Travis Johnson, longtime closer for the Snowmen, today became the first Snowman inductee into the Hall of Fame.  Johnson, I believe, still holds the league record for career saves.  A worthy recipient, to be sure.

 

 

Arnold Anderson, the last original Snowman, retired today.  He had a good run, spending 18 years as the team's leader and 1B/DH.  He, of course, retires with most team hitting records.

 

Michael Delagarza will take over at first, and will do so competently, and highly touted rookie Harry Miranda will move into the lineup.  The offense is still in good hands.

 

Bernard Hersom will take over as team captain.

 

10/27/98 - Thumpity Thump Thump

 

It was all offense on this one.  The Pocket Snowmen are the 1998 AOR World Champions.  Bernard Hersom, Matthew Endicott, and Richard Kennedy led the way as the Snowmen mashed their way to their second title.  The team managed a .340 average and 7.5 runs per game in the playoffs.

 

Apart from Forsythe, the pitching struggled, but that was expected.  Michael Strickland was okay, but that's about it.

 

One wonders whether Arnold Anderson will stick around another year, but if not, he left on a good note, not only winning a championship but being a valuable contributor as well.  If he stays for one more, he has a great chance to collect his 3000th hit.

 

Congrats to the Snowmen!

 

It cost the Snowmen two former 100 RBI players, and two prospects, but this package was enough to be able to lure Ronald Forsythe, James Shorter, and a middling prospect from the Taranto Le Megghe Sjme Nuje.  Best of luck to Ryan Irby and Daniel Rodriguez there, as well as the two prospects.

 

 

Well, we like to think of the CSFBL as a family, which is why we are so saddened by the loss of owner Michael Baker, who in this league owned the Pineywoods Powerhouse.  Michael was instrumental in keeping this league afloat.  I wish he could have stayed around to play in it.

 

He passed away from a massive heart attack at the age of 47.  Rest in peace, buddy.

 

 

Longtime closer Travis Johnson was let go today, as his performance just isn't up to snuff anymore.  In 15 years as the Snowmen closer, Jhnson racked up 536 saves, an Alpha Omicron Rho record.  Johnson has a very good chance of being the first Snowman in the Hall.

 

 

40 year old Arnold Anderson swatted his 500th home run off of David Hall of the Plainfield Porkers in the first inning.  He did it in grand fashion too, as the long fly came with the bases full.  Anderson would drive home a fifth run later on in the 6-3 win.  He's off to one of his best starts.

 

 

Well, the Snowmen have done a good job of pissing away a comfortable playoff position.  I think it hurts that they have never had a true ace pitcher, just a bunch of #2 guys (Maurer, Arena, Scott).  It also hurts that the offense fell off in the last part of the season.  At least they finished ahead of the hated Llamas.

 

 

Wow.  What can I say.  This team has never hit like this before.  Not even close.  they're hitting .322.  .322.  Irby and Coleman are going at an RBI/game pace.  Irby was an FA signing a few years back and has platooned most of the time since coming to the Snowmen, and Coleman has been hot one year, ice cold the next.  Endicott has been my most complete player...god, that was a fantastic trade.  Hersom was another steal.  Anderson is keeping at up at age 38.  Even Kyle Mohan in platoon duty is mashing.

 

Kenneth Angeles is a pleasant surprise in the 5 slot in the rotation.  He's leading the team in wins and is a tremendous innings-eater.  Lee Mkkelson, another FA pickup, has been fantastic in relief.  Jose Scott is also pitching very well.

 

Unfortunately my closer extraordinaire is not so extraordinaire.  Travis Johnson has been awful.  If my record weren't as good I'd try someone else at closer.

 

All in all, a fantastic season thus far.