The Bucs Start Here - A Pirates Do-Over

[luckymann]

American League
Boston Red Sox (98-64) v California Angels (94-68)

Henry Aaron finally made it to the playoffs for the first time with LAD last year—can the Sox help him get a coveted Championship ring? To do so, they’ll first have to navigate this tricky assignment against an Angels team that has hit form just at the right time.

That good form continues here for the Cali boys, but they still come up just short as this series goes the distance. Luis Tiant outduels Nolan Ryan in the decider to earn the BoSox their 22nd American League pennant, with Reggie Smith named MVP.




National League
New York Mets (96-66) v San Francisco Giants (94-68)

The fact that they looked the most likely all season counts for nothing here as Tom Terrific and the Mets face a powerhouse Giants outfit with guys like Evans and Bonds just hitting their peaks.

New York throw everything they’ve got at San Fran, but once again that previous playoff experience is telling as the Jints are more poised when it matters and beat Seaver twice in taking out a gripping 5-gamer. Darrell Evans’ dream season continues as he nabs the MVP award.

[luckymann]

Boston Red Sox v San Francisco Giants
Best-of-seven, Red Sox with the home-field advantage.


BOSTON RED SOX S+ PAGE

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS S+ PAGE

It is Evans v Evans as Dwight’s Red Sox battle Darrell’s Giants in what looks a really evenly-matched series that promises plenty of fireworks given the big bats in each lineup.

No doubt the Sox would rather have him in than out, but I think they can adequately cover the absence of veteran Willie Davis. Theirs is the deeper squad, while San Fran has those sorts of guys who can dominate or disappear, and it is the latter of these the Bostonites will be looking to try and effectuate here. That also means the Giants will likely feel the loss of Jose Cardenal more keenly than the Sox will Davis, as it is one fewer source of runs in a squad with fewer sources to begin with.

The pitching is top-notch for both clubs, and it will be fascinating to see whether the big bats can indeed supply those fireworks or whether the hurlers can keep them reined in.

This is an absolute pick-‘em as far as I can tell, but I’m going to go the Sox in six, with that home field advantage a huge factor.

[luckymann]

[luckymann]

Game 1 in Boston

Reggie Cleveland (21-9, 2.98) v Wilbur Wood (19-9, 3.22)

Opening blood to the Red Sox as most of the runs come early in a tougher win for the hosts than the 8-3 final might suggest. Henry Aaron homers in his first-ever World Series game, one of four Boston hitters to go deep, while Stretch McCovey belts two solo shots in a losing cause.

Game 2 in Boston

Jim Rooker (11-8, 4.12) v Sam McDowell (14-9, 2.54)

Red Sox lead series 1-0

The Sox fall behind early but claw their way back into the game and ten score 6 in the 6th en route to a 9-2 win. Reggie Smith has three hits including two doubles while driving in 5 and Rico Petrocelli also knocks in a trio. Darrell Evans has a night to forget in the field, with his two miscues resulting in 6 of Boston’s runs being unearned. Such wastefulness costs you exponentially more in these big games, and the Giants will have to get their heads in the game on the way home, or else this is going to be a much shorter series than anyone anticipated.

Game 3 in San Francisco

Gaylord Perry (18-10, 2.77) v Luis Tiant (20-5, 3.26)

Red Sox lead series 2-0

Nothing doing again for the Giants, who simply haven’t turned up to play in this series. Just six hits all game as Tiant pitches well over 6, with Aaron doubling and driving in 3 to power the Red Sox bats in a 6-1 victory. He needs just one more win for that treasured bit of jewellery to finally be in his possession - not to forget Yaz as well, who has been in three losing World Series and never won one.

Game 4 in San Francisco

Chris Short (8-14, 4.72) v Nelson Briles (10-11, 3.46)

Red Sox lead series 3-0

Nellie Briles with easily the most important start of his career takes on veteran Chris Short. That first win can change everything if you can just get it. Sadly for Giants fans, they’ll never know as the Red Sox finish them off with a vicious 12-4 coup de grace. If you’re too cynical to believe in fairy tales then maybe Henry Aaron going 5-for-6 with a home run and 5 ribbies en route to his first title might change that. The MVP judges clearly fall into that category, giving the award instead to Reggie Smith (4 HR, 11 RBI). Fairly sure the Hammer won’t give two hoots about that. 10 titles now for the Sox, second only to ourselves.

S+ HOME

REPORTS HOME

PIRATES HOME

[luckymann]

OUTS & OUTS

A nice way to go out on top for the Red Sox owners, who announce they have sold the club. Not so nice for Cards Skipper Joe Coleman or GM Harry Perkowski, nor for Reds Manager Roberto Ortiz, each of whom is out of a job.


