Sunday, October 12, 2008
Outlaw Congratulates Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs
The Outlaw Josey Wales congratulates the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs and their new owner and GM Kevin Burns on a successful first season culminating in a playoff berth in the highly competitive Tastes Great South. Ninety-six wins is a heck of a debut! We urge the Pigs on and wish you the best of luck in carrying on the proud traditions of the South.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
VFS Career Player Rankings
While some of you have the playoffs to look forward to, for the Sioux, thankfully, there are two distractions. The first thinking about the March 2009 draft and the second is playing around with all the new stat features added to the web site by Steve.
Using the new "Team by Team Single Season Leaders" function, we calculated the top 10 VFS hitters and hurlers. The Sioux have been in existence since the 2001 NASBL season, and this was a fun look back at the old days. Oh how I do miss Bubba Trammell and his HUGE potential.
Assigning 10 points for 1st place and 1 for 10th place for the major statistical categories, here's a look at the Sioux stars of yesteryear and today.
Hitters
Albert Pujols - 353 points - Will retire as a life long Sioux slugger. Plenty of tread left on his tires, assuming those nasty rumors aren't true.
Sammy Sosa - 115 points - Once the darling of the US of A, he hasn't been the same in the media's eyes since he contracted a still unknown disorder that didn't allow him to speak English in Washington D.C. Did post an all-time NASBL season in '02 blasting 75 HRs and driving in 155.
Derek Jeter - 83 points - Acquired in a 2004 mid-season trade, he's been a consistent performer for the Sioux until his departure this season via trade to the well-run LVI Piggies. Also likes poon and unnecessary dives.
Carlos Delgado - 76 points - Always protected Pujols in the cleanup spot, currently swatting bombs the Home/Road splits mystery that is the Miami Surf. Not a big fan of Francis Scott Key.
Tino Martinez - 44 points - Tino finished out his NASBL career as one of the anchors on the formative Sioux teams of the early millennium, hit many a meaningless dinger for .500 VFS squads.
Melvin Mora - 31 points - Same as Tino, only with less HRs. And more kids.
Ryan Zimmerman - 22 points - Once touted as a future star of MLB, has seen his stats decline in each of his 3 big league seasons.
Robinson Cano - 22 points - A one time doubles hitting machine, he will be nothing more than a full season of "Oh, Crap" to the Sioux fans in 2009.
Juan Pierre - 18 Curics - Steals bases with the discretion of a J.T. Marlin newbie dispensing stock tips.
David Eckstein - 17 points - What can I say that hasn't already been said much better by Mose Schrute.
Pitchers
John Lackey - 111 points - The former Sioux ace is now getting it done for the 'Kill. Was 49-24 in his VFS career.
Paul Byrd - 90 points - Ill-advised former first round pick, often scoffed at by Fueher Beard in uncalled for Hot Stove Heater zingers.
Billy Wagner - 88 points - He of the 96 career VFS saves was last seen blowing leads for the hapless MLB Mets.
Hideo Nomo - 77 points - Put up pretty good #s for pretty bad Sioux teams of a few years ago.
Uggie Urbina - 65 points - Venezuela's favorite pyro.
Jeff Suppan - 62 points - What's sadder, the current state of Suppan's heater or the fact that he's the #3 returing starter for the 2009 Sioux. Vermont Fighting Sioux, get your season tickets now!!!
Brett Myers - 52 points - Ladies, don't argue with him. Ever.
Eddie Guardado - 47 points - Formed a decent 1-2 pen punch with Uggie back in the day. Somehow is still an effective MLB pitcher, who would've thunk it?
Scot Shields - 31 points - Last seen leading the Fenway faithful in a Dirty Water sing-a-long.
Ervin Santana - 29 points - The Sioux future. Fear it.
Using the new "Team by Team Single Season Leaders" function, we calculated the top 10 VFS hitters and hurlers. The Sioux have been in existence since the 2001 NASBL season, and this was a fun look back at the old days. Oh how I do miss Bubba Trammell and his HUGE potential.
Assigning 10 points for 1st place and 1 for 10th place for the major statistical categories, here's a look at the Sioux stars of yesteryear and today.
Hitters
Albert Pujols - 353 points - Will retire as a life long Sioux slugger. Plenty of tread left on his tires, assuming those nasty rumors aren't true.
