There's something brewing - A Badenian going America

[Loeffle]

This is my first try writing a dynasty. As I'm not a native speaker I hope you are able to get what I write. But on the other hand there are even some famous Americans who don't know the difference between Australia and Austria

Reading the stories of darkcloud4579, majormet, Purple Cowboy and Dauis was a big inspiration for me. I adopted many ideas, but try to do this story my own way.

So far I played every single game from 1st to last inning. I control the offense and make the substitions, while my head coach gives pitching instructions and controls defense.

My story will start a bit unusual, but that's the things went as my story developed out of a "test season".

There will be only a rather short 2007 review. The real dynasty begins after the 2007 World Series.

2007 Review - Milwaukee Brewers
Manager Yost / GM Fritsche

After what was considered a shock move, the Milwaukee Brewers sacked proven, but boring GM Doug Melvin and replaced him with Grand Duchy of Baden native Andreas "Red Chow" Fritsche. Fritsche who's never ever been to the Americas or played a single professional baseball match was supposed to bring and completely new approach to Milwaukee as owner Mark Attanasio stated in a pressconference 2nd January 2007.

Fritsche's lone highlight came at the age of 11, when he collected the Striker of the Year award in the Black Forest League playing for FC Löffingen (football - soccer). His career came to an sad end when he tore his ligaments at the age of 18 playing hit and run trying for a double on a ground not really suited for baseball. When trying a football comeback Fritsche strained the same ligaments in only his third game playing for a student team in Tromsø/Norway.

As Fritsche knew the baseball basics, he was quite a rookie being a GM. That's why the months January to March were quiet ones. On the first glimpse the Brewers were a decent team with a lot talent on the field. Pitching was a bit weak, and there were too many outfielders.

Therefore Fritsche's main aim was a trade to bolster pitching. But trades with Houston, San Diego and the Dodgers failed, as they were unwilling to give us a couple of decent pitchers for Geoff Jenkins, who was in the last year of his contract.

After a horrible spring training Yost was degraded to assistant manager, as Fritsche took over every day management as well. The owner expected us to play .500 ball, a realistic goal, if we only would manage to pitch.

[Loeffle]

April to July 2007 - Milwaukee Brewers
Manager and GM Fritsche

Opening Day Lineup (Home vs. Dodgers):

Weeks (2B)
Braun (3B)
Fielder (1B)
Hart (LF)
Hall (CF)
Jenkins (RF)
Estrada (C)
Hardy (SS)
Sheets (SP)

Non-Starters:
Bush (SP)
Capuano (SP)
Gallardo (SP)
Suppan (SP)

Vargas (Spot Starter)
Turnbow (R)
Shouse (R)
Wise (R)
Parra (R)
Dessens (R)
Cordero (CL)

Counsell (Infield)
Graffanino (Infield)
Gross (Outfield)
Nix (Outfield)
Miller (C)

The first game was won 8-4 as we chased Schmidt after only 2.1 IP.

April was a great month as we went 16-10, even if pitching was below average. Especially Jeff Suppan was a disgrace collecting a 6.66 ERA.

Some other players surprised positively and got rewarded with new contracts.

RF/LF Gabe Gross (great defensively and better in offense than struggling Jenkins) 3 year extension worth 2,040,000.
SS / Utility man Tony Graffanino (batting .333 with 3 HRs and 15 RBIs) 2 year extension worth 2,340,000
CL Francisco Cordero (1.29 ERA with 7 saves - a rare highlight in a sad bullpen) 2 year extension worth 3,820,000
MR Elmer Dessens (3-0, 2.13 ERA, 0.95 WHIP - the only reliable reliever besides Cordero) 1 year extension 520,000

Fortunes for the Brew Crew and GM/Manager Red Chow Fritsche changed at once when 3B Ryan "Calamity" Braun went on the DL for 3 weeks on 23rd April (batting .329 until then).

Even when he came back the Brewers played from times to times awful and they dropped to 4th in NL Central (behind Pittsburgh, St. Louis and Houston). Despite going 2-13 on a road trip, they ended May with 12-17 record.

Fritsche singled out Jeff Suppan and his mighty 4 year / 42,000,000 contract out as mayor problem. To get rid of Suppan (8.19 ERA / 10 GS) we had to add Corey Hart and minor leaguer Zach Jackson to the White Sox. Even if losing Hart hurt, this trade was a key for Brewer success as we escaped financial disaster.

2007 Draft - 15th Pick in every round

1st Round - MR Angel Tapia - Middleborough, Massachusetts

• A 31.2 IP, 2.84 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 16 BB, 20 K
• AA 1.0 IP, 36.00 ERA, 4.00 WHIP, 1 B, 2 K

2nd Round - SP Alejandro Mendoza - Hudson, New York

• R (AZL) 70.2 IP, 1.66 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 16 BB, 45 K, 3 CG, 1 SHO
• R 21.2 IP, 2.08 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 8 BB, 17 K

3rd Round - SS Nick Haynes - Naperville, Illinois

• R (AZL) .198 AVG, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 5 BB, 19 K

4th Round - SP Alfonso Mendoza - Chicago, Illinois

• R (AZL) 39.1 IP, 5.49 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 11 BB, 12 K