ROSTER MOVES

We execute the options for our Joe Coleman, Woodie Fryman and Ron Brand.

Just Lou Marone off to arb. He spent the year at AAA and, while we want to retain him for depth, we lowball him as much as we are allowed.


SIM ACCURACY





HANGIN' THEM UP

I'll cover the top two separately. No other really big names among them.

[luckymann]

It undoubtedly says more about me than anything, but I've actually been fretting about these two leaving and what I'd do if one retired but not the other. Thankfully, the game helped a brother out and so it is that they came in together back in 1951 and get to leave in the same fashion. Here's hoping we get the nice ribbon on the present and they get to go to the HoF together as well.

In honour of these two legends of the game, the annual Rookie of the Year award will henceforth be called the Mantle-Mays Medal.

[luckymann]

After much deliberation, I have made the decision to pause this save after the 1980 season. I am super keen to start a new full minors universe with me running my IRL team the A's and I just feel that, after this big push to win in 1979 and with Brad K also covering the club over the same era, the time is right to do so.

Like I said, PAUSE. I will be definitely coming back to it to finish this epic journey all the way through to the present day. Once I have taken the A's through to 1990 is the plan, at which point I'm going to try running them in tandem or closely alternate them so that they are both progressing but aren't so close that they are boring or repetitive in nature.

Thanks so much to everyone following along, I hope you understand my thinking here and hang around for the final chapters to be written (plus follow me at Oakland when I start that one!).

G

but I'm looking forward to having a break from it as well after nearly 2 1/2 years.

[luckymann]

AL 1973 HISTORY INDEX

NL 1973 HISTORY INDEX

AWARDS HISTORY


Darrell Evans gets some compensation for his recent WS loss in the form of his first Wagner-Lajoie, with Cesar Cedeno also a maiden winner. Bert Blyleven repeats as AL Johnson-Waddell winner, with Tom Seaver winning his first across in the AL. RoYs to Dan Driessen and Mike Schmidt, Paige Plates to Rollie Fingers and Monty Montgomery, the first for each. For the first time I can remember, our club wins zero awards. Not. A. One.


S+ HOME

REPORTS HOME

PIRATES HOME

[luckymann]

Seven new Legacies this year, with two more Marquees, in another strong rookie class.

These are the Legacy Players for the 1974 Season:

Boston Red Sox: Jim Rice (47.7; 2089 – one-club player)
Kansas City Royals: Dennis Leonard (25.7; 302 GS – one-club player)
Milwaukee Brewers: Robin Yount (77.4; 2856 – one-club player) MARQUEE
Montreal Expos: Gary Carter (70.1; 1503) MARQUEE
Pittsburgh Pirates: Rick Rhoden (35.3; 213 GS)
St. Louis Cardinals: Keith Hernandez (60.3; 1165)
Texas Rangers: Jim Sundberg (40.5; 1512)

Kent Tekulve (25.5; 722 GP) was also eligible for the Pirates, but Rhoden’s higher WAR makes him the selection.

Bob Forsch (24.1 conceded; 401 GS) was also eligible for the Cardinals, but Hernandez’s higher WAR makes him the selection.


There are 144 rookies for this season, and the Draft will consist of 6 rounds.

The Draft order will be as follows (winning percentage from 1973 IRL season in brackets; bold indicates Legacy Pick in 1st Round):


Round 1

1. Milwaukee Brewers (457)
2. Montreal Expos (488; dice roll)
3. St. Louis Cardinals (500; dice roll)
4. Boston Red Sox (549)
5. Texas Rangers (352)
6. Pittsburgh Pirates (494; dice roll)
7. Kansas City Royals (543; dice roll)
8. San Diego Padres (370)
9. Cleveland Indians (438; dice roll)
10. Philadelphia Phillies (438; dice roll)
11. Atlanta Braves (472)
12. Chicago White Sox (475)
13. Chicago Cubs (487)
14. California Angels (488; dice roll)
15. New York Yankees (494; dice roll)
16. Minnesota Twins (500; dice roll)
17. Houston Astros (506)
18. New York Mets (509)
19. Detroit Tigers (525)
20. San Francisco Giants (543; dice roll)
21. Oakland Athletics (580)
22. Los Angeles Dodgers (590)
23. Baltimore Orioles (599)
24. Cincinnati Reds (611)


