Long Beach 2035 - still in the mix
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Long Beach 2035 - still in the mix
Previously
The last time Long Beach had a losing season was 2028 and they were called the Tucson Cactus back then. The next season they moved to Long Beach and won the lot, defeating Las Vegas 4-2 in the Landis series. Since then the newly formed FL Pacific division has been a happy hunting ground for them, Long Beach making the post season the next five years, but pennants have been rare, the Surfers are on a three-year streak of second place finishes. Despite three seasons with 90+ wins in that time the post season hasn’t been kind to them, just two Cartwright Cup appearances is the best they can muster since their 2029 Landis win. Last year they were swept in the Doubleday series by Louisville.
On the mound
One big move was made in the off season as pitching leader Jimmy Greenwood (52-27 over the last four years) was sent to Las Vegas in exchange for 23-yr-old pitcher Pierre Legrand who has two years of winning BBA baseball on his resume already as well as 21-yr-old Manny Gabriel who looks a hot prospect with every chance of making his BBA debut very soon. 28-yr-old Gonzalo Fajardo (12-12 in 38 starts over the last two years) was lost in the expansion draft to Wichita leaving the Surfers with a need to reform the rotation. With no major starters added this could prove to be a bit of an Achilles Heel to the team in 2035, the only major leaguer pitcher of note arriving so far is 30-yr-old Esteban Gil who is returning to Long Beach after just a year in Atlantic City, he has 220 BBA outings for the franchise in his last Surfer’s stint. Despite that he is only expected to be an emergency starter or swingman. Pepe Castillo, Mike Bailey and Alex Lopez are probably locks for the rotation with newly acquired Legrand joining them. 25-yr-old Allain Jolivet made nine starts last year and could be the man to fill out the rotation. With Surfers eschewing the normal bullpen makeup and instead opting for a pen full of lefty or righty specialists there will be 15 relievers in camp trying to secure a spot somewhere on the staff.
Batter up
With hardly any changes in the batters the 2035 Surfers will look very much like the 2034 Surfers. The biggest problem will be the departure of shortstop Brieuc Becker for free agency. Long Beach have depressingly few options to replace him. It looks like they might go with John Isted who has the defence but struggles with major league pitching. This could really be a wide open battle in probably the only disputed spot. Peadar McIihome will be behind the plate for his second full year after hitting .298 last year. Mark Simpson will be at First for his sixth season, not really a slugger but hits for a fair average. Leyli Yelanian will be at Second for his fourth campaign, he’s becoming a reliable double-digit homer guy, bangs out 100+ hits but tends to strikeout a lot too. Gilberto Keating will be looking for his third season at the hot corner but may feel the heat from young Brazilian Mario Gorjo who’s been impressing down on the farm in the last two years. The outfield looks very set, both corner outfielders, Ken Jenkins & Carlos Gonzales, won FL Charles Puckett Golden Bat Awards, it was Ken’s first and Carlos’ third. Sandwiched in between will be centrefielder Tom Kazansky in his fifth season there, expect 100+ hits, around 50 runs & RBI and double-digit homers from him while hitting .300 or more. 24-yr-old Jack Jones is trying to establish himself in the roster but after a poor showing at the end of 2034 might find that the DH slot might be his only option for a while.
Where to . . . ?
With Surfers potentially weakened rotation and shortstop dilemma they could find it a down year for the Long Beach outfit. Thanks to the BBA expansion, the Frick League has gone from two divisions to three so the Pacific division has lost last year’s pennant winning Calgary Pioneers (98-64) as well as Edmonton, Vancouver and Settle. In their place comes Hawaii (47-115) fresh over from the Johnson League and San Fernando Bears who have relocated from Havana; they won the whole caboodle last year despite finishing the regular season with an identical record to Long Beach. Valencia and Hawaii will struggle at the bottom but it’s going to be a real bun fight at the top between Long Beach, California and San Fernando. All capable of approaching 100 wins California will probably have to improve solidly to get right in amongst it while the rotation problems could just slide them into second place again as San Fernando glides past them if they’ve kept up their 2034 form.
The one wildcard could be the shedload of minor league players that Long Beach have been shipping in. If some of them develop perhaps Surfers breach the 90-win mark again but my gut feeling that they’ll finish in the 85-88 bracket and go nose to tail with California for second in the division again.
The last time Long Beach had a losing season was 2028 and they were called the Tucson Cactus back then. The next season they moved to Long Beach and won the lot, defeating Las Vegas 4-2 in the Landis series. Since then the newly formed FL Pacific division has been a happy hunting ground for them, Long Beach making the post season the next five years, but pennants have been rare, the Surfers are on a three-year streak of second place finishes. Despite three seasons with 90+ wins in that time the post season hasn’t been kind to them, just two Cartwright Cup appearances is the best they can muster since their 2029 Landis win. Last year they were swept in the Doubleday series by Louisville.
