ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE (RUTHLANDIA and TYCOBBIA BASEBALL UNIONS)

[Eugene Church]

Originally Posted by Dark Horse

i was rooting for the Racers. But i guessed the Racer-Sun Sox winner would win the whole thing. i just didn't expect a sweep.

I thought it would go 6 games... thought Drobish and Singer might win a game or two in the series... the Sun Sox bullpen and home-run power decided the series... it all came together for Southport this year.

Now the question is: Can Southport three-peat like the Far Mountain Redhawks of 2011, 2012 and 2013?... the only three-peat in IPA history.

[Eugene Church]

Originally Posted by jg2977

Repeats are pretty rare, good tor Southport! EC, the Sun Sox won their 1st title in the 1917 season in my IPA! It’s been a great week for Southport.

Yep, repeats don't happen often in the IPA... only happened 4 times... a three-peat has happened only one time.

jg2977, glad you are enjoying your own IPA.

[Eugene Church]

Wednesday, October 20, 2066

SOUTHPORT'S JUNIOR EVANS GET THE NOD IN CLOSE PRO CUP MVP POLL
Sure his father is a Hall of Fame player and his manager, but that counts for nought in the Islandian Pro Alliance Postseason Most Valuable Player balloting... Lorne "Junior" Evans earned his prestigious honor on the diamond, leading the Southport Sun Sox to back-to-back Pro Cup trophies... Evans nudged out teammates Eddy Salem and Lynn Tobin this year for the MVP trophy, which is based on all of the postseason, not just Pro Cup Series.

Shortstop Junior Evans sparked Southport to its 5th Pro Cup in the team history with a .419 batting average in 16 games... he led the playoffs in batting average and 14 runs batted in and wound up second in runs scored with 11... the 27-year-old Evans cracked 26 hits in 62 at bats with 3 doubles, 2 triples and 2 home runs... last season Evans came in third in the postseason MVP balloting... last year's winner was pitcher Roman Littrell, who beat out another teammate twirler Eddy Salem for the trophy... in his 5 seasons in the IPA Evans is a modest .277 career batter... most of all Evans is just a winner on the baseball field... he knows how to win... Evans seems to rise to the occasion in the postseason... he sports a .339 batting average in 43 games with 4 homers, 28 RBIs and 32 runs.

Winding up a very close second again this year was Southport hurler Eddy Salem... in 5 starts the 32-year old right-hander went 4-0 and posted a strong 2.72 ERA... in 9 postseason starts Salem is 7-0 the last two seasons with a superlative 1.99 ERA.

The third spot in the postseason Most Valuable Player vote belongs to Southport's solid first baseman Lynn Tobin, who tied Evans for the most RBIs in the playoffs with 14... he also tied him for second in runs scored with 11... Tobin had a solid postseason with a .308 BA (20 for 65).

Thanks to graphics great knuckler of the beautiful Southport jerseys.
txranger, another graphics genius, made the fine league logo.

[jg2977]

Originally Posted by Eugene Church

Yep, repeats don't happen often in the IPA... only happened 4 times... a three-peat has happened only one time.

jg2977, glad you are enjoying your own IPA.

I am enjoying it, but I will even more if I start posting my own IPA Dynasty report. I'm really immersed in my NHL league because I started doing that.

I'm not looking to compete with you, my IPA will be for my own enjoyment. I just finished the 18th season, so I will start to post next year's results.

[Eugene Church]

Originally Posted by jg2977

I am enjoying it, but I will even more if I start posting my own IPA Dynasty report. I'm really immersed in my NHL league because I started doing that.

I'm not looking to compete with you, my IPA will be for my own enjoyment. I just finished the 18th season, so I will start to post next year's results.

Absolutely no problem if you want to create your own IPA dynasty... people will be able to tell the difference from our names.

If it will get you more enjoyment, go for it... create another dynasty.

Creating a dynasty report really get you involved and immersed in a league... it makes it special to you.

