Blue Street Market: A fan-blog style dynasty (2141-)

[Young Drachma]

My name is Chad Alley and I'm a fanless baseball fan. I mean, don't get me wrong I love watching. But being here in Albany, you basically one of the New York City teams or you have to root for Boston.

So when they told me they were putting a team in Brattleboro, I was like "are you ****ting me?" That town is really small and I went there once with my parents when I was 8.

But now? I'm like this is awesome. I think the name Grocers is really stupid, but apparently everyone is calling them "Blue Sox" anyway, so we'll go with it.

Anyway, I always wanted to start a blog, so I'm gonna blog about the team and hopefully people will follow along and be a fan with me.

It'll be a fun ride or maybe not, but we can go there together.

GO BLUE SOX!

[Young Drachma]

NOVEMBER 12, 2141



So it's kinda weird looking at a team and trying to figure out how good they're gonna be. It's the offseason and I'm trying to find something to latch onto and get excited about.

This team moved because they stopped being good and I think they're hoping that if us faithful New Englanders are looking for a team of their own to root for or whatever. But this team isn't that great to root for, right now.

The last winning season in Memphis was eight years ago. PLAYOFFS? 13.

That's what you get when you don't spend any money and have a really small payroll. Are the owners ready to pony up some cash to make this dream work?

Bryan Fortside is the majority owner of the Grocers, he's the magnate of the Brattleboro Grocery Co, a large grocery chain that has proliferated throughout New England, so everybody knows the Brattleboro name and it was the reason he insisted on this name.

The city managed to get season tickets sold to the tune of 40,000 plus a waiting list into the next three years. People are excited about baseball here and really that ANYTHING has bothered to show up here to the tune of a major league sports team. The proximity of the city to so many other places has made me think this could actually work.

But did I mention how bad this team is?



Maybe not BAD but average. Just not good. I think the offseason will probably be pretty boring and not a lot will happen. You'd expect them to try to make a splash because there is not going to be a long honeymoon with this team if they're bad forever, but this team was the worst drawing team in all of baseball last year, so there's truly nowhere to go but up.

Can't wait to see who they sign in the off-season. HOT STOVE BASEBALL GOTTA LOVE IT.

[Young Drachma]

NOVEMBER 17, 2141
By: JAYCEE

HEY WHAT'S UP GROCERY NATION?! I'M YOUR BOY JAYCEE AND I'M GONNA BE ONE OF THE NEW BLOGGERS HERE AT BSM. I'M SO PUMPED FOR A BIG LEAGUE TEAM. I USED TO BE A FAN OF THE BOSTON YANKS, BUT LIVING IN SYRACUSE, IT'S KINDA FAR AND YOU CAN'T EVEN GET THEIR GAMES. I'VE BEEN TO ONE GAME ONCE, BUT THIS IS COOLER BECAUSE IT'S LIKE YOU CAN START WITH THE TEAM AND MAYBE PASS IT DOWN TO YOUR KIDS AND STUFF.

I'M 21, I'M IN COLLEGE AND WANT TO BE A SPORTSWRITER SOME DAY, SO I'M PUMPED TO BE ABLE TO WRITE ON THIS BLOG ABOUT THE TEAM.


YOUR FAVORITE GROCER
So we're about to do a feature through the winter season called YOUR FAVORITE GROCER where we talk about some of the guys on this team and maybe why they ought to be your favorite player. It'll be a good way for us to meet the team and get an idea of who is on this club.

THIS IS AWESOME!

[Young Drachma]

NOVEMBER 13, 2141

BY CHADBOYE11

Welp Nation, we have our first trade!



So who is Rick Salgado? And how was he good enough to land us at Top 30 prospect who HAILS FROM MAINE?!? (Do Moose play baseball?)

Salgado is just 23, he's a 2-time all star and won a Silver Slugger who nobody cares about that. Anyway, he's a catcher and really good at that. So why trade him?

During the press conference, Grocers GM Parker Mills said "we had a chance to acquire a talent we felt like we could build around in Sinclair. This was a trade for a young kid that we thought who could help us. Salgado is a quality guy and we wish the best of luck."

So who is this J.J. Sinclair guy who played moose baseball growing up? Well he played college baseball at San Diego State. He apparently has a lot of upside, but outfielders are easier to find than catchers, especially catchers under 25, which explains why the San Francisco Peanuts were so willing to make this move.

Before we all go buying Sinclair jerseys, he's probably going to need at least one more year in the minors. He's never played above AA short of a brief AAA stint last year. He's only 21, so bringing him too soon would rush his development and for what reason? This team isn't very good at all.

So it'll be interesting to see what the ballclub decides to do with him, but in the meantime let's just say HEY WELCOME JJ!

[Young Drachma]

DECEMBER 2, 2141

BY CHADBOYE11



Our team traded spot starter Bobby Rodriguez, prospect Devan Bhangoo who was slated for a starting job up from the minors this season, backup catcher Sil Holle and a minor league pitcher in exchange for a washed up first basemen, two middle infielders and I CAN'T EVEN!

We keep dealing away the future! I don't know what the management of this team is really thinking right now, but I can just say I'm really curious to see what the regular season is gonna look like. This is NUTS man. We are not building a title team like this with these weird trades, but I guess that's why they get paid the big bucks.

I am kinda excited to see what this Amari French kid does, he hit .339 last year in the bigs in limited duty and has been mostly a bench infielder for the past few years. We'll press him into starting action here in BORO and maybe he'll discover himself.

OUR FIRST FREE AGENT
The Grocers signed a new bagger today in the form of OMARION TAYLOR who spent the past two years in Eau Claire. He signed a six year deal worth $8 million, way more than anyone else would've paid him. Will he be our closer? Some reports seem to make me think they're going to attempt to use him as a starter, even though he's never started a game in the big leagues.



Anyway, welcome to Brattleboro Mr. Taylor!

[PilotMan]

Luv it, what a concept!

[Young Drachma]

WHO IS IN AISLE 9: THE '42 GROCERS PREVIEW
By Gracy Heneke

When I told my friends over at The Gotham Press, the most elite New York Gothams fan blog that I was leaving to write for Blue Street Market, they said "wait what?" You're not supposed to change your favorite team, no matter what. But what happens when a team moves literally into your backyard?

This Brattleboro team showed up on my doorstep and having moved back from college, I can't be happier to have a major league team in my neck of the woods and I can hardly believe it's real. In fact, if I wasn't seeing the stadium with my own eyes, I'd think the whole thing was a practical joke.

Rooting for a new team is like getting a new boyfriend (or girlfriend) where you can't help but compare them to your old one and wonder what might have been, if they got their act together. Still stuff this new person does will annoy you and it'll leave you longing for your old love.

This Grocers team is surely going to end up bagging our grocery wrong more than once this year and there's no way I believe the hype about a playoff appearance, but I am legitimately excited after the moves they made this off-season. The team did a lot of addition by subtraction and we have a lot of young, hungry guys that we're going to get to grow up with.

The Grocers ended last year with a Top 5 farm system that's currently ranked 3rd now and we're gonna see some of those gems start taking the field this season. This has the potential to go badly but...it's better than having them rotting away in the minors.

After over a decade of permanent suckage in Memphis, the team is hoping to get a little bit of New England magic in Southern Vermont. With a fan base stretching throughout upstate New England, western Massachusetts and Connecticut; seems like Grocers fever is spreading slow and steadily.

But will the on-field product be any better?

ROSTER


PROBABLE LINEUP


Only four guys on this roster played a full major league season last year. It's a team of untested guys who might either be amazing or it'll be a long year.

WHO WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT

LF J.J. SINCLAIR
22-year old rookie who has all of the upside in the world. Will probably strike out too much, but should enter the lineup and be a real big bat presence from Day 1. If he can put it all together, it'll be a hell of a foundation and it was a quality pickup for the new club in exchange for a major league catcher.

2B AMARI HAYNES
Haynes was a reserve infielder for the Chicago Rogues over the past three seasons and at age 25 looks like he's ready to step into a starting role. He was another one of those new trade acquisitions and it'll be interesting to see if he has the chops to play everyday. Hit .339 last year in 356 ABs (1.3 WAR) and has speed too.

CF ETHAN HARRIS

It took a deal including a major league outfielder - Tristan Chatman - and a Top 100 prospect Volk Rockmeier and another prospect to pry this one-year rental (?) from El Paso, but Ethan Harris gives this team a huge amount of legitimacy in centerfield. Publicly they've been saying they want to sign him, but it'll be interesting to see how he adapts to a new environment on the eve of his free agency year.

TOM SWART
He's one of the longest tenured members of the franchise, a first-rounder of the Memphis Hounds back in '33. A positive WAR player (3.8 last year) and a leader in the clubhouse, we're happy he's still here.

