Owner Interview - kingkai53

 

Today’s interview is with kingkai53 of the Cincinnati Adena.  King has 379 HBD seasons and 1 World Series title to his record.”

“king, what part of the world are you from.”

“I live in Southern Minnesota, which naturally makes me a Twins fan.”

“So, then your favorite player must have been a Twin.”

“Yes, Rod Carew was my favorite and being a Twins fan of a certain age I’m sure I’m not the only one.”

“Then what would be your favorite baseball memory?”

“The 1987 World Series game seven.  While there had been one previous WS appearance in the 60’s, this was the first title won by them since the move to Minnesota.”

“How did you find HBD?”

“Through a blog by Aaron Gleeman, my wallet and I will never forgive him.”

“How do you like to build your teams.”

“I like to emphasis pitching and defense with my teams, much like RL you rarely can win routinely without both.”

“What would you consider your favorite team?”

“It would have to be the Huntington Miners in Williams/Mattingly.  I’ve been there for all 25 seasons that world has been around and in season 4 I won the world series.”

“What do you like about HBD and what would you change?”

“The fact that you can control you franchise as much as you would like is very appealing and gives me the ability to build my team in a manner I like and a style I prefer.  I do wish there was more control over coach hiring so that you didn’t have so much turnover, had more FI’s to choose from, and could fire coaches’ mid-season if you’d like.”

“Thank you, king.  I appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions.”

Owner Interview - jimt14120

 

This will be the 1^st of a series of interviews with Addicted User owners.  I’ll be starting with jimt14120 the owner of the Jackson Five of the National League South.  He is the current commissioner of the ULB, has played 368 seasons, and has captured 8 World Series Trophies.

“jimt, lets started with where you live?”

“I live in Northern New York, specifically the Buffalo area.”

“Which team do you follow?”

“Originally, I was a fan of the Big Red Machine and wanted to be Johnny Bench.  However, a trip to California in ’76 got me to an Angels game, and I jumped ship.  I’m still a fan and with the lean years far outweighing the playoff appearances I guess you can call me a diehard fan.

“So would you say Bench was your favorite player?”

“Early on the would have been my answer, however, the Angels grabbed Rod Carew and how could you not be a fan of his.  Then when Jim Edmonds came on the scene to patrol CF and started appearing on highlight reels with his remarkable defensive plays he took over as the man in my eyes.”

“What would you say is your favorite baseball memory?”

“Like so many of us I played Little League.  In the District Championship game our starting pitcher got hammered.  I was called in with only 1 out.  The first batter I faced, I lost control and drilled him in the back.  I can’t admit that it was a purpose pitch because that would just be wrong.  But if it had been on purpose, it was perfect.  The next batter was able to get out of the way of the first pitch, but it set the tone.  They thought I was wild and gave me free reign as I struck out 14 without allowing a hit.  I was also able to hit a walk off 2-run homer to cap the game of my life.  I’d love to tell you this was the beginning of my baseball career, yet I actually peaked at 12 and this was simply the highlight of a short but brilliant career.  I’d be remise if I didn’t thank Nolan Ryan & Bob Gibson for their insights into pitching that I read in a couple of Sports Illustrated books.”

“How did you find HBD?”

“By accident.  I started playing HD, then started playing SIM baseball.  I then took the leap into HBD and have never looked back.”

“How many teams can you handle at one time?”

“I’ve had as few as two and as many as 11 or 12, at the moment I have 8 teams and that seems to be a good level.  People don’t realize that as a commissioner I’ll get involved in swaps to help fill so that will lead to a few extra squads.”

“How do you like to build your team?”

“It really depends but typically I emphasize pitching, defense, & OBP.  I’m dying to try to field a team with 80/80 + range & glove players.  Someday.”

“What is your favorite HBD team (past or present)?”

“Season 17 WS Champ in ULB, the world I’m the commish.  The following season I constantly posted in the WC as the RWSC (Reigning World Series Champ).”

“What’s your favorite aspect of the game?”

“Building a team, trying different theories.  Plus, the uncertainty.  I’ve had juggernaut teams get swept in the playoffs, you never know what’s gonna happen.”

“What would be the one thing you change about HBD (what’s the most important thing to fix)?”

“The permanent ratings decline from injuries.  It just doesn’t work like that in real life.  Also, unless it’s a 1^st rd pick it just doesn’t feel like anyone from the draft pans out.  And finally coaching.  Not enough FI’s, plus you should be able to sign coaches to multi-year deals, and fire them during the season.”

