Another Saturday night drinking with the scouts at the Barleymoe

                 Tonight Elijah Craig is joined by Jose Cuervo, George Dickell, and Jack Daniels

Elijah: Fella's tonight I want  you to discuss the draft and pick one player from this draft who you think will be in the Hall of Fame.

George: Is that fair Elijah? As usual you are hanging us out to dry, while you offer no comments.

Elijah: I'm buying the drinks and paying for the uber, so I can do whatever I want.

Jose: It's not that difficult if you're cooperative George. Hawaii had 8 first round picks so they have to have had the best draft.

Jack: We probably have to do better than that Jose. Orlando Quinones and Gorkys Diaz were 5th round guys that are better than some third rounders and most fourth rounders.

Jose: The second round choice I liked the best was San Antonio picking Blake Taft.

George: Hartford did well. First two picks, both in the first round, were pitchers. One has great splits and the other is a control-velocity pitcher. In the second and third round they picked outfielders that also compliment each other. Once again one has great splits and the other is a contact-speed guy. A good team has to have variety.

Elijah: Okay fellas who are the Hall of Famers in this draft.

George: My pick would be Carlos Romero. He's the whole package at the plate. Ivan Gil has the highest career batting average in the history of the league at .330. My guess is that Romero will top .330 4 or 5 times in his career and has a chance at the league record.

Jose: Esteban Prieto, is my guess for makes the Hall of Fame. There aren't a lot of guys with his rage and glove with splits like he's got.

Jack: I'll take the power hitter Charles Banks. Voters lover the long ball.

George: Well all those guys will be better than Eugene Smith , the last guy in the draft.

Elijah: Thanks fellows good job. Soon very soon we get to discuss diamonds in the rough.

                     Another Saturday night drinking with the scouts at the Barleymoe 

              Tonight Elijah Craig is joined by Jim Beam, Johnny Walker and Jack Daniels

 Elijah: Fellas we're 46 games into the season and I thought we should see how the rule 5 draft has worked                     out for teams.

Jim: Howie LaRocca was the first pick and has started all but one game for Hartford.

Johnny: It 's been a big jump for Howie. This is the first season he's has played above Hi-A.

Jack: I liked that pick a lot. Get the guy some at bats. My guess is that in the next 4 years Hartford moves him for other young players. They have Kent Stoops in Double-A.  Seems to me in a couple of years  mannytanner will be advertising his franchise as "centerfielders are US".

Johnny: I think this is probably the worst part of the season. Most guys either sit the bench or barely contribute above the league average.

Jim: You're right Johnny, but a couple of the later picks I think are really impactful for the future. Boston drafted Devin Perez from Boise and have probably got a solid catcher for a number of years. Also the Capones claim Henderson Lansing from Monterrey and he has has been surprisingly good so far.

Jack: Yea, Lansing is another guy making the jump from Hi-A. Of all the pitchers taken he has been the best so far in the season.

Johnny: I want to go back and talk about Perez. I think the rule 5 draft is probably the best place to acquire a catcher. Both Burlington and Houston acquired their starting catcher in the season 50 draft.

Jim: You may have hit on something Johnny. Ottawa got their catcher in 49 season draft. Javy Franco has hit over .270 in almost 600 at bats since thuggis drafted him. Both of the catchers in Fargo are Rule 5 guys.

Elijah: Thank you fellas. I think we covered that about as well as it deserved. See you next week.

 Trenton, New Jersey: (AS)

    The New Jersey gaming commission has posted the odds for the up coming Stickball 51 season.

   According to the Commission:

 Seattle           2-5            Louisville   15-1      Honolulu      30-1      Colorado     50-1

 Florida           2-7           Monterrey  15-1       Houston        30-1      El Paso       50-1

 Fargo             5-1           Vancouver   20-1      Montreal      30-1      Hartford       50-1

 Las Vegas      8-1           Jacksonville 20-1     San Antonio 30-1      Ottawa         70-1

San Francisco 8-1           Charleston   20-1     Santa Cruz    30-1      Burlington   70-1

Boston            9-1           Washington  25-1     Sioux Falls   30-1      Albuquerque  80-1

St. Louis       10-1           Augusta        30-1     Toronto        30-1      Pittsburgh      80-1

New York      12-1          Chicago        30-1     San Juan      40-1       Boise           100-1

  For help with a gambling problem

 ( Para ayuda con un problema de juego)

       ncpgambling.org

                               Another night drinking with the scouts at the Barleymoe

            Tonight Elijah Craig is joined by Jack Daniels, Jim Beam and George Dickell

Elijah: Fellas tonight we have to talk about what has changed from last season to this season.

Elijah: We have 2 new owners and we have Dean back.

Jack: Well, we really don't have 2 new owners because, between them,  they have played almost 200 seasons and have been in 67 leagues.

George: Bring me up to date who are they?

Jim: After 13 season's mosley80 left and he was replaced by buddy996. Also bbeecher apparently is another victim of the Captain. He not only has left our league but hardball dynasty. No teams in any league just gone. bbeecher has been replaced by manny tanner.

Jack: I know a guy who knows a guy who has played against buddy996. He says he's good owner who hasn't traded much in that league.....

George: Thank God, those guys that come over from fantasy baseball. They just wear you out in spring training sending you all those trade offers.

Jim: You're right about that George. The same guys are usually gone by the All-Star break because they are not getting enough trade action.

Jack: Well my guy tells me that both off these guys are solid owners and don't do a lot stupid stuff. manny tanner won his division last season in the Sey Hey league. He did sign some top free agents that season so he's not afraid to spend money. Still both our new owners seem like stand up guys.

Elijah: The franchise shifts are also interesting this season.  dfdarby moved his franchise fromCincinnati to Sioux Falls, buddy996 moved from Helena to Montreal and manny tanner thought playing Hartford was much better than another season on Durham.

Jim: Helena was almost a neutral park and now buddy996 has moved the team to a more batter friendly ball park,

Jack: That team was third in hitting last season. With 81 games in a better park they might lead the league in hitting.

George: Nobody but the stickballers are going to lead the league in hitting until Mr. Stickman moves them-again

Jack: Still they will be better at the plate.

Jim: Last season the league average for all batters reaching base and scoring was 37.5% . The Helena team only scored 36.5%. Since these things tend to average out. The franchise should have been above average this season if they hadn't moved; now it looks like they will score at will.

George: You guys are just begging my to say might Samuel Clemens line, aren't you?

Jack: I can't imagine that I'd beg you for anything George.

Jim: manny tanner's move to Hartford really won't change the dynamics of his team. Hartford is marginally a better hitters park that Durham.

George: What manny has to do is find some pitching. That franchise had 67 games started last year by guys that never should have been in the major leagues.

Jack: Easy for you to say, George, how many games have you started in the majors?

Jim: I'm trying to keep you two on track. Stop bickering like bitches. dfdarby's move from Cincinnati to Sioux Falls is extremely interesting.

Elijah: How so?

Jim: The Cincinnati park  cuts down on doubles but is very homer friendly. Razavi Field in Sioux Falls is incredibly hard on hitters. 

Jack: You're about that Jim. I will even go out on the limb and bet that Donald Miles wins the Cy young award this season. He won 19 games last year with a 3.40 era in Cincinnati. What will he do when he pitches in a ball park that knocks fly balls down instead of letting the wind take them to the cheap seats.

Elijah: Good job guys. Let's order some more drinks before we call the Uber.

                        Another night drinking with the scouts at the Barleymoe

            Tonight Elijah Craig is joined by Johnny Walker, Jim Beam and George Dickel

Elijah:  Fellas we need to wrap up some things from last season. We need to decide who gets the Dean Award and who gets the Branch Rickey award.

George: The Rickey award is just who wins the most games with all six of their teams. Have you done the math Elijah or are we going to have add it up now.

Elijah: You know I don't trust you guys to do the math. I have the figures here right on the back of this napkin. As you now renrog always wins this award, but this year iam4real  beat renrog by 5 games; 530 to 525.

Johnny: Do you think iam4real even knew that we had the award? Last season was his first in league for awhile.

Jim: Lets get on with the real chore; The Dean Award. Who are your nominees this year Elijah?

