The quest for 200 wins, who you got?

For the first time (and certainly not the last) the 200 career wins mark should be eclipsed, not once, but twice (and perhaps even a third time if things break right for Pat Politte). Oscar Baumann and Jesus Fernandez can tie them selves together by reaching this magical HBD mark (keep in mind its significantly tougher to win 300 games in HBD than it is in real life). Considerring that both were in their prime (Baumann was 24, Jesus would have been 27) when the world started, its quite possible that both could have been going for win #250 if this world had been created a few years earlier.

OscarBaumann has been a fixture at the mid-summer classic, having been selected each of his first 9 seasons before finally hanging up the "gone fishin" sign last season. Traded to the early Mexico City/Jacksonville dynasties, then later to the Montreal/Syracuse dynasty, Oscar picked up 4 Cy Young awards, a perfect game, and finally a world series ring with Syracuse in season 8. Blessed with pinpoint control, and blazing fastball and 3 solid secondary pitches, Oscar's most overlooked feature was his ability to bounce back quickly. Though his all out approach often left him drained by the 7th inning, Oscar was able to bounce back on short rest. Despite on 15 complete games, he managed to make 39 - 40 starts 6 times.

JesusFernandez while 3 years older, has also been a main stay at the mid summer classic having made 6 trips over the course of his career. Jesus & Oscar shared dugouts for 3 seasons during the Mexico City/Jacksonville dynasty, before Jesus was shipped back to his orginal franchise once they established roots in Salem. Jesus has thrown 1 no hitter, picked up the Cy Young in season 8, and has two World Series rings to show for his time in Salem. Having grown up without the ability to dazzle radar guns, Jesus learned the miracle of location, location, location, inducing opponents into weak grounders and pop ups on a league best sinker, a plus slider, and 3 solid secondary pitches. Having learned the secrets of P90X before it went commercial, Jesus often went deep into games, having completed 85 of his 347 starts (24%)

Regular season stats:

Baumann: 195-76, .207 OAV, 1.03 WHIP, 2.57 era, 3.66 k/bb ratio.
Fernandez: 190-95, .245 OAV, 1.20 WHIP, 3.32 era, 2.61 k/bb ratio.

Postseason stats:

Baumann: 21 G (20 starts) 7-6, 0 CG, .253 OAV, 1.27 WHIP, 3.95 era
Fernandez: 25 G (24 starts) 8-10, 3 CG, .242 OAV, 1.20 WHIP, 2.79 era

As each man approaches 200 wins, its clear that their best days are behind. Jesus' lone complete game and first ever trip to the DL is an indication that he's not quite the bullpen saver that he used to be. Meanwhile, Baumann's stamina has fallen hard enough that many are begining to question if he needs to make the transition to reliever this year. However, no matter the inning, both remain feared arms each time they take the bump, and leave us wondering how much longer till their enshrinement in Cooperstown. A poll was going to be added to see which pitcher this world would prefer over the course of their careers, however no matter how you slice the numbers, Baumann proves the clear cut answer. Fernandez may be as great in the 8th as he is in the 2nd, but only Baumann's wife is disspointed with his stamina limitations.

Coming next: Andy Clayton & Bill Weaver's quest to join Achilles Cohen on the 500 homer list.