ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE (RUTHLANDIA and TYCOBBIA BASEBALL UNIONS) - Page 319

care4ameatball · 04-13-2019, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eugene Church

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Wednesday, October 15, 2059

NINJAS' BROPHY NABS PRO CUP MVP
There was no clear standout in the Islandian Pro Alliance Pro Cup Series... the media was split about who the Most Valuable Player was... finally, it was the pitchers, who came out with the most support... the 2059 Pro Cup Most Valuable Player trophy was awarded to the Ginza Ninjas' ace twirler, Kurt Brophy... followered closely by Ninja closer Abram Worth... it was a tight tussle between those two... Brophy picked up 45 points in the voting, while Worth came in second with 35... three others received some support... Ginza right fielder Gideon Tracy and catcher Gerry Glidden tied for third place in the balloting with 15 points apiece... fifth in the MVP voting was Valmara's first sacker Timmy Benford with 10 points.

Brophy, a 23-year-old right-hander, made five starts in this year's postseason playoffs, posting a 3-0 record with a superb 1.36 ERA in 40 innings... each of them were quality starts... Ginza won four of the five games... Brophy pitched 7 excellent innings, allowing only one run in the no-decision extra-inning defeat... for the regular season, he chalked up a 17-7 mark with a 3.28 ERA in 30 starts.

Abram Worth, a 6-foot-6 southpaw giant, had a super season with 35 saves and a 2.29 ERA in 61 relief appearances... in the playoffs, he was 2-0 with 3 saves in 9 appearances... the 29-year-old Worth tossed 20 innings and registered a sparkling 0.89 ERA... both Worth and Brophy played critical roles in the Ginza Pro Cup victory run.

The Ginza hitters were also a prime part of the Pro Cup triumph with Gideon Tracy and Gerry Glidden the main two batters... Tracy topped the club in 16 postseason games with a .338 BA, 6 doubles, 1 homer, 14 RBIs and 15 runs scored... Glidden only batted .246, but he walloped 6 out of the park in the playoffs and drove in 14 runs... many of his were game-changing hits.

Valmara's Timmy Benford had a brilliant postseason at the plate, batting .424 with 28 hits, 7 two-baggers, 1 home run, 13 RBIs and 10 runs scored... he was a vital part of the Vipers getting to the Pro Cup Finals.

2059 ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE PRO CUP SERIES MOST VALUABLE PLAYER AWARD

I knew they would be able to win that title. The experts didn’t give Ginza a chance but now look at them, they’re the champs. The team I chose as my favorite in the TU won the pro cup. That’s pretty cool. 64 teams but only 1 gets to be the best. Congrats to Kurt Brophy on his well deserved MVP award. Let’s hope Ginza can keep a few seasons of pro-cup level baseball so they can make it back. Glad to see the underdog win it all this season, hopefully they win the pennant next season. But now it’s time for the team to celebrate and enjoy this historic victory. Can’t wait for next season

Eugene Church · 04-13-2019, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by care4ameatball

I knew they would be able to win that title. The experts didn’t give Ginza a chance but now look at them, they’re the champs. The team I chose as my favorite in the TU won the pro cup. That’s pretty cool. 64 teams but only 1 gets to be the best. Congrats to Kurt Brophy on his well deserved MVP award. Let’s hope Ginza can keep a few seasons of pro-cup level baseball so they can make it back. Glad to see the underdog win it all this season, hopefully they win the pennant next season. But now it’s time for the team to celebrate and enjoy this historic victory. Can’t wait for next season

The Ninjas should be around for awhile... second baseman Kuzuki Tamura is 34 and catcher Gerry Glidden is 33... they are the oldest vets... otherwise Ginza is a pretty young team.

Eugene Church · 04-14-2019, 03:36 PM

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Friday, October 17, 2059

WALDREP RU BLASTER OF THE YEAR
Up-and-coming Lanny Waldrep made his name a household word in Colfax this season... Waldrep, just 21 years old and in his third year in the IPA, bolted to the forefront by being named the Ruthlandian Union Batter of the Year... in his breakout season, Waldrep edged out veterans Manny Sendejas of Wynnamac and Mel Brouwer of Crystal Lake for the best batter honor.

Outfielder Waldrep sparked the Blasters to a third-place finish in the RU West Division with a .341 BA, 174 hits, 30 doubles, 6 triples and 27 homers... in 148 games he drove in 113 runs and scored 100 times... he also topped the league with 105 bases on balls and a .454 OBP... Waldrep was an All-Star selection, too, this year.

28-year-old Wynnamac outfielder Manny Sendejas, just keeps getting better and better... his fifth year was his career best... 134 games with a .313 BA, 158 hits, 33 doubles, 10 triples, 35 home runs, a league-leading 122 RBIs and 98 runs... the Sundowners came in third this season in the RU East.

Mel Brouwer, center fielder for the Crystal Lake Skippers, led his club to its second RU South pennant in a row... Brouwer played in 148 contests, hit .304 with 160 hits, 29 doubles, 3 triples, 22 HRs, 104 RBIs and scored 99 runs.

Eugene Church · 04-14-2019, 05:00 PM

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Saturday, October 18, 2059

HENLEY HAULS IN FIRST RU GOLD ARM AWARD
Big 6-foot-6 Mark Henley hauled in his first Ruthlandian Union Golden Arm Award... the big 26-year-old Marston Nine southpaw posted a superlative season in his sixth year in the IPA... Mickey Walsh of the Sligo Rovers finished second in the voting, while Jacky Harshman of the Rovers came in third.