ROTATION

[IMG][/IMG]

The offense might be inexperienced and interesting. The pitching is experienced. With the 5th lowest payroll in the bigs, this team didn't exactly have a lot to work with in terms of making big splashes on the FA market, but the trades with the Top 5 farm system were deft. It got us some intriguing guys.

Pat Ramey (14-9, 3.64 ERA) comes from Great Plains and is the staff's ace. That might be a tall order for him, honestly. He's always been a reliable middle of the rotation guy. But this is a chance for him to shine and we'll see how it goes.

Rogelio Zeballos (14-9 4.41 ERA, 4.0 WAR) is a holdover from last year, acquired in a mid-season deal with Toronto. He's a top of the rotation arm with a good fastball, changeup and an ability to eat up innings.

Jay Miller is a bit of an unknown. Acquired in the blockbuster that also brought us Amari Haynes from the Chicago Rogues, he's 27 and has never had a full season in a rotation. In 61 games last year in relief, he had a 2.96 ERA. He has three good pitches and as goes Miller, so goes the franchise this year. He's the bellweather.

The bottom of the rotation contains more unproven arms that'll need to be battle tested. Closer Omarion Taylor is two years removed from a 40-save season where he had an ERA under 2.00. After considering using him as a starter, he's sensibly been entrusted with the closer role and should be a good stopper for this team if there are wins to be had.

OUTLOOK
This team is in a new city, new division and has a lot of new personnel. The core of this team won 74 games last year, so it's not impossible to think the changes that have been made coupled with a few breakout seasons could propel this team into a wild card spot. On the flip side, a few injuries or key losses will lead to the 11th losing season in 14 years.

It'll be exciting either way.

Let's BAG 'EM UP BOYS!

[Young Drachma]

LINEUPS



RAMEY'S LAST FIVE STARTS


WEBB'S LAST FIVE STARTS


The Grocers are riding a seven-game win streak and lead the NL East by 2 games over the NY Gothams.


BAG 'EM BOYS!

Remember we have rules here. Mostly don't be terrible (it seems like a small thing to ask). No arguing with the Mods, you have a problem, email Jaycee, but in the thread, let's not debate rules.

[Young Drachma]

THE VERDICT IS: THE JURY IS STILL OUT



The Grocers lost on the road to end their 7-game win streak as the Quakers knocked them off in extra innings. Pat Ramey only lasted 4 1/3 after giving up 8 earned and 11 hits. The bullpen did their best to stop the bleeding and the offense kept us in the game despite the shellacking early.

Has our manager ever heard of a "substitution?" There were few in this game, he favored his starters the entire time for the most part and it left me at home screaming at the computer screen to PUT IN A PINCH HITTER WHAT THE HELL?

Despite our relatively hot start, this team is flawed friends. While it might be enough to pull the wool over the eyes of the NL East this year, I worry that we still need a front line starter and probably another bat to really contend if there's postseason in our future.

It's really early yet, this team as composed can score runs no doubt. But that rotation is creaky and generally unproven full of middle of the rotation guys from top to bottom. I hope our GM is working the phones, we have a deep farm system, so there are assets to sell off if we need to.

I'd love this new team to show up and capture the hearts of everyone with a deep playoff run. Thanks for everyone for participating on the live thread today. See you tomorrow night!

[Young Drachma]

Six all-stars for the Boro! Not bad in Year 1!

Representing the Nationwide League All-Stars this year will be:

SP Alex Alejo (NYG) - 8-2, 2.84 ERA, 111.0 IP, 1.09 WHIP, 7.1 K/9, 3.1 WAR
SP Alberto Amaya (STL) - 5-4, 3.10 ERA, 104.2 IP, 1.16 WHIP, 7.1 K/9, 3.0 WAR
SP Josh Fleury (COL) - 7-5, 3.41 ERA, 118.2 IP, 1.04 WHIP, 9.3 K/9, 3.3 WAR
SP Dan Gonzalez (DAY) - 8-5, 3.25 ERA, 105.1 IP, 1.21 WHIP, 7.4 K/9, 2.0 WAR
SP Jimmy Palomares (COL) - 5-1, 3.13 ERA, 100.2 IP, 1.03 WHIP, 12.0 K/9, 2.3 WAR
SP Christian Rosales (BORO) - 11-0, 2.72 ERA, 99.1 IP, 1.20 WHIP, 6.3 K/9, 1.8 WAR
SP Danny Sanders (PHX) - 8-2, 3.44 ERA, 96.2 IP, 1.11 WHIP, 8.1 K/9, 2.5 WAR
SP Erik Wallace (TOR) - 10-2, 3.26 ERA, 105.0 IP, 1.18 WHIP, 10.7 K/9, 3.8 WAR
SP Danny Wharton (PHI) - 9-1, 3.18 ERA, 107.2 IP, 1.30 WHIP, 7.4 K/9, 3.0 WAR
RP David Aleman (DET) - 2-2, 2.34 ERA, 42.1 IP, 0.80 WHIP, 10.0 K/9, 0.6 WAR
RP Josh Dolan (DET) - 3-0, 1.06 ERA, 34.0 IP, 1.03 WHIP, 13.2 K/9, 0.8 WAR
RP Zachary Rodriguez (COL) - 4-0, 2.21 ERA, 36.2 IP, 0.93 WHIP, 10.1 K/9, 1.1 WAR
CL Fernando Bermudez (DET) - 3-1, 19 SV, 1.01 ERA, 35.2 IP, 0.67 WHIP, 10.6 K/9, 0.6 WAR
CL Jalen Gwathney (ELP) - 3-3, 16 SV, 1.72 ERA, 36.2 IP, 1.09 WHIP, 5.4 K/9, 0.5 WAR
CL Omarion Taylor (BORO) - 3-2, 20 SV, 2.31 ERA, 39.0 IP, 1.00 WHIP, 10.4 K/9, 1.1 WAR
CL Jaden Watts (VIC) - 3-1, 25 SV, 0.81 ERA, 44.2 IP, 0.87 WHIP, 7.7 K/9, 1.2 WAR
C R.J. Druen (DET) - .270/.425/.425, 233 AB, 9 HR, 1 SB, 137 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
C Alex Esparza (LAX) - .299/.368/.472, 271 AB, 7 HR, 1 SB, 124 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
C Carlos Feliciano (NJ) - .287/.334/.523, 279 AB, 15 HR, 0 SB, 120 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
C Micah Roberts (BORO) - .328/.385/.571, 287 AB, 15 HR, 0 SB, 152 wRC+, 3.7 WAR
1B Fernando Olmos (VIR) - .279/.376/.528, 305 AB, 20 HR, 19 SB, 135 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
1B Denny Sweitzer (STL) - .311/.383/.528, 286 AB, 12 HR, 1 SB, 138 wRC+, 1.9 WAR
2B Fabrice Chambon (VIR) - .300/.360/.453, 327 AB, 7 HR, 10 SB, 117 wRC+, 3.5 WAR
2B Ethan Harris (EAU) - .293/.365/.475, 276 AB, 9 HR, 5 SB, 123 wRC+, 1.9 WAR
2B Amari Haynes (BORO) - .324/.404/.474, 333 AB, 2 HR, 29 SB, 136 wRC+, 3.3 WAR
3B Ivan de la Cruz (DET) - .350/.377/.509, 340 AB, 4 HR, 23 SB, 132 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
3B Joey Morea (BORO) - .360/.412/.676, 139 AB, 10 HR, 0 SB, 184 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
3B Jimmy Preciado (TOR) - .321/.372/.511, 333 AB, 11 HR, 7 SB, 131 wRC+, 3.4 WAR
3B Edwin Robles (PHX) - .324/.372/.526, 306 AB, 12 HR, 0 SB, 137 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
SS Javon Arrington (PHI) - .291/.349/.474, 323 AB, 14 HR, 4 SB, 116 wRC+, 2.0 WAR
SS J.J. Haug (ELP) - .345/.455/.421, 278 AB, 2 HR, 6 SB, 145 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
LF Jamal Brown (DET) - .302/.383/.528, 305 AB, 15 HR, 4 SB, 140 wRC+, 3.8 WAR
LF Danny Lebron (BAL) - .300/.370/.458, 323 AB, 11 HR, 1 SB, 122 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
CF Samuel Maes (LOU) - .368/.401/.541, 340 AB, 11 HR, 8 SB, 151 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
CF Jonas Salgado (IND) - .282/.351/.468, 301 AB, 9 HR, 12 SB, 117 wRC+, 1.2 WAR
RF Quadir Casimir (BOS) - .311/.412/.502, 289 AB, 13 HR, 0 SB, 144 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
RF Alejandro Fernandez (SFO) - .267/.341/.487, 300 AB, 15 HR, 0 SB, 118 wRC+, 1.1 WAR
RF Billy Marrow (PHX) - .335/.387/.539, 319 AB, 8 HR, 13 SB, 145 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
RF Joe Peters V (VIR) - .371/.524/.588, 267 AB, 12 HR, 33 SB, 197 wRC+, 8.1 WAR
RF J.J. Sinclair (BORO) - .335/.404/.543, 322 AB, 11 HR, 12 SB, 148 wRC+, 4.6 WAR


