An American Reporter in Paris

[majormet]

The Paris Swingers surprised themselves by taking 2 out of 3 games in Atlanta with a doubleheader sweep. Paris may have a record that would place them in the middle of the pack in all the other division so they know they are fortunate and anything can happen in the playoffs even if they would have to face either the Los Angeles Dodgers or Memphis Cougars.

Game #139 - Atlanta Braves 4 Paris Swingers 3

WP - Shelby Miller (1-1)
LP - Fautio de los Santos (1-3)
Save - Dutch Lieber (2)

Star of Game - Dizzy Trout (6 IP, 3 hits, 1 ER, 7 K's)

Homers
Paris - Lee Richmond (3), Gail Hopkins (25)
Atlanta - Victor Robles (16), Buster Burrell (10), George Metkovich (11)

Recap - 7 runs scored combined 5 homers, kind of sums up the game. Trout was tough to hit but Atlanta wins in the bottom of the 8th on the Robles homer. Sean Douglass hurt Paris by lasting just 3 innings and giving up 3 runs. Garrett Mock pitched 2 shutout innings in this one. Robles also had 3 hits for the Braves. Richmond played the DH role and hit a 2 run shot he is hitting .258 when he plays.


Game #140 - Paris Swingers 3 Atlanta Braves 2

WP - Don Ferrarese (5-3)
LP - Shelby Miller (1-2)
Save - Ben DeMott (28)

Star of Game - Paul Thormodsgard (6 IP, 5 this, 2 ER, 5 K's)

Homers
Atlanta - Whitey Lockman (17), Alex Johnson (4)

Recap - Paris win in the top of the 9th as Sean Lewis singled home Kevin Nicholson with the go head run as the new acquisitions prove vital. Thormodsgard looked good for the first time in the 2nd half. Paris had just 6 hits, the other runs were driven in by Bobby Kielty and Cal McVey. Superstar pitcher Bobby Mitchell started for Atlanta and lasted just 5 innings allowing 2 runs but fanned 8 batters and has a microscopic 1.43 ERA. Paris limited Atlanta to 5 hits.


Game #141 - Paris Swingers 6 Atlanta Braves 2

WP - Don Ferrarese (6-3)
LP - Dutch Lieber (3-4)

Star of Game - Jake Weimer (6 IP, 3 hits, 0 ER 9 K's)

Homers
Atlanta - Victor Robles (17), George Metkovich (12)

Recap - Big day for Ferrarese winning 2 games on the same day. Weimer was impossible but tired and Lieber gave up all 6 runs in the 7th inning. Pablo Lopez lasted 1 inning against his former team and got injured and the pen was taxed but they got through it. Richie Ashburn had 2 hits and an RBI and was Paris hitting star. Robles had 2 hits for the Braves.


Standing - Paris Swingers are 71-70 and are in first place in the NL World Division with a 5 game lead over the Baghdad Sultans.

Looking Ahead - The San Bernardino Butchers with Mark McGwire and Aramis Ramirez come to town. San Berdoo is 77-64 in 7th place in the NL Pacific, even though they are 6 games better than Paris, they are already eliminate. Paris then heads to Las Vegas to play the Snake Eyes. Baghdad Sultans are on the road against the Milwaukee Brewers


Transactions - Pablo Lopez has shoulder tendonitis and is out 5 weeks so unless Paris wins the division and goes on deep playoff run he is done, and sadly Joel Collins is back up to replace him.

[majormet]

It was a huge breakthrough home series with Paris Swingers sweeping the series at home and putting up a lot of offense to expand the lead in the NL World Division

Game #142 - Paris Swingers 29 San Bernardino Butchers 0

WP - Bill Gogolewski (11-7)
LP - Al Mays (1-2)

Star of Game - Steve Evans (4-5, 3 RBI's)

Homers
Paris - Bobby Kielty (11)

Recap - Paris ran up the score on San Bernardino and kept them off the board. Paris put up 10 runs in the 3rd inning and it was merciless thereafter. Gogolewski pitched 6 1/3 innings and fanned 6 without giving up a run. Paris got to Mays for 8 runs in 2 1/3 innings and took apart every pitcher that stood on the hill. Bobby Kielty drove in 6 runs while Cal McVey and Paulo Orlando drove in 5 each. Harlond Clift was the recipient of 6 walks in the game. Mel Almada had 2 of the 6 hits for San Bernardino


Game #143 - Paris Swingers 8 San Bernardino Butchers 2

WP - Garrett Mock (1-2)
LP - Lou Fiene (5-4)
Save - Ben DeMott (29)

Star of Game - Sean Lewis (5 for 5, 2 RBI's)

Homers - None

Recap - Lewis has a star type game and is hitting .284 since coming to Paris. Lee Richmond pitched 4 innings but tired as he fanned 8 and walked 5. Bob Lee pitched 2 scoreless innings to keep Paris in this game as San Bernardino had a 2-0 lead into the 6th inning. Phil Hughes shut Paris down for 5 innings allowing 6 hits and fanning 7 batters. Paris got to spitball specialist Gaylord Perry for 3 runs out of the pen. Bobby Kielty, Jack Dawson and Lewis each had 2 RBI's for Paris. Bill Hague and sarcastic Chandler Bing had 2 hit games each for the Butchers as they only had 5 hits.


Game #144 - Paris Swingers 18 San Bernardino Butchers 6

WP - Fautino de los Santos (2-3)
LP - Brett Anderson (9-7)

Star of Game - Gail Hopkins (4-5, homer 4 RBI's)

Homers
San Bernardino - Aramis Ramirez (61), Dave Henderson (53), Matt LeCroy (11)

Paris - Steve Evans (28), Tony Piet (12), Gail Hopkins (26)

Recap - San Bernardino jumped to 4-0 lead on Sean Douglass but Paris had a 12-4 lead by the time the 6th inning was over. Douglass struggled with 4 runs allowed in 4 innings. Paris got to Anderson and knocked him out after 3 innings. Evans drove in 5 runs and Hopkins crossed the plate 4 times in the win. Henderson hit a 3 run blast for San Bernardino


Standing - Paris Swingers are 74-70 and in first place in the NL World division leading the 2nd place Baghdad Sultans by 7 games.

