FOOL 2042 Season!

[Chief Rum]

I guess Juteau isn't one for excessive celebrations. He figured one day of standing O's was enough.

[TeachEnEspanol]

Originally Posted by hyde4us11

Disclaimer: Purely my opinion lol

I have thought the pythagorean record is somewhat overrated. I wish there was something more to go on. As is, its the best for what it tries to tell you though.

AGAIN JUST MY OPINION.

You're not allowed to have an opinion...what are you THINKING?!

[Tasan]

Originally Posted by Alan T

I'm thinking it is the field bet vs Gallagher right now for the Benny Myers award, and I'd likely side with Gallagher even then still.

I was really torn on whether to bring him up last year or not, hopefully that decision pays off. We were able to put a pretty decent team around him this year. Next year I'm not so sure of.

[TeachEnEspanol]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Tokyo reminds me of me.

Looks like that pick of Tasan is off to a good start.

I was worried the Blowey deal would have a positive effect on Ann Arbor, too. Hope my boys can catch that magic again.

So nice to see you again!

[hyde4us11]

Originally Posted by TeachEnEspanol

You're not allowed to have an opinion...what are you THINKING?!

I think thats what the wife says to me daily. I am not sure though, I hardly listen lol.

[Tasan]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Tokyo reminds me of me.

Looks like that pick of Tasan is off to a good start.

I was worried the Blowey deal would have a positive effect on Ann Arbor, too. Hope my boys can catch that magic again.

I didn't even notice Alan's jinx until just now when you pointed it out. Thanks Alan!

[Alan T]

Sunday, May 4th, 2042: Flores Baffles Boston
Ballpark of Napa Valley played host to a command performance by Júlio Flores of the Napa Valley Winemakers. In shutting out Boston 4-0, Flores limited the Settlers to 3 hits. The 30-year-old hurler also fanned 10 and walked 1 in capturing the victory.

In 8 starts this year Flores has crafted a 3-4 record and a 2.96 ERA.

[Montreal_GM]

Originally Posted by Tasan

I was really torn on whether to bring him up last year or not, hopefully that decision pays off. We were able to put a pretty decent team around him this year. Next year I'm not so sure of.

You can tell a lot about a man by how long he waits to call up his prized prospect.

[Alan T]

Originally Posted by hyde4us11

Disclaimer: Purely my opinion lol

I have thought the pythagorean record is somewhat overrated. I wish there was something more to go on. As is, its the best for what it tries to tell you though.

AGAIN JUST MY OPINION.

I pretty much use it the same way I use BABIP when looking at stuff myself.

I'll leave it up to everyone to figure out what I mean by that

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by TeachEnEspanol

So nice to see you again!

Thanks! The reason I am here is not so golden, though. I took someone up on the offer to get out of my Monday shift because I was under the mistaken impression my Angels might be playing tonight.

[Tasan]

Originally Posted by Montreal_GM

You can tell a lot about a man by how long he waits to call up his prized prospect.

Well thank you!

(I think)

;- )

[Chief Rum]

Oh yeah, your Angels, too. We can cry on each other's shoulders. Boohoo.

[TeachEnEspanol]

Originally Posted by hyde4us11

I think thats what the wife says to me daily. I am not sure though, I hardly listen lol.

Well then I'll sure she'll thank me for reinforcing the point. lol

Just kidding, I actually agree with you.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Montreal_GM

You can tell a lot about a man by how long he waits to call up his prized prospect.

Or you can tell a lot about his major league squad.

[Alan T]

Tuesday, May 6th, 2042: Boston Whitewashed by Zavala
Pablo Zavala of the Apex Assassins was on top of his game today. He tantalized the Boston Settlers with crisp curves and changeups, mixed in with just enough fastballs to keep the batters honest and came away with a 4-0 shutout.

In the postgame comments, the Boston skipper said, "He had the changeup working. You knew it was coming and you still grounded out -- and then he threw it even slower."

The Apex hurler had 4 strikeouts, gave up 1 walk and surrendered 1 hit in his complete-game effort.

Zavala told reporters after the game, "To be successful in this league, you have to keep the ball down. If you don't, they'll make you pay."

This year Zavala has gone 2-2 with an ERA of 3.26 and has 26 strikeouts in 49.2 innings.

[Tasan]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Thanks! The reason I am here is not so golden, though. I took someone up on the offer to get out of my Monday shift because I was under the mistaken impression my Angels might be playing tonight.

Wait, let me get out my tiniest violin for you!






Freaking Angels.

