1967 Team Previews

[Young Drachma]

I was going to write team reviews for each team. I don't know if I'll get around to it, but...I'll do this instead. If you write one for your ballclub -- you know, players you're expecting to have a big year, things you want us to know about your ballclub, etc.

Here's the format I used last year. And I also always google MLB team previews and try to use a format like that.

But if you do a team preview for your ballclub, I'll add $1 million to your cash.

[Alan T]

VALDOSTA PEANUTS
1966: 81-73, 4th Place RL


Last year was a dissapointing season for the Peanuts as many had predicted it to be their year to reach the Fool Classic. With St.Louis folding, Valdosta appeared prime for a run. Valdosta was second in the league in team ERA and first in complete games, however the lack of hitting hurt them as only three teams in the RL had a worse OPS.

Valdosta returns staff Ace Bryan 'Nasty' Hughes and his 31 wins over the past two seasons. Valdosta also managed to sign the 1966 RL MVP Heath Palmer to a 32.2 million dollar contract extension to return at First Base for the Peanuts.

Key off season aquisitions saw the Peanuts sign Shortstop Sandy Reed to try to address one of the issues of hitting for the team. Reed hit .291 with 13 HR and 60 Runs scored in 1966. Valdosta also traded away stud young Catcher Sam 'The King' Harmon to Compton in return for hot hitting Thirdbaseman Rick Inman who contributed a .311 average with 24 HR last season.

Other key members returning for the 1967 season for the Peanuts includes Matt Wood whom saved 34 games last year and is third all time in FOOL, as well as the five man platoon outfield of Rick Hamilton, Roberto Pagan, Edgardo Reyes, Winston Davis and Ruben Mendoza, all of whom had over a .750 OPS in 100+ games last season for Valdosta.

A key youngster to watch this year will be young starting pitcher Carlos 'Gramps' Gonzales who looks to be thrust into the starting rotation this year after a 14-10 season at AAA last year.

The biggest move of the offseason for Valdosta however was the move from the RL to the CL as part of the huge Designated Hitter decision for the league. An all new league will be a big challenge for the retooled Valdosta Peanuts.

[Young Drachma]

Nice work, Alan. Great preview. Should be really interesting to see how the league switch affects teams and positions throughout.

Your $1 million bonus has been added to your cash in-game.

[JetsIn06]

SEATTLE ARMADA
1966: 75-79, 5th Place

With new ownership, a new name, and new desire to win, the Armada are ready to take their first step to get atop the Republic League.

Carlos Aguilar, a 25 year old right handed finesse pitcher is the ace of the rotation. In '66, he went 14-8 with a 3.46 ERA with 151 strikeouts. The 2-3-4 pitchers are all very similar; They're all young and all not that special....yet. All are three are 25 or younger and have solid projections as FOOL starters. Andrew Dinsdale sits at #5, but can really do some damage to opposing lineups. With 232 K's last year, if he can get his control, well, under control (115 BB's last year), he could jump to the top half of the rotation.

Offensively, the team is anchored by DH Ben Gibbs,LF Don Roberts, and 1B Charles Lane. The three combined for 55 HR's last season, and should get better as Lane gains experience. The Armada have a great leadoff hitter in 2B Raymond Carpenter, a 29 year old with excellent discipline and a knack for getting on base without a ton of power.

The Armada ownership really doesn't know what to expect from their crew this season, but they've showed they aren't afraid to spend up to budget by picking up SS Ismael Perez in the offseason (He was with the team last year, but hit free agency). Signed to a three-year deal worth $5,960,000 overall, Perez gives the Armada a potent bat, and a versatile defensemen. This is Perez's first time being a full time shortstop, but he has shown over his previous six years in the FOOL that he is an all around solid infielder.

Prediction: 4th Place

[Cringer]

Rio Grande Roadrunners
1966: 68-86 (RL)

After six seasons in the Republic League the Roadrunners are one of the teams on the move this year, jumping from the RL to the CL. With the return of the Designated Hitter in the RL, the Roadrunners and their fans were so against having any part in it they are more then happy to move leagues to keep with tradition.