[Eugene Church]

Wednesday, October 27, 2066

IPA AWARDS GALORE GIVEN TO THE BEST OF THE BEST IN THE '66 SEASON
The 2066 Islandian Pro Alliance season is over except for glorious awards presentations given out by the Ruthlandian Union and Tycobbian Union... in the coming days the IPA will honor its best batters, pitchers, defenders and managers... the standout players will rewarded for their excellence this past season and presented with the Golden Bat Awards, Golden Arm Awards, Top Rookie Awards, Golden Glove Awards and Best Manager Awards... the winners were selected in a poll of Islandian baseball broadcasters and sportswriters by The Islandian Times... only regular season performance was considered in the balloting.

HIGH MESA'S ROBERTS AND COLFAX'S WALDREP SELECTED AS KINGS OF SWING
It was a record-setting 73-home run season for first baseman Roy Roberts of the High Mesa Mustangs and another big year for right fielder Lenny Waldrep of the Colfax Black Sox... Roberts is the 2066 Tycobbian Union Golden Bat winner, while Waldrep is the 2066 Ruthlandian Union Golden Bat selection.

HM'S ROBERTS OUTPOLLS TWO ROLLING HILLS STARS FOR TU GOLD BAT
This season Roy Roberts had a tremendous year with 73 homers and 174 RBIs... he surpassed Johnny Tallis' IPA record of 68 roundtrippers set in 2047 while playing for High Mesa and Roberts also came close to topping Tallis' mark of 178 RBIs, established that same awesome record-breaking season... playing in 153 games Roberts batted .317 this year and kept the Mustangs in the pennant race until a September slump hit the club... they wound up in third place 7 games behind Tycobbian East champion Red Bluff... Roberts also topped the league with 138 runs scored... he also made the Tycobbian All-Star team for the third time... this was his first Golden Bat trophy and also his first TU Most Valuable Player Award... Roberts is 27 years old and a 7-year veteran... he is a lifetime .285 hitter with 331 home runs and 780 runs batted in.

Left fielder Jean-Luc Roubique and center fielder Jimmy Brandini both had fine seasons with the Rolling Hills Racers, but nothing to compare to Roberts' super season... they sparked the Racers to a record-setting 111 victories and the Tycobbian West flag... they came in a distant second and third in the Golden Bat voting... Roubique sported a .342 batting average with 193 hits, 34 roundtrippers, 125 RBIs, 112 runs and 15 stolen bases... he came in second in the batting race, losing out to Victor Bates of North Hills, who hit .349.

Jimmy Brandini is a 5-tool star... in 151 games for the Racers he socked 216 hits with 31 doubles, 4, triples, 22 homers, 121 RBIs, 111 runs and stole 46 bases... Brandini led the Tycobbian Union in hits, finished third in RBIs, fifth in stolen bases and sixth in runs... and he is a Golden Glove defender... Brandini hit at a .324 clip this season.

WALDREP COPS 2ND RU GOLDEN BAT, TOPS WYNNAMAC'S BARTELS AND ANCONA'S DILLAWAY
2066 has been a sensational season for Lanny Waldrep... he made the RU All-Star team for his 4th time, won his 4th Golden Glove in right field and his 2nd Golden Bat... he also won it in 2059... plus this year he was acclaimed the Ruthlandian Union Most Valuable Player... Waldrip led Colfax to a third-place finish this year, 8 games back of pennant-winning Sligo... a poor first half cost them the pennant... they were 35-45 and in 7th place on July 1, 13 games behind... in 152 games Waldrep batted .335 with 184 hits, 30 doubles, 4 triples, 38 homers, 115 RBIs, 110 runs and 11 stolen bases... for the 5th time in his 10-year career Waldrep topped the league with 124 bases on balls... for the 4th time he topped the league with a .452 OBP... he came in third in home runs, 4th in RBIs and 5th in runs... Waldrep has a lifetime .313 BA with 286 homers and 967 ribbies.

Coming in second place in a very tight vote was Wynnamac right fielder Snooky Bartels... he also wound up a close second in the MVP poll... Bartels won his second successive batting crown with a sky-high .370 BA... he paced the IPA and the Ruthlandian Union with 222 base hits, was second with a .439 OBP and ranked fifth in the RU in runs with 110... Bartels almost led the Macs to the Ruthlandian East title... they ended up in third place, but just two games back of winner Marston... he collected 37 doubles, 1 triple, 22 homers and drove in 87 runs... Bartels is still going strong at age 33... he has played with the Sundowners for 13 seasons and has compiled a remarkable .349 lifetime batting average, second only all-time to the great Jet Kazmark, who hit .350 in his career.

