Jacksonville Hickories: Talkin' softly, but carrying big...

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Thu Aug 01, 2013 5:15 pm

Thanks! it was not a sweep – it was a series split, but it was nice to get that first win under my belt, and then to get that second win, showing that the first was not a fluke

BrewersFuzz · **Posted:** Thu Aug 01, 2013 11:35 pm

Oh, duh!

read that wrong. Good job though.

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Fri Aug 02, 2013 9:06 am

TRADE REPORT

[NOTE: this trade went through in the middle of my next series, but I'm reporting it now]

4/12/2008: the Jacksonville Hickories and the Oakland Athletics consummated a trade. The Athletics will receive first baseman Dan Johnson (EBFDDB), sending the Hickory's reserve outfielder Jack Cust (EAFCEG, first ball hitter). Both players are three years away from free agency, but are currently in the final year of a contract paying $390,000 per season. Dan Johnson is half a year younger than Cust.

Said the Athletics: "we are very excited about this trade. We were disappointed at not being able to sign Johnson has a free agent, and we like the added depth he gives us, along with Mike Sweeney (CDFCCC) and Frank Thomas (CBFFSD), who is mainly a DH. We will miss Jack, but are still comfortable with our outfielders. Cust just made too many errors out there and he was not pushing Thomas out of the DH spot.

Said the Hickories: "we are sorry to see Dan go, but Rogers has shown an ability to man first base adequately, and we like the added power Cust will provide over Johnson from the DH spot."

Most analysts say that this was a good trade for both teams. Those we polled were surprised that Cust was unable to hit his way into a starting outfield spot, but in light of that, he was really an extra piece, waiting for Frank Thomas' offense to decline. Although incumbent 1st baseman, Mike Sweeney, is better defensively, Johnson should overtake Sweeney to become the starting 1st baseman because he is significantly more powerful and does not make errors in the field. At the same time, pundits suppose the Hickories wanted their young Buck Rogers to play 1st full-time, so Cust adds considerable power to their DH spot, which is what they need.

*******

Roster moves: In addition to Cust immediately taking Johnson's roster spot, super utility man Encyclopedia Brown (EEDDDE) was sent down to AAA in favor of Remington Steele (EDEDED), who only plays third and first, but plays a better first base than Brown and is a better pinch hitter.

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Fri Aug 02, 2013 11:42 am

OFFICE MEETING

PGA: thank you for coming to see me on such short notice. Congratulations on that trade for Jack Cust.

ERISA Dude: thank you! What did you want to talk about?

PGA: I heard you've been putting out feelers to consummate more trades. Is that true?

ED: yes, but so far, none of our other players are developed enough to peak teams' interests.

PGA: perhaps it's just as well. We do not want you trading any of our purple bar players.

ED: what? I thought I would have total control of the lineup. I think that with just a few trades, we could actually fight for the pennant this year!

PGA: we are looking to build a successful franchise for the long-term, and while we may be able to trade our way to the championship, the owners strongly believe that the true way to develop a fan-base is to allow your homegrown players to develop. The fans become attached to them, and then you bolster a strong home-grown lineup with free agents.

ED: that certainly is one way to do it, but I'm talking about bringing in free agents that will immediately make us a winning team while our players develop in the minors.

PGA: Major-league baseball fans don't "bond" with minor league players – they need to see them play on TV and at the major-league stadium. The fact is, as a new franchise, our fans will be willing to sustain a year or two of mediocrity. During this time, we will be able to build up more funds from ticket sales and the like, and then as the team as a whole begins to improve, we can use those funds in free agency or to supplement trades to put us over the top.

ED: so…you are saying you don't mind if we have a losing season this year? You're not trying to win it all?

PGA: for this and next year, we are judging you solely on how quickly and how well the players develop. Don't you think the majority of your starting position players have a future as a major-league starting position player? We do. Same with the starting pitching staff and your closer. Don't you?

ED: Yes, I do. I guess I don't mind focusing on their development, and hopefully we will win a few games along the way!

PGA: right! Also, just like Dan Johnson, you did pick up a few other players in free agency, and we do have the draft coming up. You can consider those players "tradable," although I would hope we would get a potential star out of the draft.

