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luckymann 02-24-2024 03:13 AM
Oh, Universe, you kidder, you...
 
This is the BBRef front page that greeted me when I went in to do the LP salaries...

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


And, yes Bradley, that's your BF Bartolo there as well...

luckymann 02-24-2024 03:59 AM
Call from the Hall
 
Sweet Swingin' Billy finally gets his plaque and Sam McDowell goes close - maybe next year! No such luck for Mr Cub, who drops off after his full complement. Maybe the Centennial Committee will look favourably on him in 2000?

https://i.imgur.com/6WFDaNK.jpg

luckymann 02-24-2024 06:54 AM
1985 The First Time Around
 
An all-Mizzou World Series and maiden World Championship for the Royals are all but overshadowed by that blown call. It is a season of great performances by both the young (Gooden, Saberhagen) and the old (Seaver, Darrell Evans, Phil Niekro) filled with milestones galore (Tom and Knucksie’s 300th, Nolan’s 4000th) and a brief work strike. Welcome to 1985, MLB style!


AL EAST / WEST CHAMPIONS: Toronto Blue Jays (99-62) / Kansas City Royals (91-71)
NL EAST / WEST CHAMPIONS: St. Louis Cardinals (101-61) / Los Angeles Dodgers (95-67)
ALCS: Royals 4, Blue Jays 3
NLCS: Cardinals 4, Cubs 2
WORLD SERIES: Royals 4, Cardinals 3

57-104, 6th in NL East (I guess that answers the Bonds question, then…)

AL MVP: Don Mattingly (Yankees)
NL MVP: Willie McGee (Cardinals)

AL CYA: Bret Saberhagen (Royals)
NL CYA: Dwight Gooden (Mets)

AL RoY: Ozzie Guillen (White Sox)
NL RoY: Vince Coleman (Cardinals)


Top Ten Lists (courtesy of thisgreatgame.com)

NL Hitters

1. WILLIE MCGEE, ST. LOUIS
  • Key Numbers: .353 average, 114 runs, 216 hits, 26 doubles, 18 triples, 10 home runs, 82 RBIs, 56 stolen bases.
  • Yet another escapee from the Yankees farm system as part of George Steinbrenner’s addiction to trading later for now, McGee set the NL mark for the highest batting average by a switch-hitter.
2. DALE MURPHY, ATLANTA
  • Key Numbers: 162 games, .300 average, 118 runs, 185 hits, 32 doubles, 37 home runs, 111 RBIs, 90 walks, 141 strikeouts, 10 stolen bases.
  • The ever-steady Murphy was becoming increasingly indispensable to a devolving Braves team, finishing a four-year run where he annually hit between 36-37 homers and drove in at least 100.
3. PEDRO GUERRERO, LOS ANGELES
  • Key Numbers: 137 games, .320 average, 99 runs, 33 home runs, 89 RBIs, 83 walks, 12 stolen bases, .422 on-base percentage, .577 slugging percentage.
  • After Guerrero began the year at third base—a position he continued to be uncomfortable at—the Dodgers moved him to the outfield on June 1; that month he hit 15 home runs, and then batted .460 in July—including a NL-record 14 straight plate appearances reaching base safely.
4. RYNE SANDBERG, CHICAGO
  • Key Numbers: .305 average, 113 runs, 186 hits, 31 doubles, 6 triples, 26 home runs, 83 RBIs, 54 stolen bases.
  • Ryno’s follow-up to his 1984 MVP effort was equally effective, but the accolades were fewer on the awards circuit as the Cubs sank in the standings.
5. TIM RAINES, MONTREAL
  • Key Numbers: .320 average, 115 runs, 184 hits, 30 doubles, 13 triples, 11 home runs, 41 RBIs, 81 walks, 70 stolen bases.
  • Alerting opposing teams that he was becoming as talented with the bat as he was with his legs, Raines hit .388 over his last 33 games; a year later, he would win the NL batting title.
6. TOM HERR, ST. LOUIS
  • Key Numbers: .302 average, 97 runs, 180 hits, 38 doubles, 8 home runs, 110 RBIs, 80 walks, 31 stolen bases, 13 sacrifice flies.
  • Not since 1950 had anyone knocked in over 100 runs on less than 10 homers until Herr showed up.
7. DAVE PARKER, CINCINNATI
  • Key Numbers: .312 average, 88 runs, 198 hits, 42 doubles, 34 home runs, 125 RBIs, 24 intentional walks, 26 grounded into double plays.
  • After five rough years of underachievement fueled by drug and weight problems, Parker’s monster season evoked his glory years at Pittsburgh.
8. DARRYL STRAWBERRY, NEW YORK
  • Key Numbers: 111 games, .277 average, 78 runs, 29 home runs, 79 RBIs, 73 walks, 26 stolen bases.
  • In his third year, the Mets’ “Chosen One” might have reached 40 homers and led the league had it not been for numerous injuries that saw him sit out a good chunk of the season’s first half.
9. MIKE SCHMIDT, PHILADELPHIA
  • Key Numbers: .277 average, 89 runs, 31 doubles, 5 triples, 33 home runs, 93 RBIs, 87 walks.
  • Despite his usual outstanding numbers, Schmidt finally lashed out at Phillies fans who had still yet to fully appreciate him. After his comments went to print, he went on the field wearing a Rastafarian wig and sunglasses to comically conceal his identity.
10. JACK CLARK, ST. LOUIS
  • Key Numbers: 126 games, .281 average, 26 doubles, 22 home runs, 87 RBIs, 83 walks.
  • Plucked away from the Giants, Clark provided the muscle as the only pure right-handed bat within a speedy, switch-hitting lineup, easily leading the club in home runs.


AL Hitters

1. RICKEY HENDERSON, NEW YORK
  • Key Numbers: 143 games, .314 average, 146 runs, 172 hits, 28 doubles, 5 triples, 24 home runs, 72 RBIs, 99 walks, 80 stolen bases.
  • Seemingly at his most content (and therefore his best) when playing for Billy Martin, Henderson scored the most runs by a major leaguer since 1949, and became the first since Jimmie Foxx in 1939 to average over a run per game.
2. GEORGE BRETT, KANSAS CITY
  • Key Numbers: .335 average, 108 runs, 184 hits, 38 doubles, 5 triples, 30 home runs, 112 RBIs, 103 walks, 31 intentional walks, .585 slugging percentage.
  • Ballplayers across the country were seeking the conditioning recipe used by Brett after his offensive revival in 1985.
3. DON MATTINGLY, NEW YORK
  • Key Numbers: .324 average, 107 runs, 211 hits, 48 doubles, 3 triples, 35 home runs, 145 RBIs, 15 sacrifice flies.
  • One of the reasons Rickey Henderson scored so many runs was because Mattingly was there to knock him in; 26 of his 35 home runs came after the All-Star Break.
4. EDDIE MURRAY, BALTIMORE
  • Key Numbers: .297 average, 111 runs, 173 hits, 37 doubles, 31 home runs, 124 RBIs, 84 walks.
  • On August 26 at California, Murray achieved his third (and last) career hat trick of home runs while driving in a personal-best nine runs.
5. KIRK GIBSON, DETROIT
  • Key Numbers: .287 average, 96 runs, 37 doubles, 5 triples, 29 home runs, 97 RBIs, 30 stolen bases, 4 caught stealing.
  • Though the Tigers slipped from invincible form, it wasn’t because of Gibson—who came as close to 30-30 as he ever would, failing to go deep in either of his last four games in pursuit of #30.
6. WADE BOGGS, BOSTON
  • Key Numbers: .368 average, 653 at-bats, 107 runs, 240 hits, 42 doubles, 8 home runs, 78 RBIs, 96 walks, .450 on-base percentage.
  • Boggs won his second batting title while going hitless in only 26 games; his 240 hits were the most by any major leaguer since 1930.
7. JESSE BARFIELD, TORONTO
  • Key Numbers: .289 average, 94 runs, 34 doubles, 9 triples, 27 home runs, 84 RBIs, 22 stolen bases.
  • The rise of Barfield, after three part-time seasons, was a key factor in the Blue Jays making the postseason for the first time.
8. DARRELL EVANS, DETROIT
  • Key Numbers: .248 average, 81 runs, 40 home runs, 94 RBIs, 85 walks.
  • The 38-year-old veteran, whose career appeared ready to flicker out a year earlier, became the oldest player to lead the AL in home runs—and the first to hit at least 40 in both leagues.
9. PHIL BRADLEY, SEATTLE
  • Key Numbers: .300 average, 641 at-bats, 100 runs, 192 hits, 33 doubles, 8 triples, 26 home runs, 88 RBIs, 12 hit-by-pitches, 22 stolen bases.
  • In the pre-Ken Griffey Jr. era of Seattle baseball where every year it seemed to be a different guy leading the charge offensively, it was Bradley’s turn; his 192 hits remained the Seattle team record until Alex Rodriguez exploded in 1996.
10. CAL RIPKEN JR., BALTIMORE
  • Key Numbers: 161 games, .282 average, 642 at-bats, 116 runs, 181 hits, 32 doubles, 5 triples, 26 home runs, 110 RBIs, 32 grounded into double plays.
  • This was the first of six seasons during Ripken’s epic consecutive-game streak in which he actually didn’t lead the league in games played. (How? Because rained-out Orioles games not made up kept Ripken below the 162 threshold reached by others.)


NL Pitchers

1. DWIGHT GOODEN, NEW YORK
  • Key Numbers: 1.53 ERA, 24 wins, 4 losses, .857 win percentage, 35 starts, 16 complete games, 276.2 innings, 268 strikeouts, 22 stolen bases allowed, 21 grounded into double plays.
  • If there was any sophomore jinx related to the phenomenal Gooden, then it was on the confounded batters he faced. With the second-lowest season ERA (after Bob Gibson’s 1.12 in 1968) since the Deadball Era, the 20-year old was a unanimous choice for the NL Cy Young Award.
2. JOHN TUDOR, ST. LOUIS
  • Key Numbers: 1.93 ERA, 21 wins, 6 losses, .724 win percentage, 36 starts, 10 shutouts, 275 innings, 49 walks.
  • Any other year, and odds are that Tudor would have grabbed the Cy—but not in the year of Dr. K. Tudor did, however, match Gooden for the year’s longest streak of consecutive scoreless innings (31.2)—starting one day after Gooden began his.
3. OREL HERSHISER, LOS ANGELES
  • Key Numbers: 2.03 ERA, 19 wins, 3 losses, .864 win percentage, 34 starts, 239.2 innings, 23 stolen bases allowed, 25 grounded into double plays.
  • In an exceptional second full season, Hershiser tossed two one-hitters—the first of which came against San Diego and Tony Gwynn, the only batter to reach base, twice. Each time he reached, he was thrown out attempting to steal.
4. FERNANDO VALENZUELA, LOS ANGELES
  • Key Numbers: 2.45 ERA, 17 wins, 10 losses, 35 starts, 272.1 innings, 101 walks, 10 wild pitches, 21 grounded into double plays.
  • In a start to the season that dared to draw comparisons to the incredible onset of his 1981 campaign, Valenzuela didn’t allow an earned run over his first 41.1 innings thrown. (He did allow four unearned tallies, though.)
5. BRYN SMITH, MONTREAL
  • Key Numbers: 2.91 ERA, 18 wins, 5 losses, .783 win percentage, 32 starts, 222.1 innings, 41 walks, 21 grounded into double plays.
  • Within a rather common statistical biography that could have led to the nickname “Mr. .500,” Smith’s highly winning 1985 campaign was bumped up thanks to his cleaning up (13-0, 2.25 ERA) of three below-.500 teams: The Phillies, Cubs and Braves.
6. RICK REUSCHEL, PITTSBURGH
  • Key Numbers: 2.27 ERA, 14 wins, 8 losses, 1 save, 31 appearances, 26 starts, 194 innings.
  • Talk about contrasting reversal of fortunes: Reuschel won Comeback Player of the Year honors for a wreck of a team that plummeted to 104 losses; the Bucs’ rotation was a humiliating 28-64 without him.
7. JOAQUIN ANDUJAR, ST. LOUIS
  • Key Numbers: 3.40 ERA, 21 wins, 12 losses, 38 starts, 269.2 innings, 11 hit-by-pitches, 29 stolen bases allowed, 32 grounded into double plays.
  • The fiery Andujar, who boycotted the All-Star Game (because they wouldn’t let him start) and received a 10-day suspension for his World Series tirade against umpire Don Denkinger, claimed 20-win status for a second straight year—but the Cardinals shipped him to Oakland after the season anyway, pointing to a rough finish (5.82 ERA from July 31 through the postseason).
8. DENNIS ECKERSLEY, CHICAGO
  • Key Numbers: 3.08 ERA, 11 wins, 7 losses, 25 starts, 169.1 innings, 19 walks.
  • Eck went on a winning flourish down the stretch to keep the Cubs’ staff from being the first in franchise history without a 10-game winner in a non-strike season.
9. TOM BROWNING, CINCINNATI
  • Key Numbers: 3.55 ERA, 20 wins, 9 losses, .690 win percentage, 38 starts, 261.1 innings.
  • Browning became the first rookie in 31 years to win 20 games. He wouldn’t do it a second time in any of his other 11 seasons.
10. DANNY COX, ST. LOUIS
  • Key Numbers: 2.88 ERA, 18 wins, 9 losses, 35 starts, 241 innings.
  • Joaquin Andujar wasn’t the only Cardinals pitcher who got feisty in October; after earning a critical victory—his career-high 18th—against the Mets in his last regular season start, he quickly retreated to Georgia and punched out his ex-brother-in-law, who was threatening Cox’ sister.


AL Pitchers

1. BRET SABERHAGEN, KANSAS CITY
  • Key Numbers: 2.87 ERA, 20 wins, 6 losses, .769 win percentage, 32 starts, 253.1 innings, 38 walks.
  • The AL’s youthful answer to Dwight Gooden, without the glitz—until it came his turn to shine in the postseason.
2. DAVE STIEB, TORONTO
  • Key Numbers: 2.48 ERA, 14 wins, 13 losses, 36 starts, 265 innings, 96 walks.
  • The record simply doesn’t match the ERA, and here perhaps is why: In nine no-decisions, Stieb’s ERA was 2.03. On top of that, here was a sign of further frustration to come: Stieb took a no-hitter into the ninth inning at Chicago on August 24, and immediately gave up back-to-back home runs before being removed.
3. RON GUIDRY, NEW YORK
  • Key Numbers: 3.27 ERA, 22 wins, 6 losses, .786 win percentage, 33 starts, 259 innings, 42 walks, 30 grounded into double plays.
  • Buoyed by generous run support (5.6 per start), Guidry gave it a last great ride before his career slowly but surely began to peter out.
4. CHARLIE LEIBRANDT, KANSAS CITY
  • Key Numbers: 2.69 ERA, 17 wins, 9 losses, 33 starts, 237.2 innings, 21 grounded into double plays.
  • Rescued from the minors after disappointing the Reds earlier in the decade, Leibrandt was a sidebar success story relative to Bret Saberhagen—even if he had a better ERA.
5. BERT BLYLEVEN, CLEVELAND-MINNESOTA
  • Key Numbers: 3.16 ERA, 17 wins, 16 losses, 37 starts, 24 complete games, 5 shutouts, 293.2 innings, 206 strikeouts, 34 stolen bases allowed, 21 grounded into double plays.
  • A 1970s-era relic in a time of diminishing returns (quantity-wise) from starting pitchers, Blyleven played the ultimate workhorse well—and even got the trade he had long sought from Cleveland.
6. MIKE MOORE, SEATTLE
  • Key Numbers: 3.46 ERA, 17 wins, 10 losses, 34 starts, 247 innings.
  • Moore tied a Mariners record with 17 wins—a year after tying another team mark with 17 losses.
7. DAN QUISENBERRY, KANSAS CITY
  • Key Numbers: 2.37 ERA, 8 wins, 9 losses, 37 saves, 12 blown saves, 84 appearances, 129 innings, 16 walks.
  • Quisenberry remained the AL’s top closer, leading the league in saves for the fourth straight year.
8. DANNY JACKSON, KANSAS CITY
  • Key Numbers: 3.42 ERA, 14 wins, 12 losses, 32 starts, 208 innings, 26 grounded into double plays.
  • Another young breakout arm for the Royals, Jackson allowed just seven home runs—two over 98.2 innings at home.
9. BOB JAMES, CHICAGO
  • Key Numbers: 2.13 ERA, 8 wins, 7 losses, 32 saves, 9 blown saves, 69 appearances, 110 innings, 23 walks.
  • Bouncing between the Expos and Tigers over the previous seven seasons, James was finally given a full-time platform as closer and set a White Sox saves record (soon to be annihilated by Bobby Thigpen)—all despite missing three weeks in July with a leg injury.
10. DAN PETRY, DETROIT
  • Key Numbers: 3.36 ERA, 15 wins, 13 losses, 34 starts, 238.2 innings, 24 grounded into double plays.
  • Petry’s run of seven straight winning records to start his career would come to an end in 1986, but for now he remained every bit the equal to star ace teammate Jack Morris.

luckymann 02-24-2024 07:38 AM
1985 Preseason / Spring Training
 
Funderburks are GO! as the unheralded outfielder gets a massive deal from the Tigers in an offseason market that starts late and ends early but in-between is very busy indeed.