“Thanks jim, appreciate you taking the time.”

“I hope I wasn’t too long winded.  I’m Italian and like to talk.”

“Nope, not a problem at all.  I thought it was interesting stuff.”

Season 71 National League Preview

 

Season 71 National League Preview

 

NL North

Boise Demolition (114-48, 1^st pl)

Top Pitchers: Al Marquez, Ernest Eaton, Galahad Montgomery, & Ted Frascatore

Top Bats: Francisley Fernandez, Tike Marshall, Louie Gonzalez, & Yuniesky Mesa

A team with a 3.24 ERA is hard to find and it was a shock that they didn’t make the WS.  All five starters put-up double-digit wins, and the pen was rock solid with Montgomery shutting the door on 28 of 34 save opportunities.  At the plate, the top five bats hit over .285, four scored over 100 runs, and all drove in 79 or more runs.  Marshall is still a stud as his career starts near the end but how will this team overcome the loss of D’Angelo Rivera.  Age & rising salaries are hindering this team yet there should be one or two more opportunities for this group to bring home the trophy.

Prediction: 101-61, 1^st pl

 

Detroit Tigers (70-92, 3rd pl)

Top Pitchers: Benji McPherson, Kohl Goodwin, Ralph Gload, & Rosell Crespo

Top Bats: Hank Dykhoff, Al Morales, Dane Tocci, & Walter Jeffress

A respectable 3.82 ERA didn’t get support from their offense or this team may have finished above .500.  Adding an arm to the rotation would be advisable and determining if last season’s above 5 ERA posted by their closer O’Leary might steal a few more wins.  The team’s .246 batting average and less than 600 runs scored left little room for error for the pitchers.  If this team can’t put things together this year it will be time to blow up a roster that has too many players in their 30’s not putting up superstar numbers.

Prediction: 66-96, 4^th pl

 

Minnesota Grape Apes (98-64, 2nd pl)

Top Pitchers: Darby Cash, Howard O’Brien, Lyle Small, & Tony Moya

Top Bats: Adrian Melton, John Crosby, Marty Walters, & Robert Podsednik

The teams top 10 pitchers are more than capable as their 3.68 ERA attested to.  All five starting pitchers won 11 games or more led by O’Brien’s 17.  Moya was 46 of 49 in save opportunities yet the rest of the team found a way to blow 14 saves.  Getting the ball to Moya more frequently with a lead would seem to be a no brainer.  Melton is a stud and drives the offense.  A bit more depth with power would help power this team to the top of the division.

Prediction: 99-63, 2^nd pl

 

Pittsburgh Ellis D’s (62-100, 4^th pl)

Top Pitchers: Byung-Hyun Tamura, Malachi McKnight, Evan Polo, & Ahmad Priddy

Top Bats: Yoslan Uribe, Davy Nicholson, Yadiel Cornejo, & Julio Altuve

The pitching staff has pieces to work with including 3 decent SP and a solid closer.  What they do need are a #1 & #2 for the rotation and a couple more arms in the pen to help transform this into a formidable staff.  The offense is also in decent shape but needs an identity.  A decision needs to be made to improve the power, OBP, or speed to allow one of these areas to stand out and help produce more runs to enable them to battle the elite in the league.

Prediction: 68-94, 3^rd pl

 

NL East

Atlanta Chatta Hoochees (72-90, 3^rd pl)

Top Pitchers: Flash Fox, Doc DeJean, Macier Grandal, Turner Buddie, & Vin Reyes

Top Bats: Hugh Saturria, Chris Cole, Antonio Moore, & Hung-Gu Kimura

This team is in transition as the eight new players added to the roster show.  Last season a rare four-man rotation was used.  The weakest of those four was not resigned.  Closer by committee was also used with four players receiving at least 10 save opportunities.  Saturria was the defacto leader of the offense, yet his numbers were not impressive nor was the team .234 average and lack of power (111 HRs).  This will be a rough season in Atlanta as this team goes through growing pains and hopes some of these new players are part of the future instead of placeholders.

