Barry Bonds on the 2000 and beyond Colorado Rockies (OOTP13)

[Jamee999]

Hi guys. Last night, as I was falling asleep, I had a thought. What if Barry Bonds had played in Coors Field during the crazy peak of his career?

During the late 90s and early 2000s, as run scoring around the league rose, it was astronomical in Coors Field, in the Mile High City of Denver. In 1999, Coors had seen the record for most home runs in a season smashed, as 303 balls left the field - a major league record that still stands.

So I loaded up OOTP, started a historical game in 2000, and assigned Bonds to the Rockies, and boosted the Rockies' budget to accommodate his salary. I will only intervene into the game if Bonds is traded away from Colorado, or if he receives a major injury.

The draft is off, players being assigned to their first major league team in real life, but trades and free agency are on. Bonds is currently only signed through the 2002 season, but I will extend his contract into the future.

This won't be a particularly "flashy" dynasty, it'll be mainly stats-based, but I think it could be a fun experiment.

---

2000

Real Life:

Barry BONDS (SFG): 143 G, 607 PA, .306/.440/.688, 147 H, 28 2B, 4 3B, 49 HR, 129 R, 106 RBI, 117 BB (league lead), 11 SB / 3 CS, 188 OPS+, 7.7 WAR, 2nd in MVP voting, Gold Glove winner.

NL West
Giants 97-65 (lost to Mets 3-1 in the NLDS)
Dodgers 86-76
Diamondbacks 85-77
Rockies 82-80
Padres 76-86

OOTP Sim:

Pre-Season Trades:
COL trades RF Jeffrey HAMMONDS + cash to ARI for SS Andy FOX.
COL trades SS Neifi PEREZ to LAD for RP Terry ADAMS.

Pre-Season Injuries:
COL CF Brian HUNTER (Elbow, 4 months)
COL RF Larry WALKER (Hamstring, 3 weeks)

Rockies Lineup:
CF Tom GOODWIN - 31yo - L
C Brent MAYNE - 31yo - L
LF Barry BONDS - 35yo - L
1B Todd HELTON - 26yo - L
3B Jeff CIRILLO - 30yo - R
RF Darren BRAGG - 30yo - L
SS Andy FOX - 29yo - L
2B Mike LANSING - 31yo - R

Rockies Pitching:
SP Bret SABERHAGEN - 35yo - R
SP Pedro ASTACIO - 31yo - R
SP Rolando ARROJO - 31yo - R
SP Masato YOSHII - 34yo - R
SP Scott KARL - 28yo - L

CL Terry ADAMS - 27yo - R

Opening Day, Monday April 3rd:
Rockies (Saberhagen) @ Braves (Maddux)
Bonds begins his Rockies career with an RBI groundout in the top of the 1st. He singles in the 4th, and scores on a Jeff Cirillo single. Bonds goes 1-6 on the day, scoring 2 runs and stealing a base as the Rockies beat the Braves 10-7. The Giants lose 4-1 in Florida.

April 5th: Ken Griffey Jr. hits his 400th home run, off Chad Fox of the Milwaukee Brewers. Griffey is 5th in active home runs, behind Mark McGwire, Bonds, Jose Canseco and Cal Ripken Jr.

April 6th: John Halama of the Mariners throws a one-hitter against the Red Sox. Trot Nixon led off the game with a double, but no other Red Sox hitter would hit safely. Halama strikes out only one, and walks three batters. The Mariners win 12-0.

Friday April 7th:
Rockies (Yoshii) @ Marlins (Burnett)
Bonds hits his first HR in Colorado purple, a two run shot off Burnett in the sixth inning. The Rockies lose 8-3.

April 12th: Cal Ripken Jr. goes 2 for 3, picking up his 3000th and 3001st hits. The Royals spoil the party, beating Baltimore 5-1.

April 17: Barry Bonds wins the NL Player of the Week Award. Bonds went 12-25 with 4 HRs and 12 RBIs.

Thursday April 20th:
Rockies (Arrojo) @ Diamondbacks (Daal)
Bonds homers off Omar Daal in the first and third innings, knocking him out of the game. The Rockies win 8-3.

Monday April 24th:
Rockies (Astacio) @ Cardinals (Benes)
Bonds hits his 11th and 12th home runs of the year, as the Rockies hit the Cardinals with a 10-4 win, to move above .500.

April 25th: Athletics SS Miguel Tejada hits for the cycle against the Blue Jays.

Saturday April 29th:
Mets (Banks) @ Rockies (Astacio)
Bonds singles in the first and third innings, but is injured breaking up a possible double play ball. Bonds suffers recurring back spasms, and will miss around six weeks. He is placed on the 15 day DL.

Barry Bonds is named April's Batter of the Month, hitting .434/.573/.880 with 12 HRs and 32 RBIs.

AL Batter of the Month - LF Carlos LEE (CWS)
NL Batter of the Month - LF Barry BONDS (COL)
AL Pitcher of the Month - SP Chad DURBIN (KCR)
NL Pitcher of the Month - SP Tom GLAVINE (ATL)
AL Rookie of the Month - LF Mark QUINN (KCR)
NL Rookie of the Month - CF Juan PIERRE (COL)

End of April:
Barry BONDS (COL): 25 G, 110 PA, .434/.573/.880, 36 H, 1 2B, 12 HR, 28 R, 32 RBI, 26 BB, 1 SB / 1 CS, 270 OPS+, 2.2 WAR.

bold denotes a category in which Bonds currently leads MLB.

NL West:
Colorado Rockies 15-11
Los Angeles Dodgers 14-11
Arizona Diamondbacks 13-13
San Francisco Giants 11-13
San Diego Padres 9-16

[Jamee999]

May 6th: Sammy Sosa's 32 game hit streak comes to an end. Mark McGwire hits three home runs at Cincinnati, all off Pete Harnisch. The Reds score twice in the bottom of the ninth and win 9-8 on a Ken Griffey Jr. walk-off hit.

May 10th: Jose Vidro of the Expos goes 6-7 with two doubles and three RBIs against the Phillies. However, the Expos lose 10-6 in twelve innings.

May 16th: Anaheim pitcher Jarrod Washburn throws a complete game one-hitter against the Orioles, walking three and striking out eight. Roger Clemens wins his 250th career game, 5-3 over the White Sox at Yankee Stadium.

May 19th: Pedro Martinez has a huge game, striking out 15 Tigers in a complete game three-hitter.

May 20th: The Reds trade Aaron Boone to Texas in exchange for hurler Esteban Loaiza.

May 22nd: Todd Helton of the Rockies is named NL Player of the Week. He went 13-25 with three homers and seven runs batted in.

May 23rd: Rockies shortstop Andy Fox hits safely five times against the Cubs. The Rockies win 10-1.

May 27th: In a crazy game at Coors, the Rockies defeat the Pirates 25-12. Aramis Ramirez of the Rockies hits three solo homers in three at-bats. Colorado third baseman Jeff Cirillo goes 6-7, including a grand slam, for seven runs batted in. Colorado starter Scott Karl goes 7.2 innings, giving up 11 ER on 15 hits, but still comes out with the win, having helped his own cause with two doubles. Pittsburgh's closer, Mike Williams, gives up 11 runs on nine hits and five walks, recording just four outs. The Rockies score five runs in the 1st, six in the 7th, and ten runs in the 8th inning. There are a total of 394 pitches thrown in the game.

PIT 0 4 2 0 1 2 1 1 1 - 12 R - 16 H - 0 E
COL 5 1 3 0 0 0 6 10 X - 25 R - 25 H - 0 E

May 28th: Casey Blake goes 6 for 6 as the Red Sox destroy the Yankees, 22-4.

AL Batter of the Month - 1B Jason GIAMBI (OAK)
NL Batter of the Month - 1B Todd HELTON (COL)
AL Pitcher of the Month - SP Pedro MARTINEZ (BOS)
NL Pitcher of the Month - SP Kevin BROWN (LAD)
AL Rookie of the Month - LF Jeff DAVANON (ANA)
NL Rookie of the Month - LF Lance BERKMAN (HOU)

Barry Bonds did not play in May.

The Rockies went 13-14 in May. Larry Walker is the only qualified hitter in baseball hitting over .400 (.436, 14 HR, 50 RBI), while Todd Helton leads the league in homers (.398, 19 HR, 53 RBI). The Rockies lead the NL with 392 runs scored, but have conceded the most runs also (373).

