Besides looking back at 2008 in the Italian Baseball League, we’re also reviewing the year in the Dutch Hoofdklasse. A few weeks ago, we already did the same with the French Elite League and the German Baseball-Bundesliga.
L&D Amsterdam Pirates
L&D AMSTERDAM upset the favored teams from DOOR NEPTUNUS and CORENDON KINHEIM in the semi-finals and the Holland Series to win the championship in the Dutch Hoofdklasse. It was the first title for the PIRATES since 1990. It is especially remarkable, as they were in last place after the regular season in 2006. A year later they went back into the playoffs with a fourth-place finish, before going all the way in the 2008 season.
After the Olympics break in August, AMSTERDAM lost just two of the last nine games in the regular season to finish with a 29-13 record in third place. In the semis against NEPTUNUS, L&D overcame a 1-2-deficit in the best-of-five series to eliminate the Rotterdam-based club. With the momentum going the PIRATES went on to the Holland Series against the two-time defending champion KINHEIM and swept the series in three games to celebrate the championship.
Despite not playing any European Cup tournaments in 2008, L&D AMSTERDAM was also able to head Mister Baseball’s 2008 European Top 50 Final Standings, percentage points in front of the Italian Baseball League clubs DANESI NETTUNO and T&A SAN MARINO.
What the stats say
L&D had the fourth-best run differential in the league with 250 runs scored and 176 allowed. Their offense led the league with 423 hits and 22 homeruns, batting .295 (2nd behind the PIONIERS). They walked only 150 times (6th) and stole the fewest bases (28) in the eight-team field. Their pitching staff was ranked fourth with a combined ERA of 3.41 with 257 strikeouts and 129 walks in 362 innings pitched. The defense committed 55 errors (2nd), which led to 39 unearned runs.
The Dutch website Honkbalsite.com crowned him as MVP of the 2008 season and he certainly was the most valuable player for the club last year. Catcher Sidney De Jong batted .360 (2nd in league) (SLG .581/1st) with a league-leading six homeruns, 38 runs scored (1st) and 28 RBIs. Bas De Jong wasn’t far behind, batting .333 (.519) with four homeruns, 31 runs scored and Hoofdklasse-best 42 RBIs. His teammate in the outfield, Wesley Connor (.314/.442) also had a nice year with four homeruns, 33 runs scored and 13 RBIs. The 48-year-old designated hitter Fausto Alvarez wasn’t as dominant as 2007, but still was good enough for a .296 batting average (SLG .454) with five homeruns, 23 runs scored and 31 RBIs.
The PIRATES acquired Ryan Murphy last winter to reinforce the pitching staff and he fulfilled the expectations, with a Holland Series MVP trophy. During the regular season he had a 5-5 record with an ERA of 3.89 in 16 games (twelve starts). He struck out 42 (16 walks) in 81 innings. Kenny Berkenbosch (10-2, ERA 2.24) and Jos De Jong (7-0, ERA 2.18) stabilized the rotation also, combining for 146 innings over 32 games (20 starts). Closer Pim Walsma, who also helped out with six starts, had ten saves in 22 games with an ERA of 3.58. He had 57 strikeouts (26 walks) in 50 1/3 innings.
After a busy winter last year, the offseason was pretty quite so far in Amsterdam. They brought in the former Minor Leaguer Vince Rooi and lose Ryan Murphy among four players. There will be also a few minor changes in the coaching staff of head coach Rikkert Fanyete, as they need a new pitching coach. If they are able to replace the arm of Murphy in the pitching department, the PIRATES should have a chance to defend their title next season.
Previous:
ADO
Media Monks RCH
Mr. Cocker HCAW
Sparta/Feyenoord Rotterdam
Konica Minolta Pioniers
DOOR Neptunus
Corendon Kinheim
