FSBL Blog

2004-05-13T15:43:00.000-07:00

VORP wins, VORP wins, party time, excellent....

Despite Mike trying to deny it ever happened by not posting the final box score, The Kings of VORP win the inaugural FSBL league by sticking it to the Bashers in games 5 and 6. After some amazing playoff heroics in games 1 and 2 the final 4 games were pretty anti climactic.

In the clinching game 6, VORP batters punch and judy'd Barry Zito in a 4 run 6th inning. Then Mr Bonds hit a 2 run blast as a capper. There was no overmanaging or bullpen breakdown or strange web site crashes this year to deny VORP their victory lap.

To summarize..I win, the rest of you lose and never draft Alex Rodriguez in the first round of a simulated baseball league.

2004-04-16T15:25:00.000-07:00

Let's just face the facts...these two games have been a LOT more exciting than anything the M's have going on. Thank you Mr. Sheffield! Next stop, the beautiful Bainbridge Field and Eagle Harbor Park.

2004-04-16T14:54:00.000-07:00

Oh No !!!!

The VORP bullpen suffers a stunning collapse as the Bainbridge Bashers come backs from a 6 run deficit to defeat the VORP 10-9. I'm sure Mike will be posting the box score shortly. VORP started off the game by lighting up Barry Zito to the tune of 8 runs in the first 3 innings. Basher manager Houser lifted Zito for Contreras and VORP manager Metzger made the tactical blunder of the day. Metzger began lifting his right handed hitters in favor of his lefty mashers. Out went Ensberg, Nevin and Sanders, in came Koskie, Johnson and Nixon. The VORP lineup then proceeded to go stone cold for the next 6 innings. Estaban Loiaza pitched very well into the 8th inning when he was lifted after allowing a few base runners. The VORP bullpen then misfired on all cylinders and a procession of pitchers let Bainbridge first slap and then smash their way into the lead. The fatal blast was a 3 run homer by Sheffield off Borowski in the top of the 9th to give Bainbridge a 10-8 lead.

VORP managed to have a chance to win in the 9th, scoring 1 run and having runners on the corners when the game ended on a weak K by Trot Nixon. VORP had nothing left on the bench int he late innings as a direct consequence of their manager flipping the lineup too early in the contest. VORP manager Metzger was seen muttering "I overmanaged, Damn, damn, damn".

VORP ownership refused to give Metzger a vote of confidence after the game. "We should be up 2 games to 0 instead of tied 1-1 leaving our home field. I think we all know who is to blame."

2004-04-14T14:00:00.000-07:00

Oh yeah !!!!!!

Jim Thome delivers a pinch hit 2 out, 3 run home run in the bottom of the 9th to lead the Kings of VORP over the Bashers in game 1 of the FSBL world series. VORP was lead by some absolutely brilliant managing as Metzger waited until the last minute to bring Thome into the game. With a single swing of the bat he justified his high draft position. Vorp got a great game out of BH Kim who was forced to throw 106 pitches because Metzger fell asleep in getting his bullpen up and warmed up.

Despite attempting to work every lefty-righty matchup in the book the Bashers manager was left a man short in the crucial 9th inning. Brian Fuentes 2 walks to Johnson and Bonds were critical for the VORP. Heredia and Mateo came in to K the next two batters setting up the last at bat for Thome. Despite his inability to hit left hand pitching Bashers manager Houser left in right hander Mateo to face Thome. The famous last words from manager Houser were "I'm not bringing in Hammond to face Thome." He may just get Grady Littled out of town for that decision if the Bashers fail to rebound from the amazing turn of events. Not since Kirk Gibson has baseball seen such an amazing turn of events.

2004-04-14T13:13:00.000-07:00

Yea...so the world series has started...sorry I can't talk now I just suffered a Level II Stomach Punch. I'm sure John will be writing about it soon with absolutely no histrionics whatsoever.

2004-04-02T11:06:00.000-08:00

I'm on vacation next week so I won't be starting the World Series until I get back. John and I have agreed to play the world series games LIVE. Yes, we will be making the decisions. We'll work out the details and let you know when and where in case you want to watch...how could it not be exciting?!?!

2004-03-31T12:09:00.000-08:00

Kings of VORP clinch the pennant with a nail biting 2-0 win in game 6 over Jerry's Kids. Javier Vazquez pitched a brilliant complete game shutout for the victory. Vazquez and Bartolo Colon matched zeros on the scoreboard until the 8th inning. The Kings of VORP almost struck in the bottom of the 7th leaving the bases loaded when Koskie struck out after a walk and 2 singles had loaded the sacks. In the fateful 8th Nick Johnson led off the inning by flying out, Barry "mellon head" Bonds then stroked a double into the right field corner. Jerry's manager Jerry decided to leave the tiring Colon in the game after a brief trip to the mound. Off season comparisons to Grady Little will be applied to Jerry. The move appeared to work as Jim Emdonds struck out on high hard fastball, however Bret "don't call me Bert" Boone lofted an opposite field home run on the first pitch he saw to plate the only runs of the game.

