Arena The Baseball Draft Seven - Say Hey From Baseball Heaven

I have to say that intersecting two career batting categories with a "pitched 1 game" row is rather interesting.

 

gotta love the saturday grids.

Spoiler: 2 rarity

 

Spoiler: Rarity 3

Buttons Briggs is an all time great baseball name.

In looking at the list of possible answers for the center square, I have become convinced that tom should sign this guy

 

Spoiler: 16 rarity. Sometimes I think an inordinate number of Mets fans are playing

Amazing.

 

Some stretch run tweaks...

Lineup vs. RHP & LHP:
1. Ross Barnes 1B
2. Fred Dunlap 2B
3. Ted the Head Williams DH
4. Shirtless JR Jackson RF
5. Mike Donlin LF
6. "Suck It Narcs" McGraw 3B
7. Nomah Garciaparra SS
8. King Kelly C
9. George Gore CF

Depth Chart:
LF: Donlin | Pete Browning (Every 2nd Game) | Tiernan (If Starter Tired)


Rotation:
1. Hilton DeLorean Smith
2. Slim Jones
3. Sam Streeter
4. Booker T
5. Willie
6. Randy

Bullpen:
Andy Cooper-- MR, LR


@DarthIntegral

 

Spoiler

 

We have things to play for as we go into the final set of games ...

Demonbags Clinch a Playoff Spot

While the on-field result wasn't what they wanted - dropping the game on the day to Albuquerque All-Seeing Angels of Hernandez - the fact that Amazings continued to crap the bed down the stretch let the Demonbags back into a playoff spot.

At his press conference, Demonbags skipper Wang Chi noted: "You know, Jack always said nothing’s easy when you’re dealing with the Demonbags… and that’s true. This league’s a madhouse. But we’ve been through the chaos. We’ve faced down curses, walk-off homers, time-traveling mascots - Hell, time travelling pitchers! And we’re still standing. I’m proud of these guys. We’re not just a team, we’re a damn cinematic universe. And we’re not done yet. Let the rest of the league light incense and pray — the Six Demonbags are coming for the ring.”

Added a smiling Ken Griffey Jr. “Man, we knew we had something special back in spring. The vibes, the talent, the chemistry — it’s all clicked. Clinching’s great, don’t get me wrong, but we’re not hanging banners for playoff berths. We’re here to win it all. Period. And when you’ve got Cleveland's Own raking, Randy bringing the chaos, and Wang Chi steering this mystical ship? You just enjoy the ride. Let’s dance."

As if summoned by Griffey mentioning him, Ed Delahanty chimed in: "People forget I’ve been doing this since before they were counting RBIs. You put me in any era, I’m still gonna hit .340 and send balls into the ether. These modern pitchers? Cute stuff. Let ’em bring that spin rate junk. I’m here to mash. This team’s got the mojo, and I’m here to bury some ghosts and raise some banners. Now, as to how I'm going to get ready for the playoffs? Skip said I could take a few days off to relax and refresh. I hear Niagara is really nice this time of year. Good place to lose yourself, you know?"

The Demonbags sent one last player to the press conference, their biggest personality. “OHHHH YEAHHHHH THE CREAM RISES TO THE TOP AND THE DEMONBAGS JUST SHOT THROUGH THE CEILING LIKE A FIREWORK ON A MISSION, DIG IT! People doubted, they laughed, they said the name was too weird, too magical, TOO WANG CHI — but now? Now we’re playoff-bound, YEAH. And we’re bringin’ pain, precision, and prophecy to every diamond in the land.
Mays? and the pilots? They're gonna drop out of the sky. Williams? SHAQ?! They better be ready, because the Madness is comin’ to the postseasooooon! SNAP INTO A CHAMPIONSHIP RUN! OOOOOOH YEEEEAAAAHH!”

Sithi, Amazings, Enhancers, Gales, and Shaq - all still with something to play for

Sithi of Osten Ard sit on the doorstep of the postseason, holding a magic number of one. But, until they get that one more win - or one more Amazings loss - they'll remain sitting on the doorstep. They will end their season overseas, visiting the defending Champions Every City Bandwagoners in Taiwan. The Bandwagoners will throw Gaylord Perry, Urban Shocker, and Amos Rusie, so there's not an an easy game for Sithi. Amazings play host to stone temple seattle pilots who have clinched the #1 seed and will likely be looking to just stay healthy. A sweep by Amazings and a sweep by the Bandwagoners gets us a game 163 between Sithi and Amazings and any other results gets Sithi in the playoffs.

