The Bucs Start Here - A Pirates Do-Over

[luckymann]

A few decisions regarding our future direction to be made over the course of this season. Do we stick with Ellis? Do we extend Foli? As well, we want to lock down Hendrick and Stennett on multi-year deals and start thinking about - if not moving on - some of the guys we have earmarked for '78 and, in particular, '79.

[luckymann]

So, who is the leader in the MLB in career extra base hits?

• Stan Musial, -, 1305
• Henry Aaron, LAD, 1209
• Ted Williams, -, 1207
• Willie Mays, -, 1182
• Lou Gehrig, -, 1164

[luckymann]

Just a reminder about where things stand with the Hammer's pursuit of Mickey Mantle's all-time HR record. Henry is a Dodger now and sits just 9 back of the Mick on 612.




Let the countdown continue!

[luckymann]

613 down, 9 to go!

#613 v Astros 05/06 a solo shot in the 4th off Joe Niekro.




In what has almost become a rite of passage on this continuum, Henry finds himself getting limited gametime at LA. This will be a close-run thing and, at age 41, I just don't know if the game will give him another season after this one. Riveting stuff!

[luckymann]

So, who is the active leader in the MLB in career games started?

• Al Kaline, ML4, 2810
• Henry Aaron, LAD, 2683
• Frank Robinson, CHC, 2447
• Brooks Robinson, -, 2392
• Roberto Clemente, PIT, 2356

All-time Leader: Eddie Collins 3312

[luckymann]

A somewhat unusual one as well, with him giving up an unearned run.

This is his second no-hitter in this timeline. Of his seven IRL, he already had three by this point and would hurl his fourth on June 1 of this year.


MULTIPLE NO-HITTERS IN THIS TIMELINE

• 4: Sandy Koufax (1961, 1963, 1970, 1971)
• 2: Bob Gibson (1967, 1968 PERFECTO)
• 2: Dick Stigman (1961, 1964)
• 2: Dutch Leonard (1913, 1919)
• 2: Harvey Haddix (1956, 1963)
• 2: Jack Powell (1906, 1909)
• 2: Nolan Ryan (1972, 1975)

[luckymann]

A solid start by the lads who seem up for the challenge yet again, as shown by a number of dogged comeback wins over the early stages. But then the pitching gets the wobbles and runs dry up, with Pops in particular struggling to get it together, and we come back to earth with a bit of a thud.

Matters are further complicated when we lose Hendrick, up to that point one of our best (300 / 6 HR / 22 RBI), in mid-May to an oblique strain that will sideline him for at least a month. Johnny Jeter is recalled to replace him.

An untidy dismount with 6 losses from our last 7 games sees us close out the sectional at 25-21.





Just a bit all over the shop, really. More than a third of our games to this point have been decided by one run.




Dave Parker has really stepped up again so far this season.




Jerry Reuss wins the April award, but like a few others struggles in May. Ellis is having another unimpressive season and if the right deal for him is tabled, we'll likely move him on.


One gets the feeling there is plenty of drama in store come the stretch run.




Monthly Award Winners

April

American League

• Batter – Rusty Staub (Twins): 350 / 6 HR / 20 RBI
• Pitcher – Bill Travers (Angels): 5-0 / 2.23 / 20 K / 40.1 IP
• Rookie – Ellis Valentine (Angels): 354 / 3 HR / 17 RBI

National League

• Batter – Willie McCovey (Giants): 275 / 6 HR / 21 RBI
• Pitcher – Jerry Reuss (Pirates): 4-0 / 1.73 / 21 K / 36.1 IP
• Rookie – Lyman Bostock (Padres): 370 / 1 HR / 15 RBI

May

American League

• Batter – Reggie Smith (Red Sox): 311 / 5 HR / 23 RBI
• Pitcher – Frank Tanana (Tigers): 6-0 / 1.91 / 28 K / 33 IP
• Rookie – Pete Falcone (Red Sox): 5-1 / 2.66 / 25 K / 47.1 IP

National League

• Batter – Oscar Gamble (Mets): 278 / 9 HR / 22 RBI
• Pitcher – Sandy Koufax (Dodgers): 5-0 / 1.02 / 48 K / 44.1 IP
• Rookie – Mike Norris (Cubs): 5-1 / 2.42 / 23 K / 48.1 IP

News and Leaders






Milestones and Observations of Note

• 2000 Hits: Joe Torre, Lou Brock, Ron Fairly
• The White Sox lose SS Sonny Jackson for the entire season after he ruptures his medial ligament.

