SkyDog's First OOTP6 Dynasty

[Ben E Lou]

THE SETUP


As stable and relatively bug-free as I found the beta version to be, I've decided to dive right in immediately with a dynasty. I am going to start with a 32-team, 4-division-per-league setup, with all fictional players. I'll be playing with near-default settings, the only exceptions being:

No coaches/scouts.
All ratings set to 1-100.
Trading: Hard
AI Values: Prospects

I'm uploading the initial league info right now. Be back when it is there so you can see the league structure.

[fantastic flying froggies]

We have a new world record ! 1 hour 6 minutes... Quickest dynasty set up after game release... ever !

[Ben E Lou]

Well, I had the final version a bit before the release, and I was already familiar with it from having done the preview. ;)

[Ben E Lou]

League Alignment:

<TABLE class=overall><TBODY><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Team</TD><TD>W</TD><TD>L</TD><TD>PCT</TD><TD>GB</TD><TD class=s3> Pyt.Rec</TD><TD>Diff</TD><TD></TD><TD>Home</TD><TD>Away</TD><TD>XInn</TD><TD class=s3>1Run</TD><TD>M#</TD><TD>Streak</TD><TD>Last10</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Baltimore (http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/ootp6/team1.html)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3_2>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Boston (http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/ootp6/team2.html)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>New York (A) (http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/ootp6/team3.html)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3_2>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Tampa Bay (http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/ootp6/team4.html)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s5>Division 2</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Team</TD><TD>W</TD><TD>L</TD><TD>PCT</TD><TD>GB</TD><TD class=s3> Pyt.Rec</TD><TD>Diff</TD><TD></TD><TD>Home</TD><TD>Away</TD><TD>XInn</TD><TD class=s3>1Run</TD><TD>M#</TD><TD>Streak</TD><TD>Last10</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Chicago (A) (http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/ootp6/team6.html)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3_2>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Cleveland (http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/ootp6/team7.html)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Detroit (http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/ootp6/team8.html)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3_2>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Toronto (http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/ootp6/team5.html)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s5>Division 3</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Team</TD><TD>W</TD><TD>L</TD><TD>PCT</TD><TD>GB</TD><TD class=s3> Pyt.Rec</TD><TD>Diff</TD><TD></TD><TD>Home</TD><TD>Away</TD><TD>XInn</TD><TD class=s3>1Run</TD><TD>M#</TD><TD>Streak</TD><TD>Last10</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Anaheim (http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/ootp6/team11.html)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3_2>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Kansas City (http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/ootp6/team9.html)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Minnesota (http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/ootp6/team10.html)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3_2>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Oakland (http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/ootp6/team12.html)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s5>Division 4</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Team</TD><TD>W</TD><TD>L</TD><TD>PCT</TD><TD>GB</TD><TD class=s3> Pyt.Rec</TD><TD>Diff</TD><TD></TD><TD>Home</TD><TD>Away</TD><TD>XInn</TD><TD class=s3>1Run</TD><TD>M#</TD><TD>Streak</TD><TD>Last10</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Alexandria (http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/ootp6/team15.html)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3_2>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Panama City (http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/ootp6/team16.html)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Seattle (http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/ootp6/team13.html)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3_2>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Texas (http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/ootp6/team14.html)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s5>National Standings</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Division 1</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Team</TD><TD>W</TD><TD>L</TD><TD>PCT</TD><TD>GB</TD><TD class=s3> Pyt.Rec</TD><TD>Diff</TD><TD></TD><TD>Home</TD><TD>Away</TD><TD>XInn</TD><TD class=s3>1Run</TD><TD>M#</TD><TD>Streak</TD><TD>Last10</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Atlanta (http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/ootp6/team17.html)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3_2>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Florida (http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/ootp6/team18.html)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Montreal (http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/ootp6/team19.html)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3_2>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>New York (N) (http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/ootp6/team20.html)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s5>Division 2</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Team</TD><TD>W</TD><TD>L</TD><TD>PCT</TD><TD>GB</TD><TD class=s3> Pyt.Rec</TD><TD>Diff</TD><TD></TD><TD>Home</TD><TD>Away</TD><TD>XInn</TD><TD class=s3>1Run</TD><TD>M#</TD><TD>Streak</TD><TD>Last10</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Chicago (N) (http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/ootp6/team22.html)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3_2>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Cincinnati (http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/ootp6/team23.html)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Houston (http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/ootp6/team24.html)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3_2>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Philadelphia (http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/ootp6/team21.html)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s5>Division 3</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Team</TD><TD>W</TD><TD>L</TD><TD>PCT</TD><TD>GB</TD><TD class=s3> Pyt.Rec</TD><TD>Diff</TD><TD></TD><TD>Home</TD><TD>Away</TD><TD>XInn</TD><TD class=s3>1Run</TD><TD>M#</TD><TD>Streak</TD><TD>Last10</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Arizona (http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/ootp6/team28.html)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3_2>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Milwaukee (http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/ootp6/team25.html)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Pittsburgh (http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/ootp6/team26.html)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3_2>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>St. Louis (http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/ootp6/team27.html)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s5>Division 4</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Team</TD><TD>W</TD><TD>L</TD><TD>PCT</TD><TD>GB</TD><TD class=s3> Pyt.Rec</TD><TD>Diff</TD><TD></TD><TD>Home</TD><TD>Away</TD><TD>XInn</TD><TD class=s3>1Run</TD><TD>M#</TD><TD>Streak</TD><TD>Last10</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Colorado (http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/ootp6/team29.html)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3_2>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Los Angeles (http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/ootp6/team30.html)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>San Diego (http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/ootp6/team31.html)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3_2>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>San Francisco (http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/ootp6/team32.html)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[Ben E Lou]

San Francisco is the NL Team with the lowest salary total, and therefore the lowest team market (Slightly Above Average), so I decide to use them.

TEAM MARKET: Slightly Above Average
FAN LOYALTY: Good
INTEREST: 65
TICKET PRICE: $10

You can find all the info on this new league at http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/ootp6

[Ben E Lou]

Ack!!! I didn't know it at the time, but the Stickware schedule generator doesn't work for leagues with 4 divisions. Restarting...

[Ben E Lou]

Ok....new league structure:

<TABLE class=overall><TBODY><TR><TD class=title>League Standings Report
Thursday, 4/1/2004</TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s5>American Standings</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Eastern Division</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Team</TD><TD>W</TD><TD>L</TD><TD>PCT</TD><TD>GB</TD><TD class=s3> Pyt.Rec</TD><TD>Diff</TD><TD></TD><TD>Home</TD><TD>Away</TD><TD>XInn</TD><TD>1Run</TD><TD>M#</TD><TD>Streak</TD><TD>Last10</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Baltimore</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3_2>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Boston</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Chicago (A)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3_2>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Cleveland</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Detroit</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3_2>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>New York (A)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Tampa Bay</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3_2>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Toronto</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s5>Western Division</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Team</TD><TD>W</TD><TD>L</TD><TD>PCT</TD><TD>GB</TD><TD class=s3> Pyt.Rec</TD><TD>Diff</TD><TD></TD><TD>Home</TD><TD>Away</TD><TD>XInn</TD><TD>1Run</TD><TD>M#</TD><TD>Streak</TD><TD>Last10</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Anaheim</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3_2>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>El Paso</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Jacksonville</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3_2>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Kansas City</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Minnesota</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3_2>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Oakland</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Seattle</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3_2>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Texas</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s5>National Standings</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Eastern Division</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Team</TD><TD>W</TD><TD>L</TD><TD>PCT</TD><TD>GB</TD><TD class=s3> Pyt.Rec</TD><TD>Diff</TD><TD></TD><TD>Home</TD><TD>Away</TD><TD>XInn</TD><TD>1Run</TD><TD>M#</TD><TD>Streak</TD><TD>Last10</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Atlanta</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3_2>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Chicago (N)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Cincinnati</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3_2>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Florida</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Houston</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3_2>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Montreal</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>New York (N)</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3_2>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Philadelphia</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s5>Western Division</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Team</TD><TD>W</TD><TD>L</TD><TD>PCT</TD><TD>GB</TD><TD class=s3> Pyt.Rec</TD><TD>Diff</TD><TD></TD><TD>Home</TD><TD>Away</TD><TD>XInn</TD><TD>1Run</TD><TD>M#</TD><TD>Streak</TD><TD>Last10</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Arizona</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3_2>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Colorado</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Los Angeles</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3_2>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Milwaukee</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Pittsburgh</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3_2>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>San Diego</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>San Francisco</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3_2>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>St. Louis</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>.000</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3>0-0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>0-0</TD><TD>163</TD><TD></TD><TD>0-0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[Ben E Lou]

OK. Nice schedule got set up now. My team is Arizona.

MARKET: Slightly Above Average
LOYALTY: Good
FAN INTEREST: 65
TICKET PRICE: $10
PAYROLL: $54.74M

[Ben E Lou]

POSITION REPORT: Catchers

Jion Goemon (35/57/55) is the best bet to start. This 26yo right-handed hitter has a solid arm (72) and a little bit of pop. He won’t hit for average much, but could drive in a few runs in the 7 or 8 hole. Looks like Joey Aparicio (35/48/48) will be the primary backup. He’s got an average arm and should play decent defense. I have two prospects down on the farm, and both are one-star guys.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Goemon is in his contract year, but probably won’t want a lot to re-sign. I doubt he’s a long-term solution there.

[Ben E Lou]

POSITION REPORT: First Base

20yo Trent Desmarais (38/73/37) looks like he’ll start. He’s a great defensive first baseman, with 97 range, who has some pop. I guess he’s a quirk of the initial player generation, because his talent ratings are no higher than his current ratings, even though he is 20. Still, he looks like he could be valuable. The only other 1B worth mentioned is Tyrone Tuggle (45/54/43). This 32yo could provide a decent right-handed bat off the bench.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: With Desmarais’ defensive ability, I might be able to overlook the low batting averages he’s likely to turn in.

[Ben E Lou]

POSITION REPORT: Second Base

Joel Ceja (54/13/90) looks like a good contributor. He’s got a little speed, and is very good defensively. He doesn’t have much HR power, but could be a good doubles hitter with his 65 gap rating. Daniel Ramirez (44/40/29) is also worth mentioning, if for no other reason than the fact that he can play 2B, SS, all three OF positions, and has 82 stealing ability and 100 running instincts. He’ll get playing time in various roles off the bench because of his versatility and speed.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: 32yo Ceja is signed through 2006. Nice.

[Ben E Lou]

POSITION REPORT: Third Base

Thomas Collazo (46/38/55) is only 25, has decent range at 3B, and a rifle arm. He looks like my best option at the hot corner.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: I probably need to improve here.

[Ben E Lou]

POSITION REPORT: Shortstop

Dismal situation here. None of these guys are even worth mentioning by name.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: I’d like a good SS ASAP.

[Ben E Lou]

POSITION REPORT: Left Field

Bruce Omalley (58/43/51) is going to provide very good defense, a decent bat, and blazing speed. He could be a 70-steal guy, I think! This is another position where I have no one else even worth mentioning, though.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Omalley is only 27, and signed through next year. I probably will want him long-term.

[Ben E Lou]

POSITION REPORT: Center Field

We have another blazer in CF in Jacob Mealey (62/56/53). He’s got great range out there, and is almost as fast as Omalley on the base paths He’s another potential 70-steal guy, but based on what I’ve seen so far, he’ll probably be batting third or fourth because of his 56 Power rating. Kenneth Coble (47/19/26) also is a good speed/defense outfielder who can play CF or LF.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: 27-year-old Mealey can do a little of everything, but is eligible to become a FA after this season. I’d like to be able to afford to keep him.

[Ben E Lou]

POSITION REPORT: Right Field

36-year-old David Groesbeck will provide a little pop and good defense out in right field, and is a good left-handed bat.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: With as little pop as this team has, Groesbeck is a candidate for clean-up hitter. :(

[Ben E Lou]

POSITION REPORT: Starting Pitchers

Lefty Rai “Tadpole” Eitoku (62/82/80) is the unquestioned ace of this staff. This 4.5-star 26-year-old is signed through 2008. He’s a workhorse (99 end) who we’ll be glad to trot out there every 5th day. RHP Seve Valencia (45/76/59) is probably my #2 guy. With his good control and solid movement, combined with his 90 endurance, this 32-year-old should be an inning-eater. LHP George Lor (38/90/59) should occupy the third spot in the rotation. He doesn’t give up many walks, which I like to see. Thomas Laflamme (37/76/64) will probably be in the #4 slot. The 31-year-old righty shouldn’t provide much drop-off from #2 or #3. 25yo Jimmy English (37/76/30) doesn’t look too promising, but is probably my best bet at #5.

I have two 3.5-star SP prospects in William “Sunshine” Dorn and Bernard Lamas, but both look like they’ll be starting this season in single-A ball.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: If our 2-4 guys can hold things down until Dorn and Lamas are ready to make the jump to the bigs, I could be set in the rotation. However, that feels like a pretty big “IF”.

[Ben E Lou]

POSITION REPORT: Relief Pitchers

23-year-old righty Andrew Harvey (58/60/71) looks like he’ll be the closer this year. 31-year-old Kenkicki Mitsuo (51/71/51 is the primary setup man, and David Wier (48/66/50) is the best lefty. We have a great closer prospect in 5-star lefty Richard Corpus, who will start the year in AA. He’s got 86/64/71 talent, and is currently 34/42/42, and throws in the 91-94 mph range.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Once Corpus is ready for the Show, the bullpen should fall together nicely.

[Ben E Lou]

<center>APRIL 2004</center>

THIS MONTH’S RECORD: 13-9
OVERALL RECORD AT MONTH-END: 13-9
CURRENT STANDING: Third. ½ game behind Pitt and SD, who are tied for first.

MAJOR INJURIES:
None.

TEAM NEWS OF NOTE THIS MONTH

None.

MAJOR LEAGUE PERFORMANCES OF NOTE/LINEUP CHANGES/ROTATION CHANGES:
Our record is better than I thought it would be at this point, and the primary reason is our pitching, especially the starters. We’re second in the NL with a 3.18 staff ERA. Eitoku is leading the way, of course, at 4-0, 2.36, but all the starters have pulled their weight so far, with none of them having an ERA higher than 3.60. Omalley is really setting the table for the rest of the order. He has a .429 OBP, and leads the league with 12 steals.

SEASON-TO-DATE TEAM STATISTICAL LEADERS
AVG: SS Colon--.371
HR: 1B Desmaris--6
RBI: 1B Desmaris--17
SB: LF Omally--12
SP ERA: Eitoku—2.36
RP ERA: Varona—2.45
SAVES: Harvey--7
K’s: Eitoku--44

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT:
Sunday 4/18/2004 :

Bernard Lamas seems to have lost some of his feel for his stuff...

Wednesday 4/21/2004 :

Matthew Courtright has increased his lower body strength, his duration raises to 22 ...

Sunday 4/25/2004 :

Dustin Yates seems to have improved his pure stuff!Dustin Yates's pitches have more bite now, the movement has improved!

Lamas drops to 3.0 stars from 3.5, so that’s a bit of a disappointment.

AAA NOTES
No prospects of note.

