The Bucs Start Here - A Pirates Do-Over

[luckymann]

A fairly low-key year on the Legacy front other than the Big Hurt himself. He is the only Marquee among the six incoming.
These are the Legacy Players for the 1990 Season:

Chicago White Sox: Frank Thomas (73.8; 1959) MARQUEE 84%
Baltimore Orioles: Scott Erickson (24.8; 197 GS conceded)
Cleveland Indians: Charles Nagy (24.8; 297 GS conceded)
Detroit Tigers: Travis Fryman (34.4; 1096)
New York Yankees: Tino Martinez (29.0; 1054)
St. Louis Cardinals: Ray Lankford (38.2; 1580)

There are 169 rookies for this season plus an induction of 311 MiLBers and the Draft will consist of 12 rounds.

The Draft order will be as follows (winning percentage from 1989 IRL season in brackets; bold indicates Legacy Pick in 1st Round):


Round 1

1. Chicago White Sox (429)
2. St. Louis Cardinals (531; dice roll)
3. Detroit Tigers (364)
4. New York Yankees (460)
5. Cleveland Indians (451; dice roll)
6. Baltimore Orioles (537; dice roll)
7. Atlanta Braves (394)
8. Philadelphia Phillies (414)
9. Seattle Mariners (451; dice roll)
10. Pittsburgh Pirates (457)
11. Cincinnati Reds (463)
12. Los Angeles Dodgers (481)
13. Minnesota Twins (494)
14. Milwaukee Brewers (500; dice roll)
15. Montreal Expos (500; dice roll)
16. Boston Red Sox (512; dice roll)
17. Texas Rangers (512; dice roll)
18. Houston Astros (531; dice roll)
19. New York Mets (537; dice roll)
20. San Diego Padres (549; dice roll)
21. Toronto Blue Jays (549; dice roll)
22. California Angels (562)
23. Kansas City Royals (568; dice roll)
24. San Francisco Giants (568; dice roll)
25. Chicago Cubs (574)
26. Oakland Athletics (611)


Rounds 2 thru 12

1. Detroit Tigers (364)
2. Atlanta Braves (394)
3. Philadelphia Phillies (414)
4. Chicago White Sox (429)
5. Seattle Mariners (451; dice roll)
6. Cleveland Indians (451; dice roll)
7. Pittsburgh Pirates (457)
8. New York Yankees (460)
9. Cincinnati Reds (463)
10. Los Angeles Dodgers (481)
11. Minnesota Twins (494)
12. Milwaukee Brewers (500; dice roll)
13. Montreal Expos (500; dice roll)
14. Boston Red Sox (512; dice roll)
15. Texas Rangers (512; dice roll)
16. Houston Astros (531; dice roll)
17. St. Louis Cardinals (531; dice roll)
18. Baltimore Orioles (537; dice roll)
19. New York Mets (537; dice roll)
20. San Diego Padres (549; dice roll)
21. Toronto Blue Jays (549; dice roll)
22. California Angels (562)
23. Kansas City Royals (568; dice roll)
24. San Francisco Giants (568; dice roll)
25. Chicago Cubs (574)
26. Oakland Athletics (611)


Eligible PIT players: 7 position players + 5 pitchers = 12.


A tantalisingly high pick for us that we must make the most of as our IRL boys start having a decent run for the next wee while. We certainly have our preferred guy earmarked—it’ll all come down to whether he survives long enough for us to grab him.

No dice with him, unfortunately, as the Phils snap him up:

1. 3B Carlos Baerga, 21 (INELIGIBLE)

• There was a plethora of options but we decided Carlos was the best of them. He’ll almost certainly be used at the big club for the next few seasons in a backup IF role then traded.

2. OF Turner Ward, 24 (PIT IRL: 1997-99)

• There were arguably better players still available but none strongly enough so to bridge the fact that Turner – who is a handy three-slot fourth OF type – is club eligible.

3. IF Cesar Morillo, 17 (MiLB ONLY)

• This is a pure punt on our part but we felt the worst case is that we get a long-term organisational piece around the diamond. On the other hand, he profiles pretty strongly and having never made it to the bigs IRL is therefore eligible for us. Given the paucity of other options at this point of the Draft, we took the plunge. Sometimes you gotta risk it…

4. IF Luis Sojo, 24 (PIT IRL: 2000)

• AAA depth.

From here it is all minors depth guys you’re unlikely to ever hear of so I’ll spare you the boredom.

Disappointing but not a total wipe.

[luckymann]

Gaylord gets so close he could spit in the window but he'll have to try his luck again next year with the rest of them. As will Pops and Dick Allen, both of whom get more than 70% but less than the threshold.

[luckymann]

Into the 90s we go, feeling as spry as a teenager.

Here are the clubs' records thru 1989, along with how they went in the 80s:

[luckymann]

Sweet Lou Piniella’s tough love and the rise of “The Nasty Boys” help the Reds get over Pete Rose pretty quickly and rebound through our boys in the NLCS and strut all the way to a title as any hopes the A’s have of earning the “dynasty” moniker are swept away by Billy Hatcher and co.


AL EAST / WEST CHAMPIONS: Boston Red Sox (88-74) / Oakland A’s (103-59)
NL EAST / WEST CHAMPIONS: Pittsburgh Pirates (95-67) / Cincinnati Reds (91-71)
ALCS: A’s 4, Red Sox 0
NLCS: Reds 4, Pirates 2
WORLD SERIES: Reds 4, A’s 0

Pittsburgh Pirates: 95-67, 1st in NL East

AL MVP: Rickey Henderson (A’s)
NL MVP: Barry Bonds (Pirates)

AL CYA: Bob Welch (A’s)
NL CYA: Doug Drabek (Pirates)

AL RoY: Sandy Alomar jr (Indians)
NL RoY: David Justice (Braves)


Top Ten Lists (courtesy of thisgreatgame.com)

NL Hitters

1. BARRY BONDS, PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: .301 average, 104 runs, 32 doubles, 33 home runs, 114 RBIs, 93 walks, 52 stolen bases, .565 slugging percentage.
• Dogged by erratic performance through his first four years in the majors, maddened by an arbitration defeat and embarrassed that no team wanted to trade for him, Bonds finally and absolutely came alive—winning his first of a record eight MVPs.

2. RYNE SANDBERG, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: .306 average, 116 runs, 188 hits, 30 doubles, 40 home runs, 100 RBIs, 25 stolen bases.
• One wondered how fans of the Cubs—surprised by Ryne Sandberg’s 30 homers in 1989—felt about his NL-high 40 in 1990.

