The Zoom Taylor Dynasty

[HGVoyager]

O.K., let’s try this OOTP dynasty thing again. Hopefully the computer won’t ruin it again. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

I’m changing my character’s name from Demetrius Taylor to “Zoom” Taylor. Maybe that’ll give me the karma I need to keep this dynasty going. The backstory is exactly the same as before, with only some minor changes (name change, different team giving him an opportunity to manage in the minors). If you followed my Demetrius Taylor dynasty, feel free to skim through until the beginning of the season.

The dynasty will go like before: game-by-game or series-by-series recaps, plus other tidbits from time-to-time focusing on Taylor’s personal life and experiences. I may include some emails, letters, and news clippings as well if the situation allows.

[HGVoyager]

Well, here I am, beginning a diary. I never thought I’d write one of these things, but the occasion calls for it, I guess. This is the day that I begin my journey as a professional baseball manager. It’s funny; I’m now 35 years old, and I thought by this point in my life I’d be wrapping up my major league career. Oh well, you never know what curveballs life will throw you.

So how did I get here? Well, let me briefly recap. My full name is Henry Mays Taylor. As you can probably guess, I’m named after two famous baseball players, Henry Aaron and Willie Mays. Both are from Alabama, where my father is originally from. However, everybody calls me Zoom, my nickname from high school. My buddies called me Zoom because they claim that when I played shortstop and I threw the ball to first base, it made a “zoom” sound. I don’t buy that, but I like the nickname.

I’m from Inglewood, California, in the L.A. area. I always wanted to play sports, and I did just that at Inglewood High School. I was the starting point guard on the basketball team, and the starting shortstop on the baseball team. I ended up going to San Jose State University on a baseball scholarship. I was offered a baseball scholarship by UCLA, too, but they wouldn’t give me the chance to play basketball also, while the Spartans let me walk-on. I know… a foolish choice. I ended up stinking up the joint in basketball, and by my sophomore year I was only playing baseball as a second baseman.

Luckily, I was a late-round draft pick by the Dodgers in 1994. I grew up watching the Dodgers, so you can imagine how happy I was to be drafted by them. I had a slow climb up the minors, mainly because even though I was pretty good with the leather, I couldn’t hit curveballs. I improved, though, and I made it all the way up to AAA in Albuquerque in 1997. But in May that year, I tore some tendons in my shoulder diving for a ball, and just like that, my playing career was over. That really messed me up.

I went back to L.A., where my family helped get me back on the right track. I got an education degree at SJSU, and I put that to use by coaching baseball at local schools. I married my girlfriend LaVonne that same year, and we now have three kids: 8-year-old Omar, 6-year-old Toni, and 4-year-old Darnell.

In 2002 I was offered the opportunity to be the head coach of my alma mater Inglewood High School’s baseball team. I don’t need to tell you what choice I made. For four seasons, I coached Inglewood, and it was the most rewarding time of my life. We regularly made the state playoffs, something we never did when I was a student there. We did that despite financial problems with the school and the fact that students cared more about basketball there.

I felt good about our chances this year, but the rug was pulled from under us when the school board announced it was cutting the baseball program because of financial reasons – right before the season was to begin. That messed me up big time. But a friend of mine stepped in and helped me out.

Russell Walker was a teammate of mine at Inglewood High School. A first baseman, he wound up spending a lot of time in the Angels’ minor league system before retiring in 2000. He became a hitting coach with the Angels’ California League team, Rancho Cucamonga, but he decided to leave in search of better avenues after last season.

The two of us hung out in February, with me still in a funk about what had happened at Inglewood. Russ said, “Zoom, you know you got what it takes to be a coach or even a manager in the pros. I saw how intense you were at Inglewood. You belong in the pros.”

“Yeah, right. Besides, I haven’t been in contact with anybody since I left the Dodgers.”

“What are you talking about, man? What am I, chop liver? Listen, I’ll call up some of my connections in the majors and see what I can come up with for you.”

“You serious?”

“Dead right, I am. Give me a couple of days.”

A few days later, I got a call from GM Jim Hendry of the Chicago Cubs! He invited me to Mesa, Arizona to do some paid work as a fielding instructor. It would be sort of a trial period while the Cubs got to know me. I thought I would take the chance, so I took leave from my P.E. teaching job and went down to Arizona. Since then I’ve been helping the rookies and young guys improve their fielding.

