- Vic Prieto (SFE) with the second-highest at-bats total, 704.
- Michael Kondou (BUR) sets the mark for grounding into DPs, with 41. Karim Casto (TEX) follows him in second place with 40.
- Donn Kelly (RIC) gets hit by 21 pitches, tying him for third all time.
- Kip Davis (HOU) with the third longest hit streak ever -- 31 games.
- Sammy Gonzales (NY) with 70 home runs, the second highest total ever. Also, his 167 RBI was good for fourth.
- Brandon Rhodes (CHI) struck out 189 times, which is fourth on the list.
- Gene Koehlert (TEX) is second on the triples list, with 14. Fausto Valdivia (ARI) hit 12 three-baggers, for fourth.
- Davey Torres (NY) posted a 1.64 ERA for a new WO record. Julian Santana (POR) had a 2.03 ERA for fourth. He had the fifth-best mark in season six (2.06).
- Torress also posted the fifth-lowest single-season WHIP at 1.01.
- Kyle Merritt (CHA) now has the first, second, fourth and fifth highest innings pitched totals. He slid into second last season with 277.3.
- Merritt also set the single-season pitch mark -- 4,224.
- Merritt also has the fourth-highest strikeout number with 244.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
It's in the Books
Season 7 saw a little history being written. Among the record book revisions from last season...
Friday, October 16, 2009
Better Know an Owner: Me
My intention is to keep the blog updated all season long. One of the ways I want to do this is with some new content. Many of us (well over half) have been here since day one, yet we only know each other by our aliases and team names. So, I offer myself up in the first profile in our new series, Better Know an Owner.If you haven't figured it out already, my name is Jared Paventi. I'm 32 years old, married and I live in my hometown of Syracuse, NY. That's me, off to the right, at a friend's wedding. Thanks to many of those green bottles of Yuengling, I don't remember much about that evening.
I have mentioned all of my jobs in the past as reason for the blog getting neglected. Let me explain. I'm the director of communications and information technology for the Alzheimer's Association, Central New York Chapter, which is my primary job. I'm also an adjunct professor at Bryant & Stratton College's Syracuse campus, where I teach graphic design. And, just because I like to keep things interesting, I'm a contract writer for Demand Media. I'm a graduate of St. Bonaventure University, a small Catholic college in Upstate New York that is best known for producing NBA hall of famer Bob Lanier and for a NCAA basketball scandal in 2003 or 2004. I have a master's from Syracuse University.
When I'm not working or tinkering with my HBD squad, I read, cook, drink overpriced beer and watch a lot of college basketball. I had the opportunity to have a career in sports communications. I worked extensively at both colleges in their athletic departments, with Syracuse University paying for my master's. In the end, I chose to have a stable relationship where I didn't have to move every few years for a new job. And, I have most of my weekends off. So, no regrets there.
I started out by playing Hoops and Grid dynasty. I tried one season of Hardball and walked away. I wanted to get back in and was inline to be part of a first-time owners league. The league's plans fell apart and mark was there to pick us all up with the WO. I had a team Wrigleyville, another mark creation, but gave it up due to time.
If you are on Facebook or Twitter, go ahead and friend me.
Off-Season Trannies
Get it? Off-season TRANNY? Never mind...The off-season brings two types of notable transactions -- retirements and declined mutual options. No one of note retired, but let's take a look at who is on the market this year:
Chief Webster stunk like cheese for Texas last season. Admittedly, I would have bought him out. Nonetheless, he is still an innings-eater at age 35, chewing 179 for me with an almost 3:1 K:BB in season seven. Of course, there was that matter of a 6.08 ERA.
Mel Petersen A two-time Cy Young winer, Petersen is coming off a his second season as Charlotte's closer. He wasn't all that reassuring as the closer last season, blowing eight saves with a .290 OAV and 4.86 ERA. Yet, he still seems serviceable.
Al Ward Corner outfielder Al Ward lost a little pop after his peak 31 HR year in season four. Last year, he hit .329 with a .906 OPS.