NL West:
San Francisco Giants 30-22
Arizona Diamondbacks 30-23 (wildcard lead)
Colorado Rockies 28-25
Los Angeles Dodgers 26-26
San Diego Padres 19-33

June 1st: Pittsburgh outfielder Brian Giles suffers a head injury, and will miss the rest of the season.

June 2nd: Cubs closer Rick Aguilera tears his latissimus dorsi muscle, and will miss the rest of the season.

June 6th: Bonds' injury is taking longer to heal than previously expected, and will miss two more weeks.

June 8th: Arizona outfielder Luis Gonzalez signs a $36 million, four year extension.

June 15th: Jose Canseco hits three home runs for the Devil Rays, but they lost 12-9 to the Angels.

June 17th: Todd Helton's hitting streaks reaches the 30 game mark. For the season, Helton is hitting .416 with 23 homers. Greg Vaughn hits his 300th career home run.

June 19th: Barry Bonds reports for a rehab assignment in AAA Salt Lake City. He homers in his first game.

June 23rd: Todd Helton's hitting streak moves to 35 games.

Bonds returns to the Rockies on June 24th. Colorado has a record of 39-33, 2.5 games behind San Francisco. Jeff Bagwell of Houston leads the NL with 26 homers. Bonds' teammate Todd Helton is second with 24.

Saturday June 24th:
Rockies (Bohanon) @ Diamondbacks (Johnson)
The Rockies beat Randy Johnson in Bonds' first game back from the disabled list. Bonds goes 1 for 3 with an RBI double and a walk. Todd Helton goes 3 for 4, to move to 36 consecutive games hitting safely. Brian Bohanon picks up the win in his first major league start of the year.

Monday June 26th:
Giants (Hernandez) @ Rockies (Astacio)
Bonds hits two home runs in his first game against the Giants in purple. However, the Giants win 11-9. Todd Helton also hits two homers, moving to 26 on the year. His hitting streak moves to 38.

Wednesday June 28th:
Giants (Nathan) @ Rockies (Arrojo)
Bonds, Helton and Walker all homer as the Rockies win 16-5. Walker has four hits, Helton three and Bonds two. Helton's hitting streak breaks the 40 barrier.

Friday June 30th:
Rockies (Yoshii) @ Padres (Williams)
Todd Helton's hitting streak is snapped at 41, as Woody Williams leads the Padres to a 3-2 win. Colorado's runs come on a Bonds two-run homer.

AL Batter of the Month - LF David JUSTICE (CLE)
NL Batter of the Month - 1B Todd HELTON (COL)
AL Pitcher of the Month - SP Pedro MARTINEZ (BOS)
NL Pitcher of the Month - SP Javier VASQUEZ (MON)
AL Rookie of the Month - 3B Aubrey HUFF (TBY)
NL Rookie of the Month - LF Lance BERKMAN (HOU)

End of June:
Barry BONDS (COL): 32 G, 144 PA, .426/.569/.926, 46 H, 3 2B, 17 HR, 40 R, 41 RBI, 35 BB, 3 SB / 1 CS, 275 OPS+, 3.2 WAR

NL West:
San Francisco Giants 44-34
Colorado Rockies 44-35 (wildcard lead)
Arizona Diamondbacks 43-38
Los Angeles Dodgers 41-38
San Diego Padres 37-41

July 1st: Fred McGriff collects his 2000th career hit in a win over the Yankees.

July 2nd: Jeff DaVanon of the Angels hits for the cycle in a 10-inning game against the Athletics. DaVanon hits his home run in the bottom of the 10th, but the Athletics had scored nine runs in the top of the frame as the A's triumph 19 to 11.

Tuesday July 4th:
Rockies (Bohanon) @ Giants (Ortiz)
The Rockies lose 4-3 in twelve innings as Bonds returns to San Francisco for the first time. Barry goes 1 for 5 with a double. The Giants send the home fans happy on Independence Day with a walk-off home run from Ramon Martinez.

Friday July 7th:
Rockies (Saberhagen) @ Angels (Wise)
Bonds homers in Anaheim, but is injured in the 4th inning, as he makes a diving catch to retire Scott Spiezio. Bonds' hamstring is strained, and he will miss 2-3 weeks, although some of that time will be negated with the upcoming All-Star break.

July 9th: The All-Star teams are announced. Todd Helton, Jeff Cirillo and Larry Walker are selected to represent Colorado. Bonds would surely have been selected if he had participated in more than 39 games and was healthy.

Tuesday July 11th:
2000 Major League Baseball All-Star Game - Turner Field, Atlanta, GA

American League:
CF Johnny DAMON (KCR) .293/.384/.444, 9 HR, 39 RBI
SS Alex RODRIGUEZ (SEA) .273/.356/.544, 26 HR, 71 RBI
LF Carlos LEE (CWS) .335/.381/.595, 23 HR, 84 RBI
1B Jason GIAMBI (OAK) .298/.444/.597, 27 HR, 61 RBI
RF Manny RAMIREZ (CLE) .305/.413/.549, 20 HR, 58 RBI
3B Corey KOSKIE (MIN) .332/.397/.588, 17 HR, 64 RBI
2B Roberto ALOMAR (CLE) .311/.392/.479, 12 HR, 52 RBI
C Ivan RODRIGUEZ (TEX) .287/.315/.503, 18 HR, 58 RBI

Best SP: Pedro MARTINEZ (BOS) 15-4, 2.21 ERA, 189 K
Rested SP: Aaron SELE (SEA) 11-5, 3.44 ERA, 81 K

National League:
LF Ryan KLESKO (SDP) .302/.394/.558, 19 HR, 60 RBI
3B Chipper JONES (ATL) .306/.406/.544, 20 HR, 58 RBI
1B Todd HELTON (COL) .426/.510/.808, 31 HR, 94 RBI
CF Lance BERKMAN (HOU) .391/.504/.736, 26 HR, 78 RBI
RF Vladimir GUERRERO (MON) .354/.403/.693, 22 HR, 71 RBI
C Damian MILLER (ARI) .319/.372/.519, 10 HR, 44 RBI
2B Edgardo ALFONZO (NYM) .310/.396/.579, 18 HR, 59 RBI
SS Rich AURILIA (SFG) .291/.348/.476, 14 HR, 64 RBI
P Kevin BROWN (LAD) 10-5, 2.95 ERA, 114 K

The AL scores six runs in he top of the 3rd, as Alomar and Lee homer off Trevor Hoffman, and Manny Ramirez takes Chuck Smith deep. Klesko hit a two run shot for the NL in the bottom of the frame, and two more runs were scored by the NL in the 5th, making the score 7-4. A run scored for the NL in the 7th, and then Larry Walker smashed a two-out RBI triple off Steve Karsay in the eighth. Garrett Anderson made it 8-6 AL with a ninth inning homer, then Mariano Rivera sealed the win in the bottom of the frame. One lowlight from the game was the two throwing errors by Corey Koskie.

The MVP award went to a player on the losing team - Vlad Guerrero went 4-5 with two RBI.

July 12th: The Royals trade Mike Sweeney to the Phillies in exchange for starter Robert Person.

July 13th: San Diego trades Dave Magadan to Milwaukee for relief pitcher Chad Fox.

July 18th: Livan Hernandez of the Giants throws a one-hitter against the Texas Rangers, striking out three and walking two. Mike Timlin is traded to the Marlins in exchange for two minor leaguers.

July 19th: Hurler Kenny Rogers is traded to the Cubs. The Rangers receive a minor leaguer.

July 20th: Arizona outfielder Steve Finley tears his labrum. He is ruled out for the rest of the season and almost certainly the 2001 season as well, and may never play again. White Sox outfielder Carlos Lee tears his ACL, and will miss the rest of the year.

July 23rd: Roger Clemens strikes out 15 Devil Rays in an 8-2 victory.

Monday July 24th:
Dodgers (Dreifort) @ Rockies (Astacio)
In Bonds' first game back from the DL, the Rockies blow out the Dodgers with a twelve run 7th inning, including a three run homer from Bonds and a grand slam from Todd Helton. Larry Walker is 4-4 in the game, with four runs scored and four batted in. The Rockies move to 53-47, three behind San Francisco.

