Medina (AP) - The Medina Mustangs ended the 2000
season as the worse team in the PVBL, again.
"The funny thing is, "said owner Randy Reese, "is that
our waiting list for season tickets increased. Our
fans know that its a matter of time."
Ironically, the Mustangs are one of the most loaded
teams in the league....loaded for the future.
"We have some young guys we could have called up, but
why rush them? We werent going to win any
championship this year." said Reese.
The Mustangs flirted with the idea, though, by
acquiring what was the best pitching staff in the
league.....on paper.
"When your starting rotation is Scott Erickson, Mike
Mussina, Pat Hentgen, Albie Lopez, and Brett Tomko,
you expect to win a few games, regardless of how
horrid your hitting is."
After a few weeks, the Mustangs do what they do best,
traded and got younger and better.
"This was are most successfull season from a GM
standpoint, we think, " said Reese, "We traded some
veterans and some picks to acquire some great talent.
On the pitching side, our tentative rotation is Pat
Hentgen, former Cy Young winner Albie Lopez, Andy
Pettite, who hopefully will stay healthy, up and
coming Jeff Austin, and right now our #5 starter could
be Steve Kline, who had the best ERA out of all our
starters this year. With Troy Pervical back, we can
move Rod Beck to set up, and have a great
set-up-closer combo."
The Mustangs had the worst offense in the league.
"Some guys are going to play winter ball, and with a
good spring training next year, it can only go up.
"said Reese.
Although the Mustangs finished last, they dont have
the first overall pick in either draft.
"We traded those away to acquire some veteran
leadership to lead this young players. Trading for
Mike Piazza was a great move, as getting a hard
hitting catcher is hard to do. Trading for Ben Grieve
gave us a guy who smack 24 homers, and he is only 24!"
The Mustangs do have the first selection in the FA
plan draft, though.
"Obviously, we will have to wait and see who is
available. We have some players that we dont really
want to lose, but you dont know who can come in and
help this team."
Are the Mustangs ready to make a run for the
championship?
" We wont know till next year, "said Reese, "It
depends on how the FA plan draft goes, how well
everyone matures during the offseason. We may have to
lanquish in the cellar for another year, but who
knows?"
