Saturday, June 28, 2008

Chillingworth Debut

The New York Cobra beat the Hawaii Cubs in a potential playoff preview today. Of course, the big story was Roger Chillingworth making his 2008 debut. Roger looked sharp striking out the first 2 hitters he faced, and pitching a perfect game for the first 4 innings. In the 5th, Charlie Howard broke up the no-hitter with a single, but was out at second base trying to stretch the hit into a double.

After the out at second, Roger summoned for the trainer as his shoulder was throbbing. Eddie came out and Roger convinced them that he could continue. He stayed in the game and struck out the next 2 hitters to end the inning. Meanwhile, Floyd Brennan was mowing down the Cobra and the game was scoreless until the 6th inning. With 2 out in the 6th, Keith Lee singled to bring in Ricky Buckley to give New York the 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the inning, Roger stranded 2 runners and then left the game in the top of the 7th for a pinch hitter.

The New York bullpen pitched a scoreless 7th and 8th innings for Roger to preserve the 1-run lead. In the 9th, Keith Lee's 2 run homer highlighted a 3 run inning. In the 9th, Jaret Benser closed out the 4-0 victory for Roger, his 409th win of his career. Roger finished with 6 scoreless innings, 2 hits, 1 walk, and 7 strikeouts.

Chillingworth Signs!

Today, Roger Chillingworth announced that he has agreed to terms to re-join the New York Cobra effective immediately. Chillingworth, the leagues all-time greatest pitcher, had been taking the first half of the season off while mulling over the team(s) he would be interested in joining. Other teams involved in the bidding were the Alaska Snowsox, Denver Rabbits, Baltimore Colts, and Philadelphia Grays, with the Grays being the final contender. In the end, Roger elected to return to the Cobra to try to win one more World Series title with them.

The Cobra, in desparate need for a shot in the arm, signed the 43-year old starter to a one-year contract worth a reported $17 Million dollars. The contract will be pro-rated over the course of the season and will likely pay Roger $9 million dollars this season. We tracked down busy New York Executive Brad of this Nation for his thoughts on the signing.

Jeffrey Lewis - Brad, why sign Roger when the piching has been superb and the offense has been struggling?

Brad of this Nation - Over the first half of the season, this team has under-performed. I believe that we need a strong veteran leader to right this ship. In addition to taking the mound every 5th day, Roger will provide the leadership that we need.

JL - Who is the odd man out of the rotation?

Brad - I'll leave that up to Eddie to decide. My job is to provide him with horses, his job is to race them to the pennant.

JL - Its interesting to note that New York has now acquired Roger 3 times in the last few years. In 2002, you signed him as a free agent and won the World Series. After he pitched for Texas in 2005, you re-acquired him via trade and won the title again in 2006. Since its an even numbered year, will Roger be the lucky charm again?

Brad - I'll answer your question this way. We are relentlessly striving for greatness, and I will do anything in my power to field the best possible team to maximize our chances for success.

JL - Thanks for your time Brad.

Interleague Trade

Today, the Miami Stars and Green Day Dukes announced a big trade that will shake up the Superior League East. Miami, looking to stay competitive in the wild card race, acquired 2B Eladio Valdez and CF Vince Lewis from the Dukes. In return, they sent struggling 22-year old 2B Rey Nunez, minor league shortstop Erik Smith, and reserve outfielder Marcus McDonald to the Dukes. In addition to their wild card pursuit, insiders indicate that Miami was also eager to add another jawa to their team. Although Green Day is only 3 games back in the Central, they are in 4th place and under .500. They are clearly looking to get younger and purge themselves of Vince Lewis' $8 Million dollar contract for next season. The key to the deal may be the 19-year old shortstop Erik Smith. He is a few years away from making an impact, but scouts project him as a future 20-HR/40-SB prospect.

Fat Yoda?

Kenny was having lunch with Florida GM, Yoda, yesterday and he told Kenny something rather startling. He does not understand the fascination with comparing Lyman to what is commonly referred to as a "fat yoda". Yoda pointed out that Lyman is a little taller but not as wide as he and they may in fact, weigh about the same. And though he refuses to disparage the oft-maligned Herman Reporter, Lyman L. Solo, he did confess that "seen a jawa as big as Lyman, have I not."

Friday, June 27, 2008

Baltimore update

The Colts continue their rampage through the Superior League with a 4-3 win over Texas. Joe Young hit his 27th homer, and ties teammate Bear with 72 rbi. Reliever Andy Parsons picks up the win (9-2). He's been a real workhorse with 61 innings so far.

Zamuda out

In a 17-4 win over Springfield, Lou Zamuda had 2 hits, a homer, 3 runs and 4 rbi, and still cared enough to make a diving stop on an 8th inning grounder. Unfortunately, he suffered a severe ankle sprain on the play and will miss at least a month.

