Other tidbits from the last few weeks

Dwayne Murphy (OAK) fractured skull-forced to retire at only 25 years of age
Larry Gura (CAL) out 11 months with torn ulnar collateral ligament
Larry McWilliams (ATL) out 14 months with elbow ligament damage
Mickey Rivers (CAL) out 8 months with a broken elbow
Johnny Bench (KC) out 3 weeks with a strained hamstring
Steve Carlton (SL) out 4 months with a ruptured finger tendon
Frank Pastore (CIN) out 3 months with rotator cuff inflamation

Willie Stargell (PITT) nothces HR # 400
Tom Seaver (NYN) picks up his 200th win
Jack Morris (DET) throws a no-hitter

Paul Molitor and Robin Yount (MIL) combine to go 11-13 in a 21-1 crushing of the Angels

7/1/79 update
 

The Royals really hate to see June end, they were a sizzling 25-3 during the month. Here is a look at the hottest players from each league last month

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...1&d=1355036109

some housekeeping notes thru the AS game

Nolan Ryan (NYN) out 4 weeks
Butch Hobson (NYA) out 8 months
Willie Upshaw (TOR) out 5 months
Robin Yount (MIL) out 4 weeks
Garry Templeton (SL) out 6 weeks
Dwight Evans (SD) out 5 weeks
Rawly Eastwick (CIN) out 10 months
Terry Kennedy (SL) out 10 months

White Sox fire manager Alvin Dark

A's ship Bob Watson to St Louis for Larry Herndon

8/1/79 update
 

cooled off a bit, but opened a rather large lead

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...1&d=1355177568

pitchers and rookies

Joe Morgan (HOU) gets hit # 2000
Johnny Bench (KC) hits HR #300

Gary Alexander (SF) out for 9 months
Moose Haas (MIL) out 5 months
Fred Lynn (BOS) out 3 weeks

Red Sox deal Jack Brohamer to Seattle for Bill Lee
Indians send Steve Braun to ChiSox for Lamar Hoyt
Brian Downing heads to Texas for David Clyde

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...1&d=1355177981


http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...1&d=1355177981

injury bug update

Bob Horner (ATL) out 3 weeks
George Brett (KC) out 6 weeks
Mike Morgan (OAK) out 5 months
John Denny (SL) out 6 months
Chet Lemon (CHW) out 6 weeks
Andre Dawson (MON) out 4 weeks
Gary Roenicke forced to retire due to injury

9/1/79 update
 

The AL hitter and rookie of the month are one in the same, here is the rest of the info

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...1&d=1355667081

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...1&d=1355667161



How many can the Royals win?, Might Brett hit .400? Can Wilson set the season steals record? how close to 30 wins can Dennis Leonard get?

Those are some of the questions left unanswered in this 1979 campaign

The Royals finished 110-52 and won the division going away. In the NL the Reds and Pirates faced off to determine the representative for the NL in the 1979 WS. The Tigers cruised to the AL East division crown and faced off against the Royals in the ALCS.

The Reds swept past the Pirates and the Royals defeated the Tigers in 4 games, however, it was game 1 that was a game for the ages. The Tigers scored first and the Royals managed to tie up the game in the 7th. It would continue 1-1 into the 15th when the Tigers posted 3 runs to take a commanding lead, it was then that the '79 Royals magic began. See below.....

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...1&d=1355876345

Sorry for the long absence, my 16 year old son has been dealing with the after effects of a spontaneous collapsed lung. In the hospital since 12/21, needless to say it has been a real party. Anyhow, all appears to be fine now and praise the Lord he should be heading home soon.

I was also disappointed to report that the Royals laid a big fat stinking egg in the WS and lost 4 games to 1 to the Reds. This is not the big red machine, in fact the only player left from that run is, Pete Rose. Nevertheless they ran right over the Royals and have become the 1979 World Champs.

More to come upon my much anticipated return to normalcy, I hope each of you had a wonderful Christmas and will also have a happy new year.

league integrity? or go for it
 

I am in need of some opinions, those of you who actually read this.

There are several big name FA's that I could go after and effectively be a Yankees style all star team, or I should remain conservative and be a bit more realistic.

What would you the reader prefer, and if I went in a different direction that your "choice" would it end your interest in this dynasty?

Please let me know your input, I do appreciate each of you that check in from time to time.

Being that the time frame is when I remember baseball best, the Royals of that time would probably be able to go after one big name free agent a year or every two years. They really lived off their minor league development and very smart trading. I wouldn't go after a lot of free agents, but one key FA in a position of need would be very believable.


BTW hope your son is getting better and I really enjoy reading about your dynasty

man...Darrel Jackson looks pissed

Yeah that 21 loss rookie campaign will affect a guys outlook

I'm glad your son is on the mend. I'm an asthmatic that ended up in the ER on New Years, so while I don't understand what he went through, I can definitely sympathize with breathing problems.

I was curious how Mr. Bird turned out. I saw you weren't able to get rid of him before the '78 trading deadline. How did that wind up?

Tough break against the Reds, but at least you finally made it back to the dance.

Free agency...tough question. I remember you had a similar question two seasons ago when you asked if the league was getting too unbelievable. We're now entering Y12 of your game - I'm surprised the league is still as recognizable as it is.

I'm thinking play conservative - not because I think there's anything inherently wrong with bulking up in this situation, or because it might be realistic for the RL '80 Royals, but because you just won 110 games. You can pretty much afford to sit on your laurels and let your war chest build - sooner or later you'll need to retool, and the more cash on hand, the quicker you can rebuild.

a little offseason update
 

Wow I have a lot of catching up to do

Please continue to pray for my son, he is back at the hospital with an infection from the first lung surgery. They believe they have it under control and we are moving in the right direction

Signings
Goose Gossage (CHW) will stay put in the windy city for 2 more years
Ron LeFlore (DET) resigns for 5 years
Don Money signs with the Cubs
Pete Rose signs with the Cubs
Amos Otis signs with the Red Sox
Jim Rice signs with the Royals
Ron Cey, Sixto Lezcano and Tom Burgmeier sign with the Orioles
Roy Howell signs with Pittsburgh
Mike Marshall heads to the Brewers
Jeff Burroughs signs with the Phillies
Andre Thornton signs with the Twins
Ken Griffey Sr resigns with Cincy
Gary Carter resigns with Montreal

Orioles acquire Greg Luzinski in trade

Vida Blue injury forces retirement

Doug Bird had an ERA around 5 with a 4-6 record for the Phillies, he is now a FA

Tug McGraw signs with the Expos
Robin Yount signs with the Indians
Milt May signs with the Astros
Greg Gross signs with A's
Bruce Bochte signs with the Reds
Johnny Grubb signs with the Mets
Gaylord Perry lands in St Louis
John Lowenstein headed to San Fran
Doc Medich signs with the Reds
Gene Garber head to Cleveland
Jorge Orta resigns with Pittsburgh
Steve Carlton resigns with St Louis
Mike Hargrove resigns with Texas

Omar Moreno (PITT) out 8 months
Dan Schatzeder (MON) out 7 months

5/1/80