Baseball Tri-Weekly: ATL Second Base

Robinson Cano is part of Peoria's resurgent infield, and he may be the driving force that will push the Cardinals into the playoffs. He just needs to find a way to pitch from second base.



Around the League: Second Base
By Listen DePlayohs, Baseball Tri-Weekly


Eastern Division
6. Howie Kendrick, ARL
Injuries slowed this young star’s accession, and mental handicaps will slow him again in 2008. I think we can expect big things from Kendrick down the road, but there ill be a lot of learning to be done this season. The lofty number posted in partial play should average out to a mediocre option with a nice ceiling.


5. Placido Polanco, BRW
Just as everyone on the Weasels, Polanco was playing above his head last season. Or was he? The Weasels weak arm reached 200 hits in his first full season, with 35 doubles in Bridgewater’s spacious park. I have no reason to believe he will drop his average below .300, and fully expect him to top 100 runs and 10 homeruns. Speed is not his game, but he is a two and a half category player who is reaching his prime. Yes, he is old, but finally given the opportunity, he has proven he is pretty good.

4. Chone Figgins, WEY
Being the only option in Weymouth, it is a shame that the Shaddupu can’t use Figgins’ versatility a bit more, but he has more than enough talent to carry the water on the Island. He is a two-category stud, and more at bats this season should lead to more runs. He is guaranteed numbers, and though he only ranks in the middle of the pack in the East, any team would love to have him.

3. Rickie Weeks / Jeff Kent, LV
The Doggs have been patient with Rickie Weeks, and this season it may finally pay off. Despite hitting .235, Weeks scored nearly 90 runs and stole 25 bases last season. If he can hit for an EHCC average, expect those numbers to climb through the roof. On top of that, Las Vegas has a proven veteran platoon with Jeff Kent, who makes up for all that Weeks lacks. The combo is potentially very good, but it all hinges on Rickie having a breakout year.

2. Robinson Cano, PEO
Cano won the Cardinals race for second base last season, beating out Ian Kinsler. He has quietly built quite a track record for himself, combining power and average numbers that on Utley can compete with. With Teixeira hitting behind him this season, Robinson is poised for a breakout season. If healthy, he could challenge 30 homeruns and should pass 100 RBIs.


1. Chase Utley / B.J. Upton, RAK
Rakeville decided to compliment the best second baseman in baseball with another top 5 talent, and though Upton is expected to start in the outfield for the Rockets, he is an elite backup for the EHCC’s elite weak arm. Chase battled some injury problems last season, but is expected to be back in form. No doubt this is the top combo in the East.

Western Division
6. Dustin Pedroia / Freddy Sanchez, SD
Here is the dirty little secret. Dustin Pedroia is not that good. The White Devils second basemen did hit .317 last season, but a full season of at bats only yielded 86 runs and 8 homeruns. Couple that with poor speed, and Pedroia offers EHCC teams very little. He is Freddy Sanchez, only a little younger and not as good. The duo offers little talent and little upside, but Santo Domingo is hoping at least one of the breaks out.

5. Kelly Johnson, GLD
Johnson’s 2007 was a nice window into what the lefty will offer in 2008. He has pop in his bat, enough speed to eek out double digit steals, and depending on where he hits in the Gryphons line up, could provide 100 runs. I don’t think he’ll make a huge jump this season, but if the young Golden second baseman continues to improve, he could be talked about as a top 5 option in a few years.

4. Dan Uggla, WS
He is a first baseman in a second baseman’s body. Uggla is a powerful little man, and it likely got to his head last year. He posted big time home runs and doubles, but the average took a terrible turn. He needs to bring it up this season. His job isn’t in jeopardy, but his team playoff hopes are if he can’t hit for hits rather than homers.

3. Brian Roberts, TIJ
With steroids no longer an option, Roberts opted for calf implants last offseason and used his new bionic legs to steal 50 bases. The question is, what freak category will Roberts dominate this season? Rumor has it that he is looking for arm extenders to allow him more defensive range. Good news for Tijuana pitchers, bad news for folks who were hoping for an offensive repeat from the franchise.

2. Ian Kinsler, QC
Kinsler put up scary numbers for his limited play. It is tough to figure out what direction Ian will go in this year, but I’m going to guess he’ll kick the average up a few points, maintain his 20/20 status and be a hot ticket in the West for the next few years. Or, at least until Quebec City trades him for pitching.

1. Brandon Phillips, TKO
After the young star broke out last season posting 30 homeruns and 32 steals, lets temper our assessment of Phillips a little. Like Fielder, Philips excelled in the shadowed of a failed season for the Omyoujis, facing the EHCC’s lesser arms and excelling against lesser competition. The league will be in for a rude awakening this season when they take a look at the Tokyo lineup, and Phillips will be at the top of the order for this stellar young crew. The speed is there, but the power may be a bit of a fluke. Plus, it is not like the Omyoujis need more homeruns. They need a lead off hitter, so expect his average to rise and his dingers to drop. Still a great player in the making.

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Basebll Tri-Weekly: ATL First Basemen

Ryan Howard takes a swing during Weasels spring training. The Bridgewater slugger is the best first
baseman in the East, and possibly in the EHCC. Listen Deplayohs breaks down the position to kick off this season's Around the League.


Around the League: First Base By Listen DePlayohs, Baseball Tri-Weekly

The EHCC is a wonderfully diverse league, but the gentlemen who man baseball’s power position are far from different. Raw, unfettered power can be found with most at the catching corner For the fourth straight year, Baseball Tri-Weekly brings you Around the League, starting with our favorite fatties at first.

Eastern Divison
6. Travis Hafner / Carlos Delgado, WEY
The shine as finally come off the Shaddupu’s glorious reign, as they field two extremely limited options at first. Delgado’s regression meant more time for Hafner last season, and he responded with an inexplicably poor season. Was he battling injury? No one outside of Weymouth knows for sure, but given last season’s performance and the addition to a powerhouse in Peoria, the Shaddupu duo is sitting at the bottom of the East.

5. Albert Pujols, LV
Talk about a curious prediction. Last season I projected a Pujols regression, and surprising, I overestimated his performance. Many of the problems that hindered the Doggs slugger last season are back, and some are worse. Doctors feel he needs surgery, but the Las Vegas star is going to push forward despite their concerns in the hopes of bringing another title to Sin City. For 2008, Pujols should continue to be a top option, but his long-term value is dropping every day. The Doggs have no one in reserve if Albert can’t go on, so the Eastern Division champs are taking a bit of a risk.

4. Adrian Gonzalez, ARL
Gonzalez lived up to expectations last season, posting elite first baseman numbers in every category except batting average (.282). He is capable of putting up good numbers across the board, and given the lagging talent in the East, he could perform on a much higher level. That said, Adrian did have almost 650 at bats last season playing everyday for a Warriors team stretched thin. A drop in at bats could expose him if his ratios don’t improve. He is young and in good health, so big numbers should be expected again.

3. Mark Teixeira / Joey Votto, PEO
It was a blockbuster trade that rocked the makeup of the Cardinals this offseason, but Peoria may finally have an offense to make a run in the East. In a division where you need an elite option at first, Peoria has entered the conversation. Teixeira is not as exciting as some of the other gents, but he will provide consistent numbers for the cellar-dwellers to build around. He will have to at the price of Cole Hamels. Joey Votto is a nice player, but will never be a factor in the East. If he can’t stick in the outfield for the Cardnials, then they should send him away when his value reaches its peak.

2. David Ortiz / Chris Duncan, RAK
Big Papi is back and this year the Rockets offense is in more need of his power than ever before. The loss of Vernon Wells and Andruw Jones has taken 50 homeruns from the Rakeville lineup, and Ortiz (only 35 dingers last season) is going to be asked to make up the gap. He is coming off knee surgery, so he’ll either return to MVP-caliber 2006 form or regress even further as his weight continues to plague his large frame. Still, given the problems with other first basemen in the East, he is still one of the top options. The Rockets have a backup plan in Chris Duncan, who will be able to provide them with homeruns if Ortiz falters, but little else.

1. Ryan Howard / Derrek Lee, BRW
Baseballs top duo is back for another season. Howard and Lee lead the way for all first basemen, each making up for each other’s deficiencies with awesome resolve. Howard, on his own, is the best first basemen in the East, and Lee continues to be an elite backup. Stolen bases have always been the factor that set Lee apart, but the last two years have been underwhelming. He may no longer be a clear starter like he once was in 2005, and his days in Bridgewater may be numbered, but he’ll still be expected to be a worthy DH for the Weasels in their run for a championship.


Western Division
6. Todd Helton, SD
Helton needs to hit 20 homeruns. His high average is great, but for a first baseman in the EHCC, hitting below 20 is almost unworthy of a roster spot. He is a 35-year-old player who is very mediocre, on a team in transition. The most he could offer the White Devils is a huge April and May, then a trade. Anything less would be worthless.
5. Nick Swisher / James Loney, GLD
It will be curious to see who the Gryphons select to be their starting first baseman in 2008. Right now, Nick Swisher seems to have the edge, but he is so versatile that keeping at first while the team’s young outfield struggles seems foolish. As a first baseman, Swisher doesn’t provide much. An average hitter, below average for the bag, he is only valuable defensively for Golden. Loney is a promising backup who is capable of 25 homeruns and a .300 average. Good for a young player, but not up the EHCC standards yet. This is just another position for Golden that is a work in progress.