AA NOTES:
CL Corpus—1-0, 2SV, 0.71, 36/42/44, 5 stars

A NOTES:
SP William “Sunshine” Dorn—1-2, 4.40, 26/4/30, 3.5 stars
SP Bernard Lamas—1-2, 4.78, 20/26/24, 3 stars

TRADES
None.

MONTHLY AWARDS
Friday 5/1/2004 :

American League-Pitcher of the Month: Joel Vega (SEA)!He had a record of 4-0 in 5 games started, with an ERA of 0.50.
American League-Batter of the Month: Nelson Laforce (TEX)!He batted .390 in 77 AB, with 8 homers and 24 RBI.
National League-Pitcher of the Month: Ronald Gordy (FLO)!He had a record of 5-0 in 6 games started, with an ERA of 2.44.
National League-Batter of the Month: Pedro Fontañez (FLO)!He batted .340 in 94 AB, with 11 homers and 27 RBI.



OTHER IMPORTANT LEAGUE NEWS
None.

[Ben E Lou]

<center>MAY 2004</center>

THIS MONTH’S RECORD: 13-16
OVERALL RECORD AT MONTH-END: 26-25
CURRENT STANDING: Third. 4 games behind 1st-place Pittsburgh.

MAJOR INJURIES:
SP Laflamme was injured (3wks) and I called up Pedro Dearmas (34/60/40), who was 3-2, 2.63 at AAA at the time, to replace him in the rotation.

TEAM NEWS OF NOTE THIS MONTH
None.

COMMENTS/LINEUP OR ROTATION CHANGES:
Nearly everything came back down to earth this month, as it should have. The pitching and hitting were both rather ordinary. We’re now 8th in runs scored and 14th in runs allowed.

SEASON-TO-DATE TEAM STATISTICAL LEADERS
AVG: SS Colon--.360
HR: 1B Desmaris--12
RBI: CF Mealey--36
SB: LF Omally--34
SP ERA: Valencia—3.24
RP ERA: Books—2.45
SAVES: Harvey--13
K’s: Eitoku--71

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT:
Friday 5/7/2004 :

Garrett Allee seems to have improved his pure stuff!Garrett Allee's pitches have more bite now, the movement has improved!Garrett Allee is hitting his spots better, his command improved!

Friday 5/21/2004 :

Thomas Creasman has increased his lower body strength, his duration raises to 29 ...

Allee, 2-5, 3.45 at AA, increases to 2.5 stars.

AAA NOTES
No prospects of note.

AA NOTES:
CL Corpus—3-0, 10SV, 0.89, 37/44/49, 5 stars—called up to AAA.

A NOTES:
SP William “Sunshine” Dorn—3-5, 3.84, 27/5/33, 3.5 stars
SP Bernard Lamas—4-3, 4.20, 20/26/24, 3 stars

TRADES
None.

MONTHLY AWARDS
American League-Pitcher of the Month:
Robert Cottrill (CLE)!
He had a record of 5-1 in 6 games started, with an ERA of 2.00.
American League-Batter of the Month:
Brian Gowins (JAC)!
He batted .433 in 97 AB, with 8 homers and 29 RBI.
National League-Pitcher of the Month:
Benjamin Naranjo (COL)!
He had a record of 5-1 in 6 games started, with an ERA of 1.96.
National League-Batter of the Month:
Segundo Tedesco (LA)!
He batted .341 in 91 AB, with 9 homers and 21 RB

OTHER IMPORTANT LEAGUE NEWS
None.

[MizzouRah]

If you abandon this one, I'm coming after you! :D


Todd

[Havok]

nice so far Skydog.... OOTP6 is looking pretty good dammit.... i don't wanna buy another dam game!!! :)

[Ben E Lou]

If you abandon this one, I'm coming after you! :D


Todd;)

Back in the saddle in a few minutes, actually. Also, in case y'all haven't noticed, I uploaded the league file to http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/ootp6 as I was going along. You can see all the rosters/player cards/ratings from the initial rosters there now. I expect I'll re-upload at the end of each season.

[Ben E Lou]

<center>2004 AMATEUR DRAFT REPORT</center>

DRAFT POSITION: 28

TOP THREE DRAFTEES
NOTE: I’m listing talent ratings, not actual, for draftees.
1. 3B Carmelo Corcuera (48/56/53, 2.5 stars): Decent defensively as well. 21 years old. I have a good young 3B, but I believe in BPA in baseball drafting. I can always trade down the road if Corcuera pans out.
2. SP Kurt James (41/64/54, 2 stars): Half-decent 20-year old.
3. RF Kelley Mead (38/42/23, 1 star): Good arm and range. Would like to see improvement at the plate.

POST-DRAFT TOP TEN MINOR LEAGUE SYSTEMS
1. Boston
2. Oakland
3. Tampa Bay
4. Baltimore
5. New York (A)
6. Jacksonville
7. Cincinnati
8. Texas
9. Cleveland
10. Kansas City

We’re #11.

ARIZONA TOP 100 PROSEPCTS
CL Richard Corpus—25th
SP William “Sunshine” Dorn—30th
SP Bernard Lamas—61st
SP Garrett Allee—78th
SP Rory Thompson—94th

[Ben E Lou]

<center>JUNE 2004</center>

THIS MONTH’S RECORD: 12-17
OVERALL RECORD AT MONTH-END: 38-42
CURRENT STANDING: 5th place, 10 games behind 1st-place St. Louis.

MAJOR INJURIES:
None. SP LaFlamme returned from his injury and reclaimed the #4 spot in the rotation. Dearmas had been pitching a bit better than English, so he remained at #5, with English getting sent down to AAA.

TEAM NEWS OF NOTE THIS MONTH
None.

COMMENTS/LINEUP OR ROTATION CHANGES:
After a surprisingly good first month, we’re falling down near where we should be, given our level of talent. The bullpen has been ghastly lately, while the starters are still holding their own pretty well. As expected, Omalley and Mealey are leading the way offensively, with not a ton of support elsewhere.

SEASON-TO-DATE TEAM STATISTICAL LEADERS
AVG: SS Colon--.325 (falling back to earth)
HR: CF Mealey--17
RBI: CF Mealey--55
SB: LF Omalley—53 (He’s got a shot at 100!)
SP ERA: Eitoku—3.14
RP ERA: Books—1.95
SAVES: Harvey--18
K’s: Eitoku--119

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT:
Thursday 6/3/2004 :

Aldo Trejo has learned to better avoid strikeouts!Aldo Trejo increased his bat control, resulting in more contact!Aldo Trejo has improved his plate disclipine!

Sunday 6/13/2004 :

Juan Marques's control seems to have taken a bump...Hugh Hice seems to have lost some of his feel for his stuff...

Saturday 6/19/2004 :

Jared Prine has lost some momentum, his range at C drops to 41 ...

Monday 6/21/2004 :

Jeibi Yahei has improved his plate disclipine!

Thursday 6/24/2004 :

Aldo Trejo has lost some momentum, his range at LF drops to 12 ...

Saturday 6/26/2004 :

Rory Thompson seems to have improved his pure stuff!Rory Thompson's pitches have more bite now, the movement has improved!

Sunday 6/27/2004 :

Robert Daniels's control seems to have taken a bump...

22-year-old Thompson, who is 4-5 with a 2.95 ERA in single-A, improves to 3.0 stars. None of the other changes are of much significance.

AAA NOTES
CL Corpus—2-1, 2 SV, 1.00, 37/44/49, 5 stars—Pretty good first month of AAA!

AA NOTES:
SP Garrett Allee—3-7, 3.92, 18/46/57, 2.5 stars

A NOTES:
SP William “Sunshine” Dorn—4-8, 4.70, 27/5/35, 3.5 stars
SP Bernard Lamas—6-4, 3.75, 20/26/24, 3 stars
SP Rory Thompson—4-5, 2.95, 16/17/20, 3 stars
3B Carmelo Corcuera--.245,2,12,.670OPS, 2.5 stars (first month)

TRADES
None.

MONTHLY AWARDS

Wednesday 7/1/2004 :

American League-Pitcher of the Month: Claude Fuller (EP)!He had a record of 4-1 in 6 games started, with an ERA of 1.91 and 1 shutouts.American League-Batter of the Month: Lorenzo Alvarez (TOR)!He batted .365 in 96 AB, with 8 homers and 29 RBI.National League-Pitcher of the Month: Nicholas Dickey (NY)!He had a record of 4-0 in 6 games started, with an ERA of 1.39 and 1 shutouts.National League-Batter of the Month: Stacy Sorenson (NY)!He batted .358 in 106 AB, with 8 homers and 19 RBI.



OTHER IMPORTANT LEAGUE NEWS
None.

[Ben E Lou]

<CENTER>JULY 2004</CENTER>

THIS MONTH’S RECORD: 13-10
OVERALL RECORD AT MONTH-END: 51-52
CURRENT STANDING: 4th place, 9.5 games behind 1st-place St. Louis.

MAJOR INJURIES:
None.

TEAM NEWS OF NOTE THIS MONTH
<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>P Rai Eitoku (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p268.html) will play in the OOTP-Allstar game!
P Nathan Books (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p878.html) will play in the OOTP-Allstar game!
LF Brice Omalley (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p871.html) will play in the OOTP-Allstar game!
CF Jacob Mealey (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1486.html) will play in the OOTP-Allstar game!
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>COMMENTS/LINEUP OR ROTATION CHANGES:
Players are performing pretty much as expected, except that Omalley and Mealey are stealing bases at a rate even better than expected. They are 1-2 in the NL, well ahead of the pack. We're 8th in runs scored, and 15th in runs allowed.

SEASON-TO-DATE TEAM STATISTICAL LEADERS
AVG: LF Omalley--..330
HR: 1B Desmarais--22
RBI: 1B Desmarais--62
SB: LF Omalley—62
SP ERA: Eitoku—3.20
RP ERA: Books—1.72
SAVES: Harvey--23
K’s: Eitoku--143

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT:
<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Thursday 7/1/2004 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Fernando Medrano (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1291.html) has lost some power...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Monday 7/12/2004 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Jeibi Yahei (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p235.html) has lost some momentum, his range at C drops to 36 ...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Thursday 7/15/2004 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Kenkichi Mitsuo (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1311.html) has increased his lower body strength, his duration raises to 40 ...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Saturday 7/17/2004 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Bernard Lamas (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1953.html)'s pitches have more bite now, the movement has improved!
Bernard Lamas (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1953.html) is hitting his spots better, his command improved!
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Monday 7/19/2004 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Jimmy English (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p6.html) has increased his lower body strength, his duration raises to 65 ...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Wednesday 7/28/2004 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Matthew Courtright (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p747.html) has lost some lower body strength, his duration drops to 29 ...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Friday 7/30/2004 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>William Dorn (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1540.html) seems to have improved his pure stuff!
William Dorn (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1540.html)'s pitches have more bite now, the movement has improved!</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Lamas is back up to three stars, with talent ratings of 50/73/79. "Sunshine" Dorn is looking like a real stud-to-be now. He's up to 4.5 stars, with talent of 94/77/54. If he can work on that control...

AAA NOTES
CL Corpus—4-1,9SV,1.93, 39/45/55, 5 stars—Nice little jump. He could be in the bigs before the end of this year at this rate.

AA NOTES:
SP Garrett Allee—7-8, 3.56, 18/46/60, 2.5 stars. AI says he's ready for AAA. I promote him.
CF Jerome Sachs--.327-32-78, 36/46/27, 1.5 stars. Those numbers merit a promotion to AAA.
C Jeibi Yahei--.297-26-82, 34/48/11, 1 star. Ditto Sachs.

A NOTES:
SP William “Sunshine” Dorn—4-12, 4.70, 27/5/39, 4.5 stars
SP Bernard Lamas—8-5, 4.04, 22/27/29, 3.5 stars
SP Rory Thompson—9-5, 2.73, 19/17/22, 3 stars. Promotion to AA.
3B Carmelo Corcuera--.249,2,20,.657OPS, 2.5 stars

TRADES
None.

MONTHLY AWARDS
American League-Pitcher of the Month:
Robert Cottrill (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1353.html) (CLE)!
He had a record of 5-0 in 5 games started, with an ERA of 1.77 and 1 shutouts.
American League-Batter of the Month:
Jose Mota (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1398.html) (MIN)!
He batted .355 in 93 AB, with 9 homers and 25 RBI.
National League-Pitcher of the Month:
Franklin Hubbard (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p576.html) (MIL)!
He had a record of 5-1 in 6 games started, with an ERA of 0.79 and 1 shutouts.
National League-Batter of the Month:
Juan Neblett (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p301.html) (PHI)!
He batted .360 in 86 AB, with 8 homers and 17 RBI.

OTHER IMPORTANT LEAGUE NEWS
These players were selected for the AL OOTP-Allstar Team :
P Joel Vega (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1462.html) from Seattle
P Gary Books (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p864.html) from Chicago (A)
P Kevin Pizarro (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p697.html) from Tampa Bay
P Mashi Kyoji (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p886.html) from Texas
P Robert Cottrill (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1353.html) from Cleveland
P Ferdy Alaniz (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p987.html) from Seattle
P Agustin Macias (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p933.html) from Chicago (A)
P Hubert Yocum (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p11.html) from Chicago (A)
P James Kavanagh (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p607.html) from New York (A)
P Isaias Sousa (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p666.html) from Seattle
C Nelson Laforce (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1132.html) from Texas
C Eddie Martinez (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p36.html) from New York (A)
1B Justin Keough (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p125.html) from Baltimore
2B Gregory Buckmaster (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p385.html) from Kansas City
3B Mark Hegwood (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p296.html) from El Paso
SS Bill Barney (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1078.html) from Chicago (A)
LF Jason Bratt (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p689.html) from Seattle
CF Lorenzo Hernandez (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p525.html) from Seattle
RF Ray Rau (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p423.html) from Anaheim
1B David Farren (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p963.html) from New York (A)
LF Lorenzo Alvarez (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p877.html) from Toronto
CF Reinaldo Villarreal (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p130.html) from Texas
LF Brian Gowins (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p306.html) from Jacksonville
SS Basil Escalona (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1328.html) from Oakland
SS Leonardo Stutes (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1076.html) from Boston
These players were selected for the NL OOTP-Allstar Team :
P Timothy Recinos (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p980.html) from Atlanta
P Rai Eitoku (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p268.html) from Arizona
P Ronald Gordy (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1095.html) from Florida
P Deivi Mendez (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p484.html) from Montreal
P Lino Jimenez (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1144.html) from Pittsburgh
P Matthew Lapointe (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1224.html) from Pittsburgh
P Sebastian Cartagena (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p24.html) from San Francisco
P Nathan Books (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p878.html) from Arizona
P Alejandro Gonzales (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1220.html) from Montreal
P Pablo Paredes (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p722.html) from St. Louis
C Robert Marshall (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p564.html) from Chicago (N)
C Santos Agosto (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1060.html) from Atlanta
1B Pedro Fontañez (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1141.html) from Florida
2B Jed Delahoussaye (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p161.html) from Milwaukee
3B Stacy Sorenson (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p69.html) from New York (N)
SS Carl Dearth (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p582.html) from Chicago (N)
LF Brice Omalley (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p871.html) from Arizona
CF Ramiro Valenza (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1322.html) from St. Louis
RF Francisco Perez (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p940.html) from San Diego
1B Steven Drexler (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1245.html) from Atlanta
CF Jacob Mealey (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1486.html) from Arizona
RF Juan Neblett (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p301.html) from Philadelphia
RF Edward Baker (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1124.html) from Pittsburgh
3B Bradley Xu (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p239.html) from Milwaukee
SS Rudy Licata (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p604.html) from Philadelphia

<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

[Ben E Lou]

Mealey was the leadoff hitter in the All-star game for the NL. He went 1 for 4 with 2 runs, 1 solo HR and 1 RBI, but no SB's. Omalley was 0 for 1 as a pinch-hitter. Neither of our two pitchers selected saw action.

