Sorry, but an abbreviated blog entry tonight because I'm running the sim later than normal.
In the Platonic League, Stockholm has run off seven wins in a row to pull within 2.5 games of the wild card. Cairo and Pittsburgh are now tied for the cellar.
In the Socratic League, things are now preposterously tight as four teams are within 1.5 games and only have two playoff spots to divide up. Marietta clings to a one-game lead. Brooklyn and Jersey City are tied for the wild card spot. Winnipeg is just a half-game behind them and is tied in the loss column.
On the injury front, Pittsburgh lost reliever Vincent Furness for five-to-six weeks to a strained bicep, Seattle lost starter Juan Mandeville for three weeks to an inflamed rotator cuff, and Winnipeg lost reliever Jose Salo for 1-2 weeks with an inflamed elbow ligament.
The league file is posted. The web pages are on the way. Nate has the next sim on Friday.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
OEL - Series of the year - Bombers @ Mammoths
MARIETTA - With a 2 game lead the SL the Mammoths host Brooklyn for what should be the series of the year. Marietta leads the season series 5-2 but Brooklyn is completing a 20-6 month of July and has stormed from 5th place to 2nd during that run.
This series will see the top of the Bombers rotation going to the mound starting with Mark Fossum in game 1. He started the All-Star Game and has an 11-5 record on the season. Marietta will throw Alvaro Pedro who is 7-7. Game 2 will be evenly matched with Thomas Flennor and his 3.70 ERA for Brooklyn against Fredrick Wickham and his 7-4 record for the Mammoths. And game 3 will have future pitching sensation Tyler "Ex-" Conn who is 5-1 with a 2.47 ERA since his mid-season call-up after the Bombers traded away some of their starting pitching. Conn will be opposed by the ace of Marietta's staff Brandon Millette. He is tied for second in the SL with 12 wins and 3rd in ERA with 3.18.
All three games should be close and could come down which team's strength come through. The Bombers have brought the bats during this winning streak and now lead the league with a .281 BA and the only team in the league to have over 1,000 hits. Marietta has the league's best ERA at 3.53.
One thing is sure, this series could decide the SL as a sweep by Marietta would open up a 5 game spread and if it goes the other way Brooklyn would take the lead in the SL by a game.
See you in Marietta as we roll into August in the OEL.
This series will see the top of the Bombers rotation going to the mound starting with Mark Fossum in game 1. He started the All-Star Game and has an 11-5 record on the season. Marietta will throw Alvaro Pedro who is 7-7. Game 2 will be evenly matched with Thomas Flennor and his 3.70 ERA for Brooklyn against Fredrick Wickham and his 7-4 record for the Mammoths. And game 3 will have future pitching sensation Tyler "Ex-" Conn who is 5-1 with a 2.47 ERA since his mid-season call-up after the Bombers traded away some of their starting pitching. Conn will be opposed by the ace of Marietta's staff Brandon Millette. He is tied for second in the SL with 12 wins and 3rd in ERA with 3.18.
All three games should be close and could come down which team's strength come through. The Bombers have brought the bats during this winning streak and now lead the league with a .281 BA and the only team in the league to have over 1,000 hits. Marietta has the league's best ERA at 3.53.
One thing is sure, this series could decide the SL as a sweep by Marietta would open up a 5 game spread and if it goes the other way Brooklyn would take the lead in the SL by a game.
See you in Marietta as we roll into August in the OEL.
Cellar Dweller Swap
To liven up their floundering seasons, Cairo and Pittsburgh made a trade today. Cairo sent closer Ariel Santos, a free agent at the end of the season, to Pittsburgh in exchange for minor league starting pitcher prospect Chuck Finger.
"I had to move Finger," explained Pisces Owner/GM Mack Shultz. "Despite his great last name, I just couldn't come up with a nickname for him that really suited. So, he had to go. Ariel Santos won't torment me nearly as much, because his last name doesn't cry out for a nickname as badly."
In private, Pittsburgh team officials admitted that Shultz instructed his contract negotiators to get a deal done with Santos and said that if an extension wasn't reached, there would be hell to pay.
"I had to move Finger," explained Pisces Owner/GM Mack Shultz. "Despite his great last name, I just couldn't come up with a nickname for him that really suited. So, he had to go. Ariel Santos won't torment me nearly as much, because his last name doesn't cry out for a nickname as badly."
In private, Pittsburgh team officials admitted that Shultz instructed his contract negotiators to get a deal done with Santos and said that if an extension wasn't reached, there would be hell to pay.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Sim #23 Complete! Trade Deadline is here!
Yes, readers, the trading deadline is here. Get your trades in prior to the next sim on Wednesday or make no trades at all! Now's the time to move things forward with that 'special someone' and move your relationship to the next level.
In the Platonic League Seattle continues to hold it's lead and Sylva is moving into a dominant position for the wild card by leading Maryland by four games. Stockholm is only one-half game behind Maryland, as well, so things can still happen there.
The Socratic League sees Marietta stumble to a 5-5 record in their last ten opening the door for both Brooklyn and Jersey City to close the gap with their identical 8-2 records over the same period of time. Marietta is now up by only 2 games and only 3.5 games separate the top four teams in the SL.
In outstanding performances this sim Sylva's starting pitcher Frank Sherrick one-hit Cairo. With only one walk allowed as well it was a truly astounding performance!
A near catastrophic injury hampers Brooklyn's playoff push this sim as starting center fielder Oscar Woodworth Pulled a calf muscle badly. He's out for at least five weeks and won't be back until September! Get well soon, Oscar!
The next sim, and the trading deadline, are Wednesday by Mack!
In the Platonic League Seattle continues to hold it's lead and Sylva is moving into a dominant position for the wild card by leading Maryland by four games. Stockholm is only one-half game behind Maryland, as well, so things can still happen there.
The Socratic League sees Marietta stumble to a 5-5 record in their last ten opening the door for both Brooklyn and Jersey City to close the gap with their identical 8-2 records over the same period of time. Marietta is now up by only 2 games and only 3.5 games separate the top four teams in the SL.
In outstanding performances this sim Sylva's starting pitcher Frank Sherrick one-hit Cairo. With only one walk allowed as well it was a truly astounding performance!
A near catastrophic injury hampers Brooklyn's playoff push this sim as starting center fielder Oscar Woodworth Pulled a calf muscle badly. He's out for at least five weeks and won't be back until September! Get well soon, Oscar!
The next sim, and the trading deadline, are Wednesday by Mack!
New York Builds for the future
Brooklyn - For the second year in a row players move across the Big Apple as the Bombers and Knights exchange players for prospects and draft picks.
SP Willie Carter and 1B Benicio Pineda and a suitcase of unmarked, non sequential $20's are taking the L train to Brooklyn while 3B prospect Clayton Suazo and a 2nd round pick in 2004 head to Manhattan to become members of the Knights.
"We can't think of today...we have to plan for tomorrow," said Knights Owner/GM Eric Lent. "This move not only helps us up by putting Clayton on our roster, but gets rid of two players that were winning us too many games and hurting our chances of getting the #1 overall pick."
The addition of Carter completes the rotation for the Bombers who have had problems with their #5 spot in the rotation. "We would be in first by a good 5 games if we had a competent 5th starter in the rotation, and Carter is that man," stated Brooklyn manager George Welsh. "Management finally listened to me and now we are winning another Pennant." He went on to ramble about how Marietta does not have a chance, but there was no sentence that did not have an expletive in it so we could not print any of it.
The computer GM from Winnipeg was contacted and said, "1001111001010100100010100011." We believe that he was not pleased by the transaction.
We are 2 months from the end of the season and nothing is decided yet. With 9 teams with a legitimate chance of making the playoffs this season will come down to the wire and will make this season one the best in OEL history.
SP Willie Carter and 1B Benicio Pineda and a suitcase of unmarked, non sequential $20's are taking the L train to Brooklyn while 3B prospect Clayton Suazo and a 2nd round pick in 2004 head to Manhattan to become members of the Knights.
"We can't think of today...we have to plan for tomorrow," said Knights Owner/GM Eric Lent. "This move not only helps us up by putting Clayton on our roster, but gets rid of two players that were winning us too many games and hurting our chances of getting the #1 overall pick."
The addition of Carter completes the rotation for the Bombers who have had problems with their #5 spot in the rotation. "We would be in first by a good 5 games if we had a competent 5th starter in the rotation, and Carter is that man," stated Brooklyn manager George Welsh. "Management finally listened to me and now we are winning another Pennant." He went on to ramble about how Marietta does not have a chance, but there was no sentence that did not have an expletive in it so we could not print any of it.
The computer GM from Winnipeg was contacted and said, "1001111001010100100010100011." We believe that he was not pleased by the transaction.
We are 2 months from the end of the season and nothing is decided yet. With 9 teams with a legitimate chance of making the playoffs this season will come down to the wire and will make this season one the best in OEL history.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Sim #22 Completed
Just a sim away from the trading deadline, and the two leagues retain their same characteristics.
The Platonic League is still boring, as Seattle maintains its seven-game lead and holds the best record in the OEL. Better win the title this year, Matt. Sylva is still in the wild card spot. Maryland is three games behind Sylva and Stockholm is 4.5 games out of the playoffs. Pittsburgh's grip on the cellar loosened as Cairo pulled within two games.
In the Socratic League, things are tightening back up and the hot streaks of Marietta and the Brooklyn seem to have passed. Marietta is still in first, but their lead is only 2.5 games. Winnipeg has moved into the wild card spot, sparking little electronic spasms of joy in computers everywhere. Brooklyn is just a half-game behind Winnipeg and three games out of first while Jersey City sits just another half-game back. It seems to be a four-team race for the two playoff spots. Helena, who waved the white flag a few sims ago, is still only five games out of the playoffs. Meanwhile, New York fended off Pittsburgh's bid and maintains its grip on the first pick in the draft.
