ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE (RUTHLANDIA and TYCOBBIA BASEBALL UNIONS)

[Eugene Church]

Thursday, April 1, 2088

4 CLUBS PICKED TO REPEAT IN IPA
Half of the defending division champions in the Islandian Pro Alliance are expected to repeat in 2088 and win back-to-back pennants. Two clubs in each league, Grand City
and Belle Plaine in the Ruthlandian Union and La Claire and Fairfax in the Tycobbian Union, might triumph again. Only Ozarka in the TU East figures to have an easy time. None
of the other 7 preseason favorites are assured of winning.

TARS AND GATORS WILL FIGHT IT OUT IN RU NORTH
The Taranto Tars are the top pick in the Ruthlandian North. They are slightly favored over the runner-up LaGrange Gators (2 GB). Last year's winner, the Ranford Bulls (25 GB),
are going from the penthouse to the outhouse, picked to wind up a dismal 7th place.

GC CYBERCATS TO REPEAT IN RU SOUTH
It could be two in a row for the Grand City Cybercats in the Ruthlandian South race. The pitching-rich Cybercats are the favorite, but not by much over perennial power Belair
Beach (5 GB), who has their eyes set on its third Pro Cup in the last 5 seasons. 3 teams will be lurking in the distant shadows. Waleska (7 GB), Valka (8 GB) and Claxton (9 GB)
could be mild threats to the 2 frontrunners.

BP MUSKETEERS WILL OUTDUEL EASTSHORE IN THE RU EAST RACE
The preseason purveyors and pundits gave the hot-hitting Belle Plaine Musketeers their blessings this year. They are predicting the Muskies will win back-to-back division titles
in the Ruthlandian South, defeating the Eastshore Cotton Kings (5 GB). Last year most vibrant challengers, Marston (19 GB) and Wynnamac (27 GB) have been relegated to the
bottom rung of the RU South this season.

FC FIREBIRDS WILL USE HIGH-OCTANE ATTACK TO COP THE RU WEST
It could be a red-hot year for the Forest City Firebirds in the Ruthlandian West. They have come close two of the last three years. The Firebirds are the pick of the preseason juries
so far this season, but they will have their hands full with second place Colfax (3 GB) and last year's champion, Rocky Rapids (7 GB). The Black Sox took the RU West in '85, while
the Snappers snatched it two straight seasons, the last two years in '86 and '87.

2088 Ruthlandian Union Division Preseason Predictions

[Eugene Church]

2088 Ruthlandian Union Division Preseason Predictions

[Eugene Church]

Very Special Thanks to hurricanekevin for the Grand City and Belle Plaine logos, knuckler for Taranto and EC for Forest City.
And as always, many thanks to txranger for the wonderful IPA league logo.

[Eugene Church]

FROGS AND HAYMAKERS HASSLE AGAIN IN TU NORTH
The Fairfax Frogs are the reigning champion of the Tycobbian North. The Mahaska Haymakers captured the division flag in '86 and the Hartsdale Hellcats hoisted the pennant
in '85. Those are the prime contenders this season. The Oxford Red Caps are given an outside chance at hauling in the title and the postseason playoff spot. Basically, it looks
like Fairfax and Mahaska will be the main challengers. Last year the Frogs ran away with the TU North division crown, winning by 14 games over Mahaska, 15 better than
Hartsdale and 18 ahead of Oxford.

SUMMERLAND TOP CHOICE IN TU SOUTH IN 4-TEAM RACE
Last year Ginza also torched the Tycobbian South, taking it by a wide margin over Colchester (13 GB), Summerland (14 GB) and Southport (16 GB). This season the Summerland
Sunsets are the #1 pick to win with Colchester, San Alejo and Southport the biggest rivals. But the Elites, Montaneros and Sun Sox will take the Sunsets to task. It will not be a breeze
for Summerland. Superior pitching will win it.

OZARKA IS THE CLASS OF THE TU EAST
The preseason choice in the Tycobbian East Ozarka will ride it fine pitching to an easy win this year according to the pundits and prognosticators. Hillsboro (9 GB), South Fork (11 GB),
Tuckanarra (13 GB) and Red Bluff (13 GB) will battle for the runner-up spot. Ozarka is a surprising pick. The Naturals came in a very close second place along with South Fork, winding
up just 2 games off the pace of pennant-winning Tuckanarra. Ozarka has the best offense and best pitching in the division. The Hillsboro Blazers ran a good race last year, just 5 GB in
4th place.

3-TEAM TUSSLE IN TU WEST, SLIGHT EDGE TO LA CLAIR
There is hardly an eyelash difference between a trio of teams in the Tycobbian West. The best in the TU West will come from defending champion La Claire, Chicopee (1 GB) and Rolling
Hills (2 GB). You might as well call it a dead heat. All three have claimed the crown in the last three seasons. The Lynx won it in '87, the Racers in '86 and the Braves in '85.

2088 Tycobbian Union Division Preseason Predictions

[Eugene Church]

Very special thanks to hurricanekevin for the Fairfax Frogs and Ozarka Naturals Logos. Special thanks also to EC for Summerland Sunsets, Pepe for La Claire and txranger for the IPA Logo. You guys make my IPA graphically beautiful. It is a joy to play my games because of all the wonderful logos, jerseys and caps that have been done over the years.

