa challenges Tyson’s arm by tearing around second. Tyson sends a long throw to third but Chapa slides in safely for a lead-off triple. With one out, Dwayne Vick shoots one out into right center. RF Ellis Dibble dives to make the catch. Chapa tags up and slides in headfirst to beat out the throw. Sherburn 2 - Pulberry 4 Bottom of the 5th: With one out, Cooper Tyson hits one past the mound and a diving 2B Will Thomas for a base hit. Aidan Thirkettle then steps up to the plate and crushes one out towards the gap in deep right center. CF Leon Albrecht leaps for it at the wall but its well out of his reach as it sails 437 ft. into the stands for a 2-run home run. Sherburn 2 - Pulberry 6 Bottom of the 8th: Paul England leads off, ripping a liner into deep right center. RF Albert Sulley races back but its beyond his reach. As the ball bangs off the wall, England breaks for second and slides in headfirst safely for a double. Sean Abercrombie follows and belts a soaring fastball out toward deep leftfield. LF Ross Shewman gives chase, but it lands 411 ft. into the bleachers for a 2-run homer. Sherburn 2 - Pulberry 8 Top of the 9th: PH Carlos Cuevas leads off and hits one softly high into the air to short right center for a single. Albert Sulley then hits a grounder to the right side and is thrown out by 2B Wade Billyard as Cuevas takes second. Dwayne Vick then slaps a grounder back up the middle toward SS Sean Abercrombie. Abercrombie lunges for it but can’t dig it out of his glove. Vick reaches safely on an infield hit as Cuevas takes third. Manager Ichikawa then makes a pitching change, calling upon RHP Harley Rodman. Leon Albrecht then hits a grounder out toward third. Dwayne Stace gloves it but doesn’t make the throw. Stace, who is visibly upset with himself, watches as Albrecht reaches first and Cuevas comes into score. But Adrian Flynn hits a high popup on the infield. Abercrombie calls for it as the umpire signals an infield fly. Ross Shewman then hits a bouncer between first and second. 1B Gerard Koerner snags it and on one knee, throws it to SP Rodman who is covering first for the final out. The Trolleys take Game 1. FINAL: Sherburn 3 - Pulberry 8     -------- Game 2 – March 28 The Trolleys’ offense came through in Game 1 and aim to continue that all-round performance in Game 2. Pulberry’s No. 2 starter, 29-year old RHP Taylor Folkard (4-1, 2.96 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 7 playoff starts), takes his turn, while Sherburn responds with their No. 2 man, 31-year old RHP Kieran Bunce (0-1, 7.11 ERA, 1.89 WHIP, 1 playoff start). Bunce last appeared in the playoffs with the Kingston Pelicans back in 1951-52, when he lost his only start 5-3 against the Wolseley Unions in Game 3 of the Pennant Series. He is looking to bounce back from that rough outing. Bottom of the 9th: Through eight innings, the two starters keep the game scoreless, with Folkard surrendering just three singles and a walk while Bunce allows three singles and two walks. But in the bottom of the 9th, Aidan Thirkettle leads off and absolutely crushes a no-doubter, sending Bunce’s 2-2 fastball 466 ft. into the delirious right center bleachers for a walk-off home run to end the game and send the Series to Sherburn with the Trolleys up two games to none. FINAL: Sherburn 0 - Pulberry 1     -------- Game 3 – March 30 The Series shifts to The Paramount in Sherburn with the Tigers still looking for their first win. They are hoping a packed house supporting them will help. Sherburn looks to their No. 3 starter, 30-year old RHP Ben Buschlen (0-0, 3.38 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 1 playoff start), who will be making his second career playoff start. Pulberry goes with their No. 3 starter as well, 35-year old RHP Robin Medellin (3-3, 3.71 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 10 playoff starts). Medellin has pitched in the playoffs for both the Trolleys and Braeland City Monarchs. Top of the 2nd: Aidan Thirkettle leads off the inning with a walk. Ellis Dibble then hits a slow roller down the left side. 3B Adrian Flynn backhands it but does not risk the throw, as Dibble races to first while Thirkettle takes second. On the first pitch to Paul England, Thirkettle breaks for third and beats out the throw from C Robert Carr. England then cracks a line drive down the rightfield line. RF Albert Sulley hurries over and lunges for it but the ball just gets past his glove and shoots into the corner. Thirkettle scores easily. Dibble moves up to third then breaks for home. 2B Will Thomas takes the relay and throws home, but Dibble slides in safely as England pulls up into second for a two-run double. Pulberry 2 – Sherburn 0 Bottom of the 2nd: Ross Shewman hits a frozen rope down the line into short rightfield as Ellis Dibble chases after it. Shewman rounds first as the ball rolls in to the corner and holds up at second for a lead-off double. Marcus Timberlake then smacks a fastball sharply to the right-side hole. 1B Gerard Koerner fields it and throws to Medellin at first for the out as Shewman takes third. With two out, Will Thomas sends a dribbler toward third base. Francis Jones tracks it down but there’s nothing he can do as Thomas reaches first for an infield single and Shewman hustles home to score. Pulberry 2 – Sherburn 1 Top of the 3rd: Francis Jones leads off and drives one deep into centerfield. Leon Albrecht races back and reaches up for it but the ball sails past him and hits the wall on a hop. Jones motors into second. With two out, Aidan Thirkettle belts a 3-0 pitch down the rightfield line. Albert Sulley races over but can’t get to it in time. Jones tears around third and heads for home as Sulley whips it back in. C Robert Carr spins around with the ball and makes the tag, but its not quite in time as Jones slides in safely. Thirkettle moves up to second on the RBI single. Pulberry 3 – Sherburn 1 Top of the 5th: Francis Jones leads off once again and walks on four straight pitches. He is followed by Gerard Koerner who also draws a walk. Copper Tyson then lifts one out to deep leftfield. Ross Shewman reels it in. Jones tags up at second and slides in safely at third, putting runners on the corners. But on the first pitch to Aidan Thirkettle, Koerner breaks for second and is cut down with a terrific throw from C Robert Carr. But Carr later misplays Buschlen’s 1-2 changeup and it bounces back to the screen. Jones comes into score on the passed ball. Pulberry 4 – Sherburn 1 Bottom of the 6th: With one out, Leon Albrecht sends a little looper over the infield and into leftfield for a base hit. But Aidan Thirkettle can’t pick it up and it gets past him. Albrecht moves up to second on the error. Adrian Flynn then lines one out to short right center in front of Ellis Dibble. Albrecht makes the turn at third and beats out the throw to score. Pulberry 4 – Sherburn 2 Top of the 7th: Wade Billyard leads off and grounds one sharply through the left side for a base hit. Robin Medellin then lays down a sac bunt, moving Billyard to second. Francis Jones follows and skies one toward deep left field. Ross Shewman back peddles and hauls it in. Billyard tags up and takes third without a throw. Gerard Koerner then lines Buschlen’s changeup hard into deep leftfield. Ross Shewman leaps at the wall but he comes up short as Koerner’s shot lands 396 ft. into the bullpen for a two-run home run. Pulberry 6 – Sherburn 2 Bottom of the 7th: With one out, Will Thomas cranks one out to deep rightfield. Ellis Dibble sprints after it but it touches down and bangs up against the wall. Thomas races around second and slides in hard at third for a triple. PH Noah Teale grounds one to the right-side hole. 1B Gerard Koerner comes up with it and throws to Robin Medellin at first for the second out as Thomas comes into score. Albert Sulley then steps up to the plate and smokes a 2-2 pitch out to deep rightfield. Ellis Dibble gives chase but it’s gone, as the belt-high circle changeup lands 371 ft. into the stands for a solo home run. In the bottom of the 9th, LHP Dermott Rathbone takes over. PH Freddie Instone leads off and flies out to CF Cooper Tyson. Albert Sulley then sends a slow roller to the right side and is retired by 2B Wade Billyard. Dwayne Vick lines one out to centerfield. Tyson moves in and makes it look easy as he snares it for the final out. Pulberry takes a commanding 3-0 series lead. FINAL: Pulberry 6 – Sherburn 4     -------- Game 4 – March 31 The Trolleys have backed the Tigers into a corner with little room to move. Its do or die time for Sherburn as they desperately look to swing the momentum. To try and do that, they turn to their No. 4 starter, 23-year old Kozue Saito (0-0, 3.09 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 2 playoff starts). Pulberry taps their No. 4 starter as well, 32-year old RHP Quintiliano Galeo. This will be the two-time all-star’s first playoff appearance. Top of the 1st: Cooper Tyson leads off and lines one into shallow centerfield for a base hit. Gerard Koerner follows with a four-pitch walk. Aidan Thirkettle bangs out a hard grounder toward the leftfield side. Marcus Timberlake lunges for it but its just past his glove. As RF Albert Sulley moves in to field it, Tyson races around third and slides in safely under the tag on Thirkettle’s RBI single. Ellis Dibble then hits a bouncer back up the middle. SS Dwayne Vick lunges for it but its just beyond his reach. Koerner takes third, then breaks for home. Koerner comes in with a hard slide, beating out the throw from CF Leon Albrecht. Pulberry 2 – Sherburn 0 Bottom of the 8th: Robert Carr slashes a liner out to right center for a lead-off single. With one out, PH Noah Teale rips a hard shot down to first base. Gerard Koerner comes up with it and takes it first for one, then sidearms it to second. Carr slides in and beats out the tag to avoid the double play. After Galeo walks Albert Sulley, Dwayne Vick sends a hard shot into short right center to load the bases. That ends Galeo’s afternoon as LHP Dermott Rathbone comes on in relief. But Rathbone walks Albrecht, forcing in Carr for Sherburn’s first run. Adrian Flynn then bounces one out past 3B Francis Jones for a base hit. Sulley comes in to score the tying run. Vick is given the windmill at third on the play and slides in headfirst for the go ahead run as Flynn comes through with a two-run single. In the top of the 9th, the Tigers prevail upon their ace, RHP Jesús Chapa, to close the Trolleys down. PH Gustavo Hernández slaps one out toward the right-side hole. 2B Bernard Kerkin gathers it in and throws him out. Francis Jones then puts a charge into Chapa’s fastball, sending it deep to leftfield. Ross Shewman races back to the warning track and hauls it in for the second out. Sean Abercrombie bloops one out toward short center for a base hit. But Wade Billyard hits a hard grounder toward the left side. SS Dwayne Vick tames it and chucks it sideways to 2B Bernard Kerkin for the game-ending force out. The Tigers finally prevail to keep the Series alive. FINAL: Pulberry 2 – Sherburn 3     -------- Game 5 – April 1 Sherburn found new life in Game 4 and look to keep the momentum going as they play one more home game. Game 5 features the same pair of aces as in Game 1. After recording the save on 10 pitches in Game 4, RHP Jesús Chapa (0-1, 1 SV, 9.00 ERA, 8.0 IP) looks to bounce back from his rough start in Game 1. Pulberry hands the ball to LHP Bart Ohara (1-0, 3.24 ERA 8.1 IP) to try and close out the Series. Bottom of the 5th: Robert Carr lines one to rightfield for a one-out base hit. Will Thomas then lines one to leftfield for a base hit as Carr takes second. After fouling off two bunt attempts, Jesús Chapa swings away and rips a liner down the line into short leftfield. Aidan Thirkettle sprints after it, but both Carr and Thomas score as Chapa pulls up into second. Pulberry 0 – Sherburn 2 Top of the 6th: Cooper Tyson belts a fastball down the line toward deep rightfield. Albert Sulley scrambles to the corner to corral it but Tyson pulls into second for a lead-off double. Aidan Thirkettle then smashes one out to left centerfield. LF Ross Shewman lunges for it but its just past his reach as it falls in and rolls to the wall. Tyson scores on Thirkettle’s RBI double. Pulberry 1 – Sherburn 2 Bottom of the 8th: PH Freddie Instone bangs out a grounder toward short. SS Dwayne Stace extends himself, but it gets past him into leftfield for a lead-off base hit. Albert Sulley then lays down a bunt toward the left side of the mound. Ohara fields it and throws him out as Instone moves up to second. Dwayne Vick spanks one down the leftfield line. It just stays fair as it gets through into leftfield and rolls all the way into the corner. Aidan Thirkettle picks it up and whips it to second. But Vick slides in safely for a double as Instone comes in to score. In the top of the 9th, RHP Paul Woodruff takes over for Chapa. Dwayne Stace leads off with a walk. But as Wade Billyard strikes out on a full count, C Robert Carr cuts down Stace attempting to steal second for the twin killing. PH Ángelos Ríos then lofts one down the line into shallow rightfield. As it twists into foul territory, Albert Sulley glides toward it and hauls it in for the final out. The Tigers take two straight. FINAL: Pulberry 1 – Sherburn 3     -------- Game 6 – April 3 Sherburn has new life as the Series shifts to Trolleys Stadium in Pulberry. Under the hot, clear skies, the Trolleys are looking for a boost from the home crowd to try and put the Series away. The two starters who pitched brilliantly in Game 2 square off again. RHP Taylor Folkard (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 8.1 IP) looks to try and close things out for Pulberry while Sherburn goes with RHP Kieran Bunce (0-1, 1.12 ERA, 8.0 IP) to try and even up the Series. Top of the 2nd: With two out, Marcus Timberlake flares a fly ball down the line into shallow rightfield for a base hit. Two pitches later, Timberlake breaks for second. C Paul England double pumps and whips it to second but its not in time as Timberlake slides in headfirst for the steal. Robert Carr then bashes one toward the left side hole that gets past a diving SS Sean Abercrombie and into leftfield. Timberlake takes third then breaks for home. Timberlake slides in safely beneath the tag as Carr brings him home on an RBI single. Sherburn 1 - Pulberry 0 Bottom of the 4th: Aidan Thirkettle draws a walk with one out. As Thirkettle breaks for second, Ellis Dibble connects on a hard grounder into rightfield, putting runners on the corners. Paul England then lines a shot out to shallow center for a base hit as Thirkettle scores to tie up the game. Sherburn 1 - Pulberry 1 Bottom of the 5th: Wade Billyard works the count full before drawing a lead-off walk. Billyard goes on a 1-0 pitch to Taylor Folkard and steals second as C Robert Carr doesn’t attempt the throw after juggling the ball while tying to make the transfer. Folkard taps a bunt toward the right side of the mound. Bunce throws him out as Billyard takes third. Francis Jones then launches one out to shallow left center. CF Leon Albrecht dives and makes the catch. Billyard tags up and beats out the throw as Pulberry takes the lead. Sherburn 1 - Pulberry 2 Bottom of the 7th: Dwayne Stace leads off and punches one into rightfield for a base hit. Wade Billyard lays down a bunt that rolls along the third base line. Adrian Flynn moves in and throws out Billyard as Stace takes second. Taylor Folkard swings away and connects on a hard grounder back up the middle into centerfield. Stace takes third then heads for home. CF Leon Albrecht makes a strong throw home, but Stace beats the tag on Folkard’s RBI single. Francis Jones spanks one through the left side hole. SS Dwayne Vick backhands it and makes the long throw to first. But Jones beats the throw, putting runners on the corners. Gerard Koerner slaps one past a diving 2B Bernard Kerkin for a base hit. Folkard comes into score. Jones moves up to second, then wheels to third. RF Albert Sulley whips the ball to third and cuts down Jones for the second out. In the top of the 9th, Albert Sulley launches a high fly ball into deep leftfield. Aidan Thirkettle reaches back and makes the grab for the first out. Ross Shewman shoots a hard liner to right. Ellis Dibble sprints in but can’t get to it in time as Shewman reaches on a base hit. That ends Folkard’s day as LHP Dermott Rathbone takes over. But Rathbone loads the bases when Marcus Timberlake hits one through the box and into centerfield for a single and Robert Carr follows with a walk on four straight pitches. Bernard Kerkin hits a soft pop fly down the line into short rightfield. Ellis Dibble runs in and makes the catch, then hurries the throw back in to hold the runners. PH Freddie Instone steps up and lines a changeup toward right centerfield. Dibble moves in and makes the catch to snuff out the threat and end the game. The Pulberry Trolleys win their second consecutive Western League Pennant and are off to face the Brunswick Legends and defend their United Cup crown! FINAL: Sherburn 1 - Pulberry 4     --------   
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United Leagues of Braeland Last edited by reds1; 07-08-2023 at 11:08 AM. Reason: Spelling |
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07-08-2023, 01:58 AM
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#802 |
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,521
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Alright! That Game 2 win proved huge. Dibble's two close out defensive plays in Game 6 were nice, as well. Off we go to another title series.
