Saturday, December 15, 2012

Season 27 Hall of Fame Voting Results

Here are the complete results for Hall of Fame voting for season 27 (last season's votes in parenthesis):

Vance Collier - 12 (14)
Ahmed Sanford - 10 (9)
Mark Parker - 9 (12)
Gary Blake - 9 (8)
Cesar Urbina - 8 (8)
Alfredo Valentin - 7 (4)
Don Yoshii - 6 (4)
Rob Becker - 5 (7)
Dick Orosco - 3
Jim Aurilia - 3
Bey Meacham - 2 (4)
Pat Masao - 2 (3)
Domingo Pizzaro - 2
Omar Siqueiros - 2
Paul Ishii - 2 (1)
Philip Ray - 2 (2)
Yorrick Benard - 1
Esteban Moreno - 1 (2)
Al Ramirez - 1 (1)
Jason Benes - 1 (2)
Tony Mendoza - 1
Clay Runyan - 1
Howie Curtis - 1 (1)
Dan King - 1 (1)
Harry Martinez - 1 (2)
Goose Michalak - 1
Bronson Gibson - 1 (1)
Joseph Yoshii - 1 (1)

Friday, December 14, 2012

Mantle World Owner Interview - deathinahole

Welcome to our latest "Meet Your Fellow Owner" interviews of Mantle World owners.  Today, we chat with deathinahole, the owner of the Wichita Judy Garlands franchise.  DIAH joined Mantle at the beginning of the current season (season 27) and brings a unique style and personality with him.  Lets find out a little bit about him.

Tec: Tell us a little about yourself.

Deathinahole: 45 year old married father of four daughters ranging in age from 17 to 22. Data analyst in a large general insurance company. Extremely whipped, but also stunningly good looking. Living with undiagnosed Aspergers syndrome.

Tec: Outside of Hardball Dynasty, what are some of your other interests and hobbies?

Deathinahole: We have an acre in the country, so we have a hobby farm with chickens and rabbits, and hopefully next year a goat. Also trying to start my own business with an idea I've had developing for years. On draft number 183 of the requirements.

Tec: Did you play any sports growing up?

Deathinahole: Curling was #1. The most mocked sport until someone plays it, and then they can't wait to play again.

Tec: Who are your favorite all-time players?

Deathinahole: Darryl Sittler. Dave Stieb. Steve Largent.

Tec: What has been your favorite real-life sports experience or memory?

Deathinahole: I was at Darryl Sittler`s NHL record 10 point game, Feb 7, 1976. Jimmy Key's final game as a Jay when he was trying to hold off the tears after he was pulled from the game, then saluted the crowd anyway because of the standing o.

Tec: What's been your most memorable non-sports experience in your life?

Deathinahole: The birth of my daughters. My vasectomy.

Tec: If you were an HBD player, what position would you play and what would your ratings be?

Deathinahole: 0 speed (fat kids used to beat me at the 100 yd dash), 10 range, 85 arm strength, 45 arm accuracy, 80 pitch calling, 100 temper, 5 patience.

Thank you DIAH for participating in our latest Mantle World Owner interview, and good luck to you going onward.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Mantle World Owner Interview - iain

Welcome to our latest "Meet Your Fellow Owner" interviews of Mantle World owners.  Today, we chat with iain, the owner of the Baltimore Honey Nut Cheerios franchise.  Iain joined Mantle at the end of season 26 and is now starting his first full season of ownership.  He returns the franchise to Baltomore, where it resided for the first 21 seasons in Mantle, and where it experienced it's most success, culminated by a World Series championship in season 18.  Lets find out a little bit about him.

Tec: Tell us a little about yourself.

Iain: Born and raised in Toronto, I’m a 32-year old Mechanical Engineer, married for a little over 3 years with a 13 month old son.

Tec: Outside of Hardball Dynasty, what are some of your other interests and hobbies?

Iain: The big one is bagpipes. I have been playing since I was 13, and compete at the highest level, going to Glasgow for the World Pipe Band Championships each of the last 5 years, with plans to attend again in 2013.

Tec: Did you play any sports growing up?

Iain: Yeah, just about everything at one time or another. Football, basketball, and track & field (well, really just field) in high school, but nothing serious in university. I grew early, and everyone else caught up and passed me by then.

Tec: Who are your favorite all-time players?

Iain: I’ve always had a soft spot for Kelly Gruber. Can’t explain it, except I guess I started following baseball around when he had his best years in ’89 and ’90.

Tec: What has been your favorite real-life sports experience or memory?

Iain: Attending the Sweet Sixteen in Detroit in 2008 where Stephen Curry almost knocked off eventual champs Kansas at Ford Field. We happened to be sitting in the Davidson student section, and it was just crazy. I also attended the 2009 USA-Canada WBC game at the SkyDome (I mean, Rogers Centre), which was by far the best atmosphere for baseball that Toronto had seen in years, even if the good guys lost.

Tec: What's been your most memorable non-sports experience in your life?

Iain: Everything to do with our son is a distant #1, but qualifying for the Grade 1 Final at the last two World Pipe Band Championships has been awesome, and finishing 2nd in Grade 1 at the North American Pipe Band Championships with my (soon to be) wife was pretty cool, too.

Tec: If you were an HBD player, what position would you play and what would your ratings be?

Iain: Drawing on my recently defunct softball career, I’d be a rangy CF with good opposite field power. Or, going back to little league, I’d be a power hitting 1B/C.

Thank you iain for participating in our latest Mantle World Owner interview, and good luck to you going onward.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Mantle World Owner Interview - frankum

Welcome to our latest "Meet Your Fellow Owner" interviews of Mantle World owners.  Today, we chat with frankum, the owner of the Louisville Pit Bulls franchise.  Frankum joined Mantle in season 24, taking over the former Monterrey Sugar Kings franchise which was a victim of the world's MWR requirement after finishing with a 49-113 record.  After two seasons of struggling with win totals in the low 70's, the Pit Bulls finally stepped up and took home the NL South division title in season 26 in a runaway  Lets find out a little bit about him.

Tec: Tell us a little about yourself.

Frankum: I'm 26 years old, married with no kids. Living in northern indiana and work as a product manager for an orthopedic device company. I started playing sim league baseball, then took a 3 year break and came back to play HBD.

Tec: Outside of Hardball Dynasty, what are some of your other interests and hobbies?

Frankum: Golf, slow pitch softball, fantasy football, really just sports in general.

Tec: Did you play any sports growing up?

Frankum: I played basketball, baseball and football growing up. In college I was actually a lifter on a cheerleading squad. Kinda wierd but the girls were hot.

Tec: Who are your favorite all-time players?

Frankum: I've always been a Yankees fan. Although I never saw them play, I grew up to stories from my grandpa about how amazing Mickey Mantle was. He'll always be a legend in my mind.






Tec: What has been your favorite real-life sports experience or memory?

Frankum: I've not been to many sporting events in person so I don't really have a cool on site experience. But in 2006 when the Colts won the Super Bowl. I was in college drinking with a bunch of Bears fans. I remember the Bears taking the opening kickoff for a touchdown and they were talking shit non stop. When we won a never let them hear the end.

Tec: What's been your most memorable non-sports experience in your life?

