TACOMA PIONEERS

TACOMA PIONEERS

The Rebuilding

The Pioneers began last season as one of the winniest teams in the last four years. A 92 loses regular season the first losing season since season two and also the first time the team finished last place in the National League West. To that end, Tacoma went into the offseason looking to rebuild the whole team, starting with the the pitching staff and go back to the oringal plan that was set up for this team during season three. Without further ado, let’s introduce you to your Season 9 Tacoma Pioneers:

Offense

For a franchise that has set the gold standard for the worst offense in the USMLB, it comes as no surprise that Tacoma will struggle to score no matter who's in the lineup. That said, Season 8 was a great year, which is below stanards for most teams in the league. Tacoma lead the league in stolen bases by a whopping 44 bases, but still below average for a team that has average around 300 stolen bases since season three. With major changes to the core of the offense I wouldn't be surprised if they broke the all time mark of 397 stolen bases this year.

1- RF Rich Blue (31 years old)- Blue returned to Tacoma during the offseason when his seven million dollar option accepted by the team, bringing stability back to the leadoff spot for the team. Blue holds the career record in the league with 492 stolen bases and will be expect to add to that total this year. Blue scored 93 runs in 152 games, with 85 stolen bases and a .279/.344/.307 line. Another similar year would be reasonable to expect.

2- LF Bobby Donnelly (23 years old) - Donnelly has rockted through the Pioneers farm system since being drafted during season six. This will be his first season at the major league level but if he could produce any where near his minor league numbers he could become a force to reckon with for a long time.

3- 1B Tony Armas (36 years old) - Armas has always been one of the best pure hitters in the league with a career batting average over .300. Last year Armas saw his numbers hit a all time low, he went .274/.372/.369. Armas will be look upon to be the power bat in the lineup for the team.

4- CF Tommy Mientkiewicz (29 years old)- Former All-Star Mientkiewicz came into the Nationa League hitting a brick wall, hitting .272/.330/.402, well below his average numbers in the American League. Mientkiewicz is into his second year in the National League so one could hope that his number will improve.

5- 3B Julio Ricon (28 years old) - Ricon was the big free agent signing for the team and will need provide constent numbers at the third base spot. With the hitters in front of him it would be expected that he would improve on his 31 one RBI's from last season.

6- 2B Anthony Bolling (31 years old) - Bolling has had several up and down years with last year begining an up year. His .282/.350/.321 was stellar but with Kevin Lloyd breathing down his neck and bad year could see him seating on the bench by the end of the season.

7- C Nigel Howard (28 years old) - Long time Pioneer Howard who has only played in 184 major league games in eight season will given a shot at the catching position once again. His bat has very little threat but this defense and pitch calling will keep him in the lineup.

8- SS Tommie Romero (33 years old)- Another player who has no problem slapping the ball around but has very little power. His 33 errors from last season is a concern for the team but with no options in the minor leagues he's the teams only option.

The bench will be filled by emerging 2B/LF Kevin Lloyd (six homeruns in 96 AB last season), slugging C Vic Franco (averaging 10HR's the last two season without getting over 200 at bats), RF Tim Kelly (23 HR's last season and could really put pressure on lot of players for playing time this year), and rule 5 draft pick Corky O'Conner.

Pitching

With the offense expected to struggle but also put alot of pressure on defenses to control there speed the pitching staff is expected to carry the weight of the team if they have any chance of returning to a winning record.

After four seasons of being one of the best pitching staffs in the league but a 3.96 team ERA last season the worst number since season three. With most of the big name pitchers gone from the team alot of young pitchers will be through into the fire.

SP1- Luis Barajas (24 years old) - Barajas is only 24 years old but already has 91 career starts. He spent time with three different teams last season but showed how good he could be with a couple of starts for the team last in the season.

SP2- Jumbo Quevedo (22 years old) - Quevedo came from the team during the waiver wire. He has never started a game during the minor league game but the team is really expecting him to be a big suprise this season.

SP3- Edwin Saipe (34 years old) - After spending a couple season away from the Pioneers Saipe return the team where he saw his best success and didn't disappoint the team. Saipe led the team in victories last year with 13 and will be looked upon the be the workhorse and get over 200 innings pitched once again.

SP4- Steven Hill (21 years old) - One of the best pitching prospects in the league, Hill will be given his shot of proven he's ready for the Major Leagues this year. The team isn't expecting him to set the world on fire this year but keeping the bad outings down would be nice.