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07-10-2023, 01:28 AM
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#803 |
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,899
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  This year’s United Cup pits the defending Champions against a 3-time champion who are making their first appearance in the Finals in 12 years. The Brunswick Legends have largely been an afterthought in the Eastern League since they last made the playoffs as a wildcard team in 1946-47, 10 years ago. But a 22-win improvement over last season has seen the Legends enter the playoffs with the best record in the ULB. Their ascendancy to the top of the standings can be largely attributed to a solid rotation that emerged this season. The lineup, the main strength of the team over the past few seasons also proved a bit more potent. Overall, the Legends went from 4.4 R/G scored last year to 4.8 this season, while the pitching reduced their R/G allowed from 4.4 to 3.9. As for the Trolleys, they were a model of consistency. Last season they scored 5.0 R/G; this year they scored 4.9. In the run prevention category, they averaged 4.0 R/G last season; this year they averaged 3.9. Not surprisingly, Pulberry finished with identical records both seasons. But Brunswick seemed to have had Pulberry’s number in the regular season, for in their six interleague matchups, Brunswick took four out of five and outscored the Trolleys 31-21 overall. Among the two clubs, there is only one significant injury. The Legends continue to be without their starting leftfielder, 30-year old Carl Patton (.285/.399/.387, 6 HR, 51 RBI, 98 BB, 15 SB, 112 OPS+, 126 wRC+, 3.6 WAR) for the playoffs due to an injured shoulder. 27-year old switch-hitter Ismael García (.211/.286/.316, 2-2B, 1 RBI, 19 AB in EL Pennant Series) will continue to start in his stead. With the defending United Cup Champions out to defend their title and the re-emergence of a once dormant club determined to reclaim their past glory set to face each other, its no surprise interest in the United Cup is at a fever pitch across the island nation. The stage is set – its time to ‘Play Ball!’ -------- Game 1 – April 5 Babe Ruth Park hosts the first game of the Series. The weather could not be more perfect as the stadium is jammed packed for the opening match of Braeland’s premier game. 24-year old RHP Dave Ball (0-1, 6.0 IP, 6.00 ERA in EL Pennant Series), one of Brunswick’s 20-game winners this season, gets the start. Meanwhile, Pulberry taps their No. 3 starter, 36-year old RHP Robin Medellin (1-0, 8.0 IP, 4.50 ERA in WL Pennant Series). Bottom of the 3rd: Dermott Morris slices one into deep right center. RF Ellis Dibble chases after it but its beyond his reach as it drops in and rolls all the way to the wall. Morris pulls up into second standing up with a lead-off double. Dave Ball then pushes a bunt back to the mound and is thrown out by Robin Medellin as Morris takes third. Jorge Arredondo skies one to deep centerfield. Cooper Tyson sprints all the way back to the warning track and hauls it in. Morris tags up at third and scores without a throw. Pulberry 0 - Brunswick 1 Top of the 4th: Cooper Tyson flares one out to leftfield that drops in for a lead-off base hit. Aidan Thirkettle follows and hits a sharp grounder past the mound and into centerfield. Joshua Witherden rushes in to scoop it up. Tyson rounds second and heads to third. Witherden whips it in, but Tyson beats out the throw, putting runners on the corners. Ellis Dibble hits a bouncer toward the right side hole. 2B Dermott Morris snags it and flips it to SS Harris Yaag at second who in turn fires it down to 1B Francis Joicey to complete the double play. Tyson comes home to tie up the game. Pulberry 1 - Brunswick 1 Bottom of the 4th: Robert Kersey works the count full before drawing a lead-off walk. With one out, Joshua Witherden lifts one into centerfield for a base hit. Cooper Tyson comes in fast, but it rolls under his glove. Kersey takes third as Witherden moves up to second on the error. With two out, Dermott Morris pounds a grounder out toward the left side hole. SS Sean Abercrombie backhands it, turns and fires it to 1B Gerard Koerner, but Morris beats out the throw as Kersey crosses the plate. Pulberry 1 - Brunswick 2 Top of the 8th: Francis Jones leads off and rips a liner to short right center for a base hit. With one out, Cooper Tyson shoots a grounder out toward the left side. SS Harris Yaag scoops it up and throws out Jones at second. But Jones upends 2B Dermott Morris to prevent the double play. On a 3-1 count, Aidan Thirkettle smashes Dave Ball’s cutter down the rightfield line. Jay Mitchell sprints after it but he can only watch as it lands 337 ft. into the bleachers for a 2-run homer. Pulberry 3 - Brunswick 2 Bottom of the 8th: Robert Kersey ties it up with one out when he jumps all over Medellin’s first offering, crushing it 404 ft. into the right center stands for a solo home run. Pulberry 3 - Brunswick 3 Top of the 9th: With one out, 2B Luke Corke chops one out toward short. Harris Yaag lays out, spears it and fires it to first. But the ball sails over the head of Francis Joicey. Corke moves up to second on the error. PH Ángelo Ríos rips one hard down the line into shallow rightfield. Jay Mitchell races hard to track it down as Ríos tears around first. Mitchell throws it back in, but Corke comes into score as Ríos slides in safely for an RBI double. In the bottom of the 9th, PH Jean-Pierre Ferré lines one out toward rightfield, but Ellis Dibble is right there to haul it in for the first out. Dermott Morris works the count full on LHP Dermott Rathbone before drawing a walk. PH Edilberto Mandac lofts one out to centerfield. Cooper Tyson waits for it and pulls it in. Jorge Arredondo then hits one weakly to the left side. SS Sean Abercrombie hustles in, gloves it and fires it to Gerard Koerner at first for the final out. Pulberry hangs on to take the first game on the road. FINAL: Pulberry 4 - Brunswick 3     -------- Game 2 – April 6 The Trolleys pulled out a squeaker in Game 1 and look to continue pressing their advantage. To try and even the Series, however, the Legends call upon their other 20-game winner, 31-year old LHP Luke Henty (1-0, 9.0 IP, 2.00 ERA in EL Pennant Series). Pulberry counters with their own 20-game winner, 21-year old LHP Bart Ohara (1-1, 16.1 IP, 3.31 ERA in WL Pennant Series). The temperature has soared while the skies are clear as the two teams get set for battle. Top of the 4th: Ellis Dibble smashes Luke Henty’s first offering into the gap in deep left center. CF Joshua Witherden races back for it but it caroms off the wall as Dibble sprints around second and charges for third. Witherden whips it to third but Dibble slides in safely for a lead-off triple. With the infield drawn in, Paul England grounds one out toward the left side hole past a lunging SS Harris Yaag. Dibble comes home on England’s RBI single to open the scoring. Pulberry 1 - Brunswick 0 Top of the 5th: With two out, Cooper Tyson hits one sharply out to short centerfield for a base hit. Gerard Koerner works the count full before drawing a walk, moving Tyson up to second. Aidan Thirkettle then drives one to deep centerfield. Joshua Witherden chases after it, but the ball bangs off the wall as Tyson scores. Koerner moves up to third then heads for home. 1B Francis Joicey whips in the relay but Koerner slides in safely on Thirkettle’s 2-run double. Ellis Dibble keeps the inning going by drawing a walk. Paul England then puts a charge into Henty’s 1-0 slider, sending 337 ft. down the leftfield line and into the stands for a 3-run home run. That ends Luke Henty’s day as RHP Byron Ollson comes on in relief. Pulberry 6 - Brunswick 0 Top of the 7th: Cooper Tyson leads off with a free pass on 4-straight pitches. With one out, Aidan Thirkettle also draws a walk, moving Tyson up to second. Ellis Dibble then bashes a hard grounder toward short. Harris Yaag stretches for it, but he can’t flag it down. Tyson takes third then heads for home. Tyson beats out the throw from LF Ismael García as Thirkettle moves up to second and Dibble reaches on a base hit. With two out, Francis Jones smashes a soaring fly ball to the opposite field. RF Jay Mitchell sprints back to the warning track but it clears the wall, landing 377 ft. into the bleachers for a 3-run home run. In the bottom of the 9th, Robert Kersey leads off with a grounder out toward the right side hole. 2B Wade Billyard lunges for it but it just clears his glove as Kersey settles in at first. Ismael García sends a high chopper down to third base. Francis Jones snares it and throws to Wade Billyard at second for the force out. But Kersey upends Billyard, preventing the double play. Ohara then strikes out Joshua Witherden for the second out. But PH Jean-Pierre Ferré slaps one hard to the right side that gets through into rightfield as García takes second. Dermott Morris then cracks one out to center for a base hit, loading the bases. PH Edilberto Mandac sends a hard grounder wide of first. Wade Billyard fields it and whips it to first for the final out. The Trolleys take both games on the road as the Series heads to Pulberry for at least the next two games. FINAL: Pulberry 10 - Brunswick 0     -------- Game 3 – April 8 The United Cup moves to Trolleys Stadium in Pulberry with the Brunswick Legends licking their wounds after the embarrassing 10-0 thrashing they received at home in Game 2. As in the previous game, its sunny and hot with a sold-out stadium. 29-year old RHP Taylor Folkard (1-0, 16.2 IP, 0.54 ERA in WL Pennant Series) makes his third start for Pulberry this postseason, while 40-year old RHP Pi-ao Quian (2-0, 18.0 IP, 1.50 ERA in EL Pennant Series) looks to get Brunswick back in the win column. Top of the 3rd: Pi-ao Quian leads off, slapping one out toward the left side. SS Sean Abercrombie reaches down for it but boots it, allowing Quian to reach safely on the error. Jorge Arredondo drills one out to right. As it falls in, Quian reaches second then breaks for third. RF Ellis Dibble whips it to third, but Quian beats out the throw, putting runners on the corners. Harris Yaag cracks one to deep leftfield. Aidan Thirkettle races back to the warning track and pulls it in. Quian tags up and scores without a throw. Jay Mitchell then lines one out to short right for a base hit. Arredondo takes second, then heads for third. Dibble’s throw comes in but Arredondo slides in safely. Robert Kersey rips a hard grounder through the right side hole for a base hit. As Ellis Dibble fields it, Arredondo scores for the Legends’ second run. Brunswick 2 - Pulberry 0 Bottom of the 3rd: With one out Taylor Folkard lines one to centerfield for a base hit. Francis Jones follows, punching a base hit into centerfield as well as Folkard moves up to second. Quian then gives up back-to-back walks to Gerard Koerner and Cooper Tyson, forcing in Folkard for Pulberry’s first run and loading the bases. Aidan Thirkettle then smashes a 1-0 cutter into left center. LF Ismael García races back but can’t corral it as it hits the wall on a hop. Jones and Koerner both score as Tyson takes third on Thirkettle’s 2-run double. Brunswick 2 - Pulberry 3 Top of the 5th: With one out, Jay Mitchell breaks his bat on a chopper that bounces out toward third. Francis Jones comes in, grips it and throws to first but Mitchell beats out the throw for an infield hit. Robert Kersey ropes one to left. Aidan Thirkettle charges in but he’s not in time as it falls in for a base hit as Mitchell takes second. Ismael García then lifts a lazy fly ball to straight away right. Ellis Dibble moves under it, but it clanks off his glove. Brunswick loads the bases on the gaffe. With the infield pulled in, Folkard strikes out Joshua Witherden for the second out. But Francis Joicey follows and smashes one to deep right center. CF Cooper Tyson races back hard but its off the face of the wall with Joicey thinking three. Tyson finally tracks it down, but Joicey dives headfirst into third for a go-ahead 3-run triple. Brunswick 5 - Pulberry 3 Bottom of the 5th: Francis Jones leads off and smashes the first pitch down the line into deep leftfield. Ismael García reaches out for it but comes up short. As the ball skips to the wall, Jones rounds second. García retrieves the ball as Jones sails past third. García makes the long throw home, but Jones slides in safely for an inside-the-park home run. Brunswick 5 - Pulberry 4 Bottom of the 6th: Paul England leads off and smashes a bullet to short rightfield for a base hit. Sean Abercrombie lines one just over the head of 3B Jorge Arredondo and into the leftfield corner. Ismael García races in hard for it as Abercrombie pulls up into second for a double as England takes third. Wade Billyard is then intentionally walked, loading the bases with nobody out. PH Joe Riding then sends a 2-2 cutter out toward the gap in left center. CF Joshua Witherden races back for it but cannot catch up to it in time. Both England and Abercrombie come home as Riding pulls into second for a 2-run double and Billyard takes third. Manager Finlay Fay then calls to the bullpen for RHP Lao Chen. But Francis Jones sends a 0-1 pitch soaring into deep centerfield. Joshua Witherden sprints after it but its just out of his reach as the ball rolls to the wall. Both Billyard and Riding score as Jones pulls up into second. Brunswick 5 - Pulberry 8 Top of the 7th: LHP Dermott Rathbone takes over from Folkard. Robert Kersey leads off and rips a liner into centerfield. Cooper Tyson races back but can’t get to it in time as it falls in for a base hit. Ismael García lofts the first pitch he sees to shallow right center for a single as Kersey takes second. Joshua Witherden then sends a hard shot back up the middle and into centerfield for a base hit as Brunswick loads the bases with nobody out. PH Jean-Pierre Ferré sends a high fly ball to leftfield. Aidan Thirkettle camps under it and pulls it in. Kersey tags up and beats out the throw to the plate. In the top of the 9th, Ismael García sends a soaring pop-up to the right side infield. 2B Wade Billyard moves in and pockets it for the first out. Joshua Witherden then shoots a hard grounder past the mound. SS Sean Abercrombie dives and knocks it down. Throwing from his knees, he cuts down Witherden at first for the second out. PH Jim Hamel belts one high into the air out toward deep centerfield. Cooper Tyson charges over, reaches out and hauls it in for the final out. Pulberry takes a commanding lead in the Series. FINAL: Brunswick 6 - Pulberry 8     -------- Game 4 – April 9 The Legends put up a better effort in Game 3 but still came up short and are now facing the very real possibility of being swept. To try and keep their championship hopes alive, Brunswick turns to their No. 4 starter, 29-year old RHP Mhelter Pilapil (1-1, 16.1 IP, 2.76 ERA in the EL Pennant Series). In looking to close things out, Pulberry hands the assignment to their No. 4 starter as well, 32-year old RHP Quintiliano Galeo (0-1, 7.2 IP, 3.52 ERA in the WL Pennant Series). With the conditions sunny and hot, the weather will not be a factor. Top of the 1st: Brunswick wastes no time getting on the board. Jorge Arredondo blasts a 0-1 slider to deep leftfield. Aidan Thirkettle pursues it all the way back to the warning track, but it sails 420 ft. into the stands for a lead-off solo home run. Brunswick 1 - Pulberry 0 Bottom of the 1st: The Trolleys load the bases with one out when Pilapil surrenders back-to-back-to-back walks to Gerard Koerner, Aidan Thirkettle and Cooper Tyson. Ellis Dibble bounces one toward third. Jorge Arredondo scoops it up and throws out Tyson at second as Koerner scores. Tyson’s hard slide prevents the relay throw to first as Dibble reaches base and Thirkettle moves up to third. Paul England then lifts one into short centerfield. Joshua Witherden runs in but cannot get to it in time. Thirkettle comes home as Pulberry takes the lead. Brunswick 1 - Pulberry 2 Bottom of the 3rd: Aidan Thirkettle flares one out toward the gap in deep left center. CF Joshua Witherden pursues and extends his glove but its just beyond his reach as the ball falls in and skips to the wall. Thirkettle pulls up into second for a lead-off double. Cooper Tyson hits a sharp grounder to the right side hole. 2B Dermott Morris traps it and throws out Tyson at first as Thirkettle moves up to third. Ellis Dibble then jumps all over a 1-1 fastball and crushes it to deep leftfield. Ismael García motor after it but it clears the wall, landing 397 ft. into the cheering stands for a 2-run home run. Brunswick 1 - Pulberry 4 Top of the 4th: Galeo runs into trouble in the fourth. Robert Kersey leads