Millennial League Baseball, est. 2001

[Questdog]

Friday, October 10, 2003

The Millennial Cup

Richmond Robins (1-0) at
Syracuse Sycamores (0-1)

Game 2
Leroy Chandler, Rich vs Frank Cane, Syr

Syracuse won, 7 to 6
The series is tied, 1 game apiece

Larry Chandler (5 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 1 HR, 2 BB, 2 SO)
L - Bruce Roach (0-1 BS 1) (1.1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO)

Frank Cane (2.1 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 1 HR, 1 BB, 1 SO)
John Boston (3.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO)
W - Eli Kyzar (1-0) (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 0 SO)
SV - Ron Wisham (1) (2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 2 SO)

Richmond scored 6 runs in the 3rd inning to go up, 6 to 1, by Syracuse came back with 3 runs in the 5th and 2 in the 6th to tied the game. Jim Beard lead off with a triple in the 7th and scored on a SF to give the lead to the Sycamores.

For Richmond, CF Jose Vazquez had 2 hits and scored a run. SS Skip Dunkin had 2 hits, scored a run and had an RBI. 2B Mike Sammon had 2 hits with a Grand Slam. C Larry Slattery had 2 hits and scored a run.

For Syracuse, 3B Octavio Garcia went 1 for 1 with 3 walks and scored a run. 1B Bill Crystal, the ex-Jay, had 3 hits, stole 2 bases, scored 2 runs and had 2 RBI. 2B Buddy Elliott had 3 hits with a home run and 3 RBI.

[Questdog]

Sunday, October 12, 2003

The Millennial Cup

Syracuse Sycamores (1-1) at
Richmond Robins (1-1)

Game 3
Tom Peterson, Syr vs Billy Warner, Rich

Richmond won, 7 to 1
They lead the series, 2 games to 1

L - Tom Peterson (0-1) (6 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 HR, 1 BB, 2 SO)
Alfredo Hernandez (1.1 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO)

W - Billy Warner (1-0) (7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 HR, 1 BB, 3 SO)

In a series pitting the two best pitching staffs of their respective divisions against one another, Billy Warner had the first good game by a starter and the Robins won handily.

For Syracuse, SS Frank Bates had 2 hits and scored their only run. 2B Buddy Elliott had 2 hits.

For Richmond, SS Skip Dunkin had his 3rd straight 2 hit game of the series and 5th overall, stole a base, scored a run and had an RBI. 2B Mike Sammon had 2 hits, scored a run and had an RBI. RF Bob Cline went 2 for 2 with a double and a walk and 2 RBI.

[Questdog]

Monday, October 13, 2003

The Millennial Cup

Syracuse Sycamores (1-2) at
Richmond Robins (2-1)

Game 4
David Lucero, Syr vs Brian Brenner, Rich

Syracuse won, 4 to 1
The series is tied, 2 games apiece

W - David Lucero (1-0) (7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 HR, 3 BB, 5 SO)
SV - Benny Martineau (1) (2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 3 SO)

L - Brian Brenner (0-1) (7 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 0 HR, 3 BB, 3 SO)

David Lucero pitched the first good game by a Syracuse starter and the Sycamores won easily.

For Syracuse, LF John Byers had 2 hits, stole a base and scored 2 runs. CF Jim Beard had 4 hits with a double and a triple, scored a run and had 2 RBI. SS Frank Bates had 3 hits and 2 RBI.

For Richmond, CF Jose Vazquez had 2 hits and stole a base. 2B Mike Sammon had 2 hits with a double and an RBI.

[Questdog]

Tuesday, October 14, 2003

The Millennial Cup

Syracuse Sycamores (2-2) at
Richmond Robins (2-2)

Game 5
Ron Hutchins, Syr (0-0) vs Greg Sinclair, Rich (0-0)

Syracuse won, 7 to 2
They lead the series, 3 games to 2

W - Ron Hutchins (1-0) (8 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 6 SO)

L - Greg Sinclair (0-1) (5 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 1 HR, 3 BB, 3 SO)

Richmond did not score a run until Ron Hutchins was lifted in the bottom of the 9th.

