Other tidbits from the last few weeks

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

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

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

7/1/79 update
 

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

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

some housekeeping notes thru the AS game

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

White Sox fire manager Alvin Dark

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

8/1/79 update
 

cooled off a bit, but opened a rather large lead

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

pitchers and rookies

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

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

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

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


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

injury bug update

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

9/1/79 update
 

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

league integrity? or go for it
 

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

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

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

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

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


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

man...Darrel Jackson looks pissed

Yeah that 21 loss rookie campaign will affect a guys outlook

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

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

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

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

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

a little offseason update
 

Wow I have a lot of catching up to do

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

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

Orioles acquire Greg Luzinski in trade

Vida Blue injury forces retirement

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

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

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

5/1/80
 

injuries and a NO-NO
 

Steve Carlton (SL) will miss3 months
Darrell Jackson (MINN) to miss 12 months
Scott Sanderson (MON) out 11 months
Lynn McGlothen (Cal) out 9 months, sad twist for the former 4 time 20 game winner

Steve Rogers (NYA) with a no hitter over the Tigers

A look at this season top prospects
http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...1&d=1359410611

6/1/80 update
 

some familiar faces show up again in month recap #2

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...1&d=1359438466

7/1/80 update
 

Kirk Gibson (DET) out 3 months
Bobby Murcer (NYN) out 5 months
Carlton Fisk (BOS) out 5 months
Mike Scott (NYN) out 10 months
Bill Gullickson (MON) out 4 months
Mickey Rivers (CAL) career over

Unprecedented injury bug in the Expos rotation

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...1&d=1359500926

some very noteworthy milestones
 

Pete Rose (CHN) gets hit # 3000, career stats are below
Carl Yastrzemski (BOS) gets hit # 3000, also below
Dave Kingman (NYA) gets HR # 300, he was also traded from the Rangers to the Yanks, much like the real life King Kong, he has moved around alot
Mitchell Page (TOR) hits for the cycle while collecting 6 hits
Floyd Bannister (HOU) throws a no hitter
Jason Thompson (DET) hits 3 HR in a game
Pete Vuckovich (CHW) out for 8 months

Lastly, the Cubs send Bruce Sutter to the Cards for Tom Herrhttp://www.ootpdevelopments.com/board/attachment.php?attachmentid=275235&stc=1&d=1359590 294http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/board/attachment.php?attachmentid=275236&stc=1&d=1359590 294

trade deadline stuff
 

The Royals are rumored to be shopping Johnny Bench, however, Bench has indicated he will veto any possible deal with his 10/5 right. Bench has been increasingly unhappy with the fact that he is now only the 4th highest paid Royal. The club is also attempting to move Mike Ivie as Cecil Cooper has played so well and seem to now be content in the community.

The Pirates, who are mired in last place and struggling at the turnstiles have sent RF Dave Parker to the Reds. This was clearly about the contract, as Bob Bailor was returned to the bucs

Mariners sent Shane Rawley to the A's for Denny Walling

Ellis Valentine (MON) homers 3x in a game
Andre Thornton (MIN) to miss 9 months with a ruptered MCL
Bill Lee (BOS) with an injury that is typical of a Bill Lee moment
http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...1&d=1359902110

8/1/80 update
 

A closer look at the leaders, standings and the best performances from July of 1980

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...1&d=1359981258

Ross Baumgarten (CHW) no hits the Brewers

Reggie Smith (BOS) out 3 months
Alan Trammell (DET) out 3 months
Steve Kemp (DET) out 4 weeks

Tony Perez (DET) gets hit #2000
Fergie Jenkins (DET) gets win # 250

Pedro Guerrero (LA) loses hit streak at 33
Gary Matthews headed to Cleveland

9/1/80 update
 

Wow it appears as though George Brett and Robin Yount will go to the end in search of the AL MVP award. The only other race is the NL West as the Reds attempt to outlast the Dodgers

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...1&d=1360023321

10/1/80 update
 

It appears that Brett will claim the AL MVP and I don't know what else Bob Horner could do, he and Bob Watson both have had monster seasons
http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...1&d=1360507792

I-70 World Series
 

5 years ahead of its real life version the Royals and Cardinals will square off in the fall classic

The Royals have home field advantage and blew it with 2 straight losses, a short trip East made matters worse. Seeing Steve Carlton throw a no-hitter to give the redbirds a commanding 3-0 lead. However, the Royals offense awoke and won 3 straight themselves.

The two teams will collide tonight at Royals stadium where Jerry Reuss and Tommy John will start for their respective clubs.

