Announcement
I am formally resigning from the BDBL effective immediately. I wish the participants in the WS the best of luck. While my underperformance in the OLCS was not the only factor in this decision, it is the final straw. This is a decision I have been contemplating for two years now. I thought I could stick it out one more year to hopefully win a WS, finish out Kershaw’s contract, and win 90 or more games for a decade. Why bother? What was once a fun hobby (easily the most fun I’ve had with any hobby) has become a chore the last two years. I no longer have the time or energy to putting a contender on the field. If I can’t commit to doing my best, then it is time to hang them up.
I take great pride in Kershaw’s career, as he is a first ballot HOFer with a Blazers cap on, as well as the team ERA record, consecutive division title record, consecutive 100 win season record, and consecutive 90 win season record, and rules written for loophole abuse record. I truly believe I had one more great year in me, but the desire to try is gone.
I think my departue will also help bring competitive balance to the league. One less team making the league maximum bonus is always a good thing and no one wants to see the same team win every year for 10 years, not even me (note, winning applies to regular season only)
I would like to thank you all for making this the best experience possible. I wish you all the best going forward in the league and future endeavors. If I get the itch to play again I will surly make it known.
Kudos to Glander for making this the ONLY league worth playing on the planet.
Blazers OLCS Roster
25 man roster vs Los Altos.
Kershaw (game 1 starter)
Tanaka
Quintana
Moore
Devenski
Dull
Kimbrel
Bowman
Schugel
Boshers
Blevins
Cervenka
McCann (29 PA, 15 vs L, 28 vs R)
Castro (30 PA, 11 vs L, 30 vs R)
Freeman
Kinsler
Tulo
Carp
Betts
Grandy
Saunders
Weeks (16 PA, 9 vs L, 15 vs R)
Bourn (33 PA, 9 vs L, 33 vs R)
Garcia (20 PA, 5 vs L, 20 vs R)
Dietrich (33 PA, 7 vs L, 33 vs R)
OLDS: Ravenswood and New Milford
Game 1: Verlander @ Kershaw
In a battle of 2 aces, Verlander is dominant going 7.1 IP with 3 H and 4 BB on 115 pitches with the only blemish a Tulo RBI double that followed a Saunders walk.
Meanwhile, other than a Carp error on the second batter of the game, Kershaw is PERFECT through 7. Belt led off the 8th with an IF single that Carp couldn’t get to. Despite that, Kershaw gets the next 6 batters on 4 groundouts and 2 K’s for the masterful 1 H, CG, 10K, 99 pitch shutout to win game 1.
WP Kershaw (1-0)
LP Verlander (0-1)
Game 2: Lackey @ Quintana
The Blazers have had problems hitting Lackey, and today would be no different. He goes 6.1 with 4 H and 5 BB but no runs.
Quintana matched with 6 IP and 4 baserunners but no ER.
After 9, still tied at 0. FREE BASEBALL.
Bottom 11, Salas on for his second inning and with 2 out he grooves a fastball that Castro launched into right for the walk off 1-0 win .
WP Dull (1-0)
LP Salas (0-1)
At this point in the series, 20 innings of baseball have been played with the Blazers scoring 2 little runs and the Infidels scoring none.
Game 3: Moore @ Pomeranz
Series shifts to Ravenswood and at this point in the series it is noted that Ravenswood is going with a short bench that was thin against lefties. This pushed Moore into the game 3 role instead of game 4.
Aaaand, it didn’t go so well. Moore gave up 4 runs, 2 earned with the big blow being a 2 run shot by Kipnis.
Pomeranz goes 8 giving up 1 ER on a Freeman RBI single and the Blazers are undone by 3 errors in a 4-1 Ravenswood win,
WP Pomeranz (1-0)
LP Moore (0-1)
Game 4: Tanaka @ Odorizzi
A Belt first inning HR and Odorizzi second inning 2 RBI single make it 3-0 Ravenswood early.
Bottom 5, Belt with an RBI double for a 4-0 lead, but Freeman with a RBI double of his own to cut the lead to 4-1.
Kang with a HR in the 6th and 2 run shot in the 8th put the game away for Ravenswood in the 7-1 romp.