Looking Ahead - Paris has a tough series on the road to play the Las Vegas Snake Eyes. Las Vegas is 103-41 atop the NL West leading the 2nd place Colorado Rockies by 4 games. Then Redding Missions come to town. Baghdad will be hosting the Morgantown Cottonmouths.


Transactions - Pablo Lopez was put on the DL in favor of the lowly Joel Collins. Bob Lee was activated and Ron Meredith was sent to the minors. Dave Owen was put on waivers and claimed by the St Thomas Snappers.

[majormet]

The Paris Swingers had to get a taste of what it would look like playing against an elite team and the 2025 world champion Las Vegas Snake Eyes are that Paris won one game on the road despite the distractions of Vegas and should have won 2.


Game #145 - Las Vegas Snake Eyes 15 Paris Swingers 13

WP - Madison Bumgarner (4-4)
LP - Ben DeMott (5-2)
Save - Brad Lesley (26)

Star of Game - Sean Lewis (3-4, HR)

Homers
Paris - Lee Richmond (4), Tony Piet (13,14), Paulo Orlando (2), Harlond Clift (31), Kevin Nicholson (4), Sean Lewis (3)

Las Vegas - Gus Suhr (17), Danny Richardson (41), Nick Ahmed (36)


Recap - So much to say in this game. Seesaw game with Paris leading 10-8 going into the bottom of the 7th and Ben DeMott blew the save which was uncharacteristic of him, but the fact that he was left in for 64 pitches allowing 8 earned runs on 7 walks did not make any sense. The team held a closed door meeting after the game. Cavs forward and starting pitcher Caris Levert gave up 4 runs in 3 1/3 innings for Vegas. Bumgarner is a reliever oddly for Vegas and pitched bad but got the win. John Stuper started as Paris went bullpen variety and was gave up 5 runs in a third of an inning. Ahmed hit a grand slam, Richardson drove in 4 runs. Piet drove in 4 runs for Paris


Game #146 - Las Vegas Snake Eyes 19 Paris Swingers 0

WP - Brandon Webb (20-1)
LP - Joel Collins (3-9)

Star of Game - Gus Suhr (5-5, homer 5 RBI's)

Homers
Las Vegas - Gus Suhr (18), Billy Hamilton (11), Charles Johnson (14), Quilvio Veras (10), Danny Santana (38,39)

Recap - The matchup was Webb vs Collins and the odds were stacked against Paris, this was like punting. Webb wins 20 for the first time and is 64-17 for his career. Collins gave up 8 runs and 12 hits in 4 plus innings. Suhr drove in 5 runs while Hamilton and Santana drove in 4 runs each. Paris had just 4 hits on the day


Game #147 - Paris Swingers 8 Las Vegas Snake Eyes 2

WP - Bill Gogolewski (12-7)
LP - Billy Rhines (21-3)

Star of Game - Steve Evans (3-4, 2 homers, 3 RBI's)

Homers
Paris - Lee Richmond (5,6), Steve Evans (29,30)
Las Vegas - Jack Wilson (15), Luis Hernandez (3)

Recap - Gogolewski has been a stopper for sure and carried Paris. Rhines lasted 4 2/3 innings for Las Vegas and gave up 6 runs on 8 hits to get the rare loss. Richmond drove in 4 runs and Evans got 3 RBI's in the win. Richie Ashburn and Jack Dawson each had 3 hits for Paris. Las Vegas only had 5 hits in this game.


Standing - Paris Swingers are 75-72 in first place in the NL World Division with a comfortable 8 game lead over the Baghdad Sultans and the magic number is now 8

Looking Ahead - Paris Swingers head home to play the Redding Missions. Redding is 65-82 in 9th place in the NL Pacific so this should be at least 2 wins. Then Paris has to head to Vancouver to play the Men-O-War. Baghdad travels to Oklahoma City to play the Colts.

Transactions - Expanded rosters means many guys cross the Atlantic to play in the big leagues. These guys got promoted: 2B Gene Baker, SP Bob Stoddard, RP Ron Meredith, RP Andy Hansen, SP Ernesto Cancino, RF Eddie Miller, C Tom Pagnozzi, 3B Barry Evans, LF Johnny Dickshot, SS Craig Gerber, C Bill Plummer, SS Dave Silvestri, CF Scott Cousins, 3B Kevin Collins.

[majormet]

Paris did what was expected and took 2 out of 3 games from Redding at home and now head to Vancouver to play the Vancouver Men-O-War who have life still in the NL Pacific. The lead is now 10 games with 12 games remaining so the champagne is starting to chill.


Game #148 - Paris Swingers 6 Redding Missions 5 (11 innings)

WP - John Stuper (3-2)
LP - Jonathan Broxton (2-4)

Star of Game - Jack Dawson (4-5, 2 HR's 6 RBI's)

Homers
Redding - Frankie Frisch (20)
Paris - Jack Dawson (16,17)

Recap - This was probably the most revved up Paris crowd ever when the Titanic passenger drilled a walk off homer in the bottom of the 11th off of Broxton. Dawson who has had a sophomore jinx in 2027 hit 2 homers and drove in all 6 runs in the game, as the fan favorite delivered in a key game. Lee Richmond fanned 10 in 6 innings and allowed just 1 run and deserved a better fate. Ron Meredith gave up 3 runs to bring Redding back into the game. Ralph Terry started for Redding and lasted 4 innings allowing 2 runs. Gail Hopkins added 2 hits for Paris. David Wright and Frisch both had 3 hits each as Redding collected 13 hits in their loss


Game #149 - Redding Missions 7 Paris Swingers 5

WP - Tyler Anderson (9-11)
LP - Sean Douglass (5-9)
Save - Rusty Gerhardt (2)

Star of Game - Bob Horner (2-4, 2 HR's, 4 RBI's)

Homers
Redding - Bob Horner (34,35), Tony Curry (2), Charlie Berry (1)
Paris - Harlond Clift (32), Gail Hopkins (27)

Recap - Douglass was not good and gave up the lead and 5 runs in 5 1/3 innings. Anderson was competent for Redding with 3 earned runs over 5 innings. Alan Trammell had a 3 hit game to help with college standout Horner's monster game. Richie Ashburn, Cal McVey and Kevin Nicholson each had 2 hits but Paris fell short


Game #150 - Paris Swingers 3 Redding Missions 2 (10 innings)

WP - Ben DeMott (6-2)
LP - Jonathan Broxton (2-5)

Star of Game - Paul Thormodsgard (7 IP, 6 hits, 1 ER, 2 K's)

Homers
Redding - Curtis Goodwin (4)

Recap - Lee Richmond sent the crowd home in jubilation singling home Cal McVey with the winning run as Paris wins in walk off fashion. Thormodsgard has put together two straight solid starts and may be ready for the postseason. Frank Dasso was great for Redding with 5 innings allowing no earned runs. Sean Lewis and McVey each had 2 hit games for Paris. Corey Koskie and Goodwin picked up 2 hits but Redding fell in this one


Standings - Paris Swingers are 77-73 in first place in the NL World Division with a 10 game lead on both the Baghdad Sultans and Melbourne Caribou.

