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.

The Dandy Dozen

In order to put a little Second City History in order, I've decided to finally start publishing information on the Second City's unofficial Hall of Fame. Many of you have nominated players and I'll continue to listen. For now though, I'd like to start our little Hall of Fame, with a dozen initial inductees. For the time being, I will include any player with a sufficient resume. Inductees need not be retired, but given that this is a career achievement award, they should have built a bit of history. I'll count down the 12 initial inductees, then the debates can begin. For the most part, I'm using awards as the starting point, but other factors will be considered going forward.

Bulldog Sweep!

After 6 consecutive NL East titles, and 3 trips to the NLCS in 6 years, mike1184 and the Burlington Bulldgos finally won the ultimate prize, sweeping the 6th seeded Baltimore Dead Homies and mr_orange in the World Series. The Burlington pitching came up big, holding Baltimore to 11 total runs in the 4 games. By contrast, the Dead Homies had been held under 4 runs only 4 times in their other 15 playoff contents this season.

The series started out with an exciting game that saw Baltimore starter Rico Lecuona tire, walking the first two hitters in the 9th while holding a 3-run lead. Lecuona had allowed only 1 hit and 1 walk up to that point. Closer Wolf McGuire was called in to save the day after Lecuona allowed a run-scoring double. After a walk to load the bases, the wolf-man was touched for a walk-off grand slam by Orlando Guillen.

Game two was another barn-burner with a 10th inning game-winner that followed a costly error by P Jonathan Cone. The demoralized Dead Homies put up a solid fight in their return home, but were no match for the vaunted Burlington pitching staff as Edgardo Merced threw a gem. The sweep was complete after Burlington jumped to a 4-run lead with Iago Scott on the mound and finished off the Homies 7-3.

The win capped a meteoric rise for series MVP Orlando Guillen. Guillen was signed out of the Dominican Republic in season 10 and jumped straight to AA. After clubbing 63 HR's at AAA, he became the Bulldog's 3B and managed 39 HR's while finishing 4th in the NL Rookie of the Year voting and winning both the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger awards.

Burlington celebrated with colorado bulldogs for everyone. The little-known drink is becoming popular with Burlington fans. It's made by combining the ingredients for a white-russian (vodka, kahula, and cream) with a splash of coke.

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.

AL MVP Race

A new feature here at Windy City Musings are the award previews. Don't forget to vote for the MVP, Cy Young, and Rookie of the Year in each league.

This year's AL MVP race might be more intriguing than it first seems. The gaudy numbers of Antonio Chapman will be hard to overlook, but a couple of other players have made a strong case.

Hardball Dynasty's

Antonio Chapman

Chapman, the season 11 MVP and a 4-time All-star, continues to tear apart the league. His 81 HRs this season trails only the 82 he hit last year in Second City history. His 195 RBI's easily led the league. Critics will point out that despite his Herculean contributions, the Riders missed the playoffs. Moreover, he plays a low-value defensive position in first base. Still, 81 HR's is difficult to pass over even in a hitter-friendly park.

Hardball Dynasty's

Bret Davis

Brett Davis played a near gold-glove caliber third base while hitting .333 with 53 HR's and 25 SB's. He knocked in 142 runs and scored the same amount. He and Chapman lead the next generation of AL stars. It's difficult to fault his game. Davis is only 26 and has made the All-star game every season he's been in the big leagues.

Hardball Dynasty's

Tony Baez

Tony Baez played just 130 games, but he made the most of his time, hitting .353 with 30 HR's and 130 runs scored. Most impressively, his 85 steals in 89 attempts is a jaw-dropper. He was about average as a second baseman, but only playing 130 games might keep him from winning.

Hardball Dynasty's

Kelvim Roa

Kelvim Roa hit .347 with 40 HR's, 144 RBI, and stole 20 bases. Still he was the 2nd best player on a non-playoff team, so hard to call him a contender here.

Hardball Dynasty's

Cody Hall

22-year old Cody Hall was EXCELLENT for Richmond, blasting 47HR's, scoring 134 runs, driving in another 121, stealing 34 bases and playing a solid CF (with a bit of time in RF and at SS). His .296 average pales in comparison to the other contenders, but his position and 5-tool performance makes him worth consideration.

