ABC Sports: No More RV Parties for Edwards?

[Spindelphia]

Boston's New Revolution
7/29/1995

The Union League is now four months into it's existance, and it's fair to say that the league has surprised many baseball fans based solely on the fact that it is still standing. On face value alone, some critics said that the league wouldn't survive, even with MLB's Union woes, pun absolutely intended. Here we'll take a look at one model franchise and compare them to their MLB doppelgangers.

Boston Colonials, AVG Attendance: 24,666
Boston Red Sox, AVG Attendance: 19,377

The Colonials have benefited greatly by the Red Sox nearly 40% decline in ticket sales due to the strike and a fan base that was disgusted with the team in 1994. Both teams lead their divisions currently, though the Colonials are locked in a tight race with the Houston Apollos. On paper, the Colonials should be a franchise struggling to survive in a market with one of the most loyal fan bases on the planet.

The Colonials could be compared with the MLB's Mets, who successfully took a chunk out of the Yankees sails early in their infancy. The Colonials have a good look and picked up players in free agency that while they aren't superstars, were perfect marketing material in the Boston area. Combine that with the teams first round pick in minor league journeyman Darryl Brinkley (selected with the second pick) and several smart pickups in the draft, and the Colonials had the tools to compete out of the gate.

GM Steve Horner knew that in order for the Colonials to survive against a Red Sox team with a longstanding ingrained fan base, the Colonials would have to put everything together NOW. If the Colonials struggled or failed to attract a fan base, owner Warren Buffett might cut ties with the league, or even outright move the team.

Luckily, that hasn't happened. Maybe the Red Sox will move instead.

[Spindelphia]

Kindelan Looking towards Future?
8/5/1995

Is Orestes Kindelan willing to resign with the Hollywood Stars? While the 30 year old Cuban slugger did miss nearly a month of the season with a sprained ankle, he's since come back and has continued to dominate league pitching. Kindelan is also reportedly demanding a large contract in order to remain in Hollywood. GM Marlon Trigg Sr. has remained mum on Kindelan's future with the franchise. Reports indicate the two sides have had very little contact since the season began.

"They haven't talked." was the general word out of the Stars organization. Trigg himself was unavailable to speak to the media, since he's been on a pleasure cruise for most of the season. This begs the question are the Stars willing to let Kindelan walk? Is Trigg coasting on fumes, and what does Owner Bill Gates have to say about the Stars GM's lackidasical command style thus far?

Kindelan is sure to command a large payday, however,in their month without him they proved they could win games without him. Kindelan will surely command an extravagant amount on the free agent market if Trigg lets him walk. With teams fighting over Kindelan, the Stars could potentially sign some of the other big ticket Free Agents that could potentially be on the market such as Jim Thome, Curt Schilling, Manny Ramirez or... Trigg's potential #1 target Mike Piazza. Of course, the MLB will also be a factor in next years Free Agent Market, and it will be Trigg's first test against the big boys of the MLB. The Stars play in one of the toughest markets in baseball with the Dodgers, Angels, A's, Padres, Giants and the ULB's San Jose Jedi nearby.

Trigg also has a hated Rival in the Washington Generals GM Josh Allenberg who will likely be looking to make Trigg pay dearly for the players he values most.

One way or the other, Trigg will have his work cut out for him this offseason, if he ever returns from his four month long pleasure cruise, that is.

[Spindelphia]

New Jersey Giants Owner Displeased with Performance
9/10/1995

Jersey City, NJ - Donald Trump isn't one to mince words. Today he told reporters that Giants GM Richard McNeal is on the hot seat, despite being in first place in his division.

McNeal and Trump haven't gotten along well this season, with Trump second guessing every move the Giants have made. Trump recently remarked that closer Mitch Williams shouldn't even be playing baseball after his epic failure in the MLB's World Series in 1993.

"I wouldn't have signed him to any deal. I though we were signing a different Mitch Williams when the contract crossed my desk. You lose like that, you should go hide under a rock for the rest of your life if you ask me."

Trump has recently been spotted at Newark Bison playoff games, chatting with Bison Manager Ryan Huff, adding to speculation that Huff may be Trump's canidate to replace McNeal if the Giants fail to win the Union Cup.

McNeal, who has frequently refused to discuss his status with the Giants and Trump, was only willing to say that he's done the best he can this season, and that it's the Donald's decision in the end.

"I know he likes to say those two words. I have a couple words for him as well. Shut up and let me do my Job."