Looking Ahead - Paris Swingers will be heading to Vancouver to play the Vancouver Men-O-War with a legitimate shot at clinching the division. Vancouver is 104-46 tied for 2nd place in the NL Pacific with the Honolulu Riptide both trailing the first place Los Angeles Dodgers by 6 games. Paris then heads home to play the Jones Beach Jets.


Transactions - None

[majormet]

Although Paris lost two out of 3 games here in Vancouver, the great news was the division was clinched and the Paris Swingers are headed to their first postseason (editor note, this is full AI team). In their 3rd year of existence, Paris benefits from being in the worst division in baseball, so as they celebrated in the pubs of Vancouver... Vancouver fans were ticked off as there team has 30 more wins and won't catch the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Pacific.


Game #151 - Vancouver Men-O-War 12 Paris Swingers 4

WP - Bob Barr (10-1)
LP - Joel Collins (3-10)
Save - Jose Acosta (1)

Star of Game - Edwin Encarnacion (4-5, 3 RBI's)

Homers
Paris - Harlond Clift (33), Kevin Nicholson (5)

Recap - Vancouver got to Collins for 4 runs in the first but Paris rallied back to tie it before getting run out of the stadium. Collins in typical form gave up 8 hits and 5 runs in 2 plus innings. Barr pitched 6 solid innings for the win. John Valentin and Encarnacion had 3 RBI games as Vancouver had 16 hits in the game. Clift hit a 3 runs and Cal McVey drove in 2 runs for the losing Swingers.


Game #152 - Paris Swingers 2 Vancouver Men-O-War 1

WP - Bill Gogolewski (13-7)
LP - Russ Christopher (10-2)
Save - Ben DeMott (30)

Star of Game - Bill Gogolewski (7 IP, 1 ER, 5 hits, 7 K's)

Homers - None

Recap - Old fashioned pitcher's duel where Gogolewski stays red hot with his 13th win. Christopher fanned 8 batters over 6 innings but gave up 2 runs and 4 hits. DeMott gets his 30th save, and has been great outside of the one anomaly in Vegas. Paris only had 4 hits but Gail Hopkins had 2 of them. Placido Polanco and John Valentin had 2 hits each for Vancouver but they fell shot


Game #153 - Vancouver Men-O-War 4 Paris Swingers 1

WP - Jouett Meekin (12-6)
LP - Lee Richmond (5-7)
Save - Ken Howell (34)

Star of Game - (7 IP, 3 hits, 0 ER, 6 K's)

Homers
Vancouver - Nap Lajoie (21)

Recap - Meekin was strong and held his own for his 12th win. Richmond gave up 3 runs in 5 innings. John Valentin and Lajoie drove in 2 runs each to account for the Vancouver offense. Cal McVey had 2 of the 4 Paris hits. At some point Paris was scoreboard watching and knew they clinched so they kind of mailed it in.


Standing - Paris Swingers WIN the NL World Division and will most likely face either Los Angeles Dodgers or Memphis Cougars in first round of the playoffs. Paris plays Dodgers as well last 3 games of the regular season


Looking Ahead - Jones Beach Jets come to town, they are 94-59 in 5th place in the NL East and doing better than expected, then Paris heads to Canada to play the Halifax Eclipse

Transactions - none

[majormet]

The Paris Swingers stayed healthy despite having clinched the division by winning 2 out of 3 at home against Jones Beach as they had to Nova Scotia to play the Halifax Eclipse

Game #154 - Paris Swingers 2 Jones Beach Jets 1

WP - Garrett Mock (2-2)
LP - William Burke (2-4)
Save - Ben DeMott (31)

Star of Game - Sean Douglass (6 IP, 5 hits, 1 ER, 4 K's)

Homers - None

Recap - Douglass looked good as he was in a slump and managed to be hard to hit for a change. Harvey Bailey battled him for 6 innings and got a no decision for Jones Beach. Paris Got one in the 6th and another run in the 7th as Cal McVey drove in the decisive run and was 3 for 3 while Richie Ashburn added 3 hits. Jones Beach was limited to 5 hits but 2 each from Brett Gardner and Garry Maddox


Game #155 - Jones Beach Jets 9 Paris Swingers 8

WP - Schoolboy Rowe (15-6)
LP - Paul Thormodsgard (11-10)
Save - Jeff Calhoun (33)

Star of Game - Tony Piet (4-4, 2 homers)

Homers
Paris - Steve Evans (31), Tony Piet (15,16), Gail Hopkins (28)

Recap - This game was 9-3 in the 9th and Paris rallied to get 5 runs but fell short. Thormodsgard was lit up for 7 runs and 8 hits in 3 innings. Rowe pitched 7 innings for Jones Beach and Paris got to Billy Serad for the 5 runs in the 9th before Calhoun slammed the door. Brett Gardner had 3 hits and George Jackson drove in 2 runs for Jones Beach in their victory. Piet hitting with more power than expected for sure. Hopkins hit a grand slam and Jack Dawson had 2 hits.