For Syracuse, LF John Byers had 2 hits with a double and a triple, scored 2 runs and had an RBI. 3B Octavio Garcia had 2 hits, stole a base and scored a run. C Lee Dean had 3 hits with a home run and 3 RBI. 1B Bill Crystal had 2 hits with his 2nd triple of the series and an RBI. P Ron Hutchins drew 2 walks and scored a run.

For Richmond, CF Jose Vazquez had 2 hits and scored a run.

[Questdog]

Thursday, October 16, 2003

The Millennial Cup

Richmond Robins (2-3) at
Syracuse Sycamores (3-2)

Game 6
Leroy Chandler, Rich (0-0) vs Frank Cane, Syr (0-0)

Richmond won, 5 to 4
The series is tied, 3 games apiece

We will have our first ever Game Seven!

W - Leroy Chandler (1-0) (6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 HR, 1 BB, 1 SO)
SV - Jack Barber (2) (2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 HR, 0 BB, 2 SO)

L - Frank Cane (0-1) (6 IP, 11 H, 4 R, 0 HR, 1 BB, 2 SO)

Richmond led, 5 to 1, after scoring a run in the top of the 7th and held on to win. Frank Bates hit a leadoff home run in the bottom of the 8th to bring Syracuse within a run, but Jack Barber retired the final 6 batters to end the game.

For Richmond, 1B Vince Depew had 3 hits with a double and scored a run. LF Dave Brooks had 3 hits with a double. 3B Ray Montgomery had 3 hits and a walk and scored 2 runs. RF Bob Cline had 2 hits and scored 2 runs. C Larry Slattery hit a double, drew a walk and had 3 RBI. P Leroy Chandler had 2 hits and an RBI.

For Syracuse, SS Frank Bates hit a double and a home run. 1B Bill Crystal hit a double, drew a walk and had 2 RBI.

[Questdog]

Friday, October 17, 2003

The Millennial Cup

Richmond Robins (3-3) at
Syracuse Sycamores (3-3)

Game 7
Billy Warner, Rich (1-0) vs Tom Peterson, Syr (0-1)

Syracuse won, 3 to 1
They win the series, 4 games to 3

It is their 2nd Millennial Cup victory after defeating Memphis in 2001.

L - Billy Warner (1-1) (7 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 HR, 1 BB, 7 SO)

Tom Peterson (5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 2 SO)
W - Alfredo Hernandez (1-0) (2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 HR, 0 BB, 1 SO)
SV - Ron Wisham (2) (1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 HR, 1 BB, 0 SO)

Benny Martineau came into to pitch the top of the 8th inning for Syracuse with a 2 to 0 lead. With 1 out, he gave up a single to Bob Cline and walked Larry Slattery, but then had to leave the game with an injury. Ron Wisham came in and PH Andy Schaeffer lined out to 2nd and they doubled the runner off base to end the inning. Syracuse scored a run in the bottom of the 8th to take a 3 to 0 lead into the top of the 9th. Jose Vazquez led off with a walk. Skip Dunkin grounded into a force at 2nd, 4-6. Vince Depew singled to bring the tying run to the plate. Dave Brooke grounded into a force at 2nd, 3-6. Mike Sammon doubled and Dunkin scored. With 2 outs and runners at 2nd and 3rd, PH Ron Hamilton, who had a go ahead pinch-hit in Game 1, swung at the first pitch and hit a harmless fly ball to center.

For Richmond, CF Jose Vazquez had 2 hits and a walk. 2B Mike Sammon had 2 hits with a double and an RBI.

For Syracuse, CF Jim Beard had 3 hits, stole 2 bases and scored a run. 3B Octavio Garcia hit his 2nd home run of the series, drew a walk and had 2 RBI.

C Lee Dean (30-L) was named the series MVP. He was 10 for 28 (.357) with 3 doubles and a home run, scored 2 runs and had 6 RBI.

[Questdog]

Saturday, October 18, 2003

Going into this off season, I could just re-post my report heading into last off season. Our needs are still the same: More pitching, a 2nd baseman and a center fielder. We also could use a catcher that can hit, but I am actually fairly happy with what we have there. Neither Don Kern or Bert Swope hit for much average, but they both played good defense, drew some walks and showed some power and both can run well for catchers.

