Napoli Walk-Off Keeps Outlaw Playoff Hopes Alive

With the crowd on their collective feet, screaming at the top of their lungs, Outlaw Josey Wales rallied to top slumping Miami Surf by the score of 6 to 5. Outlaw had the winning rally in the 9th inning as they scored 4 runs on 3 base hits. The key at-bat was by Mike Napoli who made the home-town crowd a happy bunch when he cracked a two-run shot (his 7th of the season). Despite losing, Miami out-hit Outlaw 12 to 7. The victory was credited to Jared Burton(7-3) who went 2/3 of an inning, allowing no runs. J.J. Putz(4-3) took the loss in relief. 'That was exciting!,' Omar Vizquel said. 'I would have paid money to watch this one.'

Strat-O-Matic Report

---

BOXSCORE: 2008 Miami Surf At 2008 Outlaw Josey Wales                9/14/2008
 
  Surf               AB  R  H RBI AVG     Josey Wales        AB  R  H RBI AVG
  J.Reyes SS          5  1  1  0 .270     A.Soriano DH        4  0  1  1 .305  
  M.Cameron CF        4  1  0  0 .202     D.Pedroia 2B        3  0  1  0 .314  
  D.Wright 3B         5  0  1  0 .314     W.Taveras CF        4  0  0  1 .315  
  R.Braun DH          3  2  2  1 .251     A.Gonzalez 1B       4  1  1  0 .243  
  C.Lee LF            3  1  2  3 .270     M.Ramirez RF        3  1  0  0 .310  
  G.Dobbs RF          4  0  2  1 .258     A.Ramirez 3B        4  0  1  1 .293  
  J.Kent 2B           4  0  1  0 .279   A-R.Theriot PR        0  1  0  0 .268  
  L.Overbay 1B        3  0  2  0 .254     J.Bay LF            3  0  0  0 .235  
  I.Rodriguez C       4  0  1  0 .248   B-G.Anderson PH       0  0  0  0 .321  
                                        C-R.Ludwick PH        0  0  0  1 .270  
                                          M.Napoli C          3  2  1  2 .214  
                                          O.Vizquel SS        3  1  2  0 .197  
                     -- -- -- ---                            -- -- -- ---      
         Totals      35  5 12  5                 Totals      31  6  7  6
 
A-Pinch Ran For Ramirez In 9th Inning
B-Pinch Hit For Bay In 9th Inning
C-Pinch Hit For Anderson In 9th Inning
 
Surf............ 3 0 2  0 0 0  0 0 0  -  5 12  0
Josey Wales..... 0 0 0  0 0 1  0 1 4  -  6  7  0
 
Surf (77-67)             IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR    ERA
J.Beckett                 7 1/3   4   2   2   2   1   0   3.36
A.Reyes HOLD(4th)         0 2/3   2   3   3   1   0   0   4.73
J.Putz LOSS(4-3) BS(4th)  0 1/3   1   1   1   0   0   1   1.81
Totals                    8 1/3   7   6   6   3   1   1
 
Josey Wales (88-66)      IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR    ERA
A.Pettitte                6 1/3  11   5   5   2   4   0   6.95
J.Broxton                 2       1   0   0   1   3   0   3.77
J.Burton WIN(7-3)         0 2/3   0   0   0   0   2   0   3.16
Totals                    9      12   5   5   3   9   0
 
ATTENDANCE- 49,694 DATE- Wednesday, September 14th 2008 TIME- Day 
T- 2:28
LEFT ON BASE- Surf: 7  Josey Wales: 4
DOUBLE PLAYS- Surf: 0  Josey Wales: 3
DOUBLES- J.Reyes(34th), C.Lee(18th), L.Overbay(5th), A.Soriano(38th),
         D.Pedroia(36th), A.Gonzalez(46th), A.Ramirez(36th), O.Vizquel(10th)
HOME RUNS- M.Napoli(7th)
 

• Go to Strat-O-Matic Homepage

Outlaw Road Report

There was more good than bad in Outlaw's late block IV four-game road series against the powerful Road Kill.

Tim Hudson pitched game 1 well, but the team was staring at a 4-1 deficit in the top of the eighth. Josh Bard made noise in that frame with a RBI single, and soon after Adrian Gonzalez blasted a winning grand slam of Road Kill closer Manny Corpas. Hudson finished a complete game and earned his 17th win of the season.

Gonzalez continued with three hits in game two, but the big damage was done by Manny Ramirez's three-run blast. Jake Peavy earned his 19th win of the season.

The Road Kill were out for revenge in game three, blasting Tim Wakefield for seven runs. Fausto Carmona mastered Outlaw batters and cruised to a win.

