Monday, December 31, 2012

2012 Superior League MVP Award

The Superior League MVP award was a close vote that came down to the performance of a few select slugging first baseman.  Four first baseman were able to convince voters to throw a first place vote their way.  Three of them are veterans, and one is an up and coming 1B/DH, who may one day be the best hitter in the league.  Results are as follows:

8.  Vernon Coles, New York:  1 point.  Coles hit .281 with 23 HR and 107 RBI for the 1st place New York Knights.  Coles also added 51 2B and 8 triples to slug .523.
7.  Stuart Johnson, New York:  2 points.  Johnson continued to laugh in the face of father time as he hit .331-.401-.568 at age 42.
6.  Jesse Myers, Baltimore:  9 points.  Myers helped Baltimore get back into the playoffs with a .323-.390-.469 season, while playing great defense at catcher.  With a .323 avg, he also won the batting title.
5.  Adama Dunn, Louisville:  10 points.  Dunn hit only .247, but led the league with 55 HR, 131 walks, and drove in 117 runs.
4.  Manny Ortez, Texas:  17 points, one 1st place vote.  Ortez hit .316-.416-.587 and finished 2nd in the league in WAR.  Ortez hit 36 HR, 46 2B, 99 walks, and led the league in RBI with 127.
3.  Mighty Joe Young, Miami:  19 points, one 1st place vote.  The 5-time MVP was not able to elevate his team to the post-season this year, and will see his string of 3 straight MVP's snapped.  Joe was still able to manage a .318-.398-.602 season highlighted with 37 HR and 114 RBI's.
2.  Anakin Solo, Charlotte:  28 points, two 1st place votes.  Anakin was able to put up the best numbers of his career at age 37.  Despite being limited to only 424 at bats, Anakin hit .321-.434-.630.  Anakin hit 32 2B and 31 HR, and had 101 RBI.

1.  Frank Lewis, Utah:  33 points, three 1st place votes.  Lewis breaks through to win his first ever MVP award, despite a season that was almost perfectly aligned to his 12-year career AVERAGES than career highs.  Lewis compiled a .311-.455-.559 season while his career averages are .327-.459-.556.  Lewis also had 27 HR, 33 2B, 113 walks, and 105 runs scored.

Big Free Agent Signings

Two huge and shocking contracts were signed today.  Top Free Agent Ivan Fernandez, a rare catcher who can field and bat .300 in the middle of the lineup resigned with the Springfield Isotopes for a record breaking contract.  Fernandez will be paid $200 million over the next 8 years, which will take him to age 35.  Fernandez was expected to command 20+ million, but the 8 year deal for a catcher was surprising.

In other signings, Hank Crowell, the top 3B on the market, was courted by both the Boston Beaneaters and the Philadelphia Greys.  In the end, Philadelphia shocked the world by handing the 32-year old former triple crown winner a 10-year contract for $240 million.  The first few years of the deal should yield good dividends for Philadelphia, but given his age (and recent decline in performance), it is very possible that this contract could look like the A-ROD deal in a very short period of time.

Sunday, December 30, 2012

2012 Major League MVP Award

Given that the New York Cobra won 116 regular season games (and this is a regular season MVP award), a reasonable MVP ballot featuring 5 of the New York players was possible.  One such voter (who shall remain nameless but may have been biased by managing the team) saw it exactly this way.  Results are as follows:

T8.  Leopold "Butters" Stotch, Denver:  1 point.  Butters was limited to only 300 AB due to a variety of nagging injuries, but in that limited time, he made quite the impact with a .310 Avg, .410 OBA, and .527 SLG.
T8.  Brett Solo, New York:  1 point.  Although it was a relative "down year" for Solo, he still managed a .284 Avg, 28 HR, and 91 RBI out of the shortstop position.
T6.  Conn Barbarian, Florida:  7 points (all courtesy of appearing on one ballot in 1st place).  Conn had his best season as a pro, hitting .301 with 35 HR, 91 RBI, 104 Runs, 44 2B, 23 SB, and a league leading .625 SLG.  Conn is a true "stat-sheet-stuffer" and is a fantasy baseball players dream come true.  Perhaps one day he will lead his team to a winning record?
T6.  Chad White, New York:  7 points.  Chad had another fine season, hitting .305 with 24 HR, 105 RBI, 45 2B, and 20 SB against only 3 CS.  With his great defense in centerfield, Chad finished with 6.3 WAR, good for 6th in the league.
5.  Keith Lee, New York:  10 points.  Keith led the league with a .342 Avg (beating out Ryan Harris by .3422 to .3417) and had 24 HR, 86 RBI, 106 Runs, and 49 2B.  He also finished 2nd in the league with 7.3 WAR.
4.  Miguel Cruz, Bay Area:  12 points.  Miguel had another great year for Bay Area, finishing at .338-.433-.580.  Miguel had 23 HR, 109 RBI, 44 2B, and 80 walks.  Miguel finished 4th in the league with 6.7 WAR.
3.  Marc Crawford, Denver:  16 points.  Marc had a down year (for himself) his first year in Denver.  However, he still managed to hit .291-.388-.579 with a league leading 40 HR.  Marc also scored and drove in 107 runs while finishing with 6.4 WAR, good for 5th in the league.
2.  Pedro Lewis, New York:  26 points - two 1st place votes.  Pedro may have won the MVP had he not missed 2-3 starts due to a mid-season injury.  As it was, his season was very dominant.  Pedro finished with a 22-3 record, 2.30 ERA, and led the league with 235 K's in 234 IP (also leading the league).   Pedro finished with 7 WAR, good for 3rd in the league.

And the 2012 Major League MVP Award goes to:
1.  W. Gehrig Bear, New York:  39 points - four 1st place votes:  Bear repeats as the Major League MVP and wins his 3rd overall.  Bear played every game for New York and was "the rock" in the middle of their lineup.  Bear hit .335-.411-.556 and also hit 36 HR and led the league with 118 RBI and 7.8 WAR.
 

Saturday, December 29, 2012

2012 Superior League Cy Young Award

The year 2012 in the Superior League will not go down in history as the "Year of the Pitcher".  On the flip side, this might be the worst season ever for individual pitching achievements.  Witness - No starting pitcher was able to pull of a 20-win season or a sub 3.00 ERA.  Only two relief pitchers were able to save 40 or more games, but they only averaged 41 saves and 55 innings - hardly enough work to be deemed the best.  Of the 7 ballots cast, only two pitchers appeared on more than 2 ballots (4 and 3).  With that in mind, here are the complete voting results:

11.  Dan Mason, Orlando:  14-10 with a league leading 3.27 ERA in 195 IP
10.  Paul Finch, Mars:  12-14, 3.64 ERA with a league leading 231 K's
T8.  Joe Dirte, New York:  40 saves in 56 IP with a 2.57 ERA
T8.  Tom Harrelson, Baltimore:  10-2, 3.34 ERA with 97 IP in relief
T6.  Eddie Carey, New York:  18-6, 3.76 ERA in 189 IP
T6.  David Tyler, Cleveland:  13-9, 3.34 ERA, 212 IP, 176-62 K/BB Ratio, led league in pitching WAR
5.  James Willits, New York:  6-0 2.84 ERA, 63 IP - Appeared on only one ballot - 1st place
4.  Grant Dunn, New York:  18-8, 3.50 ERA, 210 IP - Appeared on 3 ballots, one 1st place vote
3.  Storm Morris, Baltimore:  16-13, 3.50, League Leading 231 IP, one 1st place vote
2.  Chris Grimes, Utah:  2-6, 2.65 ERA, League Leading 42 saves in 54 IP - Appears on only 2 ballots - both 1st place votes - 10 points

And the winner is:

1.  Mike Carpenter, New York:  16 points, two 1st place votes, two 2nd place votes.  19-7, 3.71 ERA, 206 IP, 180 Hits, 61 BB, 178 K's, 8 CG, 5 shutouts.  It seems like a blast from the past with the Cy Young Award going to the League's leading winner with the unimpressive ERA (Pete Vukovitch 1982 anybody?).  In his defense, Carpenter did have an impressive 5 shutouts and 8 CG's.  Had he not missed 3 starts due to injury, he may have had more impressive IP and win totals.  As it was, the near 3:1 K/BB Ratio should at least appease the stat heads.

