2054-4

[Knucklehead254]

SHARKS OFFICIALLY ELIMINATED FROM PLAYOFFS September 23, 2054 The Sharks woke up this morning to find the unfortunate news that the team will miss the post season for the seventh year in a row. The Sharks have not made the playoffs since the move to Sydney. The team were considered heavy favorites to finish first in the league but alas, they will finish either in third or fourth place depending on how the week works out. Rookie GM Aaron Wharram was disappointed but knows that next year will be a chance to start fresh.

"Obviously I wish things could've went differently this year, we have to look to next year, plain and simple." said Wharram.

Wharram joined the team as they were in a three-way race for the playoffs with London and Tokyo. However a seven game skid in the middle of August dug a hole in the ocean that the Sharks couldn't swim out of. A notable weakness was the teams bullpen, especially when it comes to holding leads late in the games.

"It's something that we'll have to look at for next year. What's happened has happened, we'll make the appropriate changes when they become available."

The Sharks also began to fall silent with the bats, as they went from leading multiple batting categories, to dropping between 2nd and 4th. Even though the team has had a disappointing end to the season, there certainly is a bright future. All of which will be revealed in next weeks "Season in review" article.

The Sharks are currently 83-73, with 5 games remaining on the schedule.

STRAINED HIP FLEXOR CAUSES ASHFORD TO GO COLD

Jim Ashford has had a great year for the Sharks, currently batting a .314 AVG, 18 HRS, 76 RBIS in 146 games played. But he has been playing through a Hip Flexor for roughly the last month and has since struggled. Batting a .141 AVG, 0 HRS 1 RBIS in his last 9 games played.

"It's bothered me more than I'd care to admit," says Ashford. "All I can do is heal through the upcoming offseason and go from there."

Ashford, 33, is expected to be re-signed in the offseason, however rumours indicate that they be a bit apart in negotiations.

"We'll get it done," says Wharram. "We're just trying to work out the right price."

Ashford is coming off a $6 Million contract, and will reportedly want a raise in order to stay with the Sharks.

WHOS HOT
P Alfonso Castillo 3-0, 1 SV, 11.5 IP, 0.71 ERA, 9K in last 10 games played.
P Rowan Tucker 1-0, 14 IP, 0.64 ERA, 9K in last 2 games played.
1B Harry S Stamper III .452 AVG, 5 HR, 10 RBI, 7 BB in last 9 games played.

WHOS NOT
RF Joshua Koka .087 AVG, 0 HR, 1 RBI in last 8 games played.
LF Jim Ashford .147 AVG, 0 HR, 1 RBI in last 9 games played.
P You Cheng Hang 0-3, 4 SV, 9 IP, 9 ERA, 4 K in last 9 games played

[Jwalk100]

Ashford had a nice season in Sydney.