By Jonah Keri
BrassWorld League Reporter
After eking out wins in two straight seven-game series, the
Northwoods Moose swept the Silver Sluggers 4 games to 0 to capture their first
BrassWorld World Series.
Northwoods General Manager and 2005 Billy Beane Award winner Corey
Weisser said when the league started in 2003, his intent was to draft
high-ceiling young players, bide his time, and make a run at a league title
down the road. When his young talent jelled into a potential contender, though,
Weisser said he stopped short of trading his top prospects for rent-a-vets
who’d push his team over the top. Quite the opposite.
“My direction was to obtain as much young talent as I could,”
Weisser said in a recent interview. “I then used my big chips to get more younger guys. With (Lance) Berkman, I acquired (B.J.)
Upton and (Ervin) Santana. With (Pat) Burrell and others, I was able
to
get (Travis) Hafner. With Milton Bradley, I was able to get a 1st
round draft pick, which turned into Chad Cordero. With Matt Morris, I was able
to get a 1st round draft pick, which turned into
Northwoods ace Ben Sheets played a big role in the team’s success
throughout the season. The right-handed won the
Christy Mathewson Award as the top starting pitching in the National League. He
continued his dominance in the playoffs, posting a 4-2 record and a 2.34 ERA in
the post-season, capped by a 146-pitch performance in Game 3 of the World
Series. The stratospheric pitch count had Sheets’ agent, Bott Scoras, on the
phone to Moosewood offices, threatening Weisser with a severe bratwurst
beating.
Weisser cited the acquisitions of Hafner and Johnny Damon, as we
all relievers Armando Benitez and Eddie Guardado, for pushing his team over the
top in 2005. A somewhat conservative team, the Moose rarely bunted or ran
hit-and-run plays during the season. Instead the team relied on solid
up-the-middle defense in 1-rated Orlando Hudson and Adam Everett and a lively
running game.
The Moose project as contenders again in 2006, with a loaded
offense led by Hafner, Bay and Miguel Cabrera. Weisser said he’s still searching
for an ace starter to replace Sheets, who either broke down due to a mechanical
flaw or the Moose’s cruel and unusual treatment of him, depending on who you
believe. With a still-strong bullpen anchored by Guardado, Billy Wagner and
Francisco Rodriguez, Weisser says a big-time starter could propel him into the
post-season once more. Expect discussions involving Roy Halladay, A.J. Burnett
and other starters on the block.
The Sluggers came up short in the World Series after a banner season that included 98 wins and a runaway title in the Cobb Division. GM Lenny Luchtefeld said his potent offense, led by David Ortiz and J.D. Drew, figured to lead the team. Luchtefeld said his pitching and especially his defense prevented him from taking that final step.
“The defense and pitching were the weakest parts of my team,”
Luchtefeld said. “I had to
play a
4 at SS and 2nd and a 5 at 1st most of the year. They were good offensive cards
at those positions but not enough to overcome their defensive liabilities. The
pitching was above average but not enough to be a Championship team. I didn't
have that ace in the starting staff that could carry me through games 1, 4 and
7. You never can tell what will happen in a short series and I was lucky enough
to beat Stefan (
Luchtefeld said he expects 2006 to be a rebuilding year, after
Silver traded its high-priced stars to add young talent and free up payroll.
Silver hopes to “set things up for a return in 3 to 4 years, assuming that I
have good drafts and spend my money wisely in free agency.”
The playoffs proved disappointing for other teams as well. The
Portland Grays stormed to a 122-40 record in the regular season, a mark that
would rank as the best in Major League Baseball history. But
The loaded Ruth division also featured the potent Plum Island
Greenheads, which won 111 games in the regular season. But Henry Vance’s Plum
Island club fell to Tom Fish’s San Bernardino Stampede 4 games to 3, an
improbably Game 7 masterpiece by Jimmy Gobble clinching the series. The 83-win
Stampede’s Cinderella story ended with a 4-2 series loss to Silver in the ALDS.
Meanwhile Jim Bodnar’s 97-win
In the National League,
With several powerhouse teams rebuilding, a busy free-agent
season, and new owners joining the fray, expect some moving and shaking in the
standings and in the 2006 playoffs.
NEXT TIME: Summary of free-agency signings