[Spindelphia]

An American Moose in Canada
12/22/1995

Vancouver, British Columbia - Mike Mussina arrived in Vancouver today to officially sign his contract after being checked over by team doctors. The Vancouver Canucks have more or less decided to take their chances that the 3 time Baltimore Orioles All Star would be able to make a successful comeback after undergoing Tommy John surgery last season.

Tommy John surgery, known in medical practice as ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction, is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body. In Mussina's case, a ligament was transplanted from his knee to his elbow.

"I've got about 4-5 weeks to go before I can get back to throwing full throttle. Right now, I feel pretty good. Dr. Jobe checked me out today and gave a full report to the Canucks. I had a nice lunch with Mr. Pattison and Mr. Monagle, and we're all pretty excited about this upcoming season."

Mussina was one of the top pitchers on the free agent market, and some point to the Canucks getting the best deal this offseason due to Mussina's injury and questions, however slight, regarding his ability to make a successful comeback.

One scout pointed to the deal recently reached with Curt Schilling and the Buffalo Blizzard.

"You compare that deal to the one Moose signed, and it's obvious teams had concerns about the surgery. This is a business, and you are always going to see teams worrying about potentially getting damaged goods and a multi year contract that can quickly become an albatross."

Before Mussina's season ending injury, he was displaying his typical superstar form, going 1-2 with a 3.10 ERA in 4 games. Overall Mussina was 53-23 with a 3.19 ERA in 97 starts in his career with the Baltimore Orioles.

In other news, repairs on BC Place Stadium are proceeding slowly, and insiders point to the Canucks possibly having to start the season on an extended road trip due to the extensive damage to the concourse and outfield stands.

[Spindelphia]

Nolan Ryan Announces Return. Again.
1/27/1996

Arlington, TX - Sometimes, Players just can't stay away from the game. Such is the case with future Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan. Ryan retired early in the offseason, but after working out at home and pitching against local college students in the offseason, has decided he has what it takes to play at least one more season.

"I feel like I still have something in the tank. It's maybe only a quarter tank, but It's more than most people. See you on the field."

Ryan has flip-flopped on retirement this offseason. He retired in October after a season with the San Jose Jedi, then announced he would not retire in November. He called a press conferance to announce his impending retirement in January, and now has announced that that annoucnement was in error a mere 27 days later.

San Jose Jedi GM Mak Dolnick doubts Ryan's ability to return, and alleges that Fay Vincent has convinced the pitcher to return for marketing reasons.

"Clearly the commissioner has gone on a power trip blackmailing Ryan to come back for the third time in the last two months."

[Tavarin]

Yeah, I wasn't talking about Fay Vincent.

[Spindelphia]

He's the commish though? Are you on crack?

[Tavarin]

He's the commish though? Are you on crack?

I was talking about the puppeteer pulling Vincent's strings.

[Spindelphia]

That's Dick Cheney.

[Spindelphia]

Soros and Allenberg Hold Closed Door Meeting
4/28/1996

George Soros and Josh Allenberg held a closed door meeting with the entire team today. Commissioner Vincent had just handed down an 8 game suspension to The Generals' John Duffy for hitting the Wolves Reggie Stewart. The incident occured after a Matt King Home Run in which King pointed to Duffy and blew him a kiss during his home run trot. Duffy was clearly angry and after three close balls that nearly hit Stewart, Duffy hit him in the head. Stewart charged the mound, but was tackled by Carlos Moto after just two punches were thrown. Duffy fell to the ground after beeing punched in the head, but was up a few seconds after just as Mota got off Stewarts back. Duffy then kicked the prone Stewart in his groin as both benches cleared.

Neither Soros or Allenberg commented to the media, but the coversation clearly had the team's recent mean streak as the main talking point. The fight between Stewart and Duffy occured just days after another bench clearing brawl that resulted in 10 game suspensions for Rob Cordemans and the Bees' Keith Lockhart. The suspensions leave the Generals down 2 of their starting pitchers.

Vincent has said that the recent violence during ULB games is a disturbing trend.

[Spindelphia]

ULB Trade Deadline Approaches
8/11/1996

In baseball, sooner or later it comes down to being a buyer or seller. The ULB, now in it's second season, is starting to see some of the action that it's rival league enjoys at the end of July every year. One major difference is that the ULB's trade deadline comes later in the season. The ULB's cut off date for non waiver trades is the end of August, which gives teams extra time to decide to buy or sell.