Fans swore they could actually see Boone's head swell as he rounded the bases. Vazquez closed out the game by cutting the heart out of the middle of the Boys order, setting them down on 2 fly outs and a grounder to close the series. VORP players doused their upset manager with frosty Red Hook Ales after the game. VORP manager John Metzger was seen berating his players after their celebration "We've still got 1 more series to win boys."

VORP's next opponent remains unknown as the Bainbridge Bashers extended their series to a deciding game 7 by pummeling the Western Sounders 10 - 6.

2004-03-30T11:40:00.000-08:00

The Bashers stay alive with a big win holding on after a six run second. How about some LCS MVP consideration to Mike Piazza. After posting a .244/.314/.448 during the regular season he has taken over the playoffs, leading both series with a 1.356 OPS. Now the series comes home with a classic Schilling/Zito duel. Let's hope the Bashers can force a game 7!

2004-03-29T15:24:00.000-08:00

The brilliant managerial decision to start BH Kim in game 4 paid immediate dividends for the Kings of VORP. Kim started off giving up 3 runs in the first and it looked as though the Jerry's would continue their tradition of pounding of VORP starting pitching. However Kim settled down after the first to pitch 5 innings of shutout ball.

VORP chipped back to get within 1 run in the 3rd when Edgar Renteria went yard with Greg Myers aboard. VORP struck again for single runs in the 4th (Myers single driving home Ordonez) and 5th (Bonds double plating Nick Johnson) to take a 1 run lead. In the top of the 7th VORP got 2 more when an Edmonds single brought home Nick "the inhuman on base machine" (on base 5 times this game) and Bonds. Meanwhile Jerry continued to go down weekly against the submariner Kim tallying only 2 hits in innings 2 through 6.

In the 7th the VORP brought in flamethrowing reliever K-Rod who allowed 1 hit and 1 walk in his 2 frames of work. VORP added an insurance run off a Jim Edmonds big fly in the 9th. Matt Mantei came in after an inning opening single in the bottom of the 9th to induce Miguel Tejada to hit into a 6-4-3 double play and then a Castillo force out to close the game.

VORP sends ace starter Doc Halliday to the mound in game 5 to try and clinch the series.

2004-03-26T13:03:00.000-08:00

Bret Boone singles in the bottom of the 13th with the bases loaded to win game 1 for VORP. VORP leave 18 men stranded before finally coming through.

In the second game Jerry's Kids quickly knocked Esteban Loaiza around for 10 hits and 6 runs in 4.2 innings to even the series at a game apiece.

In game 3, VORP struck first on a 2 run Barry Bonds blast. However the Kids once again took it to the VORP starting pitcher, knocking out Vazquez in 3 and 2/3rds innings reaching him for 7 hits, 4 walks and 3 runs. Vazquez can credit his defense turning 2 double plays from making his line much worse. The bullpen came to the rescue for VORP with 5.1 innings of scoreless baseball thrown by Mike Timlin and maligned Eddie Guardado. VORP came back from a 3-2 deficit with 2 runs in the 6th on a Trot Nixon bomb and single runs in the 7th and 8th courtesy of a Bond's triple followed by an Edmonds sac fly and a solo shot off the bat of Magglio Ordonez.

VORP send BH Kim to the mound next, opting to pass over starter Mark Mulder after a sub par season. Mulder is available to pitch in long relief should Jerry's Kids continue their tradition of sending Kings of VORP starters to the showers early.

2004-03-26T11:13:00.000-08:00

Post season breathes new life into Bagwell!

After a thoroughly disappointing season in which he struggled to climb over .200 batting, being relegated to a versus left specialist, Jeff Bagwell came through when it counted yesterday. In the second game of the Sounders series against the Bashers, manager Willingham expressed his confidence in the slumping first baseman, by sending him to the plate as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the 12th with a runner on and the game knotted at 4 runs apiece. Bags repaid that confidence by launching a 1-2 fastball off of loser Heredia into the left field bleachers for a 1-out 2-run walk-off homerun.

"It feels great" said Bagwell. "This is the sort of at bat that can make a whole disappointing season dissolve into a distant memory."

Of course it was only the second game of a 7-game series. The Sounders went on to get crushed in the third game of the series by a 14-6 count, and now lead the series two games to one.

2004-03-26T07:49:00.000-08:00

What happens with pitching in the next series? Do us teams that got a bye in the first round benefit by having our opponents rotation out of order or do we just start the series with both teams #1 starter?

2004-03-22T14:32:00.000-08:00

And quite a play-in game it was!

Pueblo Runyans defeating the favored Southend Kitties on the strength of a grand slam in the eighth inning of what had been a pitcher's duel between Greg Maddux and Jason Schmidt.

Maddux left after 6 with a one run lead which was held by Nelson in the 7th. After Schmidt kept the Kitties scoreless in the bottom half of the 7th, Parrish came in a little shaky allowing a walk and a single to the first two batters faced. First baseman Palmeiro then booted a routine grounder off Pudge's bat to allow the Runyans to load the bases with nobody out.