Miscellaneous notes:
Only day-to-day injuries, so that won't be an impetus for the next-to-last sim for trades.
Winnipeg's David Austin hit for the cycle on July 23 during a 6-5 win over Stockholm.
Sylva's Benito Figueredo and Jersey City's Brendon Townsend took home Player of the Week honors.
On July 22, Brooklyn scored one in the ninth and two in the tenth to beat Pittsburgh 4-2. Meanwhile, Helena pushed a run across in the 11th to beat Cairo 5-4.
On July 23, Winnipeg rode Austin's cycle to a 6-5 10-inning victory over Stockholm. Brooklyn again broke Pisces' fans hearts (hey, there's a few Pisces fans, including Debbie Allen!) with a one-run victory in the tenth. This time, the middle relief was the main culprit as the Bombers scored six in the eighth inning.
On July 24, Maryland shut out Seattle 2-0 as Lewis McGurk and three relievers scattered seven hits and three walks. (Scattered, of course, is the mandatory verb to be used in shut outs where the scoreless team has more than five hits. I don't make the sportswriting rules, I just follow them.)
Nothing struck me as interesting about the games on July 25 and 26, so look them up yourselves if you're bored.
The big series of the next sim will be when Winnipeg plays three in Marietta.
The next sim will only be four days, as it will go up to July 31. That means that the trading deadline will be next Wednesday, when the sim rolls into August. Just five shopping days left!
The league file is up and the web pages are en route. Nate will handle the next sim, on Monday. Have a good weekend everyone.
The Platonic League is still boring, as Seattle maintains its seven-game lead and holds the best record in the OEL. Better win the title this year, Matt. Sylva is still in the wild card spot. Maryland is three games behind Sylva and Stockholm is 4.5 games out of the playoffs. Pittsburgh's grip on the cellar loosened as Cairo pulled within two games.
In the Socratic League, things are tightening back up and the hot streaks of Marietta and the Brooklyn seem to have passed. Marietta is still in first, but their lead is only 2.5 games. Winnipeg has moved into the wild card spot, sparking little electronic spasms of joy in computers everywhere. Brooklyn is just a half-game behind Winnipeg and three games out of first while Jersey City sits just another half-game back. It seems to be a four-team race for the two playoff spots. Helena, who waved the white flag a few sims ago, is still only five games out of the playoffs. Meanwhile, New York fended off Pittsburgh's bid and maintains its grip on the first pick in the draft.
Miscellaneous notes:
Only day-to-day injuries, so that won't be an impetus for the next-to-last sim for trades.
Winnipeg's David Austin hit for the cycle on July 23 during a 6-5 win over Stockholm.
Sylva's Benito Figueredo and Jersey City's Brendon Townsend took home Player of the Week honors.
On July 22, Brooklyn scored one in the ninth and two in the tenth to beat Pittsburgh 4-2. Meanwhile, Helena pushed a run across in the 11th to beat Cairo 5-4.
On July 23, Winnipeg rode Austin's cycle to a 6-5 10-inning victory over Stockholm. Brooklyn again broke Pisces' fans hearts (hey, there's a few Pisces fans, including Debbie Allen!) with a one-run victory in the tenth. This time, the middle relief was the main culprit as the Bombers scored six in the eighth inning.
On July 24, Maryland shut out Seattle 2-0 as Lewis McGurk and three relievers scattered seven hits and three walks. (Scattered, of course, is the mandatory verb to be used in shut outs where the scoreless team has more than five hits. I don't make the sportswriting rules, I just follow them.)
Nothing struck me as interesting about the games on July 25 and 26, so look them up yourselves if you're bored.
The big series of the next sim will be when Winnipeg plays three in Marietta.
The next sim will only be four days, as it will go up to July 31. That means that the trading deadline will be next Wednesday, when the sim rolls into August. Just five shopping days left!
The league file is up and the web pages are en route. Nate will handle the next sim, on Monday. Have a good weekend everyone.
Seattle/Marietta Trade
The two frontrunner swap out this time!
Marietta sends first base prospect David Vidal to Seattle for Starting Pitcher Alvaro Pedro.
Mother and child are doing well.
Marietta sends first base prospect David Vidal to Seattle for Starting Pitcher Alvaro Pedro.
Mother and child are doing well.
Jersey City / Seattle trade
Jersey City has sent veteran starting pitcher Steven Hawn to Seattle in exchange for minor league SP prospect Eric Pellham.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Pedro for sale
Seattle GM Matt Macario announced today that he is terminating contract negotiations with SP Alvaro Pedro. "We've been very happy with what Alvaro has done for us to date, particularly in the last two years. Unfortunately, money doesn't grow on trees, so we're going to need to part ways next year," Macario said. "At this time we will entertain all trade offers for Alvaro as we look to the future."
The normally blog-averse Seattle GM added that any trade offers should be submitted to him via email at guitar_shark@hotmail.com .
The normally blog-averse Seattle GM added that any trade offers should be submitted to him via email at guitar_shark@hotmail.com .
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Sim #21 Complete! Brooklyn wins nine straight!
Well, sports fans, not a lot of movement at the top this time but the wildcard race continues to heat up.
In the Platonic League Seattle continues to be on top as Sylva and Maryland fight it out for the second playoff slot. Sylva has extended their wildcard lead over Maryland to two games by answering Maryland's 3-7 in the last ten games with a solid 6-4 over the same period.
In the Socratic League Marietta remains up by four, gaining half a game in the lead but Brooklyn, while throwing off a nine game winning streak, has passed Winnipeg for the wild card slot. With a little over two months to go anything can happen here!
Notable games this week feature Brooklyn extending their streak with a 20-5 drubbing of Pittsburgh in a game that Brooklyn's start only lasted two innings! How 'bout that?
On the injury front Helena's Tony Chavez broke some ribs catching a ball and is out for at least four weeks! Other injuries include Cairo's John Arant for a week, and Maryland's Kenneth Juarez for a week.
Who will win and who will lose? Find out on Friday as Mack runs the sim! Be there!
In the Platonic League Seattle continues to be on top as Sylva and Maryland fight it out for the second playoff slot. Sylva has extended their wildcard lead over Maryland to two games by answering Maryland's 3-7 in the last ten games with a solid 6-4 over the same period.
In the Socratic League Marietta remains up by four, gaining half a game in the lead but Brooklyn, while throwing off a nine game winning streak, has passed Winnipeg for the wild card slot. With a little over two months to go anything can happen here!
Notable games this week feature Brooklyn extending their streak with a 20-5 drubbing of Pittsburgh in a game that Brooklyn's start only lasted two innings! How 'bout that?
On the injury front Helena's Tony Chavez broke some ribs catching a ball and is out for at least four weeks! Other injuries include Cairo's John Arant for a week, and Maryland's Kenneth Juarez for a week.
Who will win and who will lose? Find out on Friday as Mack runs the sim! Be there!
Pittsburgh Is Going to Own the Fourth Round!!!
In a series of minor deals, Pittsburgh acquired a couple of fourth round picks in next year's draft. First, the Pisces dealt backup infielder Pedro Sequiros to Seattle today for a fourth round pick in the 2004 draft and minor league scrub catcher Richard Watson. Then, Pittsburgh sent platoon starting outfielder James Rhodes to Marietta in exchange for another fourth round pick and minor league scrub shortstop Carlos Parra.
"Let's face it," said Owner/GM Mack Shultz. "We're going nowhere fast this year. Both Pedro and Jimmy were going to be free agents at the end of the year and their agents seemed to think they were worth more than we did. As everyone knows, we're rebuilding and acquiring as many draft picks as possible should help."
When asked about the two minor leaguers acquired in the deals, both of whom are very questionable prospects, Shultz said, "Don't know who they are. Don't care."
Shultz did sound upbeat about one aspect of the trades though. "With the trade of Pedro, Pittsburgh will be promoting future superstar Donald Parson and making him our starting shortstop, effective immediately." Current starting shortstop Donald Blair will be moved into a new role as utility infielder and pinch-runner extraordinaire.
"Although the present is dim for the Pisces, the future looks bright," said Shultz as he donned sunglasses and strode out of the room.
"Let's face it," said Owner/GM Mack Shultz. "We're going nowhere fast this year. Both Pedro and Jimmy were going to be free agents at the end of the year and their agents seemed to think they were worth more than we did. As everyone knows, we're rebuilding and acquiring as many draft picks as possible should help."
When asked about the two minor leaguers acquired in the deals, both of whom are very questionable prospects, Shultz said, "Don't know who they are. Don't care."
Shultz did sound upbeat about one aspect of the trades though. "With the trade of Pedro, Pittsburgh will be promoting future superstar Donald Parson and making him our starting shortstop, effective immediately." Current starting shortstop Donald Blair will be moved into a new role as utility infielder and pinch-runner extraordinaire.
"Although the present is dim for the Pisces, the future looks bright," said Shultz as he donned sunglasses and strode out of the room.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
2004 Picks Traded So Far
Just to keep everyone up to date, here are the picks traded so far for the 2004 draft:
1st Round
Seattle pick to Pittsburgh (2002 Pullum trade)
Jersey City pick to Helena (Folch trade)
2nd Round
Stockholm pick to Pittsburgh (Leon trade)
Brooklyn pick to Jersey City (Carter/Pineda trade)
3rd Round
Brooklyn pick to Sylva (McGinn trade)
Stockholm pick to Pittsburgh (Leon trade)
Jersey City pick to Maryland (Newland trade)
4th Round
Seattle pick to Pittsburgh (Sequiros trade)
Marietta pick to Pittsburgh (Rhodes trade)
5th Round
Maryland pick to Stockholm (Sabella trade)
6th Round
Jersey City pick to Maryland (Newland trade)
7th Round
Maryland pick to Stockholm (Sabella trade)
8th Round
Stockholm pick to Brooklyn (Fortner trade)
Please send me an email if I'm missing anything.
