Drinking with the Scouts
Tonight Elijah Craig is joined by Jim Beam, Johnny Walker, and George Dickel
Elijah: Tonight I'd like us to discuss the All-Star game.
George: My player of the game is Chi-Chi Costilla.
Jim: That is an odd choice. Was it because he played second base in the classic and hadn't played the position since season 42.
George: No. He is my player of the game by making the last out of the game with the tying run on third base.
Johnny: Your right, nobody wants to play extra innings in the All Star game. It seemed odd to me that Rey Jung was player of the game. Not that he wasn't deserving but a two run homer in the first inning in a game with 13 runs scored. Like I said it seemed odd to me.
Jim: Are you hinting that the guys with votes checked out early.
George: Elijah, weren't you one of the guys who had a vote for player of the game.
Elijah: As always I was here all night.
George: But you had a vote.
Elijah: Well, yes but I didn't have the only vote.
Johnny: Elijah you couldn't have watch the whole game.
Elijah: Actually I couldn't. The cable network went down. I voted for the only guy I saw do something. I was amazed when he won the award. So smart guys who would you have chosen for player of the game.
George: I already told you my guy.
Elijah: I always thought Jack was the agitator when you too got together; but maybe I was wrong all that time.
Johnny: I pick Cameron Burns of the American League. Only 5 guys got 2 hits in the game and he was one of them. He scored 2 runs and knocked in three. He's my guy.
Jim: I won't pick one guy. The National league used eight pitchers. Four were starters and four were relievers.The four relief pitchers got eight outs giving up 6 runs. The four starters pitched six and a third innings giving up no runs. Starters got both the win and the save. I know it's not picking one but I'll take the starters.
Elijah: Well guys that just about wraps this up. Thanks for coming.
Monday, December 30, 2019
Sunday, December 15, 2019
Tuesday night drinking with the scouts
Tonight Elijah Craig is joined by Johnny Walker, George Dickel and Jack Daniels
Elijah: Since the home run derby was yesterday, I thought we might like to to spend some time talking about it.
George: First thing I'd like to say is, who picked these people. they left Crosby, Paul, Nieves and Lofton on the on deck circle; so to speak.
Jack: It's an exhibition, George. For crying out loud why are you always so negative. Nobody is going to remember who won the homer derby this time next year. It's all for fun, folks who can't afford tickets to the all star game get to see something and TV gets to kill some summer reruns with something new.
Johnny: You mean it's all about money.
Jack: Exactually.
Elijah: Johnny have you noticed, just having George and Jack in the same room draws the discussion off course. Guys are we going to discuss the home run derby or marketing?
Jack: It speaks loudly to how players are being developed that nobody over 30 was in the derby and only two were over 27.
Johnny: Yea, this is a league with a lot of special young players.
George: What surprised me was that Jeimer Ortega had 31 homers at this point in the season and only managed 3 in the first round. I would have loved to see him and Yan Nunez going at in the final round. They both had 31 entering the all star break. An old guy like Ortega(30) against a youngster like Nunez(25).
Johnny: Speaking of age, do you think we have ever had two 22 year olds in the derby in the same year before? Memphis' Markus Roth and Scottsdale's Cameron Burns with ridiculously power at that age.
George: Probably, a lot of the derby is about marketing the young up and comers to create interests for the coming years.
Jack: Elijah, George starts about marketing again. Aren't we supposed to be talking about the event and the results.
Elijah: We are and we will. You understand George? George don't leave!
George: I'm not, I'm just going to get another bottle. I'm almost out.
Johnny: It did seem to me that the really young guys got caught up in the moment and didn't have their best day. three of the four eliminated in the first round were under 25.
Jack: The one we haven't mentioned by name so far is Cy Eaton. Wow, the Voodoo have a good one in him. Last season he hit 39 for the whole year and this year he already has 27.
George: Some of that is picc818 relocating his franchise to Vancouver. Oklahoma City is where crushed fly balls become outs. It was really smart of pic to move to a location to accentuate the talents of his young players.
Johnny: Did you say Eaton hit 39 playing his half a season in Oklahoma City?
Jack: Yes That is what I said.
Johnny: Oh what will he do when he's 27 and in Vancouver?
Elijah: Time to wrap this up boys, I'm getting sleepy. Last thoughts.
George: I think it's weird that the top four from the first round advance regardless of their league. I think it would be more interesting if you took two from each league. That would have Roth advance instead of Nunez.
Jack: We've been talking for what a half an hour and nobody has mentioned champion Louis Howard. He's hit 40 or more homers the last four seasons and is on pace to do it again this year. You look in dictionary under the word consistent and you see his picture.
George: Jack, did you really just say that. That is the worst cliche. Get better material.
Jack: Shut up George.
Elijah: You get the last word Johnny.
Johnny: Just looking at the standings; it seems only Ortega is playing for a team in a close race. Sometimes it seems the derby messes up a player swing and he regresses as the season goes to its conclusion. Seventy_77 better hope it doesn't happen to Jeimer. My guess is that Toronto needs him to hit fifty to overtake mosley80 and the Hot Mess.
Elijah: Good night, see you tomorrow.
Tonight Elijah Craig is joined by Johnny Walker, George Dickel and Jack Daniels
Elijah: Since the home run derby was yesterday, I thought we might like to to spend some time talking about it.
George: First thing I'd like to say is, who picked these people. they left Crosby, Paul, Nieves and Lofton on the on deck circle; so to speak.
Jack: It's an exhibition, George. For crying out loud why are you always so negative. Nobody is going to remember who won the homer derby this time next year. It's all for fun, folks who can't afford tickets to the all star game get to see something and TV gets to kill some summer reruns with something new.
Johnny: You mean it's all about money.
Jack: Exactually.
Elijah: Johnny have you noticed, just having George and Jack in the same room draws the discussion off course. Guys are we going to discuss the home run derby or marketing?
Jack: It speaks loudly to how players are being developed that nobody over 30 was in the derby and only two were over 27.
Johnny: Yea, this is a league with a lot of special young players.
George: What surprised me was that Jeimer Ortega had 31 homers at this point in the season and only managed 3 in the first round. I would have loved to see him and Yan Nunez going at in the final round. They both had 31 entering the all star break. An old guy like Ortega(30) against a youngster like Nunez(25).
