Season 22 marks Dcinto's 2nd year in the league. Moving from the NL to the AL, he's quickly put his stamp on the original NB Yorkies pushing the team into full rebuilding mode.
Name/Family Status: Dave - Married - Two kids - 12/8
Age: 46
Job: Canada Country HR Mgr for Cisco Systems
Favorite HBD Moment: after losing in the playoffs with cant miss teams - won a WS with a really under par team -not quite sweet enough to make up for the losses but felt good.
Favorite Sports teams: Leafs (unfortunately) COMMISH EDIT: Yes, this is very unfortunate, however it looks like us Canadians are pushing closer to 50% of the league, Steelers, Blue Jays - from Toronto, aligning with Toronto teams a genetic defect......
Monday, February 13, 2012
Friday, February 10, 2012
Meet Knine
When Knine reached out to me it was a blast from the past, as we had played against each other several years back in Hoops Dynasty. Knine brings a hugely successful record with him to Hunter, 4583-3031 (.602) & 4 World Series championships
Name/Family Status: Hayes, married, 1 son
Location: Cincinnati
Age: 52
Job: Purchasing Manager, it is enjoyable to spend other people's money all day.
Favorite HBD Moment: Winning 1st WS title in Harold Reynolds world.
Favorite HBD Player: Carlos Belliard (Cochrane World), SP, 86-34, and the bullpen's probably blown 20 more for him. Just plain awesome.
Favorite Sports teams: Green Bay Packers, even when they were terrible, which was a lot of years. Texas Rangers, even when they were terrible, which was a lot of years. Ottawa Senators, will always blame Jacques Martin for the Sens not winning a cup. (COMMISH EDIT: Very very strange combo of teams living in Cincy?? Specifically the Sens. As a Canuck I very much approve of the hockey love though).
Name/Family Status: Hayes, married, 1 son
Location: Cincinnati
Age: 52
Job: Purchasing Manager, it is enjoyable to spend other people's money all day.
Favorite HBD Moment: Winning 1st WS title in Harold Reynolds world.
Favorite HBD Player: Carlos Belliard (Cochrane World), SP, 86-34, and the bullpen's probably blown 20 more for him. Just plain awesome.
Favorite Sports teams: Green Bay Packers, even when they were terrible, which was a lot of years. Texas Rangers, even when they were terrible, which was a lot of years. Ottawa Senators, will always blame Jacques Martin for the Sens not winning a cup. (COMMISH EDIT: Very very strange combo of teams living in Cincy?? Specifically the Sens. As a Canuck I very much approve of the hockey love though).
Season Outlook:
I honestly don't know how my team will do this season since I'm they new guy here and don't know the other teams in my division and league at all. I,m not sure how my team won 65 last season, but have 22 guys that weren't here last season, and do feel the bats and bullpen are better now. Starting pitching, that's a different story, which could make for a long season. I'm hopeful for 75 wins.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Meet the Owner: Aaronwayne
After a 1 year hiatus Aaronwayne rejoins us taking back over his old team in the AL South.
Aaronwayne had spent 4 previous seasons in Hunter, turning around a troubled franchse that managed only 52 wins in his first season. By season 3 & 4 of his tenure he posted back to back 80+ win seasons (83, 80).
I am glad to see Aaronwayne back, not so happy about him toughening the AL South. Aaron if you just remember the divison title belongs to the Louisville Sluggers we'll get along fine.
Name: Aaron, married w/2 boys, ages 8 & 6
Home: Columbia, MO
Age: 39
Job: agriculture research (water quality)/farmer
Favorite Player: http://www.whatifsports.com/HBD/Pages/Popups/PlayerProfile.aspx?pid=3241024
Favorite HBD Moment winning 99 games and making to the WS in hardball's season 10 (1st playoff trip ever)
Favorite Teams: die hard Cardinals fan & a fan of all things Mizzou
Aaronwayne had spent 4 previous seasons in Hunter, turning around a troubled franchse that managed only 52 wins in his first season. By season 3 & 4 of his tenure he posted back to back 80+ win seasons (83, 80).
