Fictional Player Exceeding Expectation? LONG

johnpanic · 04-11-2002, 04:39 PM

This is the story of Steffen "Bulldog" Huddle, right handed pitcher, who was drafted low, spent the first 5 years of his career toiling anonymously in the minors, had 4 cups of tepid coffee when he was age 26-29, then became a star at the age of 29.

Huddle began 2002 with Visalia's Triple A affiliate. He was called up to the bigs as a temporary stop-gap due to an injury to the Big Club's #5 starter (Borquez). Huddle wasn't exactly tearing it up in Triple A, but he was available and a healthy body. 3 months later, Huddle was pitching in the All-Star Game with a 10-3 record and a 3.24 ERA. Needless to say, Borquez was traded immediately. He didn't throw hard (his fastball topped out at 90), but he spotted his fastball, curve and change-up with pin-point precision. He went deep into games. Visalia fans began calling him "Bulldog" (obviously).

Huddle ended the 2002 season 17-6 with an ERA of 3.29. He pitched a shut-out in the first game of Visalia's opening round play-off series. Visalia went on to lose the series in 5, but Huddle had an ERA in the low 1.00s in his 2 starts.

The following season, the AI insisted on placing Huddle in the #5 slot based solely on his scouting report. Visalia's manager decided to move him to #3 spot in the rotation. Huddle rewarded the manager's confidence with an 18-11 3.14 ERA season and pitched in his second consecutive all-star game.

At the age of 31, Huddle entered the 2004 season firmly entrenched as Visalia's ace (even though his scouting report still tabbed him as a #5 starter). It is now July, Huddle has an 11-8 record with an ERA of 2.58 (his lackluster record mostly due to Visalia's anemic offense). Unfortunately, the Bulldog is now on the DL for 6 weeks recovering from Bone Chips in his elbow

Hopefully, Huddle will be able to come back with the same heart and intensity he had in the past 2 years which literally turned his career from journeyman to star.

- Paul

[ 04-11-2002, 10:41 PM: Message edited by: johnpanic ]

KWhit · 04-11-2002, 04:48 PM

Great post. I love hearing stuff like this. Keep us posted on his progress.

MTXperience · 04-11-2002, 07:49 PM

Just one of the many little surprises that makes the game great.

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by johnpanic:
(even though his scouting report still tabbed him as a #5 starter).<hr /></blockquote>Also a good example of why the AI should take stats into account when judging players.

Khaos · 04-12-2002, 04:26 PM

Great post. I love reading stories written about fictional players. Well written. Thanks.

GR8Madmax · 04-12-2002, 07:35 PM

Yup, nice post. Stories like these are always fun to read..

johnpanic · 04-12-2002, 10:38 PM

Here's an update on Steffen "Bulldog" Huddle's career after he underwent elbow surgery in late 2004.

Bulldog was 11-8 with an ERA around 2.50 before he went down with Bone Chips in his elbow during the 2004 season, a few weeks after he had appeared in his 3rd straight All-Star game. He came back after 6 weeks of re-hab to pitch in the final month of the season, ignoring advice about resting his arm, because the Visalia Vanguard were in the middle of a heated pennant race. Huddle finished the season 12-10 with an ERA of 3.19. Observers noted that Huddle's pin-point command pre-surgery was nowhere to be seen in his final 5 starts, but the Vanguards and their fans didn't seem to care because on September 28, 2004, the Vanguards captured the United League Western Division Pennant.

2004 was truly a miracle season for the Vanguard. With a payroll in the $40 millions, a team with 87 wins, starting 3 rookies in the infield and a rookie #5 starter (Anthony "A-Train" Perez who went on to win the Outsanding Newcomer Award at the end of the year with 179 strikeouts in 177 innings) made it all the way to the Championship Series.

Unfortunately, Steffen Huddle spent most of the play-offs in the bullpen as Visalia's manager went with A-Train as his 4th starter instead. He did start 1 game - game 3 of the Championship Series - with Visalia trailing 2 games to 0 to a juggernaut Dallas team that won 105 games in the regular season. Huddle gave a gutty performance, but was gone by the 4th inning. Visalia was swept by Dallas 4 to 0.