I must be doing a good job as an instructor, because today Mr. Hendry called me to his office and made me a job offer. “Taylor, I would like for you to manage our entry in the Arizona Rookie League this year. I think you’ve earned it.” I took the job on the spot. Thus began my pro managerial career.

That’s it for the first entry of this diary. Hopefully this diary will be filled with lots of good memories over the next few years.

[HGVoyager]

April 15, 2007

I moved into my empty cinder block office today. I wondered if I would have to do a press conference or something like that upon my being hired as the new manager of the Arizona League Cubs. But there was nothing. I was told where my office was, introduced to the staff, and that was basically it. No fanfare. That let me know how low I was in the professional ranks.

My two coaches and my scout seem to be good people, though. They’re young like me; that helps make things easier as I find my way.

The Cubs were nice enough to let me spend a few weeks back in L.A. with my family before beginning the Arizona League season. So I’ll be here in Mesa until May, then go back to L.A., then return to Arizona shortly before June.

[HGVoyager]

June 22, 2007
OPENING DAY ROSTER

Finally, the day I’ve been waiting for is here. My staff and I have been evaluating and re-evaluating our players, and this is what we have come up with.

Starting Rotation
1. Jason Thomas – 20 yo (years old). 17th round draft pick this year. Very loyal player.
2. Juan Garcia – 19 yo. 15th round draft pick this year. Somehow injured himself before playing a game (his diagnosis is listed as “undisclosed”. How can his injury be “undisclosed” to his own manager?!?). Out 1-2 weeks.
3. Shuji Nagata – Japanese 21 yo. 13th round draft pick.
4. Donald Walters – 20 yo. 2006 AZL Cubs stats (as a reliever): 1-0, 1 SV, 5.26 ERA, 25 K. Natural-born leader.
5. Taylor Parker – 22 yo. 2006 AZL Cubs stats: 2-2, 2.35 ERA, 39 K. Popular here in Mesa.

Other Possible Starters
Brad Clipp – 22 yo from San Diego. 2006 Boise (S A) stats (as a reliever): 2-0, 1 SV, 3.23 ERA, 24 K.
Greibal Cuevas-Novas – Dominican 23 yo. 2006 AZL Cubs stats (as a reliever): 0-0, 0 SV, 3.18 ERA, 20 K.
Kevin Kreier – 19 yo. Undrafted rookie from Las Vegas.
Jeremy Papelbon – 23 yo. 2006 Boise (S A) stats (as a reliever): 4-0, 3 SV, 1.83 ERA, 50 K.
Chuckie Platt – 24 yo. 2006 AZL Cubs stats (as a reliever): 1-0, 1 SV, 1.65 ERA, 11 K.
Jake Renshaw – 21 yo. 2006 AZL Cubs stats: 0-1, 5.57 ERA, 17 K.

Closer
Flynn Campbell – 19 yo. 30th round draft pick. Hard worker.

Setup
Pete Ekdar – Canadian 20 yo. 23rd round draft pick.
Tristan McBride – Canadian 21 yo from Montreal. 27th round draft pick.

Other Bullpen
Hamilton Banks – 22 yo. 29th round draft pick.
Michael Goode – 21 yo. 21st round draft pick.
Gary Jackson – 20 yo from San Diego. 28th round draft pick.
Kitt Kopach – 22 yo. 2006 Boise (S A) stats (as a reliever and starter): 2-2, 0 SV, 4.28 ERA, 7 K.
Andrew McCormick – 22 yo. 2006 AZL Cubs stats: 1-3, 1 SV, 6.38 ERA, 12 K.
Billy Muldowney – 22 yo undrafted rookie. Currently has the flu and will be out one week.
Rob Snow – 21 yo. 25th round draft pick.