4. Adam LaRoche, TIJ
Of all the great first basemen to pass through Mexico, how is Adam LaRoche the one that remains? Granted, he is a young, potential-filled player that the Hispanics feel fits in nicely with their plans. Right now, LaRoche is the only option for Tijuana, so he’ll have a chance to develop with little pressure. That may not be a good thing. With Brian Roberts and Jacoby Elsbury hitting in front of him, LaRoche has every opportunity to become the Prince Fielder of 2008.

3. Paul Konerko, WS
Not much can be said about the Green Monsters first baseman. He is a consistent hitter who provides the cigarette kings with a power bat for their speedy lineup. He is a staple in Winston-Salem, and while he isn’t a glamourous option, they have built this offense around him. He is trusted, healthy and hungry for another shot at the playoffs.

2. Justin Morneau / Carlos Pena QC
They won’t admit it in Canada, but they are very nervous about their first basemen this season. Not sacred, just nervous. The Piglets took a stand this offseason, refusing to trade away their talented trio unless they got substantial value in return. They did, but it cost them their best hitting, most popular player. Now they are left with two guys who some consider flukes. Carlos Pena had a breakout season last year, and Justin Morneau regressed greatly from the player they traded for in 2007. Both are going to be asked to shoulder a large portion of the Quebec City offense, and they should be up to the challenge. Still, if neither matches or out perform Mark Teixeira, there will be a lot of folks churning their hands in pig country.

1. Prince Fielder / Billy Butler, TKO
Prince busted out in a big way last season, and is primed for a repeat as he leads a young, potent Tokyo offense. He has to clean up his peripherals. Fifty Homeruns should yield more than RBIs, and Fielder was the master of the solo shot last season. He is the gold standard in the West, and perhaps the entire EHCC. The sky is the limit with this kid, and it will all depend on this batting average. Billy Butler certainly won’t usurp Prince, but he will be a good backup. Tokyo has him slotted as the utility guy this season, and that may be a hole for them as Butler doesn’t seem ready for a starting gig. Look for him to struggle, but turn it on for a possible playoff run.

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Baseball Tri-Weekly: ATB Draft

Coming off shoulder surgery, Vernon Wells is hoping to become the EHCC's comback player of the year. That quest begins Saturday as Santo Domingo ponders whether to take the outfielder or a pitcher with the first pick.
Also inside: the Baseball Tri-Weekly's Mock Draft


Around the Bases: Draft
By Listen Deplayohs, Baseball Tri-Weekly

For the first time in years, an overhyped, over-his-head rookie or a prospect who will play less games than Matt Clement, will not be taken in the first round. Instead? Try a good baseball player.

The 2008 EHCC General Draft will yield the most productive and experienced crop of players since the early days of the league, and some think it could lead to one of the most competitive seasons ever seen.

“Last year was a really good year for the EHCC,” said Baseball Tri-Weekly draft expert Pop Cickels. “A lot of teams were in the hunt for the final few playoff spots until the very end. Still, many of those teams thought they had little shot of winning it all, and statistically they did. Had a few of those teams taken better players in the Major league draft, we could be talking about Winston-Salem, Tijuana or Tokyo being the Champions instead of Arlington.”

The best player in last years draft, Chipper Jones, went to Rakeville at nine. The best pitcher taken early, John Maine, slipped all the way to the Hispanics in the second round. Had Tijuana only drafted actual players with their top two picks, could we have easily seen our first Western Division champion? Cickels thinks so.

“Managers think that finding the next young star is the way to go, while the big boys like Weymouth, Rakeville, Bridgewater and Las Vegas continued to draft battle-tested players. Some say they are just rounding out their already impressive rosters, but you can’t tell me that guys like Rich Hill, Corey Hart or even Jeff Kent aren’t ten times more valuable than when it comes to winning, long and short-term.”

While some of the lower teams are mashing their fists at the limited draft pool, it could be the best thing for the league and those franchises.

“We’ll see an actual distribution of talent this year,” said Cickels. “Veteran teams could look at the board and pretty much select who they needed to augment their team even as late as the fourth round. Now, the players that could assure them of a playoff berth and championship contention are being sought by all, and the league’s front offices are forced to plan deeper and deeper.”

So who will be this year’s top picks? It depends on how far teams are going to reach to compensate for the lack of inexperienced players. Some have suggested it could be outfielder Vernon Wells or Closer Rafael Soriano. Others think fringe guys like Andy Sonnanstine or Asdrubal Cabrera will jump up as general managers hope to grab these sleepers early on. Either way, this season’s draft looks to be one of the most contentious in a while

Baseball Tri-Weekly’s Mock Draft
Guy Roball is the Chief Western Division coorespondent. He likes seahorses and ponies. His draft is trying to get into the mind of EHCC General Managers, guessing who they will pick.

Pop Cickels is surly and old. He does mock drafts and gets angry at the teams when they don’t pick who he selected for him. He is not allowed to do March Madness brackets anymore because he never believe a team he picked lost. His draft is what he thinks teams should do.

1. Santo Domingo White Devils – Vernon Wells, OF

Roball says: It's no secret that Santo Domingo already has quite the crowded outfield, but how can you pass on proven talent? Vernon Wells would instantly be their top outfielder. Worst-case scenario, he is great trade bait.

Cickels says: The White Devils have offense, and plenty of it. Even if the best player in the draft is a hitter, is he so much better than the pitchers available that you devalue you current players to get him? Santo Domingo’s one focus this draft should be pitching. Starting, closing, middle relief. Anything that throws a ball to a catcher.

2. Peoria Cardinals – Bronson Arroyo, SP

Roball says: Peoria obviously needs some pitching help after ditching their top 2 arms in exchange for Mark Teixeira. They have some young talent to work with, but no standout ace. Bronson Arroyo could give their staff instant credibility, or at the very least boost morale with his sweet jams.

Cickels says: They should be thanking the gods if the top pick isn’t an arm, but they need to pray they have the strength to take a closer so early. There are rumors that Rafael Soriano was mistakenly dropped by Tokyo, a remake of the C.C. Sabathia fiasco in 2005. He is one of the few guys that is a step above his peers in draft, even if it is just saves.

3. Tijuana Hispanics (From Golden) – Franklin Morales, SP

Roball says: With the Hispanics relying on guys like Hirsh and Pelfrey to turn their staff around, they could really use another arm at #3. With not much available in the way of quality starters after Arroyo, it may be more productive for Tijuana to send this pick to someone for another pitcher, rather than adding offensive depth.

Cickels says: They have talent across the board, so filling a hole isn’t much of a concern. Mostly, they should be looking for the best upgrade available. With a trio of questionable outfielders, the safest selection would likely be Hideki Matsui. Not a flashy pick, but his consistent play could be a stabilizing force for this young team as their develops into a real playoff contender.

4. Tokyo Omyoujis – Rafael Soriano, RP

Roball says: Tokyo went into the offseason with 5 relievers and will enter the draft with 3. Unfortunately, only 1 of them is an actual closer. By re-adding Rafael Soriano to the roster, the Omyoujis may finally be able to cut ties with their two long time setup men before Opening Day.

Cickels says: This is the season. The season Tokyo becomes relevant… if they don’t screw it up. No offense needed here. The Omaron’s are looking for hurlers and starting ones at that. With a dirth of mediocre arms looking to rise or fall this season, they should go with a reliable pitcher who could help guild this young team to success. Greg Maddux is a first round pick this year, and the perfect compliment for the Asian staff.

5. Tijuana Hispanics – Jeremy Guthrie, SP

Roball says: There is quite a pitching staff forming south of the border, but it is far from completion. They need to start picking some quality arms, not guys whose rotation berth may be in doubt. Jeremy Guthrie’s slot assured, and while some critics fear of regression this season, the Arab ace will deliver the goods.

Cickels says: For the 2nd straight year, Tijuana owns the third and fifth picks, and once again they should go with a pitcher-infielder combo. Carlos Guillen will be nice for 2008, both at short and filling in for Laroche if he falters at first. But the Hispanics are looking to the future, and he will lose his SS eligibility. Orlando Cabrera isn't as young as he used to be, but could still hit .300 and swipe 25 bags for the next few years.

6. Winston-Salem Green Monsters – Jason Isringhausen, RP

Roball says - Brett Myers had a great year filling in as closer in 2007, but the time for fun and games is over. With a solid young offense already in place, Winston-Salem should grab another reliever to keep Bobby Jenks company out in the bullpen.

Cickels says – Somehow Kevin Youkilis has third base eligibility for another season, but he is far from an elite option there. With a solid pitching staff, I think the Green Monsters should take a chance on a second round player and go with Kevin Kouzmanoff. He matched the other Kevin in almost every category at a younger age and fewer at bats last season, and could be posed for a big year this year. Worse-case, he posts the same numbers as a decent utility guy.

7. Weymouth Shaddupu – Hideki Matsui, OF

Roball says - Weymouth's attempt at a youth movement failed, and the team decided to part ways with Rocco Baldelli, Mark Teahan, and Josh Willingham. They'll need some replacement gloves in the outfield, and Hideki Matsui is just the home run hitting slugger who will fit in nicely.

Cickels says – The back of Weymouth’s rotation looks very shaky, and while it will beat most teams most nights, I don’t think it matches up with the top hurlers in the league. More depth can only help, so finding a solid arm with a low WHIP would be the most prudent selection. He isn’t a power pitcher, but Brian Bannister could be the perfect compliment to Weymouth’s high strikeout staff.

8. Golden Gryphons – J.R. Towles, C

Roball says - Golden spent 2007 and early 2008 building the young pitching staff they finally completed with the acquisition of Daisuke Matsuzaka. The only thing left is to find a backstop to catch all those gyroballs, and who better than the best young prospect available in the draft. J.R. Towles should have an immediate impact, and send the Gryphons back to the playoffs.

