TOP 3 OFFENSIVE BALL CLUBS IN SJ HISTORY

The S7 Santa Fe Santa Clauses did not have a successful season, by most people's standards. An 84-78 record, and just barely missing out on the last Wild Card spot in the NL. However, the S7 Santa Fe team will be remembered for something: being one of the most productive offensive teams in SJ history. Below are the Santa Fe numbers and their rank in SJ history.

.291 BA (1st) 987 Runs (4th) 318 HR (9th) 921 RBI (9th) .843 OPS (9th)


Santa Fe's offensive success isn't surprising, especially when you have guys like Luis Trevino, Ewell Bierbrodt, and Tom Rivers leading the way.

So while we were researching this, we then started thinking about the most offensive clubs in SJ history. In our rankings, the S7 Santa Fe placed 3rd. Who are the top two teams? Well, here they are:


2ND: S5 ARIZONA GUNSLINGERS

No surprise here, as this team was loaded from top to bottom. Nicholas Lanier was an absolute beast this season, pounding 68 HR and 173 RBI, scoring 170 runs. Dale Eaton smacked 211 hits and a .351 BA, while Troy Coffman smacked 46 HR and scored 130 runs. Some of the S5 Arizona team numbers:

.289 BA (T4th) 987 Runs (4th) 335 HR (4th) 956 RBI (4th) .856 OPS (4th)

The S5 Arizona Gunslingers didn't win the WS that season, but their offensive output will be remember for seasons to come.


1ST: S3 SCOTTSDALE TRAITORS

Same organization, different season. And no, Nicholas Lanier was not a major contributor to this team. He was acquired late in the year from the Austin Blacktop (Montgomery franchise). He still caused major havoc though.. in 51 games, he hit a hair over .300 with 28 HR. The major stud on this team was Dale Eaton, hitting .319 with 52 HR and 125 RBI. Alex Shuey slugged 48 HR and 106 RBI, while Sidney Palmer added another 39 HR to go with his 108 runs. Walt Cox also slammed home 37 HR and 118 RBI, to go with his .288 BA. The Scottsdale numbers for that season:

.288 BA (T3rd) 1065 Runs (1st) 345 HR (1st) 1035 RBI (1st) .880 OPS (1st)

The S3 Scottsdale team went 100-62 that season, and went on to win the S3 WS title.

FREE AGENCY ROUNDUP - DAY 1/2

The Milwaukee Naturals aren't the only ballclub making a splash in the Free Agency roundup. Here's a look at other key FA signings:


- The Little Rock Lightning strengthened their pitching staff by inking Bo Simpson to a 4 yr/28M deal. Simpson is most known for being a reliever, but he has the stamina to throw in the occasional spot start.


- The Monterrey Ping The Rookies signed Olmedo Guerrero to a 4 yr/26M deal. Expect Guerrero to contribute on an already talented Monterrey pitching staff, as they attempt to win back their WS title.


- Three-time All Star Flash Lewis signed with St. Louis, signing a 2 yr/7.8M deal. Lewis has had a decent career, and he'll be able to contribute to the Soul immediately.


The Trenton Jokers saw their division-mates in Milwaukee sign a bunch of Free Agents, so they went on a shopping spree on their own:


- One of the top Free Agents available Phil Anderson signed a 4 yr/27.6M deal. The two-time All Star will provide instant offense to the Joker lineup.

- The Jokers bolstered their bullpen by signing former Salem Light Daryle Hill to a 2 yr/9.2M deal. Hill was released by Salem, and he was heavily sought after by many clubs.

- The Jokers resigned Willie Hines to a 3 yr/15M deal. This resigning was important to keep up with the other moves made in the division. Plus, Hines is still a valuable piece of the Joker lineup.

S7 SHOEY AWARDS!!!!

Hello everybody, and welcome to the Shoeless Joe World Shoey Awards for S7! These awards were such a success last season, that we just had to do it again! The same three categories were voted on, and the results are in! Our first award is...


BEST TEAM ACQUISITION OF THE YEAR


And the winner is...

The Rudy Dingman Trade!


Rudy Dingman Trade ..... 10
Cliff Stanton Trade ..... 8
Rick Browne FA Sign ..... 2

What a year Rudy Dingman had for Pawtucket last season. Notching a 17-4 record, 2.54 ERA, and the AL CY Young award. Can you do any better than that?


COMEBACK TEAM OF THE YEAR


And the winner is...


THE ATLANTA CONVICKS!


Atlanta Convicks ..... 8
San Juan Expos ..... 4
San Diego Padres ..... 2
Syracuse Iriquois ..... 2
Chicago Rooftops ..... 1
Philadelphia Cheese Steaks ..... 1

This particular category could have gone to anybody, as all 6 of these teams had excellent improvements from the previous year. The slight favorite was San Juan, where natas46 has been impressively improving that team since day one he entered the league. However, the Atlanta franchise was not to be denied. Atlanta improved 21 wins from S6, and they earned their first ever playoff berth. Keep up the great work!


And last, but certainly not least...


OWNER OF THE YEAR


And the winner is...

BOBKORDECKI!!!


bobkordecki ..... 17
hwaters397 ..... 2
rootgargle ..... 1

This category will normally have a landslide winner each season, and this vote was no different. Bobkordecki tore it up for Rochester in S7, dominating the regular season with 105 victories and going on to win the World Series. Now the big question that must be asked... can they do it again?????

SPENDING SPREE IN MILWAUKEE

Milwaukee, WI

Free Agency time is an important part of the Baseball season. Any holes in your lineup or your starting rotation are filled this way, and it could possibly make or break your season. Last season, the Madison franchise was going through some big changes, the catalyst being owner braddavis' exit from the league.

