Heroes are hard to find (what's that coming over the hill, is it a monster?)

[mavericktango]

This is the story of the Manhattan franchise in the Alan Hale Internet Baseball Association (AHIBA). It was formed as an expansion franchise in 2011 to play in the Ruth Division of the Sluggers League.

[mavericktango]

2011 was an almost complete disaster for the Manhattan Minutemen. They opened the season by being swept in a two game series in Colchester and it all went downhill from there!

To be fair though April didn’t foretell how bad it was going to be, after that opening series loss the Minutemen recovered to only be 10-12 at the start of May and they had swept fellow expansion team New York Little Lebowskis as well as recorded series wins over the Mystic Barracudas and the Baltimore Quiet Coyotes.

May was when the wheels came loose; just six wins were gained in the Minutemen’s 29 games during the month. The first complete series produced a 2-2 spit after Manhattan lost the final game 18-13, conceding 11 runs in the top of the third sparking a slump which became a nine game losing streak. A 7-4 win at Wingate against the Gladiators sparked hopes but it was to be only one of three games Minutemen would win in the next 12. When Willie Patton pitched a 2-0 shutout of the Seals in Alameda late in the month it could have been the revival but a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to a sac fly in the bottom of the 13th the next day dashed that hope and Manhattan ended the month losing three straight.

The first two weeks of June brought some joy to the Manhattan faithful as the Minutemen went 5-5, keeping four of the losses to two runs or less margins. Things were still OK into the third week, the final game of the series against the Phoenix Dry Heat was lost but Cornwall Expos were beaten 8-3 in the opening game of a four game series. Then it all collapsed and Minutemen finished the month with 11 straight losses.

Now languishing with a 23-56 record going into July things had to change if the season was going to be saved. Instead by the 15th Minutemen had won just two of their 11 games and the nosedive was terminal. Too late they ended the month in better form, series wins over Washington Nationals and Colchester Choppers plus a three game sweep of the Little Lebowskis in their own backyard helped them forget a sweep loss at home to the Hartford Harriers as Manhattan went 8-6 in the final 14 games of the month.

August followed the same depressing pattern, Minutemen not even flattering to deceive now, just picking up scraps wherever they could. And scraps they were as just seven were added to the win total and another 21 went down the pan. With the overall record standing at 40-93 the season couldn’t end quick enough for Manhattan.

As September rolled round the roster was beginning to look more like a minor league camp than a major league ballclub as everywhere you look the players seemed to have more AB’s in A ball than the AHIBA. There was no eureka moment though as the losses kept piling up, the games of the 7th & 8th against Wingate were the only time Minutemen strung together a winning run and they finished the month without a win in six, five of them on a depressing road trip to Phoenix and Hartford. With just two games to go Manhattan’s season had spiralled to 48-112.

October was a great month for the men from Manhattan, Hartford crumbled 4-2 and 5-3 to leave Minutemen unbeaten for the month! A sorry season though and there were plenty of players leaving the ballpark clutching one-way tickets as well as the GM.

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Expansion hasn’t always been kind to the new AHIBA teams, in 2010 St Louis Lions set the record for futility in a 39-123 season with the Washington Nationals not far behind trailing in at 45-117. In 2011 it was the turn of the new Manhattan Minutemen Franchise to record a hapless 50-112 record. To try and distance themselves from the mistakes of the original ballclub the 2012 version of the franchise will be renamed the Manhattan Monsters and it’s minor league affiliates will be relocated to New Jersey (AAA), Hartford (AA), Long Island (A) and Greenwich Village (R). All the minor league teams will have the nickname ‘Monsters’ to foster a sense of belonging within the entire ballclub.

Manhattan has appointed Nigel Laverick as the new GM and his first task will be to assemble a major league roster. Out of the players that represented the previous Minutemen franchise starting pitchers Roberto Ramirez (7-19, 6.91 ERA), Rodger Collins (6-15, 8.24 ERA) and Roberto Garcia (3-14, 9.37 ERA) have all been released by the previous GM and Nigel Laverick’s first task will be to construct a rotation capable for bettering last year’s 50 wins. The positional players might not need quite as much work as the rotation but the aging outfield could really do with a revamp.

