Here Comes The Paragon Baseball League!

[luckymann]

New York 4 v Los Angeles 3 (10 innings)
WP: Babe Adams (2-0)
LP: Carl Hubbell (0-1)

• LOSA: Enos Slaughter HR [1].

New Jersey 6 v Boston 2
WP: Ed Walsh (1-0)
LP: George Mullin (0-1)

• NJER: Honus Wagner 3-4 / 3B / 2-run HR [1].

Connecticut 12 v Seattle 2
WP: Sam Rice (1-0)
LP: Frank Dwyer (0-1)

• CONN: Ted Williams 5-5 / 2 3B / 4 RBI; Barry Larkin 2-5 / 2-run HR [1]; Bid McPhee 3-5 / 3B; Sam Crawford 4 R.
• SEAT: Richie Ashburn 3-4 / 2B; Mike Trout 2 2B / RBI.

Las Vegas 6 @ Portland 4
WP: Carl Mays (1-0)
LP: Jim Palmer (0-1)
SV: Bobby Mathews (2)

• LASV: Dan Brouthers 2-5 / HR [2] / 3 RBI; Wee Willie Keeler 3-3 / 2 RBI.

New Orleans 19 @ Indianapolis 3
WP: Whitey Ford (1-0)
LP: Wilbur Cooper (0-1)

• NORL: Joe DiMaggio 3-6 / HR [1] / 4 RBI; Ichiro Suzuki 3-5 / 3B / HR [1] / 3 RBI; Ron Santo 3-6 / 2B / HR [1] / 4 RBI; Toby Harrah 3-6 / 2B / 3 RBI.

Washington 11 @ Carolina 10
WP: Andy Pettite (1-0)
LP: Jack Powell (0-1)
SV: David Price (1)

• WASH: Josh Gibson 4-5 / HR [1] / 3 RBI; Will Clark 4-5 / 2B / 3 RBI; Joe Sewell 3-5 / 2B / RBI.

Atlanta 3 @ Virginia 2
WP: Monte Ward (1-0)
LP: Javier Vazquez (0-1)
SV: John Clarkson (1)

• ATLA: Scott Rolen HR [1].

Kansas City 9 v Florida 6
WP: Bob Gibson (1-0)
LP: Amos Rusie (0-1)
SV: Jack Quinn (1)

• KANC: Bill Dahlen 2-5 / 3B / 3 RBI.

[luckymann]

Connecticut 13 v Portland 1
WP: Kenny Rogers (1-0) 9 IP / 6 H / 1 ER / 8 K
LP: Jim Whitney (0-1)

• CONN: Jason Kendall 5-5 / 3B / 5 RBI; Freddie Freeman 3-4.

New York 1 @ Boston 0 (10 innings)
WP: Kid Gleason (1-0) 10 IP / 5 H / 0 ER / 0 K
LP: Felix Hernandez (0-1) 7 IP / 3 H / 0 ER / 12 K


New Jersey 5 @ Seattle 1
WP: Jim McCormick (1-0)
LP: Kid Nichols (0-1)
SV: Jerry Koosman (1)

• NJER: George Sisler 2-4 / 2B / 2 RBI.
• SEAT: Dick Allen solo HR [1]; John Henry Lloyd 3-5 / 2 2B.

Los Angeles 4 @ Las Vegas 3
WP: Noodles Hahn (1-0)
LP: Dizzy Trout (0-1)
SV: John Candelaria (1)

• LOSA: Ken Griffey jr solo HR [2].
• LASV: Rod Carew 2B / 3B / 2 RBI; Dan Brouthers solo HR [3].

Washington 6 @ Atlanta 3
WP: Catfish Hunter (1-0)
LP: Tim Hudson (0-1)

• WASH: Will Clark 4-5 / 3B / 3 RBI.
• ATLA: Robin Yount solo HR [1].

