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10-19-2009, 10:16 AM
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#401 |
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,464
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 Pastime Baseball League June Review (cont.) Northern League Review The New York Heroes maintain their division lead, and it all comes down to pitching. Jim McCormick (12-3, 3.63) and Frank Killen (11-2, 2.47) are showing no signs of slowing down, and Bill Byrd (7-7, 3.68) is rounding into form. Offensively, Roger Connor (.358-8-53) is putting up great numbers, while David Wright (.221-10-38) is showing power but a continued lack of patience. In Louisville, the Racers slowed a bit, going 13-14 on the month as the offense struggled beyond Dan Brouthers (.291-18-61). The team is second in OBP but only sixth in slugging. A bit more power, even gap power, could go a long way here. To the hill, Edinson Volquez (7-4, 2.67) has posted a 1.77 ERA over his last 12 starts, while Roy Oswalt remains his brilliant self (9-1, 3.28). There's plenty of fight in the Charlotte Cougars, who saw themselves embroiled in two braws this month: Tex Hughson and Paul Hines earning suspensions of 8 and 9 games, respectively for their parts. The team is second in pitching despite nobody with double-digit wins (Ben Sheets leads with 8) while their offense ranks last despite all four infielders having double-digit homers (1B Harry Davis has 14, 2B Fred Dunlap has 13, SS John Beckwith has 13, and 3B Mark Reynolds has 12). Charlotte's infield is offset by the Philadelphia Ringers' outfield, which has three double-digit homer players – LF Charley Jones (18), CF John O’Rourke (21) and RF John Anderson (11) – plus DH/OF Matt Holliday (11). But disappointing pitching from Satchel Paige (5-8, 5.29), Joel Pineiro (8-7, 4.57) and Charley Radbourn (5-8, 5.52) have left the Ringers in the cellar, though at 9 ½ out, by no means out of the hunt. Out West, the Wichita Brigade still haven’t gotten hot, but they’re plugging steadily. Management, however, decided that’s not good enough, and pulled the trigger on a pair of deals. Seeking some more power, the Brigade dealt 2B Sammy Strang (.324-8-35) to the Los Angeles Idols for OF/1B Jay Gibbons (.242-10-34) in a move that surprised many. Wichita, however, felt Gibbons provides more power potential for a lineup last in the Northern League with only 41 thus far. Since the June 4 trade, Gibbons has hit .286 with 3 homers and 12 RBI. They weren’t done, though, trading P Elton Chamberlain (3-3, 4.73) to the struggling Chicago Hitmen for RF Chick Stahl (.298-6-21). The latter deal raised some questions when a week after its completion, Chamberlain began complaining of elbow soreness. He has not been DL’d, but some in Chicago are less than thrilled and complaining Wichita knew something was up. One pitcher not hurt, though, is Rube Waddell, who went 3-1 with a 2.57 ERA in June and could be rounding into form once again. The league’s best offense resides in Indianapolis, where the Engines are watching the trio of Nick Johnson (.266-10-56), Jake Beckley (.334-7-50) and rookie Stan Musial (.272-12-50) get big hit after big hit. Their pitching staff, however, is the worst in the Northern League with a 5.12 ERA. But that didn’t stop them from going 18-10 in June, buoyed by Abner Dalrymple’s .371 average for the month. Also of note: rookie Phil Rizzuto has been installed in a platoon situation with Sam Wise at short. Until now, Rizzuto has been a defensive replacement, but he’s earned regular time by hitting .350 off the bench. Luck finally ran out on the Sacramento Stingers in June. They had the league’s worst offense and the 6th (of 8) pitching staff a month ago, yet sat only 2 ½ games out. But they went 9-19 in June with ace Cole Hamels still out another 6 weeks, things could get ugly in a hurry. The infield offense is easily baseball’s worst, as both second base (converted 3B Morgan Ensberg) and third base (Pedro Feliz) are black holes, hitting under .200. We wrap up this month’s review in Chicago, where the Hitmen are desperately trying to keep the faith. Cy Young and Johan Santana remain out – Santana for the season it appears – and they were joined by Josh Hamilton (due back this week) and, in a crushing blow, Adam Dunn. Though batting only .202 when he went down with a torn PCL, Dunn was a legitimate power threat, with 9 homers but 34 last season. The injury means that whatever concerns there are that kept Babe Ruth limited in the first 2 ½ months of the season, they’re cast aside now. Ruth is back in every day in the hopes he can improve his patience – he’s only 21, remember - to best utilize his massive power. On June 24, he slammed two homers and drove in 6 against Sacramento, perhaps a sign of what’s to come. Everyone is underperforming at this point other than rookie 1B Eddie Waitkus (.278-13-55). Can the heart of Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton and the reinstated Ruth lift the Hitmen to a second-half surge? Chicago fans are counting on it. AWARDS Player of the Week 6/6 RF John Anderson – Philadelphia Ringers 6/13 LF Harry Walker – Sacramento Stingers 6/20 LF Charley Jones – Philadelphia Ringers 6/27 SS John Beckwith – Charlotte Cougars Batter of the Month 1B Roger Connor – New York Heroes Pitcher of the Month Jim McCormick - New York Heroes Rookie of the Month SS John Beckwith – Charlotte Cougars
