A L WEST PREVIEW

Helena Barking Moonbats (AL) sordie View Hardball Dynasty Profile

GONE: Rickey Strange Free Agency , Al Lieber Free Agency , Adam Smith Free Agency , Julio Mercado Free Agency , Malachi Newson Free Agency ,

ADDED: Raul Flores Free Agent ,

 Summary: Sordie submitted this masterpiece:  Hoping to maintain the chemistry of an AL champ squad, the Moonbats have merely tinkered around the fringes. The only major change was that greedy, moneygrubbing bastard third baseman,Julio Mercado, bolted for free agency, and was replaced by greedy, moneygrubbing bastard third baseman, Raul Flores, who bolted for free agency from some other team. The Bats should still be able to put runs on the board,but an offseason power decline from Wrigleyville fossils Justin Gabriel and Rich Rando may result in a slight drop in offensive productivity. Starting pitching remains the Achilles heel of this squad,but the Moonbat faithful are hoping for increased productivity from the young arm of SP Jeff Burnett, who though he finished with a 15-10 record last season, did it ugly (1.59 WHIP, 5.27 ERA).

Las Vegas Rattlers (AL) drewaely View Hardball Dynasty Profile

GONE: Cory Sullivan Free Agency , Nicholas Dempster Released , Butch Punto Traded to VC , Pablo Duran Traded to SF ,Timothy Recchio Waived , Carter Reed Waived

ADDED: Gene Vitiello Free Agent , Jerry Mailman Resigned , Nigel Hasegawa Free Agent , Brian Nen From SF , Walt Park From VC ,

Summary: New Owner drewaely takes over for Purplehaze who finished second with a record of 70-92. Purple sold his team and quit his job, to take his dream vacation up a unamed river in Vietnam. "The horror". Drew Let an aging pitcher in Sullivan go, and released Dempster . He traded a couple of players to San Fran and Vancouver. He brought back Hasaegawa and resigned Mailman. He Then plugged holes with a few role players. Las vegas has one of the highest payrolls in the league .So i believe Drew is just tweaking his lineup a little to see if he can get his moneys worth out of these guys. I think they may play better this season but I'd be suprised if they can beat the Moonbats for the division Crown . Maybe a wild card is in thier future?

Albuquerque Turkeys (AL) jaredpaventi View Hardball Dynasty Profile

GONE:  Alan Baumann Free Agency , Gregory Milton Free Agency , Jo-jo Pierre Free Agency , Jerome Stevenson Free Agency , Hootie Mahaffey Free Agency , Eric Ryan Free Agency , Chris Hatcher Released , David Otanez Traded to SD, Jacob Marshall Traded to SD , Rick Scott Traded to Boston , Harry Saberhagen Traded to SD , Sandy Hiatt Traded to Indy

ADDED: Richard Jung Free Agent , Norm Daniels Free Agent , R.A. Bailey Free Agent , Eric Kydd Free Agent , Jimmie Gonzalez Free Agent , Sammy Diaz Free Agency , Josh Greene Free Agent , Dewey Wall Free Agent , Jared Coffie Free Agent , Mario Hunter Free Agent , Willy Daniels Free Agent ,Russell Haynes Promoted , Stu Leary Promoted , Todd Ojeda From Boston

Summary: After finishing Third with a record of 69-93.Jaredpaventi cleaned  house !! JP Sent this entire squad packing and brought in free agent mercenaries. JP went out and bought a whole new team by spending 41.4 mil on Free agents . Then plugged what few holes remained with Prospects and a pitcher from Boston. With so many moves its hard to guess how good this team will be . But with all the hired arms on the Turkeys pitching staff . They could soar into Playoff contention. This might be the most improved team in the league or the biggest Stuffed Bird!! I broke out my lucky wishbone and *snap* . My wishbone says these Turkeys will Fly!!

