The Bucs Start Here - A Pirates Do-Over

[luckymann]

Yikes! Scoop's big day goes to waste thanks to a horror show by the staff.

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At age 39, does Willie McCovey have the legs to climb the HR mountaintop? He's certainly still in great nick and now, having joined the very exclusive 600-Club (taking its membership up to 3), only needs 22 to pass the Mick. He played until 1980 IRL, so by that yardstick he should do it easily. But as we've seen, those last couple of dozen can seem harder to procure than the first 600.

Keep you posted.

[luckymann]

Which active pitchers are leading the MLB in career wins?

• Sandy Koufax, LAD, 337
• Jim Kaat, STL, 243
• Gaylord Perry, NYY, 230
• Steve Carlton, PHI, 199
• Phil Niekro, CWS, 199

That's probably where Sandy will finish up - he looks shot.

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Paris record the best regular season record at 81-51 then go on to beat Pine Bluff for the club's third AAA title and first since 1961.

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If anything, the end of the 1977 MLB regular season is even more jam-packed with twists and turns than the dramatic final act of a year prior. Hard to believe that’s even possible.

An early challenge for the stretch run arrives in the shape of an ankle injury that will see Al Oliver spend the minimum stint on the IL. Fortunately Jangles Robinson is ready to return but this means we have to rush him straight back rather than rehab him.

On the field, our struggle for consistency persists. No idea what has happened to Jerry Reuss but he has been dreadful the past couple seasons and is having another ordinary campaign here.

Four straight losses at Cincy are followed by three wins at home against the Cubs and 3 more out of 4 against the Mets including a crazy 5-4 17-inning jobby that Kurt Bevacqua wins walkoff with his first tater of the season.

We lose another clump of games without it doing us too much damage but Scoop Olivers return from the IL is nevertheless a timely one indeed, returning us to full strength for the first time in a while. Kurt Bevacqua, who’ll be walking at season’s end, makes way and heads to AAA.

Sadly, it doesn’t stop the rot as we eventually lose six straight before finally getting a win.

Still, no strong moves elsewhere mean we remain very much in contention.

It is at this time that we pick up unloved OF Dave Kingman on a minors deal, then promote him to become our second Cutlass Club member, leaving just one spot now open. We then sign him to a super cheap 4/360 deal so we’ll have him and his 48 IRL HR in the mix for ’79. While he’s ineligible for this year’s playoffs should we get there, this is still a big get for us moving forward. He’s out of options, so Wayne Nordhagen has to make way for him although he’ll be a handy depth guy whenever injury strikes.

We are tied with the Phils (and the Mets) when they come to town in early September for a 3-game series. We take two from three but there’s a whole lot more left in this race with 20 games to go. Sadly, we’ll have to do it without Lee Lacy, who is knocked out of action for the remainder with a back injury. We’ll miss him greatly. Kurt Bevacqua comes back in his place.

We’ve snuck 3 in front of both when we head to Philly for our final two games of the season against the Phils. We win both of them to put ourselves in the box seat—five ahead with 16 to play.

With 10 to go we’ve chipped our MN into single-figures and grabbed a handy 4-game break from the Phils, with the Mets – against whom we still have five games remaining to be played – just behind them.

We drop the first of these as Jon Matlack outpitches Candy, who is in the middle of the first slump of his career, but earn a split as Bruce Kison beats ex-Bucco Jim Bibby for his 13th win of the season.

Next we have three at the Cubs, who have been busy and moved into third place just 4 back after sweeping the Phillies. Six of our final nine games are against them, so suddenly they look our biggest threat.

We’ll be without RP Dave Tomlin for the remainder due to a shoulder strain he suffers falling off his bike. Not that he’s been great or anything but it’s a distraction we don’t need. Dave Hamilton makes his first appearance for the year with us.

The lads flex their muscles with a 12-1 win in the opener behind Ron Guidry, who also chimes in with 4 of our 22 hits and 2 ribbies, but then the Cubs beat us in each of the next two to sit three behind with six to play.

Bibby exacts some revenge with a 7-3 win in the first game of the Mets series but we end their run in dramatic fashion as Guidry and Seaver duke it out and Dave Kingman wins it walkoff with an RBI single for a 2-1 squeaker.

The Cubs lose as well and are eliminated, leaving just the Phils to be overcome.

And Kingman comes through with the decisive hit again the next day, a run-scoring double that holds up in another 2-1 win to get us into the postseason again.

We end up at 88-74, four clear of the Phils.





No doubt the hitters did most of the heavy lifting for us this year. Between Kingman’s late-season impact and Ron Guidry, who wins the September pitching prize, I think we can be pleased with our recruiting this year.




Just a solid showing across the board, with George Hendrick's starmaking turn particularly satisfying.




John Candelaria was 14-4 at one point and his late-season slide is a real concern for us. Another stellar season leading the BP from Rich Gossage.


The Reds look to have taken charge in the NL West but then stumble and let the Astros back into the race, with the Dodgers also making a late charge to enter into calculations and the Padres not without some hope in a stirring finish indeed.

