Not a spoiler.... yet

Glavine: .1IP 5H 2BB 0K 7ER 1E

AL Playoffs Set, NL Determined Today... Maybe

4 Teams fight for 2 playoff spots on final day (MSNBC)

NL tiebreakers scenarios (Sporting News)

Mets, Phillies tied for NL East lead on final day of season (Bloomberg)

Final Sunday a fan's delight (MLB)

Mets collapse, Phillies surge (Boston.com)

What has to happen? Playoff possibilities (RockyMountain News)

NL's finish makes for logistical nightmare (Toronto Star)

NL could produce a World Series surprise (MSNBC)

Big Weekend for MLB

A few stories worth reading as this weekend plays out.

This is baseball's best final weekend - ever (MSNBC)

What to watch: Baseball runs down to exciting finish (San Antonio Times)

X and y mark the vacant playoff spots for NL contenders (Guardian Unlimited blog)

Cubs clinch NL Central baseball title (AFP)

Mets fall into tie with Phillies (NY Times)

A Partisan Moment

Can you tell who the team is below?
Angels? Phillies? Astros? Nationals?

I sure miss our ugly purple and teal. At least we were different then.


Diamondbacks will play in October.

Brandon Webb pitched seven stellar innings and Conor Jackson homered as the Arizona Diamondbacks clinched a postseason berth with a 4-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Friday.

Behind Webb's performance, the Diamondbacks improved to 90-70 and clinched at least the National League wild card. They reduced their magic number to two to clinch the NL West. Division rivals San Diego are still in the hunt afa 6-3 victory over Milwaukee.

Playoff tickets for where I used to sit when I had season tickets..... $115 each.
I believe I will watch from home.

National League Most Valuable Player

2017 Candidates

Isais Rodriguez is a phenomenal hitter, and if the league were to outlaw southpaws he might be a perennial MVP candidate. The Venezuelan-born outfielder put up solid numbers against lefties (.294 in 68 AB), but tore into right-handers at a .327 clip. The Houston hitter led the NL in average (.323), but failed to crack the top 10 in any other offensive category. This may prevent him from winning the award.

Brad Ferron really came into his own in 2017, his third season in the league. He posted a .313 batting average and hit 16 home runs, which is more than respectable for a gold glove shortstop. He added 46 doubles and drove in 98 for the Nationals. Ferron absolutely clobbered left-handed pitching (.378), and at only twenty-four years of age looks to be a presence in the league for years to come.

Scott Dizon is a prototypical power-hitting middle infielder. He clubbed twenty-four homers for the Red Sox while maintaining a .310 batting average and driving in 98 runs. Dizon is solid all around. He's the sort of foundational player you anchor a championship team to. This offensive machine was on the trading block prior to the deadline. Boston may be very happy they kept him as he has an outside chance at winning the NL MVP.

Arthur Guzik provided a lot of offense for the Mets this past season. The "Beast" bounced back from a horrible season in 2016 to hit 31 homers and maintain a consistent .303 batting average. His 133 runs batted in led the Mets and were good enough for second in the NL. Guzik had a tremendous season, but a lack of at bats suppressed his overall numbers and may keep him from taking home the NL's top hitter award.

Florida's Jerry Mudge proved to be one of the league's most feared hitters in 2017, smashing out 81 extra base hits and driving in a league best 148 runs. Mudge slugged 36 home runs, second only to Dodger George Schlosser's 39, while ending the year a few points under the 300 mark, with a .295 batting average. He led the league in total bases (354) and was second in slugging percentage (.545). Judge won the MVP in 2013 and is a strong candidate to repeat this year.

Tommy's Tough Love

Did anyone ever see these?

NOBL Great - Roy Hobbs

One of our earliest, best players.

A classic scene from the movie.

Red State Update: Bonds and Vick

If you have never seen these two before, prepare to either laugh or be offended. I apologize in advance. Sometimes they are pretty funny. Sometimes, well...

Two Farewells

In the news tonight I see that two "lasts" are about to occur. First, the Washington Nationals (formerly the Montreal Expos) played their last game in RFK stadium today.

Sunday's final baseball game at RFK Stadium drew the Nationals' largest crowd of the season, 40,519. And the home team, which is near the bottom of the standings, gave the fans a winning sendoff. Washington scored a 5-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies, a team in contention for a playoff berth.

The Nationals are moving to a new stadium located closer to the Capitol building. The yet-to-be-named stadium is expected to be completed by Opening Day next year.