Frankum: I have two...my wedding day and the day we signed the contract to build our first house. I'm just a young fella.

Tec: If you were an HBD player, what position would you play and what would your ratings be?

Frankum: I would be a first baseman with an amazing glove, no range, no arm strength but accurate. Probably 25/50/25/60. Hitting I would have a solid batting eye, middle of t he road contact, line drive hitter with no power. 60/50/70/70/70. Solid bench guy. (in my dreams of course).

Thank you frankum for participating in our latest Mantle World Owner interview, and good luck to you going onward.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Mantle World Owner Interview - coachmoss

Welcome to our latest "Meet Your Fellow Owner" interviews of Mantle World owners.  Today, we chat with coachmoss, the owner of the Omaha Middle Americans franchise.  Coachmoss joined Mantle in season 26 and has just completed his rookie season in the world.  Most likely due to the permeation of potpourri around the team's front offices, left over from previous franchise owner hbdgirl, the Middle Americans struggled to a last place finish in the NL West.  Lets find out a little bit about him.

Tec: Tell us a little about yourself.

Coachmoss: I am a 32 year old Business and Computer Programming teacher at a southern New Jersey high school (close to Philadelphia). I also am Head Wrestling Coach where I work - how's that for an oxymoron? I'm divorced with a 7 year old daughter, but dating a pretty awesome girl (soon to be fiance) who is also divorced with a 5 year old son, so life is pretty good right now.

Tec: Outside of Hardball Dynasty, what are some of your other interests and hobbies?

Coachmoss: A lot of my free time is spent with the kids and coaching wrestling. I also sell sports cards, memorbilia and coins on eBay on the side.

Tec: Did you play any sports growing up?

Coachmoss: I played most everything growing up, but my main sports ended up being baseball and wrestling. Once I hit high school though baseball took a back seat because I saw I could use wrestling as a vehicle to get me through college and started training year round basically for that.

Tec: Who are your favorite all-time players?

Coachmoss: Cal Ripken, Jr. was always my favorite player growing up. Recently I enjoy watching Chase Utley because of his hard work ethic.

Tec: What has been your favorite real-life sports experience or memory?

Coachmoss: Being able to see both of my favorite teams in the playoffs recently (Phillies and Orioles) and also being there for the World Series celebration in 2008 for the Phillies was something I will never forget.

Tec: What's been your most memorable non-sports experience in your life?

Coachmoss: It's hard to top anything to do with the kids lately. My daughter recently graduated Kindergarten and started 1st grade. My soon to be step son also just started Kindergarten and wanted to sign up for wrestling, so being able to help and coach him is going to be really rewarding too.

Tec: If you were an HBD player, what position would you play and what would your ratings be?

Coachmoss: When I played baseball it was mostly 2B, so I'd be a 2B with high contact and speed, but low power. I don't think I ever hit a triple or homerun in my life, but could find holes pretty well and rarely struck out.

Thank you coachmoss for participating in our latest Mantle World Owner interview, and good luck to you going onward.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Mantle World Owner Interview - hawger

Welcome to our latest "Meet Your Fellow Owner" interviews of Mantle World owners.  Today, we chat with hawger, the owner of the Boston Minutemen franchise.  Rugrat joined Mantle in season 24 and is completing his third season in the world.  Lets find out a little bit about him.

Tec: Tell us a little about yourself.

Hawger: 51 years old. Originally from the midwest but have lived in SW Florida for 25 years now. Went to Illinois State for a couple of years but graduated from smaller hometown college.  Was a CPA for years now I work for the Mrs. running the business side of her Vet Clinic. Avid St Louis Cardinals baseball fan. Married to the same woman for 24 years, no children.

Tec: Outside of Hardball Dynasty, what are some of your other interests and hobbies?

Hawger: Anything outdoors. Living in FL you have to enjoy the weather. Both me and wife ride Harleys. Love sports but haven't played any for quite some time. Jimmy Buffet fan but love old time rock n roll and reggae as well.

Tec: Did you play any sports growing up?

Hawger: Baseball. Swam competitively from age 10 through high school. A bit of volleyball.

Tec: Who are your favorite all-time players?

Hawger: Baseball: Bob Gibson, Lou Brock and Pete Rose; Football: Jim Hart, Conrad Dobler, Dick Butkus and Kenny Stabler; Basketball: Pistol Pete Maravich

Tec: What has been your favorite real-life sports experience or memory?

Hawger: Growing up listening to baseball games on the radio with my grandmother.

Tec: What's been your most memorable non-sports experience in your life?

Hawger: Guess I will have to stick to the traditional. Getting married in Jamaica was pretty memorable.

Tec: If you were an HBD player, what position would you play and what would your ratings be?

Hawger: Weak hitting 2b or catcher. Never really catching but was fairly good at it. Of course with my torn up shoulders I wouldn't be able to throw anybody out these days.

Thank you hawger for participating in our latest Mantle World Owner interview, and good luck to you going onward.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Commissioner's Challenge Award (S26)

The "Commissioner's Challenge Award" is given to the team that had the most wins during the season without making the playoffs.

I'm happy to announce the season 26 winner of a $5 WIS Gift Certificate is MikeT23 of the Scottsdale Fighting Artichokes, whose 84 wins was just two games short of earning a post-season appearance.

1) 84 wins - Scottsdale Fighting Artichokes (MikeT23)
2t) 83 wins - Richmond Generals (dgtrache)
2t) 83 wins - Toronto Eh's (mikeg740)
2t) 83 wins - Boston Minutemen (hawger)
5t) 82 wins - Scranton Apollos (tecwrg)
5t) 82 wins - Rochester Rochy Road Rochstars (indiansrck27)
7) 81 wins - Cleveland Captains (captain10a)
8) 78 wins - Colorado Springs Mile High Marines (brendanjod)
9t) 77 wins - Chicago Black Sox (tomq)
9t) 77 wins - Oakland Polish Hammers (goodtymes31)
11t) 75 wins - Atlanta Blue (bkpeters)
11t) 75 wins - Milwaukee Suds (battmann)
13) 73 wins - Burlington Catamounts (dwoolery)
14) 71 wins - Oklahoma City Power Failure (coneheads)
15) 70 wins - Arizona Arachnophobia (ericsomsel)
16t) 69 wins - Jackson Bootleggers (rugrat)
16t) 69 wins - Omaha Middle Americans (coachmoss)
18) 66 wins - Little Rock Cigars (shanklsa)
19) 62 wins - Pittsburgh Pirates (bigal888)
20) 59 wins - Florida Lockdown (welsh5)

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Mantle World Owner Interview - rugrat

Welcome to our latest "Meet Your Fellow Owner" interviews of Mantle World owners.  Today, we chat with rugrat, the owner of the Jackson Bootleggers franchise.  Rugrat joined Mantle in season 21 as an in-season replacement for original fracnhise owner rwright, who stepped aside as he could not adhere to world rules.  The Jackson franchise struggled for many years with a lack of focus under rwright, so rugrat inherited a franchise with a fairly bare cupboard.  Now in his sixth season as a menber of Mantle, let's hear a little of rugrat's story.

Tec: Tell us a little about yourself.

