Diamond in the Rough: Richmond's New Franchise Unveiled

By KYLE KEOUGH
DOUBLE DAY DAILY

Formerly the Wichita White Stockings, the Richmond Diamonds were unveiled at the season's start after the temultuous relationship between former White Stockings owner The_Stiffs and other Double Day owners came to a close.

New owner BBMogul is vastly experienced and is adopting a team that has four times finished first runner-up in the NL South. The three-time Wild Card franchise boasts Calvin Petkovsek and baseball's best defense.

Now, they have a new look.

The teal-and-grey Diamonds already made waves when they traded ace pitcher Mark Post for a package that included offensive talent Randall Daly and Wesley Smith. Those hitters will join Petkovsek (.289, 86 RBI in season four) and MVP runner-up Vic Silva (.274, 54 HR, 135 RBI in season four) as part of a new-look offense.

In a recently released statement, this was part of BBMogul's plan towards acquiring a more balanced club: "the ML pitching staff is in good shape with a couple of very good pitchers; they should keep us in most games," BBMogul said.

He added that "the offense is a different matter."

"[There are] just a couple of stars and 2 All-Stars (Petkovsek and Silva)," BBMogul said. He added that "this team really needs offensive help to stay at the top."

With surprise 19-game winner Rene Bailey back, and Randy Nicholas looking to rebound from a difficult season four, the new-look Diamonds, whose home is affectionately called "The Diamond," will look to win their first division title under new ownership in the upcoming season.