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[Makonnen]

Ha! Tekulve didn't take long at all!

[luckymann]

Originally Posted by Makonnen

Ha! Tekulve didn't take long at all!

Nup. His clock not having started was a key factor.

[luckymann]

No signs of a slowdown yet for the great man - if anything he seems to be getting even better, 9-1 / 1.36 to this point in '75. A marvel; I certainly cannot remember a player holding their ratings to age-39 or so far past their IRL retirement is this. Next stop: overtaking Train as the all-time pWAR leader (161.20), 5000 career Strikeouts and trying to double his 165 IRL Wins!

[luckymann]

The inordinate number of extra-inning games continues for us, with this one nearly the equivalent of three games in one.

Foli 5-for-8 with 2 walks and 5 RBI vs Sangy a nifty 0-for-11. We use every one of our relievers plus three of our rotation guys. The next few days are going to be tough, although thankfully Parker's injury is a DtD one.

[luckymann]

JR never threw one IRL. He sure did it all in this one, though, with his 2-run HR the difference.

[luckymann]

Five nods for us including one for the injured Rich Gossage - his first, as is the case for all of the others bar Pops.


American League

• SP Vida Blue (OAK) - 11-6, 2.64 ERA, 140.0 IP, 1.16 WHIP, 6.6 K/9, 3.3 WAR
• SP Reggie Cleveland (BOS) - 10-1, 2.13 ERA, 97.1 IP, 0.91 WHIP, 4.0 K/9, 1.6 WAR
• SP Pete Falcone (BOS) - 12-6, 2.29 ERA, 141.1 IP, 1.17 WHIP, 5.4 K/9, 1.4 WAR
• SP Ron Reed (TEX) - 8-8, 2.60 ERA, 131.2 IP, 1.09 WHIP, 5.5 K/9, 3.3 WAR
• SP Frank Tanana (DET)* - 7-1, 2.52 ERA, 96.1 IP, 1.07 WHIP, 7.5 K/9, 2.7 WAR
• SP Rick Waits (NYY) - 10-4, 2.37 ERA, 129.0 IP, 1.25 WHIP, 4.3 K/9, 2.4 WAR
• RP Tommy John (BOS) - 6-4, 3.67 ERA, 98.0 IP, 1.21 WHIP, 3.7 K/9, 1.6 WAR
• RP Tug McGraw (NYY) - 6-5, 13 SV, 1.20 ERA, 52.2 IP, 1.42 WHIP, 3.2 K/9, -0.2 WAR
• CL Al Hrabosky (CAL) - 1-1, 18 SV, 0.55 ERA, 33.0 IP, 1.21 WHIP, 6.3 K/9, 1.3 WAR
• CL Sparky Lyle (TEX)* - 2-3, 11 SV, 1.10 ERA, 41.0 IP, 1.32 WHIP, 6.6 K/9, 1.3 WAR
• C Bill Freehan (NYY) - .302/.373/.431, 225 AB, 6 HR, 133 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
• C Gene Tenace (BOS)* - .238/.402/.410, 210 AB, 9 HR, 1 SB, 139 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
• 1B Cecil Cooper (ML4)* - .367/.391/.511, 327 AB, 9 HR, 1 SB, 160 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
• 1B John Mayberry Sr. (NYY) - .290/.403/.524, 286 AB, 18 HR, 162 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
• 2B Rod Carew (MIN)* - .329/.411/.463, 307 AB, 7 HR, 26 SB, 150 wRC+, 3.5 WAR
• 3B George Brett (KC)* - .314/.375/.457, 315 AB, 6 HR, 9 SB, 136 wRC+, 2.1 WAR
• SS Bucky Dent (BOS) - .343/.374/.404, 280 AB, 1 HR, 5 SB, 118 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
• SS Robin Yount (ML4)* - .316/.352/.405, 348 AB, 2 HR, 10 SB, 115 wRC+, 1.8 WAR
• LF Lou Brock (OAK) - .305/.364/.414, 321 AB, 4 HR, 45 SB, 122 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
• LF Dave Collins (ML4) - .353/.436/.453, 278 AB, 1 HR, 43 SB, 153 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
• LF Jim Rice (BOS)* - .312/.351/.508, 327 AB, 15 HR, 6 SB, 141 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
• CF Cesar Cedeno (CLE) - .319/.383/.461, 317 AB, 10 HR, 46 SB, 142 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
• CF Fred Lynn (CLE)* - .315/.390/.495, 295 AB, 8 HR, 5 SB, 149 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
• RF Reggie Smith (BOS)* - .307/.389/.482, 326 AB, 13 HR, 6 SB, 144 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
• RF Rusty Staub (MIN)* - .291/.391/.502, 289 AB, 13 HR, 149 wRC+, 2.8 WAR