K Street Stadium or Post 9/11 Field are my early guesses... I hope I am wrong.

In other news, Barry Bonds looks to be playing his last season as a Giant. The ball club told the most prolific home run hitter of all time that they did not have him in their plans for 2008.

Bonds says he understands that baseball is a business, but wishes he could have had more time to say 'good-bye' to the fans that have watched him for his 15 seasons by the Bay.

In an on-line journal for his fans, Bonds wrote:

I would have loved nothing more than to retire as a Giant in the place where I call home and have shared so many momentous moments with all of you, but there is more baseball in me and I plan on continuing my career. My quest for a World Series ring continues.

Where do you think that quest will take him? Will he finally cross over to the American League and become a Designated Hitter? Will he cross over the bridge to Oakland and lead the A's to another World Championship?

Will he become a Yankee? Can you imagine Bonds playing in the stadium Ruth built? How would the fans react?

For the Fans

NOBL Playoffs

Slow Motion

Indians: Down on the Farm

End of Year Report

Baseball America ranks the Indians farm system 8th in the league. While a good deal of the system was in a dysfunctional state for part of the season, there are a few players who put up impressive numbers. One of them was supposed to be Venezuelan phenom Juan Urias, but after breaking his knee during spring training Juan spent the season rehabbing at Winter Haven, Florida and Scottsdale, Arizona.

Of the rest of the system, four players stood out, all of them at AAA Buffalo-- shortstop Robert Ruano and starters Anthony Weil, Leon Vanmeeter, and Matt Donaldson.

Infielder Robert Ruano was impressive for the Bisons, hitting .281 and playing in all 138 games. His speed on the basepath and work with the glove will earn him a spot on the big league club sometime next year, but he looks only to back up Gonzalez and Quinto up the middle. If the quick-footed switch-hitter can increase his contact he might challenge for playing time. He showed great power to the gaps with 67 extra base hits in Buffalo, including 14 triples. Ruano also managed 25 steals in 33 attempts.

Top lefty prospect Anthony Weil had a solid if unspectacular season, going 9-6 with a 3.49 ERA in 25 starts. Weil continues to show great poise and leadership on the field. His ability to take it to the next level when he needs a tough out will make him an instant Tribe favorite. He has developed a nice arsenal of pitches, but his pinpoint control of his slider and curveball are what have impressed the scouts for years.

Leon Vanmeeter started 30 games at Buffalo, ending the season 14-3 with a 2.60 ERA. While his stats are exceptional, the biggest question mark about Vanmeeter is control. He walked 105 in 180 innings. If he can lower that even by a small amount he could provide another young arm for the Indians.

Matt Donaldson also put up solid numbers for the Bisons, earning six wins against 2 losses while maintaining a 2.04 ERA in 79 innings pitched. After correcting a hitch in his delivery that was tipping hitters off to his changeup, Donaldson looks to fight for the fifth spot in Cleveland's rotation.

NOBL Playoffs Are Coming

Explosive Fastball

Not sure where this is, but here's hoping they're all safe.

I guess this is funny...

I don't think I ever saw that one on American TV.

"Wee" Willie Ichiro?

Drago AL Player of the Week

The American League has named Tim Drago as Player of the Week for his recent performances against San Diego and Oakland. Drago was a combined 2-0 and 0.53 in those efforts, picking up seven strikeouts in 17 innings pitched.

On September 4th Drago gave up one run over eight innings in a win against the Padres. On September 9th Tim shut out the A's on 6 hits, striking out 4.

Tim has gone 3-3 with a 5.19 ERA since moving from the bullpen to the rotation. His nine starts have been erratic, being completely in command for five of them (3-1, 1.78), and completely shelled in three (0-3, 26.51). He took a line drive off his jaw in his most recent start, but had given up only two hits over the first 2 and 2/3.

The Indians salute his efforts as well with their own award (right). Use one to ice your jaw, Tim.

Urena, Indians Reach Impasse

Team officials are denying it, but it appears that Benji Urena and the Indians are parting way after twelve years together. Sources report the ball club and six-time All Star are too far apart on numbers to hammer out an extension.

Urena is being honored tonight during pre-game ceremonies for his work in the community, and that irony is not lost on Urena's agent, Slade Mead.

"With one hand they are giving him an award, and with the other they are showing him the door," Mead stated. "Benji wanted to end his career in a Cleveland uniform, but it looks like that is not going to happen now. That's too bad for the fans who have followed Benji all these years."

