Last Year’s Record
93-69

Notable Additions

Mormal, Hughes, Cain, Kearns, Santiago, Hairston, Giambi, and Powell.

Notable Losses

Trader Wayne, Milledge, Teagarden, Hairston JR, Fox, Happ, League, Masterson, and Moylan.

Brewing in the Minors

Ackley, Jansen, and Gomez.

Injuries

Nathan

High Expections

Mike Pelfrey (3-4, 5.63), Phil Hughes (2-4, 2.99) and Ian Kennedy (minors) will fill out the backend of the rotation. Hopefully one of these guys will throw the ball well enough to compliment the front 3.  Free Agent Austin Kearns will split time with Matt Joyce in LF while Carl Crawford will play exclusively in CF this year.  Rookie Lorenzo Cain will get spot duty in CF and sub defensively.  Jason Giambi will give us veteran leadership and a good LH bat off the bench for this young team who just missed the playoffs!

My Thoughts

The Red Sox had a very good season last year, and went out and tried upgrade this offseason. Bringing in super hyped Phil Hughes despite it costing 3 solid arms and acquiring Carlos Marmol,  a young flame thrower with a nasty slider (will be closing do to Nathan elbow issues). 

 I am sold that this team will compete this year, but we will need repeat performances from Billy Butler (325, 25, 109), Carlos Pena (233, 46, 98), and  Micheal Young (315, 24, 79).  Also pitching wise from Jair Jerrjens (3.34, 17-9,210 ip, and 10 CG last season, he will be monitored closely), Mark Buehrle (13-10), and Bronson Arroyo (15-11, 7 cg) to really compete with Philly in the Schmidt division.

 

 

December 9th 2010

 

With the races now over and Philly’s Rob Hite and the Phantastics the CBA 2010 champions, here is a team by team analysis by division.

We start this year looking at the Schmidt division home of the world champ Phantastics.  Philly dominated the entire season start to finish.  It was no accident as Rob Hite custom designs his teams and trades for select players to fit his franchise model.  The team was led by MVP candidate Derek Jeter who rebounded to post excellent stats, and more so winning baserunner movement and clutchness.  17Hr  69RBI  .311 27sb.  Although the team only hit .269, a low for Philly over the past several years, the HR bat was there slugging 282 of them.  13 players had double digit RBI’s.  Eight players hit 20+ HR with Berkman in what could be his last huge season hittling 32 and Ut Chasely hitting a big 36 HR.  Philly added speed to their mix in ’10 swiping 84 SB, which is a lot for this 3 run HR team.  The offense numbers .354 OBA, .834 total avg, but the .480 slug is down a bit for Philly, but where the offense and defense was balanced, the pitching stepped it up.  Not known for pitching lately, the Phantastics allowed only a .257 BA.  The relief corps wasn’t too effective allowing 33% of opposing runners to score once brought in. A

 

 

Nov 27th 2010

 

LOS ANGELES(AP) - The Anaheim Angels have placed outfielder Laynce Nix on the 30 day disabled list due to a slight hamstring pull. He is expected to be out of the lineup at least for the month of may after initially feeling a slight tweek in the Angels' last game in their series at Fenway Park in Boston on April 27th, a 4-3 loss to the Bosox that extended their losing streak to 6 games. Nix spoke to the L.A. Times about the injury.

"It happened when I chased a foul down the line in Boston. You run out of room real fast at Fenway, and when I was trying to pull up before the wall I felt a little twinge. It wasn't painful at the time, but the next day it felt a little sore. The team decided that it was something I wasn't going to play through. I don't like being on the DL, but I can honestly say that it's the right decision."

 The Angels rebounded at home by sweeping Cleveland. But according to manager Doug Brunet, it does nothing to dampen the loss of Nix.

"We'll have to adjust to one fewer outfielder on the active roster. Jermaine(Dye) will be seeing some time out there for sure. I've asked for pitching help to replace Laynce for the time being."

