RUST BELT DIVISION DISPLAYING HISTORIC FUTILITY

Almost a quarter of the way through the 2001 Millennium League season, and the team's in the Classic League's Rust Belt Division are already looking forward to 2002.  A division which saw three of it's members make the playoffs in 2000 are struggling mightily in 2001.  The only exception is the Detroit Buckeyes, who sit atop the standings with a 22-17 record to date.  They are 5.5 games ahead of their closest rival and are almost assured a spot in the 2001 playoffs considering the way the other three teams in the division are playing.

In second place sits the Pittsburgh Crawfords.  They are currently 18-24, but are coming off a stretch where they lost ten games in a row and 13 out of 15.  The team ranks 21st overall in team pitching, and dead last in the league in team fielding.

Right behind them are the Cincinnati Red Stockings, who are currently sporting a 14-28 record.  They have lost five games in a row.  This on the heels of a 13 game losing streak.  They have won only four of their last 25 games played.

Bringing up the rear, already 15.5 games behind first place Detroit, is the Cleveland Rock 'N Rollers.  Oh how the mighty have fallen.  Winners of 101 games and the Division Champs one year ago, Cleveland is poised to break the Minnesota Millers record of 113 losses in 2001.  The Rock 'N Rollers record is currently an abysmal 8-34, a .190 win percentage.  That puts them on pace to lose a whopping 130 games on the season.  Currently, they are riding a 15 game losing streak, longest in league history, and have lost 22 of the last 24 games they have played.

   

Rust Belt Division W L PCT GB Home Road RS RA Diff Streak L 10 Detroit Buckeyes 22 17 .564 - 12 - 6 10 - 11 242 200 +42 Lost 1 7 - 3 Pittsburgh Crawfords 18 24 .429 5.5 9 - 9 9 - 15 228 257 -29 Lost 1 4 - 6 Cincinnati Red Stockings 14 28 .333 9.5 8 - 10 6 - 18 195 271 -76 Lost 5 3 - 7 Cleveland Rock 'N Rollers 8 34 .190 15.5 3 - 15 5 - 19 173 336 -163 Lost 15 0 - 10