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The Pastime Baseball League The Pastime Baseball League - 10-Year Recap The Pastime Boxing Association Last edited by EMSoccerCoach; 10-19-2009 at 10:21 AM. |
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10-19-2009, 03:33 PM
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#402 |
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,464
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Pastime Baseball League June Review (cont.) Nobody's running away in what seems like the best year of the PBL's first three as far as pennant races go. The New Orleans Knights continue to lead the Southern League's East division, though, led by perennially brilliant Sam Thompson (.325-21-58), hoping to land his first Outstanding Hitter Award after running second to Oscar Charleston two years in a row. On the hill, we're used to the names Doc McJames (6-5, 3.91), Mark Prior (9-5, 3.49) and Dontrelle Willis (10-4, 3.72). But the ERA leader? Rich Harden (6-7, 3.44).
The Orlando Orcas are nipping at the heels of the Knights, raising their offense in the last month from 8th in the Southern League to 4th. Honus Wagner (.264-7-39) hit .292 on the month, a hopeful sign he's about to break into what the Orcas expected when they drafted him three years ago. In the meantime, Sam Crawford (.338-9-68) is brilliant and CF Pete Browning (.322-6-32) continues his evolution as a big player in the PBL, albeit at the age of 32. In Alabama, the Airmen are now 34-23 in the last two months. The pitching is strong, as Dan Haren (8-3, 2.76), Virgil Trucks (10-5, 3.07) and Vic Willis (7-6, 3.39) continue to throw well. Now, CC Sabathia (3-4, 4.04) has been added to the rotation, and put up an even 3.00 ERA in June. Offensively, a spark is coming from Jimmy Rollins (.323-5-28), who batted .354 in June. The Memphis Strummers made a flat-out declaration they are looking to win it now, responding to criticism that perhaps the team was looking to retool. Then went on to go 16-12 in June and get back in the hunt. Ty Wigginton (.337-14-44) still can't be explained, but he's complementing the known stars incredibly well. Oscar Charleston (.313-12-43) may not be all-world this year, but he's still among the game's best. Ryan Braun (.268-23-58) should make his first All-Star appearance. Rookie pitcher Hank Wyse sat on the reserve squad until May 23. Since then, he's made 8 starts, gone 6-1 with a 2.04 ERA and won the Pitcher of the Month award for May. It's Idol worship in Los Angeles, as the L.A. Idols are exciting the fans with a dynamic offense that glosses over the PBL's worst pitching staff. Averaging 5.7 runs a game, the Idols continue to get production through the lineup, with their top four hitters: newly acquired Sammy Strang (.337), C Cal McVey (.335), CF Mike Donlin (.377) and 1B Fred Tenney (.357) batting over .330. The San Antonio Sheriffs are trying to hang in with pitching. The offense is poor - and there's no better evidence of that then Ted Trent having only five wins despite a 2.89 ERA. Dick Rudolph has been more fortunate, going 11-4 with a 2.69 ERA. The Las Vegas Bosses have collapsed under the weight of injuries to Lip Pike (out until the end of August with a broken ankle) and Alejandro Oms (done for the year with a torn ACL after going .323-11-32) before his injury June 22.) The Arizona Sandmen have been dreadful, going 9-18 in June as Nap Lajoie (.227-10-42) continues to struggle and sparkplug Jose Reyes (.316-6-30, 16 SB) is done for at least a month with an elbow injury). In the midst of all that, the Sandmen traded Ryan Howard, making him the PBL's first two-time trade piece. Howard was dealt to Las Vegas for pitching prospect Justin Verlander AWARDS Player of the Week 6/6 CF Oscar Charleston - Memphis Strummers 6/13 LF Pete Browning - Orlando Orcas 6/20 CF Mike Donlin - Los Angeles Idols 6/27 LF Ryan Braun - Memphis Strummers Batter of the Month CF Mike Donlin - Los Angeles Idols Pitcher of the Month Hank Wyse - Memphis Strummers Rookie of the Month 1B Justin Morneau - Los Angeles Idols
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The Pastime Baseball League The Pastime Baseball League - 10-Year Recap The Pastime Boxing Association Last edited by EMSoccerCoach; 10-19-2009 at 06:09 PM. |
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10-19-2009, 06:16 PM
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#403 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Hall Of Famer
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Posts: 2,464
