All Time All Stars thru S52

Player	All Star		Player	All Star
Brad Green	16		Cookie Ramirez	10
Brian Stokes	14		Devon Burns	10
Ugueth Ordonez	13		Don Gonzales	10
Diego Ferrer	12		Don Nakajima	10
Brandon Rigdon	11		Felipe Colon	10
Horacio Vallarta	11		Hector Arroyo	10
			J.P. Osoria	10
			Jimmie DeRojas	10
			Luis Alonso	10
			Parker McIntyre	10
			Talmadge Giles	10

All Stars by Position thru S52

C	Horacio Vallarta	11		DH	Denny Kida	7
	Talmadge Giles	10			7 Players With	2
	Albert Cairo	8
	Danys Rincon	8		LF	Harry Javier	9
					Hod Decker	9
1B	Diego Ferrer	10			Mariano Alfonseca	8
	Parker McIntyre	10
	Darwin Morris	9		CF	Robb Gant	8
					Shea Brooks	8
2B	Julian Sanches	7			Fred Rivers	7
	Mark Starr	7			Joe Strange	7
	Vladimir Valentin	7			Kendry Montanez	7
	Michael Shibata	7
				RF	Ugueth Ordonez	10
3B	Brandon Rigdon	9			Brad Green	9
	John Yashian	7			Devon Burns	9
	Kenshin Zhang	7			Alexander Green	8
	Stan Kensing	7
				P	Brian Stokes	14
SS	J.P. Osoria	9			Cookie Ramirez	10
	Felipe Vega	8			Don Gonzales	10
	Horacio Hernandez	7			Don Nakajima	10
	Howie Martin	7			Felipe Colon	10
	Jake Sherman	7			Hector Arroyo	10
	Walter Friend	7			Jimmie DeRojas	10
					Luis Alonso	10

Owner History through S52

Owner	Seasons	Wins	.PCT	League Champ	WS Champ	Active *
hoyanoel	52	5134	0.609	11	4	*
oddson	52	4684	0.556	5	4	*
sac_lambs	52	4310	0.512	4	3	*
Pelot	52	4244	0.504	3	2	*
69cubs	52	4062	0.481			*
zoobaseball	47	3994	0.525	3	2	*
unitedcenter	47	3797	0.499	1		*
lylediekmann	46	4473	0.600	13	4	*
zinpa	43	3440	0.494	3		*
jpelot	42	3843	0.565	8	5	*
dn1266	37	3126	0.522			*
todzilla	35	2808	0.495	4	2
drejday	34	2946	0.535	2		*
pita323	34	2714	0.493			*
jazzurb	32	2639	0.509	2	2	*
thurmodore	31	2869	0.571	7	4
jmagliaro	31	2871	0.572	3	1
t2bott	31	2543	0.506	3	1
cavone	28	2301	0.507	1
ws2005sox	27	2132	0.487	2	2
mileininger	23	1977	0.531	1
njp226	23	1801	0.483	1
usaflag1776	21	1735	0.510	1	1	*
plymouth71	21	1735	0.510			*
sever22	20	1372	0.423			*
hiloboy21	16	1400	0.540	3	2
mowbs69	16	1361	0.525	1	1
jake72	14	1271	0.560	4	2
wild44	13	1019	0.484	1	1
drewster0	13	898	0.426			*
wolfman19	12	1269	0.653	2	1
mempgrizz	11	1009	0.566	3	3
kneeneighbor	10	892	0.551	1
jonathon2124	8	697	0.538	2	1
bobcat_grad	8	630	0.486	1	1
wolf44	8	720	0.556	1		*
Cruiser1981	8	690	0.532	2		*
BobParr	6	503	0.517			*
ericsomsel	5	379	0.468	1	1
chisox59	5	441	0.544			*
BearNation63	5	399	0.493			*
keltic44	5	352	0.435			*
10feettall	5	327	0.404			*
furniss13	4	380	0.586	1	1	*
pitboss13	4	315	0.486			*
reggiedeal	4	294	0.454	1
calvinhydro	4	274	0.423			*
steinbajl	2	186	0.574	1	1
GC2000	1	126	0.778	1		*
dan2980	1	69	0.426			*
jackr024	1	64	0.395			*

