The Mallards

[Muskies]

2011 NL Championship Series
Madison Mallards (96-67) vs. Baltimore Pinnacles (95-67)

Baltimore finished first in the NL East division. They were ranked first in the NL in OBP at .355 and 8th in the NL in pitching with an ERA of 4.45. The pitching staff is led by former Mallard Albert Higgins (20-3, 3.83 ERA), offensively the team is lead by third baseman Chris Campbell who hit .299 with 30 HR and 130 RBI. Baltimore leads the head to head series 7-5 this year.

Game 1 in Madison: Pancho Juarez (0-0, 2.25) vs. Sam Williams (1-0, 3.00)

Key Moment: 2 run home run in the fourth inning by C. Ryan proved to the be winning run; Complete game for Pancho Juarez.

MAD 5, BAL 1
WP: Juarez (1-0, 1.59), LP: Williams (1-1, 6.10)
HR: Rosario (1), Ryan (1)
POG: Juarez 9 IP, 9 H, ER, BB, 2 K
SS John Benson was injured throwing the ball; day to day for 3 days with forearm soreness.

Madison leads the series 1-0

Other Game
HOU 6, Ft.W 5 (Houston leads the series 1-0)

[Muskies]

I will be out of town through the weekend and will not be able to post. But the Mallards will return.

[Muskies]

2011 NL Championship Series
Madison Mallards (96-67) vs. Baltimore Pinnacles (95-67)

Game 2 in Madison: Jose Polledo (0-0, 1.42), Vincente Leon (1-0, 1.12)

Key Moment: Two run double by David Chamings in the bottom of the eighth inning.

MAD 5, BAL 0
WP: Gilbert (2-1, 1.86), LP: Santo (0-1, 81.08), SV: Tavares (2)
HR: Rosario (2), Chamings (1)
POG: 2-3, R, 3 RBI, 2B, HR

Madison leads series 2-0

Other Game:
Ft.W 7, HOU 6 (Series tied 1-1)

[Muskies]

2011 NL Championship Series
Madison Mallards (96-67) vs. Baltimore Pinnacles (95-67)

Game 3 @ Baltimore: Albert Higgins (1-0, 2.25) vs. Kenny Campbell (1-0, 3.46)

Key Moment: Walk off home run in the bottom of the 14th by Errol Brown

BAL 7, MAD 5 (14)
WP: Woods (1-0, 0.00), LP: Davila (0-1, 3.00)
HR: Benson (2), Brown (2), Davis (2)
POG: Errol Brown 3-6, R, 3 RBI, HR

Madison leads series (2-1)

Other Games:
HOU 9, Ft.W 5 (Houston leads series 2-1)

Other News:
North Berwick (AA) hitting coach Julian Navarro has left the team.
North Berwick (AA) Pitching Coach Mauro Bocanegra has retired.
Moreno Valley Wrens (A) hitting coach Michael Barrett has left the team

[Muskies]

2011 NL Championship Series
Madison Mallards (96-67) vs. Baltimore Pinnacles (95-67)

Game 4 @ Baltimore: Arthur MacFadden (1-0, 0.00) vs. Jason MacNamara (0-0, 0.00)

Key Moment: Three run sixth inning put the Mallards over the top

MAD 7, BAL 3
WP: MacFadden (2-0, 2.45), LP: MacNamara (0-1, 7.20), SV: Rios (1)
HR: Murray (2), Campbell (1)
POG: Brian Murray 2-4, R, RBI, HR

Dave Hanson was injured in the first inning, diagnosis pending

Madison leads series (3-1)

Other Game:
Houston defeated Ft. Worth 3-0 (Houston leads series 3-1)

[Muskies]

2011 NL Championship Series
Madison Mallards (96-67) vs. Baltimore Pinnacles (95-67)

Game 5 @ Baltimore: Pancho Jurarez (1-0, 1.59) vs. Sam Williams (1-1, 6.10)

Key Moment: Baltimore scored in the bottom of the first and Williams took the mound.

