Chicago Chiefs
Last Year Record: 69-93 (5th, .426)
Best Year Since 1964: 1967, 97-65 (1st, .599): Won the World Championship Series!
Top Pitcher: RHP Johnny Maples (31, 7-14, 3.16, 156; 36-50, 52, 3.07, 488)
One of the most successful historical franchises, the Chicago Chiefs won their 7th title less then a decade ago, but fell on tough times in 1974. It snapped a stretch of 11 consecutive finishes above .500, and their 69 wins were the fewest since 1948. The pitching is a main factor, but blame cannot be placed on new found ace Johnny Maples. If you look past his 7-14 record, his first year as a full-time rotation member was a resounding success, working to a 3.16 ERA (120 ERA+) and 1.28 WHIP with 90 walks and 156 strikeouts in 35 starts. His 225 innings were nearly half his career total entering the season, as the former Cougar high leverage arm has found a second wind on the other side of town.
Their 10th Round selection in 1963, he debuted for the Cougars in 1967, but his 8.24 ERA (41 ERA+) and 1.83 WHIP suggested he was not yet ready. He returned to the minors and earned another promotion later in '68, and in 10 more innings he had a much better 2.79 ERA (111 ERA+) and 1.24 WHIP, improving his K% from 13.8 to 20.2 before pitching his way into the later innings. In year three he earned the stopper job, leading the CA with 33 saves despite his 4-11 record. His 3.24 ERA (115 ERA+) and 1.23 WHIP impressed, and he threw 125 innings in an association high 81 appearances. He picked up a handful of saves in each of the next two seasons, and opened the 1972 season in his usual late-innings role. Despite allowing just one run in 8.1 innings, Chicago waived the then 28-year-old, and Milwaukee added him to their pen. He finished out the season with the Arrows, 4-5 with 3 saves, a 2.67 ERA (131 ERA+), and 1.31 WHIP, helping to stabilize the middle innings.
That offseason he was on the move again, as the Chiefs acquired him and a prospect in a small offseason deal. Whitney Park seemed to fit his style, as he finished 11-3 with a 2.65 ERA (156 ERA+), 1.27 WHIP, and 103 strikeouts in a swingman role, even earning an All-Star selection. Having never made a start in the majors before, he started 15 of his 45 games, which allowed him to enter the rotation this year. A five pitch pitcher, he makes it work his premium stuff, and the command should continue to work in his favor. That's not to say he doesn't walk guys, he certainly does (90, 9.3% this year), but he doesn't allow a lot of hard contact. As long as the walks aren't too plentiful, he'll pitch well enough to win, and while he's no ace he's an ideal back-of-the-rotation arm who should have plenty of mileage left on his arm.
Top Hitter: 2B John Butts (32, .273, 1; .304, 95, 574, 43)
Injuries have almost completely kept John Butts off the field the past two seasons, limiting him to just 9 games this year and 50 between them, but when he was healthy he was a weapon at the plate and in the field. Taken by the Chiefs with the 30th pick of the 1963 draft, Butts burst onto the scene in 1965, hitting .298/.348/.493 (144 OPS+) in 54 games. He backed that up in his first full season, slashing .310/.347/.499 (145 OPS+) in 143 contests, bashing 18 homers with 33 doubles, 10 triples, 80 RBIs, and 98 runs. Firmly cemented in the Chiefs lineup, second base became his home, since collecting 6 All-Star trips and a Diamond Defense award. He won the batting title in 1968, hitting .306 in 578 PAs, and from '65 to '72 his WRC+ dropped below 120 just once. He was worth at least 5.5 wins above replacement with 30 or more doubles, a skilled defender and extra base hitter who contributed plenty to their winning seasons.
Still, he fought through injuries even when playing regularly, but he still managed 150+ games on three occasions. Even in 1973 when he missed most of the season, his .351/.404/.530 (159 OPS+) batting line was outstanding, allowing him to be worth over 2 WAR in just 41 games. 1974 was much different, held to just 9 games, setting career worsts in games, OPS+ (93), and WRC+ (107), while more importantly causing concern that he'd ever return to the player Chiefs fans were so used to seeing. This offseason he's tried his best to quash those feelings, with scouts still enamored with his premier talent. Expected to reclaim his spot at the top of the order, the longtime Chief's next game will be his 1,151st, and few with that many can boast a line like his .304/.357/.450 (135 OPS+). His home run power has dropped, just 8 since the start of 1972, but for his career he's recorded 95 with 259 doubles, 55 triples, and 574 RBIs. His great defense has helped him produce over 50 WAR (51.8), and with a few more good seasons he should become the 11th Chief hitter to reach 60. The way he started his career, it was expected he'd reach that this season, but for now his club would just be happy with him passing the 100 game mark for the 8th time in his career.
Top Prospect: RHP Walter Hoffman (4th Overall) Overall)
Picking 14th in the 1974 draft, the Chiefs uncovered a gem in young righty Walter Hoffman, who is just a few days away from his 19th birthday. Ranked as the 4th best prospect and 3rd best pitcher, Hoffman was hit hard in six rookie ball starts, but showed clear promise in his first taste of pro baseball. A three pitch pitcher, Hoffman has wowed scouts with his change and cutter, while the slider has depth as it moves across the plate. All three pitches have plenty of life in terms of velo and movement, and he pounds the zone with strikes. That tendency will work in his favor as he matures, right now his mistakes are very hittable, but it's easier to get young pitchers to work away from the zone then towards it. Ace potential may be underselling it a bit, but he has both the baseball tools and natural talent to lead a rotation. Assuming his elbow injury this year is an aberration and not a reoccurring issue, he's destined to make a living fooling even the best of FABL hitters.
Active Legend: LF Joe Siniscalchi (36, .285, 25, 94, 10; .266, 263, 1,095, 97)
Even if second basemen John Butts isn't able to return to his star-level form, the Chiefs have a veteran outfielder in Joe Siniscalchi who has been one of their most consistent producers since his 1962 debut. Acquired that season in the four player package that sent 4-Time champion Jack Halbur to the Kings, Siniscalchi immediately entered the Chiefs lineup, hitting .311/.376/.526 (134 OPS+) in the last two and a half months of the season. He made starts in all three outfield positions, bashing 10 longballs with 33 runs, 42 RBIs, and 8 doubles in 219 trips to the plate. The power he showcased in that short sample has been one of his trademarks, as the 5-Time All-Star has put together 7 20-homer seasons, including 31 in 1966 and 25 as a 35-year-old this season. He led the Fed in RBIs in back-to-back seasons, including their title winning '67 season, and he has yet to produce a below average offensive season.
