Orcin's Story

[Orcin]

2013 POST-SEASON RESULTS



Cleveland wins their third championship. Louisville knocked off favored Los Angeles but then lost to San Francisco, the wild card team.


Personal Note:
I received job offers from Indianapolis, Dallas, Boston (always), and Charlotte. The Indianapolis Indians gave an impressive presentation. They have the #4 farm system. Their payroll is #20 and they don’t have any bad contracts.

But… BNN gave me a raise, so I am going to stick around here. It’s a pretty comfy job. I’m not bored. Really, I’m not.

[Orcin]

2013 CBA Post-Season Awards

Outstanding Player:
Patriot – 1B Kevin Leonard, Baltimore Robins (.312/.381/.671, 56 HR, 135 RBI)
Federal – CF Gary Lewis, St. Louis Hawks (.307/.396/.572, 34 HR, 104 RBI)

Outstanding Pitcher:
Patriot – SP Jesus Aguila, Charleston Generals (24-2, 2.64 ERA, 229 K’s) – his 3rd OP Award & 2nd in a row
Federal – CL Ronald Richard, Houston Stars (8-1, 0.72 ERA, 47/49 SV)

Rookie of the Year:
Patriot – 2B Shane Plumbly, Boston Bombers (.291/.353/.453, 21 HR, 66 RBI)
Federal – CF Ron Hale, Dallas Rattlers (.307/.345/.483, 14 HR, 55 RBI)

Manager of the Year:
Patriot – Howard Mick, Charleston Generals (98-64)
Federal – Bruce Hensley, Houston Stars (100-62)


CBA 2013 Hall of Fame Class

CL Miguel Moran, Phoenix Coyotes, 98-62, 2.01 ERA, 575 SV (#1 Career Saves)
SP Jacob Elliott, Houston Stars, 205-123, 3.13 ERA, 2259 K

[Jabez54]

Originally Posted by Orcin

But… BNN gave me a raise, so I am going to stick around here. It’s a pretty comfy job. I’m not bored. Really, I’m not.

... Thanks, for the chuckle ... made my morning ... Boston has consistencies ...

[Orcin]

April, 2014

OFF-SEASON CENTER

• 3B David Sanchez (ex-CHI) signed with Nashville (6 yrs. $127M)
• 1B John Wright (ex-BOS/CLT) signed with San Francisco (6 yrs. $112M)
• SP Jorge Costello (ex-PHI) signed with San Francisco (6 yrs. $99M)
• SP Marshall Moyer (ex-NY) signed with Charlotte (6 yrs. $94M)


PRE-SEASON PREDICTIONS



The Louisville Colonels’ focus is “neutral”. Fan interest is 90.
Owner Gordon Cooper’s expectation is “reach the playoffs”.


PRE-SEASON FAVORITES LIST
Current status of some popular CBA players

• SP Robert Westaway, WAS starting rotation #1(age 37)
• SP Ray Alexander, MIL starting rotation #2 (age 34) *
• MR Lucas Sanders, WAS setup man (age 37)
• MR Chip Davidson, SD bullpen – currently on D/L (age 31)

* Ray Alexander is 51-52, 4.56 ERA over 4 seasons in Milwaukee.

• C Duncan Bland, LOU starting lineup batting #7 (age 34)
• CF Rafael Valdez, LOU starting lineup batting #3 (age 27)
• LF Edgardo Sanchez, LOU starting lineup batting #6 (age 30)
• LF Dennis Morgan, PVD starting lineup batting #4 (see note below)
• 1B Mike Guy, NSH starting lineup batting #5 (age 31)
• SS Pierre-Louis Simon, CHI starting lineup batting #1 (age 37)
• CF Pedro Dominguez, retired 2013 (age 31)
• 2B Alexander Mooney, retired 2013 (age 30)
• LF Jon Schultz, retired January 2014 (age 39)
• RF Patrick Timm, unsigned free agent (age 36)

Dennis Morgan was slumping in July and Dallas (out of the race) traded him to Providence (in the race) for prospects. Morgan was rejuvenated by the pennant race and finished strong. He may not be done yet at age 33.

[Orcin]

CBA STANDINGS – 2014 FINAL



The Louisville Colonels failed to win the Midwest Division and missed the playoffs for the first time in 15 years.
The Colonels also failed to draw 3 million fans for the first time since 1999.




Washington and Charleston maintained a hold on their divisions, but they may be slipping.

[Orcin]

LEAGUE LEADERS – 2014 FINAL




Cleveland pitching sensation Hsi-men “Frisky” Chen was spectacular.
Louisville SS Luis Vargas bounced back from his sophomre slump with a nice season.

[Orcin]

LOUISVILLE COLONELS – 2014 REGULAR SEASON FINAL STATS



Why did the Colonels slide toward a breakeven record? Their offense was a little below average, their pitching was a little above average, and their defense was about average. When you average that all out, you get a team that is about average.





Player Performance/Awards:
• SP Edgardo Ordonez wins the Otto Orcin Best Pitcher Award
• SS Luis Vargas wins the Otto Orcin Best Player Award
• LF Brian Ferguson wins the Otto Orcin Rookie of the Year Award
• SP Bill Robertson (age 37) was signed in May and helped stabilize a young rotation.
• CF Rafael Valdez failed to play 120 games for the third straight year due to injuries.
• C/1B Duncan Bland (age 34) had the worst year of his career.
• SP Marcos Maestas gets an honorable mention as a top rookie.