Same goes with the White Sox over in the AL West, which is again proving a tight affair with the Rangers and Royals in hot pursuit.

Even the Tigers have stopped to a crawl and all three contests go down to the wire.

The White Sox pull away again in the penultimate week and are the first to lock down a playoff berth, while the Tigers also finish strongly to clinch with a handful of games to play.

With us by now having also clinched, that leaves just the NL West still under dispute. After the Reds are dropped, it comes down to the Astros and Dodgers in a winner-take-all series that Houston prevails in to lock down just their second playoffs appearance.

That was an absolute beauty.




Batting titles for our own Scoop Oliver and Jim Rice, who misses the AL Triple Crown by just 6 RBI. His 46 homers are easily the most this season, while Cecil Cooper records the 5th-highest RBI total in MLB history with 154 - just 7 shy of Turkey Stearnes' all-time mark. Lou Brock becomes the first MLBer to steal 1000 bases in his career, while Bill North swipes 100 exactly this season.

Mark Fidrych leads both leagues with 25 Wins, Ed Halicki has the low ERA this season with 2.29, Nolan Ryan is again the King of K with 301 and Jim Kern has the most saves with 38.


Final Top 20s and Leaders








Monthly Award Winners

August

American League

• Batter – Lee May (Mariners): 337 / 12 HR / 30 RBI
• Pitcher – Frandy Moffitt (Brewers): 4-1 / 1.14 / 3 SV / 16 K / 23.2 IP
• Rookie – Matt Keough (Indians): 4-1 / 2.86 / 40 K / 50.1 IP

National League

• Batter – Jeff Burroughs (Expos): 349 / 8 HR / 25 RBI
• Pitcher – Mark Fidrych (Astros): 5-2 / 1.36 / 36 K / 59.2 IP
• Rookie – Ken Landreaux (Phillies): 366 / 5 HR / 24 RBI

September

American League

• Batter – Mitchell Page (Blue Jays): 364 / 6 HR / 18 RBI
• Pitcher – Jim Palmer (Orioles): 5-1 / 1.75 / 33 K / 51.1 IP
• Rookie – Mitchell Page

National League

• Batter – Jack Clark (Giants): 375 / 6 HR / 23 RBI
• Pitcher – Ron Guidry (Pirates): 4-1 / 1.39 / 43 K / 45.1 IP
• Rookie – Ed Whitson (Expos): 2-0 / 1.96 / 33 K / 46 IP

Milestones and Observations of Note

• 2500 Hits: Willie McCovey, who finishes the season on 605 career HR
• 2000 Hits: Rusty Staub, Tony Perez, Rod Carew
• Steven Whitehead, who never made the bigs IRL, is having fun in this timeline with more 27 HR for the season – including 3 in one game against Philly – playing for the Braves.

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[luckymann]

American League
Detroit Tigers (99-63) v Chicago White Sox (96-66)

We get a repeat of last year in the AL with the White Sox looking for a third straight pennant and the Tigers looking for their first World Seris appearance since the championship 1967 season. It’s a team of great strengths but also obvious shortcomings that Detroit sends out here. Cecil Cooper has had an extraordinary season and is the main guy for them here. If he, Chet Lemon and Don Baylor catch fire then the Tigers will go a long way. But the pitching can get a bit shaky and after those big three there are a lot of slappy hitters, so they are a bit of an unknown quantity. The defending champs look good again and if they play to their full abilities then they, too, will take a lot of beating. Should be a fascinating contest here, as was the case a year ago.

The Sox come out all guns blazing with a big 8-2 road win in Game 1 but the Tigers squeeze past them 3-2 in a thrilling 11-inning Game 2 to get back on even terms.

The Tigers go ahead for the first time with a 7-3 Game 3 win and then, despite blowing an early lead, finish the job in dramatic fashion with a 6-5 win in 11.

Veteran Catcher Tim McCarver nabs the MVP gong.





National League
Houston Astros (90-72) v Pittsburgh Pirates (88-74)

We’ve got our work cut out for us against the Astros, with whom we split the regular season games six apiece. Their pitchers don’t give up many runs and, while their hitting can go quiet in spells, it won’t take a lot of runs to win their share of games. Our hitters have been sensational this year but this will be a true test for them and our pitching is nowhere near where we’d like it to be. Dave Kingman’s ineligibility paves the way for Wayne Nordhagen to return for the playoffs and with Lee Lacy also out (but perhaps available if we make the WS) we’ll need to be very good indeed to get to the next stage, especially with them having the home field advantage. We do get Dave Tomlin back in time and he comes in for Dave Hamilton.

Ron Guidry gives us a tight 5-3 win in the opener but despite Candy Man giving us a strong outing against The Bird we lose the second game walkoff in 10 to send the series to Pittsburgh knotted at one.

Jerry Reuss struggles again in Game 3 but we almost pinch it with a late rally before coming up a run short in a 7-6 final.

