Fallout: New Vegas' Mojave Baseball League

[StLee]

Late Rally Propels Radscorpions to Series Victory

North Vegas went into the seventh inning trailing 2-0. However, after back-to-back two-run innings, the Radscorpions came away with a 4-2 victory over South Vegas and a first-round series win to push them into the Mojave Series.

Arthur Glass started the rally in the bottom of the seventh with a solo home run. With two outs, Chris Towns singled and then stole second base. Squirrel And then singled in Towns to tie the game 2-2 and chase Vault Boys' starting pitcher Orlando Stephens.

In the eighth inning, the Radscorpions took the lead for good off reliever Lee Weathers. Bill Cole singled to lead off and was then replaced with pinch runner Norris Carr. Glass then doubled to move Carr to third base. After Nelson Kirby was intentionally walked to load the bases with no outs, Kirby Brown reached on an error to score Carr. Weathers then threw a wild pitch to score Glass ad walked the batter. John Rock had to come on in relief to stop the bleeding by striking out And and getting Ernest Emmons to ground into a double play.

South Vegas took the lead in the first inning off starter Rich Richmond. Pat Meyer led off with a single and moved over to second with a ground out. James Sexton then hit an RBI single for the 1-0 lead.

The Vault Boys scored their final run in the sixth. Riley Brown led off with a double. With one out and runners at first and third, Angel Serrano doubled. Brown scored on the play, but Joseph Dillon was thrown out at the plate, keeping the score at 2-0.

John Mulvaney was the winning pitcher for the Radscorpions by pitching a scoreless eighth inning. Basket Zapp earned his fourth save of the series. Starter Richmond allowed just two earned runs on eight hits with two walks and nine strikeouts in seven innings.

South Vegas' Stephens pitched a gem until the seventh inning, giving him a no decision. He allowed two earned runs on nine hits with nine strikeouts in 6.2 innings. Weathers was the losing pitcher.

North Vegas now awaits the winner of the series between the Goodsprings Lucky 38s and the Freeside Kings.

[Tyke]

You have to be pretty happy, facing MacTause twice in a series and coming away with two wins. Also very pleased with the performance of the bullpen, for once! Still up against it, though.

[StLee]

Lucky 38s Again Win in Ten

Outside of extra innings games, Goodsprings has not fared well. In extra innings games, the Lucky 38s are undefeated in the 2289 playoffs.

Goodsprings overcame a run allowed by scoring two of its own in defeating Freeside 9-8 in 10 innings. The victory evens the series at three games apiece.

The Lucky 38s entered the bottom of the tenth trailing 8-7 and on the brink of elimination. Mike Duncan started things off with a single off reliever Doug King. With one out, Jimmy LaRue doubled to put the tying and winning runs in scoring position. Jesus Martinez then hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game, 8-8. With LaRue still on second, Stu Wilkins doubled to drive in the winning run.

Freeside was in control most of the game. The Kings took the first lead of the game in the third inning off Lucky 38s starter Jim Jones. Joel Bowles led off with a double. Jeremiah Morgan and Jim Seaman then hit into ground outs, both advancing Bowles for the 1-0 lead.

The Kings then added runs in the fifth and sixth for a 3-0 lead. In the fifth, Ellis Wood walked and Bowles reached on an error to advance Wood to third base. With one out, Seaman hit a sacrifice fly to score Wood. In the sixth, Jose De La Torre hit a solo home run for the 3-0 advantage.

Goodsprings got on the board for the first time in the sixth. With one out, Stu Vanstone singled, followed by a LaRue double to put runners at second and third. Martinez then hit a double of his own to make the score 3-2. Wilkins then made it back-to-back-to-back doubles to tie the game, 3-3.

The tie game did not last very long. In the eighth, the Kings looked to have started to put the game away. Ronald Draper led off with a single and then advanced on a sacrifice bunt. Chris Bitter was then walked, followed by a De La Torre single to load the bases with one out. Following a strike out, Bowles went deep for a grand slam home run and a 7-3 Kings lead.

Despite trailing big, the Lucky 38s kept cool at the plate and cut into the Freeside lead in the bottom of the inning. Wilkins walked to lead off, followed by a Dennis Shaft single. After a pitching change, Perry Ferguson walked to load the bases with no outs. After a strikeout, Tony Smith hit an RBI pinch-hit single to cut the lead to 7-4. Duncan then doubled in Shaft and Ferguson to cut the Kings lead to 7-6. However, Goodsprings stranded two runners in scoring position.