Cickels says – The team most likely to reach is Golden, and they would have good reason to. Winning doesn’t seem to be an option this year as they wait for their kids to develop. One of the top young players in the draft is Asdrubal Cabrera, and while I don’t expect grand things from him this year, he is the perfect player for Golden, who is currently sporting a 32 year old Edgar Renteria at short and a marginal prospect Kelly Johnson at second.

9. Bridgewater Weasels – Aaron Rowland, OF

Roball says - Their pitching staff may be old, but they get the job done. Lacking a third outfielder, the Weasels will look for yet another offensive boost. someone that fits the Bridgewater mold perfectly is Aaron Rowland: solid production across the board last season, but still over 30 years old.

Cickels says- Never say a player is too old in the age of HGH. Bridgewater has a habit of reaching for relievers in the first round, but I’m asking that they break that pattern and go with a starter, They like proven guys, and a guy like Jake Westbrook fits the bill. A proven pitcher with a high quality start percentage who will fit right into their system.

10. & 11. Rakeville Rockets – Andruw Jones, OF & Kevin Millwood, SP

Roball says - Welcome back, Mr. Jones! It'll be a great day for Rakeville fans when Commissioner Burks announces Andruw Jones as one of the two first round picks for the Rockets. The outfielder had nothing but good things to say about the franchise after being left off their 20-man roster, so there should be no bad blood with this reunion. The bullpen is fine in Rakeville, as well as the rest of the offense, so they should be looking rotation depth at their other pick. Strikeout pitchers fit the Jack Reed mold, but there aren't many left to take. The Rockets will resort to experience, and Kevin Millwood would love a chance to prove himself with a big-market club again.

Cickels says – Looking to get back the players they lost last season, the Rockets will likely pick Verno… Guthr… Isring…. Maybe Bronso…. Nope. Who is left? Ah, Andruw Jones. Roball and I agree that outfield is a must for Rakeville, but Jones may not be the one to fill the vacancy. They need power from their corner outfielder and Pat Burrell is the man to deliver, while posting a marginally bad average as opposed to a dreadful one. For the other pick, the team’s best offensive player is coming off major knee surgery. Plus, he weighs 300 pounds. It might be wise to start looking for a viable backup at first base and Conor Jackson is the high average guy the Rockets love. May be early for him, but it is never too early to sure up a weakness.

12. Arlington Warriors - Hiroki Kuroda, SP

Roball says - From first in the 2007 draft to twelfth in 2008, the Arlington Warriors proved that truly anyone can win in the EHCC on any given week. Like last year, the champs will tap the Japanese talent pool with Hiroki Kuroda. The 33 year old rookie won't have the fanfare that Dice-K had last season, but should have just as much of an impact on the Warriors' pitching staff.

Cickels says – The wave is coming. The Warriors have to go with the one of the remaining closers now or there will be none left come their next pick. The options aren’t great, but the level of confidence drops with each one picked. Joe Borowski is a workhorse at the back of the bullpen. With Arlington’s core of top-notch starting pitchers, Borowski could be the lynchpin to another successful season. Given all the marginal starters available, taking the last guaranteed closer here is the safest bet.

League Notes

-- Scouts who attended the EHCC Draft Combine were impressed by the speed of second baseman Ryan Theriot. One team's scout was so impressed, he offered the speeders a guaranteed selection if he would muff the rest of the workout and lower his value. Theriot declined, though you couldn't tell by his performance.

-- Mark DeRosa may be the most versatile man in this year's draft, but he certainly wasn't carrying the title at home. Mrs. DeRosa recently claimed that her and her lover had sex in eight different position on the family's boat in Florida during a divorce hearing Monday.

-- Tim Stauffer was surprised to learn that his contract was extended by Winston-Salem last week. The pitcher was visibly disappointed though when talking to the media. "I just don't feel like they are dedicated to winning. Heck, even I know I suck."

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Baseball Tri-Weekly: September Cover

Read the cover story

Ready to Launch
By Listen Deplayohs, Baseball Tri-Weekly

Go to any bar in Rakeville, say his name, and you’ll start a chant. Fans have begun to call him Ian in discussions about the team, because just uttering the name Snell turns even the soberest patron into the most raucous Golden Arm. They have good reason to celebrate, and it’s not just Rocket all-stars that have earned the admiration of a city.

The Rakeville rotation proved to be one of the best in the history of the franchise and the league, and they have solidified their legacy as the greatest pitching staff ever seen. While this decade will be remembered for the Weymouth championship dynasty, the dominance of Rakeville hurlers over the years will be a close second. But now the question is, will pitching alone be enough to lift the Rockets to their first title?

Josh Beckett has been the headliner all season, but veteran Rockets Roy Oswalt and Javier Vazquez have quietly been guiding the team to victories. Most impressive has been the back of the rotation. Bronson Arroyo, Felix Hernandez and Rich Hill could be aces on a few teams in the league, but combine for 25 wins and over 400 strikeouts, while Jeremy Guthrie and Kevlim Escobar are having Cy Young caliber seasons.

“I can’t envision a scenario where a team can beat us by out-pitching us,” said Manager Troy O’Leary. “The front office has build this team to win, and win often. I know our playoff history is checkered with failure, but there is a new attitude to this team. We’re not taking anything for granted, but we know if everyone is healthy than we should win.”

Health is key, and Rakeville is getting healthier everyday. Team Trainer Lance Armstrong announced that Josh Hamilton and Chase Utley are ready to play when the rosters expand for the playoffs. Both have been tearing up the ESSEC over the last week in rehab games. Pitchers Pedro Martinez and Phillip Hughes are also poised to contribute but the path for them is more complicated. Still, the Rockets are fit.

“The bye will give guys like Joe Mauer and David Ortiz a chance to rest,” said O’Leary about two players battling nagging injuries. “Everyone in are rotation is fresh, and with our bullpen so deep, their arms are electric. I may vomit on my shoes I am so excited.”

The Rockets biggest obstacle is their 1-5 record in the playoffs.

“It is easy to have a losing playoff record when you look at some of the great teams we’ve seen in the EHCC, but 1-5 is unacceptable,” said General Manager Jack Reed. “We were fortunate enough to have a big lead heading into the trade deadline. It allowed us to focus on moves that will help us win games in the playoffs rather than blowing out teams in the regular season. This team has never been better equipped for postseason success.”

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Baseball Tri-Weekly: ATB Week 22

Winston Salem's Kason Gabbard pitches during a game against Arlington. Gabbard and company were pounded by Warriors pitching, and now the Green Monsters find themselves on the outside looking in.



Around the Bases: Week 22
By Listen Deplayohs, Baseball Tri-Weekly

August has been a month of horrors for the Green Monsters, and a new dawn for the farm dwellers. A return of the status quo for Weymouth, and a return to brotherly curse that grips the Rockets.

Winston-Salem had been flying high at the end of July, securely in a playoff spot and quietly eyeing a bye and the division crown. After a brutal east coast swing, the Monsters swept through three Western Division teams, beating Tijuana, Golden and Santo Domingo by a combined 25-4. Things looked bright for the nicotine kings.

Conversely, their lone remaining rival hiccuped their way back into the playoff picture. The Piglets looked dismal in their East Coast trip. They lost terribly to Rakeville and Weymouth. After a few trades, they showed signs of a turnaround, only to squeak out a tie against poor Golden club. The momentum heading into the pivotal division matchup was clearly in Green Monsters favor.

“The team was down,” said Piglets pitcher Jake Peavy. “I had never seen it this bad. Guys were hanging their heads in the first inning. It was tough to go out there and pitch when the team behind me as already defeated.”

Somehow, Peavy overcame the despair. Instead of collapsing under the weight of failure, he stepped up and pitched two stellar games for Quebec City, earning two wins, 10 strikeouts while only giving up two runs.

“It was huge to see Jake carry this team on his back,” said fellow pitcher Justin Verlander. “He left it all on the field that game. After seeing that, the rest of the team found new energy.”

Three Piglets, Cain, Kazmir and Marcum, threw shutouts. Newly aquired pitcher Tim Lincecum struckout 16 batters and Greg Maddux posted a .67 Whip. Combine, Quebec City had one of the best pitching games of the season, earning a 2.26 ERA and a 1.12 Whip, netting them four of five pitching categories.

Winston-Salem’s staff tried to fight back, but an overwhelmed Daniel Cabrera, and Paul Maholm were battered by the late revival of Piglet bats.

“It was a turning point for our team,” said Peavy. “It was our first must win of the season. It was really the only game that was really all or nothing. We had to win. We had to come together.”

The win sent both teams careening in different directions. Winston Salem Then travelled to Bridgewater, but were no match for the Weasels. Next was a game with national exposure against the Arlington Warriors.

“I can’t imagine what was going through their heads when we beat them,” said Warrior infielder Derrick Jeter. “You could see how angry they were. I would have felt the same way. After being so strong all season, to let go at the end must have been devistating.”

The 7-2 loss sent the Green Monsters below the yellow line, and allowed Quebec City, who destroyed Arlington the week before and clinched the division in a win over Tokyo, into the playoffs.

Out east, the team everyone expected to be floating around the yellow line was suddenly back in the race. Weymouth meandered to a tie against Tokyo, and looked dead in the water in their matchup against Las Vegas to start the month. Yet, a record-breaking week from the Shaduppu bats quickly turned the tide in their favor. Miguel Tejada, Josh Willingham and Bobby Abreu drove in 26 runs combined on the way to 57 total RBIs. The Doggs stuck with their strengths, and found themselves on the losing end of a 7-3 game.