Interview With Conn


Kenny MVP Anderson sat down recently with Penguins’ star outfielder Conn the Barbarian. Here is Kenny’s interview:

Kenny:  Conn.  What was it like growing up with Conan as your father?

Conn: I remember days like this when my father took me to the forest and we ate wild blueberries.  More than 20 years ago.  I was a boy of four or five.  The leaves were so dark and green then.  The grass smelled sweet with the spring wind. [pause] Almost 20 years of pitiless cumber!  No rest, no sleep like other men.  And yet the spring wind blows, Subotai.  Have you ever felt such a wind?

Kenny: Say what?

Conn: It is never too late, Subotai.

Kenny: Who is Subotai? Kenny is Kenny.

Conn: For us, there is no spring.  Just the wind that smells fresh before the storm.

Kenny: What the hell are you talking about?  Kenny is asking about your father – Conan.

Conn: Father told me Fire and wind come from the sky, from the gods of the sky.  But Crom is my god, Crom and he lives in the earth.  Once, giants lived in the Earth, Conn. And in the darkness of chaos, they fooled Crom, and they took from him the enigma of steel. Crom was angered. And the Earth shook. Fire and wind struck down these giants, and they threw their bodies into the waters, but in their rage, the gods forgot the secret of steel and left it on the battlefield. We who found it are just men. Not gods. Not giants. Just men. The secret of steel has always carried with it a mystery. You must learn its riddle, Conn. You must learn its discipline. For no one - no one in this world can you trust. Not men, not women, not beasts. [pointing to his bat] This you can trust.

Kenny: So, what you’re saying is your father thinks that Penguins’ prospect Crom is your god?  Do you pray to him?  Does he know this?

Conn: Crom, I have never prayed to you before.  I have no tongue for it.  No one, not even you, will remember if we were good men or bad.  Why we fought, or why we died.  All that matters is that two stood against many.  That’s what’s important!  Valor pleases you, Crom… so grant me one request.  Grant me revenge!  And if you do not listen, then to HELL with you!

Kenny: It sounds like you don’t care for Crom.

Conn: He is Crom.

Kenny: Kenny will change the subject.  What do you think of your nickname “King Conn”?

Conn: I am no king!  I am son of king!  When father’s carcass lies in the desert sun rotting as the vultures feast, then I will be king.

Kenny: Any predictions for 2013? 

Conn: We will play.  I will crush the baseball, see it driven before me, and hear the lamentation of the women.

Kenny: You have said before you will exceed your father’s legacy.  Are these still your intentions?

Conn: Every day I punish myself until my sweat becomes blood. 

Kenny: Do you think you can get to 30-30 or 40-40?

Conn: I am Conn.

Miami trades Liefer for Lewis

Miami trades relief pitcher Joel Liefer to Toronto for Jean Luc Lewis. This ensures that Miami will still have a jawa on the roster.

Jake Cisco to Baltimore

The Baltimore Colts have reached an agreement with Jake Cisco on a 5 year, 80 million dollar deal.  Cisco, 36, hit .273 with 28 homers and 81 RBI last year.  For his career, he has 475 homers, a .398 OBP, and .538 slugging percentage.

He is expected to be the primary DH, batting ahead of Prince Coleman.

Penguins sign Moreno

Penguins have reached a 1 year deal with catcher Eli Moreno, for 1.5 million dollars.  He will serve as the backup to Bud McNamara.

Friday, December 28, 2012

Penguins Acquire McNamara

The Florida Penguins obtained catcher Bud McNamara and relief pitch Grant Hansen from Miami in exchange for pitchers Todd Johnson and Tom Knight.

McNamara, 40, is in the final year of a 3 year free agent contract signed with the Stars, he will make 13 million in 2013.  A career .309 hitter with 2609 hits, McNamara hit .303 with 83 RBI and dominated the 2011 World Series as Miami won the championship.  Last season he struggled through injuries and hit .266 with 9 homers and 46 RBI.  While his throwing arm is well below average, McNamara is considered an excellent handler of pitchers.

