The Story of a League

[norva13x]

September 11th, 2000

Pennant Race Update



In the National League the New York Titans are closing the gap, pulling to within game and a half of frontrunner Boston.
In what may be a key series, Boston and New York face each other one last time this season in a 3 game series on September 18-20



The race is much tighter in the American League, the top 3 teams are all within a game and a half of each other, and to make it even more exciting Denver splits it's last 6 games between Phoenix and Texas. Phoenix and Texas will face off for the last time in a 3 game series starting tonight.

[norva13x]

September 18, 2000

Pennant Race Update



The Boston Cannons hold a 2.5 game lead in the NL, and head into a 3 games series starting tonight vs. New York, the second place team. If Boston wins the series they can pull farther ahead in the standings, and with only a week and a half left they will be that much closer to clinching the league title. If New York can pull it out they can close the gap and make a run for the title here in the stretch.



The Phoenix Roadrunners have pulled to within 0.5 games of first place Denver. Texas is a game behind and Los Angeles, riding a 4 game win streak, has pulled to within 2 games. The AL pennant race is incredibly tight, even the fourth place Dragons could take the flag by season's end.
Of the last 3 series for Denver, two of them are vs Phoenix and Texas.
Los Angeles, which is just coming of a 3 game sweep of Denver, faces off vs Phoenix and Texas in each of the next two series before closing at Seattle.
So as you can see, we have an incredible race here that may come down to the wire, you couldn't script it any better!
Next I will break down some of the critical series coming up so you can fully enjoy this exciting pennant race and it's conclusion.

[norva13x]

I had a stupid glitch and the write-up I made got deleted
So I will have to completely re type it.
Sorry for the delay, it should be up and ready in a bit.

[norva13x]

For the period of 9/18-9/20

Two Critical Series:

New York at Boston

In the National League, the New York Titans took on the Boston Cannons for one last time in the 2000 campaign. Boston took the first game of the series 4-2, but New York bounced back the next day to trounce Boston 12-2 on the back of a five home run performance. SS Nick Brooks, star 3B Juan Hernandez, star LF Dave Latendresse, RF Pat Moreno and Cain Arnott all went deep. In the case of Nick Brooks, it was his first time.
In the last game of the series New York scored in each of the first 4 innings and held on to win 7-4. It was a critical series that put the Titans within 1.5 games of first place with a week left to play.

Phoenix at Los Angeles

While Texas battled Seattle and Denver hosted San Francisco, Phoenix and LA were locked in a major series themselves, one that could have many ramifications in the pennant race.
Phoenix started the series with an 8-4 victory, thanks in part to an admiralble performance by Japanese born Takashi Kokawa. In the game the All-Star went 2-4, hitting a HR and collecting 4 RBIs while scoring 2 himself.
This win coupled with a Denver 3-4 loss to San Francisco put the Roadrunners in first place by half a game.
However Los Angeles wouldn't just lay down, the Dragons roared back with 4-2 victory, and Denver got the job done against to Warriors to put Phoenix back in second.
In the last game of the series Los Angeles, thanks to a 4-run 7th took the series with a 6-1 win. Texas managed to take 2 of 3 from Seattle, and with Phoenix dropping their series Texas moved into the second slot, one game out. Phoenix dropped to third place 1.5 games out.

Where we stand:

[norva13x]

For the Period of 9/21-9/23

Two Critical Series:

Phoenix at Denver

The Roadrunners head to the Mile High City to take on the American League leading Grizzlies. In a series that could open the flood gates in the American League race for the last few days of the season, or all but seal the deal for the Grizzlies. Denver took the first game 5-4. The following day they did it again putting up 11 runs and outlasting Phoenix 11-8. With a 5-3 victory on the 23rd, the Grizzlies finished with a decisive sweep over the 'Runners.

Texas at Los Angeles

Los Angeles kicked off the series with a 7-6 victory, the following day they won again 8-5, thanks in part to LF Mike Garretson. Garretson, hailing from Iowa, the 37 year old went 3 for 5 on the day, hitting two RBIs and a long bomb to help secure the series victory. Texas didn't lay down though, they fought back and with a 3 run 9th took the last game of the series 6-3.

Where we stand:



The Cannons magic # is 2, they close out the year with a 3 game set against Washington, New York will end their season with a 4 game series against Cleveland. It will pretty much take a miracle for New York to take the flag at this point.



Denver only needs 1 win to clinch the American League Pennant. They close with a 3 game series against Texas. Los Angeles closes with a 3 game series vs Seattle.