Ryan Witt Witt saved 33-of-39 for me last season and I'm disappointed to see him go. He posted a 3.78 ERA and was quite good out of the pen, considering what I'm used to having as a closer.
Mikey Hall Then there is the stange case of Mikey Hall. A 34yo lefty who was a stud for Milwaukee/Chicago for the past few years. He fell out of the Chicago rotation, starting only 13 of his past 89 appearances. Last season, he was 14-4 with two saves, 106 strikeouts and a 2.86 ERA in 126 innings pitched.
Better Know an Owner: The Noobs P.1
A new season brings new faces. In the first installment of our new series, Better Know an Owner, we'll spotlight our new owners who have joined the Wailing Onion.
In the American League
Little Rock Outlaws
sandshark21
A welcome to the world of Hardball Dynasty to the shark. This is his first entry to the game.
Memphis Where My Pitches At?
andersaa
anders takes Tampa Bay and moves to my old digs in Memphis. Enjoy that zero rated park! Anyhow, anders is a member of seven worlds, with five seasons under his belt. He has one division title and two playoff appearances. anders led teams are 414-396. Fun fact...anders is also the owner of the Seattle Beer Farts.
Norfolk Subs
caseroc
caseroc moves the New Britain franchise to warmer climates. He has two seasons and one playoff appearance to his record. His owner record is 170-154. Fun fact...caseroc is the owner of the Indy 500s.
In the National League
Jacksonville Panhandlers
kpmclave
Austin moves to Northeast Florida for season eight under kpmclave's management. The most experienced owner of the new class at 2944-2564, mclave has played 34 seasons of HBD, with 19 playoff appearances. In the post-season, he has 15 division titles and three World Series titles. He's a member of five different worlds. Fun fact...kpmclave is a Bruce Springsteen fan but seemingly hates everything released after The Rising album. It's a sore spot with him.
In the American League
Little Rock Outlaws
sandshark21
A welcome to the world of Hardball Dynasty to the shark. This is his first entry to the game.
Memphis Where My Pitches At?
andersaa
anders takes Tampa Bay and moves to my old digs in Memphis. Enjoy that zero rated park! Anyhow, anders is a member of seven worlds, with five seasons under his belt. He has one division title and two playoff appearances. anders led teams are 414-396. Fun fact...anders is also the owner of the Seattle Beer Farts.
Norfolk Subs
caseroc
caseroc moves the New Britain franchise to warmer climates. He has two seasons and one playoff appearance to his record. His owner record is 170-154. Fun fact...caseroc is the owner of the Indy 500s.
In the National League
Jacksonville Panhandlers
kpmclave
Austin moves to Northeast Florida for season eight under kpmclave's management. The most experienced owner of the new class at 2944-2564, mclave has played 34 seasons of HBD, with 19 playoff appearances. In the post-season, he has 15 division titles and three World Series titles. He's a member of five different worlds. Fun fact...kpmclave is a Bruce Springsteen fan but seemingly hates everything released after The Rising album. It's a sore spot with him.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Draft Recap
1.
The Arizona native is projecting high in all of the major pitching categories. Apparently a former participant at the Fernando Valenzuela Pitching camp -- his No. 2 pitch is a screwball.
2.
The Texas franchise went middle infielder for the fourth consecutive draft. Ownership is impressed at his offensive projections. His defensive numbers look to be more third base than shortstop.
3.
St. Louis goes Canuck at No. 3, drafting the first lefty. This kid is all power, mixing a four-seamer and slider.
4.
Terry Brown brings his cheezy mustache from Lincoln to Rochester. Brown is all finesse, working a forkball, curve, slider and changeup. Snow management is high on this kid. He got slot cash and is already at AA.
5.
L.A. took the hometown kid. Truman goes from the O.C. to L.A. where he will one day patrol the spacious centerfield at Chavez Ravine. Probably the most intriguing hitter in the draft with high projections in contact, power and eye, although he looks more Johnny Damon-esque than anything with the glove.
6.
The pride of Cuba (Missouri) is an undersized, well-rounded shortstop. Still wondering how a 5-8/163 shortstop has a 70+ power projection. That's going to be one hell of a growth spurt.
