Skeeters Fall in Game One of Championship Series

Sugar Land dropped the opening game of the Atlantic League Championship Series, 10-6 to Lancaster Tuesday night.  Game 2 of the best of five series is slated for Wednesday night at Constellation Field.

How You Can Watch/Listen to the Skeeters in 2014

The Sugar Land Skeeters begin their third season Thursday night at Constellation Field.  Those interested in watching and/or listening to the team have more options than ever.  Following is a rundown of the ways to access the club's broadcasts with play-by-play announcer Ira Liebman.

ESPN 3

Video of all 70 Skeeters home games will be streamed online through ESPN 3.  This coverage will also include the Atlantic League All-Star Game scheduled for July 16.

KBRZ

Audio of all 70 Skeeters road games will be streamed online by KBRZ.

This post is brought to you by The Gamble- A Dukes Tale.  Coming online in October.

The Race for MLB's Most Improved Team

Team               2013 Wins 2014 Wins  Improve
Angels                 78               98                +20
Houston               51               70                +19
Seattle                  71               87                +16
Miami                  62               77                +15

This post is brought to you by The Gamble- A Dukes Tale.  Coming online in October.

Thanks, Harvard

Many thanks to the folks at Harvard Elementary for letting be part of their Literacy Night again tonight.  It was great to be able to share SONGS WITH BOOKS with this literacy-loving community. Thanks.

For Sale Today- Green String

This song is based on a "lost" Dr. Seuss tale "The Hoobub and the Grinch".  This story was published as part of "Horton and the Kwuggerbug and More Lost Stories" in 2014.

One Perspective on Improvement

Evan Drellich recently pointed out via Twitter that improvement is a matter of perspective.  Here's an excerpt from The Gamble, which is due to be available online in October.  In this excerpt one of the characters shares her perspective on the Dukes' improvement as a baseball team.

A “Hot” Start

There aren’t many benefits that a baseball team receives for losing 100 games two seasons in a row.  One of the few positives is that the bar is set low and it is very easy to make the case that the club is improving in season three.  After losing a total of 207 games over the previous two years, the Dukes’ 23 and 32 record through May was a definite improvement.

My oldest sister would laugh at me when I would talk about the Dukes being improved.  “After how bad they’ve been the last few years, how could they NOT be improved?” she would ask me.  “It’s like my boyfriend forgetting Valentine’s Day and my birthday AND not noticing my new hairstyle, then not understanding why I’m not overcome with joy when he remembers to come pick me up on time for a date. ‘Hey, Babe, I’m improving, why aren’t you excited?’”

Songs from Books on the Radio Tuesday

I am scheduled to be on a radio program on Tuesday, September 23 to talk about a project I have been working on for several years called Songs from Books. The program, Morning Coffee Mix, streams live from 10-noon(Houston time) and can be heard here.  I will be singing on air and talking about how SONGS FROM BOOKS promotes literacy and a love of reading.

If you love books and music, please give a listen on Tuesday.  Thanks.

Skeeters in the Play-offs

Sugar Land begins the Atlantic League play-offs on Tuesday, September 23 against York at Constellation Field.  The Skeeters and Revolution will meet in a best of five series with a berth in the league championship on the line.

Special note for Brett Dolan, who will be broadcasting the Skeeters' home play-off games with Ira Liebman:  If the Skeeters advance to the Championship Series, they will host Games 1 and 2 on September 30 and October 1.  The October 1 game would be the first professional baseball game played in October in the Houston area since October 3, 2010.

Schedule

Tuesday, September 23, York at Sugar Land (7:05 p.m., Central time)- Watch on ESPN3
Wednesday, September 24, York at Sugar Land (6:05)- Watch on ESPN3
Friday, September 26, Sugar Land at York(5:30)- Listen on KBRZ.com
*Saturday, September 27, Sugar Land at York(5:30)- Listen on KBRZ.com
*Sunday, September 28, Sugar Land at York(1:00)- Listen on KBRZ.com

*-If Necessary

The Skeeters are in the Play-offs

With a 2-1 win over York on Friday night, the Sugar Land Skeeters clinched a second consecutive appearance in the Atlantic League play-offs.  The Skeeters fell in the first round of the 2013 play-offs to Somerset.