San Diego Salmonbellies (AL) mdymond View Hardball Dynasty Profile

GONE: Henry Worthington Free Agency , Rob Smith Free Agency , Victor Carrasco Free Agency , Jamey Richardson Free Agency , Yuniesky Domingo Free Agency , Sterling King Released , Ryan Leiter Released , Endy Lee Released , Derrek Friend Traded to ALB , Victor Barajas Traded to ALB

ADDED: Christopher Locke Free Agent , Eduardo Sanchez Free Agent , Donn Harris Free Agent , Lawrence Kerr Promoted , Dan Scutaro R-5 , Larry Speaker R-5 , David Otanez From ALB , Jacob Marshall From ALB , Harry Saberhagen From ALB

Summary: After finishing in fourth in the A L West with a record of 65-97. Mydymond knew he had to make some moves to get this team swimming. He let some Type A and B players go by way of Free Agency and picked up a bunch of first round picks. Then he spent a little Cash in the Free Agency Sweepstakes. He picked up some Albuquerque Cast offs in a trade and plugged in a couple of R-5 Players. With the improvement of the Turkeys and the dominence of the Moonbats . This team still needs more time to contend for the Division. But with all them draft picks mydymond will make a Run in the future.

N L NORTH PREVIEW

Tacoma Toyotas (NL) Sandberg10 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

GONE: Tex Walters Free Agency, Jared Coffie Free Agency, Jesus Aybar Released , Ivan James Released ,

ADDED: Tony Truby Waiver Claim , Jackson Brooks Free Agent , Midre Carrasco Free Agent , Abraham Jackson Free Agent , Khoury Henley R-5 ,

Summary: The Toyotas moved most of thier talent last season and still won this division with a record of 77-85. In this ,the weakest division . Tacoma scored an N L low 583 runs all season,Ouch!! Sandberg got rid of several aging players in Coffie, Aybar and James. Then signed a few low level free agents and Picked up a waiver and a R-5 to fill some gaps. The Toyotas are still rebuilding by keeping salaries low and picking up IFA's and draft picks. They should finish about the same as last year.

Seattle Supersonics (NL) kevingrt13 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

GONE: Daniel Seneca Free Agency , Pedro Guerrero Free Agency , Adam Pierce Free Agency , Abraham Jackson Free Agency , Harry Mercado Free Agency , Will Watson Free Agency ,

ADDED: Tex Walters Free Agent , Shigetoshi Ono Free Agent , Earle Goldberg Free Agent , Russ Phillips Promoted , Ebenezer Daniels Promoted , Ricardo Frias R-5 , Derrek Friend R-5 , Carlos Brito R-5 , Juan Romero R-5 ,

Summary:  This team finished second in this division with a record of  75-87.  This team has been taken over by new Owner Kevingrt13. He took over from long time owner thejnice. Who contracted a case of Moonbat fever and is in rehabilitation in Juarez Mexico. So Kevin started his Wrigleyville career by letting a Myriad of Type-A and B players enter Free agency, and picked up 5 extra first round picks. He then plugged all Dem holes with R-5 and low level Free Agents. It seems Kevin is in it for the long haul by looking to build through the Draft. Don't look for this team to contend this year. They are in rebuild mode.

Kansas City Spittoons (NL) zmoty9 View Hardball Dynasty Profile

GONE:  Albert Uribe Free Agency , Louie Suzuki Free Agency , Thomas Wayne Free Agency , Harry Bonilla Released , Cookie Acosta Released , Raymond Punto Released ,

ADDED: Ryne Lake Waiver Claim , Vic Velazquez Big Time Free Agent , Adam Howard Promoted , Orlando Lee R-5 , Douglas Hunter R-5 ,

Summary: Zee's Madison Dairy Heirs finshed third with a record of 73-89. Zee had to move his team to Kansas City after he lost his lease due to an unfortunate incident on Dolly Madison Night. It started innocently enough with a couple of teens throwing Zingers at thier girlfriends . But it soon escalated into a full fledge Cup Cake Riot that injured several Fans and sparked outrage in the Confectionary Community. With the new digs Zee got rid of several underpreforming players. He then signed one of the premier hitters in this league (Velazquez) to a eye popping 5 year 73 million dollar contract. he promoted a  young closer to help the pen ,then plugged holes with R-5 players. With the move to a more friendly pitchers park Zee will see his ERA come down a bunch and with Vic in the lineup they will score more runs. So I see this team contened for the division crown Finishing around  .500.

