Chris

2037 Playoff Race - Week 13 Update

Democratic Conference

1. Toronto Tiger Cats (12-1) South

2. Pennsylvania Posse (10-3) North

3. Kansas city Chiefs (8-5) West

4. Graham Bullies (8-5) East

WC5 New Orleans Gators (9-4) South

WC6 Trenton Revolution (7-6) East

Playoff Contenders:

7. Long Island Lunatics (6-6-1) West

8. Los Angeles Rams (6-7) West

9. Chicago Governors (6-7) North

10. Rimmington Redskins (5-8) North

13. Munster Hodors (4-8-1) West

11. Brampton Steal Yo Girls (4-9) South

12. Oakland Raiders (4-9) East

14. Cincinnati Shrugging Atlases (4-9) North

ELIMINATED:

15. Harrisburg Cougars (3-10) South

16. Atlantis Tsunamis (3-10) East

Republican Conference

1. Ft. Lauderdale Fluties (10-3) West

2. Alabama Slammers (10-3) South

3. Tijuana Bales (10-3) East

4. Chicago Coyotes (8-5) North

WC5 New Orleans Marauders (10-3) West

WC6. Philadelphia Eagles (7-6) East

Playoff Contenders:

7. Goshen Blue Collars (7-6) North

8. Burthorpe Badiaks (7-6) North

9. Oklahoma City Bison (7-6) South

10. New York Giants (6-7) South

11. Compton Calzones (5-8) North

12. London Horde (5-8) West

13. Tampa Bay Sun Devils (6-7) South

14. Manawa Allblack (4-9) East

ELIMINATED:

15. Indiana Aces (3-10) West

16. The Marvels (3-10) East

 

Key: clinched playoffs, clinched division, clinched first round bye

Dodgers , Padres, Rangers potentially taken (my co-commish just has to look over the applications)
Looking to fill the Mariners and our Twins  gm hasnt exported so also looking to replace them
If you have a AOL im we can also add u to our AOL Blast group which is basically a chat group that u access thu ur AIM list
we have player popup card as well meaning that when u link ur players name to their reports page (hyperlink) then when a gm hovers over them they see the players card with their ratings on it its cool !!!
also working to add the ability to enter just the players id and have the players card in the post which is also cool and we have other things in store.
we have an export tracker on the main page so u can see if u export made its way on to the server.
 Please fill out our league application if interested it can be found HERE also please read the Constitution and note we are in our first season  and in this first season each team gets a a free drop .    Leagues Site: MTBL Central | MTBL Central
Rules: Constitution | MTBL Central
Reports: Home

Please read the rules and if you have any questions let me know my aim is matrix20021983 and my email is [email protected] and please if you contact me let me know the reason in the subject so its less likely i miss your email or im thanks  this image will show the players card and how to get it do show  

Congratulations!

Hey everyone. I used an online tool and the following results are the winners of the Baseball Dynasty contest!
 
Entry #3 "The Road to the Hall of Fame" (nyy #23)
Entry #1 "Tournament of Champions: Promotion, Relegation, and Forced Relocation" (StLee)
 
Congratulations!!
 
I will be contacting you with your free copy of Out of the Park Baseball 16 or another possible game from the General Manager Games coverage!
 
Well done.

I mentioned earlier that I like to stick to a regular schedule with updates, unless life gets in the way.  Unfortunately April is going to be a bad month with life getting in the way.  I had an unexpected trip added to my calendar this week, and have two more scheduled this month.  So I'll pause here with a cliff hanger, and pick things back up either Wednesday or Thursday night with the results of the 1898 ballot....

Just wanted to drop a quick line here.  I am developing an NFL style football simulation.   To date I have not had any attention so the forum is pretty bare.  You can go there and get some basic information about it though.  It is probably still a year away, but rest assured I will do my best to finish it up since I am not really satisfied with any of the current offerings.
 
 
 
Forum: http://redfoxsoftware.freeforums.org/
Website: http://redfoxsoftware.webstarts.com/

Joining in from Illinois and I'm a White Sox fan. Getting throttled today by the Royals. Currently playing Baseball Mogul Diamond but have had an interest in OOTP for awhile. Probably going to pick up on that one this year but will enjoy reading here to see if there are any other games that I might be interested in playing. Hope everyone enjoys a great baseball season!!

http://www.ehmtheblueline.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=13799&p=184172#p184172
 
Long range games seem to be good.  Didn't really play the who's a regen of who game, but there are late round gems.  Only issue I've noticed is that there are an abundant amount of players playing past 37 and for some their Physical Attributes aren't degrading.  Tweeted Riz about it and I'm gonna be posting this on SI Games. 
 
Smolnikov - 3rd Round Kazakhstan Player

Platzer - 4th Rounders

Nuutinen - 4th Round Pick

Sundberg - 4th Round

Vinogradov - 6th Round Pick

Sandstrom - 6th Round Pick

August 2nd
 
We have signed 20 yr old right winger Jordan Foreman who will join our club as our 3rd overage. The 20 yr old was with London Knights last season where he had 9g 10a 19pts -15 54 PIM 70 SOG 12.9 Sh % and 6.23 AvR in 60 games with the knights last season. He was drafted 7th round 131st overall in the 2003 OHL Draft.
 
August 11th
 
Our former Assistant coach Brandon Roberts who I let go in the early off-season has just been named the new Head Coach in Peterborough
 
August 25th
 
Not all of our rookie camp invites are here yet as we had to use some of our free agent signings to fill their spots until the rest arrive in town. Our first game of the rookie camp is today as Brendan Leroux will get the start in goal against Westside Warriors of BCHL.
 