In response to Brunet's request, the Angels have called up right-hander Armando Galarraga. Although Galarraga has been solely a starter thus far for the Salt Lake Bees while posting a 3-1 record in 5 starts with a 3.19 ERA in 31 innings, he will bolster a bullpen that has seen a lot of action during a tough beginning to the season.

 

 

 

Nove 21st 2010

 

Can you believe since Newsletter #1 in 2003 (press archive) we have had 290 of these league memo's?   Lots of writing.  Well here's the state of CBA right now.  Where we are at.  First I'd like to commen each and every one of you for a Phantastic (In respect to Philly) year.  It was well run on each end.  You guys were a) Efficient b) Reliable  c) Prompt d) Careful.  It made the league office job so much easier than the year before.  In fact this season for this first in 3 years had no major crashes.  In an attempt for the truest statistics, or CBA  Excutive Consultant Jack Frost managed to eliminate a statistical anomaly.  A game was counted 2 times. Jack Painstakingly rebuilt from all our carefully archived files the season eliminating the problem and even managed to trim the 'memory fat' from the main files so file size were smaller.  This year the player notebook file which we always record highlites, ate much memory. 1 or 2 megs.  This is just 1 reason why Jack Frost is well respected by the commmisioners office.  His scheduling work is another.  I would like to acjnowledge publically his fine and dedicated efforts.  His love for CBA is the motivation.

     This years administration did a fine job working behind the scenes.  It was a team effort without question.  The proper and efficient running of an organziation like CBA requires effort from several.  It starts at the top.  Your league Presidents set the tome for CBA, a league whcih has a VERY positive vibe.  I must say, that is the coolness factor of our GM's and the tone and manner and friendships that have evolved for which I am most proud. Friends, not just acquaintances have been made.  GM's have met, socialized, Netplayed, talked deal, BS with each other, and now become part of each others lives.  Wheres the tissue? Tito? Jermaine?  And this years Academy award goes to...
Cory Light. A trusted and awesome CBA person. We owe MAJOR thanks to Cory, who at his OWN expense provides us with our CBA website.  The domain is his, and server fees are his contribution.  Its more than appreciated on my end and judging by the webstats, by many others internationally who do follow our league...especially at draft time since we generally are the first to draft the new cards, and be on MLB schedule with our statistics.  There are quite a few who track our stats to project for their own league uses.  The draft is a template for many when their drafts begin as well.  Its somewhat of an honor when we do get our occasional emails from web visitors.  Cory Light sets the tone with his personality and diplomacy.  CBA elder statesman on council.  Cory's vote carries alot of respect and weight in council.  Thanks again Cory, you're the best.

Dennis Concepcion is another integral part of the machine. Dennis also is the true spirit of CBA and section 15.  His manner and enthusiasm has transformed CBA directly and indirectly from a league in transition to a positive, fun, and stable league. His voice of reason and innovation is resposible for making CBA not only a basic run of the mill Strat league to a league with a personality.  A league which has taken on a life force through his Press releases and finely detailed and comprehensive photo galleries are known throught the Stratworld.  Yes, CBA is well known after 13 seasons. Dennis is also active in trade council and rules committee discussions. 

JD Adams is our Usage Commisioner and going into his 2nd season on trade committee.  The committee consists of JD, Dennis, Cory, Rob Hite and myself. Derek has done an excellent job for 3 seasons now review usage, and saving the office time while creating a custom easy to use weekly reference that is simply unique to CBA.  Its is so easy, a caveman can use it.  CBA has evolved technically, and is even more user friendly thanks to Derek who has eased the time it takes to set upa weekly CM.  Since inception, I have noticed our weekly CM forwarding rate to have increased from about 11 or 12 per week to about 16-17 on and off list.  Make no mistake, your GM 'friends' are trying to beat you.  They're tailoring CM's to match your teams, and beat you.  It about winning, not the draft.   Thanks Derek.  These are our council members for 2011 season.

