A Sky Full Of Stars Issue 1

[Clayman]

Contents.

Page 1 Introduction.
Page 2 GM Neil Thomas.
Page 3 Dunn Field.
Page 4 Jason Dunn.
Page 5 Honigsfeld Field.
Page 6 Executive Suites.
Page 7 Hitters.
Page 8 Pitchers.
Page 9 Days Gone By.
Page 10 The Minors.
Page 11 Publications.
Page 12 Ballpark Food.
Page 13 Locker Room.
Page 14 Disclaimer.

[Clayman]

It wasn't just a matter of bringing in a new GM with fresh ideas on the playing front, we needed fresh ideas throughout the organisation. My father wanted to win of course he wanted to win but when he established the Valencia Stars he wanted them to mean something, even when they were losing he wanted them to mean something. He wanted the community, the fans to be proud of the Stars be it a win or a loss.

Sadly those days are long gone, we now have fans who stay at home they don't want to sit in a ballpark were the facilities are ten years out of date. They don't want to watch ball players who care about the money first, second and third. They want to watch players fight for the team and not with each other, the days of Jason Dunn, Skip Glendenning have gone but that's not to say we can't bring the pride back that this organisation used to have.

We've been in disarray for years specially the last few seasons, Lee Honigsfeld was our GM for around 50 years, since he retired including Lee we've had 4 GM's in 3 seasons, it's not good enough for me or the fans and it's definitely not good enough for the image of the Valencia Stars organisation.

Owner Paul McFarquhar Jr.

[Clayman]

"It was never my intention to be a BBA GM let alone the GM of the Valencia Stars, I loved the UMEBA, I still love it, still look at the scores.

I got a phone call from owner Paul McFarquhar Jr. asking to come over to the states, see what I thought about taking over the GM job.

I told him there and then I didn't want the job, the Stars had 3 GMs in the space of 3 years one had left before the ink was even dry on his contract, I'd heard the players were at each others throats, the manager and bench coach were just collecting their pay, running their contracts out. A franchise in turmoil.

I'd just finished the season in Beirut, a play off run that had ended early but the players were ready for next season. There wasn't a bad penny amongst them, we'd got rid of them early in the season. There was no pressure, we had a team ready for a play off run again plus the ownership was happy. I didn't need the hassle of Valencia.

I was convinced by Paul McFarquhar Jr to go even if it was just to help in the selection of a new GM, Cox in Bucharest was a good choice so was Dunn in Tripoli. I just didn't fancy it, it was a perfect storm of turmoil.

A 2 hour meeting with Paul McFarquhar Jr and I was the new GM of the Valencia Stars, he was willing to give me full control the full control that had burned me out in Athens. I'd learned my lessons in Athens to give more control over to the managers and coaches in the organisation, the faults I had in Athens were not going to be repeated.

GM Neil Thomas, diary entry first day as Valencia GM.

[Clayman]

Artists impression of Dunn Field.


Location:- Paul McFarquhar Sr Road, Valencia, Santa Clarita, California.
Capacity:- 35,000
Surface:- BullsEye Bermuda (grass)
Type:- Open

Leftfield Line - 334ft 4ft
Leftfield - 357ft 4ft
Leftfield Centre - 390ft 8ft
Centrefield - 396ft 7ft
Rightfield Centre - 391ft 10ft
Rightfield 382ft 10ft
Rightfield Line 322ft 10ft

Leftfield Line at 336 feet will be 27 feet deeper while Left Centre measuring in at 390 feet is 20 feet further out than the present field. Rightfield Line at 322 feet will be 13 feet deeper whilst Right Centre at 396 feet will be a long haul at 26 feet further however GM Thomas did state that Centre Field would be brought in 29 feet the same measurement of Right Centre at 396 feet, Leftfield and Rightfield will pretty much stay the same only being 3 feet deeper with Leftfield at 357 feet and Rightfield 363 feet although that could make a home run in 2045 into an out in 2046 with the extra 3 feet being added.

"The Stars have a rich pitching history, the franchise was built on pitching and that will continue with Dunn Field. Albeit that the ballpark will be named after one if not our greatest positional player's in Jason Dunn, not withstanding our best player at the moment Aaron Haney another positional player we believe that our organisational pedigree is pitching and will be as we continue".

GM Neil Thomas.

Dimensions.

