132 Random Debut League - 2024- (est 2019)

[majormet]

This is a new thread for my league which was under Tate Redinger. I feel invigorated by the league which is in it's sixth season but the thread that I created has been schizophrenic to say the least. It started as a "follow the player" thread, then went to capturing an ever expanding league, to following the team that Tate played for... Bottom line, I got more proficient with the uniforms, screenshots and the like, and the concept of the thread morphed.

I will start this thread at end of the June 2024 season and recap the league standings, players of the month and it will stay more focused

League Backstory - This started as a 40 team league and expanded each year and will go from 120 teams to 144 teams for 2025. The league has teams throughout North America. The original 30 major league teams are in the league and they are mixed with the expansion teams. There are a lot of teams in Canada and Mexico as well as their being teams in Bahamas, Aruba, Colombia, Venezuela, Dominican and Japan.

The original 30 teams did the initial draft and the first 10 teams were filled in with fictional players, which create the concept of "Famous Fictional" Famous Fictional are known people such as singers, actors, movie and TV characters, etc... each year I take pre-1965 players that had one good year and are usually made good by the sim when they were nobodies and rename them, so in 2025 draft Matt Gaetz will get drafted but he will be a renaming of an older player that was "nobody". It gets me to use the FaceGen to create the players. I will have an open thread for the 2024 draft for 2025 season if people want to request a player in the league, if it is a famous fictional I can create from web photos, but if they want to be in the league, they can email photo and whatever.

The 2020 expansion draft had the new teams filled up with some fictional players that were pure fictional, they are the only ones that ever entered the league.

The league is composed of 6 divisions in the AL and 6 in the NL, with 10 teams expanding to 11 in each division. Each Division champ and 2 wild cards make the 16 team playoff and they play a sweet sixteen type of playoff format.

The league plays like NCAA basketball a little bit, with this many teams and that many teams per division. I will be making the next 12 teams international with teams going to London, Paris, Amsterdam, Rome, Dublin, Barcelona, Moscow, Beijing, Melbourne, Bora Bora, Lagos and Tel Aviv. Since this already has science fiction elements to it with teams in places like Foxwoods, Key West, Branson, and Wall Street.. these teams will be added randomly into the existing divisions so Bora Bora could end up in the AL East.

I find with a 132 expansion league, every player gets optimized to have a career, and the fictional famous players that are added at 20-25 players per year are a needle in the haystack. With 66 teams in each league, with the 132 team format, teams only play each other for one series per year and 12 teams just don't meet at all. Also random

Rules of the league are DH in both league, no extra inning baserunner rule, no batter min for relievers.

I have controlled the Utah Saints which won the 2023 World Series, but the thread is not about them or anything more than the league

Since I started this league and posting this is what fascinates me and these are the things I will cover besides the monthly reports of standings, league leaders and players of the month, as well as the playoff coverage

1. Trades - I love trades and analyzing them and putting their baseball cards on the thread. I love the randomness of the trade and being creative to write the story and have player interviews.

2. Drafts - Unlike the MLB draft in real life, these drafts are fun when you know the outcome of players and mix in some fictional famous and it is even more fun in some way. Like Indianapolis in 2020 inexplicably drafted Deacon Phillippe first overall and how someone like Nolan Ryan slips to the 3rd round with 120 teams drafting. Or how with 120 teams in the league Ross Geller and Joey Tribbiani got drafted by the Detroit Tigers.

3. Managers/Coaches - something I always find fun is the hiring and firing of managers/coaches and GM's, and really love the aspect of retired players reincarnation randomly as field personnel. Mel Gibson is the GM of the Wichita team. Larry Andersen is the manager of the Dodgers. These kinds of moves make the league fun

4. Brawls - I usually will pick a brawl that has some kind of interesting player in it and make a story around it

5. Achievements - to me one of the things I got lost in was recapping every 5 hit game, every 3 homer game, every 6 hit shutout, to me I have found recapping special games like no hitters, 6 hits or more, 4 homers or more, 18 K's or more is fun. It makes me focus on teams for that moment and building stories around those games

6. Milestones - always something newsworthy, especially when guys who could have been special are getting second chances like Jose Fernandez, Lyman Bostock, Ken Hubbs.....

7. Retirements - also fun as you can memorialize a player and sum up their career.

8. Free Agent signings/Contract Extensions - love it when teams overpay for a guy. Paulie Walnuts got 81 million from the Giants over 5 years and has not had more than 13 wins in a season.

9. League History - always like to create a registry of all the award winners and champions at the end of each season to appreciate the history.


Bottom line, it took a schizo thread to find my voice and what I really like, call it regression to a time when life was innocent and tame. This thread will be more cohesive and have single focus.

[majormet]

To give context to the first 5 years

2023 - Awards and History
Here is the update almanac with current winners

World Champions

2019 - Washington Nationals
2020 - Seattle Mariners
2021 - Miami Marlins
2022 - Detroit Tigers
2023 - Utah Saints

MVP Winners

American League

2019 - Hank Greenberg/Minnesota Twins
2020 - Chuck Klein/Los Angeles Angels
2021 - Rogers Hornsby/Oakland Athletics
2022 - Doc Miller/Tampa Bay Rays
2023 - Ed Konetchy/San Juan Storm

Konetchy (66 HR 185 RBI .359)


National League

2019 - George Davis/Cincinnati Reds
2020 - Bobby Thomson/New York Mets
2021 - George Davis/Cincinnati Reds
2022 - Hal Trosky/Miami Marlins
2023 - George Van Haltren/St Louis Cardinals

Van Haltren (32 HR 100 RBI .387 18-4, 2.79 ERA)