Entering year 13, he's appeared in 154 or more games in each of the past five seasons, and throughout his career he's played in 1,838 games for the Chiefs. His .266/.350/.447 (129 OPS+) career line is a little lower then Butts', but he has him beat in the counting stats with 1,775 hits, 263 homers, 1,093 RBIs, and 1,020 runs. He has a slight WAR lead too, worth 56.2 in total, producing at least 6 on four separate occasions. A plus defender in left (19.3, 1.016) and center (16.6, 1.009), he's not a liability in the field, but most of his production now comes from his bat. Even average left field play would be enough with his power production, as he's still one of the top sluggers in the game. Even in a historic organization like the Chiefs, he ranks 3rd in home runs, above 1928 Whitney Winner Joe Masters and 17 behind teammate Bob Starr (34, .212, 14, 52, 1; .247, 280, 926, 24) on the teams leaderboard. He's top 10 in games (7th, 1,838), at bats (9th, 6,674), runs (8th), hits (9th), doubles (7th, 298), RBIs (5th), and walks (5th, 877), and has more then enough left in the tank to keep on climbing.
Star Out of Place: 3B Don Barker (34, .291, 4, 49, 21; .284, 89, 552, 173)
Once a mainstay in the Pioneers lineup, the Chiefs acquired the speedy Don Parker from St. Louis at last year's deadline, but a fractured rib held him to just 12 games. After rehabbing in the offseason, they installed the Texas native back at the hot corner, and the former iron man put together a capable season. Appearing in 144 games, he hit an average .291/.332/.378 (99 OPS+), adding an impressive 21 steals with 30 doubles, 49 RBIs, and 63 runs scored. Not quite at the level he produced in St. Louis, but Barker is still a very useful big league piece.
At his best, he was an automatic 600 PA hitter, with three consecutive 700 PA seasons from 1969 to 1971. His 719 in '71 are the fourth most for a Pioneer, and it came with a strong .297/.353/.401 (117 OPS+) career batting line. Known best for his speed and hit tool, he had 19 steals and 46 extra base hits as well, putting the ball in play over 600 times in his aged 30 season. His 1972 season was just as good, and he's yet to have a sub 100 WRC+ since he was a rookie in 1963. In 1,615 FABL games he holds a .284/.338/.403 (116 OPS+) career batting line, recording 294 doubles, 79 triples, 89 homers, 552 RBIs, 835 runs, 173 steals, and 42.2 WAR. Expected to return to the Chiefs starting lineup in 1975, there's some belief he may move over to first, a position he has approximately a season's worth of games in his 12 year career. No longer a top defender, it could help extend his career, and keep his legs fresher for when he gets on base.
Detroit Dynamos
Last Year Record: 62-100 (6th, .383)
Best Year Since 1964: 1970, 92-70 (2nd, .568)
Top Pitcher: RHP Jack Williams (31, 9-16, 4.51, 124; 71-93, 16, 4.13, 856)
Long gone are the days of the Dynamo dynasty in the 50s, as the Motor city has only seen one season above .500 since the dynasty officially ended in 1963. Success may be far away too, as it's tough to find a legitimate arm in their rotation. Jack Williams has given his all, and in the past been a guy you could count on, but consistency has been a struggle for him and he again led the Fed in losses. 9-16 in his 36 starts, his ERA rose a full point from 3.50 (115 ERA+) last year to 4.51 (83 ERA+) this year, and nearly every other metric went in a direction he preferred it didn't. An exception was strikeouts, he set down 20 more in 21 more innings, but it was not enough to salvage his season.
A former 7th Rounder of the Millers, he debuted for them in 1968, but 6 of his 7 FABL seasons have come in a Dynamo uniform. This includes 178 of his 191 starts, and with Detroit he's been a below average 65-85 with a 4.21 ERA (92 ERA+) and 1.39 WHIP. He does get his strikeouts, 779 in 1,294 innings, but it is telling that the veteran righty is the best they have to offer. There may be some help in the farm, but everyone else in the rotation has more question marks then he does. You won't get great results, but his durability has saved him from making a trip to the injury list, and he's started 31 or more games in each of the past 4 seasons. When he's effective, he'll go deep, but the command is not consistent enough to guarantee it. On a better team he might have more success, as his six pitch arsenal is competent and led by a strong change. Clearly in the middle of a rebuild, he's unfortunately one of their top trade assets, but it will be tough for Detroit to get much for him without a return to form in 1975.
Top Hitter: 2B Bill Austin (32, .297, 11, 95, 14; .294, 111, 779, 124)
In the lineup, Detroit has a few more useful pieces, including veteran infielder Bill Austin. Recently finishing his aged 31 season, Austin has been a key bat since his 1965 debut, producing a full decades worth of above average offensive seasons. Once the 3rd Round selection of the Kings in Kansas City, his first 4 FABL seasons came with the Kings organization, where he hit .280/.327/.405 (118 OPS+) with 105 doubles, 28 triples, 35 homers, 231 RBIs, 41 steals, and 280 runs. Before the 1969 season, Seattle sent him to Detroit in a four player deal that included 1966 Kellogg winner Ben Baker (33, .279, 12, 70; .278, 106, 634, 54). A win-win deal, both Baker and Austin have had success in the middle infield.
Coming off a career best '68 season where he produced a 141 WRC+ and 5.6 WAR in 138 games, Austin has spent each of the past six years in Detroit's lineup, batting .302/.356/.444 (126 OPS+) with 209 doubles, 76 homers, 548 RBIs, and 480 runs. Austin's 44 doubles in 1969 led the league while his 198 hits the next season were also tops, and 1972 was the only year he failed to make at least 600 at bats for the Dynamos. Now 32, he owns an above average .294/.345/.430 (123 OPS+) line, providing his FABL employers with 314 doubles, 111 homers, and 779 RBIs. Selected to the All-Star game in 3 of his last 4 seasons, he may have a new position in 1975, as Detroit brought in Melvin Williams (27, .280, 5, 24, 2; .249, 17, 87, 7) of the Stars to play second base. A shift down the defensive spectrum could help Austin, as his defense at the keystone was slipping, and his arm is more then strong enough for the hot corner. In a small sample this season he held up well at third, a noticeable improvement over his -12 zone rating at second. With Detroit's rebuild in full swing, he's also one of, if not their top, trade asset, and could still fetch at least a top-100 prospect from a contender, but expect him to open his 11th big league season as Detroit's starting third basemen.
