A few weeks ago, I wasn’t sure my Urbana Locomotives could get much better but they have. My Boys of Summer APBA League team have really pushed the envelope in the past three series. In that time, they have gone 15-3 including a 6-0 drubbing of commissioner Shawn Baier’s Traverse City Panthers. In that series, Loco hurlers kept the Panthers scoreless in 32 straight innings in that series.
After that win streak, the Locos now boast an 88-47 record as we head into the homestretch of this season. Amazingly, we don’t have the best winning percentage. Bill Gillam’s South Shore Fighting Imps have a 93-42 record in the AL East. That said, among the three divisions, Urbana may clinch first place before anyone. Right now, we are 25 games games above second place NL East Hannibal Caveman managed by Randy Woolley and our magic number is hanging at just three games.
I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a team effort. Every player has contributed in some way. There have been a few players who have been extremely consistent throughout the year though.
Adrian Beltre has won too many BoS Players of the Week for me to count and is heading towards an MVP candidacy. He leads the entire league in batting (.354), rbis (a terrific 121, that’s 22 above the next highest), runs (89) and hits (181). It’s getting a little late in the season for him to capture the Triple Crown without a big surge but he is still third in the league with 33.
Beltre will face some competition from Miguel Cabrera from the Buffalo Yankees for MVP. Miggy leads in homers with 40 and also paces the league in slugging.
On the mound, David Price is doing just as fantastic as Beltre. He leads all BoS pitchers with a 19-3 record as well as with his 2.34 ERA. Allowing just 5.4 hits per 9 innings, he also paces the league with 10 complete games and six shutouts.
There have been a couple of unnoticed players on the Locomotives. Catcher Carlos Ruiz is under the minimum at-bat requirement (304) but he is batting .375 with a slugging percentage of .655.
And this one I just can’t figure out… Colby Lewis who is Grade 9 (Grade C) starter has done everything in his power to make sure his manager doesn’t take him out of the rotation. He’s gone 10-1 with a 1.90 ERA. Sadly, his time is almost up as APBA’s Advanced Injury Management (AIM) is telling me his RUse is almost down to 0%. It’s been a good ride, Colby.
As we head into the homestretch, the Boys of Summer League managers are calling on our reserves. We are now able to expand our rosters to 40. I’m looking at my team status report and we’re looking pretty good. Aside from Lewis, most players are pretty rested. It will be nice to have an extra bat on the bench or a glove to bring in during the late innings though.
Good luck to my fellow BoS managers in the homestretch!
Excellent article Mr.Nelshoppen (as always)!