In the ninth inning, the Lucky 38s manufactured a run to tie the game at 7-7. Martinez led off with a single. He then advanced to second on a ground out. Shaft and Ferguson then hit consecutive singles to score Martinez.

Freeside again took a lead that it ultimately could not hold. This time it came in the tenth. With one out Paul Strong walked. Strong then stole second on a Bowles strikeout. Jeremiah Morgan then doubled in Strong for the 8-7 advantage in the deciding inning.

Greg Greer was the winning pitcher because he pitched the tenth inning. Lester Watts was the losing pitcher.

[StLee]

Series MVP Named

In an unprecedented move, a player from the team losing the series was named the series MVP. South Vegas' Angel Serrano was a one-man wrecking crew in the first round. The Vault Boys' right fielder was 9 for 22 (.409) with two doubles, a triple, three home runs, seven RBI, four runs, two walks, and three stolen bases.

Others in consideration for the series MVP included:
SP Orlando Stephens, South Vegas
SS Bill Cole, North Vegas
SP Rich Richmond, North Vegas

[Tyke]

Now I'm just hoping the final game goes 10 innings, also

[StLee]

Originally Posted by Tyke

Now I'm just hoping the final game goes 10 innings, also

It may be the only way for the 38s to get "lucky."

[StLee]

Lucky 38s Use Big Inning to Earn Mojave Series Spot

Goodsprings knows winning big games, and the Lucky 38s did just that in defeating Freeside 4-3 in Game Seven of the opening round of the Mojave Baseball League playoffs.

With the victory, the Lucky 38s move on to face top seed North Vegas in the Mojave Series.

Goodsprings got all of its runs in a four-run second inning. With his team trailing 2-0, Jesus Martinez led off with a solo home run. Stu Vanstone doubled, and the next three batters were walked by Kings' starter Marshall Shaw to tie the game, 2-2. David Martin and Mike Duncan then hit consecutive RBI ground outs for the 4-2 lead.

Freeside had its chance at seizing momentum in the top of the second. Joel Bowles led off with a double off starting pitcher Martin. That was followed by a two-run shot for Ronald Draper and an early 2-0 lead.

The Kings' final run came in the ninth, but they were unable to push the tying run home. Draper led off with a single off closer Willie Miller. Tim Bradley and Ed Wolf then followed suit to load the bases with no outs. Jose De La Torre then grounded into a double play that scored Draper and moved Bradley to third base. Eric Fuller then grounded out to end the game and the series.

Martin was the MVP of the game. In addition to driving in a run, he allowed two earned runs on seven hits with two walks and six strikeouts in eight innings. Miller earned the save.

Shaw was the losing pitcher, allowing four earned runs on three hits with three walks and a strikeout in just two innings pitched. Three Kings relievers finished the final six innings, allowing only two hits.

Martinez won the Series MVP award. In seven games, he was 11 of 27 (.407) with a double, three home runs, nine RBI, six runs, three walks, and a sacrifice fly.

[Tyke]

Oh ye of little faith!

[StLee]

Mojave Series Preview

When North Vegas and Goodsprings meet up in the 2289 Mojave Series, there will be blood. Well, figuratively, we hope.

As stated in the first round previews, the Radscorpions (74-26) and Lucky 38s (68-32) were atop most offensive and pitching categories. The two teams are talented from top to bottom.

In the 2289 season series between the two teams, however, North Vegas had a 6-2 advantage, making most of the difference between the #1 and #2 seeds.

The teams first met April 25-28 in Goodsprings. There the Radscorpions won the series 3-1. The Lucky 38s jumped out of the box with an opening series win, 4-2. Jimmy LaRue of Goodsprings was the MVP of that game by going 5 for 5 with two doubles, an RBI, and two runs scored. In the second game, North Vegas took it 8-3. Weldon Brown and Bill Cole had four hits apiece to spur NV’s 16-hit output in the game. The first shutout of the series occurred when the Radscorpions won game three, 6-0. Not only was it a shutout, but the Lucky 38s managed just one hit (a fifth inning Java Stirfry single) in the game off starter Wilfred Buckley. In the final game of the Goodsprings series, North Vegas won the four-game set by winning 5-2. Despite David Martin striking out 13 Radscorpions to tie a Goodsprings record, North Vegas’ Gary Clark allowed just two earned runs and three hits to earn the victory.

