Out of the Shadows: The Eclipse League

[luckymann]

New York Black Yankees (103-59) v Cuban Stars East (95-67)

Best of seven, Black Yankees with home-field advantage.

As more often than not is the case, it works out that the two best - and therefore most deserving - teams end up playing the title decider. Neither had things all their own way in the Conference Championships, and will each be better for the experience.

Look for mine it is impossible to go past the Black Yankees. A record 103 wins, dominant from go to whoa, CC Sabathia and co in rare form, a squad with few apparent weaknesses. The loss of Hank Thompson is a tough one to fill, but Ivan Calderon has certainly done his bit to soften the blow.

That said, if they underestimate the East it will be at their own peril. They are a quality side with arguably the EL's best player right now in Ruppert Jones and a host of big bats that mashed nearly 200 taters during the season and will give even the most steadfast pitcher the willies. Their rotation, with Carlos Zambrano as its ace, has the ability to shut offences down and keep them so.

Neither side is the best defensively, and this may well prove key to the outcome of this series.

New York in six for mine.

I mean come on.

For once, words nearly fail me as I try to describe what has unfolded over these seven games. In the end, it wasn't the defence that was key, or even the offence, really. What it ended up coming down to was the Black Yankees' early Conference Championship Series win, which allowed them to align their rotation 1-2-3.

What it ended up coming down to was a 6'7" southpaw by the name of Carsten Charles Sabathia.

In a seesaw series dominated by one team's pitching and then the other's (in only one game - the 11-inning Game 6 - did both sides score more than 2 runs and only 40 runs were scored in the entire series), Sabathia stood tall. Not only did he win his three starting assignments, he also won that Game 6 I mentioned when he came on in relief and pitched 2 innings of one-hit scoreless ball.

All up he went 4-0 with an ERA of 0.67 and 28 strikeouts. It goes without saying he was named Series MVP.

The East gave it everything and will be bitterly disappointed they couldn't close it out after taking a 3-2 lead. But there's no shame in what they've done here and I'm sure they'll be back to have another crack or two in the next few years.

But this was the Black Yankees year, and they are most deserving winners of their first Eclipse League Championship. Congratulations to owner Adam Johnson, GM Ryan Payne, Manager Bob Honeycutt and all at the BYs club for an outstanding achievement.

Game 1





Game 2





Game 3





Game 4





Game 5





Game 6





Game 7

[luckymann]

[luckymann]

GRANT MEDAL (MOST VALUABLE PLAYER)

FC: Juan Soto, West [1]
WC: Ruppert Jones, East [2]


STOVEY MEDAL (PITCHER OF THE YEAR)

FC: CC Sabathia, Black Yankees [1]
WC: Yovani Gallardo, American Giants [1]


WHITE PLATE (RELIEVER OF THE YEAR)

FC: Sixto Sanchez, West [2]
WC: Wil Ledezma, Elite Giants [1]


FOWLER MEDAL (ROOKIE OF THE YEAR)

FC: Connie Marrero, West
WC: Ozzie Albies, ABCs (unanimous)


GARRETT BUTTON (MANAGER OF THE YEAR)

FC: Bob Honeycutt, Black Yankees
WC: Alex Pompez, East


KINDLING AWARD (SILVER SLUGGER)

Fleet Conference
P: Martin Dihigo, Crawfords
C: Ozzie Virgil jr, Red Sox
1B: George Scott, Giants
2B: Luis Arraez, Royal Giants
3B: Hiram Bocachica, Giants
SS: Lourdes Gurriel jr, Monarchs
LF: Juan Soto, West
CF: Adolfo Phillips, Bacharach Giants
RF: Aaron Judge, Giants


Weldy Conference
P: Shohei Ohtani, Buckeyes
C: Bob Watson, Liberty Stars
1B: Andre Thornton, Motown Stars
2B: Ozzie Albies, ABCs
3B: Tim Anderson, Motown Stars
SS: Elvis Andrus, Elite Giants
LF: George Bell, Elite Giants
CF: Ruppert Jones, East
RF: Willie Stargell, Athletics


SLICK AWARD (GOLD GLOVE)

Fleet Conference
P: Raul Alcantara, Red Sox
C: Pearl Webster, Black Yankees
1B: George Scott, Giants
2B: Chin-Lung Hu, Giants
3B: Hiram Bocachica, Giants
SS: Orlando Arcia, Giants
LF: Gates Brown, Black Barons
CF: Chuck Carr, Crawfords
RF: Ender Inciarte, Royal Giants


Weldy Conference
P: Eddie Miller, East
C: Larry Brown, Buckeyes
1B: Adrian Gonzalez, East
2B: Chino Smith, Athletics
3B: Henry Blackmon, Buckeyes
SS: Ozzie Smith, Grays
LF: Tony Scott, ABCs
CF: Albert Almora, Elite Giants
RF: Richard Hidalgo, ABCs

[luckymann]

Well 1971 is set to be a truly seminal year for the EL with the introduction of the AAA Transit League.

