The Cool Of The Grass 2050.1: Weiner Finds Field Of Dreams

[aaronweiner]

In the movie Field of Dreams, Shoeless Joe Jackson claims that the field in Iowa is Heaven. This is not true of all baseball in Iowa, sadly: the Des Moines Kernels may, indeed, be baseball Hell.

In 2049 they completed their 42nd straight year out of the playoffs, home in October. They haven't been in there since George W. Bush was President, 2008, when both the stock market and the Kernels crashed. One of those things recovered. One of them still hasn't, in all that time. So what the hell is former Carolina/Rockville GM Aaron Weiner, who last ran a franchise who barely missed their sixteenth straight playoff appearance, doing in Iowa?

"Because this is my dream, man. This is it. The voice called me," said Weiner. "I know it sounds crazy, but I have to go to Iowa and build a baseball team. It's been what I've waited to do ever since I built the Chicago Black Sox into contenders in the GBC1."

The Kernels' record of failure is dramatic. It's one thing to miss the playoffs for 42 straight years, and another to have just FIVE winning records in that time span (about 11.9% of the time). The average Des Moines team since 2010 (they won 93 games in 2009) is 68-94, and that includes a soul-crushing 57 wins per season since 2044.

"That's why this is going to be a blast," said Weiner. "Yes, I understand that having a person with my rep come into Des Moines is going to cause a bit of buzz. But this is a calling, not a job. I'm here to save baseball in Iowa."

More articles will follow discussing the team's future, their potential and what's to come, but the Des Moines Kernels could not have gotten a more enthusiastic GM to take over their team. For some, this would have been a hobby. For Aaron Weiner, it appears to be a mission.

"Like Dubya, I know better than to post a 'Mission Accomplished' banner just by arriving here," said Weiner. "I know that this will be some serious hard work. But I also know that other people can't see the magic in running the Kernels, and I can. It's time someone rolled up their sleeves and made this happen."

[7teen]

Going to be awesome when Des Moines makes it.

Could have been a cool "Des Moines threw money at Weiner after missing post-season in Rockville" angle but considering the Kernels struggle it probably wouldn't be wise to be throwing money away.

[CTBrewCrew]

Oooo gives me an idea for a Madison TN…

[lordtoffee]

You moving to Des Moines is going to be a very interesting storyline over the next couple of years. It wouldn't be too surprising to see if you try and get some guys from Rockville.

[jiminyhopkins]

YAY 100 posts! 4 Points!

[aaronweiner]

You moving to Des Moines is going to be a very interesting storyline over the next couple of years. It wouldn't be too surprising to see if you try and get some guys from Rockville.

Not sure whom, but there are some people there I'd want.

[aaronweiner]

Going to be awesome when Des Moines makes it.

Could have been a cool "Des Moines threw money at Weiner after missing post-season in Rockville" angle but considering the Kernels struggle it probably wouldn't be wise to be throwing money away.

As I said, this is a mission for me. If I wanted to play it safe I could have stuck with my 87-win team which almost 16-peated in the playoffs.

[7teen]

Going to be awesome when Des Moines makes it.

Could have been a cool "Des Moines threw money at Weiner after missing post-season in Rockville" angle but considering the Kernels struggle it probably wouldn't be wise to be throwing money away.

As I said, this is a mission for me. If I wanted to play it safe I could have stuck with my 87-win team which almost 16-peated in the playoffs.

Completely understood. I could have stuck with Madison and rode out Shimizu and been comfortable with 75-85 wins a year but wanted a new start in Portland. This is your new start/challenge.

[aaronweiner]

Going to be awesome when Des Moines makes it.

Could have been a cool "Des Moines threw money at Weiner after missing post-season in Rockville" angle but considering the Kernels struggle it probably wouldn't be wise to be throwing money away.

As I said, this is a mission for me. If I wanted to play it safe I could have stuck with my 87-win team which almost 16-peated in the playoffs.

Completely understood. I could have stuck with Madison and rode out Shimizu and been comfortable with 75-85 wins a year but wanted a new start in Portland. This is your new start/challenge.

Actually it really is a fairly perfect parallel.

[CTBrewCrew]

Des Moines has a much better pipeline than Madison had when i took over in 2040 mid season.

[ae37jr]

Des Moines has a much better pipeline than Madison had when i took over in 2040 mid season.

I agree. It's not a complete "ready for the show" situation, but the previous GM did most of the heavy lifting already. Adding an All Star GM to an already up and coming team, I would be extremely shocked if Des Moines didn't make the playoffs within 3 seasons... maybe sooner.

[felipe]

Des Moines has a much better pipeline than Madison had when i took over in 2040 mid season.

I agree. It's not a complete "ready for the show" situation, but the previous GM did most of the heavy lifting already. Adding an All Star GM to an already up and coming team, I would be extremely shocked if Des Moines didn't make the playoffs within 3 seasons... maybe sooner.

Yeah, but I didn’t go to Iowa…I went to Cham city…

[aaronweiner]

Des Moines has a much better pipeline than Madison had when i took over in 2040 mid season.

I agree. It's not a complete "ready for the show" situation, but the previous GM did most of the heavy lifting already. Adding an All Star GM to an already up and coming team, I would be extremely shocked if Des Moines didn't make the playoffs within 3 seasons... maybe sooner.

Des Moines is in for a full rebuild. There's no timetable right now.

[CTBrewCrew]

Uh oh…. Hes lulling us to sleep boys….look out for a division winner in 2050

[aaronweiner]

Uh oh…. Hes lulling us to sleep boys….look out for a division winner in 2050

Only if it's the UMEBA Burt. Or the Rupert Horn.

[Dington]

I’m excited to see how you turn this franchise around. I mean, not too excited, but excited.