Nice joke with the orca-dontist, Cat.
Btw, hope you don't mind me borrowing a bit of your formatting for adaptation into my own dynasty. I figured you wouldn't since you borrowed mine.
BOOM!
Nice joke with the orca-dontist, Cat
Btw, hope you don't mind me borrowing a bit of your formatting for adaptation into my own dynasty. I figured you wouldn't since you borrowed mine
Read More Dynasties!
YEAH DAWWWG: Not at all!
*******
June 11, 2010
Nationals 3 - Indians 5
WP: Carmona (4-4), LP: Olsen (4-4), SV: C Perez (11)
I believe it's safe to say only one of you actually reads these game summaries. Either that or the rest of you are too polite to say anything.
June 12
Nationals 3 - Indians 1
WP: Burnett (1-3), LP: Lewis (1-2), SV: Capps (12)
HR: (WAS) Kennedy (2)
I'm going to go with the former. Politeness and mutual respect don't appear to be this board's strengths.
June 13
Nationals 5 - Indians 11
WP: Laffey (2-4), LP: Marquis (4-5)
HR: (WAS) Desmond (1), (CLE) Jordan (5)
Which is really too bad. You all seem to be a decent group of people. Well, ninety percent of you. Okay, eighty.
*******
Thoughts:
IRL the Indians hyped up how we'd get to face 'phenom' Stephen Strasburg. In this universe Strasburg is still in AA-Harrisburg (71/93) [21] (5-4 5.03 ERA). That's probably where he should be. Why rush the kid? Well, besides the multimillion dollar contract of course.
*******
Cleveland Indians (26-37)
Fifth Place, 7.5 GB of Detroit(!)
*******
June 15
Mets 8 - Indians 4
WP: Maine (5-4), LP: Masterson (4-7), SV: F Rodriguez (14)
HR: (NYM) Barajas (6), Reyes (7), (CLE) Choo (6)
I'm not sure why it gets to me sometimes. I suppose because I tend to be a little too serious. Grim, an old girlfriend called it.
June 16
Mets 5 - Indians 3
WP: Niemann (3-4), LP: Carmona (4-5), SV: F Rodriguez (15)
HR: (NYM) Bay (13), (CLE) Sizemore (9)
There are some things a forty year old can't or at least shouldn't say. Society's strange like that.
June 17
Mets 3- Indians 2
WP: Green (5-1), LP: Mastny (0-3), SV: F Rodriguez (16)
HR: (NYM) Barajas (7), (CLE) LaPorta (9)
For example, ****, One player just went on the DL, and two more have injuries of less than 15 days so I have to keep them on my ****ing roster full of misfits, has-beens, never weres and general **** ups who, if they weren't playing baseball, would probably have trouble getting jobs at the supermarket, and what the **** is wrong with a country that pays these assholes millions when people who do far more important things like teaching or keeping us safe can barely make ends meet?
*******
Thoughts:
SS Jason Donald (73/76) [25] (.183 0-4) is injured and goes on the 15 day DL. Peralta won't be back for 11 days yet. I guess we're back to Brian Bixler (.171 2-7).
*******
Cleveland Indians (26-40)
Fifth Place, 10.5 GB of Detroit
*******
June 18
Indians 3 - Pirates 6
WP: Karstens (5-5), LP: Laffey (2-5)
HR: (CLE) Marson (6), Sizemore (10)
Two more players are injured-but-on-roster. Meanwhile, all this rambling makes me question my own sanity. I'm alright with that actually.
June 19
Indians 4 - Pirates 3
WP: C Perez (3-0), LP: Dovel (3-2), SV: Mastny (1)
HR: (CLE) Toregas (1), (PIT) D Young (2)
You see, I find the line between insanity and enlightenment is razor thin. You can't really figure out what life's about until you understand that everything you were ever told about it is quite possibly wrong and subject to continual review.
June 20
Indians 2 - Pirates 7
WP: Maholm (3-3), LP: J Smith (0-2)
HR: (CLE) Kearns (3), (PIT) LaRoche (13)
Scary huh?
*******
Thoughts:
As of June 20, there are four pitchers on my 25-man roster who are all suffering minor injuries. That's alright though, Mitch Talbot will be back in 3 days, and Paul Byrd in 4. We're saved!
Right?
*******
Cleveland Indians (27-42)
Fifth Place, 11.5 GB of Detroit
Retired Dynasties I'm Proud of
To Rule in Kansas City Part I and Part II (Kansas City Royals 1969-73, Hall of Fame)
Cardinal Sins (St. Louis Cardinals 1976-78) and it's sequel:
Diverting Destiny (Montreal Expos 1994)
Script for my Requiem (New Orleans Blues (fictional) 1954)
BOOM!
Enjoying your ramblings, Cat
Registered User
These ramblings are cracking me up
Dynastarian
Either that or the rest of you are too polite to say anything.
I thought it was best not to speak up.
Read More Dynasties!
YEAH DAWWWG: No, not bored...though I'm running out of creative ways to say 'We suck.'
titanqb3: Glad you're enjoying it.
petrel: Uh huh.
*******
So, let's review.
We are now entering late June. We are 27-42 (.391) and 11.5 games off the pace. Detroit's trying to pull away with the division, but Minnesota and Chicago are close and even Kansas City's still in striking distance. Technically so are we, but I won't get my hopes up. We're 10 games out in the Wildcard behind Boston with nine other teams in the way. Translation: We have the worst record in the American League. For that matter, we have the second worst record in baseball.
