Thursday, July 31, 2008

This Week in Second City Podcast #2

Hello guys,
Here is the second podcast topics include: the elite ratings, international prospects signings, management console recommendations, boxscore breakdowns, the DL and all things blogerific. (About 8 mins long..adjust the volume maybe too low)

Rights of Spring - A BRACKET

Ah the rights of spring, flowers blooming, rain showers, and of course, BRACKETS. This imaginary spring (it's April in HBD world), the best name in Second City Challenge is upon us. Over the next few days, I'll be posting groups of four classic Second City names. You'll have the opportunity to vote for the best of these names. Then, the four prelim winners will advance to the first ever - Second City name Challenge, also to be decided by popular vote (no you can't text something to some random 5-digit phone number, and regular text message fees DO NOT APPLY). Each preliminary bracket will be named in honor of a classic MLB name. Good luck to all, I think.

Special thanks to Darren for starting the nominations.

But First, in tribute to the NCAA - we will stage a play-in vote. You have only four hours to decide which one of Happy Cepeda and Chili Norton will win the play-in game, and make it into a braket. Of course the play-in vote will be held in Dayton.

Voting ends at 2:00PM Central Time

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

THE ELITE - POWER

Hello guys,

I took the entire season 9 player database of current ratings and compiled them into a spreadsheet to give us the overall picture of who is "THE ELITE" for each or combo of ratings.
To start off I looked at pure power and here are the results. As you can see only 3 guys in the entire world have a current 99 power rating. The rest of the list represents all of the other 98's that exist.



Hope it helps you know who to watch out for this season.
-Darren

NKotb Part Six: Honolulu Headhunters

The final installment in our New Kids on the Block series features the Honolulu Headhunters.

History:
After four tumultuous years in Portland, the franchise was taken to Kansas City by BBQ legend, hodgenice. The KC rebuilding program was eerily similar to the Royal program, often turning to youth, but rarely producing more than a mediocre season. While the franchise has never finished in last, it's also never been to the playoffs.

The move to Honolulu has already been chronicled HERE, but it's worth re-visiting. The governor of Hawaii, Linda Lingle, incensed that the Dolphins decided to flee her fine state, blockaded the team's moving vans. Only after Commissioner jwendt promised a replacement franchise were the Dolphins allowed to relocate to San Francisco.

Outlook:
Fifty HR hitters Yamil Abreu and Livan Suarez return to an offense that can score. However, the staff ace (Edgar Romo) is 4 games below .500 for his career. Defense was a problem in the past, and the Headhunters have handed the starting SS job to a Rule V choice, Winston Peters. He brings a slick glove, but little bat. The failure to sign last season's 1st round pick, Pedro Escobar, and previous trades of three first round draft choices hamstring the farm system, but budget cuts make building the farm a priority.

Name:
The headhunter's actually has a dual meaning. As widely reported in the popular press, team owner mesco12 did make his fortune in outsourcing, placing C-level executives in many of the firms that caused the Savings and Loan scandal of the 1980's. However, the name actual springs from mesco's role as an extra in an episode of Hawaii Five-O that originally aired on October 17, 1968, during 5-0's first season. In that episode, entitled, "Samurai", mesco and Ricardo Montalban guest starred with Montalban playing an underwold mobster being investigated by Dan-O and the boys. Mesco, in a uncredited role, played a hitman (or headhunter) attempting to knock of the Montalban character in the episode. To this day, mesco blames show creator Leonard Freeman for not crediting him, thus giving rise to Montalban's acting career. Montalban would go on to star in Fantasy Island and Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Mesco continues to purchase vehicles only with cloth seats in protest of the famous Chrysler Cordoba featuring "Corintian Leather" commercials which starred Montalban and which Mesco believes should have been "his gig".

NkotB Part Five - Baltimore Dead Homies



History:
For eight seasons, the Wichita Shockers were one of Second City's true flagship franchises. Winning the AL pennant in Season 2 and winning a division championship as recently as a scant two years ago, the Shockers had played to sellout crowds ever since Second City's inception.

