Rico Estrada - I'm the Coolest of the Cool!

Buster Gunns - Cobb Times Herald

Rico Estrada New York Titans Age: 28 B/T: R/R Born: Santa Teresa, VE Position(s): SS View Hardball Dynasty Profile

New York Titans Shortstop Rico Estrada was named the "Coolest Player in Cobb World" in a recent Times Herald poll. Estrada won by a very large margin, doubling the vote total of the nearest competitors, Jose Barrios and Kazuhiro Ong. "Now nobody can doubt my cool," said the suave Titan, continuing, "Put the league on notice, if you want to get with the ladies, you have to get behind Rico." Fellow NY Titans were pleased with the result, and attested to his coolness. "Rico is so damn cool, just being near him allows people to overlook my hideous soul patch," said Titans IF P.T. Turner. Other players around the league were also in awe of Rico's coolness. "If we had Rico on our team, I have no doubt we would win in the playoffs, he's just too cool to lose!" exclaimed perrenial playoff loser Vance Weaver of the Sioux Falls Corn Cleats.

Many people around the league theorize that Rico's shades are the secret to his coolness. "Maybe if I had his shades in addition to my Snidely Whiplash mustache, I would be cooler," mused Mexico City ace Eric Collins. But not all players were thrilled with the coronation of Estrada as the King of Cool. "What the hell? I wasn't even on that damn ballot! It's a sham vote," griped Chicago Sabercats 1B Kip Zeile. Also unpleased was Kaz Ong, who finished behind Estrada in the voting, who explained, "Just because I am capable of applying advanced physics and particle theory to my overwhelming pitching force doesn't mean that the derivitives of said applications deter from my coolness. I'm hip!"

Seizing on his coolness victory, Estrada is rumored to be creating a signature line of shades to market along with his signature glove, bat, shoes, gloves, beans and rice, power strips, highlighter markers, and teddy bears.

Decade of Dominance - Pawtucket G-Maniacs

Bip Booth - Cobb Times Herald

Decade of Dominance - There Once was a Team From Pawtucket...
The G-Maniacs started life in Cobb in the city of Helena, then moved to Boise, and are now in Pawtucket. No matter where they have been, they have held an ironclad grip on the AL North, winning it an astounding 8 consecutive times, not including their win in season 10. They have one of the premier pitchers in the game in Dean Hernandez, a very talented team top to bottom, and are major contenders for the World Series championship.

#5 - Pawtucket G-Maniacs
Franchise Power Ranking: 90.5
Best Year: 108-54, s8 - Worst Year: 71-91, s1
Postseason Achievements: 8 Division Titles, 6 DCS Titles, 1 ALCS Title.
Best Player: Tom Petitte - Petitte gets the nod over Carl Sarturria and O.T. Jarvis because he is still with the team, all three players were equally good, and have similar stats.
Best Pitcher: Dean Hernandez - The Dean of Pawtucket may not be the teams career leader in wins or strikeouts, but he already is the leader in complete games with 33, and will in all likelihood be the teams career leader in everything by the time he retires.
Best International Prospect: Esteban Leon
Best Draft Pick: Randall Rodgers
Franchise Theme Song: O.G. Original Gangsta by Ice-T - The Times Herald is sure that someone on the G's has this as their theme song when they come into the game.
Franchise Highlights: Franchise has won the AL North every season since season 2. Franchise has only had one losing season. Franchise has won 6 DCS titles, tied for the most in league history. Franchise made the World Series in season 9. Franchise traded for Dean Hernandez in season 7, landing the ace pitcher that has been the face of the franchise ever since. Franchise has drafted strongly, landing many major league prospects.
Franchise Lowlights: Franchise has never been a very big player in the international market. Franchise had a losing record in season 1.
Franchise Outlook: Rock of Ages. The G-Maniacs have been winning the AL North for as long as anyone can remember, and it doesn't look as if that will change any time soon. With Dean Hernandez leading a rotation of very skilled pitchers, and a potent offense to match, Pawtucket is and will be a legitimate World Series contender for at least 2-3 more seasons. Life is good in Pawtucket, that's for sure.

Decade of Dominance - Huntington Hillbillies

Tito McQueen - Cobb Times Herald

Decade of Dominance - Banjos, Buds, and Baseball
Another one of the original 8 franchises, the Huntington Hillbillies hold the honor of winning the first ever World Series in Cobb history. Their early teams were dominated with fearsome hitters that hold up as one of the all time great lineups of all time, including Jose Barrios, Francisco Tavarez, Vitas Newman, Fred McConnell, and P.T. Henderson all in their primes. Pitching has never been a strong suit of this franchise, but more often then not they have had the bats and the ballpark to overcome that weakness. After a brief bout of rebuilding, the Hillbillies are back in playoff contention, and Budweisers are being thrown down all over West Virginia in celebration.

