BoS's WEEK 19 Award Winners

NATIONAL LEAGUE
"Automatic"

When everything comes down to Adrian Beltre, one thing's for sure, during the 2013 Boys of Summer APBA Baseball League Season, he has been nothing short of automatic. A routine choice, in a relatively quiet week of offense, many had productive but similar weeks -- Beltre wins the N.L. Player of the Week Award by an edge over a few guys. He went 8-for-24 (.333), hitting 3 round-trippers, with 8 RBI & 6 runs.

Adrian Beltre has been red-hot since the break, and like Miguel Cabrera in the American League, Beltre is in the hunt for the Triple Crown in the National League. Beltre through 19 weeks of the season (112 games) is leading the league with a .351 batting average & 99 RBI, he's third in HR's with 28 for the season. Beltre also leads the league in Slugging (.624), On-Base Percentage (.390), OPS (1.057), Hits (149), Runs (74) & Doubles (30). I think at this point, I don't think there is really any doubt on who the league's Most Valuable Player is going to be -- especially if he keeps this tear up.

This week's N.L. Pitcher of the Week goes to Stephen Strasburg of the Holland Hitchhikers, pitching 9 innings of a extra-innings game, earning the victory, allowing no runs, 3 hits, 2 walks, while striking out 12 Fairgrove Tigers, in the team's 1-0 victory (10 innings) -- Greg Holland closed down the save.

N.L. Honorable Mention:

• SP - Gio Gonzalez (HAN) - W, 7 IP, 4 H, ER, 9 K & 5 BB.
• OF - Jon Jay (HAN) - 11-for-21 (.524), HR, 5 RBI & 4 runs.
• C - Buster Posey (HAN) - 7-for-23 (.304), HR, 5 RBI & run.
• OF - Denard Span (HAN) - 8-for-21 (.381), RBI & 3 runs.
• 2B - Neil Walker (HAN) - 7-for-16 (.438), HR, 4 RBI & 6 runs.
• SS - Alcides Escobar (HOL) - 9-for-25 (.360), 4 runs & 3 SB's.
• OF - Bryce Harper (HOL) - 11-for-24 (.458), 2 HR, 4 RBI, 5 runs & SB.
• 1B - Eric Hosmer (HOL) - 7-for-18 (.389), HR, 3 RBI, 5 runs & SB.
• C - Wilin Rosario (HOL) - 7-for-22 (.318), 2 HR, 6 RBI & 2 runs.
• 2B - Darwin Barney (KING) - 8-for-27 (.296), 2 RBI & 3 runs.
• OF - Curtis Granderson (KING) - 6-for-20 (.300), HR, 4 RBI, 4 runs & SB.
• OF - Josh Hamilton (KING) - 7-for-21 (.333), HR, 3 RBI & 4 runs.
• OF - Torii Hunter (KING) - 9-for-28 (.321), HR, RBI, 3 runs & 2 SB's.
• SP - James McDonald (KING) - W, 6 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 4 K & 2 BB.
• SP - Chris Sale (KING) - W, 8 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 7 K & 2 BB.
• SP - Bartolo Colon (POR) - L, 6 IP, 4 H, ER & 5 K's.
• SP - Matt Harrison (POR) - W, 7 IP, 2 H, ER, 4 K & 3 BB.
• SS - Marco Scutaro (POR) - 9-for-24 (.375), 2 runs.
• SS - Erick Aybar (SAC) - 8-for-27 (.296), 2 RBI, 4 runs & 2 SB.
• DH - Lucas Duda (SAC) - 8-for-17 (.471), 2 runs.
• OF - Andrew McCutchen (SAC) - 9-for-25 (.360), 2 HR, 5 RBI, 5 runs.
• 1B - Prince Fielder (SEA) - 6-for-18 (.333), 2 HR, 4 RBI & 4 runs.
• SS - Derek Jeter (SEA) - 9-for-27 (.333), 2 RBI & 4 runs.
• 1B/DH - Kendrys Morales (SEA) - 8-for-24 (.333), 2 HR, 6 RBI & 3 runs.
• SP - Max Scherzer (SEA) - W/L (CG), 16.1 IP, 18 H, 5 ER (2.76), 12 K & 7 BB.
• SP - Jason Vargas (SEA) - W, 9 IP (CG), 7 H, 2 ER, 4 K & 2 BB.
• DH- Josh Willingham (SEA) - 5-for-15 (.333), 3 HR, 5 RBI & 4 runs.
• SP - Henderson Alvarez (T.C.) - L, 2 G (1 GS), 7.1 IP, 10 H, 2 ER, 5 K & 3 BB.
• 1B - Brandon Belt (T.C.) - 8-for-24 (.333), 4 RBI & 4 runs.
• DH/2B/3B - Matt Carpenter (T.C.) - 4-for-10 (.400), 5 RBI & run.
• SP - Alex Cobb (T.C.) - ND, 6.2 IP, 5 H, ER, 8 K & 2 BB.
• 2B - Aaron Hill (URB) - 9-for-24 (.375), 2 HR, 3 RBI & 5 runs.
• SP - Hiroki Kuroda (URB) - W, 7.2 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 5 K & 2 BB.
• SP - Colby Lewis (URB) - ND, 7.2 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 7 K & 2 BB.
• OF - Nick Markakis (URB) - 7-for-22 (.318), 3 RBI & 4 runs.
• SP - David Price (URB) - W, 8 IP, 3 H, ER, 11 K & 2 BB.

AMERICAN LEAGUE
"Asdrubal: The Other Cabrera"

The Chicago Nine's shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera showed that he doesn't have to be named Miguel or even Melky to get things done, as he compiled a productive week for Chicago. Chicago had a productive week by many of it's hitters this week, but Asdrubal comes out on top (edging Carlos Gomez) for A.L. Player of the Week. Asdrubal batted 6-for-14, showing some power with 3 HR's, 8 RBI, while scoring 5 runs.

The A.L. Pitcher of the Week goes to the Bronx Bombers' C.C. Sabathia, who is no stranger to the award, winning the award in the league's first week of the season. C.C. pitched a 4-hit shutout that included 9 strikeouts against the tough Portland Microbrewers. C.C. was not the only Bomber to pitch a shutout for the week, as Adam Wainwright had a shutout against the Seattle Rainiers.

A.L. Honorable Mention:

