Phoenix Talons...1995.4

[felipe]

The Thrill is back in baseball in Phoenix.

No, the hapless Talon haven't gone on a tear, they haven't even posted a winning record in a sim, and they have haven't gone more than two weeks without suffering a season ending injury to a key player.

(They have now started six different catchers in 1995, impressive, but not the basis of this article.)

But they have landed first baseman Will Clark.

Will 'the Thrill' Clark was made available for trade by the Des Moines Kernels after clearing waivers yesterday.

Phoenix GM Hopkins immediately pounced and stole the 'star' away for a paltry fifth round pick.

"Clark is freakin awesome,"confirmed the GM,"We're super lucky to get him."

When questioned on the wisdom of adding another left batting first basemen, when the Talon already had one who was hitting quite well, who is fielding much better than the Thrill is capable of, and coupled with the fact that the Talon are already paying two other first basemen on the big league 25 men roster who aren't playing much - GM Hopkins was unflappable.

"Intangibles baby,"he cackled."Its all about the intangibles - and Will's got 'em in spades."

The signing necessitated a major re-structuring of the Talon infield. Young Tyrone Whitney, who was enjoying a break-out season in his first chance at playing full-time, has been shuffled to third base. Ageless third baseman Cory Gehringer, enjoying yet another solid MBBA season has been moved to second base. Young call-up Benji Calfo, has shuffled over to short.

The moves dictated by the Clark signing has left new Talon, Brett Barberie, (acquired for MBBA star SS Tawk at the trade deadline), on the outside looking in, as a late-inning defensive replacement and odd game relief for the rest of the infielders.

"Barberie got hurt already,"confirmed Hopkins,"And it ain't gonna bother him to watch a couple of weeks, so he can see how the Thrill gets it done. Hell, he should thank me, he's got the best seat in the house, to the best show in baseball."

Up the Talon?

[recte44]

Clark ended up posting a .370 OBP for the Talons but not doing much else. He's a platoon player without pop at a power position.