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Trey Hodges 5-4, 3.74 ERA |
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Jim Magrane 14-4, 2.83 ERA |
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The Barnstormers’ late-season push for the playoffs ran out of steam Monday night. They lost both games of a sort-of doubleheader and were mathematically eliminated from postseason contention. This makes it three years in a row and four out of five that Lancaster has failed to qualify for the playoffs.
Soon the off-season questions will be earnestly asked and answered. Will Tom Herr return as manager? Will Bill Bliss be back as pitching coach? Will 2010 end up with a different finish than 2007-09? In the meantime, the Barnstormers will conclude their fifth anniversary season this week. They have seven games remaining before the curtain falls.
Somerset is enjoying a remarkable run. The Patriots are 83-51, tying the Atlantic League record for wins in a season. To put that record in perspective, the Barnstormers’ much-celebrated 2006 championship squad was 75-51. This Somerset team has fared even better, at least in the regular season.
Well hey, it was a frustrating/fun year. We should be used to it.
Looking forward to getting to a few games yet this season.
And this has been said before, but if this is indeed the end of the blog, it’s been a great run Jason! (I’ll vote to keep it open, however, if that counts for anything.)
Dean J.
Back when the questions to the manager were asked, one of Tom’s answers intrigued me. When asked about the Atlantic League, he said “Managing in the Atlantic League is the closest thing to real managing that you can get. I think managing in this league would prepare a guy better to manage in the major leagues than affiliated ball does.”
This to me sounds like he would like to stay. With the play I have seen since he has taken over as manager, I would be talking with him now about next year. While there is some momentum going what a better way to keep it going then to announce our manager for next year! Same with Bill (if Tom wants him back). I don’t want to go through months of speculation like last year.
Will be there Thu, Sat and Sun (sorry CV football on Friday night) and then wait for next year. Who knows we may have Brad Lidge instead of AA as our closer and Matt Stairs as our DH. Thanks again Jason for keeping the blog going.
Barney, I wasn’t at as many games this year, but how did you and I keep missing each other?
I know I’ll be there for the finale on Sunday, so maybe I’ll see ya then.
Dean J.
It has been a very fast moving season. I am sad to see it come to an end. I Would hope both Tommy and Bill would return next year. Who know many be even Ryan Cullen would come back. This final weekend will be sad as every end of year is. Thank you to Jason for keeping the blog going through all the crap that was said this year. It will be missed next year.
Hey Dave!
First Energy Stadium is what Reading’s park is called
I agree Barney, if Tom iand/or Bill s going to stay on another year, make the announcement sooner than later.
That would be best for the teams image I feel.
Kelley,
Exactly…and to the point….what do YOU envision this Blog to be? I can’t wait for this answer.
I guess we go back to wanting comfort and mediocre baseball.
If the team comes back with a losing manager, two losing seasons vs. 1 winning that means we have settled. I do not know the answer. I found it funny that Tom thinks the Atlantic league managing is closest to the bigs. We all know how he faired in his adventure up the ladder. People seem to like what is familiar and comfortable, I get that but I like change and trying change for the better.
My list of players to bring back next year is small, the team needs new blood and a better attitude.
Unless there is another Butch Hobson hiding in the woodwork, Tom may be our best choice IF HE COMMITS and doesn’t want to leave the first time something better comes along. Another intersting thing is Von was supposed to still be active in the orginization after he “stepped down”. I don’t recall seeing him at any games or his name mentioned during any transactions. Will he be back for the last game on Sunday?
I agree with Maureen that the list of players to bring back is small because we do need a better attitude on the field. I might as well start the ball rolling with SS Anderson Machedo and C Gerard Haran.
I agree with Haran, and believe it or not, if Aaron wanted to play ball I would want him back and Lloyd. Pitchers would be Ben Fritz and Eric Ackerman if he was from the bull pen.
I agree with Maureen, the list is small. A few days ago I read about people saying that they want the team to finish strong and carry momentum into next season. The reality is, no matter how they finish, most of the members of this team will not be back next season. We all should have learned that by now.
I agree with Turner, Haran, Fritz, and Ackerman in the pen.
I would say the starting rotation for 2009 was made up of very good group of pitchers (in general). I’d be pleased, as a Lancaster fan, to see almost any of them come back for 2010.