In the third spot for the RU Golden Bat was Ancona's super center fielder Marcellus Dillaway, who propelled his Jumbos to a fine year... they came in a surprising third place in the RU North, 7 games back of the champion Valmara Vipers... Ancona had not had a winning season for the last 6 seasons... Dillaway was superb at the plate and in the field... he batted .305 with 181 hits, 31 two-baggers, 5 triples, 35 homers, 105 RBIs and scored 119 runs, which led the Ruthlandian Union.

[Eugene Church]

*

[Eugene Church]

Thursday, October 28, 2066

IPA GOLDEN ARMS AGAIN GO TO SOUTHPORT'S LITTRELL AND CLAXTON'S MEISNER
Winning Golden Arms is nothing new to the 2066 IPA Golden Arm recipients in the Islandian Pro Alliance... Southport's Roman Littrell just won it for the third straight season and Claxton's Mark Meisner bagged it for the second consecutive year... Littrell was honored as the Tycobbian Union Golden Arm and Meisner got the Ruthlandian Union Golden Arm trophy.

3 GOLDEN ARMS IN A ROW FOR LITTRELL OF THE SUN SOX
"Hey, I got plenty of room in my trophy case... if they keep giving them to me, I will be more than glad to store them at my house."... that was Roman Littrell's comments to the press yesterday when he heard the news.

Littrell has really gone to another level the last three seasons, getting a little bit better each year and has been rewarded each time as the best pitcher in the Tycobbian Union... 2066 was his best-season ever with a 19-3 record and a 2.04 ERA in 33 starts for the Southport Sun Sox... Littrell posted the most victories in the TU, tied for the most shutouts with 3, was first with a .206 opponents BA, second with 153 strikeouts and a 2.04 ERA... the 27-year-old right-hander came in fifth in innings pitched with 229... Littrell led the Sun Sox to their second straight TU South pennant and their second successive Pro Cup title... a 7-year veteran Littrell has chalked up a 108-54 record and posted a standout 2.58 ERA.

Littrell won out in a close vote with Red Bluff's Dontrelle Gilbreath, who led the Tycobbian Union with a sparkling 1.88 ERA... this was the second year in a row that the 32-year-old righty has topped the league in ERA... Gilbreath was 14-7 in 29 starts and paced the Red Sox to the TU East title this season... the last division crown came 9 years ago.

San Alejo's Jimmy Doak was the number-three votegetter for the Tycobbian Golden Arm Award... the 26-year right-hander finished fourth with an impressive 2.23 ERA... record-wise Doak was 16-7... he wound up second in innings pitched with 234 in 32 starting assignments... Doak played a key role in the Montaneros winding up a close second to Southport in the RU South... the Sun Sox came in 3 games ahead of the Monties in the pennant chase.

DIAMONDS' MEISNER SNARES BACK-TO-BACK RUTHLANDIAN GOLDEN ARMS
"You never get tired of winning Pro Cups, pennants and Golden Arms."
So said the 2066 Ruthlandian Union Golden Arm winner, Mark Meisner of the Claxton Diamonds... "2 out of 3 ain't bad... I'll take it, but it sure would have been nice to have gotten another Pro Cup trophy, too."

Meisner was one of the important elements in Claxton winning its fourth consecutive Ruthlandian South flag... the 30-year-old southpaw stood out with a brilliant 21-2 mark this season, working 208 innings in 32 starts with a 2.42 ERA.
For his first 6 seasons Meisner excelled in the Claxton bullpen with an 18-14 mark and 145 saves with an exceptional 1.96 ERA, but in 2063 he moved into the starting rotation and has continue to flourish... overall he is 88-41with a 2.28 ERA in his 10-year career... Meisner helped the Diamonds capture their only Pro Cup trophy in 2064 when they upset powerhouse Rolling Hills.

