Power Pros Forum

Fast forward. Mid-February. Spring Training was approaching fast, and the public couldn’t wait for the season to start. There was just one problem.

Roger Anybody’s phone rang. He picked it up, “Hello?”

“Mr. Anybody, this is John Henry,” came the reply.

“Ah, Mr. Henry, how’s it going with the Sting?” asked Anybody.

“Well, there’s a bit of a problem. We still don’t have a GM.”

“Still?”

“Yes, sir. Spring Training is only a couple weeks away, and we’re really starting to get desperate.”

“Hmm… this is quite the dilemma.”

“Yes, sir. You see, we were thinking we could-”

“I’ll do it.”

“Do what, sir?”

“Manage the Sting.”

“You will? Sir, there’s never been a commissioner-general manager before. Would that even work? I don’t think-”

“Mr. Henry. I’m doing it. End of discussion.”

“Uh, okay.”

“No need to worry. I’ll do fine.” Anybody thought for a moment and chuckled, “I guess that makes me the first person to be a manager, a GM, an owner, and the commissioner.”

“Um, yeah, probably.”

“Well, I’ll be in Boston tomorrow. Prepare to win a championship, John Henry!”

“Uh, okay.”

Anybody hung up and raced to pack. He hadn’t been this excited in years.

Hey, what's so bad about New England that we're petitioning against it? I don't see a problem.

4 things. Celtics, Bruins, Patriots, Red Sox. They've all won championships in the last 5-6 years, haven't they? They don't need another, which I'm sure d-tigers is capable of delivering. That's why I voted Toledo as my main.

I was just voting based on which names I liked the best. I didn't really like the Sting, but if that's what the voters want, then I don't see why we need to petition against it. Regional dominance or not.

Early March. Spring Training. The draft had been completed, and the team rosters had been released to the public. Many were criticizing Anybody's drafting style. Nonetheless, he defended his team. He would need to perform well, though, as Massachusetts fans were used to success. He agreed to one short interview before the season started. It went as follows:

Reporter 1: Mr. Anybody, fans and experts alike are criticizing your draft choices, saying your team lacks offense. What do you have to say about this?
Anybody: That's ridiculous. With guys like Kosuke Fukudome, Carlos Lee, and Prince Fielder, we'll have offense to spare. And besides, I've always been a firm believer that pitching wins championships, and our pitching staff is by far the best in the league.
Reporter 1: Any predictions on the team's E.R.A. this year?
Anybody: Yes. I guarantee it will be under 12.
Reporter 2: A lot of people are criticizing your 8th round draft pick, one Shock Gordon? Your response?
Anybody: Ah, yes. I knew this would come up. Mr. Gordon may be young, but he's got great poise and a nasty slider. I believe he's vastly underrated and will be a big help to our team.
Reporter 2: And also, a first baseman by the name of James West. Who's he?
Anybody: My top scout watched him personally. I drafted him solely for the purpose of the DH role, as his fielding is well below par. However, he's got great power and will hit at least 30 home runs in the coming season.
Reporter 3: Uh, Mr. Anybody?
Anybody: Yes?
Reporter 3: I've been hearing a lot of talk about you being 'cheap', and taking salary into too much consideration during the draft. What are your thoughts on this?
Anybody: I don't like the word 'cheap'. I prefer 'smart'.
*Laughs*
Anybody: No, I'm serious. The lower the team salary is now, the more money we'll have later, and the more money we'll be able to spend on free agents. I'm trying my best to think long-term here.
Reporter 4: One last question, sir. You're team seems to lack a true veteran leader. Not a single man on your MLB roster is over the age of 32, and none played MLB ball for 10 years. Do you plan to do anything about this, or do you have faith in these young guys?
Anybody: You say that like it's a bad thing. Many of these players are good already, and with the potential they bring to the table, I just couldn't pass them up. You just wait, this group of 'young guys' will bring New England fans a championship in the next few years. I guarantee it.