Bruce Kison has been solid for us this year and it’s all on him to keep us alive against lefty Ken Kravec. With Pops hitting less than a buck to this point, Dave Kingman’s absence hurts all the more and, while he chimes in with 3 hits and 3 RBI in this one, we lose a wild 10-9 slugfest to bow out ungracefully to give the Astros their first NL pennant and a maiden World Series berth.

Chris Chambliss is named MVP.

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Detroit Tigers v Houston Astros
Best-of-seven, Tigers with the home-field advantage.


DETROIT TIGERS S+ PAGE

HOUSTON ASTROS S+ PAGE

One would have to put the Tigers as strong favourites here but there’s a massive difference between paper and grass that has caught many a side out in this situation, so they’ll still have to go out there and earn it.

The Astros bats belted us all over the place but they are up against a more robust staff than ours here and their lack of experience is also a concern. Two talented squads here and the neutrals should get their money’s worth. That said, I’m picking the Tigers in six.

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

[luckymann]

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Game 1 in Detroit

Frank Tanana (19-6, 2.85) v Mark Fidrych (25-8, 2.63)

A fantastic start to this contest with two of the hottest pitchers in the league to kick things off.

And it is the visitors who draw first blood, taking an early 3-0 lead and just holding on for a one-run victory. Bird goes the distance for the W, while Otto Velez hits the first home run of the series.

Game 2 in Detroit

Len Barker (12-13, 3.70) v JR Richard (12-17, 3.05)

Astros lead series 1-0

The Astros send another of the good ones to the mound here to try take a commanding 2-0 lead back to Texas, but Len Barker will be no easybeat in what should be another low-scoring affair.

And that’s precisely what they do as Richard gives them 7+ scoreless and the bullpen finishes off the job for a shutout win.

The Tigers bats just haven’t looked interested yet and they’ll need to turn things around if Detroit is to get back into this series.

Game 3 in Houston

Ken Kravec (14-13, 4.03) v Gary Nolan (10-9, 5.59)

Astros lead series 2-0

Game 3 pits two guys that, on their day, can be virtually unhittable but who struggle to have “their day” with the consistency they’d like. I’m expecting plenty of runs here.

In fact it is the opposite sort of game as the pitching dominance continues and the Tigers finally get a win, albeit a tight comeback one. Kravec goes the distance and acquits himself well but gets little support from his bats as Nolan keeps them quiet.

Game 4 in Houston

Joe Niekro (15-10, 3.58) v Larry Gura (16-5, 4.11)

Astros lead series 2-1

Nice to see Joe Niekro, who has been an Astro since inception get a WS start at age-32 and trying to emulate his brother’s success of a year ago. He’ll face southpaw Larry Gura in a game where the defences will need to be on their toes.

They aren’t, with 3 errors apiece, as the Astros break the sequence of away wins in yet another tight tussle. Niekro goes 8 for the win, Gura 7 for the loss, as 2B Mike Champion and C Bob Stinson each has 2 ribbies for the victors.

Game 5 in Houston

Mark Fidrych (1-0, 2.76) v Frank Tanana (0-2, 4.72)

Astros lead series 3-1

Houston with the chance to clinch at home as we go back to the top of the rotations. Detroit simply has to get something going on offence or they are toast. Easier said than done against “The Bird”.

They don’t get many, but they get enough to stay alive as neither pitcher gives up an earned run in another premium pitching display. Three more errors by the Astros defence are the killer here, allowing the Tigers to score two early and go on from there to send this series back to Motown once again very much in the balance.

Game 6 in Detroit

Scipio Spinks (7-4, 4.40) v JR Richard (2-0, 2.40)

Astros lead series 3-2

A finger injury to Len Barker means it is up to the hard-throwing but erratic Scipio Spinks to extend this series for the Tigers. Richard was dominant in Game 2 and the ‘Stros would love another on along those lines here.

He gives them one to deliver the Astros their maiden title, making them the first expansion club to do so. Stan Musial, who never got a Championship ring as a player, gets one here as Houston Manager.

No surprises, JR Richard wins the MVP.

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[luckymann]

OUTS & OUTS

Charlie Gilbert (Red Sox Manager), Sam Jones (White Sox Manager - tough crowd!) and Billy Goodman (A's Manager) are all back on the market and looking for a new job.


ROSTER MOVES

We exercise Woodie Fryman's 1978 option. While he was ordinary this season and looks pretty much done, he's still a warm body and his $110k contract won't constrain us financially in any way We send Kurt Bevacqua to arb but non-tender Rick Miller, freeing up another CC spot.

Terry Forster, Gene Alley and Bob Moose all walk, as does the non-tendered Kurt Bevacqua.

We don't renew 1B Coach Lennie Merullo's contract and replace him with Mickey McGuire


SIM ACCURACY




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


HANGIN' THEM UP

Billy Williams should give the HoF a shake but arguably the biggest news here is who isn't on this list: it would appear Mr Koufax is having one more go-around.

