The Bucs Start Here - A Pirates Do-Over

[luckymann]

The coffers are looking OK all things considered but

We're likely to arb both Gary Redus and Mitch Webster for next year - or sign them to a 1-year deal - but then look for longer-term replacements after that.

Steve Buechele has an extra year of TC on those two and we'll have to think on how we want our formation to look moving forward - Bobby Bo at 1B or 3B being the primary question.

We've been stocking up on cheap bit-parts sort of guys as we have to but they all add up so we'll need to firm up who stays and who does not to free up as much cash as we can to lock Bobby down longer term along with Jay Bell and for replacements for Mike Scott and John Tudor over the next couple years. Not to mention account for the massive jump in Van and Barry's salaries from 1989 and 1991 respectively.

[luckymann]

Who holds the single season record in the MLB for doubles?

• Ed Morgan, BOS, 60, 1929
• Nap Lajoie, OAK, 59, 1901
• Don Mattingly, NYY, 58, 1986
• Pete Rose, BOS, 57, 1978
• Nap Lajoie, OAK, 57, 1904

[luckymann]

[luckymann]

The boys gel quickly, going 7-3 for their first 10 and generally playing well.

Ellis Burks settles right in, winning the award in just his second MLB week.

We lose Johnny Ray for a mandatory IL stint to a bruised collarbone and, wiith little other option, we leave the spot vacant and will share the duties at 2B in his absence.

Without him, our offence sputters over the next bit and needless to say we insert him straight back in once he is good to go.

With him back in the lineup, we are shut out in back-to-back games by the Dodgers.

We flip-flop Burks and Ray at the top of the order but nothing is working and the losses start to pile up.

A 4-10 run sees us almost back to 500, to which point the only thing the B’s – other than Ellis Burks, who continues to excel – are killing is my sleeping pattern.

With the AAA boys playing like busteds as well there is a distinct funk that has inexplicably fallen over the club.

The first ray of sunshine breaks through as we thump Houston 16-2 with easily our best game of the season to date and we eventually win six on the trot as Barry gets hot.

We finish May at 29-19, 5 back of the Cubs who look good early and enter June on an unbroken 11-game win streak.



Unusually slow off the mark with roster management so far, been focused elsewhere but will get cracking with it over this next stanza.




The A’s and Reds each get off to a hot start, going 16-4 for their first 20 games.


Monthly Award Winners

April

American League

Batter – Phil Bradley (A’s): 395 / 6 HR / 17 RBI
Pitcher – Tim Belcher (A’s): 5-0 / 2.27 / 23 K / 35.2 IP
Rookie – Tim Belcher


National League

Batter – Ken Phelps (Expos): 300 / 7 HR / 23 RBI
Pitcher – Dwight Gooden (Mets): 4-0 / 1.08 / 43 K / 41.2 IP
Rookie – Joe Magrane (Expos): 3-1 / 2.64 / 11 K / 30.2 IP


May

American League

Batter – Mike Greenwell (Red Sox): 356 / 6 HR / 19 RBI
Pitcher – Roger Clemens (Red Sox): 4-1 / 1.81 / 54 K / 49.2 IP
Rookie – Tim Belcher (A’s): 4-1 / 3.45 / 25 K / 44.1 IP


National League

Batter – Eric Davis (Cubs): 319 / 7 HR / 20 RBI
Pitcher – Al Leiter (Mets): 4-0 / 1.18 / 47 K / 45.2 IP
Rookie – Al Leiter


News and Leaders




Milestones and Observations of Note

2000 Hits: Darrell Evans
200 Wins: Rick Wise

The Expos lose Andre Dawson to a kneecap break for the maximum 3 month Legacy layoff, while Wade Boggs will miss a similar amount of time after suffering a severe hamstring tear.

Veteran Giants catcher Thurman Munson gets an imposed 4-month break due to a torn labrum.

[luckymann]

At the time, I guess this would have been classed as a no-hitter but since the '91 rule change it is now termed a "near no-hitter". Whatever the case, it is a fine pitching effort and at least they got the win in the end.

[luckymann]

Who holds the single season record in the MLB for saves?

• Bob Locker, BOS, 45, 1968
• John Hiller, CIN, 44, 1978
• Ken Dayley, BAL, 44, 1986
• Edwin Nunez, CLE, 44, 1986
• Sparky Lyle, TEX, 43, 1974

[luckymann]

We do OK this year, with first nods to Barry Bonds, Ellis Burks and Steve Buechele, who'll be joined by teammate Mike Scott.


