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.

20 Resims: #3 Bertrand Island Carnies

At the end of each season owners may submit a new lineup that is used in the 20 Resim competition.  This competition is purely for speculation and is used as a gauge to determine who had the best draft.  The true ATB champion remains the World Series winner.


20 seasons are automatically simulated and compiled.  No lineup changes are allowed and injuries are turned off.  Through a formula that considers Win-Loss record, Playoff Appearances, and Pythagorean Record the teams are ranked in order from worst to first. 


Special thanks to Justin B who provided the formula and methodology behind the raw park OPS values, which provides a new way to interpret park factors.

I won’t pretend this doesn’t sting.  After winning 104 games in the regular season and avoiding elimination games in each round of the playoffs, I thought for certain my Carnies were destined to be proclaimed among the immortal teams in our league history.

Alas, it was a lot of timely luck that helped us win the ATB Championship.

Not say the Carnies weren’t great and one might argue they are deserving of the 2nd best ranking overall thanks to their +118 run differential, which we’ll soon see is clearly the 2nd best (and clearly not the overall best).  This team had few flaws, and had an equally adept lineup (6th overall) and rotation (4th overall).  They won 5 division crowns and were playoff bound 14 times.  Only once in the resims did they fail to win more games then they lost, and that was an 81-81 campaign.

Offensively, the Carnies were yet another example of an all around, well balanced team. Eight players, including both ends of two platoons, each had OPS scores above league average and the only true hole was at short, where defensive wizard Ozzie Smith roamed daily.

The pitching staff, no where near as good as the regular season suggested, was still among the best in the game.  Four pitchers ended up with ERA’s well below 4.00 (see below) and the 5th, Curt Schilling, was solid.  More than holding is own in the resims, regular season phenom Jerry Reuss pulled in a 3.68 ERA and 1.30 WHIP.

The best aspect of this team was its bullpen.  Four relievers had ERA’s under 3.00 (see below) and Zach Greinke had a very good mark of 3.30.  Only mop up man Arnie Stone was questionable, and that is relative – his ERA was 3.59, still appreciably better than the ATB league average.

800 OPS Batters: 
Ty Cobb: .834 OPS, .327 / .369 / .465, 38 2B, 19 3B
Frank Thomas: .821 OPS, 20 HR in a platoon

Sub 4.00 ERA Starters
Danny Haren: 3.79 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 14 W
Jason Schmidt: 3.80 ERA, 1.33 WHIP
Jerry Reuss: 3.68 ERA, 1.30 WHIP
Joe Wood: 3.55 ERA, 1.24 WHIP

Sub 3.25 ERA Relievers
Jeff Zimmerman: 2.52 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 22 Saves
Steve Howe: 2.38 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 15 Saves
Mike Jackson: 2.88 ERA, 1.15 WHIP
Taylor Buchholz: 2.93 ERA, 1.37 WHIP

Best Value Draft Pick
Rd 19: Jerry Reuss

Bust Draft Pick
Rd 6: Ozzie Smith (.585 OPS)

Tally so Far
#24 - Downsouth Brews
#23 - Leesburg Snow
#22 – dogphin29
#21 – Team America World Police
#21 – Uncle Robbie’s Daffiness Boys
#19 – Indiana Black Sox
#18 – Haven Tommyknockers
#17 – Planet 10 Red Lectroids
#16 – North Podunk Banana Bears
#15 – Willets Point “Mechanics”
#14 – Saginaw Slammers
#13 – Helena Handbasket
#12 – Rusty Kuntz Traveling All Stars
#11 – Spanish Harlem Pinata Beaters
#10 – DC Chips
#9 – John McDonald Fanclub
#8 – Brighton Shadows
#7 – Ee-Yah Orators
#6 – St Louis White Rats
#5 – New Orleans Thrill
#4 – Sparta Hoplites
#3 – Bertrand Island Carnies

Gore, Cobb stun the Biscuits late; Carnies Win!

World Series Game 6
Otherton Fishbiscuits @ Bertrand Island Carnies

Falling short of title chances since 2006, owner Lou P and his Bertrand Island Carnies defeated the Otherton Fishbicuits 6-5 in 10 innings, winning the ATB XIV World Series in 6 games.  