The teams met again June 6-9, where again North Vegas took the series 3-1. In the first game, the Radscorpions won 3-2 off Brown’s ninth-inning walkoff homer. Goodsprings took the second game, 6-4, when LaRue had another outstanding performance. He was 3 of 4 with a double, three RBI, and a walk. North Vegas used two big innings to take the third game, 10-5. Nelson Kirby had a triple and four RBI to lead the offensive charge. The final game of the season series was a 7-1 victory for the Radscorpions. Again the NV pitching shut down the Lucky 38s. This time it was Nate Camp who allowed just a run and three hits in eight innings.

Looking at how the teams fared against each other, North Vegas seems to have a sizeable advantage, but don’t count out the defending champions. As long as LaRue gets to swing a bat and Jesus Martinez is making contact with his heavy swing, the Goodsprings offense is formidable. In the season series, the Lucky 38s only hit three home runs, so that will need to change in the Mojave Series. Also, only LaRue’s .412 average was impressive.

For the Radscorpions, offense came a little easier in the series. Four players hit at least .300 against the Lucky 38s. Also, Kirby and Brown hit four home runs apiece against Goodsprings. George O’Kill struggled to produce hits, but, when he did, they resulted in two homers and six RBI.

For pitching, North Vegas was already historically good, but they were also able to shut down the Goodsprings offense quite frequently. Clark was 2-0 with a 3.78 ERA in his two starts. In their only starts against the Lucky 38s, Camp and Buckley combined for just one run and four hits allowed for a 2-0 combined record.

Bob Jackson was the only Lucky 38s pitcher to have a lot of success. He was 1-0 with a 2.40 ERA in two starts. Donald Bush, who is scheduled to start Game One, and Jim Jones combined to go 0-4.

With the way North Vegas played all season, you would think they would easily be our pick to win it all. However, there is no easy in the Mojave, and Goodsprings always seems to find a way to win in dramatic fashion. So give us the luck of the 38 with Goodsprings taking it in seven.

[Tyke]

La Rue obviously has the measure of the Rads, so I'm assuming he will be giving out advice in the locker room. I'm ot really worried about the offence, it's the pitching that needs to step up to the plate [sorry!]. I just hope your prediction doesn't curse the L38s.

[StLee]

Two-Run Ninth Propels Radscorpions

Trailing 6-5 entering the bottom of the ninth, North Vegas was down to its last out, but a two-RBI single by Arthur Glass turned a potential loss into a 7-6 Radscorpions win over Goodsprings in Game One of the Mojave Series.

George O’Kill started the inning with a single. With one out, Bill Cole also singled. Squirrel And then grounded out to first base to advance the runners with two outs. Glass then hit his game-winning single on a 3-1 count to score both runners.

Goodsprings had taken the lead in the top of the inning. Java Stirfry began with a double. He then advanced to third on a Tony Smith ground out. Mike Duncan followed that up by hitting a sacrifice fly for the 6-5 lead.

The Lucky 38s started off the game in scoring, too. In the first inning, Stu Vanstone hit a one-out solo home run off North Vegas starter Nate Camp. Jimmy LaRue then doubled and stole third base. Jesus Martinez then hit into an RBI ground out for a 2-0 lead.

Goodsprings extended that lead in the third. Duncan bunted himself on base to lead off and stole second. With one out, LaRue reached on an error by second baseman Ernest Emmons to score Duncan. LaRue was later caught trying to steal third, making a single by Martinez and double by Stu Wilkins obsolete. Still, the Lucky 38s were up 3-0.

In the bottom of the third, the Radscorpions finally answered. With two outs, Nelson Kirby singled. O’Kill followed that up with a two-run home run to cut the Goodsprings lead to 3-2.

North Vegas then took control in the fourth. Cole led off with a double, followed by an And double to tie the game, 3-3. Donald Bush then walked the next two batters to load the bases with no outs. Camp then hit an RBI single for the 4-3 lead. Emmons followed by reaching on an error to make it 5-3 with the bases still loaded. Bush finally got his act together afterwards, getting the 2-3-4 hitters out consecutively.

Goodsprings cut into that lead in the fifth. Duncan doubled to lead off the inning. He then advanced to third on a Vanstone ground out and scored on an RBI ground out by LaRue for a 5-4 Radscorpions advantage.