off and drives the first pitch into deep rightfield. Ellis Dibble runs to the warning track and leaps at the wall but its not enough as the ball clears the wall, landing 342 ft. into the stands for a solo home run. Ismael García then lines one to short left center for a base hit. He is followed by Joshua Witherden, who walks on four-straight pitches. Francis Joicey smashes a hard grounder that finds a crease through the right side for a base hit, loading the bases. With the infield drawn in, PH Dane Evans drives one into the gap in deep right center. CF Cooper Tyson hustles after it but cannot catch up to it as the ball touches down and bangs off the wall. García and Witherden both score and Joicey takes third as Evans pulls into second for a 2-run double. Mhelter Pilapil shoots a grounder through the left side past a diving SS Sean Abercrombie. Joicey comes in to score as Pilapil holds up at first. Evans rounds third, then breaks for home. LF Aidan Thirkettle whips the ball to home plate, but Evans slides in safely as Brunswick takes a two-run lead. That ends Galeo’s afternoon as RHP Bonie Bandong takes over. Brunswick 6 - Pulberry 4 Top of the 5th: Robert Kersey pounds one out to short left. Aidan Thirkettle races in but cannot get to it in time as Kersey leads off with a base hit. Ismael García bloops one into shallow right center for a base hit. Kersey rounds second and reaches third safely. Joshua Witherden then bashes one toward the alley in left center. CF Cooper Tyson gives chase, leaps at the wall and makes a sensational catch to keep the ball from leaving the yard. But Kersey tags up and scores without a throw. Brunswick 7 - Pulberry 4 Top of the 6th: Jorge Arredondo leads off with a four-pitch walk. Harris Yaag bunts it back to the mound and is thrown out by Bandong as Arredondo takes third. Jay Mitchell then works the count full before blasting one high down the line toward deep rightfield. Ellis Dibble chases after it but it lands 356 ft. into the bleachers for a 2-run homer. Brunswick 9 - Pulberry 4 Bottom of the 7th: Aidan Thirkettle checks his swing on a 3-0 pitch for a lead-off walk. Cooper Tyson then jumps all over a 2-0 fastball and crushes it 382 ft. into the rightfield stands for a 2-run home run. Manager Finlay Fay then signals for LHP Ron Killingworth as Mhelter Pilapil’s day comes to an end. Brunswick 9 - Pulberry 6 Top of the 8th: RHP Shou-xin Chin comes in to start the inning in relief of Bonie Bandong. Jorge Arredondo then walks on four pitches with one out. Harris Yaag hits a hard bouncer through the left side for a base hit as Arredondo moves up to second. Jay Mitchell grounds one past the pitcher. 2B Wade Billyard picks it up and tosses it to SS Sean Abercrombie covering second. But the throw is off the mark as Mitchell reaches first on the error to load the bases. Robert Kersey belts one out deep center. Cooper Tyson backs up and hauls it in, then whips it toward home as Arredondo tags up at third. But Arredondo scores on a head-first slide. In the bottom of the 9th, RHP Lao Chen takes over from Ron Killingworth. Ellis Dibble leads off and hits a sharp grounder to the right side. 2B Harley Truman fields it and throws him out at first. Paul England skies one to deep centerfield. Joshua Witherden chases it down near the warning track and makes the catch for the second out. PH Gustavo Hernández then skies one out to almost the exact same spot in deep centerfield. Witherden races over near the warning track and hauls it in for the final out. Brunswick finally wins one to stave off elimination. FINAL: Brunswick 10 - Pulberry 6     -------- Game 5 – April 10 The Legends finally prevailed in Game 4 over the Trolleys, who have been playing more like steamrollers. Still, Brunswick has no margin of error if they want to extend the Series. Winning today and sending it back home would certainly help their cause. To try and do that, the Legends turn to their Game 1 starter, RHP Dave Ball (0-2, 14.1 IP, 4.40 ERA), who is still in search of his first playoff victory. Pulberry turns to their Game 1 starter, RHP Robin Medellin (2-0, 16.0 IP, 3.94 ERA) to try and close things out at home. Top of the 2nd: With one out, Ismael García slaps a ground ball to the right side. 2B Wade Billyard lunges, snares it, gets to his feet and sidearms it to first. But it sails over Koerner’s head toward the dugout. García takes second on the error. With two out, Francis Joicey slices one down the line into deep leftfield. Aidan Thirkettle draws a bead on it, but it drops in and bounces to the wall. García crosses the plate as Joicey slides in safely with a double. Brunswick 1 - Pulberry 0 Bottom of the 4th: PH Gustavo Hernández flares one to left center. It drops in front of CF Joshua Witherden for a lead-off base hit. Witherden reaches down to field it, but he kicks it away instead. Hernández moves up to second on the error. Gerard Koerner then laces a hard grounder to the right side. 1B Francis Joicey dives and knocks it down and on one knee, throws to Dave Ball who is covering first. But Koerner beats out the throw as Hernández takes third. Aidan Thirkettle then lines one into shallow rightfield. Jay Mitchell charges in but cannot make the catch. Hernández scores as Koerner reaches second. Koerner bolts for third and beats out the throw, putting runners on the corners still with nobody out. Cooper Tyson is then hit on a 1-0 pitch and is awarded first base, loading the bases. Ball then loses Ellis Dibble on a 3-1 pitch, forcing in the go-ahead run. Paul England belts a 2-2 cutter out to left center. Joshua Witherden sprints after it but cannot reach it as the ball caroms off the wall. Both Thirkettle and Tyson score as Dibble moves over to third. England slides in safely ahead of the relay for a 2-run double. Sean Abercrombie then sends one high into the air down the line toward the leftfield corner. Ismael García hauls it in then fires a bullet to home. Dibble tags up and slides in but he is cut down by García’s tremendous throw to complete the twin killing. England moves up to third on the play. Wade Billyard is then given a free pass. But Robin Medellin sends a hard grounder wide of third base. Harris Yaag lunges for it but it screams past him into leftfield. England scores on the base hit. Brunswick 1 - Pulberry 5 Top of the 5th: Harris Yaag walks on five pitches with one out. Jay Mitchell grounds one between first and second. 2B Wade Billyard reaches for it, but it sails past him into rightfield. Yaag tears around second and heads for third. Ellis Dibble scoops it up and fires it to third, but Yaag slides in safely as Mitchell moves up to second. Robert Kersey shoots one down the leftfield line. 3B Dwayne Stace makes a sprawling save and sets up for the throw, but instead holds onto it as there is no chance for the out as Yaag scores on the infield single. Ismael García pounds a changeup hard to the right side. Billyard fields it but it handcuffs him. Mitchell hustles home on the error. Brunswick 3 - Pulberry 5 Bottom of the 5th: Aidan Thirkettle slaps one hard into shallow centerfield for a one-out base hit. Cooper Tyson pounds a 0-2 cutter past the mound. SS Harris Yaag extends himself but cannot get a clean grip and has no play. Thirkettle takes second on the infield hit. Ellis Dibble cracks a hard grounder to the left side near third base. Jorge Arredondo whips it to 2B Dermott Morris for one but Tyson slides in hard to prevent the double play as Thirkettle takes third. Paul England then punches one toward the left side hole. SS Harris Yaag lunges for it but it skips past him into leftfield. Thirkettle crosses the plate as England comes through with an RBI single. In the top of the 9th, Jay Mitchell smashes one down the line into rightfield off LHP Dermott Rathbone. As it rolls into the corner, Mitchell charges around second and heads for third. Ellis Dibble gloves it and fires it over to third but Mitchell slides in safely for a lead-off triple. But Robert Kersey lifts a towering pop-up on the left side infield. SS Sean Abercrombie ranges over and pulls it in for the first out. Ismael García hits a grounder out toward third base. Dwayne Stace scoops it up, checks the runner at third, then throws out García at first. Joshua Witherden then sends a 1-0 grounder out past the mound to the right side. 2B Wade Billyard fields it and rifles it to first to retire Withderden for the final out. The Pulberry Trolleys defeat the Brunswick Legends and repeat as United Cup Champions! FINAL: Brunswick 3 - Pulberry 6     --------   
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07-10-2023, 05:00 PM
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07-12-2023, 02:03 AM
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Thirkettle! What else can you say. The bats were alive and well. The boys once again put their stamp on the big dance. The Trolleys are champs for another season.
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07-12-2023, 12:00 PM
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Quote:
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07-13-2023, 01:01 AM
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07-13-2023, 01:11 AM
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Tyson is fixture for his 7th Ball Hawk award. Way to go!
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08-14-2023, 01:09 PM
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Still enjoying this thread!
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08-14-2023, 03:45 PM
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Thanks so much, Hageneezz!
 A close family member was in the hospital for nearly a month which meant a number of weekly visits and doing needed errands on my part, so there was little time to devote to my dynasty. But I'm finally getting back into it.
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08-15-2023, 01:13 PM
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08-22-2023, 02:26 PM
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  Babe Ruth Award The results of the Babe Ruth Award voting in the East were a bit of a surprise to me. Not that 31-year old CF Raymond Williams (.363/.434/.654, 43-2B, 37 HR, 113 RBI, 68 BB, 13 SB, 189 OPS+, 203 wRC+, 11.3 WAR) won the honors for the third time in his career, but that he received all 16 first-place votes. I felt the results would have been closer, given the sensational year Matthew Floyd had. Floyd finished first in more categories (9) than Williams did (7). Furthermore, Williams and Floyd finished 1-2 in 13 categories. So, it’s a little surprising to me that Floyd did not earn any first-place votes. Perhaps the disappointing season the Wellington Athletics endured played a role in it. Williams had finished second in the voting over the past four seasons. He also finished 3rd in the voting back in 1950-51. Williams led the Eastern League in AVG (.363), WAR (11.3), Hits (210), Runs (137), Doubles (43), EBH (87) and WPA (6.78). He finished second in another 8 categories and in the Top 5 in 3 others. He led the entire United Leagues in 5 categories (highlighted in bold). Next in order of vote getting: 2nd: Wellington’s 29-year old LF Matthew Floyd (.346/.440/.672, 33-2B, 49 HR, 115 RBI, 96 BB, 6 SB, 202 OPS+, 208 wRC+, 11.0 WAR). This is Floyd’s second appearance in the Top 3 in voting. He finished 3rd back in 1951-52. 3rd: Brunswick’s 28-year old C Robert Kersey (.300/.385/.520, 25-2B, 27 HR, 104 RBI, 67 BB, 141 OPS+, 154 wRC+, 6.3 WAR). This is Kersey’s first appearance in the Top 3. Floyd led the circuit in HR (49), On-base% (.440), SLG (.672), OPS, 1.112), TB (379), ISO (.326), OPS+ (202), wOBA (.479) and RC/27 outs (11.85). He finished second in 6 categories and in the Top 5 in 2 others. Kersey finished in the Top 5 in RBI (104) and WPA (4.90). Voting Results:  Previous Winners:  -------- Satchel Paige Award It all came together this season for Cobourg’s 28-year old LHP Bill Budd (21-8, 2.26 ERA, 286.2 IP, 1.08 WHIP, .258 BABIP, 2.52 FIP, 9.7 WAR, 174 ERA+). In his first appearance in the Top 3, he swept all first-place votes and beat out the previous two winners of the Award. Budd led the East in ERA (2.26), W (21), IP (286.2), SHO (6-tied), WHIP (1.08), ERA+ (174), rWAR (10.4) and QS (26). He finished second in 4 other categories and in the Top 5 in a further 5. He led the entire United Leagues in 7 categories (highlighted in bold). Following him were: 2nd: Queensland’s 31-year old RHP Logan Belsey (19-10, 2.77 ERA, 285.2 IP, 1.21 WHIP, .290 BABIP, 2.40 FIP, 10.1 WAR, 139 ERA+). It’s the second time that Belsey has finished second in the voting, in addition to his two wins. 3rd: Stratford’s 28-year old LHP Robin Wadsworth (20-7, 2.48 ERA, 271.2 IP, 1.32 WHIP, .262 BABIP, 3.09 FIP, 6.7 WAR, 157 ERA+) Belsey led the Eastern League (and the entire ULB for that matter) in WAR (10.1), CG (19 - tied), K (231), K/BB (2.6) and FIP (2.40). He finished second in 3 other categories and in the Top 5 in 5 others. Wadsworth – last year’s winner, led in SHO (6 - tied) and WIN% (.741 - tied). He finished second in 5 other categories and in the Top 5 in 3 others. Voting Results:  Previous Winners:  -------- Rookie of the Year Award 25-year old RF Ewan Komaki (.311/.362/.506, 21-2B, 12-3B, 16 HR, 59 RBI, 39 BB, 5 SB, 137OPS+,143 wRC+, 5.1 WAR) becomes the first player for the Downie Chiefs to win Rookie of the Year honours. The 2nd-round pick from 1953-54 was rated the 100th overall prospect back in October 1954. But he then went on to win the 1954-55 Lou Gehrig Award for Best Hitter in Double-A. This past season in the majors, he won two Rookie of the Month honors in addition to a Player of the Week Award and Batter of the Month Award. A pair of pitchers followed him in the voting: 2nd: Embro’s 23-year old RHP Jun Kichida (5-7, 3.48 ERA, 155.1 IP, 1.33 WHIP, .245 BABIP, 3.84 FIP, 2.2 WAR, 113 ERA+) 3rd: Wellington’s 26-year old LHP Adam Gibb (7-6, 3.83 ERA, 110.1 IP, 1.43 WHIP, .293 BABIP, 3.18 FIP, 2.5 WAR, 100 ERA+) For me it was surprising that another Wellington pitcher did not get any votes. 23-year old RHP Baskin Arncaple (7-4, 10 SV, 1.83 ERA, 108.0 IP, 1.24 WHIP, .224 BABIP, 3.74 FIP, 1.2 WAR, 210 ERA+) won three Rookie of the Month honors but for some reason was sent back down to toil in Triple-A (where he pitched a no-hitter) for the rest of the season until the very end. He then suffered an undisclosed injury that put him out of commission for 7 weeks. But overall, he was a strong candidate for Rookie of the Year in my book. Voting Results:  Previous Winners:  --------  Babe Ruth Award Pulberry’s 28-year old LF Aidan Thirkettle (.349/.454/.686, 38-2B, 11-3B, 38 HR, 122 RBI, 99 BB, 10 SB, 209 OPS+, 217 wRC+, 11.0 WAR) made it look easy once again, winning his fourth consecutive WL Babe Ruth Award. In the process, he becomes the first player to win a major Award four times in the ULB. Four position plays (Jim Friend, Raymond Williams, Danny Trowbridge, Carlton Hawking) and three pitchers (Anastasio Rodríquez Brady Murdy, Jesús Chapa) each won their respective top player award three times in their careers, but no one won it four times until Thirkettle. And who’s to say he’s finished? Thirkettle led the West in 14 categories: AVG (.349), OBP (.454), SLG (.686), OPS (1.140), WAR (11.0), Hits (180), Runs (125), Doubles (38), TB (354), EBH (87), OPS+ (209), WPA (8.14), wOBA (.493) and RC/27 Outs (12.81). He finished second in 3 other categories and in the Top 5 in 1 other (walks). He led the entire United Leagues in 8 categories (highlighted in bold). This year’s runners-up were: 2nd: Cambria’s 27-year old RF Sam Tite (.310/.423/.658, 28-2B, 49 HR, 130 RBI, 99 BB, 3 SB, 192 OPS+, 202 wRC+, 8.6 WAR). Tite finished third in voting on two previous occasions. 3rd: Pulberry's 30-year old CF Cooper Tyson (.319/.401/.514, 25-2B, 9-3B, 21 HR, 81 RBI, 74 BB, 150 OPS+, 159 wRC+, 9.1 WAR). Tyson has finished second in the voting on two previous occasions. Tite led the West and the entire United Leagues in HR (49), RBI (130) and ISO (.348). He tied with Wellington’s Matthew Floyd for most home runs in the United Leagues. He finished second in 9 categories and in the Top 5 in 3 others. Tyson finished second in 2 categories (WAR, SB) and in the Top 5 in 11 others. Voting Results:  Previous Winners:  -------- Satchel Paige Award 21-year old LHP Bart Ohara (20-8, 2.40 ERA, 277.0 IP, 1.15 WHIP, .265 BABIP, 160 ERA+, 9.0 WAR) wins his first Satchel Paige Award in just his second full season in the big leagues. And in keeping with the general trend, he did it unanimously. He finished second in the voting last season. Ohara led the West in ERA (2.40), CG (19-tied), IP (277.0), K (213), K/9 IP (6.9-tied), K/BB (2.3), WHIP (1.15), Opp SLG (.306), Opp OPS (.594), WAR (7.8), FIP (2.55), ERA+ (160), rWAR (9.8) and QS (25). He finished in the Top 5 in 2 other pitching categories. He led the entire United Leagues in 1 category (highlighted in bold). Finishing behind Ohara in voting this year were: 2nd: Sherburn’s 33-year old RHP Jesús Chapa (22-8, 2.95 ERA, 271.2 IP, 1.16 WHIP, .267 BABIP, 134 ERA+, 8.4 WAR). In addition to winning his third Satchel Paige Award last season, he finished second in the voting once before in 1945-46. 3rd: Pulberry’s 36-year old RHP Robin Medellin (17-7, 3.38 ERA, 258.0 IP, 1.22 WHIP, .259 BABIP, 114 ERA+, 4.4 WAR). He finished second in voting in 1954-55 as well. Chapa finished first in W (22), CG (19-tied), BB/9 (2.1), WINP (.733) and Opp OBP (.287). He led the entire United Leagues in two categories (highlighted in bold). He finished second in 9 other categories and in the Top 5 in a further 3. Medellin finished in the Top 5 in 9 categories. Voting Results:  Previous Winners:  -------- Rookie of the Year Award In the only category that did not see a unanimous selection this season, 23-year old CF Dan Hesketh (.262/.337/.386, 29-2B, 6 HR, 61 RBI, 55 BB, 8 SB, 93 OPS+, 3.5 WAR) became the third Kingston Pelicans player to win the Award. He was the first overall pick just last season. Also getting votes this season were: 2nd: Kingston’s 23-year old 2B Denzel Daintry (.263/.329/.353, 20-2B, 5 HR, 49 RBI, 57 BB, 10 SB, 83 OPS+, 2.6 WAR) 3rd: Fort Richmond’s 24-year old 1B Takuji Kanno (.284/.363/.438, 25-2B, 8 HR, 47 RBI, 41 BB, 120 OPS+, 1.2 WAR) Voting Results:  Previous Winners:  -------- Manager of the Year Award  In his 11th season at the helm of the Legends, 56-year old Finlay Fay (954-895, .516) guided Brunswick back to the playoffs for the first time in 10 years and their first Eastern League Pennant in 12. Brunswick won 97 games, the most by any team in the United Leagues this season. The Award is the second of Fay’s career, after winning it in 1950-51. In the West, 51-year old Ryo Ichikawa (1095-911, .546) wins his third consecutive Manager of the Year Award after leading the Trolleys to their fourth consecutive first place finish and second consecutive United Cup Championship. He is the third manager to win the Award three times and the second to do so in consecutive seasons, after Ben Houchens (who leads all managers with five wins overall). Previous Winners: 
