Friday, December 26, 2008

All Time Pitching Leaders

Following up on the hitting leaders, below are the all-time Jersey League leaders in several key pitching categories. Again, this is probably a preview of the Hall of Fame when WiS gets it up and running. Hard to believe our all-time Wins leader is just 29 years old!

Wins
#1, 126 Wins (can he get to 300?)
Blaine Prince
Kansas City
Rumpshakers
Age: 29B/T: L/L
Born: Bath, ME
Position(s): P (SP1)
View Hardball Dynasty Profile


#2, 117 Wins
Rube Campbell
Boston
Royal Rooters
Age: 37B/T: L/L
Born: Waverly, IA
Position(s): P (SP1)
View Hardball Dynasty Profile


#3, 116 wins
Tim Buehrle
Trenton
Patriots
Age: 33B/T: S/L
Born: Douglas, AZ
Position(s): P (SP5)
View Hardball Dynasty Profile


Strikeouts
#1, 1396 Ks
Rube Campbell
Boston
Royal Rooters
Age: 37B/T: L/L
Born: Waverly, IA
Position(s): P (SP1)
View Hardball Dynasty Profile


#2, 1358 Ks
Bobby Patel
Buffalo
Beagles
Age: 35B/T: L/L
Born: New York, NY
Position(s): P (SP2)
View Hardball Dynasty Profile


#3, 1337 Ks
George Reagan
none
none
Age: 30B/T: R/R
Born: Park Rapids, MN
Position(s): P (P)
View Hardball Dynasty Profile


ERA (810 IP min.)
#1, 2.56 ERA
Rube Campbell
Boston
Royal Rooters
Age: 37B/T: L/L
Born: Waverly, IA
Position(s): P (SP1)
View Hardball Dynasty Profile


#2, 3.10 ERA
Blaine Prince
Kansas City
Rumpshakers
Age: 29B/T: L/L
Born: Bath, ME
Position(s): P (SP1)
View Hardball Dynasty Profile


#3, 3.21 ERA
Ivan Gomez
none
none
Age: 39B/T: R/R
Born: Santo Domingo, DO
Position(s): P (SP2)
View Hardball Dynasty Profile


Saves
#1, 268
Julian Freeman
Pawtucket
T's
Age: 35B/T: R/R
Born: Roswell, NM
Position(s): P (ClA)
View Hardball Dynasty Profile


#2, 260
Carlos Prieto
Helena
Vigilantes
Age: 36B/T: R/R
Born: Rancho Viejo, DO
Position(s): P (ClA)
View Hardball Dynasty Profile


#3, 240
Jose Plata
Trenton
Patriots
Age: 38B/T: S/R
Born: Don Gregorio, DO
Position(s): P (ClA)
View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Sunday, December 21, 2008

All Time Offensive Leaders

After 7 seasons, here are the all-time leaders in four key offensive categories. A surprising number of them are under 30 years old, so we could see them rack up big totals before retirement. Perhaps this is a preview of the future Jersey League Hall of Fame? (Pitching leaders to follow)

Home Runs

#1, 430 HRs
Bernie Gongora
Houston
We Have a Problem
Age: 27B/T: S/R
Born: Perico, CU
Position(s): RF/1B/LF/DH
View Hardball Dynasty Profile


#2, 394 HRs
Julius Costello
Montreal
Expos
Age: 35B/T: S/R
Born: Fairview, OK
Position(s): LF/1B/DH
View Hardball Dynasty Profile


#3, 367 HRs
Louie Hiro
none
Open Franchise
Age: 28B/T: R/R
Born: Tokyo, JP
Position(s): 1B/LF/DH
View Hardball Dynasty Profile


RBIs

#1, 1020 RBI
Bernie Gongora
Houston
We Have a Problem
Age: 27B/T: S/R
Born: Perico, CU
Position(s): RF/1B/LF/DH
View Hardball Dynasty Profile