WP Odorizzi (1-0)
LP Tanaka (0-1)
The Blazers have now scored 4 runs in the 4 games with Ravenswood putting up 11.
Game 5: Kershaw @ Verlander
With tensions high after two straight blow outs and the stress of the “roster controversy” in which Pagan was added the the Ravenswood roster, things almost reached a boiling point before the game when all the New Milford relief pitchers arrived to the club house to find their gloves missing. In each locker was a $250 gift card to Italia Mia and a note that read, “Take the night off and enjoy a nice meal with your family. I’ve got this.”
Blazers get to Verlander early on a Kinsler RBI single in the first and a Freeman sac fly and another Kinsler RBI single in the third.
Top 7, Kinsler’s third RBI single of the game made it 4-0.
In the 8th, Peburn ordered Devenski to warm up. He did so; without a glove. Kershaw saw Devenski from the mound and gestured him to sit down. He did so.
Kershaw finished the 9th with his second complete game shutout in the series, giving up 7 H and 0 BB with 11 K in the 103 pitch gem and 4-0 win.
WP: Kershaw (2-0)
LP: Verlander (0-2)
Game 6: Lackey @ Quintana
Absolute pitchers duel like game two as the Blazers continue to be baffled by Lackey.
Blazers with a great chance in first with Betts doubling Carp to third with no outs. Freeman poped up and Kinsler walked to load the bases but Saunders bounced into the 6-4-3 DP and Lackey escspes the jam.
Top 2, Kang’s third HR of the series puts the Infidels up 1-0.
Bottom 6, a Kinsler sac fly ties the game.
Lackey goes 7 strong with 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB and 7K.
Quintana matches with 7 strong 2 hits, 1ER, 1 BB, 6 K.
Bottom 9, Thornburg on for his second inning of work and Freeman greets him by launching an absolute no doubter to the upper deck in right to send the Blazers to the OLCS
WP Dull (2-0)
LP Thorbburg (0-1)
The Blazers won both of Kershaw’s starts on CG shutouts and both of Quintana’s starts on walk off HR’s that Dull took the win in relief.
Blazers hit 197/259/275 and score a mere 10 runs in 6 games. Three 1 run games helped the cause. Betts with 5 runs, Kinsler and Freeman with 4 RBI each.
Ravenswood hit 165/214/258 led by Kang;’s 3 HR.
Blazers pitched to a 1.67 ERA and 60 K in 54 IP with 10 ER (12 overall). Kimbrel did not pitch in the series.
Ravenswood pitched to a 1.68 ERA. Lackey had 0.67 ERA in 2 starts.
Congrats to Skiz on a great season. He and his team played honorably and like the warriors they are.
Blazers hold their noses and await the “winner” of the Los Altos/Salem series.
Blazers OLDS Roster
25 man vs Ravenswood
Kershaw (game 1 starter)
Tanaka
Quintana
Moore
Devenski
Dull
Kimbrel
Bowman
Schugel
Boshers
Blevins
Cervenka
McCann
Castro
Freeman
Kinsler
Tulo
Carp
Betts
Grandy
Saunders
Weeks
Bourn
Garcia
Dietrich
Blazers Season Review
It was a record breaking regular season in New Milford, as the Blazers set the franchise record for wins at 120 (second all time in the BDBL), BDBL record for team ERA (2.54) and BDBL record for OPS allowed (.600).
Team MVP was Mookie Betts, who lead the BDBL in hits (230) and runs (124) and also lead the team in OPS (.911) and runs created (136.8) and should get some MVP consideration with his EX D in RF. Tulo lead the team with 31 HR (.860 OPS/88.4 RC surprise) and Carp (.910 OPS/110.4 RC), Saunders (.903 OPS/ 99.6 RC), Freeman (.893 OPS/121.3 RC) and Grandy (.826 OPS/ 81.7 RC) all had successful seasons. Kinsler had 96.4 RC to give the Blazers 7 players above 81.7 RC. The Blazers hit 267/348/457 as a team and were first in the league in runs dif at 413 and second in the league in runs scores at 871. Castro was the team disappointment at .617 OPS.