Current 25-Man Roster

Rotation

Willie Patton, 36-year-old local boy from Queens, started 34 games last year pitching 224 innings and ended up with a 10-18 record, 4.38 ERA. He only walked 50 while striking out 115 and producing 18 quality starts. Likely to be the closest thing to a top half of the rotation pitcher Monsters will see.

31-year-old Antonio Mejia from Texas started 30 games last year in 33 appearances. He compiled a 6-17 record with a 6.48 ERA. In 183 innings pitched he managed to strikeout 75 but walked 95 with one complete game and 11 quality starts. Should only be a number 4 or 5 starter at the very best but Monsters might have to have him higher up due to lack of anyone else.

22-year-old Phil Yeo from Quebec in Canada was a September callup from A ball Society Hill. He had compiled a 13-6 record with a 3.17 ERA in 24 starts there and went on to make two AHIBA starts, going 0-1 with a 3.14 ERA. Both were quality starts and he walked 9, striking out 10. Will be given a chance in Spring Training but hopefully Monsters will be able to return him to Double A Hartford or A ball Long Island for more seasoning.

Jose Valentin, a 27-year-old Pittsburgh native, was another September call-up from A ball. His record in Society Hill was 11-9 in 25 starts with a 3.02 ERA, 137 K’s and an All-Star appearance while his late season cup of coffee led to a 1-1 record with a 5.73 ERA. Will definitely be heading to Hartford or Long Island.

Veteran 37-year-old Dani Munoz, from New Jersey could well find himself pitching there after the July free agent signing ended up going 0-3 in three starts where he lasted 16 innings, giving up 14 walks, 17 runs with just 6 K’s for a 9.37 ERA. Given Monsters cash rich situation they may end up releasing him.

Bullpen

35-year-old Abelardo Casillas from Illinois appeared in 75 games going 2-2 with 2 saves and a 4.34. Pitching 95.1 innings he was a bullpen mainstay walking 41 and striking out 72 and will continue in his current role

New Jersey native, 32-year-old Steve O’Neal made 76 appearances, pitching 98.2 innings with a 4-4 record and a 5.47 record. Will continue to eat innings at the heart of the bullpen.

24-year-old New Yorker Zander Bruce was a May call-up after he compiled a 2-0 record with 11 saves and a 1.27 ERA in 19 appearances in Triple A Piano. His 0-0 record with one save and a 4.87 ERA in 49 AHIBA appearances has won him a bullpen place for 2012.

26-year-old Chris Hardin from Michigan compiled a 3-4 record with a 1.97 ERA and 23 saves in A ball Society Hill before being called up in September. Two appearances and a 10.80 ERA will see him returned to Hartford or Long Island for more development.

26-year-old Californian Miguel Sanchez made 58 appearances in AA Paradise going 6-4, 2 saves and a 5.10 ERA earning a September call-up. He failed to make an AHIBA appearance and will probably try his hand in Triple A New Jersey.

Closer, 27-year-old Maryland native Ramon Garcia made 76 appearances going 1-6 with 29 saves and a 3.67 ERA in 100 innings pitched. He gave up just 13 homers, walked 65 while striking out 117 and will carry on in the closer role for 2012.

Position Players

Catcher

32-year-old New Yorker Nate Humphries was the mainstay behind the plate with 144 appearances. He hit .336 with 194 hits, 21 homers, 98 RBI’s and 101 runs scored. He will retain the role of 1st choice catcher in 2012.
Canadian born 28-year-old Sasha Frechette ended 2011 as back-up following a September call-up. He spent most of the year in Triple A Piano where he knocked out 111 hits in 116 games, with 20 homers, 61 RBI’s and a .249 average. He only had 7 AB’s in the AHIBA, failing to get a hit but driving in one; he will get the chance to compete for the role in Spring Training.

First Base

25-year-old Ohio born Lloyd Cuestas made 89 appearances at 1B where he hit .264 with 13 homers and 46 runs batted in. Should continue his role

Second Base

Californian, 27-year-old Roberto Padilla made 143 appearances at second base. He rapped out 157 hits with three homes and 45 RBI’s at a .255 average. Should continue as the regular second baseman but needs to maintain his average as he lacks power.