Westside Warriors (BCHL) @ Hamilton Bulldogs (Rookie Camp)
 
Montgomery (Tavi)
 
Final: 4-1 L
 
Leroux 27 of 31 saves
 
Stats:
Shots: WES 31 – HAM 19 
Blocked Shots:  WES 12 – HAM 23
PP: WES 1 FOR 8 – HAM 0 FOR 5
PIM: WES 10 – HAM 18
Hits: WES 19 – HAM 15
FO %: WES 28.6 % - HAM 71.4 %
 
August 26th
 
Our rookie camp team plays host to Buffalo Jr Sabres as Alec Desjardin gets the start in goal
 
Buffalo Jr Sabres (OPJHL) @ Hamilton Bulldogs (Rookie camp)
 
Perkins (Bazinet, Maggio)
Perkins (unassisted)
Papineau (Maggio)
Papineau (Redmond)
 
Buffalo:
Scheu: Miss
Gerrans: Miss
Hood: Goal
Fontaine: Miss
 
1 for 4
 
Hamilton:
Tavi: Miss
Perkins: Miss
Johnston: Goal
Raedeke: Goal
 
2 for 4
 
Final: 5-4 SOW
 
Desjardins 11 of 15 saves; Leroux 13 of 13 saves; M. Papineau 1st star 2g; Maggio 3rd star 2a, Jesse Perkins 2nd star 2g
 
Stats:
Shots: BUF 29 – HAM 45
Blocked Shots: BUF 18 – HAM 11
PP: BUF 1 for 1 – HAM 0 for 9
PIM: BUF 18 – HAM 2
Hits: BUF 34 – HAM 15
 
August 27th
 
Brendan Leroux will get the start in goal as we take on Winkler Flyers of MJHL.
 
Winkler Flyers (MJHL) @ Hamilton Bulldogs (Rookie camp)
 
Maggio (Bazinet, Brent) PP
Maggio (DePiero, Perkins) SH
Perkins (unassisted) OT Winner
 
Final: 3-2 OTW
 
Leroux 28 of 30 saves 3rd star; J. Maggio 1st star 2g
 
Stats:
Shots: WIN 30 – HAM 30 
Blocked Shots: WIN 22 – HAM 21
PP: WIN 1 for 8 – HAM 1 for 5
PIM: WIN 10 – HAM 18
Hits: WIN 19 – HAM 16
FO %: WIN 33.3 % - HAM 66.7 %
 
August 28th
 
Our rookie club plays host to the Oswedo Admirals on home ice. Alec Desjardins will get the start in goal.
 
Oswego Admirals @ Hamilton Bulldogs (Rookies)
 
1st Period
 
HAM - Raedeke (Schappert, Gagner)1-0 04:38
HAM - Emmerson (Papineau) PP 2-0 09:25
 
2nd Period
 
OSW – Cann (Skinner) SH 2-1 22:52
 
3rd Period
 
HAM – Tavi (DePiero) 3-1 40:33
HAM – Redmond (Tavi) 4-1 40:42
HAM – Emmerson (Hahn, Sutter) 5-1 43:51
HAM – Sutter (Papineau, Tavi) 6-1 49:17
OSW – MacDougall (Richardson, Galiani) 6-2 PP 50:53
HAM – Tavi (Maggio, Perkins) PP 7-2 52:11
HAM – Maggio (Bazinet) 8-2 54:43
OSW – Friel (Meloche, Skinner) PP 8-3
HAM – Raedeke (Perkins, Hahn) 9-3 56:24
 
Final: 9-3 W
 
Desjardins 13 of 16 saves; J. Tavi 2 goals 2 assists 1st star; Brent Raedeke 2nd star 2 goals; M. Papineau 3rd star 2 assists
 
Stats:
Shots: OSW 16 – HAM 36 
Blocked Shots: OSW 21 – HAM 5
PP: OSW 2 for 4 – HAM 2 for 10
PIM: OSW 22 – HAM 8
Hits: OSW 33 – HAM 12
FO %: OSW 27.8 % - HAM 72.2 %
 
All of the players finally show up to camp as there is 58 players attending our rest of our rookie camp and main camp.
 
Each training camp will feature 14 players of which we have changed the outing of our rookie camp and training camp. With 3 games left of our rookie camp and 8 pre-season games we have decided to dress each training cmap roster for 2 pre-season games and then each of the 4 training camp teams will form 2 teams and then those 2 teams will play one of the pre-season games each to give us a final look at possible camp invites and see if they will head to our development club in the RedWings of OPJHL, or back to their previous club or make our main roster.
 
August 29th
 
Team Blue will take the ice at home against Calgary Cauncks. Cole Sully will get the start in goal for Team Blue against Calgary Cauncks.
 