With two games remaining in the regular season, Sugar Land holds a one game lead over Lancaster in the Freedom Division's second half standings.  One Skeeters win or one Barnstormers loss over the season's final two days gives the Skeeters the second half title and a first round play-off match-up against York.  Sugar Land has won 12 of 18 games against York this season.

If the Skeeters lose out and the Barnstormers win out, Sugar Land would earn the wild card berth. This position would result in a first-round showdown with Somerset. The Patriots won 12 of 20 games over the Skeeters during the regular season.

Regardless of opponent, Sugar Land's first two play-off games will take place at Constellation Field Tuesday and Wednesday, September 23 and 24.

Atlantic League Save Leaders

The Atlantic League 50 Save Club

Pitchers in bold are active in the Atlantic League

1. Jim Ed Warden- 134 (2009-2014; Southern Maryland)

2. Mike Guilfoyle- 122 (1998-2003; Bridgeport)

3. Jon Hunton- 96 (2007-2008, 2011-2014; Lancaster, Long Island, and Somerset)

T4. Gary Majewski- 72 (2012-14; Sugar Land)

T4. Eddy Ramos- 72 (2003-2009, 2011, 2013; Road Warriors, Newark, Bridgeport and Long Island)

These statistics were researched using Baseball Reference.

This post is brought to you by The Gamble- A Duke Tale.  Coming online in October.

Almost, but Not Quite for the Skeeters

After a win Thursday night, the Skeeters are on the brink of an Atlantic League play-off berth with just three games left in the regular season.  The Skeeters need one win against York, one Southern Maryland loss to Long Island or, oddly enough, two Lancaster wins or three Lancaster losses against Camden to clinch a spot in the post-season.

There is, in fact, only one possible outcome of the nine games remaining to be played by Sugar Land, Southern Maryland, and Lancaster that leaves the Skeeters out of the play-offs.  Let me break it down.

Current Freedom Divsion standings:

Sugar Land- 40-27 - ------
Lancaster-    39-28 -    1
S. Maryland-37-30 -    3

Current Full- Season "Wild Card Standings:

Sugar Land-  78-59 -    -----
Lancaster-     78-59 -    -----


If Sugar Land closes 0-3, Lancaster closes- 1-2 and Southern Maryland closes- 3-0, Sugar Land misses the post-season.  Here's why:  

This close to the season would leave the three teams in a three-way tie for the second half title at 40-30.  Southern Maryland would win the title because they have the best record in head to head games among the three teams in the second half.  SM-13-10, Sugar Land-9-10, Lancaster-10-12.

Lancaster would earn the wild card over Sugar Land based on a better over-all season record. Lancaster- 79-61, Sugar Land- 78-62.


What if Lancaster wins two or three games while Sugar Land loses three?

Lancaster would win the second half title outright.  Sugar Land would claim the wild card.

What if Lancaster and Sugar Land both lose three, while Southern Maryland wins three?

Southern Maryland would win the second half title over Sugar Land based on a better second half record against the Skeeters.  The Skeeters would win the wild card over Lancaster based on their better second half record against the Barnstormers.

Can all the complexity be avoided?

Of course, the Skeeters can make everything much simpler by just winning the Freedom Division second half title. Since they own the tiebreaker over Lancaster, their magic number to win the second half is two.  A Skeeter second half title makes Lancaster the wild card.


NOTE:  The Freedom Division Second half winner will face York.  The  Wild Card will face Somerset in the play-offs.

Skeeters on the Move

Near the end of April, I posted the opening day roster for the Sugar Land Skeeters.  From my previous endeavors online, I am familiar with the amount of transactions that take place in a typical affiliated baseball season. However, I am curious about that facet of an independent league team like the Skeeters.  I will use this post to track the moves the Skeeters make during the 2014 season.

NOTE: Until May 31, the roster limit in the Atlantic League is 27.  After that, it drops to 25. Opening Day was April 24.

