Season 26 National Fucking league Preview, Beeeoo-tch.

NL NORTH

New Britain Rock Cats
PAYROLL: $70.4 MIL
Wow, someone has been tinkering since the last preview. This looks like an AL squad, and yes, that's a compliment. Stephen Watson is as dominant as they come, too bad he can't get 200 innings in. What he does give you is very impressive. Throw in Carlos Gonzalez and several other very competent arms, and you've got a fairly good staff. Offense is pretty balanced, though a little weak against righties. there is power and speed though. Cfer Nathan Mailman is the defensive star of the team, and can hit a little, plus burn the basepaths, albeit fairly cluelessly. Expect a much improved won-loss record, this season, even with the signing of The Chief.

BEST HITTER:  Vitas Fields
BEST PITCHER: Watson
BEST PROSPECT: Osvaldo Tejeda
LAST SEASON: 77-85 1ST
PREDICTION: 90-72

Dover Deadspin
PAYROLL: 88.6
seed21 takes over from the rather flighty tomhighway. Speaking of seed, do you know how awkward it is provide a sample after a vasectomy? Even with a tongue on your balls. Every time we'd get the cup ready I would lo...oh....waaaaay too much information. Sorry 'bout that. Better defence than New Britain, especially up the middle, about equal offensively, though this line-up will be hard on righthanders but won't feature as much pop. Pitching isn't the measure of the line-up but a big trade addition will help. 
BEST HITTER:  Emil Manuel
BEST PITCHER: Douglas Reynolds
BEST PROSPECT: PASS
LAST SEASON: 75-87  2nd
PREDICTION: 85-77

Wichita Jack Straws
PAYROLL:  63.4 mil
This is a team hoping speed and pitching will be the road to the post season. My feeling is the road is full of potholes and very slippery, for Wichita. The only real fearsome bat in the line-up is Pat Penny. It's a group that won't be easy to strikeout, and is hoping to beat a lot of throws to first. The fielders are capable, a little short at shortstop maybe. While not deep in arms, the staff isn't awful, by any means and features an extremely devastating closer. Won't threaten for the division, or a wildcard spot, but should be a little better than last season>
BEST HITTER: Penny
BEST PITCHER:  Christopher Garcia
BEST PROSPECT:  Del Cordero
LAST SEASON: 71-91 3rd
PREDICTION: 76-86

Pittsburgh ABC's
PAYROLL: 21.8
Last season we had our first casualty of the 40/60 rule. Missed the wins by two and the payroll by about 7 million. Now the payroll is down even further. As it stands now it's dicey whether 60 wins can be achieved. There's three guys in AAA that are ML ready and could even help this team challenge for the division. Will we see them in Bigs this season? We should. The defence is passable, brittle Conor Stairs the best of the bunch. I like getting hitting from defensive positions and Willis Fisher definitely provides that, but sacrifice's fielding. Pitching is most notable for it's quality of first pitch, and overall mediocre control. Not a staff to win 60 plus with. Offence is lacklustre, but would be much better with three key call-ups, no reason to spend three season at AAA when you are currently a 90 overall. Not going to improve signifcantly
BEST HITTER:  Fisher
BEST PITCHER: meh
BEST PROSPECT: (tie)  Francisco Ramirez and Kory Carson
LAST SEASON: 58-104  4th
PREDICTION:  55-107 (without the AAA help)/ 65-97 (with)

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH:
NEW BRITAIN
DOVER
WICHITA
PITTSBURGH

NL EAST

Florida 66'ers
PAYROLL:  87.5
Hey look, this team is saddled with some lousy contracts for ex-players of mine. R.J. Jacquez and Louis Christman are grossly overpaid. Good players, but not worth their salaries. Contracts like that inhibit teams from doing things to improve quickly. Patience is the word for this franchise. Right now there's not much to get excited about in the system. The team itself is ok at the plate, decent in the field and on the mound.
BEST HITTER:  J.J. Thompson
BEST PITCHER:  Jacquez
BEST PROSPECT:  Watty May
LAST SEASON:  72-90  4th
PREDICTION: 70-92

