Aloha Ka Punahou 2003.28
Honolulu
September 25, 2003
Hawaii concludes the season today, tomorrow, and Saturday with games at Valencia, a
team the Tropics have bested 8-3 in 2003, including winning all five games in September.
This includes the 19-6 thumping two weeks ago, which was Hawaii's largest runs and hits
output in a game this season; in that game 20 of Hawaii's 24 hits were singles and only
one was a home run.
Hawaii has clinched 3rd place in the JL Pacific Division, which means the Tropics won't
place in the cellar for the first time in 5 years. Yet even a season-ending sweep of
Valencia would leave Hawaii at 71-91, equal to last season. A loss to the Stars means the
Tropics will have seen a drop in winning percentage for the fourth year in a row.
Hawaii is so far 27-23 in August and September, as compared to the Stars 19-34.
The move into 3rd place, however gimpy it is, meets one of the Tropics goals announced
on Opening Day. The other goals:
1. To hit way more than 9 home runs in April. Which was our output last April!
Yes. Hawaii blasted 31 home runs in April, led by Liao Kuan's 10. Liao has hit 37
more since then and set a single-season record for the Tropics, taking into account data
from 1973.
2. To complete April way better than 5-22. Which was our record last year.
Yes. 9-18. In a tough month that included 16 games v California, Vancouver, and
Madison.
3. To have a higher winning % against California than last year's .227 (5-17).
Yes. 5-14 (.357). Hawaii's worst performance in 2003 was against Omaha, 1-11.
4. For a team total of more than 26 saves. Ideally 40+, which means you know who.
Yes. 38 so far by the team. 25 (so far) from the combination of McWash (11 in 23
games) and DVD (14 in 45 games).
5. To hit 180 (minimum) to 200 (preferred) home runs this season. We hit 172 last
year. And after the disastrous April start, we averaged 33/month.
Improbable. Unless we hit 9 in the last three games to reach 180. Yet the team will
match last year's record. The goal of 180-200 seemed obtainable with totals of 31, 34,
and 34 before the All Star Game, but the Tropics managed 19 in July, 30 in August, and
24 so far in September. Blame it on July.
Actually blame it on several players whose home run production was severely down from
last season, including Wells (5 v 24), McGraw (8 v 15). Sullivan has managed only 19.
Free agent Turrell has hit 5. John Davis hit two less than last year despite 100 more at
bats. Without Liao's 47 and Reyes's 29, the team has hit 96 home runs.
6. To finish above .500 in games versus the Frick League.
No.
7. To not finish in fourth place in the JL Pacific. Something Hawaii has not achieved since 1998.
Yes.
8. To not finish below .500 for the year. Ditto regarding 1998.
No. The relief pitching, especially middle relief was terrible the first five months of the
season. And the bullpen ERA (4.95) is still 10th in the JL. The starters' ERA (4.25) is 5th
in the JL. Not until the arrival of McKinley Washington in August and the improvement of
John Daniels and Naji McNitt did Hawaii put forward a respectable bull pen. Tim Scott,
last year's come back player, was a bust, as was Talavera (5.98 era v 2.41 in 2002).
Besides the general power outage, free agent Turrell was a bust in the power department.
He is hitting .292 in a platoon situation (all but 28 of his 373 at bats have been against
right handers.) His 5 home runs were abysmally lower than what the team had hoped
from him. Jason Hausman has hit 5 home runs in 150 at bats.
*. To finish above .500 versus our nemesis the Chicago Black Sox
Damm. 5-7.
Conclusion: The team's best possible outcome is an identical record to last season. And
that will require a sweep of the final three games. Output is stunningly similar to last
season: 741 runs scored this season (so far) v 739 last year; 798 runs allowed v 802.
The disintegration of the middle relief corps; of Tug, er, Tim McGraw—who will not be
re-signed—and batting performances that ranged from underwhelming (Sullivan) to
disappointing (Turrell) to non-existent (Gosselaar) has done the team in. Hawaii also
needs improvement in starting pitching—something that the farm club might be able to
deliver, but only if long-term injuries to Jeff Hartle and Daffy MacNeill do not prove career-
wreckers. Phil Richter, injured when drafted, is fine.
