United Leagues of Braeland

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Originally Posted by DreamTeams

Wow! What a great back and forth series. Thrilling game seven, as well. Nice comeback for the Barons. Hopefully the Trolleys can make it to the big dance, too.

[DreamTeams]

They got off to such a promising start. Unfortunately, Ellacott’s outings did not produce success for the Trolleys. It was another thrilling series, but too bad the boys are on the losing side of it. Well, there's always next year.

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Originally Posted by DreamTeams

They got off to such a promising start. Unfortunately, Ellacott’s outings did not produce success for the Trolleys. It was another thrilling series, but too bad the boys are on the losing side of it. Well, there's always next year.

Yeah, it was a really close series. I look back at a play in the 8th inning of Game 5 that, if it had turned out differently, the series could have come out differently as well.

Cooper Tyson's throw to 3B: if it had been on the mark, the runner could have been out or at least prevented from scoring. Maybe the Trolleys get out of the inning holding onto the lead and win the game. Then their Game 6 win would have sealed the Pennant. Instead, the player scored on the error to tie the game up and Cambria wins in extras and eventually the series. Granted, that's a big maybe. There was still nobody out at that point and the way Cambria was hitting, it was like they were going to get that tying run one way or another. But as you say, 'just wait til next year.'

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Stratford Barons (94-60) vs. Cambria Cannons (87-67)
Season Matchup: 4-2 in favor of Stratford

Stratford: Runs scored – 792 (1st in East); runs against – 631 (2nd)
Cambria: Runs scored – 807 (1st in West); runs against – 705 (5th)

The Stratford Barons and Cambria Cannons are no strangers to the United Cup. The Barons have now reached the top stage in Braeland baseball five times, while this will be the Cannons’ fourth appearance. While Stratford has come up short in its previous two appearances, Cambria won it all just two seasons ago. Both have won the Cup twice and are looking to add a third championship and become the fourth team to have three Cups, joining the Kingston Pelicans, Brunswick Legends and Wolseley Unions.

On the injury front, Cambria is still without their No. 1 starter, 26-year old RHP Ray Lambright (11-13, 4.50 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 89 ERA+), who is nursing a partially torn labrum. But they didn’t appear to miss him the Western League Pennant Series. And their 25-year old centerfielder, Sam Tite (.321/.412/.512, 20 HR, 111 RBI, 92 BB, 5 SB, 6.5 WAR), remains listed day-to-day with a sprained knee. But he rejoined the Cannons’ lineup for Game 6 of the Pennant Series and didn’t miss a beat, getting 3 hits (all home runs) in 6 at-bats. For their part, the Barons enter the United Cup reasonably healthy.

Stratford’s Cambrian-born Xavier Ahernfeld leads his squad back to the United Cup after losing last season 4 games to 1 to the Fort Richmond Generals. The Barons are hoping this will be the year in their third straight playoff appearance. The Cannons return to the United Cup as a wild card team, just as they did two seasons ago when they won it all.
Cambria’s manager Wesley Leseberg is attempting to become the first manager in the United Leagues to win the United Cup with two different clubs. The 66-year old Australian previously won two United Cups with the Brunswick Legends in 1942-43 and 1944-45.

But enough with the preliminaries. It’s time to play ball!

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Game 1 – April 8

Stratford hosts Game 1 of the United Cup for the first time in 14 years (where the Barons won 6-1 against the Kingston Pelicans and eventually the Cup). However, rain began falling early in the morning and while it has eased up enough to allow the game to start on time, it has made the grounds a bit mucky.

Stratford taps their ace, 27-year old RHP Ted Smith (0-1, 6.59 ERA, 13.2 IP in the EL Pennant Series) get things off on the right foot, while Cambria goes with their No. 1 starter, 35-year old LHP Ricardo Cruz (1-1, 3.06 ERA, 17.2 IP in WL Pennant Series). Cruz started Game 1 against the Cobourg Red Stockings in the United Cup two years ago (Cambria won, but Cruz did not get the decision).

Top of the 1st:
Eddie Jeeps drive one out to the wall in deep centerfield beyond the reach of CF Sherwin Carasig. Jeeps slides safely into second for a one-out double. Carlos Corea follows and drives one into deep right center. Carasig cannot track it down in time as it rolls to the wall. Jeeps scores as Corea arrives at second standing up.
With two out, Cesar Ruíz bangs one down the rightfield line. Ruíz holds up at first, but Corea rounds third and heads for home, beating out the throw from RF Andy Faulkner.
Cambria 2 – Stratford 0

Bottom of the 1st:
Aaron Skidmore walks with two out. Matthew Channing crushes one out to deep left center. LF Calvin Hanbridge sprints after it but it caroms off the wall. Skidmore scores as Channing slides safely into third.
Cambria 2 – Stratford 1

Top of the 3rd:
Eddie Jeeps leads off with a little grounder to third. 3B Walter Beauvais scoops it up and throws out Jeeps. But Beauvais reacts in pain, favouring his left leg and is forced to leave the game. Vincent Colón comes in to take his place.
Sam Tite bloops one over the infield into left-center for a two-out base hit. Cesar Ruíz then hits a liner to leftfield. LF Roberto Ríos gets a glove on it but cannot make the catch. Ruíz moves up to second while Tite takes third on the error. Doug Martin follows and belts one into the gap in deep right centerfield. The ball just misses going out of the park, banging off the wall with Sherwin Carasig in pursuit. Martin turns it on, rounds second and heads for third, easily beating out the throw as both Tite and Ruíz cross the plate safely.
Cambria 4 – Stratford 1

Bottom of the 3rd:
Ronald Hollinshed hits one out to the left side with two out. SS Cesar Ruíz fields it but cannot find the handle, allowing Hollinshed to reach first on the error. Aaron Skidmore then crushes a 3-2 pitch 443 ft. into the leftfield stands for a 2-run home run.
Matthew Channing then flies one out to the gap in deep right center, just out of the reach of CF Sam Tite for a stand-up double. Callum Spalton flares a curve ball out to rightfield in front of Eddie Jeeps for a single. Channing races around third and beats out the throw, tying up the score.
One pitch later, Spalton steals second as C Jason Lymer can’t get the throw off. Sherwin Carasig then rips one hard to leftfield for a single. Spalton takes third and sprints for home, sliding in safely for the go-ahead run.
Cambria 4 – Stratford 5

Bottom of the 4th:
Roberto Ríos absolutely crushes a 2-out solo home run 456 ft. into the ‘upper deck’ left centerfield stands.
Cambria 4 – Stratford 6

Top of the 5th:
Cesar Ruíz lines the first pitch down the rightfield line for a lead off double, then advances to third when Doug Martin groundouts out to the pitcher. Luis Torres follows and lines a single into centerfield, scoring Ruíz.
Cambria 5 – Stratford 6

Bottom of the 5th:
RHP Ramón Ortíz comes on in relief of Ricardo Cruz to start the 5th. Aaron Skidmore leads off and battles Ortíz for 10 pitches and 6 foul balls before grounding out to SS Cesar Ruíz. But Matthew Channing shoots the first pitch he sees down the line into deep rightfield. RF Eddie Jeeps lunges for it but cannot make the catch as it rolls to the wall. Channing bolts for second well ahead of the throw. Callum Spalton then belts the first pitch 434 ft. into the right centerfield stands for a two-run home run.
Cambria 5 – Stratford 8

Top of the 6th:
Eddie Jeeps bounces one out past the mound and uses his speed to reach first with a lead-off base hit, as SS Callum Spalton doesn’t risk the throw. Jeeps then moves up to second as Carlos Corea grounds out to 3B Vincent Colón. Sam Tite walks to put runners on first and second. Cesar Ruíz doubles out to deep centerfield over the head of CF Sherwin Carasig as Jeeps scores and Tite reaches third.
With two out, Luis Torres shoots a grounder into leftfield for a single. Tite scores easily. Ruíz races around third and slides under the tag to tie the game.
Jason Lymer then sends one out to deep centerfield. CF Sherwin Carasig lunges for it, but it’s out of his reach and bangs off the wall. Torres scores as Lymer slides safely into third.
Cambria 9 – Stratford 8

Bottom of the 6th:
Andy Faulkner smashes a 1-0 bullet 391 ft. into the right centerfield bleachers for a lead-off solo home run, tying up the game once again.
Alan Tennant then draws a walk. Roberto Ríos sends one down the right side past a lunging 1B Carlos Corea for a base hit. Tennant tears around second and slides safely into third. The Barons continue to take advantage of Corea’s limited range as Ronald Hollinshed sends a hard shot past first base and into rightfield for a base hit. Tennant scores as Ríos beats out the throw to third. RHP Hun Park then comes into the game in relief of Ramón Ortíz.
After Aaron Skidmore grounds out to move Hollinshed up to second, Matthew Channing is given a free pass, loading the bases. But Callum Spalton hits the first pitch hard up the middle into centerfield. Both Ríos and Hollinshed score on Spalton’s double.
Cambria 9 – Stratford 12

Bottom of the 8th:
Matthew Channing holds up on a full count and walks with one out. He immediately steals second, beating out C Jason Lymer’s throw, then moves up to third when Callum Spalton grounds out. Sherwin Carasig then lines one out to deep left center past a diving CF Sam Tite. Channing scores easily on the play. Tite fires the ball to second but it’s off target as Carasig slides in safely for a double.
Vincent Colón then jumps a 2-2 curveball from Park, sending it 388 ft. into the rightfield stands for a 2-run homer.