Top Prospect: LF Charlie Watson (7th Overall)
With all the losing in Detroit comes a pretty nice consolation prize, as they have the highest ranked #2 prospect. Behind 7th ranked Charlie Watson is the 11th ranked Don Simpson, who would be the highest ranked prospect for more then half of FABL. They join the Sailors as the only team with two top-15 prospects, though both of the Dynamos play outfield. Watson has played mostly center field, but with Simpson the better defender, the organization has started to view last year's 1st Rounder as a left fielder. Taken 6th overall, he tore up rookie ball and low-A, producing WRC+ of 175 and 131. Combined he had 13 doubles, 2 triples, and 6 homers, showcasing his pure stroke at the plate. Paired with an excellent eye and a strong hit tool he should hit well above average, and be a feared hitter even if his home run power doesn't develop. An everyday player who can take advantage of poor pitching, he has the tools to rank among the game's top hitters, and the makeup to handle the stresses that come with it. Still a few years away, he could usher in the next era of greatness in the Motor City, putting his name next to champions like Edwin Hackberry and Frank Vance.
Active Legend: 3B Virgil Ewing (39, .255, 9, 47; .267, 172, 962, 4)
There may be no one left from the Dynamos' championship teams, but a guy who just missed it is still trying to go strong. Likely to be replaced by Austin, Virgil Ewing still started in the season he turned 39, appearing in 125 games for Detroit. Once a first rounder of the Stars back in New York, he spent two and a half seasons with the club after they made the move to LA. A big slugger, he was moved in a big deadline deal with Bud Henderson back in 1962, and he's spent every season since in Detroit. A consistent above average hitter, he's yet to see his OPS+ or WRC+ drop below 100 in a season, and he's less then 50 games away from 2,000 for his career. A 14-year vet, Ewing has become a mainstay in the Dynamo lineup, part of everything from contenders to pretenders while giving his club quality big league at bats.
Ewing enters 1975 with 172 homers, 140 of which he hit as a member of the Dynamos, and his .267/.353/.405 (115 OPS+) career line isn't too far from the .255/.346/.381 (106 OPS+) he hit this year. He's had some higher highs, but what the Indiana native tended to do was about the same, above average defense with a solid glove. Back in 1965, he was awarded a Diamond Defense award, but for the most part he's been the epitome of good not great. He'll hit some homers and draw walks, but he's not immune to strikeouts and weak contact. A what you see is what you get type, he made his career being a dependable guy you can always call on, and even though it may make sense from a baseball standpoint, it would be a shame to see him end up on the bench this year. A nostalgic GM may be willing to give him one more go, but if the Dynamos want to improve on their 100 loss season, limiting their longtime team leader to a part-time role may be one of the first steps on the path to improvement.
Star Out of Place: N/A
I really tried to find someone, but there isn't. All there vets are either homegrown, career minor leaguers, or acquired multiple seasons ago, so instead you'll get to learn about 11th ranked prospect Don Simpson. Taken 8th by the Dynamos in the most recent draft, 61 of his 68 pro games this year came in rookie ball, where he hit .242/.399/.348 (88 OPS+) with 12 doubles, 30 RBIs, 44 runs, and 9 steals. A disciplined hitter, he did walk 53 times, but holes in his swing led to 79 strikeouts. He knows what pitches not to swing at, it's just the ones he should he can miss, and right now that's really all he has to fix. The swing itself is pretty, but top velocity is still tough and there won't be much power. What there will be is base hits, stolen bases, and super center field defense, which is why he ranks just outside the league's top 10. A potential impact player, what could stop him from reaching greatness is his own work ethic, as most scouts are convinced his natural talent will be enough to at least make it to the big leagues. The glove alone makes him a viable 4th outfielder, but Detroit has a great track record with outfielders and I would not bet against them extracting as much value from him as they can.
Minneapolis Millers
Last Year Record: 77-85 (4th, .475)
Best Year Since 1964: 1968 and 1969, 788-84 (7th, 3rd; .481)
Top Pitcher: RHP Hank Wagner (27, 6-15, 4.34, 140; 22-25, 3.88, 342)
Minneapolis hasn't had nearly as much success as some of the other expansion teams, including Houston in their own division, as they still look for their first season with a winning record. Their pitching is a huge reason why, as it's really tough to even choose a top pitcher. By default, their "ace" and 37 game starter Hank Wagner gets the nod as he was actually good last season. Making 28 starts, Wagner was 12-6 with a 3.62 ERA (111 ERA+), 3.51 FIP (87 FIP-), and 1.34 WHIP, striking out 154 in his first extended season as a starting pitcher. A former 6th Rounder of the Eagles, he came to the Millers in July of 1967, parting with former 2nd Overall Pick Frank Bradshaw (32, .218, 4, 45, 34; .267, 84, 660, 221) despite having established himself as a useful outfielder. He was in the middle of a slump, hitting just .237/.277/.333 (87 OPS+), but at just 25 he was consistently an above average performer who already produced a 7.7 WAR season in 1965.
Lucky for the Millers, Bradshaw didn't develop into the star the front office thought he would, and until this season Wagner was looking like a legitimate building block in their rotation. 1974 was a real struggle for the righty, as he finished 6-15 with an association high 128 walks. This led to an elevated 4.34 ERA (85 ERA+) and 1.49 WHIP, counteracting a lot of the good his 140 strikeouts caused. The biggest concern is the walks, his BB% rose from a still high 9.1 to an almost unpitchable 11.6, as a flyball pitcher he isn't able to erase extra base runners with the strikeout. Still, the stuff is really good, and his 3.88 FIP (104 FIP-) is far more encouraging. Far from a legit ace, Wagner profiles more as a back-of-the-rotation starter, but for Minnesota that's a real get. They've yet to have a starter long or successful enough to win 100 games, and only current Arrow Fred Smith (31, 8-14, 3.98, 91; 101-91, 3.98, 1,316) has one even 35 games. With plenty of holes there, are issues far more pressing then Wagner's downturn, but to finally get over the .500 hump they'll need a return to form from their fifth year righty.
