Centurion comes...to OOTP5

[thebigUNIT]

Very impressive major league start .. it'll be interesting to see how I finish the year.

As for making a star.. how about Josh Pressley?

Also, for the third major league.. I would suggest cities only in Africa, Europe and Asia. That way no one has to worry about traveling TOO much, because then there would be no major ocean to cross. It'll be interesting to see where you go with this.

Good job and keep it up.

[Jordan]

ahahahahahaaha

Making A Star... P DIDDY!

thats classic

[darkcloud4579]

OWNERS CONVENE 3ML AND DISCUSS FUTURE PLANS
CHICAGO - The owners who met a month ago to discuss plans for a third major league, have announced plans to move forward with their league.

The owners stated their reasoning was based in part of the announcement by MLB to create its own MLB World starting in 2016, as the impetus to expand the game on the homefront.

"While the world league is admirable, we are convinced that building a league in the United States that is strong and well-supported is not only a noble goal, but something we must do." said Hunt, who was named Commissioner.

The league will be called Third Major League, the 3ML will be divided into two conferences, with single division alignment. "We want to bring back the days when baseball's playoffs were classic." Each conference will send its top two teams to the playoffs.

Hunt stated that clubs would be placed in "cities that have been neglected or abandoned by MLB, but also cities that they have deemed worthy and can sustain major league quality baseball".

The team will start with eight teams during its first season, which he says will begin in 2016. The league will play a 114-gm schedule and the championship series will be known as The Fall Classic. (tm)

"We felt that the name like that would give baseball fans something on which to relate the league to their normal baseball memory," said Hunt.

The Associated Press acquired the prospective teams and cities

EASTERN CONFERENCE
Cincinnati Reds
Florida Marlins
New York Skyliners
Montreal Expos

WESTERN CONFERENCE
Kansas City Royals
Milwaukee Brewers
California Angels
Chicago White Sox

Officials from Major League Baseball declined comment on the new league.

[darkcloud4579]

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL ANNOUNCES INTENTIONS TO SUE

NEW YORK - Major League Baseball today filed suit in US District Court against Third Major League, a fledging major league that intends to start next season, on the grounds of copyright infringment.

"The league has used names of franchises that are the property of Major League Baseball. Surely, a man like Lamar Hunt, would know this," said Board of Governor counsel Mark Shapiro.

"If the name is stolen, you gotta give us ours...swollen," said Johnny Cochran, who is acting as a consultant to the MLB "Dream Team" suit against 3ML.

The Third Major League has decided to establish franchises using the names of past Major League clubs. While Hunt says 3ML clubs will have different logos than those of major league ones that used to be in those cities, he believes that there is no copyright on the names, after those teams moved. "We're not stealing, if anything, we're trying to help these cities who have been robbed by Major League Baseball," he said.

Despite this, MLB officials are confident the court will grant a temporary restraining order, to ensure that the team names are not used and the league has to either rename its clubs or wait for the case to go to trial.

"We're not challenging their right to exist. The anti-trust exemption was repealed and so, they have a right to start their league," said Bob Costas, Board of Governors chair, who says he believes the leagues can work together.

"Baseball welcomes everyone and we're delighted that others want to join the majors. Its just a matter of whether or not, this league will be a legitimate major league," he said.


Update

JUDGE GRANTS INJUNCTION
NEW YORK - A US District Court judge granted an injunction today in the case of the Third Major League's usage of trademarked names of former major league clubs. "We are not here to settle disputes of leagues or their rivals. We are simply discussing the matter of trademarks and copyrights," said District Court Judge Mark Barringer.

Lamar Hunt, of the Third Major League says that despite the ruling, the league will go forward with its plans to place teams in cities. "We will be ready for next season!" he said in a press conference.

Despite his enthusiasm, reports are swirling that major backers of the league such as Charles Dolan, Michael Jordan and others, have been reportedly contacted by Major League Baseball, to become owners in its MLB World league. The MLB World league would negotiate its own television deal, rumored to be signficantly larger than the US major league contract. "This league has the potential to be huge. I don't see them competing with that with some rinky dink local league. Its just a case of bad timing, I think."

Hunt, who is an owner of four Major League Soccer (MLS) franchises, says he believes the single entity structure can work in baseball and he would fund the clubs himself if necessary.

"If he think that's going to work, then look at the fact that MLS isn't considered to be an elite league by anyone's standards," said Andrew Zimbalist, a sports economist.

Hunt is expected to meet with MLB officials in the next week or so considering markets and how the league will operate cohesively with the existing major league structure.

"We want this to be cordial and professional," said Costas.

[darkcloud4579]

Despite the drama, there is actually a season going on..

