Late, Late Saturday night at the Barleymoe
It's almost closing time and Elijah Craig was about to head to his cot squeezed between the hot water heater closet and the dry storage area. Much to his surprise Johnny Walker and George Dickel walk-in with the Captain.
Elijah: It's awful late boys why are just showing up now.
George: I had to make sure Jack was gone.
Johnny: He can't help himself Elijah. Actually we were waiting for the Captain's ship to dock.
Elijah: How have you been? It's been years. Have you been keeping up with the Stickball League.
Captain: It's been real hard. You ever try to get wifi on the high seas. When we pull into port I try to spend my time learning what is going on. Usually I send my pirat uh crew out to sell the things we have acquired on our voyage. While they are doing it I can catch up on the league.
Elijah: Captain are you ever going to tell us your first name? Are we ever going to be friends?
Captain: Why don't think my first name isn't Morgan. Morgan is a first name.
Elijah: So your first name is Morgan?
Captain: Not necessarily. It just might be.
Elijah: So we are never going to be friends?
Captain: Elijah, you don't want to be my friend. Someday you might have something I want. Someday you wouldn't like me as your friend. I take what I want regardless of who possesses it.
Elijah: Then why are you friends with Johnny?
Captain: The scotsman he is cheap....
Johnny: frugal
Captain: .... frugal as he says. What would he have that I would need? But tonight let us just drink to the new season and have you ask those annoying questions of your's Elijah. I suppose you have questions.
Elijah: Earlier tonight I asked questions about prospect and scouting budgets. We could talk about organizational cost.
George: What are organizational cost. Elijah are you making this stuff up?
Elijah: What do you call Health, Training, Coaching and Advanced Scouting?
Johnny: I guess now I call them Organizational Cost.
Elijah: Last season the league averaged 52 million, where do you guys think this money should be spent.
Johnny: I remember in season 46 Memphis only spent 5.5 million for their major league coaching staff and they won 87 games and won their division.
George: I think you need to spend money on coaches, at least more than 11 million than the league averaged last season. It is a competitive advantage to have better coaching. It's an advantage that does not go on the DL and it last all season.
Captain: Speaking of the DL, I was speaking to Dean last month and he was
Elijah: You were talking to Dean? Dean is lost. We can't find him. How were you talking to Dean.
Captain: Sometimes the rum it runs away with my words. Did I say Dean or Deanne?
Johnny: You know damn well you said Dean. Do you have him? Have you captured D
Captain: My friends, Dean is well. He needed transportation to a new locale. I was happy to help him out for a small fee. Anyway Dean believes that you spend a lot of money on training and when you place someone on the 60 day DL list they become a better player. The better training makes them improve as a player. At least that is what I remember of our conversation.
Elijah: I'm getting a little uncomfortable with some of these details. Can we get back to the fact that the league averaged 18 million in Training and 15 million in health.
Johnny: I think those totals are high. If a team considers health when they are drafting, promoting or signing free agents they can spend less in those areas.
George: That sounds good now but you get in a pennant race and you don't have to rest your best players if you spend the money for good health and training.
Elijah: Nobody has said a word about advanced scouting?
Johnny: I think if you like trading and you spend more than 8 million, the league averaged last year, on advanced scouting you have a big advantage. You have better information. If someone is spending next to nothing you can make out like a ban....
Captain: You can say it my friend, bandit. I am not offended. I am not a bandit. If you thought I was a bandit, I then would be offended. I'm am much classier than a mere bandit.
Elijah: This is getting a little tense. Does anyone have anything to add before we adjourn.
George: Captain is there any chance that you've spoken to McBain recently? Maybe helped him to relocate?
Captain: George you are still my friend. If you weren't still my friend I would take you to see them. I think if you keep asking these stupid questions you will not like to see them because you will no longer be my friend.
Elijah: Johnny get George the hell out of here. I'll buy the Captain a drink.
Captain: But if George comes with me think how happy Jack will be.
Elijah: Good night Johnny and George.
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
Monday, January 27, 2020
Saturday Night at the Barleymoe
Tonight Elijah Craig is joined by Jim Beam, Jose Cuervo and Jack Daniels
Elijah: If that wasn't the fastest off season we've had in a long time then my memory must be failing.
