FOOL: 2023 Regular Season Thread

[Alan T]

2 minutes until the regular season!

[Alan T]

Ok, sim time! Getting the exports now.

[Tasan]

Yay FOOL season!

[Tasan]

I really hope at least one of my extensions was signed. Can we get a transaction dump for the first few days?

[Alan T]

Saturday, April 1st, 2023
Apex Assassins: Signed free agent MR E. Maldonado to a 1-year contract worth a total of $2,262,500.
Apex Assassins: Signed free agent CF J. O'Neill to a 1-year contract worth a total of $9,570,000.
Hartford Harpooners: Signed free agent 3B J. López to a minor league contract.
Apex Assassins: Signed free agent MR T. Kubo to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,487,500.
Hartford Harpooners: Signed SS S. Jetté to a 3-year contract extension worth a total of $21,357,500.
Napa Valley Winemakers: Signed free agent SP T. Edwards to a minor league contract.
Napa Valley Winemakers: Signed free agent MR J. Bingham to a minor league contract.
Napa Valley Winemakers: Signed free agent SP A. Tourigny to a minor league contract.
Napa Valley Winemakers: Signed free agent SP M. McElroy to a minor league contract.
Hartford Harpooners: Signed free agent 2B M. Ramos to a minor league contract.
Napa Valley Winemakers: Signed free agent MR A. Infante to a minor league contract.
Napa Valley Winemakers: Signed free agent SP T. Zhen to a minor league contract.
Colorado Rancheros: Signed free agent CF J. Maldonado to a 1-year contract worth a total of $10,935,000.
Napa Valley Winemakers: Signed free agent SP O. Mueller to a minor league contract.

[Alan T]

Monday, April 3rd, 2023
Hammersmith Hooligans: Signed CL E. De Los Santos to a 2-year contract extension worth a total of $4,680,000.
Ann Arbor Winged Lingerines: Signed SP L. Olivares to a 3-year contract extension worth a total of $19,522,500.

Sunday, April 2nd, 2023
Hartford Harpooners: Signed RF J. Colón to a 3-year contract extension worth a total of $38,385,000.
Edmonton Edge: Signed C P. Sutton to a 2-year contract extension worth a total of $2,360,000.

[Alan T]

Wednesday, April 5th, 2023
Hartford Harpooners: Signed C B. Scott to a 2-year contract extension worth a total of $3,670,000.
Hartford Harpooners: Signed SP A. Gómez to a minor league contract extension.
Hartford Harpooners: Signed SP R. Hernández to a 3-year contract extension worth a total of $23,047,500.
Montreal Majestics: Signed MR A. Oliver to a 4-year contract extension worth a total of $11,250,000.
Colorado Rancheros: Signed CL J. Hernández to a 4-year contract extension worth a total of $20,710,000.

Tuesday, April 4th, 2023
Ann Arbor Winged Lingerines: Signed LF P. Luján to a 4-year contract extension worth a total of $7,300,000.

[Alan T]

Sunday, April 2nd, 2023: Romero Slugs 400th Home Run
At Charm Ballpark Héctor Romero smashed his 400th career home run in a game against Napa Valley today. The 31-year-old shortstop had a hand in the Baltimore Charm 6-4 victory with 1 home run and 3 runs batted in. For the day he went 2 hits-2 at-bats.

At the press conference after the game, Romero downplayed his achievement.

"Obviously, I've hit 400 home runs so I belong in that 400 club. But when you talk about the other guys that have done it, I'm not as good as they were. Those guys were the greatest of all time. I've just been able to scrape together some good years and stayed healthy and gotten there."

In his 1946-game career Romero is hitting .319 with 2297 hits, 451 doubles, 30 triples and 400 home runs. He has scored 1371 runs and driven in 1449.

[Alan T]

Chico's Orlando Reyes had a hit streak to finish the 2022 season. This year, he continued for a few games before being stopped:

Tuesday, April 4th, 2023: Rancheros Chill Reyes's Hot Streak
The Colorado Rancheros pitching did its job today, holding hot-hitting Orlando Reyes hitless in 3 at-bats during a 4-0 victory over the Chico Rebels at Rebels Ballpark. This disappointing performance ended his 34-game hitting streak.

"I'm a little down right now," Reyes told BNN after the game. "I couldn't get anything going when the team needed me and I hated to see the streak end, too."

