The Return of the Big Red.......

[Lual]

good spot lads

i did mean Ryan (as per my writeup just above that post) though Billy would of been nice....

cheers for following lads :wtg:

[Lual]

Game 4: Cincinnati Reds (66-91) @ Milwaukee Brewers (82-76)

Split'!

Above: Dunn hits a 2 run bomb, Right: More of this next year, please!

The Reds and Brewers split their 4 game rack, as the Reds put together a 7 run 6th inning, to overhaul a 2-0 defecit as they clinched an impressive 8-2 win.

The 6th inning included 9 hits, and saw Kotchman come to the plate twice as a pinch hitter. Dunn's 2 run bomb was the center piece of the inning, which also saw Casey blast 2 runs in with a long single up the middle.

Robertson salvaged some pride, as he won his 6th game of the year, after a 5 inning outing. The Pen saw the game through to the end, as Cincinnati leave Milwaukee and head to St. Louis for the season finale.

Reds Talk:

Robertson: "I think ive done enough in the last few games to justify a role in this staff next year"

Dunn: "Ive gone through a dry spell, so its nice to hit another homer, expecially when we win"

Reds Notables:

Hitting:

Lopez - 2/4

Dunn - 2/3, 1HR, 2RBI

Kotchman - 2/2, 1RBI

Casey - 2RBI

Freel, Griffey & LaRue - 1RBI

Pitching:

Robertson - 5I 5H 2R 2ER 0BB 2K 1HR 3.78ERA W(6-9)

Evert - 2I 2H 0R 0ER 0BB 1K 0HR 6.23ERA

Brazoban - 1.1I 2H 0R 0ER 0BB 0K 0HR 4.05ERA

Mercker - 0.2I 0H 0R 0ER 0BB 0K 0HR 4.83ERA

Box:


	  R   H   E


CIN   8  11   0


MIL   2   9   0

[Lual]

Upcoming Series - 3 Games @ St. Louis Cardinals

Game 1: Cincinnati Reds (67-92) @ St. Louis Cardinals (-)

1 Hit Humbling!

Above: Where does that Milton pitch end up? Right: Miley sees his offence collapse against Marquis!

The season finale for both teams, and with the Cardinals just 2 games out of both the NL Central leaders and the Wildcard race, the hosts had alot to play for.

This seemed to show, as they dominated their struggling guests, thanks to Marquis pitching a complete game 1 hitter, as the Reds rolled over without a fight.

Dunn's Sac Fly in the 2nd inning, had tied the game temporarily, before Pujols let rip with a 3 run jack in the bottom of the inning. The Cardinals added 2 more runs to seal things as the game wore on, leaving the Reds with egg on their face, after this showing.

2 more games left.....

Reds Talk:

Milton: "Not an ideal season, but there has been plus points for me to build on"

Miley: "Shameful effort out there. Sometimes i wonder what the players are thinking"

Reds Notables:

Hitting:

Dunn - 1RBI

Pitching:

Milton - 4I 8H 5R 5ER 0BB 3K 2HR 5.81ERA L(15-14)

Dominguez - 4I 2H 1R 1ER 1BB 3K 1HR 3.81ERA

Box:


	  R   H   E


CIN   1   1   1


STL   6  10   1

[Lual]

Game 2: Cincinnati Reds (67-93) @ St. Louis Cardinals (-)

Cards Show, Full House!

Above: Lopez takes a bag, and Right: Griffey watches his long bomb (37HR)

The Cardinals kept their slim chances of playoff baseball alive, by sneaking a 6-4 win over the Reds.

The game was actually a stroll for the Cards, until Griffey hit a 3 run shot with 0 outs in the 9th. Fortunately for the Cards, the Reds then failed to get another man on base, and blew their late shot at glory.

Claussen looked shaky, and went just 5IP giving up 7H 6R including a pair of dingers for Edmonds.

