Topes Honor Award Winners Berkman, Sabathia

Springfield (AP) - The Springfield Isotopes held a gala dinner on Monday to honor two home-grown talents. Commissioner Beard announced last month that Lance Berkman was the recipient of the Tastes Great NASBL MVP award and C.C. Sabathia won the Tastes Great Cy Young award. This is the first MVP or Cy Young that an Isotope has received and only the 2nd MVP and 1st Cy Young award given to a player outside of New Jersey or Georgia in the past seven seasons.

Berkman came to the Topes as a first round draft pick in 2001 and has been, along with Eric Chavez, the Topes offensive leader since that time. In his seven years with the Topes, Berkman has hit .306 while averaging 100 runs scored, 31 home runs and 106 runs batted in. However, 2007 was a really special one for Berkman. Berkman hit .351 with 110 runs scored, 53 home runs, and 137 runs batted in. "We're just really happy for Lance. He's done everything that we've asked of him since we drafted him, be it playing centerfield, right field, left field, designated hitter, or first base. We've platooned him in some seasons and I think that may be the only reason this is only his first MVP," said Topes GM Doug Sherlag.

"It's a nice honor and I'm glad that the NASBL media finally realizes that they play baseball outside of New Jersey and Georgia, but I still have a sour taste in my mouth from the World Series. I'd give this award back if the cold October wind wouldn't have blown my shot back in the yard versus K-Rod. We've averaged 95 wins since I've been here, and I still haven't won a title. That hurts," quipped Berkman.

Sabathia was the Topes first round draft pick in the following season. Unlike Berkman, C.C. has struggled to be a consistent all-star caliber player. Going into the 2006 season, Sabathia was 44-37 with a career ERA of 5.08. In 2006, Sabathia won 14 games with an ERA a half a run below leage average and in 2007 he had a season for the ages. C.C. went 19-6 with an other-worldly 2.43 ERA, which over two and a half runs better than league average and was the 2nd lowest ERA of any NASBL starting pitcher on record. "This is the C.C. Sabathia that we always knew would show himself one day. He has really turned the corner and as long as the banquet circuit doesn't hurt his weight too badly, C.C. should be able to mirror this succes going forward," quipped Sherlag. "That being said, C.C. has been beat up a little too much by the national NASBL media, especially in New York. This is a guy who was won 77 games in the NASBL and is still only 27 years old."

C.C. also was still smarting from the Topes 2nd defeat to the Spurs in the World Series during his tenure. "Next year, not only will I be celebrating another Cy Young Award, but I believe my teammates will be here with me, celebrating a World Series victory."

Miami Surf

Miami: The Miami Surf, coming off a disappointing 2007 season, has high expectations heading into the 2008 campaign. The off-season additions of 1B Carlos Delgado and RF Bobby Abreu have the Surf fans excited. Miami’s blend of Youth and Veterans should be able to surpass last seasons win total. When asked what the problem was from last year? GM Bessinger stated, “We have to learn to Win the big games on the Road, for some reason we play well at home, but on the road we play like S#$%.” Here is a look at Miami’s pre-season ( trading not done yet ) Roster: C Pudge, 1B Delgado, 2B Kent, SS Reyes, 3B Wright, LF Lee, CF Cameron, RF Abreu, SP Beckett, SP Hamels, SP Lowe, SP Westbrook, CL Putz, CL Cordero.

Cuddyer 1st

Justin Morneau of the Grundy County Grizzlies welcomes Michael Cuddyer to the Bear's clan. Jack Howard, GCG's GM has decided Cuddyer will be the first choice in the Supplemental Draft. Cuddyer (right) celebrates being a first overall pick - even if it is a Supplemental Draft.

Howard has set Cuddyer's name as the Bears 1st choice in the website's autodraft and when Steve Beard, league commissioner, flips the switch to start the draft - Howard's announcement of the Griz choice will be made.

Originally, Howard cut the Griz roster to the minimum with the intent of trying to help his beleaguered pitching staff. After studying the available free agent pitchers, Howard gleefully planned the staff rebuilding.

Justin Morneau, the Griz slugging 1B, called Howard and suggested Cuddyer would be a good addition to the team. Howard was surprised that Cuddyer was made available by division rival New York Knights. He met with Cuddyer and it wasn't long before Howard signed Cuddyer and declared him as the Griz regular RF.

Howard stated in response to questions from Bob Uecker, Bear radio announcer, regarding why the switch from pitching to Cuddyer - "Pitchers, pitchers, we don't need no stinking pitchers."

