The Bucs Start Here - A Pirates Do-Over

[Makonnen]

Always fascinating to see where JR Richard ends up in these things--how the engine handles that kind of IRL pattern can vary dramatically, I think.

[luckymann]

Originally Posted by Makonnen

Always fascinating to see where JR Richard ends up in these things--how the engine handles that kind of IRL pattern can vary dramatically, I think.

I'll be seeing plenty of him across this save, the MSL one and the A's one.

[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]

Ottawa catches Memphis on the final day of the regular season, wins the subsequent tiebreaker and keeps going all the way to the AAA Championship Series. Their run ends there, however, as Rocky Mount (Detroit) knocks them off in four to record their 5th title win.

[luckymann]

We make somewhat heavy weather of it in the early part of August as the bats really struggle and we go through an amazing run on five straight games in which one side is shut out, with just 12 runs in total scored. We’re lucky Montreal are having some problems of their own so at first it doesn’t cost us in the standings. But as the iffy performances continue into the second half of the month, they do eventually close the gap, wave as they pass us and keep on going—albeit almost in slow motion, like the Zapruder film, only at 1/10th speed.

We go 13-16 in August but still the Expos fail to put us away and we know if we can get a run on their inexperience at being in this sort of position will be brought to bear. We try and make it so when we pay them a visit for three in early September but in fact it is they who take two of three as our offence continues to sputter.

A week after that, when Montreal comes to TRS for our final three games of the campaign against them, we have indeed caught them again by winning four straight. Behind some solid pitching and excellent offensive contributions from Dave Parker, George Hendrick and Tim Foli, we win all three to wrest back a little bit of control of the division for now: 3 ½ clear with 13 to play.

We extend that run to a season-high 8 games but then run full pelt into a wall that stops us in our tracks as we lose our next 7. Crucially, however, the Expos fail to fully cash in and we still lead by 2 as we head to St. Louis for our final scheduled three-game series. We go there without Dave Pagan, whose season is cruelly curtailed by a labrum tear. Kent Tekulve gets his well-deserved and eagerly-awaited call-up. Richie Stennet also picks up a niggle but will hopefully be able to play through it.

The drama ends before it begins, as we hand the ball to John Candelaria for the opener and, while he delivers a nifty 3-1 win for us the Expos are eliminated by a loss at the Cubs. In what has been a fairly problematic second half of the season, it is nice for us to have at least some agency in sending ourselves back to the playoffs. Then, in our final game, we are no-hit. Seems kinda fitting, really.








We go 26-28 from August 1.




Dave Parker should be well in the thick of Wagner-Lajoie considerations after a superb season. Rennie Stennet's addition bolsters us both at the plate and in the field.




Another solid campaign by Jerry Reuss and Candy Man showed why he is so highly-touted. Jim Bibby was OK, but Joe Coleman regressed heavily and as for Doc Ellis, well you already know my thoughts there... Griffin and Forster stand up mightily after Gossage goes down.


The Red Sox and Reds clinch easily (but each lose key personnel in the process), while the AL West race is one of the best in recent memory with the Halos, White Sox, Rangers and Twins each at some point looking likely before Chicago seals the deal with a two-game sweep of Cali in their penultimate series.




Batting crowns to Boston's Bucky Dent 331 and Hal McRae of the Cards, the first for each. Oscar Gamble and Mike Schmidt lead the league with 34 HR, Stretch McCovey with 111 RBI.

Lou Brock is now the all-time SB leader, his 884 eclipsing Bill Wright by two.

Sandy Koufax misses his third TC by one measly Win but can console himself with having become the first player to amass 5000 career Strikeouts. Nolan Ryan wins the King of K this year with 286, while the low ERA is Sandy's 2.07 and the most wins are Andy Messersmith's 21 (only he and Reggie Cleveland record 20+ for 1975).


Final Top 20s and Leaders








Monthly Award Winners

August

American League

• Batter – Fred Lynn (Indians): 381 / 6 HR / 25 RBI
• Pitcher – Andy Messersmith (Red Sox): 6-0 / 2.05 / 33 K / 52.2 IP
• Rookie – Lamar Johnson (Twins): 381 / 3 HR / 17 RBI

National League

• Batter – Johnny Bench (Reds): 423 / 7 HR / 21 RBI
• Pitcher – JR Richard (Astros): 5-0 / 2.09 / 44 K / 56 IP
• Rookie – Jim Umbarger (Phillies): 2-0 / 1.71 / 8 SV / 13 K / 21 IP

September

American League

TO COME

National League

TO COME


Milestones and Observations of Note

• 2500 Hits: Billy Williams
• 2000 Hits: Carl Yastrzemski
• Henry Aaron fails to add another HR to his one for the season / 613 for his career - the big question is will he come back for another go at it in '76? Personally, I doubt it; I reckon he's done.

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[luckymann]

American League
Boston Red Sox (105-57) v Chicago White Sox (85-77)

As good a player as Jim Rice is, the Red Sox are blessed with an abundance of quality and so his absence, while felt, should be able to be covered. Nice to see the White Sox in the playoffs again for the first time since 1950 and let’s hope they give their fans a good account of themselves. All the same, they looked overmatched big-time by a Boston unit that looks rock solid and ready to win it all.

