Final SOMBILLA Standings 2001-2002 (2000 cards)

                   W   L  Pct  GB
New Orleans       38  18 .679  --
Constantinople    38  18 .679  --
Future Wax        32  24 .571   6
Manila Folders    31  25 .554   7
Gawd B            28  28 .500  10
Moose Jaw         26  30 .464  12
TTFKA Bay City    22  34 .393  16
Area 51           19  37 .339  19
BiG DiG           18  38 .321  20

League Leaders
All stats

MVP - Barry Bonds, FW
Cy Young - Chan Ho Park, CN and Greg Maddux, FW
Manager of the Year - Randy, FW

World Series (March 16)
New Orleans 11 Future Wax 5
Future Wax Wax 11 New Orleans 7
Future Wax Wax 10 New Orleans 7
Future Wax Wax 5 New Orleans 0
New Orleans 9 Future Wax 4
New Orleans 7 Future Wax 2
Future Wax Wax 8 New Orleans 7

Future Wax wins series 4 games to 3

Playoffs (March 5)
New Orleans 9  Manila Folders 4
New Orleans 3  Manila Folders 1
New Orleans 18  Manila Folders 5
Manila Folders 14  New Orleans 5
New Orleans 8  Manila Folders 3

New Orleans d. Manila Folders 4 games to 1

Playoffs (March 3)
Future Wax 13 Constantinople 4
Future Wax 6  Constantinople 1
Constantinople 9  Future Wax 8
Future Wax 6  Constantinople 5
Future Wax 9  Constantinople 8

Future Wax d. Constantinople 4 games to 1

Ballparks

Twits* Notes:  (5/4)

New SOMBILLA Records set this year:
Most games played, one weekend: TTFKA Bay City 11 12/8-9/01  (old record Metrowest (1998) 10)
Most games won, 7-game series: 7 (Harold vs. Jeff 1/6/02)
Most runs, Bagwell 69 (old record Piazza, FW '98-99; Bagwell, NO '00-01 63)
Worst ERA, 56+ innings: Colon, NO 10.70 (old record Appier, MF '97-98 10.28)
Highest team batting average: Constantinople .342 (old record Future Wax '96-97; North Dakota '00-01 .320)
Highest on-base percentage: Constantinople .421 (old recrod Future Wax '96-97 .400)
Most runs: New Orleans 475 (old record Future Wax '00-01 435)
Mosr RBIs: New Orleans 454 (old record Future Wax '00-01 423)
Most hits: Constantinople 703 (old record North Dakota '00-01 663)
Most walks: New Orleans 337 (old record '00-01 307)
Highest on-base percentage, league : .367 (old recrod '97-98 .353)
Most walks, league :2086 (old recrod  '97-98 2,009)
Worst ERA, league : 5.89 (old recrod '00-01 5.86)
Worst ERA, team leader: North Dakota 4.86 (old record Constantinople '96-97 4.48)
Worst ERA, league leader: P. Martinez, FW  3.46 (old record Nomo FP '96-97 2.99)
Most consecutive years without final stats: Eric (4)
Most consecutive seasons, playoffs: Future Wax 9

Randy claims that Future Wax made only 8 errors this year.  Given that defense was probably the champion's biggest weakness this year, I am doubting the veracity of that stat and am not including it as a new record.

Records tied:
Most hits: Garciaparra, FW  97 (ties B. Williams, ND ‘00-01)
Most appearances: R. White, ND 30 (ties Crabtree, Lagavulan 16 '97-98
Most teams, league: 9

New SOMBILLA Records entered into the record book (but not set this year):
Highest slugging percentage: Burks, CN '00-01 .796
Most doubles: Jeff Frye, BC   '98-99   24
Most triples: Deshields, CN  '98-99   7   

Final team stats:

Team Batting    AVG    OBP    SLUG    AB    R    H    2B    3B    HR    RBI    BB    K    SB  
Constantinople  0.342  0.421  0.578   2058  448  703  139    6    112   440    282   441  32  
Future Wax      0.319  0.409  0.578   2071  443  661  116   14    131   442    315   407  17  
New Orleans     0.303  0.402  0.596   2043  475  619  110   10    156   454    337        12  
BiG DiG         0.276  0.326  0.484   1617  240  447   81   12    77    232    119   314  25  
Manila Folders  0.275  0.372  0.487   1590  290  437   72    7    84    287    245   350  15  
Moose Jaw       0.272  0.340  0.489   1972  273  537  119   12    95    272    201        26  
Area 51         0.271  0.350  0.414   1947  265  528   99    3    58    257    237        26  
TTFKA Bay City  0.257  0.327  0.431   1935  283  498  105    0    77    266    200        41  
Gawd B          0.255  0.329  0.437   1374  199  351   79   12    49    189    150        15   
Totals          0.288  0.367  0.504  16607 2916 4781  920   76    839  2839   2086  1512 209   
                                                           
Team Pitching    G    W    L    SV    IPS    ER    H    BB    K    ERA    K/9    H+BB/9           
Moose Jaw      180   26   30    12    502.0  271  538  226   427   4.86  7.66    13.70
Constantinople 145   38   18    15    499.0  277  492  292   403   5.00  7.27    14.14
Gawd B         139   21   18    15    356.3  227  393  152   261   5.73  6.59    13.77
Future Wax     171   32   24    17    492    331  582  214   469   6.05  8.58    14.56
TTFKA Bay City 159   23   33    11    486.3  328  575  313   357   6.07  6.61    16.43
Area 51        N/A   19   37    5     493.7  335  594  180   395   6.11  7.20    14.11
New Orleans    N/A   38   18    12    499.0  347  N/A  N/A   467   6.26  8.42    N/A
BiG DiG        117   13   32    6     400.7  285  479  205   297   6.40  6.67    15.36
Manila Folders 117   23   22    10    406    304  489  240   334   6.74  7.40    16.16
                                                                   
Totals                         103   4135   2705 4142 1822  3410   5.89  7.42    12.98

   
AWAY                         HOME

Harold 20-8   .714      Tom    20-8   .714
Tom    18-10  .643      Harold 18-10  .643
Randy  17-11  .607      Randy  15-13  .536
Matt   16-12  .571      Matt   15-13  .536
Eric   14-14  .500      Eric   14-14  .500
Arnie  13-15  .464      Robin  14-14  .500
Robin   8-20  .286      Arnie  13-15  .464
Jeff    7-21  .250      Jeff   12-16  .429
Clint   6-22  .214      Clint  12-16  .429
------------------      ------------------
Total:  119-133  .472   Total  133-119  .528

(3/16) World Series notes:
GM1: Themes for the series: Maddux and Pedro vs Brown and a crack bullpen, with Sheffield vs Manny Ramirez for MVP.  After several lead changes, NO takes the lead for good on a Manny blast in the 7th. Alou's 3 run shot adds insurance in the 8th.  NO 11, FW 5

GM2: Glaus gives Harold the lead with a homer in the 8th off Pedro, but Sheffield takes it back with two-run blast in the 9th. Nomar and Griffey add insurance runs. FW 11, NO 7

GM3: The Wax take an early lead, then weather Harold's 5-run rally in the 9th. FW 10, NO 7

GM4: Maddux and Jimenez combine for a 4-hit shut out. FW 5, NO 0

GM5: Manny says "climb on my back!" and homers in each of his final three at-bats, tying the score (twice), then breaking the tie with a 3-run shot in the 9th. NO 9, FW 4

GM 6: Harold's bullpen comes through, as five pitchers yield just 7 scattered hits. NO 7, FW 2

SERIES TIED AT THREE GAMES APIECE

GM7: Maddux (with Pedro in the pen) against Brown.
2nd: Future Wax draws first blood in the 2nd on a Sheffield double and Salmon single.
4th: Bonds solo homer (2-0 FW)
4th: Hidalgo homer, and two more runs off three more hits (3-2 NO)
5th: Griffey homers (3-3 tie)
5th Hidalgo homers again (5-3 NO)
6th: Derrick Lee triples in 2 runs , then Griffey drives him in. (6-5 FW)
6th: Pedro relieves Maddux. Posado homers off him, but Pedro then works out of bases load jam. (6-6 tie)
8th: A tiring Brown walks the bases full. Kent singles: one runs scores and Fryman attempts to score from 2nd. Posada blocks the plate -- but Fryman slides around the tag! (8-6 FW)
9th: Alou hits a lead off homer. (8-7 FW) With two out, the mutant Burkhart is beaned by Pedro, and pinch-hitter Hundley steps in. The roll is on Pedro's card, but it's a 1B-X!  Derrick Lee's knees can still bend, however, and he makes the play.
FINAL SCORE: FW 8, NO 7

FUTURE WAX wins the series 4-3.