5th Round - 2B Sukenobu Matsu****a - Japan

• R (AZL) .240 AVG, 3 HR, 20 RBI, 23 BB, 16 K
• R .000 AVG (1 AB)

6th Round - MR Nelson Salazar - San Diego, California

• R (AZL) 19.2 IP, 5.03 ERA, 1.68 WHIP, 5 BB, 12 K

7th Round - MR Michel Marcil - Lethbridge, Alberta

• R 14.0 IP; 2.57 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 6 BB, 7 K

8th Round - 1B Bob Bannatyne - Springfield, Missouri

• R .369 AVG, 5 HR, 15 RBI, 11 BB, 15 K
• A .241 AVG, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 0 BB, 3 K (13 AB)
• 2007 Pioneer League All-Star

9th Round - 2B Sean Stone - Brisbane, Queensland

• R .272 AVG, 3 HR, 31 RBI, 17 BB, 29 K, 6 SB

10th Round - CF Andy Walker - West Carson, California

• R .220 AVG, 0 HR, 24 RBI, 11 BB, 34 K, 33 SB
• 2007 Pioneer League All-Star

June ended with 15-11 record, but the Pirates seem to be too strong for us. Their pitching is among the best in the mayors. We battle the Cubs and the Cardinals for 2nd place.

[Loeffle]

July 2007 - Milwaukee Brewers
Manager and GM Fritsche

Another problem we had was outfield. We had at least six players who were supposed to be good enough to start (Hart, Hall, Jenkins and Gross on the Brewers squad, as well as Gwynn and Mench who terrorized AAA pitching).

In early July the Dodgers showed us a nice way out of our problem.

Trade:
RF Geoff Jenkins (.270 AVG, 13 HR, 30 RBI) + MR Steve Hammond (AAA - 4.22 ERA) for LF/1B James Loney (AAA - .306, 3 HR, 28 RBI) + MR/CL Justin Orenduff (AAA - 3.46 ERA, 11 S)

Of course Jenkins was a great Brewer hero, but he was not worth his 7,500,000. Loney is much younger, offers a bit more offense and less defense, but can play also 1B if Fielder goes down. Orenduff could make the mayors.

2007 All Star Selection's

The 2007 All Star Game was sadly cancelled as more than half of the selected players chose to boycott the game after a big Sammy Sosa, Barry Bonds and Julio Franco hormone scandal.

[Loeffle]

July 2007 - Milwaukee Brewers
Manager and GM Fritsche

With pitching slowly improoving and financials under control, we only had one major problem left: The Shortstop position.

JJ Hardy battled the Mendoza line early on and was sent down to regain his swing. Tony Graffanino who did very well and was on pace for 20 homers, injured himself just before the All-Star break. AAA Call-Up Alcides Escobar showed he's still a season or two away from reaching the Mayors.

The solution to our problem was Cesar Izturis who had been released by the Cubs. Thankful that we gave him another chance he simply exploded in his first month for us, hitting .406.

The emergence of Izturis allowed us to shop old warhorse Craig Counsell (.226 in 125 AB's) around in order to find some pitching talent. The Braves were willing takers sending highly rated pitchers Jeff Locke and Carlos Rivas. Why the Braves released poor Craig only two weeks after the trade is not known.

We also ended July with a 15-11 record, meaning standing at 58-49 on 1st of August. The Pirates led the Central with 59-48, while the Cubs (52-54) and Cards (51-55) seemed to be out of the race.

On the 31st of July we lost SP Yovani Gallardo for the season, which prompted us to call up Jack Egbert, who we received in the Suppan/Hart trade. Gallardo's injury put pressure on underachieving starters Sheets, Capuano and Vargas if we should make a playoff run.

Just before the trading deadline we make a trade with the Oakland A's receiving their star reliever Alan Embree (0.69 ERA in 26.0 IP with a 0.81 WHIP) for Minor Leaguer Jose Macias (2B) (batting .271 in 107 AB for AAA Nashville). As our Lefty Parra (7.54 ERA) showed more than once that he is not ready for the mayors and Shouse couldn't shoulder the workload against left-handed batter, Embree was considered a key acquisation for our unlikely playoffrun. We left wondering why the A's only wanted a free agent minor leaguer with no future at Milwaukee for him.

[No Pepper]

Loeffle, congratulations on a good start to your dynasty. I need to take the plunge myself and write my own dynasty soon. I will be following your story as I am a fan of the Brewers. Who did you get in return for the trade with the White Sox for Suppan/Hart/Jackson?

[darkcloud4579]

You're off to a good start. Keep it up!

[Loeffle]

Originally Posted by No Pepper

Loeffle, congratulations on a good start to your dynasty. I need to take the plunge myself and write my own dynasty soon. I will be following your story as I am a fan of the Brewers. Who did you get in return for the trade with the White Sox for Suppan/Hart/Jackson?

Well thanks

As I wanted to dump Suppan and his contract at all costs (I had financial problems) we only got SP Jack Egbert for him. We considered Egbert (4.20 ERA in 5 starts for the Sox) as a maybe 5th starter and were happy to take him. No other team was willing to take Suppan, so we had to sacrifice Hart as well.

[Loeffle]

Originally Posted by darkcloud4579

You're off to a good start. Keep it up!