We have an issue with Marty Eades, our 3rd baseman and cleanup hitter. He is losing his range quickly and needs to be moved to 1st base. But that is where we have a future slugger (hopefully) in Jack Washburn. We could platoon them, which would actually be good for the team, but not very fair to Marty, who is our all-time leader in HR and RBI and still a great all round hitter. Washburn does not have the arm to play 3rd. I am not too thrilled with Washburn's error rate, but I am willing to put up with it, if he becomes a 30 HR hitter. So, what we will do is make both of them available for trade and we'll take the first good offer we get for either. That means we need a new 3rd baseman. Editor's Note: If Eades loses any more range this Winter, he probably will not even get a rating for 3rd next Spring. Washburn could move to 2nd, where his bat would be relatively much better than at 1st, but he would likely make 30 errors a season. Statistically, it might be a good trade-off for the team, but it would be too embarrassing for me personally to allow such a crappy fielder in the middle of my defense.

P Dale Gilchrist and LF Cal Doty will be made available for trade because they are both injury prone. If dealt, we will need replacements.

As far as the pitching staff goes, we are looking pretty good in the starting rotation. We never found a 5th starter this year who could get anyone out, but Al Calice or Mike Marsh should be able to fill that hole next season and pitch decently. What we really need is a whole new Bullpen. The only good reliever we have, 2-time All-Star Bill Grant, is 33 and likely to start stinking it up at any time....

2B Leander Gooding and RF Rob Worms may have some value for other teams and we will try to trade them this Winter and WILL trade them both next Spring if they are still around by then. Charlie Faber has asked for a trade, so we will make him available, too.

[Questdog]

Sunday, October 19, 2003

2B Ed Diskin (39-R) announced his retirement.

And we got our first trade offer, right off the bat, and it is for Marty Eades and I am going to take it! He is not as good a hitter as Eades has been for us, but he is a better fielder and 6 years younger. And he hit better for Rochester than Eades did for Memphis when we traded for him. In its latest rankings of players by position, Baseball America had Eades as the #5 3rd baseman and this fellow as the #6. On May 7, 2002, McDowell went 5 for 5 with a double and a home run and 5 RBI against us.

Trade #22
3B Marty Eades (32-R) to Rochester for 3B Tom McDowell (26-R)

[Questdog]

Monday, October 27, 2003

The Gold Gloves were announced today:

P Ramiro Huerta, Providence (31-R)
C Mark Scott, Rochester (28-R)
1B Bruce McArthur, Charlotte (25-L) 2nd award(2002)
2B Dan Carroll, Columbus (26-R)
3B Ernie Patterson, Orlando (22-R) 3rd award
SS Joe Tirey, Columbus (32-L) 2nd award(2001)
LF Bob Gorka, Indianapolis (29-S)
CF Jim Beard, Syracuse (25-R)
RF Ron Alario, Memphis (33-R) 2nd award(2002)

[ayaghmour2]

Originally Posted by Questdog

Sunday, October 19, 2003

2B Ed Diskin (39-R) announced his retirement.

And we got our first trade offer, right off the bat, and it is for Marty Eades and I am going to take it! He is not as good a hitter as Eades has been for us, but he is a better fielder and 6 years younger. And he hit better for Rochester than Eades did for Memphis when we traded for him. In its latest rankings of players by position, Baseball America had Eades as the #5 3rd baseman and this fellow as the #6. On May 7, 2002, McDowell went 5 for 5 with a double and a home run and 5 RBI against us.

Trade #22
3B Marty Eades (32-R) to Rochester for 3B Tom McDowell (26-R)

Attachment 732856

Love this trade for you. Eades was awesome, but defense is so important. And McDowell looks like an awesome pickup. Love the glove and it looks like the bat is trending up. With a little more speed he would steal so many bases too. Especially considering he went 22-for-22 last year.

[Questdog]

Originally Posted by ayaghmour2

Love this trade for you. Eades was awesome, but defense is so important. And McDowell looks like an awesome pickup. Love the glove and it looks like the bat is trending up. With a little more speed he would steal so many bases too. Especially considering he went 22-for-22 last year.

