Sep 20 2051: Firing Coach Matthews Prove's to be Detrimental Mistake - by Kirito_Whale on September 4th, 2021
Post-2049 season, the Waipahu Indian's were heading into the new decade with an expensive aging head coach who had led them from rank 575 to as high as rank 13. As the team's finances grew desperately low, ownership decided to let Mr. Matthews retire and hope that the team's core would not waiver under new, young leadership.
This would signal the start of the decline.
After coming up just short of promotion to Legends in 2048, tying with the SLO Turtles and losing out because of point differential (+114 to +60), The Indian's core of Longo, Liu, Endo, Padron were nearly aging out. Had promotion been achieved, ownership believed that Matthews could have stuck around for the emergence of the team's future core around Baerga, Appleton, Hampton, and Vergara joining young hotshot and now team superstar Jesus Tejera.
The team has shown that under new and less experienced leadership that they struggle while figuring out how to play good baseball. The CUP Tournament was never an issue, as the Indians blew the competition away in both CUP tournaments under the former new coach Gardner. But their performance's wavered during the regular season.
This lead's us to the present day, where we have 30 games left in the regular season to try and stay up in Conference III. We don't deserve to, but ownership hopes that a coaching change will spark some light into the young team. Ownership also believes that with a few strong veteran additions next season, we will be back on the road to the Legends League.
The Indian's sit 3GB of 4th place in the division. A lot of ground needs to be made up given we will lose the tiebreaker regarding point differential. It's time to see what this team is made of.
Mar 20 2044: Drafting, Development & Recruiting Shines in Waipahu! - by Kirito_Whale on January 26th, 2020
Tomorrow the 2044 season kicks off Cup play after what felt like a long offseason. The Waipahu Indians are hoping to improve past the 5th round of Cup play where they faced their defeat last season. Just missing promotion to Division III by 1 GB, the revitalized Indians prepare to advance this season led by new team Captain Jessie Longo. Longo replaces our former 7-year captain Sota Kinjoh who was released last season before announcing his retirement. Kinjoh made his way into the Indians hall of fame as he was a 7x all-star, 5x All-League player (2 at 3B, 3 at C), a 1x League MVP, and a 2x League Champion. Over 13 seasons played, Kinjoh led the Indians from Division 6 to 4, and now leaves it to Longo to finish what he started.
The Indians have had many phenomenal talents over the years to play alongside Kinjoh, such as Norm Cox, Terry Traverso, Wally Evans, and Juan Mercado. 4 of our 6 Hall of Famer's were drafted by our teams staff. Furthermore, it is our drafting, scouting, and development that makes the team what it is today.
Here are some statistics: 9 of our 15 fielders on tomorrow's opening day roster were drafted by Manager Graham Matthews. 7 of our 12 pitchers are the same. 6 of our 9 starting batters have grown throughout the system and have consistently been a force helping the Indians lead their respective leagues in offensive output over the past few seasons. Even those few players we did not draft, we still nurtured from a young and irrelevant skill level. Some of them are former high round draft picks such as Feliciano, Summers, Charles, Maanao, and Archer.
We're ready to get this season underway with Matthews starting his 16th season as the teams head coach. Plenty of gas left in the tank! Good Luck to everyone.
Rest in Peace Kobe Bryant <3
Oct 24 2041: Keep Holding On! - by Kirito_Whale on August 5th, 2019
The conclusion of the 2041 season sees the Indians of Waipahu exhaling a big relief as they manage to avoid relegation this season. After their first full season in div 4 (IV.5) they put together an 83-77 record. Manager Graham Matthews thanks late-season acquisition Grady Lewis for joining the team in late August and guiding the offense from cleanup in the lineup to keep them alive in div 4.
Additionally, Matthews recognizes old Ace Pitcher Norm Cox, who's last home game and last victory in Waipahu sealed their clinch at staying in Div 4. At 36 years of age, Cox finished the season with a 5.02 ERA over 206 1/3 innings. His 5th straight 200+ inning season and over 5 1/2 seasons with the Indians he put together 31 POTG awards, 1 more than the rest of his career combined. Following the conclusion of the playoffs, Cox will be inducted into the teams HOF.
Lastly, Matthews recognizes team captain Stota Kinjoh (33) as this seasons team MVP. With a rejuvenating season, Kinjoh slashed .326/.399/.534 reflecting numbers from his prime. Strides forward from young studs Longo, Feliciano, Espinoza, and Hale were also critical factors in Waipahu's success this season.
Many changes coming next season, we're exciting to give it a shot at promoting to div 3!
Nov 03 2040: 2040 Playoff Champions! - by Kirito_Whale on May 23rd, 2019
That's a wrap on the season and the playoffs. The Waipahu Indians have successfully defeated the Livonia Lions in 6 games in the V.9 playoffs. Our coach Graham Matthews says that this victory would not have been possible without the playoff performances of George Isaksen (SP) and Norm Cox (SP). Cox and Isaksen combined for 29 IP (more innings in the playoffs than everyone else combined 23IP), 4QS in 4 GS.
Aside from our stellar pitching, it was instead Young Kim (SS) and Cesar Armendariz who carried the offense on the scoring side. It was a stellar season and great playoffs performance for the Indians. We march home on the trail of Victory!
Oct 03 2040: 2040 Division Champions - by Kirito_Whale on May 15th, 2019
The move to Waipahu must have paid off for the Indians! For the first time in franchise history, the Waipahu Indians will be promoting to League IV.5 (division 4). In our entire 40 year history, we have never accomplished such a feat.
Led by offseason signing wonder Teun Wilders, along with phenomenal performances from former 2030 (Kinjoh), 2032 (Yoshida), 2037 (Kim), and 2039 (Endo) 1st round draft picks from the Asian Pool, our offense was transformed. More importantly, it was our pitching that was revitalized this season led by veteran ace Norm Cox and SHUTDOWN UFA signed bullpen pitchers such as Conley, Bates, and Hale.
Lastly, this season marks the fastest division clinch in our teams' history. Adding to the accolades, we made it through 3 rounds of CUP, and are currently on track to end the season with an average of 6 runs scored per game and 4.4 runs against per game. This would mark the 1st time in our history with an average of 6 runs FOR and 4 runs AGAINST in the SAME SEASON!