ARod Top Ten - S24 - 10/26

1)  Los Angeles Dodgers (51-28) - slashtc and his gang keep rolling along.  Not only are the Dodgers working their way towards the World Series, but Geovany "Little Hannibal" Molina is looking to snag his 2nd AL MVP!!  (1)

2)  Cincinnati Sextons (47-32) - The pitching in Cin-Town is bordering on not being good enough, but so far  Sex and his Sexton's have been successful playing softball and just outscoring the other team.  Fours guys have over 20 HR.  For real?? (2)

3)  Colorado Shock (52-26) -  The pitching is getting it done for the Shock where they've managed to keep a respectable team Home WHIP and ERA of 1.40 and  4.26 to match with their NL best Away numbers of 1.24 and 3.13.  (5)

4)  Jackson Colonels (51-27) - sneekes has taken over and has kept the engine firing on all cylinders.  It looks like Ralph "Billy the" Kidd will have something to say about the AL MVP.  Hector Batista has (so far) made the folks of Jackson forget all about Reese "Smokin" Hemp-who.  (8)

5) Iowa City Rounders (46-33) - Pitching, pitching, pitching....did I mention pitching.....what a deep and talented group of pitchers.  Elrod "The Dealer" Coke has been unhittable this year.  Mullens?  Puffer?  They aight too.... (10)

6) Augusta Polar Bears (47-32) - ARod holds it's collective breath as we witness the possible awakening of Cleatus Alexander "The Great".  When will this monster finally fulfill his destiny?  You know .400 with a 1.200 OPS, 75 HR and 150 walks is gonna happen.  (NR)

7) Helena Peacemakers (45-33) - Hersh Glynn, Babe Colin and Stump Matheson are leading the way for mtg54 and his Peacemakers.  Glynn in particular is not going to let the boppers in Colorado run away with the NL MVP race. (4)

8) Washington D.C. Senators (47-31) -  It's time that the blog and the rest of ARod give their respect to patrick71665 and his young guns.   Homer Hill is having another great season.....what a solid bat this guy has been over the last 5 years.   And don't forget young flame thrower Birdie Henley who is as good as any other SP in the NL. (NR)

9)  Tampa Bay Don Caesars (44-34) -  Let's get real, cebola and his gangsters are getting it done at the plate and on the mound and in the field.  Top 5 in all three areas in the NL.   (6)

10) Montreal Maroons (44-35) - dawg and his morons are getting it done in the field----2nd most + plays in the AL.  Sorry Travis Jones, Kennie Parrish now the #1 reliever in the AL.  Can he break Jones single season saves record of 63?  The blog will be keeping a close eye on this one. (7)

On da cusp:   Charlotte, St. Louis, Cleveland, Trenton, New Orleans

ARod Top Ten - S24 - 10/15

1)  Los Angeles Dodgers (30-19) - As far as the blog is concerned, unless slashtc and his crew falls apart, they are the odds on favorite to win it all this year.

2)  Cincinnati Sextons (32-16) -  Solid pitching to back a murderer's row that makes Colorado blush........could any two guys be better fits in Cincinnati than Monero and Martin?

3)  Trenton Thunder (28-21) -  Best rotation in the AL (Hurst, Combs, Diaz) - Check,  two best position players in ARod (Suzuki and Jacquez) - Check.

4)  Helena Peacemakers (30-18) -  Look around ARod and you'll find no better "team".

5)  Colorado Shock (34-15) - The bats are clicking in that thin Rocky Mountain air....can't the pitching keep up the pace?

6)  Tampa Bay Don Caesars (28-21) - cebola better get better on the road and in a hurry......this division is brutal top to bottom.

7)  Montrael Maroons (30-19) - If dawg can manage his team to the lead deep into the game there's no better closer to turn thing over to than Parrish - the dude shuts things down.

8)  Jackson Colonels (32-17) - The Colonels would be higher if I could stomach ranking a sim'd team higher.....if sneekes can keep up the winning ways Jackson will climb this list in a hurry.

