Newsline

Welcome to the Season 17 of the USMLB.

Friday, November 21, 2008

USMLB DAILY

Welcome to the Eighth 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 New Britain Fisher Cats from the National League North Division.
The New Britain Fisher Cats find themselves in first place and looking to be the first team from the National League North to repeat as divisional champions.

So what are you goals for the season:
Last season my Fisher Cats started off somewhat slow, but kicked it into gear and were able to win the division and make the playoffs, though we were eliminated in the Divisional Championship Series. We have a good group of talented players here and the ways and means to make the playoffs and to hopefully get to the World Series and walk away with a trophy.
I think the Fisher Cats have as good chance as any in the National League to go to the World Series but it will be a tough road.

What do you think of the league that you helped create:
I love this league. We have a great group of owners here that have really come into their own. To be honest I didn't know how this league would turn out because I've been in some bad leagues where I just had to get out. Now I can never see myself leaving. Originally, Beef and I were trying to start our own leagues but had trouble with recruiting. He contacted me about combining our efforts, and I didn't see a reason not to. We both had our share of committed owners, and with some good recruiting, we filled the league. Now we are in Season 5, which is weird because sometimes it seems like we are still back in the first season. We've definitely come a long way and I appreciate everyone who have helped in making this league a great one.
I think I can say this for everyone. Thank you..

What team scares you the most to face:
The Fisher Cats fear no team. Though we are concerned with how much better the Milwaukee Bucks have become. They have such a good offense. Danny Harding is a beast this year and he could very well challenge for the MVP award.
I don’t think a lot of the elite teams are very happy about that comment.

Who do you think will make it to the World Series out of the American League:
In the American League: Atlanta and Anaheim are always good. They both have great pitching as well as great hitting. With the amount of wins they pile up each year they could both be serious World Series contenders. Though my pick is Beef and his Beefpound, because who wouldn't love a World Series showdown with the two creators of USMLB.
A lot of teams are picking the Beefpound to represent the American League this season and plus it would be interesting to see the creatures face off in the World Series.

With so many of your top players up for arbitration after this season will we see a big jump in payroll from your team:
The time has come where young players need to get paid the big bucks. I'm sure my payroll will take a jump, though I don't know how much as of right now. In terms of their futures, I haven't quite decided yet what I will do with my players. I have a good pool of solid prospects, so I can look within if I happen to deal players or let them go.
I think this will be a huge problem for a lot of teams in the near future as a lot of there young players will need to get paid or let them enter the free agent. Should be interesting to watch.

Anything else you would like to add:
Thank you again to all of you who have committed to this league and who have done your part to make this one of the elite. You may not think of it, but I believe that we are all a family here. A crazy family that is obsessed with this game and can't seem to get away. Good luck to everyone this season.
Yes good luck to everyone.

Trades:
Houston Hitmen traded D.T. Telford (P), Mark Allensworth (P) and Duke Ford (P) to the Tacoma Pioneers for Mac Nakamura (P). Rating: B+
A lot of people will think trading away Mac Nakamura is crazy at this point in his career but after speaking with the Pioneers they believed with all the pitchers coming into there arbitration years they just wouldn’t be able to keep all there pitchers and to let a couple go while there worth a lot more then in the next year. This trade will help out both teams in the long run.

New York Cab Drivers traded Tuck Pisciotta (LF) and Juan Alomar (CF) to the Fargo Woodchippers for Vernon Cain. Rating: B-
I think this will be the beginning of the Woodchippers getting rid of there major league talent for some good prospects as the National League North looks to be really tough this season with the Bucks improving so much.

Rumor Mill:
Dario Wallace is said to be very un-happy in Boise and would like to move to warmer climate as his sick and tried of the cold north, also he would like to play somewhere near sea level as he thinks the thin air is effecting his pitching. Little does he know it’s not the thin air effecting his pitching, it’s his pitching that is effecting his pitching.
Dicky Puffer is contacted me and would like all the GM’s to stop making fun of him and would like to report that his not gay if that’s effecting any team from picking him up.
It doesn’t look like any team from the American League North really wants to win the division as every team in under .500 and with every team struggle expect for Scranton Beet Farmer's we could see are first division leader with out a winning record in the league this season.
We are still waiting for Vawt to explain to us what a Vawt is?

Poll Question:
Looks like right now with the poll that you guys think the Madison Lasers will not make the playoffs even though there in first-place a couple games ago.

Useless Information:
Cookie Pena is one of the few teams that fears his bat as he’s the all-time leader in Intentional Walks with 62 but I believe that Erik West who started the season with 60 will pass him this season. Hoss Boone holds the single season record with 46 intentional walks in season 3.
Kane Hines hold the record for the best saving percentage in a single season as he went 48 for 49 in season 2 for .980 percentage. He also as the best career save percentage at .932 percent (192 – 206)
Claude (The Vacuum) Marshall has the most career great plays at second base with 23 great plays and holding the single season with 14 great plays at second base.

Franchise Information:
The St. Louis Cornerstone franchise has the most strikeouts by any pitching staff in the league with 5026 strikeouts, while the Kansas City Bobcats franchise has the fewest strikeouts by any pitching staff with 4174 strikeouts.
The Cincinnati Highlanders franchise has hit he most balls over the fence in the league with 1450 homeruns, while the Tacoma Pioneers franchise can’t seem to find the fence as they have only 662 homeruns.
The Wichita Wranglers franchise love to help out there pitching staff as they have the most double plays in the league with 2080, while St. Louis Cornerstone have the fewest with 1646 double plays but with the Cornerstones leading the league in strikeouts they don’t really need the double play to help there team win.