The pressure is on the PORK CHOP EXPRESS to finally deliver the goods in 1984. After leading the Central division for the better part of 1983, the Express ran out of gas down the stretch and found themselves outside the playoffs one year removed from a World Series apperance.
Breaking spring training this year manager Jack Burton has told the Express to hang on to the bitterness they felt the final day of the season when they did their part by winning the final game only to be edged out of the wild card berth when the final results were posted.
"If I did my job right, my job is already done," said a confident Burton before the heading north. "I hope the guys will never forget that hollow pang of missing the playoffs last year and remember that no win is ever guaranteed. Keeping that in mind will be the fire that burns within us all season long."
Still critics question whether Burton burned out his rotation in an effort to fend off the hard-charging Canucks, eventually Central champions, leaving key games in the hands of lesser hurlers. Did this mismanagement lead to the suprise retirement of ace lefty Ron Guidry at the tender age of 33 ?
"Gator probably had one, maybe two more good years left but felt that his skills had diminished to a point he could not accept being a third or fourth starter," Burton explained. "Hopefully we worked hard in the off-season to shore up this gaping hole in the rotation."
Filling Guidry's big shoes will be first-round prospect Mike Scott who posted promising numbers in the minors, but is being expected to take over immediatley for "Louisiana Lightning" in a pitching staff that features returning moundsmen Steve Rogers and John Tudor.
"While we have seen glimpses of Rogers and Tudor, we have yet to see their best years. Now is the time for both hurlers to step up and fufill their potential as dominating pitchers in this league," Burton replied.
Back to 1984 - Big Alric's Four of Ten Wins Championship!
by Runnin Rebel » Mon Nov 14, 2005 9:35 pm
Last edited by Runnin Rebel on Mon Nov 14, 2005 11:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Is this the Year for Canada's Team?
by BC Manager » Mon Nov 14, 2005 10:25 pm
London, Ontario (CP) - A change of scenery and a change in the faces for this franchise, are in store, as this franchise seeks it's first over-.500 season. Breaking camp this year, there are whispers that this team could do much better than simply winning more games than it loses. Some are saying this could be the year when former Maple Leafs (dubbed Maple Laffs, and Maple Duds in their former hometown) do big things.
The team has moved from the busling metropolis of Toronto, where they had to compete for headlines with their hockey namesakes, even in the off-season, to London where there is a rich minor league baseball tradition. It is expected the fans will be more fanactic and loyal in the smaller city. Somehow they've also managed to take their ballpark with them.
Much of the optimism stems from the emergence of rookie first baseman Don Mattingly. He impressed many during spring training. Despite being known for his realism or even pessimism, manager BC gave Mattingly "about an 80% chance" of putting up big numbers this season.
Other new faces include dependable backstop Jody Davis, fleet-footed CF Gary Pettis and starter Danny Cox, whose been known to overpower righhanded hitters (though the same can't be said for him when lefties bat against him).
Fans are also looking to seeing full seasons from a handful of ballplayers acquired at last year's deadline. If Jack Morris has the right stuff could become the team's ace. Ron Hassey's bat is expected to compliment Davis' glove at the backstop position. Rance Mulliniks is looking to get regular platoon work with Bob Horner at the hot corner. And BC believes Bob Forsch has yet to reach his potential as a starter. Fans may be most excited about the reacqisition of Reggie Jackson. No longer expected to be "the straw that stirs the drink", Jackson rounds out a strong lineup.
Reliever Sammy Stewart was picked up as an offseason free agent. So were former Maple Leafs Gary Matthews and Len Barker. Sarge's return is quite welcome, though fans are skeptical about Barker, who never fulfilled his promise in his first go-round.
Probably more than any of these new players, the buzz about the team is the result of the homegrown talent that has remained with the team. Along with Mattingly, Tim Raines, Dave Stieb and Robin Yount return and will be the backbone of this team. Raines is now a proven leadoff man and Yount has become arguably the class of the league at SS.
Confident in his offense, manager BC says "it will all come down to pitching. If Stieb, Morris, Hernandez and the bunch do what they're capable of, we'll be tough to beat." It's expected that if they don't BC won't be slow to make more changes.
The team has moved from the busling metropolis of Toronto, where they had to compete for headlines with their hockey namesakes, even in the off-season, to London where there is a rich minor league baseball tradition. It is expected the fans will be more fanactic and loyal in the smaller city. Somehow they've also managed to take their ballpark with them.