• SS- Cesar Izturis (BOS) - 4-for-10 (.400), 2 HR, 2 RBI, 2 runs [2 solo HR's].
• SP- Brandon McCarthy (BOS) - W, 11.2 IP, 14 H, 2 ER (3 R) (1.54 ERA), 3 K/2 BB.
• OF- Ichiro Suzuki (BOS) - 8-for-26 (.308), HR, 2 RBI, SB.
• SP- Mark Buehrle (BRX) - W, 9 IP (CG), 6 H, 4 ER, 10 K & 3 BB.
• SP- Josh Johnson (BRX) - W, 9 IP (CG), 0 ER (3 R), 10 K & 5 BB.
• OF - Angel Pagan (BRX) - 9-for-26 (.346), HR, 3 RBI, 6 runs, SB.
• SS- Hanley Ramirez (BRX) - 6-for-26 (.231), 2 HR, 8 RBI, 4 runs.
• SP - Adam Wainwright (BRX) - W, 9 IP (CG, SHO), 9 H, 4 K & 3 BB.
• 3B- Miguel Cabrera (BUF) - 6-for-16 (.353), 2 HR, 6 RBI, 5 runs & SB.
• 1B - Adrian Gonzalez (BUF) - 8-for-20 (.400), 2 HR, 5 RBI, 3 runs & SB.
• 1B - Albert Pujols (CAR) - 9-for-22 (.409), 4 RBI, 2 runs & 2 SB's.
• SP - Justin Verlander (CAR) - ND, 7.1 IP, 5 H, ER, 4 K & BB.
• SP - Jered Weaver (CAR) - W, 7.1 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 6 K & BB.
• OF - Carlos Gomez (CHI) - 8-for-23 (.348), HR, 7 RBI, 6 runs & 4 steals.
• SP - Felix Hernandez (CHI) - W, 9 IP, 4 H, ER, 10 K & 2 BB.
• OF - Desmond Jennings (CHI) - 7-for-15 (.467), 2 RBI, 6 runs & 3 SB.
• 3B - Trevor Plouffe (CHI) - 6-for-21 (.286), 2 HR, 5 RBI & 5 runs.
• 1B - Paul Goldschmidt (FAIR) - 8-for-22 (.364), 2 HR, 5 RBI, 3 runs & 2 SB.
• OF - Jason Heyward (FAIR) - 6-for-20 (.300), HR, 4 RBI, 4 runs & 3 SB.
• OF - Melky Cabrera (S.S.) - 5-for-13 (.385), HR, 4 RBI & 5 runs.
• SP - Scott Diamond (S.S.) - W, 9 IP (CG), 7 H, 3 ER, 9 K & 5 BB.
• SS - J.J. Hardy (S.S.) - 6-for-20 (.300), 2 HR, 4 RBI & 4 runs.
• C/1B- Joe Mauer (S.S.) - 9-for-19 (.474), 3 RBI & 7 runs.
• 2B- Ben Zobrist (S.S.) - 8-for-20 (.400), HR, 4 RBI & 3 runs.
• SS - Ian Desmond (WAS) - 7-for-25 (.280), 3 RBI, 2 runs, SB.
• SP - Trevor Cahill (WAS) - ND, 8 IP, 9 H, ER, 4 K & 2 BB.

BLAST from the PAST #1 - "The Hall & Some Number Crunching"

With the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony around the corner, here is an article I wrote back in January.

-----------------------------------------Article from January 8th, 2014 -----------------------------

I'm going to try to write this blog post, the best way possible, without sounding like a jerk. But it gets under my skin when someone wants to sit there close-minded and tell me, who I feel represents what a real baseball fan is, and say that my Hall of Fame standards are not high enough.

I say this in the utmost, respect yet.. with the confident & cockiness of a know-it-all Sheldon Cooper (from The Big Bang Theory): I'm right, you're wrong.

Plus I don't understand where debates and conversations going in different directions is suddenly scowled upon, isn't this freedom of speech? Is that not the whole point of a debate? Sure I understand that people don't want to be ambushed with PED talk, I think it's safe to say that we are all sick of PED's by now. But being part of a debate, who do you pick off of the Hall of Fame ballot? There is going to be someone saying... "Hey, I believe so-and-so should be on it." Plus the player that was brought up and debated over is actually on the ballot, so I don't know what the fuss was about!

The one thing I have always loved about the APBA Facebook Group is that we allowed people to post their topics & opinions with no problem, and that's the way it should stand. If we start making rules on where the conversation is going, what's next? People telling people that their latest tournaments or APBA projects are stupid, because it doesn't agree with you?

Anyways, here we go...

First off, on this ballot there should be NO player on this ballot listed higher than Greg Maddux! To even think this is downright ludicrous! To say that there is a player above him, you mind as well say you got your degree in Baseball Knowledge from a Cracker Jack Box! Maddux is the only-sure first ballot Hall-of-Famer since Tony Gwynn & Cal Ripken. Before the managers were announced a couple months ago, I was surprised by people saying non-sense stuff like Bobby Cox not being a Hall of Famer... Say What?! I just don't understand those statements, to me that's a statement of a so-so fan. Another note to make on Greg Maddux, he would have put up even more amazing career numbers if MLB didn't shrink the strike-zone even more, which hurt Maddux & Tom Glavine from about 1998 and on...

Biggio & Bagwell of the Astros.

Okay, my ballot before we move on...

1. Greg Maddux
2. Tom Glavine
3. Jeff Bagwell
4. Frank Thomas
5. Tim Raines
6. Craig Biggio
7. Mike Piazza
8. Jack Morris
9. Alan Trammell
10. Lou Whitaker
11. Mike Mussina

Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds are tainted, and I would make Jeff Bagwell & Frank Thomas wait just a bit longer due to the fact of the era that they are from. Maddux & Glavine will both make it in I believe first time up, with their manager Bobby Cox which would be fitting! Tim Raines will eventually make it, I'm not overly worried about that. Time is running out for Jack Morris, who has came closer to making the cut recently, finds himself with a crowded ballot now. Yes, Craig Biggio has 3,000 hits, he missed it last year on his first ballot, he will make it in the next couple years, he would not be the first member of the 3,000 hit club to not make the ballot his first couple times up. Mike Piazza normally a "first-time-ballot & in" kind of guy, 400+ homers & a lifetime .305 average. .922 OPS for a catcher! But he might have to wait because of the era he represented.

Personally, the guys all listed above on my ballot are HOF'ers, also I should add Edgar Martinez with the 12th spot, he is a representative of the DH era, and he did not get his first actual break until age 27! He was the solid force behind the emergence of the Seattle Mariners franchise, he had 5 seasons over a 1.000 OPS (Bagwell had 5, Piazza had 4 -- to put it in perspective). Mitch Williams, former reliever for the Philadelphia Phillies & current MLB analyst said it best, "If there is a position created in the game of baseball, such as the DH, then there needs to be a position for that in the Hall of Fame as well."

Some Tigers fans, such as myself, have been very outspoken about the fact that Jack Morris, Alan Trammell & Lou Whitaker not being in the Hall of Fame. Out of the three, yeah.. Morris is the least deserving, yet he has come the closest of the three to making it.

One of the guys in the Facebook Group went on to say: Morris was not quite HOF material. He had a career 3.90 ERA, and went on to mention the silly Curt Schilling assessment,"If you have to think about whether a player is a Hall of Famer or not, he's not." The person also went on to mention that not only is Morris not a candidate, but Jeff Bagwell, Jeff Kent, and Mike Mussina were not HOF'ers as well, despite their good career numbers.

He goes on to say you can't make the remark "that so-and-so is in the HOF, so so-and-so should be as well." Yes & No, I say to that. Yeah, we can't do anything about Rabbit Maranville or Dave Bancroft, or a good handful of others, at the same time you have to look at some (not all) of these guys as representatives of it's era. Joe Tinker, Johnny Evers & Frank Chance are also three that, stat-wise would not be in the Hall of Fame. My father's idea of the Hall of Fame should be a 26-30 man roster, and when one came around, another got bumped out -- Maybe make the Hall a perfect 300, and bump people out afterwards, that sounds crazy. Overall, the damage has been done, it's funny to me that Tinker-Evers-Chance basically got in for the famous poem about them. They were great fielders for it's time, and fielding conditions were far worse then, before the day & age of ground's crews. I believe Tinker, Evers & Chance are more deserving than the likes of Maranville or Bancroft, but we can't change history. We can't change the fact that they are in, but I feel they DO represent the era, an era in which mostly are pitching dominant figures, the only offensive guys that really stood out in the first 1900-1910 decade was Ty Cobb & Honus Wagner.

Plus for anyone who has played APBA replays of that early era such as a guest blogger on The APBA Blog in Scott Fennessey (also the 2nd Chicagoland World Series Tournament Winner), he can argue that the Tinkers, Evers, were the superstars in their days. Should they really be punished out of the Hall, because they didn't average 37 HR's a season?

So my reply to Jack Morris is this...

