Friday, November 5, 2010
Bulldogs tradewire action
Bulldogs owner Adam Leickel dipped his toe in the trade waters by acquiring Chris Coghlan for a 6th round pick and then must have decided that the water felt mighty nice and dove in head first. This dive resulted in trading away staff ace Josh Johnson, LF/1B Luke Scott and DH Vlad Guerrero. I know what you must be saying. Why would you trade away your best pitcher and your 2 best bats for next season. Well let me answer that by telling you what the Bulldogs got in return. By trading away 3 of the best players on their team, the Bulldogs hauled in 4 very young incredibly talented players. Phil Hughes has a good chance to be a direct replacement for Johnson in a year or 2, Justin Upton will be the new starting RF and will not have to be platooned for like Scott would, Erick Aybar fills the need for a SS and Fowler fills the need for a CF. It may hurt watching veterans leave, but getting this kind of youth is just a sign of things to come in the effort to turn the Bulldogs into a contender.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Outlaw Career Leaders
Outlaw released career leader statistics, reaching back to the predecessor 1991 NASBL Cleveland Indians:
BATTERS
At Bats: 8019 Manny Ramirez (1995-2010)
Hits: 2398 Manny Ramirez
Avg (2500 AB): .360 Tony Gwynn (1994-2000)
Runs: 1422 Manny Ramirez
Home Runs: 554 Manny Ramirez
RBI: 1575 Manny Ramirez
Stolen Bases: 613 Kenny Lofton (1993-2001)
PITCHERS
Wins: 126 Tim Hudson (2000-2010)
Strikeouts 1352 Tim Hudson
Saves: 128 Keith Foulke (1999-2005)
IP: 2113 Tim Hudson
ERA (1000 IP): 3.99 Mark Langston (1991-1995)
Monday, November 1, 2010
Young Reflects on His Years in New York
(New York Daily Mirror - November 1, 2010)
NEW YORK - With the turn of the calendar to November, the days here in New York City have grown appreciably crisper, the burning heat and stifling humidity of summer long since replaced by autumn. The leaves on the trees in Central Park, in changing from bright green to multiple shades of red, yellow and orange, lend the bustling city a dash of bright colors. Bits of excited conversations between pedestrians or subway riders can be heard by the casual observer as New Yorkers, alerted by the chill, start to think about Thanksgiving and Christmas. There is a feeling of conclusion in the air, the opposite of the renewal one feels every spring.
At Knights Field in Flushing Meadows, preparations are being made for the Knights' move to Slatington, Pennsylvania, where they will become the Bulldogs for the 2011 season and beyond. Yesterday, Knights third baseman and long-time captain, Michael Young, returned to New York for what will most likely be his final time as an NASBL player, to clean out his belongings, do some final packing and reminisce.
With all of the failures and frustrations the Knights gave their tortured fans in their 10-year history, you wouldn't think that there would be much worth reminiscing over. But Young is different; at age 34, he knows his career as an everyday player is starting to wind down and that his future in Slatington is hardly assured; rumors abound that he will be dealt this offseason in Matt Eddy's anticipated makeover of the franchise. But his place in New York baseball history, while perhaps devoid of championships or anything resembling glory, is assured. As long as people talk about the Knights, they will talk about the captain.
Young leaves New York holding many career and single-season franchise records. No one ever played more games as a Knight (1,074) or stepped up to the plate in a Knights uniform (4,345 at bats). He scored more runs (371), rapped out more hits (1,269) or legged out more doubles than Young (238). No one ever drove in more runs (520). His durability and steadiness enabled him to set records for at bats (664 - accomplished twice, in 2004 and 2006). His franchise mark of 232 hits, accomplished in 2006, ranks in the top seven all time in the NASBL and is among the best for infielders of only moderate foot speed. His .349 batting average and 50 doubles in 2006 will be long remembered, as will his .291 career batting average as a Knight.
Not bad for a small-town kid who came to New York seven years ago in a trade made by a GM who has long retired, from a team who moved from its city years ago, for a relief pitcher named Jason Isringhausen who long ago ceased to be relevant, much less important. Former Knights GM Mitch Pak always took pride in that trade, calling it "the one thing everyone can agree I did right".
"Not many people can say that they've made it in New York," said Young yesterday, his brown hair graying at the temples now. "I think I have. I didn't deliver any championships or anything, but I know that I tried my best. I left everything out there."