Haymakers Trade Announcement

Troy: The Haymakers made a major trade today picking up pheonom pitcher Jered Weaver, slugger Matt Holliday and slick fielder Mark Ellis for Chase Utley, Carl Crawford, and Matt Capps. "We're trying to improve on our successful first season while building a strong foundation for the franchise," GM Ken Anderson said, "We really needed another arm in the rotation and although Weaver still has some growing up to do, he should fill in nicely as our 3rd starter."
Matt Holliday will fill in nicely replacing Utley's bat in the lineup, but there are some questions about his attitude. "I've heard his comments about the Iron Pigs new park, and I'm sure he's going to work hard here," manager Davey Johnson said, "I mean we have a big outfield here too." When Holliday was asked about what he said about the Pig Pen, "I'm sure I won't have anything to worry about. I mean I'll be roaming out there with Andrew Jones and Vernon Wells. I could practically sleep out there, they cover so much ground."
Weaver moves into a rotation already lead by Brad Penny and young Fausto Carmona. "We have a few young arms with good stuff, our plan is to build our rotation around Carmona and Weaver," the GM said, "And if Scott (Olsen) can keep hit attitude in line he should be able to turn it around" That's a lot of pressure for Weaver, who had some shoulder issues and wore down last year after a long season. Plus he is the brother of one of the biggest head cases in the game. "A lot has been said about me and my brother Jeff," Weaver said, "I'm here to work as hard as I can and bring this franchise a championship."
So overall, is the team better? We will have to wait to find out. Bring on the regular season!

GCG is Peeking Out of the Cellar - Maybe

GCG has had its butt kicked by NASBL managers for years, we pulled out of the NASBL basement once and were rudely pushed back in by your mighty teams. We have been there so long that we redecorated the place. Once known for our pitching - we won't be thought of as a good pitching team for some time to come.

1st round decisions have been are downfall - or more truthfully have kept us down. Oswalt and Rollins have been traded, and picking a SS the last 2 years hasn't paid off - /Drew needs time, Peralta needs a glove and someone who loves him. Before that Prior and Greinke looked to dominate for years. Prior has dominated the DL and Greinke is looking to find his way. Both were kept this year in hopes they may some day fulfill the role of Ace instead of Joker.

Poor management has been my fault. I would have been fired in MLB years ago.

What does 2008 hold in store for the bears of Grundy County? Well things are looking up. We declare we have the best infield in NASBL history. Youkilis anchors 1b 1e0, Phillips 2b-1e8, Martin CA-1(-2)e1, Lowell 3B-1e16, and Betancourt SS-2e25. Several of you have recognized that and made some offers. Miggy and Morneau will play a lot on the road at 3B/1B/DH, and Drew will take a few swings while relieving Yuniesky at SS.

Where do we go from here. The last 2 years we passed on 2 of the most powerful bats because of Morneau/Youkilis/and Nick "The Stick" Johnson all ready were 1B roster invitees. Will we pass this years power bat - not likely? Braun can DH all he wants.

Shall we make it 3 years in a row of drafting a SS 1st. Tool-time is a better hitter and fielder than our returning roster invitees and he is thought of as highly as any young player in baseball.

What about drafting players/pitcher who would fill our needs? Wouldn't that be prudent? Need Pitching/Outfielders. Outfiled names like Young, Pence, Upton come to mind. All sound good to me. Pitching won't be as good this year as last - at least for ACE quality starters. Maybe I should fill my needs there.

We have a pretty nice early group of players to chose from - at least 1 round of really good players so if you own a 1st round draft pick or 3 - you have a good chance of adding a quality player(s). I don't know what I am going to do at his point and would be willing to trade the 1st pick if a offered a nice premium. I think Tulowitzki and Braun are the elite of the group. Tehy would help any and all of us if we had them.

Best wishes to all for the coming season - i hope to start returning the butt-kicking favor to each of you.

Roadkill part ways with two vets

In an obvious

cost-cutting move the Roadkill front office waived long-time fan fav's Ray Durham & Jim Edmonds. Durham has spent all but 1/2 season with GRK while Edmonds his entire career.

Durham leaves the Roadkill with a career .272 BA and just finished the 2007 season with a personal record of 28 HR's. Ray was never known as a slick fielder but was a clubhouse leader and a dual threat on the bases with J-Roll the last couple of seasons.

Edmonds was the human highlight film patrolling CF and winning numerous GG awards. His glovework was outstanding and the pinnacle was during the 2006 post-season leading the Roadkill to their first NASBL title. He leaves GRK matching Durham's .272 career BA, 298 HR's & 837 RBI's.

With the acquistion of Alex Rios via trade and Nick Markakis the draft the Roadkill are obviously trying to rebuild the organization after the disastrous 2007 season. Aaron Hill has solidified his position at 2B allowing Durham to pursue free agency.

Veterans say Aloha

Aloha means goodbye, or in NASBL speak, you've been released or traded. Trader Stan was at it again this offseason as he shipped Kenny Lofton to LCC, Milton Bradley and Ian Snell to DFW and Bobby Abreu to Miami. Not content with that bit of bloodletting, heads rooled at cutdown time. Among the cuts were former 1st round pick Anibal Sanchez as well as veteran Hawaiians Danny Cabrera (also a former #1), Lyle Overbay, Jose Castillo and others. GM Pietruska has pointed the ship in a new direction as defense seems to be the order of the day. Among the new Hawaiians will be RF-1 Shane Victorino and 2B-2 Placido Polanco. The team expects to rebuild through the draft and may move star slugger Pat Burrell. There were several rumors which had Burrell going to another team and the on again/off again trade rumors seem to be back.

As always it should be another interesting spring for the Island Boys.