Thus far, the ULB has not seen much in the way of trading, which was to be expected as most teams were still evaluating talent in 1995. Today saw the first 'blockbuster' deal with the Crickets shipping 3B Tippy Passeau to the Bees in exchange for a future 1st Round pick. The Bees may have begun a trend as they continue to scrap in the Federal League's Western Division. Despite a high powered offense, the Hollywood Stars are still playing leapfrog with the Pioneers, and the Bees remain within striking distance, being just 4 games back. Last season saw tight races, with just a few teams out of the race by August. This season, more teams are looking like your traditional 'sellers' and it will remain to be seen if this is the season that the ULB sees it's first trade deadline frenzy. With that in mind, here is a potential preview of Buyers and Sellers this season.

Potential Buyers:
Boston Colonials, Brooklyn Bridges, Vancouver Canucks, San Jose Jedi, Jersey City Giants, Portland Pioneers, Hollywood Stars, Salt lake City Bees

Potential Sellers: Columbus Crickets, Phoenix Fire, New Orleans Gold Sox, Buffalo Blizzard, Washington Generals, San Antonio Wolves

Wildcards (Could go either way): Houston Apollos, Las Vegas Vipers

[Spindelphia]

Portland Loses Heartbreaker In Extras

Tuesday, October 1st, 1996: Portland has no one to blame but themselves for the hole they've dug themselves. The Pioneers lost a heartbreaker to fall to the Jersey City Giants 3-2 in extra innings. With the game tied 2-2 in the bottom of the 10th inning, Paul Brosius got Andrew DiOrio to fly out before giving up a triple to Rey Ordonez. Brosius then intentionally walked Zack Watts to set up a potential double play. Watts prompty stole second to put runners on 2nd and 3rd with 1 out. Mark Merchant was then intentionally walked to load the bases with Raul Mondesi coming up. Brosius then threw 3 straight balls before getting two called strikes.

Brosius reared back and threw. Mondesi's bat never left his shoulder as the ball sailed toward the plate. Low and outside, game over. Mondesi pounced on Ordonez as he crossed the plate. Brosius declined to talk to reporters as he packed his bags and left the stadium with his Pioneers down 2 games to none in the best of 7 series. Catcher Ryan Luzinski was quick to defend his pitcher.

"Mondesi chases balls in the dirt. I called for a ball low. Nine times out of ten, he chases that pitch. I blame myself. I blame myself. No excuses, we lost that game because of my calls."

[Spindelphia]

Facing Elimination, Will Canucks turn to Moose?

Mike Mussina wants the ball. After being shellacked by the Giants in Game 3, The Moose wants the ball in Game 6 to try to help force a Game 7.

"I want to go back out there. After my poor performance in Game 3, I feel like I need to get back out there today. I can pitch on short rest, and I can win this game for us. The boss is saying it's going to be a game time decision, but I'm just hoping he makes the right call."

The Canucks face a dilemma. Will they pitch Mussina in Game 6 and hope they can pull out a win in Game 7 with Kown? Or go with their regular starter in Kown and hope to pull out a win to get Moose a Game 7?

[Spindelphia]

Canucks Stuck In Neutral?
7/13/1997

The Vancouver Canucks aren't sure what is going on in Canada. With the season halfway complete, they've gone 23-18 on the road, but are 15-20 at home and yet still sit a tantalizing 4 games out of 1st. The team's pitching staff hasn't been sharp on the whole, and while the team is still very good defensively, they have have the 2nd most errors in the Players League, behind the defense-less Crickets. Injuries have been piling up, and fans are starting to back off boasts of a three-peat.

Injured Star John Orelud summed it up as "We're still in Neutral, spinning our tires, and everyone else has left the gate."

GM Matt Monagle may be in hot water at the moment with the fans, but Jim Pattison has given him a vote of confidence for the time being. With the trade deadline still a month away, Monagle still has time to right the ship and get the team back on the path to the Playoffs in the ULB's tightest division.

[Toona the Cat]

Report: MLBPA, NPBPA, and ULBPA Considering Merger
Special to New York Times
21 September, 1997

NEW YORK - MLBPA President Donald Fehr and ULBPA,
presently headed by Houston Apollos 2B Chuck Knoblauch,
have announced they have begun discussions to merge
the two top level major league players associations in the
United States, along with the Japanese professional baseball
players union into what is being termed the International
Professional Baseball Players Union.

Unlike their American counterparts, the Nippon
Professional Baseball Players Union is a relatively
weak union, with roster rules and compensation
levels not nearly equal to those in the MLB or ULB.
For example, players must have nine years of
service in Japan to become a free agent. The
arbitration procedure in Japan is a farce, with
determinations almost always favoring team
management.

Former Washington Generals owner Josh Allenberg,
who left the team in 1996 to become Secretary of
Labor in the Clinton administration, is reportedly
involved in the process, and anonymous sources
have reported that he is considering leaving his post
to become the president of the proposed super union.
At present, all calls to Secretary Allenberg's office
have not been returned.