Thanks a lot This is not yet the real story, just warming up for 2008 and a "hot winter" )

[Loeffle]

August and September 2007 - Milwaukee Brewers
Manager and GM Fritsche

August should quickly tell if we are good enough for the playoffs. While the offense with Hall, Braun and Fielder was running, the rotation and the bullpen were trouble areas. David Bush was the only reliable starter, Ben Sheets
ate innings, but gave up homerun after homerun. Chris Capuano mixed good and bad outings, while it was better to have a rested bullpen for Claudio Vargas starts. But who should we call up as Nr. 5 starter for the injured Gallardo? Veteran R.A. Dickey was the most successful pitcher at AAA Nashville, but head scout Terry Dean vetoed calling him up as he doubted him being good enough for our playoff run. Eventually we opted for Jack Egbert (2.40 ERA / 1.23 WHIP in 10 starts for Nashville)over Carlos Villanueva (4.17 ERA / 1.46 WHIP as spot starter and reliever for Nashville).
Our bullpen was also seriously lacking consistency and virtually no lead was "safe". Only Matt Wise, Jose Cappellan and Francisco Cordero were more or less solid. Japanese free agent signing Rui Makino showed more shadow than sun.

The biggest names in August were then Claudio Vargas who finally showed he's a big league pitcher fighting for a contract and the new setup combo Capellan/Embree who both were virtually inhitable during 7th and 8th innings.

While we went 15-12, Pittsburgh took a huge hit going only 10-18 in August.

But we were by no means through to the playoffs as we had to play the Pirates six times. Sadly we struggled against them all season. They simply took advantage of our pitching problems and we simply couldn't hit Snell, Gorzelanny, Redmond and Duke. Their bullpen was superiour we lost 4 out of 6 games.

Our comfortable lead was cut to 3,5 games, as problems increased. Ryan "Calamity" Braun showed signs of the "Chuck Knoblauch illness" and committed error after error. But as we needed his bat, we moved him to LF (where he didn't have to throw that much), while red hot Bill Hall took over 3B.

After going 3-7 in Mid-August the division became really close, but with a 10-0 victory against the Padres we qualified for the playoffs on 27th september.

Looking back to those hot days in september, I think the Hall - Braun move rescued our lead.

Final 2007 standings:

American League Standings

Eastern Division Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec Diff Home Away XInn 1Run M# Streak Last10 Tampa Bay Devil Rays 108 54 .667 - 100-62 8 58-23 50-31 10-2 36-14 Clinched W1 7-3 Boston Red Sox 78 84 .481 30.0 79-83 -1 38-43 40-41 6-14 26-21 W2 4-6 Toronto Blue Jays 73 89 .451 35.0 73-89 0 39-42 34-47 6-8 17-25 L1 4-6 New York (A) Yankees 70 92 .432 38.0 82-80 -12 36-45 34-47 4-8 12-34 L2 4-6 Baltimore Orioles 68 94 .420 40.0 66-96 2 36-45 32-49 7-8 26-23 W2 5-5 Central Division Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec Diff Home Away XInn 1Run M# Streak Last10 Chicago (A) White Sox 86 76 .531 - 77-85 9 46-35 40-41 8-3 27-15 Clinched W1 4-6 Minnesota Twins 85 77 .525 1.0 86-76 -1 44-37 41-40 7-9 25-21 L2 5-5 Cleveland Indians 84 78 .519 2.0 88-74 -4 36-45 48-33 9-4 24-25 L1 4-6 Detroit Tigers 73 89 .451 13.0 75-87 -2 40-41 33-48 5-11 23-29 L1 6-4 Kansas City Royals 68 94 .420 18.0 69-93 -1 35-46 33-48 8-9 18-22 W1 4-6 Western Division Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec Diff Home Away XInn 1Run M# Streak Last10 Los Angeles (A) Angels 95 67 .586 - 90-72 5 49-32 46-35 14-6 26-19 Clinched W1 7-3 Oakland Athletics 94 68 .580 1.0 94-68 0 56-25 38-43 7-7 26-24 L1 7-3 Seattle Mariners 77 85 .475 18.0 74-88 3 45-36 32-49 9-4 23-24 W1 4-6 Texas Rangers 68 94 .420 27.0 70-92 -2 40-41 28-53 4-9 18-29 L1 5-5 AL Wild Card Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec Diff Home Away XInn 1Run M# Streak Last10 Oakland Athletics 94 68 .580 - 94-68 0 56-25 38-43 7-7 26-24 Clinched L1 7-3 Minnesota Twins 85 77 .525 9.0 86-76 -1 44-37 41-40 7-9 25-21 L2 5-5 Cleveland Indians 84 78 .519 10.0 88-74 -4 36-45 48-33 9-4 24-25 L1 4-6 Boston Red Sox 78 84 .481 16.0 79-83 -1 38-43 40-41 6-14 26-21 W2 4-6 Seattle Mariners 77 85 .475 17.0 74-88 3 45-36 32-49 9-4 23-24 W1 4-6 Detroit Tigers 73 89 .451 21.0 75-87 -2 40-41 33-48 5-11 23-29 L1 6-4 Toronto Blue Jays 73 89 .451 21.0 73-89 0 39-42 34-47 6-8 17-25 L1 4-6 New York (A) Yankees 70 92 .432 24.0 82-80 -12 36-45 34-47 4-8 12-34 L2 4-6 Baltimore Orioles 68 94 .420 26.0 66-96 2 36-45 32-49 7-8 26-23 W2 5-5 Kansas City Royals 68 94 .420 26.0 69-93 -1 35-46 33-48 8-9 18-22 W1 4-6 Texas Rangers 68 94 .420 26.0 70-92 -2 40-41 28-53 4-9 18-29 L1 5-5