#6 - Huntington Hillbillies
Franchise Power Ranking: 71
Best Year: 112-50, s2 - Worst Year: 68-94, s5
Postseason Achievements: 3 Division Titles, 1 Wild Card Berths, 2 DCS Titles, 2 NLCS Titles, 1 World Series Title.
Best Player: Jose Barrios - Barrios is the best player for any team he is on, and he began his career in Huntington with a bang, a MVP, ROY, and All Star season 1.
Best Pitcher: Bernie Lopez - It's been all about the offense in Huntington, but the young SP Lopez is the Hillbillies career leader in wins, and has potential for a long and productive career.
Best International Prospect: Quilvio Suarez
Best Draft Pick: Sam Lockwood
Franchise Theme Song: Dueling Banjos - If anyone has ever been to a Hillbillies game, then this is a no-brainer, crowd watching is like living a scene from 'Deliverance.'
Franchise Highlights: Franchise won the first World Series in Cobb history, triumphing over the Las Vegas High Rollers. Franchise made the World Series in season 2, but fell short of victory. Franchise won the NL South in season 3, and made the playoffs as a Wild Card berth in season 8. Franchise has signed more high profile international prospects than any other, a list that includes Quilvio Suarez, Jung Lee, Pedro Franco, Josias Lopez, Geronimo Lugo, Tony Cruz, David Kwon, Vladmir Segui, and many others. Franchise has also drafted very well, especially hitting prospects. Franchise owner krs96 guaranteed a playoff berth in season 8, and was correct.
Franchise Lowlights: Franchise traded away Jose Barrios in a fair deal in season 4. Franchise suffered losing seasons in seasons 4, 5, and 7. The rest of the league had to endure the sights of Hillbillie country during a tour of Eble Park.
Franchise Outlook: King of the hill once again. The Hillbillies have finished their rebuilding, and Jackson and Louisville have just started theirs. So it looks like unless Richmond shows a phenomenal improvement over the next season or two, the Hillbillies should have the NL South locked up for a while. They still don't have the pitching to make it very far in the playoffs, but they have the farm system depth to get it through trades. The forecast is pretty good in Huntington.

Decade of Dominance - Cleaveland Steamers

Chuck Biscuits - Cobb Times Herald

Decade of Dominance - Don't Hate the Player, Hate the Game
After a very successful run under original owner bengalkev, the Cleveland franchise was moved to Kansas City by new owner pieo, and an era of futility at the ML level ensued. The team used this time to earn many high draft picks, sign big time internationals, and build for the future, which is now arriving after the team moved back to Cleveland. One of the most controversial teams in the history of Cobb World, they have been publicly accused of tanking, cheating, and the owner was even put to an expulsion vote. But that is in the past and what is left is a team that is looking like it will be hated at the top of the standings for some time to come.

#7 - Cleveland Steamers
Franchise Power Ranking: 70
Best Year: 113-49, s7 - Worst Year: 35-127, s9
Postseason Achievements: 3 Division Titles, 2 Wild Card Berths, 3 DCS Titles, 1 ALCS Title, 1 World Series Title.
Best Player: Bob Sears - Two time AL MVP Sears was the driving force behind the Cleveland offense for years, and was an elite player for many seasons.
Best Pitcher: Doug Jenkins - Jenkins was the ace on the staff for the first four seasons in Cleveland, and is the teams career leader in wins.
Best International Prospect: Junior Lee
Best Draft Pick: Gary Ferguson
Franchise Theme Song: Used to Love Her by Guns N' Roses - Really, does this need any explanation?
Franchise Highlights: Franchise won the AL East 3 of the first 4 seasons, and won the World Series in season 3. Franchise was a wild card playoff entrant twice. Bob Sears won the AL MVP in Seasons 3 and 4. Franchise has signed many elite internationals, including Paul Jung, Junior Lee, and Edgardo Romero. Franchise had the #1 overall pick in Season 10, choosing SP Gary Ferguson. Franchise has also drafted future studs Vinny Jang, Bill Palmer, Steve Kerr, and Kent Upshaw.
Franchise Lowlights: Franchise endured a management switch in season 7 that saw a string of 3 straight seasons with win totals below 50, including a team low 37 win season 9. Franchise failed to sign #3 overall pick and future MVP candidate Hades Booker in season 1. Franchise's minor leagues were a wasteland for several seasons, seeing pitchers play positions, many injuries, and 12 win seasons. Current owner pieo was put to a league expulsion vote in season 9. Brace Davey was demoted to AAA in season 9 after hitting 41 HR's and posting a .926 OPS the previous season.
Franchise Outlook: Happy days are here again, maybe. The "Young Stud Core" has finally reached the majors, the team has invested heavily in free agents, and with those moves have followed the wins, with Cleveland looking like a playoff contender for many years to come. How the team reached this point is still a bone of contention for many owners, but no one can deny that the team is talented enough to be a World Series contender for the next decade.

