Another Rolling Rally: Building Dynasties in Boston

[BostonRS14]

Chicago Fire win 2nd MLS Cup

Chicago 1, Los Angeles 0
Nov. 22, 2007

Playing in front of their home crowd, the Chicago Fire were able to easily dispatch the Los Angeles Galaxy to win their second MLS Cup 2-0.

Colin Samuel gave the Fire all they needed in the 18th minute, when he scored the eventual game winning goal. Taking a pass from Ivan Guerrero off a bad LA goal kick, Samuel broke down the left side, advancing down to the goal line before breaking back towards the net and slipping a shot around Joe Cannon to open the scoring.

Los Angeles seemed to lose steam after captain David Beckham was carded in the 56 minute. With a more cautious approach, Beckham was victimized in the 73 minue for the second Fire goal.

Brian Plotkin scored from inside the box on a redirection. Marsh launced a deep ball from the corner towards the goal that both Plotkin and Beckham went up for, but it was Plotkin’s header that found its way into the goal for the insurance tally.

After the game, the MLS Board of Directors announced the 2007 Award Winners:

MLS Budweiser Golden Boot: Landon Donovan, Toronto (19 goals)
Runners up: Ante Razov, Chivas USA (19g), Taylor Twellman, New England (17g)

Goal Keeper of the Year: Kevin Hartman, Kansas City (22 apps., 42 goals ag.)
Runners Up: Troy Perkins, D.C. United, Justo Villar, Chivas USA

Defender of the Year: Wade Barrett, Kansas City
Runners Up: Amir Lowery, Kansas City, James Riley, New England

MLS Most Valuable Player: Ned Grabovoy, Chicago
Runners Up: Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Columbus, Pat Noonan, New England

[BostonRS14]

Bruins Energized, Rout Av’s 9-2

Boston 9, Colorado 2
Nov. 22, 2007

Quite a site at the half-empty Fleetcenter last night. The Bruins, fresh off dismissing their head coach, were part of something that hasn’t been seen in a while: the winning end off a rout.

Some of the lack of effort from Colorado could be chalked up to hearing the news that their captain, and th face of the franchise since its days in Quebec, Joe Sakic, had announced his retirement the previous day due to the lingering effects of a fractured skull. But, the Bruins, nonetheless, came with a solid, determined effort at both ends of the ice, outshooting the Avalanche 60-23.

Colorado goaltender Jose Theodore lasted on 12 minutes before being replaced by Mika Noronen, who did not fair much better.

“I think we got a wake up call,” Marc Savard said after the game. “Randy chewed us out and we took ownership of this.”

Carlyle, back behind the bench after being dismissed by Anaheim last season, shuffled the lines up, moving Zack Parise (1g, 1a, +4) to the top line with Savard (+3) and Paul Kariya (3g, +4). Michael Ryder slid down to the left wings slot on the second line alongside Stephen Weiss (2g, 2a, +3) and Patrice Bergeron (2g, +2). Ville Leino (1g, 1a) was moved back to his natural center position with Samuel Pahlsson and Marco Sturm on the wings.

“We want everyone comfortable and not force.” Carlyle said. “Its important to have chemistry and we were showing that top down. We play four lines, not one here.”

The victory snapped a four game losing streak for he Bruins who have fallen into last place in the Eastern Conference.

[BostonRS14]

Free Agency Updates

Nov. 23, 2007

• St. Louis Cardinals signed SP Braden Looper to a 2-year contract extension worth a total of $11m
  
• 1B Justin Morneau (.293 avg., .899 obp., 35 HRs, 109 RBIs) signed a 2-year contract extension worth a total of $14.32m to remain with the Minnesota Twins through the 2010 season.
  
• The Baltimore Orioles signed manager Lewis Cunningham to a 4-year, $540k per year contract.
  
• The New York Mets traded 29-year old center field Endy Chavez to the Philadelphia Philles, getting 27-year old SP Francisco Rosario in return.
  