Sammy Sosa - 115 points - Once the darling of the US of A, he hasn't been the same in the media's eyes since he contracted a still unknown disorder that didn't allow him to speak English in Washington D.C. Did post an all-time NASBL season in '02 blasting 75 HRs and driving in 155.
Derek Jeter - 83 points - Acquired in a 2004 mid-season trade, he's been a consistent performer for the Sioux until his departure this season via trade to the well-run LVI Piggies. Also likes poon and unnecessary dives.
Carlos Delgado - 76 points - Always protected Pujols in the cleanup spot, currently swatting bombs the Home/Road splits mystery that is the Miami Surf. Not a big fan of Francis Scott Key.
Tino Martinez - 44 points - Tino finished out his NASBL career as one of the anchors on the formative Sioux teams of the early millennium, hit many a meaningless dinger for .500 VFS squads.
Melvin Mora - 31 points - Same as Tino, only with less HRs. And more kids.
Ryan Zimmerman - 22 points - Once touted as a future star of MLB, has seen his stats decline in each of his 3 big league seasons.
Robinson Cano - 22 points - A one time doubles hitting machine, he will be nothing more than a full season of "Oh, Crap" to the Sioux fans in 2009.
Juan Pierre - 18 Curics - Steals bases with the discretion of a J.T. Marlin newbie dispensing stock tips.
David Eckstein - 17 points - What can I say that hasn't already been said much better by Mose Schrute.
Pitchers
John Lackey - 111 points - The former Sioux ace is now getting it done for the 'Kill. Was 49-24 in his VFS career.
Paul Byrd - 90 points - Ill-advised former first round pick, often scoffed at by Fueher Beard in uncalled for Hot Stove Heater zingers.
Billy Wagner - 88 points - He of the 96 career VFS saves was last seen blowing leads for the hapless MLB Mets.
Hideo Nomo - 77 points - Put up pretty good #s for pretty bad Sioux teams of a few years ago.
Uggie Urbina - 65 points - Venezuela's favorite pyro.
Jeff Suppan - 62 points - What's sadder, the current state of Suppan's heater or the fact that he's the #3 returing starter for the 2009 Sioux. Vermont Fighting Sioux, get your season tickets now!!!
Brett Myers - 52 points - Ladies, don't argue with him. Ever.
Eddie Guardado - 47 points - Formed a decent 1-2 pen punch with Uggie back in the day. Somehow is still an effective MLB pitcher, who would've thunk it?
Scot Shields - 31 points - Last seen leading the Fenway faithful in a Dirty Water sing-a-long.
Ervin Santana - 29 points - The Sioux future. Fear it.
2008 NASBL Playoff Preview
Tastes Great Division Series
Honolulu Hawaiians (97-65) at Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs (96-66):
The home field advantage of the spacious Pig Pen (single 2/2, homerun 2/2) could be significant. The Hawaiians had 23 more regular season wins at home in claustrophobic Pietruska Park (single 20/20, homerun 20/20) than they did on the road, the second highest home/road win split of any NASBL team (behind only MSU's bipolar 31 win difference). Key matchups: The hot-hitting Hawaiians offense (league-leading .300 team batting average) versus the tough to hit Iron Pigs pitching staff (.241 opponents batting average, lowest in the league). The suspension of Hawaiian uber-utility player Yunel Escobar (.319/9/71 in 108 games) could put a kink in HHA's offensive gameplan, but with perennial Gold Glover Scott Rolen (.269/11/61 in 123 games) finally healthy, Honolulu may pick up more on the defensive end than they lose on offense. Lehigh Valley may also see a change at 3b, albeit a voluntary one. With HHA's all right-handed rotation, rookie Mark Reynolds (.301/.383/.484 overall, but .417 vsL) may give way to little-used former 1st rounder Hank Blalock (.244/6/23 in 197 ab's).
Less Filling Division Series
Dallas Fort Worth Spurs (83-79) at Pocono Chin Music (87-75)
True to their name, the Chin Music were 4th best in the NASBL in strikeouts, and 3rd best in ERA. The perenially strong Pocono rotation led by John Smoltz (3.31 ERA, best in the LF) and Johan Santana (248 strikeouts, also tops in the LF) look to provide the lightning, while woodsman Prince Fielder (league-leading 57 hr's) brings the thunder with the lumber. Key matchups: Veteran DFW sluggers Barry Bonds (.271/.406/.617 in 389 ab's) and Ken Griffey Jr (21 hr's, 2nd on the team) need to play like the future NASBL Hall of Famers they are. While the presence of The Johan on the mound would seem at first glance to be able to neutralize the two Spur southpaws, a closer examination reveals that KGJ actually hit significantly better (.320 ba and .500 slg) against his own kind.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
My 2 cents.....Going down to the wire!