Ron Guidry and Dave Parker join IRL teams, while age-39 Davey Lopes, age-37 Nolan Ryan and Darrell Evans and age-36 Lee Lacy get nice little send-off deals from the Dodgers, Cards, Jays and Cubs.

OF Davey Lopes: Dodgers, 2 years / $7.3m / AAV $3.64m
P Nolan Ryan: Cardinals, 3 years / $10.8m / AAV $3.60m
OF Dave Winfield: Tigers, 5 years / $17.2m / AAV $3.44m
C Ron Hassey: Cubs, 2 years / $6.8m / AAV $3.40m
OF Lee Lacy: Cubs, 2 years / $6.7m / AAV $3.36m
1B Darrell Evans: Blue Jays, 3 years / $9.3m / AAV $3.11m
OF Jerry Mumphrey: Cubs, 2 years / $5.7m / AAV $2.68m
OF Mark Funderburk: Tigers, 4 years / $10.9m / AAV $2.72m
P Ron Guidry: Yankees, 4 years / $10.4m / AAV $2.60m
P Mike Krukow: Giants, 3 years / $7.3m / AAV $2.44m
P Joaquin Andujar: Yankees, 2 years / $4.8m / AAV $2.40m
C Rich Gedman: Phillies, 4 years / $8.5m / AAV $2.13m
OF Hal McRae: Twins, 1 year / $2.0m / AAV $2.04m
OF Jose Cruz: White Sox, 2 year / $4.0m / AAV $1.98m
2B Glenn Hubbard: Astros, 3 years / $5.2m / AAV $1.73m
SS Dave Concepcion: Cubs, 1 year / $1.7m / AAV $1.70m
3B Graig Nettles: Astros, 1 year / $1.7m / AAV $1.70m
C Darrell Porter: Angels, 4 years / $6.1m / AAV $1.52m
1B Cliff Johnson: Red Sox, 3 years / $4.4m / AAV $1.46m
OF Dave Parker: A’s, 3 year / $4.4m / AAV $1.46m
P Frank Tanana: Rangers, 4 years / $5.8m / AAV $1.46m
3B Bill Madlock: Dodgers, 2 years / $2.8m / AAV $1.40m
3B Johnny Bench: Blue Jays, 1 year / $1.4m / AAV $1.36m
OF Gary Matthews: Giants, 3 years / $4.0m / AAV $1.33m
P Moose Haas: Cubs, 3 years / $3.9m / AAV $1.30m
1B Rod Carew: Dodgers, 1 year / $1.1m / AAV $1.12m
P Rich Gossage: Tigers, 2 years / $1.4m / AAV $0.71m


2B Steve Sax from Tigers to A’s for P Dave Schmidt
1B Sid Bream from Royals to White Sox for P Donnie Moore
P Mark Davis and OF Mike Brown from Giants to White Sox for P Steve Bedrosian and 2B Luis Quinones
1B Gerald Perry from Padres to Expos for P Jesse Orosco and SS Spike Owen
SS Lenny Faedo from Giants to Yankees for 2B Toby Harrah
P Julio Solano from Mets to Yankees for OF Ben Ogilvie
OF Howard Johnson from Cubs to Mariners for 1B Kent Hrbek
OF Johnny Grubb and OF Mike Diaz from Mariners to Mets for 1B Leon Durham (retaining 10%)
3B Rick Schu from Expos to Brewers for P Len Barker (retaining 85%)
2B Kelly Gruber and OF John Christensen from Tigers to Mariners for P Allen Ripley
3B Carney Lansford from Astros to Tigers for 3B Denny Gonzalez and SS Alvaro Espinoza
1B Nick Esasky, OF Jeff Stone and SS Greg Gagne from Rangers to Braves for 3B Bob Horner (retaining 45%)
P Roy Smith and P Edwin Nunez from Cardinals to Indians for OF Don Baylor


We go 11-7 in Spring Training with no injuries to speak of.

BNN are tipping division wins for the Blue Jays, White Sox, Cubs and Dodgers and a fairly long season for us—they see us finishing dead last at 75-87.

With our pitching, I don’t think we’re that bad but will be satisfied with a winning record and don’t expect us to be featuring in the pointy end this time around.

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

luckymann 02-24-2024 08:15 AM
The View from the Gangplank Opening Day, 1985
 
This season will come down to two main factors: how good our pitching actually is and how many runs our offence can scratch together to support their efforts. Baseball 101, really.

We turn an eye to the future, moving Scott Sanderson up to SP1 and promoting John Tudor to the rotation and the expense of Rick Rhoden, who we're going to try in a setup role for the final year at the club.

Cecilio Guante retains the Closer role and Jerry Don Gleaton makes his MLB debut after a long wait down at AAA, with Neal Heaton making way for now.

Gary Redus in at LF and leading off. Joe Orsulak will get a ton of ABs as our main backup OF and Miguel Dilone starts the year with us but that thinness at CF makes John Cangelosi or someone else (we have a WW claim in for Terry Harper) almost certain to come in before too long because of Miguel's defensive limitations. Bill Almon makes his return and will fill a variety of roles in both the IF and OF.

A few familiar faces return to the club in our annual MiLB trawl, with George Hendrick, Tim Foli and Larry McWilliams at Lincoln.

A bit of a patchwork quilt but there's a real "brothers in arms" feel to this group and I'm looking forward to seeing if that translates to on-field performance.


https://i.imgur.com/gg0vQuq.jpg

luckymann 02-24-2024 09:11 AM
Cutlass Club / Financials Update 1985
 
A bunch of budget space and a stack more payroll coming off the books at the end of this season, with Kong, Armas, Rhoden and Wash all in their walk year and unlikely to return.

Johnny Ray and Dave LaPoint the two big-ticket items we'll have to navigate this year, with a few smaller ones like Don Slaught, Tom Foley, Rod Scurry and Cecilio Guante also to be dealt with.

Three transaction tickets still up our sleeve and if the right guy(s) come along we'll give them our utmost consideration but the larder is quite full of youngsters as well.

luckymann 02-25-2024 03:40 AM
Doing His Father-in-Law Proud...
 
Just that pesky walk off a perfect game. Jose threw neither IRL.

luckymann 02-25-2024 09:31 PM
Simitating Life
 
A few years after the IRL, but The Bird's career ends in similarly abrupt fashion in this timeline.

https://i.imgur.com/P5SVm1Z.jpg

luckymann 02-25-2024 10:45 PM
Stat Check: W
 
Who holds the single season record in the MLB for wins?
  • Dazzy Vance, LAD, 33, 1923
  • Satchel Paige, BOS, 33, 1928
  • Satchel Paige, BOS, 33, 1931
  • Walter Johnson, MIN, 32, 1912
  • Schoolboy Rowe, DET, 31, 1935
  • Ed Brandt, BSN, 31, 1935
  • Dick Redding, WAS, 31, 1912
  • Doc White, DET, 31, 1906
  • Red Ruffing, NYY, 31, 1930

Rube Waddell (1904, 1907), Lefty Grove (1932), Doc White (1905), Smokey Joe Williams (1913), Smoky Joe Wood (1909), Dutch Leonard (1914), Rube Vickers (1916) and Barney Brown (1936) all won 30.

luckymann 02-26-2024 11:36 PM
The View from the Gangplank June 1, 1985
 
Things that make you go hmmm.

We do get Terry Harper via the WW and that means Miguel Dilone goes to AAA. A nice little short-term add for us.

https://i.imgur.com/RXu9OyH.jpg


We lose Gene Garber to the O’s via the same means.

The lads come out to play from the off, going 9-1 over our first 10 including no fewer than three walkoff wins including one against the Mets in which we rally with 4 and Terry Harper wins it with a 3-run double.

This hot start can’t hide the fact, however, that our pitchers are going extremely poorly, with the rotation ERA ranked next-to-last and just under 5.

An all-in-all upside-down scenario compared with what we expected.

Except, that is, for Dave Kingman hitting 097… which we knew was a distinct possibility.

The inevitable forces of gravity take hold and we cool off, losing five straight and then four on the bounce as well to fall into mid-standings mediocrity with our starting pitching still very much on the nose.

Still, no faulting the way the offence is applying itself. The runs are coming and, if we can keep that up while fixing our performance on the mound then we’re a bit of a dark horse.

But that’s a big if.

As is shown when we lose 0-2 then 0-13 to the Astros, with Danny Darwin shelled in the latter game.

Maybe I should just keep my big trap shut, hey?

Compounding this, Gary Redus goes down for a month with a hamstring strain and so, rather than rush John Cangelosi, George Hendrick makes a welcome return to the fold.

A poor finish to an utterly bewildering opening stanza sees us lose our last four games to finish May at 23-21.

Methinks some fast-simming is in my immediate future...

https://i.imgur.com/uC8lyxN.jpg


We commence our roster management for the year by signing Johnny Ray to a 4-year / $5.6m deal. We also keep Dave LaPoint around thru 1988 with a 3/2700 extension. Others we re-up with are Don Slaught (1/365) and Tom Foley (1/410).

Wouldn’t mind some of what our AAA boys are having as they enter June sitting at a scintillating 25-4. Lee Mazzilli is another to enter their ranks on a minors deal.


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

What odds an all-Canada World Series this year?


Monthly Award Winners

April

American League

Batter – Don Mattingly (Yankees): 392 / 3 HR / 26 RBI
Pitcher – Bret Saberhagen (Royals): 4-0 / 2.48 / 15 K / 32.2 IP
Rookie – Teddy Higuera (Brewers): 3-0 / 2.57 / 22 K / 35 IP


National League

Batter – George Bell (Phillies): 406 / 9 HR / 19 RBI
Pitcher – Kirk McCaskill (Expos): 4-0 / 1.43 / 21 K / 37.2 IP
Rookie – Kirk McCaskill


May

American League

Batter – George Brett (Royals): 341 / 6 HR / 16 RBI
Pitcher – Shane Rawley (Orioles): 5-0 / 1.20 / 28 K / 45 IP
Rookie – Ernest Riles (Rangers): 330 / 3 HR / 11 RBI


National League

Batter – Joe Morgan (Reds): 364 / 6 HR / 17 RBI
(still showing the kids how to do it at age 41!)
Pitcher –Ron Robinson (Expos): 6-0 / 1.54 / 24 K / 46.2 IP
Rookie – Kirk McCaskill (Expos): 5-1 / 3.92 / 28 K / 39 IP


News and Leaders

https://i.imgur.com/6a6p6qU.jpg


Milestones and Observations of Note

400 HR: Johnny Bench

2500 Hits: Cecil Cooper

The Astros lose veteran SP Rudy May to a back injury for 4 months.

The Halos sign FA outfielder Dwayne Murphy on a 1/1540 deal.

luckymann 02-28-2024 09:30 PM
Gullickson of a Gun
 

luckymann 02-29-2024 06:41 PM
1985 MLB All-Star Game
 
Maiden appearances for Rick Rhoden - doing pretty well in a relief role in his final year at the club - and Andy Van, who has been our best position player this year.


American League
  • SP Bert Blyleven (CWS) - 10-3, 2.76 ERA, 143.2 IP, 1.16 WHIP, 6.3 K/9, 3.4 WAR
  • SP Oil Can Boyd (TOR) - 10-6, 3.25 ERA, 135.2 IP, 1.30 WHIP, 4.5 K/9, 2.9 WAR
  • SP Roger Clemens (BOS) - 13-4, 2.92 ERA, 169.2 IP, 1.24 WHIP, 7.4 K/9, 4.4 WAR
  • SP Danny Cox (CWS) - 10-5, 2.25 ERA, 132.0 IP, 1.18 WHIP, 3.9 K/9, 2.7 WAR
  • SP Jimmy Key (TOR) - 12-4, 2.59 ERA, 139.0 IP, 1.11 WHIP, 3.9 K/9, 2.0 WAR
  • SP Bret Saberhagen (KC) - 9-8, 3.48 ERA, 150.0 IP, 1.19 WHIP, 5.3 K/9, 3.2 WAR
  • SP Frank Tanana (TEX)* - 8-5, 1.72 ERA, 141.0 IP, 1.06 WHIP, 6.3 K/9, 4.5 WAR
  • CL Ed Correa (SEA) - 1-2, 16 SV, 1.58 ERA, 45.2 IP, 1.31 WHIP, 8.5 K/9, 1.4 WAR
  • CL Mark Eichhorn (CWS) - 5-3, 16 SV, 2.01 ERA, 53.2 IP, 0.99 WHIP, 5.9 K/9, 1.3 WAR
  • CL Jay Howell (OAK)* - 4-3, 17 SV, 2.18 ERA, 45.1 IP, 1.12 WHIP, 5.4 K/9, 0.7 WAR
  • CL Donnie Moore (KC) - 3-2, 16 SV, 1.80 ERA, 55.0 IP, 1.16 WHIP, 4.6 K/9, 1.5 WAR
  • C Terry Kennedy (BOS)* - .316/.360/.504, 250 AB, 10 HR, 141 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
  • C Tony Pena Sr. (KC) - .254/.310/.362, 240 AB, 5 HR, 10 SB, 92 wRC+, 1.4 WAR
  • C Mickey Tettleton (NYY) - .256/.372/.467, 195 AB, 9 HR, 4 SB, 138 wRC+, 1.7 WAR
  • 1B Don Mattingly (NYY)* - .316/.362/.511, 323 AB, 13 HR, 141 wRC+, 2.1 WAR
  • 2B Bill Doran (BOS)* - .284/.359/.422, 320 AB, 9 HR, 17 SB, 121 wRC+, 2.0 WAR
  • 3B George Brett (KC)* - .335/.422/.562, 281 AB, 12 HR, 1 SB, 173 wRC+, 3.7 WAR
  • SS Tony Fernandez (TOR)* - .328/.373/.484, 314 AB, 6 HR, 15 SB, 139 wRC+, 4.1 WAR
  • SS Ozzie Guillen (KC) - .311/.342/.420, 293 AB, 1 HR, 8 SB, 114 wRC+, 3.4 WAR
  • SS Ernest Riles (TEX) - .350/.399/.502, 309 AB, 9 HR, 156 wRC+, 3.4 WAR
  • SS Cal Ripken Jr. (BAL) - .278/.346/.477, 281 AB, 14 HR, 125 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
  • LF Jose Cruz (CWS)* - .298/.344/.405, 299 AB, 4 HR, 7 SB, 111 wRC+, 1.4 WAR
  • LF Jim Rice (BOS) - .312/.368/.506, 237 AB, 9 HR, 142 wRC+, 2.0 WAR
  • CF Rickey Henderson (OAK)* - .295/.421/.421, 285 AB, 8 HR, 57 SB, 144 wRC+, 4.8 WAR
  • CF Lloyd Moseby (TOR)* - .298/.397/.522, 339 AB, 16 HR, 34 SB, 159 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
  • CF Gary Pettis (TOR) - .270/.389/.369, 263 AB, 2 HR, 52 SB, 115 wRC+, 4.2 WAR
  • CF Kirby Puckett (MIN) - .339/.396/.474, 304 AB, 4 HR, 12 SB, 140 wRC+, 3.5 WAR
  • CF Willie Wilson (KC) - .306/.338/.438, 333 AB, 3 HR, 44 SB, 120 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
  • RF Jesse Barfield (TOR)* - .292/.372/.530, 298 AB, 15 HR, 14 SB, 156 wRC+, 4.3 WAR
  • RF Dave Parker (OAK) - .312/.340/.477, 321 AB, 12 HR, 5 SB, 132 wRC+, 1.9 WAR