ED: agreed. Our other free agent pickups have not generated any interest, so the likelihood is that our trading is done for 2008, although teams might get desperate when it gets close to the trading deadline. I can live with that.

PGA: Good. Thanks for coming.

BrewersFuzz · **Posted:** Fri Aug 02, 2013 10:45 pm

Awesome writing, it's an interesting idea to see how these guys turn out.

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Fri Aug 02, 2013 10:55 pm

Thanks. Hopefully it won't take too much patience. I made most of these guys to need improved contact/batting more than anything else, and that's the easiest thing to improve.

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Fri Aug 02, 2013 11:01 pm

Series preview: Jacksonville Hickories (two – seven) at New York Yankees (five – four)

The Yankees, picked by many to represent the AL in the 2008 World Series, have been strong on offense, leading the East in home runs and runs scored, while the Hickories, as expected, have struggled offensively, hitting the fewest homeruns and scoring the fewest runs in their division. The Hickories do, however, have the third best (out of five teams) team batting average (272), the second most hits in the division, and lead their division in steals with 16. The Yankees barely being above 500 has largely been due to inconsistent pitching, having a team ERA over five and surrendering the most home runs and most walks in the division, although they do lead the division in strikeouts. The Hickories have been surprisingly strong with their pitching, although they have struggled in the later innings. Their team ERA of 3.93 is second in the AL East, their 39 runs allowed and 57 strikeouts are both tied for second in the division

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Sat Aug 03, 2013 11:16 pm

Hickories-Yankees Games 1-2

4/11/08: Hickories Madison (92 FB 2SF – one, SCB – one, FOS – three, SK – two) at Yankees Kennedy (90 FB SL – two, CB – two, SP – two, sk – two): the Hickories got off to a quick start, as Mays-Hays led off with a single, stole second, moved to third on a fielders choice and then scored on a Vandelay triple to right center field. Vandelay then scored on a Rogers single. The Country added a run in the second when Banner singled, stole second, moved to third on an infield hit from Crash Davis that ricocheted off of the pitcher's glove, and scored when Cool Jr lofted a ball over a drawn in infield. The Yankees scored two in the second when Matsui worked the count from zero – two to a full count and then drove the next pitch off the right-field wall for a double. Vandelay led off the third with a home run off of a split fingered fastball up in the zone, extending the Hickories' lead to two runs, and Buck Rogers followed with his own home run off of a split fingered fastball. Two innings later, Rogers became the first Hickories player with a multi homerun game, as he belted a two out home run off of a sinker tailing back over the plate. An Abreu homerun in the bottom half pulled the Yankees to within three enrering the sixth inning. The Hickories added a run in the seventh off a Yankees reliever when Vandelay singled, moved to second on a wild pitch, and was able to score on a slow roller hit by Buck Rogers against an outfield playing very deep. On the play, Vandelay took off at the crack of the bat and rounded third before Robinson Cano, who ranged to shallow centerfield, could retrieve the ball. The Yankees made some noise in the 9th, including a 3 run homerun by Abreu, but Montoya came in and retired the next three batters to preserve the one run lead and clinch the game. Final score: seven – six, Hickories

[DAN JOHNSON FOR JACK CUST DEAL CONSUMMATED]

4/12/08: Hickories Fernandez (88 EB HSL – two, DCB – one, SPE – two, H SH – two) at Yankees Hughes (95 EB SL – two, CB – four, CH – two): Fernandez was clearly not sharp, but it seemed that no matter what he threw, the Yankees were expecting it, as the first three batters singled and, after Abreu was caught stealing, Rodriguez homered to left field. The Hickories starter recovered from a poor first-inning to pitched solidly in the second and most of the third, although Rodriguez launched a split fingered fastball over the centerfield fence. Vandelay homered in the fourth on outside changeup, and after Jack Cust singled to left center field, Buck Rogers homered to right off of a curveball on the inside part of the plate, pulling the Hickories to within a run. The score remained unchanged until the bottom of the eighth when Cano singled home Abreu, who bunted for a base hit to lead off the inning. Final score: five – three, Yankees

Comments: there were several unusually high scoring games around the league today – the Indians beat the White Sox, nine – one; the Mets beat the Braves, 14 – 4, the Rockies beat the Padres 16 – 4; and the Cardinals beat the Cubs in 10 innings, 16 – 15.