Decade of Dominance - Louisville Tysons

Chick Magee - Cobb Times Herald

Decade of Dominance - Southern Fried Slugging
One of eight remaining original teams, under the guidance of mhoffa1382 the Louisville Tysons had one of the best teams in the National League for many seasons, but were never able to capitalize on their talent in the playoffs. Boasting a fearsome lineup that was always among the league leaders in home runs, RBI's, runs, and virtually any other offensive category, and also featuring a pitching staff to match, the Tysons were a force. Unfortunately father time caught up with many of their sluggers, and the window of opportunity has passed for now for Louisville.

#8 - Louisville Tysons
Franchise Power Ranking: 67
Best Year: 115-47, s7 - Worst Year: 87-75, s3
Postseason Achievements: 5 Division Titles, 3 Wild Card Berths, 2 DCS Titles.
Best Player: Dallas Kline - Can there be anyone else? Kline won 2 MVP's, Gold Gloves at SS and 3B, picked up multiple Silver Sluggers and All Star appearances, and is among the top 5 in Cobb History in Home Runs and RBI's.
Best Pitcher: David Rosado - Rosado won 126 games with the Tysons, had 4 All Star apperances, and won a Cy Young in season 6, truly one of the filthiest pitchers in the game.
Best International Prospect: Alfonso Vega
Best Draft Pick: Randy Rose
Franchise Theme Song: Theme Song for Dallas - There were many great players in Louisville's heyday, but Dallas Kline was the king of them all, and the centerpiece for the team.
Franchise Highlights: Franchise never recorded a losing record through the first nine seasons in Cobb World. Franchise won the NL South 5 times, made the playoffs as a wildcard 3 times, and advanced to the NLCS twice. Franchise had many individual honors, including Dallas Kline's 2 MVPs and David Rosado's Cy Young. Franchise boasted a frightening lineup of players in the NL South's preak, including sluggers Kline, Rob Quinn, Pat Barber, Vitas Newman, and Roosevelt Lowell. Franchise has made some very good international signings.
Franchise Lowlights: Due to it's constant winning, the Tysons have always drafted late and have only had 1-3 ML star quality picks in team history. Franchise has aged poorly and suffered the consequences in season 10.
Franchise Outlook: It was good while it lasted. For years the Tysons were a force to be reckoned with, and how the team never made the World Series is anybodies guess. But now they are looking at a lengthy rebuilding process as their aging sluggers leave via trade or free agency. They still have some solid pitchers to build around, but it will take some time to retool the lineup to resemble anything close to what they had. Still, there are some good prospects in the farm system, and good young talent on the ML squad, but it will be 2-3 seasons at best before they are back in the game again.

Decade of Dominance - Jackson Pollocks

Cleatus McDowell - Cobb Times Herald

Decade of Dominance - Action Jackson
One of eight remaining original teams, the Jackson Pollocks were a heavyweight during the glory days of the NL South, seasons 1-5. A division winner once, they made the World Series twice, but were unable to capitalize on their chances, and have been in a slow but steady decline since. Under the adept management of squidvicious, the Pollocks are a team that has always been known for being much more than the sum of their parts. The overachieving Pollocks have in recent seasons cast out the old in favor of a rebuilding project from the ground up. Still a team capable of winning on any given day, it will be a few seasons before they are back in contention for the playoffs.