SP5- Pedro Aguliar (25 years old) - Don't let the 5-10 record fool you, Aguliar had a very nice season proving he could be a good major league pitcher. If Aguliar can find a way to get past the fifth inning every start he should see those win totals improve.

Closer- Ricardo Hernandez (29 years old) - Hernandez will be given the first shot of being the closer but if he struggles he will be quickly replaced and put into a setup role.

Setup- Miguel Pena (23 years old), Horacio Mieses (28 years old), Manny Krivda (22 years old), Mariano Belliard (28 years old) and Manny Barrett (26 years old)- Pena and Mieses could see time as a closer this season also and Krivda, Belliard and Barrett will need to be solid bridge during the middle innings.

Long Relief- Brook Spencer (24 years old). Nothing special here, but Spencer could find himself in the starting spot of the young pitchers struggle for a stretch.

Power Rankings (Season 8) Final Rankings

THE ELITE TEAMS
1. Monterrey Stars (121-41) (Previous Week – 1)(Points = 291.86)

2.Houston Hitmen (110-52) (Previous Week – 2) (Points = 248.88)

3. Los Angeles Galaxy (99-63) (Previous Week – 5)(Points = 154.71)

4. New Britain Fisher Cats (96-66) (Previous Week – 4) (Points = 153.97)

5. Cincinnati Highlanders (98-64) (Previous Week - 8) (Points = 149.45)


THE GREAT TEAMS

6. Milwaukee Bucks (97-65) (Previous Week – 6) (Points = 137.82)

7. Atlanta Brave Vawts (95-67) (Previous Week – 3) (Points = 135.32)

8. Arizona Sting (93-69) (Previous Week – 7) (Points = 102.33)


THE ABOVE AVERAGE TEAMS


9. New York Fighting Molars (91-71) (Previous Week – 10) (Points = 87.00)

10. Seattle Rain Men (88-74) (Previous Week – 11) (Points = 76.68)

11. Boston Braves (91-71) (Previous Week – 9) (Points = 75.98)

12. Kansas City Bobcats (84-78) (Previous Week – 12) (Points = 63.21)


MIDDLE OF THE ROAD TEAMS

13. St. Louis Cornerstone (82-80) (Previous Week – 16) (Points = 56.36)

14. Portland Post Doctoral Fellows (77-85) (Previous Week - 17) (Points = 41.47)

15. Anaheim Beefpound (71-60) (Previous Week – 14) (Points = 34.65)

16. Scranton Beet Farmer (79-83) (Previous Week – 13) (Points = 35.21)

17. Dover Souls (81-81) (Previous Week – 15) (Points = 33.00)

18. Ottawa Crawdaddies (76-86) (Previous Week – 18) (Points = 31.12)


THE BELOW AVERAGE TEAMS

19. Jackson BlaZers (77-85) (Previous Week – 20) (Points = 14.59)


THE TEAMS FIGHTING FOR RESPECT

20. Burlington Bombers (70-92) (Previous Week – 23) (Points = -5.67)

21. Jacksonville RAIDERS (74-88) (Previous Week – 24) (Points = -10.18)

22. Washington D.C. Obama’s (74-88) (Previous Week – 25) (Points = -15.01)

23. Tacoma Pioneers (70-92) (Previous Week – 19) (Points = -17.90)


THE SOMETHING HAS GONE WRONG TEAMS

24. Philadelphia HeadHunters (72-90) (Previous Week – 26) (Points = -20.83)

25. Toledo Mud Hens (71-91) (Previous Week – 21) (Points = -23.85)

26. Salem Gangstas (71-91) (Previous Week – 27) (Points = -23.99)

27. Chicago Blackhawks (71-91) (Previous Week – 22) (Points = -26.35)


THE CAN'T WAIT FOR NEXT SEASON TEAMS


28. Louisville Grumbling Groundhogs (70-92) (Previous Week – 29) (Points = -74.84)

29. Minnesota Milfoils (61-101) (Previous Week – 30) (Points = -81.28)

30. Durham Bulls (59-103) (Previous Week – 31) (Points = -83.24)

31. Tucson Mafia (63-99) (Previous Week – 28) (Points = -116.67)


THE HOPELESS TEAMS

32. Tampa Bay SSC OverTheHillGang (44-118) (Previous Week – 32) (Points = -145.67)

#1 Light Year’s Ahead

Monterrey Stars

The Stars have been on a roll the last four years. Three World Series victories, four straight division championships, three different National League, MVP’s, two different National League Cy Young award winners, 14 players named an All-Star and they have won over 105 games each year. The sad part for the rest of the league is that it doesn’t look like the Star Juggernaut is going to stop anytime soon. So, congratulation to the Monterrey Stars for being named the USMLB number one franchise during the last seven seasons.

