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Cecil's Big Day Out
6 hits and 7 ribbies is a decent night's work by anyone's standards...
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The View from the Gangplank June 1, 1977
A dreadful start by our pitchers sees our ERA blow out to an NL-worst 5.34 after 15 games. Reuss and Rhoden just cannot get their act together and Bibby looks a shot duck—thus the subsequent inclusion of him in the Guidry trade.
After 40 games, we sit at a dead-even 20-20, which seems accurate given one half of our game is working well and the other terribly. And, thanks to a win over Lefty Carlton and the Phils on the last day of May, we enter the middle third with a (barely) winning record and 4 GB our friends from the City of Brotherly Love. https://i.imgur.com/OJneLzi.jpg https://i.imgur.com/t6FwMpk.jpg https://i.imgur.com/FM0cO9h.jpg https://i.imgur.com/sqGUEaI.jpg As mentioned earlier, Bill Madlock is locked down with a 2-year, $2m extension. We splash more cash on Rich Gossage (2/1050) and Bill Robinson (2+1/1610), then do what we feel is a very friendly 7/2635 deal to keep Ron Guidry - who settles in nicely after the trade - here thru 1984. We’ll hold off on others just for now. The defending Champs are looking strong again, going a stellar 23-7 over their first 30 games to get an early jump on their AL West rivals. https://i.imgur.com/U4waWWi.jpg Monthly Award Winners April American League
National League
May American League
National League
News and Leaders https://i.imgur.com/EBynReA.jpg https://i.imgur.com/UCACG6u.jpg https://i.imgur.com/G1K0t2V.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/5E2Ob6K.jpg Milestones and Observations of Note
S+ HOME REPORTS HOME PIRATES HOME |
Halicki-di-split
Isn't Ed Halicki having a nice little time of it in this universe...
IRL Ed threw the 193rd no-no in MLB history in August, 1975. He has had to wait a couple extra years in this timeline. |
1977 MLB All-Star Game
Ron Guidry, Rich Gossage and Dave Parker are our representatives this year.
American League
National League
Mike Schmidt beats Davey Johnson to win the HR Derby, with the AL narrowing the running score to 21-23 with a 6-1 win and Robin Yount named MVP. |
The Wheeling and the Dealing
Only what's left of this year and one full season left before we're into 1979, so we can't be leaving our trade tickets on the shelf if it can be avoided. This is a fairly even trade that swaps out a guy for whom we have no use for one who will be a really handy OF depth guy with some nice pop.
Tony, who came up with us briefly and played for the club in 1976 before heading to the A's, still has almost his full TC complement intact. He comes into the parent club at the expense of Mario Mendoza, who heads back to AAA after going 0-for-1. |
The View from the Gangplank August 1, 1977
Alternating wins and losses mean we hover around that 500 mark in the first half of June. Unable to abide by how poorly Rick Rhoden continues to pitch, he and his near-7 ERA go off in shame to the BP to think about things, with Bob Moose called into the rotation for a while.
After that, just disaster, plain and simple as this pitching horror show continues as we give up 14 and then 16 runs on consecutive days against the Giants. By this point our team ERA is pushing 5 with both the SP and BP back to ranking next-to-last. And that’s with Candy, Guidry and Kison all doing well. The lower end and parts of the relief corps, on the other hand, have just melted. We are once again fortunate in that none of our competitors really take the bull by the horns as all this is playing out, and we remain in touch with the division-leading Phillies throughout. Just as we get a bit of a run going with 6 straight wins that put us 43-38 at the midpoint and get us within one of the lead, we lose Bill Robinson for 5 weeks to a labrum tear. Not wanting to start the clock just yet on Dale Berra, we call up Mario Mendoza and his mighty bat for his first go in the bigs. We struggle a bit for the next bit, as the Phils flatten us taking three of four at TRC and hand Bruce Kison his first loss of the year after 9 wins, but are still just one off the pace at the All-Star Game in a super tight race with four teams within a game or so of the lead. The lads would be the first to admit we aren’t playing great baseball, but we keep scratching together the wins and eventually move into first place for a while then regress once more. After 100 games we sit at a barely-winning 51-49 and yet still lead the div by a half-game, and this looks set to be an utterly gripping stretch run as we close out the sectional similarly-placed. https://i.imgur.com/oZT1myT.jpg https://i.imgur.com/1AsDoO4.jpg Strong performances abound but you really are only ever as good as your worst performers let you be. https://i.imgur.com/33i5HK5.jpg Dave Parker wins the June hitter prize... https://i.imgur.com/vngzfAF.jpg ... and Candyman the July pitcher gong. https://i.imgur.com/vClDc04.jpg It isn't just our div that seems destined for late drama, wit hall four races incredibly tight with many chances. News, Leaders and Top 20s https://i.imgur.com/B6XN1kw.png https://i.imgur.com/SkUGGQS.jpg https://i.imgur.com/cdWCZ9r.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/0zKLpMA.jpg https://i.imgur.com/kM5UL1z.jpg https://i.imgur.com/a5yLo8C.jpg Monthly Award Winners June American League
National League
July American League
National League
Milestones and Observations of Note
https://i.imgur.com/br0fve8.jpg https://i.imgur.com/WQOjud5.jpg https://i.imgur.com/jSDv9M4.jpg S+ HOME REPORTS HOME PIRATES HOME |
Brothers in Arms
Less than a year after brother Joe did it, Phil Niekro gets a matching no-no.
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400 for Pops
Our club's all-time leader in the category reaches a nice HR milestone.
https://i.imgur.com/vaMX9pw.jpg That makes him the 21st to reach this mark and, with the better part of a decade likely left in the great man's career, he has some chance of making 500 vs his IRL total of 475. |
Stat Check: XBH
Who holds the single season record in the MLB for extra base hits?
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Racy Lacy Hits for the Cycle
He's become one of the most important cogs in our structural wheel and it's nice to see Lee Lacy have his moment in the sun here.
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Thumped
Yikes! Scoop's big day goes to waste thanks to a horror show by the staff.
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Stretch Joins the 600 Club
At age 39, does Willie McCovey have the legs to climb the HR mountaintop? He's certainly still in great nick and now, having joined the very exclusive 600-Club (taking its membership up to 3), only needs 22 to pass the Mick. He played until 1980 IRL, so by that yardstick he should do it easily. But as we've seen, those last couple of dozen can seem harder to procure than the first 600.
Keep you posted. https://i.imgur.com/a2kcUZY.jpg |
Stat Check: W
Which active pitchers are leading the MLB in career wins?
That's probably where Sandy will finish up - he looks shot. |
In a Minor Key
Paris record the best regular season record at 81-51 then go on to beat Pine Bluff for the club's third AAA title and first since 1961.
