2008 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

Scott Farquharson – Yonge Street Stalkers

Lee Welch –  Mohawk Valley Rangers

Jason Kerns – Camarillo Quest

Michel Fault Le Roy –  New River Road Runners

“Sweet” Lou Solomon – Canton Indians

Brian Scantland – Kentucky Head Hunters

Jeff James – Northridge Quakes

Dan LaPointe – Oregon Neon Knights

Casey Hoch – Fremont Cannons

Dave Myers – Tijuana Bottle Rockets

Steve Cutler – Hollywood Werewolves

Mike Roberts – Severn Express (910  – 870  – .511%)
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. From 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 guided them to two AL West titles in 2000 and 2001, where his teams posted identical 118-44 records in each season. After the 2002 season, Mike recognized that his team was not going to compete at the level that he would like, so once again he went into a “rebuilding mode” by trading superstar players Pedro Martinez and Manny Ramirez. The Express struggled again from 2003-2005, but have reached the playoffs in 2006 and 2007.
Mike has managed to win 2 MWBL Championships in 2000 and 2007 (the only other franchise besides Tempe to win more than 1 title; and both came against Tempe who has never tasted defeat against any other team in the series!) . Mike was also a world series finalist in 2001 and has 1 Manager of the Year award to his credit. Mike has also guided the Express to 3 – 100+ win seasons in a division that has sent 6 of the last 8 AL representatives to the World Series (Needless to say, the AL West has been a pretty tough division to manage in). Additionally, he was manager of the 2000 All Star team and a coach of the 2002 All Star team. His players have earned 2 Cy Young awards; 1 MVP; 2 ROY; and 6 Gold Glove awards.
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 (800 – 818 – .464%)
Sergio joined the league as Hamtramck in 1998 with LA, Midland and Connecticut. The franchise moved to Detroit in 1999. Overall the Detroit franchise has posted a winning percentage of .494 in 10 seasons with the Mid-West Baseball League. Sergio won the A.L. East and Manager of the year in 1999 and 2004. The franchise lost in the first round vs. Columbus three games to two. Detroit also won the wildcard in 2000 then beat Division winner Chicago three games to one, In 04 Division series winner last season the Crime went into a rebuilding mode and hopes to get back to winning ways soon .

Rick Cooper – Clovis Wheat Kings (708 – 748 – 486%)
Rick “Coop” Cooper joined the Mid-West Baseball League as GM of the Clovis Wheat Kings just before the start of the second season. The Wheat Kings finished with 3rd place finishes in 98, 99, & 00, but have been on the upswing since that time, with three 2nd place finishes in 01, 02, and 05 as well as a 1st place finish in 2003 in the National League Central. Rick has been an All-Star coach once (2002), and was the 2002 National League West’s Wild Card Winner. With a 565-567 cumulative record Rick and the Wheat Kings are looking forward to finally getting their collective head above water in the MWBL this year. While trading has become more difficult with the passing years Rick is looking forward to finding that one deal that will put the Wheat Kings over the top.

George Skiles – Sacramento Capitals (966 – 654 – .596%)
George Skiles joined the Mid-West Baseball League in the Fall of 1998 by founding the Los Angeles Riots. In his 10 years in the Mid-West Baseball League, the Riots won the NL West division 6 times (in 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, and 2007), and made the playoffs in 7 of their 10 seasons. In these 7 playoff appearances, the Riots posted a 23-29 (.442) post-season record – shabby, but not too shabby. During his tenure as manager of the Riots, George was named manager of the year 4 times (in 1999, 2003, 2004, and 2007), more than any other manager in MWBL history. With a record of 966-654, he has accumulated the fourth best winning percentage (.596%) over the MWBL’s 11-year history. George has been a very active MWBL member, both on the trade front and by continually bringing in young talent through the draft. As his record illustrates, George has successfully resulted in contending teams season after season. He is a really awesome manager, and tries really, really hard to beat Tempe. George shouldn’t be viewed as a hack manager just because he’s never reached the World Series in 7 frickin’ opportunities. George promises to win the World Series one day … when Chris’ “luck” craps out. Down with the Tempers!

Phil Seaton – Midland Mud Hens (773 – 846 – .477%)
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 first 8 years never finishing above .500 and never better than third place, but not for lack of trying. Midland finally broke through in the 2006 season finishing second to Kentucky and earning their first playoff spot. The core of the team is fairly young and Midland should be competing for a playoff spot over the next few years. Midland has been active in trades every year trying to improve and has participated in nearly all league events. The weeks preceding Draft Day are special to Phil as he enjoys researching prospects looking for that hidden gem and being able to make that pick at just the right time. In truth, the season seems anti-climatic after all the effort put into draft day and the dreaming of the perfect season.