Jim: Yea tomorrow is the best day of the season; Budget Day .
Jose: You're some kind of crazy gringo; it's the worst day of the season. You can reason everything out. You pinch your pennies as best you can. You have a great plan until you have to pay 2.5 for a fielding coach and everything goes to hell.
Jack: It's the best day because it's the worst day but you get it over with early in the season.
Elijah: Jose how do you advise the clubs you consult with?
Jose: Do you guys know that last season the league average was 7 million for International scouting. That's just crazy. The average for both College and High School was 11 million. If you're drafting in the date 20's in the first round you're better off putting the money in Internationals. I looked at the season 40 draft from 26 to 32 picks and there are some nice players but nobody that is going to lead a team to the World Series. You have a better chance with an International if you're drafting late.
Jack: So do you think if a team is drafting in the top ten picks they should down play internationals?
Jose: Of course not. You have to find a way to supplement either College or High School scouting but if you land a top International and a top ten in the amateur draft you've killed it.
Jim: I've always believed that if you can add three guys each year who can play in the majors in six years you have had a good development year.
Jose: You can add a third starter, a backup catcher and a star and get to the wild card race. You have to scout the cream of the crop and there is more cream internationally. You only get one in the amateur draft. You go international and you get more than one.
Elijah: You other guys feel this way?
Jack: Hell no, I want to max out College scouting. The guys are older more mature and might be able to start at High A; getting them to the big show sooner.
Jim: All those guys have been passed over out of high school. Jack you're picking from the second string. You need to spend 20 million in high scouting and forget the older guys.
Elijah: So each of you guys wants to go in a different direction. Let.s just say my team is holding the 18th pick in the draft. Tell me what you do.
Jose: I sign three type A draft picks. I don't care who I get in the fourth round. I have three type A's and I try to sign a top International and hope for a couple International steals late in the season.
Jim: You have to work with what you've been successful at. If the league is spending 11 million on high school scouting and I'm spending 20; I'm getting a good player probably in the fourth round-certainly in the third round. My second round pick is almost as good as my first round because my scouting is so much better than the other teams. A second round pick is only costing about 550K if I have to pay them like Jose, I'm spending 3 or 4 million or more.
Jack: I'll take the college kids and use the money somewhere else. I can put 20 million in college scouting, 8 million in prospects and have lots of money for the other areas. You have 185 million you have to stretch every way you can.
Elijah: I friend of mine used to say whatever you spend in scouting you have to spend half as much in prospects; what do you think of that.
Jack: Elijah, you're talking about Evan Williams. You won't even invite him to these sessions; why are you bring him up?
Elijah: Who the hell knows who is going to show up at these sessions. What do you think of his opinion?
Jose: Well it doesn't work for Internationals. You scout 20 you want to spend 20 if not more.
Jack: I'm already on record as saying scout 20 and spend 8. I put the rest in Medical and Training.
Jim: I'm kind of with Evan. I like to spend 16 million on prospects. After spending 20 million on High School, I've got 12 million to spend on Internationals. I can't out bid Jose but I might get a really good player away from him.
Elijah: Last season the league averaged 16 million in prospect budget. Do you think it will go up or down?
Jim: Sixteen million is the highest since season 40. It's going to go down this year.
Jose: But the smart guys are going to make it work for them.
Jack: I wish I could figure out who the smart guys are.
Elijah: Well we know it's not you three.
Tonight Elijah Craig is joined by Jim Beam, Jose Cuervo and Jack Daniels
Elijah: If that wasn't the fastest off season we've had in a long time then my memory must be failing.
Jim: Yea tomorrow is the best day of the season; Budget Day .
Jose: You're some kind of crazy gringo; it's the worst day of the season. You can reason everything out. You pinch your pennies as best you can. You have a great plan until you have to pay 2.5 for a fielding coach and everything goes to hell.
Jack: It's the best day because it's the worst day but you get it over with early in the season.
Elijah: Jose how do you advise the clubs you consult with?
