Although the Goldeyes finally beat the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks in a big way hammering them 9-0, the Gary-Southshore RailCats were also in the W column, ending Winnipeg's chances at a playoff birth. The RailCats were able to defeat the El Paso Diablos 7-4 with some timely hitting from Adam Klein and Mike Massaro.
This will be the first time that the Goldeyes haven't made the playoffs in the past two seasons, and unfortunately for the fans there will be no mid-September baseball in Winnipeg.
Despite a hot start, the Goldeyes fell on pretty hard times throughout most of the middle of the first half of the season. They fell down to as much as 4 games below .500 while on a road trip out east to play inter-league games against Can-Am league teams like the Quebec Capitales, Trois Rivieres Aigles, and Ryan Scoma's former team the Rockland Boulders. They hit the ground running out east, and got some help along the way acquiring Ray Sadler from Kansas City and bolstering their pitching rotation by bringing back Chris Salamida and acquiring Jason Jarvis from Sioux City. In the end, it was their 0-9 record against Fargo, and their 1-6 record against Gary. They've gone winless against their rivals to the south, and were swept in 4 straight at home by Gary in July.
At this point, it's tough to say who will be back and who won't. Funny thing, independent baseball is. One week you could have a AAA quality lineup and the next week you could lose 4 players in a matter of days. Everything can change in a matter of days, the Goldeyes were proof of that this year.
I'd like to take this post to lay out the Goldeyes roster, and offer my slightly educated opinion on who they should bring back if they are available.
Position Players
C-Luis Allen: Best catcher in the American Association. Without Luis Alen both behind the plate and in the batter's box this team wouldn't be where they are today.1B/DH Casey Haerther: Batted .305 this season while racking up 64 RBI's. Was one of the better Goldeyes thoughout the season.
1B/OF: Ryan Scoma: He's currently in a battle for the batting title, and he leads the Fish in both batting average (.347) and on base percentage.
IF Amos Ramon: He lives in Winnipeg year round, and calls this place home. Led the team in errors this season but he still has enough pop in his bat to be a difference maker.
IF Yurendell de Caster: I see him heading back for Mexico for the start of next year because he'll make a lot more money there. He's a veteran player who doesn't make a lot of mistakes and can swing the bat really well. He is the kind of player you can build a pretty good team around in independant ball.
IF/OF Josh Mazzola: A guy with his power and his versatility is always a good player to keep. Mazzola played every position this season except for 2nd base. That's something you can't teach.
OF Ray Sadler: He was a monster towards the end of the season, and had an 8 game hitting streak going into tonight's game. With talent like his I could see him jetting off for Mexico like de Caster, but if they can keep him it would help bolster the middle of their lineup.
OF Tyler Graham: The speed that Tyler Graham possesses is reason enough to keep him around. Fargo is a perfect example of the importance that should be placed on keeping a leadoff man with great speed who will give the other team fits on the base paths. Fargo's Zach Penprase has been one of the most dominant base runners in the American Association the past few years. Having a solid leadoff hitter like Graham will help the Goldeyes tremendously.
Pitchers
Starting Rotation:Matt Rusch: 7-4 with a 4.16 ERA. Struggled at times, especially at home, but was stellar on the road. I think he's still got good pitching left in him.
Chris Salamida: Went 7-0 in 8 starts after rejoining the Goldeyes later in the year. Was their best pitcher in the second half by a country mile.
Mark Hardy: The Canadian lefty was 7-3 with a 3.48 ERA before his season was interrupted by an injury. He pitched for Canada at the WBC and would be a good guy to keep in the rotation.
Jason Jarvis: Struggled on a basement dwelling Sioux City team but flourished with the Goldeyes. He got rocked in one start but he was stellar in all others. Finished 2-1 with a 2.19 ERA with the Fish.
Matt Jackson: Also pitched very well with the Goldeyes. He was 3-0 in 7 appearances with a 3.70 ERA.
This, of course would be a lovely rotation to have, but in a tough business such as this it would be a stretch to bring back all 5 of these pitchers.
Bullpen:
Brendan Lafferty: Will most likely set the single season record for appearances by a Goldeyes pitcher. With two games remaining left in the season he currently has 51 appearances, and is currently in a tie with former Goldeyes reliever Brian Beuning. Lafferty finished 4-2 with a 3.54 ERA. One could make the case that he was the best Goldeyes reliever all year.
Chis Kissock: The Canadian righty was also one of the Goldeyes best relievers this season posting a 2-4 record with a 2.41 ERA. Could see him filling the closing role.
Kaohi Downing: Finished 4-0 with a 3.27 ERA. The Hawaiian was a stabilizing force for the Fish in the middle innings.
Despite the fact that this seems like a year end wrap up (which it is) the Goldeyes still have two games remaining. The first is tomorrow afternoon at 1:30pm, and then Monday night at 7:05pm both against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks. If you like good entertainment and good food at a great price I suggest you check it out! Paul Edmonds, as always will have the call on TSN1290 radio and Shaw TV will also be broadcasting both games.
Despite the fact that this seems like a year end wrap up (which it is) the Goldeyes still have two games remaining. The first is tomorrow afternoon at 1:30pm, and then Monday night at 7:05pm both against the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks. If you like good entertainment and good food at a great price I suggest you check it out! Paul Edmonds, as always will have the call on TSN1290 radio and Shaw TV will also be broadcasting both games.
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