* means active owner

A summary of World Series S27

A game by game recap of the S27 World series and the highlights

Game 1: Burlington Bison 8, Oakland Elephants 10 

In  much anticipated matchup of the each team's best starter, Miguel Pineda faced off against Joaquin Gil. The Bison jumped to an early 5-0 lead on a 3 Run Homerun by Pete DeJean in the top of the 1st and a 2 Run homerun by Brian Ramirez in the 3rd. However, the Elephants scored 7 times in the bottom of the 3rd to take the lead and chase the Bison's Gil.  Both teams kept scoring runs, but the Elephants never gave up the lead and the game ended with Oakland on top 10-8. Hipolito Coronado and Andrew Berra drove 3 runs each for Oakland. Pineda earned the win despite giving up 5 runs in 7 innings.

Game 2: Burlington Bison 1, Oakland Elephants 8

Kiko Simpson pitched a complete game, 1 run game and dominated the Bison allowing only 4 hits. The Elephants scored 8 times, including a 5-5 effort by DH Ralph Marshall. The Elephants jumped to a 2-0 series lead.

Game 3: Oakland 1, Burlington 2

With the series switching to Burlington's spacious park and no DH for the Elephants, starters Bob Willis and Omar Gilbert gave their teams solid efforts. The game would go into extra innings and the Bison won it in the 12th inning on a bloop single by backup infielder Andre Groom. The Bison collected 13 hits.

Game 4:  Oakland 1, Burlington 2

The Bison brought back Joaquin Gill on short rest despite a disappointing game 1 start, and Gil redeemed himself with 6 solid, scoreless innings. The Elephants' Alton Kielty had a solid start. Again, the game went into extra innings. Milton Borland, appearing in relief despite making 33 starts in the regular season, gave up a hit to Tyrone Fasano in the 10th to bring in the winning run.

Game 5: Oakland 3, Burlington 1

Bison starter Torey Lopez made his first appearance of the World Series against Oakland's Miguel Pineda. Both starters pitched 8 solid innings, but Pineda outpitched Lopez and Oakland took the win in the last game in Burlington. Hipolito Coronado provided the Elephant offense with 2 homeruns. 

Game 6: Burlington 2, Oakland 5

The Elephant's Kiko Simpson pitched his second complete game of the World Series. limiting the Bison to 3 hits and striking out 6. Bison starter Bob Willis was chased after 4 innings. Harry Javier and Hipolito Coronado homered for Oakland. 

The Elephants became S27 World Series champions

S26 World Series Returns Burlington to the World Series, this time against New York

The S26 Mathewson World Series featured the Burlington Bison, returning to the World Series after a one year hiatus, facing off against the New York Funbags franchise, whose last World Series appearance was 6 seasons ago.

How they got here...
New York Fun Bags
In a tough American League East Division that saw three teams enter the postseason, the 95-76 New York entered the playoffs as a Wild Card team. The Fun Bags played the first round of the playoffs against the New Britain Bombers. In a tough series that went to a Game 5, New York advanced to face the Oakland Elephants.

As a team with 105 wins, the well rested Elephants came in as a heavy favorite, but New York dispatched them in 4 games. New York moved on to play Pittsburgh in a series that took 6 games before they advanced to the World Series.