There are some things I can do about this. I've intentionally held back bringing up players hoping they can develop in AAA-Columbus. I also have a trade left as well as a free agency choice.
Free Agent:
We close a deal with Gary Sheffield (75) [41] (.276 10-43 with Mets in 2009) to finish the year with us at a prorated $2.7 million/year. The Diamondbacks also expressed some interest and I probably wouldn't have gone higher, but much like Martinez and the other 'oldsters' I'm hoping Sheffield has a little left to get us through this campaign. Down goes our 'DH' Shelley Duncan (.197 1-4). Sheffield will try his luck DHing.
Let's begin.
*******
June 22
Indians 1 - Phillies 4
WP: Halladay (10-4), LP: Carmona (4-6)
A ninth inning rally spoils Halladay's 134 pitch complete game. He took a perfect game into the sixth. Sheffield goes 0 for 3 in his season debut with a strikeout.
June 23
Indians 2 - Phillies 12
WP: Hamels (11-3), LP: Martinez (7-3)
HR: (CLE) Buscher (1), (PHI) Howard (24), Dobbs (12)
Philly scores 6 in the sixth to go up by twelve. Buscher's 8th inning homer prevents a shutout.
June 24
Indians 1 - Phillies 8
WP: Blanton (6-3), LP: Laffey (2-6)
HR: (PHI) Rollins (9), Werth 2 (9)
This time it's Sheffield who spoils the shutout with a sacrifice.
*******
Thoughts: We truly suck.
Paul Byrd (1-1 4.73) and Mitch Talbot (0-2 19.64) are ready to come off the DL. Byrd will go to Cleveland as he's at least making an effort to perform, while Aaron Laffey (2-6 8.29) goes back down because he clearly isn't.
*******
Cleveland Indians (27-45)
Fifth Place, 13.5 GB of Detroit
*******
June 25
Indians 0 - Reds 5
WP: Bailey (4-2), LP: Byrd (1-2)
HR: (CIN) Stubbs (6)
Manny Acta gives Byrd the ball since our bullpen is still recovering from a rash of small injuries. Byrd doesn't do well, but does give us seven innings so our surviving relievers can rest. Cincy SP Homer Bailey (3.42 ERA) shuts us down.
June 26
Indians 4 - Reds 12
WP: Wood (3-1), LP: Carmona (4-7)
HR: (CLE) Sizemore (11), (CIN) Hernandez (7), Votto 2 (9), Rolen (7), Bruce (18)
For those keeping track at home, we've lost six straight, nine of ten and fifteen of twenty. Our projected record is now 63-99, and that's looking generous.
June 27
Indians 2 - Reds 6
WP: Washburn (1-1), LP: Martinez (7-4)
HR: (CLE) Marson (7), Cabrera (5), (CIN) Stubbs (7), Bruce (19)
Seven straight. I think we're shot of the National League for another year. Thank God.
*******
Thoughts:
Grady Sizemore (87) (.266 11-38) informs us that he can't be around this group of losers anymore and asks for the next 36 days off for intensive psychotherapy. I tell him to bring his counselor back with him. I'll need one by then.
We bring back Trevor Crowe (73/75) (.190 0-1) who appears to be marginally better than the alternative, Michael Brantley (77/83) (.185 1-9). Crowe has a .462 - .444 advantage in OPS, and an .868 - .821 advantage in OPS while in Columbus.
We also welcome home SS Jhonny Peralta (80) (.280 3-10). He'll miss the next game, but should be okay after that. Down goes Mark Grudzielanek (.167 0-1). At age 39, I wouldn't be surprised if Mark's career ends on this note.
*******
Cleveland Indians (27-48)
Fifth Place, 14.5 GB of Detroit
*******
June 28
Blue Jays 9 - Indians 6
WP: Morrow (5-9), LP: Carrasco (0-3), SV: Frasor (15)
HR: (TOR) Snider (13)
Well, our offense never gives up. Soon to be replaced SS Bixler (2 for 4, 3 RBI, .174 BA) rises to the occasion. Too bad our bullpen still stinks.
June 29
Blue Jays 5 - Indians 2
WP: Drabek (3-2), LP: Masterson (4-8), SV: Frasor (16)
HR: (TOR) Overbay (6), (CLE) Brown (6)
June 30
Blue Jays 6 - Indians 5
WP: Frasor (6-2), LP: C Perez (3-1)
HR: (TOR) Wells (6), (CLE) Buscher (2)
We actually take a 5-4 lead into the ninth! Then lose. Trivia Question: Who's the worst team in Major League Baseball? By 4 1/2 games?
*******
Thoughts:
It's obvious we're just gearing up for next year now, though I'd like to avoid complete humiliation if possible. We're now projected to lose 100 games. I was hoping to keep it to 70-92 or above.
Traditional strategy at this point is to trade for prospects, and perhaps bring some young guys up and give them playing time. What do you think?
*******
Cleveland Indians (27-51)
Fifth Place, 14.5 GB of Detroit
Retired Dynasties I'm Proud of
To Rule in Kansas City Part I and Part II (Kansas City Royals 1969-73, Hall of Fame)
Cardinal Sins (St. Louis Cardinals 1976-78) and it's sequel:
Diverting Destiny (Montreal Expos 1994)
Script for my Requiem (New Orleans Blues (fictional) 1954)
BOOM!