• The Texas Rangers traded 24-year old reliever Scott Feldman to the Sand Diego Padres getting 24-year old minor league LF Jake Blalock in return.

Nov. 24, 2007

• Fukudome replied to our offer of $13.31m for 5 years with “You’re not offering me enough coin to sign here. Good luck finding a right fielder.” I do view him as a long-term acquisition to eventually replace Manny, Ortiz and/or Drew, depending on their 2008 seasons. He is favoring a deal from the Yomiuri Giants. I plan on increasing my offer to $15.06m per year over 5 years with the last year (2012) being a team option at $15.31m.
  
• Michael Cuddyer liked my offer, but is ”not going to break off negotiations with other clubs quite yet.” We offered Cuddyer a one-year deal worth $1.38m.

[BostonRS14]

Revolution Contracts Set to Expire

Nov. 24, 2007

The Revolution are set to lose three players from this year’s squad as the domestic transfer period begins next week.

Andy Dorman, Steve Ralston and Brian Byrne all have expiring deals which have yet to be extended. In the case of Byrne and Dorman, both have expressed interest in taking their game overseas to a larger stage while Ralston is finishing his 12th season in the MLS and no longer viewed as an full-time player.

As the transfer window opens, New England is not expected to be looking to add much. With a tight budget and a strong club, the Revolution do feel the need to add some depth and another scorer for the front line.

[BostonRS14]

Bruins New Ways Continue with Leafs on Losing End

Boston 5, Toronto 3
Nov. 24, 2007

The momentum from the Bruins win over the Avalanche seems to have cleared custom and came with them to Toronto tonight, as Patrice Bergeron scored 49 seconds into the game unassisted on the power-play to set the pace for Boston.

After going up 1-0 and 2-1, the Bruins came right back when the Maple Leafs tied the games. Each time, Boston tallied a goal of their own within two minutes, showing a clear determination on the offensive end not to let the opponent get back into the game.

Zack Parise added to goals, as he looks to be settling in on the wing with Marc Savard and Paul Kariya in Carlyle’s first grouping.

“I think it’s clicking,” Savard said after he added a goal and an assist. “Zack just finds the open spot and with Paul [Kariya] drawing the top defenseman, we’ve been able to use the open ice for opportunities.”

Ladislav Nagy, heralded in the local press as the best pure scorer the Leafs have seen in quite a few seasons, was kept off the scorer’s sheet thanks to the smothering done by Samuel Pahlsson. Nagy came into the game with 13 goals in 24 games, and registered just one scoring opportunity in 25 shifts.

Around the League:

…Martin Gelinas was claimed off waivers from Florida and demoted to Providence...

[BostonRS14]

Free Agency Update

Nov. 25, 2007

• The Cleveland Indians trades 1B Ryan Garko to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for 36-year old 2B Rich Aurilia.
  
• The New York Yankees traded 2B/SS Chris Basak to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for RF Kevin Mench. New York also signed 1B Mike Sweeney to a two-year contract worth a total of $23.22 mil.
  
• The San Diego Padres traded 1B Adrian Gonzalez (.276 avg., 20 HRs, 65 RBIs) and $750k in cash to the Tampa Bay Rays, getting 24-year old minor league SP Jeff Niemann in return. The Devil Rays managed 3 ABs out of Carlos Pena in 2007 before losing the slugger with a herniated disc. Good move to get insurance should he not rebound. Niemann should crack the Padres rotation at some point in 2008, although they have him currently in AA.
  
• The Houston Astros signed Dave Trembley to a 4-year contract worth $540k a season. Trembley was fired by Baltimore after one year managing the club.
  
• Jason Isringhausen and Philadelphia wrestled with the possibilities of a settlement. Sources close to the situation insist that Isringhausen could, should he sign, earn a hefty $7.18m over the next 2 years.

Nov. 26, 2007

• Fans in Tampa Bay are questioning the wisdom of a potential deal between the Devil Rays and Jason Isringhausen as the two sides are reportedly trying to craft a 2-year, $7.28m contract.
  