Rugrat: My real name is Steve, and I'm currently taking a work break. I had been working for a leading environmental non-profit and managed all online fundraising for the organization. Due to a variety of circumstances, I left in March and have been working from home doing consulting work and working on an eCommerce business.  I have lived in the SF Bay Area (mainly Oakland and Berkeley) for 35 years and wouldn't live anywhere else - love the weather, the cultural opportunities and the ability to do just about anything you can imagine within a 30 mile or so radius. I'm not married currently, but have a daughter who is attending Columbia on a full ride.

Tec: Outside of Hardball Dynasty, what are some of your other interests and hobbies?

Rugrat: Film and music - I have an extensive record and CD collection that ranges from obscure punk and power pop, soul, jazz, rock and even some classical. I love film noir and am also working through most of the Criterion Collection of DVDs. I also get out of the house every once in awhile; love a good burger and other diner/dive food places. And you can't talk about living in CA without getting outdoors.

Tec: Did you play any sports growing up?

Rugrat: Baseball, of course, in high school. When they started throwing curve balls, I knew I was in trouble.

Tec: Who are your favorite all-time players?

Rugrat: I grew up a Tigers fan - Al Kaline was my favorite as a kid.  Others are  Kirk Gibson and Fred Lynn (such a sweet swing). I don't really have favorites these days.

Tec: What has been your favorite real-life sports experience or memory?

Rugrat: Memory? 1975, game 6.  There was so much more to that game than Fisk's HR. In person, I've been to several World Series and playoff games, and one Super Bowl (Niners/Dolphins) - all were memorable, even if the good guys lost.

Tec: What's been your most memorable non-sports experience in your life?

Rugrat: The birth of my daughter.

Tec: If you were an HBD player, what position would you play and what would your ratings be?

Rugrat: Well, in high school it seemed like they put the worst kids in RF, and MikeT says any slug can play out there, so I guess that would be it. Ratings? These days, zeros across the board.

Thank you rugrat for participating in our latest Mantle World Owner interview, and good luck to you this season and onward.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Mantle World Owner Interview - tedwmoore

Welcome to our latest "Meet Your Fellow Owner" interviews of Mantle World owners.  Today, we chat with tedwmoore, the owner of the Albuquerque Roadrunners franchise.  Ted joined Mantle in season 22, stepping in to pick up the pieces of a huge mess caused by the double-whammy of the sculley/greeny9 fiasco with the Albuquerque franchise which nearly crippled the franchise.  After we were able to work with WIS customer support to undo most of the damage done by sculley and greeny9, Ted has not only stabilized the team but has turned it into a strong and successful franchise going forward.

Tec: Tell us a little about yourself.

Tedwmoore: I am 34, live in Minneapolis and am a stay-at-home dad. We have one daughter who turns three the 21st of this month and my wife is due in early January with our second, a boy.

Tec: Outside of Hardball Dynasty, what are some of your other interests and hobbies?

Tedwmoore: I recently began home brewing and that has consumed a good chunk of my free time. Brewing feeds several of my interests -- self-sufficient food production (I know, non essential, but I drink enough beer that self production is a nice budget saver); agriculture, specifically the locality of food and how geography and climate affect quality/taste; nerdy obsessiveness with scientificy type stuff that I barely understand -- that I am already obsessed with brewing and energized to read as much as possible about it, to discuss it with as many people as possible and to develop my procedures and techniques as fully as possible.

Other than brewing I recently set myself the goal of completing a triathlon and I am enjoying the sensation and benefits of being back in the gym with motivation to push myself.

And as all proper Minnesotans do, I enjoy being outside year round, specifically kayaking, camping, fishing and snow shoeing (another new hobby).

Tec: Did you play any sports growing up?

Tedwmoore: Yes, and poorly. I played soccer through middle school as a defenseman, I ran track and cross country for two years during high school, and I played baseball but never made it past pee wee leagues.

Tec: Who are your favorite all-time players?

Tedwmoore: I'll limit this to baseball. Being from KC my favorites are Royals heavy: George Brett, Dan Quisenberry, Frank White, Bo Jackson and other ususals from that era (I am a bit too young to have seen Amos Otis and John Mayberry). As a kid I also loved Tony Gwynn, Kirby Puckett, Ricky Henderson, Cal Ripken and Robin Yount (back when Milwaukee and KC were in the same division, Yount and Brett had a nice little rivalry as to who was the better hitter). There are probably a few contemporary players who will make it into my all-time favorites as well: Carlos Beltran, Albert Pujols (he played high school ball in my home town), Joe Mauer, Frank Thomas...others.

Tec: What has been your favorite real-life sports experience or memory?

Tedwmoore: Rushing the field after the Hawkeyes clinched the Big Ten title in the early oughts. Yes, I am an Iowa grad. I barely remember the '85 Royals, and though I remember both Twins' championships well (my family is from MN but my parents moved to KC when I was young, so, yeah, I have some crazy split allegiances thanks to family influence) I was not there to see it in person. But rushing the field to celebrate a Big Ten title -- and this was when winning the Big Ten still meant something -- was amazing.

Tec: What's been your most memorable non-sports experience in your life?

Tedwmoore: Others have said it, but marriage and becoming a parent are hard to top. I would add my brief time in the military to that category as well: all three helped define me by providing structure and purpose to my adult life. Work obviously does the same, but in more mundane and less drastic ways: life long commitment to a spouse or a child or an ideal (as with military service) are incomparable to any other experience, at least in my mind. Other than that it is hard to say. I got stung on the dick once and that sucked hard, but it sure as hell was memorable.

Tec: If you were an HBD player, what position would you play and what would your ratings be?

Tedwmoore: Catcher. Average range and fielding, decent-to-solid arm, poor accuracy, upper 90s pitch calling. At the plate I might as well be a fence post.

Thank you tedwmoore for participating in our latest Mantle World Owner interview, and good luck to you this season and onward.

Friday, November 2, 2012

Mantle World Owner Interview - indiansrck27

Welcome to our latest "Meet Your Fellow Owner" interviews of Mantle World owners.  Today, we chat with indiansrck27, the longtime owner of the Rochester Rochy Road Rochstars franchise.  Indians joined Mantle in season 13, and is now in his 14th season of ownership.  The owner of six NL East division championships, he's twice taken home the NL pennant (in seasons 18 and 23), but was left at the alter both times.  Let's find out a little bit about him.

Tec: Tell us a little about yourself.

Indiansrck27: I am a 23 year old Combat Engineer (soon to be Psychological Operations Specialists) in the US Army, which I've been in for 3 years. Originally from Fayetteville, NC; currently live in Bamberg, Germany where i'm stationed, but in a month I am PCSing to Fort Bragg.

Tec: Outside of Hardball Dynasty, what are some of your other interests and hobbies?

One (two?) of Indiansrck27's interests.
Indiansrck27: Traveling all over Europe has been awesome opportunity. Running, proud to say I'm the fastest person in my Battalion. Running is when I can clear my head. After those like any guy sports, fantasy sports, music, boobs, and food.

Tec: Did you play any sports growing up?

Indiansrck27: Baseball, basketball, and soccer organized, everything else I played just not organized. Mom would never let me play football, said I was too fragile.

