I might as well start with the team that I’ll be managing. This is going to be my 5th KOD Expo team that I’ve managed. Yes it is official, I have adopted this orphaned franchise. My “kinship” with the franchise comes directly from the fact that I am one of the few people who can say that they attended the franchises 1st game ever (April 1969 @ Shea) and it’s last (September 2004 @ Shea). In between I actually saw at least 10 games at Stadie’ Olympique on various road trips.
In the words of Sophia from the Golden Girls, “I digress…” Getting back on track here is my preview. I will break down this and other teams into the following categories: Hitting, Pitching, Intangibles and Ballpark
Hitting: It all starts and stops with Vlad ! Vladimir Guerrero hit .324 with 38 homers and 109 RBI’s without seeing a good pitch all season. Then again Vlad seemed to do better hitting pitches out of the strike zone. He’s a one man wrecking crew provided the rest of the lineup gets on base for him. I expect to see many opposing managers hitting the “2” button (pitch around), but if art imitates real life Vlad will find those pitches in the dirt or over his head and crush ‘em. Backing up Vlad is Shane Andrews, who hit just .238, but did have 25 round trippers. Rhondell White had 17 homers, but as usual had injury problems and only got into 97 games. Chris Widger hit 15 homers from the catchers position, but he has a low BA like Andrews.
Pitching: Dustin Hermanson will be the defacto ace of the
staff. Going 14-11 with a 3.13 ERA is nothing to sneeze about when your team only won 65 games in total. A young Javy Vazquez will be trouble as the #2 or 3 guy since he had a 6.06 ERA in 172 innings pitched. No place to hide him. He’s going to have to pitch. Hopefully his opponent is just as wonderful. Carlos Perez (7-10, 3.75) is going to be a very capable #3 guy for this theme. The key for this team is to somehow get and hold a lead until the 9th inning when Ugueth Urbina (6-3, 1.30, 34 saves) takes over. This guy was lights out that year and saved more than half the games that they won. His 1.010 WHIP along with his stats probably makes him the #1 closer in this league
Intangibles: Lots of bench players to choose from. A young Orlando Cabrera will play part time and also come off the bench as he learns his trade. Bob Henley will hit .304 as the backup catcher and pinch hitter. Terry Jones can steal bases as a pinch runner, unfortunately with his .217 average and .288 OBP he won’t be able to steal 1st.
Ballpark: Stade Olympique is a cavern. The ball doesn’t really fly here. Hopefully it will tame some of the opposing hitters who like to go deep.
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