The road warrior

Las Vegas-Maple. The Jokers started with their ace, Maurice Gould who did everything except winning. After that, Bob Magee get blasted and the Maple Marauders were going back home 2 and 0 in the serie. Ouch... everyone in Vegas was thinking about next year except the 25 men in uniform. They played extremely well in Maple, Scott, Barret and Gould all pitched well and Colin St.John took charges of the offense and the Jokers win all the three game on the road to go ahead in the series. They finally close it in the 6th game, beating Pat Sellers and going for the second time for the Thurman Munson championship.

It won't be easy this time. The Cabo San Lucas Torreros had the part of succes against the Jokers this year. But Ramirez is going to come back in game 3 or 4 and if Barrett and Gould could win one away, who knows were the story could end? Las Vegas fans are just crazy right now and they want more. So it's time to face Cabo San Lucas.

Rich Barrett will start the serie in San Lucas

reaction to Mustang complaint

In a non-traditional way, Mile End GM wrote a public letters whishing a defeat of the Jokers in the first playoff round. All Vegas fans hope that this letters will increase the thirst of victory for all the members of the organisation. So, what's the reaction to this from many Vegas personnal?

Francois Neveu, the GM answered something neutral: We need to stay focus on our first opponent, Maple. With many big Guns on Disable list, we'll need to play excellent baseball to pass throught this tough opponents. But honnestly, i don't think we'll have to answer because i could not see Mile End winning against Cabo San Lucas. We'll have to wait next year to face them again.

On players part, the rookie starter Jeff Olson said that he love playing against Mile End. It's important to notice that he realised his 2 best career starts against this division opponent. Maurice Gould, who's one of the only Jokers to have a tough september simply said that he's going to go on the mount and try to win, whoever is the opponent. Don't count on him to put oil over the fire.

Jeff Olson love playing in Mile End

Veton Zhugli didn't said much either, even if he came from Maple organisation. "You know, i didn't stay much over there and never played in major league, so i don't have any particular feeling playing against them." Probably, the vet Vic Jenning will have more to said. He had a tremendous year after having hard time to adapt to his new surrounding. It's clear that he didn't asked to be traded.

The only players to discuss a bit more about the Mile End public letter is Troy Tracy. Vegas DH said that the lost of Black probably put the GM in some kind of depression. Phillip Smith and Colin St.John made some fun quotes about the mental health of Mile End SP after the 4 games blow out Vegas hitters did in Mile End.

One thing is sure, if Mile End don't want to play Vegas, here, nobody are affraid to face the Mustang! But all respect Maple and want to be in good shape for tonight game.

An important 6 and 0

Since the start of september, the Jokers didn't played well. They were 2 and 4 for two consecutives weeks. They saw their lead for the wild car melt and they were looking to rebound against S-F and Georgia. They did. A nice 6 and 0 to come back for the division title. When the Jockers win, you might think that the attack is on fire but this week, it was all about pitching. A total of 6 points allowed in 5 games before allowing 6 in the last game of the week. All the starters were on fire, D Scott 1 ER in 7.1 innings, R. Barrett 2 in 7.1 innings, J. Olson 1 in 7 innings, M Gould 1 in 6.1 innings and B. Magee 0 in 6.1 innings. Nick Fox was very good in relief and that's a great news because he had many difficulties at the start of the season.

A little relief for now but another hard week who's coming with two series on the road, one against Cabo San Lucas and the other againt Mile High. If the team can play .500, it may be good enough to be in good place to secure a playoff spot. Everyone in Vegas hope it continu that way...

Zhugli and Olson

When we talk about Las Vegas Jokers, the name of Maurice Gould or Colin St.John habitually come first. But today, we will look two youngsters acquired in trade by the Jokers, Veton Zhugli and Jeff Olson.

Veton Zhugli: In the flurry of news about the ABL, the fact that the Jokers call up this young kid from Murray in Kentucky didn't get noticed. Of course, Zhugli hit only for .241 in Reno (AAA). But the management think it's time to give the chance to the 20 years old to prove himself. Zhugli was obtained in a trade with Maple who saw Vic Jennings going north. Zhugli was the prospect the Jokers want in return. He could play everywhere in the infield and scout judged that he'll have a huge impact with his bat. But in fact, the kid didn't impress in Las Vegas system. His average was .292 in Bristol (AAA) before the trade, then dropped to .211 in Reno. Ok, the kid was traded 2 times that year so he may need time to adjust. This year, he's not exactly where management taught he could be. But in Vegas, the two spare infielders (Price and Robbins) didn't do the job so maybe a call-up could help Zhugli to get back on track. The team saw Phillip Smith blossom after a call-up so everyone wish that Zhugli could take the same way. It will be interesting to see if he could become a solid contributor because if not, the trade with Maple will be a total mess.

Veton Zhugli

Jeff Olson: Another young gun obtained in a trade was Jeff Olson. He was the pitcher Vegas received in exchange of C Ronnie Wells. Olson was a pleasant surprise in AAA, winning 10 games last year before a injury force him out. He comeback stronger this year by posting a record of 8-4 with an ERA of 3.14 before being call-up. Olson can be an enigma on the mount, flashing some great performances like his victory against Mile High (9 innings, 2 points) or Maple (7,2 innings, 0 point) but he can be shaky at time like his start against Boston and K-C. But right now, he please the management in the fifth starter's spot and justify the trade. Of course, Ronnie Wells, even if he did well in Eureka, was unhappy in Vegas when Phillip Smith take the regular catching job. With the way Smith produce, nobody really miss Ronnie. Jeff Olson brings a lefty in the rotation, something that missed in Vegas. Jeff Olson will never become another Maurice Gould but if he can be a little bit more consistent, he will stay in the rotation for many years.

 

Jeff Olson