First Round Series Fun Facts

Fun Facts from the first 2 games of the playoffs.

1 - For the first time ever, all 4 series are 2-0.
2 - The winning team in all 4 NL games scored exactly 6 runs.
3 - Wild Card teams are 2-6, with only 100 win Baltimore winning.
4 - Jeromy Cooper and two relievers combined to shut out Richmond in game 1.
5 - After allowing a single to the 2nd hitter of the game, Moose Gates allowed only a walk and a hit batter in the following 6 innings, finishing with 7 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, and 10 K's for Cheyenne in game 1. Fergie Reagan finished the shutout.
6 - Paul Rhodes was perfect through 7.2 before tiring in a complete game 6-2 victory in game one for Sioux Falls.
7 - AL Representatives include the top 4 in the league in ERA, 4 of the top 5 in runs scored, and the top 4 in fielding %. Only Scranton and Richmond are in all 3 categories.
8 - In the NL, only 1 of the top 4 scoring teams reached the post-season (Mexico City). Meanwhile, the top 3 and 6 of the top 8 pitching teams (ERA) made the post-season.

Honey, would you rather I were making love to him using your name, or making love to you using his name?

The Arizona Isotopes of Albuquerque hired a new VP of player development heading into this season. Not only did Annie Savoy become the first woman to hold such a title in Second City, she also brought her own unique brand or leadership to player development.

Yank Spencer, the #4 pick in the Season 9 draft, seemed on the path to stardom after going 10-6 with a 3.25 ERA at AA last season. Nineteen year-old Tyler Brown was chosen 12th overall in Season 11 and was off to a great start, allowing just 1 run in 9 and 2/3 innings this year. Tragically, both precocious prospects are now done for the year, sidelined by nerve irritation in their forearms.

Windy City Musings (WCM) crack investigative staff has uncovered some unconventional training methods used with the young 'Topes pitching prospects. Multiple sources have confirmed that "Yank" was told to where garters (flower in the front) on days he was pitching. The younger Brown wasn't quite ready for intimates section, but he was reported to be attempting to breath through his eyelids. Neither training technique is exactly proven, but Savoy is well-respected throughout the game. She may not be anymore however.

Both top prospects exited spring training in fine form. Sources tell WCM that they were told not to mess with the streak. Because wives and girlfriends are not allowed at the 'Topes spring training compound, both young pitchers spent considerable time "by themselves". Upon the season starting, their pitching coaches gave them strict orders to stay away from women ("Women weaken legs" according to Rocky's trainer). Nobody disputes that both players followed orders, but now this previously rare injury. Coincidence? WCM thinks not.

Savoy spoke briefly with WCM for this story, but cut the interview short when our angle became clear. When asked about her innovative training methods, she did share this, "Sometimes when I've got a ballplayer alone, I'll just read Emily Dickinson or Walt Whitman to him, and the guys are so sweet, they always stay and listen. 'Course, a guy'll listen to anything if he thinks it's foreplay. I make them feel confident, and they make me feel safe, and pretty. 'Course, what I give them lasts a lifetime; what they give me lasts 142 games." When asked about the no sex policy, Savoy replied, "The world is made for people who aren't cursed with self awareness." and stormed from the room. Isotopes management refused to comment for the story.

NKotB Part Three: San Francisco Fightin Friars

HISTORY: This AL West Franchise has resided in Tacoma under 2 different owners, Honolulu under 2 different owners, and now San Francisco under 2 different owners (link to moving from HI to CA story). The previous owner, dsphalinger, was the 5th in the first 5 seasons of the franchise's existence. He took the right approach, built from the ground up, and had the team competitive, finishing over .500 and in 2nd place in each of the past 3 years. Still, this franchise has never made the playoffs. Still the franchise ranks ahead of only 5 others in all-time wins, and is one of just 7 never to make the playoffs.

OUTLOOK: The squad is loaded with home-grown talent. Four top ten draft picks: Mark Hitchcock, Kevin CansecoDude Wheeler, and Rob Ross are on the big league roster (though Canseco is injured). Five others drafted in the first 3 rounds are also on the squad. The team is off to a blazing start, winning 10 of their first 11 to open a 6 game lead on bossmao and Salem, a franchise that's won all 11 division titles.

