TSTBL: A Real Challenge, Keeping the Momentum

Driver 8 · 11-26-2003, 11:28 AM

The Toledo Mudhens of the TSTBL have become available. In the 10+ years of league play, the Mudhens have put together a run unparalleled in the league's Eastern Division.

From 2003 through 2011, the Hens averaged 105 wins per season and were the EL North champs 8 times. During that span, the only season the team didn't win the North, they were the EL wildcard representative. During that 9 year playoff run the Hens won 3 EL pennants and a pair of World Series titles.

While previous management had built a juggernaut, the prevailing feeling is that they did it at the expense of the organization's future.

None of their 9 positional players or 4 starting pitchers are under the age of 30.

Currently, the team is 41-27 (3rd place), and 5 games behind the division-leading Long Island Ducks.

First and foremost, we are looking for the right owner to keep the streak intact. Do you think you can guide the Hens to their 10th consecutive postseason appearance? And more importantly, can you keep this proud franchise from become a laughingstock?

In the short-term, you won't be without weapons. The team is currently .295, the best mark among the league's 24 teams. The team's pitching staff also ranks in baseball's top-four in ERA (2nd, 3.33), opponent's average (4th, .254), HR's allowed (1st, 31), walks allowed (1st, 140) and runs allowed (2nd, 270).

The pitching staff is headed by Ricardo Rodriguez (12-3, 2.43), the league's all-time leader in career wins. With his hot start this season, Rodriguez has pushed his career mark to 180-72 and is well on his way to his 5th twenty-win season.

Supporting Rodriguez are Dan Haren (8-4, 2.80), a key off-season free agent acquisition, Franklin Nunez (8-4, 3.73) and Francesco Santoro (6-7, 3.59). Swingman Freddy Garcia (4-2, 2.26) has started 6 of his 20 appearances, and threw the league's first perfect game last season.

Offensively, the team has plenty of firepower at it's disposal.

Cristian Guzman, the league's 5th all-time leader in career batting average, is off to a sizzling start, hitting .419 through the first 2.5 months of the season, .069 higher than anyone else in baseball. Guzman is seeking to tie a TSTBL record with a fourth league batting title, and set a record by leading the majors in hitting for a third time.

Twenty-twelve has also seen a resurrgence by Albert Pujols, a four-time Most Valuable Hitter and six-time Silver Slugger. Through 67 games, Pujols is hitting .307 with 13 homers and 63 RBIs, a sharp contrast to the .224-25-111 he posted last season. Pujols also needs a mere 37 RBIs over the last 3.5 months to become the only player in league history with 100+ RBIs in 11 consecutive seasons.

Catcher Joe Mauer (.245-9-32) is off to a slow start, and should be expected to approach his .288-20-98 averages of the previous three seasons. Just 31, the two-time all-star should still have plenty of game left in him. Mauer's back-up, Nicholas Trzesniak (.386-5-21) has been very productive and remains one of the league's best second-stringers.

Although their power numbers are down, both Corey Patterson (.299-3-49) and Timothy Loza (.249-8-40) should be expected to continue to drive in runs.

Hitting a career-low, 36-year-old Luis Padron (.300-0-23) remains the spark-plug of the squad, scoring 57 times in the team's first 65 games. A career .316 hitter, Padron is poised to help push the team to the postseason one more time.

Gold Glove 1B Sakahiko Maresuke (.272-2-23) and super-sub Jack Hanrahan (.310-1-14) help flush out the squad. Hanrahan displays outstanding range at four different positions.

Dancing around the league's $80 million salary cap, the team will be able to shed $10.5m in salary after this season and $16m after next to create some flexibility.

Guiding this team will not be easy, but if you're the type who really relishes a challenge, you couldn't ask for a much more difficult one.

Please send me an e-mail if you're interested if you're interested in getting your hands dirty.

bigsmooth · 11-28-2003, 12:16 AM

The Iowa Cubs are available as well. This team will require a lot of work. They are in a division that they will never win in because Portland has been dominant forever and Tacoma has come on strong the past 4-5 years, so best of luck!! If you are looking for the challenge of running a yearly cellar dwellar, jump onboard. This is a great league, just time for me to say farewell, so I can pursue my historical league interest.

holyroller · 11-28-2003, 03:52 AM

Damn, I wish I didn't have a full plate right now.