[Alan T]

Wednesday, April 5th, 2023: Browne Mows Down 15 Winemakers
Kieran Browne of the Edmonton Edge really put on a pitching clinic today at Edge Ballpark as he struck out 15 Napa Valley Winemakers in a 7-1 victory. Browne was simply magnificent as he held the Winemakers to 5 hits and had no walks in the game.

"My fastball was okay," Browne said, "but my breaking stuff really hurt them. I also have to thank my catcher for calling a great game."

When asked about Browne's performance, the Edge manager shook his head and said, "Yeah, he was pretty good out there today. He was dominating today."

[Alan T]

Friday, April 7th, 2023: 2000 Hits for Souza
The Hammersmith contest with Chico featured a real shining moment: Jesús Souza, the Hooligans left fielder, collected career base hit #2000. That his team lost the game, 15-6, took away only a little bit of the luster. Fittingly, the 34-year-old Souza, who went 2-for-4, received a warm ovation from the Ballpark of Hammersmith crowd.

Souza has batted .264 for his career with 2001 hits, 317 doubles, 44 triples and 384 home runs and 1300 RBIs.

[Tasan]

Thanks for the signings Alan. I'm pumped I got Maldanado. I think he'll help a bunch vs lefties.

[Alan T]

Saturday, April 22nd, 2023: Colorado's Márquez Gets 2000th Hit
Rancheros center fielder Luis Márquez went 2-for-4 and reached the 2000-hit milestone yesterday, but Colorado still lost the game 5-3 to the Chico Rebels.

In his career stats Márquez has compiled a .264 batting average and collected 2000 hits, 251 home runs and 1070 RBIs.

[Alan T]

The RL pitcher of the month of April:

Monday, May 1st, 2023: Sierra Takes RL #1 Pitcher Trophy
Juan Sierra's been around the league long enough to appreciate the honor he received today. After going 5-2 in April, the 24-year-old New York hurler has been named Republic League Pitcher of the Month.

He fanned 46 in 54 innings, logged an ERA of 2.33 and allowed opponents to hit .230 against him.

[Tasan]

Light showing tonight it looks like. Hi Teach!

[Alan T]

CL Pitcher of the month:

Monday, May 1st, 2023: Edge Browne Named CL's Best Pitcher
In April, Kieran Browne tore through the Continental League like a seasoned veteran -- quite impressive for a player only 23 years old.

The young Edmonton starter posted a 5-0 mark and an ERA of 2.94 to earn the Pitcher of the Month award. In 52 innings he collected 47 strikeouts while limiting the opposition to a .243 average.

[Alan T]

Originally Posted by Tasan

Light showing tonight it looks like. Hi Teach!

It is early still!

[Alan T]

RL Hitter of the month for April:

Monday, May 1st, 2023: Bruce Sabean is April's #1 Hitter in RL
Not known for his offensive prowess, Bruce Sabean set the league afire in April and took home the Republic League Batter of the Month award.

The Chico first baseman posted a steady .367 batting average, 7 home runs, 19 RBIs and 20 runs.

[Alan T]

CL Hitter of the month for April:

Monday, May 1st, 2023: Continental League Selects April's Best Batter
Though his face is weathered and his hands are calloused, Héctor Romero can still get it done in Front Office Offseason League. In fact, the 31-year-old shortstop for Baltimore was named the Continental League Batter of the Month today after putting up an impressive performance at the plate.

In April he batted .330 with 11 home runs, 25 RBIs and 24 runs scored.

[Alan T]

RL Rookie of the month:

Monday, May 1st, 2023: Republic League Names Rookie of Month
A veritable toddler to the Republic League, Francisco Salinas just sewed up the Rookie of the Month trophy for April.

Over the past month the 25-year-old first baseman for Ann Arbor hit .284 with 31 hits, 10 home runs and 26 runs batted in. He also logged 8 walks and compiled a .336 on-base percentage.

[Alan T]

CL Rookie of the month:

Monday, May 1st, 2023: Piña Voted April's Top Rookie
Edmonton's Joaquín Piña created quite a buzz around town today when he was presented April's Continental League Rookie of the Month trophy.

The standout rookie center fielder took the award by connecting for 38 hits in 112 at-bats for a .339 batting average. During the month he collected 3 home runs, drove in 9 runs and scored 20 times.