Kelvim Escobar dominated game four and Georgia took advantage of six Scotty Kazmir walks to beat Outlaw 5-2.

It could have been better after starting out 2-0, but Outlaw will take 2-2 on the road against Johnny Miller's Road Kill any day. They're a great team and it's a great rivalry we've got going

It Is Time For A Division Shake-UP

I can not believe we have good teams not making the playoffs and possibly a mediocre team seeing October lights in their park. This is not the first year this has happened. It is a perennial problem. I know this is fantasy baseball, but I would hate to be a good team in the tough division. I know we all need a chance to make the playoffs, and hope for the future - hell I live outside of Chicago and the Cubs haven't won a world series in 100 years. I also know that I have made some pretty poor decisions with my team over the years. This is the first year I have a shot at 60 wins and better yet getting 2nd place in my division. But, that is also my point. Illinois might be a playoff team had they played in our division, yet they are 4th in the toughest NASBL DIVISION. It is not fair.

TASTES GREAT EAST Wins Losses GB Win Pct. Home Pct. Road Pct.
Honolulu 93 57 - .620 .741 .478
Springfield 93 57 - .620 .746 .506
Lake Champlain 94 68 5 .580 .630 .531
Illinois 82 66 10 .554 .577 .532

TASTES GREAT SOUTH Wins Losses GB Win Pct. Home Pct. Road Pct.
Lehigh Valley 88 64 - .579 .679 .465
Outlaw 85 64 1.5 .570 .618 .521
Georgia 81 65 4 .555 .623 .494
New Jersey 62 80 21 .437 .545 .342

LESS FILLING WEST Wins Losses GB Win Pct. Home Pct. Road Pct.
Miami 86 70 - .551 .741 .347
Dallas Ft Worth 79 76 6.5 .510 .593 .419
Seattle 76 78 9 .494 .548 .444
Troy 56 97 28.5 .366 .407 .319

LESS FILLING CENTRAL Wins Losses GB Win Pct. Home Pct. Road Pct.
Pocono 77 68 - .531 .565 .500
Grundy County 58 94 22.5 .382 .370 .394
Vermont 52 89 23 .369 .403 .342
New York 43 113 39.5 .276 .321 .227

I think the divisions need to be shaken up. How can 4 of the best teams in the league can make up one division year in and year out surprises me. To be fair - I would think we take each team's last 3 years records, rank the teams 1 to 16, and then distribute the teams evenly. I know this is not the time for proposals to be sent in - but I hope each of you will consider it and weigh in your thoughts. I recommend the following:

Division 1 - Team 1, Team 16, Team 9, Team 8

Division 2 - Team 2, Team 15, Team 10, Team 7

Division 3 - Team 3, Team 14, Team 11, Team 6

Division 4 - Team 4, Team 13, Team 12, Team 5

Hudson Shuts Out Surf to Keep Wales Within Reach of Playoffs

Tim Hudson's 16th win was his biggest of the year. The veteran's masterful seven-hit shutout against Miami in Wreckin' So Field was sorely needed as the Wales batters managed only two runs on three hits against Surf starter Jason Bergmann. The double web gem of the day was Manny Ramirez laser throw to the plate to cut down speedster Jose Reyes who was trying to slide around Mike Napoli's plate block. "Man, we sure needed this one," commented manager Mark Hildebrant. "After starting out our short block IV homestand at 2-2, every remaining home game is a must win if we are to have any shot at the playoffs. 2-2 at home doesn't cut it in the South. That's why you get guys like Huddy who come through when it counts."

Strat-O-Matic Report

---

BOXSCORE: 2008 Miami Surf At 2008 Outlaw Josey Wales 9/13/2008

 
  Surf               AB  R  H RBI AVG     Josey Wales        AB  R  H RBI AVG
  J.Reyes SS          4  0  2  0 .270     O.Vizquel SS        4  0  0  0 .193  
  B.Abreu RF          3  0  0  0 .265     A.Soriano CF        2  0  0  0 .306  
  D.Wright 3B         4  0  2  0 .315   A-W.Taveras CF        1  0  0  0 .318  
  G.Dobbs DH          4  0  1  0 .247     J.Bard DH           3  0  0  0 .272  
  L.Overbay 1B        4  0  0  0 .243     A.Gonzalez 1B       3  0  1  0 .241  
  J.Kent 2B           3  0  0  0 .279     G.Anderson RF       2  1  1  1 .329  
  R.Ibanez LF         3  0  0  0 .282   B-R.Ludwick RF        0  0  0  0 .268  
  M.Cabrera CF        3  0  1  0 .287     M.Napoli C          2  0  0  0 .212  
  I.Rodriguez C       3  0  1  0 .248     M.Ramirez LF        3  1  1  0 .310  
                                          A.Ramirez 3B        2  0  0  0 .298  
                                          B.Harris 2B         2  0  0  1 .221  
                                        C-D.Pedroia 2B        0  0  0  0 .316  
                     -- -- -- ---                            -- -- -- ---      
         Totals      31  0  7  0                 Totals      24  2  3  2
 