The Allied League roster includes the following players:

SP Tom Hammond (GPS) - 9-6, 3.11 ERA, 113.0 IP, 1.06 WHIP, 7.8 K/9, 3.1 WAR
SP Pat Hobbs (BKN) - 7-2, 2.54 ERA, 95.2 IP, 1.11 WHIP, 6.6 K/9, 2.4 WAR
SP Josh Holmes (NYK) - 7-5, 3.53 ERA, 114.2 IP, 1.19 WHIP, 8.0 K/9, 3.1 WAR
SP Jalen Latimer (NOL) - 7-3, 2.96 ERA, 106.1 IP, 0.93 WHIP, 11.5 K/9, 3.5 WAR (Injured)
SP Miko Lind (AMA) - 11-2, 3.70 ERA, 107.0 IP, 1.47 WHIP, 8.2 K/9, 2.8 WAR
SP Keyon McDonald (CHR) - 8-3, 3.19 ERA, 118.1 IP, 1.19 WHIP, 5.4 K/9, 2.4 WAR
SP Shigeharu Nakayama (NYK) - 10-4, 3.74 ERA, 118.0 IP, 1.30 WHIP, 5.7 K/9, 2.2 WAR
SP Brendan Raines (POR) - 6-2, 2.63 ERA, 75.1 IP, 1.02 WHIP, 11.5 K/9, 2.5 WAR
SP Ethan Torres (WVA) - 8-1, 2.44 ERA, 99.2 IP, 1.20 WHIP, 7.1 K/9, 2.2 WAR
SP Joey Troxler (HAW) - 9-7, 2.91 ERA, 126.2 IP, 1.17 WHIP, 6.7 K/9, 2.7 WAR
RP Ron Briggs (FLA) - 4-0, 3.29 ERA, 38.1 IP, 1.17 WHIP, 12.7 K/9, 1.0 WAR
RP Dave Clinton (NYK) - 4-1, 1.02 ERA, 44.0 IP, 0.93 WHIP, 6.5 K/9, 1.2 WAR
RP Pedro Echevarria (JCK) - 1-2, 15 SV, 0.97 ERA, 37.0 IP, 1.05 WHIP, 9.2 K/9, 0.8 WAR
RP Ethan Lane (PIT) - 2-1, 1.57 ERA, 51.2 IP, 0.87 WHIP, 9.6 K/9, 1.3 WAR
RP Jimmy Reyna (NYK) - 4-0, 2.81 ERA, 41.2 IP, 0.98 WHIP, 8.6 K/9, 0.6 WAR
CL Bernie Bonilla (CHR) - 2-1, 16 SV, 1.69 ERA, 37.1 IP, 1.23 WHIP, 8.7 K/9, 0.6 WAR
CL Erik Higgins (AMA) - 2-3, 27 SV, 2.21 ERA, 36.2 IP, 1.23 WHIP, 9.1 K/9, 0.9 WAR
CL Jaden Paul (WAS) - 6-2, 10 SV, 2.23 ERA, 32.1 IP, 0.93 WHIP, 6.1 K/9, 0.3 WAR
C Danny Dionicio (SLC) - .326/.362/.529, 227 AB, 11 HR, 0 SB, 133 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
C Josh Green (WAS) - .245/.369/.428, 278 AB, 11 HR, 4 SB, 114 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
C Wil Hershberger (FLA) - .349/.393/.582, 304 AB, 17 HR, 2 SB, 158 wRC+, 4.2 WAR
C Denis Weber (CHR) - .393/.404/.582, 323 AB, 9 HR, 0 SB, 159 wRC+, 4.2 WAR
1B Tony Curiel (AMA) - .322/.375/.588, 323 AB, 21 HR, 1 SB, 152 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
1B Pedro Garcia (LVG) - .296/.379/.533, 270 AB, 15 HR, 1 SB, 135 wRC+, 1.8 WAR
1B Daniel Zendejas (GPS) - .342/.390/.547, 322 AB, 13 HR, 0 SB, 147 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
2B Salvador Feliciano (NYK) - .300/.334/.502, 333 AB, 14 HR, 0 SB, 117 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
2B Frits Jansen (JCK) - .276/.437/.455, 275 AB, 11 HR, 1 SB, 144 wRC+, 3.3 WAR
2B Javier Miranda (CHR) - .363/.416/.478, 347 AB, 6 HR, 32 SB, 142 wRC+, 4.8 WAR
3B Tommy Falco (MTL) - .323/.347/.512, 322 AB, 13 HR, 0 SB, 123 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
3B Tommy Wall (BKN) - .269/.351/.497, 316 AB, 16 HR, 1 SB, 122 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
SS Dusty Mayo (SLC) - .291/.343/.493, 292 AB, 14 HR, 5 SB, 120 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
SS Carlos Pasillas (BKN) - .296/.338/.506, 338 AB, 16 HR, 12 SB, 118 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
SS Eric Rozier (HOU) - .297/.371/.508, 303 AB, 13 HR, 2 SB, 132 wRC+, 3.3 WAR
LF Josué Fontura (LVG) - .290/.360/.497, 314 AB, 15 HR, 0 SB, 123 wRC+, 1.5 WAR
LF Zack Young (PIT) - .383/.417/.574, 298 AB, 7 HR, 9 SB, 161 wRC+, 4.2 WAR
CF Telmo Lenidas (NYK) - .326/.387/.514, 276 AB, 11 HR, 5 SB, 140 wRC+, 2.1 WAR
CF Marcos Sanchez (CAR) - .302/.413/.500, 298 AB, 13 HR, 4 SB, 147 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
CF Pat Thompson (BFL) - .272/.328/.474, 331 AB, 11 HR, 9 SB, 109 wRC+, 3.8 WAR
RF Benoît Châtelain (MTL) - .317/.391/.489, 309 AB, 9 HR, 5 SB, 135 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
RF Masahito Nakazawa (NYK) - .281/.359/.447, 302 AB, 12 HR, 3 SB, 108 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
RF Lorenzo Roman (EDM) - .331/.360/.596, 329 AB, 23 HR, 12 SB, 147 wRC+, 1.6 WAR

We are so pumped there are six all-stars on this team, so we're gonna introduce newcomers to the team about each.



Micah Roberts was on the Memphis team last year and there was major side eye when GM Parker Mills decided to deal young catcher Raffy Salgado to San Francisco and let the 31-year old veteran Roberts start at Catcher, but that has paid off. He has a 3.7 WAR so far on the year, with 15 HRs, 53 RBI and a .328 average. This is his 2nd all-star appearance.



This off-seasons acquisition of Omarion Taylor for 6 years at $16 million was kind of under the radar. But he's been lights out as the Grocers closer. He has 20 saves and an ERA of 2.31 in 34 appearances.

Thank goodness nobody tried to make him a starter like they were saying when he signed.



Amari Haynes was a big question mark. Could he play a full season somewhere? The answer seems to be yes! He's hitting .324, has 29 stolen bases (a career high) and 15 triples (?!)

I can get used to him.


The player known as JO-MO was acquired from Boston before the season started and honestly, all of us sat around the table and wondered what the deal was here. Actually, none of us did that. We saw it, figured it was a blip and moved on. A career .280 hitter prior to this year, what did we really need to think about? He plays defense okay, sure. But we didn't expect an all-star year for the first time at age 27. Jo-Mo is a fan favorite and lucky for us, he's signed through '45.



The song in the bleachers goes:

Hey you
Say hey
Do you remember the day we traded for JJ
Say you
Say hey
We got the guy they named JJ

J.J. Sinclair is the real deal. Full stop. The rookie is hitting .335, has a 4.6 WAR at the mid-season mark and plays defense too. His spark has been a real boon to the ballclub and is part of why they're in first place.

This team was interesting, because Memphis didn't really have a decent core, but they were always average, the farm system was left intact and so, with a few moves we've taken a team that had a lot dead weight essentially and turned it into a contender. The change in divisions might not have hurt either, but there's no way for me to prove that.

Lastly, we have Christian Rosales, a former 2nd rounder who was already on the roster but has blossomed in a way that no one could have predicted until we saw it with our own eyes. The 3rd starter has not lost a game this year and boasts a 1.8 WAR and is on pace to break his own personal season records for strikeouts, having already shattered his career highwater mark for wins.






Still, without these all-stars, we'd be dead in the water.

Let's see how the rest of the year goes.

[Young Drachma]

JULY 9, 2141
BSM presents "are the Grocers in first?"

