Cortez Mack - Cobb Times Herald
Decade of Dominance - When Good Teams Go Bad
Once upon a time the Richmond Cohibas were known as the Mexico City Aguilas, and were one of the teams that made the NL South the dominant division of it's time, when you consider that a 100 win team could only finish in 3rd place. But those days are long gone, and the now Cohibas have put together a string of awful finishes that are the equal of any sad story ever told. The lone bright spot to the recent years of futility is that the Cohibas have been able amass one of the most talented farm systems in the league, so at least the future is bright.
#20 - Richmond Cohibas
Franchise Power Ranking: 29
Best Year: 100-62, s2 - Worst Year: 33-129, s6
Postseason Achievements: 2 Wild Card Berths, 1 DCS victory.
Best Player: Ernie Jenkins - Jenkins won an MVP, a Gold Glove, and had 2 All Star appearances during his first stint with the franchise.
Best Pitcher: Willie Costilla - Costilla was the #1 starter for the franchise during it's playoff years, and a very solid high control pitcher.
Best International Prospect: Geronimo Liriano
Best Draft Pick: Benji Ordonez
Franchise Theme Song: Good Lovin' Gone Bad by Bad Company - The Cohibas went from a 100 win team to 33 wins in three seasons, perhaps the worst decline in Cobb history.
Franchise Highlights: Franchise had two Wild Card appearances and a DCS victory in season 2. Recorded a franchise record 100 wins in season 2. Ernie Jenkins won the NL MVP in season 3. Franchise drafted Benji Ordonez with the #1 overall pick in season 7. Franchise has had a very good history of drafting and international prospects, signing such players as Al Morales, Liriano, Ordonez, Darrin Barkley, Dick Wolf, Pete Brantley, and many other talented players.
Franchise Lowlights: Franchise has never finished higher than 3rd in the NL South. Franchise hasn't won more than 60 games in a season since season 4. Franchise recorded a team low 33 win season 6. Franchise failed to sign super stud pitcher Eric Houck with the #1 pick in season 9. Including Houck, the franchise has failed to sign 4 first round picks.
Franchise Outlook: Just add pitching - Richmond's years of reaping draft picks and international prospects are starting to come to fruition as the prospects reach the majors. But the failure to sign Houck really hurt this team in its area of greatest need, starting pitching. As great as the teams signings have been, the Cohibas still lack a #1 pitcher. With the move of Jerry Ross to the bullpen, there is a big hole at the front of the Cohibas rotation that will keep them from making the playoffs until it is filled. But with Huntington also lacking top notch pitching, and Jackson and Louisville starting major rebuilding projects, the playoffs could soon be within reach.
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