1978/79 Rookie Draft & Legacy Players
 

Five Legacies this year, including two of the great OFs from this era.

These are the Legacy Players for the 1979 Season:

Detroit Tigers: Kirk Gibson (38.4; 1177)
Kansas City Royals: Dan Quisenberry (24.6 conceded; 674 G)
Montreal Expos: Tim Raines (69.4; 1452)
Oakland Athletics: Rickey Henderson (111.2; 1704)
Toronto Blue Jays: Dave Stieb (56.4; 412 GS)

There are 124 rookies for this season, and the Draft will consist of 4 rounds.

The Draft order will be as follows (winning percentage from 1979 IRL season in brackets; bold indicates Legacy Pick in 1st Round):

Round 1

1. Oakland Athletics (426; dice roll)
2. Montreal Expos (469)
3. Toronto Blue Jays (366)
4. Detroit Tigers (531)
5. Kansas City Royals (568)
6. Seattle Mariners (350)
7. New York Mets (407)
8. Atlanta Braves (426; dice roll)
9. St. Louis Cardinals (426; dice roll)
10. Cleveland Indians (434)
11. Chicago White Sox (441)
12. Minnesota Twins (451)
13. Houston Astros (457)
14. Chicago Cubs (488)
15. San Diego Padres (519)
16. California Angels (537; dice roll)
17. Texas Rangers (537; dice roll)
18. Pittsburgh Pirates (547)
19. San Francisco Giants (549)
20. Philadelphia Phillies (556)
21. Baltimore Orioles (559)
22. Cincinnati Reds (571)
23. Milwaukee Brewers (574)
24. Los Angeles Dodgers (586)
25. Boston Red Sox (607)
26. New York Yankees (613)


Rounds 2 thru 4

1. Seattle Mariners (350)
2. Toronto Blue Jays (366)
3. New York Mets (407)
4. Atlanta Braves (426; dice roll)
5. Oakland Athletics (426; dice roll)
6. St. Louis Cardinals (426; dice roll)
7. Cleveland Indians (434)
8. Chicago White Sox (441)
9. Minnesota Twins (451)
10. Houston Astros (457)
11. Montreal Expos (469)
12. Chicago Cubs (488)
13. San Diego Padres (519)
14. Detroit Tigers (531)
15. California Angels (537; dice roll)
16. Texas Rangers (537; dice roll)
17. Pittsburgh Pirates (547)
18. San Francisco Giants (549)
19. Philadelphia Phillies (556)
20. Baltimore Orioles (559)
21. Kansas City Royals (568)
22. Cincinnati Reds (571)
23. Milwaukee Brewers (574)
24. Los Angeles Dodgers (586)
25. Boston Red Sox (607)
26. New York Yankees (613)



Eligible PIT players: 2 position players + 3 pitchers = 5.


Absolutely no chance of us moving the needle for 1979 here, with just 5 eligible players on offer and the only one of those who we could potentially have used a guarateed top-10 pick, which is well in advance of our entry into proceedings. So we’ll do our usual trick of either grabbling the best eligible guys we can or otherwise those we feel will have the best flipping cachet in a year’s time.

We select the following players:

1. C Brian Harper, 19

• A nice pickup, all things considered, but definitely one for the longer-term rather than the here and now.

2. P Jerry Don Gleaton, 21

• Possibly would still have been available in a round’s time but with few other worthy candidates by this stage we opted not to risk it. More a warm body type than anything else.

3. 2B Danny Ainge, 19 (ineligible)
4. OF Tom Wiedenbauer, 20 (ineligible)

• AAA depth.

The squad pickup basketball games should at least be a bit more interesting now…

Not the utter waste of time we expected it to be.

FULL DRAFT LOG


https://i.imgur.com/729noXH.jpg

Call from the Hall
 

Well the circle is complete: Mickey and Willie came in together, left together and are now immortalised together, along with Killer Killebrew - that's 1 (for now, at least), 7 and 11 on the "pop" chart, with 1698 career homers between them! Willie gets some bragging rights with the highest return of ballots of the three.


https://i.imgur.com/0cYNbwA.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/BV3POzd.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Htea6pw.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/bTkqOG8.jpg

The Wheeling and the Dealing
 

We use two of our 1979 trade tickets early in the piece in a way that gets us some of the players we need now but also stuffs some cash into the coffers by offloading some guys we don't need.

First off, we head back across the northern border for a raid:

https://i.imgur.com/kckqzZv.jpg


Ed - who played for us IRL from 1977-79 and is on the min with two arb years after that - will slot into the middle of our rotation somewhere and allows us to push Jerry Reuss into the BP. There just aren't many eligible LHRP in the league and even fewer that we want, so we're going to try it this way.

https://i.imgur.com/XFpg7VV.jpg


Then we head to Boston for this deal:

https://i.imgur.com/Dpwe9h4.jpg


UL (IRL 1986-87, on the min with full arb program to follow that) reverts to being just a SS pretty soon so his tenure with us might be a short one but for '79 he improves our IF depth immensely.

https://i.imgur.com/j4qjnfO.jpg


That pretty much cleans the decks personnel-wise and leaves us with just one trade ticket and our FA buy-in. But I now feel we have as many contingencies covered as one can reasonably expect to.

I had to laugh because now with that $700k cash injection we could have afforded Carlton, who has since signed with the Cubs on a 5-year deal that tops out at 2m. Doesn't change what I said earlier, but still made me giggle uncomfortably.

1979 The First Time Around
 

Well if you don’t know how 1979 played out by now then you haven’t really been paying attention, I’d say. Three words, sing along if you know them: We. Are. Fa-mi-ly.


AL EAST / WEST CHAMPIONS: Baltimore Orioles (102-57) / California Angels (88-74)
NL EAST / WEST CHAMPIONS: Pittsburgh Pirates (98-64) / Cincinnati Reds (90-71)
ALCS: Orioles 3, Angels 1
NLCS: Pirates 3, Reds 0
WORLD SERIES: Pirates 4, Orioles 3

Pittsburgh Pirates: 98-64, 1st in NL East, WORLD CHAMPIONS

AL MVP: Don Baylor (Angels)
NL MVP: Willie Stargell (Pirates) / Keith Hernandez (Cardinals) tied

AL CYA: Mike Flanagan (Orioles)
NL CYA: Bruce Sutter (Cubs)

AL RoY: John Castino (Twins) / Alfredo Griffin (Blue Jays) tied
NL RoY: Rick Sutcliffe (Dodgers)


Top Ten Lists (courtesy of thisgreatgame.com)

NL Hitters

1. KEITH HERNANDEZ, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: .344 average, 116 runs, 210 hits, 48 doubles, 11 triples, 11 home runs, 105 RBIs, 80 walks, 11 stolen bases.
• Hernandez was that “other guy” who the shared the NL MVP with Willie Stargell—not for his inspiration but, instead, for outright performance.

2. DAVE WINFIELD, SAN DIEGO

• Key Numbers: .308 average, 97 runs, 184 hits, 27 doubles, 10 triples, 34 home runs, 118 RBIs, 85 walks, 24 intentional walks, 15 stolen bases.
• Trusting the calculations of Winfield’s complete All-Star effort on the WAR (wins above replacement) front, the Padres would have had the NL’s worst record (60-101) if they had played the replacement all year.

3. MIKE SCHMIDT, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: .253 average, 109 runs, 25 doubles, 45 home runs, 114 RBIs, 120 walks, 9 sacrifice flies.
• After a most disappointing (21 home runs, 78 RBIs) 1978 campaign, Schmidt quickly ascended toward his career peak period by doubling his HR count; 29 of them came away from Veterans Stadium.

4. DAVE PARKER, PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: .310 average, 109 runs, 193 hits, 45 doubles, 7 triples, 25 home runs, 94 RBIs, 20 stolen bases, 9 sacrifice flies.
• Another strong year for the reigning NL MVP, but the pressure of a lucrative new contract and intensifying friction with Pirates fans began to take its toll on a man who once told Sports Illustrated: “There’s only thing bigger than me, and that’s my ego.”

5. DAVE KINGMAN, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: .288 average, 97 runs, 19 doubles, 5 triples, 48 home runs, 115 RBIs, 131 strikeouts, .613 slugging percentage.
• The all-or-nothing slugger not only set a career high in home runs, but actually did it with a respectable batting average. Three of his blasts—including a monster 550-foot shot that landed in the porch of the third house away from Wrigley Field—came on a single day in a 23-22 loss to the Phillies.

6. DAVEY LOPES, LOS ANGELES

• Key Numbers: .265 average, 109 runs, 20 doubles, 6 triples, 28 home runs, 73 RBIs, 97 walks, 44 stolen bases, 4 caught stealing.
• Lopes powered up in the leadoff spot with a career-high spike in home runs, while continuing to be the toughest guy to catch stealing.

7. GARY MATTHEWS, ATLANTA

• Key Numbers: 162 games, .304 average, 97 runs, 192 hits, 34 doubles, 5 triples, 27 home runs, 90 RBIs, 18 stolen bases.
• In his third year with the Braves, Matthews finally had the kind of year Atlanta owner Ted Turner had in mind when he did all he could—including illegal tampering, leading to a year-long suspension—to secure him to a big contract.

8. GEORGE FOSTER, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: 121 games, .302 average, 30 home runs, 98 RBIs.
• Though some look at the back of the baseball card and see continued dwindling production from Foster, the fact is he would have roughly matched his 1978 totals (40 home runs, 120 RBIs) had he not missed some 35-40 games due to injury.

9. PETE ROSE, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: 163 games, .331 average, 90 runs, 208 hits, 40 doubles, 5 triples, 4 home runs, 59 RBIs, 95 walks, 20 stolen bases, .418 on-base percentage.
• After 16 years in Cincinnati, a change of scenery did not affect Rose in his first campaign at Philadelphia; in some ways, it actually enlivened him—stealing a career-high 20 bases at age 38.

10. LEE MAZZILLI, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: .303 average, 78 runs, 181 hits, 34 doubles, 15 home runs, 79 RBIs, 93 walks, 34 stolen bases.
• The Brooklyn native attracted male Mets fans for his hitting—and female ones for his good looks.

AL Hitters

1. FRED LYNN, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: 147 games, .333 average, 116 runs, 177 hits, 42 doubles, 39 home runs, 122 RBIs, 82 walks, .423 on-base percentage, .637 slugging percentage.
• Four years after his memorable breakout 1975 season followed by three years of statistical ennui, Lynn easily had his most prodigious set of numbers—and became the first AL batting champ to represent the Eastern Division since the league split geographically in 1969. His 28 home runs at Fenway Park alone was a record for a left-handed batter.

2. JIM RICE, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: .325 average, 117 runs, 201 hits, 39 doubles, 6 triples, 39 home runs, 130 RBIs.
• In a superb follow-up to his monster 1978 MVP feat, Rice all but matched Lynn in almost every key offensive category—even in the home splits, as he too hit the majority of his home runs at Fenway (27, to go with a .369 average).

3. DON BAYLOR, CALIFORNIA

• Key Numbers: 162 games, .296 average, 120 runs, 186 hits, 33 doubles, 36 home runs, 139 RBIs, 11 hit-by-pitches, 22 stolen bases.
• It was all about the runs for Baylor, who led the AL in both runs and RBIs and never knocked in more than 100 in any of 18 other seasons; fittingly, he had the most ribbies in a single game, with eight against Toronto on August 25.

4. GEORGE BRETT, KANSAS CITY

• Key Numbers: .329 average, 119 runs, 212 hits, 42 doubles, 20 triples, 23 home runs, 107 RBIs, 17 stolen bases.
• Brett became the first player to go 20-20-20 (doubles-triples-home runs) since 1957; it therefore only made sense that he hit for his first career cycle.

5. SIXTO LEZCANO, MILWAUKEE

• Key Numbers: 138 games, .321 average, 84 runs, 29 doubles, 28 home runs, 101 RBIs, 77 walks.
• One of three players with 100-plus RBIs in a rapidly potent Brewers lineup, the 25-year-old Puerto Rico native justified his rare upgrade from part-time duty with a helluva year; he hit .411 against lefties.

6. DARRELL PORTER, KANSAS CITY

• Key Numbers: .291 average, 101 runs, 23 doubles, 10 triples, 20 home runs, 112 RBIs, 121 walks, 13 sacrifice flies.
• Porter became the first AL catcher with 10 triples since 1935, and for the only time in his career surpassed 100 in RBIs, runs and walks.

7. KEN SINGLETON, BALTIMORE

• Key Numbers: .295 average, 93 runs, 29 doubles, 35 home runs, 111 RBIs, 109 walks, 16 intentional walks.
• The underrated Singleton got attention from MVP voters by finishing a distant second behind Don Baylor in the final count.

8. STEVE KEMP, DETROIT

• Key Numbers: 134 games, .318 average, 88 runs, 26 doubles, 26 home runs, 105 RBIs.
• After a couple noteworthy seasons to begin his career, Kemp hit peak form and especially lived for daytime baseball—hitting .420 in 38 midday games.

9. CECIL COOPER, MILWAUKEE

• Key Numbers: .308 average, 83 runs, 182 hits, 44 doubles, 24 home runs, 106 RBIs, 15 stolen bases.
• After early-career frustration in Boston, Cooper continued to enjoy life in Milwaukee—hitting over .300 for a third straight year for the Brewers—and better yet, began to ramp up his power production.

10. GORMAN THOMAS, MILWAUKEE

• Key Numbers: .244 average, 97 runs, 29 doubles, 45 home runs, 123 RBIs, 98 walks, 175 strikeouts.
• While Cubs fans embraced Dave Kingman, Brewers fans just 90 miles up the road in Milwaukee were enjoying the similar exploits of the brawny, mustached Thomas.

NL Pitchers

1. J.R. RICHARD, HOUSTON

• Key Numbers: 2.71 ERA, 18 wins, 13 losses, 38 starts, 292.1 innings, 98 walks, 313 strikeouts, 19 wild pitches, 28 stolen bases allowed.
• With 313 strikeouts, Richard broke his own NL record among right-handers of a year earlier; by not allowing a run over his last 25.1 innings, he captured the first ERA title ever earned by an Astro.