Top Hitter: CF Bill Powell (26, .288, 12, 81, 7; .281, 22, 133, 11)
This spot should be designated to John Edwards, who they surprisingly traded to Houston, as he was one of the few true starts Minneapolis has been lucky enough to employ. Instead, it's a different outfielder, who was named as the Millers All-Star representative in his first full season with the club. A former 2nd Round pick by the Wranglers, Bill Powell was acquired with minor league pitcher Joe Carpenter last July for righty Daryl Woods (32, 7-9, 4.26, 75; 16-16, 1, 4.26, 164), who actually made his way back to the Millers in the Rule-5 draft. A trade of pure profit, Powell was stuck behind guys like Steve Prather (30, .319, 9, 72, 23; .303, 90, 569, 120), Joe Black (26, .242, 11, 62, 18; .252, 26, 130, 21), and John Vance (30, .274, 2, 85, 18; .292, 127, 826, 118), limited to just 17 starts in 110 appearances. He also didn't hit, just .184/.254/.241 (45 OPS+) in 173 PAs, but regular playing time seemed to improve his fortunes.
Added right to the FABL lineup, Powell started 57 of his 59 games in Minneapolis, batting an impressive .335/.419/.530 (161 OPS+) with 15 doubles, 9 homers, and 40 RBIs. More then enough to secure an Opening Day lineup spot in 1974, he appeared in 158 games for the Millers and represented his new team at the All-Star game. Now 26, Powell slashed .288/.373/.437 (126 OPS+), producing a 141 WRC+ to go with 38 doubles, 7 triples, 12 homers, 81 RBIs, 85 runs, 75 walks, and 7 steals. The defense in center is improving too, but so far the bat has looked more then good enough to fit in a corner. He is a good judge of the strike zone and rarely chases, maintaining a 7.4 K% in his 678 PAs this season. One of the best at a weak position, OSA rates him as the #2 center fielder, and until the Millers decide to trade him, he'll continue the trend of having a high quality outfielder lead the Millers lineup.
Top Prospect: RHP Jim Terry (5th Overall) Overall)
With so many early draft picks the Millers have built a strong farm system, but right now there top guy is someone they didn't grab with one of the first picks. Taken in the 3rd Round of the most recent draft, Jim Terry has had an impressive ascent, opening the year as baseball's #5 prospect. A four pitch pitcher, he's a dominant sinkerballer with an innate ability for serving up grounders, and despite a labrum tear scouts think he could quickly become one of Minneapolis' top pitchers. Their historic woes are well noted, but the 21-year-old has a golden arm and a change up that could set records. Ready to go for 1975, he has just 4 minor league starts under his belt, but there are very few pitchers standing in his way. With a few strong starts he could earn multiple promotions up the ladder, and an aggressive GM could decide he's ready for the rotation as early as July. If he stays healthy, he should be a surefire ace, but injury concerns are why he fell out of the first round to begin with, and to shake off those concerns he'll have to deliver a healthy '75 season
Active Legend: 3B John S. Smith (35, .261, 10, 5; .241, 64, 504, 187)
Quick to ship away talented veterans, the Millers moved two of their longest tenured players in Edwards and Rusty Robertson (30, .250, 13, 68, 5; .255, 146, 662, 25) in 1974. Both homegrown top-5 picks, they're the only two players to surpass the 25 WAR mark, and the top two players in the franchise for games played. Number three is third basemen John Smith, who functioned as the every day shortstop or third basemen from 1966 to 1972. A former 12th Round pick of the Cannons back in 1957, he was picked in the 1961 expansion draft, but by the Suns and not the Millers. He'd have to wait three years before joining Minneapolis, first going to Boston in the 1963 Rule-5 draft. A natural shortstop, he earned the starting job in 1964 and held it through 1965, but his .219/.285/.308 (75 OPS+) batting line was what you'd expect from a Rule-5 pick. Still, he played good enough defense, and caught the eye of the bargain hunting Millers.
Acquired for a prospect and rookie starter Hardin Jones after the '65 season, Smith spent a year and a half as the Millers shortstop before shifting over to the hot corner. The move was better for his defense, as he was much better suited for third, and he became a slightly below average bat. In five of his first six seasons he at least had a 90 WRC+, and regular 2 WAR seasons were his bread and butter. Serviceable, but not great, he really fit the epitome of a Miller, and since they never really cared about success he kept seeing his name in the lineup. Unfortunately, even a team like Minneapolis has their limits, and a drastic drop in performance during the 1972 season ended his time as a starter. In 144 games he hit just .222/.270/.306 (69 OPS+), his worst season of his career, and for '73 and '74 he was used mostly as a bench option. Even at 35, his speed has stuck, as the excellent baserunner was a perfect 5-for-5 in limited time. His first season with single digit steals, Smith enters 1975 with 187 under his belt, and his 150 as a Miller are the most in team history. His .241/.308/.322 (83 OPS+) career line doesn't inspire too much, but there's something to be said about being able to play every day and make the most of his time on the bases. His 16.1 career BsR is impressive, with a full 5 runs in his 28-steal 1969 season. There's a chance a contender looks to him as a midseason pinch running upgrade, but until then he'll be tasked with mentoring 1973 All-Star Carl Kilkenny (25, .255, 16, 55, 1; .267, 28, 113, 2) who claimed his starting job two seasons ago.
Star Out of Place: RHP Joe McDowell (42, 11-16, 3.93, 89; 178-232, 6, 4.24, 1,816)
It will start happening a lot more this winter, but for now it's unusual to see teams spend money on bringing in free agents. Reserved now for players at the back end of their career, Minneapolis brought in veteran Joe McDowell, who at 42 led the Fed with 16 losses in his 33 starts. A veteran of 601 games, McDowell will make $57,000 in his second stint with the Millers, and projects to function as the #2 starter in a really wea rotation. A veteran of 3,480.1 FABL innings, he's led his association in starts 4 times, and has made 512 with Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cleveland, KC, and Minneapolis. His first go came after the expansion draft, as McDowell was one of the top unprotected players. The then Miner was Minneapolis' first pick, but he could not replicate his early career success.
While never great, he went from serviceable to awful, 6-18 with a 6.78 ERA (68 ERA+), 1.76 WHIP, and 89 strikeouts, making a case for one of the worst pitchers in the league. It's fitting for one of the worst teams, and just by taking the mound 31 times he helped them eat innings as they played for high picks. McDowell returned in 1962, a more serviceable 8-18 with a 4.87 ERA (86 ERA+) and 1.38 WHIP, allowing him to rebuild some of his trade value. Cleveland came calling, sending the Millers a young middle infield prospect, and McDowell was back on an established team that could get more out of a guy who'd pitch every fifth day. The first two seasons were more of the same, but by 1966 he started to figure things out. in 35 starts he was 15-12 with a 3.39 ERA (108 ERA+), 1.13 WHIP, and 130 strikeouts, and he at least had an above average ERA+ in two of the next three seasons. In total, he spent 9 seasons with the Foresters, finishing 97-126 with a respectable 3.87 ERA (93 ERA+), 3.60 FIP (100 FIP-), and 1.24 WHIP.