Cy Young

American League

2019 - Frank Killen/Boston Red Sox
2020 - Cy Blanton/New York Yankees
2021 - Schoolboy Rowe/Seattle Mariners
2022 - Christy Mathewson/Toronto Blue Jays
2023 - Mike Smith/Minnesota Twins

Smith (22-7 1.72 ERA)


National League

2019 - Pete Donohue/Cincinnati Reds
2020 - Kevin Millwood/Washington Nationals
2021 - Noodles Hahn/Colorado Rockies
2022 - Noodles Hahn/Colorado Rockies
2023 - Noodles Hahn/Colorado Rockies

Hahn (25-2, 1.64 ERA)


Rookie of the Year

American League

2019 - Del Ennis/Texas Rangers
2020 - Chuck Klein/Los Angeles Angels
2021 - Jim Whitney/Los Angeles Angels
2022 - Doc Miller/Tampa Bay Rays
2023 - Fred Luderus/Kansas City Royals

Luderus (80 HR 184 RBI .349)


National League

2019 - Curt Blefary/San Diego Padres
2020 - Richard Hidalgo/Colorado Rockies
2021 - Curry Foley/Sacramento Bees
2022 - George Wright/Sacramento Bees
2023 - Don Hurst/Wichita Hawkeyes

Hurst (56 HR 139 RBI .318)



Reliever of the Year

American League

2019 - Addison Reed/Oakland Athletics
2020 - Alan Embree/Chicago White Sox
2021 - Isaiah Thomas/Utah Saints
2022 - Hugh O'Neil/New York Yankees
2023 - Frank Morrissey/Detroit Tigers

Morrissey (3-1 47 saves, 0.76 ERA)


National League

2019 - Jet Li/Sacramento Bees
2020 - Hong-Chih Kuo/San Diego Padres
2021 - Bobby Jenks/Los Angeles Dodgers
2022 - Ralph Comstock/Arizona Diamondbacks
2023 - Rube Waddell/St Louis Cardinals

Waddell (7-1, 42 saves 0.46 ERA)


Manager of the Year

American League

2021 - AJ Hinch/Houston Astros (115-48)
2022 - Rich Renteria/Chicago White Sox (119-43)
2023 - Me/Utah Saints (115-47)

National League

2021 - Andy Green/San Diego Padres (115-47)
2022 - Joe Maddon/Chicago Cubs (108-54)
2023 - Jim Alme/Sacramento Bees (115-47)

[majormet]

This is how the standings look for end of June in the 12 divisions, with top players on each team

AL East
1. New York Yankees (62-31) - SP - Cy Blanton - (10-5, 2.05 ERA)
2. Buffalo Bisons (60-33) - 1B - Francisco Cabrera (30 HR 105 RBI)
3. Toronto Blue Jays (58-35) SP - Christy Mathewson (14-1 1.71 ERA)
4. Foxwoods Colonials (51-42) SP - Vern Bickford (9-4 3.78 ERA)
5. Boston Red Sox (49-44) - SP Guy Morton (9-6 3.34 ERA)
6. Syracuse Maroons (47-46) - SP Tiny Bonham (6-6 4.08 ERA)
7. Albany Warcats (36-57) SP - Robin Roberts (6-7 2.02 ERA)
8. Maine Attack (31-62) RF - Adam Lind (18 HR 51 RBI's)
9. Providence Chargers (30-63) 3B - Emil Batch (26 HR 61 RBI .300)
10. Wall Street Black Cats (28-65) SP - Charlie Hodnett (3-4 2.82 ERA)

AL Atlantic
1. Tampa Bay Rays (61-32) - RF Doc Miller (24 HR 84 RBI's)
1. San Juan Storm (61-32) - SP Chief Bender (9-3 2.72 ERA)
3. Baltimore Orioles (60-33) - SP - Howard Stern (11-3 2.12 ERA)
4. Richmond Gamecocks (57-36) - SP - Carl Weilman (14-2 2.25 ERA)
5. Jacksonville Beach Bums (53-40) - CF - Hack Wilson (32 HR 96 RBI)
6. Delaware Big Train (52-41) 1B - Eric Hosmer (29 HR 65 RBI .302)
7. Charlotte Spiders (46-47) 2B - Del Pratt (18 HR 69 RBI .320)
8. Staten Island Blue Jackets (33-60) - LF - Curt Motton (21 HR 47 RBI's)
9. Raleigh Spitfires (30-63) - SS - Enrique Hernandez (23 HR 57 RBI's)
10. Nassau Stingrays (25-68) - SP - Jered Weaver (7-7, 2.88 ERA)

AL Central
1. Detroit Tigers (73-20) - SP - Bob Bowman (11-2 2.26 ERA)
2. Indianapolis Bulldogs (68-25) - SP - Jose Rosado (14-2 1.81 ERA)
3. Chicago White Sox (62-31) - SP - Clay Kirby (10-4 2.64 ERA)
4. Caracas Toros (52-41) - LF - Willie Stargell (34 HR 72 RBI)
5. Nashville Judges (49-44) - CF - Oddibe McDowell (25 HR 58 RBI)
6. Cleveland Indians (47-46) - SP - Hugh Bedient (7-5, 2.32 ERA)
7. Columbus Barracudas (37-56) - LF - Yoenis Cespedes (29 HR 97 RBI)
8. Santo Domingo Oceanics (33-60) - SP - Bruce Ruffin (2-9 3.53 ERA)
9. Evansville Steelhawks (30-63) - LF - Denver Grigsby (16 HR 50 RBI)
10. Mississippi Crew (16-77) - SP - Jimmy Dygert (2-11 3.80 ERA)