3. RON GANT, ATLANTA

• Key Numbers: .303 average, 107 runs, 174 hits, 34 doubles, 32 home runs, 84 RBIs, 33 stolen bases.
• Gant, whose 1988 rookie star fell all the way down to Class-A ball in 1989, rebounded all the way back up and then some.

4. BOBBY BONILLA, PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: .280 average, 112 runs, 175 hits, 39 doubles, 7 triples, 32 home runs, 120 RBIs, 15 sacrifice flies.
• Barry Bonds’ emergence made life statistical easier for Bonilla, but more difficult in the MVP race (he finished second behind Bonds in the vote.)

5. LENNY DYKSTRA, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: .325 average, 106 runs, 192 hits, 35 doubles, 9 home runs, 60 RBIs, 89 walks, 33 stolen bases, .418 on-base percentage.
• Putting on the muscle—much of it through steroids—the wild, confrontational Dykstra used it to improve his average by nearly 100 points while enhancing his pugilism, as Dodgers catcher Rick Dempsey found out during an August brawl at Los Angeles.

6. KAL DANIELS, LOS ANGELES

• Key Numbers: 130 games, .296 average, 81 runs, 27 home runs, 94 RBIs.
• The fleetingly good Daniels matched Eddie Murray at the top of the Dodgers’ power chain, and twice knocked in six runs in a game.

7. EDDIE MURRAY, LOS ANGELES

• Key Numbers: .330 average, 96 runs, 184 hits, 26 home runs, 95 RBIs, 82 walks, 21 intentional walks.
• When Willie McGee was traded from the Cardinals to the A’s with a NL-leading .335 average on August 29, Murray was the guy who took the best shot at topping the mark before time ran out. Despite hitting .411 from September 1 on, he couldn’t get there.

8. DARRYL STRAWBERRY, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: .277 average, 92 runs, 37 home runs, 108 RBIs, 15 stolen bases.
• Strawberry gave it all he had for the Mets in what most everyone knew would be his last year in New York.

9. ERIC DAVIS, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: 127 games, .260 average, 84 runs, 26 doubles, 24 home runs, 86 RBIs, 21 stolen bases.
• Davis barely hit over .200 for much of the year before the introduction of eye contacts finally launched him on a late-season groove.

10. DAVID JUSTICE, ATLANTA

• Key Numbers: 127 games, .282 average, 76 runs, 28 home runs, 78 RBIs, 11 stolen bases.
• The NL Rookie of the Year gave life to a morbid (65-97) Braves team on the precipice of a shocking turnaround.

AL Hitters

1. RICKEY HENDERSON, OAKLAND

• Key Numbers: 136 games, .325 average, 119 runs, 33 doubles, 28 home runs, 61 RBIs, 97 walks, 65 stolen bases, .439 on-base percentage.
• Sometimes it’s about being in the right mood. Henderson, known for flicking the switch on and off, was never happier with the powerful A’s—and thus never better, winning his sole career MVP.

2. CECIL FIELDER, DETROIT

• Key Numbers: .277 average, 104 runs, 25 doubles, 51 home runs, 132 RBIs, 90 walks, 182 strikeouts, .592 slugging percentage.
• Returning from a brief but highly productive exile in Japan, Fielder became the first American Leaguer since Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle, 29 years earlier, to hit over 50 homers. The damage included a pair of three-homer games—the first of which came in an early-season contest against his old team, the Blue Jays.

3. FRED MCGRIFF, TORONTO

• Key Numbers: .300 average, 91 runs, 35 home runs, 88 RBIs, 94 walks.
• The man who replaced Fielder in Toronto had his first of two .300-.400-.500 seasons: A .300 batting average, .400 on-base-percentage and .500 slugging percentage.

4. KELLY GRUBER, TORONTO

• Key Numbers: .274 average, 92 runs, 36 doubles, 6 triples, 31 home runs, 118 RBIs, 14 stolen bases.
• The 28-year-old Houston native followed McGriff as the next big Blue Jays star—but the shine would be brief as he quickly tailed off and be out of the majors after 1993.

5. GEORGE BRETT, KANSAS CITY

• Key Numbers: .329 average, 82 runs, 179 hits, 45 doubles, 7 triples, 14 home runs, 87 RBIs.
• The fountain of youth was overflowing for the 37-year-old Brett; he hit .384 in the second half, became the only hitter to win batting titles in three different decades, hit for his second career cycle, and for the seventh and last time collected two triples on one game.

6. JOSE CANSECO, OAKLAND

• Key Numbers: 131 games, .274 average, 83 runs, 37 home runs, 101 RBIs, 158 strikeouts, 19 stolen bases.
• His 1989 campaign more than half-wiped out by injury, Canseco strained to return to his 1988 MVP form, performing well but obviously putting more emphasis on swinging for the upper deck with every at-bat.

7. KEN GRIFFEY JR., SEATTLE

• Key Numbers: .300 average, 91 runs, 179 hits, 28 doubles, 7 triples, 22 home runs, 80 RBIs, 16 stolen bases.
• In his sophomore season, Junior got off to a roaring start (.346 average, 10 home runs by the end of May) before ebbing, but there was increasingly less doubt that the kid born on the same date and place as Stan Musial might soon equal him in legend.

8. MARK MCGWIRE, OAKLAND

• Key Numbers: .235 average, 87 runs, 39 home runs, 108 RBIs, 110 walks.
• Like Jose Canseco, the muscular McGwire was still looking to replicate his breakout success (from 1987) and, at least in the power numbers, mostly succeeded. Of his 39 homers, 25 were hit away from the Oakland Coliseum.

9. WADE BOGGS, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: .302 average, 89 runs, 187 hits, 44 doubles, 5 triples, 6 home runs, 63 RBIs, 87 walks, 19 intentional walks.
• Boggs wouldn’t hit below .300 until 1992, but he came awfully close in 1990 as a late-September slump nearly put him under the milestone mark.

10. JULIO FRANCO, TEXAS

• Key Numbers: .296 average, 96 runs, 172 hits, 27 doubles, 11 home runs, 69 RBIs, 31 stolen bases.
• At age 32—and with 14 major league seasons still ahead of him—the Dominican second baseman enjoyed his best moment of the year when he was named the All-Star Game MVP at Wrigley Field.

