Stray
1996 A.L. DIVISION SERIES #1
Corktown Bootleggers @ California Quakes |
|---|
  The two best scoring offenses face off in the ALDS. Sacramento led the league in scoring (6.0 R/G) and home runs (243) behind a .279/.364/.476 team line. Corktown was not far behind, scoring just 5 fewer runs over the course of the season (5.9 R/G) and hitting 230 HR behind the best team BA in the AL–.286/..351/.478. California also had a slight advantage on defense, with the second-best team ERA in the AL (3.26) and the second-fewest runs allowed (601)—compared to Corktown’s 3.66 ERA and 660 runs allowed. These are two well-balanced teams intent on scoring a lot of runs. |
1996 N.L. DIVISION SERIES #2
Valdosta Bombers @ Santa Rosa Beach Bums |
|---|
  The Bums welcome the Valdosta Bombers to the Emerald Coast for 2 games in the best of 7 Division Championship Series. The Bombers are the National League Central champions boasting a 100-62 record and 10 game lead over Michigan despite a 5 game losing streak to round out the season. They are lead by OF Steve Finley (.306/.375/.560) who tallied 34 2bs, 10 3bs, and 39 HRs and Hentgen (18-13, 2.93) on the mound with 164 Ks in 230 IPs. The Bombers have a superb relief staff lead by Nen (4-2, 2.08, 30 S) and accompanied by Franco (8-1, 1.93, 15 S), Mathews (0-0, 2.30), McMichael (4-0, 2.34, 11 H), and Wagner (2-1, 2.48, 12 H). Looks like the Bums will need to score early. Speaking of which the Bums (104-58) squeaked into the Eastern Division Champion position in the last series of the year passing the Steel City Bombers (103-59) who had a fantastic year before stumbling at the wire. The Bums are lead by Caminiti (.384/.461/.659) who totaled 51 2bs, 37 HRs, and 142 RBI. He is accompanied at the plate by Thomas (.325/.455/.614) with 21 2bs, 45 HRs, 118 RBI and 123 Ws; Alomar (.312/.400/.448) with 33 2bs; White (.300/.334/.493) with 40 2bs and 101 RBI; and the catcher duo MacFarlane (.339/.416/.646) with 29 2bs and 24 HRs; and Myers (.311/.359/.453) with 21 2bs. On the mound, the Bums are lead by Smoltz (20-6, 2.55) with 265 Ks in 257 IP and Rosado (11-4, 2.47) with 61 Ks in 123 IP. In the bullpen Crabtree (3-4, 2.35, 30 S) and Montgomery (2-1, 1.82, 14 H). Getting to them has been problematic for the Bums. The Bombers have bragging rights during the season winning 7 of 12 games. The series may turn out to be an epic battle down the stretch innings. Well, fans, buckle in the series is about to start. |
1996 N.L. DIVISION SERIES #1
Michigan Maraurders @ Winnipeg Goldeyes |
|---|
  Winnipeg was the best team in the N L this year with 112 wins, Michigan was the 85 wins wild card that knocked off one giant already in the wild card series. Winnipeg was third in era 3.52, Michigan 4.50 at 7th in ERA. Michigan was first in fielding Winnipeg 3rd, Winnipeg was first in batting and scored 6.2 a game and Michigan was 7th at 5.4 runs a game. Vegas-like Winnipeg in 5. Its been a weird playoff weak as the last two series I played the underdog won. |
1996 A.L. DIVISION SERIES #2
Detroit Stars @ Flossmoor Flying Squirrels |
|---|
  The underdog Stars of Detroit take on the mighty Flying Squirrels of Flossmoor in what could be a quick series. |
HERE TODAY… GONE TOMORROW…
The old Owner of the Hollywood Vampires Steve Cutler took control over the Mexico City Chihuahuas mid-season 1996 and was more than unhappy with the facilities, (and what they called a team) so he hired movers to pack up the team’s offices in the middle of the night, while the city of Mexico City slept. He was sneaking the team out of Mexico to the new state of the art ballpark being built in Hollywood, California named “Paramount Park”. It’s truly a state of the art magnificent place to play baseball & take a family”
Cutler expected the city of Mexico would be distraught over the news, but was shocked to find out there was actually a celebration later that day that lasted well into the night. It was a major party in the streets of Mexico City. Apparently, the city had already drawn up plans to convert it to a bullfighting arena, so they were happy to rid themselves of this eyesore of a team. “Adios Amigos” was 
the saying heard all over Mexico City. It was just like the Day of the Dead Celebration as the deadweight Chihuahuas were formally escorted out of town and across the border.
Now that the team has moved north, it will be renamed to the once-popular Hollywood Vampires who dominated MWWL in the early ’70s and ’80s, having been the first franchise in Mid-West Winter League history to win two World Series, 1973 & 1975. Welcome home Steve Cutler.