Series MVPs: Sheffield with 5 HR, 12 RBIs, 8 runs scored (vs Manny's with 5 HR, 13 RBIs, and 7 runs scored)

(3/5) Game 1 was not that close. NO led 9 -1 going into the 9th, MF hit two HR's to make it closer.  Complete game win for Brown...Game 2 was a classic playoff battle.  MF gets 1 in the 2nd, and D'Amico is pitching a gem, retiring 15 of 18.  Then, he loses it in the 6th - 2 doubles and 3 straight walks plate 3 for NO...In Game 3 NO bats explode, complete game win for Leiter...In Game 4 MF bats explode all over Brown, scoring 9 in the 4th...Game 5 was much closer than the score.  NO led 3-2 into the 5th, then a Bichette solo shot ties it for MF.  But NO score 2 in the 6th and 3 in the 8th to break it open.  Rivera pitches 1-2-3 7th and 8th innings, and Nen closes it out in the 9th by retiring the side.

(3/3) Future Wax took the first game 13-4, on strong pitching from Greg Maddux and two 3-run homers from Sheffield. Pedro Martinez hurled a 3-hitter in game 2, resulting in a 6-1 Wax victory...Tom was down but not out. Game three was a seesaw battle with several lead changes. Trailing by one in the bottom of the ninth, Future Wax had the tying run on third and winning run on second, but Herges struck out Griffey for the Manatees first victory: 9-8.

Many series have a defining, pivotal moment. Fast-forward to the bottom of the ninth in game four for the one that decided this series. For the second game in a row, the Manatees are trying to hold a one-run lead. But a pair of lead off singles has the Wax threatening to tie. Barry Bonds then rips a liner towards right for a sure hit -- no, wait, it's caught by Alfonzo (ballpark single 1-19 chance, roll of 20)! The red hot Gary Sheffield then hits a sharp ground ball to second (X-roll for Alfonzo, a 1e12). Tom is looking for a game ending play from his top fielder, and he gets it -- but not the one he imaged. A 3 split roll, and triple-six 18 error roll, lead to disaster instead. Alfonzo, holding Kent, is out of position (#), he's able to get a glove on the ball, but will have no play at first. But still he makes an attempt -- and the throw goes wild! Two base error on the throw and Kent scores from first, for a 6-5 Future Wax victory. Game five is another seesaw battle, but this time it is Future Was with a one run lead going into the ninth. Tom gets a man on with one out, only to have Everett ground into a game- and series-ending double play, bringing his franchise's most successful season to an untimely end.

DH Gary Sheffield led Future Wax to a 4 games to 1 playoff victory over the Manatees, by going an amazing 12 for 23, with 3 home runs and 13 RBIs in 5 games.

(2/25) It was an anti-climactic climax.  New Orleans takes 1st place by virtue of winning the season series vs. CN, 4 games to 3...The Folders come into the playoffs as perhaps the league's hottest team, winning 12 of their last 14.  Moose Jaw/North Dakota's 8-year playoff run ended ignonimously; the team is now submerged in a partially frozen backyard rink...Draft day March 30, 2002.

(2/22) Gawd B tightened up the wild-card race last night, knocking down the high-flying Folders.  Eric can provide the details. Although a 3-way playoff for 4th place is now impossible, a one-game playoff is quite possible.  Monday night should be wild...Draft day March 30, 2002.

(2/21) TTFKA Bay City mailed it in last night, as Manila put a serious damper on BC hubby's hopes for a playoff appearance.  Game 1 saw Manila jump out to a 2-0 lead, with Roger pitching a shutout until the 7th when Pudge cracked a homer to make it 2-1. But Jeter's error, 2 walks by Dreifort and a 2-run double by fomer J&C employee Magglio Ordonoze iced the game for the Folders.  BC jumped out to a 4-0 lead in game 2, and held a 4-1 lead after 6.  But BC's bullpen imploded as Manila, led by an Edmonds 3-run shot scored 10 runs in the final 3 innings to win 10-6.  The finale looked like BC would finally win one.  They held a tight 3-2 lead, thanks to a 2-run shot by Sammy.  But in the 6th, Sammy misses a potential 3-run ballpark homer; this is follwed by a missed 3-run ballprak homer by Pudge. Sure enough the Folders make her pay - Colbrunn hits a 2-run homer in the 9th and Beck nails down to save for the sweep... Don't look now, but the Folders have a shot at 3rd place... Draft day March 30, 2002.

(2/20) Gawd B took over sole possession of 4th place last night, in this zany, madcap wild-card race, beating Area 51 3 out of 4 games. Gawd manager (and team) arrived early, hung out with Amanda and Reese, and played "let's roll Bubbles of the PowerPuff Girls across the kitchen table", as Jeff waited for his realtor to arrive with important papers. She came: 7:20: papers signed, Jeff unimpressed but eager to get it over with. Game 1: hard to remember. Several phone calls, some mid-game chat about things other than Strato, and an hour and a half later Gawd B wins. Highlight: it's game 46 for Gawd B, and they're ready to call up 26th man after game. Who? Mike Matheny, gold glove catcher, to create a platoon. End of game 1: Lieberthal throws out arm running to first, and is injured for rest of series. Palmeiro comes in to catch one inning as Foulke saves. Game 2: close, but final score not available. Highlights: Matheny, in his first ever Strato game, gets lost within himself and goes 3 for 4 with two ribbies. JD Drew gets beaned, injured for two games. Game 3: A51 roars back with big win. Pettite throws gem, getting into and out of trouble nearly every inning, surrendering only two hits and two runs in 7ish innings. A51 also takes out Deivi Cruz, lost for series. Highlights: two leaping plays at fence (one gone, one caught), and a bone crushing hit at home plate (run scores). Game 4: it's late, everyone is in a hurry. Fast paced, low scoring, one or two bp misses for A51, and Gawd B wins again, Wilson getting save. Quick butt on porch, and then a speedy ride down treacherous, Hudson road to cozy home, and bed...Draft day March 30, 2002.

(2/18)  Clint finished his SOMBILLA career against arch-nemesis Future Wax and almost had the series won, before Randy scored two in the 9th inning of Game 4 to salvage a split...The 26th man (catcher Eli Marrero) allowed Jeff's Kenny Lofton to hit a pinchhit grand slam and take the series from Robin, who is still 2 1/2 games ahead in the battle for 7th place...Draft day March 30, 2002.

