The American Baseball League

[gehrig38]

• Matt Behrens shows up in a big way and Tommy Dziedzic keeps his hot October rolling.. The offense wakes up.
• Buffalo leads the series 2-1
• Brooklyn leads the series 3-1

[gehrig38]

• Ok, caught speechless again. How on earth is this offense shut down? I mean we weren't shut down in the sense we had 12 hits but damn. Now a game away from ending it, again. I don't want to sweat like this playing a game. Handing it to the ace for the first of what has to be THREE must-wins.
• Buffalo leads the series 3-1
• Brooklyn leads the series 3-2

[gehrig38]

• Holy crap, really? Tommy Dziedzic is creating a legendary reputation at a very young age. Dave Nolasco singles in Reyes in the 1st and nothing but 3 singles the rest of the way. Collins is exactly who we need him to be, the only mark on the day was a 5th inning run but the bullpen comes through with Scott and Lach getting huge K's with 2 on in the 8th before Dziedzic does it again.
• Buffalo leads the series 3-2

[gehrig38]

• Take a look at the box scores for Baltimore's 4-5 hitters.
• Series tied 3-3

[gehrig38]

• Andy Adrian comes up with a game for the ages and we are heading to a 7th game, again....
• Side note, and not a small one, Joe Tighe is hurt again running the bases. It's going to be 3-5 days and it's severe enough to warrant not starting him.
  With them throwing a lefty I'll have to turn to a rookie in Andriani in a game 7.
  
• Baltimore comes back from down 3-1 to take the series.
• Series MVP-John Ventre (BAL) 10-24 4 HR 8 RBI

[gehrig38]

• Had no idea it would be this hard. But Matt Behrens is back and Tommy Dziedzic is a legend already.
• Series MVP-Pretty controversial vote here as Andy Adrian wins it .379-3-10 with a fantastic series but many think Tommy Dziedzic should have won after his .391/.417/.783 3 HR 6 RBI series.

[gehrig38]

• Joe Tighe will not start games 1-2. He will be available off the bench but I'd like to avoid that at all costs. Collins on 3 days rest is not out of the question either. But as it stands now, if it goes 7, Behrens would get 4 and 7.

[gehrig38]

[gehrig38]

Nick Archers 2 out game-tying HR in the bottom of the 9th made me think the momentum and series were about to swing my way......

[gehrig38]

Can't even comment. Nothing to say. This is insane.

[gehrig38]

I could have made 545,312 predictions and NONE of them would have had
1) Being swept in 4 games
2) Being shut out 1-0 in a game 7.

Congratulations to Baltimore, I'm going to go break ****.

[gehrig38]

[gehrig38]

This post might sound weird but I have to ask.
Once again I’m reading Orcins Louisville dynasty and enjoying it every bit as much as I did before.
I just came across another of his post talking about how much he enjoyed interacting with followers.
I became one and interacted with him often.
I also really enjoyed finding out what others found interesting.
I’m on my umpteenth franchise with these rustlers and probably into it and enjoying as much as any since my debut with the iron pigs dynasty.
Here’s my question and TOTALLY ignore if I’m totally off base.
Did I do something to offend or blacklist myself here?
I ask because I haven’t gotten a single comment in a loooooong time.
I know many don’t want to interrupt a thread but I’ve always been open about wanting questions feedback or dialogue.
I want to know if the dynasty is boring or I am not writing a compelling or interesting blog.
I , like orcin, do this as much out of interest and joy as I do for love of playing the game. But in all honesty if I didn’t blog I’d likely not play.
If I’m off base just ignore. If I am in the ballpark let me know that too.
I know some folks are following but the amazing community here is the reason I blog and play and if I’m not part of that anymore that’s totally cool I’d just like to not be the last to know.
Like I said maybe this is an odd post but I had to ask.
P.S. orcin it’s time for another fictional dynasty my friend!

[fett2k]

Curt, long time reader of your dynasties and a big fan of yours on and off the field.

I love the passion you have for this game, and these reports help convey that to the reader. I truly felt the pain of the end of this recent season and look forward to the next!

Keep up the good work!