National League

• SP Steve Carlton (PHI) - 9-7, 3.06 ERA, 150.0 IP, 1.21 WHIP, 6.3 K/9, 2.2 WAR
• SP Larry Christenson (SF) - 11-4, 1.87 ERA, 144.2 IP, 1.17 WHIP, 5.0 K/9, 3.4 WAR
• SP Sandy Koufax (LAD)* - 13-1, 1.44 ERA, 150.0 IP, 0.83 WHIP, 8.6 K/9, 5.9 WAR
• SP John Montefusco (SD) - 9-5, 2.69 ERA, 157.0 IP, 1.11 WHIP, 7.2 K/9, 4.8 WAR
• SP Jerry Reuss (PIT) - 8-5, 2.71 ERA, 132.2 IP, 1.29 WHIP, 4.2 K/9, 2.1 WAR
• SP Tom Seaver (NYM) - 9-8, 3.97 ERA, 152.0 IP, 1.30 WHIP, 7.3 K/9, 4.0 WAR
• RP Jimmy Ward (SF) - 1-1, 2.68 ERA, 47.0 IP, 1.23 WHIP, 3.6 K/9, 0.2 WAR
• CL Bob Apodaca (CHC) - 1-1, 25 SV, 1.45 ERA, 37.1 IP, 1.31 WHIP, 3.6 K/9, 0.8 WAR
• CL Pedro Borbon (MON) - 7-7, 16 SV, 2.00 ERA, 67.1 IP, 1.11 WHIP, 3.9 K/9, 1.3 WAR
• CL Jim Derrington (SD) - 4-5, 9 SV, 2.24 ERA, 52.1 IP, 1.05 WHIP, 8.1 K/9, 0.8 WAR
• CL Rich Gossage (PIT)* - 2-2, 12 SV, 3.33 ERA, 24.1 IP, 1.56 WHIP, 4.8 K/9, 0.4 WAR (Injured)
• C Johnny Bench (CIN) - .220/.296/.335, 254 AB, 6 HR, 1 SB, 77 wRC+, 1.6 WAR
• C Ted Simmons (STL)* - .312/.353/.525, 202 AB, 11 HR, 142 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
• 1B Willie McCovey (SF) - .262/.385/.507, 282 AB, 20 HR, 151 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
• 1B Boog Powell (CHC) - .270/.375/.517, 263 AB, 14 HR, 1 SB, 142 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
• 1B Willie Stargell (PIT)* - .299/.389/.502, 271 AB, 13 HR, 156 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
• 2B Joe Morgan (CIN)* - .249/.403/.347, 225 AB, 6 HR, 33 SB, 125 wRC+, 1.6 WAR
• 3B Buddy Bell (MON) - .298/.372/.425, 325 AB, 8 HR, 3 SB, 132 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
• 3B Richie Hebner (PIT) - .308/.381/.430, 279 AB, 4 HR, 132 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
• 3B Mike Schmidt (PHI)* - .255/.367/.496, 278 AB, 17 HR, 16 SB, 140 wRC+, 4.2 WAR
• SS Mark Belanger (HOU)* - .293/.366/.378, 294 AB, 2 HR, 12 SB, 114 wRC+, 3.2 WAR (Injured)
• LF Greg Luzinski (PHI)* - .280/.347/.452, 279 AB, 11 HR, 2 SB, 129 wRC+, 1.3 WAR
• CF Bake McBride (CHC)* - .349/.375/.470, 315 AB, 2 HR, 25 SB, 139 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
• RF Bobby Bonds (SF) - .301/.403/.528, 286 AB, 16 HR, 32 SB, 164 wRC+, 4.0 WAR
• RF Sixto Lezcano (PHI) - .314/.404/.517, 296 AB, 10 HR, 9 SB, 164 wRC+, 4.3 WAR
• RF Hal McRae (STL) - .382/.435/.533, 246 AB, 4 HR, 11 SB, 174 wRC+, 3.3 WAR
• RF Dave Parker (PIT)* - .346/.393/.568, 292 AB, 13 HR, 7 SB, 171 wRC+, 4.2 WAR