Johnny: Speaking of age, do you think we have ever had two 22 year olds in the derby in the same year before? Memphis' Markus Roth and Scottsdale's Cameron Burns with ridiculously power at that age.
George: Probably, a lot of the derby is about marketing the young up and comers to create interests for the coming years.
Jack: Elijah, George starts about marketing again. Aren't we supposed to be talking about the event and the results.
Elijah: We are and we will. You understand George? George don't leave!
George: I'm not, I'm just going to get another bottle. I'm almost out.
Johnny: It did seem to me that the really young guys got caught up in the moment and didn't have their best day. three of the four eliminated in the first round were under 25.
Jack: The one we haven't mentioned by name so far is Cy Eaton. Wow, the Voodoo have a good one in him. Last season he hit 39 for the whole year and this year he already has 27.
George: Some of that is picc818 relocating his franchise to Vancouver. Oklahoma City is where crushed fly balls become outs. It was really smart of pic to move to a location to accentuate the talents of his young players.
Johnny: Did you say Eaton hit 39 playing his half a season in Oklahoma City?
Jack: Yes That is what I said.
Johnny: Oh what will he do when he's 27 and in Vancouver?
Elijah: Time to wrap this up boys, I'm getting sleepy. Last thoughts.
George: I think it's weird that the top four from the first round advance regardless of their league. I think it would be more interesting if you took two from each league. That would have Roth advance instead of Nunez.
Jack: We've been talking for what a half an hour and nobody has mentioned champion Louis Howard. He's hit 40 or more homers the last four seasons and is on pace to do it again this year. You look in dictionary under the word consistent and you see his picture.
George: Jack, did you really just say that. That is the worst cliche. Get better material.
Jack: Shut up George.
Elijah: You get the last word Johnny.
Johnny: Just looking at the standings; it seems only Ortega is playing for a team in a close race. Sometimes it seems the derby messes up a player swing and he regresses as the season goes to its conclusion. Seventy_77 better hope it doesn't happen to Jeimer. My guess is that Toronto needs him to hit fifty to overtake mosley80 and the Hot Mess.
Elijah: Good night, see you tomorrow.
Sunday, December 8, 2019
Saturday night drinking with the scouts
This week Elijah Craig is joined by Jim Beam, Johnny Walker, and Jack Daniels
Elijah: We need to talk about who is helping their team and who isn't. We are half way through the season.
Jack: Well I'm always a fan of the homer. Trever Crosby has already hit 34 for San Antonio. Anybody wants to bet that he hits more than 65?
Johnny: We are drinkers not bettors. You drink and bet, you go broke. Just provide your wisdom to us about Crosby.
Jack: The Rustlers have scored 378 runs this season.
Jim: The league average is only 388. That team is right where it should be offensively.
Jack: I know Jim. The point I want to make is that Trever has been directly involved with 95 of the runs the Rustlers have scored. That is a little over 1 of every 4 wins they score.
Jim: Would you care to define"directly invoved" ? You may be using that RC stat that they put out. i don't care for some of this new stuff in analytics.
Jack: My use of "directly involved " is runs scored plus runs batted in, minus home runs.
Johnny: You penalizing him for homers?
Jack: On a homer you get both a run scored and an rbi. I'm just counting runs; can't give him two if only one counts are my scorecard.
Jim: How the hell do you hit 34 dingers and not make the all star team?
Jack: Are you kidding me. I haven't checked who made and didn't make the teams.
Elijah: Guys, the all star game and rosters are for a different night, please get back to Crosby.
Jack: He's 31 and has a season and half left on his contract.
Jim: You think the cowboy will trade him?
Jack: Jim, you know I think anyone is tradeable. In this case I think the cowboy would need 2 great prospects and a major leaguer who would also be movable for more prospects.
Johnny: Why do you always try to get four prospects for one player. It just isn't done.
Jack: In this case I think vegascowboy is better off keeping him than just getting three prospects.
Jim: You might be able to talk somebody out of two top prospects, but the third one isn't going to be somebody to help you up the hill to the playoffs. Nobody gives that much of their farm system for one guy. Now, that thought of getting someone else to trade for youngsters is really sharp. You should get a franchise Jack.
Jack: I inquired a few season back. Stickman said I bad element and wouldn't let me in the league. Does anybody what a bad element is? What does that mean?
Johnny: It means he wasn't letting you have a franchise and used words you didn't understand. It just expedited the conversation. Jack, you do know what expedite means?
Jack: Ha Ha Johnny, very funny.
Elijah: Come on guy, no infighting. Anybody else got a guy who is really having a good year.
Jim: Bridger Presley already has 15 wins for the Mud Dogs. He might win 30 this year.
Johnny: This league has never had anyone win 30 games. Paxton Bold won 27 in season 2 of this league.
Jack: I'm a guy interested in scoring runs so I don't know much about Presley. Tell me about him.
Jim: Johnny, he is well paid; $7 million a year; with two more years left on the contract. He will be 35 when the contract comes around. He should be have about 200 wins when he comes up for his next contract.
Elijah: Johnny, anybody you like so far this season?
Johnny: I like Yan Nunez a lot. He's 25 years old and can pretty much play anywhere but pitcher and catcher. He has 73 runs scored and 71 rbi. I guess I can figure out his directly invovled runs. Let see, it's 119 for a team that scores 419 runs.
Jim: That would be little better than Crosby. Crosby was at 25%. If my math is correct Nunez is like 27% or 28%.
Johnny: He also made the all star team. He was sign as an international in season 43 with a bonus of $14 million by the previous owner of the Boise franchise.
Elijah: We really haven't covered many of the best players in this league but I don't think my liver can take much more. Hope to see you next Saturday.
This week Elijah Craig is joined by Jim Beam, Johnny Walker, and Jack Daniels
Elijah: We need to talk about who is helping their team and who isn't. We are half way through the season.
Jack: Well I'm always a fan of the homer. Trever Crosby has already hit 34 for San Antonio. Anybody wants to bet that he hits more than 65?
Johnny: We are drinkers not bettors. You drink and bet, you go broke. Just provide your wisdom to us about Crosby.
Jack: The Rustlers have scored 378 runs this season.
Jim: The league average is only 388. That team is right where it should be offensively.
Jack: I know Jim. The point I want to make is that Trever has been directly involved with 95 of the runs the Rustlers have scored. That is a little over 1 of every 4 wins they score.