National League Standings

Eastern Division Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec Diff Home Away XInn 1Run M# Streak Last10 Atlanta Braves 89 73 .549 - 87-75 2 48-33 41-40 9-6 23-20 Clinched L1 7-3 Philadelphia Phillies 87 75 .537 2.0 88-74 -1 48-33 39-42 4-4 17-23 L1 5-5 Florida Marlins 86 76 .531 3.0 88-74 -2 47-34 39-42 7-7 25-23 L1 6-4 New York (N) Mets 85 77 .525 4.0 85-77 0 40-41 45-36 7-6 24-27 W1 5-5 Washington Nationals 67 95 .414 22.0 67-95 0 36-45 31-50 2-5 13-19 W1 3-7 Central Division Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec Diff Home Away XInn 1Run M# Streak Last10 Milwaukee Brewers 87 75 .537 - 89-73 -2 46-35 41-40 7-9 21-23 Clinched L3 3-7 Pittsburgh Pirates 86 76 .531 1.0 87-75 -1 51-30 35-46 13-7 30-23 W6 8-2 Chicago (N) Cubs 80 82 .494 7.0 81-81 -1 42-39 38-43 4-12 25-26 W1 4-6 St. Louis Cardinals 79 83 .488 8.0 79-83 0 50-31 29-52 8-8 23-25 L3 6-4 Houston Astros 75 87 .463 12.0 76-86 -1 43-38 32-49 8-8 28-24 W1 3-7 Cincinnati Reds 71 91 .438 16.0 66-96 5 39-42 32-49 6-8 32-25 L1 4-6 Western Division Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec Diff Home Away XInn 1Run M# Streak Last10 Arizona Diamondbacks 98 64 .605 - 101-61 -3 54-27 44-37 8-8 23-23 Clinched L2 5-5 Colorado Rockies 86 76 .531 12.0 87-75 -1 43-38 43-38 8-7 21-18 W2 6-4 San Francisco Giants 85 77 .525 13.0 81-81 4 51-30 34-47 7-4 20-21 L1 6-4 San Diego Padres 73 89 .451 25.0 72-90 1 40-41 33-48 8-9 25-23 W3 5-5 Los Angeles (N) Dodgers 69 93 .426 29.0 74-88 -5 40-41 29-52 10-10 21-30 W1 4-6 NL Wild Card Team W L PCT GB Pyt.Rec Diff Home Away XInn 1Run M# Streak Last10 Philadelphia Phillies 87 75 .537 - 88-74 -1 48-33 39-42 4-4 17-23 Clinched L1 5-5 Colorado Rockies 86 76 .531 1.0 87-75 -1 43-38 43-38 8-7 21-18 W2 6-4 Florida Marlins 86 76 .531 1.0 88-74 -2 47-34 39-42 7-7 25-23 L1 6-4 Pittsburgh Pirates 86 76 .531 1.0 87-75 -1 51-30 35-46 13-7 30-23 W6 8-2 New York (N) Mets 85 77 .525 2.0 85-77 0 40-41 45-36 7-6 24-27 W1 5-5 San Francisco Giants 85 77 .525 2.0 81-81 4 51-30 34-47 7-4 20-21 L1 6-4 Chicago (N) Cubs 80 82 .494 7.0 81-81 -1 42-39 38-43 4-12 25-26 W1 4-6 St. Louis Cardinals 79 83 .488 8.0 79-83 0 50-31 29-52 8-8 23-25 L3 6-4 Houston Astros 75 87 .463 12.0 76-86 -1 43-38 32-49 8-8 28-24 W1 3-7 San Diego Padres 73 89 .451 14.0 72-90 1 40-41 33-48 8-9 25-23 W3 5-5 Cincinnati Reds 71 91 .438 16.0 66-96 5 39-42 32-49 6-8 32-25 L1 4-6 Los Angeles (N) Dodgers 69 93 .426 18.0 74-88 -5 40-41 29-52 10-10 21-30 W1 4-6 Washington Nationals 67 95 .414 20.0 67-95 0 36-45 31-50 2-5 13-19 W1 3-7

Boston, Houston and San Diego sent both their GMs and managers packing.
The Rangers and Yankees bade farewell to their GMs, while Toronto and the Mets sacked their managers.