Neither Major League Baseball Commissioner Allan H.
"Bud" Selig nor Union Baseball League Commissioner
Richard McNeal offered to comment when informed
of the development.

[Spindelphia]

No comment.

[Spindelphia]

MLB, ULB meet to discuss future of Free Agency

The commissioners of Union League Baseball and Major League Baseball had a meeting today to discuss the future of Free Agency. MLB Commissioner Bud Selig was concerned about the ever increasing exodus of star players to the ULB, and both sides agreed to work towards implementing controls. Both Commissioners discussed the possiblility of implementing a Salary Cap in the ULB, pay scales and the length of time before players become elligible for Free Agency. The next step will be meeting with the respective heads of the MLBPA and the ULBPA.

One possible issue could be the contract between the MLBPA and the MLB, which does not expire until 2001. Selig does have unilateral control over increasing the MLB's salary cap, which he will likely increase to stop teams from being unable to sign pending free agents.

[Spindelphia]

George Bush Encourages MLB Owners, GM to Spend
1/8/1999

Commissioner George Bush, who took over for the ousted Bud Selig in August of 1998, is trying to regain some of the ground lost to the ULB. Owners had groused about Selig's attitude towards spending since the strike and the formation of the ULB. Bush spoke out about the MLB's new approach to dealing with the upstart league.

"He was trying to rein in spending, and encouraging owners to spend within their limits at the time. Fans weren't coming out, and a lot of teams were losing money. Some teams attendance just crashed. We were losing the war."

The MLB lost stars like Roger Clemens, Mike Mussina, Curt Schilling, Frank Thomas and Mike Piazza to the ULB over the course of the last few seasons. Bush intends to put a stop to the practice.

"We're gonna do our best to keep these guys in the MLB. It's time to start spending some money here to keep these guys. So if you want a Pedro Martinez, you better be prepared to break the bank. I hear the Bridges are offering him like $200 Million. That's fine, that's okay. I dunno how you convince Mike [Bloomberg, owner of the Bridges] to do that, but fine. You can grab him up for 200 million, and we'll take the Brinkley's, the Arias' and the Bracks'."

With a new National TV Deal with Fox, and ESPN's exclusive deal with the ULB now expired, the MLB is set to start adding more money to it's coffers. ESPN has agreed to broadcast both ULB and MLB games this season. The ULB is currently without a National TV Contract for 2000, and Vincent is talking with both CBS and ESPN. MLB Attendance figures have begun to bounce back after an exciting season that saw Sammy Sosa pursue and break the HR Record of Roger Maris, and the Cubs end the Curse by winning the World Series, oddly enough by beating Bush's own team. Bush laughes off the notion that the Rangers laid down in the World Series.

"Yes, I was hoping to keep that Curse going. Anyone who says we laid down is simply stupid."

[tadashi]

I guess it's good that Houston is pretty much done with the offseason, then. Mediocrity, here we come!

[Spindelphia]

NABL, GBL Afflilations Dissolved by ULB
1/8/1999

The North American Baseball League and the Golden Baseball League have been dissolved by the ULB. The ULB has entered into a contract with the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball for the 1999 season.

"A general lack of ticket sales and unappealing stadiums were the main reason given as to why the ULB choose to unaffliate with both these leagues."

The NABL and the GBL were founding Minor League Affliates for the ULB.

The Atlantic League will be comprised of Newark (COL), Long Island (BRO), Bridgeport (NO), Nashua (BUF), Atlantic City (HOL), Camden (HOU), Lehigh Valley (POR) and Somerset (BOS). The ULB is planning to ask the Prairie League to change affliations for Aberdeen (JC) and Brandon (WAS) to allow Portland and Hollywood to move their minor leagues closer to the West Coast, while allowing Jersey City and Washington to do the same.

"It's a complicated process, but we're hopeful to have this finished by the time Spring Training rolls around."

[Spindelphia]

All Star Voting Update
5/23/1999

All Star Voting is in full swing in the ULB, and there are a few surprises thus far. While voting is still in the early stages, Fans from Vancouver and Jersey City have stuffed the voting box thus far. Vancouver has 4 leaders, while Jersey City has five. Pedro Astacio is riding a fan campaign to get him to start the game, and he currently has a narrow lead over Salt Lake City's Roger Clemens. In the PL, BJ Wallace maintains a slight edge over Phoenix's undefeated Pedro Luis Lazo. Ray Rice is looking to dethrone 3 time All Star Jamie Taylor. 1996 ASG MVP Michael Jordan finds himself in an odd place, not leading in voting, perhaps due to a switch to the DH spot in the Crickets lineup.