Jim: Would you care to define"directly invoved" ? You may be using that RC stat that they put out. i don't care for some of this new stuff in analytics.
Jack: My use of "directly involved " is runs scored plus runs batted in, minus home runs.
Johnny: You penalizing him for homers?
Jack: On a homer you get both a run scored and an rbi. I'm just counting runs; can't give him two if only one counts are my scorecard.
Jim: How the hell do you hit 34 dingers and not make the all star team?
Jack: Are you kidding me. I haven't checked who made and didn't make the teams.
Elijah: Guys, the all star game and rosters are for a different night, please get back to Crosby.
Jack: He's 31 and has a season and half left on his contract.
Jim: You think the cowboy will trade him?
Jack: Jim, you know I think anyone is tradeable. In this case I think the cowboy would need 2 great prospects and a major leaguer who would also be movable for more prospects.
Johnny: Why do you always try to get four prospects for one player. It just isn't done.
Jack: In this case I think vegascowboy is better off keeping him than just getting three prospects.
Jim: You might be able to talk somebody out of two top prospects, but the third one isn't going to be somebody to help you up the hill to the playoffs. Nobody gives that much of their farm system for one guy. Now, that thought of getting someone else to trade for youngsters is really sharp. You should get a franchise Jack.
Jack: I inquired a few season back. Stickman said I bad element and wouldn't let me in the league. Does anybody what a bad element is? What does that mean?
Johnny: It means he wasn't letting you have a franchise and used words you didn't understand. It just expedited the conversation. Jack, you do know what expedite means?
Jack: Ha Ha Johnny, very funny.
Elijah: Come on guy, no infighting. Anybody else got a guy who is really having a good year.
Jim: Bridger Presley already has 15 wins for the Mud Dogs. He might win 30 this year.
Johnny: This league has never had anyone win 30 games. Paxton Bold won 27 in season 2 of this league.
Jack: I'm a guy interested in scoring runs so I don't know much about Presley. Tell me about him.
Jim: Johnny, he is well paid; $7 million a year; with two more years left on the contract. He will be 35 when the contract comes around. He should be have about 200 wins when he comes up for his next contract.
Elijah: Johnny, anybody you like so far this season?
Johnny: I like Yan Nunez a lot. He's 25 years old and can pretty much play anywhere but pitcher and catcher. He has 73 runs scored and 71 rbi. I guess I can figure out his directly invovled runs. Let see, it's 119 for a team that scores 419 runs.
Jim: That would be little better than Crosby. Crosby was at 25%. If my math is correct Nunez is like 27% or 28%.
Johnny: He also made the all star team. He was sign as an international in season 43 with a bonus of $14 million by the previous owner of the Boise franchise.
Elijah: We really haven't covered many of the best players in this league but I don't think my liver can take much more. Hope to see you next Saturday.
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Saturday night at the Barleymoe
Elijah Craig is joined this week by Johnny Walker, Jim Beam and Jose Cuervo
Elijah: We don't often discuss a game. We don't often discuss hall of famers. We don't often discuss anything this interesting. You guys catch the match-up between Vancouver and Las Vegas the other day?
Johnny: Vegas! That is my team I love that team. All my young guys are on that team.
Jose: Johnny, it's not about you or your young guys. It about those two antiques that took the mound.
Johnny: We are scouts. IT'S ALWAYS ABOUT THE YOUNG GUYS.
Elijah: Johnny please don't shout. I thought we covered that last week. Don't upset the waitress or she won't come to our table. She doesn't like loud. She likes quiet guys that just look at her. If you piss her off and I have to go to the bar for my drinks; I replace you with Samuel Adams. So please be respectful.
Jose: We had two guys who are headed for the Hall of Fame. Vancouver started Yunesky De Los Santos, winner of 298 games at the start of this season. Vegas started Jose Torres who had won 319 games.
Jose: Think about it. 300 wins used to put guys in the Hall of Fame. Back in the day when you had a four man rotation and 154 game schedule; a guy made 38 or 39 starts. Even when the season expanded to 162 games that gave starters 2 more starts a season.
Jim: I think you are headed to that odd statistic. 300 wins is like winning every start for over seven and half years. Times change. 300 wins shouldn't be the standard anymore. Five man rotations make the standard 240 wins for the Hall of Fame.
Jose: Jim are you making my argument for me?
Jim: Just saying you are behind the times. Actually giving them more credit than you are.
Johnny: I don't know old guys can you talk about the guys I know.
Elijah: Guys nobody breaks down games like me. Shut up. Let me take you through the game. Twelve inning game, 13 base runners, 3 runs scored.
Through 5 and a half innings the only hit was a homer by Socks Gross in the second inning for the Voodoo.
Johnny: Gross, was the fifth pick in the season 39 draft. picc818 turned down many trade offers since he drafted him. He hits a dinger every 13 at bats in the major leagues.
Elijah: Johnny, am I giving the game story and your....
Johnny: Just think of me as your color guy Elijah!
Elijah: Whatever. Torres gave up a solo homer and was pulled after 5 innings. It seems like he is on a pitch count but maybe not.
Johnny: Yea, with that homer Torres has given up a homer every 39 at bats.
Elijah: Thank you sooo much Johnny.
Jose: Are you making the argument that Torres is three times better than Gross?
Johnny: How am I suppose to figure that?
Elijah: Jose, Please don't encourage him. Really! Please! So far the game doesn't seem that unusual. Shaw started for Guerrero at shortstop for Vegas.
Jim: Shaw kills lefties. Still the defensive difference between Guerrero and Shaw is pretty steep.
Elijah: Managers are going to do what they think is best. I'm getting ahead of myself but there were only two defensive plays in the whole game worth mention. Neither were errors. In the fourth Cy Eaton made a great play on a lead off grounder by Max Halter. And in the eighth the Galaxy's Shawn Maronde chased down a drive in to left-center with a runner on first base.
Johnny: Maronde one of my guys!!
Elijah: Thank you, Johnny. Vegas' offense got it's first hit and two runners on base in the bottom of the 5th.
Elijah: More than you or my three ex-wives could ever imagine. But about the game, with runner on first and second with one out neither the seven or eighth batter in the lineup could deliver. That set Vegas up in a bad situation. The pitcher would lead off the bottom of the sixth.
Jose: Did it surprise you that Vegas brought in their best relief pitcher O'Donnell in the sixth inning?