Don't feel too bad, Cat. My Twins are vastly under-performing as well.
Since you're asking, I'd put Sizemore on the block and see what's out there. It'll free up some money for you in the off-season, and you should be able to get a nice prospect or two for him.
Read More Dynasties!
YEAHDAWWWG: *grin* Sizemore's the one guy I can't get rid of. I don't trade injured players, and he won't be healthy until after the deadline. Carmona and his $5.5m contract is a definite possibility. Another possibility is Peralta, who's $4.6m contract is up this year. I'd need to find a bonafide shortstop in the latter case though.
*******
Major League Baseball
June 30, 2010
Code:AL East AL Central AL West Tampa 43 34 -- Detroit 42 37 -- Seattle 40 37 -- Boston 42 37 2 Minnesota 40 38 1.5 Texas 38 39 2 New York 39 38 4 Chicago 37 41 4.5 Los Angeles 39 41 2.5 Toronto 39 40 5 Kansas City 37 42 5 Oakland 36 43 5 Baltimore 37 40 6 Cleveland 27 51 14.5 NL East NL Central NL West Philadelphia 50 28 -- St. Louis 46 32 -- Arizona 42 37 -- Atlanta 42 37 8.5 Chicago 42 36 4 San Diego 41 37 0.5 New York 41 37 9 Houston 42 37 4.5 Colorado 40 39 2 Florida 39 40 11.5 Milwaukee 40 38 6 Los Angeles 37 41 4.5 Washington 32 47 18.5 Cincinnati 37 42 9.5 San Francisco 31 46 10 Pittsburgh 36 42 10Trades (non-Indians)Code:American League National League Batting Average Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) .342 Pablo Sandoval (SFG) .356 Home Runs A-Roid (NYY) 22 Mark Reynolds (ARI) 30 RBI A-Roid (NYY) 72 Mark Reynolds (ARI) 80 Stolen Bases Juan Pierre (CHW) 41 Two tied with 36 Wins Ben Sheets (OAK) 10 Cole Hamels (PHI) 12 ERA David Price (TBR) 1.86 Mat Latos (SDP) 2.18 Strikeouts Felix Hernandez (SEA) 111 Adam Wainwright (STL) 108 Saves Two tied with 20 Heath Bell (SDP) 23 Indians in the Top Ten ERA Pedro Martinez 3.56 (10th AL)
NYY-LAD: SP Jake Westbrook (78) [32] (3-1 5.71)
LAD-NYY: $5.5m
PHI-STL: SP Brad Lidge (79) [33] (1-3 6.75 5 SV)
STL-PHI: $5.3m
LAA-WAS: SP Ervin Santana (79) [27] (2-5 6.94)
WAS-LAA: $5.8m
TBR-NYM: SP Jeff Niemann (74/75) [27] (2-4 5.29)
NYM-TBR: $5.3m
NYY-ATL: 1B Nick Johnson (79) [31] (.223 6-23)
ATL-NYY: $5.15m
WAS-SEA: LF Josh Willingham (82) [31] (.193 4-19)
SEA-WAS: Two Minor Leaguers (CF, 3B)
MIL-LAD: RP Todd Coffey (79) [29] (8-0 3.57 2 SV)
LAD-MIL: $5.85m
TBR-SDP: 3B Willy Aybar (78) [27] (.295 2-7)
SDP-TBR: $4.3m
* Note: No, I have no idea why so many cash trades. League finances are mostly healthy.
Major Injuries (3 mo. plus, MLB, non-Indians)
CHW - 1B Paul Konerko (78) [34] (.247 7-28) - 4 months
DET - LF Ryan Raburn (81) [29] (.289 9-32) - 4 months
LAA - RP Rich Thompson (71/76) [25] (0-0 0.00) (2 IP) - 7 months
LAA - LF Paul McAnulty (71/72) [29] (DNP) - 3 months
OAK - RP Andrew Bailey (87) [26] (2-4 2.41 12 SV) - 3 months
TEX - C Jarrod Saltalamacchia (75/77) [25] (.253 5-28) - 3 months after tripping over his name.
