BRASSball League News

September 2004

www.brassball.org

 

 

Playoffs

 

With the end of the season come the playoffs.  Here are this yearís entrants.

 

American League

 

AL West Winner (#1 Seed) ñ Toledo Mudhens

AL Central Winner (#2 Seed) ñ New Hampshire Derry Heifers

AL East Winner (#3 Seed) ñ Bakersfield Rattlers

AL Wildcard #1 (#4 Seed) ñ Santa Barbara Outlaws

AL Wildcard #2 (#5 Seed) ñ Cook County Maulers

 

If Santa Barbara defeats Cook County, they will travel to New Hampshire to face the Derry Heifers.  If the Maulers pull out the victory, they will travel to Toledo.

 

National League

 

NL West Winner (#1 Seed) ñ Metropolis Avengers

NL Central Winner (#2 Seed) ñ Stanley Sioux

NL East Winner (#3 Seed) ñ Springfield Isotopes

NL Wildcard #1 (#4 Seed) ñ Ocala Ocelots

NL Wildcard #2 (#5 Seed) ñ Glen Allen Mets

 

If Ocala defeats Glen Allen, they will travel to Stanley to face the Sioux.  If the Mets win, they will travel to Metropolis.

 

 

AL Report

(AL Reporter ñ Robert Smith)

 

AL EAST Expanded Standings

 

W-L

GB

HOME

ROAD

Vs LH

1-RUN

Bakersfield Rattlers

86-76

---

45-36

41-40

28-19

30-20

Minnesota Mudcats

72-90

 14

 41-40

31-50

24-28

16-26

Moline Cutters

69-93

 17

34-47

35-46

25-23

30-24

Hessville Everreadys

65-97

 21

39-42

26-55

18-29

21-21

 

The Rattlers won the AL East with an 86-76 record. Offensively the team was led by Derek Lee who hit .283 with 42 homeruns and 92 rbiís. Lee tied for 3rd with a .416 oBP. Also contributing on offense was Andruw Jones who batted .264 with 40 homeruns and a team high 103 rbi. The pitching staff was led by CY-Young candidate Tim Hudson, who went 22-6 with a 2.54 era. In the bullpen Keith Foulke was impressive with 8 wins and 34 saves to go with a 3.36 era.

 

AL BATTING: ANDERSON, OUT   .341   RAMIREZ,BOS   .339   YOUNG,PAR   .331 

 

Minnesota finished strong in September going 14-8 for the month to just fall short of a wild card berth by one game. The offense was led by none other than Alex Rodriguez who led the team with a .298 batting average, 53 homeruns and 149 rbiís. Also contributing on offense was Jay gibbons who batted .266 with 29 hrís and 105 rbi. The pitching wasnít as strong as the team era was a robust 5.41. Rookie Jeremy Bonderman led the team in wins with 11 but finished with a 6.02 era.

 

AL RBI: RAMIREZ, BOS   160   A.RODRIGUEZ,MIN   149   THOME,NWH   139

 

The Moline Cutters fell to 3rd place with a 7-15 month of September. Edgardo Alfonzo led a rather disappointing offense hitting .283 with 20 homers and 73 rbi. Rookie Rocco Baldelli contributed a .276 average with 27 doubles, 19 homers and 28 stolen bases. The pitching staff was led by two rookies, Carlos Zambrano went 13-10 with a 3.25 era and Mark Prior who also went 13-10 with a 3.38 era.

 

AL OBP:  THOME, NWH  .427   RAMIREZ,BOS   .416    LEE,RAT   .416

 

The Everreadys finished in last place with a 65-97 record. Craig Biggio was the star offensively hitting .296 with 44 doubles, 13 homers and 60 rbiís. Rondell White led the team in homers with 24 and rbi with 82. Rookie Dontrelle Willis led a disappointing pitching staff by going 14-5 with a 3.77 era.

