Hawaiians Beat Up Bedard

Hawaiian starter Justin Verlander limited the potent Cannibal offense to two solo homeruns, with help from Shane Victorino who robbed a front row Cannibal fan of a potential David Ortiz souvenir.

Strat-O-Matic Report

---

BOXSCORE: 2008 Honolulu Hawaiians At 2008 Lake Champlain Cannibals  4/18/2008
Hawaiians beat up Bedard
 
  Hawaiians          AB  R  H RBI AVG     Cannibals          AB  R  H RBI AVG
  S.Victorino RF      4  1  1  0 .273     K.Lofton LF         3  1  0  0 .600  
  P.Polanco 2B        5  1  1  2 .308   A-E.Encarnacion PH    1  0  0  0 .000  
  M.Tejada SS         4  1  1  0 .333     C.Granderson CF     3  0  1  1 .364  
  P.Burrell DH        4  1  1  0 .182   B-J.Francoeur PH      1  0  0  0 .500  
  J.Werth LF          4  0  1  0 .300     C.Jones 3B          4  1  1  1 .100  
  A.Rowand CF         3  1  1  0 .273     D.Ortiz 1B          3  1  1  1 .333  
  C.Kotchman 1B       4  0  2  2 .182     J.Thome DH          4  0  0  0 .400  
  Y.Escobar 3B        3  0  1  1 .364     J.Drew RF           4  0  3  0 .273  
  M.Redmond C         3  1  0  0 .182     E.Renteria SS       3  0  0  0 .364  
                                          R.Weeks 2B          4  0  1  0 .250  
                                          R.Doumit C          4  0  0  0 .333  
                     -- -- -- ---                            -- -- -- ---      
         Totals      34  6  9  5                 Totals      34  3  7  3
 
A-Pinch Hit For Lofton In 9th Inning
B-Pinch Hit For Granderson In 9th Inning
 
Hawaiians....... 0 1 0  2 0 0  3 0 0  -  6  9  1
Cannibals....... 0 0 0  1 1 1  0 0 0  -  3  7  0
 
Hawaiians (1-2)          IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR    ERA
J.Verlander               5 1/3   6   3   3   3   6   2   5.06
M.Rivera WIN(1-0)         3       1   0   0   1   3   0   4.15
J.Accardo SAVE(1st)       0 2/3   0   0   0   0   0   0   0.00
Totals                    9       7   3   3   4   9   2
 
Cannibals (2-1)          IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR    ERA
E.Bedard LOSS(0-1)        6 1/3   7   6   6   2   6   0   8.53
J.Cruz                    2 2/3   2   0   0   2   1   0   0.00
Totals                    9       9   6   6   4   7   0
 
ATTENDANCE- 45,466 DATE- Monday, April 18th 2008 TIME- Night 
T- 3:23
LEFT ON BASE- Hawaiians: 7  Cannibals: 8
DOUBLE PLAYS- Hawaiians: 0  Cannibals: 1
ERRORS- Y.Escobar
DOUBLES- S.Victorino(1st), P.Polanco(2nd), A.Rowand(2nd), R.Weeks(1st)
TRIPLES- C.Granderson(1st)
HOME RUNS- C.Jones(1st), D.Ortiz(2nd)
CAUGHT STEALING- J.Werth
WALKS- S.Victorino, M.Tejada, P.Burrell, Y.Escobar, K.Lofton, C.Granderson,
       D.Ortiz, E.Renteria
HIT BY PITCH- A.Rowand, M.Redmond
STRIKE OUTS- P.Polanco-2, P.Burrell, J.Werth-2, Y.Escobar, M.Redmond,
             C.Granderson, J.Thome-2, E.Renteria-2, R.Weeks-2, R.Doumit-2
GIDP- M.Redmond
PASSED BALLS- R.Doumit
WEB GEMS- Bot 7th: Shane Victorino robbed Chipper Jones of a Homerun!
 
At Creutzfeldt-Jakob's the Honolulu Hawaiians outscored the Lake Champlain
Cannibals 6 to 3.
 
Mariano Rivera(1-0) was dominant in relief.  He didn't allow much, just 1 hit
and 1 walk in 3 innings improving his ERA from 13.50 to 4.15.  Honolulu
rapped out 9 hits for the night.  
 
Rivera got relief help from Jeremy Accardo who gained credit for his 1st save.
Erik Bedard(0-1) absorbed the loss.  He allowed 7 hits and 2 walks in 6 and
1/3 innings.  
 