(2/12) While deals were being struck in smoke-filled rooms filled with gold-jewelry clad owners, the two battle-scarred veteran managers spent a lengthy evening waxing philosophic about contraction, expansion, greedy owners, the future of Tom and Land, themselves, life, death, God and the Patriots.  The games were close, luggage flowed, and the tiny dice were a pleasure all to themselves. In game 1, MJ jumped to a 5-1 lead, but GB hung tough and Koskie's 2-run shot in the 6th gave GB a 6-5 lead.  But Berkman's homer and 5 hits in the 6th off Scott Sullivan gave MJ the 10-7 win, with Remlinger pitching 2 innings of hitless relief for the save.  In game 2, homers by Fletcher and Rolen gave MJ a 3-0 lead, but 3 walks by Chuck Smith and a bases clearing double by D. Cruz tie it in the 5th, 3-3.  Then, the managers meet on the mound for an extended discussion of life and the meaning of the SOMBILLA while the players look on helplessly.  When play resumes some undetermined amount of time later, the game continues tied until the bottom of the 9th inning when, with one out, Moose Jaw's Ryan Klesko hits a walk-off homer off Fetters.  In game 3, the teams trade homers and unearned runs to the 8th when MJ leads 3-2.  Shuey comes in for MJ and gives up a 2-run homer to Koskie (again) and GB wins going-away 6-3 to stay 1/2 game out of 4th place...Draft day March 30, 2002.

(2/10)  Tom became the first team to wrap up the regular season and he did so in fine fashion to take over first place, despite a hectic final week of games. Tom swept Randy, Eric and Jeff in successsion (10 in a row) before being derailed by Robin the spoiler (and Luis Castillo's 4 rbis to double his season total).  Harold will need to win 3 of 4 from Eric on the final night of the season to clinch first place (and the bigger prize of avoiding Randy in the first round of the playoffs)...The battle for the wild card playoff spot became crazier as Matt's unlikely sweep of Harold not only knocked Harold out of 1st, but vaulted Matt into a 4th place tie w/ Eric, 1/2 game ahead of Moose Jaw.  All 3 teams, the Folders, Gawd B and Moose Jaw, will play each other over the next two weeks, starting with a big showdown at the Jaw on Wednesday night against Gawd B...In skating news, the 4th annual ice hockey bash was reduced to a kids skating party, thanks to the drizzly weather.  Jeff's wife Amy and children Amanda and Reece enjoyed the rink for awhile with the Moose Jaw kids Rachel & Jinny.  Later, Harold showed he has not lost his shooting touch or his stick handling skills even if he has lost all his conditioning (if in fact he ever had any).  Tom and Arnie also skated on the wet surface.

(2/8) Tom and Eric were feeling no pain as the series opened in beautiful Gawd B
park.  The Manatees started off well with a 1st inning 2 run homer by Jason Giambi and Tony Batista hit a 2nd inning 2 run homer to give the Manatees the early 4-0 lead.  The Manatees missed 2 BPHR that could have tired Nomo and the Gawd B faithful cheered as their team came back on an RBI double by Payton and then Lorretta got all of a pitch for a 3 run ball park homer ... wait .. he's a wimp .... 2 RBI single to bring the home team to within one run.
Tony Batista, the hero of the game, came up in the 5th to stroke a grand slam to lift the Manatees up to a 8-3 lead.  The home team came roaring back with back to back leadoff homers in the 7th by Ochoa and Cruz (Ball Park homer) to chase Wolf from the game.  Six GB pinch hitters and four Manatee pitchers later the dust settled with a 8-7 nail biting Manatee win.  Both managers came out with "Good Game" almost simultaneously, even though Eric thought the game should have ended after the 8th.  

Game 2 saw Chan Ho Park take the mound versus Mike Hampton.  The Manatees scored again in the first after putting his first two men onto 2nd and 3rd, the team pushed one across on a ground ball out.  The Manatees loaded the bases with one out in the second and missed consecutive Ball Park Homers  to get an additional run to go up 2-0.  Gawd B came up in the 4th and after
Stynnes kicked a Steve Finley grounder for an error, Snow missed a Ball Park shot but Konerko hit a 2 run homer to tie the game.  The Manatees struggled in the strange ball park failing 3 ball park single shots (1-5 what do you expect), but in the top of the ninth with Foulke pitching it looked grim. Abreu came up and stroked a single, and when Vander Wal came in to pinch it with one out .. El Guape came into the game.  Abreu took off for second, when a time eddy occurred and we went back to Foulke vs. Vander Wal.  (Eric: He can't go for the good lead, he already failed.  Tom:  You bought in a new pitcher and the odds for a lead changed so he gets to try again.  Eric to M&J:  Hey, have you guys heard about that rule before? M&J:  Yeah.  E:  I guess you are right.  Can I take the pitching change back.  Tom:  Sure, it never happened.)  Vander Wall stroked a 2 run homer.   Eric comes up in the ninth and Palmeiro walks and advances to second on a ground out.  Park intentionally walked Drew to set up Cruz for the double play, but Cruz whiffs and then Koskie hit a 2b-X and the game is over for a 4-2 win in a
another nail biter. (Yes, it is my favorite phrase.)   This game started the woes for Mark Lorretta.  2 2B-X resulted in two errors and a long single but no runs scored in either of these two innings.  The GB had 3 errors in the game, but gave up no unearned runs as Hampton overcame the defensive weaknesses.  Some analysts wondered if it was asking too much of the big
LHer who struck out 9 in 8 IP for a no decision in the loss.

Game 3 saw Hudson vs Glavine.  The story of this game was Hudson, who pitched the complete game shut out.  Tom Glavine took it on the chin giving up 14 runs to lose 14-0.  Manatees hit 2 out of 4 Ball Parkers to continue the team recent luck on getting the ball park shots.  (Even if they have not been abnormally lucky in how many they make.)  The defense let GB down as
Ochoa had a 2 Base error for a meaningless ninth inning run, Loretta had 3 chances where he gave up two singles and 2 more errors (none of the errors lead to any runs, but one of the singles was part of a 3 run 7th inning)...Draft day is Saturday, March 30th.

(2/7) In a SOMBILLA first, 2 teams brazenly attempted to play their entire 7-game season series on a weeknight.  The 7 games, which featured 2 extra-inning contests and a 20-minute pizza break, were played in the anti-Randy time of 3 1/2 hours.  In Game 1, BD's Sidney Ponson scattered 8 hits and pitched a complete game shutout to win 5-0.  In Game 2, Javy Lopez's 3-run blast staked BD to a 5-3 lead.  Moose Jaw tied it with two in the 6th and it stayed that way until the 14th innning.  Both teams stranded countless runners - BD had a runner thrown out at home followed by a botched squeeze in the 12th and MJ had 1st and 3rd with none out in the 13th, but neither team could score.  Finally, Vlad Guerrero crushed Remlinger's 1st pitch in the bottom of the 14th to put a serious dent in MJ's playoff hopes.  Bernie Williams' 2-run single in the 7th helped Randy Johnson win his 8th game for MJ in game 3, 5-3.   MJ pounded BD 14-5 to even the series in game 4, as Rolen and Klesko homered.  But BD, behind great managing by Clint "playing out the string", came back to in game 5, 4-3 as Helton and Lopez had rbi hits off Hoffman for the come from behind win.  MJ tied up the series with another pounding, 12-6, in game 6, with 2 homers each by Berkman and B. Williams.  In game 7, BD, down 2-0, tied it up in the 8th on rbis by A. Jones and T. Clark.  Neither team could then generate any offense until the 12th when Rolen singled in Johnny Damon for the 3-2 MJ win.  Kudos to Clint for playing the spoiler (and probably ending Moose Jaw's 8-year playoff run) when it would have been easy to just pack it in...Draft Day Saturday March 30, 2002

