BOLD PREDICITIONS (II) - 2012

POLL RESULTS

Which team would you consider to be the favourite of this group? You can pick more than one team

Banshees                      15%  (I guess people forgot how good Murray is)

Beer Bros.                    25%  (Me thinks they have potential)

Brew Jays                     15%  (Maybe people overlooked the value of 4 returnees)

Dislocated Joints          15%  (Finally a little love for the Joints!)

Dodge City Rounders   60%  (The people have spoken, DCR are favourites!)

Make sure to vote on who will join Dodge City as a 2012 favourite!

We very nearly had Homer Simpson last year, but he withdrew at the last second.  The BLOG is thrilled to have secured his services this year for his in depth analysis. 

BLOG:  Good afternoon, we don't have a lot of time, would you mind if just started right in?
Homer:  Actually, I'd like to start with a prayer.
BLOG:  Really?  A prayer?  Okay then, go ahead.
Homer:  Dear Lord.. The gods have been good to me. For the first time in my life, everything is absolutely perfect just the way it is. So here's the deal: You freeze everything the way it is, and I won't ask for anything more. If that is OK, please give me absolutely no sign. OK, deal.

BLOG:   Nice work.  Lets start with finding out what you would do if you were Randy or Larry in addressing the new Dog Catchers line up for the first time.
Homer:  Easy.  I'd say, "Good practice guys.  Although I wasn't able to cut everyone I wanted to, I have cut a lot of you.  Bob is cut, Cal is cut, Craig your gone, Don I like your hustle, that's why it was so hard to cut you. Congratulations, the rest of you made the team!  Except Donald, Ingo and Jim."
BLOG:  Homer, we don't cut people in this league.
Homer:  Really?  Losers.

BLOG:  And what about the Dusty Cleats?  They had a statistically staggering season last year.  Damn close to running the table and within two runs of winning the playoffs.
Homer:  Oh Puhlezeee!  People can come up with statistics to prove anything Mr Blogity Blog guy.  14% of people know that.  Duh.

BLOG:  Okay,  Maybe you'd like to comment on the rumour that the Grisslies were trying lure promising rookies with cash offerings?
Homer:  Really?  How much?
BLOG:  Rumour has it, they were offering as much as $10,000.00
Homer:  ARE YOU KIDDING?  With $10,000.00 I would be a millionaire!  I could buy all kinds of useful things, like ....... LOVE!

BLOG:  Good call.  So here is our first review of a new team in the Gruesome Devils.  What do you think?
Homer:  I don't know about the team, but the captain's suck.
BLOG:  Stop it, you don't even know them.
Homer:  I know baseball, I coached Darryl Strawberry.  They just plain suck.  I've seen teams suck before, but they are the suckiest bunch of sucks that ever sucked.
BLOG:  You have no idea who they are do you?
Homer:  Not really.

BLOG:  Finally, and mercifully, we have the Hot Tub Woody's.
Homer:  Well, the big story there is how they weaseled out of the ratings.
BLOG:  You can't weasel out of ratings.  There is a committee AND a vote.
Homer:  Oh, they did weasel out...you are so knave.  And their weaseling should be encouraged, not put down.  Weaseling is what separates us from animals.  Except the weasel.

And there you have it, Homer J. Simpson.  And now for MY meaningless opinion!

Once again, we'll lead off with "The Radar Factor".  Here are where these 5 teams would rank in our 15 team league based on last years batting statistics:

PLAYERS NOT COUNTED ABOVE:

Grisslies:  Jeff Sagert, Scott Pritchard
Dog Catchers:  none
Dusty Cleats:  Troy Hope
Gruesome Devils:  Craig Butler, Kevin Tobin
Hot Tub Woody's: Christopher DeSavoy,

The question has been raised....how reliable are these poll result?  Its a good question.  So I went back and look at last year.  Last season the Grisslies were picked 1st in their pool and finished 2nd overall in the league.  The Lucky Stiffs finished in a tie for first in their pool (with the Red Dogs) and finished 3rd in the league.  The Beer Bros. finished 1st in their pool and finished 13th overall.  The BIG MISS was the Dusty Cleats, picked third in their pool behind the Grisslies and Hurtin' Units.  Overall, I'd say our polls tend to be about 50/50.

