The Career of Ray Julian

[Chipper_Jones]

Ray Julian dreamed of playing baseball professionally his entire life. He played for his high school team in Kokomo, Indiana, from 1986-1989, but was never considered spectacular. But in college, for Ball State, he became a bona fide star, leading the Cardinals from 1990-93 as a starter. He graduated having started in 54 games, with a win-loss record of 30-8 and a career ERA of 2.86. But at the time, Major League scouts never came near the likes of a Ball State team when looking for talent, so Julian graduated and went to work as a supervisor in a northern Indiana auto factory.

And there he stayed until September 2004, when he got word that a new professional league was starting in the midwest! The Central States Baseball League (CSBL) had decided to start 16 small-to-midmarket teams in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa. They wanted to directly compete with Major League Baseball for fans, so they would not have access to major league talent. The league would have to fill its rosters through open tryouts!

Ray knew this was his big chance to show he could still play. He'd kept in shape while working in the factory, even played for the company baseball team every spring, having not lost a step since his college days. And when he heard Fort Wayne (Indiana) would be getting a CSBL franchise, he took his week vacation in order to attend the local tryouts.

It was a grueling week, but Ray apparently proved to the team's GM that he had the stuff. He was offered a league startup contract of $316,000 per year for three years (he'll face arbitration in 2008). They wanted him to play for their AAA affiliate in Kokomo (the Catamounts) to start, but the GM suggested he felt 34-year-old Ray Julian had what it would take to move up to the "majors."

So he left his factory job, moved to a cheap apartment in Kokomo on his first CSBL paycheck, and began his training. He knew he'd have to work hard to stay in shape against much younger players, many of whom were like he had been when he left Ball State and had no major league prospects. They'd want to prove themselves, and he'd be pushed aside if he wasn't up to scratch.

Here's the breakdown of the Central States Baseball League

EASTERN LEAGUE
OHIOVANIA DIVISION
- Akron Avengers
- Columbus Grays
- Pittsburgh Power
- Toledo Tornados
KENTUCKIANA DIVISION
- Covington Cougars
- Fort Wayne Firebirds
- Indianapolis Indians
- Louisville Riverbats

WESTERN LEAGUE
MICHCONSIN DIVISION
- East Lansing Tigers
- Green Bay Bombers
- Kalamazoo Crazies
- Madison Millers
MINNEBRASKOWA DIVISION
- Des Moines Hawkeyes
- Lincoln Huskers
- Omaha Bears
- Rochester (MN) Raiders

Read on ...

[Chipper_Jones]

2005

Fort Wayne didn't have a lot of success in the inagural months of CSBL action. By June 1, the team was 17-36 and in dead last place in the Kentuckiana Division. Already out of the playoff race it seemed (by more than 20 games!) the GM made a gutsy move and called 34-year-old Ray Julian up from AAA in Kokomo. Where the Firebirds had been failing, Ray had been earning his money in Kokomo, having started seven times for a 6-1 record and a 2.33 ERA (and a .136 on base average) which made fans up in Fort Wayne hope he might be able to come up to the bigs and make an impact for a failing team.

He moved into the fifth spot in the rotation on June 1. That month the team went 12-15 (an improvement even if it doesn't look like such) and Ray had gone 2-4 in six starts with a 4.36 ERA. Not bad for a guy who hadn't played against tough competition like this in twelve years.

He kept at it though, and had a relatively decent rookie year considering he was on a team which finished 51-103. But that was still better than Indianapolis (46-108). Covington (Kentucky) won our division with a 130-24 record, while Akron (131-23) won the Ohiovania division. In the west, Green Bay won the Michsconsin division with a 106-48 record, and Des Moines dominated the Minnebrakowa division (128-26).

Ray Julian, by the end of the season, had been moved to the top of the rotation. He finished with 22 starts, and went 5-16 with a 6.34 ERA. He hopes to get an early start on spring training as soon as the snows of Indiana winter melt, and does not intend to have a losing season like this again.

