Baseball Tri-Weekly: The Devils have their vices

Thousand of fans flock to Estadio Quisqueya during an rally to support efforts to bring an EHCC team to the Dominica Republic. Will the White Devils come to the Caribean?

By Listen Deplayohs, Baseball Tri-Weekly

While impoverished, the people of the Dominican Republic are not without imagination, and if they play their cards right, they may finally put their baseball loving nation on the EHCC map.

Francisco "Frank" Favas and the Hispanola Free Trade Group hope to bring the first permanent world-class professional baseball franchise to the Caribbean Islands. Based out of Santa Domingo, the White Devils are one of four ownership groups looking join the EHCC this offseason.

“There is already a massive and very exciting and unique baseball culture here that seems to be waiting only for a major league team to unite a populus ravenous for all things baseball,” said Alberto Gonsalves, acting VP in charge of Public Relations for the Hispanola Free Trade Group. “Favas plans on tapping into the major and largely ignored Caribbean market. The beauty of expanding in Santo Domingo is that it already has a huge baseball fan base with only the lack of a major league team and world class stadium to gratify it.”

How Favas will deliver that stadium is still a point of contention in Dominica. The White Devils group is hoping to renovate Estadio Quisqueya, a multi-use stadium in Santo Domingo that currently holds 14,000 people, with help from the Federal Travel and Tourism Board.

“[The board has] agreed to substantial tax breaks in order to subsidize the large cost of expanding seating and facilities on site,” said Gonsalves. “Ownership is considering private funding from several of the gambling organizations in exchange for exclusive or semi-exclusive access rights.”

While major corporations like Coca-cola and Corona have also pledged support for a Santo Domingo franchise, the backing of several island gambling agencies has raised concerns.

“Gambling shouldn’t have any place in our sport,” said Chris Duncan, Peoria’s newly acquired outfielder. “It sounds like dirty money. In a clean league, that shouldn’t be allowed.”

When asked about the influence of gambling organizations with his former team in Las Vegas, Duncan wouldn’t comment directly, but did ask, “is there really a shader character then HoweDogg?”

Given the current state of the Dominican Republic’s economy, the team’s financial stability will always be a question, but Gonsalves said the organization is looking for a low-cost approach to developing team.

“Due to the immense costs associated with expansion, experience working with a somewhat limited budget will probably also be taken into consideration for the initial hires in most front office positions.”

He added, “the personnel plan in place will mirror that of the MLB's Florida Marlins as a model for a successful expansion team, focusing on young, dynamic talent.”

Despite the problems, no one can argue Favas’ determination to bring baseball to Santo Domingo. To curry favor in the community, he hosted a block party in and around the stadium.

“It was the greatest day of my poor, poor life,” said Jaun Poorito.


Todd Woodard is the prospective owner of the Santo Domingo White Devils. To read the full transcript of the interview, check out the Expansion Committee Report coming out next week.

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Rakeville Times: An old new GM in town

Rockets General Manager Jack Reed announces the firing of Rich Garces during a press conference. Reed also anounced that he could bury Piglets offical Brian Fantana on the dance floor.

By Aviator McShadeless, Rakeville Times
When team president Jack Reed approached the podium Friday morning, introduced by team owner David Claffey, he brought with him more than the news of Rich Garces’ firing. Hidden in the announcement was clear endorsement of team manager Troy O’Leary, who many tabbed as the scapegoat for a sub par season.

“Despite a tough year, this team was still one of the best in the league,” said Reed. “We are not going to come out and make big changes. This is Troy’s era. It will be his time to shine.”

The team didn’t mention a replacement for Garces, though it is expected that Reed will slip back into the General Manager role.

“His legacy is really on the line,” said Pat Turban with WRAK. “He is well known in the league as a great leader, but as the years pass, it is going to be championships that are counted. He needs to take that final step and bring a championship to Rakeville.”

With his reputation on the line, Reed will stick with O’Leary, at least for another year.

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Reno Weekly Rag: Vegas Press Conference

Gary Sheffield didn't play much in 2006. Instead, he rehabilitated and spent time outside the stadium with fans. The question is: will he be back with the Doggs in 2007?