[darkcloud4579]

DEADLINE NEARS...WHO'S RUSTLING THE TRADE TREES?
With the July 31st trade deadline looming, teams are looking around to see who can help them for the late push towards division titles.

Let's take a look at the buyers and sellers market:

BUYERS
TORONTO BLUE JAYS The Jays are finally in contention again, but this time, the club doesn't want to falter down the stretch like it did three years ago. "There is a sentiment that the club is in a much better position and you'd be hard to argue against that." said one AL GM.

The team is looking for a bat to go in the middle of the lineup and perhaps another reliever. No matter what, everyone in the league is impressed with the club's acquisition of ace Kosta Nikolandis from Indianapolis for Bee-Bee Mfekenumi, who should be a front-line starter in the majors, but consensus was is that Nikolandis should live up to his nickname "Zeus".

BALTIMORE ORIOLES The "little club that could" is impressing everyone in a weak AL South, by hanging tough, only three games out of the division lead, late into the season. The club, which managed to shed over $30 million in payroll in the offseason through a series of trades, is back on the market, but this time as a buyer.

"Everyone knows that team is overacheving and if they go into August with that lineup, it might be catastrophe, if none of those players are hitting like they were in April," said an AL scout.

If the O's can acquire a strong left fielder and an arm to replace the void that was created when Jesse Foppert was traded, then this club will be a force to be reckoned with in the post-season.

WASHINGTON LEGENDS
Ownership in DC is getting fed up with "coming close and not making it happen," said one source. They're committed to doing anything they can to get the club into the playoffs including, "Hijacking the pennant, if necessary," said a source. The team needs infield help and is especially looking for what most teams lack these days - a dominant, front line starter.

"They're serious about making a run this year, so don't be surprised if they get aggressive," said an NL scout.

SELLERS
HOUSTON ASTROS
A team in limbo, the Astros started the year expecting to contend, but lack the tools - or the luck and are looking to sell whatever they can get. "This rebuilding project didn't quite work out like they expected, so they're going to implode and start again," said a source close to the club. With the 6th highest payroll in the majors, but 16 games out, you can expect that everything including the kitchen sink will be put on the block.

The most coveted player on the club is SP Ajani Russell who sports a modest 9-5 record with a 3.54 ERA, but won 16 games last year and struck out over 300 batters, makes him an attractive prospect for anyone willing to pay his $19 million annual salary and ponying up top prospects. Russell, 28, is out for three weeks with bone chips in his elbow, but that shouldn't stop any team for acquiring him, even with the injury. "He's that good," said the source.

NEW YORK METS
While they don't have a lot to sell, the club is hoping to acquire players that can help them contend next season. With a few prospects, with a nice mix of veteran players - and a lot of cash to dole out next year - the club is hoping it can reverse its prospects and get back on the path that won the franchise a World Series in 2011.

Look for SP Andy van Hekken, who was acquired earlier in the year from San Juan, to be a prime target of clubs needing solid pitching.

There are plenty of other players out there, who should change uniforms as the trade deadline approaches, stay tuned!

[darkcloud4579]

July 12, 2015
CLUB NEEDED CENTERFIELDER...PRESENCE
ST. LOUIS - Just five games out in the NL Central, the St. Louis Cardinals called on the player, who they brought into baseball and has become a future Hall of Famer in Cornell "Nelly" Haynes, Jr. Nelly was traded from the New Orleans Pelicans today for hard hitting left fielder Joe Borchard.

"We're thrilled to have Nelly back into the fold," said GM Walt Jocketty at the news. The club expects that he'll be back in the field at Minute Maid Park tonight for the club's game against the Houston Astros. "You know, its hot that I get to go back to the STL and help the Cardinals do their thing. We're gonna catch DC, so they betta watch out!" said Nelly.

Nelly, 35, is batting .278 with 14 homers and 60 RBI so far this season.

[darkcloud4579]

SWARM SEND SLUGGER SHOMBRIGHT...TO SAN DIEGO
SAN DIEGO - As if the best slugger of this era, Lars Heinreich wasn't enough, the San Diego Padres acquired another European bred slugger, Elton Shombright, recently from the San Juan Swarm in a three team deal, in which San Juan acquired staff ace Daniel Moore from San Diego and right-fielder Robert Fuller from Arizona, while sending a prospect to Arizona acquired from San Diego.

DC Note: I'd never actually seen the PC do a three-team trade before. It was really interesting that the computer managed to execute, what I think was a pretty good trade.

Shombright, 25, is an English Rightfielder with flair and amazing talent. The second pick of the 2013 draft, he hit 23 homers and had 67 RBI during his rookie season last year. He's already surpassed those numbers so far this year, currently hitting .303 with 28 homers and 82 RBI.