TOR - RP Shawn Camp (75) [34] (2-1 3.21) - 4 months
ATL - 2B Martin Prado (84) [26] (.279 3-30) - 4 months
CHC - SP Tom Gorzelanny (81) [27] (4-1 4.06) - 3 months
COL - RF Brad Hawpe (83) [31] (.310 22-71) - 7 months
LAD - CF Alfredo Amezaga (73) [32] (DNP) - 7 months
LAD - CF Reed Johnson (75) [33] (.322 1-6) - 3 months
Milestones
CHW - LF Juan Pierre (80) [32] (.317 0-24) - 500 Steals
DET - LF Johnny Damon (80) [36] (.272 16-48) - 2500 Hits
NYY - SS A-Roid (93) [34] (.296 22-72) - 600 HR (June 12)
NYY - C Jorge Posada (77) [38] (.231 12-36) - 1000 RBI
SEA - RF Ichiro Suzuki (82) [36] (.346 1-45) - 1000 Runs
ATL - RP Billy Wagner (82) [38] (1-3 4.25 15 SV) - 400 Saves
MIL - RF Denard Span (84) [26] (.256 2-19) - Hit for the Cycle (June 26 vs. Seattle)
PHI - SS Jimmy Rollins (84) [31] (.274 11-53) - 1000 Runs
SDP - RF Jermaine Dye (76) [36] (.184 4-17) - 1000 Runs
Retirements (At least 1 Award)
CF Darin Erstad (Free Agent, Age 36)
2010: DNP
Lifetime: .282 124-699, 1697 H, 179 SB
Teams: Angels (96-06), White Sox (07), Astros (08-09)
Honors: 3 x Gold Glove (00,02,04), 2 x All Star (98,00)
Retired Dynasties I'm Proud of
To Rule in Kansas City Part I and Part II (Kansas City Royals 1969-73, Hall of Fame)
Cardinal Sins (St. Louis Cardinals 1976-78) and it's sequel:
Diverting Destiny (Montreal Expos 1994)
Script for my Requiem (New Orleans Blues (fictional) 1954)
Read More Dynasties!
Team Statistics through June 30
*******
We won't pretend that much is going right this year, so let's take a look and see what we can do to get ready for next year.
Code:2010 Batting Team G AVG AB H 2B 3B HR BB K SB CS R RBI SLG OBP Marson, Lou CLE 58 .232 194 45 7 0 7 25 44 1 1 27 28 .376 .320 Toregas, Wyatt CLE 14 .288 52 15 3 0 1 3 9 0 1 5 5 .404 .327 Santana, Carlos(AAA) CLE 10 .242 33 8 1 0 1 5 7 1 0 3 5 .364 .342 LaPorta, Matt CLE 71 .230 269 62 9 0 9 24 58 0 1 29 29 .364 .294 Branyan, Russell(AAA) CLE 24 .141 92 13 3 0 3 9 40 1 0 9 6 .272 .225 Gimenez, Chris CLE 23 .212 66 14 3 0 0 4 24 0 0 5 8 .258 .257 Cabrera, Asdrubal CLE 71 .257 268 69 19 2 5 22 50 4 2 30 22 .399 .317 Valbuena, Luis(DL) CLE 19 .192 78 15 1 1 1 3 13 2 0 9 5 .269 .222 Grudzielanek, Mark(AAA) CLE 6 .167 12 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 .167 .167 Rodriguez, Luis(DL) CLE 6 .091 11 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 .091 .091 Graffanino, Tony CLE 3 .333 6 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 .333 .333 Marte, Andy(DL) CLE 37 .264 144 38 6 3 4 6 26 0 0 19 21 .431 .289 Buscher, Brian CLE 40 .286 140 40 10 1 2 13 25 0 2 14 13 .414 .346 Bixler, Brian CLE 38 .174 144 25 5 1 2 10 53 4 1 15 11 .264 .245 Peralta, Jhonny CLE 24 .281 89 25 5 0 3 7 22 0 0 10 10 .438 .333 Donald, Jason(DL) CLE 16 .183 60 11 3 0 0 4 21 1 0 6 4 .233 .242 Hernandez, Anderson(AAA) CLE 2 .167 6 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 1 1 .167 .143 Brown, Jordan CLE 40 .243 140 34 11 1 6 8 26 1 2 12 15 .464 .288 Crowe, Trevor CLE 23 .200 90 18 5 0 0 7 14 3 0 11 5 .256 .265 Brantley, Michael(AAA) CLE 15 .185 54 10 1 0 1 0 8 3 1 6 9 .259 .185 Sheffield, Gary CLE 9 .129 31 4 0 1 0 4 13 0 0 3 1 .194 .229 Sizemore, Grady(DL) CLE 74 .266 290 77 17 2 11 38 69 13 6 33 38 .452 .362 Choo, Shin-Soo CLE 72 .274 266 73 12 1 6 29 71 5 1 33 32 .395 .353 Duncan, Shelley(AAA) CLE 16 .197 61 12 2 0 1 7 16 1 0 7 4 .279 .279 Kearns, Austin CLE 15 .286 35 10 1 0 3 4 8 0 0 7 8 .571 .390
Catcher: This may be our easiest choice. Santana is ready: At some point his ratings popped to 88/96, so it's time for him to rejoin the club. Since we're going to go for youth when possible, Marson [24] will stay up while Toregas [27] goes down despite performing better through 52 AB. Plus, Toregas' arbitration clock is not set in stone yet, so this may save us down the road.
First Base: I might have considered bringing Branyan back, but he's injured for 14 days. Therefore this will remain the same.
Second Base: Valbuena (77/81) [24] still has a tiny bit to go before he peaks. He's drifting beyond the point where AAA can really help him, so I'll bring him up and hope he's used more than his predecessors. Graffanino goes down.
Third Base: With Marte on the DL, this is any easy choice. Besides, Buscher is doing well.
Shortstop: Here we're going to bring Hernandez (71) [27] up for Bixler (72/74) [27]. It could wind up being a wash, especially since I expect very little out of Mr. Hernandez, but if Bixler has any opportunity to improve I want him to take it. Especially if I choose to get rid of Peralta in a month.
