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Fallout: New Vegas' Mojave Baseball League [Retired]

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Year 3: Mojave Series, Game Five

 

Goodsprings Explodes for 13 Runs, Takes 3-2 Series Lead

 
The Lucky 38s trailed early in the first four games, but not in Game Five.
 
Goodsprings used a six-run first to vault its way to a 13-6 win over New California Republic and a 3-2 series lead. 
 
Mike Duncan led off with a single off Bears starter Jim Crouch. Stu Vanstone then doubled to put runners at second and third. After Jimmy LaRue struck out on a questionable strike call on 3-2, Jesus Martinez hit a two-RBI single.
 
Dennis Shaft walked, and Perry Ferguson singled to load the bases with one out. Java Stirfry then singled in Martinez for a 3-0 lead. Jorge Garcia followed with a bases-clearing double for a 6-0 lead. Garcia tried to stretch his double into a triple but was thrown out at third. Dave Morris then came on in relief of Crouch, who lasted just 2/3 of an inning. 
 
New California Republic scored its first run in the third inning. With two outs, Gerardo Makejoo walked and Gillespie was hit by a pitch. Clyde Martin then singled in Makejoo to cut the Goodsprings lead to 6-1. 
 
The Lucky 38s pushed their lead back to six in the fourth. Stirfry led off with a solo home run to left center field off Morris for a 7-1 lead heading into the fifth. 
 
In the fifth, Martinez walked with one out. Dennis Shaft then tripled in Martinez for an 8-1 advantage. After Willie Caine came in to reliee Morris, Ferguson hit an RBI ground out for a 9-1 Lucky 38s lead. 
 
The Bears were able to answer in the sixth. Gillespie walked to lead off the inning. On an attempted steal, Shaft threw the ball into center field, allowing Gillespie to advance to third. Martin then hit an RBI ground out to cut the score to 9-2. 
 
In the bottom of the inning, Goodsprings pulled away. Jorge Garcia singled to lead off, followed by a Tony Smith single. Duncan then hit into a fielder’s choice to reach and move Garcia to third. Vanstone followed by walking to load the bases with one out. LaRue then hit a three-RBI triple for a 12-2 lead. After a NCR pitching change,  Martinez hit a sacrifice fly to drive in LaRue for a 13-2 lead. 
 
The NCR finally found some offensive push in the ninth when the game was all but over. Martin led off by singling off reliever Earl Robinson. Mike Britton then walked. Emilio Rodriguez followed with an RBI single, and Britton and Rodriguez advanced on the throw to home. Joel Bowles then doubled in both runners for a 13-5 game. After Bobby Lorn came in to relieve Robinson, George Gray singled in Bowles for the 13-6 final after Lorn retired three of the next four batters. 
 
Stirfry was voted game MVP, though his offensive performance did not stand out other than being the only player to homer in the game. He finished 2 for 3 with the homer, two RBI, and two runs scored. Duncan led all hitters with four hits, including one double. Shaft was 2 for 2 with a double and triple, walked two times, drove in a run, and scored twice. LaRue, Martinez, and Garcia each drove in three runs for the Lucky 38s. 
 
Martin was the best offensive player for the NCR. He was 3 for 4 with two RBI, and a run. 
 
Willie Miller earned the win for Goodsprings. He gave up two earned runs on two hits with three walks and three strikeouts in 5.1 innings. Four Lucky 38ers came on in relief to finish the game. 
 
Crouch was the loser for the Bears. He gave up six earned runs on six hits with a walk and strikeout in 2/3 of an inning. He now has a 12.15 ERA in the postseason. 
 
Game Six will move to Hoover Dam Stadium. The Lucky 38s just need to win one of two there to clinch the Mojave Series title.
 
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Who Dat? 

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Year 3: Mojave Series, Game Six

 

Britton Finds Bat, NCR Ties Series 3-3

 
Mike Britton was a brilliant hitter during the regular season, compiling a .275 batting average with 17 doubles, 26 home runs, 92 RBI, and 66 runs. In the postseason, he has not been so hot. 
 
However, Britton found his bat when he needed it, going 2 for 3 with two home runs, four RBI, two runs, and a walk in leading New California Republic to a 6-1 Game Six victory over Goodsprings. 
 
Britton’s first homer came off Lucky 38s starter Jim Jones in the fourth. He then added a three-run shot in the fifth, again off Jones, to allow the Bears to pull away. 
 
Mark White was the winning pitcher for the NCR. He did not allow a run in six innings, with three hits allowed, five walks, and four strikeouts. Ken Watson and Basket Zapp completed the game for the Bears. 
 
Jones was the losing pitcher for Goodsprings. In 4.1 innings, he allowed six earned runs, including three home runs, on seven hits with a walk and four strikeouts. Dave Witcher and Mario Flores completed the game in relief. 
 
The game was scoreless until the bottom of the third. With two outs, White and Gerardo Makejoo had back-to-back singles. George Gray then hit an RBI single to score White for the 1-0 lead. 
 
New California Republic added two more runs in the fourth when Britton and Emilio Rodriguez led off the inning with back-to-back home runs and a 3-0 lead. 
 
In the fifth inning, Britton blew the game open. With one out, Gray struck out but reached after the pitch got away from the catcher. Clyde Martin then singled to move Gray to second. Britton followed with a three-run homer off the first pitch he saw, chasing Jones from the game and giving the Bears a 6-0 lead. 
 
Goodsprings finally scored in the ninth to avoid the shutout. With one out, John McDowell went deep on Watson. 
 
Britton and the Lucky 38’s Dennis Shaft were the only players with multiple hits in the game. Shaft was 2 for 3 with a double and a walk. Goodsprings had five hits in the game. 
 
New California Republic and Goodsprings will now meet in the deciding Game Seven, just like they did two years ago when the Bears used an outstanding pitching performance by Jim Ford to win the game 8-2 and the series. Ford will again pitch game seven, this time against the Lucky 38s’ Bob Jackson, who was 8-3 with a 3.18 ERA on the season.
 
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Who Dat? 

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Year 3: Mojave Series, Game Seven

 

Lucky 38s Win Mojave Series!

 
In what can only be described as an exciting finish, Goodsprings held off a furious NCR rally to win Game Seven of the Mojave Series, 4-3. 
 
"This is the best feeling of my life," Lucky 38s star outfielder Jimmy LaRue said after the game. "I never won nothing before. This is..." LaRue ran off to join other teammates in celebration before finishing his sentence. 
 
Going into the ninth inning, the Lucky 38s led 3-1. Bill Shelton was on to pitch the ninth for the Bears. With one out, Perry Ferguson and Java Stirfry hit back-to-back singles. With two outs, Eddie Pegasus came on to pinch hit for starting pitcher Bob Jackson and delivered an RBI single for a 4-1 advantage. 
 
The Lucky 38s then went to their bullpen, choosing Greg Greer to try to get the save over regular season closer Bobby Lorn. Lorn was demoted from his closer position after struggling in the first round of the playoffs against Westside. 
 
Greer proved not to be the answer, though. Greer walked Clyde Martin to lead off the inning. Martin then advanced on a Mike Britton ground out. With one out, Gabriel Rodriguez singled in Martin and advanced to second on the throw to home plate. Stanford Gillespie then singled in Rodriguez to cut the Goodsprings lead to 4-3. Greer was then pulled for Lorn. Barry Wilson singled to move the tying run into scoring position. However, Lorn got Mark Smith to fly out to shallow left field, followed by a Joel Bowles ground out to end the game and the series. 
 
Jackson was the game’s MVP. He earned the victory by pitching eight innings, allowing one earned runs on six hits with two walks and eight strikeouts. Lorn earned the save by getting the final two outs. 
 
Ford, who was the Game Seven winner two years ago, as well as the 2285 Postseason Award winner, suffered the loss. He allowed three earned runs on five hits with three walks and a strikeout in 5 1/3 innings. Ken Watson and Shelton completed the game for the Bears. 
 
The Lucky 38s took an early lead in the game. With two outs in the top of the first, LaRue singled. Jesus Martinez then singled to move LaRue to third. Dennis Shaft followed by doubling to score LaRue for a 1-0 lead. 
 
In the fourth, Goodsprings added more runs. Shaft, Ferguson, and Stirfry all walked to load the bases with no outs. Jorge Garcia then singled in Shaft for a 2-0 lead. Jackson followed by grounding into a double play, but Ferguson scored for a 3-0 lead. 
 