Calgary Cauncks @ Hamilton Bulldogs (Team Blue/Pre-Season)
 
1st Period
 
CGC – Moore (unassisted) 1-0 11:02
HAM – Walling (Sorochan) 1-1 11:16
HAM – Sorochan (Walling, Page) 2-1 11:41
CGC – Cifra (Jensen, Stevenson) 2-2 19:35
 
2nd Period
 
HAM – Werenka (Sorochan) 3-2 27:20
HAM – Schappert (Werenka, Sorochan) 4-2 30:03
HAM – Tanaka (Chidwick, Johnston) PP 5-2 36:06
 
3rd Period
 
HAM – Tanaka (Colwill, Chidwick) PP 6-2
HAM – Werenka (unassisted) 7-2
 
Final: 7-2 W
 
Cole Sully 16 of 18 saves; Seneque Sorochan 1st star 1 goal 3 assists, Russ Werenka 2nd star 2 goals 1 assist, Scott Walling 3rd star 1 goal 1 assist
 
Stats:
Shots: CGC 18 – HAM 32 
Blocked Shots: CGC 26 – HAM 5
PP: CGC 0 for 3 – HAM 2 for 9
PIM: CGC 18 – HAM 6
Hits: CGC 34 – HAM 18
FO %: CGC 0.0 % - HAM 100%
 
August 30th
 
Our Team Red takes on Pembroke Lumber Kings in their first pre-season game. Brendan Leroux will get the start for Team Red
 
Pembroke Lumber Kings @ Hamilton Bulldogs (Team Red)
 
1st Period
 
HAM – Sam Elliot (Jesse Maggio, Cory Syvret) SH 1-0 02:41
 
2nd Period
 
PEM – Purdy (Orr, Little) 1-1 28:32
PEM – Horn (Turner, Selleck) 2-1 29:18
HAM – Justin Dicaire (Dustin Fummerton) 2-2 39:50
 
3rd Period
 
HAM – Josh Suhanji (Jarrett Doran) 3-2 41:04
PEM – Kang (Paul) 3-3 47:56
HAM – Jordan Foreman (unassisted) 4-3 55:50
 
Final: 4-3 W
 
Brendan Leroux 24 of 27 saves; Josh Suhanji 1st star 1 goal
 
Stats:
Shots: PEM 27 – HAM 22 
Blocked Shots: PEM 21 – HAM 17
PP: PEM 0 for 4 – HAM 0 for 6
PIM: PEM 12 – HAM 8
Hits: PEM 23 – HAM 16
FO %: PEM 44.4 % - HAM 55.6 %
 
August 31st
 
Our Green squad will take on Notre Dame Hounds in pre-season action. Cody St. Jacques will get the start in goal
 
Notre Dame Hounds @ Hamilton Bulldogs (Team Green)
 
1st Period
 
ND – Morton (unassisted)
ND – Gale (Ewasiuk, Hawkins) PP
 
2nd Period
 
ND – Young (Gale, Ewasiuk) PP
 
3rd Period
 
HAM – Joe Bazinet (Kris Sparre) 3-1 49:00
 
Final: 3-1 L
 
St. Jacques 16 of 19 saves
 
Stats:
Shots: ND 29 – HAM 23 
Blocked Shots: ND 9 – HAM 11
PP: ND 2 for 7 – HAM 0 for 4
PIM: ND 8 – HAM 14
Hits: ND 30 – HAM 22
FO %: ND 71.4 % - HAM 28.6 %
 
London Knights traded Steve Mason to North Bay for Bryan Pitton

I am really excited to announce the latest update in the MyFootballNow game engine! We've been working hard to squash bugs and make improvements to the game, and today we are officially announcing the release of Version 0.3!  All leagues will transition to the new version at the end of their current seasons.  You can always see what version of the game engine a league is using by looking at the bottom of any page while you are in the league.
 
Here are a few of the updates in this version:
 
Pre-season games should see fewer players playing out of position; if you don't have a deep enough depth chart to rest your starters, they will play the whole game. Note that you can have all your players active during preseason and are encouraged to do so!
Pressure on the QB by the defensive line has an increased effect on the QB's ability to throw the ball.
The schedule algorithm now prevents intraconference pre-season games.
The fumble probability has been reduced slightly.
Drafts will now generate fewer kickers and punters, and the odds of a high rated QB being generated has increased. Also, there has been a slight increase to the probability for superior players to be created.  NOTE: Because the draft class is created when a league enters its postseason, the new player values will not take place until a full season has been completed in version 0.3.
Several timeout bugs have been fixed.
The box score for third and fourth down has been fixed.
Your RB and QB will now wear down through the season if they are used at an unreasonable level. (To prevent this you simply need to maintain a sane game plan and fatigue settings)
 
MyFootballNow.com is an online professionial football management simulator.  Take control of a team and manage everything from hiring coaches and drafting players to setting up your gameplan.  Compete with players from around the world for free!  If you haven't started playing the #1 online football management simulation, there's no better time than now to join! http://www.myfootballnow.com/

Opening Day is Around the Corner The Jays had another successful spring finishing off Grapefruit League action with a record of 15-11 which was the best in their division with the Tampa Bay Rays finishing second with a record of 13-13. The Boston Red Sox had a really rough spring going just 8-19 and it looks like its going to be a long season in Boston. The Jays had a couple of scares this spring as they had both SP Jamie Cox and newly acquired SS Carlos Correa miss time due to injuries. Neither proved to be serious and both are going to be ready for opening day. 

Spring Training Surprises

The biggest surprise of the Spring was the play of 22 year old rookie LF Don Bergeron the former 2nd round pick out of Washington High School put up some dynamite numbers this spring hitting .347 with 5 HR and 13 RBI and had my scouting and development staffs raving about his ability. We are going to start him out in AA New Hampshire since he has never appeared above A Lansing and I bet he isn't there long with a promotion to AAA Buffalo looming before the end of the 2021 season. The other nice surprise was the play of CL Jim Phillips the 25 year old righty had a great spring tossing 14.1 innings of shut out base ball waking just 3 and striking out 11. He really put himself on the map and will be one of the first arms to be called up from AAA Buffalo. The former 8th round pick 244th overall in 2017 out of Michigan State could be a major contributor to the Jays bullpen as soon as this season. 