NL Pitchers

1. DOUG DRABEK, PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: 2.76 ERA, 22 wins, 6 losses, .786 win percentage, 33 starts, 231.1 innings.
• Yankees fans shook their heads yet again watching Drabek, another once-pinstriped prospect, succeed elsewhere as he became only the second Pirate (after Vern Law in 1960) to win a Cy Young Award. In a year with a record eight no-hitters, Drabek nearly made it nine—but missed by one out on August 3 at Philadelphia.

2. ED WHITSON, SAN DIEGO

• Key Numbers: 2.60 ERA, 14 wins, 9 losses, 32 starts, 228.2 innings, 47 walks.
• At age 35, Whitson enjoyed a final hurrah, posting a personal-best ERA and belting his only career home run before succumbing to shoulder surgery a year later.

3. FRANK VIOLA, MINNESOTA

• Key Numbers: 2.67 ERA, 20 wins, 12 losses, 35 starts, 249.2 innings, 11 wild pitches, 26 stolen bases.
• In his first full year at Shea Stadium after years of relatively congenial support in Minnesota, Viola kept the demanding Mets fans happy with his second (and last) 20-win output.

4. ZANE SMITH, MONTREAL-PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: 2.55 ERA, 12 wins, 9 losses, 31 starts, 215.1 innings, 50 walks, 27 stolen bases allowed, 34 grounded into double plays.
• After a 6-23 record at Atlanta over his previous two years, Smith showed what he could do when paired with a winner at Pittsburgh.

5. DANNY DARWIN, HOUSTON

• Key Numbers: 2.21 ERA, 11 wins, 4 losses, 2 saves, 2 blown saves, 48 appearances, 17 starts, 162.2 innings, 31 walks.
• The last in a flurry of atypical NL ERA titlists, Darwin didn’t even start a game until July; his last start (seven shutout innings against Atlanta on September 28) gave him just enough frames to qualify for the crown.

6. RAMON MARTINEZ, LOS ANGELES

• Key Numbers: 2.92 ERA, 20 wins, 6 losses, .769 win percentage, 33 starts, 12 complete games, 234.1 innings, 22 stolen bases allowed.
• The 22-year-old rookie struck out a major league season-high 18—something his Hall-of-Fame brother, Pedro Martinez, would never accumulate in a game. Martinez’s terrific showing came six years after he pitched for the Dominican Olympic team at 16.

7. JOSE RIJO, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: 2.70 ERA, 14 wins, 8 losses, 29 starts, 197 innings, 5 balks.
• Recovered from a lower back fracture, Rijo reclaimed his steady level of efficient play, improving to season’s end and into the postseason (winning World Series MVP honors).

8. GREG MADDUX, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 3.46 ERA, 15 wins, 15 losses, 35 starts, 237 innings, 27 grounded into double plays.
• Maddux had to work extra hard to earn his results thanks to lousy Cubs defense; a NL-high 23 runners reached on errors against him, and 25 of his 116 runs allowed were unearned. (As usual, the slick-gloved ace made no errors himself.)

9. DWIGHT GOODEN, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 3.83 ERA, 19 wins, 7 losses, .731 win percentage, 34 starts, 232.2 innings, 60 stolen bases allowed, 16 caught stealing/picked off.
• Dr. K. counted up his second-highest win total—missing out on a chance for #20 when the Pirates knocked him around in his last start—but the amazing thing is that he survived the year despite conceding a major league-record 60 stolen bases.

10. DENNIS MARTINEZ, MONTREAL

• Key Numbers: 2.95 ERA, 10 wins, 11 losses, 32 starts, 226 innings, 49 walks.
• Though his misleading win-loss record didn’t indicate it, the 36-year-old Martinez continued a career rebirth in Montreal after his life was nearly derailed by excessive drinking in Baltimore. It was his only below-.500 finish record in six years at Canada.

AL Pitchers

1. ROGER CLEMENS, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: 1.93 ERA, 21 wins, 6 losses, .778 win percentage, 31 starts, 4 shutouts, 228.1 innings.
• Damn that Dave Stewart: Clemens was 21-3 when he didn’t face the Oakland ace—and 0-4 when he did (including his ejected Game Four ALCS loss).

2. DAVE STEWART, OAKLAND

• Key Numbers: 2.56 ERA, 22 wins, 11 losses, 36 starts, 11 complete games, 4 shutouts, 267 innings, 23 grounded into double plays.
• In an emerging era of starting pitchers being handled like fine china, Stewart pitched into extra innings three times.

3. CHUCK FINLEY, CALIFORNIA

• Key Numbers: 2.40 ERA, 18 wins, 9 losses, 32 starts, 236 innings, 15 stolen bases allowed, 18 caught stealing/picked off, 22 grounded into double plays.
• It was a knockout year for Chuck Finley, one of baseball’s more handsome pitchers—so long as he wasn’t knocked about by girlfriend-actress-kickboxer Tawny Kitaen, who he met in 1990.

4. DAVE STIEB, TORONTO

• Key Numbers: 2.93 ERA, 18 wins, 6 losses, .750 win percentage, 33 starts, 208.2 innings, 10 hit-by-pitches.
• After throwing five previous one-hitters—three of them no-hitters/perfect games lost with two outs in the ninth—Stieb finally got his long-sought no-no at Cleveland on September 2.

5. DENNIS ECKERSLEY, OAKLAND

• Key Numbers: 0.61 ERA, 4 wins, 2 losses, 48 saves, 2 blown saves, 63 appearances, 73.1 innings, 4 walks.
• Eck hit peak as a closer, not allowing his first run until May 25 and his first walk until June 12. His WHIP (walks and hits allowed per game) matched his ERA…at 0.61.

6. BOBBY THIGPEN, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 1.83 ERA, 4 wins, 6 losses, 57 saves, 8 blown saves, 77 appearances, 86.2 innings, 12 grounded into double plays.
• With a little less quality but a little more quantity than Eckersley, Thigpen had the White Sox’ knack of maintaining short leads to thank for smashing the season saves record.

7. BOB WELCH, OAKLAND

• Key Numbers: 2.95 ERA, 27 wins, 6 losses, .818 win percentage, 35 starts, 238 innings, 25 grounded into double plays.
• Sparky Anderson said every good pitcher has one great year—and so it was for Bob Welch, who flirted with 30 wins.

8. KEVIN APPIER, KANSAS CITY

• Key Numbers: 2.76 ERA, 12 wins, 8 losses, 32 appearances, 24 starts, 185.2 innings.
• The 1990s began in Kansas City with a strong rookie campaign from Appier, their best pitcher during a dismal decade for the Royals.

