Say it ain't so Jalal

After years of deftly avoiding the issue, Commissioner Jwendt finally took on the steroid issue in Second City prior to the season. For the first time ever, random steroid testing was mandated for all imaginary players. While the commissioner handed down no suspensions, his zero tolerance policy clearly had an effect.

In Second City's 14 seasons, there have been 448 individual teams (32*14 seasons). This year's leading home run hitting team, the Texas Riders, hit just 265 home runs. While that sounds like a lot to the rest of us, it ranks as just the 78th best team performance in Second City History.

In fact, the leagues total of 5504 home runs is the fewest in world history by a long shot, as the chart below reveals.




That's right, this season saw 21% fewer home runs than the average Second City season.





But, not every player was juicing. Which players seem to have experienced the most dramatic drop offs?

Let's start with the guys everyone expects. The chart to the right shows the 10 players that led the league in HR's this year. Two spent all or part of last season at AAA (Clarke and Pascual). Their minor league (or combined) numbers are shown here.






It appears that nobody misses the juice more than Mexico City's Jalal Rivera.



In fact, WCM investigative reporter Geraldo Rivera uncovered even more damning evidence than that stats. When Rivera was drafted out of Spotsylvania, VA, he weighed just 168 pounds. Since moving full-time to Mexico City, a place known for shady pharmaceutical practices, Rivera has added almost 20 pounds. Moreover, his hat size has increased an alleged 1/2 inch.

But perhaps nothing is more damaging than a first-hand account. You see, while Jalal and Geraldo have never met, they share several 2nd cousins. One such cousin, Yuri, has long been known to work out with cousin Jalal in the off-season. They often meet in Nogales, Mexico, a nearly lawless border town south of Tucson. While Jalal has often referred to both the great food and frequent visits from University of Arizona undergrads as benefits to training in Nogales, Yuni admitted that is was also a great place to buy cheap steroids.

Jalal Rivera Mexico City Bandejos Age: 30 B/T: L/R Born: Spotsylvania, VA Position(s): 2B/LF View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Since learning of the accusations, Jalal, Yuni, and Mexico City owner dyuen have all refused comment. This news couldn't come at a worse time for the Bandejos who trail San Francisco in the World Series, 2 games to 1. Rivera is 4-12 with 1 HR in the series, but has he peed in a cup yet?

The Dandy Dozen: Del Gil

Del Gil none none Age: 37 B/T: L/R Born: Boca Chica, DO Position(s): RF/CIF/LF View Hardball Dynasty Profile

The Resume: Del Gil won the NL Rookie of the Year award in Season 2, hitting .300 with a then record 70 HRs and 165 RBI for the Norfolk Admirals. Del would move with the team to Charlotte and Harrisburg before being dealt to the Mexico City Bandejos prior to season 7. In return, the franchise got SS Pablo Guerrero who would play just one season of excellent defense in Washington before departing via free agency, RP Bobby Joe Tollberg who struggled in 2 seasons as the closer before being traded again, and P Pete O'Brien who would put in just one season for DC.

Gil, however, would go on to hit 273 HR's for Mexico City before wrapping up his career in Arizona and Sioux Falls. His career major league totals include 598 HRs (3rd all-time)and 1468 RBI (top 10 all-time). Gil won MVPs in Season 7 (.323, 73 HR, 204 RBI) and Season 10 (.304, 50 HR, 138 RBI), both with Mexico City. He was named silver slugger 3 times at 3B and twice in RF, but made the all-star team just 4 times. He also won the HR Derby in Season 10.

Gil holds the Tampa Bay franchise record for HR (273) and is 3rd in team history with 661 RBI. He's also 3rd in Mexico City history with 271 HR and 677 RBI. He owns single season records for HR (Mexico City 73 and Tampa Bay 70) and RBI (Mexico City 204 and Tampa Bay 2nd with 165).

The Rest of the Story:
Gil desperately wants another chance this season to get his 600th HR which would tie him with long-time rival, Dick Caruso, who retired. Only Banjo White has more HR in 2nd City history (613).

However, Gil hasn't always left on good terms (http://hbd2ndcity.blogspot.com/2009/04/legends-on-move.htm) and he may not get the opportunity to hit # 600. He and Caruso, a former teammate in Charlotte, often spar in the press. In fact, agents for both men refuse to sign autograph deals with any collectors show without getting assurances that the other will not also be appearing. Caruso remains upset that Gil's name is the only one besides his on the
Tampa Bay single season HR listing. And, neither man will concede that other's 70 HR season was better, or even as good as, his own.

So, the two remain Grumpy old men, and Gil begs for a chance to play somewhere, anywhere in the major leagues to get #600, or even better, #601. (picture to the right reflects artist rendition of Caruso and Gil in 20 years)

Playoff Preview Season 13

Well, an exciting finish to the regular season saw Mexico City sweep San Juan amidst calls for better insurance to secure a bye and the #2 seed in the NL. Meanwhile, Las Vegas, Helena, Sioux Falls, and Cheyenne all won must-win 162nd games. This completed 6 game streaks to finish the season for both Cheyenne and Sioux Falls. The upshot was that Las Vegas was eliminated on a tie-breaker yielding these first round matchups.

Odds are to win league pennant, all rankings are within league unless otherwise noted.