Signed, A Rangers Fan

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Alan T

I pretty much use it the same way I use BABIP when looking at stuff myself.

I'll leave it up to everyone to figure out what I mean by that

BABIP==luck==meaningless==Pyth record.

Gotchya!

[Alan T]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Thanks! The reason I am here is not so golden, though. I took someone up on the offer to get out of my Monday shift because I was under the mistaken impression my Angels might be playing tonight.

Maybe your Hooligans will make up for it!

[Alan T]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

BABIP==luck==meaningless==Pyth record.

Gotchya!

luck...


That is pretty much my answer to everything I do in OOTP!

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Tasan

Wait, let me get out my tiniest violin for you!






Freaking Angels.

Signed, A Rangers Fan

Heh heh...hey, we won the same number of trophies, you know!

[Tasan]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Or you can tell a lot about his major league squad.

Well, if you looked at my squad last year, you probably would have thought "Why the heck didn't he bring up the only potential stud hitter he would have had???!?!"

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Alan T

Maybe your Hooligans will make up for it!

Or maybe last week, I was borrowing on the Angels' eventual demise.

Yeah, my mom tells me I'm a real downer.

[Alan T]

A second Tokyo player with a cycle this month


Thursday, May 8th, 2042: O'Hagerty Goes Cycling
"Some days everything falls in place and you have an almost perfect day."
Those were the comments from Tokyo right fielder Ron O'Hagerty today as his 5-5 day included the cycle, a baseball rarity.

"He sure was a wrecking ball today," said one teammate after the Cyclones tamed the Settlers 14-3 at Sony Park.

R. O'Hagerty singled in the 1st, singled in the 4th, hit a two-run triple in the 4th, doubled in the 7th and hit a solo-shot off V. Morín in the 8th.

O'Hagerty is batting .321 with 3 home runs and 21 RBIs this season.

[hyde4us11]

Originally Posted by Alan T

I'll leave it up to everyone to figure out what I mean by that

Interesting, I'll have to think about this for a few days in my boredom.

[Tasan]

Your guys sure can fly around the bases Kevin.

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Tasan

Well, if you looked at my squad last year, you probably would have thought "Why the heck didn't he bring up the only potential stud hitter he would have had???!?!"

Yeah, I hear ya. Had tough decisions myself this year. Kept top hitting prospects Buddy Brown and Luis Gonzalez down in the minors. Even kept them in AA, because I am becoming more and more convinced that POW, EYE and Control don't develop much in AAA.

[Alan T]

Le is the 23rd player in FOOL history with 400 home runs.


Friday, May 16th, 2042: Le Swats #400
It was an historic day in the life of Fa-tang Le. The 37-year-old Baltimore first baseman recorded the 400th homer of his career in the Charm 12-3 triumph over the Tokyo Cyclones.

In the clubhouse after the game, Le told BNN, "I was just looking for a ball to drive... and I got one."

Le has a career .280 average with 1932 hits, including 472 doubles, 26 triples and 400 homers, collected 1391 RBIs, scored 1179 runs and compiled a .380 OBP.

[Alan T]

Originally Posted by hyde4us11

Interesting, I'll have to think about this for a few days in my boredom.

Well, I can give the real answer what I meant if folks wanted. But I liked Chief's answer just as much!

[Tasan]

We really need to run a test some time, putting the same guys in AAA and AA, run it about 100 times and see what comes out with POW, EYE and Control

[Alan T]

Wednesday, May 21st, 2042: 2500 Hits for Griffith
Mike Griffith has gone through many bats during his playing career. None of them means as much to him as the one he used to crack career hit number 2500 at Ballpark of Hammersmith yesterday.

The 37-year-old Hooligans second baseman told reporters after the game, "I plan to keep this bat at home in my own private Hall of Fame."

It was a happy day for Griffith from the standpoint of the 2500-hit milestone, but a little disappointing, too. Despite his achievement, Hammersmith dropped the contest to the Colorado Rancheros 8-5.

For the day Griffith finished the day with 2 hits in 4 at-bats.

In his career Griffith has played in 2304 games, totaling 2501 hits, 635 doubles, 75 triples and 165 homers. He has hit .280 with 1085 RBIs and scored 1340 times.

[hyde4us11]

Originally Posted by Alan T

Well, I can give the real answer what I meant if folks wanted. But I liked Chief's answer just as much!

Please tell, thinking is overrrated as well lol.

[Tasan]

Congrats Griffith! My one time star 2B!

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Tasan

Congrats Griffith! My one time star 2B!