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09-01-2023, 07:40 PM
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#813 |
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,899
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 Notes on 1956-57 All-Braeland Team Starting Pitcher This selection came down to the two Satchel Paige Award winners this past season. I went with Cobourg’s Bill Budd. It all came together this season for the former 6th overall pick, as he was dominant – not just in the Eastern League but in the entire United Leagues. He led the ULB in seven pitching categories. Here are the three pitchers that I felt were the worthiest of consideration this season (league leading stats highlighted in bold – typical):
Catcher Brunswick’s Robert Kersey returns to the All-Braeland Team after a two-year absence. Kersey gets a bad rap in the ULB as he is considered a disruptive influence (his player page says, “No love lost for Kersey from his teammates.”) But the six-time all-star has been a model of both excellence and consistency thus far in six-year major league career, at least on offense and was a deserving choice. Here are the three catchers that were under consideration:
First Base Also returning to the All-Braeland team after a two-year absence is Cobourg’s Harry Doxey. The eight-time all-star, three-time Ball Hawk Award winner enjoyed a bounce-back season of sorts on both offense and defense. Doxey was an easy pick in what was rather a ‘down’ year for first basemen in the ULB. Here are the three players I ultimately considered:
Second Base Braeland City’s Patrick Lidgate earns his fifth straight selection to the All-Braeland Team and sixth overall. In fact, Lidgate and Downie’s Dominic Dudding have dominated this category for the past eight seasons (Dudding has earned two selections as a second baseman and one as a third baseman). Queensland’s Dennis Purcell enjoyed an impressive sophomore season and could challenge the ‘old guard’ if he continues to build upon this past season. Here were the Top 3 choices:
Third Base Although Embro’s Moromao Nakagawa’s overall performance this past season was a step below his previous two seasons, the two-time Babe Ruth Award winner remained the top player at the hot corner. He wins his third straight selection to the All-Braeland Team. Adrian Flynn, who was originally drafted by the Embro Suns before being traded to the Sherburn Tigers in 1954, was excellent for a second consecutive season. Meanwhile, Makani Kahale took advantage of more playing time with the Balmoral Giants after being traded from the Pulberry Trolleys last off-season. He makes his third appearance on my short-list for third base. Here are the three that I stood out for me this year:
-------- Shortstop When I began evaluating the shortstops this year, I concluded that the performances overall were somewhat underwhelming. But then I realized I had completely overlooked Cobourg’s Douglas Jones (that’s what I get for failing to scroll all the way to the top on the Player List screen). With that oversight corrected, the selection was easy. Jones was sensational in his fourth full season and is currently ranked No. 1 among all shortstops in the United Leagues. Here are the three shortstops that were considered this year:
-------- Left Field You can forgive Matthew Floyd if he wonders what he has to do to earn any accolades. Wellington’s left fielder enjoyed one of the greatest offensive seasons in United Leagues history, but it still wasn’t enough to win either a Babe Ruth Award or a selection to the All-Braeland Team this year. But that’s because both Cobourg’s CF Raymond Williams and Pulberry’s LF Aidan Thirkettle each produced seasons for the ages as well. Although Floyd is actually ranked first overall among left fielders (in fact, first overall period) at the time of this writing, this evaluation is based on actual performance, not arbitrary rankings. In that light, Thirkettle was the top player overall, leading the entire United Leagues in eight offensive categories. He is arguably the most dominant position player in the ULB today, with only Floyd and Williams putting up any semblance of an argument. Here were my top three left fielders this season:
Center Field The top three choices for center fielder this year have dominated the category over the past eight seasons. Pulberry’s Cooper Tyson won it once while Stratford’s Alfonso León has earned two selections. But Cobourg’s Raymond Williams picks up his fifth selection and the choice was pretty academic. Williams won his third Babe Ruth Award and led the entire United Leagues in 5 offensive categories. But Tyson and León were no slouches either. Tyson in particular enjoyed one of his best seasons at the plate while maintaining his standing as perhaps one of the greatest defensive outfielders in ULB history. The seven-time all-star won his seventh Ball Hawk Award this past season. And who has won the most Ball Hawk Awards? That would be Alfonso León, who has won eight (tied with the retired 1B Dean Bishop).
-------- Right Field For many seasons now, the performances offered by right fielders in the United Leagues paled in comparison to the rest of the outfield spots. But not this year. Cambria’s Sam Tite was simply outstanding this season, both at the plate and in the field. His performance harkens back to the days of former right fielders Mark Elston and Carleton Broadbent over a decade ago. In fact, I would venture to say that Tite’s performance this season was the greatest for a right fielder in ULB history. He finished second in the voting for the Western League Babe Ruth Award, behind only Aidan Thirkettle. This selection was easy and most deserving.
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09-04-2023, 01:31 AM
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#814 |
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,899
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 1957 Class Adds Four More Players to Hall of Fame Balmoral, Oxford, June 3 (BP) – The Braeland Baseball Hall of Fame membership grew significantly larger this year as the Baseball Reporters Association of Braeland (BRAB) voted to add four new players in this year’s class. Ever since it took over the Hall of Fame voting in 1950, a vote it once shared with a six-member Hall of Fame panel, the BRAB has elected just one player per season – and in just four of the past nine seasons to boot. But the President of BRAB, Hespeler Star sports reporter, Rhys Gardner, stressed that this is more of a reflection of a strong ballot rather than any shift in voting philosophy. “This is arguably the strongest field of eligible players since the Hall was established,” observed Gardner, “so it’s really no surprise that this year’s class saw multiple players get the call. In fact, I’m a little surprised more were not inducted as I personally felt that as many as six players had strong enough cases to receive the necessary votes to get in this year. We’ll have to wait and see if that trend continues. But the baseball association has no interest in creating a bottleneck just for the sake of it. If there happens to be a slew of candidates that are viewed as ‘no-doubters’, such as this year, then there will be no delaying on the Association’s part in voting them in.” Gardner was one of thousands attending the first induction ceremony to be held on the grounds of the newly inaugurated Hall of Fame in Balmoral – an inauguration that was delayed by over two years due a devastating tropical cyclone that tore through southwest Braeland in April 1955. Balmoral and Kingston were the hardest hit of the country’s major population centers. The Hall of Fame construction site, already well under way, was a total loss necessitating a complete rebuild. But judging from the reaction of the attendees to the stately new facility, the extra wait was worth it. This year’s class sees one pitcher and three position players added to the Hall. The total number of members now stands at 16, comprised of seven pitchers and nine position players (with a breakdown of 1-C, 2-2B, 2-SS, 1-LF, 1-CF and 2-RF). Newly Inducted Players  Teams: Queensland Eagles – 1937-1941 Kingston Pelicans – 1941-1953 Notable Achievements: Player of the Week: 16 Batter of the Month: 10 Babe Ruth Awards: 1 (1937-38) Ball Hawk Awards: 2 (1 each at 2B, SS) All-Star Selections: 12 All-Braeland Teams: 3 United Cup Championship: 1 (1944-45) Other Selected Achievements: 2 x WL RBI Leader (1945-46, 1950-51) 2 x EL WAR Leader (1937-38, 1938-39) 2 x WL WAR Leader (1943-44, 1944-45) Hit first Cycle in United Leagues’ history: October 9, 1937 First in Career RBI: 1,433 Second in Career WAR: 89.18 Second in TB: 3,960 Third in Career HR: 293 Third in Career Hits: 2,536 Third in Career Runs: 1,343 Hall of Fame Metrics: JAWS: 70.9 (average HOF SS – 51) Black Ink: 14 (average HOF – 29) Gray Ink: 199 (average HOF – 141) HOF Standards: 66 (average HOF – 45) HOF Monitor: 201 (average HOF – 143) Induction Pct: 80.0; first year  --------  Teams: Balmoral Giants – 1938 Embro Suns – 1939-1953 Notable Achievements: Player of the Week: 16 Batter of the Month: 8 Babe Ruth Awards: 3 All-Star Selections: 9 All-Braeland Teams: 7 Other Selected Achievements: 6 x EL RBI Leader (1940-41, 1941-42, 1943-44, 1945-46, 1946-47, 1949-50) 3 x EL Doubles Leader (1940-41, 1943-44, 1945-46) 2 x EL Hits Leader (1941-42, 1943-44) 2 x EL WAR Leader (1940-41, 1945-46) 2 x EL SLG Leader (1945-46, 1946-47) 2 x EL OPS Leader (1945-46, 1946-47) Holds record for most RBI in a season: 148 (1940-41) Holds record for second-most RBI in a season: 145 (1941-42) Second in Career RBI: 1,325 Hall of Fame Metrics: JAWS: 53.1 (average HOF 1B – 45) Black Ink: 58 (average HOF – 29) Gray Ink: 217 (average HOF – 141) HOF Standards: 50 (average HOF – 45) HOF Monitor: 217 (average HOF – 143) Induction Pct: 77.9; first year  --------  Teams: Brunswick Legends – 1937-1949 Wolseley Unions – 1950-1953 Wellington Athletics – 1953 Notable Achievements: Pitcher of the Month: 7 Satchel Paige Awards: 3 All-Star Selections: 10 All-Braeland Teams: 3 United Cup Championships: 5 Pennant Series MVP: 1 (1941-42) Other Selected Achievements: 2 x EL ERA Leader (1941-42, 1948-49) 3 x EL WHIP Leader (1941-42, 1944-45, 1946-47) 4 x EL HR/9 Leader (1942-43, 1945-46, 1947-48, 1949-50) 3 x EL BB/9 Leader (1941-42, 1944-45, 1946-47) 2 x WL BB/9 Leader (1950-51, 1951-52) 6 x EL Pitcher WAR Leader (1942-43, 1945-46, 1946-47, 1947-48, 1948-49, 1949-50) First in career Wins (251) First in career Pitcher WAR (96.24) Third in career K (1,730) First in career postseason CG (16), IP (188.0), HA (201), K (91), Pitcher WAR (4.97) Hall of Fame Metrics: JAWS: 79.0 (average HOF SP – 56) Black Ink: 39 (average HOF – 34) Gray Ink: 251 (average HOF – 165) HOF Standards: 47 (average HOF – 34) HOF Monitor: 187 (average HOF – 123) Induction Pct: 90.3; first year  --------  Teams: Fort Richmond Generals – 1939-1943 Kingston Pelicans – 1943-1953 Notable Achievements: Player of the Week: 11 Batter of the Month: 7 Babe Ruth Award: 3 Ball Hawk Award: 1 All-Star Selections: 9 United Cup MVP: 1 (1945-46) All-Braeland Teams: 7 Other Selected Achievements: 3 x WL Batting Champion (1945-46, 1946-47, 1947-48) 4 x WL OBP Leader (1944-45, 1945-46, 1946-47, 1947-48) 2 x WL SLG Leader (1945-46, 1947-48) 3 x WL OPS Leader (1945-46, 1946-47, 1947-48) 3 x WL WAR Leader (1945-46, 1946-47, 1947-48) Led Western League in HR 4 times (Led ULB in HR 3 times) Led Western League in RBI 2 times (Led ULB in RBI once) Holds career post-season records for Hits (90), Singles (64) and RBI (53) Hall of Fame Metrics: JAWS: 65.3 (average HOF C – 65) Black Ink: 25 (average HOF – 29) Gray Ink: 177 (average HOF – 141) HOF Standards: 57 (average HOF – 45) HOF Monitor: 172 (average HOF – 143) Induction Pct: 96.6; first year  -------- 
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11-27-2023, 07:59 PM
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#815 |
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,899
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 As usual, the off-season saw if fair share of management shake-ups and trades leading up to the 1957-58 season. Here is a summary of some of the noteworthy developments that took place leading up to the start of the Coconut Leagues. Notable Player Retirements: RHP Bill Blair Two former Satchel Paige Award winners retired this offseason. 39-year old Bill Blair was a 2nd-round draft pick by the Stratford Barons in 1938 with a reputation of being a strikeout artist with excellent movement and control. Blair made the leap to the major leagues full-time in 1941-42 and was a solid, steady presence in the Barons’ rotation for six seasons, picking up one all-star selection. But Blair suffered a debilitating back injury in 1947 that kept him out of commission for nine months. Although he came back the following season, Stratford opted to trade him to Wolseley. The Unions’ gamble paid off handsomely as Blair enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career in 1949-50 (21-4, 2.87 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 143 ERA+). Not only was he ranked No. 3 overall among all pitchers in the ULB that year but he earned the Western League’s Satchel Paige Award as well. Although elbow and shoulder injuries would cut into his playing time in subsequent seasons, he rebounded with another outstanding season in 1953-54 at age 34 (20-10, 2.57 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 162 ERA+) and came in 2nd in the Satchel Paige Award voting that season. In all, Blair enjoyed an outstanding career and will surely get some votes for the Hall of Fame in a few years time. Achievements:
