ATB Team Preview for Post Season Tournament

Just posted this in the Legends of Baseball forum, the league we will be competing against in the post season tournament we're trying to organize.

The Gold Country franchise has taken the world of ATB by storm.  Last year, in his rookie campaign, owner Justin B won 102 games and clearly had an all time great team even though they ultimately fell short of a Championship in the post season.  This year, Gold Country won 94 games and again were considered among the very best teams in ATB.  Led by Tris Speaker (.339 AVG) and John McGraw (.399 OBP), the scrappy offense failed to hit even 40 total home runs, but scored in bunches thanks to a team wide focus in getting on base.  Edgar Martinez (.836 OPS), Roger Connor (.346 AVG), and Bobby Murcer were vital cogs in the lineup as well.

Pitching was a true strength of the Gossamers.  Carl Hubbell (17-6, 2.80) won the AL Cy Young award while Tex Hughson (17 W, 2.90 ERA) was arguably the league’s top 2nd starter.  The bullpen, led by Cherokee Fisher (2.36 ERA)and BJ Ryan (2.39 ERA), was stellar.   As a team they sported a nifty 3.23 ERA and 1.27 WHIP and were second in the game in Quality Starts.  The bullpen blew just 12 saves, tops in the game.

So what happened to the Gossamers this year?  They ran into a buzz saw in the playoffs, and fell victim to a timely run from the Bertrand Island Carnies.  The Carnies opened the season with a .750 winning percentage over the first two months before fading and ultimately playing .500 ball over the last two months.  However, once the playoffs started the team kicked it into high gear again, thanks to a surprisingly deep rotation of Danny Haren (13-6, 2.60), Curt Schilling (19-9, 3.34), Jason Schmidt (13-9, 3.06), and newcomer Jerry Ruess (15-6, 3.45)

The offense was inconsistent but hit righties extremely well.  Johnny Mize hit 34 home runs in a platoon, while Ty Cobb, Frank Baker, and Orator Shaffer all had good seasons.  Catcher Fred Carroll, with a .384 OBP,  remained one of the most underrated players in the game.

The Carnies went 12-3 in the playoffs, giving owner Lou P his first World Series appearance in 6 years and his third overall championship.

Facing the Carnies in the World Series were the pitching and defense heavy Otherton Fishbisuits.  This was a truly unique team, hell bent on fielding as many Ex defending players as possible, including an Ex/1 rated second basemen, Placido Polanco.  Batting prowess was clearly secondary as six regulars failed to achieve a .310 on base percentage.  But it worked for owner Brian B.  Hank Aaron, one of the six, hit 49 home runs while Honus Wagner and Bill Terry each had all around great seasons.

Pitching, behind that stellar D, was the key to the Biscuit success.  Few pitchers in ATB history have meant as much to their team as Addie Joss meant to Otherton.  Starting 42 times, Joss went 23-14 with a 2.60 ERA, and narrowly missing the 300 IP plateau.  Behind Joss were Noddles Hahn (15-11, 3.18), Lefty Stewart (3.80) and a good bullpen.  Kent Tekulve was their best reliever, saving 36 games  and holding down a 1.50 ERA in 84 innings pitched.

The fourth team representing the All Time Baseball League will be the Sparta Hoplites.  The Hoplites won 89 times on guts, instinct, and hard work.  Leading the league in team doubles, players such as Arky Vaughan (.833 OPS), Joe Jackson (16 triples), Ed Delahanty (52 doubles), Cy Seymour (36 doubles), and Babe Herman (38 doubles) came up big night after night.

The rotation was an odd mix of old school and new.  Randy Johnson was their ace, winning 15 games with a 3.28 ERA.  Behind him was Mort Cooper (3.84 ERA), Stan Coveleski (13 W), and Bobby Shantz.  Closer Rafael Soriano had a great season, saving 27 games with a 2.35 ERA.