[norva13x]

September 25, the day of champions:

Denver needed one win to clinch the American League Pennant, they got it. In
the first game of a three game set against Texas the Grizzlies beat the Copperheads 4-3, thanks to a run in the top of the ninth to seal the deal. After the game the Grizzlies opened up a bottle of champaign and celebrated through the night. In honor of the occasion the capital of Denver flew a Grizzlies flag on the capital the next day. Denver would represent the American League in the first ever World Series.

That same day everything fell in place for Boston. With a magic # of 2, they entered the first of a 3 game set in Washington. Pitcher Ron Simpson helped get the job done, the 39 year old from Illinois went 7.2 innings allowing 7 hits and only 1 earned run in the 6-2 Boston victory. C Samuel Doig also had a good day, going 3-4 with a double, 2 RBIs and a run. After the game the Cannons went to check the scoreboard, suddenly they broke out into hugs and cheers, the Titans lost to Cleveland 2-3, the Cannons were National League Champions!

Next: Final Standings, season wrap-up.

[norva13x]

Final Standings






Accomplishments for the month of September:

On September 9th, A man named Trent Harris, center fielder for the Los Angeles Dragons, went 4-5 against the Texas Copperheads leading his team to a 9-3 win. Of those hits, he smacked a single, a double, a triple, and a home run thus becoming the first ever player to hit for the cycle in Major League history.

Note: I intended originally the World Series to be 9 games, I forgot to edit the playoffs though so instead it will be only 7. Just as well as I intended to make it 7 down the stretch. So from here on out it will be 7 games, I edited the original post to reflect this so there won't be any continuity error.

[norva13x]

World Series

vs

Games 1 & 2: At Boston

It's the time! The moment we have all been waiting for has finally arrived, the World Series! To start, Denver gets a blow even before the first pitch is thrown, their star first baseman Juan Carlos Gonzalez, who fractured his thumb a few weeks ago was expected to heal and be ready to start for game 1. However during batting practice he re-injured it and will thus have to miss out on the entire series.
John Leslie will start the first game for Denver, Leslie, the first pick in the inaugural draft went 12-7 on the year and lead the team with a 3.15 ERA.
Boston will put Ron "Jukebox" Simpson on the mound. Jukebox went 12-14 with a 4.73 ERA.
The game opened with much fan fare, there was fire works and a famous Boston-born actor threw out the first pitch. The teams were introduced and the managers ceremonially met on the pitchers mound to shake hands and turn in the line-up cards.
Finally is was game time, Denver struck first with 2 runs in the 4th, but it was all Boston after that as they ended up blasting the Grizzlies 14-4. CF Chris Williams, 1B Daniel Martin and RF Dennis Stewart all went the yard twice in the game, Williams even collected four hits on 5 of his ABs, and got a base on balls on the other. Alfonso Roman hit one homer himself in the fame to complete the humiliation of Denver.
Denver isn't one to lay down however, they struck back the next day and evened up the series with a 7-2 win. Stephen Myers went the distance for the Griz, pitching 8.0 innings while giving up only 2 hits and one earned run, ringing up 9Ks to boot. Boston starter Napoleon Lusieri didn't fair so well, being pulled after only 4 innings in which he gave up 6 earned runs.
RF Antonio Morales hit the only homer of the game, a 3 run shot in the top of the 4th.

Series tied 1-1

[norva13x]

Games 3, 4 & 5: At Denver

Denver hadn't been home since they clinched the League pennant, when they landed at the airport they were touched to see 5,000 fans had shown up to give their support to the team. The Mayor of Denver himself was there and told the Grizzlies to "give 'em hell for us!"

For game 3 Boston's Brian Doyle got the start, as a player the 23 year old Doyle only appeared in 10 games on the season, going 1-5 with a 6.80 ERA. Denver selected Dale Lawson to pitch, on the season Lawson went 7-12 with a 4.41 ERA. Boston ended up taking the game thanks to a 4 run 9th inning, RF Dennis Stuart helped by going 3-5 and driving in a couple runs, Chris Williams himself went 2-3 knocking in two doubles and two RBIs and drawing a walk.
Will Harris was to start for beantown game 4, an unassuming righty who went 2-8 on the year with a 9.05 ERA. For Denver it was Alfonso Lopez, who paced the Grizzlies staff that year with 15 wins, and threw for a 3.75 ERA. Denver evened the series again with a 9-4 win. LF Aurelio Amezaga had a heck of a game, going 4-4, hitting a double, an RBI, and scoring twice himself. 1B Lorenzo Galvan had only one hit, but it was for a home run and C Antonio Torres hit a couple of doubles himself to help lead Denver to the win.
Leslie and "Jukebox" Simpson started game 5 in what turned out to be a thrilling nail bitter. The game went 13 innings and 4 hours. 3B Cisco Lopez was the hero of the day, he went 4-7 with 3 RBIs. One of those runs was in the bottom of the 7th, a single to drive in the tying run. Lopez hit another one after that, this time in the bottom of the 13th inning to drive in the winning run and give Denver the series lead 3-2.