Weymouth kept rolling, beating Tijuana and Santo Domingo elbowing out a half-game lead for the fourth spot.

“We weren’t kidding when we said we were going to earn a home game,” said Shaduppu pitcher Carlos Zambrano. “These teams we are playing are not as good as us. It is a joke that we were not winning games. That has changed. We have changed. Nobody will want to face us now.”

A team that wouldn’t hesitate to face Weymouth is Rakeville, if it meant they wouldn’t have to play Bridgewater. The Rockets were one win away from gain a shot at Las Vegas for the Eastern Division crown, but the furry little beasts that have plagued them for the past three seasons struck again. Up 6-3 in the last day, Bridgewater surged back thanks to five Rakeville players missing the game to see a movie. In the end, Rakeville was one point in batting average away from a playoff game and their second division crown in three years.

Since 2005, Rakeville has a slight edge on the brother-series, going 3-2-1 against Bridgewater. Still, The Weasels dashed the Rockets championship dreams in 2005 with a second round win in the playoffs, and now they’ve kept them from winning the Price Trophy.

“At some point you just want to beat them with your baseball bats like Jose Offerman,” said Ian Snell. “Snell likes beating, not losing.”

Matchups

Only Rakeville has clinch it’s spot in the playoffs. Las Vegas and Bridgewater are in a dog fight for the final bye spot, and Arlington, Weymouth and Quebec City are hoping they don’t have to take on the loser of that battle in the first round.

The best of the east and west square off in the final game of the season, and the implications will certainly effect the playoff seeds. It is hard to believe that even with a big loss Quebec City will find themselves out of the playoffs, considering Winston-Salem’s opponent (Rakeville), but they will definitely see the most difficult route to the playoffs if they can’t pull off a win.

Las Vegas is a game and a half out of the bye and every Dogg understands the value in having a weeks rest. In their two championship runs, Las Vegas held the top spot in the regular season, and every championship appearance was coupled with a bye. Even worse, the Doggs have gone 1-3-1 against the three teams below them, meaning a first round appearance could very well mean a first round upset.

I suck at making predictions, but I pick the Piglets to win. I have no doubt they will prove me wrong though.

Their first match up ended in a 4-4 tie, and both teams wouldn’t mind a similar result if they can’t pry away a win. Weymouth is looking down at Arlington who has a relatively easy game against Tokyo. I doubt Shaduppu can outplay Bridgewater enough to hang onto the fourth spot, but as long as they don’t blow this game they should stay in the sandwich playoff game rather than face Bridgewater or Las Vegas again.

The Weasels are in the same boat as the Green Monsters, riding high all season only to find themselves playing until the last day to stay alive. Bridgewater haven’t lost a game in a month, but two close wins and two close ties have them walking a tight rope. With Alex Rodriguez’s surge no longer carrying them to easy wins, they will have to use their entire roster. They haven’t been pitching well, yet set a season record for wins. Weymouth will have to take there shots there if they want to win.

The big question here is who will make it the most obvious? Peoria and Santo Domingo square of in the most disappointing match up of the season. The White Devils lead the league in inactive players, while Peoria has the most productive bench in the EHCC. What player will have a surprisingly good game and fuck over the rest of his team?

My money is on Peoria losing this one. Not only are they unashamed of their poor play, but they are also incredibly skilled at starting the worst possible players. Because of Santo Domingo’s thin bench, it is hard for them to make the moves needed to lose.

Transactions

-- A big surprise for everyone in the media was Bridgewater’s signing of Josh Barfield. “We didn’t see the press release until after he was signed.”

League Notes

-- Midway through their game with Tijuana, the Peoria events crew set off fireworks to celebrate the injury of Cole Hamels. The party went on well after the 6-3 loss, with fans burning down the Chris Shelton Robot and replacing it with a wooden sculpture of Hamels in a cast.

-- The Quebec Freeze Press reported that Josh Barfield has a drug problem, but the Brockton Enterprise conducted a sting operation soon after his arrival to Bridgewater. “We offered him every drug he could find, but he turned us down. He likes titties though.”

-- In an effort to bring a more diverse crowd to the ball park, Tijuana has installed skate ramps in the area around the team’s ballpark. Nelly Furtado was the first to use the ramp, but the singer fell and broke her leg.

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Baseball Tri-Weekly: ATB Week 21

Marco Sanchez carries a cardboard cutout of Johan Santana to the register at the Weymouth Shaddupu Team Store at Brotherhood Park. Weymouth responded to the fans outcry last week, but will it be enough to earn them a home playoff game?





Around The Bases: Week 21
By Listen Deplayohs, Baseball Tri-Weekly

They are hanging onto the playoffs by their fingertips. A team of veterans so used to winning that their current batch of losing has simply slipped under the radar.

"We take the regualr season for granted sometimes," said firstbaseman Carlos Delgado. "It is like an extended spring training in Weymouth. The fans come, the players play, but everyone seems to know that it is just a warm-up for the playoffs."

That has been the attitude in Weymouth for years. Shaddupu has never won a division championship, but has sold out every game since 2002 despite the lack of passion for regular season rivalries. They even go so far as selling "Got Playoff?" shirts in the team store next to cardboard cutouts of Johan Santana hoisting the EHCC Plaque. The team and city are focused on the playoffs from the start of spring training.

"Taking the ferry to Weymouth in June and taking it in September are two completely different experiences," said Bridgewater's Marcus Giles. "The fans recognize you, but they don't really say much. Some actually great you warmly. When we played Weymouth in the championships though, it was like getting food into Berlin.”

A week ago things changed on the island. As the playoffs inched closer and the team began a 3-week, season ending road trip, folks began to realize that if the Shaddupu remained near the bottom of the playoff hunt, they would not get a home playoff game. It would be the first time in EHCC history that Brotherhood wouldn’t host a life-or-death series.

“To think that there would be no baseball played in Weymouth in September really struck a nerve with a lot of fans,” said Yukon Cornelius. “This town lives for the excitement. We understand that we have to play on the road to win it all, but to have them all on the road is unbearable.”

Perhaps word spread, because a week after being on the fridge of the playoffs, Weymouth has vaulted themselves up into the fourth spot in the standings thanks to a 7-2 win over Tijuana. They now find themselves on top of four teams vying for three playoff spots. More importantly, they hold the coveted home field advantage in the first round.

“Yeah, it means we have to put on our playoff faces a little earlier if we want to stay ahead,” said Delgado.

A daunting stat for Shaddupu fans as we head into the final stretch. At least one bye team has made the EHCC championship game every year, and bye teams have always won it all. Despite all the upsets we've seen in the playoffs, there has yet to be one in the final.

Matchups

Both have pretty much locked in their byes, but a rare late season matchup between two elite teams has some serious implications. Both teams have sneaked up on Las Vegas for the Eastern Division title and now the winner of this week’s matchup is in line for a face off for the crown (Bridgewater would have to beat Weymouth in Week 22 to earn a playoff game). Beyond the division, the game could very well be a preview of the championship game a month from now.

Rakeville has won eight straight games while Bridgewater has gone 6-2-1 in the same span. Despite two season-ending injuries on their pitching staff, the Weasels have kept pace with the Rockets most of the season. And though Bridgewater sometimes falters on offense, they were able to pry three of the categories away in the first matchup.

The Rockets are playing so well right now, it is hard to bet against them, but Bridgewater is posed to give the top team a wakeup call this week with their bats leading the way.


The Warriors and Green Monsters were coasting to playoff appearances just a week ago, but now both teams are staring at .5 game buffer and wondering what happened. Arlington was the victim of a superb performance by the Piglets, drubbed by the resurgent team 10-0. Winston-Salem limped their way to a loss in Bridgewater. Neither showed any urgency and now one is facing absurdity.

Despite the tough loss, The Warriors offense was still effective. Surprising fill-in Ryan Theriot has earned his axe and team stud Magglio Ordonez countinue to put up good numbers. They will have to beat Paul Maholm, Shawn Hill and a interesting cast of hurlers who posted a .97 WHIP against Bridgewater’s offense.

They proved me wrong in their game against the Piglets, but I have to go with the Green Monsters track record once again. Not only do they need to win, but win big, as they will host Rakeville in the final game of the season while Arlington plays at home against Tokyo.

League Notes

-- A 10-0 win wasn’t enough to move Quebec City up in the playoff standings, but it was enough to earn them a new fan. Nick Lachey from the band 98 Degrees was seen waiting outside of the Piglets locker room after their game against Arlington, but wouldn’t say who he was waiting for.

-- Angered by the team’s recent woes, Gryphons fans had a Coors boycott Sunday. Unfortunately, the Drunken Nest only sells Coors beer at its concession stands, so everyone was very sober for their 2-6 loss to Tokyo.

-- Santo Domingo officials announced that the team plans to raise enough money to hold a night game next season, though a deal still needs to be worked out with the Island Electric Company for reduced rates.

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Baseball Tri-Weekly: ATB Week 19

The biggest name to be dealt this month was one of the league's smallest players. Can Ichiro lift Quebec City into the playoff picture?







Around the Bases: Week 19
By Listen DePlayohs, Baseball Tri-Weekly

The August 1st trade deadline was one of the most active in league history, with seven teams locked into negotiations until the final hour. The last few weeks have also yielded some interesting deals, which certainly affect the standings.

Four championship contending teams made moves, and all of them look better for a 2007 run. Let’s look at what they did and how much it costs to be a champion.

