OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - The Bucs Start Here - A Pirates Do-Over

luckymann · 08-01-2023, 12:16 AM

The challenging start to our 1968 campaign continues as we lose Gene Alley to a wrist sprain for a fortnight and Mota also picks up two separate niggles, each requiring limited game time for a wee while but no IL stint. Flea Patek gets his first run in the bigs, only to tear a hamstring and have to take a month off. Fortunately this happens just as Alley returns, but we are dicing with death in this game of Russian roulette that is playing out just as we come off the boil a bit after starting strongly yet again. I doubt the two are unrelated.

Given the Veale loss and these various more minor struggles, 27-21 and just 3 GB are wildly acceptable, especially when it doesn't feel like we've used so much juice compared to the same period last year.

After a relatively quiet April, Arriba finds his mojo and wins the hitter award for May. If we can get Bailey to play as we know he can and more out of the Catcher slot, then I think we'll at least stay competitive.

Impossible to really know what to expect on the pitching side of the equation. 3-year recalc will lessen the 1968 effect by some margin, so if the lads can maintain their current level and we can keep them on the park then, once again, I think we'll go OK here.

The Red Sox have made a run for it but with so far to go whether or not they can hold that margin is yet to be seen. Slightly tighter for now in the NL, with the Braves creeping up on a nice win streak currently at 9 games. This middle third will be crucial to the eventual pecking order in both divs.

Monthly Award Winners

April

American League

Batter – Graig Nettles (Yankees): 327 / 5 HR / 10 RBI
Pitcher – Jim Palmer (Orioles): 5-0 / 0.85 / 33 K / 42.1 IP
Rookie – Dock Ellis (Senators): 4-0 / 2.18 / 21 K / 41.1 IP

National League

Batter – Bobby Bonds (Giants): 338 / 6 HR / 23 RBI
Pitcher – Fergie Jenkins (Cubs): 4-0 / 0.20 / 31 K / 44 IP
Rookie – Andy Messersmith (Mets): 3-1 / 0.77 / 31 K / 35 IP

May

American League

Batter – Rick Reichardt (Tigers): 390 / 7 HR / 18 RBI
Pitcher – Jim Palmer (Orioles): 5-1 / 1.00 / 45 K / 54 IP
Rookie – Jim McAndrew (Twins): 4-2 / 2.49 / 37 K / 47 IP

National League

Batter – Roberto Clemente (Pirates): 349 / 4 HR / 24 RBI
Pitcher – Luke Walker (Braves): 5-0 / 1.54 / 39 K / 46.2 IP
Rookie – Andy Messersmith (Mets): 2-4 / 2.00 / 55 K / 54 IP

News and Leaders

Milestones and Observations of Note

300 HR: Willie McCovey
An elbow sprain suffered in ST keeps Angels star OF Tony Conigliaro off the field longer than expected, with him only making a return in mid-May. A similar story for Phillies veteran reliever Karl Spooner, who is forced to pull the pin on 1968 in order to undergo elbow surgery.
The Phillies lose SS Gair Alley for the season to a torn labrum, while torn ankle ligaments will keep Indians OF Albie Pearson out of action for 3 months.
Only early I know, but Jim Palmer (10-1 / 0.93) might prove to be this timeline’s Bob Gibson in 1968.

S+ HOME

REPORTS HOME

PIRATES HOME

08-01-2023, 12:16 AM	#2133
luckymann Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2019 Posts: 12,751	The View from the Gangplank June 1, 1968 The challenging start to our 1968 campaign continues as we lose Gene Alley to a wrist sprain for a fortnight and Mota also picks up two separate niggles, each requiring limited game time for a wee while but no IL stint. Flea Patek gets his first run in the bigs, only to tear a hamstring and have to take a month off. Fortunately this happens just as Alley returns, but we are dicing with death in this game of Russian roulette that is playing out just as we come off the boil a bit after starting strongly yet again. I doubt the two are unrelated. Given the Veale loss and these various more minor struggles, 27-21 and just 3 GB are wildly acceptable, especially when it doesn't feel like we've used so much juice compared to the same period last year. After a relatively quiet April, Arriba finds his mojo and wins the hitter award for May. If we can get Bailey to play as we know he can and more out of the Catcher slot, then I think we'll at least stay competitive. Impossible to really know what to expect on the pitching side of the equation. 3-year recalc will lessen the 1968 effect by some margin, so if the lads can maintain their current level and we can keep them on the park then, once again, I think we'll go OK here. The Red Sox have made a run for it but with so far to go whether or not they can hold that margin is yet to be seen. Slightly tighter for now in the NL, with the Braves creeping up on a nice win streak currently at 9 games. This middle third will be crucial to the eventual pecking order in both divs. Monthly Award Winners April *American League* Batter – Graig Nettles (Yankees): 327 / 5 HR / 10 RBI Pitcher – Jim Palmer (Orioles): 5-0 / 0.85 / 33 K / 42.1 IP Rookie – Dock Ellis (Senators): 4-0 / 2.18 / 21 K / 41.1 IP *National League* Batter – Bobby Bonds (Giants): 338 / 6 HR / 23 RBI Pitcher – Fergie Jenkins (Cubs): 4-0 / 0.20 / 31 K / 44 IP Rookie – Andy Messersmith (Mets): 3-1 / 0.77 / 31 K / 35 IP May *American League* Batter – Rick Reichardt (Tigers): 390 / 7 HR / 18 RBI Pitcher – Jim Palmer (Orioles): 5-1 / 1.00 / 45 K / 54 IP Rookie – Jim McAndrew (Twins): 4-2 / 2.49 / 37 K / 47 IP *National League* Batter – Roberto Clemente (Pirates): 349 / 4 HR / 24 RBI Pitcher – Luke Walker (Braves): 5-0 / 1.54 / 39 K / 46.2 IP Rookie – Andy Messersmith (Mets): 2-4 / 2.00 / 55 K / 54 IP News and Leaders Milestones and Observations of Note 300 HR: Willie McCovey An elbow sprain suffered in ST keeps Angels star OF Tony Conigliaro off the field longer than expected, with him only making a return in mid-May. A similar story for Phillies veteran reliever Karl Spooner, who is forced to pull the pin on 1968 in order to undergo elbow surgery. The Phillies lose SS Gair Alley for the season to a torn labrum, while torn ankle ligaments will keep Indians OF Albie Pearson out of action for 3 months. Only early I know, but Jim Palmer (10-1 / 0.93) might prove to be this timeline’s Bob Gibson in 1968. S+ HOME REPORTS HOME PIRATES HOME __________________ HISTORICAL DO-OVERS PIRATES A'S RED SOX DODGERS CUSTOM SAVES ECLIPSE LEAGUE MOON SHOT LEAGUE EVERYMAN LEAGUE GULF LEAGUE Last edited by luckymann; 08-01-2023 at 12:24 AM.