Aloha Ka Punahou 2005.26
Both Preseason predictions fail, says Stitch Lilo
CEO Charlie Hough, manager Al Chavez, and GM Al Hoot defy odds
Fans anticipate next season's return of Ignacio Ramos
Granted the preseason predictometer is as reliable as a continental US weather
forecast, and that other prediction that tabbed Hawai'i for as many as 107 losses
in 2005 could not predict da moves that the Tropics brass would make during the
season; nevertheless, Hawaii's 17-11 August record and 6-3 September start
have placed them at 65-80 and—with 17 games remaining—out of reach of 100
losses.
"Even if we 'tanked' like last year and lost all 17 games," said team spokesperson
Stitch Lilo, "We'd've won 10 more games than Wilson predicted and 6 more than
the Predictometer."
And Wave Watchers point out that Hawai'i accomplished this without Liao Kuan most
the season, with top batting prospect Ignacio Ramos out for the year, and Jake
Kestle unavailable for most the season.
Yet all these were given when the preseason predictions (plural) were made. And the
team has had been plagued with additional injuries all year.
So what went right?
"In a word: defense," Hough said.
Hawai'i, according to one measure, leads the JL in defense. This has helped turn
mediocre pitchers into competitive ones and given the team a chance in most its games.
Yeah, the overall record will be (well) below .500 and Hawai'i was pummeled many times
by opposing offensives. But when the ball stayed in the park, Hawai'i stayed in the game.
The Tropics have moved to first in the JL in OBA (.249) and remain 2nd in fewest hits
allowed.
More than half of Hawaii's 65 games have been saved by McKinley Washington.
The season also saw the emergence of Jeff Mueller in his first full season in an otherwise
tepid offense in which no player has yet cracked the 70-rbi mark.
"I tell y'all what," Al Hoot said, "We get Liao Kuan back on track, Igno healthy, and find a
bat or two—taking 3 of 4 against a Canadian team won't be the exception anymore."
PPDSC. That's our formula for the rest of this decade, Lilo said.
Signs saying "VAMOS RAMOS" have begun appearing this weekend, and the injured
leftfielder from Columbia is expected to be on the bench for the team's final two home
games this weekend.
The newest measure has Hawai'i finishing ~71-91. Yet Wave Watchers caution that the team
intends to use "4 rookies and a Jake" as its rotation in its remaining 17 games.