Left Field: Brown has done well enough to keep the starting job. In my mind I can't justify giving it to Brantley. (Both men are young and need playing time to develop further.) Crowe is playing center field currently. Sheffield's .129 BA is actually an improvement...but since we're going for youth, I don't have time to wait for a 41 year old to snap out of it. Up comes Brantley, and Sheffield can enjoy his $3 million or so in retirement.
Center Field: Sizemore's injured. End of discussion.
Right Field: Kearns has done more than well enough to earn the second outfielder spot.
********
Moves
* Cleveland to Columbus *
C Wyatt Toregas
2B Tony Graffanino
LF Gary Sheffield
* Columbus to Cleveland *
C Carlos Santana
2B Luis Valbuena
LF Michael Brantley
* Releases *
2B Tony Graffanino: He's 37 years old, and I have a glut of infielders in AAA. I don't want to botch their growth any further.
2B Mark Grudzielanek: He's 39. Ditto.
LF Gary Sheffield: Less of a glut, but we're going to call this a failed experiment and wasted FA slot. It costs me $689.5K to buy him out.
*******
Starters Pedro's really the only 'old man' who's earned the right to finish the season with his head held high. He's certainly done better than the puppies I've surrounded him with. Carmona's inconsistent (like in real life) but solid (unlike real life). Masterson still leads the team in strikeouts with thirteen less frames to do it in, but his R/9 is starting to creep up there. Carrasco's embarassing himself. In a normal year, Byrd would be a solid #4 guy or so, but as we're punting and going for youth he becomes expendable.Code:2010 Pitching Team IP ERA G GS W L SV K BB R/9 Martinez, Pedro CLE 93.2 3.56 16 16 7 4 0 74 34 11.82 Carmona, Fausto CLE 90.2 3.57 17 17 4 7 0 44 24 12.81 Masterson, Justin CLE 80.2 5.36 16 16 4 8 0 75 32 13.50 Laffey, Aaron(AAA) CLE 42.1 8.29 11 9 2 6 0 23 20 18.50 Carrasco, Carlos CLE 23.2 7.99 6 4 0 3 0 20 6 14.45 Byrd, Paul CLE 20.1 4.87 3 3 1 2 0 8 2 9.30 Sowers, Jeremy(DL) CLE 18.0 3.00 2 2 1 0 0 11 2 10.00 Huff, David(AAA) CLE 15.2 9.19 4 4 0 2 0 10 8 17.81 Hagadone, Nick(AAA) CLE 13.0 4.85 3 3 1 2 0 15 9 18.00 Talbot, Mitch(AA) CLE 3.2 19.64 2 2 0 2 0 2 1 31.91 Smith, Joe CLE 51.2 4.53 39 0 0 2 2 36 19 11.32 Perez, Rafael CLE 49.0 4.96 38 0 1 3 0 33 16 11.94 Grilli, Jason CLE 45.0 5.80 31 1 1 3 0 26 19 13.00 Mastny, Tom CLE 42.1 5.95 29 1 0 3 1 30 26 16.58 Lewis, Jensen CLE 40.1 5.58 32 0 1 2 0 37 16 13.39 Perez, Chris CLE 36.1 2.97 28 0 3 1 11 40 13 9.91 Rivera, Saul(DL) CLE 14.2 7.36 10 0 0 1 1 7 7 19.02 Wright, Jamey(DL) CLE 12.1 8.76 9 0 1 0 0 9 8 21.89
I have three potentially great pitchers in AAA - Hagadone (74/93), Alex White (76/92), and now T.J. House (73/91). I have to assume my scouts are lying to me or just plain wrong...but this seems like a really good time to find out. To make sure they get playing time, I need to clear the #2, 3 and 4 slots and make sure someone with poor ratings is number 5. Maybe I have a use for Mr. Byrd after all...
With Masterson's overall tolerable performance and 85/86 ratings, I don't want to leave him in Columbus too long. Once it becomes obvious one of my studs...isn't (at least yet), I'll bring him back.
Regarding my relievers, you'll notice I've demoted none (or more correctly they came back after Wright and Rivera were injured.) My bullpen has a lot less depth than elsewhere. Still, Grilli's 33 years old, and Mastny's having a very bad year. It's time to let someone else try. My two most promising (highest upside) candidates are Jess Todd (75/82) and Zach Putnam. (72/87)
Moves
*Cleveland to Columbus*
SP Carlos Carrasco
SP Justin Masterson
SP Fausto Carmona
RP Joe Smith
RP Jason Grilli
*Columbus to Cleveland*
SP Nick Hagadone
SP T.J. House
SP Alex White
RP Jess Todd
RP Zach Putnam
*Releases*
None
*******
Lineup
2B Cabrera - CF Crowe - 1B LaPorta - C Santana - RF Choo - SS Peralta - LF Brown - DH Valbuena(?) - 3B Buscher
Rotation
Martinez - White - House - Hagadone - Byrd
Bullpen
CL C Perez - SU R Perez - SR Smith - SR Lewis - MR Todd - LR Putnam
*******
Aftermath
Following their releases, both Graffanino and Grudzielanek retire from baseball.
Graffanino was a lifetime .266 hitter with 58 HR, 302 RBI, 748 H and 52 SB.
He played for the Braves (96-98), D-Rays (99-00), White Sox (00-03), Royals (04-06), Red Sox (06), Brewers (06-07) and Indians (09-10).
Grudzielanek was a lifetime .289 hitter with 90 HR, 630 RBI, 2012 H and 131 SB.