In the top of the 9th, PH Tony Gómez leads off and bangs one off the wall in dead centerfield. Gómez slides headfirst safely into second. Calvin Hanbridge grounds out to second as Gómez takes third. Eddie Jeeps hits one hard toward first, but Ronald Hollinshed is on it to force out Jeeps at first. Finally, Carlos Corea grounds out to SS Callum Spalton to end a wild and soggy game.
FINAL: Cambria 9 – Stratford 15

Injury Update: 3B Walter Beauvais was diagnosed with a hamstring strain and will be out of commission for 5 weeks.









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Game 2 – April 9

The skies have cleared and the heat has shot up as the two clubs reconvene at Bosworth Field for Game 2.

26-year old LHP Robin Wadsworth (2-2, 5.87 ERA, 15.1 IP), Stratford’s No. 2 man, gets the start. Meanwhile, the Cannons hand the ball to their No. 4 starter, 28-year old RHP Lou Dunne (1-0, 1.00 ERA, 9.0 IP), who will be making his second career playoff start.

Top of the 3rd:
Calvin Hanbridge walks with two out. Carlos Corea follows with a hard liner to deep right center. RF Andy Faulkner reaches out but cannot get to it as it skips to the wall. Hanbridge tears around both second and third and slides under the tag at home as Corea reaches second.
Sam Tite then slams a 1-2 pitch, 433ft. into the left centerfield stands for a 2-run homer.
Cambria 3 – Stratford 0

Top of the 4th:
Jason Lymer lines a shot into the leftfield corner. As LF Roberto Ríos attempts to corral it, Lymer slides safely into second for a 2-out double. Lymer bangs up his leg on the play but stays in the game.
Lou Dunne hits one sharply to third. 3B Jeff Houston snatches it up and whips it to first, but its in the dirt. Dunne reaches safely on the error as Lymer moves up to third.
Doug Martin cracks one out to deep centerfield beyond CF Sherwin Carasig’s reach. Both Lymer and Dunne score as Martin reaches second with ease.
Cambria 5 – Stratford 0

Bottom of the 4th:
Ronald Hollinshed leads off with a single into rightfield. Aaron Skidmore then bangs one out to rightfield. As RF Sueng-jae Park corrals it, Hollinshed sprints around second and heads for third. Hollinshed slides headfirst safely as Skidmore hustles to second.
Matthew Channing lifts a fly ball out to deep rightfield down the line. Hollinshed tags up and scores as Skidemore takes third.
Andy Faulkner then lofts one out to left center where LF Calvin Hanbridge gets under it. Skidmore tags up and slides in hard to score, beating out the throw.
Cambria 5 – Stratford 2

Bottom of the 5th:
Jeff Houston walks with one out. Robin Wadsworth lays down a sac bunt, moving him over to second. Roberto Ríos hits one back up the middle into centerfield for a long single. Houston rounds third and sprints for home, beating out throw from CF Sam Tite.
Cambria 5 – Stratford 3

Bottom of the 6th:
Andy Faulkner rips one down the leftfield line and into the corner for a two-out double. After Sherwin Carasig walks, Callum Spalton lines a rocket into centerfield for a single. Faulkner motors around third and beats out the strong throw from CF Sam Tite to get the Barons to within one.
Cambria 5 – Stratford 4

Top of the 7th:
Calvin Hanbridge flares one out to short left center with two out. CF Sherwin Carasig gets under it but it ricochets off the tip of his glove, allowing Hanbridge to reach second on the error. Carlos Corea then pounds one into centerfield for a double. Hanbridge rounds third and slides safely into home.
Cambria 6 – Stratford 4

Bottom of the 7th:
PH Alan Tennant leads off with a walk. Two pitches later, Tennant steals second as C Jason Lymer whiffs on the throw attempt. Roberto Ríos hits one into shallow rightfield, putting runners on the corners. Ríos attempts to steal second one pitch later but is thrown out. Ronald Hollinshed then hits a deep fly ball to centerfield. Tennant tags up and scores without a throw.

In the bottom of the 9th, Roberto Ríos dribbles one out to short with two out. SS Cesar Ruíz scoops it up but doesn’t risk the throw as Ríos singles. Ronald Hollinshed then grounds one out to the left side. SS Cesar Ruíz makes a diving stop and throws out Hollinshed by half a step. The Cannons even up the Series as the focus now shifts to Cambria.
FINAL: Cambria 6 – Stratford 5









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Game 3 – April 11

With the Cannons having tied up the Series, Alexander Field will host the next three games. It’s sunny and mild as the Barons and Cannons settle in.

Just as he did two years ago, 25-year old LHP Bill Southon (2-0, 2.00 ERA, 18.0 IP) will start for the Cannons in Game 3. Cambria’s No. 2 starter hopes for a better result, as he lost to the Cobourg Red Stockings, 3-0 last time. Stratford has announced that 28-year old RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco (1-0, 6.43 ERA, 14.0 IP) will take the hill.

Bottom of the 1st:
Eddie Jeeps sends one out to deep centerfield, banging high off the wall as CF Sherwin Carasig races it down. Jeeps hits second then slides headfirst into third for a one-out triple. Carlos Corea then bounces one out toward the left side. 3B Jeff Houston throws out Corea at first as Jeeps crosses the plate.
Stratford 0 – Cambria 1

Top of the 3rd:
Jeff Houston leads off with a ground ball to the left side. SS Cesar Ruíz fields it but bobbles it, allowing Houston to take first. Andy Faulkner hits one hard down the first base line. 1B Carlos Corea dives for it and flips it to SP Bill Southon. But Faulkner beats out the tag for a base hit while Houston moves up to second.
Magtanggol Jaojoco grounds one back to the pitcher, moving up the runners. With two out, Ronald Hollinshed laces one through the hole into rightfield for a double. Both Houston and Faulkner score.
Stratford 2 – Cambria 1

Top of the 5th:
Ronald Hollinshed shoots one back up the middle for a two-out base hit, then advances to second when Skidmore walks. Matthew Channing sends one down the line into leftfield, just out of the reach of 3B Calvin Hanbridge for a base hit. Hollinshed zooms past third and slides safely into home for the insurance run.

In the top of the 9th, Magtanggol Jaojoco gets set to finish the game he started. Sam Tite lines one straight to 3B Jeff Houston, while Cesar Ruíz grounds out to SS Callum Spalton. Doug Martin then strikes out swinging to end the game. The Barons retake the Series lead.
FINAL: Stratford 3 – Cambria 1









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Game 4 – April 12

Cambria tries to bounce back after being limited to a single run in Game 3.

Cambria looks to their No. 3 starter, 29-year old RHP Masami Fujihara (0-1, 7.50 ERA, 12.0 IP), while the Barons go with No. 4 starter, 36-year old LHP Aidan Fothergill (0-0, 3.38 ERA, 8.0 IP).

Bottom of the 1st:
Doug Martin leads off with a chopper towards third. 3B Jeff Houston grabs it but doesn’t risk the throw as Martin gets a base hit. Calvin Hanbridge launches a line drive down the line into deep rightfield. Martin takes third while Hanbridge slides safely in to second for a double. Carlos Corea lifts one into shallow centerfield. CF Sherwin Carasig reaches up and makes the catch. Martin tags up and beats the throw at home.
Sam Tite then hits one hard out to short right centerfield for a base hit. Hanbridge takes third and motors home, scoring ahead of the throw from RF Andy Faulkner.
Stratford 0 – Cambria 2

Top of the 8th:
Jeff Houston lines a shot into left center. CF Sam Tite can’t make the catch as the ball rolls to the wall. Houston pulls up into second for a lead-off double. PH Don North floats one into short center. 2B Doug Martin reaches for it but can’t make the play. Houston takes third on North’s base hit. Roberto Ríos sends one high and deep into straight away center. CF Sam Tite tracks it down for the out. Houston tags up and scores without a throw.
Ronald Hollinshed belts one through the hole into leftfield for a base hit, moving North up to second. Aaron Skidmore sends a slow roller past the mound. SS Cesar Ruíz charges in for it and throws out Skidmore at first as the other runners advance. Mathew Channing then steps up and jumps all over a 2-2 curveball, crushing it 456 ft. into the centerfield stands for a massive 2-out, 3-run blast.
Stratford 4 – Cambria 2

Top of the 9th:
Sherwin Carasig leads off with a walk. Callum Spalton bloops one into rightfield for a base hit. RF Sueng-jae Park charges hard for it and throws to third. But Carasig slides in safely, putting runners on the corners. With one out, PH Salvador Hernández hits a ground ball toward first. 1B Carlos Corea jumps on it and throws to second for the out, but there is no relay back to first. Carasig slides into home plate to score.