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Pastime Baseball League All-Star Rosters Announced The participants in the 3rd Annual Pastime Baseball League All-Star Game have been announced. Northern League All-Stars
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The Pastime Baseball League The Pastime Baseball League - 10-Year Recap The Pastime Boxing Association Last edited by EMSoccerCoach; 10-19-2009 at 06:18 PM. |
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10-19-2009, 06:56 PM
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#404 |
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,464
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Pastime Baseball League July 11, 2011 PBL To Add Four Teams in 2013 League says division, playoff structures to remain Pastime Baseball League president Matt Hendricks addressed the media today, putting to rest speculation about the big announcement leaked several weeks ago. "The PBL has been a tremendous success," Hendricks began. "That success has created both the financial wherewithal and the popularity-based need for the league to expand. It is with that in mind that the PBL announces it will add four new teams to begin play with the 2013 season. We are accepting pitches for prospective cities in each region at this time, but as should be obvious each division will pick up one team." In followup, Hendricks made clear the following: -- There will be no realignment. Each division will add one of the new franchises and no teams will be moved outside of their current divisions. -- The playoff structure will not change. No wildcards, division winners only. Boston, Atlanta, Oklahoma City and Portland are early favorites to pick up new franchises, but Hendricks made clear the league is very open to smaller cities seeking a franchise. "If they can present a viable plan, we will gladly consider them." The new cities will be announced a week after the PBL Championship Series concludes. |
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10-19-2009, 07:36 PM
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#405 |
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 9,037
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Cool. I think with five teams per division it should lead to even better pennant races.
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10-19-2009, 07:48 PM
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#406 | |
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Hall Of Famer
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Posts: 2,464
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10-19-2009, 08:31 PM
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Hall Of Famer
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Posts: 2,464
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The Pastime Baseball League The Pastime Baseball League - 10-Year Recap The Pastime Boxing Association Last edited by EMSoccerCoach; 10-19-2009 at 08:52 PM. |
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10-20-2009, 06:39 PM
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#408 |
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,464
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Pastime Baseball League July 28, 2011 Hitmen Fire LaRussa  CHICAGO -- After five straight losses in a season that has spiraled on them in eerily similar fashion to the inaugural 2009 campaign, the Chicago Hitmen prepared to board a plane headed for New York, where they visit the East division-leading New York Heroes. Tony LaRussa won't be joining them. General Manager Javier Martinez announced today that the Hitmen - 37-66 currently - have relieved LaRussa of his duties, replacing him with Bill McKechnie. The decision marks LaRussa's second termination. He was fired as manager of the New Orleans Knights early in 2009, and the Knights went on to thrive under skipper Walter Alston. Now, LaRussa is jobless again. "It's frustrating," LaRussa said. "We have been decimated by injuries. I'm the same guy who had this team rolling at the end of last year. I didn't forget how to manage." But Martinez said there was more to it. "There is a feeling, as an organization, that the clubhouse, the team, could not continue on the course it was on." Asked whether Babe Ruth's apparent banishment to start the season was part of the decision, Martinez declined to elaborate. "We're doing what's best going forward," he said. McKechnie walks into arguably the PBL's most talented locker room. Yet that talent has peaked as a team fighting to reach .500 last season. Whether he proves to have a similar touch as Alston did in succeeding LaRussa remains to be seen. |
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10-20-2009, 06:57 PM
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#409 |
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 13,112
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I also like the addition of the four new teams, and the firing of LaRussa. I'm hoping the Hitmen go on a run with their new skipper.
