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Over the past few months in Ottawa, a raging debate has taken place between whether a football or soccer stadium should be built. After months of haggling, the city finally decided to give way to the renovation of Frank Clair Stadium for the 3rd edition of an Ottawa football team. So it comes to a surprise today that Ottawa Beavers owner Brendan Macgranachan and a few other political figures dug shovels into the grass and broke grounds on a brand new $350 million, 38,000 seat complex for the Ottawa Beavers baseball club.
The stadium is expected to be completed for the 2022 season and the naming rights are up for grabs. When asked where the money came from for this mega-project after a battle over public funds for a new football/soccer stadium, Macgranachan had no comment followed by a mutter of, "Don't ever ask that ****ing question again." While the stadium will represent a new era for the Ottawa baseball club, it also represents a new era for the new owner. Even today you can tell the owner has cleaned himself up. Gone are the Sherwood Park-day of plaid jackets and jeans, with a wad of Copenhagen stuffed in his lip while he often threatened his team. Now, he often wears a suit, often smiling and laughing with others around him.
Said Macgranachan: "I think the biggest thing is that I'm not as stupid as I used to be. I mean, I'm still kinda dumb but I listen to baseball guys in our organization that have been around this league for decades. I try to let the manager do his things and the players do theirs. So far, it seems to be going well."
Well indeed. Over his years owing the defunct Sherwood Park Ice, his best win total was 62. Last season, the Beavers won 71 games, the teams worst win total in history during a rebuilding year. However, as of the Ammy Draft, Ottawa sits only 6 games back of wild-card berth at 31-33 and while he acknowledges the playoffs are a long shot at this point, the owner likes the fact he team is competitive and he is getting help from everyone on the club.
Last season, 3B Tom Boss wasn't producing much other than occasion power and when Macgranachan tried to shop him, other teams had about as much interest in him as a toothless chick from Saskatchewan. However, this season, Boss has taken over the everyday third baseman job after starting in platoon with Casey Colveskli and is leading the team in average (.310) and home runs (17). "Boss has always had some decent power but last year, we thought his bat was declining to the point where it was tough to put him in the lineup.| said manager Dave Canning, a former CBL catcher, 'Now, his bat is back to where it used to be and his leadership has been bar-none for the younger guys on this team."
Also, the Smiths have certainly helped the club offensively. The team rolled a dice last year when it traded away stud closer Scott Harris away in his prime to Fort McMurray, but in return, it collected outfielders Zach and Warren Smith among others. Zach, who is protected in the lineup by Boss, who has added 17 homeruns while leading the team in RBIs with 43, has given the Beavers some life in the lineup while Warren has tore up lefties in the tune of a .364 clip and has proved Ottawa with a good bat anywhere in the lineup.
However, not all has been good in the Ottawa lineup. Last year, middle infielders Kevin Hammond and Neil Perez had good seasons, including a trip to the all-star game for Perez. This season has been a struggle for both. Hammond was hitting below the Mendoza line well into May and has publicly complained about his role in the lineup. Perez is hitting almost 30 points below last seasons average although he has picked it up as of late. More is expected out of these individuals and it is rumored that the team is debating about shipping the disgruntled Hammond.
The rotation has been pleasantly well for Ottawa. Ace Masashi Takasu has a record of 9-3 with an ERA of 2.99. "Everytime Takasu pitches, we feel like he got a shot to win." said Cunning. The #2 and #3 guys, Mario Karchner and Shaun Heywood have also given the team quality starts. Karchner reported to spring training 2 weeks earlier this year and worked on his command, which has been really impressive, with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 1 to 4.4 over 93 innings of work. Also good has been James Hudson, one of the teams first round picks in last years draft. "We didn't want to rush him and at times he looks out of his league, but he is very mature for his age and handles everything real well. He's got a chance to be a starter in this league for a long time." said Cunning.
The bullpen has been up and down. After an impressive end to last season, Paul Mankaymer was given the closers role, only to see that disappear after a long April. Doug Moncey has stepped in an done a good job as well as rookies Victor Martis and Higgy Burgos, another first round choice from last year. "We aren't worried with our bullpen. We don't have a pure shutdown guy yet, but there are plenty of guys who can pitch down there. In a close game, I got confidence in 4-5 guys down there and not many managers can say that." said Cunning.
With the Ammy Draft impending, the Beavers staff has been hard at work and has prepared its Big Board, with 100 eligible players ranked from best to worst. "We are going to try and get a player that fits our organizational needs but we have no problem going best player available." said Macgranachan. With a new stadium on its way and plenty of talent coming up, the Beavers hope playoff games will be played in the new yard sooner than later.
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