2005 CSBL Playoffs
The Covington Cougars beat the Akron Avengers in the EL championship series in six games, while the Des Moines Hawkeyes only took five to decimate the unlucky Green Bay Bombers. In the inagural Central States World Series, the Hawkeyes came out strong and ended Covington's shot at a title in a six game series.

[Chipper_Jones]

2006

Despite the fact that his team used the third pick in the draft to take a starter, who promptly took the top spot in the rotation, Ray Covington hasn't slowed down during the offseason. At 35, he still is in top athletic shape, and proved it at spring training by winning his one start, with a 1.13 ERA (he only gave up one earned run) and an .077 OBA. He should be happy and productive in the second spot.

APRIL (10-14, 4th Place) Julian's having some bad luck thaks to our weak batting lineup. He's pitched well in five starts, with a 1.98 ERA and a much-improved .247 OBA, but he's 0-3. He'll need some hit support if he wants to avoid this for the rest of the season.

MAY (24-27, 3rd Place) The team is continuing to show that they're not the same players they were last year, keeping Fort Wayne near .500 heading into June. Ray Julian's now 2-5 after 11 starts, with a 2.94 ERA and 24 strikeouts.

JUNE (35-41, 3rd Place) After 16 starts, Ray's improved to 4-7 though his ERA has slipped to 3.18 (still respectable by any means). His OBA has improved to .238, and he had 21 strikeouts this month alone, proving he's improving his control!

JULY (41-52, 3rd Place) The team's cooling off late in the season. Julian's now 5-9 after 20 starts, with a 2.93 ERA, 58 strikeouts and a .234 OBA (in 150 innings).

AUGUST (50-69, 3rd Place) Fort Wayne is out of contention for the playoffs (of course) and Ray Julian slid to 5-11 after five additional starts. His ERA is now 3.76 and his OBA has slid to .248.

SEPT/OCT (65-89, 3rd Place) The team finished 14 games better than last year, but it was still a disappointing way to finish a second season. Julian Ray finished out the year with 32 starts, going 8-13 with a 3.77 ERA, 81 strikeouts and a .249 OBA, all major improvements over last year.

Leaguewide competition was better this year. The four division winners were Akron (106-48), Covington (104-50), Green Bay (101-53) and Des Moines (110-44) but the lesser teams are starting to close the gap somewhat (except in Des Moines' case ... their league is just weak as ****, with three 60-win teams to beat up).

2006 CSBL Playoffs
This year Covington again advanced to the World Series by beating Akron (though it took seven games). Des Moines again won their series against Green Bay in six. But the World Series was a different story altogether, as the Covington Cougars slapped Des Moines with a 4-0 sweep. So the Kentucky squad won their first championship.

[Chipper_Jones]

2007

Ray Julian, who turned 36 in March, went 4-0 this year in spring training, with a 1.95 ERA and .110 OBA. He threw seven strikeouts in 32 innings, and had a complete game in the mix.

APRIL (13-13, 4th Place) The team started out 4-1, but fell back to earth and finished the month down 7.5 games from first. Ray's off to a stumble in six games, with a 1-5 record and 5.31 ERA (he NEEDS serious run support, but the team's not giving it to him). His OBA's plummeted to sub .300 levels, but his trainer and coaches remain confident he can pull out of this.

MAY (26-26, 4th Place) Ray's now 3-7 after 11 starts, but his ERA has "improved" to 5.14. He seemed to be getting into more of a groove by the end of the month, but will need a spectacular June if he wants to keep starting.

JUNE (33-43, 4th Place) The Firebirds crashed and burned this month, and Julian was no exception. He's now 4-10 with a 4.83 ERA in 16 starts.

JULY (47-49, 4th Place) The birds are back! Only 13.5 out of 1st thanks to a 14-6 month that came out of nowhere, the team's back in contention to at least not finish last. Ray Julian, in 20 starts, has now improved to 7-10 with a 4.49 ERA, and his OBA has dropped to .270. Maybe he'll even his year out after all.

