Friday, December 12, 2008

Decade of Dominance - Scranton Dragons

Chuck Biscuits - Cobb Times Herald

Decade of Dominance - Through Wrack and Ruin to Greatness.
The Scranton Dragons were at one time owned by cbwriter, of the NY Empire debacle fame. His ownership of the team in season 1 was actually pretty productive, and despite the team being abandoned in season two, under the competent management of gccoach, steelforge, and now jiml60, the Scranton Dragons are a force to be reckoned with in the American Leauge. Winners of the World Series in season 5, they have been a threat to get back to the championship every year since with no signs of dropping off.

#10 - Scranton Dragons
Franchise Power Ranking: 62.5
Best Year: 101-61, s8 - Worst Year: 30-132, s2
Postseason Achievements: 2 Division Titles, 3 Wild Card Berths, 1 DCS Title, 1 ALCS Title, 1 World Series Championship.
Best Player: Ken Puffer - Puffer has been rock solid from the moment he was called up, and is the biggest offensive threat the Dragons have had year in and year out.
Best Pitcher: Ralph Hill - Had Dean Hernandez stayed in Scranton for more than two seasons, it would have been him. But Hill is a worthy replacement, with 60 wins for the franchise, including a 24-6 season 8.
Best International Prospect:
Bernie Almonte
Best Draft Pick: Dean Hernandez
Franchise Theme Song: Where Dragons Rule by Dragonforce - Having won one World Series, and always in the playoff picture, these Dragons definitely rule.
Franchise Highlights: Franchise won the World Series in Season 5. Franchise has won the tough AL East 2 times, and made the playoffs as a Wild Card 3 times. Franchise has drafted exceptionally well, including Cy Young SP Dean Hernandez and All Stars Ken Puffer and Ralph Hill. Franchise has has been an active participant in the international market, signing players like Bernie Almonte and Luis Aguilar. Franchise signed perhaps the best contract in Cobb World history with the inking of 88 OV Scooter Stevenson to a league minimum 327K deal in season 1, in what might be the only laudable management move by cbwriter.
Franchise Lowlights: Franchise was abandoned in season 2, finishing with a 30-132 record. Franchise traded perennial Cy Young contender Dean Hernandez to Pawtucket in season 7 in a fair trade, but one that is still regretted in Scranton.
Franchise Outlook: Winning in the AL East is never easy, but Scranton is so young and deep that it is hard to picture them not continuing their current run of success. The outlook for the Dragons is very bright, as the team has World Series potential for at least the next two to three seasons, likely beyond.

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