Chicago Wet Bandits
PAYROLL:  110.9
Not often you see a team with two 20 mil players on it's roster. Let's see what 40 mil buys: Virgil Olmedo and Dave Newman. oooh. This is a very good squad, though. Not a lot of top end power, someone will have to have a very good year to hit 35 bombs. But solid in other categories. Pitching is the talk of Bandits fan and the cause of excessive dampness within their groins. Would be shocked if there are six better teams in the NL, should be a lock for a return to the post-season.
BEST HITTER:  Wilfredo Alonso
BEST PITCHER:  Jerry Perez
BEST PROSPECT:  PASS
LAST SEASON:83-79 2nd
PREDICTION:  93-69

Baltimore Lake Trout
PAYROLL:  64.5
We have a doctor in the house, maybe. Either way, there's this pain in my elbow.  Pep Choo is on his decline
 in a big way, but still produce a few doubles and play passable firstbase. The rest of the line-up has a little of everything, but also not enough of anything. Some nice top end power, though, Falls off after that. Pitching and defence will struggle to prevent runs.
BEST HITTER:  Gordon Maranville
BEST PITCHER:  Theo Leverton
BEST PROSPECT:  Ben Grey
LAST SEASON:  73-89 3rd
PREDICTION: 68-94

Boston Brewers
PAYROLL:  90.4
Another player,  Max Andino firmly in his career slide (the link being I was once offered Andino AND Choo, and I rejected the offer. I rejected it!). Not so much a shortstop anymore, but still a quality bat with Glove Glove calibre D at, say, 3B. Andino is part of a quartet of 35-40 home run guys with some flaws in the rest of attributes. The rest of the line-up is sub-dominating. Defence has some holes, namely at the catcher position, which is to say they have a DH, which is great for a NL team. Pitching will provide a challenge to right handed heavy orders, but and has some quality in it, to be sure. If only they had someone to throw it to.
BEST HITTER: Andino
BEST PITCHER: Julio Manzanillo
BEST PROSPECT:  Terrence Franco
LAST SEASON:  84-78  1st
PREDICTION: 82-80

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH:
CHICAGO
BOSTON
FLORIDA
BALTIMORE

NL SOUTH

Tampa Bay Grays
PAYROLL: 40.3
With this team's range they might actually be catching foul balls in the stands. Great team speed, too. Throw in some top end power, you might say "whoa, these guys gonna score some runs". Then you look at the line-up's splits and you say "not so fast". But I am noticing that splits may less of a factor than I had first thought. High contact and power, combined with batting eye, seem to overcome lowish splits. And that seems to be something keithjs is working on. This is a franchise with but two playoff appearances, mind you. And it shares a division with Atlanta and J-ville. It is improving, but still has a way to go. Might challenge for the last wildcard spot. Excellent defence, and solid pitching, should be an interesting season in T_Bay.
BEST HITTER:  Jesus Gabriel
BEST PITCHER: Dick Bruce
BEST PROSPECT: Damaso Prieto
LAST SEASON: 83-79 4th
PREDICTION:  86-76

Jackson Generals
PAYROLL:  78.6
Could the seasons of misery finally be paying off? Well, could they? Yes! Aside from playboy's disdain for fielding, aside from shortstop to be fair, this is quite a solid team with very good pitching and a fairly balanced attack. And the seasons spent riding in an armored vehicle equipped with a large gun means there is still some goodies in the system. The NL South is now the toughest division in BPF, I think it's fair to say.
BEST HITTER:  Quentin Wieland
BEST PITCHER:  Rob Ramsey
BEST PROSPECT:  Randall Mahaffey
LAST SEASON:  86-76 3rd
PREDICTION:  91-71

Atlanta Bullochs
PAYROLL: 60.4
Two straight trips to the World Series, two straight defeats. I thought for sure the Bullochs had won a title here, but, no, they haven't. This, despite being one of the most successful NL team over the past several seasons. This season brings us more of the same. Some very big bats, some very strong arms blstered by excellent fielders. And there's still help down on the farm.
BEST HITTER:  Joel Harvey
BEST PITCHER:  Albert Salinas
BEST PROSPECT:  Frank Nixon
LAST SEASON:  99-63  2nd
PREDICTION:  102-60