YES

NATIONWIDE LEAGUE STANDINGS
Eastern Division 		W 	L 	PCT 	GB
Brattleboro Grocers 		64 	32 	.667 	-
New York Gothams 		53 	45 	.541 	12.0
New Jersey Generals 		48 	49 	.495 	16.5
Boston Yanks 			48 	51 	.485 	17.5
Philadelphia Quakers 		44 	53 	.454 	20.5

Western Division 		W 	L 	PCT 	GB
Phoenix Firebirds 		53 	41 	.564 	-
Colorado Kings 			50 	47 	.515 	4.5
San Francisco Peanuts 		48 	48 	.500 	6.0
Victoria Cougars 		48 	48 	.500 	6.0
Los Angeles Anglers 		44 	53 	.454 	10.5

Northern Division 		W 	L 	PCT 	GB
Detroit Pontiacs 		67 	31 	.684 	-
Toronto Blue Collars 		51 	47 	.520 	16.0
St. Louis Aviators 		48 	50 	.490 	19.0
Dayton Derbies 			46 	50 	.479 	20.0
Eau Claire Paws 		46 	53 	.465 	21.5

Southern Division 		W 	L 	PCT 	GB
Virginia Mariners 		49 	48 	.505 	-
Louisville Spires 		46 	50 	.479 	2.5
Baltimore Atlantics 		43 	54 	.443 	6.0
Indiana Racers 			42 	55 	.433 	7.0
El Paso Sun Kings 		41 	56 	.423 	8.0

ALLIED LEAGUE STANDINGS
Western Division 		W 	L 	PCT 	GB
Salt Lake City Elders 		57 	41 	.582 	-
Las Vegas Aces 			57 	42 	.576 	.5
Portland Beavers 		46 	50 	.479 	10.0
Bakersfield Sun Sox 		44 	54 	.449 	13.0
Hawaii Fifty-Niners 		37 	61 	.378 	20.0

Eastern Division 			W 	L 	PCT 	GB
New York Knights 			64 	32 	.667 	-
Pittsburgh Yellow Jackets 		65 	33 	.663 	-
Brooklyn Originals	 		55 	43 	.561 	10.0
Montreal Players 			50 	48 	.510 	15.0
Washington Maroons 			39 	58 	.402 	25.5

Southern Division 			W 	L 	PCT 	GB
New Orleans Alligators 			50 	47 	.515 	-
West Virginia Alleghenies 		49 	48 	.505 	1.0
Jackson Cottons 			43 	56 	.434 	8.0
Florida Rockets 			41 	56 	.423 	9.0
Carolina Wrens 				40 	59 	.404 	11.0

Central Division 			W 	L 	PCT 	GB
Amarillo Gold Sox 			59 	37 	.615 	-
Chicago Rogues 				50 	47 	.515 	9.5
Edmonton Electrics 			49 	48 	.505 	10.5
Great Plains Flycatchers 		41 	55 	.427 	18.0
Houston Cosmos 				29 	68 	.299 	30.5

[Young Drachma]

HEADING TO THE DEADLINE MARKET
JUNE 17, 2142
BY CHADBOYE11

Yeah I know we can't actually make five trades without giving up a ton. But still, it's the all-star break and so we have to think about ways to improve this team that is SOMEHOW STILL IN FIRST PLACE.

In the words of JAYCEE, "IS IT CHRISTMAS? I GOT A FIRST PLACE BASEBALL TEAM IN MY BACKYARD!"

Anyway, let's take a look around the league and see some guys we think that would be realistic for us to get on our team for this year.



Bumpers and Swart are killing our vibe. Somehow, this is the best hitting team in the NL without having the middle of the order doing any real work. That's a testament to the 5-9 hitters on this team.

According to Baseball Semi-Weekly Magazine, here is where the team ranks in positions:



The team desperately needs a first baseman, short is probably not ideally manned by a rookie but for now Williams is apparently doing the job which isn't bad for a guy who was playing college baseball a few months ago and the team needs pitching, something we at BSM have been saying ALL SEASON.

So what do we go out and get? With a Top 10 farm system, we have a bit of leeway to make some moves. We don't want the team to blow up the whole thing, but it'd be nice to see them make an effort to go deep into the post-season.

[Young Drachma]

ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER CHAIN LINK IN THE ROTATION BELT

JULY 16, 2141



Hawaii essentially paid us to take a 4th starter in exchange for four prospects including SP Jimmy Gaines rated #69 in Baseball America's Top 100 prospects list.

Ortiz is 6-7 with a 5.09 ERA and 102 Ks in 20 starts this year. Gaines wasn't the best prospect in the world, but he might have been more useful to send somewhere for some offense. What's going on? I hope they know what they're doing in that front office, but maybe we should cut them slack since they've taken an average team so far and turned them into a division leader.

[Young Drachma]

ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER CHAIN LINK IN THE ROTATION BELT

JULY 16, 2141



Hawaii essentially paid us to take a 4th starter in exchange for four prospects including SP Jimmy Gaines rated #69 in Baseball America's Top 100 prospects list.

Ortiz is 6-7 with a 5.09 ERA and 102 Ks in 20 starts this year. Gaines wasn't the best prospect in the world, but he might have been more useful to send somewhere for some offense. What's going on? I hope they know what they're doing in that front office, but maybe we should cut them slack since they've taken an average team so far and turned them into a division leader.

[Young Drachma]

AUGUST 6, 2142

AUGUST TRADE SEASON IS UPON US

By Gracey Heneke

Well everybody wanted deals and now we're getting them. The August 31st trade deadline is rapidly approaching and the Grocers are going furiously down the aisles a few more times to make sure they haven't forgotten anything before heading off to the postseason campground!



On the surface, this deal looks strange. Why would a team (Indiana) deal a younger player for an older guy at the same position. But that's not what happened. Salgado was playing CF for the Racers. They saw a chance to get a big bat who is having a down year (Swart) and are confident in their ability to sign him to an extension before the deal was consummated. With that, they sent the younger Salgado who we got because of his versatility according to the Grocers GM Parker Mills and off goes Swart who we knew wasn't going to come back and was having a rough year.

We take a pretty hit on defense - 2B is not Salgado's best position - but the hope is that he makes up for it as a more reliable bat at the position. It's a risky move for sure, but one that we're hoping pays dividends.



We haven't had a "big" trade yet, but this is the biggest one this season for us. We send a well-regarded young prospect in McCutcheon to Houston with another prospect in exchange for a rental of outfielder Sam Dillard. He'll bat third in our lineup and that's just the kind of infusion of talent we needed in that role. We'll see how productive he can be this last month of the season, but what he's really here for is playoff baseball. J.J. Sinclair needed protection in the lineup and he finally got some.

Is that the end of the dealing before the deadline for the Grocers? No necessarily, according to GM Mills. The team's payroll is 22nd right now thanks to some of the deals made, but none were for an entire season, projected payroll is somewhere around $43 million including some of those rentals. Very reasonable when you consider the team is 10th in baseball in attendance and the club is in first place.



We'll be losing a number of players this off-season, so next year's team is likely to look very different than the team we're putting on the field now. As a fan, I'd like to see this ride last as long as possible. A run now could really cement this team's presence in our region and create fans across the area. EVERYONE is buzzing about the Grocers right now, even the people who still insist on calling them the Blue Sox.

The Boston Yanks are our closest rival and division rivals, but they're having a down year, so that makes it even more compelling a story that this team in baseball's smallest market is doing so well.

I'd hate to see them really gut the farm system much more than we have. So far, they've managed not to deal any of our top prospects for a run at something deep in the playoffs. The post-season is a crapshoot and it'd be kind of silly to give up everything in Year 1 and be terrible for a decade because we tried too hard now.

Let's just let it play out.

[Young Drachma]

[Young Drachma]

A BIG FISH COMES TO THE MAINLAND



This Troxler deal is huge. For context, Brattleboro just went out and got the best ERA pitcher in the Associated League. Now we don't know how he'll adjust to the Nationwide League - he's been in Hawaii his whole career - but despite two Pitcher of the Year awards and 10 all-star appearances, he's never won a title. Troxler also sports a 5-0, 2.36 ERA in the postseason.

Hawaii pitched in for his salary for most of next year, the last year of the deal is actually a team option with a modest $1.8m buyout. Not many people were biting on that deal and throwing prospect in, but with another bad year in Hawaii, the team decided to let their star go and Troxler, knew it was time even though he initially hesitated to waive his 10/5 rights.

The Anchorage, Alaska native became the favored son of the 59ers and will surely be the first number the team retires when he calls it quits.

Will he be part of the winning equation for the Grocers? We're going to have to see.

[Young Drachma]

JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT IT WAS FINISHED....

BY JAYCEE

EVERYBODY IS OUT ON VACATION ON THE LAST DAY OF THE DEADLINE? WHAT IS GOING ON IT'S YOUR MAN JAYCEE AND I AM REALLY HAPPY TO BRING YOU THIS CRAZY TRADE!? WHAT THE FUCK MAN!

THEY TRADED OUR #1 DRAFT PICK THIS YEAR ESTRADA AND TWO TOP #200 DRAFTEES IN EXCHANGE FOR A DUDE WHO IS MAKING WAY TOO MUCH MONEY. THIS MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL.

