The battle for the best franchise ever

[jg2977]

Sunday, May 1st, 2118: Hartford Starter Wins April's Pitcher Award
Veteran Brennan Lane put together quite a successful stretch in April for the Hartford Whalers, earning himself the American League Pitcher of the Month award.

Lane racked up a 5-0 record in 5 starts, posting a 0.63 ERA over 43 innings and striking out 64.

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Friday, May 13th, 2118: Lane Holds Boston Scoreless
Brennan Lane of the Hartford Whalers shut down the Boston Red Sox 10-0 on a 4-hitter, holding them scoreless while ringing up 14 strikeouts and allowing 1 walk.

After the game Lane said, "Guys have been fouling off a lot of pitches lately and I've been getting into too many deep pitch counts, but I'm pleased with the way things went today. I went right after them and stayed ahead in the count."

In the 2118 season Lane has recorded a 7-0 mark. In 8 starts he has fanned 98 batters in 68 innings with a 0.79 ERA.

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Saturday, June 11th, 2118: Wooten Makes 900 Mark
New York first baseman Mike Wooten pounded a home run during the Mets 7-5 loss to Carolina yesterday. Despite the defeat the long ball was a significant achievement and raised his career home run total to 900.

"Some hitters never live up to the hype," said his manager. "Mike has definitely lived up to his. He's hammered the heck out of the ball year after year."

The New York star went 2 hits for 4 at-bats during the game, scoring 1 run and had 1 RBI.

Lifetime Wooten is hitting .345 with 641 doubles, 51 triples, 900 home runs, 2460 RBIs and 2116 runs scored. He has appeared in 2813 games to date and delivered 3680 hits.

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Chicago Cubs	0	2	1	0	0	1	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	1	9	25	3
St. Louis Cardinals	0	1	0	0	1	0	2	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	8	22	1

This game took 7 hours and 40 minutes to complete. The game started at 1:05 PM and ended at 8:45 PM (Central time). Chicago used 8 pitchers, and St. Louis used 7. 209 batter came to the plate in the game, and there was a total of 756 pitches thrown.

The Cubs improved their record to 52-24 on the season, good enough for 1st place in the National League. The Cardinals fell to 38-38 and are in 10th place.

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Wednesday, June 29th, 2118: Whalers' Lane Blanks Yankees
Hartford starter Brennan Lane really did a number on the Yankees today, shutting them out 6-0 on 5 hits in a complete game victory. He issued 3 walks and had 8 strikeouts.

In his postgame comments, the New York manager said, "We didn't have good at-bats. I don't make excuses, but when we were playing the game, our energy didn't show. That comes from either extremely good pitching or extremely lousy hitting... seeing as our team has a bunch of pretty good hitters, I have to tip my cap to Brennan... he did an outstanding job today."

This season-to-date Lane has 10 wins and 4 losses and a 1.75 ERA.

[jg2977]

American League Standings
	W	L	PCT	GB
Cleveland Indians	57	24	.704	-
New York Yankees	55	26	.679	2.0
Detroit Tigers	51	30	.630	6.0
Hartford Whalers	50	31	.617	7.0
Kansas City Royals	47	34	.580	10.0
Portland Pilots	47	34	.580	10.0
Seattle Mariners	43	38	.531	14.0
Minnesota Twins	42	39	.519	15.0
Texas Rangers	42	39	.519	15.0
Oakland Athletics	38	43	.469	19.0
San Antonio Roadrunners	38	43	.469	19.0
New Orleans Jazz	37	44	.457	20.0
Tampa Bay Rays	37	44	.457	20.0
Anaheim Angels	34	47	.420	23.0
Baltimore Orioles	34	47	.420	23.0
Boston Red Sox	32	49	.395	25.0
Buffalo Wings	32	49	.395	25.0
Jacksonville Suns	32	49	.395	25.0
Toronto Blue Jays	32	49	.395	25.0
Chicago White Sox	30	51	.370	27.0