 

 

Within the CBA core are our consultants. Executive Technical  consultant Jack Frost, and Committee consultants Rob Hite, Jack Jung, and for 2011 Doug Brunet.  Rob  is a CBA elder statesman, and original member who played in another league with founder Claude LaMarre, and is always well known in Strat circles.  He also enters the World Series looking for his 3 crown.  Hite lends his expertise again in 2011 as an executive consultant to committee.  Rob has his input and league rules and issues of importance. 2001 CBA Champion Jack Jung of Ottawa Otters fame is another 13 year original veteran is on hand to assist with some rule committee and council input on an as needed basis.  Doug Brunet Joins us with a wealth (30+ years) of Strat-o-matic experience.  He is thorough and sharp. He will assume duties as a council consultant, and Transaction, Roster Management official.  He joins our council list.  Consultants do no have an official vote on trade council, but their opinions are sometimes asked or presented in the decision making and voting process.  Generally trade committee needs majority to pass, however 1 dissention is enough to trigger a committee action to review a trade then a final vote.  GM’s input are welcome to Committee if presented to a league President for introduction.  This procedure is in effect for trade review and rules committee review.  Suggestions are welcome via proper channels to committee, not on CBA_List.

 

The season started with the opening draft and a flurry of trade activity preceding and during what was a smooth and exciting 2010 draft.   There was a trendous amount of trade activity leading up to the February draft.  Many trades involved draft picks exchanging hands.  Picks high, and not so surprisingly with the increased vale of the late rounds, due to our CBA formula, many late picks were not only relevant but brought in some good talent in late rounds.  Big names moved.  Long time Basher Michael Young brought back power bat of Nick Swisher.  Bryan, now adds in 2011 Paul Konerko as they look to slug way to playoffs.  Brett Myers went to Carolina, Carmona went for a 5 to High Bridge.  Ian Kinsler also went to the Coppersheads for a 1.  C Town got Jav Vasquez for a 1, Bryan also got Jason Bay.  Brooklyn answered by picking up Ryan Braun, and Nick Markakis. In a win, win trade a busy BSP also swapped 2010 MVP candidate and Staff ace carlos Zambrano.  Joliet acquired Corey Hart for a few late draft picks from C Town.   Jon Buck only cost Ohio a #4, and Southwest got Cy candidate Theodore Lilly.  Cooperstown countered by snatching up MVP contender Brian McCann. Kurt Suzuki catcher, went to Striling.  Malachi Nellum made a lot of off season moves in 2010, including acquiring closer Joe Nathan for the stretch run.    The draft saw a lot of talent move in round 1.  Strasberg went to Keth Jones Sunville as the 1st overall pick.  He was followed by Rick Porcello, and Brian Matusz.  Andy Bailey was the fourth but was just dealt for 2011 to Kennesaw Mt.

Other first rounders included Carlos Gonzalez, Chris Coughlin, Mat Latos, Trevhor Cahil went to Belfast late round 1, Scott Podsednick, and Garrett Jones as well.  Some good talent also spread into the round 10 where Josh Thole, and Ike Davis both were drafted.  Part 2 coming soon.

 

November 9th, 2010

 

World Series Tradition the 2010 World Series is traditional CBA in every sense of the word.  CBA offers official congratulations to Staub Champion Limoilou who swept Dawson titlist Longue Pointe in 4 games.  Limmer then was defeated 7-4 in game 1 of the Staub finals.  They then exploded reeling off 4 straight to lead them to this matchup against Clemente.

 

Clemente champ Philly, also lost their 1st game to explosive Brooklyn.  But Philly was able to quiet the Superbas bats with good defense, and power to win 4 to 1.  Carolina played tough winning 2 to 1 after 3 netgames.  The series stretched all the way to 7.  Philly took game 4 and 5.  In game 6 Scott's Copperheads, faced with the brink of elimination stormed back to tie it up.  The Phantastics then won the final game 7, 9-5.