9/30/2014- Dan Meadows, P, activated from inactive list
9/30/2014- Brian Broderick, P, placed on inactive list
9/23/2014- Sean Gallagher, P, activated from inactive list
9/23/2014- Matt Wright, P, activated from inactive list
9/23/2014- Nick Stavinoha, IF, placed on inactive list
9/23/2014- Dan Meadows, P, placed on inactive list
9/19/2014- Steve Hammond, P, activated from inactive list
9/19/2014- Dan Meadows, P, activated from inactive list
9/19/2014- Matt Wright, P, placed on inactive list
9/19/2014- Sean Gallagher, P, placed on inactive list
9/16/2014- David Pauley, P, activated from the inactive list
9/16/2014- Dan Meadows, P, placed on inactive list
9/16/2014- Danny Lehmann, C, placed on inactive list
9/15/2014- Travis Denker, IF, acquired in trade from Laredo(American Assoication)
9/12/2014- Danny Lehmann, C, activated from inactive list
9/12/2014- Matt Wright, P, activated from inactive list
9/12/2014- David Pauley, P, placed on inactive list
9/12/2014- Sean Gallagher, P, placed on inactive list
9/11/2014- Nick Stavinoha, IF, activated from inactive list
9/11/2014- Brian Barton, OF, placed on inactive list
9/10/2014- Brian Barton, OF, activated from inactive list
9/10/2014- Nick Stavinoha, IF, placed on inactive list
9/6/2014- David Pauley, P, activated from inactive list
9/6/2014- Matt Wright, P, placed on inactive list
9/2/2014- Rene Tosoni, OF, acquired in a trade from Sioux City(Frontier League)
9/2/2014- David Pauley, P, placed on inactive list
8/31/2014- Denny Almonte, OF, acquired in a trade from Bridgeport for a PTBNL
8/31/2014- Brian Barton, OF, placed on inactive list
8/29/2014- Brian Barton, OF, activated from inactive list
8/25/2014- Danny Lehmann, C, placed on inactive list
8/24/2014- Clint Everts, P, reinstated from inactive list
8/24/2014- Brian Barton, OF, placed on inactive list
8/19/2014- Neil Medchill, OF, placed on inactive list
8/19/2014- David Pauley, P, activated from inactive list
8/18/2014- Steve Hammond, P, activated from inactive list
8/18/2014- Matt Wright, P, activated from inactive list
8/18/2014- Clint Everts, P, placed on inactive list
8/18/2014-David Pauley, P, placed on inactive list
8/15/2014- Matt Wright, P, placed on inactive list
8/15/2014- Steve Hammond, P, placed on inactive list
8/15/2014- Adam Godwin, OF, activated from disabled list
8/15/2014- Sean Gallagher, P, activated from the inactive list
8/11/2014- Sean Gallagher, P, placed on inactive list
8/11/2014- Dan Meadows, P, activated from the inactive list
8/11/2014- Todd Jennings, IF, signed
8/5/2014- Adam Godwin, OF, placed on disabled list
8/4/2014- Dan Meadows, P, placed on inactive list
8/4/2014- Sean Gallagher, P, reinstated from inactive list
8/2/2014- Bridger Hunt, IF/OF, signed
7/25/2014- Taylor Harbin, IF, sold to Arirzona(Mobile)
7/25/2014- David Pauley, P, reinstated from disabled list
7/25/2014- Sean Gallagher, P, placed on inactive list
7/19/2014- Sean Gallagher, P, reinstated from inactive list
7/17/2014- Tracy McGrady, P, retired
7/10/2014- Andrew Johnston, P, signed
7/10/2014- Sean Gallagher, P, placed on inactive list
7/8/2014- David Pauley, P, placed on disabled list
6/27/2014- Adam Godwin, OF, reinstated from disabled list
6/26/2014- Koby Clemens, C, released
6/26/2014- Steve Hammond, P, reinstated from the inactive list
6/26/2014- Chris Smith, P, sold to San Diego(El Paso)
6/21/2014- Sean Gallagher, P, signed
6/21/2014- Tracy McGrady, P, reinstated from inactive list
6/21/2014- Steve Hammond, P, placed on inactive list
6/16/2014- Neil Medchill, OF, reinstated from inactive list
6/16/2014- Adam Godwin, OF, placed on disabled list
6/13/2014- Dan Meadows, P, reinstated from disabled list
6/13/2014- Alex Nunez, IF, released
6/5/2014- Neil Medchill, OF, placed on inactive list
6/5/2014- Taylor Harbin, IF, signed
6/4/2014- Neil Medchill, OF, reinstated from inactive list.
6/4/2014- Rusty Ryal, IF, sold to Philadelphia Phillie(Lehigh Valley)
6/1/2014- Tracy McGrady, P, placed on inactive list
6/1/2014- Neil Medchill, OF, placed on inactive list
6/1/2014- Brandon Wood, IF, released
6/1/2014- Brian Barton, OF, acquired in a trade from Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
5/22/2014- Michael Nix, P, sold to San Diego Padres(El Paso)
5/20/2014- Adam Godwin, OF, signed
5/20/2014- Dan Meadows, P, placed on disabled list
5/20/2014- Chase Lambin, IF, activated from disabled list
5/10/2014- Chase Lambin, IF, placed on disabled list.
5/10/2014- Dustin Martin, OF, sold to Arizona Diamondbacks(Mobile).
5/10/2014- Gary Majewski, P, reinstated from inactive list.
5/10/2014- Tracy McGrady, P, reinstated from inactive list.
5/6/2014- Danny Lehmann, C, signed
5/4/2014- Steve Moss, OF, sold to Mexican League(Diablos Rojos del Mexico)
5/1/2014- Ryan Langerhans, OF, activated from the disabled list
4/30/2014- Cory Van Allen, P, signed
4/30/2014- Gary Majewski, P, sold to Mexican League(Piratas de Campeche)
4/28/2014- Clay Hensley, P, retired.
4/26/2014- Tracy McGrady, P, placed on inactive list.
4/26/2014- Steve Hammond, P, activated.