1st Round
Seattle pick to Pittsburgh (2002 Pullum trade)
Jersey City pick to Helena (Folch trade)
2nd Round
Stockholm pick to Pittsburgh (Leon trade)
Brooklyn pick to Jersey City (Carter/Pineda trade)
3rd Round
Brooklyn pick to Sylva (McGinn trade)
Stockholm pick to Pittsburgh (Leon trade)
Jersey City pick to Maryland (Newland trade)
4th Round
Seattle pick to Pittsburgh (Sequiros trade)
Marietta pick to Pittsburgh (Rhodes trade)
5th Round
Maryland pick to Stockholm (Sabella trade)
6th Round
Jersey City pick to Maryland (Newland trade)
7th Round
Maryland pick to Stockholm (Sabella trade)
8th Round
Stockholm pick to Brooklyn (Fortner trade)
Please send me an email if I'm missing anything.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Sim #20 Completed
The league date is up to July 17. Just a few more sims before the trading deadline, so if you're going to fortify your team for the playoff run, the time is now.
Finally, a change in the Platonic League pecking order. Seattle is still in first and now sports a seven-game lead. However, Sylva has passed Maryland, which lost all four games this sim after the big deal with Jersey City. Maryland now trails Sylva by one game. Stockholm stands just three games out of the wild card spot. Cairo has a 2.5 game lead on Pittsburgh in the race to avoid the cellar.
In the Socratic League, Marietta began coming back to the pack. The Mammoths have a three-game lead over second place Winnipeg. Brooklyn and Jersey City are tied for third, 2.5 games out of the wild card and just 5.5 back from first. Helena is now 4.5 games out of the wild card. New York is still in position for the first pick in the draft.
Miscellaneous notes from the sim:
Seattle's Darren Schmeltzer hit for the cycle on July 16. He drove in three and scored twice.
Schmeltzer and Winnipeg's Reinaldo Salerno took home Player of the Week honors.
Bad sim for backs. Cairo lost starting pitcher Fernando Graziano for the season to a torn back muscle. Marietta also lost stud third baseman Constantino Martinez for 1-2 weeks to a pulled back muscle.
On July 13, Helena scored four in the top of the tenth to beat Seattle 9-5, who had tied it with three in the eighth and one in the ninth. Joseph Watson and Ben Anguita homered for the Handbaskets in the extra frame. Meanwhile, Maryland had Brooklyn down 4-0 entering the bottom of the ninth but the Bombers scored four in the ninth and two more in the tenth to pull out a 6-4 victory.
Three teams reached double figures in runs scored on July 14, as Seattle, Winnipeg, and Brooklyn pounded Helena, Pittsburgh, and Maryland.
On July 16, Seattle scored four in the ninth inning and one in the eleventh to beat Helena 12-11. Winnipeg also scored two runs to pull out an 8-7 victory in the tenth frame and complete a four-game sweep of Pittsburgh. Winnipeg outscored the Pisces 41-13 over the four extremely humiliating games. Brooklyn also finished a four-game sweep of Maryland, by a combined score of 35-20.
The league file is uploaded and the web pages are en route. Next sim is by Nate on Wednesday.
Finally, a change in the Platonic League pecking order. Seattle is still in first and now sports a seven-game lead. However, Sylva has passed Maryland, which lost all four games this sim after the big deal with Jersey City. Maryland now trails Sylva by one game. Stockholm stands just three games out of the wild card spot. Cairo has a 2.5 game lead on Pittsburgh in the race to avoid the cellar.
In the Socratic League, Marietta began coming back to the pack. The Mammoths have a three-game lead over second place Winnipeg. Brooklyn and Jersey City are tied for third, 2.5 games out of the wild card and just 5.5 back from first. Helena is now 4.5 games out of the wild card. New York is still in position for the first pick in the draft.
Miscellaneous notes from the sim:
Seattle's Darren Schmeltzer hit for the cycle on July 16. He drove in three and scored twice.
Schmeltzer and Winnipeg's Reinaldo Salerno took home Player of the Week honors.
Bad sim for backs. Cairo lost starting pitcher Fernando Graziano for the season to a torn back muscle. Marietta also lost stud third baseman Constantino Martinez for 1-2 weeks to a pulled back muscle.
On July 13, Helena scored four in the top of the tenth to beat Seattle 9-5, who had tied it with three in the eighth and one in the ninth. Joseph Watson and Ben Anguita homered for the Handbaskets in the extra frame. Meanwhile, Maryland had Brooklyn down 4-0 entering the bottom of the ninth but the Bombers scored four in the ninth and two more in the tenth to pull out a 6-4 victory.
Three teams reached double figures in runs scored on July 14, as Seattle, Winnipeg, and Brooklyn pounded Helena, Pittsburgh, and Maryland.
On July 16, Seattle scored four in the ninth inning and one in the eleventh to beat Helena 12-11. Winnipeg also scored two runs to pull out an 8-7 victory in the tenth frame and complete a four-game sweep of Pittsburgh. Winnipeg outscored the Pisces 41-13 over the four extremely humiliating games. Brooklyn also finished a four-game sweep of Maryland, by a combined score of 35-20.
The league file is uploaded and the web pages are en route. Next sim is by Nate on Wednesday.
Jersey City / Helena trade
Another multi-player trade pulled off by Jersey City, as, despite his "white flag" posting of several weeks ago, the Skeeters' GM sends a bunch of prospects and a draft pick to Helena in exchange for two veteran pitchers.
Jersey City sends three of his top seven prospects to Helena, as 20 year old OF Frankie Garnett, 20 year old C Anthony Portugal and 21 year old P Edmund Cronan head out west. In addition, Helena gets MR Marcelo Amaral and the Skeeters' 1st round pick in next year's draft.
In exchange for this package, Jersey City gets closer Alfred Wickline and starting pitcher Tomas Folch.
"Wickline should really bolster the bullpen - he's having an off year, but I'm confident that working with Pitching Coach Raymond Wilhite, that Alfred will turn it around and solidify the pen", said Jersey City's GM. "Folch is a top tier starter, and gives us a deeper starting rotation. Plus, both are signed for the next three years.
"We gave up a lot to get these two, but managed to hold on to our two top prospects. Despite earlier indications that we were going to rebuild, after studying the market a bit more, it became clear that the right thing to do was to go for it this year.
"And hey, anybody needing a starting pitcher for the back end of your rotation, I've got the arms for you!"
Jersey City sends three of his top seven prospects to Helena, as 20 year old OF Frankie Garnett, 20 year old C Anthony Portugal and 21 year old P Edmund Cronan head out west. In addition, Helena gets MR Marcelo Amaral and the Skeeters' 1st round pick in next year's draft.
In exchange for this package, Jersey City gets closer Alfred Wickline and starting pitcher Tomas Folch.
"Wickline should really bolster the bullpen - he's having an off year, but I'm confident that working with Pitching Coach Raymond Wilhite, that Alfred will turn it around and solidify the pen", said Jersey City's GM. "Folch is a top tier starter, and gives us a deeper starting rotation. Plus, both are signed for the next three years.
"We gave up a lot to get these two, but managed to hold on to our two top prospects. Despite earlier indications that we were going to rebuild, after studying the market a bit more, it became clear that the right thing to do was to go for it this year.
"And hey, anybody needing a starting pitcher for the back end of your rotation, I've got the arms for you!"
Jersey City / Maryland trade
Jersey City is proud to announce the first step in the shaking up of its roster, as they trade #5 starter Quinn Shetler, MR Ralph Mills, veteran 1B Steven Dawson as well as 3rd and 6th round picks next year to the Maryland Poedamnedonium in exchange for SP Robert Newland, MR Tony Espinel, 1B/3B Andre Hanson, SP Wilfredo Solares, 1B prospect Jason Horak and 1.8 million in cash.
"Well, finally we've got someone signed for next year who can play first base", said Jersey City's GM. "Andre gives us a veteran presence there. Robert Newland and Tony Espinel should replace Shetler and Mills fairly well, and they're cheap for this year, giving us some room to add salary if needed. Wilfredo Solares gives us a young SP option for next year and beyond.
"We wish Steven Dawson good luck in the rest of his farewell tour this year."
The frenzied activity behind the Jersey City GM as he made these remarks led many in the audience to believe that there was something else in the works....
"Well, finally we've got someone signed for next year who can play first base", said Jersey City's GM. "Andre gives us a veteran presence there. Robert Newland and Tony Espinel should replace Shetler and Mills fairly well, and they're cheap for this year, giving us some room to add salary if needed. Wilfredo Solares gives us a young SP option for next year and beyond.
"We wish Steven Dawson good luck in the rest of his farewell tour this year."
The frenzied activity behind the Jersey City GM as he made these remarks led many in the audience to believe that there was something else in the works....
July Pain
We are sad again awould like to share it with the Socratic League. The Poedamnedmonium offer this package:
Robert Newland, Starting Pitcher, 29 yrs $ 475,000 2003
Andre Hanson, Third Base, 31 yrs $ 6,295,555 2004
Tony Espinel, Reliever, 30 yrs $350,000 2003
Up to 2.2 Million in Cash
in return we would like
Bullpen help
Prospects
Draft Pick(s)
The sunrise causes us pain. Send offers if interested.
Robert Newland, Starting Pitcher, 29 yrs $ 475,000 2003
Andre Hanson, Third Base, 31 yrs $ 6,295,555 2004
Tony Espinel, Reliever, 30 yrs $350,000 2003
Up to 2.2 Million in Cash
in return we would like
Bullpen help
Prospects
Draft Pick(s)
The sunrise causes us pain. Send offers if interested.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
In a shocking revelation, the well known recluse and Manager of the Helena Handbaskets, God Almighty, has once again communicated with us. His image appeared on an overdone piece of toast in a truckstop diner just outside of town. Believers and skeptics alike were reported to have heard the following statement coming from a booming voice in the skies, "WE DOTH SUCK, AND MUST REBUILD".