Tec: Who are your favorite all-time players?

Indiansrck27: Sandy Alomar Jr, Grady Sizemore (regardless of his injuries) and most Indians that haven't betrayed us or signed a huge deal and then seemingly fall of completely. I'm looking at you Hafner. Steve Atwater is my favorite NFL player of all time. Teemu Selanne favorite hockey player, and I really don't have a favorite basketball player NBA wise but any Tar Heels ever are pretty much on the list. Dider Drogba for soccer, he played for Chelsea until this season.

Tec: What has been your favorite real-life sports experience or memory?

Indiansrck27: As big of a Indians fan as I am, I have yet to be able to go to a game. By the time I had a job that would allow a trip up there money wise, I was in the Army and in Germany. I will next season though. But I have been to a few NCAA tournament games played by the Tar Heels during their 2009 championship. Also been to a few Carolina Panthers games. So nothing too exciting for me at this point in my life.

Tec: What's been your most memorable non-sports experience in your life?

Indiansrck27: Easy for me, deploying to Afghanistan for a year. I could talk for days about the crap we went through.

Tec: If you were an HBD player, what position would you play and what would your ratings be?

Indiansrck27: Hmm.. 2B, around 75 contact, 0 power, 60 vs R and 95 vs L (im a lefty with the stick myself but I always did good). Eye would be high, I got walked alot cause I was small back in the day. High base stealing and speed. Good fielder, but wouldnt win the Gold Glove.

Thank you indiansrck27 for participating in our latest Mantle World Owner interview, and good luck to you this season and onward.

Monday, October 29, 2012

Mantle World Owner Interview - MikeT23

Continuing on in our series of interviews of Mantle world owners, we move on to a relative newcomer in Mantle, MikeT23.  Well known in the world of HBD, particularly because of his participation in the WIS site forums, Mike joined Mantle in season 21 as the new owner of the Scottsdale Fighting Artichokes.

The winner of three division titles in his first five seasons in the AL West, Mike has continued the success enjoyed by this franchise, the former Portland Poltergeists.

Mike was interviewed by WIS as part of it's User Interview series just over a year ago, so rather than "reinvent the wheel" and reinterview him, we are just going to link to his WIS interview here.

WIS User Interview: MikeT23

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Mantle World Owner Interview - diryn

Welcome to our latest "Meet Your Fellow Owner" interviews of Mantle World owners.  Today, we chat with diryn, the longtime owner of the Vancouver Fighting Skeletons franchise.  Diryn joined Mantle in season 11, and is now in his 16nd season of ownership.  The owner of four NL West division championships, he's still waiting for his first NL pennant and World Championship.  Let's find out a little bit about him.

Tec: Tell us a little about yourself.

Diryn: I'm 58, branch manager for Wells Fargo Bank. Married with five kids, three of whom are in college. Five, soon to be six, grandkids. Always lived in Bay area (East Bay). The A's, Raiders, Cal Bears, and Lakers are my favorite teams. Used to even go to LA once a year to see the Raiders until they returned to their real home. Cal Berkeley grad.

Tec: Outside of Hardball Dynasty, what are some of your other interests and hobbies?

Diryn: Fantasy baseball, in same league on ESPN for eleven years now. Golf when I get a chance which isn't very often lately. Jogging; ran the Bay to Breakers this year.

Tec: Did you play any sports growing up?

Diryn: Basketball, baseball, and golf. Nothing organized beyond CYO, though. Adequate basketball player; not much of a hitter in baseball.

Tec: Who are your favorite all-time players?

Diryn: Willie Mays without question is the best baseball player I have ever seen. Reggie, Juan Marichal, Dave Stewart, Tim Hudson are others. Lamonica, Stabler, Bo Jackson, Tim Brown for the Raiders, Jerry West and Magic for the Lakers. Grew up watching Craig Morton throw TD's for Cal.

Tec: What has been your favorite real-life sports experience or memory?

Diryn: Juan Marichal's no hitter for the Giants against Houston when I was a kid. I was at the Raiders first Super Bowl win against the Vikings at the Rose Bowl in 1977. Watched John Madden being carried off the field by his players, which is not an easy feat.

Tec: What's been your most memorable non-sports experience in your life?

Diryn: Really, marriage and my family - have been very lucky year after year to do many many things with my wife and family whether vacations, school/sports activities, etc. For one incident maybe the 89 earthquake: watching parked cars moving around, seeing transformers blow, driving home in darkness, finding out where everyone else was - a very strange and almost spooky experience that hopefully will never repeat itself.

Tec: If you were an HBD player, what position would you play and what would your ratings be?

Diryn: Probably a light hitting good fielding shortstop; One career home run.

Thank you diryn for participating in our latest Mantle World Owner interview, and good luck to you this season and onward.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Mantle World Owner Interview - goodtymes31

Welcome to our latest "Meet Your Fellow Owner" interviews of Mantle World owners.  We are now moving away from our original owners who have been here since day one, and on to some of the next group of owners who have been here since the early days.

Today, we chat with goodtymes31, the longtime owner of the Oakland Polish Hammers franchise.  Goodtymes31 joined Mantle in season 5, and is now in his 22nd season of ownership.  GT31 is still looking for his first Mantle World Championship, though he did take home the National League pennant way back in season 6, his second season in our world.  Let's find out a little bit about him.

Tec: Tell us a little about yourself.

Goodtymes31: I am a 29 Year Old District Manager for an import car company, born, raised, and finally back and living just southeast of Pittsburgh after some time in South Jersey and Baltmore. Huge fan of all of the Pittsburgh sports teams, but die hard Pirates fan. Also a Penn St Grad, so multiple collegiate alliances.

Tec: Outside of Hardball Dynasty, what are some of your other interests and hobbies?

Goodtymes31: Started playing poker with the online poker boom, and have gotten to a point where it has become a nice little supplement to my income. Love to golf when I get the chance, and if there is a sports SIM out there, I have most likely either tried it, or am currently addicted to it.

Tec: Did you play any sports growing up?

Goodtymes31: Baseball has always been my passion. Played a little soccer and basketball, but pitched through high school, and even a little Semi Pro (well, that's what we called ourselves, basically 1 notch below the independent leagues) until real life didn't permit anymore.

Tec: Who are your favorite all-time players?

Goodtymes31: This is an odd one, but Andy Van Slyke was my favorite player to watch growing up. Man could cover ground, and watching him throw during warm ups was amazinginly impressive.

Loved Tony Gwynn and Greg Maddux. There was just something so pure about the way they played the game that you don't really see anymore.

Tec: What has been your favorite real-life sports experience or memory?

Goodtymes31: There were a couple, but all seem to be family related. The great thing about baseball is that the games allow for time to bond, and moments to bond over, so my two most memorable moments were being at Three Rivers Stadium with my dad when the Pirates clinched in 1992. Also got to take my three year old daughter to her first Pirates game this year (at her request), and even though we only made five innings, just having there with me in her Pirates jersey, asking questions, was priceless.

Tec: What's been your most memorable non-sports experience in your life?