Much of the optimism stems from the emergence of rookie first baseman Don Mattingly. He impressed many during spring training. Despite being known for his realism or even pessimism, manager BC gave Mattingly "about an 80% chance" of putting up big numbers this season.
Other new faces include dependable backstop Jody Davis, fleet-footed CF Gary Pettis and starter Danny Cox, whose been known to overpower righhanded hitters (though the same can't be said for him when lefties bat against him).
Fans are also looking to seeing full seasons from a handful of ballplayers acquired at last year's deadline. If Jack Morris has the right stuff could become the team's ace. Ron Hassey's bat is expected to compliment Davis' glove at the backstop position. Rance Mulliniks is looking to get regular platoon work with Bob Horner at the hot corner. And BC believes Bob Forsch has yet to reach his potential as a starter. Fans may be most excited about the reacqisition of Reggie Jackson. No longer expected to be "the straw that stirs the drink", Jackson rounds out a strong lineup.
Reliever Sammy Stewart was picked up as an offseason free agent. So were former Maple Leafs Gary Matthews and Len Barker. Sarge's return is quite welcome, though fans are skeptical about Barker, who never fulfilled his promise in his first go-round.
Probably more than any of these new players, the buzz about the team is the result of the homegrown talent that has remained with the team. Along with Mattingly, Tim Raines, Dave Stieb and Robin Yount return and will be the backbone of this team. Raines is now a proven leadoff man and Yount has become arguably the class of the league at SS.
Confident in his offense, manager BC says "it will all come down to pitching. If Stieb, Morris, Hernandez and the bunch do what they're capable of, we'll be tough to beat." It's expected that if they don't BC won't be slow to make more changes.
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The BFDs are ready to roll in 1984
by YountFan » Mon Nov 14, 2005 10:39 pm
Amazing (YF) – The BFDs are ready to roll in 1984. Recharged and retooled the Amazing Ones say good-bye to [b:545932644a]Paul Molitor[/b:545932644a] and hello to [b:545932644a]Jim Rice[/b:545932644a]. "I've wanted Jimmy for a longtime." Said manager YountFan. "and this year I was willing to part with Molitor to get him."
The BFDs made two trades that the fans are hoping will lead them to the Eastern Division crown. The aforementioned Rice adds even more power to the potent BFD attack and newcomer[b:545932644a] Dennis Martinez[/b:545932644a] (acquired for [b:545932644a]Jody Davis[/b:545932644a]) provides that right handed starter to balance the lefty tilting BFDs.
Once again the BFD's are counting on their pitchers to lead them to the playoffs. [b:545932644a]Steve Carlton[/b:545932644a] is entering the last year of his contract and with a free agent payoff looming big numbers are expected. "I cannot see Carlton having three substandard seasons in a row." With former Cy Young award winner [b:545932644a]Britt Burns[/b:545932644a] leading the staff and a trimmed down [b:545932644a]Ferando Valenzula[/b:545932644a] the rest of the East better pay attention.
The word on the street is that the BFD will be scoring some runs. "I ordered extra pencils for the scorekeepers this season." Said equipment manager Red Pederson. "Coach said scoring should be up". Featuring new lead-off hitter and #1 draft pick [b:545932644a]Brett Butler[/b:545932644a] the BFD have solved their problem in centerfield for the next few years. Also back are [b:545932644a]Eddie Murray[/b:545932644a], [b:545932644a]Dave Parker[/b:545932644a], [b:545932644a] Doug DeCinces[/b:545932644a] and [b:545932644a]Ted Simmons[/b:545932644a]. Manager YountFan also brought back former MVP candidate [b:545932644a]Willie Aikens[/b:545932644a] and last years left fielder [b:545932644a]Mel Hall[/b:545932644a]. In addition the BFDs picked up the contract of veteran[b:545932644a]Steve Kemp[/b:545932644a]. "I figure one of those guys will hit.".
In a bold proclamation YountFan said "I sized up the completion, and had Worm run some stats, and I think we are better than last year."
The BFDs made two trades that the fans are hoping will lead them to the Eastern Division crown. The aforementioned Rice adds even more power to the potent BFD attack and newcomer[b:545932644a] Dennis Martinez[/b:545932644a] (acquired for [b:545932644a]Jody Davis[/b:545932644a]) provides that right handed starter to balance the lefty tilting BFDs.