 

AL HITS: M.YOUNG,PAR   218   IBANEZ,PAR   204    ANDERSON,OUT   203

 

 

 

AL CENTRAL Expanded Standings

 

W-L

GB

HOME

ROAD

Vs LH

1-RUN

New Hampshire

89-73

---

54-27

35-46

24-17

27

Cook County

73-89

 16

34-47

39-42

21-21

 16-26

Box City Parcelman

72-90

 17

39-42

33-48

17-25

18-14

Plaza Lions

63-99

 26

34-47

29-52

15-20

15-24

 

New Hampshire cruised to the central division title with a 89-73 record. Offensively the Derry Heifers led the AL with 240 homeruns. MVP candidate Jim Thome led the charge with a .321 average, 57 homers and 139 rbi. Magglio Ordonez also contributed with a .298 average 25 homers and 95 rbi. The pitching staff was solid as well led by a strong bullpen. Francisco Cordero led that bullpen with a 7-2 record, 20 saves and a 1.42 era. Kenny Rogers led the team with a 15-5 record.

 

AL HRíS:  RAMIREZ, BOS   60   THOME,NWH   57   A.RODRIGUEZ,MIN   53

                                                              

This was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Maulers but instead went 73-89 to grab the final wild card spot in the AL.   Josh Phelps led the team with 28 homers and 80 rbi. Rookie Jason Phillips hit .310 with 12 homers and 63 rbi in a limited role. John Lackey led the Maulers staff with 11 wins, but had 15 losses and a 6.25 era. Rookie Jon Garland had a 10-11 record with a 3.90 era.

 

AL RUNS SCORED:  RAMIREZ,BOS   132   THOME,NWH   132   A.RODRIGUEZ,MIN   124

 

The Parcelmen led a late charge to finish 72-90, one game behind the last playoff spot. Offensively, Box City led the AL with a team batting average of .289. Michael Young finished 3rd in the AL with a .331 batting average and led the league in hits with 218. Raul Ibanez also had a big year with 204 hits, 42 doubles and 126 rbi. The pitching was the problem as the team era was 6.33. Cory Lidle led the team with 15 wins but had a 4.92 era.

 

AL STEALS:  CRAWFORD,MAU   83   PIERRE,BUL   56  PODSEDNIK,BUL   50

 

The Lions finished in last place with a 63-99 record. Offensively the team was led by Geoff Jenkins who hit .295 with 29 hr and 94 rbi. Preston Wilson led the team with 39 hr and 108 rbi but hit only .245. The pitching staff was led by rookie Brett Myers,  who was 10-12 with a 4.78 era. Ben Sheets had a rough year going 9-18 with a 5.12 era.

 

AL WEST Expanded Standings

 

W-L

GB

HOME

ROAD

Vs LH

1-RUN

Toledo Mudhens

108-54

---

59-22

49-32

28-17

23-22

Santa Barbara

93-69

 15

47-34

46-35

22-20

20-34

Boston Rust

62-100

 46

 34-47

28-53

17-31

18-27

Brooklyn Bulldogs

59-103

 49

31-50

28-53

16-28

25-25

 

The Toledo Mudhens finished with the best record in the AL going 108-54. Offensivley David Ortiz led the way with a .316 average, 51 doubles, 33 hrís and 116 rbi. Bill Mueller had a solid season batting .275 with 37 doubles, 15 homers and 93 rbi. The pitching staff was the story for Toledo as they finished 2nd in the AL in both team era and opponents batting average. Rookie Ryan Franklin was 21-4 with a 4.30 era, Esteban Loaiza was 19-10 with a 3.49 era and Mike Mussina went 17-10 with a 2.80 era.

 

AL SAVES:  KIM, OUT   44   FOULKE,RAT   34   REITSMA,MAU   26

 

Santa Barbara finished 2nd in the West but received a wild card berth with a 93-69 record. Garret Anderson led the offense with a .341 average and 53 doubles; he also slugged 28 homers while driving in 123. Nomar Garciaparra also had a solid season hitting .293 with 28 doubles, 14 triples and 22 homeruns. The Outlaws pitching staff was sensational as they led the AL in both team era at 2.90 and opponents batting average at .213. CY-Young favorite Roy Halladay was 22-3 with a 1.94 era, while teammate Bartolo Colon was 18-9 with a 2.66 era.