Goodtymes31: Going to try to keep this non family related, and avoid the obligatory "When I got married" or "When my daughter was born", those were a given. I got the fortunate experience as a junior in High School to travel with the local Boy Scout Troop to Philmont State Park, and hike the Rocky Mountains without a guide for two weeks. Got to see a bear up close, sleep in the mountains, do some climbing, and watched a tree get struck by lightning. Unlike any other experience I will probably ever have.

Tec: If you were an HBD player, what position would you play and what would your ratings be?

Goodtymes31: Definitely a pitcher. High STA and DUR, splits around 45/50 or so. Velocity 10, control 90, P1 (fastball) 55, P2 90 (curveball), P3 20 (change up)

My bunt rating would be through the roof, easily maxed at 100.

Thank you goodtymes31 for participating in our latest Mantle World Owner interview, and good luck to you this season and onward.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Mantle World Owner Interview - evegoe

Our latest Mantle World owner interview is with another original and long-time Mantle owner, evegoe.  As the owner of the San Francisco Oles franchise, he has had a fair amount of success in the AL West, winning 6 division titles and a pair of wild-card post season berths.  He took home back-to-back American League pennants in seasons 4 and 5, along with the World Series trophy in season 5.  After spending the first eight seasons in San Francisco, the Oles migrated north to Salem for seasons 9 through 15.  Despite winning records in five of those seven seasons, he did not see any post-season action in Salem.  His heart called him back to San Francisco in season 16, where he's been ever since.  He shares some of his background with us today.

Tec: Tell us a little about yourself.

Evegoe: I'm 33, live in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and work for the University of Minnesota in IT doing business analysis and project management. I've also lived in Cedar Rapids, IA working for a newspaper and I just spent a year in Dublin, CA telecommuting for my current job. I'm married and adjusting to fatherhood as we just had our first child on September 21.

Tec: Outside of Hardball Dynasty, what are some of your other interests and hobbies?

Evegoe: I'm a pretty big hockey fan who is bummed about the ongoing NHL lockout, but I follow the U of Minnesota hockey squad closely and will be writing for a fan website www.gopherpucklive.com during the season. I've tried my hand at quite a few sports, but focus on my golf game in the spring/summer and try to play beer league hockey a night or two a week during the fall/winter.

I played Gridiron Dynasty on a regular basis for a while, but getting up to 'recruit' twice during the night wore more down and I gave it up. I also play fantasy baseball and football.

Tec: Did you play any sports growing up?

Evegoe: I tried quite a bit growing up--soccer, tennis, golf, baseball, and basketball, but focused on football and hockey as I got into high school. And I stuck with the pigskin in college, playing a bit of D-III football as an offensive lineman.

Tec: Who are your favorite all-time players?

Evegoe: Baseball-wise I was partial to Kirby Puckett, Kent Hrbek, and Ken Griffey Jr. I also loved watching Johan Santana pitch for the Twins. Wayne Gretzky, Pavel Bure, and Paul Kariya were my favorite NHL players growing up. Also Chris Doleman was probably my favorite Viking as youth.

Tec: What has been your favorite real-life sports experience or memory?

Evegoe: A lot of fans remember the 1991 WS for Jack Buck's "And we'll see you tomorrow night" call, but I remember it because I was near the top of the stands in RF over the hefty bag with my mom watching the home town Twins on their way to win their second title.

Tec: What's been your most memorable non-sports experience in your life?

Evegoe: Shanklsa said it best when qualifying his statement about being besides marriage/birth of a kid... because those two experiences stand out... but going sea kayaking with my wife on Kauai during my honeymoon stands out. The whole island is amazing and this day long trip was our favorite part of our time in Hawaii.

Tec: If you were an HBD player, what position would you play and what would your ratings be?

Evegoe: I'd be a RF with horrible range and arm strength, slightly below average power/vL/vR rating, but a good contact, batting eye and temper.

Thank you evegoe for participating in our latest Mantle World Owner interview, and good luck to you this season and onward.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Mantle World Owner Interview - raidersfan

Welcome to the fourth installment of our ongoing series of "Meet Your Fellow Owner" interviews of Mantle World owners.  Today we chat with another of our original Mantle owners, raidersfan, the long-time owner of the Minnesota Mighty Men / Cincinnati Mini Men.  As the Mighty Men, they won the season 19 World Series championship as the six-seed wild card team, knocking off both the two-seed New Britain.Blood Brothers and one-seed New York Apples to win the NL championship, before defeating the AL champs Baltimore Blast in seven games to take home the trophy.  Let's find out a little bit about raidersfan.

Tec: Tell us a little about yourself.

Raidersfan: I am a 29 yr old financial advisor originally from Buffalo, NY now living in NYC with my wife and puppy. I am a lifelong NY Mets, LA Lakers, Oakland Raiders and Buffalo Sabres Fan. Never lived on the West Coast despite the teams. Oakland goes back to something many from my generation will remember, Bo Jackson & Marcus Allen tearing stuff up in the original Techmo Super Bowl for Nintendo!.

Tec: Outside of Hardball Dynasty, what are some of your other interests and hobbies?

Raidersfan: I was a Division I sprinter in college and am still an active runner, although not nearly at the level I was in my running prime. I also love collecting sports trading cards, primarily Baseball & Hockey. I also enjoy golfing when time will allow.

Tec: Did you play any sports growing up?

Raidersfan: Too too many, in High School I played Hockey, Baseball, Football, ran Indoor & Outdoor track, bowled and golfed in leagues, I even played soccer for 1 day back when I was like 5 years old, complained to my mom that it involved too much running and never played again, funny that a decade later everything I did revolved around my running career.

Tec: Who are your favorite all-time players?

Raidersfan: Darryl Strawberry (Baseball), Time Brown, Marcus Allen and Bo (Football), Dave Andreychuk (Hockey), Magic Johnson (Basketball)










Tec: What has been your favorite real-life sports experience or memory?

Raidersfan: My personal favorite experience was the first time I stepped onto the track at Penn Relays during College, the atmosphere of running in front of 50,000 people was just incredible and will remain with me forever. As a spectator my most memorable experience was watching the final game of Wayne Gretzky's career, I taped it with my parents VCR and was one of the only sports moments that brought me to tears knowing that one of the greatest athletes in the history of sports would no longer be playing and I wouldn't have the pleasure of seeing anymore of him.

Tec: What's been your most memorable non-sports experience in your life?

Raidersfan: Well since I am married aside from the wedding itself I will go with the honeymoon, but I will be a bit more specific so noone gets the wrong idea. One of the things that we did while there was go to Volcano National Park and go to walk through the heart of the Volcanoes. It was truly an incredible experience and we even got to experience a few minor earthquakes while we were doing so!

Tec: If you were an HBD player, what position would you play and what would your ratings be?

Raidersfan: I would probably be what I was when I played, a 2B or CF. I would bat leadoff and have a 70-80 contact rating and a 30ish power rating. I would have a high bunt, baserunning, speed rating. I actually had a guy in Fisk that reminded me a bit of what I thought I would look like as a HBD guy:


Thank you raidersfan for telling us a little about yourself, and good luck to you this season and onward.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Mantle World Owner Interview - brendanjod

Welcome to the third installment of our ongoing series of "Meet Your Fellow Owner" interviews of Mantle World owners.  Today we chat with another of our original Mantle owners, brendanjod, the long-time owner of the Colorado Springs Mile High Marines.  The Mile High Marines are one of our former World Series champions as they took home the trophy in season 13, a seven game victory over shanklsa and the Louisville Beaners.

