The Bucs Start Here - A Pirates Do-Over

[luckymann]

Seven new Legacies coming in for ’89 including a Marquee who is one of the seminal players of this era and another who ends up being one of its most controversial and polarising.

These are the Legacy Players for the 1989 Season:

Seattle Mariners: Ken Griffey jr (83.8; 1685) MARQUEE 63%
Baltimore Orioles: Chris Hoiles 23.5; 894 ONE-CLUB PLAYER (conceded)
Chicago Cubs: Sammy Sosa (58.6; 1811)
Chicago White Sox: Robin Ventura (56.1; 1254)
Cleveland Indians: Omar Vizquel (45.6; 1478)
Kansas City Royals: Kevin Appier (54.5; 275 GS)
Texas Rangers: Kenny Rogers (50.5; 252 GS)

Juan Gonzalez (38.7; 1689) was also eligible for the Rangers, but Rogers’ higher WAR makes him the selection.


There are 150 rookies for this season, and the Draft will consist of 5 rounds.

The Draft order will be as follows (winning percentage from 1988 IRL season in brackets; bold indicates Legacy Pick in 1st Round):

Round 1

1. Seattle Mariners (422)
2. Chicago Cubs (475)
3. Chicago White Sox (441)
4. Kansas City Royals (522)
5. Texas Rangers (404)
6. Cleveland Indians (481)
7. Baltimore Orioles (335)
8. Atlanta Braves (338)
9. Philadelphia Phillies (404)
10. California Angels (463)
11. St. Louis Cardinals (469)
12. Montreal Expos (500)
13. Houston Astros (506)
14. San Francisco Giants (512)
15. San Diego Padres (516)
16. New York Yankees (528)
17. Pittsburgh Pirates (531)
18. Milwaukee Brewers (537; dice roll)
19. Toronto Blue Jays (537; dice roll)
20. Cincinnati Reds (540)
21. Detroit Tigers (543)
22. Boston Red Sox (549)
23. Minnesota Twins (562)
24. Los Angeles Dodgers (584)
25. New York Mets (625)
26. Oakland Athletics (642)


Rounds 2 thru 5

1. Baltimore Orioles (335)
2. Atlanta Braves (338)
3. Philadelphia Phillies (404)
4. Seattle Mariners (422)
5. Texas Rangers (404)
6. Chicago White Sox (441)
7. California Angels (463)
8. St. Louis Cardinals (469)
9. Chicago Cubs (475)
10. Cleveland Indians (481)
11. Montreal Expos (500)
12. Houston Astros (506)
13. San Francisco Giants (512)
14. San Diego Padres (516)
15. Kansas City Royals (522)
16. New York Yankees (528)
17. Pittsburgh Pirates (531)
18. Milwaukee Brewers (537; dice roll)
19. Toronto Blue Jays (537; dice roll)
20. Cincinnati Reds (540)
21. Detroit Tigers (543)
22. Boston Red Sox (549)
23. Minnesota Twins (562)
24. Los Angeles Dodgers (584)
25. New York Mets (625)
26. Oakland Athletics (642)


Eligible PIT players: 8 position players + 5 pitchers = 13.


Far from an inspirational-looking Draft for us, either with regard to eligible players or the positioning of our pick, although there are a fair few decent players unspoken for so we might get lucky. Thankfully, we have no pressing needs and we’ll just play it as it lies when our turns come around.
We do, in fact, get fairly lucky:
1. OF Steve Finley, 23 (INELIGIBLE)

• Plenty of options open to us with Steve, who could supplant Ellis as a cheaper CF, be slow-burned or simply flipped for what we expect would be a fair return in a year’s time.

2. C Joe Oliver, 23 (PIT IRL: 1999)

• Will definitely be slow-burned with the view of eventually taking over the everyday role from Sluggo.

3. SS Mike Benjamin, 23 (PIT IRL: 1999-2002)

• Given our structure, I wouldn’t be surprised one bit if Mike ends up playing the most games for us of any of these Draftees—he’s the glove-heavy IF utility type we are always in need of.

4. IF Jeff Richardson, 23 (PIT IRL: 1991)
5. OF Steve Carter, 24 (PIT IRL: 1989-90)

• AAA depth.

A pleasant surprise.

[luckymann]

[luckymann]

The game takes a bit of a pounding to say the least. Its all-time Hits leader is banned from the game for life on account of some questionable investment practices. Its Commissioner drops dead, almost certainly as a result of his role in the previous point. And Mother Nature decides to have a crack as well… literally, with an earth-shaking show of seismic force. The (admittedly poetic) cynic could say these were mere appetisers in the degustation menu of turmoil just about to be served.


AL EAST / WEST CHAMPIONS: Toronto Blue Jays (89-73) / Oakland A’s (99-63)
NL EAST / WEST CHAMPIONS: Chicago Cubs (93-69) / San Francisco Giants (92-70)
ALCS: A’s 4, Blue Jays 1
NLCS: Giants 4, Cubs 1
WORLD SERIES: A’s 4, Giants 0

Pittsburgh Pirates: 74-88, 5th in NL East

AL MVP: Robin Yount (Brewers)
NL MVP: Kevin Mitchell (Giants)

AL CYA: Bret Saberhagen (Royals)
NL CYA: Mark Davis (Padres)

AL RoY: Gregg Olson (Orioles)
NL RoY: Jerome Walton (Cubs)


Top Ten Lists (courtesy of thisgreatgame.com)

NL Hitters

1. KEVIN MITCHELL, SAN FRANCISCO

• Key Numbers: .291 average, 100 runs, 34 doubles, 6 triples, 47 home runs, 125 RBIs, 87 walks, 32 intentional walks, .635 slugging percentage.
• The Giants’ gain with Mitchell, who had a blowout season to earn MVP honors—was also the Padres’ gain, as a 1987 trade that sent him to San Francisco yielded 1989 NL Cy Young winner Mark Davis.

2. WILL CLARK, SAN FRANCISCO

• Key Numbers: .333 average, 104 runs, 198 hits, 38 doubles, 9 triples, 23 home runs, 111 RBIs.
• In the emerging era of the synthetic superslugger, relative pencil-neck Clark posted some of the year’s most impressive numbers at the plate.

3. HOWARD JOHNSON, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: .287 average, 104 runs, 41 doubles, 36 home runs, 101 RBIs, 41 stolen bases.
• HoJo to many, Johnson showed continued power to gradually prove that accusations of past corked bat usage were bunk.

4. LONNIE SMITH, ATLANTA

• Key Numbers: 134 games, .315 average, 89 runs, 34 doubles, 21 home runs, 79 RBIs, 11 hit-by-pitches, 25 stolen bases, .415 on-base percentage.
• Like Dave Parker before him, Smith completed the long road back to prominence after being sidetracked by drugs.