Spring Training Disappointments

The biggest dissapointment of the spring was the pitching of veteran MR Aaron Crow. Crow pitched to a 17.74 ERA in 12 innings of work allowing 6 homeruns and 9 walks against just 3 strikeouts. The 34 year old essentially played his way out of a job and found himself headed down to AAA Buffalo. Its not know if he is suffering from a nagging injury and that has caused his drop in performance. Never the less he will start the season in AAA and if he can get it together and find his form from last season he could be back up in the Jays bullpen later this season.
OPENING DAY ROSTERS

SP Jamie Cox
SP Nathan Kirby
SP Marcus Stroman
SP Gerrit Cole
SP Kohl Stewart

MR Tony BooneMr Kevin ChapmanMR Jarred CosartMR Mark MontgomeryMR Carson FulmerMR Chris RichardsonCL Rex Brothers

C Max Pentecost
1B A.J. Reed
2B Kolten Wong
3B Stu Daniels
SS Carlos Correa
LF Justin Williams
CF Albert Almora
RF Oswaldo Arcia
DH Josh Donaldson

C Wyatt Cross
INF Gosuke Katoh
OF Randal Girchuk
OF Andrew Alpin

Pre Season Predictions

The baseball writers have spoken and they have the Jays finishing with a record of 100-62 and taking home the American League East title. In the National League the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers are predicted to have the best record in baseball winning a total of 110 games. The Boston Red Sox and Milwaukee Brewers are predicted to have tough seasons both on pace to lose well over 100 games. wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
Financial Information

The Blue Jays are in pretty good shape financially. We have an opening day budget of $178,000,000 and are currently spending $124,480,000 on players. Our budget is ranked #5th highest in the league and our payroll is 7th. Last season we turned a $38,000,000 profit and our owner (Rogers Communication Inc) took $22,500,000. Needless to say our owners should be quite happy with what they are getting from a financial stand point. We do have some players that we will be looking to lock up this season so we are going to eat into some of our available funds that away. We also have $8,000,000 available for the draft but with 3 additional compensation round selections coming our way we are probably going to spend over that amount.

Top Prospects and Farm Systems

Baseball America released their first prospect rankings today and the 10 best prospects in the majors were:

1. SP Sam Hobbs - 20, Colorado Rockies
2. LF Chris Caro - 21, New York Yankees
3. LF Ivan Saldana - 21, Baltimore Orioles
4. SP Vic Johnson - 22, Toronto Blue Jays
5. SP Jose Cerventes - 22, Toronto Blue Jays
6. RF Danny Miller - 22, Seattle Mariners
7. SP Chris Lee - 21, New York Mets
8. LF Jesus Vargas - 21, Kansas City Royals
9. LF Buddy Sims - 22, Milwaukee Brewers
10. SP Alfredo Bernal - 21, Pittsburgh Pirates

The Minnesota Twins have over taken the New York Yankees as having the #1 rated system in the majors. The Twins don't have a lot of talent ranked high on the top prospects list but they have 9 players ranked in the top 100. The Yankees graduated a few of their top prospects to the Majors last season and that dropped them out of the top spot and into second. The Blue Jays on the back of a pair of top rated pitchers (SP Vic Johnson being rated so high is a pleasant surprise) have vaulted into the #3 spot on the list. Rounding out the top 5 are the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers. The Phillies, Cardinals, Rays and Braves all are tied for last in terms of the prospect rankings each not having a single player ranked withing the top 100 prospects in major league baseball. 

Up Next: April Review 

Oh nice. EHM 2005 is definitely tons of fun. The two leagues here love it.

Hello All,
 
We've got a really good league going but had a couple of people drop out after life gets in the way. To give some background on the league, we're on season 5...started with a fantasy draft a few years ago. This league is unique because it doesn't just follow the natural course of most leagues and end up in the year 2025 after 4 months, which leads(in my experience) to everyone just dropping out or becoming uninterested.
 
We sim daily, one day at a time, which allows us to come as close as possible to the actual NHL in terms of ratings, contracts, etc. We use players real contracts, and use roster files every year so that guys like Luke Schenn are accurately rated instead of being a Norris trophy winner 18 years in a row.
 
Right now we are on EHM:05, however with the new system out we are testing things to make the switch over to that. So far so good, so I would guess next season will be on the new platform. We run a file league, but that being said, with a few mac users, everything is posted on the site we have set up, lines are submitted via a league email, and most of the activity takes place on the forum we've got, so it's really easy to take part in the league without the file. This is an advantage I've found to be huge with the daily league...as with the draft for example, those with the file aren't at any advantage, you can do all of your work ACTUALLY looking up prospects, draft rankings, etc. instead of trying to break down what the draftee's sim ratings are/will be.
 
==============================
The open teams:
 
Quebec Nordiques:
http://www.wickedbruinsfan.com/hfl/html/QUE.html
 
Their AHL team:
http://www.wickedbruinsfan.com/hfl/html/PRT.html
 
QUE doesn't have their first this year, but they've got draft picks in all other rounds, and two firsts/two seconds next year, but our draft is typically very active and they've got some nice pieces that could be dealt if the GM wanted to move into the first round
 
 
Freddy Beach Isotopes
http://www.wickedbruinsfan.com/hfl/html/FBI.html
 
Their AHL team:
http://www.wickedbruinsfan.com/hfl/html/CTW.html
 
FBI also has picks in every round, a couple of them are other teams.
 
