Home | Webstore
Latest News: OOTP 25 Available - FHM 10 Available - OOTP Go! Available

Out of the Park Baseball 25 Buy Now!

  

Go Back   OOTP Developments Forums > Out of the Park Baseball 25 > OOTP Dynasty Reports

OOTP Dynasty Reports Tell us about the OOTP dynasties you have built!

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 02-12-2020, 07:35 PM   #561
reds1
Hall Of Famer
 
reds1's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,854
December 1, 1952

Eastern League: Cobourg Jumps Out of the Gate





--------



Offense: .269/.334/.407 (1st/4th/1st)
Pitching: 3.16/3.54/1.72 (1st/5th/1st)
Defense: .727 (1st)

Two weeks into the new season, five teams were all within two games of each other for first place in the East. Then the Cobourg Red Stockings, who were 8-4 at that point and a half-game back of the Embro Suns, turned up the heat even more, going 9-2 to finish the month 3-1/2 games up on the Stratford Barons for top spot. November saw more of the same, as the Red Stockings held onto top spot despite the strong play of the Barons. In a season that has seen a shift in power in both the East and the West in the early going, the Red Stockings currently boast the best record in all of the United Leagues. Cobourg is on pace for nearly 104 wins and while that may not be sustainable over the entire season, the Eastern League may finally see its first 90+ game-winning team in three years.

The Red Stockings’ early success has been simply due to their strong play in nearly all facets of the game. 26-year old CF Raymond Williams (.316/.381/.549, 13 HR, 31 RBI, 19 BB, 3.2 WAR) and 30-year old 3B Alexander Tolmie (.286/.393/.473, 8 HR, 29 RBI, 32 BB, 2.6 WAR), who finished 1 and 2 respectively in the Babe Ruth Award voting last season, have not slowed down one iota. Williams in fact, has really ramped up his power game, clubbing a United Leagues-leading 13 home runs thus far. He had 5 home runs at this point last season.

But they are not alone on offense. 31-year old SS John Medley (.321/.363/.455, 4 HR, 23 RBI, 13 BB, 10 SB, 2.0 WAR), 29-year old C Jayson Lymer (.310/.332/.466, 6 HR, 30 RBI, 8 BB, 1.8 WAR) and 27-year old 1B Harry Doxey (.301/.371/.462, 6 HR, 31 RBI, 21 BB, 1.7 WAR) are all providing outstanding support, both at the plate and defensively.

If there is a concern, it’s the lack of pitching depth on the rotation. 24-year old LHP Bill Budd (8-2, 2.23 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 157 ERA+) and 25-year old RHP Fergus Hirst (7-3, 2.29 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 153 ERA+) are enjoying incredible starts to the season and are perhaps the best 1-2 punch in the United Leagues right now. But after them there is a steep drop off. If 24-year old RHP Bobby Williams (3-0, 3.27 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, 107 ERA+) can bounce back from injury, the Red Stockings will have a better chance at sustaining their early success.

On the other hand, the bullpen is the best in the East and second only to the Wolseley Unions in the United Leagues as a whole. Cobourg has three first-round draft picks on the staff and its certainly paying off in the early going. 23-year old RHP Brian McDaniel (1-0, 1 SV, 2.12 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 3.48 FIP – 9th overall in 1950-51) and 22-year old rookie LHP Ethan Hoyes (3-0, 1 SV, 0.00 ERA, 0.53 WHIP, 1.31 FIP – 12th overall in 1951-52) are providing outstanding middle relief, while 30-year old veteran LHP William Say (4-0, 6 SV, 1.37 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 3.92 FIP – 9th overall in 1944-45) has been the Red Stockings’ long time stopper.

Player of the Week Award:

December 1 – CF Raymond Williams (.423, 11 H, 5 HR, 10 RBI)

Noteworthy:

November 3 – SS John Medley went 0-2 as a pinch hitter in Cobourg’s 6-3 win over the Downie Chiefs, ending his 20-game hitting streak.
November 16 – RHP Harry Dinsmore could not be beat this day and his victims were the Pulberry Trolleys. In the Red Stockings’ 4-0 win, Dinsmore pitched 9.0 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 K (GS: 77).
November 20 – The Kingston Pelicans could get nothing going against LHP Bill Budd, as the southpaw defeated them 5-0 in Kingston. Budd went 9.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 K (GS: 79).
November 24 – After 13 seasons pitching for Stratford, the Barons unceremoniously released veteran LHP Joel Fearn on October 19. One month later, Fearn returned to the team that originally drafted him when Cobourg signed him to a minor league contract. But on this day, Fearn was on the major league roster and came into the game in relief of RHP Alberto León after 4.2 innings with the Red Stockings trailing the Wolseley Unions, 7-4. Fearn pitched the rest of the way, keeping the Unions off the board while his teammates mounted a comeback, pulling out an 8-7 win. Fearn picked up the win, the 250th of his career. He currently leads all pitchers in the ULB in victories. In the game, he went 4.1 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K.



Current Injuries:

October 25 – 3B Goro Toiguchi – concussion. Out for: 5 months.
October 30 – RHP Bobby Williams – strained shoulder. Out for: 6 days.

--------



Offense: .257/.345/.373 (4th/2nd/5th)
Pitching: 3.46/3.46/3.50 (4th/2nd/4th)
Defense: .706 (6th)

A couple of shrewd player acquisitions are paying off big time in the early going for the Stratford Barons. That and the elevated play of a few of their key players has seen the club return to contention for a playoff spot for the first time in four years.

27-year old 1B Bob Goodyear (.343/.386/.515, 7 HR, 41 RBI, 18 BB, 2.4 WAR), acquired from the Kingston Pelicans just before the trade deadline last January, has been a revelation. He leads the Barons in a slew of offensive categories and is rated second only to the Cambria Cannons’ Carlos Corea (yes, that’s how I spell his last name now) among first basemen. In addition, 24-year old rookie RF Andy Faulkner (.328/.442/.460, 4 HR, 19 RBI, 27 BB, 1.7 WAR) has jumped right in and taken over rightfield from 33-year old veteran Salvador Hernández (.296/.333/.333, 0 HR, 5 RBI, 3 BB, 0.1 WAR). Faulkner, who won Rookie of the Month honors for October, came over from Cobourg in late July.

The newcomers are aided by 33-year old C Aaron Skidmore (.306/.471/.449, 6 HR, 19 RBI, 44 BB, 2.7 WAR) and 29-year old OF Roberto Ríos (.257/.403/.415, 6 HR, 30 RBI, 46 BB, 2.1 WAR), who has moved over to centerfield from leftfield, due to a rash of injuries. Both are off to their best starts in four years.

Like the Cobourg Red Stockings, the Barons have two sensational starters in the rotation, followed by mediocrity. 26-year old RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco (6-1, 2.08 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 167 ERA+) and 26-year old RHP Bill Wolf (6-3, 2.70 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 129 ERA+) have been lights out. But the rest of the staff has a bit of a patchwork feel to it: two of Stratford’s pitchers were recently acquired off the waiver wire. In fact, the Barons have very few quality arms in their pipeline; something they will need to address if they want to sustain their recent success.

Player of the Week Award:

November 24 – CF Roberto Ríos (.440, 11 H, 1 HR, 4 RBI)

Noteworthy:

October 22 – The Barons defeated the Brunswick Legends big time, rolling over them 14-0. RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco pitched the shut-out, going 9.0 IP, 9 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K (GS: 69).
October 27 – RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco was on fire once again in his next start, blanking the Embro Suns, 6-0. He went 9.0 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 9 K (GS: 82).
November 3 – RHP Bill Wolf kept the Wellington Athletics off the scoreboard, winning 1-0 on the road. He went 9.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 5 BB, 2 K (GS: 80).
November 13 – RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco was at it again, dominating a hard-luck team. This time it was the Wolseley Unions, who fell to the Barons, 5-0 at home. Jaojoco went 9.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 3 K (GS: 79).

Current Injuries:

September 24 – CF Jesús González – fractured rib. Setback: required surgery. Out for: 1-2 weeks
November 10 – CF Sherwin Carasig – sprained ankle. Out for: 3-4 weeks.
November 16 – CF Ramón Corona – separated shoulder. Out for: 2 weeks.

--------



Offense: .263/.339/.399 (2nd/3rd/2nd)
Pitching: 3.44/3.48/3.30 (3rd/3rd/3rd)
Defense: .708 (4th)

The Embro Suns started off strong, going 9-4 and holding onto top spot. But a 4-8 finish to October quickly knocked them down a peg. Still, this is a team with several dynamic, young players that with a little help, could propel the Suns back into contention for a playoff spot.

24-year old 3B Moromao Nakagawa (.298/.386/.482, 3 HR, 29 RBI, 28 BB, 2.1 WAR) continues to blossom and is already rated as the No. 2 third baseman in the ULB (just behind Cobourg’s Alexander Tolmie). He is joined by 25-year old 1B Napana Mamo (.311/.372/.485, 3 HR, 26 RBI, 18 BB, 1.9 WAR) and 26-year old CF Orlando Morales (.304/.354/.482, 5 HR, 35 RBI, 16 BB, 1.9 WAR), who are off to the best starts of their careers. If recently acquired catcher, 27-year old Jorge Valentín (.203/.317/.325, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 20 BB, 0.8 WAR) can get more comfortable offensively, Embro’s offense should be even more formidable.

The departures of RHP Aaron Saunderson and RHP Jim Hogue has created a void in Embro’s rotation that the Suns have yet to adequately fill. Still, the staff has performed admirably, led by 33-year old veteran LHP Arthur Bence (6-3, 3.60 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 97 ERA+) and 37-year old RHP Myung-gu Son (5-1, 3.27 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 107 ERA+). Now if their 26-year old ace, LHP Carl McBroom (3-8, 4.01 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 87 ERA+) can just find some consistency (he went 1-5, 4.54 ERA in November), the Suns will have a solid top 3 in their rotation.

Player of the Week Awards:

October 20 – SS Kieron Bradridge (.517, 15 H, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 10 R)
November 10 – 3B Noromao Nakagawa (.588, 10 H, 8 RBI)

Noteworthy:

October 24 – RHP Juan Rivas was the difference in Embro’s 1-0 victory over the Wellington Athletics. He went 9.0 IP, 7 H, 0 ER, 5 BB, 2 K (GS: 70).
November 15 – It was not a fun day in Wolseley as the Unions fell to the Suns, 7-0. RHP Juan Rivas kept them off the board all afternoon long going 9.0 IP, 7 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K (GS: 73).
November 21 – The Embro Suns defeated the Balmoral Giants, 4-0. But all the cheers were reserved for RHP Myung-gu Son, who picked up his 200th career victory. Son pitched 7.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 6 K (GS: 79).
November 28 – It was all Embro, as the Suns defeated the Hespeler Stars, 6-0. LHP Carl McBroom went the distance, scattering 3 hits over 9 innings, whiffing 4 while allowing only 2 walks (GS: 83).

Current Injuries:

November 12 – 2B Robert Jameson – broken kneecap. Out for: 4 months.
November 20 – RHP Juan Rivas – strained forearm. Out for: 3-4 weeks.

--------



Offense: .256/.328/.385 (5th/5th/3rd)
Pitching: 3.73/4.16/2.78 (6th/7th/2nd)
Defense: .715 (3rd)

Last season, the Braeland City Monarchs got off to a strong start before faltering in November. This year it was just the opposite, as the Monarchs struggled and hovered near the bottom of the standings after one month before feasting on Western League teams in November. Braeland City is not devoid of talent, but they may not have enough – especially on the pitching staff – to sustain their recent hot streak.

There’s no question about talent when it comes to 27-year old 2B Patrick Lidgate (.310/.413/.554, 9 HR, 33 RBI, 28 BB, 2.8 WAR) and 22-year old RF Aidan Trembath (.324/.384/.453, 5 HR, 20 RBI, 16 BB, 1.8 WAR). Both are currently rated No. 1 in the United Leagues at their respective positions and are off to fast starts. But they will need help in keeping the Monarchs competitive. That may come from 27-year old LF Jake Stunt (.279/.348/.397, 5 HR, 24 RBI, 16 BB, 1.6 WAR). The 7-year veteran enjoyed his best season last year and that upward trend continues this year.

The pitching staff remains anchored by 31-year old RHP Okura Suzuki (3-3, 3.55 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 99 ERA+) with 24-year old rookie RHP Pei Ming (4-3, 2.93 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 120 ERA+) nicely settling in as the No. 2 starter. But there’s a steep drop-off after that. One potential bright spot is No. 5 starter, 27-year old RHP Trevor Cranfield (5-1, 3.31 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 107 ERA+), whose sophomore year has been much more smoother than his rookie campaign (9-14, 5.52 ERA, 1.72 WHIP, 73 ERA+). Cranfield was a Rule 5 draft pick back in June 1951, plucked off from the Wolseley Unions’ roster.

Player of the Week Award:

November 17 – 2B Patrick Lidgate (.379, 11 H, 4 HR, 13 RBI)

Noteworthy:

November 10 – In Balmoral, rookie RHP Pei Ming was zoned in, pitching the Monarchs to a 5-0 win over the Giants. He went 9.0 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 5 K (GS: 76).
November 17 – It was pitcher’s duel but, in the end, RHP Lee Corp was just a bit better than Fort Richmond Generals’ RHP Kazunori Fujimoto, helping the Monarchs eke out a 1-0 victory in Fort Richmond. Corp pitched all 10 innings, with 5 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K on 101 pitches (GS: 83).
November 28 –RHP Okura Suzuki tossed a complete game shutout, leading the Monarchs to a 3-0 win over the Wolseley Unions. Suzuki limited the Unions to 5 hits, 5 K and 1 BB on 102 pitches (GS: 81).

Current Injuries:

September 28 – RHP Ewan Thackery – torn labrum. Out for: 3-4 months.
November 29 – RHP Freddie Trerise – back spasms. Out for: DtD, 5 days.

--------



Offense: .260/.358/.366 (3rd/1st/6th)
Pitching: 4.57/4.43/5.16 (8th/8th/8th)
Defense: .685 (8th)

Like the Monarchs, the Brunswick Legends struggled in October but rebounded in November against Western League teams. That has helped the Legends hover near .500. But Brunswick has enjoyed only one season above .500 over the past five years and there are enough sufficient concerns about the pitching staff to lead one to believe that improvements won’t come anytime soon.

Equally concerning is the decline in play of 36-year old 1B Stuart Bentham (.237/.360/.356, 3 HR, 21 RBI, 30 BB, -0.4 WAR). Bentham suffered a separated shoulder last season and may not be fully recovered. While his defensive work has always been suspect, he is still very capable offensively (69/69), so hopefully he can find his groove again. But at this stage of his career, you have to wonder if has started into an inevitable decline. But another player with similar scouting ratings (69/69), has garnered a lot of attention. 26-year old LF and lead-off hitter Carl Patton (.328/.464/.497, 5 HR, 22 RBI, 48 BB, 12 SB, 3.8 WAR) has emerged as one of the best players in the United Leagues this season. The former third-round pick came over to Brunswick from Wolseley back in April 1950 in the LHP Anastasio Rodríguez trade. He joins last year’s Rookie of the Year Award winner, 24-year old C Robert Kersey (.291/.371/.429, 3 HR, 31 RBI, 22 BB, 2.2 WAR) as the face of the current stars of the Legends.

The pitching staff has seen departures and arrivals over the past couple of seasons, but it has not improved much. 32-year old RHP Luis Cruz (4-4, 3.84 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, 91 EA+), who was acquired from the Cobourg Red Stockings back in April, has been the most consistent starter thus far, while 24-year old RHP Kent Dundon (1-2, 2.79 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 126 ERA+) has suffered one injury after another since January of this year. Brunswick dearly needs him to make his regular start in order to have any chance at competing this year. The Legends also need the bullpen to pick up its play. Right now, only 30-year old RHP Lao Chen (3-1, 8 SV, 3.09 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 114 ERA+) is providing any consistency.

Noteworthy:

October 11 – 3B Jorge Arredondo went 5 for 5 in Brunswick’s 8-6 victory over Downie. All his hits were singles, collecting 1 RBI, 3 R.
November 11 – 1B Stuart Bentham reached a milestone in the Legends’ 7-5 victory over the Balmoral Giants. He collected his 2500th career hit in his first at-bat against Balmoral’s RHP Rodrigo González in the top of the first inning. He reached the milestone with a bang: slamming González’s first offering for a 2-run home run, 432 ft. into left-centerfield. Bentham went 1 for 5 on the day, with 2 RBI, 1 R.



Current Injuries: None.

--------



Offense: .254/.318/.378 (6th/7th/4th)
Pitching: 3.16/3.07/3.81 (2nd/1st/5th)
Defense: .718 (2nd)

The Queensland Eagles have been able to hang around .500 as well, but unlike the Legends, its been the pitching rather than the offense that has kept them semi-relevant. Quite frankly, the offense is largely full of under-achievers and the team is dealing with a glut of second basemen.

The offense is essentially comprised of two players right now: 26-year old LF Rod Dennis (.361/.423/.634, 12 HR, 31 RBI, 22 BB, 3.0 WAR), a third-round pick from 1947-48, has entered himself into the early discussion for the Eastern League Babe Ruth Award, while 28-year old SS Bob Sobel (.321/.362/.418, 3 HR, 23 RBI, 11 BB, 2.3 WAR) has seemingly emerged out of nowhere to become one of the top shortstops in the United Leagues (No. 5 overall). He has already matched his previous best season in terms of WAR.

But in its search for a steady second baseman, Queensland has created a bit of a crowded field. Within the past year, the Eagles traded for both 31-year old George Simpson (.200/.333/.200, 5 AB) and 25-year old Alfie Lewis (.378/.417/.400, 45 AB). But 25-year old Eric Maher (.182/.255/.263, 137 AB) has been leading off and getting most of the starts this season and not doing it very well. If that weren’t enough, they also have 26-year old Perry Jordan (.313/.370/.604, 48 AB), a former 8th overall pick from 1949-50, on the 25-man roster. To me, its something that Queensland needs to sort out quickly and settle on their best player at that position going forward. Then perhaps trade from their glut and address their other needs.

27-year old RHP Logan Belsey (4-5, 2.43 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 142 ERA+) and 25-year old RHP Stiofan Micklethwait (5-3, 2.37 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 145 ERA+) have emerged as two of the best starters in the United Leagues this season (Nos. 3 and 7 respectively). That has eased the burden of 35-year old veteran RHP Pi-ao Quian (5-5, 3.21 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 107 ERA+). This will be Quian’s 14th straight season with the Eagles, who drafted him 9th overall back in 1939-40. Their No. 5 pitcher, 25-year old RHP Gael Yule (3-3, 2.44 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 141 ERA+) has been a pleasant surprise in the early going. Yule was a 6th-round pick back in 1948-49 and has yet to get a full season under his belt. His rookie season was cut short when he suffered a torn labrum back in early January last season. It appears he has rebounded nicely.

Noteworthy:

October 17 – RHP Logan Belsey went the distance in Queensland’s 3-0 victory over the Wellington Athletics. His line was: 11.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 K (GS: 91).
November 15 – RHP Pi-ao Quian put up nothing but zeros against the Tigers in Sherburn. En route to a 4-0 victory, Quian went 9.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K (GS: 78).
November 16 – The next day, the Tigers got blanked again, this time by RHP Tyler Gissing. Gissing went 9.0 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K (GS: 80) in Queensland’s 5-0 win.

Current Injuries:

September 29 – LHP Leif Bryant – surgery to remove bone spur in elbow. Out for: 2-3 months.
September 29 – CF Liam Banfield – torn labrum. Out for: 3 months.
November 19 – RHP John Sloat – shoulder inflammation. Out for: 5 months.

--------



Offense: .250/.323/.360 (7th/6th/7th)
Pitching: 4.13/3.90/4.84 (7th/6th/7th)
Defense: .687 (7th)

The Wellington Athletics have faltered out of the gate and it has seen them stranded near the bottom of the standings. All facets of their play have regressed and its doubtful whether they can rebound anytime soon.

On offense, only 25-year old LF Matthew Floyd (.295/.379/.446, 5 HR, 31 RBI, 23 BB, 2.2 WAR) and 25-year old 1B Wayne Emmert (.253/.359/.414, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 32 BB, 1.8 WAR) have continued their strong play from last season. Wellington promoted their 5th overall pick from 1950-51, 24-year old 2B Paul Pateshall (.390/.457/.512, 41 AB – 48/57) this season and may get more starts at second base should 26-year old Vaiga Bultarro (.232/.299/.297, 1 HR, 12 RBI, 17 BB, 0.4 WAR) continue to struggle.

The pitching staff is now seeking for an identity after it was a strength last season. Their former No. 2 starter, 29-year old RHP Wilfried Schop (49/49) was DFA and released outright near the end of November. So far, only 28-year old RHP Matt Price (4-4, 3.23 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 106 ERA+) has been a constant on the rotation. Wellington has brought up 21-year old rookie RHP Ross Sturgeon (20/45) as their No. 5 starter, but he is still awfully raw. On the other hand, 30-year old veteran stopper Scott Wheeler (4-3, 2.66 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 129 ERA+) continues to be an anchor in the bullpen.

Player of the Week Award:

October 13 – 1B Wayne Emmert (.444, 12 H, 1 HR, 3 RBI)

Current Injuries:

November 16 – RHP Bert Morrow – strained forearm. Out for: 3 weeks.
November 23 – CF Jim Mars – back tightness. Out for: DtD, 1 day.

--------



Offense: .236/.308/.359 (8th/8th/8th)
Pitching: 3.62/3.53/3.95 (5th/4th/6th)
Defense: .707 (5th)

Like the Athletics, the Downie Chiefs find themselves an afterthought in the East after a disastrous October. Although they picked things up against Western League teams in November, they are going to have to pick up their game if they want to become relevant.

The offense overall has been the real letdown in the early going. 26-year old CF Alfonso León (.326/.393/.575, 10 HR, 24 RBI, 22 BB, 3.9 WAR) has returned to being one of the top players in the United Leagues after a bit of a down season last year. In fact, he is rated No. 1 among all position players at this juncture. 25-year old RF Connor Bing (.247/.335/.441, 6 HR, 28 RBI, 25 BB, 2.2 WAR) continues to grow as an all-round player in his third season in the majors. And while 26-year old Dominic Dudding (.312/.376/.446, 4 HR, 36 RBI, 21 BB, 1.8 WAR) is not off to the fast start he enjoyed last year, he is still one of the top players in the United Leagues (No. 7 overall). But after them, there is steep drop-off in production. Downie has installed 22-year old rookie José Olivarez (.101/.192/.174, 69 AB – 39/71)) as their regular shortstop, taking over from 10-year veteran, 30-year old Mac Medley (.316/.458/.368, 19 AB). Olivarez, a free agent signing from Panama back in April, was recently rated as the No. 6 prospect in the ULB.

The pitching has been a bit more consistent. That’s because its two mainstays, 30-year old RHP Kelii Pelanekelina (6-4, 3.29 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 104 ERA+) and 33-year old RHP Joong Ling (4-6, 3.29 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 104 ERA+) have greatly improved their play over last season. Recently acquired 29-year old LHP Hank Bennett (3-5, 3.36 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 102 ERA+) has contributed with the best start of his 5-year career. However, 37-year old HP Harley Bracher, who was projected to have a big year, tore his labrum 3.2 innings into his first game and is gone for the season.

Player of the Week Awards:

October 27 – 2B Dominic Dudding (.440, 11 H, 1 HR, 9 RBI)
November 3 – CF Alfonso León (.407, 11 H, 2 HR, 4 RBI)

Current Injuries:

October 10 – RHP Harley Bracher – torn labrum. Out for: 4 months.
November 15 – RHP Carl Luscombe – sprained ankle. Out for: 3 weeks.
November 22 – RHP Bernie Knowles – shoulder inflammation. Out for: 1-2 weeks.

--------

__________________
United Leagues of Braeland

Last edited by reds1; 02-18-2020 at 12:04 PM.
reds1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-16-2020, 02:13 AM   #562
reds1
Hall Of Famer
 
reds1's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,854
December 1, 1952

Western League: Cambria Rises, Wolseley Tumbles





--------



Offense: .260/.329/.391 (1st/1st/1st)
Pitching: 3.55/3.74/2.76 (5th/5th/7th)
Defense: .682 (8th)

The Cobourg Red Stockings and Cambria Cannons were the two most active teams this past off-season. It appears their efforts are paying off, as both are in first place in their respective Leagues. Its been eight years since Cambria last made the playoffs, but that drought might end if the Cannons are able to maintain their strong play over the first two months of the season. The club boasts a formidable lineup bolstered by a couple of youngsters. But the pitching staff is a real concern and could be the team’s undoing if they don’t shore it up.

35-year old C Heung-Su Park (.331/394/.615, 10 HR, 41 RBI, 15 BB, 2.8 WAR) is entertaining no thoughts of slowing down; indeed, he is on pace for the best season of his 12-year career. He is ranked second only to the Stratford Barons’ Aaron Skidmore in the United Leagues among catchers. But he is far from alone. 26-year old 1B Carlos Corea (.337/.382/.526, 7 HR, 39 RBI, 13 BB, 1.8 WAR) is enjoying a break-out season in his fourth year in the majors. Incidentally, I changed his name from ‘Correa’ to ‘Corea’ as OOTP continually updated his facegen to the actual MLB player each off-season. Corea was a 7th overall pick from 1946-47. But the Cannons are also delighted at the play of 23-year old CF Sam Tite (.258/.363/.374, 3 HR, 18 RBI, 29 BB, 3 SB, 2.5 WAR), whose rookie season was cut short by a season-ending concussion last year. The Canadian was a 2nd overall pick from 1948-49 and is the lead-off hitter for the team. And 28-year old 3B Luis Torres (.285/.351/.452, 7 HR, 30 RBI, 17 BB, 1.8 WAR), a free-agent pickup from Venezuela this past April, has hit the ground running, already winning two Rookie of the Month honors.

But pitching is a real concern. On the staff right now, only 22-year old LHP Bill Southern (6-2, 3.02 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 114 ERA+) and 27-year old stopper RHP Keith Roche (5-0, 11 SV, 1.40 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 2.13 FIP) are pitching effectively. Cambria desperately needs the recently acquired 32-year old LHP Ricardo Cruz (5-0, 2.09 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 165 ERA+) to get back from injury. He began the season as Cambria’s ace and was playing like one.

Player of the Week Awards:

October 13 – RF Seung-Jae Park (.433, 13 H, 2 RBI, 5 R)
November 24 – C Heung-Su Park (.556, 10 H, 4 HR, 7 RBI, 5 R)

Noteworthy:

October 21 – 1B Carlos Corea was front and center in Cambria’s 10-inning 9-8 victory over the Sherburn Tigers, going 5 for 5 on the afternoon. He hit four singles, including an RBI single in the 6th inning, as well as 2-run home run off LHP Luke Henty in the 4th. On the day, Corea collected 2 R and 3 RBI.
November 18 – The Cannons won big against the Wellington Athletics, blanking them 9-0 at Alexander Field in Cambria. LHP Bill Southern was simply dominant, pitching a 1-hitter. He went 9.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K (GS: 91).

Current Injuries:

November 9 – LHP Ricardo Cruz – sprained ankle. Out for: 2-3 weeks.

--------



Offense: .258/.312/.370 (2nd/4th/2nd)
Pitching: 2.73/2.72/2.84 (1st/1st/8th)
Defense: .732 (3rd)

The Fort Richmond Generals’ four-year consecutive playoff streak ended last season, but the club may be set to start a new one if the early going is any indication. Pitching has long been a strength for the Generals and that hasn’t changed. In fact, it’s fair to say they have the strongest rotation in the United Leagues right now. The offense is another matter, but collectively they have been doing enough to support the pitching and push the Cannons for top spot in the West. But the batters will need to step up their play if Fort Richmond is going to have any chance at returning to the playoffs.

30-year old Dylan Moyne (.273/.319/.401, 4 HR, 26 RBI, 13 BB, 5 SB, 1.3 WAR) was penciled in as the Generals’ starting centerfielder at the start of the season and his still considered their best player at that position, but he has in fact been relegated to being their fourth outfielder by 24-year old Greg Cusack (.284/.329/.428, 3 HR, 21 RBI, 13 BB, 5 SB, 1.4 WAR). Cusack, a 13th overall pick from 1950-51, is a terror on the base paths and can play anywhere in the outfield, so perhaps Moyne’s demotion will be only temporary. Both have been Fort Richmond’s best offensive players after the first two months.