Wally Walczak – Buffalo Braves (867 – 913 – .487%)
Wally is an original member of the MWBL. He has been recognized as a loyal, dedicated owner who has the bragging rights to having participated in every draft since the league was founded in 1997. He is known as a wheeler dealer when it comes to trades and is never shy when it comes to making a deal.   Under Wally’s leadership, the Buffalo Braves have compiled a respectful record of 867 wins and 913 losses for a win percentage of .487. He has a special place in his heart for the older veteran ballplayers. “I like a proven veteran because he comes in with leadership and his skills are already there. You don’t have to wait for the guy to develop.”
There are many great managers in this league who are deserving of the great honor of going into the Hall of Fame. Many have great records. Many have great baseball knowledge. This is a great league to be involved in. Whatever happens in the future, Wally can be counted on to keep this league at the top of all other leagues!

Scott Farquharson – Yonge Street Stalkers (702 – 755 – .482%)
Scott Farquharson is honored to have met the criteria for HOF eligibility. Scott’s efforts are now focused on helping to keep the MWBL the top notch league that it is, and to keep trying to build his powerful Yonge Street squad. Scott is very happy with the current combination of youngsters and veterans and truly thinks 2008 is the year that the Stalkers fortunes take a new direction. Scott is trying to improve the Stalkers winning percentage in a very tough division, and saw 06 as his first chance to make a march towards the postseason, and allow himself to be legitimately thought of for HOF consideration.
The Yonge Street Stalkers made the post-season for the first time in franchise history in 2006. The year was a tremendous success according to GM/Owner Scott Farquharson: “We had what was easily our best team, we just ran into the Chris/Tempe buzzsaw in the series”. The next step in Yonge Streets organizational plan is to return to the post-season; while at the same time, working to bring their career record closer to the magic .500 mark. Scotts hope remains that after 2 or 3 more successful years, he can be thought of as a legitimate candidate for the MWBL Hall of Fame.  The Stalkers are proud to be continuing on a path towards respectability. 2007 saw us reach the post-season for the 2nd year in a row, and also lose to the eventual champ for the 2nd year in a row. However, this represented a slight step backwards. The loss to the eventual Champ this year, meant an opening round loss.
The next step on the road to relevance will be re-building a depleted farm system to augment the still strong big league club. The Career .500 mark is the next “big picture” milestone for Yonge Street. An infusion of young talent should help pave the way first to that goal, and down the line; to the goal of being worthy for MWBL Hall of Fame consideration.

Lee Welch – Mohawk Valley Rangers (695 – 925 – 429%)
With a 422% 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, 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 (746 – 871 – 461%)
Jason Kerns is an original member of the MWBL. His franchise has won 80 or more games in 7 out of the 11 seasons in the league, winning as many as 103 games in 1998 and 94 as recently as 2006. After four years of rebuilding (2001-2004), he has finished either 1st or 2nd in the division the past two seasons and is positioning himself to contend in 2008. “This is a very challenging league and one that has taught me a lot about the minor leagues,” says Jason Kerns. “When I first came into the league I drafted more power than speed, however many of my original Quest members have since retired. I made the shift to speed and defense and the improvements are being noted in my win loss record.”
Jason has contributed to the MWBL in the form or rules and regulations. Jason was the originator of the minimum usage rules for the regular and post-season. In addition, Jason lobbied for and help pass the roster expansion, the elimination of the ball park effects, the draft going for 10 to 12 rounds, and the addition of two minor league players to each team.

Michael Faunt Le Roy – New River Road Runners (786 – 996 – .441%)
Michael has been a part of The  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 Tempe Tempers in the N.L. central. The Road Runners won the wild card in ’97 and won the first round in the playoffs against those Tempers. The Roadrunners 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, 92 games in 2003 and 95 in 2005. Finishing 2nd in the N.L. central all three years, and winning the wild card in 2005. Michael was an all star coach in ’97 and ’04. The roadrunners have had six gold glove winners (Vizcaino in ’97, Ventura in ’01, Frye in ’01, Castillo in ’03, LoDuca in ’04 and Anderson in “04). And one Cy Young Award (Schilling in ’03). So with good pitching the roadrunners look to continue to have good years.

Sweet” Lou Solomon – Canton Indians (902 – 878 – .507%)
“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”.

Jeff James – Northridge Quakes (628 – 667 – 485%)
While in his own mind not worthy of the Hall of Fame, here are the contributions of Jeff James to the Midwest Baseball League. The first and most controversial contribution would be acting on the suggestion of Jason Kerns to bring together a group of west coast players known as the West Coast Connection to the MWBL. Whether good or bad Jeff James was responsible in connecting Tempe, New River, and the defunct Fargo/Santa Fe with the MWBL. Jeff also helped with the recruitment of Los Angeles to the league. As an owner the results have been average. The overall record is 622-687, with two division titles in ’98 and ’01. The ’98 season was impressive with a record of 122-40, garnering coach of the year honors, and a trip to the NLCS losing to who else but Tempe. The franchise has seen one rookie of the year in Lance Berkman ’01. Jeff James left the MWBL to start a family and also became the first owner to leave and come back to the MWBL, and somehow returning to the same franchise! The Quakes have almost completed the rebuilding plan and have playoffs in their sights! With a young nucleus maybe in the next few years a hall of fame case can be built!