5. PEDRO GUERRERO, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: .311 average, 177 hits, 42 doubles, 17 home runs, 117 RBIs, 12 sacrifice flies.
• Guerrero played well enough at St. Louis to put behind the cry-aloud frustration of being traded to the Redbirds by Los Angeles a year earlier.

6. RYNE SANDBERG, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: .290 average, 104 runs, 176 hits, 25 doubles, 5 triples, 30 home runs, 76 RBIs, 15 stolen bases.
• Now the star veteran in a young and promising Cubs lineup, Sandberg helped lead Chicago to its second postseason appearance—and second winning record—in a 20-year stretch from 1973-92.

7. ERIC DAVIS, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: 131 games, .281 average, 34 home runs, 101 RBIs, 21 stolen bases.
• Davis’ cycle on June 2 against San Diego is the only one achieved by a Reds player since 1959.

8. BOBBY BONILLA, PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: 163 games, .281 average, 96 runs, 173 hits, 37 doubles, 10 triples, 24 home runs, 86 RBIs.
• Playing every game and then some, Bonilla thrived in an otherwise stalled Pirates offense (which hit .236 without him), and even began hitting well at Three Rivers Stadium after batting nearly 100 points below his road average there the previous two seasons.

9. VON HAYES, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: .259 average, 93 runs, 27 doubles, 26 home runs, 78 RBIs, 101 walks, 28 stolen bases.
• Providing offensive glue in the Phillies’ transition from a retiring Mike Schmidt to emerging 1990s highlighters (John Kruk, Darren Daulton, etc.), Hayes flexed muscle and provided the National League with its only three-homer game of the year.

10. JACK CLARK, SAN DIEGO

• Key Numbers: .242 average, 26 home runs, 94 RBIs, 132 walks.
• Prone to big games, Clark knocked in six runs on August 28—then brought home a career-high seven just one week later.

AL Hitters

1. RUBEN SIERRA, TEXAS

• Key Numbers: 162 games, .306 average, 101 runs, 194 hits, 35 doubles, 14 triples, 29 home runs, 119 RBIs, .543 slugging percentage.
• Despite a solid block of stats, Sierra’s MVP chances were diminished by critics who eagerly pointed out his shabby outfield defense (hence the sarcastic nickname, “Sie-error”).

2. ROBIN YOUNT, MILWAUKEE

• Key Numbers: .318 average, 101 runs, 195 hits, 38 doubles, 9 triples, 21 home runs, 103 RBIs, 19 stolen bases.
• Barely edging out Sierra, Yount became the only MVP winner to win it twice, one each at different positions.

3. RICKEY HENDERSON, NEW YORK-OAKLAND

• Key Numbers: .274 average, 113 runs, 26 doubles, 12 home runs, 57 RBIs, 126 walks, 77 stolen bases.
• Sleepwalking in New York, Rickey roused to A-plus-list form with a trade to Oakland and proved you can go back home again.

4. FRED MCGRIFF, TORONTO

• Key Numbers: .269 average, 98 runs, 27 doubles, 36 home runs, 92 RBIs, 119 walks.
• McGriff’s ongoing improvement in Toronto was enough to chase competing first baseman Cecil Fielder into Japanese exile—for now.

5. ALVIN DAVIS, SEATTLE

• Key Numbers: .305 average, 84 runs, 30 doubles, 21 home runs, 95 RBIs, 101 walks.
• As long as Mariners fans weren’t watching road games on TV, they must have thought the world of a revived Davis—who hit .365 at the Kingdome.

6. WADE BOGGS, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: .330 average, 113 runs, 205 hits, 51 doubles, 7 triples, 3 home runs, 54 RBIs, 107 walks, 19 intentional walks, .430 on-base percentage.
• Though he didn’t grab a fifth straight AL batting crown, Boggs was impressive enough to earn his seventh straight (and last) batch of 200 hits, and his fourth consecutive year at 200-100 (200 hits, 100 walks).

7. BO JACKSON, KANSAS CITY

• Key Numbers: 135 games, .256 average, 86 runs, 15 doubles, 6 triples, 32 home runs, 105 RBIs, 172 strikeouts, 26 stolen bases.
• Bo sure knew, alright; the two-sport star had his most productive campaign in the majors, and added a blistering home run in the All-Star Game at Anaheim called on NBC by President Ronald Reagan—making a cameo appearance alongside Vin Scully.

8. KIRBY PUCKETT, MINNESOTA

• Key Numbers: .339 average, 215 hits, 45 doubles, 9 home runs, 85 RBIs, 11 stolen bases.
• Puckett was only the second right-handed American Leaguer to win a batting title in 20 years; on May 13 against Toronto, he became the only player in Twins/Senators history to smack four doubles in a game.

9. DON MATTINGLY, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: .303 average, 191 hits, 37 doubles, 23 home runs, 113 RBIs, 18 intentional walks.
• Donnie Ballgame’s chronically bad back held together just long enough to give him one last fantastic year—and a good thing, too, for a Yankees team that otherwise lacked strong offensive spine.

10. DWIGHT EVANS, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: .285 average, 82 runs, 27 doubles, 20 home runs, 100 RBIs, 99 walks.
• A strong finish to a strong decade for the underrated Evans, who placed third during the 1980s in runs and doubles, fourth in home runs and RBIs, and second in walks.

NL Pitchers

1. OREL HERSHISER, LOS ANGELES

• Key Numbers: 2.31 ERA, 15 wins, 15 losses, 33 starts, 4 shutouts, 256.2 innings, 91 walks, 29 grounded into double plays.
• A superb follow-up to Hershiser’s excellent 1988 campaign was ruined when he went 0-7 in a nine-start stretch toward year’s end—all while lowering his season ERA. (The Dodgers scored a total of nine runs in those nine games.)

2. JOSE DELEON, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: 3.05 ERA, 16 wins, 12 losses, 36 starts, 244.2 innings, 201 strikeouts.
• The butt of jokes after a dreadful 2-19 mark for the 1985 Pirates, DeLeon completed the transition from punch line to prime time in St. Louis.

3. BRUCE HURST, SAN DIEGO

• Key Numbers: 2.69 ERA, 15 wins, 11 losses, 33 starts, 10 complete games, 244.2 innings.
• Signing a nice deal with the Padres after nine years in Boston, Hurst pitched at his best but realized he had to scratch and claw for wins with Wade Boggs, Dwight Evans and Co. no longer backing him up.

4. SCOTT GARRELTS, SAN FRANCISCO

• Key Numbers: 2.28 ERA, 14 wins, 5 losses, .737 win percentage, 29 starts, 193.1 innings, 46 walks.
• While the trend was for starters to be converted to closers, the eighth-year Giant did the opposite and grabbed an unexpected ERA title.