And now he's my decent veteran holdover.

[Tasan]

A little off topic here, but Desean Jackson might actually pull off a miraculous comeback for me in one of my fantasy leagues.

[Alan T]

A third cycle in the same month (this is not the first time in FOOL history this has happened however). Not from Tokyo this time however.

Thursday, May 29th, 2042: Hooligans Watanabe Sizzles with Cycle
Hitting for the cycle is defined as hitting a single, double, triple and home run in the same game. How often does that happen? Not very often, especially considering that a cycle is a microcosm of what makes a complete hitter -- he must possess power (homer), speed (triple) and make regular contact (four hits).

Well, Eiichi Watanabe is a complete hitter -- at least for one ballgame. Today at Ballpark of Hammersmith he hit for the cycle to lead Hammersmith Hooligans to a 11-1 win over the Chico Rebels. All told in the game Watanabe delivered 4 hits in 5 at-bats with 5 runs batted in and 3 runs scored.

He admitted to the press in the postgame interview, "Lotta luck in hitting for the cycle. Several unique things have to come together... all in the same game."

E. Watanabe struck out in the 1st, singled in the 3rd, doubled in the 5th, hit a three-run triple in the 6th and hit a two-run home run off J. Merry in the 8th.

This season-to-date Watanabe has 10 home runs and a .294 batting average.

[ekcut]

I'm here...good luck all!

I would of been here sooner but I just BBQ the best effin steak I have ever had and not even FOOL, can take priority over that!

[Chief Rum]

Maybe they're not quite like the OPey show in New York, but I like my Chavez-Watanabe duo.

[Alan T]

Originally Posted by hyde4us11

Please tell, thinking is overrrated as well lol.

I use pythagorean and BABIP somewhat similarly when I look at them. I often say to folks that statistics in a vacuum can actually be counter productive. You need to understand what the surroundings were that generated those stats.

Both BABIP and Pyth. Record I feel have a good amount of luck involved into their readings at times because they use a large number of events and try to formulate a result from that based on an average, when sometimes averages don't tell the entire story.

With Pyth. record, there could be several reasons why a team would have a very good or very bad Pyth record. A team could have a very large disparity between top pitchers and bottom pitchers, where the best pitchers always keep them in the game but the weak pitchers always get blown out. A team could have a horrible bullpen where every close (1-run or extra inning game) ends up going against them which would lead to a poor pyth record. or a team could just be unlucky, among other factors.

With BABIP, theoretically, the defense could just be poor, could just not get to the balls in places where it is hit the most often to cause a high BABIP. Perhaps the team plays in a poor Home Run great extra base hit ball park where you just have a lot more balls that are hit get put into play and going for hits. Or once again, a pitcher could just be unlucky.

With Pyth record, if I can't find anything that jumps out at me as being a reason for a great Pyth record (like I did see with Boston on their run several years ago, when it was obvious to me why they always had a great Pyth record), then I'll likely chalk it up to luck. I'll also assume that means if the team continues to play, they have a good shot of balancing it out and going on a win streak too as luck "evens out".

With BABIP, if a pitcher is way different then the rest of his teammate pitchers, I'll look to see if I can find a reason for it. Do they pitch in a way that is horrible for their park? Do they do something that would make me think they might have a much worse BABIP? If not, I once again would chalk it up perhaps to luck. When I see a pitcher with a very low BABIP to the point that it looks too low to me, I see "career year" all over that and consider that is a time to sell the pitcher when his value is the highest. When I see a pitcher with the opposite, then perhaps it is worth taking a chance on him to see if a new location will help him out.


Anyways, not any science there, more just gut feels and guesses then anything else.

[Alan T]

The current active hits leader, he is just the 21st hitter in FOOL history with 3000 hits!


Thursday, May 29th, 2042: Dimiceli Reaches 3000 Milestone
The box score from yesterday's game will show that New York beat the Hartford Harpooners, 8-2. It will also show that right fielder Sandro Dimiceli went 3-for-5 for the Heroes. It will not show, however, that Dimiceli reached the 3000-hit mark for his career.

The 36-year-old Dimiceli reflected on the achievement after the game. He mused: "In one respect, it's a real milestone, I guess. Yet, it's just a base hit like any other base hit."

Taking a look at his lifetime stats, Dimiceli is hitting .321 with a total of 101 home runs.

[Chief Rum]

So save us the research. Why did Boston have such a consistently good Pyth record? Good bullpen?

[Alan T]

Ardito pitches a shut out on my birthday. May 30th, 2042 I will be 67 years old!


