Orcin's Story

[Orcin]

September 10, 2007

Subject: Week 23 Notes

Record: 85-58 .594, - GB
Position: 1st place (7.5 game lead over Indianapolis)
Magic Number: 13
Runs Scored: 636 – t8th in Federal
Runs Allowed: 499 – 1st in Federal
Defense: .702 – 4th in Federal
Power Ranking: 113.0 (1st in CBA)
Owner Mood: Ecstatic; Fan Interest: 100/100

• Last week (5-2): 3-1 vs. San Francisco, 2-1 at Chicago
• Pablo Guzman cleared waivers and was assigned to Lexington (AAA). He will play 1B for the Legends in the playoffs, replacing Mike Guy.
• Robert Westaway was activated from the D/L and will start Monday’s game vs. SF
• 09/03: LOU 8, SF 1 – Simon 2-4, 2 HR, 5 RBI (solo HR & grand slam)
• 09/04: SF 4, LOU 0 – Gilliam (SF) 8.1 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 5 BB, 2 K, W (5-10, 5.10 ERA)
• We made lefty Chip Gilliam look like Chip Davidson today. Simon broke up the no-hitter with a double in the 7th.
• 09/05: LOU 4, SF 1 – Luna 8 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 8 K, W (11-10, 3.73 ERA)
• 09/06: LOU 6, SF 1 – Ordonez 9 IP, 1 ER, 8 H, 0 BB, 6 K, W (6-3, 2.12 ERA)
• 09/07: CHI 6, LOU 3 – Shirley (CHI) two-run homer for GWRBI off Wilkerson
• 09/08: LOU 11, CHI 5 – Morgan 3-5, DBL, HR, 5 RBI, grand slam for GWRBI
• 09/09: LOU 8, CHI 6 – Bland 2-4, HR, 3 RBI
• Indianapolis has lost 18 of their last 24 games. We have won 12 of our last 15. Sal called the Indy collapse a few weeks ago.
• Lexington (AAA) is 108-31 and clinched their division a long time ago. Dayton (AA) clinched their division at 80-59. Evansville and Owensboro will miss the playoffs.
• LF Kelvin Daniel, our 2007 4th-round draft pick, was named Player of the Week at Evansville (A).
• Charlotte SP Jim Payne, obtained in July from San Diego for Jake Mullet, is done for the year with shoulder problems. He was 6-1 with a 1.88 ERA since the trade.
• This week: 3 at Houston, 3 vs. Dallas; Houston has won 6 of 6 against us this season, and they are a likely first-round opponent in the playoffs.


The Federal League races with roughly 20 games to play…
• Federal divisions: Louisville (M#13), Dallas (M#17), San Diego (M#5)
• Federal wild card: Houston (M#19), Indianapolis (1 GB), Salt Lake City (3 GB)

The Patriot League races…
• Patriot divisions: New York (M#16), Cleveland (M#13), Charlotte (M#9)
• Patriot wild card: Boston (M#15), Pittsburgh (4 GB), Providence (6.5 GB)

[Sal, The Barber]

Originally Posted by Orcin

September 10, 2007

Subject: Week 23 Notes
Position: 1st place (7.5 game lead over Indianapolis)
• We made lefty Chip Gilliam look like Chip Davidson today.
• 09/05: LOU 4, SF 1 – Luna 8 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 8 K, W (11-10, 3.73 ERA)
• 09/06: LOU 6, SF 1 – Ordonez 9 IP, 1 ER, 8 H, 0 BB, 6 K, W (6-3, 2.12 ERA)
• Indianapolis has lost 18 of their last 24 games. We have won 12 of our last 15. Sal called the Indy collapse a few weeks ago.
• Charlotte SP Jim Payne, obtained in July from San Diego for Jake Mullet, is done for the year with shoulder problems. He was 6-1 with a 1.88 ERA since the trade.

Indianapolis does not have the one flat tire but the four. Sal almost feels bad for them.

What does it mean that Chip looked like Chip? Do you mean kinda of swollen and puffy? A little soft in the middle?

Sal is very happy to see Luna pitching like an ace. You had that talk with him, Mr. Orcin? Don't worry, if not, Sal sent him the letter informing hims that he's an ace and he should start to pitch like one. And how about the kid Ordonez? Perhaps Sal misaddressed that letter to Luna?