[Clayman]

I wanted to be involved in the game, I figured catcher was were you got your uniform dirty".

Jason Dunn, Hall of Fame induction speach 2036.

Dunn was drafted in the 2008 BBA Player Draft in the 1st round with the 2nd pick, he'd played his high school baseball for the Pepsi Generation. Playing 2 seasons for the Generation gaining rave reviews.

"At the end of each season I'd give the kids a rundown on what they needed to do to improve themselves, Jason walked into my office and sat down I simply said go pro. I had no other advice for him, he was literally that good, I couldn't teach him anything else and the players he faced couldn't test him anymore. Simply put he was a professionally skilled ball player in a 17 year olds body".

Harry Denton, Pepsi Generation Manager.

In his first season within the Valencia Stars organisation in rookie ball for the Sterling Super Stars, however he struggled his first season. The Stars management didn't worry though, they knew by experience that rookies struggled making the transition from school to pro ball, specially the high schoolers.

"I'd never failed before, it was a shock to the system. The manager told me that they were impressed with me, not to try and put to much muscle on it would come naturally. Just enjoy the off-season and comeback fresh for next season, that's all he said".

Jason Dunn, retirement interview 2032.

His second season was different, he lit up rookie ball for the Sterling Super Stars. He may have played in 2008 in rookie ball but 2009 was when he announced himself in rookie ball and as a future major leaguer.

"My Dad always said, never forget we have 6 teams within our care. Always take time to visit the minor league teams, Impress on them they're as important to us as the major league team. So every season I'd spend a week with each minor league team, I still do. Well I visited Sterling our rookie team in 2009, after the first game I was transfixed by our second year catcher, it was Jason Dunn he was the best rookie I've ever seen".

Owner Paul McFarquhar Jr.

If Dunn was good in 2009, in 2010 he was brilliant. He started the season in single A, by season's end he was playing in triple A with a short stop in double A ball. He'd literally taken the minors by storm.

"You couldn't not be impressed with him, it was like listening to a veteran All Star, you'd walk through walls for him".

Jared 'Whale' Stewart.

(Stewart rose through the minors with Dunn in 2010, he would go onto play 10 seasons with the Stars all of them with his best friend Jason Dunn.)

If Dunn shone in the minors he hit the majors like a thunderbolt, he played 19 seasons with hardly taking a rest. Hitting for power, running for speed and loyal to a fault. Hall of Fame inductee, multiple All Star, one of the best players let alone catchers the game as ever seen. He may not have finished his career with the Stars but as far as the Valencia fans are concerned, he is and always will be a Star.

"Most of the time he looked like he was sat on a throne behind home plate, as though he reigned over everything he surveyed. It was like he ruled everything like a king, the game, pitchers even the opposition".

Brian Middleton

[Clayman]

"Like a new pair of boots, they don't feel comfy till you've had them on a couple of times. That was how the Stars ballpark felt, couple years after it was opened it felt like home.

I was 18, had a great job at the local golf course when I saw this advert in the local paper, baseball team needs groundskeeper. My father thought I was crazy, it was less money plus you had no job during the winter unless you were part of the permanent staff. I loved baseball though so it wasn't an hard decision. It paid of, around 50 years watching baseball for in fact getting paid to watch it wasn't a bad life".

Jack Hendricks, Groundskeeper Valencia Stars 1973-2022

"I played around 200 games in Honigsfeld Field, some players didn't like it, I loved it. The wind would swirl around, so bad that sometimes I'd throw a fastball and by the time it got to the catcher it would look like a curve ball. Some days you didn't need to be a good pitcher but you had to be one heck of a hitter, it's probably why I never left the Stars. I loved the place, I loved the field, I loved those guys I took the field with".

Roy Anderson Valencia Stars 1976-87

"I joined the Stars in 78, Honigsfeld Field was still pretty new, still had that fresh paint smell. You'd hear the fans saying it was a great ballpark, I went back in 2020 to a reunion it was like most of us old timers that day just like us it had seen better days, younger days they should have retired it back then. You know what though I'd play in that old shack any day of the week".

Bill Burgher Valencia Stars 1978-85

[Clayman]

Each executive suite will be named after an ex Valencia Stars player, 25 hitters and 25 pitchers. Some players are from the pre BBA era, some have just recently left the Stars and are playing elsewhere but no matter where they are they will always be a Star.