Our Minor League Teams:

• AAA Nashville Sounds (90-54 - won American North under Manager Motonobu Kikuchi - won the playoff championship against the Fresno Grizzlies 4 games to 0)
• AA Huntsville Stars (62-78 - last in Northern Division under Manager Don Money)
• A Brevard County Manatees (62-78 - 5th in Eastern Division under Manager Jonathan Herbert who was replaced by Vincent Booth on 21st september)
• A West Virginia Power (73-67 - 4th in Northern Division under Manager Jed Kramer who was replaced by Terry MacPatrick on 21st september)
• R Helena Brewers (49-27 - won Northern Division under Manager Uzmir Chaga - lost the playoff championship against the Orem Owlz 3 games to 0)
• R AZL Brewers - (25-31 - 7th in Arizona League under Manager Edmond Harris)

[Loeffle]

2007 Regular Season Stats

American League

Batting Average

1. V. Guerrero (LAA) .359
2. J. Mauer (MIN) .347
3. I. Suzuki (SEA) . 340

On-Base Percentage

1. J. Mauer (MIN) .418
2. T. Hafner (CLE) .408
3. V. Guerrero (LAA) .405

Slugging Percentage

1. V. Guerrero (LAA) .599
2. M. Teixeira (TEX) .593
3. M. Ramirez (BOS) .589

VORP

1. V. Guerrero (LAA) 87.0
2. J. Mauer (MIN) 74.9
3. T. Hafner (CLE) 68.1

Hits

1. C. Crawford (TBA) 211
2. V. Guerrero (LAA) 204
3. D. Young (TBA) 203

Doubles

1. D. Young (TBA) 49
2. C. Crawford (TBA) 46
3. J. Baker (LAA) 44

Triples

1. C. Crawford (TBA) 19
2. A. Casilla (MIN) 11
3. W. Balentien (SEA), E. German (KC), A. Gordon (KC), T. Hunter (MIN), J. Mauer (MIN), B. Upton (TBA) all 8

Home Runs

1. M. Teixeira (TEX) 47
2. M. Ramirez (BOS) 45
3. T. Hafner (CLE) 44

Runs Batted In

1. M. Teixeira (TEX) 139
2. E. Longoria (TBA) 130
3. M. Ramirez (BOS) 125

Runs Scored

1. T. Hafner (CLE) 125
2. M. Teixeira (TEX) 113
3. C. Crawford (TBA), D. Young (TBA) both 111

Stolen Bases

1. C. Crawford (TBA) 50 SB
2. B. Upton (TBA) 45 SB
3. I. Suzuki (SEA) 36 SB

Bases on Balls

1. J. Giambi (NYA) 114
2. T. Hafner (CLE) 113
3. M. Ramirez (BOS) 99

Strikeouts

1. W. Pena (BOS) 173
2. R. Sexson (SEA) 170
3. B. Wood (LAA) 159

Extra Base Hits

1. M. Teixeira (TEX) 89
2. C. Crawford (TBA) 86
3. E. Longoria (TBA) 83

Total Bases

1. M. Teixeira (TEX) 363
2. C. Crawford (TBA) 358
3. T. Hafner (CLE) 351

Earned Run Average

1. J. Howell (TBA) 2.58
2. R. Harden (OAK) 2.78
3. J. Vasquez (CHA) 3.16

Wins

1. R. Harden (OAK) 20
2. J. Howell (TBA) 19
3. C Wang (NYA) 19

Losses

1. M. Garza (MIN) 18
2. V. Padilla (TEX) 18
3. A. Pettitte (NYA) 18

Saves

1. F. Rodriguez (LAA) 41
2. H. Street (OAK) 39
3. B. Jenks (CHA), A. Reyes (TBA) both 38

Innings Pitched

1. J. Vasquez (CHA) 256.1 IP
2. J. Bonderman (DET) 245.1 IP
3. R. Harden (OAK) 243.0 IP

VORP

1. J. Howell (TBA) 73.0
2. R. Harden (OAK) 71.1
3. J. Vasquez (CHA) 70.0

Bases on Balls

1. D. Cabrera (BAL) 105
2. A. Loewen (BAL) 99
3. E. Bedard (BAL) 93

Strikeouts

1. R. Harden (OAK) 246
2. S. Kazmir (TBA) 240
3. J. Santana (MIN) 227

WHIP

1. J. Howell (TBA) 1.08
2. J. Vazquez (CHA) 1.14
3. K. Slowey (MIN) 1.16

Hits Allowed

1. C. Wang (NYA) 277
2. R. Halladay (TOR) 269
3. C. Sabathia (CLE) 267

Home Runs Allowed

1. M. Buehrle (CHA) 47
2. J. Garland (CHA) 43
3. M. Mussina (NYA) 41

[Loeffle]