9)  Cleveland Cobalts (26-22) - The Cobalts are playing a bit below their talent, but with guys like Krause, Soriano, Pote, Gardner and Estalella this won't last long.

10) Iowa City Rounders (27-21) -  ahsowhat and his 2x defending champs are lurking........did I mention this is the 2x defending champs?

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On the cusp:  Augusta, Charlotte, Washington DC

S24 Hall of Fame

We have had a somewhat sad history here in ARod when it come to getting HOF worthy players their ultimate recognition, which is trip to The Hall.  Why is this....stupidity?  nah, we all smart as a whip!!  Apathy?  perhaps.....

For many seasons the blog has labored, mostly in vain, to get our legends their due, but this season should be  walk in the park when considering these next 3 guys....

1)  Feast your eyes on arguably the 3rd or 4th best hitting in the history of ARod - Omar Castillo.  For the longest time Mr. Castillo held the all-time best career batting average in not just ARod but in all of HBD!!!!  (The blog is unable to confirm if he still is #1)   We did it things right by getting Ming and Bell into the HOF and now lets honor Mr. Castillo with our vote.   

2) Jack Redmond:   4-time Cy Young winner, 10-time All-star and 2-time World Series Champ.....nuff said!!!

3) Dan Stuart:  3-time Cy Young winner; 6-time All-Star and 2-time World Series Champ....and check the ARod record books.....again...nuff said!!

Both these guys should get 32 votes.....don't embarrass yourself....get it done!!!

Fringe Candidates include (in no particular order):  Tony Weiss, Alfredo Sosa, David Prieto, Sal MacDougal, Neifi Domingo,    

World Series Recap by cebola

Here we go folks - LA vs. Iowa City for all the marbles......this one promises to be a good one!!

 

LA overcomes a 4-1 defecit in the 8th of game 1 and takes the 5-4 victory walk-off style. The big blast was a 3-run homer by Shock castoff Alberto Puente in the 8th to tie it, and the game winning hit was by Clay Stanley, which plated Matt Crawford who reached of CF Victor Bennett's error. LA's 1-2 punch at the back of the bullpen, Valdes and James combined for 4 innings, 1 run.

The story of game 2 was the brilliant performance of 37 year-old vet Fritz Mullin, who pitched 6 shutout innings, surrendering only 3 hits. Jamie "Fire" Byrne hits his 4th homer of the post season in LA's 4-1 win.

The Dodgers jump out to the commanding 3-0 series lead on the back of SP Charlie Rushford, who earned his 4th win of the playoffs in going 7 innings, giving up only 3 hits and 1 run. Tony "The Crooner" Bennett delivers a 3-run homer in LA's 6-1 win.

With Iowa down 2-0 in the 6th and champagne a-chillin' in the visitors' clubhouse, the Rounder bats finally come alive to score 4 in the 6th. Sammy Cochrane's 2 run shot was the closest thing to a Dave Roberts moment, and Clinton Puffer goes 6 effective innings in the 4-2 victory that stave's off elimination.

LA pitching did their part in game 5, as Iowa collects only one hit for the game. But that hit was a big 2-run single by Bob Newson, set-up by 2 costly LA errors, one by Geovany Molina and the other by Bennett. The usually sure-handed Bennett commits his 6th miscue of the post-season. Iowa clings to the life raft with the 2-0 victory on a brilliant 8 inning outing by Elrod "Rum &" Coke.

LA goes up 3-0 early in game 6 on a solo-shot by Bennett and a Molina 2-run single off Bruce "Money" Mullens, as the wearers of game 5's goat horns try to make amends. But Iowa puts up 2 in the 5th and another 2 in the 6th to take the 4-3 lead. Light-hitting SS Felipe Andrus (.244, 1 HR for the regular season) hit the 2-run HR to cut LA's lead to 1, Sammy Cochrane hit the double to tie it, and Al Posednik hit the go-ahead sac fly. Vinny Cortes, who was bumped from the rotation when "Money" Mullens returned, pitched 3 shutout innings of relief and Sal Jacobson earned his 4th save of the playoffs in the 4-3 win. Iowa is making the unlikely happen as they win three staight to send the series to the deciding game.