_______________________________________________________

AL APPS:  WESTBROOK, LIO   80   REITSMA,MAU   74   KIM,OUT   68

 

The Boston Rust finished off a disappointing season with a 5-17 month of September. Where would the Rust of been without MVP candidate Manny Ramirez. Ramirez just missed the triple crown by coming in 2nd in hitting at .339 and leading the league in both hrís at 60 and rbi at 160. The ìforgottenî Ramirez, Aramis had a big season with 32 hrís and 106 rbi.  The pitching staff was led by Kevin Millwood who went 14-12 with a 4.33 era.

 

AL OPP/BA:  WOOD,BUL   144  HALLADAY,OUT   186  COLON,OUT   202

 

The Bulldogs finished in last place once again going 59-103. There was a power outage in Brooklyn this year as the team could manage only 103 homeruns. On the flip side the Bulldogs led the AL in steals with 180. Rookie Scott Podsednik had a solid season battin .291 with 32 doubles and 50 stolen bases. The pitching staff was led by Kerry Wood who went 12-8 and with a 2.72 era. He led the AL in strikeouts with 258 and opponents batting average at 1.44.

 

 

                                   EXTRA INNINGS

 

Looking back at my predictions for the season I predicted the followingÖ

 

AL East

Bakersfield

Moline

Minnesota

Hessville

 

What really happened

 

AL East

Bakersfield

Minnesota

Moline

Hessville

 

I predicted the AL Central as followsÖ

 

AL Central

New Hampshire

Box City

Plaza

Cook County

 

What really happened

 

Al Central

New Hampshire

Cook County

Box City

Plaza

 

And finally in the West I predictedÖ

 

AL West

Toledo

Santa Barbara

Boston

Brooklyn

 

What really happened

 

AL West

Toledo

Santa Barbara

Boston

Brooklyn

 

Not too bad for my first year. Now to try my hand at predicting the AL playoffsÖ

 

I think Santa Barbara with itís solid pitching and timely hitting will revenge their 2nd place finish in the AL West and represent the American League in the BRASSsball Championship game.   Good Luck to all the playoff participants.

 

NL Report

(NL Reporter ñ Ray Martin)

 

FINAL NL POWER RATINGS

 

 

Rank

Team (PR)

Record

Home

Away

RS

RA

Notes/Highlights for Season:

#1

Metropolis (#1)

127-35

66-15

61-20

1054

509

Finish as predicted in the #1 slot with a fine mix of pitching and hitting.  Only seven games with Ocala stands in their way with destiny. 

#2

Ocala (#2)

119-43

65-16

54-27

1074

633

Undeniably one of the finest teams ever assembled in League History, but finished, as predicted in the two hole.  World Series will likely be determined when Juggernauts collide.

#3

Stanley (#3)

104-58

51-30

53-28

967

718

Division title and projection at #3 have been assured, but the they'll face a daunting task in trying o slay at least one of the powerhouses if their fine season is to continue.

#4

Springfield (#5)

99-63

55-26

44-37

911

728

One game truly meant a lot here, as they move up one spot higher than projected, but more importantly avoid a wildcard match-up with Ocala.

#5

Glen Allen (#4)

98-64

48-33

50-31

910

744

The good news is that your in the playoffs and truly reached projections with a fine season, unfortunately they look to lose in five to Ocala.

#6

Charlevoix (#11)

92-70

45-36

47-34

1020

927

Third most runs in the league, fourth most given up says it all. What a fun team and it is a shame that Cinderella does not get to continue with what was predicted as improbable.  Congrats!!!

#7

Bloomington(#6)

86-76

46-35

40-41

917

879

Finished strong and likely would have been a major player in the much weaker AL.  Fine season projects to an even brighter future. 

#8

Gem City (#9)

78-84

38-43

40-41

799

843

Solid team building towards the future. Finished ahead of two higher projected teams and can be proud of their season long effort. 

#9

Maine (#8)

67-95

30-51

37-44

740

873

Lack of pitching and damn near worst home record leads to the nearly 100 loss plateau being reached.

#10

N. Georgia (#7)

59-103

28-53

31-50

735

940

Fell steadily towards the end with roster adjustments and GM's decision to look to the future.  Should merit high draft picks and has maintained some parts for the foundation of tomorrow.