Rounds 2 thru 6

1. Texas Rangers (352)
2. San Diego Padres (370)
3. Cleveland Indians (438; dice roll)
4. Philadelphia Phillies (438; dice roll)
5. Milwaukee Brewers (457)
6. Atlanta Braves (472)
7. Chicago White Sox (475)
8. Chicago Cubs (487)
9. California Angels (488; dice roll)
10. Montreal Expos (488; dice roll)
11. Pittsburgh Pirates (494; dice roll)
12. New York Yankees (494; dice roll)
13. St. Louis Cardinals (500; dice roll)
14. Minnesota Twins (500; dice roll)
15. Houston Astros (506)
16. New York Mets (509)
17. Detroit Tigers (525)
18. San Francisco Giants (543; dice roll)
19. Kansas City Royals (543; dice roll)
20. Boston Red Sox (549)
21. Oakland Athletics (580)
22. Los Angeles Dodgers (590)
23. Baltimore Orioles (599)
24. Cincinnati Reds (611)


Eligible PIT players: 7 position players + 7 pitchers = 14.


Another nice Legacy is set to join our club and we expect to pick up someone of value in Round 2 as well.

Here's who we take home with us:

1. P Rick Rhoden, 20

• A solid low-rotation guy who should prop up our SP group for the foreseeable future. May even get the call-up for ’74, we’ll have to see.

2. C Ed Ott, 22

• More a backup than starter, still he’ll come in very handy in a couple years’ time.

3. SS Bill Almon, 21

• Glove-heavy but will likely see some time as our UT infielder if he can work up his D around the diamond.

4. SS Mario Mendoza, 22
5. 1B Reggie Sanders, 24 (ineligible)
6. OF John Fuller, 23 (ineligible)

• AAA fodder, with Mario slated to become our hitting instructor when he retires...

We’ve had better Drafts, we’ve had worse.



FULL DRAFT LOG

[luckymann]

For the first time in three years, the HoF adds a new enshrinee with Duke Snider finally getting in. Yogi and Curt Simmons (our current Pitching Coach at Pittsburgh) get close but some of the others are going to need to get a hurry-on.

[luckymann]

The MLB gets a rare threepeat, with the A’s winning their third straight title in a season most memorable for Henry Aaron catching and overtaking the Babe on the all-time HR list and, to a slightly lesser degree, Lou Brock setting a new steals record (as pre-empted in '73 by this very save).


AL EAST / WEST CHAMPIONS: Baltimore Orioles (91-71) / Oakland A’s (90-72)
NL EAST / WEST CHAMPIONS: Pittsburgh Pirates (88-74) / Los Angeles Dodgers (102-60)
ALCS: A’s 3, Orioles 1
NLCS: Dodgers 3, Pirates 1
WORLD SERIES: A’s 4, Mets 3

Pittsburgh Pirates: 88-74, 1st in NL East

AL MVP: Jeff Burroughs (Rangers)
NL MVP: Steve Garvey (Dodgers)

AL CYA: Catfish Hunter (A’s)
NL CYA: Mike Marshall (Dodgers)

AL RoY: Mike Hargrove (Rangers)
NL RoY: Bake McBride (Cardinals)


Top Ten Lists (courtesy of thisgreatgame.com)

NL Hitters

1. MIKE SCHMIDT, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: 162 games, .282 average, 108 runs, 28 doubles, 7 triples, 36 home runs, 116 RBIs, 106 walks, 138 strikeouts, 23 stolen bases, .546 slugging percentage.
• From messed to best: Schmidt followed up a dismal, brooding .196 rookie effort and became a sudden superstar. His longest blast of the year ended up being a single; a speaker hanging from the Houston Astrodome’s ceiling interrupted a drive many estimated would have otherwise gone 600 feet, falling down into short center field.

2. JOE MORGAN, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: .293 average, 107 runs, 31 doubles, 22 home runs, 67 RBIs, 120 walks, 58 stolen bases, .427 on-base percentage.
• For the second straight year, Morgan had difficulty hitting at home; his Riverfront Stadium average was .237, compared to .349 on the road.

3. JOHNNY BENCH, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: .280 average, 108 runs, 174 hits, 38 doubles, 33 home runs, 129 RBIs, 80 walks.
• Even man in; Bench led the NL in RBIs for the third straight even-numbered year, having previously done it in 1970 and 1972.

4. JIM WYNN, LOS ANGELES

• Key Numbers: .271 average, 104 runs, 32 home runs, 108 RBIs, 108 walks, 18 stolen bases.
• The Toy Cannon, who fired as many blanks as direct hits in Houston, was on the mark in Los Angeles as one of many major leaguers that made the most of their new environs in 1974 (see Buzz Capra, Ken Henderson, Fergie Jenkins and Jim Kaat).

5. WILLIE STARGELL, PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: .301 average, 90 runs, 37 doubles, 25 home runs, 96 RBIs, 87 walks.
• A shoulder issue muted Stargell’s power in the season’s second half, but it didn’t keep him from posting his third (and last) .300-plus batting average.