Elijah: Yea that was a gutsy call by the manager. He could have gone with anybody in the bullpen and pinch-hit to start the bottom of the sixth. However O'Donnell gave him three innings of 1 hit relief. Seems like the right call to me. Halter did have a triple after O'Donnell struck out . Unfortunately neither Rondon or Villarealcould bring him in.
Johnny: Are you picking on my young guys.
Elijah: Just going through the game Johnny, calm down. In the top of the seventh Gross got another hit, a single. Going to the top of the eighth both team have two hits. Vancouver leads 1-0. De Los Santos still on the mound for Vegas. Earl Mullin leads off with a base on balls. De Los Santos coming up. Jim do you pinch hit or bunt?
Jim: Who is on the bench?
Elijah: F. P. James and Wayne Donahue are the lefty batters.
Jose: Do you stay with the stud pitcher and bunt or do pull the Hall of Framer and pray. I always stay with the cream. Even if he can't get the bunt down, he's a career .181 hitter with 9 doubles and 3 homers.
Elijah: Jim do you pinch hit or bunt. Nobody asked you Jose.
Jim: I don't have to decide; that's why I drink with you in the bar Elijah.
Elijah: So SAD. Okay Johnny what do you think.
Johnny: You know me Elijah. Why do the simple when you can do the extreme.
Jose: Are suggesting the hit and run with a 40 year old pitcher at the plate?
Johnny: Hell YES! Who would have expected that.
Jose: Certainly not Earl Mullin at first base. He is a good baserunner but really Johnny?
Elijah: Well the bunt wasn't a good one and now De Los Santos is on first and he's still there at the end of the inning. De Los Santos records all three outs in the bottom of the eighth, including pinch hitter Dude Haren for pitcher O'Donnell.
Elijah: It's the top of the ninth. 1-0 Vancouver. Sammy Martin replaces O'Donnell on the hill. He hits Avisail Ozuna with a pitch, gives up a single to Cy Eaton and then walks Socks Gross.
Johnny: Walking Gross who has two hits already was a good move.
Elijah: Johnny you doing color again?
Johnny; Yea!
Elijah: Don't
Elijah: Bases loaded top of the ninth. Sammy Martin bearing down. Theodore Glynn lines out. Catcher Geronimo Gonzalez hit a ground ball to first to Benny Rondon who throws to home for the second out. Virgil Hernandez pitch hits for Earl Mullin and grounds out.
Elijah: Bottom of the ninth. 1-0 game. Voodoo trying to nail it down. Javier Flores in the game to nail it down of Hall of Fame De Los Santos. Flores converted 36 of 37 saves last season. Should be game over. Not to be tonight. Max Halter leads off the bottom of the ninth with a lead off homer.
Jim: It's a shame Jack isn't here, tonight. He would like that his defensive ace hit a game tying homer.
Elijah: Jack's not here. Still Halter hits a homer every ten games in his major league career, And this may have been the biggest.
Jose: How many defensive centerfieldershit a home run every ten games?
Johnny: Not many, thank god isn't here Jack would never shut up.
Elijah: Johnny, why don't you shut up and we finish this game re-cap.
Johnny: If I bought you a drink would you treat me better?
Elijah: One drink only turns on my hearing aid. why don't we try to finish the game re-cap.
After Halter's home run, the Galaxy get two more hits but fail to score the winning run.
The tenth inning is a bust for both teams. Each team uses a pinch hitter unsuccessfully.
The eleventh inning doesn't even produce a baserunner for either team.
In the Twelfth T Glynn leads off with a double for the Voodoo. Geronimo Gonzalez is don't a good bunter. Gynn has some speed. Jim do you bunt or steal?
Jim: I don't steal on Bravo. Career he throws out of 40% of the guys trying to take second base on him.
Elijah: It's the twelfth inning, how many guys do have hitting over .400?
Jose: That isn't a discussion we can have here.
Johnny: You made it abundantly clear i'm suppose to be quiet, How did the game end?
Elijah: Glynn dies on second base and Durbin hits a walk off homer in the 12th.
Johnny: OH YEA, THAT IS MY MAN, DURBIN !!!!
Elijah: Johnny, please, we discussed this , the waitress hates when you scream and I hate to have to go to bar to get my drink, Can you be be discreet?
Johnny: OH YEA, THAT IS MY MAN, DUBIN
Elijah Craig is joined this week by Johnny Walker, Jim Beam and Jose Cuervo
Elijah: We don't often discuss a game. We don't often discuss hall of famers. We don't often discuss anything this interesting. You guys catch the match-up between Vancouver and Las Vegas the other day?
Johnny: Vegas! That is my team I love that team. All my young guys are on that team.
Jose: Johnny, it's not about you or your young guys. It about those two antiques that took the mound.
Johnny: We are scouts. IT'S ALWAYS ABOUT THE YOUNG GUYS.
Elijah: Johnny please don't shout. I thought we covered that last week. Don't upset the waitress or she won't come to our table. She doesn't like loud. She likes quiet guys that just look at her. If you piss her off and I have to go to the bar for my drinks; I replace you with Samuel Adams. So please be respectful.
Jose: We had two guys who are headed for the Hall of Fame. Vancouver started Yunesky De Los Santos, winner of 298 games at the start of this season. Vegas started Jose Torres who had won 319 games.
Jose: Think about it. 300 wins used to put guys in the Hall of Fame. Back in the day when you had a four man rotation and 154 game schedule; a guy made 38 or 39 starts. Even when the season expanded to 162 games that gave starters 2 more starts a season.
Jim: I think you are headed to that odd statistic. 300 wins is like winning every start for over seven and half years. Times change. 300 wins shouldn't be the standard anymore. Five man rotations make the standard 240 wins for the Hall of Fame.
Jose: Jim are you making my argument for me?
Jim: Just saying you are behind the times. Actually giving them more credit than you are.
Johnny: I don't know old guys can you talk about the guys I know.
Elijah: Guys nobody breaks down games like me. Shut up. Let me take you through the game. Twelve inning game, 13 base runners, 3 runs scored.
Through 5 and a half innings the only hit was a homer by Socks Gross in the second inning for the Voodoo.
Johnny: Gross, was the fifth pick in the season 39 draft. picc818 turned down many trade offers since he drafted him. He hits a dinger every 13 at bats in the major leagues.
Elijah: Johnny, am I giving the game story and your....