• Pitched half of his starts in one of the most offensive-hitting stadiums ever (Tigers Stadium), during one of the best offensive eras in baseball history.
• He pitched for a manager that was nicknamed "Captain Hook" in Sparky Anderson, Anderson was well-known for yanking his starters by the 6th and getting his bullpen ready to go. Morris was maybe the only starting pitcher that could give Sparky the look -- turn back to the dugout! So Morris could have hurt himself in this regard.
• Morris was obviously pitching hurt for his 89'-90' campaigns, which could have easily hurt his career ERA. Plus if you take strictly from his Tigers' years, which best represents him, he had a career Tiger ERA of 3.73!
• Most Wins in the 1980's: 177, while playing in possibly the toughest division stretch per talent in the division era, since 1969. Yankees for example: Dave Winfield, Don Mattingly, Rickey Henderson; Brewers - Two HOF'ers in Robin Yount & Paul Molitor (who Lou Whitaker & Alan Trammell were just as instrumental in their roles for their franchise as those two), Boston was loaded, the Jays were strong throughout the 80's (especially from 84'-90')! Orioles had Ripken & Eddie Murray. Morris had to play these guys the majority of his career. These divisions were so loaded that many races came down to the very end. Cleveland was the only constant cellar-dweller. 
• Higher career WAR than Jim Palmer. Pitchers like Jim Palmer loaded up on wins, by the early division formats, Baltimore dominated during it's time, with no real contenders until mid 1970's when the Yankees came back into focus. The A.L. East in the 1980's had far more competition.
• Won three World Titles for three different teams.

Also check out the Article I did about a year ago..

During my reply that I respected Curt Schilling as the player, even saying that he may be Hall worthy, but didn't agree with his assessment. The counter-argument to that, was that Morris & Schilling are not on the same levels that of a Bob Gibson, Sandy Koufax, Tom Seaver, and Jim Palmer. Yeah? So is the same for about half of the starting pitchers already in the Hall of Fame. Those 4 among a few others, are one of a kinds, they come once in a generation! 

Here's an interesting argument in favor for Curt Schilling...

• Didn't get started really until 1992, 1994 & 1995 combines for one season (due to injuries) and he was a consistent force from 92-2007, leading the 93' Phillies to the World Series, while leading the 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks, 2004 & 2007 Boston Red Sox to World Championships (3 rings).
• 300 or more strikeouts, 3 times! Back-to-back seasons of the accomplishment for a 619 K's combination in two years!
• 3,116 K's (15th All-Time), 216 career wins with a winning percentage of .597. Sure it's not the magical 300 wins number, but he was a dependable winner. Almost a 1,000 more K's than Jim Palmer, Palmer only had two rings (66' & 83').
• Schilling's ERA of 3.46 was not that of Palmer's 2.86. But here's some food for thought, Palmer didn't get 300 wins either (268) and Schilling has him beat in the WHIP area 1.137 to 1.180!

The reason that I started arguing WARs (which I don't care for, but can be used as an interesting tool to compare) and Jim Palmer. Is because this person brought up both in regularity in his argument towards my points, so I used his tools of argument & of course, I still was clearly wrong LOL!

I brought up the career WAR's over Jim Palmer of players NOT in the Hall of Fame. Of course, players like A-Rod & Pujols are not retired yet.

• Alex Rodriguez (115.7)
• Albert Pujols (93.0)
• Chipper Jones (85.2)
• Jeff Bagwell (79.5)
• Pete Rose (79.4)
• Bill Dahlen (75.3)
• Lou Whitaker (74.8)
• Larry Walker (72.6)
• Rafael Palmeiro (71.8)
• Derek Jeter (71.6)
• Bobby Grich (71.0)
• Adrian Beltre (70.5)
• Alan Trammell (70.4)
• Scott Rolen (70.0)
• Tim Raines (69.1)
• Manny Ramirez (69.1)
• Edgar Martinez (68.3)
• Ivan Rodriguez (68.3)

The Hall of Famers below these the Career (70.0) WAR mark?

• Gary Carter
• Ed Delahanty
• Tony Gwynn
• Al Simmons
• Carlton Fisk
• Eddie Murray
• Fred Clarke
• Ryne Sandberg
• Roberto Alomar
• Duke Snider
• Joe Cronin
• Pee Wee Reese
• Goose Goslin
• Andre Dawson
• Willie McCovey
• Dave Winfield
• Billy Williams
• Richie Ashburn
• Billy Hamilton
• Lou Boudreau

and much more...

Let's go to Richie Ashburn, now

He had 2,574 career hits, a .306 career batting average, and an outstanding On-Base Percentage of .396! He was an outfielder in a HOF field that had many outfielders, with a career OPS of .778, with only 29 career HR's from a "power position".

Now enter Alan Trammell into the equation...

He had 2,365 career hits, I think sometimes people look at hits too much, in the same way people read career wins for a pitcher, you need to look at the other numbers people.

Let's point out that his WAR (70.4) is higher than Ashburn's & Barry Larkin (70.2), the HOF SS... now overall, once again I'm not a WAR guy, so let's look at other numbers. Trammell had 185 career HRs for a position until the 1980's was not known for having pop. Trammell didn't hit double-digits in HR's until 1983, and got the bulk of his HR's between 1983 & 1990. Trammell's 236 career steals, beats Ashburn by 2. Trammell also had a respectable .286 career average, not Ashburn's .306, but certainly better than HOF'er Gary Carter's .262!

Lou & Tram: Bless You Boys!

Alan Trammell had a career OPS of .767, Carter had .773 & Ashburn .778. People often harp on the fact that Trammell was injured a lot at the end of his career, and that he was beyond his peak years for some time, yet that never stopped Carter from being elected, who was clearly past his prime after 1987. Carter stuck around until 1992.

Someone else brought up points in what faith do we have in WAR when Lou Whitaker's WAR is higher than that of Ryne Sandberg and Roberto Alomar. Simple, Sandberg really was compacted to a period from 1982-1992, he was basically a ten-year deal.... where Lou was consistent as well, and was more a factor longer from 1978-1993. Roberto Alomar was a factor from 1988-2001, he stuck around until 2004, and probably had negative WARs to drain his career WAR. I don't think anyone thinks Whitaker was better than Alomar, as a Tiger fan I could argue that Whitaker was just as relevant for the Tigers as Sandberg was to the Cubs, and for American League 2B standards, Whitaker was really the Joe Morgan of that league, until the 1990's came around offensive 2B were unheard of, unless you dig towards the Eddie Collins days! Ryne Sandberg's period of 1990-1992, is what makes the difference in the argument between Sandberg & Whitaker, besides that.

• Whitaker: .276 AVG, 244 HR's, 2,369 hits & career .789 OPS.
• Sandberg: .285 AVG, 282 HR's, 2,386 hits & career .795 OPS. Note: Sandberg, got 92 of his career HR's from 1990-1992.

Sandberg also narrowly beats Whitaker in fielding pct (.989 to .984). Sandberg does beat him in Gold Gloves 11 to 3, just off the top of my head I do want to think Whitaker had stiffer competition at the position, but I could be wrong. The Gold Glove is rewarded for the silliest things anyways, offensive stats at a position come into factor, and it's a bit of a popularity contest.

Just some interesting perspectives, yet some people would make you think many of these players are not similar, just because the ones that have been in, grown bigger than their actual legends. I have been meaning to do the entire Hall of Fame for a post, who's in, who should be, and who's out.

Who knows? There was actually a time when people didn't think of Ryne Sandberg as a Hall of Famer, how crazy is that?

------------------------------------------- Added below, bonus coverage -------------------------------

RAINES vs BROCK

Interesting thing I saw on MLB Network the other morning.... Personally, I don't think Tim Raines should be punished for what he was taught to do in the game of baseball, and that's to get on base. A quick glance of sorts.

	Tim Raines
Games	2,502
BA	0.294
OBP	0.385
Steals	808
OPS	0.810
	Lou Brock
Games	2,616
BA	0.293
OBP	0.343
Steals	938
OPS	0.753

1st Annual Greater Michigan APBA Baseball Basic Tournament

An APBA Tournament coming to the great state of Michigan! A state just like Illinois & other Midwestern states, which are deep in APBA Tradition & are hardcore about the hobby. The event is being brought to you by Pastor Rich Zawadzki, who I have had the privilege to become friends with, and experience my first tournament by traveling with him to the APBA Chicagoland World Series (Winter) Tournament in November 2013.