Friday, May 30th, 2042: Ardito Too Tough, Blanks Chico
Hammersmith hurler Aymeric Ardito put on quite a show today as he blitzed the Chico Rebels with a 9-0 shutout. He baffled them with fastballs and changeups, allowing 5 hits with 10 strikeouts and 3 walks to pick up the win.

The opposing manager told reporters after the game, "I think every time we were looking for a fastball, he threw a changeup and every time we were looking for a changeup, he threw a fastball."

This season Ardito has compiled a 4-2 record with a 5.03 ERA.

[Alan T]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

So save us the research. Why did Boston have such a consistently good Pyth record? Good bullpen?

Not as much bullpen as it was Hensley. He had a crazy numbers of saves in one run games. He was like Jekyll and Hyde for them for a few seasons, during the regular season he was automatic, but in the playoffs it was meltdown central. Because of that Boston bowed out of the playoffs early in several seasons when they had a very strong shot at the title.

[Alan T]

Originally Posted by Alan T

Not as much bullpen as it was Hensley. He had a crazy numbers of saves in one run games. He was like Jekyll and Hyde for them for a few seasons, during the regular season he was automatic, but in the playoffs it was meltdown central. Because of that Boston bowed out of the playoffs early in several seasons when they had a very strong shot at the title.

Of course, that also goes hand in hand with the other half of what I had said before, that eventually teams that play that far over their Pyth Record might be due for a trend in the other direction too.

[Tasan]

Wow you pulled off the mighty dola self quote there. You have the power, my friend.

[hyde4us11]

Won't quote you Alan to save space but truly priceless. I truly am a stats geek (who'd of known lol). I love hearing other peoples take on stats. Never enough opinions on a certain stat. Thanks for sharing.

[Alan T]

Sunday, June 1st, 2042: Republic League Announces Best Starter
When Tokuhei Mizutani takes the mound, a Hammersmith victory is usually the result. At least that's the way it was in May.

He excelled with a 4-0 mark and a 1.82 ERA in 5 starts, tossed 39.2 innings, fanned 13 and held opposing batters to a .190 average.

That's why the Hooligans starter was honored today as the Pitcher of the Month by the Republic League.

This year Mizutani has compiled a 6-2 mark with a 3.04 ERA in 10 starts.

[Alan T]

Sunday, June 1st, 2042: Continental League Picks Best Starter in May
John Phillips has made fans throughout Front Office Offseason League take notice over the past month with an exceptional 4-1 record. No pitcher in the Continental League threw better in May, garnering him the Pitcher of the Month award today.

In 7 starts Phillips compiled a 2.79 ERA, putting up a 4-1 record, striking out 47 and tossing 42 innings.

On his stats sheet this season Phillips shows a 6-4 record, 13 starts, 76.2 innings, 81 strikeouts and a 3.52 ERA.

[Alan T]

Sunday, June 1st, 2042:RL Announces Best Batter Award
The Republic League has given Hitomaro Okamoto the Batter of the Month Award.

In May, the New York right fielder starred with a .462 batting average, 10 home runs and 27 RBIs. Okamoto also had 5 walks, posted a .487 on-base percentage and scored 31 times.

This season Okamoto is batting .423 with 21 home runs. He has scored 59 runs and driven in 59.

[Alan T]

Sunday, June 1st, 2042: Tokyo's Juteau CL #1 Batter in May
When guys like Tokyo's Dave Juteau win Batter of the Month awards, it just makes you feel good. In a productive May, the longtime Continental League veteran toyed with opposing pitchers all month long, collecting 27 hits in 100 at-bats.

The veteran first baseman hit for a .270 batting average and collected 11 home runs, 27 RBIs and 20 runs scored.

This year Juteau has hit 15 home runs and posted a .277 batting average.

[Alan T]

Sunday, June 1st, 2042: Marquee Month for Ritter, Top RL Rookie
A veritable toddler to the Republic League, Bobby Ritter just sewed up the Rookie of the Month trophy for May.

Over the past month the 23-year-old center fielder for Chico hit .336 with 37 hits, no home runs and 8 RBI. He also logged 13 walks and compiled a .447 on-base percentage.

This season Ritter is batting at a .261 clip with no home runs and 14 RBIs.


Sunday, June 1st, 2042: Boston Shortstop Best Rookie
Greg Brown 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 Boston hitter tagged opposing pitching for a .316 average with 36 hits, no home runs and 8 RBIs.

Thus far this year Brown has hit .308 with 3 home runs and 15 RBIs.