Batting Lineup
1. SS Nathan Samson – 19 yo. 2006 AZL Cubs stats: .211, 0 HR, 8 RBI. Our best base runner and stealer by far, but can’t hit a lick right now. I’m taking a risk putting him here.
2. DH Ed Kerr – 21 yo catcher. 24th round draft pick. Against left-handers, Chris McLauglin (see Bench section below) will fill in as DH.
3. C Daniel Poulin – Canadian 20 yo. 8th round draft pick. There are some high expectations for this kid. Very intelligent, but no leadership skills.
4. LF Victor Liriano – 23 yo. This year, jumped around between Boise (S A), Peoria (A) and Daytona (A) before being sent back to Mesa. Obviously he is unhappy. Has some pop at the Arizona Rookie League level.
5. 1B Pedro Acosta – Costa Rican 19 yo. 6th round draft pick.
6. RF Yusuf Carter – 22 yo from Brooklyn, NY. With Daytona (A) this year, hit .256, 1 HR, and 24 RBI. Then the Cubs sent him down to Boise, then here. He is livid, mainly with himself. Gonna have to keep an eye on this kid.
7. 2B Brandon Taylor – 24 yo. 2006 Peoria (A) stats: .213, 3 HR, 18 RBI. Popular here in Mesa.
8. 3B Javier Rodriguez – 20 yo. 10th round draft pick.
9. CF Drew Rundle – 19 yo. Like Liriano above, jumped around between Boise, Peoria, and Daytona so far this year. Brutal batting ability (average potential, though), but we need his outfield defense.

Bench
1B Javier Martinez – Cuban 18 yo. 9th round draft pick.
1B Chris McLaughlin – 21 yo. 12th round draft pick.
1B Toru Sakurai – Japanese 19 yo. 18th round draft pick.
1B Gerald Ladd – 18 yo from Hesperia, CA. 16th round draft pick.
1B Andy Silver – 22 yo from Phoenix. 3rd round draft pick. (In my opinion, shouldn’t have been drafted in the 3rd round, but I’m just a rookie league manager.)
2B Matt Camp – 23 yo. 2006 Boise (S A) stats: .289, 1 HR, 37 RBI.
LF Ken Lang – 20 yo kid from Los Angeles! I remember managing against him when I was at Inglewood High School. An undrafted rookie who was given an opportunity by the Cubs. I’m pulling for Ken, but he will get no favors here. He’s on the bench for now until he improves his skills.
CF Richard D. Oleo – 21 yo. Released by the Baltimore Orioles last week and signed with the Cubs.
RF Lisandro Rosario – 20 yo. 2006 AZL Cubs stats: .314, 0 HR, 11 RBI.

My Overall Thoughts on the Roster
This team is devoid of any good defensive infielders. The outfield defense is above-average at best. Being a defense-first manager, that’s a big problem. Our pitchers are average (starters) to bad (bullpen). Offensively, we have some power, but we lack in contact and eye. This is going to be a long season. The Cubs must realize that as well, because they told me my goal should be to play .500 ball.

[HGVoyager]

June 22, 2007
AZL Cubs (0-0) at AZL Angels (0-0)

We went west to Tempe for our first game of the season against the Angels. Some info about the Arizona League: there are nine teams (Angels, Athletics, Brewers, Cubs, Giants, Mariners, Padres, Rangers, and Royals). Because of that, we don’t play multi-game series. We play one game against one team, then we play against another team the next day. All the teams are in one division, with the pennant winner and a wild-card battling it out for the Arizona League championship at the end of the season.

Final: Angels 8, Cubs 3
L: Jeremy Papelbon (0-1)

The game was decided by a horrible 7-run 6th inning by the Angels. We just couldn’t stop them. Our starter, Jason Thomas, was injured after just one inning and we had to take him out. Turns out his injury, a tender elbow, was not that serious, and he should be fully recovered in 1-2 weeks.

Next up, our first home game, against the Athletics.

[HGVoyager]

June 23, 2007
AZL Athletics (0-1) at AZL Cubs (0-1)

After spending spring training at beautiful HoHoKam Park in Mesa, I was stunned to find out that we would be playing our Arizona League games a few blocks down the street at a field at Fitch Park, which doesn’t look so nice in comparison. The field itself is nice, but there are hardly any stands or amenities. Today I see literally eight people watching, other than Cubs staff. I got several times that at some of our Inglewood High School games last year. Oh well, just another roadblock to overcome. If we are successful, the boys and I will soon be playing in some more impressive digs and in front of more impressive crowds.

Before the game, GM Jim Hendry sent me an email. Transaction time!

TRANSACTIONS

OUT (both released):
MR Billy Muldowney
MR Kitt Kopach

Kind of mean to release Muldowney while he has the flu. Other than that, no biggie here. Two of my worst relievers. On to the game.

Final: Cubs 3, Athletics 1
W: Shuji Nagata (1-0)
SV: Flynn Campbell (1)

Yay! My first win as a pro manager. We scored all our runs in the 2nd inning. The Athletics tried to come back in the 9th inning, but Flynn Campbell did a good job with the save. Nagata was named Player of the Game (7.2 IP, 8 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K).

