[ayaghmour2]

October 24th, 1902: Claimed RP Juan De Loera from the St. Louis Lightning.

October 27th, 1902: Added Pitching Coach Drew Cooper to the Major League staff. He comes with a lot of experience, coaching the Pensacola Penguins (1885-1887) and the Kyoto Warriors of the Japanese Professional League (1895-1900).

October 29th, 1902: Signed Brett Hunter to a 3-year, $626 contract to be the new skipper. HAs Manager of the Brooklyn Bearcats from 1898-1902, he was 401-409. As a Rookie Manager, he was named Manager of the Year and won the World Series, although the Bearcats never made it back to the playoff since. He also spent a season (1897) as the Pitching Coach of the Nashville Avengers, an independent minor league team in the National League.

October 30th, 1902: Carlos Ruiz and Damian Salcido both won their first career Gold Gloves.

October 31st, 1902: Former Milwaukee Mustangs Bench Coach Jesse Sanchez signed a 3-year, $208 contract to become Bench Coach of the Chargers. He spent 1897-1902 with the Mustangs.

Lightning CL Jason Nelson (9/16, 66) and Hornets CL Greguorio Calandrini (16/16, 80) were named Reliever of the Year.

November 1st, 1902: I signed Sam Lovely to be the new head scout. He's great for Major Leaguers, Oustanding for Minor Leaguers, Good for International, and Legendary for Amateurs. It's the first job for the 48-year-old.

Damian Salcido also took home a Platinum Stick for SS.

With a new scout in hand, I also took to working out arbitration deals with all the eligible players:

SP Tim Weiss (1-year, $896)
RP Steve Cox (Non-Tendered)
RP Jason Fisher (Non-Tendered)
RP Logan Gordon (Non-Tendered)
RP Chris Howell (Non-Tendered)
RP Ben Rist (Non-Tendered)
RP Juan Torrez (Non-Tendered)
RP Mat Wagner (Non-Tendered)
RP Jason Wheeler (Non-Tendered)
1B Juan Vela (1-year, $810)
CF Mike Jennings (1-year, $1,080)

Most of these guys absolutely suck...

November 2nd, 1902: I finished up the big league staff, adding HC Steve Maldonado on a 2-year, $93 deal. He spent 1882-1901 with the San Francisco Seals, an independent minor league team in the Western League. They made the playoffs every year he was there except 1901.

Damian Salcido (15/16, 78) and Patriots 3B Melvin Lazo (16/16, 80) took home Rookie of the Year.

November 3rd, 1902: St. Louis Manager Jon Milano and Philadelphia Manager Josh West took home Manager of the Year.

November 4th, 1902: New York SP Kevin Miller (13/16, 102) and Philadelphia SP Noel Kessler (15/16, 109) won Jeff Russell Pitcher of the Year Award.

Russell is the namesake as the All-Time Win leader (320), Shutout leader (50), Innings pitched leader (4,104.2), and pWAR leader (115.5).

November 5th, 1902: Milwaukee 1B Al Birkbeck (12/16, 199) and Philadelphia 2B John Jones (8/16, 176) were named MVP. Boston CF Chris Shifley (3/16, 154) and Cleveland 1B Willie Sanchez (4/16, 153) were both really close to Jones.

Up next, free agents file!