Both 33-year old ace RHP Roberto Taváres (5-5, 3.29 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 104 ERA+) and 30-year old RHP Ch’ang-chiegh Li (3-5, 3.86 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 89 ERA+) were projected to have big years and both are pitching fine, but they have been eclipsed so far by 29-year old RHP Nicky Sherlock (8-2, 1.76 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 194 ERA+). Sherlock has been catapulted into the No. 1 spot in the rotation from the No. 3 spot and for good reason: the 1948-49 Satchel Paige Award winner is off to another Award-winning worthy start. The Generals are even getting brilliant pitching from the No. 5 spot: 26-year old RHP Kazanori Fujimoto (2-4, 1.26 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 3.39 FIP) has been terrific so far in his second full season in the majors. He was a 15th overall pick from 1949-50.

Player of the Week Awards:

November 10 – RHP Nicky Sherlock (2-0, 0.50 ERA, 18.0 IP, 2 K, .221 OBA)

Noteworthy:

October 19 – The Sherburn Tigers came up empty against RHP Nicky Sherlock, who scattered 5 hits to defeat the Tigers, 6-0 in Fort Richmond. Sherlock went 9.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K (GS: 80).
November 1 –RHP Roberto Taváres made it look easy against the Kingston Pelicans, taking them down 3-0 on 5 hits. Taváres went 9.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 4 K (GS: 77).
November 4 – Hespeler could get nothing going against LHP Nicholas Grimes as the southpaw blanked the Stars 4-0 at Generals Stadium. Grimes went 9.0 IP, 8 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K (GS: 72).
November 8 – Generals’ starters continued their strong play, as this time RHP Nicky Sherlock took down the Cobourg Red Stockings, 4-0 in Fort Richmond. Sherlock pitched 9.0 IP, with 7 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K (GS: 74).

Current Injuries:

September 5 – LHP Cisco Juárez – shoulder inflammation. Out for: 2 weeks.
November 1 – SS Nobuyoshi Yoshida – strained abdominal muscle. Out for: DtD, 3 days.


--------



Offense: .252/.318/.365 (4th/2nd/3rd)
Pitching: 3.39/3.73/2.12 (4th/4th/2nd)
Defense: .704 (5th)

Two weeks into the season, the Kingston Pelicans were just a half-game back of the Cambria Cannons for first place but then they slowly started to slide back. That slide became an avalanche in November. In one 14-game stretch late in the month, they went 2-12. Sixteen years into this dynasty, I have learned never to count out the Pelicans, as they always seem to be challenging for a playoff spot year-in and year-out. But Kingston is off to the worst start in its history and the lack of premium, young talent to replace their aging stars appears to be taking a toll.

24-year old SS Charlie Cockin (.299/.336/.355, 1 HR, 15 RBI, 12 BB, 1.4 WAR) is off to the best start of his four-year career, but the rest of the lineup is rather lackluster. 38-year old 1B Dean Bishop (.222/.370/.389, 4 HR, 18 RBI, 37 BB, 1.2 WAR) continues to regress for the third-straight year, while it appears that 37-year old 2B Katsunan Chikafuji (.247/.330/.396, 6 HR, 23 RBI, 19 BB, 1.2 WAR) is finally showing signs of slowing down. Even Kingston’s best position player, 26-year old C Carlos Camasura (.261/.349/.370, 1 HR, 12 RBI, 13 BB, 0.6 WAR) is off to a disappointing start, although that was aggravated by an oblique strain injury that saw miss most of October.

The pitching staff has been trying to hold things together, with 32-year old LHP Patrick Denman (4-7, 3.53 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 100 ERA+) and 26-year old RHP Brian Marsland (2-8, 3.14 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 112 ERA+) providing consistent outings. If the Pelicans can get their ace, 27-year old RHP Kieran Bunce (2-1, 2.77 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 127 ERA+) back from injury soon, their fortunes will no doubt improve. Meanwhile, 28-year old RHP Kaula Mafileo (2-0, 4 SV, 0.39 ERA, 0.60 WHIP, 1.51 FIP) continues to be one of the Leagues’ best stoppers. He is rated second only to Brunswick’s RHP Lao Chen.

Player of the Week Awards:

October 20 – RF Mo Spenceley (.440, 11 H, 1 HR, 9 RBI)
November 3 – 1B Dean Bishop (.421, 8 H, 2 HR, 4 RBI)

Noteworthy:

October 27 – The Pelicans ultimately prevailed over the Sherburn Tigers 6-5 in 10 innings at Kingston Park. SS Charlie Cockin was front and center, going 5 for 5. His day at the plate included four singles, including an RBI single in the 5th inning, as well as two-run double in the 6th. He capped his afternoon off with a sac fly in the 10th inning that drove in the winning run.

Current Injuries:

September 9 – RHP Freddie Galloway – surgery to remove bone chips. Out for: 3-4 months.
October 22 – RHP Marvin Fewings – partially torn labrum. Out for: 3 months.
October 23 – RHP Kieran Bunce – herniated disc. Out for: 6 weeks.
November 19 – RF Mo Spenceley – mild shoulder inflammation. Out for: DtD, 3 days.
November 23 – 2B Katsunan Chikafuji – gluteus strain. Out for: DtD, 1 week.

--------



Offense: .243/.306/.336 (7th/8th/7th)
Pitching: 3.30/3.55/2.37 (3rd/3rd/3rd)
Defense: .733 (2nd)

The Pulberry Trolleys started off slow this season and they are struggling to get into the playoff race like they were last season. The offense overall has been painfully sluggish, and the Trolleys will need to get their offense out of the doldrums if they hope to contend for the wild card. At the same time, Pulberry has been easing in a couple of young players into the lineup and starting rotation; if they can find their footing, then the Trolleys may finally get back on track.

Despite missing nearly all of spring training to a back injury, 25-year old CF Cooper Tyson (.302/.411/.432, 3 HR, 21 RBI, 32 BB, 2.3 WAR) continues his elite play and is easily Pulberry’s best player so far this season. And 25-year old 3B Makani Kahale (.307/.340/.380, 1 HR, 22 RBI, 7 BB, 1.7 WAR) continues his fine play. The rest of the lineup though, has been underwhelming so far. But the Trolleys promoted their No. 2 prospect, 22-year old C Paul England (.212/.275/.323, 2 HR, 14 RBI, 8 BB, 0.2 WAR – 33/68) back on October 13, placing veteran 32-year old C Gareth Kody on waivers. Kody was soon claimed by Braeland City. Understandably, England got off to a painfully slow start, but he is slowing finding his footing (.242/.314/.403 in November).

The pitching staff has been holding up fairly well in the early going, despite the slow start from 23-year old LHP Ramón Castro (3-3, 3.66 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 94 ERA+). He did pick things up nicely in November, however (2-1, 2.95 ERA in 6 starts). The most consistent starter thus far has actually been 31-year old RHP Alexander Ellacott (6-3, 3.13 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 110 ERA+). If he keeps that pace, it would represent his best season in 6 years. On the other hand, 31-year old RHP Robin Medellin (5-5, 3.23 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 106 ERA+) stumbled in November (1-4, 5.10 ERA) after taking Pitching of the Month honors in October. Finally, Pulberry promoted 24-year old RHP Taylor Folkard (1-1, 9 SV, 0.79 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 2.63 FIP) to the rotation in late November after waiving LHP Mo Goldstraw (0-6, 6.55 ERA, 2.03 WHIP, 53 ERA+). Goldstraw was claimed by the Queensland Eagles.

Player of the Week Awards:

October 27 – CF Cooper Tyson (.440, 11 H, 1 HR, 6 RBI)

Noteworthy:

October 18 – RHP Alexander Ellacott pitched an 8-hit shut-out to defeat the Wolseley Unions, 2-0 at Trolleys Stadium. Ellacott went 9.0 IP, 8 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K (GS: 73).
October 20 – RHP Robin Medellin went the distance against the Kingston Pelicans, blanking them, 3-0 at home. Medellin’s line was 9.0 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 7 K (GS: 78).
October 30 – RHP Robin Medellin was on top of his game once again, stonewalling the Hespeler Stars 1-0 on 4 hits at Trolleys Stadium. Medellin’s went 9.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K (GS: 80).
November 21 – RHP Alexander Ellacott kept the Brunswick Legends under control all afternoon, blanking them 3-0 at Babe Ruth Park. Ellacott went 9.0 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K (GS: 77).

Current Injuries:

October 26 – LHP Sam Chapman – strained hamstring. Out for: 2 months.

--------


Offense: .251/.310/.362 (5th/6th/4th)
Pitching: 3.65/3.87/2.68 (8th/6th/6th)
Defense: .716 (4th)

The Hespeler Stars appear destined to remain in the second division for the 10th season in a row. That’s how long its been since the Stars enjoyed a non-losing season (77-77 in 1942-43). Their inaugural season of 1937-38 was the last time they enjoyed an above .500 season (79-75). As strange as it may seem though, Hespeler’s problem may be that they have too much talent on their roster – but all bunched up in just a couple of positions. If they could just somehow spread the talent around a bit more, then they just might improve their fortunes.

There is no one in the lineup right now tearing things up, but the majority of their starters are enjoying career years thus far. In all honesty though, it doesn’t actually take much for this cast of players to achieve that. 27-year old Vic Lewis (.275/.324/.435, 7 HR, 21 RBI, 12 BB, 1.8 WAR) is off to another fine start and represents the team’s best player. Their enigmatic and temperamental centerfielder, 25-year old John McMurray (.265/.320/.410, 4 HR, 20 RBI, 12 BB, 8 SB, 1.2 WAR), appears to be maturing into a serviceable player, but that is far less than what the club was expecting when they drafted him 1st overall back in 1949-50. But the team does have two rookies who are looking to shake things up. 25-year old Mike Park (.317/.360/.452, 3 HR, 16 RBI, 10 BB, 1.2 WAR – 52/62) has taken over third base (when not pitching) from 31-year old Oliver Pickford (.283/.356/.402, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 10 BB, 0.6 WAR) and is batting in the No. 3 spot. Batting immediately ahead of him is the No. 4 overall prospect, 22-year old RF Bill Spaeth (.343/.368/.514, 2 HR, 15 RBI, 6 BB, 1.1 WAR – 44/80). Spaeth, a former 2nd-overall pick from 1950-51, has a chance to become a very special player in the United Leagues; he appears to have no weakness at the plate and his home run power is impressive (55/65). They deserve to be in the lineup, but that has forced two other talented outfielders to ride the bench: 28-year old Edgardo Barrón (.309/.384/.375, 2 HR, 16 RBI, 19 BB, 1.1 WAR) and 23-year old Tim Beattie (.275/.333/.425, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 3 BB, 0.0 WAR – 54/80). Hespeler needs to sort out this bottleneck quickly and acquire some talent to shore up weaknesses in other areas.

A good place to start would be on the pitching staff. 26-year old LHP Larry Kovnats (2-2, 1.21 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 3.31 FIP) enjoyed his first solid season last year (12-19, 3.96 ERA, 102 ERA+) and got off to a terrific start but suffered a long-term injury in late October. That’s a huge blow to a team that needs all the help it can get. 26-year old RHP Dominic Whitmore (4-3, 2.16 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 164 ERA+) is having a tremendous start, the first time he can say that in his 3-year career. But after him, there’s question marks. When not playing third base, RHP Mike Park (3-2, 4.66 ERA, 1.81 WHIP, 76 ERA+ - 35/43) is pitching out of the No. 4 spot. He has good movement (65/65) with a fine cutter (45/50), but scouts consider him little more than an emergency starter. Finally, free agent signing, 24-year old RHP Battista Carotta (2-2, 4.50 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, 79 ERA+) is acclimating himself to the majors pitching out of the No. 5 spot.

Player of the Week Awards:

November 17 – CF John McMurray (.393, 11 H, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 6 R)

Noteworthy:

October 24 – LHP Larry Kovnats baffled Sherburn Tigers batters all afternoon long, leading the Stars to a 3-0 shut-out win at the Fabulous Avalon in Hespeler. Kovnats went 9.0 IP, 7 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 5 K (GS: 74).
November 10 – The Downie Chiefs came up empty against the Stars, as RHP Stephan Tindall blank them 3-0 at home. Tindall went 9.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K (GS: 84).
November 21 – the Hespeler Stars came into Wellington and a shoot-out ensued. But when it was all over, the Stars triumphed 14-7 on 16 hits. Getting 5 of those hits was 3B Oliver Pickford, who went 5 for 5 on the day, all coming as singles. He collected 3 R as well.
November 29 – RHP Battista Carotta is just getting his feet wet in the majors, but he looked like a veteran against the Suns in Embro, pitching a 4-hit shutout to lead the Stars to a 1-0 road victory. Carotta went 9.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 K (GS: 81).

Current Injuries:

October 29 – LHP Larry Kovnats – partially torn labrum. Out for: 2 months.
November 5 – SS Kobbe Adamse – torn labrum. Out for: 5 months.

--------



Offense: .253/.307/.336 (3rd/7th/6th)
Pitching: 3.61/3.98/2.49 (6th/8th/5th)
Defense: .704 (6th)

The Sherburn Tigers have never really been known for having an abundance of talent in their lineup, but this season represents a new low. The offensive makeup of this club is so underwhelming that a roster of replacement-level players could probably do just as well if not better. Second-year GM Jack Clayton definitely has his work cut for him.

The top offensive player right now is 30-year old 3B Viera Kewini (.305/.348/.409, 2 HR, 17 RBI, 11 BB, 1.1 WAR). He is certainly having a respectable year, perhaps the best of his 5-year career, but the rest of the starters are sputtering. The Tigers promoted their top prospect, 24-year old 3B Archie Eridge (.351/.429/.541, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 4 BB, 0.6 WAR – 48/80), to the majors in mid-October, but third base is the only position he can play right now, so he is stuck behind Kewini for the time being. That sums up the situation in Sherburn right now.

The pitching is in better shape overall, with a couple of steady veterans in 28-year old RHP Jesús Chapa (6-3, 3.87 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 91 ERA+) and 25-year old RHP Ben Buschlen (2-3, 3.05 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 116 ERA+) as well as a couple of relative newcomers: 25-year old RHP Bradley Strawson (3-5, 2.79 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 126 ERA+) who continues to progress in his third season and 23-year old LHP Brendan Wombell (25/51), a 7th-round pick from 1947-48 who was just promoted to pitch out of the No. 5 spot. The bullpen is perhaps Sherburn’s greatest strength right now, with 24-year old RHP Roy Hay (1-3, 5 SV, 2.41 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 3.71 FIP) leading the staff.

Player of the Week Awards:

December 1 – 2B Brooks O’Reilly (.348, 8 H, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 6 R)

Noteworthy:

November 14 – RHP Bradley Strawson pitched a strong game at The Paramount, blanking the Downie Chiefs 1-0. Over 9 innings, Strawson allowed no runs on 2 H, 3 BB, 2 K (GS: 82).

Current Injuries:

November 4 – 2B Jack Burt – bone marrow edema. Out for: 2-3 weeks.
November 13 – LHP Ben Buschlen – back tightness. Out for: unknown.

--------



Offense: .230/.314/.282 (8th/3rd/8th)
Pitching: 2.92/3.32/1.41 (2nd/2nd/1st)
Defense: .742 (1st)

After six straight playoff appearances, four straight Pennants and three United Cup Championships, the Wolseley Unions are in danger of seeing their incredible stretch of dominance come to an end. The Unions’ offense has inexplicably crashed and seen them tumble to near the bottom of the standings. Is this just a momentary aberration, an off-year or has the ‘bloom come off the rose’ for the Unions? Either way, it has given other teams in the Western League an opportunity to fill the void and position themselves for a playoff spot.

31-year old LF Carlton Hawking (.276/.425/.5333, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 45 BB, 1.3 WAR) won the Triple Crown and Babe Ruth Award last year, but this season he is looking very pedestrian and he has mysteriously lost his power swing. He hit 26 home runs last year; this year he’s on pace for only 3. He hasn’t lost any time to injury yet either, so that can’t be the reason. The team’s best player so far has been 31-year old SS George Kimpton (.254/.335/.348, 3 Hr, 21 RBI, 25 BB, 1.7 WAR); the rest of the lineup are all having down years.

The pitching on the other hand still remains one of the strongest in the United Leagues with its depth being unequalled anywhere else. On the downside, 36-year old LHP Anastasio Rodríguez (60/60) is missing significant playing time for the third consecutive season, while Wolseley’s best pitcher so far – 34-year old RHP Bill Blair (6-2, 2.21 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 159 ERA+) – is out for any extended time as well. But others such as 33-year old RHP Aaron Saunderson (3-7, 2.89 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 122 ERA+) and stopper, 31-year old Shou-xin Chin (3-0, 5 SV, 0.86 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 2.30 FIP), continue to play at a high level.

Noteworthy:

October 22 – The Generals just could not figure out C Éric Denis as the catcher went 5 for 5 in Wolseley’s 7-1 win in Fort Richmond. All his hits went for singles. He collected 2 runs as well.
November 21 – RHP Bill Blair shut down the Downie Chiefs on the road, blanking Downie 2-0 on 3 hits, ringing up 3 K and 2 W (GS: 82).

Current Injuries:

September 1 – LHP Anastasio Rodríguez – partially torn labrum. Out for: 1-2 weeks.
November 26 – RHP Bill Blair – shoulder inflammation. Out for: 6 weeks.

--------



Offense: .248/.312/.343 (6th/5th/5th)
Pitching: 3.61/3.88/2.40 (7th/7th/4th)
Defense: .704 (7th)

For the past five seasons, the Balmoral Giants could count on their pitching to keep them within striking distance of the first division, as their pitching staff rivaled those in Wolseley and Fort Richmond, two teams that have long had formidable pitching staffs for the past number of seasons. It appears those days are over as the Giants’ pitching has looked very ordinary so far this year. Couple that with a lackluster offense and the worst-ranked farm system it would appear that Balmoral’s time in the basement might be a long one. There’s very little optimism right now for the club’s fortunes.

Interestingly, two players that are producing for the Giants recently came over in trades. On offense, 26-year old C Alexander Pyatt (.291/.319/.447, 6 HR, 21 RBI, 8 BB, 1.6 WAR), acquired from the Cambria Cannons back in July, is thriving as an everyday starter, batting from the No. 3 spot. Meanwhile, their No. 4 starter, 26-year old LHP Lucas Nott (7-4, 3.14 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 111 ERA+), has been their most consistent pitcher thus far. Nott was traded from the Sherburn Tigers back in September.

And while 26-year old RF Roy Belknap (.325/.343/.456, 4 HR, 26 RBI, 6 BB, 5 SB, 1.3 WAR) is enjoying his most productive season at the plate, Balmoral’s best overall player in the early going has been their lead-off hitter, 25-year old CF Cedric Bristow (.289/.366/.381, 10-2B, 16 RBI, 22 BB, 4 SB, 1.7 WAR).

Current Injuries:

November 10 – SS Sean Brearton – elbow inflammation. Out for: 2 weeks.
November 25 – C Albert Cunliffe – rotator cuff strain. Out for: 1 week.

--------

__________________
United Leagues of Braeland
reds1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2020, 12:36 AM   #563
reds1
Hall Of Famer
 
reds1's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,854

KINGSTON, Dec. 6 – Like Sherburn Tigers’ GM Jack Clayton last year, this will be Hespeler Stars’ GM Marcello Bonaddio’s first Amateur Draft for his new club. But he is not a rookie, having spent 11 seasons as the Downie Chiefs’ general manager from 1937 to 1946. Although he was no longer with the Chiefs when they won the United Cup in 1949-50, his fingerprints were all over that team, with the drafting of such stars as CF Alfonso León, 2B Dominic Dudding, RHP Kelii Pelanekelina and RHP Carl Luscombe that have become mainstays in Downie. Bonaddio hopes to accomplish the same thing with Hespeler, starting with this year’s draft. It’s a day he eagerly looked forward to each year as Downie’s GM and it was hard for him to conceal his excitement at being back, this time with the Stars.

“It’s a day you always circle on the calendar as a general manager, for sure”, remarked a smiling Bonaddio, as he fielded questions from reporters on the floor of the Royal Exhibition Hall in Kingston, where this year’s Draft is being held. “It’s a culmination of months of hard work by your scouts and coaches, yet it’s the start of a new chapter for an organization. One we hope will be the beginning of bigger and better things for the Stars.”

‘Bigger and better things’ is something that the Hespeler Stars are still searching for after 15 seasons in the United Leagues. They have yet to qualify for the United Cup playoffs and have not enjoyed a winning season since their inaugural year. That may in part be due to trades involving their first-round draft picks that proved to be lop-sided. Players like OF Steven Winstanley, C Aaron Skidmore and RF Marcus Peyto, who Hespeler originally drafted in the first round, were shipped off to become stars with other clubs in return for players that had nowhere near the same impact. It has left the Stars a perpetual second-division team with seemingly no traction or game plan to escape their endless futility. Bonaddio is determined to steer the organization out of its playoff ‘desert’ and towards greener pastures.

“Trying to go for quick fixes – that’s a dangerous strategy and you only short-change yourself in the end”, explained Bonaddio. “It’s a simple matter of trusting your scouts and choices. Players are traded all the time, it’s true. But you can’t put a price on that cornerstone centerfielder or future ace you just drafted. They’re the bedrock you build upon. You ship them out and all your hard work that you built on top of them is all for naught. That’s my thinking anyway.”

But all is not bleak for the Stars. Hespeler already boasts the No. 1 farm system coming into the draft and some of that burgeoning talent is finally making its way onto the major league roster. And with the Hespeler Stars in possession of the No. 1 pick this year, it should only make their farm system even deeper and just perhaps, their future brighter.

--------

Here is a brief overview of the 16 players taken in the first round:

1st Pick – Hespeler Stars:



SS Apia Yarrah (33/67) – 23-years old; 5’-10”, 175 lbs.; Bats LH/Throws RH.

The Stars use their first overall pick to select the speedy Yarrah from American Samoa. Yarrah is a terrific defensive player with a great arm and an above average ability to put the ball in play. He should have no problem getting his share of hits and be an anchor on defense for years to come when he reaches the big leagues.

--------

2nd Pick – Cambria Cannons:



OF Kilipeka Makeko (20/64) – 18-years old; 5’-10”, 160 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH.

An American Samoan is selected second overall as well, as the Cannons select Makeko from Pago Pago. Makeko has tremendous raw power potential which could develop into plus-plus power. He has elite speed but will need to work on his stealing ability a bit more. He has good hands that should make difficult plays look easy, although his position ratings are not the greatest.

--------

3rd Pick – Sherburn Tigers:



IF/OF Dwayne Vick (38/73) – 23-years old; 5’-11”, 180 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH.

The first Braelander selected, the Wellington-born Vick is a phenomenal defensive player, both in the infield and outfield. Offensively, his greatest strength will be making contact. Scouts feel that he could be a .330 hitter one day.

--------

4th Pick – Stratford Barons:



IF/OF Ronald Hollinshed (33/80) – 22-years old; 6’-0”, 200 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH.

From the small town of Stirling, Perth, the versatile Hollinshed should soon be comfortable at the plate, being able to hit to all fields with his unorthodox, but effective short swing. He’s projected to be a solid defender with impressive speed. Scouts are high on his future as a major leaguer.

--------

5th Pick – Brunswick Legends:



OF Quincy Woolescroft (32/64) – 23-years old; 6’-2”, 215 lbs.; Bats LH/Throws LH.

The Legends select the speedy Woolescroft from Basildon, England. Like Hollinshed selected before him, Woolsescroft should develop into a strong contact hitter with good gap power and range.

--------

6th Pick – Balmoral Giants:



IF Hayden Gunton (24/54) – 23-years old; 6’-0”, 190 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH.

The Giants select Gunton from Norwood, Dunwich, an elite defender who should do a good job of working the count. But he is a bit of free swinger who will need to develop better command of the strike zone.

--------

7th Pick – Cobourg Red Stockings:



OF Malcolm Wise (20/68) – 18-years old; 6’-3”, 200 lbs.; Bats LH/Throws LH.

The young Wise from Braeland City just might be the most formidable hitter selected in the first round this year. Wise boasts a quick bat with above average raw power and great strike zone recognition. He should handle any fastball that comes his way although off-speed stuff could challenge him. Wise is projected to be an elite big league right fielder.

--------

8th Pick – Braeland City Monarchs:



SP Johnny Hunter (32/61) – 19-years old; 6’-2”, 185 lbs.; Bats LH/Throws LH.

The first pitcher selected this year, the Monarchs go with Hunter from Belpre, Ohio. His three-pitch repertoire should have plenty of movement, helping to keep the ball in the park. His best pitch at this point is his sinker. When fully developed, Hunter should be a sturdy option in the rotation.

--------

9th Pick – Queensland Eagles:



SP Wayne O’Reilly (20/58) – 20-years old; 6’-0”, 185 lbs.; Bats SH/Throws RH.

Queensland selects the second pitcher in the first round, this time the 20-year old O’Reilly from Brunswick. In many ways, O’Reilly is similar to pitcher Johnny Hunter selected immediately before him: a three-pitch repertoire that features a decent sinker and impressive movement potential. He projects one day to be a mid-rotation starter. The Eagles have promoted O’Reilly to their AAA farm club.

--------

10th Pick – Embro Suns:




RP & 1B Rob Gladstone (41/76 & 20/29) – 22-years old; 5’-10”, 205 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH.

Embo selects a two-way player, Rob Gladstone, from Cambria. When fully developed, his repertoire should include an above average sinker and a solid slider. He can pound the zone and has good movement on his pitches. As a pitcher, he is best suited as a reliever and has the ability to become one the better stoppers in the game.

As an offensive player, Gladstone has shown promising pitch recognition but has limited bat-to-ball skills. He will get his start with Embro’s AAA farm team, the Birmingham Comets.

--------

11th Pick – Downie Chiefs:



IF/OF Oscar Kennedy (23/54) – 22-years old; 5’-11”, 185 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH.

The Chiefs go with the versatile Kennedy from Pulberry. He is a very smooth defender with above average speed. He has improving pitch recognition and projects to have a .290 batting average. He should one day become an above average everyday big-league player.

--------

12th Pick – Fort Richmond Generals:



IF/OF Uki Edewada (20/56) – 20-years old; 5’-10”, 175 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws LH.

The third American Samoan is selected in the first round, this time, Uki Edewada by Fort Richmond. Edewaka’s calling card is his blinding speed with great range and respectable batting skills. He has improving pitch recognition with the ability to hit into the gaps. He should one day be a regular starter as well.

--------

13th Pick – Wellington Athletics:



OF Noel Johnston (24/55) – 22-years old; 5’-11”, 190 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH.

Wellington takes as their first pick, Noel Johnston. The native Australian possesses tremendous power potential with good recognition of ball and strikes. He should also be a respectable fielder in left field. Johnston has the potential of being a formidable force at the plate.

--------

14th Pick – Pulberry Trolleys:



3B Jorge Ramos (20/47) – 18-years old; 5’-9”, 165 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH.

The Trolleys select Ramos from the Dominican Republic. Ramos is blessed with plus power potential and has shown an advance approach to the plate. He should also draw his share of walks. He will need some further seasoning on his footwork, but he should become a competent fielder.

--------

15th Pick – Kingston Pelicans:




IF/OF & SP Jonathan Brookins (20/56 & 20/66) – 18-years old; 5’-10”, 170 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH.

The second two-way player is selected by Kingston, Jonathan Brookins from Stratford. As a fielder, his best position should be in right field, with an excellent throwing arm and range. He has a quick bat and should handle most fastballs. However off-speed stuff may challenge him. When he matures, he should have an above average eye and draw his share of walks.

As a pitcher, he should induce a lot of ground balls with fantastic movement on his sinker and cutter, his two best pitches. Although he may one day develop into a starter, scouts currently project him as a top reliever or stopper.

--------

16th Pick – Wolseley Unions:



CL Danny Pye (29/71) – 18-years old; 6’-1”, 175 lbs.; Bats RH/Throws RH.