American League

• SP Tim Belcher (OAK) - 12-3, 2.79 ERA, 142.0 IP, 1.18 WHIP, 5.4 K/9, 2.9 WAR
• SP John Candelaria (DET) - 11-5, 2.96 ERA, 137.0 IP, 1.06 WHIP, 4.9 K/9, 2.2 WAR
• SP Roger Clemens (BOS) - 9-7, 3.40 ERA, 151.0 IP, 1.21 WHIP, 8.5 K/9, 3.0 WAR
• SP Bruce Hurst (BOS) - 14-4, 2.93 ERA, 147.2 IP, 1.23 WHIP, 6.4 K/9, 2.5 WAR
• SP Bret Saberhagen (KC)* - 8-7, 2.76 ERA, 140.0 IP, 1.01 WHIP, 5.0 K/9, 3.2 WAR
• SP Floyd Youmans (TEX) - 7-3, 3.20 ERA, 132.0 IP, 1.26 WHIP, 5.8 K/9, 1.6 WAR
• RP Scott Garrelts (SEA) - 2-3, 11 SV, 2.09 ERA, 56.0 IP, 1.09 WHIP, 5.9 K/9, 0.9 WAR
• RP Ron Guidry (NYY) - 4-7, 2.98 ERA, 120.2 IP, 1.14 WHIP, 4.6 K/9, 1.7 WAR
• CL Bryan Harvey (BOS)* - 5-4, 16 SV, 1.51 ERA, 59.2 IP, 1.02 WHIP, 5.7 K/9, 1.8 WAR
• CL Dan Quisenberry (KC) - 5-2, 5 SV, 1.49 ERA, 36.1 IP, 1.43 WHIP, 3.0 K/9, 1.0 WAR
• C Bob Brenly (CWS)* - .282/.401/.519, 216 AB, 12 HR, 12 SB, 158 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
• C Terry Kennedy (BOS) - .272/.316/.387, 235 AB, 7 HR, 97 wRC+, 1.2 WAR
• C B.J. Surhoff (BAL) - .299/.357/.393, 244 AB, 1 HR, 14 SB, 116 wRC+, 1.9 WAR
• 1B Wally Joyner (BAL) - .297/.370/.470, 317 AB, 12 HR, 3 SB, 140 wRC+, 2.0 WAR
• 1B Don Mattingly (NYY)* - .335/.374/.547, 322 AB, 13 HR, 154 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
• 1B Fred McGriff (ML4) - .271/.395/.538, 266 AB, 21 HR, 1 SB, 155 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
• 2B Tony Phillips (TOR)* - .279/.384/.416, 269 AB, 6 HR, 7 SB, 132 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
• 3B Mark McGwire (OAK)* - .344/.422/.653, 285 AB, 21 HR, 204 wRC+, 4.4 WAR
• SS Tony Fernandez (TOR)* - .325/.374/.442, 308 AB, 1 HR, 16 SB, 123 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
• SS Cal Ripken Jr. (BAL) - .275/.361/.412, 284 AB, 8 HR, 1 SB, 124 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
• LF Phil Bradley (OAK)* - .291/.387/.458, 323 AB, 10 HR, 27 SB, 147 wRC+, 2.1 WAR
• LF Jose Canseco (OAK)* - .319/.373/.526, 310 AB, 17 HR, 14 SB, 157 wRC+, 3.4 WAR
• LF Kal Daniels (CLE) - .308/.415/.509, 279 AB, 13 HR, 28 SB, 157 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
• LF Mike Greenwell (BOS) - .332/.430/.537, 307 AB, 11 HR, 2 SB, 171 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
• LF Kevin McReynolds (SEA) - .342/.395/.581, 298 AB, 15 HR, 11 SB, 173 wRC+, 4.1 WAR
• CF Rickey Henderson (OAK)* - .303/.439/.466, 264 AB, 7 HR, 60 SB, 160 wRC+, 4.6 WAR
• CF Fred Lynn (SEA) - .314/.378/.568, 280 AB, 20 HR, 7 SB, 167 wRC+, 4.1 WAR
• RF Ivan Calderon (TEX)* - .323/.409/.575, 294 AB, 16 HR, 5 SB, 179 wRC+, 4.1 WAR
• RF John Kruk (BOS) - .325/.439/.461, 308 AB, 9 HR, 11 SB, 158 wRC+, 3.4 WAR
• RF Dave Winfield (DET) - .288/.349/.486, 288 AB, 15 HR, 1 SB, 134 wRC+, 2.3 WAR

National League

• SP Dwight Gooden (NYM) - 10-5, 2.71 ERA, 146.1 IP, 1.09 WHIP, 7.9 K/9, 4.4 WAR
• SP Charlie Leibrandt (LAD) - 6-6, 3.74 ERA, 122.2 IP, 1.35 WHIP, 6.5 K/9, 2.3 WAR
• SP Joe Magrane (MON) - 9-4, 2.25 ERA, 140.0 IP, 1.01 WHIP, 5.0 K/9, 3.6 WAR
• SP Jack Morris (CIN) - 11-8, 2.50 ERA, 136.2 IP, 1.10 WHIP, 6.5 K/9, 3.1 WAR
• SP Rick Rhoden (STL) - 8-7, 2.72 ERA, 149.0 IP, 1.03 WHIP, 5.0 K/9, 3.6 WAR
• SP Scott Sanderson (LAD) - 8-3, 1.87 ERA, 105.2 IP, 1.15 WHIP, 6.0 K/9, 2.4 WAR
• SP Mike Scott (PIT)* - 10-3, 2.10 ERA, 133.0 IP, 1.00 WHIP, 8.3 K/9, 3.3 WAR
• RP Rick Honeycutt (STL) - 5-3, 2.56 ERA, 66.2 IP, 1.29 WHIP, 4.3 K/9, 1.3 WAR
• CL Tom Henke (SF)* - 5-1, 23 SV, 1.14 ERA, 47.1 IP, 1.04 WHIP, 6.3 K/9, 1.8 WAR
• CL Rob Murphy (ATL) - 2-1, 15 SV, 2.54 ERA, 46.0 IP, 1.35 WHIP, 5.5 K/9, 0.8 WAR
• CL Bill Wilkinson (SD) - 0-5, 9 SV, 2.43 ERA, 59.1 IP, 1.18 WHIP, 5.9 K/9, 1.1 WAR
• C Matt Nokes (HOU) - .282/.332/.423, 248 AB, 8 HR, 108 wRC+, 1.6 WAR
• C Mike Scioscia (NYM)* - .274/.342/.423, 168 AB, 6 HR, 1 SB, 118 wRC+, 1.3 WAR (Injured)
• C Terry Steinbach (CHC) - .295/.373/.506, 241 AB, 11 HR, 2 SB, 147 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
• C Dave Valle (CIN) - .279/.327/.393, 229 AB, 3 HR, 1 SB, 103 wRC+, 0.8 WAR
• 1B Keith Hernandez (LAD)* - .289/.388/.384, 305 AB, 4 HR, 123 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
• 1B Ken Phelps (MON) - .233/.410/.498, 257 AB, 21 HR, 1 SB, 153 wRC+, 2.1 WAR
• 2B Willie Randolph (LAD)* - .323/.454/.470, 251 AB, 5 HR, 3 SB, 167 wRC+, 3.3 WAR
• 3B Steve Buechele (PIT) - .293/.342/.479, 263 AB, 8 HR, 1 SB, 132 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
• 3B Howard Johnson (CHC) - .249/.354/.474, 285 AB, 19 HR, 17 SB, 134 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
• 3B Mike Schmidt (PHI)* - .286/.372/.506, 241 AB, 14 HR, 148 wRC+, 2.9 WAR (Injured)
• SS Barry Larkin (CIN)* - .281/.327/.434, 295 AB, 8 HR, 18 SB, 116 wRC+, 3.3 WAR
• SS Ozzie Smith (STL) - .298/.371/.397, 305 AB, 4 HR, 26 SB, 124 wRC+, 3.8 WAR
• LF Barry Bonds (PIT) - .273/.383/.478, 278 AB, 8 HR, 25 SB, 143 wRC+, 3.8 WAR
• LF John Cangelosi (NYM) - .273/.428/.371, 264 AB, 2 HR, 54 SB, 140 wRC+, 3.3 WAR
• LF Joe Carter (ATL) - .267/.321/.530, 285 AB, 18 HR, 16 SB, 138 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
• LF Pedro Guerrero (LAD)* - .330/.403/.490, 312 AB, 12 HR, 4 SB, 157 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
• CF Ellis Burks (PIT) - .296/.373/.469, 294 AB, 9 HR, 15 SB, 137 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
• CF Eric Davis (CHC)* - .316/.419/.608, 291 AB, 19 HR, 39 SB, 185 wRC+, 6.5 WAR
• CF Lenny Dykstra (CIN) - .287/.364/.401, 289 AB, 4 HR, 23 SB, 116 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
• RF Dale Murphy (ATL) - .313/.396/.504, 230 AB, 10 HR, 8 SB, 152 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
• RF Darryl Strawberry (NYM)* - .264/.361/.495, 299 AB, 18 HR, 21 SB, 139 wRC+, 3.6 WAR