 

A few pre season speculated these were the favorites to meet in the fall classic. Philly is hitting .280 over the playoffs.  They have pounded 17 HRs in 12 games. With a 4.14 team ERA.  Not bad for a DH league staff.  They have only gotten on base .351 OBA, and a .455 slg...  Slightly off their .355 OBA and .480 slg during the season.  Theyve created 6 runs per game and the .791 total average is lower than the seasons .828 total average.  My friends that points either to great dice luck, or superior Stratomatic management. Winning key games going 8-4 in playoffs.  Brooklyn series was not easy, nor was Carolina.  Hite is here.

 

Jeff B of the Mighty Wendigo.  For years been called the mighty Wendigo in press releases and reports, ever wonder why? Well rookies here's why, this F'n guy is good!  All he does is win, and beat you.  He parallels to the old baseball dynasties.  A Staub legend, the Mighty Wendigo led by the classy Jeff Boutet of Quebec.  He's been to the Finals before, and before, and before...You get it.  Why is it that some guys always get there?  Ask Jeff he knows first hand.  Aside from the 3 he's won, he's been in 4, now in his 5th.  This is Rob Hite's 5th World Series winning two and losing two.  Look at the list.  These are your best CBA managers of all time.  Its all about the wins gentlemen.  Wins get the glory and both Jeff and Rob have a date with destiny.  The two original GM's.  Who is CBA's all time greatest? We know about Bob Fidler's 3 of 4 which may never be equaled. We know about Marc Wass record number of division titles 8 and record 10 playoff appearances.  Rob Hite has done that in Schmidt too.  We know about the classic Dawson Quebec, LP, Limoilou 3 way dance and later the Belfast, Limoilou, LP 3 way dance, year after year.  And Jeff is still there at the end 13 full seasons later.   We know about Phillies domination of the Schmidt title.  Rob is no stranger to winning and its thrill, and defeat in losing tough games in the late playoffs and early rounds.  But he knows how to win just as Jeff.  Usually when their backs are against the wall, they rise to the top.  Whose CBA's best ever?...

 

 

here's a look back at Limoilou vs Quebec in Jeff Boutet's first ever CBA playoff series in 1997 against arch rival Quebec Capitales led by Chris Boutin.

----- ------------  ------------ ---  --------------------  -------------------

10/ 0 QCD  6  6  0  LWD  2  4  1      B.Radke (1-0)         S.Trachsel (0-1)

10/ 0 QCD  6 10  0  LWD  5 11  1      R.Springer (1-0)      T.Mathews (0-1)

10/ 0 LWD  6 11  0  QCD  4  6  1      M.Brandenbur (1-0)    D.Burba (0-1)

10/ 0 LWD 10 14  2  QCD  7  9  1      A.Sager (1-0)         H.Flener (0-1)

10/ 0 LWD  0  4  1  QCD  9 13  0      B.Radke (2-0)         S.Trachsel (0-2)

10/ 0 QCD  7 11  0  LWD  8 12  0      T.Borland (1-0)       M.James (0-1)

10/ 0 QCD  1  8  2  LWD  9 11  1      J.Lieber (1-0)        D.Burba (0-2)

