SEASON ONE, AND SINCE THEN...

For long time followers of Shoeless Joe World (and Braggin' Rights before that), some of the names we're about to mention may ring a bell. One by one, we'll take a look at some of these one-time dominators in the first ever season of this league's existance, and how they fell from glory.

Roger Brown, CF/2B

Roger WHO, some of you may ask? He was a swift fielding CF/2B type who played on the Chicago Cyclones (now Montreal franchise) for four seasons.

SEASON ONE: He hit .315 in S1, with 55 HR and 111 RBI. Those numbers were good enough to earn himself the S1 NL MVP Award, and a trip to the All-Star Game.

AND SINCE THEN: He continued his high quality play for two more seasons, earning two more All-Star nods in the process. Injuries started to plague his career in S3, and into S4. After only playing 87 games in S4, he retired for good.

Rick Browne, SP

Browne made his fame with the Austin Blacktop (now Montgomery franchise). One of the few in this report who is not only still active, but still playing for the same franchise. However, this is a classic example of a "one season wonder".

SEASON ONE: In his rookie season, he was 22-8 with a 3.01 ERA. Not only did he win the ROY Award and get selected for the All-Star Game, but he won the NL Cy Young Award as well.

AND SINCE THEN: In 5+ seasons after S1, he's compiled a combined 47-50 record. No trips to the All-Star Game, no more awards won, nothing. He went from a dominating SP, to an average middle-of-the-rotation guy. Since he's still somewhat young, there's still a chance he could turn things around. However, that window is slowly closing on him.

Trevor Skinner, RP

Good closers are hard to get. Dominating closers are, well, they just don't come around very often. Skinner was dominating, and one of the main reasons why the Pittsburgh Crawfords (now Syracuse franchise) went to the S1 WS.

SEASON ONE: Converted 50 of 58 saves, posted a 2.48 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. He was selected to the All-Star Game, and won the NL Fireman Of The Year Award.

AND SINCE THEN: Continued to enjoy moderate success with the PIT franchise, earning another All-Star nod in S2. However, he was not the same dominator he once was. After the 50 saves in S1, he went on to gain only 41 more in 4+ seasons after that. The franchise then moved to Montreal for a season, then to Syracuse, where it is today. He left as a Free Agent before S6, and is still searching for a job.

Ralph Palmer, LF/1B

Palmer was a once-feared hitter who made his fame with the Louisville Samurai (now New York franchise) back in the first two seasons. It was late in his career, but Palmer made the most of his opportunities.

SEASON ONE: Palmer hit .317 with 37 HR and 109 RBI. The numbers were good enough to earn him a spot on the All-Star Team.

AND SINCE THEN: Palmer's power dropped drastically as he headed into S2. His HR total sunk to 16 in S2, and it wasn't looking good. His average also dipped to .251, a career low. Palmer was known as a Home Run hitter, and nothing else. So when that skill slowly begins to vanish, there's only one thing left to do. Shortly before S3, Palmer announced his retirement.

QUALITY CF UP FOR TRADE!!

Decent CF'ers are hard to come by. If you get a shot at obtaining one, you should not only take that shot, but jump on it. Everybody, this is your chance.

Marte: .278 avg, 19 steals in S6


The St. Louis Soul is currently shopping CF David Marte to anybody who's willing to listen. Marte has outstanding range and glove for a CFer, and he's got the speed that makes opposing teams drool. He's not too bad offensively as well, displaying good contact and batting eye, when facing opposing pitchers.

If you are interested in making a deal for Marte, throw a trade chat over to rcktchamp, and let the negotiations begin.