Ken Phelps takes out the HR Derby, beating Eric Davis in the final, while the NL wins the big game 6-2 with John Cangelosi named MVP.

[luckymann]

June begins poorly with the loss of Jay Bell for pretty much the rest of the season to a labrum tear. Bill Almon is once again called upon.

That doesn’t help our steadfastly streaky form as we follow 5 wins with 4 losses and, while we aren’t doing anything horribly what we are doing simply isn’t being converted into enough wins and soon enough we’re in mortal danger of falling out of contention as the Cubs stay hot.

As this continues, we lose Andy Van Slyke for 5 weeks to a broken finger and it is becoming painfully obvious this doesn’t look like it is going to be our year.

Rob Deer comes up to hopefully give us a bit of that X factor we are clearly lacking.

At the ASB, we sit at 51-36 and 9½ games in back of the Cubs but come back and play horribly, with a 2-8 stretch quickly blowing the deficit out to a dozen.

Under most circumstances I’d still give us a chance with 70 games to be played, but I simply don’t feel this group has the extra gear or two required to come back from here.

Our only hope as I see it is if the Cubbies absolutely implode. They don’t look likely to do so.

So we start thinking about 1988 and go on the hunt for deals that will hopefully get us headed back in the right direction.

We cross paths with one fairly quickly, actually, and pull the following swap with the Astros:



Jose De Leon was the only other guy on our radar and he’s in his walk year with his current club asking way too much in return, so instead we swap one big-hitting ineligible 1B for a better one.

It was always our intention to move Buck on next year with him getting expensive and Bobby Bo our long-term 3B option, but our non-competitiveness means we can do so now.

Not sure why the ‘Stros had Big Daddy languishing down at AAA Tucson, although he didn’t languish as much as light up that level with 30 HR already this season.

We finish the stanza with five straight wins but they don’t make much of a dent in the Cubs’ lead, which stands at 11 as we enter August.



We extend Neal Heaton on a 3/1530 deal, along with Vance Law (1/465) and Gary Redus and Mitch Webster, to each of whom we give a single-season extension valued at roughly $1m that’ll probably be the final one with us for both or at least definitely one of them.




The A’s maintain their lead in the AL West with continued good form but get some surprise competition in the form of the Mariners, who put together a run of 12 straight wins to move into second spot but then lose Mike Krukow for the season to a UCL tear.

They, the Cubs and Reds all look fairly comfortable, leaving just the good old AL East as the focal point again.


Monthly Award Winners

June

American League

Batter – Kevin McReynolds (Mariners): 409 / 7 HR / 19 RBI
Pitcher – Bruce Hurst (Red Sox): 6-0 / 3.07 / 27 K / 44 IP
Rookie – Jeff Robinson (Mariners): 3-1 / 2.51 / 23 K / 32.1 IP


National League

Batter – Tim Raines (Expos): 391 / 5 HR / 15 RBI
Pitcher –Mike Scott (Pirates): 4-1 / 1.60 / 40 K / 45 IP
Rookie – Tom Glavine (Braves): 3-0 / 2.72 / 20 K / 36.1 IP


July

American League

Batter – Mark McGwire (A’s): 341 / 11 HR / 22 RBI
Pitcher – Jimmy Key (Blue Jays): 4-1 / 2.63 / 28 K / 51.1 IP
Rookie – Melido Perez (Twins): 4-2 / 2.36 / 21 K / 45.2 IP


National League

Batter – Eric Davis (Cubs): 380 / 8 HR / 15 RBI
Pitcher –Mike Scott (Pirates): 5-0 / 1.54 / 25 K / 35 IP
Rookie – Shawn Hillegas (Cardinals): 0-0 / 2.08 / 8 K / 13 IP


News, Leaders and Top 20s




Milestones and Observations of Note

2000 Hits: Robin Yount

Phillies veteran Mike Schmidt misses the better part of two months to a PCL strain

Deadline trades of note:

[luckymann]

None IRL for Teddy and this is his first in this timeline.