WHAT ARE THE GMS THINKING HUH? THEY'RE GONNA SELL OFF ALL OUR TALENT FOR ONCE CHANCE AT A CHAMPIONSHIP AND WE PROBABLY WON'T EVEN WIN? I DON'T REALLY GET THIS MOVE AT ALL.

THIS IS SO CRAZY!

[Young Drachma]

BY CHADBOYE11

The Grocers tied a franchise record winning 101 games this year. The only other time the team won 101 games was back in '17 in Memphis. That year, the team ended up losing in the Wild Card Series to Ohio, a team that only won 84 games and who were in their same division. It was stuff like that which forced the ABA to roll back the playoff structure to just 12 teams.

NATIONWIDE LEAGUE STANDINGS
Eastern Division 	W 	L 	PCT 	GB
Brattleboro Grocers 	101 	61 	.623 	-
Boston Yanks 		80 	82 	.494 	21.0
New York Gothams 	79 	83 	.488 	22.0
New Jersey Generals 	78 	84 	.481 	23.0
Philadelphia Quakers 	73 	89 	.451 	28.0

Western Division 	W 	L 	PCT 	GB
Phoenix Firebirds 	90 	70 	.562 	-
San Francisco Peanuts 	82 	80 	.506 	9.0
Colorado Kings 		81 	81 	.500 	10.0
Los Angeles Anglers 	75 	87 	.463 	16.0
Victoria Cougars 	75 	87 	.463 	16.0

Northern Division 	W 	L 	PCT 	GB
Detroit Pontiacs 	105 	57 	.648 	-
Toronto Blue Collars 	91 	71 	.562 	14.0
St. Louis Aviators 	81 	81 	.500 	24.0
Eau Claire Paws 	75 	87 	.463 	30.0
Dayton Derbies 		72 	90 	.444 	33.0

Southern Division 	W 	L 	PCT 	GB
Louisville Spires 	88 	74 	.543 	-
Baltimore Atlantics 	82 	80 	.506 	6.0
Virginia Mariners 	80 	81 	.497 	7.5
Indiana Racers 		72 	89 	.447 	15.5
El Paso Sun Kings 	67 	95 	.414 	21.0

ALLIED LEAGUE STANDINGS
Western Division 	W 	L 	PCT 	GB
Las Vegas Aces 		94 	68 	.580 	-
Salt Lake City Elders 	87 	75 	.537 	7.0
Bakersfield Sun Sox 	76 	86 	.469 	18.0
Portland Beavers 	73 	89 	.451 	21.0
Hawaii Fifty-Niners 	61 	101 	.377 	33.0

Eastern Division 	W 	L 	PCT 	GB
Pittsburgh Yellow Jackets 105 	57 	.648 	-
New York Knights 	100 	62 	.617 	5.0
Brooklyn Originals 	86 	76 	.531 	19.0
Montreal Players 	83 	79 	.512 	22.0
Washington Maroons 	75 	87 	.463 	30.0

Southern Division 	W 	L 	PCT 	GB
West Virginia Alleghenies 82 	80 	.506 	-
Florida Rockets 	79 	83 	.488 	3.0
New Orleans Alligators 	77 	85 	.475 	5.0
Jackson Cottons 	73 	88 	.453 	8.5
Carolina Wrens 		71 	91 	.438 	11.0

Central Division 	W 	L 	PCT 	GB
Amarillo Gold Sox 	92 	70 	.568 	-
Chicago Rogues 		84 	77 	.522 	7.5
Great Plains Flycatchers 83 	79 	.512 	9.0
Edmonton Electrics 	70 	92 	.432 	22.0
Houston Cosmos 		59 	103 	.364 	33.0

The question for everyone at home is, HOW FAR CAN OUR GROCERS GO? It's a good question. This team isn't the team we started the year with, though. Their enhancements if you will, makes us here at BSM feel a lot more confident about their chances, but it's the playoffs and anything can happen.

But say you aren't a fan of the Grocers (yet) and you want to know what other bandwagons you can jump on this post-season. FEAR NOT ABA FAN WE HAVE THE FEATURE FOR YOU!

2142 CHOOSE YOUR ABA PLAYOFF BANDWAGON TEAM




DETROIT PONTIACS

HOW'D THEY GET HERE? 105-57, Won NL North Division

YOUR NEW FAVORITE PLAYER IS:


Can you say, "future hall of famer?"

WHY SHOULD I ROOT FOR THEM?You can count on them to win a title at least once a generation. Founded in 2033, the Pontiacs have won five titles in franchise history -- all in Detroit -- and have a bit of history too. They give you the bonafides of a historical club, with the effort of a team that actually likes winning.

No one will ever think you're a bandwagon fan for being a Pontiacs fan.



BRATTLEBORO GROCERS
HOW'D THEY GET HERE?: 101-61, Won NL East

YOUR NEW FAVORITE PLAYER:


WHY SHOULD I ROOT FOR THEM?: This team abandoned Memphis after over decades largely filled with mediocrity. Now they are a winning team and everyone in New England is some kind of fan. It helps this was the area that used to have the Worcester Hearts before that team moved to Pittsburgh. If you like underdog stories where the little guy rises up and takes on the big guy, this is your club. This is their first playoff appearance in over a decade, they're in a new city and all of this could be done tomorrow. So enjoy the ride, but don't get your hopes up that it'll always be like this.



PITTSBURGH YELLOWJACKETS

HOW'D THEY GET HERE?:105-57, Won the AL East

YOUR NEW FAVORITE PLAYER IS:


WHY SHOULD I ROOT FOR THEM?: The Yellowjackets arrived six years ago and were the city's first big league team since 1925. The city's last Kerouac Cup Series title came in the 123rd KCS, that was 219 years ago. You thought your drought was bad, this city has millions of dead people who've never seen a local team lift the Cup. Get on board.



NEW YORK KNIGHTS

HOW'D THEY GET HERE?: 100-62, 2nd in NL East (Wild Card)

YOUR NEW FAVORITE PLAYER:

WHY SHOULD I ROOT FOR THEM?
You want to root for one of the ABA's original teams and like to see them win titles? The Knights last title came two years ago, they missed the playoffs last season and now they're back. Diehard, old-school fan base located primarily on Long Island where this team resides.

PART TWO TOMORROW.

[Young Drachma]

LOUISVILLE SPIRES
HOW THEY GOT HERE: 88-74, Won NL South
YOUR NEW FAVORITE PLAYER:

WHY YOU SHOULD ROOT FOR THEM: 24-year old expansion team that's never won a title. Always rumored to be on the move, but remain entrenched with a loyal fanbase. A title would cement their legacy.


PHOENIX FIREBIRDS
HOW THEY GOT HERE: 91-71, Won NL West
YOUR NEW FAVORITE PLAYER:


WHY YOU SHOULD ROOT FOR THEM: They're the defending champs.


SAN FRANCISCO PEANUTS
HOW THEY GOT HERE: 83-80, NL WILD CARD
YOUR NEW FAVORITE PLAYER:

Remember him? He got traded by Brattleboro during the off-season. Things turned out okay for Rick Salgado, as San Francisco's new most popular player and fixture in their lineup.

WHY YOU SHOULD ROOT FOR THEM: An original ABA franchise. 13 titles in their history. Last title came 9 years ago and have been out of the playoffs the past four years. A venerable club if there ever was one, play baseball the right way and have a storied history.


TORONTO BLUE COLLARS
HOW THEY GOT HERE: 91-71, NL WILD CARD
YOUR NEW FAVORITE PLAYER:

WHY YOU SHOULD ROOT FOR THEM: Last title came 51 years ago. This team has been shuffling back and forth between Chicago and Toronto, was originally a Chicago team, moved to Toronto from 2036-64, back to Chicago in 2065 and then move back to Toronto again in 2117.


AMARILLO GOLD SOX
HOW'D THEY GET HERE?: 92-70, Won AL Central
YOUR NEW FAVORITE PLAYER:

WHY SHOULD YOU ROOT FOR THEM?: It's been 39 seasons since the last Gold Sox title -- which came in Colorado. The team moved to Amarillo after over 250 years in Colorado. The Gold Sox have become most of Texas favorite team and they could be yours too.


WEST VIRGINIA ALLEGHENIES
HOW'D THEY GET HERE?: 82-80, Won AL South
YOUR NEW FAVORITE PLAYER:

WHY YOU SHOULD ROOT FOR THEM: 2nd smallest market in ABA after Brattleboro. 13 playoff appearances in their 26-year history but not titles thus far. Always a fun team to watch.



LAS VEGAS ACES
HOW'D THEY GET HERE: 94-68, Won AL West
YOUR NEW FAVORITE PLAYER:


WHY SHOULD I ROOT FOR THEM: This is their first playoff appearance in franchise history (2136) but they are the continuation of the Tacoma Thrashers who folded after 2135. If your life was looking for a club to root for without the baggage of moves, long history or whatever else, the Aces are a good bet.