However, last season the franchise's previous owner, bigking, well, shocked the Second City world when he sold controlling interest in the Shockers to an ownership group headed by noted restauranteur Mr. Orange. Mr. Orange's story is the stuff of legend. Left for dead after a 1992 raid sponsored by noted gang leader Joe Cabot went terribly awry, miraculously Mr. Orange outlasted Mr. Blond, Mr. Pink and Nice Guy Eddie, and only managed to escape the incident without fatal damage. Determined to avoid a life as a hood, Mr. Orange then proceeded to make his fortune opening the first of many "Crybaby" John Waters themed restaurants throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. When a chance to bring a franchise to his adopted hometown of Baltimore came up, he jumped at the opportunity.

After a protacted lawsuit from the citizens of Wichita, the city, Second City and Mr. Orange settled in the offseason opening up the way for the franchise to back up the trucks and move on out. The Wichita fans are still smarting from the void, and will need a new outlet for their trademark foam fingers.

Outlook:
Fortunately, the cupboard is not bare for the newly-christened Dead Homies. The franchise is coming off of an 89-73 season. Hitting has never been a problem, and with 270 HRs a year ago, the offense will continue to be strong. Camden Yards in Baltimore is one of the stronger hitters parks in the league, so there is not much evidence that numbers will drop off. Additionally Wichita was one of Second City's stronger defensive teams, making a scant 71 errors last season. However, the problem was pitching. Wichita's 4.74 team ERA held the team back from transcendence. While 19 game winner Rico Lecuona returns, the team needs significant improvement in particular from Tommy Wagner, whose 10-14, 6.06 ERA(!) season belies both his talent level and his pay grade. The pitching could give Baltimore GM Divine a real headache.

Name:
While critics of Mr. Orange's speculate that the team name Dead Homies is a reference to his preferred methods of giving an employee his/her "unconditional release", Mr. Orange continues to insist that the name is a tribute to his fallen comrades from that fateful day in 1992. In the interest of full disclosure, this author is too frightened to question Mr. Orange much further.

NKotB Part Four: Philadelphia Wolverines

History:
After 2 unsuccessful seasons in Toronto, the team briefly stopped in Fargo (they were looking for the biggest ball of twine in Minnesota, but weren't so good @ geography). Then ewd bought the Fargo franchise for $26 worth of trinkets and moved the team to Rochester. There, they became a Second City powerhouse. In Rochester, the Rockets averaged over 110 wins per year, but they could not get it done in imaginary October, bowing out in the LCS in 3 of 5 years while making just one trip to the World Series (they lost).

In stepped Billybob, moving the team to Philadelphia, home of the cheese steak.

Outlook:
The franchise has always hit, blasting 295 HRs last season. Sluggers Mac Ventura, Julio Mateo (both with 54 HRs), David Padilla (40 Hrs), and Rudy Greer (38 Hrs) all move to Philly where their power numbers could increase. The pitching is still average and the defense has huge question marks, particularly on the infield, but this team will score enough runs to win a lot of games.

Name:
While many observers assumed that billybob attended the school with the winningest football program of all time, the University of Michigan. However, the team is actually named for the band of rebel high-schoolers portrayed in the 1984 Classic by John Milius, Red Dawn. The group, led by Jed Eckert (Patrick Swayze) abandon their small Colorado town (Calumet) and live off the land while conducting guerrilla strikes on the invading Communist forces. billybob chose the Wolverine name due to his undying devoltion to Jennifer Grey, who portrayed Toni Mason, one of the Wolverines in the film. Grey, would once again star with Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing (1987), but billybob resisted the urge to name his squad the Dirty Dancers.

Monday, July 28, 2008

NKotb Part Three: Detroit Crimson

History:
After reaching the playoffs in four consecutive years, the franchise has fallen on hard times and ownership difficulties. Last season, in Montreal, the team finished a franchise-worst 64-98. Crimsongm marks the fourth owner in 4 seasons for this once powerful franchise. Attendance looks to improve however, as Canadian fans, many of whom are disillusioned with Vancouver's recent performance, will remain fans of the Crimson. Detroit is just a short drive from Windsor, ON, and who wouldn't want to go to Windsor?

Outlook:
The youth movement begun by Jackster in Season 6 should provide some ammunition as crimongm seeks to make his mark. The defense appears much improved. However, Brad Banks and his 42 HR's have departed for Pawtuckett. JR Milton, the staff ace bolted for Las Vegas. Elit Bonilla (signed from Vegas) and Ricardo Urbina (fleeing the carnage in Atlanta) are key rotation additions. This squad is a work in progress, but with 5 picks in the top 40, they're well positioned to get young quickly.

