The 2023 World Series pitted NL champion Corpus Christi Cannons against AL champs Higglytown Heroes. The series promised a clash of contrasting styles, as Corpus Christi led TRHL in runs scored, while Higglytown was second in runs allowed.
Game One opened on an unusually warm November day in Higglytown. The game matched Cannon ace Braxton Garrett (16-10 in the regular season) against the Heroes’ Bobby Miller (13-8). The home team got first blood, as Mitch Garver plated Randy Arozarena, and added two more on an Arozarena homer in the 5th, and another in the 6th. The visitors staged a ninth inning rally on an Andres Gimenez home run and brought the potential tying run to the plate before Higglytown closer Abner Uribe shut the door to preserve a 5-3 Heroes victory.
Corpus Christi sent Charlie Morton (13-9) to the hill to oppose Higglytown’s Bailey Ober (13-6) in the second game. This time the Cannons struck first with two on a Josh Naylor sac fly and a Gimenez single. The Heroes roared back with a pair of homers in the fourth, from Mike Yastrzemski and Jose Ramirez, but a Bo Bichette round tripper gave the lead back to Corpus Christi in the sixth. Morton and two relievers would hold that slimmest of margins to secure a 3-2 Canons’ triumph, sending the series back to Corpus Christi knotted at one apiece.
A warm Corpus Christi evening saw the home team open with Jameson Taillon (9-11) to face the visitors’ Eduardo Rodriguez (11-9). Higglytown scored first on a Yainer Diaz tater in the second, and blew the game open with four in the fifth and two more in the seventh, en route to a 12-1 win that tilted the series in their favor.
Facing the first gut-check game of the series, the Canons sent crafty lefty Nestor Cortes (7-2) to oppose the Heroes’ Chris Sale (9-3). Two Christian Walker home runs staked the Higgytown to a 4-0 lead, and with Sale cruising it looked like they might put a stranglehold on the series. But Corpus Christi has other ideas, and a Garrett Cooper home run in the bottom of the fifth cut the lead in half and propelled them to score three more in the sixth and two in the seventh to forge a 7-4 lead. The Heroes got two back on a Wander Franco 9th inning home run, but Cannon reliever Miguel Castro stopped the bleeding to save a 7-6 home victory, squaring the series once again.
With things now down to a best-of-three situation, the teams went back to their game one starters, Miller and Garrett. Higglytown scored first again, scratching two in the third and one in the third, taking a 3-0 lead. TJ Friedl slashed a double in the bottom of the 4th to cut the deficit to one, but the Heroes got back to a 5-2 lead on a Franco blast in the 7th. Once again, the home team rallied, getting to the visitors’ bullpen, as hits by Jeff Outman and Gabriel Moreno tied the score at 5. Neither team threatened in the 8th or 9th, but with two out in the 10th, Higglytown star Ramirez launched a three-run moon shot to give the Heroes an 8-5 lead. Uribe again made that hold up, and Higglytown took a 3-2 series lead back home.
With champagne on ice, the Heroes turned to Ober, hoping he could outduel game 2 star Morton. He could not, as Corpus Christi scored two in the first, one in the second, and four in the 5th – capped by a three run dinger from Brandon Belt – and cruised to an 11-2 laugher, to level the series ledger for a third time. One small consolation for Higglytown – while getting rocked, Ober hung in for 8 2/3 innings (and 150 pitches), saving the bullpen for the deciding game.
Game 7; the words send chills down the spine. This one did not disappoint. Once again, the teams reprised an earlier pitching matchup, as Higglytown’s Rodriguez squared off against Corpus Christi’s Taillon. Once again the Canons jumped out early, opening the game with five straight hits and chasing the Heroes’ starter from the game before there was even one out. The home team tried to claw back, but things got worse, as a Ryan Jeffers blast in the 4th saw the visitors go up 7-2 through three and a half. Things looked dark in Higglytown, but Will Benson and Wilyer Abreu opened a ray of hope with home runs in the bottom of the 4th to cut the Corpus Christi lead to 7-5. A two out rally in the 5th gave the home team a slim 8-7 lead, which the Hero bullpen held, allowing only two hits over the final five frames and giving Higglytown the World Series title with a 10-7 Game 7 victory.