[Clayman]

Kevin Minuso 2013-24 1,456 Games.

Roger Rouse 2008-21 1,739 Games.

Diego Jose 1984-95 1,700 Games.

Vincente Medrano 2008-22 1,700 Games

Banks Bender 1989-2001 1,562 Games.

Robert Huffman 1975-85 1,525 Games.

DeMario Davis 1990-99 1,422 Games.

Yi-lin She 2004-15 1,388 Games.

Angel Zalapa 2036-44 1,356 Games.

Michael Reyes 1978-89 1,297 Games.

Clement Stewart 1979-89 1,318 Games.

Travis Cantrell 2009-17 762 Games.

Dan 'Little Dude' Wachowski 1994-99 383 Games.

Ben Green 1984-90 1,380 Games.

Edison Elliott 2012-19 133 Games.

Wilton Rivera 2035-41 621 Games.

Jared 'Whale' Stewart 2011-20 1,257 Games.

Ricardo Guzman 2023-32 1,075 Games.

Koert 'Jester' Balke 1985-91 886 Games.

Edwin Pyburn 1995-2003 1,025 Games.

Ronald Nee 1979-88 1,303 Games.

Clue Heywood 1973-77 781 Games.

Pablo 'Tubby' Soto 2025-31 1,122 Games.

Bo Jackson 1992-98 1,033 Games.

Mario Murillo 2021-28 1,090 Games.

[Clayman]

Ken Howell 1984-89 515 Games.

Juan Verde 1977-87 1989-90 734 Games.

Jan Starr 1990-98 614 Games.

Bill Burgher 1976-85 584 Games.

James Braunstein 1990-98 581 Games.

Skip Glendenning 2016-24 555 Games.

Joe Muldrow 1999-2010 546 Games.

Donald Long 2008-15 497 Games.

Deshawn Pines 1999-2012 516 Games.

Devon Hyngary 1993-2009 515 Games.

Manny Vargas 2019-29 479 Games.

Brian Middleton 2008-22 433 Games.

Phil Leftwich 1993-2004 361 Games.

Shen Yeng 2009-23 448 Games.

Keith Cabana 1997-2007 365 Games.

Larry Trinkle 1976-84 289 Games.

Jim Seddon 1997-2007 374 Games.

Ezechiele Mariotto 2022-32 367 Games.

Mauro Flores 2029-36 240 Games.

Nate Hollins 1990-96 230 Games.

Timothy Regina 1982-89 242 Games.

Joshua Francis Kellogg 1989-99 397 Games.

Albert Diaz 1975-83 241 Games.

Ricky Jamaica 1991-98 212 Games.

Tony Suarez 2017-24 253 Games.

*Note some players will not be present due to prior engagements with their current teams.

[Clayman]

The days of the pre modern era BBA days are to many just stories, sometimes legends and the odd myth or two that their grandparents tell them or blurred coloured photos. To some it was the dream they lived on summer days and evenings when they stood on the mound or walked to the plate, bat in hand.

"It was a dream, I got to play baseball and some crazy owner paid and fed me. I was a kid when I was born and I remained one until 2012 when I retired at the age of 35 but those years in Valencia you couldn't beat them".

Joe Muldrow Valencia Stars 1999-2010.

"I don't begrudge the ball players today of their comfy hotels, room service, first class flights and high pay days. We didn't have any of that, what we had was special, we had the times of our lives".

Banks Bender Valencia Stars 1989-2001

[Clayman]

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Rupert Horn Memorial League
AAA - Mars Martians - Marvins Park 2046-
San Jose Sharks 1999-2045 Record 3,315-3,290 16 Play Off Appearances
Bakersfield Sharks 1995-98 Record 276-244 1 Play Off Appearance

jamestown_comets.png (64.58 KiB) Viewed 912 times

Warren Cox League
AA - Jamestown Comets - Hieb Field 2046-
Van Nuys Devil Dogs 1999-2045 Record 3,132-3,144, 16 Play Off Appearances, Warren Cox League Championship 2017
Van Nuys DirtDawgs 1995-98

redwood_city_rocketmen.png (86.68 KiB) Viewed 912 times

Charley Pegler League
A - Redwood City Rocketmen - Walheim Park 2046-
Lancaster Cactus 1999-2045 Record 3,066-3,152, 14 Play Off Appearances 1 Championship 2024
Lancaster Crush 1995-98