(2/5) The Manatees, who had lost 5 of his last 6 games, came into a hostile Wax Dome. The bleary eyed manager had traveled an hour home and then an hour to Somerville and showed up early (traffic sometimes lets one). This knocked off the Wax timing and the Manatees got to relax while the Wax Warriors sat down to a bowl of chunky soup. His mother was proud and happy wherever she might be. The hungry Manatees, who had not had dinner, sipped their Wild Cherry Pepsi and wondered how they could be in the Wax dome for a 4 game series on a Monday after a late Super Bowl Sunday. Game 1 started with a 6-1 Wax lead. The Manatees roared back with 4 runs in the 6th to knock Livan Hernandez out of the game highlighted by Giambi's second lead off homer, a HBP that dazed Vander Wal, but he shook it off to play on and the Manatees used four pinch hitters. At the end of this mess, the Manatees realized that he had used both his back up centerfielders for his DH and needed to now break the DH and send the reeling Vander Wal to the showers. The seventh inning saw Wax put in the rest of his bullpen (4 pitching changes) and the Manatees use up the rest of his bench as the Manatees scored six runs (5 unearned due to a 2 base Griffey error on a lead off liner by Alfonzo) to win 14-8. This game took over an hour and a half to cement Randy's reputation. David Wells came in for game 2 and never got on track for the Wax. Final score 21-6. Tim Hudson pitched a beautiful game 3 giving up 1 run over 9 innings, giving up only one extra base hit (a double in the first). This after losing his last three games including being knocked out twice after 1 or fewer innings. A Rod hit an early grand slam to pace the Manatees to a 13-1 victory. Game 4 saw Pedro take the mound. Pedro gave up a solo shot to A. Rod and a 2 run shot to Batista on his a way to a 3-1 loss. This was the first sweep of Wax by the Manatees and the Wax vowed vengeance in the playoffs over the inferior Manatees. (Actually, he made modest comments of having to battle for 4th place. However, we need comments to pin up in the locker room.)...A discombobulated Big Dig flew into the Wax Home on Saturday. Clint was forced to play with dice and cards for the first time all year after his computer failed to accept his identity as a registered Stratomatic user. (Clint soldiered the plodding look up results ritual of dice and cards reasonably well, losing patience only over the X-chart look ups.) His team responded to the challenge, giving the Wax a run for their money, including out-homering the home team 10-7...Harold, Tom and Randy can all call up one more player...Draft day March 30, 2002.

(1/27) New Orleans, after winning 11 in a row (one shy of the league record) and then splitting against FW, continued its winning ways. After sweeping MJ 3-0, it took 3 of 4 against CN to open an impressive 4 1/2 game lead over 2nd place CN. NO out-scored MJ 25-6 (aided by homers by Alou and Bagwell off the top of and over the LF cow statue) to knock MJ 2 1/2 games behind GB for 4th. In the showdown for 1st place with CN, NO took the first 3 games of the series, outscoring CON 33-17. In game 4, NO was leading 8-4 going into the 8th. But Nen blew his 4th save of the year as CN scored 5 in the 8th to salvage the 4th game. Defending champion NO has now gone 19-3 in their last 22, with their remaining 10 games at home...Remember, each team can callup one player for their final 10 games of the season, even if in the middle of a series...Draft day, Saturday March 30.

(1/20)  Two of the league's top teams split over the weekend, while Moose Jaw closed to within one game of 4th place Gawd B - attempting to keep Gawd B's seven-year playoff drought (longest in the SOMBILLA other thean Clint) intact.  In fact, the last time Eric played a post-season game, the world knew OJ Simpson only as an actor and ex-football player...Area 51 rose out of the cellar, pasting BiG DiG....Remember each team is allowed one transaction after the roster freeze...Draft day, Saturday March 30.

(1/17) Last night's 3-gamer between Randy and Eric in Somverville started off with a major disappointment for Eric: he was actually looking forward to facing Pedro, and fielding the worst right-handed hitting line-up perhaps in the history of the Sombilla. Alas, Pedro was "no mas", and the Wax threw Maddux to the hill, where he hurled a gem, shutting out Gawd B on a three hit, no walk, seven k performance. The game lasted perhaps twenty minutes. Final: 8-0. Game 2 had Glavine on the hill for Gawd B, and he did his buddy Maddux proud, going 7.6 innings, yielding just three hits and one run and several missed bp's by Randy. Final: 4-1. Game 3 saw Wells versus Millwood, and both teams exploded for a combined 3 runs in the first inning and a half. After that it was all goose eggs as Gawd B won 2-1, behind a two-run homer by Belle, and sensational catch by Jordan, scaling the right field wall to rob Sheffield or Thome or Griffey or somebody like that of a two-run whack. Season series: 4-3, Eric. Randy noted that over the 7 games, the Wax outhomered Gawd B 21-3, and outscored them by who knows how much. As for Eric, well, he doesn't care now what happens for the rest of the season. With Gawd B in fourth place, the butt ugly fans of Moose Jaw must be wondering what their team has to do to catch up to one of the most mediocre ensembles ever to vie for a playoff spot...The Moose Jaw Media office released the following in response:  "This team will not respond to derogatory comments from perennial non-playoff teams"...Only five teams are keeping their stats up to date.  Keep in mind that all playoff teams are subject to having their stats audited to ensure they have not gained an unfair advantage...Draft day, Saturday March 30.

(1/11)  This match up of the only two teams with their original names went from bad to worse for the Folders. In the first game, a four run Future Wax lead was erasing the third by homers from Edmonds and Quinn. But a Griffey homer in the 9th brought the margin back to 4. Matt got the tying run to the plate, but Edmonds could come through a second time. Final: FW 9, MF 6...Edmonds did homer to start of the next game, but from that point the Folders stranded 13 baserunners. A slightly more efficient Future Wax logged a 6-3 victory. Barry Bonds assured the sweep, homering in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd innings (8 RBIs total). Derek Lee also homered twice, along with one each from Nomar and Griffey. Oh, and Pedro was pitching. Final score: FW 22, MF 4...Draft day, Saturday March 30.

(1/9)  The highlight of last night's forgettable series was when Derek Jeter got injured in his 1st at bat of the 4th game.  Mike Sweeney (a 5 last year at 1B) came in and played flawlessly.  Robin won game 1 in the bottom of the 9th, 7-6, on a pinch-hit single by Adrian Brown off Foulke. Eric came back to win game 2 behind an outstanding pitching performance by Tom Glavine (6 hits all singles, 1 BB, 9 K's) 5-1.  Eric won game 3, 4-2, on a combined 7-hitter by Millwood, Fetters, Lowe, Sullivan, Foule and Wilson.  Dreifort walked in 2 runs in the 5th inning to take the loss.  Robin came back to win game 4, 10-3, led by 2 homers from Cliff Floyd, and one each for SS M. Sweeney, and Sammy Sosa...Draft day, Saturday March 30.

(1/6) Despite winning 3 of 4 at Manatee River Park, Tom dropped into 2nd place over the weekend.  That's because Harold absolutely demolished Jeff to post the SOMBILLA's first-ever 7-game sweep.  One witness described it as a "total decimation".  NO outscored A51 79-25 in the 7 games, winning games with scores such as 14-0, 22-7 and 15-1.  NO hit 27 homers.  NO pitching had 4 complete games (doesn't bode well for future opponents against that well-rested bullpen).  K. Brown pitched a 2-hit shutout and Benson had a 4-hit shutout.  There was no star of the week because, as Harold put it, "everyone played well"...Clint took 3 of 7 from Matt to set up a big showdown for 8th place against Jeff in 2 weeks.  