Cleveland drafted the left-handed outfielder out of Chihuahua, Mexico back in the first round in the 2004 amateur draft. Besides six All-Star Games, Urena has amassed over 2,000 hits, 1,000 runs, and 400 stolen bases. He is in the top 20 all time for those categories in addition to doubles (437), triples (98), and average (.319).

Bat Boy + Steroids = ??

In the news today is this New York Times piece reporting that a federal judge has decided to keep sealed a list of twenty-three names of baseball players who reportedly used performance-enhancing drugs.

The judge denied a request by two major news organizations who wanted to see and, I assume, report on those names. The names were provided by a former bat boy, Kirk Radomski, who worked a plea deal for money laundering and distribution of performance-enhancing drugs in exchange for helping Representative George Mitchell in his Congressional investigation into the use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball.

The story reminded me of the earlier Dog and Pony Show held in Congress just before the 2005 season. The hearings were called "Restoring Faith in America's Pastime" and subpoenaed witnesses included Jose Canseco, Mark McGwire, Frank Thomas, Rafael Palmeiro, Sammy Sosa, and Curt Schilling. Commissioner Bud Selig and a handful of other MLB officials also answered questions.

What most people remember, of course, is Mark McGwire peering over his reading glasses and saying, "I'm not here to talk about the past."

And they hated him for it. How could the man who we all cheered for as he broke one of the most sacred single-season records in the game not simply answer as to whether or not he did so using steroids?

I was disappointed, too, but not only in McGwire. The whole process was a sham. We were deeply involved in two wars, Iraqis were showing us their purple fingers, North Korea was giving us the nuclear finger, and Terry Schiavo's feeding tube commanded the talk shows.

And Congress is questioning major league baseball players about using steroids. Dog and Pony.

If they are going to ask whether or not players are using steroids, are they going to ask why they are using them? Jose Canseco gave them the answer without being asked.

“Why did I take steroids? The answer is simple. Because myself and others had no choice if we wanted to continue playing. Because MLB did nothing to take it out of the sport. ...

“Baseball owners and the players union have been very much aware of the undeniable fact that as a nation we will do anything to win. They turned a blind eye to the clear evidence of steroid use in baseball. Why? Because it sold tickets and resurrected a game that had recently suffered a black eye from a player strike [in 1994]. The result was an intentional act by baseball to promote, condone and encourage the players to do whatever they had to do to win games, bring back the fans, and answer the bottom line.”

Why would Congressmen not pursue Canseco's line of reasoning? Was it their promised sky boxes at RFK Stadium where the Nationals would open play in less than a month? Possibly, but this is Congress, so one must look to politics to find most of the answers.

Canseco's explanation could not be taken as the truth for more than the simple reason that it might require Congress to shift the blame to baseball owners-- a group who regularly make campaign donations. No, Canseco could not be seen as a credible witness because of another allegation he made. In his book, Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant ’Roids, Smash Hits, and How Baseball Got Big, the former Texas Ranger mentioned that one of the part-owners of that team must have known about the rampant steroid use by the players.

And that is one place a Congressional committee was not going to go less than two months after his second inauguration.

Certainly this does not alleviate blame or shame on the players who did use substances. We must, however, remember that players in any sport play by the rules.

Some rules are just unwritten.

Your thoughts? Click on comment.

I have no idea

Comments?

Nice kid.

Seriously, the comments work and everything...

Leave a thought.

Indians Preble May Win Relief Award

Trinidad Preble is part of the young nucleus of players Cleveland fans are hoping will bring the glory days back to their city. The twenty-five-year-old righty is known for a biting slider and a no-nonsense approach on the mound.

He's also known for getting a lot of saves, enough to lead the American League .

"When Trinny comes into the game, he works quickly and just gets hitters out," commented Indians catcher Florentino Figuera. "His fastball moves in on hitters, but his out pitch is his slider. Nasty."

Nasty enough to save 37 of the Tribe's 67 wins.

Preble's stats (5-3, 2.10) are not dominating, but he is in only his second major league season. After being called up in the second half of 2016, he pitched well enough (3-4, 2.30, 13 Saves) to be named the team's closer as a rookie. He was represented Cleveland in the All Star Game earlier this year.

Busy

Been busy the last few days doing this.
More fun stuff shortly.

