Mid-West Winter League

2002 AMERICAN LEAGUE WILD CARD SERIES

HOUGHTON PENGUINS vs. CASTLE ROCK HOUNDS
PREVIEW – The American League Wild Card Series between the Houghton Penguins (90-72, AL East 2nd Place) and the Castle Rock Hounds (111-51, AL West 2nd Place) promises fireworks – will it deliver. On paper, the Hounds’ regular season dominance and deep rotation (Joel Pineiro, Andy Pettitte, Kenny Rogers) made them favorites, but the Penguins’ blend of timely hitting and bullpen grit could make this an interesting series. Castle Rock Hounds (111-51) The Hounds were a powerhouse in 2002, finishing with an outstanding 111 wins. Their offense is explosive, led by stars like Barry Bonds (coming off an MVP season in 2001 and still a major threat) and Brad Wilkerson, who was recognized as Player of the Week #16 for a .462 average, 3 HR, and 12 RBI in a single week. The Hounds have shown resilience, notably having a great season but finishing 2nd to the California Quakes, with clutch performances from Damion Easley, Barry Bonds, and Wilton Guerrero. Their deep lineup and ability to rally make them favorites in any series. Houghton Penguins (90-72) The Penguins had a strong season, finishing second in the AL East with 90 wins, narrowly edging out the DeWitt Tigers for the 2nd American League Wild Card Spot. While not as dominant as Castle Rock, Houghton is a well-rounded team capable of competing with the league’s best. They’ve been a solid team all season, and their record shows they can hang with top-tier teams.

HOUGHTON

PENGUINS

vs.

CASTLE ROCK

HOUNDS

PREVIEW – The American League Wild Card Series between the Houghton Penguins (90-72, AL East 2nd Place) and the Castle Rock Hounds (111-51, AL West 2nd Place) promises fireworks – will it deliver. On paper, the Hounds’ regular season dominance and deep rotation (Joel Pineiro, Andy Pettitte, Kenny Rogers) made them favorites, but the Penguins’ blend of timely hitting and bullpen grit could make this an interesting series.

Castle Rock Hounds (111-51)

The Hounds were a powerhouse in 2002, finishing with an outstanding 111 wins.
Their offense is explosive, led by stars like Barry Bonds (coming off an MVP season in 2001 and still a major threat) and Brad Wilkerson, who was recognized as Player of the Week #16 for a .462 average, 3 HR, and 12 RBI in a single week.
The Hounds have shown resilience, notably having a great season but finishing 2nd to the California Quakes, with clutch performances from Damion Easley, Barry Bonds, and Wilton Guerrero.
Their deep lineup and ability to rally make them favorites in any series.

Houghton Penguins (90-72)

The Penguins had a strong season, finishing second in the AL East with 90 wins, narrowly edging out the DeWitt Tigers for the 2nd American League Wild Card Spot.
While not as dominant as Castle Rock, Houghton is a well-rounded team capable of competing with the league’s best.
They’ve been a solid team all season, and their record shows they can hang with top-tier teams.

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2002 NATIONAL LEAGUE WILD CARD SERIES

HOLLYWOOD VAMPIRES vs. MANHATTAN GAS HORNETS
PREVIEW – Hollywood (107-55) and Manhattan (108-54) both bring potent clubs to the Wildcard Series. Hollywood took the season series 7 games to 5 – so expect things to be even. Gas Hornets love playing in NiSource Gas Hornets Stadium where they are nearly unbeatable. Managers Steve Cutler and Bill Schindel are prepared for a tough series with lots of player maneuvering to gain the best advantages. Will Hollywood’s dominant pitching (lead by 18 game winners Roy Hallady and Roy Oswalt) and power punch gang up on the Gas Hornets or will the run and gun Manhattan squad anchored by NL MVP candidate Garrett Anderson and his 38 homer, 161 rbis season carry the day?

HOLLYWOOD

VAMPIRES

vs.

MANHATTAN

GAS HORNETS

PREVIEW – Hollywood (107-55) and Manhattan (108-54) both bring potent clubs to the Wildcard Series. Hollywood took the season series 7 games to 5 – so expect things to be even. Gas Hornets love playing in NiSource Gas Hornets Stadium where they are nearly unbeatable. Managers Steve Cutler and Bill Schindel are prepared for a tough series with lots of player maneuvering to gain the best advantages. Will Hollywood’s dominant pitching (lead by 18 game winners Roy Hallady and Roy Oswalt) and power punch gang up on the Gas Hornets or will the run and gun Manhattan squad anchored by NL MVP candidate Garrett Anderson and his 38 homer, 161 rbis season carry the day?

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2003 FREE AGENTS

From the Mid-West Winter League Commissioner’s Office…

The following list of players has been filed for the Mid-West Winter League Free Agency based on the Usage Rules, according to the Mid-West Winter League Guide. Also listed below is a list of players who have decided to retire at the end of the 2001 Mid-West Winter League Season.

C. POST-SEASON WAIVERS/ FREE AGENCY

Usage Free Agency
1. Upon conclusion of the Regular Season, all players who have not met the usage requirements will be released from their teams. Position Players with 75 PA or greater during the MLB season who do not reach 50% of their MLB usage during the MWWL Regular are released.
  1. Plate Appearances are always rounded up.
  2. RUSE Verification Chart
2. Pitchers with 20 IP or greater during the MLB season who do not reach 50% of their MLB batters faced during the MWWL Regular Season are released.
  1. Batters Faced are always rounded up.

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2002 PLAYER / PITCHER OF THE WEEK #28

NAME	TEAM	AVG	SLG	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	R	RBI	K	W	IW	SB	CS	HBP
WALKER,Larry	HWE AL	.647	1.647	4	17	11	2	0	5	12	11	3	2	0	0	0	0

NAME	CLUB	G	W	L	S	ERA	IP	R	ER	H	K	BB	IBB	WP	BK	HB	HR
REAMES,Britt	HWE AL	2	2	0	0	0.64	14	1	1	10	16	6	0	0	0	2	0

NAME	TEAM	AVG	SLG	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	R	RBI	K	W	IW	SB	CS	HBP
ABREU,Bobby	VAL NL	.407	.741	6	27	11	1	1	2	8	11	3	4	0	1	0	0

NAME	CLUB	G	W	L	S	ERA	IP	R	ER	H	K	BB	IBB	WP	BK	HB	HR
MULDER,Mark	HLW NL	1	1	0	0	0.00	9	0	0	4	8	2	0	0	0	0	0

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2002 PLAYER / PITCHER OF THE WEEK #27

NAME	TEAM	AVG	SLG	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	R	RBI	K	W	IW	SB	CS	HBP
SOSA,Sammy	DEW AL	.429	.905	5	21	9	1	0	3	3	8	3	2	1	0	1	0

NAME	CLUB	G	W	L	S	ERA	IP	R	ER	H	K	BB	IBB	WP	BK	HB	HR
BENES,Andy	CAL AL	1	1	0	0	0.00	9	0	0	4	4	2	0	0	0	0	0

NAME	TEAM	AVG	SLG	G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	R	RBI	K	W	IW	SB	CS	HBP
EDMONDS,Jim	MIC NL	.417	1.042	5	24	10	3	0	4	5	13	4	0	0	0	0	0

NAME	CLUB	G	W	L	S	ERA	IP	R	ER	H	K	BB	IBB	WP	BK	HB	HR
MOYER,Jamie	VAL NL	1	1	0	0	0.00	9	1	0	4	3	2	0	0	0	0	0

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