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ifspuds · 02-14-2008, 02:14 PM

Tifton Generals
5-Season Record: 189-217 (.466)
Best Season: 46-52 (2017, 2018)
Best Finish: 5th (2018, 11.0 back)
Top Hitter: Steven Underwood (2016-2018: .342/.423/.571, 54 HR, 162 runs, 149 RBI)
Top Pitcher: Juggie Hawkins (2014-2018): 49-49, 3.70 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 1063 K in 1023.0 IP)

Even though the Allison Spelunkers have a worse overall record over the five years of the Bay League, the Tifton Generals are almost certainly the most downtrodden franchise. The Generals have never posted a winning record, and only once have they finished better than 6th place. There's muttering around the city of Tifton, home to the gateway between Earth and the Outposts and the de facto capital of the Outposts, that the team's poor fortunes are manufactured by owner and league founder John Baxter. The conspiracy theorists claim that Baxter is keeping his team down in the standings until he feels the league is secure enough, thinking that if the league founder's squad becomes dominant, it could damage the long-term future of the Bay League. Baxter has always refused to comment on the allegations, other than to laugh and say that people give him too much credit.

The Generals are supposedly rivals of the Silver Beach Whales, thanks to a long-standing feud between Tifton owner Baxter and Silver Beach owner Michael Hernandez. But if that feud has trickled down to the players, it's been a one-sided rivalry to date. Tifton is showing signs of improving, though. The trade of SP Mike Woollum (31 years old, career 3.45 ERA) to Lorris for the younger, highly talented Shawn Dawson (25 years old, 10-7, 3.59 for Tifton last year, Top Rookie in 2017) was indicative of a forward-looking philosophy that's got Tifton fans excited for the first time in franchise history. Pairing with veteran gunner Juggie Hawkins, equally exciting 25-year old Jordan Thompson (who they also received from Lorris via a 2016 trade) and former 1st round pick Ahmad Reese, the Generals look like they're going to have one of the top rotations in the league for a number of seasons. And we haven't even mentioned top prospect Darius McKie.

The issue will be with offense. While Steven Underwood is a beast and still just 20 years old, he's surrounded by capable hitters, but no stars. Renaldo Wright is a career .315 hitter with a solid eye at the plate, but like most Generals hitters outside of Underwood, he lacks power (career .411 slugging). And there's not a lot coming up through the organization in terms of bats: this is a team that's going to live or die by pitching, unless they can work some more astute trades and bring in some hitters to rival the exciting young pitchers they have.

This is a team on the rise. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Tifton finally manage that elusive winning season next year. What the conspiracy theorists will do then is anyone's guess.

02-14-2008, 02:14 PM	#231 (permalink)
ifspuds Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 2,092	Tifton Generals 5-Season Record: 189-217 (.466) Best Season: 46-52 (2017, 2018) Best Finish: 5th (2018, 11.0 back) Top Hitter: Steven Underwood (2016-2018: .342/.423/.571, 54 HR, 162 runs, 149 RBI) Top Pitcher: Juggie Hawkins (2014-2018): 49-49, 3.70 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 1063 K in 1023.0 IP) Even though the Allison Spelunkers have a worse overall record over the five years of the Bay League, the Tifton Generals are almost certainly the most downtrodden franchise. The Generals have never posted a winning record, and only once have they finished better than 6th place. There's muttering around the city of Tifton, home to the gateway between Earth and the Outposts and the de facto capital of the Outposts, that the team's poor fortunes are manufactured by owner and league founder John Baxter. The conspiracy theorists claim that Baxter is keeping his team down in the standings until he feels the league is secure enough, thinking that if the league founder's squad becomes dominant, it could damage the long-term future of the Bay League. Baxter has always refused to comment on the allegations, other than to laugh and say that people give him too much credit. The Generals are supposedly rivals of the Silver Beach Whales, thanks to a long-standing feud between Tifton owner Baxter and Silver Beach owner Michael Hernandez. But if that feud has trickled down to the players, it's been a one-sided rivalry to date. Tifton is showing signs of improving, though. The trade of SP Mike Woollum (31 years old, career 3.45 ERA) to Lorris for the younger, highly talented Shawn Dawson (25 years old, 10-7, 3.59 for Tifton last year, Top Rookie in 2017) was indicative of a forward-looking philosophy that's got Tifton fans excited for the first time in franchise history. Pairing with veteran gunner Juggie Hawkins, equally exciting 25-year old Jordan Thompson (who they also received from Lorris via a 2016 trade) and former 1st round pick Ahmad Reese, the Generals look like they're going to have one of the top rotations in the league for a number of seasons. And we haven't even mentioned top prospect Darius McKie. The issue will be with offense. While Steven Underwood is a beast and still just 20 years old, he's surrounded by capable hitters, but no stars. Renaldo Wright is a career .315 hitter with a solid eye at the plate, but like most Generals hitters outside of Underwood, he lacks power (career .411 slugging). And there's not a lot coming up through the organization in terms of bats: this is a team that's going to live or die by pitching, unless they can work some more astute trades and bring in some hitters to rival the exciting young pitchers they have. This is a team on the rise. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Tifton finally manage that elusive winning season next year. What the conspiracy theorists will do then is anyone's guess. __________________ Jeff Watson TWB (co-commissioner): Pittsburgh Pirates GM (team dynasty here, #5 Dynasty of 2005!) (TWB Champs 1966, 1967, 1973, NL Champs 1968, NL East Champs 1969, NL Champs 1970, 1971 NPBL: Illinois Jethawks GM Outpost League: A Fictional World Dynasty (#9 (tie) Dynasty of 2005!)