In the bottom of the 9th, LHP William Say gets three quick outs, as Jason Lymer strikes out swinging, Eddie Jeeps pops out toward short and Doug Martin lifts one to deep centerfield, where CF Mo Brinklow gets under it for the final out. The Barons take a commanding 3 games to 1 lead with one more game to be played in Cambria.
FINAL: Stratford 5 – Cambria 2

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Game 5 – April 13

It’s ‘do or die’ time for Cambria, as the Barons are now just one win away from hoisting the United Cup. The weather has cooled down a little but it’s still pleasant.

Both teams look to their Game 1 starters for this crucial matchup. Cambria’s 35-year old LHP Ricardo Cruz (1-1, 3.32 ERA, 21.2 IP) hopes to bounce back from a short outing, while 27-year old RHP Ted Smith (0-1, 6.38 ERA, 18.1 IP) didn’t far any better in the wild Series opener.

Bottom of the 2nd:
Sam Tite leads off with a solo home run that lands 420 ft. into the left centerfield bleachers.
Stratford 0 – Cambria 1

Top of the 8th:
Jeff Houston gets the Barons on the board when he blasts a lead-off solo home run, 433 ft. into the left centerfield stands.
Stratford 1 – Cambria 1

Bottom of the 11th:
Having taken over from Ted Smith with two out in the bottom of the 10th, LHP William Say gets a quick out before facing Carlos Corea. Corea then drives a 1-0 pitch 403 ft. down the leftfield line that just stays fair for a walk-off, solo home run. Cambria lives to fight another day as the Series shifts back to Stratford.
FINAL: Stratford 1 – Cambria 2









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Game 6 – April 15

The Series returns to Stratford’s Bosworth Field after Cambria staved off elimination in Game 5. The moderate temperatures along the south-western coast have been replaced with scorching temperatures and clear skies in the eastern interior.

26-year old LHP Robin Wadsworth (2-3, 5.32 ERA, 22.0 IP), who took the loss in Game 2, is given the task of closing out the Series. Cambria’s 28-year old RHP Lou Dunne (2-0, 3.38 ERA, 16.0 IP) looks to keep the Cannons modest momentum going.

Top of the 7th:
Both Wadsworth and Dunne have kept the game scoreless, limiting each team to three hits up until the 7th. But Wadsworth runs into trouble when Sam Tite hits a high hopper through the hole into leftfield for a base hit with one out.
With two out, Luis Torres slices one down the line into short rightfield with RF Andy Faulkner in pursuit. As it bangs around in the corner, Tite speeds past third and slides safely into home to open the scoring. Torres pulls up into second.
Cesar Ruíz then lifts one into short centerfield for a base hit. Torres takes third then sprints for home, easily beating out the throw.
Cambria 2 – Stratford 0

Bottom of the 8th:
Stratford finally gets something going when Callum Spalton belts one to deep centerfield, skipping all the way to the wall as CF Sam Tite tries to track it down. Spalton races toward third and slides in safely for a lead-off triple. Dunne then loads the bases, walking both Jeff Houston and PH Don North.
Roberto Ríos then launches one to deep rightfield. RF Sueng-jae Park hauls it in and throws home, but Spalton tags up and scores as Houston takes third.
Ronald Hollinshed rips one down the line into leftfield. Houston scores as North hurries over to third. Hollinshed pulls up into second standing up.
Aaron Skidmore keeps things going, hitting one sharply past the pitcher and into centerfield. North scores as Hollinshed moves up to third. Hollinshed then breaks for home and slides in safely as Skidmore takes second on the play. That ends Lou Dunne’s day as RHP Keith Roche comes on in relief.
But Matthew Channing drives a base hit to rightfield. Skidmore rounds third and heads for homeplate. Park sends it home, but it is not in time as Skidmore adds another run.

In the top of the 9th, LHP William Say takes over from Wadsworth looking for the final three outs. But Say gives up back-to-back walks to Carlos Corea and Sam Tite to lead off. PH Nicky Willis follows and pops one over toward first. Ronald Hollinshed hustles over and snags it for the first out.
Luis Torres then grounds one to SS Callum Spalton, who flips it to 2B Matthew Channing for the force out. Channing then fires it to 1B Ronald Hollinshed to complete the bang-bang double play. The Stratford Barons close out the Series, winning the United Cup!
FINAL: Cambria 2 – Stratford 5









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[DreamTeams]

Three Ballhawk Awards for the Trolleys. The future still looks pretty bright.

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Originally Posted by DreamTeams

Three Ballhawk Awards for the Trolleys. The future still looks pretty bright.

I had just finished importing the League into OOTP22 when you posted.

I always get a little anxious whenever I move the league up to the next version, ie. how it will affect player development and such things. We'll see what happens.

[DreamTeams]

Originally Posted by reds1

I had just finished importing the League into OOTP22 when you posted.

I always get a little anxious whenever I move the league up to the next version, ie. how it will affect player development and such things. We'll see what happens.

Yep, that's always an interesting gamble. I've been using OOTP22 for my rebooted Metros. Normally I just switch over and let the quirks fall where they may. But, since I was rebooting decided to run multiple tests in order to get rid of some of the annoying quirks that had developed over time. You can always run tests when switching over just to make sure things stay in the order you like.

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Originally Posted by DreamTeams

Yep, that's always an interesting gamble. I've been using OOTP22 for my rebooted Metros. Normally I just switch over and let the quirks fall where they may. But, since I was rebooting decided to run multiple tests in order to get rid of some of the annoying quirks that had developed over time. You can always run tests when switching over just to make sure things stay in the order you like.

I was thinking more about how some players seem to take a talent hit simply because you import your league from one version to the next.

For example, the Top 20 player rankings between OOTP21 & 22 do not match, even though the snapshot is taken on the same League day. Most of the changes are not significant but as shown below, there are a couple of variances that stand out, such as Yoshida who falls quite a bit and Qian who disappears completely.

The Pitcher rankings are not as severe. The only big one is with Ted Smith.

The prospect ranking lists on the other hand remained exactly the same, so I don't know what's going on.

It would just be a shame for Team A to have spent some time building up a solid team only to have a bunch of their players take a talent hit simply because of the vagaries of a league import. If that in fact can happen. That's my concern.





Edit: here's the player page for Qian from OOTP21 (top) and OOTP22 and there is definite talent hit just from importing. Even the scouting level has changed which makes so sense. It's these seemingly random penalties just from importing that concern me. I don't know if its because something has been done under the hood in OOTP22 that it evaluates players slightly differently (ie. amore accurately) or what.

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Babe Ruth Award

For the second year in a row, a player who had never finished in the top three in voting prior to this season won the Eastern League Babe Ruth Award. The closest that Embro Suns’ 27-year old 3B Moromao Nakagawa (.342/.433/.530, 32-2B, 18 HR, 100 RBI, 94 BB, 4 SB, 162 OPS+, 7.8 WAR) got prior this season was in 1952-53, when he finished in 13th place. But the 3-time all-star blossomed this season into the top-rated third baseman and best offensive player period.

Nakagawa led the Eastern League in AVG (.342), WAR (8.0), hits (189 - tied), OPS+ (155), runs (112) and RC/27 outs (9.40). He finished second in 3 categories and in the Top 5 in 4 others.

This year’s runners-up were very familiar names, with four Babe Ruth Awards between them already:

2nd: Cobourg’s 29-year old CF Raymond Williams (.319/.387/.542, 26-2B, 28 HR, 100 RBI, 64 BB, 13 SB, 151 OPS+, 6.8 WAR)
3rd: Downie’s 29-year old CF Alfonso León (.315/.380/.518, 28-2B, 25 HR, 115 RBI, 67 BB, 10 SB, 149 OPS+, 7.7 WAR)

Williams led the East in hits (189- tied), total bases (321), EBH (65) and WPA (5.61). He finished second in two categories and in the Top 5 in 7 others.

León led the circuit in RBI (115). He finished second in 3 categories and in the Top 5 in 7 others.

Voting Results:



Previous Winners:

1937-38: Katsunan Chikafuji, Queensland Eagles
1938-39: Paul Hooks, Embro Suns
1939-40: Terence Durney, Embro Suns
1940-41: Jim Friend, Embro Suns
1941-42: Jim Friend, Embro Suns (2)
1942-43: Mark Elston, Brunswick Legends
1943-44: Dean Bishop, Braeland City Monarchs
1944-45: Stuart Bentham, Brunswick Legends
1945-46: Jim Friend, Embro Suns (3)
1946-47: Elijah Sheppard, Queensland Eagles
1947-48: Roberto Ríos, Stratford Barons
1948-49: Aaron Skidmore, Stratford Barons
1949-50: Raymond Williams, Cobourg Red Stockings
1950-51: Alfonso León, Downie Chiefs
1951-52: Raymond Williams, Cobourg Red Stockings (2)
1952-53: Alfonso León, Downie Chiefs (2)
1953-54: Patrick Lidgate, Braeland City Monarchs

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Satchel Paige Award

Not surprisingly, the Queensland Eagles’ top two pitchers finished 1-2 in the voting for this season’s Eastern League Satchel Paige Award. But the clear winner was 29-year old RHP Logan Belsey (21-11, 2.62 ERA, 275.0 IP, 1.08 WHIP, .243 BABIP, 155 ERA+, 7.5 WAR). The 4-time all-star was simply outstanding in his 6th full season in the United Legaues. He is rated the No. 1 pitcher in the ULB and is playing like it. It’s the second Satchel Paige Award of his young career.

