Davis K's His Way Into the Record Book

Boston - Las Vega$ Fremont First Baseman Chris Davis set the league single season record with his 119th strikeout of 2015 in the third inning of game 81 against Boston southpaw C.J. Wilson.

It was Davis' second strike out of the game making the third out of the inning with runners on second and third in the 'Monts 4-2 loss. Davis added his 120th strikeout in the eighth.

With three games left in the season, Davis will look to distance himself from Jack Cust's former record of 118 in 2009.

Davis currently leads the Friendship league with 25 home runs and 63 RBI, but his strikeout record will live in infamy.

For reference, Davis struck out this many times this season (so far).

KKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK

Chris Davis blames his tools

New strategy for 2017?

The evil geniuses in Glen Head, NY have struck again!  They recently announced an optional new rule for using a defensive shift.  For more details, grab your lawyer and read the VERY detailed text here... http://www.strat-o-matic.com/community/announcements/defensive-shift-rule

Train Wreck owner is on the move!

Very happy to announce that Mount Pleasant owner PJ Carr is soon moving much closer, leaving The South to start a new job in September with the Toledo Mud Hens (he will also be working for the Toledo Walleye, their minor league hockey team).  Very excited to have him back closer to home, and very happy to have him closer for league activities.  He and Doug can meet up at Tony Packo's to play a few games!

 

PJ's updated resume

One last one from the GR trip

A file so big, it wouldn't email to Pat for his post. Click to expand. Game Box Score.

Friendship League hits Grand Rapids!

The 2nd Annual Friendship League Beer 'N Baseball trip was a great time, Grand Rapids lived up to its reputation as both 'Beer City' and 'Cool City'!  Highlights of the trip included a Whitecaps victory, a bumbling home plate umpire that made Enrico Palatzzo look competent, three brewery visits, the first league game played in an Uber car, late night go-karting at AJ's Family Fun Center, Fred winning the big pot in the infamous 'Cup' game, and the exciting buildup to the midnight Leicester City soccer match  :-)   Fun was had by all and can't wait until next year's trip!

Outstanding seats for the game, well within range for the terrible
ump to hear the heckling

The Mitten Brewing Company

Looks like we melted into the Cheers opening montage,
nice camera trick Fred!

First up, Founders Brewery,
Grand Rapids Brewing Company on deck

Restaurant inspired by Steve W.'s  former Tampa Bay Wheelhouse

Not often that I take restroom pictures, but liked the décor
in the baseball-themed Mitten Brewing Company

Gibby and Sweet Lou jerseys adorn the Mitten

Fifth Third Field, home of the 5/3 pound burger

Enjoying the post-game fireworks.  Picture works
best with Katy Perry's 'Firework' on in the background

Post-game batting practice!

Wide variety of stouts at Founders

Bar Napkin Trade

Current Train Wreck to be Future Biscuit!

Current Mount Pleasant Train Wreck reliever Brad Boxberger will be making a start with the Montgomery Biscuits on Wednesday. Currently with an ERA of 0.00 and 6 K's through 5.1 innings of relief with the Train Wreck, we'll see if he can do well as a starting pitcher in the minors, hopefully adding the sacred "SP, RP" to his card in the future.

Speaking of which, do you think he even knows what Strat is? And do you think he's ever autographed a Strat-O-Matic card before? All these dire questions will be answered Wednesday!

Take that Joey Bats

The Natural (Strat-O-Matic style)!

For those who haven't seen this before, here is the Roy Hobbs Strat-O-Matic card (pay particular attention to the bottom of each column)

Mount Pleasant Police Chase Aztecs Fan On Moped

MI — A Mount Pleasant police officer was led on a chase by a former Monterrey Aztecs fan after trying to perform a traffic stop on a motorist driving a moped.    The officer on general patrol in Mount Pleasant on Wednesday, April 13, observed a man driving a moped on Oak Street.   The moped was missing a registration sticker and "the driver was not sitting on the moped properly". Police did not say how the man was sitting.    The officer attempted to stop the moped but the driver accelerated down Pine Street yelling that "the Trainwrecks stole the Aztecs."