33-year-old Lonny Rinehart of the Volusia Vigilantes was the runner-up to Meisner in the RU Golden Arm poll... this year he topped the IPA with 22 wins and sparked the V's to a second-place finish to the Sligo Rovers in the Ruthlandian West Division... Rinehart was 22-5 with a solid 2.75 ERA (6th) in 32 starts and 239 innings (2nd)... he tied for the league lead with 3 shutouts... Rinehart hold the IPA record for most victories in a season... he was a remarkable 31-6 in 2058 with an outstanding 1.96 ERA... Rinehart won the iconic Golden Arm Award that same season.

Claxton had another standout hurler this season... Russell Krohn was almost as good as teammate Mark Meisner with a 21-3 record and a 2.41 ERA... Krohn wound up in third place in the RU Golden Bat balloting... not only is Krohn a top-notch pitcher, he also is a two-way player... in 4 seasons Krohn is batting .289 with 18 homers and 29 runs batted in... he plays about 25 games per year at second base and has shown some good power in his bat and is decent with the glove... Krohn comes in handy as a pinchhitter, too.

[Eugene Church]

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[Eugene Church]

Friday, October 29, 2066

SLIGO'S ARNETT AND HIGH MESA'S PENNY BEST ROOKIES IN IPA
The jump from high school baseball to college baseball is not easy, nor is the jump from the college level to the professional level... youngsters debuting in the Islandian Pro Alliance have a difficult task... they are not used to competing against the talent level they have to face day after day... 23 position players and 32 pitchers made the jump this year... 65 rookies made the grade and displayed varying degrees of success -- they won starting postions in the lineup or they got a spot in the starting rotation... the position players hit as low a .232 and as high as .322... they ranged from 102 hits to 183... from 3 homers to 31... from 33 RBIs to 88... from 29 runs scored to 95... the pitchers ranged from 5-13 to 15-5 in wins and losses... from 4.83 ERA to 3.13 ERA... from 155 IP to 246 IP.

The best newcomers in the Islandian Pro Alliance this year were Sligo's gifted left fielder Eddy Arnett and High Mesa's talented center fielder Nolan Penny... the sportswriters and broadcasters voted them the most outstanding rookies this year... in a poll conducted by The Islandian Times, Arnett was acclaimed the 2066 Ruthlandian Union Rookie of the Year and Penny was chosen the 2066 Tycobbian Union Rookie of the Year.

2066 RUTHLANDIAN UNION ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: EDDY ARNETT (SLIGO ROVERS)
Eddy Arnett is a 27-year-old switch hitter with power that led the Sligo Rovers to the Ruthlandian West division title with a .300 BA in 136 games... he belted 31 out of the park and also had 31 doubles and 5 triples with 88 RBIs and 85 runs scored... Arnett also stole 28 bases and played well defensively in the outfield (.985 FA/7 assists)... he was a crucial part of the Rovers' successful season... Arnett also made the RU All-Star team.

Arnett was challenged by Fort Benton's fine 22-year-old center fielder Dolph Gordon, who came in second in the RU Rookie voting... Gordon chalked up a .301 BA in 142 games with 31 doubles, 10 triples, 7 home runs, 62 ribbies, 95 runs and 19 SB... and he was a standout defender with a .990 FA, 465 putouts and 8 assists... the Generals ran a good first half, but faded in the second half of the season, eventually winding up 9 games back of Sligo, tied for the 4th spot overall in the RU West Division.

Valmara's crackerjack chunker, Andre Zajac, was the third-best rookie in the Ruthlandian Union... in 21 starts the 21-year-old compiled an 11-6 mark with a strong 2.93 ERA in 141 innings of work... the Vipers won the Ruthlandian North pennant... Zajac also showed his stuff in the postseason... he was only 1-2 in the playoffs with a 3.77 ERA in 4 starts... he lost 4-2 to Claxton and 4-3 to IPA Pro Cup champion Southport... Zajac beat Sligo 5-2.

2066 TYCOBBIAN UNION ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: NOLAN PENNY (HIGH MESA MUSTANGS)
It took a while for Nolan Penny to earn a spot in the High Mesa batting order, but the 24-year-old center fielder sizzled when given a chance to prove himself... playing in 118 games Penny helped the Mustangs to finish a close third in the Tycobbian East race, 7 games behind pennant-winning Red Bluff... he batted .305 with 24 doubles, 2 triples, 26 roundtrippers, 77 RBIs, 80 runs and 10 stolen bases... Penny covered a lot of ground in center field (388 PO) and has a shotgun arm (14 assists).