The pitching of the Roadrunners took a step backwards last year. If it was just a down year for the whole team with the loss of offensive talent, had to do with the new stadium, or a bad sign of over-hyped players we will find out this year. The starting three has been turned into a starting five this year, meaning there is some hope from the four and five slots compared to the dread of last year. Medina, Wilson, and Pitts are once again 1-3, while 4 and 5 will be rookies Billy Martin and Ryan Herold. Chunky Medina will have the most pressure on him this year though, as he will be expected to get back to being amopng the league leaders in strikeouts, ERA, and wins.

In the field and at the plate it is a second straight season of changes for the Rio Grande. This time though, the changes are viewed as an improvement. SS Scott Evans had been the leadoff hitter for the Roadrunners for five seasons, and he has been shipped off to Colorado in the trade that brought SP Billy Martin. Replacing him will be a combination of 3B Ronald Russel and defensive specialist SS Ramiro Sanchez. Sanchez should get the bulk of the work facing righties, and if he can be around his .275 BA of last season the team will be happy. LF Jose Rivera will be the new leadoff hitter, a new role for him and one that will be an interesting experiment with the 25 year old who has improved each of the last two years. Of course the stars return with 1B Tyler Reilly and RF Andres Aguilera, but there are more new changes to the team. In CF will be Luke Parker and Ray Ratcliffe splitting time, and rookie Connor Daniels will start at 2B with high expectations.

The hopes in Rio Grande are all over the place. With unknown competition in a new league, with several new players, a low finish is not unexpected. The desire to improve upon last years record, and both team and individual performances, is great.

Prediction: 5th place

[Young Drachma]

COMPTON BROTHERS
1966: 82-72, 3rd place

After six seasons, FOOL finally makes it foray to California in the form of the Compton Brothers.

Preparing to play their first full season on the West Coast, the Brothers have a renewed sense of optimism. That came in the former of two major acquisitions the team made on the free agent market this year. Whether they'll make an impact on the field is anyone's guess.

2B Nathan Adams (.277/30 HR/110 RBI) is coming off a career year in Brooklyn where he spent the past 4 1/2 years. After signing a 5 year/$55 million deal this past off-season, Compton's ownership are expecting him to prove those naysayers wrong who say last year was a flash in the pan.

The other big free agent splash was hurler Steven Davis. "Sundown" won 86 games over five years in CHarleston. He has his worst year statistcally last year, going 10-18 with a 4.06 ERA, but Compton's management snapped him up immediately, figuring that he'd be sure to rebound to the form that won him back to back Pitcher of the Year awards in 1963 and 1964.

The team also made a splash near the trade deadline this winter, acquiring Sam Harmon from former RL rival Valdosta in exchange for Rick Inman. While Inman will be missed, the team was over the cap prior to the deal and there are more than a few players who could make up for his defense. Harmon, 24, is one of the biggest stars in the game already. He's a two-time Best Nine selection at Catcher in his first two FOOL seasons. A native of Los Angeles, he literally jumped at the chance to return him to play in Compton. He only hit .234 last year with 13 HRs and 74 RBI, but the move to Robinson Park and a little home cooking from his mom ought to help him truly emerge into the star he's got the potential to be.

On the pitching side, the team will again take the field with James Lawrence, the 20-game winner last year as the staff ace. Bob Halpin started off strong last year, before cooling down the stretch. He still won 15 games in his first full season with the team and struck out a whopping 231 batters. If he's mowing them down like that this year, expect the Brothers to be contenders in the RL.

The bottom of the rotation is still a bit murkey after the big three tandem of Davis, Lawrence and Halpin. Sandy Dunn, a 14-game winner last year, Tim Hines, who won 15-game last year and the newly acquired William Kay from New York, who won 14 games last year, as well as several rookies are all vying for the last two spots in the rotation. For a team that ran with just a four-man rotation last year, there is going to be someone left out of the mix. Should be interesting to see who make it.