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10-20-2009, 07:05 PM
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#410 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Hall Of Famer
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Posts: 2,464
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Pastime Baseball League July Review Standings as of August 1, 2011
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The Pastime Baseball League The Pastime Baseball League - 10-Year Recap The Pastime Boxing Association Last edited by EMSoccerCoach; 10-20-2009 at 07:07 PM. |
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10-20-2009, 07:12 PM
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#411 | |
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Posts: 2,464
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10-20-2009, 08:09 PM
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Pastime Baseball League July Review (cont.) Northern League Leaders as of August 1, 2011
Southern League Leaders as of August 1, 2011
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10-20-2009, 09:15 PM
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#413 |
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,418
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I will financially back a team in baltimore with enthusiasm.
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http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...urnaments.html- Nerd Tournaments |
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10-20-2009, 09:42 PM
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#414 | |
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Hall Of Famer
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Posts: 2,464
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10-20-2009, 10:34 PM
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#415 |
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,464
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Pastime Baseball League July Review (cont.) Northern League Review We have hit August 1 with all four division races within five games. The top and bottom two have segmented themselves, it seems, in each division. We begin with the New York Heroes, who are desperately trying to hold off a tough Louisville squad. New York has been the PBL's most steady team since the year began, going 4 or 6 games over .500 in each month. Roger Connor (.333-10-62) has a remarkable .448 OBP, also rapping 32 doubles already. But it remains pitching that rules the day, with Jim McCormick (15-4, 3.32) and Frank Killen (15-2, 2.49) each having 15 wins with two months remaining in the season. David Wright leads the team with 13 homers, despite batting only .221. The Louisville Racers' Roy Oswalt (13-2, 2.98) has struck out more than 200 batters in each of his first two seasons. This year, he likely won't even strike out 150. Yet, it could end up his best season yet, having cut down on the gopher ball from 32 and 27 in his first two years to only 13 this season. Of possible concern: Dan Brouthers' (.281-21-72) has seen his slugging percentage drop in each of the last three months. Outstanding Hitter candidate John O'Rourke (.290-27-86) of the Philadelphia Ringers tore his hamstring July 28 and is out until mid-September, effectively crippling the Ringers' hopes at a surge back into contention. Satchel Paige (7-9, 4.63) posted a 2.45 ERA in July, but even if he's coming back to form the offensive loss of O'Rourke will likely make the 8 1/2 game deficit insurmountable. In 55 games with the Los Angeles Idols, Jay Gibbons had 10 homers, 34 RBI and 31 runs scored. In 48 games with the Wichita Brigade? Eleven homers, 41 RBI and 35 runs. Pretty even production. The difference? Gibbons hit .242 before the trade that brought him to Wichita...and has hit .332 since. Add Rube Waddell (12-4, 4.34) returning to form - he's 8-1, 2.88 since June 1 - and the Brigade are closing in on a .600 mark for the third straight year. At the trading deadline, the Indianapolis Engines dealt power-potential laden Jonny Gomes (19 homers last season, but only 1 this year) to the Ringers for Charley Radbourn (9-9, 4.66). Old Hoss went 4-1 with a 2.30 ERA in July, and the Engines hope he can jumpstart the rotation. Stan Musial (.284-18-79) has been outstanding, seeming a shoe-in for Outstanding Rookie and driving in 29 runs in July alone. Key will be a 4-game set at home against Wichita