NAME: While many believe the Fightin Friars moniker to be a shot at the San Diego Padres of MLB, it's actually an astute literary reference made my duece1212. The Friar's Tale is a part of Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales. The story tells of a Friar and a Summoner that do not get along. You see a Summoner is an ecclesiastical court official whose job is to summon. He's essentially the church's version of a process server, or your basic bounty hunter. duece12 actually took literature with Dog the Bounty Hunter in high school, allowing Dog to cheat off of his homework in order to pass the class. So, the moniker is actually has a double meaning aimed largely at poking fun at Dog. Here's hoping Dog doesn't find duece.

NKOtB Part Two: Salt Lake City Salty Sardines

HISTORY: Orabbi is the 7th owner is 12 years for this well-traveled franchise. The last three owners have been one-and-done so let's hope a long-term solution is in place. The team has never made the playoffs enabling it to pick in the top 10 seven times in 11 amateur drafts. Season 10 #2 overall pick Pete Miller is being groomed patiently however and provides hope for the future.

As you may recall, previous owner bigking actually founded the former Wichita franchise before mr_orange muscled his way in and moved the team to Baltimore (http://hbd2ndcity.blogspot.com/2009/01/nkotb-part-two-sacramento-shockers.html). After mr_orange was acquitted of a RICO charge in the matter, bigking left the witness protection program and acquired this franchise, moving it to Sacramento. Following last season, bigking mysteriously disappeared. mr_orange once again denies any foul play.

In any event, the team entered receivership. That's when sardine magnet orabbi stepped in to take ownership.

OUTLOOK: Orabbi has decided that the team needs a re-building and he couldn't be more right. Several top veterans have been moved and a youth movement is surely at hand. Orabbi recently traded Livan Suarez to Las Vegas, breaking up the fabulous Suarez brothers. Expect a slow crawl back to contention as the youth movement is given time to succeed.

NAME: Orabbi made his fortune selling "sardines" to locals. His secret recipe has no peer, but theories abound. Orabbi reportedly produces the sardines from brine shrimp native to Great Salt Lake. However, various local reports say that his shrimp come only from the pink waters of Gunnison Bay, the saltiest portion of the lake. Gunnison Bay is saltier due to the 1904 construction of the Lucin Cutoff, a rail bridge across the lake. Orabbi's great-great grandfather allegedly discovered that extra-salty shrimp from Gunnison could be processed into a sardine-like product (even though it's shrimp rather than fish). Locals go nuts for the stuff, but nobody else can figure out how to make it so Orabbi's annual 15% price hike does little to slow sales. He's now invested the profits into the franchise.

New Kids on the Block, Part One: Houston gamblers

HISTORY: mdz2221965 is just the 3rd owner in the proud history of this AL South franchise. In fact, the team has never left Texas, playing two years in Arlington before moving to Houston in Season 3. mdz takes over from rudedogg, a 9-year owner that made playoff trips in 5 straight seasons, including a World Series Appearance in Season 4.

The dog however fell on hard times after he was connected to a gambling operation with links to Michael Vick's former Bad Newz Kennels. Suddenly the Houston community didn't feel safe at Heavy Hitter games, and the dogs ridden by monkeys race promotion caused quite a stir. Rather than try to re-hab the team's image, dog sold to mdz who made his fortune franchising Kenny Rogers Roasters restaurants throughout the greater Houston area. His only non-Texas location briefly opened in New York, but closed shortly thereafter due to neighbor complaints.

OUTLOOK: All 555 of Banjo White's HR's have come for the franchise and he teams with Charles Dong to form a bopping duo. Willis Gordon remains one of Second City's greatest closers, but only 1 of last year's starter won 10 games (Adrian Smith with 11). The rotation looks to struggle again and will likely keep the Gamblers from slugging their way to a division title with a big spending Monterrey the pre-season favorite.

NAME: Many believe that the moniker pays homage to the defunct USFL Franchise by the same name. However, mdz is actually paying tribute to his all-time favorite performer - Kenny Rogers. Rogers was in fact hired as the official mascot of the USFL Houston Gamblers and was slated to perform during every half-time. He pulled out however after a dispute about locating a Roasters franchise near the stadium. mdz was of course to be the manager of said franchise. And now you know, the rest of the story.