With the last pick of the first round, the Unions go with Danny Pye of Melbourne, Australia. Pye, too, should be able to keep the ball in the park with fantastic movement and good control. However, he has developed only one good pitch thus far. His sinker looks like it will be a quality pitch, but the same can’t be said of his changeup. His best chance at making the major leagues will be as a reliever, so it will be interesting to see how he fares relying on one quality pitch.
__________________
United Leagues of Braeland

Last edited by reds1; 02-20-2020 at 12:00 PM.
reds1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2020, 02:04 AM   #564
reds1
Hall Of Famer
 
reds1's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,854
December 31, 1952

Here are the standings and leaderboards at the end of games on December 31:





--------



__________________
United Leagues of Braeland
reds1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-20-2020, 02:28 AM   #565
DreamTeams
Hall Of Famer
 
DreamTeams's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,521
Go Trolleys Go!
__________________
DreamTeams is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-29-2020, 06:43 AM   #566
reds1
Hall Of Famer
 
reds1's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,854
January 1, 1953

Looking Back: The 1942-43 Amateur Draft

After a rather disappointing 1941-42 draft class, things got back on track in 1942-43. In fact, in reviewing this class I was pleasantly surprised at the number of quality pitchers that emerged. This is a group that is definitely making an impact in the United Leagues today. No less than four players are currently rated in the Top 20 (1 position player and 3 pitchers). Not too shabby. Add to that, there were several players in the later rounds that went on to enjoy very respectable careers. The following is a review of a few players that stood out for me:

Cream of the Crop:



3B Alexander Tolmie – 1st overall pick by the Cobourg Red Stockings

Career: .298/.377/.444, 1324 G, 5,004 AB, 1490 H, 258-2B, 25-3B, 141 HR, 760 RBI, 682 R, 670 BB, 578 K, 5 SB, .821 OPS, 125 OPS+, 129 wRC+, 40.0 WAR

Achievements:

• 5-time All-Star
• Finished 2nd in the 1951-52 Eastern League Babe Ruth Award voting
• 3 selections to the All-Braeland Team
• 3 times Player of the Week
• 2 times Batter of the Month

What the original scouting report said:

“Tolmie is a fantastic prospect: tremendous contact potential, grade ‘A’ power and a terrific eye. He is also a strong defensive player at 2B and 3B. He has ‘future star’ written all over him.”

Comments: Tolmie (80/80) has been everything the Red Stockings could have hoped for when they selected him first overall that year. He is the top-rated third baseman in the United Leagues and 5th overall among all position players. He is described as a cornerstone player by scouts and that’s exactly what he is. After a few relatively up and down years, Tolmie took the next step in the 1950-51 season, when he earned 6.3 WAR. The following year, he racked up 7.2. And this season he is on pace for 8.2. Cobourg’s cleanup hitter is a big reason why the club has been so dominant this year.

--------



RHP Jesús Chapa – 4th overall pick by the Sherburn Tigers.

Career: 135-112, 7 SV, 3.08 ERA, 282 GS, 2309.0 IP, 113 CG, 16 SHO, 1.21 WHIP, .268 BABIP, 3.14 FIP, 55.7 WAR, 132 ERA+

Achievements:

• 6-time All-Star
• 2 Western League Satchel Paige Awards (1946-47, 1947-48)
• Finished 2nd in the 1945-46 Western League Satchel Paige Award voting
• 1 selection to the All-Braeland Team
• 1-time Pitcher of the Month

What the original scouting report said:

“The Puerto Rican Chapa has all the tools to be a successful pitcher in the ULB. Chapa combines above-average stuff with incredible movement and excellent control.”

Comments: Chapa (60/60) has been a tremendous, reliable ace for the Tigers over the past nine seasons. Only this year has he struggled a bit. A finesse pitcher, Chapa continues to have solid stuff, movement and control (60/60/65) with three reliable pitchers: fastball (55), sinker (55) and changeup (50). And he has been an iron man: over the course of 2,309.0 innings and 113 complete games over nine seasons, he has been out of commission for all of 3 days (back spasms three years ago). His best season was perhaps in 1946-47 when he won his first Satchel Paige Award. He went 16-14, 2.13 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 2.46 FIP, 160 ERA+. He made just 16 minor league starts before being promoted to the big time. Chapa is currently rated 10th overall among all pitchers in the ULB, but he is not the highest from this draft class (more on that player below).

--------



RHP Jeremy Albury – 7th overall pick originally by the Queensland Eagles.

Career: 118-72, 3.29 ERA, 225 GS, 1815.2 IP, 108 CG, 13 SHO, 1.24 WHIP, .265 BABIP, 3.34 FIP, 39.4 WAR, 122 ERA+

Achievements:

• 3-time All-Star
• Finished 3rd in the 1949-50 Western League Satchel Paige Award voting
• 1-time Player of the Week
• 3 times Pitcher of the Month
• 3 United Cup Championships

What the original scouting report said:

“Albury combines above-average stuff with OK movement and outstanding control. He currently has five pitches in his repertoire.”

Comments: While he has not been quite as dominant as Chapa, Albury (59/59) nevertheless has been a very productive starter for the Unions, despite his recent injuries. The ‘fragile’ pitcher made only 14 starts last season due to shoulder injuries. While his stuff and movement are nothing special (50/50 & 45/45), he has good control (60/60). His best season was in 1949-50, when he went 18-12, 2.74 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 3.06 FIP, 150 ERA+. His work in the playoffs has been solid as well: 6-4, 2.33 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 3.26 FIP, 1130 IP in 13 games. He spent just two seasons in AA (28 starts overall) before getting called up to the majors. He has been there ever since. Albury is currently rated as the 11th best pitcher in the United Leagues, just behind Chapa.

--------



RHP Nicky Sherlock – 27th overall pick (Round 2, Pick 11) originally by the Kingston Pelicans.

Career: 102-83, 11 SV, 3.08 ERA, 201 GS, 1702.1 IP, 103 CG, 18 SHO, 1.19 WHIP, .251 BABIP, 3.36 FIP, 34.0 WAR, 130 ERA+

Achievements:

• 4-time All-Star
• 1948-49 Western League Satchel Paige Award
• 1947-48 United Cup MVP
• 1 selection to the All-Braeland Team
• 2 times Player of the Week
• 3 times Pitcher of the Month
• 1 United Cup Championship

Comments: The Fort Richmond Generals did not have a memorable draft, but they did acquire one of the draft’s best pitchers in a block-buster trade with the Pelicans a year later. That trade saw superstar C Danny Trowbridge head to Kingston, but Sherlock (64/64) has prevented the Generals from ever regretting making the trade. Although his stuff (45/50) is on the ‘fringy’ side and his three pitches (fastball – 45/45; cutter – 50/50; changeup – 35/45) are not exactly dominant, his movement (55/55) and control (70/70) make up for any shortcomings he may have. Sherlock spent three seasons in the minors before getting his permanent promotion in 1945. Rated the No. 2 prospect that year, he is currently rated the No. 2 pitcher in the entire United Leagues, behind only Stratford Barons’ 26-year old RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco (67/69). His best season was in 1948-49 (18-7, 2.48 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 165 ERA+), when he won the WL Satchel Paige Award. But his current season may prove to be his best yet. He is on pace to go 22-8, 1.86 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 186 ERA+. Another Satchel Paige Award could be in the offing if he keeps it up.

--------

Biggest Draft Disappointment

Its par for the course that not all highly-touted draft picks will pan out. As in real life, there’s so many variables involved in a player’s development that a once promising prospect can suddenly hit a brick wall and progress no further for no apparent reason. That was true in this draft class, despite the number of fine players that emerged. There were a few players in upper half of the first round that I could have singled out as the biggest disappointment, but I went with just one player:



CF Ramón Corona – 5th overall pick originally by the Fort Richmond Generals.

Career: .178/.260/.356, 22 G, 45 AB, 8 H, 0-2B, 1-3B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 7 R, 5 BB, 10 K, 2 SB, .616 OPS, 73 OPS+, 61 wRC+, 0.1 WAR
Achievements:

• 1947-48 United Cup Winner

What the original scouting report said:

“Corona projects to be a pretty average contact hitter with above-average power and great speed on the base paths. He should also be a pretty good, although not flashy, defender.”

Comments: “Pretty average” was an overly optimistic description of Corona’s hitting ability. Corona (38/38) remains an outstanding defensive outfielder with a strong, accurate arm and could probably have been one of the best base-stealers in the United Leagues, but he just couldn’t develop into a disciplined hitter. The scouting report says that he “will swing at anything and will get himself out.” Thus, the Dominican Corona spent six years bouncing between AA and AAA before finally getting a promotion to the big leagues. His timing couldn’t have been better, as he was on the playoff roster when the Generals won the United Cup. But he was soon down in AAA and that’s where he remains. He is now with the Stratford Barons organization after becoming a free agent and signing a minor league contract in 1950. Not the career arc you would expect from a first-rounder, but it’s a reminder that there’s no guarantees.

--------

Later-Round Standouts

There were a couple of players from the later rounds that I wanted to single out. One appeared on the cusp of big things while the other is carving out a very decent career:



LHP Jamie Wigley – 85th overall pick (Round 6, Pick 5) originally by the Fort Richmond Generals.

Career: 35-25, 1 SV, 3.53 ERA, 73 GS, 535.0 IP, 13 CG, 5 SHO, 1.33 WHIP, .284 BABIP, 3.36 FIP, 11.5 WAR, 125 ERA+

Achievements:

• 1-time All-Star
• 1-time Player of the Week
• Finished 2nd in 1950-51 Western League Satchel Paige Award voting
• 1 United Cup Championship

Comments: Wigley (24/24) toiled in the minors for nearly seven years after being drafted. Like Ramón Corona though, he arrived in the majors just in time to earn a championship ring with the Generals. Then he was traded to the Cambria Cannons a couple of seasons later. With Cambria, Wigley quickly established himself as a major-league starter. In 1949-50 he showed promise, going 11-4, 3.93 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 102 ERA+. The following season, the Australian southpaw became the Cannons’ undisputed ace, going 15-10, 2.44 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 163 ERA+. That earned him an all-star selection and serious consideration for the Satchel Paige Award. But during ‘spring’ training in September 1951, Wigley suffered a torn labrum and missed a good chunk of the season. Although he returned to the rotation (8-10, 4.98 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 79 ERA+), he was not the same pitcher he was before and this year finds him back in AAA. It’s looking increasingly doubtful that he will ever return to the majors. Would he have repeated that success the following season had he not gotten injured or would he have proven to be a ‘one-year wonder’ either way? Alas, we may never know.

--------



3B Viera Kewini – 76th overall pick (Round 5, Pick 12) originally by the Braeland City Monarchs.

Career: .280/.331/.364, 389 G, 1363 AB, 381 H, 67-2B, 9-3B, 10 HR, 164 RBI, 136 R, 104 BB, 70 K, 6 SB, .695 OPS, 95 OPS+, 99 wRC+, 6.7 WAR

Comments: Kewini spent five seasons in the Monarchs’ farm system after being drafted. By 1947 however, his potential cratered (23/23) and Braeland City released him in October of that year. After being out of baseball for over a year, the Balmoral Giants signed him to a minor league contract in November 1948. Balmoral brought him up to the majors full-time in 1949 where he started showing signs of being a decent player. But it was after his trade to Sherburn in August 1951 that Kewini (50/50) began to blossom. His first season with the Tigers saw him produce 2.6 WAR; this year he is on pace for 3.6. The 30-year old Fijian has good contact (55/55) and is tough to strike out (70/70). But his developing discipline at the plate (45/75) and solid defense at the hot corner has really turned him into an everyday starter. And with an ‘iron man’ constitution, Kewini may have the opportunity to continue developing – maybe even into an all-star.
__________________
United Leagues of Braeland
reds1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-04-2020, 12:27 PM   #567
reds1
Hall Of Famer
 
reds1's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,854
January 13, 1953

Western All-Stars Shut Down Easterners in Low Scoring Affair


--------

Cobourg, Dunwich (BP) – The Western League All-Stars halted a three-year losing skid with a 2-0 win over their Eastern League counterparts in Cobourg this afternoon. It was the West’s first victory in an All-Star Game since 1949, when they won another low-scoring game, 2-1 in Brunswick. After 16 All-Star games, the East now holds a 9-7 lead in wins.

Conditions were sunny and warm in Cobourg, the 16th and final major league city in Braeland to host the Game for the first time. Over 26,000 fans packed Radcliffe Field, with clear skies and a slight breeze blowing from right to left for most of the afternoon. Temperatures reached nearly 78F by mid-game.

But the Eastern All-Stars were unable to capitalize on the warm conditions and friendly crowd as nine Western League pitchers were successful in keeping them off the board. It marks the first time in an All-Star Game that one side was held scoreless.

The West did all their damage in the top of the 4th inning. Cambria’s C Heung-su Park led off with a double to right-centerfield off Stratford’s RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco. Hespeler’s 2B Vic Lewis immediately followed with a first-pitch triple into left-centerfield, scoring Park for the game’s first run. Pulberry’s RF Ellis Dibble then hit a deep sac fly into rightfield. Lewis tagged up and beat out the throw from Stratford’s Andy Faulkner for the game’s second run. That’s all the runs the West would need.

In a game where scoring was at a premium, 35-year old Heung-su Park picked up Player of the Game honors. In addition to his double, he also drew a lead-off walk in the second.

“We saw all-star pitching today – on both sides, that’s for sure”, stated Park to reporters gathered around him in the visitor’s clubhouse after the game. “They mixed their pitches up well; kept the batters guessing all afternoon. We were able to get a few walks here and there, but they’d stonewall us after that. We were fortunate just to get what we could.”

As alluded to by Park, the pitchers did surrender a few walks ‘here and there’; 11 in fact, with 7 given up by the Eastern pitchers, but none factored into any scoring play.

The Eastern All-Stars’ best chance at getting on the board occurred in the bottom of the 6th inning, when they loaded the bases off Cambria’s LHP Bill Southon with one out. Downie’s CF Alfonso León drew a walk followed by a single from Embro’s 1B Napana Mamo and another walk by Brunswick’s LF Carl Patton. But Downie’s 2B Dominic Dudding hit a dribbler back to the pitcher, who promptly threw home to Balmoral’s C Alexander Pyatt, who then threw to Cambria’s 1B Carlos Corea to complete the twin-killing and snuff out the rally.

The Western All-Stars loaded the bases twice themselves, both in the 1st and 8th innings, but came up empty-handed each time. In the end it didn’t matter, as they had scraped out all the runs they would need in the 4th.

--------

Here are the complete All-Star rosters:

__________________
United Leagues of Braeland
reds1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-04-2020, 01:37 PM   #568
reds1
Hall Of Famer
 
reds1's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,854
January 13, 1953

Here are the standings and leaderboards at the All-Star break:





--------



__________________
United Leagues of Braeland
reds1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2020, 11:57 PM   #569
DreamTeams
Hall Of Famer
 
DreamTeams's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,521
Trolleys back on track. They are right there.
__________________
DreamTeams is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-09-2020, 12:18 AM   #570
reds1
Hall Of Famer
 
reds1's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,854
February 1, 1953

Eastern League: Cobourg Sprints Ahead; Focus Turns to Wild Card Chase





--------



Offense: .270/.339/.396 (1st/3rd/1st)
Pitching: 3.02/3.26/1.90 (1st/1st/1st)
Defense: .730 (1st)

The Cobourg Red Stockings served notice on the rest of the league that they have no intentions of relinquishing first place to anyone, jumping out to a 10-game lead by the end of the December after a dominating 21-7 performance. That lead has been extended to 12.5 games at the end of January and it would take both a colossal collapse by the Red Stockings and an unprecedented surge by one of the other aspirants to have any chance of overtaking Cobourg. For a team that has never made the playoffs in its 15+ seasons in the ULB, the Red Stockings appear to have finally put it all together. They are the top offensive team in the United Leagues and their pitching staff is second only to the Wolseley Unions (2.88) in team ERA. Twice before they have finished just one game back of the wildcard: in 1946-47 when the 82-72 Brunswick Legends edged them out and in 1950-51, when the 84-70 Embro Suns did the honors. This season Cobourg remains on pace for 104 wins. The next best team in the East is on pace for 85.

The bulk of the lineup is producing, led by 26-year old CF Raymond Williams (.338/.420/.551, 20 HR, 57 RBI, 51 BB, 6.2 WAR), 31-year old 3B Alexander Tolmie (.287/.387/.439, 12 HR, 60 RBI, 61 BB, 4.4 WAR) and a resurgent 29-year old C Jason Lymer (.337/.364/.485, 8 HR, 67 RBI, 17 BB, 4.1 WAR). They bat 3-5 in the lineup with the rest following their lead. The only weakness right now is at second base, with 30-year old Dwayne Stace (.184/.257/.252, 2 HR, 18 RBI, 21 BB, -0.3 WAR) getting the starts. But 21-year old SS/2B Douglas Jones (46/80), the No. 1 prospect in the United Leagues right now, is on the major league roster and may be an option, although he has only played shortstop so far.

The rotation though continues to have the biggest question marks, as there are only two steady starters: 24-year old LHP Bill Budd (14-6, 2.69 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 133 ERA+) and 25-year old RHP Fergus Hirst (12-5, 2.71 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 132 ERA+), who has been out for an extended period due to injury. But 31-year old RHP Alberto León (7-8, 4.36 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, 82 ERA+) has picked up his game over the past two months (6-3, 3.21 ERA, 1.55 WHIP) and the Red Stockings have received a boost from 26-year old rookie RHP Marcus Turvill (7-4, 2.50 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 143 ERA+). Turvill was an 8th-round pick by the Downie Chiefs back in 1945-46 and signed a minor league contract with Cobourg in June 1951. In his first taste of the majors, he has earned two Rookie of the Month honors and an all-star selection.

Seven Red Stockings qualified for the All-Star game: LHP Bill Budd (2nd), RHP Marcus Turvill (1st), C Jason Lymer (1st), 1B Harry Doxey (4th), 3B Alexander Tolmie (6th), SS John Medley (7th) and CF Raymond Williams (6th).

Noteworthy:

December 15 – The Red Stockings cruised to a 7-0 victory over the Stratford Barons on the arm of RHP Harry Dinsmore. He went 9.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K (GS: 85).
December 18 – The Barons got blanked again, this time by RHP Fergus Hirst, who scattered 4 hits en route to a 1-0 victory. Hirst went 9.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K (GS: 83).
December 31 – LHP Bill Budd spoiled Brunswick’s New Year’s Eve celebrations by defeating the Legends 2-0 at Babe Ruth Park. He went 9.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 2 K (GS: 81).
January 21 – RHP Alberto León was firing on all cylinders against the Embro Suns, blanking them 6-0 on the road. León went 9.0 IP, 7 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K (GS: 77).

Current Injuries:

October 25 – 3B Goro Toiguchi – post-concussion syndrome. Out for: 2 months.
January 7 – RHP Fergus Hirst – biceps tendinitis. Out for: 2 weeks.

--------



Offense: .253/.345/.360 (5th/2nd/7th)
Pitching: 3.72/3.54/4.65 (5th/4nd/8th)
Defense: .710 (3rd)

While the Stratford Barons continue to hang onto second place, a couple of other clubs have quickly caught up to them. A sluggish January has seen their four-game lead whittled down to one, just ahead of the Embro Suns. The Barons’ success this season has been the result of a few outstanding performances. Unless the rest of the team picks it up, Stratford could easily fall to fourth or even fifth place before the season is over. It also wouldn’t hurt for them to improve their performance against right-handed pitching, as their record against righties is just 40-44. They’ve had better success against lefties, going 17-2 thus far.

27-year old 1B Bob Goodyear (.315/.380/.482, 13 HR, 67 RBI, 45 BB, 4.4 WAR) continues to lead the team offensively, picking up his first all-star selection. He has been ably supported by 33-year old C Aaron Skidmore (.284/.451/.408, 8 HR, 41 RBI, 89 BB, 5.1 WAR) and 24-year old rookie RF Andy Faulkner (.304/.411/.439, 9 HR, 53 RBI, 58 BB, 3.7 WAR). But after them, there has been a steep drop off in production this season.

The same can be said for the pitching staff. 26-year old RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco (11-6, 2.74 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 129 ERA+) and 26-year old RHP Bill Wolf (11-7, 2.75 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 129 ERA+) provide a formidable 1-2 punch, but the rest of the staff has been lackluster. A long-term injury to Jaojoco makes the Barons even more vulnerable.

Five Barons qualified for the All-Star team: SP Magtanggol Jaojoco (2nd), RHP Bill Wolf (2nd), C Aaron Skidmore (12th), 1B Bob Goodyear (1st) and RF Andy Faulkner (1st).

Player of the Week Awards:

December 8 – RF Andy Faulkner (.471, 8 H, 3 HR, 11 RBI)

Noteworthy:

December 3 – The Barons trounced the Kingston Pelicans convincingly, 13-0. RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco was front and center, pitching the shut-out. He went 9.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 3 K (GS: 77).
January 19 - SS Jeff Houston went on a tear against the Monarchs, going 5 for 5 at Kings Park in Braeland City. He hit four singles, including a two-run single in the 9th inning as well as double in the 11th. But the Monarchs ultimately prevailed in the 12th, winning 5-3.

Current Injuries:

January 4 – CF Sherwin Carasig – strained hamstring. Out for: 2 weeks.
January 27 – RHP Alonso Martínez – sore elbow. Out for: DtD, 5 days.
January 28 – RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco – strained triceps. Out for: 4 weeks.

--------



Offense: .255/.330/.378 (4th/5th/3rd)
Pitching: 3.64/3.46/4.30 (2nd/3rd/6th)
Defense: .699 (7th)

Although they have kept to within reach of the wildcard (veering between 3.5 games to just a half game over the past two months), the Embro Suns just don’t seem like a playoff club to me at this point in the season. Both the offense and especially the bullpen have regressed. Thus, the Suns risk fading and allowing other clubs like the Legends and perhaps the Monarchs to challenge Stratford for the wildcard.

Although they earned all-star selections this year, both 25-year old Napana Mamo (.269/.334/.426, 8 HR, 51 RBI, 37 BB, 2.1WAR) and 26-year old CF Orlando Morales (.299/.344/.431, 6 HR, 59 RBI, 29 BB, 3.1 WAR) have slumped big-time in January (.167/.227/.300 and .222/.263/.289 respectively). Right now, 22-year old SS Kieron Bradridge (.269/.304/.421, 9 HR, 53 RBI, 22 BB, 3.9 WAR) and 24-year old 3B Moromao Nakagawa (.284/.362/.461, 10 HR, 58 RBI, 47 BB, 3.6 WAR) are Embro’s most consistent producers on offense.

The pitching staff has not been terrible, but it doesn’t inspire confidence either. The bullpen is in flux while the main stalwarts in the rotation have not been consistent as they need to be for a playoff push. However, No. 1 starter, 26-year old LHP Carl McBroom (8-13, 3.73 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 95 ERA+), awoke from his season-long doldrums last month to win Pitcher of the Month honors, while No. 3 starter, 27-year old RHP Juan Rivas (6-6, 2.90 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 122 ERA+) has been Embro’s top pitcher when he is healthy. 37-year old RHP Myung-gu Son (9-3, 3.33 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 107 ERA+) has provided consistent outings as well.

Four Suns were selected as All-Stars: RHP Myung-gu Son (7th), 1B Napana Mamo (1st), 3B Moromao Nakagawa (1st) and CF Orlando Morales (1st).

Player of the Week Awards:

January 5 – 2B Keon-chae Cho (.692, 9 H, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 3 R)

Noteworthy:

December 17 – Myung-gu Son had the Braeland City Monarchs flailing at his pitches all afternoon as the Suns defeated them 5-0. Son pitched 9.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K (GS: 76).
January 9 – Although the Suns defeated the Wellington Athletics 6-2, 3B Moromao Nakagawa saw his 20-game hitting come to an end. He went 0-4 on the day.
January 26 – LHP Arthur Bence tamed the Queensland Eagles on the road, leading the Suns to a 1-0 victory. Bence went 9.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K (GS: 83).

Current Injuries:

November 12 – 2B Robert Jameson – broken kneecap. Out for: 8 weeks.
January 28 – RHP Myung-gu Son – finger blister. Out for: DtD, 2 days.

--------



Offense: .265/.358/.371 (2nd/1st/5th)
Pitching: 4.26/4.31/4.12 (8th/8th/5th)
Defense: .698 (8th)

If there’s any club that can challenge the Barons for the wildcard over the final two months, it would appear to be the Brunswick Legends. The Legends’ offense has gotten stronger as the season has progressed and despite a terrible pitching staff, that might be enough to squeak into the playoff given the rather soft competition in the East other than the Red Stockings.

26-year old LF Carl Patton (.316/.442/.444, 6 HR, 40 RBI, 86 BB, 18 SB, 5.9 WAR) continues to enjoy a break-out season in this third season, ably supported by 24-year old C Robert Kersey (.301/.388/.451, 10 HR, 60 RBI, 51 BB, 4.8 WAR) and 32-year old RF Marcus Peyto (.270/.368/.475, 17 HR, 67 RBI, 58 BB, 3.6 WAR), who is enjoying his best season in 5 years. Future hall of famer 36-year old 1B Stuart Bentham (.275/.383/.386, 8 HR, 61 RBI, 58 BB, -0.4 WAR) continues to produce at the plate, but his defense is abysmal (.988 PCT, 8.77 RNG, -20.1 ZR, .721 EFF).

If there’s anything that’s going to prevent the Legends from moving up in the standings, it will be their pitching. When healthy, 24-year old ace RHP Kent Dundon (6-4, 3.21 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 111 ERA+) has provided quality outings for Brunswick. 31-year old RHP Lao Chen (9-2, 17 SV, 2.61 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 137 ERA+) continues to justify his rating as the No. 1 stopper in the United Leagues.

Four Legends were selected to the All-Star game: CL Lao Chen (4th), C Robert Kersey (2nd), LF Carl Patton (1st) and RF Marcus Peyto (6th).

Player of the Week Awards:

December 15 – RF Marcus Peyto (.375, 9 H, 4 HR, 10 RBI)

Noteworthy:

December 6 – The Legends eked out a 1-0 victory over the Braeland City Monarchs. The star of the game was RHP Kent Dundon, who scattered 2 hits through 9 innings for the shut-out. In all, he went 9.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 8 K (GS: 87).
December 17 – Brunswick whipped the Downie Chiefs, 5-0, thanks to a masterful outing by RHP Luis Cruz. His line was 9.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 5 BB, 5 K (79).
January 3 – The Legends doubled up the Embro Suns 12-6, with C Robert Kersey leading the way. He went 5 for 5, with three singles, a walk, an RBI double in the 1st inning and a 3-run home run in the 9th.
January 19 – C Robert Kersey was red-hot at the plate once again, going 5 for 6 against the Wellington Athletics. He connected for 5 singles with 1 strikeout and 2 runs. Alas, the Athletics pulled out the road win, taking it 8-7 in 12 innings.
January 31 – The Legends trounced the Hespeler Stars 16-2 at Babe Ruth Park, but the Stars did end LF Carl Patton’s 23-game hitting streak. Patton went 0-2 with a walk and a run before being removed for a pinch hitter in the 7th inning.

Current Injuries: None.

--------



Offense: .250/.319/.376 (6th/7th/4th)
Pitching: 3.89/4.11/3.38 (6th/6th/2nd)
Defense: .705 (4th)

No team was more active overhauling their roster leading up to the trade deadline than the Braeland City Monarchs, who rebounded somewhat from a rough December in January. But whether they have done enough to reach the first division, let alone the playoffs remains to be seen.

Certainly, the acquisition of 27-year old C Hayden Billyard (.300/.358/.483, 10 HR, 25 RBI, 18 BB, 2.4 WAR) in December from Kingston is a step in the right direction. Billyard, whose ratings have improved to 67/67 since the trade, is providing a much-needed spark to the offense. He joins 27-year old 2B Patrick Lidgate (.260/.383/.438, 10 HR, 47 RBI, 62 BB, 3.9 WAR), 29-year old 1B Dean Witherden (.299/.352/.441, 15 HR, 56 RBI, 35 BB, 2.5 WAR) and 22-year old RF Aidan Trembath (.307/.366/.429, 8 HR, 36 RBI, 33 BB, 2.9 WAR) as the top producers in the Monarchs’ lineup.

The pitching remains a concern, despite Braeland City’s efforts to change that on the trade market. Right now, only no. 1 starter 31-year old RHP Okura Suzuki (6-8, 3.59 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 100 ERA+) and No. 5 starter 28-year old RHP Trevor Cranfield (10-5, 3.44 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 104 ERA+) are avoiding nightmare seasons.

Four players represented the Monarchs at the All-Star game: RHP Rizal Doctolero (2nd), 1B Dean Witherden (4th), 2B Patrick Lidgate (4th) and RF Aidan Trembath (2nd).

Key Trade No. 1: December 9 with the Kingston Pelicans:

To Braeland City – 27-year old C Hayden Billyard (55/56)
To Kingston – 28-year old LF Jesús Rodríguez (49/49) and 22-year-old minor-league C Ronald Armstrong (27/49)

Knee-jerk reaction: With this trade, the Monarchs have served notice that they have given up on former 3-time all-star catcher Christopher Dainty (.210/.335/.351, 7 HR, 35 RBI, 40 BB, 1.1 WAR). Dainty fell off a cliff offensively last season and his struggles continued into this season. Taking over the reigns is Billyard, a former 3rd-round pick from 1947-48. Billyard is a very athletic catcher with quick wrists who can hit for average and power (65/65). He immediately becomes Braeland City’s 2nd-best roster player and will bat out of the No. 5 spot.

