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.

Decade of Dominance - St. Louis HoundDogs

Mortimer Phillpotts - Cobb Times Herald

Decade of Dominance - Highway to Helena
In seaon one of Cobb World, the St. Louis HoundDogs were known as the Toledo Toodleedoos. There was nothing remarkable about that team, but when they moved to Rochester the following season they built the foundation for a winning team that still stands today. The franchise made it to the World Series in season 2, and has commanded the NL East for most of the time since.

#11 - St. Louis HoundDogs
Franchise Power Ranking: 57
Best Year: 99-63, s8 - Worst Year: 68-94, s1
Postseason Achievements: 5 Division Titles, 1 Wild Card Berth, 1 DCS Title, 1 NLCS Title.
Best Player: Rico Romero - Although he isn't as famous as the shades donning Rico Estrada, Rico Romero has been the rock in the HoundDogs lineup and in the field, racking up 1,563 hits, 4 All Star appearances, 1 Silver Slugger, and 1 Gold Glove.
Best Pitcher: Banana MacBride - Lights out closer Banana was a 5 time All Star, a Fireman of the Year, and is the HoundDogs career leader in saves with 215.
Best International Prospect: Jimmie Julio
Best Draft Pick: Chipper Harper
Franchise Theme Song: I Wanna Be Adored by the Stone Roses - As many owners in Cobb World know, HoundDogs owner rbf4 isn't shy about promoting his players, or his love of Brit Pop. This song combines both!
Franchise Highlights: Franchise made the World Series in Season 2, losing to furniss13's squad. Franchise has 5 division titles, and 1 Wild Card appearance. Outside of season 1, the franchise has never had a losing season. Franchise has drafted many fine players, including stud 1B Chipper Harper. Franchise has has been an active participant in the international market, signing players like 14.8 million dollar C Jimmie Julio. Franchise has maintained a winning record over many seasons with payrolls exceeding 110 million dollars.
Franchise Lowlights: Franchise was the first to have a losing season in the city of Toledo, posting a 68-94 record in season 1. Outside of season 3, franchise has never advanced out of the opening round of the playoffs. Franchise publicly bucked Lars the Greeks predictions in season 10, but none the less fell victim to the prognosticator's uncanny accuracy.
Franchise Outlook: The NL East has taken over the mantle of toughest division in Cobb World from it's AL counterpart, and the HoundDogs don't have an easy path to success with Syracuse and Wichita having young and very good squads, and Boston rapidly improving. Still, St. Louis will be in the playoff picture for the next few seasons at least, and with a good break here or there could challenge for the division title and beyond.

Decade of Dominance - Helena Hellraisers

Tito McQueen - Cobb Times Herald

Decade of Dominance - Highway to Helena
Back in season 1, the Sacramento Squids placed second in the AL West, starting off a successful run of winning seasons that has yet to end. Now in the capable hands of cosmicblob, the Hellraisers have challenged for the ALCS twice, and are always in the playoff mix at the end of the season. Many talented players have made their way through Helena over the years, but the town belongs to Orber Olivo, and everyone in the clubhouse knows it.

#12 - Helena Hellraisers
Franchise Power Ranking: 56
Best Year: 101-61, s3 - Worst Year: 82-80, s5 & s8
Postseason Achievements: 1 Division Title, 4 Wild Card Berths, 2 DCS Titles.
Best Player: Orber Olivo - It is a disgrace that Olivo was only an All Star 4 times, as he his career boasts 504 HR's. 1,361 RBI's, and 1,599 hits, making him one of the premier sluggers in Cobb history.
Best Pitcher: Richard Aoki - Aoki may have never made an All Star team, but he has racked up 111 wins in his career with Helena, and has been consistently solid.
Best International Prospect: Javier Romero
Best Draft Pick: Alex Presley
Franchise Theme Song: Number of the Beast by Iron Maiden - The Times Herald is willing to bet that Orber Olivo's jersey number is 666, as he is an absolute beast on the field. Also, who better to raise hell for the Hellraisers than the Beast himself?
Franchise Highlights: Franchise won the division with a team record 101 wins in season 3, where they then advanced to the ALCS. Franchise also made the ALCS in season 9. Franchise has made the playoffs 5 of 9 seasons in Cobb World, and never finished with a losing record. Franchise has drafted stars such as Alex Presley, Trenidad Pelaez, Barney Johnson, and Rich Rose. Franchise has been a solid performer in the trade market. Orber Olivo teamed up with Lil' John in a publicity campaign to raise his MVP credibility around the league.
Franchise Lowlights: Franchise has finished behind Anaheim in the division and in the playoffs nearly every season. Olivo has only 4 All Star appearances, and has been shut out of MVP voting nearly every season, including his 73 HR, 176 RBI season 6. Franchise has never signed an international worth much of anything.
Franchise Outlook: The AL West is on a highway to Helena, as the Sharks age and the Hellraisers get younger, especially in their pitching. The Hellraisers have a vast well of talent in their minor league pitching, and they are just about ready to break free of their minor league chains and wreak havoc on the AL next season. If Helena can find a replacement for the production of Orber Olivo as he rides off into the sunset, there is no reason why the Hellraisers can't continue their streak of winning seasons, and possibly take the division title away from Anaheim.