#11

Port Richey (#12)

55-107

27-54

28-53

700

931

Only Fleetwood could keep them out of the cellar.  Lots of work here with the draft being the start for the rebuilding.

 

Rank

Team (PR)

Record

Home

Away

RS

RA

Notes/Highlights for Season:

#12

Fleetwood (#10)

49-113

28-53

21-60

757

1039

If scoring 1000 runs makes you one of the finest teams all time, then it should be clear that giving up 1000 runs cannot be a good benchmark.  Nice draft slot coming.

 

Note:

PR-Preseason Ranking

 

Wild Card

 

Division Winner

 

RS-Runs Scored

 

RA-Runs Allowed

 

2005 Draft

 

Here is the draft order for the 2005 draft. 

 

1

Fleetwood

9

Moline

17

TBD

2

Port Richey

10*

Box City

18

TBD

3*

North Georgia

10*

Eric Spitz

19

TBD

3*

Brooklyn

12

Gem City

20

TBD

5

Boston

13

Bloomington

21

TBD

6

Plaza

14

Charlevoix

22

TBD

7

Hessville

15

TBD

23

TBD

8

Maine

16

TBD

24

TBD

 

* represents teams that tied for that draft position.  The team listed higher won the tiebreaker and will have the higher selection in the first round.  The teams will then alternate positions the remainder of the draft.

 

TBD will be determined by the playoffs.

 

Home / Road Discrepancy Award

 

Average BRASSball team won 3.833 more games at home than on the road.  Maine
had the biggest road differential winning 7 more games on the road than at home.

The resulting range buckets and awards buckets are:

Award Range 1           -7.00 to -4.83              $3,000,000      Maine, Cook County
Award Range 2           -4.82 to -2.67              $2,500,000      North Georgia
Award Range 3           -2.66 to -0.50              $2,000,000      Glen Allen, Moline, Port Richey,

Stanley, Charlevoix, Gem City

Award Range 4           -0.49 to 1.67               $1,500,000      Santa Barbara
Award Range 5           1.68 to 3.83                 $1,000,000      Brooklyn

 

 

In-Season Standings Incentive Award

 

In order for the league to have up-to-the-moment standings on the league website, the following incentive program is in place.   A manager will receive $10,000 for each series reported in such manner.  If a manager reports all 23 of the series that he is responsible for, he receives a $70,000 bonus, which results in the equivalent of one newsletter article.  As this is meant to reflect the contribution equivalent of a newsletter article, the same rules apply as outlined in the ìArticle Incentive Program,î i.e., the maximum allowed articles is twelve, the LD doesnít receive credit for articles and so forth.

 

Here is the breakdown of payments.

 

Bakersfield

23

$300,000

Metropolis

19

$190,000

Bloomington

19

$190,000

Minnesota

23

$300,000

Boston

23

$300,000

Moline

23

$300,000

Box City

23

$300,000

New Hampshire

23

$300,000

Brooklyn

23

$300,000

North Georgia

19

$190,000

Charlevoix

15

$150,000

Ocala *

23

$0

Cook County

23

$300,000

Plaza

23

$300,000

Fleetwood

19

$190,000

Port Richey

23

$300,000

Gem City *

23

$0

Santa Barbara

23

$300,000

Glen Allen

23

$300,000

Springfield

23

$300,000

Hessville

23

$300,000

Stanley

19

$190,000

Maine

23

$300,000

Toledo *

23

$0

 

 

* Gem City, Ocala and Toledo did not receive payment due the maximum amount of allowed articles clause.

 

 

New Free Agency Conductor Announced

 

Brian Budzyn has accepted the position as free agency conductor.  Brian has been in the league since the very beginning and is always willing to help.  Thanks Brian for taking on this huge effort.

 

 

AL Reporter Needed

 

The American League Reporter position is open for 2005.  This position pays $3,750,000 and will begin at seasonís end (beginning with the playoffs).

 

Thanks to Robert Smith for doing a great job authoring the ALís articles for 2004.  Due to a busy schedule, Robert Smith will not be able to continue as the American League Reporter. 

 

 

New BRASSball Manager  (well sort of)

 

We have filled our one opening with someone most of us know.  Eric Spitz is returning to the AL East, taking over ownership of the Minnesota franchise. Eric left the league a few years ago due to personal reasons, but now was ready to return.