He played for the Expos (95-98), Dodgers (98-02), Cubs (03-04), Cardinals (05), Royals (06-08) and Indians (10).
He was a 1996 NL All Star and won the 2006 Gold Glove while with KC.
Retired Dynasties I'm Proud of
To Rule in Kansas City Part I and Part II (Kansas City Royals 1969-73, Hall of Fame)
Cardinal Sins (St. Louis Cardinals 1976-78) and it's sequel:
Diverting Destiny (Montreal Expos 1994)
Script for my Requiem (New Orleans Blues (fictional) 1954)
Read More Dynasties!
I can't prove it and no one else has ever mentioned it, so this might be mere myth and perception. However, I have a running theory that there is some sort of clubhouse 'penalty' if I shake things up too much. If so, then these next few weeks should be painful. Then again, the rest of the season's been painful so far.
One more game against Toronto - I didn't realize these guys were still in town, then onward.
*******
July 1, 2010
Blue Jays 2 - Indians 11
WP: House (1-0), LP: Mills (0-1)
HR: (TOR) Lind (16), (CLE) Santana (2), LaPorta (10)
That..that was beautiful. Santana homers in his first at bat back. House gives me 7 IP, 1 ER in his career debut with his only mistake being Lind's homer. Even RP Jess Todd (2 IP 1 ER) manages to shut the door in his season debut. No offense to Toronto fans, but after going 5-23 in June I really needed to see us slaugther somebody.
July 2
Athletics 20 - Indians 7 - not a typo.
WP: Cahill (2-1), LP: Hagadone (1-3)
HR: (OAK) Kouzmanoff (16), Cust (17), (CLE) LaPorta (11), Choo (7)
Oh my. The ups and downs of managing this club. Seven pitchers all give up runs. In fact, Oakland scores in seven of the nine innings. We actually put together a 5 run fifth, but at that point it was already 12-1. Choo (4 RBI) and LaPorta (3) account for all our runs.
July 3
Athletics 3 - Indians 1
WP: Gonzalez (2-5), LP: Martinez (7-5), SV: Wuertz (7)
HR: (CLE) Brown (7)
At least this game was a little more sane, with Martinez giving us 7 strong innings...just not enough as our offense takes the night off.
July 4
Athletics 3 - Indians 4
WP: White (1-0), LP: Sheets (10-5), SV: C Perez (12)
HR: (OAK) Barton (9)
When you outduel Ben Sheets in your career debut, that's pretty good. Seven good innings from White. Brown, Cabrera and Valbuena all get two hits and an RBI as we hold on to win.
*******
Comments:
While playing through these games I remember I can change my strategy settings. I'm really not happy with having an 85/86 starter in the minors, so I'm going to bring Justin Masterson back, demote Paul Byrd and wish him a happy retirement, and make sure Manny Acta uses a strict five man rotation. It costs me $366,750 to wish Byrd a fond farewell.
********
Cleveland Indians (29-53)
Fifth Place, 13 GB of Detroit
********
July 5
Indians 5 - Rangers 4
WP: Smith (1-2), LP: Kiker (0-1), SV: C Perez (13)
HR: (CLE) Giminez 2 (2), (TEX) Hamilton (19)
For some reason Zach Putnam starts..and goes a long way towards redeeming himself with 5 IP 0 ER after some really crappy relief work (especially in the 20-7 blowout.) For similarly unfathomable reasons, RF Choo takes the night off and Manny doesn't use reserve OF Austin Kearns. Instead he gives the..er..glove to 1B Chris Giminez, who not only escapes without an error but goes 2 for 4 with 2 HR and 3 RBI.
July 6
Indians 5 - Rangers 6
WP: Hunter (2-2), LP: Todd (0-1), SV: Francisco (19)
HR: (CLE) Santana (3), LaPorta (12), Brown (8), (TEX) Moreland (4)
We battle our way to a 4-3 lead when our young reliever decides to go ahead and suck.
July 7
Indians 7 - Rangers 11
WP: Feliz (4-2), LP: White (1-1)
HR: (CLE) LaPorta (13), Brantley (2), (TEX) Teagarden (3), C Davis 2 (19), Hamilton (20)
This is getting hard to watch.
*******
Comments:
Is Grady back with his psychotherapist? I think I need one.
Pedro's ratings have dropped into the 60s. I've noticed him weakening as the season goes on and it's time. He goes to Columbus with his 7-5 3.69 ERA while Fausto Carmona rejoins the Tribe. Now I have all my young arms back and my experiment with older players is officially a failure.
No one wants Pedro on the trading block, so we buy out his contract for $863,000. Hopefully he takes the hint and retires on a high note.
*******
Cleveland Indians (30-55)
Fifth Place, 15 GB of Detroit
*******
July 8
Indians 2 - Rays 1
WP: House (2-0), LP: Shields (6-8), SV: C Perez (14)
HR: (CLE) Choo (8), (TB) Crawford (7)
Not bad all around. A solid performance.
July 9
Indians 1 - Rays 3
WP: Price (11-2), LP: Hagadone (1-4), SV: Soriano (18)
HR: (TB) Kapler (9), Sweeney (3)
Rookie night from our starter and bullpen, and I have to remind myself that three runs over nine innings isn't that bad. Grr.
