The Bucs Start Here - A Pirates Do-Over

[luckymann]

No surprise that Arriba is our only representative.

American League

• SP Jim Kaat (MIN) - 9-7, 2.27 ERA, 127.0 IP, 1.06 WHIP, 5.6 K/9, 3.8 WAR
• SP Mickey Lolich (DET) - 8-4, 1.77 ERA, 127.1 IP, 0.96 WHIP, 8.0 K/9, 3.2 WAR (Injured)
• SP Sam McDowell (CLE)* - 11-1, 1.66 ERA, 119.1 IP, 0.96 WHIP, 9.4 K/9, 3.1 WAR
• SP Gary Nolan (BOS) - 8-3, 2.71 ERA, 129.1 IP, 0.92 WHIP, 7.7 K/9, 3.6 WAR
• SP Gary Peters (NYY) - 9-5, 2.80 ERA, 132.0 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 6.8 K/9, 3.2 WAR
• SP Sonny Siebert (DET) - 12-4, 2.56 ERA, 133.1 IP, 0.99 WHIP, 5.9 K/9, 2.3 WAR
• SP Luis Tiant (BOS) - 10-5, 2.76 ERA, 133.2 IP, 1.09 WHIP, 6.5 K/9, 1.7 WAR
• RP Jim McGlothlin (CWS) - 5-3, 2.42 ERA, 52.0 IP, 1.21 WHIP, 6.2 K/9, -0.0 WAR
• RP Pedro Ramos (CLE) - 1-2, 1.83 ERA, 44.1 IP, 0.92 WHIP, 5.5 K/9, 0.3 WAR
• CL Bob Locker (MIN) - 2-6, 16 SV, 2.23 ERA, 36.1 IP, 1.29 WHIP, 6.7 K/9, 1.2 WAR
• CL Tony Pierce (CLE)* - 3-7, 13 SV, 3.19 ERA, 59.1 IP, 1.16 WHIP, 5.2 K/9, 0.2 WAR
• C Paul Casanova (WS2) - .301/.320/.406, 219 AB, 4 HR, 114 wRC+, 1.7 WAR
• C Bill Freehan (DET)* - .282/.377/.436, 156 AB, 5 HR, 143 wRC+, 2.4 WAR (Injured)
• C Jack Hiatt (KC1) - .278/.374/.395, 205 AB, 6 HR, 130 wRC+, 1.1 WAR
• 1B Don Mincher (KC1)* - .290/.385/.478, 276 AB, 12 HR, 1 SB, 156 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
• 2B Rod Carew (MIN) - .344/.394/.490, 302 AB, 5 HR, 5 SB, 168 wRC+, 4.1 WAR
• 2B Pete Rose (KC1)* - .371/.431/.568, 310 AB, 5 HR, 9 SB, 199 wRC+, 4.7 WAR
• 3B Ken Boyer (BOS)* - .314/.354/.492, 264 AB, 9 HR, 152 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
• 3B Brooks Robinson (BAL) - .312/.361/.537, 298 AB, 15 HR, 1 SB, 168 wRC+, 3.5 WAR
• SS Dick McAuliffe (DET) - .302/.412/.492, 262 AB, 10 HR, 4 SB, 176 wRC+, 4.5 WAR
• SS Rico Petrocelli (BOS)* - .338/.394/.566, 290 AB, 12 HR, 189 wRC+, 4.7 WAR
• LF Frank Howard (CWS)* - .304/.379/.674, 276 AB, 31 HR, 216 wRC+, 3.9 WAR
• LF Rick Reichardt (DET) - .317/.370/.511, 268 AB, 12 HR, 4 SB, 162 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
• LF Carl Yastrzemski (BOS) - .331/.420/.562, 290 AB, 14 HR, 5 SB, 183 wRC+, 4.8 WAR
• CF Mickey Mantle (NYY)* - .287/.455/.518, 247 AB, 17 HR, 190 wRC+, 4.3 WAR
• RF Tony Conigliaro (CAL) - .286/.354/.551, 301 AB, 22 HR, 5 SB, 172 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
• RF Al Kaline (DET)* - .302/.380/.502, 281 AB, 13 HR, 5 SB, 164 wRC+, 4.6 WAR