That one-run deficit became none in the seventh. John Mulvaney replaced Camp and got the first two Lucky 38s batters out. Vanstone then began the two-out rally with a single. LaRue then followed with a single to move Vanstone to third. When LaRue attempted to steal second, North Vegas catcher Weldon Brown put the ball into center field, giving Vanstone the go-ahead to push his run across and tie the game, 5-5.

O’Kill was named the game’s MVP by going 2 for 5 with a home run, two RBI, two runs scored, and scoring the tying run in the ninth.

Basket Zapp was the winning pitcher, despite only pitching one-third of an inning. Goodsprings closer Willie Miller blew a save and was the losing pitcher.

[StLee]

Radscorpions Light Up Jones, Takes 2-0 Series Lead

North Vegas used two big innings early in the game to cruise to an 11-3 victory over Goodsprings and a 2-0 series lead in the Mojave Series.

The Radscorpions pounded Goodsprings starter Jim Jones early in the game to give them all the momentum and runs they needed. In the bottom of the first, Squirrel And and Ernest Emmons got back-to-back singles to put runners on first and third. With George O’Kill up to bat, the Radscorpions attempted a double steal. Dennis Shaft’s throw went awry to score And and move Emmons to third base. With one out, Weldon Brown then hit a sacrifice fly to score Emmons and give North Vegas a 2-0 lead.

That 2-0 lead became a blowout in the second. With two outs, Stephen Sparks walked, followed by a Rich Richmond single. And and Emmons then hit consecutive RBI singles for a 4-0 lead. After O’Kill walked, Brown hit a two-RBI single for a 6-0 advantage. Mario Flores then came on in relief of Jones.

North Vegas tacked on another run in the third, again on a two-out rally. Arthur Glass led off the inning by walking, but he did not advance until Richmond hit a two-out single. And then hit an RBI single to make it 7-0 after three.

The Radscorpions did not achieve offensive success again until the Lucky 38s made another pitching change. This time Wilton Woods fell victim to the Radscorpions’ onslaught. With one out, Brown doubled. With two outs, Woods hit Glass with a pitch. Woods then walked Kirby to load the bases. Sparks walked to score a run, and then Richmond hit his third single of the game to score two and make the score 10-0 after six innings.

North Vegas made it 11-0 in the seventh. With one out, Brown walked and Cole singled. Glass then walked to load the bases. Pinch hitter Chris Towns then hit a sacrifice fly to score Brown.

The Lucky 38s finally got on the board in the eighth with Richmond still on the mound. Pinch hitter Tony Smith led off with a double and advanced on a Java Stirfry ground out. Pinch hitter Antonio Gutierrez then hit an RBI single for a 11-1 deficit. With two outs, Stu Vanstone went deep to make the score 11-3, which turned out to be the final.

Despite giving up three runs in the eighth, Richmond was the game’s MVP. He earned the victory by allowing three earned runs on eight hits with four strikeouts in eight innings. He was also 3 for 3 at the plate with two RBI and a run scored.

Jones was the losing pitcher for the Lucky 38s. He allowed six runs, four earned, on seven hits with two walks and a strike out in just one and one-thirds innings. Four other Goodsprings pitchers combined to finish the game.
And was the top offensive producer for the Radscorpions. He was 3 for 4 with two RBI, two runs, two walks, and a strike out.

The two teams now travel to Goodsprings for the next two and possibly three games.

[Tyke]

The real problem here - obviously - is that neither of the first two games went to 10 innings. If they had, the series score would have been different.

[StLee]

Big 7th Lifts Lucky 38s

Goodsprings was stuck in radioactive muck through most of the game until a three-run seventh inning lifted them to a 4-1 victory over North Vegas in Game Three of the Mojave Series. The Radscorpions now lead the series two games to one.

Lucky 38s starters David Martin also pitched seven solid innings, giving up one earned run on five hits with a walk and seven strikeouts to earn the victory and game MVP honors.

In the seventh, Dennis Shaft led off by reaching on an error on a mishandled line drive to left field. With one out, Java Stirfry singled to move Shaft to third. Tony Smith then came on to pinch hit for Martin. He did his job by doubling in Shaft for a 2-1 lead. Mike Duncan then singled in Stirfry and Smith for the 4-1 advantage heading into the eighth inning.