• Michael Cuddyer let us know that he likes the looks of our offer, but he isn’t ready to break off negotiations with other clubs jut yet.

[BostonRS14]

Devils Hold Off Bruins in Shootout

New Jersey 2, Boston 2 (SO, 2-1)
Nov. 25, 2007

Although he didn’t see any ice time in the defeat at the hands of the Devils, Boston boss Peter Chiarelli made a significant move before the game, calling up goaltender Mike Smith from Providence and waiving veteran Curtis Joseph.

Smith, banished to Bossiey-Shreveport of the CHL after a horrendous 13 minute debut back in the fourth game of the year, is being given a second chance by the Boston management after Curtis Joseph proved inadequate as a backup.

“With Peter Budaj appearing in 10 of the past 11 games and 24 overall, don’t expect much out of Smith,” one team executive said. “It’s a money move. Smith costs less against the cap than Joseph so why keep him here?”

With Budaj in net, the Bruins kept up their quality of play against the Devils, a clear Cup contender once again. Martin Brodeur racked up career win number 499 with the victory.

The team traded goals in the first period, with the Devils jumping ahead on goals by Petr Tenkrat and Nicklas Bergfors before the Bruins came back and tied it both times.

Zack Parise got the eventual game-tying goal against his former club on an unassisted breakaway late in the first period. On a line change, Parise picked off a beakout pass with the Devil defense in the midst of a change and broke in alone on Brodeur, beating the veteran goaltender high to the glove side.

Michael Ryder had the other goal for the Bruins, who outshot the Devils 66-26 but were a woeful 0-11 on the powerplay.

[BostonRS14]

Free Agency Update

Nov. 27, 2007:

• Kansas city signed OF Emil Brown to a one year contract extension worth $520k. Brown split 2007 between KC (50g, .317 avg., 3 HRs, 21 RBIs) and Omaha (83g, .268 avg., 8 HRs, 46 RBIs).

Nov. 28, 2007

• The San Diego Padre traded 25-year old reliever Taylor Tankersley (SD, 63 apps., 5-4, 1 sv., 3.97 ERA) to the Florida Marlins in exchange for 20-year old SP Ryan Tucker and 23-year old C Chris Hatcher. Tankersley was acquired by the Padres from the Marlins back in March of 2007 in exchange for LF Milton Bradley.
• The New York Mets agreed to a contract with Japanese MR Shingo Ono for 3 years and $18.12m. Ono spent 2007 w/ Chiba Lotte: 9 apps., 2 GS., 0-1, 3.54 ERA, 1.36 WHIP.
• Rick White (’07 w/ Round Rock (AAA): 45 apps., 3-1, 5 svs., 4.41 ERA, 1.41 WHIP) and the Houston Astros agreed to a contract extension worth $600k that will keep the MR with the club through the 2009 season.
• Boston head scout reported back on free agent 1B Garrett Jones. According to Jason Fisher, there is “no need to waste any paper on this guy - he’ll be changing careers soon.” His ability to hit for average is poor and he graded with average power.

[BostonRS14]

Last Minute PP Goal Dooms Bruins

Atlanta 4, Boston 3
Nov. 28, 2007

With a four-on-four situation and looking towards overtime and securing at least one point earned, the Bruins eased up and surrendered the game winning goal with less than one minute left. After an ill-advised penalty by Paul Mara for charging, Steve Rucchin scorched the twine with a power-play wrist shot.

The Bruins were out-played in most of the statistical categories, and yet went down to the final minute with a chance for victory.

After a Trashers’ tally 42 seconds into the game, Boston came back with goals from Marc Savard and Zack Parise to take a 2-1 lead.

Marian Hossa scored his 20th goal of the season short-handed early in the second to put Atlanta ahead before Paul Kariya and Framhingam native Jimmy Sharrow added third period goals.

Around the League:

...Petr Nedved signed with the Phoenix Coyotes…Bruins loaned F Martins Karsums to Bakersfield…

[BostonRS14]

Celtics End November With Questions

Nov. 28, 2007

The Celtics started the season with what many were calling the new “Big Three”. Adding Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett in the offseason was meant to bring the Celtics back to a championship caliber level of performance not seen in Boston since the days of Bird, Parrish and McHale.