Johnny: Just think of me as your color guy Elijah!
Elijah: Whatever. Torres gave up a solo homer and was pulled after 5 innings. It seems like he is on a pitch count but maybe not.
Johnny: Yea, with that homer Torres has given up a homer every 39 at bats.
Elijah: Thank you sooo much Johnny.
Jose: Are you making the argument that Torres is three times better than Gross?
Johnny: How am I suppose to figure that?
Elijah: Jose, Please don't encourage him. Really! Please! So far the game doesn't seem that unusual. Shaw started for Guerrero at shortstop for Vegas.
Jim: Shaw kills lefties. Still the defensive difference between Guerrero and Shaw is pretty steep.
Elijah: Managers are going to do what they think is best. I'm getting ahead of myself but there were only two defensive plays in the whole game worth mention. Neither were errors. In the fourth Cy Eaton made a great play on a lead off grounder by Max Halter. And in the eighth the Galaxy's Shawn Maronde chased down a drive in to left-center with a runner on first base.
Johnny: Maronde one of my guys!!
Elijah: Thank you, Johnny. Vegas' offense got it's first hit and two runners on base in the bottom of the 5th.
Elijah: More than you or my three ex-wives could ever imagine. But about the game, with runner on first and second with one out neither the seven or eighth batter in the lineup could deliver. That set Vegas up in a bad situation. The pitcher would lead off the bottom of the sixth.
Jose: Did it surprise you that Vegas brought in their best relief pitcher O'Donnell in the sixth inning?
Elijah: Yea that was a gutsy call by the manager. He could have gone with anybody in the bullpen and pinch-hit to start the bottom of the sixth. However O'Donnell gave him three innings of 1 hit relief. Seems like the right call to me. Halter did have a triple after O'Donnell struck out . Unfortunately neither Rondon or Villarealcould bring him in.
Johnny: Are you picking on my young guys.
Elijah: Just going through the game Johnny, calm down. In the top of the seventh Gross got another hit, a single. Going to the top of the eighth both team have two hits. Vancouver leads 1-0. De Los Santos still on the mound for Vegas. Earl Mullin leads off with a base on balls. De Los Santos coming up. Jim do you pinch hit or bunt?
Jim: Who is on the bench?
Elijah: F. P. James and Wayne Donahue are the lefty batters.
Jose: Do you stay with the stud pitcher and bunt or do pull the Hall of Framer and pray. I always stay with the cream. Even if he can't get the bunt down, he's a career .181 hitter with 9 doubles and 3 homers.
Elijah: Jim do you pinch hit or bunt. Nobody asked you Jose.
Jim: I don't have to decide; that's why I drink with you in the bar Elijah.
Elijah: So SAD. Okay Johnny what do you think.
Johnny: You know me Elijah. Why do the simple when you can do the extreme.
Jose: Are suggesting the hit and run with a 40 year old pitcher at the plate?
Johnny: Hell YES! Who would have expected that.
Jose: Certainly not Earl Mullin at first base. He is a good baserunner but really Johnny?
Elijah: Well the bunt wasn't a good one and now De Los Santos is on first and he's still there at the end of the inning. De Los Santos records all three outs in the bottom of the eighth, including pinch hitter Dude Haren for pitcher O'Donnell.
Elijah: It's the top of the ninth. 1-0 Vancouver. Sammy Martin replaces O'Donnell on the hill. He hits Avisail Ozuna with a pitch, gives up a single to Cy Eaton and then walks Socks Gross.
Johnny: Walking Gross who has two hits already was a good move.
Elijah: Johnny you doing color again?
Johnny; Yea!
Elijah: Don't
Elijah: Bases loaded top of the ninth. Sammy Martin bearing down. Theodore Glynn lines out. Catcher Geronimo Gonzalez hit a ground ball to first to Benny Rondon who throws to home for the second out. Virgil Hernandez pitch hits for Earl Mullin and grounds out.
Elijah: Bottom of the ninth. 1-0 game. Voodoo trying to nail it down. Javier Flores in the game to nail it down of Hall of Fame De Los Santos. Flores converted 36 of 37 saves last season. Should be game over. Not to be tonight. Max Halter leads off the bottom of the ninth with a lead off homer.
Jim: It's a shame Jack isn't here, tonight. He would like that his defensive ace hit a game tying homer.
Elijah: Jack's not here. Still Halter hits a homer every ten games in his major league career, And this may have been the biggest.
Jose: How many defensive centerfieldershit a home run every ten games?
Johnny: Not many, thank god isn't here Jack would never shut up.
Elijah: Johnny, why don't you shut up and we finish this game re-cap.
Johnny: If I bought you a drink would you treat me better?
Elijah: One drink only turns on my hearing aid. why don't we try to finish the game re-cap.
After Halter's home run, the Galaxy get two more hits but fail to score the winning run.
The tenth inning is a bust for both teams. Each team uses a pinch hitter unsuccessfully.
The eleventh inning doesn't even produce a baserunner for either team.
In the Twelfth T Glynn leads off with a double for the Voodoo. Geronimo Gonzalez is don't a good bunter. Gynn has some speed. Jim do you bunt or steal?
Jim: I don't steal on Bravo. Career he throws out of 40% of the guys trying to take second base on him.
Elijah: It's the twelfth inning, how many guys do have hitting over .400?
Jose: That isn't a discussion we can have here.
Johnny: You made it abundantly clear i'm suppose to be quiet, How did the game end?
Elijah: Glynn dies on second base and Durbin hits a walk off homer in the 12th.
Johnny: OH YEA, THAT IS MY MAN, DURBIN !!!!
Elijah: Johnny, please, we discussed this , the waitress hates when you scream and I hate to have to go to bar to get my drink, Can you be be discreet?
Johnny: OH YEA, THAT IS MY MAN, DUBIN
Sunday, November 10, 2019
Sunday noon at the Barleymoe
Elijah: You guys are in early, I'm impressed.
Jack : You changed your clothes Elijah, did you leave.
Elijah: Hell no, I never leave the Barley. My cleaners delivers my clothes here. I have an arrangement.
Johnny: Elijah, you got to get out or the next place you going to is a hospital.
Elijah: That is not going to happen. I want to know why last night ended so quickly. We were doing good until the waitress came by and wanted to know which one of you guys were going to give her a ride home. What was that about.
Jim: We don't even know her name. What is her name Elijah?