Prediction: 60-102 4^th pl

 

Columbus 1492 (75-87, 2^nd pl)

Top Pitchers: Domingo Hollands, Greg Stutes, Rymer Amaral, & Willie Meek

Top Bats: Nefi Neris, Ricardo Cano, Rocky Stone, & Roger Dupler

The pitching staff was led by the bullpen last season as they threw close to 500 IP.  Can they do that again and hold up to the constant usage, or will the rotation start to shoulder their fair share of the innings.  Cano led the offense but that isn’t saying much as they could only produce a .249 average and 676 runs scored.  Improvements to the SP and the offense are the best hope to get into the playoff hunt.  Unfortunately, that isn’t always an easy thing to do and it may take another offseason of FA hunting to kick things into gear.

Prediction: 74-88, 2^nd pl

 

London Rippers (71-91, 4^th pl)

Top Pitchers: Elmer Slack, Joel Camilli, Mark K’aaihue, & Yoervis Gimenez

Top Bats: Barry Estes, Jeremy Bradshaw, Clayton Reid, & Radhames Diaz

Gimenez was a big offseason acquisition, however, even after something of a down year he had a hefty price tag so his performance will be key in helping or hamstringing this franchise.  Diaz & Estes lead the offense, yet the others have been slow to follow.  Without more production from the bats this team will continue to hover close to .500 but never quite getting there.

Prediction: 72-90, 3^rd pl

 

Trenton Thunder (88-74, 1^st pl)

Top Pitchers: Cord Perry, Julian Peralta, Kelson Patterson, & Steve Driskill

Top Bats: Del Chavez, Junior Campbell, Benji Olivo, & Yordano Benitez

The move to Trenton aided the pitching staff to the tune of a 3.49 ERA.  Six pitchers started at least 14 games, and all were at .500 or above.  Callaway did an excellent job in putting away 48 saves.  The offense struggled a bit with Campbell and Olivo setting the tone with some help from others yet upgrading the offense would help come playoff time.  While the pitching seems solid the bats need to produce more for this team to make a deeper run in the playoffs.  The division is theirs to win so they should be focused on accomplishing that while filling their holes to better compete with the NL’s top teams.

Prediction: 90-72, 1^st pl

 

NL South

Huntington clean coal (75-87, 2^nd pl)

Top Pitchers: Adrian Stanley, Bailey Kaufman, Christopher Servais, & Shelley Sadler

Top Bats: Charles Ramirez, Stan Charleston, Tim Griffin, & Rico Torres

This is an interesting team.  Seven of the returning pitchers did well last season and should allow this team to stay in the playoff race for at least a portion of the season.  While Sadler was solid in the closer role (29/33 save opps), the other pitchers given opportunities blew 15 saves.  So how the remaining members perform may determine if the clean coals stay in the hunt.  At the dish this team performed well as only one player with 250 AB’s hit under .250 which led to a solid .268 average.  Likewise, 698 runs scored is more than respectable yet more power might have increased that number increasing the win total.  Changes have been made; will this team rise above .500 and into the chase for a division title or playoff spot should be answered quickly.

Prediction: 81-81, 3^rd pl

 

Jacksonville Five (88-74, 1^st pl)

Top Pitchers: Dale Evans, Del Sanchez, Simon Gibson, & Tony Guillen

Top Bats: Boone Pagnozzi, Kris O’Neill, Jose Tatis, & Wilfredo Diaz

The pitching staff is the engine that drives this train.  Having posted a 3.30 ERA, Sanchez & Evans heading the rotation, with studs like Gibson & Guillen coming out of the pen, this should be the case again.  However, losing Zoltan Hernandez will hurt and make them a little vulnerable.  There is some solid power in the lineup yet another big bat or two would make this team click especially considering the lack of team speed.  More production is needed with a couple of table setters giving the thumpers more opportunities to help the hurlers and allowing them a bit more breathing room.  They should be able to hold on to the division title while the gap may be narrowing between them and their division mates.

Prediction: 86-76, 1^st pl

 

Oklahoma City Scorpions (73-89, 3^rd pl)

Top Pitchers: Wiki Sardinas, Julio Gonzalez, Daniel Towers, & Yunesky Guzman

Top Bats: Cecil Giansanti, D’Angelo Rivera, Brett Uribe, & Roy Walker

This is a tale of two halves, one very good, one not so good.  The pitching staff is very good and contributed a 3.34 ERA.  Getting Devin Burkett back will only add to a very good group.  Unfortunately, the bats will determine how far or how limited this team is for the coming season.  In an effort to elevate their offense, Giansanti & Rivera were brought in the hopes they could dramatically improve the run production.  It may be necessary to go shopping in the off season again to finish the rebuilding of the offense, but this seems like a good start.