Famous Broken Bats

OK. The movie got me thinking about broken bats. Don't ask why. As I was thinking, I began to recall a few broken bats of notoriety. So...

Who can name all of these famous broken bats? [ed note: ok, one of them was more illegal than broken...]

How Bats Are Broken

And here is how you break bats.

How Bats Are Made

Smoke Signals

Indians Attendance Increases

Jacobs Field is not selling out, but there is at least a recent upsurge in attendance to Cleveland games. It is due in part to a renewed marketing effort aimed at reaching out to the once proud baseball town.

On July 31st the Indians began their effort by honoring the achievements of longtime Cleveland slugger Marcos Hernandez in a special pre-game ceremony.

Hernandez has always been a fan favorite, amassing five Gold Gloves at first base and three All-Star appearances in his career with the Tribe. The fans gave Hernandez a standing ovation, many holding up signs saying "We'll miss you, Marcos!"

When reached for comment Hernandez played down the idea that this was his last season with the Tribe.

“I have no idea what those signs were about. Don’t call it a retirement ceremony,” he began. “I’ve worn an Indians uniform for twelve years. I aim to play out my contract. After that, who knows?”

Two other fan appreciation nights, Rawlings Glove Night and Elmer Sweet Bobble Head Night, were tremendous successes according to team officials. On Glove Night the Indians scalped the Twins 18-1. On Sweet Bobble Head Night the Tribe faithful had to wait until the 10th inning for the 1-0 victory.


Cleveland signs Ross Augustus
League officials confirmed today that perennial All-Star Ross Augustus has come out of semi-retirement to sign a contract with the Indians. The former Marlins and Mets standout amassed 2600 hits, 450 home runs, and over 1500 runs batted in before sitting out most of this season.

Tribe Re-signs Abdullah
Team officials and Jesus Abdullah reached agreement on a deal that will keep the former Rookie of the Year winner with the Tribe through his career.

Abdullah will receive $3.8 million for three years. That is a significant reduction from his current salary, but sources close to the situation said that the amount is more reflective of Abdullah's future role with the club.

Indians Deny Gonzalez Deal
The Cleveland Indians are rushing to deny rumors that second baseman Randy Gonzalez was part of an 11^th hour trade which fell apart between Boston, the Indians, and division rival Kansas City just before the league trading deadline. The rumors held that Gonzalez (.305-10-157) would go to the Royals in exchange for Boston infielder Mathew Beauregard (.315-0-22). The remainder of the deal varied according to source, but did seem to center around the Royals Mario Murillo (12-9, 4.48).

“Randy Gonzalez is our second baseman. Period," scowled Indians PR man Albert Belle in a prepared statement.

Yoo Sit Down

Oakland ace Yoo Ki-son struck out 15 Blue Jays on August 16th, then stuck out 15 Tigers in his very next start on August 21st.

In the Blue Jay game Ki-son did not receive a decision. He was lifted with two outs in the 9th inning with the scored tied 0-0. The A's would win the game in the bottom of the 11th on a two-out single to left field by Wesley Lotts.

Yoo scattered six hits in the game against the Tigers, but was firmly in control the entire night, striking out the side in the 4th.

Yoo is 13-1 so far this season with an ERA of 1.70 and 224 K's.


......................IP..Hits...Runs...ER...BB's...K's
08/16/2007 TOR..8.2...1......0......0.....1.....15
08/21/2007 DET..7.1...6......2......2.....1.....15

Disappearing Ball

You only need to watch the first :50.

Indians Name Director of Public Relations

The Cleveland Indians today called a press conference to name their new director of public relations.

Former All-Star Cleveland outfielder Albert Belle has been appointed to the post. Belle was a Cleveland standout before his career ended prematurely with an arthritic hip.

Mr Belle did not attend the press conference.

NOBL Up And Comers

Developing a steady stream of major league-ready players to replace aging veterans is not simple. It requires an eye for talent, a knack for trading, and a lot of patience.

And too often, it requires a truckload of ROLAIDS to ease the heartburn of yet another failed prospect. We all have our stories; Steve (HOU) could actually write a book.

But when ability reaches potential, when those blue stars turn gold... and there are still five of them... it is a thing of beauty. You then have an impact player in the league. A player who may rewrite the history books. A player that might lead his team to championships.

Here, we'll take a look at some of the 18-year-old prospects in the league. These boys are fresh out of high school and carry with them the promise of future wins for their ball clubs. Below are five can't miss prospects, in no particular order, who will soon impact the league.