Burlington Bison
The Bison, at 84-78 had the second worst record of the teams entering the postseason, edging only with only Wild Card team Helena (82-80) by two wins. The Burlington Bison did get the advantage of winning their division to earn a first round bye and were well rested when they faced Honolulu in the Division Championship Series. Defeating Honolulu in four games, the Bison advanced to the League Championship Series to play the Colorado Crush. After a six game series, the Bison advanced to the World Series

Game 1: Gerardo Cedeno (16-6, 3.22 ERA) vs Bob Willis (12-7, 3.51 ERA), in Burlington
Bison shortstop Gustavo Unamuno got two hits and drove in two runs while Pete DeJean broke a 2 run tie with a bloop single in the 6th inning. Willis pitched 5 solid innings before turning the game to the bullpen.

Player of the Game: Pete DeJean (drove game winning run)

Notable:
Bob Willis -- 5 innings, 1 Earned Run
Gustavo Unamumo - 2 hits in 4 at bats, 2 runs batted in
Pete DeJean -- 1 hit in 4 at bats, drove in the game winning run

Final Score: New York 3, Burlington 4
Burlington took the series lead

Game 2: Kiko Simpson (14-11, 3.17 ERA)  vs Joaquin Gil (13-11, 3.80 ERA), in Burlington
Joe Strange smacked a 3-run homer in the third and the Fun Bags never looked back. Simpson struck out 10 Bison in 7 2/3 to earn the win. Rookie Burke Snyder homered for the Bison.

Player of the Game: Kiko Simpson
Notable:
Joe Strange: 3 Run HR, 2 hits, 2 runs scored


Final Score: New York 5, Burlington 2
New York tied the series 1-1.

Game 3: Roosevelt Greene (11-8, 2.44 ERA) vs Jonathan Poole (3-3, 6.21 ERA), in New York
The 23 yr old Jonathan Poole, who was injured for most of the season, started for the Fun Bags as the series shifted to New York. Poole pitched six effective innings while Joe Strange, Jimmie Biddle and Clem Reese got two hits each and York McNamara drove in two runs. Greene got tagged for 4 earned runs in 3 2/3 innings. For the Bison, David Lee, Brian Ramirez and Adrian Beltre got two untimely hits each in the losing effort.

Player of the Game: Jonathan Poole
Notable: York McNamara, 2 RBI
Joe Strange, Jimmie Biddle and Clem Reese got two hits each

Final Score: Burlington 3, New York 5

New York leads the series 2-1.

Game 4: Gerardo Cedeno (16-6, 3.22 ERA) vs Christy Pearson (8-4, 2.94 ERA), in New York
In a controversial decision, the Bison started rookie Pearson in Game 4 instead of Bob Willis against perennial Cy Young candidate Cedeno. Pearson had been called up and used as a swing man spot starter and reliever during most of the season due to injuries to Bison pitching. Although Willis was the announced starter, Pearson was a game time decision as the pitching coach claimed Willis "wasn't at 100%". A Bison coach was quoted as saying "We had planned on Bob starting, but we also agreed that he'd only go at 100%. He may have been at 94-95%, but that's still not 100% and we chose to give the ball to Christy." Pearson pitched 7 2/3 solid innings to earn the win behind an offense powered by Brian Ramirez' 3 run homer in the 6th. Ramirez and Gustavo Unamuno got 2 hits each.


Player of the Game: Brian Ramirez (2 hits, 3 run HR)
Notable: Gustavo Unamuno, 2 hits, excellent defense
Christy Pearson - 7 2/3, win


Final Score: Burlington 4, New York 3
Burlington evened the series 2-2.


Game 5: Bob Willis (12-7, 3.51 ERA) vs Kiko Simpson (14-11, 3.17 ERA), in New York

Bison pitcher Bob Willis returned after 5 innings in Game 1, and threw 5 scoreless innings to get the win. Brian Ramirez was the offensive sparkplug, driving in 3 runs for the Bison and earning Player of the Game honors. The Bison took advantage of 3 errors by the Fun Bags.

Player of the Game: Brian Ramirez (2 runs, 3 RBI)

Notable: Bob Willis, 5 scoreless innings
Final Score: Burlington 5, New York 3
Burlington took the series lead 3-2.