Sal almost forgot. Sal has to ask, how does Jake Mullet pronounce his last name? Does he use the French-Canadian pronounciation? Moo-lay?

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by Sal, The Barber

What does it mean that Chip looked like Chip? Do you mean kinda of swollen and puffy? A little soft in the middle?

Gone, but not forgotten.

Originally Posted by Sal, The Barber

Sal almost forgot. Sal has to ask, how does Jake Mullet pronounce his last name? Does he use the French-Canadian pronounciation? Moo-lay?

Nope, it's pronounced like the bad haircut. Not that you know anything about bad haircuts.

[gehrig38]

• 1B Mike Guy (AAA: .350/.495/.748, 33 HR, 73 RBI) was recalled from Lexington.
• RF Pablo Guzman was placed on waivers and designated for assignment.
• 08/31: LOU 7, BAL 5 – Bland 3-4, DBL, RBI, SB, 2 RS; Sanchez 3-4, 2 SB
• Mike Guy pinch-hit in the seventh and singled to drive in the game-winning run.

Love when you 'make a move' and it has a true impact. Raking in AAA, bad MLB performance, call up and a GW hit. The true joy in this game is plucking the obscure kid, or mentoring the future HOF, and watching it actually happen.

[Orcin]

September 17, 2007

Subject: Week 24 Notes

Record: 89-60 .597, - GB
Position: 1st place (7 game lead over Indianapolis)
Magic Number: 7
Runs Scored: 664 – 10th in Federal
Runs Allowed: 524 – 1st in Federal
Defense: .700 – 5th in Federal
Power Ranking: 112.5 (1st in CBA)
Owner Mood: Ecstatic; Fan Interest: 100/100

• Last week (4-2): 2-1 at Houston, 2-1 vs. Dallas
• Cincinnati’s ace SP Dan Todd (15-9, 2.98) will require reconstructive elbow surgery and is expected to miss all of next season. This is his third major injury in 3 years.
• 09/11: HOU 3, LOU 1 – SP David Harrison (HOU) 8 IP, 0 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 4 K, W (20-7, 1.91 ERA)
• Luna had a no-hitter through 6 innings, but the Stars got to him in the eighth while Harrison was just too much for us.
• 09/12: LOU 6, HOU 2 – Ordonez 8 IP, 2 ER, 8 H, 4 BB, 2 K, W (7-3, 2.13 ERA)
• New York SP Jorge Figueroa (10-12, 3.93) has a partial tear of his UCL that will require season-ending surgery. His recovery is expected to take one full year.
• 09/13: LOU 5, HOU 0 – dominant shutout by Wilkerson 9 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 7 K, W (10-7, 3.64 ERA)
• 09/14: LOU 7; DAL 5 – Stanley 2-4, HR, 3 RBI; rain delay of 73 minutes in the 2nd
• The Nashville Tigers (57-90) have fired manager Hector Ventura after four losing seasons at the helm (280-353 total record, never finished above fourth).
• 09/15: DAL 8, LOU 1 – Alexander 4.1 IP, 6 ER, 8 H, 2 BB, 4 K, L (14-10, 3.75)
• Alexander is 2-6 with a 7.71 ERA since August 1. If the playoffs started tomorrow, he would be the odd man out of a 4-man rotation.
• Nashville hired former Dallas and Phoenix scout Ramiro Flores as (interim?) manager on a one-year contract, despite his complete lack of coaching experience.
• 09/16: LOU 8, DAL 7 – Sanchez 3-5, DBL, RBI, 2 RS, key hit in 9th-inning rally
• Patrick Timm has 67 home runs, needs 9 more to tie the single-season record.
• Charlotte has clinched the Patriot Southern Division.
• This week: 4 vs. Los Angeles, 3 vs. Milwaukee


The most popular Louisville players (with prior year rank shown in parenthesis) are:
1. 3B Pierre-Louis Simon (1)
2. C Duncan Bland (3)
3. LF Dennis Morgan (2)
4. SP Robert Westaway (4)
5. RF Eduardo Sanchez (NR)

The most cost-effective players are CF Pedro Dominguez and SP Aaron Wilkerson.

[jaysdailydose]

Can we get an updated look at Figueroa? I hate to say it, but with that 2nd major injury -- it's probably the end... he's been declining as-is and now with probable Tommy John at his age?