(12/26) While the rest of America was out doing, er, whatever it is that people do on Christmas Eve and Christmas, 2 of the SOMBILLA's Jews did the next best thing: played Strat-O!  BC was clearly hurt by Gackle Park's cavernous right field.  Her righty sluggers had numerous ballpark homer chances - only to see them die on the pasture.  In game 1, MJ was led by 5 solo homers (gotta work on that lineup) as Randy Johnson pitched a 6-hitter to go to 5-1 on the season.  BC came back on a fine pitching performance by Darren Dreifort (Leskanic with the save) to win game 2, 3-1.  Sammy Sosa's rbi double in the 6th broke the 1-1 tie and was the game winner.  In game 3, 6 different MJ players had 2 hits (Berkman, Klesko, B. Williams, R. Alomar, Larkin) to lead a balanced attack and outlast BC 7-4.  In the finale, BC's Felix Rodriguez walked the bases loaded, then gave up a pinch-hit grand slam to Klesko in the 7th that broke open a close game.  Tollberg and Rick White pitched solidly as MJ cruised 8-1. Some bad blood spilled over from the previous game when BC's Jeff Frye had been knocked out for 4 games.  BC's Rick Ankiel beaned Larkin in the 6th, sending him to the DL.  That caused MJ's Tollberg to retaliate the following inning by breaking I. Rodriguez's wrist, causing Pudge to miss the next 6 games.  The following inning, an all out 'holiday brawl' ensued when McElroy beaned MJ's Justice, knocking him out for the next game as well.  Star of the week was Ryan Klesko, 6 for 9, 4 runs, 2 homers, 6 rbi's, 4 walks.

(12/20) Three close games were played at Robin's last night, two one-run games and a two-run game, with Eric taking two of three. Both teams had runners thrown out at home, each representing tying runs late in two of the games. Slammin' Sammy had 3 dingers and 6 ribbies, while Eric got his usual production of crushing 'em with mediocrity. Other noteworthy stats: Ankiel actually pitched a one one-two-three inning, and walked only 4 in 4 plus innings; Jeter was nabbed stealing on a 1-19; and Palmeiro belted a "Homerun 1, out otherwise", a shot which thoroughly demoralized Robin. Eric met Daisy, a sweet pooch with bat-like ears and a Hereford's gate. Jinny and Rachel showed up at the table briefly to encourage Mom, but they were obviously suffering a Hanukah hangover, and could only offer tepid support before Dad marched them off to bed. Bix the cat was not allowed out after ten because he likes getting sprayed by skunks, and Mikko the cat gained two pounds watching Eric eat Doritos.

(12/16) Gawd B played Gawd Ball last night, taking 3 of 4 from the Folders at Sandover Field, in low scoring affairs. Humor highlight of the night came from Matt, who wondered, after observing the "Nomo/Armas" line on Eric's stat sheet, if Hideo would complain, as the season wore on, that he had "no mo armas"? Lowlights for Matt were several missed ballparks, and couple of rob jobs from Gawd B's outfield. Other than that, Eric brought the Guiness, Matt brought the Harps, and black and tans were built. ...Line of the week came from Robin's series against Harold last week when she got swept.  Rick Ankiel: 7 inns, 12 hits, 1 hbp, 17 bb, 8 K, 12 ER.  15 of the walks came in the 1st 5 innings.

(12/4) EXCERPTED FROM THE CONSTANTINOPLE INQUIRER WITHOUT PERMISSION:
The Manatee team bus was found abandoned on the access road from the stadium to the Land Memorial Turnpike. The team had been scheduled to fly to their various homes to spend the December holidays after a tough 6 game homestand. An unnamed player later stated to this reporter that he was
awoken by the bus vibrating like a cheap ... and then a bright light and the next thing he knew they were elsewhere. The cold desert night air gave some hint to their location as a bug eyed team took the field. In the midst of the 5 foot aliens was ex-Manatee farm hand Miguel Tejada. Old teammates noted differences in their old friend, "Man, he was growing antennae and his skin had this strange greenish tinge ..." The dazed Manatees took the field to play some old fashion baseball. Bobby Abreu said, "It was weird. We couldn't see off the edges of the field because of all the lights. We could have been playing in a big airplane hangar for all that I could see. Every once in a while you would catch some scurrying furtive movement ... I was just freaked. I just could not play in that ballpark." (He didn't)
Miguel Tejada welcomed his old friends with a solo shot off Randy Wolf and after a 2 run shot from Krapler to lead the A51 team to win the game 7-4. Game 2 saw Chan Ho Park carry a no-hitter into the 7th and a lead of 6-0 paced by solo homers by Everett and Rondell White and CN held on for the 8-3 victory. In game 3, Hudson was victimized once again by errors yielding a first inning 4-3 lead to the A51 ace Mussina. But Hudson settled down to not allow another run as he pitched a complete game 10-4 Manatee victory.The closest game of the series was to be the final game. The Manatees went up 2-0 against Schilling after study A51 RF1 Dye booted an Alfonzo line drive for a 2 base error. The mysterious aliens fought back to go up 3-2 at the end of 7 on a clutch 2 RBI double by Erstad. A51 bought in their defensive specialists, and a ballpark homer was struck by A. Rodriquez and Lofton went up and caught the ball (the second time a ballpark homer was pulled in by the A51 defense, but in both cases they were 15s that are on the out rating in a park with taller fences). After a Stynnes single Tony Batista stroked a 2 run home run to give a 4-3 lead to the Manatees. Howry and Strickland held A51 for a come from behind Manatee victory.Manatees win the series 3-1 and were returned to their various beds across the globe much to the surprise of their families none of who saw them arrive home.Manatee hitter of the series was Tony Batista who went 4 for 10 for 2 homers and 4 RBIs...Robin will break the league record for most games played in one weekend. 

(12/2) Constantinople took over 1st place convincingly, winning 4 of 6 against the two (other ) top teams on Sunday.   The league office has managed to decipher the Manatees' tome-like press release to discern that they beat the Wax 7-6 in a come-from-behind 2-run the bottom of the 9th on a sac fly by Ellis Brks and rbi hit by R. White.  It has also been determined that CN won game 2, 4-2 as Piazza was given Larry Walker treatment by CN starter Wolf, who walked him intentionally four times in all his plate appearances. Game 3 saw the angry Wax swat down the Manatees 6-4 on the backs of homers by Nomar and Giles and two homers by Barry Bonds....The Wax left and in flew New Orleans. The Bourbon Street Bombers came in a little hung over as Leiter (Lighter?) was torched for 24 runs by the Manatees after taking a 3-0 lead on back to back home runs by Manny and Alou. ..New Orleans won Game 2, 3-1 as E. Martinez's solo blast and 2 unearned runs were all the offense needed. The Manatees hit 3 Ball Park homer outs (and they were reconsidering the fences in their home park) and made a run in the bottom of the ninth. After two strikeouts, the Manatees loaded the bases for Jason Giambi. Giambi walked to score a run and then A. Rodriguez gave the ball a ride and it was caught on a six in the fourth ball park homer chance of the game for the Manatees leaving the bases loaded. CN won Game 3 in the 10th inning versus Nen when, after two were out, Stewart and Alfonzo followed with sharp singles. Giambi was intentionally walked to load the bases for Ellis Burks. Ellis had hit the ball park homer earlier in the game and he dug in against Nen with two outs and ... walked driving in Shannon Stewart for the winning run. The Manatees lost two more players to injuries in this series losing Tatis and Abreu. The Manatees have now lost 8 of 15 hitters to injuries at the half way point of the season....FW outhomered GB 18-2 in their 4-game split. ...Matt & Clint will be playing their makeup series on 12/15...Saturday's bash has been blown up and everyone is now on their own to make up their series.

(11/29)  The surpising Manila Folders, last year's lovable laughingstocks, took 3 of 4 at the Douglas A MacArthur Dome from BC tonight to take over 4th place.  The Folders, led by Jim Edmonds (8 for 14 with 2 more HR to give him a league-leading total of 14), have already exceeded their last year's win total...At the Base, Jeff won 2 of 3 to escape the league's cellar.  Highlights were 1. Jeff's son warning Eric to be careful with the scissors, even though they were in the boy's hands, not Eric's, 2. Eric suffering a far too quick processing of Jeff's cheap beer which resulted in five visits to the little boy's room during a 3-game set, and 3. Mussina taking a no-no into the 6th of game 1, which ended 2-0 in Jeff's favor. Game 2 was a laugher for Jeff (and Eric, I'm sure of it), though the final score is unknown, and Eric won the 3rd game by some several runs, even though Jeff made fun of Eric for hitting several doubles and called me a fairy. Or was that during game 2? In any case, outside it rained lightly, Jeff cursed the day he was born, and Eric had a pleasant drive home to Brighton...All teams are now at the roster freeze.