Below is the message he sent to the APBA Facebook Group via Facebook:

ALL NAILED DOWN!

1st Annual Greater Michigan APBA Baseball Basic Tournament

Date & Time): Saturday, March 7, 2015 (9:00 AM - Until we're done)

Place: Gene Davis And Sons Steaks Eatery
4243 Oaklane Road Jackson, MI
Private Room

Marc Davis is not charging us at all for the room, and they normally do not open until 4:00 PM, but Marc and his wife are friends of mine, and have offered to open 7 hours early as a personal favor to me and will be providing coffee for us. I will also be buying donuts from a local legend,Hinkley Bakery, which was voted the best in the state. A catered lunch of Sirloin Steak, Smoked Pork Chop or Marinated Chicken Breast and 2 sides and a non-alcoholic drink will be provided by Steak's Eatery for $10.00 will be served at 2:30 PM (Let's give a good tip too)

I need at least 20 commitments
Please feel free to tag onto and tell others about this post

APBA Basic Game
Cards, Dice, Boards

Stock APBA teams only including Great Teams of the Past, and any team from 1901 - 2013 - 20 man rosters (No Negro Leagues, OFAS, BATS, Replay, etc.).

A Trophy will be given to the winner, and I will be contacting John Herson about other prizes an merchandise.

APBA Summer World Series Results

Here is the recap of the 2014 APBA Chicagoland World Series - Summer Tournament
brought to you by Doug Schuyler (co-creator).

APBA Summer World Series Re-cap!

Maddux Division Champion
Jim Saska 77 Phillies
Wild card; Eric Berg 08 Twins

Glavine Division Champions
Bradd Romant 82 Brewers
Wild card; Bob Eller 27 Yankees

Thomas Division Champions
Doug Schuyler 01 Mariners
Wild Card; Jim Welch 68 Cardinals

First Round Playoffs
77 Phillies over 08 Twins
68 Cardinals over 27 Yankees

Semi finals
68 Cardinals 5
82 Brewers 3

01 Mariners 4
77 Phillies 3

Championship
68 Cardinals 12
01 Mariners 3

The 1968 Cardinals slay the 27 Yankees, 82 Brewers and 01 Mariners in the playoffs en route to the title!

Craig Christian takes over as interim manager for the 68 Cardinals as Jim Welch had to make his Blake Shelton concert @ Wrigley Field! Craig Christian did an amazing job rolling for the Cardinals! It has been the year of the interim manager in APBA this sumner in both Chicago & Atlanta!

Both Jim and Craig's names will go on the trophy to be enshrined forever!

BoS's WEEK 18 Award Winners

AMERICAN LEAGUE
"Gettin' Miggy Wit It"

Miggy Cabrera strikes again! The Buffalo Yankees' superstar batted .409 (9-for-22) for the week, smacking 3 home runs, 8 ribbies, while scoring 4 runs -- helping Buffalo, along with the good pitching, win four games. Cabrera is this week's A.L. Player of the Week.

Andy Pettitte is no stranger as well, winning the A.L. Pitcher of the Week, back in Week 7. Pettitte pitched a complete game victory for the Imps against the Seattle Rainiers, allowing only four hits, an earned run, and two walks -- while striking out 6 batters.

A.L. Honorable Mention

• 2B- Omar Infante (BOS) - 8-for-24 (.333), 3 RBI, 3 runs & 2 steals.
• 3B - Chris Johnson (BOS) - 5-for-15 (.333), HR, 5 RBI, 2 runs.
• SP- Brandon McCarthy (BOS) - ND, 6.1 IP, 5 H, ER (2 R), 4 K & 2 BB.
• C- Matt Wieters (BOS) - 9-for-19 (.474), HR, 4 RBI, 3 runs.
• 2B- Robinson Cano (BRX) - 11/24 (.458), HR, 4 RBI, 4 runs, SB.
• SP- Josh Johnson (BRX) - L, 8 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 7 K & 2 BB.
• 2B- Danny Espinosa (BUF) - 7-for-17 (.412), HR, 6 RBI, 4 runs, SB.
• 1B- Adrian Gonzalez (BUF) - 7-for-20 (.350), 5 RBI
• RP- Tom Wilhelmsen (BUF) - 3 SV, 3.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 5 K.
• SP- Wade Miley (BUF) - ND, 7.2 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 4 K & 3 BB.
• SP- Ricky Nolasco (BUF) - ND, 7.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 5 K.
• SP- Matt Cain (CAR) - W, 9 IP (CG), 7 H, 2 ER, 7 K & 3 BB.
• C- Ryan Doumit (CAR) - 7-for-22 (.318), HR, 3 RBI & 5 runs.
• SP- Yovani Gallardo (CAR) - L, 8 IP (CG), 8 H, 3 ER, 10 K & BB.
• 1B- Albert Pujols (CAR) - 8-for-26 (.308), HR, 5 RBI & 3 runs.
• SP- Jered Weaver (CAR) - ND, 9 IP, 5 H, ER, 8 K & 3 BB.
• OF- Carlos Gomez (CHI) - 8-for-22 (.364), HR, 3 RBI, 3 runs, 2 SB.
• 2B- Ian Kinsler (CHI) - 7-for-19 (.368), 2 HR, 5 RBI, 3 runs.
• 3B- Trevor Plouffe (CHI) - 7-for-20 (.350), 3 HR, 3 RBI & 5 runs.
• SP- Madison Bumgarner (FAIR) - W, 7 IP, 5 H, 2 ER (3 R), 7 K.
• RP- Robbie Ross (FAIR) - 2 SV, 4.2 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 4 K.
• SP- Ryan Vogelsong (FAIR) - W, 8.1 IP, 8 H, 0 ER, 7 K, BB.
• SP- Scott Diamond (S.S.) - W, 7 IP, 2 H, ER, K, 2 BB (Improves to 9-3, 2.90 ERA).
• SP- Doug Fister (S.S.) - ND, 7 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 7 K & 2 BB.
• 1B - Joey Votto (S.S.) - 7-for-18 (.389), HR, 3 RBI, 3 runs.
• SS- Ian Desmond (WAS) - 7-for-23 (.304), 2 HR, 8 RBI, 3 runs & 2 SB.
• SP- Kyle Lohse (WAS) - 8 IP, 5 H, ER (2 R), 5 K, 2 BB.

NATIONAL LEAGUE
"Supernatural"

When the league's inaugural draft was just a few minutes away, every owner knew it would be either the Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera or the kid playing for Anaheim in Mike Trout -- it was just a matter of which one would go first. Of course, the rest is history as Mike Trout was selected by the Portland Microbrewers as the top overall pick of the Boys of Summer, kind of fitting that this weeks' Player of the Week Awards for each league was won by the two players.

Trout has been heating up, just prior to the All-Star Game -- then showcased his talents at the mid-summer classic, by collecting four hits. This week, he batted .588 (10-for-17), hitting 3 HR, 7 RBI, scoring 5 runs, while swiping three bases.


This week's A.L. Pitcher of the Week Award goes to Chris Sale for his one-hit shutout victory of the Bronx Bombers. Sale also struck out 7 Bombers in the process -- as he edged his teammate Clayton Kershaw & Hannibal's Gio Gonzalez.