[Eugene Church]

Wednesday, Janurary 7, 2088

CRYSTAL LAKE'S GARLAND ENSHRINED INTO THE IPA HALL OF FAME
Gifted and talented Crystal Lake infielder Cookie Garland has received the ultimate honor for a baseball player -- being inducted into the Islandian Pro Alliance Hall of Fame. Garland is he 145th member of this IPA elites. There are 92 position players and 53 pitchers. He starred for 18 season with the Skippers. The induction ceremony, which was held today, included tributes from his former teammates. One of them recognized his unparalleled work ethic, another his "naturally pure" swing, and yet another, his love for the game. Garland received numerous awards during his playing days, but he said nothing can compare to being enshrined into the Hall of Fame.

In a career spanning 2390 games, Garland batted .302 with 2595 hits, 342 home runs, 1463 RBIs and 1375 runs scored. Garlon played second and third base in his career and was a 5-time All-Star. He retired in 2084. He was elected to the Hall on his 1st try, with 86.0% of the vote. The ballots are counted and the results are in. Only one player was enshrined this year: Cookie Garland will now see his plaque mounted beside the other greats from the game.

The full voting results are included here. Players require 75% of ballots cast to be elected to the Hall, may stay on the ballot for up to 10 years if they receive at least 5% of the votes. Players must be retired for 3 years before they are eligible for induction to the Hall of Fame. Cookie Garland was the only player selected this year.

2B Cookie Garland 86.0 (1st year) Inducted HOF
RF Ernie Friedricks 54.6 (3rd year)
SS Junior Evans 42.1 (6th year)
SP William Pike 41.3 (5th year)
SS Yazzy Ricks 31.0 (7th year)
RP Henry Youngman 27.7 (3rd year)
SP Calvin Hurley 26.9 (1st year)
2B Nat Kenner 22.5 (3rd year)
SP Major Rowling 18.1 (1st year)
SS Andy Zahn 17.7 (3rd year)
SP Mick Flanders 16.2 (3rd year)
SP Jeff Kennon 15.1 (1st year)
SS Ollie Daggs 15.1 (3rd year)
SP Paddy McCammon 14.0 (1st year)
SP Junior Castle 13.3 (1st year)
LF Dolph Gordon 12.9 (3rd year)
3B Misha Makowski 12.9 (3rd year)
SP Luis Trevino 10.7 (1st year)
1B Virgil Welsh 9.6 (3rd year)
RP Brownie Ashmore 8.9 (9th year)
CF Eliott Carleton 8.5 (3rd year)
SP Russell Krohn 7.7 (6th year)
2B Jimmy Czarnecki 7.7 (3rd year)
SP Billy Lake 4.8 (4th year) Dropped
SP Carl Dugan 4.4 (1st year) Dropped
SP Bubby Dancer 4.4 (3rd year) Dropped
SP Dean Colburn 3.0 (1st year) Dropped
SP Claude Renoir 2.6 (1st year) Dropped
SP Milosz Mazur 2.6 (3rd year) Dropped
SP Nobuo Ojima 2.6 (3rd year) Dropped
SP Lando Vargas 1.1 (3rd year) Dropped
SP Teddy Blixt 0.4 (1st year) Dropped
SP Rusty Rudelmeier 0.4 (1st year) Dropped
3B Rodney Reeson 0.0 (1st year) Dropped
C Gail Montgomery 0.0 (1st year) Dropped
3B Ozzy Schiffman 0.0 (1st year) Dropped
3B Grover Gossage 0.0 (1st year) Dropped

[Eugene Church]

Thursday, July 1, 2088

IN RU GATORS FEASTING AND FIREBIRDS ARE HOT, IN TU THE SUNS ARE SHINING BRIGHTLY, HELLCATS TORRID, TOO
At midseason in the Islandian Pro Alliance four clubs have established solid leads. The La Grange Gators have devoured everybody in sight. They currently hold a massive
12-game edge in the Ruthlandian North Division. The Arroyo Grande Suns are also enjoying a handsome 7 and a half-game lead in the Tycobbian South Division. The Forest
City Firebirds have a strong 6 and a half-game margin in the Ruthlandian West and the Hartsdale Hellcats are up by 5 and a half games in the TU North. The other four divisions
are still up for grabs with about 10 contenders. Four of the preseason picks are currently atop the standings at the halfway point in the season, Belle Plaine in the RU East, Forest
City in the RU West, Ozarka in the TU East and La Claire in the TU West. And away we go around the IPA with a midseason recap.

GATORS HAVING A GOURMET FEAST IN RU NORTH
Everything is coming up roses for La Grange. The Gators are hitting the heck out of the ball like they normally do. Home-run slugger par excellent Tory Swinnerton had already hit
40 roundtrippers. Surely he can't hit 80 this year. His career best was 52 in 2081. Swinnerton has won 10 home-run titles in his illustrious career. He has hit 667 homers so far. The
IPA season mark is 73 by High Mesa's Roy Roberts. Jerry Culpepper of Bayview has hit the most balls out of the park with a career total of 887. The Gator pitching corps is also playing
well over their heads, too. La Grange tops Kilkenny by 12 games, Far Mountain by 14 and Ancona by 15 and a half games. Preseason favorite Taranto is languishing in last place,
25 and a half games off the pace. La Grange is the defending RU North champion. The Gators are seeking their 5th flag in the last 9 seasons.