5. MARK DAVIS, SAN DIEGO

• Key Numbers: 1.85 ERA, 4 wins, 3 losses, 44 saves, 4 blown saves, 70 appearances, 92.2 innings, 12 grounded into double plays.
• Free agency couldn’t have come at a better time for Davis, who leveraged a Cy Young winning-performance to a fat contract with Kansas City—which yielded disastrous, injury-riddled results.

6. ED WHITSON, SAN DIEGO

• Key Numbers: 2.66 ERA, 16 wins, 11 losses, 33 starts, 227 innings.
• Finding peace, sunshine and tranquility in San Diego after a tumultuous tenure at Yankee Stadium lowlighted by punching out manager Billy Martin, Whitson ganged with Bruce Hurst to provide an effective one-two punch in the Padres’ rotation.

7. GREG MADDUX, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 2.95 ERA, 19 wins, 12 losses, 35 starts, 238.1 innings, 95 walks.
• The baby-faced Maddux solidified his standing as the real deal with the Cubs, finishing one win shy of 20 for the first of five times in his Hall-of-Fame career.

8. MIKE MORGAN, LOS ANGELES

• Key Numbers: 2.53 ERA, 8 wins, 11 losses, 1 blown save, 40 appearances, 19 starts, 152.2 innings, 33 walks.
• The well-traveled (12 teams) pitcher took on his first NL assignment and sported a career-best ERA—which unfortunately matched the average run support per start given by his teammates.

9. JOE MAGRANE, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: 2.91 ERA, 18 wins, 9 losses, 33 starts, 234.2 innings, 24 stolen bases allowed, 24 grounded into double plays.
• The reigning NL ERA champ—and somehow doing it with a 5-9 record—received justified and overdue relief in the win column.

10. MIKE SCOTT, HOUSTON

• Key Numbers: 3.10 ERA, 20 wins, 10 losses, 32 starts, 229 innings, 39 stolen bases allowed, 2 caught stealing/picked off.
• Though not as dominant as he was back in 1986, Scott was still effective enough to win 20 games for the only time in his career and secured the most votes of any NL starter in the Cy Young Award vote.

AL Pitchers

1. BRET SABERHAGEN, KANSAS CITY

• Key Numbers: 2.16 ERA, 23 wins, 6 losses, .793 win percentage, 35 starts, 12 complete games, 262.1 innings, 43 walks.
• If it’s an odd year, then it must be Saberhagen at his best—and he was never better in any year than 1989.

2. MIKE MOORE, OAKLAND

• Key Numbers: 2.61 ERA, 19 wins, 11 losses, 35 starts, 241.2 innings, 17 wild pitches.
• Signing on with Oakland after a career 66-96 record at lowly Seattle, Moore thrived on the opportunity to play for a winner.

3. BERT BLYLEVEN, CALIFORNIA

• Key Numbers: 2.73 ERA, 17 wins, 5 losses, .773 win percentage, 33 starts, 5 shutouts, 241 innings, 44 walks, 25 grounded into double plays.
• Following a dreadful 1988 campaign (5.43 ERA, AL-high 17 losses), Blyleven moved on to his sixth team and suffered the fewest defeats in any of his 22 full seasons.

4. MARK GUBICZA, KANSAS CITY

• Key Numbers: 3.04 ERA, 15 wins, 11 losses, 36 starts, 255 innings.
• One last workhorse showing from the sixth-year Royal, before shoulder issues derailed the bulk of his next eight years.

5. DAVE STEWART, OAKLAND

• Key Numbers: 3.32 ERA, 21 wins, 9 losses, .700 win percentage, 36 starts, 257.2 innings, 13 wild pitches.
• The Oakland ace virtually mimeographed his 1988 numbers, except for one thing; after committing a major league-record 16 balks the year before, he was nailed for none in 1989.

6. KEVIN BROWN, TEXAS

• Key Numbers: 3.35 ERA, 12 wins, 9 losses, 28 starts, 191 innings.
• While Nolan Ryan was getting all the adulation in Arlington, Brown quietly emerged as the one Rangers starter that worried opponents more.

7. JEFF RUSSELL, TEXAS

• Key Numbers: 1.98 ERA, 6 wins, 4 losses, 38 saves, 6 blown saves, 71 appearances, 72.2 innings.
• Following Dennis Eckersley’s cue, Russell converted from average starter to cagey closer.

8. CHRIS BOSIO, MILWAUKEE

• Key Numbers: 2.93 ERA, 15 wins, 10 losses, 32 starts, 212 innings, 32 grounded into double plays.
• While the Brewers struggled to keep a flimsy rotation intact, Bosio provided the staples as the only guy tossing over 150 innings.

9. KIRK MCCASKILL, CALIFORNIA

• Key Numbers: 2.93 ERA, 15 wins, 10 losses, 32 starts, 212 innings, 32 grounded into double plays.
• Though mate Bert Blyleven won the Comeback Player of the Year award, it could have easily been given to McCaskill, fighting back after two years bouncing on and off the DL.

10. ROGER CLEMENS, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: 3.13 ERA, 17 wins, 11 losses, 35 starts, 253.1 innings, 19 stolen bases allowed, 17 caught stealing/picked off, 23 grounded into double plays.
• The Rocket was blasted for 20 home runs—but only three of them came with men on base.

[luckymann]

As I mentioned in the Draft post, we have no massive changes needing to be made with our squad fairly settled and well-entrenched for now.

However we have made the decision to commit to Jay Bell as our long-term SS and that means Scott Fletcher, his $1.2m salary and CC slot are all able to be moved elsewhere.

We're a bit thin at 3B and CF and there just happens to be an ineligible who fills both of those holes for fairly cheap (at least for now) and we make the following move to procure him:

Ronny will almost certainly lose those IF ratings over the next year or two and so this might be a short tenure for him at our club but in the meantime we get a real livewire who gets pretty good pretty quick and so if we do flip him we're confident it will be at a profit, so to speak.

We had to give up a fairly promising type in Charlie Hayes, our 1st pick from last year's Draft, but with Bo at the hot corner and Lenny Hayes offering a bit more flexibility we felt we could spare him for now and perhaps look at reacquiring him some time down the track.

[luckymann]

Always fascinating to compare where players end up in this timeline v the IRL and there are a few interesting ones here.

IRL A’s teammates Lansford and Stewart at their ’88 vanquishers. Hendu at the club whose heart he so dramatically broke in ’86. Dave Winfield to the Twins, where he played his last productive seasons IRL.

Above all of this, however, is the seriously stacked squad the Braves have put together as they continue the search for their maiden title.

Cincy has also been busy.