Third Base

26-year-old Wyoming born Jorge Maldonado made 157 appearances at third base. Another solid average hitter, he had 173 hits but only sent two over the fence with 99 runs scored and 41 driven in. He is solid enough at 3B while Monsters address more pressing areas.

Shortstop

32-year-old Texan Rick McGinnis started 2011 in Triple A Piano where in 40 appearances he hit .278. Mid-May he got the call to become the Manhattan regular shortstop and he went on to make 117 appearances. He knocked out 103 hits, 3 homers and drove in 48 runs at a .243 average. Again is probably good enough to start while other areas are improved

29-year-old Dave Douglas, an Alaskan native started the year as the regular shortstop, hitting .239 with 32 hits in 35 appearances before a broken kneecap ended his season in May. Will probably start 2012 on the D/L and will head to Triple A New Jersey afterwards.

Infielders

Three other infielders ended 2011 on the active roster
24-year-old Manny Alcorta from Florida had five AB’s as a September call-up, failing to get a hit. He had spent the rest of the year at A ball Society Hill where he hit .283 with 14 homers and 70 RBI’s in 120 appearances.
33-year-old Richie Harvey spent the year in Double A hitting .265 in 121 appearances and didn’t make an AHIBL appearance after getting a late call-up.
Steve Larson, a 27-year-old from Texas also failed to make an appearance after getting the call-up from A ball Society Hill where in 87 appearances he batted .206 with 61 hits, 15 home runs and 36 runs batted in.
All three will get a chance to claim a roster spot in Spring Training unless moves are made to acquire replacement infielders

Outfielders

36-year-old Randolph Austin, a native New Yorker was the mainstay in right field. One of the leagues leading players, he had 163 hits, 96 runs, 42 homers, 122 RBI’s and a .322 average. Austin could remain as the starting right fielder but with age against him he might well end up as trade bait to secure some younger prospects.

37-year-old Colombian Luis Macias is another aging starter. He made 157 appearances at centrefield and rightfield, rapping out 126 hits, 14 home runs and 77 RBI’s with a .220 average but striking out 141 times, 10th highest in the AHIBA.

Californian, 29-year-old Marvin Miller made 143 appearances in centrefield and leftfield, notching 151 hits, eight home runs, 78 RBI’s with a .273 average.

Maine-born, 26-year-old Marty Brown appeared in 107 Double A games in Paradise, with 122 hits, 18 homers, 71 RBI’s, a .293 average and an All-Star appearance. After his September call-up he made 8 AHIBA appearances with 2 homers and a .222 average.

28-year-old centerfielder Jake Gray from Alabama made 44 appearances in Triple A Piano hitting .275 with 3 homers before missing over three months with a ruptured finger tendon. A September call-up gave him one start, in rightfield where he got one hit from three AB’s.

[Thanks to Davwms for my brilliant logo]

[mavericktango]

New GM Nigel Laverick wasted no time getting to work on improving the rotation and quickly snapped up free agent pitcher Gene Cranton on October 20th. Cranton, a 26-year-old from Saskatoon was released by his former club, the Crowell Expos, five days earlier and Laverick was straight in there with a two-year contract paying $750,000 in the first year and an option of £1,200,000 in the second year of the contract.
In 2011 Gene made 24 starts for the Expos ending up with a 12-6 record and a 5.17 ERA. Pitching 135.2 innings he walked 38 and struck out 121. Cranton is expected to be a middle of the rotation starter.


Gene Cranton

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NEW YORK POST

October 23rd, 2011

by Bobby Manc, staff writer New York Post.

Rumours are surfacing today about a possible trade between the Monsters and the Alameda Seals after officials of both clubs were snapped together in a Manhattan restaurant late last night along with Monsters' rightfielder Randolph Austin.
Austin had a reasonable season in 2011 (42 homers 122 RBI's and a .322 average) despite the Manhattan franchises woes but recently more whispers have been emerging from reliable club sources that the new management are worried about his advancing years (Austin is 36-years-old) and the suggestion is that it is felt the aging outfield let one too many drop in.