Game #156 - Paris Swingers 3 Jones Beach Jets 2

WP - Joel Collins (4-10)
LP - Jack Lively (14-8)
Save - Ben DeMott (32)

Star of Game - Joel Collins (7 IP, 8 hits 2 ER, 1 K)

Homers
Jones Beach - Bill Krieg (12)
Paris - Steve Evans (32), Kevin Nicholson (6)

Recap - Paris had a 3-0 lead and held on in this one as Collins defied the oddsmakers and got a great quality start. Lively gave up the 3 runs in 5 innings. Nicholson hit a 2 runs shot and Richie Ashburn added 2 hits in the win. Brett Gardner and Dude Esterbrook had 2 hit games for Jones Beach


Standing - Paris Swingers have clinched first place and are 80-76. They would love to have a winning season as well

Looking Ahead - Paris visits the Halifax Eclipse who are 81-75 in 9th place in the NL East, then they finish the season at home against the mighty Los Angeles Dodgers, who they may face in the first round of the playoffs.

Transactions - None

[majormet]

Paris loses 2 out of 3 games in Nova Scotia to the Halifax Eclipse and lose Bill Gogolewski to suspension in the series in a basebrawl

Game #157 - Halifax Eclipse 7 Paris Swingers 0

WP - Kevin Hagen (4-1)
LP - Bill Gogolewski (13-8)

Star of Game - Martin Powell (2-3, HR 2 RBI's)

Homers
Halifax - Martin Powell (7), Bump Wills (20), Andre Robertson (14), Adeiny Hechaverria (10)

Recap - Gogolewski threw at Cameron Maybin and a brawl started which results in having Gogolewski suspended for 6 games which will affect the playoffs. This was a 0-0 game at that point and Halifax scored 5 runs thereafter. Singer Gregg Allman started for Halifax but left after 1 2/3 innings. Wills, Powell and Hecheverria had 2 RBI's each for Halifax in the win. Cal McVey and Freddie Patek had the lone Paris hits.


Game #158 - Paris Swingers 6 Halifax Eclipse 4

WP - Lee Richmond (6-7)
LP - Buddy Napier (5-4)
Save - Ben DeMott (33)

Star of Game - Lee Richmond (5 IP, 1 ER, 3 hits, 6 K's)

Homers
Paris - Cal McVey (21), Harlond Clift (34)
Halifax - Adeiny Hecheverria (11), Chris Parmelee (13)

Recap - Paris built a 6-1 lead in the 7th and held up as Richmond was in the zone today for Paris. Reynaldo Lopez started for Halifax and gave up just one run in 5 innings. McVey drove in 3 rusn while Clift drove in 2 with their homers. Parmelee had 2 hits and 2 RBI's in this game. Paris got to Halifax reliever Mark Eichhorn for 3 runs in relief


Game #159 - Halifax Eclipse 13 Paris Swingers 5

WP - Jack Sharrott (8-8)
LP - Ernesto Cancino (0-2)

Star of Game - Deacon McGuire (3-4, HR 2 RBI's)

Homers
Paris - Gene Baker (4)
Halifax - Curt Blefary (26), Rabbit Robinson (1), Andre Robertson (15), Deacon McGuire (21)

Recap - Halifax had a 10-3 lead after 2 innings as Cancino spot started and was rancid. Sharrott lasted 5 innings and allowed 3 runs for Halifax but had great run support. Ron Meredith looked good with 2 scoreless relief innings for the Swingers. Robertson drove in 5 runs while McGuire and Adeiny Hecheverria had 3 hit games for Halifax. Baker hit a pinch hit 2 run homer off the bench.


Standing - Paris Swingers are 81-78 and have clinched the NL World Division

Looking Ahead - In what will be most likely the playoff matchup, the Paris Swingers will host the NL Pacific Champion Los Angeles Dodgers. Dodgers have the best record in the NL at 117-42.

Transactions - None

[majormet]

The final series of the year was against the Los Angeles Dodgers at home and the Paris Swingers won 2 out of 3 games. The oddness of the schedule and playoffs is that the Swingers will head to Los Angeles to play the Dodgers in the first round of the playoffs.

Game #160 - Paris Swingers 4 Los Angeles Dodgers 2

WP - Paul Thormodsgard (12-10)
LP - Mark Cuban (17-4)
Save - Ben DeMott (34)

Star of Game - (6 IP, 2 ER 9 hits, 5 K's)

Homers
Paris - Cal McVey (22)

Recap - Paris grabbed a 3-0 lead and held, despite allowing 12 hits to the Dodgers. Thormodsgard ended well this year after a bad stretch. Paris got to the cocky billionaire in Cuban for 4 runs in 6 2/3 innings. Harlond Clif had 3 hits and an RBI to lead the Paris offense. Johnny Peralta had 2 hits and an RBI for the Dodgers defeat


Game #161 - Paris Swingers 8 Los Angeles Dodgers 5

WP - Bob Stoddard (1-0)
LP - Bill Hoffer (17-6)
Save - Garrett Mock (1)

Star of Game - Don Lock (3-4, 2 homers, 3 RBI)

Homers
Los Angeles - Bob Glenalvin (33), Don Lock (35,36)
Paris - Cal McVey (23), Tony Piet (17), Harlond Clift (35)

Recap - Paris had a big 7-3 lead after 5 innings and held for the win. Sean Douglass only lasted 4 innings and gave up 3 runs. Paris got to Hoffer for 4 runs in 4 innings. Stoddard was strong with 3 innings allowing just one run and maybe he will be back in the big leagues in 2028. Clift went 3 for 3 and drove in 2 runs, while Sean Lewis and Piet had 2 RBI's each. Dave Cash added 2 hits for LA to go with Lock's huge outing.


Game #162 - Los Angeles Dodgers 7 Paris Swingers 0

WP - Tom Brewer (5-4)
LP - Joel Collins (4-11)

Star of Game - Tom Brewer (8 IP, 2 hits, 0 ER, 12 K's)

Homers
Los Angeles - Don Lock (37), Jay Bruce (30), Dusty Miller (34)

Recap - Collins was horrible and Paris took their starters out of the game enabling Brewer to pitch a gem. Brewer was used as a spot starter today. Ernesto Cancino actually pitched 2 shutout innings in this one. Johnny Peralta and Miller each had 3 hits for the winning Dodgers. Freddie Patek and Sean Lewis had the lone Paris hits.


Standing - Paris won the division at 83-79

Looking Ahead - Paris will play these same Los Angeles Dodgers in the first round of the playoffs. Dodgers were 118-44, which is 35 games better than Paris.