1B Kent Hrbek: Braves, 6 years / $26.9m / AAV $4.49m
C Tony Pena: Rangers, 4 years / $15.2m / AAV $3.80m
3B Brook Jacoby: Reds, 3 years / $10.3m / AAV $3.44m
3B Terry Pendleton: Giants, 3 years / $9.7m / AAV $3.24m
OF Lyman Bostock: Expos, 3 years / $9.7m / AAV $3.24m
P Frank Tanana: Reds, 3 years / $8.0m / AAV $2.68m
P Charlie Leibrandt: A’s, 1 year / $2.6m / AAV $2.60m
P Scott Sanderson: A’s, 1 year / $2.6m / AAV $2.60m
P Scott Garrelts: Braves, 1 year / $2.4m / AAV $2.40m
P Dennis Martinez: Reds, 3 years / $6.8m / AAV $2.28m
1B Eddie Murray: Angels, 4 years / $8.6m / AAV $2.16m
C Mike Heath: Indians, 2 years / $4.3m / AAV $2.16m
3B Carney Lansford: Dodgers, 2 years / $3.7m / AAV $1.86m
OF Dan Gladden: Reds, 2 years / $3.7m / AAV $1.84m
P Larry Anderson: Giants, 2 years / $3.4m / AAV $1.70m
SS Dickie Thon: Rangers, 1 year / $1.7m / AAV $1.70m
P Ron Guidry: Brewers, 1 year / $1.6m / AAV $1.62m
C Bob Brenly: Cubs, 1 year / $1.5m / AAV $1.52m
P Dave Stewart: Dodgers, 1 year / $1.4m / AAV $1.40m
OF Mitch Webster: Mets, 3 years / $4.1m / AAV $1.38m
P Bruce Sutter: Red Sox, 2 years / $2.2m / AAV $1.08m


3B Ken Caminiti from Astros to Braves for P Bean Stringfellow
3B Howard Johnson from Cubs to Rangers for P Floyd Youmans
2B Nelson Liriano, SS Dale Sveum, SS Joey Cora and C Kirt Mainwaring from Tigers to Mets for 3B Rance Mulliniks
P Eric King from Twins to Yankees for P Dave Righetti
P Pete Smith from Twins to Tigers for OF Dave Winfield
OF Stan Javier, 3B Eddie Williams and P Tim Drummond from Mariners to Royals for SS Ozzie Guillen
OF Luis Polonia from Indians to White Sox for P Jesse Orosco and 3B Jeff Blauser
C Charlie O’Brien from Astros to Reds for P Jack Morris
P Jeff Sellers from Expos to Giants for P Tom Henke
P Bobby Witt from Phillies to Giants for SS Manuel Lee and P Mike Parrott
C Matt Nokes from Astros to Red Sox for OF John Kruk
P Tom Filer and SS Edgar Diaz from Angels to Reds for OF Dave Henderson
P JR Richard and P Pete Harnisch from Indians to Yankees for P Trevor Wilson and P John Mitchell
P John Candelaria (retaining 30%) from Tigers to Expos for OF Darryl Hamilton and P Luis Aquino
P Bill Krueger from Angels to White Sox for C Sandy Alomar jr and 3B Robert Latmore
C Tom Lampkin, OF Shawn Abner and OF Carlos Quintana from Blue Jays to Tigers for P Mike Witt (retaining 65%)
OF Juan Samuel from Mariners to Giants for C Chad Kreuter
OF Kevin Mitchell from Mariners to Braves for P Ken Hill
OF Greg Briley from Dodgers to Royals for OF Lonnie Smith
P David Palmer and P Todd Stottlemyre from Indians to Brewers for P Bob Milacki and 1B Torey Lovullo
P Bob Ojeda from Phillies to Brewers for 2B Bill Pecota


We go 9-9 in Spring Training and lose Neal Heaton for 2 months to arm troubles.

BNN sees all four races as being close-run things this year. They are not as keen on the Braves as I am but do see the Reds being in the thick of things.

Cubs reliever Lee Smith won’t take part in this season after tearing his UCL.

[luckymann]

The Gant trade is our only meaningful move the entire break.

Bielecki gets the SP5 nod ahead of Drabek to begin with. Mark Huismann - who was returned to us late last year after being lost in the R5 - and Bob Kipper are added to the BP.

Cecil Espy stays up and the returning Ken Oberkfell - picked up on a minors deal - is the only other "new" face.

[luckymann]

Our two big-ticket items for this year are Bobby Bo, who is in his final arb year, and Ellis, who is in his first.

We'll try to lock Bo down long term but will need to play the wait-and-see game with Ellis as things start getting pretty tight for the next few years thanks to Van and Barry:

1990: $2.95m combined salary
1991: $4.5m
1992: $9.1m
1993: $9.4m
1994: $8.7m

Van's contract is done at this point and in 1995 Barry earns $8.2 by himself, then $8.4m and $8.7m in his final two contracted seasons.

For a club whose current budget is some $24m this is serious wedge and, with them both being Legacy Players, there's nothing to be done about it.

So if we can't get ourselves a title this year we are going to struggle to do so for a while after that. Who stays and who goes will be as much and even on occasion more about price than anything else.

Mid-priced guys like Drabek, Bielecki and Zane Smith become much more integral than they would be at a big-market club, while guys such as Harper, Jackson and probably Fielder are almost certainly beyond our means.

What we'll be looking for is to replace them with fixed-price guys of similar quality on chunky retentions wherever possible and pushing to have wads of cash feature in as many of our trades as we can.

All part of the challenge!

Gant takes Fletcher's CC slot and the plan is for Burkett to come straight in for Scott when he walks at the end of this year. Johnny Ray is also in his final year at the club and we'll need to be on the lookout for an affordable replacement for him.

[luckymann]

After a bit of a sluggish start the bats bust out with a 19-hit 11-2 thumping of the Expos as Bobby Bo goes 5-for-5.

But that’s the exception as we lack much zip in the early going and can only manage a split over our first 20.

One of the main issues is the number of walks our pitchers are issuing, with Jose De Leon giving free passes at a clip north of 6 per 9 IP and Mike Scott nearly 5.

Andy Van picks up a niggle but hopefully we can just nurse him through it and keep him off the IL.

We start kicking up a few stones with an 8-2 run but then score just a single run in each of our final four games as we close out a decidedly scratchy first stanza at 28-23.



We lose both Larry McWilliams (to the Cards) and Mike Maddux (Expos) on the WW.

We sign a big-money long-term extension with Bobby Bo that will keep him at TRS thru 1997 at an AAV of $3.75m.

Our attitude with this – and others we sign similar deals with – is that even if we can’t afford them we’ll know in advance that this is the case or alternatively how much we'll need to cut elsewhere to keep them.

We also sign 1-year deals with Ellis Burks ($1.18m) and Cecil Fielder ($1m).