BAL 7, MAD 0
WP: Williams (2-1, 3.63), LP: Juarez (1-1, 3.91)
HR: Malone (2), Davis (3)
POG: Williams 7 IP, 4 H, BB, 6 K

Madison leads series (3-2)

Other Game
Houston defeats Ft. Worth 7-5 (Houston wins series 4-1)

Dave Hanson was diagnosed with sprained ankle and will be out for 3 weeks.

[Muskies]

2011 NL Championship Series
Madison Mallards (96-67) vs. Baltimore Pinnacles (95-67)

Game 6 @ Madison: Jose Polledo (0-0, 1.89) vs. Vincete Leon (1-0, 1.76)

Key Moment: Benson hit a home run in the 7th inning in a pitching duel. Polledo threw 123 pitches in a complete game.

MAD 1, BAL 0
WP: Polledo (1-0, 1.29), LP: Leon (1-1, 1.54)
HR: Benson (3)
POG: Polledo 9.0 IP, 4 H, BB, 3 K (Game Score 81)

Madison wins the series 4-2

------

Weekly Meeting

“Well Done, Folks, our 3rd National League and first since 2004. With the playoff run we gone past the 4 million mark on for attendance for the year, blowing through the 2008 mark of 3.9 million. The pitching staff really carried us through the League Championship Series, when our bats were cold. To seal the pennant with a 1-0 win, behind Polledo and Benson hitting a home run. Absolutely stunning.”

“We did lose Hanson for the World Series, which will be disappointing, on the plus side we will have Ruiz back at third base. Hopefully, he will get hot at just the right time.”

“Good Luck, Folks, only 4 wins away.”

[Muskies]

2011 World Series
Madison Mallards (96-67) vs. Houston Copperheads (99-64)

Houston had the second best record in the ABL at 99-64, and qualified for the playoff’s as a Wild Card, behind the Ft. Worth Lord’s. Houston has the best pitching staff in the AL allowing 4.31 earned runs per game, while the Mallards had the second best offense in the NL scoring 5.71 runs per game. Houston and Madison did not meet in the 2011 regular season.

Game 1: Jorge Lopez (11-3, 3.03) vs. Kenny Campbell (15-5, 4.39) in Madison

Key Moment: Chamings Grand Slam in the third inning put the Mallards ahead 4-3 and they didn’t look back.

MAD 6, HOU 4
WP: Campbell (2-0, 3.91), LP: Lopez (3-1, 3.16), SV: Tavares (3)
HR: Waddingham (3), Lawson (3), Ruiz (1), Chamings (2)
POG: Chamings 2-4, R, 4 RBI, HR (GRAND SLAM)

Mallards lead series 1-0.

[Muskies]

2011 World Series
Madison Mallards (96-67) vs. Houston Copperheads (99-64)

Game 2: Don Daly (1-0, 4.71) vs. Pancho Juarez (1-1, 3.91)

Key Moment: Juarez was able to get out of a bases loaded jam in the first inning without allowing a run. After that he only allowed 2 hits in 7 innings of work. The bullpen combo of Davila and Tavares did load the bases in the top of the ninth, but managed to escape without allowing a run.

MAD 5, HOU 0
WP: Juarez (2-1, 3.00), LP: Daly (1-1, 5.20)
HR: Kouno (1)
POG: Juarez 7.0 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 4 K

Madison leads series 2-0.

[Muskies]

2011 World Series
Madison Mallards (96-67) vs. Houston Copperheads (99-64)

Game 3: Robinson (0-0, 8.68) vs. MacFadden (2-0, 2.45)

Key Moment: Where to start… Houston Scored 6 runs in the second inning, knocking MacFadden out of the game, then scored 6 in the fifth inning to go up 12-2 and knock out Jennings. The Mallard battled back in the 8th and 9th inning down 14-2 and scored 10 runs, but fell short in the end.

HOU 14, MAD 12
WP: Robinson (1-0, 6.06), LP: MacFadden (2-1, 6.57)
HR: Benson (4), Hubbard (1)
POG: Lee 2-2, 2 R, 2 H, 3 RBI, 2B

Madison leads series 2-1


Back in the Office
I extended some offers for coaching positions in AA (Pitching coach and Hitting Coach) as well as the hitting coach at A. Available personnel was being gobbled up as we make our run to the Championship.

