What Happens In Vegas 1997.2- Hustlers roll towards playoffs

[recte44]

August 21, 1997

Fans of the Las Vegas Hustlers had every reason to be optimistic about a potential playoff appearance in 1997. All signs pointed towards the Hustlers being an improved team over last year, with an emerging starting pitching staff, an established closer for the entire season, several emerging youngsters at the position spots, and an expected bounceback season from team captain Riley "Diamond Ri" Hinson.

An unbiased observer will always tell you that for each "if" that goes the right way, another "if" usually goes the wrong way. It's been a season of right "if's" for the Las Vegas Hustlers, however, as everything that could go right has.

At 85-41, the Hustlers have the best record in the entire MBBA as well as a fifteen game lead over the Calgary Marauders in the Frick League Pacific. They've achieved this success in several ways.

1) Starting pitching.
Led by Frick League All-Star starter Michael Shellenbarger (18-3, 2.31), the Hustlers starting four has been nothing short of spectacular. Johnny Madorin (16-6, 2.88) would be the ace on most teams in the league, and as far as third starters go they don't get much better than 1996's 3rd place finisher in the Nebraska voting, Nate Minchey (16-8, 3.39). Second year man Christopher "Trooper" Stoller, who was robbed of the FL GIllstrom Award last year, is having an up and down sophomore season (15-9, 4.54) marred mostly by giving up too many taters (29 thus far). There is a very good chance that the entire starting four for the Hustlers will be twenty game winners when this season wraps up, however, manager Keith Minuso may opt to use his big lead to rest the four towards the end of September and evaluate some young talent (will discuss in September).

2. Marty Powers
A 3.32 ERA and 1.30 WHIP don't look like great numbers from a closer, but the difference Marty Powers has made this season for Las Vegas is hard to measure. He's been particularly important due to the uncertain nature of the rest of the bullpen, which has been this clubs Achilles heel all season and could end up being their Kryptonite in the postseason.

3. Offense, offense, offense!
Any discussion of the difference in the Hustlers offense from last year to this year starts with one name: Randy Square. The 28 year old has worked his way from potential end of the bench reserve infielder type to a straight up star in his first major league season (.307, 33 HR, 87 RBI, 23 SB). "IT's just incredible how far he's come," manager Minuso said proudly.

Another difference maker has been RF Daron McNair. Released by Omaha last season, the Hustlers snapped him up and ultimately extended his contract through 1999. He's added a professional hitter to the top of the lineup, batting .322 this year.

4. Hinson and Larker, oh my!!!
Try this one on for size: How would you like to have a catcher who has 32 HR and 106 RBI right now? Very much so, I'd suspect. Well, the Hustlers do have exactly that....except it's in the form of two players combined! Las Vegas signed Robin Larker towards the end of the offseason seeing he still hadn't found a home, and he'd had past success with the Hustlers. They needed a backup and someone to give Riley Hinson a rest consistently because the club felt Hinson could bounceback from a nightmare 1996 (.233 avg, .656 OPS, worst season of his career by FAR) by getting a bit more time off. The plan has worked way beyond expectations.

There's been one more key to this season, the Hustlers have not been bitten by the injury bug as of yet. Of course, now that I mention it, I'm nervously waiting to see which domino falls first.

[lchronister]

Screw you for not talking extension after last year, Larker!

[cramsey51]

When you have a pithcing staff that has performed that well, it's hard to be bad!

[recte44]

Screw you for not talking extension after last year, Larker!

He's talking now, but it's crazy- he now wants a four year deal at over $7M per season.

[lchronister]

Screw you for not talking extension after last year, Larker!

He's talking now, but it's crazy- he now wants a four year deal at over $7M per season.

Serves you right for signing him!