AL Midwest
1. Omaha Eagles (59-34) - CF - Duke Snider (33 HR 69 RBI .311)
2. Minnesota Twins (58-35) - CF - Cody Bellinger (32 HR 78 RBI .307)
3. Kansas City Royals (54-39) - 1B - Fred Luderus (32 HR 67 RBI .310)
3. Des Moines Jaguars (54-39) - SP - Larry French (10-5 2.77 ERA)
5. Guadalajara Bighorns (48-45) - C - John Stearns (23 HR 56 RBI)
6. Branson Jackals (45-48) - SP - Dennis Martinez (7-5 2.90 ERA)
7. Kingston Sea Lions (41-52) - SP - CC Sabathia (6-2 1.10 ERA)
8. Mexico City Salukis (33-60) - 1B - Ron H Jackson (24 HR 64 RBI's)
9. Bogota Broncos (28-65) - SP - Matt Morris (5-10 3.95 ERA)
10. Fargo Horsemen (24-69) - 1B - Bill Terry (31 HR 75 RBI's)

AL West
1. Houston Astros (69-24) - RF - Aaron Judge (33 HR 80 RBI's)
2. Utah Saints (67-26) - 3B - Mel Ott (32 HR 75 RBI .316)
3. Calgary Fusion (54-39) - SP - Juan Marichal (12-3 2.36 ERA)
4. Texas Rangers (49-44) - CF - Jimmie Hall (39 HR 95 RBI's)
5. San Antonio River Kings (43-50) - 1B - Adam LaRoche (49 HR 120BI)
6. Tucson Tomahawks (42-51) - LF - Orlando Cepeda (28 HR 70 RBI)
7. Lubbock Brigans (36-57) - RF - Joe Gallgaher (32 HR 69 RBI)
8. Reno Armada (35-58) - SP - Bill Steen (5-9 3.56 ERA)
9. Saskatoon Beavers (30-63) - SP - Andy Pettitte (6-6 3.07 ERA)
10. Cheyenne Black Aces (28-65) - RF - Jason Biggs (21 HR 54 RBI's)

AL Pacific
1. Oakland Athletics (66-27) - CF - Michael Brantley (26 HR 67 RBI .337)
2. Seattle Mariners (63-30) - CF - Kirby Puckett (23 HR 65 RBI's)
3. Fresno Bashers (59-34) - SP - Walter Johnson (11-2 1.68 ERA)
4. Portland Lions (57-36) - SP - Johnny Hetki (8-3 2.55 ERA)
4. Los Angeles Angels (57-36) - RF - Chuck Klein (26 HR 76 RBI's)
6. Anchorage Bears (50-43) - RF - Stan Musial (29 HR 75 RBI .318)
7. Spokane Gangsters (47-46) - SP - Dean Chance (11-3 1.66 ERA)
8. Santa Barbara Dolphins (39-54) - SP - Butch Wensloff (8-5 3.02 ERA)
9. Cabo San Lucas Black Gold (36-57) - SP - Bill George (11-2 1.38 ERA)
10. Tokyo Alligators (22-71) - LF - Jose Mares (17 HR 41 RBI's)


NL East
1. New York Mets (69-24) - SP - Jack Coombs (10-6 3.07 ERA)
2. Brooklyn Brawlers (62-31) - LF - Paul Hines (22 HR 84 RBI's)
3. Riverhead Racers (59-34) - CF - Bernie Williams (22 HR 70 RBI .379)
4. Atlantic City Sharks (56-37) - 1B - Todd Helton (30 HR 80 RBI .358)
5. Newark Thieves (48-45) - 2B - Fred Dunlap (28 HR 85 RBI .379)
6. Montreal Anchors (46-47) - SP -Bartolo Colon (8-4, 2.60 ERA)
7. Ottawa Argonauts (36-57) - SP - Doug Drabek (7-8 3.35 ERA)
8. Hartford Rocketmen (35-57) - 1B - Chris Duncan (20 HR 49 RBI)
9. Halifax Eclipse (32-61) - SP - Elmer Stricklett (3-4 2.87 ERA)
10. Jones Beach Jets (26-67) - LF - Brian Dayett (19 HR 50 RBI's)

NL Atlantic
1. Philadelphia Phillies (63-30) - SS - Danny Tartabull (24 HR 63 RBI's)
2. Atlanta Braves (62-31) - SP - Bobby Mitchell (13-3 1.59 ERA)
3. Miami Marlins (59-34) - 1B - Hal Trosky (32 HR 86 RBI .318)
4. Washington Nationals (55-38) - SP - Dave Righetti (12-4, 2.04 ERA)
4. Orlando Alliance (55-38) - SP - Bobby Wallace (10-7 1.89 ERA)
6. Key West Condors (47-46) - RF - Jason Lane (25 HR 63 RBI's)
7. Savannah Thunder (36-57) - LF - Roy Foster (25 HR 65 RBI's)
8. West Palm Beach Dinos (33-60) - SP - Amos Rusie (9-7 2.33 ERA)
9. Charleston Cheetahs (32-61) - SP - Johnny Wertz (8-4 3.01 ERA)
10. Sarasota Typhoon (23-70) - CF - Joe Pepitone (29 HR 65 RBI)

NL Central
1. Cincinnati Reds (68-25) - CF - Larry Doby (32 HR 76 RBI's)
2. Milwaukee Brewers (65-28) - 1B - Frank Thomas (30 HR 82 RBI's)
3. Chicago Cubs (54-39) - SP - Bob Feller (11-2 1.53 ERA)
4. Louisville Bats (52-41) - SP - Johnny Vandermeer (9-5 1.88 ERA)
5. Pittsburgh Pirates (50-43) - SP - Jerry Nops (10-5 2.89 ERA)
5. Mobile Swordfish (50-43) - SP - Scott Baker (11-3 2.28 ERA)
7. Madison Monarchs (37-56) - 1B - Travis Lee (25 HR 66 RBI's)
8. Grand Rapids Crawdads (32-61) - 1B - Dolph Camilli (34 HR 61 RBI)
9. Aruba Jackrabbits (30-63) - LF - Carl Reynolds (13 HR 45 RBI's)
10. Birmingham Hillcats (22-71) - RF - Red Murray (15 HR 46 RBI's)

