top rookies, standings and a Royals update

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...1&d=1349012078

Here are a couple of "icons" of the decade and their career numbers

Nolan Ryan and Reggie Jackson

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...1&d=1349468701

9/1/77 update
 

There seems to be a few races remaining, should be interesting as we close the season with 8 games against the Angels in a 11 day stretch

A look at the best of the month of August

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...1&d=1349474477

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...1&d=1349474543

Dennis Eckersley (CLEV) has been lost for the balance of the season
Lyman Bostock (KC) fractured ankle, out 4 months
Ted Simmons (CHW) out 4 weeks
JR Richard (HOU) out 4 weeks with elbow tendinitis

Willie Stargell (PITT) re-signs for 2 years
Tom Seaver (NYN) no hits the Braves

Cecil Cooper and his agent have reopened negotiations with the Royals, it is reported that the two are discussing a long term deal.

The staff has gotten very hot and the installation of Grimsley and Torrez in the 3,4 holes have been very good moves. John is a Cy Young candidate and Doug Bird leads the league in saves.

The Royals have played at a hot +21 over .500 since the end of May

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...1&d=1349474963

Royals drop 6 straight sit at 8 games back
Pirates have clinched the NL East

a look at a couple of more greats of the '70s
Carl Yastrzemski and Don Sutton

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...1&d=1349489027

Angels finally lose, after winning 11 straight to stretch their lead over the Royals. The Angels loss coupled with a Royals win allowed the Royals to crawl to within 7.5 games

Steve Stone (TOR) torn flexor tendon, is out for 13 months
George Foster (SF) hamstring strain, out for 4 weeks
Ron Fairly (CLEV) ruptured medial collateral ligament, out 7 months

It appears as though the divisions are mostly sewn up at this point, ours is the closest race

Detroit should win the AL East
Cincy in the NL West
Pittsburgh has already clinched the NL East
and the Angels have a pretty comfy lead in the AL West

Royals and Angels split 4 game set, Angels lead by 7 with 8 to play

Don Sutton (LAN) re-signs with the Dodgers
Chet Lemon (CHW) torn knee ligament out 10 months
Fergie Jenkins (DET) picks up his 200th win

Tigers clinch East and the Reds have a 4.5 game lead over the Giants

Fall Classic preview
 

The Pirates and the Tigers are set to hook up in the WS, after each team won their LCS 3 games to 1

Here is a quick look at each of their seasons leaders

Lou Whitaker will be unavailable for the Motor City Kitties

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...1&d=1349615492

The Detroit Tigers are the 1977 World Champions, congratulations to all of the Tigers and their fans.

Luis Tiant (CIN) picked up his 200th win
Don Drysdale and Hank Aaron were elected to the HOF

Lyman Bostock (KC) wins the batting title in the AL
Garry Templeton (SL) wins it in the NL
Dave Kingman (CAL) is the first to reach 50+ HR with 51


Here is a snapshot of the WS history since the league began
http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...1&d=1349638950

Bumper crop of FA's
 

I am assuming many of these guys will re-sign, but if not, there could be a major power shift if a team were to grab a few of these guys


http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...1&d=1349640502

12/1/77 update
 

Well things are getting a little bit crazy, let me know if this gets too unlikely to continue to follow.

The Philles were showing no interest in retaining the services of Mike Schmidt, so I offered him what he was looking for, simmed 3 days and BAM, he is mine.

Similar thing happened with Rick Reuschel, except Phillies were not involved, it was the Cubs.

The Pirates have kept Ben Oglivie, signed Jerry Koosman and Gaylord Perry
Joe Morgan stays in Houston and George Hendrick also stays put in Cincy

Jim Sundberg goes to the Cubs for reliever Buddy Schultz
Ray Knight heads to Oakland while the Reds receive Tug McGraw

will keep you posted with other FA activity, look for the Royals to deal an OF or Mike Ivie. As you may recall Ivie was brought in as Cooper protection mainly. The Royals now find themselves with a plethora of offensive talent. The Addition of Reuschel to Leonard and John will make this a very formidable rotation as well. This is in an attempt to dethrone the Angels from their perch atop the AL West, a spot they have enjoyed each of the last 2 seasons.

End of the year signings
 

Bruce Kison has signed with San Francisco
Dave Kingman has returned to the Yankees
Toby Harrah will join the Reds
Darrel Porter hooks up with the Angels
John Mayberry takes over 1B duties for the Red Sox

Pirates have made several moves
added Don Baylor, Jorge Orta, trade Ed Ott to the Cubs and get Dock Ellis back
waived Marty Perez who was then picked up by the Royals as a utility player

The Giants signed Dwight Evans
Reds sign Johnny Grubb and lose Andre Thornton for 5 months
Indians sign Dave Goltz and Richie Zisk
Astros sign Ray Corbin and JR Richard, replace Mayberry with the trade that lands them Steve Garvey for reliever Ray Greif. (???)
White Sox lose Rich Gossage for 8 months
Angels lose Soderholm for 5 weeks, re-sign Mickey Rivers
Larry Bowa is headed to Boston
Bill Russell signs with the Braves
Rollie Fingers is now a Met

Very interesting..To be honest what i was looking for..I m starting 1969 historical league with draft so you understand.

Two questions if i may: What about Steve Carlton career ? Can you please post his stats ? And Nolan Ryan remained fragile or did the injury rating changed over the years..?

Many thanks..& i will be following

Here is a look at lefty's career to date, and as far as Ryan he has 5 straight seasons with 40 or more starts his injury rating is "normal"

thanks for following along


http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...1&d=1349904907

Ryan is really good with K's. I think he could make the hall.

yeah, he and lefty are on a very similar path as far as the strikeouts are concerned

With the Royals firing on all cylinders here are a few injury updates

Lyman Bostock (KC) out 4 months
Joe Morgan (HOU) 4-5 weeks
Jim Lonborg (BOS) 13 months, he has picked up 58 wins over the last 3 years
Rick Honeycutt (SEA) out 8 months
Gary Lavelle (SF) to miss 7 months

Rick Monday i headed to Toronto in exchange for Clay Carroll, who is on his way to Baltimore

Meanwhile the Royals are hitting with a vengeance, and flat shutting people down on the mound. This has them off to a torrid 14-3 start in their early attempts to get back to the postseason. Their signings of Schmidt and Reuschel were a sort of throwing down of the gauntlet to the 'halos of LA. While the Bostock injury will serve as a setback, the overall depth of the roster and the return of Al Cowens from the DL should make it fairly manageable.

5/1/78 update
 

Well the injury bug has bit the Royals again,

Tommy John (KC) will be lost for 3 months with an forearm strain
Here is a look at how April went for the club as well as a look at some key players from the month. I will also be taking a closer look at the careers of Willie Stargell and Joe Morgan in the coming days


http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...1&d=1350219045