The Pastime Baseball League

[EMSoccerCoach]

2018 AWARDS



OUTSTANDING HITTER

Paul Hines (CF, Charlotte Cougars) 91.67% of vote

Batting	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	TAVG	ISO	VORP
Overall	157	663	212	41	3	41	111	94	25	73	.320	.345	.576	.921	.867	.256	58.4

OUTSTANDING PITCHER

Jake Peavy (Charlotte Cougars) 54.55% of vote

Pitching	G	GS	W	L	SV	ERA	IP	HA	R	ER	HR	BB	K	CG	CG%	SHO	QS	QS%
Overall	34	34	21	10	0	3.01	263.1	222	102	88	29	98	202	11	32.4	1	22	64.7

OUTSTANDING HITTER

Dan Brouthers (1B, Los Angeles Idols) 83.3% of vote

Batting	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	TAVG	ISO	VORP
Overall	160	628	206	39	5	44	125	125	83	40	.328	.409	.616	1.025	1.089	.288	80.7

OUTSTANDING PITCHER

Harry Coveleski (Arizona Sandmen) 69.23% of vote

Pitching	G	GS	W	L	SV	ERA	IP	HA	R	ER	HR	BB	K	CG	CG%	SHO	QS	QS%
Overall	31	31	19	8	0	2.79	252.0	240	91	78	5	84	91	14	45.2	1	21	67.7

[EMSoccerCoach]

2018 AWARDS



NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

WILLIE MAYS, CF, INDIANAPOLIS ENGINES

G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	SB
146	506	146	15	5	23	75	32	72	.289	.330	.474	19

GOLD GLOVES

Pitcher: Ed Walsh (Philadelphia Ringers)
Catcher: Biz Mackey (Chicago Hitmen)
First Baseman: Keith Hernandez (Boston Riders)
Second Baseman: Eddie Collins (Wichita Brigade)
Third Baseman: Vern Stephens (New York Heroes)
Shortstop: Grant Johnson (Boston Riders)
Left Fielder: Joe Jackson (Louisville Racers)
Center Fielder: Richie Ashburn (Louisville Racers)
Right Fielder: Babe Ruth (Chicago Hitmen)



NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

EDDIE MATHEWS, 3B, MEMPHIS STRUMMERS

G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	SB
149	495	154	23	3	33	101	48	88	.311	.369	.570	8

GOLD GLOVES

Pitcher: Cy Falkenberg (San Antonio Sheriffs)
Catcher: Yogi Berra (Los Angeles Idols)
First Baseman: Albert Pujols (Oklahoma City Scorpions)
Second Baseman: Fred Dunlap (Oklahoma City Scorpions)
Third Baseman: Larry Gardner (Arizona Sandmen)
Shortstop: Buddy Kerr (Alabama Airmen)
Left Fielder: Jason Tyner (San Antonio Sheriffs)
Center Fielder: Ruppert Jones (Arizona Sandmen)
Right Fielder: Jesse Barfield (Memphis Strummers)

[EMSoccerCoach]

The November draft will include the best players to debut between 1920 and 1924, as well as players who were first-time All-Stars in 2009 or 2010 and who debuted after 2000. an interesting draft class led by The Iron Horse, Lou Gehrig!

[EMSoccerCoach]

A bit more depth on the upcoming November draft. The Las Vegas Bosses will pick first, and most indications are that they will draft first-base prospect Lou Gehrig. Their big question is whether or not they will re-sign free agent Dick Allen. The Bosses have yet to have a winning season in the PBL's 10-year history, but continue to make good money, so they could theoretically afford to keep Allen. At some point, this franchise has to get better.

Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Orlando and New York round out the top 5 slots.

Other notables on the draft list, which will be the first split-era draft list since the inaugural draft.

Joe Sewell, SS
Pie Traynor, 3B
Goose Goslin, LF
Jim Bottomley, 1B
Gabby Hartnett, C
Willie Kamm, 3B
Ted Lyons, P
Heinie Manush, LF
Bill Terry, 1B
Charlie Root, P
Hack Wilson, CF
Max Bishop, 2B
Charlie Gehringer, 2B
Chick Hafey, OF
Red Ruffing, P
Al Simmons, OF
Firpo Marberry, P

Jon Lester, P
Adam Wainright, P
Joey Votto, 1B
David Price, P
Ryan Zimmerman, 3B
Jason Werth, RF

[EMSoccerCoach]

NOV. 8, 2018

Boston Extends Itself
Riders dole out cash to keep core intact

The Boston Riders' payroll has risen each year since the franchise's expansion entrance in 2013. But now, as their first draftees approach free agency, is the first chance to really see how they'll handle possible departures.

So far, they're passing the test.

At the end of the regular season, the Riders locked up 17-game winner Jim Palmer to a 3-year extension, keeping him atop the rotation through 2021 and keeping him from free agency.

Then shortly after the season they locked up Steve Carlton, acquired in 2017 for catcher Bruce Petway, giving him a 3-year deal as well through 2021 and keeping him off the market as well.

Eddie Cicotte, acquired the same week in June 2017 as Carlton, was next up, inking an extension through 2020 (he wasn't to hit free agency until after 2019).

Similar extensions were struck with first baseman Keith Hernandez, who has won the Northern League Gold Glove in each of his four seasons. Due for free agency after 2020, Hernandez is now signed through 2021.

General Manager Daniel Santos said the Riders know the expectations of their market, and intend to meet them.

"We draw 2.5 million every season," Santos said. "Our fans are passionate, our players want to be here and play for them.

Santos also noted the team intends to be involved in free agency, and is looking toward the upcoming amateur draft - where they will pick 12th - with anticipation.

"We think there's some depth offensively," Santos said. "Our pitching is falling in line. But we need to get some more offensive consistency."