NL Midwest
1. Tulsa Rattlers (68-25) - RF - Jack Smith (34 HR 112 RBI .333)
2. New Orleans Zebras (64-29) - RF - Larry Walker (27 HR 67 RBI .317)
3. St Louis Cardinals (61-32) - 3B - Nolan Arenado (30 HR 91 RBI .311)
4. Memphis Cougars (58-35) - SP - Don Robinson (11-4 1.87 ERA)
5. Little Rock Sunbirds (48-45) - LF - Joe Carter (35 HR 89 RBI's)
5. Oklahoma City Cols (48-45) - SP - Tom Seaver (7-6 3.53 ERA)
7. Sioux Falls Velocity (39-54) - 1B - Tommy Joseph (17 HR 53 RBI's)
7. Wichita Hawkeyes (39-54) - 1B - Don Hurst (34 HR 75 RBI's)
9. Winnipeg Wolf Pack (25-68) - SP - John Fulgham (6-12 3.77 ERA)
10. Duluth Champions (22-71) - 2B - Derrell Thomas (11 HR 37 RBI's)

NL West
1. Colorado Rockies (65-28) - SP - Noodles Hahn (13-4, 2.08 ERA)
2. Arizona Diamondbacks (61-32) - SP - Eddie Lopat (12-5, 2.50 ERA)
3. Las Vegas Snake Eyes (60-33) - SP - Tony Manero (8-4, 3.35 ERA)
4. Boise Parrots (56-37) - SP - Patrick Corbin (10-4 2.10 ERA)
5. Austin Donkeys (44-49) - SP - Egyptian Healy (9-4, 3.24 ERA)
6. El Paso Grizzlies (41-52) - SP Greg Swindell (3-7 3.78 ERA)
7. Albuquerque Blackbirds (39-54) - 3B - Harry Lord (22 HR 70 RBI's)
8. Billings Beacons (38-55) - SP - Don Sutton (7-6, 3.72 ERA)
8. Edmonton Bluebirds (38-55) - LF - Mitch Haniger (19 HR 54 RBI's)
10. Cozumel Scouts (33-60) - SP - Juan Guzman (7-6 3.02 ERA)

NL Pacific
1. Los Angeles Dodgers (63-30) - SP - Jack Harshman (14-2 2.26 ERA)
1. Sacramento Bees (63-30) - LF - Cy Williams (35 HR 97 RBI .304)
3. San Diego Padres (56-37) - 1B - Mike Stanley (24 HR 60 RBI's)
4. Honolulu Riptides (51-42) - 1B - Bud Souchock (38 HR 68 RBI's)
5. San Francisco Giants (48-45) - C - Deacon White (16 HR 54 RBI's)
6. San Bernardino Butchers (41-52) - CF - Dave Henderson (36 HR 85BI)
7. Vancouver Men-O-War (40-53) - SP - Jouett Meekin (7-9 3.72 ERA)
8. Van Nuys Arrows (31-62) - C - Willin Rosario (25 HR 39 RBI's)
9. Tijuana Pelicans (29-64) - SP - Bill McGunnigle (6-8 2.62 ERA)
10. San Jose Skeeters (26-67) - CF - Jose Cruz (11 HR 32 RBI's)

[majormet]

The end of June has hit in the Majors and these are the league leaders and awards for the month

Batter of the Month

American League - Pete Hotaling (Buffalo Bisons) 10 HR 31 RBI .435

National League - Jack Smith (Tulsa Rattlers) 14 HR 41 RBI .361

Pitcher of the Month

American League - Bill George (Cabo San Lucas Black Gold) (5-0 1.86 ERA)

National League - Scott Baker (Mobile Swordfish) (5-0 1.67 ERA)

Rookie of the Month

American League - King Kelly (Foxwoods Colonials) (5 HR 17 RBI .429)

National League - John Sneed (Las Vegas Snake Eyes (8 HR 20 RBI .386)


League Leaders

American League

Batting Average
1. Zack Wheat (Houston Astros) - .369
2. Pete Hotaling (Buffalo Bisons) - .363
3. Johnny Mize (Indianapolis Bulldogs) .362

Homers
1. Adam LaRoche (San Antonio River Kings) 49
2. Jimmie Hall (Texas Rangers) 39
3. David Justice (Chicago White Sox) 36

RBI's
1. Adam LaRoche (San Antonio River Kings) 120
2. Francisco Cabrera (Buffalo Bisons) 111
3. Casey Stengel (Buffalo Bisons) 101

Stolen Bases
1. Mike Lanning (Indianapolis Bulldogs) 50
2. Mallex Smith (Buffalo Bisons) 37
3. Brett Butler (Branson Jackals) 35

WAR
1. Pete Hotaling (Buffalo Bisons) 7.2
2. Francisco Lindor (Portland Lions) 7.0
3. Cody Bellinger (Minnesota Twins) 6.1

Wins
1. Christy Mathewson (Toronto Blue Jays) 14
1. Jose Rosado (Indianapolis Bulldogs) 14
1. Carl Weilman (Richmond Gamecocks) 14

Strikeouts
1. Christy Mathewson (Toronto Blue Jays) 198
2. Lefty Grove (Richmond Bulldogs) 194
3. Bill George (Cabo San Lucas Black Gold) 184

ERA
1. CC Sabathia (Kingston Sea Lions) 1.10
2. Bill George (Cabo San Lucas Black Gold) 1.40
3. Dean Chance (Spokane Gangsters) 1.66