Iowa comes out of the gate strong and pummel Charlie "Mount" Rushford for 5 runs on 7 hits and 2 walks, and they never look back. Clinton Puffer gives his team 3 gutsy innings on only 3 days rest giving up only 1 run. 5th starter Jerry May comes on in relief to give his team 4 shutout innings and earn the historic win, completing the Rounders' dramatic series comeback to defend their title. Curtis Lewis hit his 5th homer of the playoffs, a crushing 3-run job.

LA had a terrific season, and were just innings away from the title. They have a team of veterans with great make-up, so there is little doubt that they will be back to try to finish the job next season. Great job!

Iowa keeps their trophy and all bets have it that it will even tougher next season to pry in away from them. Puffer, Coke and Mullens all return next season, and they aren't losing any of their big guns in the line-up either. For the season, they were tops in the league in team ERA, runs against and opponent on-base %. They were first in fielding % and first in plus plays, and 4th best in minus plays. Runs are tough to come by against this team! On the offensive side, they manufactured runs as they were 3rd in the league in OBP and 1st in steals. All in all, this was another great performance by a great team, as they go 7-0 in elimination games this post-season. Great job Iowa, congratulation on a victory for the ages!

League Championship Recap by cebola

In the AL, Cincinnati took a 3-1 series lead over LA as the teams got right back to it after each of their dramatic 5 game Division Series victories. In game 1, Cincy takes advantage of a rare error by Tony "The Crooner" Bennet ( who is usually as cool a cat as Bobby Darin was during his "Beyond the Sea" years) in the 8th of a 1-1 tie. Brant Ducey's 2 run double and Cam Weston's 2-run HR were the damage-doers once the floodgates were opened by the miscue. Paul Merrick pitched 8 strong in the 7-1 win.
The Sextons got 6 key innings out of the pen from Al Lopez in their game 2 come-from-behind win. Davey Diaz tied the game at three with his solo shot off closer and former Cy Young winner Travis Jones. Ducey once again delivered the big hit, a 2-run double in the 10th in the 5-4 win.
Merrick pitched another beauty (8 shut-out iniings) in game 4's 8-1 win that staked Cincy to the 3-1 lead.
LA comback began with big homeruns by Colorado castoff Alberto Puente in both games 5 and 6. He had a 2-run shot in 5's 9-7 victory and a granny in game 6's 10-3 thrashing that forced the rubber match.
LA worked its formula for victory to a tee in game 7, as they got 6 workable innings from starter Charlie Rushford, who then turned it over to ace reliever Carlos "Exxon" Valdes for 2 scoreless. The LA big bats did their part by banging out 17 hits in the 8-3 win that decided the series. Clay Stanley belted 2 homers and Jamie "Fire" Byrne hit one as well. Paul Merrick just didn't have enough in the tank in his third start of the series.

Another great season by the Sextons. The foundation of the team is sound and in its prime, and ownership knows how to add the extra pieces as needed. Great job, sir Sexton!


