Life in the Big Easy – Trendies were not expecting a PEBA Championship. They weren’t even expecting a playoff spot in 2039. The fanbase is too jaded and cynical for that. But, they did, and deservedly so, expect a better record this season than last. A slight glimmer of hope that the team was improving. But that ship appears to have sailed like a Luis Lopez fastball sailing over the right field wall. A team coming off it’s best month, a 17-11 record in August that was the best showing under GM, Chuck Valenches and gave hope for a strong finish this season has turned into an unmitigated disaster. September began with a loss to San Antonio. That was followed by a sweep at the hands of the Florida Farstriders. Then a sweep by Hartford, three more to Havana, three MORE to West Virginia and then the first two in a series against Charleston. The streak finally ended on the 18^th of September with a with a 4-1 win over the Statesman to snap the skid. The team is only hitting .203 this month and have been shut out four times. Truly embarrassing. New Orleans has a lot of work to do to see better results in the standings and the four to five years until the prospects develop, if they develop, may be too long a wait for Trendies.

A Block Off Bourbon – The news a little better in the New Orleans farm system. Ensenada qualified for the final wild card spot in the North American Farm Team Affiliation Playoffs and even won their Wild Card Round before being swept by the prohibitive favorites, the Mexicali Schmoes. 2038 1^st Round pick Gabriel Santos had lower numbers compared to last year but still managed to hit .248 with 11 HR while playing stellar CF and stealing 75 bases. At only 19 years old, it is up in the air if Santos will move to AA next year or if the team will be cautious with Santos and start him off with Ensenada again next year,

Both Bridgetown® and Anchorage (SA) are assured of a playoff spot as both lead their divisions. The Mighty Moose have succeeded behind the strong arms of top prospect Hyung-on Che, 2039 3^rd rounder Weston Harris and “Jinx” Osawa who repeated the level and put-up stellar numbers once again. Desppite the bloom fading off of Osawa’s rose, he is due for a promotion next season.

Bridgetown has been a display case of offensive talent for the Trendsetters and they Flying Fish have definitely sent enough pitches flying out of the park. 2039 1^st Rounder Marco Jimenez has hit the cover off of the ball to the tune of .330/21/57. Even more impressive has been the surprising bat of 2^nd rounder Takafumi Samurakami. TS (until we can think of a better nickname) in just 79 games has hit .298 with 41 HR and 75 RBI.

Trendie Town Talks – This week we ask Team Trainer Travis Brown about some of the strangest injuries he has ever seen. “Well, that would be a tough one. I’ve seen my share of pulled hammies and blisters on fingers but I think the strangest would when I was a trainer in the AA Southern League for the Detroit Tigers back in the 90’s. We had a long bus trip from Jacksonville, FL to Huntsville, AL and one of our pitchers, like most of the players tried to get some sleep. Well, he went to sleep with his arm against the window. Unfortunately, the air conditioning vents on the bus are under the window. After an eight and a half hour bus ride the pitcher woke up and couldn’t straighten out his arm. He had frozen his elbow? He was the starter that night and we tried putting heat on it, everything, but we couldn’t get the arm right and he had to go on the DL. Damnedest thing I ever saw.”

Crawfish Future – Plans are being laid for a new logo, team name and identity for the Ensenada Cenicienta del Pacifico. According to sources, owner Jack Cobb was none too happy to find out that Cenicienta del Pacifico is Spanish for “Cinderellas of the Pacific” Not a name that strikes fear into the hearts of men. While the glass slipper concession was profitable, not much else was. It is hoped that a new team name and logo, along with a new logo that will avoid the Ocean Blue and White theme will increase interest in the team. Especially as some of the organizations top prospects make their way through the system. A poll will be posted in the league forum to help choose a new nickname.

That’s all for this issue of the Bourbon Street Baseball Blog. Once again we leave you with one of my favorite baseball quotes.

“The Dodgers are such an average team they could split a three-game series.” – Vin Scully