[luckymann]

Our Lincoln boys make it to the playoffs only cop a tough loss to Medford (who earn their spot via a tiebreak with Helena), who in turn cop a tough loss from North Platte, the Buffalos' 4th AAA title.

[luckymann]

We start the stretch drive positively by winning 7 of 9 and, more importantly, making a little bit of headway on the Cubs’ lead to at least keep them honest.

We lose Bob Walk to a hamstring tear for a few weeks and call up Mike Maddux.

We eventually get Andy Van Slyke back and Gary Redus makes way.

A poor stretch after this slows our momentum and, while we continue to play OK, we are rapidly running out of games. We enter September on a 5-game roll and at 77-55 but that leaves us still 8 back with just 30 to play.

We keep on winning but so do the Cubs until we knock them off twice in succession before they snip our win string at 11.

It is at this point we lose John Tudor for 5 weeks to a RC strain and Zane Smith makes his long-awaited MLB debut. It is a poor one.

In the end, we never legitimately challenge and are eliminated with too much time to spare for a club that goes on to win 93 games, including 13 of 18 against the new division champs.

Sometimes you get away with lower win totals and sometimes higher numbers don’t get it done—that’s baseball for you.

The Cubs’ 104 wins are a new franchise record and the first time the club has recorded 100 or more in a season. So they deserve their victory.

We lock down Jim Gott for the foreseeable future via a 6/2050 extension.




Limited drama elsewhere once again.

The A’s lead from wire to wire and are the first to clinch, while the Reds do it easily and book their spot the day after the Cubbies.

Only the AL East is tightly-contested, with the Brewers three in front of the Red Sox entering a series between the two to close out the regular season.

Boston stays alive with a 9-4 win in the opener but the Brew Crew – under Manager Bill Mazeroski – nail down their first playoff appearance the next day with a 10-6 victory.

That leaves just the Mariners and Rangers without a playoff appearance to their name.




Final Leaders and Top 20s

Batting crowns to Mike Greenwell and Tony Gwynn.

Bic Mac's 41 HR emulate his Bash Brother's a year ago and he's the only player with 40+, while also leading the MLB with 139 RBI.

Vince Coleman repeats as top base-stealer with 114. Rickey's 103 put him at 1001 for his career and he now needs just 16 to knock Lou Brock out of top spot.

Rocket once again misses out on the Triple Crown, although not quite as narrowly as a year ago. He and Jack McDowell are the league's only 20-game winners this season and Roger's 263 K are easily the most.

John Dopson of the Giants sets this season's low ERA at 2.43, while our Senor Pena leads all pitchers with 45 Saves.

Oil Can Boyd (19-2) sets a new seasonal Win% of .905.




Monthly Award Winners

August

American League

Batter – Kevin McReynolds (Mariners): 375 / 10 HR / 22 RBI
Pitcher – Roger Clemens (Red Sox): 6-0 / 1.75 / 40 K / 51.1 IP
Rookie – Tim Belcher (A’s): 3-1 / 2.78 / 22 K / 35.2 IP


National League

Batter – Ellis Burks (Pirates): 424 / 8 HR / 19 RBI
Pitcher – Bob Ojeda (Phillies): 5-0 / 0.79 / 26 K / 45.1 IP
Rookie – Ellis Burks


September

American League

Batter – Eddie Murray (Orioles): 381 / 7 HR / 26 RBI
Pitcher – JR Richard (Royals): 4-0 / 1.57 / 34 K / 40 IP
Rookie – Bryan Harvey (Red Sox): 2-2 / 3.00 / 10 SV / 11 K / 15 IP


National League

Batter – Dale Murphy (Braves): 314 / 7 HR / 22 RBI
Pitcher – John Smiley (Cubs): 6-0 / 2.42 / 31 K / 44.2 IP
Rookie – Jack McDowell (Dodgers): 4-0 / 2.45 / 35 K / 44 IP



Milestones and Observations of Note

2000 Hits: Fred Lynn, Dwight Evans

Giants 1B Will Clark misses 5 weeks with a lat strain, while Boston loses SP Dennis Leonard for the remainder to an RC tear.

A concussion ends Yankee Don Mattingly’s season early, as does elbow inflammation for Doc Gooden and Rick Rhoden gets an early holiday for some elbow surgery as well.

[luckymann]

American League
Oakland A’s (100-62) v Milwaukee Brewers (93-69)


No Dave Righetti or Tom Herr for the Brewers, who I think should push the A’s here with the addition of Fred McGriff a telling one that gives the club an added dimension. Oakland is basically at full strength with just backup OF George Vukovich unavailable.

The A’s win the opener at home 8-4 and follow that up with a dominant 5-0 win in Game 2 with Bob Welch hurling a 5-hitter.

The Brewers show plenty of heart with a 7-5 comeback Game 3 win in front of their adoring fans but the A’s kick away again with a classic extra-innings game they win 5-2 in 10 and prove just too strong, finishing the Brewers off the following game with a gritty 5-3 victory.

A’s 1B Pete O’Brien is named series MVP.





National League
Chicago Cubs (104-58) v Cincinnati Reds (92-70)

Just Reds 3B Carney Lansford the notable omission and he’s unlikely to be seen again even if Cincy gets through this tough encounter with a Cubs outfit that looks in tip-top nick.

The Cubs start well with a 6-5 win that is only made close at the very death but then stumble with a 6-3 loss the next day as Jose Rijo gives the Reds a good one.

The Cubbies grind out a tough 6-5 win in Cincy to edge in front once more as George Brett and Eric Davis both go yard but again the Reds respond with a 2-0 win behind unheralded Mitchell Johnson and then an 8-5 decision sees them take the series lead for the first time heading back to Chicago for the final pair of games.