Chicago does that and then some against their more-favoured opponents, winning the opener and nearly going 2-0 up. Then the Red Sox look like they’re going to run away with it, getting within six outs of a clinch in Game 4 before Chicago rallies to pinch it and then goes on to take a thrilling Game 5 at Fenway to dash the hopes of Red Sox fans everywhere, not to mention the neutrals hoping to see a replica of the IRL classic.




National League
Cincinnati Reds (97-65) v Pittsburgh Pirates (88-74)

Almost feels like we’ve been here before and, in a way, we were a year ago. We handled the Reds then but our recent form in the stretch run doesn’t give much confidence in a repeat dose. Still, every time this group is faced with a challenge they give everything they have to overcome it, so why should this series be any different?

We have kept Roberto in the group but he’ll take no part in the early games. Rennie is feeling good and ready to roll. With a nod to the future, we have inserted Candy Man into the rotation at Doc’s expense. They’ll be without Dave Concepcion for the remainder, which will hurt them although Rick Burleson is a handy replacement.

They blow us out in the opener with a 7-run 6th and we look set to drop the next one as well before Bill Robinson gets us a 6-5 win with a 2-run shot in the top 9th. Lonborg blanks us to get it back onto the HF advantage and all of a sudden rookie John Candelaria is pitching to keep us alive. He doesn’t let us down, pitching a 3-hit gem as Parker runs amok with 2 homers and 6 RBI to send us back to Cincy for a decider.

We get Arriba back for Game 5 but, in the end, they are just a bit too good for us and we drop it 4-1. A valiant effort indeed by the lads against a top-notch side.

[luckymann]

Cincinnati Reds v Chicago White Sox
Best-of-seven, White Sox with the home-field advantage.


CINCINNATI REDS S+ PAGE

CHICAGO WHITE SOX S+ PAGE

My disappointment at missing out is at least partway tempered by the fact that we now get to see a club that hasn’t won it all since 1908 take on a club that never has in what should be a remarkable World Series for that fact alone. Cincy is a slightly lesser club than Boston this year, so whatever perception one might hold of their ascendancy has to keep in mind that the White Sox beat the better team to get here, meaning write them off at your own peril.

I do think Cincy will finally break through for that maiden Championship, but I also believe it will take at least six games for them to do so, especially given Chicago has the home advantage here.

NB Nice to see the Nettles brothers playing side-by-side in this timeline.

[luckymann]

[luckymann]

Game 1 in Chicago

Phil Niekro (14-13, 3.82) v Wayne Simpson (11-13, 4.17)

Knucksie is making his postseason debut at a ripe 36; Simpson likewise but a decade younger. 30 years since the last WS game in Chicago. It’s all lined up for an enthralling contest.

Sadly it never goes close to approaching those lofty heights, as the White Sox play a nervy game and the Reds pounce, going ahead early and pushing home their advantage to the end in a cushy Game 1 win. Joe Morgan paces Cincy’s offence with 2 hits including a 3-run bomb.

Game 2 in Chicago

Burt Hooton (12-13, 3.61) v Jim Lonborg (16-11, 3.71)

Reds lead series 1-0

Two finesse-type nibblers go head-to-head here and the Sox will be desperate not to have to head to Cincinnati down 0-2.

That’s precisely how things will lie, however, as the Reds’ bats flex their muscles again for a second straight cakewalk, scoring all of their runs in a wild 6th inning that includes a 3-run moonshot from George Foster. No joy to be had for long-suffering Sox fans and their boys will need to improve mightily to avoid today proving to be their last trip to Comiskey for the year.

Game 3 in Cincinnati

Dave Goltz (16-11, 3.14) v Ed Halicki (16-9, 3.42)

Reds lead series 2-0

Things get no easier here for the Sox, with quality righty Dave Goltz up for the hosts, and they’ll need Ed Halicki to be at his best to stop the rot.

Goltz wins the duel and the Reds the game to put a hammerlock on this series. A 2-run homer by George Scott in the 8th makes it interesting late after the Reds get out to an early lead, but Dale Murray closes it out without incident for a 4-2 final.

Game 4 in Cincinnati

Jim Slaton (10-7, 4.09) v Steve Barber (7-9, 4.38)

Reds lead series 3-0

74 seasons of Reds futility will disappear into a cloud of unadulterated joy if they can lock down just one more win and it goes without saying that to do so in front of their home fans would be some sweet icing indeed.

They’ll have to wait at least one more day, however, as the Sox bats jump on Slaton early, staking Barber to a 6-0 lead. He uses all but one of them as the Reds nearly pull off the unlikely comeback but Mark Littell saves the day and the game with a 3-inning Save despite walking 5.

Game 5 in Cincinnati

Wayne Simpson (1-0, 3.14) v Phil Niekro (0-1, 7.20)

Reds lead series 3-1

Niekro gets a chance for redemption here and the pressure just shifts onto the Reds a little bit with the trip back to Chi-town looming large.