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In some late October moves Manhattan released 37-year-old pitcher Dani Munoz, who went 0-3 with a 9.37 ERA in three disappointing starts in 2011 and signed three more free agents.
29-year-old LF Jesus Soriano spent 2011 being used sparingly by Colchester, five AB’s at ML level (1hit, 1 RBI, 5 R and 2 SB) and 3 appearances at Triple A Rochester where he hit .375 (.571 OBP) in 8 AB’s with 1 homer, 5 RBI’s and 4 walks. He can play anywhere along the outfield, is an above average defender and has tons of speed, Monsters designated him for assignment to Triple A New Jersey but he will get a chance in Spring Training to compete for a bench spot at AHIBA level.
24-year-old Japanese reliever Tsuneari Saito was given a minimum ML contract. He was originally drafted by Montreal Hitman in 2009, and went 7-3 in 13 starts in rookie league Pomeroy with four complete games, three shutouts, 112 K’s, a 3.45 ERA and an appearance in the rookie All-Star game. In 2010 he made 43 appearances in relief at Double A Burlington, going 4-4 with an 8.34 ERA before Montreal gave up on him. Saito will be designated for assignment to A ball Long Island where he will get another shot at being a starter.
33-year-old Illinois native Lawrence Hartley will get the chance to live the dream. Given a minor league contract by Monsters, he will report to A ball Long Island where they hope his four reasonable pitches will develop. Although time is against him he could prove a useful minor league arm.

[mavericktango]

It came as no surprise that the Manhattan organisation announced that it had come to an agreement with Alameda Seals over a trade for outfielder Randolph Austin.
Monsters will send 36-year-old Austin to Alameda and will receive 28-year-old rightfielder Steve Baker, 26-year-old starting pitcher Alonso Atkinson and 30-year-old minor league pitcher Julio Sanchez in return.

Baker was originally drafted by the Syracuse Storm (who relocated to Alameda) in 2007, he hit .280 with 27 homers and 96 RBI's in 2009 for them as well as an All-Star appearance. In 2010 & 2011 he wound up in Triple A Berkeley where he had two 30+ homer seasons, 188 RBI's, a .256 average in 236 appearances as well as a 2011 Triple A All-Star appearance.
Atkinson went 15-15 in 52 AHIBA starts for Seals in 2010 & 2011, he walked 110 and struckout 202 with a .524 ERA.
Sanchez was another 2007 Syracuse draft pick and has spent his entire career in Double A, first at Minneapolis then at San Jose. He has a career record of 31-30 in 73 starts with 11 complete games, three shutouts and a .409 average.

Gm Laverick's only quote when the Monsters announced the trade was

"I'd like to thank Randolph for the hard work he has put in for the Manhatton franchise, I'm very sorry to see one of the league's premier players leave but at 36 I just felt that we needed a younger outfield. Baker has done enough to convince me he deserves another shot at the 'show' and Atkinson will be a definate upgrade in the back end of our rotation. Sanchez is the wild card, I feel he needs to go to Triple A New Jersey to convince himself as much as anybody that he is ready to take the next step in his career".

[mavericktango]

It was a bit of a shock when at the start of November 37-year-old centrefielder Luis Macias called a press conference.
" I'd like to thank you all for your support over the years and wanted you to be the first to know that I've hung up my cleats for good. I just don't think my body can take any more collisions with the outfield wall, or my leftfielder !".

A ripple of laughter engulfed the assembled throng

"I'll miss my good buddy, Randoplh, and hope that he does well in Alameda. It just won't be the same not seeing him out there alongside me, I can see the way this franchise's going and I want to walk out with my head held high. Thanks for everything!"

And with that he was gone, into the pages of history.

For the record Macias made 157 appearances in 2011, his only year in the AHIBA. He hit .220, with 126 hits from 572 AB's, 14 homers, 59 runs scored and 77 driven in. he hit 39 XBH's and struckout 141 times. With two of last years outfield mainstays gone, the Monsters will certainly have a different look in 2012.

[mavericktango]

NEW YORK POST

Monday, November 21 2011

by Bobby Manc, staff writer

When Manhattan twice postponed their 'Meet the first-year draftees' media day you knew something was up and over the weekend it became clear why as news of two separate trades with Wingate Gladiators of the Mantle division.

