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Pelican · 05-25-2023, 01:24 PM

With just six games left in the 1971 Season, the Phillies are 74-82, good for fifth place in the NL Eastern Division; but just two games behind the Reds, three games behind Atlanta. The Pirates are runaway leaders at 101-55. SF and LA are tied in the West at 84-72. One of the Cali teams and the Mets (83-73) will be the Wild Card teams.

Over in the AL, the Orioles are rolling along at 103-53, eleven games ahead of the Yankees. The Red Sox are a strong third at 85-71, and have clinched the second Wild Card spot. Minnesota has clinched the West at 85-71, as no other team is above .500.

For the Phillies, Greg Luzinski is the likely Rookie of the Year, at .334 with 20 HR and 81 HR after coming up to the Majors in May.

After a similar late start, Bobby Tolan is hitting .301 with 78 RS and 44 SB (20 CS).

Graig Nettles overall hits .291 with 20 HR and 91 RBI, and outstanding defense at 3B.

Mike Schmidt, brought up with roster expansion, has hit .354 with 4 HR and 9 RBI, and has played some SS.

Cesar Tovar has hit .298 overall with 34 2B, 79 RS, and 20 SB (14 CS). Dave Nelson as a backup is at .327/.373/.465 in 36 games with 13 SB (10 CS).

Willie Montanez has had a solid rookie year in RF, hitting .277 with 13 HR and 69 RBI. Young Jerry Martin has hit .315 in 14 games as his backup.

Dick Allen has slumped to a disappointing .277 with only 10 HR and 52 RBI in LF. Mike Anderson has shared playing time, and in 75 games is hitting .279/.353/.474 with 12 2B and 12 HR and 30 RBI.

Larry Bowa has provided tremendous defense at SS while hitting .285 with a career-high 55 RBI and 39 SB (20 CS).

Elrod Hendricks solidified the catching and overall has hit .272 with 13 HR and 49 RBI. Stinson has been a disappointment at .242 (.266 with the Phillies) and little power.

As for the pitching:

Rick Wise 13-8 3.88
Mickey Lolich 17-10 2.49
Steve Carlton 10-11 3.13
Chris Short 9-10 3.33
Jim McAndrew 9-8 3.01

The bullpen has also been very good:

Tug McGraw, 2.24 ERA and 31 saves
Joe Grzenda, 1.12 ERA and 14 saves
Lloyd Allen, 3.35 ERA and 6-6
Pete Richert, 2.80 ERA and 1-2
Ramon Hernandez, 3.22 ERA in 36 innings
Darrell Brandon, 3.23 ERA in 61 innings
Kent Tekulve, 1.65 ERA in 16 innings

Clearly, these Phillies are less than the sum of these parts. It was disappointing that the team's performance did not improve over the season, as more key parts were acquired. The lesson here may be that baseball is a team game, and it can take time for guys to work out roles on the team, and to feel comfortable with one another. Young players can be inconsistent. But the talent is there.

Manager Huck Winston has stated in no uncertain terms that he fully expects this team to be contender, next year. The rotation and the bullpen are now solid, and the batting order, top to bottom, is formidable. With the NL expected to adopt the DH, the Phils will be able to play Nettles and Schmidt at the same time. It is unlikely that any more major deals will be made.

05-25-2023, 01:24 PM	#2
Pelican Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Wilmington, Delaware Posts: 2,978	With just six games left in the 1971 Season, the Phillies are 74-82, good for fifth place in the NL Eastern Division; but just two games behind the Reds, three games behind Atlanta. The Pirates are runaway leaders at 101-55. SF and LA are tied in the West at 84-72. One of the Cali teams and the Mets (83-73) will be the Wild Card teams. Over in the AL, the Orioles are rolling along at 103-53, eleven games ahead of the Yankees. The Red Sox are a strong third at 85-71, and have clinched the second Wild Card spot. Minnesota has clinched the West at 85-71, as no other team is above .500. For the Phillies, Greg Luzinski is the likely Rookie of the Year, at .334 with 20 HR and 81 HR after coming up to the Majors in May. After a similar late start, Bobby Tolan is hitting .301 with 78 RS and 44 SB (20 CS). Graig Nettles overall hits .291 with 20 HR and 91 RBI, and outstanding defense at 3B. Mike Schmidt, brought up with roster expansion, has hit .354 with 4 HR and 9 RBI, and has played some SS. Cesar Tovar has hit .298 overall with 34 2B, 79 RS, and 20 SB (14 CS). Dave Nelson as a backup is at .327/.373/.465 in 36 games with 13 SB (10 CS). Willie Montanez has had a solid rookie year in RF, hitting .277 with 13 HR and 69 RBI. Young Jerry Martin has hit .315 in 14 games as his backup. Dick Allen has slumped to a disappointing .277 with only 10 HR and 52 RBI in LF. Mike Anderson has shared playing time, and in 75 games is hitting .279/.353/.474 with 12 2B and 12 HR and 30 RBI. Larry Bowa has provided tremendous defense at SS while hitting .285 with a career-high 55 RBI and 39 SB (20 CS). Elrod Hendricks solidified the catching and overall has hit .272 with 13 HR and 49 RBI. Stinson has been a disappointment at .242 (.266 with the Phillies) and little power. As for the pitching: Rick Wise 13-8 3.88 Mickey Lolich 17-10 2.49 Steve Carlton 10-11 3.13 Chris Short 9-10 3.33 Jim McAndrew 9-8 3.01 The bullpen has also been very good: Tug McGraw, 2.24 ERA and 31 saves Joe Grzenda, 1.12 ERA and 14 saves Lloyd Allen, 3.35 ERA and 6-6 Pete Richert, 2.80 ERA and 1-2 Ramon Hernandez, 3.22 ERA in 36 innings Darrell Brandon, 3.23 ERA in 61 innings Kent Tekulve, 1.65 ERA in 16 innings Clearly, these Phillies are less than the sum of these parts. It was disappointing that the team's performance did not improve over the season, as more key parts were acquired. The lesson here may be that baseball is a team game, and it can take time for guys to work out roles on the team, and to feel comfortable with one another. Young players can be inconsistent. But the talent is there. Manager Huck Winston has stated in no uncertain terms that he fully expects this team to be contender, next year. The rotation and the bullpen are now solid, and the batting order, top to bottom, is formidable. With the NL expected to adopt the DH, the Phils will be able to play Nettles and Schmidt at the same time. It is unlikely that any more major deals will be made. __________________ Pelican OOTP 2020-? ”Hard to believe, Harry.”