• Go to Strat-O-Matic Homepage

Rich "Thrill" Hill Spins Shutout in 1st Career NASBL Start

Strat-O-Matic Report

---

BOXSCORE: 2008 Honolulu Hawaiians At 2008 Lake Champlain Cannibals  4/17/2008
Rookie Rich "Thrill" Hill Spins Shutout in 1st NASBL Start
 
  Hawaiians          AB  R  H RBI AVG     Cannibals          AB  R  H RBI AVG
  S.Victorino RF      3  0  1  0 .286     K.Lofton LF         3  0  3  0 .857  
  P.Polanco 2B        4  0  2  0 .375   B-R.Weeks 2B          0  0  0  0 ----  
  M.Tejada SS         4  0  0  0 .375     C.Granderson CF     4  0  1  0 .375  
  P.Burrell DH        4  0  1  0 .143     C.Jones 3B          4  0  0  0 .000  
  J.Werth LF          3  0  2  0 .333     D.Ortiz 1B          4  0  1  0 .333  
  A.Rowand CF         4  0  1  0 .250     J.Thome DH          3  1  1  1 .667  
  C.Kotchman 1B       3  0  0  0 .000     J.Drew RF,LF        3  1  0  0 .000  
C-Y.Molina PH         1  0  0  0 .000     R.Doumit C          4  1  3  2 .600  
  Y.Escobar 3B        4  0  2  0 .375     A.Cora 2B           3  0  0  0 .167  
  M.Redmond C         4  0  1  0 .250   A-J.Francoeur PH,RF   0  0  0  01.000  
                                          E.Renteria SS       4  0  2  0 .500  
                     -- -- -- ---                            -- -- -- ---      
         Totals      34  0 10  0                 Totals      32  3 11  3
 
A-Pinch Hit For Cora In 8th Inning
B-Subbed Defensively (2B) For Lofton In 9th Inning
C-Pinch Hit For Kotchman In 9th Inning
 
Hawaiians....... 0 0 0  0 0 0  0 0 0  -  0 10  0
Cannibals....... 0 0 0  3 0 0  0 0    -  3 11  1
 
Hawaiians (0-2)          IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR    ERA
B.Webb LOSS(0-1)          3 1/3   8   3   3   2   2   2   8.10
R.Springer                3       1   0   0   0   3   0   4.91
M.Lindstrom               1 2/3   2   0   0   2   2   0   0.00
Totals                    8      11   3   3   4   7   2
 
Cannibals (2-0)          IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR    ERA
R.Hill WIN(1-0)           9      10   0   0   2   4   0   0.00
Totals                    9      10   0   0   2   4   0
 
ATTENDANCE- 43,653 DATE- Sunday, April 17th 2008 TIME- Night 
T- 2:55
LEFT ON BASE- Hawaiians:10  Cannibals: 9
DOUBLE PLAYS- Hawaiians: 1  Cannibals: 2
ERRORS- J.Drew
DOUBLES- Y.Escobar-2(2nd)
HOME RUNS- J.Thome(3rd), R.Doumit(1st)
CAUGHT STEALING- S.Victorino
WALKS- S.Victorino, J.Werth, K.Lofton, J.Thome, J.Drew, J.Francoeur
HIT BY PITCH- S.Victorino
STRIKE OUTS- P.Polanco, M.Tejada, C.Kotchman, M.Redmond, C.Granderson, C.Jones,
             J.Thome-2, J.Drew-2, R.Doumit
GIDP- M.Tejada, C.Kotchman, D.Ortiz
WILD PITCHES- M.Lindstrom
 
Rich Hill hurled a fine complete game shutout as the Lake Champlain Cannibals
defeated the Honolulu Hawaiians by a score of 3 to 0 at
Creutzfeldt-Jakob's.
 
Hill(1-0) delivered a fine performance for Lake Champlain.  He surrendered 10
hits and 2 walks in 9 innings.  Neither team managed to score after the 4th
inning.  
 
Brandon Webb(0-1) was hit with the loss.  He was unable to control the Lake
Champlain offense and allowed 8 hits and 2 walks in 3 and 1/3 innings.  
 