2. JOE NIEKRO, HOUSTON

• Key Numbers: 3.00 ERA, 21 wins, 11 losses, 38 starts, 5 shutouts, 264 innings, 107 walks, 19 wild pitches, 31 stolen bases allowed, 27 grounded into double plays.
• Niekro was happy to tie his brother, Phil Niekro, in victories—and even happier not to tie him in defeats.

3. KEN FORSCH, HOUSTON

• Key Numbers: 3.04 ERA, 11 wins, 6 losses, 24 starts, 177.2 innings, 35 walks.
• Forsch’s season got off to a great start by throwing a no-hitter in his first appearance—joining brother Bob, who threw a no-no in his second start of 1978.

4. TOM SEAVER, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: 3.14 ERA, 16 wins, 6 losses, .727 win percentage, 32 starts, 5 shutouts, 215 innings, 27 stolen bases allowed.
• Back issues doomed Seaver with a rough start, but he recovered to star form—going 14-1 with a 2.42 ERA from June 9 to the end of the year.

5. KENT TEKULVE, PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: 2.75 ERA, 10 wins, 8 losses, 31 saves, 94 appearances, 134.1 innings, 20 intentional walks.
• One of the oddest-looking characters who’d ever see on the field, the lanky, thin submariner with tinted glasses that looked to have been purchased off a rotating grocery store display emerged as a top closer, saving 31 games for a second straight season.

6. BURT HOOTON, LOS ANGELES

• Key Numbers: 2.97 ERA, 11 wins, 10 losses, 29 starts, 212 innings.
• Wins were hard to come by for the Dodgers’ best pitcher on the year; nine of the 19 games he didn’t get a win in were decided by a single run.

7. TOM HUME, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: 2.76 ERA, 10 wins, 9 losses, 17 saves, 57 appearances, 12 starts, 163 innings, 33 walks.
• The home-grown Red was a then-rare case of a starter being converted to relief, and for the better; once permanently moved into the closer role in late August, he saved 15 games, won four others, sported a nifty 1.45 ERA—and was key to the Reds going 37-22 down the stretch to win the NL West.

8. GAYLORD PERRY, SAN DIEGO

• Key Numbers: 3.06 ERA, 12 wins, 11 losses, 32 starts, 232.2 innings.
• Likely emboldened by his pedigree and age (40), Perry was not only afraid to criticize Padres players and coaches, but also to bolt the team in early September as he demanded a trade back to Texas—which he eventually got.

9. PHIL NIEKRO, ATLANTA

• Key Numbers: 3.39 ERA, 21 wins, 20 losses, 44 starts, 23 complete games, 342 innings, 113 walks, 18 wild pitches, 11 hit-by-pitches, 40 stolen bases allowed, 25 grounded into double plays.
• Niekro became the first major leaguer to lead his league in both wins and losses in the same year.

10. BRUCE SUTTER, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 2.22 ERA, 6 wins, 6 losses, 37 saves, 10 blown saves, 62 appearances, 101.1 innings.
• Sutter became the third full-time NL reliever (after Jim Konstanty and Mike Marshall) to win Cy Young Award honors, and barely—finishing just ahead of Joe Niekro.

AL Pitchers

1. TOMMY JOHN, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 2.96 ERA, 21 wins, 9 losses, .700 win percentage, 36 starts, 276.1 innings, 11 wild pitches, 45 grounded into double plays.
• Goodbye L.A., hello New York: John took his amazing post-Tommy John surgery act to the Big Apple and only got better.

2. JIM KERN, TEXAS

• Key Numbers: 1.57 ERA, 13 wins, 5 losses, .722 win percentage, 29 saves, 9 blown saves, 71 appearances, 143 innings.
• A year it all came together for the tall, scruffy and often wacky Kern, who definitely earned the nickname “Emu”; he would leverage the brand to a post-baseball life running an outdoorsman adventure company called the Emu Outfitting Company.

3. MIKE FLANAGAN, BALTIMORE

• Key Numbers: 3.08 ERA, 23 wins, 9 losses, .719 win percentage, 38 starts, 5 shutouts, 265.2 innings, 29 grounded into double plays.
• Flanagan became the latest in a string of Orioles hurlers who rose to flash-in-the-pan prominence amid a career of average results (see also Wayne Garland, Rudy May and Steve Stone); he was a near-unanimous choice for the AL Cy Young.

4. RON GUIDRY, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 2.78 ERA, 18 wins, 8 losses, .692 win percentage, 2 saves, 33 appearances, 30 starts, 236.1 innings, 24 grounded into double plays.
• Though his ERA rose by nearly a run over his brilliant 1978 figure, it was still enough to earn a second straight title in the category.

5. JERRY KOOSMAN, MINNESOTA

• Key Numbers: 3.38 ERA, 20 wins, 13 losses, 36 starts, 263.2 innings, 16 caught stealing/picked off, 29 grounded into double plays.
• After going 11-35 despite a fair 3.60 ERA with the derelict Mets over the previous two years, Koosman found both refuge and support in Minnesota.

6. MIKE CALDWELL, MILWAUKEE

• Key Numbers: 3.29 ERA, 16 wins, 6 losses, .727 win percentage, 31 starts, 235 innings, 39 walks, 26 grounded into double plays.
• A subdued yet still effective follow-up to his prodigious comeback of 1978, Caldwell ran his record up to 38-15 over two seasons—after going just 13-28 through the three years before that.

7. GEOFF ZAHN, MINNESOTA

• Key Numbers: 3.57 ERA, 13 wins, 7 losses, 24 starts, 169 innings, 41 walks, 26 grounded into double plays.
• The 33-year-old southpaw dealt with shoulder issues but managed to maintain a steady level of quality pitching throughout the season, as opponents had a hard time trying to make solid contact off of him.

8. MIKE MARSHALL, MINNESOTA

• Key Numbers: 2.66 ERA, 10 wins, 15 losses, 32 saves, 10 blown saves, 90 appearances, 1 start, 142.2 innings, 21 grounded into double plays.
• Marshall finally re-approached the heights of his tireless (106 appearances) 1974 campaign, and his eight wins by the end of May had people wondering if he’d be the first full-time reliever to win 20; alas, he only grabbed two more victories the rest of the year, and then did a quick fade—exacerbated, he claims, by being blackballed for his role as a player rep and confrontational thorn in management’s side.

9. JIM PALMER, BALTIMORE

• Key Numbers: 3.30 ERA, 10 wins, 6 losses, 22 starts, 156.2 innings.
• The 33-year-old Orioles ace threw well despite numerous sore spots in his back, arm, elbow—and feelings, as some theorized that he was playing up the pains to forge a better contract.

10. AURELIO LOPEZ, DETROIT

• Key Numbers: 2.41 ERA, 10 wins, 5 losses, 21 saves, 61 appearances, 127 innings.
• After failing to make a go of it in Kansas City and St. Louis, the 20-year old from Mexico found his calling in Detroit, saving 21 games for the first of two straight years while becoming a mainstay in Tigers bullpen through 1985.

1979 Preseason / Spring Training
 

There seems to be a huge influx of money into the league these past couple seasons, even more than is needed to keep up with escalating player salaries. The Yanks have a payroll of $11m but still have almost as much room as our entire budget, which at $8.8m remains the league's lowest. No surprises then that is the pointy end of town that again features prominently in the offseason trade log.

• P Steve Carlton: Cubs, 5 years / $9700000
• OF Fred Lynn: Yankees, 4 years / $7440000
• OF Sixto Lezcano: Phillies, 5 years / $6504000 (extension)
• OF Larry Hisle: Orioles, 5 years / $6500000
• OF Ron LeFlore: Twins, 4 years / $4870000 (extension)
• 3B Roy Howell: Indians, 3 years / $4060000
• 3B Graig Nettles: Tigers, 4 years / $3620000
• OF Jeff Burroughs: White Sox, 3 years / $2840000
• 1B Enos Cabell: White Sox, 4 years / $2792000 (extension)
• P Pete Vuckovich: White Sox, 5 years / $2650000 (extension)
• C John Stearns: Twins, 3 years / $2630000 (extension)
• P John Montefusco: Brewers, 3 years / $2560000
• 1B Dan Driessen: Expos, 2 years / $2460000
• OF Richie Zisk: Cardinals, 3 years / $2080000
• 1B John Mayberry: Padres, 2 years / $1880000
• OF Bobby Murcer: Brewers, 2 years / $1780000
• 1B Willie McCovey: Brewers, 1 year / $720000 (more on which later…)

• OF Miguel Dilone and SS Rance Mulliniks from Cubs to Mariners for P Jim Willoughby and OF Jeffrey Leonard
• OF Ken Landreaux from Phillies to Tigers for OF Don Baylor
• P Scott McGregor and 1B Davey Johnson from Yankees to Astros for P Mark Fidrych and P Ken Kravec
• 3B Wayne Gross and OF Jerry Turner from Giants to White Sox for P Burt Hooton
• 3B Sal Bando and OF Clint Hurdle from White Sox to Padres for OF Gary Matthews
• P Rollie Fingers from A’s to Astros for 1B Chris Chambliss (retaining 60%)
• OF Bill North from Brewers to Reds for 2B Domingo Ramos
• 3B Buddy Bell from Cardinals to Astros for 2B Ron Oester and SS Jim Anderson
• 3B Don Money and P Dave Stewart from Astros to Angels for C Ron Hassey

ALL TRANSACTIONS

We go 10-8 for Spring Training with just a virus for Lee Lacy and he’ll be fine for OD.

The evenness will continue if BNN is to be believed, with two super tight and two fairly tight races on the cards. They are tipping us to finish on top, 7 clear of the Expos (!?) with a 93-69 record, with the other division going to the Tigers, White Sox and Padres.

Stretch McCovey fractures his ankle in ST and won't make his first appearance for the year until August at the earliest. Talk about ratcheting up the drama!


FULL PRESEASON PREDICTIONS


https://i.imgur.com/HYlerx9.jpg

The View from the Gangplank Opening Day, 1979
 

I’ll readily admit that to put so much focus and heightened expectations on this season is completely out of character for me. When I began this save I was merely hoping to outdo the IRL club by a factor of two, which would have been 10 titles.

We enter this season with 27 to our name.

I’ll also admit that taking this course of action could be viewed as hubristic in the extreme. This I refute, although I gladly cede the point. It is more about keeping things interesting for myself and for those following along. As any of you who have attempted one of these long saves will know, they are HARD WORK. A real slog. Exercise such as this keep things fresh for all concerned. At least they do for me.

So you have already seen the moves we’ve made. Now for how all the pieces are supposed to fit together.

Hmmm...
 

No pressure, then... :rolleyes:

Cutlass Club / Financials Update 1979
 

At this stage - and I'll be the first to admit I've not really given this much thought yet - Woodie Fryman, Ken Brett and Dave Roberts will not be returning unless it's on an extremely friendly deal.

We have a $550k / $60k buyout option for Bill Robinson for '80 and will see where we're at before deciding whether to exercise or void it.

Bill Madlock is on $1m in this his walk year and so I doubt we'll be forking out that kind of money to keep him. That might save Jangles Robinson.

Goose Gossage will also most likely be too rich for our blood from here on in.

I'd suggest we will exercise Lee Lacy's 1980 option for $370k as that is super cheap.

Scoop Oliver will be retained if at all possible.

I doubt Derrel Thomas will be retained, although we all know what a sucker I am for a multi-positional player. Him being a ringer does him no favours, plus he's already on $500k+ if you ignore the retention.

Andy Hassler and Bruce Kison will be price-dependent, as will Gene Garber.

Not much insight there because we are really going to play it as it lies come the end of this season and the plan is for a rebuild to follow this year. Still plenty of good guys in the group on long-term deals and we'll be looking to work around them moving forward.

Stat Check: W
 

Which active pitchers are leading the MLB in career wins?

• Jim Kaat, -, 250
• Gaylord Perry, CIN, 249
• Steve Carlton, CHC, 216
• Phil Niekro, CWS, 216
• Fergie Jenkins, CAL, 211

Now with Sandy K gone, will any of these guys be the next to 300?

A Gullet Feeling
 

This is Don's first no-no in this timeline, one more than he threw IRL.

The View from the Gangplank June 1, 1979
 

A bit of a nervy start as Ed Whitson opens his Pittsburgh career with a pair of shockers. The hook this year is about the length of a baseball bat so he’s under close scrutiny already. That bottom half of our rotation is clearly the biggest vulnerability we have and I won’t hesitate to mix things up early either within the many options we have in the group or even use that final trade ticket if needed. Even though I have promised myself not to start micromanaging at this late juncture, I will not have died wondering over the course of this season—that I can promise you. To Ed’s credit, he bounces back and wins his next three starts handily.

Cobra, Henny, Big Wheel Parrish and Pops, on the other hand, fly out of the blocks and our offence begins strongly on the back of their performances. Pops in particular is red-hot early, with 9 HR in the first 14 games! George, Dave and he in fact win the first three weekly player awards and Pops goes on to take out the April monthly batter prize as well.

It is, overall, a very up-and-down April and we finish it having split our 20 games right down the middle. At this point just two games separate top from bottom in our division and we are smack bang in the middle of the diddle.

We just seems to be gathering momentum when we lose Scoop for three weeks to a concussion and in the same game Gary Alexander picks up a niggle but it looks like he’ll be able to play through it. Nice to have Kong Kingman in the wings to take over at LF while Al recuperates.

The boys just look downright flat, there’s no two ways about it, and are lucky to escape a home sweep by the Reds with Willie getting us a walkoff 4-3 win in the final game with a 12th-inning single. We are getting next to nothing from our bench guys and that’s not helping one bit. No room for passengers on this bus.

We string together some scratchy wins – four on the trot by one run, to be precise – and once again our divisional rivals go easy on us with none of them making a move so that we remain at or near the top of the standings throughout.