Burke's All-American Power Rankings

Burke the American - special to Cobb Times Herald

Burke is back with a brand new invention, his All-American Power Rankings! Read it and weep or jump with joy as you see who has the power to be called real American heroes.

Franchise	Fielding	Hitting	Pitching	Total
1. Omaha Sluggers	112	124.5	144.5	381
2. Scranton Dragons	95.5	149.5	126	371
3. Anaheim Sharks	102	138.5	128	368.5
4. Nashville Rebel Riders	112	118.5	134.5	365
5. Fargo Fug Nuts	73	133	147.5	353.5
6. Syracuse Beagles	117.5	122.5	112	352
7. Pawtucket G-Maniacs	110	73	152	335
8. Sioux Falls Corn Cleats	95.5	95	132	322.5
9. Wichita Wankers	79	117	117	313
10. Saint Louis HoundDogs	110	83.5	101	294.5
11. New York Titans	59.5	126.5	104	290
12. Helena Hellsraisers	63.5	118.5	101.5	283.5
13. Atlanta Pitbulls	102	89.5	74.5	266
14. Chicago Sabercats	49	124	85	258
15. Huntington Hillbilles	49	97	95	241
16. Cleveland Steamers	58	72	105	235
17. Pittsburgh SSP	65	82	62.5	209.5
18. Vancouver Grizzlies	79	59	65.5	203.5
19. New York Pick Pockets	43	83.5	75.5	202
20. Tacoma Jerry Gang	117.5	33.5	47.5	198.5
21. Mex. City Diablos Rojos	43	44	105	192
22. Aug. Angry Armadillo's	73	75	39.5	187.5
23. Jackson Pollocks	63.5	67.5	43	174
24. Salem Bitches	65	73	34.5	172.5
25. Richmond Cohibas	59.5	55.5	46	161
26. Lousiville Tysons	84	60.5	14.5	159
27. Charlotte Dogs	37.5	61	52.5	151
28. Kansas City Express	84	47	15	146
29. Toronto Blue Jays	57.5	38.5	40.5	136.5
30. Iowa City Corn Dogs	58	11	62.5	131.5
31. Toledo Tsunamis	57.5	18	44.5	120
32. Honolulu Islanders	37.5	48.5	32	118

Burke the American's Power Rankings

Burke the American - special to the Cobb Times Herald

The debate has been raging for some time now, which came first, the chicken or the egg, or in Cobb World's case, the American League or the National League? Doing his patriotic best to determine once and for all which league is the most gun toting, flag waving, apple pie baking league in the game, Burke the American has crunched the numbers and shared his results with the Times Herald readership. So who's on first? Read on and find out.

