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Originally the franchise was founded in Cincinnati and called the Coneys. Current management purchased the team in season 2 and moved them to New Britain and named them the Naughty Kitties, a common moniker there. In New Britain the team had little success in its first two seasons but took the division crown in season 4 and a wild card berth in season 5 with a matching 90-72 record, the fans were ecstatic. Both times they were ousted in the first round by some very close games. After a dispute with the New Britain Stadium group, management was forced from their comfy confines and found a suitor in Rochester and the newly renovated Frontier Park. The players on the team actually came up with the new nickname of Royal Rumble after the bitter dispute in New Britain.
Team song: Royal Rumble...what else.
Team Mascot: The Hulkster..who else.
Management, of course, expects nothing less than a World Series title in season 6, getting there will be very tough as 162 plus games and at least 19 teams stand in our way. The players are loose and ready to play and want nothing less than that title. The new fans are excited as all home dates have been sold out already.
Coaches - All ML coaches were either rehired or were hired from within the organization.
The team roster stands as follows before the Rule 5 Draft:
C - Charles Nakano returns for his sixth season as primary backstop. Pedro Valentin was called up mid season last year when things went badly for Furio O'Brien who retired in the off season.
1B - Ed Wood who was newly acquired a few minutes ago will take over the duties from Vic Seneca.
2B - Rafael Perez will get the start again after his Gold Glove performance last year.
3B - Orval Varitek and his gold Glove will assume the duties for another year.
SS - Esteban Izturis happily returns after last minute FA negotiations that broke down early in the off season.
LF - Aubrey Speaker returns for another season.
CF - Al Mendoza who was called up mid season last year in an emergency situation wowed teammates and coaches alike. He provides comic relief when the team is in need.
RF - Vic Seneca was the 1B most for most of last year, but was called upon late in the season to take over the RF duties and performed admirably. With the recent release of Clint Mercedes and the signing of Ed Wood, the move was made permanent for this season.
Bench at the moment consists of Alex Flores, Trent Flores (no relation as far as we know), Junior Alicea
SP - Oscar Chang (season 4 Cy Young winner) an Mario Swift will be the number 1 and 2 starters for season 6, however the other three positions will have to be earned this season.
Joining the SP fight will be: Clarence Branson, Roger Allen, Christopher Krause, Alton Francis, Benji Lopez, Stuart Carver and Ira Richard.
Long Relief and Setup: Darrin Dipoto, Karim Parra, Carlos Gonzalez, and Julio Torres
Departures for last season: RP - Andy Walsh, RF - Napoleon Bowles, RF - Clem Davis who signed with the Burlington Mean Green, C - Furio O'Brien who retired, Geraldo Moreno who was released, and RF - Clint Mercedes who was recently released as a last minute option.
It is doubtful the Royal Rumble will participate in the Rule 5 draft. Drafting 21st and from the looks of things at the moment a possible 17th pick, makes it look bleak. Although we will be checking things out from top to bottom. What we look for in the Rule 5 draft is players that are better than the current roster and that is hard to come by.
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