Belsey led the East in wins (21), K (178), WHIP (1.08), BB/9 (2.4), IP (275.0), WAR (7.5), K/BB (2.4), rWAR (8.9), FIP (3.07), CG (22), QS (26), OppOPS (.593), OppOBP (.269) and OppAVG (.218) He finished second in 4 categories and in the Top 5 in 2 others.

Following him were:

2nd: Queensland's 27-year old RHP Stiofan Micklethwait (20-9, 2.60 ERA, 262.2 IP, 1.13 WHIP, .253 BABIP, 156 ERA+, 6.9 WAR)
3rd: Stratford’s 28-year old RHP Ted Smith (19-6, 2.74 ERA, 246.1 IP, 1.17 WHIP, .254 BABIP, 150 ERA+, 5.3 WAR)

Micklethwait led the Eastern League in ERA (2.60), ERA+ (154) and OppSLG (.313). He finished second in 6 categories and in the Top 5 in 9 others.

Smith led in WINP (.760). He finished second in QS (25) and in the Top 5 in 8 other categories.

Voting Results:



Previous Winners:

1937-38: Colm Soper, Embro Suns
1938-39: Justin Hayhurst, Stratford Barons
1939-40: Lenny Freke, Braeland City Monarchs
1940-41: David Cooling, Braeland City Monarchs
1941-42: Anastasio Rodríguez, Brunswick Legends
1942-43: Anastasio Rodríguez, Brunswick Legends (2)
1943-44: Ryan Borden, Stratford Barons
1944-45: Matthew Monroe, Brunswick Legends
1945-46: Joel Fearn, Stratford Barons
1946-47: Arthur Bence, Wellington Athletics
1947-48: Ryan Borden, Stratford Barons (2)
1948-49: Nicholas Grimes, Braeland City Monarchs
1949-50: Anastasio Rodríguez, Brunswick Legends (3)
1950-51: Aaron Saunderson, Embro Suns
1951-52: Magtanggol Jaojoco, Stratford Barons
1952-53: Logan Belsey, Queensland Eagles
1953-54: Magtanggol Jaojoco, Stratford Barons (2)

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Rookie of the Year Award

A strained anterior cruciate ligament that forced him out of the lineup for two months in the heart of the season didn’t stop 22-year old RF Hal Dhu (.323/.392/.517, 10-2B, 14 HR, 55 RBI, 38 BB, 8 SB, 150 OPS+, 3.1 WAR) from dominating the vote for the Eastern League Rookie of the Year. The 4th overall pick for the Queensland Eagles back in 1951-52 picked up all 16 first place votes and appears poised to provide a much needed offensive boost to the Eagles lineup for years to come.

The other two rookies that received votes were:

2nd: Stratford’s 24-year old CF Mo Brinklow (.271/.346/.390, 16-2B, 4 HR, 33 RBI, 43 BB, 10 SB, 102 OPS+, 2.8 WAR)
3rd: Queensland’s 26-year old LHP Amoka Kalea (10-14, 3.59 ERA, 218.1 IP, 1.31 WHIP, .256 BABIP, 113 ERA+, 3.8 WAR). Kalea has since been traded to the Hespeler Stars, which will be discussed later in the off-season report.

Voting Results:



Previous Winners:

1938-39: Adam Ashley, Braeland City Monarchs
1939-40: Soren Heinke, Wellington Athletics
1940-41: Dean Bishop, Queensland Eagles
1941-42: Harry Chatwin, Brunswick Legends
1942-43: Geoff Lemoine, Stratford Barons
1943-44: Elijah Sheppard, Queensland Eagles
1944-45: Kyle Pryor, Braeland City Monarchs
1945-46: Jilenko Batiles, Cobourg Red Stockings
1946-47: Ron Gavin, Queensland Eagles
1947-48: Christopher Dainty, Braeland City Monarchs
1948-49: Patrick Lidgate, Braeland City Monarchs
1949-50: Matthew Floyd, Wellington Athletics
1950-51: Jim Mars, Wellington Athletics
1951-52: Robert Kersey, Brunswick Legends
1952-53: Andy Faulkner, Stratford Barons
1953-54: Darren Etheridge, Wellington Athletics

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Babe Ruth Award

Pulberry’s 26-year old LF Aidan Thirkettle (.349/.451/.590, 34-2B, 28 HR, 115 RBI, 103 BB, 19 SB, 195 OPS+, 9.6 WAR) made the choice of top offensive player in the West academic once again, as he dominated the competition for the second year in a row. His final vote tally was exactly the same as last season.

Thirkettle led the League in HR (28), SLG (.590), OBP (.451), OPS (1.041), OPS+ (195), WAR (9.6), SB (19), ISO (.241), WOBA (.424) and RC/27 outs (11.29). He finished second in 6 categories and in the Top 5 in 2 others.

This year’s runners-up were:

2nd: Cambria’s 28-year old 1B Carlos Corea (.352/.414/.577, 48-2B, 26 HR, 129 RBI, 60 BB, 2 SB, 179 OPS+, 6.2 WAR)
3rd: Cambria's 25-year old CF Sam Tite (.321/.412/.512, 38-2B, 20 HR, 111 RBI, 92 BB, 5 SB, 161 OPS+, 6.6 WAR)

Corea led the League in AVG (.352), RBI (129), AB (614), hits (216), doubles (48), TB (354), EBH (80) and WPA (9.51). He finished second in 5 categories and in the Top 5 in 4 others.

Tite finished second in one category (SF-14) and in the Top 5 in 9 others.

Voting Results:



Previous Winners:

1937-38: Fergus Chitty, Kingston Pelicans
1938-39: Fergus Chitty, Kingston Pelicans (2)
1939-40: Jayden Tennant, Kingston Pelicans
1940-41: Steven Winstanley, Hespeler Stars
1941-42: Jayden Tennant, Kingston Pelicans (2)
1942-43: Ron Westmacott, Cambria Cannons
1943-44: Carlton Broadbent, Balmoral Giants
1944-45: Carlton Broadbent, Balmoral Giants (2)
1945-46: Danny Trowbridge, Kingston Pelicans
1946-47: Danny Trowbridge, Kingston Pelicans (2)
1947-48: Danny Trowbridge, Kingston Pelicans (3)
1948-49: Dylan Moyne, Fort Richmond Generals
1949-50: Carlton Hawking, Wolseley Unions
1950-51: Louis Wearne, Fort Richmond Generals
1951-52: Carlton Hawking, Wolseley Unions (2)
1952-53: Carlton Hawking, Wolseley Unions (3)
1953-54: Aidan Thirkettle, Pulberry Trolleys

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Satchel Paige Award

It was a difficult year for the Wolseley Unions overall, but their lone bright spot shown very brightly, as 28-year old RHP Joseph Sellwood (16-12, 2.74 ERA, 256.2 IP, 1.20 WHIP, .260 BABIP, 149 ERA+, 5.8 WAR) was outstanding in his first full season in the majors (he pitched in 104 innings over the course of the previous two seasons). He won all but three first place votes.

Sellwood led the West in ERA (2.74), WAR (5.8), K (148), ERA+ (150), rWAR (8.0), QS (24), OppSLG (.332), OppOPS (.627) and K/9 IP (5.2).

He also finished in the Top 5 in eight other pitching categories (second place four times).

Finishing behind Saunderson in voting this year were:

2nd: Pulberry’s 34-year old RHP Robin Medellin (17-12, 3.06 ERA, 241.0 IP, 1.25 WHIP, .254 BABIP, 129 ERA+, 3.9 WAR)
3rd: Sherburn’s 28-year old RHP Ben Buschlen (16-9, 2.79 ERA, 209.1 IP, 1.18 WHIP, .262 BABIP, 146 ERA+, 4.0 WAR)

Medelin finished second in 3 categories and in the Top 5 in 7 others.

Buschlen finished second in 3 categories and in the Top 5 in 4 others.