The NCR did not get its first run until the fifth inning. Britton led off with a solo home run to left center field to put the Bears back into the game, down 3-1.
 
LaRue and Garcia had two hits apiece to pace the Lucky 38s offensively. The Bears were led by Gillespie and Wilson’s two hits. 
 
Jackson was the choice for the Mojave Series MVP. In three games pitched, he was 1-0 with a 3.05 ERA in 20.2 innings. He allowed 21 hits, walked four, and struck out 21. The Lucky 38s won all three games Jackson started, including the deciding Game Seven.
 
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Who Dat? 

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Year 3: Offseason Awards

 

Lead Dealer Pitcher Award

 
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1. SP - Tom Nelson, South Vegas - 12-6, 2.36 ERA, 152.1 IP, 31 BB, 120 K
2. SP - Jim Ford, New California Republic - 10-2, 2.47 ERA, 142.1 IP, 22 BB, 107 K
3. SP - Clarence Woods, Westside - 13-4, 3.71 ERA, 167.1 IP, 46 BB, 119 K
 
New Vegas Samurai Hitter Award
 
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1. CF - Bob Franklin, Westside - .299, 20 2B, 4 3B, 32 HR, 93 RBI, 84 R, 45 BB, 10 SB
2. 3B - Mike Britton, New California Republic - .275, 17 2B, 3B, 26 HR, 92 RBI, 66 R, 44 BB
3. SS - Joseph Dillon, South Vegas - .316, 18 2B, 2 3B, 24 HR, 79 RBI, 71 R, 54 BB, 10 SB
 
New Kid Award
 
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1. SS - George Benson, Boulder City - .259, 19 2B, 8 3B, 3 HR, 45 RBI, 34 R, 33 B, 10 SB
2. 1B - Jesus Martinez, Goodsprings - .251, 10 2B, 13 HR, 62 RBI, 32 R, 10 BB
3. 2B- Nick Walters, Gomorrah - .267, 21 2B, 3B, HR, 30 RBI, 51 R, 16 BB, 4 SB
 
Mojave Hardcore Mode Postseason Award
 
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1. SP - Bob Jackson, Goodsprings - 4 GS, 1-0, 3.25 ERA, 27.2 IP, 12 R, 10 ER, 4 BB, 25 K
2. LF - Mike Duncan, Goodsprings - 12 G, 58 AB, 22 H (.379), 2 2B, 3B, 7 RBI, 10 R, BB, SB
3. SP - Jim Ford, New California Republic - 3 GS, 0-1, 3.24 ERA, 16.2 IP, 6 ER, 6 BB, 15 K
 
Return to Sender Defense Award
 
P: Jeff MacTause, Freeside
C: Frederick Sharpe, Gomorrah
1B: Scary Danny Parker, Boulder City
2B: Daniel Bentley, Tops
3B: Mike Britton, New California Republic
SS: Tom Effing Jones, Camp McCarran
LF: Mike Duncan, Goodsprings
CF: Gerardo Makejoo, New California Republic
RF: Angel Serrano, South Vegas

Who Dat? 

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Year 3: Offseason News and Notes August - December 2287

 

9.1.87 – Expansion

 
Commissioner Lee welcomed the two new franchises—the Primm Outlaws and the Nellis Air Force Base (AFB) Boomers—to the league. Both teams were owned by a conglomerate of companies in the community and stated they would choose acting CEOs later. 
 
Primm was owned by the Mojave Express, Bison Steve Hotel, and the Vikki and Vance Casino. The team was named for the legendary Vikki and Vance outlaw lovers. 
 
Nellis Air Force Base was the home to the Boomers, one of Lee’s closest allies during the war for the Mojave. Mother Pearl was known as the “president” of the Boomers, and she had stakes in the MBL team. Also, operating business owners, Loyal and Jack, owned stake in the new team. 
 
Because of their addition, Lee commissioned an expansion draft for the new teams to be able to field competitive teams in their first season in the league.
Each existing team had the right to protect 23 players from their rosters, and the Outlaws and Boomers had the right to choose from the remaining picks in a snake-like draft. The two teams also were awarded the fourth and fifth draft slots in the upcoming rookie draft. 
 
Also, the two teams were awarded Prospects League locations. The Boomers’ PL team was placed in the Nellis Air Force Base Auxiliary Field. The team was sponsored by New Vegas Steel and called the Steelers. Primm looked to its own hometown business owner, Johnson Nash, to sponsor its PL team, the Mojave Express Couriers. 
 