Kenwood's 26-year-old hurler Brent Konigsen polled a close second to Penny... the Wildcats were a distant third to juggernaut Rolling Hills in the TU West, but they still posted 89 victories... the Racers won a record-setting 111 games this year... Konigsen went 15-5 with a pretty good 3.56 ERA in a hitter's ballpark in 31 starts.

In the third spot in the TU Rookie voting was Oxford second sacker Nat Kenner... he stood out in the Red Caps' third-place finish in the TU North Division... Kenner hit .310, while playing 131 games... he collected 158 hits with 36 two-baggers, 3 triples, 7 homers, 63 ribbies, 57 runs scored and stole 8 bases... defensively Penny covered a lot of ground with 406 assists, but he was just average overall with a .963 FA.

[Eugene Church]

Friday, October 29, 2066


SLIGO'S ARNETT AND HIGH MESA'S PENNY BEST ROOKIES IN IPA
The jump from high school baseball to college baseball is not easy, nor is the jump from the college level to the professional level... youngsters debuting in the Islandian Pro Alliance have a difficult task... they are not used to competing against the talent level they have to face day after day... 23 position players and 32 pitchers made the jump this year... 65 rookies made the grade and displayed varying degrees of success -- they won starting postions in the lineup or they got a spot in the starting rotation... the position players hit as low a .232 and as high as .322... they ranged from 102 hits to 183... from 3 homers to 31... from 33 RBIs to 88... from 29 runs scored to 95... the pitchers ranged from 5-13 to 15-5 in wins and losses... from 4.83 ERA to 3.13 ERA... from 155 IP to 246 IP.

The best newcomers in the Islandian Pro Alliance this year were Sligo's gifted left fielder Eddy Arnett and High Mesa's talented center fielder Nolan Penny... the sportswriters and broadcasters voted them the most outstanding rookies this year... in a poll conducted by The Islandian Times, Arnett was acclaimed the 2066 Ruthlandian Union Rookie of the Year and Penny was chosen the 2066 Tycobbian Union Rookie of the Year.

2066 RUTHLANDIAN UNION ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: EDDY ARNETT (SLIGO ROVERS)
Eddy Arnett is a 27-year-old switch hitter with power that led the Sligo Rovers to the Ruthlandian West division title with a .300 BA in 136 games... he belted 31 out of the park and also had 31 doubles and 5 triples with 88 RBIs and 85 runs scored... Arnett also stole 28 bases and played well defensively in the outfield (.985 FA/7 assists)... he was a crucial part of the Rovers' successful season... Arnett also made the RU All-Star team.

Arnett was challenged by Fort Benton's fine 22-year-old center fielder Dolph Gordon, who came in second in the RU Rookie voting... Gordon chalked up a .301 BA in 142 games with 31 doubles, 10 triples, 7 home runs, 62 ribbies, 95 runs and 19 SB... and he was a standout defender with a .990 FA, 465 putouts and 8 assists... the Generals ran a good first half, but faded in the second half of the season, eventually winding up 9 games back of Sligo, tied for the 4th spot overall in the RU West Division.

Valmara's crackerjack chunker, Andre Zajac, was the third-best rookie in the Ruthlandian Union... in 21 starts the 21-year-old compiled an 11-6 mark with a strong 2.93 ERA in 141 innings of work... the Vipers won the Ruthlandian North pennant... Zajac also showed his stuff in the postseason... he was only 1-2 in the playoffs with a 3.77 ERA in 4 starts... he lost 4-2 to Claxton and 4-3 to IPA Pro Cup champion Southport... Zajac beat Sligo 5-2.

2066 TYCOBBIAN UNION ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: NOLAN PENNY (HIGH MESA MUSTANGS)
It took a while for Nolan Penny to earn a spot in the High Mesa batting order, but the 24-year-old center fielder sizzled when given a chance to prove himself... playing in 118 games Penny helped the Mustangs to finish a close third in the Tycobbian East race, 7 games behind pennant-winning Red Bluff... he batted .305 with 24 doubles, 2 triples, 26 roundtrippers, 77 RBIs, 80 runs and 10 stolen bases... Penny covered a lot of ground in center field (388 PO) and has a shotgun arm (14 assists).

