Tropic Times Vol. IV (01 March, 1998)

[EchoesIE]

Honolulu, HA -- The offense is finally here! With the hiring of Josh Cornel, the Tropics have made some moves that have caused little waves in the MBBA community, but big waves here in the pacific. With the last signings of C Robin Larker and 1B David Smurf, the Tropics have found the offense that they need in a little different manner. Both Lurker and Smurf are older, but can still swing the stick with ease. Lurker hit at a .299 pace with 20 HRs and 44 RBI. 34 Year Old Smurf put some great numbers on the board in the 1997 season, including 47 homeruns, 140 RBI and 76 BB. Cornel was obviously estatic to add these two pieces into the Tropics puzzle days before spring training started.

The Tropics are looking forward to spring training, with the 2 big bats that Manager Juan Rubio can now use interchangebly between the 2 and 5 spots, the Tropics have greater range as to what kind of ball they want to play. Hawaii has typically been a station-to-station offense, but Cornel has expressed his wanting of the team to be aggressive on the bases and go for opportunities. Afterall, the Tropics can't get any worse than 4th place last year.

With Spring Training here, the Tropics are going to find out whether they can play ball for real, or will be another dissapointing year marred with losses, fights, suspensions and generally bad feeling hanging around the clubhouse. Cornel has done a good job at changing the atmosphere, attitude and disposition of Hawaii...we can only hope that changes for the better, for good, sooner than later.

[lynchy34]

Lurker and Smurf definitely add some pop to the Tropics lineup. I'll be curious to see how they hit for average, though.

[aaronweiner]

Smurf could add power to anyone's lineup.

[EchoesIE]

Updated with links.

[ryankcollins]

...to hell with Smurf.

[scottsdale_joe]