Jose: Do you guys know that last season the league average was 7 million for International scouting. That's just crazy. The average for both College and High School was 11 million. If you're drafting in the date 20's in the first round you're better off putting the money in Internationals. I looked at the season 40 draft from 26 to 32 picks and there are some nice players but nobody that is going to lead a team to the World Series. You have a better chance with an International if you're drafting late.
Jack: So do you think if a team is drafting in the top ten picks they should down play internationals?
Jose: Of course not. You have to find a way to supplement either College or High School scouting but if you land a top International and a top ten in the amateur draft you've killed it.
Jim: I've always believed that if you can add three guys each year who can play in the majors in six years you have had a good development year.
Jose: You can add a third starter, a backup catcher and a star and get to the wild card race. You have to scout the cream of the crop and there is more cream internationally. You only get one in the amateur draft. You go international and you get more than one.
Elijah: You other guys feel this way?
Jack: Hell no, I want to max out College scouting. The guys are older more mature and might be able to start at High A; getting them to the big show sooner.
Jim: All those guys have been passed over out of high school. Jack you're picking from the second string. You need to spend 20 million in high scouting and forget the older guys.
Elijah: So each of you guys wants to go in a different direction. Let.s just say my team is holding the 18th pick in the draft. Tell me what you do.
Jose: I sign three type A draft picks. I don't care who I get in the fourth round. I have three type A's and I try to sign a top International and hope for a couple International steals late in the season.
Jim: You have to work with what you've been successful at. If the league is spending 11 million on high school scouting and I'm spending 20; I'm getting a good player probably in the fourth round-certainly in the third round. My second round pick is almost as good as my first round because my scouting is so much better than the other teams. A second round pick is only costing about 550K if I have to pay them like Jose, I'm spending 3 or 4 million or more.
Jack: I'll take the college kids and use the money somewhere else. I can put 20 million in college scouting, 8 million in prospects and have lots of money for the other areas. You have 185 million you have to stretch every way you can.
Elijah: I friend of mine used to say whatever you spend in scouting you have to spend half as much in prospects; what do you think of that.
Jack: Elijah, you're talking about Evan Williams. You won't even invite him to these sessions; why are you bring him up?
Elijah: Who the hell knows who is going to show up at these sessions. What do you think of his opinion?
Jose: Well it doesn't work for Internationals. You scout 20 you want to spend 20 if not more.
Jack: I'm already on record as saying scout 20 and spend 8. I put the rest in Medical and Training.
Jim: I'm kind of with Evan. I like to spend 16 million on prospects. After spending 20 million on High School, I've got 12 million to spend on Internationals. I can't out bid Jose but I might get a really good player away from him.
Elijah: Last season the league averaged 16 million in prospect budget. Do you think it will go up or down?
Jim: Sixteen million is the highest since season 40. It's going to go down this year.
Jose: But the smart guys are going to make it work for them.
Jack: I wish I could figure out who the smart guys are.
Elijah: Well we know it's not you three.
Saturday, January 25, 2020
Season 47 Stickball League Awards:
The Kobylsesky Award
Given to the franchise with the most wins in all levels of competition goes, once again to renrog and the Santa Cruz Scream.
Only two teams won over 500 games. Memphis won 510 and the Scream topped that with 534. Renrog had three teams win over 95 games and no teams had a losing record.
Santa Cruz Scream, renrog
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Season 47 Dean Award
The Dean comeback player of the year award for season 47 goes to Troy Mitchell of the New York Empire. Mitchell spent seasons 44,45 and 46 in Triple-A; not a good sign for a 33 year old. At the conclusion of season 46 Troy turned down at least one offer to coach at rookie ball, to give it one last shot to play in the majors. And play he did. Troy made the all star team! for the season won 5 games and had an ERA of 2.85.
Troy Mitchell of the New York Empire
-----------------------------------------------------------
Finally, the McBain Award, which isn't given every season.
The Fargo Mud Dogs won 135 regular season games; the most wins in one season ever by a franchise. Actually they broke the record they set in season 46 when they won 126. In 47 seasons only eight teams have won more than110 games in a season bit only the Mud Dogs have won 120 or more.
