Kareem Nunally Hits Career HRs #500 and 501

Milwaukee, WI - Kareem Nunnally hit career homeruns #500 and 500 in New Britain's 6-1 win over the Milwaukee Beer Swillers. The 33 yr old Nunally becomes only the third player to pass this milestone, and is now second in all-time career homers, following Ernie Broome (582) and Mac Chong (500) after today's game action. At least two other players are expected to reach the 500 career HR milestone this season, Parker McIntyre (492) and John Russ (478).

Nunnally's 500th came in the third inning, a 2-Run shot off of Milwaukee starter
Mateo Guillen. In the top of the 9th, Nunnally hit #501 off of Harold Farley, and came immediately after David Lee's solo shot to CF.

Nunally, a catcher/designated hitter, is in the second year of a 4 yr 48.5 million contract with the New Britain Bombers, having played his first 9 seasons for the Memphis Blues Boys. He was the Season 10 AL MVP, helping New Britain win its first Division Title and first post-season appearance. He is a 6-time All-Star, a 3 time silver slugger, and a 3-time AL MVP and has never been placed on the disabled list. He is a career .306 hitter, and a future hall of famer.

Jorge Perez drives in 11 runs - Mighty Ducks roll over Rollers 21-1 in season opener

Jorge Perez of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks made his major league debut with a bang, going 4-4 and driving in 11 runs against division rival Las Vegas. Perez, the top pick in the Rule 5 draft, had a very strong spring training to earn a starting spot in the team's opening day lineup. Perez hit two homeruns, a 3 R HR in the bottom of the third and a grandslam in the bottom of the 6th. Anaheim scored 11 times in the 6th, and Hector Carrasco (1-0) threw 8 solid innings for the win. Boxscore

Opening Night Season 11 is here!!

Season 11 of World Mathewson got underway with 8 games tonight. Five of the 8 games were dominated by strong pitching, and here are the highlights...

Colorado 8, Los Angeles 0
Robert Howry (1-0) and Sammy Castillo combined for a 2 hit shutout of the LA Diamond Kings. The Colorado offense was powered by four homeruns.

Iowa City 1, Cincinnati 0
In a classic pitching duel, Cookie Ramirez faced off against Cincinnati's newly acquired ace Yogi Cooper. Cooper pitched 7 scoreless innings in a no-decision, while Ramirez pitched 8 shutout in a 1-0 score. The only extrabase hit: a double by pinch-hitter Eugene Maduro off of Earl Jacobsen.

Louisville 2, Richmond 6
Richmond's free agent acquisition, Brett Clark (1-0) gave up 2 solo shots in pitching 7 strong innings against the Turkeys.

Helena 5, Saint Louis 4
Despite strong starting pitching by both teams, the St. Louis bullpen blew a 2 run lead in the bottom of the 9th. Rookie catcher Greg Smith provided some late-inning heroics in hitting a walk-off 2-R homerun to win it for Helena.

Seattle 3, Oakland 1
Seattle's Pascual Roque (and Season 10 AL Rookie of the Year) made his sophomore season debut with a bold statement, throwing a 1-ER complete game in 121 pitches.

Trenton 4, Baltimore 2
The reigning world champions won behind ace Andrew Baxter (1-0) and Kirk Heiserman picked up his first save of the season. 17+ million dollar man Jumbo Syvilla took the loss for the Baltimore Blast.

Milwaukee 8, Cleveland 4
Although this one promised to be a pitching duel between Oscar Martin (1-0) and Louie Gonzalez (0-1), it was all Martin in this one. Cleveland score 4 unearned runs off of the Milwaukee ace. Bruce Marquis picked up a save, while Alexander Goss drew in 4 runs, capped by a 3-run HR.

Memphis 6, Texas 3
Dustan Stoops pitched well enough to win, but got a no decision in a Memphis win that saw HRs by three different of the Blues Boys. Tim Richardson picked up the first save of the season.

YOUTH BRINGS HOPE TO ANAHEIM (by pita323)

The Anaheim Mighty Ducks, known in season 10 as the Colorado Springs Fighting Falcons (yes, the name did need to be shortened), will go into season 11 as a significantly different team - and it's not just the name. Many of the veterans that filled the season 10 roster are gone; in their place is a partial youth movement that brings energy and attitude to this franchise. Analyzing each position gives us a better picture of this team and its outlook:

At the catcher spot are two veterans, Ben Boehringer and Carl Rivera, who last season combined for 29 HRs and 143 RBIs and played very good defense. The veterans anchor a young core, while their defense will help the pitching staff (especially the two youngsters in the rotation) mature. 1B will be manned by 25 year old Joel Richardson and Jeff Williams (who will also see plenty of action in the OF). Richardson is looking to appear in his first full season. He should be able to hit, and hit well, but his defense has a lot to be desired. Williams is coming off a season of 33 HRs and 104 RBIs (.381 OBA). Acquired via trade, 2B will be manned by newcomer Darond Cook who batted .301 (.359 OBA) last season in 156 ABs, after 10 seasons in Omaha. Cook is a former gold glove 2B that provides strong defense down the middle, and should be a consistent hitter as he appears fully recovered from the injury that plagued him last season. 3B is a position where the Ducks are looking for Willie Tatis to show that he still wants this job. Tatis struggled defensively last season after being claimed off waivers from El Paso, but he is looking to rebound. Veteran David Rosa and newcomer Rule 5 prospect Harry Feliz are on the bench to provide added security if Tatis falters again.

SS is a strong position for the Ducks with Angel Candelaria (.403 OBA last season in 467 ABs) as the main man here. BUT, a spot needs to be made for Rule 5 player Jorge Perez (5 HRs in preseason). Between Perez and Candelaria, one of them should see significant time in other infield positions. The OF right now has a platoon of Alex Cooke and Jeff Williams in LF, former gold glove winner Keith Durham (.378 OBA last season) in CF, and end of season 10 acquisition Dennis Chang (28 HRs 90 RBIs and no errors in the OF last season) in RF. The starting rotation is improved since last season, but still needs a few pieces. 24 year old Hector Carrasco (2-2 in 9 starts) and 25 year old Curtis Spence (cup of coffee last season) add youth to a rotation that also includes veterans Dennis Lyons, Louie Guzman & journeyman Gene Edwards (a combined 16-20 lasts season with little help from the defense). The bullpen is filled by veterans, except at the closer position, where Amp Rowand looks to step in as the team's full time closer, after saving 18 last year in the second half of the season.

With youth like Perez, Feliz, Carrasco, Spence & Richardson being added this season, and a lot of deadwood removed since last season, a .500 season is in sight for this franchise on its way to credibility. With a slew of minor league prospects like IF's Sean Hoover, Alfredo Garces & Rafael Soto on their way up within the next couple seasons, more hope is on its way. As long as management continues to upgrade the needs of this franchise, the Mighty Ducks will be here to stay.