Friday July 28th:
Rockies (Arrojo) @ Brewers (Woodard)
Bonds smashes two two-out homers off Steve Woodard, driving in four runs, as the Rockies win 9-7 in ten innings.

July 28th: Chan Ho Park throws a three-hitter against the Phillies, striking out six without walking a batter. David Bell is traded to Boston by the Mariners, in exchange for pitcher Tom Gordon. The Diamondbacks trade their closer Matt Mantei to the Yankees, to serve as setup man for Mariano Rivera. Arizona receives outfield Tony Tarasco.

July 29th: The Rockies trade away starter Pedro Astacio to Detroit, in exchange for second baseman Damion Easley

July 30th: The Twins trade young outfielder Torii Hunter to Baltimore in exchange for starter Jason Johnson and a minor league hitter.

July 31st: Barry Bonds is named NL Player of the Week, going 11-20 with 5 home runs.

AL Batter of the Month - RF Tim SALMON (ANA)
NL Batter of the Month - 1B Todd HELTON (COL)
AL Pitcher of the Month - SP Pedro MARTINEZ (BOS)
NL Pitcher of the Month - SP Chan Ho PARK (LAD)
AL Rookie of the Month - CF Jeff DAVANON (ANA)
NL Rookie of the Month - LF Lance BERKMAN (HOU)

End of July:
Barry BONDS (COL): 47 G, 213 PA, .432/.587/.942, 67 H, 7 2B, 24 HR, 65 R, 56 RBI, 56 BB, 5 SB / 1 CS, 285 OPS+, 5.1 WAR

Todd HELTON (COL): 107 G, 496 PA, .429/.514/.820, 179 H, 42 2B, 2 3B, 39 HR, 125 R, 117 RBI, 72 BB, 4 SB / 1 CS, 236 OPS+, 8.3 WAR

Larry WALKER (COL): 92 G, 437 PA, .402/.476/.738, 152 H, 26 2B, 4 3B, 31 HR, 97 R, 115 RBI, 44 BB, 6 SB / 4 CS, 206 OPS+, 5.5 WAR

Lance BERKMAN (HOU): 100 G, 447 PA, .376/.483/.708, 138 H, 27 2B, 1 3B, 31 HR, 94 R, 88 RBI, 74 BB, 5 SB / 4 CS, 202 OPS+, 8.1 WAR

Pedro MARTINEZ (BOS): 25 G, 24 GS, 18-4, 2.17 ERA, 186.1 IP, 218 K / 46 BB, 12 HR, 20 QS, 1 GF, 1.02 WHIP, 223 ERA+, 2.52 FIP, 7.6 WAR

NL West:
San Francisco Giants 61-43
Colorado Rockies 57-50
Los Angeles Dodgers 55-51
Arizona Diamondbacks 52-55
San Diego Padres 51-54

[Jamee999]

August 2nd: Jerry Kinkade hits three home runs for the Expos against the Cardinals, including a grand slam in the first inning. Kinkade drives in seven runners on the day.

August 5th: Fred McGriff drives his 400th long ball, as the Devil Rays defeat the Orioles.

Wednesday August 9th:
Pirates (Ritchie) @ Rockies (Yoshii)
The Rockies beat the Pirates 11-10 in twelve innings. Bonds homers twice and triples, with two walks. Todd Helton drives in the game-winning run, after Pittsburgh score twice in the top of the frame.

August 9th: Pedro Martinez wins his 20th game of the year, defeating the Angels 5-1 in Anaheim. Pedro goes seven innings, striking out 11, and conceding just one earned run. The Cubs sign outfielder Henry Rodriguez to a four year, $30 million extension.

Monday August 14th:
Rockies (Yoshii) @ Expos (Hermanson)
Bonds goes 4-5 with a double and a ball hit out of Stade Olympique. The Rocks win 5-0, behind a complete game four-hitter by Mastao Yoshii.

Sunday August 20th:
Marlins (Burnett) @ Rockies (Thomson)
Bonds homers twice in a 13-10 win over Florida. He drives in five runs, scores three of his own, and walks twice. Luis Castillo steals his 49th and 50th bases of the season for the Marlins.

Monday August 21st:
Braves (Glavine) @ Rockies (Saberhagen)
Bonds hits two home runs again, one off Glavine and one off Chen, but the raves win 13-7 on nine 7th inning runs. Larry Walker also homers, the 300th of his career.

August 23rd: Mets starter Bobby Jones signs a 5 year, $35 million contract.

Friday August 25th:
Rockies (Yoshii) @ Pirates (Ritchie)
The Rockies win 6-4 thanks to a bases loaded double by Damion Easley. In the top of the 1st, Todd Helton hits a home run, his 50th of the year.

Saturday August 26th:
Rockies (Saberhagen) @ Pirates (Schmidt)
Bret Saberhagen throws a complete game three-hit shutout, as the Rocks down the Bucs 9-0. Todd Helton homers in the 5th, driving in his 150th and 151st runs of the year. Saberhagen doesn't walk a batter, and strikes out five.

August 28th: Barry Bonds is the NL Player of the Week, going 12-24 with five homers, driving in 14. Johnny Damon steals his 50th base of the year.

AL Batter of the Month - 1B Carlos DELGADO (TOR)
NL Batter of the Month - 1B Todd HELTON (COL)
AL Pitcher of the Month - SP Tim HUDSON (OAK)
NL Pitcher of the Month - SP Randy WOLF (PHI)
AL Rookie of the Month - CF Jeff DAVANON (ANA)
NL Rookie of the Month - LF Lance BERKMAN (HOU)

End of August:

Barry BONDS (COL): 74 G, 347 PA, .414/.565/.867, 106 H, 15 2B, 1 3B, 33 HR, 96 R, 86 RBI, 87 BB, 10 SB / 3 CS, 261 OPS+, 7.4 WAR

Todd HELTON (COL): 133 G, 630 PA, .426/.513/.818, 225 H, 50 2B, 2 3B, 51 HR, 163 R, 153 RBI, 94 BB, 5 SB / 1 CS, 234 OPS+, 10.3 WAR

Larry WALKER (COL): 116 G, 549 PA, .406/.488/.748, 190 H, 30 2B, 5 3B, 40 HR, 124 R, 144 RBI, 63 BB, 6 SB / 6 CS, 211 OPS+, 7.2 WAR

Lance BERKMAN (HOU): 127 G, 569 PA, .373/.474/.715, 177 H, 34 2B, 1 3B, 42 HR, 124 R, 120 RBI, 88 BB, 7 SB / 4 CS, 200 OPS+, 10.2 WAR

Pedro MARTINEZ (BOS): 31 G, 30 GS, 21-6, 2.41 ERA, 231.2 IP, 272 K / 54 BB, 17 HR, 30 QS, 1 GF, 1.03 WHIP, 201 ERA+, 2.60 FIP, 9.2 WAR

NL West:
San Francisco Giants 77-56
Colorado Rockies 76-58 (wildcard lead)
Los Angeles Dodgers 70-64
Arizona Diamondbacks 68-66
San Diego Padres 64-70

The Yankees lead the Red Sox by 0.5 games in the AL East.
The Twins are two clear of the Indians in the AL Central.
The Athletics are 16 games clear in the AL West.
Boston is 3.5 up on Cleveland in the AL Wildcard.

Atlanta is 7 up in the NL East.
Houston leads St Louis by 1 in the NL Central.
San Francisco is 1.5 games up in the NL West.
Colorado is half a game ahead of St Louis in the NL Wildcard.

[Jamee999]

Saturday September 2nd:
Brewers (Woodard) @ Rockies (Thomson)
Bonds goes 4-4 with a homer and a triple, and Larry Walker hits two homers, but the Rockies lose to the Brewers, 17-15. It was 10-3 Colorado after 6, but the Brew Crew scored six in the 7th and eight in the 8th, then fended off a Colorado rally in the last two innings.

Wednesday September 6th:
Cubs (Valdez) @ Rockies (Saberhagen)
Saberhagen is tagged for ten runs on 13 hits for just nine outs as the Cubs win 14-8. Larry Walker was injured on the base paths, and will miss a couple of weeks.

Saturday December 9th:
Dodgers (Park) @ Rockies (Yoshii)
Bonds hits homers 38 and 39, and moves to 98 runs batted in, as the Rockies smash the Dodgers 18-9, including hanging a 12 on LA in the 6th inning, when Bonds hit a grand slam.