2007 Regular Season Stats

National League

Batting Average

1. A. Pujols (SLN) .367
2. R. Braun (MIL) .353
3. M. Cabrera (FLO) .448

On-Base Percentage

1. A. Pujols (SLN) .438
2. P. Fielder (MIL) .428
3. B. Bonds (SFN) . 421

Slugging Percentage

1. A. Pujols (SLN) .676
2. R. Howard (PHI) .667
3. P. Fielder (MIL) .600

VORP

1. A. Pujols (SLN) 104.2
2. P. Fielder (MIL) 94.4
3. M. Cabrera (FLO) 88.0

Hits

1. A. Pujols (SLN) 212
2. C. Jackson (ARI) 208
3. M. Cabrera (FLO) 206

Doubles

1. C. Jackson (ARI) 48
2. A. Callaspo (ARI) 42
3. M. Kemp (LAN) 42

Triples

1. A. Callaspo (ARI) 11
2. L. Milledge (NYN) 10
3. C. Jackson (ARI), A. Soriano (CHN) both 8

Home Runs

1. R. Howard (PHI) 59
2. P. Fielder (MIL) 51
3. A. LaRoche (PIT) 47

Runs Batted In

1. P. Fielder (MIL) 156
2. A. Pujols (SLN) 141
3. J. Francoeur (ATL) 129

Runs Scored

1. P. Fielder (MIL) 137
   
2. R. Braun (MIL) 122
3. R. Howard (PHI) 122

Stolen Bases

1. J. Reyes (NYN) 47
2. R. Freel (SLN) 39
3. R. Furcal (LAN) 36

Bases on Balls

1. B. Bonds (SFN) 116
2. P. Fielder (MIL) 113
3. L. Berkman (HOU) 102

Strikeouts

1. J. Bay (PIT) 164
2. R. Howard (PHI) 149
3. E. Renteria (ATL), D. Ross (CIN) both 147

Extra Base Hits

1. P. Fielder (MIL) 95
2. J. Francoeur (ATL) 87
3. R. Howard (PHI) 87

Total Bases

1. P. Fielder (MIL) 398
2. R. Howard (PHI) 395
3. A. Pujols (SLN) 390

Earned Run Average

1. S. Olsen (FLO) 3.32
2. J. Peavy (SDN) 3.34
3. A. Cook (COL) 3.46

Wins

1. S. Gallagher (CHN) 17
2. B. Myers (PHI) 17
3. C. Zambrano (CHN) 17

Losses

1. C. Kershaw (LAN) 19
2. A. Wainwright (WAS) 18
3. R. Oswalt (HOU) 17

Saves

1. B. Wilson (SFN) 40
2. T. Gordon (PHI) 38
3. J. Rincon (FLO), B. Wagner (NYN) both 37

Innings Pitched

1. C. Carpenter (SLN) 244.0
2. J. Peavy (SDN) 240.0
3. B. Sheets (MIL) 234.2

VORP

1. B. Webb (ARI) 53.6
2. J. Peavy (SDN) 51.7
3. R. Lopez (COL) 48.8

Bases on Balls

1. H. Bailey (CIN) 88
2. T. Lincecum (SFN) 85
3. S. Gallagher (CHN) 82

Strikeouts

1. T. Lincecum (SFN) 263
2. J. Peavy (SDN) 244
3. M. Cain (SFN) 222

WHIP

1. J. Peavy (SDN) 1.07
2. B. Sheets (MIL) 1.14
3. J. Mateo (CHN) 1.18

Hits Allowed

1. C. Carpenter (SLN) 267
2. R. Oswalt (HOU) 253
3. B. Webb (ARI) 243

Home Runs Allowed

1. B. Sheets (MIL) 53
2. O. Matos (SFN) 41
3. R. Oswalt (HOU) 39

[Loeffle]

October 2007 - Milwaukee Brewers
Manager and GM Fritsche

Milwaukee Brewers Playoff-Roster:

No 1 Starter David Bush / 15-10, 3.70 ERA, 228.2 IP, 232H, 56BB, 161K
No 2 Starter Ben Sheets / 10-14, 4.33 ERA, 234.2 IP, 225H, 42BB, 206K
No 3 Starter Chris Capuano / 16-10, 4.59 ERA, 227.1 IP, 242H, 66BB, 163K
No 4 Starter Claudio Vargas / 6-9, 4.95 ERA, 158.1 IP, 172H, 58BB, 118K
Long Reliever Carlos Villanueva / 0-2, 5.19 ERA, 26.0 IP, 27H, 11 BB, 26K
Middle Reliever Elmer "Get the Win" Dessens / 11-0, 4.65 ERA, 71.2 IP, 72H, 23BB, 57K - all 11 wins came in relief
Middle Reliever Matt Wise / 5-2, 4.42 ERA, 57.0 IP, 59 H, 21BB, 42K
Mop-Up Reliever Brian Shouse / 4-3, 4.89 ERA, 35.0 IP, 37 H, 16BB, 41K
Mop-Up Reliever Rui Makino / 2-2, 5.89 ERA, 36.2 IP, 45 H, 13BB, 24K
Setup Reliever Jose Capellan / 1-3, 2.97 ERA, 30.1 IP, 26 H, 15BB, 26K
Setup Reliever Alan Embree / 3-0, 1.57 ERA, 46.0 IP, 26 H, 14BB, 33K
Closer Francisco Cordero / 1-4-26, 4.15 ERA, 30.1 IP, 37 H, 21BB, 41K


C Johnny Estrada / 374 AB, .254, 10 HR, 48 RBI, 32 BB, 44 K
C Damian Miller / 232 AB, .233, 2 HR, 35 RBI, 31 BB, 48 K
1B Prince Fielder / 603 AB, .322, 51 HR, 156 RBI, 113 BB, 82 K, 16 SB
2B Rickie Weeks / 473 AB, .283, 23 HR, 78 RBI, 64 BB, 107 K, 19 SB
3B Bill Hall / 427 AB, .258, 22 HR, 82 RBI, 60 BB, 111 K, 8 SB
SS Tony Graffanino / 276 AB, .275, 10 HR, 44 RBI, 31 BB, 34 K, 1 SB
SS Cesar Izturis / 241 AB, .320, 0 HR, 11 RBI, 19 BB, 23 K, 8 SB
SS Alcides Escobar / 55 AB, .255, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 11 BB, 6 K, 10 SB
LF Ryan "Calamity" Braun / 573 AB, .353, 40 HR, 120 RBI, 53 BB, 101 K, 13 SB
CF Tony Gwynn Jr. / 369 AB, .331, 3 HR, 30 RBI, 57 BB, 53 K, 18 SB
RF Gabe Gross / 483 AB, .280, 23 HR, 85 RBI, 92 BB, 121 K, 1 SB
RF Kevin Mench / 228 AB, .254, 7 HR, 41 RBI, 36 BB, 26 K
RF Lorenzo Cain / 52 AB, .308, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 5 BB, 11 K, 2 SB