Having Adam Dunn's 37 homers is an asset. But he hit .221. The next two on the team in homers were Charley Jones (26, .222) and Otto Krueger (17, .217). Krueger, a free agent, is unlikely to be back. If Joe Sewell drops to them, don't be surprised if the Riders pounce.

One interesting question is Tommy John. A free agent, John returned from elbow surgery that cost him more than a year and was stellar as a closer (3-0, 17 SV, 2.35 ERA). John still wants to start, though. And he hopes it will be in Boston.

"I'm hoping we can work something out," he said. "But we haven't yet. So I'll file and then we'll see what happens."

[EMSoccerCoach]

Originally Posted by EMSoccerCoach

It is dawning on me that I have 17 more draft classes planned and want to see that last draft class play to the end...so I have 30 more years at least to sim. If I keep going like this that's going to take years (consider this has been going for a year and a half and I'm in the 8th season).

I posted this back in July...I was in the middle of the 2016 season then. I just finished 2018. If I continue doing this the way I'm doing it, I'm never going to see this dynasty to completion.

I'm going to try and rely on my strength as a writer a bit more and basically sim the seasons and do a detailed writeup of the year in review at the end. At 2 1/2 seasons every six months, it would take me 3 more years just to get all the draft classes planned into the league. That doesn't even account for letting that last class play out their careers. As it is, I've got several months of work ahead of me even doing it the way I'm going to plan it now, I'm sure. But doing it this way will hopefully let me write more, even if it's one REALLY long post per season.

[Terpripken]

Originally Posted by EMSoccerCoach

I posted this back in July...I was in the middle of the 2016 season then. I just finished 2018. If I continue doing this the way I'm doing it, I'm never going to see this dynasty to completion.

I'm going to try and rely on my strength as a writer a bit more and basically sim the seasons and do a detailed writeup of the year in review at the end. At 2 1/2 seasons every six months, it would take me 3 more years just to get all the draft classes planned into the league. That doesn't even account for letting that last class play out their careers. As it is, I've got several months of work ahead of me even doing it the way I'm going to plan it now, I'm sure. But doing it this way will hopefully let me write more, even if it's one REALLY long post per season.

Even if you don't finish...it's been a fantastic read and great story. But yeah...it does look like a daunting task. I've loved the format and layout you have employed, but I can see why you may need to tweak it some.

[kenyan_cheena]

It's just the notorious "Dynasty Thread Seductress" striking again. We all start out by saying to ourselves "I'm not going to be TOO detailed or else I'll burn out / never get very far with it" but eventually the lure to cover more and more of the interesting incidents is too strong to resist, and before we know it we find ourselves helpless in her arms with seemingly no way out. It's happened to me a number of times, including right now with my boxing dynasty.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Originally Posted by Terpripken

Even if you don't finish...it's been a fantastic read and great story. But yeah...it does look like a daunting task. I've loved the format and layout you have employed, but I can see why you may need to tweak it some.

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

It's just the notorious "Dynasty Thread Seductress" striking again. We all start out by saying to ourselves "I'm not going to be TOO detailed or else I'll burn out / never get very far with it" but eventually the lure to cover more and more of the interesting incidents is too strong to resist, and before we know it we find ourselves helpless in her arms with seemingly no way out. It's happened to me a number of times, including right now with my boxing dynasty.

Thanks! I've changed the layout a few times over the thread, but I just don't have the time to do it like I ideally would. The hope is I can tell a really vivid season recap at the end of each season. If I do it right, I'll save some suspense in pennant races where it's appropriate, mention the stories of the year, all the vitals but more like a short chapter in a book. I'll do it for 2019 and we'll take it from there.

In the meantime, some preparations to do for the amateur draft, some additions to the PBL Almanac thread and the posting (per PhillieFever's suggestion a while back) of the PBL's All-Decade Team for its first 10 seasons.

[EMSoccerCoach]

ALL-DECADE TEAM

I thought it would take up too much space for me to open this up to polls, but PhillieFever asked it a while back and I realized it would be a pretty cool thing to do now that the PBL has 10 seasons under its belt.

So I have gone through and decided on the PBL's All-Decade Team. Two players at all infield spots, six outfielders, five starting pitchers and two relievers.

Sit back and relax as we honor the best of the PBL. Up first, the men behind the masks.

Starting Catcher

Frank Chance (Wichita Brigade, 2009-2018)

One of the few players to have played for one team for his entire career, Chance started out splitting time behind the plate and at first base in his first season. But since then, he has played first base 4 games over the past nine seasons. It hasn't hurt his durability, as he has caught between 141 and 145 games each season, hit double digit homers each season except 2017 (when he hit 9) and driven in 100+ four times. Add 231 stolen bases (good for 12th in PBL history). Five All-Star appearances, a Gold Glove and a .344 average in 22 postseason games for the league's best team over the first three seasons cinch the starting spot on this squad for Chance.

Career Batting Stats

Year/Team/League	Age	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R	BB	HP	SF	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	VORP
2009 Wichita - PBL	20	138	525	159	27	6	1	40	77	32	1	2	49	25	14	.303	.343	.383	.726	22.0
2010 Wichita - PBL	21	142	575	182	39	7	10	101	85	41	8	4	41	12	11	.317	.368	.461	.829	40.1
2011 Wichita - PBL	22	144	605	182	44	7	14	101	104	44	15	6	34	16	11	.301	.360	.466	.826	42.8
2012 Wichita - PBL	23	144	581	180	33	9	15	111	95	57	6	9	37	21	9	.310	.372	.475	.847	49.9
2013 Wichita - PBL	24	142	566	161	28	7	14	81	75	50	14	5	43	27	26	.284	.354	.433	.787	32.0
2014 Wichita - PBL	25	142	564	151	26	3	12	76	85	59	17	3	56	19	28	.268	.353	.388	.741	17.6
2015 Wichita - PBL	26	144	592	165	38	8	12	113	89	59	13	7	63	34	18	.279	.353	.431	.784	38.3
2016 Wichita - PBL	27	145	572	165	29	8	12	94	95	56	22	4	80	35	15	.288	.372	.430	.802	41.8
2017 Wichita - PBL	28	142	530	126	26	3	9	65	68	63	13	6	104	18	13	.238	.330	.349	.679	7.4
2018 Wichita - PBL	29	141	513	135	24	5	18	82	91	67	11	5	102	24	14	.263	.357	.435	.792	27.9
Total PBL		1424	5623	1606	314	63	117	864	864	528	120	51	609	231	159	.286	.357	.426	.783	320.0

