SIM COMPLETE - 1998 - SIM 1

[Clay]

...that broke the spirits of the confident Colonials and sent the champs home with a losing week...

Our spirits are fine, though we appreciate your concern. Oh, and, we didn't have a losing week.

[Delandis]

Our spirits are fine, though we appreciate your concern. Oh, and, we didn't have a losing week.

No problem.

Any time you lose a series to us, its a losing week.

[Pat]

3-3. Tied for first place in the Stout? Break up the Bats!

[Pat]

3-3 sim. 2-1 vs. Davenport, 1-2 vs. Carolina

The Good
-SP Don Bolton might have finally figured it out. After years as a flame-thrower RP who struggled with control, Bolton has been very solid as a starter in September last year, this Spring and in his first start this season. Against a Carolina team that scored 10 runs on us the game prior, Bolton threw eight shutout innings in a 2-0 win. Keep an eye on this kid.

-It's pretty early to get excited about individual performances, but 1B Mal "The Crow" Brady hit the only homerun of the sim for the Bats. When you are strapped for power like this franchise historically, you get excited over any threat of power. He's officially on pace for 27 HRs and 135 RBI.

-Make shift ace, free-agent import SP Don "Husk" Leonard did exactly what I hoped. Seven strong innings, then get the ball to the one-two punch of Edgar Salazar and Clarence Ortiz. If he can give me a high quality start % this year, he could have a very nice W-L record.

The Bad
-While Leonard was a hit, the other FA import SP Art Casey got rocked. 3.2 IP, 9 H, 7 ER, in a 3-10 loss against his former club, Davenport. He probably should have been pulled earlier, but I am giving these starters a long leash to star the year. Last year I put a lot of weight on bullpen early and injuries and poor performance followed.

-Another poor SP performance, this time by Pat Daniels. He really came out of nowhere the past two years, he's getting up there in years and has a "wrecked" injury history. I wasn't expecting a ton entering the season but after showing his decline in ratings, and lasting just three innings, giving up four runs in the process, reveals that this could be his last year in D.C., if he lasts a full year that is.

The Ugly
After the sellout opening crowd of the three-game Davenport series, the Bats fans were already over it. The stadium was half empty for the entire Carolina series. After trading Derrek Tucker, Mike Murdock and Robert Abbott, the fans really don't care for the squad.

The Minors
I'm really excited to manage the minors this year. I can't remember the last time I had a farm system this deep. I expect all my teams to compete and I actually have BLB-level prospects playing for every squad. Plus, my scout is LEGENDARY at Amateurs and Minors, (only average at Majors), so I spent a ton of money on those two categories in the scouting budget. I'll probably be the youngest team in the BLB come 1999...maybe even by August, post trade-deadline. The Bats also have a few additional draft choices in the coming draft. Combine that with a likely non-competitive BLB season, I will be tinkering with the minors for majority of my file time.

[Pat]

Under the radar Free-Agent signing... Pittsburgh with 3B Dusty Campbell. Dude's going to mash in that park. 30+ HRs.

Come on guys, opening day thread and were all quiet?

[Clay]

No problem.

Any time you lose a series to us, its a losing week.

We lost all of our series v Bmore pre-as break last year. That would be the same year we claimed our 6th Championship that helps our spirits.

[tomr1962]

Shocked there was no Wilmington trade bashing thread. My owner also wants me to finish over .500. Ugh. I did almost sell out my first home game. Bird who was my #1 starter 2 seasons ago is now down to 4-5 where he belongs.

[Jake]

Under the radar Free-Agent signing... Pittsburgh with 3B Dusty Campbell. Dude's going to mash in that park. 30+ HRs.

Come on guys, opening day thread and were all quiet?

Sad to see him go, but I wasn't going to pay him 12.5 million in arbitration, or 80 million over 4 years.

Tried to get him back early on for 6 per, but wouldn't hear it until eventually signing for less with mwetts. It was a nice pickup.

[Delandis]

We lost all of our series v Bmore pre-as break last year. That would be the same year we claimed our 6th Championship that helps our spirits.

Before that we didn't win any series against Virginia, so its a work in progress.

[Clay]

Before that we didn't win any series against Virginia, so its a work in progress.

Sure. The mid-2000's will be here before you know it.

[Carlos]

Under the radar Free-Agent signing... Pittsburgh with 3B Dusty Campbell. Dude's going to mash in that park. 30+ HRs.

Come on guys, opening day thread and were all quiet?

Not sure if you noticed the 18 posts before you showed up. But, if you scroll up, you'll see them.

[Jimmy]

6-0 sim. Sadly, It's all downhill from here. I guess the boys were a little excited to get some payback on Dallas. I was not expecting back to back brooms though. My thanks to the Pilsner!

[Clay]

Under the radar Free-Agent signing... Pittsburgh with 3B Dusty Campbell. Dude's going to mash in that park. 30+ HRs.

Come on guys, opening day thread and were all quiet?

I love that Pat doesn't even try to pretend that he isn't running PIT.

[umd]

I love that Pat doesn't even try to pretend that he isn't running PIT.

I'm waiting for his Pitt preview.

[Pat]

I'm waiting for his Pitt preview.

If I was working in Portland still, I'd be doing them for the whole league.