6. LOU BROCK, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: .306 average, 105 runs, 194 hits, 25 doubles, 7 triples, 3 home runs, 48 RBIs, 118 stolen bases, 33 caught stealing.
• Brock impressively achieved his record-shattering stolen base total at age 35; he stole 53 of his 118 bags in just the season’s final two months. It was the eighth time in nine years that Brock led the NL in steals.

7. CESAR CEDENO, HOUSTON

• Key Numbers: .269 average, 95 runs, 29 doubles, 5 triples, 26 home runs, 102 RBIs, 57 stolen bases.
• Cedeno—whose continued outstanding play seemed unaffected by a Dominican investigation linking him to the shooting death of a 19-year old at the end of 1973—was one of two Astros (Lee May being the other) to collect at least 20 home runs. Only two more Astros would do that over the next nine years combined.

8. STEVE GARVEY, LOS ANGELES

• Key Numbers: .312 average, 95 runs, 200 hits, 32 doubles, 21 home runs, 111 RBIs.
• Breakout performance for the Dodger everyone—including some teammates—would love to hate; MVP voters loved him enough to give him NL honors.

9. REGGIE SMITH, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: .309 average, 79 runs, 26 doubles, 9 triples, 23 home runs, 100 RBIs.
• More relaxed in St. Louis after spending his career to date tolerating occasional racism as a Red Sock, Smith comfortably blended in with a St. Louis outfield in which all three of its starters (along with Lou Brock and rookie Bake McBride) each hit over .300.

10. RALPH GARR, ATLANTA

• Key Numbers: .353 average, 87 runs, 214 hits, 24 doubles, 17 triples, 11 home runs, 54 RBIs, 26 stolen bases.
• No pitch was unhittable to Garr, but the free-swinging Brave continued to make most of them look on target with his solid hitting. His 17 triples are the most by a Braves player since Ray Powell in 1921.

AL Hitters

1. REGGIE JACKSON, OAKLAND

• Key Numbers: .289 average, 90 runs, 25 doubles, 29 home runs, 93 RBIs, 86 walks, 20 intentional walks, 25 stolen bases.
• The articulate star slugger failed to win a second straight MVP—he finished sixth in the 1974 AL vote—but he still held the title of the MVQ (Most Valuable Quote), always good for a great line or two for beat reporters.

2. JEFF BURROUGHS, TEXAS

• Key Numbers: .301 average, 84 runs, 167 hits, 33 doubles, 25 home runs, 118 RBIs, 91 walks.
• For his turn as the AL MVP, Jeff Burroughs credited Ted Williams, his former manager, for making him a better hitter.

3. CARL YASTRZEMSKI, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: .301 average, 93 runs, 25 doubles, 15 home runs, 79 RBIs, 104 walks, 12 stolen bases.
• Six years after Yastrzemski and Rico Petrocelli shared the team home run lead with 40, they did it again—with a relatively mere 15. Yaz’s 93 runs scored were the fewest by an AL leader in a non-shortened season since 1905.

4. DICK ALLEN, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 128 games, .301 average, 84 runs, 32 home runs, 88 RBIs, .563 slugging percentage.
• The highest-paid ($250,000) player in baseball who’d pretty much made White Sox manager Chuck Tanner his yes-man, skipped out of town for the last month when Tanner finally said no. A year later, he came back to Philadelphia—a place he once vowed never to return.

5. ROD CAREW, MINNESOTA

• Key Numbers: .364 average, 86 runs, 218 hits, 30 doubles, 5 triples, 3 home runs, 55 RBIs, 38 stolen bases, .433 on-base percentage.
• Carew forged company with Ty Cobb by becoming the first American Leaguer since the Georgia Peach to win three straight batting titles.

6. HAL MCRAE, KANSAS CITY

• Key Numbers: .310 average, 167 hits, 36 doubles, 15 home runs, 88 RBIs, 11 stolen bases.
• While the fledgling designated hitter rule was principally still the domain of old-timers, it also helped create a new hitting star in McRae.

7. JOE RUDI, OAKLAND

• Key Numbers: .293 average, 174 hits, 39 doubles, 22 home runs, 99 RBIs.
• Though he didn’t have the flashy numbers of some of his Oakland teammates, the highly likeable Rudi was praised enough that he finished second in the AL MVP vote.

8. KEN HENDERSON, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 162 games, .292 average, 76 runs, 176 hits, 35 doubles, 5 triples, 20 home runs, 95 RBIs, 12 stolen bases.
• Henderson became the latest Giant refugee to thrive after his departure from San Francisco.