Game 6: Mariano Gonzalez (12-7, 4.27 ERA) vs Joaquin Gil (13-11, 3.80 ERA), in Burlington

Right handed pitcher Mariano Gonzalez made the first start in the World Series, facing off against Burlington's pitching ace, Gil. Both starters pitched well, but New York edged the Bison 2-1. The winning run came in as part of a double play where the Bison conceded the run but could not subsequently catch up to the Fun Bags. Joe Biddle got two hits for Newe York

Final Score: New York 2, Burlington 1
New York tied the series 3-3.


Game 7: Gerardo Cedeno (16-6, 3.22 ERA) vs Roosevelt Greene (11-8, 2.44 ERA), in Burlington

Game 7 featured the third start by New York's ace, Cedeno, against the Bison's ERA leader. The Bison jumped to an early start with a solo HR by Pete DeJean in the 2nd, and added three more runs in the bottom of the 4th to chase Cedeno, and two more in the bottom of the 7th. Greene pitched 7 solid shutout innings before giving way to the bullpen. Greene also provided some offense with 2 hits and one RBI

Player of the Game: Roosevelt Greene, 7 shutout innings, win; At the plate: 2 hits and 1 RBI

Notable: Pete DeJean, 2 RBI, 1 HIT (HR)
Edgardo Polanco, 2 hits, 2 RBI
David Lee - 2 hits

Final Score: New York 2 , Burlington 6
Burlington Wins World Series 26

S25 World Series: New Britain Bombers face off against Tampa Bay Bandits

The New Britain Bombers, returning to the World Series after losing to Burlington in last year's series, face off against the Tampa Bay Bandits. The Bandits, who happened to knock off last year's champions, the Bison, entered the series for the second time in three seasons. The Bombers, arguably the most successful dynasty in world postseason history, entered as the early favorites after 102 regular game wins and 8 regular position players with 20 or more homeruns and 3 players with over 100 runs batted in.  The series was expected to be a throwdown between superb pitching and New Britain's power against Tampa Bay's speed and superb baserunning.

Game 1: Cozy Ponson vs George Crandall, at New Britain
In a pitching duel of veterans, Crandall pitched well enough to win and exited after 7 innings, giving way to a bullpen that allowed the game to be tied on a 3-run homer by Fernando Rodriguez. In the 12th inning, the Bandits' Rolando Cortez hit an infield hit, stole second and scored on a single by Denny Benson on a close call at the plate. JD Springer earned the save for the Bandits.

Notable Performances:
Fernando Rodriguez, 1-4, 3 RBI, HR (Player of the Game)
Denny Benson, 3-6, 2 RBI (Game-Winning RBI)
Rolando Cortez, 2-6, 2 RBI

Final Score: Tampa Bay Bandits 5, New Britain Bombers 4
Tampa Bay leads the series 1-0

Game 2: Fred Hughes vs Tom Snelling, at New Britain
Tampa Bay jumped to an early lead, with a shellacking of Snelling. Snelling recorded one out before being charged with 6 earned runs, but the relief corps did not fare much better, allowing the Bandits to score 13 runs for the 13-4 loss.

Notable Performances:
Cookie Long, 3-5, 2R, 2HR 3RBI (Player of the Game)
Rolando Cortez, 2-3 3 R, 1SB
Wayne Ellis, 3-4, 2 RBI, 2 R
King Ray, 3-5, 2 R, 3 RBI, 1SB
Collin Kendall, 3-4, 1 R
Bey Franco, 5 IP, 1 ER, W

Final Score: Tampa Bay Bandits 13, New Britain Bombers 4
Tampa Bay leads the series 2-0

Game 3: Ezdra Ramirez vs Sydney Ray, at Tampa Bay
With the series shifting down to Tampa Bay, the Bandits carried the momentum of game two into another offensive explosion in front of the home crowd. The Bandit's big power hitter, Wayne Ellis, pleased the fans driving in 5 runs and hitting a monster grandslam to cap an 8 run 4th inning.