Milwaukee Sturgeon (NL) pat007ohmss View Hardball Dynasty Profile

GONE: Mark Smith Free Agency , Norm Daniels Free Agency , Rafael Benitez Free Agency ,

ADDED: Tom Hutton Free Agent , Rico Posada Free Agent (Injured) , Angel Seanez R-5 , Raymond Jennings R-5

Summary:  The Sturgeons finished last season with the N L's worst record of  61-101. Pat let three players go to Free agency (Smith,Daniels and Benitez). They were getting old anyways .He then replaced them with a couple of younger players and two R-5 pickups. With one of the highest payrolls in the league you would think this team would kick some ass. Last season was alot of bad luck and look for the Sturgeons to bounce back with a run at the division. One curious note :The Sturgeons have the #1 overall pick and have 0  dollars in High School and College Scouting. It will be an inersting draft!!

Manatee Fever Running Rampant in Jax

On the flip(per) side of a successful season, Manatee management did not swim in shallow waters,but dove into the deep end. Viewing the transaction files of Wrigleyville, I noticed that Sandleaguer was a wheeler and dealer at the winter meetings. So with that being said, the Whif sent me on assignment to the Sunshine state. After spending several days acclimating myself to the temperate climate, I went out in search of the biggest Manatee- the rotund Sandleaguer. I caught up with Sand at the Island Girl Wine & Cigar Bar. It was a special Gurkha night and he was tugging on a Churchill maduro. He motioned me a large leather chair,opened a box and offered me a cigar. It was being accompanied by a nice California Merlot. So Sand, whats the prognosis? Well we are better than last season, a couple of blockbuster trades have enabled us to creep up on Tampa Bay. We gave up some good young talent but filled some glaring holes in the process. Started with a minor trade with Vancouver sending Harry James to us for Milt Reynolds . But that was just the beginning, smoke bellowing out of his mouth, he continued. It was no secret we has to upgrade our middle defense. After several days of negotiations, I pulled the trigger on a deal with the Syracuse Moose. We had to give up a key piece of last season in Kirk Davidson in return we replaced the catcher and got a very serviceable shortstop in Hugh Lloyd. Another bottle of Merlot was brought to the table with an assortment of fresh fruit and cheeses. As I helped myself to the finger food, Sand continued " we needed to give our free agent acquisition Stan Fassero from last season some cover. In the blockbuster with Christian Beavers we acquired a five tool player in Rich Ward giving up 2 future bigtime major leaguers Kevin Martin and Fonzie Bittle. This was the missing piece. We feel that our starting pitching anchored by former Cy Young winner Ramon Lo and new comer closer Harry James the Manatees are ready to make a run at the top. So get your seat early or you may be left out in the harbour paddling for shallow water". With that he got up and made his exit mumbling something about a virtual curling machine. Season 10 is looking brighter in this land of sunshine--- Manatee Fever Catch It

AL McGRAW Makes the Hall

Al McGraw none none Age: 37 B/T: L/L Born: Clayton, AL Position(s): LF/1B/RF/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Big Al McGraw is the first player to make the Wrigleyville Hall Of Fame. He garnered 19 votes to Squeak in .The only reason this was close was not because of his batting average( .325). It was the fact that he only played 9 seasons. Here are a few comments from our fellow Wriglyittes.

Snowedin : what sucks for these hall of fame nominees is that they played for 10-12 ML seasons, but some of those seasons were prior to the world starting, so they dont get stats for that. if you look at someone like Al McGraw,who played 11 seasons (probably 10 legitimately as season 8 doesnt really count, but 7 seasons of stats...if you average his numbers and give him 3 more seasons worth of stats, he's a 500 HR guy. WORTHY of of hall of fame induction.