AUGUST (73-55, 2nd Place) The hitters are perked up for once (like they should be, they were ALL underperforming) and the pitchers are flaming, as our team is now just 4.5 games out of first place in the division! Is Covington scared? They should be of Ray Julian, who after 27 starts is now 13-11 with a 3.75 ERA, .232 OBA and 71 strikeouts! Okay maybe they're not scared he'll strike them out. But he's looking much more formidable!

SEPT/OCT (81-73, 3rd Place) The team finished the year eight games out of first, but improved by 16 wins on last year, ending with a winning record for a change! Ray Julian finished the year with a 16-12 record in 32 starts. His 3.49 ERA and .222 OBA were both improvements on last year, which is excellent considering his sluggish start. Could next year be his breakout season?

Covington (90-64) and Akron (89-65) won their divisions again, though each had tough competition for a change. Same goes for annual playoff contenders in Green Bay (84-70) and Des Moines (93-61).

2007 CSBL Playoffs
For the third straight year, the Covington Cougars are in the series, this time having offed Akron in five games! Same goes for the Hawkeyes, who again beat Green Bay in six. So this year would see one of these teams winning its second world title. This time around the winner was Covington for the second straight year, knocing off Des Moines 4-1!

Contract Negotiations
Ray was asking for a raise to $750,000 a year, on par with some of his fellow teammates. But the Firebirds won arbitration and will pay him $650,000 next year pending renegotiations.

[Clay Dreslough]

Go Ray!

Clay (who also graduated from High School in 1989).

[Chipper_Jones]

2008

This year in spring training, 37-year-old Ray Julian only played in one game. He won it, had a 1.69 ERA in 10.2 innings (so it was a LONG COMPLETE GAME) and an OBA of .086. He also had three strikeouts, which is more than his average in a game. He has high hopes that this year will be the one in which he finds consistency and his team can make the CSBL playoffs.

APRIL (18-8, 1st Place) The Firebirds are off to a spectacular start, three games ahead of Louisville (15-11) as Covington (two time champs that they are) has stumbled to a 13-11 start! Ray Julian started five times, going 3-0 with a 1.71 ERA, .171 OBA and nine strikeouts in 41 innings. But on April 27 he fractured his wrist and was put on the DL for five weeks. Next update in June, after he'll have played again.

JUNE (51-26) Ray returned to the lineup on May 3, and the team had done fine without him which was great ... no longer was he having to lead a team with no run support or pitching depth. By the end of June he'd earned an 8-0 record in 10 starts, with a 2.14 ERA and .158 OBA! He's sure to be an all star. The Firebirds, meanwhile, lead the Kentuckiana Division, seven games up on Louisville (45-34). In the other leagues, Pittsburgh (46-33) is leading Akron (41-35) by 3.5 games; Green Bay (42-31) is leading Madison (43-34) by one game; and Des Moines (41-37) continues to dominate the Minnebraskowa Division, up five games on Omaha.

JULY (58-39) Not their best month, the Firebirds stumbled somewhat in July but have maintained their four game lead on Louisville (55-44). Ray Julian played in the All Star game on July 10, pitching three innings in which he only gave up 1 hit. Too bad the guy who followed him gave up SIX hits, which helped the WL All Stars to beat Julian's EL All Stars 8-6. Julian has started 14 times in 2008 and is now 9-0 with a 2.09 ERA and .169 OBA.

AUGUST (76-47) A solid August has likely cemented Fort Wayne's spot in the playoffs; they're currently up 11.5 games on Covington (66-60). Ray Julian is now 14-0 after 20 starts, with a 1.95 ERA and .166 ERA along with 29 strikeouts. He's played in 11 complete games, bringing his career total to 23!