Denver leads series 3-2

[norva13x]

A break in the action:

Bill Owen, the draftee we visited on draft day many months ago, watches the thrilling conclusion of Game 5 of the World Series from his home in Everett. Bill wasn't rooting for any particular team, but he loved to watch the stars of the game face off and imagine himself playing on the big stage.
He was a bit depressed after his first pro season ended however, his first season on Texas' farm team, the Houston Stars, didn't go as good as he hoped. He remembered arriving the first day for workouts, Stars Ballpark was a beautiful new park and he was very excited to be a part of the team, but was of course nervous. As the first pick in the draft for Texas he was obviously in a good spot, and he was selected as starting catcher. At only 18 this was in his opinion the best thing to ever happen to him.
The season didn't go quite how he wanted it too though, he was a solid defensive backstop, reliable and on of the best in the league, he won a Glove of the Year award for the Western Baseball League at catcher. However he carried a pedestrian .173 batting average, and certainly that wouldn't translate well into the MLB. He began to wonder if he should have waited, or if he should have tried at all. Maybe he just wasn't good enough to play big league ball. He was such a high rated prospect though, he knew he couldn't just give up.
But after thinking about it, he remembered the great memories he made on the team, and whether he makes it or not he would treasure the time he had with the Stars.
He remembered the first day he got there they got their rooming assignments. They were staying in a small apartment high rise five minutes walking distance from the same park. He had to share the room though, his roommate was his fellow catcher, who would be his back up for the season, Toyonobu Hori. Jokingly, Bill would call him Mr T or just Toyo.
They became best friends from the first night. When Bill first saw him, his first impression was that of a quiet, intelligent, disciplined and a perfectionist. Something of a stereotype that Bill ad for Japanese men. And Toyo was Japanese, born in Osaka and lived there until his parents moved to the bay area when he was 7. He was much different though.
Toyo was 23, he wasn't rated very high and scouts believed he was already pretty much at his peak, it didn't bother him a bit though. He was as happy-go-lucky a person as Bill had ever met. He had a wealthy father, so he didn't care much about money, and he didn't have any real desire for glory. Not that he wasn't a hard worker, he was and did what he was told, but he was just happy to be there and was the kind of guy who would be happy anywhere as long as he could play ball.
That first night there the phones in the apartment didn't work, so Bill went out on the street to find a pay phone to call his folks and tell them how is day went. Despite not being invited Toyo tagged along cigarette in his mouth and yapping away. He never actually smoked, just loved to look like he was, thought it made him look good.
Well this was a rather rough part of town, and Bill didn't like all the attention Toyo was drawing towards them. He made his sentiment clear but Toyo seemed to find it funny. When Bill found a pay phone he dug out a quarter and Toyo decided to have some fun, "Woah man! You got one big wad of cash there! What is that, 500 at least right? But I am sure it is not even close to the amount your watch is worth!", he said as loud as he could. Of course Bill had wad of cash, or a watch for that matter, and he was beginning to fear for his life. He called his parents, made it short, and got back to the hotel as fast as he could, Toyo laughing the whole way back. After he got back he did seem to find it more funny then he did when it happened, and despite the many times Toyo would get on his nerves, they became fast friends.
He also remembers his first time in Las Vegas, on a road trip to play the eventual WBL champions the Sting. He was getting ready for breakfast the morning before the game when pitcher Bob Anderson asked if he would go with him and check out the casinos. He and Bob shared a lot of the same interests and became pretty good friends themselves, they went out that day and ended up partying the majority for several hours. Bob didn't have to pitch that day, but Bill had to catch. He lost track of time and when he looked at his watch realized he had 20 minutes until game time.
They both rushed to the stadium with a few minutes to spare, slightly intoxicated. Their manager Carlos Herrera was beyond livid when they got their. Bill still started that day but went 0-3 in a 3-1 loss. He was in the managers dog house for a good while after that.
One of his funniest memories though came in a July 25th game vs San Diego. There was this little league team, who won a local league championship, they were going to the game and each player on the little league team introduced with the Stars starting line up. Well the starting right fielder that day, Bobby McCall was talking to his assigned kid before they went out. He asked him, "So kid, you want to be like me someday, eh? A pro baseball player!"
The kid answered, "No sir, I wanna be good"
They all burst out laughing, poor McCall had to endure that joke the rest of the season, but of course being 32 and one of the oldest of the group it didn't seem to phase him much.
His best memory though came in the last home stand of the season, on August 12th, in the first of a 3 game set against Albuquerque he helped lead the team to a 2-1 hard fought victory. Throughout the whole game though he kept being heckled by some guy behind home plate, saying among other things how he swung like a girl and how the bat boy could call a better game.
He ignored it, but the guy was there the next day too. Never mind he went hitless both days, but the guy was ticking him off. In the game he was able to locate his heckler, and after the final pitch went up to the guy, "Hey!" he said, "What the hell is your problem? You think you could come out here and do my job?"
Then it hit him, he recognized the man. It was none other then Carlos Hanley himself, one of the greatest players in the University of Texas history. As a SS he owned college baseball in his playing days there in the early 70s, leading his team to a national championship is junior year and setting numerous records throughout his career.
He couldn't believe it! The two of them started talking for about 20 minutes, and Carlos finally came out and said he though Bill had some real potential, that he had a training program he ran with many university players for several years now, and now a handful of big leaguers. It was a prestigious institution in Austin, and he wanted Bill to workout and improve his technique there in the offseason.
Bill was looking forward to this, despite the negative feelings of his offensive performance he did have confidence in this training regimen and hoped it could help him for next year.
For Bill, he was ready to take a big step for his career.