Florida 6 v Indianapolis 5
WP: Frank Viola (1-0)
LP: Virgil Trucks (0-1)
SV: Pud Galvin (1)

• FLOR: Jorge Posada 2B / HR [1] / 2 RBI.
• INDI: Mookie Betts 3-4 / 2 HR [2] / 3 RBI; Ozzie Smith2-5 / HR [1] / 2 RBI; Adrian Beltre 3-4 / 2 2B.

Kansas City 8 v Virginia 2
WP: Bret Saberhagen (1-0) 9 IP / 5 H / 2 ER / 5 K
LP: Jack Morris (0-1)

• KANC: Jim O’Rourke 2-5 / 3 RBI; Cody Bellinger 3-run HR [1]; Elmer Flick solo HR [1].

New Orleans 4 v Carolina 2
WP: Dave Stieb (1-0)
LP: Sadie McMahon (0-1)
SV: Tony Mullane (1)

• CARO: Jackie Robinson 2-4 / 2-run HR [1].

[luckymann]

Portland 10 @ Connecticut 3
WP: Red Faber (1-0)
LP: Hooks Dauss (0-1)
SV: Eddie Plank (1)

• PORT: Sherry Magee 4-5 / 2B / 3B / 3 RBI; Paul Waner 3-4 / 2B / 2 RBI.
• CONN: Jason Kendall 5-5 / 3B / 5 RBI; Freddie Freeman 3-4.

New York 5 @ Boston 1
WP: David Wells (1-0)
LP: Ned Garver (0-1)
SV: Bartolo Colon (1)

• NYOR: Dave Winfield HR [1] / 4 RBI.
• BOST: Arky Vaughn solo HR [1].

Seattle 3 v New Jersey 2
WP: Burleigh Grimes (1-0)
LP: Mickey Lolich (0-1)

• NJER: Ivan Rodriguez 4-4 / 2 2B.

Los Angeles 4 @ Las Vegas 3
WP: Zack Greinke (1-0)
LP: Bobby Mathews (0-1)


Washington 8 @ Atlanta 4
WP: Camilo Pascual (1-0)
LP: Lefty Grove (0-1)

• WASH: Josh Gibson 4-5 / 2 2B / 3B / 4 RBI.

Indianapolis 2 @ Florida 1
WP: Jim Kaat (1-0)
LP: Larry Jackson (0-1)
SV: Bill Donovan (1)


Kansas City 6 v Virginia 1
WP: Bob Welch (1-0) 9 IP / 7 H / 0 ER / 2 K
LP: Bob Caruthers (0-1)

• KANC: Willie McCovey 3-4 / 3B / 2 RBI.

Carolina 5 @ New Orleans 3
WP: Mel Stottlemyre (1-0)
LP: Jon Lester (0-1)

• CARO: Al Simmons 2-4 / solo HR [1]; Jackie Robinson 2-5 / solo HR [2].

[luckymann]

Portland 3 @ Connecticut 2 (10 innings)
WP: Fernando Valenzuela (1-0)
LP: Charlie Buffinton (0-1)

• PORT: Craig Biggio 3-5 / 3 RBI.
• CONN: Jason Kendall 5-5 / 3B / 5 RBI; Freddie Freeman 3-4.

Boston 9 v New York 2
WP: Doc White (1-1) 9 IP / 5 H / 2 ER / 8 K.
LP: Dwight Gooden (0-1)

• BOST: Bobby Doerr 2B / 3B / 3 RBI. Yogi Berra 3-run HR [1]; Arky Vaughn 2-4 / 2 RBI.

New Jersey @ Seattle – RAINOUT; RESCHEDULED FOR MAY 20

Las Vegas 3 v Los Angeles 2 (10 innings)
WP: Don Sutton (1-0) 10 IP / 9 H / 2 ER / 8 K.
LP: Roger Clemens (0-1)

• LOSA: Ken Griffey jr 2-3 / solo HR [3].

Atlanta 16 v Washington 10
WP: Bobo Newsom (1-0)
LP: Tommy Bridges (0-1)

• ATLA: Jose Cruz 4-4 / BB / 2 2B / HR [1] / 5 RBI; Fernando Tatis jr 2-4 / HR [2] / 3 RBI; Hank Aaron 2-run HR [2].
• WASH: Frankie Frisch 3-4 / HR [1] / 2 RBI; Russell Martin 2-4 / 2B / 3 RBI; Tony Gwynn 3-5 / 2B / 3-run HR [1].