Buckley earned the loss for the Radscorpions despite pitching six strong innings before the disastrous seventh. He finished by allowing four runs, three earned, on nine hits with a walk and five strikeouts in seven innings.

The Lucky 38s never trailed in the game and took a lead in the bottom of the first. With two outs, Jimmy LaRue hit a solo home run to right field.

North Vegas answered with its only run coming via home run. Bill Cole hit his to center field in the fourth inning to tie the game, 1-1.

Goodsprings had other opportunities than the seventh inning to take control in the game. In the third inning, Martin tried to score from second on a single, but he was nailed at the plate. In the fifth inning, the Lucky 38s loaded the bases, but they were unable to move a run across.

Willie Miller pitched the ninth inning for Goodsprings to earn the save, his second save of the postseason.

[StLee]

North Vegas Wins in Eleven

When Willie Miller looks back on the 2289 playoffs, the eleventh inning of Game Four of the Mojave Series is going to be the one that got away. The Goodsprings closer had a tumultuous inning, including walking in the winning run as North Vegas won 2-1 in 11 innings and is on the brink of winning the Series.

George O’Kill led off with a single for the Radscorpions to start the innings. Bill Cole then hit a one-out single to put runners at first and second. With two outs, Arthur Glass walked to load the bases. Norris Carr then turned a 1-2 count into a series of foul offs and balls, eventually drawing the game-clinching walk off Miller.

For Miller, it was his third loss in the 2289 playoffs and second of the Mojave Series. He also was the losing pitcher in Game One when he could not hold down a 6-5 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth.

Like Game One, closer Basket Zapp was the winning pitcher, allowing no runs in two innings. Gary Clark earned the save.

The Radscorpions scored the game’s first run in the top of the fifth off Lucky 38s starter Donald Bush. Pitcher Nate Camp led off with a single. With two outs and Camp on second, O’Kill singled in Camp for a 1-0 lead. Camp would end up getting injured in the bottom of the inning and leaving the game.

Goodsprings finally scored in the seventh. Stu Wilkins singled off reliever John Mulvaney to start things off. With two outs, Java Stirfry walked. Tony Smith then came on as a pinch hitter, and he again delivered. Smith’s double scored Wilkins. Stirfry tried to score from first for the lead, but he was gunned down at the plate, causing the game to be tied, 1-1.

The Lucky 38s had a chance to win the game in the ninth, but blew their opportunity. With Zapp on to pitch, Jesus Martinez led off with a single. After a wild pitch that moved Martinez to second, Stu Wilkins singled to put the winning run at third with no outs. However, Zapp struck out the next two batters and got Stirfry to fly out to center field to end the threat.

LaRue was in scoring position with one out in the eleventh inning, but Radscorpions reliever Clark struck out Wilkins and Dennis Shaft to end the game.

[StLee]

Radscorpions Take Mojave Series in Five

Rich Richmond pitched a solid game and North Vegas got just enough offense in winning Game Five and the 2289 Mojave Series over Goodsprings, 2-1.

Richmond allowed one earned run on four hits with three walks and four strikeouts in seven innings. Basket Zapp pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn his fifth total save of the playoffs.

Jim Jones was the losing pitcher for the Lucky 38s despite pitching a solid game. He allowed just two earned runs on six hits with five walks and five strikeouts in seven innings. Jones finished 0-3 in the 2289 postseason.

Neither team had much going offensively, and neither team scored after the fourth inning. The Radscorpions struck first blood in the top of the first. Squirrel And led off with a single and then stole second. Ernest Emmons then hit an RBI single to make it 1-0. The Radscorpions had three of their six hits in the game in the first.

In the third inning, North Vegas again manufactured a run. After Jones walked Emmons and George O’Kill to lead off the inning, Bill Cole hit a one-out RBI single for a 2-0 lead.

Goodsprings then cut the lead to 2-1 in the fourth. Jesus Martinez hit a one-out single. With two outs, Dennis Shaft walked. Perry Ferguson then singled to load the bases. Java Stirfry was then walked in by Richmond.

The Lucky 38s’ best chance to keep the series alive came in the eighth. Jimmy LaRue doubled off Gary Clark to lead off the inning. It was the second time LaRue had been in scoring position in the game. After Dave Davis came on in relief for Clark, Martinez moved LaRue to third on a ground out. Stu Wilkins and Shaft then struck out to end the scoring threat.