Rochester plays in Memorial Stadium, which is a pretty tough place to hit. His batting average should go up for us, especially if he continues to cut down on the strikeouts. He hit .222 at home this year and .295 on the road.

[Questdog]

Tuesday, October 28, 2003

The Fireman Trophy was announced today:

Barry Martineau, Syracuse (32-L) 3-6 1.88 ERA 36 SV (Votes: 16-80)
He won the award last year.

Others receiving votes:
Jack Barber, Richmond (28-R) 6-6 2.44 ERA 38 SV (0-46) 2nd for 3rd year in a row
Jim Rutherford, Columbus (34-R) 5-9 2.69 ERA 28 SV (0-18) 3rd last year


The Rolaids Relief Man Award was also announced:

Steve Dockery, Louisville (26-R) 8-2 3.01 ERA 33 SV - 116 pts

Next 4:
Larry Domino, Ottawa (34-L) 9-2 2.22 ERA 27 SV - 85 pts
Barry Martineau, Syracuse - 81 pts
Jack Barber, Richmond - 80 pts
Brent Webster, Indianapolis (36-R) 6-5 2.32 ERA 29 SV - 72 pts

Editor's Note: The Relief Man award uses a modified version of the formula that was used in the late 70's and 80's. We have added Holds to the mix and penalized losses and blown saves more. (4 X SV) + (3 X W) + (2 X HLD) - (8 X L) - (6 X BS)

[Questdog]

Wednesday, October 29, 2003

The Silver Slugger team was announced today:

(Age-Bats BA-AB-HR-RBI-OPS-SB)
P Franklin Garcia, Hartford (33-R .411-56-0-6-.839-0 1 2B, 1 SO)
C Mike Moen, Hartford (33-L .323-433-7-69-.820-2 25 SO)
1B Gabriel Beltran, Columbus (33-S .320-604-18-90-.875-21 87 BB, 0 CS) 2nd straight award
2B Terry Wolf, Charlotte (31-L .309-476-26-97-.924-1 37 2B)
3B Keith Meyer, Memphis (28-L .361-620-22-85-.968-30 115 R) 3rd award, 2B(2001)
SS Frank Bates, Syracuse (31-R .246-602-33-92-.784-18) 2nd straight award
LF Mickey Lynn, Buffalo (30-L .266-595-39-102-.847-6 91 R) 3rd award, fewest HR of career
CF Mike Fox, Hartford (24-L .317-640-17-70-.858-55 121 R)
RF Gil Weaver, Orlando (25-L .321-607-23-106-.911-19 94 R, 14 3B)

[Questdog]

Thursday, October 30, 2003

The Rookie of the Year was announced today:

RF Bob Marks, Birmingham (25-R .244-500-12-54-.708-20) (Voting: 10-60)

Others receiving votes:
SS Ken DeMinico, Louisville (21-L .240-396-9-40-.714-8) (3-52)
P Melvin Brisita, Louisville (22-4 6-3 2.07 ERA 12 GS 82.2 IP, 57 H, 4 HR, 41 BB, 43 SO) (3-19)
P Jerry Doherty, Buffalo (25-L 8-3 2.81 ERA 15 GS 102.2 IP, 79 H, 6 HR, 43 BB, 70 SO) (0-5)
1B Ray Dallas, Hartford (21-R .291-409-3-40-.728-2 30 2B) (0-3)
CF Pete Thompson, Orlando (23-L .237-410-10-55-.677-13) (0-3)
P Ralph Williams, Rochester (23-L 11-9 3.33 ERA 28 GS 184 IP, 168 H, 11 HR, 105 BB, 96 SO) (0-2)

[Questdog]

Friday, October 31, 2003

The Ace Award was announced today:

Ron Hutchins, Syracuse (32-R 16-7 1.60 ERA 33 GS, 231 IP, 150 H, 5 HR, 62 BB, 215 SO) (16-112)
He was 2nd in the voting last year.

