Orcin's Story

[Orcin]

September 3, 2001

Subject: Week 22 Notes

Record: 87-49 .640, - GB
Position: 1st place (20 game lead)
Magic Number: 6
Runs Scored: 650 – 4th in Federal
Runs Allowed: 486 – 1st in Federal
Defense: .709 – 4th in Federal
Power Ranking: 114.1 (4th in CBA)
Owner Mood: Ecstatic; Fan Interest: 87/100


• Last week (4-2): 2-1 vs. Indianapolis, 2-1 vs. Washington
• We were 19-9 in August. Chris Brown had a stat line of .344/.421/.742 to capture our Player of the Month. Ron Sims was 3-1 with a 2.84 ERA to earn Pitcher of the Month. (We can’t give it to Fletcher every month.)
• CF Brian Smith got a chance to play a couple of games against RH pitching. He went 4-4 with a homer, double, and 2 RBI in the second of those games. Smith earned a PotD and a few more starts.
• We trailed Washington 4-3 with two out in the 10th inning on Friday night. Terrence Banks tied the game with a homer to center and Silas Campbell followed with a walk-off blast to left for a dramatic comeback win! It was HR #30 for each of them.
• Jon Schultz of Charlotte still has a good chance at the Triple Crown in the Patriot League, and he should be a leading candidate for the Outstanding Player Award.
• Fan interest increased by 1 point this week. Playoff fever in Louisville? They think we really have a chance to get by the first round this time?
• This week: 4 vs. San Francisco (59-78), 3 at Chicago (60-77)

[Sal, The Barber]

The boys are talking, Mr. Orcin. There is some excitement in the air. (Insert your best "Jim Mora voice") Playoffs!

A couple of things the boys are talking about. McGlone. Is this guy injury prone? Lately he's always hurt. What's the matter with him? Put on a band-aid and get back out there. Heck, maybe we don't need him. Trade the bum. Smith is doing just fine.

Gibson. Bout time you got rid of the bum. Whaddya pick him up for anyway? We told you he was a bust. Although Sal has to admit you got something from him in April and May. Still, how much did you pay the guy? If you got that kind of money to throw around, come back down to the barbershop. We offer facial massage, eau de toilettes, mustache waxes ...

And Fat Tony's boy, Pudgy Pete, says San Diego is gonna win it all. Claims he saw their logo on a chocolate bar. Kids these days!

Sal

[Orcin]

Now that you mention it, McGlone has a history of missing time throughout his minor league career. He doesn't have a reputation for being "fragile", so maybe it is just bad luck. Maybe.

Brian Smith is certainly getting noticed. He might have to make the roster next spring, meaning that Mark Mann or Harry Hall will have to take their under-achieving act elsewhere. Plenty of time to mull that over though. That's why you keep that stove hot, Sal. (Well, that and to warm those towels. Eau de what? I think ewww is more appropriate.)

[Orcin]

September 10, 2001

Subject: Week 23 Notes

Record: 91-52 .636, - GB
Position: 1st place (20.5 game lead)
Magic Number: clinched
Runs Scored: 684 – 3rd in Federal
Runs Allowed: 509 – 1st in Federal
Defense: .709 – 4th in Federal
Power Ranking: 114.5 (4th in CBA)
Owner Mood: Ecstatic; Fan Interest: 87/100


• Last week (4-3): 3-1 vs. San Francisco, 1-2 at Chicago
• Terrence Banks (2-4, HR, 4 RBI) earned a PotD and Todd Fletcher got win #21 as the Colonels beat the Seals 8-2 for win #90. Fletcher’s 21 wins is a club record.
• Chris Brown was 3-4 with 2 HR and 5 RBI in the Colonels 8-1 win over Chicago on Friday, earning a PotD.
• The victory on Friday clinched the Midwest Division title. It is the sixth division crown in franchise history and second straight. We also set a new franchise record for wins. The previous record was 90, set in 1987.
• Rodney Wright has been steadily increasing his average, hitting .274 in July, .301 in August, and .387 so far in September. He is getting hot at the right time.
• Hugh McGlone was activated and returned to the lineup on Sunday.
• Dan Clayton is 5-0 with a 2.82 ERA since coming over from New York in the big trade. I don’t know how Gonzalez could have done better.
• This week: 3 at Houston (85-59), 3 vs. Dallas (69-75)

