2038 Draft Grades

Steve (PGH) has taken the time to evaluate the draft and come up with some grades. What do you think?

ANA
2.9- 1B Joey Votto
2.15- RP Hanover Money
2.19- RP Heath Bell
2.26- CF Denard Span
3.13- SP Harvey Haddix
3.21- LF Howard Earl Averill

The only players I’m not a big fan of here are Span and Haddix, but the Angels did plenty enough in the rest of the draft to make up for it. KL may have gotten the best steal in the draft in Votto and Averill was a good pickup in the late 3rd. Bell should be a terrific late inning reliever and with the success of guys like Kip Konoa and Easy Gibson, there’s no reason to believe Money won’t be money as well.
Best pick: Votto
Worst pick: Span
Grade: B+

HOU
1.21- C Yogi Berra
2.2- RP Kent Tekulve
2.21- RF Dwight Evans
3.15- 1B Ron Kittle
4.21- Pass

Houston was the only team to pass on a pick in this draft, but who can blame them as there weren’t any good players left. No game changers for the Stros, but 4 solid players. Berra is a definite upgrade over Ray Fosse. Tekulve will be a very good reliever wherever he is plugged in. Evans will be a decent replacement for Burnitz or Abreu. Then, at 1B Sam already had Tommy Spokane, but he or Kittle could be moved for good value.
Best pick: Berra
Worst pick: Evans
Grade: B

OAK
No picks

It’s hard to question the champs’ methods.
Best pick: N/A
Worst pick: N/A

Grade: A


TOR
1.4- SP Grover Alexander
2.4- SP Ed Cicotte
3.4- 2B Lou Whittaker
4.4- 3B Frank Malzone

The Jays got the foundation of their rotation in Alexander and Malzone is an ok hitter for a 4th. In between, though the club struggled. Cicotte was taken off the board with several better starters still available. Then, the team got Whittaker when their best player already was a 2B.
Best pick: Alexander
Worst pick: Cicotte
Grade: B-

ATL
1.9- SP Joe Niekro
3.25- 1B Don Mincher
4.25- CF Dom DiMaggio

Felix Hernandez appears to be a bust, while Cy Young and Joda Chamberlain’s careers appear to be off to shaky starts, so trading up to get a talent like Niekro could be huge for the Braves rotation. Don’t expect Mincher to supplant Prince Fielder at 1B, but a nice trade asset picked up in the late 3rd.
Best pick: Niekro
Worst pick: DiMaggio
Grade: B+

MIL
2.5- SP Bingo Long
2.7- LF Joe Medwick
2.14- SP Yovani Gallardo
2.27- 3B Sal Bando
4.1- SS Zoilo Versalles
4.15- 1B Jake Beckley
4.26- RF Al Cowens
4.28- RF Sammy West

Wow, was this team busy throughout the draft! Long was not very high on many draft boards, but the Brew Crew picked up some decent talent in the rest of the 2nd. Gallardo could turn out to be a very good starter, while Medwick and Bando should find their way into the starting lineup.
Best pick: Gallardo
Worst pick: Long
Grade: B


STL
3.1- SP Don Sutton
4.8- 3B Pablo Sandoval
4.27- RF Don Cramer

Sutton could be a solid middle of the rotation type. He’ll infuse a little youth into an aging rotation.
Best pick: Sutton
Worst pick: Cramer
Grade: B

CHN
1.3- LF Barry Bonds
2.3- 2B Rod Carew
3.3- CF Jim Northup
4.3- CF Jimmy Piersall

The club picked up some big time offensive help in Bonds and Carew. Then they got a couple of borderline starting OFs in Northup in Piersall. However, they failed to do anything to upgrade one of the poorer pitching staffs in the league.
Best pick: Bonds
Worst pick: Carew
Grade: B+

LA
1.22- CF Bobby Mercer
2.22- SP Josh Johnson
3.22- SP Chad Billingsley
4.22- SS Omar Infante

Mercer should team well with OF Cesar Cedeno at the top of the Dodgers lineup in years to come. Johnson could become a solid back end of the rotation guy.
Best pick: Mercer
Worst pick: Infante
Grade: B











MON
1.20- CF Ty Cobb
3.5- SP Rick Porcello
3.6- SP Don Mossi
4.6- C Pat Borders

Cobb’s got great speed and contact, but there’s only so much a guy with 46 power can accomplish. Porcello was a very nice value in the 3rd and should be a solid starter.
Best pick: Porcello
Worst pick: Cobb
Grade: B

SF
3.9- SP Clay LeMaster
3.26- RP Pedro Feliciano
4.9- RP Darren Jones

LeMaster reminds some scouts of Max Butcher of the Astros and could be a huge steal in the 3rd. Feliciano and Jones have a chance to make the Giants pen.
Best pick: LeMaster
Worst pick: Jones
Grade: B+