Joe Rudi wins the HR Derby, beating Lee May 7-6 in the final, while Boston's Gene Tenace leads the AL to a cushy 7-1 win in the ASG.

[luckymann]

Which active pitchers are leading the MLB in career ERA?

• Sandy Koufax, LAD, 2.57
• Bert Blyleven, MIN, 2.70
• Vida Blue, OAK, 2.83
• Reggie Cleveland, BOS, 2.90
• Jerry Reuss, PIT, 2.91

All-time Leader: Rube Waddell 2.08

[jksander]

Koufax getting to 300 is impressive AF ... congrats on the World Series title! Hard to dig through all of these pages; how many have the Bucs won?

[luckymann]

Originally Posted by jksander

Koufax getting to 300 is impressive AF ... congrats on the World Series title! Hard to dig through all of these pages; how many have the Bucs won?

Thanks mate, that was number 27. Red Sox are next with 10, Tigers and Yanks 6. Of the foundation clubs, only the Reds and Indians are still to win one.

Sandy might pull a Hoyt Wilhelm in this timeline, he still looks so strong. Still, I doubt he'll catch Johnson (500) or Paige (402) on the Wins leaderboard.

[jksander]

Originally Posted by luckymann

Thanks mate, that was number 27. Red Sox are next with 10, Tigers and Yanks 6. Of the foundation clubs, only the Reds and Indians are still to win one.

Sandy might pull a Hoyt Wilhelm in this timeline, he still looks so strong. Still, I doubt he'll catch Johnson (500) or Paige (402) on the Wins leaderboard.

My 1953 Cubs got 95 wins but missed out on the postseason by two games. We made the World Series in 1954 going 110-44 but got swept 4-0 by Cleveland. Now in 1955 we're 19-3 and a couple games up on Philly ... hoping I can have one that goes deep like this one, though I play out all the games so each season takes a couple months lol. I did trade for Koufax when Kansas City drafted him this year, and he's saved six games already so here's hoping he has a long career

[luckymann]

Originally Posted by jksander

My 1953 Cubs got 95 wins but missed out on the postseason by two games. We made the World Series in 1954 going 110-44 but got swept 4-0 by Cleveland. Now in 1955 we're 19-3 and a couple games up on Philly ... hoping I can have one that goes deep like this one, though I play out all the games so each season takes a couple months lol. I did trade for Koufax when Kansas City drafted him this year, and he's saved six games already so here's hoping he has a long career

Nice going - these long-term ones certainly are a commitment, that's for sure. Good luck with yours and thanks for checking in!

[luckymann]

The ups and downs continue into June as we lose three of our first four but then, in the wake of that 24-inning monster game I posted about, the lads dig deep and get things headed in the right direction with an 8-2 run.

Then Gossage tears his UCL and will be out for a year.

If anything, that seems to galvanize the group for the next wee while as we squeeze our way to the top of a crowded bunch and we’re cruising along nicely until we lose both Willie Stargell and Rick Miller in the one game (in which they had combined for 6 hits) to injury. While Miller will miss a month, the news is better for Pops—he’ll just need a minimum IL stint from the look of it. Still, it is a shame as he’s been killing it this past month, winning the hitting award for June.