[Orcin]

September 17, 2001

Subject: Week 24 Notes

Record: 94-55 .631, - GB
Position: 1st place (20.5 game lead)
Runs Scored: 703 – 4th (tie) in Federal
Runs Allowed: 524 – 1st in Federal
Defense: .708 – 6th in Federal
Power Ranking: 112.6 (3rd in CBA)
Owner Mood: Ecstatic; Fan Interest: 86/100


• Last week (3-3): 2-1 at Houston, 1-2 vs. Dallas
• San Diego has also clinched their division and leads the Colonels by 3 games in the race for best record.
• New York has moved ahead of Boston and Baltimore in the Atlantic division race.
• Minor league playoffs started this week. Dayton (AA) won their division at 90-50 with manager Rhett Thomas, my first minor league hire, at the helm. Lexington (AAA) fell just short at 76-68, missing the division title by 3 games.
• Silas Campbell earned a PotD by going 3-4 with 2 HR vs. Houston.
• Silas Campbell hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning to give Louisville a 2-1 come-from-behind win over Dallas.
• This week: 4 vs. Los Angeles (76-73), 3 vs. Milwaukee (74-76)

[Orcin]

September 24, 2001

Subject: Week 25 Notes

Record: 99-57 .635, - GB
Position: 1st place (22 game lead)
Runs Scored: 724 – 5th in Federal
Runs Allowed: 537 – 1st in Federal
Defense: .711 – 2nd in Federal
Power Ranking: 117.2 (1st in CBA)
Owner Mood: Ecstatic; Fan Interest: 85/100


• Last week (5-2): 3-1 vs. Los Angeles, 2-1 vs. Milwaukee
• Lefty Ricardo Martinez (14-11, 3.78) earned a PotD with his complete game win over L.A., allowing 1 run on 2 hits and 2 walks while striking out 11. He can be frustrating at times, but he can also be spectacular.
• Terrence Banks was suspended for seven games. Banks was hit by a pitch in the first inning of a game with L.A. and a bench-clearing brawl ensued when Banks charged the mound.
• Closer Mike MacIntosh recorded save #40 in a win over Los Angeles.
• Todd Fletcher got win #23 with a 3-1 victory over Milwaukee. Fletcher went eight innings, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out six. He will have one more regular season start.
• The Cleveland Rockers clinched the Patriot League Eastern Division title this week. The Houston Stars clinched the Federal League West, leaving only the wild card in doubt between Salt Lake City and Denver.
• Charlotte LF Jon Schultz (.322, 61 HR, 170 RBI) will likely set the all-time season RBI mark and only trails by .007 in batting average for the Triple Crown.
• Baltimore Robins’ legend Jorge Figueroa struck out 17 in a game to run his record to 24-3 with a 1.28 ERA and 309 Ks. He is a lock for the pitching Triple Crown.
• San Diego ace Mike Rhodes became the second 20-game winner in the Federal League. Rhodes is 20-5 with a 2.86 ERA. He was Pitcher of the Month for April and August.
• The Dayton Flyers won their first-round playoff series 3-0 and will advance to the AA LCS round.
• Dayton’s hitting coach Matt Reed has accepted a two-year contract extension at $80K per year. The Flyers (AA) were #2 in their league in runs scored despite a lack of power. Reed does not have flashy ratings, but he seems to be getting the job done. I hate to break up the coaching staff of a playoff team.
• This week: 3 vs. St. Louis (60-96), 3 at Indianapolis (59-97), end of regular season

[blazertaz13]

Well Mr. Orcin,

As a fan sitting in the stands, I have had an enjoyable season of watching quality baseball. Now please don't let me down during the post season. It has been a long time since a team that have put my heart behind has been in position to win it all.

