SIM COMPLETE - 1993 - SIM 26

[Carlos]

The Denver Bulls.

It wasn't pretty. Actually, it was pretty darn ugly. 70 wins sits as the second lowest in franchise history only squeaking by 1985's 69 win travesty. The bright side is that season began a run of improved years that culminated in a three 90-win seasons, two Pilsner Division titles and a crushing 7-game loss to Maine in the 1990 DLCS (Denver once led that series 2-0).

1993 will be remembered for very little. There was the torn UCL for Jeremiah Gray which will take him out of action for 1994. Norm Seltzer going from a .308/.370/.509 to a .256/.319/.397 and Scot Borkholder following up a fascinating career-high .297 batting average, 13 home runs and .803 OPS in 1992 to an ugly -9.7 VORP and .224 average.

There was Pete Jones closing out a great AAA season with an 8-6 record and 2.03 ERA in 133.1 IP to surrendering 5, 5, 6, and 6 runs in each of his last four BLB starts. And T.J. Cook partially tore his labrum ending a season in which he collected 10 wins with a 3.71 ERA in 165 IP.

With all that, there was some good. Pedro Zamarida, coming off an injury-riddled '92 campaign, knocked in 18 home runs and a 109 OPS+. He surpassed the 1,500 RBI mark. Collected his 500th career double and even used his 36-year-old tires to add to his 87 triples (3rd most all-time) by legging out another four.

But brightest of all was Pancho Alvarez who hit .321 with 24 home runs and 102 RBI becoming only the third Denver Bulls player to hit .300, punch 20+ home runs and drive in 100 RBI in a season. The others being the immortal Toby Rochester back in 1978 and '79 and Pat Washington in 1991.

That about wraps up 1993 in Denver. It was a mile high disappointment, but Alvarez gave the fans something to cheer over.

[Pat]

The Washington Bats.

Regardless of what happens today in the one-game playoff, I'm very proud of this group of players. A roller coaster ride type of a season. The highs were good. The lows were real bad.

Here is what my one-game playoff roster looks like:

C - Mike Murdock - Injury plagued season, his worst statistically since '87
1B - Ron O'Fallon - A waiver claim in May, .403 OBP and a 2/1 BB/K ratio
2B - Dale O'Hegarty - A waiver claim in August, hitting .216 as a Bat
3B - Robert Abbott - Typical year for Abbott, playing 1B, 2B and 3B regularly
SS - Clint Johnston - Defensive stud who couldn't hit anywhere outside of the #9 spot
LF - Tyrone Abott - Catcher by trade, Abbott had his best year since his IL Newcomer winning campaign
CF - Marlon Dixon - Great defender and base runner picked up at the trade deadline for a MR prospect
RF - Michio Nago - Not the same player he once was, lots of injuries this year, but solid
Key Bench - IF Jack Dynes (signed as a FA in May), IF RA Grounds (fan favorite no longer good enough to start), OF Orlin Montero (signed as a FA in July, tore it up when played)

And rotation:

1 - Nate Taylor - Waiver claim in May. Dude went 1-15 last season and was probably my best SP
2 - Manny Duran - The lefty with no control. Can be dominant one game and poor the next.
3 - Chad Mullen - Former Bulls closer who was cut and then signed by D.C. in August. In seven starts, 3-1, 1.45 ERA
4 - Denny Erwood - Veteran acquired from Dallas for a mid-pick, hasn't done much besides log innings
5 - Julian Orozco - Signed in May for the league minimum, finally getting his chance for D.C.

This is where it's good, in the pen:

MR - Edgar Salazar - Rookie with lethal stuff
MR - Don Bolton - See above
MR - Franklin Cruz - Rookie with great movement
SU - Ed Weatherspoon - Had the best season of any RP in the IL, IMO
SU - Ivan Garcia - Former SP prospect who blew out his arm and is figuring it out in the pen
CL - Jerry Chase - First time All-Star

It was a blend of veterans, rookies, journeymen, waiver claims and injuries. Somehow, someway, this team has won 87 games. Overall, a very good fielding team that finished 3rd in the IL in OBP and 2nd in stolen bases. Pitching-wise, the Bats had the 9th starters ERA, but lead the league in bullpen ERA and homeruns allowed.

Good luck to Windy City.

[Pat]

So, who does everyone got in the one-game playoff?

My unbiased prediction would be Windy City, I'll say 4-2. I'm glad the game is at home, despite the fact that WC is better on the road. Still unsure of my SP decision but he will have to do. Good luck Jistic. The DC/WC rivalry continues to grow.

[Delandis]

I think pitching wins out in the end. I'm going WC, 5-1.

[Sully]

Stout love. Bats win.

[Jistic]

The Bats have knocked us out our last two playoff series in 7 games both times. We'd like some payback. I have no confidence in my team. The only thing that's promising is that in Sep we've hit WAY better. We have some guys that are hot but I don't put much stock in that because it can change in an instant.

Would like to have 2 teams from the Bock though with all the abuse it's taken the last few years.

[liquidcrash]

Go Windy City.

[Jistic]

Go Windy City.

Respect.

[Matt]

- More importantly... Woodbury FINALLY re-ups with the Colonials for 3 seasons with an option for a 4th. I honestly don't see him finishing this contract in the VIR (or perhaps the BLB)... but this season showed me that I just couldn't let him walk with that much gas left in the tank. We're going to have to get SUPER creative in the off-season.

And it almost caused the end of the BLB league files.

[Clay]

And it almost caused the end of the BLB league files.

Huh?