2009 Breakdown
Mike had a pretty decent year in 2009. He finished with a 7-3 record,
good enough for the #3 seed. He was in every game he pitched and could have easily been 10-0 instead of 7-3.
His 3 losses were to Elliot 2-1 in 7, Tucker 2-0 in 6 and Cody 1-0 which he lost in the 6th. 9 of the 10 games he pitched
were decided by 3 runs or less including a 4-2 win over Jeremy that went 13 innings! With that being said he had an Era that
was 3rd in the league and 5th best all-time with a 2.28. His fielding was just as solid as it should be for the former
Golden Josie. He made plays that most wouldnt and was consistant as usual. On the batting end of things his HR numbers
were a little low finishing with 19 on the year. He did though bat over .300 ( .315 ) He now is only 30 HR's shy of
moving into 12th place All-Time. He also was voted into the AS game in 2009 as well. It was his 4th appearance.
2009 High Point
Voted into the AS game. Finished with the 5th best Era All-Time.
Also Mike made the playoff for the 4th straight year. He beat his brother, The Steve for
the first time in the regular season.
2009 Low Point
Lost to his brother "The Steve" for the 3rd time in 4 years
in the playoff's.
Playoff Chase
Mike was clearly in the hunt for a high playoff bid right from the start. After losing
a 2-1 heartbreaker to start the year, he won his next 3 games winning 4-2 in 13, 4-2 and 5-4. Then he lost 2-0 before winning
3 more in a row. A 1-0 loss to Cody set up a Brother Vs Brother Regular season start. He won 5-3 to gain some momentum before
the playoff's. Unfortunately for Mike he had to face "The Steve" again where he wasnt as lucky int he rematch. He lost
7-3 ending his playoff run in the 1st round for the 3rd time in 4 years. His record vs the Top 8 was 4-1.
2010 Outlook
Look for Mike in 2010 to once again be in the tops on the defense.
He has been one of the most consistant fielders since 2005 his rookie year. On the Offensive end of things, I
think that if Mike is around a little more he should be able to reach atleast the 30-40 HR mark. If he can do that he will
move himself into 12th All-Time. If he can have a big year and get back to the 100 HR plateau he will pass the
300 Home Run mark. On the Mound Mike was close to either being 10-0 or 0-10 fortunately for him he was 7-3 in 2009 winning
the close games. I think that if Mike can continue to do what he did in 09' and get a few more breaks he should find
himself a top seed in the playoffs. Look for 10-15 wins from Mike.
Hot Stove Interview with Mike "Seeatch" Sears.
HS:
You finished 2009 with the 3rd best ERA in the league at 2.28, which happened to be the 5th best ERA
of all time. Some might argue that you were the most improved player of 2009. Do you think you have what it takes to win a
championship in 2010?
Seeatch: Ya
well i gave it my best in 09' all though i didn't see it ending so early in the playoffs against my arch nemesis my brother
"The steve". Im only looking to progress in the upcoming 2010 season in my pitching and hopefully a better out look at the
end of the season for me.
HS:
Despite your strong pitching performance in 2009, is there any batter in particular that you have a difficult time pitching
to? And what do you think you have to do in order to improve your pitching against this person?
Seeatch:
Well my pitching was pretty much at the top of my game in 09' had those days when i struggle, but
if i had to pick batters in the HRL that i had a hard time with i would pick everyone. The reason i say that is cause
everyone has few good days at the plate. But if i had to change something about my pitching it would be being more accurate
around the zone and maintaining composure when I'm in tough spots.
HS:
You finished 2009 with just 18 walks at the plate. Do you want to focus on your plate discipline more for 2010, or do you
think you are a better hitter when you go up there and “swing away”?
Seeatch: Of
course i want to improve on plate discipline it what makes a better batter. When i get up to plate all i think about is making
contact thats all ya sure i would love to hit one out everytime and trot around the bases who doesn't. I guess i could just
say is that i wasn't really focus on that really in 09' cause of what my recent success over the past few years at the plate
being one of the top ten players all time at pops park to hit over 100 home runs in a season thats pretty tough to do.
HS:
Who was the toughest pitcher you had to face in 2009? Do you think you can improve and be a better hitter against this person
in 2010?
Seeatch:
Well the toughest pitcher I faced this year would probably be Dan Lambert since
he is the champ. But there is a Lot of good pitchers that did well in 09' that I had a tough time with like Cody, Elliot,
my brother The Steve, Dave and others. One thing that I could improve on at the plate against these pitchers is being patient,
selective and try working them to make them make a bad decision on there pitch.
HS:
You hit 19 home runs in 2009 and remained at #15 on the all time home run list. If you can hit 30 in 2010 you will pass Josh
Shore and Jeremy Roache on the list. Do you see yourself achieving this in 2010?
Seeatch: Ya i
know i only hit 19 homers in 09' but i wasn't really around enough so kinda threw my game off a little at the plate and I
thought it would just be natural for me do hit any ways cause of what I'm capable of doing at the plate. Well I'm fully confident
in my self to hit 30 HR's to pass J.Shore and J.Roache to move up to 12th on the list of all time HR's leaders in the HRL.
I think i could do it "Easily in 2010 plus some".
HS:
Are there any goals that you may have not already mentioned that you are striving for this upcoming season?
Seeatch:
Well one of my goals are to get the Golden Joise back in my possession. I would like to get the silver
slugger award as well. But the one thing i want the most is being crowned the champ at the end of the season Cause who doesn't
want the kind of hardware it says a lot if u have one of those under your belt.
HS:
What are your predictions for 2010? Who are the frontrunners to win the 2010 HRL Championship? And are there any sleepers
you see to make a surprise run at the title in 2010?
Seeatch: I
think I could be one of those front runner candidates for the up coming season of 2010 along with Elliot, the Steve, Cody
and the defending champ Lamby. My sleeper for 2010 would be mink he could actually have a decent season. From what i say from
last year with his progress on the mound he could potentially be an up setter in the playoffs against a high seed.
HS:
Is there
anything you would like to say to the league or player for the upcoming season? Maybe an opening day Challenge?
Seeatch:
Ya do want to say something to one player in particular would be to Cody. "I don't appreciate you texting me at 2:30a.m. drunk
saying i love you that crap doesn't fly with me in my book buddy, where teammates but not like that." So all in all I will
except any ones challenges offer for opening day.