The 2005 and 2006 seasons were difficult for the Bulldog. While Visalia managed to post winning seasons both those years (falling short of the play-offs however), Huddle posted a combined 20-30 record with an ERA in the mid to high 4.00s. His control was gone, as was revealed in his miserable 2006 campaign when he went 9-18 with 100 BBs in 225 IP.

Steffen Huddle turned 35 entering the 2007 season. It appeared as if his miracle seasons were behind him.

Coming back slim and well-conditioned in 2007, Huddle posted a 12-13 record and an ERA of 3.93. He was selected to the All-Star team due to his strong first half, but faded in the 2nd half. Visalia's fortunes also slipped in the 2nd half as injuries to their slugging 3B and the A-Train deep-sixed their chances to make the play-offs as a wildcard. Visalia's management, to the eternal regret of the Vanguard's fans, decided not to renew Huddle's contract.

Fittingly enough, the Bulldog made his last start in Visalia's last game of the season. In a nearly packed Visalia Field, with fans cheering his nickname from the rafters, Bulldog held a hard-hitting High Desert team to 4 runs on 6 hits before leaving in the 7th, trailing 4-3. In the bottom of the 8th inning, Visalia's first baseman slammed a 2-run homer to give Visalia the win. After the game, a visibly emotional Steffen "Bulldog" Huddle waved his cap to the Visalia fans as he descended into the Vanguard dug-out for the last time.

Huddle ended his 6 year run with the Vanguard with a combined record of 79-70 and an ERA of 3.81. He made the All-Star game in 4 of those 6 seasons.

PS - in 2008, Huddle signed a 2 year contract for $1.1 million with the Memphis Pharaohs of the Federal League. He was 36 years old.

PPS - Sorry for being so long-winded

- Paul

[ 04-13-2002, 04:45 AM: Message edited by: johnpanic ]

Khaos · 04-13-2002, 08:06 AM

Don't apologize. I enjoyed it.

04-11-2002, 04:39 PM	#1
johnpanic Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 30	Fictional Player Exceeding Expectation? LONG This is the story of Steffen "Bulldog" Huddle, right handed pitcher, who was drafted low, spent the first 5 years of his career toiling anonymously in the minors, had 4 cups of tepid coffee when he was age 26-29, then became a star at the age of 29. Huddle began 2002 with Visalia's Triple A affiliate. He was called up to the bigs as a temporary stop-gap due to an injury to the Big Club's #5 starter (Borquez). Huddle wasn't exactly tearing it up in Triple A, but he was available and a healthy body. 3 months later, Huddle was pitching in the All-Star Game with a 10-3 record and a 3.24 ERA. Needless to say, Borquez was traded immediately. He didn't throw hard (his fastball topped out at 90), but he spotted his fastball, curve and change-up with pin-point precision. He went deep into games. Visalia fans began calling him "Bulldog" (obviously). Huddle ended the 2002 season 17-6 with an ERA of 3.29. He pitched a shut-out in the first game of Visalia's opening round play-off series. Visalia went on to lose the series in 5, but Huddle had an ERA in the low 1.00s in his 2 starts. The following season, the AI insisted on placing Huddle in the #5 slot based solely on his scouting report. Visalia's manager decided to move him to #3 spot in the rotation. Huddle rewarded the manager's confidence with an 18-11 3.14 ERA season and pitched in his second consecutive all-star game. At the age of 31, Huddle entered the 2004 season firmly entrenched as Visalia's ace (even though his scouting report still tabbed him as a #5 starter). It is now July, Huddle has an 11-8 record with an ERA of 2.58 (his lackluster record mostly due to Visalia's anemic offense). Unfortunately, the Bulldog is now on the DL for 6 weeks recovering from Bone Chips in his elbow Hopefully, Huddle will be able to come back with the same heart and intensity he had in the past 2 years which literally turned his career from journeyman to star. - Paul <small>[ 04-11-2002, 10:41 PM: Message edited by: johnpanic ]</small>

04-11-2002, 04:48 PM	#2
KWhit Major Leagues Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 413	Great post. I love hearing stuff like this. Keep us posted on his progress. __________________