The Fishbiscuits, despite a poor start from Addie Joss, never yielded, using an incredible 8 total pitchers in the game.  In the end, and perhaps fittingly in the minds of the baseball gods, Pete Alexander gave up the game winning hit..  Alexander as you may recall, was drafted by the Carnies as their ace starter, but after an incredibly dissappointing first half, was jettisoned in a mid season trade for Joe Wood, who didn't throw a pitch in any of the playoff series.

The Fishbiscuits had Carnie starter Curt Schilling on the ropes early, smacking 5 hits and drawing a walk in the first three innings.  The opportunities were squandered though, and the visiting Biscuits didn't score until the fourth on a solo shot by Fred Clarke.

Otherton added two in 5th on a Hank Aaron  home run, and two more in the 6th on a Placido Polanco single.  Polanco's single gave Otherton back the lead at 5-4.

An inning prior, the Carnies put up a crooked number thanks to a Fred Carroll run scoring double and a rare Ty Cobb home run.  Their first run of the game occured in the 4th on a Johhne Mize double to right.

Four relievers would  hold the Biscuit lead in the 6th, 7th, and 8th innings, eventually turning the game over to a shocked Trevor Hoffman.  Shocked because Hoffman, having seen all of 12 innings in the regular season, was now on the hook for the save and forcing a Game 7.

How exactly did this happen?  A quirk in how the Fishbiscuit bullpen was constructed.  Joakim Soria, both the long reliever, #1 setup man, and #2 closer, entered the game in the 5th with his team leading 3-2.  This would, of course, have repercussions later in the game.  After letting two inherited runners score, Soria did make the final out in the 5th but didn't come out in the 6th.

That job went to Kent Tekulve, the #2 long reliever, #2 setup man, and also the teams closer.  By the time the 6th inning was complete, the Biscuits had burned through the best two setup men and closers on the roster.  

Al Grabowski, Hong-Chi Kuo, and Andrew Bailey pitched stellar 7th and 8th innings leaving the bullpen depleted and the ball in Hoffman's hands.

George Gore took a first pitch fastball deep down the right field line for a lead off double.  He moved to third on a Sac Fly and a walk later, scored on an Orator Shaffer grounder between first and second.  Hoffman got out of the inning with a double play on the next batter, but the damage was done and the game was tied.

Otherton put runners on 1st and 2nd with two outs, but Honus Wagner was robbed of a hit when Ty Cobb made a wonderful diving catch on a sinking line drive to centerfield.  The shot would have easily scored a run had Cobb not been roaming center.

Hoffman came out for the 10th and as we seem to see so often, faced the player who ended the previous inning with a great catch.  Cobb singled and Hoffman, rattled, walked the next batter on 4 pitches.  

This brought Frank Baker to the plate and Otherton signaled for a reliever.  It was Pete Alexander.  Baker sacrificed the runners up a base and rather face Frank Thomas, Otherton gave him the intentional pass.

The 9th inning sparkplug Gore was up next, and the left fielder drove in the league winning run on a liner to right field.

The series MVP was Cobb.  He batted .462 with a .731 slugging, scoring 7 and driving in 5.  He led the Carnies in hits, doubles, triples, and stolen bases.

Starting Pitchers Results
Joss (OFB)::::::4.2 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Schilling(BIC): 5.0IP, 10 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 5 K

Haren sharp in 4-2 win; series heads to Bertrand Island

World Series Game 5
Bertrand Island Carnies @ Otherton Fishbiscuits

When General Manager Lou P was envisioning the results of his draft, Game 5 was exactly what he had in mind.  Danny Harren was sharp through 7, giving up 2 runs (1 earned) in 7 innings of work.  He yielded to the pen where Steve Howe pitched a perfect eight and Jeff Zimmerman hauled in a no hit 9th, protecting the lead and securing the victory.

It was a frustrating night for Otherton batters.  Runners advanced to second in just three innings and aside from a error aided 4th inning, the team could not string a bunch of hits together.

The Carnies scored two in second on an Orator Shaffer single and later broke a 2-2 tie in the 6th with a series of sacrifice flies, sparked by a Frank Thomas double.

Game 6 is tomorrow night, a rematch of Game 2 that resulted in a 4-2 Otherton win.  NL Cy Young winner Addie Joss (23-14, 2.60) with face Curt Schilling (19-9, 3.34)

Starting Pitchers Results
Haren(BIC): 7.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
Hahn (OFB): 5.0 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

Ruess complete game 6 hitter ties the series at 2's

World Series Game 4
Bertrand Island Carnies @ Otherton Fishbiscuits

In his last start in a Carnie uniform, starter Jerry Ruess proved once and for all that he is a legit ATB starter.  The "rookie", in his first ATB campaign was solid all year, and now in a key World Series moment came up huge, no hitting the Fishbiscuits for 4 innings and ending up with a complete game 6 hit win.