Although I have never been in the TSTBL, Brent is a great owner and a wonderful guy. I have little doubt that he does a great job as commish.

bigsmooth · 11-28-2003, 04:33 AM

No doubt about it, Brent is a great commissioner and runs a solid league. I have other interest in OOTP, and running a consistent loser since expansion isn't my idea of fun. The league in my opinion is solid, but the same 4-6 core of teams win year after year, so it is time for me to say farewell!!

Sudy Nym · 11-28-2003, 03:34 PM

Sorry to see you go, Rob.

Quote:

...running a consistent loser since expansion isn't my idea of fun.

Well, I think everyone who signed up for an expansion franchise knew that it would be a long haul. Iowa, Jupiter, and Lake Elsinore are still developing. The only team that's achieved success so far is Long Island, and that's mostly been at the expense of their native farm system (though they've been balanced via fortunate trade). Iowa's pitching has been solid in the past, but I fear at the cost of too much youth, possibly.

Quote:

...the same 4-6 core of teams win year after year...

Which, within a league of our size (24), is fairly realistic. Though on the contrary, there are a number of emerging teams. Salt Lake City, Tacoma, Rochester, and the aforementioned Long Island. These teams weren't making an impact three or four seasons ago. And then there are those who have shown flashes of development over the last season or two: Edmonton, Tucson, Nashville, Durham, and Glenwood Springs. On the other hand, many of the old strongholds (Toledo, Louisville, Albuquerque, Memphis) will be at the bottom of the barrel in a few seasons if major changes aren't made.

I'll admit, I'm doing the best to stay on top. But even in the WL North, I can't think of a better time to be a team on the rise.

Driver 8 · 11-28-2003, 03:35 PM

The Hens and Cubs are filled. Thanks for the responses.

And Andy, if you want to see a league without a chtn kmssner, you're always welcome if your schedule frees up.

Sudy Nym · 11-28-2003, 03:37 PM

The TSTBL welcomes Rick (Toledo) and Matt (Iowa).

