Galena Starts Playoffs a Few Guns Short
October 4, 2001
Galena, IL--The Galena Hamsters, winners of 106 regular season games, will
find it much harder to suceed in the playoffs. The reason? Simple: Probable
EL MVP Chipper Jones (.319/37/145) and second baseman Luis Castillo
(.315/17/77 and 67 SB) suffered late season injuries that will keep them
from playing in the playoffs. Jones, 26, was considered a PVBL iron man,
having played in 383 consecutive games before suffering a bone spur injury.
Luis Castillo has been oft-injured thus far in his career, and spent six
weeks on the DL earlier in the season. Castillo, 23, was having a career
year, a breakthrough season. Castillo finally showed his potential in 2001.
Taking over for Jones and Castillo, respectively, are vetern utility man
Orlando Miller, 29, and journeyman shortstop Norberto Martin, 31. Orlando
Miller was solid off the bench for the Hamsters, hitting hitting .278 with 7
homers and 40 RBI. Norberto Martin spent much of the season in AAA, but was
called up when Kevin Stocker was injured. Martin was productive, hitting
.250 with 9 stolen bases in a fill-in roll.
"I won't lie," said Matthew Peck, "I'm dissapointed that our two hottest
hitters won't be able to play, but that doesn't mean we don't have a chance
to win. We still have a GREAT pitching staff, and our offense is still
pretty solid."
"The rest of us need to step it up--turn it up a notch," noted Orlando
Miller, "the team needs me and Noberto to do a good job. If I play good
defense and get a few base hits, I'll be doing ok and we'll be doing ok."
Peck reports that the game 1 starting pitcher will be Jeremi Gonzalez.
Gonzalez was 15-9 in the regular season with a 3.64 ERA in 203.0 IP.
Probable game 2 starter is most likely staff ace Kevin Appier. Appier was an
astounding 21-6 in the regular season with a 2.53 ERA and 202 strikeouts in
224.1 IP. Appier is a favorite for the EL Cy Young. The batting lineup is
still undetermined.