5-TEAM PHOTO FINISH FORECAST FOR RU SOUTH
The Ruthlandian South is the home of the talented Belair Beach Sunbirds, who have nabbed 4 pennants and 2 Pro Cups in the last 5 years. The Sunbirds did not like losing to
Grand City last year. They are back and with a vengeance. At midyear Belair Beach is on top of the standings, but not by much. They are being pushed very hard again this year
by Cybercats, who trail by just one and one-half games, San Dimas is only 2 games out, Valka 3 and a half games behind and Crystal Lake is in the 5th spot, 6 and a half games
back in the race. Grand City was the choice to beat Belair Beach and repeat as division titlist. Waleska, Valka and Claxton were all forecast to run good races, too. The outlook is
for a heated photo finish in September.

MUSKIES AND BLUES TO BATTLE FOR RU EAST FLAG
There is also a very close race in the Ruthlandian East this season. In the preseason poll only last year's winner and top-rated Belle Plaine and Eastshore were given any chance
of taking the title. Beechwood was rated to wind up a distant third this year. At midseason Beechwood is just 2 and a half games behind the first place Musketeers. Elnora is running
third, 5 and a half games out. Wynnamac is fourth and 6 games back. Marston trails by 6 and half games in fifth and Sugar Valley is 7 games off the pace in the sixth spot. Eastshore
received a lot of support in the preseason poll, but has floundered so far. The Cotton Kings are in 7th place, 8 and a half games to the rear of Belle Plaine. The Musketeers are the
class of the RU East. They are the best-balanced team. Beechwood looks to be their biggest rival. The Blues are also a good all-round. Elnora and Wynnamac can't score. Marston is
just an average .500 club. Sugar Valley and Eastshore can put runs on the scoreboard, but they have lousy pitching. It looks like the race will come down to just Belle Plaine and
Beechwood.

FIREBIRDS AND SNAPPERS ONLY CONTENDERS IN RU WEST
The Islands' baseball scribes and soothsayers strongly supported the Forest City Firebirds in the preseason poll with defending champion Rocky Rapids coming in a fairly distant
second place. No other teams were expected to challenge for the Ruthlandian West division crown. Volusia and Colfax were given longshot chances of winning the pennant. The
Firebirds may have it all. They have excelled in batting average, scoring, home-run power and pitching, both starters and bullpen. Forest City has good defenders as well. The
Snappers can match the Firebirds in everything except on the hill. Their mound corps is not equal to Forest City. Like the Firebirds and Snappers, the Black Sox and Vigilantes can
both hammer the ball, but like Rocky Rapids, they fall short of Forest City in pitching. Look for the Firebirds to prevail in the RU West this season. The Snappers will wind a close
second with Colfax and Volusia coming in a distant third and fourth in the standings.

2088 Ruthlandian Union Midseason Standings

[Eugene Church]

EC is really enjoying another baseball book, "Twilight of the Long-ball God" by John Schulian. Don't let the title turn you off. It's really full of stories about the sadly obscure-career minor leaguers, the guys that tore up the minors, but never made the major leagues because of 'Uncle Charlie, the widow-maker and the hipper-dipper" - names for those curves balls and breaking balls that broke the hearts of many MLB wannabes..

I am changing my ways. I read a good story and tell myself this is one I need to share in my IPA dynasty. A lot of pages go by and I want to post the story as the super scribe write it, but I can't find it in the book. Now I intend to post the story when I read it. It's sad to say my memory has deprived you of many wonderful and unique stories. I can still remember obscure "one-hit wonders" and their songs. Folks like Dale and Grace and "I'm Leaving It All Up To You" , Ernie K-Doe's "Mother-in-Law" and "This Time" by Troy Shondell.and I can still remember minor league superstars that most of you probably never heard of. Like Bob Lennon of the Nashville Vols, who sent longballs flying out of Sulphur Dell in the 1950s, Ron Necciai, who is best remembered for the unique feat of striking out 27 batters in a nine-inning game, which he accomplished while playing with the Class-D Appalachian League team, the Bristol Twins, on May 13, 1952. He is the only pitcher ever to do so in a nine-inning, professional-league game.

At 20 years old, Necciai posted a 1–6 record for the Pittsburgh Pirates with 31 strikeouts and a 7.08 earned run average in his 55 innings pitched from August 10 to September 28, 1952, the single season comprising his entire Major League Baseball career.

Here's quick story from John Schulian's fine book:

"Wit, Quips and Quotes From the Diamond Minds"
"In the 1920s John King had one of the sweetest southpaw strokes the East Texas League ever saw. However. he couldn't have connected against a left-hander if the left-hander has run across the plate carrying the ball. Understandably, this shortcoming prevented King from rising to the majors. He responded by despising lefties of every persuasion, even the blind street fiddler he once gave a silver dollar. Whe King saw what hand the fiddler held his bow with, he took his money back.

His foul mood lasted long after he stopped batting .330 and started drilling oil. Indeed, he went so far as to turn his back on Lubblock, Texas, where he'd made millions. The reason King said should have been self-expanatory: "Too many left-handed neighbors".