[Ben E Lou]

<CENTER>AUGUST 2004</CENTER>

THIS MONTH’S RECORD: 16-12
OVERALL RECORD AT MONTH-END: 67-64
CURRENT STANDING: 4th place, 8.5 games behind 1st-place St. Louis.

MAJOR INJURIES:
None.

TEAM NEWS OF NOTE THIS MONTH
None.


COMMENTS/LINEUP OR ROTATION CHANGES:
Offensively, the Mealey and Omalley show continues. They are 1-2 in the NL in SB's, and 2-3 in runs scored. We're 6th in runs scored, and 12th in runs allowed.

SEASON-TO-DATE TEAM STATISTICAL LEADERS
AVG: LF Omalley and CF Mealey--..315
HR: 1B Desmarais--28
RBI: CF Mealey--91
SB: LF Omalley—71
SP ERA: Eitoku—3.03
RP ERA: Books—1.44
SAVES: Harvey--29
K’s: Eitoku--185

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT:

<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Thursday 8/5/2004 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Kojiro Takamuku (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1010.html) has lost some power...
Joey Aparicio (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1089.html) has lost a step. His speed drops to 46 ...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Tuesday 8/10/2004 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Robert Goetz (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p510.html) has lost a step. His speed drops to 68 ...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Tuesday 8/17/2004 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Daniel Ramirez (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p567.html) has lost some momentum, his range at 2B drops to 35 ...
Daniel Ramirez (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p567.html) has lost some momentum, his range at SS drops to 7 ...
Daniel Ramirez (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p567.html) has lost some momentum, his range at LF drops to 34 ...
Daniel Ramirez (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p567.html) has lost some momentum, his range at CF drops to 29 ...
Daniel Ramirez (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p567.html) has lost some momentum, his range at RF drops to 27 ...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Thursday 8/19/2004 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Kojiro Takamuku (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1010.html) has lost some power to the gaps...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Sunday 8/22/2004 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Juan Marques (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p2228.html)'s pitches have more bite now, the movement has improved!
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Tuesday 8/24/2004 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Andrew Harvey (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p586.html) has increased his lower body strength, his duration raises to 24 ...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Tuesday 8/31/2004 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Jerome Sachs (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p338.html) has improved his plate disclipine!
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

No biggies here, but I guess Sachs' call-up helped him.

AAA NOTES
CL Corpus—6-4,18SV,3.18, 42/45/60, 5 stars—Another jump in current ratings. He's gonna spend September in the bigs.
SP Garrett Allee—3-1, 3.38,18/46/60, 2.5 stars. Good first month in AAA.
CF Jerome Sachs--..292-6-25, 36/46/27, 1 star. Nice first month in AAA.
C Jeibi Yahei--..277-4-16, 34/48/11, 1 star. Ditto.

AA NOTES:
SP Rory Thompson—4-0, 1.28, 20/17/22, 3 stars.


A NOTES:
SP William “Sunshine” Dorn—7-12, 4.08, 28/5/39, 4.5 stars
SP Bernard Lamas—10-6, 3.83, 22/27/32, 3.5 stars
3B Carmelo Corcuera--..275-4-33,.719OPS, 18/14/20, 2.5 stars

TRADES
None.

MONTHLY AWARDS
American League-Pitcher of the Month:
Claver Villalba (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1488.html) (JAC)!
He had a record of 4-2 in 6 games started, with an ERA of 1.55.
American League-Batter of the Month:
Bill Barney (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1078.html) (C()!
He batted .347 in 95 AB, with 7 homers and 23 RBI.
National League-Pitcher of the Month:
Ahmed Hansen (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p702.html) (LA)!
He had a record of 4-1 in 5 games started, with an ERA of 1.57.
National League-Batter of the Month:
Bradley Xu (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p239.html) (MIL)!
He batted .421 in 107 AB, with 14 homers and 33 RBI.

OTHER IMPORTANT LEAGUE NEWS
None.

[Ben E Lou]

<CENTER>SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2004</CENTER>

THIS MONTH’S RECORD: 16-15
OVERALL RECORD AT MONTH-END: 83-79
CURRENT STANDING: 4th place, 10 games behind 1st-place Pittsburgh.

MAJOR INJURIES:
SP Eitoku ruptured a triceps tendon on 9/25 and missed the rest of the year. I hope that there are no long-term effects.

TEAM NEWS OF NOTE THIS MONTH
None.
COMMENTS/LINEUP OR ROTATION CHANGES:
CF Jerome Sachs, who I noticed tearing it up in AA, called him to AAA for a month, and is now in the bigs, had a great September off the bench. We can also play RF, so he's worth keeping an eye on, I guess. Richard Corpus has a fine first month in the big: 1-0, 2.89. He's probably seen the last of the minors.

SEASON-TO-DATE TEAM STATISTICAL LEADERS
AVG: CF Mealey--..313
HR: 1B Desmarais--32
RBI: CF Mealey--102
SB: LF Omalley—83
SP ERA: Lor—3.21
RP ERA: Books—1.80
SAVES: Harvey--38
K’s: Eitoku--218

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT:

<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Thursday 9/2/2004 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Kojiro Takamuku (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1010.html) has lost some power...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Saturday 9/4/2004 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Bernard Lamas (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1953.html) has increased his lower body strength, his duration raises to 77 ...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Monday 9/6/2004 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Jimmy English (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p6.html) has lost some movement on his pitches...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Tuesday 9/21/2004 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Seve Valencia (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p601.html) has lost some movement on his pitches...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Sunday 9/26/2004 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Dustin Gargano (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p2123.html)'s pitches have more bite now, the movement has improved!
Dustin Gargano (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p2123.html) is hitting his spots better, his command improved!
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>No biggies here.

AAA NOTES:
Last month of season...

AA NOTES:

A NOTES:

TRADES
None.

MONTHLY AWARDS

<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Thursday 10/1/2004 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>American League-Pitcher of the Month:
Christopher Temples (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p736.html) (OAK)!
He had a record of 6-0 in 6 games started, with an ERA of 1.97.
American League-Batter of the Month:
Joseph Fett (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p52.html) (EP)!
He batted .388 in 98 AB, with 8 homers and 21 RBI.
National League-Pitcher of the Month:
Nicholas Dickey (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1113.html) (NY)!
He had a record of 4-1 in 6 games started, with an ERA of 0.21.
National League-Batter of the Month:
Bradley Xu (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p239.html) (MIL)!
He batted .381 in 84 AB, with 9 homers and 22 RBI.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
OTHER IMPORTANT LEAGUE NEWS
None.

[Ben E Lou]

<CENTER>2004 POST-SEASON REPORT</CENTER>

POTENTIAL FREE AGENTS/CONTRACT EXTENSIONS
<TABLE><COLGROUP><COL style="WIDTH: 54pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 2633" width=72><COL style="WIDTH: 19pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 914" width=25><COL style="WIDTH: 59pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 2889" width=79><COL style="WIDTH: 38pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1828" width=50><COL style="WIDTH: 260pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 12653" width=346><TBODY><TR style="HEIGHT: 11.25pt" height=15><TD class=xl22 style="WIDTH: 54pt; HEIGHT: 11.25pt" align=middle width=72 height=15>Name</TD><TD class=xl22 style="WIDTH: 19pt" align=middle width=25>Pos</TD><TD class=xl22 style="WIDTH: 59pt" align=middle width=79>Salary</TD><TD class=xl22 style="WIDTH: 38pt" align=middle width=50>MLB Yrs</TD><TD class=xl22 style="WIDTH: 260pt" align=middle width=346>Comments</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 11.25pt" height=15><TD class=xl23 style="HEIGHT: 11.25pt" align=middle height=15>J. Mealey</TD><TD class=xl23 align=middle>CF</TD><TD class=xl24 align=middle x:num="6770000">$6,770,000</TD><TD class=xl23 align=middle>7 years</TD><TD class=xl23 align=left>7yrs, $7.9M per year extension signed.</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 11.25pt" height=15><TD class=xl23 style="HEIGHT: 11.25pt" align=middle height=15>K. Coble</TD><TD class=xl23 align=middle>CF</TD><TD class=xl24 align=middle x:num="914286">$914,286</TD><TD class=xl23 align=middle>6 years</TD><TD class=xl23 align=left>late-season callup Sachs looks good enough to back up. Bye-bye.</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 11.25pt" height=15><TD class=xl23 style="HEIGHT: 11.25pt" align=middle height=15>D. Smith</TD><TD class=xl23 align=middle>SS</TD><TD class=xl24 align=middle x:num="671429">$671,429</TD><TD class=xl23 align=middle>6 years</TD><TD class=xl23 align=left>Didn't play much and wants $3M per year. No way.</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 11.25pt" height=15><TD class=xl23 style="HEIGHT: 11.25pt" align=middle height=15>D. Varona</TD><TD class=xl23 align=middle>MR</TD><TD class=xl24 align=middle x:num="542857">$542,857</TD><TD class=xl23 align=middle>6 years</TD><TD class=xl23 align=left>Didn't impress. I'll look elsewhere.</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 11.25pt" height=15><TD class=xl23 style="HEIGHT: 11.25pt" align=middle height=15>N. Books</TD><TD class=xl23 align=middle>MR</TD><TD class=xl24 align=middle x:num="300000">$300,000</TD><TD class=xl23 align=middle>11 years</TD><TD class=xl23 align=left>Best reliever I had this year. Gets 2yr extensions for $3.6M per year.</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 11.25pt" height=15><TD class=xl23 style="HEIGHT: 11.25pt" align=middle height=15>J. Cadena</TD><TD class=xl23 align=middle>1B</TD><TD class=xl24 align=middle x:num="300000">$300,000</TD><TD class=xl23 align=middle>11 years</TD><TD class=xl23 align=left>Only had 16 AB all year. Nah.</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 11.25pt" height=15><TD class=xl23 style="HEIGHT: 11.25pt" align=middle height=15>A. Trejo</TD><TD class=xl23 align=middle>LF</TD><TD class=xl24 align=middle x:num="300000">$300,000</TD><TD class=xl23 align=middle>9 years</TD><TD class=xl23 align=left>Good lefty bat off the bench, but wants over $2M. Can't do it.</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 11.25pt" height=15><TD class=xl23 style="HEIGHT: 11.25pt" align=middle height=15>J. Aparicio</TD><TD class=xl23 align=middle>C</TD><TD class=xl24 align=middle x:num="300000">$300,000</TD><TD class=xl23 align=middle>10 years</TD><TD class=xl23 align=left>Backup catcher gets $870K for 2 years.</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 11.25pt" height=15><TD class=xl23 style="HEIGHT: 11.25pt" align=middle height=15>R. Studebaker</TD><TD class=xl23 align=middle>MR</TD><TD class=xl24 align=middle x:num="300000">$300,000</TD><TD class=xl23 align=middle>9 years</TD><TD class=xl23 align=left>Was decent, not great. Gets $1.1M for 2 years.</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 11.25pt" height=15><TD class=xl23 style="HEIGHT: 11.25pt" align=middle height=15>P. Dearmas</TD><TD class=xl23 align=middle>SP</TD><TD class=xl24 align=middle x:num="300000">$300,000</TD><TD class=xl23 align=middle>6 years</TD><TD class=xl23 align=left>Decent fifth starter wants more than I'm willing to pay. He's gone.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

PLAYOFF REPORT
With the hoopla over playoff losses, I am using 7 games in the first two rounds, and a 9-game World Series. Anaheim defeated Atlanta 5 games to 3 to win it all.