National League
  • SP Dwight Gooden (NYM)* - 10-6, 2.80 ERA, 147.2 IP, 1.19 WHIP, 8.1 K/9, 4.7 WAR
  • SP Moose Haas (CHC) - 12-2, 1.96 ERA, 105.2 IP, 1.07 WHIP, 4.7 K/9, 2.7 WAR
  • SP Orel Hershiser (LAD) - 7-6, 4.73 ERA, 129.1 IP, 1.37 WHIP, 4.9 K/9, 2.1 WAR
  • SP Joe Johnson (STL) - 12-4, 2.61 ERA, 131.0 IP, 1.08 WHIP, 4.2 K/9, 2.6 WAR
  • SP J.R. Richard (HOU) - 7-8, 3.84 ERA, 136.0 IP, 1.46 WHIP, 7.3 K/9, 2.9 WAR
  • SP Ron Robinson (MON) - 12-3, 2.47 ERA, 120.1 IP, 1.22 WHIP, 6.1 K/9, 2.0 WAR
  • RP Tom Henke (CIN)* - 7-1, 3.02 ERA, 41.2 IP, 1.25 WHIP, 6.5 K/9, -0.0 WAR
  • RP Rick Rhoden (PIT) - 2-3, 5 SV, 3.90 ERA, 30.0 IP, 1.43 WHIP, 6.9 K/9, 0.6 WAR
  • CL John Franco (MON) - 9-3, 23 SV, 1.82 ERA, 74.1 IP, 1.08 WHIP, 5.6 K/9, 1.4 WAR
  • CL Rob Murphy (ATL) - 1-2, 10 SV, 2.13 ERA, 55.0 IP, 1.16 WHIP, 5.6 K/9, 0.7 WAR
  • C Gary Carter (MON)* - .298/.356/.574, 235 AB, 18 HR, 161 wRC+, 3.8 WAR
  • C Rich Gedman (PHI) - .289/.332/.434, 249 AB, 7 HR, 114 wRC+, 0.9 WAR
  • C Ron Hassey (CHC) - .284/.382/.474, 215 AB, 9 HR, 139 wRC+, 2.0 WAR
  • 1B Jack Clark (SF)* - .310/.428/.627, 284 AB, 21 HR, 3 SB, 197 wRC+, 4.3 WAR
  • 1B Glenn Davis (HOU) - .289/.382/.473, 294 AB, 12 HR, 143 wRC+, 2.0 WAR
  • 1B Keith Hernandez (STL) - .304/.413/.429, 296 AB, 5 HR, 145 wRC+, 3.3 WAR
  • 2B Ryne Sandberg (CHC)* - .303/.373/.503, 314 AB, 15 HR, 35 SB, 146 wRC+, 4.1 WAR
  • 3B Hubie Brooks (SD) - .307/.330/.497, 306 AB, 13 HR, 2 SB, 132 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
  • 3B Mike Schmidt (PHI)* - .184/.295/.339, 239 AB, 10 HR, 79 wRC+, 0.2 WAR
  • SS Ozzie Smith (STL)* - .277/.343/.337, 300 AB, 26 SB, 95 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
  • LF Pedro Guerrero (LAD) - .309/.407/.441, 256 AB, 8 HR, 5 SB, 143 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
  • LF Jerry Mumphrey (CHC) - .338/.381/.486, 290 AB, 6 HR, 12 SB, 146 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
  • LF Dan Pasqua (PHI) - .317/.401/.562, 249 AB, 16 HR, 171 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
  • LF Tim Raines (MON)* - .349/.425/.534, 298 AB, 8 HR, 52 SB, 175 wRC+, 5.6 WAR
  • CF Eric Davis (CHC)* - .270/.370/.559, 204 AB, 17 HR, 30 SB, 158 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
  • CF Lenny Dykstra (CIN) - .373/.454/.570, 244 AB, 9 HR, 22 SB, 185 wRC+, 4.1 WAR
  • CF Fred Lynn (STL) - .284/.357/.528, 282 AB, 19 HR, 2 SB, 150 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
  • RF George Bell (PHI)* - .314/.364/.585, 299 AB, 21 HR, 13 SB, 167 wRC+, 3.3 WAR
  • RF Mike Davis (SF) - .336/.395/.518, 301 AB, 12 HR, 24 SB, 162 wRC+, 4.6 WAR
  • RF Andy Van Slyke (PIT) - .305/.399/.483, 269 AB, 9 HR, 21 SB, 151 wRC+, 2.9 WAR

Steve Balboni beats our own Tony Armas in the HR Derby final, with MVP Don Mattingly leading the AL to a 7-3 ASG win.

luckymann 03-01-2024 01:10 AM
The Rocket, Launched
 

The Angels become the first club since the 1963 Giants - who were on the wrong end of three! - to be no-hit more than once in a season.

luckymann 03-01-2024 02:14 AM
Two of Us
 

luckymann 03-02-2024 11:53 PM
The Glimpse from the Gangplank August 1, 1985
 
We are heading the wrong way fast from the very start of June, losing five straight to slip under 500 as our offence completely dries up until we narrowly escape losing a sixth with a 7-run 9th in a game at Chicago.

Joe Orsulak is the next one we lose to injury, with a back injury keeping him on ice for a fortnight or so and with Gary Redus still not having returned, Bill Almon will get a bit more playing time as we still want to hold back from promoting Cangelosi.

By this stage we are a dozen off the pace and we’ve already turned our focus to trying to right the ship come ’86.

To which end, we sign a few more minor extensions: Neal Heaton (1/398), Larry McWilliams (1/190); Bill Almon (1/180) and Rod Scurry (1/290).

I fast-sim from July onwards (although I still do it day-by-day; I just take fewer notes is all). No point prolonging the agony.

Here, in bullet-point form, are the lowlights:
  • We finally get Gary Redus back from the IL
  • John Cangelosi is injured at AAA and misses 6 weeks
  • Lance Parrish’s dirty year gets dirtier as he strains an oblique and needs a minimum IL stint, with Steve Nicosia called up to replace him
  • We go 11-17 in June
  • Joe Orsulak comes back, George Hendrick’s cameo comes to an end for now
  • We win 8 straight to storm back into 4th place…
  • We claim reliever Ted Power off the WW and stash him at AAA
  • Another run of wins puts us at 46-40 when the ASB rolls around, tied for second but miles back from the all-conquering Expos
  • We go 18-9 in July
  • We make a few trade overtures at the Deadline but only in the search for an absolute bargain or two. As painful as it is to endure, this season is just one of those things and has been coming for a while. It notwithstanding, we actually think our squad is in pretty good shape moving forward and with the top pick in this year’s Draft, we should pick up at least two key guys and one or two other useful additions.

No stats rundown or any of that, as I want to keep things moving apace.

Just a bit of news below from around the league:
  • The 25-42 Astros fire Manager Sandy Koufax, later replacing him with Charlie Maxwell
  • While the Expos go from strength to strength and look set to cruise to the NL East title, the Jays moonwalk back to the pack and will have a fight on their hands down the stretch
  • Reds veteran Joe Morgan tears his labrum in July and is done for the season
  • Some deadline trades of note
https://i.imgur.com/zlCtLkV.jpg


Monthly Award Winners

June
American League
  • Batter – Dave Parker (A’s): 388 / 6 HR / 18 RBI
  • Pitcher – Charlie Hough (Tigers): 5-0 / 1.88 / 25 K / 48 IP
  • Rookie – Teddy Higuera (Brewers): 4-1 / 2.41 / 27 K / 37.1 IP

National League
  • Batter – Tim Raines (Expos): 404 / 3 HR / 15 RBI
  • Pitcher – John Franco (Expos): 4-0 / 1.19 / 8 SV / 16 K / 22.2 IP
  • Rookie – Joe Johnson (Cardinals): 5-1 / 2.42 / 22 K / 44.2 IP

July
American League
  • Batter – Alvin Davis (Indians): 326 / 6 HR / 18 RBI
  • Pitcher – Roger Clemens (Red Sox): 4-2 / 1.71 / 51 K / 52.2 IP
  • Rookie – Ernest Riles (Rangers): 309 / 6 HR / 20 RBI

National League
  • Batter – Tom Brunansky (Braves): 319 / 9 HR / 24 RBI
  • Pitcher –JR Richard (Astros): 4-1 / 1.71 / 46 K / 47.1 IP
  • Rookie – Kirk McCaskill (Expos): 3-0 / 1.78 / 28 K / 35.1 IP

Here are the standings and we're done for this report:

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

luckymann 03-05-2024 01:50 AM
Barfield of Dreams
 

luckymann 03-07-2024 01:57 AM
In a Minor Key
 
Our stacked AAA Lincoln squad dominate all year and win their 21st title in four against Moline.

Rob Deer hits 40 HR, the most since Joe Pepitone's 41 in 1962.

luckymann 03-07-2024 04:01 AM
The View from the Gangplank: end of regular season, 1985
 
Will recap once again in precis form to keep us hurtling along, although there is so little to report on it wouldn’t take long either way:

We close out a 13-17 August with four losses including three straight walkoffs to sit 5th at 65-64.

A series sweep at the hands of Houston leaves our record against them for the year at 2-10.

Things get even uglier from there as the wheels fall off completely and we lose 10 of our first 12 in September including 8 straight.

We are eliminated in mid-September.

A run of 5 straight wins in the next-to-last week of the regular season briefly gets us back above 500 but lose our final three at Philly to finish 80-82, just the 9th losing season in club history.

https://i.imgur.com/sF6W81l.jpg

At AAA, Zane Smith is hurt again and we decide to shut him down for the season to not risk further harm.


One of the more decisive and drama-free regular seasons in memory.

Montreal clinches first, by this stage some 15 games clear, finally delivering that long-awaited maiden playoff appearance after a few near-misses.

They do suffer a huge dent to their title aspirations, however, when Ron Robinson goes down for the remainder with a torn labrum.

The White Sox follow suit the very next day and the Blue Jays later that week, keeping the all-Canada decider on the table.

The Braves are the final piece to fall into place, making it two post-season runs in five years after having to wait nearly 50 the previous time.

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


Final Leaders and Top 20s

Batting titles to Tony Fernandez and Jerry Mumphrey, the first for each.

Glenn Davis leads the MLB with 39 homers, Jesse Barfield with 121 RBI.

While Vince Coleman and Juan Samuel tie as this year's Men of Steal with 94, Rickey Henderson adds 84 SB to his career total and closes the season at 845, within 200 of Lou Brock's all-time mark of 1016.

In this Golden Age of pitching, Doc Gooden just edges out Rocket Clemens 234-231 to be 1985's King of K.

Both of them, along with a few others, win 20 or more with Jimmy Key's 24 the most of any and the two Johnson-Waddell races this year will be fascinating to see.

Dave Righetti leads the MLB in Saves with 38, just one more than Mark Eichhorn.

Nolan Ryan's can only add 96 K to his career total, which puts him on 4824 and Sandy K might well have him covered.

https://i.imgur.com/FQ2XnOx.jpg


Monthly Award Winners

August

American League

Batter – Howard Johnson (Mariners): 330 / 8 HR / 28 RBI
Pitcher – Frank Viola (Twins): 5-0 / 1.96 / 29 K / 46 IP
Rookie – Mark Portugal (Mariners): 4-1 / 2.14 / 22 K / 46.1 IP


National League

Batter – Darryl Strawberry (Mets): 375 / 10 HR / 28 RBI
Pitcher – Fred Kuhaulua (Cardinals): 5-0 / 1.06 / 19 K / 42.1 IP
Rookie – Kirk McCaskill (Expos): 4-2 / 3.18 / 25 K / 39.2 IP


September

American League

Batter – Lloyd Moseby (Blue Jays): 346 / 8 HR / 26 RBI
Pitcher – Jimmy Key (Blue Jays): 6-0 / 1.37 / 15 K / 46 IP
Rookie – Rick Aguilera (Red Sox): 5-0 / 4 SV / 1.33 / 6 K / 20.1 IP


National League

Batter – Glenn Davis (Astros): 319 / 12 HR / 31 RBI
Pitcher – Danny Jackson (Expos): 4-0 / 0.43 / 30 K / 42 IP
Rookie – Tim Burke (Braves): 2-0 / 3.66 / 6 SV / 9 K / 19.2 IP


Milestones and Observations of Note

2000 Hits: Dave Parker, Ted Simmons, Keith Hernandez

The Mets lose veteran Jon Matlack for a full year to elbow surgery, while the Twins will be without Steve Ontiveros for the rest of the campaign due to shoulder inflammation.

In AAA, Madisonville’s Kurt Kepshire spins a no-no against Auburn.

luckymann 03-07-2024 06:50 AM
1985 League Championship Series
 
American League
Toronto Blue Jays (105-57) v Chicago White Sox (97-65)

Note, the LCS are now best-of-seven.

Well if it’s true what they say, that you usually have to lose one to win one, then that’s just another reason to favour this really talented Blue Jays squad, whose 105 wins this season were the most by some margin.

They certainly look to have no obvious weakness and, while the White Sox are also replete with quality players, I think Toronto will go all the way this year.

Game 1 is a fantastic way to kick things off as the Jays rally with 4 in the 9th to tie it at 4-4 and then win it walkoff two frames later on a Johnny Bench single.

Game 2 is a more straightforward victory for the home side as Jimmy Key goes the distance, allowing just one run on 2 hits in a 9-1 cakewalk.

The White Sox ride a fine outing by Mike Moore to get on the board with a 2-1 win at Comiskey and in a classic Game 4 come all the way back from 7-2 down to win it 10-9 in 11 on a walkoff RBI double by Gary Alexander.

They pull a similar trick the next day as the Jays blow another lead and the White Sox prevail 4-3 in 13 and the Jays will look at this series as the one that got away as they blow yet another late lead and Chicago advances with yet another 4-3 win.

Harold Baines wins MVP honours.


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



National League
Montreal Expos (98-64) v Atlanta Braves (94-68)

What a fantastic playoff series for the neutrals. Four titles all told between the four remaining teams and just one in the past 50 seasons, two of them yet to win it all.

These two NL clubs have just one of those four: the Braves sole win in 1933 while still in Boston.

Point being, both should be well up for this one and it should be very tight especially with the Expos’ loss of Ron Robinson.

The Expos grind out a 4-2 win in Game 1, the first playoff game ever played in Montreal, but blow a lead late the next day and the Braves pounce, squaring the series with a 4-3 win.

A 6-hit shutout by Len Barker in a 1-0 win edges Montreal back ahead but Jay Tibbs returns serve the next day as the Braves tie it up at 2 look set the next day to take the series lead for the first time when they take a 5-1 lead into the top 9th. Montreal has other ideas, however, posting a 7-spot and then closing it out for a famous 8-5 victory, sending them back across the border needing just one win.

They don’t get it in Game 6, but rather pull a good old-fashioned choke as the Braves force a Game 7 with a comfortable 7-2 win.

They do, however, get it in Game 7 as this pretty epic contest ends in a 5-3 win for Les Expos.

Tim Raines is named MVP.

luckymann 03-07-2024 06:56 AM
In a Minor Key - Major AAA Awards, 1985
 

luckymann 03-07-2024 09:30 PM
1985 World Series Preview
 
Montreal Expos v Chicago White Sox
Best-of-seven, White Sox with the home-field advantage.


I really cannot offer any pearls of wisdom here, both teams have their claims with the White Sox in my book just having the pitching edge and the Expos offence slightly superior.

I’m going to favour the White Sox ever so slightly, with the home-field advantage a factor, tipping them to win it in seven.


https://i.imgur.com/Yok0U5F.jpg

luckymann 03-07-2024 10:47 PM
1985 World Series Recap
 
Game 1 in Chicago

Mike Witt (18-10, 3.54) v Kirk McCaskill (22-6, 2.95)

A top-notch opening game sees Witt and McCaskill duke it out with Witt emerging victorious on a points decision as the home side gets its nose in front early and hangs on for a 3-2 win.

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


Game 2 in Chicago
Bert Blyleven (19-11, 3.23) v Walt Terrell (4-10, 5.33)
White Sox lead series 1-0

Bert Blyleven has plenty of playoff experience and he brings it to bear in a signature outing, going the distance as the Sox double their advantage with a pretty cushy 5-1 win.

https://i.imgur.com/p4GNtPj.jpg


Game 3 in Montreal
Danny Jackson (15-10, 2.96) v Danny Cox (18-8, 3.21)
White Sox lead series 2-0

It was the sequence of games rather than the split that worried me most about the Expos, as it meant they would very likely be in exactly the situation they now find themselves: down 0-2. This will test them.

The first World Series game ever held outside of the US showcases two of the best young arms in the league right now and both do themselves proud as the Montreal Danny just outshines his Chicago namesake to get the Expos their first win with a 3-1 decision.

https://i.imgur.com/cHAzdN6.jpg


Game 4 in Montreal
Len Barker (15-11, 3.82) v Mike Moore (12-16, 3.48)
White Sox lead series 2-1

A 4-hit game by talisman Tim Raines and a strong outing for Len Barker, who allows just 2 unearned runs over 6, drive Montreal to a comfortable series-levelling 7-2 win.

https://i.imgur.com/GMcH1jI.jpg


Game 5 in Montreal
Kirk McCaskill (2-1, 4.22) v Mike Witt (1-0, 9.72)
Series tied 2-2

Kirk McCaskill is fantastic again as the Expos make it three-from-three at home with a 4-0 win. McCaskill gives them 7 scoreless and the bats do just enough with Mike Witt to get them home.

https://i.imgur.com/P6FlqU4.jpg


Game 6 in Chicago
Bert Blyleven (1-0, 2.16) v Walt Terrell (0-2, 5.40)
Expos lead series 3-2

Well it all falls on the experienced shoulders of Bert Blyleven to force a Game 7 here, but it isn’t to be as the Expos get to him with a 5-run 4th and hang on for dear life as the Sox chip away at the lead, only to run out of outs still a couple short in a 5-3 final.

That man Raines is named series MVP.


https://i.imgur.com/AYM1xXD.jpg



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

luckymann 03-08-2024 02:32 AM
1985 Offseason
 
OUT & OUTS

No Managers fired for once but Hank Aguirre's contract is not renewed by the Phillies. They later sign Ken Boyer to the role.

I notice Jim Kaat is now the Yankees skipper.


ROSTER MOVES

We execute Lance Parrish's team option.

We non-tender Jerry Dybzinski and Miguel Dilone.

A fair chunk of payroll coming back to us with Rick Rhoden, Tony Armas, Dave Kingman, Steve Nicosia, UL Washington and a few MiLBers walking.