A terrible series in New York sees us lose all four games – three late – to continue our messy first section, which ends with us at 24-24, two off the pace and looking anything but a serious contender.


https://i.imgur.com/WwODnvU.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/NN69Txf.jpg

Everything just a couple notches under where it should be. That BB / OBP metric is a real concern and goes a long way to explaining why we sit 8th in runs scored.


https://i.imgur.com/gnTDDDA.jpg

As mentioned earlier, the big boys are all doing their bit and then some but we have too many hop-ons for us to gather speed.


https://i.imgur.com/0J1Y9VY.jpg

No doubt we've been unlucky to a certain degree but that also shows a lack of bearing down when necessary.


We start planning for beyond this season by retaining Scoop Oliver on a 3+1/6000 deal. Big money but I feel we can remain coimpetitive through the transition phase and he’ll hopefully be a big part of that. We are so fortunate to have so many key guys locked down long-term on bargain rates – Guidry, for example thru ’84 and never for more than $500k – that we can afford some largesse in this regard, especially with in excess of $2m in payroll falling off the books at season-end.
Goose Gossage – who is looking for c850k per – won’t be hanging around, so we extend Kent Tekulve on a 1/180 deal and he’ll be the Closer next season, or at least that’s the plan at the moment. We also reload with Ed Whitson for a year @ $230k but Andy Hassler wants nearly a half-million and Bruce Kison 4/4000 so neither of them will be at our club in 1980 unless something changes dramatically. The latter could well be a trade piece, given the larder is fairly bare in this regard.


https://i.imgur.com/M9OD8Ez.jpg

The Twins are looking strong, while the Yanks are in the mix again. Our division is dangerously close, upping the potential for randomness come the pointy end.


Monthly Award Winners

April

American League

• Batter – Bruce Bochte (Tigers): 392 / 3 HR / 17 RBI
• Pitcher – Scott Sanderson (Indians): 6-0 / 1.75 / 29 K / 46.1 IP
• Rookie – John Fulgham (Blue Jays): 1-0 / 1.98 / 4 SV / 4 K / 13.2 IP

National League

• Batter – Willie Stargell (Pirates): 319 / 11 HR / 16 RBI
• Pitcher – Joe Niekro (Astros): 4-0 / 2.25 / 15 K / 40 IP
• Rookie – Frank Pastore (Braves): 3-1 / 2.48 / 17 K / 36.1 IP

May

American League

• Batter – Ken Singleton (Orioles): 392 / 6 HR / 20 RBI
• Pitcher – Bart Johnson (Mariners): 5-0 / 1.90 / 19 K / 42.2 IP
• Rookie – Bill Caudill (Yankees): 4-2 / 1.64 / 7 SV / 12 K / 22 IP

National League

• Batter – John Mayberry (Padres): 330 / 6 HR / 19 RBI
• Pitcher – Mike Marshall (Padres): 4-1 / 2.35 / 5 SV / 6 K / 15.1 IP
• Rookie – Pedro Guerrero (Dodgers): 347 / 7 HR / 23 RBI

News and Leaders

https://i.imgur.com/ojMcVNo.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/7Ch19RZ.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/rqgEAWr.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/RqsLLGh.jpg


Milestones and Observations of Note

• 250 Wins: Gaylord Perry
• 200 Wins: Luis Tiant
• The O’s will be without Jim Plamer thru mid-June thanks to a herniated disc in his back, while Brewers Catcher Jose Morales gets knocked out for the season by an elbow break.
• We certainly seem to have dodged a bullet letting Terry Forster walk. On top of his major implosion in last year’s playoffs, he will now miss the rest of this season due to shoulder inflammation. That’s $210k well not spent, in my books.

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The Wheeling and the Dealing
 

Sometimes ya gotta risk it to get the biscuit. Fair to say this trade adheres to that philosophy.

https://i.imgur.com/qNpZSNt.jpg


Look, I'm not really all that sure we're risking that much. Garner, who played for us IRL 1977-81, is a gamer who slightly upgrades us defensively at 3B (while even better at 2B, where he'll almost certainly play from 1980 onward) and isn't too steep a downgrade from Mads with the bat, while Langford (PIT IRL 1976) for Kison is as close to a straight swap as you can get. If Moose or Brye had seen action at the big club this year then I suggest that means our season was already in the toilet and Burns is an ineligible.

What it does do, however, is improve us beyond 1979, with Scrap Iron under contract thru '81 and Langford thru '82, whereas both Madlock and Kison were set to walk.


https://i.imgur.com/OZg0uG4.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ai1ZpRy.jpg


I guess we'll have to see if I've traded away our chances for this year to get us that better mid-term positioning. Therein lieth the hopefully biscuit-procuring risk. One big factor in deciding this will be Rick Rhoden, who we'll now promote up to SP3. He has looked better in the second half of last year and so far in this, we need his improvement to hold or, preferably, continue. He's a Legacy so he ain't going nowhere.

1979 MLB All-Star Game
 

Four in for us this year.

American League

• SP Danny Coombs (KC) - 8-3, 2.81 ERA, 121.2 IP, 1.23 WHIP, 5.0 K/9, 2.5 WAR
• SP Ken Forsch (MIN) - 10-2, 2.61 ERA, 151.2 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 3.0 K/9, 3.1 WAR
• SP Gary Nolan (MIN) - 11-5, 3.46 ERA, 148.1 IP, 1.15 WHIP, 4.8 K/9, 2.9 WAR
• SP Nolan Ryan (NYY) - 10-6, 3.59 ERA, 173.0 IP, 1.47 WHIP, 6.6 K/9, 2.2 WAR
• SP Scott Sanderson (CLE)* - 11-5, 3.21 ERA, 162.2 IP, 1.24 WHIP, 5.5 K/9, 3.2 WAR
• SP Frank Tanana (DET) - 10-4, 3.29 ERA, 150.2 IP, 1.26 WHIP, 4.7 K/9, 2.6 WAR
• CL Bill Campbell (TEX) - 7-2, 13 SV, 2.58 ERA, 59.1 IP, 1.50 WHIP, 3.6 K/9, 1.3 WAR
• CL Barry Cort (OAK) - 3-5, 22 SV, 3.23 ERA, 61.1 IP, 1.43 WHIP, 4.5 K/9, 1.4 WAR
• CL Charlie Leibrandt (MIN) - 5-7, 3.62 ERA, 102.0 IP, 1.29 WHIP, 3.7 K/9, 1.4 WAR
• CL Monty Montgomery (BOS)* - 0-2, 16 SV, 1.31 ERA, 34.1 IP, 1.19 WHIP, 3.7 K/9, 1.2 WAR
• C Brian Downing (CAL) - .313/.418/.433, 233 AB, 5 HR, 2 SB, 143 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
• C Darrell Porter (DET)* - .293/.415/.478, 232 AB, 11 HR, 2 SB, 147 wRC+, 2.1 WAR
• 1B Willie Aikens (CWS)* - .349/.421/.620, 321 AB, 19 HR, 185 wRC+, 4.2 WAR
• 1B Rod Carew (MIN) - .369/.420/.481, 314 AB, 3 HR, 20 SB, 147 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
• 1B Eddie Murray (BAL)* - .345/.420/.580, 333 AB, 17 HR, 8 SB, 175 wRC+, 4.3 WAR
• 1B Pete Rose (BOS) - .348/.415/.446, 345 AB, 1 HR, 6 SB, 144 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
• 2B Bobby Grich (CAL)* - .300/.423/.529, 280 AB, 15 HR, 1 SB, 165 wRC+, 5.1 WAR
• 3B George Brett (KC)* - .332/.391/.556, 313 AB, 8 HR, 13 SB, 157 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
• 3B Larry Parrish (BAL) - .319/.364/.526, 329 AB, 14 HR, 1 SB, 150 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
• SS Roy Smalley (MIN)* - .284/.354/.435, 310 AB, 12 HR, 3 SB, 123 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
• LF Steve Kemp (MIN) - .307/.419/.480, 296 AB, 11 HR, 2 SB, 144 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
• LF Jim Rice (BOS)* - .315/.375/.528, 305 AB, 14 HR, 2 SB, 149 wRC+, 2.5 WAR (Injured)
• CF Ron LeFlore (MIN)* - .288/.344/.429, 354 AB, 3 HR, 59 SB, 100 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
• CF Fred Lynn (NYY) - .310/.399/.533, 319 AB, 17 HR, 2 SB, 158 wRC+, 4.1 WAR
• RF Reggie Jackson (OAK)* - .337/.420/.613, 297 AB, 21 HR, 6 SB, 184 wRC+, 4.4 WAR
• RF Ellis Valentine (NYY) - .319/.375/.561, 326 AB, 18 HR, 14 SB, 159 wRC+, 3.3 WAR

National League

• SP John Candelaria (PIT) - 8-6, 2.49 ERA, 144.2 IP, 1.04 WHIP, 5.0 K/9, 3.5 WAR
• SP Steve Carlton (CHC) - 9-7, 3.27 ERA, 151.1 IP, 1.09 WHIP, 7.3 K/9, 2.9 WAR
• SP Dave Goltz (CIN) - 8-8, 3.24 ERA, 155.2 IP, 1.25 WHIP, 5.5 K/9, 2.1 WAR
• SP David Palmer (NYM) - 5-5, 2.07 ERA, 148.0 IP, 1.08 WHIP, 5.2 K/9, 3.8 WAR
• SP J.R. Richard (HOU)* - 8-4, 2.11 ERA, 157.2 IP, 1.25 WHIP, 8.9 K/9, 4.9 WAR
• SP Don Robinson (SD) - 6-7, 2.45 ERA, 146.2 IP, 1.08 WHIP, 6.0 K/9, 2.9 WAR
• RP Geoff Zahn (PHI) - 3-2, 2.10 ERA, 51.1 IP, 1.03 WHIP, 4.2 K/9, 0.7 WAR
• CL Rich Gossage (PIT) - 4-5, 18 SV, 1.54 ERA, 35.0 IP, 0.86 WHIP, 6.2 K/9, 0.5 WAR
• CL Tippy Martinez (SD) - 3-2, 1.59 ERA, 51.0 IP, 1.27 WHIP, 5.6 K/9, 1.2 WAR
• CL Bruce Sutter (PHI)* - 2-3, 25 SV, 2.56 ERA, 38.2 IP, 1.24 WHIP, 7.0 K/9, 1.7 WAR
• C Johnny Bench (CIN)* - .255/.327/.519, 239 AB, 18 HR, 1 SB, 128 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
• C Gary Carter (MON) - .262/.304/.457, 282 AB, 14 HR, 5 SB, 111 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
• 1B Keith Hernandez (STL) - .308/.396/.480, 331 AB, 7 HR, 6 SB, 138 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
• 1B Willie Stargell (PIT)* - .308/.369/.602, 289 AB, 25 HR, 169 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
• 2B Pedro Guerrero (LAD)* - .319/.349/.532, 235 AB, 13 HR, 2 SB, 138 wRC+, 1.6 WAR
• 3B Ron Cey (LAD)* - .315/.409/.561, 289 AB, 17 HR, 173 wRC+, 4.1 WAR
• 3B Bob Horner (ATL) - .256/.321/.568, 324 AB, 28 HR, 1 SB, 135 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
• SS Dave Concepcion (CIN) - .301/.359/.428, 306 AB, 5 HR, 13 SB, 121 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
• SS Garry Templeton (SD)* - .313/.336/.468, 374 AB, 7 HR, 20 SB, 121 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
• LF George Foster (CIN)* - .266/.330/.474, 327 AB, 18 HR, 119 wRC+, 1.9 WAR
• LF Mike Hargrove (ATL) - .346/.462/.517, 292 AB, 9 HR, 3 SB, 171 wRC+, 4.3 WAR
• LF Gene Richards (SF) - .357/.402/.501, 345 AB, 5 HR, 28 SB, 153 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
• CF Terry Puhl (HOU)* - .328/.391/.433, 326 AB, 4 HR, 37 SB, 136 wRC+, 4.1 WAR
• RF Bobby Bonds (SF) - .300/.384/.512, 287 AB, 16 HR, 34 SB, 152 wRC+, 3.8 WAR
• RF Dave Parker (PIT)* - .320/.376/.454, 291 AB, 4 HR, 8 SB, 133 wRC+, 2.1 WAR

Reggie Jackson becomes just the fourth dual HR Derby-winner, beating Don Baylor 7-6 in the final. The AL wins its third straight ASG, this one by a score of 3 to 2 to make it 23 games apiece, with Gary Carter named MVP in a losing cause.

The View from the Gangplank August 1, 1979
 

First move for the new month is to recall Scoop from AAA after a short rehab. To protect him a bit we’ll use Kong at LF against LHP for the foreseeable future.

While he doesn’t contribute much in the box scores, it’s no coincidence that the first two games with Scrap Iron in the lineup are walkoff wins. He’s that sort of guy. He wins the game award in his thir appearance, which is also Rick Langford’s first start for us and the first time he’s had to hit in the MLB. He goes 2-4 with a solo shot—gotta love a good omen!

We win 9 straight. Which, while it doesn’t shake off our nearest competitors it certainly strings the division out a bit. The Mets, in fact, move into the lead when we plateau just a bit and this one looks like it is going to be along the lines of last season with every team a chance.

We hit the double in June with regard to player awards as pops and Candy take the gongs, and enter July at 42-32 and 2½ clear of the Mets with the field still bunched.

A nifty stretch of wins gets us 5 clear at the midpoint and you just feel another run like that might well break it open. Instead, some tentative performances and continued problems at the bottom of the rotation see us lose 8 straight including 4 of 4 against the Reds.

Meanwhile the Cubs are coming hard and briefly catch us, with the Phils and Mets also having nearly caught up. We reach the All-Star Break at 49-41, just a game clear.

So much for Phil Garner toughening us up in the clinch—he’s hitting just 237 with us and doing little by way of contribution. We send him down to the 7 slot in favour of Lee Lacy to see if that gets us moving in the right direction.

The lads bounce back strongly after the break, winning six straight before the Reds come to Pittsburgh and give us a nice 15-3 touch-up, just pummelling Ron Guidry who is having a very up-and-down season indeed. Boy am I glad that’s all we’ll be seeing of them this season, they have pounded us 12-2 head-to-head.

Then we put in an absolute shocker at Montreal, losing all three and having just 14 hits all told, and I have to admit I’m starting to worry that this bunch simply doesn’t have what it takes. These long slumps are just killing us and show a poor mindset has taken hold, a straight-up lack of application and – dare I say it – heart.