Voting Results:



Previous Winners:

1937-38: Neil Guerin, Cambria Cannons
1938-39: Brady Murdy, Kingston Pelicans
1939-40: Brady Murdy, Kingston Pelicans (2)
1940-41: Brady Murdy, Kingston Pelicans (3)
1941-42: Francis Slocock, Kingston Pelicans
1942-43: Joey Cumberledge, Kingston Pelicans
1943-44: Francis Slocock, Kingston Pelicans (2)
1944-45: Roberto Taváres, Sherburn Tigers
1945-46: Patrick Denman, Kingston Pelicans
1946-47: Jesús Chapa, Sherburn Tigers
1947-48: Jesús Chapa, Sherburn Tigers (2)
1948-49: Nicky Sherlock, Fort Richmond Generals
1949-50: Bill Blair, Wolseley Unions
1950-51: Roberto Taváres, Fort Richmond Generals (2)
1951-52: Nicholas Grimes, Fort Richmond Generals (2)
1952-53: Aaron Saunderson, Wolseley Unions (2)
1953-54: Nicky Sherlock, Fort Richmond Generals (2)

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Rookie of the Year Award

A 7th-round pick (97th overall) back in 1949-50, 24-year old CF Jack Foulsham (.311/389/.424, 21-2B, 7 HR, 45 RBI, 66 BB, 14 SB, 124 OPS+, 5.0 WAR) emerged as a front-line player, winning two Rookie of the Month honours and an all-star selection. Now he has a Rookie of the Year award to add to his mantlepiece. He is the second Hespeler Star player to win the Award in the past three seasons.

Finishing behind Foulsham were:

2nd: Fort Richmond’s 26-year old LF Tom Lind (.313/.374/.450, 25-2B, 10 HR, 53 RBI, 48 BB, 13 SB, 135 OPS+, 4.0 WAR)
3rd: Cambria’s 24-year old RF Eddie Jeeps (.339/.420/.496, 15-2B, 6 HR, 28 RBI, 36 BB, 5 SB, 159 OPS+, 3.0 WAR)



Previous Winners:

1938-39: Aaron Flanagan, Wolseley Unions
1939-40: Francisco Rodríguez, Balmoral Giants
1940-41: Leon Hankey, Cambria Cannons
1941-42: Brian Pittman, Balmoral Giants
1942-43: Freddie Duran, Kingston Pelicans
1943-44: Rizalino Ringor, Wolseley Unions
1944-45: Hao Wang, Cambria Cannons
1945-46: Ben Currall, Kingston Pelicans
1946-47: Éric Denis, Wolseley Unions
1947-48: Dominic Pipard, Balmoral Giants
1948-49: Gavin Flatt, Fort Richmond Generals
1949-50: César Ruíz, Cambria Cannons
1950-51: Carlos Ortíz, Wolseley Unions
1951-52: Roberto Garza, Wolseley Unions
1952-53: Mike Park, Hespeler Stars
1953-54L Ángel Costa, Balmoral Giants

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Manager of the Year Award



Xavier Ahernfeld (415-355, .539) led Stratford to first place in the East and the best record overall in the United Leagues with a 94-60 record, the Barons best showing in 7 years. That earned him his second consecutive Manager of the Year Award. He becomes the fourth skipper to achieve that consecutive honour. Add to that their second consecutive Eastern League Pennant and the crowning achievement of a United Cup championship, it was an all around special season for the 61-year old manager.

50-year old Ryo Ichikawa (907-791, .534) has enjoyed tremendous success so far in his 11-year career as a manager. With the Embro Suns, he led them to three wildcards and one Eastern League Pennant in seven seasons. With the Pulberry Trolleys, he has now guided them to back-to-back first-place finishes, including a 91-63 record this past season. It’s the first time the Trolleys have surpassed the 90-win mark in their 18-year history. That success was rewarded this season as Ichikawa won his first Manager of the Year Award. Now all that remains is greater success in the playoffs.

Previous Winners:

1937-38: Bradley Balmforth, Wellington Athletics --- Rouke Barclay, Sherburn Tigers
1938-39: Vic Windle, Embro Suns --- John Permenter, Kingston Pelicans
1939-40: Warren Paulino, Braeland City Monarchs --- Eddie Frierson, Cambria Cannons
1940-41: Bill Quinn, Stratford Barons --- John Permenter, Kingston Pelicans (2)
1941-42: Babe Ruth, Brunswick Legends --- Eddie Frierson, Cambria Cannons (2)
1942-43: Wesley Leseberg, Brunswick Legends --- Ben Houchens, Kingston Pelicans
1943-44: Bill Quinn, Stratford Barons (2) --- Ben Houchens, Kingston Pelicans (2)
1944-45: Wesley Leseberg, Brunswick Legends (2) --- Ben Houchens, Kingston Pelicans (3)
1945-46: Bill Quinn, Stratford Barons (3) --- Bradley Balmforth, Sherburn Tigers (2)
1946-47: Reid Saxby, Queensland Eagles --- Ben Houchens, Kingston Pelicans (4)
1947-48: Toby Reakes, Braeland City Monarchs --- Morrigan O’Lonergan, Balmoral Giants
1948-49: Toby Reakes, Braeland City Monarchs (2) --- Tony Fay, Wolseley Unions
1949-50: Bill Bouchet, Downie Chiefs --- Tony Fay, Wolseley Unions (2)
1950-51: Finlay Fay, Brunswick Legends --- John Mathis, Fort Richmond Generals
1951-52: Eugene Rogge, Wellington Athletics --- Ben Houchens, Kingston Pelicans (5)
1952-53: Nicholas Willis, Cobourg Red Stockings --- Benjamin Sadler, Cambria Cannons
1953-54: Xavier Ahernfeld, Stratford Barons --- John Mathis, Fort Richmond Generals (2)

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New Record Set

It was a quiet year as only one new record was set. Braeland City Monarch’s 29-year old LHP Larry Kovnats set a new mark for K per 9 IP with 7.37. That surpasses Logan Belsey’s mark of 6.74 set last season.

[Hageneezz]

Do you have a favorite team here, reds1?

Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-A505FN met Tapatalk

[reds1]

Originally Posted by Hageneezz

Do you have a favorite team here, reds1?

Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-A505FN met Tapatalk

No, they're all my children!

My favoritism extends to whichever teams are the underdogs at the moment, or are struggling. I was rooting for the Wolseley Unions when they started to become a contender and was happy when they won a Cup. But after they became a dynasty, I was like - 'OK, let someone else win now'.

I was disappointed when the Red Stockings/Redlegs quickly became an also ran after that one 100-win season they enjoyed. But if they had ended up winning a bunch of cups, I would have grown tired of them as well.

Years ago when I played this as a solo league, I took turns taking over struggling teams and try building them into a contender. When they finally became successful, I would jump to another team. So I think I was the GM of every team at one time or another, with the exception of the Stars (I'm not sure why I never got to them).

[DreamTeams]

Great to see Thirkettle (said it before, but love that name) is still a league favorite. He's been great for the Trolleys. We also garnered a MOY. Nice!

[reds1]

Notes on 1954-55 All-Braeland Team

Starting Pitcher

The top three pitchers in the United Leagues this season all came from non-playoff teams. But they represent the best the ULB has to offer. Queensland Eagles’ Logan Belsey and Wolseley Unions’ Joseph Sellwood won their respective League’s Satchel Paige Award and deservedly so. Still, the second-best pitcher in the Leagues is actually Belsey’s teammate, Stiofan Micklethwait, who may be deprived of further Satchel Paige Awards so long as he pitches for the same team as Belsey. But the clear choice this season was Belsey, who led the East in 14 pitching categories.

Here are the 3 pitchers that were under consideration:

• 29-year old RHP Logan Belsey – 21-11, 2.62 ERA, 34 GS, 275.0 IP, 178 K, 1.08 WHIP, 0.6 HR/9, 2.4 BB/9, 5.8 K/9, .243 BABIP, 3.07 FIP, 153 ERA+, 7.3 WAR.
• Queensland’s 27-year old RHP Stiofan Micklethwait – 20-9, 2.60 ERA, 32 GS, 262.2 IP, 142 K, 1.13 WHIP, 0.5 HR/9, 2.6 BB/9, 4.9 K/9, .253 BABIP, 3.14 FIP, 154 ERA+, 6.6 WAR.
• Wolseley’s 28-year old RHP Joseph Sellwood – 16-12, 2.74 ERA, 34 GS, 256.2 IP, 148 K, 1.20 WHIP, 0.6 HR/9, 2.8 BB/9, 5.2 K/9, .260 BABIP, 3.34 FIP, 150 ERA+, 6.0 WAR

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Catcher

It was a remarkable season for Sherburn’s 33-year old catcher Christopher Dainty and a remarkable resurgence after 5 seasons of obscurity. If the United Leagues had a Comeback Player of the Year Award, Dainty would have won it hands down. Instead, his outstanding season earned him his first selection to the All-Braeland Team. He finished runner-up twice before, in 1948-49 and 1950-51. But will it be his swan song? In the OOTP22 off-season currently underway, he has once again been relegated to a back-up position, although he doesn’t deserve to be. It will be something to watch for as the new season rolls around.

Here are the three catchers that were under consideration:

• Christopher Dainty – .327/.429/.526, 151 H, 28-2B, 18 HR, 83 RBI, 82 BB, .955 OPS, 149 OPS+, 169 wRC+, 7.1 WAR, .687 EFF.
• Stratford’s 35-year old Aaron Skidmore – .270/.439/.423, 117 H, 18-2B, 16 HR, 71 RBI, 134 BB, .862 OPS, 131 OPS+, 150 wRC+, 6.2 WAR, 1.015 EFF.
• Brunswick’s 26-year old Robert Kersey - .296/.377/.478, 150 H, 22-2B, 22 HR, 85 RBI, 69 BB, .855 OPS, 124 OPS+, 139 wRC+, 6.1 WAR, 1.015 EFF.