SALT LAKE CITY ELDERS
HOW'D THEY GET HERE?: 87-75, AL Wild Card
YOUR NEW FAVORITE PLAYER:


WHY YOU SHOULD ROOT FOR THEM: Team founded in 1891. Seven titles in franchise history. This playoff appearances is their 5th straight, but first time in that stretch as a wild card. No titles to show for their efforts. Maybe 5th time is a charm?

[Young Drachma]

THE BLOODBATH OF WILD CARD PLAYOFF BASEBALL

By Team BSN

Well BSNers, the PLAYOFFS are here!!

Who would have imagined a year ago when it was announced we were getting a baseball team to Western New England that we'd be sitting here talking about playoffs, especially for a team that hadn't seen the post-season in over a decade!

But yet, here we are!

So no what?

Well, we get a bit of a break because this first round is where we get to see who our opponent will be. After a bit of debate about whether ABA would expand Wild Card series from best-of-3 to best-of-5 it remains a 3-game tilt to see who advances.

Then it's best-of-7 the rest of the way out until the best-of-9 marathon known as the Kerouac Cup Series.

The only teams Brattleboro had a losing record against this year: Detroit (0-6) and non-playoff team St. Louis (1-5) so we're obviously rooting for the Pontiacs to get dispatched before the LCS, but we have to get there first!

Here are our predictions for the Wild Card Series matchups:

AL
Phoenix over Louisville
Toronto over San Francisco

NL
Amarillo over Salt Lake City
New York over West Virginia

[Young Drachma]

FOUR FOR FOUR ON PREDICTIONS, HOW ABOUT THAT?



We would've much preferred a lesser opponent than Toronto heading into the next round of the playoffs. We split the season series with the Blue Collars, but we're hoping our bats really do the job now.

Here's a playoff preview:



The real issue here is whether or not our bats go cold. We started the year without the real depth in the rotation, but we got that during the trade season. We enhanced the lineup too. So in theory, it's just about execution and if they can do that, we'll be dancing into the next round.

You can count on us here at BSN to keep you updated with all of the playoff action all the way through!

BAG 'EM BOYS!

[Young Drachma]

This was not an auspicious start to playoff baseball history in Brattleboro, as the Grocers went down 8-1 in the 1st game of the NLDS. Joey Troxler pitched 7 innings, giving up 3 earned and 3 hits. The real issue came in the 9th when Omarion Taylor entered the game and promptly gave up 5 runs (4 earned) and let the game get completely out of hand.

We just have to put this one out of our minds and head off to the next game.

Ethan Harris had a home run, the Grocers left 7 men on base.

We're back tomorrow night to even the series.

[Young Drachma]

GAME 2, NLDS



Needing a game to rebound, the Grocers did what needed to be done in their 6-0 victory over Toronto. Beating up on Toronto's ace Gareth Fenton, the Grocers had a home run by Felipe Campos and 7 1/3 innings from Harry van der Kolk to tie the series as the venue shifts to Toronto.

(Editor's note: I have a standardized stadium on now, so all of the teams play in the same park with the same dimensions in the same weather conditions. This was the way the game was played for the first few hundred years of the dynasty. I only changed it in recent years but I wanted to see how much of an effect it has on career stats, especially when I'm not paying attention to seasons and just simming..)

[Young Drachma]

OTHER SERIES (AFTER 2 GAMES)
----
New York v. Las Vegas (Series tied 1-1)
Pittsburgh v. Amarillo (PIT leads 2-0)
Phoenix v. Detroit (Series tied 1-1)

[Young Drachma]

GAME 3, NLDS


Pat Ramey struck out 7 and gave up 2 earned in 6 innings of work to notch the win. Omarion Taylor came back from his Game 1 failure and got the save, as the Grocers go up 2-1 in the series. Danny Zendejas had 2 RBI in the win.

[Young Drachma]

[Young Drachma]

GAME 5: NLDS



After dropping the first game of the series, the Grocers came stocked and ready to play ball. Harry van der Kolk through a complete game 4 hitter as the Grocers advance to the LCS for the first time in franchise history (VT or TN) to take on the defending champion Phoenix Firebirds with a trip to the Kerouac Cup Series on the line.

Harry van der Kolk was named Series MVP after going 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA, striking out 10 and walking just 3.

[Young Drachma]

OTHER SERIES
---
New York def. Las Vegas 4 games to 3
Pittsburgh def. Amarillo 4 games to 1
Phoenix def. Detroit 4 games to 1

[Young Drachma]

Brattleboro and Phoenix split their season series. They are a dangerous team with a strong lineup and an ace in Jimmy Reese who will ruin lives. The real question here will be whether or not Brattleboro's deep pitching will be able to contain the Phoenix lineup. If so, the Grocers will punch their ticket to the Series. Otherwise, Phoenix will look to do something no team has done in well over a decade -- repeat as Series champions.

[Young Drachma]

NLCS
-------
GM 1: Phoenix 6, Brattleboro 3
GM 2: Brattleboro 4, Phoenix 2
GM 3: Brattleboro 8, Phoenix 5
GM 4: Phoenix 3, Brattleboro 2
GM 5: Brattleboro 6, Phoenix 1
GM 6: Brattleboro 5, Phoenix 3 (10 innings)
Sam Dillard hit a 2-hit home run in the bottom of the 10th off Phoenix's Omari Thompson to send the Grocers to the 342nd Kerouac Cup Series Finals. A moment that'll remain in memory for all Grocers fans.


ALCS
-----
GM 1: Pittsburgh 8, New York 7 (15 innings)
GM 2: Pittsburgh 7, New York 2
GM 3: New York 8, Pittsburgh 7
GM 4: New York 4, Pittsburgh 2
GM 5: Pittsburgh 5, New York 0 (1-hitter)
GM 6: New York 7, Pittsburgh 3
GM 7: Pittsburgh 7, New York 6 (10 innings)

[Young Drachma]

We will get reactions tomorrow from our bloggers about the big game 6 victory and the ensuing KCS Finals to begin this week.

They were far too drunk and excited to blog after the Grocers did what honestly we did not think they would be able to do this year. Regardless of how the Finals turn out, this was a mighty success of a season and that roster was constructed -- from the stand pat nature of free agency to the wheeling and dealing of the regular season -- to do the unthinkable.

Flags fly forever. They got two. One more is on order...



Pittsburgh has only been in that city for seven years. The title won 70 years ago was by the Worcester Hearts. The team relocated from Worcester to Pittsburgh seven seasons ago and will now face the team from the area they abandoned for a title. This should make for a good storyline.

[Young Drachma]

Unsurprisingly for a team with a 70-year championship drought that has managed to find itself in the Series, there is no one left on that Pittsburgh team who played for them when the team was still in Worcester.

As much as I want to see if the Grocers can pull this thing out, I'm going to wait until tomorrow to run it. We'll let the energy build a bit.

[Young Drachma]

2142






COMING UP SHORT...GROCERS FALL IN SERIES
I've been tasked with writing a retrospective on the first season of Brattleboro Grocers baseball and I'm not really sure how to take you back to what this team has done to me.

Imagine for a second you are living your life, boring and pedestrian as it may be. Then all of a sudden, somebody offers you this gift. A lifeline. Players. Friends. FAMILY.

Sam Dillard will never buy a drink for as long as he lives anywhere within a 300 mile radius of Brattleboro, Vermont. All he has to do is flash that ****-eating grin because we ALL KNOW WHAT HE DID. His home run in Game 6 of the NLCS literally made me break my remote because I was beyond happy. This team was so well constructed.

We were so confused at first when the year started. I mean, there were so many unknowns. "They're move a baseball team here?" "Don't they know there's no one here?" "IT IS SNOWING OUTSIDE AND IT IS FEBRUARY"

Yet they actually showed up. And they didn't just show up, they came to play.

So many of these guys have become my favorite players of all time just seeing them carry themselves on the field day-in and day out and wear our colors proudly. Harry van der Kolk, Troxler, Jo-Mo, Danny Z, Amari Haynes. If they ever let J.J. Sinclair leave here as a free agent, we're going to burn down the stadium.

No, we didn't it all. But we got something better. In some ways, them losing gives us more to hope for. It gives us a reason to come back. I don't ever want us to forget what its like to be here, right now. We didn't have a team, we got a team and they kicked ass for us. I just can't even begin to think about what next year will be like, but I'm going to enjoy this one for a while.

We used to think it was weird at first that they named the team the Grocers because how much more boring could you get? But as the year went on, we started really embracing the name.