While the play has been a bit uneven with a 7-6 record, the news coming out of the loss to Miami (102-90) was the injury suffered by SF Paul Pierce. Averaging 14.7 pts. and 7.3 rebs. per game, Pierce suffered a torn ACL going for a defensive rebound against the Heat. Team doctors expect the All Star forward to miss the rest of the season.

In place of Pierce, the Celtics signed FA forward Mickael Pietrus, who was released by Golden State at the end of training camp. Pietrus is expected to contend with James Posey for the starting small forward position in Doc River’s rotation. The Celtics also added Sarunas Jasikevicius after both Rajon Rondo and Eddie House suffered injuries.

At 7-6, the Celtics are in second place in the Atlantic Division, trailing New York (9-6) by 1 game. Despite their struggles, Doc Rivers squad has brought a solid effort to the court each night, holding opponents to 89.2 pts. per game, third best in the league. Ray Allen currently leads the team in scoring with 18.8 a game.

[BostonRS14]

Ovechkin Too Much for Bruins D, Leads Caps to Win

Washington 5, Boston 2
Nov. 30, 2007

On the road in front of a hostile crowd can always be difficult. Add in the challenge of facing the premier scorer in the league, and Peter Budaj and the Bruins defense had their work cut out for them.

Interim-coach Randy Carlyle tried to work his lines to his advantage, keeping Zdeno Chara on the ice as much as possible against Ovechkin, but the crafty Russian was still able to beat the Bruins for two goals in leading the Caps to an easy victory.

Washington got out to an early 3-0 lead with goals from Matt Bradley, Ovechkin and Brooks Laich in the first period.

Zach Parise added his 9th goal of the year in the second to put Boston on the board. The goal marked Parise’s sixth straight with a tally for the Bruins. Paul Kariya scored his team leading 13th in the beginning of the third to cut the lead to 3-2, but the Caps added another Ovechkin goal before Alexander Semin knocked in an empty-net goal to finish the Bruins off.

The Capitals remain atop of the Eastern Conference with 34 points in 27 games. The Bruins, on the other hand, are once again last, with 19 pts. in 24 games. Boston trails the Lightning by 1 point for 14th place and New Jersey by 10 pts for the last playoff spot in the East.

[BostonRS14]

Cuddyer Inks Deal to Join Sox

Dec. 1, 2007

Coming into the offseason, adding depth was one of Theo Epstein’s key goals for the 2008 Sox. In signing Michael Cuddyer away from the Padres, Epstein was signed one of the most versatile players in baseball. Cuddyer can play both corner outfield positions as well as three infield positions.

“Michael brings a good deal of experience to our club,” Epstein said during the announcement. “What we get here is a strong presence in the locker-room and a veteran that can step in wherever Terry [Francona] needs him. We expect Michael to be in the lineup a lot to spell our regulars and give us a new look.”

Cuddyer, a career .263 hitter, spent the 2007 season split between Minnesota, where he had been for six previous seasons and San Diego. In 157 games, he hit .248, his lowest total since appearing in 35 games in 2003 with the Twins.

“We aren’t looking for Michael to go out there and hit home-runs, we have guys already for that.” Francona added. “We need someone to play solid defense, get on base and put our team in a position to win.”

The Padres acquired Cuddyer last April in exchange for Brian Giles and minor league SP Gregory Burke.

In exchange for acquiring Cuddyer, the Sox surrendered their second round draft pick in the upcoming Entry Draft as Cuddyer qualified as a Type B free agent.