Elijah: As you guys know, to win the Dean Award a player must have been selected for the All-Star team and then we argue about who improved the most from season 49 to 50. I thought Augusta had a couple of players that we should consider. Sammy Oliva and Bo Anderson. Colorado had a couple Bill Sullivan and Marty Sisler. San Francisco's Mickey Freidrich and Mickey Margot of Toronto are  guys I think we should consider.Another couple of guys are Sal Phelps of the Wharf Rats and the Blue's Royce Howell.

George: Well the two Colorado players are hitters. The Franchise moved to Colorado from Portland which makes it easier for hitter.

Jim: The team batting average went up .055. Marty Sisler's average went up .100 ; so he certainly deserves to be considered.

Johnny: The Augusta players Sammy Oliva and Bo Anderson both had good seasons. Anderson raised his average .060. Oliva lowered his ERA by more than 2.4 earned runs per game.

George: Mickey Fredrich lowered his ERA more than that. He went from a 5.37 ERA to a 2.27.

Jim: Well if this award is about results. Miguel Margot went from a 3.00 ERA to 0.93. He also had 55 save opportunities and 53 saves.

George: How the hell did he loose the fireman of the year award to Luther MacDougal?

Johnny: That's a good question. it's hard for me to give the Dean Award to Margot because the previous season the one he had the 3.00 ERA and 7 blown saves he won the fireman of the year award. 

Jim: Sal went for 11 wins to 19 wins but Royce Howell maybe had a career year. He raised his OPS by .166 and had his runs created go up by almost 3.5 runs per27

George: Ignoring the per 27 nonsense. how many runs did he creat for the season.

Jim: That would be 121.69.

Elijah: So fellas, who is it going to be? Who gets the Dean Award.

Johnny: They're all deserving. Does it have to be a player? Can't we just give it to Dean?

Jim: I don't want to choose between the players. I like the idea of giving it to Dean.

Eliah: So it's decided Dean gets the Dean award and  iam4real gets the Branch Rickey award.

Elijah: Lets call it a night fellas, till next time.

  

Just a reminder that anyone in Stickball World is welcome to contribute to the blog.  Sitemail me, TC me, or Comment below.  Just say the word...

(Regardless, many thanks to Breeolad for his awesome contributions thus far ... looking forward to many more)

 

                                   Another Saturday night at the Barleymoe

      Tonight Elijah Craig is joined by Henry McKenna, Jose Cuervo and Captain Morgan

Elijah: Well this is a different group than usual. Why are you guys here instead of Jim, Jack and Johnny?

Henry: I'm here because Johnny called me and asked if I would sit in for him since he thought you would discuss the history of the league tonight.

Jose: I'm here because Jim told me what mr_stickball  did. Jim said it has never happened before and will never happen again; but you never know.

THE CAPTAIN:  I'm here because Jack offered me several cases of his best whiskey. Someone of my profession needs to have a variety merchandise for his best customers.

Henry: Captain, I think we are all here because someway mr_stickball  managed to negotiate the release of deandg .

THE CAPTAIN: You know that  mr_stickball never negotiates with me. I have offered him really good deals for Chappy24 , kcoach and others and he has never, ever paid; did I say paid? He has never offered me the value equal to an owner.

Jose: Captain, did you not loose your crew the last time you sailed into Antigua? Did the local police not arrest every sailor on your "merchant ship"? And when you were in dry dock, did Dean not send you Troy Power?

THE CAPTAIN: This dean you speak of--I have not been to school. You confuse me.

Jose: I know that Troy Powers started negotiations for the release of Dean. Troy was Dean's 20th pick in the season 44 draft. He was a power hitting first baseman that Dean thought would be an excellent hitting coach when his career was over. When you captured Dean, Troy's career was all but over; only Dean would keep him on as a hitting coach. At that point, Troy approached mr_stickball  about players in his organization likely to retire.

Jose: Captain is Troy currently on your ship?

THE  CAPTAIN: If he is, I did not capture him or obtain him. He is sailing the sailors seas because it is his desire.

Jose: Or he traded places with deandg. Also I know that D'Angelo Familia and Einar Nunez are on your ship the Hombre Palo. Are Familia and Nunez the only guys that retired from Colorado on your ship.

THE CAPTAIN: The crew of the Hombre Palo does seem to have many mates that have an interest in Beisbol. It is good, as a captain, to have a crew with a common interest. As for Troy he was much better than deandg . Troy does not mind how I make a deal. If Troy gets paid he is happy. With deandg not so much. Did I acquire it legally? Did I ask a fair price? I'm not a priest. I WILL not answer deandg's questions. When Troy came to me offering the services of Familia and Nunez and 5 others from the Colorado franchise who had retired, I couldn't believe my good luck. 

Henry: So you let deandg  free to rejoin the league? In your mind did mr_stickball  negotiate with you?

THE CAPTAIN: No, mr_stickball , was not involved in the negotiations. This was between Troy and me. I will continue to raid you ranks. Have any of you noticed the disappearance of bbeecher. When the Captain gives he takes away many more. Seniors do not drink the Rum or you are mine.

Elijah: Guys you better leave I think we upset the Captain. Until next time stay safe.

               Another Saturday night drinking with the scouts at the Barleymoe

    Tonight Elijah Craig is joined by Jose Cuervo, Jack Daniels and George Dickel

Elijah: Fellows tonight I thought we could discuss some of the internationals signed this season.

Jose: Sorry, Elijah, but I think we need to talk about how the captain has struck again!

George: What are you talking about Jose.

Jose: san2snow has been missing for over 2 weeks. I think Captain Morgan has him, and we know mr_stickball doesn't ever pay the ransom. coach_orman last season and now san2snow; I wish the captain would leave this league alone.

Jack: The Yinzers are open? Isn't that Dean's odd franchise.

George: You think Dean would play for free?

Jack: I don't know but I bet mr_stickball has probably already checked.

Elijah: Are you fellas ready to talk about the internationals signed this season.

Jose: Sure. Emil Vazquez, signed by Milton, is the real deal.

George: 25 million is a really lot to spend for a player.

Jose: Last season the Super Troopers paid 27 million for a very similar player, David Oropesa.

Jack: They are both shortstops, I guess in 8 years we can see which one is better.

Jose: It's been kind of a different signing dynamics this year compared to last year. Last year 4 guys went for 20 million or more. This year just Vazquez and then 2 guys in the 18million range and 2 in the 15 million range.

Jack: Boise Rogue One signed Sherman Naquin for 15 million and I think he may be the cream of the crop  of season 50 internationals.

George: Seventy_77 signed Livan Sosa for just a little more than Naquin got.  Right now they are both second basemen, so that another one we can look in a few seasons.

Jose: We haven't had that WOW pitcher yet. Last year we had Peter Donald go for 19 million. He has already won 11 major league games.

George: The season isn't over yet. We may still get that pitcher. In season 49 we had 31 players signed with a million dollar bonus or more. So far this season the count is at 25. So that pitcher that is going to be a difference maker is still out there.

Elijah: Any of you fellas think somebody made a steal in the 1million to 5 million range.

Jack: I think for 3.1 million, trapapoodle got good player in Hideki Donald. My guess is that the Wharf Rats will have to move him to a corner infield or outfield position but getting that power for 3.1 is an accomplishment.

George: I think trapaoodle has another one. 2 million for Felix Wan, a pitcher, is really cheap. I think he probably in the same talent pool with Wiki Sierra and Teoscar Mercedes. Both of those guys signed for 5 million.

Elijah: Good job tonight, fellas. Who's turn to buy the drinks tonight?

                           Another Saturday night drinking with scouts at the Barleymoe

             Tonight Elijah Craig is joined by Johnny Walker, George Dickell, and Jack Daniels

Elijah: I thought we would try to find a guy like the immortal Mario Mendoza. The guy that every major league player was suppose to hit better  than him. I found the guy in our league. But before we do, I want to send a message to the owner.

Johnny : Your crazy Elijah, Mario Mendoza was a guy who rarely hit above .200. The Mendoza line is .200.

Elijah: Johnny you read too many simple statistics. The Mendoza line is actually the batting  average of a defensive specialist. If a defensive specialist is hitting better than you , why are you in the major leagues?

George: But  you don't want to do that?

Elijah: No, I need to talk to thebigdogs. I think they have the guy but maybe they don't want my opinion affecting the player's value.

Jack: So what in the hell are we going to talk about?