Name:
Great mystery surrounds the reason for naming Detroit the Crimson. Many speculated that the team owner is a Harvard alum, but that's not true. The Crimson are actually named for Ramzee Robinson. Who? That's right, Ramzee Robinson, Mr. Irrevelant in the 2007 NFL draft. He's a CB drafted by, you guessed it, the DETROIT Lions, with the final pick in the draft. So why the Crimson? Because Ramzee played his college ball for the Alabama Crimson Tide. No word yet on the team owner's connection to Alabama, but he's one of two remaining Lions fans in the world.

Friday, July 25, 2008

NKotB Part Two: Albuquerque Isotopes

Part Two focuses on the Albuquerque Isotopes, formerly the St. Louis Hell Hogs.

History:
The franchise has never made the playoffs and recent management didn't help the situation, failing to establish a firm direction. Last season, deposed owner jets12 failed to sign first-round pick, Rob Mientkiewicz, a high school pitcher chosen 8th overall, marking the 2nd time in it's history the franchise had failed to sign a top 10 pick. In fact, 'Tope CF David Williamson is the highest franchise draft pick currently on the roster and he hit just .222 last season. Alfonso Romero, a top ten pick in Season 7 has struggled mightily under poor coaching and poor fielding.

Outlook:
The team hit just .257 last year and no player slugged more than 21 HRs. New owner uustal spent lavishly on the free agent market in an attempt to jump start the franchise. FA signees Rob Henderson ($35.5 M over 5 years) and Vince Fordham were brought in to bolster the offense while Felipe Colon figures into the top part of hte rotation.

The coaching staff appears much-improved and the minor league system will certainly benefit from that change.

The Name:
Well, the Isotopes are not surprisingly named for the famous Simpsons' baseball franchise, the Springfield Isotopes. What's lesser known, is that uustal actually designed the reactor at Three Mile Island which almost

New Kids on the Block, Part One: Memphis Shores

Part one in WCM's series on the new teams in the league features the Memphis Shores, formerly the Atlanta enfuegos.

The History:
Shore owner, spokaneman, volunteered to take on the 'fuego after reading of the incredibly dramatic ouster of former owner, sonenlaw on the WIS message boards. The franchise has set many records for futility in Second City, winning just 13 games last year in the culmination of a free-fall from the franchise's high-water mark of 76-86 in Season 3. In fairness to the former ownership, they were happered by some bad long-term contract doled out by the previous administration. Still, a total lack of appreciation for defense, resting pitchers, and fiedling a complete 25-man roster doomed what was never a promising season 8.

The Outlook:
The franchise has never drafted lower than 13th, with 7 picks in the top ten. Only 2 of their 1st round picks have left the organization, Daniel Pierce (traded to Mexico City) and Terry Pressley (traded to LA, since traded to Pittsburgh). The other top picks all figure in the Shores' plans, with Wascar Lee (#2 overall, season 5) and Jose Cordero (#5, season 3) likely to play key roles. Last year's #1 pick, Bud Hooper, appears destined to open the season in the minors, but looks to be a future MVP candidate. Keith Martin and Domon Mohr are the top returning bats.

The pitching staff posted a shocking 14.37 ERA last year. Carlos Maradona went an amzaing 0-27 in 21 starts and 29 relief apparances. His family blames him for driving his uncle Diego to use drugs. Maradona is not likely to contribute this season. Rule V pick Kirk Thurman figures to play a key role in Season 9.

The team will hit, but they can't catch anything at any position, and the pitching staff will once again face an uphill climb to respectability.

The Name:
The Shores were actually named by famous Tennessean, Al Gore. Memphis, landlocked in mid-south, stands 331 feet above sea level. Gore has predicted that Memphis will be prime coastal property, sometime next month as global warming causes the oceans to rise. (editor's note, Memphis is on the banks of the Mississippi river)

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Top 5 SS Prospects Season 9

Top 5 SS Prospects

Colorado’s Perry Hernandez is the new #1 shortstop prospect in Second City. Drafted last season out of Aquinas HS in Wisconsin, Hernandez projects as an all around stud. In 63 Rookie League games last season, he hit .402 with 13 HR and 14 SB’s.