Thursday, January 2, 2020
Drinking with Scouts
Tonight Elijah Craig is joined by Jim Beam, Johnny Walker and Jose Cuervo
Elijah: Tonight we will try to wrap up our thoughts on the American League Playoffs.
Jose: Yea, you pissed off NormanW5 pretty good. You know he called me told me get over here and make sure I was in on this conversation. He wants in done in the next hour.
Elijah: Sure, he not a big fan of mine and I heard he doesn't like my bourbon. Well I can't please all the people all the time.
Jose: Can we please start, Norm is counting on me.
Elijah: Well we can start with The North where thebigdogs is the BIG DOG. Pretty amazing season.
Jim: 2nd in batting average, 1st in OPS, 1st in runs scored, 3rd in hits, 2nd in base on balls, 1st in stolen bases and 1st in home runs.
Johnny: Just as good in the mound too. 1st in ERA, Whip, BB and runs allowed.
Elijah: Another team that has clinched their division is the Duoz. That covers the North and the South; so we better cover the East next.
Jose: The Beaneaters have a two game lead with ten to play. The 3 teams they have left on their schedule have won 198 games. They do have to play Charlotte on the road; so nothing is settled yet. Their four game winning streak has opened things up a little.
Johnny: Augusta is the team that is two games out. They have 7 home games left finishing the season in Charlotte. The three teams that they have on the schedule have won 220 games.
Jim: That puts Charlotte in an interesting spot. All three teams they have left are in playoff contention, having won 238 games. Four on the road against the Duos and then 3 at home against their division rivals for the league lead.
Johnny: If they can get on a streak and fly into the playoffs with great momentum they would be in a great place to face Fargo.
Elijah: We can cover this some more when we talk wild card. Anybody have any ideas about how the West will end up.
Johnny: I will never count the Stickballers out until the season is over. They always find a way. Even if they don't catch the Islanders, they have the first wild card spot.
Jim: The Stickballers have 10 at home. The three teams have won 228 games. They finish with three against the Islanders. The question is can they knock the Islanders lead down to 2 or even 3 by that last homestand.
Jose: The Islanders have 7 at home before finishing in Portland. The teams they play have won 216 games. I think it looks pretty good for them.
Johnny: Even if you're right, the old genius, Stickman, will take them out in the second round.
Elijah: What about the wildcard race? Is it that close?
Jim: Closer. 4 teams are vying for the last spot. Santa Cruz, Charlotte, Augusta and Cincinnati. Of course if either Augusta or Cincinnati wins the East that would put Boston on the list.
Jose: renrog has that great farm system, What does his competition look like in the last 10.
Johnny: Ironically he plays 4 at home against Cincinnati. If either team gets a sweep it would be huge. Likewise a split might eliminate both teams. After Cinci, the Scream go to Portland, and then finish the season at home against Scottsdale. Those three teams have won 228 games.
Jim: Cincinnati has the hardest schedule. They still have Fargo to go along with Santa Cruz. The three teams total 277 games won.
Elijah: That leaves Augusta and Charlotte. Who has the easier schedule?
Jim: The easier schedule seldom wins.
Johnny: Once again both teams finish the season in Charlotte. The other two teams left for Augusta have won142 games. Charlotte is looking at teams that have won 159 games.
Jose: Still the ten games have to be played. A hero will emerge from the bench or the bullpen. It always happens.
Elijah: Sadder yet, a star player will make an error or strikeout with bases loaded; or a star pitcher will chose the wrong time to feed his gopher. That is why we love this game they call baseball.
Tonight Elijah Craig is joined by Jim Beam, Johnny Walker and Jose Cuervo
Elijah: Tonight we will try to wrap up our thoughts on the American League Playoffs.
Jose: Yea, you pissed off NormanW5 pretty good. You know he called me told me get over here and make sure I was in on this conversation. He wants in done in the next hour.
Elijah: Sure, he not a big fan of mine and I heard he doesn't like my bourbon. Well I can't please all the people all the time.
Jose: Can we please start, Norm is counting on me.
Elijah: Well we can start with The North where thebigdogs is the BIG DOG. Pretty amazing season.