STANDINGS/AWARDS

<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s5>American League Standings</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Eastern Division</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Team</TD><TD>W</TD><TD>L</TD><TD>PCT</TD><TD>GB</TD><TD class=s3> Pyt.Rec</TD><TD>Diff</TD><TD> </TD><TD>Home</TD><TD>Away</TD><TD>XInn</TD><TD>1Run</TD><TD>M#</TD><TD>Streak</TD><TD>Last10</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>New York (A)</TD><TD>90</TD><TD>72</TD><TD>.556</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3_2>90-72</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>46-35</TD><TD>44-37</TD><TD>8-7</TD><TD>22-25</TD><TD>*</TD><TD>L1</TD><TD>5-5</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Toronto</TD><TD>88</TD><TD>74</TD><TD>.543</TD><TD>2.0</TD><TD class=s3>91-71</TD><TD>-3</TD><TD> </TD><TD>45-36</TD><TD>43-38</TD><TD>9-2</TD><TD>29-18</TD><TD>-</TD><TD>W1</TD><TD>5-5</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Chicago (A)</TD><TD>85</TD><TD>77</TD><TD>.525</TD><TD>5.0</TD><TD class=s3_2>87-75</TD><TD>-2</TD><TD> </TD><TD>40-41</TD><TD>45-36</TD><TD>8-8</TD><TD>28-23</TD><TD>-</TD><TD>W1</TD><TD>3-7</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Baltimore</TD><TD>83</TD><TD>79</TD><TD>.512</TD><TD>7.0</TD><TD class=s3>79-83</TD><TD>4</TD><TD> </TD><TD>40-41</TD><TD>43-38</TD><TD>6-10</TD><TD>20-24</TD><TD>-</TD><TD>W3</TD><TD>7-3</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Cleveland</TD><TD>79</TD><TD>83</TD><TD>.488</TD><TD>11.0</TD><TD class=s3_2>74-88</TD><TD>5</TD><TD> </TD><TD>41-40</TD><TD>38-43</TD><TD>6-4</TD><TD>23-18</TD><TD>-</TD><TD>L1</TD><TD>3-7</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Tampa Bay</TD><TD>75</TD><TD>87</TD><TD>.463</TD><TD>15.0</TD><TD class=s3>76-86</TD><TD>-1</TD><TD> </TD><TD>37-44</TD><TD>38-43</TD><TD>9-9</TD><TD>26-23</TD><TD>-</TD><TD>L3</TD><TD>5-5</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Boston</TD><TD>74</TD><TD>88</TD><TD>.457</TD><TD>16.0</TD><TD class=s3_2>74-88</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>35-46</TD><TD>39-42</TD><TD>10-14</TD><TD>21-29</TD><TD>-</TD><TD>L5</TD><TD>2-8</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Detroit</TD><TD>68</TD><TD>94</TD><TD>.420</TD><TD>22.0</TD><TD class=s3>69-93</TD><TD>-1</TD><TD> </TD><TD>36-45</TD><TD>32-49</TD><TD>5-8</TD><TD>21-28</TD><TD>-</TD><TD>L1</TD><TD>5-5</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s5>Western Division</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Team</TD><TD>W</TD><TD>L</TD><TD>PCT</TD><TD>GB</TD><TD class=s3> Pyt.Rec</TD><TD>Diff</TD><TD> </TD><TD>Home</TD><TD>Away</TD><TD>XInn</TD><TD>1Run</TD><TD>M#</TD><TD>Streak</TD><TD>Last10</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Seattle</TD><TD>96</TD><TD>66</TD><TD>.593</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3_2>93-69</TD><TD>3</TD><TD> </TD><TD>44-37</TD><TD>52-29</TD><TD>6-10</TD><TD>29-23</TD><TD>*</TD><TD>W3</TD><TD>7-3</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Anaheim</TD><TD>86</TD><TD>76</TD><TD>.531</TD><TD>10.0</TD><TD class=s3>86-76</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>40-41</TD><TD>46-35</TD><TD>6-6</TD><TD>24-22</TD><TD>-</TD><TD>W1</TD><TD>5-5</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Minnesota</TD><TD>83</TD><TD>79</TD><TD>.512</TD><TD>13.0</TD><TD class=s3_2>78-84</TD><TD>5</TD><TD> </TD><TD>40-41</TD><TD>43-38</TD><TD>8-9</TD><TD>23-20</TD><TD>-</TD><TD>W4</TD><TD>5-5</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>El Paso</TD><TD>79</TD><TD>83</TD><TD>.488</TD><TD>17.0</TD><TD class=s3>88-74</TD><TD>-9</TD><TD> </TD><TD>40-41</TD><TD>39-42</TD><TD>8-5</TD><TD>14-25</TD><TD>-</TD><TD>W5</TD><TD>7-3</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Jacksonville</TD><TD>79</TD><TD>83</TD><TD>.488</TD><TD>17.0</TD><TD class=s3_2>74-88</TD><TD>5</TD><TD> </TD><TD>37-44</TD><TD>42-39</TD><TD>9-9</TD><TD>25-22</TD><TD>-</TD><TD>L3</TD><TD>5-5</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Oakland</TD><TD>78</TD><TD>84</TD><TD>.481</TD><TD>18.0</TD><TD class=s3>73-89</TD><TD>5</TD><TD> </TD><TD>42-39</TD><TD>36-45</TD><TD>8-4</TD><TD>28-25</TD><TD>-</TD><TD>W1</TD><TD>7-3</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Texas</TD><TD>77</TD><TD>85</TD><TD>.475</TD><TD>19.0</TD><TD class=s3_2>84-78</TD><TD>-7</TD><TD> </TD><TD>43-38</TD><TD>34-47</TD><TD>6-9</TD><TD>23-28</TD><TD>-</TD><TD>L1</TD><TD>6-4</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Kansas City</TD><TD>76</TD><TD>86</TD><TD>.469</TD><TD>20.0</TD><TD class=s3>79-83</TD><TD>-3</TD><TD> </TD><TD>37-44</TD><TD>39-42</TD><TD>11-9</TD><TD>22-25</TD><TD>-</TD><TD>L3</TD><TD>2-8</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s5>National League Standings</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Eastern Division</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Team</TD><TD>W</TD><TD>L</TD><TD>PCT</TD><TD>GB</TD><TD class=s3> Pyt.Rec</TD><TD>Diff</TD><TD> </TD><TD>Home</TD><TD>Away</TD><TD>XInn</TD><TD>1Run</TD><TD>M#</TD><TD>Streak</TD><TD>Last10</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Atlanta</TD><TD>88</TD><TD>74</TD><TD>.543</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3_2>85-77</TD><TD>3</TD><TD> </TD><TD>45-36</TD><TD>43-38</TD><TD>8-4</TD><TD>29-18</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>L1</TD><TD>5-5</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>New York (N)</TD><TD>88</TD><TD>74</TD><TD>.543</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3>87-75</TD><TD>1</TD><TD> </TD><TD>44-37</TD><TD>44-37</TD><TD>5-3</TD><TD>21-27</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>L1</TD><TD>4-6</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Chicago (N)</TD><TD>82</TD><TD>80</TD><TD>.506</TD><TD>6.0</TD><TD class=s3_2>81-81</TD><TD>1</TD><TD> </TD><TD>39-42</TD><TD>43-38</TD><TD>5-6</TD><TD>26-20</TD><TD>-</TD><TD>W3</TD><TD>7-3</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Florida</TD><TD>82</TD><TD>80</TD><TD>.506</TD><TD>6.0</TD><TD class=s3>77-85</TD><TD>5</TD><TD> </TD><TD>45-36</TD><TD>37-44</TD><TD>8-8</TD><TD>31-16</TD><TD>-</TD><TD>W1</TD><TD>5-5</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Cincinnati</TD><TD>77</TD><TD>85</TD><TD>.475</TD><TD>11.0</TD><TD class=s3_2>77-85</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>38-43</TD><TD>39-42</TD><TD>6-7</TD><TD>17-23</TD><TD>-</TD><TD>L2</TD><TD>6-4</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Montreal</TD><TD>76</TD><TD>86</TD><TD>.469</TD><TD>12.0</TD><TD class=s3>77-85</TD><TD>-1</TD><TD> </TD><TD>39-42</TD><TD>37-44</TD><TD>6-10</TD><TD>25-32</TD><TD>-</TD><TD>L4</TD><TD>3-7</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Philadelphia</TD><TD>76</TD><TD>86</TD><TD>.469</TD><TD>12.0</TD><TD class=s3_2>81-81</TD><TD>-5</TD><TD> </TD><TD>40-41</TD><TD>36-45</TD><TD>7-11</TD><TD>24-30</TD><TD>-</TD><TD>L3</TD><TD>1-9</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Houston</TD><TD>70</TD><TD>92</TD><TD>.432</TD><TD>18.0</TD><TD class=s3>70-92</TD><TD>0</TD><TD> </TD><TD>33-48</TD><TD>37-44</TD><TD>11-11</TD><TD>26-33</TD><TD>-</TD><TD>W2</TD><TD>5-5</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s5>Western Division</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Team</TD><TD>W</TD><TD>L</TD><TD>PCT</TD><TD>GB</TD><TD class=s3> Pyt.Rec</TD><TD>Diff</TD><TD> </TD><TD>Home</TD><TD>Away</TD><TD>XInn</TD><TD>1Run</TD><TD>M#</TD><TD>Streak</TD><TD>Last10</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Pittsburgh</TD><TD>93</TD><TD>69</TD><TD>.574</TD><TD>-</TD><TD class=s3_2>85-77</TD><TD>8</TD><TD> </TD><TD>48-33</TD><TD>45-36</TD><TD>10-6</TD><TD>29-25</TD><TD>*</TD><TD>L1</TD><TD>6-4</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>St. Louis</TD><TD>90</TD><TD>72</TD><TD>.556</TD><TD>3.0</TD><TD class=s3>87-75</TD><TD>3</TD><TD> </TD><TD>49-32</TD><TD>41-40</TD><TD>8-4</TD><TD>26-17</TD><TD>-</TD><TD>L3</TD><TD>3-7</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Los Angeles</TD><TD>84</TD><TD>78</TD><TD>.519</TD><TD>9.0</TD><TD class=s3_2>81-81</TD><TD>3</TD><TD> </TD><TD>44-37</TD><TD>40-41</TD><TD>4-10</TD><TD>26-23</TD><TD>-</TD><TD>W2</TD><TD>5-5</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1 bgColor=#ffff00>Arizona</TD><TD bgColor=#ffff00>83</TD><TD bgColor=#ffff00>79</TD><TD bgColor=#ffff00>.512</TD><TD bgColor=#ffff00>10.0</TD><TD class=s3 bgColor=#ffff00>87-75</TD><TD bgColor=#ffff00>-4</TD><TD bgColor=#ffff00> </TD><TD bgColor=#ffff00>47-34</TD><TD bgColor=#ffff00>36-45</TD><TD bgColor=#ffff00>10-11</TD><TD bgColor=#ffff00>33-28</TD><TD bgColor=#ffff00>-</TD><TD bgColor=#ffff00>W5</TD><TD bgColor=#ffff00>8-2</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Milwaukee</TD><TD>82</TD><TD>80</TD><TD>.506</TD><TD>11.0</TD><TD class=s3_2>83-79</TD><TD>-1</TD><TD> </TD><TD>43-38</TD><TD>39-42</TD><TD>8-10</TD><TD>26-26</TD><TD>-</TD><TD>L2</TD><TD>6-4</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>San Francisco</TD><TD>79</TD><TD>83</TD><TD>.488</TD><TD>14.0</TD><TD class=s3>83-79</TD><TD>-4</TD><TD> </TD><TD>39-42</TD><TD>40-41</TD><TD>12-13</TD><TD>19-31</TD><TD>-</TD><TD>W3</TD><TD>5-5</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>Colorado</TD><TD>77</TD><TD>85</TD><TD>.475</TD><TD>16.0</TD><TD class=s3_2>76-86</TD><TD>1</TD><TD> </TD><TD>39-42</TD><TD>38-43</TD><TD>13-6</TD><TD>26-21</TD><TD>-</TD><TD>W1</TD><TD>5-5</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>San Diego</TD><TD>69</TD><TD>93</TD><TD>.426</TD><TD>24.0</TD><TD class=s3>79-83</TD><TD>-10</TD><TD> </TD><TD>34-47</TD><TD>35-46</TD><TD>7-8</TD><TD>22-36</TD><TD>-</TD><TD>W1</TD><TD>6-4</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>American League Cy Young:
Joel Vega (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1462.html) (SEA)!
He had a record of 21-3 with an ERA of 2.00 and 1 shutouts.
In 35 games started, he pitched 239 innings, fanning 327 and walking 75 batters.
American League MVP:
Lorenzo Hernandez (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p525.html) (SEA)!
He batted .334 in 587 AB, with 28 homers and 126 RBI.
National League Cy Young:
Timothy Recinos (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p980.html) (ATL)!
He had a record of 18-6 with an ERA of 2.55 and 1 shutouts.
In 36 games started, he pitched 229.1 innings, fanning 216 and walking 57 batters.
National League MVP:
Bradley Xu (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p239.html) (MIL)!
He batted .342 in 541 AB, with 48 homers and 115 RBI.
American League Gold Glove Winners:
Pitcher: Ferdy Alaniz (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p987.html) (SEA)
Catcher: John Dawkins (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p977.html) (C()
First Base: Brian Shipton (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p939.html) (EP)
Second Base: John Greenhalgh (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p755.html) (BAL)
Third Base: Cruz Ramos (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p248.html) (TB)
Shortstop: Fletcher Harvey (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1084.html) (EP)
Leftfield: Bill Elmore (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p692.html) (MIN)
Centerfield: Barry Miller (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1358.html) (KC)
Rightfield: Gonzalo Ortiz (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1405.html) (CLE)
National League Gold Glove Winners:
Pitcher: Alexis Perez (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p357.html) (SF)
Catcher: Oswaldo Montoya (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p625.html) (FLO)
First Base: Steven Drexler (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1245.html) (ATL)
Second Base: Nathaniel Thomas (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p649.html) (ATL)
Third Base: Thomas Collazo (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1504.html) (ARI)
Shortstop: Bruce Miller (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1142.html) (MIL)
Leftfield: Mauricio Fernandez (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p18.html) (CIN)
Centerfield: Daniel Aguayo (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p942.html) (CIN)
Rightfield: Segundo Tedesco (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p350.html) (LA)
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
THOUGHTS
Overall, we did better than I thought we would. I look forward to my first shot at free agency to improve this team.

<!-- / message -->

[Ben E Lou]

NOTE: Sorry that the links don't work for the reader. However, this league IS uploaded at http://www.younglifenorthdekalb.com/ootp6

Just go to the appropriate team, and you can view the player card of the guy you're looking for.

[Ben E Lou]

I *think* that the best time to upload reports is going to be right before advancing to the next season. That way, player cards will contain the month-to-month splits for the current season. The downside is that they won't contain the leader board appearances for the season in question.

Also, if you experience any weird things looking at the league files in the few minutes right after I make the "POSTSEASON" post, it is because that is when I'll upload the next season.

As always, let me know if there are any format changes you'd like to see. I don't think I can do anything about the bad links, though, without really slowing myself down. The WYSIWYG editor copies the link to the file on my hard drive when I view HTML reports.

[Ben E Lou]

2005 BEGINNING-OF-YEAR TEAM NEWS
<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Sunday 1/31/2005 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Pedro Diez retires ...
Fernando Medrano retires ...
Kojiro Takamuku retires ...
Freddie Perez retires ...
Ramon Apodaca retires ...
Thomas Creasman retires ...
Thomas Collazo gets a new one-year contract worth $1,328,571 through salary arbitration.
Jion Goemon gets a new one-year contract worth $1,685,714 through salary arbitration.
Davor Varona becomes a free agent.
Dirk Smith becomes a free agent.
Aldo Trejo becomes a free agent.
Kenneth Coble becomes a free agent.
Wayne Cortinas gets a new one-year contract worth $478,571 through salary arbitration.
Jerome Sachs gets a new one-year contract worth $350,000 through salary arbitration.
Jimmy English gets a new one-year contract worth $350,000 through salary arbitration.
Juan Cadena becomes a free agent.
Pedro Dearmas becomes a free agent.



Not much worth noting in the above.



</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[Ben E Lou]

2005 POSITION REPORTS

<TABLE class=tborder cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=page> Catcher

Jion Goemon (36/57/54) had a pretty decent season, going .244-19-59, and remains the starter for now with Jimmy Aparicio (37/51/49) as his backup.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Goemon certainly isn't a star, but having him as the starter isn't an alarming situation either. He's solid defensively and has a decent bat.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> <TABLE class=tborder cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=page>First Base

20yo Trent Desmarais (39/75/37) had a fine season overall. He’s a great defensive first baseman and hit 32 homers, so he remains the starter. Tyrone Tuggle (46/54/41) gave me a right-handed bat off the bench to the tune of an .868 OPS. Nice!

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Desmarais has two more years before he's arbitration-eligible. With his defense and power, he could be at 1B for a long time for us..
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tborder cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=page> Second Base

Joel Ceja (54/16/90) gave me good defense, but very little at the plate (.660OPS). Switch-hitting Daniel Ramirez (42/30/26) probabl won't be much of a factor, due to declining ratings.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Ceja is making $5.24M per year. I'd like to dump his salary and sign someone else to play 2B..
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tborder cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=page><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=bottom><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"></TD><TD class=smallfont align=right></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Third Base

Rifled-armed Thomas Collazo (45/41/55) won a Gold Glove at 3B and played 155 games. I have no other decent options.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: I could use some depth here. If I can get some more offense from RF, I think I can afford to keep the defensive whiz at 3B.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tborder height=113 cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=page height=103><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=bottom><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"></TD><TD class=smallfont align=right></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Shortstop

Andres Colon (49/36/11) hit .290, but has an 11 range rating.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: I’d like a better defensive SS this year via free agency. This will probably be my #1 priority.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> <TABLE class=tborder cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=page>Left Field

Bruce Omalley (59/46/48) had a .345 OBP and stole 83 bases. Need I say more?

