Week 18

POW: Tom Gorzelanny (2-0, 16IP, 1 CG, 1 SHO, 9 H, 2 ER, 13/3 K/BB, 88.75 Points).

First off, Gorz was a stud this week. My team is still in 2nd, and Otto is pulling away. But, this week, "real baseball" has put my dorky fantasy baseball to the back burner...

Now, on to real baseball. It was some week for the ole' Baltimore Orioles. My beloved hometown stickball team took 2 of 3 from the Bloody Sox, and then they took 2 of 3 from the Skanks...err, Yanks. On behalf of the entire Orioles fan base, I would like to thank Kason Gabbard, David Murphy, and Engel Beltre for being nice enough to change cities with Eric "Hideous Beard" Gagne. In doing so, it looks like they gave the Orioles more opportunities to light him up each season. In 2 appearances against the Os, he pitched 1 inning allowing 5 ER. I mean, that's only a 45.00 ERA. Not too shabby! And, oh yeah, we won one of the games on a moonshot HR by Millar. How sweet is that one? (More impotantly, MASN gave us our first glimpse of Millar's wife! Wow!) AOn top of that, Millar got an ice bath after the game...that also turned into a wet shirt moment for the lovely Amber Theoharris! (If you watch this video, notice the excessive ass-smaking by Paul Bako. Creepy, isn't it?)

Then, the Birds went to NY to face the overpaid Yanks. They didn't have to face Clemens because he was nice enough to get himself suspended to prove he's a jackass, I mean tough guy. Instead, we faced his sorry replacement Karstens and destroyed him. Then, the Yanks got mad. So, "Classy" Joe Torre pulled all of his starters and started plunking out hitters. Instead of retaliating, the Os just decided to win 12-0 and then 6-3 the next day. In taking 2 of 3, we touched up the untouchable Mariano Rivera for 4 runs in 2 innings of work. Maybe the sandman is finally getting old?


And, to top off the perfect week as an Oriole fan, we signed our top 2 draft picks (both of whom are represented by Boras). The most exciting of the 2 is Matt Wieters, the switch-hitting stud catcher from Ga Tech. He could reach the majors as soon as late 2008, but more realistically by 2009. He'll start this season with some ABs for the Ironbirds. And, I'm not drooling over a 2009 lineup that could include Markakis, Wieters, Nolan Reimold, and Brandon Snyder. Finally, there may be some offense headnig to Charm City!

Week 15-16

POW(s): Albert Pujols
Week 15: 9/21, 3 2Bs, 2 HRs, 3 RBIs, 9 BB, 50 Points.
Week 16: 8/28, 3 2Bs, HR, 11 RBIs, SB, 51.5 Points

Albert now has 3 consecutive POW awards. He's clearly a beast, and he is off to a monster start to the second half.

Week 14

POW: Albert Pujols (6/14, 1 2B, 4 HRs, 5 RBIs, 5 R, 42.5 Points)

In the All-Start shortened week, Pujols still came up huge. Out of 6 hits, 5 went for extra bases, and 4 went over the fence. He's off to a monster start to his second half. Maybe LaRussa's decision not to play him in the All Star Game ticked him off enough to get him on figure. If so...thanks Tony.

I had a big weekend to start the second half, with a sweep of Flash. Currently, I'm sitting at 3 games behind Otto. I have some guys coming off the DL (like Speier) and some young guys who might deserve a callup (like Garrett Olson), so I will be looking to make some moves soon.

At the All-Star Break...

First, time for the Week 14 POW: Nick Markakis (7/26, 3 2Bs, 7 RBIs, 2 SB, 5 BB, 45 points).

I had a terrible week and limped into the All Star break. After closing to within 1 game of Otto, I was swept by Mizzou over the weekend. The bright spot was the emergence of 2 new SPs. Matt Garza finally got called up, and he threw 6 shutout innings for a win. Also, Garret Olson was called up by the Orioles. His first start was rather lackluster, but he only gave up 2 runs in 4.1 innings. The Os have said he will remain in their rotation for the second half. For now, he'll remain in my minors, but a few good starts would earn him a 2nd half callup.