Parrish was kept in the game (after a visit to the mound by Manager Baxter, no doubt), and settled down to strike out the next two batters. But for the error the inning would now be over. In steps Vladimir Guerrero, and launches a 3-2 pitch into the stands for 4 unearned runs, and a 5-2 lead for the Runyans. The Runyans added 3 more runs in the ninth to make the game look far more lopsided than it really was.

2004-03-18T14:14:00.000-08:00

Almost playoff time!

Friday morning is the end of the regular season! I'll start the playoff on Monday with the exciting one-game play-in game between the Runyons and the Kitties. The Kitties will be the home team. I will also play any one-game playoffs due to possible ties between the Sounders, Bashers and Kids. Home field in any of these games will be decided by head-to-head standings. If a tie, then by coin flip. These games will look like regular season games on the stats page. Tuesday I will begin the first round of the Playoffs. The top two teams will get a bye through the first round. Teams will be seeded based on record all through the playoffs. All playoff series will be seven games with a 2-3-2 format. All teams will be rested and go with their number one starters starting the first game. With the rest days you will need to send me your starting pitcher choices for the playoff round. For each seven game series I will play three games on the first day and then go one game at a time until the end of the series.

Let me know if you have any questions.

2004-03-18T10:32:00.000-08:00

Puljols Hits for the Cycle!

A belated congratulation to Albert Pujols of the Sounders who hit for the cycle on June, 20th.

2004-03-18T09:51:00.000-08:00

Pythagorean update the day before the last two series of the regular season:

Team      W    L    RS     RA   Pct   Exp Exp W Exp L   DIF  RSvAve  RAvAve RSvAve/G RAvAve/G

VOR      95   64   927    792 0.597 0.578 91.91 67.09  3.09 112.571 -22.429   0.708    -0.141

BAB      84   72   890    790 0.538 0.559 87.25 68.75 -3.25  75.571 -24.429   0.484    -0.157

WES      90   64   907    807 0.584 0.558 85.95 68.05  4.05  92.571  -7.429   0.601    -0.048

JER      83   73   913    830 0.532 0.548 85.41 70.59 -2.41  98.571  15.571   0.632     0.100

BOB      76   80   668    759 0.487 0.436 68.09 87.91  7.91 -146.42 -55.429  -0.939    -0.355

KIT      66   90   738    854 0.423 0.428 66.69 89.31 -0.69 -76.429  39.571  -0.490     0.254

PUB      55  101   658    869 0.353 0.364 56.85 99.15 -1.85 -156.42  54.571  -1.003     0.350

                814.43 814.43

2004-03-18T08:14:00.000-08:00

VORP clinches regular season title. League ends up almost exactly as run differential would have suggested.

2004-03-15T08:24:00.000-08:00

Halladay wins his 20th. He leads the league with 12 complete games.

The VORP decide to kick it into high gear against the September callups. We seem to be slowly working our way out of the total inability to hit left handed pitching thanks to Phil Nevin finally deciding to hit. Our run differential has spiked dramatically since I publicly flogged the team's season long battle with a .500 record in the press. I guess that senior leadership finally decided to assert itself :-)

2004-03-15T07:34:00.000-08:00

Success against Jerrys Kids is not a good litmus test for success overall. Through Friday's games this is how teams stack up against the Kids:


Southend Kitties    11-10

Pueblo Runyans      12-12

Kings of Vorp       12-12

Bobble Heads        11-13

Western Sounders    10-14

Bainbridge Bashers   9-15

2004-03-12T12:56:00.000-08:00

Halladay goes 10 innings for the win.

Back to back to back 9th inning home runs (2 pinch hit) propel VORP to victory.

VORP disregard managers appeal to rest for playoffs and close to 1/2 game of league leading Sounders.

2004-03-11T16:57:00.000-08:00

TRANSACTION:

The Bobble Heads release Jason Isringhausen and acquire free agent Raul Mondesi.

2004-03-11T13:36:00.000-08:00

The once mighty Vorp have been in a tailspin since about 50 games into the season. We started out with a run differential of around 80 and haven't moved off that spot in around 100 games. We're like the Mariners of 98. One good streak and then .500 ball for the rest of the year.

Frankly I'm mystified at our inability to win more games. I thought my pitching staff would be better. We've allowed almost 35 more runs than the Bashers and Sounders. Mulder's numbers are as far off the expected charts for pitching as A-rod's are for hitting. Loiza and Guardado's numbers are also way off what I expected. I'd love to see the league run 100 more times to see the expected outcomes.

We can't even blame our record in 1 run games any more.

The VORP have decided to pace themselves during September and prepare for the playoffs. Our only trade proposal was met with silence.

BTW If anyone thinks Lopez deserves the MVP over Bonds they're crazy :-)

Bonds leads the league in OBP, SLG, Runs, total bases, OPS, total average, secondary average and Walks
2nd in Average, hits, Home runs, extra base hits
3rd in RBI

You can also throw in the fact that he's played in every game, graciously granted interviews to any interested parties and donated all his salary to medical research.
:-)

2004-03-11T10:30:00.000-08:00

Here's the latest Pythagorean chart - what has happened to the once mighty VORP???