God followed up with a list of players he would be willing to trade for young pitching and prospects.
SP Tomas Folch
SP Joseph Diederich
CL Alfred Wickline
3B Ben Anguita
RF Shane Spies
God followed up with a list of players he would be willing to trade for young pitching and prospects.
SP Tomas Folch
SP Joseph Diederich
CL Alfred Wickline
3B Ben Anguita
RF Shane Spies
Sim #20 - All Star Game! Socratic League win a tight one!
The sim is over and with it the first ever official OEL Allstar Game!
The Socratic League won the popular event 6-5 on the back of home runs by Marietta's Abalo, Helena's Chavez, and and Jersey City's Basil Gomez! After lighting up Platonic League starter Billy Lowry (Seattle) for four runs in the first two innings the SL looked to cruise after start Mark Fossum (Brooklyn) struck out four in three perfect innings. However, Samuel Mazza (Winnipeg) came if for the fourth and was quickly touched up for five runs while only getting one batter out!
Those were the only runs the PL would score that night as the SL put up two more runs later in the game to bring the victory home! Better luck next year, Platonic!
In the regular season Marietta remains up by five games over Winnipeg but Jersey City is only one-half game off the wildcard pace. One the other side Seattle continues to be up, now by six over Maryland who is one game ahead of Sylva!
Here are your All Star Choices for 2003:
These players were selected for the PL OOTP-Allstar Team:
Sadly, Mack, Pittsburgh was shut out this time.
P Billy Lowry from Seattle
P Thomas Holte from Seattle
P Lewis McGurk from Maryland
P Edward Kopecky from Maryland
P Fabio Puñal from Maryland
P Bryan Im from Cairo
P Frank Sherrick from Sylva
P Robert Turner from Seattle
P Wesley Savage from Seattle
P Ariel Santos from Cairo
C Charles Hicklin from Stockholm
C Herman Colon from Seattle
1B Amador Zaragoza from Seattle
2B Edward Redding from Stockholm
3B Raymond Bullington from Sylva
SS Charles Fordyce from Maryland
LF Ronald Veit from Seattle
CF Carlos Araoz from Seattle
RF Silvio Ruiz from Maryland
1B Ronald Hernandez from Maryland
LF John Sasso from Maryland
LF Perry Hodgin from Sylva
RF George Pullum from Seattle
3B Darren Schmeltzer from Seattle
2B Berny Gonzalez from Seattle
These players were selected for the SL OOTP-Allstar Team :
P Steven Pate from Jersey City
P Samuel Mazza from Winnipeg
P Mark Fossum from Brooklyn
P Brandon Millette from Marietta
P Trevor Canela from Brooklyn
P Walter Font from Marietta
P Bricio Loera from Helena
P Jose Alvardo from Marietta
P George Echevarria from Jersey City
P Edward Adams from Winnipeg
C Pio Pastrana from Brooklyn
C John Neiman from Helena
1B Wiley Reinoso from Helena
2B Hung Odell from Winnipeg
3B Constantino Martinez from Marietta
SS Alfonso Reyes from New York
LF Tory Chavez from Helena
CF Reinaldo Salerno from Winnipeg
RF Manuel Abalo from Marietta
1B Benicio Pineda from New York
LF Tomihiko Heizo from Marietta
CF Joseph Watson from Helena
CF Sammie Ward from New York
3B Basil Gomez from Jersey City
2B Randy McGinn from Brooklyn
The next sim is Monday by Mack! Be there, the trading deadline is approaching!
The Socratic League won the popular event 6-5 on the back of home runs by Marietta's Abalo, Helena's Chavez, and and Jersey City's Basil Gomez! After lighting up Platonic League starter Billy Lowry (Seattle) for four runs in the first two innings the SL looked to cruise after start Mark Fossum (Brooklyn) struck out four in three perfect innings. However, Samuel Mazza (Winnipeg) came if for the fourth and was quickly touched up for five runs while only getting one batter out!
Those were the only runs the PL would score that night as the SL put up two more runs later in the game to bring the victory home! Better luck next year, Platonic!
In the regular season Marietta remains up by five games over Winnipeg but Jersey City is only one-half game off the wildcard pace. One the other side Seattle continues to be up, now by six over Maryland who is one game ahead of Sylva!
Here are your All Star Choices for 2003:
These players were selected for the PL OOTP-Allstar Team:
Sadly, Mack, Pittsburgh was shut out this time.
P Billy Lowry from Seattle
P Thomas Holte from Seattle
P Lewis McGurk from Maryland
P Edward Kopecky from Maryland
P Fabio Puñal from Maryland
P Bryan Im from Cairo
P Frank Sherrick from Sylva
P Robert Turner from Seattle
P Wesley Savage from Seattle
P Ariel Santos from Cairo
C Charles Hicklin from Stockholm
C Herman Colon from Seattle
1B Amador Zaragoza from Seattle
2B Edward Redding from Stockholm
3B Raymond Bullington from Sylva
SS Charles Fordyce from Maryland
LF Ronald Veit from Seattle
CF Carlos Araoz from Seattle
RF Silvio Ruiz from Maryland
1B Ronald Hernandez from Maryland
LF John Sasso from Maryland
LF Perry Hodgin from Sylva
RF George Pullum from Seattle
3B Darren Schmeltzer from Seattle
2B Berny Gonzalez from Seattle
These players were selected for the SL OOTP-Allstar Team :
P Steven Pate from Jersey City
P Samuel Mazza from Winnipeg
P Mark Fossum from Brooklyn
P Brandon Millette from Marietta
P Trevor Canela from Brooklyn
P Walter Font from Marietta
P Bricio Loera from Helena
P Jose Alvardo from Marietta
P George Echevarria from Jersey City
P Edward Adams from Winnipeg
C Pio Pastrana from Brooklyn
C John Neiman from Helena
1B Wiley Reinoso from Helena
2B Hung Odell from Winnipeg
3B Constantino Martinez from Marietta
SS Alfonso Reyes from New York
LF Tory Chavez from Helena
CF Reinaldo Salerno from Winnipeg
RF Manuel Abalo from Marietta
1B Benicio Pineda from New York
LF Tomihiko Heizo from Marietta
CF Joseph Watson from Helena
CF Sammie Ward from New York
3B Basil Gomez from Jersey City
2B Randy McGinn from Brooklyn
The next sim is Monday by Mack! Be there, the trading deadline is approaching!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Sim #19 Completed
We're up to July 7. Remember, the trading deadline is the end of July, so make your plans now! (And remember, for all of your upgrade-the-bench-cheaply needs, come see Mack. All Pisces players can be obtained! Note, that may not actually help your team.)
No real change in the Platonic League. Seattle's lead over Maryland is now five games. Sylva is in third and two games out of the wild card spot. Stockholm has now dropped 10 games out of first and is a full five games out of the playoffs. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh is challenging Cairo for the cellar, having dropped to within a half-game of the Leveemen.
Marietta appears to be running away with the Socratic League, riding an eight-game win streak. Their five game lead is, I believe, the biggest lead this year. The Mammoths also have the best Pythagorean record in the OEL. The Socratic wild card chase has four teams within 3.5 games. The leader right now is Winnipeg. HAL2000 is followed by Jersey City (1.5 games back), Helena (2.5 back), and Brooklyn (3.5 back). New York is ... not close.
Edward Scoles of Marietta through a two-hit shutout of Cairo on July 2. Five of the top nine pitching performances this year have come against Cairo.
Stockholm's Charles Hicklin and Brooklyn's Pio Pastrama won the latest Player of the Week award.
Nothing but day-to-day injuries this sim, and the game was egalitarian enough to dole them out only to the two division leaders: Marietta (Lamont Alcala and Bill Waite) and Seattle (George Pullum).
None of the box scores struck me as particularly thrilling, so no notes from me on them.
It's an odd year in the PL this year as only one player (Seattle's Carlos Araoz) is on pace to hit more than 30 home runs. The highest OPS is only .940, for the Dominican God of Walks, Amador Zaragoza. On the other hand, pitching isn't overwhelmingly dominant either, as only four starting pitchers have ERAs under 3.00.
The SL features some more dominant offensive performances, as Marietta's Constantino Martinez and Winnipeg's Reinaldo Salerno both have +1.000 OPS and Helena's Tory Chavez is at .985. On the other hand, only Marietta's Walter Font has an ERA under 3.00.
League file is updated and the web pages are en route. Next sim is Friday by Nate. It will feature the first actual All-Star game in OEL history, as the first two games were called on account of a crappy schedule that didn't make room for them. Frankly, I'm just hoping one Pisces player makes the team.
No real change in the Platonic League. Seattle's lead over Maryland is now five games. Sylva is in third and two games out of the wild card spot. Stockholm has now dropped 10 games out of first and is a full five games out of the playoffs. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh is challenging Cairo for the cellar, having dropped to within a half-game of the Leveemen.
Marietta appears to be running away with the Socratic League, riding an eight-game win streak. Their five game lead is, I believe, the biggest lead this year. The Mammoths also have the best Pythagorean record in the OEL. The Socratic wild card chase has four teams within 3.5 games. The leader right now is Winnipeg. HAL2000 is followed by Jersey City (1.5 games back), Helena (2.5 back), and Brooklyn (3.5 back). New York is ... not close.
Edward Scoles of Marietta through a two-hit shutout of Cairo on July 2. Five of the top nine pitching performances this year have come against Cairo.
Stockholm's Charles Hicklin and Brooklyn's Pio Pastrama won the latest Player of the Week award.
Nothing but day-to-day injuries this sim, and the game was egalitarian enough to dole them out only to the two division leaders: Marietta (Lamont Alcala and Bill Waite) and Seattle (George Pullum).