When asked about his future, Young was realistic. "I'm 34. Not many 34 year olds are starting third basemen anymore, except maybe A-Rod, and I'm no A-Rod. I don't expect Matt to hold me in the same esteem that Mitch did. I had my best seasons here. Matt is getting the older product with a lot more miles on the clock. He's going to do whatever he thinks he has to to get this franchise moving the right way. I hope I'm still with this club, whether we're in Slatington or anywhere else, when we start to win, but wherever I end up, I'm going to try my best."
When asked what he will miss the most about New York, he quipped, "the sports media. Nah, just kidding. I'm going to miss the fans. New York fans are the most passionate anywhere. They will not tolerate losers. They bring out the best in you. When you're going bad, or if they think you're not trying or you're dogging it, they'll kill you. And that attitude is reflected in the New York sports media. They play to their base, the fans. Its not an easy place to play, especially when you don't win. But when its over, like it is for me now, you realize how much it motivated you and how much you're going to miss it. No disrespect to Slatington, which I understand is a beautiful little town, but its going to be hard to match New York's energy, the craziness."
"I was never a big nightclub guy. I've never been to Scores or anything like that, but I always enjoyed the New York culture, the museums and the restaurants and the theaters. I'm going to miss that, and I'm going to miss playing for New York. Its something I will never be able to duplicate anywhere else and I will never forget it."
And New York will not soon forget him.
NEW YORK - With the turn of the calendar to November, the days here in New York City have grown appreciably crisper, the burning heat and stifling humidity of summer long since replaced by autumn. The leaves on the trees in Central Park, in changing from bright green to multiple shades of red, yellow and orange, lend the bustling city a dash of bright colors. Bits of excited conversations between pedestrians or subway riders can be heard by the casual observer as New Yorkers, alerted by the chill, start to think about Thanksgiving and Christmas. There is a feeling of conclusion in the air, the opposite of the renewal one feels every spring.
At Knights Field in Flushing Meadows, preparations are being made for the Knights' move to Slatington, Pennsylvania, where they will become the Bulldogs for the 2011 season and beyond. Yesterday, Knights third baseman and long-time captain, Michael Young, returned to New York for what will most likely be his final time as an NASBL player, to clean out his belongings, do some final packing and reminisce.
With all of the failures and frustrations the Knights gave their tortured fans in their 10-year history, you wouldn't think that there would be much worth reminiscing over. But Young is different; at age 34, he knows his career as an everyday player is starting to wind down and that his future in Slatington is hardly assured; rumors abound that he will be dealt this offseason in Matt Eddy's anticipated makeover of the franchise. But his place in New York baseball history, while perhaps devoid of championships or anything resembling glory, is assured. As long as people talk about the Knights, they will talk about the captain.
Young leaves New York holding many career and single-season franchise records. No one ever played more games as a Knight (1,074) or stepped up to the plate in a Knights uniform (4,345 at bats). He scored more runs (371), rapped out more hits (1,269) or legged out more doubles than Young (238). No one ever drove in more runs (520). His durability and steadiness enabled him to set records for at bats (664 - accomplished twice, in 2004 and 2006). His franchise mark of 232 hits, accomplished in 2006, ranks in the top seven all time in the NASBL and is among the best for infielders of only moderate foot speed. His .349 batting average and 50 doubles in 2006 will be long remembered, as will his .291 career batting average as a Knight.
Not bad for a small-town kid who came to New York seven years ago in a trade made by a GM who has long retired, from a team who moved from its city years ago, for a relief pitcher named Jason Isringhausen who long ago ceased to be relevant, much less important. Former Knights GM Mitch Pak always took pride in that trade, calling it "the one thing everyone can agree I did right".
"Not many people can say that they've made it in New York," said Young yesterday, his brown hair graying at the temples now. "I think I have. I didn't deliver any championships or anything, but I know that I tried my best. I left everything out there."
When asked about his future, Young was realistic. "I'm 34. Not many 34 year olds are starting third basemen anymore, except maybe A-Rod, and I'm no A-Rod. I don't expect Matt to hold me in the same esteem that Mitch did. I had my best seasons here. Matt is getting the older product with a lot more miles on the clock. He's going to do whatever he thinks he has to to get this franchise moving the right way. I hope I'm still with this club, whether we're in Slatington or anywhere else, when we start to win, but wherever I end up, I'm going to try my best."
