Category: Toledo

Showdown Time

by admin

toronto_maples shrunk                      at                     hamilton_mounties shrunk

The Toronto Maples seemingly own the Hamilton Mounties by virtue of their 14-8 edge over the season.  The last time the Maples visited Hamilton they dropped the first two games of the series but somehow pulled out a 3-2 win in the finale managing but 2 hits as the Mounties wasted a fine performance by Tate Crosby (8 IP/2 hits/1 BB/8 K’s….but 2 HR’s).   Prior to that contest Hamilton had a 5 game lead over the 37-39 Toronto club.  But, things have flipped since that June afternoon.

Hamilton will have to do without their big bat and 4 time All Star Dave Teague for this series.  Meanwhile, the Maples will do without a bevy of players and not the least their big first baseman Stephen Gilbert (22 HR’s in 116 games).

How close are these teams?  Toronto has a season run differential of +17 while Hamilton one of +19.  The Maples are 28-20 post all star while the Mounties have struggled with a 22-25 record.  The teams are separated by 2.5 games so clearly Hamilton must win at least 2 of 3.

The Mounties have been averaging +37,000 crowds during their 30-24 home season and tickets will be scarce for this set.  The Maples actually play better on the road at 35-29.  Should be a good one!

The #1 Pick…

by admin

…selected by the Toledo Neptunes is Todd ‘Rusty’ Bonnaud

Todd  Hailing from St. Catherines, Ontario  Bonnaud will be the ‘property’ of the Neptunes, at least into the foreseeable future. The 6′ 2″ 200 LB. twenty one year old has the potential to be a Starting Pitcher who commands three pitches including a cutter that tops out between 93-95 mph.  With the late movement on his pitches ground ball outs are to be expected.

This collegian from British Columbia University in Vancouver logged 113 innings in 2016 striking out 170 while walking just 24.  Translated to 9 IP that’s 13.5/1.9.  Gaudy numbers for a guy that won 11 and lost just 1.  Described by his college coach as  a’baseball rat’ who is the first one on the field and last one off,  it may not be long before the Great Lakes area gets to see this young phenom in action.

A view from outer space

by admin

Neptune_Earth_size_comparison        Neptune_Full_shrunk

There are two sides to every coin and conversely there are two views of every GLBL franchise.  For those unfamiliar with the veteran GM William Atteberry, GM Toledo,  it would be easy to dismiss the 2015 version of the  Neptunes as a ‘Lost in Space’ franchise.  The parent club is 18-74, AAA Harbor Springs 34-53, and Sandusky Navigators AA 35-51.  And, while #2 in Team Prospect ratings they seem light years behind the Toronto Maples, who have incidentally won 20 more games than Toledo.

But those who have followed the savvy GM Atteberry over the years know full well he is not a guy who fell off the turnip truck and landed in the GLBL.  There is a plan at work,  Always, the plan.  The young prospects, the blue chip players working their way through high school and college that are being evaluated, the heavy reliance on staying in the black…seemingly innate forces at work that will form a consolidation.

So, before you experience the ‘huh?, what?, where did those guys come from?, remember this post and know that the vision on the ice blue planet sees the GLBL through its own lens.  A lens that will come into focus faster than you can say…….just a guess….not a prediction….2018.