CLE
2.20- SS Maury Wills
3.20- C Kirt Manwaring
4.20- SS Kirt Stillwell

Manwaring could end up being the Indians starting catcher. Wills and Stillwell bring little to the table, but speed and defense.
Best pick: Manwaring
Worst pick: Wills
Grade: C-

SEA
1.12- SP George Herman Ruth
2.12- 2B Jose Vidro
3.12- SP John Candelaria
4.12- SP Dallas Green

Vidro should be a good hitter with good speed as well. The Ruth selection was suprising with other ace caliber pitchers that appeared to be safer picks available. Candelaria could turn out to be ok.
Best pick: Vidro
Worst pick: Ruth
Grade: C+
FLA
1.10- SP Mickey Lolich
2.10- 2B Brandon Phillips
3.10- 1B Frank Chance
4.10- 2B Jim Gantner

Lolich was a nice pickup to anchor the Marlins rotation. Phillips is an ok player, but a surprising pick with Vidro still on the board. Chance is another surprise, with guys like Kittle and Micher still there.
Best pick: Lolich
Worst pick: Phillips
Grade: B-

NYN
1.16- SP Juan Marichal
2.16- 2B Joe Gordon
3.16- RP Gene Garber
4.16- RF Felipe Alou

The Mets managed to get Marichal, who many considered to be the last great starter on the board. Gordon is a solid player and should give them some trade options with Pete Looper still on the roster.
Best pick: Marichal
Worst pick: Alou
Grade: B+

BAL
1.17- 2B Jackie Robinson
2.17- SP John Montefusco
3.17- SS Richie Aurellia
4.17- 3B Don Wert

The new GM for the O’s got things off to a strong start. He picked up a difference maker in Robinson and 2 other potential starters in Montefusco and Aurellia. With an older ball club, this is just what this team needed.
Grade: A-










SD
1.15- 3B Eddie Matthews
3.7- SP Adam Wainwright
3.28- SP Billy Chapel
4.7- RF Harry Hooper

Even if Wainright and Chapel fail to materialize into anything of significance, this will still have been a strong draft for the Padres. Mike was able to pick up Matthews in a deal with the Brewers to add to what was already a very scary offense.
Best pick: Matthews
Worst pick: Chapel
Grade: B+

PHI
1.13- SS Ernie Banks
1.27- RF Al Kaline
1.28- SP Frank Lary
4.13- C Clay Dalrymple

Banks will be a stud; not much else needs to be said about him. Kaline should be a solid player, while Lary may be a bit of a gamble for a 1st.
Best pick: Banks
Worst pick: Lary
Grade: B+

PIT
1.14- SP Dewey Cheatem
1.26- LF Garrett Jones
2.11- RP Bill Wakefield
2.23- RP Dick Raddix
3.18- RP Neftali Feliz
4.18- CF Billy Bruton

At the very least, Cheatem and Jones adequately “replace” SP Tim Wakefield and LF Zach Wheat. Then, the Pirates completed their main objective heading into the draft, which was to round out the bullpen. They did so with a trio of flamethrowers. In an effort to be unbiased, Bruton really sucks.
Best pick: Cheatem
Worst pick: Bruton
Grade: A-






TEX
1.6- SP Bob Gibson
1.19- CF Matt Kemp
2.18- 1B Norm Cash
3.11- 3B Pepper Martin
4.11- LF Justin Upton

The Rangers traded up to get their staff ace Gibson. He, along with Soto, Zumaya and Bucholtz should make a fairly formidable rotation. They then got 3 future starters and a solid backup.
Best pick: Gibson
Worst pick: Upton
Grade: A

CIN
3.24- 2B Dick McAuliffe
4.24- 2B Billy Ripken

Getting a starting caliber player in the late 3rd is always nice. Then there’s Billy boy. There’s not much to say about him, other than that he’s not his brother.
Best pick: McAuliffe
Worst pick: Ripken
Grade: B+

BOS
1.25- SP Jonathan Sanchez
2.8- RP Hoyt Wilhelm
2.25- C Mickey Tettleton
4.5- RP John Hiller

Tettleton was definitely the bright spot of this draft, as he should be a solid player. Hiller, also, has a chance to be ok. Before that, though, this draft was a mess. Sanchez, most likely would have still been available in the 3rd, while Wilhelm is a much bigger question mark than several relievers taken after him.
Best pick: Tettleton
Worst pick: Sanchez
Grade: C-









COL
3.2- C Ernie Lombardi
4.2- SP Billy Traber

Lombardi should be a decent catcher who hits for a nice average. Unfortunately, this club could have really used its earlier picks.
Best pick: Lombardi
Worst pick: Traber
Grade: B

KC
1.23- 3B Dick Allen
3.23- LF Larry Doby
4.23- 1B Marv Thornberry

Allen will be a good hitter, but wasn’t a 1st round talent on many boards. Doby and Thornberry will provide decent depth.
Best pick: Doby
Worst pick: Allen
Grade: B-