[Muskies]

2011 World Series
Madison Mallards (96-67) vs. Houston Copperheads (99-64)

Game 4: Jorge Lopez (3-1, 3.16) vs. Jose Polledo (1-0, 1.29)

Key Moment: Waddingham (HOU) hit a triple in the bottom of the ninth off of Barnwell for the win for Houston. A weak performance by Polledo proved the difference after the Mallards started 3-0 in the top of the first inning.

HOU 7, MAD 6
WP: Reyna (2-0, 12.27), LP: Barnwell (0-1, 1.64)
HR: Kouno (2), Martinez (1), Kim 2 (3)
POG: Hwi-gon Kim 3-4, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2 HR

Series tied at 2.

Around the league:
35 year old SP John Conway (18-12, 3.92) signed a two year contract for $13 million per year with Mesa

[Muskies]

2011 World Series
Madison Mallards (96-67) vs. Houston Copperheads (99-64)

Game 5: Don Daly (1-1, 5.20) vs. Kenny Campbell (2-0, 3.91)

Key Moment: Mallards scored 5 runs in the first inning knocking Daly out of the game and never looked back. Houston used seven pitchers to get through the game, unfortunately tomorrow is a day off to give them some rest.

MAD 16, HOU 6
WP: Campbell (3-0, 3.82), Daly (1-2, 6.75)
HR: Ryan (2), Nishikawa 2 (2), Benson (1),
POG: Nishikawa 3-5, 3 R, 4 RBI, 2 HR

Chamings tied the post season record for doubles in a game with 3.

Madison leads series 3-2.

[Muskies]

2011 World Series
Madison Mallards (96-67) vs. Houston Copperheads (99-64)

Game 6: Pancho Juarez (2-1, 3.00) vs. Brian Brooks (0-0, 0.00)

Key Moment: Juarez allowed two runs in the first inning, Mallards followed up with four in the bottom of the first. We lead 6-5 heading into the bottom of the eighth inning and the offense reeled off three more runs to take a 9-5 lead into the top of the ninth inning. Rather than bring in Tavares we left in in Gilbert to finish the game. He ended up allowing two base runners with Martinez made a circus catch to close out the game and give the Mallards the World Series Title!!!

MAD 9, HOU 5
WP: Jennings (1-0, 12.71), LP: Brooks (0-1, 9.00), SV: Gilbert (2)
HR: Ryan (3)
POG: Ruiz 2-3, 2 R, 2 RBI

For the series Ruiz hit .423 with 1 HR, and 6 RBI.

Madison wins the series 4-2.

[Muskies]

“This is why we play the game,” commented Madison’s manager after his club captured their second World Series crown by whipping the Houston Copperheads 9-5 today at Ballpark of Madison.

“Baseball doesn’t get any better than this.”

The Mallards were victorious 4-2 in the series after completing the regular season 96-67 and finishing in first place in the National League Central Division.

The losing manager had his say, too, telling reporters, “Despite the loss, this year has been a pretty good story, a doggone good story. I’m proud of my guys. We had a great veteran leadership and we had players that never gave up – no quit in us at all. And it got us here. And I am proud of that. I think you might see the Copperheads back here soon.”


-----

Day After

Wow!! I don’t know where to start, I am still waiting for the other shoe to drop. Talk about a team effort. We had outstanding performances on both sides of the ball. The starting pitching was great, we had timely hitting and the bullpen was just good enough not blow any games. I considered making the playoff’s a successful season, but to win the title was unexpected. I certainly don’t feel that we have a dynasty at this point and I think we have couple years to develop into a regular contender, but we certainly caught lightning in a bottle and rode it all the way to the end.

[Muskies]

Finished with a Season Score of 112.

Definitely my most successful season as a general manager, made a great profit, finished first in the division and won the World Series. Expectations will be high going forward. Including the playoffs, the Mallards exceed the 4 million mark in attendance. As a result Mr. Stuart increased our budget to $142 million for the upcoming year, which will give us a little more flexibility in the 2012 season. It may also allow us to sign Gilbert to an extension, clearly our best bet out of the bullpen. We need $30 million for operational expenses which will leave about $105 million for player payroll.