Top 1
Cardinals 3 up, 3 down
Bottom 1
Wilson lead off single, takes 2nd on fielders choice, stranded

Top 2
Hit, walk and error all go for naught as Cards strand 3
Bottom 2
Lyman Bostock drives in 2, thrown out trying to stretch double into a triple

KC 2 SL 0

3rd
both teams go down in order

Top 4
scattered 2 hits, both stranded
Bottom 4
wasted Schmidt single

KC 2 SL 0

Top 5
Dave Winfield chases home Hernandez and Durham with 3 run blast
Bottom 5
3 up 3 down

SL 3 KC 2

Top 6
Durham and Mumphrey both drive in runs with doubles, score twice and chase John from game
Bottom 6
Cooper single is wasted

SL 5 KC 2

Top 7
Rick Reuschel works around hit and error, no scoring
Bottom 7
2 out Oliver walk produces nothing

Top 8
Hernandez drives in a run, Rich Gale works out of jam left by Reuschel, stranding 3
Bottom 8
Reuss is cruising, Royals have 3 outs left to get it done

SL 6 KC 2
Top 9
2 walks, nobody scores
Bottom 9
Schmidt, Brett and Bench coming up
2 strikeouts and a Bench single, followed by an Oliver ground out.

St Louis Cardinals win the 1980 World Series

1980 HOF inductees
 

Cooperstown will be opening its doors to a few new member this next summer
Roberto Clemente and Bob Gibson

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...1&d=1360801177

Jim Kaat and Juan Marichal

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...1&d=1360801276

Former Royal

Richie Hebner is headed to the Giants while Derrel Thomas heads to the Dodgers

Johnny Grubb is now a Twin, while Randy Bass heads to the Mets
Rollie FIngers (BAL) picked up save #300 to finish the season

In a very unexpected turn of events Tommy John (KC) announced his retirement John finishes at 222-197 with a 3.32 era, he had won 20+ games in 3 of his last 4 seasons

George Brett has won another MVP, Frank Tanana won the 1980 Cy Young

Bob Horner and Bob Watson battled it out for the NL MVP, Horner was ultimately the winner, however, take a look at these monster seasons by each of the Bobs, Horner and then Watson



http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...1&d=1360801876

Early FA returns
 

The Royals have made a few moves as the winter meetings wind down

They have sent Ruppert Jones and Rich Gale to the Yankees
in exchange the Royals have received Steve Rogers.
This is in line with the new ownership group in the Bronx, moving older higher paid vets for promising younger talent. However, the new owner has little patience and intends to win sooner than later.

The club also introduced Claudell Washington as its newest FA acquisition

Bob Watson turned his monster season into a new contract with the White Sox
Tug McGraw and Rick Rhoden have signed with the Reds
Darrell Evans, Rick Dempsey and Fergie Jenkins have signed with the Giants
Dwight Evans is now a Tiger
Jose Cruz and Jack Clark headed to Milwaukee
Oscar Gamble lands in Texas
Rusty Staub signs with the Padres
Roy Smalley signs with the Dodgers


Padres acquire Hosken Powell from Twins for Eric Show
Yankees deal Butch Hobson to the Astros for Joe Sambito

5/1/81 update
 

The NL hitter of the month was also the NL Rookie of the Month

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...1&d=1361319213

Reggie Jackson (OAK) has hit HR # 400

Willie Wilson (KC) lost for 4 months with a concussion
The Tigers are having a rough time, they are without
Jason Thompson, Lou Whitaker and Alan Trammel each will be out until early June
Rich Gale (NYY) formerly of the Royals has been lost for the season
Bruce Sutter (SL) out till September
Frank Tanana (KC) out till late June
Ellis Valentine (MON) out 5 weeks

Dennis Leonard (KC) out 4 months
Jack Clark (MIL) out 5 months
Cal Ripken (BAL) out 5 weeks, like that would ever happen
Eddie Milner forced to retire becasue of injuries
Steve Howe (LAN) out 9 weeks with "injury" we all know what the real problem is here, baseball in 1981 was just not ready to admit it

Al Oliver (KC) collects 6 singles in 6 at bats in a 9 inning game, nice day Scoops
It is rumored that the Royals are considering a move with the Giants to bring in Thurman Munson to split time with Johnny Bench. You might recall that Bench has been vocal about his contract value in dollars, wishing to be the highest paid Royal. Well as one team executive said, "That is just not gonna happen on a team with Brett, Schmidt and many other budding superstars."

6/1/81 update
 

A look at the usual monthly awards

http://www.ootpdevelopments.com/boar...1&d=1362241140

As you can see the injury bug has not only taken a bite out of Detroit, but also the Royals. In addition to this it is not the most cohesive clubhouse, manager Bubba Morton is spending alot of time keeping some of the superstars happy. This Royals club could be a ticking time bomb, anything short of a WS championship this season may spell doom to this teams current roster. Spending alot of money and finishing short of championships is not much fun, but, the team continues to draw well and be viewed as a desirable location for FA's, stay tuned to see how all of this will shake out.

Lou Whitaker has been lost for 3 more weeks, wow
Clint Hurdle (TOR) out 4 weeks
Keith Hernandez (SL) out 7 months, might have same injury as Steve Howe

Johnny Bench (KC) and Richie Hebner (SF) pick up hit # 2000

Steve Carlton (SL) gets win # 200