Players League Leaders

C Ivan Rodriguez, VAN
1B Frank Thomas, BOS
2B Lonnie Goldberg, BRO
3B Dave Konigsmark, PHO
SS Ed Renteria, VAN
OF Ichiro Suzuki, VAN
OF Wayne Edwards, BRO
OF James Harrison, COL
DH David Justice, VAN
SP B.J. Wallace, SJ
RP Pedro Borbon Jr., BRO

Federal League

C Mike Piazza, HOL
1B Darren Doucette, JC
2B Mike Peeples, SA
3B Ray Rice, JC
SS Nomar Garciaparra, NO
OF Felix Vega, JC
OF Mark Merchant, JC
OF Orestes Kindelan, HOL
DH Ryan Keith, POR
SP Pedro Astacio, POR
RP Jim Brantley, JC

[Spindelphia]

ULB Planning to expand to 2001
9/28/1999

The ULB has plans to expand in 2001 according to unnamed sources within the Commissioners Office. Plans are in place to ulitize the new stadium being built in Milwaukee now that the MLB's Brewers have moved to Quebec. With the stadium already under construction and scheduled for completion in March of 2000, the ULB is in serious negotations to plant a new team in the city. The other team will likely be place in the midwest where the ULB has few franchises. All signs point to Milwaukee being placed in the Players League East and either another East Coast franchise being added with Houston being moved to the Western Division. Two canidates that have emerged as interested are St. Louis, (with San Antonio owner Stan Kroenke selling the team and taking control of the new franchise) and Oklahoma City

[Spindelphia]

Spotlight Players League Eastern Division: May 20th, 2001
5/20/2001

Welcome to the first edition of Around the League. These articles will cronicle the going on and noteworthy events of the week in the ULB. So let's just get started:

BOSTON - Dan Mozingo has a viral infection and has been told to stay home for the next two days. He should rejoin the team in time for the flight to Vancouver. Frank Thomas went 9 for 20 with 3 HR and has RBI's in his last 8 games.

BROOKLYN - Glenn Davis is heating up, he hit .476 last week with 2 HR. Andy Pettitte was handed his first loss of the season against the Jedi as the Bridges were swept by the defending Champs.

COLUMBUS - The Crickets swept the hapless Vipers. Pedro Luis Lazo shut out the Crickets for 8 innings on Saturday before handing the ball over to rookie closer Glaser.

MILWAUKEE - The Brewers continue to show offensive life, as they now are tied for the league lead in team hits. (With the Pioneers) Pitching continues to be a glaring weakness for the expansion club.

HOUSTON - Barry Bonds is finally showing flashes of his old self. While he hit just .250 with 2 HR last week, he has 5 HR in his last 12 games. Rookie 1B Albert Pujols is now hitting .314 on the season, proving that the Apollos were right to give him the nod at 1B to start the season. Caleb Balbuena leads the team in Strike outs, Hits allowed, Run allowed, Home Runs allowed, and water coolers kicked.

[tadashi]

Spotlight Players League Eastern Division: May 20th, 2001
5/20/2001

Welcome to the first edition of Around the League. These articles will cronicle the going on and noteworthy events of the week in the ULB. So let's just get started:

BOSTON - Dan Mozingo has a viral infection and has been told to stay home for the next two days. He should rejoin the team in time for the flight to Vancouver. Frank Thomas went 9 for 20 with 3 HR and has RBI's in his last 8 games.

BROOKLYN - Glenn Davis is heating up, he hit .476 last week with 2 HR. Andy Pettitte was handed his first loss of the season against the Jedi as the Bridges were swept by the defending Champs.

COLUMBUS - The Crickets swept the hapless Vipers. Pedro Luis Lazo shut out the Crickets for 8 innings on Saturday before handing the ball over to rookie closer Glaser.

MILWAUKEE - The Brewers continue to show offensive life, as they now are tied for the league lead in team hits. (With the Pioneers) Pitching continues to be a glaring weakness for the expansion club.

HOUSTON - Barry Bonds is finally showing flashes of his old self. While he hit just .250 with 2 HR last week, he has 5 HR in his last 12 games. Rookie 1B Albert Pujols is now hitting .314 on the season, proving that the Apollos were right to give him the nod at 1B to start the season. Caleb Balbuena leads the team in Strike outs, Hits allowed, Run allowed, Home Runs allowed, and water coolers kicked.

I believe Houston also leads the league in players on the DL.

[Spindelphia]

Yes, yes they do. You might want to get a real doctor.