[Muskies]

As I was sitting at my desk going through the current year financials and jotting down notes for the 2012 budget Tina buzzed me and indicate that Dwight was here to see me.

“Send him in, I am not ready to stop celebrating, but we need to formulate a plan for the upcoming season.”

“Good Morning and Congratualions, Kage, you really pulled all the right strings this year to bring the Championship back to Madison.” Stated Dwight.

“Why thank you Dwight, but your vision and plan for the team was really a critical piece and I look forward to doing it again.”

“Well… that is why I am here. I have been in this game a long time and I didn’t realize how tired I was until this year. Watching this team succeed and is really the pinnacle of my career anything after this would feel like work. What I am trying to say is that I am going to hang it up and retire. I appreciate the opportunity and being a part of a winning organization and the Championship.”

As I collapsed into my chair I exclaimed. “Is there anything that can change your mind? Is it money?”

“Not at all, I don’t think I can give you the time and the advice you need. I will leave you with a strong recommendation. I would recommend that you hire my protégé, Wesley Peters. I think that he is ready.”

“I will give it some thought, but are you sure about this?”

“Positive” replied Dwight.

“Let me be the first to thank you for your dedication to the Mallard organization and most of all to the game of baseball, and good luck in your future endeavors.”

“Thank You, Sir and once again. Congratulations on your first World Series and the Mallards Second.”

With that all of a sudden I am scrambling to find a new scouting director, this was not even close to being on my to do list let alone shooting the top.

[Muskies]

Off Season Dates:

November 4th – 8th – Season Awards
November 15th – Salary Arbitration Hearings
November 18th – Players file for free agency
December 1st – Rule 5 Draft
December 8th – 12th – Winter Meetings


Off Season Begins
ABL 2011 Hall of Fame Class

Pitcher – Orlando Franco (1990-2006)
Franco spent 16 years in the major leagues (6 with Sacramento, 5 with Fresno and 5 with Mesa). He won 20 or more games 4 times in his career and finished with a record of 232-173 and an ERA of 3.69. He also struck out 2846 batters which puts him at number 9 on the all time list. Franco was also a 2 time pitcher of the year and a 5 time all star.

Coaching and GM changes
New York Highlanders – fired GM Alfonso Espinoza, one year on the job and 5th plac finish
Jacksonville Claymores – Fired Manager Nolan Meredith (Mallards Manager in 2009 and former Bench Coach)
Austin Mystics – Fired GM Colt Phipps after 5 years and nothing higher than a 3rd place finish
San Francisco Greyhounds – Fired GM David Valentine (2 yrs and 2 second place finishes)
Indianapolis Platoon – Fired Manager Bill Goodwin after 2 years and 2 fourth place finishes
Sacramento Kings – Fired GM Will Bishop after nine years as GM

[Muskies]

Task List
- Roster Analysis
- Personnel Decisions
- Exercise Team Options
- Offer arbitration to potential free agents

PITCHING

Starting Pitching

Our starting rotation will remain pretty much the same from the current year. Polledo (19-2, 3.67) will likely start the year in the number one spot followed by Juarez (8-15, 4.01) and Campbell (15-6, 4.39) will likely battle for the 2nd and 3rd spots. Arthur MacFadden (12-13, 4.74) will go into the season in the number 4 spot. The last spot in the rotation will be up for grabs. Barnwell (5-4, 3.95) contract is up this year so we will open the fifth spot to one of our young starters in AAA (Salazar or Johnson). Both Campbell and Juarez are under contract for the next two years and Polledo and MacFadden are not arbitration eligible for the next two and three years respectively.

Bullpen

This remains the Mallards biggest weakness. We currently have Tavares, Zhao, Farias, Huporkorny, Davila, Benson and Rios under contract for next year. Our strongest reliever Gilbert only signed a one year deal last year. At this point I am going to see where the current relievers and the AAA staff end up. All the relievers are rated highly by our scouts, they just failed to perform. On the other hand they really did come through when it counted in the playoff’s.