Sunday September 10th:
Dodgers (Villone) @ Rockies (Thomson)
Helton and Bonds each have two homer, five RBI days as the Rockies destroy the Dodgers 16-3, including Bonds' second grand slam in as many days.

September 11th: Todd Stottlemyre throws a one-hitter for the Diamondbacks, beating the Dodgers 12-0. He fanned 8 and only walked 2. The Oakland Athletics secure the American League West division title.

September 13th: Kevin Appier of the Texas Rangers hurls a no-hitter against Baltimore. Appier struck out ten Orioles, and walked just one battter. Two additional hitters reached on fielding errors. Appier had been acquired by Texas from the Athletics by waivers earlier in the season. It was the first no-hitter by a Ranger since Kenny Rogers' perfect game in 1994.

Thursday September 14th:
Rockies (Yoshii) @ Dodgers (Dreifort)
Darren Dreifort shuts out the Rockies on five hits and twelve strikeouts, walking three. The Dodgers score eight times, as Shawn Green collects four hits, including a homer. The loss leaves Colorado 8.5 out in the West and four games out of the wildcard spot.

Friday September 15th:
Rockies (Thomson) @ Dodgers (Villone)
Bonds homers twice, moving to 43 on the year, as the Rockies defeat the Dodgers 8-5.

The Yankees lead the Red Sox by two games in the AL East.
Minnesota is two games ahead of Cleveland in the AL Central.
The Athletics have secured the AL West title, and are ten games clear in securing AL home field advantage.
Boston leads Cleveland by two games in the AL Wildcard.

Atlanta is 8.5 games clear in the NL East.
Houston is three games ahead of St. Louis in the NL Central.
The Giants are 7.5 games clear of Colorado in the NL West.
St. Louis is two games ahead of Philadelphia and three in front of the Rockies.

Sunday September 17th:
Rockies (Karl) @ Dodgers (Gagne)
Bonds hits two more homers as the Rockies defeat Los Angeles 11-1, helped by a six run 3rd.

September 21st: Jose Vidro smashes three homers out of Stade Olympique as the Expos beat the Marlins 11-8.

Wednesday September 27th:
Diamondbacks (Johnson) @ Rockies (Thomson)
The Diamondbacks bash the Rockies 19-10, as Colorado is eliminated from playoff contention. Damian Miller of the Diamondbacks drives in nine batters on the day, including a grand slam. Todd Helton singles in the 3rd inning, his 258th hit of the season, breaking the all-time record.

Thursday September 28th:
Diamondbacks (Stottlemyre) @ Rockies (Karl)
Bonds hits his 49th and 50th home runs of the season, in just his 99th game, but the Rockies lose 13-11, as Arizona tallies six runs in the top of the 9th. Larry Walker also homers, his 47th circuit blast of the year. Todd Helton has 58 home runs, but hasn't homered in the last five games (all at Coors). He is tied with Mark McGwire of the Cardinals for the most in baseball.

Friday September 29th:
Rockies (Jarvis) @ Braves (Smoltz)
John Smoltz throws a complete game one-hitter, requiring just 91 pitchers to down the Rockies. Bonds' seventh inning double was the only hit for Colorado. Smoltz also walked a batter, and Tom Goodwin reached on a dropped flyball.

Barry Bonds is named NL Batter of the Month, hitting .410 with 17 home runs and 35 RBIs down the stretch.

AL Batter of the Month - CF Trot NIXON (BOS)
NL Batter of the Month - LF Barry BONDS (COL)
AL Pitcher of the Month - SP Bartolo COLON (CLE)
NL Pitcher of the Month - SP Joe NATHAN (SFG)
AL Rookie of the Month - SP Jon GARLAND (CWS)
NL Rookie of the Month - LF Lance BERKMAN (HOU)

Sunday October 1st:
Rockies (Thomson) @ Braves (Perez)
Helton and Bonds are both held hitless on the final day of the season, though Helton walks twice and Bonds does so three times. Larry Walker goes 1-3, which was enough for him to finish the season with a .401 batting average. Helton bats .407, winning the triple crown, while Bonds hits .412, though he does not have enough plate apperances to qualify for the record books. Many people feel that the effects of Coors Field mean that the three men's accomplishments should be noted with an asterisk. The Braves win 5-2.

October 1st: Derrek Lee homers three times for the Marlins against Philadelphia.

End of Regular Season:

Barry BONDS (COL): 102 G, 477 PA, .412/.558/.905, 147 H, 22 2B, 2 3B, 50 HR, 131 R, 122 RBI, 116 BB, 11 SB / 3 CS, 267 OPS+, 10.6 WAR

Todd HELTON (COL): 161 G, 746 PA, .407/.491/.776, 258 H, 54 2B, 3 3B, 58 HR, 183 R, 172 RBI, 104 BB, 5 SB / 1 CS, 219 OPS+, 10.4 WAR, Triple Crown Winner

Larry WALKER (COL): 128 G, 606 PA, .401/.485/.758, 207 H, 33 2B, 5 3B, 47 HR, 139 R, 162 RBI, 72 BB, 7 SB / 6 CS, 213 OPS+, 8.1 WAR

Lance BERKMAN (HOU): 155 G, 691 PA, .370/.475/.722, 210 H, 42 2B, 1 3B, 52 HR, 159 R, 145 RBI, 111 BB, 8 SB / 5 CS, 202 OPS+, 12.0 WAR

Mark MCGWIRE (STL): 157 G, 653 PA, .236/.405/.603, 118 H, 6 2B, 2 3B, 58 HR, 126 R, 129 RBI, 142 BB, 1 SB / 0 CS, 154 OPS+, 4.4 WAR

Pedro MARTINEZ (BOS): 37 G, 36 GS, 24-8, 2.61 ERA, 272.1 IP, 318 K / 64 BB, 22 HR, 27 QS, 1 GF, 1.02 WHIP, 185 ERA+, 2.71 FIP, 10.3 WAR, Triple Crown Winner

NL West:
San Francisco Giants 95-67
Colorado Rockies 85-77
Los Angeles Dodgers 84-78
Arizona Diamondbacks 84-78
San Diego Padres 79-83

ALDS:
Oakland Athletics (103-59, West winner) vs Boston Red Sox (88-74, wildcard)
New York Yankees (92-70, East winner) vs Minnesota Twins (89-73, Central winner)

NLDS:
Atlanta Braves (103-59, East winner) vs Houston Astros (93-69, wildcard)
San Francisco Giants (95-67 West winner) vs St. Louis Cardinals (94-68, Central winner)

Game One: The Yankees win 6-5 in 10 innings, as Derek Jeter scores the winning run on a Felix Jose single. Mariano Rivera had surprisingly blown the save in the 9th. Corey Koskie of the Twins goes 4-5. Atlanta, Oakland and St. Louis also win.

Game Two: Bernie Williams' homer scores the only run as the Yankees go 2-0 up over the Twins. Boston ties the series by winning in Oakland. Atlanta and St. Louis both go 2-0 up.

Game Three: Alfonso Soriano hits three home runs to seal the sweep over the Twins. Atlanta also sweeps, in a barn-burner in Houston, 16-11 Braves. San Francisco wins 15-4, to send the series to 4 games. Oakland wins in Boston.

Game Four: The only run at Fenway is scored by David Bell on Delino DeShields ground out. Wakefield and Hudson both pitch well, but Boston wins to send the game to a game five. The Giants and Cardinals also go the distance, as The Giants win 11-5.

Game Five:
Red Sox (Martinez) @ Athletics (Mulder)
Miguel Tejada is the hero in Oakland, slashing a walk-off single to score Ben Grieve, who walked, stole second and advanced to third on a deep fly. The Red Sox led 3-0 going into the bottom of the 8th, when Pedro struggled, giving up a solo homer to Jason Giambi, and a two-run bomb to Matt Stairs. Mulder went seven innings, then Barry Zito threw two great innings to seal the win.

Cardinals (Kile) @ Giants (Estes)
The Cardinals upset the home fans in San Francisco, as Mark McGwire hits his third homer of the series, and Craig Paquette hits a three-run blast. Darryl Kile gave up three runs, going eight to pick up the win, as the Cardinals advance with a 6-3 victory.