Jacksonville Jimmies
PAYROLL:  85
It's going to be a battle all season between J-Ville and Atlanta. The Bullochs are defnitely stronger in the field, but pitching and offense aren't separated by much. The order is deep, balanced, and powerful. Pitching is likewise. Didn't realize bnags has won three World Series titles with this franchise, joining devonjain as the only three time Champions here. Which just goes to show how much I've been screwed.
BEST HITTER:  Yamil James
BEST PITCHER:  Pascual Castilla
BEST PROSPECT:  Brook Hull
LAST SEASON:  105-57
PREDICTION:  102-60

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH:
JACKSONVILLE
ATLANTA
JACKSON
TAMPA BAY

 NL WEST

Las Vegas Corn Dogs
PAYROLL:  88.3
Wowzers, this team is all about pitching and defense. Offense, beyond Louie Twitchell and a couple less powerful swings, isn't much to be overly excited about. This is team hoping to keep it's opponents under 3 runs a game, in order to win more than they lose. And with this pitching and fielding it might work. buffrobby sure hopes it's the formula for success. Will be in the wildcard mix, but the bats will, most likely, come up short.
BEST HITTER:  Twitchell
BEST PITCHER:  Midre Brandt
BEST PROSPECT:  Mitch Jensen
LAST SEASON: 80-82  4th
PREDICTION:  84-78

Oklahoma City Victory Dolls
PAYROLL:  53
The Victory Dolls may be misnamed this season, as victories will be hard to come by. This isn't a team that misses the post season very much (only 6 extended summers against 19 trips to the dance, great ratio), so I'm not expecting an extended rebuild, it's just not in nj's DNA. If this team had radio and TV play-by-play guys, they would be exclaiming "a swing and a miss" frequently at the end of OKC's at-bats. Pitching is OK, but not enough to rule the world.
 BEST HITTER:  Lance Foster
BEST PITCHER:  Thomas Freeman
BEST PROSPECT:  Chico Borbon
LAST SEASON: 83-79  2nd
PREDICTION:  74-88

San Francisco Barking Seals
PAYROLL:  75
Season after season, rocketcy blows me away with the performance he gets with his team. It never looks all that exciting to me on paper, but he always finishes above .500 and, historically, has a 50/50 chance of making the post season. And again, I don't see a ton of offense, and the pitching is definitely in the not upper tier. There's something to be said for great defense, and this team has that in an almost excessive amount, but you also have to score runs, and try and keep balls out of play. They'll probably win it all.
BEST HITTER: Matt Stokes
BEST PITCHER:  Andrea McCartney
BEST PROSPECT:  Houston Quinn
LAST SEASON:  85-77 1st
PREDICTION:  82-80

Arizona Outlaws
PAYROLL:  90.8
Another former luminary is playing out his dying days in the hot, dry desert air: Daryl Hawksworth. He joins another four time MVP, and all BPF hero Buck Cain. If only they were in their prime, this team might have a shot at the playoffs. Too little, waaay too late, though. Still, two future first ballot Hall of Famers would get bums in seats if there actually were bums to put in seats. There's only one power bat and both pitching and hitting will struggle against righties> Defense is solid, but won't get them too far, on it, alone.
BEST HITTER: Jack Bergen
BEST PITCHER:  Terry Wilhelm
BEST PROSPECT: Chet Leary
LAST SEASON:  81-81 3rd
PREDICTION: 70-92

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH:
LAS VEGAS
SAN FRANCISCO
OKLAHOMA
ARIZONA

 

Because you asked it's my personal all time HBD team

So I think this squad could beat any other all time HBD squad, except in the playoffs, where most of these guys just fall, or fell, apart, especially Tannehill, (seriously go check out his playoff stats compared to his regular season performance)> Didn't have to be players I drafted, just the best that I have had. wait does that sound wrong?). Not neccesarily at the position i played them at either, but in positions they could play based on their ratings. Now what would really make this exercise fun is if you could all post me your all time HBD teams with the links. Send them through sitemail. I used the short player text in blog links on the player's card. And what would be really fun, and both an income and interest generator for whatifsports is if we could have one off seasons with these teams. I'd easily pay $25 buck for this squad, plus a few honourable mentions as back ups and best rest of rotation and bullpens, to take on your best. Like the Tournament of Champions type of idea they have for the MLB sim. Might have some of the same players in a world but that wouldn't bother me none. Man, I would love to field this squad.

c:   Robbie Trout
1b:  Doug Sheehan
2b:  Freddie Hornsby
3b: Matt Lunsford
ss:Ricardo Guzman
lf:  Kolten Lindor
cf:  Pedro Crespo
rf:  John Cooper
dh:  Rico Guerrero
rhp: Royce Tannehill
lhp:  Curtis McMillon

Your turn...