Dan LaPointe – Oregon Neon Knights (494 – 640 – .436%)
Dan was a very active owner for about four of his active seven season.  He participated at Draft Central each and every year of his tenure, except one season where he drafted from Columbus with Casey Hoch and Bill Schindel.  The last three years of Dan’s tenure were not all that active.  His team was taken over by Brian Mazurek and moved to Elyria to become the Chiefs.

Casey Hoch – Fremont Cannons (516 – 618 – .455%)
Casey has been in the league since 2000, managing the lame-duck franchise of East Erie Lake during the end of that season. He achieved full franchise status in the off-season and moved the franchise to Fremont. The early years were marked by trades of veterans to pick up prospects and draft picks; in fact, Fremont has the MWBL record for most first round picks with 5 in 2001 (Though only Roy Oswalt remains on the team). Recently, the Cannons have been finding some on-field success, winning the division in 2004 with an 85-77 record and finishing second in the division in 2005 and 2006. The franchise’s best year was its most recent- 2007. The Cannons squeaked out the division title with an 82-80 record, but became the first AL East team in MWBL history to advance to the ALCS. Down 3 games to none, they shocked the Chicago Mobsters by winning the final 4 games of the series. They fell to eventual champion Severn, but that did not detract from a fine season. Casey’s overall winning percentage is only .455, but their greatest success came against their greatest rival, having a .568 career winning percentage against Oregon and losing the season series only once. Other franchise highlights include winning the AL Gold Glove for pitchers four years in a row (2001-2004) and having back-to-back Rookies of the Year (Jay Payton-2001, Roy Oswalt 2002). In addition to running the Fremont franchise, Casey also assists the league by helping to assemble the season disk on draft day and by organizing the ballots and determining eligibility for the Post-Season Awards and Hall of Fame.

Dave Myers – Tijuana Bottle Rockets (548 – 587 – .483%)
Dave took over the Philadelphia franchise shortly after draft day 2001 and suffered through a 50-112 inaugural campaign. He would turn things around quickly though finishing with winning records in 3 of the next 5 years including a 100 win season in 2005 and 2 playoff appearances. Not an easy task in the very competitive AL Central. 2006 saw the franchise begin the rebuild process, which continued through the 2007 season. The team saw many of its key players from the playoff runs of the past few years traded off for draft picks and/or top prospects. 2008 sees the franchise poised to begin their climb back to the top and with an average age of 23.8 years old from its starting lineup Tijuana hopes to stay on top for many seasons to come.  Dave is also very proud of the work he’s done “off the field” for the Commissioner Office. This includes two enormous projects that have made MWBL all for the better. Dave currently updates these projects yearly. The first one being the Team Trade Histories which allows owners to quickly go back an review all trades made specifically by there team over their franchises histories. The second is the Team Draft Histories which allows owners to review all the draft picks they’ve made over the course of their franchises histories in one easy to read spot.
Dave doesn’t know if this qualifies him for induction into the Mid-West Baseball Hall Of Fame but is honored to be in the conversation, and glad to be a part of such a great league, with great owners.

Steve Cutler – Hollywood Werewolves (445 – 712 – 511%)
Steve joined the league in 2001 taking over the Columbus Explorers near the end of the year. Steve renamed the franchise to the Hollywood Werewolves and entered the Re-Mod draft shortly after the season. This is one case where winning percentage and record does not always tell the true story.
Hollywood’s franchise record of 445-527 (.458 winning percentage) is deceiving. Shortly after the draft, Steve began to form his team in his image. After 2 consecutive losing seasons, Steve turned Hollywood into a World Series team surprisingly unseating mainstay division winners Severn and Virginia for 2 consecutive seasons. After winning the division two years in a row, Hollywood decided to then build for the long term and stripped the team for parts. Hollywood has been on a roller coaster ride, but Steve has proved that he can turn a team around in just 2 seasons.
Steve’s contributions are more than just his team. Each year after Major League Baseball ends it’s season, Steve’s work just begins. He builds a temporary disk for the league so trading can be opened, as well as building the leagues’ official disk. He dedicates his time to turning it around immediately which helps keep the league going year round. In addition to that, as Assistant Commissioner, he holds the Commissioner in check when he is ready to fly off the handle. Being the Commissioner is a stressful job, so having that right hand to offer a sense of reason has been a tremendous asset. Additionally, Steve is one of the most knowledgeable owners of the games workings. Over the years there have been numerous new owners with varying degrees of understanding of the game. Steve has taken the time to help those owners understand the game so they do not become frustrated and leave the league. He continually comes up with new ideas to add value to the league, such as the “MWBL Callups” page that informs owners which uncardeds were called up and helping others ‘bat’ around new league rules that improve the league. He is a very active owner in all facets of the league