None of the box scores struck me as particularly thrilling, so no notes from me on them.
It's an odd year in the PL this year as only one player (Seattle's Carlos Araoz) is on pace to hit more than 30 home runs. The highest OPS is only .940, for the Dominican God of Walks, Amador Zaragoza. On the other hand, pitching isn't overwhelmingly dominant either, as only four starting pitchers have ERAs under 3.00.
The SL features some more dominant offensive performances, as Marietta's Constantino Martinez and Winnipeg's Reinaldo Salerno both have +1.000 OPS and Helena's Tory Chavez is at .985. On the other hand, only Marietta's Walter Font has an ERA under 3.00.
League file is updated and the web pages are en route. Next sim is Friday by Nate. It will feature the first actual All-Star game in OEL history, as the first two games were called on account of a crappy schedule that didn't make room for them. Frankly, I'm just hoping one Pisces player makes the team.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Sim #18 Complete! New York now worst!
We've simmed until July 1, now, and New York is establishing itself as the weakest team in the weak Socratic League. Posted at 28-53 the gothamites find themselves a full game and a half behind Platonic worst Cairo. Pittsburgh, even with the constant moans of owner Mack Shultz, finds itself in fifth even following a 1-9 stretch in the last two sims.
The leaderboard this time hasn't changes with Marietta and Seattle both on top of their leagues. The #2 slot in both is competitive, however, as Sylva is only one game behind Maryland for the wildcard and in the SL Winnipeg just passed Helena for the second slot. Jersey City is only another game off the pace so the tension remains thick on the right-hand side of the game.
Notable games this sim include the June 30 tilt between Marietta and Cairo. The game, which featured only 5 hits between the two teams ended with Marietta winning 1-0 on an unearned run in the bottom of the ninth. Ow, that's gotta hurt!
In top performances this sim Pittsburgh Starter Donald Mines through a gem against Cairo on June 28. Nine innings of scoreless, five-hit, no-walk pitching earned him the 18th best pitching performance of the year. Well done, Donald!
The injury gremlin was busy this week: Seven players, went down with day-to-day injuries this time while three, Jersey City's Freddie Mendes, Winnipeg's Andreas Anderson, and Stockholm's Charles Hicklin, are all out for at least a week.
Mack is on top of the next sim on Wednesday! Be there!
The leaderboard this time hasn't changes with Marietta and Seattle both on top of their leagues. The #2 slot in both is competitive, however, as Sylva is only one game behind Maryland for the wildcard and in the SL Winnipeg just passed Helena for the second slot. Jersey City is only another game off the pace so the tension remains thick on the right-hand side of the game.
Notable games this sim include the June 30 tilt between Marietta and Cairo. The game, which featured only 5 hits between the two teams ended with Marietta winning 1-0 on an unearned run in the bottom of the ninth. Ow, that's gotta hurt!
In top performances this sim Pittsburgh Starter Donald Mines through a gem against Cairo on June 28. Nine innings of scoreless, five-hit, no-walk pitching earned him the 18th best pitching performance of the year. Well done, Donald!
The injury gremlin was busy this week: Seven players, went down with day-to-day injuries this time while three, Jersey City's Freddie Mendes, Winnipeg's Andreas Anderson, and Stockholm's Charles Hicklin, are all out for at least a week.
Mack is on top of the next sim on Wednesday! Be there!
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Sim #17 Completed
We're up to June 27.
Seattle still leads the Platonic, and still by four games over current wild card Maryland. Sylva has passed the injury-battered Stockholm Syndromes for third and is three games behind Maryland. Stockholm is another game back. Meanwhile, someone put up an April calendar in the Pittsburgh clubhouse, prompting a six-game losing streak. Cairo remains in last, but only 1.5 games behind Pittsburgh as the Leveemen have rolled off four wins in a row.
The race in the Socratic League is tightening back up. Marietta remains in first, but by just 1.5 games over Helena. Winnipeg is two games behind Marietta, one-half game behind Helena. Jersey City, despite the notorious White Flag announcement this week by owner Paul Michael, remains in the thick of the hunt only one game out of the wild card. Even defending champion Brooklyn has begun to creep closer to the race; while still in fifth, the Bombers closed to within four games of the wild card and 5.5 of first place. New York joins Pittsburgh and Cairo in the ranks of those all but eliminated from playoff contention.
In the biggest injury news of the sim, a Stockholm pitcher was NOT injured. Medical experts are flying in from around the world to figure out why not.
Brooklyn bore the brunt of the injury bug this sim. First, they lost backup shortstop Melvin Barrett to a strained back for 1-2 weeks. Then, they lost defending Ted Williams Award winner and second baseman Miayatorou Takenao for three weeks to a pulled tricep tendon.
Sylva's Benito Figueredo and Helena's Tory Chavez pulled in Player of the Week honors.
On June 23, Marietta scored one in the ninth and one in the tenth to beat Brooklyn 2-1, as young, promising closer Steve Corner took his fourth loss of the month.
On June 24, five New York Knights combined to shut out Jersey City 2-0 over ten innings. The Skeeters couldn't push a man across despite eight hits and seven walks.
On June 26, Jersey City scored three in the bottom of the ninth to pull out a 3-2 win over Helena. All three runs came off Helena's struggling closer, Alfred Wickline.
Next sim Monday by Nate. League file is uploaded and web pages en route.
Seattle still leads the Platonic, and still by four games over current wild card Maryland. Sylva has passed the injury-battered Stockholm Syndromes for third and is three games behind Maryland. Stockholm is another game back. Meanwhile, someone put up an April calendar in the Pittsburgh clubhouse, prompting a six-game losing streak. Cairo remains in last, but only 1.5 games behind Pittsburgh as the Leveemen have rolled off four wins in a row.
The race in the Socratic League is tightening back up. Marietta remains in first, but by just 1.5 games over Helena. Winnipeg is two games behind Marietta, one-half game behind Helena. Jersey City, despite the notorious White Flag announcement this week by owner Paul Michael, remains in the thick of the hunt only one game out of the wild card. Even defending champion Brooklyn has begun to creep closer to the race; while still in fifth, the Bombers closed to within four games of the wild card and 5.5 of first place. New York joins Pittsburgh and Cairo in the ranks of those all but eliminated from playoff contention.
In the biggest injury news of the sim, a Stockholm pitcher was NOT injured. Medical experts are flying in from around the world to figure out why not.
Brooklyn bore the brunt of the injury bug this sim. First, they lost backup shortstop Melvin Barrett to a strained back for 1-2 weeks. Then, they lost defending Ted Williams Award winner and second baseman Miayatorou Takenao for three weeks to a pulled tricep tendon.
Sylva's Benito Figueredo and Helena's Tory Chavez pulled in Player of the Week honors.
On June 23, Marietta scored one in the ninth and one in the tenth to beat Brooklyn 2-1, as young, promising closer Steve Corner took his fourth loss of the month.
On June 24, five New York Knights combined to shut out Jersey City 2-0 over ten innings. The Skeeters couldn't push a man across despite eight hits and seven walks.
On June 26, Jersey City scored three in the bottom of the ninth to pull out a 3-2 win over Helena. All three runs came off Helena's struggling closer, Alfred Wickline.
Next sim Monday by Nate. League file is uploaded and web pages en route.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Jersey City Players for Sale!
Well, my brief run at respectability has faded, as Mr. Pythagoras has begun to catch up to me. So I'm putting a number of players on the trading block, as I try to build for the future.
Need a middle infielder? How about Maels Ruiz? Signed through next year at $2.4 million. Rated 2.5 stars, can start at 2B or SS, hitting for an .800 OPS so far this year.
Or there's Yajirou Tatsuya, a 2.5 star SS with above average range and arm. Signed through next year at just over $1M! We refuse to confirm or deny the rumor that he is the father of #6 prospect C Rudorufu Tatsuya.
Outfielders? We've got them. Benito Parra, only 27 years old, is a 3 star CF/RF. Struggling a bit this year, he was an all-star last year with over 100 RBIs. He'll be eligible for FA at the end of this year - here's your chance to lock up an OF in his prime!
Another all-star OF last year was Gonzalo Fernandez. He's a 2.5 star CF signed through the end of next year for $2.805 million. An above average all-around talent, he's got some speed, some power, and hits for a decent average.
The prize talent up for offer may well be SP Steven Pate. He's a 3.0 star SP, signed through the end of 2005 for just over $4 million. Sporting a 10-4 record with a 3.39 ERA, he'd make a huge difference for someone looking to bolster their rotation.
Or need bullpen help? How about George Echevarria, who's got 23 saves so far this year and a 3.43 ERA. He's only signed through the end of the year at $3.16 million, and could beef up your bullpen if the price is right!
Others on the market include starting C Marcus Navarro, #3 starter Stephen Hawn, and 2B Aloisio Morales (look 'em up yourselves, I'm tired of linking!). Pretty much anyone on my roster except Silas, Gomez, Karpinski and Townsend.
What am I looking for? Youth, especially in the starting rotation. An answer at 1B for next year and beyond. Bullpen help. Salary relief. Prospects and draft picks. The usual stuff!
So, drop me an email, let me know what you'd like!
- Paul / Jersey City
Need a middle infielder? How about Maels Ruiz? Signed through next year at $2.4 million. Rated 2.5 stars, can start at 2B or SS, hitting for an .800 OPS so far this year.
Or there's Yajirou Tatsuya, a 2.5 star SS with above average range and arm. Signed through next year at just over $1M! We refuse to confirm or deny the rumor that he is the father of #6 prospect C Rudorufu Tatsuya.
Outfielders? We've got them. Benito Parra, only 27 years old, is a 3 star CF/RF. Struggling a bit this year, he was an all-star last year with over 100 RBIs. He'll be eligible for FA at the end of this year - here's your chance to lock up an OF in his prime!