Florida 9 @ Indianapolis 2
WP: Tom Seaver (1-1) 9 IP / 6 H / 2 ER / 5 K.
LP: Schoolboy Rowe (0-2)

• FLOR: Albert Pujols 2B / solo HR [3]; Carlton Fisk 2-run HR [1]; Trevor Story solo HR [1].
• INDI: Mookie Betts 3-4 / solo HR [3].

Virginia 6 @ Kansas City 2 (12 innings)
WP: George Cuppy (1-0)
LP: Jack Quinn (0-2)

• VIRG: Ian Kinsler 2-6 / 2B / 3 RBI. Eddie Murray solo HR [1].
• KANC: Willie McCovey 2-run HR [1].

Carolina 7 @ New Orleans 5
WP: Nap Rucker (1-0)
LP: Cy Young (1-1)
SV: Tommy Bond (1)

• CARO: Frank Thomas 2-5 / HR [1] / 4 RBI; Jackie Robinson 2-5 / solo HR [2].
• NORL: Joe DiMaggio 2-4 / HR [2] / 3 RBI.

[italyprof]

Go New Jersey !!

Great league, nice idea, good graphics.

Did I mention "go New Jersey " ?

[luckymann]

Originally Posted by italyprof

Go New Jersey !!

Great league, nice idea, good graphics.

Did I mention "go New Jersey " ?

Thank you sir, should be a lot of fun and your Stallions should be right in it!

[luckymann]

Boston 5 @ Seattle 3
WP: Bert Blyleven (1-1)
LP: Rick Reuschel (0-2)
SV: Mariano Rivera (1)

• BOST: Fred Clarke 3-4 / 3B / RBI; Arky Vaughn 2-run 3B.
• SEAT: Mike Trout solo HR [2].

Las Vegas 5 @ New York 4
WP: Mark Langston (2-0)
LP: Walter Johnson (1-1)
SV: Bobby Mathews (3)

• NYOR: Roy Campanella 3-4 / 2-run HR [1].

New Jersey 14 v Portland 5
WP: Roy Oswalt (2-0)
LP: Mordecai Brown (0-2)

• NJER: Robinson Cano 4-4 / 2B / 2 RBI; Honus Wagner 3-4 / 2B / 2 RBI; George Sisler 3-5 / 2 RBI; Cristobal Torriente 2-4 / 3-run HR [1]; Darrell Porter 2-run HR [1].
• PORT: Paul Waner 2-4 / HR [1] / 4 RBI; Sherry Magee 3-5 / 3B.

Los Angeles 7 v Connecticut 3
WP: Zack Greinke (2-0)
LP: Urban Shocker (1-1)

• LOSA: Mike Schmidt 2-3 / 2 RBI; Willie Randolph 2-4 / 2B / 2 RBI.

Carolina 4 v Atlanta 3
WP: Jack Stivetts (1-0)
LP: John Clarkson (0-1)

• CARO: Frank Thomas 2 2B / 2 RBI including walkoff; Al Simmons 3-5 / 3B / RBI.

Washington 2 v Kansas City 1
WP: Joe McGinnity (2-0)
LP: Robin Roberts (0-1)
SV: David Price (2)


Indianapolis 5 v Virginia 1
WP: Bob Shawkey (2-0) 9 IP / 8 H / 1 ER / 7 K.
LP: Al Spalding (0-2)

• INDI: Jim Edmonds solo HR [1]; Adrian Beltre 2-4 / 2B / 2 RBI.

Florida 4 @ New Orleans 3
WP: Chief Bender (1-0)
LP: Jim Perry (0-2)
SV: Pud Galvin (2)

• FLOR: Albert Pujols 5-5 / 2B / RBI
• NORL: Buster Posey 2-4 / solo HR [1].