The first trade sent Monsters fourth round pick, pitcher Ivan Romero to Gladiators in exchange for 28-year-old leftfielder Richard Bly. Richard has played 392 AHIBA games with Brooklyn and Wingate over the last three years; he has also appeared in the post-season each year and has a World Series ring from Brooklyn's 2010 win. With three 20+ HR seasons and the ability to play anywhere in the outfield Bly could be a fixture in Monster's line-up for many a year.

Hours later the second trade broke. Monsters were sending their second round pick, the promising Jose Costa, as well to Gladiators in exchange for their 2012 draft third round pick and 29-year-old third baseman Pablo Gonzalez. Manhattan will be his fourth AHIBA team, having already played for Honolulu, Fargo and Wingate, his career record is not that shabby with a .290 average, 85 XBH's, 103 runs scored and 88 RBI's in 231 games. Gonzalez who can play first, second, third or Shortstop will certainly have a shot at finding a permanent slot in the Monster's infield.

In other transactions Monsters signed 19-year-old second baseman Antonio Rosales and 23-year-old reliever Bill Parks to minor league contracts as well as optioning pitcher Jose Valentin and leftfielder Jesus Soriano to Triple A New Jersey. 3B Steve Larson and reliever Tsuneari Saito are optioned to A ball Long Island.

25-year-old leftfielder Ed Young, released by Alameda, was given a one year $850,000 contract and optioned to New Jersey. Young has racked up 184 AHIBA appearances for Carolina and then Alameda after they relocated with a career .236 average, 7 home runs and 77 driven in.

Tomorrow we will bring you a review of Manhattan's first-year draftees (only eight not ten now) as they finally hold their first-year draft media day.

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The Manhattan franchise drafted fourth in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft and these are the ten players selected

Drafted fourth overall was 23-year-old Californian pitcher Robert Roberts out of St Louis College. A right-handed starting pitcher Robert started 34 games in his three years playing for the St Louis Diamonds compiling a 22-7 record with a 2.83 ERA including going 10-0 in his final year. He struck out 137 batters in his 12 final year starts while walking just 21; Monsters will have high hopes for him but they will not rush him and his development.

Second round pick, Jose Costa, was traded to Wingate.

The Third round pick was 23-year-old Ohio born starting pitcher Steve Morris out of Snowmass Village College. In his three years playing for the SVC Naturals he made 35 starts going 8-8 with a 4.71 ERA, walking 95 but fanning 200.

Fourth round pick, Ivan Romero, was traded to Wingate.

In the fifth round 23-year-old Wisconsin native Lewis Johnson was drafted from St Louis College. First Baseman Lewis played 99 times for the Diamonds with a .299 average.

The sixth round pick was 22-year-old local boy Raul Castro out of Lincoln College. Raul, a right-handed starting pitcher made 11 starts and 32 appearances in his two years with the LC Sea Wolves finishing with an 8-3 record and a 5.84 ERA.

The Seventh round brought 22-year-old Japanese Reliever Tetsuhiko Ito out of Akron College. His 44 appearances saw him compile a 3-1 record with one save and a 5.34 career average.

Eighth round pick, 23-year-old Californian third baseman Pedro Gonzalez played one year at Norfolk College and two at Port Clinton College. His 49 appearances brought a .209 career average.

19-year-old third baseman Dennis Snow, a native New Yorker, was Manhattan’s first high school draftee in the ninth round. In three years at Lake Michigan Beach HS his 73 appearances brought a .310 career average.
The final pick was also a high schooler, 20-year-old pitcher, Jose Ontiveros from Ohio. His three years at Tulsa HS brought 34 appearances, starting six times. He finished with a 4-7 record with one save and a 10.21 average.

All eight will start the year in rookie ball with the Greenwich Village Monsters.

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Monsters made one big splash in the free agent market signing 31-year-old Dutchman Gijs Ouwerkerk to a three year $35 million contract. It’s a big contract but Monsters have cash to burn and see Gijs as the everyday first baseman for many years to come. In three years in the AHIBA with Fargo and Cornwall he has three 20+ homer seasons and a career average of .268.

The only other major free agent Manhattan were able to sign was 29-year-old Quebec native reliever, Mathis Desbiens who got a two-year $2,950,000 contract. Mathis has two years in A-ball Tulsa racking up 95 appearances including 47 starts. He has a 21-10 record with 2 saves and a 3.72 career ERA; he will get the chance to compete for a major league spot in spring training.