Team      W    L    RS    RA   Pct   Exp Exp W Exp L   DIF  RSvAve  RAvAve RSvAve/G RAvAve/G

WES      81   57   786   677 0.587 0.574 79.22 58.78  1.78  78.000 -31.000    0.565   -0.225

BAB      73   62   776   675 0.541 0.569 76.85 58.15 -3.85  68.000 -33.000    0.504   -0.244

VOR      78   60   793   708 0.565 0.556 76.79 61.21  1.21  85.000   0.000    0.616    0.000

JER      73   62   800   719 0.541 0.553 74.68 60.32 -1.68  92.000  11.000    0.681    0.081

BOB      67   68   581   649 0.496 0.445 60.06 74.94  6.94 -127.00 -59.000   -0.941   -0.437

KIT      58   80   647   756 0.420 0.423 58.34 79.66 -0.34 -61.000  48.000   -0.442    0.348

PUB      47   88   573   772 0.348 0.355 47.95 87.05 -0.95 -135.00  64.000   -1.000    0.474

                   708   708

2004-03-09T14:34:00.000-08:00

There's no denying that Bonds has the strongest offensive numbers of the season from a Baseball Prospectus type perspective. If the season ended today, however, I think Lopez would probably get the most votes from the baseball traditionalists who value RBI and homers highly, and would point out that Bonds isn't on top in any of the big 3. Never mind that Lopez is well off the pace in average and OBP, he's leading in two of the triple crown categories. Also his team is on top, and he's a huge part of that - plus he's a catcher. By any measure, though, I think it's a race between those two.

2004-03-09T13:52:00.000-08:00

MVP has to be Bonds....

What's amazing is that the VORP continues to let the other teams stay close despite having 3 or 4 league leaders in almost every major hitting category. I have three guys with OBP over 400 and a 3rd at .384. My platoons, for the most part have failed to work out well from the right hand side of the plate, yet I'm actually 21-13 vs. left hand pitchers. I really can't figure this game out ( I mean baseball, not diamond mind).

Cy Young should be Pedro but Acevedo has some great secondary numbers. He's just not getting any run support from the Sounders.

2004-03-09T12:18:00.000-08:00

Right after the regular season ends I'll send out MVP and CY Young ballots. Should be interesting.

2004-03-09T11:14:00.000-08:00

With 36 games to go quite a few offensive categories have already been locked up for the season. I think Mora pretty much had a lock on Hit By Pitch by mid-season, but that's not the only one that's been pretty certain for a while.

Not yet certain is the Batting title, though Koskie probably has an 85% chance at it. It will be someone from VORP for sure though, with Bonds and Edmonds the only reasonable contenders.

The Home Run title is also not yet locked, though Lopez is getting pretty close. He could go cold and Bonds get hot, though, so I'm not calling that one yet.

Here are the certainties:
Bonds will walk the most. (Anyone surprised?)
Guerrero will walk intentionally the most.
Bonds will take the Runs created & RC/27 'titles'.
Lopez should take the Isolated Power crown, whatever that is.
And, of course, Mora wins the black and blue title, having been hit 25 times (12 is next as of yesterday)

In the almost sure department (~85%) I expect we'll see two more league toppers for Bonds with Runs and Secondary Avg, whatever that is.

Cabrera is in a solid position for thief champ, and Bonds (who is that?) likewise is pretty solid for OPS. I'd give them 70% chances for those.

Any MVP speculation out there?

2004-03-09T11:00:00.000-08:00

Hey, the Runyans own the eleventh inning!

2004-03-05T14:48:00.000-08:00

One more :-)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Number of Runs Scored in Each Inning

Sort: None                    Games: All Games              Park: All Parks

Starting Date: All Dates      Ending Date: All Dates        League: All Leagues



Team             1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9    10   11   12   13   14   

Bashers          74   98   47   50   84   54   70   90   49   4    1    2              

Heads            43   62   50   60   63   66   57   58   31   4    1    2    0    1    

Kids             84   93   90   78   63   47   64   61   46   3    1    1    0    0    

Kitties          60   57   100  63   85   48   47   46   28   3    1                   

Runyons          56   42   55   40   56   47   54   64   55   1    9    3    0    0    

Sounders         94   69   69   87   64   67   76   79   49   4    3    3    0    1    

VORP             112  65   93   68   72   57   80   68   38   4    5    1

2004-03-05T14:39:00.000-08:00

I found an app to search the boxscores for interesting happenings. How about this:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Standing for Teams in Shutouts

Sort: Highest to Lowest       Games: All Games              Park: All Parks

Starting Date: All Dates      Ending Date: All Dates        League: All Leagues



Team             W      L      Pct.   G.B.   

