FROM THE DESK OF ED “FAST EDDIE” FLEET

Jason “Smokey” Bong is putting people on notice when it comes to performance and he does not mean the players within the organization. With attendance the highest it has been in six seasons and the team payroll for players increasing 160% from 2032 to 2033, Bong rightfully expects more.

“What good does it do us to keep turning over the roster if our coaches are not given the tools it takes to help the players win games?” said the 58 year old owner of the Duluth Warriors. “We need to invest in our coaches if we believe in them. Obviously what we have done the last several years has not worked. We have quality young players and last year signed several free agents. What did we get? Another 5th place finish.”

Bong speaks the truth. For the sixth consecutive season the Warriors were not in the playoffs and held a firm hold on the cellar of the Great Lakes Division. However there have been some slight improvements in attendance, drawing over 3.5 million fans to Doyle Buhl Stadium in 2033 while finishing with just 70 wins, a second consecutive upswing in victories.

Hardly what Bong is looking for. “We have to show improvement and it starts with helping our coaches.” Over the last two seasons there were several changes in Personnel at the big league level and Duluth’s promotion of Dallas Pollard from Medicine Hat (AA) manager to Duluth pitching coach caught many by surprise.

“We thought Dallas was a good fit with the big club after winning as a manager at the minor league level. We gave him some additional talent adding Eric Elliott and Manny Gonzales to go along with Trujillo and rookie Gary Murphy. But we also invested in some additional instruction to help Dallas succeed at his job.” Duluth made the decision to spend resources on their coaches and it appears to have paid off. Warriors pitching ERA was the lowest (3.58) it had been since they made the playoffs back in 2027 (3.55).

Bong insists the organization will continue to invest in their coaches, “Why wouldn’t we? Spending almost $1 million on 4 coaches and we have not been giving them the tools or training they need to help us win games. Now we are and they need to make it pay off. Continued improvement is essential and at some point “baby steps” will not be enough. Be bold and take a giant leap forward.”

“We don’t see ourselves going out and spending big on people until we can show that finally we can help guys be the player they are supposed to be.”

Noah Hill might be an example of what the owner is speaking about. Hill was a 22 year old rookie in 2032 and batted .291 and stole 25 bases. However, all the numbers dropped last season. .250 average with 11 steals, lower slugging and on-base percentage while moving from shortstop to third, then to second base last year.

Antonio Herrera came up last year after tearing up AAA. Herrera played fabulous defense at third base but offensively he proved to be a bit overmatched, hitting just .253.

“Go right down the line, Sean Kirkland, Jose Castillo, Ryosei Saito. I blame myself and we will fix this situation.” From 2007 through 2030 the Warriors had just one season where the offense hit under .250 and that was .246 in 2020. Their last 3 seasons have been .234, .239, .239. “We let it get away from us. Now it is time to get it back.”

Bong promises more offense in 2034 but does not promise big signings to help the cause this season. “We are going to make some improvements and monitor the situation before we spend more money and/or give up more draft picks. The organization needs some upgrades from the top down. Enough changing of personnel, let’s change the tools the personnel has to work with.”

This should be welcome news to hitting coach Ronald “The Bomber” Elmore who has been with the organization a long time.  “I’m always interested in learning more and seeing how we can apply the information.  Once we get that information in the hands of the players it is really up to them.  We can’t go up and hit for them.”

This reporter would appreciate a bit more offense but I am not going to be surprised if it ends up being the same old Warriors again. Talent and athleticism all over the field but can’t score if they were in a two for the price of one gentleman’s club. Bring that ERA down another half run per game and get your runs scored up to 700 then I will get excited.