The (hopefully soon-to-be) legend of Cid Montenegro

[Wig]

A young Highschool star, everyone knew Cid had the talent to play pro ball. In the 2025 draft, he was selected in the 1st round, 22nd overall, by Kansas City.

After speaking with the club owner, appreciative of the chance to play ball, and pleased with the 400K signing bonus, he hangs up the phone. "Kansas *bleeping* City?!?!", Cid was heard to have said. Of course Cid knew them, every knew them.

Kansas City peaked 11 years ago when the won 84 games, their best mark in the 22 years of the ILB. Their slide has taken them to their current residence as the major league doormat, with a [sarcasm] whopping [/sarcasm] record of 233-415 over the last 4 years. They were also known for their poor treatment of 2B legend D.C. Wig , who was signed in a mediocre year of 75 wins under terms that he would accept less money to rebuild the club. They stabbed him in the back.

"Well", said Cid, "at least I'm playing ball and they can't be this bad forever. Maybe I can even help turn things around."

2025 Single A was a mediocre year for young Cid. Watching the major league team head f0r 111 losses really dampened his spirits. He also wasn't happy that he did not play the field in any games, DH'ing every one.


Year ...G ...AB .H ..2B 3B HR RBI R BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS
2025, A 128 434 111 29 2 ..7 .58 38 12 69 3 8 .256 .273 .380 .654


As luck would have it, towards the end of the season on July 31, Cid was traded to the Baltimore club. "SWEET! They are a much better ballclub, and have fewer 1B in their system!" If I can pick up the hitting a bit I'll shoot through the minors in no time!"

"Awsome! Balt won the WS this year. Man, when I get up there there will be no stopping us!"

Next year Cid was in A ball again, and much improved:

Year ....G .AB.. H 2B 3B HR RBI R BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS
2026, A 130 481 145 23 5 17 82 68 38 89 4 0 .301 .347 .476 .823


"That's wierd, I was expecting the call-up, but it never came. I guess next year I'll just keep on working hard and hope things work out."

On April 4th, 2027, Cid's cab shows up to bring him to the A park, and drives right by. "What's going on? Where are we going?" "Didn't you get the memo?" says the cabbie, "I 've got orders to bring you to AA! Congratulations!"

Despite Cid's enthusiasm and excitement, he couldn't help but wonder why noone called him. It seems like the thing you would want to tell some one. "Perhaps they were busy?" he thought. Thoughts did cross his mind as to the loyalty of the Balt management, as they let their big star go and traded another and fell to 4th in the division after winning the WS just 2 years ago. "Is it true all managements only care about money?"

Cid decided to not let things out of his control worry him, and focused on baseball. The results were astonishing:

Year ....G .AB.. H 2B 3B HR RBI R BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS
2027, AA 56 225 79 17 4 9 39 30 14 45 7 5 .351 .384 .582 .967


After 56 games his talent could not be ignored and he was called up to AAA. Sadly his ego got the best of him and he partied himself into an awful end to what was otherwise an incredible season.

Year ......G .AB H 2B 3B HR RBI R BB.. K SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS
2027, AAA 72 259 55 14 1 9 39 41 23 35 1 4 .212 .269 .378 .647


2028 would find Cid with renewed dedication to the sport he loved. Despite the plummeting condition of the Baltimore franchise, they only finished ahead of the lowly Kansas City team, he said this was going to be his best year ever. And for a month and a half, it was.

Injured on 5/19/2028 with a Inflamed Hamstring Muscle, out for 5-6 weeks...

"NO, not now!" yelled Cid. "I've worked so hard, I feel as if I was almost at 100% of my potential. Now I feel alot weaker and probably can't swing the bat as well." Cid made it back in the mentioned 6 weeks. To his surprise, not a week later, he was called up to the Show. He had concerns coming off his injury. Frankly, even though he was healthy, with his leg healed, he knew he was still rusty with all the time off still favored his other leg, reducing his power stroke. Despite that, he caught the plane to meet up with the club to take in the scenes of the Big Show!

Well, his first cup of coffee was mighty bitter.

Year .G AB .H 2B 3B HR RBI R BB.. K SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS
2028 14 49 11 4 0 ..0 4 4 3 6 0 0 .224 .269 .306 .575 BAL


He was sent back down 14 games later...