What the Skeeters need to Clinch

With four games left in the regular season, Sugar Land is very close to clinching a spot in the Atlantic League play-offs for the second straight season.

The Skeeters currently lead Lancaster by one game in the Freedom Division's second half standings. Since they own the tiebreaker over Lancaster, the Skeeters magic number to clinch that title(and play-off berth) is three heading into Wednesday's games.  Winning the division would put the Skeeters in a first round match-up against York.

If the Skeeters don't win the Freedom Division, they can still qualify for the post-season as a wild card.  Since Somerset won the first and second half titles in the Liberty Division, the team in the league with the best record of non-qualifiers earns a spot.

Given the wild card opportunity, the chances of the Skeeters NOT making the play-offs are slim.  However, it could happen, and here's how:

The Blue Crabs catch up with Lancaster and Sugar Land

Currently, Southern Maryland trails Sugar Land by three games and Lancaster by two games in the Freedom Divsion second half.  If Southern Maryland could finish the regular season in at least a tie with those two teams, they would win the second half on a tiebreaker.

In this case, Lancaster would edge out Sugar Land for the wild card, leaving the Skeeters home. The Skeeters magic number to eliminate Southern Maryland and clinch at least a wild card spot is two heading into Thursday's game against York.

Follow The Dukes of the Future

In mid-October, I will be releasing The Gamble- A Dukes Tale online.  The Dukes are a baseball team which has been playing its games within the friendly confines of my cranium for as long as I can remember.  This particular Dukes Tale is set in 1982, the year that a prominent businessman in town made a wager against the Dukes success after back-to-back losing years.

Not surprisingly for a team with consecutive 100-loss seasons, the Dukes make efforts to educate their fans about the brightness of the team's future.  For example, they often focus on prospects who will be, in theory, helping the Dukes win games soon.

Following is an excerpt from the tale, which spotlights the Dukes top 10 prospects as the 1982 season comes to a close.

The Gamble will be available online in October.

On the final homestand of the season, the Dukes gave fans a glimpse of the future on the field with some inspired play.  In addition, to further shine a light on a bright future, the club included an insert in game programs that highlighted the organization’s top 10 prospects. It was exciting to consider what may come of these Dukes of the Future.