Elijah: What players in triple -A, are most likely to affect the major league playoffs?

Elijah: Well, you guys are the best of the best scouts. I thought you could talk about the over achievers in triple -A.

George: You think we are going to tell you who we think are 3-A, 4A and major league players.

Elijah: No, I think you will tell me who you think will help a team make the playoffs.

Johnny: Why would we do that?

Elijah: Inwardly, you all think you're the best scout ever and want to prove it. The fact that none of you are ever asked to scout an international bothers all of you , especially Johnny.

 George:  You said we were the best scouts.

Elijah: Well, we've been drinking for a while.

Jack: The best four relievers are: Kendry Calderon (BOS), Clayton Hudson (LOU), George Kerr (STL) and Shayne Hughes (NY1).

Johnny: I know you're impressed with Hughes' season--21 innings no earned runs allowed ; but my guess is that he will replace Sierra in the Empires bullpen very soon.

George: Any of those guys would look good on the Vegas roster.

Jack: And Boston is loaded with young high potential relievers. I'd watch this at the trade deadline.

George: I'd like to move on, and talk about position players. I really like Erick Standridge (AAA) of Vegas. The major league roster has two young catchers so this guy is just bait. Whoever pimpbotlove wants this guy is the collateral to swing the deal.

Johnny: Any team looking for a shortstop can take a look at Magglio Flores (ALB). He might be hitting as well as he will ever hit this year but the glove will always be there.

Jack: It's always about the home run hitter. If a team is looking for power they better talk to San Francisco about Polin Doubront (SF).

George: You're to late Jack. Polin Doubront (SF) has already been promoted to the major leagues.

Elijah: So am I suppose to believe that there are no power hitters to help a major league in the playoff races.

Johnny: There are some 4A players. Guys you might trusts as a pinch hitter but nobody with power to play everyday.

George: You can probably say the same thing about starting pitchers. Shayne Ashby (BUR) is the one impressing me at 3-A but milton7 would never trade him.

Elijah: Well boys that pretty much ends our discussion they want to close the bar early tonight. See you next week.

                            Another Saturday night, drinking with the scouts at the Barleymoe

                         Tonight Elijah Craig is joined Johnny Walker, Jim Beam and Henry McKenna

Elijah: I hope you remember that Seventy_77 asked us to talk about recent rookies of the year and what are their chances of making the Hall of Fame. That is why Henry is here. HE is my expert on the Hall of Fame.

Henry: Elijah, being selected Rookie of the Year really has nothing to do with the Hall of fame. Only 14 of the 54 guys in the Hall won the ROY award. 

Jim: Well Henry there have been some really bad Roy in the past. My favorite dud is Todd Kirby. He was selected in season 9. Only played in 571 games and batted .250 for his career. He crushed 50 homers his first season for milton7's Bulls. After that not so much. milton7 arbitrated him once and then he was gone.

Johnny: My favorite bad ROY was Garret Rivera. He loved my scotch whiskey. If he hadn't like it so much he might have pitched more than nine years. pimpbotlove  had him on the Tarpons in season18 and he did well. That was the only season he had an era under 4.30. Garret's problem was he thought being in the majors was all about the W's. nobody told him that the W's were wins , not whiskey and women. He won only 59 games and I heard his second wife would have been fine with it if he only had 59 girl friends. He was with some good owners pimpbotlove, mcbain and  milton7.

Elijah: So we wasted a lot of time talking about the sorry ones. Henry, can you give me an idea about what Hall of Famers have in common.

Henry: The average Hall of Famer is selected as an All star about 7.75 times in their career if they are a hitter and 8.25 if they are a pitcher. Only 4 of the 23 pitchers in the Hall never won a Cy Young award with the average being 2.5. Only 2 hitters failed to win sliver slugger with the average being 6.

Johnny: Jeimer Ortega won the award back in season 39. He leads all active Roy with 9 silver slugger awards and 8 All star  selections with 4 MVP awards.

Jim: And he's not slowing down. This season he is hitting .350 with 18 homers.

Elijah: How about pitchers.? Are any of them likely Hall of Famers?

Jim: I think it's obvious Carlos Chantres will make the Hall. He is only 32 and has 192 wins and an era of 2.10. There are 2 other experienced pitchers that I think might make the hall. Miguel Quiroz and Renato Viriato. Miquel is 34 and on the Mud Dogs, which always helps in the wins column. He's 23 wins away from 200 w's with a 2.92 era. He has 2 Cy Young trophies to go with his 3 all star appearances. Renato is only 32 and, although I have concerns about his longevity, he has 5 all star appearances and a 2.77 era.

Elijah: How about guys under 30? Who has a shot at the Hall.

Johnny: If George were here he would tell you Elijah that everyone under the age of thirty has a chance.Obviously Rey Jung who has 3 MVP, 6 sliver sluggers, and 5 all star appearances is all but in the Hall. Jose Johnson,  has the most MVP in the Hall of Fame with 7 and Jung is 29. So he could conceivably tie or break Johnson's record.

Jim: The young pitcher I'm looking at is Miguel Margot. He's also 29 has 5 all star appearances, 4 fireman of the year awards, and 325 saves.

Johnny: One last batter to watch is Phil Searle. He's 28 and has 3 silver slugger awards, 2 all star games, a .309 batting average and a 1.022 ops.

Elijah: Thanks fellas I think we should call it a night.

               Another Saturday night drinking with the scouts at the Barleymoe

    Tonight Elijah Craig is joined by Jim Beam, George Dickel, and Johnny Walker

Elijah: Boys tonight we were supposed to talk about the upcoming draft. I checked the numbers and everybody still has over 6 million to spend.

George: So even though there have a few high priced internationals everybody is set to go.

Jim: Seems to me that the best internationals usually show up the week before the draft. Tempting all the owners to spend big and leaving them in a bind on the draft.

Johnny: Well the league certainly seems to have no clear disposition about how to acquire young players.

Elijah: Where are you going with this Johnny?

Johnny: The league average for College scouting is 11 million, 10 million for high school scouting, and 9 million for international scouting.

George: I think if an owner is putting most of his scouting in the draft it might be best to wait on the internationals .

Jim: Wait, wait for what. Unless you have the first pick you don't know who you're waiting for.  At least if you outspend everyone you get who you want.

Johnny: Fellows there are more drafted guys in the Hall of Fame than internationals.

George: I always thought if an owner put 9 million in international scouting he would only see about 9 players who should make the majors.

Jim: Some years are better than others , some are worse; but everybody sees a star or two. They just have to pounce when the star is available.

Elijah: Fella's I expected a little better discussion tonight.

George: You pick a limited topic and then want to blame us for a limited discussion.

Elijah: Well Seventy_77, asked if we could spend a little time discussing rookie of the year. Do they have a better chance at the hall of fame, etc. Please me better prepared next week.

Johnny: Okay we can do that.

Elijah:  Let's have one more drink and call it a night.

                    Another Saturday Night Drinking with the scouts at the Barleymoe

            Tonight Elijah Craig is joined by Jim Beam, Jack Daniels and Johnny Walker

Elijah: Well fellas what do you want to talk about?

Johnny: That is not how it works Elijah. You always tell us what the topic is.

Elijah: Well, I'm running out of ideas. So who has a topic for this week.

Jim: We might have already covered this but we could take another look at the season 45 draft.

Jack: Why that one Jim.

Jim: Well somethings nag me about that draft. Of the 10 highest drafted pitchers 6 have been on the disabled list.

Johnny: Seems high to me.

Jim: It is unusually high. Looking at the drafts before it, that many guys having DL time is high.

Jack: If you looked little closer the fielders have been on the DL almost as much.

Johnny: So can I guess Jim, you think that draft had a bunch of thoroughbreds.

Jim: I do. I think this may be the best draft class ever. If they stay healthy.

Jack: I hate to sound like George but EVER, really.

Jim: It was an unusual draft. 5 catchers drafted in the first round,  9 shortstops, 8 centerfielders.

Johnny: Well those numbers about right except for the the catchers. That is about 2 years worth of catchers.

Jack: And a lot of those guys rotate to corner infield and outfield and DH.

Jim: Still having a former shortstop at another position only makes the franchise better.

Johnny: Royce Howell has already moved to DH but he's hit 91 homers already in his major league career.

Elijah: What is the early look at this season draft?