This has been a very exciting season in the NASBL with two Division Titles up for grabs. It will come down the last two weeks of the season before the Play offs are settled. In the Taste Great East its a team 3 team Horse race (Now stop me if you heard this before) between HHA, SPR and LCC. One team will win the East, the other will be the Wild Card. Last year LCC had the highest winning percentage of a team that failed to make the PO, and unfortunately looks like that might be the case again this year. In the South it's also a 3 team race between LVI, GRK and OJW. However in the South the Winner will advance to the PO while the other 2 teams willjoin LCC for a weekend of fun provided by Government Contractor's Office. In the Less Filling the Central was won by PCM and the West was won by MSU. The Wild Card looks like DFW will back into it. SPL had a chance but fell short by losing those 'must win' games at home.
The second season is about to begin in the NASBL, with 6 teams getting ready for the PO, and 10 teams getting ready for the '09 Draft. Remember Spring Training is only 3 1/2 months away!
The second season is about to begin in the NASBL, with 6 teams getting ready for the PO, and 10 teams getting ready for the '09 Draft. Remember Spring Training is only 3 1/2 months away!
Knights Actively Shopping Matsui
(New York Daily Mirror - October 2, 2008)
NEW YORK - In an effort to recover from a brutally bad 2008 season that saw the Knights lose 113 games with six still to play, the Knights have announced that LF Hideki Matsui will be actively shopped this winter.
Matsui, 34, was the Knights' first pick in the 2004 draft and has provided consistent, solid home run power. After an average season that year, Mastui exploded in 2005, smashing 47 home runs and knocking in 121 runs while batting .311 and posting a 1.035 OPS. In 2007, when the Knights were contenders for the LF Central title, Matsui batted a robust .370 and posted a 1.000 OPS despite being limited by injury to just 154 at bats.
Even after getting off to a slow start, Matsui was an All-Star selection in 2008 and finished the season with 21 homers and 65 RBI for the brutal Knights. He was 10th in the LF in walks with 66.
Matsui was hampered by injuries this season with the Yankees, limiting him to 93 games and 337 at bats. However, he still managed to hit .294 and posted a .795 OPS. Despite being a left handed batter, Matsui hit .315 against lefties for the Yankees in 2008.
The Knights are reportedly looking for starting pitching and/or a solid bat. Matsui can also be packaged with players and/or picks in any trade.
Interested GM's can contact GM Mitch Pak.
NEW YORK - In an effort to recover from a brutally bad 2008 season that saw the Knights lose 113 games with six still to play, the Knights have announced that LF Hideki Matsui will be actively shopped this winter.
Matsui, 34, was the Knights' first pick in the 2004 draft and has provided consistent, solid home run power. After an average season that year, Mastui exploded in 2005, smashing 47 home runs and knocking in 121 runs while batting .311 and posting a 1.035 OPS. In 2007, when the Knights were contenders for the LF Central title, Matsui batted a robust .370 and posted a 1.000 OPS despite being limited by injury to just 154 at bats.
Even after getting off to a slow start, Matsui was an All-Star selection in 2008 and finished the season with 21 homers and 65 RBI for the brutal Knights. He was 10th in the LF in walks with 66.
Matsui was hampered by injuries this season with the Yankees, limiting him to 93 games and 337 at bats. However, he still managed to hit .294 and posted a .795 OPS. Despite being a left handed batter, Matsui hit .315 against lefties for the Yankees in 2008.
The Knights are reportedly looking for starting pitching and/or a solid bat. Matsui can also be packaged with players and/or picks in any trade.
Interested GM's can contact GM Mitch Pak.