[majormet]

These are the stats for the current roster for Paris in 2027

Hitters
1B Gail Hopkins (28-114, .275)
3B Harlond Clift (35-111 .247)
RF Steve Evans (32-103 .294)
C Cal McVey (23-87 .348)
2B Jack Dawson (17-78 .235)
LF Sean Lewis (10-66 .236)
LF Bobby Kielty (11-56 .226)
2B Tony Piet (17-52 .270)
CF Richie Ashburn (5-51 .275)
SS Kevin Nicholson (8-23 .218)
SS - Freddie Patek (1-21 .313)
DH - Lee Richmond (6-21 .247)
C Amos Booth (0-16 .259)
LF Paulo Orlando (2-13 .319)


Pitchers
SP - Bill Gogolewski (13-8, 2.55)
SP - Paul Thormodsgard (12-10 4.20)
CL - Ben Demott (6-2, 34 saves 2.48)
RP - Don Ferrarese (6-3, 4.74)
SP - Lee Richmond (6-7, 4.31)
SP - Sean Douglass (5-9 4.65)
SP - Joel Collins (4-11, 7.52)
RP - Michael Tejera (4-5, 5.87)
RP - John Stuper (3-2 6.10)
RP - Fautino de los Santos (2-3, 6.11)
RP - Garrett Mock (2-2, 5.49)
RP - Bob Lee (0-0 0.60)

[majormet]

This is the generic league report with no home bias.
#1 Los Angeles Dodgers (118-44) vs #8 Paris Swingers (83-79)

Overview - These teams met for the last 3 games of the regular season and Paris won 2 games but LA rested players once they knew they were the top seed. Dodgers were dominant like this in 2025 and choked and then had a rough 2026 which led to a managerial change. Paris had a commanding lead in the weak NL World division all year and had to fight to have a winning record. This is not an even matchup, but it is baseball anything can happen.

Team Overview

Los Angeles Dodgers

GM - Jayden Baker (9th season from San Jose, CA) - only one previous playoff appearance in 2025, where they won 127 games, they did go 110-52 and considered that a letdown in 2026 and lost division on last day to Vancouver Men-O-War.

Manager - Mike Carlson (1st year from Sullivan City, TX) - Managed the Winnipeg Wolf Pack from 2024-2026 and won 108 games in 2026 which opened the prestigious Dodgers job open for him

Notable Coaches - Pitching Coach is Rick Aguilera who appeared in 418 games from 2019-2023, with his best season being 2020 with the New York Yankees.

Top Hitters
LF - Dusty Miller (34-126, .271)
CF - Don Lock (37-110, .251)
DH- Bob Glenalvin (33-94, .265)
RF - Jay Bruce (30-84, .265)
3B - Jhonny Peralta (31-94, .248)
2B - Dave Cash (6-66, .305)

Top Pitchers
SP - Rube Kisinger (19-10, 2.65)
SP - Mark Cuban (17-4, 1.81)
SP - Bill Hoffer (17-6, 3.21)
SP - Jack Harshman (15-7, 2.76)
Closer - Jim Britton (35 saves, 1.79)
RP - Joel Davis (12-2, 2.17)

Playoff History

2025 - Lost LDS to Las Vegas Snake Eyes (1-4)

Quote

Mark Cuban - The league is becoming a joke to get international attention. Paris is a garbage team and they should not be seeing a 163rd game, but what do I know besides selling my business for billions.



Paris Swingers

GM - Aaron Harris (3rd year from Albany, OR) Has improved each year

Manager - Adam Platek (2nd year from New Britain, CT) improved 12 games in his 2nd season

Notable Coaches - None


Top Hitters
3B - Harlond Clift (35-111, .247)
1B - Gail Hopkins (28-114, .275)
RF - Steve Evans (32-103, .294)
C - Cal McVey (23-87, .348)
CF - Richie Ashburn (5-51, .275)
2B - Jack Dawson (17-78, .235)

Top Pitchers
SP - Bill Gogolewski (13-8, 2.55)
SP - Lee Richmond (6-7, 4.31)
SP - Paul Thormodsgard (12-10, 4.20)
Closer - Ben DeMott (34 saves, 2.48)

Playoff History - None

Quote

Jack Dawson - We may be a huge underdog but I was on the bottom of the Titanic and I stole Rose from some rich guy so beating the Dodgers and lame Mark Cuban is not out of question.

[majormet]

Game #1 - Los Angeles Dodgers 3 Paris Swingers 2

WP - Rube Kisinger (1-0)
LP - Lee Richmond (0-1)
Save - Jim Britton (1)

Star of Game - Rube Kisinger (7 IP, 5 hits, 2 ER, 5 K's)

Homers
Los Angeles - Don Lock (1), Jay Bruce (1)

Recap - This game was decided in the 6th inning when Lock took Richmond deep. Richmond pitched 7 solid innings and only gave up 3 runs, Bruce homered in the 2nd inning to tie the game at 1, and then Los Angeles retied it a 2 in the 3rd inning on a Bob Glenalvin double. Harlond Clift had 2 of the 7 hits for Paris. Bob Lee pitched a solid 8th inning to give Paris a shot at this road game but fell short as Kisinger was close to masterful in this one for 7 innings before giving way to Britton.

Dodgers lead series 1-0

[majormet]

Game #2 - Paris Swingers 4 Los Angeles Dodgers 2

WP - Bill Gogolewski (1-0)
LP - Mark Cuban (0-1)
Save - Ben DeMott (1)

Star of Game - Bill Gogolewski (6 IP, 3 hits, 1 ER 2 K's)

Homers
Paris - Harlond Clift (1), Kevin Nicholson (1)
Los Angeles - Dusty Miller (1)

Recap - Paris stuns the world by evening up the series at 1 with a huge win. Gogolewski was stellar and DeMott shut the door down despite giving up a homer. Clift and Nicholson went back to back on Cuban and made Cuban eat his words. Cuban gave up 2 runs and only lasted 4 2/3 innings. Garrett Mock pitched a scoreless 7th for Paris. Paris had 13 hits in the game with Richie Ashburn, Gail Hopkins, Steve Evans, Sean Lewis and Clift getting 2 each. Miller had 2 of the measly 4 hits for the Dodgers Oddly, Cal McVey was the only Paris starter without a hit and left 10 guys on base.