National League Standings
	W	L	PCT	GB
Chicago Cubs	56	25	.691	-
New York Mets	54	27	.667	2.0
Milwaukee Brewers	52	29	.642	4.0
Las Vegas Aces	48	33	.593	8.0
Pittsburgh Pirates	48	33	.593	8.0
Arizona Diamondbacks	47	34	.580	9.0
Houston Astros	45	36	.556	11.0
Carolina Storm	44	37	.543	12.0
Philadelphia Phillies	43	38	.531	13.0
Utah Grizzlies	41	40	.506	15.0
Florida Marlins	40	41	.494	16.0
St. Louis Cardinals	40	41	.494	16.0
Montreal Expos	37	44	.457	19.0
Atlanta Braves	35	46	.432	21.0
San Francisco Giants	35	46	.432	21.0
San Diego Padres	31	50	.383	25.0
Cincinnati Reds	29	52	.358	27.0
Washington Nationals	29	52	.358	27.0
Colorado Rockies	28	53	.346	28.0
Los Angeles Dodgers	28	53	.346	28.0

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Tuesday, July 5th, 2118: Orioles Whitewashed by Lane
Brennan Lane spun his magic in a 12-0 shutout victory, allowing 4 hits while totaling 1 walk and 11 strikeouts.

The Hartford pitcher put quite a spell on Baltimore in a strong performance.

"I had a lot of good things working in this one," Lane said. "I worked both sides of the plate. I was rarely behind in the count."

This year Lane has compiled a 11-4 mark with a 1.63 ERA in 18 starts.

The Whalers improve to 53-31 on the season and are tied with Detroit for 3rd place. The Orioles fall to 34-50 and are tied with with Buffalo and Jacksonville for 15th place.

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Monday, July 11th, 2118: American League Announces #1 Player
Today the American League announced the Player of the Week Award. This week's honoree is Hartford first baseman Javier Muñóz. When he steps into the batter's box, it's usually bad news for pitchers.

For the week he batted .500 (8-16) with 4 home runs and 8 RBIs.

So far this season Muñóz is hitting .299 with 17 home runs, 55 RBIs and 36 runs scored. He has 69 hits in 231 at-bats and a .374 OBP.

Currently, the Whalers have a record of 56-32 and are seven games behind Cleveland for first place. They are four games ahead of Portland for the final playoff spot.

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Monday, July 11th, 2118: 2000th Hit for García
New York's Wilson García belted his 2000th hit against San Antonio today, but the Roadrunners spoiled the day with a 5-4 victory at Yankee Stadium. On his milestone day, the 30-year-old right fielder went 3 for 5 at the plate for the Yankees.

For his career García has hit at a .311 clip. Among his lifetime numbers are 2000 hits, 380 doubles, 66 triples, 514 home runs and 1503 RBIs.

The Yankees have a record of 61-28, which puts them two games behind Cleveland for 1st place. San Antonio is at 41-48 on the season.

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Saturday, July 16th, 2118: Muñóz Booms 3 out of the Park
His swing was a thing of beauty. Three times Javier Muñóz swung the bat and three times he delivered a home run. It was an awesome sight to behold at XL Field. But to no avail. As good as he was, his team, the Hartford Whalers, couldn't bring home the victory. The Detroit Tigers prevailed 13-11. Muñóz does have the consolation that his three home runs in one game will get him a place in the league record book.

However, his team was in a somber mood after the loss. They felt they had spoiled his special day.

But Muñóz would have none of that, pointing out, "We win as a team and we lose as a team." In the clubhouse he described his home run explosion. "I got three pitches down the pipe and popped them," the Hartford first baseman told reporters. "Today I was in a groove... tomorrow I could just pop the same pitches up and go 0-for-3."

In addition to the homers, he collected 6 RBIs and scored 3 runs.

J. Muñóz grounded out in the 2nd, hit a two-run home run off G. Pérez in the 3rd, hit a solo-shot off G. Pérez in the 5th, hit a three-run home run off W. McIver in the 6th and flied out in the 8th.