Tec: Tell us a little about yourself.

Brendanjod: 33-year old living in the Bay Area with his family and working in the electronics industry.

Tec: Outside of Hardball Dynasty, what are some of your other interests and hobbies?

Brendanjod: Spending time with my family. Watching and following baseball religiously. Playing fantasy sports.

Tec: Did you play any sports growing up?

Brendanjod: Baseball, basketball, and golf.

Tec: Who are your favorite all-time players?

Brendanjod: Kirby Puckett and Bo Jackson.

Tec: What has been your favorite real-life sports experience or memory?

Brendanjod: Being at Game 7 of the 1991 World Series when I was 12 years old with my family. Still the greatest World Series game ever in my opinion with Jack Morris throwing all 10 innings and the Twins walking off on Gene Larkin's hit against the Braves.

Tec: What's been your most memorable non-sports experience in your life?

Brendanjod: (1) Marrying my wife and my daughter being born; and (2) Serving our country in the Marine Corps and doing two tours in Iraq

Tec: If you were an HBD player, what position would you play and what would your ratings be?

Brendanjod: RP - 95 control (never walked a batter pitching in my HS career). Splits of 45 and 45 vs. RH and LH hitters. Top pitch of 70 although it should be variable since I threw a knuckleball. As my catcher in HS said... "it doesn't always knuckle like you think it does, but at least it acts as a change up if nothing else."

Thank you brendanjod for telling us a little about yourself, and good luck to you this season and onward.

And not least of all, thank you for your service to our country.  Semper Fi!

Friday, October 5, 2012

Mantle World Owner Interview - sir_slamalot

Our second Manntle World owner interview is with another original Mantle owner, sir_slamalot.  "Slam" was here for the first 15 seasons of Mantle as the owner of the Buffalo/Burlington franchise before taking a one season sabbatical away from Mantle.  He came back in season 17 to spend a season in the National League before an opportunity opened up for him to reclaim his original franchise in season 18.  Slam has a Mantle World Series trophy on his resume for the Blizzard's championship in season 11.  He shares some of his background with us today.

Tec: Tell us a little about yourself.

Sir_slamalot: I'm a 39 year old advertising executive living in the Charlotte, NC area. I'm originally from Bristol, CT, home of ESPN. Since CT had no professional sports teams outside of the Hartford Whalers, most of my favorite teams were chosen by being the rival of my older brother's favorite teams. I'm a Yankees, Steelers, Sixers and Boston Bruins fan. I graduated from Seton Hall University so I'm also a die-hard SHU Pirates college basketball fan.

Tec: Outside of Hardball Dynasty, what are some of your other interests and hobbies?

Sir_slamalot: My main "hobby" outside of HBD is marathon running. I've run 39 marathons to date and will run marathon #40 in Atlanta in a few weeks. I've run marathons everywhere from Paris to Montreal to Australia, although these days I mostly stay local.

Tec: Did you play any sports growing up?

Sir_slamalot: I grew up in sports family. My dad was a college basketball referee and baseball/softball umpire so I went with him wherever he was working. I played just about any sport you could imagine growing up, but baseball was always my best sport. In my mid-twenties, I played baseball for a semi-pro team in Baltimore, MD called the Baltimore Bison and played until I was 36.

Tec: Who are your favorite all-time players?

Sir_slamalot: Graig Nettles was my favorite baseball player when I was growing up. Nettles diving to his left was the best there was in my opinion. I also developed a liking for Paul Molitor who was just a hitting machine. 70s & 80s baseball was my era and there are a ton of players I loved to watch back in the day.

Tec: What has been your favorite real-life sports experience or memory?

Sir_slamalot: My favorite real-life sports experience was probably catching a foul ball (off my chest) at the old Yankee Stadium. Paul O'Neill was batting and Dennis Eckersley was on the hill. I could also tell you about the time my brother and I were getting Chet Lemon's autograph and he asked my brother to go "hit" his girlfriend in the crowd so he could say hello to her. Pretty cool when you're 10 years old or so. SHU coming from 17 points down in the 2nd half to beat Arizona in the NCAA Tourney is right up there as well.

Tec: What's been your most memorable non-sports experience in your life?

Sir_slamalot: I'd probably say trekking around Australia for 6 months when I was in college - climbing Uluru/Ayers Rock was a pretty amazing feat. Not difficult, just amazing.

Tec: If you were an HBD player, what position would you play and what would your ratings be?

Sir_slamalot: If I was an HBD player, I would've been very similar to former Blizzard great, Gus Zhang. Great contact, average power, solid splits, very good speed and could play anywhere in the field, but best suited for CF

Thank you sir_slamalot for participating in our second Mantle World Owner interview, and good luck to you this season and onward.

Hopefully, more owner interviews to come.

Monday, October 1, 2012

Mantle World Owner Interview - shanklsa

Welcome to the first of what I hope will be an ongoing series of "Meet Your Fellow Owner" interviews of Mantle World owners.  I'm starting with the original Mantle owners, the guys who have been here since day one of season one.

Today, we get to meet owner shanklsa, the longtime owner of the Louisville Beaners / Little Rock Cigars franchise.

Tec: Tell us a little about yourself.

Shanklsa: I'm 32 and a software engineer for ADP. Grew up in NE Ohio so I'm a fan of Cleveland teams and Ohio State. Subsequently graduated from the University of Cincinnati and live in the area. Have Reds season tickets and root for them but still hate the Bengals.

Tec: Outside of Hardball Dynasty, what are some of your other interests and hobbies?

Shanklsa: Golf, softball, poker.

Tec: Did you play any sports growing up?

Shanklsa: Basketball, baseball, and golf.

Tec: Who are your favorite all-time players?

Shanklsa: Mark Price, Jim Thome, Nolan Ryan, Larry Bird, Joe Montana.

Tec: What has been your favorite real-life sports experience or memory?

Shanklsa: Wow, tough one. I guess being at the 2006 football game between #1 Ohio State and #2 Michigan.

Tec: What's been your most memorable non-sports experience in your life?

Shanklsa: Outside from the normal getting married/kid being born answer I would say winning a 200+ player poker tourney in Vegas.

Tec: If you were an HBD player, what position would you play and what would your ratings be?

Shanklsa: I would be a 2B with great defensive skills, decent contact, and no power.

Thank you shanklsa for participating in our first Mantle World Owner interview, and good luck to you this season and onward.

Hopefully, more owner interviews to come.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Cash in Trades Rule Adopted

After some discussion in the World Chat concerning the inclusion of cash in trades, a common theme emerged in which many owners felt that the inclusion of cash that exceeded the amount of salary being received in a trade should not be allowed.  This was put up for a vote to formalize this as an official world rule, and has passed.

Starting in season 27, there should be no trades that include cash being sent to one team that exceeds the total amount of salary being received by that team.  Any such trade that is offered and accepted should be vetoed by the other 30 owners in Mantle.