Neither team scored through six, but Bertrand Island broke it open scoring 3 in the seventh and 2 more in the 8th en route to a 5-1 win.  Ben Zobrist, Frank Thomas, and Charlie Hollacher delivered the key run scoring singles.

Tomorrow night's game will see a return of the aces, with Danny Haren facing Noodles Hahn.

Starting Pitchers Results
Reuss (BIC) : 9.0 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
Glavine(OFB): 6.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 5 BB, 4 K

Errors spoil late Carnie comeback, Biscuits win 8-7 in extra innnings

Whoops, I thought I posted this already!  This was game 3 from yesterday

World Series Game 3
Bertrand Island Carnies @ Otherton Fishbiscuits

It was a wild, extra inning affair for Game 3 @ Otherton tonight.  When the dust settled after two 9th inning comebacks, the Carnie defense crumbled in extra innings giving the Otherton Fishbiscuits an 8-7 win and a 2-1 lead in the ATB XIV World Series.

After both starters failed to complete three full innings of work, the bullpens settled down and the Fishbiscuits clung to a 6-4 lead heading to the 9th inning.  Here the Carnie's rallied, singling four consecutive times on reliever Kent Tekulve.  Two runs scored but in what ultimately could have proved to be the game winning run, Charlie Hollacher was gunned down at the plate when trying to home on a grounder to second. Still tied run after the singles barrage, Frank Thomas singled yet again giving the Carnies a 7-6 lead.

Then it got ugly for Bertrand Island.

Steve Howe came in to close it but gave up back to back 1-out singles to Honus Wagner and Ken Griffey Jr.  Jeff Zimmerman relieved Howe, but after striking out Hank Aaron let in the game tying run on a Fred Clarke single to right.  The game almost ended when Willie Randolph muffed an easier grounder to second and loading the bases.  However, Zimmerman did get the last out sending the game into extra frames.

Randolph, normally a bench player, entered the game in the 8th after starter Ben Zobrist was lifted for a pinch hitter.  Randolph, a man with good range but an iron glove, would impact the game again soon.

The Carnies went down in order in the 10th while the Biscuits immediately applied pressure yet again.  With Zimmerman still pitching, Ray Dandridge singled to lead off and the next batter Jose Canseco hit a double play ball to second.  Randolph bobbled it again, making his second error in two innings, and the Biscuits had runners on first and second with nobody out.  

That was all for Zimmerman but it hardly mattered.  Taylor Buchholz entered in relief, induced another double play ground ball to third, but Frank Baker made his second error of the night, and the bases were loaded.  It was the Carnie's 6th error of the game. 

After a liner to third for the 1st out,  Griffey Jr ended the game on a single to left field.

Fred Carroll and Ned Williamson homered for the Carnies while earlier Hank Aaron socked two, and Griffey socked another home run for the Biscuits.

Game 4 is tomorrow night.  Jerry Reuss (15-6, 3.45) takes the hill for the Carnies, but rumor has it the Fishbiscuits have yet to decide on Tommy Glavine (5-2, 3.59) or sending Game 1 starter Noodles Hahn (15-11, 3.18) back out.

Starting Pitchers Results
Schmidt(BIC): 2.1 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
Stewart(OFB): 2.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 0 K

Giffey, Aaron back to back HR power Otherton in 4-2 win

World Series Game 2
Otherton Fishbiscuits @ Bertrand Island Carnies

Addie Joss showed why the voters chose him as the NL Cy Young and the Fishbiscuits hit back to back home runs in Game 2 of the ATB XIV World Series.  With the win, the series tied at 1 and after an off day the two teams head to Otherton for game 3 tomorrow night.

The Fishbiscuits scored in the first thanks to a Bill Terry lead off triple and two innings later outfielders Hank Aaron and Ken Griffey Jr. hit back to back solo home runs off Carnie starter Curt Schilling.  The 3 run lead was all Joss and the bullpen would need.

For their part, the Carnie's hit lead off solo homers in the 5th and 6th to cut the lead in half at 4-2, but Joss and ultimately the relievers Al Grabowski and Kent Tekulve retired 12 of next 13 batters in a row, ending the game.