Wayne Ellis, 2-6, 5 RBI, 2 R, grandslam (Player of the Game)
Denny Benson, 3-5, 2 R, 1RBI 
King Ray, 3-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, HR
Tyler Lemon, 2-4, 3R, 3 RBI, HR
Fernando Rodriguez, 2-6, 2R
Cookie Long, 2-6, 1R

Bey Franco, 4 IP, 1 ER

Final Score: New Britain Bombers 4, Tampa Bay Bandits 16
Tampa Bay leads the series 3-0


Game 4: George Crandall vs Sherman McGowan, at Tampa Bay
The Bombers' offense woke up and chased Tampa Bay's starter McGowan with 7 runs in the first inning. Playing behind a solid, quality start by Crandall, the Bombers took the lead and never looked back.

Notable Performances:
Trent Erickson, 3-5, 2 R, 3 RBI, HR (Player of the Game)
Cesar Rincon, 3-4, 2 R, 3 RBI
Don Hasegawa, 3-4, 1 R. 1 RBI
Alan Tillman, 2-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, HR
Chris Tobin, 1-4, 2 R, 3 RBI

Final Score: Tampa Bay Bandits 2, New Britain Bombers 11
Tampa Bay leads the series 3-1


Game 5: Tom Snelling vs Cozy Ponson, at Tampa Bay
The Bombers took off to an early 3-0 lead, but Ponson kept them from causing any more harm, allowing 3 runs over 7 innings. The Bandits chipped away and took the lead on a 2run homerun by Wayne Ellis in the bottom of the 7th off of reliever Julian Almanza. JD Springer got the save to clinch the Bandit's second World Series title in 3 years.

Notable Performances:
Wayne Ellis, 2-4, 1R, 2 RBI, HR
Cozy Ponson, 7 IP, 3 ER, W (Player of the Game)
Collin Kendall, 2-3, 2 R, 1BB
Denny Benson, 1-3, 1 RBI, 1 BB

Final Score: Tampa Bay Bandits 4, New Britain Bombers 3
Tampa Bay Wins the World Series

Revamped Bison make the playoffs but come up short

Tampa, FL - On a hot and muggy night, the S24 World Series champion Burlington Bison sqw their S25 postseason run come to an end. As the Tampa Bay Bandits celebrated in the field and advanced to the NL League Championship Series, the Bison watched in disappointment as their fans reflected on a solid season that saw them win 97 games and an improbably run to buy a first round bye into the playoffs. Ironically, it would be the team that they knocked out of the first round bye that send them packing into the playoffs.

This version of the Bison retained the core of players that won the World Series, with some notable changes in the offseason. First baseman Ivan Pescado, who stole over 100 bases in 3 seasons for the Bison and had some notable highlights in the World Series run, left as a free agent. To fill his spot in the lineup, starting pitcher Yovani Velazquez was traded away despite posting a career year for the Bison. The only Bison pitcher who won more games than Velazquez last season, Brooks Reames, was demoted to the bullpen after offseason surgery following an injury sustained just prior to the World Series. Closer Carlos Tavarez was traded away with pitching prospect Anthony Narveson early in the season in exchange for RJ Nunez.
In return for Velazquez, the Bison got 35yr old first baseman Andres Beltre. The starting rotation was rounded up through the signing of a pair of free agents: Joaquin Gil and Bob Willis.  The Bison took a chance on Gil, who despite coming off a 5-17 and a 7+ ERA season, was inserted into Reames' spot in the rotation. Willis, on the other hand, signed with the Bison for the chance to start after appearing in 58 games last season for Las Vegas, all in relief. Rookie of the year candidate Tyrone Fasano, who made a big splash in last year's World Series, was inserted into the leadoff spot. Utilityman Rodrigo Vargas was placed in an expanded role and made the everyday third baseman while David Lee was shifted to right field.