The home side barely escapes elimination, forcing a decider with a walkoff 3-2 win but the Reds prevail in a ripper Game 7 that is scoreless thru 7 before madness ensues and Cincy gets home 5 to 4.

Jerry Browne takes home the MVP.

[luckymann]

Oakland A’s v Cincinnati Reds
Best-of-seven, A's with the home-field advantage.


A few years ahead of their historical 1990 meeting, this timeline’s 1987 World Series should be a fascinating one between two quality groups with plenty of characters on both clubs.

The Reds have showed they’re no easybeats but they do look slightly overmatched here up against an A’s outfit that has been building up to dynastic tendencies these past few years with some big adds.

With the home-field advantage as well, I’m tipping Oakland in five here.

[luckymann]

[luckymann]

Game 1 in Oakland

Bob Welch (14-9, 4.63) v Jack Morris (17-12, 3.20)

A tighter tussle than the scorline indicates as the A’s grind out a Game 1 win behind Bob Welch, with Phil Bradley’s 8th-inning grand slam putting the Reds away for good.




Game 2 in Oakland
Tim Belcher (19-9, 3.32) v Mitchell Johnson (9-2, 3.12)
A's lead series 1-0

Both sets of bats have a gay old time in a wild Game 2, with 4 hits by Dan Gladden and 3 RBI by Rick Lundblade power the Reds past their hosts 12-6 to square the series.




Game 3 in Cincinnati
Jose Rijo (14-12, 4.37) v Danny Jackson (16-10, 3.61)
Series tied 1-1

This one stays close until the middle innings when the Reds break it open with 4 in the 6th and tack on another in the 7th to get home 6-1.

Jose Rijo gives Cincy 7 quality innings and Lenny Dykstra goes 3-for-5 to spark the offence.




Game 4 in Cincinnati
Ken Howell (10-3, 2.92) v Oil Can Boyd (19-2, 3.85)
Reds lead series 2-1

The A’s lose Oil Can Boyd to injury early and the bats stay ominously quiet with just 3 hits as the Reds double their advantage with a fairly low-key 3-1 win.




Game 5 in Cincinnati
Jack Morris (1-2, 7.56) v Bob Welch (2-0, 1.65)
Reds lead series 3-1

The Reds completely dominate the A’s and finish them off in fine style with a cushy 10-3 win.

The A’s just didn’t turn up to play (hello, 1990!) and never looked even remotely competitive from Game 2 onward.

Dave Henderson (oh the irony), who goes 4-for-4 with 5 RBI in the clincher, wins the MVP.

[luckymann]

OUT & OUTS

Mike Blyzka (Blue Jays), Earl Robinson (Mariners), Charlie Maxwell (Astros) and Bill Robinson (Braves) are each out of a job, while Tony Jacobs (Orioles) doesn't have his contract renewed.


ROSTER MOVES

We execute John Tudor's final year option and non-tender Rod Scurry and Jerry Dybzinski.

Bill Almon walks.


The following extensions of note were signed at other clubs:

OF Milt Thompson (Yankees) 4/6600
OF Eric Davis (Cubs) 4/18100
P Mark Gubicza (Cardinals) 4/5330
OF Ivan Calderon (Rangers) 3/7020
OF Danny Tartabull (A's) 3/7800
OF Joe Carter (Braves) 5/7580
OF Randy Ready (Cubs) 4/5570


SIM ACCURACY



*From here on in I'll provide the in-game comparison as well as my own with the edited LTMs.


HANGIN' THEM UP

Three absolute HoF locks you'd have to think from among this year's retirees.

[luckymann]

[luckymann]

Another relatively low-key year on the rookie front, with just five Legacies coming in including two Marquees.

These are the Legacy Players for the 1988 Season:

Atlanta Braves: John Smoltz (69.0; 708 GP) MARQUEE (conceded) 98%
Houston Astros: Craig Biggio (65.5; 2850 – one-club player) MARQUEE (conceded)
Chicago Cubs: Mark Grace (46.4; 1910)
Los Angeles Dodgers: Ramon Martinez (25.9; 262 GS)
Philadelphia Phillies: Curt Schilling (79.5; 226 GS)


There are 141 rookies for this season, and the Draft will consist of 5 rounds.

The Draft order will be as follows (winning percentage from 1987 IRL season in brackets; bold indicates Legacy Pick in 1st Round):


Round 1

1. Atlanta Braves (429)
2. Houston Astros (469)
3. Philadelphia Phillies (494; dice roll)
4. Chicago Cubs (472)
5. Baltimore Orioles (414)
6. Los Angeles Dodgers (451)
7. Cleveland Indians (377)
8. San Diego Padres (401)
9. California Angels (463; dice roll)
10. Texas Rangers (463; dice roll)
11. Chicago White Sox (475)
12. Boston Red Sox (481; dice roll)
13. Seattle Mariners (481; dice roll)
14. Pittsburgh Pirates (494; dice roll)
15. Oakland Athletics (500)
16. Kansas City Royals (512)
17. Cincinnati Reds (519)
18. Minnesota Twins (525)
19. New York Yankees (549)
20. San Francisco Giants (556)
21. Montreal Expos (562; dice roll)
22. Milwaukee Brewers (562; dice roll)
23. New York Mets (568)
24. St. Louis Cardinals (586)
25. Toronto Blue Jays (593)
26. Detroit Tigers (605)


Rounds 2 thru 5

1. Cleveland Indians (377)
2. San Diego Padres (401)
3. Baltimore Orioles (414)
4. Atlanta Braves (429)
5. Los Angeles Dodgers (451)
6. California Angels (463; dice roll)
7. Texas Rangers (463; dice roll)
8. Houston Astros (469)
9. Chicago Cubs (472)
10. Chicago White Sox (475)
11. Boston Red Sox (481; dice roll)
12. Seattle Mariners (481; dice roll)
13. Pittsburgh Pirates (494; dice roll)
14. Philadelphia Phillies (494; dice roll)
15. Oakland Athletics (500)
16. Kansas City Royals (512)
17. Cincinnati Reds (519)
18. Minnesota Twins (525)
19. New York Yankees (549)
20. San Francisco Giants (556)
21. Montreal Expos (562; dice roll)
22. Milwaukee Brewers (562; dice roll)
23. New York Mets (568)
24. St. Louis Cardinals (586)
25. Toronto Blue Jays (593)
26. Detroit Tigers (605)


Eligible PIT players: 3 position players + 6 pitchers = 9.