[HGVoyager]

June 24, 2007
AZL Cubs (1-1) at AZL Giants (1-1)

We travel a few miles northwest to Scottsdale to take on the Giants.

Final: Giants 2, Cubs 1 (10 inn.)
L: Tristan McBryde (0-1) (sorry, spelled his name wrong earlier in the thread)

A defensive matchup. Both teams scored a run during the first two innings, and soon it became clear that the team that scored the next run would win the game. Too bad that team was the Giants in extra innings. I can’t be mad at my team for the way they played defensively; they did a very good job in the field. At the plate, though, is a different story.

[HGVoyager]

June 25, 2007
AZL Padres (1-1) at AZL Cubs (1-2)

Final: Padres 3, Cubs 0
L: Chuckie Platt (0-1)

We just couldn’t get our bats to do anything in this one. The Padres’ defense was solid.

Next up, a much-needed day off.

[HGVoyager]

June 26, 2007
Off day

Today I caught up via email with my buddy Russell Walker, the one who helped me get the AZL Cubs’ job. He got his first job as a pro manager as well! He’s managing the Greenville Drive, the Boston Red Sox’s Single A team in the South Atlantic League. He took over the team back in May. He’s gone 19-20 since then – not bad at all! The Drive are 35-40 overall.

[HGVoyager]

I don’t know about you, but after having the last dynasty ruined, I’m anxious to get past the Rookie League level. Starting now, I’ll sim through a chunk of the season, and I’ll post weekly updates.

SCORES
Jun 27 – Cubs 6, Mariners 2
Jun 28 – Angels 14, Cubs 7
Jun 29 – Athletics 4, Cubs 3
Jun 30 – Cubs 4, Royals 3

ARIZONA LEAGUE STANDINGS

1. Giants – 6-2
2. Royals – 5-3
3. Angels – 5-3
4. Brewers – 4-4
5. Athletics – 4-4
6. Padres – 4-4
7. Rangers – 4-4
8. Cubs – 3-5
9. Mariners – 1-7

LEADERS
AVG
DH Javier Rodriguez - .370
C Daniel Poulin - .355
CF Drew Rundle - .259

HR
LF Pedro Acosta – 1
C Ed Kerr – 1
1B Andy Silver – 1

RBI
Rodriguez – 5
Acosta – 3
Poulin – 3
Rundle - 3

ERA
Jeremy Papelbon – 4.15
Jake Renshaw – 4.32

WINS
MR Gary Jackson – 1
SP Shuji Nagata – 1
SP Papelbon – 1

K
MR Tristan McBryde – 4
Nagata – 4
Renshaw - 4

TRANSACTIONS
none

[HGVoyager]

July – Week 1
SCORES
Jul 2 – Cubs 10, Rangers 4
Jul 3 – Giants 11, Cubs 1
Jul 4 – Cubs 4, Padres 3
Jul 5 – Cubs 9, Royals 4
Jul 6 – off day
Jul 7 – Cubs 4, Brewers 3
Jul 8 – Rangers 9, Cubs 4

ARIZONA LEAGUE STANDINGS

1. Angels – 10-4 (-)
2. Royals – 8-5 (1.5 GB)
3. Athletics – 8-6 (2 GB)
4. Giants – 8-6 (2 GB)
5. Cubs – 7-7 (3 GB)
6. Rangers – 7-7 (3 GB)
7. Brewers – 6-8 (4 GB)
8. Padres – 5-8 (4.5 GB)
9. Mariners – 3-11 (7 GB)

LEADERS
AVG
C Daniel Poulin - .390
DH Javier Rodriguez - .278
CF Drew Rundle - .255

HR
LF Pedro Acosta – 1
C Ed Kerr – 1
1B Andy Silver – 1
SS Brandon Taylor - 1

RBI
RF Richard D. Oleo – 8
Rodriguez – 7
1B Javier Martinez - 6
Taylor - 6

ERA
SP Shuji Nagata – 1.76
SP Greibal Cuevas-Novas – 4.40
SP Jeremy Papelbon – 5.57

WINS
MR Gary Jackson – 2
Nagata – 2

K
Nagata – 6
MR Tristan McBryde – 5
Renshaw - 4

TRANSACTIONS
none

[HGVoyager]

July – Week 2
Another winning week, and we are now two games above .500. We’re doing a good job of keeping the goal management set for us at the beginning of the season.