The Mariners are competitive early, winning 11 on the trot and currently leading the AL West, albeit narrowly.

All four races are incredibly close so far.


Monthly Award Winners

April

American League

Batter – Kelly Gruber (Mariners): 479 / 8 HR / 25 RBI
Pitcher – Bret Saberhagen (Royals): 4-0 / 1.84 / 25 K / 49 IP
Rookie – Kenny Rogers (Rangers): 3-0 / 0.72 / 28 K / 37.1 IP


National League

Batter – Kevin Mitchell (Braves): 315 / 8 HR / 22 RBI
Pitcher – Greg Maddux (Braves): 4-0 / 2.11 / 31 K / 47 IP
Rookie – David Justice (Astros): 312 / 7 HR / 19 RBI



May

American League

Batter – Fred McGriff (Brewers): 299 / 10 HR / 26 RBI
Pitcher – Mike Witt (Blue Jays): 4-0 / 0.81 / 26 K / 44.1 IP
Rookie – Kevin Tapani (Brewers): 4-2 / 1.83 / 22 K / 44.1 IP


National League

Batter – Will Clark (Giants): 375 / 5 HR / 19 RBI
Pitcher – Tim Leary (Cardinals): 5-2 / 2.77 / 32 K / 48.2 IP
Rookie – John Olerud (Cardinals): 337 / 3 HR / 13 RBI


News and Leaders




Milestones and Observations of Note

2500 Hits: George Brett

2000 Hits: Frank White, Chris Speier

200 Wins: Rick Reuschel

Atlanta’s Joe Carter has two 3-homer games—both against the Cubs.

The Expos lose Daryl Boston for the season due to an “undisclosed injury” and then his outfield partner Lyman Bostock for the year to elbow problems.

An oblique strain sidelines Oakland superstar Rickey Henderson for 5 weeks, while Doc Gooden will miss 4 months with a torn meniscus.

[luckymann]

First ASG nods to Jose De Leon and Cecil Fielder. Ellis Burks and Barry Bonds will each be making their third appearance, the ladder purely on popularity as his stats so far this year do not deserve the accolade by a long stretch. On the other hand, Johnny Ray can consider himself unlucky to be surrounded by so many top-notch 2B in the league, explaining his omission here.


American League

• SP Roger Clemens (BOS)* - 10-6, 2.83 ERA, 146.1 IP, 1.16 WHIP, 7.6 K/9, 4.6 WAR
• SP Erik Hanson (CAL) - 8-1, 2.83 ERA, 136.2 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 6.9 K/9, 3.5 WAR
• SP Kenny Rogers (TEX) - 9-4, 2.19 ERA, 127.2 IP, 1.14 WHIP, 5.3 K/9, 2.7 WAR
• SP Bret Saberhagen (KC) - 6-10, 2.90 ERA, 143.0 IP, 1.15 WHIP, 4.5 K/9, 4.2 WAR
• SP Kevin Tapani (ML4) - 10-5, 2.86 ERA, 132.1 IP, 1.14 WHIP, 4.1 K/9, 3.8 WAR
• SP Mike Witt (TOR) - 7-2, 1.97 ERA, 128.0 IP, 1.07 WHIP, 4.7 K/9, 3.0 WAR
• RP Chuck Cary (TOR) - 3-6, 13 SV, 3.05 ERA, 44.1 IP, 1.40 WHIP, 7.5 K/9, 0.7 WAR
• CL Doug Jones (MIN)* - 3-2, 23 SV, 1.38 ERA, 45.2 IP, 1.07 WHIP, 5.3 K/9, 1.6 WAR
• CL Gregg Olson (TEX) - 3-0, 23 SV, 2.25 ERA, 44.0 IP, 1.11 WHIP, 8.0 K/9, 1.3 WAR
• CL Duane Ward (CLE) - 3-1, 23 SV, 2.19 ERA, 53.1 IP, 1.16 WHIP, 6.6 K/9, 1.7 WAR
• C Rick Cerone (CWS) - .277/.341/.437, 206 AB, 7 HR, 120 wRC+, 1.4 WAR
• C Matt Nokes (BOS)* - .281/.335/.487, 224 AB, 11 HR, 124 wRC+, 1.3 WAR
• C Dave Valle (MIN) - .274/.360/.416, 226 AB, 5 HR, 122 wRC+, 1.3 WAR
• 1B Don Mattingly (NYY) - .346/.360/.541, 344 AB, 16 HR, 155 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
• 1B Fred McGriff (ML4) - .287/.393/.581, 296 AB, 25 HR, 3 SB, 166 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
• 1B Eddie Murray (CAL)* - .320/.406/.585, 306 AB, 22 HR, 1 SB, 175 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
• 2B Jerry Browne (NYY)* - .333/.414/.478, 312 AB, 7 HR, 4 SB, 155 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
• 2B Julio Franco (CLE) - .267/.363/.382, 285 AB, 5 HR, 20 SB, 112 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
• 3B Kelly Gruber (SEA)* - .348/.372/.589, 316 AB, 14 HR, 6 SB, 166 wRC+, 4.2 WAR
• SS Tony Fernandez (TOR)* - .306/.366/.430, 314 AB, 3 HR, 12 SB, 125 wRC+, 3.3 WAR (Injured)
• SS Cal Ripken Jr. (BAL) - .268/.335/.383, 298 AB, 7 HR, 3 SB, 106 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
• SS Alan Trammell (DET)* - .314/.377/.470, 296 AB, 12 HR, 8 SB, 144 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
• LF George Bell (ML4) - .308/.358/.477, 302 AB, 12 HR, 137 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
• LF Mike Greenwell (BOS)* - .288/.357/.417, 309 AB, 8 HR, 12 SB, 120 wRC+, 1.1 WAR
• LF Luis Polonia (CWS) - .321/.357/.486, 315 AB, 5 HR, 15 SB, 138 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
• CF Ken Griffey Jr. (SEA) - .289/.358/.518, 311 AB, 18 HR, 14 SB, 146 wRC+, 3.4 WAR
• CF Kirby Puckett (MIN)* - .327/.359/.425, 327 AB, 4 HR, 5 SB, 114 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
• CF Milt Thompson (NYY) - .329/.359/.442, 346 AB, 4 HR, 12 SB, 128 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
• CF Robin Yount (ML4) - .314/.386/.506, 322 AB, 13 HR, 8 SB, 154 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
• RF Paul O'Neill (NYY) - .307/.350/.480, 329 AB, 13 HR, 5 SB, 135 wRC+, 1.9 WAR
• RF Ruben Sierra (CLE)* - .325/.368/.524, 311 AB, 12 HR, 7 SB, 148 wRC+, 2.0 WAR