(11/20) (edited for TV) Last night's series between the Manatees and Moose Jaw was a tight fought series complete with two controveries.  Tempers flared at the end; could Tom be the new Clint?

Game 1 saw the Manatees going up early.  Alfonzo hit a ball park homer ... roll 2.  No home run.  But at Moose Jaw, there is a cow statue in left, so there is a chance that the fielder did not catch it.  Roll 6 ... gone over the dung covered Damon for a 2 run homerun.  Nine batters came to the plate and the Manatees plated 4 runs.  The second inning saw the Manatees tiring Chuck Smith and scoring 2 runs.  CN went up 8-2 but
went into cruise control and the gritty Canucks came back scoring 4 in the eighth to bring the game to 8-7, highlighted by a 3 run pinch hit ball park homerun by Klesko.  Rolen lead off the 9th with a game tying homerun to send the game into extra innings.  The top of the order came up for the Manatees in the 12th.  Abreu stroked an easy MJ ball park single and Alfonzo followed with a long single.  Hoffman bore down and
struck out Giambi and A. Rod to bring Rondell White up in the clutch. Rondell delivered with a sharp single to bring across the winning run as Gabe White closed out the game (going 4 1/3 and pitching the last out tired as a result, he is a 2 inning reliever.)  With two out and one on, Fletcher hit a ball park homer, which could have won the game in dramatic fashion but ... an 11 and it is out to end the game.  There is no cow statue in RF so the robbing a homer rule could not come into play.

Game 2 was better known as the Carl Everett show.  Woody Williams started the game unhittable walking the first 3 batters on 12 straight balls and then blew away Burks throwing only two pitches (there is still some questions that the Manatess have for the Moose Jaw Umpire).  Carl Everett stroked a two run double and then Woody settled down.  In the second inning, Arnie suddenly stopped everything saying, "Wait the center fielder (in Game 1) was supposed to make the play, because it was the first number in the out range.  Thus, the CF could reach over the center field fence and catch it, and Mosse Jaw does have a cow statue in CF."  Manatee management believed that the actual rule dealt with two fences, one for RH ball park homers and splits and the other for LH ball park homers and splits (not three fences) and that the RF and CF are actually reaching over the same fence.  They ran down the stairs and fired up the internet, logging onto the Strat-O-Matic website for the official clarification.  Sure enough, the rule is that the RCF and LCF fences are where the plays are happening, thus it does not matter which fielder is trying to make the play.  The controversay ended amicably with MJ adjusting its cow statue policy:  only one 8 foot cow statue is in the park - in LCF. The sixth inning started with the Manatees up 3-2.  Carl Everett hit a clean homerun off his card and then A. Rod stroked a N-Homerun off Woody Williams card. Arnie slammed his fist down in anger and grabbed Woody Williams around the throat and had to be restrained from tearing him into little pieces.  Vander
Wall then came up and completed the back to back to back leadoff homerun fest with a ball park homer.  The next inning saw Everett hitting a 3 run N-Homerun off Issy (prompting Arnie to mutter, "I could have left Woody Williams in for that").  Everett finished the scoring in the ninth with a solo shot going 4 for 5 with a double, 3 homers, a K and 7 RBIs in a 10-2 vulture win for Gabe White.

Game 3 saw the angry Canadians bring on their MVP.  Randy Johnson pitched a tight game hitting several Manatee batters.  Taking out Ausmus and Stynnes for 2 games in addition to the current game. Causing great problems to the Manatees, who had problems dealing with the squeeze at third and catcher tying his hands from pinch hitting against the fierce Johnson. The Manatees complained that his normal roster would have less problems.  Arnie pointed out that the Manatees are at the roster freeze.  Manatees felt that this had been discussed at the draft and decided in his favor.  Arnie said "No we never voted, didn't you read the meeting notes in the summer newsletter?"  Tom remembered that he was told that my intepretation was how the rules "should" be interpreted.  Arnie agreed that some of the other managers probably said "should" but that we did not vote.  Since then I have gone back to the summer newsletter (which I never read) and read that we discussed series that had game 21 somewhere in the middle of the series.  Arnie then threatened to void the whole series and escalate the issue to the Vice Commissioner.  An all out brawl ensued with windows and furniture broken resulting from our fisticuffs.  The Mansfield police report questioned us extensively over the apparent arson-destroyed drapes.

Reviewing the scoresheets, the two players that played that are not normally on the roster had one hit and one walk and one run scored. If you repalce Varitek's at bat in game 1 (a double scoring a run) with a pop out, it does not actually change the final score of the game.  After the police left, Arnie agreed to basically say "fuck it" (see bylaws Sec. I (C)).

Game three saw a ball park homer by Luis Gonzalez tie the game in the sixth to take a 3-2 lead. The seventh saw two bunts (a Alomar bunt single against in drawn in corners and a sacrifice by Larkin) put men on 2nd and third with one out.  The Manatees considered intentional putting Berkman on to load the bases for Bernie Williams in a tie game, but decided against it.  Result gb(2B)X that would have been a inning ending double play instead was an RBI ground out and Bernie followed with a double to give Randy Johnson a 4-2 lead which is all he needed to hold off the Manatees for the win.

(11/18) O.T. took the first 2 out of 3 in their park, silencing the NO bats. After NO won game 1 (led by Alou's grand slam), O.T took the next two, 5-4 and 4-2. In Game 2, NO had a 4-2 lead in the 8th, but Nen blew his second save chance of the year, giving up a 3 run HR to Lopez. After flying to New Orleans, home cooking was just what NO needed, as they swept O.T., outscoring them 46-21. For the 7 games, NO hit 18 HRs, led by Posada (3 HR 11 RBI), Manny (3 HR 8 RBI) and Bagwell (3 HR 5 RBI 10 runs scored).

     AWAY                       HOME
Randy   8-3  .727       Tom     8-3  .727
Eric    5-2  .714       Robin   5-2  .714
Arnie   7-4  .636       Randy   7-3  .700
Harold  6-4  .600       Harold  7-4  .636
Tom     4-3  .571       Arnie   5-6  .455
Matt    5-5  .500       Matt    3-4  .429
Jeff    2-8  .200       Clint   4-6  .400
Clint   2-9  .182       Eric    4-7  .364
Robin   0-7  .000       Jeff    2-4  .333
-----------------       -----------------
Totals 39-45 .464       Totals 45-39 .536

(11/15) NO swept Gawd B 7-5, 10-6 and 16-10 to extend their winning streak to 5 and move into third place.  Game 3 was a classic, going 16 innings.  It was a see-saw battle until the 9th, when the bats for both teams took a nap.  Some of the highlights: GB lost their DH in the 9th, so three pithcers (Sullivan, Glavine and Garces) needed to hit.  Results:  1 DP, 1K, and Garces ground out. On a rare play roll, Snow hit a single for GB, but was thrown out from LF by Alou (+1 arm) after rounding first.  No one could ever remember seeing a left fielder throw out someone at first before in MLB. NO 3rd baseman Glaus was injured in the 3rd, and Hundley came in to play the position (becoming a 5e65) and hit a 3 run HR in the 16th.  He had no fielding chances. NO DH E. Martinez was injured, and Kevin Brown came in to pinch-run and remained as DH.  He is pinch hit for in the 10th before getting a turn at bat. NO scored 6 in the 16th inning to win. Hitting star of the night was Jeff Bagwell:  8 for 16, 4 HR 8 RBI...The Folders, New Orleans, Olney, Constantinople and Gawd B will all hit the roster freeze over the next week.