CY of the team is a coin toss and will be interesting to see how the league votes. We’re giving it to Kershaw, who lead the league with a 1.99 ERA and went 17-2. He was first in the league in win % (which he is pretty much first in the history of the BDBL, so this is no shock), second in batting average against (.212), first in OBP against (.237), second in slugging % against (.325), second in H/9 (7.0), first in BB/9 (0.9), first in runners/9 (8.1), second in K/9 (10.3), first in stolen bases/9 (0.0), tie 4th in QS% (667), and first in OPS against (.562). He did pitch way less innings than some of the other contenders, but even with WAY less innings, he won 17 games. He lost 2. TWO.
Quintana, who was the front runner all season in my eyes, went 22-7 with a 2.17 ERA (second to Kershaw), and .568 OPS against (second to Kershaw.
Moore went an absurd 22-3 with a 2.64 ERA (third) and .638 OPS against (5th).
Tanaka went 18-9, 3.16 ERA (5th) and .624 OPS (third)
Kimbrel was second in the league with 47 saves.
Devenski (31), Blevens (29) and Dull (29) were third and tied for 4th in holds.
Oh, and the team broke the BDBL ERA record with a 2.54 ERA.
Schugel had a 0.62 ERA, Boshers 1.59, Blevens (1.60), Devenski (2.08), Bowman (2.38), McGowan (2.44), Cervenka brought the team ERA UP (2.57). Trade acquisition Dull was a MAJOR disappointment at 3.28 and Warren was at 5.00 in 10 horrible starts.
Best regular season in Blazers history starts the post season against a tough Ravenswood team tomorrow.
New Milford and Myrtle Beach
Blazers finish the season with a home and home vs the Hitmen. Before the series started, it was determined that the Blazers had clinched the #1 seed in the OL.
Game 1: Warren @ Foltynewicz
Blazers seemingly put the game away in the 5th with a NINE spot highlighted by a Betts 2 run bomb and Castro grand slam. With the season runs differential record of 436 within reach and the season ERA record within reach, the Blazers opted to go to the pen to preserve a blowout win. I guess Bowman hit the bubbly a little to hard the night before as he gave up a 6 spot. Ugh. Blazers win 14-8, as the feeble Hitmen score 8 runs.
WP Devenski (12-3)
LP Folynewicz (1-7)
Game 2: Tanaka @ Miley
I figured the ERA record was a done deal going into this series. The Hitmen, well, they can’t hit. And not against the best pitching in the league. Well, they scored 6 more today storming back from a 3-0 defecit led by the ever dangerous Alonso with 2 RBI and Miley driving in a run. Blazers were lead by a Tulo 2 run bomb but it wasn’t enough in the Hitmen 6-4 win. The runs dif record is now a pipe dream and the ERA record, which seemed in the bag coming into the series at 2.49 is getting dicey.
WP Miley (5-12)
LP Boshers (2-3)
S Rodney (6)
Game 3: Cashner @ Moore.
With the runs diff record a pipe dream, the Blazers finally get a lopsided game, where Moore was brilliant (6 IP, 1 ER) all but cementing the ERA record. Blazers score in every inning but the 7th as they hit 7 doubles, 1 triple and 3 HR lead by Saunders with 2 doubles, a triple and HR, Castro with a 3 run bomb, and Moore with a HR. Blazers win the laugher, the 120th win of the season, 12-1.
WP Moore (22-3)
LP Cashner (2-10)
Game 4: Miller @ Quintana
Top 3, up 1-0 with 2 outs, Span singles, TRex to first on an E by Carp, Parra with an IF single and Giminez with a Grand Slam. 5-0 Hitmen.
A Saunders HR in the 8th pulled the Blazers within 2 at 5-3 but Hernandez put up an insurance run with a HR in the 9th. Bottom 9, the Blazers seemed more interested in going home to spend some time with their families than winning the game as Rodney gets the easy save in the Hitmen 6-3 win. The poor performance by Quintana left the CY door open for votes for Kershaw, Sale and Moore.
WP Miller (3-8 )
LP Quintana (22-7)
S Rodney (7)
New Milford and Bear Country
Blazers and Jamboree finish a home and home series.