Once again the BFD's are counting on their pitchers to lead them to the playoffs. [b:545932644a]Steve Carlton[/b:545932644a] is entering the last year of his contract and with a free agent payoff looming big numbers are expected. "I cannot see Carlton having three substandard seasons in a row." With former Cy Young award winner [b:545932644a]Britt Burns[/b:545932644a] leading the staff and a trimmed down [b:545932644a]Ferando Valenzula[/b:545932644a] the rest of the East better pay attention.
The word on the street is that the BFD will be scoring some runs. "I ordered extra pencils for the scorekeepers this season." Said equipment manager Red Pederson. "Coach said scoring should be up". Featuring new lead-off hitter and #1 draft pick [b:545932644a]Brett Butler[/b:545932644a] the BFD have solved their problem in centerfield for the next few years. Also back are [b:545932644a]Eddie Murray[/b:545932644a], [b:545932644a]Dave Parker[/b:545932644a], [b:545932644a] Doug DeCinces[/b:545932644a] and [b:545932644a]Ted Simmons[/b:545932644a]. Manager YountFan also brought back former MVP candidate [b:545932644a]Willie Aikens[/b:545932644a] and last years left fielder [b:545932644a]Mel Hall[/b:545932644a]. In addition the BFDs picked up the contract of veteran[b:545932644a]Steve Kemp[/b:545932644a]. "I figure one of those guys will hit.".
In a bold proclamation YountFan said "I sized up the completion, and had Worm run some stats, and I think we are better than last year."
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by Runnin Rebel » Mon Nov 14, 2005 11:03 pm
Do you realize this is the ONLY league where we file newspaper reports and pre-season previews HOW FUN
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by YountFan » Tue Nov 15, 2005 7:09 am
[quote:749cdf5223="Runnin' Rebel"]Do you realize this is the ONLY league where we file newspaper reports and pre-season previews HOW FUN[/quote:749cdf5223]
It is fun and can be done because the the steady rosters. This is a great theme and BC should be made king or something.
It is fun and can be done because the the steady rosters. This is a great theme and BC should be made king or something.
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by BC Manager » Tue Nov 15, 2005 10:27 am
[quote:3033501592="YountFan"] BC should be made king or something.[/quote:3033501592]
I'd settle for making the playoffs.
My 0-3 start last night doesn't bode well. I already suspect I have some guys' worst cards. Can't make moves yet, though. Hope I'm wrong.
I'd settle for making the playoffs.
My 0-3 start last night doesn't bode well. I already suspect I have some guys' worst cards. Can't make moves yet, though. Hope I'm wrong.
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by seanreflex » Tue Nov 15, 2005 8:00 pm
I used to really like YountFan :wink:
yes, Sykes, after I checked my own team, that was the first thing I checked on, was to see how Sutcliffe fared.
Given the performance of every other member of your team last night, I should get a special place in Heaven for leaving sutcliffe out there for you.
And YF, your team had a STELLAR performance by any measure last night as well. I've heard of individual players struggling to get above the Mendoza line, but an ENTIRE TEAM ??? :roll: :twisted:
I GUARANTEE, that I will go 0-3 tonite with all 5 of my teams, for being so mean to two of the classiest guys in the 80's. Please accept my "not so humble" apologies Sykes and YF. It's all in good fun ! :lol:
Sean
yes, Sykes, after I checked my own team, that was the first thing I checked on, was to see how Sutcliffe fared.
Given the performance of every other member of your team last night, I should get a special place in Heaven for leaving sutcliffe out there for you.
And YF, your team had a STELLAR performance by any measure last night as well. I've heard of individual players struggling to get above the Mendoza line, but an ENTIRE TEAM ??? :roll: :twisted:
I GUARANTEE, that I will go 0-3 tonite with all 5 of my teams, for being so mean to two of the classiest guys in the 80's. Please accept my "not so humble" apologies Sykes and YF. It's all in good fun ! :lol:
Sean
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by Sykes25 » Tue Nov 15, 2005 8:35 pm
1-2 start is nothing to cry about. Team ERA was 3.54 for the series. I'll finish the year with that number and be happy every time.
Hitting will be fine. Got Puhl and Milner off to good starts and Nettles and Davis homered as well. Only problem will be team OBP, but the 2B and HR will come. Bullpen was pretty good even with Robinson's 3 inning 3 ER performance.
Hitting will be fine. Got Puhl and Milner off to good starts and Nettles and Davis homered as well. Only problem will be team OBP, but the 2B and HR will come. Bullpen was pretty good even with Robinson's 3 inning 3 ER performance.
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