saturns-1.png (55.63 KiB) Viewed 857 times

Angela Drake League
S A - Saturn Ringers - Solar Ballpark 2046-
Stillwater Shockers 2035-45 Record 311-423, 3 Play Off Appearances
St Croix Fusion 2016-34 Record 401-573 2 Play Off Appearances

russellville_rockets.png (72.92 KiB) Viewed 912 times

Spike Nolan League
R - Russelville Rockets - Wilcutt Field 2046-
Sterling Super Stars 1999-2045 Record 1,813-1,624 20 Play Off Appearances 1, 2027 Spike Nolan League Championship Winners
Valencia Rookie Stars 1997-98 106-98 1 Play Off Appearance

[Clayman]

Not only will the Stars be getting a new ballpark in 2046, a total revamp of the minors will also be taking place. Another change on the horizon will be a new Valencia Stars publication hitting the newstands, sadly this season for the first time in the BBA era of the Valencia Stars there was no Stars publication. This however will change in the 2046 season with a new publication in the guise of A Sky Full Of Stars, we are also happy to announce the appointment of Hank McMullen as Chief Editor. Hank as recently been in charge of publications in Athens and Beirut and came to light on the recommendation of GM Thomas, as a reporter who can be trusted on his honesty above all else.

Valencia Star Report 1995-97, 1999-2019. 159 edtions.

The first ever publication of the Valencia Stars, regarded by many as the marker to aim for.

Valencia Star Gazer 1998-99. 3 edtions.

One of the short print runs, published during GM Honigsfeld sabbatical of a year away from the Stars when GM Toby Green took over the hot seat of the Stars.

Valencia Stars 2019-43. 198 edtions.

The longest running publication both edition and season wise, may not have had a come and get me title but at 5,940,000 copies sold it is by far the most popular Valencia Stars publication.

The Valencia Weekly 2043. 1 edition.

The Weekly is one of the rarest pieces of Valencia Stars memorabilia on the market, not only was it limited to one publication it was at a time were attendances were down so the print run was short, it's estimated 10,000 copies were printed but less than half were sold. Due to most being folded or rolled up on the way from the ballpark to home, a recent mint condition copy sold for $2,500 although it was autographed by all the Valencia roster.

Star Gazing 2043-44. 8 editions.

Another short run print edition, came into circulation during the tenure of GM Greg Smothers.

A Sky Full Of Stars 2045-

After over half a season of the Stars going without a team publication Hank McMullen brings to the Stars faithful A Sky Full Of Stars.

"We'll try to bring a publication with a different outlook to previous editions of what the Valencia Stars have produced, of course we'll have articles about the major league team, and the minors from Russelville to Mars the Triple A team not the planet although who knows what the future holds.

There'll also be different takes on what's happening in the world of the Valencia Stars past, present and future".

Hank McMullen, Chief Editor.
A Sky Full Of Stars.

[Clayman]

The Glove.

A ball of ice cream coming in many flavours nestled in a wafer shaped like a glove.

Triple S

A steak sandwich made of prime beef in a sourdough bun.

Nacho Hat

Portion of nachos in a batting helmet.

Triple & Double Play

Choose between the triple or double burger in a bun.

Bento Box

A choice of bento boxes, vegetarian and vegan choices.

[Clayman]

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New Logo Of The Valencia Stars

Designed by the CTBrewCrew Logo & Uniform Design Co.

[Clayman]

In some cases due to the lack of info there as been some artistic license used, however it as been used sparingly and only when needed this will continue in the future. The Valencia Stars do not apologise for this situation, they feel it is a way to broadcast a better story to its readers.

[RichY]

Well done and best of luck. Love the logos on your minor league teams.

[HoosierVic]

Wow. This is cool - all of it’s great, but gotta say I love those minor league logos! Outstanding!

[Jwalk100]

Very nice, Neil!

Keep 'em coming!

[Clayman]

Kind words, much appreciated. The logos are from txranger on the forum, he did a Saturn Ringers logo which I've yet to dl, he's also done the caps and uniforms but I want to put them in a game to get the in game look rather than the flat look. Same goes for the "locker room" that will have the new uniforms for the Stars in it, again thank you for the words.

[CTBrewCrew]

Most impressive!