The driver then continued to flee on foot. He was captured in Mill Pond Park after a foot chase.
The 26-year-old Mount Pleasant man was arrested and lodged in the Isabella County Jail on charges of fleeing and eluding, resisting and obstructing and driving while license suspended.   He said he was an avid Aztecs fan who had moved to Mount Pleasant.   He stated that he had "a few drinks" at a local bar when some of the other patrons started making fun of him.  He had originally left the bar to go home, but didn't quite make it.

Excitement builds as the Men prepare to defend their title!

"The Logo" for the Minnesota Men is giddy as the season begins!

 The Lake Erie Commodores


 (start inspirational heroic music now)

We have our provision and ammunition. We have our crew. It is now time for battle.We are here to prove the pundits, simulators and HAL wrong. We are willing to take on any and all comers this weekend starting on Friday. MAN THE CANNONS!

The first 10,000 fans in the park on opening day will receive a commemorative die cast miniature collectible cannon, thanks to our corporate sponsor AARP.  Ship's Ahoy!

Loggers Announce New Stadium Name

The Loggers are now playing at Lowe's LumberDome (Tampa Bay image on your screen).  Everyone needs a corporate sponsor these days, and we got ours' to build us a new field.  It's made completely out of recycled timber, so smoking is not allowed inside, or within 500 yards of the building outside.  Fireworks shows will no longer be allowed, but there will be a "Lumberjack Games" conducted following selected Friday and Saturday night games.  More promo nights to come.....including the return of the always popular "Nickel Beer Night" to Maine. 

Speaking of which....Our apologies again to Mike Trout and the Mount Pleasant organization for the horrible accident of a year ago.  We are glad the wounds are healing, and that Trout can again take the field.  In retrospect, bringing back the combination of "Nickel Beer Night" with "Free Tomahawk Night" again proved to be a bad idea.  This year, they will be separate promotions. 

2016 Draft Weekend is in the books!

And what a great time it was!  As always, big thanks to Dave Steines and his brother for hooking us up in the elegant digs that we have grown accustomed to.  More thanks to Randy for capturing some of the fun while my phone was on the fritz (Fritz Peterson?). 

 

We welcomed two new league members to the draft, PJ, who was virtual while in Alabama (with a banjo on his knee) yet still won the bingo balls and the coveted #1 overall pick.  Doug Ebbole was welcomed back into the league after a far too-long absence.  Doug's look of confusion during the madness that is the Division Rolloffs may have indicated second thoughts on his part, but looks like he recovered and is ready to go!  We welcome the Mount Pleasant Trainwrecks and the Lake Erie Commodores to the league!

 

Good eats were had at Pizzeria Uno and the IHOP, lots of heated rule debates, lots of laughs in Dave's private suite, even some time in the hot tub after those kids finally left.  More music than usual this year during the draft, from Scott's timeless 'Generic Hispanic Instrumental' for every Latin player drafted, to the classic Fats Domino 'Going to Kansas City', to the new go to song for avian-related surnames, Family Guy's Bird is the Word clip! 

 

 

 

The man who deservedly calls himself
 "The Champion"! Congratulations Mr. Mall-O-Matics!

From last year's champion to this year's
champ, bottoms up!

Steve Willnus seems to like a player left on the board...
or does he see a <gulp> GOSE?!

 

 

The official league file, with whatever rotations and lineups I have received to date, is now updated and ready to be downloaded.  A link to the 2016 Draft Results is right below that. 

 

Just one thing left to say now, and that is PLAY BALL!!!! 

Final Mall-O-Ranks...

Despite what the crazy tarot card reader at the hotel was saying....

Only HAL knows all!  Click here to see how the simulation went for your team and the league!

Mall-O-Ranks Are In!!!

You want it, you got it.  Here is where you rank post protection moves...

They made a movie about one of these guys....

Any idea which one?

Monterrey is on the move...to Mount Pleasant!

New to 2016, the Mount Pleasant Trainwrecks! Named after the best beer to come from cozy Mount Pleasant, the Trainwrecks are hop-ing to have a strong draft in their first year. Ideally, if we're winning we'll be wrecking the competition but if the team completely sucks, well you can just saying they're living up to their name so it's a win-win.