04-12-2002, 04:26 PM	#4
Khaos Major Leagues Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Canfield, OH Posts: 473	Great post. I love reading stories written about fictional players. Well written. Thanks. __________________ squish

04-12-2002, 10:38 PM	#6
johnpanic Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 30	Here's an update on Steffen "Bulldog" Huddle's career after he underwent elbow surgery in late 2004. Bulldog was 11-8 with an ERA around 2.50 before he went down with Bone Chips in his elbow during the 2004 season, a few weeks after he had appeared in his 3rd straight All-Star game. He came back after 6 weeks of re-hab to pitch in the final month of the season, ignoring advice about resting his arm, because the Visalia Vanguard were in the middle of a heated pennant race. Huddle finished the season 12-10 with an ERA of 3.19. Observers noted that Huddle's pin-point command pre-surgery was nowhere to be seen in his final 5 starts, but the Vanguards and their fans didn't seem to care because on September 28, 2004, the Vanguards captured the United League Western Division Pennant. 2004 was truly a miracle season for the Vanguard. With a payroll in the $40 millions, a team with 87 wins, starting 3 rookies in the infield and a rookie #5 starter (Anthony "A-Train" Perez who went on to win the Outsanding Newcomer Award at the end of the year with 179 strikeouts in 177 innings) made it all the way to the Championship Series. Unfortunately, Steffen Huddle spent most of the play-offs in the bullpen as Visalia's manager went with A-Train as his 4th starter instead. He did start 1 game - game 3 of the Championship Series - with Visalia trailing 2 games to 0 to a juggernaut Dallas team that won 105 games in the regular season. Huddle gave a gutty performance, but was gone by the 4th inning. Visalia was swept by Dallas 4 to 0. The 2005 and 2006 seasons were difficult for the Bulldog. While Visalia managed to post winning seasons both those years (falling short of the play-offs however), Huddle posted a combined 20-30 record with an ERA in the mid to high 4.00s. His control was gone, as was revealed in his miserable 2006 campaign when he went 9-18 with 100 BBs in 225 IP. Steffen Huddle turned 35 entering the 2007 season. It appeared as if his miracle seasons were behind him. Coming back slim and well-conditioned in 2007, Huddle posted a 12-13 record and an ERA of 3.93. He was selected to the All-Star team due to his strong first half, but faded in the 2nd half. Visalia's fortunes also slipped in the 2nd half as injuries to their slugging 3B and the A-Train deep-sixed their chances to make the play-offs as a wildcard. Visalia's management, to the eternal regret of the Vanguard's fans, decided not to renew Huddle's contract. Fittingly enough, the Bulldog made his last start in Visalia's last game of the season. In a nearly packed Visalia Field, with fans cheering his nickname from the rafters, Bulldog held a hard-hitting High Desert team to 4 runs on 6 hits before leaving in the 7th, trailing 4-3. In the bottom of the 8th inning, Visalia's first baseman slammed a 2-run homer to give Visalia the win. After the game, a visibly emotional Steffen "Bulldog" Huddle waved his cap to the Visalia fans as he descended into the Vanguard dug-out for the last time. Huddle ended his 6 year run with the Vanguard with a combined record of 79-70 and an ERA of 3.81. He made the All-Star game in 4 of those 6 seasons. PS - in 2008, Huddle signed a 2 year contract for $1.1 million with the Memphis Pharaohs of the Federal League. He was 36 years old. PPS - Sorry for being so long-winded - Paul <small>[ 04-13-2002, 04:45 AM: Message edited by: johnpanic ]</small>

04-13-2002, 08:06 AM	#7
Khaos Major Leagues Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Canfield, OH Posts: 473	Don't apologize. I enjoyed it. __________________ squish

04-11-2002, 07:49 PM	#3
MTXperience Major Leagues Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 372	Just one of the many little surprises that makes the game great. </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by johnpanic: <strong>(even though his scouting report still tabbed him as a #5 starter).</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Also a good example of why the AI should take stats into account when judging players.

04-12-2002, 07:35 PM	#5
GR8Madmax Minors (Single A) Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 94	Yup, nice post. Stories like these are always fun to read..