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Here Comes the Calvary
Ortiz hopes to be final piece in Rakeville's championship puzzle
By Aviator McShadeless / Rakeville Times
When David Ortiz stepped off the plane at Las Vegas International Airport, he was greeted with a comment he had heard just hours before.
“Please fasten your seatbelt.”
Without getting a chance to comply, he was pressed against the back of his seat.
“That is the fastest I have ever gone in a car,” said Ortiz, who was whisked away by Rakeville team officials in a mad dash through the busy streets of Sin City. “We were in such a hurry, I had to put my uniform on in the car.”
Recently acquired in a trade that sent Justin Morneau and Chris Young to Mexico, Rockets brass were excited about the arrival of their new slugger, and have done everything outside of transporting him Star Trek style to get him in the lineup for a huge division match up against the Las Vegas Doggs.
“We needed to make some sort of move,” said Rockets GM Jack Reed. “We realized how much our offense was lacking last month. While we had no intention of competing for a championship this year, when we found ourselves at the top of the standings after the first half, it would have been a disservice to the Rakeville fans if we didn’t try to go for it all.”
Reed began serious trade discussions three weeks ago, when he contacted Haverhill about trading for injured slugger Barry Bonds. While both sides came close to a deal, Haverhill management balked and became unresponsive.
“It was a big trade for us, and something we really pushed for,” said Reed. Unfortunately, Bonds’s return date has been in flux. “When healthy, he is the best hitter in baseball. We needed production like that if we wanted to compete with the elite teams in the EHCC. We were willing to take the risk he may not be back this season because he was one of the few players on the market who could help win us a title.”
When the deal (which was rumored to involve two of the Rockets starting outfielders in exchange) fell apart, Reed found himself in a bind.
“We looked at Green Monsters outfielder Jim Edmonds and Bizton first baseman Richie Sexson, but felt we were better off letting our players develop.”
The Rockets had lost hope on making a season changing deal and were in talks with Las Vegas to acquire their minor league draft pick when word spread of Ortiz’s availability.
“With such a deep pitching staff, we were able to offer some excellent prospects and proven aces. It really makes teams cautious because they wonder if they’ll be shortchanged. I have a hard time convincing them that, yes, this is truly our worst pitcher and yes, he will be the best pitcher on your staff for years to come.”
Negotiations finally came down to either Matt Morris or Chris Young, with the Hispanics deciding on the top pitching candidate for American League Rookie of the Year.
“The trade is a credit to our scouting department,” said Justin Fuller, the Rockets pitching coach. “Very few teams have the young, quality talent to trade like Rakeville. If they do, then they are probably a vital part of their team. If you took a pitcher the caliber of Chris [Young] off of most EHCC clubs, they would be crippled.”
When asked about the impact of Ortiz on the Rockets lineup, Manager Troy O’Leary was elated.
“He is a guy who will hit everyday,” said O’Leary. “Hit and run and never field. Do you know how much time that will save when cleaning his shoes? No grass stains or turf burns.”
Barring an accident, Ortiz is expected in the lineup Saturday at first base for the Rockets, and will be an added boost in the final days, with Rakeville currently edging Las Vegas in hitting.
In other news, Rockets Public Affairs Director Jose Canseco was fired earlier today. Team officials were surprised and disturbed by his most recent marketing campaign surrounding pitcher Ian Snell.
“This is something our organization will not tolerate,” said Team Janitor Harry Flashell.
No word on who will replace Canseco, or if the Rockets will retain Snell after this scandal.
Aviator McShadeless is a reporter for the Rakeville Times. It's LANCE time.