One thing is for certain, the Brothers have undoubtedly improved this year. It's a mystery as to whether this will yield better results down the stretch or not. After jumping out of the gate and leading the RL up until the all-star break, the team fell off the map and ended up finishing 3rd.

Some of the younger guys that might have a shot to make the club out of spring training including Antonio Aguirre, a 23-year old leftie from Maryland. Another player to watch out for is Henry McKinney, a 26-year old outfielder who was tailor made for the DH spot, acquired in the Kay trade from New York earlier this off-season. If he starts off strong, he could provide the Brothers with some well needed power to cushion the loss of Inman.

It's not out of the realm of possibility for them to contend for a pennant this year, but with the RL moving to the Designated Hitter and the addition of formidible teams like Hartford, Ann Arbor to the mix, coupled with defending champs Colorado and a rising Chicago squad that owned the team last year in league play, it'll be a minefield if the Brothers hope to claim the first west coast title in FOOL.

I think Compton is an extremely well balanced mix of young players and veterans, giving them an edge down the stretch, but to avoid the collapse of last year, the team will have to avoid gimmicks and stick to sound baseball principles the whole way through.

Prediction: 2nd place

[gstelmack]

Boston Settlers
1966: 74-80, 5th place (CL)

After improving from dismal showings the prior 2 years to 1 game off their best record ever and a 5th place finish, optimism abounds in Boston. Despite abysmal starting pitching (with two starters approaching a 6 ERA), Boston managed a respectable season thanks to a shutdown bullpen and a respectable lineup. With the reintroduction of the DH into the RL, Boston decided to jump leagues and join the 20th century.

As expected from last year's preview, the starting pitching was a disaster, outside of John MacDonald (14-11, 2.98 ERA). He returns along with youngster Luis Perez (14-14, 4.11 ERA) who should continue to improve. Brian Brown and Vance MacFergus were both allowed to walk, while Clay Pierson, who did a respectable job despite being thrust into the limelight a bit early, is likely to get a chance to grow a bit more in AAA. Pat Maddox, Dennis Nelson, and Jose Reyes were all signed in the offseason to give the Settlers an actual rotation for the first time since the new management took over, all though all 3 remain untested.

The bullpen had a fantastic year last season, where the worst ERA was turned in by Jason Jenson who posted a 3.27 in only 22 innings of work. Closer Danny Bennett remained lights out with a 0.55 ERA, providing 33 saves while only losing 2 games, and he returns as strong as ever. Necomer Van Marshall may get a chance to show his stuff, but with Porter Gilbert and Curt Rouse lighting up the AAA ranks, the manager may have some hard decisions to make. With the bullpen stronger than ever, the Settlers are mostly hoping their starters don't screw things up too bad before handing the ball over. If Boston can come out of the early innings with a lead, teams will have a hard time beating them, as only 14 of Boston's 80 losses last season were charged to the pen.

Fielding and hitting have been a hit-or-miss prospect with the Settlers. They have not really had a true second baseman or shortstop, and attempts to make a splash in free agency have mostly fallen flat as Boston has turned into a place where careers go to die. Catcher Keith Bond has been the exception to that, as he hit .307 and managed a 35.1 VORP in his 3rd season with Boston. 3B Patrick Perkins has remained a homegrown leader, providing some home run power and consistent hitting to remain a valuable member of the lineup. And young stud CF Noah Wakeling came roaring out of AAA two seasons ago, hitting .310, hitting 24 home runs, and posting a .911 OPS and 54 VORP to anchor the lineup. RF Steve Williams, one of those disappointing free agent signings, did turn things around a bit last year to convince Boston to keep him in the lineup, but he knows he's on thin ice.

But what really brings some optimisim to the lineup are the addition of some young guns. While Patrick Perkins will once again be asked to play out of position at second base, Fernando Osorio looks to be promoted up from AAA to finally fix the problems at shortstop. Boston will mostly count on his defense, but his bat should contribute as well. He may not hit for average, but his power is well suited to Boston's park. John Hunt, Jorge Lopez, and Jason Curtis are also expected to contribute some depth to Boston's lineup after receiving a callup.