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The View from the Gangplank: end of regular season, 1977
If anything, the end of the 1977 MLB regular season is even more jam-packed with twists and turns than the dramatic final act of a year prior. Hard to believe that’s even possible.
An early challenge for the stretch run arrives in the shape of an ankle injury that will see Al Oliver spend the minimum stint on the IL. Fortunately Jangles Robinson is ready to return but this means we have to rush him straight back rather than rehab him. On the field, our struggle for consistency persists. No idea what has happened to Jerry Reuss but he has been dreadful the past couple seasons and is having another ordinary campaign here. Four straight losses at Cincy are followed by three wins at home against the Cubs and 3 more out of 4 against the Mets including a crazy 5-4 17-inning jobby that Kurt Bevacqua wins walkoff with his first tater of the season. We lose another clump of games without it doing us too much damage but Scoop Olivers return from the IL is nevertheless a timely one indeed, returning us to full strength for the first time in a while. Kurt Bevacqua, who’ll be walking at season’s end, makes way and heads to AAA. Sadly, it doesn’t stop the rot as we eventually lose six straight before finally getting a win. Still, no strong moves elsewhere mean we remain very much in contention. It is at this time that we pick up unloved OF Dave Kingman on a minors deal, then promote him to become our second Cutlass Club member, leaving just one spot now open. We then sign him to a super cheap 4/360 deal so we’ll have him and his 48 IRL HR in the mix for ’79. While he’s ineligible for this year’s playoffs should we get there, this is still a big get for us moving forward. He’s out of options, so Wayne Nordhagen has to make way for him although he’ll be a handy depth guy whenever injury strikes. We are tied with the Phils (and the Mets) when they come to town in early September for a 3-game series. We take two from three but there’s a whole lot more left in this race with 20 games to go. Sadly, we’ll have to do it without Lee Lacy, who is knocked out of action for the remainder with a back injury. We’ll miss him greatly. Kurt Bevacqua comes back in his place. We’ve snuck 3 in front of both when we head to Philly for our final two games of the season against the Phils. We win both of them to put ourselves in the box seat—five ahead with 16 to play. With 10 to go we’ve chipped our MN into single-figures and grabbed a handy 4-game break from the Phils, with the Mets – against whom we still have five games remaining to be played – just behind them. We drop the first of these as Jon Matlack outpitches Candy, who is in the middle of the first slump of his career, but earn a split as Bruce Kison beats ex-Bucco Jim Bibby for his 13th win of the season. Next we have three at the Cubs, who have been busy and moved into third place just 4 back after sweeping the Phillies. Six of our final nine games are against them, so suddenly they look our biggest threat. We’ll be without RP Dave Tomlin for the remainder due to a shoulder strain he suffers falling off his bike. Not that he’s been great or anything but it’s a distraction we don’t need. Dave Hamilton makes his first appearance for the year with us. The lads flex their muscles with a 12-1 win in the opener behind Ron Guidry, who also chimes in with 4 of our 22 hits and 2 ribbies, but then the Cubs beat us in each of the next two to sit three behind with six to play. Bibby exacts some revenge with a 7-3 win in the first game of the Mets series but we end their run in dramatic fashion as Guidry and Seaver duke it out and Dave Kingman wins it walkoff with an RBI single for a 2-1 squeaker. The Cubs lose as well and are eliminated, leaving just the Phils to be overcome. And Kingman comes through with the decisive hit again the next day, a run-scoring double that holds up in another 2-1 win to get us into the postseason again. We end up at 88-74, four clear of the Phils. https://i.imgur.com/YlZePZc.jpg https://i.imgur.com/2ig8axL.jpg No doubt the hitters did most of the heavy lifting for us this year. Between Kingman’s late-season impact and Ron Guidry, who wins the September pitching prize, I think we can be pleased with our recruiting this year. https://i.imgur.com/XCJaq3U.jpg Just a solid showing across the board, with George Hendrick's starmaking turn particularly satisfying. https://i.imgur.com/KwQi82K.jpg John Candelaria was 14-4 at one point and his late-season slide is a real concern for us. Another stellar season leading the BP from Rich Gossage. The Reds look to have taken charge in the NL West but then stumble and let the Astros back into the race, with the Dodgers also making a late charge to enter into calculations and the Padres not without some hope in a stirring finish indeed. Same goes with the White Sox over in the AL West, which is again proving a tight affair with the Rangers and Royals in hot pursuit. Even the Tigers have stopped to a crawl and all three contests go down to the wire. The White Sox pull away again in the penultimate week and are the first to lock down a playoff berth, while the Tigers also finish strongly to clinch with a handful of games to play. With us by now having also clinched, that leaves just the NL West still under dispute. After the Reds are dropped, it comes down to the Astros and Dodgers in a winner-take-all series that Houston prevails in to lock down just their second playoffs appearance. That was an absolute beauty. https://i.imgur.com/C3Vfb5W.jpg Batting titles for our own Scoop Oliver and Jim Rice, who misses the AL Triple Crown by just 6 RBI. His 46 homers are easily the most this season, while Cecil Cooper records the 5th-highest RBI total in MLB history with 154 - just 7 shy of Turkey Stearnes' all-time mark. Lou Brock becomes the first MLBer to steal 1000 bases in his career, while Bill North swipes 100 exactly this season. Mark Fidrych leads both leagues with 25 Wins, Ed Halicki has the low ERA this season with 2.29, Nolan Ryan is again the King of K with 301 and Jim Kern has the most saves with 38. Final Top 20s and Leaders https://i.imgur.com/8zOgF7f.jpg https://i.imgur.com/gcMmF1P.jpg https://i.imgur.com/iAfKV2w.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/C8ZKji9.jpg Monthly Award Winners August American League
National League
September American League
National League
Milestones and Observations of Note
S+ HOME REPORTS HOME PIRATES HOME |
1977 League Championship Series
