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KCRoyals15 · 01-02-2025, 01:42 PM

1977

"A Dynasty Turned to a Dud" screamed the headline of an article in the United States Baseball Federation preview edition of Sports Illustrated. "As ironic as it is for a franchise located in the heart of the motion picture and television capital of the world, the Los Angeles Angels have seemingly done nothing but fizzle out since the dawn of the television age, having scratched out just two winning seasons and four playoff appearances since 1951."

"The last four seasons have been the worst, with just 61, 66, 65, and 65 wins in those campaigns. Those would be poor marks in the Eastern Baseball Federation or the Texas League, with their 162-game schedules. But those paltry win totals were accrued across a 200-game trek, resulting in a trail of despair within the organization."

"'I wouldn't say it's a hopeless situation,' said one anonymous club official. 'But the problems are so numerous that it's hard to pick one area in particular to address, because let's be honest, everything needs to be addressed.'"

"What's the fix? Well, the Angels are trying a new manager. Paul Zendajas lasted less than two years, now longtime Seattle Rainiers bench coach Herman Sorensen will give it a shot. Having been the right-hand man for five straight first-place teams, he's seen firsthand what a winner looks like.

"He also knows what it takes to build one. Already, he has publicly told reporters that he'll need a bigger budget to try to attract young talent, but the belt will be tight; the club has been consistently losing money and season ticket sales are on track to be at their lowest total since 1945."

"Given the results over the past quarter-century, most of Chavez Ravine's 56,000 seats are expected to be empty on a nightly basis, as has been the case for most of the stadium's first fifteen seasons. But Sorensen sees a way forward."

"'Teams have dug out of worse holes,' Sorensen said. 'Including this one. Why not do it again?'"

For the third year in a row, it was all Philadelphia in the New England League, as the Athletics won a Northern Conference-high 103 games, with the Quakers four games back. The Midwest Association once again was dominated by Milwaukee, who won their eighth pennant in nine years, coasting to an 11-game cushion over second-place Buffalo, who outlasted rival Toronto by three games to make the playoffs for the third-straight season.

In the postseason, the two Philly squads squared off at Veterans' Stadium, and the Quakers came out on top in a decisive five-game series, while Milwaukee took care of Buffalo in a six-game set. The Black Hawks then took down the Quakers, giving Milwaukee back-to-back conference titles and five in 12 years.

In the Southern Conference, the Washington Senators reached the playoffs for the fifth year in a row by winning the Eastern League pennant. After 91 losses the previous season, the Atlanta Crackers surprised by winning 95 games, taking second and making the postseason for the first time in five years, outlasting upstart Tampa by four games.

In the Western League, Pittsburgh's return to the majors continued to be successful, as the Ironmen won the league to make it three playoff appearances in three seasons. They flipped places with last year's WL pennant winner, Louisville, who finished four games back in second to punch their playoff ticket for the 7th time in 10 years.

The Division Finals saw little in the way of drama or surprises, as Washington defeated Atlanta in five games. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh swept away Louisville. The Ironmen stayed hot, as they downed Washington in six games for their first Conference Championship.

In the Pacific Coast League, the biggest story was the resurgence of longtime powerhouse San Francisco, who finished atop the North (their first finish at the top since 1948) and posted their best record (123-77) since 1930. Seattle finished a distant second, three games clear of Sacramento, to reach the postseason for the second year in a row.

Like with Pittsburgh in the South, a promotion from the American Baseball League has not stopped Hawaii and San Jose. The Gulls took the division for the second year in a row, the Isles took second, meaning both teams have gobbled up every South Division playoff spot in their five years in the PCL.

In the Division Finals, both top seeds took care of business. San Francisco had little trouble with Seattle, disposing the Rainiers in five games. A series that was expected to be much closer in the South indeed was, as San Jose dueled Hawaii for seven games, with the Gulls emerging victorious. The Seals, though, turned the Gulls into a bunch of feathers, winning in five games to earn their first PCL title in five seasons.