[luckymann]

AL 1977 HISTORY INDEX

NL 1977 HISTORY INDEX

AWARDS HISTORY


Johnson-Waddell Awards to Jim Rice and Andre Dawson (just pipping Dave Parker, which means we had a total wipe for the first time I can remember), while Ed Halicki and Mark Fidrych were deserving Wagner-Lajoie recipients. Mitchell Page and Bump Wills take out the Mantle-Mays this year, Bob McClure and Jim Kern their first Paige Plates.


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[luckymann]

Just two Marquees and two Legacies this year, meaning there are plenty of good guys up for grabs and unspoken for.

These are the Legacy Players for the 1978 Season:

Los Angeles Dodgers: Pedro Guerrero (34.4; 1036)
Milwaukee Brewers: Paul Molitor (75.7; 1826 – 69%) MARQUEE
Oakland Athletics: Bob Welch (43.7; 267 GS)
St. Louis Cardinals: Ozzie Smith (76.9; 1990 – 77%) MARQUEE


Bob Welch (43.7; 267 GS) was also eligible for the Dodgers, but the A’s higher pick means he goes there.

Carney Lansford (40.4; 1203) was also eligible for the A’s, but Welch’s higher WAR makes him the selection.

Dwayne Murphy (33.3; 1213) was also eligible for the A’s, but Welch’s higher WAR makes him the selection.

Dave Stewart (26.5; 245 GS) was also eligible for the A’s, but Welch’s higher WAR makes him the selection.



There are 149 rookies for this season, and the Draft will consist of 5 rounds.

The Draft order will be as follows (winning percentage from 1977 IRL season in brackets; bold indicates Legacy Pick in 1st Round):


Round 1

1. St. Louis Cardinals (512)
2. Milwaukee Brewers (414)
3. Oakland Athletics (391)
4. Los Angeles Dodgers (605)
5. Toronto Blue Jays (335)
6. Atlanta Braves (337)
7. Seattle Mariners (395; dice roll)
8. New York Mets (395; dice roll)
9. San Diego Padres (426)
10. Cleveland Indians (441)
11. Detroit Tigers (457; dice roll)
12. California Angels (457; dice roll)
13. Montreal Expos (463; dice roll)
14. San Francisco Giants (463; dice roll)
15. Chicago Cubs (500; dice roll)
16. Houston Astros (500; dice roll)
17. Minnesota Twins (522)
18. Cincinnati Reds (543)
19. Chicago White Sox (556)
20. Texas Rangers (580)
21. Pittsburgh Pirates (593)
22. Baltimore Orioles (602; dice roll)
23. Boston Red Sox (602; dice roll)
24. New York Yankees (617)
25. Philadelphia Phillies (623)
26. Kansas City Royals (630)


Rounds 2 thru 5

1. Toronto Blue Jays (335)
2. Atlanta Braves (337)
3. Oakland Athletics (391)
4. Seattle Mariners (395; dice roll)
5. New York Mets (395; dice roll)
6. Milwaukee Brewers (414)
7. San Diego Padres (426)
8. Cleveland Indians (441)
9. Detroit Tigers (457; dice roll)
10. California Angels (457; dice roll)
11. Montreal Expos (463; dice roll)
12. San Francisco Giants (463; dice roll)
13. Chicago Cubs (500; dice roll)
14. Houston Astros (500; dice roll)
15. St. Louis Cardinals (512)
16. Minnesota Twins (522)
17. Cincinnati Reds (543)
18. Chicago White Sox (556)
19. Texas Rangers (580)
20. Pittsburgh Pirates (593)
21. Baltimore Orioles (602; dice roll)
22. Boston Red Sox (602; dice roll)
23. Los Angeles Dodgers (605)
24. New York Yankees (617)
25. Philadelphia Phillies (623)
26. Kansas City Royals (630)


Eligible PIT players: 4 position players + 6 pitchers = 10.


Same old sad song for us—no Legacy and super late pick, so our expectations are extremely tempered about reaping much from this Draft. We do have some clearly-defined specific needs; it’s just a matter of matching those up with the players on offer and their eligibility status. Worse case, we look for guys we’ll get some trade value for in a year.

Here's who we end up taking:

1. P Steve Trout, 20 (ineligible)

• The aforementioned trade bait selection, after all materially decent eligibles were snapped up early. Steve’s a fair talent, so he should result in a decent return when we flip him.

2. P Victor Cruz, 19

• It came down to him and one other and we just felt that our push for ’79 would be better served here. He’ll be in the mix for our final RHRP spot for that season, but we needed an LHP more.

3. C Bruce Bochy, 22 (ineligible)
4. Tom Spencer, 26 (ineligible)
5. IF Darrell Woodard, 21 (ineligible)

• AAA depth.

Fair to say this exercise does not move the needle much in our favour.

FULL DRAFT LOG

[luckymann]

It takes him nearly his full complement of ballots, but Minnie Minoso finally gets his plaque. No such joy for Larry Doby, who drops off well shy and will have to hope the 2000 Centennial Ballot looks favourably upon him.

[luckymann]

The Yanks - by dent (see what I did there?) of a one-game playoff win over the BoSox - and Dodgers repeat and the result does, too, even without too many dramatics from the bat of Reggie Jackson.