Series tied at 1

[majormet]

Los Angeles Dodgers 3 Paris Swingers 0

WP - Bill Hoffer (1-0)
LP - Paul Thormodsgard (0-1)
Save - Jim Britton (2)

Star of Game - Bill Hoffer (5.2 IP, 5 hits, 0 ER, 7 K's)

Homers
Los Angeles - Don Lock (2)

Recap - First ever playoff game in Paris and the Paris offense could not solve Hoffer, Britton and Danny Frisella. Thormodsgard gave up 2 runs in 5 innings and was not bad and the usually reliable Bob Lee gave up the homer to Lock. Dave Cash and Lock had 2 hits each in the win for LA. Cal McVey got 2 of the 6 Paris hits but it was a lackluster effort and now Paris is on the ropes

Los Angeles Dodgers lead 2-1

[majormet]

Game #4 - Los Angeles Dodgers 6 Paris Swingers 0

WP - Jack Harshman (1-0)
LP - Joel Collins (0-1)

Star of Game - Jack Harshman (6.2 IP, 1 hit 0 ER, 5 K's)

Homers
Los Angeles - Omar Infante (1), Dusty Miller (2)

Recap - Paris just goes out with a whimper not scoring a single run in their home playoff games, sometimes making the playoffs can set a team back. To add insult to injury, Collins got the start as no one else was ready to pitch and he was "Collins" Dodgers had the 3-0 lead after 3 innings and Harshman was zoned in and Joel Davis came in to finish the game. Infante and Miller each drove in 2 runs. Paris only had 2 hits in the game, they were by Cal McVey and Jack Dawson

Los Angeles Dodgers win series 3-1 and advance to the LDS.


It was a huge accomplishment to play in the postseason when only 16 teams out of 192 make it. What will go down as hurting Paris will be the lack of depth in the rotation when they still have to rely on guys like Collins and Cancino it shows the vulnerability.

Offensively, this team is pretty solid but the #3 and #4 starters of Los Angeles iced Paris at home. All in all, nothing to be ashamed about, they win their 1st playoff game in their 3rd season.

[majormet]

I journal this from my hotel room in Allentown, PA where the Paris Swingers will be opening the season in a few days.

2027 was a solid year peaking with a playoff game win in the Wild Card Round against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers did lose the NLCS series to the Memphis Cougars. The Memphis Cougars lost the World Series to the Utah Saints.

The new season has more expansion with 32 new teams, meaning 16 in the NL with 2 going to each division including the NL World.

Paris made a big free agent signing with Jarrod Parker coming over from the Texas Rangers. Parker was 119-43 over 8 seasons with Texas, where he won 19 games in 2020. He signed for 6 years at 151 million dollars, so a lot of Peugeot's have to be sold to offset this cost.

Dillon Maples was taken in the Rule 5 Draft from the Cleveland Indians. He appeared in 161 games in AAA ball and never got to the show but will start on the Paris roster in the bullpen.

The only other new face will be outfielder Bob Elliott who also signed as a free agent. Elliott played last year with the Chicago White Sox after spending 5 seasons with the Colorado Rockies. He has 133 career homers with a 140 RBI season in 2023, but has been regressing. He is on a 1 year deal worth 9 million

The roster for 2028

Starting Pitching
1. Bill Gogolewski
2. Jarrod Parker
3. Lee Richmond
4. Paul Thormodsgard
5. Sean Douglass

Comments: It is better with Parker in there and not seeing the names of Collins and Cancino. Douglass as the #5 is shaky as he barely gets out of the 5th inning. Thormodsgard struggled in the 2nd half last season, but closed out with 2 solid games. Richmond is a guy who also can fatigue fast in games. The 1-2 punch looks solid though

Bullpen

Closer - Ben DeMott
Setup - Bob Lee
Setup - Garrett Mock
MR - Don Ferrarese
MR - Michael Tejera
MR - Dillon Maples
LR - John Stuper

Comments - The bullpen has been overtaxed over the years, outside of DeMott there are a lot of question marks. Mock has good stuff. Lee has been good but injures easily. Ferrarese and Tejera have rubbers arms but can get lit up. Maples has never seen a major league park and Stuper is a borderline major leaguer.

Lineup
CF - Richie Ashburn
1B - Gail Hopkins
C - Cal McVey
RF - Steve Evans
3B - Harlond Clift
DH - Bob Elliott
SS - Kevin Nicholson
LF - Sean Lewis
2B - Jack Dawson

Comments: The 2-5 spots are very productive and hope that Evans does not have a sophomore jinx. McVey is a franchise player while Hopkins and Clift have been very consistent. Ashburn is young and will get better, there is a high ceiling for him. Elliott returns to the National League where he was more comfortable. Nicholson was the strange pickup that produced. Lewis was a pickup too and is a solid fielder. Dawson saw a production drop in his 2nd year, and hopes to get back his power numbers

Bench
Tony Piet
Bobby Kielty
Amos Booth
Gene Baker
Lee Richmond

Comments - Solid bench as Piet and Kielty have been very good and get a lot of starts. Booth is the perfect backup catch for McVey and Baker is versatile. Richmond is a good enough bat for a pitcher.


We will have results from Allentown shortly

[majormet]

The Paris Swingers got off to a good start by sweeping the Allentown Chiefs on the road. The games were not easy but Paris showed character in winning some tight games


Game #1 - Paris Swingers 4 Allentown Chiefs 1

WP - Bill Gogolewski (1-0)
LP - Tony Armas Jr (0-1)
Save - Ben DeMott (1)

Star of Game - Bill Gogolewski (8.2 IP, 2 hits 1, ER 2 K's)

Homers
Paris - Cal McVey (1), Steve Evans (1)


Recap - Paris scored 3 in the 6th to expand the leaad to 4-0 and Gogolewski was one out from a shutout before having to give way do DeMott. Paris got their 3 additional runs off of Early Wynn in relief. Jack Dawson had 2 hits and Evans drove in 2 runs for the offense. Ray Blades droves in the lone Allentown run.