By: Ehssosicated Press

The following is a trascript from a recent press conference with EHCC Champion Las Vegas Doggs' General Manager, Howe Dogg.

Q (Conor Intabedd; Reno Weekly Rag): Mr. Dogg, do you feel your team is built to repeat in 2007 as is?

A: It is the consensus that if every team goes into 2007 as they left 2006, we have to be the favorite to repeat. We're not that naive however, and realize every team is going to do everything in their power to get better this off-season. As it stands, we are very happy with our current roster and have no plans to move any of our key guys around. We made a lot of moves last off-season so that we wouldn't have to do that in the near future.

Q (Max Power; Vegas Gazette): There's been rumor that you'd like to get an upgrade in your outfield for next season. Any validity to this, and if so who of your current 5 outfielders would be the one being replaced?

A: I've heard such rumors as well. We have five current players roaming the outfield for the Doggs right now. [Jason] Bay and [Carlos] Lee are young enough and have proven themselves enough to earn a guarenteed spot in the corner positions next season as of right now. Chris [Duncan] and Alex [Rios] are great young players who showed us a lot last season. I'd love it if they could prove to me in the Ehrizona Fall League that either one of them deserved the final spot. Gary [Sheffield] is an original Dogg. We drafted him back in 2001 and were lucky enough to trade back for him last off-season. Unfortunately, his injuries kept him out of the lineup most of the season but we're very hopeful he can come back and contribute in 2007, either as one of our outfielders or, perhaps, at a different position such as first base or DH.

Q (Pedro Gammo; EHSPN): If Sheffield were to come back, would you really have room for him? With Jim Thome and Aramis Ramirez manning the DH spot and Albert Pujols at first base, where would Sheffield fit in?

A: Excellent question. We do have quite a few good players at some key positions. It should go without saying that Albert isn't going anywhere. I even rejected a trade that may have gotten us a few key starters and a quality first base replacement for Mr. Pujols. It was just a show of respect for the man. He'll be a Dogg for life. As far as the DH role goes, right now it's up for grabs. Aramis showed us a lot in the final two months, as he usually does, so he's got an edge on everyone else. We have to wait and see what the health will be on Thome and Sheffield going into 2007. Gary may very well come back as our fourth outfielder, depending on whether or not Chris and Alex can show us something in winter ball, or if we're able to pick up a quality replacement from another team in the off-season.

Q (Conor Intabedd): Now that the Doggs' organization seems to have some quality players back in the minor league system, what are the plans for those players? In the past, the organization has drafted very well but has yet to allow any of their ESSEC players play more than two months at the EHCC level. Do the Dogg' still have the same philosophy regarding minor leaguers since you traded away first round pick Cameron Maybin for Carlos Lee during the 2006 season, or are they going to start trusting their picks more and allowing them to blossom on the Doggs' EHCC roster?

A: Let's get this straight, we've always trusted our ability to pick quality individuals in the ESSEC draft. The only reason we felt it was wise to use those picks in trades was because we felt it would put us over the top. So far we've been right in most cases. We still regret letting Matt Cain go to the Piglets, but in 2004 we traded away Felix Hernandez for Mariano Rivera and Greg Maddux. Those two guys helped us win our first championship and are still with us through our second. Trading Cameron was hard, but since we recieved a quality outfilder that could put us over the top immediately, we thought it to be a no-brainer. Plus, outfield is the one position we have a lot of depth at right now, especially with Jay Bruce and Hunter Pence coming up through the system. If we feel it's something that will benefit the team in a major way, we will trade almost anyone, minor league players included. We'd like to see Matt Garza, Homer Bailey, and Jay Bruce come up to Vegas and prove to us, and everyone else, that we made the right decisions on them. That being said, I don't know what could be offered to us in the form of a trade that would pry those three away from us at the moment.

Q (Pedro Gammo): Any big moves planned or in the works?