Elijah: Her name, how should I know. She seems to answer to whatever name she is called. I've heard her called Carol, Candace, Candy, and Cherise. My guess is that as long as you call her a name that starts with C, she will take real good care of you.
Johnny: Oh my god Elijah you need to get out of here occasionnally.
Jack: We aren't getting much done here.
Jim: I like a couple of guys on the Beaneaters. They have a centerfielder Cliff Lee.
Jack: He doesn't hit right-handers. He will not be rookie of the year lets move on. Who is the other guy, Jim?
Jim: The other guy is a second baseman Phil Searle.
Johnny: That was the guy selected with the first pick in the season 43 draft.
Jack: That guy has averages 46 homers over four minor league seasons.
Elijah: He sounds good, who wants another drink.
Jim: Elijah, it not 12:30 yet.
Jack: I saw a guy in Austin in spring training. Juan Sardinas, very promising.
Jim: He's just another sinker, slider guy. You love those guys but they are never the cream of the crop.
Johnny: Rich Winn in Cleveland is a pretty good prospect.
Jim: He's great when he's healthy. But he doesn't stay healthy. Nobody hits cleanup on the disabled list.
Elijah: Why haven't any of you smart guys mentioned Ivan Tomas of Helena.
Jack: How do know about him? You don't scout you just sit here and drink.
Elijah: I scout. They have cable here. I think he was even drafted. You guys know that stuff, was he?
Johnny: Yes the same draft as Searle. So Elijah, what can you tell us about him.
Elijah: He looked good on the tube and the waitress said he was cute. She is better predicting players than me; so I thought I throw that out.
Jim: So guys who wins rookie of the year? I like Phil Searle.
Jack: I like Albert Perez
Johnny: It's got to be Russell Durbin.
Elijah: The Tarot Cards say ......
Jim: Did he just pass out. It's not 1 PM yet.
Johnny: I'll see you guys next Saturday. Maybe he will tell us what his cards said.
Jack: Yea, next week.
Elijah: You guys are in early, I'm impressed.
Jack : You changed your clothes Elijah, did you leave.
Elijah: Hell no, I never leave the Barley. My cleaners delivers my clothes here. I have an arrangement.
Johnny: Elijah, you got to get out or the next place you going to is a hospital.
Elijah: That is not going to happen. I want to know why last night ended so quickly. We were doing good until the waitress came by and wanted to know which one of you guys were going to give her a ride home. What was that about.
Jim: We don't even know her name. What is her name Elijah?
Elijah: Her name, how should I know. She seems to answer to whatever name she is called. I've heard her called Carol, Candace, Candy, and Cherise. My guess is that as long as you call her a name that starts with C, she will take real good care of you.
Johnny: Oh my god Elijah you need to get out of here occasionnally.
Jack: We aren't getting much done here.
Jim: I like a couple of guys on the Beaneaters. They have a centerfielder Cliff Lee.
Jack: He doesn't hit right-handers. He will not be rookie of the year lets move on. Who is the other guy, Jim?
Jim: The other guy is a second baseman Phil Searle.
Johnny: That was the guy selected with the first pick in the season 43 draft.
Jack: That guy has averages 46 homers over four minor league seasons.
Elijah: He sounds good, who wants another drink.
Jim: Elijah, it not 12:30 yet.
Jack: I saw a guy in Austin in spring training. Juan Sardinas, very promising.
Jim: He's just another sinker, slider guy. You love those guys but they are never the cream of the crop.
Johnny: Rich Winn in Cleveland is a pretty good prospect.
Jim: He's great when he's healthy. But he doesn't stay healthy. Nobody hits cleanup on the disabled list.
Elijah: Why haven't any of you smart guys mentioned Ivan Tomas of Helena.
Jack: How do know about him? You don't scout you just sit here and drink.
Elijah: I scout. They have cable here. I think he was even drafted. You guys know that stuff, was he?
Johnny: Yes the same draft as Searle. So Elijah, what can you tell us about him.
Elijah: He looked good on the tube and the waitress said he was cute. She is better predicting players than me; so I thought I throw that out.
Jim: So guys who wins rookie of the year? I like Phil Searle.
Jack: I like Albert Perez
Johnny: It's got to be Russell Durbin.
Elijah: The Tarot Cards say ......
Jim: Did he just pass out. It's not 1 PM yet.
Johnny: I'll see you guys next Saturday. Maybe he will tell us what his cards said.
Jack: Yea, next week.
Saturday, November 9, 2019
Saturday night at the Barleymoe
Little did you know that the league has a set of scouts, or would be scouts, that meet at the Barleymoe Pub to discuss this league. It really is a large group but since occasionally they do scout not all members are ever at the pub any given week. Elijah Craig is always at Barleymoe. He seems to scout using TV, the internet and Tarot Cards. The other scouts this week are Jack Daniels, Jim Beam and Johnny Walker.
Elijah: I'm drinking to the new season and don't care what you guys talk about just don't be so loud that the waitress doesn't want to come over and refill my glass.
Johnny: I think we ought to predict who is this years rookie of the year.
Jack: We never get this right. Why are we doing it again this year. It's always someone who starts at triple-A and gets called up.
Elijah: Not so loud Jack the waitress just looked over here. She's not happy with us and I need another drink.
Jim: Elijah we just got here. How can you need another drink already.
Elijah: You forget I work out of here. I've been here a couple of days.
Johnny: I really like the four young guys playing for Vegas. Alcides Villareal, Benny Rondon, Russell Durbin and Shawn Maronde are all studs.
Jim: What the hell Johnny, I scouted those guys more than you. Sure they can mash the ball but I thought they were all left fielders. You can't play three left fielders on one team. It won't work.
Johnny: Damnit Jim you know that anybody who hits and plays left field can play first base. So only one of them is out of position.
Jack: Hell yes. And Jack Halter is playing center field. He can cover both center and right. If he's in center any of us could play right field, well maybe not Elijah.
Jim: So Johnny which left fielder do you like the best.
Johnny: Durbin.You know I like right handed hitters that own right handed pitchers. He has good power, a good eye and really likes the righties.
Jack: He is going to strike out too much. I like Rondon. He actually hits righties better than Durbin and is better against southpaws.
Johnny: Durbin is better defensively. Don't you care about defense, Jack?
Jack: Not when Jack Halter is playing centerfield.