Pretty thin selection of eligibles for us this year and with plenty of quality players up for grabs and a relatively early pick we’ll just be looking for the most useful player to either keep as a CC member or use as trade bait in a year’s time.

It doesn’t quite work out that way:

1. 3B Charlie Hayes, 22 (PIT IRL: 1996)

• Not quite enough of those quality unspoken for guys for any to remain in the pool by the time we get a crack and in the end we take a handy corner IF, one of just 3 eleigible position players in the entire pool.

2. IF Lenny Harris, 23 (INELIGIBLE)

• We kind of applied our overarching strategy here as there were few other options.

3. P Randy Kramer, 23 (PIT IRL: 1988-90)

• A reliever for whom a lot will need to fall in place for him to see much action with us.

4. OF Sil Campusano, 21 (INELIGIBLE)
5. C Doug Davis, 25 (INELIGIBLE)

• AAA depth.

Not much doing for us this time around.

[luckymann]

Not quite ’86 but that home run and that Vin Scully call of it put this post-season closer to it than expected given not much else of note happened after Bulldog Hershiser broke Donny D’s scoreless innings record with a 10-inning shutout in his final regular season start. A forgettable year for vastly different reasons for fans of the A’s (of which I am one) and O’s, who go ohfer their first 21 games of the season.


AL EAST / WEST CHAMPIONS: Boston Red Sox (89-73) / Oakland A’s (104-58)
NL EAST / WEST CHAMPIONS: New York Mets (100-60) / Los Angeles Dodgers (94-67)
ALCS: A’s 4, Red Sox 0
NLCS: Dodgers 4, Mets 3
WORLD SERIES: Dodgers 4, A’s 1

Pittsburgh Pirates: 85-75, 2nd in NL East

AL MVP: Jose Canseco (A’s)
NL MVP: Kirk Gibson (Dodgers)

AL CYA: Frank Viola (Twins)
NL CYA: Orel Hershiser (Dodgers)

AL RoY: Walt Weiss (A’s)
NL RoY: Chris Sabo (Reds)


Top Ten Lists (courtesy of thisgreatgame.com)

NL Hitters

1. WILL CLARK, SAN FRANCISCO

• Key Numbers: 162 games, .282 average, 102 runs, 31 doubles, 6 triples, 29 home runs, 109 RBIs, 100 walks, 27 intentional walks.
• Matching the A’s Jose Canseco on the other side of the bay in cockiness—though not his Adonis-like structure—Clark burned NL pitching with one of the sweetest swings witnessed since Stan Musial.

2. DARRYL STRAWBERRY, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: .269 average, 101 runs, 27 doubles, 39 home runs, 101 RBIs, 85 walks, 29 stolen bases, .545 slugging percentage.
• “As long as I don’t slump,” the occasionally abrasive Strawberry said in spring training, “we’ll be fine.” The slugger led the NL for the only time in home runs, and the Mets won 100 games.

3. ANDY VAN SLYKE, PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: .288 average, 101 runs, 23 doubles, 15 triples, 25 home runs, 100 RBIs, 30 stolen bases, 13 sacrifice flies.
• Van Slyke showed improved muscle with the Pirates after being brainwashed with the single-and-steal philosophy at St. Louis.

4. ANDRES GALARRAGA, MONTREAL

• Key Numbers: .302 average, 99 runs, 184 hits, 42 doubles, 8 triples, 29 home runs, 92 RBIs, 153 strikeouts, 10 hit-by-pitches, 13 stolen bases.
• After hitting .305 with limited power in 1987, the young Venezuelan became a triple-crown threat at the All-Star Break, hitting .338 with 18 homers, before cooling off in the second half.

5. KIRK GIBSON, LOS ANGELES

• Key Numbers: .290 average, 106 runs, 28 doubles, 25 home runs, 76 RBIs, 31 stolen bases.
• Rousing the Dodgers out of their country-club disposition, the gritty Gibson gave everything he had, right through the World Series; the post-1988 experience would be one where injuries would finally get the best of him.

6. ERIC DAVIS, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: 135 games, .273 average, 81 runs, 26 home runs, 93 RBIs, 35 stolen bases, 3 caught stealing.
• The increasingly fragile Davis overcame a rough start at the plate and on the rumor mill (with unsubstantiated claims of drug use) before righting the ship in the summer months.

7. KEVIN MCREYNOLDS, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: .288 average, 82 runs, 30 doubles, 27 home runs, 99 RBIs, 21 stolen bases, 0 caught stealing.
• In his second year with the Mets, the quiet McReynolds remained consistently solid and stole 21 bases without once getting caught—part of an overall streak off 33 straight successful swipes over a three-year period. He grabbed the remaining first-place MVP votes not secured by Kirk Gibson or Darryl Strawberry.

8. BOBBY BONILLA, PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: .274 average, 87 runs, 32 doubles, 7 triples, 24 home runs, 100 RBIs, 85 walks.
• Bonilla had a blistering start (.342 average, 13 home runs through the end of May) before tailing off—especially at Three Rivers Stadium, where he only batted .217 compared to .329 on the road. He helped cement an emerging middle of the Pirates lineup that included Andy Van Slyke and Barry Bonds.