9. ERIK HANSON, SEATTLE

• Key Numbers: 3.24 ERA, 18 wins, 9 losses, 33 starts, 236 innings, 10 wild pitches, 18 stolen bases allowed.
• At 6”6’, Erik Hanson was, for the moment, the better of several towering young Mariner pitchers—a group that included a young Randy Johnson.

10. GREG HIBBARD, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 3.16 ERA, 14 wins, 9 losses, 33 starts, 211 innings, 25 grounded into double plays.
• Like Hanson in Seattle, Hibbard matched strong numbers with the more heralded hopeful in the White Sox rotation, Jack McDowell (who also finished 14-9).

[luckymann]

Wow,Vincent Van Go AND the Man of Steal side-by-side at the A’s—now, that should be interesting!

JR Richard comes full-circle with a return to the Astros as he tries to make it to 300 Wins.

Pretty sure that Nails deal is a new record.


OF Lenny Dykstra: Yankees, 8 years / $41.9m / AAV $5.24m
OF Lonnie Smith: Tigers, 5 years / $24.1m / AAV $4.82m
3B Howard Johnson: Yankees, 3 years / $18.4m / AAV $4.60m
OF Kevin Mitchell: Angels, 6 years / $27.4m / AAV $4.56m
P JR Richard: Astros, 3 years / $13.4m / AAV $4.48m
C Mickey Tettleton: Yankees, 3 years / $12.7m / AAV $4.24m
OF Dave Winfield: Rangers, 3 years / $12.5m / AAV $4.16m
SS Ozzie Guillen: Dodgers, 4 years / $14.7m / AAV $3.68m
P Mike Scioscia: Cubs, 4 years / $13.9m / AAV $3.48m
P Mike Morgan: Braves, 3 years / $9.8m / AAV $3.27m
SS Roy Smalley: Mariners, 2 years / $6.2m / AAV $3.08m
OF Eric Davis: Twins, 4 years / $11.7m / AAV $2.92m
OF Gary Redus: Giants, 4 years / $11.7m / AAV $2.92m
P Mike Witt: A’s, 1 year / $2.8m / AAV $2.76m
2B Jose Oquendo: Cardinals, 3 years / $8.0m / AAV $2.68m
P Scott Sanderson: A’s, 4 years / $10.4m / AAV $2.60m
1B Dave Parker: Twins, 3 years / $7.6m / AAV $2.52m
OF Brian Downing: Dodgers, 2 years / $5.0m / AAV $2.52m
P John Tudor: Rangers, 1 year / $2.5m / AAV $2.48m
P Tom Henke: Giants, 3 years / $6.7m / AAV $2.24m
P Mike Scott: Cubs, 2 years / $4.5m / AAV $2.24m
C Dave Valle: Indians, 3 years / $6.1m / AAV $2.06m
P Bob Welch: Cubs, 1 year / $2.0m / AAV $2.04m
OF Tom Brunansky: Braves, 3 years / $6.1m / AAV $2.03m
2B Johnny Ray: Mets, 1 year / $1.6m / AAV $1.58m


OF Kevin McReynolds from Cubs to Giants for OF Hubie Brooks
P Clay Christiansen from Expos to Reds for OF Andre Dawson (retaining 70%)
P Mike Moore (retaining 35%) from Astros to Braves for P Jeff Pico and P Steve Curry
OF Kal Daniels (retaining 70%) from Indians to Braves for P Juan Nieves and P Cris Carpenter
2B Mark Lemke from Cubs to Braves for P Tim Burke
2B Gregg Jeffries, P Steve Wilson, 1B Ricky Jordan and P Jose DeJesus from Padres to Astros for 1B Glenn Davis
P Rick Lysander from Dodgers to Brewers for OF George Bell
P Ken Hill from Mariners to Expos for P Scott Bankhead
3B Mike Gallego from Angels to Mets for P Dan Petry and 2B Joey Cora
P Dave Shipanoff from Mariners to Red Sox for OF Chet Lemon (retaining 70%)
OF Eric Yelding and 3B Mike Blowers from Blue Jays to Tigers for C Terry Steinbach (retaining 35%)
P Xavier Hernandez from Expos to Brewers for P Denis Rasmussen and OF Deion Sanders
P Frank Wills and SS Omar Vizquel from Indians to Dodgers for P Chuck McElroy
P Tom Candiotti (retaining 35%) from Cubs to A’s for OF Jerome Walton
OF Geronimo Berroa from Rangers to Mets for OF Mitch Webster (retaining 55%)
C Tony Pena (retaining 100%) from Rangers to A’s for SS Kent Anderson and cash
C Darrin Fletcher from Giants to Reds for P Dennis Martinez (retaining 60%)
P Wilson Alvarez from Dodgers to Phillies for P David Cone
P Roger Mason and SS Bob Zambrano from Yankees to Royals for OF Junior Felix
3B Craig Worthington from Yankees to A’s for P Steve Brown


We go 12-6 in Spring Training and lose Bob Patterson to a short-term injury.

BNN sees the Red Sox dominating again and have hopped on the Braves bandwagon. They like Montreal’s chances in our division but see us there or thereabouts.

[luckymann]

At least to begin with we are a bit of a patchwork quilt on defence but hopefully the guys acclimatise quickly and we score enough in the meantime to cover any deficiencies.

We've brought up Mark Parent ahead of Joe Oliver, as much for payroll motives as any other. Lenny Harris is another debutante along with Mike Kingery, picked up on a minors deal. As was Steve Buechele, who makes his return to the club.

Smiley, Drabek and Smith fill out the lower part of the rotation with Jackson, Cox and Whitson ready to be called upon.

[luckymann]

The plan is to keep Ellis at the club for the entirety of this season then trade him immediately. Unless, of course, we are out of contention, in which case we'll start looking for moves this year.

Jay Bell, Ron Gant, John Smiley the other big ticket items to be managed this season.

Still one CC slot free awaiting either Carlos Baerga, John Burkett or Steve Finley if needed.

[luckymann]

A strong enough start by the lads sees us win 8 of our first 10 before we regress a bit.

We get an early scare when Barry is hit on the wrist by a pitch but thankfully it is only bruised and he misses just a couple games.

A 9-1 run in early May gets us headed in the right direction again and we finish that month 35-17 and marginally ahead in the NL East.



We re-up with John Smiley on a 5-year deal at an AAV of about $2.4m and Zane Smith for the same duration on less than $1m per, which looks a bargain.

We also sign a 1-year deals with Ron Gant for $1.17m and Jay Bell for $1.1m.