It’s a trip they’re going to have to make as Knucksie does indeed deliver the goods with a CG 5-hitter with only an unearned run against. That run ties the game at 1 in the 6th, but Doug Rader’s RBI double in the 8th eventually holds up to put this series back in the balance.

Game 6 in Chicago

Burt Hooton (0-2, 9.53) v Jim Lonborg (2-0, 1.06)

Reds lead series 3-2

Game 2 protagonists to do battle again here with the momentum definitely behind the home side.

It ain’t pretty but Cincy will take it as the third time proves the charm and the Reds finally get their coveted World Championship with a riveting 8-6 win. They get 4 early but the Sox respond with 3 in the 2nd and from there it is a seesaw affair before the home side finally runs out of outs with Murray notching the Save.

Tony Perez (9-for-22, 1 HR, 2 RBI) is named MVP.

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[luckymann]

OUTS & OUTS

Nellie Fox (Royals Manager), Sal Maglie (Twins GM), Ralph Buxton (Twins Manager), Adrian Zabala (Rangers Manager), Chris Saunders (Mets GM) and Jeremy Maugeri (Astros GM) are all now looking for a new job.


ROSTER MOVES

For us, the biggest news is Roberto Clemente announcing his retirement. He ends his career as the club leader or thereabouts in almost every offensive stat cat and his #21 is retired along with him. We move Robin Roberts from AAA Manager to Pitching Coach, shift Fuzzy Smith to be the new AAA Skipper and make Arriba our new Bench Coach. Looking forward to having him around the club in that capacity.





We execute the options for Ron Brand and - after much deliberation - Doc Ellis. With just 200k differential between his buyout and salary, and with us not being hugely stocked with suitable SP, it was the sensible decision. But if we get our hands on one or a trade presents itself then he is gone. We void Gene Clines' final year and let Lou Marone walk, meaning none of our guys need arb this year.


SIM ACCURACY




*Ignore the SB figure, I always bump it up in the LTMs if I feel it's too low.


HANGIN' THEM UP

Wow, what a bunch are taking their leave of the game this year - including Henry Aaron, keeping Mickey Mantle as the HR King for a while longer. A notable mention for Jim O'Toole, who records 147 more wins in this timeline than IRL.

[luckymann]

AL 1975 HISTORY INDEX

NL 1975 HISTORY INDEX

AWARDS HISTORY


Stark opposites as Sandy Koufax makes it a nice round 10 Johnson-Waddell Medals and the other three major awards go to first-time winners: Andy Messersmith (AL Johnson-Waddell), Fred Lynn (AL Wagner-Lajoie) and our own Dave Parker (NL Wagner-Lajoie). Jerry Remy wins the AL RoY in one of the closest votes I can remember, with Sixto Lezcano a unanimous winner in the NL. Paige Plates go to Rawly Eastwick and rookie Jim Umbarger.


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[luckymann]

We make a tiny ripple in the FA market for a guy we know is no HoFer but still believe to be an absolute bargain, signing P Bruce Kison (PIT IRL 1971-79) on a 4/360 deal.




His addition then allows the long-mooted Ellis move, and - with Roberto now gone and Rick Miller's CF ratings in the toilet - we swap him for a handy backup OF who also plays some 2B.




Lee (PIT IRL 1979-84) is a guy we'll be doing all we can to keep for the '79 tilt. He's got one arb year left so we'll talk turkey about his future sometime next season.

[luckymann]

Just six Legacies again this year, amid a fascinating rookie class filled with guys whose MLB careers shone brightly but only briefly.

These are the Legacy Players for the 1976 Season:

Atlanta Braves: Dale Murphy (46.5; 1926)
Baltimore Orioles: Dennis Martinez (48.7; 233)
Kansas City Royals: Willie Wilson (46.1; 1787)
Milwaukee Brewers: Jim Gantner (22.5; 1801 – one-club player)
Montreal Expos: Andre Dawson (64.8; 1443)
San Diego Padres: Garry Templeton (27.8; 1286)


Scott McGregor (20.2; 309 GS – one-club player) was also eligible for the Orioles, but Martinez’s higher WAR makes him the selection.

Dennis Martinez was also eligible for the Expos, but Dawson’s higher WAR makes him the selection.



There are 106 rookies for this season, with another 320 historical MiLBers also added and the Draft will consist of 8 rounds.

The Draft order will be as follows (winning percentage from 1975 IRL season in brackets; bold indicates Legacy Pick in 1st Round):


Round 1

1. Montreal Expos (463; dice roll)
2. Baltimore Orioles (566)
3. Atlanta Braves (416)
4. Kansas City Royals (562)
5. San Diego Padres (438)
6. Milwaukee Brewers (420)
7. Detroit Tigers (358)
8. Houston Astros (398)
9. California Angels (447)
10. Chicago Cubs (463; dice roll)
11. Chicago White Sox (466)
12. Minnesota Twins (478)
13. Texas Rangers (488)
14. Cleveland Indians (497; dice roll)
15. San Francisco Giants (497; dice roll)
16. St. Louis Cardinals (506; dice roll)
17. New York Mets (506; dice roll)
18. New York Yankees (519)
19. Philadelphia Phillies (531)
20. Los Angeles Dodgers (543)
21. Pittsburgh Pirates (571)
22. Boston Red Sox (594)
23. Oakland Athletics (605)
24. Cincinnati Reds (667)