  ----------- RHP Roberto Taváres The highly touted Taváres came as delivered when he was drafted 5th overall by the Sherburn Tigers back in 1940. Rated as the top prospect in 1941, the Venezuelan native blossomed in his second season and remained one of the United League’s top hurlers for nearly 11 seasons. With Jesús Chapa joining the rotation in 1946, the Tigers boasted the best 1-2 punch in the United Leagues for three seasons until they surprisingly shipped Taváres to Fort Richmond in April of 1949. Before that though he earned the 1944-45 Satchel Paige Award and came in second for the pitching award in 1948-49. He also picked up five all-star selections and started the All-Star Game for the West in 1946-47. With the Generals, he earned his second Satchel Paige Award in 1950-51, becoming the first player to win a major award for two different clubs. He also started his second All-Star Game that same season. In 1953-54, Fort Richmond won the United Cup, but by then a major shoulder injury had begun to sap Taváres’ effectiveness and he was unable to participate in the playoffs. He played very little in the final four seasons of his career before calling it a career. Like Bill Blair, Taváres should get some Hall of Fame votes when he becomes eligible in three years. Achievements:
  ----------- Management Shakeups: April 15 – Wolseley Shows Rogge the Door, Hire Former Stars Manager After two disappointing seasons, Eugene Rogge (1292-1508, .461) was fired as the Unions’ manager on April 12. Rogge inherited a declining team when he took over with one game left in the 1954-55 regular season, but there is really nothing in his resume that would suggest that he could author a quick turnaround. In his 22 seasons as a field manager, the 61-year old Iowan led his team to the playoffs just twice, although one appearance did lead to a United Cup Championship, in 1947-48 with the Fort Richmond Generals. Three days later, the Unions introduced 52-year old Carlton Stewart (.677-863, .439) as their new manager. Stewart, a former outfielder with the Downie Chiefs from 1937-1940, is a curious choice, as he has enjoyed even less success than Rogge. Stewart guided the Hespeler Stars for 10 seasons, from 1946 to 1955 and did not come close to sniffing the playoffs during his tenure, let alone a winning record. Their best showing was in 1946-47 when they won 73 games and finished in 5th spot. He has now been given a second chance, but the Unions appear to be no better off than the Stars were.  ----------- April 16 – Reomel Buesa Retires, Legends Hire Rookie GM to Assume the Reins The only general manager the Legends have ever known has retired. 61-year old Reomel Buesa, who played a significant role in the luring of Babe Ruth to Braeland to serve as Brunswick’s manager back in 1940, is stepping away from the game after 20 seasons at the helm. Buesa oversaw a Legends squad that won three United Cups and five Eastern League Pennants in seven playoff appearances. The fifth Pennant came just this past season after a 10-year playoff drought. He was one of the last of the ‘Original GMs’ who managed the same organization since their inaugural season. There now remain three ‘Original GMs’: Balmoral Giants’ Victor Lynch, Braeland City Monarchs’ Adam Trelawney and Pulberry Trolleys’ Marcus Dejyothin. Taking over is 51-year old Hespeler-native Kunimichi Yamaguchi, who has never served as a general manager before. Previously, Yamaguchi played parts of three seasons as a utility outfielder with the Fort Richmond Generals from 1937-1939. He is considered personable and easy going and reportedly won’t be gun-shy to pull the trigger on a trade if it can help his club.  ----------- April 17 – Downie Dismisses GM Hunt, Hire Seasoned Veteran in Danior The Downie Chiefs endured their worst season ever last year, losing 97 games and the right to the first overall pick in next season’s amateur draft. As a consequence, 40-year old Raymond Hunt (689-697, .497) was let go after nine seasons at the helm. Over his watch, the Chiefs made the playoffs three straight seasons while winning the United Cup once in 1949-50. But the team has been in a steady decline ever since. Looking to make the team relevant again, the Chiefs have hired 64-year old Gareth Danior (1,002-1,154, .465), who previously served as the Sherburn Tigers’ GM for 14 seasons, until 1950-51. The Tigers only made the playoffs twice under his watch, so it remains to be seen if he can have greater success in Downie. He too is considered extremely aggressive when it comes to pursuing and consummating trades.  ----------- April 17 – Queensland Hires Veteran Bench Coach Rowde as New Manager Although the Queensland Eagles enjoyed their best season in 10 years, they opted to part ways with their field manager of the past four years, 54-year old Ethan Umbleby (311-305, .504). Back in 1946-47, 86 wins was good enough for first place in the Eastern League and a successful run to a United Cup Championship. But this past season 86 wins was only good enough for 5th place. To try and lift the Eagles higher in the standings, the club hired 55-year old Daryl Rowde as their new field manager. This will be Rowde’s first gig as manager, after 17 seasons serving as a bench coach for four different clubs, the most recent being the Balmoral Giants in 1955-56. He has won three Pennants with three different clubs and a United Cup Championship with the Fort Richmond Generals in 1947-48. It is believed he favors veterans and emphasizes pitching, defense and speed.  ----------- April 18 – Barons Bank on Veteran Bonaddio to Replace Retiring GM Sturtevant After six seasons at the helm of the Barons, 62-year old Kieran Sturtevant (513-411, .555) has retired. Stratford enjoyed tremendous success with Sturtevant as their GM, leading them to four straight playoff appearances, two Eastern League Pennants and one United Cup championship. Although the Barons won 87 games this past season, it got them only 4th place and 8.5 games back of the wild card. Taking over the reins is a familiar face to the United Leagues: 57-year old Marcello Bonaddio (1031-1279, .446). Previously, Bonaddio served as the Downie Chiefs’ general manager for 11 seasons and most recently, the Hespeler Stars for four. Despite his lengthy tenure he has not distinguished himself with success. His teams have finished above .500 just twice and have never reached the playoffs. Perhaps that will change with a formidable club in the Barons. In the past he favored prospects, hitting and offence overall and has had no trouble finding willing trading partners.  ----------- April 22 – Redlegs Look to Former Scouting Director as Their New GM Long-time general manager Roy King (1,337-1,591, .457) raised some eyebrows when he stepped down as the Redlegs general manager after four seasons. The 66-year old enjoyed his first taste of the postseason when Cobourg returned to the playoffs after winning 96 games this past season. King previously served as the Hespeler Stars’ GM for 15 seasons with little success. To take his place, Cobourg tapped an unexpected source: Downie Chiefs’ former scouting director, Manuel De La Cruz. The 56-year old Panamanian served as the Chiefs’ top scout for the past 20 seasons but evidently has decided to try his hand as a GM. During those 20 seasons, Downie reached the playoffs three times, winning one Eastern League Pennant and one United Cup championship. It remains to be seen what his tendencies will be, although it’s believed he favors hitting, offense and power.  ----------- April 26 – Cobourg Hires Bouchet to Replace Retiring Manager Baldry On the same day GM Roy King retired, Cobourg’s manager Tyler Baldry (476-535, .470) announced that he too, was calling it a career after two seasons as manager. The 62-year old Baldry had served as the Redlegs’ bench coach for four seasons before assuming the managerial reigns from Nicholas Willis in 1955-56. Prior to that, he managed the Wellington Athletics for five seasons with middling success. Taking over is 61-year old Bill Bouchet (1390-1536, .475), who managed the Downie Chiefs for the first 19 seasons of their existence. The Canadian-born Bouchet led the Chiefs to three playoff appearances and one United Cup Championship in 1949-50, in which he won the Eastern League Manager of the Year award. Bouchet is considered an average manager who isn’t afraid to give regular playing time to rookies.  ----------- Trades: April 22 To Stratford – 30-year old RHP Joseph Sellwood (56/56) To Wolseley – three minor league players:
Knee-jerk reaction: It didn’t take long for Barons’ GM Marcello Bonaddio to complete his first trade with his new club. He completed two trades during the off-season – one a steal and the other a head scratcher. This one is the steal in my view. Stratford has long had a strong rotation that has kept them in contention season after season. It just got stronger with the acquisition of Sellwood, who was the 14th-overall pick back in 1949-50. He also won the WL Satchel Paige Award in 1954-55. He is a solid if unspectacular pitcher with average stuff and control (50/50) and above average movement (65/65) with five decent pitches (fastball-50, curveball-45, changeup-45, splitter-50, forkball-45). With his tendency to keep the ball in the park and the top defensive team in the ULB playing behind him, he should thrive with the Barons. In fact, they have installed him as their ace heading into spring training. In return, the Unions get a haul that is rather underwhelming. Sinclair has some pop with a good eye while Challinor can play six spots in the outfield comfortably but not much else. Neither will aspire to anything more than a journeyman – if they make that far. Burkill is the most promising, who combines plus power and discipline at the plate with incredible speed and stealing instincts to go along with solid defense at 1B and in the outfield corners. He will start as a bench player for Wolseley during the upcoming Coconut Leagues.  ----------- May 15 To Cobourg – 31-year old RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco (53/53) To Stratford – 26-year old 3B Bernie Vantassell (49/49) and 23-year old minor league RHP Patrick Hoddinott (26/34) Knee-jerk reaction: Now the head-scratcher. Cobourg swoops in with a steal in my opinion, getting the two-time EL Satchel Paige Award winner Jaojoco to bolster their top-heavy rotation, something that was exposed in last season’s playoffs. Jaojoco, a 6th-overall pick from 1945-46, is similar to Joseph Sellwood who the Barons acquired a few weeks earlier. He has acceptable stuff (45) and control (50) with excellent movement (75) with three decent pitches: sinker (55), curveball (45) and splitter (55). Scouts consider him a mid-rotation starter who will offer quality innings. And that is where the Redlegs have installed him – behind ace and current EL Satchel Paige award winner 29-year old LHP Bill Budd (68/71) and 23-year old RHP Albert Johnson (49/73). With 21-year old rookie RHP Lester Bell (29/80) pitching out of the No. 5 spot during spring training, Cobourg could have a rotation to rival any in the United Leagues in the very near future. Stratford receives Vantassell, a 2nd-round pick from 1948-49. The Australian-born Vantassell possesses top-flight offensive capabilities – he makes regular contact with an aggressive approach and above-average power. He won two MVP awards during his time in the minors, but has not been able to carry that promise into the majors. Perhaps if he was given more playing time he would blossom, but for now the Barons have him penciled him in as little more than a pinch hitter. But third base was a weak spot in the Barons’ lineup, so he may be able to progress his way up to becoming a starter and make this trade look a lot better for Stratford.   ----------- May 16 To Queensland – 31-year old RHP Masami Fujihara (47/47) To Cambria – a pair of minor leaguers:
Knee-jerk reaction: The Cambria Cannons do not possess an impressive rotation, but that did stop them from being able to trade their former No. 2 starter Fujihara for some offensive depth. Egan, a 2nd-round pick from 1955-56 who hails from Australia, is a solid defensive infielder with speed to burn and terrific contact (55), gap power (60) and plate discipline (60) potential. Scouts project him to become an everyday starter and the Cannons have installed him as their everyday third baseman for spring training. Although Egan’s path to getting into an everyday lineup will be easier in Cambria, its not clear why the Eagles exchanged him for Fujihara. They have installed him as their No. 3 starter, but scouts view Fujihara as little more than an emergency starter or long-reliever. While his stuff is barely average (45), he movement and control are solid (60). But nothing in his repertoire is considered an ‘out pitch’: fastball (50), curveball (45) and changeup (45).   ----------- May 18 To Cobourg – 26-year old 2B Chia-liang Fang (53/53) To Cambria – 29-year old RHP Fergus Hirst (46/46) and 22-year old RHP Javier Puente (54/67) Knee-jerk reaction: The second of three note-worthy trades this off-season involving Cambria see them get a starting pitcher to replace Fujihara who was traded away just two days prior. At one time, Fergus Hirst was the lone bright spot in an otherwise anemic Redleg rotation. His best season was in 1952-53 when he went 16-7, 2.57 ERA, 144 ERA+ and finished second in the EL Satchel Paige Award voting. But he faded a bit over the past couple of seasons and with the Redlegs boasting a stronger staff, Hirst was deemed expendable. Hirst has decent stuff and movement (55) with below average control (40) with four pitches: fastball (50), slider (45), changeup (45) and forkball (55). He is considered an emergency starter but for the Cannons, he will be their No. 2 starter. Cambria also receives the Panamanian Puente, a ground-ball reliever with excellent movement (70). He immediately moves into the closer role for the Cannons. The Taiwanese Fang, a 13th-overall pick from 1953-54 is considered one of the best defensive second basemen in the United Leagues who has the speed and baserunning skills to steal at will. He is projected to be a .290 hitter and should soon be an everyday starter. For now, though, he will work off the bench to start the Coconut Leagues.   ----------- June 19 To Cambria – 35-year old RHP Kelii Pelanekelina (42/42) and 23-year old minor league C Harold Toohey (32/43) To Downie – 37-year old LF César Ruíz (50/50) and 21-year old minor league RHP Dwayne Brocklehurst (20/44) Knee-jerk reaction: A trade that is only significant in that two 5-time all-stars are exchanged for each other, but both are in their declining years. Cambria desperately needs pitching help but its doubtful Pelanekelina (176-178, 3.59 ERA, 4.05 FIP, 109 ERA+) can make an appreciable impact at this stage of his career. The Fijian-born hurler who won the 1949-50 United Cup MVP in Downie’s successful run to the United Cup that season is viewed little more than an emergency starter at this point. He was effective the season before last (13-11, 3.22 ERA, 3.88 FIP, 118 ERA+) but struggled last season (10-18, 4.47 ERA, 4.66 FIP, 82 ERA+). Nevertheless, he has been penciled in as their No. 3 starter. The Cannons also receive Toohey, a 7th-round pick from 1955-56 who is defensively sound with good plate discipline but not much else. But he may have a chance at reaching the majors after he matures. On the other hand, it’s not clear what the Chiefs gain by shipping out Pelanekelina, who had been with the club for 14 straight seasons. They do not have any up-and-coming pitchers to take his place. Furthermore, there does not seem to be a place for Ruíz, as he is currently buried in the depth charts. He is a hard worker and popular in the clubhouse, but like Pelanekelina he slumped badly last season and at his age may not rebound. Downie also receives the young Brocklehurst, a future borderline starter with good stuff (45/60), average control (35/50) but mediocre movement (25/35).   ----------- Signings: May 11 Notable free agent signings do not happen often in the United Leagues (the last one was in 1953), but the Pulberry Trolleys may have snagged a good one in 28-year old 2B Yoshimi Sekozawa (54/57) from Joyo, Japan. He is projected to be a standout defensive second baseman with above average power and a good eye. Scouts feel that he should have no trouble in a starting role. In fact, he was brought up to the major league club for spring training and has taken over second base. Pulberry had at least four infielders start at second base last season (Wade Billyard – 55 starts, Dwayne Stace – 51, Paul Heisler – 33, Luke Corke – 14). If Sekozawa can blossom this season, the Trolleys may finally find some consistency at the keystone position.   ----------- Based on War Gained, the Cobourg Redlegs were the most aggressive this offseason by a wide margin. That was largely through the acquisition of RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco (4.9 WAR) and 2B Chia-liang Fang (1.3). Will it be enough to finally win them their first championship? We will soon find out as next up for the 16 clubs are the Coconut Leagues which begin on Monday, September 2nd. Opening Day is set for October 7th, when the United Leagues celebrates its 20th Anniversary. 