July 10
Indians 4 - Rays 3
WP: Masterson (5-8), LP: Garza (7-2), SV: C Perez (15)
HR: (TB) Longoria (18)
Masterson's return won't break any records (7 IP 3 ER) but is good nonetheless. CF Trevor Crowe gives us 2 RBI for the win.
July 11
Indians 2 - Rays 4
WP: Davis (9-1), LP: Carmona (4-8), SV: Soriano (19)
HR: (CLE) Brantley (3), (TB) Crawford (8)
Carmona didn't benefit from his time in Columbus. All four runs come in the first four innings. Maybe I was too quick on the trigger with Pedro...
*******
Cleveland Indians (32-57)
Fifth Place, 15.5 GB of Detroit
Retired Dynasties I'm Proud of
To Rule in Kansas City Part I and Part II (Kansas City Royals 1969-73, Hall of Fame)
Cardinal Sins (St. Louis Cardinals 1976-78) and it's sequel:
Diverting Destiny (Montreal Expos 1994)
Script for my Requiem (New Orleans Blues (fictional) 1954)
Registered User
wow, Is it this easy to make a Dynasty! I think maybe I'll try one for myself. This is a wonderful dynasty keep up the good work, bro.
BOOM!
Just to give you a glimmer of hope, White and Hagadone both turned out pretty good in my Twins game. White peaked out at 88 and Hagadone peaked at 84. Not spectacular, but not bad.
Read More Dynasties!
monsterboy: Making a dynasty doesn't have to be hard at all. Just figure out what team you want to talk about and start playing. If you look in the 'Dugout' thread you'll find a lot of advice on getting started.
YEAH DAWWWG: In another dynasty Hagadone topped out at 94 (and I never heard of White.) I hope I don't burn these guys out too soon and make them peak early.
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All Star Game Special, Part One
July 12, 2010
League Meeting
The biannual meeting of Major League Baseball took place.
In general the league is stable but there are some notable outliers. Specifically auditors have recommended that the Baltimore Orioles and Pittsburgh Pirates may be obliged to move if they can't turn things around in the next few years.
Most people believe that Commissioner Selig would like to expand baseball to 32 teams in order to keep pace with the National Football League. His ability to do this will depend on the survival of those franchises. There is even some talk of contraction if both organizations fail.
Commissioner Selig has also expressed a desire to unify rules and regulations between the two major leagues. The most important rule that would need modifying, of course, is the DH: Either the National League would have to adopt the rule, or the American League abandon it. Considering most other leagues play with the DH, the former is more likely.
This would be helpful, as with reduced travel costs (relative to budget) and the dominance of certain teams there is some desire for the leagues to be reorganized, either completely (wrecking rivalries but giving teams fresh new competition every xx years) or with an eye towards allowing some teams to temporarily or permanently escape the dominance of others. (Note: There was an article regarding this at MLB.com in April I think.)
The thirty men and women Selig met with were professionals however, and they knew how to keep their priorities straight - especially on baseball's dime. Like most such meetings, in the end nothing was accomplished and the next morning thirty-one men and women woke up with terrible hangovers. Twenty-three of them in their own bed.
Hall of Fame
Two players were inducted into the Hall of Fame for 2010:
2B Roberto Alomar was arguably one of the best second basemen through the early-mid nineties winning six consecutive Gold Gloves and twelve consecutive All Star appearances.
Lifetime he batted .310 with 210 HR, 1134 RBI, 2724 H and 474 SB
He played for the Padres (88-90), Blue Jays (91-95), Orioles (96-98), Indians (99-01), Mets (02-03), White Sox (03-04) and D-backs (04)
Alomar won the Gold Glove ten times (91-96, 98-01) and was a twelve time All Star (90-01)
He will enter the Hall on behalf of the Toronto Blue Jays.
In a much closer vote, RF Andre Dawson was elected due to a combination of his sheer (pre-steroid) power and running ability.
Lifetime he batted. 279 with 438 HR, 1591 SB, 2774 H and 314 SB
Dawson played for the Expos (76-86), Cubs (87-92), Red Sox (93-94) and Marlins (95-96)
He was Rookie of the Year (77), NL MVP (87), an eight time Gold Glove (80-85, 87-88) and eight time All Star (81-83, 87-91).
He is scheduled to enter the Hall on behalf of the Montreal Expos, but there is a bit of controversy due to the failure of Nationals' officials to give credit to former Montreal players. He's demanded they reverse their policy, or he'll enter the hall as a Chicago Cub.
Home Run Derby
The Derby was a showcase of sheer firepower. Whereas in other years hitting 8 HR in the first round might put you in the lead, in 2010 it wouldn't even get you past the first round.
The National League was represented by Prince Fielder (MIL, 26 HR); Brad Hawpe (COL, 22); Mark Reynolds (ARI, 33); Albert Pujols (STL, 22); and Ryan Howard (PHI, 27)
The junior circuit countered with A-Roid (NYY, 25); Miguel Cabrera (DET, 18); Kendry Morales (LAA, 17); Josh Hamilton (TEX, 20); and J.D. Drew (BOS, 21)
The first round separated the wheat from the chaff with 10 HR over 10 'outs' being the magic number to advance.