For Buffalo_Rob

World Cup Babes

Mid-Way Musings

Hello. How are you all. Thanks all for re-upping and returning to the quarter century season of Ballpark Franks, the Most Fun a Weiner Can Have in a Bun (or TMFAWCHIAB for short). Mucho apologies again for not being able to provide another hilarious and prescient NL preview. I'm sure NJ feels awful as well, although it's mitigated by the fact he coaches a college women's rowing tem so gets to stare at ass all day.

So a little more than halfway through the season, and in the midst of another tedious All Star Break, I have scrabbled together a few minutes of time to puke something up from my brain for your reading annoyance. In the AL South., perennial non-contenders KC and Richmond are exerting muscle against the continued woefulness of San Antonio, and the long faded glory of Houston. Props must be given, and pops must poured to sergie91 and jcarver67, for their hard earned (and well spent on) efforts. In the AL West Colorado Springs didn't get off to the start we have become accustomed to, so tenaciuosdx selling. Already the loss of Sojo has caused an immediate plunge in the team's fortunes. Maybe, if they can hold on to a wildcard spot, the team will finally win the Series like we've all thought they would have by now.=](my cat just typed that, no seriously). Vancouver is seizing on the Colorado Springs sell-off, and surging into the divisional lead, just like the old days. Obligatory Lunsford reference: Wow what a season. And Rico Guerrero has been a beastie. Honolulu has not seen the performance it has for a few season now, but is still winning more than they are losing. Syracuse is doing the same, having the franchise's best season in the past six. After last season's bitter, bitter disappointment, which was preceded by a monumental World Series collapse. Tastes sweet, not gonna lie. In the AL North, it's a one team race as two former powerhouses have faded significantly and Fargo continues to do what it does. With Milwaukee scooping up Eugenio Sojo, it's pretty much done. The Brew Team appears to be a heavy favourite to represent the AL in the World Series. The AL East has seen a surprising performance from Cincinnati, at least to me. But the team does feature a balanced attack, and enough pitching, to win a heeluva lot more than they lose. Syracuse is having a bafflingly frustrating season with Walter Atkins really wrapping his gums around a tailpipe. Chicago continues it's rebuild, while New York is dying for a regenisis, because it's a total car wreck in the Big Apple.

The Girls of Summer!

OK fixed, again

As we approach the quarter century mark of seasons, I gots to thinking "who are the best hitters in BPF history". Not so much in stats, which can be greatly affected by home ball park, but by the core hitter ratings, when the players were at their peak. You know, contact, power, splits and eye. I though about including speed, and baserunning, but I've already done my exhaustive research, and I'm not going to go back. Besides if a guy hits .330 with 45 homeruns, who cares, though I will contradict myself and include base stealing totals if it's warranted. So, in other words, screw you.

I'm sitting in the front of my café, and my lord, does someone smell like cat piss. Surprisingly it's not me.  So here is the top ten in descending order:


10:
411 Points
Alex Avila
One of the best combinations of power and eye in BPF history, Avila was one of the most feared hitters in his prime. A rating of 54 against right handed pitching kept Avila from being in the top 5, and hindered his stats somewhat, but he was still able to post a career OPS of .985, boosted by a career OBP of .409. Boasts 401 more walks than strikeouts, 552 career dingers and even stole 328 bases. Season 10 MVP.

9:
412 points
Pep Choo
Almost had a trade worked out for Choo many seasons back, instead I made a deal for Lunsford *sigh*. One of the top three hitters currently plying his trade in BPF, a run producing machine with astonishing extra base power, not just homers, but doubles and triples to boot. A career slugging percentage 0f .604, adding with his OBP, gives Choo an almost .1000 OPS. A terror on the basepaths as well. A one time MVP in season 20

8:
415 points
Buck Cain
Up until the emergence on Alfredo Jarvis, Cain held the title of top hitter in BPF for several seasons. This four-time MVP, has racked up huge career numbers: 3000+ hits, 675 homers, 2049 RBI. all these totals will grow as Cain is still productive and has a few seasons left in him. Already the record holder for RBI, will probably retire as the BPF all time hit leader, and very possibly, home runs as well. Also tole a bunch of bases, HBD really like power hitters to have some skills on the basepaths, it seems.