Also considered were the Troy Beavers, named after the Minor League team that never was. The Beavers would have looked to bring a new brand of exciting baseball and puns such as "Dam it!" and "he really muff-ed that grounder." Not to mention playing the classic Naked Gun scene after each home run.

First move as the Trainwrecks is making some cuts, here's my protection list:

Protected

• Brad Boxberger
• Brett Cecil
• David Price
• Kevin Jepsen
• Koji Uehara
• RA Dickey
• Trevor May
• Zach Putnam
• Stephen Vogt
• Albert Pujols
• Brett Lawrie
• Mike Trout
• Rajai Davis
• Rougned Odor
• Carlos Sanchez
• Danny Santana

Cut

• Bud Norris
• Joba Chamberlain
• Chris Carter
• David Lough
• Robinson Chirinos
• Lonnie Chisenhall

No Card

• Jarred Cosart
• Max Scherzer
• Derek Norris
• Yunel Escobar

Yu Darvish: Nick Markakis

See you all at the draft! (Kinda!)

Loggers Post 2016 Protection Players

2016 Protections
Mitch "Find me some" More Land
Alex "Corn Chowder" Avila
Ben "Zobrilla" Zobrist
Anthony (use Scooby Voice) GOSE?!
Asdrubal "Ass-Double-Dribble" Cabrera
Avisail "Little Miggy" Garcia
Jose "Joey Bats" Bautista
Nick "Catch A Falling Star" Castellanos
J.D. "Salinger" Martinez
Sonny, Sonny, Sonny Gray
Jose Quintana (end of Jaws: "Quint?"  "No.....")
Michael "Pinata" Pineda
Aaron "Chopped" Sanchez
Shawn "Don't Mistake Me for Steve" Tolleson
Luke "I am Your Father" Gregerson
Brian "Bobcats Gave Up On Me" Matusz

NL/Darvish Protected: Christian "Bale" Vasquez
Relinquishing rights to: Cliff "Clavin" Lee

Cut like a fart in the breeze:
"The old" Billy "Barue" Butler "Did It"
Omar "Enriquo Pallazzo" Infante
Michael "Jason" Bourn "Supremacy"
Jeremy "little gust of wind, Holmes" Guthrie
Shane "Country Day Battier" Greene
"He went to" Jarrod Parker (no card, again!)
Ryan "15 pieces of Flair" Flaherty

Stan, Chotchkie's Manager: We need to talk about your flair.
Joanna: Really? I... I have fifteen pieces on. I, also...
Stan, Chotchkie's Manager: Well, okay. Fifteen is the minimum, okay?
Joanna: Okay.
Stan, Chotchkie's Manager: Now, you know it's up to you whether or not you want to just do the bare minimum. Or... well, like Brian, for example, has thirty seven pieces of flair, okay. And a terrific smile.
Joanna: Okay. So you... you want me to wear more?
Stan, Chotchkie's Manager: Look. Joanna.
Joanna: Yeah.
Stan, Chotchkie's Manager: People can get a cheeseburger anywhere, okay? They come to Chotchkie's for the atmosphere and the attitude. Okay? That's what the flair's about. It's about fun.
Joanna: Yeah. Okay. So more then, yeah?
Stan, Chotchkie's Manager: Look, we want you to express yourself, okay? Now if you feel that the bare minimum is enough, then okay. But some people choose to wear more and we encourage that, okay? You do want to express yourself, don't you?
Joanna: Yeah, yeah.
Stan, Chotchkie's Manager: Okay. Great. Great. That's all I ask.

