Sticking Points 2038.1: Rockville Wins Back to Back Titles

[aaronweiner]

The Rockville Pikemen are BBA Champions yet again. Rockville defeated the San Fernando Bears in four games that were closer than the 4-0 sweep you'll see in the history books to win their second consecutive BBA title, becoming just the fourth franchise in modern history to repeat and the first in over 30 years. Along the way, they also became the first team in modern history to ever win three straight pennants and just the second team to make four straight Cartwright Cups (though they have some ways to go to catch the 2001-2006 Las Vegas Hustlers).

"We did it!" said superstar starting pitcher Arthur Dempster, whose eight innings of one-run baseball in Game 4 clinched the series. "What an incredible journey to win two straight titles."

Dempster is the biggest story of the Pikemen offseason. The superstar starting pitcher is a free agent after this season, and while the team is expected to re-sign him, it remains a question as to what a player who is likely to capture three Steve Nebraskas in four years is worth to the team; can they remain competitive and still keep Dempster?

"We'll worry about that kind of thing in a couple weeks when all of this settles," said Pikemen GM Aaron Weiner. "None of us want to think about it right now - we're building a potential dynasty, we have lots to talk about."

Their wildly successful season will give them dreams of three-peating, something no team in the modern BBA has ever done. It was a dream that seemed impossible just a few seasons ago. The Carolina Kraken had gone six straight seasons without sniffing the playoffs, with four straight ninety-loss seasons on the books. Then, an unlikely twist: Daniel Snyder bought the team, moved it to the Washington, DC area in Rockville, and the rebuilding program took hold; since arriving in Rockville five seasons ago, the Pikemen have never had a losing season and have won at least one playoff series every year, including the last three pennants.

"This team is just amazing, I'm blessed to be a part of it," said MVP Lorenzo Palacios, who completed an improbable pair of MVPs, the Carwright and Landis, at just 23 years old. "We're so young, some of our friends back home are working at Wendy's and doing construction, and we're out here winning world titles. Amazing."

Could Rockville be considered the favorite again? Key reserve Santiago Morales has already been moved to Huntsville, and with the team not expected to re-sign Logan Inions or Pedro Barbo, they could have as a much as $24 million in cap space to sign Dempster. If that's enough space, Rockville could return everyone next year other than three backup outfielders, a middle reliever, and a backup infielder.

"Usually at this point we say things like 'we're not looking ahead to next year,' but we all know we are," said Mario Guerrer. "A lot of us are in our last arbitration year next year, and players like Lorenzo, Manuel (Marino) and Chip (Puckett) are all in their first. It might be the last year we're all together. This team is pure magic, though, so maybe we'll find a way to keep it going a little longer."

[Lane]

congrats, Aaron.

Dempster now just 10 WAR short of Simpson, and has a 2-0 lead in rings. Was really hoping to make a bid for him this offseason, but I guess I'll just have to build my rotation from the leftovers. Hopefully I'll see you in the 2038 Landis.

[aaronweiner]

I still say we traded Hall of Famers.

[usnspecialist]

great season, I'm glad I made it more competitive this time (well for 3 of the 4). Look forward to hopefully having a trilogy next year....

[aaronweiner]

great season, I'm glad I made it more competitive this time (well for 3 of the 4). Look forward to hopefully having a trilogy next year....

You know I trailed in all three of those games too.

[usnspecialist]

great season, I'm glad I made it more competitive this time (well for 3 of the 4). Look forward to hopefully having a trilogy next year....

You know I trailed in all three of those games too.

ugh i hadnt realized that... O well the list of teams with 3 landis appearances in 4 years isnt long, and the list of teams with 4 in 5 years is just 1 person (recte). Plus i maintain my streak of only losing to the eventual champion in the playoffs, every year i have made it haha. Not bad for a team you (correctly) described as a dumpster fire in the 2032 media guide when i took over....

[aaronweiner]

You arrived a full two years ahead of schedule if I recall.

[usnspecialist]

trading everything not nailed to the wall (and a few things that were), tends to have that effect....