[pauwoo]

Anecdotally, it seems to me that there is a number of things at play here… 1. The loss of the “thanks” functionality can make these boards feel a bit barren, 2. I feel like there are less people hanging out these days as other options for interacting, like discord:Reddit, seem to be the places to go to discuss OOTP, and 3. this time of year, there always seems to be less active dynasties on the boards. Again, this is just my guess, as I’ve never really looked too deep. I will say that I get less comments than I did a few years ago, but I do these as much as an excuse to hobby-write and obsess over this silly game than anything else, so…

I imagine, though, that there are a lot of folks like me out here who peruse most of the active dynasties without commenting/interacting much. BTW, tough sweep at the end there.

[DD Martin]

Originally Posted by pauwoo

Anecdotally, it seems to me that there is a number of things at play here… 1. The loss of the “thanks” functionality can make these boards feel a bit barren, 2. I feel like there are less people hanging out these days as other options for interacting, like discord:Reddit, seem to be the places to go to discuss OOTP, and 3. this time of year, there always seems to be less active dynasties on the boards. Again, this is just my guess, as I’ve never really looked too deep. I will say that I get less comments than I did a few years ago, but I do these as much as an excuse to hobby-write and obsess over this silly game than anything else, so…

I imagine, though, that there are a lot of folks like me out here who peruse most of the active dynasties without commenting/interacting much. BTW, tough sweep at the end there.

I agree Pauwoo, I really miss the thanks button as well. I always felt like it was a good way to acknowledge to a writer that you were following along and appreciating a good story. I spend a lot of time involved in the online league I’m in and haven’t been as active here. But there are several long running diaries that I follow including this one.

[gehrig38]

Thanks! Sorry if it felt like I was trolling for comments but I really did want to know if anyone was actually following!
I really do do this for you guys following and am having as much fun as I ever have with the rustlers.
I think I’m going to begin a mini transition to orcin/schilling blog wherein I do go into more detail about my guys AND. Still retain detail about the league. They don’t need to be mutually exclusive but I so love what orcin did that I want to try and recreate that level of immersion both team and league wide.

[gehrig38]

2016 OFF-SEASON
I liked the format last season where I kept each team moves under in their own place. Helps to see who does stuff and who does not.

AWARD WINNERS
(BTW The Rivera award goes to the league's “best reliever” while the Rolaids is given to the 'traditional' winner of the award by pts. 3pts=SV 2pt=Win -2 for Loss and BS)

2016 PATRIOT LEAGUE JACKIE ROBINSON AWARD WINNER-Wally Williams LF (LV) .345-26-69 69 R .427 OBP .616 SLG 27 2B 4.2 WAR
2016 COLONIAL LEAGUE JACKIE ROBINSON AWARD WINNER-Cameron Poche (FW) .272-15-62 .349 OBP 85 R 45 2B 44-63 SB 5.3 WAR
2016 PATRIOT LEAGUE BABE RUTH AWARD WINNER-Ben Davis LF (BRK) .312-33-124 95 R 40 2B .413 OBP
2016 COLONIAL LEAGUE BABE RUTH AWARD WINNER-Andy Adrian CF (AUS) .345-29-122 .392 OBP 216 H 40 2B 12 3B 136 R (2nd consecutive MVP) Dave Nolasco finished 2nd
2016 PATRIOT LEAGUE SANDY KOUFAX AWARD WINNER-Dakota Eddleman (BRK) 17-9 2.67 239.2 IP 249 K 44 BB .207 OPP AVG
2016 COLONIAL LEAGUE SANDY KOUFAX AWARD WINNER-Tim Collins (AUS) 21-2 2.05 210.2 IP 251 K (Steve Forney took 2nd with Brendon Biernacki finishing 3rd)
2016 PATRIOT LEAGUE MARIANO RIVERA AWARD WINNER-Pat Yoder (BRK) 6-4 46 SV 2.56 70.1 IP 90 K 16 BB
2016 COLONIAL LEAGUE MARIANO RIVERA AWARD WINNER-Nate Scott (AUS) 6-2 4 SV 1.34 53.2 IP 87 K 30 H 9 BB 0.73 WHIP
2016 PATRIOT LEAGUE ROLAIDS AWARD WINNER-Pat Yoder (BRK) 126 pts
2016 COLONIAL LEAGUE ROLAIDS AWARD WINNER-Ranan Laskey (AUS) 129 pts
2016 PATRIOT LEAGUE CASEY STENGAL AWARD WINNER-Brian Hoelzer (BAL) 2nd consecutive year
2016 COLONIAL LEAGUE CASEY STENGAL AWARD WINNER-Rickey Sanford (AUS) 7th time he's won the award. All 7 in the past 8 years.