#1-  Arden Brady, 22, LHP.  The Dukes acquired this hard-throwing lefty for Mark Van Hekken earlier this season.  Brady and his 99-mph fastball have stepped into the Dukes’ rotation and shown why he should be the club’s ace for years to come.

#2- Spencer Allen, 19, OF.  Allen was unanimously graded as the best player in the June draft.  The Dukes drafted him first over-all and signed him quickly so he could get a half-season of pro ball under his feet.  He started 72 games for the Dukes rookie affiliate in Delray Beach, Florida and hit 27 home runs and displayed a top-notch arm and glove in the field.  Allen will be patrolling the Dukes Stadium outfield with Albert Foote soon.

#3- Tucker Votaw, 22, C.  Votaw was the Dukes first pick in the 1981 draft.  He is rapidly ascending the ladder in the organization.  He finished his first pro season in AA with Beaumont.  Votaw swings a solid bat and his work behind the plate regularly draws favorable comparisons to long-time Dukes backstop Indigo Javier.

#4- Andy Copelin, 22, RHP. The Dukes acquired their closer of the future from the Colts in exchange for Billy Ray Smith in July.  According to scouts, Copelin has one of the best change-ups in the game.  In four seasons in the Colts’ system, Copelin recorded 58 saves in 61 chances.  

#5- Diogenes Chevalier, 20, OF.   The switch-hitting Chevalier is a prototypical lead-off hitter.  He hits for average and has averaged 60 stolen bases a season in the Colts’ system.  Chevalier was also part of the trade that sent Billy Ray Smith to the Colts.

#6- Kunio Tsubota, 21, RHP.  The Dukes signed Tsubota out of Brazil when he was 16.  Tsubota’s parents moved from Japan to Brazil when he was in first grade.  Tsubota throws five pitches effectively.  He spent 1982 at AA Beaumont, winning 16 games.  He could arrive at Dukes Stadium as early as next season.

#7- Todd Howard, 24, LHP.  Howard, a 1979 draft pick, won 13 games as a starter at AAA Santa Fe this season.  He made his “A” League debut as September call-up.

#8- Reid Roberts, 20, 3B.  Roberts was acquired in a trade last season from the Zephyrs.  Displayed power this season with 23 home runs at the Class A level(Edmonton).

#9- Arthur W. Baxter III, 24, LHP.  After missing 1981 with injury, Baxter III put together a solid season this year in Beaumont.  He didn’t miss a start and struck out 150 batters in 140 innings.

#10- Scott “Sparky” Sibernaller, 23, 1B.  A tweaked hamstring in Santa Fe’s season finale is the only thing that kept Sparky from being promoted to the Dukes for September.  Sibernaller was Santa Fe’s team MVP with 104 RBI and a .338 batting average.

Full Season affiliate Championships

With all 10 full season minor league championships claimed, here is a summary of whose affiliates won titles:

Boston(International)
Chicago Cubs(Midwest)
Colorado(South Atlantic)
Houston(California)
Kansas City(Pacific Coast)
Miami(Southern)
Minnesota(Florida State)
New York Mets(Eastern)
Oakland(Texas)
Washington(Carolina)

Atlantic League Play-off Picture

Based on standings through the games of September 16, 2014, here is the Atlantic Play-off Picture:

First Round Matchups(with 5 games remaining)

Somerset vs. Lancaster
York vs. Sugar Land

How they  would qualify:

Somerset- Winner of Liberty Division, 1st and 2nd Half

York- Winner of Freedom Division, 1st Half

Sugar Land- Winner of Freedom Division, 2nd Half (The Skeeters are currently tied with Lancaster for the Freedom Division lead.  Skeeters own the tiebreaker over Lancaster.)

Lancaster- Based on the current standings, Lancaster would qualify for the wild card spot based on the fact that they have the best over-all record among non play-off qualifiers.

This post brought to you by The Gamble- A Dukes Tale.  Coming online in October.