Saves
1. Bunny Hearn (Jacksonville Beach Bums) 30
2. Fernando Cabrera (Spokane Gangsters) 28
2. Alex Malloy (Detroit Tigers) 28


National League

Batting Average
1. Bernie Williams (Riverhead Racers) .379
2. Fred Dunlap (Newark Thieves) .370
3. Todd Helton (Atlantic City Sharks) .362

Homers
1. Bud Souchock (Honolulu Riptides) 38
2. Dave Henderson (San Bernardino Butchers) 36
3. Joe Carter (Little Rock Sunbirds) 35

RBI's
1. Jack Smith (Tulsa Rattlers) 117
2. Cy Williams (Sacramento Bees) 98
3. Nolan Arenado (St Louis Cardinals) 91

Stolen Bases
1. Billy Hamilton (Vancouver Men-O-War) 36
2. Donell Nixon (Duluth Champions) 35
3. Jack Smith (Tulsa Rattlers) 32

WAR
1. Fred Dunlap (Newark Theives) 6.8
2. Jack Smith (Tulsa Rattlers) 6.5
3. Bernie Williams (Riverhead Racers) 5.9

Wins
1. Jack Harshman (Los Angeles Dodgers) 14
2. Brownie Foreman (Tulsa Rattlers) 13
2. Noodles Hahn (Colorado Rockies) 13

Strikeouts
1. Bobby Mitchell (Atlanta Braves) 214
2. Noodles Hahn (Colorado Rockies) 213
3. Brownie Foreman (Tulsa Rattlers) 206

ERA
1. Bob Feller (Chicago Cubs) 1.53
2. Bobby Mitchell (Atlanta Braves) 1.59
3. Pat Darcy (New Orleans Zebras) 1.85

Saves

1. Paul Masterson (Tulsa Rattlers) 29
2. Ralph Comstock (Arizona Diamondbacks) 28
3. Andrew Bailey (New Orleans Zebras) 27

[majormet]

Today the Foxwoods Colonials who have been very competitive in the AL East learned that they lost their star closer Steve Foster for the season. Foster threw 3 pitches on 7/1 in a game against the Mississippi Crew where Foxwoods held on to win 3-2. Foster left the game and it was learned that he tore his rotator cuff. Foster had 25 saves already this year and 25 in 2023. Foxwoods was in 4th place, 10 games behind the New York Yankees and had bragging rights for New England with a 2 game lead on the Boston Red Sox. Foxwoods will turn to Joel Hanrahan as the closer now in the absence of Foster.

The trade of the day saw the Atlanta Braves deal away long time role player George Wood and George Yeager to the Van Nuys Arrows for RP Arnie Stone and Bill Kennedy. Atlanta is one game out of first in the NL Atlantic behind the Philadelphia Phillies and adding Stone is a curious move as had a whip of 1.90 despite 14 savies. Braves GM Jonathan Sotelo defended the trade stating that Stone was overworked and you have to look at his decent numbers in 2023 for the Mexico City Salukis as an indicator on how he could help us" George Wood is 26 year old Canadian player known as a singles hitter, will get a lot of playing time in Van Nuys

[majormet]

It was a traditional expansion team getting blown out by the establishment game as the Oakland Athletics marched into Fargo and beat the Fargo Horsemen 20-2 today. However the game had some solid individual efforts. Michael Brantley who has discovered power in 2024 hit 4 homers in the game drove in 9 runs and cross the plate 5 times. His teammate Vladimir Guerrero Sr. smacked homers of his own as the A's triumphed mightily. Brantley has 30 homers this year.

Fargo pitcher and House of Cards fixer Frank Underwood started the game and had this to say "I gave up 6 earned runs, those guys hit homers off of our field position players, big whoop... I have had harder days framing congressmen, it is just one game, let it be"

[majormet]

Today was a day that marked a few more trades and a key injury.

At center of everything today are the Buffalo Bisons. The Bisons lost Craig Swan for the season (he was so injury prone in real life) in a game that Buffalo beat the San Juan Storm 7-5. Swan faced one batter (John McGraw) and then he summoned the pitching coach to the mound in pain and it was later discovered that Swan tore hit rotator cuff. This was a big blow for the Bisons as Swan was 8-4 on the year after rough 2023.

The Bisons quickly reacted to this loss as they acquired Bruce Kison in a deal with the division rival and upstate team the Albany Warcats. Buffalo sent Gino Cimolli over to Albany and also got back minor leaguer Warren McLaughlin. Buffalo sits one game behind the New York Yankees in 2nd place in the AL East and can't slip up as the Toronto Blue Jays are in 3rd place 2 games back and suddenly the Foxwoods Colonials are 9 back with an 11 game win streak. Kison has been a spot sparter for Albany this year after 3 years doing the same thing with the Jacksonville Beach Bums. Buffalo manager was non-commital about the rotation spot between Kison or Wally Whitehurst.

Albany gets back Gino Cimolli who had 3 solid years with the Albuquerque Blackbirds before signing with Buffalo where he produced in a limited role. Cimoli is excited about the new doors that are opening for him "I was happy to be on a contender, but I do need to play, and moving from Buffalo to Albany is really not much of a move"

The other trade of the day, saw the Minnesota Twins reacquire bullpen workhorse David Aardsma from the Sarasota Typoon for Jim Carleton and Kelvin Moore. Twins also sent Curtis Pride to Sarasota. Aardsma made the all star team in 2023 for the Wall Street Black Cats but then got traded to the Hartford Rocketmen where he imploded and in 2024 with Sarasota it has gotten worse. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli who managed Aardsma in 2019 when he had a 1.99 ERA said "David is a good pitcher but overuse is his bain, we used him too much in 2020 and 2021 but then he found himself with the Houston Astros in 2022, we will monitor him"

[majormet]

There were 3 trades of interest on 7/4.

