PVBL: Duluth Bjork
Bjork's Future Uncerain
October 1, 1999

City of Duluth Ralies to Keep Franchise

Duluth, MN - After 3 years of faithful devotion, the fans of Duluth are being told that the Bjork may be forced to move due to financial reasons. "The support has been great, unfortunately the facilities are nowhere near major league standards, the ballpark seats only 5000 and memorabilia sales have bottomed out to an all time low. I'm losing more money than I can afford." explained team GM Andy Lund. Players such as Alex Rodriguez, Nomar Garciaparra, Curt Schilling, Frank Thomas have come and gone, being replaced by future stars Travis Lee, Mike Caruso, Jeff Hallony, Lee Sosa, Corey Patterson, etc. Duluth has sold the past and present for a winning future, a future they aren't willing to lose, at least not without a fight.

Duluth mayor held a city meeting last week to discuss possible ways to relieve Mr. Lund of his financial difficulties. Decisions were made and unanimously passed as follows:

1.) The city has installed a new "harbor tax" of 1% on all sales in the Duluth area. The money allocated from this tax is being used to build a new ballpark for the team. Located out on historic "Park Point" on Lake Superior, seating 40,000 and designed much like Cinergy Field in Cincinnati. Its to be named Edmund Fitzgerald Field and will be up in time for next years season opener.

2.) To increase sales, the city held a "Name the Mascot" contest for the team. Winner recieved 4 season tickets for next season and a signed team jersey by all Duluth players. 16 year old Eric Stamos of the Duluth area won the prizes with his suggestion of the Eskimo. The Duluth Eskimo, effective next year, will show the new team colors of Royal blue and white (much like the K.C. Royals) and away colors of royal and baby blue.

"I'd like to thank the people of Duluth for being so generous with their time and finances to allow me to keep the team here. Hopefully, with the up and coming franchise, they won't be dissapointed", commented a grateful GM Lund. Speculated roster for next year is as follows (many changes likely as the Eskimo (Bjork) hold at worst the #6 overall pick in next years drafts along with the rights to participate in the teams first ever free agent plan...
Lineup:                 Rotation:               Upcoming Stars:
(* rookie)
1. CF Corey Patterson*  1. Jeff Hallony         RHP Santo Blade*
2. SS Mike Caruso       2. Jason Dickson        RHP Todd Noel*
3. DH Travis Lee        3. Lee Sosa             RF  Lee Barker* 
4. LF Marc Newfield     4. Esteban Loaiza       2B  Pete Pearce* 
5. 3B Hugh Coleman      5. Joe Burns*
6. RF Mike Coleman
7.  C Mark Nicol        LR
8. 1B John Mabry        1. Garth Kitchens
9. 2B Keith Lockhart    2. Jason Isringhausen

                MR
                1. Chris Gott
                2. Dino Rigopolous

                SetUp
                1. Jim Cunningham
                2. Matt Anderson*

                Closer
                1. Joshua Ludolph

Duluth's strength is found in its bullpen, arguably one of the better in the PVBL. The team as a whole is young with only Lockhart(31) and Mabry(25) over the age of 24. Needs include 2nd base, a power hitting DH and a star quality starter. Much weight is being placed on the young shoulders of starters Jeff Hallony (22) and Lee Sosa (24) to lead a young and relatively inexperienced rotation. Hallony has proven to be the staff ace his past 2 seasons here, but much depends on the young rookie Sosa, whos been shelled this year in his 20 starts for a 7.00 era and a 3-11 record. Loaiza and Gott provide some consistency to the youthful rotation. Another young arm, Joe Burns, may be asked to mature rapidly if Duluth doesn't acquire a quality starter via free agency or trade. "Joe is quite extraordinary in the fact that he's got great velocity but is mainly a junkballer", explained head coach Kirby Puckett. "We have confidence in him however, he's got great stuff." Jason Dickson, though inconsistent, rounds out the rotation. Offensively, the Eskimo (Bjork) are lead again by young threats, mainly outfielder Marc Newfield (.247 22HR 65 RBI) and first bagger and star rookie Travis Lee (.293 25HR 83 RBI). Expectations are also high for newly moved 3rd baseman Hugh Coleman and shortstop Mike Caruso along with team leader Mark Nicol and next year's rookie of the year candidate and #1 pick Corey Patterson. "Corey gives us the leadoff man we never had.", speculated 2nd bagger Lockhart, "he's got great speed, also with Lee having a year under his belt and the improvements made in Caruso and Hugh's game, we'll be a threat to put points on the board."

Rumors have it that GM Lund is actively shopping for a power hitting DH and or an ace pitcher along with a youthful 2nd bagger and first round picks in the upcoming drafts. All offers respond to this report.

--written by Andy Lund