Dear Maple Marauders,
I know we have not been particularly close in the past and I am probably over stepping my bounds. I hate to put you in an uncomfortable position but I do have a favor to ask of you.
As you are no doubt aware I will be facing Cabo San Lucas in the first round of the playoffs. I have nothing but the utmost respect for the Toreros. You cannot deny the success they have had. They are obviously a top notch organization. Still our organization has enjoyed some moderate success against the franchise. Apparently we match up fairly well as illustrated by our seven wins in the nine games we have faced each other. My point here is there is a reasonable expectation that the Mustangs could progress to the second round of the playoffs.
I believe I mentioned it before but it merits repeating. I do not envy you your first round opponent. If my sources are correct, the Jokers have won a whopping 16 games out of their last 19? Yes, I am sorry to confess that this includes a four game sweep of yours truly. They are kind of on fire.
I have had the unfortunate experience of playing in the same division as the Jokers. It has been quite unpleasant. To be honest with you they are just kind of mean. With reckless abandon they inflate pitcher ERAs, run willy nilly around the bases, and don't even get me started on how many extra baseballs we have to provide when they come to town. The stupid things just refuse to stay in the park. I suppose they all act nice enough and say all the right things. But their beating and bullying on the field is just hurtful.
This brings me to my point. On the off chance that things do work out in our series and we slip by Cabo, I would be most appreciative if you could arrange it so that we don't have to play Vegas in the second round. You can not imagine how much that would mean to us. We would be forever in your debt.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
All our best.
Mustangs
Monday, March 25, 2013
Sunday, March 24, 2013
RIP Eric Black
In a week that should be full of celebration a dark cloud hangs over the Mustangs organization. It is hard to complain when the Mustangs halted their brutal seven game losing streak and closed the season with four wins. The last three coming on a sweet sweep of the hated rival Tornados. The Mustangs happily sent Kansas City into the off season by throwing out a runner at home in the bottom of the ninth of a one run game. That's just awesome.
Most importantly the Mustangs did just enough to stay out in front of Eureka in the wild card race and enter into the post season for the first time. It was quite a roller coaster getting swept in a four game series by the Jokers to lose the division, then have to turn around and root for them to beat the Hornets. Thank you Jokers for the assist by the way. No envy here for Maple. Vegas is not the team I would want to face right now.
In spite of all the great news, it is hard to smile right now. Eric "Flash" Black took a hard shot to the head doing what he does best out in center field. Making a miraculous play. Doctors confirmed that he is done with baseball. Black really was the heart and the soul of the team. He embodied everything that the Mustangs are. Speed, defense and work ethic.
Black was a budding star that just entered his peak. His numbers were trending towards MVP caliber all the way across the board. Here is how they break out over the last three years:
Batting Average, .224 to .251 to .2270
On base Percentage .296 to .364 to .377
Home Runs 5 to 17 to 25
Zone Rating 20.3 to 22.7 to 28.5
In 2014 he made only one error in 136 games played. He also stole 43 bases.
Black was due to go to arbitration next year but the Mustangs had read the writing on the wall early in the season and had locked him up with what was looking to be an unbelievably team friendly deal. He was due to be the every day starting center fielder and lead off hitter for the next 6 years at under $5 million per.
This is a franchise changer. The cupboard is not bear. Daniel Rodriguez, Danny Hardy and Raymundo Gaias all look to be reasonable options to contribute solidly in center field. But it may be a long time before we see another player like Flash.
Most importantly the Mustangs did just enough to stay out in front of Eureka in the wild card race and enter into the post season for the first time. It was quite a roller coaster getting swept in a four game series by the Jokers to lose the division, then have to turn around and root for them to beat the Hornets. Thank you Jokers for the assist by the way. No envy here for Maple. Vegas is not the team I would want to face right now.
In spite of all the great news, it is hard to smile right now. Eric "Flash" Black took a hard shot to the head doing what he does best out in center field. Making a miraculous play. Doctors confirmed that he is done with baseball. Black really was the heart and the soul of the team. He embodied everything that the Mustangs are. Speed, defense and work ethic.
Black was a budding star that just entered his peak. His numbers were trending towards MVP caliber all the way across the board. Here is how they break out over the last three years:
Batting Average, .224 to .251 to .2270
On base Percentage .296 to .364 to .377
Home Runs 5 to 17 to 25
Zone Rating 20.3 to 22.7 to 28.5
In 2014 he made only one error in 136 games played. He also stole 43 bases.
Black was due to go to arbitration next year but the Mustangs had read the writing on the wall early in the season and had locked him up with what was looking to be an unbelievably team friendly deal. He was due to be the every day starting center fielder and lead off hitter for the next 6 years at under $5 million per.
This is a franchise changer. The cupboard is not bear. Daniel Rodriguez, Danny Hardy and Raymundo Gaias all look to be reasonable options to contribute solidly in center field. But it may be a long time before we see another player like Flash.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Mustangs still in the hunt
August was a month of ups and downs that cancelled each other out and resulted in a 14-13 record. The Mustangs are still right in the hunt. They gave up the division lead but trail the Jokers by only one game. While they have their eyes on the division title, at least holding on to their five game lead in the wildcard race would be an acceptable consolation prize.
The offense has been sporadic at best. A few scattered big innings won some big games but it has just as often plain not showed up. 1B German Hernandez and DH Fernando Garza have been the biggest contributers.