Can't miss? Well, better have the ROLAIDS nearby.

Just in case.

Douglas Ciprian, Atlanta, First Base
Doug is a tremendous athlete. He combines power with excellent defense and good speed on the basepaths. However, his inconsistency prevents him from being a top-tier prospect. He swings for the fences on every pitch, and this will severely limit his impact in the league. If Atlanta can improve Ciprian in this one area they will have a solid contributor for years to come.

Joseph Belt, Florida, Reliever
Joe Belt could be a dominating pitcher in the league. His upside is huge, but he is a long way from it. Potential alone demanded this young hurler be drafted in the first round. Now Florida must patiently move Belt through their minor league system. Some scouts were nervous about Joe's stamina standing up to the stresses of professional baseball, and is very likely why he fell to the Marlins so late in the draft. Should he prove them wrong, this big righthander will shut down major league hitters.

Craig Brown, Houston, Center Field
Prospects have had a rough time in Houston, but the Astros have managed to place some excellent ballplayers on their major league roster, Kyle Giusti and Don Griffie being two examples. Crag Brown may not have that same level of talent, but he could provide some much needed power in a future line-up. He has a very good glove in center field, solid speed, and has hit close to .300 at both Ft. Lauderdale and Long Island. Anyone who can give you power and defense in center field is worth taking note of.

Robert Woodson, Milwaukee, Starter
Robert Woodson is the youngest member of a very talented minor league system in Milwaukee. He already has pinpont control and needs only to work on finding the right location to keep the ball away from the hitters. Woodson looks to develop into a workhorse for the Brewers. If he can make the big league roster in two years, he would be part of a formiddable rotation including Alan Johnson and Roy Lebrun.

Silas Horak, Cleveland, Starter
Cy is a competitor and has good movement on his fastball. That has gotten him this far. To be a productive major league pitcher the young Indian will need to develop better control and learn to keep runners off the basepaths. He will never dominate, but may develop into a reliable if unspectacular member of Cleveland's rotation.

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Worst Call Ever: When Doves Cry

But a pretty amazing clip.

For an Old Friend

Yankees Morales Likely Out for Season

Yankee pitching took a hit last Friday when right-hander Pedro Morales left the game against the Blue Jays early in the 4th inning. He had just surrendered a 395-foot homer to Toronto shortstop Luis Simmons before regroupinig to face Steven "the Spade" Stogner. He was able to get Stogner to ground out to third base, but landed awkwardly off the mound. He was unable to continue and left the game after giving up 2 hits, 2 walks, and 2 runs in 3 and 1/3 innings.

Yankee team physician Dr. Stuart Herson examined Morales over the weekend. An MRI revealed a herniated disk in his lower back. Dr. Hershon told the team not to expect Morales back this season, early October at the earliest.

After a difficult start to 2017 where he lost six of his first seven decisions, Morales has proven to be one of the best arms in the Yankee rotaton. In June he was especially hard on hitters going 2-1 in six starts with a 1.00 ERA in 45.0 innings pitched. That was good enough to be named Pitcher of the Month.

To replace Morales, the Yankees may turn to veteran Henry Nakagawa (4-3, 4.08), young hurler James Caffey (9-9, 4.38) or top prospect David Valentino (3-0, 4.91).

He's a Regular Hitting Machine

And he hits better than half my team...

Indians Add Veterans

The Cleveland roster just got a little bit older. The Tribe made room for several veteran free agents by releasing Albert Silva and some non-productive minor leaguers.

Cleveland added venerable outfielders Benji Urena and Edward Barbera. Urena (right) was a first round pick of the Indians back in 2004 and is obviously happy to be reunited with his old team. Barbera spent most of his time with Kansas City and Toronto before being released earlier this year by Boston.

The Indians also signed Howard "Snake Hips" Keeling, Chet "Gunslinger" Gans, Don Ameche, and Wilford Brimley.

Boshears in HR Drought

Mets first baseman Michael Boshears needs only four homeruns to hit the 400 mark. He would become only the third player in NOBL history to reach the milestone. Ross Augustus is the NOBL all-time leader with 450; Richard Boos is second with 405.

The power-hitting Boshears was a mainstay in Philadelphia from '05 through '12 routinely hitting near .300 and 35-40 homers per season.

Boshears has not found the bleachers since a two-homer game back on June 7th against the Cubs in Wrigley.

Cleveland Pilgrims?