When asked what he will miss the most about New York, he quipped, "the sports media. Nah, just kidding. I'm going to miss the fans. New York fans are the most passionate anywhere. They will not tolerate losers. They bring out the best in you. When you're going bad, or if they think you're not trying or you're dogging it, they'll kill you. And that attitude is reflected in the New York sports media. They play to their base, the fans. Its not an easy place to play, especially when you don't win. But when its over, like it is for me now, you realize how much it motivated you and how much you're going to miss it. No disrespect to Slatington, which I understand is a beautiful little town, but its going to be hard to match New York's energy, the craziness."
"I was never a big nightclub guy. I've never been to Scores or anything like that, but I always enjoyed the New York culture, the museums and the restaurants and the theaters. I'm going to miss that, and I'm going to miss playing for New York. Its something I will never be able to duplicate anywhere else and I will never forget it."
And New York will not soon forget him.
Monday, October 25, 2010
NASBL Final Four! Hawaiians, Cannibals, Grizzlies, Pilots.
The news is in. The paradoxically underdog Pilots (79-83 regular season, yet holders of the first round home field advantage against Bill Anderson's 84-78 wildcard Pocono Chin Music) will advance to the Less Filling Championship series. Pennylegion's Pilots defeated PCM 4 games to 1 in the Less Filling Division Championship series. The Pilots dominant with their pitching, posting a team ERA of 2.94. Seattle's starters were tough, as both Cliff Lee (1-0, 1.76) and Javier Vazquez (1-0, 2.00) went the distance. Lee's complete game was a series-clinching shutout in game 5. But the Pilot pen was equally as powerful, winning two 1-run games including a 16-inning marathon that showcased both young horse starter Felix "The King" Hernandez (an amazing 11-inning start) as well as the depth of Seattle's relief corps (5 scoreless innings). Nor did the Pilots offense lack for stars. Two Seattle hitters, Aaron Rowand (.571 in 21 ab's) and Mike Lowell (.524 in 21 ab's) tallied base hits in more than half of their ab's, while Russell Branyan showed impressive muscle with 3 homeruns.
Seattle will move on to face Jack Howard's Less Filling Central champion Grundy County Grizzlies (87-75). The Grizz, led by Cy Young Award contender Zack Greinke (20-8, 2.49, 257 K's) hope to use the post-season to showcase the powerful group of arms that held NASBL hitters to a league-low .252 batting average, while a potent middle of the order (4 hitters above .280/20/70 - Matt Holliday, Kevin Youkilis, Miguel Cabrera, and Ryan Howard) hopes to light the fireworks on a few big innings.
Meanwhile, in the Tastes Great, 94-win wildcard Lake Champlain also downed their opponent in 5 games. While John Moscariello's New Jersey Trash Heap jumped out to an early 1-0 series lead behind the strong pitching of Tim "The Freak" Lincecum, after that it was all Cannibals. Never strong in the starting pitching department, LCC rode big performances from their strong and varied bullpen to two extra-inning 1-run wins before ace middle-reliever (if there is such a thing) Mike Wuertz (8-5, 3.99, 98 k's in the regular season) earned the deciding Game 5 win with an impressive 2-1/3ip, no-hit, 4 k performance.
Lake Champlain advances to face Stan Pietruska's powerhouse Honolulu Hawaiians (99-63). Honolulu rode the best batting average in the league (.296) and the 5th best pitching staff in the league (4.28 team ERA) to the best regular-season win total in the league. HHA's bullpen of Rookie of the Year candidate Andrew Bailey (9-4, 2.03, 23 saves) and all-time NASBL saves leader Mariano Rivera (4-1, 2.06, 10 saves) will ensure that the Cannibal pen does not present an advantage to Lake Champlain.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Chows add 2nd Ramirez - Look to Make More Moves
Illinois Times - The Chows now have an all Ramirez left side of the infield. A-Ram comes to Illinois via Springfield and will add some power to the middle of the order. "We need to score more runs and add some pop. When healthy, A-Ram is a presence in the middle of the order. Anytime you can get someone like this without giving up one of your key cogs, you have to give it a shot."
Illinois traded Ryan Raburn and a 7th to get A-Ram.
Chows on the Block
The Chows look to make a few more moves before the season starts.
Outfielders for Sale: Take your pick - Left, Right or Center. Willingham has a fantastic OPS this season and can solidify an lineup. Fukudome is a solid on-base RF and figures to be a 2 with a negative arm again. Pagan can man CF for you and be a real asset against RHPs.