DET
4.19- SS George Davis

Davis is really fast. Here’s another team that was really hurt by not having their picks.
Best pick: Davis
Worst pick: Davis
Grade: C+

MIN
1.1- C Johnny Bench
1.2- SP Bob Feller
1.11- 1B Willie McCovey
2.1- CF Cool Papa Bell
2.6- RP Dan Callison
3.27- RP Fu-Te Ni

Likely the first time anyone ever got the best position player, starting pitcher and reliever in the same draft; impressive. The only pick I don’t like is Bell, and he’ll probably do just fine in that lineup.
Best pick: Feller
Worst pick: Bell
Grade: A



CHA
1.5- SP Lefty Grove
1.7- SP Walter Johnson
1.8- 3B Mike Schmidt
1.18- LF Roger Maris
1.24- 1B Don Mattingly
2.24- SP Tommy Hanson
3.8- RP Danny Herrera

Wow, what a 1st round. Kudos to Dan for the effort made to acquire 5 firsts and picking up studs with each one. Like Luke, however, he’ll just miss a perfect score, because of one questionable pick. A 98 pitch on Hanson is nice, but screwballers are pretty risky.
Best pick: Grove
Worst pick: Hanson
Grade: A

NYA
3.14- C Matt Weiters
4.14- C Jim Price

Mark’s main goal appears to have been to find a backup for C Brian McCann. Not much real help here, though. This club is mostly waiting for youngsters already on the roster to develop and get them back to the playoffs.
Best pick: Weiters
Worst pick: Price
Grade: C+

Passeau Prefers to Pay to Play

In an unprecedented move this week former #1 overall pick P Claude Passeau made a cash offer to his team, the Mets, to pitch for them again next season. "We've never seen anything like this before," a league official commented. "The idea that player would have negative value and offer to pay to play ball is almost unthinkable." It appears, though, that Passeau will not get his way...which is a good thing. A league rule sets the league minimum at $2 million for a 4 year contract. The player's Association will not allow a player to play for less. All signs seem to point to the Mets offering him the league minimum contract in the coming days. "We planned on offering him a deal all along," a spokesperson for the Mets said Wednesday, "but with other free agents to pursue and prepping for the draft, we had not had a chance to talk. That is when we got a call about Claude making an offer to our organization to play on the team. We were shocked."

The Passeau family was unavailable for comment Wednesday, but an answering machine message addressed callers saying that Claude is devoted to his team and will do whatever it takes to play.

Passeau has a career 6.41 ERA and as a former #1 overall selection, remains one of the biggest draft busts of all time.

The article above is satire and is meant to be a humorous on the formula evaluating Passeau's value at -$2. It is not meant to be taken seriously.

2037 Habla All-Stars

After a several season hiatus I finally put together a couple of All-Star teams together. Nothing in the way of clever comments, but hopefully an enjoyable look.

AL
1 Lew Ford (OAK) CF
2 Robinson Cano (ANA) 2B
3 Clue Haywood (BAL) 1B
4 Ryan Howard (CLE) DH
5 Chris Duncan (KC) LF
6 Stacy Conner (TEX) RF
7 Jack Slater (OAK) C
8 Hank Blalock (OAK) 3B
9 Wood Stairs (SEA) SS

SP Tim Belcher (BOS)

Reserves: Terrence Lee (TEX) C, Derek Lee (NYA) 1B, BJ Upton (OAK) 2B, Clete Boyer (CLE) 3B, Tim Ferrick (ANA) 3B, Frank Howard (ANA) OF, Lance Talford (MIN) OF, Brock Sampson (NYA) OF, Chris Young (NYA) OF, Larry Walker (OAK) OF, Delmon Young (OAK) OF

Bullpen: Burleigh Grimes (ANA) SP, Jim Marshall (BAL) SP, Jim Perry (DET) SP, Oliver Perez (OAK) SP, Mark Prior (OAK) SP, Ricky Templeton (CHA) RP, Rafael Betancourt (CLE) RP, Johnny Murphy (MIL) RP, Lex Powell (TOR) RP


NL
1 Josh Barfield (LA) 2B
2 Turkey Stearnes (STL) CF
3 Sadahura Oh (SD) 1B
4 Babe Ruth (FLA) RF
5 Lou Gehrig (LA) DH
6 Willie Stargell (ATL) LF
7 Orlando Cepeda (HOU) 3B
8 Jarrod Saltalamacchia (PIT) C
9 John Henry Lloyd (PIT) C

SP Ray Willow (CIN)

Reserves: Gator Swanson (SD) C, Kite Melton (PHI) 1B, Rex Hudler (STL) 2B, Matt Williams (LA) 3B, David Wright (NYN) 3B, Josh Hamilton (COL) OF, Bobby Abreu (HOU) OF, Ruben Sierra (LA) OF, Shane Block (MON) OF, Tris Speaker (NYN) OF, Jay Bruce (SF) OF

Bullpen: Carlos Zambrano (ATL) SP, Frank Hernandez (HOU) SP, Orel Hershiser (LA) SP, Zachary Grienke (LA) SP, Brian Demmitt (STL) SP, Lew Owen (ATL) RP, JJ Putz (CHN) RP, Roy Face (STL) RP, Randy Stone (STL) RP

GM Profile: PGH Pirates

Steve
Location: Sioux City, IA

Age: 29

Habla Team: Pirates

Sim Baseball Exp/1st league: Habla/2027

Number of Habla Titles: 1

Favorite Actual Major League Team: White Sox

In your opinion...who has the best real life ballpark? Only been to a
few but Fenway was pretty fun.

