1st Power Rankings of Season 21!

1. Chicago Black Sox(38-16)--The Black Sox have started this season out like gangbusters, dominating the competition.

2. New York Torrones(34-20)--The Torrones are off to a great start as well. The AL East could be a great race to watch this season.

3. Louisville Sluggers(32-22)--The Sluggers have struggled some with the bats out of the gate, but their pitching staff has led them so far.

4. Colorado Springs Sky Sox(32-22)--The Sky Sox are looking like they might cruise in the AL West.

5. Buffalo Wings(33-21)--The Wings have picked up right where they left off last season, in 1st place in the NL North.

6. San Antonio Chupacabras(34-20)--The Chupacabras have jumped out to an early lead in the NL South.

7. New Orleans Freebeads(30-24)--The Freebeads figure to contend all season long and the very tough AL South.

8. Washington D.C. Abnormals VII(35-19)--The Abnormals have played very well in 1-run games to stay red hot.

9. Fresno Primetimers(33-21)--The Primetimers are currently leading the NL West by a comfortable 5 games.

10. Atlanta Braves(30-24)--The Braves have started the season off well with some nice free agent pickups. They could help make the AL South very interesting.

The Goldies

The Herb Washington Award

This is awarded to the player who adds as little to his team as possible beyond the ability to steal bases.

George Governale In 247 ab’s he has managed to drive in 14 runs while batting a paltry .211. However he has stolen 21 bases in 24 tries. Hon Mention, Kip Robertson The rule 5 draftee has bashed out 4 homers to go with a hot .233 avg. The best part of his game though is the 18 steals in just 20 tries.

The Glenn Wilson Award

Formerly known as the Rifle Arm award.

Roy Gordon The CF has racked up 13 assists in just 110 games, he has an outside shot at 20 this year. Hon Mention, a style="color:black;" href="http://www.whatifsports.com/hbd/Pages/Popups/PlayerProfile.aspx?pid=2118823" target="_blank">Einar Carrasquel he has played a few positions this season but still he has racked up 11 assists in just 83 games in the OF.

The Bill Buckner Award

Once again Terrence Cooper has this award locked up. 4^th in assists for a 1^st baseman but a whopping 7 errors and 6 negative plays. Hon Mention, Joey Weiss On the outside he looks like a pretty smooth fielder, 55 assists, but his 7 negative plays, 3 errors and 9.70 range factor are among the worst.

The Bash Brothers Award

The team with the best overall pop

Minnesota Twinkies Leading both leagues with 189 homers. 4 players have hit over 25 and are on pace for almost 40 a piece. 4 other players have reached double digits. They are on pace for almost 270 homers. Hon Mention, Dover Gryphons 139 homers is not a lot but 10 players have already reached double digits with Olmeda leading the way with 21. Every player in this lineup is a threat every time up.

The Mid 80’s Cardinals Award

The team with the best speed and no pop.

Louisville Sluggers overall they have 152 steals with two players swiping more then 38 a piece. 4 other players have reached double digits to give this team a well balanced running game. Hon Mention, New Orleans Freebeads they lead the league with 173 steals with Poole and Bradley on pace for almost 60 swipes each.

The Express Award

This gunslinging pitcher has a knack for k’s and for walks.

Steven Eveland is averaging almost 7 k’s per 9 innings and and an amazing 10 walks. Hon Mention, Peter Barker throws hard and wild to the tune of almost 7 k’s and walks per 9 innings.

The Mike Hampton Award

Better hitter then pitcher award.

Andres Cabrera Not a bad pitcher 6-7 with a 4.46 ERA, but a sweet bat has lead to a .314 avg and a solid .666 OPS Hon Mention, Hersh Bergman 7-8 with a 4.67 ERA, is 11 for 44 at the dish however and has a respectable .577 ops.

The Willie Keeler Award

The player who likes to settle for a single

Luther Stanley This young speedster is batting a blistering .311 but has only 17 extra base hits to give him a anemic .361 SLG. His .728 OPS is barely better then Andres Cabrera the Mike Hampton award winner. Hon Mention, Russell Leach Another speedy player that has a solid .292 avg, his 23 extra base hits only bump the SLG up to .357.

The Bobby Bonilla Award

The player who should probably be a DH

Alfonso Tejera His glove aint awful but he aint no CF anymore (16 errors and 8 negative plays). Luckily he is still ripping up the league with is bat .331 avg and 25 homers. The HOF is just around the corner for him but no Gold Glove. Hon Mention, Eric Murphy This all-star catcher doesn’t seem to have the legs anymore, 8 errors and a weak 22% CS percentage. Still has the stick to stay in the league.

The Rob Deer Award

Player who hits the homers and not much else.

Allen Barkley This career .270 hitter is having a way down year with the avg. A .214 avg and a .263 OBP offset his 25 homers in just over 400 at bats. Not really earning the 6 million this season. Hon Mention, Orlando Espinosa Not much better the Barkley .218 avg and a .275 OBP, is out homering barley by 1 in 20 less at bats as well.

The Dal Maxvill Award

Just look him up.

Julio Beltre brings gold glove type defense and a .210 avg with 1 HR every 130 ab’s and a no speed. Hon mention, Vin Hudson has the defensive ability of a good RF and the bat of Okay hitting pitcher. .195 avg and 1 homerun in over 350 at bats.

700 Saves club!!

Congratulations to the Boise Browncoats' Felipe Cairo for saving his 700th game! Quite a remarkable feat! Surely a sure-fire-HOFer Cairo has had a tremendous career in Boise!!!!