Others receiving votes:
Jim Baucom, Jacksonville (22-L 14-11 2.13 ERA 35 GS, 258.1 IP, 205 H, 9 HR, 51 BB, 216 SO) (0-59)
Tom Peterson, Syracuse (32-R 17-9 1.96 ERA 31 GS, 247.2 IP, 209 H, 6 HR, 33 BB, 117 SO) (0-53)
Rick Cox, Charlotte (32-R 18-8 2.22 ERA 34 GS, 255.1 IP, 216 H, 11 HR, 70 BB, 136 SO) (0-21) 2001 winner, Worst ERA of his career
Mike Elizondo, Columbus (25 R 18-9 2.74 ERA 33 GS, 242.2 IP, 202 H, 11 HR, 44 BB, 130 SO) (0-12)
Steve Cron, Buffalo (29-L 18-9 2.43 ERA 35 GS, 263 IP, 237 H, 7 HR, 68 BB, 121 SO) (0-7)
Terry Luckett, Columbus (28-L 14-15 2.60 ERA 34 GS, 260 IP, 221 H, 15 HR, 53 BB, 167 SO) (0-5)
Billy Warner, Richmond (25-R 15-8 2.81 ERA 35 GS, 253 IP, 189 H, 14 HR, 91 BB, 171 SO) (0-3)


The Anti-Ace Award Association of America (AAAAA) presented their Hurler Trophy today:

Ron Hutchins, Syracuse, with 274 points in their system.

Others over 200 points:
Rick Cox, Charlotte (255)
Tom Peterson, Syracuse (252)
Steve Cron, Buffalo (241)
Mike Elizondo, Columbus (234)
Bill Cortright, Ottawa (36-R) (229) (18-9 2.53 ERA 30 GS, 209.2 IP, 152 H, 11 HR, 63 BB, 138 SO)
Jim Baucom, Jacksonville (218)
Billy Warner, Richmond (207)

Editor's Note: The Pitcher of the Year award in OOTP is not picked based on the way voting would have been in the 70's and 80's, so I have devised a system to try to replicate the way it was in those days for the Cy Young Award based on a formula, except that I have excluded relievers from consideration for the Hurler Trophy. Well, I have technically not excluded them, but they get no points for the stats associated with their role. The formula is much too complicated to write out. Wins, Losses, Shutouts, Strikeouts, ERA and IP are the components. No adjustments are made for park factors, as I do not think that was much of a consideration of voters back then. The system matches voting in the period fairly well, with the few exceptions being ones that I am happy with, since the original vote seemed indefensible.

[Questdog]

Saturday, November 1, 2003

The MVP voting was announced today:

3B Keith Meyer, Memphis (28-L .361-620-22-85-.968-30 115 R) (16-224) 2001 Winner

Others Receiving Votes:
CF Mike Fox, Hartford (24-L .317-640-17-70-.858-55 121 R) (0-143)
2B Terry Wolf, Charlotte (31-L .309-476-26-97-.924-1 37 2B) (0-89)
1B Gabriel Beltran, Columbus (33-S .320-604-18-90-.875-21 87 BB, 0 CS) 2002 Winner
SS Frank Bates, Syracuse (31-R .246-602-33-92-.784-18 92 R) (0-84)
RF Gil Weaver, Orlando (25-L .321-607-23-106-.911-19 94 R, 14 3B) (0-80)
3B Larry Davis, Charlotte (28-S .352-610-4-84-.850-17 101 R, 37 2B, 24 SO) (0-78)
CF Sergio Acevedo, Birmingham (30-R .215-554-41-109-.798-28 86 BB) (0-48)
LF Mickey Lynn, Buffalo (30-L .266-595-39-102-.847-6 91 R) (0-46)
SS Stan Stephens, Birmingham (26-R .343-650-4-56-.795-57 100 R, 21 SO) (0-25)
LF Ricky Perez, Orlando (24-L .304-537-23-100-.891-15 12 3B) (0-19)
1B Alan Douglas, Louisville (27-S .237-494-40-88-.826-20) (0-16)
1B Frank Cohen, Buffalo (27-R .330-509-14-75-.890-4) (0-4)
C Mike Moen, Hartford (33-R .323-433-7-69-.820-2 25 SO) (0-1)

[Questdog]

Saturday, November 22, 2003

Richmond traded 2002 Gold Glove winning SS Brian Bowden (26-R) to Rochester for RP Bruce Lutman (33-R) and minor league SS Hank Widger (21-R).