400 new rookies will enter via the Draft, with some huge names among them. Each club will thereafter be permitted to carry 70 players - 26 on the EL roster (with a 40-man secondary in place) and 44 down at AAA, although few will have that many until next year's Draft, which will add another 200.

I have allowed ghost players so as to avoid any issues with coverage at all positions, but hopefully this will only be necessary this year, if at all.

To cater for the AAA Brooklyn Eagles' entry (and because I couldn't find a suitable alternative) I have decided to change Newark to the Dodgers.

With so many changes, I'll be doing a full and in-depth Janus report for each franchise on Opening Day next season.

I'll also be re-rating the higher-quality NeL players using the recently adopted changes to my methodology in the wake of Eric Chalek's expended MLEs being released.

So loads to do - which means you'll have to be patient for the start of the '71 campaign. I promise you, it'll be worth the wait.

Thanks

The Commish

[luckymann]

The BGs showed good character to work their way back above 500 last season after a slow start, even more so given the loss of ace Ruben Quevedo early on. They have a good squad, and he looks like he'll be joining the parent club in a couple weeks to put their pitching back at full strength, so I'm expecting they'll be competitive enough in a really tough group. But said pitching still has far too many holes in it for my liking and - as good a player as Sano is - I was disappointed when they failed to address this in the Draft, adding just reliever Rincon and a lower-rotation starter in Ross. Until they do, I think you'll find that great '69 campaign of theirs will stand as a one-act play, perhaps written by Beckett.

3rd in the FC American.

[luckymann]

If patience is indeed a virtue then most Baltimore fans might well be up for canonisation by the time their team lives up to expectations. OK, OK, things aren't quite that dire, but still I think a few more years of disappointment will have to be endured before the shadows lift.

They certainly keep adding decent players and have the makings of a good side. "Jeep" Jessup toiled away manfully and had a sneakily good year obscured by his 20 losses, Don Newcombe should be just about ready to move into the rotation, Randall Delgado looks to have some fair upside left in him, and in Wil Ledezma and new recruit Enoli Paredes they have two sturdy relievers. Eric Davis completes a really solid OF trio with George Bell and Albert Almora, while after the addition of 3B Willie Greene, they are really only a decent 2B away from having one of the league's most well-rounded infields.

That missing piece may well come via another high pick, because I think they'll be getting one at the end of this season. Keep the faith, EG fans, things can only get better!

Last in the WC American.

[luckymann]

The BBs' 1970 season was one I would think few saw coming and the way they hung in there to finish just six back despite being clearly overmatched on the diamond is the admirable sort of pluck every club is looking for from their group and bodes well for the future.

Their group is solid enough, and with them being in what is currently the weakest of the four groups means they aren't without hope. Management has stuck with its slow-burn outlook, drafting a future gun in Ernie Banks with their first pick, and he and outfielder Pedro Munoz will both be more than handy in a few years' time. Second pick Ismael Valdez will step straight in and gives their rotation a bit more heft to it. He also has plenty of upside, and I expect this club to have a sustained run at the pointy end in the middle of the decade.

For now, if they can repeat the courage they showed last season and the West fails to deliver the goods, anything is possible. On paper, however, they remain just a bit off the pace.

4th in the FC National.

[luckymann]

There are a number of striking similarities between the RGs and Atlantic City, which explains why I had such a hard time splitting then for those mid-standings slots. Again, Brooklyn has some fantastic talent at their disposal and Ken Singleton is a big add. They have picked up a couple handy hurlers in Jesse Houston and Shawn Chacon, but you have to wonder if that first pick wasn't better spent on a true ace. Still, they'll win their share of games and will be amongst it if either the BYs or Eagles falter. Fred Rico is an interesting type who caught my eye and I'll be watching him closely along the way.

4th in the FC American

[luckymann]

The American Giants juggernaut rolled on last season, inexorable as a North Sea iceberg waiting to sink.... wait, what? They came where? How many games behind? Oh, OK, maybe I should have looked that up before starting my analysis.

You see kids, this is what comes of simply taking things for granted. As the old saying goes, to assume makes an ass out of u and me.