9.2.87 – Expansion Draft
 
Round 1
Round 1, Pick 1 - Primm Outlaws: SP Miguel Santos
 
Round 1, Pick 2 - Nellis AFB Boomers: MR Brad Moore
 
Round 2
Round 2, Pick 13 - Nellis AFB Boomers: SS José Rey
 
Round 2, Pick 14 - Primm Outlaws: 1B Tom Junktown Junkie
 
Round 3
Round 3, Pick 1 - Primm Outlaws: MR Jarred Jones
 
Round 3, Pick 2 - Nellis AFB Boomers: 1B Joe Cash
 
Round 4
Round 4, Pick 13 - Nellis AFB Boomers: SP Miguel Rosa
 
Round 4, Pick 14 - Primm Outlaws: RF William Harris
 
Round 5
Round 5, Pick 1 - Primm Outlaws: CF Tim Patterson
 
Round 5, Pick 2 - Nellis AFB Boomers: SP Earl Robinson
 
Round 6
Round 6, Pick 13 - Nellis AFB Boomers: 2B Zviad Taghiyeva
 
Round 6, Pick 14 - Primm Outlaws: LF Cecil Houghton
 
Round 7
Round 7, Pick 1 - Primm Outlaws: SP Matt Palmer
 
Round 7, Pick 2 - Nellis AFB Boomers: MR William Miller
 
Round 8
Round 8, Pick 13 - Nellis AFB Boomers: MR Sandy Heller
 
Round 8, Pick 14 - Primm Outlaws: MR Andrew Dwyer
 
Round 9
Round 9, Pick 1 - Primm Outlaws: MR Jack Jensen
 
Round 9, Pick 2 - Nellis AFB Boomers: C Bryan Fox
 
Round 10
Round 10, Pick 13 - Nellis AFB Boomers: MR Perry Hanke
 
Round 10, Pick 14 - Primm Outlaws: SP President Carter
 
Round 11
Round 11, Pick 1 - Primm Outlaws: 2B Geoffrey White
 
Round 11, Pick 2 - Nellis AFB Boomers: CF Caden Vincent
 
Round 12
Round 12, Pick 13 - Nellis AFB Boomers: RF Gabriel Rodríguez
 
Round 12, Pick 14 - Primm Outlaws: SS Héctor Ortíz
 
Round 13
Round 13, Pick 1 - Primm Outlaws: MR Claw Dog McKinney
 
Round 13, Pick 2 - Nellis AFB Boomers: MR Ken Watson
 
Round 14
Round 14, Pick 13 - Nellis AFB Boomers: MR Ángel Gonzáles
 
Round 14, Pick 14 - Primm Outlaws: MR Charlie Lyons
 
Round 15
Round 15, Pick 1 - Primm Outlaws: C MC Mack Walt Williams
 
Round 15, Pick 2 - Nellis AFB Boomers: MR Christian Davis
 
Round 16
Round 16, Pick 13 - Nellis AFB Boomers: SP Horace Torgerson
 
Round 16, Pick 14 - Primm Outlaws: 3B Jesús Méndez
 
Round 17
Round 17, Pick 1 - Primm Outlaws: MR Ralph Craig
 
Round 17, Pick 2 - Nellis AFB Boomers: SP Jorge Lugo
 
Round 18
Round 18, Pick 13 - Nellis AFB Boomers: C Stephen Colorado
 
Round 18, Pick 14 - Primm Outlaws: SP Bill Lowery
 
Round 19
Round 19, Pick 1 - Primm Outlaws: C Chris Forceps
 
Round 19, Pick 2 - Nellis AFB Boomers: 3B Mitch Carter
 
Round 20
Round 20, Pick 13 - Nellis AFB Boomers: CF John Butler
 
Round 20, Pick 14 - Primm Outlaws: MR Scotty Smith
 
Round 21
Round 21, Pick 1 - Primm Outlaws: SP Matt Wiley
 
Round 21, Pick 2 - Nellis AFB Boomers: LF Lee Peterson
 
Round 22
Round 22, Pick 13 - Nellis AFB Boomers: SP Bill Adams
 
Round 22, Pick 14 - Primm Outlaws: C Eli Smith
 
Round 23
Round 23, Pick 1 - Primm Outlaws: CF Bob Conant
 
Round 23, Pick 2 - Nellis AFB Boomers: CF Ben Sheffield
 
Round 24
Round 24, Pick 13 - Nellis AFB Boomers: RF Brad Gecko
 
Round 24, Pick 14 - Primm Outlaws: LF Rob Carlson
 
Round 25
Round 25, Pick 1 - Primm Outlaws: RF Vicente Palácios
 
Round 25, Pick 2 - Nellis AFB Boomers: RF Héctor Ruíz
 
Round 26
Round 26, Pick 13 - Nellis AFB Boomers: RF Keith Richardson
 
Round 26, Pick 14 - Primm Outlaws: 3B Chris Andrews
 
Round 27
Round 27, Pick 1 - Primm Outlaws: RF Mark Henson
 
Round 27, Pick 2 - Nellis AFB Boomers: LF Cipriano Man
 
Round 28
Round 28, Pick 13 - Nellis AFB Boomers: CF Floyd Bryant
 
Round 28, Pick 14 - Primm Outlaws: RF Henry Jones
 
Round 29
Round 29, Pick 1 - Primm Outlaws: RF Willard Bushby
 
Round 29, Pick 2 - Nellis AFB Boomers: SS Greg Patterson
 
Round 30
Round 30, Pick 13 - Nellis AFB Boomers: RF Jorge García
 
Round 30, Pick 14 - Primm Outlaws: 3B Manuel Gallegos
 
Round 31
Round 31, Pick 1 - Primm Outlaws: C Jay Gardner
 
Round 31, Pick 2 - Nellis AFB Boomers: RF Stan Clark
 
Round 32
Round 32, Pick 13 - Nellis AFB Boomers: C Kip Gregory
 
Round 32, Pick 14 - Primm Outlaws: CF Ricardo García
 
Round 33
Round 33, Pick 1 - Primm Outlaws: CF Norris Carr
 
Round 33, Pick 2 - Nellis AFB Boomers: SS Kirk Bell
 
Round 34
Round 34, Pick 13 - Nellis AFB Boomers: CF Roger Barrett
 
Round 34, Pick 14 - Primm Outlaws: C Chris Nix
 
Round 35
Round 35, Pick 1 - Primm Outlaws: 2B Manuel Rosales
 
Round 35, Pick 2 - Nellis AFB Boomers: C Santiago Yucca
 
 
9.9.87 – Player Trade
 
The South Vegas Vault Boys traded 34-year-old right fielder Alex Raines and 18-year-old minor league center fielder Héctor Herrera to the Goodsprings Lucky 38s, getting 36-year-old starting pitcher Robert Cooper in return.
 
9.12.87  - Player Trade
 
The Westside Sarsaparillas traded 30-year-old second baseman Joe Chase to the Novac Dinosaurs, getting 37-year-old right fielder Bill Cross and 20-year-old relieverMatt Hayes in return.
 
9.27.87 – Team conflict
 
Westside’s Bob Franklin and Dave Griffin are monster hitters in the Mojave Baseball League. Franklin won the league’s New Vegas Samurai Hitter Award, while Griffin, who led the league in home runs, RBI, and strikeouts, was not a finalist on the ballot. 
 
Now that voting may have ruined their relationship. Reports in and around the Sunset Sarsaparilla factory indicate that Griffin was bitter about the voting results, thinking he was a shoe in to win the award. Now that his teammate won it and Griffin did not finish in the top three, he has been cold and distant at the factory. 
 
We will keep our eyes peeled on this situation, but do not be surprised if there is a big-time trade during the Winter Meetings. 
 