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First Base

I’ve been hard on him in the past for his defensive failures and while he remains just as defensively challenged as ever, Carlos Corea’s overall production this past season just could not be ignored. After the past two seasons of being a runner-up, the 28-year old finally earned his first selection to the All-Braeland Team.

Here are the three players I gave serious consideration to:

• Cambria’s Carlos Corea – .352/.414/.577, 216 H, 48-2B, 26 HR, 129 RBI, 60 BB, .990 OPS, 164 OPS+, 178 wRC+, 6.0 WAR, .834 EFF.
• Embro’s 27-year old Napana Mamo – .311/.361/.489, 188 H, 28-2B, 12 HR, 77 RBI, 47 BB, .850 OPS, 124 OPS+, 136 wRC+, 4.7 WAR, 1.027 EFF.
• Cobourg’s Harry Doxey – .305/.357/.462, 187 H, 38-2B, 18 HR, 95 RBI, 47 BB, .819 OPS, 115 OPS+, 129 wRC+, 4.1 WAR, 1.027 EFF.

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Second Base

Although Patrick Lidgate didn’t match the offensive stratospheric heights that he reached last season when he won his first Babe Ruth Award, he was still the easy choice as top second baseman for the third year in a row and fourth in the past six seasons. These players finished 1-2-3 in my rankings for the second consecutive season while Lidgate and Dudding finish 1 and 2 for the third straight year.

Here is how the Top 3 second basemen fared this past season:

• Braeland City’s 29-year old Patrick Lidgate – .297/.390/.530, 137 H, 20-2B, 20 HR, 88 RBI, 65 BB, 14 SB, .920 OPS, 140 OPS+, 157 wRC+, 6.6 WAR, 1.024 EFF.
• Downie’s 29-year old Dominic Dudding – .298/.361/.505, 170 H, 28-2B, 26 HR, 101 RBI, 60 BB, 7 SB, .866 OPS, 133 OPS+, 141 wRC+, 5.7 WAR, .992 EFF.
• Stratford’s 26-year old Matthew Channing – .286/.335/.480, 174 H, 27-2B, 23 HR, 113 RBI, 46 BB, 15 SB, .815 OPS, 115 OPS+, 123 wRC+, 5.0 WAR, .993 EFF.

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Third Base

After four straight seasons where Cobourg’s Alexander Tolmie was named to the All-Braelend Team, there is a new title holder. Embro’s 26-year old Moromao Nakagawa emerged this past season as one of the very best position players in the United Leagues, picking up the Eastern League’s Babe Ruth Award. After finishing third in 1951-52 and runner-up in 1953-54, he made the choice for top third baseman very easy this time around.

Here are the three that I considered for this exercise:

• Moromao Nakagawa – .342/.433/.430, 189 H, 32-2B, 18 HR, 100 RBI, 94 BB, .963 OPS, 155 OPS+, 169 wRC+, 8.0 WAR, .976 EFF.
• Pulberry’s 28-year old Makani Kahale – .306/.352/.475, 169 H, 22-2B, 15 HR, 83 RBI, 42 BB, 12 SB, .827 OPS, 122 OPS+, 126 wRC+, 5.5 WAR, 1.045 EFF.
• Cambria’ 30-year old Luis Torres – .289/.358/.491, 147 H, 18-2B, 27 HR, 88 RBI, 56 BB, .849 OPS, 127 OPS+, 139 wRC+, 5.2 WAR, 1.000 EFF.

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Shortstop

This was the first of two selections that I considered tough to make. For the top shortstop, I ultimately went with Embro’s 25-year old Kieron Bradridge based on his strong offense and defensive performance. But Hespeler's 32-year old Zhao-hui Qian was no slouch either and could easily have been named to his second consecutive Team. They were so close.

Here are the three shortstops that were considered this year:

• Kieron Bradridge – .305/.351/.500, 188 H, 34-2B, 26 HR, 113 RBI, 45 BB, .851 OPS, 124 OPS+, 136 wRC+, 6.9 WAR, 1.057 EFF.
• Zhao-hui Qian – .326/.406/.475, 181 H, 33-2B, 16 HR, 87 RBI, 77 BB, .880 OPS, 130 OPS+, 144 wRC+, 6.0 WAR, 1.011 EFF.
• Stratford's 23-year old Callum Spalton – .297/.339/.471, 153 H, 29-2B, 15 HR, 80 RBI, 32 BB, 8 SB, .810 OPS, 114 OPS+, 125 wRC+, 5.1 WAR, 1.059 EFF.

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Left Field

For the second straight season, Pulberry’s Aidan Thirkettle made the selection of top leftfielder a no-brainer. The 26-year old won his second consecutive Western League Babe Ruth Award and was arguably the best position player in the entire United Leagues this season.

Although Thirkettle was the clear front-runner, here are the three I felt were top leftfielders this year:

• Pulberry’s Aidan Thirkettle – .349/.451/.590, 191 H, 34-2B, 28 HR, 115 RBI, 103 BB, 19 SB, 1.041 OPS, 180 OPS+, 192 wRC+, 9.4 WAR, 1.000 EFF.
• Cambria’s 24-year old Calvin Handbridge – .328/.449/.504, 186 H, 29-2B, 17 HR, 79 RBI, 126 BB, 11 SB, .954 OPS, 157 OPS+, 171 wRC+, 6.4 WAR, .808 EFF.
• Wellington’s 27-year old Matthew Floyd – .325/.396/.517, 188 H, 30-2B, 23 HR, 94 RBI, 72 BB, 13 SB, .913 OPS, 145 OPS+, 153 wRC+, 5.8 WAR, 1.008 EFF.

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Center Field

Agonizing. That is how I would sum up my efforts trying to settle on who I felt was the top centerfielder this year. Narrowing down the field to Cooper Tyson, Raymond Williams and Alfonso León was not hard, but picking one over the other two was. At one point or another, I had settled on each one of them. At first, I leaned towards León, remembering his fast start to the season. But then I went with Williams, as I felt he perhaps had a better offensive year than the other two, if only slightly. But then Tyson and León both won Ball Hawk Awards meaning that they were the best at their position defensively in their respective Leagues. But then Williams wasn’t an embarrassment in the field either. So who do I pick?

In the end, I went with Tyson. Why? Because I said, ‘screw it’, I’m going with my gut. Tyson was simply outstanding this year on offense, and while his overall stats and percentages may not quite equal the other two, he was right there with them. Also, Tyson isn’t simply a great defensive outfielder, he’s one of the best if not the best I have seen since I started playing around with this little league of mine many years ago. That level of overall excellence has to account for something. Finally, after importing the Leagues into OOTP22, Tyson is ranked 4th overall among position players (just behind Thirkettle), Williams is ranked 5th and León 7th. That may be ‘neither here nor there’, but it is indicative of how the game highly rates Mr. Tyson. And so do I.

• Pulberry’s 28-year old Cooper Tyson – .317/.398/.459, 176 H, 25-2B, 12 HR, 87 RBI, 76 BB, 18 SB, .856 OPS, 131 OPS+, 144 wRC+, 8.0 WAR, 1.062 EFF.
• Cobourg’s 29-year old Raymond Williams – .319/.387/.542, 189 H, 26-2B, 28 HR, 100 RBI, 64 BB, 13 SB, .930 OPS, 144 OPS+, 154 wRC+, 7.0 WAR, .995 EFF.
• Downie’s 29-year old Alfonso León - .315/.380/.518, 188 H, 28-2B, 25 HR, 115 RBI, 67 BB, 10 SB, .898 OPS, 142 OPS+, 153 wRC+, 7.9 WAR, 1.022 EFF.

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Right Field

Returning to a less stressful analysis to wrap up this annual exercise, the field of right fielders in the United Leagues has traditionally been less impressive than other positions and that didn’t change this season either. Still, there were some fine players to choose from and this year, I went with Stratford’s 27-year old Andy Faulkner. He enjoyed a nice season at the plate and while he wasn’t the defensive equal to either Albert Sulley or Jim Mars, I felt his production at the plate was sufficient to compensate for that. But both Sulley and Mars were impressive in their own right and it was nice to see Mars, who finished third last season as well, do even better this year.

• Andy Faulkner – .304/.404/.502, 165 H, 29-2B, 24 HR, 103 RBI, 96 BB, .906 OPS, 140 OPS+, 153 wRC+, 5.5 WAR, .973 EFF.
• Sherburn’s 25-year old Albert Sulley – .294/.391/.411, 153 H, 23-2B, 8 HR, 56 RBI, 83 BB, 17 SB, .802 OPS, 111 OPS+, 125 wRC+, 4.4 WAR, 1.035 EFF.
• Wellington’s 29-year old Jim Mars – .313/.354/.451, 184 H, 29-2B, 14 HR, 73 RBI, 38 BB, .805 OPS, 117 OPS+, 122 wRC+, 4.3 WAR, 1.034 EFF.