Hansen was the Stars' first round draft pick in 2011, and posted a 3.88 ERA in 72 innings as a rookie.  He also showed excellent control, walking only 16 while striking out 58.  He may take over as the closer in Florida.

Johnson, 24, pitched 84 innings in the big leagues and went 4-6 with a 3.11 ERA.  He will likely join Miami's rotation.  Johnson signed a long term contract before his major league debut, and will make just over 21 million through the 2017 season.

Knight, 24, has pitched 2 seasons in the Florida bullpen.  A hard thrower, last season he struck out 56 batters in 52 innings, though he sometimes struggles to throw strikes.  His career ERA is 4.05.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

2012 Major League Cy Young Award

The voting was unanimous, with Pedro Lewis winning for the 3rd time in the last 4 years, and his 4th Cy Young overall (2005 SL, 2009 ML, 2010 ML, 2012 ML).  Lewis posted a career best 2.30 ERA, finishing 2nd in the league to teammate Buddy Dervish (who demonstrated an amazing ability to give up the big inning once the runs would become unearned due to errors).  Lewis also had a career best winning percentage, going 22-3, matching his career high for wins.  Lewis also led the league in innings with 234 and strikeouts with 235.  Lewis has now had 4 seasons with 20+ wins, all resulting in Cy Young awards.  Remarkably, the top 4 vote getter's for Cy Young were the #1-4 starters for the New York Cobra.  I'm assuming this may be the first time this has ever happened, save for perhaps the 1971 Baltimore Orioles?

Complete Voting Results as follows:
1.  Pedro Lewis             35
2.  Buddy Dervish          12
3.  Johnny DeMario         6
4.  Roscoe Savage           4
5.  Geronimo Davis         3
6.  Bartolo Fatone          2
7.  Jared DeMario           1

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

2012 Superior League Rookie of the Year

The Superior League Rookie of the Year award was also a non-contest, as Charlotte 1B Ryan Ponder garnered 5 out of 7 first place votes, and finished 2nd on the other two ballots.  Ponder hit .267 with 26 Homers and 88 RBI, and led all rookies in HR and RBI.  Ponder also showed a keen eye at the plate, drawing 86 walks to compile a .368 OBA.

Complete Voting Results as follows:
1.  Ryan Ponder          31
2.  J. Bauer                  9
3.  M. Rogers                8
4.  D. Reyes                  7
5.  B. Bass                    3
5.  S. Cole                    3
7.  M. McAndrews          2

2012 Major League Rookie of the Year

Just in time for Christmas, the awards balloting has been finalized and results will be announced in the coming days.  First up, the Major League Rookie of the Year.  This one was no contest as Elf Buddy Dervish went 17-6 with a league leading 2.07 ERA and 171 K's.  Dervish formed a solid 1-2 punch with Pedro Lewis, and helped New York to an amazing regular season record of 116-46.  Dervish was listed first on 6 out of 7 ballots.

Complete Voting Results as follows:
1.  B. Dervish              30
2.  J. Allen                 15
3.  C. Cordero              7
4.  M. Rondon               3
4.  D. Kison                  3
4.  B. Avila                   3
7.  B. Bailey                  1
7.  P. Craig                   1

Shockers sign Mazdahonda

The LA Shockers struck quickly in the free agent market, signing Suzuke Mazdahonda to a 6 year, 147 million dollar contract, matching the Dodger's signing of Zach Greinke.

Monday, December 24, 2012

LA Shocker Moves

Shockers trade relief pitcher Sam Parillo and prospect Nick Lawson to St Louis for outfielder Chris Hamilton.  Hamilton, 25, has hit only .226 in two season for St Louis but has shown power, speed, the ability to take a walk, and a strong throwing arm.  LA projects him as a right fielder.

St Louis was willing to deal Hamilton to clear the path for the game's #1 prospect, Bryce Parkman. 

In addition, the Shockers resign 38 year old outfielder Paul Riley for 2 years and 8 million.  Last season Riley hit .302 with a .359 OBP, figures which nearly match his career averages.