10.5.87 – Rookie Draft
 
Round 1
Round 1, Pick 1 - Gomorrah Devils: SP Winston Walker
 
Round 1, Pick 2 - Ultra Luxe White Gloves: SP Dominic Dillingham
 
Round 1, Pick 3 - Freeside Kings: SP Charles Briggs
 
Round 1, Pick 4 - Nellis AFB Boomers: SP Mark Price
 
Round 1, Pick 5 - Primm Outlaws: SP Russ Gibson
 
Round 1, Pick 6 - Novac Dinosaurs: CF Jesús Castillo
 
Round 1, Pick 7 - South Vegas Vault Boys: SP Júlio Rodirice
 
Round 1, Pick 8 - Camp McCarran Brahmin: SP Andre Lund
 
Round 1, Pick 9 - Tops Mutants: C Cecil Clark
 
Round 1, Pick 10 - North Vegas Radscorpions: SP Tanning Hide Manley
 
Round 1, Pick 11 - Boulder City Atomic Wranglers: CL Alonso García
 
Round 1, Pick 12 - Westside Sarsaparillas: CL Marvin Krause
 
Round 1, Pick 13 - New California Republic Bears: SP Rob Bryant
 
Round 1, Pick 14 - Goodsprings Lucky 38s: SS António Gutiérrez
 
Round 2
Round 2, Pick 1 - Gomorrah Devils: SP Mark Walters
 
Round 2, Pick 2 - Ultra Luxe White Gloves: 1B Catgut Myers
 
Round 2, Pick 3 - Freeside Kings: SP Luis Bermúdez
 
Round 2, Pick 4 - Nellis AFB Boomers: SS Cleanbill Tomcat
 
Round 2, Pick 5 - Primm Outlaws: SP Francis Carefree
 
Round 2, Pick 6 - Novac Dinosaurs: SP Charlie O'Herlihy
 
Round 2, Pick 7 - South Vegas Vault Boys: CL Mike Smith
 
Round 2, Pick 8 - Camp McCarran Brahmin: 2B Bryan Brown
 
Round 2, Pick 9 - Tops Mutants: C Steve Hall
 
Round 2, Pick 10 - North Vegas Radscorpions: SP Christian Perkins
 
Round 2, Pick 11 - Boulder City Atomic Wranglers: C Sylvester Lambright
 
Round 2, Pick 12 - Westside Sarsaparillas: SP Ed Adams
 
Round 2, Pick 13 - New California Republic Bears: SP Ryan Ward
 
Round 2, Pick 14 - Goodsprings Lucky 38s: SP Stan Williams
 
Round 3
Round 3, Pick 1 - Gomorrah Devils: CF Ray Blair
 
Round 3, Pick 2 - Ultra Luxe White Gloves: SS Donald Haynes
 
Round 3, Pick 3 - Freeside Kings: SP Jorge Alonzo
 
Round 3, Pick 4 - Nellis AFB Boomers: SP Phil Ross
 
Round 3, Pick 5 - Primm Outlaws: C Bobby Phillips
 
Round 3, Pick 6 - Novac Dinosaurs: SS Jim Toaster Parts
 
Round 3, Pick 7 - South Vegas Vault Boys: SP Patrick Clark
 
Round 3, Pick 8 - Camp McCarran Brahmin: SP Kevin Stanley
 
Round 3, Pick 9 - Tops Mutants: RF Gregory Peterson
 
Round 3, Pick 10 - North Vegas Radscorpions: CF Paul Grady
 
Round 3, Pick 11 - Boulder City Atomic Wranglers: SP Lance Survivor
 
Round 3, Pick 12 - Westside Sarsaparillas: SS Billy Fish Lake
 
Round 3, Pick 13 - New California Republic Bears: RF Randy Bradley
 
Round 3, Pick 14 - Goodsprings Lucky 38s: SS Alex Payton
 
Round 4
Round 4, Pick 1 - Gomorrah Devils: 1B Sonny Gordon
 
Round 4, Pick 2 - Ultra Luxe White Gloves: SP Jeff Wood
 
Round 4, Pick 3 - Freeside Kings: SP Lou Crosby
 
Round 4, Pick 4 - Nellis AFB Boomers: SS James Moore
 
Round 4, Pick 5 - Primm Outlaws: SP Dave McCoy
 
Round 4, Pick 6 - Novac Dinosaurs: SS William Wilson
 
Round 4, Pick 7 - South Vegas Vault Boys: CF David Pérez
 
Round 4, Pick 8 - Camp McCarran Brahmin: LF Vision Hall
 
Round 4, Pick 9 - Tops Mutants: SP Darren Adkins
 
Round 4, Pick 10 - North Vegas Radscorpions: CF Elvis Johnson
 
Round 4, Pick 11 - Boulder City Atomic Wranglers: SP Grant Coalcave
 
Round 4, Pick 12 - Westside Sarsaparillas: LF António Carrasco
 
Round 4, Pick 13 - New California Republic Bears: SP Manuel Salazar
 
Round 4, Pick 14 - Goodsprings Lucky 38s: C Brian Sanddunes
 
Round 5
Round 5, Pick 1 - Gomorrah Devils: 1B Bartolo Robles
 
Round 5, Pick 2 - Ultra Luxe White Gloves: C Lane Milton
 
Round 5, Pick 3 - Freeside Kings: 2B Pedro Córdova
 
Round 5, Pick 4 - Nellis AFB Boomers: SP David Martínez
 
Round 5, Pick 5 - Primm Outlaws: LF Mike Rollins
 
Round 5, Pick 6 - Novac Dinosaurs: SP Justin Payne
 
Round 5, Pick 7 - South Vegas Vault Boys: SP Carlos Tavárez
 
Round 5, Pick 8 - Camp McCarran Brahmin: CF Genie Induboddel
 
Round 5, Pick 9 - Tops Mutants: C Bill Mack
 
Round 5, Pick 10 - North Vegas Radscorpions: CF Edward Townsend
 
Round 5, Pick 11 - Boulder City Atomic Wranglers: CF Troy Robbins
 
Round 5, Pick 12 - Westside Sarsaparillas: SP Dave Lunchbox
 
Round 5, Pick 13 - New California Republic Bears: 3B Robert Kirk
 
Round 5, Pick 14 - Goodsprings Lucky 38s: SP Wilbert Young
 
10.13.87 – Player Trade
 
The Novac Dinosaurs traded 28-year-old starting pitcher Steve MacIntyre to the Gomorrah Devils, getting 18-year-old reliever Matt Flamethrower in return.
 
The Boulder City Atomic Wranglers traded 28-year-old starting pitcher Rob Wolfe to the Gomorrah Devils, getting 18-year-old minor league center fielder Noel Pitts and 19-year-old minor league left fielder Doug Petersen in return.
 
12.17.87 – Player Trade
 
The New California Republic Bears traded 34-year-old right fielder Emílio Rodríguez and 18-year-old minor league reliever I Am God to the Westside Sarsaparillas, getting 28-year-old starting pitcher Clarence Woods in return.

Who Dat? 

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Year 3 Offseason: Winter Meetings

 

The third season was another success, and the Mojave Baseball League now had a total of 28 teams with 14 in the top league and another 14 in the Prospects League. 

 
With the new teams, the four-team divisions were pushed out of whack. Up for vote was the division alignment, some new rules to assist the new teams, and changing the playoff format. 
 
Winter Meetings: 
 
I. Divisional Alignment
 
Before the Winter Meetings were to move on to rule changes and even trades, the first thing Lee wanted to nail down was how the divisions would be aligned. He proposed having two seven-team divisions, or keeping the divisions at three with an uneven number per division. It was brought up but quickly rejected to place every team in a single division for scheduling balance. 
 
In the end, the three team division alignment won out 17-11-1. Therefore, Primm was placed in the West Division, along with the returning teams: Goodsprings, Tops, South Vegas, and Gomorrah. Nellis AFB was placed in the East Division with returnees New California Republic, Boulder City, Novac, and Ultra Luxe. The Central Division kept the four-team alignment of Westside, North Vegas, Camp McCarran, and Freeside. 
 
II. Rule Changes
 
The following rules changes were proposed:
 
A. DH rule to up offense and help new teams: REJECTED 15-14
 
B. Scheduled doubleheaders: REJECTED 23-6
 
C. Four-team playoff: ACCEPTED 23-6
#1 two byes, #2 one bye, #3 vs #4 in first round: REJECTED 27-2
#1 vs #4, #2 vs #3 in 7-game series: ACCEPTED 19-10
 
D. Chems changes: ACCEPTED 16-13
1. Cateye removed from chems list. No suspension for usage. 
2. Doctor’s Bag and Stimpaks now carry larger suspensions to balance competition (25, 50, 100 games)
3. Players who use major chems—Fixer, Jet, Psycho, Rocket, Slasher—will now be suspended for longer (25 games first offense) and can be banned for life on their third total CHEM usage positive test 
 
III. Winter Meetings Trades: 
# - Rookie, * - Star Player
 
1.1.2288
 
South Vegas’ SP Patrick Clark# to Gomorrah for 3B Joe Davies and 1B Jarred Oldviper
 
Camp McCarran’s MR Rosemead Wilson to South Vegas for MR Bill Massey
 
Camp McCarran’s MR Dan Barlow to NCR for SS Stanford Gillespie
 
Gomorrah’s 1B Sonny Gordon# to Boulder City for SP Keith Oven Light
 
1.2.2288
 
Nellis AFB’s SP Miguel Rosa to Ultra Luxe for 3B Ray Morris and SP Takem Neverlife
 
New California Republic’s MR Will Chinastar to Tops for 2B William Sparks
 
Freeside’s SP George Roberts and MR Brad Wedderhede to Primm for CF Mark Henson
 
Novac’s 1B Francisco Riveria* to Ultra Luxe for 1B Catgut Myers#, SS Donald Haynes#, and MR Chris Bishop
 
North Vegas’ MR Edward Meador to Ultra Luxe for MR Brandon Moore and LF Lonnie Doerr
 
Nellis AFB’s SS Kirk Bell to North Vegas for RF Avery Griffin
 
1.3.2288
 
Goodsprings’ 1B John McDowell to Nellis AFB for SP Phil Ross#
 
Novac’s C Thomas Hastings to Westside for SP Ron Darragh
 
Westside’s 1B Eric Fuller to New California Republic for SP Arthur James
 
Gomorrah’s CF Ray Blair# to Camp McCarran for SP John Parks, 2B Rob Carter, LF Juan Atkins, and CF Lyle Bell
 
1.4.2288
 
Goodsprings’ CL Bobby Lorn to Camp McCarran for SS Tom Effing Jones

Who Dat? 

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The Historian: Segue 3

 

Year 4: 2288

 
While the Mojave was still becoming a thriving metropolis, Lee's reign over the Mojave had reached its peak by early 2288. All along Lee suspected that President Kimball wasn't his ally, and that started to rear its head in 2288. There was pressure on the Mojave starting then, and Lee was feeling the pressure of the New California Republic's red tape policies on him. 
 
One of the big changes in the Mojave was new tax "laws" that came about. President Kimball claimed that the thriving desert was causing a lot of financial stress back in Shady Sands and other financial hubs of the NCR. Therefore, the solution was to tax the Mojave on what Lee could only describe as Sin Taxes. Casinos, bars, and brothels all got hit hard, as well as independent community centers, and Lee had to work with some of the fringe NCRers to keep a lot of the most useful social programs working. 
 
Lee worked hard to save school programs and anti-chem programs, as well as the associated rehabilitation centers across the Mojave. A lot of the NCR rebuilding programs slowed down except in places where Lee's helping hands of the past brought out volunteerism from NCR troops. 
 
For Lee, the focus on baseball became a little less important at this time because it was obvious what the people of New Vegas had once feared was coming true: the NCR was shutting down the area to make it just another foothold for the Republic. 
 
There was also some trouble brewing within the baseball confines. It looked like there could be a coup at some point and Lee could be dethroned as commissioner, maybe a way for the MBL to become the NCRBL. President Kimball's brother, Marty, was the owner of the NCR franchise, and his relationship with Lee was never weaker. There was even a rumor that Lee had manipulated the league quite a bit to ensure his baby, the Lucky 38s, would be champions. That particular rumor infuriated a few people, like Tommy Torini, Marjorie Hand, Sarah Weintraub, and James Garret. But it also left the people closest to Lee unaffected. It looked like the league might divide its loyalties. 
 
Finally, there were the whispers of greater rumors. Was Lee responsible for some of the mishaps that befell teams, players, and Swank? Were there others on the hit list? Who exactly was the assassin? The investigations were intensifying, and all of them were swirling right around Lee's collar. 
 
Yes, 2288 proved to be an interesting year.