Rounds 2 thru 8

1. Detroit Tigers (358)
2. Houston Astros (398)
3. Atlanta Braves (416)
4. Milwaukee Brewers (420)
5. San Diego Padres (438)
6. California Angels (447)
7. Chicago Cubs (463; dice roll)
8. Montreal Expos (463; dice roll)
9. Chicago White Sox (466)
10. Minnesota Twins (478)
11. Texas Rangers (488)
12. Cleveland Indians (497; dice roll)
13. San Francisco Giants (497; dice roll)
14. St. Louis Cardinals (506; dice roll)
15. New York Mets (506; dice roll)
16. New York Yankees (519)
17. Philadelphia Phillies (531)
18. Los Angeles Dodgers (543)
19. Kansas City Royals (562)
20. Baltimore Orioles (566)
21. Pittsburgh Pirates (571)
22. Boston Red Sox (594)
23. Oakland Athletics (605)
24. Cincinnati Reds (667)


Eligible PIT players: 4 position players + 4 pitchers = 8.


No Legacy for us this year and our clear first pick has little (read: no) chance of still being available for our late R1 pick. So we keep him only in the back of our mind and go into the Draft with a clearly-formulated more realistic plan of how to proceed, although with just 8 eligibles from which to choose a fair few of those we take will likely be depth pieces or trade bait. Not far away from ’79 now and so those we do take for keeps need to be useful to us then.

Here's our new batch of Buccos:

1. OF Lee Mazzilli, 20

• Surprise, surprise, our favoured guy does indeed make it through and we take him gladly. He’ll need to solidify his ability to play the corner OF spots and the crew at AAA will have explicit instructions to get him to do so in the next year or two.

2. P Doug Bair, 26

• Only two eligibles left by this point and we’re on the hunt for RP anyway, so Doug suits us fine.

3. P John Verhoeven, 22 (ineligible)
4. IF Francis McCann, 22 (ineligible)
5. P Mike Burns, 22 (ineligible)
6. P Bob Mayer, 21 (ineligible)
7. OF Robert Bryant, 21 (ineligible)
8. SS Charles Diering, 24 (ineligible)

• The aforementioned AAA depth / potential tradees.

We are hopeful that the Mazzilli get alone made this worth the effort.



FULL DRAFT LOG

[luckymann]

Yogi - who in the offseason ditched us for the Bench Coach role at Houston - finally gets his plaque, while Jim Bunning misses by that much and Robin Roberts just comes up short as well.

[luckymann]

With Free-Agency changing the MLB landscape forever, a new era of player-owner unrest is ushered in by a short Spring Training lockout. When play does get underway, an utterly dominant Cincinnati Big Red Machine wins it all, repeating as Champions.


AL EAST / WEST CHAMPIONS: New York Yankees (97-62) / Kansas City Royals (90-72)
NL EAST / WEST CHAMPIONS: Philadelphia Phillies (101-61) / Cincinnati Reds (102-60)
ALCS: Yankees 3, Royals 2
NLCS: Reds 3, Phillies 0
WORLD SERIES: Reds 4, Yankees 0

Pittsburgh Pirates: 92-70, 2nd in NL East

AL MVP: Thurman Munson (Yankees)
NL MVP: Joe Morgan (Reds)

AL CYA: Jim Palmer (Orioles)
NL CYA: Randy Jones (Padres)

AL RoY: Mark Fidrych (Tigers)
NL RoY: Butch Metzger (Padres) / Pat Zachry (Reds) tied


Top Ten Lists (courtesy of thisgreatgame.com)

NL Hitters

1. JOE MORGAN, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: .320 average, 113 runs, 30 doubles, 5 triples, 27 home runs, 111 RBIs, 114 walks, 60 stolen bases, 12 sacrifice flies, .444 on-base percentage, .576 slugging percentage.
• For the second straight year, Morgan excelled at everything, powering up to set career highs in home runs and RBIs.

2. MIKE SCHMIDT, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: .262 average, 112 runs, 31 doubles, 38 home runs, 107 RBIs, 100 walks, 149 strikeouts, 11 hit-by-pitches, 14 stolen bases.
• Schmidt set the tone for a third straight year leading the NL in home runs by smacking four at Chicago on April 17.

3. GEORGE FOSTER, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: .306 average, 86 runs, 172 hits, 21 doubles, 9 triples, 29 home runs, 121 RBIs, 17 stolen bases.
• Given how incredible Morgan was, it seemed even more stunning that Foster—who took eight years to evolve into peak form—snared five first-place MVP votes from him.

4. KEN GRIFFEY, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: .336 average, 111 runs, 189 hits, 28 doubles, 9 triples, 6 home runs, 74 RBIs, 34 stolen bases.
• A perennial .300 hitter, the young Griffey had his absolute best shot at winning a batting crown when, ahead of Bill Madlock by five points going into the season’s final day, he sat out to play it safe. It wasn’t safe enough; Madlock went 4-for-4 to grab the title.

