[JayW UK]

2035 Regular Season

Western League Review

With the record-breaking Jesus Alarcon (.292, 61 HR, 145 RBI) and Chance Merritt (.295, 29 HR, 98 RBI) leading the offense and Rafer MacNeil (19-9, 2.67) heading the rotation, Oklahoma City (95-67) won their fourth consecutive Midwest division crown holding Minneapolis at arm’s length for much of the season. Despite the best efforts of RF Jose Campos (.279, 33 HR, 106 RBI) and a rotation boasting two 16-game winning pitchers (Steve Gream and Daniel Samuels) the Bears struggled to put teams away (highlighted by their 20 blown saves and dismal 2-14 record in extra innings games) eventually finishing the season seven games back from OKC with an 88-74 record. Omaha (82-80) finished the season in third earning their first ever winning record but with the team sporting a dismal offense it was left to the pitching staff to lead the way, and although the starting rotation was just mediocre the bullpen was lights out, the group featuring youngsters David Elder (7-1, 2.50 ERA) and Grant Copeland (5-2, 2.70) along with star closer Uram Park (42 saves, 1.48 ERA) helped contribute 33 wins to the team total. Much was expected from Denver (80-82), but another frustrating season ensued with the club eventually finishing fourth, whilst bringing up the rear were Kansas City (70-92), even another strong year from Keith Fairchild (.343, 31 HR, 89 RBI) couldn’t lift the club from the basement as below-par pitching held the Tornadoes back.
With Cristobal Chapa (22-3, 2.03 ERA) atop the rotation and star outfielder Alfonso Sosa (.307, 33 HR, 111 RBI) leading the offense, Dallas (96-66) continued to be amongst the best teams in the NABL and another typically impressive campaign brought them their seventh straight playoff appearance (6 division titles and 1 wildcard) and ninth consecutive winning season. Las Vegas (88-74), despite the heroics of 22-year-old 3B Joseph Floores (.277, 62 HR, 138 RBI) and staff ace Holden Willis (19-5, 2.55 ERA), were too inconsistent to mount a serious challenge to the Mustangs for the Southwest division crown and ultimately that inconsistency cost them in the wildcard race too, as they missed out on the playoffs for the second year in a row. A mid-season trade of their best player (Steve Blanton) freed up playing time for young star Hector Soto but didn’t help Houston make a playoff push as the Stars finished with a 77-85 record one ahead of Phoenix (76-86) who squandered strong seasons from 1B Rick Flynn (.289, 39 HR, 111 RBI) and 3B Michael Ford (.318, 26HR, 95 RBI) as a result of the league’s worst pitching (George Buchanan, 9-8, 4.15 ERA being the best of a poor bunch). Austin struggled once again, finishing with just 66 wins and ‘earning’ a top-3 draft pick in the process.
In the Pacific division, Sanfrancisco ended their 18-year playoff drought in style, paced by 1B Andres Romero (.308, 41 HR, 125 RBI), C Sancho Guerra (.328, 28 HR, 102 RBI) and off-season acquisition Matt Romero (.375 batting average) the Gold led the NABL in scoring (821 runs), slugging percent (.450) and were second in hits (1555) on their way to the NABL’s best record at 98-64. Boasting the WL most powerful offense (200 homeruns) featuring Tom Sterling (.331, 41 HR, 104 RBI) Gregg Bambridge (32 HR) and Lucio Guererro (.286, 23 HR, 86 RBI), defending champions San Jose trailed in second, winning 91 games to claim the wildcard spot. Los Angeles (77-85) fell back from 87 wins proving that 2034 was a false dawn, Seattle hit a NABL low 110 homeruns but relied on league average pitching to lift themselves from 61 to 73 wins. San Diego found themselves back at the foot of the Pacific division once again, hampered by the league’s worst scoring offense and abysmal pitching (Vaughan Laursen , owner of a 5-21, 5.12 ERA record and Ken McBride who in 16 games went 1-0 with a 10.36 ERA highlighting their pitching problems), the Mariners slumped to a franchise worst 59-103 record.

Final Standings

Midwest Division
Oklahoma City 95-67*
Minneapolis 88-74
Omaha 82-80
Denver 80-82
Kansas City 70-92

Southwest Division
Dallas 96-66*
Las Vegas 88-74
Houston 77-85
Phoenix 76-86
Austin 66-96

Pacific Division
Sanfrancisco 98-64*
San Jose 91-71*
Los Angeles 77-85
Seattle 73-89
San Diego 59-103