2004 ELIGIBLE MANAGERS

 ELIGIBLE CANDIDATES – Through Six Years of MWBL Service

Mike Roberts – Severn Express

Sergio Ivone – Detroit Crime

Rick “Coop” Cooper – Clovis Wheat Kings

George Skiles – Los Angeles Riots

Phil Seaton – Midland Mud Hens

Wally Walczak- Buffalo Braves

John “Stray” Corrado –  Chicago Mobsters

Paul Roe – Virginia Sluggers

Lee Welch –  Mohawk Valley Rangers

Jason Kerns – Camarillo Quest

Michel Fault Le Roy –  New River Road Runners

“Sweet” Lou Solomon – Canton Indians

Mike Roberts – Severn Express (572  – 538  – 515%)
Mike Roberts has been a manager in the Mid-West Baseball League since the league was formed in 1997. In his 1st three seasons, he accumulated a combined record of 163-321. During his inaugural seasons, Mike was more concerned about building for the future by acquiring prospects and draft picks. Over the last three seasons (2000-2002), the Express reaped the benefits of their Manager/GMs hard work as they tallied a combined record of 325-161. During this timeframe he has guided them to two AL West titles in 2000 and 2001, where his teams posted identical 118-44 records in each season. He also led them to the playoffs in 2002 where they lost in the 1st round. Additionally, he has guided the Express to A.L. League Championships in 2000 and 2001, and the Mid-West Baseball League World Series Championship in 2000. Among his other achievements, he was manager of the 2000 All Star team and a coach of the 2002 All Star team.
Since joining the Mid-West Baseball League, Mike feels that he has been a very active manager, making multiple trades every year and submitting game results to the commissioners office in a timely manner each week. As a member of the Mid-West Baseball League, Mike feels very privileged to be led by a very determined commissioner who is dedicated to running the best league possible. Although I probably have not been involved in the league as much as I would like (primarily due to the fact that my wife, 2 kids, work, and 4 other leagues take up a little of my time <VBG>), I consider myself very lucky to be in this league with a great bunch of guys/competitors.

Sergio Ivone – Detroit Crime (454 – 516 – 468%)
Sergio joined the league as Hamtramck in 1998 with Los Angeles, Midland & Connecticut. The franchise moved to Detroit in 1999.  Overall the Detroit franchise has posted a winning percentage of .468 in six seasons with the Mid-West Baseball League.   Sergio won the A.L. East and Manager of the year in 1999.  The franchise lost in the first round playoffs against a tough Columbus squad three games to two.   Detroit also won the wildcard in 2000 then beat Division winner Chicago three games to one, last season the Crime hit the century mark in wins for the first time in franchise history, and won the tough American League Central.  Overall Detroit is 9-11 in the post-season with a .450 winning percentage.  Sergio is active in the league, and very PROUD to say that he has answered promptly every trade proposal / inquiry that has been sent to him, and that he has never left anybody hanging.

Rick Cooper – Clovis Wheat Kings (474 – 496 – 487%)
Rick “Coop” Cooper joined the Mid-West Baseball League right before the start of the second season.   Since Coop’s 3rd place finish in 98, 99, & 00, Coop has been on the upswing, finishing 2nd twice in 01, & 02 – and finishing that up with a 1st place finish in 2003 in the National League Central.  Coop has been an All-Star coach once (2002), and was the 2002 National League West’s Wild Card Winner.  With a 474 – 496 record leading to a respectable .487% winning percentage, Coop has built a team that looks solid for the future.  Cool has been a welcome addition to the Mid-West Baseball League, and annual contributes on draft day as well as most of the General Manager Meetings.

George Skiles – Los Angeles Riots (536 – 436 – 551%)
George Skiles joined the Mid-West Baseball League in the Fall of 1998 by founding the Los Angeles Riots. In his 6 years in the Mid-West Baseball League, he won his division 3 times (in 1999, 2000, and 2002), has taken the Riots to the playoffs in 4 of the 6 seasons, was named manager of the year twice (in 1999 and 2003), and has compiled a 536-436 record. In addition, George has been a very active Mid-West Baseball League member, particularly by being very active on the trade front in his efforts to continually put together a contending team each season.

