Boardwalk Empire - 2043.1 - 2042 in Review

[Joshua Biddle]

Atlantic City Gamblers - 2042 in Review

The Atlantic City Gamblers hoped to at least achieve a .500 record in 2042, but managed to exceed expectations to the tune of a 86-76 (.531) finish to the season, finishing in fourth place of eight teams in the Johnson League Atlantic Division, seven games back of the division winning Brooklyn Robins. After holding first place in the division early in the season, the team encountered a cold streak that caused the team to fade out of contention, but a strong August (15-12) and September (17-11) brought the team back into playoff contention, falling just short and finishing one game out of the final wildcard spot.

The Gamblers were powered by the Johnson League's best offense, ranking first in runs scored (973), extra-base hits (691), home runs (283), slugging percentage (.506), and OPS (.849). Outfielder Juan Rivera (.322/.410/.696, 61 HR, 157 RBI) continued his fantastic work in his third full season, posting another Sawyer Silk caliber season, with second-year first baseman / right fielder / designated hitter António Martínez (.291/.358/.554, 38 HR, 117 RBI) also following up his strong 2041 with another solid campaign. Second baseman Keith Dean (.298/.348/.518) had a career year following a career-worst 2041 season, posting career-highs in home runs (tied with 2040), doubles (45), RBIs (95), slugging percentage (.518), OPS (.866), and WAR (3.8). Second-year, 22-year old third baseman Ernesto González (.301/.342/.508) impressed and showed significant progress compared to his 2041 season, improving in nearly every offensive category while also swiping 39 bases. There was a bit of regression in the performance of left fielder Stewart Illingworth (.272/.351/.485, 28 HR, 86 RBI) after a ridiculously strong rookie campaign, but still added some pop at a corner outfield position with twenty-eight home runs.

On the contrary, the Gamblers' pitching was among the worst in the Johnson League, as it has been for quite some time. The Gamblers ranked poorly in many major pitching categories, such as ERA (13th - 5.06), starters' ERA (11th - 4.95), bullpen ERA (14th - 5.26), opponents' average (14th - .273), home runs allowed (14th - 233), etc. The team's defensive performance did not help, ranking poorly in defensive efficiency (.681) and zone rating (-13.2). The team was led by free agent signing right-handed starting pitcher Kevin Morales (15-12, 4.13 ERA, 1.20 WHIP), who was the first Gamblers pitcher to win at least fifteen decisions since the 2034 season (Dan Cannon), and finished the season strong. Right-handed starting pitcher Thiongo Amir (10-9, 4.44 ERA, 1.21 WHIP) also finished the season strong, and showed significant improvement from last season's rookie campaign. Left-handed starting pitcher Félix Sánchez (8-4, 3.58 ERA, 1.36 WHIP), who had a few solid seasons at Class-AAA Brooklyn but is not a top tier prospect by any stretch of the imagination, impressed in his rookie season. Whether or not the performance is sustainable longer-term is another question entirely, but Sánchez certainly qualified as a positive surprise this season, something that can rarely be said about an Atlantic City Gamblers pitcher.

With their first winning season in six years in the books, Gamblers fans at least have a sense of optimism entering the 2043 season.