9. BOBBY GRICH, BALTIMORE

• Key Numbers: .263 average, 92 runs, 29 doubles, 5 triples, 19 home runs, 82 RBIs, 90 walks, 20 hit-by-pitches, 17 stolen bases.
• With the Orioles’ offense in transition, Grich became the team’s de facto power broker with a club-leading 19 homers; he produced the AL’s only hat trick of homers on the year, June 18 against Minnesota.

10. SAL BANDO, OAKLAND

• Key Numbers: .243 average, 84 runs, 22 home runs, 103 RBIs, 86 walks, 13 sacrifice flies.
• Bando hit 50 points higher with runners in scoring position—thus his high RBI total despite a subpar batting average.

NL Pitchers

1. MIKE MARSHALL, LOS ANGELES

• Key Numbers: 2.42 ERA, 15 wins, 12 losses, 21 saves, 12 blown saves, 106 appearances, 0 starts, 208.1 innings.
• Record numbers in the triple digits weren’t just exclusive to Lou Brock; after several successful seasons with Montreal, Marshall arrived in L.A. and became the first major league to pitch in over 100 games—and earned the NL Cy Young Award.

2. ANDY MESSERSMITH, LOS ANGELES

• Key Numbers: 2.59 ERA, 20 wins, 6 losses, .769 win percentage, 39 starts, 292.1 innings.
• The second-year Dodger, whose name would become entwined with the death of the reserve clause a couple of years in the future, delivered an ace-like performance commanding of top dollar.

3. JON MATLACK, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 2.41 ERA, 13 wins, 15 losses, 34 starts, 7 shutouts, 265.1 innings, 23 stolen bases allowed.
• Pretty much on his own; after a 9-2 Opening Day victory, the Mets never gave Matlack more than six runs of support—and seven of his 13 wins came by shutout.

4. PHIL NIEKRO, ATLANTA

• Key Numbers: 2.38 ERA, 20 wins, 13 losses, 1 save, 41 appearances, 39 starts, 18 complete games, 6 shutouts, 302.1 innings, 22 grounded into double plays.
• Niekro effectively began to mix his pitches beyond his famed knuckler; the results were anything but mixed.

5. BUZZ CAPRA, ATLANTA

• Key Numbers: 2.28 ERA, 16 wins, 8 losses, 1 save, 39 appearances, 27 starts, 217 innings.
• In an otherwise mediocre seven-year career in which, outside of 1974, he was 15-29 with a 4.86 ERA, Capra came to Atlanta after failing to break into the Mets’ esteemed rotation and delivered a one-hit-wonder of a campaign.

6. JIM ROOKER, PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: 2.78 ERA, 15 wins, 11 losses, 33 starts, 262.2 innings, 16 caught stealing/picked off.
• In his second year with Pittsburgh, Rooker solidified his standing within the Pirates’ clubhouse as he wasn’t afraid to criticize anything less than 100% given by his teammates.

7. DON SUTTON, LOS ANGELES

• Key Numbers: 3.23 ERA, 19 wins, 9 losses, .679 win percentage, 40 starts, 276 innings.
• The veteran co-ace bolted to the finish, winning his last nine decisions—but finished just short of 20 victories for the second time in three years.

8. TOMMY JOHN, LOS ANGELES

• Key Numbers: 2.59 ERA, 13 wins, 3 losses, .813 win percentage, 22 starts, 153 innings.
• In his 11th year, John was off to a sensational start, easily a career-year type of performance before his shoulder tore apart; everyone knows what happened next, as he underwent the groundbreaking surgery that would bear his name.

9. JIM BARR, SAN FRANCISCO

• Key Numbers: 2.74 ERA, 13 wins, 9 losses, 2 saves, 44 appearances, 27 starts, 239.2 innings, 47 walks, 23 grounded into double plays.
• With Juan Marichal dealt away and 24-game winner of a year earlier Ron Bryant derailed by injury, Barr became the temporary guy at the top of the Giants’ rotation.

10. LYNN MCGLOTHEN, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: 2.69 ERA, 16 wins, 12 losses, 31 starts, 237.1 innings, 22 grounded into double plays.
• For the first time since almost anyone could remember, someone other than Bob Gibson hailed as the Cardinals’ best pitcher—and it was McGlothen, who had his best of 11 years after two wobbly first seasons with Boston.

AL Pitchers

1. CATFISH HUNTER, OAKLAND

• Key Numbers: 2.49 ERA, 25 wins, 12 losses, .676 win percentage, 41 starts, 6 shutouts, 318.1 innings, 46 walks, 19 caught stealing/picked off.
• The crafty Catfish set career highs in wins and ERA, took the AL Cy Young Award, won his third World Series ring—and bolted from Oakland to join the Yankees after the season when A’s owner Charles Finley violated the terms of his contract.