The total percentage of wins for the Stars is .613 (695 victories and 439 losses). The most wins in a single season were 114 during season five. The most losses in a season were 85 during season three.

Goldie1973 is entering his eighth season as the general manger of the franchise compiling a 695-439 record for a .613 winning percentage. Goldie1973 has been the best manager since his team made it to the playoffs; winning three World Series in five trips is a great average. Goldie also has the best playoff record at 36-20 record with a .643 winning percentage.


Future Outlook: Contender

Playoff Appearance: Five
Division Championship: Four
World Series Victory: Three
All-Stars: 19
Awards: 3 MVP Awards/ 2 Cy Young Awards/ 1 Rookie of the Year/ 8 Silver Sluggers/ 2 Gold Gloves

All Monterrey Stars Team

Catcher: Ricardo Ramirez (.309Ave, 77HR, 216RBI, 283R, .511SLG)
First Base: Mike Bonds (.317Ave, 251HR, 575RBI, 514R, .699SLG)
Second Base: Brian Turner (.287Ave, 222HR, 653RBI, 734R, .501SLG)
Third Base: Bobby Henry (.301Ave, 206HR, 505RBI, 473R, .636SLG)
Shortstop: Clem Barkley (.283Ave, 124HR, 349RBI, 344R, .515SLG)
Left Field: Eric Flynn (.288Ave, 223HR, 567RBI, 480R, .612SLG)
Center Field: Rondell Lowe (.294Ave, 185HR, 457RBI, 399R, .652SLG)
Right Field: Jackson Cooper (.296Ave, 83HR, 219RBI, 233R, .596SLG)
Starting Pitcher: Brandon Ellis (3.50ERA, 78-39 Record, 1042.2IP, 763SO, 1.24WHIP)
Reliever: Jeremy Morris (3.48ERA, 82-98 Save Chances, 225G, 173SO, 1.32WHIP)

Career Records
Hitting:
At Bats: Brian Turner - 4167
Games Played: Brian Turner - 1060
Runs: Brian Turner - 734
Hits: Brian Turner - 1194
Doubles: Brian Turner - 211
Triples: Rondell Lowe - 37
Homeruns: Mike Bonds - 251
Runs Batted In: Brian Turner - 653
Walks: Brian Turner - 477
Stolen Bases: Scott Coffie - 95
Batting Average: Mike Bonds – .317
On-Base Percentage: Mike Bonds - .389
Slugging Percentage: Mike Bonds - .699

Pitching:
Games: Derek Ferrell - 278
Games Started: Brandon Ellis - 183
Complete Games: Gil Henson - 12
Shutouts: Gil Henson - 3
Wins: Brandon Ellis – 78
Losses: Brandon Ellis - 39
Saves: Jeremy Morris – 82
Innings Pitched: Brandon Ellis – 1042.2
Strikeouts: Brandon Ellis - 763
WHIP: Brandon Ellis – 1.24
Earned Run Average: Brandon Ellis – 3.50

Single Season Records
Hitting:
At Bats: Scott Coffie - 697 (Season 3)
Runs: Mike Bonds - 157 (Season 6)
Hits: Bobby Henry - 236 (Season 6)
Doubles: Bobby Henry - 45 (Season 6)
Triples: Rondell Lowe - 12 (Season 6)
Homeruns: Mike Bonds - 83 (Season 7)
RBI: Mike Bonds - 182 (Season 6)
Walks: Brian Turner - 92 (Season 5)
Stolen Bases: Walt Lohse - 57 (Season 3)
Batting Average: Bobby Henry - .356 (Season 6)
On-Base Percentage: Mike Sewell - .438 (Season 1)
Slugging Percentage: Mike Bonds - .787 (Season 7)

Pitching:
Games: Nicholas Fox - 89 (Season 2)
Games Started: Six tied at 33
Complete Games: Gil Henson - 6 (Season 6)
Shutouts: Gil Henson - 2 (Season 6)
Wins: Carmine Taft - 24 (season 6)
Loses: Shane Tatum - 15 (Season 1/ Abdullah Hernandez - 15 (Season 3)
Saves: Lyle Taft - 38 (Season 3)/ Wesley Buckley - 38 (Season 1)
Innings Pitched: Gil Henson - 236.2 (Season 6)
Strikeouts: Wilson Fisher - 218 (Season 7)
Earned Run Average: Wilson Fisher - 2.95 (Season 7)
WHIP: Wilson Fisher - 1.11 (Season 7)