Richmond earned game and series MVP honors. In two games, Richmond was 2-0 with a 2.40 ERA in 15 innings. He allowed 12 hits, walked three, and struck out eight batters in his victories in games two and five.

[Tyke]

To be fair, the Radscorpions looked the class of the league for most of the season, so their victory is deserved. L38s certainly need to address the bullpen - and I'll be looking for a stellar season from Java Stirfry next time around.

[StLee]

New Vegas Samurai Hitter Award



MBL Announces #1 Batter Award: The Mojave Baseball League has selected its New Vegas Samurai Hitter Award for 2289 and the honor went to Jimmy LaRue, Goodsprings's fine center fielder.

He starred this season with a .427 batting average, 177 hits, 6 home runs, 61 RBIs, .462 OBP and 77 runs scored.

Lead Dealer Pitcher Award



2289 MBL Lead Dealer Pitcher Award Chosen: The Lead Dealer Pitcher Award for 2289 has been presented and the Mojave Baseball League winner is Jeff MacTause of Freeside.

"It's always nice to receive an award like this," said MacTause. "I just hope I can improve on my performance next year and be in the running again," the Kings star told reporters.

MacTause excelled with an impressive 8-5 record in 22 starts. In 157.1 innings he yielded 113 hits and 18 walks, while striking out 151 and compiling a fine 1.72 ERA.

New Kid Award



Emmons Is MBL's Best Rookie: The 2289 Mojave Baseball League New Kid Award has gone to Ernest Emmons of the North Vegas Radscorpions.

In his debut season he hit .286, drove in 34 runs and scored 44 times, while playing in 89 games. The 22-year-old newcomer also had 14 doubles, 2 triples and 3 home runs.

Mojave Hardcore Mode Postseason Award



Postseason Award Goes to Dominant Pitcher: North Vegas' Rich Richmond made his return to the postseason one to remember.

The 22-year-old starter blasted his way to helping the Radscorpions win all games he started on their way to the 2289 championship.

In 4 games started, Richmond had a 2-0 record with a 1.88 ERA in 28.2 innings pitched. He allowed 27 hits, just 6 earned runs, and 6 walks, and he struck out 24 batters.

At the plate, he batted 3 for 9 (.333 batting average) with a run scored and 2 RBI.

Return to Sender Defense Awards

MBL Honors Top Glovemen for 2289: On the defensive side of the game pitchers always get the glory, but the best pitchers know their success hinges on the gloves behind them. The defensive dream team in the Mojave Baseball League for 2289 has been announced, and the Return to Sender Defense Award trophies will be presented to these outstanding fielders:

Pitcher: Brad Moore (Nellis AFB Boomers)
Catcher: Bob Seymour (Novac Dinosaurs)
First Baseman: Pat Meyer (South Vegas Vault Boys)
Second Baseman: Daniel Bentley (Tops Mutants)
Third Baseman: Mike Britton (Nellis AFB Boomers)
Shortstop: Bill Cole (North Vegas Radscorpions)
Left Fielder: Jim Seaman (Freeside Kings)
Center Fielder: Gerardo Makejoo (Boulder City Atomic Wranglers)
Right Fielder: Nelson Kirby (North Vegas Radscorpions)

[StLee]

The Mojave Baseball League has been around for five years. Over that time, there has been a lot of good baseball. Something I never posted before was some of the best of the best performances.

Below are the season and career records for individual statistics from 2285-2289:

[StLee]

9.5.89 – Player trade

The Primm Outlaws traded 25-year-old closer Brad Wedderhede to the South Vegas Vault Boys, getting 18-year-old minor league shortstop Gustavo Chávez in return.

9.17.89 – Player trade

The Freeside Kings traded 25-year-old second baseman Joel Bowles to the Boulder City Atomic Wranglers, getting 35-year-old right fielder Thomas Cantrell and 18-year-old minor league catcher Sylvester Lambright in return.

10.1.89 – Player suspension

In response to being traded from Boulder City to Freeside, right fielder Thomas “Was Here” Cantrell had a problem. Unfortunately for him, that problem has resulted in team sanctions against him.

Cantrell publicly criticized moving from Boulder City to Freeside.

“I don’t want to be in the city around all them boozers, gamblers, and addicts,” he said on Mojave radio. “New Vegas smells like molerat guts.”

The Kings responded by suspending Cantrell for the first 10 games of the 2290 season.