American League
#6 Scranton Nittany Lions 10-1
Record: 95-67 (AL 2nd wild card)
Offense: 8th: 962 R, .265 Ave (2nd fewest SB)
Defense: 8th: 868 R, 4.89 ERA (244 HR allowed worst of AL playoff teams)
History: 5th consecutive and 6th overall appearance, best finish: WS loser in Season 11
vs.
#3 Monterrey Conquistadors 12-1
Record: 97-65 (winner AL South)
Offense: 7th: 963 R, .295 Ave (.364 OBP trails only KC)
Defense: 6th: 841 R, 4.77 ERA (tandem rotation rocks conventional wisdom)
History: 12th appearance, 9th division title, best finish, WS loser in Season 6

Outlook: Monterrey's tandem rotation meets surprising entrant, with 8th ranked O & D. WCM PICK: Monterrey
-----------
bye
#2 Kansas City Blues 5-2
Record: 102-60 (winner AL North)
Offense: 2nd: 1056 R, .305 Ave (207 HR fewest of playoff teams)
Defense: 3rd: 800 R, 4.56 ERA (.422 Slg allowed & 1123 K's best in AL)
History: 2nd consecutive division title (5 overall), 6 total appearances, best finish: lost ALCS season 11
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#5 Baltimore Dead Homies 8-1
Record: 99-63 (AL 1st wild card)
Offense: 6th: 986 R, .282 BA (219 SB 2nd in AL)
Defense: 4th: 820 R, 4.59 ERA (20 Blown Saves worst among AL playoff teams)
History: 5th consecutive wild card, 10th overall appearance, best finish: WS loser, seasons 2 and 12
vs.
#4 San Francisco Fightin Friars 3-1
Record: 94-68 (winner AL West)
Offense: 5th: 991 R, .293 Ave (hardest AL team to K - 904)
Defense: 1st: 771 R, 4.40 ERA (fewest HR all)
History: 2nd consecutive division title, 2nd appearance, best finish, lost in ALCS Season 12

Outlook: San Fran's excellent pitching and defense meet the speed of Baltimore WCM Pick - Baltimore
----------
bye
#1 Richmond Confederates 3-1
Record: 107-55 (winner AL East)
Offense: 3rd, 1050 R, 2.83 Ave (337 HR lead league)
Defense: 2nd, 774 R, 4.44 ERA (53-64 SV, tops in AL)
History: 5th division title, 8th consecutive appearance (8 overall), best finish: WS Champs season 9
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National League
#6 Sioux Falls Dakota (15-1)
Record: 89-73 NL 2nd wild card by virtue of tie-breaker over Las Vegas
Offense: 3rd: 831 R, .263 Ave (129 SB 2nd among NL playoff teams)
Defense: 11th: 751 R, 4.30 ERA (219 HR allowed 3rd worst in NL)
History: 1st wild card after 12 consecutive division titles, best finish: WS Champs in Season 7 and 10
vs.
#3 Helena Hound Dogs 9-1
Record: 90-72 Winner NL North
Offense: 11th: 735 R, .265 Ave (193 HRs last among playoff teams, and better only than Pittsburgh)
Defense: 5th: 673 R, 3.73 ERA (172 HR allowed, best in NL)
History: 1st division title, 4th playoff appearance, best finish: never won a division series

Outlook: Exhausted Dakota rotation takes on best pitcher in the game in Aguilera. WCM PICK - Helena
----------
Bye
#2 Mexico City Bandejos 2-1
Record: 95-67 Winner NL South
Offense: 1st: 869 R, .275 Ave (255 HRs 18 better than any other in NL)
Defense: 2nd: 654 R, 3.68 ERA (.240 OAV tops in NL)
History: 7th straight division title, 10th straight appearance, 10 overall appearances, best finish: WS Champs seasons 4, 5, 6, and 11
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#5 San Juan Crownrificos 5-1
Record: 94-68 1st NL Wild Card
Offense: 12th: 714 R, .257 Ave (25 SB half the next worst team in NL)
Defense: 3rd: 657 R, 3.69 ERA (1184 K's led NL)
History: 11th appearance (6 division titles, 5 wild cards), best finish: WS Champs SEason 1, 2, and 8
vs.
#4 Cheyenne Seminoles 5-1
Record: 90-72 Winner NL West
Offense: 10th: 750 R, .259 Ave (202 SB, 2nd in NL and tops in playoffs)
Defense: 1st: 638 R, 3.63 ERA (172 HR, 452 BB, .383 SLG all led NL)
History: 5th consecutive division title, 6th straight appearance (9 overall), best finish: Lost NLCS seasons 1 and 9

outlook: battle of bad hitting/great pitching teams comes down to the little things, injuries undermine experienced Crownrificos WCM PICK - Cheyenne
----------
Bye
#1 Burlington Bulldogs 3-1
Record: 98-64 Winner NL East (first non-NL South team with #1 seed in NL)
Offense: 8th: 776 R, .250 Ave (only Pawtucket had worse BA)
Defense: 4th: 666 R, 3.73 ERA (56 SV led NL)
History: 7th straight division title, 7 overall appearances, best finish: WS Champs Season 12

Showdown Series Wrap Up

Four huge series with pennant implication wrapped up this AM. Here's what went down.

Las Vegas swept the Cheyenne Seminoles bringing them to within a game of the NW West Lead. Moose Gates was stellar for 5 innings in Game 1 before allowing a crucial 3-run shot in the 6th to Livan Suarez. Game two saw the Double Downs overcome a 4-2 deficit to win 7-4. A 5-run 4th inning propelled the DD's to the sweep in Game 3.