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Year 4: Offseason News and Transactions

 

It was a relatively quiet offseason. For the first time, no players were severely disabled or killed during the offseason (random-wise, the dice were kind). Here are a few of the events from the post-Winter Meetings period. 

 
News and Transactions
 
1.5.88 – Player trade
 
The Freeside Kings traded 33-year-old shortstop Colm Warner and 17-year-old minor league starting pitcher Ken Mathis to the Nellis AFB Boomers, getting 31-year-old center fielder Avery Griffin in return.
 
3.7.88 – Player news
 
Tops’ speedster and the MBL’s stolen bases champion from a year ago, Eddie White, was informed that he will go on a 50-day tour of Denver with his specialist NCR group. That means that the 21-year-old will probably miss the first month of the season, assuming he comes back in one piece. 
 
3.9.88 – Player trade
 
The Boulder City Atomic Wranglers traded 28-year-old second baseman Nick Powers and 18-year-old minor league left fielder Denis Madden to the Camp McCarran Brahmin, getting 31-year-old center fielder Luis López in return.
 
Team Uniforms
 
With the new teams, there are new uniforms to show off. Here are the teams' uniforms, home uniform first: 
 
Nellis AFB Boomers
 
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Primm Outlaws
 
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New Vegas Steel Steelers
 
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Mojave Express Couriers
 
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Expansion Exhibitions
 
Primm and Nellis AFB faced off for a four-game friendly set, two at each teams' home stadiums, from March 23-27. It was a good chance for fans to see their new teams before the regular season began. 
 
March 23: Primm 3 at Nellis AFB 5
Former Goodsprings outfielder Jorge Garcia went 3 for 5 and knocked in three RBI to lead the home team to victory. 
 
March 24: Primm 7 at Nellis AFB 1
The Outlaws' Miguel Santos pitched eight innings, giving up one run on five hits with a walk and three strikeouts. 
 
March 26: Nellis AFB 5 at Primm 2
Former NCR reliever William Miller got the start for Nellis and pitched eight innings, giving up two earned runs on eight hits with two walks and seven strikouts. 
 
March 27: Nellis AFB 3 at Primm 2
Brad Moore continued the dominating pitching for the Boomers, giving up two earned runs on five hits with three walks and eight strikeouts in seven innings.  Lee Peterson was 2 for 5 with a homer and two RBI to lead the offense.

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Year 4: Predictions

 

For 2288, the NCR was expected to win it all with a .670 winning percentage. North Vegas and South Vegas were predicted as the other division winners, with Goodsprings expected to be the league's first "wild card" team. Both Nellis and Primm were expected to be at the bottom of the league standings at 34-66. 

 
Here were the annual preseason predictions from the RNC's BBN page:
 
2288preseasonpredictions_zps702b37c6.jpg

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Year 4: April 2288

 

Standings

 
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Player Awards
 
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News and Notes:
 
4.3.88 – Opening Day
 
Opening day of 2288 got off without a hitch. Among the notable games: 
Goodsprings needed a ninth-inning run to top Gomorrah 7-6. 
 
Tops creamed Primm in their premier, 12-0. Wayne Freeside began his second MVP campaign by going 3 for 3 with two home runs, five RBI, two runs, and two walks. 
 
Nellis AFB got off to a good start, upsetting expected MBL champ NCR 4-1. Former Goodsprings ace Earl Robinson got the win, showing he is not yet done at 38, giving up just one earned run on five hits with three walks and six strikeouts in 6.1 innings pitched. 
 
4.9.88 – Player Leave
 
Camp McCarran’s Giant Bear has had a bad start to the 2288 campaign. Because of his slow start 1 for 11 as the backup catcher, he has decided to take a leave to “find himself.” 
 
“Giant Bear is one with nature, but Giant Bear has had little nature this year,” Giant Bear said about Giant Bear. “Giant Bear needs to find Giant Bear to find peace. There is no peace in baseball slumps.” 
 
4.16.88 – Player Trade
 
The Boulder City Atomic Wranglers traded 29-year-old catcher Vincent Harvey to the Nellis AFB Boomers, getting 30-year-old right fielder Héctor Ruíz in return.
 
4.16.88 – Jimmy LaRue news
 
LaRue Punishes MBL Pitchers This Week: It's always a thrill for fans of the team and students of the game alike when a superstar in the making shows what he's got. Jimmy LaRue, the Goodsprings Lucky 38s 21-year-old center fielder, put himself in the spotlight last week making him the clear-cut choice for Mojave Baseball League Player of the Week honors.
 
He ripped 16 hits in 31 at-bats, compiling a .516 average with 1 home run and 7 RBIs.
 
4.19.88 – Player fight
 
Freeside closer Doug King may not have liked how his team’s day went, losing 4-1 at home to South Vegas. But it was the Vault Boys’ Anthony Savage’s showboating on a ninth-inning single that grinded his gears. 
 
King and Savage had words while Savage was at first. Those words became a shoving match in the post-game handshake, leading to both players being suspended. King will miss the next four games, while Savage will miss the next three.

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Year 4: May 2288

 

May was a relatively quiet month. Fewer players were getting tested, so there were fewer chem suspensions. Also, teams settled into their roles, meaning most games were playing out as expected. 

 
The MBL looked to be a five-team race at the midway point. While the New California Republic looked to be the strongest team, the other four teams atop the standings were not too far behind them. 
 
Standings
 
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May Awards
 
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News and Notes
 
5.17.88 – Player suspension (Major chem)
 
The Mojave Baseball League has been testing less frequently this season than it did in the past. In the first three seasons of the league, all players were tested on a daily basis. Now, players are tested randomly. However, the first positive test of the 2288 season was a doozy. 
 
Backup Boulder City catcher Paul Lawrence tested positive for Jet. Under the new rules, that carries an automatic 50-game suspension. Just when he broke it into the MBL, the third-year player will find himself sitting for most of, if not all, the remaining season. 
 
5.21.88 – Player trade
 
The Ultra Luxe White Gloves traded 29-year-old catcher Brit Williams to the Primm Outlaws, getting 17-year-old minor league second baseman Jim Tolbert and 19-year-old minor league left fielder Henry Jones in return.
 
5.22.88 – Player injury
 
Westside’s Angel Polanco has had an up and down career. That career was almost down and down, though, when he was attacked by a feral ghoul and suffered some radiation poisoning. Polanco will now miss at least a week as he is decontaminated. He can rejoin the team once he is considered to be at a normal radiation level. 
 
5.23.88 – Player leave
 
Novac’s Jim Welch has left the team for an undisclosed reason. Reports were that he had invested in a business west of the Mojave outpost and that a raider attack may have ended the lives of the entirety of a 25-employee workplace. None of the details have been confirmed, but, according to team officials for the Dinosaurs, Welch will be out “at least until July.”

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Year 4: Prospects League

 

Final Standings

 
2288PLStandings_zps6f7a94d6.jpg
 
Playoffs
 
First Round
 
Game 1: Bitter Springs 5 at Aerotech 2
Player of the Game: CF Jimmy Dunn, BS, 3 for 4, 2 2B, 3 RBI, R
 
Game 2: Bitter Springs 8, Aerotech 1
Player of the Game: SP Don Bailey, BS, 7.1 IP, 8 H, ER, 4 K
 
Prospects League Championship
 
Game 1: Bitter Springs 3 at 188 11
Player of the Game: RF Eugene Burke, 3 for 5, HR, 4 RBI
 
Game 2: Bitter Springs 6 at 188 7, 11 innings
Player of the Game: SS Mark Harris, 3 for 4, 4 RBI, BB
 
Game 3: Bitter Springs 2 at 188 8
Player of the Game: SP Jason Boucher, 8 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
 
Statistical Leaders
 
Batting Leaders
 
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Pitching Leaders
 
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Season Awards
 
Hitter Award
 
Juan Atkins of the 188 Traders had a fine season this year, and today he accepted the Hitter of the Year for 2288.
 
The 35-year-old left fielder won the PL Triple Crown by putting up a .404 average and a .488 on-base percentage, piling up 115 hits, 17 doubles, 2 triples, 33 home runs, 108 RBIs and 87 runs scored.
 
Atkins was called up to parent club Gomorrah shortly before the post season, so he was unable to show off his skills there. 
 
Pitcher Award
 
17-year-old Winston Walker of the 188 Traders put together a good year in 2288 for such a young player. Walker was named today as the winner of the Prospects League Pitcher of the Year.
 
