Newsline

Welcome to the Season 17 of the USMLB.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

USMLB DAILY

Welcome to the fifth edition of the USMLB Daily. A lot of news and information will be in here and fun things will be added through out it. I hope that you enjoy and that the report will be up Monday through Friday till the end of the season. Draft information will also be added to the Daily report after the draft. Trades that happen from this day forward will also be added to the report. If there’s anything you would like me to cover or add (real or not) just let me know and I’ll do my best to add it.

Interview with the Cincinnati Highlanders from the American League East Division:
The team has gotten off to a great start this season so far, holding a five game led over the Atlanta Brave Vawts.

So what are you goals for the season: “To make the playoffs and injure at least two of Beef's pitchers by hitting the ball up the middle as much as possible.”
Well I think this team has a good chance of making the playoffs this season and I really don’t think the team likes the Brave Vawts all that much.

What would it feel like if you beat out Atlanta for the AL East Crown?: “It would feel a lot like season 1.”
I still think Vawt remembers that as well.

What team scares you the most to face: “Vawt has the scariest pitching rotation so I'll say his team early in the year. He always has Big Phil throw about 200 innings though so by the playoffs he has nothing left.”
Another dig at Vawt again, I guess when you have one the best teams in the league everyone is gunning for you.

Who do you think will make it to the World Series out of the National League: “I like the Bucks to make the WS from the National League.”
I think that’s the first vote I have for the Bucks going to the World Series.

Do you think the move to Cincinnati has helped your team more then playing in New York: “Not really. It's fun to change ballparks to see the difference. I'd like to go back to NY sometime if that ballpark opens up again.”
Well I think New York would love to have you back.

Anything else you would like to add: “I love playing in this league, it’s one of the best leagues to play in.”
I think we all agree with that.

Trades:
Tacoma Pioneers hit the trade market again sending Rickey Karl (2B), Mateo Sosa (C) and Pinky Brooks (P) to the Kansas City Bobcats for Benny James (3B) and Derek Ferrell (P) with 4.0mil going the Pioneers. Rating: B
The Pioneers where looking for some setup help and another offensive weapon since there at the bottom of the league once again while the Bobcats where looking for young major league potential players. I think this trade was a win-win for both teams.

Rumor Mill:
The Anaheim Beefpound has been in a lock down mode about talking with the media, it’s like trying to get the gold out of Fort Knox. I was able to catch up with starting pitcher Miguel Martinez before the lock down took affect and he said that the team is fine expect for one guy in the bullpen and he doesn’t understand why the coach keeps sending him out there pitch when he gets killed every time out there. It should be interesting in Anaheim for a while.
Boise Hurricanes could be getting desperate to move closer Nicholas Fox as he as blown a save the last three times he’s entered the game. His stock is falling fast so it could be hard to move him for what the team wants for him.
Clay Offerman from the Durham Bulls is said to be very upset by the team putting him on the waiver wire as he just doesn’t understand why no team wants him on his team this season after signing a big contract for the Portland Landports before being waived by them and claimed by the Bulls.
We are still waiting for Vawt to explain to use what a Vawt is?

Poll Question:
So far you guys want to the Clowns and Cab Drivers to get new logos but there’s one more days to vote so come on a vote, we don’t need a tie.

Useless Information:
Offensive Player of the Week: Danny Harding (LF) (Milwaukee Bucks) he went 29/81 for a batting average of .358 and hit 15 homeruns in 20 games. Harding also drove in 43 runs and stole 4 bases.
Pitcher of the Week: Pat LaRocca (P) (Houston Hitmen) He gave up 5 earned runs in 15 innings for an ERA of 3.00. He went 5-0 over a span of 5 games. LaRocca struck out 15 while only walking 5.
Darren Higginson of the Madison Lasers is the best hitter in the league right now as he as the highest career average at .366 and hits with 873, which he will probably be the first player to 1000 hits by the end of the season.
Carmine Taft of the Monterrey Stars is the best strikeout starting pitcher in the league with 795 strikeouts against only 878 innings pitch for an 8.15 strikeouts per nine innings.
Kennie “The Wizard” Sexson of the New Britain Fisher Cats could be the best fielding shortstop in the league as he’s only got 27 errors in his 5 year career with a career league leading 22 great plays at shortstop.

Trivia Question:
Who are the only two players to win Major League Baseball's Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards in the same season?

The answer to yesterday Trivia Question:
What is the oldest continuously used ballpark in the World?
Answer:
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the oldest continuously operated ballpark in the world is Fuller Field in Clinton, Massachusetts. Clinton is a small town located 35 miles west of Fenway Park in Boston, the oldest Major League Baseball ballpark. Fuller Field has been in operation continuously since 1878.