#2, 964 RBI
Jimmie Bell
Buffalo
Beagles
Age: 35B/T: R/R
Born: West Helena, AR
Position(s): RF/1B/LF/DH
View Hardball Dynasty Profile


#3, 962 RBI
Louie Hiro
none
Open Franchise
Age: 28B/T: R/R
Born: Tokyo, JP
Position(s): 1B/LF/DH
View Hardball Dynasty Profile


On-Base Percentage (2510 minimum plate appearances)

#1, .448 OBP
Dave Gardner
Portland
Beavers
Age: 33B/T: S/R
Born: Middletown, IN
Position(s): DH
View Hardball Dynasty Profile


#2, .441 OBP
Blake Price
Portland
Beavers
Age: 34B/T: L/L
Born: Hillsboro, TX
Position(s): 1B
View Hardball Dynasty Profile


#3, .440 OBP
Jeremy Richard
none
Open Franchise
Age: 32B/T: L/R
Born: Charlestown, MA
Position(s): C/1B/LF/DH
View Hardball Dynasty Profile


Stolen Bases

#1, 456 SBs
Braden Bynum
Houston
We Have a Problem
Age: 28B/T: R/R
Born: Queens Village, NY
Position(s): 1B/DH
View Hardball Dynasty Profile


#2, 357 SBs
Wayne Burba
none
none
Age: 34B/T: R/R
Born: Asheville, NC
Position(s): LF/1B/DH
View Hardball Dynasty Profile


#3, 339 SBs
Felipe Barcelo
Scranton
Backyard Groove
Age: 29B/T: R/R
Born: Colon, CU
Position(s): 2B/3B/RF/CF
View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Monday, December 15, 2008

expectations are high, no sheet music needed

The "Groove" has missed a few beats in this my first league. Flat notes early have altered our overall syncopation. However young members have joined the band, tuned up during season seven and are ready to beat me daddy eight to the bar in season eight. Two fresh faces in Fonzie Brinkley and Stubby Barnes join veterans Wilt Mouton, Pedron Ricon, and Howard Scott in our starting rotation back beat, while Donnie Monroe joins our swinging reief corp anchored by all star closer Gerald Grissom. Grissom plays chin music sweetly with his heater. Getting down with the sticks, Calvin Lee and Bruce Johnson,both 1st round picks, join Robin Durocher an origional Groover who worked his way up thru the system to add punch and defense to our lineup of heavy hitters. Veterans Hideki Miyakazi,Troy Powell, and Chris Donovan combined to hit 93 HR's and 232 RBI's. Lee added 24 Hr's and 86 RBI's and is looking to produce more this year.Two time all star Filip Barcelo played near flawless 2nd base last season, 3 errors taint his play.Our "Backyard Groove" needs a strong performance worthy of Carnigie Hall as our division has been joined by long time friendly rival Tony23 who took over the division's last place team. Tony, an excellent HBD player, will rise to the challange and have his team pushing us in 6-4 time. This is the season the Groove rises above .500 ball (our high water mark) and challanges joemac and frog man for the division title. Now; if we ould only fill our league. Feamster's Jersey League sports a high ranking among all HBD leagues. We're proud to be a member.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Potentially Available Franchises

The following franchises are still available:

NL South
Richmond Renegades. One-and-done owner TXLnghrn did a fantastic job turning this franchise around, improving last year from 49 wins to 83. He also signed the #2 overall pick Donald Ryu.

Louisville Slugs. After winning the season 1 world series, this franchise fell on hard times and has failed to win more than 77 games in any year. It has had 7 different owners in the usually-stable NL, so the organization really needs a solid new owner.

NL West
Santa Cruz Redwood. The Redwood won the West for the first 4 years, but then long-time owner kempner may have lost interest the last 3 years, as the team slipped to just 64 wins last year. If kempner does leave the new owner inherits a proud franchise and a high draft pick.