==========================
 
One thing that we've done in the past and would be open to doing again would be an "expansion draft" type scenario if the three new GM's would want that. Rather than inheriting a team and then trying to make it all your own, throwing all the players, prospects, etc. into a pool and drafting among the three teams, that way you can build out the team how you'd like to.
 
The team names are all teams we've come up with, which you are encouraged to change to have your own but with the switch to the new platform, that doesn't look to be an option yet, so we may just end up going to regular NHL team names.
 
Let me know if you're interested!

Do you mind adding "Best Shutouts" category under the best gaa and best save percentage. It makes it more detailed and realistic to real leagues. Idk that's my thought and I'd like to see the goalies who have the most shutouts. 1 more thing is can you make awards? Like an award for best goalie of the league? And it will show in there player page profile bio (add a bio page for the player) and other trophies? Just so the stats actually do mean something after the season is over. Thanks!

When the Wings get knocked out, I still watch playoff hockey right on through to the Stanley cup finals, with the exception of some of the games with 10:30 starting times. I just have a hard time staying up until one in the morning for a Kings versus Ducks game.
 
  I always root for whoever knocked the Wings out, for instance, the Wings pushed the Hawks to a seventh game last year and lost in overtime, a great series and when the Hawks won I could justify in my mind saying the Wings were the second best team in hockey because they were the only team that actually pushed the Hawks in the post season (my rules, I make them up).
  I watch to root against the teams I do not like, the Canucks for instance, not much gives me the pleasure of watching them doing the handshake with their heads down after getting knocked out in four games by the Sharks or Hawks. A few others.
  I always pick a team to root for in the other conference, last year I chose the Senators as my team, and the spanking of the Canadiens in the first round including a line brawl in the playoffs of all things was a delight to watch. When they lost to the Penguins it hurt almost as much as when the Wings lost.
  So yeah, I watch, I hate when the Cup involves two teams I do not like, the Bruins and Canucks in 2010 comes to mind, I had no vested interest and didn't like either club a single bit. Equally, I have a hard time when two teams I have enjoyed in the playoffs meet in the cup final, such as when the Flyers played the Hawks. After three rounds of rooting for two teams it is hard to get a good hate on for one of them.
  The Penguins are a team I love to hate. I was shocked when they fell apart so unprofessionally to the Bruins in4 straight last year. Shocked but not saddened. Not saddened at all. I respect Crosby and even love to watch him play, it might be a bit harder disliking them now that Matt Cooke and Kennedy have moved on.
  Sorry, a bit rambly and off the beam, but the question is do you watch teams other than your favorite in the post season?

Hey, My cousin goes to Bryant. This'll be a good one to watch.

March 1974
Winter Haven, Florida


Roger Moret stood on the mound. He was a tall man, lean with dark skin and brown eyes. A Latino hailing from Puerto Rico, according to my scouting report, he would never be on the level of say Tom Seaver or Steve Carlton, but we expected solid contributions from him. He was 13-2 last year with 3 saves, but Darrell wanted to convert him to a full time starter. The fact he asked my opinion was flattering, but I had no real insight. If he could keep his fastball in the 90s through nine innings, then why not.

Moret's opponent was another black man, this one a little stouter and more muscular. Younger also. Moret pitched. The ball hissed at them, then at the last second abruptly veered outside. The batter swung viciously and nearly tied himself in a knot.

"Patience!" Johnson yelled from my side. "You don't have to swing at everything!" He shook his head as Bob Montgomery, our probable backup catcher, tossed the ball back to Moret. "I was never that young," he joked.

I smiled. "Who is he?" I nodded at the plate.

"Jim?" He grinned in return. "Jim Rice. Give me a few years to teach him DISCIPLINE," he yelled the last, "and he'll give you 30 or 40 taters a year. He has real power if he can connect. Strong as an ox and knows what he's doing."

"Will he make the team this year?" I asked.

He shrugged. "That's up to you, Jeff, but if it were me we have enough outfielders to let him get good and ready. He's only twenty. Give him a year in Pawtucket, then ask me again."

I nodded. So far I found Johnson..pliable. Perhaps too much so. His players liked him well enough for his easy-going manner, but whether that served a young team trying to come into its own remained to be seen. He went along with all my suggestions regarding strategy, including the unconventional ones.



Of his junior staff, the bench coach had Minor League experience but no success. The trainer, Buddy LeRoux, had experience but no chance to really prove his skills. He seemed more interested in building a private financial empire than serving the team. The hitting coach was brand new, while the pitching coach got an earful from reliever Bill "Spaceman" Lee and tendered his resignation.

"We have our minor league coaches helping out, but that's not going to do us any good when the season starts," he told me.

"I know. Haywood's interviewing candidates for me. We should find you someone good soon."

Johnson nodded. "I hope so."

We watched Rice whiff through a 78 mph changeup. "How do you like our chances this year?"

He glanced at me. "That depends. I know Tom gave you instructions. What did he say?"

"Why does it matter what Tom said?"

Darrell frowned at me. "I'm curious what he thinks, that's all."



"He told us not to completely suck."

Johnson laughed. "I think I can guarantee that!"

"And a pennant?" I pressed. 

He hesitated. "I...don't know Jeff. We have a good team, we really do, but Baltimore's always dangerous and I hear that new owner in New York is insane."

"Who?"

"Some shipping mogul, name of Steinbrenner. I hear he's giving his team a blank check."