Bashers          11     1      .917   ---    

Sounders         6      3      .667   3.5    

VORP             3      2      .600   4.5    

Kids             4      4      .500   5      

Runyons          3      4      .429   5.5    

Kitties          3      10     .231   8.5    

Heads            2      8      .200   8

2004-03-04T14:17:00.000-08:00

TRANSACTION

The Bobble Heads release RF Jeromy Burnitz and acquire free agent SP Mike Hampton.

2004-03-03T11:33:00.000-08:00

Here's the updated Pythagorean chart:

Team     W    L    RS     RA   Pct   Exp  Exp W Exp L  DIF   RSvAve RAvAve

VOR      61   44   608    516 0.581 0.581 61.04 43.96 -0.04  74.571 -17.429

BAB      55   50   577    501 0.524 0.570 59.87 45.13 -4.87  43.571 -32.429

WES      63   45   596    535 0.583 0.554 59.81 48.19  3.19  62.571   1.571

JER      54   51   568    540 0.514 0.525 55.15 49.85 -1.15  34.571   6.571

BOB      54   51   461    492 0.514 0.468 49.09 55.91  4.91 -72.429 -41.429

KIT      46   59   486    553 0.438 0.436 45.76 59.24  0.24 -47.429  19.571

PUB      36   69   438    597 0.343 0.350 36.74 68.26 -0.74 -95.429  63.571

                533.43 533.43

Note the outliers on the DIF column. The Bashers are playing about 5 games under where they are predicted to be while the Heads are about 5 games over. With the second best run differential and league leading ERA, the Bashers have turned the corner...if only I could beat those Runyons!

2004-03-03T10:32:00.000-08:00

YES! The Bashers take care of business one their swing through the top two teams going 5-1 and outscoring VORP and the Sounders 51-26. The coup de gras was a 10-0 pounding of the Sounders. A special shout out to the Kitties - thanks for Oswalt! Full ERA: 4.91, Bashers only ERA: 2.08.

2004-03-03T10:26:00.000-08:00

I have definitely learned an important lesson...be more careful when entering this important data?...No...Never, ever, let anyone look at the Diamond Mind program :-)

2004-03-02T16:11:00.000-08:00

Well, No wonder my team has sucked. Looks like Mike made a boo boo and gave me Orlando Palmeiro instead of Rafael Palmeiro. Gee, Rafael is a slightly better hitter.

While this does suck, it turns out he was only a pinch hitter anyway. I have to give Mike grief about something:)

2004-03-02T14:44:00.000-08:00

Hey John, when you give that inspirational pre-game shower talk, you might want to avoid calling your players sub-human. Your boys didn't seem to respond to that so well last time. :-)

FWIW, it's not my lefty starters that are giving you fits. When my lefties start you're a perfectly respectable 5-5. It's when my righties start that you're 1-7! Of course 5 of those losses came when Schilling started. It hasn't hurt me that my bye series comes just before my VORP series and I have a 'skip' rotation, meaning you're more often than not facing the top of my rotation. Poor Halladay has had four starts against the Sounders and all 4 have ended up as losses, in spite of two of those being quality starts.

Anyway, I'm the one that needs to give my boys a pep talk tonight. We face our toughest foe - those 'Kids' first thing tomorrow, then follow that one with a difficult series against the Bashers.

2004-03-02T14:33:00.000-08:00

I run off a 9-1 streak and pick up exactly zero games on the Sounders. At least new additions Nick Johnson and B-H Kim are playing well.

2004-03-01T15:06:00.000-08:00

I'm freaking 6-12 against Walker and have a winning record against everyone else. Time for an inspirational shower talk before the next game against the Sounders.

Lets hope Guardado pitches better for the M's than he has for the VORP. In 18.1 innings he's given up 29 hits...

2004-03-01T13:43:00.001-08:00

Yeah, Yeah, Even with an ERA like that I'm still ahead of you.

2004-03-01T13:43:00.000-08:00

Yeah, Yeah, Even with that kind of an ERA I'm still ahead of you.

2004-03-01T10:46:00.000-08:00

Hey Bobble Heads...nice pickup

Heads                            INN  H  R ER BB  K PCH STR   BF HR IW HP WP DP   ERA

Isringhausen                     1.1  2  5  5  3  1  40  19    9  1  1  0  0  0 33.75

2004-02-27T12:48:00.000-08:00

The VORP is less than human against lefties. If you stock up on lefties you will beat the VORP. I'm hitting a mendoza like .234 against left handed pitching....and now my starting rotation has decided to dive into the dumpster. This has forced me to make a few changes.....Jim Thome - hit the bench, welcome Mr. Nick Johnson. Bj Ryan - see ya, Randy Johnson - buh bye, Mark Redman - get some pine blisters and say hello to Ryan Wagner and Byun-hyun Kim.

These moves aren't going to help me hit lefty pitching but I'm scouring the wires and looking to make trades. VORP management will not accept going 3-7 over a 10 game span.

