Past World Series Champions 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