With 3-time all-star Carlos Camasura (68/76) holding down catching duties in Kingston, Billyard was deemed expendable. In return, the Pelicans get Jesús Rodríguez, a one-time all-star who is a speedy outfielder with some pop. Kingston also received Armstrong, a former 8th-round pick who has developed nicely and has the potential to reach the majors one day. For now, Rodríguez is merely providing outfield depth for Kingston, so this trade has a real chance of making an immediate impact for Braeland City.



Key Trade No. 2: January 15 with the Hespeler Stars:

To Braeland City – 31-year old 3B Oliver Pickford (48/48)
To Hespeler – 31-year old RF Luca Bewick (48/48) and 19-year-old minor-league C Joshua Hughes (20/33)

Knee-jerk reaction: Both teams look to make modest upgrades to their lineups with this transaction. 27-year old 3B On Tsao (.247/.307/.343, 5 HR, 28 RBI, 18 BB, -0.1 WAR) took a step back this season after a promising campaign last year (3.0 WAR). Thus, the Monarchs have acquired Pickford to take over the hot corner, at least until former 2nd-round pick 24-year old 3B Griff Limer (35/62) can get healthy again. Pickford has plenty of speed and is defensively sound but does not quite have the offensive heft for a regular spot at third base.

The acquisition of Bewick, a utility player with Braeland City, sees a lineup shuffle in Hespeler. Bewick takes over leftfield from 30-year old Bart Warwick (.228/.324/.372, 11 HR, 35 RBI, 44 BB, 1.6 WAR), who takes over first base from 22-year old Bill Spaeth (39/71). Spaeth’s best defensive position is rightfield and its not hard to see him take that spot over full-time soon from 30-year old Kominiko Hokulani (.267/.365/.511, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 6 BB, 0.8 WAR). Spaeth is Hespeler’s top prospect and is rated 4th overall in the ULB.



Key Trade No. 3: January 29 with the Sherburn Tigers:

To Braeland City – 27-year old RHP Bobby Hogg (49/49) and 22-yer old minor RHP Corey Timothy (39/58)
To Sherburn – 30-year old C Christopher Dainty (50/50) and 19-year-old minor-league C Bill Caron (20/38)

Knee-jerk reaction: In their desire to unload Dainty, the Monarchs find a willing partner in Sherburn. The main players involved in this deal are average at best but represent an upgrade for both clubs. Hogg’s fastball, change-up, slider and curveball are all described with one word: fringe. While he has decent movement (60/60), he lacks control (45/45). As such, he is recommended as a back-of-the-rotation starter, which he was with the Tigers. But Braeland City has named him as their No. 2 starter going forward. Meanwhile, the young and tall (6'-6”) Timothy has a chance to become a decent relief pitcher, with very good stuff (60/60), movement (50/55) and an excellent curveball (55/55). But walks will be a concern until he can refine his control (30/45).

As for Dainty, perhaps a fresh start will help him find his former all-star glory. He takes over catching duties from 28-year old Quim Cypriano (.248/.328/.357, 4 HR, 31 RBI, 34 BB, 2.1 WAR). While he has been a solid defender, Cypriano struggles at times at the plate. Sherburn is banking on Dainty to jumpstart his own struggling offense. He will be given every chance, as he will bat out of the No. 4 spot.



Current Injuries:

September 28 – RHP Ewan Thackery - torn labrum. Out for: 5-6 weeks.
January 17 – 3B Griff Limer – broken kneecap. Out for: 4-5 months.

--------



Offense: .250/.323/.383 (7th/6th/2nd)
Pitching: 3.64/3.44/4.44 (3rd/2nd/7th)
Defense: .722 (2nd)

The Downie Chiefs appear as the first of three teams who have no realistic chance at reaching the playoffs this season. That is a shame, as the Chiefs have some of the most dynamic players on the roster right now. Alas, there is also a lot of dead weight as well.

27-year old CF Alfonso León (.343/.405/.589, 23 HR, 64 RBI, 43 BB, 7.3 WAR) has been absolutely dominant this season. He must be considered as the front-runner for the Eastern League Babe Ruth Award at this point, which would be the second of his career. In fact, he is rated No. 1 among all position players at this juncture. Meanwhile, 26-year old RF Connor Bing (.281/.364/.485, 13 HR, 54 RBI, 51 BB, 5.1 WAR) is quickly joining him in that rarefied field. Both are ranked No. 1 in the ULB at the respective positions. But except for 27-year old Dominic Dudding (.291/.365/.443, 10 HR, 71 RBI, 45 BB, 3.9 WAR), the rest of the lineup is struggling, preventing the team from climbing higher in the standings.

The pitching staff has been dealing with injuries this season and has forced the Chiefs to find spare parts to compete. The results have not been completely terrible. 30-year old journeyman RHP Virgil de Gilde (7-7, 3.89 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 89 ERA+) has had his moments, but is erratic. de Gilde signed a minor league contract with Downie back in April 1950, was selected in the rule 5 draft by the Fort Richmond Generals in June of the that year, then returned to Downie four months later. Besides their No. 1 starter 30-year old RHP Kelii Pelanekelina (13-7, 3.11 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 112 ERA+), 29-year old RHP Dexter Blackstock (6-2, 2.35 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 148 ERA+) has been Downie’s best starter overall. Long-time starter, 33-year old RHP Joong Ling (8-9, 1 SV, 3.27 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 106 ERA+) was moved to the bullpen in mid-January. His scouting report suggests that it should be his role now. As his stamina is now down to 35, its not hard to understand why.

Five Chiefs were selected as All-Stars: RHP Kelii Pelanekelina (4th), RHP Bill Lafontaine (3rd), Dominic Dudding (6th), CF Alfonso León (6th) and RF Connor Bing (2nd).

Player of the Week Awards:

December 22 – CF Alfonso León (.400, 12 H, 3 HR, 9 RBI)
January 12 – 2B Dominic Dudding (.444, 12 H, 3 HR, 12 RBI)
January 19 – RF Connor Bing (.500, 9 H, 2 HR, 2 RBI)
January 26 – RF Connor Bing (.419, 13 H, 2 HR, 8 RBI)

Noteworthy:

December 25 – RHP Virgil de Gilde tossed a complete game shut-out, leading the Chiefs to a 2-0 victory over the Queensland Eagles. de Gilde went 9.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 7 BB, 4 K (GS: 74).
December 28 – The Wellington Athletics were blanked 5-0 at Gibson Ballpark in Downie. This time it was RHP Kelii Pelanekelina dominating the day. The Fijian went 9.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 K (GS: 81).
January 16 – RHP Virgil de Gilde tossed his third shut-out of the season, defeating LHP Arthur Bence and the Embro Suns, 1-0. Virgil went 9.0 IP, 7 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 4 K (GS: 74).


Current Injuries:

October 10 – RHP Harley Bracher – torn labrum. Out for: 2 months.
December 7 – RHP Hank Bennett – torn meniscus. Out for: 2 months.

--------



Offense: .257/.332/.365 (3rd/4th/6th)
Pitching: 4.06/4.12/3.88 (7th/7th/3rd)
Defense: .704 (5th)

After they fell to last place after a forgetful December, the Wellington Athletics managed to crawl back to 7th, but its of little comfort. The Athletics are an also ran in the East and there’s little optimism at the moment. The pitching is a mess and several position players simply aren’t producing at the level I think they should.

25-year old LF Matthew Floyd (.327/.408/.532, 15 HR, 60 RBI, 53 BB, 6.2 WAR) has been simply outstanding. He is enjoying the best season so far of his four-year career and is rated as the top leftfielder in the United Leagues, ahead of the Wolseley Unions’ Carlton Hawking. Floyd is also rated No. 3 among all position players. Only Downie’s Alfonso León and Cobourg’s Raymond Williams are ahead of him. But Wellington desperately needs other players to step up like Floyd. Although 27-year old CF Jim Mars (.297/.366/.422, 8 HR, 70 RBI, 46 BB, 2.4 WAR) picked up another all-star selection this year, the former Rookie of the Year winner is enduring his worst season yet. And he’s still been one of the better offensive players.

The rotation has been uninspiring. 28-year old RHP Matt Price (7-9, 3.62 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 97 ERA+) has been the Athletics’ steadiest starter, but he struggled in January (3-3, 4.69 ERA, 1.52 WHIP). 30-year old RHP Scott Wheeler (6-10, 1 SV, 3.52 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 99 ERA+) was moved back to the rotation at the beginning of January after spending last season as Wellington’s stopper.

Two Athletics headed to the All-Star game: LF Matthew Floyd (2nd) and Jim Mars (3rd).

Player of the Week Awards:

December 29 – C Declan Bugbie (.526, 10 H, 1 HR, 10 RBI, 2 R)

Noteworthy:

December 14 – RHP Vinnie Snell and his teammates shut-out the Braeland City Monarchs 5-0. Snell went 9.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 4 K (GS: 78).
January 10 – RHP Troy Conlin threw a 1-hitter, blanking the Suns 1-0 at Embro’s Speaker Stadium. His line for the day was 9.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 4 K (GS: 86).

Current Injuries:

December 12 – SS Dominic Herring – partially torn labrum. Out for: 5 weeks.

--------



Offense: .244/.317/.351 (8th/8th/8th)
Pitching: 3.65/3.57/4.06 (4th/5th/4th)
Defense: .700 (6th)

Last season’s third place finish and coming to within one game of capturing the wildcard appears to have been all but an aberration, as the Queensland Eagles have returned to the cellar. The result was not wholly unexpected: the team faded severely in March of last season and those struggles continue this season.

The Eagles’ recent plight are nicely summed up by their 34-year old catcher, Elijah Sheppard. Winner of the 1946-47 Eastern League Babe Ruth Award and an all-star as recently as last season, Sheppard is batting only .169/.273/.251, 3 HR, 25 RBI, 43 BB, 0.1 WAR in 295 AB this season. Ouch.

As it is, only 26-year old LF Rod Dennis (.302/.363/.477, 14 HR, 52 RBI, 40 BB, 3.3 WAR) and 27-year old ace RHP Logan Belsey (9-11, 2.73 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 128 ERA+) have been standouts for the Eagles this season. However, Dennis fell into a deep funk all January (.186/.245/.237). 25-year old RHP Stiofan Micklethwait (7-10, 3.00 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 117 ERA+) pitched well in the first half of the season but he too struggled in January (0-5, 5.17 ERA, 1.51 WHIP). Hopefully they both get back on track soon.

Two Eagles qualified for the All-Star game: SP Logan Belsey (2nd) and LF Rod Dennis (3rd).

Noteworthy:

December 8 – It was not a fun day for the Embro Suns, as they lost at home, 12-0 to RHP Logan Belsey. His line was: 9.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 8 K (GS: 82). CF Salvador Rivera went 3 for 5 on the day, including a 3-run home run in the 7th inning.

Current Injuries:

September 29 – LHP Leif Bryant – surgery to remove bone spur in elbow. Out for: 2 weeks.
September 29 – CF Liam Banfield – torn labrum. Out for: 5-6 weeks.
November 19 – RHP John Sloat – shoulder inflammation. Out for: 3 months.
January 25 – RHP Bartolo Sánchez – back spasms. Out for: DtD, 1-2 weeks.

--------

__________________
United Leagues of Braeland

Last edited by reds1; 04-11-2020 at 02:13 AM.
reds1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2020, 10:13 PM   #571
reds1
Hall Of Famer
 
reds1's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,854
February 1, 1953

Western League: Can the Unions, Trolleys Catch the Cannons?





--------



Offense: .256/.331/.383 (1st/1st/1st)
Pitching: 3.67/3.75/3.34 (8th/7th/7th)
Defense: .688 (8th)

The immediate teams in their rear-view mirror may have changed since December, but the Cambria Cannons are still on pace to win 90+ games for the first time in 11 years and look to end their 8-year playoff drought. But with two resurgent teams, the Wolseley Unions and Pulberry Trolleys, comprising their closest challengers, the Cannons cannot afford to fade down the stretch. Fortunately, their offense remains the best in the West and their pitching, while not looking pretty in any significant statistical category, is performing better than the numbers suggest.

The rotation has made great strides. After losing 20 games last season, 23-year old LHP Bill Southon (12-5, 2.91 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 120 ERA+) is on pace to win 18. While the three-year veteran has gotten better, he is also getting the offensive help that was lacking last season. Following him in the rotation is 33-year old LHP Ricardo Cruz (9-3, 2.67 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 131 ERA+). The former Balmoral Giant is providing able support when he is healthy. And 27-year old RHP Masami Fujihara (10-8, 3.75 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 93 ERA+) has pitched much more consistently after getting off to a rough start in October. The bullpen is having its struggles, but 27-year old RHP Keith Roche (10-1, 16 SV, 2.21 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 159 ERA+) is enjoying a tremendous season.

The team’s strength of course has been their performance at the plate, led by 35-year old C Heung-su Park (.304/.375/.548, 18 HR, 72 RBI, 33 BB, 4.6 WAR), 32-year old SS César Ruíz (.272/.398/.449, 16 HR, 62 RBI, 74 BB, 4.2 WAR) and 26-year old 1B Carlos Corea (.353/.407/.533, 142 HR, 78 RBI, 35 BB, 3.5 WAR). While defense has not been their strong suit, Corea really struggles at his position (.989 PCT, 9.01 RNG, -16.6 ZR, .827 EFF). Defense has not been a problem for CF Sam Tite (.225/.344/.357, 10 HR, 38 RBI, 68 BB, 3.5 WAR - .987 PCT, 3.89 RNG, +5.3 ZR, 1.009 EFF), who missed most of his rookie season last year due to injury. If the 23-year old lead-off hitter can find his groove at the plate, then both he and 28-year old rookie 3B Luis Torres (.276/.344/.404, 10 HR, 55 RBI, 35 BB, 2.6 WAR) will make the Cambria offense something really special.

Seven Cannons made it to the All-Star Game: SP Ricardo Cruz (3rd), SP Bill Southon (1st), CL Keith Roche (1st), C Heung-su Park (5th), 1B Carlos Corea (2nd), 3B Luis Torres (1st) and SS César Ruíz (4th).

Player of the Week Awards:

December 22 – SS César Ruíz (.462, 12 H, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 7 R)
January 5 – 1B Carlos Corea (.500, 6 H, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 8 R)

Noteworthy:

December 23 – The Cannons blanked the Wolseley Unions 7-0 at Alexander Field in Cambria. LHP Bill Southon scattered 6 hits to pick up his 9th win of the season. He went 9.0 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K (GS: 80).
January 2 – Cambria came up big against the Kingston Pelicans, shutting them out 8-0. LHP Bill Southon was at it again, limiting the Pelicans to 6 hits. He went 9.0 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 7 BB, 6 K (GS: 74).

Key Trade: December 21 with the Balmoral Giants:

To Cambria – 37-year old LHP Hirotada Fukushima (41/41) and 22-year old minor league RHP Júlio Escamilla (20/20)
To Balmoral – 27-year old minor league 1B Jacob Summerhayes (44/46)

Knee-jerk reaction: The top team and the worst team in the West consummate a deal that addresses needs for both clubs. Cambria looks to add experienced pitching for its playoff push while the Giants look for upgrades at well, everything. Fukushima is a 16-year veteran, a 5-time all-star and a 5-time United Cup winner. While the quality of his pitches isn’t what it used to be, his stuff (50) and movement (60) still allow him to throw the right ones at the right times. However, his control (35) and fragility may be an issue. Fukushima joins the Cannons’ rotation in the No. 4 spot and provides some veteran leaderhip.

Summerhayes is a former 3rd-round pick who is known for his bat, having won the AAA Josh Gibson Award as top batter last season. He is a solid hitter with an aggressive approach at the plate and the ability to hit 20 homers a season. The Giants have promoted him to the major league roster, and he will bat in the No. 4 spot. He takes over first base from 36-year old Fernando Gómez (.139/.308/.242, 7 HR, 19 RBI, 62 RBI, -0.3 WAR), who was subsequently claimed off waivers by the Wellington Athletics.



Current Injuries:

January 17 – RHP Ray Lambright – forearm inflammation. Out for: 1 week.

--------



Offense: .240/.324/.317 (8th/2nd/8th)
Pitching: 2.88/3.06/2.07 (1st/2nd/1st)
Defense: .730 (2nd)

The recovery of the Wolseley Unions from a slow start isn’t all that surprising, as the Unions are too good of a team to remain wallowing near the bottom of the standings. But despite their resurgence over that past two months, not all is completely back on track. Apart from a couple of players, the offense remains surprisingly anemic. If not for a strong pitching staff, its doubtful the Unions would be anywhere near contention for a playoff spot. That could threaten their streak of six consecutive playoff appearances and prevent them from attaining a three-peat as United Cup champions.

31-year old SS George Kimpton (.285/.370/.414, 10 HR, 53 RBI, 53 BB, 4.2 WAR) continues his strong play from last season and 31-year old LF Carlton Hawking (.314/.450/.449, 9 HR, 36 RBI, 88 BB, 4.0 WAR) finally returned to form in December, although he still struggles at times (.174/.367/.304 in 23 AB last week). But the rest of the lineup is still struggling offensively, threatening their playoff chances.

Their pitching may have to carry them into the playoffs. The staff is strong from top to bottom. They perhaps have the best 1-2-3 punch right now in 33-year old RHP Aaron Saunderson (9-11, 2.35 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 153 ERA+), 29-year old RHP Jeremy Albury (7-8, 2.82 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 127 ERA+) and 34-year old RHP Bill Blair (6-2, 2.21 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 162 ERA+) when he is healthy. But No. 5 starter, 27-year old Axel MacKay (10-3, 2.01 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 178 ERA+), may actually be their top starter at the moment.

Seven players were selected to the All-Star Game: SP Bill Blair (4th), SP Axel MacKay (2nd), SP Aaron Saunderson (6th), CL Shou-xin Chin (2nd), 1B Carlos Ortiz (3rd), George Kimpton (4th) and LF Carlton Hawking (8th).

Player of the Week Awards:

January 12 – SS George Kimpton (.483, 14 H, 2 HR, 6 RBI)

Noteworthy:

January 2 – LHP Axel Mackay was at his best, whitewashing the Sherburn Tigers 3-0 on the road. He fired a 6-hitter. He went 9.0 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K (GS: 74).
January 17 – The Unions fell to the Balmoral Giants 4-1 at home. What also fell was 1B Carlos Ortíz’s (.277/.341/.373, 10 HR, 44 RBI, 42 BB, 2.2 WAR) 20-game hitting streak, as he went 0-2 on the afternoon.

Key Trade: January 25 with the Balmoral Giants:

To Wolseley – 32-year old RHP Cris Herrera (57/57) and 24-year old minor league LHP Euan MacKenzie (41/70)
To Balmoral – 31-year old 3B Burt Willey (45/45) and 23-year-old minor-league C Andre Shepperson (20/37)

Knee-jerk reaction: A completely and utterly senseless trade, especially on the part of Balmoral. Herrera and MacKenzie are both useful relief pitchers that Wolseley, already drowning in quality pitching, doesn’t know what to do with. Mackenzie, who scouts say is ready for the majors and is a former 10th overall pick from 1951-52, has been buried in AA; while Herrera, a former starter, remains on the DFA list, apparently waiting either to be sent down to AAA or released because the Unions just don’t have room for him in their bullpen. Herrera is not overpowering but is excellent at generating groundballs and keeping the ball in the park. MacKenzie is a future stopper with overwhelming stuff (65/80) and great movement (50/65) with two terrific pitches: fastball (55/60) and changeup (60/70). Only his control (30/45) needs further work.

In return for these two useful pieces, Balmoral gets Willey, a 9-year veteran with decent contact and defense. But he is not considered a regular starter at this point in his career. The Giants seem to agree – they have buried him in the roster as a No. 2 utility guy. So apart from more pitching depth that Wolseley may or may never need, how does this benefit either team? As Major Clipton uttered at the end of ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’: “Madness!. . . Madness!



Current Injuries:

December 18 – 2B Westin Woollams – torn labrum. Out for: 4-5 months.

--------



Offense: .251/.317/.352 (5th/3rd/5th)
Pitching: 3.37/3.61/2.48 (3rd/4th/2nd)
Defense: .734 (1st)

Like the Unions, the Pulberry Trolleys got off to a relatively slow start before picking things up in December. But they are still looking for consistency – after starting January 9-2, they went just 5-10 after the all-star break. Pulberry won 85 games last season and lost the wildcard by one game to the Kingston Pelicans. This season they are projected to win only 80. The Trolleys will need their regulars to pick up their game if they hope to finally end their playoff drought.

25-year old CF Cooper Tyson (.274/.381/.426, 9 HR, 44 RBI, 63 BB, 5.3 WAR) was one of the few players in the West who started the season off strong, but he is still struggling to find the offensive form he had last season. His defense though, remains the class of the league (.993 PCT, 4.37 RNG, +16.5 ZR, 1.057 EFF). 28-year old RF Ellis Dibble (.294/.377/.438, 10 HR, 35 RBI, 42 BB, 2.6 WAR) and 25-year old 3B Makani Hahale (.303/.335/.375, 1 HR, 43 RBI, 16 BB, 12 SB, 2.5 WAR) are supporting Tyson but are experiencing down years offensively compared to last season. The Trolleys are still waiting for break out performances from their young prospects, such as 24-year old LF Aidan Thirkettle (.274/.360/.416, 7 HR, 39 RBI, 41 BB, 9 SB, 1.9 WAR – 63/80). Meanwhile, 22-year old C Paul England (.209/.270/.285, 2 HR, 31 RBI, 19 BB, -0.1 WAR – 33/65) appears lost at times. Hopefully they both can figure things out soon.

Overall, Pulberry’s pitching is improving with each season, but it is not quite where it could be. That said, 31-year old RHP Alexander Ellacott (11-7, 2.99 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 117 ERA+) continues his excellent play that began last season, while 25-year old RHP Harley Rodman (3-2, 1 SV, 2.11 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 1.65 ERA+) has been solid in limited play. He was recently promoted back to the rotation. That will provide a boost, as Pulberry’s other starters, such as 23-year old LHP Ramón Castro (8-7, 3.59 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 97 ERA+) have struggled at times. But the Trolleys have two promising starters pitching out of the bullpen: 25-year old stopper RHP Taylor Folkard (4-3, 9 SV, 2.03 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 172 ERA+) and 23-year old rookie LHP Dermott Rathbone (0-0, 1 SV, 1.77 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 197 ERA+ - 45/61). Both deserve to be promoted to the rotation at some point, especially Folkard.

Six Trolleys qualified for the All-Star Game: SP Taylor Folkard (1st), 1B Gerard Koerner (2nd), 3B Makani Kahale (3rd), LF Aidan Thirkettle (1st), CF Cooper Tyson (3rd) and RF Ellis Dibble (2nd).

Player of the Week Awards:

December 15 – RF Ellis Dibble (.480, 12 H, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 7 R)

Noteworthy:

December 27 – The Trolleys scored 2 runs in each inning from the 2nd through the 6th to rout the Cambria Cannons 10-0. But the 27,800 in attendance at Trolleys Stadium reserved their standing ovation for the immensely popular LHP Ramón Castro, who limited the Cannons to 4 hits. He went 9.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K (GS: 85). CF Cooper Tyson went 2 for 5 with a double and a 2-run home run off Bill Southon in the 3rd inning.
January 21 – The Trolleys went into Hespeler and shut out the Stars 6-0. RHP Alexander Ellacott kept the Stars’ bats cold all day, allowing only 2 hits. He went 9.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 7 K (GS: 86).

Current Injuries:

October 26 – LHP Sam Chapman – strained hamstring. Out for: 4 weeks.
December 19 – 2B Paul Heisler – hamstring strain. Out for: 5 weeks.

--------



Offense: .252/.314/.370 (4th/5th/2nd)
Pitching: 3.42/3.58/2.57 (4th/3rd/3rd)
Defense: .722 (3rd)

Don’t look now, but the Hespeler Stars may be on the cusp of relevance, as the club enjoyed back-to-back above .500 months to get to within one game of .500 and squeak into the first division in the West. The Stars have only finished in 4th place or higher three times before (and never 1st or 2nd) and its been 10 years since they’ve been this close to a non-losing season. The parts are there for them to be more competitive, but there are still players that are chronically under-performing when compared to their ratings. Hopefully GM Marcello Bonaddio will weed out the dead-weight as he continues to reshape the team.

Not weighing down the club is 27-year old 2B Vic Lewis (.306/.358/.477, 16 HR, 57 RBI, 29 BB, 7 SB, 4.5 WAR), who continues to build on his impressive season last year. He is easily Hespeler’s top performer. Following him though is the Stars’ two-way player: 26-year old rookie SP/3B Mike Park. In the early going, Park has gotten comfortable at the plate quicker (.329/.383/.471, 5 HR, 29 RBI, 21 BB, 2.6 WAR – 57/59) than on the mound (7-5, 3.98 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, 90 ERA+ - 46/46), but his overall performance is intriguing. The rest of the offense has been disappointing, however. Hespeler really needs to get their top prospect, 22-year old RF Bill Spaeth (.267/.313/.420, 6 HR, 34 RBI, 17 BB, 1.1 WAR – 39/71), back into the lineup full-time.

26-year old RHP Dominic Whitmore (9-8, 2.90 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 124 ERA+) has become a steady performer in his fourth season and is the staff’s ace. Four-year veteran 27-year old RHP Wayne Nesling (9-10, 3.58 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 100 ERA+) has continued to make modest progress each year and perhaps gave a foregleam of what's in store (see below). The Stars welcome back 26-year old LHP Larry Kovnats (2-3, 1.41 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 255 ERA+), their former ace, from a long-time injury. If he can find his form again, Hespeler’s immediate fortunes should continue to rise. But curiously, 24-year old rookie RHP Battista Carotta (6-6, 3.22 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 112 ERA+) was just moved to the bullpen, to make room for Kovnats. Hopefully they have the sense to move him back, as there are other starters that could be sacrificed.

Three players represented the Stars are the All-Star Game: SP Dominic Whitmore (1st), 1B Bill Spaeth(1st) and 2B Vic Lewis (2nd).

Noteworthy:

December 3 – RHP Wayne Nesling shut out the visiting Queensland Eagles, limiting them to just 2 hits. He went 9.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 1 K (GS: 81) as the Stars eked out a 1-0 victory.
December 8 – 23,253 fans at Hespeler’s Fabulous Avalon gave RHP Wayne Nesling a standing ovation after he completed the United Leagues’ 10th NO-HITTER. After pitching an impressive 2-hitter just five days earlier, Nesling outdid himself, blanking the Balmoral Giants 10-0. His line on the historic occasion was 9.0 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 7 K (GS: 90). He received plenty of help from his teammates, as they pounded out 3 home runs in total. The game was broken wide open with a seven-run 8th inning, where CF John McMurray banged out a two-run triple and 1B Ramiro Urbina later crushed a GRAND SLAM home run to cap things off.



Current Injuries:

November 5 – SS Kobbe Asamse – torn labrum. Out for: 2-3 months.
January 4 – CF Edgardo Barrón – plantar fasciitis. Out for: 1-2 weeks.

--------



Offense: .255/.309/.363 (2nd/6th/3rd)
Pitching: 3.05/3.04/3.13 (2nd/1st/6th)
Defense: .721 (4th)

In the last week of December, the Fort Richmond Generals were the second hottest team in the United Leagues and sat just 3.5 games back of the Cambria Cannons for top spot in the West. But a disastrous January has seen them tumble all the way down to 5th spot. If one area should take the blame, it should be their ho-hum offense. While not in any way awful, there are no standout performers among this group. Fort Richmond lost 13 games in January where they were held to 2 runs or less. Unless the offense steps it up in the final two months, the Generals may be on their way to their first losing season in six years.

28-year old RF Brandon Robinson (.292/.321/.427, 10 HR, 50 RBI, 19 BB, 0.6 WAR) has been Fort Richmond’s top offensive performer, but his defense has been awful for the second straight season (.989 PCT, 2.74 RNG, -10.8 ZR, .933 EFF). 28-year old SS Nobuyoshi Yoshida (.266/.320/.398, 6 HR, 23 RBI, 20 BB, 2.2 WAR) remains steady in the field but his production is way down from last year, something that is symptomatic of the entire lineup.

The pitching staff has long been one of the best in the United Leagues and that continues into this season. 30-year old RHP Nicky Sherlock (12-8, 2.23 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 156 ERA+) is one of the best pitchers in the ULB and has to be considered the front-runner for the WL Satchel Paige Award this season. No. 4 starter 32-year old LHP Nicholas Grimes (8-9, 3.17 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 110 ERA+) is not having as good a year as he did last season when he won the Top Pitcher Award but is still effective. And the Generals have to be pleased with the progress of 27-year old RHP Kazunori Fujimoto (7-9, 2.63 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 132 ERA+). The former 15th-overall pick is in his second full season in the majors.