"We got ourselves a tour de force of a player," said Padres GM Tony Gwynn, who is also the club's manager. "We're going to be a tough team to beat," said Gwynn. If the club can manage to win the division, that is.

HAINKEL DAY-TO-DAY
Tokyo Aeros third baseman is day-to-day with a strained hamstring. The club brought up Stephen Juarez as a precautionary measure, but expect Hankiel to stay in the lineup.

[darkcloud4579]

JAYS PICK UP RUSSELL, LIM
One trade, $30 million, but two of the best of the game are headed to Toronto tonight, as the Toronto Blue Jays picked up Houston Astros ace Ajani Russell and Leftfielder Gerard Lim, who is a free agent at the end of the season, for outstanding outfield prospect David Daniels and starter David Greening.

"This trade represents not only our present, but our future," said Astros owner Drayton McClain. Daniels is a five-tool prospect that many regard as one of the best future prospects in the game. He's ranked 51st in Baseball America's Top 100 prospects.

Greening, 30, has spent the past 3 1/2 years in the Toronto organization going 57-43, after coming over in a trade from Cincinnati in 2012.

"We're excited about a player like David joining our club," said McClain.

Russell was regarded as the deadline pickup of the year and should return to action in about two to three weeks, says doctors. He's expected to help Toronto complete their journey for their first division title in the Modern Era and first overall since 1993, the year the club won the World Series.

"It's been a long time coming for our fans and we're really hoping this year is our year," said Jays GM Dave Stewart.

[thebigUNIT]

News to me.. how exactly did the computer pull a three-team trade off? I've never seen this happen, therefore I never could do it myself.

[darkcloud4579]

Okay, I should clarify.

A "three-team" trade even in baseball, really isn't a three team trade. Basically what happens is:

TEAM A trades wants a player from TEAM C

But TEAM C wants a player that TEAM B has

but the only way to get the player from TEAM B, is to give TEAM A the player it wants, because TEAM B has no need for that player.

Thus, TEAM A will trade a player to TEAM B and TEAM B will give TEAM A the player TEAM C wants, then TEAM C gives the player that TEAM A wants to them.

That's a three team trade.

So what happened in that case was, San Juan traded Shombright to San Diego. San Diego sent a pitcher and a prospect to San Juan. San Juan then sent the prospect to Nevada, for a veteran outfielder. That's a three team trade, because it was done immediately after the first one.

Confused yet?

[darkcloud4579]

Hi, I'm Sean "P-Diddy" Combs, and you're watching... STV!

WELCOME TO S-TV....HOME FOR SPORTS

On today's MAKING A STAR...we profile JOSH PRESSLEY of the high-flying Tokyo Aeros.

Josh came up with the New York Mets and always thought he'd play there. "Man, it was always like the thing, to get up to the majors and play in New York. That would've been hot. I always wanted to do that."

Then one day, he got a call, early in 2004, that he was going to Oregon. "I was tripped out. All I knew about the club is that it was an expansion team and they had just come off a pretty bad year. So, I was a little concerned, but everyone was telling me "DC, is the bomb..you're gonna be glad you're out there", and boy, they werent' kidding."

Josh exploded onto the season during his first full season in Oregon in 2005. He hit .362 with 27 homers and 125 RBI to lead the AL in batting. "Man, it was a whirlwind after that. Everyone was calling and they thought "damn, this guy must be special"

Special he was indeed. That season was the first of nine straight appearances, (his tenth came this year, after a break last season when he was traded ) in the All-Star game.

In 2007, he was 2nd in batting, first in Homers and RBI, just missing out on the triple crown. But his sweetest achievement came in 2008, when the Ems won their first of three straight World Series titles, a feat never accomplished in the Modern Era. "We were just clicking man, everything came together" he said about those days. Pressley, lead baseball in RBI every year during that WS run, topping over 160+ RBI every year from 2007-2010, offensive production that was unheard in baseball history, before he came along.
He hit .364 with 13 HRs during the Ems WS playoff runs, earning WS MVP honors during both years.

That's because prior to the 2010 playoff run, Oregon let him go, not willing to pay the monster contract that he was surely coming to expect. "I was willing to sign for less money to stay there. But not to take a huge pay cut. I knew DC was on his way out and with Centurion not running the club, they weren't going to put themselves into a sling of a huge contract. So, I knew it was time to go someplace else."

Where else more fitting than Texas, home of the huge A-Rod contract, to sign Pressley to a seven year deal worth over $167 million a year - which finishes up next year - "I never thought in a million years I'd ever make that kind of money," said Pressley, who said he still considers himself a simple kind of guy, from Arkansas.