Jim: You guys haven't mentioned Shawn Maronde. He has good power and is more well rounded than the others. In fact one time I was visiting my aunt Myrtle in Moody Alabama and saw him hit 3 homers for Odenville in one game.
Elijah: Have I had too much to drink, or does anything you just said makes sense?
Jim: Elijah if you ever got out of here and actually scouted you would know about rivalries.
Odenville and Moody are bitter enemies on the ball field. The year I scouted Maronde, Moody was horrible but I waited until Odenville was playing in Moody to see Maronde. All expenses paid trip to see my aunt Myrtle.
Elijah: What do you other two guys think of Maronde?
Jack: He's okay but he's no Rondon.
Johnny: Yea, and he's no Durbin; either.
Elijah: Did you guys leave out the Galaxy player who doesn't play left field.
Johnny: Yes we did Elijah. Alcides Villareal is a good second base man with a good bat. Not the power of the outfielders but he is a solid player. I might like him better than Durbin.
Jack: Forget these guys in Vegas. Vegas is not a place someone should work. These are young guys. The booze, the girls, the gambling. Young guys aren't going to able to concentrate on what they need to do to be stars until they are older. I just scouted the west coast. I found three studs, one in Seattle and two in Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz has these two really fine pitchers. I don't know if you guys understand how to scout pitchers. It takes a finer eye; like mine.
Jim: Are you talking about Josmil Corpas? You think he's your secret? The guy with sinker they call the Newton pitch because it drops so much. He has a good change up and slider but he lacks a dominant fast ball. That damn Newton pitch isn't going be as effective in the major leagues.
Johnny: Josmil is good but he's not as good as J C Butler. Butler is a starter, no reliever is going to win the rookie of the year. Have you been drinking as much as Elijah?
Elijah: Nobody drinks as much as me. It's a gift.
Johnny: My point is that a starter, especially a starter with 5 pitches headed by a fast ball not a sinker is a bigger weapon than a reliever. Jack, what did you see in Seattle. They have a good farm system?
Jack: Once again it's pitcher. I have a gift, maybe not Elijah's gift but a gift. Albert Perez is a Cuban, and by the time he's finishes his career he will be the second most well known Cuban pitcher of all time.
Elijah: Who in the hell are talking about? What Cuban pitcher is well known?
Jack: 60 years ago, the Phillies had a young Cuban pitcher who made it all the way to triple A and their forty man roster. His name was Fidel Castro.
Jim: You mean to tell me that the Philly franchise that was really awful at that time could have pitched Castro in the majors and he would have never been a communist.
Jack: It's possible but he wasn't good enough to pitch in the majors.
Jim: Check again Jack, the Phillies had a lot of guys in mid 50's that weren't good enough for the major leagues. They could have taken one for the western hemisphere.
Elijah: Are we talking baseball or geography? Please don't talk geography. Waitress...
Jack: History aside this guy is a stud. He will be very, very good.
Elijah: I'm feeling very drowsy. Can we pick this up in the morning.
Jim: It's been a decade since you seen a morning, but tomorrow is good. We can talk Perez and the others tomorrow.
Little did you know that the league has a set of scouts, or would be scouts, that meet at the Barleymoe Pub to discuss this league. It really is a large group but since occasionally they do scout not all members are ever at the pub any given week. Elijah Craig is always at Barleymoe. He seems to scout using TV, the internet and Tarot Cards. The other scouts this week are Jack Daniels, Jim Beam and Johnny Walker.
Elijah: I'm drinking to the new season and don't care what you guys talk about just don't be so loud that the waitress doesn't want to come over and refill my glass.
Johnny: I think we ought to predict who is this years rookie of the year.
Jack: We never get this right. Why are we doing it again this year. It's always someone who starts at triple-A and gets called up.
Elijah: Not so loud Jack the waitress just looked over here. She's not happy with us and I need another drink.
Jim: Elijah we just got here. How can you need another drink already.
Elijah: You forget I work out of here. I've been here a couple of days.
Johnny: I really like the four young guys playing for Vegas. Alcides Villareal, Benny Rondon, Russell Durbin and Shawn Maronde are all studs.
Jim: What the hell Johnny, I scouted those guys more than you. Sure they can mash the ball but I thought they were all left fielders. You can't play three left fielders on one team. It won't work.
Johnny: Damnit Jim you know that anybody who hits and plays left field can play first base. So only one of them is out of position.
Jack: Hell yes. And Jack Halter is playing center field. He can cover both center and right. If he's in center any of us could play right field, well maybe not Elijah.
Jim: So Johnny which left fielder do you like the best.
Johnny: Durbin.You know I like right handed hitters that own right handed pitchers. He has good power, a good eye and really likes the righties.
Jack: He is going to strike out too much. I like Rondon. He actually hits righties better than Durbin and is better against southpaws.
Johnny: Durbin is better defensively. Don't you care about defense, Jack?
Jack: Not when Jack Halter is playing centerfield.
Jim: You guys haven't mentioned Shawn Maronde. He has good power and is more well rounded than the others. In fact one time I was visiting my aunt Myrtle in Moody Alabama and saw him hit 3 homers for Odenville in one game.
Elijah: Have I had too much to drink, or does anything you just said makes sense?
Jim: Elijah if you ever got out of here and actually scouted you would know about rivalries.
Odenville and Moody are bitter enemies on the ball field. The year I scouted Maronde, Moody was horrible but I waited until Odenville was playing in Moody to see Maronde. All expenses paid trip to see my aunt Myrtle.
Elijah: What do you other two guys think of Maronde?
Jack: He's okay but he's no Rondon.
Johnny: Yea, and he's no Durbin; either.
Elijah: Did you guys leave out the Galaxy player who doesn't play left field.
Johnny: Yes we did Elijah. Alcides Villareal is a good second base man with a good bat. Not the power of the outfielders but he is a solid player. I might like him better than Durbin.
Jack: Forget these guys in Vegas. Vegas is not a place someone should work. These are young guys. The booze, the girls, the gambling. Young guys aren't going to able to concentrate on what they need to do to be stars until they are older. I just scouted the west coast. I found three studs, one in Seattle and two in Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz has these two really fine pitchers. I don't know if you guys understand how to scout pitchers. It takes a finer eye; like mine.
Jim: Are you talking about Josmil Corpas? You think he's your secret? The guy with sinker they call the Newton pitch because it drops so much. He has a good change up and slider but he lacks a dominant fast ball. That damn Newton pitch isn't going be as effective in the major leagues.