SP Jack Egbert
MR Vince Perkins
MR Greg Aquino
MR Manny Parra
CL Derrick Turnbow
C Mike Rivera
1B Brad Nelson
2B Hernan Iribarren
SS J.J. Hardy
3B Mat Gamel
LF James Loney
CF Lance Nix

were all sent down to AAA Nashville.

Coming tomorrow, Playoff Scores

[Loeffle]

October 2007 - Milwaukee Brewers - Playoffs
Manager and GM Fritsche

Qualified for 1st Round:

• Chicago White Sox (86-76)
• Los Angeles Angels (95-67)
• Oakland Athletics (94-68) *
• Tampa Bay Devil Rays (108-54)

• Milwaukee Brewers (87-75)
• Atlanta Braves (89-73)
• Philadelphia Phillies (87-75) *
• Arizona Diamondbacks (98-64)

* Wild Card Qualafier

The Devil Rays were clearly the best team in regular season clinching the division already in Early September. Surprisingly none of the big spenders made it to the playoffs. It had to be seen how the small markets teams manage with playoff atmosphere.


2nd October 2007:

Chicago (A) at Los Angeles (A): 7-6 (10)
W: B. Jenks (1-0); L: S. Shields (0-1); S: A. Sisco (1)

Oakland at Tampa Bay: 7-6
W: R. Harden (1-0); L: S. Kazmir (0-1); S: H. Street (1)

Philadelphia at Arizona: 6-3
W: B. Myers (1-0); L: B. Webb (0-1); S: T. Gordon (1)

Milwaukee at Atlanta: 7-3
W: D. Bush (1-0); L: J. Smoltz (0-1)
HR - B. Hall (1), G. Gross (1) / B. Jones (1), K. Johnson (1), J. Smoltz (1)
Gwynn Jr. 3-4, Hall 3-4 (3 runs scored, 1 HR - MoM)

After trailing 3-1 after 2, we just kept scoring in almost every inning. In total we had 13 hits, while the Braves only had 6. Bush gave up three solo home runs in seven innings.

All four underdogs won their road games to start the playoffs on a surprising note.


3rd October 2007:

Chicago (A) at Los Angeles (A): 2-7
W: J. Lackey (1-0), L: M. Buehrle (0-1)

Oakland at Tampa Bay: 2-7
W: J. Shields (1-0), L: J. Windsor (0-1)

Philadelphia at Arizona: 7-8
W: D. Davis (1-0), L: G. Geary (0-1), S: J. Valverde (1)

Milwaukee at Atlanta: 7-5
W: B. Sheets (1-0), L: W. Ledezma (0-1), S: F. Cordero (1)
HR - P. Fielder (1) / McCann (1)
Weeks 2-5 (3 RBI), P. Fielder 3-5 (HR, 2 RBI, MoM)

The game was really tight until Weeks hit a 2 RBI triple in the 4 run 5th inning. The Braves threatened in the 8th when Sheets ran out of power and Shouse was unable to record an out. Rui Makino pitched himself in deep trouble while struggling with his controls, but a inning ending double play saved us.

Milwaukee is the only team with a 2-0 lead. In all other ballparks the home teams prevailed and managed to tie their series as 1.


5th October 2007:

Los Angeles (A) at Chicago (A): 4-7
W: J. Vazquez (1-0), L: N. Adenhart (0-1), S: B. Jenks (1)
Chicago leads 2 games to 1

Tampa Bay at Oakland: 8-3
W: J. Hellickson (1-0), L: D. Haren (0-1)
Tampa Bay leads 2 games to 1

Arizona at Philadelphia: 10-6
W: R. Hill (1-0), L: C. Carrasco (0-1)
Arizona leads 2 games to 1

Atlanta at Milwaukee: 7-2
W: K. Davies (1-0), L: C. Capuano (0-1
HR - K. Kaaihue (1) / J. Estrada (1)
Izturis 2-3, Estrada 2-3 (HR, 2 RBI)
MoM: K. Kaaihue 4-5 (3 runs scored, HR)
Milwaukee leads 2 games to 1

Braves starter Davies allowed only 3 hits and 2 runs in 7 innings, but Capuano pitched decent as well. The inconsistent Brewers bullpen (this time Dessens and again Shouse) gave the game away in the 8th.