The following extensions of note were signed at other clubs:

2B Juan Samuel (Mariners) 4/4414
1B Pete O'Brien (A's) 4/9600
OF Mel Hall (Cardinals) 4/5704


SIM ACCURACY

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

*From here on in I'll provide the in-game comparison as well as my own with the edited LTMs.


HANGIN' THEM UP

More quality pitchers call time including the Ryan Express, who along with Don Sutton is the best hope for HoF consideration among this bunch.


https://i.imgur.com/NH14o3w.jpg

luckymann 03-08-2024 03:06 AM
1985 MLB Awards
 

luckymann 03-08-2024 04:06 AM
Stat Check: HR
 
So, who is the active leader in the MLB in career home runs?
  • Johnny Bench, TOR, 404
  • Mike Schmidt, PHI, 396
  • Graig Nettles, HOU, 371
  • Darrell Evans, TOR, 344
  • John Mayberry Sr., ML4, 314

All-time leader: Mickey Mantle, 621

luckymann 03-08-2024 07:34 PM
1985/86 Rookie Draft & Legacy Players
 
Arguably the greatest draft pool in history to this point and it is an especially fascinating one because of the high number of quality players who don’t qualify as Legacies. Another interesting point is that the top three picks, despite having more than 330 WAR between them, are not Marquee Players.

These are the Legacy Players for the 1986 Season:

Cincinnati Reds: Barry Larkin (70.5; 2180 – one-club player) MARQUEE
Atlanta Braves: Greg Maddux (106.6; 363 GS)
California Angels: Chuck Finley (57.9; 379 GS)
Oakland Athletics: Mark McGwire (62.2; 1329)
Pittsburgh Pirates: Barry Bonds (162.8; 1010)
San Francisco Giants: Will Clark (56.5; 1160)
Seattle Mariners: Jamie Moyer (49.8; 323 GS)
Texas Rangers: Rafael Palmeiro (71.9; 1573)


Barry Bonds was also eligible for the Giants (1976 G), but the Pirates get him with the higher pick.

Greg Maddux was also eligible for the Cubs (298 GS), but the Braves get him with the higher pick.

Terry Steinbach (28.0; 1199) was also eligible for the A’s, but McGwire’s higher WAR makes him the selection.

Robby Thompson (33.8; 1304) was also eligible for the Giants, but Clark’s higher WAR makes him the selection.

Jay Bell (37.1; 1106) was also eligible for the Pirates, but Bonds’ higher WAR makes him the selection.


There are 179 rookies for this season (including some residual MiLBers from last year) and the Draft will consist of 6 rounds.

The Draft order will be as follows (winning percentage from 1985 IRL season in brackets; bold indicates Legacy Pick in 1st Round):


Round 1

1. Pittsburgh Pirates (354)
2. Atlanta Braves (407)
3. Texas Rangers (385)
4. Cincinnati Reds (553)
5. Oakland Athletics (475; dice roll)
6. California Angels (556)
7. San Francisco Giants (383)
8. Seattle Mariners (457)
9. Cleveland Indians (374)
10. Milwaukee Brewers (441)
11. Philadelphia Phillies (463)
12. Minnesota Twins (475; dice roll)
13. Chicago Cubs (478)
14. Boston Red Sox (500)
15. San Diego Padres (512; dice roll)
16. Houston Astros (512; dice roll)
17. Baltimore Orioles (516)
18. Montreal Expos (522; dice roll)
19. Detroit Tigers (522; dice roll)
20. Chicago White Sox (525)
21. Kansas City Royals (562)
22. Los Angeles Dodgers (586)
23. New York Yankees (602)
24. New York Mets (605)
25. Toronto Blue Jays (615)
26. St. Louis Cardinals (623)


Rounds 2 thru 6

1. Pittsburgh Pirates (354)
2. Cleveland Indians (374)
3. San Francisco Giants (383)
4. Texas Rangers (385)
5. Atlanta Braves (407)
6. Milwaukee Brewers (441)
7. Seattle Mariners (457)
8. Philadelphia Phillies (463)
9. Oakland Athletics (475; dice roll)
10. Minnesota Twins (475; dice roll)
11. Chicago Cubs (478)
12. Boston Red Sox (500)
13. San Diego Padres (512; dice roll)
14. Houston Astros (512; dice roll)
15. Baltimore Orioles (516)
16. Montreal Expos (522; dice roll)
17. Detroit Tigers (522; dice roll)
18. Chicago White Sox (525)
19. Cincinnati Reds (553)
20. California Angels (556)
21. Kansas City Royals (562)
22. Los Angeles Dodgers (586)
23. New York Yankees (602)
24. New York Mets (605)
25. Toronto Blue Jays (615)
26. St. Louis Cardinals (623)


Eligible PIT players: 12 position players + 9 pitchers = 21


Clearly a watershed moment for the club, our first #1 pick that I can remember since we took Oscar Charleston in the 1910s.

Of almost equal importance to the 1st overall pick is the fact that we are in that slot throughout and, with this being a fairly deep pool with plenty of PIT eligibles, we go into it hopeful of picking up a couple more decent guys with our second and third rounders.

So while of course it is all about that #1, here’s who else comes with him:

1. OF Barry Bonds, 21 (PIT IRL: 1986-92)
  • Little explanation needed other than to tell you that Barry – who only just qualified by 10 games as a Legacy for us – will be contracted thru 1997 on a deal worth in excess of $40m, during which period we cannot trade him. Given his yearly salary at the conclusion of this deal is $8.7m and our total payroll for 1986 is $18.6m, it is fair to say we won’t be extending him either unless he is much less money-oriented in this timeline than IRL. So, in other words, we get the Hall of Fame Barry rather than the Hall of Shame Barry.
2. SS Jay Bell, 20 (PIT IRL: 1989-96)
  • We weren’t that far off having both Bobby Bo and Jay still available (Bobby, somewhat ironically, was taken 24th overall by the Mets...). Were that the case, we’d have almost certainly taken Bonilla but not by much. We’ve struggled to find a long-term solution at SS and this add now means we can move Scott Fletcher on at some point, a guy we should get a nice return for who is also taking up a CC slot. Doubt it’ll be this year as we’ll likely let Jay warm up at AAA for a season, but most likey in the 1986-87 offseason. We’ll see, Fletch is handy and not ridiculously expensive.
3. 3B Eddie Williams, 21 (PIT IRL: 1997)
  • Slightly disappointing that none of the remaining guys we’d earmarked remained available by this point, but we could do worse than Eddie who’ll probably see some time with us after Rob Deer has whiffed out his welcome at the club.
4. P Barry Jones, 22 (PIT IRL: 1986-88)
5. C Mark Parent, 24 (PIT IRL: 1995)
  • Fringy guys not without some hope of at least a cuppa.
6. OF Glen Braxton, 19 (MiLB ONLY)
  • AAA depth, although you just never know.

A big shout-out to the IRL ’85 Pirates for being so terrible...


https://i.imgur.com/EJ785bD.jpg

luckymann 03-08-2024 08:52 PM
1986 The First Time Around
 
If, as Aristotle famously said, all pure drama operates in three acts then the 1986 post-season was about as purely dramatic as is possible, with that World Series following those League Championship Series. Anyone who doubts baseball is a game of inches or that some supernatural force with a mischievous sense of humour controls the universe need look no further than the 20 games of baseball that comprised these playoffs or simply a montage of ABs from them.

1986 was the year I fell head over heels in love with baseball, a torrid affair that lasted until 2004 (with that year’s ALCS for mine the game’s absolute pinnacle) and was rekindled on a more platonic level a few years back. Were there a channel devoted purely to looped reruns of the ’86 playoffs, I would happily subscribe to the premium package and intersperse that with regular viewings of the ESPN 30-for-30 doco Four Days in October.


AL EAST / WEST CHAMPIONS: Boston Red Sox (95-66) / California Angels (92-70)
NL EAST / WEST CHAMPIONS: New York Mets (108-54) / Houston Astros (96-66)
ALCS: Red Sox 4, Angels 3
NLCS: Mets 4, Astros 2
WORLD SERIES: Mets 4, Red Sox 3

64-98, 6th in NL East (I had no idea "we" sucked so badly in this period…)

AL MVP: Roger Clemens (Red Sox)
NL MVP: Mike Schmidt (Phillies)

AL CYA: Roger Clemens (Red Sox)
NL CYA: Mike Scott (Astros)

AL RoY: Jose Canseco (A’s)
NL RoY: Todd Worrell (Cardinals)


Top Ten Lists (courtesy of thisgreatgame.com)

NL Hitters

1. MIKE SCHMIDT, PHILADELPHIA
  • Key Numbers: .290 average, 97 runs, 29 doubles, 37 home runs, 119 RBIs, 89 walks, 25 intentional walks, .547 slugging percentage.
  • Back home at third base a year after being manned at first, Schmidt responded with his last MVP—leading the NL in home runs and RBIs together for his third and last time.
2. TIM RAINES, MONTREAL
  • Key Numbers: .334 average, 91 runs, 194 hits, 35 doubles, 10 triples, 9 home runs, 62 RBIs, 78 walks, 70 stolen bases, .413 on-base percentage.
  • At the top of his game, Raines pulled in his only batting title in the midst of a three-year run in which he’d hit .329.
3. VON HAYES, PHILADELPHIA
  • Key Numbers: .305 average, 107 runs, 186 hits, 46 doubles, 19 home runs, 98 RBIs, 24 stolen bases.
  • Hayes finally had the kind of season that Phillies fans had booed him for not having since showing up in 1983.
4. ERIC DAVIS, CINCINNATI
  • Key Numbers: 132 games, .277 average, 97 runs, 27 home runs, 71 RBIs, 80 stolen bases.
  • The 24-year-old breakout star had the kind of season and five-tool skills that had Reds fans certain that the Second Coming of Willie Mays had arrived.
5. KEVIN MCREYNOLDS, SAN DIEGO
  • Key Numbers: .288 average, 89 runs, 31 doubles, 6 triples, 26 home runs, 96 RBIs.
  • As poker-faced as they came, the young Padre began a long, steady existence as Mr. .280-25-90-ish.
6. DARRYL STRAWBERRY, NEW YORK
  • Key Numbers: 136 games, .259 average, 76 runs, 27 doubles, 5 triples, 27 home runs, 93 RBIs, 28 stolen bases.
  • Teammates in a turbulent (but winning) clubhouse continued to tolerate Strawberry’s numbers, but were growing increasingly impatient with his growing substance abuse and attitude issues.
7. TONY GWYNN, SAN DIEGO
  • Key Numbers: .329 average, 642-at-bats, 107 runs, 211 hits, 33 doubles, 7 triples, 14 home runs, 59 RBIs, 37 stolen bases.
  • Gwynn’s shots at a second batting title faded with a subtle September showing; he finished five points behind NL leader Tim Raines.
8. KEITH HERNANDEZ, NEW YORK
  • Key Numbers: .310 average, 94 runs, 171 hits, 34 doubles, 13 home runs, 83 RBIs, 94 walks.
  • Status whoa: As consistent a .300 hitter as one would find, Hernandez for the third straight year hit .310, give or take a point.
9. STEVE SAX, LOS ANGELES
  • Key Numbers: .332 average, 91 runs, 210 hits, 43 doubles, 6 home runs, 56 RBIs, 40 stolen bases.
  • Sax began to put his past defensive problems at second base behind him, and they may have contributed to much improved hitting—which rose 60 batting points over his career average coming into the season.
10. GLENN DAVIS, HOUSTON
  • Key Numbers: .265 average, 91 runs, 32 doubles, 31 home runs, 101 RBIs.
  • Davis gave the Astros something they hadn’t seen in nearly a generation: A power hitter.


AL Hitters

1. DON MATTINGLY, NEW YORK
  • Key Numbers: 162 games, .352 average, 677 at-bats, 117 runs, 238 hits, 53 doubles, 31 home runs, 113 RBIs, .573 slugging percentage.
  • Mattingly was never more awesome—and never more adored by Yankees fans; he set season franchise records for hits and doubles—and struck out only 35 times over 742 plate appearances.
2. RICKEY HENDERSON, NEW YORK
  • Key Numbers: .263 average, 130 runs, 31 doubles, 5 triples, 28 home runs, 74 RBIs, 89 walks, 87 stolen bases, 18 caught stealing.
  • Despite all the runs, steals, walks—even home runs (a career-high 28)—Henderson didn’t attract a single vote in the AL MVP conversation. Even Dick Schofield and Scott Fletcher got some love over a shut-out Rickey.
3. KIRBY PUCKETT, MINNESOTA
  • Key Numbers: .328 average, 680-at-bats, 119 runs, 223 hits, 37 doubles, 6 triples, 31 home runs, 96 RBIs, 20 stolen bases.
  • From zero to 31 in two years flat: Puckett’s stunning surge in home run power—thanks to offseason tips from former Twins star Tony Oliva—transformed him into a genuine MVP-level threat.
4. JOE CARTER, CLEVELAND
  • Key Numbers: 162 games, .302 average, 663 at-bats, 108 runs, 200 hits, 36 doubles, 9 triples, 29 home runs, 121 RBIs, 29 stolen bases.
  • In helping to lead the Indians to their best record since 1968, Carter was omnipresent; he enjoyed the first of five career three-homer games, hit for his lone cycle, and three times had five hits in game—the only three of his career. It was enough for Sports Illustrated to assume he would elevate the Indians to a World Series in 1987. (They lost 101 instead.)
5. JESSE BARFIELD, TORONTO
  • Key Numbers: .289 average, 107 runs, 170 hits, 35 doubles, 40 home runs, 108 RBIs.
  • Barfield went homerless through his first 15 games with 21 strikeouts over 57 at-bats before turning the season around and becoming the first Blue Jay to go deep 40 times.
6. KIRK GIBSON, DETROIT
  • Key Numbers: 119 games, .268 average, 84 runs, 28 home runs, 86 RBIs, 68 walks, 34 stolen bases.
  • If not for a significant ankle injury that cost him over a month of play in midspring, Gibson would have easily set career highs in most major offensive categories.
7. WADE BOGGS, BOSTON
  • Key Numbers: .357 average, 107 runs, 207 hits, 47 doubles, 8 home runs, 71 RBIs, 105 walks, .453 on-base percentage.
  • The reigning and, still, AL batting champ retained a .400 average as late as June 7—the latest date of his career—before a July slide (.247) doomed any chance of maintaining the hallowed milestone to the end.
8. GEORGE BELL, TORONTO
  • Key Numbers: .309 average, 641 at-bats, 101 runs, 198 hits, 38 doubles, 6 triples, 31 home runs, 108 RBIs.
  • The steady maturation of the 27-year-old Dominican slugger continued, before exploding to MVP-level form the following year.
9. JIM RICE, BOSTON
  • Key Numbers: .324 average, 98 runs, 200 hits, 39 doubles, 20 home runs, 110 RBIs.
  • In his last truly productive year, Rice rekindled memories of younger days when a single in his last at-bat of the season gave him 200 for the first time since reaching the milestone in three successive seasons, 1977-79.
10. ROB DEER, MILWAUKEE
  • Key Numbers: 134 games, .232 average, 75 runs, 33 home runs, 86 RBIs, 72 walks, 179 strikeouts.
  • Criticized as an unapologetic all-or-nothing talent, it must be said that despite the low average and high strikeout total, Deer hit far more home runs than any other Brewer (Cecil Cooper was second with 12), and only Robin Yount had a better OPS—and barely (.838 to .830).