Johnny: Josmil is good but he's not as good as J C Butler. Butler is a starter, no reliever is going to win the rookie of the year. Have you been drinking as much as Elijah?
Elijah: Nobody drinks as much as me. It's a gift.
Johnny: My point is that a starter, especially a starter with 5 pitches headed by a fast ball not a sinker is a bigger weapon than a reliever. Jack, what did you see in Seattle. They have a good farm system?
Jack: Once again it's pitcher. I have a gift, maybe not Elijah's gift but a gift. Albert Perez is a Cuban, and by the time he's finishes his career he will be the second most well known Cuban pitcher of all time.
Elijah: Who in the hell are talking about? What Cuban pitcher is well known?
Jack: 60 years ago, the Phillies had a young Cuban pitcher who made it all the way to triple A and their forty man roster. His name was Fidel Castro.
Jim: You mean to tell me that the Philly franchise that was really awful at that time could have pitched Castro in the majors and he would have never been a communist.
Jack: It's possible but he wasn't good enough to pitch in the majors.
Jim: Check again Jack, the Phillies had a lot of guys in mid 50's that weren't good enough for the major leagues. They could have taken one for the western hemisphere.
Elijah: Are we talking baseball or geography? Please don't talk geography. Waitress...
Jack: History aside this guy is a stud. He will be very, very good.
Elijah: I'm feeling very drowsy. Can we pick this up in the morning.
Jim: It's been a decade since you seen a morning, but tomorrow is good. We can talk Perez and the others tomorrow.
Sunday, November 3, 2019
National League North Preseason Analysis
Last year this division was our leagues most competitive in our league. Six games separated first place from third. The run differential between theses three teams was 167 runs.
San Juan franchise owner mike1184 19 seasons in this league 1,765 wins
Last season San Juan was fourth in the national league in ERA. Yhoxian Sasaki led the staff with 9 complete games in 37 starts. Future ace Jose Cordero had a 3.22 ERA in 22 starts. Young pitchers Yean Carlos Mendoza, Julius Lanning, and Otis Swann will only strengthen this staff.
If the arms were the bright spot last year, the bats were disappointing. Actually the infield was good but the outfielders were disappointing. 7 players started more than 10 games in right field, only one player had more than 30 starts.
If free agency can bring in a couple of big bats to add to this outfield San Juan will be fine.
Cleveland franchise owner Saffron 14 seasons in this league 1,195 wins
Last season the Shijirarenai were 29 and 20 in one run games and 9-2 in extra innings; it's going to be hard to duplicate those results.
Youngsters Hipolito Prado, Hansel Difo,Glen Morris and Bartolo Herrera wild look to put up more runs this year. The pitching staff is led by Jerome Leary and Ricardo Park. The fur of the staff is bright with Russell Palmer, Saul Dolis, Tony Ontiveros and Chief Roosevelt.
The farm system has 4 stud hitters on their way to Cleveland this season or next; so help is on the way.
Washington D.C. franchise owner sport65 2 seasons in the league 194 wins
This franchise has won the division 7 of the last 8 seasons. With a run differential of 138 runs, this team looks to make it 8 out of 9.
Using a four man rotation for most of last season this veteran group for a bullpen that won 27 games and saved 58. If this staff has a weakness it is age. All the starters are 30 and older; with the oldest being 33.
The bats are consistent if not spectacular. Of the tan players with over 300 at bats only 1 hit above .300;Jett Whiteside. However Tony Funaki, Sam Collins, Vladimir Oliveros, Dave Schwimer, Pierce Karstens, and Kelly Randolph hit above .280.
Durham franchise owner beecher first season in the league
A franchise in the rebuilding mode. Beecher will have the second pick in the draft.
The left side of the infield is strong with Tony Martin and Chris Malloy.
The pitching is led by Anthony Daniels, Chad Sellers and Guillermo Ortiz.
The Tobacconists have over 50 million to spend in free agency to help with the rebuild.
Last year this division was our leagues most competitive in our league. Six games separated first place from third. The run differential between theses three teams was 167 runs.
San Juan franchise owner mike1184 19 seasons in this league 1,765 wins
Last season San Juan was fourth in the national league in ERA. Yhoxian Sasaki led the staff with 9 complete games in 37 starts. Future ace Jose Cordero had a 3.22 ERA in 22 starts. Young pitchers Yean Carlos Mendoza, Julius Lanning, and Otis Swann will only strengthen this staff.
If the arms were the bright spot last year, the bats were disappointing. Actually the infield was good but the outfielders were disappointing. 7 players started more than 10 games in right field, only one player had more than 30 starts.
If free agency can bring in a couple of big bats to add to this outfield San Juan will be fine.
Cleveland franchise owner Saffron 14 seasons in this league 1,195 wins
Last season the Shijirarenai were 29 and 20 in one run games and 9-2 in extra innings; it's going to be hard to duplicate those results.
Youngsters Hipolito Prado, Hansel Difo,Glen Morris and Bartolo Herrera wild look to put up more runs this year. The pitching staff is led by Jerome Leary and Ricardo Park. The fur of the staff is bright with Russell Palmer, Saul Dolis, Tony Ontiveros and Chief Roosevelt.
The farm system has 4 stud hitters on their way to Cleveland this season or next; so help is on the way.
Washington D.C. franchise owner sport65 2 seasons in the league 194 wins
This franchise has won the division 7 of the last 8 seasons. With a run differential of 138 runs, this team looks to make it 8 out of 9.
Using a four man rotation for most of last season this veteran group for a bullpen that won 27 games and saved 58. If this staff has a weakness it is age. All the starters are 30 and older; with the oldest being 33.
The bats are consistent if not spectacular. Of the tan players with over 300 at bats only 1 hit above .300;Jett Whiteside. However Tony Funaki, Sam Collins, Vladimir Oliveros, Dave Schwimer, Pierce Karstens, and Kelly Randolph hit above .280.
Durham franchise owner beecher first season in the league
A franchise in the rebuilding mode. Beecher will have the second pick in the draft.
The left side of the infield is strong with Tony Martin and Chris Malloy.
The pitching is led by Anthony Daniels, Chad Sellers and Guillermo Ortiz.
The Tobacconists have over 50 million to spend in free agency to help with the rebuild.
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