I am glad to see Aaronwayne back, not so happy about him toughening the AL South. Aaron if you just remember the divison title belongs to the Louisville Sluggers we'll get along fine.
Name: Aaron, married w/2 boys, ages 8 & 6
Home: Columbia, MO
Age: 39
Job: agriculture research (water quality)/farmer
Favorite Player: http://www.whatifsports.com/HBD/Pages/Popups/PlayerProfile.aspx?pid=3241024
Favorite HBD Moment winning 99 games and making to the WS in hardball's season 10 (1st playoff trip ever)
Favorite Teams: die hard Cardinals fan & a fan of all things Mizzou
Sunday, February 5, 2012
HOF- S22
By my count there are 16-20 guys on the ballot that could be considered for the HOF. If we all vote independently no one will get in, as a result I ask that everyone constrain their voting to the 7 players listed below. Please decided if you feel they are HOF or not. I have outlined my ballot below (I will be voting for 4 of the 7, you may choose to vote for 5 or none)
There are MORE deserving players than the 7 below however these guys will disappear from the ballot, so we need to clear the backlog. To put the effect of a “splintered vote into perspective”, two seasons ago before everyone started voting together Garret Biggio a CF with 3063 hits, 636HR & 2084 RBI did NOT get in season. Let’s clean up this first 7 and we’ll move to the next batch next year.
To make it easier I have added a note next to 7 guys in the voting screen to show who we are limiting it to. Last year 2 of the 7 listed gained entry to the HOF (R. Peters & K. Coleman), 1 stay on the ballot for getting more than 10 votes (E. Molina) and 3 have been dropped from the ballot (L. Igelias, A.Wright & S. Owen)& D. Miller eligibility has expired
So I have added 6 guys to E.Molina for this year. Garret Biggio, Y.Molina, B. Cox, R. Brito & E. Gonzalez and P. Chavez
I have put the guys in the order I will be voting for them and who will be getting HOF votes. Last year I voted for 4, this year I will be voting for the MAX 5 listed in order below.
1. Garret Biggio- Absolute lock for the HOF, he is the Hunter Record holder in: Runs, Runs batted in and hits. He's the only man in Hunter history to crack 3000 hits (3063). There are several more key statistical categories where Biggio sits in the top 5 including HR. Most impressive though is he acheived all of the above playing a "premium" position: CF. I won't go on much longer I think everyone agrees he's in.
2. Y. Molina- With 684, he's 2nd in career HR, 3rd in RBI and top 5 in several other world records. Probably as important as the stats above he was the best player on a WS winner. Molina in his prime wasn't a side piece, he was a centerpiece type player on WS contenders. The one flaw to his resume is a starling lack of hardware. He had a 78HR & 164RBI season and somehow didn't win the MVP and actually didn't even win RF silver slugger. Looking at his numbers from his prime there are several MVP caliber seasons.
3. E. Gonzalez- I make this argument every year, if we don't want a HOF full of 1b/Lf/RF we have to start voting in some skilled positions. Mendy Clemens is the only 2b in the HOF, Biggio will be the first CF & E. Gonzalez deserves to be the first SS. In the history of Hunter E. Gonzalez probably held the title for best SS for six to nine seasons. At a premium position that is worth a trip to the hall. Add on the following numbers. 1500+ runs 445 HR 1600+ RBI .501 Slugging, those stats would be impressive for a career at 1b, at SS they are ridiculous.