Greatest Sports Memory: The Huskers shellacking the Gators in the '96
Fiesta Bowl. In person would have to be my Evangel Crusaders
National Championship run in basketball during my senior year of
college.

Hobbies: reading, softball, helping with the youth group at church

Favorite Movie: Lord of the Rings: The Fellowhip of the Ring.
Although, for recent movies I'd have to strongly suggest The Boy in
the Striped Pajamas.

Favorite Book: Bible. Also very fond of The Chronicles of Narnia series.

Favorite Beverage: Vault Red Blitz

Favorite Band/Singer/or Song? Right now, I really like Disciple,
Thousand Foot Crutch and Pillar.

Favorite Vacation Spot: Of the places I've been, I'd have to say
Maine. I'd love to go to New Zealand someday.

Anything Else You Would Like Us To Know: I work for Coke and have a
son, Turner, who will be two in August. He keeps the wife and I very
busy.

Toughest Division in Habla: AL East

Most Overrated Habla Team: I'd say the Rangers, but everyone knows
there not very good right now.

Most Underrated Habla Team: I'll be surprised if KL doesn't win a
title before Joss and Grimes retire.

Easiest Owner to Work a Trade With: Hard to remember who I've traded
with the most, but Luke and Nick are probably at the top of that list.

If you weren't managing your current team, what's a team you would
like to manage: I bet I could do something with that Braves roster.

What you like most about Habla: The interest shown by the GMs and the
general friendliness.

Player you are dying to see/or make a comeback in Habla: His final
years and breakup with the club were disappointing, but Frank Thomas
was the reason I became a White Sox fan.

What team would you like to meet up with in the World Series? Rangers

Favorite player on your roster? Sam Crawford is my favorite of the
prospects, but I was quite pleased with the leadership Salty assumed
with a strong finish to his rookie season following the trading of
Shane Block.

Favorite player not on your roster? Ken Brubaker

GM Profile: NY Yankees

Mark

Location: Raleigh, NC (originally from Pittsburgh, PA)

Age: 33

Habla Team: New York Yankees

Sim Baseball Exp/1st league: Started Sim Baseball in 2001

Number of Habla Titles: Haha, NONE

Favorite Actual Major League Team: Pittsburgh Pirates

In your opinion...who has the best real life ballpark? Been to about
14 different parks, but I prefer Fenway or PNC Park

Greatest Sports Memory: a tie: James Harrison's 100 yard INT return
for a TD in Super Bowl 43 and Santonio Holmes' TD catch in Super Bowl
43

Hobbies: Golf, Church, my 2-year old boy Drew

Favorite Movie: Stand By Me

Favorite Book: The Bible

Favorite Beverage: Diet Pepsi

Favorite Band/Singer/or Song? again, a tie: Coldplay and U2, both of
which I am seeing live this year.

Favorite Vacation Spot: Siesta Key, Florida

Anything Else You Would Like Us To Know: Been married for about 4 1/2
years, moved to Raleigh from Pittsburgh right after getting married.
We love it here.

Toughest Division in Habla: AL East

Most Overrated Habla Team: no real opinion

Most Underrated Habla Team: no real opinion

Easiest Owner to Work a Trade With: Luke Worrell


If you weren't managing your current team, what's a team you would

like to manage: Pittsburgh Pirates

What you like most about Habla: I like that we have a bidding process
on Free Agency and we have our own team pages.

Player you are dying to see/or make a comeback in Habla:
Wow...hmmm....um.....Pete Rose?

What team would you like to meet up with in the World Series? Any,
that would mean my rebuilding process has finally worked :)

Favorite player on your roster? That's a tough one. Probably Brian
McCann. He's going to be a stud in this league ( I hope ).


Favorite player not on your roster? For some reason, I've always
wanted Ivory Carroll on my team. Never had a chance to really get him
via trade.