NL Pitchers

1. MIKE SCOTT, HOUSTON
  • Key Numbers: 2.22 ERA, 18 wins, 10 losses, 37 starts, 5 shutouts, 275.1 innings, 306 strikeouts, 41 stolen bases allowed.
  • Imagine how much better the Mets’ pitching would have been had they not traded the Cy Young Award winner for part-timer Danny Heep in 1983.
2. FERNANDO VALENZUELA, LOS ANGELES
  • Key Numbers: 3.14 ERA, 21 wins, 11 losses, 34 starts, 20 complete games, 269.1 innings, 14 wild pitches.
  • Valenzuela had his one and only 20-win season of his 17-year career—and is the last pitcher to-date to go the distance 20 or more times.
3. BOB OJEDA, NEW YORK
  • Key Numbers: 2.57 ERA, 18 wins, 5 losses, .783 win percentage, 30 starts, 217.1 innings, 52 walks, 27 stolen bases allowed.
  • After struggling to fit in with Boston, the southpaw was dealt to the rowdy Mets and enjoyed a career effort that included two solid World Series starts against…the Red Sox.
4. DWIGHT GOODEN, NEW YORK
  • Key Numbers: 2.84 ERA, 17 wins, 6 losses, .739 win percentage, 33 starts, 250 innings, 33 stolen bases allowed.
  • Dr. K ran his career ledger to-date to 58-19 and batters hit just .169 against him with runners in scoring position, even as substance-abuse intake emerged as one of his more active hobbies.
5. MIKE KRUKOW, SAN FRANCISCO
  • Key Numbers: 2.94 ERA, 20 wins, 9 losses, .690 win percentage, 34 starts, 245 innings, 55 walks, 23 stolen bases allowed.
  • Fleetingly free of injuries and hard luck, the veteran righty and future Giants broadcaster bolted to 20 wins after never coming close before or since.
6. RICK RHODEN, PITTSBURGH
  • Key Numbers: 2.84 ERA, 15 wins, 12 losses, 34 starts, 253.2 innings.
  • From Rick Rhoden to Rick Reuschel to Rick Rhoden; this year, it was Rhoden’s turn to singularly hold up the fort of the Pirates’ staff, bouncing back from a miserable 1985 campaign while the rest of the rotation (a slumping Reuschel included) combined for a 28-56 record.
7. BOB KNEPPER, HOUSTON
  • Key Numbers: 3.14 ERA, 17 wins, 12 losses, 40 appearances, 38 starts, 5 shutouts, 258 innings, 24 grounded into double plays.
  • Knepper was lost in the shadows of Mike Scott’s unbelievable output, but continued to make headlines for his criticism of female reporters.
8. DANNY COX, ST. LOUIS
  • Key Numbers: 2.90 ERA, 12 wins, 13 losses, 32 starts, 220 innings.
  • Cursed by a slow start and a suddenly AWOL Cardinals offense, Cox regrouped and went 9-5 with a 2.04 ERA after July 22.
9. JOHN TUDOR, ST. LOUIS
  • Key Numbers: 2.92 ERA, 13 wins, 7 losses, 30 starts, 219 innings.
  • Tudor was luckier than Cox on the support front; he remained stellar despite a shutout total that went from 10 in 1985 to zero.
10. ROGER MCDOWELL, NEW YORK
  • Key Numbers: 3.02 ERA, 14 wins, 9 losses, 22 saves, 6 blown saves, 75 appearances, 128 innings.
  • Sharing closer duty with Jesse Orosco, the second-year righty won enough games to be confused for a Mets starter—and achieved later claim as the ‘second spitter’ on a popular Seinfeld episode with teammate Keith Hernandez.


AL Pitchers

1. ROGER CLEMENS, BOSTON
  • Key Numbers: 2.48 ERA, 24 wins, 4 losses, .857 win percentage, 33 starts, 254 innings, 238 strikeouts, 11 wild pitches.
  • Maybe this is why pitchers win MVPs: In one 3-10 stretch for the Red Sox, Clemens won all three games. One more statistical curio: After his 20-K masterpiece against Seattle on April 29, Clemens didn’t strike out more than 11 batters in any other start in 1986.
2. MIKE WITT, CALIFORNIA
  • Key Numbers: 2.84 ERA, 18 wins, 10 losses, 34 starts, 269 innings, 28 grounded into double plays.
  • Born, raised and schooled through college near Anaheim Stadium, Witt didn’t have to travel far to tell friends and family he’d made it as an Angels All-Star.
3. MARK EICHHORN, TORONTO
  • Key Numbers: 1.72 ERA, 14 wins, 6 losses, .710 win percentage, 10 saves, 3 blown saves, 69 appearances, 157 innings, 14 intentional walks.
  • Not content with his tryout as a starter late in 1985, the Blue Jays considered Eichhorn as a long reliever instead—and the technically qualified rookie responded by sharing the team lead in wins with rotation guys Jim Clancy and Jimmy Key.
4. TED HIGUERA, MILWAUKEE
  • Key Numbers: 2.79 ERA, 20 wins, 11 losses, 34 starts, 15 complete games, 248.1 innings.
  • In the second-year Higuera, Brewers fans boasted of a better Mexican pitching sensation than Fernando Valenzuela. No pitcher in Milwaukee has since won 20 games.
5. KIRK MCCASKILL, CALIFORNIA
  • Key Numbers: 3.36 ERA, 17 wins, 10 losses, 33 starts, 246.1 innings, 10 wild pitches.
  • A good enough hockey player that he played professionally in an NHL developmental league, the Canadian-born McCaskill skated through an impressive sophomore effort at Anaheim.
6. DAVE RIGHETTI, NEW YORK
  • Key Numbers: 2.45 ERA, 8 wins, 8 losses, 46 saves, 10 blown saves, 74 appearances, 106.2 innings.
  • Rags earned saves in both ends of a doubleheader during the season’s final weekend to become the latest to break—for the moment—the all-time saves record.
7. DANNY JACKSON, KANSAS CITY
  • Key Numbers: 3.20 ERA, 11 wins, 12 losses, 1 save, 32 appearances, 27 starts, 185.2 innings, 24 grounded into double plays.
  • The hard-luck pitcher of the year award goes to the lefty who received only 17 total runs of support in his 12 losses.
8. JACK MORRIS, DETROIT
  • Key Numbers: 3.27 ERA, 21 wins, 8 losses, .724 win percentage, 35 starts, 6 shutouts, 267 innings, 21 stolen bases allowed, 20 grounded into double plays.
  • Morris arguably had the best year of his Hall-of-Fame career—though some would debate why a guy with a lifetime 3.90 ERA gets into Cooperstown, but never mind. The Detroit ace set career marks in wins, shutouts, consecutive scoreless innings (32)—and interestingly enough, home runs allowed (40).
9. BRUCE HURST, BOSTON
  • Key Numbers: 2.99 ERA, 13 wins, 8 losses, 25 starts, 174.1 innings.
  • Following three years of common results, Hurst burst after spending nearly two months on the shelf with a groin injury; postseason included, he was 11-3 with a 2.57 ERA from July 21 on.
10. MARK GUBICZA, KANSAS CITY
  • Key Numbers: 3.64 ERA, 12 wins, 6 losses, 35 appearances, 24 starts, 180.2 innings, 15 wild pitches.
  • Demoted to the bullpen late in June after a rough start, Gubicza returned to the rotation a month later and flourished toward better times.

luckymann 03-08-2024 09:25 PM
The Wheeling and the Dealing
 
Not a lot of changes needed for '86 but we do have a fair bit of movement expected a bit beyond that and need to keep using our limited wherewithal wisely at all points along the continuum.

So we sign Don Robertson on a 4+1/4250 deal that brings him back to the club on much friendlier terms (for us) than his first go-around. He'll operate from the BP the first couple of those seasons unless injury / form dictate otherwise and will probably share SP6 duties with Dave LaPoint.

With Barry not really a power hitter just yet and Wheel in his walk year, we felt we needed some added pop moving forward, something this trade with the Tigers hopefully delivers:



I'll happily admit that, in an ideal world, we do a trade in 12 months time that brings Bobby Bo to the club, with Scott Fletcher in all likelihood part of the package going in the opposite direction. For now, Steve gives us the traditional sort of corner power guy to bookend Rob Deer at 1B.

Mitch provides a bit more depth at CF and is in our mind a better long-term proposition than Terry, especially with him being 4 years Terry's junior.

Randy is AAA depth only unless all hell breaks loose in our LHRP ranks.

luckymann 03-08-2024 09:40 PM
(No) Call from the Hall
 
Rocky Colavito goes oh so close on his final ballot but misses out and will have to see if the Centennial Committee looks favourably on him in their 2000 vote.

https://i.imgur.com/3VefSXD.jpg

luckymann 03-09-2024 12:55 AM
1986 Preseason / Spring Training
 
More short-term veteran deals, continuing the pattern from the previous year in an otherwise fairly uneventful offseason.

OF Pedro Guerrero: Dodgers, 7 years / $31.0m / AAV $4.43m (extension)
C Mike Scioscia: Mets, 4 years / $16.2m / AAV $4.04m
1B Kent Hrbek: Red Sox, 3 years / $11.4m / AAV $3.81m
1B Keith Hernandez: Dodgers, 5 years / $16.6m / AAV $3.31m
P Jack Morris: Reds, 5 years / $16.2m / AAV $3.25m
3B Davey Lopes: Astros, 2 year / $6.0m / AAV $3.00m
C Gary Carter: Expos, 6 years / $17.8m / AAV $2.96m (extension)
3B Johnny Bench: Tigers, 1 year / $2.7m / AAV $2.72m
P Bert Blyleven: Cardinals, 2 years / $5.4m / AAV $2.72m
P Bob Ojeda: Phillies, 6 years / $14.3m / AAV $2.39m
P Rick Rhoden: Cardinals, 4 years / $9.4m / AAV $2.36m
2B Hubie Brooks: White Sox, 1 year / $2.3m / AAV $2.28m
2B Toby Harrah: Dodgers, 1 year / $2.2m / AAV $2.20m
P Fred Kuhaulua: Expos, 2 years / $4.0m / AAV $2.00m
1B Bruce Bochte: Tigers, 1 year / $2.1m / AAV $2.08m
OF Mookie Wilson: Dodgers, 3 years / $5.7m / AAV $1.90m
P Steve Carlton: Mets, 1 year / $1.9m / AAV $1.90m
C Ernie Whitt: Rangers, 1 year / $1.7m / AAV $1.72m
P Charlie Leibrandt: Dodgers, 3 years / $5.0m / AAV $1.66m
P Charlie Hough: Reds, 3 years / $4.8m / AAV $1.59m
OF Hal McRae: Royals, 1 year / $1.5m / AAV $1.52m
P Bill Gullickson: Brewers, 4 years / $5.8m / AAV $1.46m
2B Joe Morgan: Giants, 1 year / $1.4m / AAV $1.42m
OF Claudell Washington: Reds, 1 year / $1.4m / AAV $1.42m
OF Jim Dwyer: Yankees, 3 years / $4.1m / AAV $1.38m
3B Carney Lansford: Reds, 3 years / $4.1m / AAV $1.37m
1B Bob Horner: Twins, 3 year / $3.8m / AAV $1.27m
P Bob Shirley: Tigers, 3 years / $3.8m / AAV $1.26m
OF Mike Marshall: Cubs, 3 years / $3.7m / AAV $1.12m
P Dave Stewart: Cubs, 3 years / $3.3m / AAV $1.08m
3B Buddy Bell: Cardinals, 2 years / $2.2m / AAV $1.08m


OF Daryl Boston and 1B David Green from Cubs to Expos for P Al Holland and 3B Jim Presley
P Ken Howell, SS Curtis Wilkerson, P Mitchell Johnson and 3B Rick Schu from White Sox to Reds for P Tom Henke
P Mark Lee and C Jeff Reed from Yankees to Phillies for OF Milt Thompson
OF Sixto Lezcano (retaining 35%) and OF Darnell Coles from Royals to Blue Jays for P Dennis Miscik
SS Spike Owen, P Charlie Mitchell and OF Henry Cotto from Padres to A’s for P Bryn Smith
P Rich Gossage from Tigers to Giants for OF Doug Loman
2B Fred Manrique and P Jeff Russell from White Sox to Padres for P Tom Henke
OF Lee Lacy from Cubs to Indians for 1B Jason Thompson and P Kevin Gross
P Jay Tibbs from Braves to Giants for 1B Jack Clark (retaining 90%)
P Mark Portugal from Mariners to Giants for P Mike Krukow (retaining 15%)
P Mike Flanagan and C Mark Salas from Orioles to Blue Jays for OF Devon White
1B Steve Balboni from Mariners to Giants for P Jim Hughes and 1B Andres Galarraga
P Jose Guzman from White Sox to Angels for 3B Doug DeCinces (retaining 90%)


We go 13-5 in Spring Training and look raring and ready to go.

BNN see the Red Sox, Rangers, Expos and Reds prevailing. They see our division as a three-way tussle between Montreal, the Cards and ourselves.

Over in the AL they think the Bash Brothers are off and running, predicting 32 homers apiece for Canseco and McGwire (although only an 81-81 finish for their A’s).

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

luckymann 03-09-2024 03:18 AM
The View from the Gangplank Opening Day, 1986
 
The only expectation we have on OD is an improvement on 1985.

Rob Deer at 1B, Steve Buechele at 3B and Barry at CF. The rest as per last year.

Lee Mazzilli, picked up on a minors deal, joins the squad while John Cangelosi remains at AAA for now.

A few tweaks in the pitching.

If things fall our way we should at least be there or thereabouts but we’re more looking at the years subsequent to this one as our window, not much different to the historical except maybe a year or two earlier.

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

luckymann 03-09-2024 05:15 AM
Cutlass Club / Financials Update 1986
 
A few key decisions to be made as we try to set ourselves up for a sustained run of success.

Joe Orsulak, Gary Redus and Mitch Webster all start getting expensive after next year and with Cangelosi in the wings one will almost certainly have to go.

We'll try lock Don Slaught down long-term as this will be Lance Parrish's final year with us.

Tom Foley and Neal Heaton also need further consideration.

All in all, however, we're looking pretty good.

luckymann 03-13-2024 11:40 PM
The View from the Gangplank June 1, 1986
 
An up-and-down start sees us 7-5 after our first dozen games but then we get things going with a 5-game run of wins.

Our BP is all over the shop, with its ERA blowing out to nearly 7 after an early 15-2 thumping from the Friars and hovering just under 6 for the remainder.

Compounding matters we simply aren’t gelling yet on offence so it’s a minor miracle that we finish this opening stanza at 28-18 and on top of the division.

Look out if we can get things where we want them to be this year!

https://i.imgur.com/xjnKxiO.png

Extensions are signed with Don Slaught (5/3670), Tom Foley (3/2040), Joe Orsulak (6+1/6880) and Neal Heaton (1/505).

Mitch Webster wants a long-term big-dollar deal that we don’t see him being worth, so we’ll just arb him and see what’s what next year.

We claim both Brian Hunter and Bob Walk off waivers and stash them at AAA.


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

Pretty tight across the board with the Dodgers looking strong again after a down 1985.

How bad is the A's pitching seeing as they have Canseco, McGwire, Tartabull and Rickey killing it this year and are currently under 500?


Monthly Award Winners

April

American League

Batter – Jose Canseco (A’s): 342 / 10 HR / 22 RBI
Pitcher – Bob Welch (A’s): 4-0 / 1.52 / 26 K / 41.1 IP
Rookie – Eric King (Twins): 3-1 / 2.50 / 13 K / 36 IP


National League

Batter – Glenn Davis (Astros): 305 / 8 HR / 24 RBI
Pitcher – Charlie Leibrandt (Dodgers): 4-0 / 1.41 / 16 K / 38.1 IP
Rookie – Will Clark (Giants): 312 / 3 HR / 14 RBI


May

American League

Batter – Mark McGwire (A’s): 394 / 10 HR / 30 RBI
Pitcher – Bret Saberhagen (Royals): 5-1 / 2.62 / 33 K / 48 IP
Rookie – Mark McGwire


National League

Batter – Von Hayes (Phillies): 333 / 5 HR / 21 RBI
Pitcher – Fernando Valenzuela (Dodgers): 4-1 / 1.77 / 28 K / 45.2 IP
Rookie – Scott Bankhead (Expos): 3-1 / 2.11 / 25 K / 42.2 IP


News and Leaders

https://i.imgur.com/aDwIty9.png


Milestones and Observations of Note

400 HR: Mike Schmidt (24th player to reach this milestone)
2500 Hits: Jose Cruz
2000 Hits: Bill Madlock, Dave Winfield
200 Wins: JR Richard (nearly double his IRL tally)

The Rangers extend Dennis Eckersley with what looks a pretty cheap 3/2700 deal.

luckymann 03-18-2024 12:32 AM
The Requisite Fire
 
This is the sort of thing you want to see from a young up-and-coming squad as we post a crooked number for a big walkoff win against Philly. While it's nice to see Barry coming around and finding his feet, the fact cannot be ignored that our BP remains in disarray.

luckymann 03-18-2024 06:53 AM
1986 MLB All-Star Game
 
First nods for Mike Scott, Gary Redus and Johnny Ray, along with a fifth appearance for Lance Parrish.