May be fun to look at one of the greatest OOTP pitchers many of us have ever seen...

[Westheim]

Figueroa should retire in dignity. That little bit he has remaining.

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by jaysdailydose

Can we get an updated look at Figueroa? I hate to say it, but with that 2nd major injury -- it's probably the end... he's been declining as-is and now with probable Tommy John at his age?

May be fun to look at one of the greatest OOTP pitchers many of us have ever seen...

Here you go. I never get tired of looking at this card. He is definitely the best pitcher that I have seen in any of my fictional leagues. Figueroa was named Outstanding Pitcher 11 times (1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003). He was named to the All-Star team 14 times, every year from 1990-2004 except one year where he missed the game due to an injury.

[Orcin]

September 24, 2007

Subject: Week 25 Notes

Record: 93-63 .596, - GB
Position: 1st place (10 game lead over Indianapolis)
Magic Number: clinched
Runs Scored: 708 – 6th in Federal
Runs Allowed: 570 – 1st in Federal
Defense: .698 – 6th in Federal
Power Ranking: 107.3 (4th in CBA)
Owner Mood: Ecstatic; Fan Interest: 100/100

• Last week (4-3): 3-1 vs. Los Angeles, 1-2 vs. Milwaukee
• 09/17: LOU 11, LA 8 – Guy 4-5, DBL, TPL, RBI; Dominguez 2-5, DBL, HR, 3 RBI
• 09/18: LOU 8, LA 6 – Simon 2-5, HR, 3 RBI; Sanchez 3-4, SB, RS
• San Diego defeated Indianapolis to clinch the Federal Pacific Division.
• 09/19: LA 8, LOU 5 – Bland 3-4, DBL, HR, 3 RBI
• Indianapolis LF Anthony McDonald is finished for the season with a back injury.
• Dayton defeated Boise to advance to the 2nd round of the AA playoffs vs. Tulsa.
• 09/20: LOU 8, LA 7 – Bland walk-off pinch-hit 2-run HR
• Patrick Timm blasted HR #69 (#2 all-time season)
• Lexington beat San Jose to reach the 2nd round of the AAA playoffs vs. Portland
• 09/21: LOU 6, MIL 4 – Luna 8 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 3 BB, 4 K, W (12-11, 3.97 ERA)
• This win clinched our 8th consecutive Federal Midwest Division title.
• 09/22: MIL 4, LOU 0 – Nelson (MIL) 9 IP, 0 ER, 5 H, 5 BB, 4 K, W (9-15, 3.98 ERA)
• 09/23: MIL 9, LOU 6 – Wilkerson 5.2 IP, 4 ER, 7 R, 5 H, 2 BB, 5 K
• This week: 3 vs. St. Louis, 3 at Indianapolis, end of regular season

Pitching has become a concern over the past few weeks, and I have transitioned from wondering which of six quality pitchers to leave out of the playoff rotation toward identifying the ones whose recent performance justifies inclusion. Right now, I have confidence in Westaway only.


Remaining Playoff Races:
Federal – Dallas leads Houston for the Western Division by 1 game; Houston leads SLC by 3 games for the wild card
Patriot – Cleveland has nearly clinched the Eastern Division; New York leads Boston for the Atlantic Division by 1 game; Boston leads Pittsburgh by 5 games for the wild card

[Orcin]

October 1, 2007

Subject: Week 26 Notes

Record: 97-65 .599, - GB (18-10 in September)
Position: 1st place (13 game lead over Indianapolis)
Runs Scored: 726 – 10th in Federal (scored 138 fewer runs than last year… bleh)
Runs Allowed: 582 – 1st in Federal (allowed 6 more runs than last year)
Defense: .702 – 5th in Federal (8 points better than last year… huge improvement)
Power Ranking: 112.0 (1st in CBA)
Owner Mood: Ecstatic; Fan Interest: 100/100

