Pittsburgh Studdabubbas S22 Wrap-Up

A.K.A. The season where the Trinidad curse ended.

Stupid David Trinidad

As you may remember, in Season 21, the Studdabubbas traded for aging slugger, David Trinidad, to try to give the 34-25 Studdabubbas a offensive boost. Once Trinidad arrived, the team imploded and went 47-56 to end the season at .500 and 4 games out of a wildcard spot. Bubbas fans didn't seriously think it was a curse…until Season 22.

The Studdabubbas started slow in Season 22 and never recovered. They were 25-40 when Little Rock acquired Trinidad for a 38-Special CD collection (and RP Mack Osting). But once Trinidad left, things started picking up again for Pittsburgh. They finished Season 22 with a 50-47 record. Not spectacular, but still an obvious improvement.

The facts are, over the last two seasons the Studdabubbas went 72-96 with David Trinidad and 84-67 without David Trinidad. And it's not like subtracting Trinidad made room for a studly prospect or something. The Studdabubbas simply filled the spot with Osting to help the bullpen suck more.

Trinidad hit .299 with an .853 OPS in Little Rock and got his 2nd World Series ring. He batted .230 during his time in Pittsburgh. So the curse was broken, but not the way Pittsburgh fans were hoping. Good riddance, jerkface.

Final Power Ranks (1-5)

5. Philadelphia- Last Rank: 7 First rank: 9 Record: 100-62

Despite Hineiii's protests his team keeps rising in the Power Ranks cracking the top 5 for the first time. Philly 100W season is the best for the franchise since season 8. This team is one of the 5 vying to knock off Little Rock in NL. Currently it looks like Philly stands the best chance of doing so, with qty (3) 40HR hitters and R. Santiago at the front of the rotation. Plus the bye can never be over-rated

4. Little Rock- Last Rank: 4 First Rank 6: Record: 98-64

Despite being the #2 seed in the NL Little Rock clocks in highest in the NL. Like Rick Flair says "To be the Quadruple A Champ you have to beat the Quadruple A Champ". Until someone knocks the Renegades off they own the #4 hole. Under the same logic until Little Rock beats an AL team in the World Series I can't pull the trigger on putting them higher than 4. This year the team wasn't as deep as previous seasons and the win total reflects that. However, Timf was smart enough to sacrifice depth where it won't hurt in the playoffs (SP5, Long A etc).

3. Washington- Last Rank : 5 First Rank: 3 Record: 97-65

Hineiii believes that the Power Ranks are cursed overall, I am atleast convinced that the 3rd spot is haunted. After Washington was named to the 3 hole early in the year they started out slow having to battle Columbos to retake the divison. In the 2nd update the "ghosts" were removed and Washington got hot, while Louisville was befell by some very unfriendly ghosts. For this update Washington secured the 2nd AL bye and gets to avoid SF and KC until the ALCS. Put all those things together they are the #3 seed. Well those things and the fact that Washington is a damn good team :)

2. Kansas City- Last Rank: 2 First Rank: 2 Record:105-57

KC was SOOOO close to unseating the defending champs SF for the divison crown. The Comets gave SF everything they could handle and for the first time in years the Night Demons didn't have their feet up and cooled for years. The positives for KC was they set a franchise record for wins last year with 95 and upped the record a full 10 games in 1 season. The negative for KC, despite the 2nd best record in ALL of Hunter they are the 5 seed in the AL and would have to play SF in the 2nd round. In my opinion KC and SF are the two best teams so we might be having the WS in the ALDS.

1. San Fransisco- Last Rank: 1 First Rank: 1 Record: 106-56

I am not sure how many of you have watched the Wire but I have a feeling that an Omar line is going to sum up the Night Demons season "If your going to come at the King..........you best not miss". Despite haymakers from KC the champ wouldn't go down and now they get the bye to rest their players. SF is the best team on paper and by their record they are the best team on the field too. Had KC stole the divison it would have significantly decreased the odds of a repeat, as every 5 game series you have to play is little better than a coin flip. I've convinced the champ will come out of the top 3 and my money would be on SF

Final Power Ranks (6-10)

Below is a "quick" end of season power ranks

10. Minnesota- Previous Rank (8), First Rank (9) Record: 88-72

After just missing the playoffs last season Stazrunner takes home the AL North title and makes his first playoff appearance in second Hunter season. As predicted in the last power rankings Minny put the divison to bed relatively early and should have a fresh team that's ready for the unenviable challenge of having to try and knock off either SF or KC in the 1st round.

9. Las Vegas- Previous Rank (6), First Rank (7) Record: 94-64

At one point this season it looked like Las Vegas was destined for a bye but unfortunately for the Sinatras they were leap frogged by Little Rock, Philly and now Baltimore in the NL. As mentioned previously Iain had a busy off-season and those off-season improvements have added atleast 4 wins to their total (90 wins last year). The difference between the 3 seed and the 4 seed in the NL is barely perceptible since Seattle and LA are similarly talented. The same cannot be said in the AL, with no offense to Atlanta, avoiding KC/SF in the 1st round was a huge carrot for the AL 3-seed.