2004-02-26T09:48:00.000-08:00

Just past the half-way point, here's the Pythagorean update:

Team     W    L    RS     RA   Pct   Exp  Exp W Exp L   DIF  RSvAve RAvAve

VOR      50   36   491    407 0.581 0.593 50.97 35.03 -0.97  70.286 -13.714

JER      45   39   444    408 0.536 0.542 45.54 38.46 -0.54  23.286 -12.714

WES      48   38   455    422 0.558 0.538 46.23 39.77  1.77  34.286   1.286

BAB      42   42   424    400 0.500 0.529 44.44 39.56 -2.44   3.286 -20.714

BOB      45   39   363    358 0.536 0.507 42.58 41.42  2.42 -57.714 -62.714

KIT      41   45   429    443 0.477 0.484 41.62 44.38 -0.62   8.286  22.286

PUB      26   58   339    507 0.310 0.309 25.95 58.05  0.05 -81.714  86.286

                420.71 420.71

Since the last update indeed my offence has improved. I am now running slightly above league average in scoring. And I'm still second in the league in stopping runs. And how have these improvements been reflected in the standings? I'VE FALLEN 5.5 GAMES BEHIND!! My 9-13 record in one run games is most of the problem. I've really getting tired of it! I'm looking to see my improvements continue and start winning some close ones. Don't count me out yet!

2004-02-25T16:37:00.000-08:00

Be carefull...I just might take you up on that server crash :-)

2004-02-25T11:31:00.000-08:00

The KoV may be a fearsome machine, but I suspect that their manager in spite of his bluster, is more fearful than he lets on about a likely post-season championship series against the surging Sounders. The Sounders have indeed stocked up on left handed starters, and it seems to be the key to exploiting VORP's merely human batting lineup against lefties. Note that to date Western has a commanding 10-5 record against VORP - the only team with a winning record against them. Manager Willingham smiles in his knowledge that he doesn't even need to capture the regular season crown to win the post-season battle. His biggest challenge may be in winning the first round of the post-season.

2004-02-25T09:38:00.000-08:00

The tying run (a pinch runner to boot) gets thrown out at the plate !!!!

Jersey vs VORP

2004-02-24T16:08:00.000-08:00

I'm seeing a lot of desperate moves going on trying to stem the tide known as the VORP. Go ahead, drop your underperforming 3rd basemen, stock up on left handed starters, fiddle with your lineups and bullpen, crash the server prior to the playoffs. The Kings of VORP will not be denied. This is a warning to all.......

2004-02-23T12:04:00.000-08:00

I go away for some much needed PTO and come back to find I've been compared to George Steinbrenner. That cuts me to the quick. The VORP were 1 game behind when I left and now sport a 5 game lead on the rest of FSBL. The big three of Halladay, Vazquez and Loaiza continue to come through. The bullpen is starting to come on track with Steady Eddie, Blue Collar Joe and K-Rod slamming the door. My 3.23 K/BB ratio is my biggest pitching asset.

Offensively my team crushes righties with a line of .291/ .369 / .518 all this without Bonds putting up strat-o-matic numbers. Against lefties I'm very mortal but I hope that some of my designated lefty crushers will come around (hello Nevin, Ensberg and Wilson).

My surprise player has been Cory Koskie who is sporting a 359/457/544 line. Whoa Nelly....

2004-02-20T09:01:00.000-08:00

Webb throws a complete game, 5 hit shutout against the Sounders. Who cares! I got swept by VORP so pretty much everything sucks right now. Who do I hate more, VORP or my insanely underachieving 1st and 3rd round picks? Tough call right now. HEY CLOWNS...START EARNING YOUR MONEY...HIT THE DAMN BALL EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE!!!!!!

2004-02-18T09:35:00.000-08:00

What a game! The May 31 tilt between the Bashers and Bobble Heads was a classic pitching duel with both starters going the whole way.

Heads                            INN  H  R ER BB  K PCH STR   BF HR IW HP WP DP   ERA

Zambrano         L 2-4           8.0  4  1  0  2  6 111  68   28  0  0  1  0  3  5.87

Bashers   

Contreras        W 3-2           9.0  1  0  0  2  3 101  64   29  0  0  2  0  1  3.82

Contraras ends up with a complete game shutout and a Game Score of 86.

The only run scored in the Bashers 4th. A-Rod (BOO in real life!!) lead off with a single and Manny (BOO in sim life!!) struck out (of course). Up came Sheffield and the fun started. Alex was stealing second and Heads second sacker Jeff Kent threw the ball away! Alex ended up at third which set up Shef's ground out RBI which was all the scoring.

Good times!

2004-02-18T08:01:00.000-08:00

Here are some stats from our league so far now that we've eached played 8 games vs each other:


Team                       OPS    OPSvR  OPSvL 

Kings of VORP              0.852  0.873  0.776 

Jerrys Kids                0.819  0.811  0.835 

Southend Kitties           0.819  0.804  0.853 

Western Sounders           0.800  0.789  0.831 

Bainbridge Bashers         0.777  0.761  0.834 

Bobble Heads               0.727  0.709  0.789 

Pueblo Runyons             0.691  0.686  0.708

Since I valued OPS over any other stats during the draft, I was curious how I measured up in that stat. I was aware during the latter stages of the draft that I was much stronger against lefties than against righties. Seems that Metz' creation of the superior vs. R lineup is paying off handsomely.