SCORES
Jul 9 – @Cubs 3, Mariners 2 (12 inn)
Jul 10 – Cubs 6, @Brewers 4
Jul 11 – off day
Jul 12 – @Angels 3, Cubs 2 (13 inn)
Jul 13 – Athletics 11, @Cubs 1
Jul 14 – Cubs 6, @Giants 5
Jul 15 – @Cubs 4, Padres 1

ARIZONA LEAGUE STANDINGS

1. Angels – 14-5 (-)
2. Giants – 12-7 (2 GB)
3. Cubs – 11-9 (3.5 GB)
4. Royals – 10-9 (4 GB)
5. Athletics – 10-9 (4 GB)
6. Brewers – 9-10 (5 GB)
7. Padres – 8-11 (6 GB)
8. Rangers – 8-12 (6.5 GB)
9. Mariners – 5-15 (9.5 GB)

LEADERS
AVG
(If you are wondering what happened to C Daniel Poulin… I don’t know. He hasn’t been promoted or demoted, he’s played in all but three of the Cubs’ games and has a batting average of .360, but he doesn’t show up on the Team Leaders list for some reason. )
CF Drew Rundle - .260
DH Javier Rodriguez - .256
RF Richard D. Oleo - .254

HR
1B Andy Silver – 2
LF Pedro Acosta – 1
C Ed Kerr – 1
SS Brandon Taylor - 1

RBI
RF Richard D. Oleo – 12
DH Javier Rodriguez – 10
SS Brandon Taylor - 7

ERA
SP Shuji Nagata – 1.71
SP Jeremy Papelbon – 5.57

WINS
MR Gary Jackson – 3
SP Juan Garcia - 2
SP Shuji Nagata – 2

K
SP Juan Garcia – 12
SP Jason Thomas - 9
SP Shuji Nagata – 6

SAVES
CL Hamilton Banks - 6

TRANSACTIONS
none

[NYY #23]

On the third attempt, I'd say you definitely deserve to get past the rookie leagues. Good luck again, I'll be following along and it looks like you've got a pretty decent team!

[HGVoyager]

Originally Posted by NYY #23

On the third attempt, I'd say you definitely deserve to get past the rookie leagues. Good luck again, I'll be following along and it looks like you've got a pretty decent team!

Thanks as always for the comment, NYY, although as you will soon see, we are not playing decently now.

[HGVoyager]

July – Week 3
A bad week all around, punctuated by a 14-0 drilling by the Rangers on Sunday. Well, so much for that over-.500 record.

SCORES
Jul 16 – off day
Jul 17 – @Mariners 8, Cubs 7
Jul 18 – @Cubs 6, Angels 3
Jul 19 – @Athletics 5, Cubs 3
Jul 20 – Royals 4, @Cubs 2
Jul 21 – off day
Jul 22 – Rangers 14, @Cubs 0

ARIZONA LEAGUE STANDINGS

1. Angels – 19-6 (-)
2. Giants – 16-9 (3 GB)
3. Athletics – 13-12 (6 GB)
4. Royals – 12-12 (6.5 GB)
5. Cubs – 12-13 (7 GB)
6. Rangers – 12-13 (7 GB)
7. Brewers – 10-15 (9 GB)
8. Padres – 10-15 (9 GB)
9. Mariners – 8-17 (11 GB)

LEADERS
AVG
CF Drew Rundle - .278
RF Richard D. Oleo - .269
DH Javier Rodriguez - .248

HR
SS Brandon Taylor – 3
1B Andy Silver – 2

RBI
RF Richard D. Oleo – 12
SS Brandon Taylor - 12
DH Javier Rodriguez – 11

ERA
SP Juan Garcia 2.30

WINS
MR Gary Jackson – 3
SP Shuji Nagata – 3
SP Juan Garcia - 2

K
SP Juan Garcia – 14
MR Michael Goode – 12
SP Jason Thomas – 10

SAVES
CL Hamilton Banks - 7

TRANSACTIONS
none

[HGVoyager]

July – Week 4
The bottom has fallen out as we go 0-for-Week 4. We have now lost nine straight games.

