Galena, IL--Last night against Macon, the Galena Hamsters won their 100th
game of the 1998 season. They are currently 100-49 and have 13 games left
to play. If they finish out the season 6-7, the Hamsters will equal their
106-56 record of one year ago.
With last night's win, the Galena Hamsters have also become the only PVBL
franchise to win at least 100 games in consecutive seasons, "I'm thrilled
about our accomplishment," Peck stated late last night in the Galena
Hamster locker room, "We've shown we can dominate the regular season. But
I don't think it matters if you win 110 games in the regular season or 85,
the big thing is making it to the playoffs. Last year we won 106, but
were eliminated in the first round!" The Hamsters were eliminated by a
surging Brooklyn team in 1997. Brooklyn went on to be beaten by Hartford
in the second round of the LCS.
Do the Hamsters, whose roster is virtually the same as last seasons, minus
Vinny Castilla, improve their performance in the playoffs?
"We're the best team in PVBL," exclaimed center fielder Kenny Lofton, "We
proved that last year, and we've proved it this year in the regular
season. Last year, we had a lot of injuries during the post season, but
hopefully we'll be heatlhy this October, and all should fear us!"
Unfortunately, the Hamsters are not injury free. Once again injuries may
be a problem in the post season. Bip Roberts was lost for the season with
a herniated disc in the back. The injury to Roberts was reported to be
severe, and at this point it is questionable if he'll be ready for the
start of next season. Darryl Kile has also been nursing a sore arm, and
had been day-to-day for two weeks. He's missed two starts but is expected
to start in the next few days. Jeff Cirillo, the Hamsters third basemen,
fractured his foot, however he is expected back for the playoffs.
The important news, however, is that the Hamsters once again proved
themselves to be an elite franchise with their second consecutive 100 win
season. Could they get a third in 1999? We'll see...
News and Notes:
* Peck is elated at the Hamsters record setting consecutive 100 win
seasons. Although he is not elated to potentially get the worst draft
picks again!!
* With all the great young minor talent in Galena's minor league system,
the Hamsters will be looking to move some veterns before the 1999
campaign. Among those considering to be moved include Dave Nilsson, Doug
Glanville, Sean Berry, Pedro Borbon, and Bip Roberts. What will the
Hamsters want? A right handed power hitter and/or a front line starting
pitcher. The Hamsters will open negotiations after the free agent plan.
* Galena is expected to protect all players 24 years old and younger, as
well as Reggie Jefferson, Kenny Lofton, and Darryl Kile. Kevin Appier is
being named "franchise player"
* Jeremi Gonzalez is going for win #15 tomorrow against Macon. If
successful, he will be the 4th Hamster pitcher with at least 15 wins,
following Navarro(17), Appier(16), and Kile(15). Now that's consistency!!