August 8-11. In many circles, the story remains the Chicago Hitmen. Despite their last-place status, they draw perhaps the most attention of any team in the PBL. Josh Hamilton (.322-7-30) is back off the DL, but went homerless in the three weeks since his return. Albert Pujols (.248-11-51) suffers from lack of protection, and Babe Ruth (.241-7-36) has sported a 54:6 strikeout-to-walk ratio since getting back in the lineup every day. How bad is it? Cy Young has a respectable 3.54 ERA. His record? How about 1-9? Simply, new skipper Bill McKechnie has a lot of talent, but a lot of work to do here in what seems to be a wash season. AWARDS Player of the Week 7/4 RF Fred Clarke - Indianapolis Engines 7/11 1B Jay Gibbons - Wichita Brigade 7/18 1B Jake Beckley - Indianapolis Engines 7/25 LF Abner Dalrymple - Indianapolis Engines Batter of the Month 1B/OF Jay Gibbons - Wichita Brigade Pitcher of the Month Rube Waddell - Wichita Brigade Rookie of the Month 3B Peanuts Lowrey - Philadelphia Ringers |
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10-21-2009, 09:05 PM
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#416 |
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,464
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Pastime Baseball League July Review (cont.) Southern League Review If at the start of the season, anybody would have said that on August 1, the last two Southern League East Division champions would be in third and last in the division, you would have said they were crazy. And yet, that's how it stands, as the Orlando Orcas lead the way, with the surging Alabama Airmen close behind. Sam Crawford and Pete Browning hit .370 and .320, respectively, in July, while four starters put up an ERA of 3.15 or less en route to an 18-8 month. At 4-11 after a 1-4 June with a 7.01 ERA, Tim Keefe (8-11, 4.05) went 4-0 with a 2.83 ERA during the month. Upcoming the Orcas host the west leading Los Angeles Idols and the third-place defending champion New Orleans Hurricanes for three games each in a tough, short homestand. Since May 1, the Airmen are 49-33, a .598 clip. No exceptional seasons to blow anyone away - though Jimmy Rollins (.312-7-36-19 SB) is on fire - but steady production from each spot and a top three in the rotation that looks ready to go toe-to-toe with anyone. Dan Haren (12-4, 3.23), Virgil Trucks (13-7, 3.25) and Barry Zito (11-4, 3.77) are throwing very well. John Lackey will take the place of the injured Vic Willis (8-8, 3.31), perhaps for the remainder of the regular season. The Knights are 9 games below. 500 since May 1, and - while it's unlikely he would have kept it up at that level - the June injury to Eric Hinske (.353-5-26), lost for the year with a broken kneecap, has hurt. The current DH tandem is Brad Hawpe (.139-0-1) and Lave Cross (.216-1-8). Sam Thompson (.303-24-73) is strong despite little help, though Prince Fielder has 20 homers and Ross Barnes is batting .317. In Memphis, an 8-17 month has put the Strummers in the cellar. There are a host of reasons, but everyone wants to know what's happened to Cap Anson (.274-3-25). In 2009, Anson hit .338 with 26 homers and 118 RBI. Last year: .282, 5 homers and 51 RBI. There are no injuries of which anyone is aware, but Anson's decline is alarming. Patience, once a virtue, is nonexistent. He walked 88 times, striking out 93 in '09. Last year he walked 18 and struck out 23. This year he's walked 10 times and struck out 15. He's abandoned an approach that worked brilliantly, and nobody seems able to get him back on track. It's a two-horse race out west, but it's a good one. The Los Angeles Idols are doing all they can to prove pitching doesn't win championships. Ranking 7th of 8 in ERA in the Southern League, baseball's best offense just keeps piling up the wins. Mike Donlin (.365-26-74) cooled down to merely good (.330-3-14) in July after a 2-month stretch that saw him post a 1.275 OPS, banging 20 homers and driving in 49. No matter. Cal McVey (.349-8-48) hit .390 in July, and rookie Vern Stephens (.309-6-42) hit .366. Add Justin Morneau's .325 and the lineup kept doing what it does...beating people up. Of the 15 position players on the active roster, 11 of them are hitting better than .300. That doesn't scare the San Antonio Sheriffs, who watched Brandon Webb (8-8, 4.03) go 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA in July to join their already stellar top 3: Ted Trent (10-4, 2.62), Dick Rudolph (12-8, 3.05) and Joe McGinnity (12-7, 3.36). San Antonio hosts Los Angeles, who leads by 2 games, for a 3-game set August 5-7. The Idols have taken 8 of 14 so far this year. AWARDS Player of the Week 7/4 CF Joey Gathright - Arizona Sandmen 7/11 CF Mike Donlin - Los Angeles Idols 7/18 LF Harry Stovey - Los Angeles Idols 7/25 RF George Van Haltren - Alabama Airmen Batter of the Month CF Oscar Charleston - Memphis Strummers Pitcher of the Month Ted Trent - San Antonio Sheriffs Rookie of the Month SS Vern Stephens - Los Angeles Idols |