• Go to Strat-O-Matic Homepage

Cannibals Delivery Knockout Punch to Hawaiians on Opening Day

Strat-O-Matic Report

---

BOXSCORE: 2008 Honolulu Hawaiians At 2008 Lake Champlain Cannibals  4/16/2008
Cannibals Deliver Knockout Punch to Hawaiians on Opening Day
 
  Hawaiians          AB  R  H RBI AVG     Cannibals          AB  R  H RBI AVG
  S.Victorino RF      4  1  1  0 .250     K.Lofton LF         4  1  3  1 .750  
  P.Polanco 2B        4  0  1  0 .250   C-J.Francoeur PH,CF,R 1  0  1  21.000  
  M.Tejada SS         4  0  3  1 .750     C.Granderson CF     4  1  2  2 .500  
  P.Burrell DH        3  0  0  0 .000   D-C.Hart PH,RF,LF     0  0  0  0 ----  
  J.Werth LF          3  1  0  0 .000     C.Jones 3B          2  0  0  1 .000  
  A.Rowand CF         4  0  1  1 .250   E-E.Encarnacion PH,3B 1  0  0  0 .000  
  C.Kotchman 1B       4  0  0  0 .000     D.Ortiz 1B          5  1  2  1 .400  
  Y.Escobar 3B        4  0  1  0 .250     J.Thome DH          3  2  3  21.000  
  M.Redmond C         4  0  1  0 .250   G-W.Pena PH           1  0  0  0 .000  
                                          J.Drew RF,LF        4  0  0  0 .000  
                                        H-C.Young PH,CF       1  0  0  0 .000  
                                          R.Doumit C          1  0  0  0 .000  
                                        A-B.McCann PH,C       4  1  1  0 .250  
                                          A.Cora 2B           3  1  1  0 .333  
                                        B-J.Gomes PH          0  1  0  0 ----  
                                        F-R.Weeks 2B          0  0  0  0 ----  
                                          E.Renteria SS       4  2  2  1 .500  
                     -- -- -- ---                            -- -- -- ---      
         Totals      34  2  8  2                 Totals      38 10 15 10
 
A-Pinch Hit For Doumit In 3rd Inning
B-Pinch Hit For Cora In 7th Inning
C-Pinch Hit For Lofton In 7th Inning
D-Pinch Hit For Granderson In 7th Inning
E-Pinch Hit For Jones In 7th Inning
F-Subbed Defensively (2B) For Gomes In 8th Inning
G-Pinch Hit For Thome In 8th Inning
H-Pinch Hit For Drew In 8th Inning
 
Hawaiians....... 0 0 0  0 0 1  0 0 1  -  2  8  0
Cannibals....... 0 0 5  0 0 2  3 0    - 10 15  1
 
Hawaiians (0-1)          IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR    ERA
C.Zambrano LOSS(0-1)      2 1/3   6   5   5   1   2   3  19.29
M.Lindstrom               2       2   0   0   1   1   0   0.00
R.Springer                0 2/3   2   2   2   0   0   0  27.00
M.Rivera                  1 1/3   3   2   2   0   2   1  13.50
B.Tallet                  0 1/3   1   1   1   1   0   0  27.00
B.Seay                    1 1/3   1   0   0   1   1   0   0.00
Totals                    8      15  10  10   4   6   4
 
Cannibals (1-0)          IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR    ERA
J.Francis WIN(1-0)        9       8   2   1   2   4   0   1.00
Totals                    9       8   2   1   2   4   0
 
ATTENDANCE- 45,313 DATE- Saturday, April 16th 2008 TIME- Night 
T- 2:54
LEFT ON BASE- Hawaiians: 7  Cannibals: 9
DOUBLE PLAYS- Hawaiians: 0  Cannibals: 2
ERRORS- J.Francoeur
DOUBLES- P.Polanco(1st), M.Tejada(1st), A.Rowand(1st), B.McCann(1st)
TRIPLES- K.Lofton(1st), A.Cora(1st)
HOME RUNS- C.Granderson(1st), D.Ortiz(1st), J.Thome-2(2nd)
SACRIFICE FLIES- C.Jones
WALKS- P.Burrell, J.Werth, C.Hart, C.Jones, J.Thome, J.Gomes
STRIKE OUTS- S.Victorino, P.Polanco, P.Burrell, J.Werth, C.Granderson,
             D.Ortiz-3, J.Drew, C.Young
GIDP- S.Victorino, A.Rowand
 
Jim Thome ripped 2 homeruns and Jeff Francis completed the game without help
from the bullpen as the Lake Champlain Cannibals topped the Honolulu
Hawaiians by a score of 10 to 2 at Creutzfeldt-Jakob's.
 
The home town fans were very appreciative of the fine hitting performance
provided by Thome.  He delivered a base-hit in the 2nd inning, delivered a
solo blast in the 3rd inning and hit a bases-empty home run (his 2nd of the
season) in the 7th inning.  Lake Champlain had a total of 15 hits for the
game.  
 
Francis(1-0) picked up the complete game victory, allowing 2 runs. Carlos
Zambrano(0-1) ended up with the loss.  He served up 3 gopher balls in 2 and
1/3 innings.  
 