The Texas League belonged to the Dallas Lone Stars, who won a
franchise-record 105 games, punching their third playoff ticket in a row as they finished 15 games ahead of defending champion Oklahoma City, who was back in the postseason for the seventh time in nine years. In the South, Galveston lost a 13-year playoff streak last year, but returned to the top of the division. El Paso finished just 81-81, but they sneaked into second one game ahead of San Antonio, their second time in three years that they've made the playoffs with a non-winning record.

In the first round, the Texans gave the Hurricanes all they could handle, but Galveston won a seven-game series. Dallas, meanwhile, took care of Oklahoma City in a six-game set. The Lone Stars and Hurricanes tangled for an epic seven-game series, but Dallas emerged on top, winning their first TL title since 1968 and third overall as a big-league franchise.

In the national tournament, the first round featured a bit of an upset as defending National Champion Milwaukee was bounced by a first-time participant, as the Pittsburgh Ironmen (SOU) defeat the Milwaukee Black Hawks (NOR). Dallas was strong this year, but San Francisco was stronger, as the San Francisco Seals (PCL) defeat Dallas Lone Stars (TL). In a classic upstart-verse-established power, the Seals would be denied their fifth title, as the Pittsburgh Ironmen (SOU) defeat the San Francisco Seals (PCL), 4-3 to lift the Ironmen to their first National Championship in franchise history.

The greatest award run in USBF history continued as Mark Oxford of Milwaukee continued to crank out one great season after another. The 30-year-old shortstop slashed .304/.367/.501 with 190 hits, a conference-leading 127 runs, 30 doubles, 6 triples, and set career highs with 27 homers and 100 RBI, while also stealing 60 bases. All-told, it was the seventh-straight MVP for Oxford.

Two years prior, Omar Marrero of the Philadelphia A's had a great season to win Pitcher of the Year. In winning his second POTY trophy, he arguably had a better one, going 22-5 with a 2.10 ERA, leading the North in both marks. He also struck out 162 in 257.2 innings.

Tom Clark of the Philadelphia Quakers was still going strong, blasting 26 homers at 41 years old, with his penultimate blast on September 24th being the 500th of his career, becoming the third EBF hitter and the sixth in USBF history to reach that benchmark.

In the Southern Conference, the Birmingham Barons were a failing franchise, but they struck gold in the form of outfielder Mario Gonzalez, who won Rookie of the Year in '76, then a year later was even batter, slashing .333/.438/.569 with 180 hits, 98 runs, 26 doubles, a conference-best 18 triples, 22 homers, and 89 RBI, earning MVP honors. He didn't play in a Barons uniform after that, as the Barons dealt him to Washington, where crippling knee and ankle injuries ruined the next two seasons and permanently hampered him, but the PR damage was a final blow to the club...

Like in the North, the South had a pitcher win their second Pitcher of the Year in three seasons. This time it was Washington's Alan Church. Church went 24-6 with a 2.28 ERA, leading the conference in wins and strikeouts (274) while logging 284.0 innings.

In the PCL, Ricardo Palmer took a long time to stick, being released by Spokane (ABL) in 1968 and San Diego in 1972, then being picked up, then traded by Austin to San Jose that same year...only for the Gulls to immediately release him, then purchase his contract from an independent team three months later. Finally, San Jose gave him a chance and the outfielder blossomed, culminating in a massive 1977 season. Palmer slashed .338/.434/.667 with 214 hits, a league-leading 132 runs, 37 doubles, and 59 homers, tied for second-most in league history, along with 162 RBI, earning him MVP honors. Amazingly, Hawaii's Brad Duty (the MVP runner-up), also slugged 59 homers and drove in 164 runs to lead the league.