2. GAYLORD PERRY, CLEVELAND

• Key Numbers: 2.51 ERA, 21 wins, 13 losses, 37 starts, 28 complete games, 322.1 innings, 27 grounded into double plays.
• Playing for the first time on the same team with his older brother Jim, Perry won 15 straight—all but one of them a complete game—on a bad ankle at age 35.

3. FERGUSON JENKINS, TEXAS

• Key Numbers: 2.82 ERA, 25 wins, 12 losses, .676 win percentage, 41 starts, 6 shutouts, 29 complete games, 328.1 innings, 45 walks.
• It took the Senators/Rangers 14 years to get a true ace, and they finally got one in Jenkins—who for now pitched as if the Rangers got the better of a deal that sent a young Bill Madlock to the Cubs.

4. JIM KAAT, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 2.92 ERA, 21 wins, 13 losses, 42 appearances, 39 starts, 277.1 innings, 26 grounded into double plays.
• After the Twins placed him on waivers a year earlier, Kaat revived his career with the help of pitching coach Johnny Sain, who helped tweak Kaat’s motion to enhance his velocity.

5. BERT BLYLEVEN, MINNESOTA

• Key Numbers: 2.66 ERA, 17 wins, 17 losses, 37 starts, 281 innings, 26 stolen bases allowed, 22 grounded into double plays.
• Born in the Netherlands, Blyleven found his record going Dutch for the second time in three years with an even 17-17 mark.

6. NOLAN RYAN, CALIFORNIA

• Key Numbers: 2.89 ERA, 22 wins, 16 losses, 41 starts, 26 complete games, 332.2 innings, 202 walks, 367 strikeouts, 28 stolen bases allowed, 24 grounded into double plays.
• Ryan won an AL-record 22 games for a last-place team, while throwing the majors’ first verified 100-MPH pitch; three times, he struck out 19 batters.

7. JIM PERRY, CLEVELAND

• Key Numbers: 2.96 ERA, 17 wins, 12 losses, 36 starts, 252 innings.
• In what would be his last solid year at age 38, Perry combined with brother Gaylord for nearly half of Cleveland’s season win total (38 of 77).

8. MIKE CUELLAR, BALTIMORE

• Key Numbers: 3.11 ERA, 22 wins, 10 losses, .688 win percentage, 269.1 innings, 31 grounded into double plays.
• Cuellar’s record virtually matched his average for the previous five seasons (21-10).

9. LUIS TIANT, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: 2.92 ERA, 22 wins, 13 losses, 38 starts, 7 shutouts, 311.1 innings, 24 grounded into double plays.
• El Tiante hit his workhorse peak in terms of innings pitched and batters faced (1,266), and led the AL in shutouts for the third time.

10. ANDY HASSLER, CALIFORNIA

• Key Numbers: 2.61 ERA, 7 wins, 11 losses, 1 save, 23 appearances, 22 starts, 162 innings, 28 grounded into double plays.
• Nolan Ryan and (at times) Frank Tanana crowded the Angels’ pitching marquee, but Hassler actually had a better ERA than either of them—nailing down the AL’s third-best mark by throwing a five-hit shutout in his final start to reach the minimum 162 innings to qualify.

[luckymann]

As is usually the case after a busy offseason or two, things are fairly quiet and stable this time around. Sandy K (still the top-rated Pitcher in the league) extends for another couple seasons at the Dodgers, as does Gaylord Perry for three with the Jints. Jim Kaat returns to the Twins, Jim Wynn moves to the Halos. The Reds spend big on an OF, while the Astros pay what seems to me to be too much for a very glove-heavy SS.

• OF Ken Henderson: Reds, 7 years / $4198000
• P Ken Holtzman: Mets, 5 years / $3350000
• SS Mark Belanger: Astros, 5 years / $3000000
• OF Ron Blomberg: Phillies, 5 years / $2804000 (extension)
• 3B Bob Bailey: Cubs, 4 years / $2480000
• OF Jim Wynn: Angels, 4 years / $2470000
• OF Cesar Cedeno: Indians, 3 years / $2190000
• P Gaylord Perry: Giants, 3 years / $1710000 (extension)
• P Jim Rooker: Royals, 4 years / $1680000
• P Rudy May: Braves, 6 years / $1638000
• C Gene Tenace: Red Sox, 4 years / $1578000 (extension)
• C Jerry Grote: Twins, 3 years / $1482000
• P Jim Kaat: Twins, 3 years / $1354000
• OF Amos Otis: Phillies, 3 years / $1304000 (extension)
• P Sandy Koufax: Dodgers, 2 years / $1260000 (extension)
• SS Bill Russell: Angels, 3 years / $1200000