Draft Order 2013

Pick Team
1 Green Day
2 Hollywood
3 Boston
4 Chicago
5 Alaska
6 Detroit
7 Green Day (from Florida)
8 Mars
9 Springfield
10 Louisville
11 Las Vegas
12 St Louis
13 Miami
14 Hawaii
15 Phoenix
16 Toronto
17 Portland
18 Texas
19 Toledo
20 Bay Area
21 Cleveland
22 Orlando
23 Charlotte
24 Denver
25 Utah
26 Philadelphia
27 Baltimore
28 Los Angeles
29 NY Knights
30 NY Cobra

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Clayton Lewis Goes to Green Day

Green Day acquires Clayton Lewis, Daniel Smith, and a first round pick from Florida for Casey Lebron and Chris Reyes.

Las Vegas Trades for Catcher

Las Vegas trades relief pitcher Miguel Arredondo and OF Drew Fenwick to Boston for C Sammy Yamamoto, infielder Derek Mahan, and a third round draft pick.

Yamamoto, 24, will get a chance to start in Las Vegas. He's a career .185 hitter in 399 at bats. After showing good power in 2011, he only hit one homer last year. Mahan is described as a future gold glove candidate at short, though his bat is questionable.

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Trades 12-18-2012

Las Vegas acquired speedy center fielder Kenny Anderson Jr. from Hawaii for minor league pitcher Collin Haynes.

Las Vegas also made a deal with Toronto, sending Jabba Robinson, Mike Guerra, and Kenny Brown to the Seagulls for Miguel Machado, Sam Norton, and Drew Fenwick.  The move frees up about 11 million dollars for the Gamblers.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Denver at Utah, game 6

Derek Howe took the mound for Denver, looking to wrap up the series and give Big Cheese a long awaited championship. Utah's Duane Garcia hoped to force a game 7. Utah scored twice in the first as Ryan Ballard had an RBI single and Frank Lewis scored on a Charlie Howard sac fly. Denver got one in the second as Eddie Gaedel doubled home Alex Hamilton. They took the lead in the third when Mark Crawford tripled home a run and scored on a groundout.

Both teams scored a run in the 5th, making the score 4-3 Denver. In desperation, Battletap went to his ace relievers in the 5th, asking them to give everything they had left. Scott Kippenstein pitched an inning and 2/3 of scoreless ball. In the 7th, Battletrap went to Chris Grimes after a leadoff single. Grimes held Denver scoreless that inning, and again in the 8th.

Heading to the top of the 9th Denver still held a 4-3 lead. Battletrap stuck with Grimes, who ran out of gas. Denver batted around, scoring 5 runs off Grimes before he was removed. A tight ballgame turned into a party for the Rabbits.Paul Williamson, Denver's 40 year old closer who struggled through a tough 2012, took the ball in the bottom of the 9th. Kermit Crawford managed a single to get the bat in the hands of Frank Lewis, but APBA's best hitter hit a routine grounder to Ozzie Gaedel, who made the throw to first.

Big Cheese took his first trophy after 27 years of managing, as even the Utah fans cheered "CHEEEEEESE" in appreciation of one of the game's legends.

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Utah at Denver, game 5

Denver scored 3 early runs off Jaret Benser, prompting Battletrap to remove him for a pinch hitter in the 5th. Denver added solo homers by Maldonado and Otto Tingley in the 5th.

Ruben Ramirez pitched 7 innings, allowing 2 runs for his second win of the series.

Utah at Denver, game 4

This was Kermit Crawford's game, as he channeled the Holmes, hit 5 singles in his first 5 at bats, and scored 4 runs.

Utah scored the first 2. Denver took a 4-2 lead in the 3rd, highlighted by a Bartolo Fatone homer. Utah scored 4 in the 5th and never trailed after that. Chris Grimes, the saving Ute, got the last 4 outs for the save. Utah wins 8-5 and knots the series at 2.

Utah at Denver, game 3

Utah started out fast with 3 in the first off Clint Meyers. Ryan Ballard's 2 run double scored Kermit Crawford and Frank Lewis.