Kenwood's 26-year-old hurler Brent Konigsen polled a close second to Penny... the Wildcats were a distant third to juggernaut Rolling Hills in the TU West, but they still posted 89 victories... the Racers won a record-setting 111 games this year... Konigsen went 15-5 with a pretty good 3.56 ERA in a hitter's ballpark in 31 starts.

In the third spot in the TU Rookie voting was Oxford second sacker Nat Kenner... he stood out in the Red Caps' third-place finish in the TU North Division... Kenner hit .310, while playing 131 games... he collected 158 hits with 36 two-baggers, 3 triples, 7 homers, 63 ribbies, 57 runs scored and stole 8 bases... defensively Penny covered a lot of ground with 406 assists, but he was just average overall with a .963 FA.[/QUOTE]

[Eugene Church]

*

[Eugene Church]

A very special thanks to knuckler for doing the Sligo Rovers, Kenwood Wildcats, Oxford Red Caps and High Mesa Mustangs Jerseys and Caps.

Special thanks to golem64, who did a superb job on the Fort Benton Generals Jerseys and Caps... he really did a wonderful job on several other IPA teams... golem64 is just about on the level of knuckler and txranger.

and as always, really appreciate the work txranger has done for me over the years... he did the IPA logo... and also quite a few of the IPA teams.

[Dark Horse]

Originally Posted by Eugene Church

A very special thanks to knuckler for doing the Sligo Rovers, Kenwood Wildcats, Oxford Red Caps and High Mesa Mustangs Jerseys and Caps.

Special thanks to golem64, who did a superb job on the Fort Benton Generals Jerseys and Caps... he really did a wonderful job on several other IPA teams... golem64 is just about on the level of knuckler and txranger.

and as always, really appreciate the work txranger has done for me over the years... he did the IPA logo... and also quite a few of the IPA teams.

The mods really came through for you. The unis are awesome. Who did the Colfax Black Sox uni? That one is really sharp.

[Eugene Church]

Originally Posted by Dark Horse

The mods really came through for you. The unis are awesome. Who did the Colfax Black Sox uni? That one is really sharp.

That was one of the best designers... txranger.
I think the reason he is so good is that he keeps his designs simple and basic... fancy does not show up well on OOTP game screens... txranger also has good contrast between his lettering colors and his jerseys and caps... many times I see a good jersey that you can't make out the lettering because of poor contrast or the jerseys, caps and logos are too fancy.

Yes, only the best of the best worked on my IPA project... they really did so great work... I'm truly blessed by those folks... they took on a huge project and excelled... projects like that don't happen anymore... in my opinion good graphics really increase the enjoyment of playing the game... the teams come alive when the graphics are well done.

As you know, without the Laseron Baseball Association and the Metro League, there probably would not be an Islandian Pro Alliance... you LBA guys and DreamTeams inspired me to create the IPA... the league stories and wonderful graphics really enhance those two dynasty leagues... reds1 and the United Leagues of Braeland is another classic dynasty.

Happy New Year to you... hope it's a good one for you and your family.

Please stay safe in these dark, dark days.

[Eugene Church]

Saturday, October 30, 2066

ROBERTS, WALDREP DOUBLE WINNERS, NAB IPA MVP TROPHIES, TOO
The first accolades came a few days ago when Roy Roberts of High Mesa and Lanny Waldrep picked up their Golden Bat trophies, now they both are double dipping and being honored with the prestigious IPA Most Valuable Player Awards... Roberts is the 2066 Tycobbian Union MVP, while Waldrep will receive the 2066 Ruthlandian Union MVP trophy.