Silva Released, Evans to Buffalo

The Indians front office optioned outfielder Bill Evans to AAA Buffalo early today and purchased the contract of second baseman Ernest Leachman from the Bisons. Evans seemed caught off-guard by the move, his o­nly comment being, “New management,” as he left the clubhouse Monday night after the game.

Insiders say the move has less to do with Evans’s anemic offensive production and more to do with strengthening his ability to play in the outfield corners. Evans was previously the Indians DH as Elmer Sweet has the center field position locked up. Leachman looks to provide the big league club some depth up the middle and give Al Quinto an occasional rest.

Cleveland has also granted Albert Silva his outright release. Silva was hitting .160 in 50 games for the Indians. A player wishing to remain anonymous told our reporter that veteran starter Pedro Juarez is not happy with the move. Pedro and Silva are first cousins, and the same source revealed that Silva’s tenure with the club was guaranteed through a handshake deal between Pedro and former Indians management.

Indians owner Joe Thomas would not discuss the matter, citing privacy in such matters of personnel. "I hope Silva catches o­n with another club.

"Neither Pedro nor Albert could be reached for comment.

New Owner Looks to Restructure Indians

"There's some talent o­n this ball club, but organizationally it's a mess."

Those were the first words out of the mouth of new Indians owner Joe Thomas at a press conference he called at Jacobs Field yesterday to announce his purchase of the club. "We plan to build a ball club that the fans in Cleveland can be proud of. We look to bring a World Series to this city within five years.

Big words, but how will Thomas move a club filled with veterans and o­nly flashes of talent to the level he speaks of? He acknowledges the future will be difficult.

"At the major league level we are handcuffed by three or four contracts. They will make it challenging to restructure this team into the kind that fans will want to come and see. The league has a hard cap of $85 million, but we really o­nly have about $70 million to work with; the other $15 is tied up in poorly laid plans."

"When you sign a 34-year-old former ace like Jesus Abdullah to a three-year, $36 million deal you are thinking you will someday be devoting a chunk of your resources to a 36-year-old. It's a risk, but it's a risk you take.

"But when you sign a 36-year-old to a four-year, $25 million deal... well, I have no idea what you are thinking."

Thomas was obviously referring to veteran starter Pedro Juarez who has more than two years and $15 million left o­n his free agent contract he inked with Cleveland back in 2016. The Dominican hurler will be almost 40 when the deal expires.

Not all of the Indians are old, however. Thomas indicated that Cleveland is talented and young up the middle. Centerfielder Elmer Sweet (.294, 12, 56) has blazing speed, stealing 25 of 28 bases this year. Second baseman Randy Gonzalez (.310, 7, 47) has complemented his Gold Glove rookie season by developing tremendous patience and discipline at the plate. Struggling shortstop Al Quinto (.261, 3, 43) is coming off back-to-back .300 seasons. If he can return to form the Tribe may have a solid core to build a contender around.

Most of Thomas's speech was focused o­n the future so a new-owner assessment of the Indians minor league system was inevitable. The AAA Buffalo Bisons seemed to take most of Thomas's ire.

"There are twenty-one pitchers in Buffalo. Twenty-one. We could play double-headers every day and go extra innings o­n the weekends. It's ok, really, because it's balanced out by the total of eight pitchers in the rest of our minor league system. That's just good planning."

Thomas indicated he would monitor and assess the rosters of his farm system over the remainder of the season and make significant off-season adjustments based o­n how the numbers crunch.

"You cannot trade for all of your needs. A healthy farm system is what takes teams to the next level. Look around the league. Where you see teams who every year compete for the pennant you will find minor leaguers making the transition from o­ne level to the next.

“We need to fill our system with more players like Anthony Weil and Juan Urias and fewer like Buster Wiley and Zoilo Munoz. That means we draft smart, trade for what we need, and have a plan so that we don't end up with a backlog of mediocre pitching."

With o­nly a sprinkling of talent at each level in their organization it will take more than bold words and obvious criticisms to right the ship here in Cleveland. New ownership has a lot to prove before anyone should start making plans for October.

Cleveland Plain Dealer

This blog will be dedicated to musings about the National Online Baseball League.

I couldn't tell you what year I entered the league or even when I left it (somewhere between the second and third child).

I can tell you without hesitation that I have had more fun in it than I ever could have imagined, mainly because of the other participants. In the league we call you owners.

You know who you are. This effort is for you.