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Management took a lot of heat to say the least. Websites, radio talk shows, and even billboards proclaimed their ineptitude and bashed their actions. Extra security had to be hired at Lawrence Stadium as countless fans tried to run onto the field and voice their opinions, which often ended with naked backsides being pointed at the owners box before a swarm of rent-a-cops dog piled them. It was a dark and bleak time to be an owner as well.
When current management took over in 1984 they had no farm system and only expansion cast offs from other teams. They were able to build the team into a winner but not the right way, which is from a solid foundation. They knew eventually their house of cards would come tumbling down and it did as they saw their wins go from 89 to 72 to 69 to 45 over the last four seasons.
The Muckdogs had a plan though. During the down time the front office has been hard at work. With multiple picks the Muckdogs have skyrocketed to the #3 position in Top Systems. They currently have four hitters and eight pitchers in the Top 100 prospects and hope to add a pivotal piece with the upcoming first pick in the '01 draft. They have brought in the best hitting and pitching coaches from around the nation and have upped their development budget to nearly three times the league average. Now if anyone knows about prospects busting it's Batavia, but at least it is a good start in the right direction.
On the BLB level though the fans and management still wanted more. The GM promised the remaining faithful this off-season that they would not finish last again and he did everything in his power to change things up. First up was a complete overhaul of the starting pitchers. Needless to say this bunch won't strike fear in anyone but it's actually a step up from last years group who posted nearly a 5.00 ERA. Here is the projected 2001 pitching rotation for the Muckdogs.
SP Leo Garcia - Claimed off waivers in late 2000
SP Pete Jones - FA signee 2001
SP Glen Farrell - FA signee 2001
SP Kel Murphy - FA signee 2001
SP Riccardo Bollati - Trade 2001
SP Don Richmond - FA signee 2001
Next was a complete overhaul of the offense. In 2000 the Muckdogs hit .236, were 23rd in HR's, and 24th in RBI's and BB's. Here is the projected 2001 opening day lineup.
C Bill Hardwick - Trade in 1999, late '00 call up
1B Dani Munoz - FA signee 2001
2B Cristobal Sandoval - FA signee 2001
3B Josh Polling - FA signee 2001
SS Yong-koo Lim - Claimed off waivers in 2001
LF Chet Walton - FA signee 2001
CF Tom Moore - Drafted in '96 by Muckdogs
RF Hugh Gentry - FA signee 2001
As many critics have stated this lineup is older and isn't especially strong against RHP's, but management has stated these are temporary plugs while the minors hopefully develop a little further. It was rumored the GM toyed with signing a few big name free agents but decided the money should keep going towards development, coaching, and scouting for now.
So needless to say the Muckdog fans are going to need programs and lots of them to know who they are cheering for this season. The owner has publically stated his desire for the team to be close to .500, but even winning 20 or more games than last year would be a huge accomplishment. For now though many in the organization believe they hit bottom, and hopefully with some hard work and a little luck better days lie ahead.
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