• 1B Lee May and C Steve Yeager from Brewers to Royals for OF joe Rudi
• 1B Cliff Johnson from White Sox to Mets for P Dick Joyce, 1B John Milner and OF Mike Caldwell
• 1B Dave Kingman and OF Juan Beniquez from Angels to Twins for 1B George Scott
• OF Paul Blair from Orioles to Rangers for P Bruce Kison
• OF Charlie Spikes from Indians to Yankees for P Dean Chance (retaining 80%)
• OF Jerry Morales and P Bill VanBommel from Brewers to A’s for P Tug McGraw (retaining 55%)
• P Ross Grimsley and OF Ben Ogilvie from Phillies to Cubs for P Bob Moose
• 1B Enos Cabell and OF Edgar Ward from Royals to White Sox for P Dick Rustek and P Doyle Alexander
• P Doug Rau and P Thomas Whiteley from Royals to Mets for P Andy Messersmith
• 1B Chris Chambliss from Reds to Rangers for OF Mickey Stanley
• 3B Bobby Valentine, P Paul Pelz, P Mac Scarce and P Don Durham from Tigers to Padres for OF Jay Johnstone

ALL TRANSACTIONS


We go 12-6 in ST with just a couple minor niggles to report.

The BNN boffins have us being more competitive than we are expecting, finishing close on the heels of the Phils. They remain hot on the Yankees, and like the Halos and Reds for the other two divisions.

FULL PRESEASON PREDICTIONS

[luckymann]

One can, as always, deep dive at one’s leisure HERE.

The slow but steady transitional phase continues with only a few minor adds to keep us moving forward.

Our FA signing for the year is OF Gene Clines. With other players' defensive ratings shifting, we're thin at CF and Gene will be our backup there.

That leaves no room for Willie Montanez, who was always a short-term proposition as soon as Cobra came aboard. We swap him out for a familiar face, along with a handy pitcher who will get to show us his stuff in the Setup role to begin with.

Tim will squeeze out Gene Alley for the everyday SS role. Gene will actually start his walk year of that long contract with us down at Lincoln and is almost certain to be on his way at its conclusion.


The only other deal we pull just beefs up our LHRP depth, leaving us one trade ticket to plug whatever holes might need plugging throughout the season. We also have two of the three Cutlass Club slots open should we need them.

Other than that, the big news is that we'll be putting Parker in the strong side of a platoon at RF with Roberto Clemente. Scoop will be at 1B again, with Pops in LF.

Fryman stays in the LR / ESP role he held down late last year and we might even try and retain him for this purpose if his demands are reasonable. Rhoden will be at AAA for a while, preferably all season if possible. Pagan will have to bide his time, but if Giusti shows signs of last season's debacle he'll be with us. Gossage will operate as a Closer rather than a Stopper, with Hernandez his main Setup guy along with Griffin.

This group should continue to score plenty of runs, but the pitching remains suspect and we are too porous defensively to be truly competitive. All the same, I see us finishing top half and with a winning record.

[luckymann]

Sentimentally, the biggest decision this year should be what to do about Arriba, out of contract after this season. But in realty, I don't want him playing for any other club and we can carry him in this fallow period so we'll do what it takes (within reason) to ensure he finishes out his career with us.

We've still a bit of territory to cover before we really start making our push for '78-'79-'80, so I will be looking for guys who can bridge the time until then so that we can at least play close to 500 ball. This, of course, is easier said than done with guys like Joe Coleman now looking for long and lucrative deals that we aren't going to offer. So we'll just have to roll with the punches and try to stay one step ahead of our needs in this regard.

With so much financial room, we're certainly not struggling for the means to acquire guys as we need them and, again, have two CC slots at our disposal.

[Makonnen]

Where did Tekulve end up? Or, more importantly, do you have grand designs to pull him in for the end of the 70s run? I associate him so much with those teams, which may just be because I was fascinated by him and Dan Quisenberry scraping their knuckles on the dirt ....

[luckymann]

Originally Posted by Makonnen

Where did Tekulve end up? Or, more importantly, do you have grand designs to pull him in for the end of the 70s run? I associate him so much with those teams, which may just be because I was fascinated by him and Dan Quisenberry scraping their knuckles on the dirt ....

He went to the Dodgers in R3, 70th overall. We had him earmarked for R4 if he was still free but it wasn't to be. We felt we needed Bill Almon more and went with him instead.

