Bandit Post, Vol 2.3, 1996

[aaronweiner]

The Birmingham Bandits have lost ten of fifteen one-run games this year, and managed to drop three of them to the Austin Riverbats to lose a four game series - winning the other game 10-2. The season appeared over as the team was suddenly 13-24, owners of the worst record in the Frick League and near the bottom overall.

Suddenly, in the very next game, first game against the Des Moines Kernels, Birmingham found themselves up one run in the top of the Des Moines Kernels in the top of the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly by Des Moines' Billy Brubaker. Birmingham had won just two games all year long on the road, and the lead didn't seem safe.

However, getting out of that inning, Birmingham had the lead by one in the fifth inning. And the sixth, seventh and eighth, and Rob Dibble came on to save the game in the ninth to secure the win for Alex Khodorkovsky, just like the Bandits drew it up.

"I wasn't going to let Des Moines score," said the Russian Rocket, who allowed just six hits in eight innings. "I knew how important the game was for the team."

Suddenly, a fire was lit under the team, and the Bandits swept the Kernels in a four-game set, outscoring them 26-11 in the four games. Taking two out of three from Las Vegas gave them eight road wins on the year, and, suddenly, from the depths of hell, Birmingham was just six games back in the wild card race.

"We never thought we were dead," said Brett Favre, who leads the team with 9 HR and 35 RBI. "In fact, we knew that we'd keep coming back and coming back, over and over again."

The Bandits have now won six of their last seven games, are hitting the baseball for the first time all year, and while their bullpen is still an unmitigated disaster the team is finally getting a grasp on the starting pitching and the offense is no longer in last place. Still six games below .500 at 19-25, the Bandits may have a real shot at a recovery.

"We're really close to putting this thing back together," said Damian Bedgood, who's making a run at the Steve Nebraska Golden Arm Award with a 7-2 record and a 2.59 ERA. "One more good week like this and we're back near .500, and then anything can happen."

Transactions and other news:

Lem Galarraga Traded

Birmingham dealt Lem Galarraga for minor league third baseman Takayuki Ito, granting Galarraga's request for a trade in what amounted to a straight salary dump despite the fact that Galarraga was hitting .288 at the time of the trade.

Said GM Aaron Weiner: "Galarraga was sent to us for salary purposes in the Hi Brown deal and now he has really helped us by getting off our books."


Nick Machiavelli out until September

In what has to be a frustrating season for Nick Machiavelli,the big righty suffered an injured triceps tear and is out until at least September. Machiavelli, who had received a much-deserved shot in the rotation, was not pitching up to his full ability but had allowed just a 1.22 ratio this season despite a 6.15 ERA.

"We wish Nick the best in his recovery and hope that he's back with us for a pennant run in September," said manager Lou Brown. "He's an important part of this ballclub."

Machiavelli is a free agent at the end of this season.

[recte44]

Favre's sure made a nice step forward in his sophomore season. Watch out for the boozin' and pill popping, though!

[aaronweiner]

Not even a chuckle at the quote?

Seriously, the man is a one-person circus. Now it's an ankle that's preventing him from coming back. I think he has Mitch Albom writing his amazing comeback stories.

[recte44]

"In fact, we knew that we'd keep coming back and coming back, over and over again."

How DID i miss that? Nice!