IRL World Series combatants Oakland and Cincinnati both stumble out of the blocks with 10-20 starts to the season.

The Yanks and Brewers, meanwhile, move to the top of the AL East with handy win streaks of 11 and 9 respectively.


Monthly Award Winners

April

American League

Batter – Travis Fryman (Tigers): 372 / 10 HR / 31 RBI
Pitcher – Scott Erickson (Orioles): 4-1 / 1.98 / 19 K / 41 IP
Rookie – Travis Fryman


National League

Batter – Kevin McReynolds (Giants): 386 / 8 HR / 23 RBI
Pitcher – Alejandro Pena (Pirates): 3-1 / 1.38 / 8 SV / 9 K / 13 IP
Rookie – Alex Fernandez (Giants): 2-1 / 3.34 / 23 K / 32.1 IP


May

American League

Batter – Howard Johnson (Yankees): 297 / 13 HR / 38 RBI
Pitcher – Gene Nelson (Brewers): 3-0 / 1.98 / 8 SV / 6 K / 13.2 IP
Rookie – Chris Nabholz (Twins): 4-3 / 3.17 / 45 K / 48.1 IP


National League

Batter – Will Clark (Giants): 383 / 6 HR / 16 RBI
Pitcher – Dennis Martinez (Giants): 5-1 / 0.91 / 23 K / 49.1 IP
Rookie – Randy Tomlin (Expos): 3-2 / 2.51 / 25 K / 46.2 IP


News and Leaders




Milestones and Observations of Note

2500 Hits: Dave Winfield

2000 Hits: Dale Murphy

Ivan Calderon of the Rangers has two 3-homer games.

Howard Johnson has 20 HR thru the first 40 games.

[luckymann]

We are fairly well-represented this year with five guys getting a nod, including a first for Zane Smith.

American League

• SP Jim Abbott (DET) - 8-7, 2.36 ERA, 137.0 IP, 1.17 WHIP, 5.5 K/9, 2.5 WAR
• SP Roger Clemens (BOS) - 5-7, 4.40 ERA, 141.0 IP, 1.30 WHIP, 8.0 K/9, 3.9 WAR
• SP Ron Darling (ML4) - 9-4, 2.65 ERA, 108.2 IP, 1.31 WHIP, 5.3 K/9, 1.6 WAR
• SP Jose Guzman (CAL) - 9-4, 2.46 ERA, 117.0 IP, 1.23 WHIP, 5.8 K/9, 1.1 WAR
• SP Shawn Hillegas (BAL) - 3-1, 1.73 ERA, 57.1 IP, 1.01 WHIP, 5.5 K/9, 1.5 WAR
• SP Kevin Tapani (ML4)* - 10-5, 3.40 ERA, 124.1 IP, 1.17 WHIP, 5.4 K/9, 2.3 WAR
• RP Steve Howe (BOS) - 6-1, 6 SV, 1.05 ERA, 34.1 IP, 0.90 WHIP, 5.5 K/9, 1.2 WAR
• CL Chuck Cary (TOR) - 4-7, 19 SV, 2.35 ERA, 53.2 IP, 1.01 WHIP, 6.4 K/9, 0.8 WAR
• CL Doug Jones (MIN) - 4-6, 18 SV, 2.42 ERA, 52.0 IP, 1.19 WHIP, 3.6 K/9, 1.8 WAR
• CL Duane Ward (CLE)* - 2-5, 20 SV, 1.97 ERA, 45.2 IP, 1.07 WHIP, 7.1 K/9, 2.2 WAR
• C Lance Parrish (BOS)* - .297/.344/.502, 239 AB, 14 HR, 1 SB, 141 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
• C Terry Steinbach (TOR) - .305/.367/.432, 220 AB, 4 HR, 131 wRC+, 1.5 WAR
• C Mickey Tettleton (NYY) - .204/.381/.325, 206 AB, 6 HR, 115 wRC+, 1.5 WAR
• 1B Jack Clark (KC) - .280/.400/.502, 271 AB, 16 HR, 2 SB, 161 wRC+, 3.4 WAR
• 1B Andres Galarraga (SEA) - .296/.360/.546, 280 AB, 17 HR, 6 SB, 158 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
• 1B Fred McGriff (ML4)* - .332/.417/.671, 295 AB, 26 HR, 2 SB, 204 wRC+, 4.3 WAR
• 1B Mark McGwire (OAK) - .234/.383/.566, 256 AB, 25 HR, 170 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
• 1B Frank Thomas (CWS) - .350/.476/.570, 277 AB, 16 HR, 197 wRC+, 4.2 WAR
• 2B Lou Whitaker (DET)* - .299/.373/.433, 284 AB, 7 HR, 3 SB, 131 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
• 3B Travis Fryman (DET)* - .320/.378/.595, 306 AB, 20 HR, 6 SB, 172 wRC+, 3.7 WAR
• 3B Kelly Gruber (SEA) - .294/.352/.472, 309 AB, 10 HR, 10 SB, 131 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
• 3B Howard Johnson (NYY)* - .270/.353/.588, 289 AB, 25 HR, 20 SB, 164 wRC+, 3.9 WAR
• SS Alan Trammell (DET)* - .281/.351/.490, 306 AB, 11 HR, 10 SB, 138 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
• LF Ivan Calderon (TEX) - .301/.359/.556, 302 AB, 18 HR, 18 SB, 153 wRC+, 3.7 WAR
• LF Rickey Henderson (OAK) - .271/.392/.479, 280 AB, 13 HR, 40 SB, 146 wRC+, 3.4 WAR
• LF Kevin Mitchell (CAL) - .276/.333/.549, 308 AB, 23 HR, 2 SB, 148 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
• LF Lonnie Smith (DET)* - .284/.368/.462, 303 AB, 9 HR, 21 SB, 137 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
• CF Ken Griffey Jr. (SEA)* - .261/.341/.441, 306 AB, 13 HR, 5 SB, 121 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
• RF Jose Canseco (OAK)* - .290/.379/.556, 293 AB, 21 HR, 12 SB, 158 wRC+, 3.4 WAR
• RF Dale Murphy (MIN) - .284/.335/.533, 289 AB, 17 HR, 1 SB, 144 wRC+, 3.3 WAR