[reds1]

Apart from a federal election in the late spring, this past off-season was relatively quiet, especially compared with the previous two off-seasons that witnessed player unrest and ownership changes. But there were a few notable players who called it a day as well as the retirement of some long-time management figures. Plus, a couple of trades were thrown in for good measure.

Here is a summary of some of the noteworthy developments that took place leading up to the start of the Coconut Leagues.

Hall of Fame Results:

The Braeland Hall of Fame welcomed its 11th member, as OF Terence Durney was elected in his first year of eligibility with 79.2% of the vote. At the time of his induction, he led all centerfielders in career games, at-bats, runs, hits, total bases, singles, doubles, RBIs, walks and WAR. He also led all centerfielders in in six fielding categories: games (1,700), games started (1,684), assists (122), putouts (5,102), total chances (5,298) and innings played (14,869.2). He enjoyed his greatest success with the Embro Suns.



Wolseley Unions 1937-1938
Embro Suns 1938-1949
Queensland Eagles 1949-1951
Hespeler Stars 1951

Notable Achievements:
Babe Ruth Award: 1 (1939-40)
All-Star Selections: 11
Batter of the Month: 2
Player of the Week: 12
Ball Hawk Award: 1 (1941-42)
1 Eastern League Batting Title: 1945-46 (.340)
All-Braeland Team Selections: 5

Other Selected Achievements:
Finished 2nd in voting for 1941-42 Babe Ruth Award

Hall of Fame Metrics:
JAWS: 56.2 (average HOF CF – 56)
Black Ink: 19 (average HOF – 28)
Gray Ink: 165 (average HOF – 113)
HOF Standards: 56 (average HOF – 39)
HOF Monitor: 132 (average HOF – 116)





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Notable Player Retirements:

1B Jim Friend

One of the United Leagues greatest players called it a career as 41-year old Jim Friend announced his retirement. Friend was drafted 5th overall by the Balmoral Giants on December 6, 1937, in the United Leagues’ inaugural season. After finishing third in the 1938-39 Western League Rookie of the Year voting, the Giants traded him to the Embro Suns in a decidedly lop-sided trade where he immediately blossomed into one the ULB’s elite players. Despite missing a season when he joined Braeland’s war effort in 1944-45, Friend became a 9-time all-star, a 3-time Babe Ruth Award winner and was named to 7 All-Braeland teams. He won 8 Batter of the Month honors and took the Eastern League batting crown in 1941-42, hitting .331. Friend retires holding the record for most RBIs in a single season with 148 in 1940-41. He is also in second place in that category with 145 (1941-42). In my view, he is a first-ballot hall of famer when he becomes eligible in three years. He should then become the second player taken in the first round of the ULB’s inaugural amateur draft to reach the Hall of Fame, following SP Anastasio Rodríguez, who retired last season.





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SS Wenceslas Jasmin

The Brazilian-born Jasmin was selected 1st-overall in the 1938-39 amateur draft by the Pulberry Trolleys and emerged as an all-star in 1943. That year, he was named to the All-Braleand team as well. Later that off-season however, the Trolleys traded him to the Cambria Cannons for three players that never made it to the majors. With Cambria, he established himself as one of the United Leagues best shortstops, picking up 6 more all-star selections and a Ball Hawk Award. He was a solid player for nearly 9 seasons, but I don’t think he was good enough for serous consideration for induction into the Hall of Fame.





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C Heung-su Park

Another first-round draft selection (7th overall in 1940-41 by the Fort Richmond Generals), Park was a solid catcher whose greatest strength was his bat. Park emerged as a solid regular in 1944-45, batting .312/.373/.466, 144 OPS+. He was then promptly traded by the Generals to the Cambria Cannons for four players that didn’t amount to much. In his first season with the Cannons, Park picked up his first all-star selection, the first of five over his 14-year career. Besides being named Batter of Month 3 times, he also hit the 14th cycle in United Leagues history in January 1947. The South Korean native was outstanding up until the 1952-53 season (6.1 WAR), before he immediately fell off a cliff and retired two seasons later. Like his teammate Wenceslas Jasmin, I believe Park falls into the category of very good, but not quite good enough to reach the Hall of Fame.





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Management Shakeups:

April 17 – Cobourg Promotes Bench Coach as Their New Manager

Nicholas Willis’ second tenure as Cobourg’s manager lasted just three seasons, as the Australian-born Willis was not retained at end of the season. After leading the club to 100 victories and an Eastern League Pennant in his first full season, the team regressed over the next two, ending with a disappointing 70-84 campaign.

Immediately taking Willis’ place is 60-year old Tyler Baldry (725-748, .492), who has served as Cobourg’s bench coach over the past five seasons. Baldry’s previous managerial experience was with the Wellington Athletics, from 1944 to 1948. The Athletics enjoyed only one winning season under his tenure when they went 78-76 in 1946-47. He takes over a team with an abundance of talent but with a fractured clubhouse.



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April 26 – Wolseley Unions Introduce First New GM in 10 Years

With the collapse of a once mighty dynasty, the Wolseley Unions fired long-time GM Tony Hinton. In his 10 seasons at the helm, the 54-year old Downie-native built a team that made seven straight playoff appearances, winning five Western League Pennants and three United Cups.

Taking his place is another seasoned GM who has also enjoyed success: 55-year old Tzu-yu Jin. Jin first served as the Wellington Athletics’ general manager from 1937 to 1944, where the Athletics made the playoffs twice, winning one Eastern League Pennant. He then moved onto the Fort Richmond Generals in 1947 and led them to the playoffs five times and two United Cup Championships in eight seasons. But on April 17, the Generals elected not to renew his contract. Just over a week later, the Unions swooped in and hired the Arkansas-native to be their new GM.



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April 29 – Cambria Hires New GM and Manager

Two days after losing the United Cup Series to the Stratford Barons, both GM Dylan Taylor and manager Wesley Leseberg (786-755, .510) retired. While this was the Australian-born Leseberg’s only season as Cambria’s manager, he previously managed the Pulberry Trolleys (3 seasons), Brunswick Legends (4) and Balmoral Giants (2). Altogether, he won four Pennants and two United Cup Championships, both with the Legends. Meanwhile the 65-year old Florida-native Taylor was one of the Leagues’ originals: he has been the Cannons’ only general manager since the start of the United Leagues 18 seasons ago. Under his watch, Cambria qualified for the playoffs six times, winning four Western League Pennants and two United Cups.

Taking their places are two seasoned veterans as well. On April 29, the Cannons hired the newly available Tony Hinton, who as mentioned earlier, was the Wolseley Unions general manager for the past 10 seasons. Prior to his stint as a GM, Hinton began his ULB career as a scouting director for the 1943-44 Fort Richmond Generals. The Generals went only 56-98 that season and Hinton didn’t survive the internal purge. But he found greater success as a GM.

His first order of business with his new team was the hiring of 51-year old Ben Houchens (1322-1143, .536) as the Cannons’ new field manager. Houchens is second on the all-time list for wins in the United Leagues and holds the record for most wins above .500 with 179. It seems fitting that Houchens is now managing the Cannons since he has a reputation of being a loose cannon himself. But he has had success in the past. Over his 16-season managerial career (3 with the Brunswick Legends, 13 with the Kingston Pelicans), he was won five Pennants and one United Cup. But the Pelicans only made the playoffs once over the past 8 seasons. Now that he has inherited a good team, it shall be interesting to see how he fares.



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May 9 – Kingston Takes on Former Long-time Unions Manager

After 13 seasons, the once-successful Ben Houchens was relieved of his duties as the Pelicans’ manager. To replace him, Kingston hired another once successful manager in 57-year old Tony Fay (1416-1353, 511). Fay was the Wolseley Unions manager since Day 1 in 1937 until he was fired with 3 games remaining after the Unions went 58-93 under his watch this past season. But during that time, Fay racked up the most victories in the United Leagues of any manager, winning five Western League Pennants and three United Cups over a 7-year stretch. Like Houchens, Fay has a fiery disposition. But in Kingston, he inherits a team no better off than the Unions. We’ll have to see how tolerant team owner Dalton Bartels will be to any further struggles on the field.



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May 9 – Braeland City Introduces New Field Manager

After 11 seasons as the Monarchs’ manager, 58-year old Toby Reakes’ contract was not renewed. In those 11 seasons, the two-time Manager of the Year led Braeland City to the playoffs four times, but to just one Pennant and no championships.

Assuming the managerial reigns is the former Cobourg Redlegs manager, 64-year old Nicholas Willis (1020-1076, .486). Willis inherits a team that is just one season removed from a playoff appearance but appears a bit directionless at the moment. Former manager Toby Reakes (who is now managing the Brunswick Legends Double-A team, the Jarvis Smokers), was known for being a tactician and temperamental. Willis, however, is much more laid back and favors power – both in his pitchers and hitters.



