One-on-One with GM profgreen

We went one-on-one with the general manager of the season 1 World Series champion Syracuse Squires, profgreen. Here's what he had to say:

Describe what it feels like to take home the inaugural World Series Championship in Knuckleball?
 It was painful in the wallet that's for sure. With 3 max contract guys on the payroll, I had to win a WS or it would have been a disappointment.

Tell us what happened in the top of the ninth in that Game 7?
That was an unbelievable way to end a World Series. To be honest, it's still a blur... My bats came alive against one of the best RP staffs in the league with Foster, Yoshii and Palmeiro. The MVP for my team in the playoffs was Rafael Cruz - a guy who hadn't had a save opportunity in the regular season but was lights out as the closer in the playoffs. My strategy of resting my guys down the stretch cost me a 1st round bye so my pitching staff really came up big for me.

You broke open the wallet this past off-season to acquire star 1B Cesar Gonzalez, giving him a max contract. If he doesn't hit another homerun for your team, would you consider that signing worth it now that he's helped you win a World Series?
 I have no regrets signing Cesar - I couldn't have started out that strongly in the regular season without his bat. His postseason was horrendous, though! But I'll take 45+ HR with 130 RBI all the way to the bank on him. He'll prob be a little overpaid as a 35 year old in a few seasons but he'll continue to drive in runs with the guys he has ahead of him.

King Cesar wasn't your only big acquisition. A mid-season trade saw your bring in Ivy Woods for some of your top pitching prospects. Talk about that trade and the decision making process involved there and how you felt about giving up those prospects.
 Giving up 23 & 26 year old very good SPs was a gamble I had to take. My offense came into shape but I was a SP away and Wood filled that void. I lost out on him in FA so it was nice that I got the opportunity to trade for him.

What's your strategy to defend your World Series championship, heading into the off-season?
This offseason may lighten my wallet even more. I'm still looking for a #3 SP and a stronger bullpen but I'm very happy with my offense. My defense isn't where I'd like it to be, so I'll be looking to upgrade there.

35 Games Into Season 1

Notes Taken after game 35: 

• The Cincinnati Reds (AL) are an insane 31 and 4.  If you extrapolated that out over 162 games played, they will have won 143 of them.

• As if that wasn't bad enough, the Syracuse Squires (NL) are right behind them at 29-6 (~134 games won out of 162).  Has the World Series picture already been painted?

• Robinson Reynolds from Cincinnati is leading the league in homeruns (18), SLG Pct (.828), and OPS (1.283).

• The Montgomery Rayados (13-22) have one bright light, Arlie Nichols is on an impressive 21-game hit streak and counting.

• Willie Pineda of the Salem Sacrifices (NL) is leading the league in wins (6), ERA (1.04), WHIP (0.75), OAV (.139), and 9th in strikeouts (45).

• Harold O'Shea is leading the league in (+) plus plays with 10.  He plays for the Iowa City Janitors (AL) in CF.

• Only 5 teams in the league have a team OPS over .800.  Portland Open-Mics (.807), Scottsdale Scorpions (.813), Syracuse Squires (.837), Houston Colt .45s (.866), and the Cincinnati Reds are at the top (.911).

• The Syracuse Squires are the only sub-3 ERA team in the league at an incredible 2.42 earned runs per 9 innings.

• Only 1 team, Albaquerque Isodopes (6-29), have a win pct (.171) below the 50-game Min Win Requirement. 

Ivan Javier Jacks Four

In yesterday's (8.6.14) PM game, The Houston Colt .45s demolished the depleted bullpen of the New York Greys in a 28-4 rout.  Although some of the carnage came against tired pitchers, the Colt .45s had their way with the Greys' first 4 pitchers.  Ivan Javier headlined the barrage going 6 for 7 with 6 runs scored, 9 RBIs, 4 homeruns, and 1 walk.  Karim Donald also added 2 homeruns of his own.  Through 25 games, Javier is leading the league in batting average (.380) and OBP (.485).  New York will be looking forward to their next off day and some much needed rest.

Early Injury is a Major Setback for Mexico City

The Mexico City Riverdogs suffer a major injury to the homegrown native Jose Paniagua on his way to pitching the first gem of the season.

Paniagua made it through 8 scoreless innings while only giving up 2 hits and 1 walk and fanning 5 hitters.  Looking to toss the complete game shutout, Paniagua stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the 8th with 1 out and no men on.  He hit a screamer right at Jacksonville Manatees 2B Matthew Brunson who made the play, but that ended Paniagua's night as he felt nerve irritation in his forearm on the play.  The Riverdogs went on to win the game 0-8 but it was a sore victory.  Paniagua will undergo a series of tests and the injury is not expected to require surgery, though his response to therapy will ultimately make that determination.  He is expected to miss all of the regular season with a chance to come back in the post season should the Riverdogs make it there.  Without their #2 pitcher, Josh Hemingway will need to shoulder the load the rest of the way to give the Riverdogs that chance.

Minimum Win Requirement

Please choose one of the following options for a minimum win requirement and cast your vote in the world chat:
A.) A minimum win requirement of 55/115/180 at the major league level. 55 wins in any season. 115 over two seasons. 180 over three seasons. Failure to meet the minimums will result in expulsion from the world for a minimum of one season. 