The Division title in the Accurate Length of a Star Destroyer Division is up for grabs, and the two teams fighting for it - Northern Shores Gales of November and Birmingham Shaq Barons - will play each other to decide the division champion once and for all. The Gales need a single win to clinch the division, while a sweep would mean the Division Champions are on the shores of a different Great Lake. And, the prize for winning the division couldn't be better. The team that wins the division will get about a week off to rest and advance automatically to the League Championship series, nine wins from a title. The team that takes the Wild Card will need to play in the opening round.

Performance Enhancers need either a single win or a loss by San Francisco to lock up the #2 Wild Card spot. The reward for that is home field advantage in the opening round of the playoffs. Those two teams are locked in to meet each other in that opening round, we just have the question of if Game 1 (and a potential game 7) will be in Queens or out west. As a subplot, Old Hoss Radbourn pitched a complete game in his last start and now sits seven innings ahead of Bob Gibson for the innings title. It seems unlikely that he'll pitch again in the regular season, but with Hoss ... you never know.

 

Now hold on just a second, folks, because I keep hearing all these stat junkies out here shouting from the rooftops about Ted Williams — Everytime I see one of these IntyCenter Live Broadcasts and they show the statistical leaderboard, somebody has to mention Ted Williams ... oh, he’s batting .320, he’s got over a hundred RBIs, blah blah blah. And I just have to ask… is anyone gonna mention the fact that this man has been doing it as a Designated Hitter?

That’s right. He’s not out there patrolling the outfield. He’s not making diving catches. He’s not chasing down line drives in the alley with the game on the line. He’s not even bringing a glove to work, folks! Last time I checked, baseball is played in both halves of the inning. You hit and then you take the field — unless, apparently, your name is Ted Williams, and you just take your hacks and then sit back down with a Gatorade and a heating pad.

Meanwhile, Willie Mays? That man is doing it all. You want numbers? He’s hitting .274, 20 homers, 68 RBIs — and he's anchoring centerfield like a golden god. He’s saving runs, making plays that don’t show up in box scores. He’s impacting every inning — not just the ones where he’s holding a bat.

And I’m sorry, I just can’t take seriously an MVP case that starts with 'Well he doesn’t play defense, but—' No sir. That’s not how we do it in the SEC of baseball, which is exactly what the stone temple seattle pilots are. Down here, you play the full game. And if all you’re doing is hitting? You're not the Most Valuable Player. You might be the Most Well-Rested.

So yeah, Ted’s got five more home runs than Mays. Big whoop. How many diving catches has he made? How many bases has he saved with his positioning and his arm? You could give him another ten RBIs and it still wouldn’t balance out the fact that Willie Mays is out there playing like it’s the bottom of the 9th every single inning.

If you want the MVP, you better bring more than a bat to the stadium. You better bring your glove, your legs, your heart — and folks, that’s exactly what Willie Mays is doing. Every. Single. Game.

...

Hold on, I'm being told I have a caller? I'm not sure how that happens when I'm posting on a Star Wars message board, but let's roll with it. Yes, go ahead.

Caller: Lloyd from Columbus, Ohio

"Paul, I just don't get what you're talking about. Ted Williams has 303 total bases. He’s got a .320 average, a 166 wRC+, and 107 RBI. Willie Mays has been good, sure, but he’s only got 262 total bases and a 155 wRC+. Offensively, it’s not even close. Ted is just that much better. Defense doesn’t matter when you’re that dominant at the plate. I mean, come on—"​

Lloyd… Lloyd. You’re calling me from Columbus, Ohio, aren’t you? That tells me everything I need to know. Let me guess — you're one of these delusional Buckeye fans who still thinks Troy Smith was a top-tier quarterback, and that somehow that 41–14 loss to Florida in '07 was a fluke, right?

Look, you wanna throw stats at me, fine. I’ve seen 'em. I can read. But let me explain this to you in words you might understand: Baseball isn’t a one-way street. You don’t get to walk in, mash a few dingers, then take a nap in the clubhouse until your next at-bat and call yourself the MVP.

I mean, I could hit .320 too if I got to sit in the dugout with a latte every inning instead of tracking fly balls in the gap. Okay, maybe not .320, but you get the point.