8. Atlanta- Previous Rank (NR), First Rank (NR) Record: 88-72

Below is a direct quote from the owner himself " Still can't figure out how trading Bob Creek, Brian Burnett, Josh Mays, and Virgil Kraemer results in a net increase in wins. Really bizarre season. Will say my team defense was top notch. That helped." As a fellow AL South owner I can't figure it out either, I will admit in the pre-season I saw Atl go into rebuild mode and breathed a sign of relief figuring I'd cruise to the divison title......well I'll win the divison but the only place where my rocky season would qualify as cruising is off the coast of Italy, where capsizing cruise ships are on the menu. Louisville-Atlanta are destined for an AL South cage match in the first round.

7. Baltimore- Previous Rank (8), First Rank (NR) Record: 95-65

The Baydogs keep rising, it looks like it will come down to the last game of the season but they are in the cat bird seat for the 3-seed in Quadruple A.....ummm.....I mean the NL......this is akward :). As I mentioned earlier I have a soft spot for the Baltimore franchise and would like to tip my cap to Duff, for his first 90 win season in Hunter & improving the Baydog record win total by atleast 8 games.

6. Louisville- Previous Rank (3), First Rank (5) Record: 92-68

This has been the weirdest season I've ever experienced in Hunter. The injury bug hit hard in Slugger country this year. Losing Wendall Kinkade & Timothey Ducey for the season early in the year (combined 3 Cy Youngs), however the team absorbed their losses without much issue. Less than 30 games ago it still appeared LOU would take the 2-seed, but the loss of 5th starter Tim Larkin seemed to be the straw that broke the camels back, his loss for the season through the team into a tail spin. Things got so bad on the injury front, I had two "plug" pitchers go on the DL that I had to sign guys at the end of the year to be able to rest my starters. Then all of a sudden the Sluggers are riding high going into the playoffs (7 straight wins), I don't know what to make of this team. As the owner I am clinging to hope based on two things 1. We have the 3rd highest exp. Win % in the entire world (behind KC & SF) 2. IF we can get there Wendall Kinkade should be able to return in round 2.

Post Script: At this point I would like to give a big sloppy man kiss to Flip McCall the only one of my big 3 to stay injury free for going 18-0 with a AL leading 2.55 ERA, he likely single handedly saved not only the divison title but the Slugger playoff streak.

Meet Shmish 2.0

1. Why did you join Hunter?

Wolfhound, an original Hunter owner who has since left, is a good friend of mine and wouldn't stop raving about the game and the league. (COMMISH EDIT: We will convince him to come back eventually, he had tentatively agreed after davisbrian backed out) I eventually joined in season 6, and have been hooked ever since.

2. What is your favorite aspect of Hunter?

Hunter's been in the one and only league I've participated in, and I really enjoy the friendly competition, the banter and the blog. (COMMISH EDIT: So I guess that makes Hunter his highschool sweetheart, don't you ever cheat on us)



MTO Follow-up?

I know David Reyes was your favorite player, but how does it feel to see him bounce around multiple organizations?

It hasn't been easy, but I stand by my decision to trade him and rebuild, as the core of my team was aging. He was the central figure on a team that went to 7 straight league championships, so as far as I'm concerned, his stint here was extremely successful. I'm still a fan wherever he plays, I keep track of his stats pretty regularly. Ultimately I know he'll be wearing the SLC cap when he enters the Hall, so there's some satisfaction in that. And I would not rule out a homecoming somewhere down the line!

Meet Greeny 2.0

1. Why did you join Hunter?

1. I joined it last season when you guys had like what 12 openings something like that? And it was all over the forums. I thought it was pretty crazy. But Jahu I believe took over as commish right? (COMMISH EDIT: Correct) And he started a new recruitment theme and promised free hookers (COMMISH EDIT: Desparate times called for desparate measures) for anybody that stayed 5 seasons, and "improved" their team. Though, Im guessing his judgement of what is improved might be a little hard to define eh? :)

2. What is your favorite aspect of Hunter?

2. I love all the trading. Lots of trade happy owners here. And Ive made a few myself that I think were very good for me. Good for the other owners too, but REAL good for me! :)

MTO Follow-up?

Where does Greeny call home?

Greeny calls Sherbrooke, Quebec home.

How do you think your team will fair this season?

I hope that it will do better this season. I think with the acquisition of Joshua Mays I know I will be better. Because I havent lost any MLers of consequence. I will have really good money for IFAs again this season, so I hope to get one of the top 2 or 3 IFAs again, so I can say for a fact that the Iowa franchise will definately be a team to reckon with over the next couple of seasons. Smart trading, and smart drafting, the hallmarks of this Canuck! :)

Meet Peteskin

Name & Family Status: My Name is David, I have 2 Children Girl 22 Boy 17 and a Grand Daughter 3, I am 43 years old Was Married for almost 20 years but that ended 5 years ago.

Job:
I have worked at the local Newspaper for 21 Years, I have played Fantasy Baseball going on 22 years now when the internet frist came out and I played Baseball Manager and this season is the 22 season that's 22 real years lol. (COMMISH EDIT: Back when stats were chiselled into pieces of rock)

Favorite HBD Moment:

I don't really have a fav moment in HBD I just love that games and like to take over teams and do my best to turn them around, I have only been in one league where I have played every season, But if I get a chance to join a New League from season 1 I would stay there til no one wanted to keep the league going.

Favorite Sports Teams: Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions, Michigan Football and Basketball. (COMMISH EDIT: Let me guess are you from Michigan? )

Here you go edit or cut put what you need to (COMMISH EDIT: This is the first time I've been given permission, previously I've just hijacked others posts),