American League
  • SP Jim Clancy (BOS) - 9-4, 2.30 ERA, 133.0 IP, 1.15 WHIP, 4.3 K/9, 2.7 WAR
  • SP Roger Clemens (BOS)* - 14-5, 2.26 ERA, 175.1 IP, 1.06 WHIP, 7.2 K/9, 4.6 WAR
  • SP Sid Fernandez (MIN) - 10-5, 2.95 ERA, 134.1 IP, 1.20 WHIP, 7.0 K/9, 2.5 WAR
  • SP Joe Hesketh (MIN) - 13-2, 2.02 ERA, 107.0 IP, 1.07 WHIP, 6.4 K/9, 3.5 WAR
  • SP Eric King (MIN) - 9-7, 2.08 ERA, 138.2 IP, 1.09 WHIP, 4.7 K/9, 2.6 WAR
  • SP Bret Saberhagen (KC) - 8-6, 3.27 ERA, 143.0 IP, 1.20 WHIP, 6.1 K/9, 3.8 WAR
  • RP Karl Best (DET) - 4-2, 2.54 ERA, 49.2 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 5.4 K/9, 0.3 WAR
  • CL Willie Hernandez (TEX) - 8-5, 9 SV, 2.70 ERA, 50.0 IP, 1.06 WHIP, 4.9 K/9, 0.1 WAR
  • CL Dan Plesac (DET)* - 1-5, 11 SV, 2.04 ERA, 61.2 IP, 1.18 WHIP, 7.7 K/9, 1.8 WAR
  • CL Jeff Reardon (OAK) - 3-2, 12 SV, 2.33 ERA, 54.0 IP, 1.15 WHIP, 6.2 K/9, 0.4 WAR
  • C Darrell Porter (CAL) - .278/.366/.481, 158 AB, 9 HR, 146 wRC+, 1.2 WAR
  • C Ernie Whitt (TEX) - .215/.286/.347, 242 AB, 6 HR, 77 wRC+, 0.9 WAR
  • C Butch Wynegar (OAK)* - .225/.328/.355, 200 AB, 5 HR, 101 wRC+, 1.3 WAR
  • 1B Don Mattingly (NYY)* - .368/.425/.601, 323 AB, 15 HR, 180 wRC+, 4.0 WAR
  • 1B Greg Walker (CWS)* - .271/.353/.498, 251 AB, 14 HR, 1 SB, 142 wRC+, 1.8 WAR
  • 2B Tony Phillips (TOR) - .299/.404/.455, 288 AB, 6 HR, 3 SB, 152 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
  • 2B Willie Randolph (NYY)* - .324/.461/.401, 272 AB, 3 HR, 6 SB, 159 wRC+, 5.0 WAR
  • 2B Juan Samuel (SEA) - .320/.351/.496, 272 AB, 8 HR, 35 SB, 143 wRC+, 3.4 WAR
  • 3B Wade Boggs (BOS)* - .349/.420/.531, 307 AB, 7 HR, 1 SB, 173 wRC+, 4.1 WAR
  • 3B Mark McGwire (OAK) - .270/.367/.540, 300 AB, 22 HR, 1 SB, 151 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
  • 3B Paul Molitor (ML4) - .305/.369/.428, 311 AB, 7 HR, 23 SB, 128 wRC+, 3.4 WAR
  • SS Tony Fernandez (TOR)* - .298/.365/.427, 302 AB, 3 HR, 10 SB, 124 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
  • LF Jose Canseco (OAK)* - .291/.389/.556, 302 AB, 23 HR, 14 SB, 172 wRC+, 5.0 WAR
  • LF Rafael Palmeiro (TEX) - .330/.380/.572, 264 AB, 16 HR, 1 SB, 160 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
  • CF Kevin Bass (CWS) - .319/.344/.508, 329 AB, 13 HR, 10 SB, 143 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
  • CF Chet Lemon (DET) - .274/.356/.490, 292 AB, 17 HR, 141 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
  • CF Kirby Puckett (MIN)* - .310/.362/.459, 316 AB, 9 HR, 8 SB, 132 wRC+, 2.0 WAR
  • CF Milt Thompson (NYY) - .354/.399/.439, 294 AB, 3 HR, 34 SB, 136 wRC+, 3.5 WAR
  • RF Jesse Barfield (TOR)* - .253/.322/.382, 304 AB, 7 HR, 2 SB, 100 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
  • RF Kevin Mitchell (SEA) - .286/.359/.529, 308 AB, 15 HR, 2 SB, 153 wRC+, 2.0 WAR


National League
  • SP Floyd Bannister (HOU) - 8-6, 2.83 ERA, 143.1 IP, 1.23 WHIP, 5.7 K/9, 2.8 WAR
  • SP Bert Blyleven (STL) - 7-9, 3.59 ERA, 140.1 IP, 1.32 WHIP, 5.9 K/9, 2.5 WAR
  • SP Dwight Gooden (NYM)* - 8-7, 2.97 ERA, 148.1 IP, 1.09 WHIP, 6.9 K/9, 3.4 WAR
  • SP Charlie Leibrandt (LAD) - 7-4, 2.86 ERA, 132.1 IP, 1.19 WHIP, 4.8 K/9, 3.0 WAR
  • SP Rick Rhoden (STL) - 8-8, 2.73 ERA, 148.1 IP, 1.19 WHIP, 4.6 K/9, 2.6 WAR
  • SP J.R. Richard (HOU) - 7-10, 3.68 ERA, 142.0 IP, 1.45 WHIP, 7.7 K/9, 2.4 WAR
  • SP Mike Scott (PIT) - 11-3, 2.66 ERA, 135.1 IP, 1.03 WHIP, 6.8 K/9, 3.5 WAR
  • SP Fernando Valenzuela (LAD) - 11-4, 2.22 ERA, 142.0 IP, 1.01 WHIP, 7.1 K/9, 3.9 WAR
  • RP John Franco (MON)* - 4-3, 5.02 ERA, 28.2 IP, 1.85 WHIP, 6.6 K/9, 0.0 WAR
  • RP Rob Murphy (ATL) - 3-3, 4 SV, 3.86 ERA, 35.0 IP, 1.31 WHIP, 6.2 K/9, 0.6 WAR
  • CL Jay Howell (LAD) - 7-2, 20 SV, 3.06 ERA, 53.0 IP, 1.28 WHIP, 7.0 K/9, 0.9 WAR
  • CL Jesse Orosco (STL) - 4-3, 15 SV, 1.69 ERA, 53.1 IP, 1.18 WHIP, 6.6 K/9, 1.0 WAR
  • C Gary Carter (MON)* - .229/.287/.428, 236 AB, 12 HR, 104 wRC+, 1.1 WAR
  • C Lance Parrish (PIT) - .254/.312/.417, 228 AB, 9 HR, 107 wRC+, 1.6 WAR
  • C Mike Scioscia (NYM) - .241/.341/.386, 228 AB, 5 HR, 1 SB, 111 wRC+, 2.1 WAR
  • 1B Jack Clark (ATL) - .276/.386/.498, 283 AB, 16 HR, 151 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
  • 1B Glenn Davis (HOU)* - .317/.364/.506, 312 AB, 12 HR, 2 SB, 145 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
  • 1B Von Hayes (PHI) - .282/.349/.446, 312 AB, 9 HR, 13 SB, 129 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
  • 1B Keith Hernandez (LAD) - .315/.393/.432, 308 AB, 4 HR, 137 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
  • 1B Kevin Seitzer (SD) - .336/.445/.466, 292 AB, 5 HR, 1 SB, 161 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
  • 2B Johnny Ray (PIT)* - .304/.356/.415, 260 AB, 4 HR, 4 SB, 125 wRC+, 1.9 WAR
  • 3B Buddy Bell (STL)* - .291/.373/.455, 268 AB, 10 HR, 3 SB, 141 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
  • SS Harry Chappas (SF) - .294/.387/.357, 255 AB, 5 HR, 7 SB, 120 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
  • SS Dick Schofield (CIN)* - .262/.350/.417, 290 AB, 11 HR, 7 SB, 120 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
  • LF George Bell (PHI) - .276/.319/.561, 301 AB, 18 HR, 4 SB, 146 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
  • LF Pedro Guerrero (LAD)* - .299/.371/.560, 291 AB, 19 HR, 3 SB, 162 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
  • LF Gary Redus (PIT) - .260/.374/.423, 265 AB, 7 HR, 34 SB, 132 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
  • CF Brett Butler (HOU)* - .326/.413/.436, 319 AB, 6 HR, 23 SB, 144 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
  • CF Eddie Milner (PHI) - .279/.338/.390, 287 AB, 2 HR, 18 SB, 106 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
  • RF Andre Dawson (MON)* - .283/.337/.517, 286 AB, 18 HR, 15 SB, 143 wRC+, 2.5 WAR


Andre Dawson wins the HR Derby, beating Chet Lemon 9-8 in the final, while rookie Rafael Palmeiro leads the AL to an 11-4 ASG win that squares the running total at 26-26.

luckymann 03-19-2024 05:58 PM
The View from the Gangplank August 1, 1986
 
The BP situation deteriorates further and we remove Cecilio Guante from the Closer role and switch to a committee structure.

Worse than that, we lose Steve Buechele, who has been great, for what looks almost certain to be the season with back troubles.

Not wanting to start the clock just yet on Jay Bell, we promote Jerry Dybzinski and do a bit of the old infield shuffle—but we go on the lookout for a less stopgap measure.

And yet, by dint of a 11-1 run that includes 7 one-run wins and an astonishing 10-8 walkoff win in 15 against the Cards, we keep things ticking along nicely and extend our NL East lead to 4 by mid-June.

To try and consolidate our gains, we decide to bring back a veteran presence to plug the gap at 3B for the rest of the year, via this trade with the Giants:

https://i.imgur.com/vCC53SS.png


We enter July at 46-29 having moved 6 clear but a terrible spell by our staff ensues and it’s clear we are extremely vulnerable to a full-blown regression after this early period of outperformance and being run down over the stretch if we’re not very careful.

We hit the ASB at 53-35, 4½ clear of the Cubs with the Mets having made a charge, winning 11 straight in early July but still 9 back. Sadly, we lose Scott Fletcher for up to 5 weeks in the very last game before the break with a hamstring strain.

That leaves us no choice but to start the clock on Jay Bell, who’ll come into the starting role to see how he goes.

The break seems to do us good as we win 4 from 5 when we come back, including a fine 1-hitter by Danny Darwin against the Dodgers.

We put together a nice little stretch to finish out the sectional at 61-40 and 5½ clear of the Cubs.

In the shadows of the Deadline, we spend our final ticket offloading problem child Cecilio Guante for a handy type who should hopefully bolster our BP now and prove a useful swingman over oncoming years:

https://i.imgur.com/KZPXFIR.png

We also tie up a few loose ends with 4-year low-cost deals for Bob Walk and Walt Terrell and a 3/690 extension for Larry McWilliams.

https://i.imgur.com/XAZZwH3.png


https://i.imgur.com/c75D7CK.jpg

Only the Dodgers can consider themselves comfortably in control entering the stretch run.


Monthly Award Winners

June

American League

Batter – Chet Lemon (Tigers): 384 / 7 HR / 25 RBI
Pitcher – Roger Clemens (Red Sox): 5-1 / 1.72 / 44 K / 52.1 IP
Rookie – Rafael Palmeiro (Rangers): 374 / 6 HR / 18 RBI


National League

Batter – Pedro Guerrero (Dodgers): 356 / 3 HR / 17 RBI
Pitcher – Jose Rijo (Reds): 5-0 / 1.77 / 30 K / 40.2 IP
Rookie – David Cone (Phillies): 4-0 / 2.36 / 30 K / 42 IP


July

American League

Batter – Don Mattingly (Yankees): 422 / 6 HR / 26 RBI
Pitcher – Bruce Hurst (Red Sox): 5-1 / 2.72 / 33 K / 46.1 IP
Rookie – Mark McGwire (A’s): 253 / 9 HR / 19 RBI


National League

Batter – Jack Clark (Braves): 333 / 8 HR / 21 RBI
Pitcher – Rick Rhoden (Cardinals): 4-0 / 2.02 / 24 K / 40 IP
Rookie – Kevin Seitzer (Padres): 398 / 2 HR / 18 RBI


News, Leaders and Top 20s

https://i.imgur.com/VcB5ot7.png


Milestones and Observations of Note

400 Saves: Rich Gossage (first to this mark)

Detroit loses gun SS Alan Trammell for 6 weeks to shoulder tendinitis, while Rangers shortstop Greg Gagne is gone for the year after he suffers a torn back muscle.

Deadline trades of note:

https://i.imgur.com/YxuSW1s.png

luckymann 03-22-2024 03:47 AM
In a Minor Key
 
Our AAA Lincoln club almost survives a torrid stretch run and horror run of injuries but loses their final game to fall back into a tie with Eugene and then lose the tiebreaker as well to bow out.

Medford eventually takes their maiden title with a sweep of Denver.

luckymann 03-22-2024 05:35 AM
The View from the Gangplank: end of regular season, 1986
 
Despite ongoing problems among our pitching staff, we extend our lead into double figures in the early part of August going 9-3 with all three losses remarkably by a score of 6-5.

By the time September rolls around, we are at 81-49 and a comfortable 13 clear.

That runs out to a 9-game win streak and our squad returns to full strength when Scott Fletcher comes back to us after a quick rehab.

He takes over the everyday 3B role with Jay Bell staying at SS and Bill Madlock being used off the bench and resting our corner IFs when needed.

Only briefly is this the case, however, as Andy Van Slyke has a back issue flare up and we IL him just to be safe while we’ve still got the time.

We are the first to lock down our division, doing so in mid-September and, while we get stuck on 99 wins for a while, we eventually break triple-figures courtesy of a walkoff 3-run homer against the Mets by Scott Fletcher and finish a stellar season at an MLB-best 104-58, 21 to the good of Philly.

https://i.imgur.com/FayqHjQ.png


Another unusually uncomplicated regular season.

The Dodgers never look troubled and clinch a couple days after us, going on to take out the NL West by 19 games.

Same goes for the Red Sox, who again run away with the AL East, putting it to bed with a 10-game win streak in mid-August and finishing 13 clear.

The A’s run right over and then away from the Twins but suffer a massive blow when sparkplug Rickey Henderson is ruled out for the season after straining his PCL.

They struggle without him in the closing period but still come out ahead by 9 in the end.

https://i.imgur.com/T6GJReG.png


Final Leaders and Top 20s

Don Mattingly easily takes out the AL batting crown while Kevin Seitzer just edges out Thad Bosley - they were equal at 325 entering the final day - in the NL.

Jose Canseco leads all hitters with 41 HR, while Donnie Baseball's 122 RBI are the most.

Vince Coleman is the top base-stealer with 94.

Rocket Clemens misses out on the Triple Crown by 2 ERA pips and Fernando Valenzuela also finishes podium across the three stat cats.

Rocket's 24 Wins and 244 strikeouts, and Nando's 2.42 ERA, are the best marks this year.

Ken Dayley leads all relievers with 44 Saves.

I missed it last year but Joe Morgan passed Ted Williams to become the all-time leader in bases on balls; he finishes this year on 2403.

https://i.imgur.com/SR50En6.png


Monthly Award Winners

August

American League

Batter – Don Mattingly (Yankees): 368 / 6 HR / 25 RBI
Pitcher – Tom Henke (White Sox): 1-0 / 0.00 / 10 SV / 22 K / 18.2 IP
Rookie – John Kruk (Red Sox): 320 / 3 HR / 21 RBI


National League

Batter – Will Clark (Giants): 330 / 11 HR / 27 RBI
Pitcher – Fernando Valenzuela (Dodgers): 6-0 / 0.74 / 36 K / 48.1 IP
Rookie – Will Clark


September

American League

Batter – Brian Downing (Angels): 333 / 9 HR / 21 RBI
Pitcher – Bruce Hurst (Red Sox): 4-0 / 3.14 / 29 K / 43 IP
Rookie – Mark McGwire (A’s): 322 / 8 HR / 21 RBI


National League

Batter – George Bell (Phillies): 340 / 6 HR / 21 RBI
Pitcher –Jack Morris (Reds): 5-1 / 1.94 / 30 K / 41.2 IP
Rookie – Greg Maddux (Braves): 3-0 / 1.98 / 26 K / 36.1 IP


Milestones and Observations of Note

2000 Hits: Don Baylor, Bobby Grich

200 Wins: Frank Tanana, Jerry Reuss

Baltimore’s Oddibe McDowell has his season ended by a concussion, while Reds OF Len Dykstra misses 5 weeks with a hand injury.

luckymann 03-22-2024 08:08 PM
In a Minor Key - Major AAA Awards, 1986
 

luckymann 03-22-2024 08:24 PM
1986 League Championship Series
 
American League
Boston Red Sox (98-64) v Oakland A’s (91-71)


The A’s rode the ascendancy of the “Bash Brothers” to a 9-game improvement this season and have one of the most dangerous offences in the league right now, both the loss of Rickey and Danny Tartabull will make this tough for them against a Red Sox team that is almost a permanent fixture in this part of the season and with their 1-2 combo of Clemens at Hurst at the top of their rotation, I think Boston will prevail here.

The A’s upset them with a hard-fought 5-3 win at Fenway in Game 1 and repeat the dose the following day to head back to Oakland with their tails up.

The Sox finally wake up in Game 3, with John Kruk’s 4-hit game powering them to a dominant 8-1 win and they ground out a 4-2 decision the next day to pull it back to 2 games apiece.

Full of running now, the Red Sox continue the away team win streak with a 7-4 win in Game 5 and a tough comeback 4-3 win gives the Sox their 24th AL Pennant.

Billy Hatcher is named MVP, echoing his IRL demonry over the A’s in 1990.


https://i.imgur.com/Omuu4ZU.png


National League
Pittsburgh Pirates (104-58) v Los Angeles Dodgers (97-65)

We go into these playoffs with plenty of optimism for our chances, though it is decidedly of the cautious variety.

Despite our MLB-best record, there are plenty of warning signs that we’ll struggle from here on in, none more so than the 3-9 record we posted in the reg season against the Dodgers.

Our youth and broad post-season inexperience is another concern, and as for our bullpen… well, let’s not go there. Best to keep things PG at this point.

While we seem to have Buck Buechele’s absence covered thanks to Jay Bell hitting the ground running, we’ll also start the NLCS without Andy Van Slyke, although we have activated him in the hope that he’ll be available at some point.

Mitch Webster has been fantastic for us this season and he’ll start in RF while Van is out.

Our opponents are at full strength.