American League Detroit Tigers (99-63) v Chicago White Sox (96-66) We get a repeat of last year in the AL with the White Sox looking for a third straight pennant and the Tigers looking for their first World Seris appearance since the championship 1967 season. It’s a team of great strengths but also obvious shortcomings that Detroit sends out here. Cecil Cooper has had an extraordinary season and is the main guy for them here. If he, Chet Lemon and Don Baylor catch fire then the Tigers will go a long way. But the pitching can get a bit shaky and after those big three there are a lot of slappy hitters, so they are a bit of an unknown quantity. The defending champs look good again and if they play to their full abilities then they, too, will take a lot of beating. Should be a fascinating contest here, as was the case a year ago. The Sox come out all guns blazing with a big 8-2 road win in Game 1 but the Tigers squeeze past them 3-2 in a thrilling 11-inning Game 2 to get back on even terms. The Tigers go ahead for the first time with a 7-3 Game 3 win and then, despite blowing an early lead, finish the job in dramatic fashion with a 6-5 win in 11. Veteran Catcher Tim McCarver nabs the MVP gong. https://i.imgur.com/RmxoTc3.jpg National League Houston Astros (90-72) v Pittsburgh Pirates (88-74) We’ve got our work cut out for us against the Astros, with whom we split the regular season games six apiece. Their pitchers don’t give up many runs and, while their hitting can go quiet in spells, it won’t take a lot of runs to win their share of games. Our hitters have been sensational this year but this will be a true test for them and our pitching is nowhere near where we’d like it to be. Dave Kingman’s ineligibility paves the way for Wayne Nordhagen to return for the playoffs and with Lee Lacy also out (but perhaps available if we make the WS) we’ll need to be very good indeed to get to the next stage, especially with them having the home field advantage. We do get Dave Tomlin back in time and he comes in for Dave Hamilton. Ron Guidry gives us a tight 5-3 win in the opener but despite Candy Man giving us a strong outing against The Bird we lose the second game walkoff in 10 to send the series to Pittsburgh knotted at one. Jerry Reuss struggles again in Game 3 but we almost pinch it with a late rally before coming up a run short in a 7-6 final. Bruce Kison has been solid for us this year and it’s all on him to keep us alive against lefty Ken Kravec. With Pops hitting less than a buck to this point, Dave Kingman’s absence hurts all the more and, while he chimes in with 3 hits and 3 RBI in this one, we lose a wild 10-9 slugfest to bow out ungracefully to give the Astros their first NL pennant and a maiden World Series berth. Chris Chambliss is named MVP. https://i.imgur.com/FY2788u.jpg |
1977 World Series Preview
Detroit Tigers v Houston Astros Best-of-seven, Tigers with the home-field advantage. DETROIT TIGERS S+ PAGE HOUSTON ASTROS S+ PAGE One would have to put the Tigers as strong favourites here but there’s a massive difference between paper and grass that has caught many a side out in this situation, so they’ll still have to go out there and earn it. The Astros bats belted us all over the place but they are up against a more robust staff than ours here and their lack of experience is also a concern. Two talented squads here and the neutrals should get their money’s worth. That said, I’m picking the Tigers in six. https://i.imgur.com/KKxqNZ4.jpg https://i.imgur.com/KNHRyUl.png https://i.imgur.com/O7Hh0JG.jpg https://i.imgur.com/wRx4Pez.png NB Nice to see the Nettles brothers playing side-by-side in this timeline. |
In a Minor Key - Major AAA Awards, 1977
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1977 World Series Recap
Game 1 in Detroit Frank Tanana (19-6, 2.85) v Mark Fidrych (25-8, 2.63) A fantastic start to this contest with two of the hottest pitchers in the league to kick things off. And it is the visitors who draw first blood, taking an early 3-0 lead and just holding on for a one-run victory. Bird goes the distance for the W, while Otto Velez hits the first home run of the series. Game 2 in Detroit Len Barker (12-13, 3.70) v JR Richard (12-17, 3.05) Astros lead series 1-0 The Astros send another of the good ones to the mound here to try take a commanding 2-0 lead back to Texas, but Len Barker will be no easybeat in what should be another low-scoring affair. And that’s precisely what they do as Richard gives them 7+ scoreless and the bullpen finishes off the job for a shutout win. The Tigers bats just haven’t looked interested yet and they’ll need to turn things around if Detroit is to get back into this series. Game 3 in Houston Ken Kravec (14-13, 4.03) v Gary Nolan (10-9, 5.59) Astros lead series 2-0 Game 3 pits two guys that, on their day, can be virtually unhittable but who struggle to have “their day” with the consistency they’d like. I’m expecting plenty of runs here. In fact it is the opposite sort of game as the pitching dominance continues and the Tigers finally get a win, albeit a tight comeback one. Kravec goes the distance and acquits himself well but gets little support from his bats as Nolan keeps them quiet. Game 4 in Houston Joe Niekro (15-10, 3.58) v Larry Gura (16-5, 4.11) Astros lead series 2-1 Nice to see Joe Niekro, who has been an Astro since inception get a WS start at age-32 and trying to emulate his brother’s success of a year ago. He’ll face southpaw Larry Gura in a game where the defences will need to be on their toes. They aren’t, with 3 errors apiece, as the Astros break the sequence of away wins in yet another tight tussle. Niekro goes 8 for the win, Gura 7 for the loss, as 2B Mike Champion and C Bob Stinson each has 2 ribbies for the victors. Game 5 in Houston Mark Fidrych (1-0, 2.76) v Frank Tanana (0-2, 4.72) Astros lead series 3-1 Houston with the chance to clinch at home as we go back to the top of the rotations. Detroit simply has to get something going on offence or they are toast. Easier said than done against “The Bird”. They don’t get many, but they get enough to stay alive as neither pitcher gives up an earned run in another premium pitching display. Three more errors by the Astros defence are the killer here, allowing the Tigers to score two early and go on from there to send this series back to Motown once again very much in the balance. https://i.imgur.com/Cb2kGan.jpg Game 6 in Detroit Scipio Spinks (7-4, 4.40) v JR Richard (2-0, 2.40) Astros lead series 3-2 A finger injury to Len Barker means it is up to the hard-throwing but erratic Scipio Spinks to extend this series for the Tigers. Richard was dominant in Game 2 and the ‘Stros would love another on along those lines here. He gives them one to deliver the Astros their maiden title, making them the first expansion club to do so. Stan Musial, who never got a Championship ring as a player, gets one here as Houston Manager. No surprises, JR Richard wins the MVP. https://i.imgur.com/Hpni7vL.jpg S+ HOME REPORTS HOME PIRATES HOME |
1977 Offseason
OUTS & OUTS Charlie Gilbert (Red Sox Manager), Sam Jones (White Sox Manager - tough crowd!) and Billy Goodman (A's Manager) are all back on the market and looking for a new job. ROSTER MOVES We exercise Woodie Fryman's 1978 option. While he was ordinary this season and looks pretty much done, he's still a warm body and his $110k contract won't constrain us financially in any way We send Kurt Bevacqua to arb but non-tender Rick Miller, freeing up another CC spot. Terry Forster, Gene Alley and Bob Moose all walk, as does the non-tendered Kurt Bevacqua. We don't renew 1B Coach Lennie Merullo's contract and replace him with Mickey McGuire SIM ACCURACY https://i.imgur.com/EXjLKk7.png https://i.imgur.com/pn4bCVb.jpg *Ignore the SB figure, I often bump it up in the LTMs if I feel it's too low. HANGIN' THEM UP Billy Williams should give the HoF a shake but arguably the biggest news here is who isn't on this list: it would appear Mr Koufax is having one more go-around. https://i.imgur.com/H116OtK.jpg |
1977 MLB Awards
AL 1977 HISTORY INDEX
NL 1977 HISTORY INDEX AWARDS HISTORY Johnson-Waddell Awards to Jim Rice and Andre Dawson (just pipping Dave Parker, which means we had a total wipe for the first time I can remember), while Ed Halicki and Mark Fidrych were deserving Wagner-Lajoie recipients. Mitchell Page and Bump Wills take out the Mantle-Mays this year, Bob McClure and Jim Kern their first Paige Plates. S+ HOME REPORTS HOME PIRATES HOME |
1977/78 Rookie Draft & Legacy Players
Just two Marquees and two Legacies this year, meaning there are plenty of good guys up for grabs and unspoken for.