Owner's HOF

Congratulations to brentnet for becoming the 2nd member of the Addicted Users Owners HOF! brentnet has had a very successful career here in AU in both the Major Leagues and with his Minor Leagues!

3rd Power Rankings of Season 20

1. Louisville Sluggers(62-29)--The Sluggers are led by 8 all-stars this season. None have been more important than 2-time pitcher of the week Harry Velazquez. Velazquez struggled a little bit out of the gate, but he has been unstoppable since then!
Previously Ranked: 1st(E)

2. Boston EliteDucks(66-25)--Boston has ust been crushing the ball. With 7 all-stars on this years squad, none are more important than Craig Velandia!
Previously Ranked: 2nd(E)

3. New Orleans Freebeads(59-32)--The Freebeads are still breathing down Louisville's neck. This has the makings of a great division race as we enter the second half. The Freebeads have 4 all-stars led by power hitting youngster Erubiel Pineda.
Previously Ranked: 3rd(E)

4. Cincinnati Knights(59-32)--The Knights have been the hottest team in the AL over the past week. They are led by 3 all-stars with Ronnie Patrick finally having his breakout season it looks like.
Previously Ranked: 6th(+2)

5. Florida Fire Sailfish(53-38)--Florida is quietly having an excellent season. They are led by 2 all-stars, one of them being power hitting CF David Olivo.
Previously Ranked: 5th(E)

6. Chicago Black Sox(49-42)--Chicago seems to be starting to pull away from the rest of their division as we enter the all-star break. That could change though as their season has had some ups and downs. They are led by 3 all-stars and dominant closer Reagan Murray.
Previously Ranked: 9th(+3)

7. Colorado Springs Sky Sox(49-42)--The Sky Sox are led by lone all-star Trent Crane and a very good offense.
Previously Ranked: NR

8. San Diego Blue Sox(48-43)--San Diego is making their debut in the Power Rankings this season. They have a great pitching staff. Surprisingly they only have 1 all-star, Yank Watkins.
Previously Ranked: NR

9. Buffalo Wings(51-40)--The Wings are playing some very good baseball as they take over the top spot in the NL North going into the all-star break. With 2 all-stars they are led by youngster Carlos Arias.
Previously Ranked: 10th(+1)

10. Jackson Jaywalkers(51-40)--The Jaywalkers are the hottest team in AU over the past week. They are led by 2 all-stars, one of them being starter Bob Kelly.
Previously Ranked: NR

Dropping out: New York Torrones, Baltimore Bullets, and Salem Senators

2nd Power Rankings of Season 20

1. Louisville Sluggers(49-23)--The Sluggers are top 5 in runs scored, ERA, and fielding percentage. They have another dominate team that should make the playoffs.
Previously Ranked:3rd(+1)

2. Boston EliteDucks(53-19)--The EliteDucks continue to be one of the top teams in AU. They have great players. The gap does seem to be narrowing a bit though in the NL.
Previously Ranked: 2nd(E)

3. New Orleans Freebeads(47-25)--The two-time defending AL pennant winners are playing even better baseball this year it seems. New Orleans has one of the best offenses in the league and are breathing down Louisville's neck for the divsion lead.
Previously Ranked: NR

4. Salem Senators(48-24)--The Senators are lead by, easily, the best pitching staff in the majors. They have timely hitting to help with that and will give Boston a run in the playoffs this year.
Previously Ranked: 6th(-2)

5. Florida Fire Sailfish(42-30)--The Sailfish play in a very tough division and would be in first place in about half of the other divisions. They play very good team baseball using every part(offense, pitching, and defense) to get the job done.
Previously Ranked: NR

6. Cincinnati Knights(45-27)--The Knights, whose franchise has never won the AL North, have positioned themselves to be the favorites in this division almost halfway through the season. Billpitt has turned this team into viable contenders that slug the ball with the best of them.
Previously Ranked: 4th(-2)

7. New York Torrones(39-33)--New York has been playing better ball as of late. The Torrones got off to a bad start this season, but seem to have turned it around so far. Their offense will need a little more help from their pitching to make a run at another division title.
Previously Ranked: NR

8. Baltimore Bullets(42-30)--The Bullets are lead by a very good pitching staff that needs some help offensively if they want to contend once they get into the playoffs.
Previously Ranked: NR

9. Chicago Black Sox(40-32)--The Black Sox are the current division leaders in the AL East but have fallen on tough times recently. If they can right the ship could they win this division away from torrone?
Previously Ranked: 1st(-8)

10. Buffalo Wings(40-32)--The Wings have traditionally been led by a much better pitching staff. If they can get their staff back where it should be then with their offense they could run away with the division again. First things first though, they must jump the Cleveland Penguins!
Previously Ranked: 8th(-2)

Dropping out: Anaheim Hasselhoffs, Detroit Grass Lakes, Jackson Jaywalkers, and Washington D.C. Abnormals

3000 HIT CLUB

The AU Intervention would like to congratulate Darron Pierce, of the Louisville Sluggers, on becoming just the 2nd player in AU to get 3000 hits. What an amazing accomplishment.

We would also like to congratulate Billy Ledee, of the Washington D.C. Abnormals, on hitting his 500th HR earlier this season! That is quite a feat!

Additionally B.C. Garland, of the New York Torrones, has recorded his 300th save during the am cycle. Garland has been a model of consistency for the Torrones locking down the back end of his bullpen.