SJW Amateur Draft - S6 First Round Recap

(1) BOBBY REESE, P: He’s the real deal, folks. And he just accepted the big wad of cash SJ threw at him. Word is he's heading straight to AAA. We'll see just how good he really is. A
(2) MO NOLASCO, P: An extremely accurate righty with a great selection of pitches. A-
(3) PEDRO AYBAR, 2B: A speedy 2B with a decent stick. Health could be a concern. B
(4) RIGO FLORES, SS: May lack the range of being a great SS, but he’ll be a good one. The Soul is estatic Flores dropped to them at 4. A-
(5) SEAN THURSTON, CF: Good fielding 2B who hits righties extremely well. A big part of Austin’s infield of the future. B
(6) ALBERTO MARQUEZ, C: Too early for a DH to be drafted? Not when you have his ratings. He can crush the ball, with durability. B+
(7) MANDY CREEK, 3B: A durable power hitting 2B who lacks speed. Should be a good one when he’s finally ready. B
(8) CRAIG WOODS, C: Superb pitch calling catcher who can mash the ball. These types are hard to come by. B+
(9) VIC RIOS, CF: Don’t get me wrong, he’s good. But he needs to play at a HOF level to justify that $12M bonus he got. C
(10) GERALDO SAEZ, RF: Power hitting RF who is toying with the idea of playing college baseball. Montreal best not let this guy go. B
(11) BRAD WILLIAMS, P: A talented righty with good control. Will anchor Atlanta’s starting rotation for years to come. B+
(12) PETE MALONE, 2B: He’s wanting 5.5M to sign with the Lakes. For the 12th pick, good luck getting that cash. D
(13) CARLOS RIOS, P: Nice long reliever type with solid pitches and extreme accuracy. Good value for the 13th pick. B+
(14) ELIEZER MATOS, C: Chicago hopes this guy can make the move from DH to C. He doesn't hit the ball, he mashes the ball. B
(15) EDDIE EASTERLY, SS: Listed as SS, he's more of a 3B prospect for the pros. Decent bat, not as durable as some would like. B-
(16) TIMO O’SHEA, P: He’s solid, all the way around. Not great at anything, but good at everything. B
(17) RINGO HOLBERT, CF: Good defense, can play either 2B or CF. Good eye, not very durable. B-
(18) GABE SATTERWHITE, 2B: Decent looking 2B who’s a solid hitter. He’ll need time in the minors to mature. B
(19) ANDRUW HERNDON, SS: Superb defense who can hit HR’s. His speed isn’t bad, either. B
(20) TONY VELAZQUEZ, 2B: Solid player who can definitely find his way to the majors. As long as he stays healthy, that is. B
(21) RICKEY DENHAM, 1B: His durability could be higher, but he’s got All-Star hitting. Great pickup. A-
(22) HOWARD TREMIE, RF: Not spectacular, by any means. Boston could have done better. C+
(23) JEREMY HUNDLEY, P: Good pitches, but you’d like a reliever to have better control than this. C+
(24) CONOR WOODARD, CF: A defensive specialist with speed. Not known for hitting the ball. C
(25) ALEJANDRO JOSE, SS: Don’t let this guy pinch hit for you against lefties. Good defense, though. C
(26) TY CRAIN, 2B: He won’t hit HR’s, but he can hit. Good speed, excellent potential leadoff guy. Great pick. B+
(27) JOE QUINN, P: Could possibly become a #5 starter in the majors. Hope the broken arm he has now isn’t an indication of things to come. C+
(28) JOCKO MICHALAK, P: Needs to be more durable to be a legitimate solid ML reliever. C+
(29) GALAHAD REAMES, SS: He’ll give you good defense and a solid bat, for maybe 130 games a season. C
(30) ALEX TANKERSLEY, P: Good pitches, could work himself into the majors one day. Just not anytime soon. C
(31) VINCE BENSON, P: He’d be a nice pick, if he had better pitches. B-
(32) VICTOR LEONARD, P: He’s a solid pitcher. What more can I say? C
(33) ERNEST TREMIE, RF: Still holding out for that $6M. F
(34) BRAD DALRYMPLE, P: Could have better control, but overall a solid pitcher. B-
(35) JEROME DOWNS, P: Just a hair below Dalrymple’s level. Still, good value. B-

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK (12/11/2009 - 12/18/2009)

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Bernie Vasquez is the Player of the Week.

PITCHER OF THE WEEK

Joshua Kelton is the Pitcher of the Week.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK (12/3/2009 - 12/10/2009)

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Carlos Jimenez is the Player of the Week. He went 28/77 for a batting average of .363 and hit 4 homeruns in 18 games. Jimenez also drove in 9 runs, stole 5 bases and made 9 good plays.

PITCHER OF THE WEEK

Duffy Moses is the Pitcher of the Week. He gave up 4 earned run(s) in 26 innings for an ERA of 1.38. He went 3-0 over a span of 4 games. Moses struck out 30 while only walking 4.

SO CLOSE TO PERFECTION...