N.L. Honorable Mention:

• SP- Homer Bailey (HAN) - W, 7 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 4 K, 2 BB.
• SP- Felix Doubront (HAN) - ND, 6 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 6 K.
• SP- Gio Gonzalez (HAN) - W/L, (CG, SHO), 16.1 IP, 14 H, 3 ER, 14 K & 4 BB.
• SP- Alexi Ogando (HAN) - W, 8 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 10 K & 4 BB.
• C- Buster Posey (HAN) - 8-for-18 (.444), 2 HR (Grand Slam), 5 RBI, 4 runs.
• 2B- Neil Walker (HAN) - 6-for-18 (.333), 3 RBI.
• SP- Lucas Harrell (HOL) - W, 9 IP (CG), 5 H, 2 ER, 6 K, BB.
• DH- Chipper Jones (HOL) - 6-for-15 (.400), 3 HR, 4 RBI, 4 runs.
• SP- Lance Lynn (HOL) - L, 6 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 8 K, 2 BB.
• SP- Mike Minor (HOL) - ND, 7 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 8 K, 2 BB.
• 3B- Will Middlebrooks (HOL) - 8-for-18 (.444), 2 HR, 4 RBI, 3 runs.
• SP- Matt Moore (HOL) - W, 7 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 7 K, 4 BB.
• 2B- Martin Prado (HOL) - 8-for-21 (.381), run, SB.
• SP- Stephen Strasburg (HOL) - W, 8 IP, 3 H, ER, 9 K & 2 BB.
• RP- Aroldis Chapman (KING) - 2 SV, 5 IP, 0 H, 0 ER & 8 K's.
• SP- Clayton Kershaw (KING) - 2 W (CG), 17 IP, 9 H, ER (2 R) (0.53 ERA), 14 K, 7 BB.
• 1B- Freddie Freeman (POR) - 5-for-18 (.278), HR, 6 RBI & 3 runs.
• SP- Cliff Lee (POR) - ND, 6.2 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 7 K.
• SP- Jonathan Niese (POR) - W, 7.1 IP, 5 H, ER, 5 K & 2 BB.
• SS- Erick Aybar (SAC) - 9-for-26 (.346), 2 HR, 6 RBI, 3 runs.
• OF- Ryan Braun (SAC) - 9-for-25 (.360), 4 HR, 7 RBI, 5 runs.
• 1B- Edwin Encarnacion (SAC) - 9-for-24 (.375), 3 HR, 7 RBI & 5 runs.
• 2B- Chase Utley (SAC) - 7-for-19 (.368), HR, 6 RBI, 6 runs.
• SP- Bronson Arroyo (SEA) - ND, 7.1 IP, 7 H, ER, 6 K & 3 BB.
• SP- Wei-Yin Chen (SEA) - W, 9 IP (CG), two-hit SHO, 6 K & 3 BB.
• SP- Max Scherzer (SEA) - L, 8 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 8 K & 2 BB.
• OF-Josh Willingham (SEA) - 7-for-19 (.368), 2 HR, 2 RBI & 3 runs.
• DH- Yonder Alonso (T.C.) - 6-for-15 (.400), HR, 4 RBI, run.
• SP- Alex Cobb (T.C.) - L, 7.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 9 K & 5 BB.
• SP- Yu Darvish (T.C.) - W, 7 IP, 8 H, ER, 8 K & BB.
• OF- Giancarlo Stanton (T.C.) - 5-for-17 (.294), 4 HR, 5 RBI & 4 runs.
• OF- Nori Aoki (URB) - 12-for-27 (.444), 5 RBI, 4 runs, SB.
• 3B- Adrian Beltre (URB) - 9-for-23 (.391), HR, 4 RBI, 4 runs.
• SP- Cole Hamels (URB) - W, 8 IP, 5 H, ER, 5 K & 2 BB.
• 1B- Garrett Jones (URB) - 6-for-20 (.300), 2 HR, 6 RBI & 4 runs.
• SP- Hiroki Kuroda (URB) - W, 6 IP, 4 H, ER (2 R), 5 K & 2 BB.
• SP- Colby Lewis (URB) - W, 9 IP (SHO), 3 H, 10 K (Improves to 7-1, 2.13 ERA).
• OF- Nick Markakis (URB) - 9-for-23 (.391), HR, 3 RBI & 4 runs.
• OF- Alex Rios (URB) - 8-for-25 (.320), 2 HR, 5 RBI & 6 runs.

2014 APBA Chicagoland World Series Preview

Sharing a post from the APBA Facebook Group, a post sent by the APBA Chicagoland World Series co-producer of the event - Doug Schuyler, co-hosting with Jim Saska.

A Preview for the Summer edition of the event, 18 teams, who will come out on top?

The Division Setups (APBA Player) - Pythagorean Record for teams

Greg Maddux Division

1962 San Francisco Giants (Larry Eichman) 100-65 (.606)

1976 Cincinnati Reds (Curt Roberts) 103-59 (.636)

1977 Philadelphia Phillies (Jim Saska) 98-64 (.605)

1982 Milwaukee Brewers (Don Smith) 97-65 (.599)

1985 Toronto Blue Jays (Craig Christian) 99-62 (.615)

2008 Minnesota Twins (Eric Berg) 89-74 (.546)

Frank Thomas Division

1906 Chicago Cubs (Gary Lindley) 115-37 (.757)

1968 St. Louis Cardinals (James Welch) 96-66 (.593)

1980 Los Angeles Dodgers (Thomas Nelshoppen) 90-73 (.552)

1984 Chicago Cubs (Scott Fennessey) 91-70 (.565)

1988 Los Angeles Dodgers (Randy Woolley) 91-70 (.565)

2001 Seattle Mariners (Doug Schuyler) 109-53 (.673)

Tom Glavine Division

1927 New York Yankees (Robert Eller) 109-45 (.708)

1934 St. Louis Cardinals (Michael Gaubitz) 90-63 (.588)

1973 Oakland Athletics (Pete Gill) 96-66 (.593)

1979 New York Yankees (Clark Eichman) 86-74 (.538)

1982 Milwaukee Brewers (Bradd Romant) 97-65 (.599)

1990 Oakland Athletics (Curt Bartel) 99-63 (.611)

My Predictions (Boys of Summer's) for the 6 teams advancing...

1976 Cincinnati Reds (Curt Roberts) 103-59 (.636)

1977 Philadelphia Phillies (Jim Saska) 98-64 (.605)

1906 Chicago Cubs (Gary Lindley) 115-37 (.757)

2001 Seattle Mariners (Doug Schuyler) 109-53 (.673)

1990 Oakland Athletics (Curt Bartel) 99-63 (.611)

1982 Milwaukee Brewers (Bradd Romant) 97-65 (.599)

The Three "Dark Horses" (one from each div) that I didn't pick to advance, but could...

1985 Toronto Blue Jays (Craig Christian) 99-62 (.615) - Maddux

1980 Los Angeles Dodgers (Thomas Nelshoppen) 90-73 (.552)

1927 New York Yankees (Robert Eller) 109-45 (.708)

Sounds funny to pick 1927 Yankees as a Dark Horse, but I didn't have them advancing in my predictions, I have had bad luck with this team, and I do know what can happen when things go south with the team, but if all goes right, watch out!

Now here is Doug's comments below....

APBA Chicago World Series Preview....

1977 Phillies
Schmidt, Luzinski & Carlton! If they get HOT, watch out!

1976 Reds
The Big Red Machine! Adequate pitching, air tight D and once the bats and speed gets rollin, it's all over!

1985 Blue Jays
Could this be the dark horse? This 99 win team laid down for the Royals in the ALCS. Dave Stieb held batters to just .213 while Jessie Barfield slugged .536. Could the dice and APBA Gods be smiling on Toronto?

1927 Yankees
The team to beat no doubt. No better 3-4 combo in the history of the game with the Bambino & Gehrig! You can't stop them...you can only hope to contain them. Gehrig & Ruth combine for 864 total bases! The Mirage in Vegas says EVEN money!

1962 Giants
It can be argued that Willie Mays was the greatest pure talent to ever play the game! His 62 season cyber metrics are silly with a league leading 49 HR & 382 total bases with a Major League Leading 6.1 Batter/Fielder wins ratio. Sanford racks up 24 wins with O'Dells 20 complete games! Another tournament dark horse for sure!