NAME              BAVG  GM  AB   R   H 2B 3B HR RBI  BB  SO HB SH DP  SB CS  E

S.Berry          1.000   1   1   0   1  0  0  0   0   0   0  0  0  0   0  0  0

G.Hill            .500   1   2   1   1  0  0  1   1   0   0  0  0  0   0  0  0

R.Amaral          .462   7  26   5  12  1  0  0   3   6   4  0  0  0   3  2  0

M.Duncan          .400   5   5   0   2  2  0  0   0   0   1  0  0  0   0  0  0

D.Segui           .367   7  30   4  11  6  0  0   7   1   1  0  0  0   1  0  0

B.Higginson       .367   7  30   6  11  3  0  1   4   2   4  0  0  0   0  1  2

B.Brown           .333   3   3   0   1  0  0  0   0   0   1  0  0  1   1  0  0

J.Edmonds         .308   7  26   7   8  2  0  3   7   4   6  0  0  0   0  0  0

R.Durham          .261   7  23   1   6  1  1  0   2   1   4  2  0  0   0  0  1

S.Brosius         .207   7  29   6   6  1  0  1   3   2   4  1  0  1   0  0  1

B.Larkin          .200   7  25   7   5  0  0  2   6   7   3  0  0  1   1  0  1

M.Macfarlane      .130   7  23   2   3  1  0  1   3   4   8  0  0  0   0  0  0

J.Levis           .000   1   1   0   0  0  0  0   0   0   0  0  0  0   0  0  0

B.Mueller         .000   5   2   0   0  0  0  0   0   0   0  0  0  0   0  0  0

C.Shipley         ----   0   0   0   0  0  0  0   0   0   0  0  0  0   0  0  0

D.Lewis           ----   3   0   1   0  0  0  0   0   0   0  0  0  0   0  0  0

D.Sheaffer        ----   0   0   0   0  0  0  0   0   0   0  0  0  0   0  0  0

ALL PITCHERS      .000   7  15   0   0  0  0  0   1   0   5  0  2  0   0  0  1

----------------- ---- --- --- --- --- -- -- -- --- --- --- -- -- -- --- -- --

TEAM TOTALS       .278     241      67     1     37      41     2      6     6

                         7      40     17     9      27      3     3      3

 

 

NAME               ERA  W  L   PCT   G GS CG SH SV    IP   H   R  ER HR  BB  SO

R.Bottalico       0.00  0  0  ----   2  0  0  0  2   2.0   0   0   0  0   1   4

M.Brandenburg     1.80  1  0 1.000   2  0  0  0  0   5.0   2   1   1  1   0   5

T.Borland         1.80  1  0 1.000   3  0  0  0  0   5.0   3   1   1  0   2   0

J.Lieber          4.00  1  0 1.000   2  2  0  0  0   9.0   9   4   4  3   3   7

A.Sager           4.50  1  0 1.000   4  0  0  0  0   4.0   7   2   2  1   0   2

T.Mathews         5.14  0  1  .000   4  0  0  0  1   7.0   4   4   4  1   2   7

T.Belcher         5.25  0  0  ----   2  2  0  0  0  12.0  14   8   7  1   6   9

D.Linton          7.20  0  0  ----   1  1  0  0  0   5.0   6   5   4  1   2   7

S.Trachsel        8.31  0  2  .000   2  2  1  0  0  13.0  17  14  12  7   2   9

J.Schmidt         ----  0  0  ----   0  0  0  0  0   0.0   0   0   0  0   0   0

J.Juden           ----  0  0  ----   1  0  0  0  0   0.0   1   1   1  0   0   0

T.Vanegmond       ----  0  0  ----   0  0  0  0  0   0.0   0   0   0  0   0   0

D.Springer        ----  0  0  ----   0  0  0  0  0   0.0   0   0   0  0   0   0

ALL NON-PITCHERS  ----  0  0  ----   0  0  0  0  0   0.0   0   0   0  0   0   0

Team                                          0                   +0

----------------- ---- -- -- ----- --- -- -- -- -- ----- --- --- --- -- --- ---

TEAM TOTALS       5.23     3         7     1     3        63      36     18

                        4     .571      7     0     62.0      40     15 

 

 