Outlaw Climbs to 2 Behind Lehigh, Winning Last Home Game
| Dustin Pedroia hit a homerun and had 3 RBI at Wreckin' So Field as the Outlaw Josey Wales beat the Illinois Chow Chows by the count of 11 to 10. Outlaw tallied 3 runs in the bottom of the 6th inning with the help of 3 hits. The big moment was provided by Ryan Ludwick who made the home-town crowd a happy bunch when he doubled plating two runs. It was roller coaster of a game as the lead change hands 7 times. J.C. Romero(2-2) got the win allowing no runs in 1 and 1/3 innings. Romero got help from Joakim Soria who earned his 35th save. Tom Glavine(11-12) was given the loss. He got hit pretty hard, allowing 13 hits and 2 walks in 5 and 1/3 innings. |
Strat-O-Matic Report
BOXSCORE: 2008 Illinois Chow Chows At 2008 Outlaw Josey Wales 9/29/2008
Chow Chows AB R H RBI AVG Josey Wales AB R H RBI AVG
C.Figgins RF 2 1 0 1 .347 W.Taveras CF 5 2 2 0 .314
C-H.Ramirez PH 1 0 0 0 .299 D.Pedroia 2B 5 1 2 3 .313
D-A.Kearns RF 0 0 0 0 .281 A.Ramirez 3B 5 3 3 0 .291
F-J.Fields PH 1 0 0 0 .255 S.Sosa DH 4 3 2 2 .284
K.Johnson 2B 4 1 1 0 .238 J.Bard C 3 0 3 2 .289
C.Pena 1B 3 0 1 2 .265 A-R.Ludwick PH,RF 2 0 2 2 .273
J.Willingham LF 5 0 1 0 .301 M.Ramirez LF 3 0 1 2 .313
C.Beltran CF 3 3 2 0 .280 G.Anderson RF 4 0 0 0 .319
D.Young DH 4 3 2 2 .307 B-M.Napoli C 0 0 0 0 .223
T.Tulowitzki SS 5 1 2 4 .240 A.Gonzalez 1B 4 2 2 0 .252
A.Beltre 3B 4 1 1 0 .270 O.Vizquel SS 4 0 0 0 .198
K.Suzuki C 3 0 2 0 .258
E-M.Olivo PH 1 0 0 0 .217
-- -- -- --- -- -- -- ---
Totals 36 10 12 9 Totals 39 11 17 11
Chow Chows...... 0 4 2 0 0 2 0 0 2 - 10 12 0
Josey Wales..... 3 2 0 0 2 3 1 0 - 11 17 1
Chow Chows (76-65) IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
T.Glavine LOSS(11-12) 5 1/3 13 10 10 2 1 1 6.56
J.Frasor BS(2nd) 2 2/3 4 1 1 0 1 0 2.79
Totals 8 17 11 11 2 2 1
Josey Wales (90-70) IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA
T.Wakefield 1 2 4 4 2 0 1 4.60
C.Meredith 1 5 2 2 1 0 0 4.94
J.Broxton 3 0 0 0 1 3 0 3.74
S.Downs BS(4th) 0 2/3 3 2 2 1 1 0 5.31
J.Romero WIN(2-2) 1 1/3 0 0 0 2 1 0 5.14
J.Soria SAVE(35th) 2 2 2 1 1 1 0 3.74
Totals 9 12 10 9 8 6 1
ATTENDANCE- 15,894 DATE- Thursday, September 29th 2008 TIME- Night
T- 3:31
LEFT ON BASE- Chow Chows: 9 Josey Wales: 7
DOUBLE PLAYS- Chow Chows: 1 Josey Wales: 1
ERRORS- M.Ramirez
DOUBLES- C.Beltran-2(25th), D.Young-2(14th), A.Beltre(44th), D.Pedroia(38th),
A.Ramirez(37th), S.Sosa(20th), J.Bard(16th), R.Ludwick(21st),
A.Gonzalez(49th)
HOME RUNS- T.Tulowitzki(28th), D.Pedroia(10th)
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Outlaw Playoff Hopes Fade in Pocono
Outlaw's two loss road trip to the Thunderdome turned our playoff hopes into a fading dream, sinking the team into third place, six games in the loss column, and 2.5 games overall, behind the Iron Pigs.
In game 1, Johan Santana(14-11) finally bested his Outlaw counterpart, Tim
Wakefield(11-7), by the score of 2 to 1.
In game 2, Pocono blasted Scott Kazmir for a five-run seventh and that was all she wrote.
In game 1, Johan Santana(14-11) finally bested his Outlaw counterpart, Tim
Wakefield(11-7), by the score of 2 to 1.
In game 2, Pocono blasted Scott Kazmir for a five-run seventh and that was all she wrote.
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