World Series
2003 WORLD SERIES
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| PREVIEW – FLORA-BAMA – The stage is set for an epic conclusion to the 2003 Mid-West Winter League (MWWL) season. In a classic best-of-seven World Series matchup, the National League champion Flora-Bama Mullets (110-52) will host the resilient American League champion Chicago Demolition (103-59). It is a heavyweight battle pitting the league’s most explosive offense against its strongest pitching staff.
The Matchup: Unstoppable Force vs. Immovable Object The defending champion Mullets return to the Fall Classic riding the league’s deepest lineup. Flora-Bama paced the MWWL by mashing 261 home runs and scoring 823 runs. Led by NL MVP Javy Lopez, who hit a home run every 8.7 plate appearances, the Mullets’ lineup features staggering depth. Mid-season trade acquisitions Jeff Kent and Rafael Palmeiro have added an elite veteran punch to a roster that already boasts stars like Aubrey Huff, Lance Berkman, Juan Gonzalez, and Brad Fullmer. To repeat as champions, however, Flora-Bama must crack a historic Chicago pitching staff. The Demolition led the league with a microscopic 2.94 team ERA, surrendering a mere 557 runs all year. Chicago’s short-series rotation is an absolute nightmare for opposing hitters. Built around the surgical Pedro Martinez and a brilliant Jason Schmidt, the Demolition can also call upon “The Rocket” Roger Clemens and a lockdown Kevin Millwood. When Chicago hands a lead to the bullpen, games are effectively over. Setup man Brendan Donnelly and closer Billy Wagner provide a devastating bridge that limits late-inning drama. Still, Flora-Bama counters with a premium rotation of their own, featuring Jamie Moyer, Curt Schilling, and Josh Beckett with all-star closer Jose Acevedo in the wings. Offensively, the Demolition will rely heavily on Carlos Delgado. The first baseman enjoyed a monstrous 2003 campaign, clubbing 43 home runs while driving in 115 runs. Combined with rookie sensation Hideki Matsui and the steady bat of Edgar Renteria, Chicago has more than enough firepower to punish mistakes. The Outlook: Flora-Bama holds the home-field advantage in the 2-3-2 format, but Chicago wielded the league’s best road record during the regular season. Expect a tactical, razor-thin series where a single pitch could decide the crown. |
2002 WORLD SERIES
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| PREVIEW – The MWWL media bots have been rather one sided in their predictions of domination by the powerhouse from Northern California who won a MWWL best 116 games during the season. This isn’t anything new for Flora-Bama who was also a major underdog going into the NLCS. Will the mighty Quakes bring home the title to California or can the Mullets scrappy regulars and deep bench complete the repeat? |
2002 WORLD SERIES PREVIEW
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 PREVIEW – Mullets vs. Quakes – A Clash of Leagues!
Baseball fans across the Mid-West Winter League are buzzing with excitement as the Flora-Bama Mullets, champions of the National League, prepare to face off against the formidable California Quakes, winners of the American League, in the much-anticipated 2002 World Series! Both teams finished the regular season tied for the best record in their respective leagues, with the Quakes at 116-46 (.716) and the Mullets at 108-54 (.667). This promises to be an epic seven-game battle. Let’s break down the key matchups. |
2001 WORLD SERIES PREVIEW
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The upcoming MWWL World Series clash between the Chicago Demolition and the Flora-Bama Mullets promises to be a thrilling showdown. The Mullets, with a record of 109-53, boast a formidable defense and pitching staff, ranking second in both defensive efficiency (.986) and ERA (3.58) in the league. Meanwhile, the Demolition, with a 101-61 record, have shown their prowess in scoring, leading with 897 runs this season. Both teams share a batting average of .273, but Chicago has a slight edge in on-base percentage (.346 vs. .333). Given Flora-Bama’s superior defensive and pitching stats, they might be considered slight favorites, but Chicago’s offensive strength makes this series too close to call definitively. Expect a tightly contested series with both teams having a strong chance to claim the title. Continue reading
2000 WORLD SERIES PREVIEW
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Written by Greg “Sarge” Stauffer 10/30/2023 – 9:00 AM ET
The Long Beach Titans’ journey to the World Series is far from that of an underdog or an unexpected entrant. Despite entering the postseason as a Wild Card team, their exceptional performance throughout the year, with 100 wins, ranks them third in the MWWL. Remarkably, they had to face the formidable Blarney Drive Bandits, the best team in the league, 22 times during the regular season.
This Titans team has demonstrated its prowess by sweeping the Goldeyes in the Wild Card Round, defeating the league’s top Blarney Drive Bandits in just five games, and orchestrating a remarkable comeback by clinching games 6 and 7 of the League Championship against the Gas Hornets.
In the words of Skipper Peter Kilmarx regarding their series against the Blarney Drive Bandits, “We achieved success against Blarney Drive by effectively countering Randy Johnson‘s pitching and securing victories in both of his starts. Our offense, while not as potent as in the regular season, delivered crucial hits when necessary. They are a highly skilled team, and if we were to face them again, they could very well win four out of five games.”
The Titans’ success can be attributed to their formidable batting lineup, with a remarkable team batting average of .306, accumulating 1142 runs and boasting no fewer than 11 players with double-digit home runs. Notably, Dave Justice, who had faced personal challenges in 1998 and 1999, displayed the form that earned him the MWWL Rookie of the Year award in 1990. He recorded an impressive .299 batting average, crushed 52 home runs, and led the team with 140 RBIs.
Despite their offensive prowess, the Titans did not neglect their pitching staff, ranking third in team ERA within the MWWL. Their depth is evident with six pitchers achieving double-digit wins. The latter innings of tight games are securely managed by their robust back-end bullpen, anchored by Rod Beck and Curt Leskanic, who consistently perform exceptionally well.
In conclusion, the Long Beach Titans are a strong, resilient team that should not be underestimated.
Representing the American League, we have the Chicago Demolition, a force to be reckoned with in the 2000 MWWL World Series. Having come close in 1998 and 1999, they have finally broken through and secured a place on the center stage.
Their ace and likely Cy Young winner in 2000, known for leading a formidable regular-season staff, compiled an impressive record of 26-3 with a minuscule 1.62 ERA and 216 strikeouts. Opposing teams managed a mere .167 batting average against him. The pitching rotation also features luminaries such as Roger Clemens, the scheduled starter for Game 1, and Kevin Millwood. These three powerhouses can smoothly transition to the pen, where Justin Speier and Nelson P. Cruz combined for 31 saves.
On the offensive front, the Demolition flaunted five players with batting averages exceeding .300 and nine players with double-digit home runs. The standout performer is MVP candidate Carlos Delgado, who boasts a remarkable slash line of .377/.514/.708, culminating in an astonishing OPS of 1.222.
When asked about returning to the grand stage, Manager Corrado expressed his excitement, stating, “It’s about time, as it has been a decade since our last appearance in the World Series. We are thrilled to be here. The Titans are a formidable opponent.”
Let’s delve into a detailed comparison of this year’s MWWL World Series opponents: Continue reading