Enter, jshirley.

The new owner of the franchise promised big changes, and he started out right away. His crew packed up their belongings in Madison, and took the quick trip up I-94 E to Milwaukee, where he relocated the franchise. He took a look at the roster, and he knew changes needed to be made if they were going to have a shot at competing for the AL North Division Title.

And boy, did they get off to a hot start.

They made big splashes in Free Agency, signing some major talent away from various ball clubs. Here's a recap at their spending spree:

J.T. O'SHEA, P

Milwaukee found themselves a decent SP in J.T. O'Shea. He comes at a decent price [2 yr/10.7M], and he'll provide some decent innings to the Milwaukee starting rotation.

TODD MILLER, P

Another move to improve Milwaukee's pitching, they acquired Todd Miller. Miller had a decent year for the AL-Champ Pawtucket franchise, and he cashed in. Inking a 2 yr/11.5M deal, expect Miller to provide some long relief help, while chipping in on the occasional spot start.

EDDIE FULTZ, OF

The big deal so far was given to Eddie Fultz, who was lured away from the Montreal franchise by signing a 5 yr/29.4M deal. With such a hefty deal, comes big expectations. He'll be placed in their lineup, and he will be given every opportunity to showcase his skills. He's an above average power hitter who thrives against righties, and he'll be licking his chops as he attempts to feast on AL pitching.


That's enough for one offseason, for any franchise.. but they're not done yet, folks. Milwaukee will do whatever it takes to improve, and jshirley is committed to doing just that.

S8 NEW OWNER PROFILE

The transition from S7 to S8 has brought us 5 new owners to the Shoeless Joe family. Four brand spankin' new owners, and one who we're familiar with. Here's a look at all of them.


jshirley, Milwaukee Naturals

The lone AL team that needed to be filled in S8, SJ commissioner Rob Root needed to make sure a quality owner took the reigns on this club. jshirley is no stranger to success in the HBD world, making the playoffs 5 times out of 7 total seasons. He's got 4 division titles in his trophy case, and his club is in excellent shape to possibly earn him a 5th.

mgdtiger, Seattle Fish Mongers

Rob Root loves enthusiasm in his owners, and that's exactly what he's got in mgdtiger. He's excited to take the Seattle franchise to the top of the division, and there's no reason to think he won't. mgdtiger is a veteran HBD owner with experience in some of the best worlds, and he'll bring even more competition to Shoeless Joe here in S8.

jt3, Montgomery DeepSouths

Before Rob Root found the owner of the Montgomery franchise, he knew he needed somebody who wanted a challenge. Montgomery hasn't seen much success lately, but he knew with the right owner in charge, things can definitely change. Enter, jt3. Root saw first hand what jt3 can do with turning a franchise around, as he single handedly turned around the New York franchise in the Doubleday world. Don't expect Montgomery to be in last place for long, as long as jt3 is the owner.

Sipe, Santa Cruz Sequoias

Another newer owner in the HBD world, Sipe takes over the Santa Cruz franchise in the NL West. A veteran in Cobb world, he took over a 100+ loss team and led them to first in their respective division. And if you've seen the pitching staff Santa Cruz has, there's no reason to think he won't do it again here in Shoeless Joe. This team is on the verge of something special, and Sipe just may be the owner to take them to the top.

mele316, Arizona Barkleys

And last, but definitely not least, a familiar face comes back to Shoeless Joe. The one-time owner of the Minnesota franchise from two seasons ago (now located in Cincinnati), mele316 has proved he's got what it takes to be successful in this world. He comes back with a proven team, and a sure-fire first ballot HOFer in Nicholas Lanier in his lineup. Arizona has won 3 straight NL West Division Titles. With mele at the helm, and Lanier in the lineup, I can definitely see #4 on the way.

SEASON SEVEN WORLD SERIES CHAMPS!!!!

Congratulations to the World Series winner of the Shoeless Joe World S7...




ROCHESTER MOUNTAIN DWELLERS (bobkordecki)

..as they defeated the Pawtucket Bombers (hwaters397) 4 games to 1!!



CONGRATULATIONS!!!

S7 WORLD SERIES MATCHUP!

Representing the AL ...



PAWTUCKET BOMBERS

(managed by hwaters397)


versus


Representing the NL ...



ROCHESTER MOUNTAIN DWELLERS

(managed by bobkordecki)



Let the best team win!!!!!

S7 PLAYOFF MATCHUPS

#5 v. #1


#2 v. #3






#5 v. #1


#2 v. #3

S7 WIN PREDICTION RESULTS!!

Congratulations to ....

BRISQUE





NOTE: Santa Cruz was a midseason replacement, and is not eligible.

Blue Text: Over prediction.
Red Text: Under prediction.

Tiebreaker: Best Record over last 15 games. (if applicable)

S7 DIVISION CHAMPIONS!!

The Shoeless Joe Blog would like to congratulate the following teams...






MONTERREY PING THE ROOKIES (jwelsh1023)

..for winning the AL SOUTH Division. (3rd year in a Row!)



SALEM LIGHTS (rootgargle)

..for winning the AL WEST Division. (3rd year in a Row!)






ROCHESTER MOUNTAIN DWELLERS (bobkordecki)

..for winning the NL NORTH Division.



ST. LOUIS SOUL (rcktchamp)

..for winning the NL SOUTH Division.



ARIZONA GUNSLINGERS (redneck2)

..for winning the NL WEST Division. (3rd year in a Row!)


Three division titles are still up for grabs, including all 4 Wild Card spots. Stay tuned to see who gets these final spots!