The Bushslappers had their best season in franchise history (including the Columbia years), including their first +.500 record (88-74). Sure they got swept in the first round by Philadelphia, but no one was expecting them to win that series.
What went right: The Slappers were a solid all-around team. They didn't have any superstars (ok maybe one), but instead they had many contributers. Jonathan Papelbon took the Eckersley Award as the best reliever. The pitching staff overall was solid, with all but 3 games started by the same five pitchers. The Slappers ranked 3rd in ERA and were 6th in OPS.
What went wrong: Well, maybe they could have used one or two monster sluggers to scare opposing pitchers, or a true ace pitcher to scare opposing sluggers. The team just folded when the playoffs came, batting .194 with a .548 OPS and accumulating a 5.90 ERA in their 3 games.
2009 Outlook: The team has a new name for the '09 season and with that they hope they can bring some "change" to the clubhouse and get over that hump. The team looks to have a similar composition next year. Derrek Lee, out all year due to injury, will return, but starter Kelvim Escobar will likely miss the year.
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