Meanwhile.. Some Milestones for Site

As I am putting together a multi-post blog piece on the amazing Chicago Fantasy World Series APBA Tournament that took place this past weekend...

Here is a short post to keep you busy about this site's recent milestones...

• A few weeks back (last month, I believe), The Boys of Summer hit 50,000 lifetime views... which I feel is pretty solid for just being over 3 years; June 2013 marked the first time, the site had a 1,000 views for a month, which now hits that regularly.

• This month, with a few days to go, plus waiting on the Chicago tournament piece (which usually generates tons of hits), my site already set it's month record (currently at the time of typing... 2,593 hits) breaking old record of 2,526 set in November 2015. The buzz had a lot to do with the Pittsburgh tournament weeks back & people getting together in Chicago early, before the tournament (Golfing, ballgames, etc).

• My most popular visited post "APBA Replays" has just hit the 1,000 mark on its own; This post has 4 times the amount of visits than any other post on this entire site -- out of 586 published posts. Personally, it's a good post at best, but I enjoyed my pieces on the Hall of Fame debates, which you can find on the right side -- under the Roberto Clemente picture, in the 'Labels' section -- Check those out, my debates why players such as Alan Trammell, Lou Whitaker, Tim Raines, Ted Simmons, Jeff Bagwell, Albert Belle, Edgar Martinez, Harold Baines & Jack Morris deserve to be in the Hall of Fame.

Of course, this all would not be possible without the amazing support I get from my readers. I also want to thank Thomas Nelshoppen, Kenneth Heard & Doug Przymierski for inspiring me in my writing for this blog... your support has been reamarkable!

Also big love to the wife, Becky, who is the true writer & blogger in the house!

2001 'WHAT IF' WORLD SERIES: Arizona to A's "Not So Fast!"

The 2001 "WHAT IF" WORLD SERIES between the Oakland Athletics & Arizona Diamondbacks: I'm not sure if Oakland was already starting to daydream about their victory parade, but the Arizona Diamondbacks quickly eclipsed those thoughts.

The D-Backs sent Miguel Batista out to the mound for GAME 3, with Erubiel Durazo playing DH & David Dellucci playing rightfield (Finley started Games 1 & 2 in center, Sanders moves from right to center).

The shake-up pays off, the D-Backs jump all over Oakland in the first by loading up the bases, Mark Grace's sac fly would score the first run -- Durazo, batting 6th would hit a three-run homer off of Barry Zito; Oakland gets two runs back in bottom-half of inning, but that would be the trend of the game... D-Backs would score, and Oakland would cut lead in half, but just couldn't keep up.

The closest Oakland got was in the bottom of the 5th, with 2 outs, Arizona decided to intentionally walk Jason Giambi to face Eric Chavez instead... the gamble pays off with Chavez striking out.

Mark Grace and David Dellucci (3-for-5, a triple short of cycle) would each homer, later on... Batista was far from perfect (4 ER's in 6 innings of work with 7 hits & 3 walks allowed) would earn the win; Zito on the other hand, stunk it up (3.2 IP, 6 H, 6 R (5 ER) with 5 K's & 3 walks). Final score: D-BACKS 8, A's 4

GAME 4 -- A rematch between Game 1 starters, Randy Johnson (ARI) and Tim Hudson (OAK).

Luis Gonzalez hits his 3rd HR of the series with a solo shot in the 1st Inning; Matt Williams would add a solo HR of his own in the 2nd Inning (1st hit of the series & moved to the 7th slot prior to game, move pays off).

The "Big Unit" was in complete control, silencing Oakland's bats, allowing only 1 hit, with 9 K's & 4 walks in a complete game shutout; Tim Hudson would get the loss with 7 innings of work, allowing 3 earned runs & 5 hits, 3 K's.

Luis Gonzalez would hit HR #4 of the series off of reliever Jim Mecir later; Jason Giambi on the other side has been silent this series (for most part): 2-for-12 with HR & double.

SERIES TIED 2-2; Now Arizona has a huge decision to make, instead of saving Schilling & R.Johnson for Games 6 & 7, or do they pitch Schilling with 3 days rest for Game 5, now that they have momentum? If they do, it will be Schilling, Batista & R.Johnson for that last three starts.. if not, they pitch Brian Anderson for Game 5 & save the big two for last.

Decisions, decisions...

2001 "WHAT IF" World Series: Oakland vs Arizona (Games 1 & 2)

With my newly created 2001 Oakland Athletics (who I have always wanted to own) with the 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks -- in a "WHAT IF" 2001 World Series.... What if Derek Jeter never made that remarkable defensive gem to cut down the Athletics?

Games 1 & 2 are already in the books.

Game 1 - Terrance Long hits two-run double to score in two runs in the second for early 3-0 lead; Luis Gonzalez hits two solo HRs in the 2nd & 4th to keep D-Backs in striking distance.

Eric Chavez's two-run HR in 5th gives Oakland breathing room.

With 6-3 lead, Oakland closer Jason Isringhausen makes things interesting by allowing a two-run double to Damian Miller; Pinch-hitter Erubiel Durazo flies out with tying run stranded on second -- Athletics wins 6-5.

Game 2 - Mulder vs Schilling in Arizona.

Steve Finley hits solo HR to put Arizona up 1-0 in bottom of the third.

Oakland takes lead with two-run HR by mammoth Jason Giambi in the 4th Inning. The 5th inning was an interesting one, Johnny Damon for Oakland led off with single, then stole second... the next batter, Ramon Hernandez draws a walk, with runners on first & 2nd, I rolled the dice and it ended up being a 61-36 "Passed Ball" Runners advance to 2nd & 3rd ---

Next roll? Same thing, this time runner scores from third, runner on 2nd moves to third -- The other runner would eventually score on a ground out; Back-to-back passed balls on almost-hero (the night before) Damian Miller (D-Back catcher).

Oakland goes into bottom of 9th with 4-1 lead, and Jason Isringhausen makes things interesting (yet again) allowing two-run homer to Reggie Sanders.

Athletics hold on & win, lead the series, 2-0, going back to Oakland -- winning two games against Arizona's best two starters in Randy Johnson & Curt Schilling.

Closer look at Game 1 starter cards.

Happy 4th of July!

Plenty of things to come, but all that's possible due to living in this great country!

Keep Rolling 66's,

Shawn