In his 40s, he's re-established his serviceability, with a breakout swingman year with the Kings (9-3, 5, 2.63, 44) a stabilizing return to the rotation in Baltimore (11-16, 3.93, 89). His 95 ERA+ and 94 FIP- are right around average, and in 208.1 innings he was worth 3.3 WAR. That would have been the highest on the Millers staff this season, which really highlights how much they need upgrades on the mound. It's hard to expect too much from the veteran this coming season, but manager Harry Hammond needs someone he can count on for 6+ innings every 5 games, and since the overall quality doesn't matter McDowell is exactly the guy for the job.
Los Angeles Suns
Last Year Record: 91-71 (1st, .562): Lost in Federal Championship Series
Best Year Since 1964: 1974, 91-71 (1st, .562):Lost in Federal Championship Series
Top Pitcher: LHP Jim Place (31, 12-7, 2.85, 153; 59-65, 5, 3.35, 851)
One of the top ten pitchers in FABL, the now 31-year-old lefty Jim Place led a strong rotation with Heinie Schmidt (14-12, 2.85, 132) and Pete Meissner (14-11, 3.56, 121) behind him. A former 2nd Round pick of the Chicago Cougars, Place ranked as high as 27 on the prospect list, and enters the new year as the 6th best pitcher. Place was selected to his 4th All-Star game this year, going 12-7 as the Suns captured their first Western division without an extra game. 91 wins matched their first title in 1971, but this time they had a seven game cushion. His performance this year was much better then last, working to a 2.85 ERA (134 ERA+) and 1.20 WHIP in 35 starts. He's no stranger to top performance, as his "down" year considered slightly below average ERA+ of 96 and 94.
A veteran of six plus years, Place showed that the biceps injury that ended last season was nothing to worry about, delivering his fifth 200 inning season. The crafty seven pitch southpaw has pitched on some bad teams, so his 59-65 career record isn't all on him. His 3.35 ERA (118 ERA+) and 3.44 FIP (86 FIP-) are both well above average, and in all four of his 30+ start seasons he's surpassed the 4 WAR mark that tends to separate the good starters from the solid ones. With the Suns expected to again lead their relatively weak division, the success of Place and the rest of the rotation can help make up for a lineup that is ripe for improvement.
Top Hitter: SS Tom Lally (26, .318, 12, 68, 7; .296, 49, 202, 15)
Not only is Tom Lally the clear most valuable player on the Suns, but you could make an argument that he's the single most valuable player in all of FABL. Ranked #4 on OSA's top 20 list, the slick fielding shortstop has been an All-Star in each of his three FABL seasons, starting with a Kellogg award as a rookie and the most recent Whitney award. Leading the Fed with an outstanding 9.2 WAR, Lally upset fellow 26-year-old middle infielder Al Hubbard (.341, 12, 73, 28; .299, 65, 427, 114), was limited to just 119 games due to a trio of injuries. This allowed Lally to snap his string of 3 consecutive Fed WAR leads, and his .318/.407/.457 (146 OPS+) triple slash isn't too far off. That upped his career mark to .296/.381/.448 (138 OPS+) and he's already accumulated 76 doubles, 16 triples, 49 homers, 202 RBIs, 260 runs, 318 walks, and an impressive 20.5 wins above replacement.
What sets Lally apart is the glove, setting a personal best 20.5 zone rating in 154 games at short. That was good for 2nd in the Fed where his 1.057 efficiency was 4th, but two of the guys ahead of him had a lower slugging and OBP then Lally's .318 average, while the third, Baltimore's Jack Goodman (32, .245, 4, 38, 11; .215, 45, 263, 77), still mustered just an 82 WRC+ that paled in comparison to Lally's 145. It's unusual to see a shortstop with a Whitney level bat and glove, and the charismatic shortstop almost feels like a character in a Hollywood movie, not an actual real life star on and off the field.
If there is one "downside" with Lally it's that his power seemed to drop off this season, going from a 24-home run hitter in 1973 to just 12 this year. While it did correspond with a 38 point jump in average, the power may be more valuable, so there is a little room for growth. If he can return to a 20-home run hitter, he'll be the standout #1 FABL player, but right now Hubbard's elite bat-to-ball skills give him the edge over Lally's swing and miss game. He draws his share of walks, 87 in each of the last two seasons, but it came with about the same amount of strikeouts (83 last, 77 this year), while Hubbard has just 64 in the past two seasons with elite K% of 5.4 and 4.9. Interesting enough, Hubbard used to maintain K% in the low teens, so perhaps he can take a few tips from his friendly rival in the East.
Top Prospect: CF Roy Welch (53th Overall)
LA is lucky they have so much top-end talent in the majors, especially on the mound, as they don't have a single top-50 prospect and their only two top-200 pitching prospects are in the back-75. It does seem like they hit on last year's first rounder, as 13th selection Roy Welch enters the new year at #53. Just 19, he made his way up to low-A where he hit .232/.357/.365 (91 OPS+) after posting a 183 WRC+ in 20 rookie ball games. In 73 games between the levels, he tallied 9 doubles, 6 triples, 10 homers, 30 RBIs, 46 runs, and 27 steals, all while playing outstanding center field defense. A ball pitchers did get him to strikeout more, but he still maintained a BB% above 15% and his elite eye is one of his best tools. Paired with great speed, defense, and an ability to square up any level of velocity, and the center field job is his to lose. Right now it's a real weakness for the Suns, they're planning on giving 24-year-old Larry Burlbutt (.245, 7, 1) a chance to improve on his September cup of coffee, which would mark their fifth starting center fielder in six seasons. Welch is still likely a year away from producing, but a big year of development could see him earning a callup at the end of a pennant race.
Active Legend: RF Sam Forrester (32, .261, 27, 97, 36; .274, 346, 955, 254)
As recently as last year, Sam Forrester was the clear best player on the Suns, and it's not his fault he's been usurped by Lally. Lally is just that good.