The San Diego Padres who are 7 games out of first in 3rd place in the NL Pacific traded away Kyle Seager who had 46 Homers and 137 RBI's just last year, but struggled this year. They send Seager across the border to the Mexico City Salukis. Mexico City gives the Padres SP Hank Gornicki and struggling prospect Lou Boudreau. Gornicki won 13 games for Mexico City in 2023, but also has been weak in 2024. Not sure who the Padres will play in Seager's spot. Seager was absolutely upset with the trade "I carried this team last year, I have been under .230 this year but to deal me to Mexico City, I can't move my family there, this is horrible" San Diego was very desperate for the 5th starter as Dave LaRoche has been trying to do it, and he is a pen guy. Will San Diego gamble and play Boudreau in the lineup?

The Pittsburgh Pirates needs some arm help and got it in the form of Tim Belcher and they acquired Tommy Heath as well, they send Cabo San Lucas a few lower lever guys like Gene Hermanski, Jake Evans and Rufe Clarke. The Pirates are still kidding themselves as they are 17 games back in the NL Central. Belcher will take the spot of Bob Sykes in the rotation, he won 15 games for the San Diego Padres in 2021.

Lastly the Chicago White Sox fortified their pen today by acquiring Curt Lyons as well as Curt Young from the West Palm Beach Rhinos in exchange for power hitting prospect Ryan McGuire. Lyons is only 20 years old and appeared in 48 games for West Palm this year, he will eat up some bullpen innings for the White Sox who are 12 games back in the AL Central but have a wildcard competing records. Oddly McGuire is 26 and has not made it to the show yet. West Palm Beach GM Nick Duff said this about the trade "Relievers are easy to find, getting a guy who can break your lineup is another story. Our scouts saw something in McGuire but not sure what that was, we shall see"

[majormet]

One day after the San Diego Padres dealt Kyle Seager away for pitching help, Jim Hughes (the one that piched in the 1890's not the Twin) stepped up with a 1 hit shutout of the Billings Beacons. Hughes fanned 13 batters and improved to 9-6 on the 2024 season. The only hit allowed was to light hitting Eddie Basinski. Hughes was helped by Yoan Moncada who had 3 hits and 2 RBI's and Trevor Story who had 2 hits and 3 RBI's, both guys homers in the game. Ryan Kalish of Billings fanned 4 times in the game and had this to say "Wow not sure what he smoked, drank or ate that day, but his differentiation of speeds was off the charts, Jim who?"

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The Fresno Bashers keep rolling they won their 10th straight game today vanquishing the Tucson Tomahawks 1-0 to move to 7 games back in 3rd place the AL Pacific. The Big Train Walter Johnson (guy gets a lot love here) gave Fresno 8 solid innings fanning 12 batters and Tim Crews got his 19th save (don't go on a boat with Bob Ojeda). Jud Smith singled in a run in the 4th inning off Pete Richart. Johnson is now 12-2.

The San Antonio River Kings acquired Whiplash actor and 2nd baseman Miles Teller from the Branson Jackals in exchange for Charlie Briggs and Junior Kennedy. San Antonio acquires the veteran Teller and gives up 2 so so prospects. San Antonio is 26 games out of first and under .500 so the point of trading did not make sense. Teller was confused as well as Branson has a worse record than San Antonio but only trail the Omaha Eagles by 16 games in the AL Midwest, "I guess I am moving again, San Antonio in July sounds miserable"

Last notable trade of the day has the Washington Nationals adding a solid starting pitcher in Larry Christenson from the Winnipeg Wolf Pack, but gave up major prospect Bengie Molina as well as Josh Clarke and Steve Kealey in the deal. Washington is in 4th place, and 7 games back of the Philadelphia Phillies. Nats GM Nate Anderson defended the move "We have so many catchers in our system that Molina was a depth player. We will use Larry in the pen most likely as he can go 2 innings at a time Christenson won 14 games in 2022 for the Minnesota Twins so we are looking for that version of him" Winnipeg fans were happy about adding Molina.

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The week has ended with the player of the week awards and a decent trade

The American League player of the week was awarded to first baseman Tony Clark of the Des Moines Jaguars who had 5 homers, 17 RBI's and batted .480 for the week. He has helped Des Moines pull into 3rd place in the AL Central just 3 games behind the Omaha Eagles.

National League awarded it's top player as Dennis Casey, outfielder for the Savannah Thunder. Casey went 10 for 19 for the week and slammed 5 homers while driving in 10 runs. Savannah is in 7th place in the NL Atlantic.

The trade of the day was involving the first place in the AL Pacific, Oakland Athletics as they dealt mainstay and local area product Bip Roberts to the Calgary Fusion for Sean Doolittle and Charlie Hastings. Oakland adds Doolittle with over 100 career saves and will strengthen a bullpen that needs a true closer. They give up Roberts who was a solid role player, but no longer a starter. Doolittle was fired up about going to Oakland. "Wow I am happy that I will be in the postseason possibly. Oakland is a solid team and glad they wanted me, I didn't mind Calgary but the AL West is just a two team race"

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The news of the day showed a few interesting trades but a stellar game pitched by Johnny Vandermeer.

Vandermeer fanned 16 batters today as the Louisville Bats beat the Grand Rapids Crawdads 7-2 at home. Vandermeer was locked in and improves to 11-5 on the season with a 1.88 ERA. Bill White had 2 hits and 2 RBI's to carry the offense as Louisville remained in a 4th place tie with the Pittsburgh Pirates in the NL Central. Vandermeer fanned 16 in 7 1/3 innings making it even more impressive. Joe Grace of Grand Rapids had nothing but good things to say "He has it, this guy is going to be one of the best ever, I fanned 4 times today and 3 of them were looking"

In trade news the Ottawa Argonauts trade Doug Drabek to the every active Buffalo Bisons for Chris Bootcheck and Aaron Clapp. The Bisons are in a three way tie for first place in the AL East with the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees and have major long term injury losses to starters Craig Swan and Derek Holland. They added Bruce Kison a few days ago but really feel they have a shot this year and get Drabek. Drabek was an all star this year for Ottawa with a 7-9 record but a stellar 1.06 WHIP. Drabek won 10 games for Atlanta last year and was solid in the past for Utah. Bootcheck was a long reliever for Buffalo this year and should have an increased role in Ottawa.