[Eugene Church]

Thursday, July 1, 2088

HELLCATS HAVE GREAT FIRST HALF IN TU NORTH
Like a cat out of hell the Hartsdale Hellcats have shot to the top of the Tycobbian North and stayed there in the first half of the season. Hartsdale has had it all its way and has a solid lead over two fine clubs, Fairfax and Mahaska. The Fairfax Frogs were the favored in the preseason poll with the Haymakers ranked number two (2 GB) and the Hellcats (6 GB) number three. All three teams are playing very well. The question is can the Hellcats keep it up? So far, so good for Hartsdale. They are 5 and a half games up on runner-up Fairfax and 6 in front of third place Mahaska. The Frogs easily roared away with the TU North division crown last year, winning it by 14 games over Mahaska and 15 better than Hartsdale. The Hellcats copped the pennant 4 straight seasons from '82 to '85, but have been shut out since. The Haymakers prevailed in '86 and the Frogs last year.

All three clubs are evenly matched with a fine offense, very good pitching and good gloves. The race will probably get tighter. Fairfax and Mahaska are hanging in so far, in spite of Hartsdale excellent first half. Thus far the Hellcats can't do anything wrong. The general thinking is they will slow down at some point and give the Frogs and Haymakers a chance to get back in the race. Time will tell. The oddsmakers are still leaning a little towards the Hellcats. The Oxford Red Caps are running a distant fourth, 10 games off the pace, but they are not in the class of the other three teams.

UNSUNG SUNS AND HIGHLY-TOUTED SUNSETS ONLY CONTENDERS IN TU SOUTH
The Arroyo Grande Suns have bolted out of the starting gate and never looked back so far. The unsung Suns were rated 6th in the preseason poll. Since capturing the TU South in 2080, they have slipped back to being just an average team until now. Preseason favorite Summerland is still rated a force to contend with, despite being 7 and a half games back in the pennant race. The Sunsets are a good all-around team and they are expected to put pressure on the Suns in the second half of the season. Summerland hasn't won the division flag since 2074 and hasn't been a serious challenger much either. Many expect Arroyo Grande's bubble to burst in the second half of the year when they finally come down to earth and be the ballclub there are supposed to be. It hasn't happened yet at the midyear mark. Third place Turon trails by 8 and a half games with last year's TU South champion Ginza in the fourth spot and 12 GB. Neither club is given much a chance to get into the race. It will come down to Arroyo Grande and Summerland.

HIGHLY-FAVORED OZARKA ON TOP OF TU EAST, BUT NOT BY MUCH
The Islands baseball pundits and crystal ballers overwhelming chose the Ozarka Naturals to scamper away with the Tycobbian East flag this season by a wide margin, but at the midseason mark, it's a six-team race with Midway (3 GB) and Hillsboro (3 GB) putting up the biggest battle. East Point, defending champion Tuckanarra and South Fork are still lurking in the shadows of the standings. Both the Panthers and the Tucks are behind by 6 and a half games. The Stallions are 7 games back. A good winning streak or a good month would get anyone of them back in the hunt. Nobody in the TU East has much of an offense. The Naturals and Wolves have the best pitching. This favors them in the pennant chase.

It's been years since Midway (2061) and Hillsboro (2062) graced the IPA playoffs. East Point won the whole shebang, pennant and Pro Cup in 2083. South Fork won its last pennant in 2086 and the Tucks nabbed it last year.

LC LYNX BEST IN THE WEST AGAIN THIS SEASON, STILL CHALLENGED BY BRAVES AND RACERS
The 2088 Tycobbian West race was forecast to be a three-team affair between last year's Pro Cup champ and this year's TU West favorite La Claire, Chicopee (1 GB) and Rolling Hills (2 GB) and that is exactly what has transpired at the halfway mark in the season. The Bayview Vikings came in 4th in the preseason poll, way out and a distant 10 GB. The Lynx whipped the Rocky Rapid Snappers in 6 games last year for the IPA overall title. And they are at it again with strong starters, a fine closer and good home-run power. Still, Rolling Hills and Chicopee will make a race of it. Look for the Braves to contest the race the best. They have much better pitching than the Racers. Rolling Hills has won the TU West 3 times in the last 5 seasons. Chicopee claimed the pennant in 2085. La Claire is a very good all-around club and will be hard to beat. Look for the Lynx to do well in the Pro Cup playoffs. They just might be able to repeat and win back-to-back IPA crowns.

2088 Tycobbian Union Midseason Standings

[Eugene Church]

Monday, July 12, 2088

88TH IPA SHOWCASE FOR THE STARS SET FOR LA CLAIRE TOMORROW AFTERNOON
All eyes will be on the 88th annual Islandian Pro Alliance All-Star Game, set to be played at Capitol Park Stadium in La Clair, the home of the reigning Pro Cup champion Lynx.
The Tycobbian Union has a huge lead in the yearly extravaganza. The Tycobbian Union stars have posted a dominating 56-31 record against the top talent in the Ruthlandian Union.

This year the Ruthlandian All-Stars have a decided edge in All-Star experience. Tory Swinnerton (La Grange) is making his 9th appearance, Gavin Foxton (Colfax) and Jake Osborne
(Volusia) have been honored 5 times each and Tim Bozeman (Colfax), Bobby Delaney (Colfax), Bruno Lutz (La Grange) for the 3rd time in their careers.