Another all-star OF last year was Gonzalo Fernandez. He's a 2.5 star CF signed through the end of next year for $2.805 million. An above average all-around talent, he's got some speed, some power, and hits for a decent average.
The prize talent up for offer may well be SP Steven Pate. He's a 3.0 star SP, signed through the end of 2005 for just over $4 million. Sporting a 10-4 record with a 3.39 ERA, he'd make a huge difference for someone looking to bolster their rotation.
Or need bullpen help? How about George Echevarria, who's got 23 saves so far this year and a 3.43 ERA. He's only signed through the end of the year at $3.16 million, and could beef up your bullpen if the price is right!
Others on the market include starting C Marcus Navarro, #3 starter Stephen Hawn, and 2B Aloisio Morales (look 'em up yourselves, I'm tired of linking!). Pretty much anyone on my roster except Silas, Gomez, Karpinski and Townsend.
What am I looking for? Youth, especially in the starting rotation. An answer at 1B for next year and beyond. Bullpen help. Salary relief. Prospects and draft picks. The usual stuff!
So, drop me an email, let me know what you'd like!
- Paul / Jersey City
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Sim #16 complete! Marietta Assumes Rightful Place!
The Sim is complete and building on their winning ways Marietta is alone in first place in a Socratic League race that is beginning to open up.
But not too much. At the end of the sim Marietta is up on Helena by 2.5 games. Meanwhile Winnipeg is only 1/2 game behind Helena and Jersey City is yet another half game behind them! Brooklyn, however, has fallen to 7.5 games back and is fading quickly with a 3-7 record over their last 10 games.
In the Platonic League Seattle continues to hold the lead, four games over Maryland in the wildcard spot. Stockholm is only three games out of the second playoff spot, though, and Sylva is one game behind them. With almost half the season gone there are still eight teams with decent shots at the playoffs. Keep paying attention, sports fans!
In major injury news Helena lost starting pitcher James Bowler on June 21 to a strained rotator cuff. He'll be out of action for at least six weeks! Meanwhile, Stockholm's Oscar Leon will likely miss one start. He's day-to-day with a tight shoulder.
If the schedule is correct the next sim is tomorrow by Mack. Be there!
But not too much. At the end of the sim Marietta is up on Helena by 2.5 games. Meanwhile Winnipeg is only 1/2 game behind Helena and Jersey City is yet another half game behind them! Brooklyn, however, has fallen to 7.5 games back and is fading quickly with a 3-7 record over their last 10 games.
In the Platonic League Seattle continues to hold the lead, four games over Maryland in the wildcard spot. Stockholm is only three games out of the second playoff spot, though, and Sylva is one game behind them. With almost half the season gone there are still eight teams with decent shots at the playoffs. Keep paying attention, sports fans!
In major injury news Helena lost starting pitcher James Bowler on June 21 to a strained rotator cuff. He'll be out of action for at least six weeks! Meanwhile, Stockholm's Oscar Leon will likely miss one start. He's day-to-day with a tight shoulder.
If the schedule is correct the next sim is tomorrow by Mack. Be there!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Stockholm/Brooklyn trade
In a move that both teams feel will drive them to the postseason, Stockholm and Brooklyn have completed a big trade involving five major leaguers.
Heading across the Atlantic on SAS 903 are outfielder Donald Mansfield and reliever Saul Gelinas. Waiting for SAS 904 to take off from Newark airport are starter James Fortner, who will be the new #2 starter in the Stockholm beleaguered rotation, and new utility men Robert Franklin and Derek Delavega.
"We've been on a trading frenzy of late," Stockholm owner Michael Weintraub stated. "But, we feel we can win this year, and if we can do it without sacrificing our #2 ranked minor league system, all the better."
Reached for a quote, Brooklyn owner Jeremy Goldman said that "Our strengths matched Stockholm's weakness. Plus, they had a surplus of quality outfielders and relievers, something we needed."
Also involved in the deal are two prospects, 21 year old AAA third sacker Clayton Suazo, heading to Brooklyn along with an 8th round pick in 2004. Coming east to Stockholm's AA Vikingarna club is 23-year old starter Stephen Guthrie.
Heading across the Atlantic on SAS 903 are outfielder Donald Mansfield and reliever Saul Gelinas. Waiting for SAS 904 to take off from Newark airport are starter James Fortner, who will be the new #2 starter in the Stockholm beleaguered rotation, and new utility men Robert Franklin and Derek Delavega.
"We've been on a trading frenzy of late," Stockholm owner Michael Weintraub stated. "But, we feel we can win this year, and if we can do it without sacrificing our #2 ranked minor league system, all the better."
Reached for a quote, Brooklyn owner Jeremy Goldman said that "Our strengths matched Stockholm's weakness. Plus, they had a surplus of quality outfielders and relievers, something we needed."
Also involved in the deal are two prospects, 21 year old AAA third sacker Clayton Suazo, heading to Brooklyn along with an 8th round pick in 2004. Coming east to Stockholm's AA Vikingarna club is 23-year old starter Stephen Guthrie.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
His pain knows no limits
Being 2nd in hitting and 8 in scoring pains. mmmm pain
The Poedamnedmonium offers this to dull the pain.
Reuben Gilcrease, Leftfield, 23 yrs
Leroy Cramer, Rightfield, 23 yrs
Andrew Westrick, Rightfield, 24
Jason McCartney, Shortstop, 23 yrs
$2.5 Million in Cash
for
a Catching Prospect
a 2004 3rd Round Pick
Offers welcomed.
The Poedamnedmonium offers this to dull the pain.
Reuben Gilcrease, Leftfield, 23 yrs
Leroy Cramer, Rightfield, 23 yrs
Andrew Westrick, Rightfield, 24
Jason McCartney, Shortstop, 23 yrs
$2.5 Million in Cash
for
a Catching Prospect
a 2004 3rd Round Pick
Offers welcomed.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Sim #15 Completed
The race in the Socratic League continues to go back and forth, much like the Memphis-Kansas game I'm watching as I type this. Meanwhile, the Platonic League remains steady.
In the Platonic League, Seattle is still on top and Maryland is still four games back. Stockholm dropped a game in the standings to fall to seven games out of first and three out of the wild card. Could that be the first results of the Gomez injury? Sylva, Pittsburgh, and Cairo continue to hold fourth through sixth.
Meanwhile, in the Socratic League, Helena and Marietta rode long winning streaks to the top spots. Helena is in first now after winning six straight. Marietta has won eight in a row and is just one-half game out of first and holds the wild card spot. Jersey City fell from first to third this sim, two games out of first. Winnipeg stays in fourth and is still 2.5 games out of first. Defending champion Brooklyn is beginning to fall off the pace, as the fifth place team is now six games out of first. Meanwhile, New York is in the midst of a nine-game losing streak and continues to hold the dubious distinction of being in place for the first pick in the draft.
On the injury front, Maryland lost stud reliever John Tozier for six weeks with a strained rotator cuff.
(Memphis is pulling away a bit now, so the first sentence may not make much sense.)
In notable performances, Maryland first baseman Ronald Hernandez was three for four with a double, triple, four runs scored, and five RBI during an 11-0 skunking of Stockholm on June 14. That performance was good for fifth on the season leaderboards.
On June 12. Cairo shut out Sylva 6-0, a rare bright spot in a tough season for the Leveemen. Helena also banged out 20 hits during an 8-1 victory over New York.
June 13 was full of wild games. Helena beat New York 3-1 in 13 innings. Sylva responded to the shutout with a 14-2 blowout, racking up 21 hits. Both Winnipeg and Seattle scored in the bottom of the ninth to win 10-9, over Brooklyn and Pittsburgh respectively.
June 14 saw a couple of big blowouts, with Seattle routing Pittsburgh 9-0 and Maryland handling Stockholm 11-0. On the other hand, Sylva scored in the top of the ninth to beat Cairo 2-1 and Marietta nipped Jersey City 2-1 in 10 innings.
The Platonic cellar dwellers rose up on June 15, as both Cairo and Pittsburgh pulled out 1-0 victories, knocking off Stockholm and Sylva respectively.
The league file is updated and the web pages are on the way. Nate has the next sim on Wednesday night.
In the Platonic League, Seattle is still on top and Maryland is still four games back. Stockholm dropped a game in the standings to fall to seven games out of first and three out of the wild card. Could that be the first results of the Gomez injury? Sylva, Pittsburgh, and Cairo continue to hold fourth through sixth.
Meanwhile, in the Socratic League, Helena and Marietta rode long winning streaks to the top spots. Helena is in first now after winning six straight. Marietta has won eight in a row and is just one-half game out of first and holds the wild card spot. Jersey City fell from first to third this sim, two games out of first. Winnipeg stays in fourth and is still 2.5 games out of first. Defending champion Brooklyn is beginning to fall off the pace, as the fifth place team is now six games out of first. Meanwhile, New York is in the midst of a nine-game losing streak and continues to hold the dubious distinction of being in place for the first pick in the draft.
On the injury front, Maryland lost stud reliever John Tozier for six weeks with a strained rotator cuff.
(Memphis is pulling away a bit now, so the first sentence may not make much sense.)
In notable performances, Maryland first baseman Ronald Hernandez was three for four with a double, triple, four runs scored, and five RBI during an 11-0 skunking of Stockholm on June 14. That performance was good for fifth on the season leaderboards.
On June 12. Cairo shut out Sylva 6-0, a rare bright spot in a tough season for the Leveemen. Helena also banged out 20 hits during an 8-1 victory over New York.
June 13 was full of wild games. Helena beat New York 3-1 in 13 innings. Sylva responded to the shutout with a 14-2 blowout, racking up 21 hits. Both Winnipeg and Seattle scored in the bottom of the ninth to win 10-9, over Brooklyn and Pittsburgh respectively.
June 14 saw a couple of big blowouts, with Seattle routing Pittsburgh 9-0 and Maryland handling Stockholm 11-0. On the other hand, Sylva scored in the top of the ninth to beat Cairo 2-1 and Marietta nipped Jersey City 2-1 in 10 innings.