Next: World Series Conclusion!

[norva13x]

GRIZZLIES WIN WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP!

In Game 6 the series returned to Boston with Lusieri on the mound, for Denver it was Stephen Myers once more, in a rematch of Game 2. Tied at 3 after 8, Denver had a great inning putting up 2 runs to take a 5-3 lead, Boston didn't back down though, in front of nearly 40,000 people all on their feet Boston attempted a rally, they managed to knock in a run when Chris Williams hit into a fielders choice with no outs, but they couldn't score again, Denver won the game 5-4 and took the series crown 4-2.
The team rushed the field to celebrate in front of a hushed crowd, but returned home early the next morning to nearly 20,000 screaming fans cheering on their beloved Grizzlies, 2000 Word Champions!
Grizzlies fever was everywhere, flags draping from the windows, the Mayor even gave the key to the city to winning manager Lucio Medina. The city of Denver in the team took the week to bask in the glow of the championship before things started to go back to normal. Nonetheless, it was a thrilling series and exciting way to cap off the inaugural season!





Next: Awards and other early offseason news!

[norva13x]

Offseason Begins:

Manager Firings:

Despite finishing 85-75 and second in the National League, New York's manager Tim Harris was given the axe. Phoenix made news by firing both it's GM and manager after dropping to 4th place during a poor showing the last couple of weeks during the season, finishing 79-81, Chicago and Los Angeles also followed suit and did the same firing theirs.

Some Early Offseason News Items:




Next: Awards Are Announced

[norva13x]

Awards:

Finally, days after the World Series came to a conclusion and and the offseason kicked into motion, the MLB announced it's award winners:

[norva13x]

Important News and Notes:

- American League Golden Arm Award winner Nate Frost extended his contract with Seattle for 2 more years.

- Brian King, a 29 year old promising star for Cleveland who hit .330 on the year with 24 home runs and earned an all-star selection announced that his torn ankle ligaments, an injury he received back in August, worsened and that it would impede his ability to play, thus King announced his career in baseball is over.

- Will Schneider, the star closer who last year earned 36 saves and had a phenomenal 1.23 ERA with the Chicago Chiefs filed for free agency but ends up resigning with the team for 2 years and 12,300,000

- Plus several small trades

Next: The Winter Meetings, MLB's Big Announcment

[norva13x]

lol, I am not even sure how many people are reading this thread, but if you want to be put in the amateur draft in my league you can send me a PM and we can set up your player for the upcoming draft.