Jim: Pittsburgh has 4 choices in the first round (1,16,33 and37). Colorado also has 4 (6,20,46,53).

Johnny: Florida has them both beat with 6 picks (14,30,34,39,47,52).

Elijah: The draft is September 6th. So all you guys be ready next Saturday to talk the draft. Okay?

Jack: Until next Saturday .

                                 First week of the season Dickles Pickles Top Five

1.) Seattle: record 9-2    Other than Missing Tripp Davis ,who he traded, it looks like the same team from last year.

2.) Fargo: record 8-3  Changes to the pitching staff here. Bridger Presley left for San Juan and replaced by Eugene Lo Duca from Pittsburgh.

3.) San Francisco: record 8-3   New owner has some guys in new roles and it seems like it's working.

4.) Charleston: record 7-4   The big change was trading second baseman Geraldo Bennett to Colorado and replacing him with former first round choice Hunter Varitek

5.) Augusta: record 7-4  The first thing you notice in Augusta is the rebuilt bullpen with a combination of youngsters from the farm and older more mature veterans

Things to watch this week:

                                           Stolmy Castro (COL) and his 12 game hitting streak

                                           Warren Frazier (OTT) has 9 home runs , already

                                           Welington Leon (SJU) has stolen 12 bases

                                            Pitcher Eli Saenz (LOU) has won 4 of the 7 games he has appeared in

                                            Pitcher Andy Hamilton (OTT) has 21 strikeouts in 20.33 innings

Best series this week:    Fargo at Augusta 8-20, 8-21

                                       Seattle at Charleston 8-20, 8-21

                                       San Juan at Las Vegas 8-21, 8-22

                                       Las Vegas at Toronto  8-23

From: thebigdogs

To: The Advisory Committee

Sent: 8/16/2020 2:12:00 PM

Subject: Hall of Fame 

Guys,

See if this works to communicate.  [Use the comments section below to reply].

Here are a few of my thoughts:

Not sure what you guys thoughts are for guidelines for this committee but I think we should recommend 3 guys at the most.  The last thing I want to do is take up everyone’s votes.  I think guys can be nominated for 5 years, so those we need to look at are: 

1. Seanez (soonest off ballet based off of retirement 52)
2. Tomilson (52)
3. Guerrero (52)
4. Feng (53)
5. Diaz (53)
6. Reyes (54)

Others:

1. Narveson (????might be off this year)
2. Harvey (????)
3. Patel (????)
4. Abreu (51)
5. Dresden (53)
6. Lowe (53)
7. Tanner (54)

Guys can be nominated 5 times and I can’t tell how many times they have been nominated.  Anyone know how to tell that?

                               Another Saturday night drinking with the scouts

        Tonight Elijah Craig is joined by George Dickel, Jack Daniels and Jose Cuervo

Elijah: Well fellas, we have another season. Once again we have failed to make preseason predictions.

Jose: I blame Stickman. We used to have a week or two between seasons and could figure things out.

Elijah: It is what it is. We could discuss the new owners or we could just talk about division stability.

Jack: If we discuss new owners, George is just going to upset them.

Elijah: Let's do it anyway. They have to get use to George anyway.

Jose: dudemac, maybe new to our league but has a lot of experience. 72 seasons total spread through 13 leagues. Looking at what he's done, he stays 8 or 9 seasons once he joins.

Jack: He will be a big improvement over the guys who come in for 1 season or 2; decimate a franchise and leave.

George: Every league has to have the young owner and we have one this year in san2snow. He also plays in the Vlad Guerrero league.

Jose: I think the previous owner of that franchise just left too early. Last season almost every hitter had a poorer season than the previous two seasons. That doesn't happen often and those guys should bounce back this season.

Jack: And we have the return of iam4real. 

Jose: Good to see him back. I wonder if he has changed much. First time he was in the league he was mainly a draft guy. He didn't sign any internationals that season.

Elijah: Fellas, we have three newbies, let's hope the older owners behave and don't abuse them with trades.

George: I think before we go someone should comment tmfran giving out 4 $10 bonuses. He must be going for it this season.

Jack: The nice thing about bonuses is you always have the guy for the next season at a much lower salary.

Elijah: Well that is it for tonight boys. Who needs an Uber?

Veteran's Committee (primarily for helping sort out HOF votes)

 xmasjjm, Seventy_77, pimpbotlove, thebigdogs, milton7, mr_stickball, and jc44 are the committee members, with jc44 willing to be a temp until another NL owner may want to swap out with him.  It's a very good mix of AL and NL, with folks pretty passionate about the HOF and us having a robust league.  I am honored.  -Stick

                                         Serious times at the Barleymoe

      Today Elijah Craig is joined by Henry McKenna, the drinking man's guide to the Hall of Fame

 Elijah: Henry you know more about the Hall of Fame than anyone I know, Do you think we can go over the lists of candidates.

Henry: We have 27 nominees this year. I can cover any that you ask me to, but I don't think we can cover all 27.

Elijah: Anybody you want to start with?

Henry: Yes, Francicso Perez is a good place to start.If he were elected to the Hall he would be the first member  who never made an all star team.

Elijah: So you would say it's not likely he will be in the Hall

Henry: The Hall belongs to the owners, they can vote anybody in that they want but history would suggest that Francisco isn't going to be inducted.

Elijah: So being selected to an all star game is important. What other things have you found.

Henry: The Hall has no shortstops in it. Which leaves Oswaldo Martinez standing next to Perez on the outside of the Hall. It's just hard to have the offensive numbers and play a position known for defense. The average batting average for a Hall of Famer is .294. The lowest batting average in the hall is .260 by Edgardo Jacquez,  a centerfielder with three gold gloves.

Elijah: You see anybody else in trouble?

Henry: Yes, Josh Delmonico. One fact that I find astounding is that Hall of Famers are either internationals or they were drafted early in the first round of the draft.

Elijah: No second rounders or later in the Hall.

Henry: None, and the latest anyone has been pick is 36th in the first round. Josh was a 47th pick ; so the odds are against him.

Elijah: NormanW5 put a plug in for  Darren Harvey (C), what are his chances.

Henry: Well we have two catchers on the ballot this season.  So they might split the votes of people who like players at a defensive position in Hall. The other is David Feng.  Feng had a longer career than Harvey. Other than Harvey having more power a lot of their offensive numbers are similar. My research shows that the average Hall of Famers has been in 7 All Star games.  Feng had 11 all star appearances to Harvey's 3. If Harvey made the Hall, he would still have more appearances than James Martin, who only was in 1 All Star game.

Elijah: jc44 put a pitch in for  Alfredo Diaz (2B). What do you think of him?

Henry: Diaz has better offensive numbers than the other 2 nominated second basemen; although they are prolific base stealers. The only second baseman in the hall is Emilio Tavarez. Emilio was a 5 time All Star, 2 time MVP, 8975 at bats, .263 average, 629 home runs, 371 stolen bases. Diaz's has 10 All Star appearances, 1 MVP  9323 at bats, .289 average, 348 home runs and 470 stolen bases.

Elijah: Are you making a point that Tavarez and Diaz are fairly similar? 

Henry: No I'm not making any points, I'm just throwing a lot stats out at you.

Elijah: Seventy_77 made a pitch for Yunesky De Los Santos. What are his numbers compared to the guys in the Hall of Fame.

Henry: Well he would 4th in wins in the Hall and second in strikeouts.

Elijah: Enough said.

Henry: Another guy that stands out to me is R.J. Santana. I can't imagine the league will have another 700 and 700 guy. 735 Homers and 717 stolen bases. He would be third in homers and first in stolen bases in the Hall and 4th in rbi.

Elijah: Are you available if any of the owners put a guy out there for consideration.

Henry: Sure, this is the only time of year you let me join you. Elijah, you do know that my views may upset some of the owners.

Elijah: We have a lot of owners who agree with Samuel Clemens.

Henry:Other than writing about Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. How does fit in this discussion.

Elijah: Samuel Clemens said there are lies , damn lies and statistics.

                               Another Saturday night drinking with scouts at the Barleymoe

                    Tonight Elijah Craig is joined by Johnny Walker, Jim Beam and Jack Daniels

Elijah: Good evenings fella's. Tonight we decides who recieves the Branch Rickey award for most wins by an organization and the Dean comeback player of the year award.

