Mumbai Jumbai - 49.3: UMEBA Slugfest

[JimSlade]

Recently installed Mumbai Metro Stars GM Jim Slade is getting a feel for the strengths and weaknesses of his first-place squad. "Wow, we live by the crooked number," he said, after a 4-run 9 sealed a win over Cairo on June 22. "Not that there's anything wrong with that!"

The week also included a 14-13 loss to Cairo and a 9-7 win against Tripoli, in which 3 consecutive 3-run innings dug out from the early hole the aptly nicknamed (at least for a day) Ronald "Terrible" Eglinton put the Metro Stars in. "To go deep into the postseason, we're going to need cleaner play in the field," said Slade. "I trust that Gula and the coaching staff are staying atop the details," he added, referring to legendary manager Gula Afiba, who recently received an extension that will take him to his 70th birthday.

The Metro Stars' capacity for putting up crooked numbers is especially pronounced when facing lefthanded starting pitchers. The team is an against-all-odds 11-1 against lefties, to date, compared with a 31-30 record versus righty starters. "One of the things I'm looking at," said Slade, "is not only maintaining our team's high level of play but adding more balance to our organizational attack. Develop some lefthanded starting pitchers. Capitalize on our speed and baserunning. Keep our bench guys sharp."

The homestand concludes with another game against Cairo then a series with Tripoli before the team hits the road to Athens, which recently shook up its coaching staff.

As July approaches and top draft picks Niegloslaw Woywitka and Djordie Stanovcic get settled into ther professional careers, Metro Stars management will be turning its attention to extending veteran team leaders William Drew and James J Barney as well as hammering out a long-term deal for staff ace Augusto Moran - all the while seeking ways to deal for the pieces Slade feels are needed for organizational balanace.

[tylertoo]

The team is an against-all-odds 11-1 against lefties, to date, compared with a 31-30 record versus righty starters.

Wow, that's crazy.