Utah is 1 game over .500, 4 games behind division leading Las Vegas.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Kenny's Korner - ML Time!

Kenny will now provide Kenny's Major League update:

MVP. This one is tough. On the division leading teams, no one is putting up the kind of numbers that jump off the page. As for the rest of the league, The Cisco is having a nice comeback year and if Florida gets hot, he could be the one that carries the team on his back. In LA, Hank Crowell is really having a nice season, but with his team mired in 4th place with little chance of contending, his numbers will have to be near-historic to warrant Kenny's consideration. So, that provides Kenny with a pickle. But just like in Kenny's playing days, Kenny knows how to get out of a pickle...Kenny will take Kenny's old teammate, The Cisco. Not only is he hitting over .300 with 13 HRs and 43 RBIs, Jake's 50 Runs scored are #2 in the league! Kenny would like to see more steals from The Cisco, but these numbers coupled with Kenny's inherent bias toward Kenny's old team make The Cisco a logical choice.

Wally Calhoun. For the Wally Calhoun award the choice is pretty much Jared DeMario and then the rest. The only pitcher with 10 wins and on a team that hasn't figured out how to score runs is impressive enough. But a 2.27 ERA? Priceless.

Biggest surprise. Kenny is going to say Hawaii is the biggest surprise. Not that Kenny is surprised at the improvement. (They had to improve sometime, right?) But the amazing 19 games over .500? Who saw that?? Also surprising, the Hounddogs' and the Cobra's numbers look nearly identical: .238 to .235 BA, 293 Runs to 292, 278 RA vs. 260, 57 SB to 61, .304 OBP vs. .310, 13 HBP to 12, 586 to 576 Hits. But from a player's perspective, Kenny is most surprised by Ted Trosky. .324-11-31 in only 139 ABs?? Wow.

60? With 24 Saves and only one Blown, will Troy Lewis and his 1.18 ERA be able to save 60 games? Probably a long shot, but Hawaii may need him to. (And with a 5-1 record, he may be the biggest threat to DeMario's Calhoun Award)

Light's Out. Hawaii after inning #7. If you are behind, forget it. Between Lewis' 24 saves and Torrealba's league leading 11 Holds, game over man!

Predictions:
Florida will mount a major comeback and win the East.

The Central will be a crapshoot. Toss a freakin' coin. Detroit, Denver and Alaska? Heck, even Green Day and St. Louis are there. But Kenny will make a pick. Enie, meanie, miney, moe...Big Cheese.

In the West, Bay Area will keep it close, but the West will be Hawaii's. If they play .500 the rest of the way, that's 90 wins. That leaves a lot of upside. If their bats get even warm, they will walk away with it.

The Wild Card. Bay Area will benefit from chasing Hawaii.

Well, that's it.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Kenny's Korner

It is time for Kenny to give Kenny's assessment of the first couple of months of the APBA season. Kenny will start with the Superior League...

MVP. One word, Kaat. Forget the incredible defense. Forget the .300+ batting average. Forget the 31 RBIs from the leadoff spot. Forget the fact that he's scored almost 15% of his team's runs. Forget the 70 Hits. Forget the 5th highest double total in the league. Forget the durability. Forget the excitement of watching the Kaat play. And yes, even forget the league leading 21 steals. But when you add it all up it spells: M.V.P.

Wally Calhoun. For the Wally Calhoun award, (yes, that's what Kenny has decided to call it), it goes to Storm Morris. Kenny showed him how to win and now Juan has taught him not to lose. Kenny's real proud of the Storm and this "won" is easy.

Biggest surprise. Seth Lopez. And not that he's hitting .400+. The big surprise is that Boston has failed to get them man some at bats. No wonder they sit so far behind Baltimore.

60? With 20 long bombs, does the Mighty one have 60 in him? If he does, then Baltimore looks even more like Murder's Row.

Light's Out. 15 Saves and none blown. A miniscule 0.47 ERA. Rob Porter is the best out there.

Predictions:
Baltimore will run away with the East. Next.

Chicago looks like the best team in the Central, if they can only find a way to stop the runs from scoring. A trade for an Ace to join Millhouse and get Alex Murray out of the rotation would help. (Is Catfish that man?)

In the West, what the hell has happened to Utah. An Utah insider recently told Kenny that the Utes look tired. Does Zamuda and co have one more run? Kenny thinks not. This division looks like it is Mars' to lose. They have the horses.

The Wild Card. Kenny is going to give it to Vegas. Once again, near the top (or in this case at the top) of getting on base, the Gamblers seems to have found a way to improve their bullpen and their defense while allowing far fewer runs to score. Though it is really anybody's race, Kenny is not betting against Kenny's former manager.

Well, that's it. Look for Kenny's insight into the MLs next time.