Sordie:  I tend to think you really have to had done something pretty fantastic to merit HOF inclusion with the abbreviated careers we'll be seeing in the next few rounds of nomination. McGraw's the only one out of this batch I think merits it.

JaredPaventi: True, but look at the real HOF. Phil Rizzuto, Joe Morgan, Tony Perez...all borderline. With some of these abbreviated season cases, aren't we more like the vets committee--picking on the merits and what ifs rather than stone cold stats?

Mark3313: I don't like to play the "what if game" because one should only be judged based on what they really did. Al McGraw played over 1000 games with a OBS over 1.091; combine that with 2 MVPs and he's a Hall of Famer to me.

rbedwell: I think the closest real life analogy would be the Negro Leaguers. Does Monte Irvin deserve to be in the HOF on the basis of his MLB years?No, definitely not. But his play -- primarily his reputation and the guesswork as to what he might have accomplished in MLB if he'd had the opportunity -- are what got him voted in. It seems to me that the same logic could apply here.

Sandberg10: I'm glad we had such a low number of Hall-of-Fame nominations. On that note, I think none of the nominees deserves to be inducted. The players with the best stats only played eleven seasons.

I for one voted for McGraw for the reasons stated in my HOF Preview. And I am happy to see he made it. Congrats Big Al on your Induction!!

Hall Of Fame Canidates

Here is the list of available HOF canidates. While I think it is too soon for HOF inductions ,there are a couple that could be considered.

Al McGraw none none Age: 37 B/T: L/L Born: Clayton, AL Position(s): LF/1B/RF/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Awards: AS(4), MVP(2), SS_1B(1), SS_LF(2)
Franchises: Barking Moonbats, Beaver Hunters, Bombers, Posse, River Cats
Owners: illicit, nesman, raybie2305, sordie, velvet_moses

Big Al Mcgraw was a monster at the plate in our first few seasons. He smacked 72 homers and hit .330 in our inaugural  season.Playing for the Durham Bombers, Mcgraw won the MVP award the first two seasons and always hit above .300 in 7 of 8 years. He entered the F/A market in season three and signed with the Nashville Posse, for one of the biggest contracts in Wrigleyville history (5 years 47.5 mil).In S-7 the Posse declined thier option and resigned Mcgraw for a paltry 2.8 mil. I'm sure that Big Al saw the end was near and in S-8 he signed with the Moonbats for the league minimum. He came off the bench and mentored the youngsters on the Helena squad and it was the only year he hit below .300 .But with only 68 at bats who could get in a rhythm? He retired to his home town in Clayton Alabama and keeps himself busy raising Pot-Bellied Pigs. My feeling is that Big Al Mcgraw deserves induction based on his 8 short years in our league. He never hit the DL and was a very consistant player, year in and year out .

Andrew Brumfield none none Age: 37 B/T: R/R Born: Alice, TX Position(s): LF/CIF/OF/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Awards: AS(1), GG_RF(1), SS_3B(1)
Franchises: Black Bears, Bonebreakers, Fighting Illini, Pandemonium, Schrutes, Schrutes2, Slagathors, Tripods
Owners: Arte, boehnerm, pbsilver11, reigny, schefflerk5, tommyboy21

Andrew (the Bum) Brumfield should be arrested for stealing money. After making 72 million in seven seasons in Wrigleyville he hit only .288 striking out 486 times. He now spends most his time in Alice Texas running the streets with the Kingsville Ranch Clan. He belongs on the most 10 wanted list not the HOF.

