Bandit Post, Vol 1.1, 1998

[aaronweiner]

It's been a very interesting month for the Birmingham Bandits, who have turned off the critics and the people gasping at who they've lost - and instead are now concentrating on current victory and success. Birmingham has the FL Midwest lead at 16-10, for now, and are looking to hold it as long as they can possibly walk.

Before the season even started, Birmingham lost cleanup hitter Brett Favre to a career-ending injury. If that wasn't enough, the Bandits then proceeded to watch #1 starter Sammy Bodeen and fifth hitter Jimmy Dugan go down in the first two weeks of the season. Yet, this team, put together with scotch tape and glue, has scrambled and hustled and put together some convincing victories.

"We lost one series last month," said Birmingham manager Lou Brown. "One. We beat Hackensack, Calgary, Des Moines, Austin. I think that says a lot about this team's heart, soul and character."

It hasn't all been the team on the field; some of the success has to go to the team in the front office. Re-signing Hayden Finch (3-0, 2.43) has been a big part of the team's early success, and Rich Garces had a .87 ERA in April. Grabbing Roy Nicoletti (.789 OPS) off the free agent wire and giving extended playing time to rookie Warren Griffin (.782 OPS) has been vital to Birmingham maintaining even a 9th-place ranking in offense; Griffin will take on a bigger role with OF John Wright sidelined.

"We've got a team effort going here," said Griffin, who was promoted this year to be the fifth outfielder. "It's like we've come together as a bit unit, as a single battering ram going out there every night to try and win."

The Bandits' front office might have to do more, like make a deal - or three - to maintain momentum in the FL Midwest. The team has legitimate problems everywhere, and now, with John Wright out for the better part of May, the offense may sputter and die - or not. One position that may not need an upgrade is starting pitching, as Birmingham's concerns about James Randolph have been largely quelled with his last two starts (15.1 innings, 3 ER, 2 wins).

One thing is for sure: there's plenty of honor among these thieves.

"We're going to just keep playing," said catcher Pat Larkin. "They can throw boulders at us and drop mountains on our head, and we'll just dodge and dig."

[lynchy34]

Nicoletti's an OBP machine, but a real liability defensively in the outfield. He would be a perfect candidate for DH, if we had one.

[KCCardinalFan]

Wow, I didn't realize how much you have been hit. That Bodeen loss was huge, but a little bondo here, a little super-glue there, and you still have a 1st place team. Crazy!

[aaronweiner]

Shredded, tossed, marinated, fried and baked - and the team still tastes delicious.

Yummy.