(11/9) The first three games felt like the World Series - runs hard to come by (2-1, 4-3, and 2-1) with starting pitchers named Pettitte, Mussina, Randy Johnson, and Schilling.  Moose Jaw struck first in Game 1, thanks to a costly 2nd-inning error by the A51 leftfielder Hammonds, which led to a 1-0 lead.  Erstad's rbi single in the 6th tied it up for A51.  But after the Moose Jaw crowd's stirring rendition of "God Bless Saskatchewan" in the 7th inning, David Justice stroked an rbi double for the 2-1 win.  Randy Johnson struck out 14, scattered 7 hits and Ryan Klsko smacked 2 homers as MJ won game 2, 4-3.  A51 scored 2 in the 9th, but the rally fell short.  Game 3 was another tense affair as Schilling and Lieber dueled in a 1-1 tie through 7.  Carlos Delgado's big rbi single off Shuey in the 8th won the game for A51 as Benitez struck out 5 of the final 6 MJ hitters for the save.  Game 4 saw A51 jump out to 3-0 and 6-4 leads, but MJ kept chipping away.  With the score 6-5, A51, in the 6th, Turk Wendell came in and preceeded to walk the bases loaded to start the inning.  He escaped with giving up only 2 runs to MJ, but that was the difference in the game, MJ winning 7-6.  Hoffman picked up his 2nd save of the series...Next Wednesday, Future Wax an Moose Jaw become the first teams to hit the roster freeze.

(11/5) Area 51 finally woke up and won a game, coming back from a 5-0 1st inning hole to take game 1 8-7. League leader Jim Edmonds smacked two more homers for a total now of nine (9). Manila took game two with Charles "Swinging" Johnson homering along with surprise lead-off DH Colbrunn. Score: 7-4.  Game three saw A51 coasting to victory after a five run fourth, though Manila came back with four in the fifth; it wasnt enough, final 9-5...Fun Facts from the Future Wax, TTFKA Bay City Series:

#1: The new "leaping grab" rule came into play four times in the final two games. On four consecutive ballpark homer rolls, Robin rolled a 19 (once) or 20 (three times) while visiting the Wax Home (HR: L 1-18, R 1-19). Bonds caught the first one, and Griffey caught the next three -- saving 7 runs in all. (The odds of Robin NOT homering in at least ONE of the four rolls was approximately 80,000 to 1.) During this stretch, Robin ALSO missed one of three (1-19) ballpark single rolls.

#2  Griffey went 2 for 15 for the series, with his only hits being two "tired" singles off Sele's card (that is, if Sele hadn't been tired, both would have been strike-outs, and Griffey would have been 0 for 17). But each single drove in two runs, which along with a sac fly, and a bases loaded walk gave Griffey a series leading 6 RBIs.

#3 Sheffield reached base 11 times (5 hits, 6 walks) and scored 9 times. Bonds was 6 for 11, with more 2 homers (7 total). Sheffield and Giles also homered twice. Nomar went 8 for 19.

#4 Pedro Martinez has won 3 of his 5 starts this season. His one loss and one no-decision (in a losing cause) both came against Robin. (Two Nomar errors each led to an unearned run, which led to Pedro's loss.)...Moose Jaw won 3 of 4 at Sanover Field.  Gaw B tied game 1, 6-6 with 2 runs in the bottom of the 9th, but Kskie was gunned out at home by B. Williams on a 1-15 shot to win it.  Rbi hits by Justice and Barkman it the 10th, made it 8-6.  GB made it 8-7 on Konerko's homer, but stranded the tieing rtn at 2nd...Homers by Justice and Rolen and a2-run double by Damon led MJ to 1 5-3 game 2 win, with R. Johnson picking up the win...GB won game 3 1-0, Glavine outdueling Lieber, thanks to a pinch-hit rbi single by Konerko in the bottom of the 8th...MJ cruised 11-5 in the finale, a Klesko grand salami the big blow.

(10/27)  Robin kept Jeff winless, beating him 8-3, 7-5 (solo homers by Floyd, Green and I Rodrigues in the 8th for the come-from-behind win), and 12-11 in 11 innings to move into 4th place.  In the last game, Area 51 went ahead 11-9 in the top of the 11th, but Mike Sweeney's 2-out, 3-run home run off Benitez in the bottom of the 11th gave Robin the sweep.  Star of the week for Robin, who hit 14 homers in the 3 games, was Frank Thomas (.455, 3 HR, 4 RBI, 3 BB)...Harold won his first three games of the season in the bottom of the 9th inning against Moose Jaw.  In game 1, MJ carried a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the 9th with Hoffman on the mound.  After a leadoff homer by Bagwell, M. Ramirez reached on catcher's interference by B. Santiago (who had just entered the game as a defensive replacement).  Hidalgo then ended the game with a 2-run homer.  In game 2, NO and MJ were tied 3-3 in the bottom of the 9th with R. Johnson (pitching a 4-hitter) still on the mound.  Bagwell crushed Johnson's first pitch for the game-winning homer.  In game 3, MJ carried a 5-4 lead into the bottom of the 9th with Remlinger on the mound.  A one-out pinchhit double by Jenkins brought R. White in to face Alou.  Alou singled.  Hoffman came in to face Posada whose single tied the game.  After a walk to Bagwell loaded the bases, Manny R. hit a double to end the game.  In game 4, MJ jumped out in front 5-0, but NO tied it.  MJ jumped out to an 11-6 lead, but NO made it 11-10 going into the bottom of the 9th.  Ramirez and E. Martinez both walk to lead off the inning, and it looks like a 4th straight 'walk-off' win.  But R. White gets Hidalgo and Glaus, and Remlinger gets pinch-hitter Burkhart to fly out to end the game...Strange happenings in the FW/MF series, when in the 6th inning of the 2nd game, M. Ordonez batting against L. Hernandez, the 20-sided 'thing' split in half during a routine roll...Edmonds has 7 homers for the Folders.