On the mound
One big move was made in the off season as pitching leader Jimmy Greenwood (52-27 over the last four years) was sent to Las Vegas in exchange for 23-yr-old pitcher Pierre Legrand who has two years of winning BBA baseball on his resume already as well as 21-yr-old Manny Gabriel who looks a hot prospect with every chance of making his BBA debut very soon. 28-yr-old Gonzalo Fajardo (12-12 in 38 starts over the last two years) was lost in the expansion draft to Wichita leaving the Surfers with a need to reform the rotation. With no major starters added this could prove to be a bit of an Achilles Heel to the team in 2035, the only major leaguer pitcher of note arriving so far is 30-yr-old Esteban Gil who is returning to Long Beach after just a year in Atlantic City, he has 220 BBA outings for the franchise in his last Surfer’s stint. Despite that he is only expected to be an emergency starter or swingman. Pepe Castillo, Mike Bailey and Alex Lopez are probably locks for the rotation with newly acquired Legrand joining them. 25-yr-old Allain Jolivet made nine starts last year and could be the man to fill out the rotation. With Surfers eschewing the normal bullpen makeup and instead opting for a pen full of lefty or righty specialists there will be 15 relievers in camp trying to secure a spot somewhere on the staff.
Batter up
With hardly any changes in the batters the 2035 Surfers will look very much like the 2034 Surfers. The biggest problem will be the departure of shortstop Brieuc Becker for free agency. Long Beach have depressingly few options to replace him. It looks like they might go with John Isted who has the defence but struggles with major league pitching. This could really be a wide open battle in probably the only disputed spot. Peadar McIihome will be behind the plate for his second full year after hitting .298 last year. Mark Simpson will be at First for his sixth season, not really a slugger but hits for a fair average. Leyli Yelanian will be at Second for his fourth campaign, he’s becoming a reliable double-digit homer guy, bangs out 100+ hits but tends to strikeout a lot too. Gilberto Keating will be looking for his third season at the hot corner but may feel the heat from young Brazilian Mario Gorjo who’s been impressing down on the farm in the last two years. The outfield looks very set, both corner outfielders, Ken Jenkins & Carlos Gonzales, won FL Charles Puckett Golden Bat Awards, it was Ken’s first and Carlos’ third. Sandwiched in between will be centrefielder Tom Kazansky in his fifth season there, expect 100+ hits, around 50 runs & RBI and double-digit homers from him while hitting .300 or more. 24-yr-old Jack Jones is trying to establish himself in the roster but after a poor showing at the end of 2034 might find that the DH slot might be his only option for a while.
Where to . . . ?
With Surfers potentially weakened rotation and shortstop dilemma they could find it a down year for the Long Beach outfit. Thanks to the BBA expansion, the Frick League has gone from two divisions to three so the Pacific division has lost last year’s pennant winning Calgary Pioneers (98-64) as well as Edmonton, Vancouver and Settle. In their place comes Hawaii (47-115) fresh over from the Johnson League and San Fernando Bears who have relocated from Havana; they won the whole caboodle last year despite finishing the regular season with an identical record to Long Beach. Valencia and Hawaii will struggle at the bottom but it’s going to be a real bun fight at the top between Long Beach, California and San Fernando. All capable of approaching 100 wins California will probably have to improve solidly to get right in amongst it while the rotation problems could just slide them into second place again as San Fernando glides past them if they’ve kept up their 2034 form.
The one wildcard could be the shedload of minor league players that Long Beach have been shipping in. If some of them develop perhaps Surfers breach the 90-win mark again but my gut feeling that they’ll finish in the 85-88 bracket and go nose to tail with California for second in the division again.
Nigel Laverick
(former GM of El Paso Chilis #WeWereShitty) ,
Now GM Riyadh Red Crescents #WeBeNotSoNewNow #WeAreJustAsShitty
Riyadh GM since May 2046
JL Manager of the Year 2000 (Baltimore Monarchs)
Nothing since
An MBBA GM since 1995 (off & on)
(former GM of El Paso Chilis #WeWereShitty) ,
Now GM Riyadh Red Crescents #WeBeNotSoNewNow #WeAreJustAsShitty
Riyadh GM since May 2046
JL Manager of the Year 2000 (Baltimore Monarchs)
Nothing since
An MBBA GM since 1995 (off & on)
- Lane
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Re: Long Beach 2035 - still in the mix
Nice! I think we can win 90 again but it's gonna be a tough division. Good preview.
Stephen Lane
Vice Commissioner / Historian
General Manager, Long Beach Surfers
Since 2026
Ex-GM, Amsterdam Neptunes, 2025 EBA Champions
Vice Commissioner / Historian
General Manager, Long Beach Surfers
Since 2026
Ex-GM, Amsterdam Neptunes, 2025 EBA Champions
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Re: Long Beach 2035 - still in the mix
our division (still getting used to saying that) could be very interesting. I am rolling back pretty much the same squad that won the Landis (in fact i gain 2 starters who were injured for the stretch run) and with only 2 guys in the starting lineup/rotation over the age of 28 (both gillstrom and carrillo will spend most of the year at 30), they should all either be squarely in their primes or growing into it. Ted has alligator blood and you just cant rid of him, so you know he will be around. At some point the Valencia kids will be ready and they should be a force, but that is a few years away. Hawaii has their own rebuild, but im not sold on them being as good as Valencia when they get there. I do think Long Beach takes a step back from 94, but i think for the season Hawaii/Valencia will struggle enough to allow for all 3 of us to be at least over 85 wins.