Prado : Not much to say here - one of the top 2B cards in the deck. Can also play some 3B for you. Sherlag still believes in Beckham making Prado someone the Chows might be willing to deal.
Swing Man - Playoff Starter: Duensing can do it all, start for you, be a big innings eater in the bullpen. His ERA and WHIP are outstanding. Look at the low HR he gives up.
Bullpen Arms: McClellan came into his own this year and can be a great 8th inning guy for you. O'Flaherty can help you neutralize those TGE bats.
Pudge: A decent amount of ABs and OK production against LHP
Figgins: Bounceback potential here
We are looking for primarily players but wouldn't mind making room for one more player on the roster.
Monday, October 18, 2010
A Tale of 2 Seasons
The 2010 NASBL Season will go down as one of the most exciting seasons ever. However 1 team wasn't counting the days they were counting the number of outs left. That team was DFW. Dallas Morning News beat writer Ima Dumbas wrote 'Our National Nightmare is finally over'. 'The Spurs management has driven this organization into the ground the last couple of years. They over estimated the talent 2 years ago and under estimated the talent (or lack of) this year. They got to old, to fast with the retirement of Barry Bonds and the lack of production this season from Milton Bradley and retiring Spurs hero Ken Griffey Jr. The Spurs could play long ball with any team in years past and now they are getting out HR'ed by 100, actually 239 to 147. Six different pitchers had Double Digits wins....'NOT'!... that were loses. Rookie Ross Ohlendorf was 12-10, 5.22era was the bright spot of the pitching staff while rookie Chris Volstad was 2-12, 6.51era, veteran Aaron Harang was 4-14, 6.16era, Andy Pettitte was 8-16,5.66era, Brad Penny was 7-10,5.40era, and Jeremy Guthrie was 10-11, 5.56era............see why the 101 loses!! Now after writing all that how in the hell did Brad Penny and K. Kawakami combine for the a Perfect Game?????? The Spurs better clean house from top to bottom and it might start with Redd Robbins'! When Robbins was asked if he thought Dumbas was right or wrong? He said Dumbas was wrong. When ask why? Robbins said, 'He [Dumbas] spelled my name wrong; there is only 1 'd' in Red' !
Fans, Knights Players React to Franchise Move to Slatington, PA
(New York Daily Mirror - October 18, 2010)
NEW YORK - The NASBL Commissioner's office formally announced earlier today that the New York Knights, after playing for ten years in one of the largest and most baseball-savvy cities in the world, will be moving to the tiny burg of Slatington, Pennsylvania and become the Slatington Bulldogs.
For those who don't know, Slatington is a borough of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania (also home of the NASBL's Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs) and is located about 15 miles northwest of Allentown, PA. The municipality has a total area of 1.4 square miles and its total population in 2000 was 4,434 - the equivalent of about two full 10-car subway trains in Manhattan. It was founded in the early 18th century and at one time was one of the chief suppliers of slate stone (hence the name) in Pennsylvania.
Without question, the move is a shrewd one by new Knights/Bulldogs owner Matt Eddy. By moving to a tiny town in Pennsylvania and escaping the harsh glare of the New York media spotlight, Eddy will be able to tear down the Knights and create the Bulldogs pursuant to his own vision in relative obscurity.
Knights fans were, by and large, unconcerned with the move, knowing from experience that it was inevitable. Messages left on the club's soon to be closed Facebook site included the following publishable missives in a family paper: "Good riddance" from John in Queens; "So long, losers" from Albert in the Bronx and our personal favorite, "Don't let the door hit ya where the Good Lord split ya" from Ira in Staten Island.
Reached at his Texas home earlier today by WFAN radio in New York, former Knights captain Michael Young was optimistic about the move, but less so on his future with the Knights. "I see it as a positive," Young told the FAN's Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts this morning. "There's no question that playing in New York is a high pressure job and comes with great expectations. If you have the words "New York" on your uniform, you know you have to perform every day. Unfortunately, we didn't do well for our fans in New York, but I'm hoping they all know that we tried. Things just didn't break our way." Asked about his possible future as a Bulldog, Young was realistic. "I'm 34 years old now and I'm sure Matt's going to want to go with younger players. I'm okay with that. I really enjoyed my time as a Knights and I'm looking forward to the rest of my career. I'm pretty sure that I can still help a contender somewhere if Matt decides to go in another direction."