Boston's success hinges on the performance of the young guys. If they fulfill their promise, the Settlers could make some waves and finally provide ownership that .500 record they've been looking for and build some huge momentum for 1968. If the youngsters falter or the veterans give up, Boston may slide right back down into the cellar of the RL.

Prediction: 3rd place. Youngsters have been doing right by me so far in this league...

[muns]

HARTFORD HARPOONERS
1966: 86-66, 3rd Place


Hartford comes into the 1967 season with a major chip on their shoulder. After being picked to make the "FOOL" classic last season and falling short of the goal after a late season fallout, the "POONERS" goal again is to be in the "FOOL" Classic and prove that last season should have never happened the way it did.

Paving the way for Hartford is a number of all stars and guys that have the potential to possibly one day making it to the prime cozy spot in the Hall of Fame.

The Pitching rotation is anchored by 3 time all star and former Pitcher of the year and MVP award winner Benny "Blinkey" Myers. Benny had a fantastic season last year going 19-10 with a 2.85 era and 255 strikeouts only to be out done by pitching teammate Gabriel "Vandal" Prado. Prado won the Pitcher of the year award last season (2nd time) and is a 4 time all star. Gabriel went 23-5 last year with a 3.01 era and 264 strikeouts.

The Middle of the rotation will be manned by Vets Rob Roberts (13-11 3.49 149k) and Charles "Warlock" Nelson (14-11 3.52 182k) who provide leadership and stability in the middle to back of the rotation.

Hartfords biggest weakness is the 5 starter on the team and it looks like Former prospect Gunnar Jones is going to get the opportunity to win that spot vacated by Manny Soto who after going 6-14 last year with a 5.64 era was given his out right release today. Soto was blammed for the dissapointment of not making the "FOOL" classic last year, as his poor performance the past 2 seasons in a row sealed that deal.


Offensively (which was once thier weakspot) will be lead by last seasons MVP award winner Andy "the Jet" Nolan and Batting champ Warren Lewis. Andy had a carrer year batting 307. with 35 bombs and 144 RBI. Lewis hit 357 and had an ops of 952. Rounding out the Lineup will be former all stars Jose Zamora, Hector Suarez, Jeremy O' Herlihy, Roy Richarson, and newly aquired Catcher Stanford Jones.

With all these all stars and awad winners holding down the clubhouse its not a surprise that the Harpooners have such high expectations and goals. Gunnar Jones has a lot riding on his shoulders this season and he is expected to sure up the back end of that rotation. Its gonna be a tough season this year especially with the move to the other side of the league in the "RL". The "RL" looks to be the tougher of the 2 divisions and has some fierce teams in it. However If all goes as planned and Gunnar does what he hopes to do the "POONERS" just might have a shot at that lofty Goal that they say covet.

[Young Drachma]

It's clearly put up or shutup time for Hartford. That team is freakishly loaded. With them and Colorado in the RL, it's not even gonna be fair to whoever wins the CL.

[Chief Rum]

COLORADO RANCHEROS
Last Year: 93-61, 1st RL (FOOL Champions)

It is fitting that a year after surprising the league and running off with the FOOL champions trophy, the Rancheros should enjoy their quietest and least controversial offseason.

Management has feels they have a winner in place, so why mess with success? The team that got the hardware last year returns essentially intact, and maybe even a little better.

The offense led the RL in several categories, including hitting, on base, slugging and stolen bases. The more critical areas of the offense was in the power department (4th in RL in HRs) and in discipline (6th in walks) , leading to fifth in runs scored.

Management believes the growth of last year's four rookie starters and the addition of two new hotshot rookies will answer the issues on offense. The Rancheros went with an all-rookie outfield last year and those three did not disappoint. The power hitting RF Joe Mack (.250-23-77, 22 sb) came in as the most highly touted, but you could argue that multi-toolCF Antonio Morales (.268-24-66, 17 sb) and sweet stroke LF Robert Albert (.293-18-60) had the better years. They return another year better.