Three Generals were selected to this year’s All-Star Game: SP Nicholas Grimes (3rd), SP Nicky Sherlock (5th) and RF Brandon Robinson (4th).

Noteworthy:

December 27 – RHP Ch’ang-chieh Li tamed the Balmoral Giants 4-0 with a 4-hit shutout. His line was 9.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 5 BB, 5 K (GS: 79).
December 28 – The Giants endured another rough outing the next day, as they got blanked by RHP Nicky Sherlock 7-0 on three hits. Sherlock went 9.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K (GS: 84).
January 23 –RHP Nicky Sherlock was hard to hit once again as he shut out the Sherburn Tigers 3-0 on four hits. Sherlock went 9.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K (GS: 86).

Player of the Week Awards:

December 29 – RHP Nicky Sherlock (2-0, 18 IP, 9 K, 0.00 ERA)

Current Injuries: None.

--------



Offense: .246/.315/.358 (6th/4th/4th)
Pitching: 3.63/3.87/2.67 (7th/8th/4th)
Defense: .713 (6th)

There does not appear to be any miraculous turnaround in store for the Kingston Pelicans this season, as they continue to fall behind the league leaders. Only once have they finished a season below .500 – back in 1948-49 when they went 73-81. They are currently on pace to finish below that mark. Could their first 90+ loss season be close at hand?

Like the Fort Richmond Generals, the offense isn’t terrible, but it is very lacklustre. Their best position player, 26-year old C Carlos Camasura (.285/.368/.363, 2 HR, 20 RBI, 36 BB, 2.1 WAR), is enduring his second consecutive down year offensively despite making the all-star team. 38-year old 1B Dean Bishop (239/.373/402, 8 HR, 43 RBI, 69 BB, 2.7 WAR) has been his team’s best player overall this season in what has been a bit of a rebound for him after a couple down years. And 37-year old 2B Katsunan Chikafuji (.258/.318/.403, 12 HR, 49 RBI, 29 BB, 1.9 WAR) is still capable of flashing his former greatness at times, such as he did in January (.286/.327/.429, 4 HR, 12 RBI, 6 BB). But Kingston’s over reliance on their aging stars is really starting to show.

The pitching staff is no longer a dominant unit. 32-year old LHP Patrick Denman (9-13, 3.38 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 106 ERA+) is still a workhorse, but his days of winning 20 games a season appear to be behind him, something he achieved four times, including a record 27 wins in 1945-46 as a 25-year old. 28-year old RHP stopper Kaula Mafileo (3-7, 8 SV, 2.40 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 149 ERA+) continues to be one of the best relievers in the United Leagues, despite the lack of run support.

Two Pelicans made the All-Star team: C Carlos Camasura (3rd) and 1B Dean Bishop (7th).

Noteworthy:

December 13 – LHP Rob Hutchence turned out the lights on the Hespeler Stars, blanking them 2-0 on 2 hits. He went 9.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K (GS: 90).
December 14 – The next day, it was LHP Dana Listman’s turn to blank the Hespeler Stars. He did on three hits, scratching a 1-0 victory. He line was 9.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 5 BB, 4 K (GS: 80).

Current Injuries:

September 9 – RHP Freddie Galloway – surgery to remove bone chips (elbow). Out for: 5 months.
October 22 – RHP Marvin Fewings – partially torn labrum. Out for: 3 weeks.
January 22 – RHP Tom Mayor – elbow inflammation. Out for: 1 week.

--------



Offense: .254/.309/.348 (3rd/7th/6th)
Pitching: 3.50/3.63/2.97 (5th/6th/5th)
Defense: .703 (7th)

The Sherburn Tigers may be an also-ran, but at least they are consistent, winning 11 games in three of the four months so far (they won 10 in November). Offensively, the team is in disarray with their best player just getting back from an extended injury and their top performer being relegated to backup to make room for a new acquisition. On the plus side, their rotation is very close to being playoff worthy.

26-year old 2B Jack Burt (.317/.330/.390, 1 HR, 24 RBI, 5 BB, 0.7 WAR) missed most of November and December to a knee injury but was strong in his return in January (.315/.319/.402, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 1 BB). Anything he can contribute to this mediocre crew will be welcome. The Tigers’ best overall player has been 28-year old C Quim Cypriano (.248/.328/.357, 4 HR, 31 RBI, 34 BB, 2.1 WAR). While he has been solid on defense, Sherburn has elected to install newly acquired 30-year old Christopher Dainty (.210/.335/.351, 7 HR, 35 RBI, 40 BB, 1.1 WAR) as their everyday catcher instead. Whether that represents an improvement remains to be seen. Personally, if Sherburn wants to see a boost to their offense, they really need to play 24-year old 3B Archie Eridge (.353/.457/.447, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 14 BB, 1.2 WAR – 50/80) everyday. He is simply being wasted sitting on the bench. Eridge was their 1st overall pick back in 1951-52 and is rated 8th overall among prospects.

The front three of the rotation has been very impressive, considering the lack of run support. Although he didn’t make the all-star team this year, 29-year old RHP Jesús Chapa (11-8, 3.22 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 111 ERA+) is still rated as the 6th-best pitching in the United Leagues. He has been ably supported by 25-year old RHP Bradley Strawson (5-10, 3.13 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 115 ERA+) and 26-year old RHP Ben Buschlen (6-9, 3.39 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 106 ERA+). Strawson, who is in his fourth major league season, is rated 14th overall among pitchers in the ULB.

Three Tigers qualified for the All-Star Game: SP Bradley Strawson (1st), 3B Viera Kewini (1st) and SS Tyler MacGugan (1st).

Player of the Week Awards:

December 8 – LF Noah Teale (.474, 9 H, 3 HR, 9 RBI)

Noteworthy:

January 25 – RHP Jesús Chapa beat his old teammate RHP Roberto Taváres and the Fort Richmond Generals 3-0 at Generals Stadium. Chapa went 9.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K (GS: 76).

Current Injuries:

December 13 – RHP Ramón Ortíz – hamstring strain. Out for: 1 week.

--------



Offense: .240/.307/.337 (7th/8th/7th)
Pitching: 3.59/3.62/3.42 (6th/5th/8th)
Defense: .718 (5th)

Despite a miscue as noted in the Wolseley trade section above, GM Victory Lynch has made some shrewd player moves since last July that has seen some nice player performances this year for the Balmoral Giants. What it hasn’t produced however, is a boost in the Western League standings. The Giants are in danger of finishing in last place, something that has never happened before. In fact, they may end up ‘earning’ their first overall pick. Instead of being sacked at the end of last season like I expected, GM Lynch was signed for another four years. He remains the only general manager the Giants have ever had. Not sure how realistic that is given the lack of team success.

25-year old CF Cedric Bristow (.294/.367/.397, 1 HR, 26 RBI, 33 BB, 9 SB, 3.2 WAR) is showing promise in his second full season in the majors, with solid defense and blazing speed. Although his ratings suggest he is not an offensive powerhouse, he leads the Giants in 13 offensive categories. He was a 10th-overall pick back in 1949-50. In addition, 27-year old C Alexander Pyatt (.272/.307/.407, 11 HR, 36 RBI, 18 BB, 2.5 WAR) is enjoying the best season of his four-year career. Originally a 12th overall pick by the Braeland City Monarchs back in 1946-47, he came over from the Cambria Cannons back in July 1952 in a three-player deal. And it appears that Balmoral has done good by acquiring 27-year old 1B Jacob Summerhayes (.276/.328/.445, 7 HR, 24 RBI, 13 BB, 1.4 WAR) from Cambria in December. Summerhayes batted .315/.385/.587 in January, his first full month in the majors.

Although the bullpen is currently in flux, the rotation has been rather respectable. 29-year old LHP Ron Albin (8-8, 2.90 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 122 ERA+) has been promoted to the No. 1 spot in the rotation in just his second full season and deservedly so. Albin was a 6th-round pick by the Wolseley Unions in 1944-45 before being selected in the Rule 5 draft by the Giants in 1950. No. 3 starter, 26-year old LHP Lucas Nott (10-10, 2.69 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 131 ERA+) has been a revelation in his first year with the Giants. He was acquired from Sherburn back in September after three below average seasons with the Tigers. Finally, 25-year old RHP Robert Embley (2-0, 2.48 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 143 ERA+) has been impressive in his five starts so far. Embley was a 5th-round pick in 1945-46.

The Giants sent three players to the All-Star Game: SP Lucas Nott (1st), C Alexander Pyatt (1st) and 3B Allen Cattanach (5th).

Player of the Week Awards:

January 19 – 1B Jacob Summerhayes (.385, 5 H, 3 HR, 6 RBI)
January 26 – CF Cedric Bristow (.529, 18 H, 1 HR, 8 RBI)

Noteworthy:

December 2 – It was a red-letter day at Foster Field – for the home-town Giants that is, as Balmoral blanked the Cobourg Red Stockings 1-0. The hero of the day was LHP Hirotada Fukushima, who limited Cobourg to 3 hits. He went 10.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 K (GS: 88) and picked up the win as the Giants triumphed in extra innings on a sac fly by LF Clyde Whitaker. Cobourg’s starter, RHP Marcus Turvill, was no slouch himself, going 9.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 8 K (GS: 89).
December 23 – RHP Quintiliano Galeo whitewashed the Sherburn Tigers 1-0 in a complete game victory at Foster Field. He went 9.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K (GS: 86).
January 23 – CF Cedric Bristow had a field day against the Kingston Pelicans, going 5 for 6 to pace the Giants to a 7-6 victory. Balmoral’s lead off hitter banged out 5 singles and collected 3 RBIs. In the 11th, Kingston went ahead 6-5 before RF Roy Belknap hit a walk-off two-run home run in the bottom half of the inning.
January 26 – LHP Ron Albin kept the Hespeler Stars off the scoreboard all afternoon, winning 2-0 on 2 hits. On the day he went 9.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K (GS: 84).


Current Injuries: None.

--------

__________________
United Leagues of Braeland

Last edited by reds1; 04-14-2020 at 10:33 AM.
reds1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-16-2020, 03:15 AM   #572
DreamTeams
Hall Of Famer
 
DreamTeams's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,521
Don't mess with mister in-between. Trolleys, took a dip. Could be a another close miss again. Guys on offense need to pick it up and help Mr. Ellacott.
__________________
DreamTeams is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-16-2020, 05:21 PM   #573
reds1
Hall Of Famer
 
reds1's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,854
March 1, 1953

Here are the standings and leaderboards at the end of February with four weeks to go:





- - - - - - - -



__________________
United Leagues of Braeland

Last edited by reds1; 04-16-2020 at 05:23 PM.
reds1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-17-2020, 01:27 AM   #574
ralphieboy
Major Leagues
 
ralphieboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
Posts: 382
Gosh, Wolseley is going to do it again. Aren't they?
ralphieboy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2020, 01:30 AM   #575
reds1
Hall Of Famer
 
reds1's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,854
March 30, 1953

Eastern League: Red Stockings, Barons to Tussle for Pennant





--------



Offense: .269/.340/.394 (1st/3rd/1st)
Pitching: 3.29/3.43/2.63 (1st/1st/1st)
Defense: .726 (2nd)

The eighth and final Eastern League team has made the playoffs for the first time: the Cobourg Red Stockings ended their 15-year drought with a convincing regular season performance that saw them capture a playoff spot on March 16 with 14 games to go. Two days later, they locked up first place. They are a well-balanced team, but the Red Stockings enter the playoffs with three key pitchers dealing with injuries.

24-year old LHP Bill Budd (18-12, 3.01 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 119 ERA+) strained his forearm in the third-last game of the season and will not be available for the first round. 23-year old rookie RHP Brian McDaniel (4-0, 3 SV, 2.22 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 2.91 FIP) suffered shoulder inflammation in a game against the Fort Richmond Generals back in February and is gone for the season. And ace RHP Fergus Hirst has been dealing with strep throat. However, he is still penciled in as Cobourg’s starter for Game 1 of the Pennant Series. The injuries have necessitated some adjustments, resulting in two rookies taking over middle relief: 26-year old rookie RHP Marcus Turvill (11-4, 2 SV, 2.56 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 2.56 FIP - 54/54), who has been in the rotation for most of the season, and 22-year old LHP Ethan Hoyes (5-1, 1 SV, 0.60 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 2.58 FIP - 45/68).

For the Eastern League Pennant Series, manager Nicholas Willis has set the following four-man rotation:

• 25-year old RHP Fergus Hirst (16-7, 2.57 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 139 ERA+)
• 31-year old RHP Alberto León (12-13, 4.46 ERA, 1.70 WHIP, 80 ERA+)
• 24-year old RHP Bobby Williams (11-4, 3.81 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 94 ERA+)
• 26-year old RHP Harry Dinsmore (13-9, 3.75 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 95 ERA+)

The offense, however, is healthy and ready. 26-year old CF Raymond Williams (.340/.419/.568, 32 HR, 100 RBI, 77 BB, 17 SB, 9.6 WAR) finished the season strong, the best yet of his 7-year career. He finished the season leading the Eastern League in six offensive categories. But the heart of the lineup is strong, with Williams getting able support from 31-year old 3B Alexander Tolmie (.297/.390/.454, 19 HR, 95 RBI, 79 BB, 6.1 WAR), 30-year old C Jayson Lymer (.318/.349/.457, 12 HR, 86 RBI, 26 BB, 5.5 WAR), 27-year old 1B Harry Doxey (.303/.369/.452, 15 HR, 96 RBI, 60 BB, 4.2 WAR) and lead-off hitter, 31-year old SS John Medley (.308/.369/.406, 5 HR, 53 RBI, 56 BB, 101 R, 23 SB, 4.1 WAR).

Player of the Week Awards:

February 9 – CF Raymond Williams (.444, 12 H, 3 HR, 10 RBI)

Noteworthy:

February 2 – RHP Bobby Williams blanked the Kingston Pelicans on 6 hits to post a 12-0 triumph. He went 9.0 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 5 BB, 1 K (GS: 71). LF Rizalino Ringor hit an RBI triple in the 6th inning as well as a two-run homer in the 8th in support.
February 11 – The Fort Richmond Generals could not get anything going against RHP Alberto León, falling to the Red Stockings 6-0. León went 9.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K (GS: 83). RF Fergus Thackwray hit a 3-run home run in the 6th inning.

First Round Draft Pick Update:

7th overall – RF Malcolm Wise (20/68). Wise has seen little action in AA since his selection. He has batted all of 8 times (.125/.125/.125) with 1 H, 1 R, 4 K.

Current Injuries:

October 25 – 3B Goro Toiguchi – post-concussion syndrome. Out for: 1-2 weeks.
February 10 – RHP Brian McDaniel – shoulder inflammation. Out for: 2-3 months.
March 27 – LHP Bill Budd – strained forearm. Out for: DtD, 3 days. Eligible for return after Pennant Series.
March 30 – RHP Fergus Hirst – strep throat. Out for: DtD, 2 days.

--------



Offense: .255/.346/.368 (5th/2nd/5th)
Pitching: 3.72/3.54/4.67 (5th/5th/8th)
Defense: .707 (4th)

The Stratford Barons return to the playoffs after a four-year absence. The last time, in 1948-49, they also finished in 2nd place with an 86-68 record, 18 games back of the 104-50 Braeland City Monarchs. But the Barons took the Eastern League Pennant 4 games to 1 that season and are looking to take the same path to the United Cup this year as well.

The Barons got RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco back from injury in early March but have lost No. 4 starter 24-year old LHP Robin Wadsworth (13-10, 4.14 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 86 ERA+) to an injury with one week left in the regular season. But after falling behind the Embro Suns for most of February and early March, the Barons regained the wildcard for good on March 18th and locked it up on the second-to-last day.

As a result, manager Xavier Ahernfeld also had to make some adjustments to his rotation for the first round:

• 26-year old RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco (15-7, 2.98 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 119 ERA+)
• 26-year old RHP Bill Wolf (15-13, 3.16 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 112 ERA+)
• 25-year old RHP Ted Smith (19-7, 3.50 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 101 ERA+)
• 32-year old RHP Edward Skerrett (3-3, 3.19 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 3.68 FIP)

After spending 10 years in the minors after being drafted by the Embro Suns in the 4th round back in 1943-44, Skerrett got his first taste of the majors this season. He started 8 games in February and March and is on the playoff roster as the No. 4 starter.

The Barons could not match Cobourg’s sheer dominance on offense, but they are no slouches either. 33-year old C Aaron Skidmore (.302/.459/.463, 17 HR, 75 RBI, 128 BB, 8.8 WAR) turned things up a notch in the final two months and enjoyed the best season of his 13-year career. But 27-year old 1B Bob Goodyear (.321/.396/.496, 21 HR, 108 RBI, 77 BB, 7.3 WAR) was right behind him in his break-out year, his 5th in the ULB. His previous best in WAR was last year, when he earned 1.5. 29-year old LF Roberto Ríos (.246/.381/.364, 12 HR, 58 RBI, 125 BB, 19 SB, 5.1 WAR) rebounded a bit after two down years and 25-year old RF Andy Faulkner (.287/.393/.422, 13 HR, 79 RBI, 84 BB, 4.2 WAR) enjoyed an impressive rookie season.

Noteworthy:

February 9 –RHP Ted Smith dazzled the Bosworth Field crowd with a 3-hit shut-out of the visiting Sherburn Tigers. He went 9.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K (GS: 85) in Stratford’s 11-0 victory.

First Round Draft Pick Update:

4th overall – LF Ronald Hollinshed (25/78). Hollinshed was very productive in AA, getting 266 AB, batting .278/.336/.376 with 1 HR, 29 RBI, 18 BB, 7 SB. He was promoted to Triple-A at the end of the season.

Current Injuries:

March 6 – 2B Matthew Channing – oblique strain. Out for: 3 weeks.
March 24 – LHP Robin Wadsworth – strained back. Out for: one week.

--------



Offense: .255/.328/.382 (4th/5th/2nd)
Pitching: 3.65/3.48/4.32 (4th/3rd/6th)
Defense: .705 (5th)

They came oh so close, but the Embro Suns were unable to hang onto the wild card after overtaking the Barons on February 9th. They led Stratford by two games at one point, lost the lead in late February, then retook it on March 9th. But the Barons fought back to overcome a two-game deficient once again to take control of the wild card on the 24th for good. But the Suns are a team laden with solid talent with more on the way. They have the 5th-best farm system at present and the major league roster is filled with promising, young players. Its not hard to see this club back in the thick of things next season and returning to the playoffs.

Those promising, young players include 24-year old 3B Moromao Nakagawa (.284/.362/.453, 15 HR, 85 RBI, 71 BB, 5.2 WAR – 78/80) and 23-year old SS Kieron Bradridge (.270/.310/.402, 11 HR, 66 RBI, 37 BB, 5.1 WAR – 63/73). Both just completed their second full seasons in the majors. Also in the lineup adding support are 25-year old Napana Mamo (.276/.336/.442, 15 HR, 87 RBI, 53 BB, 3.2 WAR – 63/68) and 23-year old rookie LF Jesús Abreu (.280/.401/.457, 9 HR, 33 RBI, 55 BB, 3.3 WAR – 57/68), who leads off. With another year under their belt, this lineup could prove to be quite formidable.

The rotation is serviceable, but Embro should consider looking for a top-shelf starter, as age and consistency is an issue. 27-year old LHP Carl McBroom (13-17, 3.30 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 108 ERA+) got stronger in the second-half of the season and 27-year old RHP Juan Rivas (10-9, 3.31 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 108 ERA+) still has upside, but the Suns could be forgiven if they’re thinking of an eventual replacement for 38-year old RHP Myung-gu Son (11-6, 3.56 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 100 ERA+). While certainly still effective, he is much closer to end of his career than the beginning. On the hand, 33-year old LHP Arthur Bence (17-10, 3.50 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 102 ERA+) continues to be a steady hand.

Noteworthy:

February 25 – LHP Carl McBroom handled the Giants with ease, stopping them on 4 hits en route to a 1-0 victory in Balmoral. McBroom pitched 9.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 3 K (GS: 79). LF Jesús Abreu broke a scoreless tie with a solo home run in the top of the 9th.

First Round Draft Pick Update:

10th overall – RHP/1B Rob Gladstone (41/74 as RP; 20/25 as 1B). Gladstone split his time in both Double-A and Triple-A. He got into 28 games in AA, batting .364/.417/.364 in 11 AB (4 H, 1 BB, 1 K) before being promoted. In Triple-A, he appeared in 19 games as a hitter, batting .571/.571/.571 with 4 hits, 2 RBI, 3 SO. As a relief pitcher, he went 2-1, 8 SV, 5.54 ERA, 1.54 WHIP in 39.0 Double-A innings and 4-0, 3.00 ERA, 1.53 WHIP in 30.0 Triple-A innings.

Current Injuries:

November 12 – 2B Robert Jameson – broken kneecap. Out for: 6 days.
March 20 – RHP George Carter – elbow strain. Out for: DtD, 2 days.

--------



Offense: .258/.348/.366 (2nd/1st/6th)
Pitching: 4.11/4.04/4.34 (8th/8th/7th)
Defense: .699 (8th)

There was no surge from the Brunswick Legends in the final two months to challenge for the wild card and really, it was not very realistic to expect it. A very respectable offense was there but the pitching was in just too much disarray to provide the needed support.

The offense has its leaders, but it could use more support going forward. 26-year old LF Carl Patton (.295/.419/.413, 10 HR, 67 RBI, 124 BB, 24 SB, 7.8 WAR – 67/67) was brilliant in all facets of the game in just his second full season, while 24-year old C Robert Kersey (.288/.376/.436, 16 HR, 87 RBI, 74 BB, 6.4 WAR – 79/80) was impressive in his sophomore season, although he faded a bit in March. Both 31-year old 3B Jorge Arredondo (.261/.361/353, 9 HR, 57 RBI, 92 BB, 4.6 WAR – 63/63) and 32-year old RF Marcus Peyto (.253/.346/.447, 23 HR, 89 RBI, 79 BB, 3.4 WAR – 63/63) had fine seasons, but Peyto struggled in the final months and was awful in the field. Brunswick will also have to deal with the inevitable decline of 36-year old 1B Stuart Bentham (.265/.364/.394, 16 HR, 86 RBI, 79 BB, -0.8 WAR). Offensively, he can still flash his brilliance, but was uneven at times and is dreadful defensively.

25-year old ace RHP Kent Dundon (10-8, 3.01 ERA, 1.51 WHIP, 119 ERA+) was the Legends’s best pitcher overall, but his health is a concern. He missed 5 weeks outright due to should tendinitis and was listed day-to-day for nearly another 5 weeks over the course of the season with various ailments (back spasms, strains). 25-year old RHP Mhelter Pilapil (21-8, 3.76 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 95 ERA+) wasn’t necessarily overpowering but somehow managed to win 21 games. His previous best was 13 in 1950-51. Finally, 32-year old RHP Luis Cruz (15-10, 3.76 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 95 ERA+) was much more consistent in the second-half of the season. If the former Red Stocking can come out of the gate stronger (and if the bullpen can get stabilized), Brunswick may challenge for a wild card next season.

Player of the Week Awards:

February 2 – 1B Stuart Bentham (.500, 7 H, 2 HR, 7 RBI)
February 16 – C Robert Kersey (.474, 9 H, 2 HR, 4 RBI)

First Round Draft Pick Update:

5th overall – RF Quincy Woolsescroft (36/60). Woolsecroft has been quite active in his first year in the minors. He batted .286/.396/524, 2 HR, 10 RBI 8 BB in 42 AB in Double-A before being promoted. In AAA, he went .279/.355/.426, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 8 BB in 68 AB. He is currently batting 3rd in the lineup in the playoffs with the Vanessa Pointers, going
.188/235/.188 in 16 AB (4 games) so far.

Current Injuries:

March 7 – RHP Mhelter Pilapil – back spasms. Out for: DtD, 4 days.

--------



Offense: .256/.335/.364 (3rd/4th/7th)
Pitching: 3.86/3.90/3.74 (6th/6th/3rd)
Defense: .709 (3rd)

They put up a valiant effort in February, but it was nowhere near enough for the Wellington Athletics to seriously challenge for the wild card. They got to within 9 games but then faded in early March and were officially eliminated from post-season play on the 18th. After finishing in first place and winning the Eastern League Pennant in 1951-52, Wellington fell to 5th place and lost 10 more games compared to last season. The Athletics are not terrible in any one facet of the game necessarily, but they could stand to upgrade their pitching. They lack a truly dominant hurler that can anchor the rotation and a couple of steady arms in the bullpen wouldn’t hurt either.

Perhaps that future anchor will come in the form of 21-year old RHP Ross Sturgeon (0-0, 1.42 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 4.75 FIP – 37/57), who got into 5 games and made two starts late in the season. He has explosive stuff (55/60) with four quality pitches. Sturgeon was a 3rd-round pick back in 1949-50 and is rated 4th among pitching prospects (18th overall).

Wellington has a nice core of players in the lineup that includes one of the finest outfields in the United Leagues. That outfield is led by 25-year old LF Matthew Floyd (.316/.407/.499, 21 HR, 91 RBI, 89 BB, 10 SB, 8.8 WAR – 80/80), 25-year old RF Wayne Emmert (.286/.383/.414, 5 HR, 71 RBI, 90 BB, 5.8 WAR – 68/68) and 27-year old CF Jim Mars (.296/.365/.434, 13 HR, 111 RBI, 68 BB, 4.3 WAR – 58/58). I’ve been tough on Mars, as his overall offense and defense were down from last season. He is due for a rebound. Meanwhile, 25-year old C Declan Bugbie (.304/.333/.418, 9 HR, 84 RBI, 23 BB, 4.3 WAR – 66/66) put in another solid season at the plate, although his defense was down a little compared to last season (.985 PCT, 4.84 RNG, -0.7 ZR, 1.038 EFF).

Player of the Week Awards:

February 23 – CF Jim Mars (.393, 11 H, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 4 R)

Noteworthy:

March 9 – RHP Zachary Collingham was lights out in a 4-hit whitewash of the Downie Chiefs. Collingham went 9.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 K (GS: 81).
March 13 – Friday the 13th was not a good day for the Cobourg Red Stockings as the Athletics spanked them 20-1 on the road on 21 hits. CF Jim Mars did the greatest damage, hitting a 3-run home run in the 1st inning and a 3-run triple in the 2nd – and that was before a 10-run 3rd-inning made it 19-0. In all, Mars went 2 for 4 with 7 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB.

First Round Draft Pick Update:

13th overall – LF Noel Johnston (27/57). Johnston spent all of 6 AB in Double-A before being promoted to the AAA Quinlan Maroons. In 72 AB, he batted .278/.316/.361, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 2 BB.

Current Injuries: None.

--------



Offense: .249/.319/.377 (6th/6th/4th)
Pitching: 3.94/4.02/3.76 (7th/7th/4th)
Defense: .700 (7th)

There was no surge in the final two months of the season for the Braeland City Monarchs. Indeed, the team collapsed in February, losing 8 straight games at one point to push them into irrelevance. That became official on March 12, when they were eliminated from the playoff chase. The Monarchs lost 83 games, the second most in their 16-year history (they lost 88 games in their inaugural season).

The team is at a crossroads. Braeland City has a slew of young players that either got their first year in the majors under their belt or figure to be on the roster next season. If they all pan out and some veterans can bounce back from down years, then the Monarchs could be a force next year. If they don’t, Braeland City could be staying in the second division for years to come.

32-year old RHP Okura Suzuki (11-12, 3.52 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 102 ERA+) remained the Monarch’s best option in the rotation, but recently acquired 27-year old RHP Bobby Hogg (11-13, 3.71 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 96 ERA+) performed much better after arriving from the Sherburn Tigers (6-3, 2.99 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, 120 ERA+) in late January. But the team has a couple of young pitchers that may make an impact next season. 21-year old RHP Dara Eaddy (1-1, 4.63 ERA, 1.63 WHIP – 39/67), a 14th overall pick from 1950-51 is rated the 3rd-top pitching prospect in the ULB. But he is dealing with a long-team injury, indicative of his questioned ability to remain healthy for any length of time. But he has the tools to be an effective starter in the near future. And the Monarchs also have 22-year old RHP Corey Timothy (39/58), who came over from Sherburn in the Bobby Hogg deal. He has a chance to be a very reliable arm in the bullpen.