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Omalley is in his contract year. I'd like to lock him up long-term.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tborder cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=page><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=bottom><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt"></TD><TD class=smallfont align=right></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Center Field

Jacob Mealey (64/56/47) got a long-term deal after his .313-26-102-64SB season. He's also a good defensive outfielder. Jerome Sachs (36/43/28) also is a good speed/defense outfielder who can play CF or RF.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: 27-year-old Mealey also has great range in RF, and could be moved over there if necessary.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE class=tborder cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=page>Right Field

David Groesbeck (46/52/35) is the starter, but is in the last year of his contract and will be 38 on July 3rd. Last year was wasn't that impressive at .246-19-75.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: If I can find another RF in free agency, I'll go for it. :(
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tborder height=235 cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=page height=225> Starting Pitchers

LHP Rai “Tadpole” Eitoku (58/83/71) is the unquestioned ace of this staff. He as 16-9, 3.24 before shutting down on 9/25 due to an arm injury. He looks likehe's healthy this year, though. RHP Seve Valencia (44/74/48) won 17 games last year, but suffered a ratings dip in movement. That's cause for concern for this inning-eater. LHP George Lor (37/91/51) also dropped 8 movement poitns after going 12-7-3.21 last year. Thomas Laflamme (34/72/57) was 6-10, 4.65 last year. 25yo Jimmy English (37/76/25) spent part of the year at AAA, and part in the bigs.

I have three solid-looking SP prospects in William “Sunshine” Dorn (4.5 stars), Bernard Lamas (3.5), and Rory Thompson (3.0), but all three look like they'll be starting the year in A-ball.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: If I have the financial ability, I need another SP to be able to contend. This is probably my second priority behind SS.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tborder cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=page> POSITION REPORT: Relief Pitchers

23-year-old Richard Corpus (44/47/63) is the closer of the future, and looked almost ready last September.24-year-old righty Andrew Harvey (57/63/65) had 38 saves, but a 5.18 ERA. He'll eventually be a setup man for Corpus. Lefty Nathan Books (26/61/75) was an all-star last year, and turned in a 1.80 ERA in 90 IP.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Once Corpus can take over as closer, we should be pretty solid here.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[Ben E Lou]

<CENTER>2005 FREE AGENCY PERIOD REPORT</CENTER>

TRADES
I unload 2B Joel Ceja's salary to NY (A). I have to send 3-star SP prospect Garrett Allee with him to make it work. In return, I get 1B Russ Parmer, a 19-year-old prospect with good speed and 36/48/39 talent. He's worth a look, plus I get rid of a salary I didn't need. The Yankees needed a 2B.

FINANCIAL/FRONT OFFICE SITUATION
Fan Interest: 63 (-2)

Team Market: Slightly above average
Fan Loyalty: Good
Cash on Hand: $10,000,000
Total Payroll: $53,992,856
Last Year Income: $73,805,189
Available Money: $29,812,333

I've got the cash to sign some guys this year. Nice!

DESIRES
As mentioned in the roster eval, I need a SS first and foremost. Now that I've traded Ceja away, I also need a 2B. After those two positions, SP and CF/RF would be the next two priorities, with help at MR and C the next tier.

SIGNINGS
2B Ronald Boatman (43/76/31)--This 2.5-star guy was .242-22-89 for SD last year. He's got solid defensive range and good speed as well.
SS Anthony Sears (34/39/15)--Defensive SS with 89 range and 93 arm signs for less than $1M per year. He hit .200 in Boston last year. #8 hitter. :p
RF Urbano Ferraro (39/64/29)--Pretty solid defensively, and was .239-34-94 at the plate. Gotta like that.
SP Bernard Duda (35/68/72)--Right-hander was 9-13, 4.12 ERA in Houston last season.
SP Rodney Busby (43/71/47)--8-10, 4.11 in Minnesota
MR Serafin Trevino (48/69/58)--Solid right-hander out of the 'pen. He was 4-5 with 4.28 for SD in 82 appearances.

POST-FREE AGENCY THOUGHTS
Free agency was difficult, because the AI teams seemed to up their offers when there were few guys remaining at a position. I filled the positions I needed to fill, though. However, I paid more than I wanted to get some of these guys. Nice to get two SP's.

[Ben E Lou]

I tried to send SP Jimmy English down to AAA to make room for my FA's, but Pittsburgh picked him up on waivers. :(

I also send down 2B Ramirez and he won't accept it, so he gets cut.

[RPI-Fan]

Nice dynasty, SkyDog.

I might try one of these to see if it makes me enjoy single-player mode.

[Ben E Lou]

Nice dynasty, SkyDog.

I might try one of these to see if it makes me enjoy single-player mode.It makes a *BIG* difference imho.

[Ben E Lou]

2005 DEVELOPMENT AND SPRING TRAINING







<TABLE class=overall><TBODY><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s5>Sunday 1/31/2005 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s4>Jacob Mealey (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%20NEWS%20BOX/p1486.html) increased his bat control, resulting in more contact!David Wier (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%20NEWS%20BOX/p988.html) seems to have improved his pure stuff!
Pierre Aleman (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%20NEWS%20BOX/p2200.html) increased his bat control, resulting in more contact!
Pierre Aleman (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%20NEWS%20BOX/p2200.html) has improved his plate disclipine!



</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Tuesday 3/2/2005 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>2 SPRING TRAINING NEWS:



Russ Parmer (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%20NEWS%20BOX/p1636.html) displays more power in batting practice!
Trent Desmarais (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%20NEWS%20BOX/p964.html) has good batting practice sessions!
William Dorn (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%20NEWS%20BOX/p1540.html) has good pitching sessions!
William Dorn (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%20NEWS%20BOX/p1540.html) has increased his throwing velocity!
Jared Prine (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%20NEWS%20BOX/p1959.html) has good batting practice sessions!
Jared Prine (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%20NEWS%20BOX/p1959.html) displays more power in batting practice!
Jared Prine (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%20NEWS%20BOX/p1959.html) showed good strike zone judgement!
Richard Draeger (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%20NEWS%20BOX/p1815.html) has good batting practice sessions!
Richard Draeger (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%20NEWS%20BOX/p1815.html) displays more power in batting practice!
Andres Frontera (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%20NEWS%20BOX/p1789.html) displays more power in batting practice!
Kelley Mead (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%20NEWS%20BOX/p2055.html) showed good strike zone judgement!
Ralph Walley (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%20NEWS%20BOX/p2062.html) has good batting practice sessions!
Pierre Aleman (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%20NEWS%20BOX/p2200.html) has good batting practice sessions!
Pierre Aleman (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%20NEWS%20BOX/p2200.html) displays more power in batting practice!
Pierre Aleman (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%20NEWS%20BOX/p2200.html) showed good strike zone judgement!
Dustin Gargano (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%20NEWS%20BOX/p2123.html) has increased his throwing velocity!



</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


Mealey's boost might just make him a steal at $7.8M per year. He's now 71/56/47, with talent of 75/56/53. Pierre Aleman was my 6th-round pick last year. He still only has 1 star, but his 45/9/28 talent ratings to go along with his good speed and OF defense make him look like he might have potential.




</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[kingfc22]

Awesome dynasty Skydog. Just might start up one myself now.

[Ben E Lou]

2005 LINEUPS AND ROTATION

LINEUP vs. RHP
LF Omalley (59/46/48
3B Collazo (45/41/55)
CF Mealey (71/56/47)
2B Boatman (43/76/31)
RF Ferrero (39/64/29)
1B Desmarais (40/75/37)
C Goemon (36/57/54)
SS Sears (34/49/15)

LINEUP vs. LHP
LF Omalley (59/46/48
3B Collazo (45/41/55)
CF Mealey (71/56/47)
1B Desmarais (40/75/37)
2B Boatman (43/76/31)
C Goemon (36/57/54)
RF Ferrero (39/64/29)
SS Sears (34/49/15)

ROTATION
Eitoku (58/83/71)
Lor (37/91/51)
Duda (35/68/72)
Valencia (44/74/48)
Busby (43/71/47)
CLOSER: Corpus (44/47/63)--gonna go ahead and put him in there

[RPI-Fan]

Where'd you find that fancy schedule generator?

[Ben E Lou]

Link in the alright boyz thread.

[Ben E Lou]

APRIL 2005<CENTER></CENTER>
THIS MONTH’S RECORD: 10-15
OVERALL RECORD AT MONTH-END: 10-15
CURRENT STANDING: T6, 6.5 games off the lead.

MAJOR INJURIES:
None.

TEAM NEWS OF NOTE THIS MONTH
None.

COMMENTS/LINEUP OR ROTATION CHANGES:
Team batting average is 30th: .233, but we're 12th in runs scored. The biggest issue is our pitching. We have a 4.38 staff ERA. Eitoku is the only one who has it together so far. I make no changes, because it is virtually everyone who is struggling.

SEASON-TO-DATE TEAM STATISTICAL LEADERS
AVG: CF Mealey--..313
HR: 2B Boatman--7
RBI: 2B Boatman--22
SB: LF Omalley—16
SP ERA: Eitoku--2.62
RP ERA: Wier--2.57
SAVES: Corpus--3
K’s: Eitoku--33

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT:

<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Tuesday 4/19/2005 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Wayne Cortinas (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p686.html) seems to have improved his pure stuff!
Wayne Cortinas (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p686.html)'s pitches have more bite now, the movement has improved!
Wayne Cortinas (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p686.html) is hitting his spots better, his command improved!
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Cortinas is a AAA MR. He could be helpful if someone gets hurt, or if struggles continue.

AAA NOTES:
No prospects of note

AA NOTES:
No prospects of note.

A NOTES:
SP William "Sunshine" Dorn--29/5/50--4-0, 1.38. He has *got* to improve his control.
SP Bernard Lamas--23/27/35--2-2, 2.52.
SP Rory Thomson--22/20/38--0-3,5.27

TRADES
None.

MONTHLY AWARDS

<TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>American League-Pitcher of the Month:
Adam Duncan (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p243.html) (BOS)!
He had a record of 1-0 in 3 games started, with an ERA of 0.52.
American League-Batter of the Month:
Reggie Saver (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1217.html) (KC)!
He batted .447 in 85 AB, with 8 homers and 28 RBI.
National League-Pitcher of the Month:
Dominick Fargo (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p31.html) (HOU)!
He had a record of 4-0 in 5 games started, with an ERA of 1.51 and 1 shutouts.
National League-Batter of the Month:
Mauricio Fernandez (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p18.html) (CIN)!
He batted .433 in 97 AB, with 8 homers and 22 RBI.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
OTHER IMPORTANT LEAGUE NEWS
None.

[Ben E Lou]

MAY 2005<CENTER></CENTER>
THIS MONTH’S RECORD: 17-12
OVERALL RECORD AT MONTH-END: 27-27
CURRENT STANDING: 5th, 5 games out of first

MAJOR INJURIES:
None.

TEAM NEWS OF NOTE THIS MONTH
None.

COMMENTS/LINEUP OR ROTATION CHANGES:
Looking much better all around. The staff ERA dropped to 3.90 (11th), and we're 12 in runs scored. Corpus struggled early, but has 3 saves, a win, and no runs allowed in his last five appearances.

SEASON-TO-DATE TEAM STATISTICAL LEADERS
AVG: CF Mealey--..307
HR: 2B Boatman--13
RBI: 2B Boatman--43
SB: LF Omalley—33
SP ERA: Eitoku--2.75
RP ERA: Wier--2.38
SAVES: Corpus--7
K’s: Eitoku--67

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT:

<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Saturday 5/21/2005 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Dustin Gargano (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p2123.html) seems to have improved his pure stuff!
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>He was my 10th-round pick last year. Could actually turn out to be decent. He now has 43/50/62 ratings.

AAA NOTES:
No prospects of note

AA NOTES:
No prospects of note.

A NOTES:
SP William "Sunshine" Dorn--30/5/55--8-1, 2.07. Control lagging behind, but still dominating. I call him up to AA.
SP Bernard Lamas--23/28/43--4-5, 2.70.
SP Rory Thomson--23/20/43--1-6,3.96

TRADES
None.

MONTHLY AWARDS
American League-Pitcher of the Month:
Keith Castile (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p650.html) (MIN)!
He had a record of 3-0 in 3 games started, with an ERA of 1.00.
American League-Batter of the Month:
Brian Gowins (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p306.html) (JAC)!
He batted .402 in 102 AB, with 8 homers and 19 RBI.
National League-Pitcher of the Month:
Timothy Recinos (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p980.html) (MIN)!
He had a record of 3-0 in 5 games started, with an ERA of 0.96 and 1 shutouts.
National League-Batter of the Month:
Bradley Xu (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p239.html) (MIL)!
He batted .406 in 101 AB, with 8 homers and 19 RBI.


OTHER IMPORTANT LEAGUE NEWS
None.

[Ben E Lou]

<CENTER>2005 AMATEUR DRAFT REPORT</CENTER>

DRAFT POSITION: 20

TOP THREE DRAFTEES
NOTE: I’m listing talent ratings, not actual, for draftees.
1. SS Earl Bruhn (44/38/54, 2 stars): Has a good arm, good range, and might be able to hit a bit. Can play 2B/3B/SS.
2. SP Lawrence Howell (31/61/71, 1 star): 18-year-old who could be useful on a good defensive team.
3. LF Warner Faircloth (42/43/25, 1 star): Good defensive LF/RF. 19yo.

POST-DRAFT TOP TEN MINOR LEAGUE SYSTEMS

Jax
Tampa Bay
Boston
Detroit
Colorado
San Diego
Houston
Cleveland
Cincinnati
Arizona

ARIZONA TOP 100 PROSEPCTS
SP William “Sunshine” Dorn—14th
SP Bernard Lamas—29th
SP Rory Thompson—56th

<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

[Ben E Lou]

JUNE 2005<CENTER></CENTER>


THIS MONTH’S RECORD: 17-10
OVERALL RECORD AT MONTH-END: 44-37
CURRENT STANDING: 2nd. 1/2 game out of first. SEVEN teams are within 4.5 games of first. Should be a fantastic race.

MAJOR INJURIES:
SP Bernard Duda had to go on the DL due to a strained biceps tendon suffered on the 26th. He's expected to miss about 3 weeks.

TEAM NEWS OF NOTE THIS MONTH
None.

COMMENTS/LINEUP OR ROTATION CHANGES:
This team is now performing about as I expected. We're pretty solid all-around. Barring injury, this should be a playoff team.Right now, we're 10th in the bigs in runs scored, and 9th wiht a 3.83 ERA.

SEASON-TO-DATE TEAM STATISTICAL LEADERS
AVG: CF Mealey--..329
HR: 2B Boatman--19
RBI: 2B Boatman--59
SB: LF Omalley—54
SP ERA: Busby--3.15
RP ERA: Wier--2.18
SAVES: Corpus-13
K’s: Eitoku--95

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT:
No changes reported this month.

AAA NOTES:
No prospects of note

AA NOTES:
SP William "Sunshine" Dorn--30/5/55--2-3, 3.10 in first month at AA.
C Jeibi Yahei only has one star, but he is hitting .307 with 29 homers and a .970 OPS. He tore it up last year at AA as well. I'm putting him in AAA.

A NOTES:
SP Bernard Lamas--23/28/43--6-7, 2.56.
SP Rory Thomson--24/20/45--5-7,3.06

TRADES
None.

