Dancing in the stables ...

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Duane · #1 Post by **Duane** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 3:10 pm

With an escort towards the door, Kentucky GM Rudis has convinced Morihiro Takaki to retire. As the highest paid player on the Thoroughbred roster and leader of the 2007 version of the team, Takaki has agreed to leave the game amidst the dismal season he has turned in. In 2007 Takaki was the lone standout batting 300 with a 396 OBA 78 walks -vs- 44 strikeouts in 546 at-bats. He was one of the better 2B in the league that year. But 2008 there was something different, Takaki watched his average plummit to 222 with a 289 OBA and therefore his playing time decrease to only 279 at-bats.

Takaki's days in Kentucky were not over until he decided they were ... he held the Thoroughbreds financial future hostage. In Spring Training GM Rudis began hinting that this may be Takaki's last year, even though he had 2 more seasons at more than 5 million each left on his contract. The campaigne to oust Takaki was underway. When May came to an end Takaki was hitting a paltry 180 and hurting the Thoroughbreds more than helping. He was benched by manager Rod Carver and replaced at DH by a colage of players taking a day off and then permanently by 30 year old Anastacio Calderon who was acquireed from Duluth on July 22. For the remainder of the season Takaki saw only randon pinch hit assignments and the sporadic start in giving a day of rest to the regular starter.

As the playoffs progressed so did the one on 6 meetings which Takaki had with Owner Bill Shatner, GM Duane Rudis, Manager Rod Carver, head scout Jesus Santos, infielder Barry Murdock, and Takaki's best-friend-forever AAA infielder Buddy Stephens. The meetings happened almost daily immediately following the completion of PEBA playoff games. Points were made to Takaki's decline in production, the lack of support for both pitchers and fellow position players, his lack of contribution in thew club house, and of course the salary that was being squandered. IN the end Takaki had seen the light and signed a document stating his intent to announce his retirement.

Rumor is htat this was no ordinary intent to retire document. My sources say that Bill had to offer a 1968 Bently, season tickets, and an opportunity to either coach or scout. Now wouldn't that be something if Takaki came back as a hitting coach. Takaki holds the team's single season record for batting average and with his above average IQ he may just make a very good instructor at one of the lower levels of the organization. The SS-A team will have a complete chang-over this coming season. Maybe something is in the works and the PEBA commissioner will allow the first retired player to become coach ... Commissioner, are you reading this? What are your thoughts??? We here in Kentucky await your words.

In other news, owner Bill 'let me get that one' Shatner has been seen frequenting the local establishments again, buying drinks for his entourage, and in general very very happy. He has also been quoted on several occasions stating that he has no intent on moving Murdock or Molina, and that phenom Buddy Stephens has the 2B job going into Spring training. And with the extra 5 mil we see no problem in retaining both Murdock and Molina for the near future ...

#2 Post by **John** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 4:46 pm

I almost feel bad for Takaki, getting shoved out the door like that. Check out the one-on-six meetings where everyone was telling him how much he sucked! At least he got a Bentley out of it...

Regarding the bit in the article directed towards me, OOTP 8 doesn't allow me to convert players into coaches. OOTP 9 does allow this, however, and this will be debuting as a selectable CP reward for the 2009 Winter Meetings.

Duane · #3 Post by **Duane** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 4:51 pm

Regarding the bit in the article directed towards me, OOTP 8 doesn't allow me to convert players into coaches. OOTP 9 does allow this, however, and this will be debuting as a selectable CP reward for the 2009 Winter Meetings.

WOO-HOO!!!!!!!!!
Bring on the meetings

Denny · #4 Post by **Denny** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 10:27 pm

Borealis - Commissioner wrote:Regarding the bit in the article directed towards me, OOTP 8 doesn't allow me to convert players into coaches. OOTP 9 does allow this, however, and this will be debuting as a selectable CP reward for the 2009 Winter Meetings.

Can you convert them before they retire?

Because if so, it's definitely something Manchester should pursue with Daniel Rios...