Rakeville Rockets
Incoming – RP Francisco Cordero, RP Joe Borowski, SS Julio Lugo,
*Jose Tabata, *Joel Guzman, QC 1st Rd 2008 MaDP, WS 3rd Rd 2008 MaDP

Outgoing - SP A.J. Burnett, SP Randy Johnson,
*Max Scherzer,

Notable Loss - A.J. Burnett: Though injured when traded, Burnett was expected to return in time for the playoffs. With expanded rosters, his loss could be important.

Notable Add – Julio Lugo will be pressed into duty immediately, but should provide a boast once Utley returns with his speed and versatility

2007 Outlook – Rakeville’s deals weren’t blockbuster ones. They upgraded their speed and are now a lock for saves. Though they were unable to augment their outfield, the Rockets may have tinkered enough to win a championship.

2008 and beyond – Aside from Scherzer, the Rockets kept there farm system and draft picks intact, while adding more young talent. The addition of Tabata, along with 2 major league draft picks for 2008, should put them in excellent position to contend next year.

Las Vegas Doggs
Incoming – SP Mark Buehrle, SP Dave Bush, SP Gil Meche, OF Adam Dunn, SP Yovanni Gallardo
GLD 4th Rd 2008 MaDP

Outgoing – OF Ichiro Suzuki, OF Jason Bay, SP Matt Garza
*Jay Bruce, LV 1st Rd MaDP, LV 2nd Rd MaDP, LV 2nd Rd MiDP

Notable Loss – Ichiro is having another excellent year, but was deemed expendable. His stellar batting average and stolen base ability could be on display in the first round of the playoffs if Quebec City and Las Vegas meet.

Notable Add – Gallardo was having a great season in the minors, and has been unhitable since his call-up. Some are worried that the Doggs may shut him down once he reaches 175 innings pitched, though I’m sure they will make an exception if he keeps going at this clip.

2007 Outlook – The Doggs have spent all season trying to build a pitching staff, and it looks like they have finally done it by bringing in four top-notch starters. They finally has a complete staff worthy of a championship run, though they might have gotten them a little too late for a bye.

2008 and beyond – The Doggs filled a lot of holes, but they also spent a lot doing it. They are almost devoid of assets now. The loss of Bruce, Bay and Ichiro leaves their outfield diminished, plus no minor leaguers and the loss of their first and second round picks means the Doggs are going to have to rely on their core for some time.

Arlington Warriors
Incoming – SP Chuck James, SP John Maine
TIJ 3rd Rd MaDP

Outgoing – SP Daisuke Matsuzaka, SP Chad Guadin,
ARL 5th Rd MaDP

Notable Loss – Matsuzaka was to be the face of the Warriors franchise, but trade offer after trade offer must have slowly changed their mind.

Notable Add – Maine has been performing under the radar for a bad Hispanics team. Now in the playoff hunt, expect his stuff to explode onto the main stage.

2007 Outlook – The Warriors decided quantity over quality was their best bet. Maine and James deepen their already solid young staff and give them a playoff caliber rotation. They won’t, however, be enough to slip past some of the other teams and they are destined for a 1st round loss.

2008 and Beyond – Considering some of the offers floated in the off-season for Matsuzaka, the Warriors didn’t get enough for their ace. Still the deal hasn’t hurt their position and if James develops, he could fill Dice-K’s shoes in a year or two.

Quebec City Piglets
Incoming – OF Ichiro Suzuki, SP Ted Lilly, SP Derrick Lowe, SP Tim Lincecum, SP Greg Maddux

Outgoing – SP David Bush, RP Brandon Morrow, SP Andy Sonnanstine, OF Chris B. Young
*Clayton Kershaw, Adam Miller, Cameron Maybin, QC 1st Rd MiDP, QC 2nd Rd MiDP

Notable Loss – Adam Miller was the first overall draft pick in the 2005 Minor League Draft. Though he only has a half year left on his minor league contract, he was a Canadian favorite that will be deeply missed.

Notable Add – Veterans Lilly, Lowe and Maddux may not jump out at you, but they are consistent contributors who are needed to round out a top tier pitching staff.

2007 Outlook – There are still a few holes in there pitching staff, and their infield isn’t very good at all, but the Piglets are now the favorites to take the 4th spot in the standings and the Western Division crown.

2008 and beyond – How many future stars did the Piglets package into their deals? Seven future big leaguers were sent packing this month, and while they did get Lincecum, that is a lot of talent to let go, regardless of how deep their system is.


Matchups
It is all about the division, and we have two big matchups heading into Week 19.

Winston Salem is in the driver’s seat in the West, with a half-game lead over Quebec City. The Piglets struggled for the second week in a row, unable to take advantage of Golden. They are staring up at the playoffs, already committed to reaching it but waving in performance. When playing in cigarette city, you have to deal with the speed. The Piglets have Ichiro, Barfield and Furcal to combat it, though that’s like combating fire with hair spray.

Winston-Salem has won their last three games by a margin of 24-5.
Their pitching staff is still not good enough to carry a blowout against the Piglets, but the Green Monsters were built to win these games, and I expect them to pull it off. Then they may take a look at overtaking Las Vegas for third.


The Doggs couldn’t edge out the Rockets, despite a last minute surge by their bullpen. Now they head to Weymouth to defend their division crown. A win would all but clinch the title for Las Vegas, as they only have bottom-feeder Peoria left on their schedule.

This game will be another good test for their new-look rotation. Weymouth’s pitchers are not nearly as deep as they have been in past seasons, but they still have a lot of quality arms. The Doggs churned unsuccessfully against Rakeville, but won’t need to against Shaduppu. It should be a fierce duel.

Weymouth’s offense had a nice little power burst last week, and look hot heading back to the island. Their playoff lives hang in the balance with only a handful of games keeping the Piglets at bay.


League Notes

-- Kei Igawa signed with Tokyo, his fifth EHCC team this season. When asked what he expected to bring to the Omyoujis, he replied, “My luggage.”

-- Seventeen thousand Arlington fans filed a class action suit against the Warriors for Matsuzaka jerseys purchased this season. “The team signs a contract with the fans,” said noted lawyer Jesse Jokeson. “They guaranteed a jersey of certain value. Now there is no value. It is illegal.” No word on whether Virginia courts will accept the case.

-- Jeremy Hermida is still crazy.

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Baseball Tri-Weekly: ATB Week 4

Arlington's Howie Kendrick has had a recent setback, but he and fellow middle infielder B.J. Upton have done good things this season now that they have finally gotten a chance to play. Find out how the pieces came together to put the Warriors at the top of the standings.

Around the Bases: Week 4
By Listen DePlayohs, Baseball Tri-Weekly

We all know why Bridgewater is winning, powered by a resurgent Alex Rodriguez, and Rakeville has pitched their way to a top spot. But what about the team sitting second in the EHCC standings.

The Arlington Warriors have been the early surprise of 2007, and it can’t just be written off because of their seemingly cupcake schedule. The Warriors opened with the defending champs, leading the game going into the final day. They then went on blow out, not just win, games against Santo Domingo and Tijuana. Blowouts are the mark of teams who aren’t just good, but serious playoff contenders.

In a span of three months, the Warriors have put together a young productive team, with veteran talent sprinkled in to create a viable EHCC franchise. They are giving playing time to players who are immensely talented, but suffered in poor systems or behind mediocre veterans. Guys like BJ Upton, Curtis Granderson and Howie Kendrick aren’t just fill in players anymore. Arlington has given them a stage and they are producing.

A trading genius?
In January, days after gaining acceptance to the league, Arlington’s GM Matt Skinner made a trade that may be considered one of the best in league history if you discount the some of the sketchy dealings made by Las Vegas in years past. Desperate for pitching, Tokyo spared no expense in acquiring C.C. Sabathia and Brandon Webb, giving up Alex Gordon, Howie Kendrick, John Danks and Curtis Grandson. The deal also included draft picks, which turned into Adam Lind and helped the team get superstar Matt Holliday a few weeks later. And to cap it off, they also have the first overall pick in this year’s minor league draft.

Essentially, Arlington may have gotten future 4 all-stars and three above average players for an ace and an above average hurler.

Their trading successes didn’t end there. The Matt Holliday deal was an expensive one, but not nearly as costly as it could have been to get one of the best outfielders in baseball. They also picked up Miguel Montero and Johnny Peralta. The book is still out on those two, but overall, Arlington’s moves have put them in the driver’s seat.

A franchise pitcher
"I offered him everything under the sun," said Las Vegas General Manager Howe Dogg. "He just wouldn’t budge. I’ve have never had such a tough time getting what I want."

Daisuke Matsusaka was the most coveted player in the 2007 general draft. At least three teams made a serious effort to trade into the top spot, and many more looked on with curiosity. Despite names like Francisco Rodriguez and Vernon Wells being thrown at Skinner, he stood firm.

"Unless the deal involves a young pitcher better than Matsusaka, then I don’t want to hear it," he said, holding true to his word.

With the first pick as expected, Matsusaka donned an Arlington cap, and a legend was born. In spring training alone, the Warrior ace killed a man, made another crazy and proved that he could anchor a young, talented pitching staff.

"There isn’t a pitcher in the league that has as much pressure on him as Matsusaka," said J.C. Stapleton, EhSPN radio. "When he does well, the whole Arlington staff feeds off of him. If he starts to struggle, then I really think the wheels will come off."

He added, Zach Grienke, Adam Wainwright, Tom Grozelanny and James Shields have a chance to be aces, but they are not there yet. Matsusaka has taken all the weight on his shoulders, allowing them to develop at their pace.