In 1999 Jeff and Limmer made it to the Staub Finals losing to eventual Staub champ Longue Pointe managed then by Claude LaMarre (LaMarre trophy is CBA's championship).  Rob and Philly lost in rd 1 to eventual WS champ St Foy (Dino Barnabe).  In 2000  Hite went to the finals losing to LaMarre, but winning it all in 2002 against who else, Jeff Boutet!  A rematch.  Hite beat Jeff in 5 games with what some consider CBA's all time best team which won 120 games.  In 2003 Brooklyn defeated Philly in the Clemente finals for the right to play Jeff Boutet.  Limoilou defeated Brooklyn 4  to 1 in that series only to see Brooklyn defeat Philly once again in 2004 enroute to Brooklyn's World Title.  In 2005 Philly went to the finals losing to Longue Pointe in 7 on Miracle Mirabelli's performance.  Mirabelli had a great unlikely hero series that year, and hit a game tying HR in extras to lead to victory.  Limoilou lost in the Staub finals.... Then of course The Philly championship year of 2007 Hite defeating the Skokie Wolfmen. 

 

 

Who is perhaps?  Look at the Kings of CBA....

 

CBA World Series Champs

 

1997 Limoilou Wendigo (Jeff Boutet) vs. Parma Flamingos (Lou Bloss) in 7  

 

1998 St Foy Frenchies (Dino Barnabe) vs. Longue Pointe (Claude LaMarre) in 7

 

1999 Limoilou Wendigo (Jeff Boutet) vs. Beauport Gamblers (Martin Boulet) in 6

 

2000 Longue Pointe Hitmen (Claude LaMarre) vs. Philly Phantastics (Rob Hite) in 7

 

2001 Ottawa Otters (Jack Jung) vs. Quebec Capitales (Chris Boutin) in 7

 

2002 Philly Phantastics (Rob Hite) vs Limoilou Wendigo (Jeff Boutet) in 5

 

2003 Limoilou Wendigo (Jeff Boutet) vs Brooklyn Superbas (Marc Wass) in 5

 

2004 Brooklyn Superbas (Marc Wass) vs Kansas City A's (Rich Schneider) in 5

 

2005 .Longue Pointe (Dennis Concepcion)  defeats Philly Phantastics (Rob Hite) in 7

 

2006 Indiana Redbirds (Bob Fidler) vs Neah Bay Whalers (league managed) in 7

 

2007 Philly Phantastics (Rob Hite) vs Skokie Wolfmen ("Wolfman" Shapiro)

 

2008 Indiana Redbirds (Bob Fidler) 4 games to 3 vs Skokie Wolfmen (Wolfman Shapiro)

 

2009 Indiana Redbirds (Bob Fidler) 4 games to 2 vs Longue Pointe (Dennis Concepcion)

 

 

 

October 4th 2010
 
    Round one saw good action.Staub's Limoilou led by Jeff Boutet swept last years Staub champion Longue Pointe Loggers in 4 games.  It was Felipe Lopez bat combined with good pitching, better yet dominant pitching which stopped the Lumberjacks from reaching base.  Hanson, Ubald, and Kershaw stopped CBA batting champions.
 
 


 It was Maine and SanDiego.  The Express derailed the Surfers aspirations for Series immortality with a 4-2 series win.  The reliable King Felix looked more like a jester in his 2 putrid dperformances effectively costing Joe Wallace a shot at the crown.  Meanwhile bottom feeders A Gonzalez and Barmes were heroes each knockin in 7 runs in a good series. 
 
 


 In Clemente, Philly walked over Brooklyn with dominant starting pitching and a few late rallies in a closer than shows 4-1 rout.  Hite is looking for his cheesesteak in the mail right about now....Now was that Jimmy's or D'Allessandro's Rob?  The Brooklyn Bats went cold despite Brauns stellar series .450 3 HR 4RBI, while Utley, Drew, and Abreu, torched the Superbas pitching for a .316 ERA.
 
 


 The Carolina Copperheads led by none other than Scott Kenan himself, dominated Parker this season.  They did not dominate the JD Adams led Skokie Lizard Kings.  The 4-3 series was a fantastic one for J Johson who won 3 games in an MVP performance for the Copperhead snakes.  Ryan Ludwick went nuts with 4 HR's in the series.