[Wig]

"WHY did they rush me after my injury? Just another heartless machine that wants to churn out young underpaid players to make money. " And with that pain in his heart Cid returned to AAA after a very poor 14 game stint in the SHOW. 2028 AAA , though solid, never got off the ground like it shoud have for Cid. <pre>
Year G AB H 2B 3B HR RBI R BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS
2028, AAA 84 330 92 19 5 11 42 48 33 46 3 4 .279 .340 .467 .806
</pre>
2029 In what was expected to be a breakout season of Cid, he floundered.
<pre>
Year G AB H 2B 3B HR RBI R BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS
2029, AAA 129 506 124 27 3 13 79 59 55 81 7 8 .245 .315 .387 .702
</pre>
Self doubt was creeping into Cids head. He had no explanation for his underachievement. Some of his coaches were encouraging, but he fell far short of the high goals he set for himself. "I don't know pop, maybe I'm just not that good. Maybe my luck has finally run out." he said to his father. He made all his workouts and batting sessions. In the gym and in the cages he showed improvement, but could not turn it into game time production. The minor league season ended. Dejected, Cid packed up his locker for the winter, perhaps for the last time. Out of the blue, the pro club calls him up for the last couple of weeks of the season. This new hope ignited the fire in him all over again. Fearing this to be his last chance to impress, he gave it all he had.
<pre>
Year G AB H 2B 3B HR RBI R BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS
2029 9 36 15 2 1 0 3 6 1 5 0 0 .417 .432 .528 .960 BAL
</pre>

...and Cid did not play minor league ball again.

[Wig]

Well I guess that last statement is not entirely true, but more on that later...

He was pretty good for Baltimore, but they decide to trade him to TB. Cid was happy.
"At least I'm cut loose from the money hungry leeches that have been using me." Not to mention Tampa was 2 steps up in the division.

2030 ended ok for Cid, his first full season in the Bigs::
Year G AB H 2B 3B HR RBI R BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS Teams
2030 131 418 113 28 1 21 74 64 28 99 0 1 .270 .316 .493 .809 BAL TBA

"If only they'd change their rookie OTY regulations, I may have had a chance." Instead Cid's 14 games in 2028 counted as his rookie year.
Cid was fairly solid the next couple of years with Tampa Bay. He didn't win any awards, or was an allstar, but was good with his bat knocking in 346 runs the next 3 years(7th in 2032, 8th in `33), hitting 86 HR (10th in `33). He was also 6th in doubles in `31 and `32. He helped to bring TB out of the cellar to play .500 ball, and even make the playoffs in 2033.

Year G AB H 2B 3B HR RBI R BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS Teams
2031 161 595 154 47 4 25 106 79 51 126 1 0 .259 .317 .477 .795 TBA
2032 158 606 157 53 1 25 118 90 41 111 0 0 .259 .306 .474 .780 TBA
2033 161 624 173 41 5 36 122 96 50 113 1 0 .277 .331 .532 .863 TBA

Knocked out of the first round, Cid was determined to play better ball. Unfortunately, 2034 was a wash with TB missing the playoffs by a mere game and Cid hitting a slump, though playing pretty good.

2035 brought alot of expcetations for TB as well as Cid. While it was a good year for Cid, it wasn't good for TB. He was selected to his first all-star team while TB finished 4th in the division.

Year G AB H 2B 3B HR RBI R BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS Teams
2035 162 683 195 49 3 32 110 107 48 133 3 0 .286 .332 .507 .839 TBA,AL

The selection ended up hurting Cids standing in the organization as he questioned their commitment to winning. "We all agreed to approach `35 with new enthusiasm and determination. Well I did and all you could do was let our best pitcher get away in FA."
Bringing back bitter memories of Baltimore, Cid, heading into FA, was determined to find a team committed to winning.

[Wig]

Heading into Free Agency, Cid was optimistic. Yes his Avg was not the best (.260+ career) and he struck out a bit to much (over 600 times the last 5 years), but he could produce.

He was 6th in doubles in '31, '32, and '34 and 5th in '35
10th in HR in '33.
7th in RBI in '32, 5th in '33 and 10th in '34.
He was even 5th in hits in '35.