A-Subbed Defensively (CF) For Soriano In 7th Inning
B-Subbed Defensively (RF) For Anderson In 8th Inning
C-Subbed Defensively (2B) For Harris In 9th Inning
 
Surf............ 0 0 0  0 0 0  0 0 0  -  0  7  0
Josey Wales..... 0 0 0  0 1 0  1 0    -  2  3  0
 
Surf (77-66)             IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR    ERA
J.Bergmann LOSS(3-8)      8       3   2   2   4   8   1   5.32
Totals                    8       3   2   2   4   8   1
 
Josey Wales (85-64)      IP       H   R  ER  BB  SO  HR    ERA
T.Hudson WIN(16-8)        9       7   0   0   1   4   0   3.26
Totals                    9       7   0   0   1   4   0
 
ATTENDANCE- 45,533 DATE- Tuesday, September 13th 2008 TIME- Night 
T- 2:26
LEFT ON BASE- Surf: 5  Josey Wales: 3
DOUBLE PLAYS- Surf: 2  Josey Wales: 1
DOUBLES- A.Gonzalez(45th), M.Ramirez(35th)
HOME RUNS- G.Anderson(17th)
STOLEN BASES- J.Reyes(62nd)
CAUGHT STEALING- J.Reyes
SACRIFICE FLIES- B.Harris
WALKS- B.Abreu, A.Soriano, G.Anderson, M.Napoli, A.Ramirez
STRIKE OUTS- D.Wright, L.Overbay, J.Kent-2, O.Vizquel-2, J.Bard-2, G.Anderson,
             M.Napoli-2, M.Ramirez
GIDP- L.Overbay, A.Ramirez, B.Harris
WILD PITCHES- J.Bergmann
WEB GEMS- Top 6th: Mike Napoli blocked the plate, saving a run! 

Go to Strat-O-Matic Homepage

Tempers Flare as Manager is Fired

Troy, NY: Manager Davey Johnson was fired today; two days after his disparaging remarks about Haymakers management. Johnson will be replaced my third base coach Howard Johnson and new third base coach will be Lee Mazilli. "We needed to make a change," said GM Ken Anderson, "and now was the best time to do it. Howard and Lee will bring this team in the new direction we need to head."

Davey Johnson is fired two days after the team went on their road trip to Dallas-Fort Worth, where they were able to take two of three and Davey called out management to the media. "I don't know how I am supposed to win with this team." he said, "They expect me to do all this winning with what little I have here. It's not like I'm the one making the calls on the trades. You have to go to the front office for that stuff. Those offseason trades were supposed to make our team better. Now look where we are. Now they fire me while the team is on a road trip. Real classy. This is f%#ing bull-s%#t. "

Johnson was referring to the offseason trades of Crawford, Utley and Suzuki, who according to him, were the heart of his speed and defense type of ball-playing. After logging 87 wins and 151 stolen bases last season, the Haymakers have only 52 wins and only 22 stolen bases so far this year. So much seemed to go wrong right off the bat as the attempt to bring better starters to the team backfired. The team had an ERA of 5.18 for their starting pitching in 2007 and this year is 5.05 with a whole new rotation except one starter.

When asked about his firing, Johnson said, "This was not my kind of baseball, and I to be honest I am glad to be gone. Good luck to those guys becuase they have a lot of work to do. I feel sorry for them." Davey says he's going to spend his extra time with family and reading a lot of books. "I have a lot of Harry Potter to catch up with," he said.

When asked about firing the manager during a road trip the GM said, "We felt this was the best time to make a move. We understand Davey has a lot of reading to catch up with, but we have baseball to play."

Although the team has looked bad this season and home attendance has been sparce, the team looks to be poised to make a comeback next season with many extra draft picks and a solid core of players lead by the emergence of Andre Etheir and the rebounding Aubrey Huff. "We are going to have a lot of dicisions to make this offseason," said new manager Howard Johnson, " we need to find places to play for players while building some better blocks for the future."

Mazzilli joins the team as a former manager and teammate of the coaching staff when they were all on the Mets.

My 2 cents.....Less Filling Grades

PCM- Win- After a nice Draft PCM will win the Central. It also helped that the other 3 teams imploded.
Draw- Neither helped or hurt themselves regarding their Draft.