Ted Williams may have 303 total bases, but ask yourself this, Lloyd: How many runs has he prevented? How many clutch defensive plays has he made to keep his team alive? You think MVP is just about launch angle and exit velocity?

Meanwhile, Willie Mays — out there every single day in centerfield, in seattle, the pressure cooker of the league — is raking, running, robbing, and winning. He’s dragging his team to the playoffs, winning games with his bat and his glove.

If Ted Williams is the MVP, then I’m the starting shortstop for the Yankees.

So no, Lloyd. I respect the numbers, but I respect the whole game more. And until Ted Williams shows me something that doesn’t involve sitting in a recliner between at-bats, he can take that 166 wRC+ and enjoy watching Willie Mays win the MVP from his designated chair.

 

Spoiler: Rarity 3

Love the cuteness of the grid today. The Orioles once played in St Louis and before that, in Milwaukee. The Braves once played in Milwaukee.

 

How about Ichiro for mvp? Everyone likes Ichiro

 

I'm always afraid to use

Spoiler

Rogers Hornsby

because I figure he's too popular, but then I'm probably overestimating both the way this particular group views him and

Spoiler

the impact of his association with Tyra Banks

 

Spoiler: 2 rarity

 

Spoiler: Rarity 6

 

Spoiler: Rarity 33

Nowhere near deep enough cuts on the "Played in Major Negro Leagues" column today ...

 

Spoiler: 8 rarity

 

Spoiler: You just have to sacrifice a little on the rarity today...

 

Logs and Boxes have been uploaded

STANDINGS





PENNANT CHASE

text

Clinched

stone temple seattle pilots have clinched the SANDLOT Division, as well as the #1 overall seed and homefield advantage throughout the post season.
Northern Shores Gales of November have clinched at least a Wild Card Spot and have a Magic Number of 2 to clinch the ALoaSD Division.
Birmingham Shaq Barons have clinched at least a Wild Card Spot
Performance Enhancers have clinched a Wild Card Spot
San Francisco Six Demonbags of Phoenix have clinched a Wild Card Spot

In the Running ...

Sithi of Osten Ard have a magic number of 3 to clinch a playoff spot and a 100% chance to make the playoffs
Amazings currently sit outside of playoff position, but still have a 0% chance to make the playoffs but remain mathematically alive and in hope of a miracle!

Eliminated

Every City Bandwagoners, Game of Throws, Burning Strangers of Bleach?!, Reseda Free Fallers, Albuquerque All-Seeing Angels of Hernandez, Let's Play Two, Brand New Ballplayers, San Diego Surfers and Atlanta Autumn have been eliminated from contention.

Possible Clinches or Eliminations in this set of games

Northern Shores Gales of November have a Magic Number of 2 to clinch the ALoaSD Division
Performance Enhancers have a Magic Number of 1 for the Home Field Advantage in the Wild Card Round
Sithi of Osten Ard have a Magic Number of 1 to clinch a wild card spot
Amazings have a Tragic Number of 1

POWER RANKINGS



FODEUSS Injury Report for September 20, 1990:

Amazings

• P Edwin Díaz – Hamstring strain (Out: 4 weeks, Not on IL)

stone temple seattle pilots

• P Charles Bender – Torn rotator cuff (Out: 6 months, On IL, 60-day IL)
• SS George Wright – Plantar fasciitis (Out: 1 week, Not on IL)

Atlanta Autumn

• P Corey Kluber – Ulnar nerve entrapment (Out: 4 months, Not on IL)

Birmingham Shaq Barons

• P Roy Partlow – Bone chips surgery (elbow) (Out: 3 months, On IL, 60-day IL)

Brand New Ballplayers

• P Chris Ray – Torn rotator cuff (Out: 3 months, On IL, 60-day IL)

Every City Bandwagoners

• P Gerrit Cole – Torn UCL (Out: 10 months, On IL, 60-day IL)
• P Curt Schilling – Torn elbow ligament (Out: 6 months, On IL, 60-day IL)

Game of Throws

• 1B Cap Anson – Ruptured MCL (Out: 6 months, On IL, 60-day IL)
• 2B Rogers Hornsby – Strained hamstring (Out: DTD, 2 weeks, Not on IL)