Monsters though were most active restocking the farm system signing 11 players to minor league contracts.

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Two weeks into spring training and injuries are threatening Manhattan’s season already. The first week saw projected No.4 starter Antonio Mejia lost for three months with a partially torn labrum and ace set-up man Zander Bruce quickly followed him onto the D/L with torn triceps that will probably keep him out till mid-July at the earliest. Just when it was looking bleak, it really turned bad as potential starter / long relief pitcher Javier Torres headed to surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow leaving the Monsters pitching staff in disarray.

Manhattan had by this time slumped to fifth in the Ruth Division with a 4-9 record and only Hartford Harriers beneath them. The newly acquired Gene Cranton was showing some form though as although he failed to get a decision in three starts, he only gave up eight hits in 12 innings pitched with a miserly 0.75 ERA. The bullpen had several members sporting ERA’s nearing three figures as Mathis Desbiens was pressed into service in the rotation and Jose Valentin who had been returned to Long Island A ball team was recalled to act as long relief / spot starter. Anibal Perez also accompanied him from Long Island to act as set-up man.

Home runs were few and far between in the opening two weeks with Monsters hitting just five out of the park, new boy Gijs Ouwerkerk being responsible for two of those. Best of the starters was another new arrival, Pablo Gonzalez who hit 10 times at a .323 average in his 31 at bats while Lloyd Cuestas also hit 10 times in his 38 at bats.

Monsters rotation and relief was looking shaky at the start of spring training but now it is looking highly unlikely that they’ll be able to better last year’s disastrous record. Management assure us that moves are afoot to strengthen the situation and these will be in place before the end of spring training.

[mavericktango]

With three pitchers on the disabled list already Monsters moved fast to shore up the rotation. Steve Morris, their third round pick in the first-year player draft was sent to Maine Freeze along with the Monsters 2012 first round pick in exchange for two 32-year-olds, pitcher Morrie Aderholt and centerfielder Raul Moran. Although Aderholt has only two pitches he does own a 16-10 AHIBA record with a 4.05 ERA in 213 innings pitched and Monsters hope that in Mejia’s absence he can contribute to the rotation. Moran meanwhile provides another experienced outfield bat and with Richard Bly failing to gain a starting spot in spring training, Raul is slated to be the starting CF on Opening Day.

With Manhattan finishing spring training with a 9-15 record it was time for the final round of cuts to the active roster. The biggest shock probably was Robert Padilla losing not only his starting second base job where he made 143 starts in 2011 but also his spot on the 25-man roster as after a poor spring he was shipped to Triple A New Jersey. Richie Harvey who had 121 starts in Triple A won the start at second base joining new free agent signing Gijs Ouwerkerk (1B), Rick McGinnis (SS) and Pablo Gonzalez (3B) in the infield and Nate Humphrey once more behind the plate.

The starting outfielders on Opening Day will be Steve Baker in right, Moran in centre and it was due to be Marvin Miller in left but he is still bothered by a sprained knee that kept him out of the final two weeks of spring training so his spot will be contested for by Jake Gray and Jesus Soriano with last year’s first baseman, Cuestas, likely to be the DH. Jorge Maldonaldo who has lost his 3B job to Gonzalez, will be the infield utility man and Sasha Frechette will fill the backup catcher role again.

The Rotation at the moment will start as

1. Patton
2. Cranton
3. Aderholt
4. Yeo
5. Atkinson

But all that could change depending on how Aderholt beds in and whether Yeo can overcome a shaky spring.

[mavericktango]

Over 42,000 packed into The Compound, home of the Monsters, for Opening Day 2012; Colchester Choppers were the visitors and after last season’s abysmal showing it was a relief to be back playing baseball again. Starter Willie Patton gave up two solo homers in the fourth but there was no further scoring until the 7th innings, after which the Choppers pulled steadily away, cumulating in a six-run 9th to win 11-2. Last year’s first baseman, now playing DH, Lloyd Cuestas had the honour of scoring Manhattan’s first run of 2012 with a solo homer in the bottom of the 7th and followed it up with another in the bottom of the 9th.