Honolulu Typhoon. This has been a consistently decent franchise and has been led by typhoon26 for all 7 years. The team typically was about .500, but spiked to win 87 games last year before crashing to just 63 this year. If typhoon26 leaves, the new owner inherits a pretty good organization and a very high draft pick.

AL East
Chicago Land Sloths. This has been a steady franchise, winning between 76 and 92 games for each of 7 years and is coming off of an 82 win season, led by owner stull.

Boston Big Sox. This once proud franchise has fallen on hard times after suffering through multiple changes in ownership over the past several years and bigjc led the squad to just 47 wins. The team signed the #1 draft pick this year and will have the #1 pick again, so its prime for a rebuild.

AL South
Charlotte Hornets. Another rebuild opportunity. One-and-done owner benfc led the team to just 65 wins, but he did sign the #5 and #30 overall picks in the draft.

AL West
Seattle Rain Dogs. wlarson held this team for 7 years and is forced to depart, leaving behind a fine franchise. The team is built on pitching and has made the playoffs three straight years; it is usually competitive at every minor league level.

San Francisco Earthquakes. This proud organization has 4 AL West titles in its past, though slipped to just 80 wins last year behind one-and-done owner scottso14.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Bad Moves Dampen Hopes for Patriot Fans

Several bad moves over the past seven seasons have haunted a franchise that has appeared at times to be on the brink of a World Championship. A quick forensic study of a few personnel decisions show that team owner Feamster may not have what it takes to fully realize the potential of the powerful Trenton Franchise.
These moves will be revealed in later blogs...
It all started with Jimmie Bell who was the Trenton thirdbaseman in Season 1. Jimmie Bell won the Silver Slugger and smashed 45 homers. The importance of signing free agents prior to their walk year wasn't yet understood, and by the time the Patriots made an offer early in Season 2, Bell was annoyed and opted to part ways with the dysfunctional management of the Patriots. Bell was picked up by the Colorado franchise in a huge contract and went on to have a stellar career. Trenton then mishandled the two free-agent picks by stripping the franchise of its prospect money and allowing the two high-ranking picks to walk away unsigned. Third base became a black hole for the Patriots until recently when Terry Barkett emerged as a bonofide major leaguer.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Excellent Core Group

Jersey League is comprised of committed players. Yes, we loose a few players each season but primarilary they leave after one season. Once we roll I'll update with an acurate count. One open team went to the LCS. It's owner cut back on number of leagues. Ours was his newest so he left us. Feeling my way blogging. This is my first entry. See how it works before I expound.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Houston takes Title; Dealers & Vigilantes Fold

The Houston We Have a Problem continued the National League's dominance with its second Jersey League World Series win. The win marks the 7th straight World Series win for the National League.

Houston was led by the amazing Zach Burks who pitched a remarkable 52 playoff innings, earning a 3-2 playoff record and a 2.42 ERA. Other key contributors were Jamie Hujimoto who was 6 for 6 in playoff saves, 5 time MVP winner Bernie Gongora, who hit 8 playoff HRs, and Warren Matheny who added 22 RBI.

Meanwhile, the two #1 seeds, the Las Vegas Dealers and the Helena Vigilantes failed to get past the first round. The Dealers, after putting up a remarkable 106 win season, were pounded in 3 straight by the Austin Texans. The mighty Texan offense put up a combined 47 runs in 6 playoff games against Seattle and Las Vegas, the two best pitching staffs (by ERA) in the AL. It all went for naught though, as the Texans were whooped in 4 straight by the Syracuse Comics in the ALCS.

Meanwhile, in the NL, the #1 seeded Vigilantes, who had put together a masterful 109 win regular season, disappointed their fans by falling in a tight 5 game series to the Minnesota PeaceFrog. Houston eliminated Tacoma in 5 games, then went on to best defending champ Tacoma Sasquatches in 5 games, before sending Minnesota home in a 6 game NLCS.

Congrats to the champion Houston squad and mgrieshop!