#9 - Jackson Pollocks
Franchise Power Ranking: 64.5
Best Year: 98-64, s4 - Worst Year: 78-84, s9
Postseason Achievements: 1 Division Title, 5 Wild Card Berths, 2 DCS Title, 2 NLCS Titles.
Best Player: Domingo Montana - In addition to playing the demanding SS position, Montana is the career leader in hits, home runs, and RBI's for the Pollocks.
Best Pitcher: Eddie Rivers - Rivers racked up 99 wins and three all star appearances during his years in Jackson.
Best International Prospect: Esteban Mieses
Best Draft Pick: Anthony Tabaka
Franchise Theme Song: Painting My Horror by Arcturus - An avant garde metal masterpiece about painting perfectly compliments the abstract baseball art of the Pollocks. Although in it's defense the Times Herald couldn't find a song about Pork Rinds.
Franchise Highlights: Franchise made the World Series twice, losing to Anaheim in season 4, and Columbus (now Scranton) in Season 5. Franchise won the NL South in season 4, when the division was the toughest in Cobb World. Franchise has 5 Wild Card berths in the playoffs. Franchise has been known for many oddball promotions, including Squidvicious presents Sid Vicious night. Franchise has been an active player in the international market, with many recent high profile signings.
Franchise Lowlights: Franchise has never drafted particularly well, with forgettable 1st round picks the last few seasons. Franchise was the first team to lose back to back World Series, a feat later equaled by brianfurnish and Anaheim. Franchise suffered it's first losing season in season 9, posting a 78-84 record.
Franchise Outlook: 14th floor, going down. The Pollocks had been living the high life for some time, producing playoff teams and winning records for years. But that has changed as a rebuilding program has been put into full effect and the team restocks through the draft and international signings. The quality of thier recent draft picks will delay their rise back to prominance, but with division rivals Huntington and Richmond looking like their teams will be top notch for several years to come, it doesn't look as if they would have a reasonable chance of competing anyways. Look for a renaissance around season 13.

Season 10 Playoff Preview - Divisional Round

Lars the Greek - Cobb Times Herald

National League

#1 Fargo Fug Nuts (113-49) vs. #4 Huntington Hillbillies (82-80)
Overview: On paper this looks like it should be a lock for the Fug Nuts, the best team in the regular season and the #1 seed in the NL, playing against the weakest team in the playoffs, who managed to win their division despite being only 2 games above .500. But looks are deceiving as the Hillbillies dispatched a very talented Wichita squad that made the NLCS last season in the first round, and Fargo has a well known history of flaming out when it counts the most. Huntington's big strength is their powerful lineup, which is talented top to bottom and can overcome the occasional meltdown by the pitching staff. Fargo is once again a team without a real weak spot, with all stars at most positions and three Cy Young candidates in the rotation. But Lars has learned his lesson about picking the Fug Nuts in the playoffs, and figures they will find a way to blow it somehow.
Prediction: Huntington in 4.

#2 Omaha Sluggers (112-50) vs. #3 Syracuse Beagles (109-53)
Overview: This is a matchup of two very evenly matched teams, both with excellent lineups and pitching staffs. The Sluggers had the first round bye, while the Beagles came from behind to take out a 101 win Sioux Falls team in the opening round. The defending champion Sluggers have made it to the last three World Series behind the awesome arm of Kaz Ong and the massive bat of triple crown winning Jose Barrios. The Beagles don't have a player that is as clearly dominating as Barrios or Ong, but boast many all stars and young players who could reach that status within a season or two. The big question will be if Syracuse can get the pitching to match Omaha's rotation, this is the first season for ace Ron Reilly, and only the second for Phil Hinch. In Lar's mind, this is a toss-up.
Prediction: Syracuse in 5.

American League

#1 Scranton Dragons (107-55) vs. #5 New York Titans (92-70)
Overview: This battle of AL Beast rivals pits two former World Champions together fighting for the right to make the ALCS. The Dragons were the class of the AL East in the regular season, but the Titans have always been exceptional in the playoffs. The Dragons seem to have a better rotation than the Titans, but New York is battle tested after elmininating AL west champion Anaheim in the first round, and the Sharks rotation is nothing to sneeze at. The teams are evenly matched and there is no clear cut favorite. This is also a playoff rematch of last season, where Scranton had the edge and dispatched the Titans from the playoffs. Lars thinks it's time for a little payback and is taking the upset.
Prediction: New York in 5.

#2 Nashville Rebel Riders (104-58) vs. #6 Cleveland Steamers (90-72)
Overview: The Rebel Riders put together their best regular season in team history, and are looking to make a deep run in the playoffs for the first time in team history. The Steamers are back from the dead after finishing at the bottom of the heap in season 9, making the playoffs as the #6 seed. There is a lot of bad blood in this series as the reviled manager of the Steamers, pieo, has put his team in a position to win, especially after disposing of the AL North champion Pawtucket G-Maniacs and playoff monster Dean Hernandez in the first round. Will the Rebel Riders be able to cool off the Steamers? They certainly have the lineup to do it, but whether their pitching staff can handle the pressure is the question. Eddie Rivers was acquired from Jackson just for this purpose, and Lars thinks that will be enough to put Nashville in the the next round, but it won't be easy.
Prediction: Nashville in 5.