• Go to Strat-O-Matic Homepage

My 2 cents '08 Less Filling Division

LESS FILLING CENTRAL

VFS- Since '04 when the VFS made the play offs there has been a constant drum beat 'The year of the Sioux'. That happened for Manager Justin Rabidoux in '07 when they wrestled away the Central Crown from PCM winning the Central with a 93-69 record. After defeating SPL in Rd ,1 they lost in the LFCS to DFW. For VFS to repeat on their '07 performance they will need '07 MVP Albert Pujols (.342ba, 113r 342b, 52hr, 136rbi) to put up similar numbers. The offense is also lead by SS- D. Jeter (.315ba, 113r, 352b, 12hr), 2Bman R. Cano (.329ba, 542b, 17hr, 91rbi) and C- J.Pasoda (.300ba, 262b, 25hr, 72rbi). The pitching staff took a hit when young pitchers Josh Johnson (8-3, 3.72era, in 17gs) and Nelson Liriano (9-5, 3.72era, 98ip, 132ko) will miss the entire season due to arm injuries. John Lackey (18-7, 3.354era) is coming off a great '07 will lead the rotation that also got help in the Draft in Rd 2 pick, Tom Gorzelanny. Closer duties will be in the hands of Bill Wagner (2-6, 2.96era, 35sv) again. Look for 3Rd picks Hideki Okajima & Tony Pena to get plenty of action. VFS need to get off to a fast start. If they can do that then they will contend again in '08.

NYK- In '07 all you heard was VFS winning the Division Crown that had been PCM for years. Well flying under the radar was the job that Mitchell Pak's NYK did coming in 2nd place just 6.5 behind VFS with a 87-65 record. For years the Knights have struggled in the NASBL but give credit to Manager Pak when NYK decided to build the team through the Draft. In '06 the drafted CFer Grady Sizemore (.303ba, 106r, 392b, 20hr) 3Bman Garret Atkins (.292ba, 93r, 412b, 21hr, 104rbi) and Billy Hall (.291ba, 108r, 4532b, 49hr, 134rbi). Then in '07 drafted pitchers Matt Cain (15-10, 5.33era), Takashi Saito (5-3, 1.88era, 37sv), Adam Wainwright (5-5, 4.30era) All 6 players were a big part of NYK success in '07. NYK were 3rd in team batting '07 and they will add 1st Rd pick OFer Matt Kemp who is a 5-tool player. NYK grabbed C/1B Jason Saltalamacchia in Rd 2. In '07 NYK only used 5 starters and look for the rotation to get tougher with the addition of Wainwright. If NYK can build on their '07 success then they should be in the running for the Central Crown again in '08.


PCM- While if you haven't heard by now, PCM missed the playoffs for the 1st time in 7 years. Even missing the playoffs Johan Santana (22-7, 3.23era) won the Cy Young award. Bronson Arroyo (18-11, 4.93era) had a big year, but were the only two starters with a winning record. Manager Bill Anderson knows to get back to old PCM form John Smoltz (10-15, 4.14era) who had a very unlike Smoltz season needs to turn it around. Another big factor has been the injury to HOF P- Pedro Martinez (5-10, 4.52era) will be limited again this season. All-time PCM saves leader Trevor Hoffman (185) will get some much added help in Bobby Jenks. CFer Tori Hunter (.276ba, 36hr, 93rbi) lead the offense and young power hitter Prince Fielder (.268ba, 21hr, 76rbi) who was 2nd on the team in RBIs, looks to have a breakout year. PCM will miss the production of Juan Rivera (.338ba, 292b, 17hr) who is out for the year. To help the offense PCM hopes 1st Rd pick 3Bman Kevin Kouzmanoff, 2nd Rd pick OFer Travis Buck will help carry the load.Look for PCM to be focused in regaining the Central Title back in '08.

GCG- To say that the years haven't been to kind for GCG would be a major under statement. Having stated that could '08 be the season the fans and Manager Jack Howard have been waiting for. After a few year's of some questionable 1st Rd draft picks like in '06 SS Jhonny Peralta, who has been released and '07 SS Scott Drew, granted the jury is still out on Drew, you have to give Howard credit for C Russell Martin & 2Bman Brandon Phillips
taken in the 2nd and 3rd Rd of the '07 draft. Last year they traded for 3B Miguel Cabrera who is one of the best young hitters in the league. In '08 GCG looks to have one of the Best infields in NASBL. With four '1's' in 3B Mike Lowell, 2B Brandon Phillips, 1B Kevin Youkilis, C Russell Martin. SS Yuniesky Betancourt is the lone '2' (gosh, what a loser--NOT). Now go back to the Draft when on Draft Day GCG traded the 1st overall to NJT for their 1st & 3rd. With the NJT pick GCG took Rookie sensation BJ Upton! Parlay that hitting & fielding with the pitching of Ben Sheets, Jon Garland, Mark Buehrle, 2nd Rd pick Brian Bannister and Zack Greinke and with relief help from Peter Moylan, Lee Gardner & Bob Howry, '08 will be the season the fan and Jack have been waiting for!!