"Don't worry, Darrell. Money doesn't win championships. People do, and we have the talent." It sounded false even to me, but with the reserve clause in place the only place Steinbrenner's money would do any good is in trades. We could hold our own.

Moret pitched. Rice swung and hit with a loud crack, not unlike a gun shot. The ball soared, soared into the brilliant Florida sunlight. I lost it there. For all I know, it's still going.

As told by Dave's friend, Michael "Red" O'Connor
 
Dysfunctional Dave McGee
I guess it even surprises me how long I’ve been with Dave. He’s not an easy guy to get along with- hell, he’s impossible to get along with- three ex-wives, not a single other long term friendship, no connection to his family…

The man the media has always called “Dysfunctional” Dave McGee is one of a kind. He has a fierce, hair trigger temper, he has been known to get into street brawls, and more often bar brawls, he drinks way too much, he is constantly mad at the world to the point of almost being paranoid. He simply has few if any people skills regarding anyone but those involved with his basketball program.

On the other hand he has a deep, wide, long knowledge of basketball fundamentals, and an equal knowledge of the intricacies of the game. He is an excellent teacher. No one is better at putting together a practice that wastes no time at all. He has unquestioned integrity. He demands the best, in the sport, in the classroom, and on the street from his students. He expects them to avoid anything remotely resembling trouble. But he is loyal to a fault. He will defend his players completely in times of trouble, if he feels they are in the right, or even if it is questionable.

The media too often portrays him as simple. He isn’t. He’s exceedingly complex and usually conflicted.

Okay, where to start? Third grade I guess. I moved to Cranston, Rhode Island from Bridgeport, CT in October of my third grade year. As all schools do, this school teamed me with a kid who would show me around. When we got to lunch recess we went outside. There was a small group shooting baskets, dominated by a tall, rugged looking kid who was clearly in charge. He was yelling at one of the other kids as we drew near.

“Who’s that?”

“Stay away from him, Michael. He’s a real asshole.”

“He’s in the third grade, how bad could he be.”

“If you look at him he beats you up.”

“Hah… What’s his name?”

“Dave McGee.”

“What’s the deal?”

“I dunno. He’s in Miss Butler’s class, not ours. I just know he’s trouble.”

I walked over to the game.

“Hey McGee, kin I take a shot?”

… “Guy wants a shot ta the HEAD! What’s your name, kid?”

“Michael O’Connor. You kin call me Mike.”

“At least yer Irish. I figgered by the hair. Guys, this here is ‘Red’ O’Connor. Call him anything but ‘Red’ I’ll kick yer asses.”

He threw the ball to me, hard. I dribbled twice and took a jumper. It went in.

“Not bad, Red. Yer on my team. Jeff, switch ta skins.”

“Hey! Why I gotta-”

“SWITCH TA SKINS!!!”

That was the intro to Dave McGee. For some reason he liked me. Turned out he lived on the street right next to mine so we hung out a lot right from the beginning. It wasn’t easy being Dave’s friend. He just did stupid, annoying things. Couldn’t seem to help himself. I stuck it out though. I don’t know, I’ve always had a thing about underdogs for one thing. For another, he could play basketball, and even then he was the leader, the coach. He’d put plays in and they were way more sophisticated than you’d expect at this level. He had a head for the game.

He was a head case though. He and I were in school together from third grade through college at URI and I never once saw him do any school work. Don’t ask me how he passed! If a teacher said something he didn’t like, or tried to work with him, Dave would start a battle with the teacher, and more times than not, wind up kicked out of class. But he did pass. He claims he never failed a class, and his URI diploma is in his office.

I guess I’d have to say he was at least somewhat of a bully. Leave him alone, no problem, but get in his way and you’d pay. Kids, even kids 2-3 years older, quickly learned that it was best to do things Dave’s way.

None of that ever changed much over the years. Good or bad he was a leader, and people saw that in him right away.

He kept growing, a big, beefy kid. He was Power Forward all the way and that’s what he played from middle school through college. I was a shooting guard/small forward. I always had a good shot, and the ability to get open for it. I wound up being 6’4”, tall enough to switch between the 2 and 3 spots. I handled the ball okay but not well enough to play Point except in an emergency, and I was a shooter not a passer. Oh, Dave got to 6'6".

In high school Dave went through girl friends like other guys go through sweat socks. He was a big, good looking guy and he was a terrific flirt. But after a girl went out with him a couple of times she was done. He was just too volatile. I never heard that he forced himself on anyone and I don’t think he would do that, but I doubt he had much finesse, and he likely had even less patience.
He had a dim outlook, too.

“Red, it ain’t ever gonna happen for us. Don’t matter how good we are we’re just assholes from Cranston. Duke don’t want us; UCLA don’t want us. We’ll be lucky if URI takes us!”

He was right, but URI did take both of us after we won the state title our senior year at Cranston High. He became a starter as a sophomore and I did as a junior. We roomed together all through college.

We won the conference our senior year and even won our first round NCAA game. Then we got demolished by Syracuse in the 2nd round.

All through college Dave was a really good player, tough as hell, a good rebounder and a better defender. He didn’t score a lot but he did get key baskets fairly often. I was the shooter on the team, and in a lot of ways the star, although that didn’t mean anything to me. Dave and I were co-captains our senior year and that meant a lot.

Off the court his luck with women stayed the same; he dated lots of them but never seemed to have a relationship that lasted.

He never drank until senior year. He never should have started. Alcohol made him even more belligerent and morose than he already was. I can’t even count the number of times I talked him out of fights. Too often I didn’t. He was so big and strong that most guys would back down but when they didn’t it could get ugly very quickly.