National League

• SP David Cone (LAD) - 7-6, 2.62 ERA, 144.0 IP, 1.08 WHIP, 8.0 K/9, 2.9 WAR
• SP Jose De Leon (PIT) - 8-6, 4.37 ERA, 117.1 IP, 1.41 WHIP, 6.7 K/9, 1.7 WAR
• SP Tom Glavine (ATL) - 10-4, 1.75 ERA, 149.1 IP, 1.04 WHIP, 5.9 K/9, 4.2 WAR
• SP Tommy Greene (SF) - 9-6, 2.60 ERA, 135.0 IP, 1.01 WHIP, 5.0 K/9, 2.4 WAR
• SP Greg Maddux (ATL)* - 4-8, 3.91 ERA, 140.1 IP, 1.30 WHIP, 3.7 K/9, 2.6 WAR
• SP Dennis Martinez (SF) - 10-6, 2.40 ERA, 146.0 IP, 0.95 WHIP, 4.1 K/9, 2.8 WAR
• SP Ramon Martinez (LAD) - 6-9, 2.42 ERA, 148.2 IP, 0.96 WHIP, 5.9 K/9, 2.7 WAR
• SP Jose Rijo (CIN) - 6-5, 2.57 ERA, 147.0 IP, 1.05 WHIP, 6.1 K/9, 3.0 WAR
• SP Zane Smith (PIT) - 9-1, 2.42 ERA, 104.1 IP, 1.17 WHIP, 5.9 K/9, 3.0 WAR
• SP John Smoltz (ATL) - 9-4, 2.30 ERA, 129.0 IP, 1.23 WHIP, 6.6 K/9, 3.1 WAR
• RP Jay Howell (SF) - 1-1, 3.06 ERA, 17.2 IP, 1.36 WHIP, 3.1 K/9, -0.0 WAR
• RP Ken Howell (CHC) - 7-1, 1.88 ERA, 52.2 IP, 0.99 WHIP, 5.5 K/9, 0.8 WAR
• CL Alejandro Pena (PIT) - 5-5, 18 SV, 3.05 ERA, 41.1 IP, 1.28 WHIP, 4.4 K/9, -0.1 WAR
• CL Mike Schooler (HOU)* - 3-5, 26 SV, 3.31 ERA, 49.0 IP, 1.45 WHIP, 5.7 K/9, 2.0 WAR
• C Craig Biggio (HOU) - .298/.364/.366, 235 AB, 1 HR, 13 SB, 114 wRC+, 2.2 WAR
• C Gary Carter (MON) - .229/.305/.377, 231 AB, 7 HR, 95 wRC+, 0.8 WAR
• C Mike Heath (SF) - .291/.347/.387, 199 AB, 3 HR, 1 SB, 112 wRC+, 0.8 WAR
• C Benito Santiago (STL)* - .275/.310/.450, 229 AB, 8 HR, 5 SB, 116 wRC+, 1.2 WAR (Injured)
• 1B Will Clark (SF) - .317/.398/.505, 293 AB, 14 HR, 3 SB, 160 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
• 1B Kent Hrbek (ATL) - .286/.372/.559, 315 AB, 24 HR, 163 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
• 1B John Olerud (STL)* - .297/.396/.484, 306 AB, 13 HR, 149 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
• 2B Ryne Sandberg (CHC)* - .293/.350/.523, 304 AB, 17 HR, 13 SB, 145 wRC+, 4.0 WAR
• 3B Gregg Jefferies (HOU)* - .327/.379/.472, 318 AB, 11 HR, 14 SB, 145 wRC+, 3.0 WAR
• 3B Terry Pendleton (SF) - .316/.369/.471, 272 AB, 7 HR, 6 SB, 138 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
• SS Barry Larkin (CIN)* - .282/.378/.399, 298 AB, 7 HR, 9 SB, 121 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
• LF Barry Bonds (PIT)* - .276/.390/.495, 275 AB, 14 HR, 35 SB, 152 wRC+, 4.3 WAR
• LF Kal Daniels (ATL) - .282/.390/.560, 277 AB, 23 HR, 3 SB, 166 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
• LF Kevin McReynolds (SF) - .309/.351/.533, 304 AB, 18 HR, 5 SB, 151 wRC+, 3.4 WAR
• CF Ellis Burks (PIT)* - .231/.276/.399, 308 AB, 11 HR, 3 SB, 92 wRC+, 1.0 WAR
• CF Von Hayes (PHI) - .250/.352/.525, 280 AB, 19 HR, 15 SB, 145 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
• RF David Justice (HOU)* - .270/.359/.437, 270 AB, 12 HR, 12 SB, 125 wRC+, 1.6 WAR (Injured)
• RF Danny Tartabull (STL) - .322/.395/.536, 295 AB, 15 HR, 164 wRC+, 2.9 WAR

Toronto's Dan Pasqua wins the HR Derby, beating Atlanta's Kent Hrbek 5-4 in the final.

The AL wins the ASG 2-1 with Seattle's Kelly Gruber named MVP.

[luckymann]

A poor start to June as we lose John Smiley for what looks like the rest of the season to a labrum tear. He might make it back but we are planning our strategy based on the predication that he won't.

It’s time for John Burkett to get the call-up and we also recall Mike Bielecki, with a horribly overmatched Danny Cox (10.59 ERA) off to AAA.

Then we lose Joe Orsulak – who has become a key member of our squad as the 4th OF – for 5 weeks to a severe hip strain.

Albert Hall (PIT IRL 1989), picked up in the offseason on a minors deal, gets the summons from Lincoln to make his first appearance for us.

All of which seems to impact our form just as the Cards make a move and after a 15-17 June we find ourselves set to the chase.

Much of this has to do with our pallid offence. Burks and Bell both adding very little and need to be much better. Dan Plesac is another real concern, with his ERA precariously near 7.

Fair to say we are a bit of a mess.

Occasionally a hot mess, though, as is the case when Barry puts together arguably the best game of his career to date with 4 hits including 2 homers and 5 RBI to lead us to a thorough 14-1 whipping of the Dodgers.

We manage through all of this to remain on top of the division as we enter the stretch run, albeit narrowly, with only the Cards looking like rivals for the NL East title.

With little needed and little on offer at the Deadline, we decide to bolster our OF depth by getting Mitch Webster (PIT IRL 1991) – for almost zero cost thru 1981 after existing and new retentions – back to the club for a few ineligibles and unwanteds.




Both the Brewers in the AL East and Royals in the West give up sizeable leads as the Yanks and Halos make strong moves and ours is actually the least competitive of the four races, so it looks like we’re in for a gripping stretch drive.