A Number from 20 Years Ago... 192

I found the picture posted above over the weekend when I was going through some boxes deciding what to put in an upcoming garage sale.  Pictured is a copy of "Sports Nippon" from the day Ichiro Suzuki broke Japan's single season hit record as a rookie.  On its own, the paper is interesting, but what made me decide to post it here and share the story is the fact that the date on the paper is September 15, 1994(exactly 20 years ago today).  Can't beat the timing.

A large majority of the first three pages of the sports section of this national paper were dedicated to Ichiro's hit #192, which broke a record that had stood in Japan for 44 years.  Check out the picture above that highlights Suzuki's unique swing.

One thing about the Japanese coverage that is interesting is how many statistics about Ichiro's feat are included. One part of the coverage breaks down Suzuki's performance into various splits including vs. LHP or RHP, by ball/strike count and home/road.

Apparently, while Tom Lawless and baseball folks in America were yet to disover numbers, 20 years ago, the Japanese baseball community was well on its way to integrating numbers into their enjoyment and understanding of the game.

Skeeters Pull Back into Tie for Division Lead

It took five hours and 14 innings, but Sugar Land pulled off a dramatic 9-7 win over Lancaster on Saturday night.  The win put the Skeeters back in a tie for the Freedom Division lead.  The two clubs complete their three-game series Sunday afternoon.

Day 2 at Lancaster

Sugar Land looks to even their three game series at Lancaster tonight at 6 pm(Central time).  The Barnstormers won game one of the series Friday night to take a one game lead over the Skeeters in the Freedom Division standings with eight games remaining in the season.  The series concludes Sunday afternoon.

The games can be heard online here.

Things are Heating Up in Lancaster

The next to the last weekend of the Atlantic League season includes a crucial series in Pennsylvania between Lancaster and the Sugar Land Skeeters.  With nine games left on the schedule, the Skeeters are tied with the Barnstormers for the second half lead in the league's Freedom Division. The two teams play games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday that will have post-season implications.

Both teams are riding hot streaks into the weekend.  Since August 21, Lancaster is 17-4.  Since August 26, the Skeeters are 12-5.

Lancaster leads the season series between the two teams, 9-8.  The two clubs split the six games they have played in the second half.

With A Visalia Win, Diamondbacks Can Join Nationals, Cubs and Rockies

If Visalia knocks off Bakersfield Tuesday or Wednesday night, Arizona will join the Mets, Cubs and Rockies as organizations with two full season affiliates qualifying for their league's championship series.  The Rawhide, Arizona's High A affiliate, needs one win to advance to the California League championship.  They are playing Cincinnati's affiliate, Bakersfield.

Update:  Visalia knocked off Bakersfield Tuesday night to advance.

Championship Series representation by affiliation

Arizona- Reno(Pacific Coast); Visalia(California)
Cubs- Daytona(Florida State); Kane County(Midwest)
Colorado- Tulsa(Texas); Asheville(South Atlantic)
Washington- Potomac(Carolina); Hagerstown(South Atlantic League)
Boston- Pawtucket(International)
Cleveland- Lake County(Midwest)
Houston- Lancaster(California)
Kansas City- Omaha(Pacific Coast)
Dodgers- Chattanooga(Southern)
Miami- Jacksonville(Southern)
Minnesota- Ft. Myers(Florida State)
Mets- Binghamton(Eastern)
Oakland- Midland(Texas)
San Franciscon- Richmond(Eastern)
Tampa Bay- Durham(International)
Texas- Myrtle Beach(Carolina)
Washington- Potomac(Carolina)

Note- Bakersfield(Cincinnati) and Visalia(Arizona) are still competing for a spot in California League finals.

This post brought to you by The Gamble- A Dukes Tale.  Coming online in October.

Skeeters Hit the Road with Eye on Play-off Berth

With two weeks left on the Atlantic League schedule, the Skeeters start their final road trip of their season Tuesday in the thick of a play-off race.  Heading into Tuesday's game at York, Sugar Land is tied with Lancaster in the second half Freedom Division standings.  The winner of the second half title automatically qualifies for the post-season.

Sugar Land plays three games at York and three games at Lancaster this week.  They finish their schedule with a six-game homestand against York from September 16-21.