When Oklahoma City SP Al Lopez stepped onto the mound against Salem on 12/8, he was hoping to get a good outing. What actually happened that night was something he couldn't even imagine doing.

Lopez: 2 HBP Away From Perfection

The Oklahoma City Redhawks ended up beating the Salem Lights that night, 1-0. But more importantly, Al Lopez ended up throwing a no-hitter. A major accomplishment against any team. He also had ZERO walks, which is even more impressive. If it wasn't for 2 HBPs against Lights' LF Bill Barkley, it would have been absolute perfection. But Lopez will take the win, any way he can get it.

"I felt pretty good out there tonight, luckily I was able to come up big when our offense wasn't at our best. The no-hitter is a major accomplishment for myself, something I'll always remember for the rest of my life. I'm not worried about the HBPs and the loss of the perfect game. It is what it is, and we won the game. That's more important."

SJW would like to congratulate Al Lopez for his major accomplishment.

A NIPPER DUAL NO-NO!

No-hitters are hard to come by these days, especially in Shoeless Joe World. However, one team in particular made it look rather easy.

McFeely/Simmons: Combined No-Hitter

On 12/6 at the PM2 Cycle, the New York Nippers defeated the Richmond Barking Spiders 10-0. They were led by a dominating pitching performance from Cameron McFeely, who pitched 8 scoreless, no-hit innings. In the 8th innings with two outs, with the game and no-hitter seemingly at hand, McFeely was taken out of the game in favor of Norman Simmons, who went on to record the final out.

It was rather odd to take a pitcher out of the game in this situation, but New York Nippers owner austinfan1 made his reasoning clear.

"McFeely hit his pitch count, and I swore I wasn't going to have him pitch anymore. I don't care what situation it is.. no-hitter, perfect game, on the brink of a World Series victory, whatever. I make a rule, and we all live by it."

SJW would like to congratulate Cameron McFeely, Norman Simmons, and the rest of the New York Nippers on their dominating performance.

ULTIMATE S6 WORLD SERIES PREDICTION!!

ARIZONA OVER NEW YORK, 7 GAMES

S6 Season Preview - NL

NL NORTH
Seattle Skinny Puppies
Last season: 95-67, 1st Place / Division Champs
Payroll: $71.8M
Key Acquisitions: P Fred McCormick (FA-VAN)
Key Losses: LF Walt Melville (FA-Unsigned)
Overall Grade: B+

Chicago Rooftops
Last season: 80-82, 2nd Place
Payroll: $53.5M
Key Acquisitions: P Walker Brunson (FA-SYR), P Trent Ventura (FA-MNT), P Wayne Bass (FA-MIN)
Key Losses: LF Stuart Skinner (FA-ROC), 2B Rickey Neagle (FA-Unsigned), P Charles Taft (FA-LR)
Overall Grade: B-

Rochester Mountain Dwellers
Last season: 78-84, 3rd Place
Payroll: $99.9M
Key Acquisitions: SS Kyle Farr (FA-PHI), P Alfredo Martin (FA-OKC), P Gerald Vining (FA-LA)
Key Losses: 2B Sidney Snow (TRADE-RIC)
Overall Grade: C+

Montreal Olympians
Last season: 73-89, 4th Place
Payroll: $72.3M
Key Acquisitions: P Benji Pride (FA-NY)
Key Losses: P Paul Meng (FA-MEM), P Todd Miller (TRADE-PAW), P Alan Flood (FA-ATL)
Overall Grade: C

DIVISION OUTLOOK: Seattle looks to be above and beyond the rest of the competition. Chicago made some improvements, but question marks still remain. Rochester and Montreal appear basement bound, where we give the slight edge to Rochester.

NL NORTH PREDICTION: Seattle – Division Champs

NL EAST
Philadelphia Cheese Steaks
Last season: 99-63, 1st Place / Division Champs
Payroll: $61.1M
Key Acquisitions: P Lewis Knight (FA-JAX), 1B Piper Gardner (FA-AUS), P Terrell McCartin (TRADE-SFE)
Key Losses: SS Ewell Bierbrodt (TRADE-SFE), 3B Tom Rivers (TRADE-SFE)
Overall Grade: A-

Boston Stricken Gods
Last season: 86-76, 2nd Place / WC
Payroll: $81.5M
Key Acquisitions: CF Ron Perry (FA-SAL)
Key Losses: CF Al Cortazar (FA-Unsigned)
Overall Grade: B