4. P Chavez- It would be fitting of Pablo Chavez went into the HOF the same year as G. Biggio as he played in his shadow for most of his career. Chavez was the 2nd best CF in Hunter for 10 seasons. Unfortunately for him Biggio could be argued as the best Hunter player ever regardless of position. He just happened to play the same one as Chavez. He was a multi-time all-star and a multi-time silver slugger in CF and also picked up two World Series rings. In his prime Chavez was a legit CF, not just a LF masquerading as a CF to get an extra bat in the line-up. He ended up with 515HR, you get to 500HR with CF as your primary position you get in the hall
5. B. Cox- I know I busted Beermans's balls last year after the HOF voting when he couldn't figure out why Cox didn't make the HOF. It became clear my old college buddy hadn't read the world chat or the blog post for HOF voting procedure, I hadn't put Mr. Cox on the ballot. Well Al, your in luck this year as Cox will get his chance. 1500+ Runs, 579HR, 1685RBI. I don't really have to go much further than that for why Cox should join the Hall but I will. He picked up 1 MVP award, and likely could have 2-3 sitting on his Mantle if his prime wasn't eclisped by HOF Magglio Javier and his 5 MVPS. If I remember correctly I believe Cox was a runner up to Maggs twice. Any player who had a multiple season stretch where he was in the discussion as the "BEST" player in the league deserves entry into the HOF. If facts and good arguments don't get you to vote for him. How about a frivilous one? Braden Cox was the only player to have two Hunter owners call him their favorite (Beerman & Lets_try). So I know he'd up to atleast three votes right there (mine plus two)
6. R. Brito- While 3b isn't as difficult to find at 2b, SS or CF. Brito should get bonus points for fielding a position much more difficult than 1b,LF or RF. Brito is one of the few HOF candidates who was a gold glover (3x) as well as a silver slugger (3x). He also picked up Seven All-Star appearances for his career. He ended up 30HR short of 500. In his prime he was a plus defender and a plus bat at a semi-premimum position. I think if we didn't have the backlog we currently have Brito would end up getting in but he's got a tough row to hoe with all the deserving candidates
7.E. Molina (Great all-around hitter, lacked the power to put up the gawdy stats, think Paul Molitor except could actually field a position)
There are MORE deserving players than the 7 below however these guys will disappear from the ballot, so we need to clear the backlog. To put the effect of a “splintered vote into perspective”, two seasons ago before everyone started voting together Garret Biggio a CF with 3063 hits, 636HR & 2084 RBI did NOT get in season. Let’s clean up this first 7 and we’ll move to the next batch next year.
To make it easier I have added a note next to 7 guys in the voting screen to show who we are limiting it to. Last year 2 of the 7 listed gained entry to the HOF (R. Peters & K. Coleman), 1 stay on the ballot for getting more than 10 votes (E. Molina) and 3 have been dropped from the ballot (L. Igelias, A.Wright & S. Owen)& D. Miller eligibility has expired
So I have added 6 guys to E.Molina for this year. Garret Biggio, Y.Molina, B. Cox, R. Brito & E. Gonzalez and P. Chavez
I have put the guys in the order I will be voting for them and who will be getting HOF votes. Last year I voted for 4, this year I will be voting for the MAX 5 listed in order below.
1. Garret Biggio- Absolute lock for the HOF, he is the Hunter Record holder in: Runs, Runs batted in and hits. He's the only man in Hunter history to crack 3000 hits (3063). There are several more key statistical categories where Biggio sits in the top 5 including HR. Most impressive though is he acheived all of the above playing a "premium" position: CF. I won't go on much longer I think everyone agrees he's in.
2. Y. Molina- With 684, he's 2nd in career HR, 3rd in RBI and top 5 in several other world records. Probably as important as the stats above he was the best player on a WS winner. Molina in his prime wasn't a side piece, he was a centerpiece type player on WS contenders. The one flaw to his resume is a starling lack of hardware. He had a 78HR & 164RBI season and somehow didn't win the MVP and actually didn't even win RF silver slugger. Looking at his numbers from his prime there are several MVP caliber seasons.
3. E. Gonzalez- I make this argument every year, if we don't want a HOF full of 1b/Lf/RF we have to start voting in some skilled positions. Mendy Clemens is the only 2b in the HOF, Biggio will be the first CF & E. Gonzalez deserves to be the first SS. In the history of Hunter E. Gonzalez probably held the title for best SS for six to nine seasons. At a premium position that is worth a trip to the hall. Add on the following numbers. 1500+ runs 445 HR 1600+ RBI .501 Slugging, those stats would be impressive for a career at 1b, at SS they are ridiculous.