Left-hander Austin May would become known as a journeyman later in his career, but as a young man he was a workhorse ace for San Diego. The 25-year-old southpaw went 21-13 with a league-leading 3.20 ERA, leading the league in starts (43) and strikeouts (245) while logging 323.0 innings to earn his only Pitcher of the Year award for his 19-year career.

In the Texas League, Dallas' Josh White won his third batting title, hitting .357 (slashing .357/.395/.525) while also leading the TL 224 hits (his fourth time doing so) and 41 doubles, while adding 10 triples, 15 homers, and career-high 111 RBI to earn the only MVP of his 21-year career.

This was the last truly great season for a legend, as Oklahoma City's Roy Hendricks won his national-record tenth TL Pitcher of the Year award, going 19-11 with a 2.73 ERA, striking out 164 over 270.2 innings. The 37-year-old already incredibly returned good-as-new from a severe elbow injury in 1975, but a severe shoulder injury the following June would completely end his days as an effective pitcher.

This year, the Eastern Baseball Federation sent a pair of standout outfielders to the Hall of Fame:

OF John Kelly (1952-66), 82.2%
OF Eli Harrington (1954-71), 80.4%

Meanwhile, the Texas League had begun Hall of Fame voting nearly a decade earlier, but no one had come particularly close to earning induction until this season, when fittingly, the first two big-league stars in Texas earned their call to the Hall:

OF Joel Zielinski (1951-71), 99.4%
3B John Schellhammer (1953-71), 97.9%

---

With the American Baseball League schedule back to normal (and the Newark Eagles actually playing games again), the Eagles won the East Division, while Indianapolis and Spokane won the other two divisions. For the Hoosiers, it was their first postseason appearance since 1953. Salt Lake City won a one-game playoff over Nashville for the wild card, the Bees' fifth-straight playoff trip.

In the postseason, Salt Lake City upset Spokane in a seven-game series in the first round, while Newark bounced Indianapolis in five games. The Eagles then soared over Salt Lake City, buzzing the Bees in a four-game sweep to earn their second ABL title and first in seven years.

Spokane's Aaron Carson enjoyed a breakout rookie season, slashing .297/.370/.469 with 174 hits, 90 runs, 29 doubles, 12 triples, 16 homers, and 73 RBI, while adding 35 steals to earn MVP honors (oddly enough, he did not earn Rookie of the Year). Salt Lake City acquired seven-time Northern Conference All-Star Oscar Mendez from Cleveland in mid-1976 and the move paid immediate dividends. The 33-year-old went 18-12 with a 2.49 ERA and led the ABL with 216 strikeouts in 296.2 innings in his first full year with the Bees, earning Pitcher of the Year.

---

Minor League Champions
Southeastern League: Mobile Marines, 89-65, defeats Baton Rouge
Colonial League: Pittsfield Colonials, 86-54, defeats Worcester
River Valley League: St. Joseph Snakes, 85-55, defeats Peoria
Rocky Mountain League: Rapid City Goldpanners, 69-57, defeats Pueblo (2nd straight)
Coastal League: Augusta Rebels, 96-58, defeats Savannah
Northern League: Fargo-Moorhead Indians, 94-46, defeats Sioux City (3rd straight)
Great Lakes League: Harrisburg Senators, 87-53, defeats Rochester
Southwest League: Albuquerque Dukes, 88-66, defeats Santa Barbara
Southern Association: Corpus Christi Gunslingers, 79-61, defeats Joplin
Northwest League: Salem Senators, 91-63, defeats Tacoma
Can-Am League: Waterbury Pipers, 80-46, defeats Utica
Mid-Atlantic League: Greensboro Patriots, defeat Roanoke
Lone Star League: Lawton Miners, 76-64, defeats Rio Grande
Great Plains League: Salina Blue Jays, 77-63, defeats Madison
Florida Coast League: Columbus Catfish, 84-56, defeats St. Petersburg
Big Sky League: Calgary Cannons, 70-62, defeats Idaho Falls (2nd straight)