In five seasons with the Atomic Wranglers, the 35-year-old Cantrell had a .282 batting average with 29 doubles, a triple, 17 home runs, 105 RBI, and 72 runs scored. In 2289, he was a part-time player, appearing mostly as a defensive replacement.

10.5.89 – MBL Draft

Here are the results of the 2289 MBL Draft:

Round 1
Round 1, Pick 1 - Nellis AFB Boomers: SP Randy Smith

Round 1, Pick 2 - Novac Dinosaurs: SP Corey Balding

Round 1, Pick 3 - Primm Outlaws: 3B Matt Davis

Round 1, Pick 4 - Gomorrah Devils: SP Hubert Pugh

Round 1, Pick 5 - Tops Mutants: SP Matt King

Round 1, Pick 6 - Boulder City Atomic Wranglers: SP Rob Thomas

Round 1, Pick 7 - Westside Sarsaparillas: MR Shane Brownskin

Round 1, Pick 8 - Ultra Luxe White Gloves: SP Artie Langley

Round 1, Pick 9 - Freeside Kings: SP Will Bishop

Round 1, Pick 10 - South Vegas Vault Boys: SP Dean Rodríguez

Round 1, Pick 11 - Goodsprings Lucky 38s: SP Bennett James

Round 1, Pick 12 - North Vegas Radscorpions: SP Frantz Pedarzolli

Round 2
Round 2, Pick 1 - Nellis AFB Boomers: CF Bill Beamray

Round 2, Pick 2 - Novac Dinosaurs: SP Earnest Campbell

Round 2, Pick 3 - Primm Outlaws: SP John Walker

Round 2, Pick 4 - Gomorrah Devils: SP Clifford Gray

Round 2, Pick 5 - Tops Mutants: SS Mike Wise

Round 2, Pick 6 - Boulder City Atomic Wranglers: SP Jeff Greene

Round 2, Pick 7 - Westside Sarsaparillas: SP Seth Cyberdog

Round 2, Pick 8 - Ultra Luxe White Gloves: SS Marc Pope

Round 2, Pick 9 - Freeside Kings: SP Tom McGuire

Round 2, Pick 10 - South Vegas Vault Boys: SS John Phelps

Round 2, Pick 11 - Goodsprings Lucky 38s: SP Howard Bully

Round 2, Pick 12 - North Vegas Radscorpions: SP Clyde Brooks

Round 3
Round 3, Pick 1 - Nellis AFB Boomers: CF Clark Keller

Round 3, Pick 2 - Novac Dinosaurs: MR Artie Latham

Round 3, Pick 3 - Primm Outlaws: SP Another Tom Jones

Round 3, Pick 4 - Gomorrah Devils: SP Anthony Erwin

Round 3, Pick 5 - Tops Mutants: CF Jordan Walters

Round 3, Pick 6 - Boulder City Atomic Wranglers: C Rich Knight

Round 3, Pick 7 - Westside Sarsaparillas: 2B Bubba Krohn

Round 3, Pick 8 - Ultra Luxe White Gloves: C José Flores

Round 3, Pick 9 - Freeside Kings: SS Danny Joutsela

Round 3, Pick 10 - South Vegas Vault Boys: SP Taylor Turner

Round 3, Pick 11 - Goodsprings Lucky 38s: SP Austin Mayes

Round 3, Pick 12 - North Vegas Radscorpions: SP Lowell Sanford

Round 4
Round 4, Pick 1 - Nellis AFB Boomers: SS Sam Quarterhorse

Round 4, Pick 2 - Novac Dinosaurs: CF Dirk Riehl

Round 4, Pick 3 - Primm Outlaws: SP Thomas Wilson

Round 4, Pick 4 - Gomorrah Devils: 3B Michael Taylor

Round 4, Pick 5 - Tops Mutants: SS Peter Harris

Round 4, Pick 6 - Boulder City Atomic Wranglers: SP Ron Austin

Round 4, Pick 7 - Westside Sarsaparillas: 2B Sean Hanson

Round 4, Pick 8 - Ultra Luxe White Gloves: SP Expanding Johnson

Round 4, Pick 9 - Freeside Kings: SP John Caravan

Round 4, Pick 10 - South Vegas Vault Boys: SS Robby Woodward

Round 4, Pick 11 - Goodsprings Lucky 38s: CF Tommy Moore

Round 4, Pick 12 - North Vegas Radscorpions: C Bobby Davenport

Round 5
Round 5, Pick 1 - Nellis AFB Boomers: SP Curtis Bank Robber

Round 5, Pick 2 - Novac Dinosaurs: CF Claudio García

Round 5, Pick 3 - Primm Outlaws: SS Lightning Jackson

Round 5, Pick 4 - Gomorrah Devils: SP Tyson Rogers

Round 5, Pick 5 - Tops Mutants: C Luis Santos

Round 5, Pick 6 - Boulder City Atomic Wranglers: 2B Marcos Rodríguez

Round 5, Pick 7 - Westside Sarsaparillas: SP Eugene Peoples

Round 5, Pick 8 - Ultra Luxe White Gloves: SS Juan Murillo

Round 5, Pick 9 - Freeside Kings: SS Greg Lyons

Round 5, Pick 10 - South Vegas Vault Boys: CF Tim Brooks

Round 5, Pick 11 - Goodsprings Lucky 38s: SP Jon Motherporter

Round 5, Pick 12 - North Vegas Radscorpions: SP Edgar Lambright

10.27.89 – Player injury