PATRIOT LEAGUE GOLD GLOVE WINNERS

• 8 1st time winners with Izzy Guzman being the only repeat, winning his 6th gold glove at SS.
• P—Bobby Dare (NYP)
• C—Mathew Beaton (LA)
• 1B—Ryan Terry (DEN)
• 2B—Milt Hughes (DEN)
• 3B—Josh Duncan (LV)
• SS—Izzy Guzman (SD) (6)
• LF—Jared Sickles (SJ)
• CF—Rafael Lopez (CHI)
• RF—Heriberto Perez (PHX)

• COLONIAL LEAGUE GOLD GLOVE WINNERS
• P—Matthew Sheffler (CHA)
• C—Jeff Bingham (GB) (2)
• 1B—Bryan Peoples (CHA)
• 2B—Dylan Rucker (GB) (2)
• 3B—Paul Blau (MEM) (4)
• SS—Joe Tighe (AUS)
• LF—Ryan Libro (FW)
• CF—Nick Mauzey (HOU)
• RF—Adrian Kessler (GB)

PATRIOT LEAGUE SILVER SLUGGERS (# of SS won)
** denotes Silver Slugger AND Gold Glove Winner

• P—Dave Miller (BRK)
• C—Brian Harris (PIT) (2)
• 1B—Brendan Robbins (NYP) (4)
• 2B—Matt Barlow (PHX)
• 3B—Jason Hogan (NYP)
• SS—Dustin Weisenberger (BAL) (2)
• LF—Ben Davis (BRK)
• CF—Sandy Gutierrez (SJ) (2)
• RF—Chris Towers (SJ)

COLONIAL LEAGUE SILVER SLUGGERS

• P—Mike Spitler (NYE) (3)
• C—Joe Miner (NYE) (3)
• 1B—Sam Jones (SAN)
• 2B—Sam Reyes (AUS)
• 3B—Larry Peet (PRO) (5)
• SS—Joe Tighe (AUS) (2)**
• LF—Amir White (HOU) (2)
• CF—Andy Adrian (AUS) (2)
• RF—Dave Nolasco (AUS)

[gehrig38]

ARBITRATION

• I will tender Sam Reyes knowing full well he'll turn down the 7.1m offer sheet as he is looking, and will likely get a multi-year deal north of 10 million.
• 2 things: 1) It will be VERY unpopular with the fans and in the clubhouse and 2) we will get a comp pick most likely a sandwich or 2nd rounder.
• I will not tender Cody Lytle. 7.1 million for a reliever who is not a lockdown 50 save closer is insane. He'd accept in a heartbeat and we have a very good stable of talented arms waiting in the wings.
• We ended up going 2-8 in arbitration and Reyes did in fact turn down the offer sheet. We are more than ok payroll-wise and have enough to actually make some moves if the right ones present themselves.
• Tommy Dziedzic won his arbitration case at 2.25 million but we are in the midst of contract talks on a lengthy extension. I have no doubt his arbitration numbers will balloon so I will try and buy them out as well as a year or two of free agency if he's open to it. He's just 23 years old.

[gehrig38]

AUSTIN TEAM NOTES

• Ownership was extremely pleased with the year. They asked for an extension for Nolasco, done.
• They asked to acquire an all-star caliber player, Tim Collins was signed, done.
• They asked for a World Series title, sorta done. They were happy with the WS appearance which is pretty much all you can ask.
• They'd like a championship and to re-sign SP Chris Lach.
• They'd also like to build a team that will contend the next 5 seasons.
• Our budget has gotten a huge lift, 140 million next year. That will be the league's highest. Should give us a payroll ceiling of around 130 million.
• I don't expect to get there, and I won't try. I will not be active in the FA market. My biggest concerns are to solidify the bullpen and try to get someone either internally, or a FA, or via trade, to assume the closers role period. No switching around, no committee, a bonafide closer.
• And I would really like to get a solid 3 position utility infielder to supplement McLaughlin.
• The only other potential move would be finding a good SP on the lower end of the market and sliding them into the 4 or 5 spots and making it so I only have 1 rookie, at most, to break in.