AL EAST / WEST CHAMPIONS: New York Yankees (100-63) / Kansas City Royals (92-70)
NL EAST / WEST CHAMPIONS: Philadelphia Phillies (90-72) / Los Angeles Dodgers (95-67)
ALCS: Yankees 3, Royals 1
NLCS: Dodgers 3, Phillies 1
WORLD SERIES: Yankees 4, Dodgers 2

Pittsburgh Pirates: 88-73, 2nd in NL East

AL MVP: Jim Rice (Red Sox)
NL MVP: Dave Parker (Pirates)

AL CYA: Ron Guidry (Yankees)
NL CYA: Gaylord Perry (Padres)

AL RoY: Lou Whitaker (Tigers)
NL RoY: Bob Horner (Braves)

AL Reliever: Rich Gossage (Yankees)
NL Reliever: Rollie Fingers (Padres)


Top Ten Lists (courtesy of thisgreatgame.com)

NL Hitters

1. DAVE PARKER, PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: .334 average, 102 runs, 194 hits, 32 doubles, 12 triples, 30 home runs, 117 RBI, 23 intentional walks, 20 stolen bases, .585 slugging percentage.
• Parker checked in as the NL’s titan in size and performance, the lumbering Pirate gradually improving until he was virtually unstoppable in the home stretch—hitting .426 over his last 38 games.

2. GEORGE FOSTER, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: .281 average, 97 runs, 170 hits, 26 doubles, 7 triples, 40 home runs, 120 RBIs.
• Following his monster 1977 performance, Foster’s numbers eased off but were weighed in at heavyweight levels; he led the NL for the third straight year in RBIs, averaging 130 per year from 1976-78.

3. JACK CLARK, SAN FRANCISCO

• Key Numbers: .306 average, 90 runs, 181 hits, 46 doubles, 8 triples, 25 home runs, 98 RBIs, 15 stolen bases.
• The young outfielder represented a new breed of Giants hitters in front of a re-engaged (and much larger) fan base at Candlestick Park; his 26-game hit streak was the NL’s second longest of the season, after Pete Rose’s record-tying 44-game run.

4. GREG LUZINSKI, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: .265 average, 85 runs, 32 doubles, 35 home runs, 101 RBIs, 100 walks, 11 hit-by-pitches.
• In his last savagely good year with the Phillies, Luzinski saw his average drop well below the .300 mark it had been for three years, but made up for it on-base-wise with a career-high 100 walks.

5. REGGIE SMITH, LOS ANGELES

• Key Numbers: 128 games, .295 average, 82 runs, 27 doubles, 29 home runs, 93 RBIs, 12 stolen bases, 13 sacrifice flies.
• A series of injuries was all that kept Smith from topping his terrific numbers of a year before.

6. DAVE WINFIELD, SAN DIEGO

• Key Numbers: .308 average, 88 runs, 181 hits, 30 doubles, 5 triples, 24 home runs, 97 RBIs, 20 intentional walks, 21 stolen bases.
• Winfield, who spurned offers to play in the NFL and NBA, finally emerged to superstar status after years of steady growth.

7. STEVE GARVEY, LOS ANGELES

• Key Numbers: 162 games, .316 average, 89 runs, 202 hits, 36 doubles, 9 triples, 21 home runs, 113 RBIs, 10 stolen bases.
• A .434 clip in September helped Garvey clinch his fourth 200-hit campaign, the first time he led the NL in that category.

8. JOSE CRUZ, HOUSTON

• Key Numbers: .315 average, 79 runs, 178 hits, 34 doubles, 9 triples, 10 home runs, 83 RBIs, 37 stolen bases.
• Cruz was slowly but surely developing into one of the biggest threats on an Astros team that relied less and less on power.

9. JEFF BURROUGHS, ATLANTA

• Key Numbers: .301 average, 30 doubles, 6 triples, 23 home runs, 77 RBIs, 117 walks, .432 on-base percentage.
• Although Burroughs’ power production dropped from the 41 home runs he slammed the year before, it wasn’t the fault of his home park; 19 of his 23 dingers came at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium.

10. WILLIE STARGELL, PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: 122 games, .295 average, 28 home runs, 97 RBIs.
• Like MVP teammate Dave Parker above, a revitalized 38-year-old Stargell finished hot for the Bucs—batting .326 with 12 homers and 41 RBIs over his final 35 games played. Pops would carry that momentum into his own MVP effort a year later.

AL Hitters

1. JIM RICE, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: 163 games, .315 average, 677 at-bats, 121 runs, 213 hits, 25 doubles, 15 triples, 46 home runs, 139 RBIs, .600 slugging percentage.
• How dominant was Rice? His 406 total bases, the most by a major leaguer since Stan Musial in 1948, were followed up in the AL by Baltimore sophomore Eddie Murray—who racked up 293.