Game #2 - Paris Swingers 9 Allentown Chiefs 3 (14 innings)

WP - Garrett Mock (1-0)
LP - Sun-Woo Kim (0-1)

Star of Game - Cal McVey (5-8, Homer, RBI)

Homers
Paris - Cal McVey (2)
Allentown - Adam LaRoche (1)

Recap - Paris blew the 3-2 lead in the 8th inning, but came back with 6 runs in the 14th to win the game. Jarrod Parker looked solid enough in his Paris debut allowing 3 runs in 7 2/3 innings. DeMott got the blown save but Mock pitched 3 1/3 innings of shutout relief. Jesse Foppert only lasted 4 2/3 innings for Allentown but their pen was really solid until Kim was overused. Huge game for McVey, and Gail Hopkins and Harlond Clift had 2 RBI's each. Billy Shindle had 3 hits and an RBI for Allentown


Game #3 - Paris Swingers 1 Allentown Chiefs 0 (10 innings)

WP - Michael Tejera (1-0)
LP - Larry Gura (0-1)
Save - Bob Lee (1)

Star of Game - Lee Richmond (7 IP, 3 hits, 0 ER 8 K's)

Homers None

Recap - great pitchers duel between solid Richmond and Mike Norris who pitched 5 scoreless innings for Allentown. Don Ferraresa, Tejera and Lee each got a scoreless relief inning. Bob Elliott hit the game winning single in the 10th inning off of Gura to score Cal McVey and that was the game


Standing - Paris Swingers are 3-0 in a 4 way tie for first place in the NL World with the London Cyclones, Lagos Hammerheads and the Rome Thoroughbreds.

Looking Ahead - Paris will host the Savannah Thunder who are 3-0 and sit alone atop the NL Atlantic, then Paris heads back to the Keystone state to play the Philadelphia Phillies

Transactions - None

[majormet]

Paris Swingers flew home with a perfect record but a tough Savannah Thunder team walked through the doors and took 2 out of 3 games as Paris now has to travel back to Pennsylvania to play the Philadelphia Phillies.


Game #4 - Savannah Thunder 3 Paris Swingers 2

WP - Ray Francis (1-0)
LP - Paul Thormodsgard (1-1)
Save - Lou Reed (1)

Star of Game - Ray Francis (5 IP, 4 hits, 2 ER, 4 K's)

Homers
Savannah - Alfonso Soriano (2)


Recap - Paris loses their first game as Soriano homers in the 4th to break the 2-2 tie off of Thormodsgard. Thormodsgard did pitch 6 innings and gave up 3 runs which was effective, but Francis was better. Lou Reed who is famous in Paris for his work with the Velvet Underground got the save. Hal Chase had 2 hits and an RBI for Savannah to lead their offense. Gail Hopkins and Jack Dawson drove in the 2 runs for Paris.


Game #5 - Paris Swingers 11 Savannah Thunder 1

WP - Sean Douglass (1-0)
LP - Mike Paxton (0-1)
Save - John Stuper (1)

Star of Game - Steve Evans (2-3, HR, 4 RBI's)

Homers
Paris - Steve Evans (2), Bob Elliott (1)

Recap - Paris gives Savannah their first loss as the bats went wild getting 7 runs off of Paxton in 3 innings. Douglass lasted 5 before Stuper got the 4 inning save. Elliott and Evans drove in 4 runs each, while Jack Dawson drove in 2 as well. Andres Galarraga and Alfonso Soriano had 2 hits each in the Savannah loss


Game #6 - Savannah Thunder 6 Paris Swingers 3

WP - Tommy Bridges (1-0)
LP - Bill Gogolewski (1-1)
Save - Steve Gromek (2)

Star of Game - George Harper (2-4, HR 3 RBI's)

Homers
Savannah - Khalil Greene (3), George Harper (1)
Paris - Gail Hopkins (1)

Recap - Savannah jumped to a 4-0 lead after 2 on Gogolewski who settled down to pitch 6 innings. Bridges gave up 3 runs in 7 2/3 innings to get the win. Hal Chase and Harper had 2 hit games for Savannah. Hopkins hit a 3 run blast in the 3rd to make it 4-3 but Paris never caught Savannah. Richie Ashburn and Harlond Clift had 2 hits apiece in the loss.


Standing - Paris Swingers are 4-2 and are tied for 4th in the NL World Division trailing the 6-0 London Cyclones who are off to a great start

Looking Ahead - Paris travels to play the Philadelphia Phillies who are off to a 2-4 slow start before heading home to face the San Francisco Giants.

Transactions - None

[majormet]

There was no brotherly love in Philly as the Phillies swept the Paris Swingers and now Paris is under .500 with the San Francisco Giants coming to town

Game #7 - Philadelphia Phillies 6 Paris Swingers 5

WP - Gerrit Cole (2-0)
LP - Jarrod Parker (0-1)
Save - Max Lanier (1)

Star of Game - Gerrit Cole (7 IP, 4 hits, 2 ER, 11 K's)

Homers - None

Recap - This was a 6-2 game and Paris rallied for 3 late against Les Rohr and Tony Balsamo after Cole was masterful. Parker was not terrific as he gave up 4 runs in 6 innings. Elmer Cleveland and Charlie Gehringer drove in 2 runs each for the Phillies as they scored 6 runs on 5 hits. Sean Lewis drove in 3 runs for Paris while Cal McVey and Tony Piet had 2 hit game as Paris rallied and lost.



Game #8 - Philadelphia Phillies 8 Paris Swingers 7

WP - Guy Hoffman (1-0)
LP - Michael Tejera (1-1)
Save - Tony Balsamo (2)

Star of Game - Steve Evans (3-5, HR 2 RBI's)

Homers
Paris - Steve Evans (3), Bob Elliott (2)
Philadelphia - Lew Brown (2), Danny Tartabull (2), Chick Fulmer (1)

Recap - Fulmer homered off of Tejera in the bottom of the 8th to break the 8-7 tie and Balsamo saved the game. Lee Richmond started and fanned 8 while giving up 3 runs over 5 innings. Garrett Mock was awful allowing 4 runs in 2/3 of an inning. Ray Culp started for the Phillies and allowed 3 runs over 4 innings and struck out 9 and walked 4 in just those 4 innings. Mark Teixeira had 3 hits while Ron Northey, Tartabull and Brown drove in 2 apice for Philadelphia. Amos Booth, Elliott and Evans all had 2 RBI's each for Paris



Game #9 - Philadelphia Phillies 10 Paris Swingers 0

WP - Ed Walsh (1-0)
LP - Paul Thormodsgard (0-2)

Star of Game - Ed Walsh (5 IP, 6 hits, 0 ER, 5 K's)

Homers
Philadelphia - Ron Northey (3), Elmer Cleveland (1), Johnny Grubb (2)

Recap - this was an awful showing for Thormodsgard with 6 runs allowed in 4 1/3 innings, Don Ferrarese and John Stuper gave up 2 each as well while Walsh was in cruise control. Grubb and Northey each drove in 2 runs. Augie Galan, Marty Bergen and Cleveland added 2 hits each for the 14 hit attack. Paris was limited to 8 hits with Richie Ashburn and Bob Elliott getting 2 each


Standing - Paris Swingers are 4-5 in 6th place in the NL World division trailing the first place Moscow Battalion by 4 games.