MONTHLY AWARDS
American League-Pitcher of the Month:
Paris Tyus (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p664.html) (BOS)!
He had a record of 4-0 in 6 games started, with an ERA of 1.45 and 1 shutouts.
American League-Batter of the Month:
Rodney Khan (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p258.html) (DET)!
He batted .381 in 105 AB, with 7 homers and 28 RBI.
National League-Pitcher of the Month:
Harry Watson (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p611.html) (PHI)!
He had a record of 3-1 in 3 games started, with an ERA of 1.01 and 2 shutouts.
National League-Batter of the Month:
Segundo Tedesco (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p350.html) (LA)!
He batted .383 in 94 AB, with 8 homers and 19 RBI.

OTHER IMPORTANT LEAGUE NEWS
None.

[RPI-Fan]

SkyDog:

Great work.

Think there's any chance you could post a midseason and postseason stats update for at least your starting players and maybe top prospects?

~rpi-fan

[Ben E Lou]

Good call. I just finished July, so we're way past midseason, but I'll do it at the end of June henceforth.

[Ben E Lou]

JULY 2005<CENTER></CENTER>


THIS MONTH’S RECORD: 12-13
OVERALL RECORD AT MONTH-END: 56-50
CURRENT STANDING: 3rd. 3 games out of first. The field is thinning a bit, but still 4 teams are within 4.5 games of first.

MAJOR INJURIES:
SP Duda came off the DL on 7/19. FA signee MR Trevino gets sent down to AAA.

TEAM NEWS OF NOTE THIS MONTH
LF Brice Omalley (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%20NEWS%20BOX/p871.html) will play in the OOTP-Allstar game!
2B Ronald Boatman (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%20NEWS%20BOX/p101.html) will play in the OOTP-Allstar game!

COMMENTS/LINEUP OR ROTATION CHANGES:
We struggled a bit this month overall. I decide to make one major change. Corpus still hasn't settled in like I'd hoped as the closer (7.71 ERA in July), and last year's closer--Harvey, has a 2.24 ERA. I make the switch for the stretch drive.

SEASON-TO-DATE TEAM STATISTICAL LEADERS
AVG: CF Mealey--..310
HR: 2B Boatman--26
RBI: 2B Boatman--79
SB: LF Omalley—71
SP ERA: Eitoku--3.07
RP ERA: Harvey--2.24
SAVES: Corpus-16
K’s: Eitoku--140

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT:

<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Sunday 7/3/2005 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Mark Anderson (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p2188.html) has lost some movement on his pitches...
Mark Anderson (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p2188.html)'s control seems to have taken a bump...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Friday 7/15/2005 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Russ Parmer (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1636.html) has lost some momentum, his stealing ability drops to 56 ...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Monday 7/18/2005 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Jerome Sachs (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p338.html) positions himself better now, his range at CF increases to 80 ...
Jerome Sachs (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p338.html) positions himself better now, his range at RF increases to 71 ...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Sunday 7/24/2005 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Juan Marques (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p2228.html) has increased his lower body strength, his duration raises to 39 ...
Lawrence Howell (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p2384.html) seems to have lost some of his feel for his stuff...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Wednesday 7/27/2005 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>David Groesbeck (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p775.html) positions himself better now, his range at RF increases to 83 ...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Friday 7/29/2005 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Thomas Collazo (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1504.html) increased his bat control, resulting in more contact!
Thomas Collazo (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1504.html) has improved his plate disclipine!
Andres Frontera (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1789.html) has improved his plate disclipine!</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Sachs keeps improving. Are the talent hits no longer as random?

Collazo's improvement could be very important. He already plays Gold Glove defense. If he can improve at the plate, that would be gravy!

AAA NOTES:
C Jeibi Yahei responds his first month in AAA with .311-9-21-.956OPS numbers. Nice!

AA NOTES:
SP William "Sunshine" Dorn--30/6/63--3-4, 3.09

A NOTES:
SP Bernard Lamas--23/28/43--7-10, 2.64--Called up to AA.
SP Rory Thomson--24/20/48--9-8,3.04--Ditto.

TRADES
None.

MONTHLY AWARDS
American League-Pitcher of the Month:
Harold Sheetz (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p206.html) (ANA)!
He had a record of 1-1 in 6 games started, with an ERA of 0.98.
American League-Batter of the Month:
Lorenzo Hernandez (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p525.html) (SEA)!
He batted .406 in 106 AB, with 7 homers and 22 RBI.
National League-Pitcher of the Month:
Sebastian Cartagena (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p24.html) (SF)!
He had a record of 5-0 in 6 games started, with an ERA of 1.34.
National League-Batter of the Month:
Eric Sumpter (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1125.html) (PIT)!
He batted .400 in 95 AB, with 13 homers and 29 RBI.


OTHER IMPORTANT LEAGUE NEWS
None.

[Ben E Lou]

AUGUST 2005
THIS MONTH’S RECORD: 19-9
OVERALL RECORD AT MONTH-END: 75-59
CURRENT STANDING: 1st! 3 games ahead of St. Louis.

MAJOR INJURIES:
None.

TEAM NEWS OF NOTE THIS MONTH
None.

COMMENTS/LINEUP OR ROTATION CHANGES:
Moving Harvey back to closer made a HUGE difference. He responded with 9 saves and a 0.98 ERA this month! Everything else fell into line, and we now have a 3.59 ERA, best in the bigs. Coupled with being 7th in runs scored, it isn't hard to see why we're tied for the best record in the NL.

SEASON-TO-DATE TEAM STATISTICAL LEADERS
AVG: LF Omalley--..310
HR: 2B Boatman--29
RBI: 2B Boatman--93
SB: LF Omalley—80
SP ERA: Eitoku--2.99
RP ERA: Harvey--1.94
SAVES: Corpus-16 (Harvey has 11)
K’s: Eitoku--183

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT:

<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Friday 8/12/2005 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Jacob Mealey (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%20NEWS%20BOX/p1486.html) positions himself better now, his range at CF increases to 74 ...
Jacob Mealey (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%20NEWS%20BOX/p1486.html) positions himself better now, his range at RF increases to 96 ...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Saturday 8/13/2005 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Jose Diez (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%20NEWS%20BOX/p1910.html) seems to have lost some of his feel for his stuff...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Saturday 8/27/2005 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>George Barcelo (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%20NEWS%20BOX/p1929.html) seems to have lost some bat speed, resulting in less contact...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Just when you thought Mealey couldn't be more valuable to us. :)

AAA NOTES:
C Jeibi Yahei is just DESTROYING minor league pitching. He's up to .326-16-44-.972OPS.

AA NOTES:
SP William "Sunshine" Dorn--31/6/66--6-7, 3.32
SP Bernard Lamas--23/28/43--1-2, 1.98
SP Rory Thomson--25/20/50--2-3, 3.32

A NOTES:
No prospects of note.

TRADES
None.

MONTHLY AWARDS

<TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>American League-Pitcher of the Month:
Kevin Pizarro (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%20NEWS%20BOX/p697.html) (TB)!
He had a record of 5-0 in 5 games started, with an ERA of 1.86.
American League-Batter of the Month:
James Lefever (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%20NEWS%20BOX/p868.html) (BOS)!
He batted .333 in 93 AB, with 13 homers and 31 RBI.
National League-Pitcher of the Month:
Edison Hannon (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%20NEWS%20BOX/p1416.html) (FLO)!
He had a record of 4-1 in 5 games started, with an ERA of 1.43.
National League-Batter of the Month:
Brian Shipton (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%20NEWS%20BOX/p939.html) (C()!
He batted .422 in 116 AB, with 1 homers and 18 RBI.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
OTHER IMPORTANT LEAGUE NEWS
None.

[Ben E Lou]

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2005
THIS MONTH’S RECORD: 18-10
OVERALL RECORD AT MONTH-END: 93-69
CURRENT STANDING: Division Champions by 5 games!

MAJOR INJURIES:
None.

TEAM NEWS OF NOTE THIS MONTH
None.

COMMENTS/LINEUP OR ROTATION CHANGES:
Harvey has one bad outing as closer, but otherwise is dominant, saving 10 more games.

YEAR-END STATS

<TABLE><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Name</TD><TD>G</TD><TD>AB</TD><TD>H</TD><TD>2B</TD><TD>3B</TD><TD>HR</TD><TD>RBI</TD><TD>R</TD><TD>BB</TD><TD>K</TD><TD>AVG</TD><TD>OBP</TD><TD>SLG</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>B. Omalley (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p871.html)</TD><TD>162</TD><TD>662</TD><TD>202</TD><TD>53</TD><TD>17</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>62</TD><TD>125</TD><TD>63</TD><TD>90</TD><TD>.305</TD><TD>.373</TD><TD>.486</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>J. Mealey (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1486.html)</TD><TD>156</TD><TD>577</TD><TD>175</TD><TD>25</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>23</TD><TD>103</TD><TD>113</TD><TD>68</TD><TD>70</TD><TD>.303</TD><TD>.377</TD><TD>.473</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>T. Collazo (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1504.html)</TD><TD>153</TD><TD>566</TD><TD>157</TD><TD>24</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>61</TD><TD>86</TD><TD>61</TD><TD>95</TD><TD>.277</TD><TD>.349</TD><TD>.392</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>U. Ferrero (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p361.html)</TD><TD>158</TD><TD>551</TD><TD>151</TD><TD>41</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>25</TD><TD>91</TD><TD>88</TD><TD>39</TD><TD>121</TD><TD>.274</TD><TD>.322</TD><TD>.503</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>R. Boatman (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p101.html)</TD><TD>158</TD><TD>576</TD><TD>152</TD><TD>41</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>33</TD><TD>117</TD><TD>86</TD><TD>35</TD><TD>122</TD><TD>.264</TD><TD>.306</TD><TD>.531</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>J. Sachs (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p338.html)</TD><TD>66</TD><TD>94</TD><TD>24</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>16</TD><TD>15</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>20</TD><TD>.255</TD><TD>.276</TD><TD>.436</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>B. Young (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p807.html)</TD><TD>110</TD><TD>203</TD><TD>51</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>29</TD><TD>21</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>41</TD><TD>.251</TD><TD>.276</TD><TD>.399</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>A. Sears (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p925.html)</TD><TD>152</TD><TD>488</TD><TD>117</TD><TD>24</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>12</TD><TD>48</TD><TD>53</TD><TD>21</TD><TD>101</TD><TD>.240</TD><TD>.277</TD><TD>.391</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>T. Tuggle (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p294.html)</TD><TD>129</TD><TD>213</TD><TD>49</TD><TD>9</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>40</TD><TD>30</TD><TD>18</TD><TD>29</TD><TD>.230</TD><TD>.289</TD><TD>.371</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>D. Groesbeck (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p775.html)</TD><TD>119</TD><TD>128</TD><TD>29</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>26</TD><TD>21</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>27</TD><TD>.227</TD><TD>.299</TD><TD>.344</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>J. Aparicio (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1089.html)</TD><TD>98</TD><TD>189</TD><TD>42</TD><TD>15</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>32</TD><TD>23</TD><TD>9</TD><TD>49</TD><TD>.222</TD><TD>.264</TD><TD>.418</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>J. Goemon (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1136.html)</TD><TD>143</TD><TD>464</TD><TD>103</TD><TD>21</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>14</TD><TD>50</TD><TD>64</TD><TD>48</TD><TD>102</TD><TD>.222</TD><TD>.296</TD><TD>.362</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>T. Desmarais (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p964.html)</TD><TD>155</TD><TD>474</TD><TD>98</TD><TD>21</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>14</TD><TD>68</TD><TD>45</TD><TD>42</TD><TD>110</TD><TD>.207</TD><TD>.277</TD><TD>.348</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


<TABLE><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s1>Name</TD><TD>G</TD><TD>GS</TD><TD>W</TD><TD>L</TD><TD>SV</TD><TD>ERA</TD><TD>IP</TD><TD>HA</TD><TD>R</TD><TD>ER</TD><TD>BB</TD><TD>K</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>G. Lor (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p507.html)</TD><TD>36</TD><TD>36</TD><TD>18</TD><TD>9</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>2.86</TD><TD>236.0</TD><TD>215</TD><TD>89</TD><TD>75</TD><TD>29</TD><TD>169</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>R. Eitoku (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p268.html)</TD><TD>39</TD><TD>39</TD><TD>15</TD><TD>14</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>3.09</TD><TD>277.0</TD><TD>243</TD><TD>105</TD><TD>95</TD><TD>43</TD><TD>219</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>B. Duda (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p208.html)</TD><TD>29</TD><TD>29</TD><TD>15</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>3.53</TD><TD>178.2</TD><TD>168</TD><TD>81</TD><TD>70</TD><TD>52</TD><TD>113</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>R. Busby (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1088.html)</TD><TD>24</TD><TD>24</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>4.12</TD><TD>139.2</TD><TD>142</TD><TD>72</TD><TD>64</TD><TD>34</TD><TD>85</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>S. Valencia (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p601.html)</TD><TD>31</TD><TD>31</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>4.19</TD><TD>199.2</TD><TD>198</TD><TD>102</TD><TD>93</TD><TD>64</TD><TD>114</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>R. Corpus (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1702.html)</TD><TD>63</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>7</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>16</TD><TD>4.85</TD><TD>65.0</TD><TD>80</TD><TD>40</TD><TD>35</TD><TD>20</TD><TD>51</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>R. Studebaker (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p907.html)</TD><TD>49</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>2.98</TD><TD>48.1</TD><TD>36</TD><TD>21</TD><TD>16</TD><TD>27</TD><TD>34</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>S. Trevino (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p5.html)</TD><TD>50</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>6.55</TD><TD>57.2</TD><TD>66</TD><TD>44</TD><TD>42</TD><TD>24</TD><TD>38</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>A. Harvey (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p586.html)</TD><TD>96</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>21</TD><TD>2.31</TD><TD>93.1</TD><TD>70</TD><TD>24</TD><TD>24</TD><TD>22</TD><TD>79</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>W. Cortinas (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p686.html)</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0.00</TD><TD>8.1</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>3</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>T. Laflamme (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1110.html)</TD><TD>38</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>4.68</TD><TD>67.1</TD><TD>67</TD><TD>36</TD><TD>35</TD><TD>22</TD><TD>37</TD></TR><TR class=g><TD class=s1>D. Wier (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p988.html)</TD><TD>58</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>2.80</TD><TD>64.1</TD><TD>54</TD><TD>20</TD><TD>20</TD><TD>10</TD><TD>45</TD></TR><TR class=g2><TD class=s1_2>N. Books (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p878.html)</TD><TD>42</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>5.08</TD><TD>33.2</TD><TD>41</TD><TD>19</TD><TD>19</TD><TD>16</TD><TD>15</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>



PLAYER DEVELOPMENT:

<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Wednesday 9/7/2005 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Herman Acuña (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p992.html) has lost some lower body strength, his duration drops to 29 ...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Thursday 9/8/2005 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Douglas Sumter (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1257.html) has lost some power...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Monday 9/12/2005 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Everette Coppock (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p290.html) has increased his lower body strength, his duration raises to 25 ...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Tuesday 9/13/2005 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>David Tennyson (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p646.html) has improved his plate disclipine!
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Friday 9/16/2005 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Marcos Silva (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1763.html) increased his bat control, resulting in more contact!
Marcos Silva (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1763.html) has improved his plate disclipine!
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Saturday 9/17/2005 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Julian Powell (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p2018.html) has lost some lower body strength, his duration drops to 24 ...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Tuesday 9/20/2005 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Frank Barlow (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p394.html) has increased his lower body strength, his duration raises to 75 ...
David Tennyson (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p646.html) plate discipline seems to have faded...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Wednesday 9/21/2005 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Herman Acuña (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p992.html) seems to have lost some of his feel for his stuff...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Thursday 9/22/2005 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>David Stpeter (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1283.html) seems to have lost some bat speed, resulting in less contact...
Brian Naron (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1389.html) has lost some power...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Thursday 9/29/2005 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Ronnie Judah (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1203.html) has lost some power to the gaps...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Sunday 10/2/2005 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Pedro Moreno (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p2364.html) has lost some power...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

No players of much value changed...