Post-Spring Training, the official lineups and pitching roles were revealed:

Lineup - (CON, PWR, RUN SPD, ARM STR, FLD, E RES)
1. CF Bill Hall - D(8), B(142), B(12), A(14), D(9) D(8) - HD 1st Slide, Gd Rain, Timely Whiff, Throwing 2, Slugger, Patient Hitter
2. RF Kosuke Fukodome - B(12), B(154), C(11), B(13), B(12), B(13) - Star
3. LF Carlos Lee - C(10), A(182), E(6), D(9), E(6), C(10) - Walk-off HTR, Throwing 4, Consistency 4, HD 1st Slide, Star
4. 1B Prince Fielder - D(9), A(217), F(5), C(10), D(9), C(11) - Power Hitter, Throwing 4, Barehand CTH, Gd Rain, Slugger, Gd Eye
5. DH James West(Success) - C(10), A(190), G(3), G(2), F(4), G(2) - Contact Hitter, Power Hitter, Spray Hitter, Throwing 4
6. SS Jhonny Peralta - D(8), B(149), E(7), C(10), C(10), C(11) - Firstball HTR, Timely Whiff, Pr Rain, Star, Slugger, Cautious STL
7. 2B Brendan Harris - D(9), B(147), G(3), D(9), D(9), E(6) - VS Lefty 4, Pr Day Game, Patient Hitter, Cautious STL
8. 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff - D(8), B(157), D(8), D(8), F(4), F(4) - VS Lefty 4, Bases Clearer, Timely Whiff, Patient HTR, Cautious STL
9. C Yadier Molina - D(8), D(117), F(5), A(14), D(9), E(7) - Throwing 4, Gd Block, Gd Catcher, Gd Rain, Aggressive HTR, Aggressive FLD

Bench
CF Joey Gathright - D(8), F(84), B(12), F(5), D(8), C(11) - Gd IF HTR, Push Hitter, Hot Hitter, Consistency 4, HD 1st Slide, Gd Night Game, Gd Rain, Pr Day Game, Aggressive HTR
C J.R. Towles - G(2), E(87), E(7), B(12), C(10), C(10)
OF Lastings Milledge - E(6), D(107), B(12), E(6), E(6), D(9) - 2nd Position 4, Gd Rain, Throwing 2
SS/2B Angel Sanchez - D(8), E(89), G(3), E(6), D(8), D(8) - Firstball HTR, Rally Hitter, 2nd Position 4, Gd Day Game, Pr Rain, Cautious STL

Pitching Roles - (TOP SPD, CTRL, STAM, PITCHES)
Starters
1. Jake Peavy - 95 mph, B(155), A(169), 2SFB(2), SLD(5), CB(3), CHG(4), H-SNK(3) - Spin 4, Gd Reflexes, Consistency 4, Fastball Life 2, Star
2. Felix Hernandez - 98 mph, C(147), A(165), SLD(3), CB(5), CHG(5), SPLT(2) - Spin 4, Consistency 2, Star
3. Cole Hamels - 95 mph, C(145), A(172), 2SFB(2), CB(4), CHG(2) - Dr. K, Consistency 4, Fastball Life 2, Slow Starter
4. Shock Gordon(Success) - 96 mph, C(144), B(124), SLD(4), CCHG(2), SIFB(2) - w/RISP 4, Poise 4, Recovery 4
5. Andrew Miller - 97 mph, E(110), B(122), SLD(2), CUT(2), CB(2), CHG(2) - Fastball Life 4, Power P

Swing Men
Jair Jurrjens - 96 mph, E(110), B(110), SLD(1), CHG(4)

Middle Relievers
Matt Lindstrom - 97 mph, B(156), E(40), SLD(3), CB(1), CHG(1) - Recovery 4
Dustin Nippert - 96 mph, C(144), E(40), CB(2), CHG(3) - Power P
Brian Wilson - 97 mph, C(142), E(40), H-SLD(1), SIFB(2) - w/RISP 4, Fastball Life 4, VS Runner 2, Power P

Set-up Men
Joel Zumaya - 102 mph, D(122), E(40), CB(2), CHG(2) - Safe Pitch, Poise 2, Power P
Just Hampson - 92 mph, B(168), E(40), SLD(2), CB(3), CHG(2)

Closer
Hideki Okajima - 90 mph, B(172), E(40), DCB(4), CHG(5) - VS LH Batter 4, Release 4, Poise 4

With the season opener against the Orlando Chipmunks just days away, it won't be long before we see if this hard throwing, power hitting group of youngsters will prevail.

