1976 Playoff preview
 

Injuries could play a large role in the upcoming AL and NL Championships series'
The Red Sox have won the AL East the last 3 seasons and appear in the postseason for the 4th time
This is the Angels first time to appear in the playoffs
The Pirates are here for the 5th time, 4th in a row and won a WS in 1971
The Dodgers are back for the 2nd time having won a WS in 1972
(these #'s are since this "league" began 1969)
3 of the 4 teams are without key members of their team

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...1&d=1346503062

There were 13, 20 game winners
5 of which were first timers, including Dennis Leonard with 20
5 of which were second timers, including Burt Hooton (CHC) and John Candelaria (PITT) who have down it twice in a row
Vida Blue (OAK) and Steve Busby (KC) have done it three times and twice in a row
Lynn McGlothen (BOS) accomplished the feat for the fourth time and 3rd in a row

Here are some other league leaders
AVG
Bill Madlock (TEX) .367
Rusty Staub (MON) .333
HR
Jason Thompson (DET) 29
Greg Luzinski (PHI) 35
RBI
George Brett (KC) 119
Steve Garvey (LA) 106
H
Madlock (TEX) 237
Chris Chambliss (ATL) 206
2B
Cecil Cooper (KC) 39
Keith Hernandez (NYN) 47
3B
Tom Poquette (KC) 14
Greg Gross (HOU) 14
R
Brett (KC) 110
Joe Morgan (HOU) 108
SB
Ron LeFlore (DET) 45
Davey Lopes (LA) 88

ERA
Frank Tanana (CAL) 2.30
Don Sutton (LA) 2.01
W
Vida BLue (OAK) 26
John Candelaria (PITT) 24
K
Tanana (CAL) 274
Nolan Ryan (NYN) 284
WHIP
Tanana (CAL) 1.04
Jon Matlack (NYN) 1.02
S
Tug McGraw (CHA) 34
Rawly Eastwick (CIN) 41
L
Wayne Garland (BAL) 20
Frank LaCorte (ATL) 26

1976 WS recap
 

Each of the Championship series' went 5 games and the Fall classic went 7 games

The Red Sox held off the Angels in the AL
The Dodgers held off the Pirates in the NL

And, in game 7 of the fall classic the Dodgers captured their 2nd WS crown as Doug Rau out dueled Lynn McGlothin 4-1

Congrats to the Los Angeles Dodgers World Series Champs 1976, their first title since 1972, when they also beat Boston.

Sorry so little WS info, but, with arbitration, Free Agency and the expansion draft, I am moving right along

Protection lists have been submitted and the Toronto Blue Jays and the Seattle Mariners are about to become reality giving the AL divisions 7 teams each. Major League baseball now boasts 26 franchises.

I will be posting their rosters shortly, including maybe the first 10 picks of each team. Also, later I hope to look at the financial condition of some of the teams before FA's file and the league takes on a whole new look.

Meet the Blue Jays and the Mariners
 

Well the 1977 expansion draft has come and gone
Here is a look at the first 10 picks by each club
Toronto Blue Jays
#1-Clint Hurdle
Joe Nolan
Gary Moates
Steve Stone
Tom Griffin
Fred Kendall
Joe Foy
Jim Rooker
Manny Trillo
Geoff Zahn

Seattle Mariners
#1-Bill Bonham
Doyle Alexander
Amos Otis
Manny Sanguillen
George Scott
Pete Broberg
Bob Molinaro
Dave Cash
Bill Hands
Joe Zdeb

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...1&d=1346507561

Financial situations (a closer look)

Most $$$$ available
Seattle Mariners 3.1 m

Least $$$$ available
San Diego Padres 20 k

teams with 2.5m to 3 m (8)
Angels,Indians, Tigers, ROYALS, Oakland, Pirates, Giants and Blue Jays

2m to 2.49m (4)
Red Sox, Reds, Dodgers, and Yankees

1.5m to 1.99m (3)
Orioles, Astros, and Mets

1.49m to 1m (1)
Rangers

500k to 999k (3)
White Sox, Brewers and Cardinals

499k to 62k (5)
Braves, Cubs, Twins, Expos and Phillies


The Royals stand to lose Pat Kelly, Al Fitzmorris, Gene Alley and Sandy Alomar Sr
Royals most interested in Al Oliver as a OF/1B/DH type
may also have interest in MR Terry Forster and considering Luis Tiant, Fergie Jenkins or Tommy John

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...1&d=1346509019

Free agency update
 

AS the calendar turns into '77 the Royals have added 3 FA's

Al Oliver, Tommy John and Ken Brett have all been added
Royals GM, was elated to pick up a hitter with Oliver's skills, with the lively turf and dimensions of this ballpark we are built for speed and lots of contact. We are likely done with the free agent process for this offseason, however, we will pay attention to any "deals" that might be available.

