5/5/03
NEW HAVEN - As week 6 of the NECBL season begins, the New Haven 
Traffic Cones find themselves, as predicted, in the bottom half of the 
league.  At this morning's press conference, team owner Jeff Stanley 
attributed the team's poor performance on the lack of production at 
the plate.  Going into this week, the Cones are last in the league in 
runs, home runs, and RBI, despite leading the league in doubles.

"Our big sluggers like Chipper and Matsui have basically been a 
disappointment thus far this season.  Although Modesi's hitting has 
been a pleasant surprise, it's just not enough to compete in this 
league," Stanley said.

Cones pitching, on the other hand has been much more successful, as 
the Cones have seen success with their closer by committee approach 
to the rotation.  They lead the lead in both saves and earned runs.

"We tried throwing a couple of starters into the rotation, but we 
seem to have better results when sticking with our trademark 
all-closer rotation, so I expect we will continue to minimize the 
starting pitchers we have in the lineup," Stanley said.

The recent addition of Gagne and Worrell and return of keeper Mariano 
Rivera this week further emphasizes Stanley's anti-starter philosophy.

The week 6 lineup is as follows:

C - Ramon Hernandez - Another week for the A
1B - Rafael Palmeiro - No surprise here
2B - Jeff Kent - ...once again
3B - Ramon Vazquez - Vazquez takes over for the loser Yankee
SS - Rafael Furcal - Continues to produce, despite inevitable Jeter 
return
OF - Jim Edmonds - A rare bright spot at the plate
OF - Raul Mondesi - The other big bat in the lineup
OF - Rondell White - Who's your Padre?
OF - Chipper Jones - He better than he's been playing...really
CI - Nick Johnson - Big goof keeps his spot
MI - Alex Gonzalez - Turned it around this week to keep his spot for 
one more
Util - Hideki Matsui - Overhyped?
Util - Mike Cameron - Two dingers earns him a starting spot this week
RP - John Smoltz - Becoming a consistant figure in the lineup
RP - Jorge Julio - Suprise closer keeps racking 'em up
RP - Tim Worrell - New Cone gitters?  He better do better this week
RP - Eric Gagne - New Cone makes his debut
RP - Mariano Rivera - Yankee wuss finally returns to the lineup
RP - Ugueth Urbina - MacDougal = 0 week 5 saves; Urbina = 2 week 5 
saves.  You do the math.