[Alan T]

I really really hope everyone is ready for the standings. In all of my years of OOTP, I have never seen this..... ever...

[TeachEnEspanol]

Originally Posted by Tasan

Light showing tonight it looks like. Hi Teach!

Hey Tasan! Good to see you.

[Alan T]

May 1st, 2023 League Standings:

Continental League Standings

Apex Assassins			14	14	.500	-	
Baltimore Charm			14	14	.500	-	
Boston Settlers			14	14	.500	-	
Edmonton Edge			14	14	.500	-	
Montreal Majestics		14	14	.500	-	
Napa Valley Winemakers		14	14	.500	-	

Republic League Standings

Ann Arbor Winged Lingerines	16	12	.571	-	
Colorado Rancheros		16	12	.571	-	
Chico Rebels			14	14	.500	2.0	
Hartford Harpooners		13	15	.464	3.0	
New York Heroes			13	15	.464	3.0	
Hammersmith Hooligans		12	16	.429	4.0	

[TeachEnEspanol]

Originally Posted by Alan T

I really really hope everyone is ready for the standings. In all of my years of OOTP, I have never seen this..... ever...

*is nervous*

[Alan T]

May 1st, 2023 Stats Leaders:

Batting Avg: J. Garcia (EDM) .405
Home Runs: H. Romero (BAL) 11
RBI: E. Bowden (ANN) 31

Wins: K. Browne (EDM) / J. Sierra (NYH) 5
Strikeouts: E. Quero (MON) / B. Rodriguez (ANN) 60
ERA: Y. Sato (HAR) 1.69

[TeachEnEspanol]

oh my gosh...that puts my comment about how close we were in Spring Training into some crazy perspective!!!

[Tasan]

Originally Posted by Alan T

I really really hope everyone is ready for the standings. In all of my years of OOTP, I have never seen this..... ever...

I know, I never would have expected as lousy of a pitching team as mine being over .500!!



OK OK, so the entire CL being tied at .500 might be a tad bigger I guess ;- )

[Alan T]

Peter Morris throws the league's first no hitter since 2020!

Monday, May 15th, 2023: Peter Morris Hurls No-No Against Boston
Apex is abuzz in the wake of a masterful no-hitter by Peter Morris against the Boston Settlers. In a dominating 2-0 performance at Assasins Ballpark, the 25-year-old hurler had 9 strikeouts and 5 walks. Not one batter managed a hit.

The Boston manager said after the game, "You could tell early on it was going to be a long day for us. He made us look real bad. He was that good. And still going strong at the end of the game."

"Yeah, this was a special day for me," said Morris. "I had my good stuff and good movement... good location, too. Even when I was off and made a mistake, I got away with it today."

In 9 starts this season Morris has recorded a 4-3 record and a 4.92 ERA.

[Alan T]

Montreal's Bascombe 1-hits Edmonton and then two weeks later 2-hits Napa Valley!

Tuesday, May 16th, 2023: Bascombe Puts Spell on Edmonton
It was not a good day at the plate for Edge hitters. Most of them came up empty against Jamie Bascombe of the Montreal Majestics. He held them to 1 hit and blanked Edmonton 3-0. Bascombe also chalked up 10 strikeouts and 1 walk in the game at Majestics Stadium.

This season Bascombe has crafted a 4-5 mark with a 4.64 ERA in 73.2 innings. Opposing clubs are batting .216 against him and he has 70 strikeouts.

Monday, May 29th, 2023: Napa Valley Draws Blanks Against Bascombe
Jamie Bascombe kept Napa Valley hitters off balance all game long as the Montreal pitcher blanked the Winemakers 7-0. They managed to get 2 hits off Bascombe, who struck out 6 and walked 2.

In 2023 Bascombe has a 5-6 record with a 4.70 ERA in 14 starts.

[Alan T]

Sunday, May 21st, 2023: Apex's O'Neill Reaches 2000 Hits
With one swing of the bat, Jim O'Neill put his name in the league record books yesterday at Assasins Ballpark. It was his 2000th career hit, putting him in a select group of players.

In spite of Jim O'Neill's achievement, his Apex Assassins went down to defeat to the Edmonton Edge, 7-3.

On his milestone day, the 33-year-old center fielder registered 1 hit in 5 at-bats.