To say the series was tight would be an understatement. Each team won a blowout, but each of the other five games easily could have gone the other way. The Canons twice overcame 3+ run leads to win, and the Heroes did so once. Truly one for the annals of TRHL history. Congrats to both teams on great seasons (and postseasons).
Corpus Christi bats were led by Bo Bichette, who slashed 423/429/577 with 6 RS and 4RBI, and Andres Gimenez, who went 308/357/500 with 6 runs and 3 ribbies. Jeff Outman added 4 runs and 6 RBI of his own. But the real Cannon MVP was Charlie Morton, who won two games, allowing only four runs in 12.2 innings.
On the Higglytown side, Wander Franco hit three homers, with 7 runs scored and six RBI, and Will Benson was dominant in only 18 PA, slashing 538/632/1231 with two home runs, 5 RS, and 6RBI. On the mound, Bobby Miller allowed only 5 runs in 12.2 innings, and the bullpen shined when it needed to, led by Sean Manea, who threw 6 scoreless innings, with only four baserunners and 13 strikeouts. But on the biggest stage, it was the biggest Hero who starred, as Jose Ramirez slashed 357/400/750 with a pair of key homeruns (including the Game 5 extra inning blast) and 8 runs and 8 RBI, to take Series MVP honors.
Both starting pitchers are on from the get-go as three quick scoreless innings are played. Acuna opens the scoring with a homer to lead off the fourth, but Johan Rojas immediately answers with his own. The game stays deadlocked at 1 until the 8th when Rodolfo Castro doubles and Henderson knocks him in with a single. Pepiot pitches a scoreless 9th to hand the home team the early series lead.
Game 2 - Tyler Glasnow (NRI) vs Reese Olson (UCA)
Just a brutal start from the Portland perspective. They manage to get 10 runners on in the first four innings but cannot get any of them across the plate. Meanwhile, Burger gives UCity an early lead with a solo shot. The home squad gets Olson the hell out of there and the bullpen holds the lead for the next few innings. Burger increases the lead with a two-run shot in the 7th. All is looking swell for the Anunnaki until the 9th when Portland gets two on with two outs. Triston Casas steps up and ties the game with one swing of the bat. The NRI joy proves to be short-lived as Muncy leads off the 9th with a walk-off blast to give the Anunnaki a 4-3 win and a 2-0 series lead.
Game 3 - Taijuan Walker (UCA) vs Brandon Woodruff (NRI)
The series shifts to Portland, and Altuve gets it started with a bang, as he hits the first pitch of the game out. Burger continues his run by hitting a three run shot in the 3rd, but Willson Contreras answers with his own three run homer in the bottom of the frame. Muncy tacks on another run for UCity with a hit in the fourth before the pitching finally settles down. The NRI get to within one in the 7th on a Contreras double, but the home squad's pen falters, allowing 3 runs in the 8th and 9th as UCity moves to within a game of advancing with an 11-5 victory.
Game 4 - Stephen Matz (UCA) vs Max Fried (NRI)
Given the NRI's collection of lefty mashers, the UCA manager felt it might be a long (or short) day for Matz. He was proved spectacularly correct. Schneider, Contreras, Lindor, Casas, and Rengifo all homer as Portland puts up 5 in the 3rd and 5 more in the 4th, just for good measure. Fried did not need to be sharp, but he was, allowing only a homer to Jake "Babe Ruth" Burger. The NRI's stay alive with a 13-2 laugher.
