It has been a historic season for the future hall of fame pitcher Alaric Wullenweber. Such a season that I feel if I don't write a team news about it won't get the recognition it deserves. Well, not really. If in 20 seasons you look in the history books you'll see his name littered everywhere so this little recap won't really matter. However, I feel it to be necessary.
Last season, a then 40 year old Wullenweber signed a 3 year contract extension with the Lumberjacks to remain in Portland. Fresh off a runner-up Nebraska campaign (that followed a season in which he won the award at the age of 39), many wondered how much gas the aging vet had in the tank. Granted, his resigning wasn't to see if he could lead Portland to another Brewster title like he did in 2059. Nor was it to see if he had enough petrol to compete for another Nebraska (he won't, though is 2.5 WAR is nothing to scoff at). No, his signing an extension was to allow Wullenweber the opportunity to reach heights many wondered whether they were even reachable. I mean, no one had challenged them in decades.
Wullenweber entered the 2061 campaign with 289 career victories. This left two milestones in his sights entering the season. He was 2 wins shy of tying, 3 from passing, Robbie Sargent for number 2 on the all-time wins list. Pretty easy goal for a guy who hadn't won fewer than 10 games in a season, ever! The milestone was accomplished with ease. In his May 2 start against the Krill in Bikini, Wullenweber went 6 innings allowing 2 runs on 6 hits. His offense went on an early tear, scoring 6 runs in the first few innings that allowed the Lumberjacks to take a 9-2 win and giving Alaric his 292nd career victory surpassing Sargent for #2 all-time.
"To be able to pass an all-time great like Robbie Sargent in anything is a huge accomplishment" said Alaric after the game. "What he did for such a long time on that great Vancouver team was historic. To be mentioned in the same sentence with him means a lot."
"I'm just glad he knocked that Sargent guy down a notch" said Portland GM Chris Wilson after the game."
After passing Robbie, that left only one thing left in Wullenweber's sights. Getting to win #300. Why is that 300th win so coveted? Well, it's only been accomplished once in league history. That one time by the greatest player in BBA history and the namesake of the league's top pitcher award in Steve Nebraska.
Reminder Wullenweber is 41 years old and getting wins isn't supposed to be easy, nor was it. Three starts later he got win 293 versus Omaha. It took over a month and 5 more starts to get win 294 versus Des Moines. Three starts later he turned in a gem, going 8.2 innings to get win 295 versus Twin Cities. Four starts later he went on a run though. He pitched a complete game shutout for win 296 versus Yellow Springs. He got 297 his next start against Long Beach. 298 came right after when he defeated the team his career started with in Hawaii. Two starts later he got 299 by going 7 against San Fernando in which he allowed just 1 run. That began the rush to see history.
His next outing came against the Mad Popes in Sacramento. Wullenweber was magnificent, allowing just 3 hits over 7.1 shutout innings. Unfortunately his offense let him down and failed to score. Portland eventually lost in extra innings 1-0. Next, he faced the Mounties in Vancouver. There are some that say Wilson refused to let the historic feat happen in the North. We may never know the true answer to that, but we do know #300 didn't happen that night as Portland and Wullenweber took the loss. So why not the next game? The story couldn't have been written any better. A home game against Hawaii.
Wullenweber was cruising along. He pitched 4 scoreless innings and with the Lumberjacks offense scoring 3 in the bottom of the 4th, it appeared to be happening. After a walk and a double play in the 5th, Wullenweber was one out away from being the pitcher of record. But then something odd happened. After an 0-2 solo homerun, Wullenweber motioned to the Lumberjacks dugout. Out came manager Mons Raider and the training staff.
"I felt something in my arm on the pitch" Wullenweber said after the game. "It didn't feel right. It wasn't a sharp pain, but it was a grab. I didn't want it to go this way but I felt it was best and didnt' want to risk anything." Wullenweber tried throwing a warm up pitch but then shook his head no. Fans at the Trail were in disbelief as Wullenweber walked off the field with Raider and the training staff. He was one out away from history. Instead, he departed the field. Portland won the game 6-2.
After the game, Wullenweber was sidelined for a week with what trainers labeled a "tired arm" that sat him out for 7 days. His next start came in Bikini against the Krill. The event was pretty anti-climactic really. Despite allowing 2 runs in the bottom of the first, Wullenweber pitched well. When Portland scored 8 runs in the top of the 2nd, the only question was whether Alaric's health would get him to the 5th. It did. Wullenweber pitched 6.1 innings allowing 3 runs on 4 hits and 4 walks. He struck out 4. He left the mound with his team up 11-3. The pathetic 32,000+ that came to watch history in Bikini that night game Wullenweber a standing ovation as he departed. The win held up. Wullenweber had gotten his 300th win. Oddly enough, he surpassed Sargent and got win #300 in front of the Bikini crowd.
Oddly enough, the game itself likely created the best quote for the occurance:
This man doesn't even need to be on the ballot once he retires. Just usher him right on in to the Hall of Fame.300 Wins for Portland's Wullenweber
Portland ace Alaric Wullenweber solidified his place in league history with his 300th career victory today at Forever Field. Wullenweber and the Lumberjacks bested Bikini 12-4. He checked the Krill on 4 hits in 6.1 innings and finished the day with 4 strikeouts and 4 walks.
"I've worked hard for this day," Wullenweber said. "Sometimes I didn't think it would happen. Most of the time it seemed so far off. Now it's here. It's like a dream!"
In his career, Wullenweber has fashioned a 300-188 mark, 3.51 ERA and thrown 4378 innings. Opposing clubs are batting .240 lifetime against him and he has logged 4407 career strikeouts.