National League

• SP Steve Carlton (PHI) - 9-4, 3.59 ERA, 128.0 IP, 1.34 WHIP, 7.6 K/9, 3.6 WAR
• SP Dean Chance (SF) - 9-2, 1.25 ERA, 122.2 IP, 1.11 WHIP, 7.9 K/9, 3.8 WAR
• SP Sandy Koufax (LAD)* - 10-5, 2.12 ERA, 140.1 IP, 0.98 WHIP, 8.7 K/9, 4.0 WAR
• SP Juan Marichal (SF) - 7-4, 2.19 ERA, 139.2 IP, 1.02 WHIP, 6.4 K/9, 3.8 WAR
• SP Jim Merritt (NYM) - 6-5, 2.03 ERA, 124.0 IP, 1.00 WHIP, 7.6 K/9, 4.0 WAR
• SP Gaylord Perry (SF) - 9-5, 1.69 ERA, 144.0 IP, 1.09 WHIP, 5.4 K/9, 2.3 WAR
• RP Gary Bell (SF) - 5-0, 2.33 ERA, 88.2 IP, 1.18 WHIP, 7.2 K/9, 1.2 WAR
• RP Billy McCool (CIN) - 3-2, 3 SV, 1.82 ERA, 29.2 IP, 1.18 WHIP, 6.1 K/9, 0.4 WAR
• RP Dave Morehead (NYM) - 3-3, 2.72 ERA, 76.0 IP, 1.16 WHIP, 5.1 K/9, 0.5 WAR
• CL Mel Queen (HOU)* - 5-5, 14 SV, 2.34 ERA, 61.2 IP, 1.35 WHIP, 6.1 K/9, 1.1 WAR
• C Curt Blefary (LAD)* - .249/.394/.440, 209 AB, 12 HR, 2 SB, 143 wRC+, 1.6 WAR
• C Tom Haller (PHI) - .264/.359/.491, 212 AB, 12 HR, 1 SB, 156 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
• 1B Willie McCovey (SF)* - .253/.389/.476, 233 AB, 13 HR, 155 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
• 2B Joe Morgan (CIN)* - .255/.376/.319, 298 AB, 17 SB, 110 wRC+, 2.0 WAR
• 3B Bob Aspromonte (NYM) - .333/.376/.488, 297 AB, 10 HR, 161 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
• 3B Jim Ray Hart (SF) - .326/.382/.510, 298 AB, 14 HR, 4 SB, 170 wRC+, 3.7 WAR
• 3B Tony Perez (CIN) - .299/.340/.498, 301 AB, 11 HR, 1 SB, 149 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
• 3B Ron Santo (CHC)* - .282/.390/.469, 262 AB, 13 HR, 1 SB, 152 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
• SS Clete Boyer (PHI)* - .252/.307/.366, 262 AB, 4 HR, 4 SB, 97 wRC+, 1.5 WAR
• LF Frank Robinson (CIN)* - .353/.443/.680, 278 AB, 24 HR, 3 SB, 219 wRC+, 5.8 WAR
• LF Billy Williams (CHC)* - .282/.355/.500, 284 AB, 12 HR, 1 SB, 157 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
• LF Jim Wynn (NYM) - .248/.340/.478, 270 AB, 16 HR, 7 SB, 142 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
• CF Tony Gonzalez (PHI)* - .324/.368/.433, 312 AB, 4 HR, 7 SB, 144 wRC+, 3.8 WAR
• CF Jim Northrup (SF) - .264/.334/.436, 273 AB, 9 HR, 2 SB, 129 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
• RF Roberto Clemente (PIT) - .401/.441/.610, 277 AB, 11 HR, 2 SB, 216 wRC+, 5.2 WAR

Tom Tresh wins the HR Derby, while MVP Billy Williams leads the NL to a 9-6 win in the big game at Anaheim Stadium. That levels the running score at 17 apiece.

[luckymann]

Who holds the single season record in the MLB for extra base hits?

• John Beckwith, DET, 103, 1929
• Hank Greenberg, DET, 99, 1938
• Lou Gehrig, NYY, 98, 1928
• Willie Mays, SF, 95, 1956
• Hank Greenberg, DET, 94, 1933

[luckymann]

Plenty of mixed emotions as we finish August and head into another stretch run. As easy as it is to be comfortable with our record to this point and the improvement it purportedly shows on last season, we are still not playing particularly well across the board and we certainly aren’t competitive in any meaningful sense of the word.




