Off Topic
Earth's Team Proving Naysayers Wrong
June 24, 2063 -- A number of fans and pundits quietly scoffed last March when the OOTP/OSA projections listed the Bikini Krill as the favorite to win the Pacific division this year, but they are not laughing so loudly now.
The Krill known as "Earth's Team" for its global fan base stand at 44-34, a game up on a floundering Portland Lumberjack ballclub, who are in such disarray that they just traded for 38-year-old Steveland Morris to fill a gaping wound at shortstop. Hawaii sits another game back as the Pacific division enters the late stages of what has become a thoroughly ugly trip through the Heartland.
The best news of all, though, is that for the first time since Opening Day the Krill are officially healthy, as closer Winston Morris ands bullpen arm Brain Capps are on rehab assignments in Pasco, and shortstop Keith Williams is ready to return after an ugly ankle sprain. "I'm excited for the future," said Kate Fiscus, the BBA's first cloned manager. "I've been telling you guys that we can win this division all year. I'm really proud of my team right now. They're not household names not yet, anyway but they come to the park every day, put the work down, and get to it."
The Krill offense is 4th in the league in scoring, led by unlikely hero CF Amin Abdul-Hakim, whose surprising 12 homers top the club. Abhijana Swamy the rookie who is slashing .296/.351/.480, and leads the team with 48 RBI. Juan Ramos, another rookie, has 11 HR and sits tied with struggling second-year DH Al Schumann for second on the round-tripper list. Outfielders Julio Reyes and Felix Moreno (another rookie) have also carried the team at times.
"Our guys have been able to get it done," Fiscus said, including newly acquired Anatome Logan in the mix. "His numbers have slumped since Keith (Williams) went down. I know people have downplayed his make-up, but we like him. He's been a real mensch moving over to shortstop. That's a team player.
Pitching has also been solid, sitting at #4 in the Frick at run prevention despite a balky defense behind them something the Williams' return should improve. Takahasi Nakamura is 10-6, 3.80. Paul Warboys has pitched better than his 4-3, 4.26 line suggests, and Arturo Meza has rebounded from a tough April to sport a 3.77 ERA in May and a 2.65 ERA so far in June. He's also 10-6 on the year. With Morris and Capps soon to return in a bullpen anchored by Enrique Villarreal and Tony Vazques (another rookie), things could get better there, too.
"No one was paying attention to our kids," Fiscus said. "But I was. Believe me. I check the guys out every day. I see them in the clubhouse, working together to please me (and to please the fans?). I think we'll be okay."
The club embarks on a 4-game shot with Madison this week, before facing Nashville.
June 24, 2063 -- A number of fans and pundits quietly scoffed last March when the OOTP/OSA projections listed the Bikini Krill as the favorite to win the Pacific division this year, but they are not laughing so loudly now.
The Krill known as "Earth's Team" for its global fan base stand at 44-34, a game up on a floundering Portland Lumberjack ballclub, who are in such disarray that they just traded for 38-year-old Steveland Morris to fill a gaping wound at shortstop. Hawaii sits another game back as the Pacific division enters the late stages of what has become a thoroughly ugly trip through the Heartland.
The best news of all, though, is that for the first time since Opening Day the Krill are officially healthy, as closer Winston Morris ands bullpen arm Brain Capps are on rehab assignments in Pasco, and shortstop Keith Williams is ready to return after an ugly ankle sprain. "I'm excited for the future," said Kate Fiscus, the BBA's first cloned manager. "I've been telling you guys that we can win this division all year. I'm really proud of my team right now. They're not household names not yet, anyway but they come to the park every day, put the work down, and get to it."
The Krill offense is 4th in the league in scoring, led by unlikely hero CF Amin Abdul-Hakim, whose surprising 12 homers top the club. Abhijana Swamy the rookie who is slashing .296/.351/.480, and leads the team with 48 RBI. Juan Ramos, another rookie, has 11 HR and sits tied with struggling second-year DH Al Schumann for second on the round-tripper list. Outfielders Julio Reyes and Felix Moreno (another rookie) have also carried the team at times.
"Our guys have been able to get it done," Fiscus said, including newly acquired Anatome Logan in the mix. "His numbers have slumped since Keith (Williams) went down. I know people have downplayed his make-up, but we like him. He's been a real mensch moving over to shortstop. That's a team player.
Pitching has also been solid, sitting at #4 in the Frick at run prevention despite a balky defense behind them something the Williams' return should improve. Takahasi Nakamura is 10-6, 3.80. Paul Warboys has pitched better than his 4-3, 4.26 line suggests, and Arturo Meza has rebounded from a tough April to sport a 3.77 ERA in May and a 2.65 ERA so far in June. He's also 10-6 on the year. With Morris and Capps soon to return in a bullpen anchored by Enrique Villarreal and Tony Vazques (another rookie), things could get better there, too.
"No one was paying attention to our kids," Fiscus said. "But I was. Believe me. I check the guys out every day. I see them in the clubhouse, working together to please me (and to please the fans?). I think we'll be okay."
The club embarks on a 4-game shot with Madison this week, before facing Nashville.