The Tycobbian Union All-Stars have fewer players with such gaudy credentials. Noah Bowers (Arroyo Grande) tops them with 5 appearances, followed by Mordecai Partridge (Ozarka),
Calvin Mannon (Hartsdale) and Yank Yankovich (South Fork), who have been chosen 4 times apiece.

However, there are a bunch of rookie honorees on both squads. The Tycobbian All-Stars will have 4 first timers representing them in the midsummer classic: Pitchers Don Bartels (La Claire),
Don Carroll (Fairfax), Paul Pegram (Summerland) and outfielder Norris Chance (Summerland). The Ruthlandian All-Stars have 3 newcomers in the game: Pitchers Matty O'Maran (Forest City),
Thomas Tate (Forest City) and outfielder Earl Emerson (Crystal Lake). Tory Swinnerton (La Grange) is the oldest honoree at age 36. Anders Thorsen (Volusia) made the All-Star team for the
first time at 35. The youngest performers are 2 freshmen hurlers, Don Bartels (La Claire) and Matty O'Mara (Forest City). Both are 19.

Showcase for the Stars -- The Islandian Pro Alliance All-Star Game. It's a great game for the fans. The All-Star Classic comes around each year at this time to the delight of every baseball fan.
Talented players from the Ruthlandian Union and Tycobbian Union come together and show their wares on the baseball diamond. The top players go toe-to-toe with one another to get the
bragging rights for their league.

Selected to play for the Ruthlandian Union All-Stars are:
SP Teddy Callaway (STJ) - 10-6, 2.81 ERA, 128.0 IP, 1.17 WHIP, 5.4 K/9, 3.6 WAR
SP Richard Cartier (LAG) - 10-1, 2.35 ERA, 142.0 IP, 1.16 WHIP, 4.8 K/9, 2.2 WAR
SP Reggie Davis (WYN) - 10-3, 2.76 ERA, 130.1 IP, 1.25 WHIP, 6.3 K/9, 3.9 WAR
SP Dobie Mortenson (RR) - 10-4, 2.83 ERA, 127.1 IP, 1.24 WHIP, 4.5 K/9, 2.6 WAR
SP Matty O'Mara (FC) - 11-5, 2.69 ERA, 144.0 IP, 1.15 WHIP, 6.1 K/9, 4.7 WAR
SP Thomas Tate (FC) - 13-2, 2.76 ERA, 140.0 IP, 1.20 WHIP, 6.6 K/9, 2.6 WAR
CL Orval Columbus (BB) - 7-1, 16 SV, 1.84 ERA, 73.1 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 5.9 K/9, 2.8 WAR
CL Darrell Shaw (FC) - 6-2, 18 SV, 2.80 ERA, 54.2 IP, 1.02 WHIP, 6.1 K/9, 0.7 WAR
C Gavin Foxton (CFX) - .298/.388/.528, 265 AB, 16 HR, 156 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
C Rodger McFalls (TAR) - .294/.406/.521, 238 AB, 15 HR, 163 wRC+, 3.7 WAR
C Anders Thorsen (VOL) - .300/.394/.487, 240 AB, 12 HR, 146 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
1B Lee Drummond (RR) - .319/.393/.593, 317 AB, 25 HR, 175 wRC+, 3.9 WAR
1B Tory Swinnerton (LAG) - .334/.421/.798, 317 AB, 41 HR, 224 wRC+, 6.6 WAR
2B Tim Bozeman (CFX) - .314/.350/.497, 328 AB, 10 HR, 10 SB, 135 wRC+, 3.9 WAR
2B Gil Kirchberg (RAN) - .338/.393/.512, 320 AB, 10 HR, 6 SB, 153 wRC+, 3.4 WAR
2B Chipper Pennington (ETS) - .318/.401/.513, 308 AB, 13 HR, 3 SB, 157 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
3B Luke Denton (BEE) - .323/.408/.486, 288 AB, 12 HR, 152 wRC+, 3.3 WAR
3B Yank Garnett (WLK) - .288/.390/.512, 295 AB, 15 HR, 2 SB, 153 wRC+, 3.5 WAR
SS Max Hartenstein (FM) - .324/.357/.537, 339 AB, 15 HR, 12 SB, 149 wRC+, 4.3 WAR
SS Jean-Paul Lacombe (BP) - .339/.427/.605, 301 AB, 21 HR, 2 SB, 181 wRC+, 5.8 WAR
LF Sherm Barrymore (KIL) - .321/.404/.492, 299 AB, 11 HR, 7 SB, 156 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
LF Willie Collingham (FC) - .313/.420/.561, 294 AB, 15 HR, 6 SB, 176 wRC+, 4.3 WAR
LF Bobby Delaney (CFX) - .298/.375/.560, 309 AB, 19 HR, 160 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
LF Bruno Lutz (LAG) - .289/.352/.550, 322 AB, 23 HR, 9 SB, 150 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
CF Ben Atcheson (STO) - .328/.419/.563, 302 AB, 15 HR, 1 SB, 166 wRC+, 4.3 WAR
CF Jake Osborne (VOL) - .307/.365/.424, 323 AB, 5 HR, 7 SB, 121 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
RF Earl Emerson (CL) - .347/.410/.516, 314 AB, 6 HR, 155 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
RF Jimmy Sweet (CFX) - .291/.444/.568, 292 AB, 24 HR, 9 SB, 185 wRC+, 5.7 WAR