Jim: Do we have a McBain award this year?

Elijah: To win the McBain award a team would have to win 136 regular season games. No team achieved that last year.

Johnny: Which franchise won the most regular season games this year in all competitions?

Elijah: As usual it was renrog with Santa Cruz. The Scream were the only franchise to win over 500 games. They were champions in both the double-a and the low-a.

Jack: You said something about the Dean comeback player of the year award. I forgot how we select the winner.

Elijah: To be considered a player must have made the all star team. Play in sufficiently more games than  the previous season.

Jim: Elijah, if George were here he would complain that only considering guys that made the all star team eliminates too many players from consideration.

Jack: Wherever George is he's complaining about something.

Elijah: Jim, do you really expect me research over 800 players. That would certainly cut into my drinking time.

Johnny: Elijah, you never leave here and Hugo has wifi at the Barleymoe. Hugo never changes the password unless you're not paying your tab. Are you behind again?

Elijah: No that MUST be some else who is here a lot that has run up a big bill.

Jim: Shouldn't we get back to the Dean award? Who qualified to be considered this year Elijah?

Elijah: Well Larry Clark qualified sort of. He made the All Star team and had a really good season for the Hot Mess. He had had a few poor season and started last year poorly and then mosley80 sent him to triple-A for maybe a week or two. After riding the bus he was great.

Jack: Anyone else qualify?

Elijah: Yes and I think this is the guy we're going to pick. Willie Cayones of Augusta had 19 wins last season. He had 16 wins in season 46 but in 18 games combined, in seasons 47 and 48 due to injury.

Johnny: He certainly deserves it after losing almost 2 seasons due to injuries.

Jack: Didn't he loose most of season 44 also to injury? His health rating must be pretty low maybe under 50.

Jim: I think he's just unlucky. I have him graded as a low 70 in health. All 3 DL stints have been for different injuries, groin , shoulder, elbow.

Jack: Well 19 wins after two season on the shelf certainly seems he earned the Dean Award.

Johnny: That is for sure. Elijah, you got anything else for us tonight? Are we going to do divisional expectations for the season 50?

Elijah: No. The league formed too fast and by the time we would have them done , we would be about 3 weeks into the season. I thought you guys might like to talk about Rey Jung. He won the NL MVP last year and is a free agent.

Jim: Well burton2231 still has negotiating rights to him and might lock him up.

Jack: He's sure to be a max player. Chicago only budgeted 73 million for players. I doubt he can get him in the early part of free agency.

Elijah: Have you guys heard of any teams opening up their  wallets a lot more this season than last.

Johnny: Jacksonville and Fargo have both added more than 15 million.

Jim: Actually 24 teams have 20 million or more in salary cap space. If his agent demands a 10 million bonus plus the max contract; it leaves 10 teams with the cap room to sign Jung.

Elijah: You boys have fried my brain with all those stats. Time to break it off till next week. Let me remind you of one thing. When in a stupor call an uber.

                     Another Saturday night drink with the scouts at the Barleymoe
        Tonight Elijah Craig is joined by George Dickel, Johnny Walker, and Jim Beam

Elijah: Fellows, let's put season 49 to bed.
George: Well we better hurry because these leagues are filling up fast, lately
Johnny: Fargo won another championship.
Jim: The good news for the American league is Fargo won ten fewer games than last year.
George: Dropped all the way down to 112 wins; that doesn't sound like good news to the Al owners.
Johnny: The top awards were split by four clubs; Fargo, Louisville, Chicago, and Las Vegas. So the talent in the league is spread around pretty well.
Jim: It's not like in this league someone can run away and hide for two or three years, winning everything in site.
George: I looked up championships and the Las Vegas franchise has the most with 6. Both Louisville and San Antonio have 5 and Fargo has 4.
Jim: You have any idea which team has won the most regular season games.
George: I thought you'd never ask. Las Vegas has won 4,721 games, 103 more than Fargo. Thirteen teams have won over 4000 games. Washington, San Antonio and Memphis will join that group next season.
Elijah: How many guys do you think the captain will kidnap?
Johnny: Well we know he's already has coach_orman. My guess is that he might get one more.
Jim: If everyone signs up pretty quick ; we might have to start doing previews for next season.
Elijah: Guys, Hugo wants to close the bar early tonight; so until next week we're done.

                         Special playoff edition of Dickles Pickles -Second round edition

 National League matchups:
                                             St. Louis(87-75) vs Helena (106-56)
                                             Las Vegas(106-56) vs Seattle (104-58)
American League matchups:
                                             Santa Cruz (94-68)vs Louisville (100-62)
                                             Fargo (112-50) vs Augusta (91-71)

Disable list report:
                               Santa Cruz has both Brad Jacome and closer Kenny Moreland out for this series
                               Las Vegas could get Kiké Guzman activated off the Dl to start the series
                               Seattle will not have Peter Meyers available
                               St. Louis will not have depth reliever Rando Tavarez available for this series


First matchup:        St. Louis(87-75) vs Helena (106-56)
 Season matchup:                      Helena  7     St.Louis 3
Runs scored matchup:               Helena 44   St.Louis 29
Probable Rotations:
   Helena  4 man rotation                                                St.Louis  5 man rotation
 1.) Gload (12-7)    2.36 era  .604 defensive ops            1.) Lopez(11-13)  3.26 era .683defensive ops
2.) Clark (13-8)     2.84 era  .650 defensive ops             2.) Ramirez(17-11) 3.22 era .663defensive ops
3.) Palmiero(5-2)  3.42 era  .653 defensive ops             3.) Loux(16-9)  3.50 era .715 defensive ops
4.) Sanchez(16-3) 3.44 era  .678 defensive ops             4.) Viriato(10-12) 2.97era .583 defensive ops
                                                                                        5.)  Yang(8-11) 3.26 era .714defensive ops
Team stats:
                 St.Louis hitting: .244 avg. ops .691
                                            total baserunners for the season 1882; runs scored 664 efficiency 35.3%
              St. Louis pitching:   3.44 era , .697 defensive ops
                                             total baserunners allowed 1887 runs allowed 623 efficiency 33.0%
                  Helena hitting: .269 avg , ops .746
                                             total baserunners for the season  2194; runs scored 795  efficiency 36.2%
                 Helena pitching: 3.35 era,  .673 defensive ops
                                             total baserunners allowed 1882  runs allowed 601   efficiency 31.9%

  Thoughts:
                  Helena in 4. Both the season matchup and the run totals is a very steep hill for the Kaisers to climb.



Second matchup:       Las Vegas(106-56) vs Seattle (104-58) The battle of the West
   Season matchup:     Las Vegas 3  Seattle 7
   Runs scored matchup:  Las Vegas 39 Seattle 48
   Probable Rotations:
Seattle 3 man rotation:                                              Las Vegas 4 man rotation
 Mateo(17-10)    2.56 era   .613defensive ops        1.) Colome(23-10) 3.61 era .682defensive ops
 Brinkley(13-8)  3.25 era   .643defensive ops        2.) Short(9-9)         3.47 era  .560defensive ops
 Perez(14-5)       2.50 era   .603defensive ops        3.) Bennett(8-5)     3.59era    .698defensive ops
                                                                                4.) Darrington(5-3) 4.47era   .767defensive ops

Team stats:  Las Vegas hitting: .256 avg  ,  ops.750
                    total baserunners for the season 2035;  runs scored 959    efficiency 47.1% !!
                 Las Vegas pitching: 3.51era  ,  defensive ops .666
                  total baserunners allowed 1817 runs allowed 671   efficiency 36.9%
                    Seattle:hitting: .249 avg   ,  .703 ops
                    total baserunners for the season 1960;  runs scored 744   efficiency 38.0%
                 Seattle pitching: 3.14 era  ,  defensive ops .651
                    total baserunners allowed 1716  runs allowed 542   efficiency 31.6%

Thoughts:
 It will be Seattle's pitching against Vegas' hitting. Looking at how efficient Las Vegas was scoring their baserunners during the season; that rate will be hard to replicate in a short series against good pitching. Seattle in 4.