OFFSEASON

Catcher

Scotty Hubbard (.267/.350/.523) hit a career high 31 home runs in 2011. Behind the plate he was nothing special with a ZR of -4.3 and only threw out 24% of players who attempted to steal. Hubbard has two more years ($16 million) left on his contract with 2013 being a player option which I imagine he will exercise. Hubbards back up (.218/.280/.401) was nothing special at the plate but is a star behind the plate with a ZR of 2.8 throwing out 62% of players who attempted to steal. Menenders is not arbitration eligible until 2014. Best prospect is 23 year old Rookie Jim Bell, but he is a long shot at best.

First Base

Katai Nishikawa (.319/.387/.625) hit 53 home runs in 2011. Katai is on track for a Hall of Fame career at his current base, in four seasons he has already hit 175 home runs. Defensively Nishikawa is average at best, which is why he split time as DH. John Thomas LF split time at first base; Thomas is a slightly better fielder but clearly not as strong at plate.

Second Base

Matsuo Kouno (.298/.382/.512) had a career year hitting 28 home runs and driving in 114 home runs. Kouno real strength is in the field where he had a ZR of +18.8. Kouno is signed through 2014 at what currently appears to be bargain of $8 million per year.

Short Stop

Christian Ryan (.250/.280/.371) and John Benson (.322/.390/.457) platooned at shortstop in 2011. Both display exceptional defense at multiple infield positions. These are two strong middle infielders who remain under club control. Benson will be arbitration eligible after the upcoming season.

Third Base

Miguel Ruiz (.259/.320/.408) had a down year by his standards. He remains strong defensively at third base, but his team option will come at a price tag of $13.7 million. His back up is Thomas Lee who is strong defensively, but not as strong at the plate. We could slide John Benson into the role and free up the money for another area. On the other hand Ruiz is one of the more popular players, so our fan interest could take a hit. We have no real prospects to step up and fill this role.

Left Field

Gerardo Martinez (.308/.350/.442) has all the tools at the plate and the in the field. He is arbitration eligible after this season, signing him to a long term deal will be one of my top priorities during the season.

Center Field

David Chamings (.307/.383/.485) is a superstar when he is on the field. In 2011 he was available for 124 games, which is slightly above his is average. He remains the highest paid Mallard at $17 million per year for the next three years with the third year being a team option.

Right Field

Dave Hansen (.305/.336/.455) had a strong year for the Mallards and was a valuable member of the World Champion Team; however, he is in the last year of his contract and is looking for 6 years at $10 million per year. He was injured during part of the playoffs and is currently listed as fragile by trainers. Steve Shaffer (.277/.332/.382) and Nolan Schaefer (.293/.299/.360) will platoon in at Right Field.

Conclusion

As with years past our highest priority remains trying to cobble together a bullpen to support the starting rotation. My second priority will be to bring in some supporting staff for the starters. I also need to keep an eye to the future, our farm system is currently ranked 13 out of 32, I would like to see that at least get into the top 10 by the end of next year. My current project payroll is at $101 million for next year. I have about $10 million from which to make moves in the offseason.

[Muskies]

Offseason Tasks

Open Personnel Positions

The only open position is Scouting Director, as I filled the open positions during the playoff’s. Wesley Peters has accepted the job as head scout so he is busy going through the roster and Dwight’s notes and make his own assessment as to where the Mallards sit.

Team Option

Miguel Ruiz – team option of $13.9 million was exercised

Offer Arbitration to potential major league free agents

SP – John Barnwell (28/R/2* of 3) – (5-4, 3.95, 2 SV) last year Barnwell finished the season as the fifth starter. He made $2 million, we will not offer arbitration
MR – Jason Bowden (30/R/4.5*) – (4-2, 6.86, 42.0 IP) last year earned $1 million, but did not pan out, we will not offer arbitration.
MR – Alan Gilbert (28/R/3.5*) – (8-8, 3.81, 2 SV, 151.1 IP) signed a 1 year deal last year for $1.4 million, was the strongest reliever on the team. We will offer arbitration see where it goes, I don’t expect him to accept.
MR – Jose Varela (34/R/4.5*) – (7-6, 4.57, 80.2 IP) signed last year for $1 million, I think I can find better elsewhere.
RF – Dave Hansen (27/L/3.5* of 4*) – (.305/.336/.455) – I will offer arbitration, he is looking for a payday, but should be worth a draft compensation pick.