SCORES
Jul 23 – Giants 6, @Cubs 4
Jul 24 – @Padres 2, Cubs 1
Jul 25 – @Royals 4, Cubs 3
Jul 26 – off day
Jul 27 – Brewers 9, @Cubs 3
Jul 28 – @Rangers 6, Cubs 1
Jul 29 – Mariners 9, @Cubs 1

ARIZONA LEAGUE STANDINGS

1. Angels – 23-8 (-)
2. Giants – 20-11 (3 GB)
3. Royals – 17-13 (5.5 GB)
4. Rangers – 16-15 (7 GB)
5. Padres – 14-16 (8.5 GB)
6. Athletics – 14-17 (9 GB)
7. Brewers – 12-18 (10.5 GB)
8. Cubs – 12-19 (11 GB)
9. Mariners – 10-21 (13 GB)

LEADERS
AVG
3B Lisandro Rosario – .375
C Daniel Poulin - .359
1B Andy Silver - .348

HR
SS Brandon Taylor – 3
1B Andy Silver – 2

RBI
RF Richard D. Oleo – 14
SS Brandon Taylor - 13
DH Javier Rodriguez – 12

ERA
SP Juan Garcia - 2.65
SP Jason Thomas – 4.02
SP Shuji Nagata – 4.50

WINS
MR Gary Jackson – 3
SP Shuji Nagata – 3
SP Juan Garcia - 2

K
SP Shuji Nagata - 16
SP Juan Garcia – 16

SAVES
CL Hamilton Banks - 7

TRANSACTIONS
none

[HGVoyager]

August – Week 1
Lots of transactions during this hot week! On August 1st we lost one of our best hitters (C Daniel Poulin) and our best home run guy (SS Brandon Taylor) to Short Season A Boise. The next few days, however, GM Jim Hendry, probably feeling sorry for us, sent us a lot of talented (for the Arizona League) fielders that may help us right this ship.

After losing two more games to stretch our losing streak to 11 games, we broke the streak with a decent 6-2 victory over the Athletics on Thursday, thanks in part to some of our acquisitions. We then proceeded to win two more games in a row. Thank you, Jim Hendry. (SP Kerry Wood won his first start, the Aug. 4 victory over the Padres.)

The highlight of the week was on August 3rd, when SS Javier Rodriguez went 5-for-5, helping us beat the Giants 8-2.

That 11-game losing streak really set us back in the standings; we have a long way to go. But we are only 10 games out of first, and 8 games out of the wild card spot; with 20 games remaining, there’s some hope.

SCORES
Jul 30 – Brewers 13, @Cubs 2
Jul 31 – off day
Aug 1 – @Angels 5, Cubs 4
Aug 2 – @Cubs 6, Athletics 2
Aug 3 – Cubs 8, @Giants 2
Aug 4 – @Cubs 3, Padres 2
Aug 5 – off day

ARIZONA LEAGUE STANDINGS

1. Angels – 25-11 (-)
2. Giants – 23-13 (2 GB)
3. Royals – 20-16 (5 GB)
4. Rangers – 20-16 (5 GB)
5. Brewers – 16-20 (9 GB)
6. Athletics – 16-20 (9 GB)
7. Cubs – 15-21 (10 GB)
8. Padres – 15-21 (10 GB)
9. Mariners – 12-24 (13 GB)

LEADERS
AVG
CF Christopher Amador .750
RF Alfred Joseph .500
3B Kevin Estrada .400

HR
1B Andy Silver – 2

RBI
C Ed Kerr – 8
LF Pedro Acosta – 8

ERA
SP Juan Garcia – 3.20
SP Shuji Nagata – 3.98
SP Jason Thomas – 4.02

WINS
SP Shuji Nagata – 4
MR Gary Jackson – 3
SP Juan Garcia - 2

K
SP Shuji Nagata - 20
SP Juan Garcia – 18

SAVES
CL Hamilton Banks - 9

TRANSACTIONS
August 1
Lost:
MR Michael Goode (to S A Boise)
C Daniel Poulin (to S A Boise)
SS Brandon Taylor (to S A Boise)
RF Drew Rundle (to S A Boise)

August 2
Received:
2B Kevin Estrada (from AAA Iowa) – 26 yo. Stats with AA Tennessee: .375, 0 HR, 5 RBI.
3B Russell Canzler (from AA Tennessee) – 21 yo. Stats with Tennessee: .207, 0 HR, 7 RBI.