We fall behind early in Game 1 and never really get into the contest as the Dodgers go on to take it 4-1 but we square things up the next day 4-2 behind a fine Mike Scott outing.

The medical staff give Van the all-clear and we start him in Game 3, in which we stake Candy to an early lead but once again the big stage proves too much for him.

Hate to lump it on one guy but there’s a reason we’ve had so little success with him at or near the top of our rotation and we won’t be sorry to see him go come season-end. He gives up a bunch of runs here as we lose it 6-4 despite a 3-run homer late from Barry Bonds.

John Tudor pitches a gem in Game 4 as we take it 2-1and we take the series lead for the first time the next game as it all comes together with Scott Sanderson giving us 8+ quality innings and Bonds leading the bats in an 8-2 victory.

We head back home needing just one win and this is precisely the sort of assignment we acquired Mike Scott for.

He doesn’t let us down, allowing just one run on 6 hits while fanning 8 over 7+ (and chiming in with a pair of hits) as we book another WS matchup with our grand rivals by dint of a comfortable 9-2 win.

Lance Parrish, 0-for his first 10 in the series, has 4 hits including 2 dingers and knocks in 3 but it is Johnny Ray adjudged MVP.

luckymann 03-22-2024 11:18 PM
1986 World Series Preview
 
Pittsburgh Pirates v Boston Red Sox
Best-of-seven, Pirates with the home-field advantage.


Not much to add here, I think everything has basically been covered other than the news that we get Steve Buechele back and Bill Almon is forced to make way.

Scott Fletcher has been handy and we’ll insert Buck into the soft side of a platoon at 3B and Fletch into the soft side of a platoon at SS with Jay Bell. His defence is too good not to have him playing every day.

Twelve years since we won it all, by far our longest dry spell. Be nice to end that here and now.


https://i.imgur.com/Quzaa8o.png

luckymann 03-23-2024 02:18 AM
1986 World Series Recap
 
Game 1 in Pittsburgh

John Candelaria (14-10, 3.18) v Roger Clemens (24-8, 2.75)

A tough start for us as we face the all-conquering Roger Clemens and, while the bats get us a few runs with Rob Deer popping a pair of solo shots, John Candelaria is again not up to the task as they chase him in the 5th and go on to win it 6-3.

https://i.imgur.com/XDnOsBs.png


Game 2 in Pittsburgh
Scott Sanderson (12-11, 3.33) v Bobby Witt (5-5, 4.25)
Red Sox lead series 1-0

Bobby Witt keeps us hitless thru 5 but we eventually find our range and finish the game off strongly to square the series with a 4-1 win.

Scott Sanderson does well again over 7+ and Barry Bonds reaches bases four times with pairs of doubles and walks.

https://i.imgur.com/DdnIyhR.png


Game 3 in Boston
Bruce Hurst (17-12, 3.58) v Mike Scott (21-3, 2.77)
Series tied 1-1

A high-quality match-up for Game 3 at Fenway with two guys facing off who each have had fantastic years. Mitch Webster comes in as DH for this one against the lefty Hurst.

We get to him early and look to be cruising at 6-2 only for the bullpen problems to come back and haunt us as Jim Gott gives up all 4 runs of that lead and then they blow it again in the 9th after we edge ahead once more.

Finally, we post a 5-spot in the 12th but they even try to give that away before we finally close it out for a wild 12-9 win.

Every starter gets at least one hit with Scott Fletcher going 4-for-5.

The win costs us Bob Patterson, however, who tears his UCL and is done until about the middle of next year. Rod Scurry comes in as an injury replacement.

https://i.imgur.com/WQ1dZwP.png


Game 4 in Boston
Doyle Alexander (14-11, 4.08) v John Tudor (13-9, 3.64)
Pirates lead series 2-1

A win here would be huge for us and it falls on John Tudor to get us it against the wily veteran Doyle Alexander.

Once again we fail to register a hit until the middle innings, by which stage we trail 0-2.

But Tudes hangs in there and we come back twice – the second time from three runs down in the 8th – then post 3 more in the 10th to win it 8-5.

Bell, Deer and Madlock each homer in a fantastic team effort.

https://i.imgur.com/A72mtb9.png


Game 5 in Boston
Roger Clemens (2-1, 4.24) v John Candelaria (0-2, 7.71)
Pirates lead series 3-1

Three chances for us to win it but, while there’s something particularly sweet about clinching at home I’d just as soon finish it off first go.

A huge shot at redemption for Candy in what is almost certainly his last appearance for the club but he has to beat the Rocket in order to claim it.

John certainly gives it his best but we can’t solve Clemens who holds us to 5 hits in going the distance as they score late to extend the series with a 3-1 win.

https://i.imgur.com/0ye5aeH.png


Game 6 in Pittsburgh
Scott Sanderson (12-11, 3.33) v Bobby Witt (5-5, 4.25)
Pirates lead series 3-2

The last thing we want is for this series to go to a decider as it would mean all the momentum is with our opponents. We need to get to the rookie early and never let up.

It doesn’t happen that way as Sandy gives up a run in each of the first 4 frames but we somehow get it back to square before this wretched bullpen of ours does it again and they tack on 6 runs to cruise to a 10-4 victory and force that dreaded Game 7.

https://i.imgur.com/TlxaLhu.png


Game 7 in Pittsburgh
Mike Scott (2-0, 0.84) v Bruce Hurst (1-1, 4.95)
Series tied 3-3

They’re already putting this series near the top of the list of all-time best and, were I a neutral I would agree 100%. It has been a superb advertisement for the game conducted by two clubs steeped in historic rivalry played at a ferocious and unforgiving pace.

But I am not a neutral and for us to lose from 3-1 will take a lot of soul-searching to process and make for the longest offseason imaginable.

Mike Scott has been so good for us all year – can he deliver us to the promised land with one more good’un or is that asking too much of him?

Much to our despair, it is as the Sox take a famous victory, coming back from our early deuce to take it out 4-2 for their 12th title.

Jim Rice is named series MVP.

https://i.imgur.com/TetfY7e.png


https://i.imgur.com/ZWEqBix.png

luckymann 03-23-2024 06:47 AM
1986 Offseason
 
OUT & OUTS

Jim Kaat (Yankees), Jim Suchecki (Angels) and Don Drysdale (Expos) are kicked to the kerb, while Tony Jacobs (Orioles) doesn't have his contract renewed.


ROSTER MOVES

We send Jerry Dybzinski, Mitch Webster and Rod Scurry to arb and re-sign Bill Almon on a 1/220 deal.

John Candelaria, Lance Parrish and Bill Madlock all walk.


The following extensions of note were signed at other clubs:

1B Glenn Davis (Astros) 4/9900
1B Greg Brock (Redss) 4/2430


SIM ACCURACY

https://i.imgur.com/5PP1NEe.png

*From here on in I'll provide the in-game comparison as well as my own with the edited LTMs.


HANGIN' THEM UP

One of the last great pitchers from the 70s takes his leave along with one of our favoured sons. Perhaps only the former of these, however, will need his tux pressed in five years or so.


https://i.imgur.com/A0WfhNh.png

luckymann 03-23-2024 07:14 AM
1986 MLB Awards
 

luckymann 03-23-2024 07:17 PM
1987 The First Time Around
 
Nowhere to go but down from the heights of '86 as a fairly nondescript season ushers in the game's most problematic era to date. Not so much of a concern for Twins fans, who pick their charges up with a wave of their homer hankies and deposit them all the way to the club's first World Championship. But not even on its maximum setting could the Metrodome AC scatter the storm clouds brewing on the horizon.


AL EAST / WEST CHAMPIONS: Detroit Tigers (98-64) / Minnesota Twins (85-77)
NL EAST / WEST CHAMPIONS: St. Louis Cardinals (95-67) / San Francisco Giants (90-72)
ALCS: Twins 4, Tigers 1
NLCS: Cardinals 4, Giants 3
WORLD SERIES: Twins 4, Cardinals 3

Pittsburgh Pirates: 80-82, 5th in NL East

AL MVP: George Bell (Blue Jays)
NL MVP: Andre Dawson (Cubs)

AL CYA: Roger Clemens (Red Sox)
NL CYA: Steve Bedrosian (Phillies)

AL RoY: Mark McGwire (A’s)
NL RoY: Benito Santiago (Padres)


Top Ten Lists (courtesy of thisgreatgame.com)

NL Hitters

1. ERIC DAVIS, CINCINNATI
  • Key Numbers: 129 games, .293 average, 120 runs, 37 home runs, 100 RBIs, 84 walks, 50 stolen bases, 6 caught stealing.
  • Davis came to the majors with far less fanfare than his high school buddy Darryl Strawberry (#2 below), but showed incredible potential—realizing much of it before an endless string of injuries gradually eroded his superstar form.
2. DARRYL STRAWBERRY, NEW YORK
  • Key Numbers: .284 average, 108 runs, 32 doubles, 5 triples, 39 home runs, 104 RBIs, 97 walks, 36 stolen bases.
  • Strawberry’s phenomenal talent reached its apex before he too got sadly sidetracked—more by drugs than injury and, like Davis later, by cancer. He partnered with Howard Johnson to become the first teammates with 30-30 seasons.
3. TIM RAINES, MONTREAL
  • Key Numbers: 139 games, .330 average, 123 runs, 175 hits, 34 doubles, 8 triples, 18 home runs, 68 RBIs, 90 walks, 26 intentional walks, 50 stolen bases, 5 caught stealing.
  • Forced to return to the Expos after colluding owners kept him from going elsewhere in a massive attempt to stifle wages, Raines sucked it up, had another excellent season…and got a belated payday a few years later from the courts.
4. DALE MURPHY, ATLANTA
  • Key Numbers: .295 average, 115 runs, 27 doubles, 44 home runs, 105 RBIs, 115 walks, 29 intentional walks, 16 stolen bases.
  • After his numbers softened in 1986, Murphy firmly rebounded and set personal bests in home runs and walks; he suffered an instant downturn a year later and hit only .234 for the remainder of his career.
5. TONY GWYNN, SAN DIEGO
  • Key Numbers: .370 average, 119 runs, 218 hits, 36 doubles, 13 triples, 7 home runs, 54 RBIs, 82 walks, 26 intentional walks, 56 stolen bases.
  • Gwynn shunned the homer but registered the NL’s highest average in 40 years. Unbelievably, he would record two higher averages in the years to come; more unbelievably, he would never score over 100 runs again, despite batting .340 over his remaining 14 years.
6. JACK CLARK, ST. LOUIS
  • Key Numbers: 131 games, .286 average, 93 runs, 35 home runs, 106 RBIs, 136 walks, 139 strikeouts, .459 on-base percentage, .597 slugging percentage.
  • Looking more bulked than ever, Clark went full ‘three outcomes’ on a revived Cardinals offense and evolved into a fearless (if fragile, toward season’s end) slugger, collecting either a home run, walk or strikeout in 55% of his plate appearances.
7. ANDRE DAWSON, CHICAGO
  • Key Numbers: .287 average, 90 runs, 178 hits, 49 home runs, 137 RBIs, 11 stolen bases.
  • The Hawk easily soared to a career-high count of home runs and became the first MVP on a last-place team after practically begging the Cubs to sign him—to the point of handing them a contract with a blank dollar amount. (The Cubs wrote in $500,000.)
8. JUAN SAMUEL, PHILADELPHIA
  • Key Numbers: .272 average, 655 at-bats, 113 runs, 178 hits, 37 doubles, 15 triples, 28 home runs, 100 RBIs, 162 strikeouts, 35 stolen bases.
  • Samuel became the first major leaguer to produce double-figures in doubles, triples, home runs and steals. He would never return to such heights, failing to rekindle the early-career spark over 11 more seasons.
9. MIKE SCHMIDT, PHILADELPHIA
  • Key Numbers: .293 average, 88 runs, 28 doubles, 35 home runs, 113 RBIs, 83 walks.
  • Father Time was closing in on Schmidt—who turned 38 at season’s end—but he gave one last breath of Hall-of-Fame output, belting his 500th career home run, blasting three in one game for the third time, and producing his second-highest batting average.
10. PEDRO GUERRERO, LOS ANGELES
  • Key Numbers: .338 average, 89 runs, 184 hits, 25 doubles, 27 home runs, 89 RBIs.
  • Guerrero showed he hadn’t lost a step after missing most of the previous season with a torn tendon; his .338 average represented a career high, hitting over .400 in two separate months (July and September).


AL Hitters

1. PAUL MOLITOR, MILWAUKEE
  • Key Numbers: 118 games, .353 average, 114 runs, 164 hits,
  • 41 doubles, 5 triples, 16 home runs, 75 RBIs, 69 walks, 45 stolen bases.
  • A few astonishing facts about Molitor’s memorable (39-game hit streak) and painful (40 games lost to injury) season: He hit an insane .444 with runners in scoring position, and despite missing all that time, still led the AL in runs and doubles.
2. WADE BOGGS, BOSTON
  • Key Numbers: .363 average, 108 runs, 200 hits, 40 doubles, 6 triples, 24 home runs, 89 RBIs, 105 walks, 19 intentional walks, .461 on-base percentage.
  • In a year where home runs trumped ace pitchers, Boggs rode the slugging frenzy to smack a career-high 24; he never hit more than 11 in any other season. To show it wasn’t all about the power, Boggs hit .390 when making contact on a 0-2 pitch.
3. DWIGHT EVANS, BOSTON
  • Key Numbers: .305 average, 109 runs, 37 doubles, 34 home runs, 123 RBIs, 106 walks.
  • The tireless, ageless (35) Evans—who goes back to a time when he could claim teammates such as Carl Yastrzemski, Luis Aparicio and Bob Veale—continued to get better with each passing year.
4. GEORGE BELL, TORONTO
  • Key Numbers: .322 average, 111 runs, 188 hits, 32 doubles, 47 home runs, 134 RBIs.
  • Bell’s Herculean year earned him the AL MVP, though it was a squeaker over Detroit’s Alan Trammell (332-311) in the final vote.
5. ALAN TRAMMELL, DETROIT
  • Key Numbers: .343 average, 109 runs, 205 hits, 34 doubles, 28 home runs, 105 RBIs, 21 stolen bases, 2 caught stealing.
  • Trammell’s 20-year career in Detroit peaked—if not spiked—with a stellar effort in which he set personal bests in all major hitting categories.
6. MARK MCGWIRE, OAKLAND
  • Key Numbers: .289 average, 97 runs, 28 doubles, 49 home runs, 118 RBIs, .618 slugging percentage.
  • The muscular rookie forfeited his shot at a 50th home run when he skipped the year’s final game to witness the birth of his first child. He probably figured he’d get a few more chances at 50 anyway.
7. ROBIN YOUNT, MILWAUKEE
  • Key Numbers: .312 average, 99 runs, 198 hits, 25 doubles, 9 triples, 21 home runs, 103 RBIs, 19 stolen bases.
  • Yount’s numbers returned to something closely akin to those produced during his first MVP season of 1982—and mirrored those he’d accrue two years later when he won his second such honor. He more than doubled his home run and RBI totals from 1986 despite playing just 18 more games.
8. WALLY JOYNER, CALIFORNIA
  • Key Numbers: .285 average, 100 runs, 33 doubles, 34 home runs, 117 RBIs.
  • Life was good in “Wally World,” as the baby-faced sophomore—still fuming over finishing second to Jose Canseco in the 1986 AL Rookie of the Year vote—set career marks in the power categories.
9. DON MATTINGLY, NEW YORK
  • Key Numbers: .327 average, 93 runs, 186 hits, 38 doubles, 30 home runs, 115 RBIs.
  • Despite a poor start and the onset of back issues that would dog the latter half of his career, Mattingly remained one of the game’s sterling hitting talents; all 10 of his July home runs were hit within an eight-game stretch.
10. KEVIN SEITZER, KANSAS CITY
  • Key Numbers: .323 average, 105 runs, 207 hits, 33 doubles, 8 triples, 15 home runs, 83 RBIs, 12 stolen bases.
  • Among the rookie’s league co-leading 207 hits were six on August 2 against Boston, making him one of three Royals ever to collect that many in a game.