Last season’s #1 prospect, Alan Pall, has been promoted the majors by Scranton and moved to CF. Look for Pall to make a strong case for Rookie of the Year. In other news, former #3 SS prospect Juan Macias has retired after failing to be promoted by St. Louis (now Albuquerque) out of the Rookie League after 2 seasons, despite hitting .418 over 2 seasons and projecting to be an 89 overall player.



#1 – Perry Hernandez
Colorado - Rookie
Age 19
Drafted Season 8, Round 1, Pick 7 by Colorado
Prospect Rating Score - 35

#2 – Harold Gray
Monterrey – AA
Age – 25
Drafted – Season 3, Round 1, Pick 19 by Pawtucket
Traded to Monterrey in Season 5
Prospect Rating Score – 32

#3 – Cody Hall
Richmond – High A
Age – 19
Drafted – Season 8, Round 1, Pick 5 by Honolulu (dspahlinger)
Traded to Richmond in Season 9
Prospect Rating Score - 32

#4 – Wil Curtis
San Juan – High A
Age – 22
Drafted Season 7, Round 1, Pick 31 by San Juan
Prospect Rating Score - 30

#5 – Rick McInerney
Toledo – AA
Age - 20
Drafted Season 7, Round 1, Pick 2 Prospect Rating Score - 29

Sunday, July 20, 2008

This Week in Second City Podcast #1 - Season 9

Hello fellow owners,

Here is the first podcast of Season 9. I talk about Season 8's World Series Champs - San Juan Crownrificos, strategies to remember when trading, and HBD's statistical snapshots of world settings. Hope you like it.
- Darren (Wash D.C. Honor and Courage)

Friday, July 18, 2008

Top 5 3B Prospects - Season 9

Top 5 3B Prospects

Not much movement on this seasons 3B list. Sioux Falls’ Larry Price continues to hold down the top spot after hitting .339 with 45 HR in AA last season while winning his 2nd consecutive silver slugger award. He already has the ability to help out at the major league level, but is currently stuck behind all-star Jesus Astacio on the Sioux Falls depth chart.

Our one newcomer is JR Rhodes, who was drafted late in the first round out of Huntington Beach HS by Richmond. Offensively Rhodes projects to be a solid player with base stealing ability, but his glove is weak and he may be better suited defensively as a right fielder in the long term.



#1 – Larry Price
Sioux Falls – AA
Age - 23
Drafted – Season 6, Round 1, Pick 26
Prospect Score – 28

#2 – Vic Arrojo
Las Vegas – AAA
Age - 23
International Signing – Season 4 for $7.8M by Las Vegas
Prospect Score – 26

#3 – JR Rhodes
Richmond – Low A
Age – 19
Drafted Season 8, Round 1, Pick 28
Prospect Score - 24

#4 – Willie Cruz
Toledo – AAA
Age – 21
International Signing – Season 6 for $10M by Toledo
Prospect Score – 24

#5 – Terry Simmons
Honolulu – AAA
Age - 22
Drafted – Season 5, Round 2, Pick 65
Prospect Score – 21

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Top 5 2B Prospects

Top 5 2B Prospects

Here is the first of the prospect lists for season 9. With San Francisco’s Kevin Canseco moving up to the big league club, and adjusting to a new position (CF), we have a new #1. Hailing from Hastings, Nebraska, Ira Helling of the Toledo Boonse Farmers moves to the top of the list after being drafted out of high school in season 8. Spitting time between Low A and High A, Helling hit .347 with 23 HR. Helling projects as a top defense 2B with excellence speed. His one weakness is his low contact rating, but all his other batting ratings are projected at 70+.



#1 – Ira Helling
Toledo – High A
Age – 19
Drafted Season 8, Round 1 , Pick 11 by Toledo
Prospect Rating Score – 41
Last Season – NR

#2 - Damian Simpson
Salem – AAA
Age – 22
Drafted Season 5, Round 1, Pick 13 By Honolulu (dspahlinger)
Traded to Salem in Season 7
Prospect Rating Score – 36
Last Season - #2

#3 – Wiki Diaz
Vancouver – AA
Age - 24
Drafted Season 7, Round 1, Pick 7 by Vancouver
Prospect Rating Score – 35
Last Season – NR (was a SS)

#4 – Chris Benes
Washington – AAA
Age – 24
Drafted Season 6, Round 1, Pick 10 by Hartford (now Washington)
Prospect Rating Score – 35
Last Season - #4

#5 – Dewey Rivera
Cheyenne – High A
Age – 20
Drafted Season 7, Round 1, Pick 19 by Cheyenne
Prospect Rating Score – 34
Last Season - #3

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Interview with a Champion!