SEPT/OCT: September and October went well, and when the regular season ended on the 12th, the Firebirds had a 100-54 record and a spot in the playoffs against Akron (88-66). Green Bay (93-61) won their division, as did Des Moines (91-63) so not only is Fort Wayne the favorite to win the world title, they're the only newcomer team in the playoffs! Ray Julian played in 26 games, and completed a miracle 20-0 season at the age of 37! He had a 1.86 ERA in 217.2 innings, a .152 OBA and 14 complete games. He appears to have lost some of his ability to make strikeouts though. Last year he had 83 in 222 innings; this year he had 37. But no one's complaining.

EL Championship Series: At home in his first playoff appearance, Ray Julian pitched a complete game two-hitter against Akron, as his team won 7-1. The Firebirds won their second game at home 4-1, then hit Akron for three games the 17th through the 19th. The Avengers stole game three 7-6 and game four 4-3. So in the third road game, Julian got to start again. In eight innings he only gave up four hits, and when he left, he had his team up 4-2. But the ninth inning turned into a slugfest, and though Julian kept his win, the Firebirds wound up being LUCKY to win 10-9, retaking the lead 3-2. On the 21st, back in Fort Wayne, 23-year-old starter Lyle Jinkerson pitched a great game to help the Firebirds win 2-1. They would advance to the world series to face the Des Moines Hawkeyes, who AGAIN beat Green Bay (though this time it took seven games).

CSBL World Series: In his third start of the playoffs, Julian gave up 4 hits and 2 runs as his team won 3-2 at home. But they lost 7-6 at home in game two, so it was a shock when they won game three at Des Moines 9-2. And game four, by a 5-1 margin. When they won their third straight road game 2-0 to close out the series, everyone was on their feet! The Fort Wayne Firebirds had won the series 4-1! Ray Julian had won it for his team, giving up just TWO HITS!

[Clay Dreslough]

That's awesome. So Julian went 24-0 including the playoffs?!?

[Chipper_Jones]

23-0 (He had four playoff starts but only got the win three times)

[Chipper_Jones]

2009

CONTRACT: Julian signed a one year extension worth $1.75 million a season, along with a 2010 player option worth $1.85 million.

AWARDS: Ray Julian was the 2008 winner of the Cy Young and the Gold Glove!

SPRING TRAINING: Ray went 3-0 with a 2.75 ERA and .145 OBA. He was already prepared to start the season for Fort Wayne when he got startling news: he and Tom Federer (2B, 24) were going to Lincoln, Nebraska in a trade that would send Fort Wayne a veteran first baseman, an untested pitching prospect and Grady Simon, a weak-looking catcher prospect. It appeared to be the GM blunder of the decade. Shocked and nervous about his prospects playing for Lincoln, Julian (having just turned 38) had to uproot himself from Fort Wayne and head to Lincoln, who had the following storied history:

2005 - 59-95 (4th Minnebraskowa)
2006 - 60-94 (3rd Minnebraskowa)
2007 - 62-92 (3rd Minnebraskowa)
2008 - 64-90 (4th Minnebraskowa)

He was going from world champion to one of the worst teams in the league, and had little hope that they'd turn around any time soon.

APRIL (10-14) Lincoln's Huskers got off to a better start than usual, but were still in distant third, with Rochester (MN) off to a stunning 22-4 start. But Ray Julian had made himself at home; he was 3-0 after five starts, with a 1.08 ERA and .185 OBA with 14 strikeouts!

MAY (22-28) The team continues to struggle, though a 12-14 month is better than most they see. Still mired in third place though, 11.5 back of first. Ray Julian's unbeaten streak continues, as he's now 9-0 with 11 starts, a 0.69 ERA and .172 OBA! Unbelievable. The fans are loving him, and he's just as happy in Lincoln now it seems as he was in Fort Wayne!

JUNE (36-38) The Huskers went 14-10 this month but fell to fourth place in the Minnebraskowa Division. But the gap is closing; they're only 7.5 games out of first, in a division that is VERY TIGHT. Ray Julian's started 14 times and is now 11-0 with a 0.77 ERA and .169 OBA. He's pitched seven complete games. The Huskers are so happy with his performance, they just negotiated a major deal that gives him $1.85 million a year through 2014 complete with a no-trade clause! Ray's happy, and says he wants to finish his career here. He'll be 44 the year his contract expires.