Mexico City took 2 of 3 from Memphis propelled by 8 shutout inning by Brian Jung in the middle game.

The floundering San Juan Crownrificos righted the ship taking 2 of 3 from Nashville including a thrilling 4-run 9th to force extra innings in Game 1. The 'Rificos won on a bloop single in the 11th by Wil Curtis. Willard Hitchcock powered them to a win in the rubber game with a 3-run homer.

Finally, the Helena Hound Dogs swept the lifeless Sioux Falls Dakota. The Dakota could not find a clutch hit leaving 5 in scoring position in 3-0 loss to Matt Martin in game. Despite getting to ace Rafael Aguilera for 4 runs in game 2, the Dakota staff couldn't hold and 4 more were left in scoring position. Game 4 was more of the same as 5 hit day from D'Angelo Castillo paced a 17-hit attack that propelled the Hound Dogs to the sweep.

The race looks like this right now (1 game later):
NL North - Helena leads Sioux Falls by 2 games
NL East - Burlington has clinched and will get a bye (still fighting for #1 seed)
NL South winner will get the other bye. San Juan leads Mexico City by 1 with Nashville 7 back and Memphis 10 back with 13 to play.
The NL West lead is back to 2 for Cheyenne after Vegas couldn't build on the sweep.

NL Silliness

The NL playoff picture must have been taken with one of those cameras like Fred Flintstone used because it is BLURRY. Three of four divisions are currently within 3 games. Seven teams are within 3 games of a wild card spot. And there are only 27 games remaining.

In order of probability, you're contendors.

LOCKS
1. Burlington leads the NL East by 13 games and couldn't miss the playoffs if they tried. This will be a 7th straight division title for the defending WS champs. Burlington has the 3rd best pitching/D in the league and the 5th best offense.

2. San Juan has just a 3 game lead over Mexico City in the NL South, they're 7 ahead losing the wildcard. An arm injury has taken out staff ace Billy Hoffman causing a recent slide. Still, their 31-16 record in 1-run games makes them a dangerous, gritty team.

Looking Good
1. Mexico City leads the wild card race and trails San Juan by just 3 games. They've won 8 of 10 and have 10 games remaining against non-playoff contenders.

Leaders at the top of the Stretch
1. Sioux Falls holds just a 3 game lead in the division, and would be 1 up on the 2nd wild card spot. The recent loss of Mac Stevens raises a specter of doubt about a 13-th consecutive division title. The Dakota host Helena in a huge 3-game series starting 9/22.

2. Cheyenne leads the NL West by 2 games over arch rival Las Vegas. They've lost 10 of 14 extra inning games, but are the stingiest staff around. The Seminoles face perennial doormat Pawtucket for the next 7. They must travel to Sin City 3 starting 9/22 however.

3. Nashville is chasing its 4th wild card birth (they've never won the division), but face a brutal 17-game road trip that includes stops in San Juan (80-55), Toledo (65-70), Arizona (66-69), and Mexico City (77-58). They own the worst run differential of teams currently set to reach the playoffs (+53).

The Chase Group
1. Memphis has the poor luck of playing in the deepest division in Second City. They sit just 1 game out of the wild card. Creative management has started 11 different pitchers. The schedule is not kind as they face just 1 sub-.500 team the rest of the way.

2. Las Vegas has been to the playoffs 10 times in 12 seasons, but an impossibly bad 12-22 record in 1-run games reveals a team that hasn't come through in the clutch. They face potential rivals Cheyenne and Sioux Falls at home so a hot finish could find them with an 11th birth.

3. Helena is 3 out of the division and 2 out of the wild card. Three-time defending Cy Young Rafael Aguilera has struggled (by his standards). Helena plays their last 10 and 13 of their last 17 on the road. Of the contenders, only San Juan and Cheyenne have scored fewer runs.

4. Augusta faces a tall order. Of all the teams in the race, they're the only 1 without any shot at a division title. Augusta would have to make up 3 games and leap 4 teams to earn a wild card berth. They have 16 road games remaining, but they're strangely 15 games over .500 on the road and 10 under at home.

The Pretenders
1. Toledo is 9 games out of the North and 8 games out of the wild card. Not looking good.

2. Arizona is 7 games out in the West and 7 games out of the wild card. They face only 1 team under .500 the rest of the way so, no matter what, they will impact this race.

Dandy Dozen - Rich Clarke

Rich Clarke Sioux Falls Dakota Age: 36 B/T: R/R Born: Washington, DC Position(s): 3B/1B/COF/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

The Resume: Rick Clarke has been in the league since it's inception. In those 12 seasons, he's never failed to hit 30 HRs or drive in 100 runs. His career line includes a .300 batting average, 503 HR's, 1383 runs scored, and 1643 RBIs. He's a 6-time SS silver slugger, a 2-time gold glove 3B, and a 7-time All-star (including an All-Star MVP in season 11). Only 5 players have made more all-star teams; only 4 have won more Silver Sluggers; and only 3 have won more Gold Gloves.

He holds Baltimore Dead Homies (formerly WIC) franchise records for career: GP, AB, H, 2B, and RBI. League-wide, he's 3rd all-time in career RBI, and holds career records for games played, hits, and at bats.

His teams have made the playoffs in 10 of his 12 seasons (1, 2, 3, 5, 7 with Wichita, 8-9 with Mexico City, and 10-12 with Richmond). He recently signed with Sioux Falls hoping to raise this number. For his career, he's hit .283 with 29 HR's, 70 runs scored, and 80 RBI's in the playoffs (427 ABs). Interestingly, he's 5-5 on playoff SB attempts despite just a 61-137 career regular season stealing history.