Randy Weigand
Havana Sugar Kings/San Fernando Bears: 32-50 (1608-1481)
Des Moines Kernels: 52-
League Champion- 34
JL Champion- 34
FL Champion- 36, 37
JL Southern- 34
FL Pacific- 37, 39
Wild Card- 33, 35, 36, 40, 43
Havana Sugar Kings/San Fernando Bears: 32-50 (1608-1481)
Des Moines Kernels: 52-
League Champion- 34
JL Champion- 34
FL Champion- 36, 37
JL Southern- 34
FL Pacific- 37, 39
Wild Card- 33, 35, 36, 40, 43
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Re: Long Beach 2035 - still in the mix
I think I may miss the playoffs this year. I don't think Valencia is quite ready to compete yet, and Hawaii really doesn't seem to be. However, it's tough to grab multiple wild cards in a three division league. With that setup, San Fernando is probably the front runner, and Long Beach has to be given the edge on me based on last year's performance. I think we are all close enough that we could finish in any order, but the most likely is San Fernando, then Long Beach, then me. The biggest wild card is, as always, injury, but a close second is what my park modification does. There's a chance it backfires and hurts my pitching more than it helps my bats, but I'm obviously hoping it runs in my favor enough that I don't essentially punt the two and a half colder months of the season.
Ted Schmidt
Twin Cities Typing Nightmares(2044-present)
California Crusaders (2021-2038)
Twin Cities Typing Nightmares(2044-present)
California Crusaders (2021-2038)
- RonCo
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Re: Long Beach 2035 - still in the mix
The Pacific definitely looks like it's going to be a jumbled mess this year. Hard to call at the top three. Hard to say exactly where Valencia and Hawaii are going to wind up.
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Re: Long Beach 2035 - still in the mix
i would be surprised if there is less than a 15 game difference between the 3rd and 4th place teams at the end of the year.RonCo wrote:The Pacific definitely looks like it's going to be a jumbled mess this year. Hard to call at the top three. Hard to say exactly where Valencia and Hawaii are going to wind up.
Randy Weigand
Havana Sugar Kings/San Fernando Bears: 32-50 (1608-1481)
Des Moines Kernels: 52-
League Champion- 34
JL Champion- 34
FL Champion- 36, 37
JL Southern- 34
FL Pacific- 37, 39
Wild Card- 33, 35, 36, 40, 43
Havana Sugar Kings/San Fernando Bears: 32-50 (1608-1481)
Des Moines Kernels: 52-
League Champion- 34
JL Champion- 34
FL Champion- 36, 37
JL Southern- 34
FL Pacific- 37, 39
Wild Card- 33, 35, 36, 40, 43
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- Ex-GM
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Re: Long Beach 2035 - still in the mix
I’m glad the main protagonists all agree with me lol. I’ve been out of the BBA for a while now so it was a bit of a slog looking up the history, the last results and tracing the timeline but I’m pleased with the result.
Nigel Laverick
(former GM of El Paso Chilis #WeWereShitty) ,
Now GM Riyadh Red Crescents #WeBeNotSoNewNow #WeAreJustAsShitty
Riyadh GM since May 2046
JL Manager of the Year 2000 (Baltimore Monarchs)
Nothing since
An MBBA GM since 1995 (off & on)
(former GM of El Paso Chilis #WeWereShitty) ,
Now GM Riyadh Red Crescents #WeBeNotSoNewNow #WeAreJustAsShitty
Riyadh GM since May 2046
JL Manager of the Year 2000 (Baltimore Monarchs)
Nothing since
An MBBA GM since 1995 (off & on)
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Re: Long Beach 2035 - still in the mix
I have never heard of a bun fight but I really want to know now. Is it a British thing? What are they putting in that tea?!Fat Nige wrote: but it’s going to be a real bun fight at the top
GM Vancouver Mounties
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Re: Long Beach 2035 - still in the mix
Yeah, bun fight is sort of a English public school thing or a sort of National Lampoons skit where everyone just causes mayhem throwing food and anything to hand
Nigel Laverick
(former GM of El Paso Chilis #WeWereShitty) ,
Now GM Riyadh Red Crescents #WeBeNotSoNewNow #WeAreJustAsShitty
Riyadh GM since May 2046
JL Manager of the Year 2000 (Baltimore Monarchs)
Nothing since
An MBBA GM since 1995 (off & on)
(former GM of El Paso Chilis #WeWereShitty) ,
Now GM Riyadh Red Crescents #WeBeNotSoNewNow #WeAreJustAsShitty
Riyadh GM since May 2046
JL Manager of the Year 2000 (Baltimore Monarchs)
Nothing since
An MBBA GM since 1995 (off & on)
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