LESS FILLING WEST
Before we start with each teams write-up, will this be this last year we see two HOF'ers in pitcher Roger Clemens and OF Barry Bonds? Granted it doesn't look good for them to return but after that dog and pony show in front of Congress with the 'Rocket' and Brian Mac anything is possible. Baseball has looked the other way for years when it has come to certain drugs and drug testing. How do you call it a random drug test if you give a player a 'heads up' in advance? Give me a Freakin' Break! Thanks for letting me vent.


DFW- '07 saw two big things return to DFW. #1 Barry Bonds came back from only having 45 at-bats is '06 and #2 DFW defeated SPR 4-2 in the NASBL World Series. (There was much rejoicing!) '08 provides two more big questions for DFW, 1- Can they repeat? and 2- Will this be Barry Bonds last season? Let's start with #2- Everybody in DFW hopes Bonds will hopefully come back for 1 more year. As for #1 repeating, it will be up to the heart of the Spurs in the likes of Bonds (.276ba, 28hr, 81rbi, 90bb in only 366ab's) C Victor Martinez (.361ba, 312b, 10hr, 62rbi) and DH Travis Hafner (.291ba, 322b, 41hr, 126rbi). Also the Spurs need to have RF Ken Griffey Jr to bounce back from a dismal '07 along with 1B Derek Lee, who hopes he can find his MVP numbers of '06. Pitching will be the big question as it always is. One NASBL manager was quoted "DFW always seem to piece to gather a staff", well when Manager Red Robbins heard that he replied, "I can't believe he said that", then after a few seconds said, "who am I kidding, he's right!" Veterans Greg Maddux, and Dave Bush will need help from Draft picks 1st Rd Jeremy Guthrie and 4th Rd Justin Germano to pick up the slack if DFW has any chance of repeating.


SPL- '07 SPL finish second in the West with a 91-71 record. After a 3 year absence from the playoffs SPL was the Wild Card team. Even though they were defeated in the playoffs by VFS, SPL has a lot of good things to look forward to in '08. SPL got things going in the off season in a 3 fer 1 trade which landed them OFer Ichiro Suzuki. Suzuki will join regulars C Joe Mauer (.338ba, 402b, 20hr, 82rbi), DH Paul Konerko(.305ba, 312b, 35hr, 104rbi) and 1B Mark Teixeira (.270ba, 412b, 27hr, 111rbi). 3B Troy Glaus belted 40 homers and Gold Glove 2B Orlando Hudson. 1st Rd draft pick 3B Alex Gordan won the MVP in the minors, don't be surprised if he doesn't repeat it at this level. Will this be the last year of HOF Roger Clemens? If it is then don't be surprised if Felix Hernandez doesn't follow him around everywhere he goes. King Felix (7-14, 6.52era) has already learn from Clemens in his rookie year to become the ace in .08. 2nd Rd pick Wandy Rodriquez and 3rd Rd pick Shaun Marcum look to join Jarrod Washburn, Nate Robertson and Boof Bonser to round out the rotation. If Justin Hampson and Pat Neshek can get the ball Closer's Rafael Soriano, then Manager Frank Pennylegion will have a lot to smile about this year.


MSU- '07 saw MSU finish 12 games over .500 at 87-75 to finish in 3rd in the West. Well manager James Bessinger was busy in the off season trading for some much needed lefty bats in 1B Carlos Delgado and RFer Bobby Abreu. With 3B David Wright (.307ba, 322b,, 21hr, 89rbi) SS Jose Reyes (.277ba, 110r, 272b, 163b, 15hr, 77sb & only 5cs) C Ivan Rodriquez (.277ba, ) and OFers Carlos Lee (.260ba, 81r, 31hr, 102rbi) Raul Ibanez (.275ba, 39hr, 99rbi) will provide MSU with a nice offensive punch. Added to that the gift MSU got in Rd 1 of the Draft when the hitting machine of Ryan Braun feel in their lap with the 9th pick. The pitching staff is lead by Derek Lowe (14-9, 3.81era) Josh Beckett (11-6, 4.36era), Jake Westbrook (15-10, 4.98era). Look for Cole Hamels (7-10, 6.08era) to improve on his rookie numbers. Draft picks P Kyle Kendrick (4th Rd) and Jason Bergmann and Andy Sonnanstine (both 5th Rd'ers) both should get a lot of work in the rotation. MSU secret weapon is Closer JJ Putz (6-3, 1.34era, 38sv) is coming off an outstanding FOY in '07. If Putz has another big year that means MSU will be in the play off hunt in '08.