9. KAL DANIELS, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: 140 games, .291 average, 95 runs, 29 doubles, 18 home runs, 64 RBIs, 87 walks, 27 stolen bases, .397 on-base percentage.
• If Eric Davis was considered Willie Mays reincarnated, Daniels might have been thought of as Eric Davis cloned; for the moment, the left-handed hitter seemed to knock the knack for hitting poorly against left-handed pitchers.

10. BRETT BUTLER, SAN FRANCISCO

• Key Numbers: .287 average, 109 runs, 27 doubles, 9 triples, 6 home runs, 43 RBIs, 97 walks, 43 stolen bases.
• With apologies to Rickey Henderson, Butler was certainly the most prototypical (if not effective) leadoff man currently in the game.

AL Hitters

1. JOSE CANSECO, OAKLAND

• Key Numbers: .307 average, 120 runs, 187 hits, 34 doubles, 42 home runs, 124 RBIs, 10 hit-by-pitches, 40 stolen bases, .569 slugging percentage.
• Unanimous choice for the AL MVP, Canseco achieved the superstardom many had expected of him and became the prototype for the well-built, well-conditioned (and chemically enhanced) slugger of the 1990s.

2. MIKE GREENWELL, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: .325 average, 86 runs, 192 hits, 39 doubles, 8 triples, 22 home runs, 119 RBIs, 87 walks, 18 intentional walks, 16 stolen bases.
• Upon hearing in later years that Canseco admitted to juicing, Greenwell—who showed natural mettle growing up in Florida wrestling alligators—complained that he was cheated out of the MVP.

3. KIRBY PUCKETT, MINNESOTA

• Key Numbers: .356 average, 657 at-bats, 109 runs, 234 hits, 42 doubles, 5 triples, 24 home runs, 121 RBIs.
• Puckett set career highs in hits, batting average and RBIs, registered .406 at home and .398 against lefties, and produced eight 4-hit games to break a Twins’ record.

4. RICKEY HENDERSON, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: .305 average, 118 runs, 169 hits, 30 doubles, 6 home runs, 50 RBIs, 82 walks, 93 stolen bases.
• Rickey went back to early-career basics, shunning the power he’d developed with the Yankees and focusing on swiping bases; in 10 games, he stole at least three.

5. DAVE WINFIELD, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: .322 average, 96 runs, 180 hits, 37 doubles, 25 home runs, 107 RBIs.
• Winfield picked it up after three years of modest numbers—and before back surgery KO’d his entire 1989 season.

6. WADE BOGGS, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: .366 average, 128 runs, 214 hits, 45 doubles, 6 triples, 5 home runs, 58 RBIs, 125 walks, 18 intentional walks, 23 grounded into double plays, .476 on-base percentage.
• Boggs became the first modern major leaguer to reach 200 hits in six straight years—all while being dogged in the press by his vindictive ex-mistress.

7. DAVE HENDERSON, OAKLAND

• Key Numbers: .304 average, 100 runs, 38 doubles, 24 home runs, 94 RBIs.
• Always happy, always smiling, “Hendu” gave tremendous mental uplift and statistical support for the pennant-winning A’s.

8. GEORGE BRETT, KANSAS CITY

• Key Numbers: .306 average, 90 runs, 180 hits, 42 doubles, 24 home runs, 103 RBIs, 82 walks, 14 stolen bases.
• At age 35, Brett showed that if anything, he was getting better with age.

9. FRED MCGRIFF, TORONTO

• Key Numbers: .282 average, 100 runs, 35 doubles, 34 home runs, 82 RBIs.
• The tall left-handed slugger quietly burst upon the scene for the Blue Jays and provided the kind of statistical stability that would define his career.

10. PAUL MOLITOR, MILWAUKEE

• Key Numbers: .312 average, 115 runs, 190 hits, 34 doubles, 6 triples, 13 home runs, 60 RBIs, 41 stolen bases.
• Though his output relatively paled to his spectacular 1987 effort, Molitor was still quite the valuable asset for the Brewers—and managed to avoid the injury bug after missing a seasonal average of over 60 games from 1984-87.

NL Pitchers

1. OREL HERSHISER, LOS ANGELES

• Key Numbers: 2.26 ERA, 23 wins, 8 losses, .742 win percentage, 1 save, 34 starts, 15 complete games, 8 shutouts, 267 innings.
• After receiving little support the year before, Hershiser took matters into his own hands and made sure that opposing pitchers got no support.

2. DANNY JACKSON, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: 2.73 ERA, 23 wins, 8 losses, .742 win percentage, 35 starts, 15 complete games, 6 shutouts, 260.2 innings, 24 grounded into double plays.
• Speaking of no support, Jackson escaped Kansas City—where he last dead last two years running in run support—and arrived in Cincinnati where he found plenty of offensive backbone from his mates. Had it not been for Hershiser’s sensational finish, the Cy Young Award most certainly would have been Jackson’s.

3. DAVID CONE, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 2.22 ERA, 20 wins, 3 losses, .870 win percentage, 35 appearances, 28 starts, 231.1 innings, 213 strikeouts, 10 wild pitches, 10 balks, 29 stolen bases allowed.
• The Mets didn’t need more pitching, but they got it anyway from Cone, who inspired Shea Stadium fans to show up wearing ‘coneheads.’ Only the Cardinals’ Joe Magrane—who strangely finished with a 5-9 record—had a better ERA in the NL.

4. RICK REUSCHEL, SAN FRANCISCO

• Key Numbers: 3.12 ERA, 19 wins, 11 losses, 36 starts, 245 innings, 42 walks, 25 grounded into double plays.
• The anti-Canseco with his dour, couch-potato posture, Reuschel thrived in his own version of 40-40—his age and his waist size.