On to the show:

 

• Bob Pearce...plays anywhere, never misses games, one of the top 3 in sub games played (Bowers can let me know if I'm right or wrong on that one), hit .670, nice pick!
• Cal Russell...very good outfielder, never misses an opportunity to make a smart assed comment which makes him a #1 in my books.  Another 700+ season for Cal last year.  
• Craig Escott...Was victimized on rookie night last year, but apparently being on that stage wasn't quite enough because I caught him doing karaoke in town.  Nice rookie year at .652 and good defense to boot.  
• Don Curran....A very good draft.  Don is like Doris Casullo without the attitude.  Like Scott Peters without the "Hey look at me" aspect.  He's kind of like Chuck Cragg.  Quiet, unassuming, sober minded.  Don is a team leader and very good ball player.  The Dog Catchers will really like this pickup. 
• Ingo Bartens:  Ingofische is a steal.  A steady and reliable glove in left or right and was a single hit away from being over 600.  There will be at least one game won with a 7th inning Ingofische at bat this year.
• Don Swabuk:   Well.  You can't have EVERY pick be great, can you?  Oh, relax, I'm mostly joking.  Donnie the Ump had a nice rookie campaign before being felled by an injury that kept him out of the playoff.  I think this will be a big comeback. Like "Return of Jedi" big!
• Jim MacDonald:  JimmyMac is about as reliable as they come.  A quality outfielder.  Always available to sub.  And a very good hitter.  Pencil him in at .700 with 67 to 73 hits.  He's as reliable as I am short.  And the bugger has a full head of hair too.  
• Paul Hargreaves.  If you're not cheating you're not trying.  We tried to cheat for a second consecutive year to get Paulie in the draft....to no avail.  Paul broke out last year eclipsing the .600 mark in average.  I predict that the climb will continue.  You read it here first. 
• Phil Glecoff....I guess the Dog Catchers used their throw back?  How else do you get saddled with Glecoff?  Tough break.  I mean, if you WANT 75 hits, a .781 average, flawless defense, and an always smiling, encouraging team mate, then I guess - sure; give him a shot.  But lets be honest.  Have you seen him pitch?  Play catcher?  First base?  Not very versatile for a #1.  But hey, that's me. 
• Vincent Basacchi:  Hit just a shade under .600 and brings almost "Polny-like" defense to 3rd base.  He will throw himself in front of a train to make a stop!  Not a moving train...that would be crazy....but a stationary train?  All day!
• UNKNOWNS:  None.
• CAPTAINS:  Personally, I think Larry and Randy will really enjoy this years team.  Both Captains are offensive contributors and Randy is solid pitcher who has enjoyed success against the Grissles.  I hope we only get them once this year.   

The Bright Side:  This team will win their share and more than anything, they just look like a fun bunch and it should be as season that everyone will enjoy.  There are some high end bats to share the offensive load and the defense looks solid in the infield and maybe exceptional in the outfield.  
The Less Bright Side: Not much to complain about.  I will say this though.  This might not have been the best season to not get a rookie.  On the other hand you know what you have from day one. No surprises.

 

 

• The Cleats have a return engagement with Cliff Joseph who last played with them two years ago battling through an injury filled season.  Last year saw a return to health, hitting all games and posting a .700+ OBA.  And a very reliable fielder to boot. 
• Fraser Barrett was two hits away from joining the .700 club.  Fraser's solid stick is joining a team that projects to do a fair bit of bashing. 
• Kevin Boston.  Another guy just a hair away from .700.  Radar had a wicked season with the stick, getting better as the season when on.  He has deep gap power and crazy speed.  Too bad he'll get dragged to the dark side by negative forces on the team.
• Mark Doyle, "Radar....I'm your father, eh - turn over to the dark side".  Oh, THIS was a swell idea!  Radar and Doyle together.  MGD (Mark's middle name is Gord) hit .785 last year, but Starsky & Hutch have inferred that Dr. Strange-glove was the single biggest reason for the Pie man hitting under .500.  Shame on you MGD, shame on you.  (See....no mention of a Centaur!)  DoH!!!!
• Pistol Pete Shmagola seems to follow Doyle around.  The good news is that they seem to balance each other out.  I think they last time they played together they won a championship with the Wild?  You got your work cut out for you this year Peter
• Scott Barton.  After winning the regular season and a batting championship, Scott Barton is coming back to finish the job.  He's an all star, its tough to make an argument for their being a better pick than Scotty.
• Stephane Simard - il a frappe l'annee derniere bon.  Il a joue la defense tres bien; considerer il ressemble au godzilla.  Reellement, godzilla est plus facile le comprendre. 
• Speaking of All Stars!!!  Timmy Sullivan also joins the talent laden Dusty Cleats.  The rich keep getting richer. Tim will play anywhere, is a perfect team mate and can take a joke with the best of them.  Oh, he also owns the best baseball shorts in the league (not counting Jeff Dancey's)
• Wayne Caldwell.  The best moustache in the league has been recruited to the Cleats this year.  Wayne was still pounding last year at .654 clip and is an imposing figure on defense. 
• UNKNOWNS:  Troy Hope (rookie)
• CAPTAINS:  Dane and Chris have to be happy with this draft.  It would have been impossible to top last year and they didn't; but they didn't slip too far.  The captains combined with just under 200 ABs and an OB a little under .600. 