Phil Seaton – Midland Mud Hens (425 – 546 – 438%)
Phil Seaton joined the Mid-West Baseball League in the dispersal draft prior to the 1998 season at the request of long lost friend and APBA buddy “Sweet” Lou Solomon. Lou introduced Phil to APBA approximately 20 years previously in a face to face carryover league that ran for about 4 years.  Phil’s Midland Mud Hens have struggled through the years never finishing above .500 and never better than third place, but not for lack of trying. Midland has been active in trades every year trying to improve and has participated in nearly all league events. Additionally, Phil has been to all but one of the annual draft days in person and has helped the commissioner when needed with draft duties. Though his team has experienced little success, Phil enjoys his Mid-West Baseball League time as it keeps him focused on baseball and develops new friendships.

Wally Walczak – Buffalo Braves (547 – 585 – 483%)
This is Wally’s 7th season in the Mid-West Baseball League, he’s an original member and has been a very active part of the Mid-West Baseball League Community.  He says he has enjoyed them all. Even 2001 where the Braves went (38 – 124 .235%).
Wally turned his 2001 around season around in two seasons going from worst to currently first. Wally is always ready to make a deal with anyone who wants to talk. He also has participated in all live drafts since the 1997 season.  Wally was an All-Star coach in 1997, and his teams overall record after six solid seasons in the Mid-West Baseball League sit at a respectable (455 – 515 – .469%).
In closing, Wally said “The Hall of Fame would be great honor because in my opinion, this is the best league out there with a great bunch of managers who should all be in the Hall of Fame”.

John “Stray” Corrado – Chicago Mobsters (687 – 447 – 607%) / Mid-West Baseball League – Commissioner 1997 – Present
Stray started the Mid-West Baseball League in 1997 and has been serving as the Commissioner, Web Master, & Owner of the Chicago Mobsters since the leagues inception. The Mobsters’ record (687 – 447 – 607%) is not nearly as impressive as his dedication to the league as Commissioner & Web Master. It is believed that the Mid-West Baseball League is one of the strongest APBA/BBW leagues around with a Web Site that is above & beyond what 99% of other Leagues have, something Stray prides himself in very much.   Stray has built a Franchise that has never finished below the .500% mark and has yielded such home grown talent as Chipper Jones, Ivan Rodriguez, Billy Wagner, Tony Clark, Jeff Weaver, and Josh Beckett. Those players have helped the Chicago Mobsters achieve a Franchise record of 687 – 447, third only to perennial powerhouses Tempe and Kentucky. They have appeared in Post Season play in 5 of 6 seasons, winning the American League Wild Card twice (97 & 98), & the Central Division Champions three times (00, 01, 02). Along the way, Stray has been selected as the Manager of the Year twice (97 & 98) and has been named an All-Star Coach four times (97, 98, 00, 02). In addition to all of this, Stray continues to have a strong draft year in and year out along with organizing and coordinating the entire Mid-West Baseball League Draft Day, and many other numerous Mid-West Baseball League events.

Paul Roe – Virginia Sluggers (604 – 527 – 534%)
Paul joined MWBL as an original manager in 1997 and led the Virginia Sluggers to a last place finish, falling 2 losses shy of 100 :). In 1998 the team rebounded and took the Division title by 1 game with a 92-70 record. A couple of down years preceded another 92-70 finish in 2001…however, the whole dang world won 100 games or more that year and the Sluggers finished 26 games out in their own Division !! 2002 was the year the team from Virginia finally put it all together winning the Division and League titles on their way to a spot in the World Series where they lost a tough one to the Kentucky Head Hunters. Virginia did a repeat in 2003 winning the Division and League titles once again to make it to the World Series where they fell to the Tempe Tempers. Paul’s 7 year record is a very decent 604-527 for a .534 winning percentage. (Hopefully I will add to that this year). In addition, Paul had the Rookie of the Year in 1998 and 1999 and the MVP in 2002 and 2003. Along the way, Paul was named an All-Star coach in 1998, Manager of the year in 2001, and All-Star Manager in 2002 and 2003.  Paul has kept the Virginia Sluggers competitive through drafting rather than trading. He believes in the draft and a lot of patience in waiting for players to develop. Therefore he is not as active in the trade market as most others in the league. He put most of his energy in preparing for the draft rather than looking to see who he can ply off another’s team. This is probably considered conservative, but it works for Paul.  In terms of activeness within the league, Paul says “I guess I am not as active as I should be OR want to be. I do not feel, however, I have the expertise or knowledge to help run a league. My forte’ is knowing my limitations and letting experts do the job properly. So far I must be doing a great job as this is the premier league in the APBA world. 🙂 I know…I’m still in it. If it wasn’t that good I’d have quit long ago”.

