Bandit Post, Vol 6.1, 1997

[aaronweiner]

Anyone who saw Birmingham play in May of this year would have sworn that they were not only going to the playoffs, they were going to win the championship. Anyone who saw them after May saw a 45-54 squad that struggled with consistency, expectations and pressure to the point where their elimination number is now four games. Any combination of four Calgary wins or three Birmingham losses will deny the Bandits their second consecutive playoff appearance and send the organization back to the drawing board.

Manager Lou Brown takes a great deal of the blame for the collapse, though management - who extended his contract this season - says that the 62-year old manager's job is completely safe. Brown says that he tried too many aggressive maneuvers during the season, and will re-examine his personnel this offseason and strategize with hitting coach Roy Hobbs.

"We're going to take a whole new approach next year, and we think it'll pay off," said Brown. "The fact that we're willing to admit possible error is a step in the right direction, and we're going to do everything we can to get this thing together."

This year hasn't been disastrous for the Bandits or the organization, however. With three more wins, Birmingham will be one of seven FL teams (eight if Seattle does) to post winning records in each of the three prior seasons, and they've successfully raised the level of their farm system to the point where they now rank a respectable 15th in the latest BA rankings. Birmingham was in the playoff picture up until the month of September, and despite mediocre play, it's as much Calgary's consistency as Birmingham's failure that dropped them six games back in the wild card race.

"We're not ashamed of what we've accomplished this season," said reliever Ronald Darling, who leads the team in bullpen ERA. "There have been a lot of successes this year that we hope to carry forward next season."

Birmingham will also return the same exact lineup next year, which is undoubtedly a good thing; the crew led the Frick in OPS for much of the 1997 season (now second). The bullpen and rotation may see some overhaul, but exactly what steps Birmingham is set to take this offseason is uncertain. What is certain is that the Bandits will be making some adjustments next season, and, as always, will likely use all of their resources to try and contend.

"This is how we do business around here," said CF John Wright. "We're going to be even better next year."