4. P Chavez- It would be fitting of Pablo Chavez went into the HOF the same year as G. Biggio as he played in his shadow for most of his career. Chavez was the 2nd best CF in Hunter for 10 seasons. Unfortunately for him Biggio could be argued as the best Hunter player ever regardless of position. He just happened to play the same one as Chavez. He was a multi-time all-star and a multi-time silver slugger in CF and also picked up two World Series rings. In his prime Chavez was a legit CF, not just a LF masquerading as a CF to get an extra bat in the line-up. He ended up with 515HR, you get to 500HR with CF as your primary position you get in the hall
5. B. Cox- I know I busted Beermans's balls last year after the HOF voting when he couldn't figure out why Cox didn't make the HOF. It became clear my old college buddy hadn't read the world chat or the blog post for HOF voting procedure, I hadn't put Mr. Cox on the ballot. Well Al, your in luck this year as Cox will get his chance. 1500+ Runs, 579HR, 1685RBI. I don't really have to go much further than that for why Cox should join the Hall but I will. He picked up 1 MVP award, and likely could have 2-3 sitting on his Mantle if his prime wasn't eclisped by HOF Magglio Javier and his 5 MVPS. If I remember correctly I believe Cox was a runner up to Maggs twice. Any player who had a multiple season stretch where he was in the discussion as the "BEST" player in the league deserves entry into the HOF. If facts and good arguments don't get you to vote for him. How about a frivilous one? Braden Cox was the only player to have two Hunter owners call him their favorite (Beerman & Lets_try). So I know he'd up to atleast three votes right there (mine plus two)
6. R. Brito- While 3b isn't as difficult to find at 2b, SS or CF. Brito should get bonus points for fielding a position much more difficult than 1b,LF or RF. Brito is one of the few HOF candidates who was a gold glover (3x) as well as a silver slugger (3x). He also picked up Seven All-Star appearances for his career. He ended up 30HR short of 500. In his prime he was a plus defender and a plus bat at a semi-premimum position. I think if we didn't have the backlog we currently have Brito would end up getting in but he's got a tough row to hoe with all the deserving candidates
7.E. Molina (Great all-around hitter, lacked the power to put up the gawdy stats, think Paul Molitor except could actually field a position)
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Pittsburgh Studdabubbas S21 Wrap-Up
Hunter's 21st season will long be remembered in Pittsburgh as the season that David Trinidad ruined everything.
The Studdabubbas were holding their own early in the season with a 34-25 record. The pitching was, of course, lousy but the hitting was hot. The Studdabubbas decided to add a little more pop to their lineup by making a play for 34-year-old David Trinidad. The Bubbas gave up SS Frank Turner and LF Tony Grove, who weren't really in the long range plans, so it seemed like a smart move. Trinidad is a 6 time All Star, has hit over 500 homeruns, and has a .924 career OPS. Granted, he was getting older but he had to be an improvement, right?
Not right. Trinidad had his worst season ever. He hit .223 and just 10 homers in his 99 games with Pittsburgh. But, if that wasn't bad enough, the entire club fell apart. From that point on, the Studdabubbas went 47-56, finished with a .500 record and 4 games short of a wildcard spot.
OK. Trinidad probably isn't the real reason things went south. Pittsburgh also had several injuries to their already poor pitching staff and some of the hitters who performed well last season didn't this season. Darron Stoddard dropped 50 points from last season's batting average. Charlie Carson's slugging percentage dropped 40 points. Jimmie Henriquez's average dipped from .356 to .231. Hopefully, these guys can bounce back next season.
One player who continues to perform is Matt Buchanan. The 24-year-old first baseman hit .318, 50 homers and had a 1.053 OPS. He was one vote short of tying for the NL MVP award. Things may have been different had Studdabubbas management remembered to turn in their votes. Oops.
Season 22 should be a true disaster. Pittsburgh has been stockpiling some young pitching but they aren't quite ready for the bigs. But a lot of the pitchers they have now are getting old and will probably be moving on. Free agency is probably out of the question because Pittsburgh is notoriously stingy and good pitchers don't exactly come cheap in this world. Here's hoping the young pitching will be ripe before the hitting begins to rot.
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