In his 10 playoff trips, his teams have gone 12-10 in playoff series. In season 7, his Shocker squad lost a wild-card round game. He forced a trade to Mexico City during season 8. After losing the World Series to Richmond as a Bandejo in season 9, Clarke left via free agency and joined Richmond. The 'Feds reached the World Series (the 3rd of Clarke's career) only to lose Sioux Falls. Two season later, again a free agent, the ultra-competitive Clarke has joined the Dakota in a last-ditch attempt to add a World Series ring to his achievements.

The Rest of the Story: Clarke's up-bringing and identity have always been shrouded in mystery. He lists Washington, D.C. as his home-town but no local high school claims him as an alumnus. The Wichita Shocker scout that discovered and signed him, mysteriously disappeared mid-way through season 2. He was later found dead along the Mexican border though the Bandejo organization acknowledges no involvement.

Various internet reports have speculated that Richard A. Clarke is his father. Clarke himself has never called himself a Jr., but does insist that his middle name is Anonymous. The elder Clarke is a long-time government official, whose past roles include chief-counter-terroism adviser on the National Security Council under Bill Clinton.

When WCM reporter Scoop Raisin approached the younger Clarke about his lineage, he woke up two days later. The following day, he quit as his job as a WCM columnist "to pursue other interests." He never did explain the lump on his forehead.

Dandy Dozen - Rico Lecuona

Rico Lecuona Baltimore Dead Homies Age: 28 B/T: S/R Born: Ceiba Del Agua, CU Position(s): P (SP1) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

The Resume: Twenty eight year-old Rico Lecuona was signed out of Ceiba Del Agua, Cuba in Season 4 for $18.9M, a hefty price. He's been with the franchise (Wichita and now Baltimore) ever since. After just 3 minor league starts, Rico reached the big leagues and debuted a respectable 4-4 with a 4.31 ERA in Season 4 as a 20 year-old. He didn't really establish himself as a star until season 8, when he went 19-7 with a 3.21 ERA on his way to the first of his 3 Cy Young awards. He's made the All-star team 6 times, and recently reached his first World Series. Lecuona has a lot left to accomplish as he's got many years ahead of him. The Dead Homies have him signed through season 17, so he's not expected to go anywhere. He's never hit the DL, and has thrown over 230 innings in each of the past 5 seasons. He's also 6-2 in 13 career post-season starts.

The Rest of the Story: Lecuona actually defected from Cuba while playing in a tournament in Mexico. The Cuban team was scheduled to go to a Jonas Brothers show in Mexico City on an off day. However, the Jonas Brothers unexpectedly canceled the show due to the swine flu, ruining Lecuona's escape plans. His creative agent however, was able to sneak him out of a hospital after Lecuona feigned a severe cough, causing his coaches to rush him to the emergency room. Baltimore is certainly not thankful for the Jonas Brothers, but they may have a soft spot in their heart for pigs.

Damn Gophers

Brian Jung won 21 games in the regular season. He's a 2-time all-star; he's thrown 228+ innings each of the past 3 seasons; he has a career era of 3.57; and he's won 90 games at age 26. For all of these reasons, dyuen's faith in him to start 3 games in the NLCS, including the decisive game 7, was a no-brainer.

But, Jung didn't make it out of the first inning of game 7. In fact, he didn't retire a single batter. After allowing line singles to the first two hitters, Jose Cordero and Magglio Lee hit back-to-back homers. dyuen trudged to the mound and yanked the shell-shocked 26-year old hurler. It was all down-hill from there as Burlington put up 7 in the first and 4 more in the second on their way to a 16-1 Game 7 victory in Mexico City.

A closer look reveals a startling trend with Jung. In the past three regular seasons he's thrown about 230 innings and allowed 22, 18, and 21 home runs in the entire season. However, in the past three post-seasons, 19 home runs in just 69 innings. For his career, he's allowed 24 HR's in 90.2 post-season innings. Clearly, for some reason, October is the month for gophers for Brian Jung. Perhaps he can hire Bill Murray to help him with his problem.

Bandejos cancel victory parade

Season 11 World Champs finally returned to Mexico City today for their much-anticipated victory parade after some customs holdups delayed their charter flight from leaving the US. Upon arrival, the team expected a raucous parade, but they were instead greeting with inoculations as a swine flu virus shut down much of Mexico City's public activity - See LA Times Story

Team officials denied rumors that star 3B Alex Shibata's new girlfriend was at all involved with the swine in question. The parade was delayed until such time as it was safe to roam the streets or the girlfriend had been replaced

Legends on the move

A flurry of early free agent signings included two Second City Legends.

Dick Caruso Texas Riders Age: 37 B/T: L/L Born: Du Bois, PA Position(s): 1B/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Dick Caruso, Second City's all-time HR leader with 586 dingers singed with the Texas Riders. The Riders will be 37-year old Caruso's 4th franchise. Caruso was excited at the fresh start and short porch in Texas. "I hit only 18 HR's last year and that's not acceptable. I'm hoping that the warm weather and short fences in Arlington bring me back to the numbers I'm used to producing." There's no word yet on where Texas will play Caruso who's diminishing athleticism limits his options defensively. One thing is certain, there's likely to be a brawl over that 600th HR ball if and when it lands somewhere in Texas.