Monthly Award Winners

June

American League

Batter – Jose Canseco (A’s): 365 / 6 HR / 23 RBI
Pitcher – Steve Farr (Mariners): 2-1 / 1.45 / 11 SV / 13 K / 18.2 IP
Rookie – Barry Jones (Orioles): 2-1 / 0.48 / 8 SV / 6 K / 18.2 IP


National League

Batter – Kent Hrbek (Braves): 347 / 10 HR / 22 RBI
Pitcher – John Smoltz (Braves): 5-0 / 1.57 / 36 K / 46 IP
Rookie – Brian Barnes (Padres): 3-2 / 2.25 / 25 K / 36 IP


July

American League

Batter – Frank Thomas (White Sox): 295 / 10 HR / 24 RBI
Pitcher – Melido Perez (Twins): 6-0 / 2.27 / 31 K / 43.2 IP
Rookie – Frank Thomas


National League

Batter – Barry Bonds (Pirates): 330 / 10 HR / 23 RBI
Pitcher – Alex Fernandez (Giants): 5-0 / 2.35 / 27 K / 38.1 IP
Rookie – Alex Fernandez


News, Leaders and Top 20s

Fred McGriff is well in the hunt for a Triple Crown, currently top 3 in all 3.




Milestones and Observations of Note

2500 Hits: Robin Yount

2000 Hits: Chet Lemon

Cardinals OF Willie McGee misses the maximum 3-month Legacy period after tearing his hamstring, while shoulder woes put paid to Red Sox Closer Bryan Harvey’s 1990 season.

Houston extends Terry Puhl for a couple more years.

Baltimore’s Shawn Hillegas has a no-no going into the 8th against Toronto but runs out of puff and is relieved having still not given up a hit, with Rick Mahler unable to finish it off and they have to be content with a 1-hit 11-0 win.

At AAA, Ottawa’s Charlie Rogers no-hits Las Vegas.

Deadline trades of note:

[luckymann]

Which active pitchers are leading the MLB in career wins above replacement (WAR)?

• J.R. Richard, HOU, 92.0
• Frank Tanana, CIN, 72.3
• Rick Reuschel, OAK, 71.3
• John Candelaria, MON, 55.9
• Roger Clemens, BOS, 51.2

All-time leader: Sandy Koufax 166.4

[luckymann]

This is Tom's first in this timeline, one more than he managed IRL.

[luckymann]

A streaky start to August sees us lose 4 then win 6 on the trot—4 of them by one run and 3 of those in extra innings.

A lot of gas being used up, no doubt.

We still have 12 to play against the Cards and we drop 2 of the first 3 of those in mid-August to remain tied.

We cause ourselves a bunch of unnecessary grief with frequent displays of ill-discipline and fall as many as 4 games behind the Cards at one point.

There’s just no real zip in the way we’re playing and nobody’s really stepping up and, as a result, we cannot get a roll on.

We lose Bonds for a week to an oblique strain but don’t IL him and with a dozen games to go – six v the Cubs and six v the Cards – we trail the latter by 2 games, although they have lost young gun Ray Lankford to hamstring issues.

We narrowly avoid being swept at Wrigley but have left ourselves with minimal margin for error as we host the Cards for 3.

We win 2 of those but are running out of time and are lucky that dropping 2 at home to Chicago doesn’t hurt us as the Cards hit the wall and we go into the final series of the season needing 2 wins to force a tiebreak and 3 to pinch it.

A big 11-2 win in the opener gets us back on equal footing and a 4-2 win the next day puts us in line for an unlikely escape.

Jose De Leon takes on Mark Portugal in the final game but it is the bats who stand up for us as we win a wild one 11-9 to break the Cards’ hearts.

Bonds smacks two homers and Bonilla one as they drive in six between them.




The Royals start August in positive fashion with 8 wins to kick away from the pack and get to sit back and watch the other three dogfights unfold.

The Red Sox go into the final series 1 clear of the Yankees and are their usual clinical selves in dispensing with their arch-rivals via two wins over the Jays.

Unexpectedly, it is the NL West that provides the most drama of all after the Giants lose their final two games and the Astros win their final four to somehow grab a tie after looking absolutely gone.

The Giants, however, regroup enough to just get it done with a 7-6 win in the breaker.




Final Leaders and Top 20s

Batting titles to rookie sensation Frank Thomas (who also sets a new MLB record with 153 walks) and Reds champion Barry Larkin.

Another rookie phenom, Detroit's Travis Fryman - won't that be a keenly contested AL RoY ballot - ties with Jose Canseco for an MLB-topping 45 homers and finishes top 3 across the TC stat cats.

Howard Johnson's 136 RBI are the most this season, as are Vince Coleman's 121 steals.

Among the pitching fraternity, Melido Perez and Toms Glavine and Candiotti lead the league with 20 Wins, with Glavine's 1.84 ERA the low marker.

Rocket Clemens is the King of K with 240, while Mike Schooler's 40 Saves lead the way.




Monthly Award Winners

August

American League

Batter – Frank Thomas (White Sox): 388 / 5 HR / 21 RBI
Pitcher – Les Lancaster (Yankees): 4-0 / 1.67 / 16 K / 37.2 IP
Rookie – Frank Thomas


National League

Batter – Daryl Boston (Reds): 347 / 4 HR / 22 RBI
Pitcher – Rick Sutcliffe (Cardinals): 5-1 / 2.63 / 29 K / 54.2 IP
Rookie – Randy Tomlin (Expos): 3-2 / 1.17 / 23 K / 46 IP


September

American League

Batter – Travis Fryman (Tigers): 361 / 10 HR / 26 RBI
Pitcher – Tom Candiotti (A’s): 6-0 / 0.68 / 28 K / 53 IP
Rookie – Travis Fryman


National League

Batter – Kal Daniels (Braves): 333 / 6 HR / 18 RBI
Pitcher – Ben McDonald (Expos): 6-0 / 1.31 / 30 K / 48 IP
Rookie – Brian Barnes (Padres): 4-0 / 2.56 / 26 K / 31.2 IP


Milestones and Observations of Note

2000 Hits: Andre Dawson, Roy Smalley

The Twins will be without Kevin Brown into a decent chunk of next season after he suffers a partial UCL tear.

A severe hip strain cuts short Reds OF Donell Nixon’s season and Mike Scott is done for the year in mid-August due to some elbow problems.

A broken elbow bone ends Mike Scioscia’s season with a few weeks to go.

[luckymann]

After a bunch of tight regular-season races, Medford emerges from the pack to beat Madisonville in a suitably epic AAA Championship series, winning the decider in a 5-4, 10-inning walkoff after having advanced by beating Paris 5-4 in a 14th-inning walkoff in Game 3 of the League Series. It is their 2nd title.