In the NL, Helena took 2 out of the first three in a series of dramatic nailbiters. The run differentail in those first 3 was Helena +2. In game 1, Helena saw their 6-1 lead disappear in the 8th on a big hit by Sam Cochrane, only to win it in the 9th on a couple RBI hits by Leon Justice and Barolo Posado (4 RBI for the game.)
In game 2, Iowas scored single runs in the 7th, & 8th to tie it, and then again in the 10th in their walk-off 3-2 win. Chris Cust hit the game-winning solo blast. Iowa's lock-down bullpen pitched 4 scoreless in support of starter Elrod "Rum and" Coke.
In game 3, it was touche for Helena as they spoil Bruce Mullens's return from the DL. He obviously wasn't affected by the layoff, as he throws 7 innings of 1-hit shutout ball. But Cristobal Chavez is the walk-off hero as he erases a 2-o defecit with a 3-run blast in the bottom of the 9th.
From this point, the series belonged to Iowa, as they again get 7 shutout innings from their starters in each of the next 2 games. Clinton Puffer in game 4 and Elrod "Rum and" Coke in 5.
Helena got out of the gate quickly with their backs against the wall in game 6, as they score 3 in the first on homers by Gerald Hull and Hersh Glynn, only to see Iowa answer right back with 4 in the bottom half. Gary Girardi's 3 run homer was the crushing blow, sending Paul Cintron to the early shower. But Ronald "Third Degree" Byrne pitched brilliantly out of pen for Helena (4 2/3, 1 hit, 0 runs) to allow his teammate, Cristobal Chavez to tie it up with another dramatic PH homer in the 8th. But the game and series ends in a way nobody could have expeced. Curtis Lewis gets into scoring position with a key steal in the 11th inning, and with all of Iowa's position players burned, reliever Carlton Magee is forced to bat for himself in the key situation. He delivers the walk-off single, advancing Iowa to their second consecutive World Series.

Helena came out the the bowels of rebuild to shock the World and win two playoff series against tough opponents, and gave the champs a run for their money. Without a couple of key injuries during the playoffs, who knows what may have been?! By the way mtg, I considered your wish to have tmantom see your team now and sitemailed your team link to him. Whether he got it or not, we shall probably never know! Great job, sir!

AL & NL Division Series Recaps by cebola

Jackson took a 2-1 series lead over LA, with the big win coming in game 2's 13-7 thumping in which Jaret Walters drove in 5. With a chance to clinch at home, the Colonels were thwarted by veteran Adrian Messmer's gem in LA's 5-0 win, evening the series. Jackson's bats could not get going in the clincher either, as they're held to 1 run by Charlie Rushford. Jamie "Fire" Byrne's (how come my Don's can't get players like this?) 2-run double in the 5th would be the game and series deciding hit as LA wins 2-1 to take the series.

Jackson was once again strong and most of their line-up seems to be intact for at least a few more seasons. They always churn out good young pitching, so even with a possible defection by Reese "Smokin'" Hemphill, they'll definitely be back next season. Great job, Jackson!

Trenton also jumped out to a 2-1 series lead over Cincinatti on the strength of Karl Hurst's 6-0 gem in game 2, and the 13-5 game 3 thrashing that saw probable MVP Nick Jacquez homer thrice. Cincy showed their mettle by bouncing back to take a 9-2 lead in game 4 before the Thunder started booming. They scored 5 run in the 8th to cut the lead to 9-8 before releiver Mathew Gibson put out the fire by getting the final 4 outs to seal the victory. Game 5 was an instant classic (it's on ESPN Classic tonight), as the Sextons overcame a 4-1 defecit at the hands of Hurst by scoring 5 in the 7th. They blasted 3 homers in the inning, the biggie a 3-runner by Harry Sosa. Trenton tied it up in the bottom of the inning, but their pen could not keep the Cincy bats at bay as they surrender 4 in the 9th. The Sextons go on the next series against LA and keep their team-of-destiny stature alive.

Trenton had a season for the ages, but could not top it off with a title. They are undoubtedly in terrific shape to make many more runs at it with a line-up of MVP candidates and a staff of Cy Young hopefulls. A job very well done!

Except for Iowa's 8-3 win in their do-or-die game 3 win, all 4 games were decided by 1 or 2 runs in this series between division rivals. Curtis Lewis had the big 3-run homer in game 3 to give Iowa the spark they needed to keep hope alive. With Tampa still ahead 2 games to 1, they had their two veteran aces on the hill, each with a chance to win the series, but Rich "Say it Ain't So" Sobolewski couldn't hold a 2 run lead in the 7th, as Chris Cust (why can't my Dons get players like this?) comes up with the big 2-run single to break the tie and send Iowa to the 4-2 win. And when Harry "Met Sal" Lee gave up 4 in the first two innings of game 5, the series was all but over as Rounder pitching continued to silence Tampa's bats. Vinny Cortes and the Iowa pen cruised to the 4-2 win and the series victory.