JULY (48-50) Unable to reach the .500 plateau, the Huskers are in third place, just ten games behind Des Moines. Julian Ray has pitched in 19 starts this year and is currently 14-1 with a 1.37 ERA, .184 OBA and 54 strikeouts.

AUGUST (60-68) They couldn't (and won't) get over that hump, as the Huskers finished August on a 2-8 skid. Ray Julian is now 15-3 after 26 starts, with a 1.66 ERA, .191 OBA and 79 strikeouts.

SEPT/OCT (74-80) The Huskers finish with their best record yet, but it was only good enough for fourth place in the Minnebraskowa, as Des Moines tore their way to another playoff bid (97-57). Ray Julian finished with a 16-4 record after 31 starts, which gave him a 1.93 ERA, .205 OBA and a career high 93 strikeouts.

2009 CSBL Playoffs
It was the usual four teams contending for the title. Covington (109-45) beat up on Akron (82-72) in five, while Des Moines (97-57) beat Green Bay (88-66) in six, continuing to be the only WL team to make the world series, five for five. But it was Covington which won the title, sweeping Des Moines to take their third championship!

[Chipper_Jones]

2010

AWARDS: Last year Ray Julian played in his second All Star game and he won his second pitching Gold Glove, though he's still trying to earn another Cy Young award.

Ray played in three spring training games, going 1-0 with a 3.70 ERA, .215 OBA and seven strikeouts.

APRIL (12-12) In a very close Minnebraskowa Division, Lincoln is currently in second place, two games back of Rochester (MN) which is currently 15-11. Ray Julian's off to a horrid start though, 1-4 with a 5.06 ERA and .301 OBA. Who knows what's gotten into him. Hopefully the slump will end (it doesn't appear to be age depreciation.

MAY (23-26) Lincoln's in third place (down 7.5 games) and Ray Julian's recovering from his slump somewhat (4-7 in 12 starts, 4.62 ERA, .275 OBA and 44 strikeouts).

JUNE (35-36) The Huskers are currently still in third (9.5 games out of 1st) while their star pitcher Ray Julian is 7-8 in 17 starts, with a 4.16 ERA a .278 OBA and 65 strikeouts, a big improvement in that final regard.

JULY (44-50) The team's now distantly in third, 13 games out and looking fairly hopeless where comebacks are concerned. Julian Ray is now 11-10 after 24 starts, with a 4.75 ERA a .286 OBA and 90 strikeouts! He was NOT an all star this year.

AUGUST (52-70) Man what an 8-20 month can do to you. The Huskers are 22 games out, and are out of the playoff race completely. Julian Ray has cooled off as well; he's now 12-14 after 31 starts (much more than he usually starts) with a 4.56 ERA .281 OBA and 112 strikeouts, a career best.

SEPT/OCT (64-90) The Huskers finished dead last in the Minnebraskowa Division, 28 games behind Des Moines (who won the division for the SIXTH STRAIGHT YEAR). After 38 starts, a career high, Ray Julian finished with a 14-19 record (his worst since 2006) along with a 4.48 ERA a .282 OBA and 126 strikeouts.

2010 CSBL Playoffs
The Toledo Tornados (88-66) made the playoffs for the first time, and couldn't keep Covington (92-62) out of the world series, despite a valliant seven game effort. Meanwhile, the Des Moines Hawkeyes (92-62) beat Green Bay (92-62) yet again, continuing their dominance of the WL. But the Cougars of Covington showed they're the real CSBL Dynasty of the Decade, winning their fourth title in six years by beating Des Moines in seven!

[Chipper_Jones]

2011

Ray turned 40 on March 10. But he says he doesn't feel that old, definitely not too old to keep playing though he didn't play at all during spring training. We'll soon see whether he's up to improving on last year's rather unusual slump of a season.