There is just 1 more game left in this years regular season, the Reds will hope they can manufacture a win, where as the Cards are praying for results to fall their way in a final day flurry.

Reds Talk:

Claussen: "12 wins is respectable. Its a good development year for me, so i hope to produce alot more next year"

Griffey: "The 40 dream has gone, but its still good to play a whole season and put 37 homers on the board"

Reds Notables:

Hitting:

Freel - 3/4, 2 Double

Griffey - 1/4. 1HR, 4RBI

Pena - 2/5

Encarnacion - 2/4

Pitching:

Claussen - 5I 7H 6R 6ER 0BB 3K 2HR 3.97ERA L(12-7)

Majewski - 2I 0H 0R 0ER 2BB 1K 0HR 7.20ERA

Yan - 1I 0H 0R 0ER 1BB 1K OHR 3.48ERA

Box:


	  R   H   E


CIN   4  12   1


STL   6   7   0

[cubsfaninfla]

2 more games! This has been a great dynasty.

[Lual]

Game 3: Cincinnati Reds (67-94) @ St. Louis Cardinals (-)

Thats A Wrap!

Above: Encarnacion scores after an error at 3rd, Right: Story of a Season

In the end, both teams end up in the same boat. The boat that watches the playoffs, the boat without a ring for the winners.

The Cardinals did manage to complete the sweep of the Reds with a 9-5 scoreline. But its a season of missed chances for the Cards, who at one stage held a runaway lead in the NL Central.

Willy hit his 41st jack and Harang lost his 8th game in 2IP, as the Reds whimpered out of Busch Stadium, and will look to 2006 for some comfort.

67-95 is how it ended for the Reds, a pretty dire effort and alot for the team to improve on for next year.

Reds Talk:

Miley: "Its all about the fans. They have been fantastic to us this year, and we hope to repay them with some success next year"

Pena: "Willy and the Reds 2006, thats where its at baby"

Reds Notables:

Hitting:

Freel - 2/4, 1RBI

Griffey - 2/5

Pena - 2/5, 1HR, 3RBI, 1 Double

Encarnacion - 3/4, 1 Double

Pitching:

Harang - 2I 9H 7R 7ER 0BB 1K 3HR 4.09ERA L(8-

Blackley - 5I 7H 2R 2ER 2BB 6K 1HR 5.35ERA

Urbina - 1I 0H 0R 0ER 2BB 0K 0HR 2.40ERA

Box:


	  R   H   E


CIN   5  11   1


STL   9  16   1

[Spivey11]

I hate to see this season come to an end. But, I can't wait for next year - the Reds are going all the way baby!!!

[cubsfaninfla]

Can't wait to see what happens in the off-season!

[Lual]

Final MLB Standings:

[Lual]

Top 10 MLB League Leaders:

[Lual]

Cincinnati Reds Final Statistics:

[cubsfaninfla]

So what's next?

[Lual]

Minor League Breakdown:

AAA - Louisville Bats

IL West - 70-74 6GB

HR - Robert Stratton 25 / AJ Zapp 19

RBI - Robert Stratton 75 / AJ Zapp 69

Avg - Robert Stratton .301 / Romano .286

Wins - Luke Hudson 12

ERA - Luke Hudson 3.08

Strikeouts - Luke Hudson 129 / Fernandez 109

AA - Chattanooga Lookouts

SL East - 29/41(1st) 43-27(2nd) Division Winners

HR - Howard 14 / Ray Olmedo 12

RBI - Chris Dickerson 58 / Ray Olmedo 54

Avg - Ray Olmedo .326 / Holbert .307

Wins - Richie Gardner 9 / Kozlowski 9

ERA - Tyler Pelland 1.89

Strikeouts - Richie Gardner 126 / Caraccioli 118

A - Sarasota Reds

FSL West - 34-36(1st) 42-28(2nd) Division Winners

HR - Josh Renick 18 / Travis Chapman 16

RBI - Chad Durham 81

Avg - Travis Chapman .333 / Paul Janish .299

Wins - Homer Bailey 8

ERA - Eckenstahler 1.46 / Steve Kelly 2.49

Strikeouts - Homer Bailey 135 / Miguel Saradin 127

Playoffs:

AA - Chattanooga Lookouts

Eastern Division Series: vs Jacksonville Suns

Game 1 - Suns 1-0

Game 2 - Lookouts 3-1

Game 3 - Suns 4-1

Game 4 - Suns 2-0

Suns Win Series 3-1.