5. PETE ROSE, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: 162 games, .323 average, 665 at-bats, 130 runs, 215 hits, 42 doubles, 6 triples, 10 home runs, 63 RBIs, 86 walks.
• The fact that four Cincinnati players take up the top five slots on this list tells you just how oppressive the Big Red Machine was in 1976. Rose led the NL in both runs and doubles for the third straight year.

6. CESAR CEDENO, HOUSTON

• Key Numbers: .297 average, 89 runs, 171 hits, 26 doubles, 5 triples, 18 home runs, 83 RBIs, 58 stolen bases.
• Astonishing numbers for Cedeno, given how badly beaten up his knees and ankles had become. For the second time in his career, he hit for the cycle.

7. RICK MONDAY, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 137 games, .272 average, 107 runs, 20 doubles, 5 triples, 32 home runs, 77 RBIs.
• The very first pick in the very first amateur draft 10 years earlier, Monday went from good to very good in the Cubs’ lineup, performing the then-rare feat of hitting 30 homers from the leadoff spot. Oh, and he also saved the American flag.

8. BILL MADLOCK, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: .339 average, 68 runs, 174 hits, 36 doubles, 15 home runs, 84 RBIs, 11 hit-by-pitches, 15 stolen bases.
• Madlock won his second straight NL batting crown, but how does a .339 hitter score just 68 runs? (Answer: He plays for the Cubs.)

9. BOB WATSON, HOUSTON

• Key Numbers: .313 average, 76 runs, 183 hits, 31 doubles, 16 home runs, 102 RBIs.
• The ever-consistent, ever-effective Watson continued to be Houston’s Mechanical Man.

10. DAVE PARKER, PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: 138 games, .313 average, 82 runs, 168 hits, 28 doubles, 10 triples, 13 home runs, 90 RBIs, 19 stolen bases.
• The Cobra suffered through a mild power outage, but his month-to-month parabolic swings were even more of a head scratcher; in May, July and September/October, he hit .374—while in April, June and August, his average was checked in at an even .250.

AL Hitters

1. ROD CAREW, MINNESOTA

• Key Numbers: .331 average, 97 runs, 200 hits, 29 doubles, 12 triples, 9 home runs, 90 RBIs, 49 stolen bases.
• Lost in the AL batting race’s season-ending controversy between Hal McRae and George Brett (see below) was that Carew himself nearly interjected himself into the storyline on the same field, finishing just two points off the top; it would be the only time between 1971-79 that he would fail to win a batting title.

2. HAL MCRAE, KANSAS CITY

• Key Numbers: .332 average, 175 hits, 34 doubles, 5 triples, 8 home runs, 73 RBIs, 22 stolen bases, .407 on-base percentage.
• McRae fumed over the Twins “allowing” George Brett’s short fly to drop for a hit in his last at-bat to win the batting title by a point—but McRae had it in the bag, batting .358 as late as August 27, before it was brought down at season’s end.

3. MICKEY RIVERS, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: .312 average, 95 runs, 184 hits, 31 doubles, 8 triples, 8 home runs, 67 RBIs, 13 walks, 43 stolen bases.
• Rivers’ speedy presence, negligence of the walk—he only drew 13 in 614 plate appearances—and fine contact hitting made the Yankees’ trade to get him (and pitcher Ed Figueroa, no less) from Anaheim for one-and-done Bobby Bonds a steal of a deal.

4. REGGIE JACKSON, BALTIMORE

• Key Numbers: 134 games, .277 average, 84 runs, 27 doubles, 27 home runs, 91 RBIs, 28 stolen bases, .502 slugging percentage.
• Wedged in between tumultuous tours of duty in Oakland and New York, Reggie Jackson lived relative peace and tranquility in a brief one-year stay at Baltimore—but only after a slow (.222 average on July 2) and belated (first game played on May 2) debut.

5. GEORGE BRETT, KANSAS CITY

• Key Numbers: .333 average, 645 at-bats, 94 runs, 215 hits, 34 doubles, 14 triples, 7 home runs, 67 RBIs, 21 stolen bases.
• Brett’s batting title was his first of three; each came in a different decade. He also finished second in the AL MVP vote behind Yankees catcher Thurman Munson.

6. ROY WHITE, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: .286 average, 104 runs, 179 hits, 29 doubles, 14 home runs, 65 RBIs, 83 walks, 31 stolen bases.
• After suffering through every single year of the Yankees’ CBS era, White finally got to taste the postseason thanks in part to his own efforts.

7. DAN FORD, MINNESOTA

• Key Numbers: .267 average, 87 runs, 24 doubles, 7 triples, 20 home runs, 86 RBIs, 10 hit-by-pitches, 17 stolen bases.
• Ford’s numbers matched the flash that came with all the bling he wore—leading to his nickname, “Disco Dan.”