TRY- The good news is '07 was a very successful year for TRY who finished with a record of 87-76. The bad news is they finish 4th in the South that saw every team finish over .500. Well 1st year manager Ken Anderson had a very busy off season. The 1st big deal Ken did was traded CFer Ichiro Suzuki to SPL for OFers Andruw Jones & Andre Ethier, and SS David Eckstein. The 2nd big deal was when Ken sent 2B Chase Utley, OFer Carl Crawford, and P Matt Capps to LVI for P Jered Weaver, LF Matt Holliday, and 2B Mark Ellis. TRY will have a different look this year with the new additions. On Draft day after selecting OFer Hunter Pence with the 7th overall pick should fit in nicely with Holiday, Jones & Ethier.
Ken then made his 3rd big trade when he traded with HHA to get the rights to Draft P John Maine who will be in the rotation with Jered Weaver behind the likes of ace Fausto Carmona and Brad Penny. If the pitching staff can overcome 2 big injuries to Chris Carpenter (15-7, 3.92era) and Closer BJ Ryan (7-4, 1.52era, 35sv) both who are out for the year, then TRY should be able to repeat their success of '07 and be a contender this year.

My 2 cents '08 Taste Great Division

TASTE GREAT EAST
HHA- In '07 HHA won 103 games and won the East. Then in the LCS saw a 3 games to 1 lead over SPR evaporate and lost in a hard fought 7 game series. 2008 Looks to be another 3 team race and HHA has the horses to be the lead horse. HHA has 1 of the best rotations in NASBL with C.Zambrano (20-10, 3.81era), R.Oswalt (18-7, 3.84era), Brandon Webb (15-12, 4.46era), C.Wang (11-6, 4.91era), and J.Verlander (10-6, 5.55era) all will return and hope to repeat their success of '07. HOF Closer M.Rivera (4-3-40sv, 1.60era) is back to anchor the bullpen. HHA lead the NASBL last year with a team batting average of .295. Shortstop and League Leading hitter M.Tejada .371ba 39hr with 155rbi returns along with some new faces 2B-man P.Polanco and OF'er S.Victoria who came over in trades before the draft. HHA drafted young hitters in Jame Loney and Casey Kotchman to fill in at 1B/DH. Look for Manager Stan to have HHA pick up where they left off in '07 and should be in the race the entire season.
SPR- After winning 101 games in '07, SPR went to the World Series and lost a very hard fought series to DFW 4 games to 2. One might think the Isotopes might have a 'nuclear meltdown', well according to our man Smithers that's the last thing that will happen. First Manager Doug Sherlag traded Fan Favorite Closer Joe Nathan who had 3 straight years of over 40 saves each to ILL for power hitter Adam Dunn to help protect last year's MVP Lance Berkman (.351ba, 292b, 53hr, 137rbi). Dunn will be a perfect fit in M.Burns Mem. Field. SPR also helped themselves in the draft. They drafted 3Bman Akinori Iwamura and on-base wizard OF/DH Jack Cust. The pitching staff is lead by Cy Young Winner C.C. Sabathia (19-6, 2.43era, 11cg) is coming off an outstanding '07. Also in the rotation T.Lilly (13-6, 3.65era), J.Vazquez (14-11, 4.75era). Look for AJ Burnett (7-7, 4.76era) to pick up the starts that SPR loss in N.Robinson. New Closer Jonathan Papelbon should pick up right where Nathan left off. Like '07 SPR will be a contender again in '08.