It is why he is so admired by fans, and so valuable to management. He is going to be one of the greats.

A delicate balance
Playing next to Curtis Granderson is Maglio Ordonez. Next to Chris Ray, Brian Fuentes. A 42-year-old Barry Bonds swaps time at DH with 26-year-old Mike Jacobs.

EHCC expansion teams have taken many different routes. Tokyo went young, Golden went old. Winston-Salem went for speed, Tijuana power. There has been no clear path to success. Perhaps Arlington has had better luck than most, but the combination of overlooked youth and a strategic veteran presence has spelt success.

Arlington has three legitimate closers, not hard throwing setup men looking for jobs. Their starting pitchers are young, but productive. While not as deep as most teams, the talent and potential can make an impact this year. Their seven outfielders are far too many, but only Felix Pie isn’t an option to spot start right now.

A look at their team shows no real holes. Sure, they would like Montero to hit for a better average and Peralta to show more power. Wainwright isn’t pitching as expected and Joakim Soria isn’t getting the save opportunities they would like. But the question, are the Warriors struggles any less than the other teams in the EHCC? If the answer is no, then they are going to be in the playoffs this year.

Breaking down the Warriors
The Core: Matt Holliday, B.J. Upton, Howie Kendrick
The Dealers: Daisuke Matsusaka, Aaron Harang, Chris Ray
The Wildcard: Zach Grienke
The Future: Adam Wainright

What about this week’s matchups?

Arlington at Bridgewater
As hot as Arlington is Bridgewater is hotter. The Weasels entire infield is lighting up the league, with a combined 27 homeruns in three weeks. Marcus Giles and Jimmy Rollins doing the dirty work while Alex Rodriguez gets all the glory. This tidal wave of offense will be tough to stop, especially when you consider Derrick Lee and Ryan Howard have really struggled early on.

Pitching is a different story, and an area where Arlington can grab a few categories. The Weasels have a ton of depth, but no standout aces who could help take over a few categories. If Haarang, a two-start pitcher this week, can deliver a low whip, high strikeout performance, then the Warriors could really do damage. Saves is also up for grabs.

Bridgewater is hard to bet against. Arlington needs to capitalize on the categories they can win, using their versatile outfield corps to outmanage the Weasels if they want to remain at the top of the league.

Tokyo at Santo Domingo
The Omyoujis record breaking continues by burying Quebec City’s RBI total. The previous mark, set at 53 against the Plymouth Bells, was eclipsed last week in Tijuana when Tokyo sluggers hit 56 in a 5-5 tie. Outfielder Carlos Guillen had 10 while Jeff Francour and Michael Cuddyer had 8 in the game.

One has to wonder what records Tokyo will break this week as they head to Santo Domingo with a .500 record. They rank in the middle of the pack in almost every category, but have the explosive ability to jump out at teams when they least expect it.

Santo Domingo has been under the radar this season, and a lot has to do with being at the bottom of the standings. Don’t underestimate the White Devils pitching staff though. They have five pitchers with two or more wins, and six with sub-3.00 eras. Going up against a struggling Tokyo staff could really help showcase the fine rotation they have put together, hopefully leading to some wins.

Tijuana at Las Vegas
Just when you thought they were done, Las Vegas re-establishes their dominance in a stirring 8-1 victory over Winston-Salem. They have really lucked out compared to the other playoff teams struggling early on, having a much easier schedule through the first few weeks. Had they played Rakeville or Bridgewater instead of Arlington and Tokyo, then Las Vegas could have been a lot lower in the standings. Instead, they are in fourth only four games out of first with their offense clicking again.

Tijuana can’t match the Doggs pound for pound offensively, and rely needs on their speed and run scoring ability. With the pitching staffs a wash, the battle this week will be won on the basepaths. With Freel, Tavares and Lugo facing off against Ichiro, Reyes and Weeks, expect an exciting game fore fans, and a long one for Jojjima and Lo Duca.

Transactions

Quebec City will get a boost for their matchhup against Rakeville with Hideki Matsui returning to the lineup. Reliever Henry Owens was cut to make room for the outfielder.

Tokyo added David Aardsma. The reliever has pitched well, but is considered the third option for a true closing job.

Weymouth, a big fan of super utility players, picked up Rich Aurillia. He is able to play every infield position, a valuable commodity since Chone Figgins got hurt.

League Notes

-- Three golf balls were found on the field at Drunken Nest Stadium in Golden. Reports indicate the team invited Justin Timberlake to entertain at a corporate function, but the hip hop singer said he would rather be a pro golfer. Timberlake later disappeared and was believed to be driving balls from the top of the center field scoreboard.

-- To promote the upcoming minor league draft, EHCC officials have made a parody of Saturday Night Live’s Dear Sister. Instead of gun shots, the song "Hide and Seek" by Imogen plays over clips of Mark Prior getting injured. The commercial ends with the motto, "Scouting Matters."

-- A police scanner was installed in the visitors bullpen of The Concrete Jungle in Bridgewater, to alert players that their car is being towed.

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Baseball Tri-Weekly: ATB Week 2

While the rest of the offense sputtered, Jose Reyes continued to be the Doggs catalyst. He scored eight runs and belted in a surprising 7 RBI, leading his team in both categories. The only category he didn't excel in was crotch grabs.

Around the Bases: Week 2
by Listen DePlayohs, Baseball Tri-Weekly

The first week provided some last minute drama often found later in the season, when teams have more on the line and clutch performances have higher profiles. Teams who know how to win often do, and the EHCCs opening matchups showed us once again why champions are champions.

The Las Vegas Doggs were on the ropes against an expansion team, losing to the Arlington Warriors going into the final day. Besides bragging rights, and a valuable division win, the Doggs were looking to extend a 15-game winning streak and tie a record set by the Quebec City Piglets in 2003.

"It is something we didn’t want to talk about in the clubhouse," said Curt Shilling, whose Sunday performance helped lift the Doggs past Arlington. "We all knew what was at stake, and we all knew it would be a shame if we couldn’t win."

Homeruns by Albert Pujols and Jason Bay gave them edge on offense and the Dogg’s four Sunday starters struck out 19 Warriors and notched 3 wins. The Doggs hurlers held Arlington batters to a .125 batting average.

"It was a victory to be proud of," said General Manager Howe Dogg. "Our guys may not be playing at the highest level yet, but they know how to turn it on when it counts."

Ironically, the Doggs will look to break the unbeaten streak record against a team who has a noteworthy record of their own. Tokyo is carrying a three-year, 26-game winless streak into their week 2 matchup against Las Vegas. What the Omyoujis wouldn’t give to cut off both streaks.

"Losing is something this team has dealt with for a long time," said reliever Joel Zumaya. "We will shake it off our backs this season, and I am excited to be a part of it. We are going to make teams hurt."

Golden at Bridgewater
Both teams looked brilliant in their first games of the season, but not all your games can be played against patsies. Golden has been strong, but a batch of injuries are slowing them down more and more everyday. Outfielder Johnny Damon is recovering from a strained calf, while pitcher Mike Schmidt pulled a hamstring. Both injuries hurt, but with Schmidt expected to make two starts this week, his gimp has left the Golden staff in bad shape.

Billed as oldest team in the EHCC, Bridgewater has done a reasonable job at getting younger and when compared to Golden’s aging pitchers, the Weasels are deep and vibrant. They should have little trouble taking wins, strikeouts and saves this week. Offensively, it is really anyone’s guess this early in the season. Both have strong lineups from top to bottom. Golden has a few one-dimensional hitters, like Juan Pierre, Jason Giambi and Adam Dunn who could cause some problems against Bridgewater’s more well-rounded team.

I expect Bridgewater to take this one, but I’m not ruling out a Golden
upset.

Santo Domingo at Quebec City
A good game last week translated into a win for the Piglets, and though a handful of players struggled, it was enough to take down the Hispanics. For the White Devils, nothing went right. Dominican hitters couldn’t muster a single homerun off of Golden pitchers, and outside of Noah Lowry, their pitching was brutal.

You can’t expect a team to come together over night, and in the face of the West’s best club, I don’t expect it to happen this week. The Piglets only hindrance is that Elijah Dukes is starting in the outfield, and has gotten substantial playing time since Hideki Matsui’s injury. It shouldn’t hurt this week, but expect a replacement or recovery before next week’s game.

Tokyo at Las Vegas
Like I said before, this is one game to watch this week. Las Vegas, with something on the line, is a lock. Especially at home. Even with that bold pronouncement, it still should be an excellent game and the coverage will be top notch. EhSPN will broadcast the game in HD, EhSPN will have every odd camera angle you can imagine, and EhSPN.com will stream EHCC Gameday statistical coverage.

Transactions
Golden cut reliever Mike Stanton, the last player in their bullpen, and have ultimately decided to punt saves.

Quebec City has freed themselves from Gil Meche’s unwieldy contract after the right-hander gave up six runs against the Hispanics. The Piglets have added three relievers, Salomon Torres, David Weathers and Henry Owens since the draft. If one or two end up as closers, the Piglets could make a move to re-establish their bullpen later in the season.

Coco Crisp is no longer a Warrior, cut in favor of Mike Jacobs. The
outfielder shouldn’t be out of work long, unless he continues to suck.

League notes
Several Bridgewater fans were arrested after the Weasels victory last week, cited for public endangerment. According to police, Henry Valdez and friends released several live weasels into the Stoneham Bird Sanctuary’s cardinal pen, where the animals devoured all of the red avian.