San Juan Expos
Last season: 53-109, 4th Place
Payroll: $67.5M
Key Acquisitions: SS Ken Wallace (FA-ARI)
Key Losses: 3B Hack Owens (FA-Unsigned), P William Tanaka (WAIVERS-MEM), P Charlie Upshaw (TRADE-RIC)
Overall Grade: C-

Kansas City Pine Tar
Last season: 85-77, 3rd Place
Payroll: $60.8M
Key Acquisitions: P Freddie Foster (TRADE-JAX), P Brian Sullivan (TRADE-SFE), P Yamid Villa (TRADE-SFE)
Key Losses: RF Jeremi Richardson (FA-Unsigned), P Harvey Schmidt (FA-Unsigned),
Overall Grade: B-

DIVISION OUTLOOK: Look for the Cheese Steak to dominate this division. They upgraded significantly with the additions of McCartin and Knight. Boston is a good club and will challenge the WC spot. Kansas City and San Juan round up the bottom.

NL EAST PREDICTION: Philadelphia – Division Champs / Boston - WC

NL SOUTH
Montgomery Touchstools
Last season: 70-92, 3rd Place
Payroll: $84.4M
Key Acquisitions: 3B Jamie Mays (FA-RIC), SS Donaldo Guillon (FA-SFE)
Key Losses: 3B Howard Schalk (FA-Unsigned)
Overall Grade: C+

St. Louis Soul
Last season: 62-100, 4th Place
Payroll: $73.3M
Key Acquisitions: 2B Tony Llanos (TRADE-OKC), LF Giomar Mercado (TRADE-SAL), SS Robert Henley (TRADE-SAL)
Key Losses: 3B Tomas Wilfredo (FA-Unsigned), P Javier Montanez (TRADE-STL),
Overall Grade: C

Santa Fe Santa Clauses
Last season: 92-70, 1st Place / Division Champs / Defending WS Champs
Payroll: $95.6M
Key Acquisitions: P Lou Roberts (FA-ARI), P Brendan Buss (FA-SYR), P Jimmie Colon (FA-NY)
Key Losses: 3B Pablo Montanez (FA-Unsigned), P Merv Hunter (FA-NY), P Terrell McCartin (TRADE-PHI)
Overall Grade: A-

Little Rock Lightning
Last season: 88-74, 2nd Place / WC
Payroll: $88.1M
Key Acquisitions: P Charles Taft (FA-CHI), P Mitch Hermsen (TRADE-ROC), 1B Juan Pelaez (TRADE-ROC)
Key Losses: NONE
Overall Grade: B+

DIVISION OUTLOOK: Santa Fe is the class of the division, but they're a question mark at the same time. They shifted around a ton of talent, sending some off (McCartin, Hunter) and getting some back in return (Bierbrodt, Buss, Roberts). We still think they'll get the division crown. Little Rock will close the gap between the two even more this season. Montgomery and St. Louis battle it out for 3rd place.

NL SOUTH PREDICTION: Santa Fe – Division Champs / Little Rock - WC

NL WEST
San Diego Padres
Last season: 83-79, 2nd Place
Payroll: $77.6M
Key Acquisitions: CF Malcolm Hyzdu (FA-PAW), CF Rocky Lange (TRADE-BOS)
Key Losses: P Johnnie Smart (TRADE-BOS)
Overall Grade: C

Oakland Athletics
Last season: 80-82, 3rd Place
Payroll: $89.4M
Key Acquisitions: NONE
Key Losses: 1B Charlie Blake (FA-LA)
Overall Grade: B-

Los Angeles BLUE Bombers
Last season: 72-90, 4th Place
Payroll: $64.2M
Key Acquisitions: 3B Danys Neruda (FA-CHI), 1B Charlie Blake (FA-OAK)
Key Losses: 1B Harry O'Keefe (FA-Unsigned)
Overall Grade: C

Arizona Gunslingers
Last season: 105-57, 1st Place / Division Champs
Payroll: $103.0M
Key Acquisitions: P D.J. Goldberg (FA-PHI), SS Fred Owen (FA-SAL), 1B Victor Grey (TRADE-AUS)
Key Losses: P Lou Roberts (FA-SFE)
Overall Grade: A-

DIVISION OUTLOOK: Arizona was surprisingly knocked out early in last season's playoffs. They're back, and they're loaded. Despite losing Lou Roberts to Free Agency, they still should have enough to get the division crown. Last season's Oakland team is this season's Oakland team, and that should net them 2nd place. Los Angeles and San Diego slug it out for 3rd place, with the edge going to San Diego.

