Tito McQueen - Cobb Times Herald
Decade of Dominance - Delivering the Goods
The Wichita Wankers were originally the Indianapolis Iron Brigade, but no one remebers that team since the franchise moved to Wichita in season 2 and has stayed put ever since. During that 8 year span the Wankers have slowly but surely built one of the most formidible rosters currently seen in the league. Players like 40/40 man Grant Keats and Cy Young winner Davey Silva make this team a force to be reckoned with.
#19 - Wichita Wankers
Franchise Power Ranking: 32
Best Year: 105-57, s9 - Worst Year: 50-112, s3
Postseason Achievements: 1 Division Title
Best Player: Vasco Chantres - From seasons 4-9, Chantres was the rock in the Wankers lineup, hitting 222 home runs
Best Pitcher: Davey Silva - Silva's Cy Young & ROY winning season 9 was as close to perfect as you can get, and he is one of the contenders to knock King Ong off his throne as best pitcher in the league.
Best International Prospect: Tony Cho
Best Draft Pick: Grant Keats
Franchise Theme Song: Delivering the Goods by Judas Priest - The franchise patiently waited through seasons of intelligent draft picks and international signings, and the kids paid off in a big way with a 105 win season 9.
Franchise Highlights: Franchise recorded a team high 105 wins in season 9, winning the NL East and earning the teams first playoff appearance. Grant Keats became the second 40/40 player in league history in season 8. Franchise made several very nice trades to bring in talent like Davey Silva and Vasco Chantres. Franchise has been one of the best developers of talent in Cobb history, with players including Keats, Tanner Durham, Louis King, Dorian Woolf, Cho, Ignacio Lopez, and Victor Johnson.
Franchise Lowlights: Franchise recorded a team low 50 win season 3. Team failed to sign it's first round draft pick in season 1. Until season 9, franchise finished no higher than 3rd in the division.
Franchise Outlook: After last years 105 win season and nice playoff run, it is hard to say that the future is anything but bright at this point, especially when you consider that there is still another wave of minor leaguers that has yet to be brought up for the Wankers. The NL East is a very tough division, but the Wankers have the players now to give as good as they get and then some. They may have a bit of an arbitration nightmare in a few seasons, but that's the price you pay for success.
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