Walker crafted an impressive 9-3 record and a 3.28 ERA. In 118 innings he allowed 116 hits, struck out 98, and walked 38.
 
Walker also finished second in the Best Rookie voting. 
 
Best Rookie
 
Sloan shortstop António Gutiérrez set the tone for rookies across the Prospects League in 2288 and today was tabbed for the league's Top Rookie.
 
He hit .343 in 83 games while collecting 116 hits, 18 home runs, 82 RBIs and scoring 54 runs.
 
Postseason Award
 
Jason Boucher only pitched one game in the postseason, but his dominating performance was enough to earn him the 2288 Postseason Award after he clinched the 188 Traders' championship. 
 
Boucher pitched eight innings, giving up seven hits, two earned runs, and two walks, and striking out six. 
 
Defense Awards
 
It's been said that the best offense is a good defense. That's why contending teams are always looking to improve on the defensive side of the game. Keeping runs from scoring is just as good as driving them in. The top fielders have been chosen in the Prospects League for 2288. Here are the Defense Award winners:
 
Pitcher: Ryan Ward (NCR Cubs)
Catcher: Santiago Yucca (New Vegas Steel Steelers)
First Baseman: David Schoolskipper (Cottonwood Cove Lakelurks)
Second Baseman: Brett Turner (188 Traders)
Third Baseman: Harry Greene (Sloan Quarriers)
Shortstop: Mark Harris (Gomorrah Devils)
Left Fielder: Cipriano Man (New Vegas Steel Steelers)
Center Fielder: Noel Pitts (Cottonwood Cove Lakelurks)
Right Fielder: Brad Gecko (New Vegas Steel Steelers)

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Year 4: June 2288

 

Standings

 
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June Awards
 
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News and Notes
 
6.7.88 – Player Trade
 
The Primm Outlaws traded 31-year-old catcher MC Mack Walt Williams and 16-year-old minor league second baseman Gustavo Chávez to the South Vegas Vault Boys, getting 33-year-old starting pitcher Greg Thompson in return.
 
6.10.88 – Player trade
 
The Ultra Luxe White Gloves traded 32-year-old center fielder Zander Peterson and 17-year-old minor league second baseman Jim Tolbert to the Camp McCarran Brahmin, getting 33-year-old starting pitcher David Bennett in return.
 
6.11.88 – Player fight
 
It may have been a blowout win for Boulder City at Goodsprings, but Atomic Wranglers’ backup outfielder Thomas Cantrell, who did not play in the victory, still to exception to a Lucky 38er. Cantrell exchanged punches with Goodsprings’ reliever Jimmy Ledet for what Cantrell described as “force pitching” in Ledet’s three innings of relief in the 11-5 BC win. 
 
“Ain’t nobody gotta throw no force pitching like that,” Cantrell said. “We ain’t no contender. He ain’t gotta show up nobody like that. That ain’t a gentleman’s game. That’s Mojave. I ain’t playing that.” 
 
Ledet allowed only one hit and gave up no runs in three innings, but he plunked three Atomic Wranglers batters. 
 
For their transgressions, Cantrell was suspended five games and Ledet three.
 
6.14.88 – Sponsorship
 
The New California Republic and the Mojave Baseball League have announced today that there will be a sponsorship starting today. The NCR will now become the official sponsor of the MBL. Changes will be made over the coming seasons with the first change to be immediate. 
 
“The NCR has made a hefty financial contribution to the future of the MBL, which will help in the long-term progress of the league,” Commissioner Lee said through a statement. “There will be some changes we’ll make during the offseason to make the sponsorship fully compliant with our league goals, but for now, we’ll make a few small changes that can go into effect immediately.
 
“For one, player salaries will increase from our current 5000 caps per season to 10,000 caps per season. In addition, playoff revenues will increase from their current rates of 250/750/2000 to double at 500/1500/4000.” To explain the playoffs’ payments, the losing team of the first round was paid 250 caps per player for the series. The losing team of the Mojave Series was paid 250 caps for the first round and 500 caps for the Mojave Series per player. The champions were paid 2000 as a flat out payment per player for winning the championship. Now, all those rates will be doubled. As an aside, the sponsorship will include a change in currency after the season from caps to the NCR dollar. 
 
“The second immediate change is a request from the NCR,” Lee continued. We will change all division names immediately to reflect a strong region under the NCR government. The divisions will be renamed as follows: The West Division is now known as the Bear Division, after the two-headed bear of the NCR flag. The Central Division is now the star division. And the East Division is now the Aradesh Division, named after the first president of the NCR. 
 
“We look forward to a fruitful sponsorship, and we hope our players can enjoy an improvement in their qualities of life with their increased salary.” 
 
6.28.88 – Team achievement
 
The New California Bears started this season angry after not winning the Mojave Series a season ago. Most of that aggression has been taken out on their fellow Aradesh (formerly East) Division opponents. 
 
Today, the Bears clinched the Aradesh Division with a 4-3 victory at Westside. The NCR is 61-20 on the season, a full 20 games ahead of second place Ultra Luxe at 41-40. There are only 19 games remaining on the season.
 
6.28.88 – Jimmy LaRue news
 
LaRue Sets New Single-Season Hit Mark: Jimmy LaRue treated the spectators on hand at Camp McCarran Field to a record-setting performance. During today's game, the Goodsprings star established a new record for hits in a season. Hit number 142 surpassed the mark set previously by Edward Simpson. The fans rewarded LaRue with an enthusiastic ovation.
 
Jimmy LaRue hit an RBI single in the 1st, tripled in the 3rd, grounded out in the 5th and singled in the 7th.
 
This year LaRue is hitting .440, produced 45 RBIs and 2 home runs, scored 55 times and gotten on base at a .469 rate.

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Year 4: July 2288

 

Final Standings

 
2288StandingsDFinal_zps0334bcea.jpg
 
Batting Leaders
 
2288LeadersDBattingLeaders_zpsc653b685.j
 
Pitching Leaders
 
2288LeadersEPitchingLeaders_zps99648018.
 
News and Notes
 
7.8.88 – Team achievement
 
North Vegas is no stranger to the playoffs. The 2286 champions marked their return today by clinching the Star Division with a 6-5 win over expansion Primm. The Radscorpions are currently 60-30 with ten games left to play. 
 
They clinched the division title over Westside, which is 49-41 at this time and trying to earn a wild card berth. 
 
7.11.88 – Team achievement
 
They were already division champs. Now the New California Republic is the top seed heading into the playoffs. At 71-22, the Bears clinched the top seed after beating Tops tonight, 4-2. 
 
North Vegas, which clinched its division three days ago, is currently the second seed. The Radscorpions (63-30) now have a magic number of 1 to clinch the second seed over current third seed Goodsprings (56-37). 
 
7.12.88 – Team achievement
 
Just a day after losing a chance to be the top seed heading into the playoffs, North Vegas secured the second overall seed today. The Radscorpions (64-30) defeated Novac 5-1 to earn home-field advantage in the first round of the new four-team playoff. They will host the winner of the Bear Division, currently tied with Goodsprings and South Vegas each at 56-38 with six games left on the season. 
 
7.14.88 – Team achievements
 
The 2288 playoff participants are set, though we are still waiting to see where each team will play. Both Goodsprings and South Vegas clinched playoff spots today with victories and a Westside loss. 
 
Going into Saturday’s games, Goodsprings had a magic number of 1 to clinch a playoff spot, so they only needed to win or for the Sarsaparillas to lose. They accomplished that with a convincing 11-3 at Novac. The Lucky 38s currently lead the division at 58-38 with four games left on the schedule. 
 
South Vegas (57-39) trails the Lucky 38s by a game. However, they beat top seed New California Republic 7-4 to help them earn a playoff berth. Coupled with Westside’s (52-44) 6-4 loss at home to Ultra Luxe, the Sarsaparillas were eliminated from playoff contention. 
 
7.17.88 – Player leave
 
The 2288 season is wrapping up, and Freeside is going to be watching the playoffs yet again. What hasn’t been explained, though, is why Jim Seaman, one of the anchors of the team, is no longer with the team for the rest of the season. 
 
Team officials refused to discuss the matter, but something was definitely up with Seaman this year. His usual spurts of production have been flaccid this season, with career or near career lows in batting average (.256), doubles (13), home runs (13), and RBI (51). None of those numbers are bad, but Seaman was more of a rigid warrior, a sort of pillar of battle for the Kings throughout his first three years. This season, he somehow blew his load early, and now his limp season is done. 
 