Forrester is no slouch and a big reason Lally took home the Whitney, as he's arguably the Fed's most feared slugger. Initially a 2nd Round selection of the Eagles, the Suns picked him up in the offseason after their second year in what has turned out to be a huge steal. Whitey Stewart was an expansion pick they got from Toronto, and after two seasons of quality stopping work for a team that wasn't winning many games, he's the reason LA got their first legit star. Debuting midway through the '64 season, he clubbed 14 homers and hit .275/.316/.482 (135 OPS+) in 81 games, and has pretty much never left the lineup since.
His rookie year was the only season he didn't man right everyday, spending most of his time in left, and the now 7-Time All-Star has led the Fed in homers in 6 of the last 7 seasons. This includes an absurd 53 in 1970, where the then 27-year-old hit a robust .283/.393/.615 (169 OPS+) with 114 runs and 120 RBIs. That 169 OPS+ wasn't even the best of his career, with a 171 last year, a 182 in 1969, a 179 in 1967, and another 169 in 1968. All coming in full seasons, he's made 140 or more appearances in each season since his debut year, and he's failed to hit 24 home runs just once. In this more pitcher friendly era, 24 would be a great season, as only four players hit more then 25 this year. One, of course, Forrester himself, who also stole a Fed high 36 bases. It's the second time he's led, with 33 back in 1969.
He's also a two-time slugging leader (1967, .543; 1973, .566), though his career high .615 in 1970 is most impressive. This has helped him set most of the early Suns records, from his .499 slugging and .858 OPS to his 346 homers. He also leads in runs (941), hits (1,627), doubles (212), triples (45), RBIs (955), steals (254), walks (749), and WAR (51.4). He's fifth among active players in homers and 25th overall, and just one of 8 people to hit 50 home runs in a season. On a Hall of Fame track, he'll be remembered as one of the most prolific sluggers the game has seen, and he has every chance to reach the 500 mark Hank Williams is chasing.
Star Out of Place: 1B Harry Dellinger (36, .251, 10, 45, 22; .279, 299, 999, 450)
It feels weird calling him a first basemen, but 1960 Whitney Winner and 5-Time Diamond Defense winning center fielder (and one left!) Harry Dellinger is technically the starting first basemen for the Atlanta Suns. In a surprising deadline deal last year, the Keystones sent their aged franchise cornerstone to the Suns, acquiring a three player package that includes their new starting third basemen Leon Stapleton (25, .266, 6, 31; .268, 12, 60). The bat definitely fell towards the end, but Dellinger finished his Keystone career with a .282/.327/.437 (118 OPS+) triple slash in over 2,000 games.
His Whitney season may not even have been his best year, but it was his first with more then 5 games, as the former 2nd Pick took home both that and the Kellogg in a masterful rookie season. Leading the fed in average (.350), slugging (.568), runs (118), hits (228), RBIs (125), and WAR (7.3), he immediately announced his presence, establishing the Keystones as a legitimate contender. Him and Buddy Miller then won it all in year two, with the Keystones again taking a title in 1965. A threat at the top of the order, he led the Fed in steals 8 times -- including his 27 as recently as 1972. At the time of the trade he had 418, third among Keystones, and his 2,350 hits and 1,299 runs are 5th most.
Now 36, he's spent a season and a half with the Suns, batting .247/.300/.347 (84 OPS+) with 19 doubles, 15 homers, 60 RBIs, 80 runs, and 32 steals. Still an effective base stealer, he's done okay in the eight hole, but his bat doesn't fit at first base. And before you're thinking center, they tried that a little this season (373.2 innings), and it did not go well (-2.6 ZR, .974 EFF). They don't really have a better option for first so he might open the season at the position, but fresh off a division title the front office could be more willing to bring in an upgrade.
Houston Comets
Last Year Record: 84-78 (2nd, .519):
Best Year Since 1964: 1973, 100-62 (1st, .617):Lost in World Championship Series
Top Pitcher: RHP Joe McCarthy (30, 21-7, 2.48, 194; 101-88, 3.09, 1,329)
Just like their name suggests, they had a meteoric rise despite being an expansion team, as it took Houston just 3 years to win 90 games and 5 to reach a WCS. The second was in part due to Joe McCarthy, who they acquired from the Cannons at the deadline last season. OSA's top ranked pitcher, he was struggling in his return from a labrum issue, but the Comets were not scared away. They sent four prospects, including the now ranked 47th prospect Sammy Wright (24, 1-0, 0.00, 1) for the 1969 ERA leader.
It proved to be a stroke of brilliance, as McCarthy made 12 starts for the Comets, going 7-2 with a 2.01 ERA (202 ERA+), 1.24 WHIP, and 87 strikeouts. This helped Houston take the division by 12 games, squaring off with the 106-win Miners (now Copperheads) who played what ended up being their last season in Pittsburgh. McCarthy won the opener as the Comets pulled off a three game sweep. They fell to the same in four, as the magical Montreal Saints won their first since 1916.
Houston couldn't recapture the magic of last season, but McCarthy was not the reason why. The eventual Allen winner was the ERA title away from a triple crown, 21-7 with a 2.48 ERA (152 ERA+), 2.71 FIP (71 FIP-), 1.09 WHIP, 194 strikeouts, and 7.5 WAR. His Allen can be attributed to leading all those categories except ERA (and ERA+), and as crazy as it sounds you can say it's not even his best season. He's struck out over 200 hitters twice (1970, 225; 1972, 206), and aside from wins and WHIP he didn't set any career bests. Back to the pitcher he was before injury, he'll open 1975 101-88 with a 3.09 ERA (115 ERA+), 1.19 WHIP, and 1,329 strikeouts, with his next out being his 1,900 FABL inning. Somehow just a 2-Time All-Star (1969, 1974), his stuff is nothing short of elite, with many hitters quoting his change is the toughest to hit. He does walk guys, but an unlucky 1972 was the only time he allowed more then 12 homers (21). It's unusual seeing a team with such little history as Houston go out and acquire legitimate talent.
Top Hitter: RF John Edwards (30, .325, 18, 71, 25; .292, 229, 955, 115)
Trade is also how they got John Edwards, who's the best right fielder in FABL. Acquired on the 1974 deadline from Minneapolis, the former 3rd pick moves from one expansion franchise to the other. He was the Millers first ever amateur draft pick, and after spending the 1962 season in the minors, he only played for the Millers. Debuting at 18, he appeared in 160 games as a rookie, and his .266/.342/.362 (92 OPS+) batting line is his only below average mark to date. That jumped to .283/.378/.497 (154 OPS+) the very next season, and he's produced WRC+ above 150 9 times in 12 big league seasons.
