PLAYBALL

A new season, a big deception to overcome. For the second time in 3 years, the Jokers went to the final and for the second time, they loose. The last one hurt, a lost in the final and deciding 7 games. But what the Jokers can do except forget all this and play the game like they can? And that's exactly what they did in this first week, winning all 7 games against rival K-C and Mile High. Maurice Gould seems on a mission, winning 2 and still didn't conceide a run, striking 23 opponents in that span. Only one word... WOW. The gouldenboy didn't like the lost in final and neither the fact that he didn't won the Cy Young, so he decide that 2015 will not become another nightmare. James Dooley, a 30 years old southpaws won his first two games in Vegas uniform to help a rotation a bit thin, specially since coach McGee decide to put Barrett back in bulpen. O'Connor and Lopez didn't get younger so they'll need help if they want to finish stronger this year.

On the diamond, two changes over the winter. Mitch Lyon takes the 1B duty with the retirement of Kevin Carey. Carey, a fan favorite, showed sign of his age last year and the organisation didn't want to embarass him so retirement arrive in a perfect timing. Lyon, a young hitter arrive from nowhere. He wasn't a super prospect but develop well each year to finally grab the 1B job. He can add some pop to a strong lineup. The other change is at the other side of the diamond, Veton Zhugli will take 3B spot. Management think he can get better in his hitting but the fact that he play so well defensively help him to win the job. Last year, defense was poor at the hot spot, an upgrade will surely please the pitcher.

So, it may be the last hourrah for this bunch of players. With Ramirez who become free agent at the end of season and St.John, Tracy and Thornton, all in their 30... it's Jokers Time now or maybe never for this group.

Gould:the Las Vegas phenom...

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

 

Home sweet home

The Jokers are playing better this year but the record of 45-37 hide a bit the reality. The Jokers are extremely strong at home 28-16 (.636) and they suck when playing on others stadiums with a 17-21 (.447).  Of course, the lucky seven ballpark is tricky but the team should play better away, specially against strong teams. In the past weeks, they struggle against Ann Arbor, Notthingham and New-York. 

The offense are real hot this year, some hitters doing extremely well. We talked a lot about St.John and Smith but the new acquisition, Juan Ramirez giving exactly what we expected with an average of .302 and 15hr 49RBI since his arrival. The next week will be important because the team is going on the road against Jersey and Maple, two tough opponents

In minor league, Reno and Carson city are leading their division. So that good news and Victoria are just 1 and a half game behind leaders. Many youngster start to contribute like the second pick Yamamoto who have 10 HR. After a slow start, he seems to adjust to professionnal baseball. He's a good prospect since the first pick, Buddy Wills didn't sign.

Katsuhiro Yamamoto

Big trade for the Jokers

Juan Ramirez

A new season and already a big trade for the Jokers. Las Vegas obtain slugger Juan Ramirez from Texas gunners for prospect Alfredo Villalobos and journeyman Victor Bailey. This trade add one more vets to the lineup who join the new acquisitions of Charles O'Connor and Pedro Lopez. On short term, theses moves will make Las vegas a better team but what will happen in the long term? Catcher Villalobos have a tremendous upside and could become a superstar but GM Neveu said that with the young Phillip Smith behind the plate, Villalobos was a prospect who could be move. It seem that the management don't want to be out of contention like last year when the injury of Colin St.John ruined the playoff hope.

Of course, GM Neveu is aware that the heart of his attack are not youngsters. St.John, Ramirez and Thornton are all at 32 and Tracy at 31. So it's logic to think that the team need to win in the next two years because after that, it could be the time to rebuilt all the attack. If that scenary happen, Maurice Gould could ask to be trade and force the Jokers to rebuild the entire team. It's a real possibility said GM Neveu but when our first selection didn't sign this spring, we decide to go all in right now and if we have to rebuilt in 2 or 3 years, we will do so.

The good start of the Jokers seems to prove that last year was just a bad one and the team can quickly overcome that and became a real contender again to win it all. It's clear that the acquisition of Ramirez will help. But many fans are still skeptical when they see the mean age and the salary structure of the team going up!