AAA NOTES:
Season over.

AA NOTES:
Season over

A NOTES:
Season over

TRADES
None.

MONTHLY AWARDS

<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Friday 10/1/2005 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>American League-Pitcher of the Month:
Dennis Dalton (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p599.html) (TB)!
He had a record of 6-0 in 6 games started, with an ERA of 2.44.
American League-Batter of the Month:
Carlos Chavez (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p637.html) (TEX)!
He batted .388 in 85 AB, with 7 homers and 22 RBI.
National League-Pitcher of the Month:
Lino Jimenez (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1144.html) (PIT)!
He had a record of 4-0 in 6 games started, with an ERA of 0.91 and 1 shutouts.
National League-Batter of the Month:
Juan Neblett (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p301.html) (PHI)!
He batted .330 in 94 AB, with 11 homers and 21 RBI.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


OTHER IMPORTANT LEAGUE NEWS
None.

[Ben E Lou]

That's all for tonight. Playoffs in the morn.

[rjolley]

Do you find that it's easy to build a winner with OOTP, no matter who you start with?

If so, do you think it's possible to build an AI that will give a player the challenge to do so?

[Ben E Lou]

Do you find that it's easy to build a winner with OOTP, no matter who you start with?

If so, do you think it's possible to build an AI that will give a player the challenge to do so?It is impossible to make an assessment on how easy it is to build a winner in any game based on two seasons.

[Ben E Lou]

Something else to keep in mind about my free agent strategy last year: I went after good defensive players, and pitchers who were relatively inexpensive partly due to mediocre seasons. I specifically was looking for guys with higher ratings in control and movement, but low in "stuff", who had mediocre or worse seasons. My theory (which appears to have been correct) was that these guys, with good-but-not-great ratings and weak stats, would accept relatively modest salaries. I really doubt that I'll be able to keep them all around when their contracts run out, though, now that salary demands are based partly on ratings and partly on stats. They're going to have good stats and good ratings when it comes time for 'em to re-sign.

[MizzouRah]

I know this is late, but how many draft rounds did you use? I am currently using 7 for ootp5, but maybe 10 would produce more "what if" players?


Todd

[Ben E Lou]

I know this is late, but how many draft rounds did you use? I am currently using 7 for ootp5, but maybe 10 would produce more "what if" players?


ToddI started this dynasty using 10 (default). Looking the long-term sims I ran last night, that is probably too many. There is definitely "clumping" happening with that many over the long haul. The teams I glanced at in the long-term sims generally have full rosters at A and AA (2 players per position, 5 SP's, 5 RP's), and then as many as 10 SP's and 3-4 players per position at AAA. I'm going to cut it down to 7.

[MizzouRah]

I'm going with 7 as well in ootp5. Let me know what you think about 7 vs 10.


Thanks,

Todd

[Ben E Lou]

I'm going with 7 as well in ootp5. Let me know what you think about 7 vs 10.


Thanks,

ToddLemme check right now. I've had a league simming for quite some time using 7 picks. It should by now have run long enough for the 10-round pick years to be irrelevant.

[Ben E Lou]

Yup. Seven looks to be about perfect. Most teams have full (4-5SP's, 2 players per position), but not overfull, minor leagues.

[MizzouRah]

Yup. Seven looks to be about perfect. Most teams have full (4-5SP's, 2 players per position), but not overfull, minor leagues.
Excellent!!


Thanks,

Todd

[Ben E Lou]

<CENTER>2005 POST-SEASON REPORT


</CENTER>

POTENTIAL FREE AGENTS/CONTRACT EXTENSIONS


<TABLE><COLGROUP><COL style="WIDTH: 62pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 2998" width=82><COL style="WIDTH: 23pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1097" width=30><COL style="WIDTH: 56pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 2706" width=74><COL style="WIDTH: 42pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 2048" width=56><COL style="WIDTH: 227pt; mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 11044" width=302><TBODY><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD class=xl22 style="WIDTH: 62pt; HEIGHT: 12.75pt" width=82 height=17>Name</TD><TD class=xl22 style="WIDTH: 23pt" width=30>Pos</TD><TD class=xl22 style="WIDTH: 56pt" width=74>Salary</TD><TD class=xl22 style="WIDTH: 42pt" width=56>Yrs</TD><TD class=xl22 style="WIDTH: 227pt" width=302>Comments</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12pt" height=16><TD class=xl23 style="HEIGHT: 12pt" height=16>B. Omalley</TD><TD class=xl23>LF</TD><TD class=xl24 align=right x:num="6290000">$6,290,000</TD><TD class=xl23>7 years</TD><TD class=xl23>Signs a 4-year extension for $7.2M per year.</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12pt" height=16><TD class=xl23 style="HEIGHT: 12pt" height=16>D. Groesbeck</TD><TD class=xl23>RF</TD><TD class=xl24 align=right x:num="3390000">$3,390,000</TD><TD class=xl23>17 years</TD><TD class=xl23>He's 38. Time to move on.</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12pt" height=16><TD class=xl23 style="HEIGHT: 12pt" height=16>T. Laflamme</TD><TD class=xl23>SP</TD><TD class=xl24 align=right x:num="2600000">$2,600,000</TD><TD class=xl23>11 years</TD><TD class=xl23>Re-signs for $1.2M per year for 2 years. SP insurance.</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12pt" height=16><TD class=xl23 style="HEIGHT: 12pt" height=16>J. Goemon</TD><TD class=xl23>C</TD><TD class=xl24 align=right x:num="1685714">$1,685,714</TD><TD class=xl23>6 years</TD><TD class=xl23>Good defensive catcher re-signs for $2.1M for 2 yrs.</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12pt" height=16><TD class=xl23 style="HEIGHT: 12pt" height=16>T. Tuggle</TD><TD class=xl23>1B</TD><TD class=xl24 align=right x:num="1090000">$1,090,000</TD><TD class=xl23>12 years</TD><TD class=xl23>Backup 1B wants more than I'm willing to give.</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12pt" height=16><TD class=xl23 style="HEIGHT: 12pt" height=16>J. Conner</TD><TD class=xl23>RF</TD><TD class=xl24 align=right x:num="1050000">$1,050,000</TD><TD class=xl23>12 years</TD><TD class=xl23>Agrees to minor league contract.</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12pt" height=16><TD class=xl23 style="HEIGHT: 12pt" height=16>D. Wier</TD><TD class=xl23>MR</TD><TD class=xl24 align=right x:num="930000">$930,000</TD><TD class=xl23>11 years</TD><TD class=xl23>4-star MR gets $1.9M for 3 years.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>



"WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN" SECTION
(This is where I will be reporting in on any guys who used to be on my team who did well elsewhere.)



2B Joel Ceja, traded along with Garrett Allee to New York, hit .306 with 9 homers and 64 RBI's. He was their leadoff hitter and turned in a .376 OBP and scored 90 runs.



PLAYOFF FIRST ROUND REPORT
We've got a 7-game series against the 81-81 Mets. The Mets were 19th in runs scored, and 13th in runs allowed. They have one SP with an ERA under 4.00, 29-year old Eugene Monty (59/72/46). He was 9-8 with a 3.37 ERA this year. Offensively, they are led by CF Ruben Delavega (.264-35-105), LF Anibal Valenuela (.248-32-106), and 3B Stacy Sorenson (.271-25-79). Stupidly, I didn't set the rotation at the end of the regular season, so Eitoku won't be ready until Game 3. :mad:



GAME 1: Monty (9-8, 3.37) vs. Lor (18-9, 2.86)

Georg Lor goes out and pitches an absolute GEM of a ballgame today. He goes 7 innings, allows 2 hits and no walks. The 'pen finishes with two hitless inning. We're only leading 1-0 in the 8th, though, due to some good work by Monty. However, 38-year-old David Groesbeck comes off the bench and hits a pinch-hit two run homer in the bottom of the 8th off of MR Gary Fogel to give us a 3-0 win. Nice!



GAME 2: Nicholas Dickey (10-11, 4.56) ) vs. Bernard Duda (15-6, 3.53)

In the top of the 2nd, the Mets strike first blood on a single followed by a run-scoring double. We come back in the bottom of the third with three singles and a stolen base to net two runs and a 2-1 lead. SS Sears hits gives us some rare offense from him with a solo homer in the 4th, and Duda continues to hold 'em right there until giving up a run on a fielders' choice in the 7th. Sears homers AGAIN in the bottom of the 8th to give us a much-needed insurance run, as Harvey comes on in the 9th and gives up one run, but settles down to record the save in a 4-3 win, giving us a 2-0 series lead as it heads to New York.



GAME 3: Rai Eitoku (15-14, 3.09) vs Bobby Romo (15-11, 4.08)

We jump on 'em early and often in this one, with four in the top of the first, the big blow being a 3-RBI double by 1B Trent Desmarais. Eitoku cruises to an 8-2 victory as we stand on the cusp of a sweep.



GAME 4:Anthony Hall (0-7, 4.09) vs. Seve Valencia (8-11, 4.19)

Ahead 3-0, I go ahead and use SP4 Valencia today, and all he does is respond with a 4-hit shutout! We give up only 5 runs in the four-game series. Desmarais and Boatman both hit solo shots for us today.



PLAYOFF SECOND ROUND REPORT
Now we've got seven against the 92-70 Cubbies, with the winners going to play with winner of the White Sox vs. Jacksonville ALCS. Chicago had solid pitching and hitting this year, finishing 8th in runs scored, and 9th in runs allowed. The offense was anchored by SS Carl Dearth (.273-33-80) and 3B Alberto Benitez (.325-7-91)



GAME 1:Anthony Bones (19-12, 3.10) vs. Rai Eitoku (16-9, 3.24)

Our bats flex some SERIOUS muscle in this one. It is 1-0 after 1, 3-0 after 2 and 5-0 after 4. We cruise to a 15-1 stomping in Game 1. Desmairais, Ferrao and Sears all homer. Sears drives in four on the day. Eitoku goes 8 and gives up just the one earned run as our offense pounds their #1 pitcher. Nice!



GAME 2: Stephen Miller (14-14, 3.70) vs. George Lor (18-9, 2.86)

Chicago's offense returns the favor, although without quite as much thunder. They jump out early with 3 in the top of the first. It is 5-1 at the end of 5, and they cruise to an 8-2 win to send the series to Chicago all tied up.



GAME 3: Bernard Duda (15-6, 3.53) vs. Tyler Shultz (14-12, 4.41)

In contrast to the first two games, this one is a squeaker. We drew first blood in the top of the 5th, as SS Sears doubles in C Goemon, who had singled, to give us a 1-0 lead. Chicago answers quickly in the bottom of the inning as SS Dearth hits a 2-run homer off of Duda. We battle back in the top of the 7th. 1B Desmarais doubles with one out, and after a strikeout, Groesbeck comes off the bench once again for a big hit, this time a run-scoring double to know it up at 2. However, we get done in by the HR. C Robert Marshall (.277-15-87) goes yard off of Corpus in the bottom of the 8th, and that proves to be the difference as the Cubs take a 2-1 lead with a 3-2 victory.



GAME 4: Rai Eitoku (16-9, 3.24) vs. Anthony Bones (19-12, 3.10)

Down 2-1 in the series, I decide to bring Eitoku back on 3 days' rest, but the strategy fails to pay off. He gives up 4 runs, and we fall 4-2 and stand at the brink of elimination.



GAME 5: George Lor (18-9, 2.86) vs. Cornell Hampson (5-4, 3.63)

The bats remain largely silent, and we meekly go 3-2 into the night. Cubs win. :(




YEAR-END RECAP
The Chisox win the all Chicago Series, 5 games to 3.

<TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>American League Rookie Of The Year:

Patrick Guitierrez (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p2193.html) (TOR)!
He batted .285 in 624 AB, with 27 homers and 98 RBI.
American League Cy Young:
Claver Villalba (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1488.html) (JAC)!
He had a record of 19-5 with an ERA of 2.79.
In 35 games started, he pitched 219.1 innings, fanning 164 and walking 72 batters.
American League MVP:
Bill Barney (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1078.html) (C()!
He batted .293 in 488 AB, with 42 homers and 114 RBI.
National League Cy Young:
Sal Suarez (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1114.html) (LA)!
He had a record of 18-8 with an ERA of 2.69.
In 36 games started, he pitched 234.1 innings, fanning 226 and walking 39 batters.
National League MVP:
Bradley Xu (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p239.html) (MIL)!
He batted .338 in 529 AB, with 39 homers and 101 RBI.
American League Gold Glove Winners:
Pitcher: Ramon Colin (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1372.html) (CLE)
Catcher: Joshua Bogart (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1219.html) (BAL)
First Base: Justin Keough (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p125.html) (BAL)
Second Base: John Greenhalgh (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p755.html) (BAL)
Third Base: Russell Cusack (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1468.html) (MIN)
Shortstop: Julius Gregory (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p724.html) (TEX)
Leftfield: Bill Elmore (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p692.html) (MIN)
Centerfield: Randy Dennett (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1163.html) (KC)
Rightfield: Gonzalo Ortiz (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1405.html) (CLE)
National League Gold Glove Winners:
Pitcher: Alexis Perez (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p357.html) (SF)
Catcher: Robert Marshall (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p564.html) (C()
First Base: Steven Drexler (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1245.html) (ATL)
Second Base: Nathaniel Thomas (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p649.html) (ATL)
Third Base: Agustin Howard (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1161.html) (PIT)
Shortstop: Anthony Sears (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p925.html) (ARI)
Leftfield: German Delapaz (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p375.html) (MON)
Centerfield: Jacob Mealey (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1486.html) (ARI)
Rightfield: Angelo Delgado (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p259.html) (SL)

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>




<!-- / message -->

[Ben E Lou]

2006 BEGINNING-OF-YEAR TEAM NEWS

<TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Robert Goetz retires ...
Antonio Iñiguez retires ...
Matthew Courtright retires ...
Thomas Collazo gets a new one-year contract worth $1,342,857 through salary arbitration.
David Groesbeck becomes a free agent.
Andrew Harvey gets a new one-year contract worth $3,821,429 through salary arbitration.
Tyrone Tuggle becomes a free agent.
Wayne Cortinas gets a new one-year contract worth $478,571 through salary arbitration.
Jerome Sachs gets a new one-year contract worth $350,000 through salary arbitration.