8. AMOS OTIS, KANSAS CITY

• Key Numbers: .279 average, 93 runs, 40 doubles, 18 home runs, 86 RBIs, 26 stolen bases.
• The veteran outfielder unexpectedly became the Royals’ prime power source as John Mayberry suffered a brownout at the plate; his leverage to the postseason was crucially short-lived as he sprained his ankle in the first inning of ALCS Game One and missed the rest of the series’ defeat to the Yankees.

9. RUSTY STAUB, DETROIT

• Key Numbers: 161 games, .299 average, 176 hits, 28 doubles, 15 home runs, 96 RBIs, 83 walks, 23 grounded into double plays.
• After being all but idolized in Montreal and New York with the Mets, Detroit became the latest stop for Staub to win over the fans.

10. GRAIG NETTLES, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: .254 average, 88 runs, 29 doubles, 32 home runs, 93 RBIs, 11 stolen bases.
• The Yankees’ hitting star for the moment—becoming the first Yankee to lead the AL in home runs since Roger Maris in 1961—Nettles would later say: “When I was a little boy, I wanted to be a baseball player and join the circus. With the Yankees, I’ve accomplished both.”

NL Pitchers

1. RANDY JONES, SAN DIEGO

• Key Numbers: 2.74 ERA, 22 wins, 14 losses, 40 starts, 25 complete games, 315.1 innings, 50 walks, 34 grounded into double plays.
• Jones’ fleeting reign as a top NL pitcher peaked with a Cy Young Award performance. Some would argue that it should have been his second such honor in as many years.

2. JERRY KOOSMAN, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 2.69 ERA, 21 wins, 10 losses, .677 win percentage, 32 starts, 247.1 innings.
• Koosman snuck in his only 20-win effort as a Met just as dark times began to loom over Shea Stadium.

3. TOM SEAVER, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 2.59 ERA, 14 wins, 11 losses, 34 starts, 271 innings, 235 strikeouts, 12 wild pitches, 26 stolen bases allowed.
• Despite a marginal record fueled by a lack of offensive gas from teammates, Seaver won his fifth (and last) strikeout crown—and began to presage the end of his Mets tenure by deepening a feud with team owner M. Donald Grant and his poison pen buddy, the New York Daily News’ Dick Young, over the club’s reluctance to spend on free agents.

4. J.R. RICHARD, HOUSTON

• Key Numbers: 2.75 ERA, 20 wins, 15 losses, 39 starts, 291 innings, 151 walks, 214 strikeouts, 13 wild pitches, 34 stolen bases allowed, 26 grounded into double plays.
• Wild but nevertheless efficient, Richard emerged as the Astros’ new ace—becoming only the second Astro (after Larry Dierker, in 1969) to win 20 games. He had to win each of his last three starts to get there.

5. JOHN DENNY, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: 2.52 ERA, 11 wins, 9 losses, 30 starts, 207 innings, 26 grounded into double plays.
• Amid a punchless (63 team homers) and aceless team that produced its worst record in 21 years, the second-year Denny gave Cardinals fans something to smile about by clinching the NL ERA title in his last start of the year.

6. DON SUTTON, LOS ANGELES

• Key Numbers: 3.06 ERA, 21 wins, 10 losses, .677 win percentage, 34 starts, 267.2 innings, 25 stolen bases allowed.
• No 300-game winner won 20 in a season less than Sutton, who took down his one and only score in 1976.

7. STEVE CARLTON, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: 3.13 ERA, 20 wins, 7 losses, .741 win percentage, 35 starts, 252.2 innings, 28 stolen bases allowed.
• After three subpar years, Carlton got his Mojo back thanks to a reunion with ex-Cardinals battery mate Tim McCarver.

8. PAT ZACHRY, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: 1.66 ERA, 13 wins, 3 losses, .813 win percentage, 22 saves, 6 blown saves, 65 appearances, 97.1 innings.
• The 24-year-old right-hander saved his best for first, enjoying his finest season over a 10-year career while becoming co-NL Rookie of the Year with San Diego’s Butch Metzger.

9. JON MATLACK, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 2.95 ERA, 17 wins, 10 losses, 35 starts, 6 shutouts, 262 innings, 57 walks, 23 grounded into double plays.
• Like Tom Seaver, Matlack’s time with Mets was nearing an end; after a dreadful 1977 campaign pretty much in sync with Mets’ misfortunes, he was dealt to Texas.

10. JOHN CANDELARIA, PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: 3.15 ERA, 16 wins, 7 losses, .696 win percentage, 1 save, 31 starts, 220 innings.
• The young Pirates pitcher enjoyed a prime-time moment in the national spotlight when he threw his lone career no-hitter against the Dodgers on a midsummer episode of ABC’s Monday Night Baseball.

AL Pitchers

1. VIDA BLUE, OAKLAND

• Key Numbers: 2.35 ERA, 18 wins, 13 losses, 37 starts, 6 shutouts, 298.1 innings, 63 walks.
• True Blue had a superb season in which he cut down on the walks and opposing muscle (only nine home runs allowed) while capturing his best ERA since his spectacular 1971 debut. All that was missing was an abundant supply of wins, as poor support kept him from easily collecting 20.