Game 5 - Kodai Senga (UCA) vs Kyle Bradish (NRI)
UCity jumps out in front early, as Acuna knocks in Altuve in the first. The Anunnaki then put their first 5 runners on in the 2nd and extend the lead to 4-0. It gets worse for Bradish as the visitors tack on 2 more in the 4th. But the's NRI's use a Muncy error, a wild pitch, and a balk to get back 3 runs in the bottom of the inning. A Lindor homer cuts the lead to 2 in the 5th, and after escaping a UCity threat, Portland ties it up in the 6th on a Contreras hit and a Schneider sac fly. After 2 uneventful innnings, the Anunnaki get two runners on via walks, and Portland brings in a lefty to face Muncy. UCity counters with Rodolfo Castro, who gets to be the hero by smacking one into the left field seats. The Anunnaki tack on another, and survive the bottom of the frame after Portland gets the tying run to the plate. 10-7 is the final as the Anunnaki take the series 4-1.
Congrats to Bruce for a great season in a very tough division. The result of this series is pretty unfair, as Portland could have won at least 3 of the games they lost. Or if Juan Soto had shown up even a tiny bit (150/261/150).
Series 25 has been completed. League file attached.
NOTE - We have reached September. Thus the following are now in effect:
1. Expanded rosters up to and including 40 players on active.
2. Anyone signed in September cannot be retained in the offseason.
3. Anyone signed in September is not post-season eligible.
4. The replacement-level system has been enabled. You can use players that have exceeded 110% PA/BFP, but they will be at replacement level.
5. We still permit an extra $10 and 10 extra roster spots to sign $1 free agents if you cannot retain a 26-man active roster (because you do not want to use 110%-exceeded, replacement-level players)
Results not submitted:
1st half:
Pale Hose @ Hermits
Rogers @ Whitecaps
Series 24 has been completed. League file attached.
NOTE - We have reached September. Thus the following are now in effect:
1. Expanded rosters up to and including 40 players on active.
2. Anyone signed in September cannot be retained in the offseason.
3. Anyone signed in September is not post-season eligible.
4. The replacement-level system has been enabled. You can use players that have exceeded 110% PA/BFP, but they will be at replacement level.
5. We still permit an extra $10 and 10 extra roster spots to sign $1 free agents if you cannot retain a 26-man active roster (because you do not want to use 110%-exceeded, replacement-level players)
Results not submitted:
1st half:
Whitecaps @ Hermits
Rogers @ Rabid Dogs
2nd half:
Hermits @ Whitecaps
Rabid Dogs @ Rogers
Rotisserie @ Keystones
Hen House @ Retrievers (**)
Anunnaki @ Pale Hose (*)
NOTE - I am now keeping an eye on the Dogs. No new owner found; might have a bite.
(*) - Backup results submitted
(**) - Notified in advance
(***) - Abandoned team
Automatic farmings due to overuse: NONE!
Any promotions by the file drone can be changed immediately. File drone makes these changes in case the MP isn't updated in time.
Transactions:
1. Anunnaki sign Joshua Palacios and David Fletcher, release Miguel Diaz and Penn Murfee.
2. NRIs sign AJ Smith-Shawver, release Adrian Houser.
3. Canons sign Jorge Alfaro, release Kyren Paris.
4. Athletics sign Edouard Julien, release Dylan Carlson.
Series 23 has been completed. League file attached.
NOTE - We have reached September. Thus the following are now in effect:
1. Expanded rosters up to and including 40 players on active.
2. Anyone signed in September cannot be retained in the offseason.
3. Anyone signed in September is not post-season eligible.
4. The replacement-level system has been enabled. You can use players that have exceeded 110% PA/BFP, but they will be at replacement level.
5. We still permit an extra $10 and 10 extra roster spots to sign $1 free agents if you cannot retain a 26-man active roster (because you do not want to use 110%-exceeded, replacement-level players)
Results not submitted:
1st half:
Rogers @ Pale Hose
Rabid Dogs @ Whitecaps
NOTE - I am now keeping an eye on the Dogs. No new owner found; might have a bite.
(*) - Backup results submitted
(**) - Notified in advance
(***) - Abandoned team
Automatic farmings due to overuse: NONE!
Any promotions by the file drone can be changed immediately. File drone makes these changes in case the MP isn't updated in time.