As some probably remember, Eric led the Georgia Braves before departing.  Scott Mueller who has since relocated them to Bakersfield now leads this team.   Eric will get the joy of facing his old squad and rebuilding the Minnesota squad.  I suspect that his new squad will be moving south to the warmer weather.

Welcome back Eric.  Eric's e-mail is easpitz@yahoo.com.

 

End of the Season Signings

 

MO, Y1, Y2, A, U and ìamî player signings are due by October 25.  For roster administration purposes, I will begin moving all players currently on MO, Y1, Y2 and ìamî to their next contract and highlight them in color.  This roster file will be provided right after the MLB season completes.  (Or, as close to it as I can get it done.)   This will aid you in your decision-making.  However, I also recommend that you refer to the constitution for clarity on this subject.   I know there are some tough decisions out there.  It might be beneficial to give some of these some advance thought.   By the way, roster cuts are also due on this date.   As always, if you have questions on this, let me know.

 

 

Trades

 

There are some trades, but I will be waiting until the rosters are ready to go before listing them.

 

 

Proposals / Awards Ballots

 

I will be sending out the MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year ballots shortly.  I will also be sending out the proposal for change ballot.  These need to completed and returned to me by October 25.

 

 

Upcoming League Deadlines

 

 

October 25

           

Contract Signings / Roster Cuts deadline

- MO, Y1, Y2, A, U and ìamî contract signings are due to the LD.

- Any roster cuts are due to the LD.

 

League Awards Ballot deadline

League Award ballots due to the LD.

 

Rule Changes Ballot deadline

Rule Change ballots due to the LD.

 

 

League Membership Articles

 

Jim Clark has submitted an article this month.

Mets Watch SEPTEMBER 2004

 

Mets MVP

            Batting average .369, 150 runs, 226 hits, 46 doubles, 57 Home Runs, 157 RBI, 86 walks, only 70 strikeouts in 613 at bats are his statistics.  These are the numbers for Albert Pujols the Glen Allen Mets most valuable player.  ìHe could also be the MVP of the entire National League with those stats.î Said teammate Dmitri Young, the Mets DH who had some decent numbers himself with 34 Homers and 129 RBI with 26 doubles and tying for the team lead in triples with 9 although he also lead the team with 140 strike outs. ìAlbert is a professional hitter, always looking for ways to improve himself.  He was so down after the last weekend series when he made 3 errors after make only three the whole season.  You might have thought he just lost his child or his favorite hunting dog.  He felt like he let the entire franchise down, but heís really the heart of our team, pumping us up and carrying us into the playoffs.  He has no time for childish pranks and does not say much except with his bat and boy can that do some shouting.î  DY smiles.

 

 

TOP Pitchers

            Pitching coach Jimmy Key and Bullpen coach John Stearns have a couple guys to be proud of this year.  Ace starter Barry Zito finished with 20 victories and a nice 3.36 ERA.  Key remarked, ì Over 240 innings and only 90 earned runs is not too shabby, but imagine if he did not surrender 102 walks.  That great curveball can be hard to control sometimes, itís usually unhittable and if the batter is smart and lets it go by it just might be low.  We will continue to work with the zany lefthander.

            ìDudeî as Stearns was called in his playing days has instilled that gunslinger attitude in his bullpen staff and no one exemplifies that better than the Glen Allen closer, Brendan Donnelly.  ìHe has been a great closer this year!  Brendan ranks right up there with the best of baseball having 38 saves, 1.37 ERA allowing only 11 runs, 33 hits and 23 walks in 72 innings pitched and 91 K and 2 HR.  Every time he goes out there he know he will get the guys out, he only blew a few saves and one lose.  Our setup guys have done a good job and that certainly has helped put us in the playoffs.î

 

 

Playoffs

Glen Allen split a critical eight game series with Springfield as the Isotopes win the National League Eastern Division and the Mets settle for a wild card matchup against the mighty Ocelots from Ocala.

 

 

Home Runs Leaders

Pujols      53

Young     34

Ensberg   30

Nixon      24

Mora       22