New England Sting(0-0) at Orlando Chipmunks(0-0)
|1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|R| H|E|
|0|0|3|0|0|0|1|1|1|6|11|0|NE
|0|0|3|0|0|0|0|0|1|4| 9|0|ORL

WP: J. Peavy (1-0)
SV: H. Okajima (1)
LP: J. Lackey (0-1)
HR: Fukudome(1), Lee(1)

Statistics
Hall - 1-4, R(1)
Fukudome - 2-4, HR(1), 3 RBI(3), R(1), K(1)
Lee - 2-4, 2B(1), HR(1), RBI(1), R(1)
Fielder - 0-4
West - 1-4

Milledge(PR) - SB(1), R(1)

Peralta - 1-4, 2B(1), 2 K(2),
Harris - 1-4, RBI(1)
Sanchez - 2-4, RBI(1), R(1)

Gathright(PR) - R(1)

Molina - 1-4, K(1)

Peavy - 7 IP(7), 3 ER(3.86), 3 K(3), W
Hampson - IP(1), HLD(1)
Okajima - IP(1), ER(9.00), SV(1)
______________________________________________________________________

Power Pros Sports caught up with General Manager Roger Anybody after the game.
"I'm very happy with their performance. Peavy wasn't his best today but he held his own and got us the win. Congratulations to Carlos Lee for getting his 1,500th career hit, and pretty amazing that it was a home run too. Fukudome had a great home run that really sparked the offense and Hampson and Okajima did well in relief. Overall I'm thrilled with today's game and I believe this is a proper indication of how they will do going forward."

Nice, a win. Good start.

I think the team looks good. Did you do the whole draft? I can never find good relievers.

I'm gonna go do a dream draft now. Who is a good 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th pick? And when do you take a SS? I don't wanna use Success characters unless I get a REALLY bad player at that position.

I did the first 25 picks, so yes, the whole MLB roster. My draft strategy is loosely based on the following:

1. Starting Pitcher
2. Starting Pitcher
3. Balanced, All-Star Fielder (Fukudome)
4. Starting Pitcher
5. Fielder
6. Closing Pitcher
7. Fielder
8. Starting Pitcher
9-10. Fielder
11. Starting Pitcher
Then fill out the rest of your starting fielders, before drafting 5-6 more good relievers. At the very end, get your backups.

Also, put the search function to good use. I found most of my pitchers by searching for "Top Speed 96-105" then sorting by Control/Stamina. Same goes for fielders. Search something like "Contact C-A, Power C-A, Run Spd D-A" when you're in those crucial middle rounds.

I dislike taking a bunch of pitchers in the early rounds. But that's just me. I'd go:

1: Mark Teixeira - Cheap for the first year, plus he crushes the ball
2: The best OF available, unless Joe Mauer and/or Pudge Rodriguez are available
3: The best starting pitcher available
4: The best middle infielder available (BJ Upton is usually available around here. I'd take him, as he's young and has great skills for a middle infielder)
5: The best closer available
PROTIP: I always take either Chris Snyder or Yadier Molina in round 10. They're decent hitting catchers with superb arm strength.

The starting pitcher thing is just a personal preference. I get more frustrated when I can't get an out than when I can't get a hit.

Anybody Here
An April recap from the desk of GM Roger Anybody

Well, the boys went 15-13 last month, 4 games behind the division leading Rochester Charge. Now, I'd be fine with this, but they got off to a 6-0 start, and going 9-13 after starting like that is unacceptable. The team posted a very average E.R.A. of 4.31 and a batting average of.278. We hit 39 home runs in the month, good for first in the division and tied for 3rd in the league. Anyway, let's take a look at the individual team leaders:

Pitching
Innings Pitched: Jair Jurrjens (42.2)
E.R.A.: Jake Peavy (3.79) - It's worth noting that Cole Hamels has a 2.33 E.R.A. but fell 1 inning short of qualifying
Wins: Jake Peavy and Jair Jurrjens (3)
Saves: Hideki Okajima (7)
Strikeouts: Jair Jurrjens (35)

Batting/Baserunning
Batting Average: Bill Hall (.307)
Hits: Bill Hall (35)
Doubles: Kevin Kouzmanoff (8)
Triples: Prince Fielder and Kosuke Fukudome (1)
Home Runs: James West (6)
RBI's: Brendan Harris (21)
Runs: James West (18)
Walks: Prince Fielder (17)
Stolen Bases: Kosuke Fukudome (6)

One thing that really jumps out at me is James West, rookie and team leader in both home runs and runs scored. I'm really happy with his performance, and I'm looking forward to seeing if he can keep it going for the rest of the year.