Jim: 2nd in batting average, 1st in OPS, 1st in runs scored, 3rd in hits, 2nd in base on balls, 1st in stolen bases and 1st in home runs.
Johnny: Just as good in the mound too. 1st in ERA, Whip, BB and runs allowed.
Elijah: Another team that has clinched their division is the Duoz. That covers the North and the South; so we better cover the East next.
Jose: The Beaneaters have a two game lead with ten to play. The 3 teams they have left on their schedule have won 198 games. They do have to play Charlotte on the road; so nothing is settled yet. Their four game winning streak has opened things up a little.
Johnny: Augusta is the team that is two games out. They have 7 home games left finishing the season in Charlotte. The three teams that they have on the schedule have won 220 games.
Jim: That puts Charlotte in an interesting spot. All three teams they have left are in playoff contention, having won 238 games. Four on the road against the Duos and then 3 at home against their division rivals for the league lead.
Johnny: If they can get on a streak and fly into the playoffs with great momentum they would be in a great place to face Fargo.
Elijah: We can cover this some more when we talk wild card. Anybody have any ideas about how the West will end up.
Johnny: I will never count the Stickballers out until the season is over. They always find a way. Even if they don't catch the Islanders, they have the first wild card spot.
Jim: The Stickballers have 10 at home. The three teams have won 228 games. They finish with three against the Islanders. The question is can they knock the Islanders lead down to 2 or even 3 by that last homestand.
Jose: The Islanders have 7 at home before finishing in Portland. The teams they play have won 216 games. I think it looks pretty good for them.
Johnny: Even if you're right, the old genius, Stickman, will take them out in the second round.
Elijah: What about the wildcard race? Is it that close?
Jim: Closer. 4 teams are vying for the last spot. Santa Cruz, Charlotte, Augusta and Cincinnati. Of course if either Augusta or Cincinnati wins the East that would put Boston on the list.
Jose: renrog has that great farm system, What does his competition look like in the last 10.
Johnny: Ironically he plays 4 at home against Cincinnati. If either team gets a sweep it would be huge. Likewise a split might eliminate both teams. After Cinci, the Scream go to Portland, and then finish the season at home against Scottsdale. Those three teams have won 228 games.
Jim: Cincinnati has the hardest schedule. They still have Fargo to go along with Santa Cruz. The three teams total 277 games won.
Elijah: That leaves Augusta and Charlotte. Who has the easier schedule?
Jim: The easier schedule seldom wins.
Johnny: Once again both teams finish the season in Charlotte. The other two teams left for Augusta have won142 games. Charlotte is looking at teams that have won 159 games.
Jose: Still the ten games have to be played. A hero will emerge from the bench or the bullpen. It always happens.
Elijah: Sadder yet, a star player will make an error or strikeout with bases loaded; or a star pitcher will chose the wrong time to feed his gopher. That is why we love this game they call baseball.
Wednesday, January 1, 2020
Drinking with the Scouts
Tonight Elijah Craig is joined by: Jim Beam, Johnny Walker and Jack Daniels
Elijah: Well gentlemen we're down to 14 games. Seems time to try to sort this out. We will talk about the National League first before we go over to that mess in the American League East.
Jack: In the North, Toronto is up by 7, their magic number is 7. Old number 7 you can't beat it.
Jim: Helena is still in the wild card race. They have probably the hardest schedule down the stretch.
The four teams they face have won 312 games this season.
Johnny: The Hot Mess are a team of streaks. They have had 5 streaks where they won 5 or more games in a row. The bad news for mosley80 is that all 14 of his games are on the road.
Jim: He may want it that way. His road record is better than his home record.
Elijah: Who else is in the wildcard race?
Jim: Whoever comes in second in the NL South seems to have a lock on the first wild card. Helena has competition for the last spot with Vegas and San Juan. St. Louis and Albuquerque are still in right now but they are long shots.
Elijah: How close is that race in the NL South?
Johnny: The Blues trail the Wharf Rats by 2 games. Anybody know who has the harder schedule?
Jim: The two teams play at Memphis the last three games of the season. Memphis ends the season with a ten games homestand. The three teams they play before Charleston have won 179 games for the season.