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12-02-2023, 07:59 PM
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#816 |
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,899
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 Opening Day – Braeland’s second official holiday, has finally arrived! After spending the off-season evaluating their roster and staff, the 16 charter members of the United Leagues have made either their tweaks or substantial changes as the case may be. On September 7th, the Coconut Leagues commenced with 30 exhibition games on tap for each team, after which the clubs settled upon their Opening Day rosters. What follows are the spring training results, pre-season predictions and selected career leaderboards. Such events are par for the course for each new season. But this year represented something different as the United Leagues reached a milestone that some openly doubted would be reached when the Leagues were launched back in 1937 – its 20th anniversary. ----------- United Leagues Celebrate 20th Anniversary with New Logos On October 6th, the day before Opening Day, newly installed Commissioner Okura Ito was in the nation’s capital to officially kick-off the Leagues’ year-long celebration of its 20th anniversary. Among the announcements was the unveiling of new logos for the United Leagues. Speaking from the steps of Parliament, Mr. Ito declared that the new logo is intended “to commemorate the Leagues’ rich history with an eye on its future, as we enter our third decade. We thank the creator of these wonderful logos, Mr. txranger, for providing this new identity that will serve the United Leagues well for years to come.” The Commissioner was joined by Braeland Prime Minister Wesley Bryans, who announced that for ‘his meritorious service in enriching the identity of our humble enterprise here in Braeland’, txranger was being bestowed with honorary Braeland citizenship.  ----------- New Uniforms After nine seasons, the Braeland City Monarchs updated their look a bit with new uniforms and logos.  ----------- Eastern League Results     --------- The Stratford Barons and Brunswick Legends were the top two teams during spring training and the projections seem to confirm that they will be the teams to beat this year in the East. One reason for the Legend’s recent resurgence is 25-year old RHP Dave Ball (53/53) who is entering his fifth full season in the ULB after being drafted in the 2nd-round in 1950-51 by Brunswick. Ball has been improving with each passing season and that progression is predicted to continue this year as well. Last season he pitched out of the No. 3 spot in the rotation, but Brunswick has installed him as their ace this year. Ball picked up his first all-star selection last season as well. Also making his first appearance in the Top Players list is Embro’s Damien Whetter (55/57). The 13th overall pick from 1951-52 is entering his sophomore season and is forecasted to have a big year. He completed the 32nd Cycle in United Leagues’ history last season and will be starting at first base against righties.   --------- Western League Results     --------- Last season, the West standings were extremely tight throughout Spring Training, with only five games separating first from last place for nearly the entire stretch of exhibition games. But not this year. The Pulberry Trolleys jumped out to a 12-0 start and finished well ahead of their nearest competitor. Still, the projections point once again to a two-team race in the West between the two-time defending United Cup Champions Trolleys and the Sherburn Tigers, despite the Tigers last-place finish in the Coconut Leagues. But if the spring training results are any indication, Pulberry is not quite ready to give up their crown just yet. There are no high expectations for the Fort Richmond Generals again this season as they are being held back by an anemic offense and an aging pitching core. But the offense may have one bright spot. 25-year old Takuji Kanno (48/55) enjoyed a very respectable campaign last season, coming in 3rd-place among votes for top rookie in the West. If the projections are correct, it appears he will be building on that success this year and hopefully provide some much needed spark hitting from the No. 3 spot for the Generals. It would seem offense will be dominant this year in the West as four of the pitchers listed in the Top Pitchers list are predicted to lose 21 or more games. But better things should soon be store for Wolseley’s No. 2 starter, 21-year old RHP Theo Morse (58/80). In just his second full season, Morse is already rated 8th-overall among all starters in the ULB. His stuff is considered elite (65/70) and he will not give up many long balls (movement-65/65, control-45/55). He boasts three quality pitches (sinker-65/65, curveball-45/60, slider-65/70).   --------- Here are the top players and pitchers and top 20 prospects as updated on Opening Day. Also included are the latest leaderboards for a slew of offensive and pitching categories.      --------- Leaderboards             ---------      --------- 
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United Leagues of Braeland |
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12-05-2023, 03:21 AM
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#817 |
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,899
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November 1, 1957 - Snapshot
Here is a snapshot of the Leagues after the first month of play, with a few highlights that will be featured in the December 1 league reports:
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United Leagues of Braeland |
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02-16-2024, 12:38 AM
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#818 |
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,899
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December 1, 1957
Eastern League: Tight Race Defines Early Going    --------   The race for the playoffs in the East appears to be wide open as no team has dominated the field in the early going. No less than five teams have occupied top spot at one time or another over the course of the first two months. The Cobourg Redlegs find themselves on top of the heap at the end of November, but they have not spent the most time in first thus far – that distinction belongs to the Stratford Barons. Still, the Redlegs find themselves in top spot thanks to a steady starting rotation and production from some key offensive players. 31-year old CF Raymond Williams (.310/.390/.614, 13 HR, 41 RBI, 23 BB, 2.4 WAR) still rules the roost on this club as he does the entire Eastern League. The 3-time Babe Ruth Award winner is on pace for another outstanding season and reached a couple of significant milestones as noted below. Joining him on offense is No. 2 hitter, 26-year old SS Douglas Jones (.278/.366/.449, 5 HR, 18 RBI, 23 BB, 1.9 WAR) and 25-year old LF Nihopalaoa Neho (.305/.434/.468, 5 HR, 25 RBI, 29 BB, 6 SB, 1.6 WAR). Williams and Jones are both rated No. 1 at their respective positions in the United Leagues while the sophomore Neho is enjoying a breakout season leading off. While he may not be on pace for 20 wins, 29-year old LHP Bill Budd (5-4, 2.60 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 2.34 FIP, 151 ERA+) is off to a start that is perhaps even more impressive than last season when he won his first Satchel Paige Award. Budd leads a strong rotation that includes 23-year old RHP Albert Johnson (4-4, 2.75 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 2.84 FIP, 143 ERA), who is just entering his third full season and 31-year old RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco (5-4, 3.36 ERA, 1.29 ERA, 3.46 FIP, 117 ERA+). Jaojoco is off to his best start in four seasons and may already be proving that Cobourg got the better of the deal when they acquired him back in May from Stratford. Player of the Week Awards: November 11 – CF Raymond Williams (.409, 9 H, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 6 R) Noteworthy: October 29 – The Redlegs finished the month of October strong, taking 3 of 4 from the Embro Suns on the road. In game 2, Cobourg prevailed 7-5 in 12 innings. But the highlight of the game took place back in the top of the 1st. With one out and a runner on first, CF Raymond Williams launched a 2-run home run to deep right-centerfield off Embro’s RHP Bob Nord to open the scoring. In so doing, Williams became just the second player to hit 300 home runs in a career after future hall of famer Stuart Bentham. Williams went 1 for 5 with 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB on the day. With Williams currently 23 home runs back of Bentham for the all-time lead and on a pace to hit 41 this season, a new home run king may be crowned before the season is over.   November 5 – Exactly one week after he hit his 300th career home run, Raymond Williams reached another milestone. Facing the Stratford Barons, Williams singled off LHP Axel MacKay with two out in the bottom of the 5th. Although the Redlegs were down 8-2 at that point, the home crowd stood and cheered as they acknowledged Williams’ 2000th career hit, becoming the 15th player to reach that mark in ULB history. In all, the Braeland City-native went 3 for 5, 1 R, 2 RBI with a double and triple. Although Cobourg fought back, it would not be enough as the Barons held on for a 10-6 win to spoil Williams’ afternoon. November 27 – The Redlegs took two of three from the host Sherburn Tigers with their game 2 victory coming in a 10-1 blowout. Once again, Raymond Williams was front and center, collecting 7 RBI. The game was 2-1 in favor of Cobourg until the 7th, when the Redlegs scored 5 runs. That included a bases-loaded triple by Williams. In the 8th, Cobourg scored three more runs, thanks to a 3-run home run by Williams off Sherburn’s RHP Jesús Chapa. In all, Williams went 4 for 5 with 2 R, 7 RBI, 1 K. --------   After struggling to reach .500 for the first few weeks of the season, the Queensland Eagles came alive in late October and early November, going 12-3 during that stretch to catapult them into first place. But a strong push by Cobourg knocked the Eagles out of their perch on the last day of the month. After being merely average last season, the Eagles’ offense is one of the best this year after the first two months. Three players are enjoying fantastic starts to the season: 28-year old 3B Apia Yarrah (.332/.390/.526, 8 HR, 30 RBI, 19 BB, 3 SB, 2.4 WAR) appears to be finally living up to his billing after being selected 1st overall by the Hespeler Stars back in 1952-53. The 5-year veteran is easily off to his best start offensively and is finally showing off his defensive acumen at the hot corner after years of indifference (.976 PCT, 2.72 RNG, +1.8 ZR, 1.029 EFF). He mostly played shortstop until the Eagles began to transition him to third base last season. 24-year old 2B Dennis Purcell (.337/.435/.479, 5 HR, 22 RBI, 26 BB, 4 SB, 2.3 WAR) has picked up where he left off last season when he earned his first all-star selection, while 31-year old LF Rod Dennis (.360/.435/.598, 10 HR, 33 HR, 22 BB, 1.9 WAR) is enjoying a bit of a bounce-back year in the early going. He leads the entire ULB in batting average and the Eastern League in five other offensive categories and earned Batter of the Month honors in October. But Queensland’s push to their first playoff appearance in 11 seasons will be sorely tested by lack of depth on the pitching staff. 32-year old RHP Logan Belsey (7-3, 2.35 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 1.82 FIP, 165 ERA+) and 30-year old RHP Stiofan Micklethwait (6-3, 2.81 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 2.84 FIP, 137 ERA+) continue to reign as the United League’s best 1-2 punch and 33-year old RHP Kaula Mafileo (0-1, 5 SV, 1.25 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 2.35 FIP, 310 ERA+) remains the top-rated closer in the ULB. But there is a steep drop-off after them with few options in the minors. Player of the Week Awards: October 21 – RF Hal Dhu (.476, 10 H, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 5 R) October 28 – LF Rod Dennis (.579, 11 H, 3 HR, 7 RBI) Noteworthy: October 12 – RHP Logan Belsey proved why he is one of the best starters in the United Leagues by authoring an 8-0 victory over the Braeland City Monarchs. He did it by surrendering just two hits, a single and a double. If that weren’t enough, Belsey also connected on a 2-out, 3-run double in the top of the 5th inning to cap off the scoring. His final line on the mound was 9.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K, 107 PI, GS: 91. November 1 – The Eagles started November strong, sweeping all three games from the Cobourg Redlegs to take over first place in the East, at least temporarily. Game 1 saw them pull even with the Redlegs with a 9-5 win. Seven of those runs came off the bat of 28-year old C Robbie Leivers (.259/.307/.383, 4 HR, 28 RBI, 11 BB, 0.8 WAR), who went 3 for 5 with 2 R overall. In addition to two – 2-run doubles in the 4th and 8th innings, Leivers slammed a 3-run home run in the 5th. His 7 RBI are two shy of the record of 9, accomplished 3 times ULB history, most recently back in October 1951. --------   The Wellington Athletics are right in the thick of things at the top of the Eastern League standings and have occupied first place at times, but there are concerns of whether the Athletics will be able to remain competitive for much longer. The offense has regressed this season, with only 30-year old LF Matthew Floyd (.314/.382/.585, 13 HR, 30 RBI, 18 BB, 2.3 WAR) providing any kind of consistent spark. But he too has regressed from last season, if only because last season he enjoyed one of the greatest seasons ever in the United Leagues (.346/.440/.672, 49 HR, 115 RBI, 96 BB, 6 SB, 202 OPS+, 201 wRC+, 10.8 WAR). The pitching has been steady if unspectacular. 24-year old sophomore RHP Baskin Arncaple (6-3, 3.56 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 3.76 FIP, 108 ERA+) appears to have finally been given a permanent spot in the rotation. Baskin, along with 33-year old RHP Hyun-Kyoo Sin (5-3, 3.40 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 3.73 FIP, 113 ERA+), who was a waiver wire pick from the Brunswick Legends back in December 1953, have been the two best pitchers in the rotation. 24-year old sophomore closer, RHP Christian Wiley (2-1, 9 SV, 1.89 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 2.76 FIP, 204 ERA+) is off to a terrific start. The 2nd-round pick from 1955-56 has been the lone bright spot in the bullpen so far. Player of the Week Awards: November 25 – LF Matthew Floyd (.450, 9 H, 4 HR, 6 RBI, 9 R) Noteworthy: October 23 – The Athletics and Brunswick Legends battled each other in a 5-hour, 24 minute, 18-inning epic in Wellington before the Athletics finally pulled out a 5-4 victory. The Legends jumped out to a 3-0 lead after two innings, but the Athletics fought back to tie it in the 7th. The game remained tied until the top of the 14th, when Legends’ Harley Truman belted a one-out solo home run off RHP Troy Conlin, Wellington’s 6th pitcher of the afternoon and their No. 5 starter. But Wellington got the equalizer off of two singles and a 2-out, sacrifice fly in the bottom half when Matthew Floyd raced home safely from second. The game finally ended in the bottom of the 18th, when Troy Conlin led off with a single, then reached second on a sac bunt. After Matthew Floyd was issued a 2-out walk, Greg Yates and Jack Jefferson banged out back-to-back singles to drive home Conlin for the winning run. The Philadelphia-born Yates (.249/.332/.368, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 23 BB, 1.0 WAR) went 6 for 9 in the game, becoming the 14th player in United Leagues history to collect 6 hits in a game and the first in nearly three years. In all, he hit 1 double and 5 singles with 1 R. November 12 – Wellington managed to salvage a win against the Stratford Barons, taking game 2 of a three-game set, 4-0. The star of the game was Baskin Arncaple, who pitched a complete game 2-hitter. Arncaple went 9.