Wait, was the above a rerun from last year?  Rerun?!
Schwarzenager: Killian.  I'll be back.
Dawson: Only in a rerun. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jm4FEjICVog

Well, we bid adieu to The Ol' Billy Barue Butler here in 2016.  While I don't compile all the lifetime team stats that Kansas City does, I'm quite sure that Billy leaves the Loggers holding the all time record for grounding into the most double plays.  He was slow, he couldn't field a position, but for a few years he could hit.  Boy could he hit, and at times, you thought he was actually on fire.  But, much like the red-hot Biederman Comet in Deep Impact, he slammed into a planet, caused a tsunami, and then receded quickly.  And boy did he recede.  WAR Ratings be damned....we still love you Billy.  Good luck catching on with some lucky team in the waiver draft that values 29 year-olds with 45 year-old bodies.  I'm sure you'll do great things.  Along with grounding into a few DP's.  Cheers to Billy. 

LOGGERMANIA!!!
Available for Trade:  Avisail "Little Miggy" Garcia.  Would also listen to monster offers for J.D. or Joey Bats too!  Channeling Thunderdome: 3 Rightfielders enter....2 Rightfielders leave....

 

 

 

Boston Bobcats Protection List for 2016

 

Protected

 

CJ Wilson

D. Keuchel

D. Pomeranez

G. Holland

M. Stroman

P. Hughes

Y. Gomes

B. Dozier

B. Holt

C. Rasmus

D. Ortiz

E. Escobar

E. Encarnacion

L. Cain

M. Betts

C. Colon

 

 

Yu Darvish player

 

N. Cotts

 

 

Cut List

 

I think have cards

 

F. Rodney

J. Vargas

J. Masterson

T. Hunter

A. Rosales

D. Murphy

R. Rua

S. Drew

 

I don't think have cards

 

AJ Pierzynski

K. Crockett

 

Phog Protection List

Left when the Phog cleared:

Schoop,J

Wieters,M+

Eaton,A*

Brantley,M*

Santana,C+

Iglesias,J

Hosmer,E*

Reddick,J*

Longoria,E

Fielder,P*

Buchholz,C

Robertson,D

Sanchez,A

Kazmir,S*

Smyly,D*

Holland,D*

Lost in the Phog:

Gomes,J

Taylor,C

Crisp,C+

Lowrie,J+

Aviles,M

Oberholtzer,B*

Otero,D

Paxton,J*

Peacock N/C

Deduno N/C

NL Keeper:

Wil Myers

 

Michigan Mammoth(s) Protection List

 

Protected
Andrew Miller
Chris Archer
Chris Tillman
Jered Weaver
Jesse Chavez
Yordano Ventura
Brian McCann
Adam Jones
Brandon Moss
Conor Gillaspie
Dustin Ackley
Elvis Andrus
Kevin Kiermaier
Logan Morrison
Manny Machado
Nick Franklin

NL
Zack Greinke

Cuts
Bryan Shaw
Fernado Salas
Joakim Soria
Joe Beimel
Marc Rzepczynski
Daniel Nava
Delmon Young
Jake Peavy
John Lackey
Jose Molina
Howie Kendrick

Mammoths are now open for trade offers...   



Pittsburgh Phantoms

Protection List

Jason Castro

Kendrys Morales

Robinson Cano

Alexei Ramirez

Mike Moustakas

Desmond Jennings

Kevin Pillar

Shin-Soo Choo

Tajuan Walker

Erasmo Ramirez

Martin Perez

Matt Shoemaker

J.A. Happ

Miguel Gonzalez

Bruce Rondon

Jon Singleton (N/C)

Yu Darvish Player

Yu Darvish

Cuts

John Danks

Hector Noesi

Neftali Feliz

CC Sabathia

David Freese

Travis Snider

Torri Hunter

Bandits Roster

Protected

Danny Salazar 

Brad Brach

Danny Duffy

Jeff Samardzija

Kelvin Herrera

Kyle Gibson

Wei-Yin Chen

Salvador Perez

Aaron Hicks

Alex Gordon

Dustin Pedroia

Erick Aybar

Kole Calhoun

Logan Forsythe

Mike Napoli

Trevor Plouffe

NL - Doug Fister

Cut

Aaron Loup

Joe Smith

Alex Rios

Austin Jackson

Don Kelly NC

Eric Sogard

Jordan Schafer

Tyler Skaggs NC

Blake Badenhop  NC

Francisco Cervelli NC 

Sean Doolittle NC

Kansas City is proud to announce its 16 protected players for the upcoming season....