It might have looked like 2011 once more when in the second game a six-run fourth gave Choppers an 8-3 lead but Monsters bared their teeth and three in the 7th plus five in the 8th was enough to give them a narrow 11-10 win. Cuestas added his third home run of the new season and new rightfielder Steve Baker hit two out of the yard while reliever Miguel Sanchez, the fifth Monsters pitcher used, got the first ‘W’ of the season.

Two games later Manhattan gained their first shut-out, beating local rivals New York Little Lebowskis 2-0. Pablo Gonzalez doubled home Nate Humphrey in the bottom of the 3rd and when Raul Moran doubled home Gonzalez that was enough offence to give Alonso Atkinson, acquired in the Austin trade, his first win in Monsters colours.

A run of three victories on the trot, April 12th – 14th, left Monsters 5-6 in the middle of April – a far better showing already. The DH role seems to suit Cuestas as he’s hitting at a .366 average with 6 home runs already, a feat matched by Steve Baker who has 14 RBI’s to Cuestas’ 12. The leading starter is Alonso Atkinson who has won both his starts with a miserly 0.55 ERA, on the other end though is Willie Patton (0-2, 6.38 in two starts) and Mathis Desbiens (0-1, 16.20 in his two starts) while in the bullpen Sanchez has excelled with a 2-0, 4.35 ERA record and closer Ramon Garcia has saved 5 games despite a large 9.00 ERA.


Steve Baker & Alonso Atkinson, both acquired in the Austin trade

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As we enter the final week of April another week of up and down baseball see Monsters level at 9-9 in fourth spot in the Ruth Division but only 1½ games out of first place. Cleveland Cold Warriors took their series in Manhattan 2-1 but Monsters bounced back to take the series 3-1 against the Washington Nationals.


Gene Cranton had a good week going 2-0, striking out 14 with an ERA of only 1.72 but Mathis Desbiens, forced into action as the fifth starter because of the injuries, went 0-1 to drop to 0-2 for the season with a rather large 9.69 ERA.

Lloyd Cuestas, relishing his DH role, hit another four out of the park to reach double figures in HR’s for the season and is batting at a .409 average as well. Pablo Gonzalez was on fire this week rapping out 10 hits at a .370 average.

[mavericktango]

April ended with yet another pitcher heading for the disabled list with a long term injury as Monsters finished the month 11-14. Morrie Aderholt was taken out of the game against the Miami Dark Passengers in the fourth innings with a torn knee meniscus and will join Mejia, Torres and Bruce on the D/L, it will be close to July before any of them return.

So Monsters Rotation had to be shuffled again, Mathis Desbiens was given the long relief role after racking up a 9.19 ERA as Phil Yeo returned to the rotation as the fifth starter. Christian Allen was claimed off waivers from the Phoenix Dry Heat to slot into the fourth spot, his first start didn’t quite go to plan as he gave up seven runs in six innings against the Long Island Gulls as Manhattan were shut-out 8-0 but he recovered to blank Hartford Harriers 9-0 in his next start going the full distance. Allen moved to 2-1 when he beat Long Island joining Gene Cranton as the second pitcher in the patched up rotation to having a winning record although the starters ERA of 4.07 is second in the Sluggers League.

The first two weeks of May were kind to Monsters as they went 7-5 to be 18-19 overall, 4 ½ back of Ruth Division leaders Hartford, at 23-15, the only team in the division above .500. Manhattan might not be involved in a play-off race but one thing should be sure, they will win quite a few more than last years 50 games.

Lloyd Cuestas leads the club in homers with 13, batting average (.350) and RBI’s (27), close behind him is new boy Steve Baker with 12 long balls and 23 RBI’s. Centrefielder Jake Gray who had just seven at bats (.143) was sent down to New Jersey to get some game time while Richard Bly who was hitting .330 with 8 home runs in Triple A headed the opposite way. Richard struggled to fit into the big league though, used mainly as a late-innings replacement, he had one hit at 12 AB’s in his first 9 games. Leftfielder Marvin Millar restricted to just 18 AB’s in 16 appearances by injury was at least hitting .444 and although Ouwerkerk’s average (.168) wasn’t what the club were expecting when they gave him a three year $35 million contract, he was third in home runs for the Monsters with seven and had driven in 20.