In picking pitchers I valued WHIP (walks + hits/innings pitched) the most, followed by OPS against and ERA. There was no easy way to derive OPS against from the stats available on the FSBL site, but WHIP was easy enough. It looks like my attention to WHIP is evident, but I'm allowing too many runs in spite of it. What WHIP doesn't include is extra base hits - especially home runs - allowed, so it looks like the long ball is really hurting me. In fact I was tied for last in HR/9.


Team                       ERA    WHIP   HR/9

Kings of VORP              4.19   1.28   1.6

Bobble Heads               4.40   1.37   1.4

Southend Kitties           4.62   1.39   1.6

Bainbridge Bashers         4.63   1.40   1.4

Jerrys Kids                4.73   1.42   1.2

Western Sounders           4.75   1.29   1.7

Pueblo Runyons             5.56   1.51   1.7

2004-02-16T14:44:00.000-08:00

Oh yeah! I forgot to brag.

Western is the only team so far not to have been shutout.

2004-02-16T14:25:00.000-08:00

-- Pitching Performances --
With the absence of the summary reports, it's easier to miss outstanding pitching performances.
OK, even with the reports, they were easy enough to miss if you weren't paying attention.

Only 2 complete game shutouts so far this season.

Pedro managed one on opening day allowing 5 hits, while one of my household name starters, and 25th pick, Eric Dubose accomplished the feat on April 14th, allowing 4 hits.

There have been 10 other shutouts accomplished by multiple pitchers. I doubt any were no-hitters, though I'm not sure if these managers would stand by the general principle of not pulling a starter with a no-hitter in tact.

One of my shutouts was a 2-hit job - May/Foulke on May 6.

There have been 16 other (aside from the 2 CG SOs) complete games.

So there have been lots of other candidates from which to look for low-hit games. I only checked out Western's games.

One gem that doesn't fall into any of the previous categories was a 1-hit game accomplished by Acevedo/Foulke on April 16 in a 2-1 victory over the Bashers. It was quite a pitchers' duel, with Bainbridge utilizing 3 pitchers but only allowing 3 hits. So for both teams that was 5 pitchers, 4 hits, and 3 runs. There's something you won't see too often.

As the season moves along, please share if you notice any 0-, 1-, or 2- hitters; otherwise we may not notice.
Thanks,
Walker

2004-02-16T10:59:00.000-08:00

Hey, hey! The "slump brothers" come through in a shutout against the hated VORP! I mean really, now that they're in first place, lets all admit that VORP is evil and that their owner, John "Steinbrenner" Metzger, is a plague on the game.

2004-02-13T14:29:00.000-08:00

I just threw up in my mouth. Here is Manny's line for the last 10 games:

.190 .244 .214

Oh my! At least Alex is coming around:

.262 .311 .595

Yes, my starter's are getting lit up but the problem is the offense...Manny makes how much a year???

2004-02-12T11:08:00.000-08:00

For you stat freaks out there, I'll post this every so often. Yes I know I should be in last place...oh sorry, sometimes I forget that the Runyons are in the league.

Team     W    L    RS    RA   Pct   Exp Exp W Exp L  DIF RSvAve RAvAve

VOR      19   14   185   134 0.576 0.656 21.64 11.36-2.64 23.143-27.857

JER      20   13   179   153 0.606 0.578 19.07 13.93 0.93 17.143 -8.857

WES      17   16   175   163 0.515 0.535 17.67 15.33-0.67 13.143  1.143

KIT      16   17   171   171 0.485 0.500 16.50 16.50-0.50  9.143  9.143

BOB      15   18   145   149 0.455 0.486 16.05 16.95-1.05-16.857-12.857

BAB      16   14   149   157 0.533 0.474 14.22 15.78 1.78-12.857 -4.857

PUB      11   22   129   206 0.333 0.282  9.30 23.70 1.70-32.857 44.143

                161.86161.86

My offense can only go up, right? I mean Alex and Manny can't keep this up forever!

2004-02-12T09:18:00.000-08:00

Mike must not be running the games this morning, cuz he's scared he's gonna fall below .500. Where'd he get that shortstop, anyway? AA ball?

Bobble Heads on a 5 game winning streak! Must be a pitching and defense story. Or is it just dumb luck? Let's hear some trash talking, Russell.

If games ended after 7 innings VORP would be 20-4-4. Glad this isn't little league!

2004-02-11T11:47:00.000-08:00

The VORP leap into a tie for first place with 2, two game sweeps last night. Newly promoted closer, Joe Borowski got the evening started off well by pitching 1.1 scoreless innings in a non save situation. Apparently this display of leadership was contagious as the VORP bullpen pitched 3.1 more scoreless innings over the next 3 games. While the bullpen pitched well the VORP starting pitching is really the story. In the 4 games VORP starters went 30.2 innings giving up only 5 earned runs. It was especially sweet to sweep the Bashers scoring 14 runs and allowing only 2.