The Don's and cebola had a great season and should be tough once again next year.  Can cebola add that bat or two that might put the Don's over the hump?  Can't wait to see!!!

Mighty Cleveland seemed to make a statement in their game one 12-2 victory over bottom-seed Helena, as 5 Cobalts had at least 2 RBI, and they blasted 5 homers (2 by Darren Ferguson.) But Helena continued their quest as the NL's version of team-of-destiny by taking the next three, including game 2's dramatic 11 inning affair. Helena could have crumbled after blowing a 6-1 lead in the 8th & 9th to send the game to extras, but Ronnie Rapp hits a huge 3-run homer in the 11th to give the Peacemakers hope and momentum. In game 4, Babe Colin gets his 3rd win of the postseason and clean-up hitter Hersch Glynn drives in 3. Game 4 may have been the best of all though, as catcher Troy 'How much is my" Farnsworth erases a 4-2 deficit by blasting a grand slam in the 8th to send Helena soaring to the 6-4 series clinching win.

Cleveland will be back next season, I'm sure, as they boast a line-up with a couple MVP candidates and several other all-stars. Great job getting that team back on top!

NL Round 1 Recap

Iowa began their title defense with a three game sweep of Scranton. The two teams met in last year's second round with the same result. The quick victory allows Iowa to set-up its rotation for their next series against division rival Tampa Bay. Scranton's best opportunity to make it a series was in game 1, where ROY candidate Santo Cerda threw 7 innings of of 2-hit, shutout ball to stake them to a 1-0 lead into the 8th. But LF Curtis Lewis got the big 2-run HR in the top of the 9th to give Iowa the lead and the win. The series was defined by Iowa's deep, relentless pitching staff - Scranton tallied only 2 runs in the 3 games. The managed only 4 hits in the series clinching 6-0 loss. Lewis gets the MVP for his game 1 heroics; he also added another homer and drove in 5 in the series. Earl Butler hit .333 for Scranton, but the tean as a whole batted just .161. They also got strong starts from Cerda and Chad Pinto, who had a break-out season with his 13-10 record.

Scranton had another fine season, and always seem to be in the mix. I don't see anything being different next year, as their good young pitching will only get better; and it always helps to have a perenial MVP candidate, like Pat Doughery, in your line-up!


In Helena's 3-1 series victory over Colorado, the teams split the first two at Coors, game 2 being a 15-9 thin-air spectacular (someone forgot the humidor.) In game 1, Helena got 2 HR and 6 RBI from 3B Omar Arnold and a gutsy win by Babe Colin, as he scattered 14 baserunners through 7. Colorado took an early 11-2 lead in game 2, but let it get to 11-9 before they buckled up and evened the series with the 15-9 win. Marc Clarke went deep twice and drove in 5. With the series moving to Helena, we get 3 lead changes through 5 in game 3, with Colorado taking a 6-4 lead into the 5th. The Helena bats then come alive as they go on the 13-6 victory, pushing the Shock to the brink. Butch Power had a big game-tying 2-run homer, and Gerald Hill hit a two-run shot in the 7th to put the game out of reach. Rico Petit threw 4 1/3 scoreless innings of relief to earn the win. Game 4 was the Babe Colin show, as he pitches 8 innings (2H, 1R, 8K, OBB) against the formidable Colorado line-up to win the clincher and earn his second win of the series. Geralg Hull takes series MVP with a .500 BA, 7 RBI and 2 HR.

Colorado hit .329 for the series and scored 27 runs in the 4 games. Mike Brinkley and Marc Clarke drove in 7 apiece. The pitching staff had a 9.26 ERA for the series, however. It was another strong season for the Shock and they proved to the World that they are a serious contender. They keep adding quality pitching to go with that amazing line-up. They will undoubtedly be in the mix again next season. Great job!