But for some strange reason, he didn't think he was getting offers he derserved. His best offer came from Boston at just over 3.8 million. Boston was a contender the last few years, not to mention had the highest offer. He signed and thought the match was made. But little did he know he was in for a 3 year struggle that would almost end with him out of the game...

[Wig]

A 2 year deal with boston was agreed upon, for 3.87 million a year.

Cid could not believe his luck. He was pinchhitting, filling in. Now he was sent down to AAA! "I cannot believe this! I was producing the same numbers for what they signed me! What did they think they were getting?"

He was traded to Pittsburgh on June 17th, 2036. Despite missing 28 games, he finished with 30HR and 106 RBI.

2037 would introduce more turmoil for Cid. He was traded to Anaheim. While spending his first stint on the DL, he had his worst offensive season in 8 years amassing only 24 HR and 98 RBI while batting .242.

"I cannot understand this. I am an RBI machine! Don't people want to score runs? If they'd stop passing me around I could get healthy and more consistent."

Heading into FA, he was not optimistic. He was beginning to doubt he could hang on for the long haul. He really did not want to be a regular journeyman, going from team to team. But FA would bring a new team and 2038 new challanges for Mr. Montenegro. Sadly, at the age of 31, retirement was not a distant option.

[Wig]

FA was not kind to Cid. No offers came in. Not giving up hope he called every team, and noone wanted him. Days and then weeks went by with not a word. On Feb 28th it all changed.

"Hey Cid, this is the GM of NY(A). We want you to come play for us, what do you say? We'll pay 3.6 million for 4 years."

"Sir, I would love to play with NY(A), they have always been my favorite team." Cid checked out the club. They had a young 1B, 24. He figured he'd play and DH so the kid could have an easy break in to the Majors and eventually take his spot. But so what, he got to play again and this time he signed the 4 year deal so maybe it would last. He hadn't any luck with the 2 year deals he has been signing.

Not 2 months later, April 21st, NY(A) relesed Cid.

And so it began...

[Wig]

2038

4/21 released by NY(A)
5/12 signed by Mil.
7/14 traded to SD
7/28 traded BACK TO MIL!!!

He could not believe this, all the while putting up a good year. .285/.336/.517 24HR, 100RBI, 90 Runs and 45 doubles in 137 games. He just could not understand why noone would want him. Again, he found just enough to keep him from quitting all together. Despite the dramatic team changes, he was proud of his numbers.

"Once again into FA I go, by the end of 2039 who knows where I'll go!"

But it was different this time. "Is it because of my batting average I posted last season?" Offers of 4, 5 6 million were waiting for him! Some of the old teams wanted him, NY, Balt, Boston. Screw them, so what if they are willing to pay the most. Ahh, there's an interesting offer, Oakland. Lets check them out. "The only 1B is a 38 yr old stiff. That's where I'm going to get some playing time and ABs."

So on Feb 25th, 2039, Cid signed with Oak for 4 yrs at 5.6 million per year. And with a simple signing of that contract, at 33 years of age, unknown to Cid, Oakland or the rest of baseball, the LEGEND of CID MONTENEGRO was about to be born.

[Wig]

Cid's stint with Oakland was impressive. The strange thing was when alot of teams thought he was washed up, but like a fine wine, he just got better and better with age.

Year G AB H 2B 3B HR RBI R BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS Teams
2039 149 588 167 39 5 39 149 96 43 129 0 1 .284 .333 .566 .899 OAK,AL
2040 162 641 189 58 3 34 110 103 57 136 2 1 .295 .352 .554 .906 OAK,AL
2041 162 650 185 53 1 35 108 99 52 135 1 1 .285 .338 .531 .868 OAK
2042 160 640 183 64 5 38 124 109 51 142 1 0 .286 .339 .580 .918 OAK
2043 162 662 188 52 4 40 121 104 51 132 3 2 .284 .335 .556 .891 OAK
2044 162 652 200 52 3 42 137 108 60 133 0 1 .307 .365 .589 .954 OAK,AL
2045 162 651 183 43 1 49 144 107 44 135 0 1 .281 .327 .576 .903 OAK,AL
2046 161 631 186 72 1 25 122 89 26 144 1 1 .295 .323 .531 .854 OAK,AL

2047 again noone wanted Cid. He signed on with Anaheim, the same team that trade for him back in '37, but he ignored and signed elsewhere. In and out of the lineup, Cid made little impact, was released and decided he had enough, retired and was inducted into the HoF.