5. JOHN TUDOR, ST. LOUIS-LOS ANGELES

• Key Numbers: 2.32 ERA, 10 wins, 8 losses, 30 starts, 197.2 innings, 41 walks, 23 grounded into double plays.
• Traded to the Dodgers for Pedro Guerrero in August, Tudor managed to stay effective before it was learned he’d have an offseason appointment with Dr. Frank Jobe.

6. JOHN FRANCO, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: 1.57 ERA, 6 wins, 6 losses, 39 saves, 3 blown saves, 70 appearances, 86 innings.
• The NL’s best closer for the moment, Franco was especially dynamite in the summer months of July and August, allowing just one run over 28 appearances with 20 saves.

7. TIM BELCHER, LOS ANGELES

• Key Numbers: 2.91 ERA, 12 wins, 6 losses, 4 saves, 1 blown save, 36 appearances, 27 starts, 179.2 innings.
• The 26-year-old rookie looked to be a power-pitching star on the rise; opponents batted just .217 against him.

8. JOSE RIJO, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: 2.39 ERA, 13 wins, 8 losses, 2 blown saves, 49 appearances, 19 starts, 162 innings.
• After mixed results in three years at Oakland, the young right-hander began a stingy stretch of six years with the Reds—certainly more mileage than they would have likely got out of Dave Parker, who went the other way in Rijo’s trade from the A’s.

9. GREG MADDUX, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 3.18 ERA, 18 wins, 8 losses, .692 win percentage, 34 starts, 249 innings, 16 intentional walks, 20 stolen bases allowed, 22 grounded into double plays.
• A blazing start led the 22-year-old budding ace to become the youngest Cubs player to make the All-Star team; quite a turnaround for a guy who was 6-14 with a 5.61 ERA the year before.

10. TOM BROWNING, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: 3.41 ERA, 18 wins, 5 losses, .783 win percentage, 36 starts, 251 innings.
• Besides his perfect game against the Dodgers, Browning had another no-hit bid broken up by the Padres’ Tony Gwynn with one out in ninth on June 6.

AL Pitchers

1. FRANK VIOLA, MINNESOTA

• Key Numbers: 2.64 ERA, 24 wins, 7 losses, .774 win percentage, 35 starts, 255.1 innings, 20 grounded into double plays.
• On a Twins team that was, by the record, better than the champion edition of the year before—in part because they finally learned to win on the road—Viola firmly established himself as the team ace as only one other player (Allan Anderson) won more than 10.

2. MARK GUBICZA, KANSAS CITY

• Key Numbers: 2.70 ERA, 20 wins, 8 losses, .714 win percentage, 35 starts, 269.2 innings, 23 stolen bases allowed, 24 grounded into double plays.
• With Bret Saberhagen having a typical even-year downer of a season, Gubicza admirably filled in as the Royals’ ace.

3. TED HIGUERA, MILWAUKEE

• Key Numbers: 2.45 ERA, 16 wins, 9 losses, 31 starts, 227.1 innings.
• So close, and yet…Higuera had the ERA crown in the bag going into the season’s final weekend—and lost it when he started and gave up three runs over six innings, leaving him just behind Allan Anderson, 2.446 to 2.454.

4. ROGER CLEMENS, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: 2.93 ERA, 18 wins, 12 losses, 35 starts, 14 complete games, 8 shutouts, 264 innings, 291 strikeouts, 20 stolen bases allowed.
• Twelve times in 1988, a pitcher struck out 13 or more batters. Clemens was the pitcher in six of them.

5. ALLAN ANDERSON, MINNESOTA

• Key Numbers: 2.45 ERA, 16 wins, 9 losses, 30 starts, 202.1 innings, 37 walks, 25 grounded into double plays.
• The Twins had the market cornered on league-leading pitching, from the known (wins leader Frank Viola) to the unknown (ERA leader and brief wonder Anderson).

6. GREG SWINDELL, CLEVELAND

• Key Numbers: 3.20 ERA, 18 wins, 14 losses, 33 starts, 242 innings, 45 walks.
• In his first full year, Swindell became the first Cleveland pitcher since Stan Coveleski (in 1920) to win his first six starts to the season; he overcame an eight-game losing streak in mid-summer to finish strong.

7. DAVE STEWART, OAKLAND

• Key Numbers: 3.32 ERA, 21 wins, 12 losses, 37 starts, 14 complete games, 275.2 innings, 110 walks, 14 wild pitches, 16 balks.
• The early-season balkmania from umpires who were told to get strict with the rule impacted Stewart the most, committing 11 of his record 16 balks in just his first six starts before the arbiters laid off. It didn’t keep him from winning 20-plus games for the second of four straight years.

8. DAVE STIEB, TORONTO

• Key Numbers: 3.04 ERA, 16 wins, 8 losses, 31 starts, 207.1 innings, 13 hit-by-pitches, 20 stolen bases allowed.
• There was a bright side to Stieb’s back-to-back no-hit bids, each broken up with two outs in the ninth: Those two games were part of a career-high 31.2-inning streak of consecutive scoreless innings.

9. DENNIS ECKERSLEY, OAKLAND

• Key Numbers: 2.35 ERA, 4 wins, 2 losses, 45 saves, 8 blown saves, 60 appearances, 72.2 innings, 11 walks.
• Other starters had been converted to closers before, but no one did it as brilliantly as Eckersley—and it took opponents a little getting used to, as he didn’t allow a single run over his first 15 innings thrown.

10. JEFF ROBINSON, DETROIT

• Key Numbers: 2.98 ERA, 13 wins, 6 losses, 23 starts, 172 innings.
• On a five-man Detroit staff of familiar names (Jack Morris, Doyle Alexander, Frank Tanana), the unfamiliar Robinson shined as the most efficient. This, from a guy whose career ERA outside of 1988 was 5.37.

[luckymann]

A couple went close but the chisels will be quiet in Cooperstown this year.