August 4
Lost:
SP Chuckie Platt (released)

Received:
SP Kerry Wood (from AAA Iowa) – 30 yo. Not many details, but perhaps here on a rehab assignment. No stats this year.
LF Alfred Joseph (from AAA Iowa) – 21 yo. Stats with AA Tennessee: .228, 1 HR, 15 RBI.
CF Christopher Amador (from AA Tennessee) – Puerto Rican 24 yo. Stats with Tennessee: .156, 0 HR, 3 RBI.

[HGVoyager]

August – Week 2
After winning the first game of the week in extra innings to stretch our win streak to six games, we proceeded to lose five games in a row and entrench ourselves even deeper into the standings. At 16-26, and with 14 games to play, we may fail to get back to around .500.

SCORES
Aug 6 – Cubs 7, @Mariners 6 (11 inn)
Aug 7 – Angels 5, @Cubs 2
Aug 8 – @Athletics 6, Cubs 3
Aug 9 – Royals 7, @Cubs 5
Aug 10 – off day
Aug 11 – Rangers 10, @Cubs 6
Aug 12 – Giants 9, @Cubs 4

ARIZONA LEAGUE STANDINGS

1. Angels – 31-11 (-)
2. Giants – 26-16 (5 GB)
3. Rangers – 25-17 (6 GB)
4. Royals – 23-18 (7.5 GB)
5. Brewers – 20-22 (11 GB)
6. Athletics – 19-23 (12 GB)
7. Cubs – 16-26 (15 GB)
8. Padres – 15-26 (15.5 GB)
9. Mariners – 13-29 (18 GB)

LEADERS
AVG
RF Alfred Joseph .517
CF Christopher Amador .444
3B Kevin Estrada .400

HR
3B Kevin Estrada – 2
1B Andy Silver – 2

RBI
LF Pedro Acosta - 9
C Ed Kerr - 8
2B Nathan Samson - 7

ERA
SP Juan Garcia – 3.55
SP Kerry Wood – 3.75
SP Jason Thomas – 3.78

WINS
SP Shuji Nagata – 4
MR Gary Jackson – 3
SP Juan Garcia - 2

K
SP Shuji Nagata - 28
SP Juan Garcia – 20

SAVES
CL Hamilton Banks – 9

TRANSACTIONS
August 11
Lost:
SP Jake Renshaw (released)

[HGVoyager]

August – Week 3
After a .500 week, we still have ten more losses than wins. With eight games left to play, it's now impossible to get to .500 overall.

SCORES
Aug 13 – Cubs 9, @Padres 3
Aug 14 - @Royals 4, Cubs 3
Aug 15 – off day
Aug 16 – Brewers 11, @Cubs 7
Aug 17 – Cubs 4, @Rangers 2
Aug 18 - @Cubs 4, Mariners 2
Aug 19 - @Brewers 6, Cubs 4

ARIZONA LEAGUE STANDINGS

1. Angels – 35-12 (-)
2. Rangers – 29-19 (6.5 GB)
3. Giants – 28-19 (7 GB)
4. Royals – 26-21 (9 GB)
5. Brewers – 24-23 (11 GB)
6. Athletics – 21-26 (14 GB)
7. Cubs – 19-29 (16.5 GB)
8. Padres – 16-31 (19 GB)
9. Mariners – 15-33 (20.5 GB)

TRANSACTIONS
none

[HGVoyager]

End of Season
The Cubs' season comes to an unexciting end.

SCORES
Aug 20 – off day
Aug 21 - @Angels 11, Cubs 2
Aug 22 – Athletics 8, @Cubs 4
Aug 23 - @Giants 3, Cubs 1
Aug 24 - @Cubs 6, Padres 5
Aug 25 – off day
Aug 26 – Cubs 9, @Rangers 7
Aug 27 – Brewers 2, @Cubs 0
Aug 28 – Royals 14, @Cubs 8
Aug 29 – Cubs 2, @Mariners 1


FINAL ARIZONA LEAGUE STANDINGS

1. Angels – 43-13 (-)
2. Giants – 33-23 (7 GB)
3. Rangers – 32-24 (6.5 GB)
4. Royals – 30-26 (9 GB)
5. Brewers – 27-29 (11 GB)
6. Athletics – 27-29 (14 GB)
7. Cubs – 22-34 (16.5 GB)
8. Padres – 21-35 (19 GB)
9. Mariners – 17-39 (20.5 GB)

ARIZONA LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
The Giants ended up upsetting the Angels three games to two.

TRANSACTIONS
none