Backup Catcher

Terry Kennedy (New York Heroes, 2012-2018)

Fans in Charlotte won't be happy with this choice, championing the case of Joe Mauer, who has done it for three years longer than Kennedy. But Kennedy beats Mauer in average (.313 to .291) and has four 40.0+ VORP seasons to Mauer's two. Mauer's also never topped 80 RBI, which Kennedy has reached four times, though a big part of that is Mauer playing for an abyssmal Alabama club for the first six seasons of his career. Kennedy also has hit .322 in postseason play. Mauer leads in All-Star appearances 5 to 2.

Career Batting Stats

Year/Team/League	Age	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R	BB	HP	SF	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	VORP
2012 New York - PBL	22	91	352	112	18	1	9	52	49	29	2	5	55	2	1	.318	.369	.452	.820	26.7
2013 New York - PBL	23	130	545	157	33	1	7	65	67	51	2	2	69	2	0	.288	.350	.391	.741	31.3
2014 New York - PBL	24	141	578	174	36	4	15	82	64	34	4	5	74	0	2	.301	.341	.455	.796	40.1
2015 New York - PBL	25	137	519	168	33	3	11	81	68	29	3	9	64	0	0	.324	.357	.462	.820	44.1
2016 New York - PBL	26	132	512	168	38	3	10	91	67	26	1	0	77	0	0	.328	.362	.473	.834	43.7
2017 New York - PBL	27	108	434	132	34	0	6	65	50	14	2	6	47	0	0	.304	.325	.424	.749	20.6
2018 New York - PBL	28	127	494	163	28	2	14	89	64	25	1	8	74	0	0	.330	.358	.480	.838	41.4
Total PBL		866	3434	1074	220	14	72	525	429	208	15	35	460	4	3	.313	.351	.448	.799	247.8

[Terpripken]

Glad your doing this. Can't wait to see the rest of the squad.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Originally Posted by Terpripken

Glad your doing this. Can't wait to see the rest of the squad.

Thanks. Just a fun thing to do that, with the Almanac thread, would let people play a quick catch up and be able to jump into the league without having to read through 10 seasons and 1400 posts

[EMSoccerCoach]

Sorry for double post...posted this without stats and then couldn't get it formatted. Reposted in next post.

[EMSoccerCoach]

ALL-DECADE TEAM

There are four players who have amassed a VORP of at least 500 through 10 seasons (and nobody else has topped 400). Two of them reside at first base, including the best hitter in PBL history. Between them, they own 18 All-Star appearances, 5 Outstanding Hitter awards and a pair of Gold Gloves. There is no debate here...just excellence.

Starting First Baseman

Dan Brouthers (Louisville Racers, 2009-2014; Los Angeles Idols, 2015-2018)

Start with the fact that he's the Pastime Baseball League's alltime leader in home runs (330) and RBI (1137), hits (1904), total bases (3304) and slugging percentage (.541). He has won four Outstanding Hitter awards, twice in each league. He's won two championships, hitting .333 in the postseason, topped 20 homers each season, 100 RBI seven times (and driven in 98, 97 and 86 the other three seasons) and never been on the disabled list. He's a 9-time All-Star. Lots of guys have had a few really good seasons in the PBL. Few have had legitimate star staying power. At 32, Brouthers is a free agent after the upcoming 2019 season and shows no sign of slowing down, having earned back-to-back Southern League Most Valuable Player awards. Age might factor in, but he could become the second $10 million a year player...and with a much better return on investment than the first, Mickey Harris.

Career Batting Stats

Year/Team/League	Age	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R	BB	HP	SF	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	VORP
2009 Louisville - PBL	23	162	628	211	47	2	51	145	125	91	5	7	118	3	1	.336	.420	.661	1.081	100.9
2010 Louisville - PBL	24	158	668	199	25	4	35	130	91	23	5	7	105	0	0	.298	.323	.504	.827	33.5
2011 Louisville - PBL	25	149	610	174	33	3	30	98	88	52	4	4	78	0	0	.285	.343	.497	.840	40.4
2012 Louisville - PBL	26	149	585	192	38	1	21	86	92	84	8	8	59	0	0	.328	.415	.504	.919	61.1
2013 Louisville - PBL	27	144	555	155	36	6	30	109	85	82	5	7	48	0	0	.279	.373	.528	.901	47.0
2014 Louisville - PBL	28	162	655	203	32	2	34	124	109	80	3	8	45	0	0	.310	.383	.521	.904	63.2
2015 Los Angeles - PBL	29	157	579	170	36	3	25	97	108	91	6	5	26	0	1	.294	.392	.496	.888	40.7
2016 Los Angeles - PBL	30	158	614	189	42	5	26	105	97	67	5	6	37	1	0	.308	.377	.520	.897	45.9
2017 Los Angeles - PBL	31	160	624	205	38	2	34	118	114	76	13	7	40	0	2	.329	.408	.559	.968	69.1
2018 Los Angeles - PBL	32	160	628	206	39	5	44	125	125	83	6	4	40	1	2	.328	.409	.616	1.025	80.7
Total PBL		1559	6146	1904	366	33	330	1137	1034	729	60	63	596	5	6	.310	.385	.541	.926	582.4

Backup First Baseman

Roger Connor (New York Heroes, 2009-2014; Chicago Hitmen, 2015-2018)

He was part of the team that couldn't win it...the New York Heroes won division titles in the first six years of the PBL. Roger Connor manned first base each of those seasons. He currently stands fifth in hits (1,713), fifth in homers (257), third in RBI (984), fourth in runs (932) and first in doubles (412). He's second alltime in postseason home runs (9), was named Northern League Outstanding Hitter in 2011, is a 9-time All-Star and has a Gold Glove to boot. He's finally hit the DL the past two seasons after never doing so in his first 8. But he still topped 140 games each season. Interestingly, he's set to reach free agency again the same time as Brouthers, after this coming season.