1984 Cubs
The daily double of Dernier & Sandberg can be lethal! Can the Red Baron help the Cubbies put the curse of the goat to bed? Cue Jump by Van Halen !!!

1988 Dodgers
Hershiser is for real! After that there is not much pizazz to this club. They did it with smoke & mirrors back in the day...can they bring the magic again tomorrow?

1934 Cardinals
Medwick leads the Gas House Gang with the Dean Brothers! Plenty of hits in this lineup too!

1906 Cubs
The best starting pitching in the tournament with that killer dead ball speed! Vegas has them at 2-1 odds!

1973 A's
The Free Swingin A's won 94 games led by Reggie Jackson and his 32 bombs and Fingers and his 22 saves!

2008 Twins
The M & M boys roll into Woodstock looking to do some damage!

2001 Mariners
116 wins but couldn't reel in the big one! Ichiro and his 250 hits, lights out defense and a shut down bullpen....will it be enough?

1990 A's
Great pitching and the Bash Brothers!
Eckersley lurking in the pen! The D-Bol will be next to the Bazooka and Red Man!

1980 Dodgers
Garvey, Cey and Baker anchor another great Dodger Team! This 92 win Dodger Team just could surprise their division!

1982 Brewers
Other than murderer's row, this could be the most feared lineup in the tournament. Molitor and Yount combine for an amazing 265 runs! Can they bring the lumber and redemption to Beer Town?

1979 Yankees
This 89 win team was solid! A strong squad in the always tough AL East. They could not overcome the Orioles and finished 4th but Reggie Jackson and Willie Randolph look to play spoiler as do John and Guidry with their combined 39 wins!

1968 Cardinals
Another team looking for redemption led by a bad man named Bob Gibson!
1.12 ERA to be exact!

Radio: No Respect for Baseball

MLB - Never getting any love.

So, once in awhile I will go on 1310 sports radio/AM in the mornings to hear whatever they happen to be talking about that morning in Sports. I don't know why I continue to do so, when 98% of the time they are talking about the NFL (even during the off-season!).

I knew the moment I tuned the station to 1310, that it wouldn't take them 5 seconds to blast Baseball, and sure enough TA-DA! "Baseball is boring" coming out of Brandon Tierney's mouth, the show he co-hosts with former NFL Giants' running back Tiki Barber & Michigan's own Dana Jacobson for CBS Sports Radio. I have a lot of respect for Dana, Tiki makes great points, but Brandon Tierney just likes to hear himself talk!


I noticed this anti-Baseball stance, last playoff season for the MLB -- which was a great postseason, and it was the morning after the Oakland-Detroit game where Justin Verlander & A's rookie Sonny Gray put on a game for the recent ages.

So, I tuned in to hopefully here them talk about the great game... NO! They rather talk about...

SURPRISE! SURPRISE! The NFL!

Not only were they talking about the NFL, but they were talking about a pointless Week 5 or 6 or whatever game between the sorry-ass Tampa Bay Bucs & the sorry-ass Jacksonville Jaguars, and when they didn't talk about that pointless match-up, they talked about the most over-hyped team in all of sports, the New York Jets, you know? The same Jets that have not won zilch since Joe Namath's guaranteed victory in Super Bowl III! Who cares about Rex Ryan, who cares about yet another QB controversy for they over-hyped team, maybe they should stick with a QB than creating problems.

This morning they talked about the boredom that Baseball is, and talked about how kids don't care for the game, probably because you guys never talk about it, and when you actually DO talk about it -- you bash it!

Kids follow routines, if you told teenage girls that Justin Bieber is the hottest thing, they will buy it up! All teenage kids play Rap (what is Rock?) because it's the "cool" thing to do, kids will be influenced by what their friends are into, this is simple logic really. Everybody should buy the new Katy Perry album, because it's hot! When in all reality, it was an abomination set upon to kill off the human race... Nuclear Bombs are not looking so bad, when you consider that your eardrums are going to bleed to the sorry excuse called "singing" by Ms. Perry.

Prince on sports radio? WTF?!?!

Speaking of people that sound like star-crazed teenage girls, Seth Everett on Fox Sports Radio, always wanting to talk about Prince on every Saturday morning. He talks about Prince, as if it is circa 1984! He sounds like a teenage girl posting pics of One Direction all over her walls -- seriously, man... it's a sports show, no man, no real man is not going to tune into a sports show and want to hear about Prince performing in Amsterdam!

It would also not be a surprise to me that the NFL has a little something happening behind the scenes as well, it is the most successful American sport currently (of course) and Roger Goodell is trying to do everything possible to make the sport internationally, while he is also thinking of creating a communications company in which the NFL will put money into multi-media devices, own their own satellites, cellphone companies, etc etc... So who's to say they are not paying off sports television and sports radio, to show their product, and talk exclusively about their product -- these sports media companies, are certainly not going to say no to the money that the NFL has, NFL has the power to control a lot of things, so why not diminish possible competition from other sports. If Baseball bounces back, that means less viewers for Football. If you have not noticed both the NFL & NBA are the only ones that seem to televise every aspect of their off-season now; Baseball only shows Spring Training, and it's usually the second-half of March you really get to see your local team play, unless your team is named the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox or New York Mets even (who really wants to see them play though, right?)

I'm sure I'm not the only one that notices this on-going B.S. -- but at the same time, Baseball does not help itself out as well. There is the huge mistake of starting World Series games, too late, losing out to generations of possible fans. Then there is the horrible idea of "Hey, let's play in Australia, Ay Matie!" -- in which they destroyed some legendary cricket stadium's turf to make a baseball diamond on, and then played a regular season game in which 3 Americans at 4:00 am or whatever actually watched it. Then the Dodgers & Diamondbacks (the two teams that played in "Down Under") came back to the states, to finish Spring Training -- in all of this, where does that even make sense? Oh yeah I forgot, we have a sorry excuse of a Tampon in Bud Selig!

The game that 3 Americans watched in the wee-hours.

The only good thing Selig did was make the winner of the All-Star Game have home-field advantage in the World Series, and that all came together because of the Milwaukee All-Star Game that ended up in an embarrassing tie. I like it for many reasons, MLB players were starting to have that attitude that they rather stay home than play because it was considered a pointless exhibition, it avoids the disaster in Milwaukee, and it made the game even bigger & more important.

The NHL's version is a high-scoring shootout which should be renamed "Which Goalie will Look Less Foolish at the End?", the NFL should just fold it up all together, I rather see former NFL stars play Flag Football for a Charity or something, mix in some celebs maybe. Just name the NFL All-Pros, give them a plaque or whatever, have them chill out with the retirees & celebs. Plus the ladies can play too... I wouldn't mind watching Emma Stone going out for a Joe Montana pass. The NBA is a no-defense, show-off contest, instead of showing the players' season stats (when the player goes to the free-throw line),  list the name of the shoe that they are endorsing, in case for some odd reason that you didn't see the ones they endorse during their commercials EVERY single commercial break!

Baseball in recent years have got a little better at advertising the league through it's stars. The "Simon says" Mike Trout commercial is great, and who better to get to do for that commercial, because he certainly can do it all. The NFL has always done great commercials, and they do them so smoothly without feeling so forced.

Baseball still has a lot of it's own work to do, but sports radio is not helping with that. Which by the way, Hockey fans can probably agree with this, but Hockey got a lot of excitement in the playoffs the last couple years, this last year especially catching Sports Illustrated's attention -- but sports radio still took shots at it, go hate the commissioner in either sport (NHL or MLB's Selig), but both sports have made strides since their strike debacles and have been trying to recapture the old magic, that both leagues once owned without effort.

If anybody needs to change their game, maybe it's sports radio. Especially you, Brandon Tierney!

BoS's WEEK 17 Award Winners

NATIONAL LEAGUE
"Alex the Great"

The Boston Bravos have been making it a good run of it as of late, and that's thanks to bats such as Alex Gordon heating up. The Bravos are 29-4 in their last 33 games, which including a league-record 15-game winning-streak.

