FROM JON'S DESK
SCORCHING SEASON END!
Races, races, everywhere and not a moment to breathe!! The Jays, half a
game behind the Orioles, squeaked out past the Birds by a single game for
the wildcard spot. Meanwhile, the Chisox, a game and a half out on the
13th, raced past the Royals to take the division. I may have jinxed Judd.
In the NL west the Giants held to their one game lead and won the division
by only 2 games. That's 3 races decided by 2 games or less. Wow.
THANKS TO ALL for another great season.
I was truly impressed with the owner activity this year. Had it been
relevant, well over 30 players were waived or moved off of the rosters on
the final lineup on the final day of the season. That is truly
unprecedented and shows a high level of owner commitment. As I sit the
long hours by the computer it becomes increasingly important to know that
someone is paying attention, and I do believe that this group of owners
made it a long, fun season.
WORST TRADE OF THE YEAR:
We may all have one, but what stands out in my mind was when I was
shopping around Bernie Williams and turned down Daryl Kile. A week later
I had picked up Omar Olivares for Bernie. The rest is history, as is Omar
Olivares. Maybe I should just stick to crunching numbers.
FINAL TRADE LEADERS:
Jays 41, Expos 39, Bosox 23, Braves 21, Rangers 20, Astros 18, Mets 16.
Twenty-six of the 28 teams made at least one trade this year.
POST SEASON AWARDS:
Two spots (AL MVP and NL MVP) were decided by one vote. The winners and
runners up:
AL MVP: Frank Thomas (6 votes), Mark McGwire (5 votes).
NL MVP: Larry Walker (9), Tino Martinez (8).
AL CY YOUNG: Rogers Clemens (11), Randy Johnson (4).
NL CY YOUNG: Pedro Martinez (9), Greg Maddux (6).
AL MANAGER OF THE YEAR: Rick Wynne (6), Judd Choate (3).
NL MANAGER OF THE YEAR: Rich Rodriguez (5), Casey Cobb (3).
WINS OVER REALITY:
Special recognition should go to the Royals, A's, Cubs, Cards, and
Rangers, who didn't make the playoffs but did outstandingly well in the
wins over reality standings. They are almost certain to get some prize
money back.
PLAYOFF SCHEME:
In each league, the division winner with the best record plays the other
division winner with the worst record and gets homefield advantage. The
other division winner hosts the wildcard. This scheme produces the
following matchups: Giants at Braves, Expos at Astros, Chisox at Bosox,
Jays at Mariners. As of this writing, Leo and I haven't set a day that
the playoff games will be run on. Contact Leo for more information if you
are in the playoffs, but given my traveling schedule I don't see them
happening before the weeked of the 13th.
PAYOFF BRUSH-UP:
After the playoffs are done, teams qualifying for both WAR and divisional
money will choose the higher prize. The unclaimed prize gets kicked back
to the WAR and ordinally ranked. Example: The Bosox lose in the opening
round of the playoffs: They take the second WAR prize of $175. The $100
divisional prize gets kicked back to the WAR before the 3rd spot. Everyone
in the WAR standings slides up a notch.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
EXPOS: BURNITZ (.333, 4 HR, 15 RBI, 15 SB, 15 R);
MARTINEZ (2.45 ERA, 22 IP, 1 Wn, 29 K).
METS: GRIFFEY JR (.298, 7 HR, 13 RBI, 13 R);
NELSON (1.64 ERA, 11 IP, 1 Wn, 2 SV, 13 K).
MARLINS: BOGGS (.471, 2 HR, 15 RBI, 15 R);
PETTITTE (1.75 ERA, 25.66 IP, 2 Wn, 22 K).
PHILS: DAULTON (.244, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 5 R);
BOTTALICO (1.38 ERA, 13 IP, 1 Wn, 22 K).
BRAVES: WARD (.338, 5 HR, 15 RBI, 15 R);
WOHLERS (3 ERA, 15 IP, 2 Wn, 6 SV, 21 K).
BOSOX: BONILLA (.351, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 12 R);
FRANCO (2.35 ERA, 7.66 IP, 1 Wn, 2 SV).
ORIOLES: ALOMAR (.616, 5 HR, 15 RBI, 15 SB, 15 R);
MUSSINA (2.74 ERA, 23 IP, 3 Wn, 24 K).
YANKEES: VAUGHN (.327, 5 HR, 14 RBI, 14 R);
BOEHRINGER (1.5 ERA, 18 IP, 2 Wn, 24 K).
TIGERS: EASLEY (.290, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 6 SB, 6 R);
JONES (.59 ERA, 15.33 IP, 1 Wn, 1 SV, 15 K).
JAYS: ORDONEZ (.333, 4 HR, 12 RBI, 12 R);
MAGNANTE (.93 ERA, 9.66 IP, 6 SV).
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