Muñóz is hitting at a .299 mark this season. His stats show 20 home runs, 65 RBIs and 39 runs scored. He has played 85 games for the Whalers.

The Whalers' record is 58-36, which puts them in 4th place. The Tigers are 61-33 and are in 3rd place.

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Wednesday, July 27th, 2118: Yankees, Angels Swap Players
Newspapers in New York and Anaheim reported that the Yankees have reached a deal sending 32-year old catcher Mike Dunn to the Angels for 39-year old starting pitcher Nathan Myers.

In this current campaign Dunn is hitting at a .247 clip with 8 home runs and 32 RBIs.

Checking out his stats for the year, Myers has racked up 6 wins and 10 losses in 22 starts, 4.33 ERA and struck out 69 batters in 139.1 innings.

NYY: 67-36, 3rd
Ana: 41-62, 17th

[jg2977]

Monday, August 1st, 2118: July's Starter of the Month Goes to Lane
Brennan Lane took home the American League Pitcher of the Month honors in July. After all these years playing ball, the 35-year-old veteran still enjoys the game as though he'd just broken camp for the first time a month ago. He's a bit older now with a few more aches and pains, but the old man has reason to celebrate, having gone 4-0 for Hartford last month and claiming the Pitcher of the Month award.

He tacked up a 1.13 ERA in his 6 starts, tossing 48 innings and striking out 67.

So far this season Lane has 14 wins and 4 losses and a 1.57 ERA.

[jg2977]

American League Standings
	W	L	PCT	GB
Detroit Tigers	75	33	.694	-
Cleveland Indians	74	34	.685	1.0
New York Yankees	71	37	.657	4.0
Hartford Whalers	63	45	.583	12.0
Portland Pilots	63	45	.583	12.0
Seattle Mariners	61	47	.565	14.0
Kansas City Royals	60	48	.556	15.0
Texas Rangers	56	52	.519	19.0
Tampa Bay Rays	54	54	.500	21.0
Minnesota Twins	53	55	.491	22.0
Oakland Athletics	52	56	.481	23.0
New Orleans Jazz	50	58	.463	25.0
San Antonio Roadrunners	49	59	.454	26.0
Baltimore Orioles	46	62	.426	29.0
Boston Red Sox	46	62	.426	29.0
Anaheim Angels	43	65	.398	32.0
Buffalo Wings	42	66	.389	33.0
Chicago White Sox	42	66	.389	33.0
Toronto Blue Jays	42	66	.389	33.0
Jacksonville Suns	38	70	.352	37.0

National League Standings
	W	L	PCT	GB
Milwaukee Brewers	74	34	.685	-
New York Mets	74	34	.685	-
Chicago Cubs	69	39	.639	5.0
Houston Astros	63	45	.583	11.0
Las Vegas Aces	61	47	.565	13.0
Pittsburgh Pirates	60	48	.556	14.0
Arizona Diamondbacks	58	50	.537	16.0
Florida Marlins	58	50	.537	16.0
Utah Grizzlies	57	51	.528	17.0
St. Louis Cardinals	56	52	.519	18.0
Carolina Storm	54	54	.500	20.0
Philadelphia Phillies	54	54	.500	20.0
Atlanta Braves	49	59	.454	25.0
Montreal Expos	47	61	.435	27.0
San Diego Padres	45	63	.417	29.0
San Francisco Giants	45	63	.417	29.0
Washington Nationals	42	66	.389	32.0
Cincinnati Reds	38	70	.352	36.0
Colorado Rockies	38	70	.352	36.0
Los Angeles Dodgers	38	70	.352	36.0

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Wednesday, August 10th, 2118: Hit #3000 for Yankees Keller
It was a banner day for Mike Keller, who collected his 3000th hit in the New York 5-4 win over New Orleans. Keller went 3-5 in the game as both Yankees and Jazz fans cheered Keller, when he reached base after his hit.