2. LARRY HISLE, MILWAUKEE

• Key Numbers: .290 average, 96 runs, 34 home runs, 115 RBIs, 10 stolen bases.
• Hisle initially made the Brewers look good on their six-year, $3.1 million investment on him—but boom gave way to bust as injuries ravaged the remaining paid time of his contract after 1978.

3. AMOS OTIS, KANSAS CITY

• Key Numbers: .298 average, 30 doubles, 7 triples, 22 home runs, 96 RBIs, 32 stolen bases.
• Otis’ numbers were arguably the best of his reign as, not so arguably, the most consistent and reliable Royals offensive force of the 1970s.

4. RON LEFLORE, DETROIT

• Key Numbers: .297 average, 666 at-bats, 126 runs, 198 hits, 30 doubles, 12 home runs, 62 RBIs, 68 stolen bases.
• LeFlore emerged as a premier robber of bases for the Tigers five years after an early parole from State Prison of Southern Michigan, where he was doing 5-to-15 for armed robbery.

5. ROD CAREW, MINNESOTA

• Key Numbers: .333 average, 85 runs, 188 hits, 26 doubles, 10 triples, 5 home runs, 70 RBIs, 19 intentional walks, 27 stolen bases, .411 on-base percentage.
• Racially insensitive comments made by Minnesota owner Calvin Griffith convinced Carew that his seventh AL batting title would be his last for the Twins; he signed a lucrative deal with the Angels after the season.

6. ANDRE THORNTON, CLEVELAND

• Key Numbers: .262 average, 97 runs, 33 home runs, 105 RBIs, 93 walks.
• After difficulty hooking on with the Cubs and Expos, Thornton found his place in Cleveland—with a cycle at Boston on April 22 representing a season highlight.

7. CARLTON FISK, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: .284 average, 94 runs, 39 doubles, 5 triples, 20 home runs, 88 RBIs.
• The sturdy All-Star catcher remained a valuable force at the plate while being the tireless tank behind it, catching a major league-high 154 games for the Red Sox.

8. LEON ROBERTS, SEATTLE

• Key Numbers: 134 games, .301 average, 21 doubles, 7 triples, 22 home runs, 92 RBIs.
• Dealt from the Astros before the season in what was considered a nothingburger trade, Roberts suddenly and momentarily blossomed as the best performer for the infant Mariners.

9. BOBBY BONDS, CHICAGO-TEXAS

• Key Numbers: .267 average, 93 runs, 31 home runs, 90 RBIs, 43 stolen bases.
• Bonds remained on the run on the field and off it, playing for his second and third teams among six over a five-year period; for the fourth and last time, he went 30-40 (30 homers, 40 steals).

10. EDDIE MURRAY, BALTIMORE

• Key Numbers: .285 average, 85 runs, 174 hits, 32 doubles, 27 home runs, 95 RBIs.
• The second-year Murray produced stats almost ditto that of his rookie campaign—and that was just fine for Orioles fans, who would happily become accustomed to his clockwork quality of play.

NL Pitchers

1. GAYLORD PERRY, SAN DIEGO

• Key Numbers: 2.73 ERA, 21 wins, 6 losses, .778 win percentage, 37 starts, 260.2 innings, 18 stolen bases, 16 caught stealing/picked off, 24 grounded into double plays.
• Age 40 at year’s end, Perry likely was still wet behind the ears for his final hurrah in San Diego.

2. BOB KNEPPER, SAN FRANCISCO

• Key Numbers: 2.63 ERA, 17 wins, 11 losses, 35 starts, 6 shutouts, 260 innings.
• Along with Jack Clark, Knepper provided breakout results for the Giants with a personal-best total of victories.

3. VIDA BLUE, SAN FRANCISCO

• Key Numbers: 2.79 ERA, 18 wins, 10 losses, 35 starts, 258 innings.
• The transplanted veteran on the revived Giants, Blue lived a sweeter life across the bay from Charles Finley.

4. STEVE ROGERS, MONTREAL

• Key Numbers: 2.47 ERA, 13 wins, 10 losses, 1 save, 29 starts, 219 innings.
• A terrific season was marred by poor run support (less than two runs per start when he didn’t win) and a case of bone chips that ended his season at the end of August.

5. BURT HOOTON, LOS ANGELES

• Key Numbers: 2.71 ERA, 19 wins, 10 losses, 32 starts, 236 innings, 22 stolen bases allowed.
• Once mishandled in the Cubs organization, Hooton ascended to his career peak with the Dodgers.

6. PHIL NIEKRO, ATLANTA

• Key Numbers: 2.88 ERA, 19 wins, 18 losses, 1 save, 44 appearances, 42 starts, 22 complete games, 334.1 innings, 102 walks, 11 wild pitches, 13 hit-by-pitches, 34 stolen bases allowed.
• The 39-year-old knuckler had his most efficient season within a three-year run in which he evoked Wilbur Wood from earlier in the decade—and just about every ace who thrived during the Deadball Era.