2. MARK FIDRYCH, DETROIT

• Key Numbers: 2.34 ERA, 19 wins, 9 losses, .679 win percentage, 31 appearances, 29 starts, 24 complete games, 250.1 innings, 53 walks, 16 caught stealing/picked off, 25 grounded into double plays.
• The Tigers milked the Fidrych phenomenon as financially as possible, making sure he pitched most of his games at Tiger Stadium; the team averaged 33,649 fans in his 18 home starts, and 10,677 in their other 62 games at The Corner.

3. FRANK TANANA, CALIFORNIA

• Key Numbers: 2.43 ERA, 19 wins, 10 losses, 34 starts, 23 complete games, 288.1 innings, 261 strikeouts, 34 stolen bases allowed, 22 caught stealing/picked off.
• Still very much Nolan Ryan’s equal (if not better) at Anaheim Stadium, Tanana arguably pitched the year’s most impressive game when he threw 13 shutout innings against the Yankees on August 27 before departing a 0-0 game.

4. JIM PALMER, BALTIMORE

• Key Numbers: 2.51 ERA, 22 wins, 13 losses, 40 starts, 23 complete games, 6 shutouts, 315 innings, 33 stolen bases allowed.
• In winning his second straight Cy Young Award, Palmer dared the splits to defy any inconsistency, because there was none; he was equally good at home and on the road, against right-handers and left-handers, day and night, month of the year, etc., etc., etc.

5. MIKE TORREZ, OAKLAND

• Key Numbers: 2.50 ERA, 16 wins, 12 losses, 39 starts, 266.1 innings, 30 grounded into double plays.
• Suddenly finding himself in Oakland after being part of a huge trade that sent he and Don Baylor to the A’s for Reggie Jackson and Ken Holtzman, Torrez quickly readjusted and produced a career-low ERA—all with the help of a streak of 38.1 consecutive scoreless innings, easily the year’s best.

6. KEN BRETT, NEW YORK-CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 3.28 ERA, 10 wins, 12 losses, 1 save, 26 starts, 200.2 innings.
• Shipped to Chicago before he had a chance to settle in at New York—the Pirates dealt him there during the offseason—the older brother of George Brett pitched at his best but was handicapped by the DH rule that didn’t allow him to hit. That’s a shame, given he was pretty good at it (.262 average, 10 homers in 347 career at-bats).

7. PAUL HARTZELL, CALIFORNIA

• Key Numbers: 2.77 ERA, 7 wins, 4 losses, 2 saves, 37 appearances, 15 starts, 166 innings, 43 walks, 10 hit-by-pitches, 25 grounded into double plays.
• The rookie right-hander was a good reliever to start the year and an even better starter to finish it, making for late chatter in the AL ERA conversation.

8. LUIS TIANT, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: 3.06 ERA, 21 wins, 12 losses, 38 starts, 279 innings, 16 caught stealing/picked off, 21 grounded into double plays.
• Tiant had one of the stranger lines on May 8 against Texas when he allowed nine runs—all unearned—in just 1.2 innings of work.

9. WAYNE GARLAND, BALTIMORE

• Key Numbers: 2.67 ERA, 20 wins, 7 losses, .741 win percentage, 1 save, 38 appearances, 25 starts, 232.1 innings, 27 stolen bases allowed.
• Garland won 20 games at just the right time; he’d be rewarded by Cleveland with a fat contract and become the game’s first celebrated free agent bust.

10. ED FIGUEROA, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 3.02 ERA, 19 wins, 10 losses, 34 starts, 256.2 innings, 94 walks, 16 caught stealing/picked off.
• A year after toiling for the anemic Angels, Figueroa was happy to pitch for a team that actually scored runs.

[luckymann]

The Dodgers will have Sandy K for at least 2 more years and he’ll have a top-notch battery mate to fling ‘em to in Pudge Fisk, who pushes the $1m annual rate with his contract before Rusty Staub breaks it with his Royals deal and Hal McRae smashes it with his Cubs contract. And if you thought I could possibly let Jose Cardenal becoming a Cardinal pass without comment, well then you really haven’t been paying close enough attention. Here are the other notable transactions from the break.

• OF Hal McRae: Cubs, 4 years / $5360000
• C Carlton Fisk: Dodgers, 5 years / $4560000 (extension)
• OF Rusty Staub: Royals, 4 years / $4320000
• SS Chris Speier: Yankees, 4 years / $3480000
• OF Gary Matthews: Padres, 5 years / $3398000 (extension)
• OF Greg Gross: Dodgers, 5 years / $2900000 (extension)
• P Luis Tiant: Phillies, 4 years / $2710000
• P Sandy Koufax: Dodgers, 2 years / $2120000 (extension)
• OF Juan Beniquez: White Sox, 3 years / $2050000
• P Ken Forsch: Phillies, 3 years / $2040000
• OF Jose Cardenal: Cardinals, 3 years / $1950000
• 3B Steve Ontiveros: Mets, 4 years / $1936000 (extension)
• 1B Tony Perez: Reds, 4 years / $1668000 (extension)
• OF Richie Zisk: Expos, 3 years / $1602000 (extension)