Career Batting Stats

Year/Team/League	Age	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R	BB	HP	SF	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	VORP
2009 New York - PBL	22	162	641	216	45	7	37	104	127	77	4	6	73	0	2	.337	.408	.602	1.010	85.2
2010 New York - PBL	23	149	589	188	39	4	26	82	101	79	10	5	55	0	0	.319	.406	.531	.937	65.1
2011 New York - PBL	24	162	617	207	47	4	25	117	111	110	6	2	61	1	0	.335	.439	.546	.986	88.1
2012 New York - PBL	25	161	605	167	42	3	26	124	94	94	10	5	66	1	0	.276	.380	.484	.864	46.1
2013 New York - PBL	26	158	605	160	43	2	22	92	82	94	3	2	62	0	2	.264	.365	.451	.816	32.5
2014 New York - PBL	27	155	564	155	38	6	31	104	78	86	6	7	55	0	1	.275	.373	.528	.901	52.8
2015 Chicago - PBL	28	155	580	155	35	3	19	94	86	86	7	9	61	0	0	.267	.364	.436	.800	25.5
2016 Chicago - PBL	29	160	604	165	47	1	23	100	90	79	5	3	82	1	1	.273	.360	.469	.829	33.1
2017 Chicago - PBL	30	146	559	156	41	1	14	77	71	69	4	5	75	1	0	.279	.359	.431	.791	29.7
2018 Chicago - PBL	31	143	539	144	35	4	34	90	92	73	4	5	79	1	0	.267	.356	.536	.892	44.0
Total PBL		1551	5903	1713	412	35	257	984	932	847	59	49	669	5	6	.290	.382	.502	.884	502.1

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by EMSoccerCoach

I posted this back in July...I was in the middle of the 2016 season then. I just finished 2018. If I continue doing this the way I'm doing it, I'm never going to see this dynasty to completion.

I'm going to try and rely on my strength as a writer a bit more and basically sim the seasons and do a detailed writeup of the year in review at the end. At 2 1/2 seasons every six months, it would take me 3 more years just to get all the draft classes planned into the league. That doesn't even account for letting that last class play out their careers. As it is, I've got several months of work ahead of me even doing it the way I'm going to plan it now, I'm sure. But doing it this way will hopefully let me write more, even if it's one REALLY long post per season.

I think we all feel that way sometimes, but I never did the math - that can make it seem overwhelming! As long as you are having fun with it, that is all that matters. I always feel like I have to step away for a little while and get a fresh perspective.

Anyway, I'm excited about Lou Gehrig coming into the league. I think his arrival may cause me to start rooting for Las Vegas, which isn't an easy task given their history. Sooner or later they'll have a winning season.

[EMSoccerCoach]

Originally Posted by NYY #23

I think we all feel that way sometimes, but I never did the math - that can make it seem overwhelming! As long as you are having fun with it, that is all that matters. I always feel like I have to step away for a little while and get a fresh perspective.

Anyway, I'm excited about Lou Gehrig coming into the league. I think his arrival may cause me to start rooting for Las Vegas, which isn't an easy task given their history. Sooner or later they'll have a winning season.

I am having fun with it, I really am. But eventually, if I keep going this way, the frustration of the end not being in sight will drive me to stop.

I think I have a good idea of all I want in the year end recap, and I think I can write it in a way that covers everything, satisfies my desire to chronicle the league appropriately while still letting me see it through to its completion.

As for Gehrig, he's definitely the best in the draft, though there are other solid choices (Bill Terry, Hack Wilson, Gabby Hartnett among several others). Their attendance dropped four straight years before rising in 2017 and again this past season. They also bumped their payroll $10 million for 2018. They need to get this one right though. They've got some talent, with Jackie Robinson, Dave Parker and, if they re-sign him, Dick Allen. They probably could use pitching more than hitting, to be honest, but Gehrig's really too good to pass up.

[EMSoccerCoach]

ALL-DECADE TEAM

Second base has been an interesting position thus far in the PBL. The assumption was that, by this point, Nap Lajoie would have piled up 10 productive years after being taken by the Arizona Sandmen in the inaugural draft. But it didn't work out that way, as Lajoie never matched his stellar rookie year, was productive for five seasons before injuries chipped away at him and left him where he now sits...a free agent, released by Orlando before last season who is hoping to once again catch on.

Jackie Robinson has only three years under his belt at this point, and, while dynamic, still hasn't approached the ceiling most expect for him, though he's only 26 and plays for the PBL's worst team.

Fred Dunlap leads most categories among Keystoners, including homers (227), RBI (861), runs (704) and most defensive numbers, as well as games. But he doesn't get the nod here either. Instead, we go with a youngster whose first five seasons trump everyone else, backed by a steady and unheralded performer.

Starting Second Baseman

Eddie Collins (Wichita Brigade, 2014-2018)

Taken 8th in the best draft class in PBL history (November 2013), all Collins has done in five seasons is bat .331, win a batting title, a Gold Gloves, earn three All-Star appearances and rack up 200 hits in four of his five seasons (the only season he didn't was 2015, in which he had 121 hits in 82 games before a concussion ended his season). He gets lost in the shadow of draft-mates Ty Cobb, Joe Jackson and Tris Speaker, but Collins has been the best second baseman in PBL history without question.

Career Batting Stats

Year/Team/League	Age	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R	BB	HP	SF	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	VORP
2014 Wichita - PBL	20	156	637	228	38	2	3	64	96	79	4	1	36	38	37	.358	.431	.438	.869	58.4
2015 Wichita - PBL	21	82	346	121	23	2	1	51	62	37	1	5	19	19	17	.350	.409	.436	.845	26.8
2016 Wichita - PBL	22	145	620	203	35	7	2	54	89	57	4	6	44	19	26	.327	.384	.416	.800	40.0
2017 Wichita - PBL	23	156	658	202	22	10	2	53	108	58	1	6	38	33	22	.307	.361	.380	.741	32.7
2018 Wichita - PBL	24	156	645	209	24	3	2	58	96	64	3	5	42	30	27	.324	.385	.380	.765	32.0
Total PBL		695	2906	963	142	24	10	280	451	295	13	23	179	139	129	.331	.393	.407	.800	190.0

Backup Second Baseman

Hardy Richardson (Louisville Racers, 2009-2014; Boston Riders, 2015-2016; Los Angeles Idols, 2017-2018)

A two-time All-Star and one-time Gold Glove winner, Richardson and the aforementioned Dunlap have had similar careers. In fact, Dunlap's overall numbers are slightly better. But Richardson gets the nod for a bit better OPS (.769 to .748), largely a function of his superior patience. Dunlap has essentially become a power threat and nothing more...his last four seasons he has been unable to top a .315 OBP. Richardson has dipped below that mark once in 10 years. It's debatable, but Richardson also has a ring now after winning with the Los Angeles Idols this season, giving him that final push.

Career Batting Stats

Year/Team/League	Age	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R	BB	HP	SF	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	VORP
2009 Louisville - PBL	24	148	515	155	43	2	10	86	75	80	3	5	106	2	1	.301	.395	.450	.845	46.7
2010 Louisville - PBL	25	127	461	98	19	1	10	62	47	64	2	2	81	0	0	.213	.310	.323	.633	2.9
2011 Louisville - PBL	26	157	607	150	25	0	18	83	84	70	3	10	104	0	0	.247	.323	.377	.700	15.3
2012 Louisville - PBL	27	153	603	149	31	1	21	108	80	73	3	7	109	1	0	.247	.328	.406	.734	21.2
2013 Louisville - PBL	28	156	591	161	39	1	26	95	86	69	1	8	94	0	1	.272	.345	.474	.819	38.8
2014 Louisville - PBL	29	132	490	140	27	2	21	67	66	52	3	3	69	0	1	.286	.356	.478	.833	37.1
2015 Boston - PBL	30	136	488	123	15	4	13	72	57	69	2	6	65	0	1	.252	.343	.379	.722	16.5
2016 Boston - PBL	31	116	409	109	33	0	19	82	62	61	3	2	64	0	1	.267	.364	.487	.851	35.9
2017 Los Angeles - PBL	32	111	381	107	17	1	14	47	51	50	3	2	54	1	0	.281	.367	.441	.808	24.3
2018 Los Angeles - PBL	33	69	204	48	9	0	11	34	32	25	0	2	45	0	1	.235	.316	.441	.757	5.6
Total PBL		1305	4749	1240	258	12	163	736	640	613	23	47	791	4	6	.261	.345	.423	.769	244.5

[EMSoccerCoach]

ALL-DECADE TEAM

You would think that, given all the great third basemen there have been in baseball history, this spot would be rife with talent after 10 years of the PBL. But there's been a lot of disappointment here, a lot of short peaks.

The Alabama Airmen thought the drafting of George Brett before the 2014 season would turn their fortunes. And Brett batted .327, posting a 32 VORP despite only playing in 82 games - a quad strain (5 weeks) and a broken hand (6 weeks) derailing what should have been a Newcomer of the Year campaign. He suffered a concussion in spring training of 2016 and has never really recovered, though the talent is still there. Only 24, Brett may still find the career so many predicted. And maybe he'll lead the 20th Anniversary team.

For now, though, a position strewn with Bob Horner's one strong season, Ty Wigginton's 3-year run and the ever-improving Al Rosen in Milwaukee doesn't seem to measure up. Much like second base, the career leader in most categories doesn't quite get the nod here. David Wright has had his moments, but not enough of them. His frustrations seemed to be representative of the New York Heroes' failure to get over the hump during his six seasons there.

Instead, we turn to Chicago for the starter, and to a guy whose actually left the position for the backup.

Starting Third Baseman


Frank Baker (Chicago Hitmen, 2014-2018)


Four-time All-Star, three-time Gold Glover, 2014 Northern League Newcomer of the Year and a career .316 hitter who has also played more than 150 games each of his first five seasons. For a Chicago Hitmen team many thought would have multiple titles by now, the blame can't rest with Baker. He's one of nine players to have multiple hitting streaks of at least 20 games in his career, and is coming off a season where he reached a career high in homers (11)...perhaps a sign of more good things to come.

Career Batting Stats

Year/Team/League	Age	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R	BB	HP	SF	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	VORP
2014 Chicago - PBL	23	156	628	217	43	11	7	99	98	45	3	8	24	12	15	.346	.387	.482	.870	56.9
2015 Chicago - PBL	24	151	606	187	39	6	4	77	73	46	1	3	33	13	7	.309	.357	.413	.769	35.1
2016 Chicago - PBL	25	150	601	196	39	8	4	71	87	55	3	3	41	8	11	.326	.384	.438	.821	44.3
2017 Chicago - PBL	26	157	635	190	29	6	6	75	91	52	1	6	34	6	6	.299	.350	.392	.742	27.8
2018 Chicago - PBL	27	156	609	183	46	5	11	85	91	51	4	6	47	11	5	.300	.355	.447	.802	38.1
Total PBL		770	3079	973	196	36	32	407	440	249	12	26	179	50	44	.316	.367	.434	.801	202.1

Backup Third Baseman

John McGraw (Charlotte Cougars, 2009-2014; Arizona Sandmen, 2015-2017; Philadelphia Ringers, 2018)

He's been a second baseman for three years now, but the OBP machine known as John McGraw quite simply was more productive than Wright while at the position, lack of power notwithstanding. He's topped 100 walks four times, ranks 7th in steals (254) and his 66-point advantage in OBP (.375 vs .309) gives him the edge over Wright for the backup slot.

Career Batting Stats

Year/Team/League	Age	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R	BB	HP	SF	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	VORP
2009 Charlotte - PBL	19	158	513	149	29	12	4	53	63	60	8	1	79	27	7	.290	.373	.417	.790	36.1
2010 Charlotte - PBL	20	151	558	137	19	3	11	50	71	50	9	4	113	11	9	.246	.316	.349	.665	3.4
2011 Charlotte - PBL	21	154	530	138	24	1	10	47	90	73	10	2	89	23	8	.260	.359	.366	.725	21.8
2012 Charlotte - PBL	22	154	544	139	15	5	11	43	96	110	7	4	61	29	6	.256	.385	.362	.747	32.0
2013 Charlotte - PBL	23	150	544	128	10	6	10	42	86	101	9	4	56	26	25	.235	.362	.331	.693	11.8
2014 Charlotte - PBL	24	144	515	133	18	1	9	44	85	114	13	2	64	28	21	.258	.404	.350	.753	25.5
2015 Arizona - PBL	25	121	426	99	12	3	5	56	64	96	9	7	56	27	22	.232	.379	.310	.689	10.5
2016 Arizona - PBL	26	152	573	140	17	2	8	43	86	111	9	2	65	30	18	.244	.374	.323	.697	20.8
2017 Arizona - PBL	27	130	493	134	18	2	9	50	91	89	6	6	50	24	11	.272	.386	.371	.757	33.0
2018 Philadelphia - PBL	28	138	525	157	19	2	10	69	80	94	8	3	79	29	17	.299	.411	.400	.811	33.4
Total PBL		1452	5221	1354	181	37	87	497	812	898	88	35	712	254	144	.259	.375	.358	.733	228.3

[EMSoccerCoach]

ALL-DECADE TEAM

No position we'll go through here has more players atop different categories than shortstop. It's a diverse group, and one where the consensus expected top guy, Honus Wagner, hasn't lived up to billing.

Arizona's Willie Wells leads in homers and RBI at the position, but hasn't posted a .300 OBP since his third season. His patience left him and his strikeouts spiked, and he's never reversed the trend. Now 31, he seems to be aging a bit early at the position, assorted injuries over the years perhaps wearing him down.

Rafael Furcal has played the most games at shortstop of anyone in PBL history. He's scored the most runs (762, 16th overall) and stolen the most bases (270, tied for 4th overall) and his 1,327 hits place him second (and 22nd overall in league history). He's a two-time All-Star and even earned a Gold Glove when he was with San Antonio - as he was for his first six seasons before moving to Philadelphia.

Then there's Indianapolis' Hanley Ramirez, who has been steady, occasionally very good but never quite broken through despite his boundless athleticism. He strikes out a lot, and his .253 career average makes his lack of walks painful. He was finally an All-Star in 2016, but a torn hamstring wrecked the second half of his season and perhaps derailed what was about to become his launching point.

Then there's perhaps the most impressive...Luke Easter. Drafted by Los Angeles as a first baseman, Easter as a rookie hit .338-22-114, earning Southern League Outstanding Hitter and Newcomer of the Year honors. The Idols then shocked baseball when they pounced on free agent first baseman Dan Brouthers. Rather than DH one of the duo, they turned incumbent shortstop Vern Stephens into a utility man, moved Easter to learn shortstop and used a committee at DH. He made 24 errors his first season at the position. He cut that to 10, and has since cut it to 7 the past two seasons, while remaining a potent offensive force, though a touch below that rookie season.

And yet, the guy everyone wants to talk about is Wagner. Why the struggles? What was a solid, if unspectacular career through his first six seasons - he'd hit .300, led Orlando to a championship in 2011 and average 100 runs, 40 doubles and 25 steals through his first four - collapsed when he went to Oklahoma City as a free agent after 2014. He hasn't broken .230 since and, at 33, may be at the end of the line. Despite his struggles, he signed an extension with Oklahoma City, where he'll play, incomphrensibly, for the league minimum this season.

None of those guys, however, crack the All Decade Team. Who does?

Starting Shortstop

Ross Barnes (New Orleans Knights, 2009-2018; Louisville Racers, 2018)

The shortstop for New Orleans' four PBL Championship teams, Ross Barnes is a 6-time All-Star who posted 30+ VORP's 7 of his first 8 seasons, is the PBL's alltime leader in walks (939) and has the most postseason RBIs (33), third most postseason runs (25) and the third most postseason hits (48) in league history, . At 26, he was one of the older players when the PBL first started. Now 35, it was a sad day when New Orleans traded him this past July to Louisville, convinced that after a subpar 2017 and slow start to 2018, his time had come.

Career Batting Stats

Year/Team/League	Age	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R	BB	HP	SF	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	VORP
2009 New Orleans - PBL	26	160	547	182	8	0	18	72	98	161	2	5	112	1	1	.333	.483	.446	.929	77.5
2010 New Orleans - PBL	27	128	508	149	35	2	8	72	98	89	2	9	33	1	1	.293	.395	.417	.812	44.0
2011 New Orleans - PBL	28	133	501	156	31	4	12	81	78	78	4	5	51	0	0	.311	.405	.461	.866	46.8
2012 New Orleans - PBL	29	158	607	172	31	4	12	77	93	117	2	4	96	1	1	.283	.399	.407	.806	41.5
2013 New Orleans - PBL	30	142	497	125	24	2	6	56	73	91	0	2	75	2	0	.252	.366	.344	.710	23.3
2014 New Orleans - PBL	31	156	559	152	26	2	11	59	69	84	2	6	99	0	2	.272	.366	.385	.750	35.5
2015 New Orleans - PBL	32	144	518	148	39	3	13	72	77	86	2	5	77	1	0	.286	.386	.448	.834	49.2
2016 New Orleans - PBL	33	152	574	152	38	1	12	85	79	89	1	9	108	0	2	.265	.360	.397	.757	32.3
2017 New Orleans - PBL	34	136	504	106	25	1	11	57	62	81	1	3	91	0	0	.210	.319	.329	.649	6.9
2018 Louisville - PBL	35	44	155	41	10	0	2	19	15	22	0	2	29	0	0	.265	.352	.368	.720	5.3
2018 New Orleans - PBL	35	57	188	44	13	0	3	31	17	41	0	3	39	0	0	.234	.366	.351	.717	8.5
2018 Total - PBL	35	101	343	85	23	0	5	50	32	63	0	5	68	0	0	.248	.360	.359	.719	13.8
Total PBL		1410	5158	1427	280	19	108	681	759	939	16	53	810	6	7	.277	.386	.401	.787	370.9

Backup Shortstop

Buddy Kerr (Wichita Brigade, 2011-2014; New York Heroes, 2015-2016; Alabama Airmen, 2017-2018)

The 2011 Northern League Newcomer of the Year, Kerr has won five Gold Gloves, been an All-Star twice and batted .419 in his only postseason appearance. He's also a sparkplug who has twice been suspended for taking part in brawls. He gets on base, puts up 35+ doubles, rarely strikes out and excels with the glove. Undoubtedly one of the biggest surprises in the PBL's first decade.

Career Batting Stats

Year/Team/League	Age	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R	BB	HP	SF	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	VORP
2011 Wichita - PBL	21	148	591	196	41	4	7	82	100	50	1	6	26	4	6	.332	.381	.450	.831	43.2
2012 Wichita - PBL	22	130	493	143	36	2	8	53	81	59	3	4	15	2	0	.290	.367	.420	.787	28.1
2013 Wichita - PBL	23	155	618	173	47	5	6	58	82	63	2	5	16	3	2	.280	.346	.401	.747	34.4
2014 Wichita - PBL	24	137	520	148	32	4	1	61	69	52	1	3	22	1	2	.285	.349	.367	.716	25.8
2015 New York - PBL	25	133	508	142	31	6	0	45	70	61	1	2	12	2	0	.280	.357	.364	.721	26.8
2016 New York - PBL	26	148	565	156	44	2	4	83	73	45	2	8	13	2	1	.276	.327	.382	.710	21.9
2017 Alabama - PBL	27	143	582	192	42	3	3	57	75	53	3	5	14	3	2	.330	.386	.428	.814	50.7
2018 Alabama - PBL	28	134	492	139	36	3	2	56	71	50	1	5	27	0	2	.283	.347	.380	.727	25.5
Total PBL		1128	4369	1289	309	29	31	495	621	433	14	38	145	17	15	.295	.358	.400	.758	256.3

[EMSoccerCoach]

ALL-DECADE TEAM

This was a tricky one. Do I go with the six best outfielders, or do I make it 2 in left, 2 in center and 2 in right? I decided to go with two at each position, because I think that's how it should be done, since that's how you would build a team. Of course, that leaves many guys out, as outfield has been a deep spot, particularly centerfield.

I could go on and on about the outfielders here. There are up and comers, from 2018 rookie stalwarts Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle, young guys ready to take the next step like Dave Parker; injury-plagued stars who have shown signs but have yet to really break out, like Ty Cobb; and veterans who many believe still haven't reached their peak, like Stan Musial.

One guy who misses the cut strictly by virtue of the 2-per-slot format, though, deserves special mention.

Tris Speaker was the #4 overall pick by the St. Louis Tides in the November 2013 amateur draft. The Tides had come off a 68-94 inaugural campaign, being one of the four expansion teams to join the PBL in 2013. They hit .247 that first season. They went to .267 in 2014, with the rookie Speaker roaming center. He hit .360 before a torn hamstring ended his season in July. He came back to hit .363 the next season, then .376. He got some help from Rusty Staub and Duke Snider to lead the Tides to division crowns the past three seasons. He's a four-time All-Star, has won three batting titles and was named Southern League Outstanding Hitter in 2016.

And yet he has the unfortunate position behind the most dynamic player in PBL history, and perhaps its greatest surprise. But first, to left...

Starting Leftfielder

Willie Stargell (Memphis Strummers, 2013-2018)

When "Pops" debuted in 2013 after being selected 10th in the November 2012 draft, he put on an explosive display. In mid-June, Stargell was batting .348 with 17 homers and 69 RBI, a 1.019 OPS leading the league by a mile. He then tore his labrum making a diving play, ending his season. All he's done since then is average .286-33-113 and make three All-Star teams. Perhaps most impressively, he had to take over the face of Memphis when the guy up next left town...