We finish the month at 59-46, a game and a half ahead of the Cubs.


https://i.imgur.com/M5GQ42A.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/QlsEGj6.jpg

Continuing the trend from last year, our road form is of particular concern, with us currently 20-31 away from home.


https://i.imgur.com/8W8vLEH.jpg

Foil having another surprisingly productive year with the bat.


https://i.imgur.com/JObaYPg.jpg

Lots of soft wins for Guidry, but tellingly he's not even in the top 30 for rWAR at this point.


All four races still very much up for grabs.

https://i.imgur.com/ce3uxJv.jpg


As if the AL East wasn’t fascinating enough with the Red Sox, Yanks and Tigers swaping the top three spots almost daily, the O’s come storming into contention with an unbroken 12-game win streak and that one looks set to be hectic to the very end. We could do with one of those runs ourselves.


News, Leaders and Top 20s

https://i.imgur.com/lPLs2um.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/lqYdxxe.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/iXbxzgs.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/8R6BifN.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/NTDIKk4.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/O2Qe4va.jpg


Monthly Award Winners

June

American League

• Batter – Bobby Grich (Angels): 322 / 7 HR / 26 RBI
• Pitcher – Dennis Martinez (Orioles): 5-1 / 1.80 / 23 K / 50 IP
• Rookie – La Marr Hoyt (White Sox): 4-2 / 3.12 / 17 K / 52 IP

National League

• Batter – Willie Stargell (Pirates): 341 / 7 HR / 23 RBI
• Pitcher – John Candelaria (Pirates): 5-0 / 0.73 / 25 K / 49 IP
• Rookie – Bill Gullickson (Cardinals): 5-1 / 1.47 / 35 K / 49 IP

July

American League

• Batter – Larry Hisle (Orioles): 444 / 8 HR / 23 RBI
• Pitcher – Gary Lavelle (Orioles): 3-1 / 0.81 / 6 SV / 6 K / 22.1 IP
• Rookie – Britt Burns (White Sox): 2-0 / 0.99 / 28 K / 45.1 IP

National League

• Batter – Oscar Gamble (Dodgers): 342 / 5 HR / 21 RBI
• Pitcher – Doug Rau (Cubs): 5-0 / 1.34 / 18 K / 47 IP
• Rookie – Randy Scarbery (Expos): 3-1 / 0.87 / 6 SV / 8 K / 20.2 IP

Milestones and Observations of Note

• 2500 Hits: Carl Yastrzemski
• 200 Wins: Mickey Lolich
• The Twins lose reliever Rusty Gerhardt for the year with a back injury, while San Diego’s Dan Petry will miss nearly a full year after tearing his UCL. The same injury knocks KC reliever Mike Marshall out for a similar amount of time, while both Sixto Lezcano of the Phillies (biceps, 5 weeks) and Detroit’s Alan Trammell (hamstring, a month) are also a bit banged up.
• Mets 3B Steve Ontiveros misses 6 weeks with a labrum tear, while Dodgers catcher Carlton Fisk is done for the year after suffering a fractured finger.
• The Yanks and Phillies will be sweating on news from their medical staff with both Fred Lynn and Andre Thornton hurt and awaiting prognoses.
• And sad to report Willie McCovey won’t be back at all this year after suffering a setback in his rehab. Will he come back at all?
• Finally, some Deadline trades of note:

https://i.imgur.com/iZypZpW.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/woHKggW.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/uu3LlVa.jpg


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3000 Hits for the Hustler
 

Seems as if Pete has made up a little bit of ground on his IRL progress, with his historical total sitting at 3372 thru the end of the 1979 season. It will mainly come down to how long the game lets him play as to whether he can catch Ty in this timeline.

https://i.imgur.com/wU8yMbZ.jpg

In a Minor Key
 

A truly riveting end to the AAA regular season, with the Denver Bears stringing together an unbelievable run of 21 straight wins before eventually coming up well short of North Platte. As do our Links by two games, despite a withering final run that sees them win their last 16 games.

The decider, in comparison, is a bit anticlimactic with Evansville talking out their first Championship in 4 over Eugene.

The View from the Gangplank: end of regular season, 1979
 

We start the stretch run with some nervy performances but manage to scrape through most of them with wins to keep our noses in front of the Cubs, who don’t look like they’re going anywhere.

The gap remains 1½ games when we head to Wrigley for three early in August. The 9 games we have still to play against them will, one has to assume, be key to the final result.

Once again the group’s ill-discipline costs us and we are lucky to escape a sweep with a messy win in the final game. That said, I know I’ve been almost incessant in my bitching about how we are playing, but the lads do buckle down during August as we go virtually win for win and loss for loss with the Cubs, who show resolve we’ve not seen from them in previous seasons and wear us like a glove throughout.

We get away with continued late-innings sloppiness as the Cubs hit the wall a bit but it also means we miss a chance to put some distance between us and them, and this just isn’t how we usually go about things.

It feels almost inevitable when we lose our way yet again, nearly being swept at the last-placed Giants on the back of some woeful pitching and insipid hitting and, whatever its outcome, this will go down among the most incompetent regular-season campaigns we have ever put together.

With 15 games to go – including the six that remain between the two clubs – we lead the Cubs by one.

We drop both of two at home to the Mets to fall out of first but then wrest control back by winning both games at Montreal while the Cubs lose theirs.

And so on and so forth.

By the time we head to Wrigley for the first of those six remaining games – separated by a two-game homestand against the Expos – we are a half-game ahead.

The lads hold their nerve and take all three to give us a chance to render that final series moot if the results fall our way, leading by 3 with our magic number the same amount.

A pair of nail-biting 5-4 wins over Montreal take us to 6 in a row and when news filters through that the Cubs have lost to the Mets, we are home. A final series sweep puts an exclamation mark on a courageous win by the lads despite never going close to hitting their straps.

https://i.imgur.com/YCNIKqq.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Vr9QTJ4.jpg


The last part of the stretch run has been carnage on the playing group.

Lee Lacy, who has been huge in this final push, might be back late in the LCS after hurting his wrist. Sadly, there’s no such luck for Dave Kingman, who is done for the year with an ankle sprain. Even though he’s been playing mainly off the bench, all the same it is a huge loss. We’ve got nobody to step in, either.


https://i.imgur.com/9nYBFdF.jpg

Impossible to say for sure what the overall effect of the Garner - Madlock swap ended up being. Phil was OK in the end, and I doubt Mads would have given us more. What we do know is that the deal is beneficial to us on a nett basis for the next couple years.


https://i.imgur.com/FjuudQT.jpg

Ron Guidry stood up when we needed him to, going 4-1 / 2.40 in September, and it's good to finally have Jerry Reuss performing how we've always expected him to.


After discussions with Gene Garber regarding an extension give us some new perspective, we do re-up with Rich Gossage on a 2+1/2200 deal – a decision greatly assisted by a fair reduction in his demands from previously.


The O’s run that win streak to 13 but the Red Sox respond with a 10-game runs of wins in late-August and in the end all three of the other races are non-events.

https://i.imgur.com/s87Jomd.jpg


Batting titles to Rod Carew (his 4th) and Garry Templeton (1st). Bob Horner's 43 dingers top the list, as do Willie Aikens' 124 RBI.

Rickey Henderson wastes no time stepping into the spotlight, swiping 120 bases to nearly break runner-up Willie Wilson's record of a season ago.

Len Barker leads all pitchers with 21 wins as only he and Dennis Martinez get 20 or more. JR Richard leads the MLB with his 2.15 ERA and 273 strikeouts, and he is a heavy favourite for the NL Johnson-Waddell this year. Rich Gossage's 39 Saves are the highest.


Final Top 20s and Leaders

https://i.imgur.com/q3LooUB.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/h9aMw6F.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/l7Fv7y3.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/98R3QU4.jpg


Monthly Award Winners

August

American League

• Batter – Jim Rice (Red Sox): 429 / 5 HR / 24 RBI
• Pitcher – Rudy May (Red Sox): 5-1 / 3.72 / 39 K / 48.1 IP
• Rookie – Brian Kingman (Red Sox): 4-0 / 2.53 / 18 K / 42.2 IP

National League

• Batter – Jack Clark (Giants): 386 / 4 HR / 20 RBI
• Pitcher – Burt Hooton (Giants): 5-0 / 1.60 / 32 K / 45 IP
• Rookie – Bill Gullickson (Cardinals): 4-2 / 5.56 / 30 K / 45.1 IP

September

American League

• Batter – Reggie Jackson (A’s): 287 / 11 HR / 22 RBI
• Pitcher – Phil Niekro (White Sox): 5-0 / 3.20 / 43 K / 50.2 IP
• Rookie – Dave Stieb (Blue Jays): 4-1 / 2.42 / 27 K / 48.1 IP

National League

• Batter – George Foster (Reds): 353 / 10 HR / 22 RBI
• Pitcher – John Boyle (Padres): 5-1 / 1.31 / 30 K / 41.1 IP
• Rookie – Bill Gullickson (Cardinals): 4-1 / 2.13 / 27 K / 42.1 IP

Milestones and Observations of Note

• 2500 Hits: Willie Stargell
• 200 Wins: Jim Palmer, Nolan Ryan
• 2000 Hits: George Scott
• Andre Thornton does miss a month, while Fred Lynn gets the all clear.
• The Halos lose outfielder Mickey Rivers for the season to a back injury, while Jim Palmer is hurt late as well to curtail his season.

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1979 League Championship Series
 

1979 World Series Preview
 

And so, somewhat unexpectedly if I’m being totally honest, the two most successful MLB clubs, with 65 Pennants and 37 Championships between them, get to add another chapter to the game’s most storied rivalry.

Our presence is to me the more unlikely of the two. As I’ve said plenty of times we just haven’t looked the goods at any stage of the season other than the very end—which really, as long as you’re in the mix, is the most important time of any.

We’ll miss Kong’s big bat off the bench but I think we’ve got the guys to at least partway deaden the impact and, for mine, Jerry Reuss is one of the keys. If he can keep his good form going and the others hold theirs then we’re right in this. He’ll be on the hill if it goes the distance, as well, and it would be at Fenway—a big ask in all regards.

But to think that far ahead is getting ahead of ourselves. Given all the history between the clubs, I don’t think there is any chance of our guys doing that or underestimating theirs. They seem ready for the anticipated long series and more focused than at any point in the season so far.

We are family!

1979 World Series Recap
 

Game 1 in Boston

Rudy May (15-9, 3.78) v Ron Guidry (19-7, 3.12)

Lee Lacy is back and, while he’s still a week away from returning, Dave Kingman has completed his IL stint and so we’ve included him in the squad just in case he can be used if it goes the distance – especially with those final two games set to feature the DH. Bill Robinson will take that role until then.

Ron Guidry gets first crack at them, taking on crafty veteran and fellow southpaw Rudy May. Be nice to take one of these first two at the Fen, at least.

It doesn’t happen here, as we lose 8-6 in a messy game in which the lead changes throughout. May is the better of the two pitchers but it is the offences’ day, with Jim Rice the eventual difference.

Game 2 in Boston

Ron Reed (16-12, 3.26) v John Candelaria (14-11, 2.98)

Red Sox lead series 1-0

Another experienced campaigner going for them in Ron Reed and it’s up to Candy to get us back on level terms.

No dice again, as Candy does his bit but Reed is better and they lead from start to finish for a 3-2 final. Reed goes the full distance for the win and we head home with a lot of work to do.

Game 3 in Pittsburgh

Jerry Reuss (9-3, 2.40) v Lynn McGlothen (17-10, 4.25)

Red Sox lead series 2-0

My earlier comments about Jerry notwithstanding, this was always the big concern for us in this series with the two road games kicking off proceedings. Now it is up to the lower half of our rotation to keep us alive, and that could clearly go either way. We haven’t played badly so far, just not as well as our opponents, but our room for erroe is almost nonexistent from this point on. Righty Lynn McGlothen going for them and, while he’s not considered anywhere near elite, neither is he a pushover.

It's another messy one and, unfortunately, another loss for us to put us in a deep, deep hole. They have so many big bats and today it was Dewey Evans’ turn to shine, going 3-for-5 and knocking in 2. The bats try hard, getting us briefly back to 5-5 after we fall behind early, but they hammer away at us as Tekulve struggles for a second straight game and they take it out 8-5 with a couple late scores.

Game 4 in Pittsburgh

Ed Whitson (12-10, 3.46) v Brian Kingman (16-7, 4.01)

Red Sox lead series 3-0

You always go into these series aware of the possibilty of coming out on the losing side, but to be swept would be unfathomable. Ed Whitson stands in the way of us being so, with Brian Kingman endeavouring to turn that into a harsh reality. The long road back starts with just one win.

We get it, but only just as the Red Sox keep at us the whole way through after we take an early lead. Gene Tenace nearly single-handedly seals it for them but our BP holds fast and we get a tough 5-4 victory.

Game 5 in Pittsburgh

Ron Guidry (1-0, 4.20) v Rudy May (0-1, 3.55)

Red Sox lead series 3-1

Our final home game for the season, but will it be our final game? If Ron Guidry can just give us one of his specials then we’ll take this series back to Boston with some momentum having been regained. Another one like the opening game and we are surely toast.

Well it ain’t pretty, but once again we get past them to keep the contest going. Guidry struggles again, giving 3 runs back in the top 8th after we break it open with a 5-spot the previous frame as Parker puts one in the seats with a couple on. The value of Gossage shines through as he closes it out for a 7-5 final.

Where there’s light, there’s hope.



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1979 Offseason
 

Cooperstown is No Stretch
 

And so another challenger to the HR title comes up short as Willie McCovey retires just one behind the Mick.

See you in upstate NY in five years, big guy.


https://i.imgur.com/OzWprQD.jpg

The 1970s in a Box
 

Boy, what a decade the 1970s turned out to be with a bunch of new and newish clubs joining the fray and some epic pennant races throughout.

Here's the traditional end-of-decade update.

Club records to this point, with us having just passed the 7000-win mark.



And just for the 1970s.