LCC- In '07 LCC won 97 games, which would have won Two Divisions, however LCC just happens to be in the East and just missed the play-offs. You can bet your last dollar that missing the play offs like that will give Manager Beard more motivation this season. '07 the Cannibals scored more runs (1039) and hit more HR's (322) than any other team in the NASBL. The offense is lead by last season's Homerun leader 'Big' Pa Pi David Ortiz (.279ba, 57hr, 140rbi). Chipper Jones (.352ba, 332b, 38hr, 107rbi) looks to improve on his '07 numbers and ROY catcher Brian McCann (.320ba, 292b, 25hr, 83rbi) will lead a very powerful lineup. Eric Bedard (14-10, 5.11era) will anchor the starting staff along with Mr. Bloody sock Curt Schilling (5-5, 5.60era), and veteran Mike Mussina (16-10, 4.37era) both hope to regain their old winning form. Jeff Francis (14-9, 4.15era), and 1st Rd pick LHP Rich Hill round out the staff. The relief staff is deep with the likes of Rafael Perez, Ryan Franklin, Derrick Turnbow, Juan Cruz, Taylor Tankersley, Brian Shouse however closer duties will be the 1st to answer the bullpen phone.

ILL- Early in '07 Manager Brad Sherlag realized it was going to be a rebuilding year and made the most of it by trading off some current talent for two 1st round draft picks. ILL looks to go from pretender to contender thanks to 1st round Draft picks in SS-Troy Tulowitzki, power hitting 1Bman Carlos Pena and 2Bman Kelly Johnson. CF Carlos Beltran (.278ba, 352b, 40hr, 84rbi) returns and the new DH ex-SS Hanley Rameriz (.265ba, 442b, 6tr, 17hr, 74rbi 37sb) looks to have a breakout season. Don't forget about the table-sitter in Chone Figgins. They pitching staff is lead by Roy Halladay (11-16, 4.70era) James Shields (2-3, 5.27era),Joe Blanton(3-13, 8.90era) Tom Glavine (11-13, 5.12era) and 4th Rd pick Micah Owings. In another big move to shore up the closer role ILL traded for stopper Joe Nathan for SPR. Sherlag to Sherlag D'OH! ILL also brought back Fan Favorites who had been cut in the likes of P Chris Capuano & 2Bman Tadahito Iguchi. The East might be the toughest Division from Top to bottom and ILL has the horses to compete this season.

TASTE GREAT SOUTH
OJW- '07 was a year that had it all for OJW. Let's start with the Good, OJW finished 2nd in the South just 2 games behind TTB. Alfonso Soriano while batting just .237 had a great run production with 95r, 402b, 40hr, 116rbi and stole 43 bases and was thrown out 10 times in becoming a 40/40 man! Manny Ramirez didn't have his MVP type numbers (.285, 36hr, 93rbi). LHP Scott Kamir was the only starter with a winning record (11-7, 3.93era). The Bad, only won 68 games. Jake Peavy and Tim Hudson went a combined 19-30, 5.68era. The Ugly, every team in the South finished under .500 and OJW was next to last in the NASBL in Team Batting. The Outlook for '08 looks to be a lot more of the Good this year. It started when OJW drafted 2Bman Dustin Pedroia with their 1st Rd pick and hit it big again with their 2nd Rd pick in Closer Joakim Soria. OJW hopes that CF'er Willy Taveras (.279ba, 39sb) improves on his '07 numbers and is truly an OF'er the pitching staff enjoys playing behind them. Look for pitchers Jake Peavy and Tim Hudson to have bounce back seasons. Mark has all OJW fans feeling lucky and of course got them saying 'Do you feel lucky?'

NJT- '07 saw NJT winning only 60 games. Well management wants to get back to the winning blueprint days of the teams that won over 90 games year to year. The first thing that John Moscariello did was trade for the Top pick in the Draft where they selected young fireballer pitcher Tim Lincecum who they hope will be in he rotation for years to come. Along with Jemery Bonderman (16-14, 4.57era) and converted reliever Chad Billingsley (0-1, 8.23era) and NJT hopes Oliver Perez can find his old form of '06 when he was with OJW and posted an 11-5 record, 3.50era. Veteran Francisco Cordero holds down the Closer duties and has 89 saves the last 4 seasons for NJT. NJT are lead by 'All-World' 3Bman Alex Rodriquez (.316ba, 33hr, 117rbi) who had a down year in '07. Wait DOWN YEAR? That's my kind of down year! After an injury '07 year SS J.J.Hardy looks to join a fine young DP combination with 2Bman Howie Kendrick or Ian Kinsler. DH Gary Sheffield looks to improve on his '07 numbers of .344ba in just 44 games. OF Nick Swisher (.267BA, 38HR, 104) looks to pick up where he left off last season. 2nd Rd pick Delvin Young was a steal. Look for NJT to improve this season and with a few breaks will be in the race all year.