[luckymann]

American League
Kansas City Royals (95-67) v Boston Red Sox (84-78)

Underestimate the defending Champs at one’s own peril but they know they only just made it here and are ripe for the plucking if a strong Royals unit plays anywhere near its full capabilities.

Saberhagen stares down Clemens in the opener as the Royals get a grinding 5-1 win and they go 2-0 ahead the next day as Appier pitches them to another win with the same scoreline.

KC takes an early lead in Game 3 at Fenway but the Sox claw back and draw level before the visitors score late to win it 5-3 and take a stranglehold of the series.

The Sox finally find some form behind Bruce Hurst to win Game 4 7-1 but it is a short reprieve as Saberhagen again beats Clemens and the Royals win their second AL pennant with a 4-2 win.

In a nice touch, Willie Wilson – in his 15th season at the club – wins the MVP.





National League
Pittsburgh Pirates (93-69) v San Francisco Giants (91-72)

It might sound strange coming from the mouth of the person tasked with their management but I honestly have no idea what to expect from these guys here on in.

Matters in my mind are further complicated by the fact that, for the second straight season, the Giants dominated us winning 9 of 12 regular-season games.

John Burkett moves to the BP with Mike Bielecki – dreadful this season and outward bound – missing out altogether.

Danny Darwin rides some early struggles to eventually control the game nicely as the bats give him the required support and we win it 8-3, then overcome the continued late-season struggles of Jose De Leon by posting a crooked number in the 7th and going on to a 9-5 victory.

We are soundly beaten the first game at Candlestick as Alex Fernandez shuts us out 6-0 on just 6 hits but rebound with a thrashing of our own as the bats pile on 17 hits in a 14-2 win with Smith, Dunston and Bonds the standouts.

We look to be cruising again the next day at 5-1 but a middle-innings implosion changes everything as the Giants send the series back to Pittsburgh with a wild old 11-9 win.

It’s a wild finish, too, as the series seems destined for a Game 7 before we use another big inning to get it done in 6 with a 10-5 win.

Shawon Dunston’s 10-for-27 effort earns him a deserved MVP.

[luckymann]

Kansas City Royals v Pittsburgh Pirates
Best-of-seven, Pirates with the home-field advantage.


Not much to add here other than I see the winner here being the side that deals more effectively with the pressure both clubs will be feeling.

For them it is the pressure of breaking the duck and winning their first title. For us, a club so used to a certain level of success, it is the pressure of breaking a 16-season drought.

The stars have aligned for us to a certain degree here – a relatively inexperienced opponent and home-field advantage – so if we can’t get it done we’ve no-one but ourselves to blame.

[luckymann]

Game 1 in Pittsburgh

Doug Drabek (10-14, 3.62) v Bret Saberhagen (18-12, 3.51)

A strong opener by the lads as Doug Drabek gives us 6+ scoreless and the bats get a few runs off Bret Saberhagen in a 4-0 final.

Ron Gant’s 3-run jack in the 6th is the big blow. Sadly, it will be his sole contribution as an elbow injury puts him out of action for the rest of the year.

Mike Kingery gets the call to fill his spot and Lenny Harris will take over everyday 3B duties on the strong side of a platoon with Steve Beuchele.




Game 2 in Pittsburgh
Danny Darwin (14-9, 3.64) v Kevin Appier (12-12, 4.57)
Pirates lead series 1-0

We give Danny Darwin some early runs to play with and he finds his groove with 6+ scoreless before the BP tries to make a meal of it.

Alejandro Pena keeps his cool with a scoreless 9th to get us home as somewhat unconvincing 4-2 winners.




Game 3 in Kansas City
Trevor Wilson (12-11, 3.91) v Jose De Leon (15-11, 4.33)
Pirates lead series 2-0

The scoreboard tells you all you need to know about this horror show, with Jose De Leon’s fall from grace nearly complete as he gives up 9 runs in 1 2/3.




Game 4 in Kansas City
Mark Leiter (14-5, 3.11) v Zane Smith (18-4, 3.07)
Pirates lead series 2-1

A five-hour marathon that has a little bit of everything including a 30-minute rain delay sees us fall behind 1-3, then claw back with a late score to send it into spares, then finally win a true WS classic 4-3 in 13.




Game 5 in Kansas City
Mike Scott (0-1, 6.11) v Pascual Perez (2-0, 2.63)
Pirates lead series 3-1

Another poor blowout loss means we’ll have to do this at home as Doug Drabek is shelled early and we have no response against a strong Saberhagen.




Game 6 in Pittsburgh
Danny Darwin (2-1, 4.19) v Kevin Appier (1-1, 2.57)
Pirates lead series 3-2

All sorts of permutations running through my head in a very sleepless couple nights but in the end we’re going to have to trust the horses that got us here.

That loyalty goes unrewarded here as Danny Darwin struggles and, although we do get it back to 4-4, their bats are too much and they win it with a late score to put it all on red tomorrow night.




Game 7 in Pittsburgh
Trevor Wilson (12-11, 3.91) v Jose De Leon (15-11, 4.33)
Series tied 3-3

Can’t say I remember ever being so nervous before a game.

Here goes nothing.

And nothing is what we get as JDL is OK but the bats go totally AWOL and yet again we lose a series from the almost impossible position.

Not gonna lie to you, this one hurts.

Willie Wilson is again named MVP.

[luckymann]

[luckymann]

OUT & OUTS

The Dodgers franchise changes hands.

Danny Cater gets the axe as Oakland Manager.


ROSTER MOVES

We execute Jerry Don Gleaton's option year.

Mike Bielecki's diabolical season has at least smushed his arb expectations to the point where he's cheap enough to retain and he heads there with Mike Kingery (another low-cost option) and Ellis Burks, who we are only retaining with the intention of trading once last year's Draftees become trade-eligible in late December.

Steve Beuchele, Neal Heaton, Walt Terrell, Danny Jackson, Albert Hall and Ed Whitson walk.


The following extensions of note were signed elsewhere:

P Erik Hanson (Angels) 5/17940
OF Shane Mack (Cubs) 3/8460
2B Gregg Jeffries (Astros) 3/7200
P Greg Swindell (White Sox) 3/10400
P Terry Mulholland (Mets) 4/6540


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

Some quality careers come to an end but I doubt any of them will see their names on the walk at C-Town, with Bell arguably the best chance of the lot.

[luckymann]