A-Roid felt good, swinging the bat easily and boasting that his 'next stop' was 700 HR. Colorado's Brad Hawpe kept pace.Code:PLAYER HOMERS Prince Fielder (MIL) 18 Alex Rodriguez (NYY) 15 Brad Hawpe (COL) 11 Miguel Cabrera (DET) 10 --------------------------------------- Kendry Morales (LAA) 8 Mark Reynolds (ARI) 7 Albert Pujols (STL) 5 Josh Hamilton (TEX) 5 Ryan Howard (PHI) 4 J.D. Drew (BOS) 2
The third round, five 'outs' long like the second, solved absolutely nothing. A-Roid began to sweat visibly.Code:PLAYER HOMERS Alex Rodriguez (NYY) 7 Brad Hawpe (COL) 6 -------------------------------------- Prince Fielder (MIL) 4 Miguel Cabrera (DET) 3
Finally the Yankee pulled away with 7 homers over the next three outs. Brad Hawpe's impressive day came to an end. As he progressed though, A-Roid appeared to get sicker and green in the face. Trainers rushed him out of the hot Los Angeles air to recover in the clubhouse.Code:PLAYER HOMERS Alex Rodriguez (NYY) 6 Brad Hawpe (COL) 6
Code:PLAYER HOMERS ALEX RODRIGUEZ 7 -------------------------------------- Brad Hawpe 4
Retired Dynasties I'm Proud of
To Rule in Kansas City Part I and Part II (Kansas City Royals 1969-73, Hall of Fame)
Cardinal Sins (St. Louis Cardinals 1976-78) and it's sequel:
Diverting Destiny (Montreal Expos 1994)
Script for my Requiem (New Orleans Blues (fictional) 1954)
Read More Dynasties!
July 13, 2010
The End of the Steroid Era
It would take a generation of bioresearch to determine what happened on July 13th. Some called it divine retribution. Others called it a 'metamorphoses triggered by severe and long term chemical and genetic imbalances.' Once the initial shock and grief wore off, most just called it weird.
The first sign that most of the world had that something terrible was about to happen was Alex Rodriguez's sudden illness during the home run derby. It worsened overnight. His green pallor deepened, the pupils of his eyes narrowed to slits within a yellow iris, his skin began to dry and toughen, and in the air-conditioned confines of Angel Stadium his body temperature began plummeting. Alarmed trainers rushed him to the hospital.
At 3:00 PM the next afternoon Barry Bonds chose to trump the All Star Game's publicity by scheduling a press conference at AT&T Park in San Francisco. There, agents assured reporters, he would finally come clean regarding his use and abuse of steroids in the 1990s and early 2000s. His agents stated he simply wanted to set the record straight. Cynics believe that, similar to McGwire's confession in 2009, he hoped such an 'honest' display would earn him brownie points with the Hall of Fame and perhaps get him a job in baseball.
Bonds wasn't the problem, at least not alone. As media and team officials gathered, Jose Canseco joined Bonds at the table. Canseco was, of course, the former Athletics slugger who wrote a tell all book about steroid abuse in the Major Leagues.
When they met they shook hands, and that's when it happened.
As mentioned, 'It' is open to debate. In the 2020s doctors at UCLA released a paper suggesting that the drugs these two sluggers subjected their body to caused a change in their DNA. There wasn't any noticeable change at first, but when they came together the mutation in their cells accelerated.
What we do know is that both men grew ill almost instantly. Then they grew, soon filling the room and then bursting through the walls. As they grew they changed, first turning reptilian green then akin to giant lizards. As they grew however, the damaged cells in their bodys ran mad. Their bodies began to lose cohesion, so soon they resembled giant amorphous blobs.
Finally their bodies couldn't take the strain and they exploded with the effective force of a 30 megaton bomb.
North American Defense computers record the incident
*******
The news of their (probable) death and the virtual destruction of Oakland and San Francisco caused similar mutations.
In St. Louis, hitting instructor Mark McGwire mutated almost as badly as Bonds and Canseco. He transformed before the eyes of Cardinal shortstop Brendan Ryan. Unfortunately McGwire had been suffering from a bad case of the hiccups, and now his hiccups generated 50 kilowatt lightning bolts, one of which fried the shortstop.
Air Force pilots helpfully bring McGwire home
*******
The steroid induced mutations struck pitchers differently than batters. In Texas, SP Roger Clemens wasn't going to let a little thing like genetics stop him from expressing his political views.
Vote Clemens in 2012
*******
Across America players...changed. The more horrid abusers became instant threats to civilization and wound up hunted into swamps and forests. A number of them wound up in Utah because, frankly, the locals had seen stranger.
Those players who only tried it once or twice remained mostly unaffected, while a few others suffered minor alterations such as sharper teeth or a tendency to speak in a hiss. Those who actively abused steroids in their youth but recanted suffered noticeably, but at least they had some chance of retaining their career and place in society.
A-Roid: "No questions at this time."
********
Why yes, I do have strong opinions about steroids in baseball. Why do you ask?
Retired Dynasties I'm Proud of
To Rule in Kansas City Part I and Part II (Kansas City Royals 1969-73, Hall of Fame)
Cardinal Sins (St. Louis Cardinals 1976-78) and it's sequel:
Diverting Destiny (Montreal Expos 1994)
Script for my Requiem (New Orleans Blues (fictional) 1954)
Dynastarian
Looks like the Giants and As are going to have to relocate...several miles underground.
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