The Tycobbian Union All-Stars will have these players on their roster:
SP Don Bartels (LC) - 10-6, 2.66 ERA, 142.1 IP, 1.11 WHIP, 5.4 K/9, 4.9 WAR
SP Don Carroll (FFX) - 11-4, 2.36 ERA, 137.0 IP, 1.10 WHIP, 5.1 K/9, 4.0 WAR
SP Shuggie Garsett (LC) - 11-1, 2.86 ERA, 129.0 IP, 1.22 WHIP, 4.3 K/9, 3.0 WAR
SP Tyrus Hobbs (KEN) - 12-6, 2.78 ERA, 142.2 IP, 1.12 WHIP, 5.0 K/9, 3.4 WAR
SP Sid Humphrey (HAR) - 14-1, 1.71 ERA, 147.1 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 5.6 K/9, 4.7 WAR
SP Brett Maddox (TUR) - 12-1, 2.66 ERA, 101.2 IP, 1.22 WHIP, 4.4 K/9, 1.1 WAR
SP Mordecai Partridge (OZK) - 11-3, 2.05 ERA, 131.2 IP, 1.08 WHIP, 5.3 K/9, 3.0 WAR
SP Paul Pegram (SUM) - 11-4, 2.53 ERA, 146.0 IP, 1.11 WHIP, 5.2 K/9, 4.2 WAR
C Junior Blackford (OXF) - .294/.376/.502, 231 AB, 14 HR, 144 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
C Hennie Hendriks (SUM) - .318/.422/.431, 267 AB, 5 HR, 1 SB, 150 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
C Jamie Mulbert (RH) - .317/.419/.429, 252 AB, 5 HR, 141 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
1B Byron Bennigan (MAH) - .364/.483/.773, 291 AB, 33 HR, 13 SB, 237 wRC+, 6.7 WAR
1B Smoke Busby (TUR) - .301/.367/.624, 322 AB, 27 HR, 172 wRC+, 3.3 WAR
1B Muzuki Hoshino (GIN) - .314/.365/.589, 280 AB, 23 HR, 163 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
1B Terrence Stonich (RH) - .385/.471/.674, 304 AB, 20 HR, 208 wRC+, 5.4 WAR
2B Noah Bowers (AG) - .290/.416/.490, 286 AB, 15 HR, 6 SB, 162 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
2B Mel Martin (TUC) - .317/.370/.531, 309 AB, 18 HR, 5 SB, 146 wRC+, 4.0 WAR
3B Eli Kulacz (HAR) - .348/.443/.656, 276 AB, 22 HR, 1 SB, 203 wRC+, 5.1 WAR
3B Guus Lutjens (SUM) - .311/.369/.484, 312 AB, 14 HR, 2 SB, 141 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
SS Kendall Kiley (CHI) - .294/.390/.466, 279 AB, 7 HR, 2 SB, 141 wRC+, 3.7 WAR
SS Andy Murdock (GIN) - .301/.327/.465, 286 AB, 9 HR, 120 wRC+, 1.7 WAR
LF Dwayne Huffty (HM) - .323/.368/.559, 297 AB, 17 HR, 157 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
LF Buddy Lynn (OXF) - .304/.354/.605, 309 AB, 27 HR, 163 wRC+, 3.7 WAR
CF Rikki Inkamara (OZK) - .321/.344/.425, 318 AB, 1 HR, 1 SB, 114 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
CF Kieran Lange (FFX) - .341/.382/.539, 323 AB, 9 HR, 3 SB, 152 wRC+, 4.2 WAR
RF Norris Chance (SUM) - .355/.412/.512, 332 AB, 9 HR, 1 SB, 162 wRC+, 4.5 WAR
RF Calvin Mannon (HAR) - .314/.380/.589, 309 AB, 21 HR, 1 SB, 168 wRC+, 4.7 WAR
RF Yank Yankovich (SF) - .347/.441/.625, 291 AB, 20 HR, 9 SB, 192 wRC+, 4.4 WAR

[Eugene Church]

Wednesday, July 14, 2088

RU ALL-STAR HURLERS SHUT DOWN TU ALL-STARS IN 88TH ALL-STAR CLASSIC
Yeah, buddy, good pitching seems to beat good hitting. The best batters in the Tycobbian Union were shut down by the best hurlers in the Ruthlandian Union in the 88th edition
of the Islandian Pro Alliance All-Star Classic played at Capitol Park Stadium in La Claire. The Ruthlandian All-Stars triumphed over the Tycobbian All-Stars 7-2, restricting them
to just 5 hits. The RU Stars collected 10 hits overall. Ruthlandia got crucial hits from catcher Gavin Foxton (Colfax) and second sacker Tim Bozeman (Colfax). Foxton slugged a
2-run homer in the 3rd frame when they tagged Fairfax rookie Don Carroll for 3 scores. Bozeman highlighted the 4-run 9th inning with a base-clearing 3-run double off Tyrus
Hobbs (Kenwood). Bozeman was named the game's Most Valuable Player. Catcher Henni Hendriks (Summerland) hammered a solo swat out of the park for Tycobbia. In spite of the defeat,
the Tycobbian Union still has a huge 56-32 advantage in the annual clash.