7:
418 points
Delino Hall
Probably a surprise to many to see him on the list but the numbers don't lie. Though not the power threat of the others posted, but not exactly a lightweight either, this two-time MVP, boasts a career OBP of  .414, to boost his OPS to .966. His earlier career was much more impressive, it seems many seasons in Oakland muted his production somewhat. Still a .299 average with 380 homers and 360 steals, is nothing to sneeze at. Not sure I'd take him over any of the previous five players listed, except for the master underachiever, Lunsford, but still one of BPFs most talented hitters.

6:
423 points
Julius Neal
Huge numbers early in his career, Neal provided amazing offense from a mostly defensive position. Only one MVP won, season 11, but countless silver sluggers and all star appearances. Fifth all time in homeruns with 642 and RBIs. Even won a gold glove. What more would you want from your backstop?

5th:
426 Points
Dizzy Allen
A five time MVP should be in the top 5 on this list, no? One of the all-time best run creators, sits third on the list of career runs per 27 outs. Just a hitting machine for many, many seasons. Fourth in OPS. A terrifical threat on the basepaths as well swiping 494 bags. Almost like a pre-giant headed Bonds.

4th:
427 Points
Dave Wilkerson
Though nowhere near the power threat of the other on this list, Wilkerson was, probably, the best pure hitter. A consummate number two guy. Eight 200+ hit seasons to his credit, and one of the highest career batting averages in BPF history. His lack of power kept Wilkerson from winning many awards or all star appearances, but was always near the top in average and OBP, it's a shame that seasonal league leaders aren't kept, so I can't tell you how many titles a player won in any category.

3:
434 Points
Alfredo Jarvis
urrently "The Man" in BPF. The only triple crown winner in world history, three time MVP (and counting), puts up foolish numbers that recall HBD's early days of the Juice Ball Era. Sitting at third in career OPS, at only 29 will most likely retire s the all time record holder for homers and RBIs. In six and bit seasons has already knocked 405 balls over the fence. And his RBI and runs per game totals are encroyable (incredible for non-francopohones). Durability will assist Jarvis in his pursuit of record-dom. Kinda hunky, too.

2:
435 Points
Geronimo Cruz |Probably a surprise, to longtimers at least , to see Cruz in the number 2 spot. Was only able to see 500+ at bats in a season, due to judicious management, but was still able to snag two MVPs (seasons 3 and 12). Also garnered three World Series rings. Missed most of season 10 to a devastating injury. because of limited playing time Cruz isn't in the top 5 of many career hitting categories, but does stand in fifth in career walks with a lot.


1:
437 Points
Alejandro Lee
Surprised? I was. Though a two time MVP, Lee wasn't a name thrown around as one of the greats, back in his day. Albert Cairo, Walt McCormick, Neal, Cruz, Hall, Allen, even Spahn all were frequent topics on the chatboard. Lee didn't have the power most of the others on this list did, splits and eye, on the otherhand, propelled him to near the top in many career categories, including, but not limited to, hits, walks, batting average, doubles, runs, and tops in total runs created.

Honourable Mention:
446 points
Ricardo Belliard
A player just at the start of his decline when the world was created, so only played the first seven seasons. Year one was an eye popper, 205 hits, 169 runs, 74 dingers, 176 rib-eyes, 126 free passes, only 41 whiffs, .360, .472., .814, good gravy. Would have liked to have seen a full career from Belliard, but alas, it is, what it is. He just didn't have enough breadth of playing time to warrant a permanent place on this list, but the make believe fans still talk of his pre-creation exploits and the ol timers compare all the greats that come along to Ricardo. "He's good, but he's no Ricardo" they are often imagined to be heard saying.