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 107 PI, GS: 87. The winning run came in the top of the 3rd, when 26-year old SS Jordan Backhouse (.287/.326/.348, 1 HR, 18 RBI, 0.7 WAR) led off with a first-pitch triple, then promptly scored on a 4-3 groundout. --------   The Stratford Barons missed the playoffs for the first time in four years last season when they finished in fourth with 87 wins, 9.5 games back of first. On December 1st, they sit in fourth place once again, but they are well positioned to make their playoff drought a one-year blip. Although their 10-time all-star centerfielder, 31-year old Alfonso León (.249/.314/.328, 2 HR, 20 RBI, 17 BB, 0.6 WAR) is off to an uncharacteristically slow start and their 15-time all-star catcher, 38-year old Aaron Skidmore (.259/.375/.407, 4 HR, 19 RBI, 24 BB, 1.2 WAR) continues to decline, there is enough offensive spark in the lineup to offer some hope for this season. Despite being plagued by injuries last year, 26-year old SS Callum Spalton (.341/.391/.651, 8 HR, 26 RBI, 2 BB, 2.6 WAR) still earned his second all-star selection and first Ball Hawk Award. This season, he is off to an even faster start and leads the Eastern League in Batter WAR. He is rated 2nd overall among shortstops in the ULB, behind only Cobourg’s Douglas Jones. While 29-year old 2B Matthew Channing (.295/.337/.427, 6 HR, 29 RBI, 11 BB, 4 SB, 2.4 WAR) is off to another terrific start, it appears Stratford made a shrewd deal when they acquired minor league OF Eiichi Nakashima (.284/381/.612, 9 HR, 22 RBI, 19 BB, 2 SB, 1.6 WAR) from the Cambria Cannons for two non-descript minor leaguers on October 11. The 28-year old Nakashima, a fourth-round pick back in 1951-52, has been anything but minor league in his first full-season in the majors. He has entrenched himself as the Barons’ starting right fielder, batting out of the No. 2 spot against righties. GM Marcello Bonaddio’s acquisition of 30-year old RHP Joseph Sellwood (6-4, 2.30 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 2.93 FIP, 170 ERA+) back in April is appearing to be the coup it was projected to be. The 1954-55 WL Satchel Paige Award winner is off to his best start since that award-winning season. He is rated 5th overall among starters. Joining him in an impressive rotation are 30-year old New Zealander RHP Ted Smith (6-4, 3.09 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 3.52 FIP, 126 ERA+) and the 1955-56 EL Satchel Paige Award winner, 29-year old LHP Robin Wadsworth (5-2, 3.36 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 3.56 FIP, 116 ERA+). But the bullpen appears very uneven at the moment, despite its group ERA of 2.64. Only 33-year old RHP closer José Rodríguez (3-2, 7 SV, 1.98 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 2.00 FIP, 198 ERA+) has shown any consistency. In fact, he has been outstanding to start the season. Player of the Week Awards: October 14 – SS Callum Spalton (.516, 16 H, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 10 R) Noteworthy: October 7 – Callum Spalton started the season off with a bang, belting out 2 homers, including a grand slam, while collecting 7 RBI to lead the Barons to a 10-5 Opening Day victory over the Downie Chiefs. Down 4-2 in the top of the 3rd, Spalton connected for a one-out, 3-run home run off Downie’s RHP Stefan Rankin to give the Barons the lead. The following inning, Spalton did even further damage by slamming a 2-out, grand slam home run to put the game out of reach and end Rankin’s afternoon. In all, Spalton went 4 for 5, 2 R, 7 RBI, 2 HR & 2 singles. --------   Last season, the Brunswick Legends went 34-19 in October and November, then racked up 97 wins en route to their first Eastern League Pennant in 10 years. But this season does not carry the same optimism. After two months, they have managed to put up just a .500 record and sit 4.0 games back of the wildcard. That can be attributed to an overall regression of both the offense and pitching. To be sure, 6-time all-star, 29-year old C Robert Kersey (.319/.391/.540, 8 HR, 22 RBI, 20 BB, 2.3 WAR) remains elite and the top-ranked catcher in the ULB. And he is joined by 36-year old 3B Jorge Arrendondo (.278/.342/455, 8 HR, 26 RBI, 21 BB, 1.7 WAR), who is off to best start in three seasons and 23-year old sophomore CF Tae-Hyang Lee (.280/.374/.409, 5 HR, 25 RBI, 21 BB, 4 SB, 1.3 WAR). The 2nd-round pick from 1952-53 has taken over centerfield from 28-year old Joshua Witherden (.224/.276/328, 4 HR, 12 RBI, 9 BB, -0.2 WAR), who has really regressed from last year when he racked up 5.1 WAR. Unfortunately for Brunswick, Witherden’s performance is typical of the rest of the lineup as well. The pitching staff has regressed back to mediocrity as well. But the rotation does have a bright spot in 23-year old rookie RHP Rio Hanscombe (4-4, 3.28 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 3.05 FIP, 120 ERA+). Hanscombe, who won Rookie of the Month honors for November, was a 2nd-round pick last season. He is already the Legends’ No. 2 starter. --------   The Braeland City Monarchs do not look to be a player for a playoff spot once again for the fourth consecutive season. But the Monarchs have been competitive over the first two months of the season and are seeing some of their prospects join the ranks of the major league roster with the hope that they can help turn the club’s fortunes around in the near future. Although no longer a rookie, 22-year CF Bernard Burkitt (.247/.279/.374, 2 HR, 17 RBI, 5 BB, 2 SB, 1.5 WAR) is finally showing some improvement at the plate in this third season. The former 5th overall pick from 1953-54 won his first Ball Hawk Award last season and, if anything, is even better in the field this year (.984 PCT, 4.19 RNG, +9.5 ZR, 1.085 EFF). Burkitt has been joined in the lineup by 23-year old rookie C Ronald Kingsley (.225/.322/.287, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 19 BB, 0.3 WAR), a 3rd-round pick from 1952-53 who is already defensively sound and should develop into a decent contact hitter with impressive gap power (70/70). Braeland City also has their top prospect on the major league roster. But 22-year old 2B Carlos Cruz (.200/.273/.300, 1 BB, -0.2 WAR – 40/61), an 8th overall pick from last season with impressive contact and gap power potential, blinding speed and solid defensive instincts is blocked by 32-year old 2B Patrick Lidgate (.295/.370/.514, 7 HR, 26 RBI, 20 BB, 2 SB, 2.3 WAR). Lidgate, who is off to another great start, is currently rated as the No. 1 second baseman in the United Leagues and 4th overall among all position players. So the Monarchs will need to decide how to get the most benefit from Cruz, such as teaching him a new position – because Lidgate is going nowhere. The pitching staff is in greater need of reinforcements as it continues to struggle overall. They do have 25-year old rookie RHP Clive Clarke (5-3, 4.36 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 4.22 FIP, 91 ERA+ - 46/49), a 2nd-round pick from 1954-55. But scouts consider Clarke, who won Rookie of the Month honors in October, as little more than a No. 5 starter. On the other hand, the bullpen has been outstanding, with 23-year old sophomore RHP Jonathan Brookins (4-2, 7 SV, 2.32 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 2.90 FIP, 170 ERA+) serving as the closer. But the Monarchs perhaps should consider moving 21-year old sophomore LHP Charlie Honeysett (2-0, 1.59 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 1.92 FIP, 249 ERA+ - 50/66) from long relief to the rotation. His stuff (70/80) is off the charts, but scouts feel his poor control (35/40) is holding him back. Player of the Week Awards: November 18 – RF Aidan Trembath (.545, 12 H, 2 HR, 6 RBI) Noteworthy: October 19 – Braeland’s No. 3 starter, RHP Lee Corp (2-6, 3.88 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 3.77 FIP, 102 ERA+) was zeroed in against the Downie Chiefs, blanking them 7-0 on 2 hits in Downie. Corp was helped to victory with a 3-run 9th inning that began when Corp reached base on an error to begin the top half. A sac bunt and double brought him home for the inning’s first run. On the afternoon, the 32-year old Canterbury-native went 9.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 91 PI, GS: 87. --------   The Embro Suns continue their backward slide down the standings, thanks mostly to a pitching staff that appears to be completely in disarray. During one stretch from late October to mid-November, they went just 3-18 to fall to last place and 13 games below .500. While nine of those losses were by a single run, they went three straight games without scoring a single run. They did recover at bit however, as they finished November 10-2 to escape the basement. But the news is not all bad. Their third-year first baseman, 24-year old Damien Whetter (.341/.411/.588, 9 HR, 33 RBI, 20 BB, 2.3 WAR) is off to a sensational start. The former 13th overall pick from 1951-52 is now rated as the top first baseman in the United Leagues. He is joined by 29-year old 3B Moromao Nakagawa (.288/.353/.451, 7 HR, 36 RBI, 19 BB, 1.7 WAR) who continues to be a reliable presence in the lineup. They are joined by 22-year old rookie 3B William Beresford (.289/.333/.447, 4 RBI, 3 BB, -0.2 WAR – 45/65), a 5th overall pick from 1954-55. But he is currently blocked by Nakagawa at the hot corner. He is rated at shortstop (20/35), but it remains to be seen whether the Suns will move him there to get him more playing time. But he is a solid contact hitter with above average power, a ‘natural leader’ and durable. As mentioned at the outset, the pitching staff is a shamble, particularly the bullpen. Currently, only 24-year old RHP Jun Kichida (3-2, 3.14 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 3.56 FIP, 125 ERA+) and perhaps 28-year old RHP Alastair Hahn (1-2, 3.35 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 3.30 FIP, 117 ERA+) are providing consistent outings. Embro’s ace, 30-year old RHP Bradley Strawson (6-4, 4.02 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 3.19 FIP, 97 ERA+) bounced back in November (4-1, 2.91 ERA, 1.32 WHIP) after a rough October (2-3, 5.40 ERA, 1.69 WHIP). Player of the Week Awards: November 4 – 1B Damien Whetter (.429, 12 H, 3 HR, 9 RBI) --------   It’s no surprise that the Downie Chiefs are mired in last place to start the season. They were projected to finish last in the East, but one could argue that even the projections were overly optimistic. While the projections pointed to a 71-83 record, the Chiefs are currently on pace to lose 105 games. That would break a 17-year record set by the 1940-41 Cobourg Red Stockings, who lost 103 games that season. There is an absolute dearth of talent on this roster right now and the farm system offers no immediate boost to their fortunes as their top prospects are still a long way off. On offense, it’s 31-year old 10-time all-star 2B Dominic Dudding (.326/.398/.468, 4 HR, 23 RBI, 16 BB, 2 SB, 1.8 WAR) and not much else. On the pitching staff, only 26-year old LHP José Hernández (4-32.45 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 4.22 FIP, 156 ERA+), their No. 3 starter and 23-year old closer RHP Frank Greggs (1-1, 2.83 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 3.55 FIP, 136 ERA+) are pitching with any degree of effectiveness. --------  
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United Leagues of Braeland |
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02-18-2024, 05:24 PM
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#819 |
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,899
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December 1, 1957
Western League: No Signs of the Trolleys Slowing Down    --------   The Pulberry Trolleys have merely picked up where they left off, dominating the Western League in the early going. The Sherburn Tigers and Cambria Cannons battled the Trolleys for top spot in the first few weeks of October, but a 12-1 stretch in late October and early November helped the Trolleys zoom past their nearest rivals and take a commanding lead for top spot. It’s business as usual for the United Leagues’ defending champions. Having both the No. 1-rated position player and starter on the same roster doesn’t hurt. But they have a couple of new faces working their way into the lineup as well. 29-year old LF Aidan Thirkettle (.344/.448/.756, 17 HR, 40 RBI, 29 BB, 3 SB, 3.7 WAR), who has won four straight Western League Babe Ruth Awards, shows no sign of slowing down. But a 5th Babe Ruth Award is not a lock. While he currently leads the West in two categories (Runs – 45 and EBH – 29), he is runner-up in a whopping 12 categories – all behind the same player (more on him in the Cambria Cannons section). Thirkettle is being ably supported in the lineup by 30-year old CF Cooper Tyson (.310/.374/.476, 3 HR, 18 RBI, 18 BB, 9 SB, 2.4 WAR) and two other players who are enjoying bounce-back seasons: 27-year old C Paul England (.295/.341/.564, 10 HR, 27 RBI, 10 BB, 2.0 WAR) and 25-year old SS Sean Abercrombie (.252/.320/.440, 6 HR, 23 RBI, 16 BB, 1.0 WAR). But Pulberry’s lineup also sees two new faces who are being given regular starts. Due to an extended injury to 31-year old 1B Gerard Koerner (.500/.538/.750, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 0.3 WAR) just three days into the regular season, 32-year old Ellis Dibble (.289/.332/.484, 8 HR, 29 RBI, 12 BB, 0.7 WAR) has moved to first base (60/70) from his regular spot in right field (55/55). This has allowed 22-year old rookie OF Joe Riding (.224/.304/.414, 5 HR, 20 RBI, 15 BB, 3 SB, 0.7 WAR – 45/61) to start in right. Also seeing regular playing time is free-agent signee, 28-year old Yoshimi Sekozawa (.204/.322/.510, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 9 BB, 0.7 WAR). He has taken over second base from 32-year old veteran Paul Heisler (.235/.273/.343, 1 HR, 13 RBI, 6 BB, 0.1 WAR). If anything, the pitching staff is more intimidating than the lineup if that is possible, led by the amazing 22-year old ace LHP Bart Ohara (9-0, 1.51 ERA, 0.69 WHIP, 1.74 FIP, 255 ERA+). He is joined in the rotation by a dominant 36-year old RHP Robin Medellin (7-2, 1.77 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 3.15 FIP, 218 ERA+) and 28-year old LHP Dermott Rathbone (6-1, 3.13 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 3.63 FIP, 123 ERA+), who appears to have finally found a regular spot in the rotation this season in the No. 4 position. Only 29-year old RHP Taylor Folkard (4-5, 4.16 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 3.12 FIP, 92 ERA+) is struggling. His hot and cold tendencies continue this season. Player of the Week Awards: November 11 – LF Aidan Thirkettle (.500, 12 H, 6 HR, 12 RBI) Noteworthy: November 7 – The Trolleys swept a 4-game set against the Unions in Wolseley. The first game set the tone, as LHP Bart Ohara blanked the Unions, 4-0 on the strength of a 2-hitter. Ohara went 9.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 6 BB, 7 K, 118 PI, GS: 84. Three of Pulberry’s four runs came off the bat of LF Aidan Thirkettle who belted two home runs on the afternoon. Thirkettle connected on a 2-run homer in the 1st inning as well as a solo shot in the 4th, both against RHP Roberto Garza. --------   The season has started ominously for the Cambria Cannons as they performed a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde act over the first two months. In October, they were world beaters, going 14-1 at one point with an 11-game winning streak. By October 28, they boasted the best record in the ULB and sat 2-1/2 games ahead of the Pulberry Trolleys. But as soon as the calendar turned to November, they imploded, going 3-9 to start the month to eventually fall 8 games out of first by the end of the month. As dramatic as their rise and fall, there’s no mystery as to the cause. While they have one of the best lineups in the League, they are hampered by one of the worst pitching staffs ever assembled. There’s no debate who has been the top offensive player in the United Leagues this season. It’s 28-year old RF Sam Tite (.348/.474/.774, 21 HR, 57 RBI, 40 BB, 4.2 WAR), who currently leads the entire ULB in 12 offensive categories. He is currently on pace to hit 65 home runs, collect 176 RBI and rack up 12.8 WAR. All would set new standards of excellence if he can keep up the pace. This comes after setting a new record of 49 home runs in a season last year, a mark he shares with Wellington’s Matthew Floyd. While the rest of the lineup can’t hold a candle to him, a couple of his teammates are enjoying fine seasons in their own right. 26-year old Calvin Hanbridge (.302/.387/.509, 7 HR, 29 RBI, 25 BB, 3 SB, 1.8 WAR) is starting almost exclusively at first base this season after spending his first four seasons in leftfield. The move has been a success so far for the lead-off hitter, as he appears to be more comfortable defensively there (.989 PCT, 9.52 RNG, +2.0 ZR, 1.026 EFF). 24-year old sophomore Kuauli Walenekino (.234/.312/.447, 6 HR, 15 RBI, 16 BB, 3 SB, 1.0 WAR – 36/47), a 14th-overall pick from 1955-56, has taken over leftfield and will be given every chance to develop. Also noteworthy is the performance of 25-year old SS Doug Martin (.333/.399/.497, 2 HR, 18 RBI, 17 BB, 7 SB, 1.6 WAR). The 6th overall pick from 1950-51 is enjoying his best season offensively thus far hitting out of the No. 3 spot in front of Tite. His defense, however, remains shaky (.929 PCT, 5.00 RNG, -8.9 ZR, .868 EFF). But there’s no avoiding the nightmare that is the Cannons’ pitching staff. The moves that GM Tony Hinton made this past off-season to bring in aging, past-their-prime pitchers has not panned out, to no one’s surprise. Both 30-year old RHP Fergus Hirst (3-5, 5.52 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 4.86 FIP, 70 ERA+) and 35-year old RHP Kelii Pelanekelina (2-3, 6.46 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, 5.45 FIP, 60 ERA+) are struggling mightily. Right now, only 27-year old ace LHP Bill Southon (7-3, 2.92 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 3.77 FIP, 132 ERA+) is pitching with any effectiveness. Joining him in the rotation in the No. 5 spot is 23-year old rookie RHP Oscar Lines (1-4, 1 SV, 6.61 ERA, 2.17 WHIP, 6.13 FIP, 58 ERA+ - 43/57), a 2nd-round pick from last season. While he is experiencing baptism by fire, scouts view him as a future mid-rotation starter, with terrific stuff (55/60) and movement (70/70) and a repertoire that includes a devastating changeup (70/75) and a solid slider (45/55). Player of the Week Awards: October 21 – SS Doug Martin (.469, 15 H, 5 RBI) October 28 – RF Sam Tite (.391, 9 H, 6 HR, 13 RBI) November 25 – RF Sam Tite (.474, 9 H, 12 RBI, 6 R) Noteworthy: October 27 – The Cannons beat the Kingston Pelicans, 6-5 at home, thanks to the bat of RF Sam Tite. The Canadian-born Tite became the 21st player in ULB history to hit 3 home runs in a game, the 22nd time it has been accomplished. Tite went 3 for 4, with 3 R, 5 RBI. Tite hit a solo shot in the 4th, a 2-run home run in the 6th and a 2-run shot in the 8th, all against Kingston’s LHP Diarmid Rowet. The Cannons led 6-1 after 8 innings, but Kingston would rally in the top of the 9th, scoring 4 runs off of two home runs before Cambria was able to tame the Pelicans and hang on for the win. --------   With the Western League wild card appearing to be wide open, the Balmoral Giants have as good a chance as any other club to lay claim to it. If they manage to do so, it would be their first playoff appearance in 14 years. But the Giants simply do give off playoff vibes. That could change within the next few seasons, as they have the top-rated farm system and their top pitching prospect is already on the major league roster. The offense has been very middle-of-the road thus far and that is reflected in a lineup that is rather ho-hum overall. Nevertheless, 28-year old LF Danny Jevons (.309/.392/.544, 10 HR, 26 RBI, 18 BB, 5 SB, 2.4 WAR) is enjoying a break-out season, his third in the majors after being drafted in the 3rd-round back in 1950-51. 