[Eugene Church]

Yeah, buddy, EC is enjoying John Schulian's book "Twilight of the Long-ball Gods". I thought I might share a short story with you while I'm taking a few days to recap the 2088 IPA season. It will take me 2-4 days to recap the season and I don't want to go that long without posting here in this dynasty thread. The more often I post, the more views I get. I want to reach 1,000,000 views. EC will soon be 85 years old, so you know I ain't gonna be around a whole lot longer. I figure it will take me 2 years to reach the million-view mark. Pray for me that I will make it. CD is praying that I make it. Your prayers would help, too.

This story is about a journeyman and nondescript major league utility infielder by the name of Rocky Bridges, who played in the late 50s and early 60s. He batted .248 over 11 years in the majors. Rocky was a tobacco-chewing, honest to a fault, tell-it-like-it is baseball lifer. Rocky truly loved baseball. He should have been a major league manager, but never was.

This is "Rocky's Road", excerpted from John Schulian's book, "Twilight of the Long-ball Gods".

"Wit, Quips and Quotes From the Diamond Minds"
Baseball executives by and large dislike seeing tobacco juice spattered on their office carpets, although nobody has ever figured out whether this is because they admire good manners or abhor cleaning bills. In either case, 35 years in the game have taught Rocky Bridges to keep his great expectorations to himself when he is indoors. Rocky's unexpected rapprochement with couth has forced his myriad admirers to search for other reasons why he isn't managing a big league team. The explanation that turns up most often, as fate would have it, involves the other unforgettable thing that comes out of his mouth: the truth.

It was he who once surveyed the Phoenix Giants after they had dragged him into last place and announced, "If this is a ball club, my rear end is a Japanese typewriter." It was he who started a Pacific Coast League season on the road by proclaiming, "I can't spell Albuquerque, but I can smell it." And it was he who declined fisticuffs with a roughneck busher on a midsummer's night by confessing, "I couldn't whip the muscles in that guy's sweat."

For such honorable and creative service, Rocky has been awarded a 9th season in Phoenix, where the seats never get filled and the heat never stops. "We're about three blocks from hell in the summertime," he says. "It's a great farm club if you're sinful." Sinful he isn't, though, unless it's a capital offense to devote a lifetime to developing players like Andy Messersmith and Jack Clark while keeping the paying customers laughing. Rocky's young charges even won a Coast League championship in 1977, but by then he already had taken one all-expense-paid trip to San Francisco and interviewed for a job he never was going to get.

"The Giants were ready to hire Joe Altobelli, so I think they were just giving me a courtesy call," he says. (Note: Rocky didn't get the job) "It seems to me that when you manage in the majors, all you're really doing is walking out on the gangplank and waiting for the guy with the sword to come and poke you in the butt."

To hear Rocky tell it, he never had a bad day in baseball, even though he describes his 11-year career in the majors as "nondenominational". He was a stumpy journeyman infielder who bounced from Brooklyn to Cincinnati to Washington to Detroit to the expansion Los Angeles Angels, ringing up a .248 lifetime batting average, earning $12,000 in his best season and spending off-seasons as a ditch digger and a laborer in a Boraxo factory. "For some reason," he says, "my wife insisted that our four kids had to eat." Rocky didn't complain. Even now, he insists the worst thing that ever happened to him was getting traded away from Cincinnati as soon as he learned to spell it.

He's funny that way. He honestly believes he is in baseball's debt. "It got rid of my real name for me," he says. "Hell, I got four Labrador retrievers I wouldn't name Everett Lamar Bridges. Beyond that, baseball let him smoke big league cigars, gave him a seat on the Dodgers' bench during the World Series and even found a spot for him on the 1958 American League All-Star team.

Rocky lasted three more seasons as a player. Then he became a teacher. He has coached with the Angels in the majors and managed in the minors at San Jose, Hawaii and Phoenix.

(Note from EC: note the big chaw in Rocky's jaw below)

[Eugene Church]

Monday, September 27, 2088

ONLY ONE RACE IN IPA, 7 RUNAWAY DIVISION CHAMPS
After all was said and done, the fans did not get very many close and exciting races in the Islandian Pro Alliance this season. 2088 was on the drab side. There was only one pennant race in the 8-division league. The Tycobbian South Division came down to the last few days with the Summerland Sunsets nipping the Turon Typhoons by one game. That was it. None of the other division flag winners had to sweat it out to the end.

The average division winner won by 10 games. LaGrange won the Ruthlandian North by a landslide 22 games, Forest City triumphed easily in the Ruthlandian West by whopping 17, Pro Cup champion La Claire handily took the Tycobbian West by 13, Belle Plaine was victorious in the Ruthlandian East by a rock-solid 9 games and ditto for the Ozarka Naturals in the Tycobbian East. In contrast, the Ruthlandian South and Tycobbian North were fairly good pennant races. Belair Beach won by 5 games in the RU South and Hartsdale prevailed by 6 in the TU North.

There are only two postseason returnees, the current IPA Pro Cup champion La Claire Lynx and the Belle Plaine Musketeers. Summerland is the only postseason-starved participant. The Sunsets have not graced the playoffs since 2074. The rest of the Pro Cup challengers have all been to the postseason party in the last few years.

The Belair Beach Sunbirds have 3 Pro Cup trophies in their trophy case and Hartsdale has a couple. Forest City and La Claire have one apiece. Ozarka, Summerland, LaGrange and Belle Plaine have never been the overall IPA champion. After 87 seasons of play, 27 clubs have never been the league champion.