Here are the individual and team stats for the decade just past.

INDIVIDUAL HITTING

INDIVIDUAL PITCHING

TEAM HITTING

TEAM PITCHING




As always, you can dive as deep as you please via this league's Stats+ page, using the links below.

S+ HOME

REPORTS HOME

PIRATES HOME

In a Minor Key - Major AAA Awards, 1979
 

1979 MLB Awards
 

AL 1979 HISTORY INDEX

NL 1979 HISTORY INDEX

AWARDS HISTORY


A bit of a boilover this year with JR Richard taking out the Johnson-Waddell / Wagner-Lajoie double, with the latter being somewhat unexpected. The AL awards go to pitcher Scott Sanderson, backing up his Mantle-Mays of a year ago, and Fred Lynn. This year's best rookies are Rickey Henderson and pitcher Frank Pastore, while Monty Montgomery wins his third Paige-Koufax Plate and Guy Hoffman his first. Only a Ruth-Gibson to Pops saves us from a total wipe.


Note for 1979 only, just give these awards links a day or two as I had to upload early to get the decade recap in and will wait until OD before I do it again.


S+ HOME

REPORTS HOME

PIRATES HOME

1979/80 Rookie Draft & Legacy Players
 

No all-time greats here, but plenty of cult heroes and personalities among the six new Legacies.

These are the Legacy Players for the 1980 Season:

Boston Red Sox: Bruce Hurst (34.1; 217 GS)
Chicago Cubs: Lee Smith (28.9; 458 GP)
Chicago White Sox: Harold Baines (38.8; 1670)
Los Angeles Dodgers: Fernando Valenzuela (41.4; 320 GS)
Montreal Expos: Tim Wallach (38.5; 1767)
Toronto Blue Jays: Lloyd Moseby (27.5; 1392)

Mike Scioscia (26.1; 1441 – one-club player) was also eligible for the Dodgers, but Valenzuela’s higher WAR makes him the selection.


There are 145 rookies for this season, along with another influx of 290 minor leaguers making 435 in total, and the Draft will consist of 10 rounds.

The Draft order will be as follows (winning percentage from 1979 IRL season in brackets; bold indicates Legacy Pick in 1st Round):


Round 1

1. Los Angeles Dodgers (488)
2. Chicago White Sox (456)
3. Montreal Expos (594)
4. Boston Red Sox (569)
5. Chicago Cubs (494)
6. Toronto Blue Jays (327)
7. Oakland Athletics (333)
8. New York Mets (389)
9. Atlanta Braves (412)
10. Seattle Mariners (414)
11. San Diego Padres (422)
12. San Francisco Giants (438)
13. Cleveland Indians (503)
14. Minnesota Twins (506)
15. Texas Rangers (512)
16. Philadelphia Phillies (519)
17. Kansas City Royals (525)
18. Detroit Tigers (528)
19. St. Louis Cardinals (531)
20. California Angels (543)
21. Houston Astros (549)
22. New York Yankees (556)
23. Cincinnati Reds (559)
24. Milwaukee Brewers (590)
25. Pittsburgh Pirates (605)
26. Baltimore Orioles (642)


Rounds 2 thru 10

1. Toronto Blue Jays (327)
2. Oakland Athletics (333)
3. New York Mets (389)
4. Atlanta Braves (412)
5. Seattle Mariners (414)
6. San Diego Padres (422)
7. San Francisco Giants (438)
8. Chicago White Sox (456)
9. Los Angeles Dodgers (488)
10. Chicago Cubs (494)
11. Cleveland Indians (503)
12. Minnesota Twins (506)
13. Texas Rangers (512)
14. Philadelphia Phillies (519)
15. Kansas City Royals (525)
16. Detroit Tigers (528)
17. St. Louis Cardinals (531)
18. California Angels (543)
19. Houston Astros (549)
20. New York Yankees (556)
21. Cincinnati Reds (559)
22. Boston Red Sox (569)
23. Milwaukee Brewers (590)
24. Montreal Expos (594)
25. Pittsburgh Pirates (605)
26. Baltimore Orioles (642)



Eligible PIT players: 8 position players + 5 pitchers = 13


A fairly thin Draft this year means we go into it really not knowing how things will unfold. As seems almost tradition by now, we are idle until the latter part of Round 1 with very few eligible options, but we know how to deal with this and also what we need.

The following players are who we select:

1. 2B Wally Backman, 20 (PIT IRL: 1990)

• Certainly didn’t expect Wally to still be available and we’re almost certain we’ll get some use out of him.

2. P Rod Scurry, 23 (PIT IRL: 1980-85)

• In a rarity for us, Rod will almost surely be in our roster for OD next year. Fills our dire need for LHRP quite nicely.

3. OF Reggie Walton, 27 (PIT IRL: 1982)

• Doubtful he’ll ever see the light of day but was the best of those few eligibles for us left.

4. C Robert Bailey, 23 (ineligible)
5. UT Dan Hanggie, 21 (ineligible)
6. P Jeff Morris, 22 (ineligible)
7. OF Tim Knight, 22 (ineligible)
8. IF Marvin Clack, 20 (ineligible)
9. P Ronald Sylvia, 21 (ineligible)
10. P Edward Rech, 21 (ineligible)

• All AAA depth.

Better than expected.


FULL DRAFT LOG


https://i.imgur.com/hk4MDqt.jpg

Call from the Hall
 

Just the mighty Hoot Gibson added to the pantheon on MLB immortals this year, with both Rocky Colavito and Whitey Ford making nice moves but not quite getting there. The big surprise is Brooks Robinson being dropped on his first ballot.

https://i.imgur.com/rrfiBDm.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/9oZLOo8.jpg

1980 The First Time Around
 

The new decade is welcomed in with – hold the press! – a first-ever win for the long-maligned Phillies, who beat the Royals in what is the first World Series meeting (since the inaugural one, I presume) between two franchises looking to earn their maiden title.

In a preview of the strife to come, a brief lockout cancels some Spring Training games but the issue is resolved before Opening Day and no official games are missed.


AL EAST / WEST CHAMPIONS: New York Yankees (103-59) / Kansas City Royals (97-65)
NL EAST / WEST CHAMPIONS: Philadelphia Phillies (91-71) / Houston Astros (93-70)
ALCS: Royals 3, Yankees 0
NLCS: Phillies 3, Astros 2
WORLD SERIES: Phillies 4, Royals 2

Pittsburgh Pirates: 83-79, 3rd in NL East

AL MVP: George Brett (Royals)
NL MVP: Mike Schmidt (Phillies)

AL CYA: Steve Stone (Orioles)
NL CYA: Steve Carlton (Phillies)

AL RoY: Joe Charbonneau (Indians)
NL RoY: Steve Howe (Dodgers)


Top Ten Lists (courtesy of thisgreatgame.com)

NL Hitters

1. MIKE SCHMIDT, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: .286 average, 104 runs, 25 doubles, 8 triples, 48 home runs, 121 RBIs, 89 walks, 12 stolen bases, 13 sacrifice flies, .624 slugging percentage.
• With subpar batting averages in 1978-79 that threatened to make him the next Dave Kingman, Schmidt awoke and initiated a reign of supremacy among NL hitters; his slugging percentage was nearly 100 points higher than second-place Bob Horner.

2. KEITH HERNANDEZ, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: .321 average, 111 runs, 191 hits, 39 doubles, 8 triples, 16 home runs, 99 RBIs, 86 walks, 14 stolen bases, .408 on-base percentage.
• All that separated Hernandez from his second straight NL batting title was the Cubs’ Bill Buckner, who hit just three points higher.

3. ANDRE DAWSON, MONTREAL

• Key Numbers: .308 average, 96 runs, 178 hits, 41 doubles, 7 triples, 17 home runs, 87 RBIs, 6 hit-by-pitches, 34 stolen bases.
• Don’t blame Dawson, still in his early, speed-trumps-power phase of his career, for keeping the Expos from overtaking the Phillies in the NL East; he hit .319 with four homers in 18 games against them.

4. KEN GRIFFEY, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: .294 average, 89 runs, 28 doubles, 10 triples, 13 home runs, 85 RBIs, 23 stolen bases, 1 caught stealing.
• Griffey—senior, not junior—remained one of the few stars within the Big Red Machine to still be running on all cylinders.

5. TED SIMMONS, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: .303 average, 84 runs, 33 doubles, 21 home runs, 98 RBIs.
• The future Hall of Famer played his 13th and final season in St. Louis, finishing with a .298 average that’s the highest among catchers in Cardinals history.

6. JACK CLARK, SAN FRANCISCO

• Key Numbers: 127 games, .284 average, 77 runs, 20 doubles, 8 triples, 22 home runs, 82 RBIs, 74 walks.
• Clark’s numbers, most of which were on their way to setting career highs, were curtailed after having his hand broken by a pitch late in the season.

7. JOSE CRUZ, HOUSTON

• Key Numbers: .302 average, 79 runs, 185 hits, 29 doubles, 7 triples, 11 home runs, 91 RBIs, 36 stolen bases.
• Cruz remained the epitome of a punchless yet feisty Astros offense, one of five Houston hitters with at least 10 homers—though none of them hit more than 13.

8. DALE MURPHY, ATLANTA

• Key Numbers: .281 average, 98 runs, 27 doubles 33 home runs, 89 RBIs, 133 strikeouts.
• Failing as a catcher, Murphy finally became a success story after the Braves transitioned him to the outfield.

9. STEVE GARVEY, LOS ANGELES

• Key Numbers: 163 games, .304 average, 78 runs, 200 hits, 27 doubles, 26 home runs, 106 RBIs.
• Garvey managed to stay focused on baseball and collect 200 hits for the sixth time in seven years while his wife publicly bashed him.

10. CESAR CEDENO, HOUSTON

• Key Numbers: 137 games, .309 average, 32 doubles, 8 triples, 10 home runs, 73 RBIs, 48 stolen bases.
• Solid comeback effort for Cedeno, who hit over .300 for the first time since 1973 while racking up terrific stolen base numbers despite bad knees.

AL Hitters

1. GEORGE BRETT, KANSAS CITY

• Key Numbers: 117 games, .390 average, 87 runs, 175 hits, 33 doubles, 9 triples, 24 home runs, 118 RBIs, 15 stolen bases, .454 on-base percentage, .664 slugging percentage.
• Lost in Brett’s pursuit of .400 was that he became the first player since 1950 to average at least one RBI per game.

2. CECIL COOPER, MILWAUKEE

• Key Numbers: .352 average, 96 runs, 219 hits, 33 doubles, 25 home runs, 122 RBIs, 17 stolen bases.
• Had it not been for Brett, Cooper—the majors’ biggest unsung talent since Vada Pinson—might have caught some rays in the national spotlight.

3. BEN OGILVIE, MILWAUKEE

• Key Numbers: .304 average, 94 runs, 180 hits, 26 doubles, 41 home runs, 118 RBIs, 19 intentional walks, 11 stolen bases.
• At 170 pounds, Ogilvie became the lightest player to hit 40 home runs since Mel Ott.

4. RICKEY HENDERSON, OAKLAND

• Key Numbers: .303 average, 111 runs, 179 hits, 9 home runs, 53 RBIs, 117 walks, 100 stolen bases, 26 caught stealing.
• While two other major leaguers (Ron LeFlore and Omar Moreno) topped 90 stolen bases, the 21-year-old Henderson broke Ty Cobb’s AL season mark and became the first in the Junior Circuit to reach 100—with 34 of those over his last 28 games alone.

5. REGGIE JACKSON, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: .300 average, 94 runs, 41 home runs, 114 RBIs, 83 walks.
• For the only time in his career, Jackson hit .300 (actually, it was .2996), while he topped 40 homers for the first time since his breakout 1969 performance.

6. WILLIE WILSON, KANSAS CITY

• Key Numbers: .326 average, 705 at-bats, 133 runs, 230 hits, 28 doubles, 15 triples, 3 home runs, 49 RBIs, 79 stolen bases.
• Wilson became the AL’s first switch-hitter to collect over 200 hits since Buck Weaver for the 1920 White Sox.

7. ROBIN YOUNT, MILWAUKEE

• Key Numbers: .293 average, 121 runs, 179 hits, 49 doubles, 10 triples, 23 home runs, 87 RBIs, 20 stolen bases.
• Already in his seventh season as he turned 25, Yount dialed up the power and hit over 20 home runs—let alone 10—for the first time in his career.

8. EDDIE MURRAY, BALTIMORE

• Key Numbers: .300 average, 100 runs, 186 hits, 36 doubles, 32 home runs, 116 RBIs.
• The switch-hitter, now fully immersed as the Orioles’ top offensive threat, hit over .300 with 100 RBIs and runs each for the first of two times (1983) in his career.

9. AL BUMBRY, BALTIMORE

• Key Numbers: .318 average, 118 runs, 205 hits, 29 doubles, 9 triples, 9 home runs, 53 RBIs, 78 walks, 44 stolen bases.
• Fully recovered from a devastating 1978 leg injury that nearly ended his career, the veteran outfielder scored his best year yet, leading to his lone All-Star Game appearance.

10. AL OLIVER, TEXAS

• Key Numbers: 163 games, .319 average, 96 runs, 209 hits, 43 doubles, 9 triples, 19 home runs, 117 RBIs.
• The 33-year-old former Pirate, who seemed to be getting better with age, had his second hat trick of home runs in as many years—even though he didn’t hit more than 19 in either one of those seasons.

NL Pitchers

1. JERRY REUSS, LOS ANGELES

• Key Numbers: 2.51 ERA, 18 wins, 6 losses, .750 win percentage, 3 saves, 2 blown saves, 37 appearances, 29 starts, 6 shutouts, 229.1 innings, 40 walks, 23 grounded into double plays.
• Winner of 10 total games from 1978-79, Reuss rediscovered himself and threw the year’s only no-hitter.

2. STEVE CARLTON, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: 2.34 ERA, 24 wins, 9 losses, .727 win percentage, 38 starts, 13 complete games, 304 innings, 90 walks, 286 strikeouts, 17 wild pitches, 7 balks.
• Pitchers threw over 300 innings 40 times during the 1970s, but only once since—by Carlton in 1980.