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May 28 – Fort Richmond Hires Rookie General Manager

After winning the United Cup in 1953-54, the Fort Richmond Generals fell to fourth place and just two games above .500. That regression prompted the team not to renew GM Tzu-yu Jin’s contract. Instead, the Generals hired a rookie to be their new general manager: 39-year old Timothy Slater. The new GM will have his work cut out for him. The Generals’ regression last season appears to be real as this is a team that is getting older and has the second-worst rated farm system. He is said to favor prospects, hitting, offense, speed and OBP. All those things are something Fort Richmond could use pronto.



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Trades:

May 16

To Queensland – 25-year old SS Apia Yarrah (66/69)

To Hespeler – 26-year old LHP Amoka Kalea (52/52) and 23-year old minor league OF Kai Faulkner (40/56)

Knee-jerk reaction: Hespeler finally breaks up their logjam at shortstop by trading away their 1st overall pick from 1952-53 to the Queensland Eagles. In doing so, they have elected to keep their star shortstop, 32-year old Zhao-hiu Qian. But in heading over to Queensland, Yarrah appears to be jumping into another logjam, as Queensland also has their own young shortstop of the future in 23-year old Noel Eissens (48/60), a 2nd overall pick from 1953-54. But while Eissens is an elite defensive shortstop with dazzling speed, Yarrah has better ratings as a hitter. Plus, he is no slouch in the field or on the basepaths himself. Taken altogether, Yarrah is projected to be an above average to even a premier shortstop, while Eissens is projected merely to be an average starter. For now, Eissens is penciled in as the Eagles starting shortstop, but we’ll have to see how things shake out by Opening Day.

In return, the Stars get a young starter in Kalea, a 3rd-round pick from 1952-53. A southpaw, Kalea has a nice arsenal of pitches, with a changeup, cutter, forkball and curveball. He is projected to have respectable stuff (55), movement (50) and control (50). Nevertheless, scouts consider him more of a back-end starter. But for Hespeler, he begins as their No. 3 hurler. But Hespeler also receives a respectable mid-tier prospect in Kai Faulkner. The former 2nd-round pick from 1950-51 has an impressive bat, one capable of putting on a show in the batting cage, to go along with very good speed and excellent range in the outfield, especially at leftfield. He enters spring training as a utility player, but its not hard to see him take over an outfielder spot very soon.



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July 27

To Hespeler – 35-year old LHP Patrick Denman (49/49) and 24-year old OF Douggie Dallimore (40/52)

To Kingston – 26-year old OF Mike Pope (51/51)

Knee-jerk reaction: Hespeler targets further arms to try and beef up their struggling rotation by acquiring the veteran southpaw Denman from Kingston. Denman crafted one of the most dominant seasons in United Leagues’ history back in 1945-46, when he went 27-6, 2.29 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 189 ERA+. Alas, he never approached those lofty numbers again, although he did enjoy a very respectable season three years ago, when he went 21-11, 2.98 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 126 ERA+. It would appear those days are behind him, but he still has above average command and control to offset below average stuff. Scouts view him as a mid-rotation starter and that’s where the Stars have put him – in the No. 4 slot.

In exchange for Denman, the Pelicans receive a strong offensive outfielder in Mike Pope. His potential batting ratings nearly all project to 60. The only exception is his home run power (55). He is not as solid in the field, however. For spring training, he is looked upon as a utility outfielder. But overall, he should one day become an everyday outfielder for Kingston, as his bat is just too good to ignore.



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The War Gained chart once again reveals that overall, there was very little movement by the teams thus far in the off-season. The two trades made by Hespeler were enough to vault them into ‘top’ spot.

Next up for the 16 clubs are the Coconut Leagues. They start Monday, August 29th, 1955 as the teams prepare for the Leagues’ 19th Opening Day on October 3rd.

[DreamTeams]

Thanks for the offseason update. The Stars gain could make it extra crowded at the top. Looks like the Trolleys decided to stand pat. Interested to see if they they can end above the fray next season.

[reds1]

Originally Posted by DreamTeams

Thanks for the offseason update. The Stars gain could make it extra crowded at the top. Looks like the Trolleys decided to stand pat. Interested to see if they they can end above the fray next season.

Yeah, we'll have to see if those moves by Hespeler will make much a difference this year. I've long had the trade frequency set at 'average' for as long as I can remember, but I may have to adjust that, at least for the off-season. Player movement is a little too static to my liking. Seems a few more trades going down during that time would be more realistic and make things a little more interesting.

[reds1]

Baseball takes center stage once again as Opening Day in Braeland has finally arrived. But its not as though the off-season did not produce its own drama.

First, the Wesley Bryans government waited until the very end of their mandate to drop the writ for the dissolution of Parliament and call an election. The Conservatives held out for as long as they legally could to allow their popularity to recover from the Nation’s unwanted entanglement in the Korean War as well as a recession that hit the country in early 1954 and didn’t recover from until later that fall.

The gamble appeared to have paid off, as the electorate gave the Bryans administration a new mandate on April 26, albeit with a reduced majority. The Conservatives returned to Parliament with 91 seats, down from the previous total of 101. The Liberals were the clear benefactor, as the rejuvenated party under new leader Noah Caldwell won 66 seats, an increase of 12 from 1950. Perhaps hardest hit was the United Labour Party, who lost two seats, reducing their total to 11. That means that they have lost official party status, as 12 seats is the minimum. However, it appears that Edgar Runyan’s leadership of the party is safe for the time being.

But the United Leagues received a scare on the eve of spring training when Sir David Westfall was rushed to the emergency after complaining of chest pains and nearly fainting at the United Leagues head office in Braeland City. Medical personnel confirmed that the 72-year old Commissioner suffered a myocardial infarction, but uncertainty surrounded as to its severity. Doctors initially announced that the Commissioner could slowly return to his duties after a couple of weeks of rest and observation. But later it was revealed that Sir Westfall suffered at least two further heart attacks while in hospital, pushing back his release indefinitely. Thus, it appears that the Commissioner will not be able to attend Opening Day festivities in person for the first time since the 1937-38 inaugural season.

Despite the Commissioner’s health becoming a daily concern, the 16 clubs nevertheless undertook spring training and have set their Opening Day rosters for the United Leagues’ 19th season. Below are the results of the annual Coconut Leagues, pre-season predictions for both Leagues and some career leaderboards.

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New Uniforms

The Kingston Pelicans second-year owner, Dalton Bartels, made a move this season to put his satorial stamp on the ballclub. The Pelican unveiled new a new logo and uniforms for the 1955-56 season, their first update in 11 years. Their colours, however, remain the same.



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Eastern League Results







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The Embro Suns started Spring Training 8-0 and remained hot, finishing in top spot. But the Braeland City Monarchs were never far behind and finished just one game back. The predicted standings show at least 5 teams finishing above .500, with the Stratford Barons favoured win top spot once again.

One surprise this season may be the Wellington Athletics, who are projected to compete for top spot in the East. Two unheralded pitchers may lead the way. 27-year old RHP Vinnie Snell (49/49), who picked up his first all-star selection last year and led all pitchers in GB% (0.52), is projected to have a big year, his fourth full season in the ULB. He will be the Athletics Opening Day starter this season.

Close behind him is 30-year old RHP Troy Conlin (47/47), Wellington’s No. 3 starter. Conlin has been a serviceable, if unremarkable, pitcher for the Athletics since he came over in a trade from the Hespeler Stars back in January 1950, a trade that saw SS Zhao-hui Qian (64/64) emerge as one of the best players in the United Leagues. But if the projections plan out, Conlin may earn his first all-star nod this season.



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Western League Results







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The Hespeler Stars did the Embro Suns one better, starting Spring Training by winning their first 9 games. But then they soon crashed, losing 11 straight games at one point to ultimately finish at .500. The projected standings are no kinder, as the Stars are forecasted as finishing at the bottom, an only too-familiar place for star-crossed club.

Four teams are bunched up at the top in the projected standings, but one thing that jumps out at me is: will this be the Sherburn Tigers’ year? Last season they finished with a 77-77 record, their first non-losing season in 9 years. They are young with up-and-coming players at almost all positions. 25-year old RF Albert Sulley (60/64) is ranked as their best player, but the acquisition of 25-year old Adrian Flynn (58/58) from the Embro Suns last December is shaping up to be a major coup, if the projections are correct. He is rated as the 5th-best third baseman as he embarks on just his second full season in the ULB.

The Pulberry Trolleys may also benefit from a further injection of young talent this season. 23-year old rookie SS Sean Abercrombie (45/62; No. 7th-rated prospect) will be getting the start on Opening Day over 30-year old veteran Francis Jones (48/48). But 20-year old LHP Bart Ohara (30/57; No. 2 prospect), who has only pitched 17.2 innings in the ULB so far, is forecasted as having a big rookie campaign. He enters the season as Pulberry’s No. 2 starter, behind 27-year old RHP Taylor Folkard (55/55), who also makes an appearance in this year’s projections.



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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.







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Leaderboards









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