Golden DH Jim Thome lost five pounds during their game in Santo Domingo. "The heat just got to him," said a Golden team trainer, but later reports indicated it was a shark that got him, biting five pounds of flesh off his leg. The latter report is still unconfirmed.

To celebrate the team’s opening day, Tijuana groundskeepers painted a giant T in the middle of the outfield, killing all the grass. Now, team officials are scrambling to find enough green paint to cover the dirt.

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Baseball Tri-Weekly: ATB Week 1

When Tokyo officials told Dontrelle Willis that the team was going to make a run at the title this season, he laughed it off. Two months later, the Omyoujis have kept true to there word and surrounded the japanese ace with a solid team. Will he come out dealing against Winston-Salem, and finally lead Tokyo to victory?




Around the Bases: Week 1
By Listen DePlayohs, Baseball Tri-Weekly

With games underway, we are treated to a slew of division matchups, some with some serious implications. Going into the season, there are at least four teams in each division with a chance to take home the title. And, with teams like Tokyo and Arlington making serious bids this season, 2007 could be the most competitive in EHCC history.

Rakeville at Weymouth
A marquee matchup in the East to kick off the season, as both teams are tops in the EHCC, and both are looking to rebound from mediocre division performances last season.

Rakeville’s offense is just as strong as it was last year. David Ortiz and Miguel Cabrera are tough outs in April, but the Rockets lack of depth can really hurt them during the awkward scheduling of opening week. Shaddupu, on the other hand, have a bench four players strong and Weymouth staples Manny Ramirez and Carlos Delgado have always played Rakeville tough. If guys like Corey Hart and Chris Duffy can get a handful of runs and stolen bases early in the week, Shaddupu should have a big advantage.

On the pitching side, Rakeville seems to have the edge. With J.J. Putz still suffering from soreness in his throwing arm, the Rockets have a 2-1 advantage in the bullpen, and a better core of starters. Though Weymouth may have four hurlers having two start weeks, the results from Monday were very poor.

Rakeville’s pitching staff should take at least 4 categories, so Weymouth’s offense will need a sweep to salvage a win.

Tijuana at Quebec City
Jeremy Hermida is on the disabled list, listed a crazy, so the homecoming of this former Piglet fan favorite has been tempered. Tijuana is looking to further douse the spirits of the Quebec City fans, and kill hopes that the Piglets will return to glory. Historically strong in the first half of the season, the Hispanics may not be eyeing an EHCC title this season, but a Western Division title is within reach if they can beat the Piglets this week.

The Piglet hitters are strong from top to bottom, though an outfield dominated bench could put them at a disadvantage this week against the Hispanics excellent versatility. Pitching-wise, Tijuana is no match for Quebec City’s rotation. Though the Piglets are punting saves, expect them to still give the Hispanics a run for their money.

On paper, the Piglets dominate, but the Hispanics have a myriad of players who could carry them to victory.

Tokyo at Winston-Salem
The Omyoujis couldn’t ask for a better first game. The Green Monsters are a superbly average team, thus a perfect barometer for a team looking to achieve respectability this season. Winston-Salem is a beatable team, but they will not beat themselves. It is incumbent upon Team Tokyo to find a win this week, whether it is 5-4 or 8-2.

Then again, Winston-Salem is looking to break out of the stereotype, and they plan using their young, dynamic team to break out of the EHCC’s waistline. Even with several players injured or inactive, they have budding superstars at every position and a pitching staff that could rank mid-stream when healthy. Could 2007 be the season the WS master plan comes to fruition?

Tokyo is fielding its best team ever, but they still seem a bit underdeveloped compared to the Monsters. Starting pitching will be the focal point of this matchup, as I see the offense going almost completely to Winston-Salem.

Transaction Wire
Golden illegally acquired pitcher Mike Pelfrey, but when the Rakeville prospect wouldn’t report, they hired someone to steal his dog. Ellis Burks is still searching for the beagle.

Quebec City grabbed Gil Meche after an impressive performance in a lesser league. Reports indicate the Piglets gave him a $55 million contract, despite only being required to sign him to a modest $50,000 deal.

The Green Monsters signed Shawn Hill and Kip Wells to re-staff their injury-plagued rotation. Kenny Rogers, Tim Stauffer, Fransico Lirano and Cliff Lee are all inactive this week.

League Notes
-- Howie Kendrick, Arlington’s starting second baseman, apparently left his favorite glove at the Warriors spring training facilities. Outfielder Adam Lind offered his glove until Kendrick’s could be shipped north, but Howie refused, saying Lind hands were too slimey.

-- Peoria players were evacuated from the clubhouse after smoke billowed into the locker room prior to batting practice. Team officials traced the smoke to a giant robot Chris Shelton, which was built to promote the team last season but was placed in storage when Shelton moved on.

-- After his demotion to the minor leagues, Mark Prior decided he would only eat hot dogs from the stadium’s concession stand. Surprisingly, he has lost two pounds over the last week. Scientists have been called in to analyze the hot dogs.

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Baseball Tri-Weekly: Around the Bases, Draft

Just as obvious as Matsusaka is at #1 overall, Tim Lincecum has quietly secured his selection at the #2 spot over other rumored picks like Kei Igawa and Rich Hill. A week before the draft, things are still up in the air. But beyond the players picked, there will be a few other things to look for on Saturday.





Around the bases: Draft
By Listen DePlayohs

Since games don’t start for a few weeks, I was looking for some of the pressing questions to answer before the draft. Since no one will tell me who they are drafting, here are some of the matchups fans will see this week.

Matsuaka vs. Arlington
There is no mystery who will be taken first overall. The question is, how much will he be paid. Arlington management has been hush on the terms of the deal, which could be finalized prior to the draft. Few doubt the deal will get done, but with relatively comparable, cheaper pitchers available, the Warriors have to be negotiating with an card in their pocket. The phenom has already created problems, with his killing spree and all, so the team will really have to wonder if he is worth the trouble.

“The Warriors are grieved by the tragic accident leading to the loss of Mr. Gaffer,” team officials said in a press release. “We do believe it to be just that, an accident. The Warriors send their condolences to his family and will honor him with a moment of silence before the start of their home opener.”

Old vs. New
Players, not teams. With a crop of fresh-faced, inexperienced farmhands available, the gulf between veteran talent and potential prospects is wider than ever. With 20 percent of all EHCC rosters empty, the amount of dead weight that will be drafted in the first two rounds will astound critics and fans alike. Still, there are several team-makers in this draft that could quickly shift the balance of power among similar tier teams. Will they be taken in the first round, or will Gil Meche fall?

Bridgewater vs. showing up
Two arch enemies, Bridgewater has fought showing up on every occasion. Many times, Nastra Diggus has been victorious, thwarting those who expect his arrival as a sign of weakness. Weasels management has taken a hard line against those who support showing up, enacting sanctions and restricting communication.

Quebec City vs. Boredom
No picks until the fourth round can’t be good. What will the Piglets GM Pat Renaud do to entertain himself during the first three rounds. How many times will he snicker at a pick or sow seeds of doubt in the minds of studious owners? Most importantly, how much beer will he drink? That much free time could resulting in a drafting of Kevin Millar in the fifth round.

Weymouth vs. Obscurity
Could this be the end for the 4-time champs. Doggs General Manager Howe Dogg made the same bold prediction in 2005, and Shaddupu responded with another championship while trading many of their major league draft picks. This season, Weymouth is the weakest we have ever seen them going into a draft, but with four picks in the first two rounds and Yukon’s superb draft record, it will be interesting to see where Weymouth finds themselves at the end of the year.

League Notes
-- After hearing he didn’t make the Santo Domingo roster, Richie Sexson tried to go to the island home of the White Devils but his plane crashed en route. Search crews from several nations are looking for the former Bizton slugger.

-- Jeremy Hermida is still under close observation at Peoria’s spring training home after arriving to camp with several bottles of saki and a bloodied left arm. The team trainer said he was not drunk, but rather carrying the bottles to appease the gods.

-- Damien Jackson was furious after finding out he hasn’t been on an EHCC team in five years.

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Baseball Tri-Weekly: A deadly dealer

Reporter Kyle Gaffer is helped by paramedics after being hit with a baseball in the face. More is known about the incident, but no one may ever know if it was intentional. Sadly, one of our greatest reporter is no more.








A deadly dealer
By Listen Deplayohs, Baseball Tri-Weekly

FORT MYERS, Fla. - An enigma in the EHCC, Daisuke Matsuzaka has taken on a few more titles this spring training: Murderer and career ruiner.

Late last night, Baseball Tri-Weekly’sKyle Gaffer was struck by a pitch during a work out in Arlington’s spring training home by Matsuzaka. He was taken to Boris Memorial Hospital, but died early this morning.

"Gaffer was wandering behind the catcher," said an Arlington spokesperson. "A few scouts and coaches were behind there also, watching Matsuzaka pitch. I don’t know if the pitch got away from the catcher, and I don’t want to speculate, but Mr. Gaffer was hit."

EMTs were called immediately, and Gaffer was conscious for a short time. According to Boris Memorial, he died from blunt force trauma to the kidney, pancreas, left arm and brain.

"It was no accident," said Warriors catcher Jason Varitek. "I had no idea where it was going, but Matsusaka did. I could see it in his eyes. If it was a fastball, I would have dove for it, but I couldn’t tell what it was."

Gaffer, who joined Baseball Tri-Weekly late last year, was assigned to cover the most coveted player in the upcoming draft. He had followed Matsusaka to workouts with Golden and Las Vegas, but the one with Arlington was clearly important.

"He had been grilling Matsusaka with questions all week long," said Mark Tuckerman, a reporter with the Washington Times. "He had learned Japanese in the offseason in preparation for the coverage. He may have been the best reporter I have ever known."

Tuckerman said that conversations between the pitcher and scribe got heated at times, with Matsusaka walking out of a press conference.

"I don’t know what they were talking about," said Tuckerman. "The interpreter stopped translating."

Gaffer wasn’t the only person Matsusaka destroyed. During a training session with Quebec City, Matsusaka was asked to face a few batters, one being Jeremy Hermida.

"I don't know if the gyro was what I was seeing, but I was seeing something that's kind of like a split-finger changeup," said Hermida, who has a year-plus in the EHCC. "It's tough to describe. I just know I didn't pick up the spin."

Hermida was so distraught about the at bats, he sought the counsel of Manager Brian Fantana. Two days later, Hermida was traded to Peoria without explanation.

"The gyroball really messed him up," said Piglet Josh Barfield, Hermida’s spring training roommate. "He was muttering in his sleep, swearing in English and Japanese. I wanted to talk to him about it next morning, but he seemed too spaced out to talk. I told coach about it, and the next day he was gone."

Matsusaka has remained tight-lipped regarding both incidents, though he did issue an apology to Gaffer’s family. If it was half-hearted, the English speaking ones among us will never know.

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EHSPN Around the League: First Base

At a position full of names like Pujols, Ortiz, Morneau, and Howard, guys like Adrian Gonzalez tend to get lost in the mix. Arlington recognized the 24 year old's outstanding 2007 performance and jumped on him early in the expansion draft, hoping he will manage first base in Virginia for many years.



By Listen DePlayohs, Baseball Tri-Weekly




With the baseball season around the corner, it is incumbent upon me to bring you around the league, for a quick look at the who's who of the EHCC. Unfortunatly, my editor felt that covering just the right side of the infield wasn't enough for our readers, and wants to give you a comprehensive view of the league. Every position... in one offseason.

To accomplish this awesome feat, Baseball Tri-Weekly has partnered with EHSPN online to give an unprecedented summary of the teams and where their parts rank after a turbulent offseason. With a full stable of writers such as Jayson Snark, Buster Lonie, Connor Intabedd and others, I guarantee you'll get your money's worth.


First Base
A yearly tradition, the big men lead off again. Only a few first basemen have actually lead off a game in their career, and all of them are now dead. It is safe to say, leading off and playing first base has a higher fatality rate than drunk drivers, ferris wheel technicians and red-shirted star trek ensigns. Because of those stats, I don't expect Kevin Youkilus will get many looks this offseason.

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Eastern Division

6. Lyle Overbay, PEO
With a list of players often taken in the first two rounds of a fantasy draft as your peers, it is easy for Overbay to have self-esteem issues. Not only is he starting the season in the shadow of the great Chris Shelton, but he is also a mediocre fantasy player. If he can hit for a high average, as he did last season, then he should have a spot on the Cardinals throughout the season. A .290 avg, 20 hrs, 90 rbis pace should keep him in the 1B or DH spot, but he will likely have a short leash this season.

5. Carlos Delgado, WEY
Year after year, I have expected big things from Delgado, but this year I think I am resigned to the fact that he is just a very good first baseman. With the protection around him in the Weymouth lineup, you would expect better numbers from a player of his size, but his time to shine has passed. With superstar first basemen in star-filled Las Vegas and Rakeville lineups, Delgado is an afterthought in the east. He is still a valuable player for the Shaduppu, but with him openly being shopped for the second year in a row and being the oldest first baseman in the division, I think it is pretty clear they understand they are a step behind the rest of the field. 34 hrs and 110 rbis are easy to project but a .285 avg and only 85 runs is where the line is drawn.

4. Adrian Gonzalez, ARL
Woah, this guy should not be here. He has done nothing compared to the other guys on this list. He plays in a pitcher friendly ballpark, in a lack-luster lineup and is rumored to have herpes. Well, I have never discriminated against people with herpes, and I think Gonzalez has a talented batch of the virus brewing. 28 hrs and 90 rbis is not really EHCC dominating numbers, but a .310 avg and 95 runs will have people talking that Gonzalez has taken the next step. I am making this selection more for value than actual production. At some point this season, Gonzalez will be considered a breakout or a sleeper for next year. His age and his credentials, picked first overall in 2000, along with a consistent presence at the plate, will make him worth more to Arlington than Delgado to Shaddupu.

3. Albert Pujols, LV
Surpised to see him here? If Albert was a super hero, which he is, then he would have a cape, which he does. The cape is made of newspaper soiled by Mark Prior and other Doggs who can't wait for their owner to come home before they shit inside. He has found a way to deal with the all personalities, the quirks, and the Reeces in Las Vegas while staying on top of his game. Despite a short-lived run at history last season, a let down is in order for the devoit baptist, playing in the City of Sin, and he will find himself passed by as the most dominant first baseman in the league. While his oblique strain hindered his bottom line, it came at the right time and kept him fresh the rest of the season. Now, after a short, hectic offseason celebrating the Doggs championship and a mountain of pressure to repeat, I think a Pujols is due for a slump a some point in the season. A strong .320, 40 hr, 115 RBI line is the minimum projection for a guy like Pujols, but I think it is warranted.

2. David Ortiz, RAK
If a DH is ever going to win an MVP, this will be the year. Not only is he an excellent hitter, but this year he is carrying a grudge, losing the MVP award to the player he was traded for two years ago. Ortiz is surrounded with talent, even more so this season, and has shown no signs of breaking down despite his size. The only thing holding him back has been his declining average, which should see some improvement given the extra bat behind him. I see .310, 50 hrs, 140 rbis well within reach for Ortiz.

1. Ryan Howard/Derrick Lee, BRI
Howard alone is the best first baseman, but add a top 25 talent in Derrick Lee, and Bridgewater is far-and-away the talented team at the receiving end of the infield. Everyone is projecting a dropoff in Howard's production, but it is hard to find a reason for it. Quick hands, incredible power and a body designed for mashing, the Weasel can even put up a high average while striking out 181 times last season. One can only expect improvement from a guy with his abilities. I see a .310 avg, 50 hrs, 135 rbis and 1 stolen base as the cherry on top of the cake. Lee is the ultimate DH in the EHCC, and if we were ranking DHs, he would top the list. He will bring the Weasels all five categories with more all around production than any other five-tool guy in he game. Though coming off an injury, with Howard on the team, Lee is mearly insurance this season, making him even more valuable. A healthy season will bring .310, 30 hr, 100 rbis, 105 runs and 15 stolen bases, though I think he will continue where he left off in 2005.


Western Division

6. Richie Sexson, SD
Here begins the list of power-filled, do nothing first basemen. The west is littered with guys like Sexson, who can drive the ball out of the park, but can't get a simple single to drive in a run. Maybe it is the poor supporting cast, or maybe it is because I don't particularly like these men. Either way, Sexon is one of them. A .260 avg, 35 hr, 100 rbi season sounds about right for Sexson, who will be utterly unimpressive this season.

5. Jim Thome/Jason Giambi, GLD
A first baseman couldn't be as bad as Giambi last season, but still be as highly regarded had he not played for a magical Golden team last season. Why he wasn't traded while his stock was high is a mystery, but hopefully this blurb shatters the fog Gryphons fans have been in. I project Giambi will have a .265 avg, 30 hr, 110 rbi, 90 run season. If you like gaudy homeruns, then Giambi is your guy. If you like a first baseman worth keeping through the offseason, Giambi is not. The acquisition of Thome gives Golden a legitimate starting first baseman, but he suffers from the some problem as Giambi. Neither are realible, middle of the order producers. Thome with hit 40 hrs, but with a .275 avg, 110 rbis and 100 runs.

4. Paul Konerko, WS
The power has always been there, but the production hasn't. Konerko just isn't a guy who will win a ball game for you. What makes his stat line even more peculiar is that he hit for average last season, and still couldn't break through in runs or rbis. He will still be a boost in the dinger department, but a .275 avg, 105 rbis, 90 runs this season will really hurt the value of his 35 hrs.

3. Prince Fielder, TKO
What separates Fielder from the old bums lower on this list? Being not so old, I guess. Fielder's first full season was a disappointment to folks who thought he would be the next big thing. Ryan Howard turned out to the breakout stud, but Fielder's potential is still there and waiting to be reveled. Until folks find a flaw that can't be fixed, Fielder is the third most valuable first baseman in the west, and should produce in that role. I see .290 avg, 35 hr, 110 rbis, even if the production numbers are generous.

2. Mark Teixeira, QC
Teixeira finished off last season better than some expected, and is poised to challenge Morneau for the starting job at the all-star break. I can see him hitting .330 sometime in the next two seasons, but I be conservative and say a .315, 35 hr, 125 rbi season is in order. I've placed him second on the list on credentials alone, because I think Teixeria could easily hit 40hrs with 140 rbis this season, but he could also drop to a 20 hr guy if he is not careful.

1. Justin Morneau, TIJ
Hard to believe there is an actual superstar in Mexico, but Justin is shaping up to be one. While he would still rank mid-pack in the East, he is the class of the Western Division and a cornerstone for the Hispanics to build on. With Morneau, average is key. If he can match his .320 avg, with 30 hrs, the 120 rbis and 100 runs will come despite his poor complementary cast. If the Hispanics can fill out their lineup, expect these numbers to rise.





Listen DePlayohs writes a column for Baseball Tri-Weekly. He once taught a class at the University of Vermont, but later quit when he found out Whiteboard is real.

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