A - Sarasota Reds

Florida State Western Division Series: vs Lakeland Tigers

Game 1 - Tigers 2-0

Game 2 - Reds 4-0

Game 3 - Reds 5-4

Reds Win Series 2-1.

Florida State Championship Game: vs St. Lucie Mets

Game 1 - Mets 4-0

Game 2 - Mets 2-1

Game 3 - Mets 2-1

Mets Win the Florida State Championship.

[Lual]

MLB Awards

American League MVP:

SS - Edgar Renteria (BOS) .298Avg 27HR 140RBI 28SB .386OBP

National League MVP:

CF - Jim Edmonds (STL) .337Avg 43HR 138RBI .424OBP .612Slug

American League CY Young:

SP - Johan Santana (MIN) 19/8(W/L) 2.87ERA 205K

National League CY Young:

SP - Ben Sheets (MIL) 18/5(W/L) 2.12ERA 157K

American League Rookie of the Year:

CF - Joey Gathright (TB) .307 11HR 65RBI 40SB

National League Rookie of the Year:

LF - Ryan Church (WAS) .279 17HR 77RBI

American League Rolaids Relief:

RP - Octavio Dotel (OAK) 0-5(W/L) 49SV 2.87ERA 37K

National League Rolaids Relief:

RP - Guillermo Mota (FLA) 1-1(W/L) 48SV 2.08ERA 32K

Louisville Slugger Awards:

American League:

DH - David Ortiz (BOS)

C - Ivan Rodriguez (DET)

1B - Mike Sweeney (KC)

2B - Alfonso Soriano (TEX)

3B - Alex Rodriguez (NYY)

SS - Edgar Renteria (BOS)

OF - Manny Ramirez (BOS)

OF - Jonny Damon (BOS)

OF - Ichrio (SEA)

National League:

P - Adam Eaton (SD)

C - Mike Piazza (NYM)

1B - Todd Helton (COL)

2B - Jerry Hairston Jr. (CHC)

3B - Scott Rolen (STL)

SS - Nomar Garciaparra (CHC)

OF - Jim Edmonds (STL)

OF - Carlos Beltran (NYM)

OF - Bobby Abreu (PHI)

Gold Glove Awards:

American League:

P - Kelvim Escobar (ANA)

C- Ivan Rodriguez (DET)

1B - Darrin Erstad (ANA)

2B - Luis Rivas (MIN)

3B - Eric Chavez (OAK)

SS - Edgar Renteria (BOS)

OF - Ichiro (SEA)

OF - Vince Wells (TOR)

OF - Jacque Jones (MIN)

National League:

P - Andy Pettite (HOU)

C - Mike Matheny (SFG)

1B - JT Snow (SFG)

2B - Todd Walker (CHC)

3B - Joe Randa (CIN)

SS - Omar Vizquel (SFG)

OF - Jim Edmonds (STL)

OF - Andruw Jones (ATL)

OF - Carlos Beltran (NYM)

MLB Playoffs:

Division Series:




Game	   1  2  3


Boston	 9  5  6 (Boston Wins 3-0)


Minnesota  8  4  2




Game	   1  2  3  4


Detroit	6  0  5  6 (Detroit Wins 3-1)


Oakland	5  8  1  1




Championship Series:




Game	   1  2  3  4


Boston	 5  6  10 7 (Boston Wins 4-0)


Detroit	1  2  2  0

Division Series:




Game	   1  2  3  4  5


Florida	4  3  9  3  5


San Diego  5  7  8  2  6 (San Diego Wins 3-2)




Game	   1  2  3  4  5


Chicago	3  4  7  8  8 (Chicago Wins 3-2)


New York   6  9  5  6  6




Championship Series:




Game	   1  2  3  4  5


Chicago	3  4  6  2  2


San Diego  0  5  7  4  4 (San Diego Wins 4-1)

World Series:

vs

Game 1 - Boston 7-8 San Diego

Game 2 - Boston 10-2 San Diego

Game 3 - Boston 11-13 San Diego

Game 4 - Boston 3-8 San Diego

Game 5 - Boston 8-12 San Diego

San Diego Wins Series 4-1.

World Series MVP:

LF - Ryan Klesko .353Avg 3HR 14RBI

The San Diego Padres are the 2005 World Series Champions!!!

[Spivey11]

Now that's a shocker, I could've sworn that the Sox would beat the Padres. :doh:

[MarkB]

Yankees 13 games back? No Mariano Rivera on the saves list? :eek: :eek:

That's a shocker!

Ah well, go Padres. :D

[Lual]

Now that's a shocker, I could've sworn that the Sox would beat the Padres. :doh:

Same here - The Padres came out of a poor NL West, and just stunned the Red Sox....

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

Let me say a big thanks to everyone who has followed, replied and enjoyed or hated this dynasty - Its been a pleasure for me to play and share my Reds experience with you all, and heres to a fun-packed 2006 :wtg:

[Lual]

Yankees 13 games back? No Mariano Rivera on the saves list? :eek: :eek:

That's a shocker!

Ah well, go Padres.

Yeah the Yankees struggled pretty bad, and at one point looked like ending up sub .500

As for Mo': 30.2IP 30SV 0.56ERA 26K

cheers for checking in mate :wtg:

[Fastflink2009]

So when you start the offseason are you gonna post like the Top Ten Free Agents or just show your transactions or what?

[RaptorQuiz]

Ah yes. Now comes my favorite part about Dynasties in MVP2005: the offseason attempt to build a winner out of parts from your major league team, the minors, free agents, and perhaps a trade or two.

I can't wait to see the moves you make, Lual. Good luck in turning the team around with one (hopefully) eventful offseason.

[Lual]

2005 Off-Season:

Red Organisation Retirements:

SP - Paul Wilson (32) - Paul called it a day after he suffered a Hernia Injury towards the end of the Regular Season.

RP - Mike Jackson (41) - Mike failed to impress in a Reds Uni' and ended up playing in AAA / AA ball. He has quit due to his Age.

SP - Jared Fernandez (33) - Jared has retired from baseball due to personal reasons. It is believed that Jared wanted to spend more time with his family.

SS - Ray Olmedo (24) - Crazily, Ray has quit due to his lack of faith in his ability. He tore up AA ball and was in line for a move to AAA, with a MLB call-up not to far off. This is a sad retirement for the Reds Organisation.

SS - Willy Jo Ronda (20) - This youngster couldnt cut the mustard in A ball.

1B - Kyle Nicholls (27) - Stuck in A ball at 27, Kyle decided to earn a living elsewhere.

Notable MLB Retirements:

SP - David Wells (BOS) Age

SP - Jamie Moyer (SEA) Age

1B - Julio Franco (ATL) Age

LF - Eric Byrnes (OAK) Personal

1B - Rafael Palmeiro (BAL) Age

2005 Draft Review:

The Overall Number 1 Pick was 3B Ben Smith (18) picked by the Toronto BlueJays.

The Reds had the Number 2 Overall Pick.