Fielding Rankings - AL vs. NL

National League	ER	Field. %	DP	Plus - Neg	CS %	Total
Atlanta Pitbulls	25	23	23	2	29	102
Fargo Fug Nuts	26	26	1	19	1	73
Honolulu Islanders	1	1	11.5	2	22	37.5
Huntington Hillbilles	2	2	14	1	30	49
Iowa City Corn Dogs	5	5.5	20	18	9.5	58
Jackson Pollocks	7.5	10	11.5	16	18.5	63.5
Lousiville Tysons	18	17	10	8	31	84
New York Pick Pockets	7	5.5	5.5	4	21	43
Omaha Sluggers	28.5	29.5	3.5	25.5	25	112
Richmond Cohibas	9.5	10	3.5	20.5	16	59.5
Saint Louis HoundDogs	21	21	32	32	4	110
Salem Bitches	14	14	18	11	8	65
Sioux Falls Corn Cleats	17	19	29	27.5	3	95.5
Syracuse Beagles	21	23	21	25	27.5	117.5
Toledo Tsunamis	15.5	17	15	8	2	57.5
Wichita Wankers	28.5	29.5	1	8	12	79
Total					1206
American League
Anaheim Sharks	30	29.5	8.5	30	9.5	102
Augusta Angry Armadillo's	15.5	17	22	16	6.5	73
Charlotte Dogs	12	14	16	5	13	37.5
Chicago Sabercats	4	5.5	31	6	26	49
Cleveland Steamers	11	10	2	13.5	32	58
Helena Hellsraisers	24	23	17	11	11	63.5
Kansas City Express	6	10	28	3	14	84
Mexico City Diablos Rojos	27	29.5	25	27.5	17	43
Nashville Rebel Riders	32	29.5	27	13.5	24	112
New York Titans	31	29.5	5.5	25.5	23	59.5
Pawtucket G-Maniacs	21	21	19	31	5	110
Pittsburgh SSP	19	21	24	16	15	65
Scranton Dragons	9.5	10	8.5	22.5	18.5	95.5
Tacoma Jerry Gang	3		26	11	27.5	117.5
Toronto Blue Jays	7.5	5.5	13	22.5	6.5	57.5
Vancouver Grizzlies	13	14	30	20.5	20	79
Total					1206

Batting Rankings - Al vs. NL

National League	AVG	OBP	X BH	R	SB	Total
Atlanta Pitbulls	8.5	11	21	19	30	89.5
Fargo Fug Nuts	29.5	25.5	32	30	16	133
Honolulu Islanders	7	8.5	5	10	18	48.5
Huntington Hillbilles	22	25.5	24.5	21	4	97
Iowa City Corn Dogs	1	1	2	1	6	11
Jackson Pollocks	11.5	15.5	3	5.5	32	67.5
Lousiville Tysons	18.5	11	7	11	13	60.5
New York Pick Pockets	10	8.5	17	20	28	83.5
Omaha Sluggers	29.5	32	28	28	7	124.5
Richmond Cohibas	8.5	13.5	6	5.5	22	55.5
Saint Louis HoundDogs	17	21.5	10	16	19	83.5
Salem Bitches	18.5	17	14	12	11.5	73
Sioux Falls Corn Cleats	23	30	18	22	2	95
Syracuse Beagles	26	28.5	26	32	10	122.5
Toledo Tsunamis	4	6	1	2	5	18
Wichita Wankers	21	24	20	27	25	117
Total					1279.5
American League
Anaheim Sharks	31	28.5	30	29	20	138.5
Augusta Angry Armadillo's	6	2	22	14	31	75
Charlotte Dogs	13.5	18	12	9	8.5	61
Chicago Sabercats	25	19	27	24	29	124
Cleveland Steamers	11.5	13.5	11	13	23	72
Helena Hellsraisers	27	23	19	23	26.5	118.5
Kansas City Express	13.5	7	8	7	11.5	47
Mexico City Diablos Rojos	3	5	13	8	15	44
Nashville Rebel Riders	28	27	24.5	25	14	118.5
New York Titans	24	21.5	31	26	24	126.5
Pawtucket G-Maniacs	16	15.5	16	17	8.5	73
Pittsburgh SSP	20	20	23	18	1	82
Scranton Dragons	32	31	29	31	26.5	149.5
Tacoma Jerry Gang	2	3.5	4	3	21	33.5
Toronto Blue Jays	5	3.5	9	4	17	38.5
Vancouver Grizzlies	15	11	15	15	3	59
Total					1360.5