There's a lesson in all this for the AGs management. As their meagre return to this point of one postseason appearance and zero in the World Series shows, every club - even this one, the most auspicious and financially-dominant of all EL clubs - need to work at it. Yes, I know, Free Agency is yet to kick in and therefore the AGs haven't really had the chance to fully exert their monetary superiority just yet. Yes, I know, when they do get the chance to do this all bets are off.

This is nothing more than a gentle reminder. A warning shot, if you will, across the bow.

2nd in the WC National.

[luckymann]

The pieces continue to fall into place for the Buckeyes and, while I think they're just a wee way off being fully ensconced "in the mix", I really like where this club is headed.

Ketel Marte was a really astute addition, with SS being one of the two positions they clearly needed to upgrade, while the FA signing of Cool Papa Bell to roam CF between Bobby Abreu and Ed Steele not only adds a premier player at a tough position but further enhances their lineup's reputation as one of the speediest in the league.

Were I running the club, my entire focus would now be spent on locking down the group they have in place for the next few years to let them do their thang. Oh, and maybe switch out one or two of their excess OFs (of which they have a multitude) for as good a 3B as they can get their hands on.

The lesson of ShoTime's arrival - that it takes many to move a mountain - seems to have been taken on board. Mid-standings this time around but, in the hit parade vernacular - with a bullet.

3rd in the WC National.

[luckymann]

Another of the EL's better-run clubs, the East took the mighty Black Yankees all the way last season, ending up just a fortuitous bad hop away from winning it all. That can be tough on a club, on a playing group - to come so close but fail. And, especially given that playing group remains almost entirely intact this time around, I believe their success or failure this season will all come down to how they respond to that disappointment.

There's no doubt in my mind that whatever gap they gouged out by dint of that splendiferous 1970 campaign has closed already. In fact, it was only ever a trompe l'oeil - a trick of the eye, a mirage. The WC National is the most competitive of the four groups in the EL, and they are its smallest constituent, financially speaking. So they are going to have to be creative all the way through if they want to remain competitive. Which amps up the pressure to get that elusive Championship before the gap of which I speak flips over from surplus to deficit.

As things stand, they certainly have the group to go all the way. Ruppert Jones is a god, as is Carlos Zambrano, and their support cast rivals any others, especially Montero, Hanley Ramirez and Adrian Gonzalez. Lloyd Moseby should be up soon and is the putative starting LF alongside Jones and Rod Allen. Chet Brewer should make it into the rotation at some stage, and it will be stronger for his inclusion in it. While they lack many other outright superstars among their position players, those they do have seem the type to play above their station. A real bunch of gamers. As long as they continue to do so, and the group's heads are right, these guys should give it a real nudge again this season.

1st in the WC National.

[luckymann]

Clearly the class outfit in the FC National, the West can only beat themselves this season is how I see it. Dwayne Murphy was a nice pickup for them, as was Francisco Cordova - and both will only improve what was already a very strong and balanced group. Robert "Highpockets" Hudspeth is another interesting type, but with Big Papi firmly entrenched at 1B and both only able to play that one position, I'm not quite sure how he fits in here. Were he to be traded for a strong 3B or OF, this club would plug one of its few gaps.

Nothing is guaranteed in baseball, and this is by no means a squad that can take success for granted. But if they play to their appropriate talent level I see them doing it pretty easy.

1st in the FC National.

[luckymann]

The MoStars seem content to hold a steady course with their slowly, slowly approach, building their club up from the ground one brick at a time. No complaints from me as to how they went about the Draft - they have added some more guys who are going to be really good with varying degrees of speed over the next two or three years. Even though they eventually finished next-to-last, we saw glimpses of what this group will be capable of once that has happened, and the club's solid financial position will also enable them to pick and choose from among the available crop of FAs once they start becoming available.

Until then, they will be more pesky little brother than overbearing uncle. The ruiner of dreams rather than the manufacturer of them.

Last in the WC National.

[luckymann]

Perhaps the only good thing to come from the A's meek fadeout in the latter part of last season was that it left them entitled to a pretty sweet Draft pick, which they used to its full advantage by taking Pops Lloyd. The sight of he and Postalita Smith turning DPs aplenty and belting balls all over the various parks in this league will be something to see, and with Yordan Alvarez and Eric Chavez manning the corners, they now possess one of, if not the best, infields in the EL. In fact, I believe Hilldale gleaned the most from this year's new class of players, with pitchers String Bean Williams and Carl Glass both sure to be of much use, and LD Livingston a real smoky with plenty of pop in his bat. What doesn't kill you, blah blah blah - I see the A's back on track this year and ready to give it a massive shake.