These are the Legacy Players for the 1978 Season: Los Angeles Dodgers: Pedro Guerrero (34.4; 1036) Milwaukee Brewers: Paul Molitor (75.7; 1826 – 69%) MARQUEE Oakland Athletics: Bob Welch (43.7; 267 GS) St. Louis Cardinals: Ozzie Smith (76.9; 1990 – 77%) MARQUEE Bob Welch (43.7; 267 GS) was also eligible for the Dodgers, but the A’s higher pick means he goes there. Carney Lansford (40.4; 1203) was also eligible for the A’s, but Welch’s higher WAR makes him the selection. Dwayne Murphy (33.3; 1213) was also eligible for the A’s, but Welch’s higher WAR makes him the selection. Dave Stewart (26.5; 245 GS) was also eligible for the A’s, but Welch’s higher WAR makes him the selection. There are 149 rookies for this season, and the Draft will consist of 5 rounds. The Draft order will be as follows (winning percentage from 1977 IRL season in brackets; bold indicates Legacy Pick in 1st Round): Round 1 1. St. Louis Cardinals (512) 2. Milwaukee Brewers (414) 3. Oakland Athletics (391) 4. Los Angeles Dodgers (605) 5. Toronto Blue Jays (335) 6. Atlanta Braves (337) 7. Seattle Mariners (395; dice roll) 8. New York Mets (395; dice roll) 9. San Diego Padres (426) 10. Cleveland Indians (441) 11. Detroit Tigers (457; dice roll) 12. California Angels (457; dice roll) 13. Montreal Expos (463; dice roll) 14. San Francisco Giants (463; dice roll) 15. Chicago Cubs (500; dice roll) 16. Houston Astros (500; dice roll) 17. Minnesota Twins (522) 18. Cincinnati Reds (543) 19. Chicago White Sox (556) 20. Texas Rangers (580) 21. Pittsburgh Pirates (593) 22. Baltimore Orioles (602; dice roll) 23. Boston Red Sox (602; dice roll) 24. New York Yankees (617) 25. Philadelphia Phillies (623) 26. Kansas City Royals (630) Rounds 2 thru 5 1. Toronto Blue Jays (335) 2. Atlanta Braves (337) 3. Oakland Athletics (391) 4. Seattle Mariners (395; dice roll) 5. New York Mets (395; dice roll) 6. Milwaukee Brewers (414) 7. San Diego Padres (426) 8. Cleveland Indians (441) 9. Detroit Tigers (457; dice roll) 10. California Angels (457; dice roll) 11. Montreal Expos (463; dice roll) 12. San Francisco Giants (463; dice roll) 13. Chicago Cubs (500; dice roll) 14. Houston Astros (500; dice roll) 15. St. Louis Cardinals (512) 16. Minnesota Twins (522) 17. Cincinnati Reds (543) 18. Chicago White Sox (556) 19. Texas Rangers (580) 20. Pittsburgh Pirates (593) 21. Baltimore Orioles (602; dice roll) 22. Boston Red Sox (602; dice roll) 23. Los Angeles Dodgers (605) 24. New York Yankees (617) 25. Philadelphia Phillies (623) 26. Kansas City Royals (630) Eligible PIT players: 4 position players + 6 pitchers = 10. Same old sad song for us—no Legacy and super late pick, so our expectations are extremely tempered about reaping much from this Draft. We do have some clearly-defined specific needs; it’s just a matter of matching those up with the players on offer and their eligibility status. Worse case, we look for guys we’ll get some trade value for in a year. Here's who we end up taking: 1. P Steve Trout, 20 (ineligible)
4. Tom Spencer, 26 (ineligible) 5. IF Darrell Woodard, 21 (ineligible)
Fair to say this exercise does not move the needle much in our favour. FULL DRAFT LOG https://i.imgur.com/gUivgor.jpg |
Call from the Hall
It takes him nearly his full complement of ballots, but Minnie Minoso finally gets his plaque. No such joy for Larry Doby, who drops off well shy and will have to hope the 2000 Centennial Ballot looks favourably upon him.
https://i.imgur.com/MhDHNMt.jpg https://i.imgur.com/9lPUivM.jpg |
1978 The First Time Around
The Yanks - by dent (see what I did there?) of a one-game playoff win over the BoSox - and Dodgers repeat and the result does, too, even without too many dramatics from the bat of Reggie Jackson.
AL EAST / WEST CHAMPIONS: New York Yankees (100-63) / Kansas City Royals (92-70) NL EAST / WEST CHAMPIONS: Philadelphia Phillies (90-72) / Los Angeles Dodgers (95-67) ALCS: Yankees 3, Royals 1 NLCS: Dodgers 3, Phillies 1 WORLD SERIES: Yankees 4, Dodgers 2 Pittsburgh Pirates: 88-73, 2nd in NL East AL MVP: Jim Rice (Red Sox) NL MVP: Dave Parker (Pirates) AL CYA: Ron Guidry (Yankees) NL CYA: Gaylord Perry (Padres) AL RoY: Lou Whitaker (Tigers) NL RoY: Bob Horner (Braves) AL Reliever: Rich Gossage (Yankees) NL Reliever: Rollie Fingers (Padres) Top Ten Lists (courtesy of thisgreatgame.com) NL Hitters 1. DAVE PARKER, PITTSBURGH
AL Hitters 1. JIM RICE, BOSTON
NL Pitchers 1. GAYLORD PERRY, SAN DIEGO
AL Pitchers 1. RON GUIDRY, NEW YORK
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1978 Preseason / Spring Training
The big boys flex their muscles and clubs are forced to fork out some hefty sums for guys that, frankly, I don’t believe are worth anything near what they go for (I’m looking at you, Frank Taveras, not that you’ve done anything wrong—power to you, my brother…). Keep an eye on the Rangers this season after they make some interesting moves including the Perry and Hisle acquisitions.