Del Gil Arizona Isotopes of Albuquerque Age: 35 B/T: L/R Born: Boca Chica, DO Position(s): RF/CIF/LF View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Del Gil, 2nd in Second City in career HR's with 558 has left the defending champion Mexico City Bandejos for the Arizona Isotopes of Albuquerque. Gil ended a run 6 six consecutive 50 HR seasons with a measly 48 long ones for the Bandejos last season. Gil did not react well to a playoff benching last season and didn't hesitate to take a parting shot at Mexico City management on his way out the door. "dyuen and his staff don't stand behind their people. I'm not the first guy to carry this team and then be thrown overboard and I won't be the last. Hopefully the Arizona franchise will appreciate what I do for them, and the league."

Sounds like sour grapes if ever there way. Whatever Mexico City's methods, it's hard to criticize the results. They keep winning titles and spending a lot less than the rest of the league.

World Series Preview - Season 11

The World Series Matchup is set, with Scranton making their first Series appearance against the empire of Mexico City, appearing for the 5th time (3 wins so far) in 8 years. So what does this matchup have in store?

Mexico City Offense: The Bandejos led the NL in Batting Average, Slugging Percentage, Home Runs, and Total Runs Scored (by 88). Three powerful sluggers, Jalal Rivera, Del Gil, and Alex Shibata lead the attack with a combined 151 HRs. Five players finished with 100 or more RBI's. The team can run too, with leadoff man Aaron Pratt swiping 67 or 71 bases. The Bandejos will swing and miss with 6 players striking out 86 or more times on the season.

Scranton Defense: The Nittany Lions led the AL in ERA (4.46) and saves (61). Veteran ace Phil Martin has pitched for Rochester, San Juan, and Mexico City so he's used to big games. Magglio Merced was great all year as the closer.

Defensively, SS Emmanuel McMurtry is a severe liability with 40 errors and range considered well below average. The rest of the defense is solid, especially the gold glovers at 1B & 2B.

Scranton Offense: The Lions can run out some boppers of their own with a pair of 60 HR hitters in MVP candidate Bret Davis and Vern Marshall, a leading contender for Rookie of the Year. The team's 311 HRs trailed only Texas and their 1102 runs scored led baseball.

Mexico City Defense: The Bandejos power staff led the NL in strikeouts. A deep and talented rotation features Brian Jung and Willie Velazquez at the top. Closer Rob Shields has struggled the past two seasons but is a perfect 5-5 0.00 in the playoffs this year and 9-10 career. Workhorse Will Nicholson bridges the gap effectively and worked 124 solid innings this year.

The defense leans on the slick-fielding Steve Sosa (SS) but has no glaring weakness as their 7 minus plays for the year indicate.

Summary: Both teams can hit and pitch. This marks just the 3rd time in Second City history that both #1 seeds have reached the World Series. Season 2 yielded a 7-game classic with San Juan edging Wichita and Season 9 saw Richmond pull off a mild upset, beating Mexico City 4 games to 1. Mexico City lost game one of each of their past 2 series before winning out. Scranton comes off a tough 4-2 series win over Richmond in the only AL series NOT to feature a 10-run outburst by either team. Perhaps they have the pitching to hang with the traditionally more balanced NL.

A key to the series may be the performance of Bandejo CF Aaron Pratt. Pratt suffered a terrible slump earlier in the season, but rebounded to finish with decent numbers after losing the leadoff job against RHP. Pratt's table setting makes the middle of the Bandejo order deadly. Without him aboard, big rallies fizzle into a host of solo HR's.

Scranton owner camaro31st is rumored to have invited Scranton's legendary Michael Scott to deliver a pre-game address. Scott's well-documented motivation style is being counted on to help a team in it's first-ever World Series.


Mexico City meanwhile has been there before but owner dyuen is counting on a little motivation trick of his own. Mini-KISS will sing the national anthems prior to Game 1 in Mexico City. This appears to have been plan B after commission jwendt stepped in to ensure that Mexico City's Secretary of State wouldn't bar Scranton star hurler Phil Martin from the country for an indecent exposure charge pending in Canada. Ironically, the charges stemming from an incident that occurred while Martin was in Windsor, Ontario with Bandejo star Alex Shibata who was trying to get over his pending divorce. Martin was jettisoned from the Bandejos shortly after the incident.

Chase to the playoffs

As the season approaches its end, a number of tight races remain. A recap and brief preview follows.

In the AL North, Ottawa (79-73), Kansas City (78-74), and Tacoma (74-78) are locked in a tight battle, with just 4 games separating the teams. The Ottawa franchise has won the division 7 of the last 8 years, so the strong challenge bodes well for KC. KC remains 10 games out of the wild card.

In the AL East, the three best records in the AL are fighting it out. Scranton has a commanding 7 game lead on Richmond and 8 games on Baltimore. It appears likely that the runners up will win both wild cards, so this battle won't truly be decided until the playoffs. Richmond has made 6 consecutive playoff appearances and that streak does not appear likely to end.

In the AL South, Monterrey (83-69) holds a precarious 4 game lead over Texas with 10 to play. The teams meet in Texas for a 3-game set in the next-to-last series of the season. If Texas can narrow the margin, that series figures to decide the division which Monterrey has won 6 times while missing the playoffs just once. Texas is the defending division champ.