NL WEST PREDICTION: Arizona – Division Champs

NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAYOFFS OUTLOOK: Santa Fe made some major changes to their team, but I still expect a deep run from the Santa Clauses. Same goes for Philadelphia, as well. But when it's all said and done, look for Arizona to get the NL crown. That lineup is just too tough to keep down another season.

NLCS PREDICTION: Arizona over Philadelphia, 7 games

S6 Season Preview - AL

AL NORTH

Minnesota Lakes
Last season: 77-85, 4th Place
Payroll: $82.6M
Key Acquisitions: P Rudy Waters (FA-SD), P Jeffrey Powell (TRADE-PAW), RF Gregg Davis (TRADE-PAW)
Key Losses: RF Jerome Smalley (FA-Unsigned), LF Arthur Holmes (FA-Unsigned), P Toby Blasingame (TRADE-PAW)
Overall Grade: C+

Madison Wizards
Last season: 87-75, 3rd Place
Payroll: $67.1M
Key Acquisitions: P Vladimir Javier (FA-MIN), P Gregory Burch (FA-MIN)
Key Losses: NONE
Overall Grade: B

Trenton Jokers
Last season: 96-66, 1st Place / Division Champs
Payroll: $94.6M
Key Acquisitions: P Bob Tate (FA-SEA), P Terry Staley (FA-MNT), 3B Ralph Pratt (FA-STL), P Russell Lefebvre (FA-SD)
Key Losses: RF Johnnie Randall (FA-JAX), P Kid Stairs (FA-Unsigned), P David Wang (Injured-60 Day DL)
Overall Grade: A-

Syracuse Iriquois
Last season: 93-69, 2nd Place / WC
Payroll: $85.0M
Key Acquisitions: 3B Juan Ozuna (FA-ATL), RF Philip Little (FA-NY)
Key Losses: P Brendan Buss (FA-SFE)
Overall Grade: B+

DIVISION OUTLOOK: A top-flight division in the AL. Trenton has all the makings to repeat as Division Champs, but the loss of Wang will hurt a lot. Syracuse brings back virtually their entire team from last season, and they'll capitalize if Trenton struggles early. Madison could be a sleeper this year, led by superstar Del Guiterrez. Minnesota looks to stand pat, perhaps even sink a little.

AL NORTH PREDICTION: Trenton – Division Champs / Syracuse - WC


AL EAST

New York Nippers
Last season: 89-73, 1st Place / Division Champs
Payroll: $105.7M
Key Acquisitions: P Merv Hunter (FA-SFE), P Luis Esposito (FA-VAN), P Cameron McFeely (FA-SFE)
Key Losses: LF Buddy Perez (FA-Unsigned), P Sonny Spurgeon (FA-Unsigned), P Jimmie Colon (FA-SFE)
Overall Grade: A

Richmond Barking Spiders
Last season: 70-92, 4th Place
Payroll: $72.9M
Key Acquisitions: P Rob Jones (FA-MON), 2B Sidney Snow (TRADE-ROC)
Key Losses: 1B Jim Bailes (FA-MNT), CF Kazuhiro Zhang (TRADE-ROC), P Hick Quinn (TRADE-ROC)
Overall Grade: C

Pawtucket Bombers
Last season: 87-75, 2nd Place / WC
Payroll: $45.9M
Key Acquisitions: 3B Bill Hartgraves (FA-MEM), P Toby Blasingame (TRADE-MIN), P Todd Miller (TRADE-MON)
Key Losses: RF Gregg Davis (TRADE-MIN), P Jeffrey Powell (TRADE-MIN)
Overall Grade: B

Atlanta Convicks
Last season: 74-88, 3rd Place
Payroll: $86.7M
Key Acquisitions: 3B Pat Chen (FA-MNT), P Alan Flood (FA-MON)
Key Losses: NONE
Overall Grade: B-

DIVISION OUTLOOK: New York's FA signings of Merv Hunter and Luis Esposito catapaults the Nippers above and beyond everybody else in this division. One of the top 2 seeds in the AL is theirs to lose. Pawtucket got stud SP Toby Blasingame, but gave up a lot to get him. Atlanta did just enough to equal what they did last season. Richmond finds themselves in the basement, and perhaps rebuilding is in order.

