OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - Ruben "Streak" Souffront and the Denver Brewers

BirdWatcher · 06-24-2018, 04:38 PM

So with the team reeling and the pitching staff largely in a shambles, Brewers leadership found themselves looking forward to the future and trying to formulate a plan. One thing that seemed certain is that with several veteran players eligible for free agency at the end of the season, the team was neither inclined to nor really in a position to sign all of them, and in fact likely would sign none of them.
Among these players the one with the most trade value, and the one likely demanding the biggest payday (estimated to be looking for approx. 300K/season), was first baseman Mark Compton. Compton was arguably the Brewers MVP for the 1965 season (6.0 WAR), as he led the team in HR's with 39 while providing excellent defense both in right field and at first base. Compton is (was) the only true power hitter on the squad. And he is very popular with both fans and teammates. But as Branch Rickey said to Ralph Kiner, "we finished last with you, we can finish last without you." Okay, granted, the Brewers actually finished 2nd with Compton leading the way in 1965. But with Compton not as productive (other than being actually ahead of his '65 HR pace) in 1966 and with his defense noticeably diminished, and with the Brewers scuffling, it was decided that it was better to focus on the long-term for now rather than what Compton might provide for the remainder of the '66 campaign.

So this happened:

06-24-2018, 04:38 PM	#122
BirdWatcher Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 4,263	So with the team reeling and the pitching staff largely in a shambles, Brewers leadership found themselves looking forward to the future and trying to formulate a plan. One thing that seemed certain is that with several veteran players eligible for free agency at the end of the season, the team was neither inclined to nor really in a position to sign all of them, and in fact likely would sign none of them. Among these players the one with the most trade value, and the one likely demanding the biggest payday (estimated to be looking for approx. 300K/season), was first baseman Mark Compton. Compton was arguably the Brewers MVP for the 1965 season (6.0 WAR), as he led the team in HR's with 39 while providing excellent defense both in right field and at first base. Compton is (was) the only true power hitter on the squad. And he is very popular with both fans and teammates. But as Branch Rickey said to Ralph Kiner, "we finished last with you, we can finish last without you." Okay, granted, the Brewers actually finished 2nd with Compton leading the way in 1965. But with Compton not as productive (other than being actually ahead of his '65 HR pace) in 1966 and with his defense noticeably diminished, and with the Brewers scuffling, it was decided that it was better to focus on the long-term for now rather than what Compton might provide for the remainder of the '66 campaign. So this happened: Attached Images Last edited by BirdWatcher; 06-24-2018 at 05:24 PM.