(10/25) In the first rematch of last season's World Series teams, Future Wax pulled off a three game sweep of defending champs New Orleans in the Crack House season opener.  The Wax attack included 52 hits (including 12 HR by 9 players), 26 walks, and 42 runs, led by Nomar (9 for 18, 7 RBIs), Kendall (8 for 14, 4 RBIs), and Giles (5 for 11,  3 HR, 7 RBIs). Manny Ramirez was even better (8 for 12, 2 HR, 5 RBIs) for New Orleans, but his teammates couldn't rally behind him...Fryman’s single broke a 6-6 tie in the 7th inning of game 1, with Kendall and Kent adding 3 insurance runs for a 10-6 victory. The second game was a 25-9 blow out, with Leiter not making it out of the first inning. It could have been worse, but Future Wax hit into three clutch outs. Harold had pitchers Brown and Benson pinch-hit in the 9th for Alou and Edgar Martinez in order to hit the showers sooner. The final game was a 6 hit, 14 K complete game for Pedro Martinez, who coasted to a 7-3 victory, capping the sweep...The Apostate Gawd B. came into Constanople for a four game series last night feeling quietly confident. Well... The verdict is in .... Guinness in the new Pub Draft Bottles are good and really easy to drink. The first game saw the Manatees jump on Hampton early for 7 runs over three innings tiring the powerful lefty starter.  The Apostates made it interesting by coming back for five runs before Gabe White came in to nail down the 8-5 win.  Game 2 was destined to be a heart breaker for the Manatees.    After Park is staked to a 3-1 lead by his team on a straight 3 run home run by Tatis, he walked the two men to lead off the fourth (Snow and Lieberthal).  A Rod (2e12) saw a groundball struck his way (SSx) and is thinking double play when boom a 1 is rolled for a short single to load the bases.  Then a RFx happens (no problem Burks 2e7 will get it ... but Stynnes is out there 4e3) and a long single brings in two runs to tie the game.  A sacrifice fly by the Manatee nemesis Larry Walker plates the go ahead run.  In the ninth inning, Ausmus strokes a triple to lead off the inning.  The infield comes in, Vander Wal last week's hero strikes the ball for a ground ball B and Ausmus is cut down at home.  Vander Wal steals second and Foulke comes in to strike out Casey and then gets A Rod to line out to end the game. Game 3 starter was Kevin Millwood.  He stymied the Manatees last year. Well, it's a new year.  The Manatees got five in the first and rolled on for a 26-4 victory including a 12 run fourth inning where the first nine batters reached and scored. Millwood's line - 8 inns, 23 hits, 26 ER, 6 BB, 7 K.  Game 4 was the deciding game for the upcoming Manatees and they choked.  2 early ballpark home runs for Koskie and a three run first inning double for
Lieberthal propelled the Apostates to a 12-3 victories as the Manatees could not figure out Nomo's motion...At Clint's on Saturday, Gawd B took 6 of 7 to streak into a 1st place tie, in a fun-filled, light-hearted, laid back afternoon.  Eric won 4 one-run games.  After winning game 1, 5-4, Gawd B won game 2 on a wild pitch by John Franco in the bootom of the 9thm 7-6.  He won game 3 4-3 on a 2-run homer by Ochoa in the bottom of the 10th inning (after Clint had gone ahead in the top of the 10th).  Olney routed Gawd B 17-4 in game 4, but after flying home for the final 3 games, lost 9-5, 4-3 (in 11 innings) and 11-2.

(10/18) The Team Formerly Known As Bay City fell victim to the big inning or two against each of their starters last night as they suffered a road sweep at the hands of the Manatees.  The games were 19-2, 8-1 (Park Complete Game), 8-5 (Hudson wins giving up 3 unearned runs after another error by a Manatee RFer) and 9-4.  Sean Casey was the offensive player of the series going 10 for 14 (.714) 3 HR, 11 RBI, and 7 R.  Abreu got an honorable mention going 7 for 12 (.583) 1 HR, 10 RBI and 7 R.  Peculiar stat of the series was that A. Rod was hit by 4 pitches (twice with the bases loaded), the frustration of BC pitchers was taken out on the short stop who had been injured the previous series when hit by Appier of the Folders.

(10/15) In last night's action, Craig Grebeck (5 for 10, 1 HR, 3BI) off the bench and Bobby Estellela (5 for 12, 1 HR, 3BI) up from the taxi squad led Moose Jaw to a series sweep in Area 51's '01-02 opener.  In game 1, a thrilling 11 inning game, C. Jones's 3-run homer counteracted Grebeck's 2 run shot to give A51 the 4-3 lead in the 3rd.  RBI hits by Berkman and Estellela in the 6th put MJ back in front, but Jermaine Dye cracked a home run to tie it (just after he cracked his leg in 3 places on TV) 5-5.  It stayed that way until R. Alomar singled in Glenallen Hill (who had been intentionally walked) off Swindell in the top of the 11th.  Richie Sexson missed a 1-14 ballpark homer in the bottom of the 11th for A51 that would have tied it.   In game 2, while Schilling was mowing down St. Louis in game 5 in real life, he was surrendering 7 runs, 3 homers (Rolen, B. Williams, Larkin) and 13 hits to Moose Jaw.  The key blow was pitcher Woody Williams' (pitchers' hitting card #8N) pinch-hit rbi double in the 8th as ND won 7-4.  In game 3, Brian Tollberg pitched 7 innings of 3-hit shutout ball with 8 strikeouts and no walks in his SOMBILLA debut to complete the sweep as MJ cruised 6-0...Please forward your stats to Tom; they have been posted on the website.

(10/12)  Constantinople defeated Manila two games to one in the 2001/2002 season opener for both teams...Box scores can be seen at:
http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/~mphelps/sombilla/2001/CNatMF_1.htm
http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/~mphelps/sombilla/2001/CNatMF_2.htm
http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/~mphelps/sombilla/2001/CNatMF_3.htm...Manila's season stats are available (and will be all season) at: http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/~mphelps/sombilla/2001/MF_stats.htm
Constantinople's stats for the series are likewise at: http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/~mphelps/sombilla/2001/CN_stats.htm  

Carl Everett was the star of the series; batting .778 with 2 HR and 5 RBI...Overheard moments before Tom arrived in Arlington:
Jack: "Which one is Tom? Is he the bald silly one?"
His Dad: "No, that's Eric."

(10/8) The good news is that 4 games were actually played this weekend.  The bad news is that 7 others were cancelled.  The SOMBILLA is now batting .318 (7 games played out of 22 scheduled)...Other 99 management have quashed a rumor that the team was near bankruptcy and about to fold; work on designing their new ballpark has resumed...On the table, Future Wax, led by Nomar (8 for 20, 5 rbis), Thome (4 for 12, 2 HR, 6 rbi), Bonds (6 for 16, 5 rbi) and Pedro (8 IP, 1 H, 0 BB, ER), had a good time last night at Moose Jaw Pasture.  In game 1, Thome's 3-run homer off Hoffman in the top of the 8th inning gave FW a come-from-behind 5-4 lead.  But Dave Justice's 2-run homer off K. Walker in the bottom of the 8th won the game for MJ.  Pedro was masterful in game 2, as FW cruised 3-0.  The Wax teed off on Woody Williams (11 hits, 7 runs in 4 1/3 innings), and it would have been worse if Williams had been pitching anywhere else; 2 ballpark homers were long outs.  Game 4 featured the first example of the new outfield rule when Ken Griffey timed his leap over the centerfield cow statue perfectly to rob Justice of another homer.  The play would prove important.  MJ carried a 5-3 lead into the 8th inning when its relief imploded.  Remlinger could not record an out and R. White wasn't much better as FW scored 6 runs on 4 hits and 4 walks; Thome's 2-run double the big blow.  But in the bottom of the 8th inning, Darrin Fletcher hit a surprise 3-run homer of closer Jiminez to bring MJ back to 9-8, but the comeback fell one run short.

(10/2) TTFKA Bay City kicked off the '01-02 SOMBILLA season in fine fashion last night, shocking heavily favored Future Wax to win 2 of 3.  Game 1 started ominously for the Wax when Nomar, the second batter of the game, injured his wrist and was lost for games 1 & 2.  Frank Thomas caught a cocky Pedro Martinez fastball for a 2-run homer in the bottom of the first.  Another Thomas 2-run shot off Pedro in the 3rd made it 4-0.  And a Thomas 2-run single in the 7th inning iced the game for BC, 8-5, as Christiansen picked up a save.  The teams traded 9-4 wins in the next two games.    Frank leads the league in homers and rbis.  Cliff Floyd batted .385 (5 for 13, 1 HR and 5 RBI) and Luis Castillo batted .467 (7 for 15) as BC ran wild in the series, stealing 8 bases (0 CS) against the beleagured Piazza...In a reflection of the most apathetic SOMBILLA season start ever, almost 3 times as many games have been cancelled so far as have been played...Trade Update: Randy reports that, back in May, Clint & Jed traded Travis Fryman and their second 5th round pick (whichever is worse) in the 2002 draft for Future Wax's 2nd round pick in 2002.  Five months later and the league still cannot get the ever-secretive Other 99 front office to verify...Speaking of Other 99, they remain the only team to have yet to design a ballpark, (theoretically anyway) giving this recalcitrant team an advantage.  I will forward the complete list of ballparks once this last park has been chosen. 

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* - This week in the SOMBILLA