Thank you,

From your fans.

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by blazertaz13

Now please don't let me down during the post season.

What an interesting coincidence! Gordon Cooper said the very same thing to me in the hallway just yesterday. Only his tone was a little more demanding than yours.

[Orcin]

October 1, 2001

Subject: Week 26 Notes

Record: 103-59 .636, - GB
Position: 1st place (22 game lead)
Runs Scored: 757 – 4th in Federal
Runs Allowed: 565 – 1st in Federal
Defense: .706 – 5th in Federal
Power Ranking: 119.4 (1st in CBA)
Owner Mood: Ecstatic; Fan Interest: 85/100


• Last week (4-2): 2-1 vs. St. Louis, 2-1 at Indianapolis
• That #1 power ranking indicates that we are playing well at the right time.
• Rodney Wright hit a three-run homer with two out in the ninth to beat St. Louis 8-7 and earn a PotD. Wright had three hits in the game. He’s still hot.
• Silas Campbell earned a PotD by going 2-4 with a homer and 5 RBIs against Indy.
• Todd Fletcher (24-5, 1.72) pitched six innings for another win in his final tune-up before the playoffs. He is a heavy favorite for the Federal League Outstanding Pitcher award.
• New York, Boston, and Baltimore entered the final day of the season (at 98-63) in a three-way tie for two playoff spots. Baltimore lost but New York and Boston both won to force a one-game playoff for the division title and #1 playoff seed in the Patriot League.
• Boston won the playoff game 7-2 behind SP Jacob Elliott (remember him from free agency… he is earning his $98M contract).
• Lefty setup reliever Rodrigo Melendez was injured against St. Louis on Tuesday. He has a sore back and the trainer estimates that he will miss three weeks. Bad time for that to happen. Melendez is 5-2 with a 1.62 ERA, 4 saves and 20 holds.
• Center fielder Brian Smith will replace Melendez on the playoff roster and I will carry only eleven pitchers. Ron Sims will go to the bullpen as a long man and Dan Clayton will be the fourth starter.
• Dayton lost to Albuquerque in the LCS, so all of our minor league teams are now finished with their seasons.
• This week: Divisional playoff round vs. the West Division champion Houston Stars.

[Orcin]

Final 2001 Standings and Leaders

[Orcin]

Louisville Colonels playoff roster with final 2001 stats

[Nunyer]

That's a pretty darn impressive pitching staff you've assembled.... and I got this weird hunch that the Bees of Salt Lake are going to meet you in the LCS.

[SandMan]

Looking good for your team. I noticed your team has 230 Homers and that was only good for 4th in the league. That must be some hitting in your league. Awesome pitching for your team, I always go for pitching first. It seems to be the quickest way to win is with a good pitching staff and relievers.

One question though - Why are all the Houston games home games for you? Shouldn't they follow a 2/2/1 format?

[Orcin]

The two leaders (L.A. & Phoenix) had 236 homers and Houston had 231 for third, so it was a pretty tight pack at the top and no other team had 200. We had the one guy with 62 but no one else in my league had more than 45, so there are just a lot of guys with 30+.

Yes, it is a 2-2-1 series format. I don't know why that screen shows all home games, and it doesn't show the pitching rotation correctly either. The scout's preview says it is a 2-game series; I guess because the away games become a new series.

[Sal, The Barber]

Mr. BlazerTaz obviously doesn't hang around Sal's shop; our patrons sound more like Mr. Cooper who, by the way, stopped in for a trim just the other day.