Third matchup:   Fargo(112-50) vs. Augusta( 91-71)
 Season matchup: Fargo 8   Augusta 2
 Runs scored matchup: Fargo 73  Augusta 53

Fargo 4 man rotation:                                                      Augusta 4 man rotation
1.)  Chantres(35-1) 1.79 era  .460 defensive ops            1.) Dixon (8-14)  4.69 era  .757 defensive ops
2.)  Quiros (11-3)   2.97 era   .656 defensive ops           2.) Nakajima(19-8) 3.37era .710defensive ops
3.)  Presley (2-3)    3.55 era   .689 defensive ops           3.) Maddox(13-13)4.93 era .759 defensive ops
4.)  Gil (9-8)           4.22 era   .684 defensive ops           4.) Cayones(19-8) 3.43era .741 defensive ops

Team stats:
                 Fargo hitting: .280 avg  ,  .811ops
                   total baserunners for the season 2213 ;  runs scored 943     efficiency 42.6%    
                 Fargo pitching; 3.45 era ,   defensive ops .663
                   total baserunners allowed 1805 runs allowed 578  efficiency 32.0% 
                 Augusta hitting .272 avg  ,  .804ops
                   total baserunners for the season 2181 ;  runs scored 873    efficiency 40.0%
                 Augusta pitching: 4.48 era  ,  defensive ops .746
                   total baserunners allowed 2114 , runs allowed 807  efficiency 38.2%

Thoughts:
  Hard to argue against a 112 win team. Augusta is a team of battlers . This series goes 4 games but Fargo moves to the next series.


Fourth matchup:  Santa Cruz(94-68) vs. Louisville(100-62)
Season matchup: Santa  Cruz-7              Louisville 3
 Runs scored matchup: Santa Cruz 53    Louisville 28
Rivalry note: In season 43,  Santa Cruz and Louisville faced each other in identical situation.
  Santa Cruz beat the wild card to face Louisville in the ALDS. Louisville won that series 3-1.

Santa Cruz 4 man rotation:                                        Louisville rotation:
 1.) Mijares (5-4) 3.36 era  , .696 defensive ops          1.) Burton (7-7) 4.18 era , .709defensive ops
 2.) Butler (12-7) 3.65 era  , .682 defensive ops          2.) Dransfeldt(9-8) 3.77 era, .706defensive ops
 3.) Nance(10-6) 3.72 era   , .688 defensive ops          3.) TBD
 4.) Alicea(11-11) 3.82 era , .714 defensive ops


Team stats:
                  Santa Cruz  hitting: .259 avg  ,  .718 ops
                   total baserunners for the season 2025 ;  runs scored 749     efficiency 37.0%    
                 Santa Cruz pitching; 3.72 era ,   defensive ops .708
                   total baserunners allowed 1966  runs allowed 657  efficiency 33.4%  
                 Louisville hitting .278 avg  ,  .815ops
                   total baserunners for the season 2264 ;  runs scored 959    efficiency 48.8% !!
                 Louisville pitching: 4.23 era  ,  defensive ops .725
                   total baserunners allowed 2075 , runs allowed 731  efficiency 35.2%

Thoughts:
   Louisville's bats against Santa Cruz' pitching. Once again a playoff team scored an amazing number of their base runners during the season. That is hard to do in a short series in the playoffs. Dickel says renrog gets revenge for the season 43 results. Santa Cruz in 4.

         

                            Special playoff edition of Dickles Pickles  

First Matchup ----   Tacoma vs Santa Cruz:  
 Season matchup  Santa Cruz 7 wins  Tacoma 3 wins
 Runs scored in the matchup Santa Cruz 36 Tacoma 35
  Team Stats:
   Santa Cruz: batting: .259 average .718 ops
                      pitching 3.72 era    .708 defensive ops
   Tacoma: batting .260 average    .751 ops
                  pitching 3.87 era         .715 defensive ops

Probable rotations:
   Santa Cruz 3 man rotation        Tacoma 5 man rotation
  Butler(12-7)                                  Leary(12-16)
  Nance(10-6)                                  Prieto(13-8)
  Alicea(11-11)                                Russell(9-10)
                                                        Thomas(17-7)
                                                        Trevino(16-12)

Thoughts:
  The run differential between the two teams means this one should go 5 games.
  It's Tacoma's hitters against the Santa Cruz pitchers.
  The wild card in this series is Jacob(13-8) coming out of the bullpen for Santa Cruz

Second Matchup------ Cincinnati vs. Augusta
Season matchup : tied 5 games a piece
Runs scored in the matchup Augusta 54 Cincinnati48
Team Stats:
 Cincinnati: batting .275 avg.   .813 ops
                   pitching 4.34 era    .765 defensive ops
 Augusta : batting .272 avg .804 ops
                  pitching 4.48 era  .746 defensive ops

Probable rotations
 Cincinnati 3 man rotation                  Augusta 4 man rotation
 Miles(18-4)                                        Dixon(8-14)
 Callaway(10-10)                                Nakajima(19-8)
 Brooks(15-8)                                      Maddox(13-13)
                                                            Cayones(19-8)


Thoughts:
 I have a disposition towards looking at pitching more than hitting. Yet this is a batters series Cincinnati has the third most runs scored and Augusta sixth. This one also goes 5 games.
The team that has the most innings where they score more than 3 runs win this series.


Third Matchup------------St. Louis vs.Charleston
 Season matchup: St. Louis 6 wins Charleston 4
Runs scored in the matchup St. Louis 48 Charleston 47
 Team Stats:
 St.Louis: batting    . 244 avg   .652 ops
                 pitching   3.44 era   .697 defensive ops
 Charleston: batting  .269 avg  .746 ops
                  pitching  3.37 era   .667 defensive ops

Probable rotations
 St.Louis  5 man rotation            Charleston 3 man rotation
 Lopez(11-13)                              Carter(18-7)
 Ramirez(17-11)                           Johnson(13-9)
 Loux(16-9)                                  Phelps(11-3)
 Viriato(10-12)
 Yang(8-11)

Thoughts:
  Team statistics seem to heavily favor Charleston, even though they lost the head to head matchup during the season. This one looks likes it also goes 5 games. I think whoever scores the most extra innings runs wins.

Fourth Matchup----------------Seattle vs Washington
 Season matchup --------------Seattle6 Washington 4
Runs scored in the matchup Seattle 42 Washington 39
Team Stats:
 Seattle: batting   .249 avg  .703 ops
            pitching    3.14 era  .651 defensive ops
 Washington batting  .266 avg  .747 ops
                     pitching 3.77 era  .686 defensive ops

Probable rotations
Seattle 3 man rotation                 Washington 5 man rotation
 Mateo(17-10)                               Carpenter(9-9)
 Brinkley(13-8)                             Fleming (11-12)
 Perez(14-5)                                  Paul (12-6)
                                                      Boscan (7-15)
                                                      Gattis (14-12

Thoughts:
 I think this one will be the quick one. I like the Seattle rotation best of all 8 rotations and did I say earlier I have a predisposition to favor pitching
                                                     

Another Saturday night....

                      Another Saturday night, drinking with the scouts at the Barleymoe
 Tonight Elijah Craig is joined by Jose Cuervo, John Jameson and Johnny Walker and Henry McKenna