[Brad K]

I was glancing through your "best player" etc info and saw Frank Thomas. Wait, he wasn't good enough on WAR for this league. Oh, wait, wrong Frank Thomas!!! I was thinking of the one who was on my team in my current league in the 50s and 60s. I think is career WAR was 25 - 30.

Not good enough for this league and too good for your footnote league!!!

[luckymann]

Originally Posted by Brad K

I was glancing through your "best player" etc info and saw Frank Thomas. Wait, he wasn't good enough on WAR for this league. Oh, wait, wrong Frank Thomas!!! I was thinking of the one who was on my team in my current league in the 50s and 60s. I think is career WAR was 25 - 30.

Not good enough for this league and too good for your footnote league!!!

Ha! It's funny, I was thinking to myself only an hour or so ago as I got tonight's GotW ready that my next venture will have to be the Middlemen League, catering to those guys who don't qualify for either!

That said, isn't the Frank Thomas (IE not the Big Hurt) you're talking about in the FL??

Isn't this him?

[luckymann]

Seattle 5 @ Boston 4
WP: Tim Keefe (1-1)
LP: George Mullin (0-2)
SV: Burleigh Grimes (1)

• BOST: Fred Clarke 3-3 / 2 BB / 2B / RBI.

New York 8 v Las Vegas 3
WP: Jacob deGrom (1-0)
LP: Carl Mays (1-1)

• NYOR: Joe Medwick 2-5 / 3-run HR [1]; Jeff Bagwell 3-5 / 2B.
• LASV: Martin Dihigo solo HR [1].

New Jersey 3 v Portland 2
WP: Clark Griffith (2-0)
LP: Jim Palmer (0-2)
SV: Gerrit Cole (2)

• NJER: Gary Sheffield solo HR [1].

Los Angeles 5 v Connecticut 2
WP: Carl Hubbell (1-1) 9 IP / 4 H / 2 ER / 2 K.
LP: Charlie Buffinton (0-2)

• LOSA: Bobby Bonds solo HR [1].

Kansas City 18 @ Washington 6
WP: Claude Osteen (1-0)
LP: Andy Pettite (1-1)

• KANC: Jim O’Rourke 3-5 / HR [1] / 4 RBI; Miguel Cabrera 3-4 / 2 2B / 3 RBI; Bill Dahlen 2-5 / HR [1] / 3 RBI; Elmer Flick 3-run 3B; Lou Gehrig 4-5 / 2B.
• WASH: Carl Yastrzemski 2-5 / 2 RBI.

Virginia 4 @ Indianapolis 1
WP: Javier Vazquez (1-1)
LP: Wilbur Cooper (0-2)
SV: George Cuppy (1)

• INDI: Gene Tenace 2-2 / solo HR [1].

Florida 11 @ New Orleans 2
WP: Amos Rusie (1-1) 9 IP / 8 H / 1 ER / 7 K.
LP: Whitey Ford (1-1)

• FLOR: Jack Clark 3-6 / 3-run HR [1]; Jorge Posada 2-5 / 2B / 3 RBI; WILLIE WELLS 3-4 / 2 BB / RBI.
• NORL: Joe DiMaggio 2B / 3B / 2 RBI.

[luckymann]

Atlanta Firebirds (4-3) @ Carolina Triplets (3-4)
CBi Park – Charlotte, NC; 1.05 pm
ATLA: Monte Ward (1-0, 0.00)
NYOR: Jack Powell (0-1, 24.00)

Good afternoon PBL fans, and welcome to CBi Park in beautiful Raleigh for our featured Game of the Week. Today the Carolina Triplets play host to the Atlanta Firebirds, two teams who have had rather middling starts to the season and who I’m sure will be looking to get things back on track this afternoon.

The Firebirds are currently 4-3, equal top in the crowded South division. They began brilliantly with a road sweep at Virginia, but have since gone 1-3 including last night’s 4-3 loss here. Their offence has certainly done its bit, with Hammerin’ Hank Aaron and Fernando Tatis jr in particular starring. But their pitching has struggled, with both their starters and bullpen ERAs up near 5. They have Monte Ward going for them here, who was excellent in his only start so far, keeping the Fury scoreless over 6+ in a game they eventually won 3-2.