In the AL West, Salem and San Francisco are separated by just two games. Salem is one of only 2 franchises to have won their division in every season, so the streak is very much non the line. Despite their 81-71 record, the Salamies are actually 2 games UNDER .500 at home where they meet SF on the final weekend of the season.

Sioux Falls has a 5 game lead over Helena in the NL North with 10 to play as they attempt to extend their division championship streak to 11 years. Helena is in a 3-way wild card tie with Las Vegas and Cheyenne at 85-67. Three other teams, including Toledo from the North, are within 4 games.

Burlington has stomped the rest of the NL East, leading by 27 games and long ago clinching their division. This will mark the Bulldogs 5th consecutive division crown and they appear likely to receive the 2 seed and a first round bye.

Mexico City once again has the best record in the NL at 102-50. They've also clinched their 5th straight division crown. Fellow Southerns San Juan is 4 games out of the wild card, placing their 10 season playoff streak in jeopardy. Nashville needs a ton of help to make the wild card for the 4th time in its history.

Las Vegas and Cheyenne are deadlocked at 85-67. Whoever loses the division is well-positioned for the wild card. Arizona (82-70) sits three games back of both the division and the wild card. Lucky for the Isotopes, they close with 17 consecutive home games, including their final six against Las Vegas and Cheyenne. Las Vegas recently took 2 of 3 from Cheyenne and are done with them in the regular season. They face defending champion Sioux Falls 4 times followed by their showdown with a hungry Arizona team. The Double Downs narrowly missed out on wild card berths while losing the division to Cheyenne in each of the past two season.

Prattfalls?

Mexico City Bandejos CF Aaron Pratt was a revelation last season. The Season 4 sandwich pick out of Apple Valley, CA hit the majors with huge gaps in scouts opinion of his ability. After hitting .281 in 303 ABs in Season 9, Pratt was handed the Bandejos CF and leadoff jobs in Season 10. He came through HUGE, finishing with a .348 average, 155 runs scored, and 84 SBs in 95 attempts despite striking out 113 times (he added 14 HRs for good measure). These numbers earned Pratt the CF silver slugger, a place on the All-star team, and several votes for rookie of the year.

Hardball Dynasty's

Aaron Pratt

The scouts and Bandejo management considered the questions answered. But Pratt wouldn't be denied. Pratt came to spring training announcing to the world that he would prove that he deserved the rookie of the year award. He showed up to camp just 3 lbs. heavier than last year but insisted that he'd actually reduced his body fat % from 9% to 4% while adding 70 lbs to his bench press. The hard work appeared to have paid off as Pratt got 13 hits in his first 6 games, posting a .448 batting average.

But they were all singles. Pratt's agent Sam O'Shea, founder of the O'Shea's casino in Las Vegas, convinced him that the only way he'd earn the accolades and the paycheck he wanted was to become a power hitter. Pratt's approach changed. Since that 6 game streak, his average has fallen to .254 for the season. He's hitting just .229 in the games since the hot start. Moreover, his power has not returned with just 3 HRs and 12 extra-base hits total.

It was also revealed that his off-season work-out regime wasn't just to add to his game. New Line Cinema recently released the trailer for a hastily put together action film starring Pratt and Wesley Snipes as top-secret commando team. The movie is entitled White Hammer - Black Thunder. Snipes declined to be quoted for this article.

Bulldog fire sale? or not?

Rumors continue to swirl that the Burlington Bulldogs are trying to move their best players. But, the Bulldogs have the biggest lead in the NL at 7 games and are the 4-time defending NL East Champs. So why would a seemingly successful franchise be so keen to rebuild?

1 - PLAYOFFS? WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE PLAYOFFS?
As Bulldog player-personnel chief Jim Mora found out, team owner mike1184 is all about winning in the post-season. Winning the NL East is a little like beating up your neighbor's kid brother. Yeah, it's nice to have won the fight, but you ain't exactly Joe Frazier. The 'Dogs have knocked the aging and reeling Crownrificos out of the playoffs in 3 of the last 4 years. Only in Season 7 were they also able to take out the powerful Mexico City Bandejos. Some locals refer to mike1184 as the Steinbrenner of Vermont and with a 3-time division winning manager like Bob Coppinger being let go before the season - who can blame them? In fact, Bulldog management so bad-mouthed the departing Coppinger, that he had to settle for a Low-A job with Houston.

2 - Maple Syrup?

Bulldog owner mike1184 made his fortune in the Maple Syrup business. The low-carb crazy started by the South Beach diet hit the bottom line. Now, with the economy in the tank, Aunt Jemima is finding her way onto more tables while the authentic stuff and it's higher price tag stays on grocery shelves. Could the pullback in the syrup industry be hitting the bottom line too hard for the 'Dogs to continue paying franchise legends like Patsy Lindsey.

3 - Tony Soprano?
Miguel Gutierrez recently broke his leg stealing 2b against the Mexico City Bandejos. It seemed like a freak accident, but Bandejo 2B Jalal Rivera didn't seem particularly remorseful for landing on Guitierrez' leg. There have long been whispers that Rivera is connected to organized crime. In fact, many have theorized that he moved to Mexico to escape the street gangs of Virginia. But, could there still be a connection? Auditors have noticed irregularities with the Bulldog books and it could be that the struggling owner turned to a mob loan to finance team operations. When the team couldn't pay, and trades couldn't clear enough cap room, perhaps a message had to be sent.

Sure it's all rumors, but the talk continues.

Wreckless Jung ejected, Bandejos in another fight?