7. Gregory Banks.
No graphic because spanky here hasn't signed. He's looking for slot cash from Santa Fe, so we'll see what happens. Although, I think I know the problem. Banks is a junior at Syracuse University. SU dropped baseball in the 60s. This kid is a fraud.
8.
Gonzales is a hit and run centerfielder. He projects 90+ in contact and is a high 90s speedster.
9.
Abdul Lee is a hardthrowing pitcher from Maine. Pretty cut and dry case here. A little worried about his pitch diversity, but if he can make that fastball work for him, he'll be fine.
10.
The 18-year-old has a great pitching repertoire, mixing a fastball, curve, slider, change up and knuckleball. I'm a big fan of pitch diversity, especially when it comes with 90+ control and velocity.
11.
Benitez is a) A lefty, 2) With 95+ projected control, 3) his No. 1 pitch is a palmball. This is my kind of pitcher.
12.
So, it should be noted that the first 14 picks were either pitchers, shortstops or centerfielders. Owen is a nice defense/contact hitter. You'd like to see someone a little faster to make up for the lack of power, but then again, I would have liked to see the Yankees win today.
**
At this point, we have a little bit of turbulence. Picks 13-15 remain unsigned -- Burlington's CF pick is looking at offers for pro football, Houston's pitcher wants slot money and Austin's rightfielder is considering a DI baseball ride.
This year's million-dollar bonus break comes at Pick 34. Colorado Springs' Harry Kolb agreed to a $960K bonus. Pick 33 went to Portland, who is still haggling out a contract, while Pick 32 got $1.1m from Charlotte.
**
This year's Mr. Irrelevant remains unsigned. Ham Holmes went at No. 821. The Clayton, NY native (Hey...I've been drunk in Clayton, NY before) is a lefty reliever with a projected overall rating in the 30s. Holmes has projections in the 70s for control, 80s for velocity, but the 20s for his splits. Of course, he might not sign. This stud will only go if the deal is right...he has been offered several scholarships to play DI. Sure. He's probably going to Syracuse.
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The Arizona native is projecting high in all of the major pitching categories. Apparently a former participant at the Fernando Valenzuela Pitching camp -- his No. 2 pitch is a screwball.
2.
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The Texas franchise went middle infielder for the fourth consecutive draft. Ownership is impressed at his offensive projections. His defensive numbers look to be more third base than shortstop.
3.
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St. Louis goes Canuck at No. 3, drafting the first lefty. This kid is all power, mixing a four-seamer and slider.
4.
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Terry Brown brings his cheezy mustache from Lincoln to Rochester. Brown is all finesse, working a forkball, curve, slider and changeup. Snow management is high on this kid. He got slot cash and is already at AA.
5.
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L.A. took the hometown kid. Truman goes from the O.C. to L.A. where he will one day patrol the spacious centerfield at Chavez Ravine. Probably the most intriguing hitter in the draft with high projections in contact, power and eye, although he looks more Johnny Damon-esque than anything with the glove.
6.
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The pride of Cuba (Missouri) is an undersized, well-rounded shortstop. Still wondering how a 5-8/163 shortstop has a 70+ power projection. That's going to be one hell of a growth spurt.
7. Gregory Banks.
No graphic because spanky here hasn't signed. He's looking for slot cash from Santa Fe, so we'll see what happens. Although, I think I know the problem. Banks is a junior at Syracuse University. SU dropped baseball in the 60s. This kid is a fraud.
8.
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Gonzales is a hit and run centerfielder. He projects 90+ in contact and is a high 90s speedster.
9.
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Abdul Lee is a hardthrowing pitcher from Maine. Pretty cut and dry case here. A little worried about his pitch diversity, but if he can make that fastball work for him, he'll be fine.
10.
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The 18-year-old has a great pitching repertoire, mixing a fastball, curve, slider, change up and knuckleball. I'm a big fan of pitch diversity, especially when it comes with 90+ control and velocity.
11.
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Benitez is a) A lefty, 2) With 95+ projected control, 3) his No. 1 pitch is a palmball. This is my kind of pitcher.