Utah added 3 more, including a homer by Leon Benevides. Keith Langford didn't need all those runs though, pitching a complete game, 3 hit shutout.

Denver at Utah, game 2

This was a strong pitching duel between Duane Garcia and Derek Howe. Denver took a 1-0 lead in the second as George Rivera singled, stole 2nd, and scored on an Alex Hamilton single. No more would score until the 7th. Denver scored runs in the 7th, 8th, and 9th. They surprised Utah by stealing 4 bases in 4 attempts, as Big Cheese normally disdains the running game. In the 9th, Howe allowed a walk and HBP with one out, bringing in Ryan Webb from the bullpen. He needed one pitch to get a 1-6-3 double play and preserve the 4-0 win.

World Series: Denver at Utah, game 1

Joey Renseller started things off with a first inning, 2 run homer off Jaret Benser. Utah took the lead with 3 in the 3rd, and added another on Billy Stanley's 4th inning homer.

Denver scored 3 in the 5th, knocking out Benser. Alex Maldonado had an RBI double, followed by Stan Marsh knocking in two. That was it for the scoring. Ruben Ramirez pitched into the 8th for Denver. In the bottom 9th, Kenard Gil led off with a double off Ryan Webb. One out later Alberto Mitre singled, and the normally conservative running Utes sent the tying run to the plate. He was thrown out by George Rivera. Webb then got Kermit Crawford to fly to left, and Denver took game 1.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

2012 Major League Championship Series - Philadelphia vs. Denver

Game 1
Bonderman vs. Fatone.  This one is a great pitchers duel, with both pitchers hurling shutouts into the 5th inning, with Fatone allowing only 1 hit.  In the bottom of the 5th, Denver gets on the board with a 2-out 2-run single from Joey Renseller.  In the 7th, Philadelphia cuts into the lead with a Paul White solo HR, only the 2nd hit allowed by Fatone in the game.  But that was the final scoring and Fatone goes the distance with a 9-2-1-1-3-10 performance.  Final Score:  Denver 2 Philadelphia 1.

Game 2
Philadelphia gets Scott Bedard back from injury and he faces Derek Howe.  In the first, Denver takes a 1-0 lead on a DP grounder.  In the 6th, a solo HR from Stan Marsh makes it 2-0 Denver.  In the 7th, Philadelphia is able to rally and tie the game, on an RBI groundout and sacrifice fly after Favre and Willie Rivera led off the inning with a walk and double.  In the bottom of the 7th, Butters Stotch hits a 2-run double down the right field line to give Denver the 4-2 lead.  In the 8th, Denver adds an insurance run to make it 5-2.  In the 9th, a trio of Denver pitchers (lefty-righty-lefty) each get their one out and Denver wins the game and takes a 2-0 series lead.

Game 3
Ruben Ramirez vs. Oswalt.  Philly takes a 1-0 lead in the first on a 2-out double by Willie Rivera.  Denver ties it in the 3rd as Joey Renseller singles home Butters Stotch who had tripled.  The pitchers settle in and the game remains tied at 1 until the 8th inning.  In the 8th, Denver loads up the bases and scores on a Stan Marsh single to go up 2-1.  With the bases loaded and no one out, Philadelphia goes to the bullpen to relieve Oswalt, with the threat of one big inning potentially ending the series.  Geronimo Davis gets a strikeout and DP to end the inning and keep the game close.

Going to the bottom of the 9th, Denver elects to stay with Ruben Ramirez, since the starting pitcher is the best option to close out the game.  With one out, Willie Rivera works a walk and is pinch run for by Emilio Mendoza.  Mendoza steals 2nd and 3rd.  Geoff Favre fails to bring the runner home on a grounder to short, as Gaedell is able to check the runner at 3rd.  With 2 outs, Mendoza breaks for the plate and attempts the risky steal of home.  Denver is caught off guard, and the game is tied.  Ramirez gets the 3rd out and we go to extra innings.