He won the Whitney for Minneapolis in 1968, batting .302/.405/.492 (179 OPS+) with 34 doubles, 22 homers, 84 RBIs, 85 runs, 100 walks, 9 steals, and a 8.9 WAR. He also picked up one of his 9 All-Star selections and Diamond Defense awards, and if he retired at 30 today he'd be a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer.
Instead, he'll be set to play in his first full season as a Comet, hitting .319/.425/.481 (154 OPS+) in 56 games after the trade. That came after a .292/.396/.466 (148 OPS+) line in 1,868 games, producing 1,043 runs, 1,962 hits, 344 doubles, 79 triples, 224 homers, 931 RBIs, 1,141 walks, and 104 steals. He's the Millers All-Time leader in OBP, slugging, OPS, WAR (69.4), games (1,868), runs, hits, doubles, triples, homers, RBIs, and walks, making it a real surprise they traded him for a package where just 2 of the 5 prospects are in the top 100. In the middle of his prime he has a chance to become one of the game's inner-circle greats, and now he'll have to do it with a completely new club. His new team has embraced him and is ready to compete, something his old club never did. They never won more then 78 games, and unfortunately for the few fans who have stuck around that may not change any time soon.
Top Prospect: SS Johnny Mathewson (116th Overall) Overall)
A mix of being tied for the youngest franchise and the two major deals for McCarthy and Edwards, the farm system is one of the few without a single top-100 prospect. Their big 1973 season had them picking 22nd in the 1974 draft, and their top pick Johnny Matthewson is also their top prospect. Ranked 116th, he's more good them great, but his versatility and natural talent should help him carve out a starting role. 19 as of November, he's a natural shortstop who's played a little second, third, left, and center. Most came at short in rookie ball, where he made 54 appearances and hit .299/.398/.353 (91 OPS+) with 40 runs, 7 extra base hits, 35 walks, and 18 RBIs. A light hitter, all his value comes from his hit tool, though his silky smooth swing will generate plenty of contact. He'll draw walks and shouldn't strike out too much, the perfect table setter for a lineup that needs more length then just Edwards and 1B/OF Johnny Adams (33, .272, 14, 54, 24; .278, 108, 505, 191).That is, of course, they don't trade their most valuable asset, as they won't shy away from making an outside acquisition.
Active Legend: RHP George Roy (29, 12-15, 3.33, 155; 71-65, 51, 3.28, 774)
Believe it or not, McCarthy's 21-win season this year was not the most by a Comet, as stopper turned starter George Roy was 22-8 last season, posting a strong 3.36 ERA (121 ERA+) and 1.18 WHIP with 190 strikeouts in 262.2 innings pitched. A rare success from the expansion draft, Roy is a former 2nd Rounder from the Dynamos who was left unprotected after his debut season in 1968. Houston's 8th pick, he's appeared in all six of their FABL seasons, holding the win and save (25) record for a single season. And while it might not stay that way for long, the Canadian has the team record for wins and saves.
A 2-Time All-Star, he's been a revelation for Houston, producing above average seasons as a full time reliever, full time starter, and a part-timer for both. His best season was when he did both, as in 1971 he started 22 of his 36 outings. Finishing 13-6 with a save, he worked to a 2.57 ERA (146 ERA+), 1.19 WHIP, and 117 strikeouts. The following season he had his 25-save season, an even 10-10 with a 2.70 ERA (131 ERA+), 1.29 WHIP, and 71 strikeouts in 116.2 innings. He does have some command issues, allowing 463 free passes including 118 this season, but by generating harmless flyballs he can work his way out of trouble. His 3.28 ERA career ERA in 1,083.2 innings is exactly 20 percent better then average, and his 1.28 WHIP is kept tidy due to his ability to suppress base hits. He generates plenty of whiffs too, striking out 17% of the batters he faces. In a bad rotation he'd be the clear ace, but in Houston he's the 3, leading to the Comets allowing the fewest runs in the Fed. With him, McCarthy, and one of the few homegrown successes in Johnny Blackburn (26, 14-15, 3.20, 160; 64-55, 3.26, 713), their rotation should again rank among the best in the league.
Star Out of Place: RHP Joe Cipolla (37, 3-2, 4, 2.25, 10; 240-178, 28, 3.84, 2,294
John Edwards could have easily filled this spot, but instead of saying more about one of the game's greats, we can take a look at the 240-game winner the Comets picked up from the Cannons. Now 37, Joe Cipolla will join his 8th organization, as he's traveled plenty since the Chiefs drafted him in the 2nd Round of the 1954 draft. He was up at 18 the following season, allowing just 6 hits and a run in 12.1 innings out of the pen. The skinny teen did walk 8 to just 3 strikeouts, but since that debut season he's yet to again walk more then he struck out.
A veteran of 20 years, he spent 13 seasons across 2 stints with Chicago's Fed team, including his two All-Star seasons in 1958 and 1960. A key member of their rotation, 336 of his 498 career starts came with the Chiefs, amassing nearly 2,500 (2,485.2) innings. Consistent and reliable, he finished 159-116 with a 3.92 ERA (108 ERA+), 1.31 WHIP, and 1,629 strikeouts. Among Chiefs pitchers he ranks top-10 in wins (8th), WAR (8th, 37.9), games (9th, 407), starts (6th), innings (8th), strikeouts (3rd), and K/9 (6th, 5.9). Nearly all his best seasons came with the Chiefs, his partial season with the Saints (5-3, 2, 1.25, 29) the only real exception, but that's not to say he hasn't found success elsewhere. About 90 of his wins came away from the Chiefs, and he enters 1975 with a 3.84 ERA (106 ERA+), 2,294 strikeouts, and 49.5 WAR. His days of starting games may be over, but he could still carve out a pen role as he reaches the twilight of his career.
St. Louis Pioneers
Last Year Record: 79-83 (3rd, .488):
Best Year Since 1964: 1964, 97-66 (1st, .617): Won the World Championship Series!
Top Pitcher: RHP Tiger Bowe (28, 18-9, 2.68, 115; 41-31, 3, 3.40, 340)
A cool name isn't the only thing that sets Tiger Bowe apart, as the now 28-year-old righty earned his first All-Star selection in his first season with St. Louis. Once a 5th Round selection of the Chiefs, the former top-20 prospect was released, quickly picked up by the Seattle Kings. He debuted four seasons later, and got his first extended look in the rotation in 1971, going 8-7 in 23 starts (and 1 relief outing). His 3.99 ERA (90 ERA+) was a bit below average, and his 60 walks and 77 strikeouts in 155.2 innings weren't overly impressive, and he spent all of the next season in the minors.