 

Xander Bogaerts

Carlos Carrasco

Yoenis Cespedes

C.J. Cron

Scott Feldman

Kevin Gausman

Josh Hamilton

Caleb Joseph

Jason Kipnis

Corey Kluber

Tommy Milone

Marcus Semien

George Springer

Huston Street

Mark Trumbo (returning as my NL protected player)

Jurickson Profar (no card...again)

 

Cuts

J.P. Arencibia

Hank Conger

Allen Craig
Matt Dominguez

Charlie Furbush

Craig Gentry

Jake Petricka

Nick Swisher

Junichi Tazawa

Josh Tomlin

Dayan Viciedo

 

 

 

Yu Darvish Keeper

Alex Cobb

 

 

Wanted to end with a couple words on the departure of Nick Swisher.  "Swisher Sweets" is a classic Butcher and will be missed.  He wraps up his career in KC amongst the team's all-time leaders in several categories...

 

4th in Games (818)

5th in At Bats (2710)

5th in Runs (381)

6th in Hits (640)

4th in RBIs (398)

4th in Doubles (149)

2nd in HR's (113)

1st in Walks (405)

1st in Strikeouts (710)

 

First heard of Swisher when I read Moneyball and he was Billy Beane's coveted prospect for the 2002 draft.  Followed his career from his stoner hippie time in Oakland, through his clean-cut New York Yankee period, his zany time in Cleveland, and even through a couple of cameo appearances on How I Met Your Mother (spoiler alert:  he was NOT the mother).  Never quite developed into a perennial all-star, but was a very solid player with several excellent years in KC.  Farewell, Nick Swisher, thank you for your service, all of Kansas City salutes you!

 

 

 

Minnesota Men Condom List (Protection)

Updated - sorry - Mall-O-Matics doesn't like multiple Chris Youngs.  Added the NL/retired players as well.  Darvish rule - Robbie Grossman.

Kore wa midashidesu/Fremont Protected List

Las Vegas - The Las Vegas Fremonts came within four outs of forcing a one-game wild card play-off in 2013, but fell back to earth with a 38-43 record in last year's campaign. The 'Monts look to rebound this season with Chris Davis' slugging, a slightly better than average pitching staff and couple weighted bingo balls.

Annual open try outs will be held this Sunday February 28. Prospects are to meet under the Moe Green statue outside the ballpark's main entrance at 9am.

Among the Fremont cuts this year include former top picks, including 2014's third round selection. Additionally, the Fremont family would like to wish a fond genki de and otsukaresama deshita
to Hiroki Kuroda for his three year service to the club. Acquired in the 2012 draft via a dramatic draft table deal, Kuroda finishes his three year Fremont tenure with a 20-23 record, 3.91 ERA and 226 strikeouts.

Made Men
Mark Buehrle
Trevor Bauer
Darren O'Day
Tom Wilhelmsemhen
Masahiro Tanaka
Adam Warren
Colby Lewis
Chris Iannetta
Chris Davis
Jose Reyes
Jose Ramirez
Kyle Seager
Jackie Bradley Jr
Alejandro de Aza
Jake Marisnick
Carlos Beltran

Wacked
Hiroki Kuroda (card available in Japanese Central League edition only)
Yoervis Medina (no card)
Cesar Ramos
Nick Martinez
Ryan Hanigan
Kennys Vargas
Gordon Beckham
Oswaldo Arcia
Josh Willingham (no card)
James Jones (no card)

Released from NL aka Darvish list:
Bartolo Colon

Added to said list:
Dexter Fowler

Just One Year Ago....The Pick That Changed a Franchise....

Yep, it really was just one year ago.  The Men added a MAN. 

MEN WIN SERIES!!!!!

The Minnesota Men won their first World Series in their three year franchise history. The Men disposed of the distracted and then disinterested 'Topes decisively in five games. Minnesota went undefeated in the Mennen Dome this playoff season (6-0). Logger and Fremont ownership were on hand to enjoy the series. Read the full article by Bob Wojknowski in today's edition of the Detroit News (I hope the story makes the cut).