ALCS:
Oakland Athletics (103-59, West winner) vs New York Yankees (92-70, East winner)

NLCS:
Atlanta Braves (103-59, East winner) vs St. Louis Cardinals (94-68, Central winner)

Game One: The A's walk off, as Mariano Rivera has severe difficulties in Oakland. Rivera concedes three consecutive singles, before Ben Grieve scrambles home on a wild pitch. The Yankees scored three times in the 7th, but Oakland triumphed 4-3. Pettitte went 8 innings, Hudson 7. Rick Ankiel got shelled in Atlanta, giving up six runs in two+ innings, thanks to a Reggie Sanders grand slam, which knocked him out. The Braves win 7-3.

Game Two: The Yankees score five runs in the top of the ninth inning, to win 7-3, tying the series at 1. Atlanta scores four runs in the bottom of the ninth frame to win, with Rafael Furcal doubling with the bases loaded, followed by a Bobby Bonilla pinch-hit walk-off two-run single, to win 5-4.

Game Three: Oakland wins 7-2 behind 8.1 very strong innings from Mark Mulder. Both Giambi brothers double, and Miguel Tejada hits a home run. In St. Louis, Reggie Sanders hits two more home runs, as the Braves win 3-0 and threaten to sweep. Mark McGwire hits his fifth home run of the postseason. However, John Smoltz has to leave the game with an elbow injury after retiring just five batters, and will be out for the remained of the postseason.

Game Four: Oakland takes a 3-1 lead in the series, winning 4-2, holding off a late New York rally. Tim Hudson goes 8.1, giving up just three hits. Mark McGwire has a huge night in St. Louis, homering twice, scoring four times, including the walk-off game winner as the Cardinals win 10-9.

Game Five: The Athletics advance to the World Series, winning 8-2 as Jeff Suppan goes seven innings, yielding only three hits and no runs. Atlanta also advances, as Andruw Jones and Javy Lopez each find the seats twice.

Randy Velarde is the ALCS MVP, while Reggie Sanders wins the award in the senior circuit.

World Series:
Oakland Athletics (103-59, AL West winner) vs Atlanta Braves (103-59, NL East winner)

Wednesday October 18th:
World Series Game One - Braves (Glavine) @ Athletics (Zito)
Oakland jumps out to an early lead in the Fall Classic, scoring seven runs in the 6th inning to win 10-4.

Thursday October 19th:
World Series Game Two - Braves (Maddux) @ Athletics (Hudson)
Jason Giambi hits two solo homers as Oakland extends their lead to 2. The Braves fight back with five in the top of the 9th, but it's not enough.

Saturday October 21st:
World Series Game Three - Athletics (Mulder) @ Braves (Millwood)
Kevin Millwood throws a brilliant three-hit shutout, fanning three A's and walking four, as Atlanta wins 4-0. Chipper Jones hits a two-run homer in the 4th.

Sunday October 22nd:
World Series Game Four - Athletics (Suppan) @ Braves (Glavine)
In a pitching duel, Atlanta ties up the World Series with a 2-0 win. Glavine goes seven scoreless, while his opposite number Jeff Suppan goes eight innings, conceding two runs.

Monday October 23rd:
World Series Game Five - Athletics (Hudson) @ Braves (Maddux)
Atlanta scores four runs in the 7th and two more the next frame to win 7-3. Maddux throws eight innings for one run, another great performance by an Atlanta starter.

Wednesday October 25th:
World Series Game Six - Braves (Millwood) @ Athletics (Mulder)
Oakland wins a dramatic Game Six, as Miguel Tejada blasts a two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth to win the game 3-2. Kevin Milwood went 7.2 innings, but John Rocker couldn't close out the game in the 9th inning. Jason Giambi worked a lead-off walk, and then Tejada hits an opposite field homer to send the World Series the distance.

Thursday October 26th:
World Series Game Seven - Braves (Glavine) @ Athletics (Suppan)
ATLANTA: SS Furcal - C Lopez - 3B Chipper Jones - CF Andruw Jones - LF Sanders - 2B Raines - 1B Galarraga - RF Jordan - DH Bonilla
OAKLAND: SS Tejada - C Hernandez - 3B Chaves - 1B Giambi - LF Grieve - DH Sanez - CF Becker - RF Stairs - 2B Velarde

Game Seven was a pitchers' duel. Atlanta struck first, as 41-year-old Tim Raines (traded from Oakland to Atlanta) during the season) scored following a stolen base. Olmedo Saenz scored in the 5th to tie it up. Suppan held firm for the A's into the 8th inning, but with one out Chipper Jones pulled a ball deep into right field, sneaking it just inside the foul pole to take a 2-1 lead. Tom Glavine went the exact same distance as Suppan, 7.1 innings, before relinquishing control to the Atlanta bullpen. The Braves had runners on second and third with one out in the top of the ninth, following a Miguel Tejada throwing error, but Doug Brocail managed to dismiss Bonilla and Rafael Furcal without Tim Raines scoring from third.

So the 2000 season went to the bottom of the ninth, with the score 2-1 Atlanta. The Braves sent hard throwing southpaw closer John Rocker to the mound. Pinch hitter Adam Piatt was first up, and he hit a hard grounder past the dive of Rafael Furcal. Next up was ALCS MVP Randy Velarde, who had already hit safely twice in the game. Piatte scampered to second after a ball got away from the catcher Lopez, but Velarde couldn't put the ball in play, and struck out. Miguel Tejada battled for a walk, putting the World Series winning run on first base. However, it wasn't to be. Ramon Hernandez hit a ground ball to Furcal, who stepped on second base and threw to first for the double play, retiring the slow-running catcher, and winning the World Series in dramatic style.

Kevin Millwood was named the World Series MVP, throwing a shutout in Game Three, and throwing a great game in Game Six, although the bullpen couldn't close it out.

Don Baylor is fired as the manager of the Chicago Cubs. Bob Boone is hired to replace him.

AL Gold Gloves:
P Brian ROSE (BOS)
C Gregg ZAUN (KCR)
1B Will CLARK (BAL)
2B Russ JOHNSON (TBY)
3B Troy GLAUS (ANA)
SS Rey SANCHEZ (KCR)
LF Alex OCHOA (TBY)
CF Mike CAMERON (SEA)
RF Tim SALMON (ANA)

NL Gold Gloves:
P Garrett STEPHENSON (STL)
C Mike PIAZZA (NYM)
1B Sean CASEY (CIN)
2B Jeff KENT (SFG)
3B Scott ROLEN (PHI)
SS Neifi PEREZ (LAD)
LF Lance BERKMAN (HOU)
CF Andruw JONES (ATL)
RF JD DREW (STL)

AL Rookie of the Year - Jeff DAVANON (ANA) - .337/.460/.598, 25 HR, 84 RBI, 21 SB, 169 OPS+, 5.5 WAR
NL Rookie of the YEAR - Lance BERKMAN (HOU) - .370/.475/.722, 52 HR, 145 RBI, 8SB, 203 OPS+, 12.0 WAR

AL Manager of the Year - Art HOWE (OAK)
NL Manager of the Year - Bobby COX (ATL)

AL Cy Young - Pedro MARTINEZ (BOS) - 24-8, 2.61 ERA, 272.1 IP, 318 K / 64 BB, 187 ERA+
NL Cy Young - John SMOLTZ (ATL) - 19-6, 2.53 ERA, 224.1 IP, 167 K / 35 BB, 189 ERA+

AL MVP - Jason GIAMBI (OAK) - .309/.439/.577, 46 HR, 121 RBI, 3 SB, 158 OPS+, 8.1 WAR
NL MVP - Todd HELTON (COL) .407/.491/.776, 58 HR, 172 RBI, 5 SB, 219 OPS+, 10.4 WAR

OAK trades 3B Olmedo SAENZ to MON for CL Steve KLINE.

The Phillies extend C Mike LIEBERTHAL to a $56 million, 7 year contract. The extension is signed the day before Lieberthal would have hit the open market.

Atlanta extends SP Kevin Millwood - 3 years, $15.7 million.