SkittleMonster · **Posted:** Sat Aug 03, 2013 11:34 pm

The deal was consummated?

I think that's the first time I've ever seen that word not used in relation to sex

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Sat Aug 03, 2013 11:42 pm

Hmmm....guess my mind was wandering?!?

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Sun Aug 04, 2013 11:18 am

HICKORIES-YANKEES Game 3

4/13/08: Hickories Kotter (92 GB 2SF – two, HSL – two, VSL – three, CCH – two) at Yankees Wang (96 CA HSL – three, SP – three, CH – three, HSK – five): Hickories scored first when Mays-Hayes singled and ultimately scored from third on a wild pitch. In the top of the second, when the Hickories stranded runner third, the Yankees seized the opportunity as Rodriguez reached first on an infield single and then Giambi homered to right. Posada drove in a run in the fourth. The following inning, Jack Cust strode to the plate with runners at first and third, two outs, and promptly smacked a hard slider over the centerfield fence for a three run homerun that put the Hickories in the lead. The Yankees tied it up with multiple singles in the fifth. The Hickories stranded a runner at second with one out in the seventh, and the Yankees took advantage as Giambi hit the go-ahead homerun in the bottom half of the inning. Posada doubled in another run, and that would be the last scoring of the game. Final score: six – four Yankees

Comments: although the Hickories lost the series against the Yankees, they have to be pleased with their offensive performance, averaging over four runs per game

After the game, it was announced that starting catcher Crash Davis, who was held out of today's lineup, is experiencing lingering pains from when he dived into the wall during the second game of the Yankee series after a foul ball, and will likely be out for six days. Quintero (FFECED) will take his place on the roster

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Sun Aug 04, 2013 7:39 pm

4/15 – 17: Red Sox series preview

Next up in this tough stretch is a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox before the Hickories host the Yankees at Golden Apple stadium. The Red Sox (10 – 2) have the best record in major league baseball, while the Hickories (3 – 9) are tied with the Mariners for the worst record. The Red Sox are clicking on all cylinders, having the league's lowest team ERA (2.34), and having allowed the fewest runs scored (31) in baseball, while their 57 runs scored on offense is very respectable. In the meantime, the Hickories' 41 runs scored is the third lowest in baseball, ahead of only the Nationals and the underachieving Phillies. Their pitching remains respectable, (team ERA of 4.44 and 56 runs allowed), especially considering they're having just faced a powerful Yankees lineup.

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Sun Aug 04, 2013 7:43 pm

4/15/08: Signings

The Hickories announced that they signed 11 year veteran, free agent pitcher Hideo Nomo (89 DB SL – one, CB – one, FO - five) to a one year contract paying $600,000. The 39-year-old picture has replaced Indiana Jones (87 EC 2SF – one, HSL – two, DCB - one, HSK – two) on the major-league roster.

When we polled those around the league for their reaction, it was split. 1/2 responded with "What? that guy wasn't picked up by anyone earlier in the year?" While the other 1/2 responded with "What? That guy is still in baseball?"

philliesfan134 · **Posted:** Sun Aug 04, 2013 7:43 pm

underachieving, huh? Come on Phillies, remember that magic for you that hasn't happened yet?

ERISA Dude · **Posted:** Mon Aug 05, 2013 9:43 pm

4/15/08: Hickories McClain (90 EB HSL – two, DCB – one, SP – two, SK-2) versus Red Sox Matsuzaka (92 CA HSL – five, CU – three, CB – two, SP - two, CH – four): Final Score: 6-4, Hickories

Complaint: so, I am up by a run in the top of the eighth, one out and David Ortiz at the plate. My pitcher induces a high pop fly to the catcher – easily catchable, except that a huge cloud filled up my screen, but I cannot see where the ball goes and the ball drops 3 feet away from where I guessed it would be. The next pitch: Ortiz hits the game-tying homerun!

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