"It feels great to get #3000," Keller said afterward, "especially since we won the game."

In his career stats Keller has compiled a .331 batting average and collected 3001 hits, 74 home runs and 905 RBIs.

NYY: 77-40, 3rd
NO: 55-62, 13th

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Thursday, August 11th, 2118: Twins Pitching Ravaged by MacAndeoir
Who needs batting practice? Eddie MacAndeoir of New York apparently doesn't as he battered Minnesota with a 5-hit outburst in today's game to lead his club to a 12-4 win.

He told the press after the game, "And I didn't even take BP today. I think I have been taking too many swings before game and decided to take a day off. Wow, this was really something... a 5 for 5 day... will my name be in the record books now?"

E. MacAndeoir singled in the 1st, singled in the 4th, hit an RBI double in the 5th, singled in the 7th, hit a solo-shot off A. Olivo in the 8th and walked in the 9th.

Thus far this year MacAndeoir is batting .343 with 17 home runs, 76 RBIs and 102 runs scored.

NYY: 78-40, 3rd
Min: 56-62, tied 11th


Thursday, August 11th, 2118: Big Day with Bat: Gould 5-5
Mark Gould had an answer for everything the Anaheim Angels threw him today in the Hartford 10-2 triumph at Angel Stadium. He made good contact 5 times and 5 times he drilled the ball for a base hit.

The Hartford second baseman went 5 for 5 in the game to put his name in the record book.

Summing up his batting philosophy to BNN writers after the game, Gould said, "I just see the ball and I hit it."

M. Gould singled in the 1st, hit a solo-shot off H. Murdoch in the 3rd, doubled in the 5th, singled in the 6th, hit a two-run home run off H. Chandler in the 8th and walked in the 9th.

This year Gould is batting .269 with 84 hits, 9 home runs, 37 RBIs, 27 walks, .327 OBP and has scored 48 runs.

Hfd: 68-50, tied 4th
Ana: 46-72, tied 17th

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Thursday, August 18th, 2118: Hartford's Goto Shines, Shuts out Texas
Everything clicked on the hill today for Yoshihiro Goto of the Hartford Whalers as he hurled his club to a 5-0 shutout win over the Texas Rangers, limiting them to 3 hits while recording 7 strikeouts and yielding 2 walks. He overpowered some batters with his fastball and buckled knees with his sharp breaking pitches.

"We had our shot at him a couple of different times," the Rangers manager said, "but we weren't able to get to him."

This year Goto has worked 173 innings with 137 strikeouts en route to a 13-7 record and a 3.02 ERA.

Hfd: 73-51, 4th
Tex: 68-56, 7th

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Monday, August 22nd, 2118: Swing! Swang! Swung! Montgomery Smashes 3 HR
Jack Montgomery showed some power today as he launched three balls into the seats against the Atlanta Braves and sparked the Mets to a 9-6 victory.

For the day he collected 3 hits in 4 at-bats, scored 3 runs and had 5 RBIs.

In the postgame press conference he told reporters, "I got some good pitches to hit and turned on them real good. I always have liked to hit here at Turner Field."

"He was instant offense today," the New York skipper said. "Jack really put on a show."

J. Montgomery hit a solo-shot off J. Curry in the 2nd, hit a two-run home run off J. Curry in the 4th, flied out in the 6th, walked in a run in the 7th and hit a solo-shot off M. Lovett in the 9th.

In 2118 Montgomery has put up a .262 batting average with 123 hits, 21 home runs and 68 RBIs.

NYM: 88-40, 1st
Atl: 56-72, 13th


Monday, August 22nd, 2118: Indians Almenar Gets Perfect Game
Cleveland Indians pitcher Lucero Almenar may have many memorable performances during his baseball career, but none will likely compare to the outing he had against Chicago today at Progressive Field. Almenar was perfect, retiring every batter he faced to give his team a 3-0 victory over the White Sox. He finished the game with 9 strikeouts, walked no one, gave up no hits and his teammates made no errors. He retired all 27 batters he faced.