Jason Schmidt (13-9, 3.06) takes the mound in game 3 for the Carnies.  He'll face Lefty Stewart (12-14, 3.80).

Starting Pitchers Results
Joss (OFB) :::: 7.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Schilling(BIC): 4.1 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

Cobb, Thomas power Carnies in 8-4 series opening win

World Series Game 1
Otherton Fishbiscuits @ Bertrand Island Carnies

The Bertrand Island Carnies take Game 1 of the ATB XIV World Series.  Danny Haren held his own while Ty Cobb doubled twice and tripled en route to an 8-4 Carnie win.  

The home team jumped out two a 2-run lead on a Ben Zobrist home run plus a Frank Thomas single later in the inning. Thomas later homered as well giving the Carnies a 5-1 lead and with Haren cruising, the game appeared to be all but over.

The Fishbiscuits battled back though, and closed the lead to 1 run, scoring in the 5th, 6th, and 7th innings.  Outfielder Fred Clarke was involved in the first two rallies and solved Haren going 4-4 with two doubles and an RBI.

Bertrand Island wasn't done scoring however, and plated three in the 7th and 8th off of reliever Al Grabowski.

 Jeff Zimmerman closed it out, keeping Otherton off the board by recording the final 8-outs.

Game two is tomorrow night and promises to be a duel of aces.  NL Cy Young winner Addie Joss (23-14, 2.60) tries to tie the series while Bertrand Island counters with AL Cy Young runner up Curt Schilling (19-9, 3.34).

Starting Pitchers Results
Hahn(OFB) : 4.2 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Haren(BIC): 6.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 K

Haren sharp in 6-2 Carnie win; World Series begins Sunday

ALCS Game 5
Bertrand Island Carnies @ Gold Country Gossamers

During the regular season the Bertrand Island Carnies took 11 of 18 contests from the Gold Country Gossamers and the trend continued in the ALCS.  With a 6-2 victory Friday night, the Carnie's closed out the series 4 games to 1, and move on to face the Otherton Fisbiscuits in the 14th Annual ATB World Series.

The Gossamers will look back at the fateful 4-run fourth inning with regret.  An untimely error by right fielder George Gore opened the floodgates to a 4 run inning.  The Carnies collected four hits with Orator Shaffer and Ty Cobb each driving in two.

Carnie starter Danny Haren was excellent through 6 innings but ran into trouble in the 7th.  By that time however, they opened up a 6-0 lead and the Gossamer's two runs made little difference in the end.

Congrats to Gossamer owner Justin B who has put together back to back 90+ win teams in his first two season operating an ATB Franchise.

Starting Pitchers Results
Haren (BIC) : 7.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
Hughson(GCG): 2.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

Carnie's use 5 pitchers to shutout Gossamers 2-0

ALCS Game 4
Bertrand Island Carnies @ Gold Country Gossamers

A second inning rain delay erased both managers starting pitcher plans, resulting in an epic battle of the bullpens that remains a draw to this moment.  The only runs scored by either team, were two off of Gossamer starter Carl Hubbell early in the first inning.  A Ty Cobb triple and Frank Thomas run scoring ground-out held for 8+ innings.

In a surprise move, the Gossamers sent a fully rested Carl Hubbell to the mound in place of 4th starter Fergie Jenkins.  We'll never know who Hubbell would have fared in a full game, but the starter didn't have his best stuff, walking two and giving up two hits in the first inning alone.  After the rain delay in the 2nd, the Carnies managed just three hits in the remaining 7 innings.

Trying not to be outdone, the Carnie's used four relievers over their last 7 1/3 innings, giving up 6 hits and striking out 4.  

Once the starters were out of the game, only one runner on either team reached second base the rest of the night.

With a commanding 3-1 series lead, the Carnie's hope to close out the series with Danny Haren (13-6, 2.60) tomorrow night. Game 2 winner Tex Hughson (17-10, 2.90) is the probable starter for Gold Country

Starting Pitchers Results
Reuss (BIC) : 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
Hubbell(GCG): 2.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K

American League Cy Young Award

Carl Hubbell of the Gold Country Gossamers wins the AL Cy Young Award.  With 17 wins and a 2.80 ERA, Hubbell beat Carnies teammates Curt Schilling and Danny Haren who came in 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Hubbell received 8 of 15 possible first place votes, but was oddly left off 4 ballots completely.  Perhaps more surprisingly, Danny Haren who led the league in ERA, WHIP, RCERA, and CERA receive 5 first place votes but no others, having been left off of 10 ballots in all.  This allowed Curt Schilling with just two first place votes, to sneak into second.