• Last week (4-2): 2-1 vs. St. Louis, 2-1 at Indianapolis
• 09/24: LOU 6, STL 3 – Dominguez 2-4, HR, 3 RBI; John 4-5, SB, 2 RS
• Robert Westaway left the game in the 6th inning with an undisclosed injury. Eek!
• 09/25: STL 4, LOU 0 – Lopez (STL) 9 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 6 K, W (14-11, 2.23)
• Bullet dodged. Westaway was diagnosed with a mild hamstring strain and will be fully recovered next week, although his first playoff start may be pushed back.
• 09/26: LOU 1, STL 0 – Luna 8 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 6 K, W (13-11, 3.83 ERA)
• Luna has punched his ticket for the #2 starter position in the post-season.
• Cleveland clinched their division. New York and Boston have clinched playoff spots but the division winner is still undecided.
• 09/28: IND 2, LOU 0 – Scott (IND) 8 IP, 0 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 3 K, W (17-9, 2.63 ERA)
• Seattle catcher Jeff Lucas was 6-6, including 2 doubles, a home run, and 6 RBI, in a 16-3 rout of San Francisco. It was the 8th 6-hit game in CBA history.
• Dallas clinched their division and Houston clinched the Federal wild card.
• Dallas LF Shojiro Goto will miss the post-season with a fractured rib. Backup outfielder Eddie Payne was diagnosed with a hamstring strain and is also out.
• 09/29: LOU 4, IND 2 – Wilkerson 8.1 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 0 BB, 4 K, W (12-8, 3.67 ERA)
• Lexington and Dayton were both eliminated in the semi-finals of their playoffs.
• 09/30: LOU 7, IND 1 – Hernandez 8.1 IP, 1 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 2 K, W (15-8, 3.90)
• New York clinched their division on the final day of the season.
• SP Aaron Wilkerson was our Pitcher of the Month for September: 4-2, 3.09 ERA
• C Duncan Bland was our Player of the Month: .265/.326/.590, 8 HR, 23 RBI
• This week: Divisional playoff round vs. the wild card Houston Stars (91-71).

The other first-round playoff matchups will be:
• Federal: San Diego at Dallas
• Patriot: Boston at Charlotte
• Patriot: New York at Cleveland

[Orcin]

CBA STANDINGS – 2007 FINAL



The Indians were 20-35 after July 31. The pressure of the pennant race apparently got to them.
Or… maybe it was that Indianapolis bobble head doll that showed up in Sal’s shop in early August.




Anyone remember that BNN’s pre-season prediction for league champ was Cincinnati?

[Orcin]

LEAGUE LEADERS – 2007 FINAL



Houston SP David Harrison looks like a lock to win Federal Outstanding Pitcher.
It will be an interesting race for Patriot Outstanding Player between Timm and Estrada.

[Orcin]

LOUISVILLE COLONELS – 2007 REGULAR SEASON FINAL STATS



The playoff roster includes Juan Hernandez in the bullpen, along with the fifth starter (yet to be determined). The top six in the bullpen are so good that I can afford to carry an extra starter. Westaway’s injury has led me to the unusual choice of a five-man rotation for the first series. If the series goes to an elimination game, Westaway will pitch it. Otherwise, he will start game one of the championship series.

The starting lineup is unchanged over the last two months of the season. Why tinker with something that is working?

[Orcin]

Merry Christmas to all, and thanks for reading!

And now... on to the 2007 playoffs.

[Orcin]

2007 Federal League Divisional Playoff Series
Houston Stars (91-71) vs. Louisville Colonels (97-65)

The Stars were #3 in the league in both runs scored and allowed. They don’t hit for much power, but they get on base a lot and they run well. The starting pitching and defense is exceptional, plus they have a great closer in Tim Humphrey. Houston won 7 out of 9 games in head-to-head play with us this season.


GAME 1 @ Louisville: George Brown (14-10) vs. Antonio Luna (13-11)

Duncan Bland staked Luna to an early lead with a 2-run double in the first inning. Simon made it a big first inning with a 2-out, 2-run homer.

In the third inning, Bland continued his assault on George Brown with a 2-run homer of his own to make the score 6-0. Brown’s day was finished but the Colonels’ inning was not. Sanchez picked up his third hit of the day to drive in a couple and push the score to 9-0 after three innings.

Luna was sailing along with a 10-1 lead until the sixth. An error by Tom John loaded the bases and Houston 1B Ramon Lopez made Luna pay with a grand slam. Nat Jones came in to retire the Stars’ cleanup hitter, RF Angel Perez, and keep the score at 10-6.

Garza had to rescue Jones with two men on base in the seventh, protecting the lead at 10-7. Brooks and King took care of the final two innings and the Colonels held on to win the opener of the series. Bland and Sanchez were each 4-5 in the game.