GCG- Lose- After being in 1st place in BK-1, turned an 180 degrees to go back to rebuilding mode.
Draw- Didn't hurt themselves for next year; looks like they are are building a power team for '09.

VFS- Lose- Realized they were in rebuilding mode an traded everything that wasn't nailed down.
BIG Win- After 1 very long year in '08, will rebuild for '09 with those Draft Picks!

NYK- Lose- After getting off to a very slow start the bottom fell out and turned their effects to '09.
Draw- Made some late deals that didn't get as much back in return.


MSU Win- Went out and got extra relief help to make their Play-off run and return!
Draw- Paid a big price with giving up Draft picks.

DFW Lose- Had a chance to really help play-off push but settled on a minor deal.
Draw- They didn't do anything to help or hurt themselves for next year.

SPL Win- Made key deals to help make playoff run.
Win- Didn't have to give up any picks in '09 to upgrade in '08.

TRY Lose- Starting changing faces before season, then went into rebuild mode with the F. Carmona deal.
Win- With dealing for Matt Holiday and getting some real nice Draft picks the future look bright.

The '08 Season is the 1st grade. The '09 the 2nd grade. Win/Lose/Draft

50% Rule Hurts Griz Chances for a Good Season

Trades & 50% Rule
Causes Bears Headaches

The Griz were thrilled to acquire players like Alex Gordon, Ryan (no relation) Howard, Dan Uggla, and Vernon Wells.

Gordon was acquired after Block 1 and his former team had used him – amassing 102 ABs and 111 PAs. Gordon had 543 MLB ABs and 584 MLB PAs in 2007 – so we needed to collect an additional 181 PAs to reach the 50% total of 292 and to have the right to keep him after this season. We didn’t use him much in Block 2 because we had had our best ever Block in Block 1 and led the Division for the first time in our league history. So we tried to remain competitive, using Miguel Cabrera at 3B instead of Gordon. With no other trades – we could carry him short without a problem.

However, after falling to a distant 2nd place at the end of Block 2 we had a decision to make. Try to add to our offense or give-up on the season. We traded for Howard, Uggla, & Wells – to add to our offense.

Then we looked at how the new additions had been used by their prior teams. We determined it was time to play guys to reach the 50% usage Rule, even at the cost of being competitive. We did not want to lose someone we were counting on for the future, especially someone we just acquired. So Gordon was assigned full time duty at 3B. (PS We know the rule where we are able to keep 2 players who have not reached the 50% usage rule.)

Howard must have fallen out of favor in Leigh Valley as his 299 PAs indicated his manager liked him and used him. He was just 24 PAs away from qualifying at 50% usage. However, the Griz have other options at 1B/3B/DH and we determined that we had not used Justin Morneau enough prior to Block 3. So using both Morneau and Howard at 1B and DH along with Gordon at 3B meant players like Miguel Cabrera and Kevin Youkilis, who had kept us in the pennant race, would have to sit.

Uggla was acquired after Block 2 and had a carry over usage of just 69 PAs. 281 PAs short of the 350 needed PAs (700 MLB PAs). We figured we probably could not collect the needed 281 PAs over the shorter last 2 Blocks, but we would give it a try. We batted him leadoff and have not taken him out of the line-up. Worst case scenario: Uggla could be one of the 2 players I could claim to keep who did not fulfill their 50% requirement.

Wells came over after Block 2 with 143 PAs – 174 PAs short of 50% usage of his 622 total PAs. However, we had no problem marking Wells a regular in our everyday lineup.

Additionally, we had our own problem spots as well. Like Morneau, Stephen Drew had been used sparingly, as well through the first two Blocks. We installed him as a regular batting him the near the top of the order so he could reach the 50% usage. Thus, we played Block 3 with a bit less competitive line-up and we did not perform. We reached 81 losses and while we have improved our win total over prior seasons, we all know playoff teams cannot lose more than half their games.

Going into Block 4 the following Griz players need:
Uggla to get 117 PAs;
Drew 54 more PAs; and
Wells 15, Gordon 9, and Damian Miller 4.

All Pitchers that have a potential to be kept have bypassed the 50% usage through Block 3, and know I need to monitor potential over usage.

Speaking of over usage – the Griz acquired Rajai Davis who had been used 204 PAs out of a total available 211. Griz management made Davis ineligible, sending him to the minors, however he still was used 10 times to be overused.

OH WELL – WE DO THE BEST WE CAN.
WE WILL ALWAYS GO FOR THE WIN – NO MATTER WHO WE PUT OUT THERE.

GO GRIZ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!