GM Profile: CO Rockies

Anthony

Location: Torrington, Connecticut

Age: 19

Habla Team: colorado rockies

Sim Baseball Exp/1st league: well my first league was maddoser but in
total including the leagues im in now and that closed ive been in 8
leagues

Number of Habla Titles: 0

Favorite Actual Major League Team: Boston Redsoxs

In your opinion...who has the best real life ballpark? Boston alot of
history there plus is great to hit off the green monster

Greatest Sports Memory: watching the Giants beat the Patriots in the
super bowl, and the redsoxs winning in 2004

Hobbies: sports i play basketball, softball, and coach football since
i graduated

Favorite Movie: Remember the titans

Favorite Book: dont have one

Favorite Beverage: Coke

Favorite Band/Singer/or Song? hmm it would have to be flo-rida

Favorite Vacation Spot: Maine

Anything Else You Would Like Us To Know:No

Toughest Division in Habla: NL central

Most Overrated Habla Team: lol oakland got to pick on johnny

Most Underrated Habla Team: Florida i heard three owners tell them to
rebuild cause there team wasn't going to make the playoffs but they
won there division.

Easiest Owner to Work a Trade With: Casey lol


If you weren't managing your current team, what's a team you would

like to manage: well Boston but its hard to leave the team your trying
to rebuild.

What you like most about Habla: the owners and the people in charge
there all great

Player you are dying to see/or make a comeback in Habla: well i've
only been in habla for about three seasons but im a hugh Nomar fan so
it would have to be him

What team would you like to meet up with in the World Series? Oakland
thats my goal in habla is to make it to the world series and beat them
since i cant play them in the regular season lol.

Favorite player on your roster? CF Moses, Wally

Favorite player not on your roster? Babe Ruth

GM Profile: LA Dodgers

Chris


Location: Kailua, Hawaii

Age: 35

Habla Team: LA Dodgers

Sim Baseball Exp/1st league: It's been awhile, but think HABLA was my
first. Have been in a few others, but nothing like HABLA (thini it's
been about 10 years IRL).

Number of Habla Titles: 1 (ages ago in 2000 when Manny was being Manny
in HABLA's LA...so it's been over 30 seasons since)

Favorite Actual Major League Team: San Francisco Giants (Hate the
Dodgers IRL =P)

In your opinion...who has the best real life ballpark? N/A have yet to
attend a MLB game on the mainland. Have been by SF's AT&T Park and
Seattle's Safeco Field, but haven't been around to see a game yet.

Greatest Sports Memory: University of Hawaii Warrior footbal team
going undefeated in 2007 and getting into the BCS...course got
slaughtered by Georgia in the Sugar Bowl...

Hobbies: Other then HABLA, just sports watching or TV/movies...too
much to do on the day-to-day otherwise...

Favorite Movie: Casablanca, Blazing Saddles, The Usual Suspects, Rounders

Favorite Book: Sorry, haven't read a book in ages.

Favorite Beverage: Water...lava flow/pina colada/margarita (yes, I
enjoy my blended tropical drinks) if going out/at a party/reception.

Favorite Vacation Spot: San Francisco (unless it's too cold; have I
mentioned that living in Hawaii I've never seen snow yet) or Las Vegas
(unless it's too hot)

Anything Else You Would Like Us To Know: Big 49ers fan (yes, another SF team).

Toughest Division in Habla: Would have said AL Central before Luke
decided to rebuild the Twins, but will go with the NL East for now.

Most Overrated Habla Team: Dodgers

Most Underrated Habla Team: Astros, Sam has a killer team

Easiest Owner to Work a Trade With: Probably Jon in Oakland.


If you weren't managing your current team, what's a team you would

like to manage: Giants (see above)

What you like most about Habla: The people/GMs and the longevity and
consistency of the league.

Player you are dying to see/or make a comeback in Habla: Hawaii's own
Shane "the Flyin' Hawaiian" Victorino and/or Willie Mays

What team would you like to meet up with in the World Series? Anyone,
as long as we make it.

Favorite player on your roster? Although he's only been with us one
year, Lou Gehrig

Favorite player not on your roster? Sadahura Oh

GM Profile: KC Royals

Travis Hair

Location: Fort Myers, Florida

Age: 25

Habla Team: Kansas City Royals

Sim Baseball Exp/1st league: IFBBL.. waay back in the day, My brother
ran his own league for a couple seasons, I've also been in a few
random leagues here and there.. I've been in HABLA since I was a
sophomore in High School

Number of Habla Titles: 2. (2027 and 2035)

Favorite Actual Major League Team: Seattle Mariners

In your opinion...who has the best real life ballpark? The Tampa Rays
probably have the worst ball park I've ever been to, Seriously
Tropicana Field is a DUMP. The best, though, would probably be
Baltimore, San Francisco, or Seattle. I hate to Admit it, AT&T Park
was beautiful.

Greatest Sports Memory: I played baseball all the way through my
Sophomore year in College, my favorite year and favorite memory was
hitting a 3 run Bomb on the Road against our Rivals Merced High
School. It was against their ACE All-League pitcher, my Senior year,
and my Grandmother was in the stands. It was the top of the fist
inning and I had just got done telling a few of my teammates how much
of a hitter's ball park we were playing in. I rounded third and just
gave the "I told you so" look to the dugout.

Hobbies: If I'm not at work I'm in usually in my garage working on my
car or at the track autocrossing. Since my body doesn't allow me to
play baseball anymore the only way I can get an adreniline rush
anymore is on the Track.

