2000: The inaugural campaign
The maiden
voyage of the XBL was capped by a failry uneventful World Series involving
both of Brett Schlekeway's ball clubs. The Portland Beaverwhackers, whose
starters had completed 27 of their 52 starts during the season, won the
first XBL championship in five games over the Albany Argyle Sox.
The season,
however, did get off to a rocky start as there was some rule confusion
during the draft, which caused a backlash amongst the league owners. This,
however was resolved before the season kicked off with the first two games
played by Scott on Thanksgiving night, which caused the Las Vegas Strip
to declare a jihad against their cheif rivals, the Beaverwhackers. Unfortunaltely,
the Strip never were able to mount a victory and had the worst divisonal
record of any team in the XBL.
The Memphis
Maniax, with Kent Hrbek at the helm, took off early by winning their first
seven games, and never relinquished the lead in the Eastern Division, mounting
a league topping 33-19 record. Their effort would go for naught as they
were taken out of the playoffs by Albany.
Speaking
of getting started quickly, it is always better to finish up strong, and
that is exactly what the San Antonio Bullriders (not gay) did. San Antonio
were 20-6 in the second half of the season and had a season high 11-game
winning streak. Their pitching was their downfall, as they were taken out
in the playoffs by eventual champion Portland.
Trades were
difficult to make during the season, as owners now had to consider the
future. Four trades were made all year, possibly the most significant being
a deal that sent Aramis Ramirez and a first round pick to New Jersey for
closer Robb Nen. Nen failed to put Orlando in the playoffs, and New Jersey
now appeared set for a title run in 2002-03.
Speaking
of New Jersey, they were wallowing in last place for much of the season,
capped by the firing of then-manager Stuart Scott, and starting the infamous
"Manage the Rhinos" promotion, which let a fan manage the team until they
lost, resulting in eleven different "managers".
Other oddities
during the season included Rhode Island Rhode Kill manager Don Zimmer overusing
two pitchers, injuring both during the season, and Craig Biggio hitting
for the cycle in a week 10 game against New Jersey.
In the end,
however it was the city of Portland and the Beaverwhackers celebrating
the first chmapionship of the XBL.
Season Facts:
Schedule,
Final scores, and playoff results
2000
Final Standings
2000
Draft
Final
Batting Leaders
Final
Pitching Leaders
Final
Team Leaders
Trades
2000 Team Stats:
Albany
| Las Vegas | Memphis
| Minnesota | New
Jersey | Omaha | Orlando
| Portland | Rhode
Island | San Antonio