Notable Retirees:
1B Mike STANLEY
LF Geronimo BERROA
P Orel HERSHISER
P Mike MADDUX
P Mike MORGAN
LF Rickey HENDERSON
C Joe OLIVER
P John FRANCO
3B Tony FERNANDEZ
RF Jay BUHNER

Notable Free Agents:
CF Jim EDMONDS
3B Robin VENTURA
C Phil NEVIN
RF Moises ALOU
RF Manny RAMIREZ
1B Will CLARK
CF Mike CAMERON
LF David JUSTICE
LF Johnny DAMON
2B Mark MCLEMORE
CF Garret ANDERSON
LF Rusty GREER
2B Bret BOONE
1B Rafael PALEIRO
1B Frank THOMAS
1B Andres GALARRAGA
1B Mo VAUGHN
2B Tim RAINES
C Jorge POSADA
RF Brian GILES
2B Craig BIGGIO
SS Barry LARKIN
LF Ruben SIERRA
RF Paul O'NEILL
1B Fred MCGRIFF
3B Matt WILLIAMS

SP David WELLS
SP Chan Ho PARK
SP John BURKETT
SP Jamie MOYER
CL Dave VERES
SP Darryl KILE
CL Steve KARSAY
SP Ismael VALDEZ
CL Todd JONES
CL Roberto HERNANDEZ
SP Woody WILLIAMS
SP Tim WAKEFIELD
CL Trevor HOFFMAN
SP Kevin APPIER
SP Ramon MARTINEZ

[Jamee999]

[Jamee999]

Off-Season Trades:
C Todd HUNDLEY to CHC, LF Julio ZULETO to CLE
CF Mark WHITEN to SEA, CL Kaz SASAKI to CLE
RF Tim SALMON to PIT, 1B Kevin YOUNG, RP Jeff WALLACE to ANA
3B Vinny CASTILLA to KCR, SP Mac SUZUKI, 1B Ken HARVEY to TBY
SS Danny HOCKING, RP Jeff WALLACE to CIN, RP Osvaldo HERNANDEZ to ANA
3B Placido POLANCO to NYY, RP, Jeff NELSON, 1B Eric MUNSON to STL
LF Ricky LEDEE to NYM, C Jason PHILLIPS to NYY


Off-Season Signings:
1B Phil NEVIN to TBY, $38M, 4 years
1B Rafael PALMIERO to BAL, $15,1M, 2 years
CF Jim EDMONDS to OAK, $51M, 6 years
LF Rusty GREER to TBY, $44.7M, 5 years
3B Robin VENTURY to TBY, $33.6M, 4 years
RF Moises ALOU to ANA, $27.3M, 3 years
RF Manny RAMIREZ to NYY, $50M, 5 years
C Jorge POSADA to STL, $18.2M, 3 years
2B Tim RAINES to NYY, $5.6M, 1 year
SP Chan Ho PARK to TEX, $42.8M, 5 years
SS Mark MCLEMORE to BAL, $14.8M, 3 years
SP Donovan Osbourne re-signs STL, $37.5M, 5 years
LF David JUSTICE to PIT, $7.3M, 2 years
LF Cliff FLOYD to STL, $32.4M, 4 years
2B Craig BIGGIO to OAK, $18.3M, 3 years
2B Jay BELL to ARI, $22.2M, 3 years
1B Will CLARK to MIN, $16M, 2 years
CF Johnny DAMON to TBY, $17M, 3 years
RP Tom GORDON to NYY, $5.4M, 2 years
2B Mark GRUDZIELANEK to TOR, $13.6M, 3 years
RF Tony GWYNN to TEX, $5.3M, 1 year
1B Andres GALARRAGA to SDP, $13.8M, 2 years
CL Steve KARSAY to MIN, $9.2M, 2 years
3B Cal RIPKEN to MON, $2.8M, 1 year
2B Bret BOONE to TEX, $8.8M, 3 years
SP Jamie MOYER to TBY, $16.7M, 2 years
SP David WELLS to SDP, $17.7M, 2 years
RF Marvin BERNARD to SDP, $28.9M, 5 years
CL Roberto HERNADEZ to HOU, $12.1M, 3 years
LF Ray LANKFORD to BAL, $21.6M, 3 years
2B Randy VELARDE to CHI, $3M, 1 year
3B Matt WILLIAMS to TOR, $2.8M, 1 year
SP Darryl KILE to KCR, $10.3M, 3 years
CL Trevor HOFFMAN to TOR, $13.1M, 3 years
C Charles JOHNSON to NYY, $10.4M, 3 years
SS Barry LARKIN to ARI, $16.8M, 3 years
CF Mike CAMERON to CWS, $17.7M, 4 years
MR Arthur RHODES to COL, $6.5M, 3 years
CL Dave VERSES to FLA, $2.1M, 2 years
1B Frank THOMAS to ANA, $24.5M, 4 years
RF Harold BAINES to PHI, $1.8M, 1 year
LF BJ SURFOFF to NYY, $6.8M, 2 years
1B David SEGUI to PIT, $4.2M, 1 year
1B Fred MCGRIFF to DET, $3.8M, 1 year
CL Robb NEN extends with SFG, $5M, 1 year
2B Edgardo ALFONZO extends with NYM, $34M, 4 years

2001

Real Life:

Barry BONDS (SFG): 153 G, 664 PA, .328/.515/.863, 156 H, 32 2B, 2 3B, 73 HR, 129 R, 137 RBI, 177 BB, 13 SB / 3 CS, 259 OPS+, 11.9 WAR, All-Star, Most Valuable Player

NL West:
Arizona Diamondbacks 92-70 (Won World Series)
San Francisco Giants 90-72
Los Angeles Dodgers 86-76
San Diego Padres 79-83
Colorado Rockies 73-89

OOTP Sim:

2001 Rockies:
CF Juan PIERRE - 23yo - L
3B Jeff CIRILLO - 31yo - R
LF Barry BONDS - 36yo - L
1B Todd HELTON - 27yo - L
RF Larry WALKER - 34yo - L
2B Damion EASLEY - 31yo - R
C Ben PETRICK - 23yo - R
SS Juan URIBE - 22yo - R

SP Shawn CHACON - 24yo - R
SP Scott KARL - 29yo - L
SP Rolando ARROJO - 32yo - R
SP Jason JENNINGS - 23yo - R
SP Masato YOSHII - 35yo - R

SU Arthur RHODES - 31yo - L
CL Jose JIMENEZ - 27yo - R

[Jamee999]

Monday April 2nd:
Cardinals (Morris) @ Rockies (Chacon)
The Rockies win 11-9 on Opening Day, thanks to a Jeff Cirillo two-run walk-off homer. Todd Helton also homers, while Juan Uribe picks up four hits on his major league debut. Bonds singles. For the visitors, Jorge Posada homers in his first game as a Cardinal, Pujols doubles twice on major league debut, McGwire homers and Travis Lee hits two bombs.

April 3rd: Mark Mulder throws a complete game three-hit shutout against the Mariners.

Sunday April 8th:
Padres (Hitchcock) @ Rockies (Yoshii)
Bonds hits his first home run of the year, an 8th inning shot off Alan Embree. The Rockies win 11-1 behind a good effort from Yoshii.

April 13th: Andy Pettitte throws a no-hitter in Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox. Pettitte walks two batters, and strikes out six. One batter reached on an error by Derek Jeter. The Yankees beat the Red Sox 8-0.

April 14th: Derek Jeter hits for the cycle against the Red Sox. Jeter tripled in the second inning, singled in the 4th, doubled in the 6th, and finished the cycle with a home run in the 8th inning.

April 16th: Barry Bonds is NL Hitter of the Week. He went 9-22 with four home runs.

April 25th: Jason Giambi signs a 5 year, $50 million contract extension with the Oakland Athletics.

Thursday April 26th:
Cubs (Lieber) @ Rockies (Jennings)
Barry Bonds hits his 500th career home run, a first inning blast off Jon Lieber. Lieber also gives up a home run to Todd Helton. Both Bonds and Helton have hit five homers on the year. The Rockies beat the Cubs 9-4.

April 26th: Derek Jeter signs a 6 year, $48 million contract extension with the New York Yankees.