Elijah: Tonight fellas we are going to discuss Seventy_77's suggestion " Maybe a blog about this great IFA year the league has had".
Elijah: But before we start the discussion I want to know if any of you have seen or heard from Captain Morgan?
Johnny: Is that why all the international scouts are here?
Elijah: Sure you think I'm going to talk about internationals with George and Jack?
Elijah: I need to know from each of you: have you seen or heard from the captain recently.
John: If we are doing internationals why is Henry here?
Elijah: You should know that I use Henry as a kind of historian of the league.
Henry: Elijah, why don't you just give up about asking them about the captain. You're beating around the bush. Straight up ask them.
Jose: Ask me what?
Elijah: coach_orman is missing .  Does the captain have him and if he does what is his ransom price.
Johnny: You know mr_stickball  never pays the ransom. If the captain has coach_orman , may God have mercy on his soul.
Elijah:So no one knows the whereabouts of coach_orman or the captain.
John: I'm happy to say it's been years since I talked to the captain. I would also say it will be years before I speak to coach_orman  again.
Henry: Can we get down to business here about the internationals, Elijah?
Elijah: Sure, is this best year ever for internationals?
Henry: You have a hard time judging guys 18 to 22 in a league that is close to 50 seasons old.
Johnny: So are just here to have a few drinks or do have something to say.
Henry; I think it's clear that I find this premature. Seasons 12, 16 and 18 all had two Hall of Famers signed in that year. Should I judge it by how many Hall of Famers I think are in this class before they make it to the major leagues?
Jose: How would you judge this season .
Henry: Well if I was comparing this year to last year; I don't think you would like the answer.
Elijah: Spill it Henry.
Henry: This season(49) we only had 9 guys who were  given a bonus of 10 million or more. Last season(48) and in (47) both seasons had 10 guys signed for more than 10 million. If you want to talk about dollars spent (49)$259,296,000, season (48) $262,652,000, (47)$ 260,517,000.
John: Henry, are you saying that dollars is a way to decide which groups are better?
Henry: Of course not, the highest ever bonus was 32 million paid to Benny Rondon (season43) . He is only 25. Are you ready to judge him on 3 years of major league seasons.
Jose: So what would you want people to know about the internationals.
Johnny: If I might interject, I agree with Seventy_77. I think this was a great class.
Henry: As somebody who has studied this, most seasons 5 to 7 guys are signed to 8 figures, so this season was higher. As I look back to season 1 the first international signed was Magglio Bennett for 9.7 million. He had 12 major league seasons, never won an award.
John: Henry do you have more stats for us....... I know you do
Henry: Thank you, and can you pass the bottle? The first year the league only spent $186,820,000 on internationals. Lately the worst seasons for internationals was season 44; only 2 guys got 8 figures. I didn't bother to add the total for that season since only 2 guys got big money. but seasons 43,45,46 all had totals under $200 million. Seems like the group now wants to really compete for the internationals.
John: Of the recently signed who is doing well?
Henry: that easy with the season he's had: Carlos Chantres signed for 27million in season 37.
Johnny: So do think David Oropesa, Orlando Torres, Tony Jacquez, Alex Fernandez, Tony Fernandez, Peter Donald, Didi Guerrero and Pablo Piedra; are a good class.
Henry: I would agree with Seventy-77. I think it is a great class 8 of the 9 are position players. Not so many arm injuries with this group.
Elijah: Thank you fellas for coming. Henry will you come next year before Hall of Fame vote?
Henry: I will as long as I don't have to pay for the drinks.

                                                      Dickles Pickles eighth week
                                                      This week's top 5

1.) Fargo
2.) Las Vegas
3.) Helena
4.) Charleston
5.) Louisville
    
 Since the brackets are almost set:( I hope I get this right being that my team is a stranger to the playoffs).
 American League: Boise vs. Augusta winner to face Fargo
                                Cincinnati vs. Santa crus to face Louisville
 National League:  Playoffs are clouded in the National League
                                Seattle 4 games behind Vegas face teams with 323 wins the last week
                                Vegas face teams with 291 wins the last week

                                While Washington and San Juan duel to the final week to see who wins the National League East and the fourth seed in the playoffs:
                                 Washington faces teams that have won 241 games this season to end the season
                                  San Juan  faces teams that have won 245 games this season to end the season
                                 They face each other one more time tomorrow morning if my guess is correct its: Yean Carlos Mendoza vs.Alex Boscan
                                   San Juan leads the season 5 to 4 having won the first four games of the season against D.C.

                          players to watch this week:

        Rafael Pimentel (MTY) has the longest current hitting streak and for the season at 27 games with 15 games left to play possibly he will break the league record of 39 games but since I've jinx all hitting streaks this season; I doubt he will break the record.

                        Who wins the Cy Young award?
Carlos Chantres (FAR)  33 wins,116 innings pitched, 1.78 era
Giancarlo Colome (LV) 22 wins, 247 innings pitched , 3.71 era

                           Random thought of the week
I'd just like to thank everyone who reads the blog, especially those that comment

Another Saturday night , drinking with scouts at the Barleymoe
Tonight Elijah Craig is joined by  Jim Beam, Johnny Walker and  Jack Daniels

Elijah: We've got 8 days left in the season fellas. Seems like it was a very fast season.
Johnny: Only 23 games left, are we going to talk about playoffs.
Jack: Hello NO! That just upsets the 24 owners that worked hard but didn't make it; besides irritable George isn't here this week so none of us would enjoy the conversation.
Jim: I think we should be really pleased that this season we are breakingleague 2 records.
Jack: Yea, Carlos Chantres has won 31 games; the old record was 27.
Johnny: I found it odd that the bigdogs now is starting him. Chantres headed a great bullpen. Fargo will have home field advantage in the playoffs. He may never get to his fifth starter.
Jim: How much have you been drinking, Johnny? Fargo is 14 and 3 since they went to the five man rotation. It's all going well according to birddogs plan.
Johnny: My drinking has nothing to do with my analysis. It's just a thought you didn't agree with.
Jack: The way those two are going at they must be drinking Dickel's hooch. You think we would get along if we talked about Gabriel McKain.
Elijah: I invited Gabe to drink with us tonight after tonight's game in Boise. Chartered a plane and everything but he wanted to be on Fox sports and not here at the Barleymoe.
Johnny: I know we would be a lot more fun than those studio geeks.
Elijah: I knew Steve Winn before he went into rehab and I can tell you he would never let Gabe near us; maybe before his recovery they both might have been here.
Jim: The Dukes catchers have thrown out about 3 out of 10 base stealers this season;
tonight might be the night.
Jack: Regardless with 23 games left he's sure to get one stolen base.
Jim: The curious thing about Gabe is his consistency. He's played 19 seasons in the big leagues and only had one season with over 100 stolen bases. In 19 years he's been thrown out only 99 times.
Elijah: We'll that should be enough for tonight.

                                    Dickel's Pickels seventh week
                                    This week's top five:


1.)  Fargo: record last week(13-7), overall record (87-40) Magic number-22
      This weeks games New York, Tacoma and Louisville
2.) Seattle: record last week(13-7) overall record (82-45) Magic Number 35
      This weeks games: The only team they face with a winning record is San Juan
      The teams the Troopers face this week have won 336 games thus far.
3.) Louisville record last week (14-6) overall record (82-45) Magic Number 13
      This weeks games Santa Cruz, Boise, New York, and Fargo
      after that foursome,  xmasjjm will have an idea what the playoffs will look like.
4.) Helena: record last week:(13-7) overall record (68-39) Magic Number 27
      This weeks games; no opponents have a winning record.
       The teams the troopers face this week have won 305 games this far
5.) Las Vegas: record last week (15-5) overall record (81-46)
      Currently in second place in the National League West- No Magic Number
      Faces St. Louis this week


Players to watch this week:
      Ben Weiss (AUG) has a twenty-two game hitting streak
      Rey Jung (CH1) and Aurelio Wong (FAR) have 47 homeruns

     Carlos Chantres (FAR) broke the most wins in a season record with 30
      The record was 27 wins by Paxton Bold in season 2 pitching for the Boston franchise

Random thought of the week:
      Rosters expand July 4th. With a game separating Seattle and Las Vegas which owner can make a   big deal to secure the division championship.

                       Another Saturday night drinking with scouts at the Barleymoe
       Tonight Elijah Craig is joined by Jim Beam, Jack Daniels, and George Dickel

Elijah: Fellas I've been lookin back at the beginning of the league and comparing it to last season. I'm                    curious if you guys can guess how season 1 compares to season 48.
George: Baseball is baseball , Elijah, it is timeless. You're going to get some fads from time to time but over a 162 game season things are going to be very similar.
Jim: In season 1 it's like every team is an expansion team. I'd think you would see a lot of runs                 scored. I would think the pitching and the defense would be pretty raw.
George: It's a game people have been playing their whole life. See the ball hit the ball. Nothing has changed.
Jack: Certainly not your intellect George, you really think that a league with all new managers is going to be the same as a league with experienced managers. 7 of those guys were one year wonders; 2 of those won their division.
Elijah: Before we have another Jack and George shouting session. Lets get specific. Do you think that we steal more bases now or in season 1.
Jim: I know it wasn't the first season but didn't someone early have a season where he stole 123 bases.
Jack: That was Austin Lorraine, and he did it twice. In both season 2 and 4 he stole 123 bases and was only caught stealing 1 time each season.
Jim: That would be pretty conclusive evidence that we probably don't steal as many bases as we used to.
Elijah: I thought that too, until I looked at the stats. In season 1 the average was 96 stolen bases per team. In season 48 the average was 136 steals . So we are stealing a lot more bases lately.
George: How about homers Elijah, since you've done the research.
Elijah: Not so easy boys, I'm not giving up the facts with out your opinion of where the league is going.
Jack: That isn't very hard Elijah, back in the day Stickballers had Jose Johnson he still holds the season record for most homers. In the early years there were a lot more homeruns hits.
Elijah: Usually the league averages over 200 homers per team; a figure that has only been reached twice since season 40.
George: So speed is more a part of our game now which explains why Gabriel McKain is closing in on 1000 stolen bases.
Jack: If you are a believer in analytics the stolen base is a bad move and we should be scoring fewer runs.
 Elijah: Absolutely right Jack. Eleven times the League has averaged 800 or more runs. The last time was in season 32.