Transactions:
1. Clowns sign Ian Gibaut and German Marquez, release Tony Gonsolin and Luis Garcia.
2. NRIs sign Sean Newcomb, release Jonathan Loaisiga.
Series 22 has been completed. League file attached.
NOTE - We have reached September. Thus the following are now in effect:
1. Expanded rosters up to and including 40 players on active.
2. Anyone signed in September cannot be retained in the offseason.
3. Anyone signed in September is not post-season eligible.
4. The replacement-level system has been enabled. You can use players that have exceeded 110% PA/BFP, but they will be at replacement level.
5. We still permit an extra $10 and 10 extra roster spots to sign $1 free agents if you cannot retain a 26-man active roster (because you do not want to use 110%-exceeded, replacement-level players)
Results not submitted:
1st half:
Athletics @ Whitecaps
Red Knots @ Hen House
2nd half:
Whitecaps @ Athletics
Hen House @ Red Knots
Rainiers @ Rotisserie (**)
Pirates @ Dogs (***)
NOTE - I am now keeping an eye on the Dogs. No new owner found; might have a bite.
(*) - Backup results submitted
(**) - Notified in advance
(***) - Abandoned team
Automatic farmings due to overuse: NONE!
Any promotions by the file drone can be changed immediately. File drone makes these changes in case the MP isn't updated in time.
Series 21 has been completed. League file attached.
NOTE - We have reached September. Thus the following are now in effect:
1. Expanded rosters up to and including 40 players on active.
2. Anyone signed in September cannot be retained in the offseason.
3. Anyone signed in September is not post-season eligible.
4. The replacement-level system has been enabled. You can use players that have exceeded 110% PA/BFP, but they will be at replacement level.
5. We still permit an extra $10 and 10 extra roster spots to sign $1 free agents if you cannot retain a 26-man active roster (because you do not want to use 110%-exceeded, replacement-level players)
Results not submitted:
1st half:
Isotopes @ Pale Hose
2nd half:
Pale Hose @ Isotopes (**)
Rainiers @ Wagstaffs
NOTE - I am now keeping an eye on the Dogs. No new owner found; might have a bite.
(*) - Backup results submitted
(**) - Notified in advance
(***) - Abandoned team
Automatic farmings due to overuse: NONE!
Any promotions by the file drone can be changed immediately. File drone makes these changes in case the MP isn't updated in time.
Transactions:
1. Clowns sign Tony Gonsolin, $13, Enmanual Valdez, and Tim Locastro, release AJ Smith-Shawyer, Ian Gibaut, and Joey Gallo.
2. Rotisserie sign Brad Keller, Yuli Gurriel, and Noah Syndergaard, release Edouard Julien, Matt McLain, and Dakota Hudson.
3. Retrievers sign Dennis Santana and Jonny Deluca, release Javier Baez and Akil Baddoo.
4. Anunnaki sign Connor Phillips and Emerson Hancock, release Andre Jackson and Joey Lucchesi.
Injuries (> 3 days):
8/26 BDM Schreiber 8
8/26 NOR Bell 5
8/27 CCC Cortes 10
8/27 HIG Paredes 5
8/28 ARB Alu 8
8/28 DRK Wesneski 4
8/29 NOR Irvin,J 6
8/29 NOR Vierling 8
8/29 BDM Blackburn 6
MPs ready for Series 22:
Deadlines - 1st half deadline for first three games is Sunday, October 6th, 10 PM EDT. Deadline for 2nd half is Wednesday, October 9th, 10 PM EDT.
Series 22 league file has been posted and the League File link on the website has been updated.
Series 20 has been completed. League file attached.
After this upcoming series, we will be in September and the replacement level system will be enabled. You will then be able to use players past 110% at replacement level.
Results not submitted:
1st half:
Dogs @ Hen House
2nd half:
Hen House @ Dogs
Rainiers @ Keystones
Pirates @ Wagstaffs
NOTE - I am now keeping an eye on the Dogs. No new owner found; might have a bite.