As well as:


375 points
Albert Cairo
Based on stats alone Cairo would be on this list in the top three, most likely. His career is astounding, both statistically and in awards. The greatest combination of speed and power (100/99 at peak) in BPF history with a total of 894 stolen bases (only caught 89 times) and 726 homeruns. In the top 5 in many, many categories. MVP in seasons 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, and 11. Think a 40/40 season is impressive? Cairo boasts a 70/70 season. Ya, you read that right. Season 5, he hit 74 dingers and swiped 71 bags. Ridiculous.


*BREAKING NEWS: THE LIST IS FUCKED*
Yes, shocking as it seems I missed this guy, who then pushes everyone after Jarvis down and takes Sojo and Lunsford off the list, altogether:

Will do the edit, to reflect this.

Edit done.

Probably missed others. Wascar Rosado is putting up huge numbers, but is just a shade below Eugenio Sojo and Matt Lunsford on the list. This took a long time to do, appreciate your patience.

And, now T&A:

AL Preview - West

Honolulu - 93 wins last year, and they still only got 3rd in the division.  This must be where the AL hides all of its talent.  They're very deep, but not very heavy at the top.  A couple of studs, but a ton of guys who are above average.  I've won with teams like that, but I've also really sucked with teams like that.  I think they'll do okay, because depth is so important when the injury bug hits your locker room.  They're just in a ball-buster of a division.

Colorado Springs - Division winner the last four seasons, and six of the last seven, they are the dominant team of this current era.  I hate these guys more than Milwaukee.  Not only are they deep, but they're top heavy.  My favorite kind of girl.  Sojo, Rosado, Hong, Westmoreland, we all hate these guys.  The defense is pretty good, the pitching is very much quite solid, and the offense can blow me.  I don't remember what I said about these guys last preview, but if I know me (and I think I do), I'm sure it was something about hoping they all get hurt, or they all get old, or something to that affect.  And I still feel that way.  I hope their locker room catches fire.

Vancouver - Three 100+ win seasons in a row, all involved making a wildcard spot in order to get into the playoffs.  How is Lunsford 31 already?  Their defense is the best I've seen so far, and the pitching might be the best I've seen tonight too.  Dammit, the offense might be the best I've seen too.  But it's okay, because cam will find a way to screw it up.  I kid because I love.

Scottsdale - If I'm in this division, I think I attack it one or two ways.  One, throw every available penny into salary.  Or two, tank the shit out of it and try to score some stud IFA's.  Playing it anywhere between those two spots is a guarantee that you finish the season disappointed.  $65M in salary means that these guys will be fortunate to play .500 ball, they will finish in 4th place, and they will sign one IFA for $10-12M.  A good bullpen with one or two decent starters, some very solid hitting that would be great in another division, and a below average defense that will lose a few games for them.

Prediction: Vancouver, CS, Honolulu, then Scottsdale

Hi babe:

And another: 

And another for good measure: 

AL Preview - South

KC - I keep saying good things about these guys, and they keep finishing below .500 when I predict a division title.  So I'll try a different approach this year.  $100M in payroll, and I think they will be the worst team in the division.  $20M on one pitcher, that's crazy talk.  But he is part of a solid pitching staff, although most of the talent is in the bullpen.  And the offense is pretty decent.  Look at that power potential!  Why are they not better?

Houston - These guys won the WS a few seasons ago.  Then won 104 games the next season.  Then 76.  Then 83.  Then 57.  Yikes.  But they've got $80M+ in salary, so you can't exactly accuse them of tanking.  They're just really really bad.  The offense and defense are very average, while the pitching is slightly above average.  Shep is the only guy I recognize.

San Antonio - Another of those average AL teams that will finish mid-pack and not really affect the 100+ win teams.  But root gets a pass for a season or two because the guys before him were pretty bad.  So this team isn't bad, but they're not good either.  They're just kind of average.  About $60M in salary, and they will ultimately have about $30M in prospect money, so they're really playing the "we don't want people to make fun of us, but we want to play in the IFA market" card.

Richmond - jcarver has done some good things with this squad the last few years.  Spending money, drafting well, the future is bright in southern Virginia.  Some good defense, lots of above average (but not great) offense, and Hitchcock leads a pretty decent pitching staff.  KC is really the only thing keeping these guys from running away with the division before the all-star break, but ultimately that's where they'll end up.

Prediction: Richmond, KC, a few miles, Houston, then SA

A pretty girl: