Orcin's Story

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by SandMan

I thought Haley was traded in July.

Yeah, poorly worded on my part. I meant that when I acquired Haley for Brown, I did not sit Guy and play Haley even though Guy was slumping. Then I traded Haley anyway a couple of weeks later.

[Orcin]

August 5, 2008

The situation with Pierre-Louis Simon boiled over today. (No, we didn’t trade him.) Simon barged into Byrne’s office when he arrived for tonight’s game with Dallas and demanded to know why he wasn’t in the lineup. Byrne had an easy answer for him. He told him to “go see the GM”. Jennifer announced his arrival but Simon was already through the door and standing in front of my desk. Now I know what “intense” looks like.

I invited Simon to sit down and tell me what was on his mind. He didn’t sit; instead he demanded to know, “Why am I not playing?”

I avoided the obvious “because you are hitting .208” answer, and instead I offered “with the recent injuries we needed someone on the bench that was more versatile”.

Simon had apparently prepared for this meeting. “Mooney is back now so he can be the bench guy.” I didn’t want to argue with him too much, so I pretended to accept his idea.

“Is that all that is bothering you?” No, it wasn’t.

We discussed my futile effort at shopping him around the league. I explained that it was near the trade deadline and I needed to see what players could be available for the right price. Since it is against the rules to shop multiple players in one package, I had to shop a high-value player to flush out the best talent on other teams. It was a brilliant lie, and he apparently bought it. I apologized for my disrespect and promised not to do it again.

“Is there anything else?” Oh yeah, there was.

“I want to bat at the top of the lineup.” Ok, now this is a problem. “You aren’t getting on base enough and Byrne wants your power in the RBI slots.” I was doing well up to that point, but it quickly fell apart for me.

“Do you even watch our games? I do a lot more for this team than what shows up in the box score. And besides, Byrne says he WOULD put me in the leadoff spot but YOU told him NO!”

Oh, he said that, did he? “Well, you’re right about your contribution. I promise that I will straighten this out with Byrne right away. You have my word on it.” We shook hands and Simon left in a much better mood.

I called Byrne and it was a very short conversation. “Chad, as of tonight, the lineup is all yours. I won’t interfere. Who will bat first?” He took a breath and said, “Simon will hit first and play second base.”

I wished him good luck tonight, and hung up the phone. My sabermetrician, Paula, won’t be pleased with this lineup, but sometimes there is more to winning than stats.

[phairphunk]

This is where I go and complain on the internet about how poorly this team is being managed.

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by phairphunk

This is where I go and complain on the internet about how poorly this team is being managed.

You could just post that rant right here and Jennifer will upload it for you.

[dawg_gone]

Originally Posted by phairphunk

This is where I go and complain on the internet about how poorly this team is being managed.

Originally Posted by Orcin

You could just post that rant right here and Jennifer will upload it for you.

You guys make my day.

[tacklesspoem8]

I wish my storylines were half this interesting this is the most amazing thread

[Orcin]

August 11, 2008

Subject: Week 18 Notes

Record: 69-43 .616, - GB
Position: 1st place (1.5 game lead over Milwaukee)
Runs Scored: 558 – 1st in Federal
Runs Allowed: 449 – 4th in Federal
Defense: .708 – 3rd in Federal
Power Ranking: 115.9 (1st in CBA)
Owner Mood: Ecstatic; Fan Interest: 100/100

• Last week (4-2): 2-1 vs. Dallas, 2-1 at Salt Lake City
• 08/05: DAL 5, LOU 3 – another poor outing by Luna 5 IP, 5 ER, 5 H, 4 BB, 3 K
• 08/06: LOU 6, DAL 3 – Morgan 2-4, 2 HR (30), 5 RBI (87)
• Alexander’s line: 8 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 4 BB, 9 K, W (7-8, 5.65)
• Update for the curious: Chris Brown is hitting .311 for Nashville with 4 HR and 20 RBI in 22 games. Haley is hitting .243 with 1 HR in 11 games for New York.
• 08/07: LOU 7, DAL 6 (14) – Guy 3-3, HR, RBI; Simon doubled to start the 14th and scored the winning run on a throwing error as he attempted to steal third
• Alexander Mooney left the game in the 13th with an undisclosed injury. Westaway finished the game at third base!
• 08/08: LOU 8, SLC 3 – John 4-5 (all singles), 2 RBI
• Setup man Jorge Merced left the game with back soreness and will be out a week.
• 08/09: LOU 5, SLC 1 – Westaway 8.2 IP, 1 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 7 K, W (11-5, 3.19 ERA)
• Mooney was diagnosed with a hamstring strain that is likely to sideline him for the rest of the season. Mooney was placed on the 15-day disabled list.
• Veteran 2B Filipe Carrego was added to the 40-man roster and called up. Byrne will bat Carrego second (Mooney’s spot) with Simon now playing third base.
• 08/10: SLC 7, LOU 0 – 2-hit shutout by Vicente Lopez (7-5, 3.01 ERA)
• Luna was bombed again: 2 IP, 5 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 1 K, L (12-6, 3.59 ERA). We lost two games this week and they were his two starts.
• So now the all-star Luna is getting shelled and the former bum Alexander is Pitcher of the Month? I will never figure this game out.
• Lexington infielder Larry Marshall broke his kneecap and will be sidelined until spring training. He is now correctly labeled as “fragile” on his injury history.
• This week: 3 at Los Angeles, 3 vs. San Diego

[Orcin]

Personnel Decisions for 2009

We have six expiring personnel contracts this year. We want to retain all of our current minor league personnel. Continuity is a goal, and our teams are consistently performing near the top of their leagues.

Louisville (ML):
• Trainer Ragnvard Borgstrom signed a 5-year extension at $600,000 per year, a 3% annual raise. No trainer can prevent injuries, but he has consistently reduced recovery times from the original estimates.

Lexington (AAA):
• Pitching Coach Patrick Jackson signed a 3-year extension at $450,000 per year, an 8% annual raise. His pitching staff performances have been phenomenal.
• Hitting Coach Gilbert Richard signed a 3-year extension at $350,000 per year, a 5% annual raise.

Dayton (AA):
• Hitting Coach Tony Duffy signed a 1-year extension at $200,000 per year, a 5% annual raise. Both sides are a little uncertain about the future of this relationship.

Evansville (A):
• Manager Oliver Amador signed a 3-year extension at $575,000 per year, a 5% annual raise.

Owensboro (R)
• Pitching Coach Rodrigo Martinez refused a 2-year extension at $130,000 per year, a 4% annual raise. I declined to increase the offer.

Thus, we will be looking for a rookie-level pitching coach in October. If an outstanding hitting coach is available, it could be worth trying to hire him at Dayton.

[Orcin]

August 18, 2008

Subject: Week 19 Notes

Record: 73-45 .619, - GB
Position: 1st place (half-game ahead of Milwaukee)
Runs Scored: 585 – 2nd in Federal
Runs Allowed: 467 – 3rd in Federal
Defense: .709 – 3rd in Federal
Power Ranking: 118.4 (1st in CBA)
Owner Mood: Ecstatic; Fan Interest: 100/100

• Last week (4-2): 1-2 at Los Angeles, 3-0 vs. San Diego
• 08/11: LOU 6, LA 2 – Alexander 6.1 IP, 1 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 7 K, W (8-8, 5.42 ERA)
• Alexander was also 2-3 with a double and 2 RBI in the game.
• 08/12: LA 5, LOU 3 – Nathaniel (LA) 3-4, HR, RBI, SB, 2 RS
• 08/13: LA 6, LOU 4 – Wilkerson 0.1 IP, 6 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 0 K, L(7-4, 6.36 ERA)
• Byrne filled out his lineup card for the opener with San Diego, and it had Hartman leading off and Simon batting eighth! Could it be that he finally sees the light?
• 08/15: LOU 2, SD 0 – Westaway 8.2 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 6 K, W 12-5, 3.02 ERA); Brooks got the final out for save #21.
• Both runs off San Diego ace SP Jorge Gonzalez (L, 14-4, 2.23) were unearned.
• Nope, Simon was back in the leadoff spot for game 2. Byrne said the change was only due to Simon’s poor history against Gonzalez.
• 08/16: LOU 4, SD 0 – shutout by Luna 3 H, 2 BB, 14 K to tie the Louisville regular season record, W (13-6, 3.40), game score of 93; good to see him back on track
• 08/17: LOU 8, SD 5 – Carrego 2-3, 2 HR, 5 RBI
• Milwaukee has the second-best record in the Federal League. We keep winning 2 out of 3 and can’t shake the Eagles off our tail.
• This week: 3 at Indianapolis, 3 vs. Cincinnati


Carlos Villa changed a lot of potential ratings in early August, and downgraded almost the entire 2008 draft to 1-star prospects (including my first five picks). I hope he realizes that the last scout that did that to me never worked as a CBA scout again.

By the way, former Louisville scout Jorge Enriquez is currently the scout for the Orlando Sharks, which may explain why I had so much trouble arranging a trade with them.

[Sal, The Barber]

Sal thinks there might be one heck of a pennant race lurking on the horizon. How many more games does Louieville play with Milwaukee and can Sal get tickets? Sal will travel to Milwaukee. Sal likes the road trip.

[Orcin]

We have three games in Milwaukee in early September, and the last three games of the season are here vs. Milwaukee. You will have tickets with your name on them in "will call" for those last three, but I hope we have already clinched.

[Orcin]

CBA STANDINGS (August 21, 2008 – 121 games)



It seems fairly certain that the wild card will come out of the Midwest Division.



The Southern Division has really improved this year, with Nashville and Orlando gaining ground.

[Orcin]

LEAGUE LEADERS (August 21, 2008 – 121 games)



Morgan is just off this leaderboard in HR & RBI. Sanchez is back to chase the batting title.
Robbie Scott (IND) and Felix Delgado (STL) are having career years and will battle for Outstanding Pitcher.

[Orcin]

LOUISVILLE COLONELS (August 21, 2008 – 121 games)




Yes, that lineup is 100% Byrne. The pitching setup is mine though.
It is also my decision to keep Valdez at AAA this year. Next year is another story.
Filipe Carrego may be in a position to cap off his long career with a ring. It would be a nice story.






If you don’t think Alexander has come a long way back, just compare his mid-season stats to these. Gehrig38 called this monster second half. I’m glad that I paid attention.
Sanchez and Morgan are carrying us offensively. Cristo Rodriguez is very under-rated.
Duncan Bland is having a down year. I need to find a better backup catcher for next season.

A couple of updates:
Juan Hernandez (PIT) 9-5, 4.20 – compare to Trauttmann
Chris Brown (NSH) since the trade .270/.358/.429, 4 HR, 23 RBI

[Orcin]

August 25, 2008

Subject: Week 20 Notes

Record: 77-47 .621, - GB
Position: 1st place (half-game ahead of Milwaukee)
Runs Scored: 617 – 1st in Federal
Runs Allowed: 497 – 5th in Federal
Defense: .704 – 4th in Federal
Power Ranking: 117.8 (3rd in CBA)
Owner Mood: Ecstatic; Fan Interest: 100/100