AL Batter of the Month - 1B David ORTIZ (MIN)
NL Batter of the Month - 3B Albert PUJOLS (STL)
AL Pitcher of the Month - SP Bartolo COLON (CLE)
NL Pitcher of the Month - SP Brandon DUCKWORTH (PHI)
AL Rookie of the Month - RF Jay GIBBONS (BAL)
NL Rookie of the Month - 3B Albert PUJOLS (STL)

End of April:
Barry BONDS (COL): 24 G, 111 PA, .348/.459/.587, 32 H, 1 2B, 7 HR, 17 R, 17 RBI, 16 BB, 2 SB / 0 CS, 178 OPS+, 1.3 WAR

Todd HELTON (COL): 24 G, 105 PA, .400/.476/.722, 36 H, 7 2B, 2 3B, 6 HR, 16 R, 18 RBI, 14 BB, 0 SB / 0 CS, 215 OPS+, 1.3 WAR

Albert PUJOLS (STL): 24 G, 114 PA, .378/.465/.796, 37 H, 9 2B, 1 3B, 10 HR, 27 R, 21 RBI, 15 BB, 0 SB / 1 CS, 229 OPS+, 2.6 WAR

NL West:
San Francisco Giants 15-9
Los Angeles Dodgers 14-11 (tied for wildcard)
Colorado Rockies 13-11
San Diego Padres 10-15
Arizona Diamondbacks 10-15

May 1st: Freddy Garcia throws an eleven-inning complete game shut-out against the Red Sox! Freddy allows only two hits and a walk, striking out twelve and throwing 129 pitches. The Mariners won 1-0.

Tuesday May 8th:
Mets (Jones) @ Rockies (Jennings)
Barry Bonds hits two home runs in a Rockies demolition of the Mets. Bonds had three hits and six runs batted in. Colorado lead-off hitter Juan Pierre went 5 for 6 with four runs scored and five stolen bases. The Rockies won 17-3.

May 11th: Orlando Hernandez throws a one-hitter for Anaheim, defeating the Tigers 4-0. Six Tigers struck out, and one walked.

Sunday May 13rd:
Expos (Batista) @ Rockies (Jennings)
Bonds hits two homers and his teammates contribute five more as the Rockies down Montreal 11-10. The Expos hit four blasts.

May 16th: Albert Pujols is hit by a pitch, and fractures his finger. The Cardinal rookie will miss 5-6. He has been one of the best players in baseball over the first month and a half.

Wednesday May 30th:
Rockies (Chacon) @ Dodgers (Rapp)
Todd Helton goes 4-4 with a double and a go-ahead ninth inning home run. Bonds goes 2-4, and scores twice. Arthur Rhodes picks up his ninth save.

Barry Bonds is the NL Hitter of the Month for May. He hit .408 with 9 homers, 25 RBIs and 30 runs scored.

AL Batter of the Month - 1B Carlos DELGADO (TOR)
NL Batter of the Month - LF Barry BONDS (COL)
AL Pitcher of the Month - SP Steve TRACHSEL (DET)
NL Pitcher of the Month - SP Bud SMITH (STL)
AL Rookie of the Month - 2B Ryan FREEL (TOR)
NL Rookie of the Month - 2B Marcus GILES (ATL)

End of May:
Barry BONDS (COL): 52 G, 238 PA, .379/.500/.688, 72 H, 7 2B, 0 3B, 16 HR, 47 R, 42 RBI, 42 BB, 4 SB / 1 CS, 206 OPS+, 3.7 WAR

Todd HELTON (COL): 53 G, 231 PA, .401/.472/.748, 81 H, 12 2B, 2 3B, 18 HR, 40 R, 49 RBI, 27 BB, 0 SB / 0 CS, 216 OPS+, 3.2 WAR

Manny RAMIREZ (NYY): 52 G, 232 PA, .327/.392/.673, 67 H, 11 2B, 0 3B, 20 HR, 36 R, 53 RBI, 24 BB, 0 SB / 0 CS, 175 OPS+, 3.2 WAR

NL West:
San Francisco Giants 29-24
Los Angeles Dodgers 28-25
Colorado Rockies 25-28
Arizona Diamondbacks 25-28
San Diego Padres 24-29

[Jamee999]

Friday June 1st:
Giants (Ortiz) @ Rockies (Karl)
In an absurd game at Coors, the Rockies fall 23-16 to San Francisco. Ellis Burks goes deep three times, Rich Aurillia hits two homers, and two other Giants hit bombs. Armando Rios hits safely six times for San Francisco. Larry Walker hits two long balls for Colorado, Terry Shumpert also hits a homer, and Helton and Bonds go back to back in the 8th inning. The Rockies score six times in the bottom of the 9th, but still fall seven runs short.

Saturday June 2nd:
Giants (Hernandez) @ Rockies (Thomson)
Bonds hits a walk-off home run, taking Scott Linebrink deep as the Rockies win 7-6. Bonds also hits a three-run shot in the fifth inning. In addition, he walks, doubles, and steals a base.

June 2nd: Randy Johnson strikes out 15 San Diego Padres, as the Diamondbacks win 8-4. Johnson scattered six hits through his complete game, and didn't allow a walk.

June 4th: Shortstop Rich Aurilia signs a six-year $48 million contract with the Giants.

June 5th: Roger Clemens strikes out 15 Orioles at Yankee Stadium, holding Baltimore to three hits and three walks in an 8-2 triumph.

June 6th: The Red Sox trade second baseman Delino DeShields, who is in the last year of his contract, to Tampa Bay in exchange for Devil Ray outfielder Steve Cox.

June 8th: Paul Wilson of the Devil Rays throws a two-hit shutout against the Mets, as Tampa Bay squeezed out a 1-0 victory. Wilson walked one hitter, and struck out three.

Wednesday June 13th:
Mariners (Sele) @ Rockies (Thomson)
Bonds and Helton both homer twice as the Rockies defeat Seattle 10-5. They hit consecutive solo shots off Aaron Sele in the 5th inning, then came back and hit back-to-back solo blasts off Brian Fuentes in the 8th. Helton has 23 homers on the year, Bonds has hit 22. Juan Pierre steals his 20th base of the year in the game.

June 13th: The Diamondbacks announce that Randy Johnson will miss at least three months with a partially torn labrum.

Thursday June 21st:
Diamondbacks (Castillo) @ Rockies (Jennings)
After missing a few games with a leg injury, Bonds hits two homers in his first game back, going 3-3 with two walks and scoring four runs as the Rockies down the Diamondbacks 9-8.

Saturday June 23rd:
Diamondbacks (Figueroa) @ Rockies (Thomson)
Bonds homers twice more in the series against the Diamondbacks, his 27th and 28th of the year. The Rockies win 6-5. Bonds will go 7-13 in the four game series, homering five times and scoring eleven times. He is named NL Player of the Week.

June 24th: Sammy Sosa hits his 400th career home run, his 23rd of the season.

June 30th: The Mariners trade first baseman John Olerud to the Mets. Seattle recieves outfielder Tsuyoshi Shinjo in exchange.

Bonds is named June NL Player of the Month. He hit .466 with 15 homers, 25 RBIs and 35 runs scored.

AL Batter of the Month - CF Trot NIXON (BOS)
NL Batter of the Month - LF Barry BONDS (COL)
AL Pitcher of the Month - SP Tim HUSON (OAK)
NL Pitcher of the Month - SP Javier VAZQUEZ (MON)
AL Rookie of the Month - LF Bobby KIELTY (MIN)
NL Rookie of the Month - LF Adam DUNN (CIN)

End of June:
Barry BONDS (COL): 73 G, 337 PA, .403/.531/.810, 106 H, 14 2B, 0 3B, 31 HR, 82 R, 67 RBI, 65 BB, 6 SB / 2 CS, 247 OPS+, 6.7 WAR

Todd HELTON (COL): 80 G, 349 PA, .391/.467/.732, 118 H, 16 2B, 3 3B, 27 HR, 62 R, 76 RBI, 44 BB, 0 SB / 2 CS, 210 OPS+, 4.5 WAR

NL West:
Los Angeles Dodgers 41-39
San Francisco Giants 40-40
Colorado Rockies 40-40
San Diego Padres 39-42
Arizona Diamondbacks 38-42

July 2nd: The White Sox send closer Keith Foulke and a minor league hitter to Detroit in exchange for second baseman Mark Bellhorn.

July 6th: Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera are both ruled out for the remainder of the season with arm injuries.

Saturday July 7th:
Angels (Etherton) @ Rockies (Jennings)
Barry Bonds hits three home runs and scores six times as the Rockies beat the Angels 17-16. Todd Helton homered twice, and Colorado also saw homers from Larry Walker and new signing Jose Canseco. Anaheim scored six in the 5th, four in the 6th and five in the 8th. Colorado scored three in the 1st, 6th and 9th, and also scored five runs in the 8th.