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Hardball Dynasty's

Brian Jung

Twenty Four year old Mexico City starter Brian Jung really came into his own in his 2nd big league season, winning 20 games. As an 18-year old, Jung signed with the New York BadFish (now Augusta) for $14 million. Scouts immediately recognized his talent, but coaches were just as quick to recognize his short temper. In fact, Jung left Japan after the short temper combined with the martial arts training given him by his father kept getting him in trouble.

Jung competed in martial arts throughout his youth until a tragic incident when the Kobra Kai Dojo, visiting from Southern California, met up with Jung at an event in Tokyo. In the semi-finals, Kobra Kai's Johnny Lawrence attempted to injur Jung with an illegal leg sweep. Jung won the match, but was disqualified from the tournament and banned from future competition when he paralyzed Lawrence in an unsanctioned rematch in the parking lot.

Jung turned his attention to baseball which led him eventually to Mexico City after the Augusta coaches ran out of patience for Jung's outbursts, including two fights with teammates. He seemed to have turned it around in Mexico City until game two of the division series. Coming to bat in a tie game (1-1) in the bottom of the 2nd, Jung was called out on strikes, and snapped. He lunged for the umpire. Only the quick actions of Bandejo 3rd base coach J.P. Springer kept Jung from attacking the ump. Second City commissioner was examining tapes of the incident to determine if a suspension was warranted. But the damage was done. The Bandejo bullpen was touched for 6 runs and the upstart Bulldogs squeeked out a victory evening the series and stealing home field advantage.

Playoff Preview (Mexico City)

Mexico City Bandejos (NL South Champs, NL #1 seed)
The Bandejos staged a late season rally to claim their 4th straight NL South title. Incidentally, their 3 WS titles all came after wild card seasons. The Bandejos won 29 of 39 late season games before resting some starters in a 10 of 18 finish.

Hitting:
2b Jalal Rivera (.301-44-131) and RF Del Gil (.304-50-138) power an explosive offense. Season 8 MVP Alex Shibata remains a dangerous force but hasn't been the same since his break-up with Japanese pop star Jun Shibata. His .258 average and 42 HR's are career lows for the 2nd straight season. This season's 124 K's are 28 more than he's had in any previous season.

Team BA: .283
Team HR: 285
Team SB: 138

Pitching:
Ozzie Myers (18-6, 3.32 ERA) and Brian Jung (20-7, 3.31 ERA) form a dangerous 1-2 punch in the rotation. Willie Velazquez (13-4, 3.06) is likely to get the #3 spot for the playoffs despite where some pretty lame eye black. Rob Shields appears to have lost the closer role to veteran Benjamin Ardoin. The end of the bullpen might be the only vulnerability in this perenial contendor.

Team ERA: 3.65
Team SV: 41-65
Team HR Allow: 181

Crownrifico fans protest White Flag Deal

Hiram Bothorn Stadium in the 1st inning(left)

Same stadium in the top of the 3rd (right)






The San Juan Crownrificos fan club has declared a white out. They plan to show up in all white for their next game, stay through the 1st inning and then leave en masse. The vitriol of this response comes as a shockto 'rifico owner wang35.

San Juan dealt staff ace Phil Martin, a 4-time All-star, 20-game winner last season all while just 2 games out of the division lead and with a clear lead in the wild card race. As outrageous as this action sounds, the fans might have lived with it. After all, the 'rificos got back two major league ready players with high upsides in Pedro Zurbaran and Dennis Wan. But, to move a player of Phil Martin's caliber to chief rival, three-time world series champ, Mexico City, who sat just behind the 'rificos is inexcusable to the fandom.

"BENEDICT ARNOLD!", proclaimed the sign from one fan who pledged never to return to Hiram Birthorn Stadium as long as wang35 controlled the team. wang stuck to his guns. "Listen, we've had injury problems and there was no way we were going to win with Phil. I'd rather get two top players that risk losing him in free agency and get draft picks or worse back for him. " Still, fans could think only of the fabeled White Flag trade made by the Chicago White Sox. Nobody remembers that Keith Foulke turned into a great closer (that Mike Caruso smoked WAY too much weed), or the Wilson Alvarez never really did much after that season. They only remember an owner giving up on a team that had a chance. Chances don't come around all that often and these fans will not soon forget.

'Feds Shock Bandejos Again!

Charles Kubinski Richmond Confederates Age: 36 B/T: L/L Born: Towner, ND Position(s): P (SP2) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

The Richmond Confederates, the defending champions, who shocked 3-time champ Mexico City in the World Series, fired another shot directly across the bow of dyuen and the Mexico City Bandejos. Three time Cy Young award winner Charles Kubinski signed a 2-year, $17.6M contract with the Confederates last night.

Kubinski, who went 22-4 with a 2.55 ERA last season joins a powerful Richmond team that brings back almost every significant player from last seasn. Kubinski is one of a handful of players to have made the playoffs every season, posting a 16-10 postseason record in 33 appearances (30 starts).

dyuen had this to say, "We'll miss Kraz (SIC). He's been an incredibly valuable asset to the team but the fact is, this guy has more mileage on him that an aircraft carrier hooker." Expecting a 36-year old who's averaged over 250 IP over 9 years (when playoffs are included) is a luxury that Richmond can afford for now.

Tabloids getting to Shibata?

