After defeating Baird Brain 9-2, my Toronto Walrus remains atop the BBFL Alomar division for another week, with a 4.5 game cushion over the Horse Field Hammers, who were 8-3 winners over the Eastern Shore Birds. Four games farther back, Billie's Bashers are third despite dropping a 6-5 decision to the Springfield Isotopes, then there's a virtual tie for fourth. With a 10-2 rout of the Thunderbirds, the Chatsworth Halos moved up; AGF, whipped 10-2 by Reykjavik Fish Candy, slipped a couple of notches from second. Hannibals Cannibals, after beating Gashouse Gorillas 9-2, are now sixth. The big move of the week was by Red Mosquitos, who stung Jick’s Rays 11-1 to get back to .500 and advance from 17th place up to 12th.



Here are the standings through five of 22 weeks:

  #  Team                    W-L-T   WPct   GB 
  1  Toronto Walrus         44-13-3  .758   -- 
  2  Horse Field Hammers    40-18-2  .683    4.5
  3  Billie's Bashers       36-22-2  .617    8.5
  4  Chatsworth Halos       36-24-0  .600    9.5
  5  AGF                    34-22-4  .600    9.5 
  6  hannibal's cannibals   34-23-3  .592   10
  7  Mebion Glyndwr         33-25-2  .567   11.5 
  8  Eastern Shore Birds    33-25-2  .567   11.5 
  9  Moscow Rats            31-26-3  .542   13 
 10  Baird Brain            30-26-4  .533   13.5 
 11  Springfield Isotopes   30-27-3  .525   14 
 12  Red Mosquitos          29-29-2  .500   15.5
 13  SABR Magicians         27-31-2  .467   17.5
 14  K-Town Mashers         24-31-5  .442   19 
 15  gashouse gorillas      25-32-3  .442   19 
 16  Reykjavik Fish Candy   23-35-2  .400   21.5 
 17  Austin Senators        20-33-7  .392   22 
 18  Thunderbirds           20-37-3  .358   24
 19  Garces_not_on_roids    15-45-0  .250   30.5
 20  Jick's Rays            10-50-0  .167   35.5 

In a week when neither team hit particularly well, my guys outlasted Jurgen's in every category but OBP. Both teams got good pitching; mine was just a bit better. MVP Curt Schilling anchored the staff with 16 IP, a win, 1.69 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and a nifty 14.00 K/BB, while Carlos Silva and Freddy Garcia each chipped in with an impressive win.

As with all my deals, I hope the trade with the Fish Candy helps both teams. Bobby Abreu could have a big year in the new Philly park, hitting in front of Jim Thome, and I consider him a keeper candidate for next season. Mike gets two solid OF (Hunter and Damon) for one and a throw-in MI, but I actually need Relaford, at least temporarily, with Polanco on the DL and Spivey limping.