Career Batting Stats

Year/Team/League	Age	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R	BB	HP	SF	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	VORP
2013 Memphis - PBL	23	61	244	85	15	0	17	69	39	20	3	3	48	0	1	.348	.400	.619	1.019	33.8
2014 Memphis - PBL	24	156	615	194	36	3	31	116	106	71	2	10	118	0	6	.315	.383	.535	.917	56.4
2015 Memphis - PBL	25	141	525	145	29	0	26	118	87	77	5	3	98	6	2	.276	.372	.480	.852	40.0
2016 Memphis - PBL	26	134	504	135	15	3	32	111	80	82	3	4	100	5	1	.268	.371	.500	.871	39.2
2017 Memphis - PBL	27	146	541	143	19	1	33	107	85	82	2	5	117	2	4	.264	.360	.486	.846	32.7
2018 Memphis - PBL	28	158	598	180	19	1	43	112	108	101	5	2	164	7	10	.301	.405	.552	.957	59.6
Total PBL		796	3027	882	133	8	182	633	505	433	20	27	645	20	24	.291	.381	.521	.902	261.7

Starting Centerfielder

Oscar Charleston (Memphis Strummers, 2009-2016; Los Angeles Idols, 2016-2018)

For all the superlatives cast upon Dan Brouthers earlier, the title of best player in PBL history still stays reserved for this man. Three Southern League Outstanding Hitter Awards, three Gold Gloves, the alltime leader in OPS (.966, forty points better than Brouthers, who's second), postseason hits (54), OBP (.427) and the only VORP over 600 (606.2), an AVERAGE VORP of more than 60 a season. He's the single season record-holder for average, batting .397 in 2010; the single-season record holder for runs, scoring 146 in 2013; and leads or is second in several other categories. Memphis dealt Charleston in 2016. He had hit only .279 in 2015, his OPS dropping to .832 from 1.054 the year before. When he started 2016 batting .279 again with an .821 OPS, the Strummers thought he was done. All Charleston's done is win two titles with Los Angeles, averaging a .900 OPS over the 2 1/2 seasons. He may never repeat the brilliance of his first six seasons, but it's doubtful anyone else will either.

Career Batting Stats

Year/Team/League	Age	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R	BB	HP	SF	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	VORP
2009 Memphis - PBL	21	161	643	232	57	7	22	133	133	79	6	6	97	29	15	.361	.432	.574	1.006	82.0
2010 Memphis - PBL	22	134	526	209	37	12	26	101	107	81	5	4	51	19	10	.397	.479	.662	1.140	103.6
2011 Memphis - PBL	23	157	610	206	32	11	32	105	119	101	4	5	77	19	14	.338	.432	.584	1.016	76.5
2012 Memphis - PBL	24	146	580	214	34	6	25	114	114	82	1	3	89	20	10	.369	.446	.578	1.024	82.0
2013 Memphis - PBL	25	156	608	204	41	9	19	109	146	106	5	7	85	17	22	.336	.434	.526	.960	68.1
2014 Memphis - PBL	26	98	360	123	35	5	15	78	75	80	4	4	34	26	19	.342	.462	.592	1.054	57.9
2015 Memphis - PBL	27	155	598	167	30	13	16	110	94	90	11	9	67	26	24	.279	.379	.453	.832	31.2
2016 Los Angeles - PBL	28	96	373	118	24	7	15	60	72	60	5	6	47	19	17	.316	.412	.539	.951	34.3
2016 Memphis - PBL	28	57	215	60	14	4	4	37	32	37	0	1	26	8	13	.279	.383	.437	.821	7.8
2016 Total - PBL	28	153	588	178	38	11	19	97	104	97	5	7	73	27	30	.303	.402	.502	.903	42.1
2017 Los Angeles - PBL	29	144	527	143	28	5	13	73	102	105	5	6	81	30	20	.271	.393	.417	.811	23.6
2018 Los Angeles - PBL	30	112	454	146	23	4	19	57	98	82	1	0	82	22	22	.322	.426	.515	.942	39.1
Total PBL		1416	5494	1822	355	83	206	977	1092	903	47	51	736	235	186	.332	.427	.539	.966	606.2

Starting Rightfielder

Sam Thompson (New Orleans Knights, 2009-2014; Arizona Sandmen, 2015-2018)

The mark of 125 RBI has been reached 16 times in PBL history...four times, it's been on the strength of Sam Thompson's bat. While the RBI is an overrated stat, for certain, it does tell a story to some degree. Thompson finished second to Charleston in the Outstanding Hitter voting all three times Charleston won the award before earning the honor in 2013. He was part of New Orleans' first three championship teams, batting .330 with 4 homers in 25 postseason games. He regrettably missed two postseasons with Arizona, suffering an oblique strain on the next-to-last day of the 2015 season, and breaking his hand in September of 2017. A nine time All-Star and three-time Gold Glover, Thompson is one of the PBL's true greats.

Career Batting Stats

Year/Team/League	Age	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R	BB	HP	SF	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	VORP
2009 New Orleans - PBL	25	161	636	216	36	7	42	143	109	70	1	4	73	10	4	.340	.404	.616	1.020	91.6
2010 New Orleans - PBL	26	152	612	186	33	1	37	132	113	54	5	5	63	7	1	.304	.362	.542	.905	57.2
2011 New Orleans - PBL	27	157	658	200	41	8	38	110	108	43	6	3	66	8	5	.304	.351	.564	.915	59.9
2012 New Orleans - PBL	28	157	652	191	40	4	29	113	106	49	6	6	65	4	3	.293	.345	.500	.845	46.4
2013 New Orleans - PBL	29	156	600	184	37	3	40	137	106	58	4	6	57	12	4	.307	.368	.578	.947	67.6
2014 New Orleans - PBL	30	137	509	140	31	2	19	90	70	43	1	7	49	9	7	.275	.329	.456	.784	22.7
2015 Arizona - PBL	31	147	567	155	32	1	29	87	78	66	0	6	36	12	7	.273	.346	.487	.833	39.7
2016 Arizona - PBL	32	154	604	168	38	1	30	128	99	56	1	9	33	14	4	.278	.336	.493	.829	43.2
2017 Arizona - PBL	33	120	467	139	35	2	20	86	71	46	0	8	49	8	8	.298	.355	.510	.865	40.5
2018 Arizona - PBL	34	157	620	170	36	1	29	109	85	54	1	8	67	17	8	.274	.329	.476	.805	37.0
Total PBL		1498	5925	1749	359	30	313	1135	945	539	25	62	558	101	51	.295	.353	.524	.877	505.7