Jack: The Wharf Rats have ten games at home before they head to Memphis end the season. The four games series they have starting today with with Washington will probably determine whether they are in first or second when they get to Memphis. Their three opponents have 208 wins but NRC has 82 of them.
Johnny: Either way it goes it seems both will be in the playoffs.
Elijah: What about the other two divisions?
Jack: NRC still has San Juan chasing them down the stretch.
Johnny: What is NRC? Have you renamed a team. I'm confused.
Jack: Johnny, you know I'm lazy; that is why I'm a scout. I'm too lazy to say Washington DC or No Russian Collusion. I just say NRC. Can I go on with the division race.
Elijah: Please do.
Jack: As you know they have a four game series with Charleston and then go home for a seven game home stand and end their season in Cleveland. The three teams they play other than San Juan have won 220 games. San Juan has eight games at home and play the last six on the road. The three teams they play other than NBC have won 152 games.
Elijah: That leaves the West, what is going on out there?
Johnny: Kind of the same thing as the East and South. Vegas is trying to chase down the Super Troopers. They play the last series of the season in Seattle. The three teams Vegas is playing prior to that series have won 196 games. The three Seattle is playing have won 231 games. Seattle does play all the rest of their games at home. I don't know if their three game lead over Vegas will hold up.
Elijah: Let me see if I've got this right; Toronto is in and the others we just don't know about. Seems like it will be an exciting week. That wore me out. Can we do the American League later? I need a drink.
Tonight Elijah Craig is joined by: Jim Beam, Johnny Walker and Jack Daniels
Elijah: Well gentlemen we're down to 14 games. Seems time to try to sort this out. We will talk about the National League first before we go over to that mess in the American League East.
Jack: In the North, Toronto is up by 7, their magic number is 7. Old number 7 you can't beat it.
Jim: Helena is still in the wild card race. They have probably the hardest schedule down the stretch.
The four teams they face have won 312 games this season.
Johnny: The Hot Mess are a team of streaks. They have had 5 streaks where they won 5 or more games in a row. The bad news for mosley80 is that all 14 of his games are on the road.
Jim: He may want it that way. His road record is better than his home record.
Elijah: Who else is in the wildcard race?
Jim: Whoever comes in second in the NL South seems to have a lock on the first wild card. Helena has competition for the last spot with Vegas and San Juan. St. Louis and Albuquerque are still in right now but they are long shots.
Elijah: How close is that race in the NL South?
Johnny: The Blues trail the Wharf Rats by 2 games. Anybody know who has the harder schedule?
Jim: The two teams play at Memphis the last three games of the season. Memphis ends the season with a ten games homestand. The three teams they play before Charleston have won 179 games for the season.
Jack: The Wharf Rats have ten games at home before they head to Memphis end the season. The four games series they have starting today with with Washington will probably determine whether they are in first or second when they get to Memphis. Their three opponents have 208 wins but NRC has 82 of them.
Johnny: Either way it goes it seems both will be in the playoffs.
Elijah: What about the other two divisions?
Jack: NRC still has San Juan chasing them down the stretch.
Johnny: What is NRC? Have you renamed a team. I'm confused.
Jack: Johnny, you know I'm lazy; that is why I'm a scout. I'm too lazy to say Washington DC or No Russian Collusion. I just say NRC. Can I go on with the division race.
Elijah: Please do.
Jack: As you know they have a four game series with Charleston and then go home for a seven game home stand and end their season in Cleveland. The three teams they play other than San Juan have won 220 games. San Juan has eight games at home and play the last six on the road. The three teams they play other than NBC have won 152 games.
Elijah: That leaves the West, what is going on out there?
Johnny: Kind of the same thing as the East and South. Vegas is trying to chase down the Super Troopers. They play the last series of the season in Seattle. The three teams Vegas is playing prior to that series have won 196 games. The three Seattle is playing have won 231 games. Seattle does play all the rest of their games at home. I don't know if their three game lead over Vegas will hold up.
Elijah: Let me see if I've got this right; Toronto is in and the others we just don't know about. Seems like it will be an exciting week. That wore me out. Can we do the American League later? I need a drink.
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