National League

• SP Jose De Leon (PIT) - 9-5, 2.63 ERA, 123.0 IP, 1.23 WHIP, 8.1 K/9, 3.7 WAR
• SP Dwight Gooden (NYM)* - 6-5, 3.01 ERA, 77.2 IP, 1.20 WHIP, 6.3 K/9, 1.4 WAR (Injured)
• SP Orel Hershiser (LAD) - 12-6, 3.14 ERA, 143.1 IP, 1.27 WHIP, 5.4 K/9, 3.4 WAR
• SP Joe Magrane (MON) - 5-8, 3.17 ERA, 99.1 IP, 1.35 WHIP, 4.5 K/9, 2.3 WAR (Injured)
• SP Ben McDonald (MON) - 7-5, 2.58 ERA, 139.1 IP, 1.00 WHIP, 4.7 K/9, 3.7 WAR
• SP Jack McDowell (LAD) - 5-10, 2.66 ERA, 135.1 IP, 1.06 WHIP, 5.7 K/9, 3.0 WAR
• SP Frank Tanana (CIN) - 1-7, 2.24 ERA, 132.2 IP, 1.11 WHIP, 6.3 K/9, 2.9 WAR
• SP John Tudor (PHI) - 10-4, 2.69 ERA, 123.2 IP, 1.04 WHIP, 3.1 K/9, 2.7 WAR
• RP Larry Andersen (SF)* - 0-2, 3.45 ERA, 31.1 IP, 1.44 WHIP, 6.3 K/9, 0.1 WAR
• RP Todd Worrell (MON) - 1-1, 4 SV, 5.00 ERA, 27.0 IP, 1.44 WHIP, 5.0 K/9, -0.4 WAR
• CL Joe Boever (STL) - 4-5, 22 SV, 2.73 ERA, 52.2 IP, 1.42 WHIP, 5.8 K/9, 0.5 WAR
• CL Tom Henke (MON) - 2-6, 19 SV, 4.43 ERA, 44.2 IP, 1.30 WHIP, 6.4 K/9, 0.9 WAR
• C Craig Biggio (HOU)* - .284/.385/.437, 222 AB, 7 HR, 11 SB, 139 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
• C Mickey Tettleton (LAD) - .277/.401/.495, 188 AB, 12 HR, 161 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
• C Ernie Whitt (SF) - .257/.327/.437, 183 AB, 7 HR, 1 SB, 109 wRC+, 1.6 WAR
• 1B Will Clark (SF)* - .315/.401/.580, 305 AB, 19 HR, 1 SB, 172 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
• 1B Cecil Fielder (PIT) - .254/.336/.523, 287 AB, 21 HR, 145 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
• 1B Pedro Guerrero (LAD) - .313/.384/.514, 323 AB, 14 HR, 150 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
• 1B Randy Milligan (PHI) - .271/.405/.563, 284 AB, 18 HR, 5 SB, 166 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
• 1B John Olerud (STL) - .326/.460/.491, 279 AB, 9 HR, 172 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
• 2B Roberto Alomar (SD)* - .322/.388/.479, 307 AB, 10 HR, 3 SB, 147 wRC+, 2.4 WAR (Injured)
• 2B Bip Roberts (HOU) - .332/.422/.460, 298 AB, 3 HR, 26 SB, 149 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
• 2B Ryne Sandberg (CHC) - .257/.321/.441, 311 AB, 15 HR, 15 SB, 111 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
• 3B Tim Wallach (MON) - .290/.353/.475, 276 AB, 12 HR, 1 SB, 133 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
• 3B Todd Zeile (NYM)* - .271/.336/.498, 299 AB, 17 HR, 2 SB, 137 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
• SS Barry Larkin (CIN)* - .292/.356/.424, 295 AB, 5 HR, 11 SB, 119 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
• SS Ozzie Smith (STL) - .282/.386/.390, 287 AB, 2 HR, 19 SB, 124 wRC+, 3.7 WAR
• LF Barry Bonds (PIT)* - .255/.364/.431, 274 AB, 10 HR, 13 SB, 128 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
• LF John Kruk (HOU) - .309/.385/.469, 288 AB, 8 HR, 4 SB, 147 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
• CF Ellis Burks (PIT) - .315/.386/.493, 292 AB, 8 HR, 15 SB, 152 wRC+, 4.0 WAR
• CF Eric Davis (CHC)* - .302/.386/.573, 288 AB, 22 HR, 8 SB, 169 wRC+, 3.8 WAR
• CF Gerald Young (LAD) - .301/.408/.375, 312 AB, 2 HR, 39 SB, 132 wRC+, 4.3 WAR
• RF David Justice (HOU)* - .283/.410/.599, 269 AB, 25 HR, 13 SB, 178 wRC+, 4.2 WAR

Joe Carter wins the HR Derby, beating Donny Baseball 6-5 in the Final, while Eddie Murray leads the AL to a 5-1 win in the main event.

[luckymann]

Johnny Ray is making what will almost certainly be his final season with the club a memorable one, slashing his way by mid-June to a 338 AVG and 30 RBI—the latter of those placing him third among our players, and from the leadoff slot!

He, Bell and Burks are to thank for keeping us in top spot as the pitchers cool right off and Van Slyke, Bonds and Bonilla go almost completely AWOL.

Entering July, they have 22 home runs and 94 RBI between them, although the two BBs do improve from there.

Danny Jackson, who certainly won’t go down as one of my better acquisitions, is the other big worry and he eventually pitches himself out of the rotation, with Zane Smith getting his spot.

Still, we get it together after the ASB and lead by 9 at the end of this sectional.

All the same, I just don’t feel this is the side that’s going to break our title drought. I don’t know what it is but something in the mix isn’t quite right.

We aggressively look around the league as the Deadline nears but simply can’t find the piece(s) that might solve the puzzle.

Every option strikes us as having the potential to do more harm than good—as likely a result of us looking too hard as anything, I fear.

Some more extensions signed: Jay Bell 1/630; Doug Drabek 6/4780; Dan Plesac 5/2880; Brian Harper 1/800.

Ron Gant’s negotiations prove fruitless and we’ll arb him although it doesn’t bode well for the future.




The Rangers are making another push for their maiden playoff appearance and they move past the Mariners to the top of the AL West thanks to a 10-game run of wins.

With their pitching looking good and a handy lead entering the stretch, they might be a bit of a dark horse this year.