Salary Arbitration eligible players

SP – Arthur Jennings – He is in his first year of arbitration eligibility, over the years he has shown signs of being able to fill in as the fifth starter, but hasn’t really turned the corner. He spent the year in the bullpen as a long reliever but only saw 30.2 innings of work. His current salary is $1.3 million, we are going to offer the same, perhaps he could be used to round off a trade.

MR – Juan Rios – Last year made $700,000 and his estimate is $800,000, no change here

Apparently the Salary arbitration schedule was not accurate, the following players are arbitration eligible, but I wasn’t expecting. Nice GM’ing…

SS – John Benson – Expected to be a platoon starter at Shortstop in 2012. Last year he hits .322/.390/.457 and 10 HR in 348 AB. Last year’s salary was $402,000 estimate is $2.2 million for 2012, I could try and sign him to extension, he is looking for 3 years and $12 million. I think I will stick with the $2.2 million and see how he does over another season.

LF – John Thomas – Last year earned $800,000 looking for $900,000 this year, he is a decent utility outfielder who can fill in as needed.

LF – Gerardo Martinez – All star looking for $6.3 million, but I would expect it to be a little higher, I will go with the arbitration and lock him up after the season starts.

LF – Steve Shaffer – He will be the new starting right fielder assuming that Dave Hansen does not accept arbitration. Last year he made $402k, estimates are at $2 million, I won’t make a change here either,

Conclusion
These arbitration numbers are certainly going to put me well over what I would like for a salary in 2012, should be in for an interest offseason, do I go for broke and the repeat, I did make a handsome profit for the Stuart’s this year, close to $20 million, which should buy me some wiggle room, can I shrink and win or do I bust it up and rebuild. Tough decisions ahead.

[Muskies]

2011 Awards

National League Gold Gloves
Pitcher – Alfredo Gutierrez (Memphis)
Catcher – Robert Muffitt (New York)
First Baseman – Jim Hayes (San Francisco)
Second Baseman – Matsuo Kouno (Madison)
Third Baseman – Mark Snyder (Memphis)
Shortstop – Christian Ryan (Madison)
Left Fielder – Gerardo Martinez (Madison)
Center Fielder – Clyde Patterson (Mesa)
Right Fielder – Scott Hewitt (New York)

American League Gold Gloves
Pitcher – Dean Hall (San Antonio)
Catcher – Tien-kai Chin (Queens)
First Baseman – Lawrence Davis (Baltimore)
Second Baseman – Dave Kline (Los Angeles)
Third Baseman – Jack Harding (Boston)
Shortstop – Robert York (Indianapolis)
Left Fielder – Alejandro Tamayo (Sacramento)
Center Fielder – Roberto Estrada (Cleveland)
Right Fielder – Miguel Silva (Indianapolis)


Rookie of the Year
NL – C - Anthony Olson (BAL) - .333, 6 HR, 96 RBI
AL – RF – Joe Bass (NAS) - .326, 6 HR, 74 RBI

Manager of the Year
NL – Ramon Ortiz (MAD) (1x)
AL – Jorge Lugo (Ft.W) (2x)

Outstanding Pitcher
NL – Maximo Hernandez (KC) -17-8, 2.48 (4x)
AL – Carlos Moran (NAS) 7-2, 0.68, 44 SV

Outstanding Hitter
NL – Katai Nishikawa (MAD) - .319, 53 HR, 165 RBI (1x)
AL – Jorge Lucero (CLE) - .375, 50 HR, 166 RBI (3x)

Nice year for the Mallards. Three Gold Glove’s, Manager of the year and Outstanding hitter award. I thought that Polledo may have an outside shot at pitcher of the year, but Maximo Hernandez clearly was deserving of the honor.