APRIL (9-15) After last year, the current owner sliced and diced and cut the team down to a fine nub. Thus he's low on overall talent. It shows. Ray Julian's off to a 1-5 start after six starts, and has a 4.97 ERA a .281 OBA and 11 strikeouts.

MAY (22-29) The team's not faring too well, and neither is Ray Julian. He's 3-7 after 12 starts, though his 4.23 ERA is improved (as is his .250 OBA). He now has 29 strikeouts as well.

JUNE (36-42) A 14-13 month puts the Huskers an inch closer to being back on track. They're now in third place, but are 13.5 games back of Omaha. Des Moines (33-40) is shockingly in last place! Looks like that streak may end after all! ray Julian's getting back into things; he's 6-9 after 18 starts, with a 4.14 ERA .248 OBA and 45 strikeouts to his name.

JULY (46-52) The team went 10-10 in July to hold their ground, good for third place in the Minnebraskowa Division (11 games back of 1st). In 22 starts, Ray Julian is now 8-10 with a 3.53 ERA a .242 OBA and 52 strikeouts. But he won't be pitching for Lincoln anymore. He approved a trade to Akron (the only team he'd wave his no-trade clause for. They sent $5 million to the Huskers in order to get him.

The Avengers (54-44) are on a 7-3 tear, and have taken control of the Ohiylvania Division, up 5.5 games on Toledo, and they want to keep the advantage. Adding Ray Julian to the rotation (as the leadoff of course) is what they hope will keep them in the lead.

AUGUST (76-48) The final piece of the puzzle's in place! The Avengers went 22-4 on the month, and now lead the division by 16.5 games, securing their playoff spot! Having started seven times for the Avengers, Ray Julian is 5-0 since the trade, with a 3.42 ERA a .281 OBA and 16 strikeouts. He's 13-10 on the season.

SEPT/OCT (90-64) The Avengers went 14-16 to end their season, but they still easily won their division, beating Pittsburgh (73-81) by 17 games. Ray Julian finished 7-2 for Akron, with an ERA of 3.29 and an OBA of .260. He started a total of 34 games this year, and was 15-12 overall.

EL Championship Series: Akron will face Covington (96-58) in the championship series, and the Kentucky boys will have homefield advantage. The Cougars won game one 6-1, as Ray Julian only lasted 4.1 innings while giving up ALL SIX RUNS. They ten lost game two on the 13th 7-3. The next three games at home would be CRUCIAL. When the Cougars won gmae three 6-0, it became important for Julian to start on short rest to try and take game four. And he did the job, pitching eight solid innings, giving up only ONE run, as the Avengers marched to a 5-3 victory! But it didn't matter. The next night the team lost 5-0 to Covington and their hopes for a world series appearance were dashed.

Since Des Moines didn't make the playoffs, the WLCS was interesting indeed! Who would make the series? The Rochester (MN) Raiders, who had gone 94-60 to personally kick Des Moines (77-77) to the curb? Or Green Bay (89-65) which had won the WL Michconsin league seven straight years without a trip to the world series? Well, it turned out the Green Bay Bombers were too much for the unlucky Raiders, and they won in six to advance.

In the World Series, the Bombers came back from down 3-1 to force a seventh game. But they weren't able to pull it out, and lost 6-2 on Halloween. What a way for it all to end, as Covington takes their third straight championship (their fifth in the last seven seasons).

[Chipper_Jones]

2012

This year, at age 41, Ray Julian started his eighth season out badly in spring training. He played only two games, due to his weak 5.65 ERA and .306 ERA. The Avengers are hoping that doesn't hold up when he really starts playing.

APRIL (20-6) The Akron Avengers are in top form early this season, leading the division by 5.5 games over Pittsburgh (14-11). Ray Julian has started six games this season and is 3-0 with a 1.96 ERA and .234 OBA! He also has 2 complete games under his belt this month which brings his career total to 51. He's now three wins away from his 100th!

MAY (36-16) A 16-10 month puts Akron 10.5 games up on Columbus (27-28) and they're looking unstoppable, with the best record in the entire CSBL! Ray Julian has now started 11 times and is currently 5-1 with a 3.30 ERA .252 OBA and 21 strikeouts.