Final voting results are as follows:

Yes - 21 votes (75.0%)
No - 7 votes (25.0%)
No preference - 1 votes (not included)
Did not vote - 3

Results: PASSED - rule to be adopted starting in season 27

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Season 26 Hall of Fame Voting Results

Here are the complete results for Hall of Fame voting for season 26 (last season's votes in parenthesis):

Carlos Aguilera - 17 (Elected)
Vance Collier - 14
Mark Parker - 12 (16)
Ahmed Sanford - 9 (12)
Gary Blake - 8
Cesar Urbina - 8 (10)
Rob Becker - 7 (10)
Don Yoshii - 4
Bey Meacham - 4 (6)
Alfredo Valentin - 4
Cam Lincoln - 3 (4)
Pat Masao - 3
Harry Martinez - 2 (4)
Jason Benes - 2 (2)
Esteban Moreno - 2 (1)
Philip Ray - 2 (1)
Howie Curtis - 1 (2)
Bronson Gibson - 1 (1)
Al Ramirez - 1
Derek Taylor - 1 (1)
Pablo Ordonez - 1 (7)
Harry Holzemer - 1 (1)
Charlie Lombardi - 1 (1)
Joseph Yoshii - 1 (8)
Dan King - 1 (1)
Paul Ishii - 1 (1)

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Commissioner's Challenge Award (S25)


The "Commissioner's Challenge Award" is given to the team that had the most wins during the season without making the playoffs.

I'm happy to announce the season 25 winner of a $5 WIS Gift Certificate is tecwrg of the Scranton Apollos, whose 87 wins was just two games short of earning a post-season appearance.

1) 87 wins - Scranton Apollos (tecwrg)
2t) 81 wins - Chicago Black Sox (tomq)
2t) 81 wins - St. Louis Owls (gjello10)
2t) 81 wins - Washington D.C. Metros (jmaese)
5t) 79 wins - Buffalo Blizzard (sir_slamalot)
5t) 79 wins - Atlanta Blue (bkpeters)
5t) 79 wins - Burlington Catamounts (dwoolery)
5t) 79 wins - San Jose Poppies (hbdgirl)
9t) 78 wins - Durham Bulls (bertrand93)
9t) 78 wins - Colorado Springs Mile High Marines (brendanjod)
11) 75 wins - Oklahoma City Power Failure (coneheads)
12t) 74 wins - Milwaukee Suds (battmann)
12t) 74 wins - Louisville Pit Bulls (frankum)
14t) 73 wins - New York Pick Pockets (EBzer)
14t) 73 wins - Toronto Eh's (mikeg740)
16) 71 wins - Boston Minutemen (hawger)
17) 70 wins - Jackson Bootleggers (rugrat)
18) 69 wins - Vancouver Fighting Skeletons (diryn)
19) 67 wins - Little Rock Cigars (shanklsa)
20) 63 wins - Arizona Arachnophobia (ericsomsel)

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Season 25 Hall of Fame Voting Results

Here are the complete results for Hall of Fame voting for season 25 (last season's votes in parenthesis):

Bruce Payne - 21 (Elected)
Sammy Shumpert - 18 (Elected)
Mark Parker - 16
Ahmed Sanford - 12
Cesar Urbina - 10
Rob Becker - 10 (12)
Joseph Yoshii - 8 (12)
Pablo Ordonez - 7 (9)
Bey Meacham - 6 (9)
Harry Martinez - 4 (3)
Cam Lincoln - 4 (7)
Clay Runyan - 2 (2)
Howie Curtis - 2 (1)
Jason Benes - 2
Paul Ishii - 1 (7)
Dan King - 1
Derek Taylor - 1 (2)
Esteban Tejada - 1
Philip Ray - 1
Harry Holzemer - 1
Esteban Moreno - 1
Humberto Lima - 1 (1)
Bronson Gibson - 1 (1)
Odalis Lopez - 1 (1)

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Commissioner's Challenge Award (S24)

The "Commissioner's Challenge Award" is given to the team that had the most wins during the season without making the playoffs.

I'm happy to announce the season 24 winner of a $5 WIS Gift Certificate is raidersfan of the Cincinnati Mini Men, whose 86 wins was a mere one game short of earning a post-season appearance.

1) 86 wins - Cincinnati Mini Men (raidersfan)
2) 84 wins - Detroit Tigers (repsher)
3t) 83 wins - New York Pick Pockets (EBzer)
3t) 83 wins - St. Louis Owls (gjello10)
5) 82 wins - San Francisco Oles (evegoe)
6t) 81 wins - Boston Minutemen (neilg)
6t) 81 wins - Oakland Polish Hammers (goodtymes31)
8) 80 wins - Washington D.C. Metros (jmaese)
9) 79 wins - San Jose Poppies (hbdgirl)
10) 77 wins - Milwaukee Suds (battmann)
11) 75 wins - Atlanta Blue (bkpeters)
12) 74 wins - Arizona Arachnophobia (ericsomsel)
13t) 73 wins - Jackson Bootleggers (rugrat)
13t) 73 wins - Colorado Springs Mile High Marines (brendanjod)
13t) 73 wins - Oklahoma City Power Failure (coneheads)
16) 71 wins - Louisville Pit Bulls (frankum)
17) 67 wins - Vancouver Fighting Skeletons (diryn)
18) 65 wins - Scranton Apollos (tecwrg)
19) 61 wins - Durham Bulls (bertrand93)
20) 60 wins - Little Rock Cigars (shanklsa)

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Season 24 Hall of Fame Voting Results

Here are the complete results for Hall of Fame voting for season 24 (last season's votes in parenthesis):
  1. Vitas Henley - 23 (Elected)
  2. Joseph Yoshii - 12 (3)
  3. Rob Becker - 12 (6)
  4. Pablo Ordonez - 9
  5. Bey Meacham - 9
  6. Domingo Pizzaro - 8 (9)
  7. Cam Lincoln - 7 (1)
  8. Paul Ishii - 7 (7)
  9. Harry Martinez - 3
  10. Lawrence Rhodes - 2
  11. Derek Taylor - 2 (3)
  12. Clay Runyan - 2
  13. Steve Burks - 2
  14. John Blake - 2 (1)
  15. Albert Lecuona - 1 (3)
  16. Victor Vargas - 1 (1)
  17. Humberto Lima - 1
  18. Bronson Gibson - 1
  19. Howie Curtis - 1 (1)
  20. Odalis Lopez - 1
  21. Miguel Vasquez - 1
  22. Sal Stark - 1
  23. Al Buford - 1

Friday, February 17, 2012

Commissioner's Challenge Award (S23)

The "Commissioner's Challenge Award" is given to the team that had the most wins during the season without making the playoffs.

I'm happy to announce the season 23 winner of a $5 WIS Gift Certificate is goodtymes31 of the Oakland Polish Hammers, whose 87 wins was a mere four games short of earning a post-season appearance.