12.
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So, it should be noted that the first 14 picks were either pitchers, shortstops or centerfielders. Owen is a nice defense/contact hitter. You'd like to see someone a little faster to make up for the lack of power, but then again, I would have liked to see the Yankees win today.
**
At this point, we have a little bit of turbulence. Picks 13-15 remain unsigned -- Burlington's CF pick is looking at offers for pro football, Houston's pitcher wants slot money and Austin's rightfielder is considering a DI baseball ride.
This year's million-dollar bonus break comes at Pick 34. Colorado Springs' Harry Kolb agreed to a $960K bonus. Pick 33 went to Portland, who is still haggling out a contract, while Pick 32 got $1.1m from Charlotte.
**
This year's Mr. Irrelevant remains unsigned. Ham Holmes went at No. 821. The Clayton, NY native (Hey...I've been drunk in Clayton, NY before) is a lefty reliever with a projected overall rating in the 30s. Holmes has projections in the 70s for control, 80s for velocity, but the 20s for his splits. Of course, he might not sign. This stud will only go if the deal is right...he has been offered several scholarships to play DI. Sure. He's probably going to Syracuse.
Diamond Notes Trois
News from around The Onion
- Texas brought back Gary Gruber for a second hurrah in season 7. Gruber, a clubhouse leader, was a victim of the franchise's fire sale in S.5. The aging centerfielder tore his hamstring and is on the DL for the rest of the season. In response, the Texans went out and snagged Gene Koehlert from D.C. for a minor leaguer. Koehlert has two hits in eight at-bats since being installed at the top of the Texas lineup.
- Philadelphia is actively shopping Willie Campos, who nearly ended up in Texas. Phila is seeking a pair of prospects in return.
- Chris Wells has no idea why Kansas City shipped him to Charlotte for a minor-league pitcher. Management, however, does. A sure-handed pitch caller, Wells is a sub.-200 batter this year. A reliable power hitter averaging 25 dingers over each of the past four seasons, Wells has no home runs through 40 games.
- The Royals aren't done dealing. Ricardo Sojo and Tyler Osbourne are both being actively shopped.
- League sources report that Seattle is already closing the books on S.7. Management is preparing to hear offers on stud hurler Louis Paul and two-time All-Star Mark Chen. The Nightmare is looking at a top to bottom rebuild of the organization and is looking for high projecting prospects.
- Santa Fe is also looking to deal, with Vern Dunwoody still on the table. The 31-year-old picked up his first win in four starts on Wednesday, working 7 innings and throwing 78 pitches against New Britain. Ned Maurer, Frank Thome and Abdul White are also available.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Diamond Notes Deux
More news from the Wailing Onion...
- The Chechakos are off to a screaming hot start in the AL East. New York has a 8.5 game lead with 49 games played. The secret? Owner madmuldoon has taken a page from the film Major League. Chechako is Chinook jargon for newcomer, specifically a newcomer to Alaska. So, muldoon has put a cardboard cutout of former Gov. Sarah Palin in the locker room. With every win, the standup loses a bit of her mavericky outfit.
-Trent Milligan has jumped out of the gate as the NL's Cy Young leader. In 10 starts, he has posted some sick numbers -- 5-0, 53K, 19 BB, 1.04 WHIP, .212 OAV and a 1.49 ERA. Milligan attributes a winter training program in his hometown of Saranac, N.Y. The program consisted of shoveling his parents' driveway twice daily, adding to his stamina and upper body strength. (Saranac is about 100 miles away from my home base in Syracuse and got about 300 inches of snow last winter.)
-With Richard Takada in Buffalo, Philadelphia is experiencing a bit of a power outage. This has management talking trade. The bait being dangled? Cozy Thomas.
-Texas management is looking for a pitcher to fill the role vacated by Glendon Mercedes, who has been banished to the bullpen.
-Kansas City is looking for starters, relievers and power hitters. Operatives in the midwest hear that Royals management will toss in cases of KC Masterpiece as part of any trade.