The Men Down Thunder

It was a cold and snowy night, but BW3 Livonia was alive with championship fever as the Minnesota Men took on the Toronto Thunder in the Friendship League Championship Series. I was only told after the series was over that I would be in charge of the write-up. Some of this might be totally wrong due to multiple Miller Lite tall boys, but here it goes.

.

Game 1 - Toronto Thunderdome The Men came out strong scoring three runs in the first two innings. The Thunder came back strong, methodically chipping away at the lead given to F. Hernandez. By the sixth inning, we had a tie game. It would stay that way through 9 innings....on to extras. Top of 10, T. Flowers leading off against J. McGee.....Boom...gone...Toronto left in shock. W. Davis comes on to dispose of the Thunder. Game one in the books. Final score - 4-3 Men.

Game 2 - Toronto Thunderdome Over before it started. Veteran M. Texiera turned back the clock and belted two HR's along with seven RBIs. Men manager Scott Mallon left D. Hutchison out to dry. After giving up nine runs in four innings, Hutchison was sent out to pitch four more innings. "We need to save our staff," said Mallon. "Hutchy took one for the team today." After the victory, BW3 asked manager Steve Tufte how he was doing. He responded, "fine, thank you...I'll have another." Final score - 11-0 Thunder.

.

Game 3 - Minnesota Mennen Dome In an unusual move, Scott Mallon told starting pitcher C. Young that he had a very short leash. With that sparkling bit of motivation, Young proceeded to implode in inning one...giving up three. He made it only two innings and was relieved by H. Santiago. Santiago steadied the ship, and the Men plugged away at the Thunder lead - taking the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth after a V. Martinez HR. The Men bullpen didn't give up a run to close it out. Final score - 8-3 Men.

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Game 4 - Minnesota Mennen Dome Ace F. Hernandez took the mound for the Men to face off against R. Porcello. Tufte told reporters before the game, "I've already written off this game." He was correct. Porcello lasted just one inning, giving up a couple of runs. The Men took a 4-0 lead into the bottom of 7th....and then Thunder struck. Walks and hits piled on. F. Hernandez was pulled from the game. The Men bullpen was able to throw some water on the flame, giving up only two runs. Tufte's Thunder was unable to muster up anymore offense the rest of the way. Final score: Men 4 Thunder 2.

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Game 5 - Minnesota Mennen Dome The scene was wild in Minnesota. Minnesota legends Kent Hrbek and the corpse of Kirby Puckett were in attendance. The announced crowd of 15,881 were loaded for bear....wait....15,881? WTF Minnesota? This game might vault you to the World Series!!! I digress. With this being what might end up being the last game in Derek Jeter's storied career, Men ownership offered up paternity law consultations in concourse A to all women that may have birthed a Jeter baby. Now...on to the game. J. Ellsbury gets the Men going with a HR in the bottom of the 1st. J. Donaldson knocks in V. Martinez for another score. Inning one ends with the Men up 2-0....the few people in the dome go nuts!! The game settles down until M. Prado blasts a HR in the top of the fourth. The Thunder add another run in the top of the seventh. Tie game!! This is when the butt cheeks clenched up - it was a tight one. 8th inning, no runs....9th inning, no runs....10th inning, no runs....11th inning, no runs. We go to the 12th inning. Manager calls down to the bullpen to get the next man up....guess what, nobody answers!! The entire pitching staff for the Men are drinking Buds and playing video games. Mallon turns to infield Y. Solarte and says, "Can you pitch?" Solarte turns to Mallon and says, "vete al infierno!!!" Since Mallon's Spanish is a bit rusty, he takes this to mean, "I'll walk through fire for you coach!!" The true translation is "Go to hell!!" Solarte takes the mound.....and pitches a gem! No runs, no hits and one strikeout. Bottom of the 12th now...T. Flowers leads off....with a double!!! M. Saunders moves him to third with a base hit. Ellsbury is given the intentional walk. Kinsler comes up and delivers a single to win the game! The Men are going to the World Series!!! Derek Jeter exits the field for the last time in his career - netting a double, a HBP and 483 paternity suits

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Solemn celebration ensues..