Game 1: Suarez @ Kershaw
Blazers score 2 in the second, 1 in the third, and 3 in the fifth and Kershaw goes 5 with 0 R in the Blazers 6-0 shutout win, thrusting himself into the CY race finishing the year with a 1.99 ERA.
WP Kershaw (17-2)
LP Suarez (0-5)
Game 2: Tillman @ Tanaka
A second inning Davis HR put the Bear on the board 2-0.
A 6th inning Davis 2 run double makes it 4-0 Bear.
Bottom 6, Blazers pull within one on a Saunders 2 run double and Grandy RBI triple.
Top 8, Contreras doubles in a run for a 5-3 Jam lead.
Bottom 9, Blazers score a meaningless run as BCJ wins 5-4.
WP Tillman (14-8 )
LP Tanaka (18-9)
S Chapman (36)
Game 3: Moore @ Gio
Both starters give up 13 hits each. Moore limits the damage to 4 runs. Gio gives up 1 in the first, 9 in the second, and 2 in the third. Weeks goes yard with 4 RBI, Freeman drives in 3 and Tulo goes yard as Blazers roll 14-4
WP Moore (21-3)
LP Gio (10-10)
Game 4: Quintana @ Santana
Bottom 1, Murphy doubles in Jay for a 1-0 Bear lead.
Top 7, Betts flies out to start the inning. Santana has still not given up a hit to this point.
Freeman and Kinsler walk to put the tying run on second.
Saunders then doubles for the first Blazer hit of the game, and Kinsler scores from first for a Blazer 2-1 lead.Dietrich with a PH RBI single, a run scored on a WP and Betts clears the bases with an RBI triple. 7-1 Blazers is your final.
WP Quintana (22-6)
LP Santana (14-11)
Blazers are 19-5 on the chapter with a home and home tilt with Myrtle Beach left on the docket. The 118 wins is a new franchise record and second most wins all time in a BDBL season. Blazer team ERA is 2.49 on the season.
New Milford @ Granite State
Blazers travel up north to face the last place lightning.
Game 1: Kershaw @ Duffey
Blazers hang a 5 spot in the third highlighted by a Betts 2 RBI triple and Freeman 2 run bomb.
A second HR by Freeman paced the 11-1 drubbing of the lightning.
WP Kershaw (16-2)
LP Duffey (2-9)
Game 2: Tanaka @ Volquez
Tanaka gives up 3 H in 5 IP (0 R) and Dietrich’s 2 RBIs, lead the way in the Blazer 7-0 shutout.
WP Tanaka (18-8 )
LP Volquez (3-21)
Game 3: Moore @ Eickhoff
A Betts 2 RBI single in the 3rd breaks a 1-1 deadlock.
Bottom 8, Hardy GIDP but a run scores to make it 3-2.
Blazers tack on an insurance run in the 9th on a Kinsler RBI double and Kimbrel BB (typical), K (typical) GIDP ends it for the Blazer 4-2 win,
WP Moore (20-3)
LP Eickhoff ( 6-11)
Game 4: Warren @ Nolasco
A Saunders RBI single in the 4th is matched by a Harrison solo shot in the 5th.
Top 6, a Grandy sac fly and Kim RBI single put NM up 3-1.
a 7th inning Freeman single and it’s 4-1 Blazers.
Bottom 9, Kimbrel induces fly outs to right, center and left to end it in the Blazer 4-1 win and sweep of the lowly Lightning.
WP Warren (3-2)
LP Nolasco (7-13)
S Kimbrel (47)
The 115 wins are a new record for the Blazers in a single season.
Salem @ New Milford
Tippers travel to face Blazers in a possible playoff preview.
Before the first pitch was thrown, it was announced that New Milford had clinched the McGowan Division, the seventh straight crown and 8th overall.
Game 1: Strasburg @ Kershaw
Stras has a 5.15 ERA on the season. Who knew?
A Werth first inning RBI groundout is matched by a Carp solo shot in the bottom half.
A Betts solo shot in the third and Grandy RBI triple push the Blazer lead to 4-1.
Bottom 4, a Freeman 2 RBI double made it 6-1 Blazers.
A Grandy HR rounds out the scoring for the good guys in a Blazer 8-3 win.