[BostonRS14]

Rule 5 Draft Results

Dec. 1, 2007

Round 1:
1. Kansas City: 3B W. Timmons (ATL)
2. Washington: 3B E. Cruz (CIN)
3. San Diego:3B K. Kirkland (DET)
5. Cleveland: SP B. Murphy (ARI)
6. Baltimore: MR T. Katoh (ATL)
8. Colorado: MR. M. Hensley (ANA)
9. Los Angeles: C M. Johnson (ARI)
14. Seattle: LF J. Strong (CIN)
16. Chicago (A): 1B G. LaRocca (BAL)
17. Minnesota: C J. Paul (TB)
22. Detroit: CF C. Hermansen (FLA)

Round 2:
2. Washington: LF C. Coles (NYM)
3. San Diego: LF J. Restko (FLA)
16. Chicago (A): Sp P. Byrd (CLE)

We decided to stay away from anyone in the Rule 5 draft. Our roster was pretty tight to begin with and I didn't feel like robbing a good prospect from another team and stashing him for a season.

[BostonRS14]

Bruins Take Out Habs, Move out of Cellar

Boston 3, Montreal 1
Dec. 2, 2007

The see-saw ride that has become the battle between Boston and Tampa Bay for last place in the Eastern Conference is going to continue until the Bruins can put together consistent efforts like the one seen at the Fleetcenter against the Canadiens.

After a scoreless first period, the Bruins jumped out front with a power-play goal from defenseman Paul Mara. After killing a 5-3 penalty, the Bruins got the man advantage when Eric Brewer was called for elbowing midway through the period. Off the ensuring face-off in Montreal’s zone, Marc Savard fed the puck back to Mara at the point, where he unleashed a slap shot that was deflected wide of the net. After Savard corralled the puck, he once again found Mara open at the pint, this time, though, the shot found its way through the traffic and into the goal for the first goal of the season for the rugged defenseman.

Late in the period, Zack Parise found Stephen Weiss down low and the center stuffed home a goal under the pad of Maxime Oullet for the eventual game-winner.

Alexander Perezhogin added a tally for the Canadiens midway through the second, but Paul Kariya’s empty netter with time winding down sealed the win for Boston.

Boston outshot the Canadiens 55-25 on the night. Boston ranks 4th in the league with 42 shots per game, but they are only connecting at 7.05%, worst in the league.

[BostonRS14]

MLB Free Agency Uptdate

Dec. 3, 2007:

• Kansas city acquired MR Francisco Cabrera from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for SP Brad Hynick.
• The Royals signed MR Eddie Guardado to a 2-year contract worth a total of $7.24m. Guardado split 2007 between Cincinnati (5g, 4.2 IP, 3.86 ERA) and Louisville (9g, 6.1 IP, 1.42 ERA).

Dec. 4, 2007:

• Los Angeles signed free agent Joe Beimel to a 3-year deal worth $11.88m. Beimel was out of baseball in 2007 after being released by the Dodgers on the eve of Spring Training.
• SP Mark Prior was activated from the 60-day disabled list by the Chicago Cubs after missing the entire 2007 season with an injury

[BostonRS14]

Ottawa Outworks Bruins, Takes Easy Win

Ottawa 5, Boston 2
Dec. 4, 2007

Coming off an emotional victory over the Habs, Boston fell flat against the division rival Senators. After falling behind 3-0 in the first 14 minutes, the Bruins were unsuccessful in keeping up with the up-tempo game the Senators prefer. Instead, Boston struggled keeping the puck out of their end most of the night.

“That’s the team we want to be,” interim coach Randy Carlyle said. “They came into our building and schooled us in how to play the game. “

Ottawa got on the board first with goals from Dany Heatley, Crhis Kelly and Antoine Vermette.

“They got three unassisted goals,” defenseman Paul Mara said after the game. “That’s sad. We didn’t bring our best tonight defensively and Peter [Budaj] paid.”

Mara was one of the few Bruins to bring his ‘A-game’ to the ice, finishing with 1 goal and 1 assist on 8 shots, all season highs. In addition, Mara added 8 PIMs.

D Paul Mara prepares to take a shot on net during the third period against the Senators

“We gave them 12 power-plays,” Carlyle said. “That’s just undisciplined play and that’ll shoot you in the foot every time.”