01-02-2025, 01:42 PM	#87
KCRoyals15 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: A lot of them Posts: 123	Iron Willed 1977 "A Dynasty Turned to a Dud" screamed the headline of an article in the United States Baseball Federation preview edition of Sports Illustrated. "As ironic as it is for a franchise located in the heart of the motion picture and television capital of the world, the Los Angeles Angels have seemingly done nothing but fizzle out since the dawn of the television age, having scratched out just two winning seasons and four playoff appearances since 1951." "The last four seasons have been the worst, with just 61, 66, 65, and 65 wins in those campaigns. Those would be poor marks in the Eastern Baseball Federation or the Texas League, with their 162-game schedules. But those paltry win totals were accrued across a 200-game trek, resulting in a trail of despair within the organization." "'I wouldn't say it's a hopeless situation,' said one anonymous club official. 'But the problems are so numerous that it's hard to pick one area in particular to address, because let's be honest, everything needs to be addressed.'" "What's the fix? Well, the Angels are trying a new manager. Paul Zendajas lasted less than two years, now longtime Seattle Rainiers bench coach Herman Sorensen will give it a shot. Having been the right-hand man for five straight first-place teams, he's seen firsthand what a winner looks like. "He also knows what it takes to build one. Already, he has publicly told reporters that he'll need a bigger budget to try to attract young talent, but the belt will be tight; the club has been consistently losing money and season ticket sales are on track to be at their lowest total since 1945." "Given the results over the past quarter-century, most of Chavez Ravine's 56,000 seats are expected to be empty on a nightly basis, as has been the case for most of the stadium's first fifteen seasons. But Sorensen sees a way forward." "'Teams have dug out of worse holes,' Sorensen said. 'Including this one. Why not do it again?'" For the third year in a row, it was all Philadelphia in the New England League, as the Athletics won a Northern Conference-high 103 games, with the Quakers four games back. The Midwest Association once again was dominated by Milwaukee, who won their eighth pennant in nine years, coasting to an 11-game cushion over second-place Buffalo, who outlasted rival Toronto by three games to make the playoffs for the third-straight season. In the postseason, the two Philly squads squared off at Veterans' Stadium, and the Quakers came out on top in a decisive five-game series, while Milwaukee took care of Buffalo in a six-game set. The Black Hawks then took down the Quakers, giving Milwaukee back-to-back conference titles and five in 12 years. In the Southern Conference, the Washington Senators reached the playoffs for the fifth year in a row by winning the Eastern League pennant. After 91 losses the previous season, the Atlanta Crackers surprised by winning 95 games, taking second and making the postseason for the first time in five years, outlasting upstart Tampa by four games. In the Western League, Pittsburgh's return to the majors continued to be successful, as the Ironmen won the league to make it three playoff appearances in three seasons. They flipped places with last year's WL pennant winner, Louisville, who finished four games back in second to punch their playoff ticket for the 7th time in 10 years. The Division Finals saw little in the way of drama or surprises, as Washington defeated Atlanta in five games. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh swept away Louisville. The Ironmen stayed hot, as they downed Washington in six games for their first Conference Championship. In the Pacific Coast League, the biggest story was the resurgence of longtime powerhouse San Francisco, who finished atop the North (their first finish at the top since 1948) and posted their best record (123-77) since 1930. Seattle finished a distant second, three games clear of Sacramento, to reach the postseason for the second year in a row. Like with Pittsburgh in the South, a promotion from the American Baseball League has not stopped Hawaii and San Jose. The Gulls took the division for the second year in a row, the Isles took second, meaning both teams have gobbled up every South Division playoff spot in their five years in the PCL. In the Division Finals, both top seeds took care of business. San Francisco had little trouble with Seattle, disposing the Rainiers in five games. A series that was expected to be much closer in the South indeed was, as San Jose dueled Hawaii for seven games, with the Gulls emerging victorious. The Seals, though, turned the Gulls into a bunch of feathers, winning in five games to earn their first PCL title in five seasons. The Texas League belonged to the Dallas Lone Stars, who won a franchise-record 105 games, punching their third playoff ticket in a row as they finished 15 games ahead of defending champion Oklahoma City, who was back in the postseason for the seventh time in nine years. In the South, Galveston lost a 13-year playoff streak last year, but returned to the top of the division. El Paso finished just 81-81, but they sneaked into second one game ahead of San Antonio, their second time in three years that they've made the playoffs with a non-winning record. In the first round, the Texans gave the Hurricanes all they could handle, but Galveston won a seven-game series. Dallas, meanwhile, took care of Oklahoma City in a six-game set. The Lone Stars and Hurricanes tangled for an epic seven-game series, but Dallas emerged on top, winning their first TL title since 1968 and third overall as a big-league franchise. In the national tournament, the first round featured a bit of an upset as defending National Champion Milwaukee was bounced by a first-time participant, as the Pittsburgh Ironmen (SOU) defeat the Milwaukee Black Hawks (NOR). Dallas was strong this year, but San Francisco was stronger, as the San Francisco Seals (PCL) defeat Dallas Lone Stars (TL). In a classic upstart-verse-established power, the Seals would be denied their fifth title, as the *Pittsburgh Ironmen (SOU) defeat the San Francisco Seals (PCL), 4-3* to lift the Ironmen to their first National Championship in franchise history. The greatest award run in USBF history continued as Mark Oxford of Milwaukee continued to crank out one great season after another. The 30-year-old shortstop slashed .304/.367/.501 with 190 hits, a conference-leading 127 runs, 30 doubles, 6 triples, and set career highs with 27 homers and 100 RBI, while also stealing 60 bases. All-told, it was the seventh-straight MVP for Oxford. Two years prior, Omar Marrero of the Philadelphia A's had a great season to win Pitcher of the Year. In winning his second POTY trophy, he arguably had a better one, going 22-5 with a 2.10 ERA, leading the North in both marks. He also struck out 162 in 257.2 innings. Tom Clark of the Philadelphia Quakers was still going strong, blasting 26 homers at 41 years old, with his penultimate blast on September 24th being the 500th of his career, becoming the third EBF hitter and the sixth in USBF history to reach that benchmark. In the Southern Conference, the Birmingham Barons were a failing franchise, but they struck gold in the form of outfielder Mario Gonzalez, who won Rookie of the Year in '76, then a year later was even batter, slashing .333/.438/.569 with 180 hits, 98 runs, 26 doubles, a conference-best 18 triples, 22 homers, and 89 RBI, earning MVP honors. He didn't play in a Barons uniform after that, as the Barons dealt him to Washington, where crippling knee and ankle injuries ruined the next two seasons and permanently hampered him, but the PR damage was a final blow to the club... Like in the North, the South had a pitcher win their second Pitcher of the Year in three seasons. This time it was Washington's Alan Church. Church went 24-6 with a 2.28 ERA, leading the conference in wins and strikeouts (274) while logging 284.0 innings. In the PCL, Ricardo Palmer took a long time to stick, being released by Spokane (ABL) in 1968 and San Diego in 1972, then being picked up, then traded by Austin to San Jose that same year...only for the Gulls to immediately release him, then purchase his contract from an independent team three months later. Finally, San Jose gave him a chance and the outfielder