SIM COMPLETE - 1988 - Regular Season 17

[Pat]

To be fair, when I say "knew" he was going to be a good starter, I THOUGHT he had a shot. If I actually "knew" anything about this game... well... we wouldn't be Virginia. I just had a feeling about a handful of guys (a couple on my team) and he was one of them. But, even my high side ceiling of what I thought he might be... is nothing close to what he's actually doing.

NOW... that being said.... as to not derail from my other OOTP theory about success breeding success - The Maine Theory - I don't think Carlton is 14-1 and sick nasty on Sin City or one of the teams that is struggling. I think he's probably good... but not Pale Ale level.

I feel bad for Z. I traded a pair of good Triple-A prospects in Closer Don Jones and 2B Shawn Paxton, along with a draft choice. Jones, who has been great in middle relief, but he doesn't play for Pittsburgh...he was a Rule V draft choice. Paxton has played really well, but getting him and a pick for (arguably) one of the best pitchers in the league, is not a good way to rebuild.

[Clay]

If you look at it big picture....

Pittsburgh starts with Vernon Simmonds and his contract....

He gets Carlton and Briggs for him

He turns Carlton to Jones, Paxton and Pick

So... in the end... he ends up with:

Briggs
Paxton
Pick
and dumps the Simmonds contract

All in all, he does OK, but if he still has Jones, they actually look decent when you go back to the first deal.

[Clay]

Carolina Tobs: LF D. Alexander was injured when he cracked his molar on a sesame seed roll. The Diagnosis: undisclosed injury. He's expected to miss about 2 weeks.

That's one bad ass roll!

[Jake]

From what Clay said about Herrera I guess our scouts were busy. I noticed some significant improvements on a few of my guys:

1st Rounder SP T. Okamoto is now at 7-7-8 from 5-7-8, and he is angry because he wants to be in the majors...
Mid rounder SP Chuck Graham now at 5-4-6 from 5-4-4
1B Willie Marshall from 5-8-8-6-5 to 7-8-8-6-5;

My scout has some great ratings; I hope he's right.

In other minors news, I promoted 19 year old SP Alex Rivas to AAA this sim to replace Clarence Nicholson and he responded, pitching 8 scoreless innings. My scout has him at 4-5-6 current ratings.

[Lintyfresh85]

2-5 sim... including that crazy 10 run 10th inning loss to Batavia.

Thankfully only one game back in the Porter and still hold a 1 game lead in the Wild Card.

Need to start getting some production from Chip Snow out of the 5 spot if I want to stay a team in contention.

[Lintyfresh85]

I'd also like to point out that Jarred Good eagerly awaits his IL Refreshing New Brew Award.

Kid has been on fire the entire year. He leads the IL in batting average... as a ROOKIE!

.339/.384/.500/.884 with 5 HR's/54 RBI's with 36 2B's and a VORP of 30.2.

He'd also have been an all-star this year if he didn't play at such a competitive position like 2B.

[Clay]

I'd also like to point out that Jarred Good eagerly awaits his IL Refreshing New Brew Award.

Kid has been on fire the entire year. He leads the IL in batting average... as a ROOKIE!

.339/.384/.500/.884 with 5 HR's/54 RBI's with 36 2B's and a VORP of 30.2.

He'd also have been an all-star this year if he didn't play at such a competitive position like 2B.

Have you learned nothing from me?????

Over-confidence and proclamations like these only insight the voters.

You have the nuts and you're in position... slow play it...

[Clay]

Grant Lewis and Jon Cleary both joined the 400 Save club in July. A couple very strong HOF candidates. I think Cleary becomes the first Closer to be put in Bronze.

[Pat]

Grant Lewis and Jon Cleary both joined the 400 Save club in July. A couple very strong HOF candidates. I think Cleary becomes the first Closer to be put in Bronze.

The stats are almost identical. Not sure how much they got in the tank, but I think they could make it to 500.

[Clay]

The stats are almost identical. Not sure how much they got in the tank, but I think they could make it to 500.

Not sure. I think Lewis plays longer than Cleary (just a guess). For some reason, I see Cleary out after next season.

[Matt]

I'd also like to point out that Jarred Good eagerly awaits his IL Refreshing New Brew Award.

Kid has been on fire the entire year. He leads the IL in batting average... as a ROOKIE!

.339/.384/.500/.884 with 5 HR's/54 RBI's with 36 2B's and a VORP of 30.2.

He'd also have been an all-star this year if he didn't play at such a competitive position like 2B.

Jesus choked on his wine when he read this. If only his manager would have had the cojones to move him up sooner.

[Carlos]

Jesus choked on his wine when he read this. If only his manager would have had the cojones to move him up sooner.

Good thing for Jesus the second time around is the most influential.

[Gyrodork]

Well, a Storm rolled into Los Lunas and blew the Furry Pigs out of contention for the Lager Pennant. Too many bats spent time on the DL this season. But, my pitching has been very good this year. If I end up with some money at the end of the season maybe I'll be able to pick up a good bat or two.

It's all about next year, baby.

[Delandis]

Batimore Bulldogs (55-50)

0-3 @ Batavia
3-1 vs. Philly

Hopefully winning those three against Philly are a good sign that we are back in business, but you never know. July was the worst month for us yet going just 9-17 in July.

The Good/Bad/Ugly All in One
Lang had a good start in Batavia going 6.2 innings, 0 ER, 5 H, 6 K. The offense gives the bullpen a solid 4-1 lead going into the bottom of the 9th. I can't get too mad at "The Giant Killer" because he sat down the first too batters with no problem. Then he gets a 3-2 count with both of the next two batters and both of them grind out singles. Finally, Batavia's savior comes to bat. (De) Jesus belts a 3 run dinger to tie the game. Needless to say we lose in 14.

We also got a good taste of how it feels to be saved. In a game against Philly, we were losing going into the bottom of the 9th, 6-2. Boyd comes to bat and singles. Caballero and Harcourt both walk. Pat Washington then blast a 2-strike blast over the wall to tie the game, 6-6. We eventually head for the win, 7-6 in 12.

I'm thinking both the Lang and Sato trades will do well for us down the stretch. If not, there's always next year.