Westside received a major blow, literally, when they heard news of an accident involving starting third baseman Will Robertson.

Robertson, one of the active members of the New California Republic military, was injured in a training accident while on active duty with the NCR Rangers. Though he is expected to survive, Robertson has reportedly completely lost his left arm, which will force him to retire.

However, a spokesman for the NCR said that Robertson would undergo experimental limb regrowth procedures to see if he can be a contributing member of both the NCR and MBL in the future.

“There have been experiments done throughout the wastelands,” the spokesman said. “There have been a few cases where the patient has been able to regenerate limbs, so we are going to proceed with those procedures, hoping for the best.”

In response to how the NCR had access to procedures, the spokesman said, “There is literature out there for this sort of thing. We have our hands on a book called The Wasteland Survival Guide, which specifically details limb regeneration, so we feel we have information to help Ranger Robertson have a healthy future.”

11.17.89 – Player trade

The Boulder City Atomic Wranglers traded 25-year-old starting pitcher Brandon Kerr to the Westside Sarsaparillas, getting 18-year-old minor league reliever Jerry Rodríguez in return.

11.17.89 – Player fight

Eddie Pegasus of Boulder City and Emilio Rodriguez of Westside were in an altercation Saturday night in a Cottonwood Cove bar that has caused both players to receive discipline from the league office.

Both players will receive a five-game suspension to start the 2290 season.

11.27.89 – Player trade

The Nellis AFB Boomers traded 25-year-old catcher Joe Cash to the Primm Outlaws, getting 19-year-old minor league starting pitcher Dave McCoy in return.

12.5.89 – Player signing

Hammerhand Porter contacted league officials just a few days ago, saying that he could play baseball at a high level. After an initial workout for a scout, Porter was allowed to try out for a position in the Mojave Baseball League.

Most players who enter the league as free agents are not considered to be at a high skill level compared to some of the people who had been in Mojave baseball camps over the years. However, Porter showed that he could be a star in the league.

Due to his high skill levels, Commissioner Lee determined that there would be a lottery for the rights to Porter with one caveat: only teams that missed the playoffs could gain rights to Porter.

And with that, the lucky team of eight was the Novac Dinosaurs, who get the rights to Porter. According to a team official, Porter would be best suited as a shortstop, probably hitting in the middle of the lineup.

12.5.89 – Player trade

The Primm Outlaws traded 25-year-old catcher Evan Pryor to the Ultra Luxe White Gloves, getting 36-year-old left fielder John Weber in return.

12.22.89 – Player fight

Tops closer Jim Ford has been having a miserable 2289. Ever since the New California Republic closed its baseball team’s doors, Ford, the “master of the postseason,” has been unhappy.

That unhappiness reared its ugly head in a fundraiser where Ford, who was visibly drunk, insulted a businessman’s wife and then punched the businessman.

Ford was escorted from the facilities and is expected to be disciplined by the league. He will probably be suspended from anywhere between 5-20 games, according to league sources.

12.28.89 – MBL Rule Change

The Mojave Baseball League playoffs are in flux yet again. This time the first round will be reduced to five games maximum per series. The Mojave Series will stay at seven games maximum.

12.31.89 - More stories are coming

This is not a 6-year story for nothing. The offseason (and as we'll see--the postseason) were again tumultuous. Stay tuned...