The bullpens hurl 4 consecutive scoreless frames in the 10th through 13th innings, with no team really threatening to score.  In the 14th, Marc Crawford comes through in a big way, hitting the go-ahead solo HR to make it 3-2.  In the bottom of the 14th, Ryan Webb pitches his 2nd scoreless inning, and Denver wins to take a 3-0 series lead.  Ramirez goes 9-4-2-2-2-7, Jeff Beck goes 3-2-0-0-0-5, and Ryan Webb goes 2-0-0-0-1-4 for the win. 

Game 4
Clint Meyers vs. Casey Henderson.  Alex Maldonado makes it 1-0 Denver on an RBI double in the first.  In the 3rd, Philadelphia takes a 2-1 lead on a 2-run HR from Paul White.  In the 6th, Philadelphia extends the lead to 4-1 on a 2-run HR from Willie Rivera.  In the 7th, Denver keeps it close with a George Rivera solo HR.  In the bottom of the 7th, Philadelphia rallies to put the game out of reach with a 3 run inning highlighted by a Matt Bulger double off the centerfield wall to take a 7-2 lead.  That would be the final score as Philadelphia staves off elimination.  Unfortunately for Denver, in the 8th inning, Joey Renseller is hit by a pitch and will miss the rest of the series.  This will be a huge loss for Denver since not only is he a gold glove 3B, he is hitting .409-.435-.705 in the post season.  He may be able to return if Denver reaches the World Series. 

Game 5
Bridges vs. Blackbuck.  With Joey Renseller injured, Denver elects to start Clyde Frogg at 3B, and he will occupy Renseller’s normal #2 spot in the batting order.  Philadelphia controls this game from the start, and wins 6-0 behind a great performance from Blackbuck 6-3-0-0-2-3.  Jimmy Taylor homers for Philadelphia.  The series is now much closer at 3-2, as we head back to Denver for Game 6.

Game 6
A rematch of Game 1 starters, Bonderman vs. Fatone.  Denver takes a 1-0 lead in the first when Alex Maldonado singles home Marc Crawford who had tripled.  Fatone dominates Philadelphia, allowing no runs and only 1 hit through 8 innings.  In the 9th, the score is still 1-0, and Big Cheese decides to try to let his starting pitcher finish the game.  The first batter he faces, Willie Rivera, makes him pay by hitting a game tying HR to left.  Fatone gets the next 3 outs, and finishes the game with a line of 9-2-1-1-5-8 and gets the no decision.

The games goes to extra innings.  In the 10th, Philadelphia is able to get the leadoff batter out.  The next two batters, Clyde Frogg and Marc Crawford, are able to work walks.  Philadelphia then brings in closer Hank Jenks to try to keep the season alive.  Alex Maldonado greets Jenks’ offering with a mighty blast, a 3 run HR to deep left.  The walk-off HR gives Denver a 4-1 win, and they take the series 4-2 and advance to the World Series for the 2nd straight year.

Sunday, December 09, 2012

2012 Major League Playoffs - Denver (86-76) vs. New York (116-46)


Game 1
New York’s defense is extremely sloppy in the first inning, allowing Denver to take a 2-0 lead on Pedro Lewis.  But that would be all that Denver would get off Pedro.  New York rallies in the middle innings to take a 5-2 lead.  Papelbrad finishes out the 9th to give New York the win.  Pedro goes 8-6-2-0-3-9 for the win.

Game 2
Buddy Dervish’s first career post-season start is a memorable one.  He dominates the Rabbits, going 8-5-0-0-2-8, and New York wins 5-0.  So far, this is looking like a lop-sided matchup, between two big market franchises that were separated by 30 wins this year (116-86).  We will see if Denver has any life left as the series shifts to Denver for game 3.

Game 3
This is a matchup between the ancient Roscoe Savage and the obese Bartolo Fatone.  New York takes a 4-0 lead into the 8th, with help from a Keith Lee HR.  In the bottom of the 8th, Denver gets a 2-out double from Joey Renseller, followed by a Marc Crawford triple to make it 4-1.  New York goes to the lefty Rudiger Rocker to face Alex Maldonado who walks.  Stan Marsh then walks to load the bases for George Rivera.  Juan Alou shows confidence in Rudiger and allows him to pitch to the righty Rivera, even with Papelbrad ready to go.  Rudiger rewards the manager’s trust by flying out to Chad White. 