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10-22-2009, 09:52 AM
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#417 |
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Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,464
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Pastime Baseball League July Review (cont.) Trade Deadline Moves Louisville Racers traded 25-year-old shortstop Hughie Jennings (.244-2-19) to the New York Heroes, getting 28-year-old reliever Brian Fuentes (3-1, 2.28, 2 SV) in return. - imagine a trade in real life going down between two teams 1 game apart for the division lead! The Sacramento Stingers traded 27-year-old center fielder Cory Sullivan (.289-1-19) to the Arizona Sandmen, getting 25-year-old starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo (7-10, 5.80) in return. - An odd deal for two teams out of contention. Arroyo has more upside than Sullivan, though. The Philadelphia Ringers traded 26-year-old left fielder Matt Holliday (.312-12-55) to the Charlotte Cougars, getting 26-year-old starting pitcher Jack Stivetts (8-11, 4.36) in return. - Philadelphia and Charlotte are 8.5 and 9.5 out, respectively. This seems dumb for Philadelphia. Holliday is having a very good year, Stivetts is not. While Philly's hitting is in better shape than their pitching, Stivetts doesn't seem the kind of addition that's going to make up the gap between Philly and the New York/Louisville tandem at the top. Charlotte's offense ranks 7th, so this deal helps them more, though the gap is still a lot. The Indianapolis Engines traded 26-year-old left fielder Jonny Gomes (.149-1-4) to the Philadelphia Ringers, getting 28-year-old starting pitcher Charley Radbourn (9-9, 4.66) in return. - This deal makes the previous one all the more ridiculous. Gomes will now take Holliday's DH spot, while Stivetts takes Radbourn's. Two similar pitchers for a dramatic reduction in offense. Indianapolis is only 5 games out, and Radbourn should help the Northern League's 6th rated pitching staff.
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The Pastime Baseball League The Pastime Baseball League - 10-Year Recap The Pastime Boxing Association Last edited by EMSoccerCoach; 10-22-2009 at 02:51 PM. |
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10-22-2009, 02:53 PM
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#418 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Hall Of Famer
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Pastime Baseball League August Review As of Sept. 1, 2011
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10-22-2009, 03:42 PM
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Pastime Baseball League August Review (cont.) Northern League Leaders as of Sept. 1, 2011
Southern League Leaders as of Sept. 1, 2011
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10-24-2009, 05:25 PM
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#420 |
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Pastime Baseball League August Review (cont.) Northern League Review The PBL is prepared to start what should be its most exciting September in the league's three-year history. Three of the four divisions are within 2 1/2 games. The first of those is the Northern League's east division, which sees the defending division champion New York Heroes clinging to a two games lead over the Louisville Racers. New York went 18-10 in August, trying to put the pressure on Louisville, which went 17-11 in its own right. All season, we've noted that Roger Connor (.343-20-94) has been great, but his power seemed to have dwindled. August changed that. Not only did the slugging first baseman hit .379 on the month, but he banged 10 homers during the month, driving in 32 runs in a brilliant effort. Jesse Burkett (.310-13-79) his .349 on the month, and Dick Higham chipped in with a .364 mark. Baseball's best pitching staff kept it up. The starters were solid, not spectacular. But