The Arizona Diamondbacks were busy with a multi player deal with the Duluth Champions adding relief depth in the form of Terry Mulholland and speed with Donell Nixon. Duluth gets back Eddie Pellagrini in this trade. Seems Arizona gave up little to improve their standing as they are 5 games back in the 2nd place tie with Las Vegas Snake Eyes in the AL West behind the Colorado Rockies. Mulholland was a workhorse in his rookie year for Duluth and Nixon was 2nd in the NL in Stolen bases. Arizona GM Tom Anderson told the press "We need depth we can catch Colorado and make noise but we have holes and feel we addressed them today"

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The Tulsa Rattlers are on a big roll with a 15 game winning streak and top the NL Midwest. They have opened up a 7 game lead on the New Orleans Zebras as they almost let up and let New Orleans within 2 games. Tulsa manager John Rosen said "the team had a closed door meeting and I thought someone like Sid Bream was going to chew everyone out, instead Bob Dylan grabs his guitar and starts to play The Times they are a Changing, we are 15-0 since that rendition" The 15th win came against their rival Oklahoma City Colts with a 4-1 win. Richie Hebner hit a big 2 run shot and Brownie Foreman continues to make a CY Young bid fanning 12 in 6 innings to improve to 15-3 on the season. Foreman was asked if beating Oklahoma City was a big deal "Not really this is the only time we play them and they are not in division contention, plus I grew up in Baltimore not even sure what a rodeo is"

Some trades were made today as well. The Houston Astros needed to add more bullpen strength and acquired Don Schwall from the Evansville Steelhawks today with a package of merde going to Evansville in Joe Ellick, Eddie Morgan and Rob Whalen. Houston is holding off the Utah Saints in the AL West with a 2 game lead and feel they have been overusing Randy St Claire and Jeremy Affeldt as their set up men for Robb Nen. Astros manager Craig Counsell had high praises for Schwall. He was tough for the Marlins when they won their title in 2021 and as manager of the Milwaukee Brewers we could not figure him out and he ended rallies, looking for that from him here"

The other trade of note was the Los Angeles Dodgers getting Andy Ashby and Jack McGeachy from the Madison Monarchs while giving up low level prospect Charlie Shoemaker in the deal. Dodgers now are trailing the Sacramento Bees in the NL Pacific by one game and Ashby will be part of a solid bullpen corps with closer Bobby Jenks, Danny Frisella (don't drive fast), Ray Narleski and Herb McQuaid. Madison is going nowhere and Ashby is 37 at this point.

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More trades today as we get closer to deadline

Big trade and big gamble as the Philadelphia Phillies have traded for utiltyman Andrew Cuomo from the Aruba Jackrabbits and send back Connie Ryan and Paul Strand. Cuomo comes with distractions as he will hit on most of the ballgirls and any under 30 female employee. Philadelphia hitting coach Steven Stifler said this "any team that can hire the Stiffmeister to be their hitting coach can handle Cuomo. I am looking forward to going to parties with this guy and helping improve his game" Phillies are in a dead tie for first with the Atlanta Braves in the NL Atlantic and are looking for any advantage at this point

The San Antonio River Kings acquired relief pitcher Tanner Scheppers as well as Frank Betcher from the Edmonton Bluebirds in exchange for prospect Wade Blasingame. San Antonio is 27 games out of first place to the deal doesn't make too much sense, unless they are trying to protect their younger arms by getting an innings eater

The Brooklyn Brawlers who trail the New York Mets in the NL East by 11 games in 3rd place are setting their sights on the wildcard and pick up starting pitcher Aaron Cook from the Raleigh Spitfires. It comes at a cost as they deal a good prospect in Steve Bedrosian to Raleigh with Mark Rogers and Bryan Oelkers. Cook won 11 games for the Oklahoma City Colts and should help Brooklyn out as starting pitching depth, but Bedrock was a big price to pay

Last notable trade of the day see the Colorado Rockies acquire Urban Shocker and Greg Booker from the Bogota Broncos for Julio Valez. Shocker is a starting pitcher that could help the Rockies and is just happy to be back in the US. Shocker told the media this "I never punched the air with so much joy as when I heard I was going to Denver, living in Bogota was not a good experience"

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A few more curious trades today.

The Tampa Bay rays were in need of pitching as they are tied for 2nd with the Baltimore Orioles at 4 games behind the San Juan Storm in the AL Atlantic, that they traded franchise outfielder Carlos Gonzalez to the Van Nuys Arrows for Reggie Cleveland and John Henry Johnson. Gonzalez has driven in 100 runs plus in each of the last 5 seasons and one wonders how that production will be filled internally. Tampa gets back Reggie Cleveland who has been an all star in the past for the Los Angeles Angels and was productive for Van Nuys this year and John Henry Johnson was 12-6 for the Miami Marlins in 2023 and got a World Series ring with the Marlins in 2021. Van Nuys GM Bobby Rentmeister was very proud of the move "They were very desperate for veteran pitching and then I was shocked they offered up Cargo, fans are super excited to see we have a franchise player in the valley"

The Miami Marlins acquired a star player in Red Barnes from the Atlantic City Sharks and only had to give up long time minor leaguer Verne Clemons to get him. Barnes had over 100 RBI's last year for Atlantic City. Atlantic City is 14 games in the NL East and seem to want to be shedding salary down the stretch. The offensive move helps the Marlins who are tied for 3rd in the NL Atlantic with the Washington Nationals.