ALL TRANSACTIONS We go 11-7 for Spring Training—see my upcoming Opening Day post for injury news. Tight races anticipated across the board, not least in our division where BNN believes ourselves and the Phillies will finish tied on 91-71 just ahead of the Mets. I’ll take it. FULL PRESEASON PREDICTIONS https://i.imgur.com/gJoLUbV.jpg |
The View from the Gangplank Opening Day, 1978
Without doubt the most frustrating offseason I have yet endured. It began when we were steamrolled in bidding for a key add who shall remain nameless (but whom is known for his strikeout and walk totals being of equally high measure and who features prominently in the FA transactions list just posted) and ended with us losing Bill Madlock for 2 months with a hamstring injury. Between the two we manage to add… wait for it… Ken Brett on a 2-year FA deal. Few players available and those who are being offered on simply ridiculous terms U L Washington for Ron Guidry, yeah right…).
The only lucky break we get is us having picked up Dave Cash on a minors deal the day before Mads goes down and he’ll now be our starting 2B until Mads returns. Look, we’re still in decent shape and should prove competitive once again but we certainly made no headway towards our ’79 title tilt preparations and that frustrates the heck out of me. I feel like I’ve aged a decade in less than six months, which isn't ideal for a man of my vintage. We'll be holding Lance Parrish back for now but the plan is to promote him at the All-Star Break to get him comfortable for next year. no other real changes of note from the lineup we deployed late last year other than Rick Rhoden getting another shot at starting and reliever Doug Bair making his debut in the bigs. |
Cutlass Club / Financials Update 1978
Only really the Tim Foli decision to be made, although Dave Cash needs more thought now as well. We'll wait see what the Draft reveal holds before actioning either. Sangy and Fryman will both walk.
Will need to give 1980 plenty of thought before putting this timeline on its short hiatus as a few big earners are up for discussion that year - Madlock, Gossage, Lacy's team option, Scoop, Kison, Garber. While our bank balance looks healthy at first glance, it won't go far in this salary environment. Still one free CC slot available. |
Stat Check: ERA
Which active pitchers are leading the MLB in career ERA?
All-time leader: Rube Waddell 2.08 |
The New Mendoza Line
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Stat Check: R
So, who is the leader in the MLB in career runs?
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The View from the Gangplank June 1, 1978
The early-season challenges continue as Al Oliver has to sit out the first week with a knee injury but Kong eases the pain with a slam in his second AB of the season. HE can do nothing, however, about the loss of Dave Cash for 5 weeks to a broken collarbone. Kurt Bevacqua, who we have regained through a minors FA deal, comes back into the group.
Why do I get the feeling it’s going to one of those seasons? Almost predictably, Mads’ return is delayed indefinitely. At least we’re hopefully getting all the bad stuff out of the way early in the season (crosses everything…). And yet, in the face of all this, we fly out of the barrier and swing at a smart 15-6 clip for April and finish our first 30 games at 22-8, by which time Dave Cash has been activated. We’ll run him in the soft side of a platoon at 2B with Lee Lacy and come in as a defensive sub when not starting. Not long after this we suffer another setback when Pops goes down with an oblique strain that will see him miss a month as well. Challenges aplenty in the early going although fortune favours us in that this happens the day before Mads return and we slot him straight back in, with Jangles Robinson moving to 1B. It does hurt our performance, however, as the offence comes completely off the boil in the middle of May and we lose 6 of 8. Then we lose Al Oliver again to a knee injury for 6 weeks. It is relentless, an onslaught. Dave Kingman will take over at LF and Wayne Nordhagen is recalled to the squad. Bruce Kison finally loses a game after winning his first 8 decisions as Roger Erickson of the Expos 1-hits us. We finish one of the most hectic and full-on first sectionals I can remember at 28-21 and tied for second in a bunched field (just 3 ˝ games between top and 5th), a fantastic effort by the group all things considered but who knows what the long-term ramifications of all this turmoil might be come the pointy end of the season. https://i.imgur.com/FgzTHNd.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Q9vpisC.jpg A true sign if ever there was one of the logic behind our rotational policy and striving for depth and flexibility in our playing group. https://i.imgur.com/ptxEOh8.jpg Everyone doing their bit, with Bruce Kison - who wins the April pitching award - the pick so far. Bill Almon shining in a backup role and Tim Foli making an excellent case for us keeping him at the club. https://i.imgur.com/ynvfH6o.jpg Still some improvement needed. Gene Garber off to another rough start, let's hope he comes good like he did last year. He is key to our BP's optimal performance and getting us to Goose with a lead intact. A horror start for the Jints, who lose 9 straight en route to a 5-16 April record. The Twins win the same amount in a row and currently have the league’s best record. https://i.imgur.com/NrgsYTb.jpg Monthly Award Winners April American League
National League
May American League
National League
News and Leaders https://i.imgur.com/wzBTqnp.jpg https://i.imgur.com/vVKYOqd.jpg https://i.imgur.com/hTzDCpC.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/rMTV9Ti.jpg Milestones and Observations of Note
S+ HOME REPORTS HOME PIRATES HOME |
1978 MLB All-Star Game
Three in for us this year: Guidry, Kison (his first appearance) and Parker.
American League
National League
Jim Rice wins the Derby from Graig Nettles. Bob Boone takes out the ASG MVP as the AL narrows the running score to 22-23 with a 5-2 win in the main event. |
A Quick Sidebar
I’ve had a bit of a rethink and, a few seasons in with both this and the Bay save running in simultaneous simulation, I see no reason to put this one on ice as I am managing the load AOK.
On further reflection, I’d really like this timeline to have chronological priority seeing as it has its own full history rather than the Bay save, which simply adopted the IRL one from ’68 and I think it preferable to see this one play out in advance of the other. I believe that if I just play out this save in slightly accelerated fashion to the Oakland one then the time differential will stay far enough apart for my fear of repetition to be unfounded, with more than a decade at all times to be the goal. We’ll see how it goes but that’s how I’m feeling right now. That being the case, I best get this Pirates club into shipshape for the 80s as I’ve been selling the farm a bit for the ’79 push! Can't believe we are nearly eight decades through! What a fun ride it has been so far and things only get more interesting from here on in as the powerhouses emerge and we have to try and keep up with them on a fraction of the budget. G |
The Wheeling and the Dealing
Look there's no doubt we are there or thereabouts this season and with all three trade tickets still up my sleeve I pull the following swap with the Giants just to tighten the BP up a bit in anticipation of the stretch run.
https://i.imgur.com/nXsW7af.jpg Frank, who has previously played for us in this timeline and played for the club IRL in 1964, his sole season in the bigs) is purely a rental to replace Fryman at the big club. https://i.imgur.com/oGNDpiw.jpg Eddie, who played for us IRL from 1980-82, will likely end up with us in 1980 when we start our rebuild. Guys like Gossage are unlikely to be able to be retained so we'll need some warm bodies to get us through the transition phase and Eddie looks suitable for that. https://i.imgur.com/6vxGz9f.jpg |
The View from the Gangplank August 1, 1978
The bottom pretty much falls out for us as we start June with some bad losses to the Reds and a total of six in a row that send us tumbling down the standings and put us at an ugly 6-17 since hitting 22-8 in early May.