3. DON SUTTON, LOS ANGELES

• Key Numbers: 2.20 ERA, 13 wins, 5 losses, .722 win percentage, 1 save, 31 starts, 212.1 innings, 47 walks, 24 stolen bases allowed.
• After a series of relatively disappointing years that suggested a slow fadeout was in the works, Sutton refreshed and grabbed his first and only ERA title.

4. STEVE ROGERS, MONTREAL

• Key Numbers: 2.98 ERA, 16 wins, 11 losses, 37 starts, 14 complete games, 281 innings, 27 stolen bases allowed.
• Sign of the times: Rogers’ 14 complete games was, to date, the fewest ever notched by a NL leader. It was just the beginning of a glacial but definitive trend.

5. VERN RUHLE, HOUSTON

• Key Numbers: 2.37 ERA, 12 wins, 4 losses, .750 win percentage, 28 appearances, 22 starts, 159.1 innings, 29 walks.
• Knocked around between the minors and the parent club for the previous few years, Ruhle was ramped up to full-time rotation duty after J.R. Richard’s career-ending stroke in mid-July and answered the call with a 7-2 record and 1.86 ERA over his last 15 starts.

6. VIDA BLUE, SAN FRANCISCO

• Key Numbers: 2.97 ERA, 14 wins, 10 losses, 31 starts, 224 innings.
• After a horrible 1979 in which he posted the NL’s worst ERA (5.01), Blue quickly rebounded to vintage Vida form and put together the league’s fourth best figure.

7. JIM BIBBY, PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: 3.32 ERA, 19 wins, 6 losses, .760 win percentage, 34 starts, 238.1 innings, 30 stolen bases allowed.
• Bolting to a 13-1 start, the 35-year-old Bibby proved that the Pirates had been wasting his time the previous two years being shuffled in and out of the bullpen.

8. JOE NIEKRO, HOUSTON

• Key Numbers: 3.55 ERA, 20 wins, 12 losses, 36 starts, 256 innings, 34 stolen bases allowed.
• Starting the 163rd game, a playoff against the Dodgers to decide the NL West, gave Niekro the opportunity to capture his second straight 20-win season; he made good on it, going the distance with just an unearned run allowed.

9. FRANK PASTORE, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: 3.27 ERA, 13 wins, 7 losses, 27 starts, 184.2 innings, 42 walks.
• This would be Pastore’s only winning season among five as a Reds starter; but he was hardly an Astros killer, going 0-4 with a 7.30 ERA against Houston.

10. RICK CAMP, ATLANTA

• Key Numbers: 1.91 ERA, 6 wins, 4 losses, 22 saves, 2 blown saves, 77 appearances, 108.1 innings.
• Camp walked into Atlanta camp without a roster spot, and finished the year as the NL’s most effective closer.

AL Pitchers

1. MIKE NORRIS, OAKLAND

• Key Numbers: 2.53 ERA, 22 wins, 9 losses, .710 win percentage, 33 starts, 24 complete games, 284.1 innings, 4 balks.
• Norris, who’d seen it all since joining the A’s in 1975, became the top dog on Billy Martin’s ironman staff; five times, he pitched at least 10 innings—and won four of those starts.

2. TOMMY JOHN, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 3.43 ERA, 22 wins. 9 losses, .710 win percentage, 36 starts, 6 shutouts, 265.1 innings, 56 walks, 33 grounded into double plays.
• Give my regards to Dr. Frank Jobe: The 37-year-old John ran his post-Tommy John surgery record to 90-44 and led the league in shutouts for the first time since doing it back-to-back, way back in 1966-67.

3. RICK LANGFORD, OAKLAND

• Key Numbers: 3.26 ERA, 19 wins, 12 losses, 33 starts, 28 complete games, 290 innings, 64 walks, 23 grounded into double plays.
• Like Mike Norris, Langford excelled under the A’s exhaustive start-‘em-and-finish-‘em rotation mindset before mid-career burnout. Evoking Robin Roberts, Langford completed 22 straight starts, and 25 of 27—with the two “non-completes” being outings of 8.2 and 10 innings.

4. RUDY MAY, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 2.46 ERA, 15 wins, 5 losses, .750 win percentage, 3 saves, 41 appearances, 17 starts, 175.1 innings, 39 walks.
• Returning to the Yankees after short stays with the Orioles and Expos, May spent the season’s first half exclusively in the bullpen before a midseason promotion to the rotation—where he won his last eight decisions and the AL ERA title.

5. DOUG CORBETT, MINNESOTA

• Key Numbers: 1.98 ERA, 8 wins, 6 losses, 23 saves, 7 blown saves, 73 appearances, 136.1 innings.
• The 28-year-old rookie proved that it’s never too late to make a major league debut—especially when it’s as good as this.

6. DAN QUISENBERRY, KANSAS CITY

• Key Numbers: 3.09 ERA, 12 wins, 7 losses, 33 saves, 3 blown saves, 75 appearances, 128.1 innings, 27 walks, 15 intentional walks.
• Quisenberry won the first of five save titles, thanks to a submarine-style delivery taught to him by fellow sub-hurler Kent Tekulve.

7. LARRY GURA, KANSAS CITY

• Key Numbers: 2.95 ERA, 18 wins, 10 losses, 36 starts, 283.1 innings.
• On a Royals rotation where everyone else struggled to keep their ERAs below 4.00, Gura emerged as the pennant-winning staff ace—all despite a late-season (0-5, 6.46 ERA) meltdown after August.

8. SCOTT MCGREGOR, BALTIMORE

• Key Numbers: 3.32 ERA, 20 wins, 8 losses, .714 win percentage, 36 starts, 252 innings, 26 grounded into double plays.
• It was a very good year for El Segundo High near Los Angeles; Besides George Brett, there was fellow alum and teammate McGregor, who kept his ERA in the 3.30s for the third straight year but finally got rewarded with a 20-win ledger.

9. STEVE STONE, BALTIMORE

• Key Numbers: 3.25 ERA, 25 wins, 7 losses, .781 win percentage, 37 starts, 250.2 innings, 101 walks, 16 caught stealing/picked off.
• Stone’s over-dependence on the curveball made him a sudden star in 1980—and a sudden flameout afterward, before a new life as Harry Caray’s even-tempered foil in the WGN booth.

10. BRITT BURNS, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 2.84 ERA, 15 wins, 13 losses, 32 starts, 238 innings, 4 balks.
• The hard-throwing, 21-year-old rookie made for a welcoming debut on a White Sox team struggling to find itself.

1980 Preseason / Spring Training
 

Interesting to see two future IRL teammates (and World Champs!) in Carney Lansford and Dave Stewart on opposite sides of one of the more notable trades, and to see both Luis Tiant and Jerry Remy come “home”, while Tom Seaver crosses town from the Mets to the Yanks and Pete Rose follows the historical timeline by heading to the Phils.

• 3B Buddy Bell: Red Sox, 6 years / $11900000
• C Ted Simmons: Cardinals, 7 years / $9540000 (extension)
• OF Mickey Rivers: Cubs, 4 years / $5920000
• 1B Bob Watson: Mets, 5 years / $5700000
• P Rudy May: Mets, 3 years / $5420000
• OF Ellis Valentine: Rangers, 3 years / $5380000
• C Butch Wynegar: Reds, 4 years / $5250000 (extension)
• P Dave Goltz: Reds, 3 years / $4700000 (extension)
• P Len Barker: Tigers, 3 years / $4120000 (extension)
• P Craig Swan: Twins, 3 years / $3960000
• 3B Larry Parrish: Astros, 3 years / $3800000
• 3B Doug DeCinces: Blue Jays, 3 years / $3540000
• OF Ruppert Jones: Red Sox, 4 years / $3468000 (extension)
• P Tom Seaver: Yankees, 3 years / $3340000
• OF Don Baylor: Dodgers, 3 years / $3170000
• 2B Manny Trillo: Rangers, 3 years / $3120000
• 1B Lamar Johnson: Yankees, 3 years / $3000000
• 1B Pete Rose: Phillies, 2 years / $2640000
• OF Claudell Washington: A’s, 3 years / $2360000
• P Les Cain: Royals, 3 years / $2280000
• P Doc Medich: Cardinals, 2 years / $2220000
• P Doug Rau: Indians, 3 years / $1930000
• 3B Bill Madlock: Brewers, 3 years / $1780000
• OF Dusty Baker: Expos, 3 years / $1590000
• P Luis Tiant: Red Sox, 1 year / $1380000

• OF Thad Bosley from Braves to Indians for OF Morris Nettles
• OF Jeffrey Leonard and SS Harry Chappas from Cubs to Rangers for C Bob Boone
• P Ross Baumgarten from Royals to Expos for P Steve Renko
• 3B Carney Lansford from Reds to Angels for P Dave Stewart and P Stan Perzanowski
• 1B Andre Thornton (retaining 80%) from Phillies to Indians for P Greg Minton and P Silvio Martinez
• P Mike Parrott and P Dave Ford from Astros to Phillies for OF Amos Otis
• P Dave Rozema and SS Todd Cruz from Royals to Padres for 1B John Mayberry
• P John Henry Johnson from Red Sox to Rangers for 2B Jerry Remy
• 2B Damaso Garcia from Rangers to Expos for 1B Dan Driessen (retaining 30%)
• P Moose Haas, 2B Domingo Ramos, P Lary Sorenson and P Matt Keough from Brewers to Giants for P Larry Christenson (retaining 60%)
• P Fergie Jenkins from Angels to Astros for 2B Tom Herr

ALL TRANSACTIONS

We go 13-5 in Spring Training with Pops Stargell missing a fortnight but back in time for OD.

Once again BNN Is seeing our division as a hectic tussle, although our expectations sit a bit lower than theirs. They really like the look of the Tigers this year and that is fair enough, they have one heck of a team.


FULL PRESEASON PREDICTIONS


https://i.imgur.com/uhHlHDr.jpg

The View from the Gangplank Opening Day, 1980
 

What a difference a year makes, hey, as we have an incredibly uneventful and low-key offseason. Some changes of heart both by the players and ourselves means we ended up extending Woodie Fryman (1/350), Andy Hassler (3/480) and Gene Garber (3/420) and our only contribution to the transactions list over the break was another recycled LHRP as we sign Lou Marone on a 1+1/400 deal that allows us to take a slower approach with Rod Scurry.

Look, if I’m being totally frank I think we are getting a bit long in the tooth and a long-overdue hard rebuild is probably on the cards before too long. We’ll try and do it gradually first, but if that fails then we may need to take some pain in the interim while we effectuate the change.

That said, we still have plenty of quality among the bunch and if we can get our pitchers to do as expected and don’t suffer key injuries then we might be as competitive as BNN is saying we will. But that’s a lot of “ifs” and we’re more looking for a winning campaign as being the benchmark.

UL Washington gets the starting 2B job, while Milt May – who we’d picked up on a minors deal last season – comes in at the expense of Gary Alexander as the backup catcher. Another old face (although Milt has never actually played for us at the MLB level) in Rennie Stennett, acquired via the same means, is also back in the fold albeit in a backup role. Pops and Kong will work a platoon at 1B and I think we'll try extend Dave as Pops is nearly done and very proppy, as we have already seen in ST.

Rick Rhoden gets one more chance as an SP, with Rick Langford to operate in LR out of the bullpen to begin with and come in as our spot starter as needed. Garber gets the nod over Victor Cruz but I get the feeling our pen will be a bit of a revolving door this year.

Cutlass Club / Financials Update 1980
 

Pressing extension discussions needed for Ed Whitson, Dave Kingman, Milt May and Tony Armas. We'll also see if Wheel Parrish is interested in a long-term deal. Re-upping Armas and Kong makes Lee Lacy a likely no-go moving forward. We'll probably keep Bill Almon on as he is a handy IF utility.

The rest we'll have a look-see at later except for Wash, as I am worried about paying big money for a guy who looks like he'll narrow right down to just a 2B. So we'll wait with him until the offseason.

The Battle Rages On
 

We resume hostilities with the Cubs early on, playing out this classic that we scrape home in on a walkoff 2-run single by Rennie Stennett.

Sim Imitating Life
 

Fernandomania is alive and well in this timeline, as Senor Valenzuela no-hits Houston in just his second MLB start.

The Wheeling and the Dealing
 

We get into the roster management process early, locking down Lance Parrish on a 5+1/4000 deal.

Both Dave Kingman and Lee Lacy want about $750k per and we’re going to have to think on that some more. At any rate it will only be one of them, if any.

Milt May wants $600k per and that ain’t going to happen so we move him on before we are left with nothing via this trade with the Mets.

https://i.imgur.com/67Si67s.jpg

With Rennie Stennett on board and UL Washington almost the defensive and offensive equal of Tim at SS, we feel this is a good move for us to just line the coffers a bit moving forward.

https://i.imgur.com/tWo8z7a.jpg

Ed, who played with us IRL 1974-80, is on $122k this season with two further years under team control. He did have an earlier stint with us although never appeared for the big club during that tenure.

Bill Almon is recalled from AAA.

The View from the Gangplank June 1, 1980
 

What a gutsy first sectional from this group that I am labelling The Little Engine that Could.

We start in a positive manner with 8 wins from our first 10 games as Pops once again comes out of the gates hot, but it is a struggle after that as he, and we, cool right down.

Then he gets injured and a broken elbow bone means he’ll have to sit out the maximum 3-month Legacy stint. We call up rookie Reggie Walton from AAA.

Then we lose Tony Armas to a hip injury for 4 months. Fair to say the wheels are falling off. Veteran Dave May comes up to fill the spot but we are desperately thin at CF now.

We also lose Dave Parker for a week with back spasms but he doesn’t need to go on the IL.

But the guys dig really deep throughout and, despite some light hitting from a few of them, somehow get through this most challenging period with a 24-21 record and in a virtual tie for first with our friends the Cubbies.

https://i.imgur.com/RVgPYPF.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/j3e3NNY.jpg

Definitely a case of the sum of the parts being greater than the whole. But, as usual in circumstances like these, one has to worry about the toll all of these exertions will take at the pointy end of the season.


https://i.imgur.com/8mSU88r.jpg

Depending on one's perspective, you could say that the big dropoff from the top 3 is a cause for concern or an opportunity for improvement.


https://i.imgur.com/8hWxZIV.jpg

The rotation has basically been the glue in this early bit, with only Whitson failing to impress. The BP, on the other hand, has looked anywhere from shaky to downright scary - and I don't mean that in a good way.