We both wound up back at good old Cranston High, me as a history teacher, Dave as a P. E. teacher. He got the head basketball coaching job and I was his assistant. We did well. After a rocky first year we won the league four straight times.

That got him the head coaching job at Nichols College, Div. II. Again, I went with him. We both kept our teaching jobs at Cranston High though.

He got married during his third year at Nichols. He found a woman he couldn’t drive away. After 4 ½ months of marriage he… drove her away.

Then this past spring Bryant fired their head coach. Dave had complied a 91-36 record at Nichols, had won the conference each of the last four years, and had gotten to the Div. II finals or semifinals three of the four years. He never won it all though.

“That’s us, Red, we get there but we don’t get the friggin’ gold ring. Just the way it is. We’ll get ta the big time, you watch, but we’ll never get one a those cushy jobs like Kentucky or Texas, or even UConn, and we’ll never win it all. You’ll see.”

No one ever called Dave Pollyanna.

Anyway, Bryant offered him the job. He told them he would only take it if I got to go along as his #1. After some discussion that’s the way it turned out. Hey, we’re full time basketball coaches at a Div. I school at the tender age of 35! Not bad.

Rhode Island is a small state. Neither of us moved. Dave has an apartment in Cranston, and my wife and I have a small home a couple streets away. Oh, I got married at 28. My wife Jean and I have a boy, Bobby, 3 years old, and a girl, Sandy, 11 months. Jean’s a nurse at the hospital in Cranston.

Jean feels sorry for Dave and has a good effect on him. She’s two years younger but she really is kind of a mother figure. She can get him to hang his head and look embarrassed the way no one else ever could. Dave’s own mother was an alcoholic. She died when he was 15. His dad wasn’t much better. Dave kind of raised himself. He says if it wasn’t for his grandmother he never would have made it. She died when he was 19. He didn’t have brothers and sisters, so Jean and I, and the kids are his only family. He loves the kids and they love him. We have him over for all the holidays, and he’s usually here a couple nights a week. We do a lot of our work here. That may change now that there are two other assistants. We’ll see.

Okay, basketball, coming right up!

1891 Hall of Fame Results
 
A pair of players received enough votes to gain enshrinement into the Baseball Hall of Fame, the second and third player to receive that honor.
 

 
George Zettlein was the leading vote getter, appearing on 95.4% of the ballots.  There are a lot of good reasons to elect Zettlein to the Hall of Fame, 278 career wins, two Pitcher of the Year Awards, four Gold Gloves, 12 All-Star appearances, and three Silver Slugger Awards.  Zettlein also had a lot of losses (308).  Despite being on a bad team Zeitlein was one of the better pitchers in the league.
 

 
Cal McVey became the first position player, and catcher elected to the Hall of Fame after appearing on 75.5% of the ballots, just over the threshold required for entry.  McVey hit .294 during his career, in 952 games behind the plate.  McVey won four Gold Glove awards, was selected to 12 All-Star teams, won three Silver Slugger Awards, and was the MVP in the 1878 World Series, winning his only World Series.
 
After finishing in second place with 60.4% of the vote last year Dick McBride saw his totals increase to 72.2 and jump to third in the results over Lip Pike, who in his third year on the ballot saw his vote percentage increase from 62 to 66.5. 
 
Catcher Deacon White appeared on 58.4% of ballots.  White hit .290 for his career and won three Gold Gloves, was selected to 10 All-Star games, won four Silver Slugger Awards, and won three World Championships.  With McVey off the ballot, and White having pretty close numbers it'll be interesting to see whether his numbers jump next year. 
 
No other first year player had higher than 25.3% of the vote.  George Wright saw his numbers fall from 25.3 to 22.4, with Frank Fleet seeing his numbers fall from 12.2 to 4.6 to drop off the ballot, joining Dave Eggler and Count Sensenderfer as players that officially fall off the ballot.
 
1891 Hall of Fame Voting Results:
 
SP George Zettlein 95.4 (1st year) Inducted HOF
C Cal McVey 76.5 (1st year) Inducted HOF
SP Dick McBride 72.2 (2nd year)
2B Lip Pike 66.5 (3rd year)
C Deacon White 58.4 (1st year)
CF Fred Treacey 25.3 (1st year)
SS George Wright 22.4 (2nd year)
SP John McMullin 22.4 (1st year)
RF John Bass 21.0 (1st year)
SP Martin Malone 17.4 (1st year)
SS John Radcliff 14.9 (1st year)
RF George Bechtel 10.3 (1st year)
RP Frank Fleet 4.6 (2nd year) Dropped
CF Dave Eggler 3.2 (1st year) Dropped
CF Count Sensenderfer 2.8 (1st year) Dropped
 

The HOF is so much fun..

1889 Hall of Fame Results
 

 
Cherokee Fisher became the first player elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame today.  Fisher's best season came in 1877 when he went 29-18 with a 2.67 ERA on his way to a  Pitcher of the Year Award.  Fisher began his career with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1871 at the age of 26 and retired at the age of 38 following a season where he went 10-5 with a 2.74 ERA. 
 
Finishing in second place on the ballot was second baseman Lip Pike.  I'm a little surprised about his high vote total, but it will be interesting to see what his second year on the ballot brings. 
 
Joe McDermott officially fell off the ballot, while Steve King and Ed Pinkham will be back for at least one more year. 
 