The moves worked for the Bison, as Gil and Willis combined for 34 starts. Gil became a 17 game winner with a 2.60 ERA. 36 yr old veteran Bison OT Ferrara had a career season with a 19-9 record and a 3.16 ERA over 250 innings. RJ Nunez saved 36 games in 37 opportunities as a Bison. Beltre, Pete DeJean and Brian Ramirez had solid offensive seasons, and rookie Fasano swiped 79 bases for the new Bison single season record. Three Bison (David Lee, Brian Ramirez and Pete DeJean) got Gold gloves at their respective position, and DeJean was awarded with a silver slugger award. Vargas stole 43 bases and scored 81 runs.

The Bison won 8 of their last 10 games to match the record of the Tampa Bay Bandits and secure a first round bye in the playoffs by virtue of the two teams' head to head record during the regular season.  Tampa Bay would not be deterred, quickly getting past the Richmond Riot to face the Bison. Tampa Bay won the series 3-1 to advance in the playoffs.

Burlington is left pondering on the makeup for next year's team, with several players leaving as free agents and some veterans raising questions about their health to be relied on for a whole season.

SEASON 25 HOF - Season of the Starting Pitcher! (by 69cubs)

I was previewing this season's eligible Hall of Fame candidates.

I first looked at the position players (because the page defaults there). I saw some outstanding players, but none jumped off the page as a sure-fire HOFer.

Then I looked at the pitcher's section and was surprised to see that there are eight 200 game winners eligible this season!

Below is the list of the SP's, that are eligible for the HOF, with over 185 wins.I highlighted in green the category leader and yellow the other top of the group in the categories I put in.

I have 2 pitchers I want to mention, Jackie Little's stats, with exception of wins, are probably some of the best you have in the list. And, Banana Hawkins, how in the world did he win 200 games?

Looking at the stats, I determined that I probably will not vote for any position players this season and might give all 5 of my votes to pitchers. Based on what i see below, I rank the SPs eligible in this order:

1. Jackie Little
2. Giomar Diaz
3. Terry Murphy
4. Yogi Cooper, Ken Atkins tied
5. Dustan Stoops
6. Oscar Martin
7. Torey Arnold

Player	W		PCT		IP/G		IP/HR		SO		K/9		OAV		WHIP		ERA		Awards
Terry Murphy	249		0.572		6.29		7.87		3463		7.60		0.258		1.31		3.90		6 AS, 1 ROY, 1 No-hitter
Yogi Cooper	245		0.640		6.22		7.77		2366		6.40		0.263		1.35		4.06		6 AS, 1 SS, 1 GG, 2 rings
Ken Atkins	241		0.646		6.04		7.95		2265		6.32		0.263		1.32		4.07		6 AS, 1 GG, 1 CY
Oscar Martin	234		0.636		5.89		7.98		2523		7.06		0.264		1.35		3.96		5 AS, 1 ring
Jackie Little	218		0.584		6.76		8.76		3041		7.52		0.250		1.25		3.52		4 AS, 4 GG, 1 SS, 2 CY, 1 ring
Ricky Snyder	213		0.508		5.78		8.19		2727		6.63		0.280		1.41		4.31		3 AS
Banana Hawkins	208		0.521		5.79		7.10		2422		6.47		0.275		1.44		4.60		2 AS, 2 GG, 1 ring
Torey Arnold	202		0.654		4.00		9.33		1802		6.12		0.259		1.35		3.82		5 AS, 3 rings
Dustan Stoops	195		0.613		4.82		9.81		1841		6.03		0.259		1.28		3.59		1 ROY, 1 ring
Stewart Pose	195		0.600		5.26		8.13		2198		7.14		0.252		1.30		3.87		2 AS, 1 SS, 1 ring
Giomar Diaz	189		0.656		5.48		7.50		2044		7.07		0.249		1.28		3.71		5 AS, 1 GG 1 ROY,  2 CY