Still, given the fact that we have taken some of the now off the table in hopeful return for plenty of then, to be at 56-48 and just 5 GB should be seen as a good thing. As should the fact that on the whole, after a couple of years where this hasn't always been the case, the lads seem to be putting in their all.


It would be fair to say that, were it not for Roberto Clemente, we'd be a lot closer to 500 than we are at present. It's a bit of a lone hand by Arriba, with Pops having another underwhelming season and Pags putting in a downright shocker. In keeping with the era, we are hitting for neither average (although our 255 team BA is ranked 3rd in the NL) nor power – in fact, we go a dozen games in June without a homer. We're sweating on a late injury to utility IF Paul Popovich, who has been handy for us. Gene Alley is not far off a return and will need to come straight back to the big club if PP goes down.




The Lemaster add has certainly given the rotation some more spine, but our Starter ERA of 3.78 is still the worst on our side of the draw. The BP, on the other hand, is at the top of the same stat cat pile.




Still plenty of life in both races, although the NL is once again San Fran's to lose and the Phils are lurking with intent awaiting the Jints' signature fadeout move.




News, Leaders and Top 20s











Monthly Award Winners

June

American League

• Batter – Frank Howard (White Sox): 354 / 11 HR / 27 RBI
• Pitcher – Sam McDowell (Indians): 5-0 / 1.54 / 41 K / 41 IP
• Rookie – Gary Nolan (Red Sox): 4-1 / 2.82 / 36 K / 44.2 IP

National League

• Batter – Billy Williams (Cubs): 333 / 6 HR / 20 RBI
• Pitcher – Al Downing (Cubs): 6-1 / 1.65 / 34 K / 49 IP
• Rookie – Roger Nelson (Cardinals): 4-0 / 1.34 / 37 K / 40.1 IP

July

American League

• Batter – Harmon Killebrew (Twins): 297 / 9 HR / 26 RBI
• Pitcher – Nolan Ryan (Angels): 4-1 / 1.65 / 55 K / 54.2 IP
• Rookie – Nolan Ryan

National League

• Batter – George Scott (Phillies): 402 / 6 HR / 21 RBI
• Pitcher – Sandy Koufax (Dodgers): 4-2 / 0.53 / 60 K / 50.2 IP
• Rookie – Luke Walker (Braves): 5-1 / 4.54 / 29 K / 35.2 IP

Milestones and Observations of Note

• Ken Boyer reaches 2000 career Hits
• Sandy Koufax is a rough hope for another Triple Crown.
• White Sox slugger Frank Howard is currently on track to give Gehrig's 58 HR mark a run this season.
• Henry Aaron is taken out of commission for 5 weeks by a hamstring strain, and the braves also lose rookie prospect SP George Stone for the year after he suffers a torn labrum.
• The Tigers lose gun Mickey Lolich most likely for the remainder thanks to a UCL tear, while Baltimore 2B Jerry Adair has his season curtailed by a broken bone in his elbow.
• A ruptured medial ligament knocks Giants outfielder Dick Kokos out for the rest of the season, while a dreadful beaning has left Larry Raines of the White Sox heavily concussed and the thought is he’ll miss close enough to 12 months.
• And finally, a number of Deadline trades of note:

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[luckymann]

Most SBs in Final Season

[luckymann]

... some days you lose two players to long-term injuries.






We're fortunate that Gene Alley is slumming it for a rehab stint at AAA and can be brought back into the fold, while Howie Goss comes up on the WW at a most serendipitous time and we claim him from the Braves. He's well past his use-by date but right now beggars can't be choosers.

EDIT The Circle of Three is closed when Popovich goes down as well - all this in the middle of a 30-day run without an off day. Loving our life right now...

[SemperFi]

I LOVE this thread!

[SemperFi]

Brother, this is so great to follow.

I'm into it late, but I have binge-read it all in the past two days. You have made this ol' Pirates fan's heart swell

[luckymann]

Originally Posted by SemperFi

Brother, this is so great to follow.

I'm into it late, but I have binge-read it all in the past two days. You have made this ol' Pirates fan's heart swell

Thanks my friend - glad you're enjoying it. Bit of a rough patch at the moment for the Buccos but hopefully the glorious 70s will see a reversal of fortune!

Appreciate the support.

G

[Brad K]

Maybe you can trade for Oliver, Robertson, Hebner, and Patek while they're cheap if you can't draft them.