2088 Ruthlandian Union Final Standings and Statistics

[Eugene Church]

[Eugene Church]

2088 Islanidian Pro Alliance

Monday, September 27, 2088

ONLY ONE RACE IN IPA, 7 RUNAWAY DIVISION CHAMPS
After all was said and done, the fans did not get very many close and exciting races in the Islandian Pro Alliance this season. 2088 was on the drab side. There was only one pennant race in the 8-division league. The Tycobbian South Division came down to the last few days with the Summerland Sunsets nipping the Turon Typhoons by one game. That was it. None of the other division flag winners had to sweat it out to the end.

The average division winner won by 10 games. LaGrange won the Ruthlandian North by a landslide 22 games, Forest City triumphed easily in the Ruthlandian West by whopping 17, Pro Cup champion La Claire handily took the Tycobbian West by 13, Belle Plaine was victorious in the Ruthlandian East by a rock-solid 9 games and ditto for the Ozarka Naturals in the Tycobbian East. In contrast, the Ruthlandian South and Tycobbian North were fairly good pennant races. Belair Beach won by 5 games in the RU South and Hartsdale prevailed by 6 in the TU North.

There are only two postseason returnees, the current IPA Pro Cup champion La Claire Lynx and the Belle Plaine Musketeers. Summerland is the only postseason-starved participant. The Sunsets have not graced the playoffs since 2074. The rest of the Pro Cup challengers have all been to the postseason party in the last few years.

The Belair Beach Sunbirds have 3 Pro Cup trophies in their trophy case and Hartsdale has a couple. Forest City and La Claire have one apiece. Ozarka, Summerland, LaGrange and Belle Plaine have never been the overall IPA champion. After 87 seasons of play, 27 clubs have never been the league champion. With its high-powered attack, solid pitching and quality defense, LaGrange is a serious Pro Cup challenger.

2088 Ruthlandian North Season Review

LAGRANGE GATORS RAVAGED RU NORTH BY DOUBLE-DOUBLE DIGITS
The race was over by midseason. Champion LaGrange built up a double-digit edge and then coasted the rest of the way, even expanding it even more. The Gators (105-49) ravaged the RU North by a ridiculous 22-game margin. Weirdly, Taranto was picked to edge out LaGrange for the RU North crown, but it never developed. The Tars totally flopped, winding up dead last. No one in the division challenged the Gators at all, y'all.

[Eugene Church]

[Eugene Church]

[Eugene Church]

2088 Ruthlandian South Season Review

SUNBIRDS TOP RU SOUTH START-TO-FINISH; BLACKHAWKS, CYBERCATS CLOSEST RIVALS
For the fifth time in the last six seasons the Belair Beach Sunbirds snared the Ruthlandian South crown. The Sunbirds led the division all year long, but not by much. Belair Beach had pressure from 4 or 5 clubs during the season and never had much of a lead. The Sunbirds just played steady ball the entire year and didn't have a losing month. They were chosen the second-best team in the preseason poll. Grand City was supposed to repeat as division champion, however the Cybercats wound up in the third spot in the standings, trailing by 7 games. Grand City ran a very close second until after the All-Star Game when they slipped to a fairly distant third. The pitching-rich Valka Blackhawks came in second, 5 GB. Lack of scoring greatly hampered Valka and Grand City. Belair Beach had the best offense in the RU South and coupled that with solid pitching to prevail as pennant winners. It was a super-tight race until midseason with five teams bunched together. First to 5th place was a short span of only 5 and a half games. The other two contenders were San Dimas and Crystal Lake. The Firebrands and the Skippers both faded quickly in the second half of the season and dropped totally out of contention. Belair Beach has their sights dead set on its third Pro Cup Trophy in the last five seasons. The Sunbirds are a good all around club and just might pull it off. Compared to the 2086 IPA champions, the current Sunbirds have kicked it up a notch at the plate and on the hill. They will be in the running for the IPA overall crown.

[Eugene Church]

[Eugene Church]

Monday, September 28, 2088

2088 Ruthlandian East Season Review

BP MUSKETEERS REIGN SUPREME 3RD TIME IN 5 YEARS IN RU EAST
5 teams hassled the Belle Plaine Musketeers until August in the Ruthlandian East. A red-hot August helped the Muskies pull away from the pack by 6 games and win going away by 9 games over runner-up Elnora. Third place went to the Beechwood Blues, 11 GB and fourth place to the Wynnamac Sundowners, 12 GB. This is Belle Plaine's third RU East crown in the last 5 seasons. They also captured the flag in 2084 and 2087. The Musketeers were picked to repeat as champion with the only pressure coming from the Eastshore Cotton Kings. Belle Plaine is a well-rounded club with a strong, powerful offense, fairly good pitching and excellent defense. Don't be surprised if the Musketeers make a good run at this year's Pro Cup. Last year they were eliminated in the first round by Pro Cup finalist Rocky Rapids. Belle Plaine's pitching is better this year with the addition of two rookie hurlers. Plus the Muskies are blessed with some fine bats. The high-powered attack is back again this year. Belle Plaine is still looking for its first-ever Pro Cup Trophy. They have never gotten past the opening round in their 3 postseason appearances, but they played pretty well in each one.