Performance Enhancers

• DH Shohei Ohtani – Strained rib cage muscle (Out: DTD, 1 week, Not on IL)
• P Kenley Jansen – Wrist soreness (Out: DTD, 2 weeks, Not on IL)

Reseda Free Fallers

• P Jesse Orosco – Shoulder inflammation (Out: 2 months, On IL)
• P Tim Belcher – Torn rotator cuff (Out: 9 months, On IL, 60-day IL)

San Francisco Six Demonbags of Phoenix

• SS Oyster Burns – Intercostal strain (Out: 5 days, Not on IL)

Sithi of Osten Ard

• RF Sam Thompson – Sprained ankle (Out: 3 weeks, Not on IL)

Upcoming Games and Probable Starters

September 20th through 22nd

Sithi of Osten Ard at Every City Bandwagoners
Sabathia vs. Perry
Gibson vs. Shocker
Wood vs. Rusie

Fan Engagement Note: As part of "Fan Appreciation Day" Judge Judy will hold court after the game on September 22nd and hear grievances from fans about players, awarding game-used memorabilia based on the seriousness of the offense.

Albuquerque All-Seeing Angels of Hernandez at Brand New Ballplayers
Halladay vs. Strasburg
Verlander vs. Roberts
Millwood vs. Galvin

Fan Engagement Note: As part of "Fan Appreciation Day", Oscar Charleston will join Tom Emanski on the field to give fundamental baseball lessons to all children 12 and under after the game on September 22nd. Note: Sithi of Osten Are are not allowed to send their infielders and pretend they are children.

Game of Throws at Atlanta Autumn
Whitney vs. Guidry
Bauer vs. Niekro
Bond vs. Cooper

Fan Engagement Note: As part of "Fan Appreciation Day" in between innings fans in attendance will have a chance to identify prizes based on identifying players who are not Ichiro

Lets Play Two at Performance Enhancers
Scherzer vs. Waddell
Plank vs. Hubbell
Maddux vs. Glavine (damn, I was going to jokingly slot Old Hoss in here, but I can't mess with Maddux vs. Glavine)

Fan Engagement Note: As Part of Fan Appreciation Days, for all three games of this series, fans can purchase "Old Hoss's Angry IPA" with a limited edition souvenir middle finger pilsner glass - the beer and the glasses will never be sold again.

stone temple seattle pilots at Amazings
Ramsey vs. Foster
Vance vs. Fernandez
WHEEZER DELL vs. Seaver

Fan Engagement Note: As Part of "We're Sorry for our stretch run, Fans" days, immediately after Amazings are mathematically eliminated from contention, fan favorites from the Adequates Eddie Gaedel and The Old Minnie Minoso will offer fans a free shuttle from the ballpark to a bar of their choosing via the bullpen cars!

Birmingham Shaq Barons at Northern Shores Gales of November
McDaniel vs. Blyleven
Powell vs. Grove
R Johnson vs. Mathewson

Fan Engagement Note: As Part of Fan Appreciation Day, stay after the game on September 22nd for a dueling concert between DJ Diesel and Gordon Lightfoot

San Diego Surfers at Reseda Free Fallers
Ryan vs. Martinez
Arrieta vs. Lincecum
F Hernandez vs. Lincecum

Fan Engagement Note: All Fans in Attendance on September 22nd will receive a FREE Denny's Grand Slam and ten fans will get the chance to make contact with a pitch thrown by All-Star Reliever Paul Assenmacher. Any fan who makes contact will get to go to an all-you-can-eat lunch the next day with manager Tommy Lasorda and the Philadelphia Phanatic!

Burning Strangers of Bleach at San Francisco Six Demonbags of Phoenix
Blue vs. Phillippe
Young vs. Burnes
Hiller vs. Paige

Fan Engagement Note: After the game on the 22nd, stay for a showing of Big Trouble in Little China on the scoreboard, with a free box of Cracker Jacks for everyone!

 

They couldn't not round it to at least give me some hope?

I guess put Edwin back on the IL?

Amazing.

 

Spoiler: Rarity 2

Pretty proud of that Shortstop row. Also, with this grid, pat Borders has moved into my top four players list, along side Cleveland's Own, Mr. Immaculate Grid, and Jim Delahanty's Face of Horror.

How would we feel about Friday night for the season finale of the regular season?

 

No.

I want it at 1 pm where no one can get off to see it during the workday at the same time as everyone else