27-year old 2B Patrick Lidgate (.279/.398/.468, 16 HR, 70 RBI, 93 BB, 7.1 WAR – 80/80) is the undisputed star of the Monarchs and finished the season strong. But some of his teammates need to join him and play to their full ability. 29-year old 1B Dean Witherden (.300/.357/.475, 27 HR, 94 RBI, 54 BB, 4.3 WAR – 70/70) was solid at the plate but his defense was suspect this season. 22-year old RF Aidan Trembath (.302/.355/.433, 14 HR, 65 RBI, 47 BB, 3.6 WAR – 73/80) has the potential to be something special. If he can take the next step, then watch out. As mentioned, Braeland City has a number of young players on the cusp of snagging a major league spot on the roster. Two of them, 23-year old SS Nicholas Malcolm (36/53) and 24-year old 3B Griff Limer (35/62) appear to have the best chance at doing that next season.

Player of the Week Awards:

March 16 – RF Aidan Trembath (.458, 11 H, 4 RBI)
March 23 – SS Roland Binns (.421, 8 H, 3 HR, 8 RBI)

Noteworthy:

February 2 –C Hayden Billyard went 0-4 in his team’s 2-1 loss to the Fort Richmond Generals, ending his 20-game hitting steak.

First Round Draft Pick Update:

8th overall – LHP Johnny Hunter (20/63). The 19-year old has had a rough first-year in Double-A, going 3-16, 6.84 ERA, 2.04 WHIP, 66 ERA+ in 22 starts.

Current Injuries:

January 17 – 3B Griff Limer – broken kneecap. Out for: 3 months.
March 16 – RHP Pei Ming – sprained ankle. Out for: 3 months.
March 24 – RHP Samuel Hollier – torn labrum. Out for: 5 months.
March 29 – RHP Dara Eaddy – torn UCL. Out for: 6-7 months.

--------



Offense: .247/.319/.379 (8th/7th/3rd)
Pitching: 3.49/3.49/3.47 (2nd/4th/2nd)
Defense: .730 (1st)

The Downie Chiefs started the season off with a whimper and ended it with a whimper, winning just 8 games in both October and March. They got to within 5 games in late February but faded quickly after that and were eliminated on March 16. But like the Monarchs, the Chiefs have a number of young players that could inject some much-needed life into the team, at least in the lineup. The team has no pitching prospects to speak of and that will be a major concern if they don’t address it soon.

There is no concern with 27-year old CF Alfonso León (.342/.403/.557, 28 HR, 85 RBI, 62 BB, 11 SB, 10.2 WAR – 75/75). León set a new record for WAR this season, becoming the first player to reach and surpass 10 WAR. He leads Cobourg’s Raymond Williams (9.57 WAR this year) and Pulberry Trolleys’ CF Cooper Tyson (9.31 WAR last year) now in that category. He also won the Eastern League batting title for the first time.



26-year old RF Connor Bing (.262/.343/.437, 15 HR, 60 RBI, 66 BB, 6.0 WAR – 70/70) enjoyed a wonderful sophomore season, although he severely faded at the plate in February and March. But it would be no surprise if wins his second consecutive Ball Hawk Award, as he was phenomenal in the field (.994 PCT, 2.76 RNG, +17.7 ZR, 1.054 EFF). But 27-year old 2B Dominic Dudding (.290/.359/.432, 16 HR, 95 RBI, 62 BB, 5.3 WAR – 75/76), while still a really good player, regressed for the second straight season. The rest of the lineup was filled largely with non-descripts. But two, young players could make a difference soon: 23-year old SS José Olivarez (.201/.288/.297, 5 HR, 34 RBI, 47 BB, 6 SB, 1.8 WAR – 47/64) is already on the major league roster while 21-year old 3B Freddie Ogburn (28/74) should be promoted to AAA very soon.

30-year old ace RHP Kelii Pelanekelina (20-10, 2.85 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 122 ERA+) won 20 games for the first time in his 10-year career and should get some serious consideration for the EL Satchel Paige Award. But the rest of the staff was essentially greater than the sum of its parts, with injuries forcing the Chiefs to get creative. If 29-year old LHP Hank Bennett (3-5, 3.28 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 106 ERA+) can bounce back from a knee injury that saw him miss most the season, then the Chiefs should benefit from more stability in the rotation. Meanwhile, 29-year old RHP Bill Lafontaine (4-4, 15 SV, 2.32 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, .197 BABIP) was outstanding once again pitching out of the bullpen.

Noteworthy:

March 10 –RHP Kelii Pelanekelina limited the Wellington Athletics to just 3 hits as the Chiefs romped to an 8-0 victory. Pelanekelina went 9.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 3 K (GS: 81).

First Round Draft Pick Update:

11th overall – SS Oscar Kennedy (25/57). Kennedy has batted .226/.321/.290, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 11 BB in 93 AB in his first year at Double-A.

Current Injuries:

October 10 – RHP Harley Bracher – torn labrum. Out for: suffered setback, required surgery. 4-5 months.
February 6 – RHP Wilfried Schop – torn UCL. Out for: 4 months.
March 13 – RHP Bernie Knowles – shoulder tendinitis. Out for: DtD, 1-2 weeks.

--------



Offense: .249/.318/.356 (7th/8th/8th)
Pitching: 3.54/3.47/3.99 (3rd/2nd/5th)
Defense: .704 (6th)

Unlike the teams closest to them in the standings, the Queensland Eagles finished the season on a high note: they enjoyed their first and only winning month in March. And unlike those other teams, Queensland’s greatest struggles are on offense with their pitching – at least the rotation – a strength. And it could get even stronger.

25-year old RHP Stiofan Micklethwait (12-14, 2.80 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 125 ERA+ - 65/68) and 27-year old ace RHP Logan Belsey (14-16, 2.69 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 130 ERA+ - 66/73) are rated Nos. 2 & 3 respectively among all pitchers in the United Leagues (behind only Stratford’s RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco). They could soon have company in the rotation. 20-year old Derek Tarn (42/63), a 3rd overall pick back in 1950-51, was promoted to the major league roster in March but did not see action. Scouts think highly of his stuff (50/65) and movement (65/75) and his leadership ability. If he develops, the Eagles should have a formidable top three.


Three-year veteran, 27-year old LF Rod Dennis (.296/.363/.472, 22 HR, 76 RBI, 63 BB, 4.6 WAR – 59/62), is developing nicely. But he cannot carry the offense alone. 26-year old Ryan Consiford (.252/.347/.386, 11 HR, 59 RBi, 82 BB, 3.2 WAR – 66/69) played at third base for most the season for the first time after playing first base for most of his career. Defensively, he didn’t miss a beat. But the former 14th-overall pick has not met the high expectations projected for him at the plate. Queensland has some young talent that could challenge the veterans next season: 22-year old 2B Dave Allison (34/58) and 27-year old SS Perry Jordan (45/53). But neither of them are highly rated and Queensland’s top prospect, 19-year old RF Hal Dhu (20/80) is still a long ways off.

Player of the Week Awards:

March 2 – RHP Logan Belsey (2-0, 18 IP, 0.50 ERA, 12 K)
March 9 – CF Salvador Rivera (.517, 15 H, 8 RBI, 7 R)

Noteworthy:

February 6 – It was lights out for the Kingston Pelicans, as RHP Stiofan Micklethwait shut them out 8-0 on 4 hits. His line was: 9.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K (GS: 83). 3B Ryan Conisford supported him with an RBI double in the 4th inning and a solo home run in the 5th.
March 18 –CF Salvador Rivera failed to get a hit against the Braeland City Monarchs, ending his 22-game hitting streak. He went 0-4 on the day, but the Eagles still prevailed, 4-3.
March 23 – Although the Stratford Barons pulled out a 4-3 victory, it was still an impressive day for 1B Hao Wang, who went 5 for 5 on the afternoon. Wang singled four times and hit a solo shot off RHP Ted Smith in the 8th inning, collecting 2 R and an RBI in total.

First Round Draft Pick Update:

9th overall – RHP Wayne O’Reilly (20/57). O’Reilly spent his entire first year in Triple-A, going 5-9, 5.32 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, 82 ERA+ in 21 starts.

Current Injuries:

November 19 – RHP John Sloat – shoulder inflammation. Out for: 5 weeks.
February 8 – RHP Gael Yule – torn UCL. Out for: 4 months.
March 3 – C Blake Nankervis – hamstring strain. Out for: 5 days.

--------

__________________
United Leagues of Braeland

Last edited by reds1; 04-27-2020 at 10:32 AM.
reds1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2020, 02:23 AM   #576
reds1
Hall Of Famer
 
reds1's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,854
March 30, 1953

Western League: It’s Not How You Start – Unions Overtake Cannons for Top Spot, Will Meet in Playoffs





--------



Offense: .241/.323/.329 (7th/2nd/8th)
Pitching: 2.70/2.86/1.96 (1st/1st/1st)
Defense: .731 (2nd)

The Wolseley Unions recovered from a slow start to the season in a big way as they steadily climbed back into contention in the second half. On February 23, they caught up to and overtook the Pulberry Trolleys for the wild card for good. Then they chased down the Cambria Cannons for first in the final month. As late as March 24, both Wolseley and Cambria were tied for top spot with 5 games to go. The Unions went 3-2 in those final five games, while the Cannons could only muster a single win in that same stretch. Indeed, it initially appeared Wolseley was going to have an off-season as they could only muster a 21-30 record in October and November. But they went 66-37 (.641) the rest of the way. By comparison, the next best team over that same stretch was the 100-54 Cobourg Red Stockings. They went 67-38 (.638).

But unlike the Red Stockings, the Unions are a decidedly uneven bunch. Their pitching staff is best in the ULB, averaging just 3.3 R/G (506 runs). The offense though, scored only 547 runs all season, an average of just 3.55. The next worst were the Balmoral Giants, who scored 10 more runs for a 3.62 R/G average. Last season, Wolseley scored 806 runs while allowing 600.

Neither mark is an aberration. The offense is being carried into the playoffs by just two players. 31-year old LF Carlton Hawking (.318/.454/.482, 18 HR, 61 RBI, 133 BB, 6.1 WAR) kept on getting stronger as the season wore on while 31-year old SS George Kimpton (.265/.346/.390, 15 HR, 80 RBI, 74 BB, 5.0 WAR) faded in the final two months (.225/.300/.345). Making matters worse, 23-year old 1B/3B Carlos Ortíz (.276/.348/.390, 13 HR, 53 RBI, 55 BB, 3.0 WAR) fractured a rib in mid-February and missed the rest of the season and at least the first round of the playoffs. The rest of the lineup was unimpressive all season.

But if you must be carried by your pitching staff, this is the one you want. Nine of the ten pitchers on the playoff roster enjoyed outstanding seasons. Manager Tony Fay has named his four-man rotation for the playoffs:

• 27-year old RHP Roberto Garza (16-11, 2.95 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 122 ERA+)
• 34-year old RHP Bill Blair (8-6, 2.09 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 171 ERA+)
• 29-year old RHP Jeremy Albury (9-11, 2.77 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 129 ERA+)
• 33-year old RHP Aaron Saunderson (17-14, 2.58 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 139 ERA+)

They also have one of the best stoppers in the game in 31-year old RHP Shou-xin Chin (10-1, 1.30 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, .204 BABIP – 68/68).

Player of the Week Awards:

March 9 – 2B Make-Make Kamaka (.412, 14 H, 1 HR, 2 RBI)
March 16 – RHP Aaron Saunderson (2-0, 18 IP, 10 K, 1.00 ERA)

Noteworthy:

March 11 – RHP Roberto Garza silenced the Hespeler Stars 3-0 on the road. In 107 PI, he surrendered just 4 hits with 1 BB and 3 K for this 13th win of the season (GS: 81).
March 15 - RHP Aaron Saunderson reached a personal milestone in his 3-2 victory over the Fort Richmond Generals. In front of an appreciative home field crowd at Satchel Paige Park, the 13-year veteran achieved his 200th victory. He is the 6th pitcher to reach that mark in the United Leagues. In the game, he went 9.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 1 HR (GS: 74). For his career, he has gone 201-196, 4 SV, 3.42 ERA, 3608.2 IP, 1421 K, 1.34 WHIP, 115 ERA+.



March 17 – The Unions scored all their runs in the bottom of the 1st inning against the Sherburn Tigers, winning 4-0. RHP Bill Blair did not give the Tigers’ batters any chance to strike back, limited them to just 3 hits. Blair went 9.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 97 PI (GS: 85). 3B Paddy Leseberg did the greatest damage offensively, hitting a 3-run double with one out in that 1st inning.
March 21 – RHP Roberto Garza threw a one-hitter against the Kingston Pelicans, as the Unions trounced the home-town team 8-0. Garza went 9.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, 106 PI (GS: 91).

First Round Draft Pick Update:

16th overall – CL Danny Pye (28/71). Pye appeared in 27 games (29.0 IP) in Double-A, going 4-4, 8 SV, 6.52 ERA, 1.83 WHIP, .362 BABIP.

Current Injuries:

December 18 – 2B Westin Woollams – torn labrum. Out for: 2-3 months.

--------



Offense: .254/.326/.373 (2nd/1st/1st)
Pitching: 3.56/3.64/3.23 (6th/4th/6th)
Defense: .694 (8th)

The Cambria Cannons were the exact opposite of the Unions this season: relatively strong on offense, but relatively suspect in pitching. The end result was that the Cannons could not to hang onto the first place, going just 24-27 in the final two months. Nevertheless, Cambria returns to the playoffs for the first time in eight years. But they will do so with one of their key players on the injured list: 35-year old C Heung-su Park (.300/.381/.514, 20 HR, 82 RBI, 51 BB, 5.7 WAR) suffered a groin strain in early March and is gone for the season. That is a huge blow for a team that will need everyone playing their best if they want to prevail over the Unions for the Western League Pennant.

Its hard to size up the pitching staff overall. It is not terrible by any means, but it is not the strongest unit in the West and at any rate, few can compare to Wolseley’s dominant staff right now. For the playoffs, rookie manager Benjamin Sadler has set his rotation:

• 23-year old LHP Bill Southon (16-11, 3.18 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 110 ERA+)
• 33-year old LHP Ricardo Cruz (14-6, 2.79 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 126 ERA+)
• 27-year old RHP Masami Fujihara (15-14, 3.72 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 94 ERA+)
• 38-year old LHP Hirotada Fukushima (6-10, 3.73 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 96 ERA+)

The loss of C Park is significant, but back-up catcher, 26-year old Min-gook Lee (.309/.342/.450, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 7 BB, 1.5 WAR – 48/52), filled in nicely in March, going .328/.361/.500, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 3 BB in 58 AB. He will bat from the 5th spot in the playoffs. The Cannons also have 26-year old 1B Carlos Corea (.321/.372/.482, 20 HR, 99 RBI, 47 BB, 3.2 WAR – 76/78). Corea finished on top in the West in seven offensive categories and tied with Wolseley’s Carlton Hawking for slugging percentage. He also won the Western League batting title. But Corea faded a bit in the stretch and actually lost ground in the WAR department due to his atrocious fielding (.990 PCT, 8.93 RNG, -23.1 ZR, .827 EFF), something few on the club is particularly good at.



Besides Corea, Cambria will be led into the playoffs by 33-year old SS César Ruíz (.272/.387/.447, 25 HR, 88 RBI, 101 BB, 6.0 WAR – 80/80) and two rookies: 28-year old 3B Luis Torres (.279/.343/.402, 15 HR, 77 RBI, 50 BB, 4.1 WAR – 64/64) and 23-year old CF Sam Tite (.216/.338/.334, 12 HR, 48 RBI, 101 BB, 3.9 WAR – 51/71). While Tite was strong in the field all year, he really struggled at times at the plate in his first full season.

Player of the Week Awards:

February 2 – 1B Carlos Corea (.556, 10 H, 1 HR, 8 RBI)
March 2 – LF Ichizo Ando (.583, 7 H, 1 HR, 4 RBI)

Noteworthy:

March 7 – The Cannons gave LHP Ricardo Cruz one unearned run in the 1st inning and Cruz defended it, defeating the Wolseley Unions 1-0 at home. He gave up just 3 hits with 1 BB and 2 K for his 12th win (GS: 82). Wolseley’s RHP Bill Blair was almost as effective, but two errors and a passed ball allowed 1B Carlos Corea to not only reach base safely, but also score what proved to be the winning run.
March 11 – RHP Masami Fujihara notched his 14th win of the season with a 6-hit shut-out of the Pulberry Trolleys. Fujihara gave up just 1 walk with 4 strikeouts (GS: 78) in the 1-0 victory. The winning run came when SS César Ruíz slammed a solo home run in the
4th inning off RHP Ron Cowen.
March 13 – LHP Ricardo Cruz pitched a 1-hitter against the Sherburn Tigers, coming away with a 2-0 road victory. His line was 9.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 99 PI (GS: 89). The winning runs came in the 3rd inning, when 3B Luis Torres connected for a two-run home run against LHP Luke Henty.
March 17 – RHP Masami Fujihara shackled the Kingston Pelicans, 2-0 on 4 hits. He went 9.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 122 PI (GS: 83).

First Round Draft Pick Update:

2nd overall – CF Kilipeka Maleko (20/64). Maleko saw very little action in his first season in Double-A. In 8 AB, he collected 2 hits, 1 BB, 2 SO, batting .250/.400/.250.

Current Injuries:

March 7 – C Heung-su Park – strained groin. Out for: 2 weeks.

--------



Offense: .251/.320/.357 (3rd/3rd/4th)
Pitching: 3.38/3.48/3.00 (3rd/3rd/4th)
Defense: .733 (1st)

The Pulberry Trolleys came up short once again in trying to capture their first playoff spot. After missing out by a single game last season, the Trolleys this time saw the surging Wolseley Unions overtake them for second place for good on February 23 and were officially eliminated on March 24. For their part, Pulberry can look to their slow start as being the main culprit. Had they gone 28-22 in October/November instead of 22-28, they would have finished with 88 wins – a record good enough for first place. The Trolleys are continuing to groom some young players in the lineup and rotation. If they can develop, it wouldn’t take much more to finally push Pulberry over the top.

31-year old RHP Alexander Ellacott (15-11, 2.96 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 118 ERA+ - 51/51) enjoyed his second strong season in a row after a couple of down years with the Cambria Cannons. No doubt Pulberry hopes that trend continues, as 23-year old sophomore LHP Ramón Castro (11-13, 3.58 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 98 ERA+ - 55/55) had his ups and downs all season before being lost to a long-term injury late in the season. Former Brunswick Legend, 36-year old RHP Ron Cowen (15-13, 3.32 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 105 ERA+ - 50/50) also enjoyed his second consecutive good season, after five down years. And Pulberry may be ready to finally promote both 25-year old RHP Taylor Folkard (5-5, 13 SV, 2.64 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 122 ERA+ - 47/52) and 23-year old rookie LHP Dermott Rathbone (0-0, 1 SV, 1.80 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 194 ERA+ - 45/61) to the rotation for next season. Folkard is already there, while Rathbone remained on the 25-man roster at the end of the season.

The Trolleys have a fine core in the lineup, batting Nos. 3 through 5. 26-year old CF Cooper Tyson (.293/.391/.457, 12 HR, 63 RBI, 89 BB, 8.7 WAR – 73/73) finished the season strong, especially in February and is clearly the offense’s main cog. Following him are 24-year old sophomore LF Aidan Thirkettle (.280/.377/.433, 12 HR, 61 RBI, 68 BB, 14 SB, 3.9 WAR – 65/80) and 28-year old RF Ellis Dibble (.296/.370/.455, 17 HR, 76 RBI, 62 BB, 4.7 WAR – 73/73). Both appear ready to join Tyson is super-star status next season. Thirkettle particularly, has room to grow into someone special. 22-year old C Paul England (.219/.284/.316, 5 HR, 49 RBI, 33 BB, 0.7 WAR – 37/64) endured a rough rookie season but began to play much better in March (.253/.308/.422).

The Trolleys have the fourth-best farm system in the United Leagues and a couple of prospects stand out: 21-year old SS Sean Abercrombie (24/79) and 19-year old C Enoka Hockenhall (20/68). Both remain stuck in Double-A after a couple of seasons, so here’s hoping they can start getting promoted soon.

Player of the Week Awards:

February 23 – CF Cooper Tyson (.435, 10 H, 2 HR, 7 RBI)
March 23 – RF Ellis Dibble (.414, 12 H, 3 HR, 7 RBI)

Noteworthy:

February 14 – RHP Ron Cowen had it all going for him in Wellington as the 13-year veteran blanked the Athletics 5-0 on 4 hits. He pitched all 9 innings, collecting 4 strikeouts and giving up just 2 walks. (GS: 81).

First Round Draft Pick Update:

14th overall – 3B Jorge Ramos (20/47). Ramos also saw little action in his first season. With the AA Hopetown Islanders, he made just 5 AB, with 2 hits, 1-2B, 1 RBI, 1 SO (.400/.400/.600).

Current Injuries:

March 23 – LHP Ramón Castro – radial nerve decompression surgery. Out for: 5-6 months.
March 23 – CF John Oldknow – sprained knee. Out for: DtD, 6 days.
March 25 – SS Francis Jones – strained back. Out for: 1-2 weeks.

--------



Offense: .259/.315/.366 (1st/5th/3rd)
Pitching: 3.11/3.05/3.62 (2nd/2nd/7th)
Defense: .725 (3rd)

The Fort Richmond Generals recovered in the final months to avoid a losing season and matched their record from last year. Still, they will miss the playoffs for the second-straight season having been eliminated on March 24, the same day as the Trolleys. The Generals are not a bad team by any means with a still-strong rotation and bullpen that has a couple of young promising arms ready to take the lead, but the offense lacks any stand-out performer. They scored 602 runs, just one more than the last-place Sherburn Tigers. If Fort Richmond were to add some dynamic players to its lineup, they would be competing for first place rather than just keeping their head above water.

28-year old SS Nobuyoshi Yoshida (.286/.336/.409, 9 HR, 45 RBI, 34 BB, 4.4 WAR – 73/73) picked things offensively up in the final two months and is Fort Richmond’s best all-round player. 28-year old RF Brandon Robinson (.287/.326/.420, 14 HR, 73 RBI, 37 BB, 1.6 WAR – 55/55) remains a consistent hitter, but fell off a cliff defensively (.991 PCT, 2.93 RNG, -13.4 ZR, .944 EFF).

The pitching staff was consistently good all season, led by 30-year old RHP Nicky Sherlock (16-13, 2.75 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 126 ERA+ - 60/60), 32-year old LHP Nicholas Grimes (13-11, 2.99 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 116 ERA+ - 55/55) and 30-year old RHP Ch’ang-chieh Li (13-14, 3.08 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 113 ERA+ - 55/55). 27-year old RHP Kazunori Fujimoto (11-11, 3.07 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 113 ERA+ - 50/50) struggled a little in February (2-0, 5.14 ERA) but rebounded in March (2-2, 3.45 ERA).

The bullpen was uneven at times, but the Generals have a couple of promising arms that may help stabilize matters in the near future: 23-year old RHP Glen Limon (4-0, 1 SV, 2.31 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 2.17 FIP – 64/69) and 22-year old greenhorn LHP Frank Lita (36/63).

Noteworthy:

March 21 – RHP Ch’ang-chieh Li zeroed in on the Pulberry Trolleys at Trolleys Stadium, blanking them 2-0 on just 1 hit. His line for the day was 9.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 B, 1 K, 99 PI (GS: 85).

First Round Draft Pick Update:

12th overall – LF Uki Edewada (20/52). Edewada enjoyed a full season in Double-A. He made 254 AB, going .244/.280/.319 with 62 H, 1 HR, 25 RBI, 13 BB, 12 SB.

Current Injuries:

February 25 – RHP Glen Limon – hamstring strain. Out for: 1 day.
March 19 – LHP Nicholas Grimes –strained shoulder. Out for: 3 weeks.

--------



Offense: .250/.313/.366 (5th/6th/2nd)
Pitching: 3.60/3.71/3.02 (7th/7th/5th)
Defense: .719 (4th)

The Hespeler Stars fell into familiar territory in February & March, falling back to finish 10 games under .500 and were officially eliminated from playoff contention on March 18, the day after the Kingston Pelicans. Still, their 72 wins represents their best finish in six years, but it also marks the 15th straight season without a winning record. The Stars have the top-ranked farm system right now but how soon their top prospects can move up and give the parent club a boost remains to be seen.

Three of their best were on the 25-man roster this season. 25-year old RHP Battista Carotta (13-10, 3.43 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 105 ERA+ - 51/56), who has shifted back and forth between the rotation and bullpen over the course of the season is now considered the ace. He is joined in the rotation by two-way player 26-year old rookie RHP Mike Park (11-8, 3.59 ERA, 170.1 IP, 1.56 WHIP, 100 ERA+ - 47/47). He finished the season pitching from the No. 4 spot. But when not on the mound, Park manned the hot corner (.331/.385/.475, 8 HR, 50 RBI, 32 BB, 4.0 WAR – 60/60) and looks very comfortable there. If the Stars didn’t need all the pitching they could get, I think it would be better for him to be their third baseman full time. Finally, top prospect 22-year old RF Bill Spaeth (.246/.294/.420, 12 HR, 44 RBI, 22 BB, 1.1 WAR – 39/71) should get serious consideration for being a regular player next season – either in the outfield or at first base. Such support should only help Hespeler’s top players: 28-year old 2B Vic Lewis (.274/.329/.426, 20 HR, 82 RBI, 44 BB, 87 SB, 4.8 WAR – 60/60), who seriously struggled offensively down the stretch and 29-year old SS Zhao-hui Qian (.255/.323/.367, 11 HR, 52 RBI, 61 BB, 8 SB, 4.1 WAR – 64/64), who endured a bit of down year himself.

Player of the Week Awards:

February 16 – RHP Dominic Whitmore (2-0, 17 IP, 9 K, 1.06 ERA, .179 BAVG)

Noteworthy:

February 10 – RHP Dominic Whitmore went into Downie and blanked the Chiefs 2-0 on 4 hits. He recorded 6 K and 4 BB on 119 PI over 9.0 IP (GS: 81).

First Round Draft Pick Update:

1st overall – SS Apia Yarrah (32/64). The top pick had a fine season with the AA Muir Electrics. He batted .310/.393/.468, 5 HR, 22 RBI, 16 BB, 11 SB in 171 AB.

Current Injuries:

November 5 – SS Kobbe Asamse – torn labrum. Out for: 2 weeks.
February 25 – RHP Dominic Whitmore – torn labrum. Out for: 5 months.
March 23 – RHP Rodney Gabrielson – mild shoulder inflammation. Out for: DtD, 1 week.
March 26 – CF John McMurray – fractured foot. Out for: 3-4 weeks.

--------



Offense: .243/.316/.349 (6th/4th/5th)
Pitching: 3.52/3.70/2.78 (4th/6th/2nd)
Defense: .714 (6th)

It pretty safe to assume that reaching the playoffs last season was a mere blip on an otherwise downward course for the Kingston Pelicans as they suffered their worst season record-wise. It’s just the second time them finished below .500. There may be more to come, as their talent pipeline is pretty bare at the moment.

The rotation, once a powerhouse is now nothing special. 33-year old LHP Patrick Denman (10-23, 3.63 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 99 ERA+ - 57/57) went 1-9 in his last 10 starts to finish with 23 losses, just two shy of the record. He wasn’t necessarily great this season, but a lack of run support didn’t help his cause either. A former 6th-round pick from 1945-46 was actually Kingston’s best starter this season: 26-year old LHP Rob Hutchence (11-11, 2.93 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 122 ERA+ - 50/50). On the other hand, the bullpen was a genuine strength, led by RHP stopper 28-year old Kaula Mafileo (4-7, 16 SV, 2.39 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, .238 BABIP – 62/62). They also have 23-year old RHP Lester Beddoes (3-1, 1 SV, 1.38 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, .223 BABIP – 52/74), a 10th overall pick from 1950-51 who is already considered one of the top relievers in the United Leagues (5th overall).

Humdrum, or lacklustre are two words that come to mind in describing Kingston’s offense. Their top player, 26-year old C Carlos Camasura (.279/.372/.356, 4 HR, 32 RBI, 66 BB, 3.6 WAR – 67/75) regressed for the second straight season. 28-year old RF Mo Spenceley (.259/.307/.403, 15 HR, 82 RBI, 40 BB, 23 SB, 1.0 WAR – 64/66) also regressed and was a nightmare on defense (.977 PCT, 2.50 RNG, -9.6 ZR, .977 EFF). He is perhaps the most frustrating player in the ULB right now as it doesn’t appear he will ever play up to his capabilities. Finally, the Pelicans are easing in their 8th overall pick from 1951-52, 22-year old CF Chris Ramsbottom (.231/.274/.315, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 7 BB, 5 SB, 108 AB – 35/53). Ramsbottom was promoted to the majors in January and saw limited action.