</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

DEVELOPMENT

<TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Benito Cortes (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1015.html)'s pitches have more bite now, the movement has improved!
Benito Cortes (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1015.html) is hitting his spots better, his command improved!
Robert Hibbs (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p2355.html) seems to have lost some of his feel for his stuff...
Robert Hibbs (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p2355.html) has lost some movement on his pitches...


</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Cortes was a 4th-round pick reliever in '05 who had a 2.20 ERA in 28.2 IP in AA. He's now up to 3.5 stars and looks like he might become something.



Hibbs was a 6th-round MR pick. No big loss there.

[Ben E Lou]

2006 POSITION REPORTS



<TABLE class=tborder cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=page>Catcher

Jion Goemon (37/54/55) is a good defensive catcher who hit 14 homers and drove in 50. Joey Aparicio (34/51/48) remains as his backup.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Goemon certainly isn't a star, but having him as the starter isn't an alarming situation either. He's solid defensively and has a decent bat.


</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tborder cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=page>First Base

22yo Trent Desmarais (40/73/38) struggled at the plate last year (.207-14-67), but is an outstanding defensive first baseman, so he remains the starter. Right now we have no real depth at this position. The best option at this point is 3B/1B Hector Baca (37/31/59), who has yet to see big league action.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Here's hoping Desmarais can rebound from his struggles in '05, and return to the guy who hit 32 homers in '04. With his defense and power, he could be at 1B for a long time for us.


</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tborder cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=page>Second Base

We signed Ronald Boatman (43/78/30) in free agency last year, and he responded with a .264-33-117 season.Not much depth here.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: I'd like some measure of depth, but Boatman is more than adequate as my starter.


</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tborder cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=page><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=bottom><TD style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; FONT-VARIANT: normal">

</TD><TD class=smallfont align=right>

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Third Base

Thomas Collazo (46/44/59) has a Gold Glove here, and was .277-11-61 at the plate. I have a 2.5-star prospect in Carmelo Corcuera (48/56/53 tal.), but he's got a while to go before he suits up in the bigs.OVERALL THOUGHTS: Yet another position where depth would be nice, but the starter is fine..


</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tborder height=113 cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=page height=103><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=bottom><TD style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; FONT-VARIANT: normal">

</TD><TD class=smallfont align=right>

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Shortstop

Anthony Sears (33/51/14) proved to be a very solid defensive shortstop last year. 2.5-star prospect Earl Bruhn (44/38/54 tal.) is a long way from the bigs just yet. Bill Young (36/25/22) isn't very good, but at least he can play SS or 3B in a pinch.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Upgrading my defense at SS seemed to make a *BIG* difference with my pitching staff. Sears is signed cheaply for three more years, too. Nice.


</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tborder cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=page>Left Field

Bruce Omalley (56/51/44) has scored 233 runs, has a .353 OBP, and 178 SB's over the last two seasons as our leadoff hitter. I can't ask for much more than that. He's a two-time All-Star as well. Nice!

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Omalley is signed thorugh 2009, and I expect him to patrol left field for us at least until then.


</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tborder cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=page><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=bottom><TD style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: verdana, geneva, lucida, 'lucida grande', arial, helvetica, sans-serif; FONT-VARIANT: normal">

</TD><TD class=smallfont align=right>

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Center Field

Jacob Mealey (71/58/48) can do a little of everything. His numbers last year were .303-23-103-61SB, and he won a Gold Glove. Jerome Sachs (35/40/36) also is a good speed/defense outfielder who can play CF or RF.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: 28-year-old Mealey has a long-term deal, and is a big part of this team's future.


</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tborder cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=page>Right Field

Urbano Ferraro (38/64/28) signed a $6M-per-year FA deal last year and responded with a .274-25-91 season, 25 SB, and solid RF defense. We have a four-star prospect in A-ball, but he is only so highly valued because of his defense.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Ferraro gave me a little more than I hoped for in RF last year. Here's hoping he can do it again.


</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tborder height=235 cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=page height=225>Starting Pitchers

LHP Rai “Tadpole” Eitoku (55/81/75) remains the ace, and is signed through '08. He's only 27, and has a 3.16 ERA in two seasons. LHP George Lor (37/91/51) seemed to benefit greatly from our improved defense, and should continue to do so. RHP Bernard Duda (35/66/67) settled nicely into the #3 spot with a 15-6-3.53 season after being singed as a FA. RHP's Seve Valencia (40/74/48), Thomas Laflamme (35/71/65) and Rodney Busby (43/69/53) will fight over the 4 & 5 spots in the rotation.

I have three solid-looking SP prospects in William “Sunshine” Dorn (4.5 stars), Bernard Lamas (3.5), and Rory Thompson (3.0). My guess is that Dorn will start the season in AAA, and the other two in AA. Dorn needs to improve his control before he can move into the rotation.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: The rotation is solid, 6-deep, and has prospects that are probably only a year and a half or so away from pushing for innings in the bigs. We're likely to have a logjam here soon, as everyone is signed through '07 or longer.


</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=tborder cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=4 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=page>Relief Pitchers

25-year old Andrew Harvey (57/64/67) re-claimed the closer role late in the season, and finished with 21 saves and a 2.31 ERA. 24-year-old Richard Corpus (63/57/59) lost the closer job, but came on strong at the end of the year. We've got solid setup and MR guys in Robert Studebaker (49/41/83), Davie Wier (45/64/47), Wayne Cortinas (31/87/52) and Nathan Books (22/59/75). All four of those guys are four stars or better.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: On paper, the 'pen looks rock-solid.


</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[Ben E Lou]

<CENTER>2006 FREE AGENCY PERIOD REPORT

</CENTER>

TRADES
None.

FINANCIAL/FRONT OFFICE SITUATION
Fan Interest: 76 (+13)

Team Market: Slightly above average
Fan Loyalty: Good
Cash on Hand: $6,178,427
Total Payroll: $74,332,857
Last Year Income: $75,389,584
Available Money: $7,235,154

Not much cash, but not many needs.

DESIRES
I'd love to grab decent utility players in the IF and OF. Otherwise, I'm in pretty good shape.

SIGNINGS


SS Michael Steinberg (33/53/21)--$575K per year for 2 years--can play 2B/3B/SS, has good arm and solid range at all three.CF Palmer Tomberlin (32/60/40)--$960K per year for 2 years--can play LF/CF/RF with range 78 or better.

POST-FREE AGENCY THOUGHTS
Steinberg and Tomberlin should help with much-needed depth.

[Ben E Lou]

2006 LINEUPS AND ROTATION

LINEUP vs. RHP
LF Omalley

3B Collazo
CF Mealey
2B Boatman
RF Ferrero
1B Desmarais
C Goemon
SS Sears

LINEUP vs. LHP
LF Omalley
3B Collazo
CF Mealey
1B Desmarais
2B Boatman
C Goemon
RF Ferrero
SS Sears

ROTATION
Eitoku
Lor
Duda
Valencia
Busby
CLOSER: Harvey

[Ben E Lou]

APRIL 2006
THIS MONTH’S RECORD: 13-12
OVERALL RECORD AT MONTH-END: 13-12
CURRENT STANDING: 4th. 2.5 games behind LA.

MAJOR INJURIES:
None.

TEAM NEWS OF NOTE THIS MONTH

Rai Eitoku was named National League-Pitcher of the Month !
He had a record of 3-0 in 6 games started, with an ERA of 1.33 and 1 shutouts.Nice!



COMMENTS/LINEUP OR ROTATION CHANGES:
The bats were pretty dead all around this opening month, with the exception of Mealey's. After his .337 average, the next-highest on the team was .270. The pitching was pretty solid all around. No causes for concern there.

SEASON-TO-DATE TEAM STATISTICAL LEADERS
AVG: CF Mealey--.337
HR: 1B Desmarais--8
RBI: RF Ferraro--19
SB: CF Mealey--11
SP ERA: Eitoku--1.33
RP ERA: Harvey--2.13
SAVES: Harvey--7
K’s: Eitoku--40

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT:

<TABLE class=overall><TBODY><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Saturday 4/1/2006 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Dustin Gargano (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p2123.html)'s control seems to have taken a bump...
Juan Marques (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p2228.html) has lost some movement on his pitches...
Juan Marques (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p2228.html)'s control seems to have taken a bump...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Friday 4/7/2006 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Jose Diez (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1910.html) seems to have improved his pure stuff!
Jose Diez (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1910.html)'s pitches have more bite now, the movement has improved!
Jose Diez (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1910.html) is hitting his spots better, his command improved!
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Thursday 4/13/2006 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Michael Steinberg (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1221.html) has learned to better avoid strikeouts!
Michael Steinberg (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1221.html) increased his bat control, resulting in more contact!
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Sunday 4/16/2006 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Alex Valles (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p2327.html) seems to have improved his pure stuff!
Alex Valles (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p2327.html)'s pitches have more bite now, the movement has improved!
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Monday 4/17/2006 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Serafin Trevino (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p5.html) seems to have lost some of his feel for his stuff...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Wednesday 4/19/2006 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Trent Desmarais (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p964.html) has learned to better avoid strikeouts!
Trent Desmarais (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p964.html) increased his bat control, resulting in more contact!
Trent Desmarais (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p964.html) has improved his plate disclipine!
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Wednesday 4/26/2006 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Nathan Books (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p878.html)'s control seems to have taken a bump...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Sunday 4/30/2006 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>David Manning (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p2362.html) seems to have lost some bat speed, resulting in less contact...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Whew! Lots to sort through here. The important stuff...

Diez becomes a 3.5-star MR prospect. He's in single-A right now.
Steinberg is my main utility IF. Nice to see his offense improve a bit.
Valles, a 9th-round pick, improves to 2 stars. He now looks like he could make a half-decent 5th starter one day.
Trevino, signed for $2.8M last season, turns out to be a big flop for us. He had a 6.55 ERA last year, and is in AAA this year. :(
Desmarais is now a very legit four-star prospect! His talent ratings are 57/73/71 now! With that kind of hitting combined with 97 range, he could be a big star for us!
Books's control hit isn't terribly bad. He's still a solid reliever.
The others were/are bottom feeders.

AAA NOTES:
SP William "Sunshine" Dorn--36/7/71--1-2, 3.50


AA NOTES:
SP Bernard Lamas--23/28/43--0-4, 5.67 (No climb in ratings and poor ERA. Cause for alarm?)
SP Rory Thomson--26/26/53--3-1, 2.45
MR Benito Cortes--29/14/67, 0-0, 0.00

A NOTES:
MR Jose Diez--13/15/23, 0-0, 4.15
RF Andres Frontera--28/25/21, .295-2-9-.817OPS

TRADES
None.

MONTHLY AWARDS

American League-Pitcher of the Month:
Marvin Gillespie (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1485.html) (SEA)!
He had a record of 3-0 in 5 games started, with an ERA of 1.36.
American League-Batter of the Month:
Brian Gowins (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p306.html) (JAC)!
He batted .435 in 92 AB, with 7 homers and 25 RBI.
National League-Pitcher of the Month:
Rai Eitoku (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p268.html) (ARI)!
He had a record of 3-0 in 6 games started, with an ERA of 1.33 and 1 shutouts.
National League-Batter of the Month:
Edward Baker (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1124.html) (PIT)!
He batted .316 in 98 AB, with 13 homers and 22 RBI.

OTHER IMPORTANT LEAGUE NEWS
None.

[Ben E Lou]

MAY 2006
THIS MONTH’S RECORD: 16-11
OVERALL RECORD AT MONTH-END: 29-23
CURRENT STANDING: 2nd. 7 games behind Milwaukee. The Brewers are playing .692 ball. :eek:

MAJOR INJURIES:
None.

TEAM NEWS OF NOTE THIS MONTH

None.



COMMENTS/LINEUP OR ROTATION CHANGES:
The bats improved. The pitching stayed solid. We had a good month. :p One change. Busby has pitched very poorly (8.25) in the 5th starter spot. He gets demoted to the 'pen, and Laflamme (2.38) moves into the rotation.

SEASON-TO-DATE TEAM STATISTICAL LEADERS
AVG: CF Mealey--.339
HR: 1B Desmarais--14
RBI: RF Ferraro--40
SB: CF Mealey--27
SP ERA: Eitoku--2.21
RP ERA: Harvey--2.45
SAVES: Harvey-15
K’s: Eitoku--76

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT:

<TABLE class=overall><TBODY><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Tuesday 5/2/2006 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>George Lor (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p507.html)'s control seems to have taken a bump...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Saturday 5/13/2006 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Ralph Walley (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p2062.html) has lost some power to the gaps...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Tuesday 5/16/2006 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Benjamin Philpott (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p399.html) seems to have lost some bat speed, resulting in less contact...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Friday 5/19/2006 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Rory Thompson (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1712.html) has increased his lower body strength, his duration raises to 93 ...
Ben Deleon (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1901.html)'s control seems to have taken a bump...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Friday 5/26/2006 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Ben Deleon (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1901.html) seems to have improved his pure stuff!
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Saturday 5/27/2006 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Carmelo Corcuera (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p2140.html) has lost some power...
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g><TD class=s5>Tuesday 5/30/2006 :</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=empty><TABLE class=s0><TBODY><TR class=g2><TD class=s4>Ronny Adams (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p458.html) positions himself better now, his range at 3B increases to 48 ...
Wayne Cortinas (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p686.html) seems to have improved his pure stuff!
Wayne Cortinas (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p686.html)'s pitches have more bite now, the movement has improved!
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>The important stuff...

Lor's control bump is relatively small. He's still got 81 talent and should remain a very solid starter.
Thompson continues to look good in the minors. He could be a real workhorse one day.
Corcuera is a former first-round pick. He drops to 2.0 stars. :(
Cortinas was already a solid part of the bullpen. He just gets better. :)

AAA NOTES:
SP William "Sunshine" Dorn--37/7/71--4-4, 3.84. When, oh when, will his control improve???

AA NOTES:
SP Bernard Lamas--4/28/43--2-6, 4.58 Better...
SP Rory Thomson--26/26/53--4-3, 2.85
MR Benito Cortes--29/15/69, 1-0, 0.64

A NOTES:
MR Jose Diez--13/15/23, 0-2, 5.63
RF Andres Frontera--27/25/21, .300-8-27-.853OPS. I call him up to AA.

TRADES
None.

MONTHLY AWARDS

American League-Pitcher of the Month:
Larry Lawrence (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p951.html) (KC)!
He had a record of 5-0 in 6 games started, with an ERA of 1.18 and 1 shutouts.
American League-Batter of the Month:
James Rhynes (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p930.html) (EP)!
He batted .404 in 89 AB, with 9 homers and 22 RBI.
National League-Pitcher of the Month:
Ronald Gordy (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1095.html) (FLO)!
He had a record of 4-0 in 6 games started, with an ERA of 1.09.
National League-Batter of the Month:
Gil Lewis (file://Benlaptop/LEAGUE%2520NEWS%2520BOX/p1107.html) (MIL)!
He batted .345 in 110 AB, with 9 homers and 33 RBI.

OTHER IMPORTANT LEAGUE NEWS
None.

[Ben E Lou]

Update:

I went out of town a couple of weekends ago, and played a few more seasons then. I've decided that I really don't like playing a career with no "history." I'll pick this one back up in about 5 seasons when the league's stars are no longer initial players, but guys who were came in the ammy draft.