[luckymann]

A nice warmup for trying to replicate his über-dominant '68 campaign? We shall see soon enough if he can do so.

IRL, Hoot had to wait until 1971 to throw his sole MLB no-no - against the Buccos, in fact, the 180th in history.

[luckymann]

Ft. Worth avenges last year's WS loss to Utica, beating Jersey City in four to take their 4th AAA Championship.

[Brad K]

Originally Posted by luckymann

IRL, Hoot had to wait until 1971 to throw his sole MLB no-no - against the Buccos, in fact, the 180th in history.

He still had a tough lineup to face that day even with Clemente, Sanguillen, and Hebner not playing. Replacements were Davalillo, Milt May, and Maz. Dave Cash played 3B as he did during the first all minority stating lineup game a few weeks later. Other Buc starters were Al Oliver, Willie Stargell, Milt May, and Bob Roberson hittng third through sixth with Jackie Hernandez hitting eighth and SP Bob Johnson hitting ninth.

It was one of the few games Maz started at 2B in 1971 (37). Former Cardinals Vic Davalillo and Nelson Briles appeared for the Bucs while former Pirate Matty Alou and future PIrate Dal Maxvill played for the Cards.

The Cards won 11 - 0. After the game SP Bob Johnson did NOT say "How is a guy to win if his team doesn't score any runs?"

[luckymann]

Originally Posted by Brad K

He still had a tough lineup to face that day even with Clemente, Sanguillen, and Hebner not playing. Replacements were Davalillo, Milt May, and Maz. Dave Cash played 3B as he did during the first all minority stating lineup game a few weeks later. Other Buc starters were Al Oliver, Willie Stargell, Milt May, and Bob Roberson hittng third through sixth with Jackie Hernandez hitting eighth and SP Bob Johnson hitting ninth.

It was one of the few games Maz started at 2B in 1971 (37). Former Cardinals Vic Davalillo and Nelson Briles appeared for the Bucs while former Pirate Matty Alou and future PIrate Dal Maxvill played for the Cards.

The Cards won 11 - 0. After the game SP Bob Johnson did NOT say "How is a guy to win if his team doesn't score any runs?"

Nice! Thanks for the backstory bud.

[luckymann]

What a bizarro world season for us at Forbes Field and how odd to finish it smack bang on 500. After an 11-19 August, the boys hang tough and manage to stop the bleeding to a certain degree, but once again this has proven a year to forget for Buccos fans.

Further afield, both the Tigers - who win more than 100 for the first time in franchise history - and Giants (finally!) do it in fairly routine fashion.




Sandy Koufax makes up for last season, winning the NL Triple Crown in a canter. His superlative 1.54 ERA is the third best mark in MLB history (behind Smoky Joe Wood's 1.50 in 1909 and Christy Mathewson's 1.51 in 1907) and he is also the equal wins leader for the year with Sonny Siebert with 21. Fantastic to see Sam McDowell back in action and he has a magnificent year as well, winning 20 with a 1.89 ERA. Nolan Ryan is the King of K with 275, while the saves leader for 1967 are Joe Verbanic and Dave Baldwin with 34.

Pete Rose repeats as AL batting champ, while a rare highlight for us is Arriba leading the NL in this category with 356. Frank Thomas is just the 7th player to hit 50 or more homers, finishing right on that mark, while Norm Cash just pips Frank Robinson with 117 to 116. Bert Campaneris runs riot on the basepaths, going 2 better than last season with 94 SB, third-highest of all time.


I won't deny the various positive signs that are in evidence, but we still have a long way to get back to an acceptable level of competitiveness.









Another busy offseason looms, with some more pitching the main order of the day.