Now, time for some first half awards.

TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYER: Miguel Cabrera.

M-Cab edges out Pujols for this award. He batted .324 and had a 969 OPS in the first half. He also added 18 HR and 61 RBI to come into the break with 492.5 Points.

TOP STATING PITCHER: Johan Santana.

No surprise here. Johan edeges Lackey with his dominant first half. His record stands at a good - but not spectacular - 10 and 6. But, all of his other stats are just nasty. He has a 2.75 ERA, a 1.03 WHIP, and a 125/30 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He goes into the break with 436.75 Points.

TOP RELIEF PITCHER: Jose Valverde

Here is the first surprise. Valverde edges out Hoffman and Papelbon for this award. He had 26 Saves in the first half to go along with a 2.83 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and a 38/14 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: Gerald Laird

Laird had am 805 OPS last season, so I decided to go with him as my starter. But, he has been so bad that I sent him to the minors and eventually released him. He started to heat up slightly, so I dealt Pudge and went with him again. But, he has been pretty bad, so I'm looking for replacements anywhere I can find them. Thanks Gerald...for nothing.

BIGGEST SURPRISE: Tom Gorzelanny

I expected him to be OK this year. I got nervous during his weak spring. And, he has been nothing but great this year. He enters the break with a 9-4 record, 3.10 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and a 75/35 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Keep it up Tom...

Week 13:

POW: Trevor Hoffman (0-0, 4 IP, 4 Saves, 1 ER, 52.5) Trevor takes home his second POW award after a week with 4 saves. My team had a pretty big weekend, including a spectacular day from my bullpen on Saturday (3-0, 3 Saves all from RPs). Calling up Scott Baker looks like it was a good move. He was terrific last night. Baker threw a CG with 1 ER, 3K, 1BB. But, he was tagged with a loss after being outduled by Bonderman. Matt Garza has been called up to the Twins, and he'll start in the bullpen. I'm hoping he does well and joins the Twins' rotation shortly.

My offense did absolutely nothing this week. I had 1 HR all week, and it was by Chris Duncan. My recent FA pickup of Nate Schierholtz is no longer working, as he doesn't do much of anything. I've thought about calling up Carlos Quentin, but he is struggling as well. Today, I'll begin looking for a new FA to play at UTIL. It sounds like Tejada is out for a while, so I'll be stuck with Uribe at SS. And, Laird was hitting better until I called him up, and he's now doing nothing again. Hopefully Week 13 was just an unlucky one for my offense...I sure am glad it's over.

Bye Bye Pudge...

I made a trade late last night to bolster my minor leagues and build for the future. I sent Pudge packing to the Tri-State Titans - along with RP Todd Coffey - for Neil Walker, Ryan Sweeney, and a 3rd round pick.

Neil Walker is a 21-year-old slugging prospect for the Pirates. He was a 1st round pick in 2004 as a Catcher, but was moved to 3B full-time this season. He is currently flourishing for the AA Altoona Curves to the tune of a 925 OPS (313/379/546, 11 HR, 37 RBIs). He still struggles with defense, but I'm hoping that comes around.







Ryan Sweeney is one of the top prospects in the White Sox Organization. At age 22, Sweeney has already had a short stay in the big leagues. Currently, he's in AAA and playing for the Charlotte Knights. He has respectable 778 OPS so far this season.

Week 12

POW: Johan Santana (2-0, 15IP, 1CG, 1SHO, 9K, 1BB, 1ER, 81.25 Points)

Johan had my highest point total for a POW winner this season. Unfortunately, his great week was overshadowed by a broken wrist for Miguel Tejada. I'll be stuck with Juan Uribe at SS for a little while. Hopefully, Miggy will be back soon.

I have been stuck at 1-3 games behind Otto for a while now. He hasn't been able to pull away, but I haven't been able to get any closer. PIB was booted from the league for general incompetence, and his replacement seems to actually have a brain. So, my division just got a little tougher since the dead weight was removed.