7. ROSS GRIMSLEY, MONTREAL

• Key Numbers: 3.05 ERA, 20 wins, 11 losses, 36 starts, 19 complete games, 263 innings, 26 grounded into double plays.
• After quality turns in Cincinnati and Baltimore, Grimsley enjoyed his one strong year with the Expos and gave a big-league Canadian team its first 20-game winner.

8. CRAIG SWAN, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 2.43 ERA, 9 wins, 6 losses, 28 starts, 207.1 innings.
• In his best year amid a long Mets tenure bookended by the 1973 “Ya Gotta Believe” team and the rise of Dwight Gooden and Darryl Strawberry, Swan snuck in an ERA title—making him the second Met, after Tom Seaver, to do so. Swan compiled a 2.13 ERA over 14 non-decisions.

9. JOHN DENNY, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: 2.96 ERA, 14 wins, 11 losses, 33 starts, 234 innings, 34 grounded into double plays.
• Two years after winning the NL ERA crown—and one year after hamstring injuries ruined his follow-up—Denny righted himself with a strong effort.

10. J.R. RICHARD, HOUSTON

• Key Numbers: 3.11 ERA, 18 wins, 11 losses, 36 starts, 275.1 innings, 141 walks, 303 strikeouts, 16 wild pitches, 34 stolen bases allowed.
• The tall fireballer became the first Astro to strike out 300 batters; he’d do it again the following year.

AL Pitchers

1. RON GUIDRY, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 1.74 ERA, 25 wins, 3 losses, .893 win percentage, 35 starts, 9 shutouts, 273.2 innings.
• Guidry netted the best winning percentage of any 20-game winner, and his nine shutouts were the most by a lefty since…Babe Ruth.

2. MIKE CALDWELL, MILWAUKEE

• Key Numbers: 2.36 ERA, 22 wins, 9 losses, .710 win percentage, 1 save, 37 appearances, 34 starts, 23 complete games, 6 shutouts, 293.1 innings, 54 walks, 25 grounded into double plays.
• Gaylord Perry wasn’t the only one being accused of throwing spitballs; hitters skeptically credited Caldwell’s saliva with his sudden rise after years of elbow woes.

3. JIM PALMER, BALTIMORE

• Key Numbers: 2.46 ERA, 21 wins, 12 losses, 38 starts, 6 shutouts, 296 innings, 18 stolen bases allowed, 17 caught stealing/picked off.
• Palmer’s last 20-win campaign—and his seventh in eight years—included a career-long 30.2 consecutive scoreless inning streak.

4. JON MATLACK, TEXAS

• Key Numbers: 2.27 ERA, 15 wins, 13 losses, 1 save, 33 starts, 270 innings, 51 walks.
• Part of a massive, four-team, 11-player trade that allowed him to escape the deteriorating Mets, Matlack had no problems with hot and muggy Arlington Stadium—where he finished the season with a 12-3 record and 1.67 ERA.

5. LARY SORENSEN, MILWAUKEE

• Key Numbers: 3.21 ERA, 18 wins, 12 losses, 1 save, 36 starts, 280.2 innings, 50 walks.
• The 22-year-old sophomore had what would turn out to be his best year—even throwing three shutout innings at the All-Star Game—before descending into a career affected by drugs and alcohol.

6. FERGUSON JENKINS, TEXAS

• Key Numbers: 3.04 ERA, 18 wins, 8 losses, 34 appearances, 30 starts, 249 innings, 41 walks.
• Jenkins returned to Texas and found the winning knack he apparently forgot to take with him to Boston two years before.

7. LARRY GURA, KANSAS CITY

• Key Numbers: 2.72 ERA, 16 wins, 4 losses, .800 win percentage, 35 appearances, 26 starts, 221.2 innings.
• Moved to the rotation as Al Hrabosky took over the Royals’ closer role, Gura became a surprise standout in his ninth year at the major league level.

8. DENNIS LEONARD, KANSAS CITY

• Key Numbers: 3.33 ERA, 21 wins, 17 losses, 40 starts, 20 complete games, 294.2 innings, 12 wild pitches, 26 grounded into double plays.
• Leonard set a Royals mark with 294.2 innings, breaking by two the record he set the year before.

9. ED FIGUEROA, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 2.99 ERA, 20 wins, 9 losses, .690 win percentage, 35 starts, 253 innings, 21 grounded into double plays.
• Next to Guidry, Figueroa’s record looked pretty mundane. He was, however, the first Puerto Rican to win 20.

10. DAVE GOLTZ, MINNESOTA

• Key Numbers: 2.49 ERA, 15 wins, 10 losses, 29 starts, 220.1 innings.
• Goltz’s year got off to an awful start when he cracked a rib in a brawl and burned a finger while barbecuing. Once recovered, he pitched at a more effective rate than during his 20-win campaign of the season before.

[luckymann]

The big boys flex their muscles and clubs are forced to fork out some hefty sums for guys that, frankly, I don’t believe are worth anything near what they go for (I’m looking at you, Frank Taveras, not that you’ve done anything wrong—power to you, my brother…). Keep an eye on the Rangers this season after they make some interesting moves including the Perry and Hisle acquisitions.