We re-up Kent Tekulve for 4 years at a ridiculously low $115k (vs his $180k this season) and for a year at $105k with Bill Almon.


https://i.imgur.com/hhEcMUN.jpg

The Dodgers, riding the Fernando craze and scintillating form to win 18 from their first 30, look impressive so far, as does Oakland, and it's nice to see the Brew Crew doing well.


Monthly Award Winners

April

American League

• Batter – Jim Rice (Red Sox): 392 / 5 HR / 17 RBI
• Pitcher – Steve Renko (Royals): 3-1 / 1.67 / 15 K / 32.1 IP
• Rookie – Steve Howe (Twins): 3-1 / 2.37 / 3 SV / 7 K / 19 IP

National League

• Batter – Dale Murphy (Braves): 384 / 6 HR / 20 RBI
• Pitcher – Fernando Valenzuela (Dodgers): 4-0 / 1.10 / 28 K / 41 IP
• Rookie – Fernando Valenzuela

May

American League

• Batter – George Brett (Royals): 420 / 6 HR / 18 RBI
• Pitcher – Larry Christenson (Brewers): 5-0 / 1.41 / 18 K / 44.2 IP
• Rookie – Neil Allen (Red Sox): 4-1 / 2.57 / 5 SV / 16 K / 21 IP

National League

• Batter – Mike Schmidt (Phillies): 308 / 8 HR / 21 RBI
• Pitcher – Fernando Valenzuela (Dodgers): 5-1 / 2.25 / 37 K / 48 IP
• Rookie – Fernando Valenzuela

News and Leaders

https://i.imgur.com/UDSyDVD.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/I1s0Awh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/DZ1UhW3.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/17JqLlJ.jpg


Milestones and Observations of Note

• 2000 Hits: Al Oliver
• 200 Wins: Don Sutton
• The O’s lose quality OF Dave Collins for most of the season to an elbow break, while our old mate Bill Robinson – now with the Friars – sadly suffers a season-ending version of the same injury. Seems to be the in thing right now.
• Astros rookie 2B Dave Stapleton is done for the year courtesy of a torn labrum and Blue Jays 3B Doug DeCinces almost certainly likewise thanks to a broken kneecap, while the Expos will be without pitcher Roger Erickson for the rest of 1980 thanks to another torn labrum. Many an injury trend at the moment.
• White Sox rookie Harold Baines homers in each of his first three games in the bigs.

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A First for Me
 

I think the most I have ever seen is three. Maybe four, as it says in the game review was the previous record (Emmet Heidrick in 1903, apparently), but certainly not five triples in a game by a single player, as San Diego's Garry Templeton does here against the Phils.



According to StatHead, three is the IRL single-game 3B record, by a bunch of players (47 to be more specific).

1980 MLB All-Star Game
 

Unsurprisingly, we have just Al Oliver representing our club this year.


American League

• SP Larry Christenson (ML4) - 11-2, 2.29 ERA, 117.2 IP, 1.09 WHIP, 4.5 K/9, 1.7 WAR
• SP Danny Darwin (SEA) - 12-4, 2.04 ERA, 136.2 IP, 1.10 WHIP, 6.3 K/9, 2.5 WAR
• SP Jerry Koosman (NYY) - 8-7, 3.98 ERA, 126.2 IP, 1.40 WHIP, 4.9 K/9, 2.4 WAR
• SP John Montefusco (ML4) - 8-4, 2.45 ERA, 106.1 IP, 1.30 WHIP, 4.7 K/9, 1.4 WAR
• SP Scott Sanderson (CLE)* - 3-6, 3.13 ERA, 115.0 IP, 1.27 WHIP, 4.1 K/9, 1.5 WAR
• SP John Tudor (CLE) - 7-7, 2.95 ERA, 125.0 IP, 1.19 WHIP, 4.5 K/9, 2.3 WAR
• RP Barry Cort (OAK)* - 2-0, 7 SV, 1.30 ERA, 41.2 IP, 1.25 WHIP, 4.5 K/9, 0.5 WAR
• RP John Fulgham (TOR) - 2-0, 1.96 ERA, 41.1 IP, 1.06 WHIP, 3.7 K/9, 0.4 WAR
• RP Geoff Zahn (BOS) - 3-2, 3.48 ERA, 67.1 IP, 1.23 WHIP, 4.3 K/9, 1.3 WAR
• CL Steve Howe (MIN) - 5-3, 13 SV, 1.57 ERA, 57.1 IP, 1.22 WHIP, 3.9 K/9, 1.7 WAR
• C Darrell Porter (DET)* - .323/.436/.511, 186 AB, 8 HR, 1 SB, 171 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
• C Gene Tenace (BOS) - .238/.378/.416, 185 AB, 8 HR, 126 wRC+, 1.2 WAR
• 1B Eddie Murray (BAL)* - .330/.380/.525, 297 AB, 14 HR, 2 SB, 156 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
• 2B Paul Molitor (ML4)* - .321/.366/.455, 290 AB, 7 HR, 27 SB, 134 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
• 3B George Brett (KC)* - .336/.407/.541, 268 AB, 10 HR, 10 SB, 162 wRC+, 3.5 WAR
• 3B Bill Madlock (ML4) - .370/.402/.495, 289 AB, 4 HR, 15 SB, 155 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
• SS Rick Burleson (BOS) - .309/.351/.455, 275 AB, 8 HR, 4 SB, 124 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
• SS Roy Smalley (MIN) - .294/.408/.478, 255 AB, 10 HR, 141 wRC+, 3.7 WAR
• SS Alan Trammell (DET)* - .287/.369/.457, 258 AB, 7 HR, 7 SB, 131 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
• LF Gary Matthews (CWS) - .358/.416/.509, 285 AB, 8 HR, 5 SB, 165 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
• LF Jim Rice (BOS)* - .350/.392/.637, 234 AB, 17 HR, 3 SB, 185 wRC+, 3.5 WAR
• CF Rickey Henderson (OAK) - .300/.424/.415, 253 AB, 4 HR, 55 SB, 142 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
• CF Fred Lynn (NYY)* - .296/.383/.473, 243 AB, 10 HR, 2 SB, 141 wRC+, 1.7 WAR (Injured)
• CF Gorman Thomas (KC) - .271/.372/.526, 247 AB, 18 HR, 4 SB, 152 wRC+, 3.4 WAR
• RF Ken Singleton (BAL)* - .296/.378/.554, 267 AB, 18 HR, 161 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
• RF Reggie Smith (BOS)* - .316/.414/.577, 272 AB, 19 HR, 2 SB, 175 wRC+, 3.5 WAR

National League

• SP Rudy May (NYM) - 2-8, 4.11 ERA, 118.1 IP, 1.29 WHIP, 5.9 K/9, 2.0 WAR
• SP Frank Pastore (ATL) - 6-5, 3.83 ERA, 127.0 IP, 1.27 WHIP, 4.5 K/9, 3.1 WAR
• SP Gaylord Perry (CIN) - 9-5, 2.16 ERA, 108.1 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 5.1 K/9, 3.2 WAR
• SP J.R. Richard (HOU)* - 6-4, 3.56 ERA, 126.1 IP, 1.42 WHIP, 8.3 K/9, 2.0 WAR
• SP Don Robinson (SD) - 9-5, 2.06 ERA, 122.1 IP, 0.87 WHIP, 4.8 K/9, 2.2 WAR
• SP Fernando Valenzuela (LAD) - 13-1, 1.85 ERA, 136.0 IP, 0.93 WHIP, 7.0 K/9, 4.0 WAR
• RP Guy Hoffman (LAD)* - 2-2, 3 SV, 1.35 ERA, 26.2 IP, 1.43 WHIP, 5.4 K/9, 0.4 WAR
• RP Scott McGregor (HOU) - 3-2, 1.99 ERA, 72.1 IP, 1.12 WHIP, 4.4 K/9, 1.2 WAR
• CL Rollie Fingers (CHC) - 1-8, 14 SV, 5.07 ERA, 55.0 IP, 1.51 WHIP, 5.4 K/9, -0.2 WAR
• CL Jim Willoughby (MON) - 2-5, 9 SV, 1.83 ERA, 54.0 IP, 1.11 WHIP, 4.0 K/9, 1.2 WAR
• C Gary Carter (MON)* - .263/.315/.478, 232 AB, 13 HR, 121 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
• C Joe Ferguson (SD) - .280/.409/.476, 189 AB, 9 HR, 2 SB, 152 wRC+, 1.9 WAR
• 1B Keith Hernandez (STL) - .314/.408/.483, 290 AB, 6 HR, 6 SB, 146 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
• 1B Jason Thompson (CHC)* - .322/.408/.570, 270 AB, 18 HR, 174 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
• 2B Joe Morgan (CIN)* - .245/.382/.464, 237 AB, 12 HR, 19 SB, 142 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
• 2B Tim Raines (MON) - .321/.403/.509, 159 AB, 7 HR, 53 SB, 156 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
• 3B Mike Schmidt (PHI)* - .291/.410/.540, 265 AB, 16 HR, 5 SB, 159 wRC+, 4.2 WAR
• SS Ozzie Smith (STL) - .312/.375/.413, 288 AB, 1 HR, 46 SB, 119 wRC+, 3.4 WAR
• SS Garry Templeton (SD)* - .303/.325/.406, 310 AB, 30 SB, 101 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
• LF Al Oliver (PIT) - .343/.375/.542, 277 AB, 10 HR, 157 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
• LF Dave Winfield (SD)* - .349/.421/.539, 269 AB, 8 HR, 10 SB, 167 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
• CF Dale Murphy (ATL)* - .298/.376/.562, 265 AB, 18 HR, 4 SB, 164 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
• RF Clint Hurdle (SD) - .311/.380/.504, 270 AB, 8 HR, 1 SB, 142 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
• RF Sixto Lezcano (PHI)* - .264/.332/.444, 284 AB, 14 HR, 2 SB, 119 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
• RF Jerry Turner (ATL) - .352/.407/.544, 193 AB, 8 HR, 8 SB, 168 wRC+, 1.9 WAR

Reggie Smith takes out his first HR Derby, beating Ken Singleton in the final, while MVP Mike Schmidt helps the NL break the AL's three-game win streak with a 5-4 victory in the game itself.

Stat Check: K
 

Which pitchers are leading the MLB in career strikeouts?

• Sandy Koufax, -, 5293
• Satchel Paige, -, 4496
• Walter Johnson, -, 4015
• Nolan Ryan, NYY, 3712
• Don Drysdale, -, 3321

A Nice Day for the Parrish Boys
 

https://i.imgur.com/I9TDKf5.jpg

... yes, I am aware they are unrelated (after checking BBRef...).

The View from the Gangplank August 1, 1980
 

OK, get comfy, this is a long one…

Another dreadful outing costs Ed Whitson his rotation spot, with Rick Langford put in his place.

The injury whirlygig continues with UL Washington forced onto the IL for the minimum stint with a wrist injury, with Dale Berra finally getting his shot in the bigs. Bill Almon steps into the everyday role while Wash is recuperating.

Some iffy form then takes hold, with Rich Gossage imploding a number of times (ERA above 6 at one point) as we slip below 500 for the first time this year. Certainly can’t blame Al Oliver, who is having another fine season, but we’re getting next to nothing other than flexibility from Derrell Thomas and not enough from Phil Garner.

We get Wash back and Reggie Walton heads back to Lincoln. After 70 games we are 34-36 and 3 back of the Cubbies. The Dodgers have 50 Wins under their belt by this stage and that’s a fair indication how far we are off the pace right now.

It all goes a bit hell-in-a-handbasket as we lose Guidry for 5 weeks with back problems. We move Whitson back into the spin and recall Victor Cruz from AAA. After dropping 5 straight, we take 3 from 3 at home to the Cards and thank heavens for them—that puts us at 11-3 against the Redbirds; 26-36 versus all others. Once again our weak division also works in our favour as, despite all of the injuries and poor form, we’re still only a couple off the lead with no club in the group above 500 at this point and only 5 games separating top from bottom.

A few more wins against the Cubs and, almost unbelievably, we go into the ASB – which also coincides with this season’s halfway point – in first place at 41-40. A pretty amazing result, really and full credit to the Little Engine, who are playing their hearts out.

Our return from the break is a poor one as we win just one of our first seven and it doesn’t take long before we are 5 games below 500 and look headed for one of our worst seasons ever. Sadly, it would seem, this Little Engine might not be able.

I’ve not given up just yet. All the same, I think it is time to cut a bit of bait. Well, actually, a whole netload full as it turns out.

We flip Lee Lacy to Toronto for a reliever we’ve been eyeing for a while now and a big wad of cash to defray some of the costs you hear about in a bit.

https://i.imgur.com/sDrSLl0.jpg

This is one of those “pain for gain” transactions you have to make from time to time, where we trade away a great player who still has some good years left in him but who we aren’t getting much use out of because of our entrenched OF for a solid player who should be a mainstay in our pen for years to come or even perhaps the rotation. That’s not to say we won’t feel Lee’s absence for the remainder, but our BP is in tatters (10th-ranked 4.00 ERA) and Larry, who played for us IRL from 1982 thru ’86, should hopefully provide the first few stitches in the repair job. He still has two years’ TC remaining and we lock down the first of those within days of his arrival at a cost of $170k. Lou Marone is sent to AAA via the WW.

https://i.imgur.com/WntMqLU.jpg


That’s just the nibble. Next comes the chum. Or, more accurately, the throw everything out of the boat that isn’t nailed down. Won't die wondering, this Hill lad, that's for sure.