NL Pitchers

1. OREL HERSHISER, LOS ANGELES
  • Key Numbers: 3.06 ERA, 16 wins, 16 losses, 1 save, 37 appearances, 35 starts, 264.2 innings, 11 wild pitches, 30 grounded into double plays.
  • With so much offense in 1987, undeserving .500 pitcher Hershiser had to wonder where all of his support was.
2. RICK REUSCHEL, PITTSBURGH-SAN FRANCISCO
  • Key Numbers: 3.09 ERA, 13 wins, 9 losses, 33 starts, 12 complete games, 4 shutouts, 227 innings, 42 walks.
  • The portly 38-year old received a second wind upon his trade to the Giants, finally feeling relevance with a contender after so many years playing for bad teams.
3. BOB WELCH, LOS ANGELES
  • Key Numbers: 3.22 ERA, 15 wins, 9 losses, 35 starts, 4 shutouts, 251.2 innings, 20 stolen bases allowed, 18 caught stealing/picked off.
  • Entering the best stretch of his career—capped by a mind-boggling 1990 campaign for Oakland—Welch began a four-year run winning at least 15 while restricting defeats to the single digits.
4. MIKE SCOTT, HOUSTON
  • Key Numbers: 3.23 ERA, 16 wins, 13 losses, 36 starts, 247.2 innings, 39 stolen bases allowed.
  • Scott retained his brilliant 1986 pace to begin 1987—starting the year at 9-3 with a 2.10 ERA—but afterward was 7-10 with a 4.13 figure.
5. MIKE DUNNE, PITTSBURGH
  • Key Numbers: 3.03 ERA, 13 wins, 6 losses, 23 starts, .684 winning percentage, 163.1 innings, 22 grounded into double plays.
  • A year of seconds for the 24-year-old right-hander who enjoyed his best of just five major league campaigns; he finished second in the NL in ERA, and second in the NL Rookie of the Year vote (behind San Diego catcher Benito Santiago).
6. DWIGHT GOODEN, NEW YORK
  • Key Numbers: 3.21 ERA, 15 wins, 7 losses, .682 win percentage, 179.2 innings, 24 stolen bases allowed.
  • A sober Gooden might have been enough to push the Mets—25-25 until he returned from rehab on June 5—to a second straight NL East title over the Cardinals.
7. TIM BURKE, MONTREAL
  • Key Numbers: 1.19 ERA, 7 wins, 0 losses, 18 saves, 4 blown saves, 55 appearances, 91 innings, 17 walks.
  • Burke did very little wrong as part of a share-the-wealth Expos bullpen, following the departure of Jeff Reardon.
8. STEVE BEDROSIAN, PHILADELPHIA
  • Key Numbers: 2.83 ERA, 5 wins, 3 losses, 40 saves, 8 blown saves, 65 appearances, 89 innings.
  • Unable to finish any of his 37 starts two years earlier, Bedrosian successfully finished a bunch for his teammates as he converted into the NL’s leading closer—and won the NL Cy Young Award.
9. NOLAN RYAN, HOUSTON
  • Key Numbers: 2.76 ERA, 8 wins, 16 losses, 34 starts, 211.2 innings, 10 wild pitches, 270 strikeouts, 45 stolen bases allowed.
  • A weird year, to say the least, for the Ryan Express; he turned 40, won his second ERA title but with an 8-16 record that’s the worst by a league leader, and recorded the highest strikeout-per-nine-inning rate (11.5) of his illustrious career.
10. JOHN FRANCO, CINCINNATI
  • Key Numbers: 2.52 ERA, 8 wins, 5 losses, 32 saves, 9 blown saves, 68 appearances, 82 innings.
  • Though he saved an equal number of games at home and away (16 each), his ERA at Riverfront Stadium was 4.14—while it was 1.20 on the road.


AL Pitchers

1. JIMMY KEY, TORONTO
  • Key Numbers: 2.76 ERA, 17 wins, 8 losses, .680 win percentage, 36 starts, 261 innings, 24 grounded into double plays.
  • Practically the only left-handed starter the Blue Jays had during the 1980s, Key was arguably as untouchable as Roger Clemens.
2. ROGER CLEMENS, BOSTON
  • Key Numbers: 2.97 ERA, 20 wins, 9 losses, 18 complete games, 7 shutouts, .690 win percentage, 36 starts, 281.2 innings, 26 stolen bases allowed.
  • Recovered from a slow start fueled by a contract squabble, Clemens shared the major league lead in wins and earned back-to-back Cy Young Award honors—a first for a Red Sox pitcher.
3. FRANK VIOLA, MINNESOTA
  • Key Numbers: 2.90 ERA, 17 wins, 10 losses, 36 starts, 251.2 innings.
  • The southpaw mimicked the Twins’ schizophrenic home/away fortunes; he was 11-3 at the Metrodome, 6-7 on the road.
4. BRET SABERHAGEN, KANSAS CITY
  • Key Numbers: 3.36 ERA, 18 wins, 10 losses, 33 starts, 15 shutouts, 257 innings, 53 walks.
  • Making up for a lost previous year that followed up his breakout Cy Young Award campaign of 1985, Saberhagen got back on track—though he stalled after a 14-2 start.
5. TED HIGUERA, MILWAUKEE
  • Key Numbers: 3.85 ERA, 18 wins, 10 losses, 35 starts, 261.2 innings, 20 stolen bases allowed, 23 grounded into double plays.
  • The Mexico-born southpaw continued to impress in Milwaukee, furnishing the longest streak of consecutive scoreless innings (33.1) in Brewers history.
6. DAVE STEWART, OAKLAND
  • Key Numbers: 4.03 ERA, 13 wins, 6 losses, .684 win percentage, 33 starts, 187.2 innings, 27 grounded into double plays.
  • His career lost at sea, Stewart found pitching paradise with a forkball and became a perennial 20-game winner.
7. TOMMY JOHN, NEW YORK
  • Key Numbers: 3.20 ERA, 11 wins, 12 losses, 1 save, 32 appearances, 27 starts, 185.2 innings, 24 grounded into double plays.
  • Now in his 24th season—he would pitch two more years—the man who made Dr. Frank Jobe proud found a patch of efficiency with the Yankees, who brought him back after a period of nomadic movement.
8. CHARLIE LEIBRANDT, KANSAS CITY
  • Key Numbers: 3.41 ERA, 16 wins, 11 losses, 35 starts, 240.1 innings.
  • Sure, it wasn’t hard to reach base against Leibrandt, whose WHIP (walks/hits allowed per inning) was better-than-average but not brilliant at 1.28; but it was a little tougher having opponents bring them home, as they hit .202 against the lefty with runners in scoring position.
9. MARK LANGSTON, SEATTLE
  • Key Numbers: 3.84 ERA, 19 wins, 13 losses, 35 starts, 272 innings, 114 walks, 262 strikeouts, 26 stolen bases allowed.
  • Wayward for two seasons after a terrific 1984 debut, Langston re-acquired ace status and nearly became the Mariners’ first 20-game winner.
10. DANNY JACKSON, KANSAS CITY
  • Key Numbers: 4.02 ERA, 9 wins, 18 losses, 34 starts, 224 innings, 109 walks, 20 grounded into double plays.
  • For the second straight year, Jackson easily had the worst run support per start in the AL; the Royals averaged 3.35 runs every time he took the mound.

luckymann 03-23-2024 08:46 PM
1986/87 Rookie Draft & Legacy Players
 
As with the season that followed it, there was no way this year’s rookie class could match up with that of ’86. All the same, some handy players coming through including two Marquees and four Legacies.

These are the Legacy Players for the 1987 Season:

Atlanta Braves: Tom Glavine (80.7; 518 GS) MARQUEE 76%
Seattle Mariners: Edgar Martinez (68.4; 2055 – one-club player) MARQUEE 100% (conceded)
Baltimore Orioles: BJ Surhoff (34.4; 1001)
Houston Astros: Ken Caminiti (33.4; 1085)
New York Mets: Al Leiter (40.0; 213 GS)
San Francisco Giants: Matt Williams (46.6; 1120)


BJ Surhoff (1102 GP) was also eligible for the Brewers, but the O’s had the higher pick.


There are 155 rookies for this season, and the Draft will consist of 5 rounds.

The Draft order will be as follows (winning percentage from 1986 IRL season in brackets; bold indicates Legacy Pick in 1st Round):


Round 1

1. Atlanta Braves (447)
2. Seattle Mariners (414)
3. San Francisco Giants (512)
4. New York Mets (667)
5. Baltimore Orioles (451; dice roll)
6. Houston Astros (593)
7. Pittsburgh Pirates (395)
8. Chicago Cubs (438; dice roll)
9. Minnesota Twins (438; dice roll)
10. Chicago White Sox (444)
11. Los Angeles Dodgers (451; dice roll)
12. San Diego Padres (457)
13. Kansas City Royals (469; dice roll)
14. Oakland Athletics (469; dice roll)
15. Milwaukee Brewers (478)
16. Montreal Expos (484)
17. St. Louis Cardinals (491)
18. Cleveland Indians (519)
19. Toronto Blue Jays (531; dice roll)
20. Cincinnati Reds (531; dice roll)
21. Philadelphia Phillies (534)
22. Texas Rangers (537; dice roll)
23. Detroit Tigers (537; dice roll)
24. New York Yankees (556)
25. California Angels (568)
26. Boston Red Sox (590)


Rounds 2 thru 5

1. Pittsburgh Pirates (354)
2. Seattle Mariners (414)
3. Chicago Cubs (438; dice roll)
4. Minnesota Twins (438; dice roll)
5. Chicago White Sox (444)
6. Atlanta Braves (447)
7. Baltimore Orioles (451; dice roll)
8. Los Angeles Dodgers (451; dice roll)
9. San Diego Padres (457)
10. Kansas City Royals (469; dice roll)
11. Oakland Athletics (469; dice roll)
12. Milwaukee Brewers (478)
13. Montreal Expos (484)
14. St. Louis Cardinals (491)
15. San Francisco Giants (512)
16. Cleveland Indians (519)
17. Toronto Blue Jays (531; dice roll)
18. Cincinnati Reds (531; dice roll)
19. Philadelphia Phillies (534)
20. Texas Rangers (537; dice roll)
21. Detroit Tigers (537; dice roll)
22. New York Yankees (556)
23. California Angels (568)
24. Boston Red Sox (590)
25. Houston Astros (593)
26. New York Mets (667)


Eligible PIT players: 10 position players + 12 pitchers = 22


Once again, we are fortunate enough to have first crack at those unspoken for and we knew from the moment the pool was announced who that first pick would be spent on. Hopeful that the 27th pick will also reap us a nice benefit.

Here are the new Bucco boys:

1. 1. OF Ellis Burks, 21 (INELIGIBLE)
  • So many things have to line up for us to make these high picks realise their full value and we certainly feel they have done so here as we pick up our CF of the future. Will require some roster realignment to fit him into the allotted four ineligibles but we were planning on that happening anyway. A huge add for us.
2. P John Burkett, 22 (INELIGIBLE)
  • More of a long-term play here with John – clearly the best option remaining at this point – not really MLB-ready for a few years. After that, however, he is top-notch.
3. 3. SS Felix Fermin, 23 (PIT IRL: 1987-88)
  • Sort of in the Bill Almon mould, a solid sixth IF who will likely see some time in the bigs but never look like he belongs there.
4. P Barry Jones, 22 (PIT IRL: 1986-88)
5. C Mark Parent, 24 (PIT IRL: 1995)
  • AAA depth, although Ballard has at least one decent season in him by our reckoning.

Another big step forward for us.


https://i.imgur.com/uHpRm8E.png

luckymann 03-23-2024 10:48 PM
Call from the Hall
 
No bookmakers in this universe means Charlie hustles his way to Cooperstown, while Dick Allen remains oh so close with plenty more chances at his disposal.

https://i.imgur.com/szMMd28.png

luckymann 03-24-2024 01:07 AM
The Wheeling and the Dealing
 
The bleeding has only just been stemmed - that was a tough beat.

Our initial target among this year's FAs fell by the wayside (see the Preseason post in a bit for more) and we had to wait until after the Draft to try and acquire our other chief want, so it was a slow start to the offseason other than signing quality RP Alejandro Pena on a 5/4500 deal. He'll step into the vacant Closer role.



As soon as the Draft was done with, we approached the Mets and ended up making the following trade:



That's right kids, the Killer B band is back together. Actually, with Buechele and Bell we've got a veritable hive going.

The Burks addition meant Cangelosi was totally blocked and the Mets were keen to take him off our hands so it was a fairly straightforward swap.

That left us with one ineligible too many now that Ellis is on board and we always knew which one was the odd man out. It took some figuring but eventually we rolled the dice and brought another IRL club fave into the fold via this transaction:



This was one of those trades you can do deals. We were planning on using LaValliere to back Sluggo up this season then trade him but this was the only way we could get the thing done and we decided we had another only slightly less preferred option in Brian Harper so we pulled the trigger. It gets Sandy off the books, bringing us back within the allowed CC membership, and improves our balance sheet mightily to boot. Where it could come unstuck is if Slaught gets hurt but we'll just make sure the trainers treat him like a Fabergé egg until further notice.


OK so that leaves us with one unused transaction voucher to deploy as needed over the course of the season.

luckymann 03-24-2024 03:22 AM
1987 Preseason / Spring Training
 
A busy old offseason as salaries move past the $4m mark and the big boys continue to exert their financial influence, most notably the World Champs. We tried to sign Pascual Perez with an initial asking price of $2.2m AAV but were quickly shoved aside in the bidding war that ensued and which they eventually won.

Here are the transactions of note:

OF Chet Lemon: Red Sox, 4 years / $22.8m / AAV $4.56m
P Pascual Perez: Red Sox, 4 years / $18.2m / AAV $4.54m
2B Willie Randloph: Dodgers, 5 years / $22.4m / AAV $4.48m
P JR Richard: Royals, 3 years / $12.5m / AAV $4.16m
1B Jack Clark: Cardinals, 4 years / $16.5m / AAV $4.12m
C Ernie Whitt: Giants, 4 years / $16.3m / AAV $4.08m
3B Howard Johnson: Cubs, 3 years / $11.7m / AAV $3.91m
OF Jerry Mumphrey: White Sox, 4 years / $14.6m / AAV $3.64m
OF Fred Lynn: Mariners, 4 years / $12.8m / AAV $3.20m
2B Tony Phillips: Blue Jays, 4 years / $12.4m / AAV $3.09m
SS Hubie Brooks: Giants, 4 years / $11.4m / AAV $2.84m
P John Candelaria: Tigers, 4 years / $10.1m / AAV $2.52m
OF Tom Brunansky: Dodgers, 3 years / $7.6m / AAV $2.52m
SS Roy Smalley: Yankees, 4 years / $9.2m / AAV $2.29m
OF Lee Lacy: Phillies, 1 year / $2.3m / AAV $2.28m
OF Lyman Bostock: Angels, 3 years / $2.5m / AAV $1.24m (extension)
C Ron Hassey: Tigers, 2 years / $5.9m / AAV $1.96m
OF Eddie Milner: Tigers, 2 years / $3.8m / AAV $1.89m
P Bart Johnson: White Sox, 1 year / $1.9m / AAV $1.88m
1B Darrell Evans: Twins, 3 years / $5.5m / AAV $1.85m
C Ozzie Virgil: Phillies, 3 years / $5.2m / AAV $1.72m
P Storm Davis: Blue Jays, 3 years / $5.1m / AAV $1.69m
P Mike Witt: Tigers, 4 years / $4.9m / AAV $1.64m
OF Dave Parker: Cardinals, 1 year / $1.6m / AAV $1.64m
1B Greg Walker: Mets, 3 years / $4.8m / AAV $1.59m
P Bert Blyleven: Royals, 1 year / $1.6m / AAV $1.60m
OF Dave Henderson: Reds, 4 years / $6.2m / AAV $1.55m
P Tom Henke: Giants, 3 years / $4.6m / AAV $1.52m
C Lance Parrish: Cardinals, 1 year / $1.4m / AAV $1.36m
2B Bobby Grich: Angels, 2 years / $2.5m / AAV $1.24m (extension)


3B Chris Alvarez from Tigers to Yankees for 1B Cecil Cooper (retaining 90%)
OF James McCollom and P Rocky Childress from Cardinals to Royals for C Tony Pena
OF Darrin Jackson from Orioles to Indians for P Dennis Lamp (retaining 40%)
3B Bob Zambrano from Cubs to Royals for 3B George Brett
OF Darnell Coles and C Jim Puzy from Blue Jays to White Sox for P Mike Moore
P Ron Darling from Mariners to Giants for P Jay Tibbs and P Don Schultze
P Dave Wehrmeister from Blue Jays to Phillies for C Rich Gedman (retaining 30%)
3B Davey Lopes from Astros to Giants for P Mark Portugal and P Brian Fisher
2B Jerry Browne from Orioles to Blue Jays for P Charlie Hough (retaining 55%)
SS Mariano Duncan and P Dave Leiper from Indians to Twins for P Sid Fernandez (retaining 90%)
P Britt Burns and cash from Yankees to Phillies for C Ed Hearn
P Frank Tanana (retaining 60%) from Rangers to Mets for 3B Chris James and P Drew Hall


We go 11-7 in Spring Training and suffer no injuries of any importance.

BNN see the league returning to its close and competitive ways with the Red Sox, A’s and Reds narrowly coming out on top in the other groups.

In our division they cannot separate ourselves and the Expos, with the Cubs and Cards close at hand.


https://i.imgur.com/yftAz4I.png

luckymann 03-24-2024 03:48 AM
The View from the Gangplank Opening Day, 1987
 
Bobby Bo at 1B, Ellis at CF and he'll lead off, Fletch and Jay Bell platooning at SS.

Jo Orsulak will spend the year at AAA, along with Rob Deer and Bill Almon. Unless / until injuries and/or form decree otherwise.

Vance Law, who we picked up on a minors deal, makes his return as part of the back IF crew. Brian Harper into backup catcher as previously discussed.

Mike Scott takes over the SP1, with Don Robinson and Doug Drabek also in the rotation.

Bob Walk makes his first appearance for the club in a relief / spot starter role.


https://i.imgur.com/3IXoJ0h.png


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