Seems like the opportune time to ring a change and we promote Lance Parrish. Sangy will head elsewhere at the end of this season but we send Gary Alexander to AAA for now because we have too many low-contact guys in our lineup. We will, however, hand over the everyday reins to Lance and play Sangy predominantly against LHP. We get Pops back at the same time and he comes straight back in. That seems to staunch the bleeding with three straight wins although we look very shaky indeed. Three more at Houston are much more confident and hopefully we are back on track. Quite the ride. A string of 7 straight wins at the end of June return us to top spot in the NL East as the turnaround continues, although it remains very tight indeed, with only the Expos not in the running. We reach the midpoint at 47-34 Scoop, after a shortish rehab stint, rejoins the squad not long after the ASB to put us back at full strength. We come back from the break in terrible nick, scoring just one run in each of three straight home losses to the Gians. These fadeouts have become far too common this year, something I tell the group in no uncertain terms at the end of this series. We get back to our winning ways but Candy picks up a little niggle that we’ll have to watch carefully, although he doesn’t miss a start. Scoop’s return sees us hit a good run of form with six straight wins but then the bats go right back into their shells and a tough West Coast swing that sees us go W-L including another long losing string and also lose Pops for a month to a separated shoulder ends the sectional on a poor note and with us in a virtual tie for first with the Mets. https://i.imgur.com/ObTFUvw.jpg https://i.imgur.com/y7YsMg3.jpg Just a little off where we'd like to be in all facets, but still a good effort on the whole. https://i.imgur.com/NKiz8Yg.jpg Cobra should be well in the MVP mix. Big Wheel Parrish has certainly settled in nicely. We bite the bullet a re-up with Tim Foli on a chunky 3-year deal, while efforts to trade away Dave Cash for a utility IF come to nought. https://i.imgur.com/UJsOaL6.jpg Slight improvements from both Jerry Reuss and Rick Rhoden are nice but we need that to continue. https://i.imgur.com/z2J7klA.jpg Their aggressive offseason sees the Yanks more competitive than they have been of late and they sit nicely-placed entering the stretch at 62-44 and just two behind the O’s. The AL East seems a race between them. The Twins look home, while the Padres' good run continues and has them in the box seat for a maiden playoff campaign. News, Leaders and Top 20s https://i.imgur.com/e4BmvlO.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Qh6FsRr.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Ymt7duR.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/4LDUawo.jpg https://i.imgur.com/xGlBtOm.jpg https://i.imgur.com/1bewbgY.jpg Monthly Award Winners June American League
National League
July American League
National League
Milestones and Observations of Note
https://i.imgur.com/KsYqioW.jpg https://i.imgur.com/X3r41RJ.jpg https://i.imgur.com/LJv7DwH.jpg S+ HOME REPORTS HOME PIRATES HOME |
Stretch Watch: The countdown begins
Mr McCovey has gathered some momentum in his efforts to chase down Mickey Mantle's MLB mark of 621 home runs.
As of August 1, he has hit 10 this season and now sits on 615, needing six to tie and seven to go outright top. From here, we'll count them down as they happen. |
Stretch Watch: #616, #617 and #618!
618 DOWN, 4 TO GO!
https://i.imgur.com/RNsOfZf.jpg #616 in the 4th off Steve Finch v Cleveland https://i.imgur.com/aDFSGfg.jpg #617 in the 8th off Jim McAndrew at Kansas City https://i.imgur.com/WWxnw2n.jpg #618 in the 3rd off Bob Knepper v California |
Stretch Watch: #619 and #620
620 DOWN, 2 TO GO!!
https://i.imgur.com/JedzIYP.jpg #619 in the 5th off Vida Blue v Oakland https://i.imgur.com/n0frL6Y.jpg #620 in the 2nd off Dan Schatzeder v Seattle |
"#619 in the 3rd off Vida Blue v Oakland"
Bringing Texas from one run down into a 0-0 tie. ;) |
Quote:
You'll understand why in a few minutes. |
In a Minor Key
After dominating in the regular season then surviving an almighty scare against Lamesa in the first round, our Links get it done in the end, winning it in 4 from Moline for AAA title number 19.
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The View from the Gangplank: end of regular season, 1978
This one was up there with the best yet, folks.
We begin the final section with an epic 17-inning 6-5 win at Montreal in which the BP gives us 8+ scoreless and are tied with the Cubs for first when they host us for three at Wrigley. They beat us three from three as once again we fail to show our usual level of application and professionalism. It is a real problem with this current group, who simply float in and out of the proper mindset far too regularly. That won’t work, especially against teams as hot as the Cubbies are at this point, running up a 14-game win streak around this series and looking like a team on a mission this year. Granted, all the flux this season hasn’t helped but we need to cut this out. Three more straight losses to the Phils give us our third 6-game run of losses this season and this time it reaches 8 before we get a win against Cincy. That puts us at 6-16 in our last 22 and, if not torpedoing our season entirely, it must has gone very close to, leaving us six adrift of the Cubs with 40 to play. Next on the injury roundabout is Sangy, who goes down for a minimum IL stint with an ab strain, paving the way for Gary Alexander’s return. We are lucky in that the Cubs come back to earth and the field bunches once again in mid-August with just 3 ˝ games separating us in fourth from them, with the Phils and Mets in between us. But we certainly can’t afford any more slip-ups. We’d like some of what our AAA Links have at this point as they win 11 straight and look almost guaranteed of a post-season berth, which they subsequently lock down easily. We neither lose nor make ground on the Cubs over the next 10 and still trail by 4 ˝ with 30 to play. Whatever happens from here Al Oliver can say he did his bit and wins the August batter award for his efforts. In the end, his stretch run is among the best I’ve ever seen. From August 1 to the final game, he hits 395 with 8 HR and 43 RBI. Sadly, however, it looks doomed to be for nothing as a shocking home series against the Braves sees us lose three of four and Pop is incapacitated again, this time for a week or so. But none of the other teams are playing well either and so we somehow remain in the hunt and when we take tow of two from the Mets we are just two back again with 20-odd to play. Every race bar the AL West is at this point, held with just a one-game lead. The final push – which includes six against the Cubs (1st), three against the Mets (2nd) and five against the Phils (3rd) – begins. We immediately put ourselves under the pump, dropping some games as the Cubs win all of theirs but hang in there just and we know that, with all of those games still to play against the Cubs, we still have some sliver of a chance if we just stay close enough. When the first of those fixtures arrive, three at Wrigley, we have strung together 5 straight wins and trail them by just 1 ˝ with 10 to play. The Phils and Mets are just one game behind us. They beat us two from three and that final series between us looms larger than ever. A trip to Montreal before that gets completely under our guard and we lose both to be on the precipice: 2 ˝ back; 6 to play. The Phils now lead by a half-game from the Cubs. A loss the next day and we’re done. there are few pennant races in which you go 3-7 over the closing stages and come out on top. This was not one of them. Entering the final day, the standings are just full-blown chaos: https://i.imgur.com/QL2rDcP.jpg We knock off the Phils 3-2 in the final game, meaning that when the Mets beat the Cubs 3-2 they also lock down the second playoffs appearance in franchise history. The Padres win their final game but have their hearts broken when Cincy does as well to get home by a game. The Yanks and O’s are never more than a couple games apart the entire race and finish within that margin as the New Yorkers win a 4-3 decision against the Tribe on a walkoff 10th-inning RBI double by Cesar Cedeno and the Orange Birds lose 6-1 at Detroit to put the Pinstripers in the postseason for the just the third time since 1950. How, might I ask, have we got through all of that with no need for a tiebreaker? The Twins, no fun at all as usual, take the AL East emphatically, including a run of 13 straight wins in the final swing. Hooley effing dooley. What a run we’ve had these past few seasons. https://i.imgur.com/ZmuVgH7.jpg Disappointed as I am at missing out, the standings rarely lie and they aren't here. We're close but not quite there and changing that will be my entire focus over the break. https://i.imgur.com/XRTRF1T.jpg https://i.imgur.com/cl3mdse.jpg https://i.imgur.com/HsSZtAO.jpg https://i.imgur.com/XhLgU0W.jpg Batting titles to Ron LeFlore, who had an absolute breakout year, and George Foster, who also leads all players with 125 RBI and finishes top 3 across the TC stat cats. Mike Schmidt is easily the King of Clout this season with 44, 9 more than his nearest rival. Willie Wilson knocks off Morris Nettles' single-season steals record of 124 by a single swipe. Dave Goltz's 23 Wins are the most of all, while unheralded David Clyde records the low ERA with 249 and Nolan Ryan wins the K title with 280. Final Top 20s and Leaders https://i.imgur.com/eypCAv3.jpg https://i.imgur.com/BCgX2yu.jpg https://i.imgur.com/X8gpUux.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/LgwrAOM.jpg Monthly Award Winners August American League
National League
September American League
National League
Milestones and Observations of Note
S+ HOME REPORTS HOME PIRATES HOME |
1978 League Championship Series
American League Minnesota Twins (100-62) v New York Yankees (97-65) Which club is better off – the one who gets to cruise or the one who has to fight to their last drop of energy to get through? Clearly, we are about to find out. Despite their different entry paths, only three regular-season wins separate these two and they are in fact very similar squads. More smallball than big, good starting pitching, BPs prone to wobbly spurts. I expect a few 6-5 type scorelines and actually think the Yanks will win this in a close one. Blyleven gives the Twins a gem in Game 1 to open their account, allowing just 2 hits over 8 scoreless in a 1-0 victory, and then come from the clouds to take the next one as well as our old mate Terry Forster does his implosion trick and they score all their runs in the home 9th for a walkoff 4-3 win. The Yanks get on the board with a strong 10-2 win back at their home park as young David Clyde’s dream run continues and they send it back to Minnesota for a decider with a 6-2 win in Game 4. But Bert Blyleven lives up to his big-game reputation and squashes the Yanks as the Twins take out their 9th AL pennant courtesy of a 7-2 win. Ron LeFlore is named series MVP. https://i.imgur.com/TYuCJrK.jpg National League Cincinnati Reds (92-70) v New York Mets (88-74) The Mets are a bit like we are at the moment—while they don’t do anything spectacularly well, nor do they do anything terribly. Cincy definitely has the class advantage here, but they also suffer periods where the bats can go quiet. The longer New York is in this series, the more I like their chances but I’m tipping the Reds in four. The Mets kick things off with a tidy 3-1 win behind Tom Terrific but the Reds tie it at one the next day, running over the top of them for a 6-2 final. On a heady night for New York sports fans, the Mets follow the lead of their “big brother” across in the Bronx and edge ahead again by winning Game 3 with Al Cowens going yard twice in a 6-2 final and suddenly the possibility of a Subway Series is the talk of the town. Larry Volkening holds his nerve with 8 scoreless as the Reds level things up again with a 2-0 win and this one, too, is going the distance. The Mets give it everything they’ve got but in the end the Reds’ class shines through and they take a hard-fought 5-3 win in the decider to book their spot in the World Series and keep their hopes of a second title alive. I can’t remember this happening before. George Foster, who like Ron LeFlore, won the batting title, follows it up with an LCS MVP nod. https://i.imgur.com/6pFirXD.jpg |
1978 World Series Preview
Minnesota Twins v Cincinnati Reds Best-of-seven, Reds with the home-field advantage. MINNESOTA TWINS S+ PAGE HOUSTON ASTROS S+ PAGE Hard to believe it has taken the Twins nearly a decade to get back here after losing out to the Jints in 1969 given how they have been thereabouts nearly every season since, but that is reflective of how competitive this league is at the moment. I don’t see them wasting their opportunity but the Reds are a formidable opponent that matches up well against them and the Twinkies will have to be at their absolute best to prevail here. I don't think they’ll do it, with the Reds in possession of too many weapons, but I do believe it will take all seven to sort this one out and that means anything can happen. |
1978 World Series Recap
Game 1 in Cincinnati Dave Goltz (23-11, 2.96) v Darrell Jackson (14-7, 3.49) The Reds reveal on the eve of the first game that they have re-upped with Joe Morgan thru the 1981 season and look to have the advantage in this opening contest with 23-game winner Dave Goltz taking on rookie Darrell Jackson in Cincy. A tentative start to this series with no score early but the Reds eventually grind the Twins pitchers down and go away with a 4-1 win. Goltz pitches 7 scoreless frames and also puts one into the seats while Jose Ortiz also goes deep for the victors. Jackson acquits himself well but gets no run support to help his cause. Game 2 in Cincinnati Ken Forsch (18-11, 3.41) v Bob Moose (13-8, 4.40) Reds lead series 1-0 A couple of experienced, if well-travelled, pitchers face off in Game 2 and this is one of those games where you just don’t know what will happen. In this case what happens is that the Reds lineup takes the long stick to Moose and pummel him then do the same to the Twins’ BP for a 13-5 walloping. Tony Perez has 6 ribbies from 2 doubles and a 3-run jack and the Twins have got a long way to come back in this one now. That said, they do get the next three at home—let’s see if that gets