The home side has also had trouble finding consistency in all facets of their game, especially their pitching. But they have pulled it together of late, and are now riding a 3-game win streak after losing their first four games. Their starter Jack Powell will be looking to make amends after a poor first outing that saw him shelled big-time by Washington, who tagged him for 8 runs and chased him out of the game after 3 innings. 2B Jackie Robinson and LF Al Simmons have given their all so far, but the Triplets will be looking for more from guys such as Frank Thomas, George Davis and Juan Soto, all of whom have been fairly unproductive so far. The Grays have made a lightning start to lead the East division by a clear 3 games and, even at this early stage, Carolina will not want to fall further behind if they can avoid it.

It’s a lovely day for baseball, just a slight breeze blowing out to give the hitters a bit of oomph so the hurlers will need to keep the ball down if they want to keep it in the park.

Time for the first pitch!

TOP 1ST
Powell in trouble immediately, as Hamilton leads off with a double and then Reese singles to move Billy to third. But Red pulls himself together and gets out of the inning unscathed.

BOTTOM 1ST
Ward bobbles a comebacker from Robinson, who then scores all the way from first on a Simmons triple. A wild pitch eludes Mauer and Bucketfoot comes home easily.
Carolina 2, Atlanta 0

TOP 2ND
A leadoff single by Perez leads to nothing at all.

BOTTOM 2ND
A better inning from Ward, who retires them in order.

TOP 3RD
The roomy dimensions and structure here at CBi Park lend themselves to lots of long extra-base hits, and Hamilton takes full advantage in the 3rd, tripling Yount home after he leads off with an infield single. Reese brings him in on a groundout to tie the game at 2.
Carolina 2, Atlanta 2

BOTTOM 3RD
The hosts look to respond immediately, and singles to Davis and Robinson followed by a cheeky double steal put them both in scoring position with one out. But Ward gets both Simmons and the Big Hurt to pop out harmlessly, killing off the rally and keeping the tie in place.

TOP 4TH
A 1-2-3 inning for Powell.

BOTTOM 4TH
No problems for Ward.

TOP 5TH
A two-out single for Hamilton leaves him just a dinger shy of the cycle with plenty of time left, but he’s nailed trying to swipe second and the inning’s done.

BOTTOM 5TH
Triplets shortstop Joe Cronin leads it off with a hit but they can’t advance him from there.

TOP 6TH
Resee leads the inning off with his second single of the game and then steals second easily, before Cheo Cruz singles him home to put the visitors in front for the first time.
Atlanta 3, Carolina 2

BOTTOM 6TH
The Triplets need to spark something as time is running out, and Simmons looks to oblige with a leadoff hit. Soto singles, and then Downing does as well on a hit-and-run play that plates Simmons and moves Soto to third with one out. Ott drives one deep enough to left-center for Soto to come in and put the home side back in front.
Carolina 4, Atlanta 3

TOP 7TH
Almost every leadoff hitter has reached safely in this one, and Perez does so again here with a sharp single to left. Rolen walks, and then a fielder’s choice for Tatis jr puts the tying run at third with one out. Bobby Cox puts Anson in to hit for Yount and then calls a steal for Tatis jr. Anson hits a flyball to straightaway CF but it isn’t deep enough to score the runner, and Powell induces a come-backer from Hamilton to douse the threat.

BOTTOM 7TH
Heinie Groh comes in to play 2B for the Firebirds and Ward gets a three-up-three-down inning

TOP 8TH
Reese’s third single leads off the 8th and another hit to Cruz puts Powell under pressure again. This time he isn’t so lucky, as Aaron smokes a bomb to straightaway CF and suddenly Atlanta is two to the good. That’s Hank’s third round-tripper of the season, and it ends Powell’s day, with Stivetts summoned to relieve him. He strikes out the side.
Atlanta 6, Carolina 4

BOTTOM 8TH
It’s impossible to properly describe the sight of big Frank Thomas chugging out a single, as he does here with one out. Fearsome is all I’ll say. That prompts Cox to go to his bullpen and Clarkson comes in for Ward. He gets Soto to ground out to first too sharply to score Thomas and then Downing’s flyout to Aaron in RF ends the inning.

