Double Downs Owner Makes Surprise Visit - Firesale Looming?

Las Vegas Double Downs owner gtce made a surprise stop in Sin City yesterday. The Double Downs got off to a terrible start, losing 18 of their first 25, but have since rattled off 4 consecutive wins. Rumors began swirling of a fire sale that could see the franchise, which has never won fewer than 87 games in a season and has missed the playoffs just twice in 12 season, shed a number of big name players. Sparky Dessens, J.R. Milton, and Francis Bird are just 3 of the players rumored to have been discussed.

gtce was reportedly locked in internal meetings all day attempting to decide the future of the franchise. WCM has also learned that Mexico City Bandejos owner, dyuen, was also spotted in Sin City. Does anyone think it a coincidence that the master of franchise-changing trades just so happened to be in Vegas when the Double Downs owner flew in considering moving top name talent?

Clash of the Titans

Two of Second City's best clash today as the Sioux Falls Dakota send Paul Rhodes (16-2, 1.75 ERA) to the hill against their hated rivals, the Las Vegas Double Downs who counter with Delino Fischer (16-1, 2.66 ERA).

The Double Downs and Dakota have a long history, battling for the 2nd seed and first round bye in each of the league's first 7 seasons. Both teams have won their division each year and they have finished within 3 games of each other in each of the past 4 seasons. The teams have met in the playoffs 3 times, with the Dakota winning twice.

The upcoming series is key for both teams as they currently sit just two games apart. The 83-42 Dakota hold the #2 overall spot in the standings while the 81-44 Double Downs could take the lead with a series sweep. The Mexico City Bandejos currently lead the NL with an 87-38 record.

Paul Rhodes Sioux Falls Dakota Age: 28 B/T: S/R Born: Long Beach, CA Position(s): P (SP1) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Delino Fischer Las Vegas Double Downs Age: 29 B/T: R/R Born: S Charleston, OH Position(s): P (SP2) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Vegas players threaten forfeit

After sweeping the Los Angeles Banditos in round 1, the Las Vegas Double Downs are threatening to boycott the first two games of the NLDS against the Sioux Falls Dakota. Vegas and Dakota have battled numerous times in recent years, both for playoff position and in the playoffs.

This time, it's personal. After personally pledging to stay in Las Vegas throughout the series, Dakota owner jwendt issued a challenge to gtc, the Double Down owner. But gtc's player's had a different thought on their minds. After spending most of the week high in LA, the team is not happy to be traveling to the heartland. In fact, several veterans, led by Haywood Hunt, are threatening to sit out the game unless demands for out-of-town hookers, legalized gambling not run by Native Americans, and all-night eateries. Because all 3 are illegal in the state of South Dakota, the Double Downs may decide to sit out the series.

#1 Picks of the Past

With the Season 7 draft just around the corner we look back at #1 overall picks of the past.

Season 1 - Francis Bird (P), Las Vegas Double Downs - After becoming the first ever Second City draft pick Bird went 40-21 with a 2.70 ERA in 4 minor league seasons. He made 7 starts in a cup of coffee trip to the bigs in Season 4. Then he took home the NL Rookie of the Year award in Season 5, going 13-6 with a 3.12 ERA in 196 IP. Bird remains the ace of the 6 time division champion Double Downs.

Season 2 - Billy Hoffman (P), Chicago Hog Butchers - Huffman landed with Hog Butchers (now the Toledo Boones Farmers). He was dealt in Season 3 by then-owner texasviking of the short-lived Minnestoa Mighty Bats. The recipient was wang35 and the San Juan Crownrificos. In return the 'rificos sent Lucas Laxton (career .270 hitter for Toledo), Omar Sosa (currently unemployed, never played in bigs), and Jarret Graves (currently at AA for Atlanta, never saw the bigs) to the Bats. Huffman, a high school pick, went 64-15 in 5 minor league seasons (2.88 ERA). Since making his big league debut in season 5, Huffman is 13-1 with a 2.70 ERA for the Crownrificos. Season 7 looks to be his first year spent entirely in the bigs as a 23 year-old.

Season 3 - Tom Davidson (2b), Colorado Mountain Oysters - Davidson, the first college junior to be drafted #1 overall, shot through the minors and made his ML debut late in season 3, hitting .364 in 77 ABs. He's never returned to the minors, hitting .347 with 103 career homers. Last year was his finest season, posting a .376 average with 29 HRs and 136 RBIs. After making 39 errors as a rookie, Davidson has become a solid in unspectacular fielder in Colorado. He signed a 5-year, $39.5M contract extension this past off-season.

Season 4 - Brett Davis (SS), Scranton Nittany Lions - The Lions have treated Davis with kid-gloves, slowly bringing along the high school pick that just turned 21. Scouts consider him a can't-miss prospect with the chance to consistently hit 50+ HR's a season. Davis has hit .329 with 94 career minor league dingers. Some scouts feel that Davis will eventually end up at 3b after a 62 error season at AA in year 5. He settled down last year making just 19 errors at AAA and is expected to make his big league debut later this season as a SS.

Season 5 - Vernon Mota (P), Texas Riders - Mota blew through the minors making the RL all-star team in Season 5 and arriving in the bigs late in Season 6 following a 10-1, 3.29 performance at AA. The Riders are counting on him as a key part of their rotation going forward, though the 23 year-old continues to struggle in a hitter-friendly park, posting a 6-4 record and 5.52 ERA so far this season.

Season 6 - Kevin Canseco (2B), Honolulu Dolphins - The high school legend from tiny Woodbury, MN made a big splash winning the rookie league silver slugger in his first professional year. The Dolphins haven't been shy, starting the precocious youngster at AA where he hit .347 in 46 games this year before a promotion to AAA. He's just 9 games in at AAA but scouts expect big things from Canseco going forward though he's probably 2-3 years from making a meaningful contribution in the bigs.

Season 7 - ????