Monthly Award Winners

June

American League

Batter – Ruben Sierra (Indians): 432 / 6 HR / 30 RBI
Pitcher – Dennis Eckersley (Rangers): 4-0 / 1.76 / 14 K / 30.2 IP
Rookie – Kevin Appier (Royals): 4-0 / 2.90 / 28 K / 40.1 IP


National League

Batter – Pedro Guerrero (Dodgers): 373 / 7 HR / 31 RBI
Pitcher – Orel Hershiser (Dodgers): 5-0 / 1.29 / 23 K / 48.2 IP
Rookie – Greg Hibbard (Reds): 3-1 / 2.19 / 6 SV / 8 K / 12.1 IP


July

American League

Batter – Andres Galarraga (Mariners): 353 / 6 HR / 23 RBI
Pitcher – Chris Bosio (Rangers): 6-0 / 3.07 / 23 K / 44 IP
Rookie – Kenny Rogers (Rangers): 3-0 / 1.78 / 19 K / 30.1 IP


National League

Batter – John Olerud (Cardinals): 376 / 6 HR / 18 RBI
Pitcher – Jose De Leon (Pirates): 5-0 / 1.52 / 32 K / 41.1 IP
Rookie – John Olerud


News, Leaders and Top 20s

Jose De Leon's some chance of a Triple Crown if he keeps going as he has been.




Milestones and Observations of Note

2500 Hits: Keith Hernandez

2000 Hits: Willie Randolph, Willie Wilson

Expo Joe Magrane suffers a dose of elbow tendinitis that causes him to miss the ASG and 12 weeks’ action all told.

Ex-Pirate Gary Redus, now with the Tigers, is put out of action for the year by an ACL tear, as is Royals OF Felix Jose by a calf injury.

Deadline trades of note:

[luckymann]

This comes much later than his 1976 one IRL and is his first in this timeline.

The error precluding it from perfection was a dropped throw in the bottom 1st.

[luckymann]

Quite the flair for the dramatic this season, our AAA Links. First they pinch their division from Eugene by beating the Emeralds in each of the last three games of the regular season, then - after sweeping Lamesa in the League Series - they rebound from 0-2 down to claim another title beating Auburn in 5.

In the latter part of the season, Steve Blood of Evansville no-hit Charlotte and then Denver’s Mickey Weston no-hit Evansville a couple weeks later.

[luckymann]

We open up the stretch drive with a 20-hit 14-8 win against Montreal that is as disconcerting (Mike Scott 6 ER in 2+) as it is pleasing (Bonds 4-5 / 5 runs scored; Bonilla 3 hits, 5 ribbies).

It also sees Johnny Ray hurt and requiring an IL stint of the minimum duration.

Danny Jackson comes back into the spin in place of the underwhelming Zane Smith.

We pretty much put it beyond doubt with a strong 21-7 August and clinch nice and early.

Unfortunately we look like being without Jay Bell for the remainder after he suffers a bad elbow strain.

Craig Reynolds comes in for him and doesn’t last a game—done for the year with a fractured hand.

Dale Berra of all people is next in line between now and the end of the regular season, although he won’t be eligible for the playoffs so we best keep Tom Foley wrapped in cotton wool.

The lads stick to the task admirably even after clinching, winning our final 9 games in fact to finish a fine season at 102-60.

No divisional dramatics this time around, with only the Giants making slightly heavy work of things toward the end but they eventually get home with a few to spare for their first playoff appearance since 1973.

Better news still for the Rangers, who can now cross themselves off the list of post-season absentees, although they’ll be without gun rookie Kenny Rogers after he is knocked out of action by shoulder inflammation.




Final Leaders and Top 20s

Batting crowns to Don Mattingly and young Padre Roberto Alomar, with Mark McGwire and David Justice both storming home late to tie for the MLB HR lead with 44, one ahead of Fred McGriff.

Big Mac's 133 RBI also top all players this year, as do Vince Coleman's 71 steals.

Just 16 strikeouts separate Jose De Leon from the Triple Crown in the end, with Jose Rijo's MLB-high 224 K playing the spoiling role.

JDL's 21 wins and sterling 1.86 ERA are the league's best for 1989, with Doug Jones leading all relievers with 43 Saves.




Monthly Award Winners

August

American League

Batter – Don Mattingly (Yankees): 379 / 10 HR / 33 RBI
Pitcher – Jim Deshaies (White Sox): 5-0 / 1.30 / 22 K / 41.2 IP
Rookie – John Wetteland (Angels): 0-0 / 0.00 / 9 SV / 17 K / 15.2 IP


National League

Batter – Lonnie Smith (Dodgers): 398 / 4 HR / 24 RBI
Pitcher – Greg Maddux (Braves): 5-0 / 1.25 / 27 K / 50.1 IP
Rookie – John Olerud (Cardinals): 347 / 7 HR / 19 RBI


September

American League

Batter – Mark McGwire (A’s): 309 / 15 HR / 33 RBI
Pitcher – David Wells (Rangers): 5-1 / 2.44 / 35 K / 44.1 IP
Rookie – Kevin Appier (Royals): 4-2 / 2.79 / 22 K / 42 IP


National League

Batter – David Justice (Astros): 369 / 9 HR / 20 RBI
Pitcher – Jose De Leon (Pirates): 4-0 / 0.61 / 38 K / 44.1 IP
Rookie – Tommy Greene (Giants): 5-1 / 2.25 / 29 K / 44 IP


Milestones and Observations of Note

250 Wins: JR Richard

200 Wins John Candelaria

The Blue Jays lose Legacy Tony Fernandez for the season to an ankle fracture, while the Reds will be without SS Barry Larkin for 6 weeks after he fractures his hand.

[luckymann]

American League
Texas Rangers (90-72) v Boston Red Sox (89-73)

Were Kenny Rogers fit, I would have given the Rangers a really good chance here. But the fact that he’s done for the year, with Charlie Hough also awaiting an injury diagnosis, leaves their pitching precariously thin against a Red Sox unit that, while perhaps not the equal of some of its precedents, is nevertheless a formidable one.

Chris Bosio gets them off to a good start, however, outduelling Clemens in a 2-0 Game 1 win but the Sox return serve with a 3-1 win the next day behind Pascual Perez and then go ahead with a 7-3 win at Fenway.

They post a big inning early in Game 4 and hold on for a 6-3 final, then finish them off with a hard-fought 4-3 win behind the Rocket.

For the second year running, Mike Greenwell is named ALCS MVP.





National League
Pittsburgh Pirates (102-60) v San Francisco Giants (92-70)

The Giants were the only team we had a losing record to this year and for good reason. With Clark and Williams out-and-out guns, Dave Parker cleaning up his act and finding a new lease of life, underrated guys like Brunansky and Pendleton and a sneaky good pitching staff at their disposal, we’ll need to be at our absolute best to handle them.

With only pitchers as other options, outfielder Jose Gonzalez makes his Pittsburgh debut in the most auspicious of circumstances.

To begin with, we are going to risk Gant at SS in the early innings and then switch him out for Foley in close and late. Hopefully his bat more than compensates for his glove.

