2057-0010: Talons Single-A Team Suffers "Media Guide Curse": Toledo Liberty Off To Worst Start in 20 Years

[jiminyhopkins]

Toledo, OH--

Often cited as "The Greatest Minor League Team of All Time", the Toledo Liberty have ascended to legendary status, especially in the last two decades. Those twenty seasons have seen the Liberty garner 19 of their 23 division titles and win 8 of their 10 Pegler League Championships. The club has had a .700 winning percentage in almost 2800 games since 2037. They've won 100 games eleven times, in a 140 game season no less. And recently, the minor league affiliate was even featured in the equally legendary BBA Media Guide.

And that's when it all fell apart.

At a mere 13-7 after 20 games, the 2057 season isn't looking so hot down in T-Town. Two of the five starters has an ERA over 7. The infield as a whole has only hit 4 home runs. Their on-base percentage is 11th best in the Baxter League, their pitcher's HR rate and Walk rate only 9th best. Last week, the club was in *gulp* second place. The club is barely in the top 10 of the CPL Power Rankings. What's going on?

Well, two of last seasons best starters, Matea Dosti (17 wins) and Siaosi Aroona (14 wins) have aged out to AA, while Angel Villanueva (4.5 WAR), Jodie Hanna (1.6 WAR in relief), and Lucas Rose (1.27 ERA in the playoffs) have gone all the way to Phoenix. In addition, hitters Michael O'Hallorhan, Ridwan Bahiyy al Din, and Yifu Wang (the club's top three home run hitters last year) have likewise moved on.

But it's called a Farm System for a reason, right? Aren't there just younger guys from the lower levels who can replace the departed players?

LOL no, this is Phoenix, they don't have a farm system, silly. So looks like the Liberty are screwed unless they can find a bunch of minor league free agents under the age limit. And have you seen the under-25 FA pool lately?

This might just be the end of the line for the Toledo Liberty. And we have the Media Guide to thank for it. No, not the Talons' sad lower minors, definitely not that. It's gotta be the Media Guide.

Right?

[Trebro]

How's the outlook now?