Vic Kashmir none none Age: 37 B/T: S/L Born: Ogden, UT Position(s): 1B/LF/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Awards: AS(2), HRD Champ(1), SS_1B(1)
Franchises: Blues, Bonebreakers, Braves, Dealers, Devil Rays, Kickapoos, Long Shots, Patriotes, Salmonbellies, Schrutes, Schrutes2, Spuds, Sun Devils, Ticks, Tripods, Wee Wee Kickapoos, Westward Hos
Owners: ajwalton, andypavlovic, Arte, boehnerm, giles21,

Vic (Wooley) Kashmir has had a tumultous career in Wrigleyville. After being traded twice in his first season in the league. He was a solid player who spent a little time on the DL every once in a while. Even though "Old Wooley" averaged over .300 in his career. He only played 6 short seasons and really doesn't have the overall numbers for the HOF.

Edgardo Martinez none none Age: 37 B/T: S/R Born: Caripito, VE Position(s): 3B/1B/2B/OF/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Awards: AS(1), GG_3B(1), SS_3B(1)
Franchises: Bonebreakers, Courics, Ectoplasm, Flying Circus, Schrutes, Schrutes2, Tripods
Owners: Arte, baseballer77, boehnerm, snowedin

Edgardo (Gin) Martinez  spent his first 4 years with the Shrutes (both 1 and 2). Then in S-5 he signed with the Ectos, then went on the 60-DL . He was already declining in abilities and that injury probably kept him from a HOF induction. He has retired to his native country of Venezuala were he is the Energy Minister in charge of the Electrical Grid. He's gonna need a couple more martinis for that job.LOL

Adam Wright none none Age: 38 B/T: L/L Born: Wintersville, OH Position(s): P (P) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Awards: GG_P(1)
Franchises: Knights, Totems, Spartans, Horny Toads, Turkeys, Toros, Toyotas, Associates, Mickeys
Owners: jaredpaventi, moredog, madmuldoon, elgman, bigyunit, Sandberg10, tsteve28, grhii, Sonofodin52, StylishAdept

Adam (Doo)Wright played 13 games with the Tacomas then was traded to Santa Cruz which is now my team the Vancouver Totems. He started every season for the Knights and did real well winning 50 games in his first 4 seasons. Then I came to town and moved him to the pen where he was asked to hold leads or stop the bleeding. Wright probably would have had better numbers if it wasn't for the move to the Pen but his stats are what they are. Average!!! His ERA and WHIP are very good though. Maybe with a better team he would be a shoe in.

Ivan Ordaz none none Age: 38 B/T: L/R Born: Tela, HN Position(s): LF/1B/DH View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Awards: AS(2), AS MVP(1), SS_LF(1)
Franchises: Black Bears, Dairy Heirs, Fighting Illini, Monongahelas, Pandemonium, Slagathors, Toyotas
Owners: dmann2158, pbsilver11, reigny, Sandberg10, schefflerk5, tommyboy21, zmoty9

Ivan Ordaz  Played 13 games with his original team ,Pittsburgh. The Monongahelas released his big contract and Fargo picked him up. He spent two seasons there and went to free agency in S-3. The Toyotas signed him to a 5 year 40mil contract and became a big part of thier offense. His numbers 142 homers and .296 avg are at first glance not very impressive. But if you take into consideration Ordaz played in that Black Hole of a stadium in Tacoma. Then you may want to vote for this guy. I mean anybody who played in Tacoma without being traded deserves something. Purple Heart perhaps?

Rob Griffin none none Age: 40 B/T: R/R Born: Liberty, IN Position(s): P (Mop) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Awards: AS(1)
Franchises: Annihilators, Dairy Heirs, Justice, Monongahelas, Rednecks, Stars, Tobacco Farmers, Twins
Owners: atprasad, Chad167, crspinglover, dmann2158, jmas410, nwsheehy007, RubeRant, zmoty9

Rob (The Traveler) Griffin has played for a shitload of teams and has been a solid SP for all of them.Even Though he won 70 games and has a great ERA and Whip. Can  this be enough for induction? To me its close but not enough.But Griffin doesn't care. He is now living in Liberty Indiana selling stuff that he knows best............Suitcases!!