AL EAST PREDICTION: New York – Division Champs


AL SOUTH
Jackson Rebels
Last season: 67-95, 2nd Place
Payroll: $52.6M
Key Acquisitions: SS Kerry Allensworth (FA-SEA), P Victor Charles (FA-OKC), P Miller Greer (FA-OAK)
Key Losses: 3B Tom Owens (FA-Unsigned), 1B Kenneth Parent (FA-Unsigned), P Freddie Foster (TRADE-KC)
Overall Grade: C

Monterrey Ping the Rookies
Last season: 84-78, 1st Place / Division Champs
Payroll: $105.9M
Key Acquisitions: P Quilvio Escuela (FA-SFE), 1B Jim Bailes (FA-RIC)
Key Losses: 3B Pat Chen (FA-ATL), LF Will Biggio (RETIRED), P Terry Staley (FA-TRE)
Overall Grade: A-

Austin Bats
Last season: 62-100, 3rd Place
Payroll: $24.2M
Key Acquisitions: 2B Kirk Wise (TRADE-ARI), P Devon Payne (TRADE-ROC), CF Woodie Polcovich (TRADE-ROC)
Key Losses: 1B Piper Gardner (FA-PHI), RF Miguel Lima (TRADE-ARI), P Macbeth O'Malley (FA-Unsigned)
Overall Grade: B-

Memphis Rum Runners
Last season: 55-107, 4th Place
Payroll: $87.9M
Key Acquisitions: P Paul Meng (FA-MON), P Lucas Mancuso (TRADE-ROC)
Key Losses: 3B Bill Hartgraves (FA-PAW), P Dennis Parkinson (FA-SJ),
Overall Grade: C-

DIVISION OUTLOOK: We like Monterrey to repeat as division champs, but that's pretty much all we like. Jackson is a hair better than the rest. Austin and Memphis will slug it out for last place. Austin lost 100 last season, and that wasn't bad enough to get last. I kid you not.

AL SOUTH PREDICTION: Monterrey – Division Champs


AL WEST
Oklahoma City Redhawks
Last season: 85-77, 3rd Place
Payroll: $74.3M
Key Acquisitions: 3B Bob Wooten (FA-MAD), SS Robert Henley (TRADE-SAL), P Yuniesky Perez (TRADE-SAL)
Key Losses: 1B Alex Park (FA-JAX), 2B Tony Llanos (TRADE-STL), P Alfredo Martin (FA-ROC)
Overall Grade: B

Vancouver VooDoo
Last season: 80-82, 4th Place
Payroll: $106.4M
Key Acquisitions: CF Sam Bradshaw (FA-TRE), LF Lawrence Monahan (FA-MEM), P Zachrey Wainhouse (FA-PAW)
Key Losses: 1B Tomas Tarasco (FA-OKC),
Overall Grade: B

Salem Lights
Last season: 99-63, 1st Place / Division Champs / Defending AL Champs
Payroll: $31.9M
Key Acquisitions: CF Bart Collier (TRADE-OKC), P Jamie Mayne (TRADE-STL), 1B Geronimo Elcano (PROMOTED)
Key Losses: LF Giomar Mercado (TRADE-STL), P Yuniesky Perez (TRADE-OKC)
Overall Grade: A-

Las Vegas Vegan Vampires
Last season: 86-76, 2nd Place
Payroll: $51.4M
Key Acquisitions: NONE
Key Losses: NONE
Overall Grade: B

DIVISION OUTLOOK: Salem has to be somewhat irritated for losing a 2nd WS in a row, and they could take it out on the rest of the division. A team that could emerge is Vancouver, as they made great strides in the offseason. Both Las Vegas and Oklahoma City are solid teams, but in this tough division, one of these could find themselves in 4th place.

AL WEST PREDICTION: Salem - Division Champs / Vancouver - WC


AMERICAN LEAGUE PLAYOFFS OUTLOOK: No team improved more in the AL than New York, and they should get the 1 seed. The 2 seed is a battle between Salem and Monterrey. I can see Vancouver making a splash and upsetting somebody, but when the dust settles, the Nippers find a way to the WS.

ALCS PREDICTION: New York over Salem, 7 games