Sal kept his mouth shut (cause Mr. Cooper doesn't tip as well as Mr. Orcin), but Sal is worried about having only 1 lefty in the pen for the playoffs. Don't worry, Orcin, I kept smiling and laughing and telling Mr. Cheapy Cooper that Sal wasn't worried, that the club was top notch, that there were as prepared as ever. It was a tap dance, but Sal took lessons when he was a boy.

Actually, Sal likes the boys chances. Fletcher can pitch 3 complete games per series, and the club will score. They'll score except maybe against SD, but that series would be one for the ages.

So will you be by before the series starts, Mr. Orcin, if only to drop off my tickets? Better yet, send Jennifer.

Sal

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by Sal, The Barber

So will you be by before the series starts, Mr. Orcin, if only to drop off my tickets? Better yet, send Jennifer.

Your ticket will be waiting for you in "Will Call" along with one for that Red Sox fan that hangs around the shop.

I tried to get Jennifer to bring them to you but she said she didn't like going in there. She said it was... well... creepy.

[Orcin]

2001 Federal League Divisional Playoff Series
Houston Stars (94-68) vs. Louisville Colonels (103-59)

GAME 1 @ Louisville: Ivan De Jesus (11-15) vs. Todd Fletcher (24-5)

Houston scored a couple of single runs early on Fletcher. Who knew that would be enough?
Surprise game 1 starter Ivan De Jesus took care of business and Houston stole a game on the road.
It’s tough to win when you don’t score.



Other games:
San Diego 4, Salt Lake City 2 (San Diego leads 1-0)
Cleveland 6, New York 4 (Cleveland leads 1-0)
Boston 5, Charlotte 3 (Boston leads 1-0)

**********

GAME 2 @ Louisville: Ron Henry (10-7) vs. Ricardo Martinez (15-11)

Terrence Banks was 4-4 with 2 HR to lead Louisville to a 7-3 victory.
The Colonels hit four home runs in the second inning, and six in the game (all solo shots).
Now we must win one on the road to bring the series back here for a fifth-game showdown.



Other games:
San Diego 2, Salt Lake City 0 (San Diego leads 2-0)
Cleveland 3, New York, 2 (Cleveland leads 2-0)
Charlotte 7, Boston 1 (series tied at 1-1)

[Orcin]

2001 Federal League Divisional Playoff Series

GAME 3 @ Houston: Ron McLain (14-14) vs. Robert Westaway (21-9)

We lost a tight game on three seeing-eye singles in the ninth inning. I agreed with the decision to leave Chavez in.
This kind of game doesn’t really bother me. Someone wins and someone has to lose.
Jennifer, would you see if you can get somebody to repair this wall for me? Better wait until next week though.



Other games:
Salt Lake City 7, San Diego 5 (San Diego leads 2-1)
New York 1, Cleveland 0 (Cleveland leads 2-1)
Boston 11, Charlotte 6 (Boston leads 2-1)

**********

GAME 4 @ Houston: Dan Clayton (8-3) vs. Manuel Salazar (14-14)

Jonathan Thomas was 3-4 including the two-run homer that put the Stars in front for good.
Again, we failed at the plate, mustering only two hits. Banks and Wright were responsible for almost all of the offense in the entire series.




Houston wins the series 3-1.

Other games:
San Diego 6, Salt Lake City 1 (San Diego wins series 3-1)
Cleveland 6, New York 5 (Cleveland wins series 3-1)
Boston 4, Charlotte 3 (Boston wins series 3-1)

[Nunyer]

Yea... I bet heavily on that Colonels / Bees matchup happening in the 2nd round. I'm going to be lying low, wearing a fake mustache, don't tell my bookie I was here.

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by Nunyer

Yea... I bet heavily on that Colonels / Bees matchup happening in the 2nd round. I'm going to be lying low, wearing a fake mustache, don't tell my bookie I was here.

Don't worry, they won't recognize you in that getup.

My keyboard and mouse took quite a beating during that series, but Jennifer got those replaced and the hole in my office wall is fixed. So I think we are ready to continue with the story.