I mulled over whether to keep writing this story, because I didn't know if it had any interest and I having such a good time with it, that I didn't want to slow it down if people weren't paying attention.
Anyway...the 2008 season is in the books.
The Yanks won the AL East title, but fell short in the playoffs, being upset by the Washington Senators, who were making their first playoff appearance in franchise history.
The Sens went all the way, knocking off the New York Heroes in seven games, to capture their first World Series in just their 7th major league season. I haven't checked the records yet, but it just might be one of the fastest in history of any expansion club.
In other news, we've had some more issues with teams moving. Baseball is a sport of regional markets and this league is no different. Teams were concentrated in locales that didn't really allow them to take advantage of their regional market better than others and so, a few teams have opted to shift elsewhere for the 2009 season, after being heavily wooed by a variety of familiar cities (to us) that have gone without major league baseball either forever or for at least, a very long time.
I'm considering starting a rival third league, not because it was part of the story -- it wasn't -- but because it actually makes a lot of sense given how many markets are just downright neglected (Keokuk has a team but Minneapolis doesn't?) and how that sound of groundswell would exist in real life.
Plus, there are just tons of players in the game that sit on minor league shelves without being touched and don't play much and I'd rather see them put to good use.
MLB won't expand any further is the main point, though. Which is why such a thing might be necessary. It won't be next year though.
As for the team moves here they are:
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Memphis Blues become the Cleveland (OH) Blues.
Portland Beavers become the Carolina (Raleigh-Durham, NC) Pirates.
Fresno Grizzlies become the Texas (Dallas, TX) Wranglers
Montreal Royals become the San Diego (CA) Marines.
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NAME CHANGES
Quote:
The Brooklyn Kings became the Brooklyn Athletics in 2008.
The Keokuk Comets became the Keokuk Cardinals in 2008.
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HISTORICAL FACT
The only original franchise (1901-) playing in its original city are the Los Angeles Angels. Birmingham was founded in 1924 and have never moved, either.
REALIGNMENT 2009
The shifts of teams meant there need to be some semblence of realignment for 2009.
Quote:
San Diego moves to the NL West.
Kansas City moved to the NL Central
Carolina moves to the AL South
Washington moves to the AL East
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I'm sure that's somewhere between confusing and you're like "yeah, so?" But...I'll recap where the teams are once we get into next season