24-year old CF Quido De Jesús (.319/.385/.465, 3 HR, 20 RBI, 20 BB, 4 SB, 1.4 WAR), a 3rd-overall pick from 1953-54, continues to progress in his third full season in the majors. But the rest of the lineup has been rather lackluster. The rotation has been steady, led by 31-year old RHP Wayne Nesling (7-2, 3.09 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 3.45 FIP, 126 ERA+), who is having a terrific season. He is on pace for 22 wins. 30-year old RHP Harry Dinsmore (3-7, 3.47 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 3.90 FIP, 112 ERA+) has been very serviceable, but has been the receiver of some tough breaks and is on pace for 22 losses. The bullpen has been awful in the early going. But one pitcher is worth noting. 21-year old RHP Ashley Tazewell (1-1, 4.34 ERA, 1.71 WHIP, 4.46 FIP, 90 ERA+ - 47/72), Balmoral’s 6th-overall pick from last season, who made his major league debut in mid-October as a middle reliever. He is a future sidearm starter with terrific stuff and movement (60/70) and an outstanding changeup (65/70) to go along with three other solid pitches. --------   In a crowded field for the wild card, the Sherburn Tigers are struggling just to keep their head above water. The Tigers have been really streaky over the first two months of the season. In mid-October, they endured an 8-game losing streak before winning their next 6 games and going 8-1 during that hot streak. In early November, they went 8-1 again, then lost the next seven games. Those struggles can largely be attributed to a less than dominating pitching staff. While the Tigers do not have a bonafide superstar in their lineup, they are blessed with a solid core. The offense is led by 28-year old SS Dwayne Vick (.325/.372/.393, 1 HR, 17 RBI, 14 BB, 1.9 WAR) and 28-year old 3B Adrian Flynn (.305/.337/.539, 9 HR, 39 RBI, 9 BB, 1.9 WAR). But both 26-year old CF Leon Albrecht (.269/.360/.446, 5 HR, 33 RBI, 28 BB, 4 SB, 1.8 WAR) and 27-year old LF Ross Shewman (.263/.374/.462, 8 HR, 32 RBI, 30 BB, 1.7 WAR), while still contributing, are experiencing a bit of a down year compared to last season. Most alarmingly, 27-year old lead-off hitter, RF Albert Sulley (.208/.331/.296, 3 RBI, 22 BB, 2 SB, 0.1 WAR) has fast become a shell of his former outstanding self, as he is unable to stay healthy. His chronic health injuries began last November with quadriceps strains and now concussions and back tightness issues. On the pitching side of things, the big story has been the terrific start of 30-year old RHP Ben Buschlen (8-2, 2.71 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 2.87 FIP, 146 ERA+) and the down year being experienced by 3-time Satchel Paige Award winner, 33-year old RHP Jesús Chapa (5-6, 3.81 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 3.66 FIP, 104 ERA+). Buschlen is now Sherburn’s ace and is on pace to win 24 games. Hopefully Chapa’s slump is just that; scouts still believe he is a capable No. 1 or No. 2 starter. The rest of the rotation is struggling. Other the other hand, No. 5 starter, 28-year old LHP Brendan Wombwell (5-0, 3.42 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 4.39 FIP, 116 ERA+) has responded nicely after returning to the rotation. Last season, he pitched out of the bullpen, with middling results (5-5, 1 SV, 5.95 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 4.60 FIP, 70 ERA+). The bullpen can use more help. Right now, only 29-year old stopper RHP Roy Hay (0-2, 2 SV, 3.26 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 4.29 FIP, 121 ERA+) is pitching with some consistency. However, he has blown 4 of 6 save opportunities so far. Player of the Week Awards: October 14 – SS Dwayne Vick (.486, 17 H, 5 RBI, 9 R) Noteworthy: November 30 – The Tigers ended the month on a high note, pummeling the Brunswick Legends 14-5 at home. 3B Adrian Flynn figured prominently, becoming the 5th player to drive in 7 RBI in a game this season. The Legends led 3-2 heading into the bottom of the 6th, but the Tigers erupted for 9 runs in the inning to break the game wide open. Legends starter, LHP Luke Henty, did not escape the inning, giving up a double, a single and four walks that drove in 3 runs. After a HBP that loaded the bases, Henty walked his 5th batter that brought home the inning’s 4th run with the bases still loaded. That set the stage for Flynn, who slammed a 0-1 pitch to rightfield for a Grand Slam home run. That ended Henty’s day. Flynn would later hit a 2-run home run in the bottom of the 8th off Henty’s replacement, LHP Ron Killingworth. In all, Flynn went 3 for 5 with 2 R, 2 HR, 7 RBI. --------   Like the Tigers, the Hespeler Stars have been a streaky bunch in October and November. After losing the first three games of the season, they rattled off eight straight victories to get to within a 0.5 game of first. But they soon unravelled, losing 11 straight to end the month. In mid-November, they rebounded, going 9-1. There’s still nothing to indicate that they are finally ready to make their first playoff appearance in franchise history, but as long as the wild card is up for grabs and they keep pace with the rest of the pack, anything is possible. The lineup is decidedly underwhelming once again. However, 30-year old RF John Anthony (.323/.391/.484, 6 HR, 25 RBI, 17 BB, 1.6 WAR) is off to a great start and his best season in his 8-year major league career if he keeps it up. But outside of 25-year old C Aidan Bennie (.311/.358/.447, 4 HR, 26 RBI,13 BB, 1.5 WAR), there is not a lot of impact players on this roster right now. The pitching staff is in somewhat better shape, but the true standout in the rotation so far is the No. 4 hurler, 29-year old RHP Battista Carotta (5-4, 3.09, 1.37 WHIP, 3.21 FIP, 129 ERA+). Carotta, a free agent signing from Italy back in 1952 is on pace to earn his second all-star selection. The Stars are giving 23-year old RHP Zachariah Horton (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 2.37 FIP – 47/55), a 5th-round selection from 1952-53, a chance to start this season, after two seasons in the bullpen. Hespeler also has two of their pitching prospects throwing out of the bullpen. 21-year LHP Nico van de Ham (3-3, 4.50 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 3.58 FIP, 88 ERA+ - 52/68) is currently the Stars’ stopper while 26-year old RHP Pedro Peña (3-3, 5 SV, 3.05 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 3.65 FIP, 130 ERA+ - 53/56) is currently serving as a middle reliever. Peña was a free agent signing out of Colombia in 1955. Both are projected as future starters. Noteworthy: November 22 – The Stars hosted the Stratford Barons for a 3-game series and although they would drop the series, the managed to win the first game, 1-0 on the strength of an outstanding performance from RHP Battista Carotta, who pitched a 2-hit shut-out. The Italian-born Carotta went 9.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 4 K, 124 PI, GS: 83. The lone run came in the bottom of the 8th, when Hespeler connected on 3 straight 2-out singles followed by a passed ball. --------   The Kingston Pelicans started the season off with a whimper, going 2-12 and battling the Fort Richmond Generals to keep out of the basement for most of October. Although they improved somewhat in November, it’s a pretty safe bet that they will miss the playoffs for the 6th straight year. The offense has struggled in the early going despite some promising young talent on the squad. 27-year old Chris Ramsbottom (.307/.365/.415, 3 HR, 17 RBI, 16 BB, 4 SB, 1.6 WAR) is enjoying a nice bounce-back season now that he has taken over rightfield full-time from 33-year old OF Mo Spenceley (.244/.346/.378, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 7 BB, 0.0 WAR). Last season, Ramsbottom started at four different positions and was Kingston’s starting centerfielder before then. 27-year old Ronald Armstrong (.283/.321/.553, 10 HR, 27 RBI, 10 BB, 1.4 WAR) is off to another solid season in his second full season as Kingston’s starting catcher, 5 years after they acquired him in a trade with the Queensland Eagles. But the rest of the offense is either struggling or running hot and cold. In the latter category, 25-year old 1B Ira Bannatyne (.242/.306/.399, 8 HR, 36 RBI, 17 BB, 0.3 WAR) has come up big in a few games but then has gone cold, such as the final week of November (.062/.118/.062). 24-year old CF Dan Hesketh (.284/.340/.477, 6 HR, 20 RBI, 15 BB, 1.3 WAR), the former 1st overall pick from 1955-56 and last season’s WL Rookie of the Year continues to progress. The Pelicans also have unheralded 25-year old 3B Andy Wearne (.415/.455/.561, 3 RBI, 3 BB, 0.7 WAR – 54/58), a 3rd-round pick from 1950-51 on the major league roster. Scouts consider him ready to start, but he is currently being blocked at both third base and shortstop. Hopefully, Kingston can find him more regular playing time. The rotation has been incredibly underwhelming thus far, with only 31-year old RHP Brian Marsland (5-5, 3.02 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 3.59 FIP, 130 ERA+) pitching effectively. In fact, the 9-year veteran is off to his best start and may finally earn his first all-star selection if he can keep it up. The bullpen on the other hand, is currently tops in the West. Leading the way are 28-year old stopper RHP Lester Beddoes (1-1, 4 SV, 1.93 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 4.03 FIP, 205 ERA+) and 24-year old sophomore RHP Jacob Jones (1-0, 0.66 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 2.07 FIP, 599 ERA+). Both may see their first all-star selections this season as well. Player of the Week Awards: November 4 – 3B Mark Johnson (.529, 9 H, 3 HR, 10 RBI) November 18 – RHP Connor Naysmith (2-0, 0.50 ERA, 18.0 IP, 13 H, 5 K, .206 OppAVG) Noteworthy: October 21 – The Pelicans took game 1 of a 3-game series against the Fort Richmond Generals, thanks to the bat of 1B Ira Bannatyne and the pitching of 23-year old LHP Ronald Dulihanty (2-5, 5.98 ERA, 1.86 WHIP, 5.43 FIP, 66 ERA+). Kingston’s No. 5 starter was on his game, pitching a complete, 2-hit shutout. The Sherburn-native went 9.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 8 K, 120 PI, GS: 87. The game was scoreless until the bottom of the 9th when Bannatyne launched a walk-off, 3-run home run to leftfield off RHP Damon Pinney. November 13 – The Pulberry Trolleys took it on the chin in Kingston as they dropped 2 of 3 to the Pelicans. Kingston took the first game 7-1 then walloped the Trolleys, 12-3 in the final match. Ira Bannatyne came up big in that third game, collecting 7 RBI. He went 3 for 5 with 2 R and 2 HR. He hit a 3-run home run in the 1st inning off RHP Taylor Folkard and a two-run shot in the 8th off RHP Alexander Ellacott. He also added a 2-out, 2-run single in the bottom of the 3rd for good measure. --------   The first two weeks of the season began promising for the Wolseley Unions as they jumped out to a 9-5 record to get to within 2 games of first place. But the wheels quickly fell off, as the Unions went 3-20 after that, a stretch that was capped off with a 14-game losing streak. Although Wolseley recovered a bit to finish November 8-6, it is plainly evident that there will be more downs than ups for the Unions for the foreseeable future as they look to rebuild their roster, five years removed from the last playoff appearance. The biggest issue is that they lack impact players on the roster. But they do have some fine young talent who could soon change that. 23-year old sophomore CF Jonathan Higgins (.281/.347/.404, 3 HR, 21 RBI, 18 BB, 6 SB, 1.1 WAR) appeared heading to a Rookie of the Year Award last year before he ruptured an Achilles tendon in early January that ended his season. The Unions are simply hoping that the Milwaukee-born Higgins who was selected 2nd overall in 1955-56 can pick up where he left off. He along with 28-year old 1B Carlos Ortíz (.298/.376/.538, 12 HR, 32 RBI, 22 BB, 1.8 WAR), who is off to a sensational start, are Wolseley’s top two offensive producers. But the most excitement is reserved for the recent promotion of the No. 2-rated prospect in the ULB, 23-year old 2B Jack Jarrom (.226/.296/.263, 11 RBI, 12 BB, 1 SB, -0.1 WAR – 43/79). Jarrom, the overall pick from last season, debuted on October 14 in a 4-2 loss to the Balmoral Giants (he went 2 for 4 and committed two errors). But scouts feel he will be a regular participant at the annual All-Star games before too long. The pitching staff has been very mediocre thus far as the Unions allow a few promising arms to find their way in the rotation. 32-year old ace RHP Roberto Garza (5-4, 3.54 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 3.67 FIP, 112 ERA+) has been the most consistent starter. Joining him are 24-year old sophomore RHP Yasuo Yamauchi (6-3, 4.79 REA, 1.33 WHIP, 4.09 FIP, 82 ERA+ - 48/58), a future No. 2 starter, and 23-year old rookie RHP Ekemona Koorong (2-6, 4.65 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, 4.52 FIP, 85 ERA+ - 42/48). The Palau-born Koorong was a 3rd-round pick from last year. Scouts believe that a role in the No. 5 spot is his best-case scenario. Lastly, Wolseley is hoping their No. 2 starter, 22-year old RHP Theo Morse (2-8, 4.18 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 4.11 FIP, 95 ERA+ - 54/80) can bounce back after going 0-5, 4.84 ERA in November. The 2nd-round pick from 1953-54 won 16 games last season in his first full season in the majors. This season he is on pace to lose 24. --------   The season started as expected for the Fort Richmond Generals, who were projected to finish dead last in the West for second season in a row. The Generals got off to a 1-13 start, a stretch that included a 10-game losing streak. Like the Downie Chiefs in the East, the Generals are in danger of losing 100+ games in a season for the first time in their history. The difference is that Fort Richmond has genuine, young talent on the major league roster that could dramatically improve matters if they can all find their way. But on offense, the majority of the lineup are either treading water or making progress in minute steps. The lone exception is 26-year old C Scott Sheelah (.266/.387/.390, 3 HR, 14 RBI, 25 BB, 2.2 WAR). Sheelah is ranked 4th overall among catchers in the United Leagues and is off to the best start of his 6-year career. The rest of the lineup is rather hum-drum, but the Generals are hopeful that 25-year old sophomore Takuji Kanno (.270/.317/.444, 7 HR, 24 RBI, 14 BB, 0.6 WAR) can develop into an impact player at first base, something Fort Richmond oddly has never had. The rotation is really struggling right now, but that shimmering glimmer of hope stationed at the top of the rotation is the top-rated prospect in the United Leagues, 24-year old RHP Kenete Yuri (2-5, 3.92 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 3.55 FIP, 98 ERA+ - 44/72). The 2nd-overall pick from last season has scouts drooling with three solid pitches and no weaknesses who is considered a hard worker, a sparkplug and durable. But even if he delivers on his promise, he can’t do it alone. But there really is no one right now who appears capable of stepping up and supporting him. The bullpen is in somewhat better shape, with 22-year old stopper RHP Shotaro Tsuji (3-1, 5 SV, 1.00 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 3.17 FIP, 383 ERA+) and 24-year old middle reliever LHP John Witheycombe (2-0, 2.42 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 2.43 FIP, 158 ERA+) having outstanding seasons. Witheycombe is considered a future stater, so he may be an option for the Generals if none of their current starters can get out of their funk. --------  
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02-20-2024, 01:05 AM
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#820 |
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,521
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Alright! Another season in the making. Go Trollyes!
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