The Yankees have resigned Bobby Murcer and added Don Money, Mike Caldwell and Dock Ellis via FA
They also dealt Billy Buckner to the Blue Jays for Joe Niekro

Tim McCarver has landed with the Pirates, Gene Tenace will head to Baltimore.

other signings
Bob Watson (OAK)
Gary Nolan (OAK)
Rennie Stennett (CHW)
Larry Hisle (CLEV)
Jose Cruz (CLEV)
Rick Monday (BAL)

More FA signings as we near the time for pitchers and catchers to report

Darrel Evans and Freddie Patek (NYN)
Luis Tiant and Ron Reed (PITT)
Pirates also deal Andre Thornton to Cincy for ptbnl
White Sox agree with Ted Simmons
Chris Chambliss stays with the Braves
Bud Harrelson signs with Cubs
Richie Hebner signs a 6 year deal with the Dodgers
Jeff Burroughs headed to the Bronx
Gary Ross and Terry Forster join the pitching rich Giants
Ralph Garr re-ups with the Twins
Roy White (BALT)
Fergie Jenkins headed to the Tigers

Mariners lose Pete Broberg with career ending injuries from an automobile accident.

Spring training begins

Thurman Munson has signed with the Atlanta Braves
Tony Perez signed with the Astros, and was then injured in week 1 action, lost for 5-6 months

Bruce Kison (PITT) has been lost for 5 months with a ruptured achilles
Randy Lerch (PHIL) out 5 months
Gene Tenace (BALT) out 6 weeks with a fractured thumb
John Candelaria (PITT) out 4 weeks
Preston Hanna (ATL) out 12 months
George Brett (KC) lost for 5 months with torn ligaments
Jamie Quirk is all of 1-18 as a starter since the injury


Ron Fairly (CLEV) picks up hit #2000

AL Fitzmorris signed with Philly, Pat Kelly and Sandy Alomar Sr, remain FA's

5/1/77 update
 

Well the George Brett-less era has begun, that really hurts this lineup

Here are the award winners for April, the AL hitter and rookie are one in the same. hint-He is a current ML manager

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...1&d=1346876373

ahh...Ted Simmons...has to be, perhaps, the most under-rated player in history....looking at his numbers and taking into account he was a catcher...should be in the HOF.

He was a pretty good backstop, I have never really tuned into his career numbers. He is certainly in a position to be a nemesis to me though. The White Sox are loading up at being trouble for years to come.

But for now the Angels and the A's remain my top priority. I am currently in a real mess. Not only is Brett hurt but now, UL Washington and Jamie Quirk have gone down with injuries. I am caught with no depth at SS or 3B anywhere in my organization, this could be a rough 2 weeks. THere is also no depth available via FA, just possible trades.

Well in response to the Brett and Washington injuries, the Royals have dealt backup catcher Charlie Moore to SL in exchange for Ed Crosby. Crosby will fill a utility infield role upon the return of the injured players

Gaylord Perry (SF) to miss 3 months with an elbow strain
Oscar Gamble (CHC) out 5 weeks with elbow tendinitis
Bake McBride (SL) will miss 6 weeks with a knee injury
Cliff Johnson (HOU) fractured ankle will be out 3-4 months
Fred Lynn (BOS) strained hamstring out 4 weeks

The Royals are 19-22, which considering they have been without Brett the better part of the month is not too bad. I am in hopes of the club remaining within 5 games of .500 until Brett returns. The pitching has been pretty nondescript, with no one really taking the ace role. Doug Bird does have 9 saves and Tommy John has his ERA down to 3.08, while Busby is near 4.50.

6/1/77 update
 

Not sure how many of you are actually following this and enjoying it, however, if you are following along and feel as though it would be more enjoyable with some additional info or what not, than let me know what it is that you might be looking for

I drop by now and then royals. Honestly, I understand your reasonings but would have no problem seeing this in the Dynasties forum where more people may have seen it.

I like the graphics - especially since this your style is lighter on writing, the graphics help fill in a lot of the gaps.

How has Mr. Brett done for you? Could we see some career stats to this point?

Thanks very much for that input, I will see about including that for some of the decades greats, you know, the ones you got excited about when you got their ball card.

I have enjoyed many of your writings over the years, here and over at mogul, do you have any current threads going or any on the horizon?

Mid June update
 

Royals are hanging tough, offense is really heating up

Steve Busby has been lost for 3 months though
Roy White (BAL) out 8 months

Nolan Ryan (NYN) with a No Hitter vs the Phillies allowing 2 walks while striking out 12
Al Kaline (PITT) announces he will retire at seasons end
Mickey Lolich (MON) wins his 200th
the Braves have fired their manager Alvin Dark after 6+ seasons, he never was able to produce a winning season and has a 602-744 record after 8+ seasons with the Braves and the Indians

With the acquisition of Ted Simmons (CHA), Brian Downing became expendable and is now headed to the Padres in exchange for Johnny Grubb

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...1&d=1347831300

Not at the moment. I keep thinking about jumping back in the ring, but real life's been kinda busy.

10+ games back. Bah, I've always hated runaway races like that. Better to be the Indians (1.5 back) or even the Dodgers (4th place, 5 out). 10 games is a lot to make up.

Still, it's possible. If the 78 Yanks could do it IRL, there's always hope.