Tex Hughson finished fourth giving the ALCS contenders a clean sweep of the first four places.

(# Ballots) Total Points (1st, 2nd, 3rd Place Votes)
(11)47 - Carl Hubbell, GCG (8, 2, 0)
(10)26 - Curt Schilling, BIC (2, 4, 1)
(5) 25 - Danny Haren, BIC (5, 0, 0)
(7) 15 - Tex Hughson, GCG (0, 4, 3)
(3) 9 - Babe Adams, SPB (0, 3, 0)
(3) 7 - Johnny Podres, DCC (0, 2, 1)
(3) 3 - Jerry Reuss, BIC (0, 0, 3)
(1) 1 - Garland Braxton, WPM (0, 0, 1)
(1) 1 - Bob Ojeda, DCC (0, 0, 1)
(1) 1 - Kevin Brown, SH (0, 0, 1)

Battery combo Schmidt and Carroll lead Carnies in 4-3 win

ALCS Game 3
Bertrand Island Carnies @ Gold Country Gossamers

Catcher Fred Carroll and starting pitcher Jason Schmidt paired up for a strong outing, including solid pitching, timely hitting, and eradicating two key Gossamer stolen base attempts.

Schmidt, after a somewhat shaky start, settled down and pitched his best game of the post season, allowing 3 runs on 8 hits and striking out 3.  Carroll was involved in seemingly every key Carnie rally.  Down by two in the  fourth, Carroll led off with a single and soon scored on a Ned Williamson single, cutting the Gossamer lead in half.  In the 5th, Ozzie Smith singled up the middle, stole second and third, and scored on a Carroll ground ball to the right side.  Later in the 7th, the catcher knocked in what proved to be the decisive run, singled home Orator Shaffer who led off the inning with a triple.

Carroll showed a surprisingly strong arm as well, throwing out Roger Conner in the third attempting to steal second with runners on the corners, as well as Mugsy McGraw in the 8th, again with runners on the corners.

For the Gossamers Tris Speaker collected 3 hits and 2 RBI in 4 trips to the plate.  Starter Preacher Roe retired the first 9 Bertrand Island Batters before struggling in the 4th and 5th innings.  He ultimately lasted deep into the 7th before parting for Sergio Romo and BJ Ryan.

The Carnies took a 2-1 series lead and will play at Redland field again tomorrow night, where the #4 starters will take the mound.  Jerry Ruess (15-6, 3.45) gets the nod for the visiting Carnies while Fergie Jenkins (11-11, 3.98) tries to tie it up for Gold Country.

Starting Pitchers Results
Schmidt(BIC) : 8.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
Roe (GCG) :::: 6.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 K

Robinson HR, 3 RBI lift Gossamers in 11-3 rout

ALCS Game 2
Gold Country Gossamers @ Bertrand Island Carnies

The Gold Country Gossamers knotted the ALCS at one's with a blowout victory over the Bertrand Island Carnies.  Led by Frank Robinson who homered and drove in 3, the Gossamers pounded out 16 hits and 11 runs on the night.  The big blow came in the 6th the visitors recorded 6 runs on 6 hits and walk, taking a 5-3 close game and turning into a rout.

Carnie starter and Cy Young hopeful Curt Schilling was knocked out of the game after just 1+ innings while relievers Arnie Stone and Mike Jackson were of no help, giving up 12 hits and 7 runs in the next 8 innings.

Game 3 will feature the Carnies Jason Schmidt (13-9, 3.06) vs the Gossamers Preacher Roe (11-12, 3.38)

Starting Pitchers Results
Hughson (GCG) : 8.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
Schilling(BIC): 1.0 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 1 K

American League Reliever of the Year

In one of the closest votes in league history, Dennis Eckersley narrowly defeats Robb Nen for the AL Reliever of the Year Award.  Eckersley had few saves (17) but was a crucial part of the DC Chip bullpen throwing 149 innings with a 1.99 ERA and 0.98 WHIP. Nen was used in a classic closer role, amassing 34 saves in 58 innings and holding down a 2.33 ERA and 0.95 WHIP.

Billy Wagner finished a close 3rd and had just as many 1st place votes as Nen.