FINAL: Louisville 10, Houston 7
Louisville leads the series 1-0.

Other games:
San Diego 4, Dallas 2 (San Diego leads 1-0)
Cleveland 4, New York 2 (Cleveland leads 1-0)
Boston 12, Charlotte 5 (Boston leads 1-0)

[Westheim]

Whoah, even a 9-0 lead is barely enough sometimes.

And of course the CBA playoffs are undoubtedly the most important event today.

[beachbomer]

Originally Posted by Orcin

Merry Christmas to all, and thanks for reading!

And now... on to the 2007 playoffs.

Merry Xmas Oricn, you have given me much pleasure with your dynasty in 2012 and hopefully you will continue for years to come.

Happy Hollidays!

[gehrig38]

3 Things
1) Merry Christmas
2) Good Luck in the playoffs
3) Thanks for opening my eyes to a new a awesome way to enjoy this game.

[Orcin]

2007 Federal League Divisional Playoff Series
Houston Stars (91-71) vs. Louisville Colonels (97-65)

GAME 2 @ Louisville: Max Miller (14-11) vs. Edgardo Ordonez (8-5)

I wanted the rookie Ordonez to pitch at home, and Byrne felt comfortable sending him out to face Houston’s weaker “vs. L” lineup in game two. The gamble did not pay off.

Three straight singles gave Houston a 1-0 lead in the second inning. A 2-run double by CF Colby Chaney made it 3-0, and 2B Alexander Mooney’s base hit plated a fourth run after three. We would have to come from behind to win this one.

Mike Guy pinch-hit for Ordonez with the bases loaded and two out in the fourth, and slammed a single to center field cutting the lead in half at 4-2. A double by Chris Brown scored Bland from first base to make it a 1-run game after five.

Dennis Morgan’s double to deep center field scored Eduardo Sanchez to tie the game in the sixth. Morgan came up lame at second base and was removed from the game. The diagnosis was a mild oblique strain, leaving Morgan at about 85% for game three.

Houston reclaimed the lead in the seventh against Ricardo Quinones and Jesus Trejo. Orlando Hernandez scored from first on a triple by Bang Ying, and a ground out plated Ying with run #6 for the Stars. The Houston bullpen took over from there and we were faced with a tough decision about pitching assignments for the next two games.

FINAL: Houston 7, Louisville 4
The series is tied at 1.

Other games:
San Diego 5, Dallas 4 (San Diego leads 2-0)
Cleveland 4, New York 0 (Cleveland leads 2-0)
Boston 7, Charlotte 2 (Boston leads 2-0)

[Orcin]

2007 Federal League Divisional Playoff Series
Houston Stars (91-71) vs. Louisville Colonels (97-65)

GAME 3 @ Houston: Aaron Wilkerson (12-8) vs. David Harrison (23-5)

Westway will pitch game four to avoid pitting him against Harrison. Based on late-season performance, Wilkerson was probably more likely to have a dominant game than Alexander, so he got the nod in this must-win game. Luna will come back for a game five if needed.

John singled and Rodriguez doubled to start the third, but Harrison got the next three batters to prevent any scoring on that opportunity.

Simon got the Colonels on the board in the fourth with a double to score Morgan, who had been hit by a pitch. Bland struck out. Brown, who had reached on an error, scored from third when John grounded out to make it 2-0. Rodriguez was intentionally walked with two outs, but Wilkerson made the Stars regret that move when he singled up the middle to score Simon.

The Colonels left the bases loaded in the sixth and the score remained 3-0. Louisville loaded the bases again with no outs in the seventh. Brown singled sharply to left to score one run and leave the sacks full. Harrison got out of the jam with a strikeout and double play to keep the score at 4-0.

Wilkerson was tiring and Lucio Martinez pinch-hit for him to open the seventh. Martinez reached on an error and came around to score on a single by Dominguez. Houston got that run back in the ninth off Brooks, but it was too little, too late.

Wilkerson’s line was: 7 IP, 0 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 6 K, 121 pitches (80 strikes)

FINAL: Louisville 5, Houston 1
Louisville leads the series 2-1.

Other games:
San Diego 5, Dallas 4 (San Diego wins the series 3-0)
New York 4, Cleveland 2 (Cleveland leads 2-1)
Charlotte 1, Boston 0 (Boston leads 2-1)