Gordon wins this week's N.L. Player of the Week Award with his performance this week against the Washington Filibusters; Batting .381 (8-for-21), 4 HR, 12 RBI, 7 runs, 2 doubles & 2 BB's -- an OPS of 1.482 (1.047 Slugging pct) for the Bravos. It's also the second week in a row, where a Bravo won the Player of the Week Award (New acquisition Chris Johnson won last week).

For N.L. Pitcher of the Week, this week's award goes to Ryan Vogelsong of the Fairgrove Tigers. Vogelsong won both of his starts, pitching 14 innings & only allowing an earned run (0.64 ERA for the week), while collecting 7 K's & walking two. He improved his record to 12-5, with a 3.24 ERA.

N.L. Honorable Mention:

• P- Matt Belisle (BOS) - An emergency start of 8 IP, 4 hits, 0 ER's allowed , with 5 K's & BB.
• SP- R.A. Dickey (BOS) - W, 6 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, with 5 K's & BB (Game called/Rain).
• 3B- Jordan Pacheco (BOS) - 5-for-12 (.417), HR, 4 RBI & 4 runs.
• SP- Josh Johnson (BRX) - ND, 7.1 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 4 K & 3 BB.
• OF- David Murphy (BRX) - 7-for-21 (.333), 2 HR, 3 RBI, 3 runs.
• 3B- Miguel Cabrera (BUF) - 8-for-20 (.400), 3 HR, 8 RBI, 4 runs.
• SP- Ross Detwiler (BUF) - W, 8 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 3 K & 3 BB.
• 1B- Adrian Gonzalez (BUF) - 7-for-20 (.350), HR, 2 RBI, run.
• OF- Michael Bourn (CAR) - 8-for-18 (.444), HR, 7 RBI, 3 runs & 3 steals.
• SP- Clay Buchholz (CAR) - W, 7.1 IP, 8 H, ER, 4 K & BB.
• SP- Matt Cain (CAR) - ND, 8 IP, 5 H, ER, 3 K & 3 BB.
• 1B- Albert Pujols (CAR) - 10-for-23 (.435), 2 HR, 7 RBI, 4 runs, SB.
• SS- Jose Reyes (CAR) - 11-for-28 (.393), 2 HR, 5 RBI, 4 runs & 6 SB's.
• SP- Justin Verlander (CAR) - W, 8 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 7 K & 2 BB (9-7, 2.43 ERA).
• P- Danny Duffy (CHI) - L, 8 IP (2 games - long relief), 5 H, 0 ER (2 R), 8 K & 4 BB.
• OF- Dexter Fowler (CHI) - 7-for-19 (.368), RBI, 3 runs.
• SS- Elvis Andrus (FAIR) - 7-for-25 (.280), 4 RBI, 3 runs, SB.
• SP- Madison Bumgarner (FAIR) - W, 8 IP, 8 H, ER, 11 K/0 BB. Now 11-4, with 2.77 ERA.
• OF- Jason Heyward (FAIR) - 11-for-23 (.478), 2 HR, 3 RBI, 5 runs, SB.
• C- Salvador Perez (FAIR) - 7-for-17 (.412), HR, 2 RBI, 2 runs.
• SP- Tommy Milone (S.S.) - 2 W, 14 IP, 15 H, 3 ER (1.93 ERA), 14 K/BB (11-5, 2.88 ERA).
• 3B- David Wright (S.S.) - 10-for-24 (.417), 2 HR, 3 RBI & 4 runs.
• OF- Carlos Beltran (WAS) - 9-for-21 (.429), 2 HR, 3 RBI & 5 runs.
• SS- Jonathan Herrera (WAS) - 3-for-10 (.333), 2 HR, 5 RBI & 2 runs.
• SP- Zack Greinke (WAS) - W, 8 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 8 K. Improves to 14-7, with 3.15 ERA.

NATIONAL LEAGUE
"Hitchin' a Ride"

The Holland Hitchhikers may have had a rough season, but definitely have a lot to look forward to with the amount of youth & potential on their side. This week they sweep the National League awards with their catcher Wilin Rosario winning the N.L. Player of the Week Award & Lance Lynn winning the N.L. Pitcher of the Week.

Rosario's batting average may have not been typical of a weekly winner (.273, 6-for-22), but with no other players showing that much power in the N.L. this week (with the rest of the crowd, being too close to call) Rosario snags the award with his 4 homeruns, 7 RBI & 5 runs scored.

Lynn edges Kyle Kendrick of Seattle, as Lance's one complete-game performance of two-hit ball against the Sacramento 66'ers was enough. Lynn also struck out 12 batters, while only allowing two walks & a earned run.

N.L. Honorable Mention:

• SP- Gio Gonzalez (HAN) - L, 8 IP (CG), 4 H, 2 ER, 9 K & 4 BB (11-7, 2.64).
• SP- Joe Kelly (HAN) - W, 8 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 3 K & 3 BB.
• OF- Justin Upton (HAN) - 8-for-24 (.333), 2 HR, 5 RBI, 4 runs & SB.
• 2B- Neil Walker (HAN) - 6-for-15 (.400), HR, RBI, 3 runs & 2 steals.
• 2B- Mike Fontenot (HOL) - 8-for-21 (.381), 2 runs.
• OF- Bryce Harper (HOL) - 8-for-25 (.320), HR, 3 RBI, 2 runs, SB.
• SP- Stephen Strasburg (HOL) - W, 7 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 8 K & 3 BB.
• SP- Miguel Gonzalez (KING) - W/L, 11 IP, 10 H, 3 ER (2.45), 8 K & 3 BB (Finished the season at 7-7, with a 3.52 ERA).
• OF- Curtis Granderson (KING) - 6-for-20 (.300), 2 HR, 5 RBI, 2 runs.
• 3B- Chase Headley (KING) - 6-for-20 (.300), 6 RBI, 3 runs & 3 steals.
• OF- Torii Hunter (KING) - 7-for-21 (.333), 2 HR, 2 RBI, 4 runs.
• SP- Clayton Kershaw (KING) - W, 8 IP, 6 H, ER, 11 K & 2 BB (11-8, 2.24 ERA).
• SP- Chris Sale (KING) - L, 8 IP (CG), 9 H, ER (Solo HR to Pence, 1-0 loss to T.C.), 6 K/2 BB.
• 1B- Freddie Freeman (POR) - 7-for-15 (.467), HR, 5 RBI & 2 runs.
• SP- Matt Harrison (POR) - W, 9 IP (CG), 4 H, ER, 8 K & 3 BB.
• SP- Cliff Lee (POR) - W, 7.1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 5 K & 2 BB.
• SP- Jonathan Niese (POR) W, 7.1 IP, 6 H, ER, 4 K & 2 BB.
• OF/DH - Nelson Cruz (SAC) - 8-for-19 (.421), RBI & 5 runs.
• OF- Edwin Encarnacion (SAC) - 6-for-23 (.261), 2 HR, 4 RBI & 6 runs.
• RP- Kenley Jansen (SAC) - 2 SV, 6 IP, 3 H, ER, 10 K & 0 BB.
• SP - Bronson Arroyo (SEA) - W, 7 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 4 K.
• SP - Michael Brantley (SEA) - 6-for-13 (.462), 2 RBI, 2 runs.
• OF- Yoenis Cespedes (SEA) - 7-for-21 (.333), HR, 3 RBI & 3 runs.
• 1B- Prince Fielder (SEA) - 6-for-17 (.353), 3 RBI, 3 runs.
• SS- Derek Jeter (SEA) - 7-for-19 (.368), RBI, 3 runs.
• SP- Kyle Kendrick (SEA) - 2 W, 13 IP, 13 H, 3 ER (2.08 ERA), 11 K & 3 BB.
• SP- Alex Cobb (T.C.) - W, 8 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 6 K & 3 BB.
• SP- Yu Darvish (T.C.) - W, 8 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 10 K & 3 BB.
• SP- Matt Garza (T.C.) - 2 W, 14 IP, 15 H, 5 ER (3.21 ERA), 11 K & 5 BB.
• OF- Tyler Colvin (URB) - 6-for-20 (.300), HR, 2 RBI & 6 runs.
• SP- Cole Hamels (URB) - W, 7 IP, 6 H, ER, 4 K & BB.
• OF- Alex Rios (URB) - 7-for-21 (.333), HR, 2 RBI, 3 runs, SB.