With no spot for him out west, the Kings waived him, which led to Boston getting the then 26-year-old. They had a rotation spot they needed filled, and he ended up the perfect fit. His 12-12 record wasn't overly inspiring, but he held a 3.42 ERA (119 ERA+), 1.27 WHIP, and 109 strikeouts in his first 200 inning season. He dropped his BB% to 6.7 and finally showed the promise the prospect rankers saw in him. Attempting to capitalize on what could have been a mirage, they sent him to St. Louis for a pair of prospects, and he went out and put together a career season. A new entrant to the league's top 20 pitchers list, Bowe went 18-9 in 36 starts, working to a 2.68 ERA (138 ERA+) and 1.14 WHIP. All career bests, he struck out 115 and just 62 walks. A six pitch pitcher, he's shown the perfect mix of command and stuff, and to get back into contention St. Louis will need another year like this from their new found ace.
Top Hitter: 1B John Richards (33, .284, 27, 92, 27; .271, 231, 789, 231)
Once the 10th pick of the 1960 draft, John Richards debuted for the team that drafted him, Montreal, and spent a little time with the Imperials, involved in two trades of relative note before hem made his way to St. Louis. He didn't get much attention his first season there either, but in 1967 he started to turn heads. A 25-year-old first basemen, he hit 20 doubles, 20 homers, and stole 19 bases, batting a respectable .241/.324/.420 (127 OPS+) with 76 runs and RBIs.
His encore was better, as the 1968 All-Star hit an outstanding .263/.377/.438 (156 OPS+) with 20 more doubles and homers. It was his first of five selections, as Richards added 7 triples, 83 RBIs, 82 runs, and 96 walks. To this day he's done much of the same, including back-to-back 160+ OPS+ seasons. In 1970 he hit 37 homers, he drew 105 walks the year before and 106 the year after, and he's coming off a 27-homer season that led the Fed. Now 33, he's appeared in 1,342 games as a Pioneer, slashing .276/.376/.484 (147 OPS+), showcasing a rare combination of speed and power. He's launched 217 homers and swiped 218 bases, producing five straight 25/25 seasons. Add in 199 doubles, 52 triples, 795 runs, 736 RBIs, and 717 walks, and he's been the class of the Pioneers 1970s lineups. He doesn't have enough protection at the moment, but if some of the younger guys take steps forward he can carry them back to contention.
Top Prospect: LHP Herm Jones (33rd Overall) Overall)
Despite being both a 4th Rounder and a reliever, the 1974 draftee Herm Jones ranks as the Pioneers top prospect, ranked 33 as their only top-50 entrant. Pitching through three levels, his cutter-change mix has had mixed success, but without a third pitch he may be destined for the late innings. OSA gives him credit for elite stuff with excellent control and command, which leads to the high ranking. 22 in January, he may continue to rise up quickly. His future is projected to contain plenty of strikeouts and saves, and he has all the tools to set the saves record for whichever team dedicates him the ninth inning. For St. Louis, he'd need 173 to pass Russ Peeples, and if used correctly he could join David Molina as the only 250 save pitchers.
Active Legend: LF Danny Davis (35, .316, 1, 1; .284, 244, 989, 66)
From 3rd Pick to a Kellogg Award and championship, Danny Davis had about as good a debut season as you could ask for, batting .352/.415/.599 (166 OPS+) with 34 doubles, 15 triples, 26 homers, and 96 RBIs. It was also his first of 4 All-Star selections, and he was a key part of the '63 and '64 titles teams too. He bypassed the sophomore slump, hitting .350/.394/.643 (180 OPS+), clubbing 40 homers with 130 RBIs and 112 runs. Davis then spent most of the next eight seasons as a fixture in the Pioneers outfield, with the only real misstep a rough 1968.
Now 35, he's been relegated to a bench role, so he shouldn't damage his .284/.335/.477 (130 OPS+) career line too much. Appearing in the 8th most games for a Pioneer (1,634), his 244 homers are 4th most for the franchise, also placing in slugging (10th), runs (8th, 849), hits (6th, 1,675), doubles (9th, 261), triples (t-10th, 74), and RBIs (5th, 989). Considering St. Louis has seen Hall of Famers like Max Morris, Fred McCormick, and Jerry Smith, as well as the now departed Bob Bell (36, .285, 5, 20; .305, 319, 1,120, 112) who should join them, he's in plenty good company.
Star Out of Place: SS Tom Spruill (33, .288, 10, 62, 11; .276, 109, 694, 106)
Acquired at the deadline this season, Tom Spruill spent over a decade as the shortstop of the Chicago Chiefs. Originally a 18th Rounder of the Saints, he was acquired in a rare prospect-for-prospect deal for now Imperial righty Eddie Watson (2-0, 1, 4.26, 10; 42-50, 74, 3.53, 463) back in 1962. The Ohio native then debuted at 21 the next season, quickly establishing his use both offensively and defensively. Worth 3.6 WAR in 129 games, he hit .286/.360/.439 (119 OPS+) with 19 doubles, 15 homers, 67 RBIs, and 59 runs scored. Up until the trade, he took at least 400 or more plate appearance each year, including seven more seasons with a WRC+ of 105 or better. When paired with great defense, that's plenty useful, though he's only been recognized once as an All-Star. It came his rookie season, but he posted an impressive 5.7 WAR and 118 WRC+ in 1968, and was a key contributor to the 1967 Chiefs team that won the WCS. He ended up appearing in 1,637 games for the Chiefs, batting .275/.332/.383 (107 OPS+) with 262 doubles, 104 homers, 101 steals, and 506 walks, 693 RBIs, and 744 runs.
The trade seemed to energize Spruill as well, as his batting line jumped from .279/.309/.371 (90 OPS+) to .308/.353/.479 (132 OPS+). As a Pioneer he added 8 doubles, 3 triples, 5 homers, 5 steals, 16 RBIs, and 29 runs. At 33, his defense isn't quite as good as it was in his prime, but 1974 is just the second below average season he's had defensively. And while he's still capable at short, he could shift to second or third to allow second basemen Frank Green (26, .250, 7, 54; .274, 27, 182, 11) to return to his natural position of short. His speed and discipline still make him a productive hitter, and his veteran presence should be appreciated in a full season.