ROBERTS NAMED TU MVP AFTER SUPER SEASON
It was a record-smashing season for Roy Roberts... the 27-year-old slugging outfielder for High Mesa slammed 73 homers this season and broke the all-time IPA mark of 68, set in 2047 by Johnny Tallis, who also played for the Mustangs... Roberts almost beat Tallis' 178 RBIs, too, but he fell 5 short of a new record... in his monumental season Roberts batted .317 in 153 games with 180 hits, 28 doubles, 73 roundtrippers, 174 RBIs and scored 138 runs... this year's MVP led the Tycobbian Union in home runs, RBIs and runs... this was the third year in a row Roberts topped the TU in longballs... this was his first MVP title... his play led his Mustangs to a third-place finish in the TU East pennant race... Red Bluff and South Fork beat them out for the pennant... High Mesa wound up 7 games off the pace... lifetime Roberts has averaged almost 50 homers and over 100 RBIs a season in his 7 seasons with the Mustangs, while batting .285... he certainly was the creme de la creme in IPA circles this year.

The second-highest votegetter in the MVP poll was Jimmy Brandini, right fielder for the Rolling Hills Racers... Brandini came in third in the Golden Bat balloting... at age 31 he had a terrific season with a .324 BA, a league-leading 216 hits, 31 doubles, 4 triples, 22 homers, 121 ribbies, 111 runs scored and 46 stolen bases... Brandini was a key player in Rolling Hills' record-busting 111 victories this year... since joining the Racers in 2060, Brandini has sparked them to 7 consecutive pennants and has been on 2 Pro Cup champions... Brandini is a career .326 hitter and a Gold Glove outfielder.

Winding up third this year in the TU Most Valuable Player poll was last year's victor, Roman Littrell, who sparked the Southport Sun Sox to a second straight TU South Division title and third in the last five years... at 27 he had his best-season ever with a marvelous 19-3 record and a 2.04 ERA... Littrell led the Tycobbian Union in victories and ended up second in ERA.

RU MVP GOES TO COLFAX'S WALDREP... BARTELS AND MEISNER 2ND AND 3RD
Lanny Waldrep was rewarded for his best season with the Ruthlandian Union Most Valuable Player trophy... last year, he had to play second fiddle to teammate Bralen Josephson, who won it... playing in 152 games Waldrep stood out with a .335 BA, 184 hits, 30 doubles, 4 triples, 38 homers, 115 RBIs, 110 runs and 11 stolen bases... he also topped the RU for the fifth time with 124 walks and a .452 OPB... Colfax came in third this year, beaten out by TU West division winner Sligo and Volusia... the Black Sox wound up 8 games behind in the race... a slow 20-32 record in April and May killed their season... Waldrep has starred for 10 seasons with a career .315 BA, 286 home runs and 967 runs batted in... he has been very instrumental in two pennants in the last four years, '63 and '65... Colfax lost the IPA title both years, losing the Pro Cups to Hartsdale and Southport in the Pro Cup Finals.

In the hotly-contested Ruthlandian MVP poll, Wynnamac's iconic right fielder Snooky Bartels came in second place... he captured his second straight batting title with a .370 BA in 152 games as he almost sparked the Macs to the RU title... however, they lost out by 2 games to the Marston Nine and came in third... Bartels socked 37 doubles, 1 triple and 22 home runs, drove in 87 runs and scored 110... and he plays solid defense with a rifle arm... the Sundowners have won 6 pennants in his 12 seasons... now 33 years old, Bartels sports the second-best batting average in IPA history... in his career he has batted a resounding .349... only legendary Jet Kazmarek of Valmara/Arroyo Grande fame has been better... and not by much... Kazmarek hit .350 in his career... if Bartels can come up with a .370 BA for two more years, he just might top Kazmarek.

The guy who came in third in the Most Valuable Player race has won the Ruthlandian Golden Arm two years running now... Mark Meisner of the Claxton Diamonds had a magnificent year with 21 wins and only 2 defeats with an impressive 2.42 ERA in 32 starts... for the fourth season in a row Meisner has led his club to the RU South title... the 30-year-old lefty was second in victories and third in ERA this season.

[Eugene Church]

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[Eugene Church]

Sunday, October 31, 2066

DEFENSE DESERVES SOME GLORY, TOO... IPA REWARDS BEST GOLDEN GLOVEMEN
Is the game of baseball just all about home runs and strikeouts?... is it only the power hitters and power pitchers that get the praise... should the defenders get some glory, too?

Yes indeed!