All the players in this trade are injury prone. Lutman was 5-5 with 6 SV and a 3.22 ERA in 58.2 IP. Widger was the 9th overall pick in this year's B Leagues Draft and was the #25 prospect this Spring.

[Questdog]

Wednesday, November 26, 2003

Rochester is the wheeler-dealer this Winter!

The Roosters traded RF Clark Land (25-R) and minor league CF Jim Leeper (22-L) to Ottawa for 4 minor leaguers: P Benedict Hughes (24-L), P Larry Thornton (23-L), 2B Jim Phillips (22-R) and RF Don Courtney (24-R).

Everyone except the pitchers is injury prone. Land hit .297 with 195 hits and 57 SB in 2002 as an All-Star, but slumped to .253 this year. Leeper was a 3rd round pick in this years B Leagues Draft and was the #61 prospect this Spring.

Hughes was a 5th round pick in this year's B League Draft and was the #78 prospect this Spring. Thornton was a 4th round pick in the 2002 B Leagues Draft and was the #92 prospect this Spring. Phillips was a 2nd round pick in the 2002 B Leagues Draft and was the #44 prospect this Spring. Courtney was a 3rd round pick in this year's B Leagues Draft and was not in the Top 100 this Spring.

[Questdog]

Monday, December 22, 2003

Hartford, who had the worst pitching in the MLB this year, traded away two of their starting pitchers for a 1st baseman when they had the #1 pick in this year's B Leagues Draft playing there this season.

The Whalers traded P Franklin Garcia (33-R) and P Angel Gomez (23-R) to Charlotte for 1B Tom Barker (31-L).

Garcia was 8-8 with a 3.06 ERA in 27 and was the Silver Slugger this year. He was easily their best starting pitcher this year. Gomez was 9-14 with a 4.50 ERA in 29 starts and led the MLB with 29 HR allowed, but was the #57 prospect this Spring.

Barker hit .255 with 10 HR and 40 RBI in 184 AB.

[Questdog]

Monday, January 5, 2004

The B Leagues Draft!

Last year I said the exclamation point was unwarranted, but we got 2 great pitching prospects, so that cannot be a bad draft. This year is a really bad draft.... I am glad we do not have the 1st pick, because there is no one I would want to take with it. All of the good players are slackers or injury prone.

There are 5 players that I would like to get, but not one of them excites me very much:
1: SS Shawn Smith, Mobile (20-R) Great glove and might hit eventually.
2: 3B Fernando Tello, Savannah (22-L) Great bat but would play RF for us and not all that well
3: SS Buddy Hollinger, Little Rock (19-R) I always like the teenagers. Has great range, but other aspects of his defense are suspect.
4: SS Sam Kowalski, Savannah (20-R) Really a 3rd baseman and outfielder. Will probably hit for some power eventually.
5: P Claude Sipple, El Paso (22-R) Only made 2 starts, but did not allow a run. Scouts love him, but why did he only make 2 starts? He was not injured. And we have no idea about his injury proneness since he only made 2 starts. Only struck out 5, too, in 17 IP. So that tells me he did not start more often because his coaches did not think he was ready. Might be one of those late bloomers our never bloomers....

That's it. There are no other pitchers I like at all. I was hoping I could snatch a reliever or two with an early pick, but there are none worth picking. Just a horrible draft for pitchers. There are 3 other hitters that I like a lot, expect they are injury prone.

I did not get even one of the shortstops I wanted.... They all went in the 1st round. Maybe I should have drafted Buddy Hollinger in the 1st round and hoped that Fernando Tello would last until the 2nd. P Claude Sipple went in the 2nd round to Memphis, 2 picks before we had a chance at him.... Not a good draft for us at all.... We need a 2nd baseman and a center fielder and relief pitchers and we got nothing that will alleviate those needs in this draft.