Noteworthy:

February 6 – It was a tough day for the visiting Pelicans as the Queensland Eagles trounced them 8-0 on 16 hits. Kingston got only four against RHP Stiofan Micklethwait. 2B Katsunan Chikafuji went 1 for 3, but his lone hit was a big one. It represented the 2500th hit of his career. He is the third player in United Leagues’ history to reach the milestone. By season’s end, the 12-time all-star has also racked up 291 HR, 1430 RBI 1337 R, 870 BB and 291 K in 8191 AB.



First Round Draft Pick Update:

15th overall – CL Jonathan Brookins (27/80). Brookins was used almost exclusively as a pitcher in Double-A (only 5 AB with 3 K as a position player). He went 3-7, 11 SV, 5.44 ERA, 43.0 IP, 1.98 WHIP, .328 BABIP.

Current Injuries:

September 9 – RHP Freddie Galloway – surgery to remove bone chips (elbow). Out for: 3 months.
March 14 – LHP Lance Oakley – strained posterior cruciate ligament. Out for: 4 weeks.

--------



Offense: .241/.309/.338 (8th/7th/7th)
Pitching: 3.53/3.66/2.98 (5th/5th/3rd)
Defense: .716 (5th)

The Balmoral Giants avoided finishing in last place, but its of little comfort as the club endured its worst season in seven years. Despite some fine, promising performances from their young players, the Giants have the worst-ranked farm system in the United Leagues. All-in-all, there’s little optimism that Balmoral can turn things around in the short term and get back to the playoffs, something that they haven’t seen in these parts in nine years – and counting.

No. 3 starter, 26-year old LHP Lucas Nott (14-14, 3.05 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 116 ERA+ - 52/52) was perhaps Balmoral’s best starter this season, but he ran out of steam in March (1-2, 7.49 ERA, 10.2 IP). 29-year old LHP Ron Albin (13-11, 3.30 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 107 ERA+ - 54/54) was right there with Nott, but he too struggled late in the season (5-3, 4.23 ERA, 72.3 IP in February /March).

The offense was led by three relative youngsters: 25-year old CF Cedric Bristow (.271/.347/.377, 3 HR, 44 RBI, 57 BB, 15 SB, 4.9 WAR – 53/53) led off and took a major step forward in this third season in the majors and was outstanding in the field (.994 PCT, 4.18 RNG, +8.5 ZR, 1.018 EFF). 27-year old C Alexander Pyatt (.289/.325/.425, 14 HR, 63 RBI, 28 BB, 4.8 WAR – 63/63) came over from the Cambria Cannons in a trade and rewarded the Giants when they made him their everyday catcher. Besides batting fourth in the lineup, he was steady defensively (.988 PCT, 4.77 RNG, +3.8 ZR, 1.193 EFF).
Finally, 27-year old rookie 1B Jacob Summerhayes (.279/.323/.430, 11 HR, 50 RBI, 24 BB, 2.4 WAR) batted third in the lineup and looks like a keeper, while 24-year old 2B Erik Perry (.262/.330/.380, 4 HR, 50 RBI, 44 BB, 10 SB, 2.7 WAR – 50/52), a 7th overall pick from 1950-51, made some nice progress in his sophomore season.

Noteworthy:

March 18 – LHP Ron Albin was brilliant against the Pulberry Trolleys, blanking them 1-0 on 2 hits. In all, Albin went 9.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 113 PI (GS: 84). C Alexander Pyatt scored the lone run of the game, a two-out solo shot off LHP Ramón Castro in the 5th inning.

First Round Draft Pick Update:

6th overall – SS Hayden Gunton (24/55). Gunton got his feet wet in Double-A, getting 289 AB in all. He batted .246/.359/.308, with 2 HR, 20 RBI, 51 BB.

Current Injuries:

February 15 – SS Sean Brearton – herniated disc. Out for: 5 days.

--------



Offense: .251/.307/.339 (4th/8th/6th)
Pitching: 4.08/4.07/4.12 (8th/8th/8th)
Defense: .699 (7th)

The Sherburn Tigers endured their second-worst season, losing over 90 games for the second time in three years. This is a team in sore straights, as they have little productive talent on the roster. On the plus side, they are assured of a first overall pick next season, their second in three years. It will make the sixth straight year that they will have a draft pick selection placed 5th or higher. That has led them to having the second deepest farm system in the United Leagues. Still, they have little to show for all their draft selections over the years. It is just a case of bad breaks in player development or has it more to do with management incompetence? Jack Clayton is just in his second year as General Manager, but he has his work cut for him. In addition to making wise draft choices, he really needs to start rooting out some of the dry rot that has been stagnating the team and clubhouse.

The pitching is in shambles. Only 29-year old RHP Jesús Chapa (17-11, 2.99 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 120 ERA+ - 64/64) carried his weight this season and he was brilliant once again. He really deserves to be on a better team. The rest of the staff either performed poorly all season or went AWOL in the final two months.

26-year old LF Noah Teale (.271/.324/.417, 17 HR, 95 RBI, 47 BB, 11 SB, 2.8 WAR – 55/56) was Sherburn’s top offensive player this year. The no. 3 hitter is a fine player but is not quite someone to build your team around. The loss of 26-year old 2B Jack Burt (.300/.315/.388, 2 HR, 49 RBI, 9 BB, 1.5 WAR – 53/53) for most of the season certainly didn’t help. 28-year old 1B Alexander Crutcher (.273/.326/.678, 6 HR, 45 RBI, 29 BB, 5 SB, 1.7 WAR – 44/46) was claimed off waivers from the Queensland Eagles back in November and improved his performance as Sherburn’s lead-off hitter. And as I’ve said before, the Tigers really need to get 24-year old 3B Archie Eridge (.283/.372/.449, 4 HR, 17 RBI, 17 BB, 0.9 WAR – 47/80) into the everyday lineup. The sooner they do, the sooner the former overall pick from last year will be able to provide a badly needed spark to the offense.

Player of the Week Awards:

February 9 – LF Noah Teale (.414, 12 H, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 5 R)

Noteworthy:

February 20 – RHP Jesús Chapa shut down the Downie Chiefs 3-0 at The Paramount. The visiting Chiefs could only muster 4 hits on the afternoon. Chapa went 9.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K (GS: 85).
March 3 – Sherburn and the Wolseley Unions engaged in an epic 16-inning battle that saw the hometown Tigers pull out a 5-4 win at The Paramount. 1B Alexander Crutcher was front and center in the 4-1/2-hour marathon. Not only did he go 5 for 8 on the day, but he also hit for the CYCLE, the 20th in ULB history. The Unions led 3-0 until the bottom of the 8th inning when Crutcher hit a solo home to get the Tigers on the board (he also collected a single in the 3rd). In the bottom of the 9th, his teammates tied it up sending the game into extras. The two teams exchanged runs in the 11th as the game trudged on. For his part, Crutcher doubled in the 10th and tripled in the 12th to complete the cycle. But his final hit proved to be the most memorable. In the bottom the 16th, CF Bill Sharkey doubled with two out while PH Braden Morrall followed with a 4-pitch walk. Next up was Crutcher, who singled into left centerfield on the first pitch offered by LHP Euan MacKenzie. That brought home Sharkey with the winning run, ending the marathon game. In all, Crutcher collected 1 HR and 2 RBI. It was the first cycle since January 1951 when Rizalino Ringor accomplished the feat with the Embro Suns. Crutcher is the second Tiger to accomplish it, after Mick Lanfear in January 1939.



First Round Draft Pick Update:

3rd overall – SS Dwayne Vick (32/72). The versatile Vick played shortstop exclusively in his first season in Double-A and was outstanding defensively (.972 PCT, 5.19 RF, +10.2 ZR, 1.067 PCT). He was also impressively at the plate, batting .298/.351/.390, 1 HR, 50 RBI, 25 BB in 326 AB.

Current Injuries:

February 17 – RHP Roy Hay – shoulder inflammation. Out for: 2-3 months.

--------

__________________
United Leagues of Braeland
reds1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2020, 04:46 AM   #577
DreamTeams
Hall Of Famer
 
DreamTeams's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,521
Trolleys finish 5 games out. Oh well, another winning season and still on the rise. Wait till next year!
__________________
DreamTeams is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-17-2020, 01:00 AM   #578
reds1
Hall Of Famer
 
reds1's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,854


Cobourg Red Stockings (100-54) vs. Stratford Barons (86-68)
Season Matchup: 11-4 in favor of Cobourg

Cobourg: Runs scored – 741 (1st in East); runs against – 576 (1st)
Stratford: Runs scored – 720 (2nd); runs against – 650 (5th)

The Cobourg Red Stockings left the rest of the Eastern League in their wake as they won 100 games and finished 14 games ahead of their nearest competitor, the Stratford Barons. Cobourg’s previous best mark was two years ago when they went 83-71 and finished just one game back of the wild card. This is just the third time in their 16-year history that they have finished above .500 and the first time they have qualified for the playoffs, so they are entering uncharted waters for themselves.

But they do so with a pitching staff dealing with injuries. 24-year old LHP Bill Budd (18-12, 3.01 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 119 ERA+) will be sitting out the Pennant Series as he nurses a strained forearm while 23-year old rookie RHP Brian McDaniel (4-0, 3 SV, 2.22 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 2.91 FIP) is lost for the rest of the season due to shoulder inflammation. And No. 1 starter, 25-year old RHP Fergus Hirst (16-7, 2.57 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 139 ERA+) is coping with strep throat. However, he is slated to start Game 1 nonetheless.

The Barons enjoyed a nine-year stretch from 1940 to 1948 where they made the playoffs five times and won two United Cup championships. But their last playoff appearance was four years ago. At least four players return from the latter portion of their glory years. That list includes 33-year old C Aaron Skidmore (.302/.459/.463, 17 HR, 75 RBI, 128 BB, 8.8 WAR) and 26-year old RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco (15-7, 2.98 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 119 ERA+), two of the Barons current stars.

Stratford will be without two starters. No. 4 starter 24-year old LHP Robin Wadsworth (13-10, 4.14 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 86 ERA+) strained his back late in the season and will be replaced with 32-year old rookie RHP Edward Skerrett (3-3, 3.19 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 3.68 FIP). As well, 24-year old 2B Matthew Channing (.221/.265/.379, 12 HR, 64 RBI, 25 BB, 2.5 WAR) suffered an oblique strain in early March and is out for the Pennant Series. The Barons will miss his solid defense. Taking his place will be 34-year old Quinlevan Goldfinch (.200/.289/.325, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 5 BB, 0.3 WAR), who made all of 40 AB this season.

This will be the first playoff appearance as managers for both Cobourg’s 61-year old Nicholas Willis and Stratford’s 59-year old Xavier Ahernfeld. Ahernfeld is in his third season as a manager, all with the Barons. Willis previously reached the playoffs as a bench coach twice; once with the 1937-38 Sherburn Tigers in the ULB’s inaugural season and with the 1946-47 Brunswick Legends. Neither team won the Pennant, so one of these managers will be capturing their first flag this season. So, without further adieu, its time to play ball!

--------

Game 1 – March 31

A near sellout crowd of 25,803 jam into Radcliffe Field to witness the first playoff game in Cobourg’s history. The skies are partly cloudy and it’s a warm 76F with a breeze blowing out to left (12 mph).

Cobourg’s four-year veteran RHP Fergus Hirst makes his first playoff start, while this will be the third playoff start for the Barons’ 26-year old RHP Bill Wolf (2-0, 0.95 ERA in two starts in 1948-49).

Bottom of the 1st:
The Red Stockings waste little time as SS John Medley lines a single into left field on the second pitch he sees. Two pitches later, he steals second without a throw from C Aaron Skidmore. After LF Rizalino Ringor flies out to left field, CF Raymond Williams singles into right field. Medley turns on the jets, racing around third and beats out the throw from RF Andy Faulkner for the game’s first run.
3B Alexander Tolmie singles a line drive into leftfield, moving Williams to third base. C Jason Lymer follows with a single into shallow centerfield, scoring Williams as the Red Stockings take a 2-0 lead.
Stratford 0 – Cobourg 2

Bottom of the 3rd:

Bill Wolf gets two outs to start the bottom half, but then gives up back-to-back walks to Alexander Tolmie and Jason Lymer. Next up is Harry Doxey, who smashes the first pitch he sees into left centerfield for a two-run double.
Stratford 0 – Cobourg 4

Bottom of the 6th:

Stratford errors cost them a run. With one out, John Medley hits a line drive out to CF Sherwin Carasig. But Carasig bobbles and drops the ball, allowing Medley to reach first safely. Rizalino Ringor then singles into right field. Medley rounds second and heads to third. Andy Faulkner throws to third but its in the dirt. 3B Vincent Colón is unable to come up with it, allowing Medley to score and Ringor to advance to second.
Stratford 0 – Cobourg 5

Top of the 7th:

The Barons get on the board when Sherwin Carasig draws a one-out walk, then steals second a couple of pitches later. Andy Faulkner then doubles into leftfield, scoring Carasig.

In the top of the 9th, Fergus Hirst finishes things off by striking out Aaron Skidmore then inducing back-to-back groundouts from both Bob Goodyear and Sherwin Carasig. Cobourg takes Game 1.
FINAL: Stratford 1 – Cobourg 5





Player of the Game: Fergus Hirst shakes off the bad sore throat and goes the distance on 145 pitches. His line was 9.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 8 K (1-0, 1.00 ERA; Game Score: 82).

For Stratford:

Bill Wolf pitches 7.0 innings, with 10 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 5 BB, 3 K, 131 PI (0-1, 5.14 ERA; GS: 37).

Andy Faulkner went 2 for 3 with 1 RBI.

--------

Game 2 – April 1

The two teams meet again under clear, sunny skies with the temperature reaching 80F and a breeze blowing in from left (11 mph). 25,474 have returned to see if the Red Stockings can continue their roll.

31-year old RHP Alberto León (12-13, 4.46 ERA, 1.70 WHIP, 80 ERA+), a former member of the Stratford Barons’ pitching staff (and who pitched 9.2 innings for them in the playoffs), gets the start against his old team. For the Barons, 26-year old ace RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco gets the call. Jaojoco has pitched 14.2 innings in the playoffs for Stratford previously, but this will be his first start.

Top of the 5th:
The starters keep the hitters off the board, limiting them to three hits through the first four innings. But the Barons break through in the 5th.
Vincent Colón leads off with a single and advances to second when Quinlevan Goldfinch draws a walk. After Jaojoco lays down a sac bunt to advance the runners, Roberto Ríos singles towards left centerfield. 2B Dwane Stace is able to knock it down but can’t make a throw, allowing Colón to score and Goldfinch to reach third base.
Alan Tennant smacks a single down the first base line. Although 1B Harry Doxey is able to corral it, Tennant beats out the tag while Goldfinch scores.
An Aaron Skidmore double and a Bob Goodyear single score two more runs before Sherwin Carasig grounds into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning.
Stratford 4 – Cobourg 0

Bottom of the 5th:

Cobourg gets on the board when Dwayne Stace leads off with a four-pitch walk and then reaches third base on an Alberto León sac bunt and a John Medley 6-3 ground out. Rizalino Ringor follows with a single into shallow right field, scoring Stace.
Stratford 4 – Cobourg 1

Bottom of the 9th:

Unable to get anything going against Jaojoco, the Red Stockings finally break through when he is relieved by RHP Kai Torr.
Harry Doxey leads off with a double, followed by back-to-back walks to Nathan Ashman and Dwayne Stace, loading the bases. Doxey scores when PH Bernie Vantassell hits into a 6-4 fielder’s choice, while Ashmore scores when John Medley grounds out to 1B Bob Goodyear.
Rizalino Ringor singles into left centerfield. Vantassell reaches third and heads for home. CF Sherwin Carasig tries to throw him out at the plate, but Vantassell beats the tag to tie up the game.
After Ringor steals second base, the Barons elect to intentionally walk Raymond Williams. Alexander Tolmie battles Torr to a full count then drives a single over the head of defensive replacement SS Jeff Houston. Ringor races home from second without a throw for the winning run as Cobourg comes back in dramatic fashion to take Game 2.
FINAL: Stratford 4 – Cobourg 5





Player of the Game: RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco pitched a great game but the Barons were unable to hold on to the lead. He went 7.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 4 K, 131 PI (0-0, 1.23 ERA, GS: 67).

RHP Kai Torr was unable to hold onto the lead and took the loss, going went 1.1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 0 K, 45 PI (0-1, 1 BS, 27.00 ERA).

Alan Tennant went 2 for 3 with 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB.

For Cobourg:

RHP Alberto León went 7.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 114 PI (0-0, 5.14 ERA; GS: 46).

RHP Marcus Turvill picked up the win, going 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 33 PI (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

LF Rizalino Ringor went 2 for 5, with 1 R, 2 RBI.

--------

Game 3 – April 3

The Eastern Pennant Series moves to Bosworth Field in Stratford for Game 3, with 26,156 faithful fans ready cheer on after a dispiriting first two games. As hot as it was in Cobourg on the east coast, its even hotter in the interior. Beautiful, clear skies and heat (85F) greet the players, with the wind blowing out to left at 12 mph.

25-year old New Zealander RHP Ted Smith (19-7, 3.50 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 101 ERA+) makes his first career playoff appearance as he tries to get the Barons back into the Series. Cobourg counters with 24-year old RHP Bobby Williams (11-4, 3.81 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 94 ERA+), who will also makes his playoff debut.

Top of the 1st:
With two out Raymond Williams gets the Red Stockings on the board first with a monster solo home run, 428 ft into the right centerfield stands. It’s the first home run of the Series.
Cobourg 1 – Stratford 0

Bottom of the 1st:

The Barons answer right back. Lead off hitter Roberto Ríos lines a single into left field. Alan Tennant then draws a walk, moving Ríos to second. With one out, Bob Goodyear jumps on a 3-1 pitch and sends it 384 ft. into the right field bleachers for a 3-run home run, giving Stratford the lead.
Cobourg 1 – Stratford 3

Bottom of the 3rd:

Stratford continues to give RHP Williams fits as Sherwin Carasig and Andy Faulkner lead off with back-to-back walks (with Carasig stealing second without a throw to boot). With one out, Quinlevan Goldfinch hits it to SS John Medley. But Medley’s throw to 2B Dwayne Stace is off the mark, allowing Goldfinch to reach safely and load the bases.
Next up is starter Ted Smith, who gets a standing ovation from an awed crowd after he cranks out a 3-run triple into the right field corner. An unnerved Williams then uncorks a wild pitch during Roberto Ríos’ at-bat, allowing Smith to score the Barons’ seventh run. After Alan Tennant draws another walk with two out, manager Nicholas Willis sees enough and relieves Williams with LHP Ethan Hoyes who gets out of inning with a flyout from Aaron Skidmore.
Cobourg 1 – Stratford 7

Bottom of the 4th:

But Stratford keeps up the pressure. Bob Goodyear leads off with first-pitch double, while Sherwin Carasig and Andy Faulkner draw back-to-back walks to load the bases. Walter Beauvis hits into a 6-4 fielder’s choice, but Goodyear scores on the play. Quinlevan Goldfinch grounds into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning as Cobourg limits the damage.
Cobourg 1 – Stratford 8

Top of the 7th:

Harry Doxey leads off with single into leftfield while Nathan Ashman draws a walk. With one out, pitcher Ethan Hoyes attempts to lay down a sac bunt but RHP Ted Smith throws out Doxey at third base. John Medley then draws a four-pitch walk to load the bases. Rizalino Ringor comes through with a single into right centerfield. Ashman scores easily on play. Ethan Hoyes reaches third and is waved home. He scores easily as well as CF Sherwin Carasig doesn’t risk the throw home.
Cobourg 3 – Stratford 8

Top of the 9th:

RHP Alonso Martínez relieves Ted Smith to start the inning, but Alexander Tolmie immediately starts off with a single while Jason Lymer follows with a double, putting runners on second and third. Harry Doxey singles for the third time in the game scoring both Tolmie and Lymer.

In the bottom of the 9th, RHP Martínez needs just five pitches to retire the side, as John Medley grounds out to 1B Bob Goodyear, Rizalino Ringor flies out to LF Roberto Ríos and Raymond Williams grounds out to 2B Quinlevan Goldfinch to end the game. The Barons get in the win column for the first time in the series.
FINAL: Cobourg 5 – Stratford 8





Player of the Game: Bob Goodyear enjoyed a big day, racking up 6 total bases.

Ted Smith got the win, going 7.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 0 K, 1 HR, 104 PI (1-0, 3.86 ERA; GS: 50). He also went 1 for 3 at the plate, with 1-3B, 1 R, 3 RBI.

For Cobourg:

Stratford was not kind to Bobby Williams, as he went just 2.2 IP, 4 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 7 BB, 0 K, 93 PI (0-1, 20.25 ERA; GS: 13).

Harry Doxey went 3 for 4 with 2 RBI.

--------

Game 4 – April 4

The Barons look to even things up after an impressive Game 3 performance. 26,208 return to Bosworth Field to help their team do just that. The weather is doing its part: clear, sunny skies once again (74F) with the wind blowing out to center at 13 mph.

Both starters are making their first playoff appearance. 32-year old rookie RHP Edward Skerrett (3-3, 3.19 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 3.68 FIP) spent most of the season in the minors before team injuries forced his callup. 26-year old RHP Harry Dinsmore (13-9, 3.75 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 95 ERA+), who enjoyed the best season of his five-year career, will try to return the momentum back to the Red Stockings.

Bottom of the 2nd:
Sherwin Carasig leads off with a double into rightfield. Two outs later, Quinlevan Goldfinch slaps it out to SS John Medley but Medley can’t corral it allowing Goldfinch to reach first base and Carasig to reach third. Pitcher Edward Skerrett then singles into leftfield, scoring Carasig for the game’s first run.
Cobourg 0 – Stratford 1

Bottom of the 5th:

Dinsmore runs into trouble in the 5th. Aaron Skidmore leads off with a solo home run, 387 ft. down the right field line.
Bob Goodyear immediately follows with a first-pitch single. Then both Sherwin Carasig and RF Andy Faulkner are draw walks to load the bases. Walter Beauvais flies out to CF Raymond Williams. Goodyear tags up and beats out the throw to score Stratford’s third run.

In the bottom of the 9th, Edward Skerrett is given the chance to close out the game. Raymond Williams leads off and flies out to CF Sherwin Carasig. Alexander Tolmie singles into right field but RF Andy Faulkner cuts him down at second base with a missile as Tolmie tried to stretch his hit. Lastly, Skerrett gets Jason Lymer to fly out to Faulkner to close out his remarkable complete game win as Stratford evens the Series.
FINAL: Cobourg 0 – Stratford 3





Player of the Game: Easy pick here, as Edward Skerrett was sensational in his first playoff game, going 9.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 108 PI (1-0, 0.00 ERA; GS: 79).

For Cobourg:

Harry Dinsmore started off well but seemed to run out of steam in the 5th inning. In all, he went 4.2 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 6 BB, 3 K, 1 HR, 127 PI (0-1, 3.86 ERA; GS: 35).

Nathan Ashman went 2 for 3.

--------

Game 5 – April 5

Two consecutive home wins have swung the momentum over to Stratford’s favor. The Barons look to keep that momentum going with another home win, where 25,851 have returned to Bosworth Field to cheer them on. The skies are clear, the temperature has shot up to 77F with the wind blowing right to left (10 mph) at game time.

The Game 1 starters meet again: RHP Bill Wolf (0-1, 5.14 ERA) looks to get in the win column himself, while Cobourg’s RHP Fergus Hirst (1-0, 1.00 ERA) sets his sights simply on righting the Red Stockings’ faltering ship.

Top of the 1st:
The Red Stockings strike early as John Medley leads off with a single into rightfield. With one out, Raymond Williams and Alexander Tolmie draw back-to-back walks to load the bases. Jason Lymer then steps up and sends a deep fly ball to right field. Medley tags up at third and scores without a throw.
Cobourg 1 – Stratford 0

Bottom of the 1st:

The Barons strike back when Roberto Ríos leads off with a single into shallow right field. Alan Tennant battles Hirst to a full count before doubling into left centerfield. Ríos races home from second and ties up the game unmolested.
With one out, C Lymer gives up a passed ball, allowing Tennant to reach third. Tennant then scores when Bob Goodyear ground outs to SS John Medley, giving Stratford the lead.
Cobourg 1 – Stratford 2

Top of the 3rd:

Cobourg puts up a crooked number as John Medley leads off with a single, then advances to second when Rizalino Ringor is given a free pass. Raymond Williams grounds into a 4-6 fielder’s choice, putting runners on the corners. With two out, Jason Lymer comes through with a double. Medley ties it up easily, while Williams rounds third and beats out CF Sherwin Carasig’s throw home to give the lead back to Cobourg.
Harry Doxey singles into leftfield, scoring Lymer from second.
The Red Stockings are not quite done. A Nathan Ashman single and a Dwayne Stace walk load the bases. Fergus Hirst then helps his own cause, singling into deep right centerfield. That scores two more runs as Cobourg takes a solid lead.
Cobourg 6 – Stratford 2

Bottom of the 3rd:

Hirst strikes out both Roberto Ríos and Alan Tennant but Aaron Skidmore gets all of a 3-2 pitch, sending it 378 ft. into the leftfield bleachers for a solo home run.
Cobourg 6 – Stratford 3

Top of the 4th:

Alexander Tolmie doubles into rightfield with one out. After advancing to third on a Jason Lymer ground out to 2B Quinlevan Goldfinch, Tolmie scores on a Harry Doxey single. That ends Bill Wolf’s afternoon, as RHP Norberto Ortíz comes on in relief.
Cobourg 7 – Stratford 3

Top of the 5th:

The onslaught continues as Cobourg loads the bases to start the inning, with back-to-back singles by Fergus Hirst and John Medley as well as a base on balls by Rizalino Ringor. Raymond Williams hits it out to 1B Bob Goodyear, but Goodyear bobbles the ball, allowing Williams to reach safely and Hirst to score.
With one out, Jason Lymer singles into left centerfield. Medley scores easily on the play. Ringor rounds third and beats out CF Sherwin Carasig’s throw home.
With two out, Nathan Ashman draws a walk, loading the bases once again. Dwayne Stace singles into deep right centerfield, scoring Williams for the inning’s fourth run. Lymer races past third and heads for home. But RF Andy Faulkner’s throw is right on target, cutting down Lymer at home to end the inning.
Cobourg 11 – Stratford 3

Top of the 9th:

Alexander Tolmie leads off with single into shallow leftfield. With one out, Harry Doxey doubles into left centerfield, moving Tolmie over the third base. Nathan Ashman follows him and grounds out to SS Alan Tennant. However, Tolmie scores on the play, padding Cobourg’s lead.

In the bottom of the ninth, RHP Carl Lampley, who relieved Fergus Hirst in the 8th, looks to put the Barons quietly to bed. He does so, getting PH Don North to pop out to 1B Harry Doxey, Alan Tennant to strike out and PH Thomas Lerwill to fly out to CF Raymond Williams. Cobourg’s takes the upper hand with the first road win of the series.
FINAL: Cobourg 12 – Stratford 3





Player of the Game: John Medley didn’t drive in any runs but did score three runs himself and collected 4 total bases.

Alexander Tolmie went 3 for 5 with 2 R, 1 BB.

Harry Doxey went 3 for 6 with 1 R, 2 RBI.

RHP Fergus Hirst picked up this second win, going 7.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 6 BB, 5 K, 142 PI (2-0, 2.16 ERA; GS: 54). At the plate, he went 3 for 5, with 1 R, 2 RBI.


For Stratford:

RHP Bill Wolf got roughed up pretty good, going just 3.2 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 5 BB, 1 K, 93 PI (0-2, 9.28 ERA; GS: 11).

RHP Norberto Ortíz didn’t far much better, going 3.1 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 1 K, 67 PI, 8.10 ERA.

--------

Game 6 – April 7

The Series returns to Cobourg, with the Red Stockings needing just one more victory to wrap things up. Radcliffe Field is decked out once again with bunting as 25,419 fans came early to soak in their team’s playoff run. There’s not a cloud in sight anywhere along the east coast. The temperature is a balmy 75F and the wind is blowing out to center at 10 mph.

The Game 2 starters are called on to face each other once again. Neither Cobourg’s 31-year old RHP Alberto León (0-0, 5.14 ERA) nor Stratford’s RHP Magtanggol Jaojoco (0-0, 1.23 ERA) got the win last time, but Jaojoco won Player of the Game honors. The Barons hope he will be just as effective as they look to keep the Series alive.