Final Top 20s and Leaders









Monthly Award Winners

August

American League

• Batter – Harmon Killebrew (Twins): 267 / 11 HR / 31 RBI
• Pitcher – Jim Kaat (Twins): 5-1 / 2.53 / 36 K / 42.2 IP
• Rookie – Gary Nolan (Red Sox): 3-0 / 3.50 / 42 K / 46.1 IP

National League

• Batter – Henry Aaron (Braves): 374 / 12 HR / 31 RBI
• Pitcher – Juan Marichal (Giants): 4-0 / 1.50 / 41 K / 54 IP
• Rookie – Tom Seaver (Mets): 4-1 / 3.19 / 29 K / 48 IP

September

American League

• Batter – Mickey Mantle (Yankees): 439 / 9 HR / 25 RBI
• Pitcher – Ken Johnson (Angels): 4-1 / 2.52 / 29 K / 50 IP
• Rookie – Gary Nolan (Red Sox): 3-1 / 2.36 / 31 K / 42 IP

National League

• Batter – Frank Robinson (Reds): 310 / 5 HR / 19 RBI
• Pitcher – Sandy Koufax (Dodgers): 4-1 / 0.54 / 37 K / 49.2 IP
• Rookie – Tom Seaver (Mets): 3-1 / 2.05 / 40 K / 48.1 IP

Milestones and Observations of Note

• 400 HR: Henry Aaron
• Elbow problems spell the end of the season for veteran Twins reliever Karl Spooner, while a knee injury has the same result for Washington’s Jose Cardenal.

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[luckymann]

Detroit Tigers (103-59) v San Francisco Giants (94-68)
Best-of-seven, Tigers with the home-field advantage.


DETROIT TIGERS S+ PAGE

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS S+ PAGE

A rightful decider featuring this season’s two best teams by far. For the third straight year, some big names will be missing from the Fall Classic, as a late injury to Detroit star Norm Cash really evens up this contest. It’s not just his big bat they’ll miss but also the protection and balance he offers their lineup.

Still, that’s easy peasy compared with the poor old Giants. They’ll have to win it all without solid SS Horace Clark, who is done for the year after suffering a broken bone in his elbow from an errant pitch, gun 3B Jim Ray Hart and veteran OF Dick Kokos.

All of which sets this up to be a fascinating contest. The Giants have the best rotation in baseball at the moment, and while Mays is getting a bit long in the tooth he can still rake when he’s in the mood. With McCovey at his peak and a few other underrated hitters such as Catcher Duke Sims and leadoff man OF Jim Northrup, if they can give their staff enough runs to work with then anything can happen. After more than two decades in the wilderness, you’d hope the Jints boys turn up to play, even in their decimated state.

Still, you don’t win 103 games by luck. Throw in the home-field advantage along with their quality throughout the group and I think this one is the Tigers’ for the taking. Detroit in five for mine.

[luckymann]

Game 1 in Detroit

Sonny Siebert (21-8, 2.96) v Gaylord Perry (14-10, 2.16)

The junior member of the Perry fraternity faces 20-game winner Sonny Siebert to get things underway. As always, Game 1 gives both sides the chance to set the tone for this Series. For SF, a win in either of these two at Detroit would be huge.

And just like last year, we get a 1-0 scoreline to kick things off, with the home side getting the win. Just 6 hits apiece, with Siebert going 7+ and Dave Baldwin hanging on with a 5-out save. The Giants won’t be deterred by the narrow loss, but they’ll be disappointed.

Game 2 in Detroit

Dick Bosman (10-9, 3.69) v Juan Marichal (15-8, 2.10)

Tigers lead series 1-0

I truly feel the Jints must win this one to have any chance of taking the title. Marichal is their bellwether, and he comes up against the inexperienced albeit talented Dick Bosman, the weakest of their four starters. An opportunity not to be missed.

The Dandy is good but not great, nevertheless in the end they do get the vital win. It takes 11 innings and homers by Deron Johnson and PH Jerry Kindall, but I don’t think they’re bothered about all that. The Tigers outhit them 13 to 12, but are yet to show much power with just a couple doubles to their name. The Giants have shown they’re happy to stand toe-to-toe here and more than capable of holding their own. Now they need to capitalise back at Candlestick.

Game 3 in Game 3 in San Francisco

Dean Chance (12-9, 2.64) v Mickey Lolich (8-4, 1.92)

Series tied 1-1

Each of these pitchers knows what is required here, with Dean Chance being part of the Dodgers title win last year and Mickey Lolich winning the clinch game in the Tigers’ 1965 Championship. Two quality guys in what I think is the pick of the four matchups. Watch me go spoil it by having said that. The big question mark is on Lolich, however, having started just once since missing 3 months with UCL trouble. Can the Giants capitalise?

They cannot, as Lolich shows just what a gun he is with 6 scoreless and the BP closing it out for a shutout win that gets it back onto service advantage. Chance did all he could, limiting this potent Tigers unit to just 6 hits over six, but his offence goes missing and that’s all she wrote.