Somewhat ironically it is Tom Foley’s bat that gets us out of jail in the opener after a wobbly start by Mike Scott, with his 2-run double with one out in the 9th off Jay Howell getting us a walkoff 6-5 win.

Another early stumble by JDL the next day but he steadies and again we overcome it for a tight 4-3 win and we fall behind early yet again over in San Fran for Game 3. This time, however, there’s no coming back as Tommy Greene 1-hits us with an absolute gem as Andy Van Slyke is hurt—adding injury to insult, so to speak.

His diagnosis is of the worst possible kind – gone for the season. We’re almost running on fumes here, doc.

The spotty offence continues the following game as we can manage only 6 hits, giving up an early lead to eventually lose it 5-4 in a walkoff. Barry Bonds is a dirty 1-for-13 at this point.

The lads show tremendous heart in Game 5, somehow getting a 6-4 win in 10 after giving up an early 4-0 lead, with Big Daddy Fielder belting his third homer of the series.

With two bites of the cherry at home and Jose De Leon up you’d have to like our chances but the bats go totally missing against Bryn Smith, who has a no-no going thru 7 and eventually pitches a 3-hitter, wasting a fine effort by JDL in a 1-0 final.

It all comes down to a deciding Game 7, which we start tentatively before the bats finally come to life with a 5-run 4th that proves enough in the end as we go on to win it 5-3 and book another WS meeting with our fierce arch-rivals.

Ellis Burks wins the MVP.

[luckymann]

Pittsburgh Pirates v Boston Red Sox
Best-of-seven, Red Sox with the home-field advantage.


With the league about to commence its 10th decade of existence, let us take a quick stroll down the heavily-landmarked memory lane that is the rivalry between these two clubs.

Including the two most recently procured, we have 71 pennants between us.

After the one about to be contested, we will have 41 titles between us.

We are the only two clubs to win four titles in a row (Pittsburgh 1924-27; Boston 1944-47) and the only two clubs with more than 10 titles (Detroit is next with 7, then the Yanks with 6).

This will be our 12th World Series meeting. We currently lead the running score 8-3 but they have won the two most recent contests and if you flip a few of those epic 7-gamers around, things would be a lot tighter.

Here are the previous results:

1916: Bucs in 7
1926: Bucs in 7
1927: Bucs in 7
1947: Sox in 4
1956: Bucs in 4
1957: Bucs in 5
1958: Bucs in 7
1964: Bucs in 5
1972: Bucs in 6
1979: Sox in 6
1986: Sox in 7


We need to win here to avoid our first-ever decade without a Championship.

Here’s a breakdown of each club’s titles by decade:

1900s: Bucs 2; Sox 0
1910s: Bucs 3; Sox 2
1920s: Bucs 6; Sox 1
1930s: Bucs 5; Sox 0
1940s: Sox 4, Bucs 1
1950s: Bucs 4; Sox 2
1960s: Bucs 3; Sox 0
1970s: Bucs 3; Sox 2
1980s: Sox 2, Bucs 0


Thus endeth the (history) lesson.

[luckymann]

Game 1 in Boston

Pascual Perez (10-16, 3.82) v Mike Scott (18-9, 3.14)

The archetypal arm-wrestle between these two clubs to open the series at Fenway, with the Sox scoring late to lock down a 5-3 victory.




Game 2 in Boston
Roger Clemens (19-9, 3.30) v Danny Jackson (10-10, 4.08)
Red Sox lead series 1-0

The boys try hard but we’re never really in this one as Clemens isn’t at his best but is good enough to hold us off 6-4.

We left 15 on base and if you don’t take those opportunities, especially against someone like the Rocket, you’ve only yourself to blame.




Game 3 in Pittsburgh
Jose De Leon (21-5, 1.86) v Sid Fernandez (15-10, 3.80)
Red Sox lead series 2-0

We leave it late against El Sid but score in bunches of 3 in each of the 6th and 7th to get home 7-5 despite being outhit 12-7.




Game 4 in Pittsburgh
Danny Darwin (13-12, 3.54) v Jaime Navarro (9-5, 4.14)
Red Sox lead series 2-1

We are once again our own worst enemy as all we can muster is 4 hits over 10 and we lose it 1-0, wasting a fine outing from Darwin who gives us 8 scoreless.




Game 5 in Pittsburgh
Mike Scott (0-1, 6.11) v Pascual Perez (2-0, 2.63)
Red Sox lead series 3-1

Jay Bell finally returns but it helps us not as we are shut out again 2-0 to close out a thoroughly disappointing post-season from the group and keep the 80s a title-free decade.

That despite Perez leaving the game early and a game effort by Mike Scott in his final appearance for us.

Bill Doran takes home the MVP.

[luckymann]

[luckymann]

OUT & OUTS

Mets Manager Wally Post gets his marching orders, the only skipper to do so this season, with Ken Peterson of the Blue Jays and Minnesota's Clarence Beers retiring.


ROSTER MOVES

We execute the cheap final year option in Walt Terrell's contract, extend Ken Oberkfell on a cheap 2+1 deal and send Ron Gant and Mike Bielecki to arb.

Mike Scott, Johnny Ray, Tom Foley and Dale Berra all walk.


The following extensions of note were signed elsewhere:

P Joe Magrane (Expos) 5/13960
2B Bip Roberts (Astros) 4/10920
P Chris Bosio (Rangers) 3/10400


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

466 HR is good for 13th as things currently stand on the all-time leaderboard and that should suffice to get Mike his plaque.

[luckymann]

[luckymann]

We're trying to find a way to somehow keep the rapidly-closing window ajar for 1990 and perhaps even 1991. As I've mentioned previously, from 1992 thru '97 we get absolutely smashed with Bonds' and Van Slyke's salaries. We've now added Bobby Bo into that mix as well so things get real tight, especially with only the most incremental upticks in budget from those holding the purse-strings ($25.4m at the time I write this).

With Scott gone we now have one CC slot available and we're keen to add a second plus just free up some dollars where we can in a way that minimises the short-term hit and slides the longer-term profile northward at the same time.

Not easy given the house rules but in the end we settle on this big flip with the Cubs.

This trade - which initially looked as if it would involve Ellis Burks straight up on our side of the equation - was as much about shedding the payroll in the most productive manner as anything else. We settled on the deal that was eventually transacted because it also ticked the box of giving us another CC spot to work with.

That big wad of moulah will go at least partway to keeping one or two guys for an extra season or two, although even with it in our pocket I really don't see how we can rationally retain Ellis beyond this year given his arb estimate jumps north of $3m for '91 and we've got Gant on the books, Finley in the wings and the prospect of a sizeable return for EB on the trade market.

We also spend our second transaction ticket acquiring SS Shawon Dunston on a 5/3625 deal with the plan being to shift Jay Bell across to 2B.