TOP 9TH
No dramas for Stivetts.

BOTTOM 9TH
Votto in at 1B as a defensive sub for the Firebirds and, with Carolina down to their final three outs, Ott revives the local fans’ hopes with yet another leadoff single. But those hopes are quickly dashed when Cronin grounds into a DP. Olerud flies out to left to wrap up a tough win for Atlanta.

Atlanta 6, Carolina 4 (final)

WP: Monte Ward (2-0)
LP: Jack Powell (0-2)
SV: John Clarkson (2)
POTG: Pee Wee Reese

Both sides had their chances tonight and, with all those leadoff runners aboard, it shows how poor both generally were in the clutch that only 10 runs total were scored. The Triplets tried hard but again the heart of their order just didn’t give them enough. Hamilton and Reese were superb for the visitors and Aaron as usual chimed in with the timely, telling blow to win it.

Hope you enjoyed the game, see you next week when we head northwest to the Pike Street Grounds for a local derby between hosts Seattle and Portland.

[luckymann]

Players of the Week

Northwest League
Ted Williams (CONN): .375 / 2 HR / 13 RBI

Southeast League
Josh Gibson (WASH): .600 / 1 HR / 5 RBI

[Brad K]

Originally Posted by luckymann

Ha! It's funny, I was thinking to myself only an hour or so ago as I got tonight's GotW ready that my next venture will have to be the Middlemen League, catering to those guys who don't qualify for either!

That said, isn't the Frank Thomas (IE not the Big Hurt) you're talking about in the FL??

Isn't this him?

Not his pic!!!!

Yea, that's him. So now I have to ask how a guy with an 18.6 real life WAR make it into the footnote league?

[Brad K]

The photo in my game.

[luckymann]

Originally Posted by Brad K

Not his pic!!!!

Yea, that's him. So now I have to ask how a guy with an 18.6 real life WAR make it into the footnote league?

18.6 is OK, unless he is a really well-known player.

Not as if he's absolutely killing it with his WRC+ of 85...

[Brad K]

Originally Posted by luckymann

18.6 is OK, unless he is a really well-known player.

Not as if he's absolutely killing it with his WRC+ of 85...

If you play in Pittsburgh you can kill it and still not be well known.

[luckymann]

Originally Posted by Brad K

If you play in Pittsburgh you can kill it and still not be well known.

Ha. Tell Bobby Bonilla that...

Granted, that's not one of the better FaceGens, but at least he doesn't look like an extra wandered off the set of the Thriller video.

Those photofits are OK if you're playing historical with IRL transactions on, but if the dude's not playing for a team he actually played for then my OC just wouldn't abide the discrepancy!

[Brad K]

Fangraphs is showing wRC+ of 104. OOTP 21 stats show 109. Where did you get 85?

[luckymann]

Originally Posted by Brad K

Fangraphs is showing wRC+ of 104. OOTP 21 stats show 109. Where did you get 85?

I meant in the FL.

Not rated stupidly high enough for him not to be deserving of his place there, either.

[Brad K]

Originally Posted by luckymann

Ha. Tell Bobby Bonilla that...

Granted, that's not one of the better FaceGens, but at least he doesn't look like an extra wandered off the set of the Thriller video.

Those photofits are OK if you're playing historical with IRL transactions on, but if the dude's not playing for a team he actually played for then my OC just wouldn't abide the discrepancy!

I have historical rookies on and tend to have a lot of real Pirates. It might be thought that in more recent times with more teams it would be harder to get real Pirates. Maybe. However a difference is that after FA came in players move around more.

On several occasions I've had players who were only briefly Pirates. They won't be wearing a Pirate uniform on BR but its usually possible to find pics on the internet in the right uniform. Examples:

Bert Blyleven, Vic Davalillo, Aramis Ramirez