This Week in Big Ell Pro Ball

Week 22 in Big Ell Pro Ball saw the regular season come to an end. Congratulations to the regular season champion Seattle Raniers! All of the playoff spots are set and I would like to thank the Phillies, E’s, Guzzlers, Camels and Crisis for putting forth solid efforts this year.

Game of the Week
EZ Money Braves 8 Bingo Long All Stars 8
The Braves and the All Stars battled to a tie in the last week of the season. The Braves winless streak moved to four weeks but EZ Money showed signs of life. A-Rod and Uribe led the Braves offense with Pettite and Timlin enjoying strong weeks on the mound. The All-Stars offense was led by Helton, Suzuki and Holliday with Lowe and Dempster leading the pitchers. EZ Money’s 8 runs allowed him to take the tie breaker for 3rd place from the Yankees. Both teams have no time to rest as they face each other in the first round of the playoffs.

Missoula Astros 8 Yang Min Shan Yankees 7
The Astros ended the year in second place overall and riding a 12 game unbeaten streak. The Yankees put up a valiant effort but their weak bats did them in with only Francoeur coming to play. The Yankee pitching was strong with Astros castoff Marquis and the relievers leading the way. Missoula was almost upset but stormed back to get the win. Alou, Berkman and Yankee castoff Cabrera led the offense while Wells and Blanton had big weeks helping the Astros steal a win. The Astros will rest for a week while the Yankees have their hands full with the upstart Marauders.

Formosa Phillies 9 Taiwan E’s 6
The Phillies attempt to unseat the Marauders for the last playoff spot failed. Giles and Pujols tried to lead the Phillies into the playoffs but 9 runs wasn’t enough for Formosa. Santana tried to pitch the Phillies into the playoffs but Bonderman and Lopez pitched to keep them out. Taiwan was led by Craig Monroe and that just about says it all. The Phillies should be back in the running in 2006 but I don’t think the same can be said for the E’s unless Bonds is really back.

Blowout of the Week I
Seattle Raniers 11 Swinging Bats 4
Week 22 in Big Ell Pro Ball came and went with another blowout of the Bats. Unfortunately, this blowout directly impacted the final standings with the Raniers directly benefiting. The Raniers gained the top spot behind a solid team effort led by Jones and Oswalt. The Bats stank up the joint and will be looking for a new home in 2006. If anybody knows of any interested parties please send an e-mail to the Commissioner.

Maraduers 9 Cuban Crisis 5
The Marauders held onto a playoff spot with a victory over the Crisis. Ortiz was the top Marauder batter with Willis and Benitez rolling on the mound. Damon and Rowand were the top players for the terrible Crisis.

S.B Camels 9 Newcastle Guzzlers 4
The Camels and Guzzlers played a wildly entertaining game. Dye, Giambi, Edmonds and Jenkins led the Camels bats and were almost matched by Nomar, Crawford, Jones and Floyd for the Guzzlers. The Camel pitching was led by Cy Young candidate Carpenter who was helped by Seo and Kazmir but managed to dominate Clement who lead the Guzzlers.