WP Kershaw (15-2)
LP Stras (7-10)
With the win, Kershaw moved into sole possession of 6th place on the all time wins list at 181, passing the legendary Roy Oswalt.
Game 2: Gray @ Tanaka
Herrara HR’s in the second (1-0 Salem)
Freeman doubles in the 4th (1-1 tie)
Castro singles in the 5th (2-1 Blazers)
and Altuve singles in the 7th (2-2 tie)
FREE BASEBALL
With 2 on in the 10th, I left McGowan in to face Sanchez with a warmed up Blevins. I will never make that mistake again. 3 Run bomb. Floppers in 5-2.
WP Montgomery (8-4)
LP Boshers (2-2)
S Jones (24)
Game 3: Shoemaker @ Moore
Top 4, Grandy singles for a 1-0 Blazer lead.
Tippers take the lead back next inning on a Carp E and Prado single.
Top 6, a Shoemaker single makes it 3-1.
Bottom 8, a Kinsler sac fly pulls the Blazers within one, 3-2.
Top 9, Tippers put the game away on a Turner 2 run bomb, 5-2.
Bottom 9, 2 walks and an E with one out loads the bases. A passed ball by Sanchez allows Saunders to score. Another passed ball by Sanchez allows Grandy to score. McCann then ties the game with an RBI single.
Again, FREE BASEBALL.
Top 10, Kimbrel on and he implodes with a BB, HBP and one out RBI single. A Carp E (again) leads to a second Tipper run.
Tips win 7-5.
WP Solis (2-2)
LP Kimbrel (1-2)
S Norris (2)
Game 4: Matz @ Quintana
Third inning, Werth goes BOOM for a 2 run jack.
A Prado sac fly in the 4th pushed the Tipper lead to 3-0.
Bottom 6, Freeman doubled to put the Blazers on the board 3-1.
Bottom 8, Carp and Freeman HR off of Jones to tie the game.
Bottom 9, Tulo leads off with a double and Kim PH’s and lines a single to center as the Blazers walk off for the split 4-3.
WP McGowan (2-0)
LP Phelps (4-3)
The win, the 111th of the season, is tied for the second most in Blazer history.
Las Vegas @ New Milford
Flamingos migrate to New Milford.
Game 1: Straily @ Kershaw
Up 3-1 in the 6th, Blazers put a 4 spot on the board and put the game away in a 7-1 win as Saunders and Tulo (who leads the team in HR) drive in 2 apiece and Tulo and Dietrich HR.
WP Kershaw (14-2)
LP Straily (8-13)
Game 2: Hammel @ Warren
A Tulo RBI single in the second is matched by a Eaton solo blast in the 6th.
Bottom 7, Betts with an RBI double and Freeman with a 2 RBI double and it’s 4-1.
Pinkies score 2 in the 8th to pull within 4-3 on a Gennett HR and Jankowski RBI 3B.
Bottom 8, Bruce Maxwell, getting a cup of coffee with expanded rosters, orders a large with a PH 2 RBI single making it 6-3.
Kimbrel on for the 9th and after walking the first 2 batters he faced giving 3 possible chances for the tying run to step to the plated induces a 6-4-3 DP and K to end it in an 6-3 Blazer win
WP Dull (8-5)
LP Cahill (2-4)
S Kimbrel (44)
Game 3: Kohler @ Moore
Both starters are on point, as a Kinsler first inning RBI double is matched by a Cuthbert 4th inning RBI single.
Bottom 6, a Carp double plates Tulo and Kimbrel gets Kendrick to ground out to end it in the 2-1 Blazer win .
WP Moore (19-3)
LP Kohler (6-14)
S Kimbrel (45)
Game 4: Liriano @ Quintana
A Lindor single in the first plates an unearned run for a 1-0 Pink Bird lead.
Bottom 3, a Freeman RBI groundout ties it and Kinsler unties it with a 2 RBI double.
Bottom 6, Bourn with an RBI single and Quintana with a 2 RBI double and it’s 6-1.
A Saunders 2 RBI double and Betts sac fly round out the scoring in the 9-1 win and Blazer sweep.
WP Quintana (21-6)
LP Liriano (9-10)
Blazers are 10-2 for the chapter.
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