6th October 2007:

Los Angeles (A) at Chicago (A): 5-3
W: D. Moseley (1-0), L: H. Phillips (0-1), S: F. Rodriguez (1)
Series tied at 2

Tampa Bay at Oakland: 2-3
W: K. Calero (1-0), L: C. Orvella (0-1), S: H. Street (2)
Series tied at 2

Arizona at Philadelphia: 7-4
W: D. Davis (2-0), L: J. Lieber (0-1), S: J. Valverde (2)
Arizona wins series 3 games to 1

Atlanta at Milwaukee: 2-5
W: D. Bush (2-0), L: W. Startup (0-1), S: F. Cordero (2)
HR - K. Johnson (2) / B. Hall (2)
Izturis 2-3, Hall 2-3 (HR, 5 RBI, MoM)
Milwaukee wins series 3 games to 1

The Braves took a 2-1 lead in the 4th when Johnson homered off Bush, who otherwise had a very solid outing. Bill Hall who was maybe Milwaukee's offensive MVP after the All Star Break hit a grand slam off Will Startup in the 6th. A strong Shouse - Embree - Cordero pitched two perfect innings to lead Milwaukee to the 2nd round for the first in 25 years.


8th October 2007:

Chicago (A) at Los Angeles (A): 0-5
W: K. Escobar (1-0), L: M. Buehrle (0-2)
Los Angeles (A) wins series 3 games to 2

Oakland at Tampa Bay: 4-5
W: C. Orvella (1-1), L: H. Street (0-1)
Tampa Bay scores three runs in the 9th to rally and win the game.
Tampa Bay wins series 3 games to 2


Coming up:

American League Championship Series Los Angeles at Tampa Bay

National League Championship Series Milwaukee at Arizona

[Loeffle]

October 2007 - Milwaukee Brewers - Playoffs
Manager and GM Fritsche

Championship Series

10th October 2007

Trade
The New York Mets sent starting pitcher Oliver Perez (9-14, 5.17 ERA, 153.1 IP) to the Arizona Diamondbacks for 2B Orlando Hudson (.268, 20 RBI, 19 R), minor league starter Edward Romero (A - 12-12, 3.15 ERA, 203.0 IP) and 1.500.000 $ in cash.
As this trade was widely regarded as illegal both teams were fined 500.000 $. Oliver Perez is allowed to pitch in the playoffs anyway, even if the Milwaukee Brewers handed in a formal protest, which was dismissed at once.

Los Angeles (A) at Tampa Bay: 5-3
W: J. Lackey (2-0), L: S. McClung (0-1), S: F. Rodriguez (2)

Milwaukee at Arizona: 6-2
W: B.Sheets (2-0), L: B. Webb (0-2)
HR - / M. Reynolds (1)
Izturis 3-5 (3 runs scored), Braun 3-5 (3 RBI)
MoM: B. Sheets (7.0 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 9 K)

Both starters had very solid outings and this game was an open affair until Ryan Braun hit a 3-RBI triple in the 7th of Medders. Matt Wise struggled a bit in the 9th, but Brian Shouse retired the two final lefties for the Brew Crew.

Again a great start for the underdogs. Can they prevail?


11th October 2007

Los Angeles (A) at Tampa Bay: 2-3
W: J. Howell (1-0), L: N. Adenhart (0-2), S: A. Reyes (1)
Series tied at 1

Milwaukee at Arizona: 7-8
W: J. Valverde (1-0), L: C. Villanueva (0-1)
HR - R. Weeks (1) / M. Montero (3)
Weeks 2-4 (2 Runs scored, HR, MoM)
Series tied at 1

Milwaukee had good control of this one until Bush ran into trouble in the 6th. Maybe coach Fritsche misused star relievers Embree and Capellan who struggled to keep the Diamondbacks from scoring six runs. Milwaukee rallied in the 8th and even tied the game in the 9th, but C. Jackson's two out infield single won the game for the hosts.


13th October 2007

Tampa Bay at Los Angeles (A): 5-4
W: C. Orvella (2-1), L: S. Shields, S: A. Reyes (2)
Tampa Bay leads ALCS 2 games to 1

Arizona at Milwaukee: 3-4 (10)
W: E. Dessens (1-0), L: J. Valverde (0-1)
HR - N/A
Izturis 3-5 (Run scored)
MoM: E. Gonzales (7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 5 BB, 4 K)
Milwaukee leads NLCS 2 games to 1

A pitchers duel until the 7th when the visitors took the lead. First Arizona set-up man Robertson blew a 2-0 lead in the 8th, before Brewer closer Cordero walked 3 straight in the 9th, sending the game tied at 3 into extra innings. In the 10th Elmer "Victoria" retired three in a row on six pitches. In the bottom of the 10th Valverde struggled with his control loading the bases with one out. Cruz came in to walk Cain and give the Brewers the win.

Dessens win was his 12th in relief this season.


14th October 2007

Tampa Bay at Los Angeles (A): 3-1
W: S. McClung (1-1), L: K. Escobar (1-1), S: A. Reyes (3)
Tampa Bay leads ALCS 3 games to 1

Arizona at Milwaukee: 2-5
W: C. Vargas (1-0), L: B. Webb (0-3), S: A. Embree (1)
HR - S. Hairston (2), M. Reynolds (2) / P. Fielder (2), B. Hall (3), R. Weeks (2)
Izturis 2-4 (Run scored)
MoM: C. Vargas (7.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K)
Milwaukee leads NLCS 3 games to 1

Also in this game the visitors took the league. But Fi