Hernandez was a nice free agent find in 2012. He signed on with a minor league contract and over time has played his way into being the every day first baseman. His .277 BA and .341 OBP fail to represent his greatest stat. 52 of his 105 hits have gone for extra bases. In August he batted .365 and drove in a team leading 17 runs.
Garza just keeps steadily hitting his way through an all star season. In August he racked up 33 more hits, 15 runs and 17 RBIs. Just par for the course.
One other offensive player of note is SS Bill Conway. Bill came up to the bigs in July. His mediocre defense prevents him from being a consistent starter. But he is taking full advantages to show off his skills at the plate. In a mere 37 at bats he has managed 14 hits, 3 doubles, 2 triples, 5 home runs and 14 runs batted in. His biggest game was August 29th in Carolina. Conway came as a pinch hitter to lead off the 11th inning and popped a solo home run. That would be enough to win the game as Carolina came up empty in the bottom of the inning. But the story did not end there. His solo shot sparked the offense. They batted around and Conway came up again in the 11th with two on. He went yard twice. The Mustangs put up 8 in the 11th to win 12-4.
Another month and same story. The Mustangs live and die through the strength of their defense and pitching. Manuel Ruiz was the clear cut number one of the month going 4-2 with a 2.64 ERA and 0.94 WHIP. 27 year old Tim Berry bounced up and down from the minors and generally struggled for the first two years but has emerged as the staff #2. Barry Johnson continues to be rediculous. He has allowed a mere 3 earned runs in 50 innings pitched.
Here we go into September and the Mustangs are still in the race. Can defense and pitching carry them through to the playoffs? Mustangs fans think so.
The offense has been sporadic at best. A few scattered big innings won some big games but it has just as often plain not showed up. 1B German Hernandez and DH Fernando Garza have been the biggest contributers.
Hernandez was a nice free agent find in 2012. He signed on with a minor league contract and over time has played his way into being the every day first baseman. His .277 BA and .341 OBP fail to represent his greatest stat. 52 of his 105 hits have gone for extra bases. In August he batted .365 and drove in a team leading 17 runs.
Garza just keeps steadily hitting his way through an all star season. In August he racked up 33 more hits, 15 runs and 17 RBIs. Just par for the course.
One other offensive player of note is SS Bill Conway. Bill came up to the bigs in July. His mediocre defense prevents him from being a consistent starter. But he is taking full advantages to show off his skills at the plate. In a mere 37 at bats he has managed 14 hits, 3 doubles, 2 triples, 5 home runs and 14 runs batted in. His biggest game was August 29th in Carolina. Conway came as a pinch hitter to lead off the 11th inning and popped a solo home run. That would be enough to win the game as Carolina came up empty in the bottom of the inning. But the story did not end there. His solo shot sparked the offense. They batted around and Conway came up again in the 11th with two on. He went yard twice. The Mustangs put up 8 in the 11th to win 12-4.
Another month and same story. The Mustangs live and die through the strength of their defense and pitching. Manuel Ruiz was the clear cut number one of the month going 4-2 with a 2.64 ERA and 0.94 WHIP. 27 year old Tim Berry bounced up and down from the minors and generally struggled for the first two years but has emerged as the staff #2. Barry Johnson continues to be rediculous. He has allowed a mere 3 earned runs in 50 innings pitched.
Here we go into September and the Mustangs are still in the race. Can defense and pitching carry them through to the playoffs? Mustangs fans think so.
Friday, March 1, 2013
New Bat in Town
In a classic case of overpaying and shooting the moon the Mustangs are making a huge move at the all star break to reach for the stars in 2014. We are pleased to announce the addition of Eduardo Gomez to the club. Gomez adds a big bat to a lineup that struggles to score runs. We don't expect a ton of home runs but he has displayed a knack for finding the gap and should hit plenty of doubles. His history with runners in scoring position is down right impressive. We expect him to take full advantage of the RBI opportunities he gets. Additionally his ability to play any position in the infield and outfield should provide some nice flexibility. Gomez will likely enter the line up as the every day right fielder. A position that has been a gaping hole ever since Alex Deal was lost to a career ending injury back in 2012.
The Mustangs paid a hefty price. Even more because it will most certainly make division rivals Eureka better in the years to come. Three quality young players, all on the cusp of being every day major leaguers were sent to the Hornets. MR Cal Henry, RF Jack Watson and 3B Manuel Sanchez were the price to add Gomez. All three players are using their final option years and would possibly have been exposed to waivers. Still, it is a big hit to the organizations depth and will likely have lingering effects for both teams for years to come.
More than ever the pressure is on for the Mustangs to stay ahead of the Jokers. Anything short of winning the division makes this trade an utter failure and embarrassment.
"Yeah, but what about the Tornadoes?" you may ask. Please. The Jokers are a real team and are definitely forcing our hand. We didn't need any help squashing the puny Tornadoes.
The Mustangs paid a hefty price. Even more because it will most certainly make division rivals Eureka better in the years to come. Three quality young players, all on the cusp of being every day major leaguers were sent to the Hornets. MR Cal Henry, RF Jack Watson and 3B Manuel Sanchez were the price to add Gomez. All three players are using their final option years and would possibly have been exposed to waivers. Still, it is a big hit to the organizations depth and will likely have lingering effects for both teams for years to come.
More than ever the pressure is on for the Mustangs to stay ahead of the Jokers. Anything short of winning the division makes this trade an utter failure and embarrassment.
"Yeah, but what about the Tornadoes?" you may ask. Please. The Jokers are a real team and are definitely forcing our hand. We didn't need any help squashing the puny Tornadoes.
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