JUNE (52-25) After going 16-9 this month, Akron's still 10.5 up on Pittsburgh. Ray Julian is now 9-2 in 17 starts (3.46 ERA, .271 OBA 38 strikeouts). He now has 103 career wins against 78 losses.

JULY (64-31) July was solid, as the Avengers went 12-6. Ray Julian played in his first all star game in three years, and is now 12-2 (3.07 ERA) after 21 starts! His OBA has improved to .248 and he has 50 strikeouts.

AUGUST (81-41) Heading down the stretch Akron is looking to be the best team in the league hands down. Ray Julian's got a 14-5 record with 27 starts, a 2.99 ERA and a .236 OBA, which makes this his best season since 2009 when he was 16-4!

SEPT/OCT (97-57) What a finish to the season! The best record in the nation is Akron's by six full games! Ray Julian finished with 33 starts and a 16-7 record. His 3.13 ERA and .236 OBA are all steady improvements over recent slumps.

EL Championship Series: The Indianapolis Indians (91-63) are in the playoffs for the first time, and they're facing Akron with the best team it's had in years. And Akron has home field advantage. Akron blasted them 10-7 in game one, and then inched out a 7-6 victory in game two. On the road in game three they pulled off a 3-2 win, but the Avengers beat them the next night 6-4. Then in Ray Julian's second start of the playoffs, Akron won 7-0 as he pitched a complete game two hitter! So they took the series 4-1.

Meanwhile in the WL the Green Bay Bombers (91-63) beat the Lincoln Huskers (84-70) in a seven game test of wills. So Akron will face Green Bay in the world series!

CSBL World Series: At home on the 25th the Avengers won 3-1 as Ray Julian won his second game in three playoff starts, his second complete game of this year's playoffs. They won the next night as well, beating Green Bay 3-2. The Bombers took game three 6-3, game four 4-1 and Ray Julian came in hoping to keep them from taking game five. And sure enough, the Avengers pulled out a 6-2 victory, though Julian (who gave up the one run, did not get the win. But the Bombers took game six two nights later 4-0 forcing a world series deciding game seven. Ray Julian asked to start on VERY short rest, and he pulled off a stunning complete game three-hitter on a night he was supposed to still need two nights rest! We won our first world series ever, and Ray Julian put up a spectacular playoff performance. Five starts gave him a 3-0 record with a 1.69 ERA .136 OBA and THREE COMPLETE GAMES! Unheard of, Absolutely unheard of!

[Chipper_Jones]

2013

Ray turned 42 in March while he was busy in spring training. He played two games this year, going 1-0 with a 3.52 ERA and .220 OBA. He's hoping he can follow last year's solid improvements with a great season and help Akron win a second title.

APRIL (16-10) Akron started a dismal 1-5, but recovered to lead the Ohiylvania Division by the end of the month. Ray Julian's off to his usual "slow start" with a 2-4 record in six starts, a 3.93 ERA and .255 OBA. He seems to be throwing players out more often though, with 14 strikeouts in 36 innings, better than his average.

MAY (29-23) It is clear that Toledo (26-25) is going to be giving Akron a run for its money in a division that is no longer easy to dominate, or so it would seem. Ray Julian's back to normal, with 12 starts and a 6-5 record under his belt. His 3.18 ERA and .239 OBA make him a formidable pitcher to face even at 42.

JUNE (44-35) With a 4.5 game lead on Toledo, things are going well in Akron as the season reaches its midpoint. After 17 starts, Ray Julian's 9-5 with a 3.21 ERA .248 OBA and two complete games.

JULY (55-46) The record's not what it used to be, but 55-46 is good enough to give Akron a 6.5 game lead over a weak division. Ray Julian played in his fourth All Star game this season, and after 22 starts he's now 11-7 with a 3.67 ERA and .249 OBA.