GRK- After a miserable year in '07 GRK looks to regain their Championship form of '06. The offense is lead by OF'er Vladimir Guerrero (.354ba, 218h 442b, 39hr, 122rbi) who is coming off a Monster '07 year. Look for Alex Rois, Magglio Orddonez and Nick Markakis to pick up their production for long time Fan Favorites Jim Edmonds and Ray Durham both were released prior to the Draft. SS Jimmy Rollins looks to have a breakout season too. Manager Johnny Miller made the most of this year's draft by taking P Yovani Gallardo with the 2nd overall pick. In Rd 2 they nabbed P Dustin McGowan and then in a traded made with MSU they grabbed Closer Manny Corpas. In Rd 3 they got Carlos Villanueva, all 4 players drafted will be a big part of GRK success or downfall this year. The starting staff also includes veterans Noah Lowry (2-9, 5.70era) and Kelvim Escobar (7-14, 5.54era). Back in '06 when it was Roger Clemens (23-2, 2.37era) who had an Incredible year to lead GRK. This year GRK need all their young arms to come to gather.


LVI- Without even playing a game new NASBL Manager Kevin Burns made two big changes. First he took over TTB and moved them to their new home in LVI. The big change their was that TTB was a very hitter friendly ballpark where you saw balls flying over the fences left and right. Well new LVI is a pitcher's park where those long homeruns will turn into long flyball outs. The second was a big 6 player deal that saw LVI getting Chase Utley, Carl Crawford, and Matt Capps for Jered Weaver, Matt Holliday, and Mark Ellis from TRY. Manager Burns also had an excellent 1st year Draft by picking Daisuke Matsuzaka (Dice-K) with the 11th overall pick, which will be a perfect fit for 'The Pig Pen' (which is the name of LVI Stadium----Charlie Brown), and in Rd 2 they picked up Josh Hamilton who could become the Best OF'er that comes out of the '08 Draft. 1Bman Ryan Howard looks to repeat his '07 stats of .297ba, 54hr, 133rbi, should have alot of RBI opportunities with Carl Crawford and Chase Utley reaching base ahead of him. LVI will have a big say who comes out of the South this year!

Griz Name Lou Pinella as Manager

The Griz and their fans have suffered enough said GM Hog Howard who has been barred from field action. Howard isn't even allowed on little league fields according to his kids. Losing and Hog Howard is as synonymous as hair on soap. It has been rumored that NASBL officials are so tired of having a 15 team league that they may release Howard from team ownership and seek someone who cares.

Griz Ownership took a radical move and hired a real baseball person, Lou Pinella, to manage the team. We saw Lou turn the Cubs into a baseball team in a year - something that had not been done for 99 years. Lou said he is always up for a challenge. Lou stated, "I thought teaching the Cubs how to play baseball was the impossible dream - but if that is so - teaching the Griz may be the Never Ending Story. This should drive me out of baseball." Bud selig, MLB Commissioner said, "Lou should get a Medal of Honor just for taking on this challenge."

Lou'sfirst order of business was to start hiring his coaching staff and he could not resist bringing back "Wavin Wendall" Kim. Wavin Wendall has never seen a Stop Sign that he liked or didn't run through. Pirate fans remember Kim waving Smokey Burgess home in the 10th inning of the 7th game of the 1960 World Series for the 2nd out and putting extreme pressure on Mazeroski to hit it out for the win.

Lou broght old friend Johnny Sain back from the dead to be the pitching coach. Lou said Sain worked a miralce with the southside pitching staff and hopes he can repeat that performance in Grundy County.

Other names being considered for coaching positions include Jack, John, Jay, Jorge, Jim, and Bill.

Winter Strom hits Texas

Every March teams schedule an exhibition game at the their home site or at the site of one of their minor league teams. DFW scheduled to play LCC at their AA Team site in Frisco Texas. The early morning start which was schedule to be played at 11am on Thursday March 7th had to be postponed due to bad weather. A very rare snow storm dump between a massive 2 to 6 inches of snow. The game was postponed. The only problem was nobody told LCC. They were at the ballpark at 8.00am getting dressed to play. By 9.00am still no one showed up except 'Old Man Carroll' who is the grounds keeper. Finally around 10am ex-DFW SS Edgar Renteria turned on the T.V. and heard the announcement that the game had been canceled because of the winter blizzard. Skipper of LCC Stephen Beard said, 'Hell you call this a freaking blizzard? This is a nice day back in Vermont in March. Great, we have to come down here in August and play when it's hotter than blazes'. In a few minutes Beard got a call from DFW manager Red Robbins who apologized for the situation and explained that the DFW area only had two sand trucks. By the end of the conversation Beard was laughing and was heard saying, 'OK, but in August the Molson is on you'!!