Sugar Land could also earn entry to the play-offs as a wild card.  This possibility will arise if Somerset wins the Liberty Division's second half and/or York wins the Freedom Division's second half.  York and Somerset have already qualified for the post-season by winning their divisions' first half titles.

This post is brought to you by The Gamble- A Dukes Tale.  Coming online in October.

Baseball Cards for Sale

A NOTE FROM MY SON:

Following is a link to some baseball cards that I am trying to sell to clear out some space in my room and to make some extra cash.  Please check them out and let me know if you are interested.  Thanks, Kendall.

P.S.: Prices are negotiable.

For more information contact me through farmstros@yahoo.com.

Misc. Marvel Comic Books, 1993-1995(Best Offer)

2010 Buster Posey Rookie Cards(2)-Topps 2010 #2($10)

4 Derek Jeter Cards($9)

Misc. Astros Cards(39 cards)($5)

1978 Topps Vintage Baseball Cards($15)

Moves Like Luhnow(A parody in the making)

Please find below, lyrics for a parody of Maroon 5's Moves Like Jagger.  It's called Moves Like Luhnow.
If any musician out there has interest in turning it into song, please contact me at farmstros@yahoo.com.

PLEASE NOTE: I used the bridge(voiced by Christina Aguilera in Jagger) to give Jim Crane a voice.

Moves Like Luhnow
by Royal Worm

He’s changing the game every day, yeah!

It won’t be the same there’s no way, yeah!

It’s gonna be cool

Cuz he ain’t no fool

You know that it’s true

He’s got full control

He’s the master

He’s steering the team from disaster

Some pundits may jeer

But, it is so clear

That someday, we’ll cheer

Him. It goes like this.

Shifts until your head starts spinning

Maybe someday they’ll start winning

With the moves like Luhnow

With the moves like Luhnow
With the moves like Luhnow

Way outside the box he’s thinking

No chance that they keep on stinking

With the moves like Luhnow

With the moves like Luhnow

He’s got the moves like Luhnow

His fingers are quick on the keyboard

His mind is too slick to be ignored

He has all the tools

On Twitter he rules

The guy is a jewel

What will he do next?

It’s a mystery

Will he send a text

To change history?

Though he didn’t sign

Young Brady in time

It’s gonna be fine

And it goes like this

Refrain

BRIDGE(Jim Crane’s part)

You wanna know how to make me smile

Save me dough every day and night

And if I Share my sercret, You’re gonna have to keep it

Nobody else can see this

So make those moves

Keep me in the black

Coffers full, and you will get no slack

But if I share my secret

You’re gonna have to keep it

Nobody else can see this.

And it goes like this….

Refrain

C2014 words by Royal Worm

Update on Minor League Affiliate Rankings

With the conclusion of the minor league season Monday, here is a look at the winning percentages of every team's full season affiliates.  The number in parenthesis indicates full season play-off qualifier for each organization.

Mets- .580 (3)
Arizona- .568 (4)
Texas- .557 (2)
Minnesota- .540 (2)
Milwaukee- .536 (2)
Cubs- .5331 (2)
Washington- .5330 (3)
Boston- .52585 (3)
St. Louis- .52585 (1)
Oakland- .52576 (2)
Miami- .5134 (2)
Houston- .5133 (1)
Detroit- .505 (1)
Toronto- .502 (1)
San Francisco- .500 (1)
Cleveland- .497 (3)
San Diego- .494 (2)
Yankees- .490
Cincinnati- .488 (1)
Atlanta- .486 (1)
Tampa Bay- .4775 (1)
Baltimore- .4769
Pittsburgh- .475 (1)
Angels- .4707 (2)
Seattle- .4706
Colorado- .456 (2)
Dodgers- .454 (2)
Kansas City- .448 (1)
White Sox- .439
Philadelphia- .417

Now, That's a Successful Road Trip!

With the pressure of the play-off race mounting, the Sugar Land Skeeters stepped up with a 7-0 road trip.  The club swept Camden in three straight games.  They followed that series by winning four in a row over Bridgeport.  The road trip concluded Monday.

The Skeeters return home on Tuesday for a six game set against Long Island.  All six games can be seen on ESPN3.