them headed in the right direction. Game 3 in Minnesota Bert Blyleven (18-12, 3.13) v Mario Soto (18-14, 4.16) Reds lead series 2-0 No excuses in this one for the Twins with their ace on the mound and their home fans in attendance. Still, the general opinion on Soto is that he is a superstar in the making and this would be an opportune moment to make his first move on that road. Which is precisely what he does, allowing just a run on 5 hits over 7 as the Reds bats do just enough against Blyleven to make it three straight with a 4-1 win. Perez has another big game and must have a couple fingers on that MVP medal at this rate. Game 4 in Minnesota Joaquin Andujar (12-6, 3.89) v Larry Volkening (18-7, 3.69) Reds lead series 3-0 Anything even vaguely resembling his NLCS performance will almost certainly keep Volkening in this game for a long while but, on his day, Andujar is a tricky customer. Still, I think the Twins are toast now. They go so close to being eliminated but somehow explode for a crooked number in the 8th to spark this series to life. Volkening must have walked off the mound after his 7 quality innings thinking he’d be the hero, only for veteran John Hiller to give up 7 ER and assume the mantle of the goat, despite Stan Bahnsen’s every effort to wrest it from him. The significance of this one may take a few days to play out but miracle comebacks have been based on less. Game 5 in Minnesota Mark Fidrych (1-0, 2.76) v Frank Tanana (0-2, 4.72) Reds lead series 3-1 Jackson will have taken plenty of heart from his Game 1 performance and, with Blyleven waiting in the wings this series is more evenly poised than it might look. The Reds must do all they can to get it done here and now. What a fantastic game and the Twins dig deep to send this series back to Cincy with an 11-inning 2-1 win. Both starters earn their keep and then some but in the end Roy Smalley’s walkoff RBI single keeps Blyleven’s shot of an unlikely deciding Game 7 alive for now. https://i.imgur.com/sohTWGD.jpg Game 6 in Cincinnati Ken Forsch (2-0, 3.57) v Bob Moose (0-2, 15.26) Reds lead series 3-2 I half suspected the Twins might have started Blyleven on short rest, given how dreadful Moose has been in the playoffs to this point, but they stick with him and save Bert for that dream of one more tomorrow. Sadly, while Moose is much improved, that tomorrow never comes as the Reds finally close it out with a nervy 4-3 win. All of those runs come in the first two frames and from there it is just a battle of wills that the Reds survive to claim title number two. And, just as in the first one, Tony Perez is indeed named the MVP. https://i.imgur.com/v5WdMN8.jpg S+ HOME REPORTS HOME PIRATES HOME |
In a Minor Key - Major AAA Awards, 1978
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1978 Offseason
OUTS & OUTS Randy Jackson from the Brewers is the only MLB pilot to be cut this year. ROSTER MOVES We exercise Gene Garber's 1979 option with everything crossed he gets back to his best after a dismal 1978 campaign. Nobody off to arb for us as we non-tender Frank Bork. Bevacqua, Cash, Fryman and Sangy all walk. We don't renew 1B Coach Lennie Merullo's contract and replace him with Mickey McGuire SIM ACCURACY https://i.imgur.com/EXjLKk7.png https://i.imgur.com/UArpAK2.jpg *Ignore the SB figure, I often bump it up in the LTMs if I feel it's too low. HANGIN' THEM UP Sandy K's long and fruitful career in this timeline finally comes to an end. More on him in a sec. None of the other guys have much hope of a plaque, I'm afraid. Good to see no Stretch on that list, now will he get those two dingers? https://i.imgur.com/N52jHuv.jpg |
Farewell to the Left Arm of God
I've kept you fairly well apprised of Sandy's great run in this timeline and in the end he more than doubles his IRL win total, finishing with 338 - good for 6th all-time. He also stands as the all-time leader in Strikeouts and WAR for Pitchers, along with a couple others. I'll just give you them all - think that's the easiest way.
To honour him we will be changing the award for the best relief pitcher of the year to the Paige-Koufax Plate, effective immediately. No more room for such changes, all are now double-barrelled. |
1978 MLB Awards
AL 1978 HISTORY INDEX
NL 1978 HISTORY INDEX AWARDS HISTORY A first Johnson-Waddell to almost-Pirate Nolan Ryan, with Mark Fidrych repeating in the NL. Unanimous Wagner-Lajoie wins for Ron LeFlore and George Foster, the first for each, with Scott Sanderson and Bob Horner taking out the Mantle-Mays and Monty Montgomery - his second - and Bill Campbell (first) the Paige-Koufax Plates. S+ HOME REPORTS HOME PIRATES HOME |
The Wheeling and the Dealing
Well, we've had a change of tack from our original plans for this offseason - part from necessity but also on a philosophical basis as well.
Full disclosure is that, after the Nolan Ryan fiasco of a year ago, we had Lefty Carlton earmarked as our big add at this point. We felt that the staff was a quality guy or two shy of where we wanted it to be and that Steve would go a long way to redressing that issue. But we entered this offseason with about $2m in spendable funds and all of that would have had to go to him. In fact, his opening offer was at that level and looked almost certain to head higher. So rather than waste our time in fruitless pursuit of a guy we were in reality little chance of getting - and, if we did, it would have left us precariously-poised in a financial context - we simply grabbed our chequebook off the table and walked away. We're not the Yankees or some of these other big-market clubs. Never have been and sure as Sherlock Holmes never will. Even if we were slightly more flush, buying Championships is not the Pirates way. Our way is to put together a sustainably-affordable group of the highest quality that we can assemble. If the latter ever becomes the former, I'll walk away from the club. The fact remains, however, that we are a smidgen off the pace at the moment and need to change that. So since crossing Carlton off the list, we have been busy plugging our holes in other ways, with other players. One of our main weaknesses is a thinness up the middle. While we are full to overflowing with quality at the corners of both our IF and OF, we are desperately in need of some spinal reinforcement. We feel this guy will help a great deal in this regard: Derrel, who will take our third and final CC slot, will operate a roving commission, mainly at 2B and CF, just as Lee Lacy has been doing for the past few seasons. Lee will now move to the everyday 2B role. His D there (and pretty much everywhere, now) is shaky, so DT will come in as a defensive sub for him in close and late situations. Given our dearth of suitable LH relief pitching, we ended up extending Woodie Fryman for one more year before he walked. We have also signed Andy Hassler on a minors deal but he'll almost certainly be with the big club come OD as a reliever. All of our CC spots being taken means we cannot use Steve Trout and so, once the Draft is out of the way, we'll be figuring out the best means to turn him into some player or players we can avail ourselves of. We do also have our FA ticket to be deployed. |
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