Catching the metro 58#1 [Shark's history] - The beginning (2037)

[forcarrying]

The year is 2037, and the GBC is the hot topic of conversation, even if it is only to be a 79-game season. That's still a bare minimum of 79 reasons to be excited. In Mumbai, in the middle of a country known for its love of another sport involving a bat, a little baseball team was formed. The Metro Stars, as they were to be known until 2051, would become one of the most loved and recognised teams in the competition. It had some amazing GMs and players in its time, but let's not get too far ahead of ourselves just yet.

We have to start with this shortened season, a fairly uneventful one at that, as the Sharks went 28-51, finishing 4th overall. Let's look at the bright sparks though. Lefty Rafael Cruz had pitched over 280 innings in the BBA before taking off to Mumbai for the 2037 season he led the staff in WAR with 1.8 despite a hefty 4.91 ERA across 14 starts. The ERA leader amongst established starters was Salvador Gonzáles with 4.56, he wouldn't see any major success with Mumbai until the 2040 season however so look out for his name later on. The bullpen standout was Lyndon Rosebotham who split time between AAA St. Paul and Mumbai but managed 12 saves and a 2.81 ERA in 28.1 innings, he comfortably lead all other relievers in most key statistics, even WAR, despite roughly 5 others pitching over 40 innings.

The batting side of things had some intrigue as well, with a few former BBA players amongst those who stood out, including Alberto Ríos who played over 600 games for Long beach between 2029 and 2035; Juan Arévalo who had 4 good years playing for Long Beach between 2028 and 2031;Jeff Mason who played 768 games for New Orleans and at his peak was a 125+ OPS+ left fielder and best of all for the Sharks was first baseman José González who in 2033 hit 29 home runs and had a .926 OPS playing for Yellow springs. Whilst he never lived up to this high level again his 134 OPS+ put him top of Mumbai's raw hitters this year.

It's also important to mention catcher José Romero who had a good year behind the plate and will be a name that stays with the Metro Stars for a few more years.

So that's the start then, 2037 came to a close, and the off-season rolled in. New GMs came in, and the first full free agency starts, so you have all that to look forward to in the next edition of Catching the Metro.

[recte44]

Great start Alex!!!