(*) - Backup results submitted
(**) - Notified in advance
(***) - Abandoned team
Automatic farmings due to overuse:
1. Being Don Mattingly - Bo Naylor, Wells promoted.
2. Clowns - Curtis Mead, Tom Murphy, and Tanner Bibee, see transactions.
3. Rogers - Jacob Young, Perez promoted.
4. Dogs - Joey Estes, Stubbs promoted.
5. Whitecaps - Carmen Mlodzinski, Aaron Civale, Means and Miley promoted.
6. Wagstaffs - Vince Velasquez, Fleming promoted.
7. Keystones - Michael Fulmer and Emilio Pagan, Cisnero and Wainwright promoted.
8. Pirates - Hector Neris, Peralta activated from IL.
9. Anunnaki - Joey Lucchesi, Olson promoted.
Any promotions by the file drone can be changed immediately. File drone makes these changes in case the MP isn't updated in time.
Transactions:
1. NRIs sign Emmet Sheehan, release Tony Gonsolin.
2. Athletics sign Noelvi Marte, $10, release Tyler Mahle.
3. Retrievers sign Hunter Stratton, release Hyun Jin Ryu.
4. Heroes sign Garrett Whitlock, release Tommy Henry.
5. Rotisserie sign Dakota Hudson.
6. Clowns sign Austin Wynns, Nick Ahmed, Alex Kirilloff, and Luis H. Garcia, release James McArthur, Drew Carlton, Ramiel Tapia, and Jesus Aguilar.
Injuries (> 3 days):
8/18 HFX Civale 6
8/19 CHA Brown,H 16
8/21 SIS Peralta,D 4
8/21 UCA Muncy 14
MPs ready for Series 21: Isotopes
Deadlines - 1st half deadline for first three games is Sunday, September 29th, 10 PM EDT. Deadline for 2nd half is Wednesday, October 2nd, 10 PM EDT.
Series 21 league file has been posted and the League File link on the website has been updated.
Series 19 has been completed. League file attached.
Results not submitted:
1st half:
Athletics @ Rogers
2nd half:
Rogers @ Athletics
Chinooks @ Canons
NOTE - I am now keeping an eye on the Dogs. No new owner found; might have a bite.
(*) - Backup results submitted
(**) - Notified in advance
(***) - Abandoned team
Automatic farmings due to overuse:
1. Dogs - Travis Janikowski, Christian Arroyo, Gavin Stone; Busch, Grissom, and see emergency signings.
2. Clowns - Jordan Westburg; Stefanic promoted
3. Keystones - Rene Pinto, Oswald Peraza; Casali and Barrero promoted.
4. Rogers - Cavan Biggio; Carpenter promoted.
5. Chinook - Spencer Horwitz; Ford promoted.
6. Retrievers - Hyun Jin Ryu; Leclerc promoted.
Any promotions by the file drone can be changed immediately. File drone makes these changes in case the MP isn't updated in time.
Transactions:
1. Dogs sign George Soriano and Mike Baumann, release Andrew Wantz and Carlos Perez.
2. Chinook sign Luke Little, Victor Vodnick, Jose Tena, and Jose Ferrer; release Noelvi Marte, Giovanny Gallegos, DL Hall, and Brett Wisely.
3. Clowns sign AJ Smith-Shawver, Kenny Rosenberg, Allan Winans, and Drey Jameson; release Tony Kemp, Nick Sandlin, Kyle Muller, and Joe Boyle.
4. Heroes sign Tommy Henry and Kris Bubic; release Emmet Sheehan and Hunter Stratton.
5. NRIs sign Jonathan Loaisiga; release Davis Daniel.
6. Retrievers sign Weston Wilson and Vidal Brujan; release Brian Anderson and Nick Loftin.
7. Anunnaki sign Jake Cousins; release Kyle Nicolas.
MPs ready for Series 20: Rotisserie (King only good for first start; likely MP to be updated!)
Deadlines - 1st half deadline for first three games is Sunday, September 22nd, 10 PM EDT. Deadline for 2nd half is Wednesday, September 25th, 10 PM EDT.
Series 20 league file has been posted and the League File link on the website has been updated.