AUGUST (64-65) Oh how the mighty have fallen! Last year's world champs are now locked in a tie for first with Columbus (62-63). Ray Julian has started 29 times and is 13-11 with a 4.05 ERA and .267 OBA. The team's going to need some big wins to keep an edge on this playoff race.

SEPT/OCT (72-82) Call it the collapse of the decade. Akron went from 55-46 at the end of July to 72-82 by mid-October and the end of the regular season. That was good for THIRD in the division, behind Pittsburgh (76-78) and Columbus (79-75). Ray Julian went from 11-7 early to finishing his season with a 14-15 record 4.35 ERA and .269 OBA.

2013 CSBL Playoffs
The Indianapolis Indians (96-58) swept the hapless Columbus Grays (79-75) in four. Meanwhile in the WLCS, the Green Bay Bombers (84-70) got the upset six game series win against the Lincoln Huskers (100-54) taking it 4-2 to head to the World Series! Of course the Indians were not to be denied; they easily won the series in five to end Green Bay's hopes once again.

[Chipper_Jones]

2014

He's now 43 and starting to feel it. But Ray Julian isn't ready to retire just yet. This year in spring training he went 1-0 in three starts, with a 3.63 ERA and .212 OBA, which suggests he's not done playing yet.

APRIL (7-18) Horrible, absolutely horrible. With a record this bad, Ray Julian's record of 2-3 in six starts is actually GOOD (especially considering his 3.10 ERA and .218 OBA). The team's gonna have to pick things up though if they don't want to be at the bottom the entire season.

MAY (20-29) The EL Ohiylvania Division is weak this year again, as not a single team has a winning record. Akron's dismal 20-29 record actually puts them in THIRD, just three games out of first! Shameful. Ray Julian's been working overtime, and now has a 6-3 record in 12 starts, a 2.26 ERA .218 OBA four complete games and 37 strikeouts!

JUNE (27-47) It doesn't take many 7-18 months to kill a season. Two should be enough to end any hopes Akron had this season. They're now ten games out of first though Columbus seems to be improving enough to hold off any competition. After 18 starts, Ray Julian's now 9-6 with a 3.41 ERA .256 OBA and 54 strikeouts!

JULY (36-60) Ray Julian's now 11-9 after 24 starts, and has a 3.41 ERA .261 OBA and 71 strikeouts. But he's having to carry the load for this abysmal team, and it shows. He's starting to wear out. He did NOT play on the All Star team this year.

AUGUST (46-75) Sixteen games out of first and this season's way over for Akron. Ray Julian is now 13-11 after 30 starts. He's got a 3.75 ERA, a .264 OBA and 82 strikeouts.

SEPT/OCT (61-93) The season was already over, but the GM worked poor Ray Julian to the bone this month. He started 13 TIMES, going 6-5. He finished the year with 43 starts and a 19-16 record, 4.01 ERA and .274 OBA with 104 strikeouts. He finished the season with 11 complete games and a total of 332 innings pitched!

2014 CSBL Playoffs
The Pittsburgh Power (73-81) may have won the dismal EL Ohiylvania Division, but they weren't expecting to get anywhere in the playoffs. So it was shocking that they pushed Indianapolis (95-59) into a game seven, which Indianapolis won of course. So they earned THEIR spot in the World Series. Meanwhile in the WL, the Madison Millers (78-76) lost out in seven to the Lincoln Huskers (86-68). So this was expected to be a very solid world championship series, with no clear winner at the start. And that it was, as Indianapolis got off to a 2-0 start, then gave up two to Lincoln. The Indians then won game five, but Lincoln took six, and then in an 8-4 drubbing, beat Indianapolis in game seven to take the series 4-3 as the underdog! It was perhaps the best series we've seen in the CSBL's short history!

[CC2009]

Hey are you still updating this, I just found it and I love it.

[Chipper_Jones]

The file died abruptly a while back and I forgot about it. I will likely update my "Las Vegas Villains" thread, which I kept deliberately slow so I wouldn't get bored with it -- it's one I can play on whenever I'm not too busy on something else.