During his career O'Neill has hit .268 with 2000 hits, 248 home runs, 952 RBIs and scored 1297 runs.

[muns]

Originally Posted by Alan T

I really really hope everyone is ready for the standings. In all of my years of OOTP, I have never seen this..... ever...

lol thats messed up

[Alan T]

Thursday, May 25th, 2023: Arturo Hernández Drills 3 HR in One Game
If you were sitting in the bleachers and brought your glove to the Edge-Winemakers game, there was a good chance you'd catch one of the three home runs hit by Arturo Hernández. The Edge right fielder repeatedly sent eager fans scurrying to catch a souvenir and led Edmonton to a 17-4 win over Napa Valley.

"Hey, the three homers were great, but I'm just trying to help my ballclub... not thinkin' about home runs. I'm just thinkin' about winning ballgames. When you think about home runs, you very seldom get 'em," he philosophized in the postgame press conference.

Hernández was 3-5 on the day with 4 RBI.

A. Hernández flied out in the 2nd, hit a solo-shot off J. Martínez in the 3rd, hit a solo-shot off P. Johnson in the 4th, hit a two-run home run off Z. Yang in the 5th, walked in the 7th and struck out in the 9th.

This year Hernández is hitting .291, produced 40 RBIs and 15 home runs, scored 38 times and gotten on base at a .341 rate.

[Chief Rum]

Okay, just proof positive the CL is completely and totally average.

BTW, I am strangely enough here on a night I am normally not, thanks to having to give away my second job shift to take care of some things, and then working overtime at Job #1 (yes, I'm dialing in from work...).

[Alan T]

Juan Sierra also throws a 1-hitter in the month of May:

Wednesday, May 31st, 2023: Sierra Hurls Heroes to Shutout Victory
Juan Sierra of the New York Heroes was on fire against Colorado. He shut them down 4-0 on 1 hit and no runs with 10 strikeouts and no walks.

"The first two pitches I'm looking for an out, a ground ball or a fly ball," Sierra said. "I'm trying to get quick outs. I've never been a big believer in trying to strike a guy out from the very first pitch. It's too easy to end up behind in the count doing that."

So far this season Sierra has a 10-4 record with a 1.84 ERA.

[Tasan]

Now we have a crowd going. Hi everyone!

[Alan T]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Okay, just proof positive the CL is completely and totally average.

BTW, I am strangely enough here on a night I am normally not, thanks to having to give away my second job shift to take care of some things, and then working overtime at Job #1 (yes, I'm dialing in from work...).

Glad to see you make a rare Monday apperance! Hopefully it is not under a bad circumstance!

[muns]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Okay, just proof positive the CL is completely and totally average.

BTW, I am strangely enough here on a night I am normally not, thanks to having to give away my second job shift to take care of some things, and then working overtime at Job #1 (yes, I'm dialing in from work...).

well its good to have ya Chief!

[Alan T]

Sierra wins a second straight pitcher of the month award:

Thursday, June 1st, 2023: RL Pick for Top Pitcher in May is Sierra
Veteran Juan Sierra put together quite a successful stretch in May for the New York Heroes, earning himself the Republic League Pitcher of the Month award.

Sierra racked up a 5-2 record in 8 starts, posting a 1.38 ERA over 58.2 innings and striking out 67.

In 15 starts this year Sierra has fashioned a 10-4 record and a 1.84 ERA.

[Alan T]

Quero gets his first pitcher of the month award for the 2023 season:

Thursday, June 1st, 2023: CL Premier Pitcher is Montreal's Quero
Despite the number of years he's been in the league, Emmett Quero still gets excited when he puts together a quality stretch like he had in May. The 36-year-old starter for Montreal was named Continental League Pitcher of the Month earlier today.

He collected 6 wins and no losses with 59 strikeouts in his 8 starts, putting up a fine 2.82 ERA in 54.1 innings of work.

So far this season, Quero has logged a 9-2 record with a 2.49 ERA. He has started 15 games, hurled 104.2 innings and registered 119 strikeouts and 15 walks.

[muns]

Originally Posted by Tasan

Now we have a crowd going. Hi everyone!

Hey Tasan and everyone else.

What did we have last week? Less?