Top of the 1st:
Roberto Ríos leads off the game and hits it out to 1B Harry Doxey. Doxey drops to one knee but can’t find the handle. He doesn’t risk the throw as Ríos reaches first base safely. The bases quickly become loaded when Alan Tennant and Aaron Skidmore draw back-to-back walks. Bob Goodyear grounds into a 4-6-3 double play, but Ríos scores on the play to get the Barons on the board early.
Stratford 1 – Cobourg 0

Bottom of the 3rd:

John Medley leads off and reaches safely when 1B Bob Goodyear cannot hang onto the throw from SS Alan Tennant. With one out, Raymond Williams comes through with a double all the way down the leftfield line. Medley races around second and third and heads for home, beating out LF Roberto Ríos’ throw to tie up the game.
After Alexander Tolmie flies out leftfield, Jason Lymer smashes a 3-1 pitch from Jaojoco 385 ft. into the right field stands for a two-run home run.
Stratford 1 – Cobourg 3

Bottom of the 5th:

Raymond Williams launches another Jaojoco offering 401 ft. into the same delirious right field stands for a two-out solo home run.
Stratford 1 – Cobourg 4

Bottom of the 7th:

Rizalino Ringor leads off with a single then reaches third base when Alexander Tolmie lines a double into deep centerfield. With two out, Harry Doxey battles Jaojoco to a full count before cranking out a line drive single into centerfield, scoring both Ringor and Tolmie.
Stratford 1 – Cobourg 6

Bottom of the 8th:

RHP Alonso Martínez relieves Jaojoco to start in the bottom half and gets two quick outs. But John Medley bloops a single into shallow centerfield. After Rizalino Ringor draws a walk, Raymond Williams singles down the first base line. Medley blows past third and races towards home. RF Sherwin Carasig’s throw is not in time as Medley adds to the Red Stockings’ lead.

In the top of the 9th, Alberto León tries to block out the ever-increasing cheers from the home crowd as he looks to close things out. Up first is Aaron Skidmore, who grounds out to 2B Dwayne Stace on the first offering. Bob Goodyear lines out to LF Rizalino Ringor as he races in to catch it. Finally, Sherwin Carasig hits the first pitch back to León, who cleanly throws to 1B Harry Doxey for the third and final out. The Cobourg Red Stockings close out the series to win their first Eastern League Pennant and move on to the United Cup!
FINAL: Stratford 1 – Cobourg 7





Player of the Game: Alberto León was just outstanding, not giving up an earned run all afternoon: 9.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 4 K, 123 PI, (1-0, 2.25 ERA; GS: 81)

Jason Lymer went 2 for 4 with 1 HR, 1 R, 2 RBI.

Harry Doxey went 3 for 4 with 1-2B, 2 RBI

For Stratford:

Magtanggol Jaojoco just couldn’t keep the Red Stocking off the board but that could be said of the entire team today. He went 7.0 IP, 11 H, 6 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 2 HR, 117 PI (0-1, 2.51 ERA; GS: 39).

--------



__________________
United Leagues of Braeland

Last edited by reds1; 05-17-2020 at 10:51 PM.
reds1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-21-2020, 03:42 AM   #579
reds1
Hall Of Famer
 
reds1's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 3,854


Wolseley Unions (87-67) vs. Cambria Cannons (85-69)
Season Matchup: 8-7 in favor of Wolseley

Wolseley: Runs scored – 547 (8th in West); runs against – 506 (1st)
Cambria: Runs scored – 667 (1st); runs against – 644 (6th)

The Wolseley Unions are unquestionably the most successful franchise in the United Leagues’ recent history. They qualified for the playoffs for the seventh straight year (the Kingston Pelicans hold the record for 10 straight playoff appearances) and have won the Western League Pennant four seasons in a row. That streak matches both the Kingston Pelicans and Brunswick Legends – and all three teams have won the United Cup three times as well. But no team has won the United Cup three years in a row. The Unions now have the chance to be the first. And having won three of the last four Cups, Wolseley can strengthen their case as being the most successful franchise, period.

Facing them this year for the Pennant are the Cambria Cannons, who led the Western League for most of the season until Wolseley overtook them in the final month. The Cannons’ greatest success came earlier in United Leagues history, when they reached the playoff four straight seasons, winning two Pennants and one United Cup. Their return to the playoffs this season ends an eight-year drought.

The Unions’ strength this season has been their pitching, which was tops in the United Leagues, while their offense ranked among the worst. Not helping matters is the loss of 23-year old 1B Carlos Ortíz (.276/.348/.390, 13 HR, 53 RBI, 55 BB, 3.0 WAR) for at least a part of the Pennant Series. He fractured a rib in mid-February. Taking his place at the start will be 26-year old Alan Cavell (.242/.292/.309, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 11 BB, -0.3 WAR), whose speed will see him bat either in the second spot (RHP) or lead off (LHP).

The Cannons by contrast, were tops in the West on offense while they lagged behind most of the other teams in pitching. Not helping is the loss of 35-year old C Heung-su Park (.300/.381/.514, 20 HR, 82 RBI, 51 BB, 5.7 WAR) to a groin injury. Filling in for him in the playoffs will be 26-year old Min-gook Lee (.309/.342/.450, 5 HR, 23 RBI, 7 BB, 1.5 WAR). He will bat out of the no. 5 spot in the lineup.

The clubs’ managers are very similar to one other in that they are both temperamental. But where they differ is in their experience. 53-year old Tony Fay has been at the helm of the Unions since Day 1 in 1937 and has a proven track record. On the other hand, 55-year old Benjamin Sadler is in his first year as a field manager, after spending eight years as a bench coach with four different clubs.

With the Unions looking to burnish their claim for greatness and the Cannons out to revenge the loss of first place, the battle for the Western League Pennant should be a dandy. Play ball!

--------

Game 1 – March 31

The Series opens at Wolseley’s Satchel Paige Park for the fourth straight year and 30,400 fans on hand to cheer on their Unions. The skies are partly cloudy, the heat is on (79F) all along the west coast with a breeze blowing out to right at 12 mph.

29-year old veteran RHP Jeremy Albury (6-4, 2.33 ERA, 1.14 WHIP – career playoffs) will make his 14th playoff start for Wolseley, while Cambria’s 33-year old LHP Ricardo Cruz makes his playoff debut.

Bottom of the 1st:
Wolseley gets something going right off the hop, as Alan Cavell leads off with a double and Make-Make Kamaka follows with a single, putting runners on the corners. Carlton Hawking hits into a 6-4-3 double play but Cavell scores on the play.
Cambria 0 - Wolseley 1

Top of the 3rd:

Cambria gets on the board when rookie Sam Tite slams a solo home run 379 ft. into the leftfield stands with one out.
Cambria 1 - Wolseley 1

Bottom of the 4th:

Carlton Hawking leads off with a four-pitch walk and reaches third when George Kimpton follows him with a double lined into right-centerfield. Éric Denis then doubles into centerfield off the first pitch, scoring both Hawking and Kimpton.
Cambria 1 - Wolseley 3

Bottom of the 5th:

Alan Cavell leads off with a walk and reaches third base on a sac bunt by Make-Make Kamaka and a ground out by Carlton Hawking. George Kimpton then lines a single into centerfield scoring Cavell.
Cambria 1 - Wolseley 4

Bottom of the 6th:

Owen Claridge draws a walk with one out and reaches second when Howard Ockey grounds out to 2B Wenceslas Jasmin. Jeremy Albury then singles into leftfield. Claridge rounds third and beats out the throw from LF Ichizo Ando for the Unions’ fifth run.
Cambria 1 - Wolseley 5

Bottom of the 8th:

Éric Denis leads off with a four-pitch walk. That ends Ricardo Cruz’s afternoon as he is relieved by RHP Philip Stranaghan.
Paddy Leseburg lays downs a bunt. Stranaghan throws hard to 2B Wenceslas Jasmin but its off-target, allowing Denis to reach second safely. Wolseley loads the bases when Owen Claridge singles into shallow right field. Howard Ockey battles Stranaghan to a full count before drawing a walk to force in Denis.
With two out, Alan Cavell flies out to LF Ichizo Ando. Leseberg tags up and scores without a throw.

In the top of the 9th, LHP Axel MacKay comes in to close things out. Seung-jae Park grounds out to SS George Kimpton on the first pitch, Wenceslas Jasmin strikes out swinging and Ichizo Ando flies to LF Carlton Hawking to end the game. The Unions take the first game comfortably at home.
FINAL: Cambria 1 - Wolseley 7





Player of the Game: Jeremy Albury kept all but one of the Cambria hitters off the board, going 7.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 1 HR, 98 PI (1-0, 1.23 ERA; Game Score: 67)

George Kimpton went 2 for 4, 1 RBI, 1 R.

For Cambria:

Ricardo Cruz got worn down by the Unions’ bats, going 7.0 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 6 BB, 2 K, 107 PI (0-1, 7.71 ERA; GS: 31)

--------

Game 2 – April 1

The Unions look to take the first two games, as 30,275 fans cheer them on. Its 72F, partly cloudy with the wind blowing out to left at 10 mph.

The two starters are no strangers to the playoffs. Wolseley’s 34-year old RHP Bill Blair (6-3, 2.85 ERA, 1.35 WHIP) will be making his 13th career playoff start (split between Stratford and Wolseley). For Cambria, LHP Hirotada Fukushima (7-6, 3.16 ERA, 1.42 WHIP) will make his 16th playoff start and his first with the Cannons. The 38-year old Fukushima previously pitched for the Brunswick Legends in the playoffs from 1941 to 1946.

Bottom of the 1st:
The Unions get something going right off the hop as they did in Game 1, as Alan Cavell and Make-Make Kamaka lead off with back-to-back singles. After Carlton Hawking grounds into a 6-4-3 double play to put runners on the corners, George Kimpton draws a four-pitch walk to load the bases. Éric Denis then singles into shallow right field, scoring Cavell for the game’s first run.
Cambria 0 - Wolseley 1

Bottom of the 2nd:

Owen Claridge leads off and hits it out to second base. Weceslas Jasmin is unable to corral it, allowing Claridge to reach safely. But Claridge is forced out at second when Howard Ockey hits into a fielder’s choice. With two out, Alan Cavell singles into left centerfield. Ockey races around second and reaches third, beating out CF Sam Tite’s throw. Make-Make Kamaka singles into shallow right field, scoring Ockey.
Cambria 0 - Wolseley 2

Bottom of the 5th:

Make-Make Kamaka leads off with his third single of the game while Carlton Hawking reaches safely on a walk. George Kimpton then singles into left field. Kamaka rounds third and scores without a throw from LF Ichizo Ando.
Hawking then advances to third base when Éric Denis hits into a 4-6-3 double play. Paddy Leseberg follows with a line drive single into right field to bring home Hawking.
Cambria 0 - Wolseley 4

Top of the 6th:

Cambria get a run on the board when Luis Torres and Carlos Corea bang out back-to-back doubles with one out.
Cambria 1 - Wolseley 4

Top of the 8th:

With two out, Carlos Corea jumps all over Bill Blair’s first offering, sending it 371 ft. into the leftfield bleachers for a solo home run.

In the top of the 9th, Blair seeks to close out the Cannons. But Cambria makes it interesting. Seung-jae Park singles, then reaches third base when Wenceslas Jasmin cranks out a line drive double into the gap in right centerfield with one out.
But Ichizo Ando strikes out swinging on three pitches and PH Jay Durham flies out to RF Howard Ockey to end the threat and the game. Wolseley finds itself sitting pretty after two games as the Series shifts to Cambria.
FINAL: Cambria 2 - Wolseley 4





Player of the Game: Bill Blair gets the complete game win, going 9.0 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 1 HR, 110 PI (1-0, 2.00 ERA; GS: 65).

Make-Make Kamaka went 3 for 4, with 1 RBI, 1 R.

For Cambria:

Hirotada Fukushima was the second Cambria pitcher to get roughed up. His line was 6.0 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 1 K, 105 PI (0-1, 4.50 ERA; GS: 35).

Carlos Corea went 2 for 4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R.

--------

Game 3 – April 3

Alexander Field hosts a playoff game for the first time since April 4, 1945, almost eight years to the day. The Series shifts to Cambria as 24,530 fans hope their team’s fortunes shift to the better as well. Its partly cloudy, 73F, with the wind blowing out to center (11 mph).

The two clubs’ aces will face each other. Cambria’s 23-year old LHP Bill Southon, will make his first playoff appearance. 27-year old RHP Roberto Garza (3-0, 2.92 ERA, 1.18 WHIP) makes his fifth playoff start, after having a sensational playoff run last year.

Bottom of the 4th:
The hitters are kept at bay until the 4th. Min-gook Lee’s hits it out to SS George Kimpton, but his throw is low and 1B Alan Cavell is unable to control it, allowing Lee to advance to second. Lee then advances to third on a Seung-Jae Park ground out to 2B Make-Make Kamaka. Wenceslas Jasmin singles sharply to right field, scoring Lee to open the scoring.
Wolseley 0 – Cambria 1

Bottom of the 6th:

Carlos Corea lines a single into left centerfield to lead off and César Ruíz reaches on a walk. After advancing on a Seung-jae Park ground out, Corea and Ruíz both score when Wenceslas Jasmin lines a double into left centerfield.

Bill Southon looks to close things out in the top of the 9th. Carlton Hawking leads off with a single into leftfield, but George Kimpton strikes out and Éric Denis grounds into a 6-4-3 double play to end the game. Cambria gets back into the Series.
FINAL: Wolseley 0 – Cambria 3





Player of the Game: Bill Southon comes up big in his first playoff outing. He went 9.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 114 PI (1-0, 0.00 ERA; GS: 82).

Wenceslas Jasmin goes 2 for 3, 1-2B, 3 RBI.

For Wolseley:

Roberto Garza pitched well himself, but the offense didn’t come through for him. He goes 8.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 111 PI (0-1, 2.25 ERA; GS: 60).

--------

Game 4 – April 4

The Cannons took advantage of their home field to pull off an impressive victory yesterday and look for more in Game 4. 24,511 are back at Alexander Field that looks out onto Cardigan Bay in the south-west corner of Braeland. The skies are clear, 74F, with the wind blowing out to center (11 mph).

Cambria’s 27-year old RHP Masami Fujihara, a former 8th-round pick from 1944-45, makes his first playoff start. On the other hand, 33-year old RHP Aaron Saunderson (4-6, 2.50 ERA, 1.28 WHIP) will make his 12th career playoff start and his third for the Unions.

Bottom of the 4th:
The Cannons get to Saunderson in the 4th. Wenceslas Jasmin leads off with a line drive double into left field. With one out, Masami Fujihara singles into left centerfield. Jasmin tears around third and races for home. CF Owen Claridge’s throw home is not in time as Jasmin opens the scoring.
After Sam Tite walks on four pitches, Luis Torres singles into leftfield. Fujimara heads for third and is given the green light for home. He scores as LF Carlton Hawking’s throw arrives too late. Tite and Torres take advantage to move up to third and second respectively.
A Carlos Corea ground out and a line drive single by César Ruiz score two more runs.
Wolseley 0 – Cambria 4

Bottom of the 7th:

Seung-jae Park leads off with a single and reaches second on a sac bunt by Wenceslas Jasmin. With two out, Masami Fujihara gets his second run-scoring hit, lining a single in right field that scores Park. That ends Saunderson’s afternoon, as he is relieved by LHP Anastasio Rodríguez.
Wolseley 0 – Cambria 5

Top of the 8th:

Wolseley finally gets on the board in the 8th. Éric Denis leads off and slams the first pitch into right centerfield for a double. After Paddy Leseberg and Howard Ockey both strike out looking, Owen Claridge singles into right field. Denis reaches third and tries for home. RF Seung-jae Park throws it home but Denis beats out the throw to get the Unions a run.

In the top of the 9th, Masami Fujihara wraps things up quickly, getting three straight fly outs from Alan Cavell, Make-Make Kamaka and Carlton Hawking. The Cannons even things up with another impressive performance in a game that takes just 2 hrs, 14 min. to complete.
FINAL: Wolseley 1 – Cambria 5





Player of the Game: Masami Fujihara had a memorable playoff debut, going 9.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 88 PI (1-0, 1.00 ERA; GS: 79). At the plate, he went 2 for 3, 1 R, 2 RBI.

For Wolseley:

Aaron Saunderson pitched 6.2 IP, with 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 98 PI (0-1, 6.75 ERA; GS: 41).

--------

Game 5 – April 5

After surrendering 11 runs in the first two games played in Wolseley, the Cannons have limited the Unions to just a single run in Games 3 and 4. The Series continues one more time in Cambria with 24,290 fans hoping Alexander Field continues its hex on the defending champions. The sky is partly cloudy, its 74F with the wind blowing out to center at 10 mph.

Cambria’s LHP Ricardo Cruz (0-1, 4.50 ERA) will make his second playoff start and will look to avenge his Game 1 loss. RHP Jeremy Albury (1-0, 1.23 ERA) makes his 14th playoff start and will try to get his team back on track.

Top of the 3rd:
Alan Cavell triples into right field with one out. Next up is Make-Make Kamaka, who grounds out to SS Cesar Ruíz as Cavell comes home for the game’s first run.
Wolseley 1 – Cambria 0

Bottom of the 4th:

Luis Torres leads off and crushes a 1-2 pitch 407 ft. into the left field bleachers for a solo home run, tying up the game.
Wolseley 1 – Cambria 1

Top of the 6th:

Carlton Hawking and George Kimpton lead off with back-to-back singles. After advancing a base on an Éric Denis ground out to 1B Carlos Corea, Paddy Leseberg picks up an infield hit as Hawking scores on the play.
Wolseley 2 – Cambria 1

Bottom of the 8th:

Ichizo Ando doubles into centerfield with one out. With two out, Sam Tite lines a first-pitch single into left centerfield. Ando reaches third and breaks for home. LF Carlton Hawking’s throw home is not in time as Ando ties up the game and Tite takes second on the play.
Luis Torres follows with a double into leftfield, scoring Tite.
Carlos Corea then singles down the first base line on the first pitch he sees. Torres scores the insurance run as he beats out the throw from RF Howard Ockey.

In the top of the 9th, RHP Keith Roche comes on in relief of Ricardo Cruz. Owen Claridge leads off with a single into left field. But Howard Ockey flies out to CF Sam Tite, PH Blair Toman strikes out and Alan Cavell flies out to RF Seung-jae Park for the final out. Cambria takes three straight to take the upper hand as the Series heads back to Wolseley for Game 6.
FINAL: Wolseley 2 – Cambria 4





Player of the Game: Luis Torres enjoyed a big day at the plate, collecting 6 total bases.

Ricardo Cruz picked up his first playoff victory, going 8.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 119 PI (1-01, 4.80 ERA; GS: 61).

Carlos Corea went 2 for 4, 1 RBI.

For Wolseley:

Jeremy Albury pitched a credible game, but the Cannons got what they needed to pull out the victory. He went 8.0 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 95 PI (1-1, 2.93 ERA; GS: 56).

--------

Game 6 – April 7

The Unions were on a two-game winning streak when they left town on April 2 but come back home reeling from a three-game losing streak. Their backs are against the wall, but adversity is nothing new to Wolseley. Three years ago, the Unions were down three games to none to the Fort Richmond Generals before taking the next four to win their third pennant. With a view to seeing their team get back into the win column, 30,557 fans have packed Satchel Paige Park to cheer them on. The skies are clear, its 74F and the wind is blowing from left to right at 10 mph.

The pitchers from Game 2 meet again. RHP Bill Blair (1-0, 2.00 ERA) is tasked with getting the Unions back on track, while LHP Hirotada Fukushima (0-1, 4.50 ERA) has the chance to close things out for the Cannons.

Top of the 1st:
Cambria gets on the board quickly. Luis Torres singles with one out. He is followed by Carlos Corea, who connects on a 3-1 pitch from Blair, sending it 384 ft. into the leftfield stands for two-run home run.
Cambria 2 - Wolseley 0

Bottom of the 1st:

George Kimpton gets one back when leads off and launches a 3-2 pitch 343 ft. down the leftfield line for a solo home run.
Cambria 2 - Wolseley 1

Bottom of the 4th:

The Unions get to Fukushima. Carlos Ortíz, playing in his first game of the series, singles in leftfield on the first pitch with one out. After Éric Denis draws a walk, Paddy Leseberg lines a single into left centerfield. Ortiz rounds third base and heads for home. The throw from CF Sam Tite is not in time as Wolseley ties things up.
Owen Claridge singles to load the bases. Howard Ockey then flies out LF Ichizo Ando. Denis tags up and scores, beating out Ando’s throw.
Bill Blair comes up next, doubling on the first pitch into deep centerfield. Leseberg and Claridge come home but CF Sam Tite relays to 2B Wenceslas Jasmin who throws to 3B Luis Torres to cut down Bill Blair to end the inning.
Cambria 2 - Wolseley 5

Top of the 5th:

PH Jay Durham leads off and wrangles out a walk from Blair. Sam Tite then singles into right centerfield, putting runners on the corners. Up next is Luis Torres, who battles Blair to a full count before crushing a 3-run home run 412 ft. into the left centerfield bleachers, tying up the game.
Manager Tony Fay calls to the bullpen as RHP Shou-xin Chin comes on in relief. But Carlos Corea immediately doubles into right field and scores on a César Ruíz single, giving the lead back to Cambria.
Cambria 6 - Wolseley 5

Bottom of the 5th:

But the back and forth continues as RHP Leon Hankey comes on in relief of Fukushima. Wolseley jumps all over him, as Make-Make Kamaka walks with one out followed by back-to-back-to-back singles by Carlton Hawking, Carlos Ortíz and Éric Denis. That scores two runs, giving the lead back to the Unions.
After Paddy Leseberg walks to load the bases, Owen Claridge reaches safely on an infield hit, scoring Ortíz.
Cambria 6 - Wolseley 8

Bottom of the 6th:

George Kimpton leads off with a single, steals second on the next pitch, then reaches third when Make-Make Kamaka grounds out to SS César Ruíz. He scores the Unions’ ninth run when Carlton Hawking singles into leftfield, ending RHP Leon Hankey’s relief effort.

In the top of the 9th, Tony Fay elects to bring in Game 4 starter RHP Aaron Saunderson in relief of Shou-xin Chin to try and close out the game. He gets two quick outs as Ichizo Ando flies out to CF Owen Claridge and Jarod Dwyer grounds out to 1B Carlos Ortíz. Sam Tite comes through with a double into right field. But Luis Torres flies out to LF Carlton Hawking on the next pitch to end the threat and game. Wolseley’s bats come alive to tie up the series and force a deciding Game 7.
FINAL: Cambria 6 - Wolseley 9





Player of the Game: Despite the loss and making the final out, Luis Torres was hot once again, collecting 6 total bases.

It was a rough day for the pitchers all around. Hirotada Fukushima went 4.0 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 HR, 64 PI (7.20 ERA; GS: 29)

Leon Hankey blew the save and took the loss, going 1.1 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 48 PI (0-1, 27.00 ERA).

Carlos Corea went 2 for 4, 1 HR, 1-2B, 2 RBI, 2 R.

For Wolseley:

Bill Blair went 4.0 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 02 K, 73 PI (4.85 ERA; GS: 26)

Shou-xin Chin picked up the win. He went 4.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 49 PI (1-0, 1.93 ERA).

George Kimpton went 2 for 4, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB.

LF Carlton Hawking went 3 for 4, 1 RBI, 1 R.

--------

Game 7 – April 8

With the Eastern League Pennant just awarded to Cobourg, the country has turned all its attention to the Western League’s winner-take-all Game 7. So far, the home team has won every game. 30,277 fans at Satchel Paige Park are hoping that trend continues just once more. The weather shouldn’t be a factor: clear skies, 73F with the wind blowing left to right at 12 mph.

The two clubs’ No. 1 starters fittingly square off in this deciding game, just as they did in Game 3. RHP Roberto Garza (0-1, 2.25 ERA) looks to pick up his first win of the series while Cambria’s LHP Bill Southon (1-0, 0.00 ERA) would love to repeat his Game 3 shutout.

Top of the 1st:
Cambria strikes first when Luis Torres lines a double on the first pitch with one out. Carlos Corea battles Garza to a full count then singles into centerfield, scoring Torres.
Cambria 1 - Wolseley 0

Bottom of the 3rd:

With one out, Roberto Garza hits a grounder to 3B Luis Torres, but he mishandles it, allowing Garza to reach safely. George Kimpton then doubles into deep centerfield, allowing Garza to tie things up. Kimpton heads to third on the play and beats out the throw from CF Sam Tite. Make-Make Kamaka follows with a single into left centerfield to score Kimpton.
Cambria 1 - Wolseley 2

Bottom of the 8th:

Garza and Southon frustrate the hitters in the middle innings, but Wolseley scores another run when George Kimpton leads off with a walk and Carlton Hawking doubles to LF Ichizo Ando with one out. Kimpton scores on the play, but LF Ichizo Ando’s throw to 3B Luis Torres via SS César Ruíz nails Hawking when attempting to stretch his double.
Cambria 1 - Wolseley 3

Top of the 9th:

Roberto Garza looks to seal the win with Cambira down to their final three outs. But Sam Tite leads off with a triple into the gap in right center. Manager Tony Fay prevails upon RHP Aaron Saunderson just as he did in Game 6 to put out the fire. But Luis Torres connects on a 2-2 pitch for a double that bounces to the wall in right field, scoring Tite, while Carlos Corea follows with a sharp line drive single into centerfield, putting runners on the corners.
Saunderson gets César Ruíz to pop out to 1B Carlos Ortíz for the first out. But back-up catcher Min-gook Lee comes through, slicing a double into the right field corner. That scores Torres for the tying run. Corea is hot on Torres’ heels on the play and beats out RF Howard Ockey’s throw home for the go-ahead run.
Wolseley elects to intentionally walk Seung-jae Park. However, Wenceslas Jasmin singles into shallow centerfield to load the bases. Ichizo Ando then comes through with a single of his own into right field, scoring both Lee and Park.
Bill Southon, who now remains in the game, lays down a sac bunt to advance the runners. Tony Fay finally calls upon RHP John Palm to relieve Saunderson.
But Sam Tite, who started the inning, hits it to SS George Kimpton and beats out the throw for an infield hit, scoring Jasmin. Luis Torres then hits into a 5-4 fielder’s choice to end the inning with the Cannons now up by four.

In the bottom of the 9th with the Unions now facing elimination, Bill Southon looks to be the hero for Cambria. But Wolseley refuses to give up, as Éric Denis and Paddy Leseberg lead off with back-to-back singles. Owen Claridge flies out to LF Ichizo Ando for the first out. Denis tags up on the play and advances to third.
At this point, manager Benjamin Sadler brings in stopper RHP Keith Roche to complete the job. But Howard Ockey walks on four-straight pitches, loading the bases and bringing the tying run to the plate.
But Roche bears down, getting PH Blair Toman to fly to CF Sam Tite in shallow centerfield. George Kimpton comes to the plate and battles Roche to a full count. On the ninth pitch, Kimpton flies out to RF Seung-jae Park for the final out. The Cambria Cannons come from behind in dramatic fashion to win their first Western League Pennant in 11 years and are off to face the Cobourg Red Stockings for the United Cup!
FINAL: Cambria 7 - Wolseley 3





Player of the Game: A great effort by both starters, but Roberto Garza pitched a great game that ended up being squandered. He went 8.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 108 PI (2.25 ERA; GS: 69).

Aaron Saunderson couldn’t close things out this time. His line was 0.2 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 21 PI (0-2, 10.80 ERA, 1 BS)

George Kimpton went 2 for 4, 1 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB.

For Cambria:

Bill Southon kept the Cannons in the game, and they rewarded him big time with his second victory of the playoffs. He went 8.1 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 127 PI (2-0, 1.04 ERA; GS: 58).

Luis Torres sets the Western League playoff game record for doubles with three.

Sam Tite went 2 for 5, 1-3B, 1 RBI, 1 R.

Carlos Corea went 2 for 4, 1 RBI, 1 R.

--------



__________________
United Leagues of Braeland
reds1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-21-2020, 06:51 PM   #580
ralphieboy
Major Leagues
 
ralphieboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Winston-Salem, NC
Posts: 382
Wow, that must have been fun to play. Crazy 9th inning of a deciding game. It's nice to see some new blood in the finals.
ralphieboy is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
baseball, braeland, dynasty, fictional

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:27 AM.

 

Major League and Minor League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of Major League Baseball. Visit MLB.com and MiLB.com.

Officially Licensed Product – MLB Players, Inc.

Out of the Park Baseball is a registered trademark of Out of the Park Developments GmbH & Co. KG

Google Play is a trademark of Google Inc.

Apple, iPhone, iPod touch and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

COPYRIGHT © 2023 OUT OF THE PARK DEVELOPMENTS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.10
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright © 2020 Out of the Park Developments