Behind the plate, a fourth rookie, highly touted C Alfredo Alvarado (.277-5-45) has wrested the starting job away from former starter Jim McMinn and seems poised for a breakout year.

The offense will continue to be based around hotshot 1B Santiago Gonzalez (.280-22-84), a rising star who got better as the season progressed, and superstar 2B Christian Larsen (.335-20-71, 25 sb), last year's free agent splash, together forming one of the more talented right side infields in the game.

The left side is more up in the air. Popular SS Sandy Reed was asking for a significant raise that the team felt he wasn't worth, and they allowed him to leave Colorado for Valdosta and the CL via free agency. Management rolled the dice that the formerly steady SS Scott Evans (.230-13-53, 17 sb), acquired in a trade with Rio Grande, would regain the stroke that two years ago allowed him to hit .295, score 107 runs and steal 22 bases. The hot corner remains the trickiest spot in the lineup, with underwhelming youngster 3B Tim Gordon (.243-6-49) vying with the dependable Joe Jones (.339-3-36), who consistently outperforms his ratings. Management was so disgusted with the play of Gordon, a former top prospect last year, that they elected to start Jones in the FOOL Classic.

The prospects for a better offense comes from the arrival of two top hitting prospects in LF Francisco Vega, who may have more power than anyone currently on the team, and the versatile Lloyd Carnell, the team's best hitting prospect. Carnell is a very strong glove at 1B and will likely allow Gonzalez to move to the new DH spot. Vega will see a lot of time at DH as well, and spelling all three outfielders.

Defense was and still is an issue. No projected starter is considered an excellent fielder except Carnell and Jones, if he beats out Gordon at 3B. Evans is a below average SS, and Alvarado is an awful defensive catcher, although he does have a gun for an arm.

The defense didn't hurt results last year, though, nor did the pitching staff really seem to be affected, putting up the best numbers across the board in the RL, with the best staff ERA, starter ERA and bullpen ERA, as well as leading the league in strikeouts and opponents' batting average.

The rotation starts with RL Cy Young Award winner Pablo Gonzalez (20-10, 2.36 era, 206 K), who was dominant as a rookie two years ago, and actually improved last year. He is clearly established himself as one of the best young pitchers in the league. Former phenom--and now the team's highest paid pitcher--Alden Hendricks (18-9, 3.96 era, 164 K) seems to be coming into his own. Two rookies joined the rotation last year and made a huge and immediate impact. Doug Proctor (17-8, 4.05 era, 169 K) got the accolades with his wins, but Nelson Valdes (11-9, 3.43 era, 139 K) is actually more highly regarded by scouts, who say he is a rising star. the rotation is rounded out by Billy Nelson (11-20, 4.65 era, 215 K), the veteran of the group and a player with filthy stuff and durability. Nelson's job could be challenged this year.

As good as the rotation is, the bullpen is actually the shining star of this staff, and maybe of the whole team. There are projected star pitchers in the minors who can't even break into this pen. Batter-terrifying wildman CL Walt Withecombe (32 sv, 2.28 era, 11.4 K/9) has electric heat and is one of the league's top finishers, but his shaky control scares the bejeebuz out of hitters. MR Pedro Castillo (10 sv, 1.35 era, 3.3 K/B ratio, .182 oavg) is the more talented pitcher, though, and anchors the pen from his setup spot. He is a future close star. The pen is rounded out by a multi-faceted and talented group that includes Petro Vis (2.49 era, .218 oavg), the horse of the pen, exciting Ramon Meaz (2.25 era, .194 oavg, 3.1 K/BB ratio) and the respected and popular Luka Stroo (3.50 era, team best 2.0 BB/9). They could be joined by two top relief prospects in John Mockly, a Withecombe with better control, and Dale Hawkins, who may have as much talent as Castillo.