Sunday July 8th:
Angels (Cooper) @ Rockies (Karl)
Bonds doubles twice and homers as the Rockies beat the Angels 6-5 in ten innings. Jose Canseco wins the game with a bases loaded walk-off walk.

June 8th: Catcher Jason Phillips collects six hits at Yankee Stadium in a 21-4 blowout against the New York Mets

Barry Bonds and Todd Helton will represent the National League in the All-Star Game

Tuesday June 10th:
2001 Major League Baseball All-Star Game - Safeco Field, Seattle, WA

National League:
RF Lance BERKMAN (HOU) .319/.411/.603, 23 HR, 75 RBI
3B Chipper JONES (ATL) .323/.437/.629, 26 HR, 65 RBI
LF Barry BONDS (COL) .401/.523/.836, 37 HR, 77 RBI
1B Todd HELTON (COL) .399/.480/.752, 29 HR, 83 RBI
DH Albert PUJOLS (STL) .327/.419/.643, 13 HR, 40 RBI
C Mike PIAZZA (NYM) .309/.386/.538, 16 HR, 54 RBI
2B Marcus GILES (ATL) .328/.382/.512, 12 HR, 48 RBI
CF Andruw JONES (ATL) .295/.353/.498, 18 HR, 55 RBI
SS Rich AURILIA (SFG) .261/.325/.488, 17 HR, 55 RBI

SP Javier VAZQUEZ (MON) 10-5, 3.01 ERA, 105 K

American League:
2B Roberto ALOMAR (CLE) .317/.389/.512, 13 HR, 43 RBI
LF Manny RAMIREZ (NYY) .314/.383/.607, 28 HR, 82 RBI
CF Jim EDMONDS (OAK) .325/.416/.581, 21 HR, 61 RBI
1B Jason GIAMBI (OAK) .302/.415/.619, 29 HR, 77 RBI
SS Alex RODRIGUEZ (SEA) .292/.375/.522, 17 HR, 57 RBI
DH David ORTIZ (MIN) .373/.457/.717, 27 HR, 78 RBI
3B Russell BRANYAN (CLE) .350/.442/.713, 23 HR, 62 RBI
RF Trot NIXON (BOS) .309/.416/.618, 28 HR, 56 RBI
C AJ PIERZYNSKI (MIN) .302/.329/.457, 10 HR, 49 RBI

SP Roger CLEMENS (NYY) 11-3, 3.06 ERA, 120 K

The All-Star game was hugely dramatic. The pitchers had the best of the game through eight innings. Manny Ramirez homered in the first, and the AL took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the seventh as John Rocker had command issues. Things changed in the ninth inning. With runners on first and third, Chipper Jones doubled to deep right field, just over Trot Nixon, who had made a key defensive play earlier in the game to save runs. Marcus Giles and Vlad Guerrero scored, and the NL took a 3-2 lead to the bottom of the frame.

However, Bob Wickman wasn't able to close out the game. Derek Jeter walked, and Nomar Garciaparra powerfully doubled down the left field line, scoring the quick Jeter. Garciaparra advanced to third on a fly ball, and Carlos Delgado had a chance with two outs to win the game. The powerful left-hander smashed a ball to first, but Jeff Bagwell dove, and caught the ball fully extended, saving the game.

David Ortiz looked like he might have ended the game in the bottom of the 10th, but Vlad Guerrero robbed him of a possible home run in Safeco's large right field. However, Ortiz would get another chance, and this time, Guerrero would not foil him. Ortiz came to the play with two outs in the bottom of the 12th, with Mike Cameron on second and Alex Rodriguez on first base. Ortiz turned on a pitch from Todd Jones, and drove it to a very similar place to his fly-out in the 10th inning. This time however, it eluded the dive of Guerrero, bounced on the warning track, and hopped over the right field wall for a ground-rule double. Cameron scored from second, and the American League won, 4-3. Ortiz was named MVP, for his 3-6 day, with 2 doubles, one of them a game winner.

Barry Bonds went 1-2 with a walk. Todd Helton went 0-3 with a strikeout.

July 12th: Kerry Wood is sidelined for the rest of the season with an bone spur in his elbow.

Friday July 13th:
Rockies (Arrojo) @ Rangers (Oliver)
Bonds homers twice, moving to 40 on the season, as the Rockies beat Texas 11-2. Todd Helton also homers, and Jose Canseco scores two runs. Rolando Arrojo gives the Rockies 6.1 good innings. Bonds has hit nine homers in as many games in July.

July 15th: The Indians trade All-Star Scott Hatteberg to the White Sox for outfielder Ruben Sierra.

July 16th: Bonds is named NL Player of the Week, going 8-21 with 4 homers.

July 17th: Lance Berkman hits three home runs against the Indians, each for two runs. He also singled. The Astros win 8-5.

July 21st: Larry Walker tears a muscle in his back. He will miss the rest of the season. His contract expires after the season, so will be eligibly to leave Colorado in free agency.

July 22nd: Russ Ortiz of the Giants hurls a ten-inning no-hitter against the Diamondbacks. Ortiz strikes out eight and walks four, throwing 127 pitches. The game ends on a Glenallen Hill walk-off home run.

July 23rd: The Mariners acquire Andres Galarraga from San Diego in exchange for Brian Fuentes.

Wednesday July 25th:
Giants (Hernandez) @ Rockies (Jennings)
Bonds comes out of a mini-slump, homering twice against his former team as the Rockes win 9-4.

July 26th: The Cardinals trade outfielder Matt Lawton to Pittsburgh, in exchange for pitchers Chris Haney and Dan Wright. Texas trades Tony Gwynn to Toronto for Kelvin Escobar. The Athletics trade Jeremy Giambi to San Diego for starter Brian Tollberg.

July 27th: The Yankees trade catcher Charles Johnson to Montreal. They recieve hard-throwing righty reliever Ugueth Urbina in exchange.

July 29th: The Marlins trade slugger Mo Vaughn to the Mets for starter Mike Hampton and reliever Jason Tyner. Ken Griffey Jr collects his 2000th hit on a 3-4 day in Cincinnati.

July 30th: Mark Grudzielanek is traded from Toronto to Cincinnati for starter Estevan Loaiza. The Reds also trade Todd Hollandsworth to the Mets, recieving another starter, Rick Reed, in exchange.

Barry Bonds is the NL Player of the Month in July. He hit .371 with 18 home runs.

AL Batter of the Month - 1B David ORTIZ (MIN)
NL Batter of the Month - LF Barry BONDS (COL)
AL Pitcher of the Month - SP Braden LOOPER (BAL)
NL Pitcher of the Month - SP Rick HELLING (SDP)
AL Rookie of the Month - RF Jay GIBBONS (BAL)
NL Rookie of the Month - C Johnny ESTRADA (CHC)

End of July:
Barry BONDS (COL): 98 G, 454 PA, .394/.518/.853, 142 H, 18 2B, 0 3B, 49 HR, 118 R, 100 RBI, 82 BB, 255 OPS+, 8.8 WAR

Todd HELTON (COL): 106 G, 460 PA, .380/.467/.747, 149 H, 26 2B, 5 3B, 36 HR, 81 R, 102 RBI, 64 BB, 215 OPS+, 6.0 WAR

David ORTIZ (MIN): 98 G, 433 PA, .359/.443/.721, 135 H, 31 2B, 0 3B, 35 HR, 94 R, 95 RBI, 55 BB, 201 OPS+, 7.3 WAR

NL West:
Los Angeles Dodgers 57-50
San Francisco Giants 53-54
Colorado Rockies 52-44
San Diego Padres 52-44
Arizona Diamondbacks 48-58

The Yankees are 8 clear of Tampa Bay in the AL East.
Minnesota leads Chicago by 5.5 in the AL Central.
Oakland is running away with the AL West.
Tampa Bay is 6.5 clear of Chicago for the AL Wildcard.

Atlanta is 12.5 clear in the NL East.
Houston leads St. Louis by half a game in the NL Central.
The Dodgers are 4 games clear of San Francisco in the NL West.
St. Louis is 3.5 ahead of Pittsburgh in the NL Wildcard race.