One would think – especially in the middle of an unbroken run of 27 games with a bunch of DHs thrown in for good measure – that this dual setback would prove the proverbial back-breaking straw. But the lads have sure got their game faces on right now and they keep finding ways to win. Dave Parker in particular leads the way, smacking 3 HR and driving in 8 in one twin-bill as we stretch our lead to 5 games at the season’s midpoint.

Finally, however, the wear-and-tear starts to show as we put in some raggedy performances in the shadows of the ASB to go 3-7 and reach the break at 49-42, now trailing the Expos by a half-game.

We get Pops back at this point and get back to some winning form. When the Expos come to town for four in the last week of July, we are tied for the lead. We win three of four to kick us away again a little bit and, thanks to a stirring comeback walkoff win in our final game of July, enter August at 61-46 and 2½ clear of Les Expos with the Cubs a further six in arrears of them.





The improvement in our defence with Stennett and Foli as our DP combination has really solidified the group.




Arguably the most potent lineup we've had in a while, something I didn't expect so soon. Pops wins the June batting award, while I may have written off Arriba a tad prematurely—his BA exceeds 400 for quite some time before a slight cooling-off in recent weeks.




Had the right player been on offer, I'm almost certain we would have traded Ellis. All the same, he remains firmly rooted to the exit sign.




Boston looks dominant this season and is undoubtedly the team to beat. That Angels-White Sox battle has seen numerous lead changes already with plenty more seemingly in store down the stretch.


News, Leaders and Top 20s











Monthly Award Winners

June

American League

• Batter – Cecil Cooper (Brewers): 398 / 6 HR / 26 RBI
• Pitcher – Reggie Cleveland (Red Sox): 5-0 / 1.49 / 20 K / 42.1 IP
• Rookie – Pete Vuckovich (Royals): 4-1 / 2.89 / 17 K / 37.1 IP

National League

• Batter – Willie Stargell (Pirates): 351 / 7 HR / 16 RBI
• Pitcher – Don Sutton (Dodgers): 5-0 / 3.00 / 34 K / 45 IP
• Rookie – Sixto Lezcaino (Phillies): 380 / 3 HR / 12 RBI

July

American League

• Batter – Jim Rice (Red Sox): 318 / 9 HR / 29 RBI
• Pitcher – Pete Falcone (Red Sox): 6-0 / 1.04 / 30 K / 43.1 IP
• Rookie – Pete Falcone

National League

• Batter – Jorge Orta (Braves): 350 / 9 HR / 26 RBI
• Pitcher – Larry Christenson (Giants): 4-2 / 0.88 / 24 K / 51 IP
• Rookie – Francisco Berrios (Cardinals): 4-1 / 1.64 / 34 K / 49.1 IP

Milestones and Observations of Note

• Sandy Koufax is on track again for another TC.
• An elbow injury ends the season of Cardinals RP Pat Darcy, and a knee fracture does the same for Cubs 2B Bryan Lambe, as does a labrum tear for Baltimore OF Steve Brye.
• A’s superstar Reggie Jackson misses 5 weeks with elbow trouble, while Cincinnati’s Bill Hands has his 1975 season curtailed by a torn RC.
• While on the topic of Oakland, the A’s extend SS Bert Campaneris on a 3/918 deal. We are also busy in this regard, re-upping on Hendrick (8/2000), Stennett (2+1/970), Garber (3+1/330), Foli (3/570) and giving Bibby, Miller and Woodward 1-year extensions as well.
• No advance for the Hammer, who is stuck on 613 and still has just one for this season. It's not like he isn't getting his licks (119 PA), and at this rate the Mick might well retain his crown after all.
• Here are the notable trades from the Deadline period:

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[luckymann]

Which active pitchers are leading the MLB in career innings pitched?

• Sandy Koufax, LAD, 4839.2
• Don Drysdale, CAL, 4702.0
• Jim O'Toole, HESE, 3964.0
• Juan Marichal, -, 3782.2
• Jim Kaat, MIN, 3721.1

All-time leader: Walter Johnson, 7887.0