A: We were in talks with a few teams, just to keep things in perspective. We've recieved some interest in Rickie Weeks, who we'd rather not part with consdiering how much we paid to get him here in the first place. There's been talks specifically with representatives from both Golden and Peoria involving some of our players, but what we could get in return that would aid our team in repeating as EHCC champions is still unclear.

Howe Dogg: That's all I have for today. Thank you all for coming.

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Rakeville Times: Faith healing

Pedro begins a long off season of rehab at the Rakeville training complex in Pensecola, Florida, as the ace looks to recover from rotator cuff surgery. His future in Rakeville may be in question, but now no one questions if he shaves his armpits.


By Aviator McShadeless, Rakeville Times
It has been an unspeakable topic in Rakeville as concern builds over one of the greatest athletes in the city’s history.

Pedro Martinez took his prized right arm, along with the fears of Rivertown, to Victoria General Hospital on Oct. 5 when he underwent rotator cuff surgery. Initial reports looked favorable, with some in the organization hinting that the Rockets ace could be ready before the all-star break next season. Then came an announcement by Pedro last week that if his shoulder doesn’t return to full strength, he will contemplate retirement.

If Martinez does retire, it would mark the end of an era. Rakeville’s rotation is a mirror of Martinez. For five years they have been the top staff in baseball with Pedro as the anchor. This season brought early injuries and struggles for the ace, resulting in his worst season in his career. That the Rockets also dropped from the top spot is not a coincidence.

“Not only has he been an excellent pitcher, but he has also been the heart and soul of this rotation,” Jack Reed. “I don’t think there is another pitcher in the EHCC with a history of success Pedro has had with this team. He is a rare athlete, with the talent and charisma to lead a franchise.”

Despite warm thoughts, Reed will have a hard decision this off-season with the 20-man roster deadline just over the horizon. Can Rakeville, a team that struggled all last season for consistency from their staff, use a precious roster spot on a pitcher who may not start until after the all-star break? Could they waste in on a player who may not start at all?

“I couldn’t imagine Pedro in another uniform,” said EHSPN columnist Pop Sickels. “With the chance of league expansion, the thoughts that Rakeville could drop him and pick him up again in the draft are non-existent. They almost have to carry him through the cuts. The city wouldn’t allow him to leave.”

Reed would not speculate on the future roster, but did hint that it would be a decision made by “the manager and I.” The lack of mention of current manager Troy O’Leary’s name in the discussion highlights the volatile situation in the Rockets front office, with Pedro’s contract low on the totem pole of concerns.

Many think the answers will come during next week’s press conference where Reed may announce plans for the upcoming season.

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Rakeville Times: Longing for the eight inning

Rakeville's GM is looking to get back into baseball, trying out for MLB teams in the hope of earning a spot in the EHCC again. Officials have been busy making sure baseball fields still have weight-bearing mounds.

By Aviator McShadeless
Rakeville Times
With the Rakeville media buzzing about changes to the Rockets front office, general manager Rich Garces may be taking his destiny into his own hands.

A report came out last week that El Guapo looking to return to baseball in a uniform rather than a suit as the 35-year-old executive is trying his hand at pitching again. The former setup man has been pitching in Venezuela, and is hoping to find a spot in the MLB pool for the 2007 season, and perhaps break onto an EHCC team later in the year.

“Nothing is set in stone, but I am one of the best pitchers of all time,” said Garces during a bullpen session yesterday. “This has nothing to do with my position in Rakeville. This is something I want to do. It is something I can do.”

The move comes as a surprise to team pitching coach Justin Fuller.

“We often talked about pitching during the season,” said Fuller. “Being a former pitcher, I figured he was just interested, but now I think he had been planning a return to baseball all year.”

If Garces is picked up by a MLB team, he could be eligible for the EHCC, but would Rakeville or any other club take a chance on the surly veteran?

“El Guapo?” asked Dave Grubb, Peoria’s general manager. “He's been out of the bigs for quite a while, and I doubt he'd be anything more then a one batter specialist.” Though he may be a good public relations tool, many don’t see the value in Garces.

“Then they will be proven wrong,” said Garces, responding to the comments. “I will get the chance, turn a lot of heads. I scouted talent all year, and no one can pitch like me.”

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