WEEK 2 POWER RANKINGS

The second week saw some big jumps by a couple of teams and some big falls for a couple teams as well. For the first time in Power Rankings history the Anaheim Beefpound and the Atlanta Brave Vawts are sitting out of the top 10. The Clowns are still number one in the rankings and unless they start to collapse they may be the first team be in the number one spot from the beginning of the season till the end. The Highlanders, Bucks, Pioneers and Wranglers debut in the top ten this week, while the Cornerstone, Beefpound, Beet Farmer’s and Gators drop out of the top ten this week. The Highlanders also had the best record during the week going 16-4 while the Manta Rays had the worst record going 3-17. The Monterrey Stars have scored the most runs with 295 (7.20 runs per game) while the Indianapolis Clowns have allowed the fewest runs with 150 (3.66 runs per game). Arizona Sting has the best home record of 16-7, while Clowns have the best road record 19-4. The Clowns also have the biggest divisional lead with 6 games ahead of the Cornerstone. The American League West is the toughest division to play in with the National League North behind it, followed by the National League South, then the American League South, then the American League East, then the National League East, then the National League West and then the American League North.

1. Indianapolis Clowns (30-11) (Previous Week – 1)
The Indianapolis Clowns remain in the top spot after going 14-6 during the week. The Clowns are scoring 7.15 runs per game while giving up 3.66 runs per game. The Clowns have the best pitching staff, the best offensive and the 3rd best defense in the league so far this season.
2. Houston Hitmen (28-13) (Previous Week – 5)
The Houston Hitmen moved up three spots this week after going 15-5 during the week. The Hitmen are scoring 6.88 runs per game while giving up 4.83 runs per game. The Hitmen have the 8th best pitching staff, 4th best offensive and 21st best defensive in the league so far this season.
3. Monterrey Stars (26-15) (Previous Week – 8)
The Monterrey Stars moved up five spots this week after going 14-6 during the week. The Stars are scoring 7.20 runs per game while giving up 4.78 runs per game. The Stars have the 7th best pitching staff, 2nd best offensive and 15th best defensive in the league so far this season.
4. Cincinnati Highlanders (26-15) (Previous Week – 19)
The Highlanders moved up 15 spots this week after going 16-4 during the week. The Highlanders are scoring 5.24 runs per game while giving up 4.56 runs per game. The Highlanders have the 11th best pitching staff, 16th best offensive and 4th best defensive in the league so far this season.
5. New Britain Fisher Cats (25-16) (Previous Week – 6)
The Fisher Cats moved up one spot this week after going 12-8 during the week. The Fisher Cats are scoring 5.51 runs per game while giving up 3.98 runs per game. The Fisher Cats have the 3rd best pitching staff, 9th best offensive and 10th best defensive in the league so far this season.
6. Milwaukee Bucks (25-16) (Previous Week - 11)

7. Arizona Sting (25-16) (Previous Week – 9)

8. Tacoma Pioneers (23-18) (Previous Week – 17)

9. Wichita Wranglers (23-18) (Previous Week – 13)

10. Cheyenne Xpress (25-16) (Previous Week – 2)

11. St. Louis Cornerstone (24-17) (Previous Week – 7)

12. Anaheim Beefpound (23-18) (Previous Week – 4)

13. Jackson BlaZers (23-18) (Previous Week – 12)

14. Kansas City Bobcats (20-21) (Previous Week – 24)

15. Atlanta Brave Vawts (22-19) (Previous Week – 14)

16. Burlington Ice Storm (21-20) (Previous Week – 28)

17. Portland Landports (19-22) (Previous Week – 15)

18. Durham Bulls (17-24) (Previous Week – 29)

19. Colorado Springs Armed Forces (18-23) (Previous Week – 25)

20. Boise Hurricanes (19-22) (Previous Week – 16)

21. Ottawa Crawdaddies (17-24) (Previous Week – 22)

22. Scranton Beet Farmer's (20-21) (Previous Week – 3)

23. Fargo Woodchippers (19-22) (Previous Week – 26)

24. New York Mets (18-23) (Previous Week – 21)

25. Honolulu Honus (18-23) (Previous Week – 27)

26. New York Cab Drivers (18-23) (Previous Week – 18)

27. Boston Braves (15-26) (Previous Week – 30)

28. Madison Lasers (15-26) (Previous Week – 31)

29. Florida GaToRs (16-25) (Previous Week – 10)

30. San Diego Skyhawks (16-25) (Previous Week – 20)

31. Jacksonville RAIDERS (14-27) (Previous Week – 23)

32. Tampa Bay Manta Rays (8-33) (Previous Week – 32)