the bullpen of Jonathan Papelbon, Ubaldo Jimenez and Allen Sotheron posted an excellent 2.97 ERA. One reliever missing was Brian Fuentes, dealt in a stunning deal at the trade deadline to Louisville in exchange for Hughie Jennings. Fuentes went 1-0 with a save and a 2.45 ERA for Louisville during the month. Despite an off month for Roy Oswalt (16-4, 3.22 on the year but a 4.10 ERA in August), the trio of Nig Cuppy, Edinson Volquez and Shawn Chacon put up a cumulative 10-3, 2.32 mark in August. The offense struggled though, despite Dan Brouthers (.280-27-88) trying to fight off his annual second-half drop-off. The season ends with Louisville visiting New York for a four-game series. New York has won 11 of 18 this year between the two teams, and has a 46-22 record at home this year. The year's final blow to the Philadelphia Ringers came down at the end of July when John O'Rourke (.290-27-86) went down with a hamstring injury that is expected to keep him out another three weeks. The inexplicable trade of Matt Holliday for Jack Stivetts certainly didn't help...Stivetts went 2-3 with a 6.52 ERA during the month. For a Charlotte Cougars team that's all but done, the look is forward. Top draft choice John Beckwith (.277-14-68) hit .336 in August and snagged his second Rookie of the Month award. Matt Cain (5-6, 4.52) suffered an oblique strain early in the month and has been sidelined since. Returning from Tommy John surgery this year, Cain has been hot and cold, but has a 1.02 ERA in August before going down. That offers hope he, Ben Sheets (9-11, 3.39) and Cliff Lee (13-10, 3.73) could form a nice 1-2-3 punch next season. The only division race beyond 2 1/2 games is the Northern League west, where the Wichita Brigade weren't great - going 15-13 - but gained two more games on the Indianapolis Engines, who went 13-15, opening the division lead to 7 games as we start September. Wichita swept four games in Indianapolis August 8-11, allowing only 7 runs all series. They returned to Indianapolis August 26-28 and lost 2 of 3, but if the Engines want their four-game visit to Wichita Sept. 22-25 to mean something, they'll need to turn it on in the coming weeks. Deadline pickup Jay Gibbons (.289-23-80) went down with a shoulder separation in the first week of August and his missed the rest of the month, but is due back this week. Skipper Whitey Herzog is sending out a lineup of 7 players hitting .290 or better on most days, and 8 players hit .292 or better in August. The July shift of Johnny Schmitz to the rotation has paid enormous dividends. Jay Hughes moped his way through a horrible July after the switch, but posted a 1.98 ERA in August. But Schmitz took to starting right away, and has gone 6-0 with a 1.46 ERA since the move, going at least 8 innings in 7 of the 8 starts. Rube Waddell (17-6, 4.10) went 5-2 with a 3.55 ERA, striking out 74 batters in 58 1/3 innings. It's an uphill climb, but Indianapolis won't quit. The offense struggled in August, though, and the pitching was mediocre. All five starters posted ERAs between 4.24 and 4.83. The Engines need Hanley Ramirez (.264-10-46) to get back to midseason form after August echoed his horrendous April. He and rookie Stan Musial (.288-19-87) will have a lot of pressure to lead the Engines down the stretch. After a disgusting 5-20 mark in July that to their manager's termination and a major change in lineup, the Chicago Hitmen were 13-15 in August. They now have four starters with an ERA below 4.20 (three below 4.00), but the lineup struggled. Albert Pujols (.265-15-65) hit .325 and Josh Hamilton (.324-12-46) hit .306. Beyond that - including Babe Ruth (.244-9-49), whose plate patience continues to lack - the offense was paltry. Chicago's Championship Series could come in the season's last weekend, when they visit Wichita for a three-game set as a possible spoiler. For the Sacramento Stingers, the season comes down to this: The fewest runs scored and the most runs allowed. That's how you go 49-83. The good news? They are in line to get the top draft pick. AWARDS Player of the Week 8/1 CF Paul Hines - Charlotte Cougars 8/8 RF Jesse Burkett - New York Heroes 8/15 RF Josh Hamilton - Chicago Hitmen 8/22 C Frank Chance - Wichita Brigade 8/29 C Dick Higham - New York Heroes Batter of the Month 1B Roger Connor - New York Heroes Pitcher of the Month Rube Waddell - Wichita Brigade Rookie of the Month SS John Beckwith - Charlotte Cougars |
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