(# Ballots) Total Points (1st, 2nd, 3rd Place Votes)
(11)41 - Dennis Eckersley, DCC (5, 5, 1)
(12)38 - Robb Nen, BS (4, 5, 3)
(12)34 - Billy Wagner, PRL (4, 3, 5)
(4) 14 - Tim Burke, URB (2, 1, 1)
(2) 4 - Buddy Groom, GCG (0, 1, 1)
(2) 2 - Steve Howe, BIC (0, 0, 2)
(1) 1 - Rafael Soriano, SH (0, 0, 1)
(1) 1 - Takashi Saito, IBS (0, 0, 1)

Mize Walk Off Pinch Hit Home Run Wins it for Carnies

ALCS Game 1
Gold Country Gossamers @ Bertrand Island Carnies

The Bertrand Island Carnies come away with a nail biter victory in Game 1 of the ALCS.  In a classic pitchers duel, Carl Hubbell and Danny Haren went to to toe, each lasting into the 7th inning and each giving up just 1 run. 

First base power hitter Johnny Mize was the hero.  Hitting 33 home runs in 343 at bats against right handed pitching during the regular season, Mize was brought in to face Sergio Romo with a runner on in the bottom of the 9th.  On Romo's first pitch Mize ended the game with a blast over the right field fence.

If not for the walk-off home run, the wrap-up story might have surrounded a timely triple play in the third.  Scoreless, Ozzie Smith led off the inning with a hit by pitch, on a ball that frankly, he could have easily avoided but chose not too.  Fred Carroll followed with a single and Ben Zobrist presently drilled a ball to towards second basemen Cupid Childs.  Childs lunged and caught the liner running towards second, stepped on the bag, and tossed the ball to first for the triple play.

The Gossamers had a few chances as well, and outhit the Carnies 10-8.  They left 8 runners on base and grounded into three double plays to end several threats.  In the 7th Haren was knocked out of the game after yielding three hits, the last of which was a 2-bagger by pinch hitter Mike Epstein.  With runners at the corners and one out, with one run already it, it was a great scoring opportunity for the visitors but new reliever Steve Howe induced Bill Dahlen to hit a grounder to first.  Triple play hero Childs unadvisedly tried for home, but Dale Alexander easily threw him out at the plate.

Tex Hughson (17-10, 2.90) will face Curt Schilling (19-9, 3.34) Tuesday night in another great pitching match-up.  There will be no games tomorrow as I am not available to run them.

Starting Pitchers Results
Hubbel (GCG): 7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
Haren (BIC) : 6.1 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

LDS Most Valuable Players

Gold Country over Sparta 4-3
Preacher Roe (GCG):  3 GS, 23 IP, 21 H, 3 BB, 6 K, 1.17 ERA, 3 QS

Bertrand Island over Brighton 4-0
Ty Cobb (BIC): .588 / .632 / 1.118, 2 2B, 2 3B, HR

Otherton over Rusty Kuntz 4-3
Hank Aaron (OFB): .444 / .467 / .815, 2B, 3 HR, 9 RBI

Ee-Yah over North Podunk (4-0)
King Kelly (NPB): .500 / .556 / .625, 3B, 6 R

Series Preview - Gold Country vs. Bertrand Island

The two best teams in the American League square off in the Championship Series begging tonight.  Gold Country, 94-68 on the season and with a +114 run differential, rely on small ball offense and arguably the best pitching staff in baseball.  Bertrand Island is perhaps a more well rounded team, but lack a true star player that can carry a series.  In the regular season Bertrand Island won 104 against 58 losses and outscored their opponents by 149 runs.

Starting Pitching

Gold Country never quite found a #5 starter that suited them during the regular season.  That hardly matters now, and with the shortened playoff rotation, their top 4 starters are arguably the best in the league.  The only question mark might be Ferguson Jenkins and with the days off during the series would likely have to pitch just once.

Bertrand Island counters a solid 4-man rotation that matches Gold Country in saber-minded stats like RCERA, if not the traditional stats such as ERA.   Danny Haren is their #1 starter but spent a few weeks on the DL this year.  Finally, keep in mind the park factors.  The Carnie's played in a park that suppresses home runs and singles by about 10% each, while the Gossamers enjoyed a major home run reduction (factor of 20) and increased offense every where else.

Edge:  Tied.