Favorite Movies: Jurassic Park, Miracle, Snatch, Slackers, Pool Hall Junkies

Favorite Book: I honestly do not spend a lot of time reading

Favorite Beverage: Diet Sodas

Favorite Vacation Spot: I normally go back home to California for
every one of my vacations, but I did love going to Seattle just about
every summer when I was a Kid.

Anything Else You Would Like Us To Know: I plan my life around hockey
season. I'm a Buffalo Sabres diehard and I never miss a a game.

Toughest Division in Habla: AL Central of Course. I've pulled a lot of
hair out over the years

Most Overrated Habla Team: Florida.

Most Underrated Habla Team: My Royals, I've won 2 championships and
yet get no love.

Easiest Owner to Work a Trade With: Casey..


If you weren't managing your current team, what's a team you would

like to manage: Tampa Rays, Arizona Diamondbacks, Washington Nationals

What you like most about Habla: The History. Like I've said I've been
in this league since I was a sophomore in highschool..So much history

Player you are dying to see/or make a comeback in Habla: Willie Mays
was one of my favorite players on my Roster along with Tony Carasco..
Would be nice to see them around again

What team would you like to meet up with in the World Series? The
Atlanta Braves. I would love to see Casey finally turn the corner.

Favorite player on your roster? Mike Robinson. He's the spark plug,
the tablesetter and my Captain.

GM Profile: SF Giants

Jason

Location: Dayton, Ohio

Age: 29

Habla Team: San Fran

Sim Baseball Exp/1st league: around 7yrs, 3 leagues/ CBA

Number of Habla Titles: goose egg

Favorite Actual Major League Team: Cincinnati

Greatest Sports Memory: Not a lot of good memories to choose from, but I
would have to say the '90 Reds' wire-to-wire run.

Hobbies: drinking, gambling, sports watching, video games

Favorite Movie: Major League

Favorite Book: Check out my hobbies...how could I find time to read?

Favorite Beverage: Budweiser

Favorite Vacation Spot: anywhere that I haven't already been

Anything Else You Would Like Us To Know: I have recently realized that I
don't enjoy the NCAA tournament (or basketball, for that matter) unless I'm
standing in a crowded bar on a day that I should be working...is that wrong?

Toughest Division in Habla: NL Central

Most Overrated Habla Team: Baltimore...horrendous division...but, the same
could be said about the NL West.

Most Underrated Habla Team: Atlanta...if they can squeak in, they have the
goods to win it.

Easiest Owner to Work a Trade With: Put the George boys on opposite sides
of a coin and flip it.


If you weren't managing your current team, what's a team you would like to

manage: Reds or Royals.

What you like most about Habla: The legitimacy and consistency.

Player you are dying to see/or make a comeback in Habla: I don't think it's
possible with the .ini the way it is, and he is currently in the league,
but, I would love to have/see a player that mirrors the real Rickey
Henderson. You know, a .420 obp, 80-100 sb, 20hr type guy.

What team would you like to meet up with in the World Series? Anyone who
would lay down and let me finally win one. Or...NY Yankees

Favorite player on your roster? Easy...Sisler

GM Profile: Oakland A's

Jon
Location: Litchfield Connecticut
Age: 22
Habla Team: Oakland A's

Sim Baseball Exp/1st league: I started about 3 years ago in MDBA, it
shut down and Casey brought me into HABLA.

Number of Habla Titles: None sofar, but I did take the A's to thier
first World Series apearence in Habla history.

Favorite Actual Major League Team: New York Yankees!

Greatest Sports Memory: Tough one. I would have to say back when I
was a youngster in little league baseball. No one was on base, was the
bottom of the 6th ( all we played to then ), and the score was tied. I
was at bat, hit a long line drive down the LF line. The fielder
reached over the fence and grabbed it. Its bitter sweet, as we lost
that game but I got a nice story to tell.

Hobbies: Too many, Darts, Pool, Softball, Bowling, ATVs, Vgames,
writing, paintball, lots more.

Favorite Movie: Goodfellas or the Rocky Series

Favorite Book: Hatchet Series by Gary Paulsen

Favorite Beverage: H2O

Anything Else You Would Like Us To Know: I own and drive an 84 El
Camino SS, which is older then me!

Toughest Division in Habla: AL Central, the Royals fought thier way
back to the top.

Most Overrated Habla Team: I hate to say it because he is a friend of
mine but the Florida Marlins, even tho in 1st place in the NL East, I
think come post season time they will get handled quickley. Prove me
wrong Tony! : )

Most Underrated Habla Team: I was going to say the Giants but after
thier recent decision I would have to go with Atlanta

Easiest Owner to Work a Trade With: Well I trade alot as most of you
know, its hard to choose just one GM but in the end me and Terry ( DET
) always seem to be on the same page.
If you weren't managing your current team, what's a team you would
like to manage: Well since I dont like to be a flash inthe pan team, I
would def pick Atlanta, once primed we are all in trouble.