Lee Welch – Mohawk Valley Rangers (492 – 642 – 434%)
With a 460% winning percentage, Lee is not sure why he should be considered Hall of Fame material. Lee believes the criteria should be a little stricter. With that said, Lee has enjoyed playing in this league. It would be hard to find a better league. It covers so much, from researching younger players, to draft day, to ballparks with weather and a web site that is unmatched. Put it all together and Lee believes we have a league that is unprecedented. Amidst of all this The Mohawk Valley Rangers are in a major rebuilding campaign and hope to get back to 500 baseball before too long. Maybe another division championship. The youth movement is there, through the draft and trades the Rangers have assembled a nucleus of young players that include, Melvin Mora, Eric Byrnes, Victor Martinez, Pat Burrell, Dennis Tankersley, Francisco Rodriguez, Runelvys Hernandez and Jose Reyes. With a little luck, who knows? Lee Says “Anyway, thanks to everyone for helping make this league so great”.

Jason Kerns – Camarillo Quest (524 – 607 – 463%)
As an original member of the Mid-West Baseball League, Jason feel that he knows a lot about things that have gone down over the years. He feels that he has an excellent sense and knowledge about baseball and have been extremely challenged in this league. Jason is an avid reader about baseball history and the importance and significance of the HOF. It may be hard to elect members in the Mid-West Baseball League HOF yet, but certainly is worth a look.  Jason had the very quite Reggie Jefferson .400 season in our first year and a Tony Batista cycle a few years ago. He traded Tom Gordon to Northridge for Randy Johnson only to trade Johnson for Dustin Hermanson, Ismael Valdes, and Damian Easley, which Jason says “Worst trade of my life”. Those are some of Jason’s key highlights. He had winning season the first four years, only to fall flat on his face the last few.  “But looks forward to the opportunity to contribute in the future”.

Michael Faunt Le Roy – New River Road Runners (471 – 663 – 415%)
Michael has been a part of Mid-West Baseball League since its inception in 1997. The Roadrunners jumped out to a quick start winning 97 games in 1997, and finished second to the tempers in the N.L. central. The Roadrunners won the wild card in 97, and won the first round in the playoffs against those tempers. The Roadrunner then fell on some bad years. They then put themselves in the 2001 re-modification draft, and with good drafting they turned the team around. They won 87 games in 2002, and 92 games in 2003. Finishing second both years in the N.L. central. The Roadrunner look to have a strong team again in 2004.  Michael was an all star coach in 1997. The Roadrunner have had four gold glove winners through the years (Vizcaino in 97, Venture in 01, Frye in 01 and Castillo in 03). And one cy young award( Schilling in 03). So Michael is very happy the way the team has been playing the last two years, and is looking forward to another good season in 2004.

“Sweet” Lou Soloman – Canton Indians (603 – 538 – 528%)
“Sweet” Los is not sure why he should be considered for the Hall of Fame. He hasn’t done that much in the seven years He’s been here. Winning his division (ALE) hasn’t been very difficult, sometimes by default.
Lou thinks he plays the baseball game the same way he did when he rolled dice back in Ann Arbor. Lou knows APBA better than the top 100 prospects, if you know what I mean. The different situations during the game will dictate Lou strategies, not the flow of the game. He will take a pitcher out of a game that he’s starting if he’s fitting the criteria, not whether or not he’s tossing a shutout. Lou hits and runs if he has the right situation, damn the score.
Lou is not sure if He deserves to be awarded anything. He feels like reading cards and making trades for the short term last season made a repeat impossible for his Canton Indians. Lou didn’t even draft rookies the second year of Mid-West Baseball League!
Lou is most proud of always having a team that will play well at home. He might go through a rebuild and blow it up to make it better, but he will always cause trouble for the visitors at the Tropicana.
Lou is grateful for the manager of the year awards, but consider it all just a bit of hype. He just plays the game differently, hopefully for the better. Lou says “I will try to add drafting and trading to that category”.