Prediction: 82-80, 2^nd pl

 

Tampa Bay Oranges (55-107, 4^th pl)

Top Pitchers: Carson Holtz, Kazuhiro Kim, Kevin Ruf, & Kory Torres

Top Bats: Kory Kimbrel, Hideo Yang, Saul Alvarez, & Gustavo Chavez

On the mound the team struggled last season.  Yet Torres appears to be a good selection for the closer role and the rotation did have four pitchers throwing more than 170 innings.  Upgrading the last four spots in the rotation would go a long way towards improving things.  When at the dish this team could only muster a .239 team avg, scored less than 600 runs, and struggled to get on base.  This team should improve a little over last season but will need to bring in better talent for both the offense and pitching to stay in the race for both the division and a playoff spot.

Prediction: 63-99, 4^th pl

 

NL West

 

San Francisco Titans (85-77, 3^rd pl)

Top Pitchers: Williams Roling, Tim Tessmer, Robert O’Toole, & Kenneth Dilone

Top Bats: Alex Johns, Burke Borowski, Cutter Hagerty, & Neftali Diaz

You have to like a team that has a 4.07 ERA, five SP with 32-33 starts & 200 IP, and that’s exactly what the Titans staff was able to accomplish last season.  The bullpen also contributed with four hurlers producing ERA’s under 4.00 including closer O’Toole and his 41 saves.  Changes do need to be made to fill the final 3-4 slots in the staff.  Hitting also wasn’t a problem, there is nothing wrong with a .265 average and 745 runs scored, yet a bit more power and players that can get on base wouldn’t hurt.  This team rolls into the new season with much of the same cast so it will be interesting to see if they can build on last season or take a small step back without having added reinforcements.

Prediction: 86-76, 2^nd pl

 

Santa Cruz Control (89-73, 2^nd pl)

Top Pitchers: Apollo Knotts, Sparky Elbert, Candy Carpenter, & Ugueth Ciriaco

Top Bats: Roger Fleming, Peter Takada, Pedro Castillo, & David Unamuno

Last season’s team had a sub 4.00 ERA while using a 4-man rotation for most of the season.  The big question is can a team so heavily reliant on the pitching staff do this two years in a row while subbing in a few new arms?  A .240 batting average is not good, and it would have been understandable if this team scored far less than 674 runs.  Perhaps the oddest thing about this team’s offense is that what appears to be their three most productive hitters had averages between .234-.260.  The numbers that their offense produced don’t support a team that won 89 games but that’s what happened.  A wildcard berth turned into a deep run in the playoffs culminating in a WS win, that will be difficult to repeat.

Prediction: 85-77, 3^rd pl

 

Tucson Force (91-71, 1^st pl)

Top Pitchers: Antonio Hidalgo, Dillon Payton, Geovany Toregas, & Harry Ugueto

Top Bats: Geraldo Carrasquel, Emmanuel Mercado, Daisuke Woo, & David Ross

Any time you have Geovany Toregas leading your staff, things are good, the fact that your team puts up a 3.68 ERA means Toregas isn’t the only hurler that can spin the pill.  The Force will be rolling the dice that they can conquer the division with the same staff.  With this strong a pitching staff, the offense doesn’t need to set the world on fire.  Yet Tucson does have a solid group that produces enough to not hamstring the pitchers and put undue pressure on them.  Ross is the only significant addition to the roster and in the world of HBD that can be a dangerous thing for any team.

Prediction: 89-73, 1^st pl

 

Vancouver Zephyrs (85-77, 3^rd pl)

Top Pitchers: Al Trinidad, Frank Smith, Kenny Kennedy, & Tito Kingman

Top Bats: Jerad Lowery, Nicholas Guerrero, Lonny Howington, & Stephen Griffin

Is this a situation where the tail is wagging the dog or is it just a really good bullpen outshining the rotation?  The NL produced a few teams with sub 4.00 ERA’s last season and this is another one.  With the pen pretty well set, the rotation could use an additional arm to help bolster it in its competition with the bullpen for supremacy.  As for the offense, there is power, there is speed, yet neither excel.  The team batting avg, OBP, & runs scored also did not excel.  Getting more players on base and finding a way to push them across the plate will be necessary to move this team up in a very competitive division.

Prediction: 83-79, 4^th pl