The VORP manager credits both his lineup shuffle and recent bullpen changes for inspiring his team. "I can't play the games for them on the field. The most I can do is put them in a position to succeed.", mumbled manager and GM John Metzger as he booted up his laptop. "What I really need to do is solve my black hole problem at 1st base." With that Metzger opened up his cell phone and placed a call to the agent for Andres Gallaraga.

2004-02-11T11:43:00.000-08:00

OK, I need everyone to be very clear on this. I clearly and definitely drafted the best team, there really should be no dispute. This simulation program is a piece of crap...I mean Alex Rodrigez .186 .248 .314 after the first month. That just does not happen. I WILL be going back to Strat-O-Matic next year...Oh wait, I drafted the best team last year too and I finished 10 games behind...Damn You, computer dice (fist shaking with Jon Stewart voice).

2004-02-10T11:19:00.000-08:00

You got that right, A-Rod and Manny, the famous trade partners, are really stinking up the place right now. Marcus Giles has been getting on base for Sheffield and that's the only thing keeping me going.

I just ran out of patience with my closer as well and I promoted Julio Mateo from your third place Seattle Mariners.

Hey, what kind of performance enhancing drugs are being passed around Jerry's clubhouse...I need some of those. His 5-1 record in one run games must mean he did a good job of draft for veteran leadership and team chemistry.

2004-02-10T10:32:00.000-08:00

The VORP's vaunted multiheaded hydra, AKA closer by committee continues to blow chunks as they cough up another two games with blown saves. This has lead to Matt Mantei being replaced by Joe Borowski in the right handed closer role. This may shake some fear into Eddie Guardado and inspire him to get the job done. Despite leading the league in runs scored and being 2nd in runs allowed the VORP are perched at .500 and tied for 4th place. Oh well, at least I don't have the disappointing Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez on my team:-)

2004-02-09T14:14:00.000-08:00

I just swapped Randy Johnson out of the VORP starting rotation in favor of Redman. Johnson pitched for the VORP exactly as his 2003 stats indicated (badly).

2004-02-09T14:09:00.000-08:00

Beckett is worth a pickup by some team (just not mine). The VORP needs more quality relief. Despite leading the league in both ERA and Runs scored we are an enemic 10-8. I have faith that the numbers will eventually turn into wins. I'm not going to panic for at least another 20 games.

2004-02-09T13:40:00.000-08:00

WOW! Russell makes Steinbrenner look like the picture of calm. World Series winning starter Josh Beckett is release after 4 starts. His 9.53 ERA was just to much to take!

I'm glad I don't work for him!

2004-02-09T09:34:00.000-08:00

Mike wrote:
Anyway, I predict Zito gets knocked around again in game one while the Bashers come back and win the next two to take the series (score for game 3: 9-7).

Hey, I think it's time for an investigative commission. Mike called that way too close! ;-) Actually Zito didn't get knocked around but lost a pitcher's duel. Fine prognosticating, anyway Mike. Just wait for the next series.

2004-02-06T17:57:00.000-08:00

And the trash talking begins from an unexpected source, the normally reserved Walker. Let's take a look at these upcoming Bashers-Sounders tilts.

Bashers and Sounders
Pitching Probables:
4/16:
Bashers: Zito (L) 1-0 6.55
Sounders: Acevedo (R) 2-0 4.50

4/17:
Bashers: Hernandez (R) 1-1 3.71
Sounders: Schilling (R) 3-0 3.18

4/18:
Bashers: Sabathia (L) 1-1 9.82
Sounders: May (L) 0-2 7.64

Well, now that I write it out I don't really know how much trash talking I can do. Game two should be a good pitching match up while game 3 looks to be a major slug-fest. Sabathia needs to get his act together quickly after allowing 8 runs while recording only two out in the blowout loss to arch rival VORP (you know how the Bashers' fans are - winning the world series would be nice but beating VORP (ne stale cheetos) is really all that matters). Anyway, I predict Zito gets knocked around again in game one while the Bashers come back and win the next two to take the series (score for game 3: 9-7).

Sorry, no games over the weekend. It's on my work laptop which I left at work.

2004-02-06T17:43:00.000-08:00

I sure hope some games get played over the weekend, and we don't have to wait until Monday morning for more results. Albert's just getting warmed up now with singles and a smattering of extra base hits after a miserable start, and should be breaking out with some major power soon. Sorry Mike that your boys are probably gonna feel the brunt of it, but them's the breaks. :-)
Walker

2004-02-05T14:48:00.000-08:00

My bullpen appears to be the weak point on the VORP. Two blown saves and couple of blown holds. On the plus side Barry Bonds is hitting .486 with power :-)

2004-02-05T10:26:00.000-08:00

Metz found yet another bug in my boxscore script. The scores for games where a team scores 10 runs or more are wrong. I'll get them fixed today or tomorrow.

2004-02-05T10:18:00.000-08:00

OK, I finally setup the Blog. We can talk on hear in stead of email. Very fun first few games. Some come from behind wins, some ejections. A little bit of everything.