1) 87 wins - Oakland Polish Hammers (goodtymes31)
2) 85 wins - Chicago Black Sox (tomq)
3) 83 wins - Washington D.C. Metros (jmaese)
4) 82 wins - Buffalo Blizzard (sir_slamalot)
5t) 78 wins - San Diego Seagulls (ericsomsel)
5t) 78 wins - New Britain Blood Brothers (malewell)
7) 77 wins - Boston Minutemen (neilg)
8t) 76 wins - Atlanta Blue (bkpeters)
8t) 76 wins - Jackson Bootleggers (rugrat)
10) 75 wins - Scottsdale Fighting Artichokes (MikeT23)
11t) 74 wins - Trenton Titans (KGS77)
11t) 74 wins - Scranton Apollos (tecwrg)
13) 72 wins - Colorado Springs Mile High Marines (brendanjod)
14t) 70 wins - Durham Bulls (bertrand93)
14t) 70 wins - Little Rock Cigars (shanklsa)
14t) 70 wins - San Jose Poppies (hbdgirl)
17) 69 wins - Oklahoma City Power Failure (coneheads)
18) 66 wins - New York Pick Pockets (EBzer)
19) 59 wins - Albuquerque Roadrunners (tedwmoore)
20) 49 wins - Monterrey Sugar Kings (drichter)

Friday, January 6, 2012

Where Are They Now? - Part 2

Continuing on: we're taking a look back at the first 10 draft picks from 10 and 5 seasons ago to see how those draftees panned out.

Season 13:
  1. Miller Jordan (P - Rochester Rochy Road Rochstars) - now in his seventh major league season, he has returned to the franchise that originally drafted him after spending his first six ML seasons in Albuquerque.  A bust as a first overall pick, he's only produced a 57-64 career record with a 1.49 WHIP and a 4.73 ERA.  No awards on his resume.
  2. Brett Parent (P - San Diego Seagulls) - also in his seventh major league season, he's also now pitching for Rochester after spending his first six ML seasons in Minnesota / Cincinnati.  Only slightly better than Miller Jordan at 70-62 career record, with a 1.35 WHIP and a 4.47 ERA.  He has won a Silver Slugger as a P, and has a World Series ring.
  3. Al Furcal (P - Charlotte Moose Hunters / St Louis Owls) - did not signed a major league contract after being drafted out of high school.  He passed on the big bucks to attend the University of Miami, where he blew his elbow out in his sophmore year.  Currently serving a 5 to 10 year sentance in the Florida penal system for drug trafficking.
  4. Carson Bottalico (CF/2B - Chicago Old Style / New Britain Blood Brothers) - now in his seventh major league season, he is currently the starting second baseman for the Cincinnati Mini Men.  He is entering the prime of his career with .293/.388/.512 (.900 OPS) with 150 career home runs, 468 RBIs and 711 runs scored.  He's also stolen 266 bases in his career.  He's made one All Star appearance and won a Silver Slugger at 2B.
  5. Wilkin Lira (P - Durham Bulls) - now in his seventh major league season, he joined the Little Rock Cigars this season after spending his first six seasons in Durham.  Splitting his time between starting and relief, he's put up career numbers of 47-36, with a 1.44 WHIP and a 4.93 ERA.  No awards.
  6. Jermaine Earley (P - Arizona Wildcats / Albuquerque Roadrunners) - now in his eighth major league season, he's currently a starter for New Britain.  He's put up decent career numbers of 87-51, with a 1.34 WHIP and 4.19 ERA.  He's made three All Star appearances to date.
  7. Midre Paz (P - Boise Spuds / Milwaukee Suds) - now in his ninth major league season as a member of the Milwaukee starting rotation, he's put up a mediocre 73-89 record despite a respectable 1.33 WHIP and 3.94 ERA.  No awards.
  8. Tomas Rodrigo (P - Baltimore Blast / New York Pick Pockets) - now in his sixth major league season, he is currently a member of the Kansas City Blues starting rotation.  Career record of 63-56 with a 1.45 WHIP and 4.55 ERA.  No awards.
  9. Ruben Rijo (P - Vancouver Fighting Skeletons) - now in his fifth major league season, recently joined the Durham Bulls after being unemployed for the first part of the current season.  Another first round bust, he's compiled a career record of 28-41 with a 1.59 WHIP and 5.69 ERA.
  10. Reese Edwards (C - Boise Spuds / Milwaukee Suds) - now in his eighth major league season with the Suds, he's been durable yet average hitter with little power.  Career numbers of .279/.358/.331 (.689 OPS), he only has 35 career home runs in over 2,800 ABs.
Season 18:
  1. Rich Hood (P - Cincinnati Porkers / Buffalo Blizzard) - now in his second major league season, he's off to a spectacular start for the Blizzard.  In 50 ML starts over 305 IP, he's compiled a 21-10 record with a 0.98 WHIP and 2.47 ERA.  He was AL Rookie of the Year and made an All Star appearances in his first full season.
  2. Ross Lennon (P - Kansas City Blues) - now in his third major league season with Kansas City, his career is also off to a solid start.  A record of 30-21 with a 1.24 WHIP and 3.61 WHIP in 74 starts.  He also has one All Star selection on his resume.
  3. Albert Laffey (P - San Francisco Oles) - now in his third major league season with San Francisco, he's put up a career mark of 45-37 with a 1.30 WHIP and 3.87 ERA.  No awards to date.
  4. Rafael Cervelli (1B - Colorado Springs Mile High Marines) - now in his third major league season with the Mile High Marines, he's been an offensive force with .303/.392/.539 (.931 OPS), 91 career home runs and 287 RBIs.  He was AL Rookie of the Year and selected to the All Star team in his debut season.
  5. Brian Rigdon (3B - Oklahoma City Power Failure) - now in his third major league season, his offense has been improving steadily.  With career numbers of .266/.355/.410 (.765 OPS) and 36 home runs at age 23, his power and overall offensive production have been improving each season.  No awards to date.
  6. Luther Lush (RF - Trenton Titans) - now in his fourth major league season, he's put up .270/.348/.373 (.721 OPS) with only 28 home runs in over 1,750 career ABs, which is pretty weak for a corner outfielder.  At age 27, it might be too late for him to live up to the expectations as a top 10 draft pick.  No awards.
  7. Rodney George (RF - San Francisco Oles) - now in his second major league system, both as a member of Colorado Springs, he has struggled in limited action.  In just over 500 career PAs, he's put up numbers of .209/.288/.397 (.685 OPS) with 20 home runs and 56 RBI's.  At age 23, it might still be too early to rule him a first round bust, but he has a lot of work to do to justify his top 10 draft selection.  No awards.
  8. Brandon Doerr (P - Charlotte Moose Hunters / St Louis Owls) - now in his second major league system, he's a reliever out of the Pittsburgh Pandas bullpen.  In 191 IP, he's beel solid with a .236 OAV, 1.18 WHIP and 2.96 ERA.  No awards.
  9. Scotter Blank (P - Washington D.C. Metros) - currently in his rookie season as a member of the Jackson Bootleggers starting rotation, he's been solid in 12 starts with a 5-5 record, .223 OAV, 1.15 WHIP and 3.97 ERA.
  10. Clem Watkins (CF - Jacksonville Seminoles / Atlanta Blue) - now in his third major league season with the Blues, he's been medocre with a .261/.321/.395 (.716 OPS), 36 home runs and 140 RBI in over 1250 ABs.  Combined with sub-par defense in center field, at age 25, he could also be falling into bust-land.