Worst to First - The Sequel

[NYY #23]

After taking a 5-0 lead in the first inning it looked like Carolina would clinch our first division title, but a bullpen implosion led to 5 runs by the Orioles in the eighth and ninth inning, and a 8-6 win over the Orioles.

[NYY #23]

We signed Vicente Cano to a big four year contract during the offseason to bring us some stability to our rotation. Today Cano pitched a complete game shutout as the Breakers clinched the AL South with a 4-0 win over the Orioles. Cano has been worth every penny of his $24.24 million contract going 16-6 with a 2.87 ERA. 251 strikeouts in 247 1/3 innings with a 7.1 WAR season.

It's turned out even better than expected in year 1 for Carolina.

[NYY #23]

I certainly have to admit there has been quite a bit of luck this season. We drafted Ramon Rocha in the 16th round of the expansion draft. He'd made just 11 starts in his career and went 9-6 with a 5.45 ERA in 115 2/3 innings last year with the Yankees. His 4.78 FIP didn't scream confidence, but he's been 13-11 with a 4.01 ERA this year in 202 innings, good for a 4.3 WAR. I'd be lying if I thought he'd have a year this good.

Gordon Sanchez went 9-13 last year with a 4.82 ERA, and turned into a 17-6 pitcher with a 3.43 ERA. His strikeouts are up, his walks are down, and his 2.9 WAR is a career high.

It seems like there are 20 stories like this. A 23rd round expansion draft pick who went from a backup with 2 career home runs, to hitting .300 with 16 home runs. Cory Keys, hit .216 with 7 home runs last year, and finished the year with a .286 average and 17 home runs.

Everything just seemed to go right this year in Carolina, and we'll see if it can continue in the playoffs.

[Trebro]

How often have you made the playoffs in Year 1?

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by Trebro

How often have you made the playoffs in Year 1?

This is my third time making the playoffs in Year 1. The first two was when I was using random debut. The first time was with the Boston Red Sox in 1929 when we selected Ken Griffey Jr as the first pick in the draft, and ended up going all the way - http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...ml#post3382957

The second time was in 1948 with the Cleveland Indians - http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...ml#post3493129

There must have been some instability after a White Sox - Cubs World Series. That won was a little more painful, because we went up 2-0 in the World Series and then proceeded to lose four straight games and the World Series, and it was four years before the Indians would return to the World Series.

[rjl518]

okay...carolina in the playoffs...now do what i did with PHA in the first year of my dynasty...win it all!!!

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by rjl518

okay...carolina in the playoffs...now do what i did with PHA in the first year of my dynasty...win it all!!!

Thanks! I would love to do just that!!

[illeracula]

Originally Posted by NYY #23

I certainly have to admit there has been quite a bit of luck this season. We drafted Ramon Rocha in the 16th round of the expansion draft. He'd made just 11 starts in his career and went 9-6 with a 5.45 ERA in 115 2/3 innings last year with the Yankees. His 4.78 FIP didn't scream confidence, but he's been 13-11 with a 4.01 ERA this year in 202 innings, good for a 4.3 WAR. I'd be lying if I thought he'd have a year this good.

Gordon Sanchez went 9-13 last year with a 4.82 ERA, and turned into a 17-6 pitcher with a 3.43 ERA. His strikeouts are up, his walks are down, and his 2.9 WAR is a career high.

It seems like there are 20 stories like this. A 23rd round expansion draft pick who went from a backup with 2 career home runs, to hitting .300 with 16 home runs. Cory Keys, hit .216 with 7 home runs last year, and finished the year with a .286 average and 17 home runs.

Everything just seemed to go right this year in Carolina, and we'll see if it can continue in the playoffs.

Based on those numbers, sounds like you play in a dome and someone is tinkering with the air-condition... hmmm... congrats, and the Cano legend lives on... No better time to win a title than now,

Good luck.

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by illeracula

Based on those numbers, sounds like you play in a dome and someone is tinkering with the air-condition... hmmm... congrats, and the Cano legend lives on... No better time to win a title than now,

Good luck.

There is no truth to the rumors that the league is investigating air flow improprieties

Thanks, I'm hoping we can somehow pull this off, and get Cano another ring!

[HerbertMcHoover]

Remarkable. If you win it all, you better trade for Cano when you get to your new team. He's lucky.

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by HerbertMcHoover

Remarkable. If you win it all, you better trade for Cano when you get to your new team. He's lucky.

He'll definitely be at the top of my wish list for my next team!

[NYY #23]

It's almost a little bit hard to believe but it was just last year I guided the Seattle Mariners to a World Series win. We'll get the opportunity to face off against the Mariners in the playoffs. We'll see what happens, but it would be extra nice to eliminate the Mariners from the playoffs this year.

[NYY #23]

We took an early 3-0 lead in the second when Luis Perez connected on a two run homer, and Luis Leon doubled home a run. We couldn't hold the lead though and with Ramon Rocha on the mound the Mariners scored 3 in the third, 1 in the fourth, and 1 in the fifth to take a 5-3 lead and send Rocha to the showers.

We'd be forced to turn the ball over to the bullpen, who responded with 4 1/3 shutout innings with Tim Schultz (2.1), Alain Beaulieu (1 IP) and Gordon Sanchez (1 IP) closing out the game.

We'd tie the game in the bottom of the fifth with back to back home runs by Cory Keys and Toin Shibasawa. Carolina would re-take the lead in the bottom of the seventh with a solo home run by Martin Warren.

Carolina goes up 1-0 in the Division Series.

[rjl518]

ironic that you have to play the team you just won the series with...also...since you arent using wild cards any more...you should change the name of the first round to the division series

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by rjl518

ironic that you have to play the team you just won the series with...also...since you arent using wild cards any more...you should change the name of the first round to the division series

That is a good point on the name change. I guess old habits die hard. I've gone ahead and changed the name, and I'll go back and edit the post.

I didn't pay too close of attention to the other divisions this year, so I was surprised when I found out I had to play Seattle. I don't think that's ever happened to me before this soon after leaving.

[NYY #23]

Adrian Jackson was dominant for 6 2/3 shutout innings today, allowing just 2 hits, 4 walks, and striking out 10. He'd be staked to an early 5-0 lead, and although the bullpen allowed a pair of runs Carolina held on for a 5-2 win.

Carolina now leads the Mariners 2 games to none.

[NYY #23]

John Henry isn't a name I was familiar with on the Mariners because he came over to Seattle in a trade for Chris Frost. We became pretty familiar with him tonight after he pitched 8 shutout innings and struck out 9 Breakers to outpitch Vicente Cano as the Mariners won 4-0.

Cano didn't pitch too bad, but giving up a pair of two run homers was costly.

The Mariners now trail 2 games to 1.

[NYY #23]

Ramon Rocha picked up the win with a strong outing, lasting 7 1/3 innings and allowing just 1 run on 6 hits. Rocha struck out 4 while walking just 1 batter.

Carolina had six players drive in a run today, but the offensive hero was Greg Deen who homered and drove in 3 runs.

The Breakers knock off the Mariners 3 games to 1 to advance to the American League Championship Series.

[Trebro]

Even if this isn't a magical one-and-done team, you can really be proud of your aggressive strategy to get good quickly. I'm taking notes.

[rjl518]

awesome...lets go Breakers