What you like most about Habla: As most say the people. When i first
came to Habla i wasn't ganged up on and had my team robbed liek you
would in most leagues, instead most everyone helped me build the A's
into what they are today and i thank them for thier help.

Player you are dying to see/or make a comeback in Habla: Well my fav
player is already in Habla and is dominate AKA Roger Clemens, but i
would like to see Yogi Berra
What team would you like to meet up with in the World Series? Been
talking about it for a few seasons, none other then the St. Louis
Cardinals.

Favorite player on your roster? Hard to pick just one, but from day
one Oliver Perez has been my ace and look like he may win the Cy Young
this year.........again

GM Profile: Philadelphia Phillies

Jim

Location: Holt,Michigan

Age: 51

Habla Team: Philadelphia Phillies starting with 2019 season

Sim Baseball Exp/1st league: This is my 3rd FPS98 league..The first
two are defunct...Gary was in DHBL for a short time and invited me to
join HABLA..

Number of Habla Titles: 1

Favorite Actual Major League Team: Detroit Tigers

Greatest Sports Memory: Turning an unassisted triple play in the Class
A Modified Fastball State Championship softball tourney..I am a SS and
with runners on 1st and 2nd they took off with the pitch and as I
moved to cover second base the batter hit a sceamer up the middle
which I caught and stepped on second then tagged the runner coming
from first....

Hobbies: Playing softball again in a 50 and over league after 10 years
off...Fell in love with Strat-o-Matic Baseball and am involved in two
leagues now and commisioner of one..

Favorite Movie: Highlander

Favorite Book: The Sherlock Holmes Mystery's

Favorite Beverage: Strawberry Ice Tea

Anything Else You Would Like Us To Know: I am a delivery driver for
UPS and I am the father of two girls 23 & 19....Fatherhood has been
the toughest and most satisfying journey of my life..

Toughest Division in Habla: N.L. East by far...Has always been tough
with Jeff,Gary and Felix in my early days but with Casey taking over
Atlanta the division is 5 deep now..

Most Overrated Habla Team: My Phillies !!!

Most Underrated Habla Team: Cleveland always seems to surprise me..

Easiest Owner to Work a Trade With: Gary


If you weren't managing your current team, what's a team you would
like to manage: Detroit Tigers or Houston Astros...I had Houston in
the DHBL and won 119 games one year..

What you like most about Habla: friendships

Player you are dying to see/or make a comeback in Habla: Al Kaline,
the consumate professional

What team would you like to meet up with in the World Series? Why? Any
team really ...with all games being road games :)

GM Profile: Baltimore Orioles

Tony

Location: Philadelphia, PA


Age: 34

Habla Team: Baltimore Orioles (current) Cleveland Indians (original)

Sim Baseball Exp/1st league: Habla has been my only league

Number of Habla Titles: 0 so far :-(

Favorite Actual Major League Team: WORLD BLEEPING CHAMPIONS Phillies

Greatest Sports Memory: Cant think, im guessing the last world series
becaus eit ended our 100 plus sport season drought, and specifically
because of the game 5 2 day rain delay

Hobbies: golf when i can

Favorite Movie: Heat, Goodfellas, Casino, a DiNiro fan i am

Favorite Book: not much of a book reader, more magazines

Favorite Beverage: iced tea in the summer, coffee anytime, and Knobs
Creek in "social " situations

Anything Else You Would Like Us To Know: i have a beautiful 16 month
old girl, who is everything

Toughest Division in Habla: hard to say there are good teams in each
division, trying to think which might have the most good teams, maybe
NL East, or AL Central, but most will have 1 or 2 good teams

Most Overrated Habla Team: HHmmm not sure on that one, Boston !!! HAHA

Most Underrated Habla Team: Anaheim, their pitching looks like its
coming together

Easiest Owner to Work a Trade With: Always have worked well with Luke
from Minn, even when we were rivals in central

If you weren't managing your current team, what's a team you would
like to manage: Cleveland, would like to finish where i started

What you like most about Habla: Its fun and challenging

Player you are dying to see/or make a comeback in Habla: Chane
Winther, as long as i get him on my team

GM Profile: MN Twins

Luke

Location: Springfield, Illinois

Age: 26

Habla Team: Twins

Sim Baseball Exp/1st league: HABLA when I was 15. Left then came back in 2001

Number of Habla Titles: 1

Favorite Actual Major League Team: Cardinals

Greatest Sports Memory: Cardinals winning 2006 World Series or Duke
over Arizona in 01.

Hobbies: Baseball Scouting, History, and Reading

Favorite Movie: Braveheart

Favorite Book: Glory of thier Times by Lawrence Ritter

Anything Else You Would Like Us To Know: I have a HABLA family tree.
Brought Casey and Nick in who in turn have brought in Steve and Nate.
Also brought in former owner Brian Vaughn.

Toughest Division in Habla: NL East. Pretty even playing field.