1st in the WC American

[luckymann]

Anyone who doubts that heart, application and astute management can at least partly make up for a relative shortage of raw talent need only look at what the Grays have achieved during their EL existence to this point, with two playoff appearances including one in the EL World Series.

Despite their third-from-last pick in the Draft, they have done quite nicely with catcher Sam Greene and pitcher Louis Dula, and Jimmie Lyons should also play a part down the track as a backup outfielder. Pitching is clearly their strength, but they have some real gamers among their position players who seem to just go and get it done, day in and day out. I see no reason why this won't happen again in 1971.

Given my belief there'll be a blanket finish for the three middle spots in the WC American, I view them as virtually interchangeable. This side should fill one of them.

2nd in the WC National.

[luckymann]

I could virtually cut-and-paste my analysis of the Motown Stars to be used here for the ABCs, with names changed to protect the innocent. They are probably a little further along the curve than Detroit with regard to their pitching, a little behind with their position players. Which makes their Draft strategy OK in my books. Mitchell Murray looks likely to become one of the league's premier backstops, which perhaps leaves them in a bind with Alex Avila in a couple years' time. I'd get whatever they can out of him until Murray is ready, then trade him away for a middle IF partner for Ozzie Albies, as Alex Cora is more of a backup than starter.

Like the MoStars, the ABCs showed glimpses of brilliance last year that would give their fans plenty of hope, and like Detroit those fans will need to stay patient because they have little chance of seeing their lads figuring in the pointy end of things for a while yet.

4th in the WC National.

[luckymann]

The risk is definitely to the upside for the Mons, with Tatis jr a huge add, as is Spot Poles, one of the few FAs to this point. 3B Jose Ramirez should also be just about ready to see topline action, along with reliever Cecilio Guante. The first three I mention here should all at least go some way to helping KC where they need it most - scoring more runs for their outstanding staff led by Juan Marichal to protect. If they can do so then this club will be much better for it.

Despite all this, I just see the Mons being another year or two away from competing, however. But when these young guns hit their peak, look out.

Last in FC National.

[luckymann]

Exciting times indeed in the Home of the Blues - and Red Sox - with the arrival of one of the greatest talents this league is likely to see. That said, they will be sorely disappointed if they think they have now done everything they need to and can start planning the parade down Beale Street - I suggest a quick inspection of the Buckeyes' trophy cabinet if they are ever swinging by Cleveland to drive home the point that one marquee player does not a championship team make. A lot of hard work and smart moves await them before that happens, because this squad still has a lot of holes to be filled. Remember, the reason they got Barry was because they had the EL's worst record last season.

Still, the financial strength of this club makes it unlikely he'll be going elsewhere anytime soon, even once his team control period is done, and also means they have a bunch of money at their disposal to plug those holes.

In the meantime, I see modest improvement for the MeSox in 1971 without them ever really threatening to break their post-season duck.

3rd in the FC National.

[luckymann]

I'm not sure the greatest writer could have penned a more thrilling and fulfilling narrative for the BYs in 1970, capped off with that unbelievable World Series win and performance for the ages from their ace. It had been three years in the making, some might say a year or two overdue, but nevertheless well worth the wait.

So what will the encore be? Well, I'm not predicting any cliff-falling escapades from this group, but nor do I expect they'll have things go their own way quite as much this time around. Newark is looking good and the whole FC American is tough indeed, so even the almost inevitable regression from the mountaintop comes with its own perils. All I can say is I hope they are ready for a fight, because I do believe they are in for one.

1st in the FC American.

[luckymann]

While they have been lost in the brouhaha over their cross-city rivals' ascension to the top of the EL universe - and rightfully so - it would not come as much of a surprise to me if, fast-forward a few years, the pecking-order has been reversed in the Big Apple.

The addition of Roberto Clemente to an outfield already manned by human sparkplug Rickey Henderson and classy Bernie Williams makes it one of the EL's best, and any one of their numerous backup OFs should be traded for some more pitching, which remains problematic to say the least.

While Webster McDonald and Dan Bankhead are both fantastic prospects, both will need time. Even then, their fourth starting spot is a real black hole that will retard any meaningful progress toward competitiveness. One or two more Drafts, if used properly, along with the trade I mentioned, should plug this and the various other holes that plague their staff, and that's when the fun should begin for LG fans, especially as the players already on their books acquire more experience over that period.

3rd in the WC American.