Milan Michalek, who had been in Carlyle’s dog house since the interim coach took over behind the bench, managed to get on the ice for 12 shifts, totaling 8+ minutes of ice time. In response for the extra time, Michalek chipped in his fourth goal of the season, depositing a rebound off a Mara shot late in the third period.

Around the League:

...Radim Vrbata was suspended by the NHL for one game following his ejection from the Chicago-Anaheim game the night before..

[BostonRS14]

Revs Begin Makeover, Bid Farewell to Heaps and Byrne

Dec. 5, 2007

Despite qualifying for the MLS playoffs once again, the Revolution faced a few veterans who were displeased with their playing time and looking to ply their trade elsewhere.

The first to go was defender Jay Heaps, who was sent to Columbus in exchange for a draft allocation. Heaps had spent the past the past seven season in New England, and had appeared in 20 matches this year. The 31 year old had told team-mates he didn’t see a long-term future with New England and wanted to ply somewhere where he might be able to stay as an assistant manager when his playing days are done.

Andy Dorman and Brian Byrne both had their contracts expire after the season after rejecting extension offers from the Revolution. Dorman, after registering 1 goal and 4 assists in 28 matches, appears headed to England to play. The defensive midfielder is supposed to seek a larger stage to show his skills. Byrne, on the other hand, is a questions mark. The Revolution would certainly take the midfielder back to continue their exciting front line with Taylor Twellman. It is not know currently what the Irishman’s plans are for the upcoming season, but a return is not our of the queston.

The other remaining departure was Steve Ralston. Ralston has elected to stay with the club on a month-to-month basis until a new contract is offered or the Revolution release his rights. At 33-years old, Ralston is a bit older than New England would like at this point, but after appearing in 28 matches in 2007, his presence may be need to keep the team in contention. A final decision will likely depend on what is available in the transfer window for the Revs.

[BostonRS14]

St. Louis Sparks Rangers Past Bruins

New York 4, Boston 2

Dec. 6, 2007

Martin St. Louis put on a clinic at Madison Square Garden for the hometown fans, picking up two first period goals to lead the Rangers past the Bruins 4-2.

With Zack Parise picking up a penalty just 36 seconds in the game for charging, the Rangers went on the power play with deadly results.

“When you can go out there with St. Louis, Jagr and Sundin on one line, you are going to put up strong numbers,” Randy Carlyle said post-game. “And to be able to have that trio on a power-play unit, it is scary for the opposing goalie.”

With crisp passes that had the Bruins defenseman out of position, Jagr found St. Louis open with a cross the crease pass that was easily put into an open net for the first goal of the game.

The Rangers came right back mid period with a second goal from St. Louis, this time the undersize winger put a Jagr rebound into the goal to put New York up by two. Adam hall and Jarkko Immonen added goals midway through the second period to put the Rangers up 4-0 before Boston got their act together.

Michael Ryder and Stephen Weiss each scored a goal at the end of the second to cut the lead in half, but Henrik Lundqvist turned away all thirteen third period shots to secure the victory for the Rangers.

Around the League:

...F Jordan Tootoo was placed on re-entry waivers by the Bruins...F Jeff O'Neil was signed by the Toronto Maple Leafs...D Mathieu Schneider was signed by the Florida Panthers...

[BostonRS14]

Sorry for the delays to any faithful readers out there.

ran into a problem with my file. Seems the conversion to OOTP9 didn't go as smoothly as I had hoped despite the last patch. I tried to sim ahead after adding the foreign leagues to test the league's stability and when I attempt to manage a game, the game crashes. It won't let me edit a ballpark at all.

I'm going to attempt to move the roster set over to a new league file, otherwise it will require a complete reboot of the dynasty and, possibly, a revamping.

I'll try to update as soon as I have news.

[BostonRS14]

Going to give this another go, but it will have to be a reboot. My attempts to salvage the old league were unsuccessful and then finals and work, etc... So, we'll be fast-fowarding to April, 2008. Which means, the Bruins and Revolution will be played out and recapped in the next day or two and we'll start back up.