[Young Drachma]

Editors note: I'm pretty sure after this year, we're going back to 36 teams. I think Louisville, Edmonton, Dayton & a fourth team (either Bakersfield, Hawaii or Portland) are going to be dropped after this season. The reason? I'd just like to consolidate a bit of the talent, I'd like teams to have a slightly more plausible shot at a title and there are some better, more diverse custom schedule options available with 36 rather than 40. I could roll back to 32 or 30 even get even more, but I think 36 is the sweet spot in this league. None of those teams have really distinguished themselves in recent years and Edmonton is the only one to win a title -- back when they were the Texas Electrics -- so it's not as if we're losing a whole lot if I contract them.


[b]PREDICTION: 1st in the NL East (105-57)
SAY GOODBYE TO:
SP Rogelio Zeballos (Traded to West Virginia)
SP Aiden Sweat (Traded to Jackson)
OF Sam Dillard (FA, Signed with Carolina)
C Micah Roberts (FA, Signed with Washington)

SAY HELLO TO:
SP Jimmy Palomares (Trade from Colorado)
SP Tom Smith (Trade from Jackson)
C Frank Sanchez (Trade from West Virginia)
LF Mykal Bradley (FA)
SS Zach Colf (FA)

All season, the Grocers management knew the problem with this off-season was going to be how to replace what was lost while maintaining their core. They did a good job of keeping the core intact, by making deals for veterans with a few years on their deals. With the farm system not once what it was, the team was going to have to firmly remain in "going for it" mode for at least two more years before regrouping. Except with payroll now at around $85m, the team didn't have a lot of leeway for making any huge moves.

Last year's payroll ended the year around $47m because of cash acquired in deals for some of the mid-season acquisitions. In reality, most of the deals were paid in cash for several years by other teams so while payroll reads at around $93m, the GM was careful to get cash for almost all of the guys who came back with big payroll numbers so they're technically being paid for by their previous clubs; taking on about $40m in payroll over 5 years in those trades for Troxler, Harris, Zendajas, et. al.



Nonetheless, that left the team a bit bargain shopping during the off-season. Deft trades were the soup of the day, as one of the best pitching staffs in baseball got better with the acquisition of Jackson's ace Tom Smith (13-13, 3.63 ERA, 227 K) who had a bit of a down year last year and was rumored to be on the trade block. 26-year old SP Aiden Sweat was dealt for him in a package with two other players, but with a team that's trying to win a title contending, there's no time for younger guys who might not be as consistent.

The persistent problem at left field is hopefully solved by the signing of free agent Mykal Bradley from who split last year between New Orleans and Jackson. He had a 4.6 WAR on the year and should hopefully be an upgrade. Not content to roll with that staff, the team also acquired Jimmy Palomares from Colorado. Palomares (8-5, 3.57 ERA, 257K) had a down year last year, but is a strikeout artist who has spent his whole career in Colorado until now. A player to be named later (future 1st rounder) and a package of four prospect pitchers were sent in return for the promising 30-year old who won a ring with the team in '38 and is a two-time all-star.

The loss of NLCS hero Sam Dillard was concerning (6.3 WAR) but his price tag came too high for the team to consider in a long-term fashion. Rogelio Zeballos won a team-high 19 games last year, but was made expendable by all of the moves to the rotation. He was opening day starter for the Grocers last year, but he was sent to West Virginia in exchange for 26-year old catcher Frank Sanchez who is a defense upgrade and had a 3.5 WAR last year.

OVERALL: This team should be better than last year's edition. Xavier Joseph is the 15th overall prospect, but at Age 22 probably doesn't factor into the team's immediate plans. Look for him to get dealt sometime this year in exchange for another bat depending on how they are out of the gate.

Unlike last year, where at one point you needed nametags to identify all of the comings and goings with this team, things should be relatively staid because the pieces are basically in place. There might be a minor move or two, depending on how it goes, but provided there are no critical injuries to offset, the team as composed should be a force once again in the Nationwide League and a favorite to return to the Kerouac Cup Series for the 2nd straight year.

[Young Drachma]

3/16/2143

Wunderkid J.J. Sinclair signed a 10-year extension worth over $55 million which will keep him in Brattleboro colors through the '53 season. It includes a no-trade clause.



Was this a good move by the club? Premature? Or a decision they'll rue? If he's as good as he projects, it's a bargain given what players at this level are getting in contracts. If he ends up flaming out, it'll a nuisance contract but at $6.75 million in the last five years of the deal, not as hard to move as some others.

[korme]

15

Thats the current over/under on days before you start another dynasty.

[Young Drachma]

The core was already intact, so there wasn't a lot to do with this team other than see how it all came together. As expected, the Grocers got their footing and ran away with the regular season, clinching a playoff spot in early August.

In what has become tradition, the team made a few moves near the deadline to shore up the lineup and bullpen, but ultimately, the team we started the year with was the team we ended it with and that was just going to have to enough to get them through the post-season.

After a franchise record season of wins, there's a fear that the people of western New England are going to get spoiled by this team and start expecting this kind of performance all of the time. Nonetheless, few are willing to admit that anything less than a Kerouac Cup Series title would be a disappointment after the success of this team has left everyone wanting more.

NATIONWIDE LEAGUE STANDINGS
Eastern Division 	W 	L 	PCT 	GB
Brattleboro Grocers 	116 	46 	.716 	-
New Jersey Generals 	82 	80 	.506 	34.0
Boston Yanks 		73 	89 	.451 	43.0
Philadelphia Quakers 	69 	93 	.426 	47.0
New York Gothams 	62 	100 	.383 	54.0

Western Division 	W 	L 	PCT 	GB
San Francisco Peanuts 	93 	69 	.574 	-
Phoenix Firebirds 	84 	78 	.519 	9.0
Colorado Kings 		80 	82 	.494 	13.0
Los Angeles Anglers 	72 	90 	.444 	21.0
Victoria Cougars 	71 	91 	.438 	22.0

Northern Division 	W 	L 	PCT 	GB
Detroit Pontiacs 	91 	71 	.562 	-
Toronto Blue Collars 	82 	80 	.506 	9.0
St. Louis Aviators 	74 	88 	.457 	17.0
Dayton Derbies 		69 	93 	.426 	22.0
Eau Claire Paws 	68 	94 	.420 	23.0

Southern Division 	W 	L 	PCT 	GB
Virginia Mariners 	101 	61 	.623 	-
Louisville Spires 	95 	67 	.586 	6.0
Baltimore Atlantics 	81 	81 	.500 	20.0
El Paso Sun Kings 	81 	81 	.500 	20.0
Indiana Racers 		70 	92 	.432 	31.0

ALLIED LEAGUE STANDINGS
Western Division 	W 	L 	PCT 	GB
Bakersfield Sun Sox 	97 	65 	.599 	-
Salt Lake City Elders 	91 	71 	.562 	6.0
Las Vegas Aces 		80 	82 	.494 	17.0
Hawaii Fifty-Niners 	71 	91 	.438 	26.0
Portland Beavers 	59 	103 	.364 	38.0

Eastern Division 	W 	L 	PCT 	GB
Pittsburgh Yellow Jackets 104 	58 	.642 	-
New York Knights 	98 	64 	.605 	6.0
Brooklyn Originals 	89 	73 	.549 	15.0
Montreal Players 	83 	79 	.512 	21.0
Washington Maroons 	69 	93 	.426 	35.0

Southern Division 	W 	L 	PCT 	GB
Florida Rockets 	93 	69 	.574 	-
New Orleans Alligators 	86 	76 	.531 	7.0
West Virginia Alleghenies 80 	82 	.494 	13.0
Jackson Cottons 	66 	96 	.407 	27.0
Carolina Wrens 		55 	107 	.340 	38.0

Central Division 	W 	L 	PCT 	GB
Chicago Rogues 		102 	60 	.630 	-
Amarillo Gold Sox 	85 	77 	.525 	17.0
Great Plains Flycatchers 79 	83 	.488 	23.0
Edmonton Electrics 	72 	90 	.444 	30.0
Houston Cosmos 		67 	95 	.414 	35.0

TRADES DURING REGULAR SEASON

[Young Drachma]

Title droughts in '43 postseason.

Detroit (14)
San Francisco (10)
Phoenix (1)
Louisville (25, never won)
Florida (32)
Bakersfield (26, never won)
Salt Lake City (15)
New York Knights (2)
Brattleboro (27, never won)
Virginia (60)
Chicago (27)
Pittsburgh (defending champions)

WILD CARD SERIES

NL
San Francisco def. Detroit 2 games to 0
Phoenix def. Louisville 2 games to 0

AL
Florida def. Bakersfield 2 games to 1
New York def. Salt Lake City 2 games to 1

DIVISION SERIES


This year's LCS features teams all with 20+ year championship droughts and in the case of Brattleboro, never winning a title at all. Makes for interesting TV and also, reflects the parity of this league. Since I came back to this league about 40 seasons or so ago, there's been rampant parity. Teams might win their league consistently, but it's almost been impossible for teams to repeat as Series champs.

Take a look at the champs since 2112 and see how infrequent repeats are as a whole.