MWWL: Down the Stretch (Part II)

The Traverse City Tigers took the first three games in their 7-game series against the Cedar Park Bears -- extending their division lead to 4 games now. Cedar Park is still safe for the first wild card spot, as the Detroit Stars & the Mexico City Chihuahuas didn't make any strides as well.

Part I of "Down the Stretch" is now 3 months old (almost), so click on link below...
In case, you forgot what happened (Results from first 4 Games of the series)

The American League Standings entering September 19th, 1988...

	A.L. East	W	L	GB	Magic #
1	CHICAGO DEMOLITION	105	43	0	X
2	CALIFORNIA QUAKES	66	78	37
3	FORT WORTH PANTHERS	64	80	39
4	STOCKTON WINGS	61	83	42
5	MONTANA CUTTHROATS	47	99	57
	A.L. West	W	L	GB	Magic #
1	TRAVERSE CITY TIGERS	89	55	0	14
2	CEDAR PARK BEARS	86	60	4
3	DETROIT STARS	77	68	12.5
4	MEXICO CITY CHIHUAHUAS	72	71	16.5
5	JANESVILLE JUGGERNAUTS	58	88	32
	A.L. WILD CARD Race	W	L	GB	Magic #
1	CEDAR PARK BEARS	86	60	0	9
2	DETROIT STARS	77	68	8.5
3	MEXICO CITY CHIHUAHUAS	72	71	12.5
4	CALIFORNIA QUAKES	66	78	19

Due to many posts I need to work on my blog & need to get out, plus a busy schedule participating in one other league, running another league, I will try to make this post and other posts a little shorter -- yet, straight-to-the-point for the MWWL regular season.

What ended up taking place in the remainder of this series between Cedar Park left me shell-shocked.

Game 4 

Bears' Hudler: Running wild in Game 4.

Like I said before, The Traverse City Tigers (in a key division series with the Cedar Park Bears) had a 3-0 series lead, improving our division lead to 4 games, time to finish this, once and for all.

Cedar Park: Not so fast.

For this game, I was sending Dave LaPoint to the mound, I picked him up prior to the All-Star Break in a trade, had a pretty decent year, good innings, Grade 9 (for BBW). Sending him against one of their best pitchers in Greg Swindell, overall I believe besides one game, we kind of took it to Swindell a couple times this season.

Rex Hudler would lead off the game with a single, he would continue to be a pain in my ass this game. He steals second. Andres Thomas would hit him in easily on a single, Thomas would end up scoring on a RBI double by Dwight Evans. Kirby Puckett with no outs, would score in Evans on a single. The Tigers would end the quick 3-0 strike eventually.

Hudler would hit a single in the 5th, steal second once again, and get knocked in my Andres Thomas for a 4-0 lead in the top of the 5th.

Tigers down 4-1 in the bottom of the 6th, with two runners on, Jesse Barfield smacks a clutch three-run homer of Swindell. Barfield has hit some good HR's late in this season, especially during times when we really needed a boost. At this moment, I'm thinking we are going to come back & rip the Bears' hearts out.

No, too much Rex Hudler, Hudler would go 4-for-5, with an RBI, 3 runs & doing his best Ty Cobb imitation by stealing 4 bases on the strong arm of Bob Boone. Every time Hudler was on base, Thomas was there to smack him in; Thomas went 3-for-5, with 3 ribbies. Cedar Park would tack on a few more runs, as Swindell settled back down after the brief, rough 6th inning for the complete 7-4 game victory, he wasn't exactly sharp, allowing 8 hits, 2 walks, 4 earned runs, while striking out only two Tigers.

Game 5

The good news is that I didn't have to deal with Hudler, the Bears were giving him a well-deserved day off. The Bears strike first once again, this time in the top of 1st, the Bears had runners on 1st & 3rd. Randy Bush would hit in his real-life Twinkie teammate in Kirby Puckett to score, the Tigers would get out of a potential mess, that would just be 1-0.

Ernie Riles would tie it up for the Tigers with a two-out solo HR off of John Cerutti. Really loved the pick-up of Riles during the season, he has been a huge lift either coming off the bench or spot-starting for Paul Molitor, or placing him at short or second from time to time. Plus he only cost me a 7th Round pick in a weak up-coming 1989 Draft.

Cerutti kept the Tigers in check.

The top of the 4th was annoying, because John Candelaria cruised through the first two batters for two outs, then comes a solo HR by Andres Thomas. Claudell Washington then slaps a sneaky single that had eyes, between Johnny Ray and Nick Esasky. Washington would steal second, that was another thing that drove me nuts the second half of this series, Bob Boone suddenly couldn't throw anyone out trying to steal (despite his +5 arm). Kirby Puckett would hit an RBI double to take 3-1 lead.

The top of 5th, Ernie Whitt would hit a solo HR for the Bears, for extra insurance, putting the lead to 4-1. The score would stick until bottom of the 9th, where T.C. threatened. Ernie Riles would hit a lead-off triple off of Alejandro Pena, Tim Raines would then draw a walk. No outs, runners on 1st & 3rd, Marty Barrett would hit a sac fly that scores in Riles. Raines would advance to second on the fly. After that, Paul Molitor (who's been clutch all year) would pop up, while Ron Hassey who has had some good late hits from time to time, would ground it to short for final out.

Bears have bounced back with two consecutive victories. Bears win 4-2 in this one. John Cerutti held the Tigers down, with only 3 hits & a walk in 8 innings, allowing a runs, including 4 K's.

Game 6 

4 RBI during Game 6 of the series vs. T.C.

Bob Knepper takes the mound for Traverse City, he faces Mike Boddicker. The Tigers took the first three games, only to lose the next two as the Cedar Park Bears try to even up the series.

The Bears kicked off the game on the right note, as Rex Hudler leads off with a homerun to left, off of Knepper. The Tigers bounce back in the bottom of the second, Paul Molitor scores from third on a passed ball. Molitor reached first originally on a throwing error by Ron Gant, then stole second, and tagged up advancing to third on a fly to right by Bob Boone.

Speed kills, or at least in this case Hudler is the one doing the killing. Hudler laces a single to kick off the inning, he then would steal successfully off of Boone's strong arm. Hudler gives Cedar Park the lead, on Andres Thomas' ground out to short.

Hudler would continue to frustrate me with yet another four steal performance. After reaching safe on a error by the Tigers' shortstop Rafael Ramirez, Hudler once again stole 2nd & 3rd base, matching his Game 4 performance of 4 steals in a single-game. Hudler would eventually score again this time on a sac fly by Andres Thomas towards the left-field gap, taking a 3-1 early lead.

Thomas would play a bigger role by smacking a two-run HR off of Juan Agosto (making it a 4 RBI performance) during the top of the ninth, as the Bears would eventually win the game 6-3, as the Bears even up the series 3-3.

Game 7

Cedar Park scores 4 quick runs in the top of the first. Down 4-2, Dwight Evans would smack a three-run HR off of Greg Maddux in the 7th Inning. Maddux didn't have his "A" game, and would go 6.2 innings, allowing 8 earned runs on 11 hits. Mike Moore wins his 16th game of the season, improving his ERA to 2.81 on 7 innings of work (allowing two runs).

Tigers fans leave for the parking lots stunned as the Bears take the series (4-3) after a 0-3 series deficit, and are deadlocked in a division tie for first.