[Alan T]

The RL Hitter of the month of May is also from New York:

Thursday, June 1st, 2023: Gonzáles Gets RL Batter of the Month Trophy
José Gonzáles battered Republic League pitchers all May and wound up taking home the Batter of the Month Award.

"I've been around Front Office Offseason League long enough to know you really have to work hard day in and day out to be able to put up this kind of consistency," the 29-year-old Gonzáles told reporters. "I put in a lot of work, even on the days I may not take the field and it's always nice when everything comes together for me like it did this last month."

In 29 games, Gonzáles hit .376 with 3 home runs, 16 RBIs and scored 21 runs.

Thus far in 2023 Gonzáles has hit .290 with 6 home runs, 31 RBIs and scored 30 runs.

[Alan T]

.. and the May Hitter of the Month in the CL is also from Montreal:

Thursday, June 1st, 2023: CL's #1 Batter Announced
Seasoned by several years of professional experience, 32-year-old J.D. Blackmore put together a solid offensive month for Montreal and was crowned May's top batter in the Continental League.

He batted .400 with 8 home runs, 30 RBIs and 33 runs scored.



Thus far this year Blackmore is batting .360 with 10 home runs, 49 RBIs and 50 runs scored.

[Alan T]

WBC Superstar Nick Vega wins the May RL Rookie of the month:

Thursday, June 1st, 2023: New York Right Fielder Best RL Rookie
A boyish Nick Vega emerged as the latest Republic League Rookie of the Month today. The young man from New York deserved the honor, batting .302 with 6 home runs and 23 runs batted in. Is the month of May a harbinger of things to come or just a fluke? We'll find out someday, but for now, we'll just let Vega enjoy the limelight.

This year Vega is hitting at a .280 pace with 10 home runs and 33 RBIs. He has played in 57 games and scored 34 times.

[Alan T]

May's CL ROokie of the month is from Napa Valley:

Thursday, June 1st, 2023: CL Selects Rookie Star of the Month
Jesús Díaz is still a bit shy, but then, who could blame the newest Continental League Rookie of the Month honoree? He hasn't been around the league long enough to fully know the ropes yet, despite the fact that he's putting up veteran-like numbers.

In May the Napa Valley hitter tagged opposing pitching for a .275 average with 25 hits, 7 home runs and 25 RBIs.

This season Díaz is batting .266 with 47 hits and 8 home runs. He has scored 30 times and has 38 RBI.

[Tasan]

What's it like to have a pitcher of the month? I haven't had one in so long I've forgotten. I feel like my beloved Texas Rangers or something.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Alan T

Glad to see you make a rare Monday apperance! Hopefully it is not under a bad circumstance!

Well, it ain't great. I am working overtime. So that sucks. And I had to ditch the other job to get my traffic school paperwork set from a ticket I got a few months ago--while speeding from one job to the other. lol...

good news I think I have everything set, and my OT is lamost done. Bad news is, damn, the Hooligans suck.

[Alan T]

June 1st, 2023 League Standings:

Continental League Standings

Edmonton Edge			31	26	.544	-	
Montreal Majestics		31	26	.544	-	
Apex Assassins			30	27	.526	1.0	
Baltimore Charm			27	30	.474	4.0	
Boston Settlers			27	30	.474	4.0	
Napa Valley Winemakers		25	32	.439	6.0	

Republic League Standings

New York Heroes			32	25	.561	-	
Colorado Rancheros		30	27	.526	2.0	
Ann Arbor Winged Lingerines	29	28	.509	3.0	
Hammersmith Hooligans		27	30	.474	5.0	
Hartford Harpooners		27	30	.474	5.0	
Chico Rebels			26	31	.456	6.0	

Only 6 games seperate worst from first in both leagues.

[Tasan]

We must be hitting a ton, because we definitely don't have the pitching to be in fourth, let alone second.

[Alan T]

June 1st Stats Leaders:

Batting Avg: H. Romero (BAL) .371
Home Runs: H. Romero (BAL) 19
RBI: H. Romero (BAL) 50

Wins: J. Sierra (NYH) 10
Strikeouts: B. Rodriguez (ANN) 124
ERA: J. Sierra (NYH) 1.84


Hector Romero's performance thus far reminds me that we have had several pitcher triple crown winners over the years. As far as I am aware, we have only had one Hitter win the triple crown in all of FOOL's history - 1997 when Felipe Aguilera of St. Louis won the triple crown.