11-26-2003, 11:28 AM	#1
Driver 8 Major Leagues Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: gurnee, il Posts: 397	TSTBL: A Real Challenge, Keeping the Momentum The Toledo Mudhens of the TSTBL have become available. In the 10+ years of league play, the Mudhens have put together a run unparalleled in the league's Eastern Division. From 2003 through 2011, the Hens averaged 105 wins per season and were the EL North champs 8 times. During that span, the only season the team didn't win the North, they were the EL wildcard representative. During that 9 year playoff run the Hens won 3 EL pennants and a pair of World Series titles. While previous management had built a juggernaut, the prevailing feeling is that they did it at the expense of the organization's future. None of their 9 positional players or 4 starting pitchers are under the age of 30. Currently, the team is 41-27 (3rd place), and 5 games behind the division-leading Long Island Ducks. First and foremost, we are looking for the right owner to keep the streak intact. Do you think you can guide the Hens to their 10th consecutive postseason appearance? And more importantly, can you keep this proud franchise from become a laughingstock? In the short-term, you won't be without weapons. The team is currently .295, the best mark among the league's 24 teams. The team's pitching staff also ranks in baseball's top-four in ERA (2nd, 3.33), opponent's average (4th, .254), HR's allowed (1st, 31), walks allowed (1st, 140) and runs allowed (2nd, 270). The pitching staff is headed by Ricardo Rodriguez (12-3, 2.43), the league's all-time leader in career wins. With his hot start this season, Rodriguez has pushed his career mark to 180-72 and is well on his way to his 5th twenty-win season. Supporting Rodriguez are Dan Haren (8-4, 2.80), a key off-season free agent acquisition, Franklin Nunez (8-4, 3.73) and Francesco Santoro (6-7, 3.59). Swingman Freddy Garcia (4-2, 2.26) has started 6 of his 20 appearances, and threw the league's first perfect game last season. Offensively, the team has plenty of firepower at it's disposal. Cristian Guzman, the league's 5th all-time leader in career batting average, is off to a sizzling start, hitting .419 through the first 2.5 months of the season, .069 higher than anyone else in baseball. Guzman is seeking to tie a TSTBL record with a fourth league batting title, and set a record by leading the majors in hitting for a third time. Twenty-twelve has also seen a resurrgence by Albert Pujols, a four-time Most Valuable Hitter and six-time Silver Slugger. Through 67 games, Pujols is hitting .307 with 13 homers and 63 RBIs, a sharp contrast to the .224-25-111 he posted last season. Pujols also needs a mere 37 RBIs over the last 3.5 months to become the only player in league history with 100+ RBIs in 11 consecutive seasons. Catcher Joe Mauer (.245-9-32) is off to a slow start, and should be expected to approach his .288-20-98 averages of the previous three seasons. Just 31, the two-time all-star should still have plenty of game left in him. Mauer's back-up, Nicholas Trzesniak (.386-5-21) has been very productive and remains one of the league's best second-stringers. Although their power numbers are down, both Corey Patterson (.299-3-49) and Timothy Loza (.249-8-40) should be expected to continue to drive in runs. Hitting a career-low, 36-year-old Luis Padron (.300-0-23) remains the spark-plug of the squad, scoring 57 times in the team's first 65 games. A career .316 hitter, Padron is poised to help push the team to the postseason one more time. Gold Glove 1B Sakahiko Maresuke (.272-2-23) and super-sub Jack Hanrahan (.310-1-14) help flush out the squad. Hanrahan displays outstanding range at four different positions. Dancing around the league's $80 million salary cap, the team will be able to shed $10.5m in salary after this season and $16m after next to create some flexibility. Guiding this team will not be easy, but if you're the type who really relishes a challenge, you couldn't ask for a much more difficult one. Please send me an e-mail if you're interested if you're interested in getting your hands dirty.

11-28-2003, 03:52 AM	#3
holyroller Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: OTBL Forums Posts: 3,532	Damn, I wish I didn't have a full plate right now. Although I have never been in the TSTBL, Brent is a great owner and a wonderful guy. I have little doubt that he does a great job as commish. __________________ Back to work, but not drawing a paycheck. TonyJ et. al.'s alias “I confused it with the chicken’s neck,” Mocanu, who was admitted to the emergency hospital in Galati, was quoted as saying. “I cut it ... and the dog rushed and ate it.”

11-28-2003, 03:37 PM	#7
Sudy Nym Major Leagues Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Richmond Hill, ON Posts: 492	The TSTBL welcomes Rick (Toledo) and Matt (Iowa). __________________ Tomorrow's Stars Today Baseball League - Portland Beavers <=> WL Wild Card: '11, '14 <=> WL North Divisional Champions: '02, '04-'10, '12, '13, '15-'18 <=> Western League Champions: '04-'06, '09, '10, '13, '18 <=> TSTBL World Champions: 2004, 2006, 2009, 2018

11-28-2003, 12:16 AM	#2
bigsmooth Major Leagues Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 437	The Iowa Cubs are available as well. This team will require a lot of work. They are in a division that they will never win in because Portland has been dominant forever and Tacoma has come on strong the past 4-5 years, so best of luck!! If you are looking for the challenge of running a yearly cellar dwellar, jump onboard. This is a great league, just time for me to say farewell, so I can pursue my historical league interest.

11-28-2003, 04:33 AM	#4
bigsmooth Major Leagues Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 437	No doubt about it, Brent is a great commissioner and runs a solid league. I have other interest in OOTP, and running a consistent loser since expansion isn't my idea of fun. The league in my opinion is solid, but the same 4-6 core of teams win year after year, so it is time for me to say farewell!!

11-28-2003, 03:35 PM	#6
Driver 8 Major Leagues Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: gurnee, il Posts: 397	The Hens and Cubs are filled. Thanks for the responses. And Andy, if you want to see a league without a chtn kmssner, you're always welcome if your schedule frees up.