The Bright Side:  They have some guys that can bop and some wicked gap power.  A slightly higher average from some of the guys would see Radar, Doyle and Joseph driving in a ton of runs!.  
The Less Bright Side: Did you read the part about Doyle and Radar yet?  There's no real downside here.  Oh, do one of you guys speak French?  Steph can't speak a lick of English.

 

• Rick Cudnik.  Not only is Rickey Bobby a feared hitter, a crazy fast runner AND a deft center fielder, but he can also make sure the fence is level AND he knows CPR.  Can you say A.W.E.S.O.M.E. 
• For a 3rd year running, we pulled Dave Argue as our P2. He led the team in ERA last year and is making a serious bid to be the opening day starter.  YIKES.  There may be a controversy in Grisslieland!
• Who hit .775 and played stellar outfield for the Joints last year?  That would be Gary Basso.  He'll be a great addition to both the batting order and the outfield defense.
• Art Sagert was third in the league in hits last year, which according to my math puts him in the top 2%.  We'll try to get more power out of him this year, looking for 15-20 home runs.
• A .741 hitter with the Banshees last year, Lance is almost "Popeye good" in the outfield and is probably one of the 5 fastest guys in the league. 
• Bob "I need a nickname" Vienneau hit a wicked .753 last year in the final (for now) season of the Torn Ligaments.  At this point the 1-3 spot in the order is looking VERY crowded!
• Dave Doucette is a good team guy and a very good league guy.  He had a very nice rookie campaign last year hitting .651 with occasional power.  This year, we're going to find him a position!
• When your every day catcher hits .526, that bodes well for the team.  Charlie is particularly adept at settling down pitchers.  
• UNKNOWNS:  Jeff Sagert (Rookie), Scott Pritchard (Rookie)
• CAPTAINS:  Rob & Doug.  We have a pitcher and a player without a position. At the plate they combined to have 125 hits.  Good speed from Rob, good line up cards from Doug.

The Bright Side:  This team should hit very well.  Four of the twelve players led their teams in hitting last year, so just staying the same for those guys would be great. The Grisslies should over come their historic issue of having trouble scoring runs.   
The Less Bright Side: Defense.  If the team adopts last years mantra of not allowing any freebie extra bases, they'll be able to stay in games.  If not, it won't matter how many runs they score.

 

GRUESOME DEVILS

(I don't have the LOGO / Artwork yet for the Gruesome Devils, but Jens INSISTED that I use the above picture of him and Steve from when they went to day care together.  Its so sweet, how could I resist. 

• Bob McCullough is a quality short stop, good team mate and a .725 hitter to boot.  Nice pick up to have for rookie captains.
• If you want a catcher that knows the right time to call for a brush back pitch, then Cliffy is your man.  Cliff is all effort, up to the point of blocking the plate (from the ball) with his face.  Happy go lucky, another good pick up for the rooks.
• Gord Tanner had a good season with the Torn Ligaments last season. He hit .650 in the first half before tailing off a bit.  He'll probably be able to sustain the full year this time around, now that he's not having to carry Cam Clark.
• As steady as they come, Keith Dell was a reliable hitter last year with occasional power.  If he can keep the ball on a line he will become very dangerous.  A reliable defender and another good guy to have on the team. (as is Gord Tanner by the way)
• Mike Douglas had a great season last year with the Hot Tub Woody's.  Going 9/10 to finish the year pushed his average to .779.  Excellent pick up.
• Richard Gabourie played for the Hurtin' Units last year and despite that, he managed to hit over .600. 
• Flexibility!  The Devils are one of a few teams that drafted more than one guy who are in the top 15 of regular shortstops.  Robin Dickson can play anywhere but plays short and center field at a high level.  He also hit over .700 in over a 100 at bats last year. 
• Simon Smith might be a bit of a steal.  His at bats went down last year (67) but the average stayed strong (.677).  He is an all out defender whether at 2nd or a corner outfield spot. 
• UNKNOWNS:  Craig Butler (rookie), Kevin Tobin (rookie)
• CAPTAINS:  Jens and Steve should be happy with this draft.  Jens has become one of the league's better hitters finishing last season 21st overall at .742.  His outfield defense is very good too.  Steve enters his second year as a P1.  Last year with the Brew Jays they got to the Quarter finals and one tough inning against the Grisslies prevented at least a semi-final berth.  The pitching is headed in the right direction.  Steve is consistent in with the bat.  Frighteningly consistent.  He hit .592 in the first half and exactly the same in the second half.  Eerie.