One small problem, though, is Shock Gordon, the team's other rookie. In the month of April, he posted a 1-3 record with an 11.40 E.R.A.. This really concerns me, and if it doesn't perform in his next start, there's a good chance Jair Jurrjens will overtake his spot in the starting rotation.

Now let's look at the AL East standings:
1. Rochester Charge 19-9 - 0 GB
2. Ottawa Canadians 15-13 - 4 GB
3. New England Sting 15-13 - 4 GB
4. Charlotte Yetis 12-16 - 7 GB
5. Buffalo Warriors 11-17 - 8 GB
6. Orlando Chipmnks 9-19 - 10 GB

The way this is shaping up, it looks like we might have a 3 team race. Now we don't play the Charge or the Canadians until next month, so you're just going to have to stay tuned for those intense division rivalries.

That's the end of this issue. Until next time, I'm Anybody.

I've gotta say, I really like this log. A lot.

Thanks, I try my best.

Sting Switch to Six-Man Rotation
During a recent interview with New England Sting General Manager, Roger Anybody, he was quoted as saying, "Our guys just aren't getting enough rest in between starts, and since Jair Jurrjens is getting so many starts as a Swing Man already, we've decided to just add him into the rotation as the 6th starter. We hope this will solve the problems of pitchers complaining of arm soreness, not throwing full speed on game day, and just plain underachieving with the exception of Andrew Miller, who has a 2.72 E.R.A.."
Only time will tell if this plan will work out or not.

In other news, the New England Sting have declined a trade offer from the Green Bay Huskies. The proposal was:
Sting get:
John Smoltz - $11,000,000 Salary
Huskies get:
Kosuke Fukudome - $12,000,000 Salary
When asked about the trade, Roger Anybody replied, "I have to admit, it was tempting. John Smoltz is an excellent pitcher and our starting rotation has been struggling, as well as it being a $1,000,000 salary cut, but I declined this trade for two reasons. One, Fukudome is one of the main staples of our offense and we have no suitable replacement for him and two, Smoltz is 10 years older than Fukudome and could retire at any moment. Those two things made it clear to me what the right decision was."

Power Pros Sports NABA Game of the Day
May 24th
Toledo Predators (22-28) at New England Sting (25-25)
|1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|R|H |E|
|0|0|0|0|0|0|0|1|0|1| 6 |0|TOL
|0|1|0|0|0|0|3|0|0|4|11|1|NE

WP: Gordon (3-5)
SV: Okajima (13)
LP: Bonderman (3-6)
HR: West(11)

Statistics
DH Gathright - 1-4(.342), R(6), K(8)
RF Fukudome - 0-4(.283)
LF Lee - 1-4(.332)
1B West - 2-4(.282), HR(11), RBI(36), R(28),
CF Hall - 0-4(.268), K(59), E()
SS Peralta - 1-4(.305)
2B Harris - 2-3(.224), K(35)
- Milledge(PR) - 1-1(.333), CS(1)
3B Kouzmanoff - 0-3(.238)
C Molina - 3-3(.263), RBI(18), R(15)

Gordon - 7.1 IP(46.2), 4 K(33), R(43), 0 ER(7.91), W(3)
Hampson - 0.2 IP(31.0), HLD(8)
Okajima - 1 IP(16.1), K(10), SV(13)
______________________________________________________________________
After the game, New England General Manager Roger Anybody spoke with Power Pros Sports.
"I'm very happy with the way they today, but I'm still very disappointed with their overall performance this year. This game broke a ridiculous 8-game losing streak, something that should not happen with a team of this caliber. I'm hoping Shock Gordon can carry what he did today into the rest of the season, as we really need him to step it up."
When asked why Prince Fielder didn't play, Anybody responded, "He's had the flu for the last couple of days. He could've played, but we agreed that we didn't want to risk other players getting sick. Also, I doubt he would have performed at his usual level."