7.18.88 – Player injury
 
He’s alive, but barely. Boulder City relief pitcher Ronnie Walker found himself in a no-win predicament today when he and a small group of people were attacked by an Alpha Male Deathclaw, basically the baddest ass monster there is anywhere. 
 
Walker was one of the few people in the group to survive, though he lost his pitching arm in the attack. An NCR securitron was in the area to save the lives of several of the people, including Walker. However, Walker’s MBL career is done now that he’s, you know, missing an arm and all. 
 
7.19.88 – Team achievement
 
It was an all-around losing day in the race for the Bear Division championship, however it is over. Goodsprings lost at home to North Vegas 10-4. However, South Vegas was shut out at home against Nellis Air Force Base. That means, with just one game to play, the Lucky 38s (60-39) have clinched the Bear Division. It also means that Goodsprings can start deciding how they want to approach their current opponent since they will be traveling to North Vegas in a few days for a rematch with the Radscorpions. 
 
The Vault Boys (58-41) now knows they will be heading to the Hoover Dam to take on an NCR team that looks to formidable to defeat. 
 
7.20.88 – Player injury
 
Cole Involved in Accident: In a press conference called today, a red-faced Bill Cole announced he will be out 9 months with a broken kneecap. The North Vegas starting shortstop suffered the injury in a motorcycle accident. It is particularly bad news considering the Radscorpions are the second seed in the playoffs and have to face defending champions Goodsprings in the first round. 
 
Cole is hitting .338 this year with 7 home runs and 63 RBIs. He also has an OBP of .374, 24 walks and scored 58 times.
 
Like all conspiracy theories, there are talks Commissioner Lee may have had a hand in getting someone to rig one of his pal Jack’s Motorcycles to give his favorite team whatever advantage it can muster. 
 
7.20.88 – Player injury
 
In addition to the news of losing starting shortstop Bill Cole, the North Vegas Radscorpions look like they may be minus one of their top pitchers, Rich Richmond, for the first round of the 2288 playoffs, too. 
 
Richmond is suffering from a finger blister that will limit him for about a week. In the meantime, former Goodsprings pitcher Wilfred Buckley is expected to step up against his old team as the Radscorpions ace.

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Year 4: Playoffs First Round Preview

 

Series Previews

 
In the Mojave Baseball League’s first three seasons, only four teams have reached the Mojave Series. It just so happens, here in the fourth season, those four teams will remain the same, as the New California Republic, Goodsprings, North Vegas, and South Vegas square off for return trips to the Mojave Series. 
 
The NCR won the first championship in 2285 over the Lucky 38s. Those two teams returned to rematch in last season’s 2287 Mojave Series, with Goodsprings winning that one. Sandwiched in between the first and third Mojave Series was the South Vegas (then known as Vault-Tec) win over North Vegas in 2286. 
 
South Vegas vs New California Republic
 
In this season’s playoffs, the MBL expanded to four teams, meaning the top seed no longer gets an automatic berth in the Mojave Series. This year’s top seed, the Bears (75-25) have been a tough opponent for every team they faced. The NCR swept four of its opponents—Primm (9-0), Ultra Luxe (9-0), Boulder City (6-0), and Novac (6-0)—in its season series and had losing records to only two teams. One of those two teams was their first round opponent, South Vegas. 
 
The Vault Boys hold a 6-3 season advantage over the NCR. The first series took place in South Vegas from April 20-22. New California Republic took the first game of that series 5-4. However, South Vegas bounced back to win the next two, 7-4 and 15-5. 
 
The two teams faced off for the second time at the Hoover Dam. There South Vegas took the first two games, 11-6 and 9-2, before the Bears were able to avoid the sweep with a 6-1 victory. 
 
In their final series, South Vegas was still battling Goodsprings for the division championship, while the NCR was resting some of its starters for the playoffs. In that series, which again took place in South Vegas, the Vault Boys were again able to take 2 of 3 games. New California Republic won the first game 3-1 before South Vegas won 7-4 and 10-2. 
 
There were lots of offensive heroes for the Vault Boys in the series, as well as two pitchers who had the NCR’s number. Joseph Dillon hit three home runs in the nine-game season series along with knocking in 13 runs. Duane Antqueen had a .405 batting average against the Bears with a home run and 11 RBI.
 
Orlando Stephens and Lee Weathers were the top pitchers in the series, and each will get at least two starts in the series, with Robert Cooper or Ricardo Rodriguez taking up the remaining starts. 
 
For the Bears, no one really exploded for them in the series. Stu Wilkins had a .341 batting average and knocked in nine runs, which makes him the most successful. Jim Ford is expected to get some starts in the series, since he has been the most successful postseason pitcher in the MBL. However, Ford has had some arm issues this season that has forced him into a reliever’s role. 
 
That may mean other pitchers need to step up, like Mark White or David Martin, neither of whom are expected to start in the series. White had more success against the Vault Boys, going 1-0 with a 1.04 ERA in 8.2 innings.
 
Based on South Vegas’ success against the top seed this season, we’re going to go with the upset and pick South Vegas to take it in six games.  
 
Goodsprings vs North Vegas
 
In the other series, defending champions Goodsprings enters as the third seed against second seed North Vegas. The Radscorpions (69-31) holds a slight 5-4 season advantage over the Lucky 38s (60-40). 
 
The teams first met April 23-25 in Goodsprings. North Vegas won the first and third games of that series, 6-0 and 3-1. In the second game, the Lucky 38s edged out the Radscorpions for a 3-2 victory. 
 
The rematch came June 4-6, with North Vegas winning the first game 3-2. However, Goodsprings bounced back in the next two games to win the series. The Luck 38s won 3-2 and 4-1 in a pitching-dominated three-game set. 
 
The final matchup came at the end of the season, July 17-19. Goodsprings won the first game 13-2 to basically clinch the Bear Division, before losing the next two 10-4 and 2-1 to end the season. Those last two victories gave the Radscorpions the season series victory as they head to North Vegas. 
 
Offensively, neither team had a whole lot of offensive success in what was mostly a pitcher’s series. North Vegas’ Arthur Glass had the best base-producing results, batting .414 in the series. George O’Kill batted .267 in the series with two home runs and seven RBI. 
 
Potential Lead Dealer Pitcher Award winner Lee Burke had a lot of success against the Lucky 38s, just as he did against just about every opponent he faced. He finished the season series with a 2-0 record in 23.2 innings, with a 1.90 ERA and 21 strikeouts. John Mulvaney did not have any decisions, but he had a 2.40 ERA in 15 innings. Former Goodsprings pitcher Wilfred Buckley will also factor into the Radscorpions’ lineup, though he did have a 7.04 ERA against his former team. 
 
Goodsprings’ best offensive producer was the guy who just hit wildly all over everybody, Jimmy LaRue. LaRue finished with a .450 batting average in the series. Jesus Martinez was the power king, blasting three homers and knocking in 11 runs in the season series. 
 
Jim Jones had no decisions in the series against his former team, but he had just a 2.11 ERA in 21.1 innings with 22 strikeouts. Donald Bush, who may get at least a start in the series, was 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA in his lone start of the season series. 
 
The interesting matchups include the value of a trade before the 2287 season when Goodsprings sent ace Buckley to North Vegas for starting pitcher Jones and, at the time, minor league first baseman Martinez. We will most certainly watch how those players perform in the playoffs against their former teams. 
 
Based on results on the season and the general consensus of how these two teams pitch, we’re expecting a low-scoring series that goes the distance. We would not be surprised to see Burke outduel Jones in the seventh game for a 2-1 victory. Thus, we are taking the Radscorpions to win it in seven.

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Year 4: Semifinals A Game One

 

South Vegas 1 at New California Republic 3

 
Jim Ford may have been relegated to the bullpen for the 2288 MBL regular season, but he got the start in Game One of the semifinals and dominated the Vault Boys in six innings of work. 
 
Ford finished by giving up six hits and a walk and striking out seven, while allowing no runs, to earn the victory. 
 
South Vegas had ten hits in the game but was unable to manufacture a run until the final inning.
 