1888 Hall of Fame Voting Results:
 
SP Cherokee Fisher 85.9 (1st year) Inducted HOF
2B Lip Pike 60.0 (1st year)
LF Steve King 7.3 (1st year)
RF Ed Pinkham 5.9 (4th year)
RP Joe McDermott 4.4 (1st year) Dropped
 

It's pretty damn good. It starts like a comedy but more things start to happen that make it a bit darker.

2037 Pre-Season Notes
Schedule
Week 1 vs Compton Calzones
Week 2 at London Horde
Week 3 vs Compton Calzones
Week 4 at Indiana Aces
 
Position Battles
QB
Arden Price and incumbent Bret Marquez will square off for at least the first three weeks, in an intense battle. Marquez, in a contract year, is hoping to prove to the Bison that he's at least a $15M QB, and Price is looking for one last stint as a starter. Both are neck and neck, and it will be interesting to see what happens.
LT
Matthew Miller is secure as the starting left tackle, but rookie Daniel Doxie will battle longtime reserve Geoffrey Mcalister for the reserve duties. Miller will likely see action in the first couple games, with Doxie and Mcalister probably making starts the last two weeks. 
LG/RG
Reserves Oscar Yoshiyama and Charles Mazuo will fight for the #2 spot. Many believe that if Yoshiyama can't find playing time this season, the team will be looking at other options in the future. Mazuo will likely make the roster no matter what, as he's a durable reserve guard. Both Yoshiyama and Mazuo are also competing with Right Guard Frank Jones, who isn't very far above either in terms of play. Jones enters as the starter, though.
C
Reserves Glenn Okeefe and Kyle Mandel are competing for the #3 C position, though there is no guarantee  of a roster spot. LS Edmond Zych could try to compete with both, as well, though he's expected to make the roster based on long snapping duties alone. Expect a majority of playing time from the 3 to come in the final two games.
RT
Julian Schiaffino and Geoffrey Mcalister will battle with rookie Raymond Johnson for reserve duties. There is no guarantee of a roster spot for any of them if they can't win the #2 job. All three could see extensive time beginning in the second game.
DE
Tyler Gonzalea, rookie John Schweda, and Daniel Ortiz will battle for the final end spot. Schweda appears to be the frontrunner, while Ortiz seems to be a signing they hope can develop for next season. Gonzalea seems to be a failed experiment post-trade of Dennis Hamic. Schweda will likely see time in every game, Ortiz one or two, and Gonzalea at least two.
DT
Daryl Hutchinson will fight to be carried as a 5DT, though he sits behind Daniel Ballard and rookie Eric Parmer, who are both locks to make the roster. Hutchinson's battle appears to be more with other "bubble" players for a final spot, rather than with individuals at his position.
MLB
Rookie Henry Ballesteros and reserve David Ferguson will compete for the #2 duties, while Jesse Vanetta and Nathaniel Fitch will fight for a roster spot. Vanetta could develop some more into a solid reserve outside backer, while Fitch is one of the best special teams players on the roster. It might be hard to see either get regular work with the #2 defense.
CB
1st round pick Brian Mcconnell will battle Larry Delacruz for the #2 corner spot, with the loser of the battle playing in nickle situations. Starting corners have gone down in each of the last two seasons, so there's a chance whoever ends up at nickelback will end up starting games, too. Wilson Slinger, a starter for most of last year after Neal Lozado went down, will have to show he's worthy of a roster spot, and Christopher Ross will try to make the roster based on special teams alone, though he could start for other teams at corner.
FS
Former SS David Rumbley will compete with Charles Atherton and Michael Mcwhorter for the #2/3 free safety spots. The Bison said they'll keep at least 4 safeties, so Rumbley could make the roster as the #2 SS even if he ends up as the 4th free safety. Atherton and Mcwhorter haven't shown capability of playing SS.
SS
Rumbley and rookie Bradley Vineyard will compete for the #2 duties. Rumbley could mentor Vineyard and Justin Mcdaniel, a 2036 draft selection likely to start this year. Vineyard will hopefully develop from any 2037 playing time, and could take Rumbley's spot as #2 or push Justin Mcdaniel next season.
P
Bruce Clark loses his job more and more every day. Eddie Moore has looked like the better punter through camp, and has demonstrated that he's the best holder for kicks on the team, replacing free agent WR Billy Dunne. Both will have a shot at the punting job, but it's tight.
RET
Returners Sean Thurby and George Colon will battle for the return job, though neither is guaranteed roster spots, even if they win. 

Author: archibalduk
 
More than eight years after the Eastside Hockey Manager series was put on indefinite hold, the undisputed king of ice hockey management is back. A lot has changed since EHM 2007 was released in September 2006; not least the rise of the likes of Steam and social media. These platforms make niche games cheaper to launch and easier to market. Indeed, Eastside Hockey Manager: Early Access (or EHM:EA for short) is being released exclusively on Steam and is likely to be heavily marketed using platforms such as Twitter and hockey forums such as The Blue Line and HFBoards. Against this background maybe, just maybe, the game will become a more viable project than it was before.
This new iteration is being released as an Early Access game. The game will be continuously developed over the coming months with regular updates being pushed to users via Steam. To call it a beta version would be grossly unfair and inaccurate. The game is highly polished. It’s simply that the game will be developed whilst we play. The thinking behind this approach is to test the waters. If the game generates enough sales then it will return as an annual release. If not, then it won’t.
For the full story, see here: http://gmgames.org/eastside-hockey-manager-early-access-ehm-ea/review/

Sounds good. Would you like me to remove the other? Looking forward to reading!