"That shows you the kind of competitor he is," his manager said. "I thought he dominated the whole game. He hit his spots well and was really focused out there."

"I had command of my pitches from the git-go," said Almenar. "Usually it takes a few innings for me to get loose and get my mechanics right. It happened quicker today. I was comfortable from the first pitch. As the innings went on, it got easier. I was really smooth, fluid and relaxed. And the team definitely had my back. They saved the perfect game three or four times."

To date this year, Almenar shows a 15-6 record, 27 starts, 180.2 innings, 163 strikeouts and a 2.39 ERA.

Cle: 90-38, 1st
ChW: 51-77, 16th

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Monday, August 29th, 2118: AL's #1 Player Named
Speak softly and carry a big stick and you could win the American League Player of the Week Award just like Eddie MacAndeoir.

He really dazzled on the diamond this week with a .519 average to take home the trophy. The New York second baseman went 14-27, drove in 6 runs, scored 8 times and hit 1 home run.

MacAndeoir is hitting .340 this season with 19 home runs, 83 RBIs and 116 runs scored. He has 168 hits in 494 at-bats.

NYY: 88-45, 2nd

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Thursday, September 1st, 2118: New York Mets Starter Named NL's Top Pitcher
The top-rated pitcher this past month in the National League was Javier Acosta of the New York Mets. He really dominated league hitters, finishing August with a 5-0 won-lost mark and a 0.81 ERA.

The Mets ace made 6 starts and surrendered 30 hits in 44.2 innings. He struck out 30 and walked 5.

So far this season Acosta has a 18-5 record, 28 starts, 192 innings, 156 strikeouts and a 2.58 ERA.

NYM: 95-41, 1st

[jg2977]

American League Standings
	W	L	PCT	GB
Cleveland Indians	98	38	.721	-
New York Yankees	90	46	.662	8.0
Detroit Tigers	88	48	.647	10.0
Hartford Whalers	77	59	.566	21.0
Seattle Mariners	77	59	.566	21.0
Portland Pilots	75	61	.551	23.0
Texas Rangers	75	61	.551	23.0
Kansas City Royals	71	65	.522	27.0
Tampa Bay Rays	67	69	.493	31.0
New Orleans Jazz	66	70	.485	32.0
San Antonio Roadrunners	66	70	.485	32.0
Minnesota Twins	64	72	.471	34.0
Oakland Athletics	64	72	.471	34.0
Boston Red Sox	62	74	.456	36.0
Baltimore Orioles	58	78	.426	40.0
Anaheim Angels	56	80	.412	42.0
Buffalo Wings	54	82	.397	44.0
Chicago White Sox	52	84	.382	46.0
Jacksonville Suns	52	84	.382	46.0
Toronto Blue Jays	48	88	.353	50.0

National League Standings
	W	L	PCT	GB
New York Mets	95	41	.699	-
Milwaukee Brewers	93	43	.684	2.0
Chicago Cubs	85	51	.625	10.0
Houston Astros	80	56	.588	15.0
Las Vegas Aces	79	57	.581	16.0
Arizona Diamondbacks	77	59	.566	18.0
Pittsburgh Pirates	76	60	.559	19.0
St. Louis Cardinals	72	64	.529	23.0
Florida Marlins	71	65	.522	24.0
Carolina Storm	70	66	.515	25.0
Utah Grizzlies	69	67	.507	26.0
Philadelphia Phillies	64	72	.471	31.0
Atlanta Braves	60	76	.441	35.0
San Diego Padres	58	78	.426	37.0
San Francisco Giants	58	78	.426	37.0
Washington Nationals	56	80	.412	39.0
Montreal Expos	54	82	.397	41.0
Los Angeles Dodgers	53	83	.390	42.0
Colorado Rockies	48	88	.353	47.0
Cincinnati Reds	42	94	.309	53.0