Pitching Rankings - AL vs. NL

National League	ERA	WHIP	Wins	SOBB	SV / SVO	Total
Atlanta Pitbulls	12	11.5	13	11	27	74.5
Fargo Fug Nuts	30	30.5	32	30	25	147.5
Honolulu Islanders	6	5	7.5	5	8.5	32
Huntington Hillbilles	16	8.5	19	27.5	24	95
Iowa City Corn Dogs	11	13.5	2.5	3.5	32	62.5
Jackson Pollocks	13	8.5	12	3.5	6	43
Lousiville Tysons	1	2	2.5	6	3	14.5
New York Pick Pockets	17	17	15.5	15	11	75.5
Omaha Sluggers	31	30.5	31	29	23	144.5
Richmond Cohibas	9	17	9.5	9.5	1	46
Saint Louis HoundDogs	25	20	22	16	18	101
Salem Bitches	4	3.5	11	12	4	34.5
Sioux Falls Corn Cleats	28	24.5	26	24.5	29	132
Syracuse Beagles	29	28	29.5	17	8.5	112
Toledo Tsunamis	19	8.5	5	2	10	44.5
Wichita Wankers	23.5	24.5	27.5	19.5	22	117
Total					1276
American League
Anaheim Sharks	21	27	24	26	30	128
Augusta Angry Armadillo's	7	6	7.5	7	12	39.5
Charlotte Dogs	5	8.5	9.5	9.5	20	52.5
Chicago Sabercats	15	17	17.5	19.5	16	85
Cleveland Steamers	23.5	24.5	21	22	14	105
Helena Hellsraisers	18	19	20	27.5	17	101.5
Kansas City Express	3	1	5	1	5	15
Mexico City Diablos Rojos	27	24.5	17.5	23	13	105
Nashville Rebel Riders	26	29	27.5	31	21	134.5
New York Titans	20	21	23	21	19	104
Pawtucket G-Maniacs	32	32	25	32	31	152
Pittsburgh SSP	8	11.5	14	14	15	62.5
Scranton Dragons	22	22	29.5	24.5	28	126
Tacoma Jerry Gang	14	13.5	5	13	2	47.5
Toronto Blue Jays	2	3.5	1	8	26	40.5
Vancouver Grizzlies	10	15	15.5	18	7	65.5
Total					1364

In summation, the totals look like this:

• The American League and National League both have equally good (or bad) fielding with matching totals of 1206.
• The American League is the superior hitting league, by a margin of 81, 1360.5 to 1279.5.
• The American League is the superior pitching league, by a margin of 88, 1364 to 1276

The Grand total puts the American League on top by 161 points over the National League, thus claiming Cobb World superiority at the close of season 10.

Up Next: How the teams rank individually

AL = Purveyors of Cool

Tito McQueen - Cobb Times Herald

In an official unofficial study, the Bornstein Consulting Group LLC determined that the American League of Cobb World was cooler than the National League. The group used several methods to determine the coolness factors of the leagues, including monkey straw polls, celebrity facial likeness photo imaging, and others. "We feel that we have created a comprehensive system for showing who really is the coolest in Cobb World," said Bornstein CEO Hugo Klaus.

The first method was the monkey straw poll, where 32 Rhesus Macaques each pulled straws representing the American and National Leagues. To determine between the two leagues, the American League straws had plump mangos on the ends, while the National League straws had medallion pictures of Margaret Thatcher in lingerie. In an amazing showing of coolness, the American League was chosen by 100% of the monkeys.

The second method was using facial recognition software to determine which Cobb owners looked the coolest. The American League boasted many hip lookalikes, including owners snides45 being a 45% match with Hannah Montana, daubs23 a 67% match with Nick Jonas of the Jonas Brothers, furniss13 a 98% match with Hugh Jackman, this years People Magazine sexiest man of the year, and The__Kid being a 57% match with I Can't Believe it's not Butter spokesman and international hunk Fabio. Holding the AL back slightly was pieo, a 88% match with noted black metal troll, Mortiis. The National League was not so lucky with their facial matches, with mrploppie being a 86% match with Steve Buscemi, alogman1 a 78% match with Jim Cramer of Mad Money, and elderboy02 a 68% match with Rosie O'Donnell. Also holding the NL back in the game were the members of the NL West, who collectively were a 78% match with the members of Fallout Boy.

Other methods of coolness deduction included how low AL and NL owners SAT and college GPA's were, with the AL winning handily with a 1.8 GPA average compared to the NL's 3.7, indicating that the AL spent a ton of time drinking heavily at fraternity parties, thus being "too cool for school." Also used was the Miss Cleo method, where the noted psychic used her crystal ball to determine that the AL had called her more times for predictions, and were therefore cooler. Every other method used by the Bornstein group turned up the same results, that the AL was just cooler than the NL. But one interesting piece of information also came out of the study, being that the DH is an abomination and the AL is cool in spite of it.