• Last week (4-2): 2-1 at Indianapolis, 2-1 vs. Cincinnati
• 08/18: LOU 7, IND 3 – Simon 3-5, 2 HR, 2 RBI, SB, 3 RS
• Morgan hit a ball into the third deck of Indians Park in the 9th (est. 470 feet).
• Phoenix SP Stan Scott (11-9, 4.90 ERA) threw his second consecutive shutout. We will see him next week.
• 08/19: IND 9, LOU 3 – Wilkerson 3.2 IP, 7 ER, 9 H, 3 BB, 1 K, L (7-5, 6.95 ERA)
• It’s time to see what Luis “Pokey” Gonzales can do as a starter. Aaron Wilkerson will temporarily return to the bullpen. Reliever Mike Guthrie was sent down to AAA.
• Guthrie did a nice job (5 app, 13 IP, 2.70 ERA) while he was here. We may need to make room for him in the bullpen next year.
• Eduardo Sanchez was activated from the D/L and Gerald Blair was demoted to AAA. Blair is another player that made a positive impression while he was here.
• 08/20: LOU 8, IND 7 – Sanchez 2-5, HR, 4 RBI, SB, 2 RS (who needs rehab!)
• RF Brock Richardson finally reported for duty with Orlando after a lengthy rehab.
• 08/22: CIN 6, LOU 3 – Lucas (CIN) 3-4, HR, 2 RBI
• Boston’s all-star 2B Chuck Wilkerson (.331/12/49) was 5-5 in a loss vs. Nashville.
• 08/23: LOU 8, CIN 3 – Bland 2-2, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB, 4 RS
• Eduardo Sanchez tweaked his ankle on the bases. The trainer says the league’s leading hitter needs to sit out for a week. Maybe he did need rehab.
• Orlando 1B Ivan Cardenas was 6-6 and sparked his club to a 19-1 victory over Philadelphia. It was the 9th 6-hit regulation game in CBA history.
• 08/24: LOU 3, CIN 2 (11) – Mike Guy led off the 11th with a walk-off HR
• Trauttmann’s line: 9 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, 0 BB, 4 K, 115 pitches, 77 strikes, ND
• This week: 3 vs. Phoenix, 3 vs. St. Louis

[Orcin]

September 1, 2008

Subject: Week 21 Notes

Record: 82-48 .631, - GB (20-7 in August)
Position: 1st place (3 game lead over Milwaukee)
Runs Scored: 657 – 1st in Federal
Runs Allowed: 512 – 2nd in Federal
Defense: .703 – 4th in Federal
Power Ranking: 121.5 (1st in CBA)
Owner Mood: Ecstatic; Fan Interest: 100/100

• Last week (5-1): 3-0 vs. Phoenix, 2-1 vs. St. Louis
• 08/25: LOU 6, PHX 3 – Morgan 2-4, HR, 2 RBI; Simon 3-4, DBL, RBI, SB
• SP Pokey Gonzales did a nice job: 8 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, 1 BB, 2 K
• Charlotte SP Todd Fletcher (16-6, 2.57) pitched a perfect game vs. Detroit, his second no-hitter. It was only the third perfect game in CBA history.
• Seattle 2B Tom Henry (.285/19/76) signed a 4-year extension worth $66 million.
• 08/26: LOU 9, PHX 3 – Morgan 2-4, HR (36), 3 RBI (101)
• 08/27: LOU 5, PHX 4 (10) – Simon 3-5, HR, 3 RBI, SB, 3 RS (he is hitting .389 since he started batting leadoff)
• Indianapolis LF Benjamin Hoelscher was 6-6 in his major league debut!
• We won’t need a fifth starter for the playoffs, so Luis Gonzales was sent back to AAA and Mike Guthrie was recalled. Gonzales will return when rosters expand.
• St. Louis comes into Louisville on a roll, having won six straight games.
• 08/29: STL 4, LOU 3 – Sweeney 2-4, DBL, HR, RBI
• 08/30: LOU 14, STL 1 – Simon 2-2, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 3 BB, SB, 3 RS
• Trautmann’s line: 9 IP, 1 ER, 8 H, 3 BB, 4 K, W (13-7, 3.19 ERA), 2-4, TPL, 2 RBI
• 08/31: LOU 3, STL 0 – Wilkerson 8 IP, 0 ER, 10 H, 1 BB, 5 K, W (8-5, 6.21 ERA)
• San Francisco swept Milwaukee over the weekend to help us widen our lead.
• SP Aaron Wilkerson was our Pitcher of the Month for August: 4-1, 2.95 ERA
• CF Pedro Dominguez was our Player of the Month: .275/.353/.490, 5 HR, 23 RBI
• CF Rafael Valdez (.345/25/77) was AAA Player of the Week (11-25, 7 HR, 15 RBI)
• SP Travis Sullivan (13-4, 3.32 ERA) was AAA Pitcher of the Month (4-0, 2.48 ERA)
• RF Sergio Rojas (.303/15/80) was AA Player of the Month (.377, 6 HR, 31 RBI)
• This week: 3 at Milwaukee, 3 at San Francisco