Management:
• The Colonels showed an operating loss of $2 million without the playoff revenue.
• Attendance was down, but fan interest is still 93 despite the mediocre season.
• The Colonels had the #8 payroll this year at $115 million.


Former Player Update:
Pierre-Louis Simon broke his knee in May, and was unable to return from this injury. He announced his retirement from baseball at the end of the season. He is 38 years old. Simon is #3 in career stolen bases with 730 and #2 all-time with 101 triples. He also has those five rings.

[Jabez54]

Vipers and the Miners are hitting their stride ... the Surprising Indians may be the sleeper during the Post-Season Series ....

[Orcin]

2014 POST-SEASON RESULTS



Charleston and Los Angeles are two of the new CBA powers. Charleston has now made the playoffs for seven straight seasons. This was their third championship.


Personal Note:
I received job offers from Chicago, San Francisco, Baltimore, Providence, Cincinnati, and Orlando. I put that stack of emails aside and scanned the transactions list for items that could be used on tonight’s broadcast. I was reading so fast that I almost missed this little tidbit.

Louisville Colonels: General Manager Chris Porter leaves the team, his contract was not renewed.

It was an amazing coincidence, but my phone rang thirty seconds later. I recognized the area code.

[Galeg]

Originally Posted by Orcin

Louisville Colonels: General Manager Chris Porter leaves the team, his contract was not renewed.

It was an amazing coincidence, but my phone rang thirty seconds later. I recognized the area code.

Ooh. That sounds interesting.

[MarkCuban]

Originally Posted by Orcin

Personal Note:
I received job offers from Chicago, San Francisco, Baltimore, Providence, Cincinnati, and Orlando. I put that stack of emails aside and scanned the transactions list for items that could be used on tonight’s broadcast. I was reading so fast that I almost missed this little tidbit.

Louisville Colonels: General Manager Chris Porter leaves the team, his contract was not renewed.

It was an amazing coincidence, but my phone rang thirty seconds later. I recognized the area code.

I'd like to see the Louievilles hit rock-bottom before you return. 82-80 put the colonels only 2 games out of the wild card. Fu

I'm excited either way but would be far more excited if the Colonels were ~70-92 when you return.

Can you post some more in-depth analysis of the Louievilles? What prospects do they have and how are they financially?

[Orcin]

I don't think Gordon Cooper would ever let the Colonels get to 70-92. He is changing the GM after missing the playoffs once.

As for more details... just stay tuned.

[Orcin]

Friday, October 31, 2014

I drove up to Gordon Cooper’s house late in the evening. I remembered it as Henry Cooper’s house, and it really hadn’t changed much. Gordon himself greeted me at the door, and thanked me for making the trip on short notice. We went to his library for a glass of wine (or two). We talked about the house and the town and the people for a while, and then Gordon got down to business. As always, he didn’t waste time and he also did not allow for interruptions.

“Are you bored with media work yet, Otto? If so, I have a proposal for you. I know you saw the news about Porter. Nice guy, but he was in over his head. Paula Dunlap helped him as best she could, but there were too many bad decisions. I couldn’t wait any longer to make a move before the team declined into irrelevance. I want you to take over for Porter. I am offering you the job of President and General Manager of the Louisville Colonels. What do you say?”

I might have played coy and beat around the bush with other people, but not Gordon. I owe him better than that. I gave my response to the question that I had been prepared to hear, and I too did not allow for interruptions.

“Yes, I am bored. Media work is fun but my passion is baseball management. I miss the art of assembling a roster. I have wanted to come back to baseball for a couple of years but I would not work anywhere else. So, I will accept your offer under two conditions.”

Gordon stared anxiously and waited for me to spell them out.

“I need you to buy out my contract with BNN.” Gordon smiled and said, “No problem. I worked out those details when I called to ask permission for this meeting. What is the other condition?”

“I want to build this franchise from the ground up and I won’t be prodded into making a quick fix. I want your word that I will not be fired for three years.” Gordon was slightly puzzled by this demand. “I wouldn’t hire you to turn around and fire you.”

I explained that long-term goals might take precedence over short-term success. “If we miss the playoffs again next year, I don’t want your famous short fuse to blow me up.”

Gordon had consumed enough wine by then to find the humor in that remark, and he agreed to my condition. The press release will go out tonight and I will be on the job tomorrow morning.

I stopped at the door on my way out and added, “There is just one more thing. I want my own executive assistant.”

Gordon smiled. “Jennifer Clark will be happy to hear that.”

[beachbomer]

Heeees baaaaackkkkk!!!!!!

[Westheim]

(hums) Hee's back! ... the maaan ... behind ... the maaask ...

Some Alice Cooper and some wine and this evening could go either way.

Uhm.

[threesportgeek]

Glad to see you back in Louisville. I really thought if you were coming back it would have been to Big D. Inspiring to know you have loyalties to the franchise.

[Muskies]

Welcome Back I look forward to watching you bring Louisville back to championship form

[Westheim]

Of course we expect a full roster evaluation and axing of half a roster now.

[jaysdailydose]

My biggest concern is that Duncan Bland is treated with the same grace that Solly Campbell was... but, of this, I never had any doubt, if Otto was ever able to return.

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by jaysdailydose

My biggest concern is that Duncan Bland is treated with the same grace that Solly Campbell was... but, of this, I never had any doubt, if Otto was ever able to return.

Duly noted!