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22881a-1B_zpsc258c8e5.jpg

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Year 4: Semifinals B Game One

 

Goodsprings 2 at North Vegas 5

 
Wilfred Buckley pitched six solid innings and Weldon Brown led the offensive charge as the Radscorpions jumped out to a 1-0 series lead on the Lucky 38s. 
 
Buckley gave up two earned runs on eight hits with three walks and three strikeouts. 
 
Brown was 3 for 4 with a home run, RBI, and two runs. 
 
Goodsprings’ Bob Jackson suffered the loss despite not having a terrible game. He allowed four earned runs on seven hits with a walk and two strikeouts in seven innings.
 
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Year 4: Semifinals A Game Two

 

South Vegas 4 at New California Republic 2

 
Orlando Stephens pitched a gem of a game to lead the Vault Boys over the Bears in Game Two. 
 
Stephens gave up two earned runs on five hits with two walks and six strikeouts to earn the victory. 
 
Joel Bowles’ third-inning homer provided the only offense for the NCR.
 
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Year 4: Semifinals B Game Two

 

Goodsprings 3 at North Vegas 0

 
Donald Bush pitched six shutout innings, and the Goodsprings bullpen finished the job to tie the series at one game apiece. 
 
The Lucky 38s got all three runs in the seventh inning, including Tony Smith’s two-RBI single that proved to be the winning runs. The teams combined for 10 hits.
 
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Year 4: Semifinals A Game Three

 

New California Republic 8 at South Vegas 7, 11 innings

 
The Bears erased a three-run deficit in the ninth inning and went on to win in the eleventh. 
 
Mike Britton powered the way for the NCR’s offense, going 3 for 6 with a three-run home run, four RBI and a run. 
 
Joseph Dillon was the leading hitter for the Vault Boys. He was 3 for 4 with a double, two walks, two RBI, and a run.
 
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Year 4: Semifinals B Game Three

 

North Vegas 1 at Goodsprings 3

 
The pitchers’ series continued with another strong pitching performance. 
 
Jim Jones allowed one earned run on two hits with four walks and five strikeouts in seven innings to claim the victory. 
 
Eddie Pegasus hit a two-run home run as a pinch hitter to break a seventh-inning tie.
 
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Year 4: Semifinals A Game Four

 

New California Republic 5 at South Vegas 3

 
The Bears took a commanding 3-1 series lead by cruising off Gerardo Makejoo’s two-run first-inning home run. 
 
Mike Britton added a second two-run blast for the NCR in the fourth inning on their way to a 5-0 lead. 
 
After Vault Boys’ starter Robert Cooper was roughed up in 3.1 innings, the South Vegas bullpen shut down the Bears the rest of the way.
 
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Year 4: Semifinals B Game Four

 

North Vegas 6 at Goodsprings 21

 
What was a pitcher’s duel in the first three games became a pitcher’s nightmare in Game Four. 
 
Goodsprings, behind a Mojave Baseball League record 24 hits, overpowered the visiting Radscorpions 21-6 to take a 3-1 series lead in the 2288 semifinals. 
The Lucky 38s had nine players with multiple hits, and Perry Ferguson set the MBL playoff record for runs scored with five. 
 
Mike Duncan led off the bottom of the first inning with a double for the Lucky 38s. With one out, Jimmy LaRue got his first hit of the series, an RBI single to give Goodsprings a 1-0 lead. LaRue, who set the regular season batting average record (.446) and hits (179) records, was 0-11 coming into game three. He finished with three hits in three at bats, and left the game in the bottom of the seventh with fatigue. 
 
North Vegas answered in the second. With one out, Nelson Kirby and Arthur Glass hit back-to-back singles. After Chris Towns struck out looking, Duncan Whaley hit an RBI single to even the game.
 
However, the bottom of the inning proved to be the launching point for the Lucky 38 bats. Dennis Shaft doubled to lead off, followed by a Ferguson single. Java Stirfry then reached on an error by shortstop Towns to score Shaft. After Wilfred Buckley threw a wild pitch to advance the runners to second and third, Alex Raines hit an RBI sacrifice fly for a 3-1 lead.
 
Goodsprings pitcher Bob Jackson singled with one out, and Duncan singled in Stirfry. With two outs and after Buckley threw his second wild pitch of the inning to advance runners, LaRue hit a two-RBI single. Former Lucky 38er Buckley was then pulled, trailing 6-1. 
 
In the third inning, Goodsprings added another run. With one out, Ferguson singled. With two outs and Ferguson at second, Raines was intentionally walked to get to Jackson. Jackson answered by hitting an RBI single. 
 
The Lucky 38s got more in the fourth. With one out, LaRue and Jesus Martinez hit back-to-back singles. North Vegas pitcher Lou Long then threw a wild pitch with LaRue at third to score LaRue. Shaft then singled in Martinez for a 9-1 advantage. Dan Trainyard then came on in relief and promptly walked Ferguson in four pitches. Stirfry then hit an RBI double to make it 10-1. Raines then followed with a two-RBI double for a 12-1 lead after four innings. 
 
North Vegas was down but not yet ready to give up. Duncan Whaley did his part in the fifth with a solo home run to cut the lead to 12-2. 
 
The Radscorpions’ effort was valiant, but, just like the first four innings, the Lucky 38s’ bats were alive again in the fifth. With one out, LaRue walked and stole second. Martinez then singled him to third. With two outs, Ferguson doubled in LaRue and Martinez for a 14-2 score. 
 
In the sixth, North Vegas got another solo home run, this time Weldon Brown connected on Jackson for a 14-3 score. 
 
After the Lucky 38s went scoreless for the first time in the sixth, the Radscorpions tried to open up the game on Goodsprings. Jackson surrendered a third solo home run when Arthur Glass went deep to lead off the inning. With one out, Whaley doubled. Stephen Sparks then struck out, but he reached on a passed ball. After Jeff Glover came in to relieve Jackson, Kirby Brown hit an RBI single to make the score 14-5. Sparks was thrown out trying to reach third on the play. 
 
Goodsprings responded with some runs of its own in the bottom of the inning. Steve Mann came in as a pinch hitter for LaRue and singled to lead off. Martinez followed with a single, followed by an RBI double by Shaft. After Ferguson walked to load the bases, Stirfry hit an RBI single for a 16-5 score. With one out after a fielder’s choice at home, North Vegas reliever Armor Hammer walked in a run for a 17-5 score after seven innings. Goodsprings hit into a 7-2 double play on the final out of the inning when Duncan flied out and Stirfry was thrown out at the plate while trying to tag up. 
 
After a 1-2-3 Radscorpions’ eighth, the Lucky 38s came out swinging once again. With one out, Mann and Martinex hit back-to-back singles. Shaft then reached on a Towns error for the second time to score Mann. After Ferguson hit into a fielder’s choice, Stirfry doubled in Martinez for a 19-5 score. Raines then hit a two-RBI single for the final 21-5 score. 
 
Game Five will take place in Goodsprings. If the Lucky 38s sweep at home, they will move on to the Mojave Series for the second time in a row and third time in four years of the MBL. Goodsprings beat the New California Republic, which has a 3-1 series lead over South Vegas, in last year’s Mojave Series.
 
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Year 4: Semifinals A Game Five

 

New California Republic 4 at South Vegas 5

 
Both teams went back and forth with neither team leading by more than two runs. The Vault Boys scored the game’s final run in the bottom of the seventh to clinch the victory. 
 
James Sexton led the way for South Vegas with three RBI, including an RBI double and the game-winning sacrifice fly. 
 
Clyde Martin hit a two-run home run for the Bears. 
 
The NCR leads the series three games to two.
 
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Year 4: Semifinals B Game Five

 

North Vegas 4 at Goodsprings 5

 
Jimmy LaRue may not have had the best series offensively in the first three games, but the sweet-stroking center fielder ended the semifinal series against North Vegas with a leadoff home run in the bottom of the ninth inning, giving Goodsprings a 5-4 victory and a 4-1 series win. 
 
LaRue was 4 for 4 with two home runs, a walk, two RBI, and three runs to earn Game MVP honors. He was also named the Series B Most Outstanding Player based on his efforts in games four and five. He did not have a single hit in the first three games, but finished with seven hits in the last two games. He was 7 for 18 (.389) with two home runs, five RBI, five runs, and three walks.  
 
The Radscorpions scored two runs in the top of the ninth to tie the game 4-4 on an RBI double by Arthur Glass and RBI triple by Chris Towns.
 
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