The Platonic cellar dwellers rose up on June 15, as both Cairo and Pittsburgh pulled out 1-0 victories, knocking off Stockholm and Sylva respectively.
The league file is updated and the web pages are on the way. Nate has the next sim on Wednesday night.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Sim #14 Completed
We're up through the games of June 11 now.
The big news of the sim is unfortunately another season-ending injury. Stockholm's ace starter Chad Gomez suffered a torn rotator cuff in the fifth inning of his June 7 start against Sylva. Gomez is the game's highest paid player and this is a big blow to Stockholm's hopes.
Luckily, in a trade soon to be posted by Michael (AHEM!), Stockholm picked up a starting pitcher from Pittsburgh right before the sim, acquiring Oscar Leon who promptly went out and won his first start, against his former friends on the Pisces. Leon was acquired for a second and third round pick and Don Pendarvis, a catcher who is so embarrassingly awful that his family asks him to wear his catcher's mask both on and off the field. Hopefully, Leon will help the Sluggers survive The Chad's injury.
Stockholm remains in third place in the Platonic League, six games behind leader Seattle and two out of the wild card spot currently held by Maryland. Overall, little change in the Platonic standings this sim.
In the Socratic League, Jersey City is in first place and holds a two game lead, which may be the most any SL team has had this year. Helena is percentage points ahead of Marietta for the wild card, with both teams two games back. Winnipeg is only another half-game back in fourth. Brooklyn remains in fifth, 4.5 games back. Meanwhile, the New York Knights continue to lead the race for the first pick.
In other injury news, Jersey City lost reliever Nicanor Gonzalez was lost for 5-6 weeks with a pulled tricep muscle, although this correspondent suspects some roster shenanigans given Gonzales' 6.75 ERA so far this year. New York also lost shortstop Jack Sandoval for one week with a pulled elbow ligament.
In other news, Stockholm's Charles Hicklin and Helena's James Bowler were named Players of the Week in their respective leagues.
On June 7, Marietta, Maryland, and Seattle all threw shutouts, blanking Winnipeg, Pittsburgh, and Cairo respectively. Brooklyn also scored a run in the tenth to outlast New York 4-3 in a cross-town rivalry.
In the only game on June 8, Helena blasted Brooklyn 13-6.
On June 9, Seattle beat Sylva 1-0 in a classic pitcher's duel, with Billy Lowry outpitching Sergio Varela. Maryland also pasted Cairo 11-0.
Two other great pitching performance lasted until the 10th inning on June 10, as Stockholm surpassed Pittsburgh 2-1 while Marietta beat New York 1-0. Four pitchers combined on the extra-frame shutout for Marietta.
On June 11, Cairo beat Maryland 5-1, scoring four times in the top of the 10th to take the game. Helena also hammered Brooklyn 12-1 to take three of the four games in their series.
The league file is updated and uploaded. The web pages are on the way. I'll do the next sim too, on Monday evening. Have a good weekend, everyone.
The big news of the sim is unfortunately another season-ending injury. Stockholm's ace starter Chad Gomez suffered a torn rotator cuff in the fifth inning of his June 7 start against Sylva. Gomez is the game's highest paid player and this is a big blow to Stockholm's hopes.
Luckily, in a trade soon to be posted by Michael (AHEM!), Stockholm picked up a starting pitcher from Pittsburgh right before the sim, acquiring Oscar Leon who promptly went out and won his first start, against his former friends on the Pisces. Leon was acquired for a second and third round pick and Don Pendarvis, a catcher who is so embarrassingly awful that his family asks him to wear his catcher's mask both on and off the field. Hopefully, Leon will help the Sluggers survive The Chad's injury.
Stockholm remains in third place in the Platonic League, six games behind leader Seattle and two out of the wild card spot currently held by Maryland. Overall, little change in the Platonic standings this sim.
In the Socratic League, Jersey City is in first place and holds a two game lead, which may be the most any SL team has had this year. Helena is percentage points ahead of Marietta for the wild card, with both teams two games back. Winnipeg is only another half-game back in fourth. Brooklyn remains in fifth, 4.5 games back. Meanwhile, the New York Knights continue to lead the race for the first pick.
In other injury news, Jersey City lost reliever Nicanor Gonzalez was lost for 5-6 weeks with a pulled tricep muscle, although this correspondent suspects some roster shenanigans given Gonzales' 6.75 ERA so far this year. New York also lost shortstop Jack Sandoval for one week with a pulled elbow ligament.
In other news, Stockholm's Charles Hicklin and Helena's James Bowler were named Players of the Week in their respective leagues.
On June 7, Marietta, Maryland, and Seattle all threw shutouts, blanking Winnipeg, Pittsburgh, and Cairo respectively. Brooklyn also scored a run in the tenth to outlast New York 4-3 in a cross-town rivalry.
In the only game on June 8, Helena blasted Brooklyn 13-6.
On June 9, Seattle beat Sylva 1-0 in a classic pitcher's duel, with Billy Lowry outpitching Sergio Varela. Maryland also pasted Cairo 11-0.
Two other great pitching performance lasted until the 10th inning on June 10, as Stockholm surpassed Pittsburgh 2-1 while Marietta beat New York 1-0. Four pitchers combined on the extra-frame shutout for Marietta.
On June 11, Cairo beat Maryland 5-1, scoring four times in the top of the 10th to take the game. Helena also hammered Brooklyn 12-1 to take three of the four games in their series.
The league file is updated and uploaded. The web pages are on the way. I'll do the next sim too, on Monday evening. Have a good weekend, everyone.
Oscar Leon comes home
The Stockholm Sluggers made a bold step towards their first ever playoff appearance today via a trade with Pittsburgh. On Scandinavian flight 893 as this is typed is starter Oscar Leon. He was originally the 2nd round pick for the Sluggers in the inaugural draft, but was traded to the Pisces franchise (then in Mississippi) during his first season.
"We're pleased to bring Oscar home," owner Michael Weintraub said. "We had major problems in our rotation all year long, and they were exacerbated when Chad Kinlaw went down."
Despite the problems with the rotation, the Sluggers are just two games out of a playoff spot. Excitement is building in Sweden for the team, and fans hope that Leon will help ace Chad Gomez lead the team to the postseason.
Leon wasn't a free pickup, however. Pittsburgh gets two draft picks in 2004, rounds 2 and 3, plus scrub minor league catcher Don Pendarvis.
"We're pleased to bring Oscar home," owner Michael Weintraub said. "We had major problems in our rotation all year long, and they were exacerbated when Chad Kinlaw went down."
Despite the problems with the rotation, the Sluggers are just two games out of a playoff spot. Excitement is building in Sweden for the team, and fans hope that Leon will help ace Chad Gomez lead the team to the postseason.
Leon wasn't a free pickup, however. Pittsburgh gets two draft picks in 2004, rounds 2 and 3, plus scrub minor league catcher Don Pendarvis.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Sylva Looking for?
Sylva is looking for the following positions.
1st base
2nd base
sp
set up man
Mainly looking to upgrade over what I have now. McGinn was a player I did not want to pay for. This is a league where low income teams succeed. Or at least I think that way. Email offers please or leave a message in the post.
Sylva gm
1st base
2nd base
sp
set up man
Mainly looking to upgrade over what I have now. McGinn was a player I did not want to pay for. This is a league where low income teams succeed. Or at least I think that way. Email offers please or leave a message in the post.
Sylva gm
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Brooklyn adds a bat...Sylva makes a splash
It is time for the trade season to begin and it did with one exchanging over $20M in salaries. Brooklyn added 2B Randy McGinn (and his $11M contract) and 2 prospects while Sylva gets SP Ayurou Hidetada (and his $8.5M contract) along with a reserve 3B and OF and a 3rd round pick in next year's draft.
"The championship trophy is not even here in Brooklyn yet and the team has already forgotten how to act like the team they were," stated the Bombers GM Jeremy Goldman. "The team has become lazy and complacent. It all started after Hidetada got the biggest contract in franchise history of $8.5M and wanted it paid to him in Yen. Do you know how many Yen that is...like 873 million Yen or something like that...we just could not do that." Hidetada has let it be known that he did not want to pitch in Brooklyn anymore with his 8.01 ERA and 2-8 record. "We just needed to move him, and Sylva seemed the perfect place for this pitcher from Japan," said Mr. Goldman.
In addition to Hidetada, Sylva is receiving reserve 3B Jose Collado and reserve OF Ivan Alustiza who is batting over .500 on the season and can play all 3 OF positions along with the Bombers 3rd round pick in the 2004 draft.
In return, the Bombers are going to get the all-star second bagger Randy McGinn from Sylva. "Sylva was the worst place I have ever played. They did not even have a McDonald's or a Burger King," said McGinn, "I cannot wait to get to the city. This is the place I was born to play in." McGinn is expected to play SS when he arrives in Brooklyn.
Also in this deal are 2 of the top prospects moving from Sylva's farm system to Brooklyn's. It is the start of the rebuilding process of the depleted Brooklyn Minor League System. SP David Kirklin is a 4 star prospect in AA and was the 4th pick overall in the 2003 draft. He will be heading to Charlottesville to anchor the rotation at Brooklyn's AA affiliate. 1B Ted Masson was the 8th overall pick in the 2002 draft and will now make it to his 3rd team this season as he was part of the computer trade between Winnipeg and Sylva earlier this season. "It is a great time when you can improve your ML roster while also start planning for the future, these young players show our fans that Brooklyn will not just be good this year, but also for years to come," said Mr. Goldman.
New Sylva GM Jason Krausert told this reporter that he is not done dealing this season and is ready to make the run for the playoffs. "I do not know what the computer was thinking," commented Jason, "$11M for McGinn, Brooklyn is in for a wild ride with that greedy bastard in their lineup. Everyone is better off cutting ties like this."