[Wig]

Year G AB H 2B 3B HR RBI R BB K SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS Teams
2028 14 49 11 4 0 0 4 4 3 6 0 0 .224 .269 .306 .575 BAL
2029 9 36 15 2 1 0 3 6 1 5 0 0 .417 .432 .528 .960 BAL
2030 131 418 113 28 1 21 74 64 28 99 0 1 .270 .316 .493 .809 BAL TBA
2031 161 595 154 47 4 25 106 79 51 126 1 0 .259 .317 .477 .795 TBA
2032 158 606 157 53 1 25 118 90 41 111 0 0 .259 .306 .474 .780 TBA
2033 161 624 173 41 5 36 122 96 50 113 1 0 .277 .331 .532 .863 TBA
2034 159 647 166 48 3 32 112 85 36 150 0 0 .257 .296 .488 .784 TBA
2035 162 683 195 49 3 32 110 107 48 133 3 0 .286 .332 .507 .839 TBA,AL
2036 134 513 135 34 4 30 106 78 37 108 0 1 .263 .313 .520 .833 BOS PIT
2037 149 575 139 36 3 28 98 89 45 130 1 0 .242 .297 .461 .758 PIT ANA
2038 137 540 154 45 4 24 100 90 41 113 3 1 .285 .336 .517 .852 NYA MIL SDN MI
2039 149 588 167 39 5 39 149 96 43 129 0 1 .284 .333 .566 .899 OAK,AL
2040 162 641 189 58 3 34 110 103 57 136 2 1 .295 .352 .554 .906 OAK,AL
2041 162 650 185 53 1 35 108 99 52 135 1 1 .285 .338 .531 .868 OAK
2042 160 640 183 64 5 38 124 109 51 142 1 0 .286 .339 .580 .918 OAK
2043 162 662 188 52 4 40 121 104 51 132 3 2 .284 .335 .556 .891 OAK
2044 162 652 200 52 3 42 137 108 60 133 0 1 .307 .365 .589 .954 OAK,AL
2045 162 651 183 43 1 49 144 107 44 135 0 1 .281 .327 .576 .903 OAK,AL
2046 161 631 186 72 1 25 122 89 26 144 1 1 .295 .323 .531 .854 OAK,AL
2051 13 53 12 3 1 1 6 8 0 11 0 0 .226 .222 .377 .600 ANA

Total 2668 10454 2905 823 53 556 1974 1611 765 2191 17 11 .278 .327 .526 .853

Outstanding batter on `44.

SLG
2039 - .566 - 7th
2040 - .554 - 8th
2041 - .531 - 10th
2042 - .580 - 5th
2043 - .556 - 8th
2044 - .589 - 5th
2045 - .576 - 10th
OPS
2042 - .918 - 9th
2044 - .954 - 4th
Hits
2035 - 195 - 5th
2040 - 189 - 8th
2043 - 188 - 9th
2044 - 200 - 4th
2046 - 186 - 8th
Doubles
2031 - 47 - 6th
2032 - 53 - 6th
2034 - 48 - 6th
2035 - 49 - 5th
2038 - 45 - 8th
2040 - 58 - 2nd
2041 - 53 - 2nd
2042 - 64 - 2nd
2043 - 52 - 3rd
2044 - 52 - 4th
2045 - 43 - 8th
2046 - 72 - 1st
Homeruns
2033 - 36 - 10th
2039 - 39 - 4th
2040 - 34 - 9th
2041 - 35 - 8th
2042 - 38 - 4th
2043 - 40 - 5th
2044 - 42 - 4th
2045 - 49 - 2nd
RBI
2032 - 118 - 7th
2033 - 122 - 5th
2034 - 112 - 10th
2039 - 149 - 1st
2042 - 124 - 4th
2043 - 121 - 5th
2044 - 137 - 2nd
2045 - 144 - 2nd
2046 - 122 - 8th
Runs
2042 - 109 - 10th
2044 - 108 -