Most Overrated Habla Team: Boston is solid, but not sold on them and
their hot start.

Most Underrated Habla Team: Dodgers. Chris quietly puts a contender together.

Easiest Owner to Work a Trade With: Expos or Astros. On the same
page with them.

If you weren't managing your current team, what's a team you would
like to manage: Cardinals or Blue Jays (I was the Blue Jays in another
league way back)

What you like most about Habla: Civil Nature. I am in a football
league where guys are constantly moaning and groaning at each other
publicly. I also love the historical aspect HABLA brings to the table.

Player you are dying to see/or make a comeback in Habla: Bob Gibson.
He was in it before, but my favorite player from an era not my own.

Game 7: Who Ya Got?

If you were in a game 7 situation, which active pitcher would you choose to want the ball to? I’ve only submitted candidates who have won a championship (sorry Jim Perry). Interestingly, Van Hekken is the only pitcher here who has won titles with two different teams (Brewers and Marlins). Well, actually, McDevitt has as well, but he did not make much of a positive contribution to the Twins title team. Hopefully, this stirs up some good conversation.

Oliver Perez 209-120 3.39 ERA 2 Rings (Rangers)
Burleigh Grimes 149-86 3.03 ERA 2 Rings (Marlins)
Addie Joss 210-142 3.12 ERA 1 Ring (Pirates)
George Blaeholdger 94-46 3.56 ERA 1 Ring (Expos)
Rick Reuschel 181-142 3.30 ERA 2 Rings (Marlins)
Orel Hershiser 165-83 3.01 ERA 2 Rings (Marlins)
Danny McDevitt 133-92 3.41 ERA 2 Rings (Twins, Pirates)
Adam Eaton 206-111 3.12 ERA 1 Ring (Phillies)
Zachary Grienke 175-138 3.45 ERA 1 Ring (Phillies)
Jake Peavy 210-120 3.47 ERA 3 Rings (Rangers)
Doug Rau 157-74 3.28 ERA 2 Rings (Rangers)
Kelvim Escobar 181-158 4.00 ERA 1 Ring (Brewers)
Andy Van Hekken 241-155 3.45 ERA 3 Rings (Brewers, Marlins 2)
Roger Clemens 261-211 3.55 ERA 2 Rings (Royals)
David Cone 184-81 3.35 ERA 1 Ring (Twins)
Tom Glavine 135-70 3.78 ERA 1 Ring (Twins)
Ken Brubaker 129-102 3.21 ERA 1 Ring (Pirates)

Steve's 2036 Predictions

AL East

1 Baltimore Orioles
2 Boston Red Sox
3 Detroit Tigers
4 New York Yankees
5 Toronto Blue Jays

The Boston rotation is looking very solid, but it probably won’t be enough to hang with a still deeper Orioles team. Baltimore still boasts the two biggest stars in the division (Haywood and Baines) and a pretty strong rotation themselves. The Yankees will be very good soon, but are still a couple seasons away.

AL Central

1 Minnesota Twins
2 Kansas City Royals
3 Chicago White Sox
4 Cleveland Indians
5 Milwaukee Brewers

The Twins and Royals are still the teams to beat, but this division has gotten a lot tighter. The White Sox youth are beginning to make a big impact and the Brewers pieced together a decent rotation through free agency. The most dominant player in the division (Howard) will keep the Indians in the mix.

AL West

1 Oakland Athletics
2 Texas Rangers (WC)
3 Anaheim Angels
4 Seattle Mariners

This could be a very strong division led again by the A’s. The Rangers need a big bounce back year from the top of their rotation in order to contend. With the young talent on Seattle’s and Anaheim’s rosters, we could see all four teams break the 80 win plateau.

AL MVP: Terrence Lee
AL Cy Young: Burleigh Grimes
AL ROY: Lastings Milledge
AL Fireman: Houston Street



NL East

1 New York Mets
2 Atlanta Braves
3 Philadelphia Phillies
4 Montreal Expos
5 Florida Marlins

The begin of the Braves reign of dominance is probably still a season away, as the Mets still appear to have the upper hand for now. How did the Marlins fall so far, so fast. Expect the Babe to ask to be traded to a contender soon.

NL Central

1 St. Louis Cardinals
2 Houston Astros (WC)
3 Chicago Cubs
4 Cincinnati Reds
5 Pittsburgh Pirates

This should again be a two horse race, with the Cubs, Reds and Pirates still in the middle of rebuilding projects. At the end of the day, as good as Abreu and Cepeda are, there not Hank and Turkey.

NL West

1 San Francisco Giants
2 Los Angeles Dodgers
3 San Diego Padres
4 Colorado Rockies

With the signing of Gehrig and the acquisition of Beckett, the Dodgers showed they are in it to win it. However, the Giants rotation led by Wang and Roe will likely be too much to overcome.

NL MVP: Prince Fielder
NL Cy Young: Chien-Ming Wang
NL ROY: Lance Talford
NL FOY: Clay Carroll