Oathbinders Training Camp News

TAR VALON ROAD, CAIRHIEN - The Dumais Wells Oathbinders announced their starting rotation today, the first team to do so this season. The ace of the rotation, 1919 Babe Adams will be followed by 1948 Harry Brecheen, 1902 Rube Waddell, 1904 Noodles Hahn, and 1898 Kid Nichols.

Owner Lou Poulas feels the strength of his team however, is its bullpen While the rotation was announced with little fanfare and no controversy, the owner dropped a bombshell on closer and 8th round draft pick, Mariano Rivera. Dissappointed with his draft overall, Poulas has decided on the oft maligned bullpen by committe approach and will open the season with Rivera closing against right handed heavy lineups and lefty 1999 Billy Wagner getting opportunities against the lefties.

The Oathbinders drafted four historically top performing closers in rounds 8-16 leaving the team many options. Poulas also mentioned that each starter would be on a short leash thanks to quality of arms in the pen.

He unveiled a similar strategy on offense with only left fielder Stan Musial, third basemen George Brett, catcher Joe Mauer, and shortstop Candy Nelson starting full time. "Every other position will man a platoon to maximize each players ability against the opposite hand pitcher he faces", Poulas stated. This did not sit well with 7th rounder "Ducky" Medwick. Leaning against his locker, Medwick gritted his teeth and wondered allowed, "Last season I batted .300, hit 30 homers, and drove in 114 runners - I am not sure what makes a full time player in our owners mind, but I can assure you it is at least those stats." Medwick was irate enough to call out a teammate too, "Look at Candy. He had 6 extra base hits all year last year and moves like a stone in the infield - he's starting!"

For his part, Nelson was outright stunned. "I don't get it. Last season I couldn't hit my way out of a wet paper bag and worse, was too drunk to swing most of the time. Sure, I made the opposing pitcher laugh and he walked me over 1/3 of the time, but I expected to be reprimanded and not rewarded". Last season Nelson batted just .250 but thanks to 130 walks sported a .454 OBP for the Chi-Town Black Sox.

Ken Griffey Jr, drafted a round earlier then Medwick, looked pleased with the decision. Last season he hit 30 home runs but batted a woeful .204 / .259 /.372 versus lefties.