September 1 call-ups: SP Luis Gonzales, C Bill Landreth, SS Ray Manning, RF Gerald Blair

[Westheim]

Originally Posted by Orcin

• Charlotte SP Todd Fletcher (16-6, 2.57) pitched a perfect game vs. Detroit, his second no-hitter. It was only the third perfect game in CBA history.

Was that the same Todd Fletcher that once happened to be a Colonel?

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by Westheim

Was that the same Todd Fletcher that once happened to be a Colonel?

Yep, that's the one. He was traded for Antonio Luna in December 2004.

[Orcin]

September 8, 2008

Subject: Week 22 Notes

Record: 87-49 .640, - GB
Position: 1st place (6 game lead over Milwaukee)
Magic Number: 21
Runs Scored: 689 – 1st in Federal
Runs Allowed: 527 – 2nd in Federal
Defense: .707 – 4th in Federal
Power Ranking: 124.1 (1st in CBA)
Owner Mood: Ecstatic; Fan Interest: 100/100

• Last week (5-1): 2-1 at Milwaukee, 3-0 at San Francisco
• 09/02: LOU 3, MIL 0 – Westaway 7.2 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 9 K, W (15-5, 2.99 ERA)
• Merced got the final out in the 8th. Brooks pitched a perfect 9th for save #26.
• 09/03: LOU 5, MIL 2 – Morgan 2-2, 2 HR (38), 3 RBI (104), 2 BB, 3 RS
• Luna’s stat line: 8 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 8 K, W (14-7, 3.50 ERA); Brooks SV(27)
• 09/04: MIL 6, LOU 5 – Trauttmann blew a 5-run lead in the 6th and took the loss
• San Diego ace SP Jorge Gonzalez (17-4, 2.07) suffered a broken kneecap and leg lacerations as a result of a shark attack. Gonzalez will likely be out for 8 months.
• 09/05: LOU 7, SF 2 – Alexander 8 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 0 BB, 6 K, W (11-8, 4.92 ERA)
• Alexander has not lost a game since June 21. In his last 12 starts, Alexander is 9-0 with a 2.70 ERA.
• Dominguez broke up a 2-2 tie with a pinch-hit 2-run double in the 9th
• 09/06: LOU 10, SF 5 – Sweeney 2-4, 2 HR, 3 RBI; Simon 2-4, HR, 3 RBI, SB, 3 RS
• Pokey Gonzales’ line: 7 IP, 3 ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 3 K, W (2-0, 3.60 ERA)
• Philadelphia LF Joe Holloway hit HR #500, the 7th player to reach that milestone.
• Milwaukee CF Luis Gutierrez went 5-5 to lead the Eagles past Cleveland 13-3.
• 09/07: LOU 2, SF 0 – Westaway 8 IP, 0 ER, 6 H, 0 BB, 5 K, W (16-5, 2.86 ERA)
• We are 22-8 since Simon was inserted into the leadoff spot.
• Our sustained period of good play (plus 2 out 3 head-to-head this week) has finally put some distance between us and Milwaukee.
• Sanchez trails Chicago 1B Ramon Martinez by only 1 point for the batting title. Morgan is 3rd in HR and 4th in RBI. Westaway is 4th in wins and WAR value.
• Lexington (AAA) and Dayton (AA) qualified for post-season play. Evansville and Owensboro each finished second but did not qualify for the wild card.
• This week: 3 at Los Angeles, 3 vs. Chicago

[Westheim]

Originally Posted by Orcin

• San Diego ace SP Jorge Gonzalez (17-4, 2.07) suffered a broken kneecap and leg lacerations as a result of a shark attack. Gonzalez will likely be out for 8 months.

Okay, now this story has definitely jumped the shark.

Uhm...