Return back to the blog for a full recap/reflection on the season and post-season.

Here is the man standing in the way of the Grocers return to the KCS.



The great-grandson four times removed of the best hitter to ever play the game - Joe Peters - he's dispatched onto the league and been a force to be reckoned with. But Virginia wasn't very good for the early years of his career. They've gotten better and he's putting them on their back towards a title.

Over in the NL, Florida might boast the best lineup in baseball bar none. It includes former Grocer playoff hero Sam Dillard who got traded there at mid-season from Carolina after that team went to pot. Perennial all-star and MVP candidate catcher Wil Hersberger and former MVP with Phoenix Billy Marrow who also got traded from Carolina with Dillard in a blockbuster.

The Rockets are one of those teams that once a generation puts together a really great mix of home-grown talent with outside stars to just ruin the rest of the league. They are my personal favorite to win a title if somehow our Grocers aren't able to get it done. Just a scary lineup. We do have the best pitching staff of any team in this post-season, so that'll be what we hope pulls us through as we face a very scary Virginia team.



343rd KEROUAC CUP SERIES
Back for the 2nd straight year, the Grocers are a more experienced team than last year. As we said at the start of the post-season, this was the expectation and last year, everyone rode the euphoria of being a new team and just being happy to be here. Each round we won last year was like being invited to the party constantly. This year? It was all business. Guys stepped up as needed and there was never a real question of "who" would do the job, we just knew SOMEBODY would take care of business. It's just a different feeling being around this team and you just feel like they're about to do something special.

That said, Florida is a terrible matchup. They hit the cover off the ball. The saving grace for the Grocers? While Brattleboro was 4th in NL in runs scored and 1st in runs against, Florida was 1st in the AL in runs scored, but 14th in runs allowed. The hope is they're not able to keep up with our pitching depth and Western New England comes home with a title.

Or will the curse of Sam Dillard deny us for a second straight year?



Another year. Denied again.

This is difficult. I mean, everything was in place. They just didn't have enough. I told you Florida was good. Dillard only hit .172 against us, so you have to at least be glad he didn't really make us pay. But Hershberger is the best catcher in the game, Billy Marrow hit .355 and is now sporting a 2nd ring.

Three of the games were lost by a score of 7-6. The very definition of "a nailbiter" series. This is the other side of success, when you throw your hands up and say "I think we did our best. It just wasn't enough" and that's how we feel right now.

We're all numb. Former MVP Omar Griggs was brought in during late August as the Dillard-type veteran presence and it wasn't enough. At the end of the day, we'll have to see what management does. Joey Troxler is 36 and won 19 games this year. He has a $20.2m team option that we imagine they'll pick up. 21-game winner Jimmy Palomares will want to come back, but at age 30, the southpaw is looking for a 6-year deal somewhere in the neighborhood of $60-70 million. Is it really worth it when our window is probably not going to be that long? Hard to say.

In general, our core will come back as it has and we'll be able to do what we did this year in terms of winning the division or at least being competitive. The real test is going to be figuring out how to crack the playoff egg. There are 38 other teams would have killed to be in our position, even if it meant losing. Because at least you have a shot.

But it hurts right now and it's not going to stop for a while.

[Young Drachma]

2144
The thing about going into this year is the inevitable hangover of losing back to back years. We have a ton of potential free agents this year in Brattleboro, so as a fan I thought for sure that there would be a bit of a letdown. The biggest question I have is, "what is going to happen after this year?" But it's been a fun three year run with this club and so, if we have to suffer a bit like real fans do, at least we can look back on this start and say "hey, wasn't that fun?"

At the end of the day, none of this matters. You dear fan are too far to go to a Grocers game. I show you the players and put them on the screen and you try to feel how I feel but you can't feel how I feel because in my life THESE GUYS ARE REAL. I believe in their work, from the smell of the grass to the dirt they kick up every time they slide. This all matters to me.

We spent another regular season making short work of the Nationwide League East, en route to the franchise's 3rd straight NL East crown. Nobody celebrates. It's all about business.

At the deadline this year, we thought the team might make some moves, but they decided largely to keep things as-is. It's weird, because the past two years we've been making blockbuster move after move and it hasn't yielded the kinds of results we were hoping for unless losing a title is something to cheer about. This year in baseball was interesting beyond just the Grocers. Joe Peters got traded to New York. Never thought he'd ever leave Virginia, but there he is in pinstripes now and playing better than ever -- as if that's possible. St. Louis' Sam Maes broke the consecutive game hits streak this year, a 129-year old record that he shattered.

NATIONWIDE LEAGUE STANDINGS
Eastern Division 	W 	L 	PCT 	GB
Brattleboro Grocers 	107 	55 	.660 	-
New York Gothams 	84 	78 	.519 	23.0
New Jersey Generals 	76 	86 	.469 	31.0
Boston Yanks 		70 	92 	.432 	37.0
Philadelphia Quakers 	67 	95 	.414 	40.0

Western Division 	W 	L 	PCT 	GB
San Francisco Peanuts 	92 	70 	.568 	-
Colorado Kings	 	90 	72 	.556 	2.0
Phoenix Firebirds 	81 	81 	.500 	11.0
Los Angeles Anglers 	72 	90 	.444 	20.0
Victoria Cougars 	62 	100 	.383 	30.0

Northern Division 	W 	L 	PCT 	GB
Toronto Blue Collars 	83 	79 	.512 	-
Detroit Pontiacs 	81 	81 	.500 	2.0
St. Louis Aviators 	81 	81 	.500 	2.0
Eau Claire Paws 	72 	90 	.444 	11.0
Dayton Derbies 		64 	98 	.395 	19.0

Southern Division 	W 	L 	PCT 	GB
El Paso Sun Kings 	99 	64 	.607 	-
Louisville Spires 	98 	65 	.601 	1.0
Baltimore Atlantics 	92 	70 	.568 	6.5
Virginia Mariners 	77 	85 	.475 	21.5
Indiana Racers 		69 	93 	.426 	29.5

ALLIED LEAGUE STANDINGS
Western Division 	W 	L 	PCT 	GB
Las Vegas Aces 		96 	66 	.593 	-
Hawaii Fifty-Niners 	88 	74 	.543 	8.0
Bakersfield Sun Sox 	87 	75 	.537 	9.0
Salt Lake City Elders 	77 	85 	.475 	19.0
Portland Beavers 	74 	88 	.457 	22.0

Eastern Division 	W 	L 	PCT 	GB
New York Knights 	92 	70 	.568 	-
Montreal Players 	85 	77 	.525 	7.0
Pittsburgh Yellow Jackets 84 	78 	.519 	8.0
Washington Maroons 	79 	83 	.488 	13.0
Brooklyn Originals 	75 	87 	.463 	17.0

Southern Division 	W 	L 	PCT 	GB
Florida Rockets 	91 	72 	.558 	-
West Virginia Alleghenies 90 	73 	.552 	1.0
New Orleans Alligators 	77 	85 	.475 	13.5
Jackson Cottons 	73 	89 	.451 	17.5
Carolina Wrens 		66 	96 	.407 	24.5

Central Division 	W 	L 	PCT 	GB
Chicago Rogues 		94 	68 	.580 	-
Amarillo Gold Sox 	86 	76 	.531 	8.0
Edmonton Electrics 	75 	87 	.463 	19.0
Great Plains Flycatchers 71 	91 	.438 	23.0
Houston Cosmos 		65 	97 	.401 	29.0

The Grocers lost in the NLCS to the El Paso Sun Kings, whose fan base had waited 20 years for their to even make a playoff appearance. One of the players on their roster came from Brattleboro, a former prospect 3B Volk Rockmeier. There was just something off about this year's team. Despite the elite pitching, the solid position players and defense, we knew there just was something off about this year. The league is not kind to repeat champs, thanks to parity and so, to even be in a position to advance was something of a fluke. But the championship was not to be and our entire core gets broken up losing 3/5th of our rotation barring any resignings. The lineup should remain mostly intact, however, which helps.

[Young Drachma]

The AI offered us some variation of that Reese trade and we modified what their deal was, but it was the only trade we made this year.



126 wins is the all-time record in the 345-season history of this league. The previous record was 124 wins by the 2119 Washington Maroons (who also won the Series that year), prior to that, the all-time record was 123 wins by the 1870 New York Gothams, so that's 345 seasons and only three teams who have won 120+ games.

I'm going to go probably play a bit faster, but what I think my next idea with this team is to consider a storyline -- since we're about to lost our core team over the next few years, that I'd like to do something I've never done before and that's try to build a contender with players only drafted after the 10th round (my draft is 50 rounds) because I am fascinated by late-round players and seeing how OOTP handles them and whether you can have actually stars from late-rounds over time.

So the only way to do it is to actually build a team that way (rather than say, just going through history and trying to find the instances of all-stars from late rounds.)

But we're going to burn off some of this core before I do that.