He'll certainly be on our radar at some point in the lead-up to '79. As you might have gathered, a good BP is integral to our game style because of how tight a rein I keep on the SP pitch counts; usually 100, never more than 110. We've had a good run over the years and now have Gossage as our guy. I want him to be our Closer for as long as possible. We've also got Garber who had a long and pretty strong IRL career. At some point there'll be a spot for KT but circumstances will decree if and when we make a move for him. I will be trying to make our '79 squad as close to the IRL one, so if I were a betting man I'd wager that he's a Bucco by then.

G

[luckymann]

It’s almost a mirror image of last season as we lose our starting CF early, this time George Hendrick for 4-5 weeks with a rib fracture. Cobra Parker’s poor D isn’t much worse at CF, so we’ll move him there and restore Roberto to RF, with Gene Clines coming in as a defensivue sub at CF in close games. Johnny Jeter gets his first-ever call-up to the bigs to fill the gap, but then not long after that Arriba – who we do retain with a 3-year deal at $150k per – also goes down for a minimum IL stint.

None of which helps the sluggish start by our bats that wastes some strong early pitching, but then we go on a nice little run winning 8 on the trot in early May, culminating in a 22-hit 16-3 demolition job on the Astros in which every starter including Pitcher Jim Bibby gets at least one hit and one ribbie.

We get Arriba back and rehab Hendrick for a fortnight before he, too, rejoins the squad and we go 24-16 for our first 40 games, before finishing May at 31-18 and narrowly on top of the NL East.





All in all, a most acceptable start.




A nice even spread of contribution, with only Ron Brand WAR neg. Richie Hebner's last fortnight has been incredibly encouraging after a quietish start. Let's hope Dave Cash follows suit.




Liking what we're seeing so far from Jerry Reuss, while Jim Bibby is having a nice rebound season after struggling for us last year. Ramon Hernandez and Rich Gossage pitch just shy of 40 scoreless innings between them before Ramon gives up 2 runs at the end of May. Goose is still riding his streak as we enter June, with it currently sitting at 19 innings and a perfect 18 Saves from 18 Opportunities. Cue the Manager's Curse music...


We retain Joe Coleman for two more years at a bargain $160k per, the same as he’s making this season, and Tom Griffin also agrees to a team-friendly 2/160 deal. George Hendrick, Gene Garber, Jim Bibby and Ron Brand will all be back next season as well.




Here come the Yanks.


Monthly Award Winners

April

American League

• Batter – Rod Carew (Twins): 451 / 1 HR / 16 RBI
• Pitcher – Rick Waits (Yankees): 4-0 / 1.59 / 18 K / 39.2 IP
• Rookie – Rick Waits

National League

• Batter – Keith Hernandez (Cardinals): 402 / 3 HR / 18 RBI
• Pitcher – Tom Seaver (Mets): 4-1 / 2.11 / 40 K / 47 IP
• Rookie – Keith Hernandez

May

American League

• Batter – Don Money (A’s): 374 / 5 HR / 19 RBI
• Pitcher – Rick Waits (Yankees): 4-1 / 1.30 / 23 K / 48.1 IP
• Rookie – Rick Waits (taken 63rd overall...)

National League

• Batter – Cliff Johnson (Mets): 355 / 9 HR / 20 RBI
• Pitcher – Sandy Koufax (Dodgers): 5-2 / 1.13 / 57 K / 55.2 IP
• Rookie – Dale Murray (Reds): 3-0 / 0.56 / 2 SV / 8 K / 16 IP

News and Leaders






Milestones and Observations of Note

• 500 HR: Willie McCovey
• 400 HR: Norm Cash
• 2000 Hits: Willie McCovey, Pete Rose
• 200 Wins: Jim Kaat
• I neglected to mention that ST took a particularly hard toll, knocking out Felipe Alou (Expos) for 5 months and and Rick Wise (Mets) for 7 months, while writing off 1974 completely for Billy McCool (Tigers) and Blue Moon Odom (Indians).
• Lou Brock is beaned and will miss the entire season with a concussion and the same fate befalls Cleon Jones later in the sectional, although he is thought to have a sliver of a chance of returning. Meanwhile, Rangers OF John Briggs will miss 4-5 months with an ankle fracture.
• Joe Morgan will remain a Red for another 4 years at a cost to the club of $2.76m, while the Phils retain Dick Allen on a 5/2750 deal.

S+ HOME

REPORTS HOME

PIRATES HOME

[luckymann]

Yep, I asked for this... First game of June...

[luckymann]

[luckymann]

The Hammer becomes just the second member of the 600 HR club and now trails the Mick by just 21. As we did for Mick with Lou, so we shall do for Henry with Mick and count them down. In clumps to begin with, then singularly for the final few.