-Peeing in a cup soon will be Javier Gardel. 25 homers in 177 AB = a ratio of one jack per 7 trips to the plate.
-On the flip side, Nerio Turner has 9 home runs.
-Draft night is August 25. Look for shortstops to dominate the Top 10. Lord knows there aren't any flippin' pitchers worth a look.
- The Chechakos are off to a screaming hot start in the AL East. New York has a 8.5 game lead with 49 games played. The secret? Owner madmuldoon has taken a page from the film Major League. Chechako is Chinook jargon for newcomer, specifically a newcomer to Alaska. So, muldoon has put a cardboard cutout of former Gov. Sarah Palin in the locker room. With every win, the standup loses a bit of her mavericky outfit.
-Trent Milligan has jumped out of the gate as the NL's Cy Young leader. In 10 starts, he has posted some sick numbers -- 5-0, 53K, 19 BB, 1.04 WHIP, .212 OAV and a 1.49 ERA. Milligan attributes a winter training program in his hometown of Saranac, N.Y. The program consisted of shoveling his parents' driveway twice daily, adding to his stamina and upper body strength. (Saranac is about 100 miles away from my home base in Syracuse and got about 300 inches of snow last winter.)
-With Richard Takada in Buffalo, Philadelphia is experiencing a bit of a power outage. This has management talking trade. The bait being dangled? Cozy Thomas.
-Texas management is looking for a pitcher to fill the role vacated by Glendon Mercedes, who has been banished to the bullpen.
-Kansas City is looking for starters, relievers and power hitters. Operatives in the midwest hear that Royals management will toss in cases of KC Masterpiece as part of any trade.
-Peeing in a cup soon will be Javier Gardel. 25 homers in 177 AB = a ratio of one jack per 7 trips to the plate.
-On the flip side, Nerio Turner has 9 home runs.
-Draft night is August 25. Look for shortstops to dominate the Top 10. Lord knows there aren't any flippin' pitchers worth a look.
Diamond Notes
Peter Gammons is one of my heroes. As a kid, I would my father take me to the newsstand, so I could buy a copy of the Sunday Boston Globe and read his Diamond Notes column. Sadly, since he's gone all ESPN, all the time his rumors have become less true and more ESPN-ized. In that tradition of overanalyzing and getting it somewhat right, here's what's happening:
-Brett Favre is not signing with any Wailing Onions squads. Apparently, madmuldoon had made an offer competitive with the Minnesota Vikings, but apparently league rules got in muldoon's way. Ever since Nerio Turner's first season power surge, commish mark3313 has stepped up testing for PEDs and other illicit substances. And, since bullshit is an illegal substance, he was banned from signing.
-Vern Dunwoody is still on the block. Typically reliable, Dunwoody in mired in an off year -- 1-2, 6.70 ERA, 1.65 WHIP, .930+Opp. OPS. The 31-year-old may lose his rotation slot in Santa Fe and will likely land as the team's top long reliever.
-Rumors from Little Rock put all-world 2B Sammy Carr on the trade block. The S.6 MVP signed a four-year, $8.8m per deal and is due the pro-rata this year and the full tab next season. His power numbers have cooled off, but he's reaching base as a .389 clip.
More later...
-Brett Favre is not signing with any Wailing Onions squads. Apparently, madmuldoon had made an offer competitive with the Minnesota Vikings, but apparently league rules got in muldoon's way. Ever since Nerio Turner's first season power surge, commish mark3313 has stepped up testing for PEDs and other illicit substances. And, since bullshit is an illegal substance, he was banned from signing.
-Vern Dunwoody is still on the block. Typically reliable, Dunwoody in mired in an off year -- 1-2, 6.70 ERA, 1.65 WHIP, .930+Opp. OPS. The 31-year-old may lose his rotation slot in Santa Fe and will likely land as the team's top long reliever.
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-Rumors from Little Rock put all-world 2B Sammy Carr on the trade block. The S.6 MVP signed a four-year, $8.8m per deal and is due the pro-rata this year and the full tab next season. His power numbers have cooled off, but he's reaching base as a .389 clip.
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More later...
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