Matt Cain enjoyed a bounceback season under Eddy's stewardship, winning 15 games with a 3.94 ERA and 196 strikeouts in 2010, one of four Knights hurlers to win at least 13 games this season. Cain was excited about the move to Small Town USA. "I admit, I felt a lot of pressure to be a staff ace after I was drafted #1 a couple of years ago. No disrespect to Mitch, but once he was gone, I felt like I could just be myself." He was also optimistic about the prospect of being a major cog in a formidable rotation."Mitch tried to build a top rotation a few years ago but that failed. I think he left us in a great position now, though, with Josh (Johnson), Lester and myself. I think the fans in Slatington are going to love us."
Much like they did when the Dodgers moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles in 1958, Knights fans are losing the franchise just when it seems to be on the verge of becoming something special. Dodger fans in Brooklyn cheered on the Bums for 70 years but enjoyed just one championship, in 1955. But within ten years of moving to Los Angeles, the Dodgers had won three more, including a sweep of the hated Yankees in the 1963 Fall Classic. Knights fans weren't looking for a dynasty, just a playoff spot. Now it looks like they will have to become Bulldog fans to get their wish.
NEW YORK - The NASBL Commissioner's office formally announced earlier today that the New York Knights, after playing for ten years in one of the largest and most baseball-savvy cities in the world, will be moving to the tiny burg of Slatington, Pennsylvania and become the Slatington Bulldogs.
For those who don't know, Slatington is a borough of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania (also home of the NASBL's Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs) and is located about 15 miles northwest of Allentown, PA. The municipality has a total area of 1.4 square miles and its total population in 2000 was 4,434 - the equivalent of about two full 10-car subway trains in Manhattan. It was founded in the early 18th century and at one time was one of the chief suppliers of slate stone (hence the name) in Pennsylvania.
Without question, the move is a shrewd one by new Knights/Bulldogs owner Matt Eddy. By moving to a tiny town in Pennsylvania and escaping the harsh glare of the New York media spotlight, Eddy will be able to tear down the Knights and create the Bulldogs pursuant to his own vision in relative obscurity.
Knights fans were, by and large, unconcerned with the move, knowing from experience that it was inevitable. Messages left on the club's soon to be closed Facebook site included the following publishable missives in a family paper: "Good riddance" from John in Queens; "So long, losers" from Albert in the Bronx and our personal favorite, "Don't let the door hit ya where the Good Lord split ya" from Ira in Staten Island.
Reached at his Texas home earlier today by WFAN radio in New York, former Knights captain Michael Young was optimistic about the move, but less so on his future with the Knights. "I see it as a positive," Young told the FAN's Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts this morning. "There's no question that playing in New York is a high pressure job and comes with great expectations. If you have the words "New York" on your uniform, you know you have to perform every day. Unfortunately, we didn't do well for our fans in New York, but I'm hoping they all know that we tried. Things just didn't break our way." Asked about his possible future as a Bulldog, Young was realistic. "I'm 34 years old now and I'm sure Matt's going to want to go with younger players. I'm okay with that. I really enjoyed my time as a Knights and I'm looking forward to the rest of my career. I'm pretty sure that I can still help a contender somewhere if Matt decides to go in another direction."
Matt Cain enjoyed a bounceback season under Eddy's stewardship, winning 15 games with a 3.94 ERA and 196 strikeouts in 2010, one of four Knights hurlers to win at least 13 games this season. Cain was excited about the move to Small Town USA. "I admit, I felt a lot of pressure to be a staff ace after I was drafted #1 a couple of years ago. No disrespect to Mitch, but once he was gone, I felt like I could just be myself." He was also optimistic about the prospect of being a major cog in a formidable rotation."Mitch tried to build a top rotation a few years ago but that failed. I think he left us in a great position now, though, with Josh (Johnson), Lester and myself. I think the fans in Slatington are going to love us."
Much like they did when the Dodgers moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles in 1958, Knights fans are losing the franchise just when it seems to be on the verge of becoming something special. Dodger fans in Brooklyn cheered on the Bums for 70 years but enjoyed just one championship, in 1955. But within ten years of moving to Los Angeles, the Dodgers had won three more, including a sweep of the hated Yankees in the 1963 Fall Classic. Knights fans weren't looking for a dynasty, just a playoff spot. Now it looks like they will have to become Bulldog fans to get their wish.
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