The Islandian Pro Alliance just announced the Ruthlandian Union and Tycobbian Union Golden Glove honorees for 2066... 18 graceful gazelles will be presented a Golden Glove Trophy, emblematic of outstanding defensive ability... defense make a real difference in the outcome of games... Golden Glove winners really make a difference in baseball... when a batter "hits it where they ain't", chances are the good glovemen and the Golden Glovers will be there to put a stop to a rally or make the catch that saves the game... good defense can determine the winners and losers, just like homers and strikeouts.

2066 Ruthlandian Union Golden Glove Team

Pitcher: Marty Yocum (Middlefield Roosters) (1.000 FA/20 PO/22 A) (14-10/3.24 ERA/32 G) (1st Time Honoree)
Catcher: Manuelo Andreu (Middlefield Roosters) (.993 FA/139 G/88 A/5 PB/45.0% RTO) (.253 BA/16 HR/66 RBI/52 R) (1st Time Honoree)
First Baseman: Kevin Walton (Claxton Diamonds) (.996 FA/154 G/98 A) (.288 BA/22 HR/96 RBI/90 R) (Rookie-1st Time Honoree)
Second Baseman: Buzzy McGinnis (Eastshore Cotton Kings) (.987 FA/135 G/411 A) (.254 BA/10 HR/44 RBI/77 R/19 SB) (1st Time Honoree)
Third Baseman: Benny Jobe (Glasco Foxhounds) (.981 FA/138 G/281 A) (.267 BA/12 HR/58 RBI/49 R/2 SB) (1st Time Honoree)
Shortstop: Brooks Noland (Rocky Rapids Snappers) (.981 FA/153 G/531 A) (.214 BA/9 HR/62 RBI/42 R) (1st Time Honoree)
Left Fielder: Donald Ray Mooney (Elnora Clippers) (.994 FA/141 G/295 PO/14 A) (.309 BA/32 HR/100 RBI/95 R/2 SB) (1st Time Honoree)
Center Fielder: Merle Bliss (Sligo Rovers) (.990 FA/154 G/578 PO/13 A) (.213 BA/11 HR/44 RBI/74 R/17 SB) (1st Time Honoree)
Right Fielder: Lanny Waldrep (Colfax Black Sox) (.988 FA/152 G/396 PO/15 A) (.335 BA/38 HR/115 RBI/110 R/11 SB) (4th Time Honoree)

2066 Tycobbian Union Golden Glove Team
Pitcher: Tom Carney (Chicopee Braves) (1.000 FA/15 PO/28 A) (8-13/4.47 ERA/32 G) (1st Time Honoree)
Catcher: Digger Ammons (Red Bluff Red Sox) (.991 FA/137 G/82 A/2 PB/37.3% RTO) (.253 BA/20 HR/84 RBI/58 R/1 SB) (1st Time Honoree)
First Baseman: Billy Southward (Blue Lake Blue Caps) (.993 FA/154 G/133 A) (.292 BA/16 HR/74 RBI/92 R/23 SB) (1st Time Honoree)
Second Baseman: Clayton Claiborne (Rolling Hills Racers) (.991 FA/135 G/456 A) (.297 BA/8 HR/66 RBI/87 R/17 SB) (1st Time Honoree)
Third Baseman: Roman Redondo (San Alejo Montaneros) (.984 FA/150 G/277 A) (.261 BA/29 HR/86 RBI/70 R/3 SB) (4th Time Honoree)
Shortstop: Jameson Mulbert (Rolling Hills Racers) (.985 FA/152 G/452 A) (.290 BA/4 HR/64 RBI/78 R/10 SB) (2nd Time Honoree)
Left Fielder: Winky Biggio (Denton City Redbirds) (.992 FA/153 G/378 PO/7 A) (.254 BA/31 HR/86 RBI/85 R/19 SB) (1st Time Honoree)
Center Fielder: Jarred Hanley (Bay St. Clair Buccaneers) (.992 FA/153 G/604 PO/19 A) (.267 BA/4 HR/52 RBI/62 R/18 SB) (1st Time Honoree)
Right Fielder: Dominque Juban (San Alejo Montaneros) (.992 FA/153 G/350 PO/12 A) (.331 BA/30 HR/100 RBI/104 R/32 SB) (1st Time Honoree)

2066 Ruthlandian Union Photos

[Eugene Church]

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[Eugene Church]

2066 Tycobbian Union Photos