Looking Ahead - San Francisco Giants come to Paris with a 2-7 record and are in 12th place in the NL Pacific, but should not be underestimated then Paris stays on the continent to visit the Oslo Walruses.

Transactions - None

[majormet]

The Paris Swingers returned home and took two out of 3 games from the San Francisco Giants as they head to Norway to play the Oslo Walruses.


Game #10 - Paris Swingers 8 San Francisco Giants 2

WP - Sean Douglass (2-0)
LP - Jerome Williams (0-1)

Star of Game - Sean Douglass (5.1 IP, 4 hits 0 ER 8 K's)

Homers
San Francisco - Wally Kimmick (1), Tommy Davis (1)
Paris - Steve Evans (4)

Recap - Paris had a 3-0 lead most of the way as Douglass was brilliant and then gave up 2 runs only to score 5 in the bottom of the 8th. Portly Terry Forster gave up 5 runs in that inning. Richie Ashburn and Kevin Nicholson had 3 hits each and Cal McVey drove in 2 runs for Paris. Davis had 3 hits with the homer for San Francisco


Game #11 - Paris Swingers 3 San Francisco Giants 1

WP - Bill Gogolewski (2-1)
LP - Chad Fox (0-1)
Save - Ben Demott (2)

Star of Game - Bill Gogolewski (8 IP, 6 hits, 1 ER, 6 K's)

Homers
Paris - Richie Ashburn (1)

Recap - San Francisco had a 1-0 lead into the 8th and Paris got 3 runs in the 8th. Hitman Paulie Walnuts started for San Francisco and pitched 5 shutout innings but Paris got to Fox for 3 runs in the 8th. Gogolewski was economical in the win. Steve Evans had 2 hits and Ashburn drove in 2 runs with the 2 run shot to account for most of Paris offense. Tommy Davis had 3 of the 6 San Francisco hits and Cal Ripken Jr drove in the lone run.



Game #12 - San Francisco Giants 5 Paris Swingers 0

WP - Jim Palmer (1-2)
LP - Jarrod Parker (0-2)

Star of Game - Jim Palmer (7 1/3 innings, 3 hits, 0 ER 3 K's)

Homers - None

Recap - Palmer was in the zone as he tries to break out in 2028. Parker gave up 5 runs in 5 innings and was not good. John Stuper pitched 4 shutout innings and saved the bullpen. Frank Fernandez drove in 2 runs and Donie Bush had 2 hits for the Giants. Tony Piet had 2 of the 4 Paris hits as San Francisco salvages the series


Standing - Paris Swingers are 6-6 in 6th place tie in the NL World trailing the first place Moscow Battalion by 4 games


Looking Ahead - Paris travels to play the Oslo Walruses who are bad at 3-9 and tied for 11th in the NL World Division then Paris comes home to play the Saginaw Dragons


Transactions - None

[majormet]

The Paris Swingers got the sweep they needed in Norway against the Oslo Walruses to improve to 9-6 and now they will host another bad team in the Saginaw Dragons.


Game #13 - Paris Swingers 12 Oslo Walruses 0

WP - Lee Richmond (1-0)
LP - Phil Leftwich (0-1)

Star of Game - Lee Richmond (8.1 IP, 3 hits, 0 ER 11 K's)

Homers
Paris - Gail Hopkins (2), Sean Lewis (1)

Recap - Paris gets a much needed easy game as Richmond was dominant. Paris got 5 runs off of Leftwich in 4 innings. Cal McVey was on fire with 4 hits and 4 RBI's. Richie Ashburn, Steve Evans and Lewis had 3 hits apiece in the barrage. Everett Scott collected two of the three hits for Oslo


Game #14 - Paris Swingers 4 Oslo Walruses 3

WP - Bob Lee (1-0)
LP - Camilo Pascual (0-1)
Save - Ben DeMott (3)

Star of Game - Paul Thormodsgard (5 IP, 3 hits, 2 ER, 3 K's)

Homers
Oslo - John Castino (3)

Recap - Paris scored twice in the 9th to get the win as Bob Elliott drove in 2 runs with a pinch hit single. Thormodsgard had a decent start which was encouraging but got little run support. Bruce Robbins started for Oslo and allowed just one earned run over 5 innings. Richie Ashburn had 3 hits while Kevin Nicholson had 2 hits and 2 RBI's for Paris in the contest. Oslo was limited to 5 hits but Castino hit a big 2 run shot in the game.


Game #15 - Paris Swingers 8 Oslo Walruses 4

WP - Sean Douglass (3-0)
LP - Cannonball Titcomb (0-3)

Star of Game - Bob Elliott (3-4 HR 3 RBI's)

Homers
Paris - Bob Elliott (3)
Oslo - Hank Edwards (2)

Recap - Douglass continues to surprise this season as he went 5 innings and allowed just 2 runs. Paris got to Titcomb for 5 runs in 3 2/3 innings. Elliott had the big game and was a huge part of the offense and as 15 RBI's in 15 games. Oslo had 2 hits each from Everett Scott and Ziggy Stardust himself David Bowie. Bowie hit a clutch double in the 9th off of Don Ferrarese in a failed comeback


Standing - Paris Swingers are 9-6 in 4th place the NL World Division trailing the first place Moscow Battalion by 4 games.

Looking Ahead - Paris heads home to play the Saginaw Dragons - Saginaw is 1-14 and in last place in the NL Central. Then Paris heads to my neck of the woods and plays the Hicksville Comets on the road, happy to be heading to Long Island.


Transactions - None