Game 4 in San Francisco

Jim Perry (15-9, 2.75) v Jim O’Toole (18-6, 2.86)

Tigers lead series 2-1

Perry the Elder gets his turn here and he’s got a real challenge on his hands to keep the Jints in this Series against Jim O’Toole, an experienced campaigner and fierce competitor. The hosts need something from Mays, McCovey or Cepeda – and hopefully all three.

They get no such thing and Perry cops a hiding as the Tigers go ahead early and keep putting runs on the board, finishing with a dominant 10-3 win that puts them well and truly in the box seat. O’Toole allows only the one run on three hits over 8 before McCovey finally puts one into the seats when it’s all over bar the shouting.

Game 5 in San Francisco

Gaylord Perry (0-1, 1.12) v Sonny Siebert (1-0, 0.00)

Tigers lead series 3-1

Last roll of the dice here for the Giants, but we know how quickly momentum can shift in Game 5, so Siebert and the Tigers would be ever so keen to wrap this up right here and now.

And it’s never in doubt, as the visitors once again get early runs and the Giants bats continue their dreadful series with a third shutout loss to give the Tigers their 6th World Championship. Siebert goes 26 outs in another superb pitching display and is a most deserving Series MVP.
Back to the drawing-board for San Fran, who are definitely on the right track but need to take another step it would seem if they are to enjoy the ultimate success.

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[luckymann]

INS & OUTS

KC - now, of course, Oakland - Manager Ralph Buxton is the only casualty this time around, while the Minnesota franchise changes ownership.


ROSTER MOVES

A bunch of salary off the payroll this year as we lose club stalwarts Camilo Pascual and Bill Mazeroski. And we send more than usual to Arb - Pitchers Bo Belinsky, Bill Hands, Al McBean and Bill Short, along with IF Dal Maxvill and OF Ron Davis.


SIM ACCURACY





HANGIN' THEM UP

A year after his long-time teammate Robin Roberts hangs them up, Curt Simmons does likewise and is the pick of this year's retirees. Will he get a call from the Hall? I doubt it, but he'll go close. The Phils retire jersey number 28 in his honour all the same.

[luckymann]

AL 1967 HISTORY INDEX

NL 1967 HISTORY INDEX

AWARDS HISTORY


A somewhat unexpected and totally astounding 11th Wagner-Lajoie Medal for Mickey Mantle, while Sandy Koufax unsurprisingly wins the double (the second time he has done this). Comeback kid Sam McDowell wins his second AL Johnson-Waddell with Paige Plates handed out to maiden winner Dick Hall and our own Joe Gibbon, his third. RoYs go to Rod Carew and Johnny Bench.


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[luckymann]

A slight glitch means this trade goes through in two parts, but I'm counting it as the deployment of my final 1967 trade ticket.





With the player we now know we've got coming in the upcoming Draft, 1B is taken care of for the foreseeable future and with Donn in his walk year and our Catcher stocks decent enough, this allows us to add some depth and quality to our OF, where it is sorely needed, with a couple of eligible players coming in.




We wouldn't have taken Manny - who played for our club IRL from 1963-68 - if the 'Stros hadn't agreed to that hefty retention. It means we will be paying him a very friendly $107k per for the next three seasons, and he'll take the CF starting role and bat leadoff to begin with (Tolan will go to 1B) before slotting in as our fourth OF in due course.




Ed (a Bucco IRL from '74 to '76) is a glove-heavy OF who plays all three slots. He's on $72k for 1968, which is his walk year, and his retention past that will very much depend on his salary demands.


We also nab a cheap FA to plug 3B (where we are terribly thin) as well as 1B, and roam around the OF if and as needed, signing Chuck Hinton as our third CC non-historical player on a 2+1 / $180k deal. I was reluctant to use that precious spot on a backup guy, but we need him and for now are pretty right everywhere else. Should that change, we'll some nifty footwork will be required to get it done.

[luckymann]

Love seeing the game doing its best to right some wrongs from the past, especially when it involves one of my favourite baseball figures of all time returning to the place that treated him so shabbily IRL on a big dollar deal (roughly 5x what he earned in the historical).




In this timeline, after the Cards traded him as a rookie, Curt won three rings with Detroit. Let's see if some of that can rub off on his new club, which is still looking for its maiden World Championship.