• P Jim Rittwage and OF Jerry Mumphrey from Tigers to Brewers for 1B Cecil Cooper
• 1B Billy Williams and 3B Ray Knight from Tigers to Angels for P Charlie Beamon and 1B Bruce Bochte
• OF Benny Ayala, 1B Pete LaCock, OF Jerry Hairston and P Jim Hughes from Tigers to Rangers for P Doc Medich
• C Bill Freehan (retaining 90%) from Yankees to A’s for P Ed Figueroa
• 2B Manny Trillo, OF Bob Coluccio and OF Jorge Orta from Braves to Mets for P Rick Wise
• C Marc Hill from Angels to Dodgers for P Don Drysdale (retaining 100%)
• SS Jerry DaVanon from Orioles to Rangers for OF Larry Herndon and C Jim Sundberg
• P Rick Waits from Yankees to Expos for 3B Buddy Bell
• OF Garry Maddox from Mets to Reds for P Chris Knapp
• OF Oscar Gamble (retaining 10%) from Mets to White Sox for OF Omar Moreno

ALL TRANSACTIONS



We have an 11-7 Spring Training without any injuries of note.

BNN is predicting super close races in all four divs, with us just behind the Phils—somewhat more bullish than we are about our chances this season.

FULL PRESEASON PREDICTIONS

[luckymann]

A very low-key offseason with just the Lacy and Kison adds; leaving us will the spare CC slot still unfilled. The rest of the squad remains unchanged other than Henny and Scoop Oliver switch LF-CF roles. Candy moves up to SP3 and Gossage is back from his long injury layoff, while Tekulve stays up after his promotion late in '75.

As I mentioned in the previous post, we are anticipating a bit of a down year - we'll be happy for it to be a winning season.

[luckymann]

Just this year - and the Expansion Draft that closes it out - to get through before we really start making our '79 push, although with that said we really have a good chunk of the guys we want already in place and, for the most part, under contract.

Rick Miller will walk at the end of this season, freeing up another CC slot. Woody Woodward has been handy for us and, in the absence of someone better who is also eligible, we'll keep him on as long as we can or even swap him out for with a younger version of himself that offers the same service. Fluctuating positional ratings make this a tough one to nail down, so we'll need to be cautious not to be caught out with an overly long contract for a guy that suddenly stops playing one or more positions.

If our top choice for Catcher is unable to be procured then we plan to use one of the CC slots on getting a quality guy at that position.

Plenty of cash at our disposal and looking good in general, financially speaking. We've also signed Bernie Carbo, Bob Moose and Ed Kirkpatrick to minor league deals.

[luckymann]

The famous Buccos spirit greatly in evidence here. Never give up, never give in!

[luckymann]

A decent enough albeit up-and-down start for the lads in a fairly uneventful first sectional, before a late surge sees us win 8 in a row. We then finish off with a pair of losses to the Mets that put us at 26-19 and in a virtual tie with them on top of the NL East as we enter June.




Only early I know, but as is customary I seem to have once again underestimated our boys, who look like they mean business.




Another strong start by Richie Hebner and I simply cannot fathom how he loses out to Joe Morgan in the April hitting award. Let's hope he can maintain it a bit better than he did last year.




So far, so good, for the most part.

We re-up with Jim Bibby (1/245), Lee Lacy (3+1/1180), Rich Gossage (1/150) and Terry Forster (1/138) That’s us done now in this regard until after the ED. We’ll be letting Joe Coleman, Rick Miller, Woody Woodward, Tom Griffin, Jim Shellenback and the mighty Ron Brand walk at season’s end.

Frustratingly, Lee Mazzilli goes down for 6 weeks with an ankle sprain in his seventh game of the season down at AAA.


Cincy start the season with 11 straight wins and look set to dominate again, although the Astros are also quick out of the gates.




Monthly Award Winners

April

American League

• Batter – Phil Garner (White Sox): 437 / 3 HR / 14 RBI
• Pitcher – Donnie Moore (Royals): 5-1 / 1.20 / 1 SV / 6 K / 15 IP
• Rookie – Donnie Moore

National League

• Batter – Joe Morgan (Reds): 293 / 4 HR / 16 RBI
• Pitcher – Tom Seaver (Mets): 5-0 / 1.47 / 36 K / 43 IP
• Rookie – Ken Kravec (Astros): 3-0 / 0.57 / 20 K / 31.2 IP

May

American League

• Batter – Oscar Gamble (White Sox): 333 / 6 HR / 27 RBI
• Pitcher – Len Barker (Tigers): 4-1 / 2.10 / 39 K / 55.2 IP
• Rookie – Len Barker

National League

• Batter – Lyman Bostock (Padres): 433 / 3 HR / 17 RBI
• Pitcher – John Montefusco (Padres): 6-0 / 3.20 / 29 K / 45 IP
• Rookie – Pete Redfern (Cardinals): 4-1 / 1.75 / 32 K / 46.1 IP

News and Leaders






Milestones and Observations of Note

• 2000 Hits: Willie Stargell
• 200 Wins: Gaylord Perry
• The Padres lose young gun Dave Winfield for 6 weeks to an ankle injury.

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