                     Dickles Pickles sixth week


This weeks top five:
    1.) Fargo: record last week(10-7) overall record (74-33)
         This week has games against Augusta and Santa Cruz
    2.) Seattle: record last week(12-5) overall record(69-38)
         Super Troopers face some good franchises this week but each has underperformed this season
    3.) Louisville: record last week(12-4) over all record (68-39)
         Duoz face some good franchises this week but each has underperformed this season
    4.) Charleston: record last week (11-7) overall record(68-39)
         For the Wharf rats this may be their season playing Vegas and Helena
    5.) Helena: record for last week (8-9)  overall (68-39)
         A tough week, Charleston, Vegas and the Kaisers


Players to watch this week:

Aurelio Wong (FAR) His speed(stolen bases ) and Power (homers ) total is 62.
 He has 38 homeruns and 24 stolen bases. If he can't beat you one way he will beat you the other.

Carlos Chantres (FAR) already has 26 wins. He needs 2 more to break the league record.



Random thought of the week:
  Other than Vegas in the National League, the wild card spots are very competitive.
 Who gets hot or makes a waiver deal? Who sits on their assets and build for a brighter future?

Another Saturday night drinking with scouts at the Barleymoe
Tonight Elijah Craig is joined by Jim Beam, Johnny Walker, and Jack Daniels

 Elijah: Well fellas , what do you want to talk about tonight?
 Jack: I thought the 7-6 All-Star game was very interesting.
 Johnny: You want to talk about an exhibition game?
 Jack: Well the losing team got 20 hits and the winners got 8.
 Jim: It's the beauty of baseball. It's not so much what you do but when you do it. The only interesting play was in the top of the 6th. The National league was down 4-3; had the bases loaded and nobody out. The Nationals had a .425 batting average for the game and couldn't manage a run. Yan Nunez made a nice play at third and threw home to Royce Howell for the first out. Pop out followed by fly out and the rally was over.
 Jack: Seems to underestimate the game, 4 home runs were hit; that is what the fans want to see.
 Jim: I  believe the fans had to leave the game frustrated with 13 runners in scoring position left on base.
 Elijah: Johnny, you didn't want to talk about "an exhibition game", what do you want to discuss?
 Johnny: The Kaisers are on an 11 game winning streak. They're an experienced group and could be dangerous as a wild card.
 Jack: What are their chances?
 Johnny: In the National League it generally takes 90 wins to make the wild card. He has 52 and if he can win at a .602 winning percentage he would probably make the playoffs. He's got to pass the Capones and the Galaxy; but the Kaiser is putting himself in position for a run.
 Jim: If only the Capones were France and the Galaxy, Belgium.
 Elijah: And you Jim; what do you find interesting about the season?
 Jim: pimpbotlove posted Just a monster IFA year; I think we could discuss his observation.
 Jack: The odd things this year is that the of the top 15 bonuses paid only one is a pitcher.
 Jim : Yes 6 shortstops and4 right fielders but only 1 pitcher; odd.
 Johnny: Peter Donald is the one pitcher out of the group. It will be great to look back at him in 20 seasons.
 Elijah: Well before we break up let me state that Alex Fernandez will be the best of the bunch.
 Johnny: Easy for you to say now but in 20 seasons you might look the fool.
 Jack: It wouldn't be the first time.
 Elijah: Do you guys want to be smart alecks or be invited back?

                                                    Dickels' pickles  fifth week

                                                          this week's top 5

                                   1 Fargo record last week 17-4 (overall record 64-26)
                                      Split a series with Louisville , plays both Boise and Cincinnati next week
                                   2 Helena record last week 10-11(overall record 60-30)
                                      plays chicago and Seattle next week
                                   3 Charleston record last week 12-11 (overall record58-32)
                                       Plays both Memphis and St. Louis out of the All Star break
                                       Chance to wrap up division
                                   4 Seattle record last week 14-8 (overall record 57-33)
                                       Has a four game series at home against Vegas
                                   5 Las Vegas record last week 18-3 (overall record 57-33)
                                      Has a four game away series at against Seattle

                                                    Players to watch this week
                       
                             Jose Quiroz (BOS) has a 13 game hitting streak
                             Carlos Chantres (FAR) has won 23 games four away from tying the league record

                                                Random thought of the week

                              The trade deadline is one week away, when will the deals start being announced

                              Saturday night drinking with the scouts ay the Barleymoe
             Tonight Elijah Craig is joined by Johnny Walker, Jack Daniels and George Dickell

    Elijah: Welcome gentlemen, what do think we should discuss tonight.
    Johnny: I think the way the league is drafting is changing, Elijah.
    Elijah: How so Johnny; it's the same system it's always been.
    Johnny: In the first 44 seasons only two catchers were chosen with the first five picks of the draft.
    George: Yes that was seasons 8 and 21 when catchers were the top pick in each draft.
    Jack:  That would be, Bert Canseco in season 21 and Jose Viriato in season 8; both Hall of Famers.
    Elijah: That doesn't tell me how it has changed. Get to point Johnny.
    Johnny: In the last 5 years, 4 catchers have been drafted in the first five picks. I'd say that is probably because the owners value catchers more than in previous years.
    George: Whether that is true about the owners it does put four players in direct comparison to each other.
    Elijah: Who are the players Johnny?
    Johnny: In season 45 sonofthebear drafted Royce Howell with third pick and signed him for $3629 million. In season 47 pimpbotlove with the fifth pick drafted Erick Standridge and paid him a bonus of $3630 million. Last season bwb53 drafted Ernie Buckleywith the fourth pick for $3720 million. And this year with same pick and same money dyoungquist signed Wes Howell.
     George:Are either Royce or Wes related to Thurston.
     Jack : George be serious, please.
     Elijah: Have any of you guys scouted any of these catchers?
     George: Elijah, although Wes Howell was scouted as a catcher, Boise is using him as a dh for their AA team.
     Jack: As good as Wes Howell is he is blocked by Jeff Park and Deven Perez and wouldn't make it to the big leagues for many seasons. Both those guys are very young and better defensively. I also scouted the other Howell,Royce. He's in his fourth season and has won 2 silver slugger awards.
     Johnny: I've scouted Ernie Buckley. He is going to be a big time power hitter hurt by his home ball park.
     George: I think Erick Standridge maybe the best of the bunch. He hits for both average and power.
     Elijah: Well let's make sure next year we have a session to see how these guys are progressing.
   
   

                             Dickle's Pickles fourth week


                                     This weeks top 5

                           1.) Helena        record for the week (12-7) overall (49-18)
                                 Hot Mess face Augusta and Las Vegas this week
                           2.) Fargo          record for the week (13-6) overall (46-22)
                                 Mud Dogs face San Juan and Augusta this week
                           3.) Charleston  record for the week (15-4) overall (46-21)
                                 Wharf Rats face Santa Cruz and Seattle this week
                           4.) Seattle        record for the week (11-8) overall (43-25)
                                 Troopers face Chicago and Charleston this week
                           5.) Santa Cruz record for the week (13-6) overall (41-26)
                                  The Scream face Charleston and Louisville this week

                               
                         Players to watch this week-- Sid Hamilton (SA) 15 game hitting streak
                                                                      Carlos Chantres (FAR) 18 wins this season

                           Last week's matchup  Helena vs Seattle was split 2-2
                           This week's matchup Charleston vs Santa Cruz

                           Random thought of the week-- only 6 of the top 10 draft choices have signed