Bullpen 

The top five relievers for Gold Country each have ERA's under 3.00, with only failed starter Fred Hutchinson as a question mark, and he'll not see any playing time.  Lefty specialist Buddy Groom had the best season of the bunch, recording a 2.09 ERA in 56 innings.

Bertrand Island also features a very strong bullpen and rely heavily on a trio of pitchers, Steve Howe, Arnie Stone, and Jeff Zimmeran, each of which reached the 90 innings pitched mark.  They also employ a platoon closer rotation between the lefty Howe and righty Zimmerman.

Edge:  Gold Country

Lineup

Bertrand Island average slash rate line was .277 / .340 / .393 and they were second in the American League in runs scored at 767.  Gold Country hit for less power, but made up for that with a higher on base percentage and batting average:  .284 / .349 / .348 with 713 runs scored, tied for 4th in American League.

When grouping the top 9 batters on each team, measured by ATB Value, each group average a .333 score, with Bertand Island more top heavy and Gold Country more balanced.  Both teams have strong defenses as well.

Edge:  With five players scoring an Slugging Percentage over .400, the Carnies hold the edge in lineups.

Series Edge:  Too close to call.  Will the slightly better Gossamer pen over match the slightly better Carnie offense?  Flip a coin.

Ruess 5 hit shutout leads Carnies in sweep of Shadows

ALDS Game 4 
Bertrand Island Carnies @ Brighton Shadows

The Bertrand Island Carnies advance to the American League Championship series thanks to a great pitching performance from Jerry Reuss.  The 31 year old was a great surprise for Bertrand Island this year, winning 15 games with a 3.45 ERA.  Johnny Mize provided the power with 7th inning 2-run home run.  The platooning first baseman also had a surprisingly great year, hitting 33 home runs in 343 at bats versus right handed pitching.

Overall, the Carnie's outsourced the Shadows 24-11 and batted .333 / .403 / .543, so far leading all teams in doubles, triples, and home runs.

The Shadows under the leadership of 1st year owner David K, had solid season.  Few ATB owners have made the playoffs in their first campaign.

The Carnies now await the winner of the Gold Country/Sparta series.

Starter Lines:

Reuss (BIC): 9.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
Walsh (BS):: 2.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 2 K

Gore leads 14 hit Carnie attack; 1 win from advancing

ALDS Game 3
Bertrand Island Carnies @ Brighton Shadows

With a team batting line of .356 / .412 / .606 the Bertrand Island offense is proving too much for the Shadows pitching staff to handle.  In Game 3 left fielder George Gore and Ty Cobb led the way with 4 and 3 hits respectively. Danny Haren was solid in the win and the Carnies have a 3-0 series lead.

The bright spot for Brighton continues to be Barry Bonds.  He added another double and a home run, and is now slugging .786 in the series.

The Brighton season will rest in the hands of Ed Walsh (11-11, 4.43) who'll face Carnie upstart Jerry Ruess (15-6, 3.45) in game 4 tomorrow.

Starter Lines:
Haren(BIC): 6.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 2 K
Vance (BS): 4.2 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 4 K

Shadows Late Comeback Falls Short; Carnies Open 2-0 lead

ALDS Game 2
Brighton Shadows @ Bertrand Island Carnies

The Carnie's broke out the power stroke in game two, hitting 3 doubles, a triple, and 2 home runs.  It almost wasn't enough though, as the Shadows attempt to erase a 8th inning 6-1 deficit fell just one batter short.

Justin Verlander didn't have his best stuff, and left the game in the 6th with his team down 5-0.  Carnie starter Jason Schmidt fared better, putting his team ahead 6-2 at the end of eight.  Schmidt was called back out for the 9th however, and it nearly backfired.

After recording the first out, Schmidt gave up 3 hits in a row, capped by a 1-run double from Barry Bonds and was chased from the game.   Lefty closer Steve Howe entered the game to face Jason Giambi and the left hand hitting DH smacked a run scoring single up the middle, the Shadows closing to within two.

With runners at the corners, Billy Williams lifted a sacrifice fly to right plating another runner, but more importantly for the Carnies, recorded the second out.  Up stepped pinch hitter Vladimir Guerrero who ended the game on a grounder to second.

The series moves to Bertrand Island and it appears to be an uphill battle for the Shadows.  The Carnie ace Dan Haren faces Dazzy Vance in game three.

Starter Lines:
Verlander(BS): 5.1 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 3 BB, 5 K
Schmidt(BIC): 8.1 IP, 11 H, 5 R, 3 BB, 4 K