[norva13x]

The Big Announcement:

November 21st, 2000

At the Winter Meetings today, the MLB announced what they are calling the 3 year plan. This plan is for the expansion of pro baseball in the U.S. The idea is to expand baseball and reap what benefits they can without over expanding and expanding to fast. The 3 year plan actually covers many more years then 3, but the name references the major activity to happen within the next 3 years.
Here is the quick and easy on the plan:
For the 2001 season, the MLB will add a second level of Minors which will allow for the expansion of 12 more teams in the minors. The new level will be called
MiLB Division 2, the Eastern and Western Baseball Leagues will be Division 1, then of course the Majors:

The new tier system:

1. Major League Baseball American League, National League
2. Minor League Baseball Division 1 - Eastern League, Western Baseball League
3. Minor League Baseball Division 2 - the two new leagues: Atlantic League and Pacific Coast League

The new teams and their parent clubs include:

Atlantic League:

Albany River Rats - New York
Allentown Peanuts - Philadelphia
Cincinnati Showboats - Cleveland
Connecticut Whalers- Boston
Norfolk Admirals - Washington
Peoria Rivermen - Chicago

Pacific Coast League:

Anaheim Aces - Los Angeles
Colorado Springs Avalanche - Denver
Fresno Threshers - San Francisco
San Antonio Outlaws - Texas
Tacoma Tigers - Seattle
Tucson Sidewinders - Phoenix

Note: The Threshers name is a reference to the Central Valley region Fresno resides, a major agricultural area, and not the shark.

The plan also states that in 2002, the MLB will expand by two teams, they too will receive farm teams of course.
The same story in 2003. In that year the league will be able to have 16 teams, 8 in each league divided into two divisions of 4.
Finally, the plan states no more expansion is to take place, barring a team folding, for 10-15 years to allow the league to stabilize and grow.

Next: Offseason Wrap-up

[norva13x]

I will be out of town and not near a computer for several days, so this thread will go into hiatus until sometime next week. Thanks for understanding. I will also respond to any PMs when I get back.

[norva13x]

Will be back at my normal computer to update tomorrow, sorry for the delay.
I updated one of the minor league team names in the previous update, instead of the Hartford Whalers they will be the Connecticut Whalers and play in Bridgeport.
Thought that would make more sense as Hartford is an inland city...

[norva13x]

Other Offseason Mutterings and Notes:

- Star RF Joachim De Jonge from the Netherlands, who hit .315 with an exceptional .466 OPB and 30 home runs has extended his contract with the 76ers for one year.

- Jeff Henderson, the home run king last year when he blasted 51 of them for the Capitals just signed a 2 year 1 million dollar deal with the Los Angeles Dragons. For a team that already lead the American League last season in home runs and was 3rd in runs scored it may be one of the most potent offenses in baseball.

- The Dragons further strengthened their team with the signing of Dae-jin Kim, a decent defensive left fielder who carried a .314 BA with a .417 OBP last year for San Francisco.

-The 76ers resigned their ace pitcher Leopoldo Gonzalez to a 14 million dollar contract.

-Phoenix re-signs Star 1B Scottie Bernard who hit .354 with 28 home runs last year.

Next: Amateur Draft

[norva13x]

2001 Amateur Draft

From here one out every year we will look at the top 3 draft picks in each ammy draft:

1. The San Francisco Warriors select RF Orlando Rivera

Seen here in a Fresno cap, where Rivera will most likely start, Orlando is a 17 year old RF from Guatemala. He is very raw right now, but should turn into a solid outfielder in the future with good contact and some power to boot. He is extremely intelligent, but some worry that his work ethic may not be high enough to realize his true potential.

2. The Cleveland Captains select C Juan Campos

Seen here in Cincinnati garb, Campos who was born and raised in Havana, escaped to America with his parents at age 11. Now just 4 days from turning 18 he will be the newest Cleveland Captain. Juan is an interesting prospect, one thing that stand out is his strength. Scouts believe he has the potential to hit a lot of home runs, plus a good eye can only help him great power hitting catcher for Cleveland.

3. The Washington Capitals select SS Julio Torres

Julio is another foreigner, the 22 year old was raised in Mexico but moved to the U.S. at 17, finished high school in Los Angeles before playing college ball at USC. Now 22, Torres is a great gap hitter, twice in his junior and senior seasons he lead the PAC 10 in extra base hits. But he is even more known for being the best defensive SS in the NCAA, named best player at his position 3 times. He is extremely intelligent, and has a great work ethic, all in all Washington is excited to have him.

Next: Spring Training