SIM COMPLETE - 1997 - SIM 2

[BradZ]

4-2 this week. Feels good any time we win a series against WAS, especially on the road. After 9 road games to start the season we were sitting at a record of 7-2, an unbelievable start for us. Took 2 of 3 in our first home series against WIL to bring us to 9-3. It's not sustainable as we're only +5 in run differential, but it's fun for now. Our pitching has been outstanding with Robby Sears of all players leading the way (though he was the Pitcher of the Month last September too, so maybe it's a carryover for him).

Next week brings us our first taste of Porter action, with 3 vs CAL and 3 at BAT.

[Jimmy]

I'll take a 5-1 sim any day! The rotation is picking up where it left off last year. Unfortunately, the bats are doing the same. Dusty Simmons did show a little life hitting lead off. Congrats again to O'Hegarty for picking up his 2000th career hit! I just hope he doesn't think the season is over...

[Delandis]

Around the League...


- Oh Doorbell.

- Shitty with a .500 OBP through 2 weeks... Who saw that comin?

I'm betting more people saw Mel's post-VA collapse coming.

[Clay]

Disagree. More people bid on Logo. And everyone knew Shitty would still get on base.

[Delandis]

Disagree. More people bid on Logo. And everyone knew Shitty would still get on base.

I know its early and he could still turn it around, but I just don't see that happening. The good thing for The Storm is that he will likely retire at the end of the season with these kind of stats.

[Clay]

I know its early and he could still turn it around, but I just don't see that happening. The good thing for The Storm is that he will likely retire at the end of the season with these kind of stats.

THAT I agree with.

[Spear]

It's been a rough go but I hope we can see what we are made of against our division this upcoming SIM. The ageless wonder Brian Hanrahan is the only one worth anything in our rotation too.

[umd]

3-3 Sim. Lindsey goes down for 2 weeks. Carbajal back in 3. We sign Mac Aaron to a reasonable extension and he goes from being upset at not closing to very good.

Raul Valencia comes back at 4m for this season to start at C/DH and spot start Castor at 1B.

Rangel has picked up where he left off and looks to be our next solid arm.

Need the batting averages to pick up a bit like most teams.

We'll see what the first set vs PAW and PIT bring.

[Gyrodork]

Okay Piggies, you can start hitting the ball any time now. Sheesh...

[liquidcrash]

Nothing too special here. A 3-3 week, getting swept by Virginia before sweeping the Mohawks. Our pitching has to get better. We've got some guys off to nice starts at the plate, but nothing too amazing as Deleon cooled back down. I think we'll be ok, and at 6-6 it's not like we've dug ourselves a hole. We didn't start all that hot last season.

In the minors, both Jonathan Buirns and Jerry Brown got off to hot starts at AA. I'm not sure how long they'll be there, but I'm not going to push them to the BLB anytime soon. I've signed plenty of guys to fill out those rosters finally, but luckily we made it through the week without getting anyone killed. I like the look of some of my young guys.

[Ryan]

I have my highest pick ever plus three picks in the first and this might be the worst draft I've seen.

Yeah, what a shitty time to be bad.

All he needs a switch hitting catcher and the fans with come!

Christ man...

[Delandis]

SIM 2 - Baltimore Bulldogs (7-5)
1-2 @ LAM
3-0 vs. CHI

Our first winning sim of the year. We didn't fare too well in Los Alamos, but we were able to round out our trip through the Bock with a sweep of the Playboys.

THE GOOD
I'm not sure if its just a hot week or if he's really this good, but Rule V draft rookie, Kazyoshi Maekawa had an amazing week. Maekawa is a legend in Japan and his stats, 11/20 with 3 RBI, 3 BB, and only 1 K, show that he may have the potential be bring that stardom to The States.

Everado Gremades, affectionately known as "Shitty" in front offices around the league, has been worth every penny of the 18M contract that he signed with Baltimore. Gramades, who will turn 40 in July of this year, is tied for the league lead in walks and boasts a .500 OBP.

Kyoden Kubota just signed a new contract that will keep him in Baltimore for at least 4 more years. He celebrated by leading the IL in walks this week, while leading the IL in OBP through two weeks of play. Some pundits may suggest that the 5 year, $68M contract may be a bit steep for the aging catcher however, Kubota has been a premier talent in the league for a long time now and Baltimore is hoping that Kubota will hang them up as a Bulldog. Fans agreed with the signing as well.


THE BAD
Pat Marlin will likely be sent back to AAA this week, in favor of last year's leadoff man, Brad Cherry. Marlin has been unimpressive in Baltimore and although we'll miss the power, Cherry will hit at a much higher clip.


NEXT WEEK
Seasons are won and lost in divisional play so we look forward to see how we stand against Batavia and California this week.

[liquidcrash]

I don't know how long it has been the case, but Eron Deleon has cracked the Top Players list, coming in at 18th. Nice to see us put two homegrown players in the list, I'm not sure when the last time we had two top hitters. Ivan Vazquez is still hanging on in the Top Pitchers list, though he's going to have to do better than he is to keep that. I don't think he was ever on the list last year when he was so good.

[Matt]

Just one was homegrown...Hamilton was born in Batavia!

[tomr1962]

Curt Simmons are you kidding me .48 whip in 3 starts