B.) A minimum win requirement of 55/115 at the major league level. 55 wins in any season. 115 over two seasons. Failure to meet the minimums will result in expulsion from the world for a minimum of one season. 

C.) A minimum win requirement of 55 games at the major league level. Failure to meet the minimums will result in expulsion from the world for a minimum of one season. 

D.) A minimum win requirement of 50 games at the major league level. Failure to meet the minimums will result in expulsion from the world for a minimum of one season. 

E.) A minimum win requirement of 50 games at the major league level. Failure to meet the minimums will result in expulsion from the world for a minimum of one season, with an exception made for first-time owners.

F.) No minimum win requirement.

Knuckleball's Season 1 Free Agency Tracker

Welcome to a new season in a new world, a fresh start for all with opportunities to build the ultimate championship contender.  Although free agency has come and gone, it kicked off with a bang and saw a plethora of $110 million-dollar max deals given out.  With a huge FA class, some teams geared up to compete immediately, while others are looking to build toward their future.  This will be a look at a few of the major signings this season.  Welcome to Knuckleball!

Stud third basemen Keith Sele  (33) came off the board only 24 hours after free agency opened up.  He signed a team-friendly 3 year $21 million dollar contract with the Salem Sacrifices.  He's an All-Star caliber player with plus defense and a high quality bat.  As long as he can stay out of the umpire's face, Sele has cemented his place on the field as Salem's team captain.

The Cincinnati Reds struck gold once again when they pried Frank King (30) away from all other suiters.  When asked to comment, King said "When my agent told me Cincy offered me a deal, I was like... get dat money.  That's where I wanna be."  And for good reason.  Cincinnati has competed for a championship in The Bigs for the past decade, and they will continue that trend in Knuckleball with their new 5 year $68 million dollar man.  King is an MVP type player who can hit the long ball, steal some bases, and bat for average; all while holding down the CF position!

One of the best hitters in the world, Edinson Lugo (33), signed a 4 year $34 million dollar deal to move out of Norfolk and on to the Charleston Chew.  Although not known for being a superior defensive catcher, Lugo makes up for it on the other side of the plate.  He's an All-Star who can still hit 45 homers and 120 RBIs pretty easily.  He'll be looking to lead the Chew back to another World Series.

The Scottsdale Scorpions won the bid for one of The Bigs' biggest FA starting pitchers.  Joseph Woo (32) signed a max deal (5 year $110 million) to join in on the Scorpions' hunt for post-season immortality.  A perennial All-Star and Cy Young candidate, Woo is capable of posting 20+ Win seasons and sub-3 ERAs with one arm tied behind his back (just don't make it his right arm).

Another max signing sent Cubs Win ace Ivy Wood (33) to the Philadelphia Continentals.  With plenty of gas left in the tank, Wood has been handed the keys to the City of Brotherly Love.  Misplace those keys and Ivy will be reminded that even the most lovable characters, Santa Claus, can be pelted with snowballs -- though it might be caught foul balls in this case.  If he can put together another MVP-type campaign, however, Philly will have a good shot at competing for the commissioner's trophy.

Pitchers are not the only ones receiving max deals this season, however.  The King of The Bigs who owned many single season records and was on his way to the top of the all-time record books, Cesar Gonzales (31), signed a 5 year $110 million dollar contract to join the Syracuse Squires.  After a decade of domination in Fargo, the ultimate first basemen will take his talents to ... upstate New York.  With more MVPs than All-Star appearances, the iron man will play 162 games and hit with power and efficiency throughout most, if not all, of his new contract.

Another big winner this free agency is William Loney (32) who signed a 5 year $68 million dollar deal with the Iowa City Janitors.  The third-best starting pitcher this FA will become the staff ace of an already high quality pitching unit and hope to lead the Janitors to a division title and then some.  As long as he can avoid any major injuries, he should pitch at a high level for the next couple years.

Stud relief pitcher Vinny King (34) will be heading to the Big Apple to finish off his star-studded career with the New York Greys.  He signed a 4 year $38 million dollar deal with a mutual option on the last should he decide to hang up the gloves early.  The city welcomed King with a parade/tribute through Times Square, honoring his illustrious career earlier this morning, and they expect great things out of the big 6'6" right hander.

Other significant signings:

Jake Johnson  (28) C, 5 year $36.25 million, Mexico City Riverdogs

Eddie Borland (31) RF, 5 year $34.1 million, San Juan Dead Bunnies

Luis Tejera (36) SP, 1 year $7.5 million, Syracuse Squires

Tito Whang (33) 2B, 4 year $20.7 million, Iowa City Janitors

Diego Julio (31) SS, 4 year $24.9 million, Seattle Silver

Grant Wilson (33) RP, 4 year $19.6 million, Toledo Cougars

Polin Urbina (33) SP, 4 year $29.2 million, Houston Colt .45s

Antone Hoover (34) 1B, 2 Year $5.2 million, Texas Renegades

Welcome to Knuckleball Weekly

Welcome to the debut of the new HBD world, Knuckleball.  This blog will serve as the stomping grounds for owners and any other inquisitive minds in the HBD domain.  Here you'll find news reports, previews, and analysis elaborating on the evolution of the world.  Any owner with a little time on their hands is encouraged to contribute to Knuckleball Weekly on any regular (or irregular) basis.  Contact your commissioner, kjmulli, to gain that access.