Battle of the Franks - A Blue Jays Dynasty

[KennyRie2]

Hey Guys,

since hearing about MVP07 I am even more thrilled by the game (didn't think that was possible).

So i thought why not starting a new dynasty, so I did.

Now you might ask, why in the world, would Frank Catalanotto be in competition with Frank Thomas for the Homerun Title, well let me explain.

I've played nearly 3 years of Dynasty now, and every spring training I send Cat to Batting Practice, alongside some good development, he became a dependable Contact-Hitter (despite the 2007 season he is a good contact hitter). And now he has a Contact vs. RHP about 98~100 and if there is a ball up and in the strikezone, there is a good chance of a homerun (btw way had a 6-for-6 6HR game with him, lot of up and in pitches =D, but i swear i didn't edit his stats to that level, it development of batting practice and 2 complete dynastys).

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Now what I did so far:

Traded LF Reed Johnson and SP Josh Towers to Texas for LF Frank Catalanotto and 2B Jerry Hairston Jr. (signed him to Minor League Contract)

Traded RP Jason Frasor to Florida for C Miguel Olivo

Traded RP Matt Roney (AAA) to Colorado for 2B Kazou Matsui (wanted some speed on the bases + good development throug my last dynasty)

Signed FA SP Roger Clemens to 4Y Major League Contract (I know he is going to retire before completing the contract, but it was the easiest way to get him)

Signed FA RP Ron Villone to 2Y Major Leauge Contract (needed a second LH reliever beside Scott Downs)

Signed FA SS T. Riedel to 3Y Major League Contract (created young Player, good development through last dynasty, btw not that fast but a steady contact hitter)

Released RP Francisco Rosario (AAA)

Released C Josh Bell (A)

(Signed FA RP Pete Walker to 2Y minor league contract - I signed him because V. Zambrano has a fratured arm, and i thought i sign him cheap, and than when Zambrano is up again send him - Walker - to AAA).

So my Defensive Alignment look like that right now:

1B L. Overbay

2B K. Matsui

3B T. Glaus

SS T. Riedel

LF F. Catalanotto

CF V. Wells

RF A. Rios

C M. Olivo

DH F. Thomas

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I don't think i have to explain much about the Big Hurt, he is doing very well in MVP07 and hits the ball well

So far I have played 16 games (Difficulty: Pro) that resulted in the following stats:

Frank Thomas has hit 14 of them.

Frank Catalanotto has hit 15 Homeruns already

That led my to my little contest, and I wanted you guys to bet who is going to do better until season end.

My other players are performing well to, but now one of them is near those numbers.

(Since I am 14-2 I guess i will switch to All-Star Level in about 10-15 games)

I will post you the recent stats and I hope you guys are interested:

Feel free to post any feedback and place your bet (and if you like comment why) who is going to hit more homeruns until the off-season.

Thanks a lot, and I hope you enjoy :headset:

[RmembrZito75]

Very Nice. Just post some of the box scores and some highlights and you're well on your way to a nice dynasty. Good luck and glad to see some variety in the Blue Jays!

[KennyRie2]

I'm 2 games further now, and some HR were hit, so i give you another update:

Game 17 against Baltimore:

Click on the Image for the complete Box Score

Frank Thomas connected two HRs and took over the lead.

The rest of the game was rather unspectacular.

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Game 18 was more interesting:

Clemens earned his first win of the season, it was nearly a shutout, but Mora singled and was then batted in by a triple from Markakis.

Besides Markakis was picked off and caught stealing in the Bottom of the 6th.

Both Catalanotto and Thomas hit a HR. Catalanotto nearly belted a Grand Slam but the ball ran out of juice 5 feet away from the wall resulting in a bases clearing double.

Highlight Play: Lyle Overbay broke his Nose as a result of an amazing play, he snared a liner out of mid-air far away from 1B. He hit the ground hard and was pulled from the game, he is expected to return in 4 days.

Riedel took over 1B and will play 1B for the next few games. Royce Clayton will fill in at SS.

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Standings (until Game 18):

1. Frank Thomas - 17 HRs -

2. Frank Catalanotto - 16 HRs -

[KennyRie2]

It's been a while since my last update so here are 7 new games for you

--- Game 19 ---

The Jays really mowed over the Orioles this time

Thomas hit No. 18 to expand his lead

Riedel had a huge game going 6-for-7 (well in fact almost everyone had a huge game

Hill who should fill in at SS suffered a Minor MCL sprain and will be out for 8 days.

Besides there were 2 nice defensive plays, Chris Gomez was thrown out at home just by inches and Miguel Tejada was picked of and caught stealing.

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--- Game 20 ---

Both Thomas and Catalanotto homered to make it 19 to 17

Jeremy Accardo successfully relieved Tomo Ohka with only 2 hits

Except for that there were no true highlights in the game

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--- Game 21 ---

Frank Catalanotto homered twice to tie the contest.

It was nice game offensively but a huge game defensively as you may see if you click on the BoxScore:

Roy Halladay threw a 53 pitch complete game (It's one of the shortest if not the shortest complete game performance I've seen so far)

Halladay also picked off Mike Lowell

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--- Game 22 ---

Lyle Overbay returned to the lineup

Frank Thomas belted No. 20 and took over the lead again, he was the only Jays in the game that collected a RBI

A.J. Burnett pitched well allowing no runs on 7.1 IP

Shaun Marcum later gave up runs but B.J. Ryan saved it.

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--- Game 23 ---

The closest game so far

There were no Homeruns by one of our two contestants but it was a nice game anyway.

Reliever Jeremy Accardo once again pitched very well allowing only one hit on 2.1 IPs and collected the win when Scott Proctor wasn't able to keep the Yankees lead.

It was in the eight inning when Frank Thomas hit a double and was relieved at 2nd by Pinch Runner Greg Zaun, what turned out to be a good decision as there was a play at the plate when Lyle Overbay singled, but Zaun was able to score. Later on Overbay scored as well. The DH Spot was taken over by Matt Stairs

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--- Game 24 ---

There were no HRs from the contestants as well.

But The Rangers Pitching stuff must have been completely at sleep this game as they allowed 5 Stolen Bases, 2 of them from Timo Riedel (who is not a fast baserunner)

Anyway the game was pretty balanced except for that the Jays hat a better Hit/Run ratio.

Shaun Marcum once again wasn't able to throw a scoreless inning (he didn't throw a inning of relief this season without giving up a run)

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--- Game 25 ---

The latest game so far also turned around the contest as Frank Catalanotto slugged two HRs to take over the lead and make it 21 to 20.

It was a nice game offensively as Timo Riedel went 5-for-5, Troy Glaus and Miguel Olivo homered.

There were to great plays in the outfield as well, as there was a sliding catch by Frank Catalanotto who reached for a ball that screamed for extra bases, and the Top Play of the Game: Alex Rios stole a Home Run away from Mark Teixeira in Right Field, Kenny Lofton was almost doubled of 2nd as a result to the unexpected catch.

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That's the updates so far, I hope you still enjoy this contest:

Due to extreme long winning-streak going on right now, I decided to change the Difficulty to All-Star beginning with the First game of May.

Feel Free to leave you thoughts

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Recent Standings:

1. Frank Catalanotto - 21 HRs -

2. Frank Thomas - 20 HRs -

[stEdfuNk]

damn 23-2! Looks like your on your way to october fest and, maybe passing bonds' dirty record