The trade season is on and with only 3 games separating first and 4th in the SL and the wild card battle looking like it is going to go down to the wire in the PL there should be plenty of action on the way to the playoffs because we all know that there is only one June-tober.
"The championship trophy is not even here in Brooklyn yet and the team has already forgotten how to act like the team they were," stated the Bombers GM Jeremy Goldman. "The team has become lazy and complacent. It all started after Hidetada got the biggest contract in franchise history of $8.5M and wanted it paid to him in Yen. Do you know how many Yen that is...like 873 million Yen or something like that...we just could not do that." Hidetada has let it be known that he did not want to pitch in Brooklyn anymore with his 8.01 ERA and 2-8 record. "We just needed to move him, and Sylva seemed the perfect place for this pitcher from Japan," said Mr. Goldman.
In addition to Hidetada, Sylva is receiving reserve 3B Jose Collado and reserve OF Ivan Alustiza who is batting over .500 on the season and can play all 3 OF positions along with the Bombers 3rd round pick in the 2004 draft.
In return, the Bombers are going to get the all-star second bagger Randy McGinn from Sylva. "Sylva was the worst place I have ever played. They did not even have a McDonald's or a Burger King," said McGinn, "I cannot wait to get to the city. This is the place I was born to play in." McGinn is expected to play SS when he arrives in Brooklyn.
Also in this deal are 2 of the top prospects moving from Sylva's farm system to Brooklyn's. It is the start of the rebuilding process of the depleted Brooklyn Minor League System. SP David Kirklin is a 4 star prospect in AA and was the 4th pick overall in the 2003 draft. He will be heading to Charlottesville to anchor the rotation at Brooklyn's AA affiliate. 1B Ted Masson was the 8th overall pick in the 2002 draft and will now make it to his 3rd team this season as he was part of the computer trade between Winnipeg and Sylva earlier this season. "It is a great time when you can improve your ML roster while also start planning for the future, these young players show our fans that Brooklyn will not just be good this year, but also for years to come," said Mr. Goldman.
New Sylva GM Jason Krausert told this reporter that he is not done dealing this season and is ready to make the run for the playoffs. "I do not know what the computer was thinking," commented Jason, "$11M for McGinn, Brooklyn is in for a wild ride with that greedy bastard in their lineup. Everyone is better off cutting ties like this."
The trade season is on and with only 3 games separating first and 4th in the SL and the wild card battle looking like it is going to go down to the wire in the PL there should be plenty of action on the way to the playoffs because we all know that there is only one June-tober.
Sim #13 Completed
We're now into June. The sun is out. The weather is warm. Most importantly, the good looking women are wearing much more revealing clothing.
In the Platonic League, Seattle has opened up a four-game lead over second place Maryland. Stockholm has passed Sylva to claim third place, with the two squads standing six and seven games back respectively. Pittsburgh is solidly in fifth (although the hottest PL team with a 7-3 record in its last 10 games), with Cairo in last.
In the Socratic League, chaos continues to reign. On the roulette wheel that is the league standings, Jersey City holds the top spot today. Winnipeg is one-half game back, with the wild card. Helena is just 1 game behind Winnipeg and 1.5 games behind Jersey City in third. Marietta is in fourth by percentage points as both the Mammoths and the fifth-place Brooklyn Bombers are only three games out of first. Only last place New York has really solidified its place in the league, as the Knights are hoping that Roy Hobbs will be available with the first pick in next year's draft.
In the latest bullet-point news items...
The monthly best were recognized during Nate's sim, but due to workload didn't get their proper credit. Seattle swept the Platonic awards as Thomas Holte won Pitcher of the Month for May and Carlos Araoz was named Batter of the Month. In the Socratic League, Brooklyn's Trevor Canela was the top hurler while Winnipeg's Hung Odell was the top hitter. (And if you think I didn't put this news item in just so I could point out Hung Odell's name, you obviously don't know me at all.)
Seattle continued its award-winning ways as Thomas Wilkerson was named PL Player of the Week while Marietta's Constantino Martinez won the SL award for the sixth time.
Injury was added to insult for Cairo as they lost #1 starter Baltasar Acevedo for 4-5 weeks due to bone chips in his elbow. Acevedo had just a 2.52 ERA and was clearly not the reason for his dismal 3-9 record.
That wasn't the only significant injury though. Helena lost third sacker Ben Anguita was hit by a pitch and will be out 5 weeks due to a broken finger. I'm sure we all believe that the pitch from Winnipeg's Hernando Desalvo just slipped. No way it's the first stirrings of Skynet flexing its virtual muscles. No sirree.
Stockholm lost reliever Ralph Ferri for the season when he ruptured a disc in his back. Ouch! His ratings may not have overwhelmed, but Ralph had just a 2.79 ERA in the first two months of the campaign.
Finally, the most amusing injury was sustained by Seattle's John Covas, who suffered a scratched cornea in an alleged bar fight. He's day-to-day for the next ten days or so. The sad thing is that there really was no bar fight. He simply got drunk and jabbed his finger in his own eye while gesturing during an argument over what was the best entrance song ever for a closer. (The correct answer, of course, is Hells Bells for Trevor Hoffman.)
On the field, Marietta smoked Brooklyn 11-1 on June 2. Tough day for the defending champs.
On June 3, Cairo pushed a run across in the bottom of the ninth to nip Maryland 5-4.
On June 4, Marietta and Brooklyn went an extra frame in a tense pitchers' duel before the Mammoths scored a 2-1 victory to finish off a four-game sweep.
On June 5, Stockholm beat Sylva 4-3 in a wild ten inning contest. The score was 1-1 going into the ninth. When Stockholm's Suguru Mutsuhito stroked a two-run bomb in the top of the ninth, the contest looked sealed. Sylva came back though and plated two in the bottom half of the inning. Charles "Chick" Hicklin won the game though in the top of the tenth for Stockholm with his seventh home run of the season, a solo shot.
On the same day, Pittsburgh's Wilfredo Desilve somehow scattered seven hits and five walks over 8.2 shutout innings as Pittsburgh topped Maryland 6-0.
That's it for now. The league file is posted and web pages are en route. Nate's got the next sim on Friday.
Edited to add: Nate just reminded me that I'm running the sim this Friday. Sorry.
In the Platonic League, Seattle has opened up a four-game lead over second place Maryland. Stockholm has passed Sylva to claim third place, with the two squads standing six and seven games back respectively. Pittsburgh is solidly in fifth (although the hottest PL team with a 7-3 record in its last 10 games), with Cairo in last.
In the Socratic League, chaos continues to reign. On the roulette wheel that is the league standings, Jersey City holds the top spot today. Winnipeg is one-half game back, with the wild card. Helena is just 1 game behind Winnipeg and 1.5 games behind Jersey City in third. Marietta is in fourth by percentage points as both the Mammoths and the fifth-place Brooklyn Bombers are only three games out of first. Only last place New York has really solidified its place in the league, as the Knights are hoping that Roy Hobbs will be available with the first pick in next year's draft.
In the latest bullet-point news items...
The monthly best were recognized during Nate's sim, but due to workload didn't get their proper credit. Seattle swept the Platonic awards as Thomas Holte won Pitcher of the Month for May and Carlos Araoz was named Batter of the Month. In the Socratic League, Brooklyn's Trevor Canela was the top hurler while Winnipeg's Hung Odell was the top hitter. (And if you think I didn't put this news item in just so I could point out Hung Odell's name, you obviously don't know me at all.)
Seattle continued its award-winning ways as Thomas Wilkerson was named PL Player of the Week while Marietta's Constantino Martinez won the SL award for the sixth time.
Injury was added to insult for Cairo as they lost #1 starter Baltasar Acevedo for 4-5 weeks due to bone chips in his elbow. Acevedo had just a 2.52 ERA and was clearly not the reason for his dismal 3-9 record.
That wasn't the only significant injury though. Helena lost third sacker Ben Anguita was hit by a pitch and will be out 5 weeks due to a broken finger. I'm sure we all believe that the pitch from Winnipeg's Hernando Desalvo just slipped. No way it's the first stirrings of Skynet flexing its virtual muscles. No sirree.
Stockholm lost reliever Ralph Ferri for the season when he ruptured a disc in his back. Ouch! His ratings may not have overwhelmed, but Ralph had just a 2.79 ERA in the first two months of the campaign.
Finally, the most amusing injury was sustained by Seattle's John Covas, who suffered a scratched cornea in an alleged bar fight. He's day-to-day for the next ten days or so. The sad thing is that there really was no bar fight. He simply got drunk and jabbed his finger in his own eye while gesturing during an argument over what was the best entrance song ever for a closer. (The correct answer, of course, is Hells Bells for Trevor Hoffman.)
On the field, Marietta smoked Brooklyn 11-1 on June 2. Tough day for the defending champs.
On June 3, Cairo pushed a run across in the bottom of the ninth to nip Maryland 5-4.
On June 4, Marietta and Brooklyn went an extra frame in a tense pitchers' duel before the Mammoths scored a 2-1 victory to finish off a four-game sweep.
On June 5, Stockholm beat Sylva 4-3 in a wild ten inning contest. The score was 1-1 going into the ninth. When Stockholm's Suguru Mutsuhito stroked a two-run bomb in the top of the ninth, the contest looked sealed. Sylva came back though and plated two in the bottom half of the inning. Charles "Chick" Hicklin won the game though in the top of the tenth for Stockholm with his seventh home run of the season, a solo shot.
On the same day, Pittsburgh's Wilfredo Desilve somehow scattered seven hits and five walks over 8.2 shutout innings as Pittsburgh topped Maryland 6-0.
That's it for now. The league file is posted and web pages are en route. Nate's got the next sim on Friday.
Edited to add: Nate just reminded me that I'm running the sim this Friday. Sorry.
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