Season 8 MVP Alex Shibata has been handcuffed by the Cheyenne Seminoles so far in the NLCS with 3 straight 0-4 performances. Shibata, who's .309 65 Hr, 155 RBI season was one of the best in Windy City history, came back to earth in Season 9, hitting just .274 while his HR total fell to 50 and his RBI tally to 123. Many theories have swirled regarding the reason for Shibata's slide, but now, Windy City Confidential (the tabloid section of this fine site) has uncovered breaking news.

Shibata's relationship with his long-time wife, Japanese pop star Jun Shibata is on the rocks. Jun, who's basically Japan's poppy version of Alanis Morissette, is no thrilled with Alex's decision to spend most of the off-season in Playa Del Carmen, the spring training home of the Mexico City Bandejos. Rumor has it, that her soon-to-be-released single, loosely translated as "Baby Won't Swim with Me", is a ballad bemoaning Alex's decision to spend the off-season on the beach rather than on tour with his wife.

Shibata, who has steadfastly refused to comment on the situation dismissed Japanese reports when questioned about his time in Mexico. He actually had to be restrained when one tabloid reporter asks about unsubstantiated rumors that Shibata has been linked to 80's pop star Tiffany, a team-employee that's been coaching the Bandejos dance team for the past three seasons.

Playoff Preivew (NL)

1- Mexico City (119-43) - The Bandejos hit 36 more HR's than any other NL team and allowed 79 fewer runs than any other NL squad. That's how you win 119 games.
Key Player: The murderer's row of Alex Shibata, Jalal Rivera, and Del Gil each hit 50 HR's (exactly) this season.
Weakness: Only San Juan, Pittsburgh, and Memphis had fewer + plays in the NL. Ok, I'm stretching, they won 119 games, what should I say?
History: In the last 6 years, the Bandejos have won 3 division titles and 3 World Series. Oddly, the two have never occured in the same season. Will this be the year the division title jinx fails?

4- Burlington (74-88) - Only Sioux Falls had fewer - plays than the Bulldogs but finishing 4th from the bottom in runs scored and with the worst record ever to make the playoffs tags them as a longshot.
Key Player: The Bulldogs might start sub .500 pitchers in the first two games of the series, so slugger Miguel Gutierrez better come through against the Crownrificos.
Weakness: Closer Mateo Mairena was a stellar 32-36 in save opportunities, but the rest of the pen managed to blow 16 leads late in games.
History: This is a 3rd straight division title for the Bulldogs, but a first round matchup with defending champ San Juan followed by a potential date with the powerful Bandejos makes them the longest of longshots.

5- San Juan (103-59) - The Crownrificos are back to defend their WS title (their 3rd in 8 years). They've scored more runs than any NL team, but do so without running. If fact, no team stole fewer bases the San Juan's 63.
Key Player: A balanced offense saw 11 players hit double digit HRs, but Lenny Ohman will be counted on to make key starts after Cy Young candidate Phil Martin.
Weakness: This team plays awful defense. It's not that they make errors, it's that they just don't get to balls. They finshed ahead of only Memphis is + plus and - plays. Perhaps nowhere is the lack of range more apparent than in CF where Felix Turner lumbers around.
History: They've never missed the playoffs and have won 3 WS titles. Interestingly, they either win the WS or fail to get out of the Division Series, so there fate may decided early, particularly in a looming 2nd round matchup with arch-rival Mexico City.

2- Sioux Falls (99-63) - The Dakota are arguably the best fielding team in the playoffs and they can pitch too with Bartolo Gonzalez and Paul Rhodes forming a dominating 1-2 punch. However, the lineup doesn't exactly strike fear into opponents, finishing a middling 7th in the NL in runs scored. Only San Juan stole fewer bases.
Key Player: 3b Jesus Astacio had a breakout year. He must be a run producer in the playoffs for the Dakota to succeed.
Weakness: They just don't hit enough, primarily because the top of the order has lacked consistency and performance throughout the season.
History: The Dakota have won their division every year, but are just 1 for 4 in trips to the league championship series. In the past, the bullpen has failed in the post-season, will this year's acquisitions help break that trend?

3- Cheyenne (95-67) - The Seminoles hit just 176 HRs but managed to finish 4th in the NL in runs scored because they led the league in batting average and stole the 2nd most bases in the NL.
Key Player: C Bart Carlyle can dominate a game, especially if speed merchants Ichiro Kuo and Sherman Prince manage to reach base.
Weakness: The bullpen is a mess. "Closer" Adam Edwards boasts a 6.63 ERA and the team blew 23 saves this year.
History: Cheyenne is in the playoffs for the 3rd time in 4 years but they've yet to make an LCS. However, this is the first time they'll avoid the NL South powerhouses in rounds 1 and 2.

6- Helena (93-69) - Nobody topped the 96 quality starts of the Helena rotation. Will their 5th in the NL scoring offense be enough?
Key Player: Curtis James and Carl Prince, Helena's two young starters must keep the team in the game until their balanced but unintimidating offense can give them a chance.
Weakness: They don't like to walk and the team's .339 OBP is far and away the worst in the playoffs.
History: The Hound Dogs finally return to the playoffs after a 7-year abscense. Can they scratch the itch?

Fearless predictions: Burlington get's swept after almost deciding to forfeit their opening round series when more tickets are sold to Crownrifico hooligans than locan Burlingtonites for the home games. Cheyenne and Helena play a knock-down, drag-out series that turns on Cheyenne's ability to run on Helena's battery. The Seminoles sneak through on experience. Mexico City overcomes the division title jinx by eliminating San Juan but is stunned by Cheyenne in LCS.