His first season in Texas, he faced off against his old club en route to their third straight World Series title in the playoffs. "It was hard going back to Oregon, but the fans were understanding and didn't boo or anything," indeed, Pressley will likely become the first Emeralds player to have his number retired, "I'll go into the Hall as an Emerald, no doubt about that." says the star, having no delusions about his future resting place in the baseball annals.

Last season, with DC back in baseball and his new club needing a bonafide leader, he pulled the trigger on a blockbuster deal to acquire the star from Texas. "I was shocked when I heard about the trade. I wouldn't have accepted it, except for it was DC and I knew he was going to take good care of me. So far, he hasn't faileed me. Things here are awesome and fans in Japan are the best. Knowledgable and respectful" he said. He adds that his wife's parents are from Japan, so it was nice to be able tb bring her and their four children to Japan to live. "They're happy about it."

With him closing in on 400 homers, a career average over .340 and close to 2500 hits, 10 all-star games, 3 MVP awards (2008-10), and 3 World Series rings, what else could he possibly want? "Another ring, gotta have one for each of my kids. And maybe a Gold Glove, never got one of those."

That's all for MAKING A STAR for today. Got a star you want to see profiled? Contact us! PEACE!

[darkcloud4579]

MARINERS WORKING HARD TO CATCH TOKYO
SEATTLE - The Seattle Mariners acquired SP Mark Prior, who is having an all-star year, at 9-4 with 1.84 ERA and becomes a free agent at the end of the season. Los Angeles received 31 year old pitcher Francisco Garcia, who is 10-10 with a 4.36 ERA, but who is signed until 2021. He was in his first season with Seattle after signing a 7-year deal worth over $83 million.

August 1, 2015 updated
The Mariners signed Prior to a 4-year extension worth $63 million.

[darkcloud4579]

AND DOWN THE STRETCH THEY COME...

[thebigUNIT]

Originally posted by darkcloud4579
Okay, I should clarify.

Thanks for doing so.

[darkcloud4579]

A look at the standings looks like a few teams will be crossed off the history listings this year.

Only eight teams left in the Modern Era have never been to the playoffs, with less than a month left, three of those teams are in a position to shorten that list.

[darkcloud4579]

As we close in our first division title in franchise history, the Aeros organization is excited, however, still a little dismayed at the fact that this year's pitching is only average, rather than stellar.

"We're a little concerned that we might have problems, but hopefully the injury bug that afflicted us earlier in the year has gone away," said Dark Cloud.

The club expects to rest most of its starters once the club clinches a playoff spot. "I can't take any risks with this lineup," said manager Jesse Barfield.

That means the club gets a look at some key prospects and other players who may have a place in the future. "It's a good chance to see what these kids can do," said Dark Cloud.

[darkcloud4579]

When I first came to Tokyo, New Jersey offered me a trade for a player now departed - I've since traded him - for SP Casey Fossum.

Fossum, 37, was obviously a year younger when this deal was offered, but it was the beginning of last season and based on his previous season, I was under the impression that he was done.

Well, look at his numbers the past two years.
File this one under "the one that got away.."

[darkcloud4579]

TOKYO is an excited city. For the first time, baseball's playoffs will take place in Asia, as the 2015 ALDS with the Texas Rangers facing off against the Tokyo Aeros for the right to face the winner of the New Jersey v. Toronto series in the AL Championship Series

Sept. 27, 2015
Jesse Foppert only lasted 2 1/3 innings for Tokyo, shelled for five earned runs, as the Rangers took the first game in the series 8-2. Kai Soo Pouk went deep and had 2 RBI. Texas hurler Joel Kirsten struck out 14 en route to the Texas victory.

TEXAS LEADS 1-0

Other scores: (Road teams listed first)
Nevada 4 Pittsburgh 0
Washington 5 Atlanta 3
Toronto 6 New Jersey 3

[darkcloud4579]

AEROS GO DOWN AGAIN, THIS COULD BE A QUICK PLAYOFF TRIP

The game was close until Tokyo relief pitching got into the act. L. Vando gave up 4 earned in 2 2/3 innings to blow open a 2-1 game and give the Rangers their second straight win at Sony Field in Tokyo.

Roberto Gotay and Pete Navarette both had 3 RBI to give the Rangers a 2-0 Series lead, as the series heads to Texas.

Other Scores (Road Team listed first)
Nevada 4 Pittsburgh 7 (Tied 1-1)
Washington 1 Atlanta 7 (Tied 1-1)
Toronto 2 New Jersey 14 (Tied 1-1)