World Series Champions of Season 8 the San Juan Crownrificos, owner Wang35, took time out of his busy schedule to give us an interview about his reflections on season 8 and what it takes to win it all.

1. What % would you say contributed to your WS Championship?
Batting Average- __%
Power Hitting- __%
Starting Pitching - __%
Relief Pitching-__%
Coaching-__%
Luck-__%

I go with 15%, 15%, 20%, 20%, 5% and luck 25%

Most of the contending teams are pretty good in all areas. My team's starting pitching was on par with most of the other playoff teams and i thought my hitting was weaker. I gotta alot of old guys who just aren't swinging the bats like they used too. The one area i could point to and say, i think i'm better than the other teams, is my relief pitching. Luck certainly played a big part. Too many good teams out there so you have to be lucky. Your guys have to be playing well and for me my starting pitching gave very good efforts throughout the playoffs. That was key because if my starters could keep me in the ballgame, i felt reasonably confident that my relief pitching would get the job done.


2. What were some of your decision struggles during the season? (position battles?, injuries?, slumps?, trades?)
My team is old and like i said they aren't hitting as well as they used too. I scored runs in the regular season but that was deceptive. I think i had something like 50 runs in a game against Infuego. I decided not to trade any of my pitchers and hoped that pitching would carry me in the playoffs.


3. Who were your stars who made it all happen when it counted the most? (your top pitcher and batter?)
Lenny Ohman was the one starter who i can always rely on. In the NL division and championship playoffs, he was lights out. He got beat up in the World Series but i ended up winning his starts. Willis Gordon (closer) and Santiago Sanchez (Long relief) got the job done as well. Hitters, my cathcers Juan Mercedes and Rico Lopez were the only ones to stand out.

4. Did you have any callups from the minors that were difference makers in the post-season run?
Santiago Sanchez got called up and pitched well for me in relief

5. I see you won Seasons 1-2 and now Season 8. What did you learn about HBD from Season 8 successes?
Different styles can win. My early teams were based on hitting, very similar to the Salem team i faced in the world series. Shout out to his team because they easily could have won the title.

6. Lastly, how did you celebrate your championship? T-shirt, ring, steak dinner, Disney World? :)
Not much of a celebration. Alot of my friends are in this world so i can use the title as ammo when we talk trash later.
I'll need it since my team is turning old quickly. This season i can win a few ballgames but next season will be a full blown rebuilding project.

Wang35
Intervied by Darren (Washington DC Honor and Courage)

Dolphins swim to 'Frisco



Much like the Colts fleeing Baltimore by cover of darkness, the Dolphins fled Honolulu for San Francisco. In a scene eerily reminiscent of the Colt affair, rumors of the move caused a near panic across the state of Hawaii. In fact, the state legislature was in the process of passing a law allowing the state to seize the team by eminent domain if they tried to relocate off the islands.

Dolphin owner dsphalinger, being a sharp cookie and aware of the past, turned to a proven resources. When the Colts fled Baltimore, they contracted Mayflower moving company and accomplished the move by dark of night, thus avoiding similar eminent domain legislation in Maryland before it could take effect. So, when the Dolphins got wind of a similar plan in Hawaii, they called in Mayflower. "Hey, the Mayflower is a proven ship, even if it has been around for 500 years. I mean, if it's good enough for the pilgrims, why not for the Dolphins?" said the enigmatic team owner.

Unfortunately for dspalinger, Mayflower is a truck moving company. They expeditiously packed up the team offices and stadium and had everything on trucks the same day. Unfortunately, trucks don't float. When the Mayflower caravan was lined up at the dock, the state threatened to re-posses the team. That's when Second City Commissioner jwendt stepped in. The state agreed to allow the Dolphins to leave as long as another team took over their lease. mesco12, the new owner was looking to escape Kansas City for well, pretty much anywhere. The commish promised the team to Honolulu, and all lived happily ever after ... so far anyways

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Analysis of New Teams from Year 3

I crunched some numbers to compare sonelaw's Atlanta team to the other owners that joined Second City during year 6. In total, there are 6 owners who joined in year 3 and were still with us in year 8. Enjoy.