Last notable deal of the day, has the Anchorage Bears landing 2023 All Star John Monroe and Harry Otis from the Reno Armada in exchange for Courtney Duncan. Monroe was an all star on the bad Syracuse Maroons team in 2023. He had hit 11 homers this year for Reno and joins an Anchorage team that is 15 games back in 6th place in the AL Pacific.

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The Game between the Newark Thieves and Jones Beach Jets got very heated today as Matt Kinney threw at Alan Harper. Newark won the game 10-6 as Fred Dunlap drove in 3 runs and Joe Riggert hit a grand slam, but the game was marred by ugliness. Kinney dropped Harper with a fast ball that almost decapitate the Sherman Oaks chiropractor. Harper frustrated because of his alimony payments and lack of girl reaction charged the mound and punches were thrown. Most would say Kinney got the best of Harper. Harper commented after the game "not my best moments, I tend to be the peacemaker my brother Charlie is the problem. I have a black eye and sore ribs and regret my actions" Kinney on the other hand had another take "I couldn't take it any more, that guy kept stepping out of the batter's box and asking for time so I flattened him on his back and let him eat a few punches"

Harper got suspended 2 games while Kinney got 6.

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Today the Louisville Bats and the Winnipeg Wolf Pack played one of the greatest pitching games ever as Winnipeg beats Louisville 1-0 in 10 innings. John Fulgham goes 10 innings and fires the No hitter, with the only baserunner being a hit by pitch to Alfredo Amezega. Meanwhile Johnny Vandermeer also carries his no hitter into the 10th inning before giving up a single to Chick Stahl, prior to that the only Winnipeg baserunner was courtesy of an error by Walt Preston.

Ferrell Anderson got the walk off ground out RBI and Fulgham records the 11th No hitter of the 2024 season and first in Winnipeg Wolf Pack History. This is also the first time that Louisville has ever been no hit before.

Reaction to this game was insane. Fulgham who hurled 10 innings of no hit ball said this "I was praying in tongues that I would not have to go out again for the 11th inning" Fulgham had fanned 14 batters, while Vandermeer picked up 15 batters via whiff.

The best person to sum up the game was Winnipeg's Steve "Psycho" Lyons. "For a change I wasn't the only crazy person out there on the ball field. Everyone did not say a word on every team it was quieter than a Harvard library in the stadium. Each pitch was a panic attack. Glad we got the win. Fulgy has pitched so good and we are a first year team"

The fans of Winnipeg were treated to something special

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Bastille day brought in a couple of notable trades

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 16 games back in the NL Central and have not given up just yet as they make a trade for veteran pitcher Ted Lyons from the Evansville Steelhawks. The Bucs send back to Evansville a package of Bernie Graham, German Duran and Daniel Zamora. Not much of a package but getting a 31 year old pitcher whose best years were with the Detroit Tigers between 2019-2021 does not seem that logical.

The other deal of note saw the Wichita Hawkeyes trade their former closer Charlie Hudson to the Saskatoon Beavers for veteran Smoky Joe Wood. Deal being made doesn't have logic either given that neither team will sniff the postseason except Saskatoon got the much younger player. Hudson is 23 and had 48 saves for Wichita between 2022 and 2023 but has been bad this year, meanwhile Smoky Joe is a 37 year old who had played the previous 5 years for the St Louis Cardinals. Wood is from Kansas City so it could be just a favor to have him end his career a few hours from home.

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The players of the week were announced today

Gregg Jefferies of the defending world champion Utah Saints got the award this week hitting 5 homers and driving in 14 runs while going 13 for 29 for Utah who have won 12 straight games and are tied with the Houston Astros atop the AL West. Jefferies is in his 2nd year with the Saints and signed the big offseason deal.

The Honolulu Riptides found out their breakout star outfielder Lee Walls walked away with top honors this week with 9 homers 18 RBI's and a .531 average. Walls has 44 homers this season for Honolulu who have caught fire and have won 6 games in a row. Honolulu is in 4th place in the NL Pacific behind 6 games to the division leading Sacramento Bees.

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Today was marked with a variety of things

The Colorado Rockies destroyed the Billings Beacons today 15-1 as star player Harry Lumley hit for the cycle. Lumley has had a junior year slump after 2 dynamic seasons as the first place Rockies wrecked Billings ace Don Sutton for 8 earned runs. Richard Hidalgo contributed with 2 homers and 4 RBI's. Tex Shirley walked away with his 7th win of the season. Lumley said after the game "We are tired of everyone calling us chokers, we mean business this year, the clubhouse knows we have a lot to prove"

New York Yankee catcher and Replacements lead singer may have been intoxicated when he argued a third strike in a game against the Delaware Big Train today. Whatever he said to the ump, got him a 4 game suspension. The one time golden glove backstop was unsure what happened "I dunno man, just thought the ball was outside and told the umpire that he was a dumb mf.. guess that gets you the boot these days"

The Cuomos keep getting themselves dealt. Today the El Paso Grizzlies shipped Chris Cuomo of CNN fame to the Charlotte Spiders along with catcher Matt Walbeck and obtained back from Charlotte, Travis Dawkins and Nyls Nyman. Charlotte is in 7th place and acquiring a veteran starting pitcher does not make much sense. El Paso just wanted to get that name off of the jersey. Cuomo is dealt only a few days earlier his brother was dealt from Aruba to Philadelphia. Cuomo said this as he boarded a plane to Charlotte "You know it is part of the game. I guess they were not happy that my derriere ended up on a zoom call again, but you know what El Paso's loss is Charlotte's gain, brother"