The Bright Side:  There aren't a lot of question marks on this team defensively.  They pretty much know where everyone will play with the exception (possibly) of short stop.  And that's a good problem to have because they have too many!  On the offense, they are statistically dead middle which means they'll be least affected by some guys doing better and others doing worse than in previous years.  I like their draft.   
The Less Bright Side:  Too many short stops.  That sucks.  Sucks more that other teams didn't get any of the leagues top 15 short stops.  Makes me think that we should institute a short stop draft like we have for P1s.  No wait, that would be CRAZY talk!!!
     EDITOR'S NOTE:  The above tirade is in no way representative of the league nor should it be considered an indictment of the draft.  Neither too should it be viewed as any form of disparaging representation of P1s.  Instead, we chose to believe that its simply the reactions of a tired, bitter BLOGer who is in desperate need of sleep.

 

• Bill Jonkman is back, the shoes are broken in now and he's all recovered from last year's injury.  Bill will be a nice stabilizing force on the mound and contributes an over .500 average.  
• One of the hidden gems of the draft, Brad Moye is a high end out fielder and he really came around with the bat as the season went on last year.  He hit a full 100 points better in the second half of last season.  I expect that his .622 overall average could jump up big this year.  Part of the reason he gets on so ofter are the camouflage shorts he wears.  You can't see him.  They should be banned. 
• For my money Chris Larkin is one of the top five 3rd basemen in the league.  Its a reflex position and he's sharp.  Third base for the Woody's this year is where hits go to die. 
• Chuck Cragg will do well at 1st base this year.  His hitting has tailed off (.814), but we're all getting older right?  
• Unlike Chuck, Cliff Tucker has range.  He can control either corner outfield spot and has the wheels to play center too if needed.  He hit dead on .600 last year and is timely hitter.
• Craig Davies hit .500 last year with the Brew Jays. Craig had five games of 3 or 4 hits last season and they all came in the second half.  Me thinks that there is more to this bat that's just waiting to break out. 
• Doug DeLand returns to the Hot Tub Woody's for another run for gold.  Maybe this year they won't wear him out!  Doug hit a blistering .723 in the first half last season before the HTW's installed him as the lead off man and made him lead the daily batting practice and prayer group. 
• Steve Black.  If there was ever a player made for left field, its Stike.  I don't know why his nickname isn't "the gazelle". 
• For my money Steve Brooks is one of the top five 3rd basemen in the league.  It a reflex position and he's sharp.  Third base for the Woody's this year is where hits go to die.
• UNKNOWNS:  Christopher De Savoy (rookie).  I will say this....Susan Sarandon was in the best baseball movie ever made, Bull Durham.  She played Annie Savoy.  Susan Sarandon has a brother named Chris.  Chistopher De Savoy?  It can't be a coincidence. 
• CAPTAINS:  Ed Hopkins had more hits that Rick Cudnik last year and he's a better 1st baseman.  End of conversation.  Jeff continues to play wherever the team needs him, and while he was down a bit with the stick last year, he remains a dangerous gap hitter with wheels.  And don't try to argue with me about that because consecutive triples against the Grisslies left a stain on the brain that will remain; stuck in a picture frame until i see you again. (sounds better when I'm doing my Kool Moe Dee rap) 

The Bright Side:  Well.  Lets see.  Two of the best five 3rd basemen.  Two of the best (insert your own personal ranking here) short stops.  The left side looks pretty damned solid.  The outfield might not have a "Peters" or "Pendlebury" type, but it has options and will come together.  Overall, nice draft, particularly for when they are playing against right hand hitting teams.   
The Less Bright Side:  Some people hit left handed. 

UP NEXT:  Bold Predictions (III).  Hurtin' Units, Lucky Stiffs, Red Dogs, Rusty Rebels, Tap Masters