In the 9th, New York hands the ball to a rested (and dominant) Jonathan Papelbrad to protect a 3-run lead, which would give New York the 3-0 series lead.  Otto Tingley pops up for the first out.  Ozzie Gaedell follows with a double to right.  Pinch hitter Denny Berroa then works the walk.  Butters then hits a single right to make it 4-2.  Joey Renseller then takes the first pitch he sees from Papelbrad on a long drive to deep left.  This is a no doubt about it shot, and just like that, Denver wins game 3 by the score of 5-4.  This is not the first time that Joey Renseller has done this to New York (2004 Portland Decepticons).

Game 4
The veteran Derek Howe makes the start and dominates the Cobra, pitching a complete game 10-0 shutout.  Denver started fast and never let up.  New York seemed to be in a state of shock after the way they lost game 3.  Howe goes 9-5-0-0-3-6 and gets HRs from Stan Marsh and Alex Maldonado.

Game 5
This is a rematch of the game 1 starters, Pedro Lewis vs. Ruben Ramirez.  In the 3rd, Keith Lee drives home Manfred Mueller with a two out double to make it 1-0.  That’s the way the score stayed until the 6th, when Denver ties it on a Joey Renseller HR.  In the bottom of the 8th, Alex Hamilton gets a pinch hit broken bat single off Pedro Lewis.  Denver then pinch Runs Trevino for Hamilton, and he steals 2nd base.  With 2 outs, Joey Renseller comes up to the plate again.  Renseller delivers a clean single to LF, and Denver takes the 2-1 lead going into the 9th.

With normal closer Paul Williamson injured, Denver goes to Jeff Beck to try to save the game.  The first batter he faces, Keith Lee, ties the game with a HR over the centerfield wall.  After getting W. Gehrig Bear and Brett Solo to strike out, Chad White connects for a HR to centerfield to give New York the 3-2 lead. 

After the shaky performance in game 3, New York decides to remain with Pedro Lewis for the 9th, since he has been dominant and has been able to get through the game so far on a low pitch count.  Alex Maldonado leads off with a triple, and later scores on a sacrifice fly.  Lewis gets out of the 9th, but the game is tied at 3.  Lewis finishes the game 9-7-3-3-1-11. 

In the 10th, Jeff Beck gets a 1-2-3 inning against New York.  To the bottom of the 10th, Juan Alou summons Papelbrad to keep the game going.  Ozzie Gaedell strikes out.  Big Cheese then pinch hits for his pitcher with Clyde Frogg.  Frogg works a walk and then, to the surprise of everyone, steals 2nd base off strong armed Paul Hagan.  Butters Stotch then crushes a ball down the left field line for the game winning double.  Denver comes back to win the game 4-3, and now leads the series 3 games to 2.

Game 6
Denver elects to go with Clint Meyers, who was bypassed the first time through the rotation to face Buddy Dervish.  This one is a pitchers duel, as each pitcher keeps it scoreless through 3 innings.  In the 4th, Alex Maldonado hits a solo HR to give Denver the 1-0 lead.  In the 6th, Clint Meyers bats for himself and works a walk against Dervish.  Butters then hits one back to Dervish, who throws wild to allow the runners to get to 1st and 3rd.  After a Joey Renseller pop-up, Marc Crawford connects for a huge 3 run HR.

That would be the final scoring for the game, and Denver wins the game 4-0, and wins the series 4 games to 2.  Meyers completely baffles the New York offense, throwing a complete game 1 hit shutout with 2 walks and 5 strikeouts.  The only hit came in the 4th inning from W. Gehrig Bear, who led off the inning with a grounder to second base that was ruled an infield hit after bouncing off Butter’s glove on a close play.   That was the last New York baserunner of the game, as Meyers retired the final18 batters of the game.  Dervish can’t blame anyone but himself, since all runs came on homeruns, and the key error was his.  He also went the distance, going 9-4-4-3-2-13.