blossomed, culminating in a massive 1977 season. Palmer slashed .338/.434/.667 with 214 hits, a league-leading 132 runs, 37 doubles, and 59 homers, tied for second-most in league history, along with 162 RBI, earning him MVP honors. Amazingly, Hawaii's Brad Duty (the MVP runner-up), also slugged 59 homers and drove in 164 runs to lead the league. Left-hander Austin May would become known as a journeyman later in his career, but as a young man he was a workhorse ace for San Diego. The 25-year-old southpaw went 21-13 with a league-leading 3.20 ERA, leading the league in starts (43) and strikeouts (245) while logging 323.0 innings to earn his only Pitcher of the Year award for his 19-year career. In the Texas League, Dallas' Josh White won his third batting title, hitting .357 (slashing .357/.395/.525) while also leading the TL 224 hits (his fourth time doing so) and 41 doubles, while adding 10 triples, 15 homers, and career-high 111 RBI to earn the only MVP of his 21-year career. This was the last truly great season for a legend, as Oklahoma City's Roy Hendricks won his national-record tenth TL Pitcher of the Year award, going 19-11 with a 2.73 ERA, striking out 164 over 270.2 innings. The 37-year-old already incredibly returned good-as-new from a severe elbow injury in 1975, but a severe shoulder injury the following June would completely end his days as an effective pitcher. This year, the Eastern Baseball Federation sent a pair of standout outfielders to the Hall of Fame: OF John Kelly (1952-66), 82.2% OF Eli Harrington (1954-71), 80.4% Meanwhile, the Texas League had begun Hall of Fame voting nearly a decade earlier, but no one had come particularly close to earning induction until this season, when fittingly, the first two big-league stars in Texas earned their call to the Hall: OF Joel Zielinski (1951-71), 99.4% 3B John Schellhammer (1953-71), 97.9% --- With the American Baseball League schedule back to normal (and the Newark Eagles actually playing games again), the Eagles won the East Division, while Indianapolis and Spokane won the other two divisions. For the Hoosiers, it was their first postseason appearance since 1953. Salt Lake City won a one-game playoff over Nashville for the wild card, the Bees' fifth-straight playoff trip. In the postseason, Salt Lake City upset Spokane in a seven-game series in the first round, while Newark bounced Indianapolis in five games. The Eagles then soared over Salt Lake City, buzzing the Bees in a four-game sweep to earn their second ABL title and first in seven years. Spokane's Aaron Carson enjoyed a breakout rookie season, slashing .297/.370/.469 with 174 hits, 90 runs, 29 doubles, 12 triples, 16 homers, and 73 RBI, while adding 35 steals to earn MVP honors (oddly enough, he did not earn Rookie of the Year). Salt Lake City acquired seven-time Northern Conference All-Star Oscar Mendez from Cleveland in mid-1976 and the move paid immediate dividends. The 33-year-old went 18-12 with a 2.49 ERA and led the ABL with 216 strikeouts in 296.2 innings in his first full year with the Bees, earning Pitcher of the Year. --- Minor League Champions Southeastern League: Mobile Marines, 89-65, defeats Baton Rouge Colonial League: Pittsfield Colonials, 86-54, defeats Worcester River Valley League: St. Joseph Snakes, 85-55, defeats Peoria Rocky Mountain League: Rapid City Goldpanners, 69-57, defeats Pueblo (2nd straight) Coastal League: Augusta Rebels, 96-58, defeats Savannah Northern League: Fargo-Moorhead Indians, 94-46, defeats Sioux City (3rd straight) Great Lakes League: Harrisburg Senators, 87-53, defeats Rochester Southwest League: Albuquerque Dukes, 88-66, defeats Santa Barbara Southern Association: Corpus Christi Gunslingers, 79-61, defeats Joplin Northwest League: Salem Senators, 91-63, defeats Tacoma Can-Am League: Waterbury Pipers, 80-46, defeats Utica Mid-Atlantic League: Greensboro Patriots, defeat Roanoke Lone Star League: Lawton Miners, 76-64, defeats Rio Grande Great Plains League: Salina Blue Jays, 77-63, defeats Madison Florida Coast League: Columbus Catfish, 84-56, defeats St. Petersburg Big Sky League: Calgary Cannons, 70-62, defeats Idaho Falls (2nd straight) Last edited by KCRoyals15; 01-02-2025 at 01:44 PM.