• P Nolan Ryan: Yankees, 6 years / $9440000
• OF Oscar Gamble: Dodgers, 4 years / $5820000 (extension)
• P Jerry Koosman: Yankees, 4 years / $5480000
• C Darrell Porter: Tigers, 4 years / $5300000
• P Fergie Jenkins: Angels, 4 years / $4960000
• 1B Dvey Johnson: Yankees, 3 years / $4680000
• OF Lyman Bostock: Padres, 5 years / $3992000 (extension)
• C Cliff Johnson: Rangers, 7 years / $3780000
• SS Bucky Dent: White Sox, 3 years / $3470000
• SS Frank Taveras: Orioles, 3 years / $3880000
• P Ron Reed: Red Sox, 3 years / $2850000
• 3B Pete Rose: Red Sox, 3 years / $2840000
• 1B Andre Thornton: Phillies, 4 years / $2742000 (extension)
• C Joe Ferguson: Phillies, 3 years / $2610000
• OF Juan Beniquez: Rangers, 3 years / $2560000
• OF Amos Otis: Phillies, 2 years / $2240000
• 3B Phil Garner: White Sox, 4 years / $2158000 (extension)
• OF Lou Piniella: Angels, 3 years / $1920000
• 3B Sal Bando: White Sox, 2 years / $1120000

• 3B Lenny Randle from Cubs to Indians for P Danny Fife and 1B Ron Jackson
• 1B Bob Watson from Dodgers to Indians for P Pat Zachry and 2B Rodney Scott
• 1B Craig Kusick and OF Brian Asselstine from Indians to Blue Jays for OF Johnny Grubb and cash
• P Moose Haas and OF Bruce Boisclair from Rangers to Brewers for OF Larry Hisle (retaining 15%)
• P Scott McGregor and OF Greg Jemison from Rangers to Yankees for P Gaylord Perry
• OF Rick Bosetti and P Pete Falcone from Red Sox to Padres for P John Montefusco
• OF Richie Zisk from Expos to White Sox for 1B George Scott
• OF Claudell Washington and P Mike Norris from Yankees to Tigers for P Lou Marone and 3B Roy Howell
• P Francisco Barrios, C Frank Hunsaker and P Rick Jones from Cardinals to Expos for OF Jeff Burroughs (retaining 5%)
• 3B Jim Gantner from Twins to Tigers for P Monty Montgomery
• 1B Pat Putnam and P Jose Sosa from Astros to Phillies for P Luis Tiant

ALL TRANSACTIONS


We go 11-7 for Spring Training—see my upcoming Opening Day post for injury news.

Tight races anticipated across the board, not least in our division where BNN believes ourselves and the Phillies will finish tied on 91-71 just ahead of the Mets. I’ll take it.

FULL PRESEASON PREDICTIONS

[luckymann]

Without doubt the most frustrating offseason I have yet endured. It began when we were steamrolled in bidding for a key add who shall remain nameless (but whom is known for his strikeout and walk totals being of equally high measure and who features prominently in the FA transactions list just posted) and ended with us losing Bill Madlock for 2 months with a hamstring injury. Between the two we manage to add… wait for it… Ken Brett on a 2-year FA deal. Few players available and those who are being offered on simply ridiculous terms U L Washington for Ron Guidry, yeah right…).

The only lucky break we get is us having picked up Dave Cash on a minors deal the day before Mads goes down and he’ll now be our starting 2B until Mads returns. Look, we’re still in decent shape and should prove competitive once again but we certainly made no headway towards our ’79 title tilt preparations and that frustrates the heck out of me.

I feel like I’ve aged a decade in less than six months, which isn't ideal for a man of my vintage.

We'll be holding Lance Parrish back for now but the plan is to promote him at the All-Star Break to get him comfortable for next year. no other real changes of note from the lineup we deployed late last year other than Rick Rhoden getting another shot at starting and reliever Doug Bair making his debut in the bigs.

[luckymann]

Only really the Tim Foli decision to be made, although Dave Cash needs more thought now as well. We'll wait see what the Draft reveal holds before actioning either. Sangy and Fryman will both walk.

Will need to give 1980 plenty of thought before putting this timeline on its short hiatus as a few big earners are up for discussion that year - Madlock, Gossage, Lacy's team option, Scoop, Kison, Garber. While our bank balance looks healthy at first glance, it won't go far in this salary environment.

Still one free CC slot available.

[luckymann]

Which active pitchers are leading the MLB in career ERA?

• Sandy Koufax, LAD, 2.64
• Bert Blyleven, MIN, 3.02
• Jon Matlack, NYM, 3.04
• Frank Tanana, DET, 3.06
• Tom Seaver, NYM, 3.06

All-time leader: Rube Waddell 2.08

[luckymann]

[luckymann]

So, who is the leader in the MLB in career runs?

• Ted Williams, -, 2119
• Lou Gehrig, -, 2039
• Ty Cobb, -, 1982
• Mickey Mantle, -, 1909
• Eddie Collins, -, 1884