Henley compiled a 22-7 record in 31 starts, tallied 101 strikeouts in 229 innings and recorded a 2.91 ERA... other clubs managed a .268 batting average against him... Marston won the Ruthlandian East by six games this season.

Two Sligo hurlers were his main competition... Mickey Walsh and Jacky Harshman both had standout years... Walsh came in second in the voting... he was 17-8 with a league-leading 1.96 ERA in 33 starts...Walsh won the Golden Arm in 2053... Harshman was 16-8 with a 1.96 ERA in 29 starts... the Rovers ended up in first place in the Ruthlandian West Division race this year... it was their first division flag since 2040.

Eugene Church · 04-15-2019, 01:25 PM

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Sunday, October 19, 2059

RUSTON TOP RU ROOKIE
There were no budding superstars in the Ruthlandian Union rookie class this season... just a few solid ballplayers that put up some decent numbers in their freshman year... Eastshore third baseman impressed the most voters and was selected the 2059 Ruthlandian Union Rookie of the Year... he edged out pitcher Skippy Hays of Far Mountain and infielder Rodrigo Valdez of San Dimas.

Norbert Ruston took the top rookie trophy by hitting .296 in 147 games and playing fine defense at third base... Ruston collected 169 hits, 26 doubles, 16 triples and 2 home runs with 52 RBIs and 79 runs scored... however, his efforts were somewhat in vain, the Eastshore Cotton Kings still would up deep in the RU East second division with a 63-91 mark.

Runner-up in the rookie balloting was Far Mountain freshman right-hander Skippy Hays, who did well in his first season in the Islandian Pro Alliance... the 24-year-old made 25 starts and posted a fine 15-7 record with a 3.98 ERA... Hays twirled two shutouts, had 10 complete games, fanned 114 and walked 57 in his 202 innings... he appeared in 37 games.

The number three votegetter was second baseman Rodrigo Valdez of the San Dimas Rancheros... he played in 127 games, batted .271 with good power... Valdez hit 23 out of the park, drove in 72 runs and scored 60... he played a good second base defensively... nonetheless, the Rancheros still came in dead last in the RU South Division.

Eugene Church · 04-15-2019, 01:55 PM

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, October 20, 2059

MACS SENDEJAS RU MVP
Manny Sendejas didn't have the numbers to take the RU Golden Bat Award this year, but his overall season and overall importance to his team, the Wynnamac Sundowners, got him a more illustrious trophy... Sendejas is the 2059 Ruthlandian Union Most Valuable Player... the Macs' right fielder outpolled the RU Golden Arm winner, Marston's Mark Henley, for the MVP honor... third in the vote was the RU Golden Bat winner, Lanny Waldrep of the Colfax Blasters.

Sendejas hit at a .313 clip, participated in 134 games, with 158 hits, 33 two-baggers, 10 triples, 35 homers, led the Ruthlandian Union with 122 RBIs and scored 98 runs... Wynnamac came in third in the RU South race... Sendejas was one of the prime reasons they had such a good season.

Henley, a huge 6-foot-6 portsider, had a marvelous year with the pennant-winning Marston Nine... Henley went 22-7 in 31 starts with a 2.91 ERA... he fanned 101 batters and walked 61 in his 229 innings.

In a remarkable season, Colfax's right fielder Lanny Waldrep, hit .341 with 30 doubles, 6 triples, 27 roundtrippers, 113 RBIs and scored 100 runs... Waldrep played in 148 games and was a fine defender in the field... he helped the Blasters to a third-place finish in the RU West Division.

Eugene Church · 04-16-2019, 05:29 PM

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Tuesday, October 21, 2059

LYNN LAUDED AS TU GOLDEN BAT WINNER
Three powerful bats were in the running for the 2059 Tycobbian Union Golden Bat trophy... all three put up some glorious numbers... all three played for a pennant winner or pennant contender... but there is just one trophy... and it went to Showboat Lynn of the Oxford Red Caps... in a nip-and-tuck vote Lynn edged out Teddy Stonich of the Rolling Hills Reds and Lynn's blockbuster teammate Buddy Blackford.

Lynn terrorized IPA pitching... he led the IPA with 59 homers, 144 RBI and 146 runs... in 146 games Lynn swatted .344 with 198 hits, 25 doubles and 10 triples... Stonich and Bradford were the only two to come close to his numbers... they, too, had marvelous years, but not quite as good Lynn's colossal season... the 22-year-old Lynn and the 23-year-old Bradford led the Red Caps to a runaway 11-game victory in the Tycobbian North, while the 25-year-old Stonich sparked his Reds to a very close second place in the Tycobbian West... they lost by one game to pennant-winning Denton City.

Stonich was second in the TU Golden Bat voting... he was also second to Lynn with 132 RBIs and 127 runs... and fourth with 49 homers... Stonich led the entire IPA with a .369 BA, 229 hits and 46 doubles, while playing in 153 games.

Blackford also posted some strong numbers in 151 games... he batted .312 and ranked second with 50 roundtrippers, third with 123 runs and sixth in RBIs with 120.

Eugene Church · 04-16-2019, 06:32 PM

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Wednesday, October 22, 2059

DC'S COONS COPS TU TOP TWIRLER AWARD
It was the pitchers that got their day in the sun today in the Islandian Pro Alliance... the 2059 Tycobbian Union Golden Arm Award trophy was presented to Carl Coons of the Denton City Redbirds... the 24-year-old right-hander nudged out Duane Sturgeon of the Red Bluff Red Sox and ace closer Pat McFarlane of the Oxford Red Caps.

Carl Coons led Denton City to the Tycobbian West Division title with a terrific 20-6 mark with an impressive 2.23 ERA... Coons is a junkballer par excellence... this was his first Golden Arm trophy... this was his sixth season in the IPA... all with the DC Redbirds... he has been one of the team's primary starters the last four seasons... Coons in 72-35 overall in his career with a strong 2.76 ERA... this was his second time to record 20 wins.

Duane Sturgeon has been a three-year standout for Red Bluff... in 2059 the 25-year-old starter really stepped it up with a 21-10 mark and a superb 2.20 ERA... Sturgeon finished second in the TU Golden Arm competition... he is 60-37 in his career with the Red Sox... lifetime his ERA is 2.71... Red Bluff came in second for the second straight season in the TU East... Sturgeon was member of the Red Sox when they captured the Pro Cup crown in 2057... that was his rookie year.

It tough for relievers to get attention at awards time... but this year Oxford's Pat McFarlane set a new IPA record with 43 saves and caught the eye of the voting press... McFarlane was a key element in the Red Caps running away with the TU North Division title... he appeared in 58 games, wound up with a 6-2 mark and a fine 1.49 ERA... McFarlane came in third in the TU Golden Arm balloting.

Eugene Church · 04-18-2019, 04:15 PM

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Thursday, October 23, 2059

PENDERGRASS BEST TU ROOKIE
The fans in Summerland had a lot to cheer about all season long... his name is Johnny Pendergrass, this year's Tycobbian Union Rookie of the Year... the 21-year-old centerfielder got the best of his freshman peers with a solid .313 batting average in 147 games with 24 homers, 68 ribbies, 82 runs scored and 17 stolen bases... Pendergrass did it all, at bat and in the field, too... he led the Sunsets to a third-place finish in the TU South.

Vitorio Descalsco of East Point wound up a close second in the top Rookie balloting... he paced the Panthers to fifth place in the TU East race with a fine 16-10 record and a 3.14 ERA... Descalsco, age 22, had 12 complete games in 30 starts and posted two shutouts.

Third place went to Lloyd Bearden, third baseman for the Rolling Hills Reds... the 28-year-old played in 123 games in his rookie year, batted .308 with 143 hits, 27 doubles, 4 triples and 3 home runs... Bearden helped the Reds to the second spot in the TU West standings... they missed the pennant by just one game to the Denton City Redbirds... Bearden drove in 58 runs and scored 50 in his first year in the IPA.

Eugene Church · 04-18-2019, 04:48 PM

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Friday, October 24, 2059

STONICH SURPRISE TYCOBBIAN MVP
Teddy Stonich had a magnificent season... the 25-year-old first sacker led the Islandian Pro Alliance with a .369 batting average... he also led the IPA with 229 hits and 45 doubles, while playing 153 games... Stonich came in second with 132 RBIs, second in runs scored with 127 and number four with 49 roundtrippers... but he came in second in the Tycobbian Union Golden Bat voting... losing out to Showboat Lynn of the Oxford Red Caps... however, things went his way in the TU Most Valuable Player competition... the baseball scribes and broadcasters said it was Stonich, who deserved the trophy... he sparked his Reds to second place in the TU West... they fell just one game short of the pennant.

It was a very close vote, just like the one won by Showboat Lynn in the TU Golden Bat this year... Lynn also had a monstrous year with a .344 BA in 146 games, fifth best in the IPA... he has the most homers with 59, the most RBIs with 144 and scored the most runs with 146... but when it was all said and done, he came in second to Stonich for the MVP honor... Oxford easily won the TU North pennant... both were worthy choices.

Closer Pat McFarlane of the Oxford Red Caps also enjoyed a super season... he set a new IPA mark for the most saves in a season with 43, compiled a 6-2 record with 1.49 ERA in 58 games... he also came in third in the TU Golden Arm race... the bullpen ace also came in third in the Most Valuable Player vote... he, along with teammates Showboat Lynn and Buddy Blackford, led the Red Caps to one of their best seasons ever... they ran away with the division flag in the TU North, winning by 11 games.

Eugene Church · 04-20-2019, 07:49 PM

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Saturday, October 25, 2059

IPA HONORS BEST GLOVES IN RU
The big bats, big hitters and the fireballing hurlers get most of the glory in the Islandian Pro Alliance... but the best glovemen are a vital part of a team's success, too... The IPA announced this year Golden Glove Team for 2059.

Tuffy Palmieri picked up his fourth Golden Glove trophy, while it was the third time Phil McLemore and Callum Slattery were named to the top defensive team.

Ruthlandian Union Golden Glove Team

Pitcher: Benny Arledge (Ancona Red Elephants) (13-14/4.27 ERA) (.983 FA) (2-time winner)
Catcher: Tuffy Palmieri (St. John Crusaders) (.291 BA/7 HR/61 RBI/48 R) (.991 FA/9 PB/51.5% RTO) (4-time winner)
First Baseman: Bubby Cranmore (Middlefield Roosters) (.316 BA/6 HR/49 RBI/93 R) (.996 FA) (first-time winner)
Second Baseman: Phil McLemore (Wynnamac Sundowners) (.237 BA/12 HR/69 RBI/66 R) (.980 FA/445 assists) (3-time winner)
Third Baseman: Neil Sedaka (LaGrange Sports) (.206/16 HR/61 RBI/58 R) (.960 FA/257 assists) (first-time winner)
Shortstop: Mauricio Tejada (Volusia Vigilantes) (.282 BA/11 HR/65 RBI/69 R) (.981 FA/447 assists) (first-time winner)
Left Fielder: Curtis Cochran (Belair Beach Sunbirds) (.311 BA/8 HR/81 RBI/80 R/25 SB) (.979 FA/372 PO/6 assists) (2-time winner)
Center Fielder: Callum Slattery (Glasco Athletics) (.272 BA/16 HR/73 RBI/82 R/5 SB) (.996 FA/507 PO/13 assists) (3-time winner)
Right Fielder: Lanny Waldrep (Colfax Blasters) (.341 BA/27 HR/113 RBI/100 R) (.989 FA/335 PO/17 assists) (first-time winner)

Eugene Church · 04-21-2019, 02:05 PM

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Sunday, October 26, 2059

'59 TYCOBBIAN GOLDEN GLOVERS ANNOUNCED
The guys with the golden gloves that track down long fly balls, that go far-and-wide to snare a grounder, have been acclaimed by the Islandian Pro Alliance and the Tycobbian Union.... the 2059 Golden Glove Team was announced today.

Most of the honorees were first timers... only one rookie made the squad, Johnny Pendergrass... Norishige Ito won his third Golden Glove trophy, while Rebel Bryce became a two-time recipient.

2959 Tycobbian Union Golden Glove Team

Pitcher: Ezra Hancock (Ozarka Naturals) (13-11/3.55 ERA) (1.000 FA) (first-time winner)
Catcher: Afonso Marques (San Alejo Montaneros) (.249 BA/18 HR/61 RBI/56 R) (.994 FA/3 PB/60.9% RTO) (first-time winner)
First Baseman: Buddy Blackford (Oxford Red Caps) (.285 BA/41 HR/113 RBI/82 R) (.994 FA) (first-time winner)
Second Baseman: Smokey Nix (Hartsdale Hellcats) (.240 BA/17 HR/78 RBI/79 R/3 SB) (.985 FA/454 assists) (first-time winner)
Third Baseman: Dick Barney (Arroyo Grande Suns) (.244 BA/10 HR/33 RBI/38 R/3 SB) (.986 FA/260 assists) (first-time winner)
Shortstop: Bill Wolverton (Turon Typhoons) (.269 BA/7 HR/44 RBI/54 R/6 SB) (.980 FA/429 assists) (first-time winner)
Left Fielder: Norishige Ito (Midway Wolves) (.318 BA/42 HR/119 RBI/96 R) (.990 FA/373 PO/4 assists) (3-time winner)
Center Fielder: Rebel Bryce (Arlon Champions) (.242 BA/25 HR/88 RBI/73 R) (.991 FA/555 PO/20 assists) (2-time winner)
Right Fielder: Johnny Pendergrass (Summerland Sunsets) (.313 BA/24 HR/68 RBI/82 R/17 SB) (.984 FA/436 PO/8 assists) (rookie winner)

Eugene Church · 04-22-2019, 06:24 PM

THE ISLANDIAN TIMES
Monday, October 27, 2059

BEST SKIPPERS NAMED IN IPA
The best skippers in the Islandian Pro Alliance were fairly clear cut this year... Russ Woodward of the Marston Nine garnered his second Ruthlandian Union Manager of the Year Award and Sogo Takagi of the Ginza Ninjas won it for the first time in the Tycobbian Union... Woodward also was selected the best manager in 2047, his first year at the helm of the Nine.

Woodward guided Marston to a fantastic season... the Nine went from 6th place in '58 to first place in '59... they improved from 69-85 to 95-59... only one other manager received any votes... finishing a very distant second in balloting was Valka's skipper Arno Vainmaa... his Blackhawks jumped from sixth place and 73-81 to second place and 81-73... they came in four games behind Crystal Lake in the Ruthlandian South Division.

There was a little more competition for the 2059 Tycobbian Union Manager of the Year... however, Ginza's Sogo Takagi was heads-and-shoulders above all of the other votegetters... his Ninjas had sensational year, coming from 4th place and a poor 68-86 mark in '58 to the top spot in the Tycobbian South race with a 96-58 record, the second-best record in the IPA... Takagi even led his club to their first-ever Pro Cup title.

Several other skippers had standout years, but none could compare to Takagi's... Denton City's Pete Gibbs upped his Redbirds from fifth place and 72-82 to first place in the TU West with an 88-67 season this year... Oxford's Dennis Hartwig came in third place in the Manager of the Year competition... the Red Caps rose up from third place with an 86-68 mark to the top record in the IPA with a 97-57 year, good for first place in the TU North... fourth place in the voting went to Jack Elliott of the High Mesa Mustangs, who went from fifth place and 81-73 to winning the TU East with an 89-65 record.

Eugene Church · 04-22-2019, 06:30 PM

The awards put the finishing touch on the 2059 season... I'll soon begin work on the 2060 season... I need to create some free agents that will have a fair chance of making some rosters... they are assigned randomly... most of the time they get average players, but occasionally they get a star.

I will also have to go through the teams' reserve rosters and get rid of the old deadwood that will never play in the IPA.

I give each team two new players, based on the team's biggest needs.

That's 128 new players on the 64 teams... I usually end up with about 20 players that will win regular spots on the teams.

My rookie class in 2059 was just so-so... no real standouts... but there were about 8 solid contributors.

Eugene Church · 04-25-2019, 08:18 PM

Created my new free agents... will now randomly assign them to teams based on the teams' needs... I do not know the ratings of each player... basically, it's the luck of the draw for each team.

Each team will get two free agents.

Eugene Church · 04-26-2019, 07:59 PM

I have have added free agents to 30 of the 64 teams.

Shouldn't be long until the 2060 season gets underway.

Maybe early next week.

Thanks to all of you that still follow the IPA.

Much appreciate it.

Eugene Church · 04-28-2019, 06:22 PM

Finished all of the 64 teams... added two players to the rosters... some made the active rosters... mainly pitchers... position players have trouble getting on the active rosters.

I plan to go through each roster and get rid of chaff... and the hangers-on.

The AI keeps players on the rosters that will never play much.

It is slow to retire older players.

Eugene Church · 04-29-2019, 09:38 PM

Purging the active roster of unproductive players and getting rid of the never weres, never will bes and deadheads on the reserve roster really is slow going.

I have done only 15 of the 64 teams.

Looks like it will take awhile... not likely to start the 2060 season this week.

Eugene Church · 05-01-2019, 10:02 PM

Purging the bad talent from the active rosters and reserve rosters really takes time, but it is important that I be thorough and do it right.

I'll just have to buckle down and take care of it... guess I will have to let my North Island Recreational League go for awhile.

I really like to cover 12 teams... it's a breeze... I am really getting immersed in the NIRL and really getting to know the players.

It is pure joy!

Eugene Church · 05-02-2019, 06:08 PM

I thought about just skipping the purging of the rosters, but then realized it would be an advantage for the teams that were purged... teams that have five or six new players seem to be much better in my experience over the years with the IPA.

I have completed 16 of the 64 teams.

Probably take me a week or so to complete all of them.

04-14-2019, 03:36 PM	#6363
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,094 Blog Entries: 1	THE ISLANDIAN TIMES Friday, October 17, 2059 WALDREP RU BLASTER OF THE YEAR Up-and-coming Lanny Waldrep made his name a household word in Colfax this season... Waldrep, just 21 years old and in his third year in the IPA, bolted to the forefront by being named the Ruthlandian Union Batter of the Year... in his breakout season, Waldrep edged out veterans Manny Sendejas of Wynnamac and Mel Brouwer of Crystal Lake for the best batter honor. Outfielder Waldrep sparked the Blasters to a third-place finish in the RU West Division with a .341 BA, 174 hits, 30 doubles, 6 triples and 27 homers... in 148 games he drove in 113 runs and scored 100 times... he also topped the league with 105 bases on balls and a .454 OBP... Waldrep was an All-Star selection, too, this year. 28-year-old Wynnamac outfielder Manny Sendejas, just keeps getting better and better... his fifth year was his career best... 134 games with a .313 BA, 158 hits, 33 doubles, 10 triples, 35 home runs, a league-leading 122 RBIs and 98 runs... the Sundowners came in third this season in the RU East. Mel Brouwer, center fielder for the Crystal Lake Skippers, led his club to its second RU South pennant in a row... Brouwer played in 148 contests, hit .304 with 160 hits, 29 doubles, 3 triples, 22 HRs, 104 RBIs and scored 99 runs. Attached Images Last edited by Eugene Church; 04-18-2019 at 04:16 PM.

04-14-2019, 05:00 PM	#6364
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,094 Blog Entries: 1	THE ISLANDIAN TIMES Saturday, October 18, 2059 HENLEY HAULS IN FIRST RU GOLD ARM AWARD Big 6-foot-6 Mark Henley hauled in his first Ruthlandian Union Golden Arm Award... the big 26-year-old Marston Nine southpaw posted a superlative season in his sixth year in the IPA... Mickey Walsh of the Sligo Rovers finished second in the voting, while Jacky Harshman of the Rovers came in third. Henley compiled a 22-7 record in 31 starts, tallied 101 strikeouts in 229 innings and recorded a 2.91 ERA... other clubs managed a .268 batting average against him... Marston won the Ruthlandian East by six games this season. Two Sligo hurlers were his main competition... Mickey Walsh and Jacky Harshman both had standout years... Walsh came in second in the voting... he was 17-8 with a league-leading 1.96 ERA in 33 starts...Walsh won the Golden Arm in 2053... Harshman was 16-8 with a 1.96 ERA in 29 starts... the Rovers ended up in first place in the Ruthlandian West Division race this year... it was their first division flag since 2040. Attached Images

04-15-2019, 01:25 PM	#6365
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,094 Blog Entries: 1	THE ISLANDIAN TIMES Sunday, October 19, 2059 RUSTON TOP RU ROOKIE There were no budding superstars in the Ruthlandian Union rookie class this season... just a few solid ballplayers that put up some decent numbers in their freshman year... Eastshore third baseman impressed the most voters and was selected the 2059 Ruthlandian Union Rookie of the Year... he edged out pitcher Skippy Hays of Far Mountain and infielder Rodrigo Valdez of San Dimas. Norbert Ruston took the top rookie trophy by hitting .296 in 147 games and playing fine defense at third base... Ruston collected 169 hits, 26 doubles, 16 triples and 2 home runs with 52 RBIs and 79 runs scored... however, his efforts were somewhat in vain, the Eastshore Cotton Kings still would up deep in the RU East second division with a 63-91 mark. Runner-up in the rookie balloting was Far Mountain freshman right-hander Skippy Hays, who did well in his first season in the Islandian Pro Alliance... the 24-year-old made 25 starts and posted a fine 15-7 record with a 3.98 ERA... Hays twirled two shutouts, had 10 complete games, fanned 114 and walked 57 in his 202 innings... he appeared in 37 games. The number three votegetter was second baseman Rodrigo Valdez of the San Dimas Rancheros... he played in 127 games, batted .271 with good power... Valdez hit 23 out of the park, drove in 72 runs and scored 60... he played a good second base defensively... nonetheless, the Rancheros still came in dead last in the RU South Division. Attached Images Last edited by Eugene Church; 04-15-2019 at 01:26 PM.

04-15-2019, 01:55 PM	#6366
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,094 Blog Entries: 1	THE ISLANDIAN TIMES Monday, October 20, 2059 MACS SENDEJAS RU MVP Manny Sendejas didn't have the numbers to take the RU Golden Bat Award this year, but his overall season and overall importance to his team, the Wynnamac Sundowners, got him a more illustrious trophy... Sendejas is the 2059 Ruthlandian Union Most Valuable Player... the Macs' right fielder outpolled the RU Golden Arm winner, Marston's Mark Henley, for the MVP honor... third in the vote was the RU Golden Bat winner, Lanny Waldrep of the Colfax Blasters. Sendejas hit at a .313 clip, participated in 134 games, with 158 hits, 33 two-baggers, 10 triples, 35 homers, led the Ruthlandian Union with 122 RBIs and scored 98 runs... Wynnamac came in third in the RU South race... Sendejas was one of the prime reasons they had such a good season. Henley, a huge 6-foot-6 portsider, had a marvelous year with the pennant-winning Marston Nine... Henley went 22-7 in 31 starts with a 2.91 ERA... he fanned 101 batters and walked 61 in his 229 innings. In a remarkable season, Colfax's right fielder Lanny Waldrep, hit .341 with 30 doubles, 6 triples, 27 roundtrippers, 113 RBIs and scored 100 runs... Waldrep played in 148 games and was a fine defender in the field... he helped the Blasters to a third-place finish in the RU West Division. Attached Images

04-16-2019, 05:29 PM	#6367
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,094 Blog Entries: 1	THE ISLANDIAN TIMES Tuesday, October 21, 2059 LYNN LAUDED AS TU GOLDEN BAT WINNER Three powerful bats were in the running for the 2059 Tycobbian Union Golden Bat trophy... all three put up some glorious numbers... all three played for a pennant winner or pennant contender... but there is just one trophy... and it went to Showboat Lynn of the Oxford Red Caps... in a nip-and-tuck vote Lynn edged out Teddy Stonich of the Rolling Hills Reds and Lynn's blockbuster teammate Buddy Blackford. Lynn terrorized IPA pitching... he led the IPA with 59 homers, 144 RBI and 146 runs... in 146 games Lynn swatted .344 with 198 hits, 25 doubles and 10 triples... Stonich and Bradford were the only two to come close to his numbers... they, too, had marvelous years, but not quite as good Lynn's colossal season... the 22-year-old Lynn and the 23-year-old Bradford led the Red Caps to a runaway 11-game victory in the Tycobbian North, while the 25-year-old Stonich sparked his Reds to a very close second place in the Tycobbian West... they lost by one game to pennant-winning Denton City. Stonich was second in the TU Golden Bat voting... he was also second to Lynn with 132 RBIs and 127 runs... and fourth with 49 homers... Stonich led the entire IPA with a .369 BA, 229 hits and 46 doubles, while playing in 153 games. Blackford also posted some strong numbers in 151 games... he batted .312 and ranked second with 50 roundtrippers, third with 123 runs and sixth in RBIs with 120. Attached Images Last edited by Eugene Church; 04-18-2019 at 04:16 PM.

04-16-2019, 06:32 PM	#6368
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,094 Blog Entries: 1	THE ISLANDIAN TIMES Wednesday, October 22, 2059 DC'S COONS COPS TU TOP TWIRLER AWARD It was the pitchers that got their day in the sun today in the Islandian Pro Alliance... the 2059 Tycobbian Union Golden Arm Award trophy was presented to Carl Coons of the Denton City Redbirds... the 24-year-old right-hander nudged out Duane Sturgeon of the Red Bluff Red Sox and ace closer Pat McFarlane of the Oxford Red Caps. Carl Coons led Denton City to the Tycobbian West Division title with a terrific 20-6 mark with an impressive 2.23 ERA... Coons is a junkballer par excellence... this was his first Golden Arm trophy... this was his sixth season in the IPA... all with the DC Redbirds... he has been one of the team's primary starters the last four seasons... Coons in 72-35 overall in his career with a strong 2.76 ERA... this was his second time to record 20 wins. Duane Sturgeon has been a three-year standout for Red Bluff... in 2059 the 25-year-old starter really stepped it up with a 21-10 mark and a superb 2.20 ERA... Sturgeon finished second in the TU Golden Arm competition... he is 60-37 in his career with the Red Sox... lifetime his ERA is 2.71... Red Bluff came in second for the second straight season in the TU East... Sturgeon was member of the Red Sox when they captured the Pro Cup crown in 2057... that was his rookie year. It tough for relievers to get attention at awards time... but this year Oxford's Pat McFarlane set a new IPA record with 43 saves and caught the eye of the voting press... McFarlane was a key element in the Red Caps running away with the TU North Division title... he appeared in 58 games, wound up with a 6-2 mark and a fine 1.49 ERA... McFarlane came in third in the TU Golden Arm balloting. Attached Images

04-18-2019, 04:15 PM	#6369
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,094 Blog Entries: 1	THE ISLANDIAN TIMES Thursday, October 23, 2059 PENDERGRASS BEST TU ROOKIE The fans in Summerland had a lot to cheer about all season long... his name is Johnny Pendergrass, this year's Tycobbian Union Rookie of the Year... the 21-year-old centerfielder got the best of his freshman peers with a solid .313 batting average in 147 games with 24 homers, 68 ribbies, 82 runs scored and 17 stolen bases... Pendergrass did it all, at bat and in the field, too... he led the Sunsets to a third-place finish in the TU South. Vitorio Descalsco of East Point wound up a close second in the top Rookie balloting... he paced the Panthers to fifth place in the TU East race with a fine 16-10 record and a 3.14 ERA... Descalsco, age 22, had 12 complete games in 30 starts and posted two shutouts. Third place went to Lloyd Bearden, third baseman for the Rolling Hills Reds... the 28-year-old played in 123 games in his rookie year, batted .308 with 143 hits, 27 doubles, 4 triples and 3 home runs... Bearden helped the Reds to the second spot in the TU West standings... they missed the pennant by just one game to the Denton City Redbirds... Bearden drove in 58 runs and scored 50 in his first year in the IPA. Attached Images Last edited by Eugene Church; 04-18-2019 at 04:17 PM.

04-18-2019, 04:48 PM	#6370
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,094 Blog Entries: 1	THE ISLANDIAN TIMES Friday, October 24, 2059 STONICH SURPRISE TYCOBBIAN MVP Teddy Stonich had a magnificent season... the 25-year-old first sacker led the Islandian Pro Alliance with a .369 batting average... he also led the IPA with 229 hits and 45 doubles, while playing 153 games... Stonich came in second with 132 RBIs, second in runs scored with 127 and number four with 49 roundtrippers... but he came in second in the Tycobbian Union Golden Bat voting... losing out to Showboat Lynn of the Oxford Red Caps... however, things went his way in the TU Most Valuable Player competition... the baseball scribes and broadcasters said it was Stonich, who deserved the trophy... he sparked his Reds to second place in the TU West... they fell just one game short of the pennant. It was a very close vote, just like the one won by Showboat Lynn in the TU Golden Bat this year... Lynn also had a monstrous year with a .344 BA in 146 games, fifth best in the IPA... he has the most homers with 59, the most RBIs with 144 and scored the most runs with 146... but when it was all said and done, he came in second to Stonich for the MVP honor... Oxford easily won the TU North pennant... both were worthy choices. Closer Pat McFarlane of the Oxford Red Caps also enjoyed a super season... he set a new IPA mark for the most saves in a season with 43, compiled a 6-2 record with 1.49 ERA in 58 games... he also came in third in the TU Golden Arm race... the bullpen ace also came in third in the Most Valuable Player vote... he, along with teammates Showboat Lynn and Buddy Blackford, led the Red Caps to one of their best seasons ever... they ran away with the division flag in the TU North, winning by 11 games. Attached Images Last edited by Eugene Church; 04-20-2019 at 07:22 PM.

04-20-2019, 07:49 PM	#6371
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,094 Blog Entries: 1	THE ISLANDIAN TIMES Saturday, October 25, 2059 IPA HONORS BEST GLOVES IN RU The big bats, big hitters and the fireballing hurlers get most of the glory in the Islandian Pro Alliance... but the best glovemen are a vital part of a team's success, too... The IPA announced this year Golden Glove Team for 2059. Tuffy Palmieri picked up his fourth Golden Glove trophy, while it was the third time Phil McLemore and Callum Slattery were named to the top defensive team. Ruthlandian Union Golden Glove Team Pitcher: Benny Arledge (Ancona Red Elephants) (13-14/4.27 ERA) (.983 FA) (2-time winner) Catcher: Tuffy Palmieri (St. John Crusaders) (.291 BA/7 HR/61 RBI/48 R) (.991 FA/9 PB/51.5% RTO) (4-time winner) First Baseman: Bubby Cranmore (Middlefield Roosters) (.316 BA/6 HR/49 RBI/93 R) (.996 FA) (first-time winner) Second Baseman: Phil McLemore (Wynnamac Sundowners) (.237 BA/12 HR/69 RBI/66 R) (.980 FA/445 assists) (3-time winner) Third Baseman: Neil Sedaka (LaGrange Sports) (.206/16 HR/61 RBI/58 R) (.960 FA/257 assists) (first-time winner) Shortstop: Mauricio Tejada (Volusia Vigilantes) (.282 BA/11 HR/65 RBI/69 R) (.981 FA/447 assists) (first-time winner) Left Fielder: Curtis Cochran (Belair Beach Sunbirds) (.311 BA/8 HR/81 RBI/80 R/25 SB) (.979 FA/372 PO/6 assists) (2-time winner) Center Fielder: Callum Slattery (Glasco Athletics) (.272 BA/16 HR/73 RBI/82 R/5 SB) (.996 FA/507 PO/13 assists) (3-time winner) Right Fielder: Lanny Waldrep (Colfax Blasters) (.341 BA/27 HR/113 RBI/100 R) (.989 FA/335 PO/17 assists) (first-time winner)

04-21-2019, 02:05 PM	#6372
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,094 Blog Entries: 1	THE ISLANDIAN TIMES Sunday, October 26, 2059 '59 TYCOBBIAN GOLDEN GLOVERS ANNOUNCED The guys with the golden gloves that track down long fly balls, that go far-and-wide to snare a grounder, have been acclaimed by the Islandian Pro Alliance and the Tycobbian Union.... the 2059 Golden Glove Team was announced today. Most of the honorees were first timers... only one rookie made the squad, Johnny Pendergrass... Norishige Ito won his third Golden Glove trophy, while Rebel Bryce became a two-time recipient. 2959 Tycobbian Union Golden Glove Team Pitcher: Ezra Hancock (Ozarka Naturals) (13-11/3.55 ERA) (1.000 FA) (first-time winner) Catcher: Afonso Marques (San Alejo Montaneros) (.249 BA/18 HR/61 RBI/56 R) (.994 FA/3 PB/60.9% RTO) (first-time winner) First Baseman: Buddy Blackford (Oxford Red Caps) (.285 BA/41 HR/113 RBI/82 R) (.994 FA) (first-time winner) Second Baseman: Smokey Nix (Hartsdale Hellcats) (.240 BA/17 HR/78 RBI/79 R/3 SB) (.985 FA/454 assists) (first-time winner) Third Baseman: Dick Barney (Arroyo Grande Suns) (.244 BA/10 HR/33 RBI/38 R/3 SB) (.986 FA/260 assists) (first-time winner) Shortstop: Bill Wolverton (Turon Typhoons) (.269 BA/7 HR/44 RBI/54 R/6 SB) (.980 FA/429 assists) (first-time winner) Left Fielder: Norishige Ito (Midway Wolves) (.318 BA/42 HR/119 RBI/96 R) (.990 FA/373 PO/4 assists) (3-time winner) Center Fielder: Rebel Bryce (Arlon Champions) (.242 BA/25 HR/88 RBI/73 R) (.991 FA/555 PO/20 assists) (2-time winner) Right Fielder: Johnny Pendergrass (Summerland Sunsets) (.313 BA/24 HR/68 RBI/82 R/17 SB) (.984 FA/436 PO/8 assists) (rookie winner)

04-22-2019, 06:24 PM	#6373
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,094 Blog Entries: 1	THE ISLANDIAN TIMES Monday, October 27, 2059 BEST SKIPPERS NAMED IN IPA The best skippers in the Islandian Pro Alliance were fairly clear cut this year... Russ Woodward of the Marston Nine garnered his second Ruthlandian Union Manager of the Year Award and Sogo Takagi of the Ginza Ninjas won it for the first time in the Tycobbian Union... Woodward also was selected the best manager in 2047, his first year at the helm of the Nine. Woodward guided Marston to a fantastic season... the Nine went from 6th place in '58 to first place in '59... they improved from 69-85 to 95-59... only one other manager received any votes... finishing a very distant second in balloting was Valka's skipper Arno Vainmaa... his Blackhawks jumped from sixth place and 73-81 to second place and 81-73... they came in four games behind Crystal Lake in the Ruthlandian South Division. There was a little more competition for the 2059 Tycobbian Union Manager of the Year... however, Ginza's Sogo Takagi was heads-and-shoulders above all of the other votegetters... his Ninjas had sensational year, coming from 4th place and a poor 68-86 mark in '58 to the top spot in the Tycobbian South race with a 96-58 record, the second-best record in the IPA... Takagi even led his club to their first-ever Pro Cup title. Several other skippers had standout years, but none could compare to Takagi's... Denton City's Pete Gibbs upped his Redbirds from fifth place and 72-82 to first place in the TU West with an 88-67 season this year... Oxford's Dennis Hartwig came in third place in the Manager of the Year competition... the Red Caps rose up from third place with an 86-68 mark to the top record in the IPA with a 97-57 year, good for first place in the TU North... fourth place in the voting went to Jack Elliott of the High Mesa Mustangs, who went from fifth place and 81-73 to winning the TU East with an 89-65 record.

04-22-2019, 06:30 PM	#6374
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,094 Blog Entries: 1	The awards put the finishing touch on the 2059 season... I'll soon begin work on the 2060 season... I need to create some free agents that will have a fair chance of making some rosters... they are assigned randomly... most of the time they get average players, but occasionally they get a star. I will also have to go through the teams' reserve rosters and get rid of the old deadwood that will never play in the IPA. I give each team two new players, based on the team's biggest needs. That's 128 new players on the 64 teams... I usually end up with about 20 players that will win regular spots on the teams. My rookie class in 2059 was just so-so... no real standouts... but there were about 8 solid contributors. Last edited by Eugene Church; 04-22-2019 at 06:33 PM.

04-25-2019, 08:18 PM	#6375
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,094 Blog Entries: 1	Created my new free agents... will now randomly assign them to teams based on the teams' needs... I do not know the ratings of each player... basically, it's the luck of the draw for each team. Each team will get two free agents.

04-26-2019, 07:59 PM	#6376
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,094 Blog Entries: 1	I have have added free agents to 30 of the 64 teams. Shouldn't be long until the 2060 season gets underway. Maybe early next week. Thanks to all of you that still follow the IPA. Much appreciate it.

04-28-2019, 06:22 PM	#6377
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,094 Blog Entries: 1	Finished all of the 64 teams... added two players to the rosters... some made the active rosters... mainly pitchers... position players have trouble getting on the active rosters. I plan to go through each roster and get rid of chaff... and the hangers-on. The AI keeps players on the rosters that will never play much. It is slow to retire older players.

04-29-2019, 09:38 PM	#6378
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,094 Blog Entries: 1	Purging the active roster of unproductive players and getting rid of the never weres, never will bes and deadheads on the reserve roster really is slow going. I have done only 15 of the 64 teams. Looks like it will take awhile... not likely to start the 2060 season this week. Last edited by Eugene Church; 04-29-2019 at 09:44 PM.

05-01-2019, 10:02 PM	#6379
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,094 Blog Entries: 1	Purging the bad talent from the active rosters and reserve rosters really takes time, but it is important that I be thorough and do it right. I'll just have to buckle down and take care of it... guess I will have to let my North Island Recreational League go for awhile. I really like to cover 12 teams... it's a breeze... I am really getting immersed in the NIRL and really getting to know the players. It is pure joy!

05-02-2019, 06:08 PM	#6380
Eugene Church Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 35,094 Blog Entries: 1	I thought about just skipping the purging of the rosters, but then realized it would be an advantage for the teams that were purged... teams that have five or six new players seem to be much better in my experience over the years with the IPA. I have completed 16 of the 64 teams. Probably take me a week or so to complete all of them.