This is going to be an extremely tough year, but I believe until you're beaten, you're the best. So I am predicting it that way, and we'll see if Ann Arbor, Hartford, Compton or some of the other RL teams will pick up the challenge.

Prediction: FIRST

[Cringer]

I hope Evans pulls through with a decent season for Colorado. I liked the guy despite his up and down years, but I needed a potential starter who I could throw into the rotation this year.

[Young Drachma]

Should be another exciting year. Love the writeup, Chief. The buildup to the season in this league is such a thrill.

[muns]

Buildup somehow doesnt even do it justice..... I really thought last year was my year, and I blew it with my starting rotation big time...... Now im worried about just finishing in the top 4...... So many teams have improved and are right there........ i am so enjoying the hell out of this league..

PS. Great writeup guys, reading this stuff is great

[Commo_Soldier]

BROOKLYN BROWNSTONS
1966: 90-64, 2nd place
1965: 77-77, 4th place
1964: 76-78, 4th place

Brooklyn has turned things around since they hired GM Commo_Soldier to run their team. Going from a 66-88 team all the way to winning 90 games and having a winning record for the first time in the franchises 6 year history. This gave them 4 more wins than they were projected to win, but two wins shy of them reaching the FOOL Classic.

The off-season saw Brooklyn rid themselves of their starting second baseman Nathan Adams (.277/30 HR/110 RBI) who had a career year and thus never budged on his contract demand of approximately 5 years for $55,000,000 the entire season.

In addition to loosing Adams the Brownstones also let go of their 18 game winner Scott Townsend who ended up signing with rival Baltimore who knocked them out of the playoffs. Townsend had a decent year with is record of 18-6 with an ERA of 4.33; however did not live up to the Brownstones expectations after moving into the pitcher friendly Cowpie Field.

With the $22.5 million in salary cap room the Brownstones figured to be a key player in free agency but they where outbid on every free agent they went after and must rely on their farm system which won two championships last year to replace their 3 departures from the major league team.

With some surprise roster moves Brooklyn hopes to fill the gaps however and provide fans with another great season of baseball. One which will see them play a difficult schedule of the: New York Highlanders, Hartford Harpooners, Ann Arbor Wolverines, Compton Brothers, Seattle Armada, Chicago Comets, and the hated Baltimore Terrapins. Who have a combined winning percentage of .510 last year so victories will not come easy.

They are lead by 5 time All-Star and 29 year-old catcher José Martinez (.304/10 HR/64 RBI) who is in his contract year and asking for a 6 year $93 million dollar contract to stay in Brooklyn. In addition to Martinez they will be counting on their entire outfield for offensive production. An outfield that includes 25 year-old two time All-Star Alfredo Inostrosos (.311/20 HR/73 RBI) who is coming off a monster second season in the majors. In addition to Inostrosos the outfield features Curt McConnell (.258/31 HR/ 114 RBI) and Raúl García (.293/19 HR, 83 RBI).

The Brownstones pitching staff is anchored by its pull-pen. Whom they hope will take the pressure off their shaky starting pitching staff and hold at least 75% of the leads they are given.

This season will be an interesting one for the Brownstones as we will see if they are the team that went 85-53 to start the season good for a winning percentage of .616 or the one that finished 5-11 for a winning percentage of .313.

Overall if they can perform like they did against some good competition to start off the season last year they should stand a good chance of winning the Continental League title this year. In the end however I feel as if the tough schedule and inconsistent starting pitching will do them in. Here is a team by team breakdown of how I see them performing:

Team	Wins	Losses
Highlanders	10	12
Harpooners	11	11
Wolverines	12	10
Brothers	11	11
Armada	13	9
Comets	14	8
Terrapins	14	8
OVERALL	85	69

Prediction: 4th place

[Young Drachma]

Nice preview for Brooklyn.

[Chief Rum]

I love reading all of these. I can't wait to compare the expectations and hopes here with what actually happens to all these teams.