Clyde Little none none Age: 41 B/T: S/R Born: HShat, KY Position(s): P (SP5) View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Awards: AS(1)
Franchises: Renegades, Stars, Browns, Rednecks, Sturgeon, SilverHawks
Owners: crspinglover, shynent, jdbkaput, pat007ohmss, jmas410, ht44601

Clyde (Right Turn) Little was a big part of Milwaukees Rotation for six years. In his first 4 ,he put up HOF numbers . But age started to catch him in S-5 and S-6 where his wins fell dramaticaly. With the writing on the wall he entered F/A in S-7. And was snatched up by St louis for a fraction of what he used to make. He was converted to the Bull pen and that probably killed his chance to make the HOF.I'm told that Clyde is back in His hometown of HSat Kentucky working as a Driving Instructor.

Albert Sanchez none none Age: 36 B/T: L/L Born: Bauta, CU Position(s): DH/1B/LF View Hardball Dynasty Profile

Awards: None
Franchises: Flashers, Highlanders, Hip Waders, Howlers, Legends, Padawans
Owners: bille1222, jmuhtoff, ksoja82, lagzilla, neondeion21

Albert Sanchez also was released by the Pittsburgh franchise in season 1. And he bounced from team to team in his short career. If Albert was a position player he might get a little consideration in a HOF vote. But a Career DH that hit only .264 is not near HOF material. Sanchez could not be found after retirement.

Vancouver Totems

The Olympics,finally over in a seaside town that gets more rain than snow, the attention of the people still locked on hockey. I decided to find out why Madmuldoon has tried to place a baseball franchise in this pristine Puget Sound city. I caught up with Mad at Doolins Irish Pub. I was escorted to his table by Miss Smoked Salmon ( something that should probably be left to the imagination). Mad was gorging himself with Fish and Chips washing it down with a pint of Guinness. He motioned me to a chair and bellowed so whats on your mind. First off why baseball here? His answer was typical business " I figured I could capitalize on the Olympic frenzy". Yea but you have done little in this reporters eyes to improve this team. Through a spray of fries that smelled like garlic he bellowed the catching staff is now in intact. But what are your future plans? " rule 5 is approaching and I figure some talent will be there. But the bottom line is the city paid me to bring a franchise here and what ever I do I wont lose money. We are also going to have a new addition to the stadium this summer. Virtual curling pit yourself against the Olympic champs. So you see it really doesn't matter what I do. Its hockey. lacrosse(national sport of Canada) and curling. So let me buy you a pint and dig in the foods free also. I decided to take him up on his offer and dug in.

THE SEATTLE SUPERSONICS

One of our favorite owners thejnice has disappeared. It is rumored that the infamous Cyber-Terrorist Simy Bin Downlodin  is involved in his disappearance. Regardless the new owner of the team Kevingrt13, moved the franchise from New York to Seattle. I caught up Kevin at his favorite resturant Illegal Petes on the southside of Chicago. He was working overtime on a Burrito Grande Plate when i slid into the booth opposite him. He glanced up and muffled a welcome with a mouthful of  Tortilla and Meat . I said . "Kevin tell us about yourself?" He picked up the plate and tipped it at a 45 degree angle. The remaining burrito and Petes Special Sauce slid silently into his open mouth. He let out a loud burp then said. "I'm 23 from North Suburbs of Chicago. Currently work in Special Education. Love my White Sox and Blackhawks." The waitress then brought a Sancha Platter filled with Puffy Tacos and Frijoles. While he dug in i asked." Wow a White Sox fan in Wrigleyville . Are you looking to beat up on some Cub fans?" Kevin smiled with a piece of lettuce hanging from his teeth and said. " Us White Sox fans don't worry about them Cubbies. My concern is bringing Quality baseball to Seattle. I've only had a couple of days to look over this team and I'm trying to decide which way to go." with that he polished off the last of the tacos and said he had to catch a plane to Seattle. We shook hands and he was gone , leaving me with the check.
This team had a longtime owner who took good care of it. So Kevin walked into a Win-Win situation. With a few Tweaks here and there they may make some noise in Seattle. Welcome Kevingrt13