Rd 1 - SP Alex Gibbons (19) - Signed 1yr Deal @ $800,000

Rd 2 - RP Darren Heaverlo (18) - Rejected 2yr Deal @ $200,000

Rd 3 - SP Michael Hammonds (19) - Signed 2yr Deal @ $200,000

Rd 4 - RP Eric Martin (20) - Signed 1yr Deal @ $100,000

Rd 5 - C Jose Mesa (19) - Signed 2yr Deal @ $100,000

Rd 6 - 3B Mark Ellis (19) - Signed 2yr Deal @ $100,000

Rd 7 - CF Geoff Hernandez - Not Offered Contract

Rd 8 - 1B Chuck Buxo - Not Offered Contract

Rd 9 - LF Quilvio Chow - Not Offered Contract

Rd 10 - LF Lou Lincoln - Not Offered Contract

[Lual]

2005 Free Agency:

Reds GM Dan O'Brien announced that the Reds would see a $2,100,000 budget cut for 2006, leaving them in a tough position heading into Free Agency.

Reds Re-Signing:

SP - Aaron Harang - Aaron impressed greatly last year, and bar for 2 key injuries he could have been alot more productive on the mound. He has been resigned at $2,000,000 for 2 more years.

2B - Ryan Freel - Mr Consistency, Ryan proved a key player when he got his chance early in 2005. He batted well over .300 and led the NL in Stolen Bags. 1yr @ $2,000,000.

RP - Ugueth Urbina - Uggie came in midway through last year and pitched a solid set for the Reds. He was reliable as a Closer and his experience is crucial in the Reds Pen. 1yr @ $2,800,000.

SP - Brandon Claussen - Brandon was a revelation last year, winning 12 starts, and looking like a real threat on the mound. He has inked for 3 more years at $3,000,000.

SS - Felipe Lopez - Although he didnt perform as expected, the Reds will be happy to keep this young SS. He has signed for 1 more year @ $1,000,000.

CF - Nook Logan - Nook is a solid bench player and more. His pace and power could well earn him the CF spot once Griffey moves aside. Nook has inked a 2 year deal at $700,000.

RP - Yhency Brazoban - Brazoban is slowly maturing into a honest reliever and someone the Reds can rely on. He has been rewarded with a 3 year deal, earning $1,300,000.

RP - Juan Dominguez - Juan proved he can be a reliable go to guy for long relief as 2005 drew to a close. He has been rewarded with another year @ $800,000.

Reds Rejected:

2B - D'Angelo Jimenez - Jimenez wanted a 3yr deal at $2,500,000. The Reds offered a 1yr deal at $2,000,000 - so D'Angelo walked away from the Organisation.

3B - Joe Randa - Joe wanted a secure future after his Gold Glove winning season, but the Reds would only offer a 1 year deal. Joe left after turning away a 1 year deal at $1,500,000.

C - Jason LaRue - Jason wanted $3,000,000 and the Reds couldnt afford to tie that amount of money to a Catcher that would platoon with Willngham. The Reds offered a $2,000,000 deal to Jason, but he rejected the deal.

SP - Travis Blackley - Travis wasn't offered a new deal after a dismal time with the Reds.

RP - Danny Graves - Unsurprisingly Danny has left the Reds. There was no deal offered or wanted by Graves, as he will now head into FA.

SP - Jeriome Robertson - The Reds decided to cut Robertson after a mixed bag of performances by the Pitcher in 2005.

SS - Rich Aurilia - The veteran Aurilia was let go, after he wanted a long term deal, where as the Reds only wanted him for 1 more year.

[Stix]

Who are the big names in the free agent market you might go after?

[Lual]

Ah yes. Now comes my favorite part about Dynasties in MVP2005: the offseason attempt to build a winner out of parts from your major league team, the minors, free agents, and perhaps a trade or two.

I can't wait to see the moves you make, Lual. Good luck in turning the team around with one (hopefully) eventful offseason.

Cheers mate :wtg:

Though the FA write up will come tomorrow, its 2:30am here, i have work in 5 hours or so - so i think some sleep is in order......

[Fastflink2009]

This might be off topic Lual but I will pray for the people in London