If the earlier swap was “pain for gain”, this one is certainly the opposite. It makes little sense long-term and yet I simply can’t walk away from it and pull the following move with the Cubbies.

https://i.imgur.com/1Lz6lf9.jpg

The big risk here is that both players are pending FAs. Jason is an eligible who played for us IRL 1981-85 and will likely cost us about $1.5m per to retain. Thus the importance of that cash payment in the Lacy trade, which all but covers the differential. This also frees up Kong’s CC slot.

https://i.imgur.com/z9FkZLy.jpg

Ben is a gun but purely a rental (after the retention, a fairly cheap one), as there’s no way we can pay what he’ll be after when he’d be used as a backup OF. Still, he gives us so much more in the short-term. It’s a pure dicre-roll. I figure we’ve had all the bad luck we can have and played about as bad as we can so far this year, yet we’re still only a handful of games out of first and well in contention. The trade’s worth will be fairly easily judged, given it was conducted with the club we are chasing. Having missed out last year and with the Dodgers looking so strong I decided to have a real crack and then take my medicine later. Genius or goat move? We shall see.

https://i.imgur.com/lBgatLR.jpg


As for the players dealt away, they are replaceable but at a slight downgrade. Langford has been great this season but we think that’s about his ceiling and there’s a cliff coming for him. We could have just kept Kong, who has stood up admirably in Pop’s absence, but in Thompson we get most of the power with much-improved contact. We don’t, however, get Kong’s OF skills. That’s where Ogilvie comes in. Replace him in the aggregate, as a voice from the future might put it. Not that he had given us much this season with the bat, but Wash was the big issue and we did everything we possibly could to not have him be part of this deal. It means Derrel Thomas, currently hitting sub-200 and only possessed of an average glove at the position, now becomes our everyday SS. We could go with Bill Almon, but he is much more a backup than starter and we like having Bill roaming around in that capacity. He’ll sub in for DT in late and close. The other option is to promote Wally Backman and have Rennie Stennett move to SS. Another imperfect solution but we’ll consider it if the need arises.

I need a lie down. This stuff is exhausting. Exhilarating, sure, but exhausting. This one particularly so, as it ran the whole gamut from sally-dumping Kong and signing FA Bill Buckner, through the trade initiated by the Cubs that involved Rollie Fingers (another for Bruce Sutter was also briefly in the mix), to its final blockbuster conclusion.

As all this unfolds – almost certainly more in spite of than due to the trades – we start to turn things around with a 7-1 burst and finish the sectional bang on 500 at 51-51 and just a game back of the Cards, who have just leapfrogged the Cubs by a half-game, with the Mets two in back of us. The only one we drop in that period is an 8-7 loss to the Jints in which a struggling Victor Cruz blows a massive lead that shows us just how wild a ride the next two-and-a-bit months might prove to be.


https://i.imgur.com/NI9e04q.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/JFgjQhO.jpg

We get Ron Guidry back just at the end of July and put him straight back to work, with Langford gone. Pops is due back next week and we’ll send him off to Lincoln for some rehab before bringing him back into the fold. We won’t get Tony Armas back until mid-September.


https://i.imgur.com/TyIjaAI.jpg

While the corner OFs and Lance Parrish have been great, there seems to me to be a bunch of improvement in this facet of our game, especially with the new boys on board and Pops' return imminent.


https://i.imgur.com/XjunsDU.jpg

We'll need all those runs from the look of it. Lightning has been great and both Reuss and Rhoden better, but Candy has struggled and I've already spoken about our BP, which looks like the wall at the back of the secretive spot where they carry out executions, so profuse are the holes.


Plenty of strength on the other coast with the A’s (sparked back into action by the one and only Man of Steal, along with a surprising Ray Knight) and Dodgers (led by 17-2 rookie sensation Fernando Valenzuela) looking like good things to take out the respective West division. That said, not so much if you are a fan of either the Jints or Halos, either or both of which might lose 100 this season. The AL East is, like our group, set for another tight-run tussle with multiple chances in each.

https://i.imgur.com/qMRBOQl.jpg


News, Leaders and Top 20s

https://i.imgur.com/gfYMzHq.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/6vHp49o.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/b4hcKLE.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/rmfOQ5D.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/nmGNz64.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/dmF73LA.jpg


Monthly Award Winners

June

American League

• Batter – Roy Smalley (Twins): 400 / 6 HR / 24 RBI
• Pitcher – Danny Darwin (Mariners): 6-0 / 1.05 / 34 K / 51.1 IP
• Rookie – Dan Quisenberry (Royals): 3-2 / 2.11 / 7 SV / 4 K / 21.1 IP

National League

• Batter – Jason Thompson (Cubs): 354 / 9 HR / 27 RBI
• Pitcher – Mario Soto (Reds): 5-0 / 2.42 / 30 K / 44.2 IP
• Rookie – Fernando Valenzuela (Dodgers): 4-0 / 2.25 / 35 K / 40 IP

July

American League

• Batter – Ray Knight (A’s): 434 / 3 HR / 19 RBI
• Pitcher – Bruce Hurst (Red Sox): 5-0 / 2.02 / 15 K / 35.2 IP
• Rookie – Bruce Hurst

National League

• Batter – Ken Griffey (Reds): 344 / 4 HR / 21 RBI
• Pitcher – Fernando Valenzuela (Dodgers): 4-1 / 1.58 / 43 K / 45.2 IP
• Rookie – Fernando Valenzuela

Milestones and Observations of Note

• 2000 Hits: Bob Watson
• The A’s extend Vida Blue with a 2/1040 deal.
• The Twins lose 2B John Henry Johnson for 4 months to a knee injury, while Dave Collins suffers a rehab setback and will miss an additional 9 months.
• While we're not the only team making moves, it is still a very quiet Deadline; there are a bunch of pending FAs this year so I anticipate this will overcorrect during the offseason - either way, here are the trades of note:

https://i.imgur.com/SeKFlD5.jpg


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A Nice Day for the Niekro Boys
 

... pretty sure these guys are related...

https://i.imgur.com/LrpWzxf.jpg

In a Minor Key
 

Tucson knocks out our Links in three and goes on to win it all by seeing off the Buffalos in another series that goes the distance.

The View from the Gangplank: end of regular season, 1980
 

Oh, dear Lord. What a run we've had these past few years and, yet again, this one tops all the others. Even with a bit of time having passed I still can't believe what I just saw. I'll have to relate it to you via the source document otherwise I'll crash IMGUR...



OK, back to scheduled programming...


Batting titles to Eddie Murray and Mickey Rivers, the first for each. MLB bests on offense this season are Gorman Thomas's 36 homers, Eddie Murray's 119 RBI and Ron LeFlore's 122 steals.

Fernando - who wins his 20th of the season on the 12th of August, by which point not a one of our guys have even made it into double-figures, although Ron Guidry does so the very next day - misses out on a rookie year TC thanks to Ron Guidry's 2.12 ERA. Nando finishes with a league-best 25 wins (25-3, 2.20 is his final line) and 246 strikeouts. Bill Caudill's 42 Saves are the most by any reliever.


As for us, well I'm not going to point fingers - it's only bouquets from me rather than brickbats as anything else would seem like sour grapes.

George Hendrick and Dave Parker were phenomenal down that hectic stretch drive, while both Jason Thompson and Ben Ogilvie more than did their bit. And of course I forgive Ron Guidry that final stumble - we wouldn't have even been in that position without him and his 17-7, 2.12 contribution.


The $64k question: who won out of the big trade?



We traded away a couple of young guys for an expensive 1B only and a rental we can't keep. 3.2 WAR out, 2.5 in. Plus, they are going to the playoffs and we aren't, so you have to say they did.

Still, I think I'd do the same thing again if given the decision to make.


Here are all of our final reports.



Final Top 20s and Leaders



Monthly Award Winners

August

American League

• Batter – Eddie Murray (Orioles): 386 / 10 HR / 32 RBI
• Pitcher – Hal Kurtz (Tigers): 3-0 / 0.00 / 5 SV / 3 K / 14.1 IP
• Rookie – Steve Howe (Twins): 0-0 / 1.00 / 9 SV / 18 K / 27 IP

National League

• Batter – Leon Durham (Mets): 263 / 10 HR / 24 RBI
• Pitcher – Fernando Valenzuela (Dodgers): 5-0 / 2.64 / 55 K / 58 IP
• Rookie – Fernando Valenzuela

September

American League

• Batter – Cecil Cooper (Tigers): 324 / 6 HR / 28 RBI
• Pitcher – Jerry Koosman (Yankees): 5-0 / 1.85 / 20 K / 48.2 IP
• Rookie – Charlie Lea (Rangers): 4-0 / 0.69 / 23 K / 39 IP

National League

• Batter – Dave Parker (Reds): 354 / 7 HR / 13 RBI
• Pitcher – Bill Gullickson (Cardinals): 5-1 / 0.89 / 37 K / 50.1 IP
• Rookie – Fernando Valenzuela (Dodgers): 3-1 / 3.10 / 48 K / 49.1 IP

Milestones and Observations of Note

• 2500 Hits: Rod Carew
• The White Sox lose gun rookie Harold Baines for 7 weeks to back problems, while Dusty Baker has an early season end courtesy of a fractured elbow.
• Down in AAA, Jacksonville’s Ade Kenary no-hits Madisonville.

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1980 League Championship Series
 

1980 World Series Preview
 

No predictions here, I’m just going to sit back and enjoy this while quietly rooting for the Baby Bears. Their chances have certainly been helped by the news that Tigers SS Alan Trammell will miss the series due to a back injury. The home-field advantage won’t hurt, either.

In a Minor Key - Major AAA Awards, 1980
 

1980 World Series Recap
 

Game 1 in Chicago

Steve Carlton (17-8, 3.33) v Frank Tanana (17-13, 3.76)

A fine way to get this started with two of the good ones going head to head. Ivan De Jesus comes in for Trammell as Tigers SS.

It’s a game of two halves to open proceedings as Tanana dominates early and the Tigers go out to a 3-0 lead going into the home 7th. Then the Cubs bats come alive against the Detroit bullpen with a 7-run frame – unbelievably, without an extra-base hit – and the hosts go on to take it out 8-3.

Game 2 in Chicago

Rick Reuschel (8-13, 3.29) v Len Barker (15-12, 4.02)

Cubs lead series 1-0

The Tigers score early again but this time go on and finish the job with a fairly comprehensive 7-1 victory. Ken Landreaux has 3 hits and 2 RBI for the winners, while Cecil Cooper goes 4-for-5.

Game 3 in Detroit

Mike Norris (11-11, 4.86) v Gary Nolan (6-4, 2.56)

Series tied 1-1

For whatever reason, it isn’t due to injury, the Cubbies decide to go with Gary Nolan over our old friend Rick Langford.

In the end it possibly wouldn’t have mattered one way or the other as the Cubs bats stay cold and Mike Norris pitches a fine game with 6+ shutout innings in a 4-0 final. Darrel Porter goes deep with a man aboard for the victors.

Game 4 in Detroit

Rick Sutcliffe (8-11, 4.32) v Steve Mura (8-6, 2.62)

Tigers lead series 2-1

A much improved offensive showing from Chicago as they score 4 in the 1st and 3 more in the 7th to win it comfortably 7-2 and tie the series at 2 games apiece, guaranteeing the Wrigley fans at least one more go-around among the ivy. Eric Soderholm leads the way with a doubleand a 3-run homer, while Bake McBride also puts one in to the seats.

Game 5 in Detroit

Frank Tanana (0-1, 4.09) v Steve Carlton (1-1, 2.81)

Series tied 2-2

The series slowly picks up momentum as Lefty Carlton steers the Cubbies past the home side in a tough 4-2 decision. The great man allows just a run on 3 hits over 6 and Rollie Fingers does the rest with an 8-out save. Boy, oh boy, with Wrigley be rocking in a couple days time as the Cubbies try to close it out.



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1980 Offseason
 

1980 MLB Awards
 

AL 1980 HISTORY INDEX

NL 1980 HISTORY INDEX

AWARDS HISTORY


Fernando Valenzuela goes within a whisker of becoming the first player I can recall to clean sweep the major awards, unanimously winning the NL Mantle-Mays and Johnson-Waddell gongs and coming up just 3 votes short in the Wagner-Lajoie behind Garry Templeton, who wins his first. That despite Nando's 13 first-place votes to Garry's 9 and the young legend also wins a Ruth-Gibson for good measure. The AL winners are Rickey Henderson (Wagner-Lajoie) and Britt Burns (Johnson-Waddell), the first for each. Paige-Koufax Plates to Steve Howe and Dave Smith.



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The Wheeling and the Dealing
 

We take the first steps in trying to get our legs back under us, fairly positive ones on paper at least but a lot of whether we can get things right for '81 will depend on the Draft, always an iffy proposition. Very much looking forward to those lean IRL times hitting the club to push us up the pick list for a while to hopefully allow us some restocking.

As I said, I think we've done well on both counts here, firstly with a strong corner man and an everyday SS who was briefly with us previously but never played for us in the bigs:



Then, a solid replacement for Ed courtesy of the Tribe:



So the plan is for Oberkfell to start at 3B and Reynolds at SS with Derrell Thomas and Dale Berra the backup IFs. It was a toss-up between Dale and Bill Almon in the latter trade; Cleveland would take either but we just felt Dale being 4 years younger and currently able to cover 2B / 3B / SS makes him more indispensable right now.

Two of Candy Man, Larry McWilliams and Tudor will be in the rotation, with the other in the BP and in all likelihood they'll rotate those roles throughout the year depending on form etc.


That only leaves one trade ticket and we're on the hunt for a cheap FA. Like I said, the Draft will be key and almost certainly where we'll spend our third ringer slot as money is tight and FAs are out of our fiscal league for the most part.

If, however, we can swing a deal for Garner and Henny for a strong CF then that's also on the cards but we'll wait until after the Draft to make that call.


EDIT Scrap that (pun intended...), we found our trade:



Boom! Literally, as we pick up a huge bat to tide us over. The Draft strategy won't change and if we do pick up a suitable CF replacement we'll just have to keep them at AAA this year and move them up when GT goes. Hate to lose Henny and also to have spent all of our trade passes with Opening Day still months away, but desperate times yada, yada, yada...

This trade also pushes our free cash up above $1m so we'll now see if we can find a FA on which to spend some of it.