The Bucs Start Here - A Pirates Do-Over

[luckymann]

OUT & OUTS

The Twins franchise has new owners.

Managers Bill Mazeroski (Brewers), Gordon Seyfried (Reds) and Charlie Peete (Padres) are newly unemployed.


ROSTER MOVES

We execute Ken Oberkfell's option year.

We send Jerry Don Gleaton and John Cangelosi to arb with lowball offers and non-tender Mike Kingery entirely.

Wally Backman, Darnell Coles, Jose De Leon, Tom Foley, Don Slaught, Alejandro Pena and Mitch Webster all walk.


The following extensions of note were signed elsewhere:

P Pete Harnisch (Yankees) 4/6060
1B Hal Morris (Red Sox) 4/5024
OF Otis Nixon (Cardinals) 3/6180


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

JR ended up with 276 Wins and should get a look-in but the rest have likely come up short.

[Makonnen]

Ah, no!!!! Been lightly tracking Houston through this project, feels like they have been significantly better than IRL, but still consistently falling short. But a dynasty sounds good. Would have been nice for the Biggio/Bagwell years to have produced more.

[luckymann]

Originally Posted by Makonnen

Ah, no!!!! Been lightly tracking Houston through this project, feels like they have been significantly better than IRL, but still consistently falling short. But a dynasty sounds good. Would have been nice for the Biggio/Bagwell years to have produced more.

Yeah bud, they won it all in 1977 but while they have been competitive most years this was their first time back in the WS since.

As is invariably the case with OOTP, whether or not they stay good is almost entirely up to how the AI manages the roster. It has already traded away Legacy Ken Caminiti when he was young and, although incumbent 3B Leo Gomez had a strong year, that's never a good sign.

I have them pegged where I think they should be for this period, as a mid-market club with the 10th-highest budget ($45m), and as at the end of 1991 they have a bunch of room. Fielder and Stewart are the only two set to walk, while Biggio and Bagwell are locked into long-term contracts with NTCs aimed at deterring their being traded, as is the case for all Legacy / Marquee Players.

Calderon is signed thru '97, while Jeffries and Bip Roberts are under contract a couple more years and the majority of others are under TC for some time to come. So if they are smart with their RM they certainly have the foundation for sustained success.

We shall see.

G

[luckymann]

[luckymann]

This one has been in the works for some time but it is nice to have had it come off.

Not too dissimilarly to Dave Kingman a few years back, Andres Galarraga suffered a bit of a mid-career slump IRL before turning things around. His nadir over the next couple seasons is followed by a 5-year purple patch over which span he averages roughly 3.5 WAR per season.

I noticed he was an upcoming FA and, after sweating on him making it to declaration, pounced with a long-term lowball bid that he duly accepted. As a result of which he will be at the club thru 1999 with his AAV a ridiculously cheap $430k.

He's a ringer so will take up one of the CC slots over that period but I feel he's a great investment with very little downside.

This one, on the other hand, came completely out of the blue via a trade offer from the Padres:

Ka-BOOM!

We'd actually made overtures to acquire Robbie as soon as he became trade-eligible but were rebuffed with such vehemence that I didn't even shortlist him. Funny how things work out.

We loved what Carlos did for us last year and Robbie is entering his walk year and will take some fancy accounting for us to keep, but the temptation of what he could do for us even if for just one season was too strong to resist.

This trade swaps out one ineligible for another.


We're on a roll now, with another completely unexpected trade with the Phils:

We'd earmarked Moises - who played 2 games for us at the very start of his career in 1990, God love him - as a "must-have" guy from the start but were anticipating making the move for him once Van was gone. Full disclosure I only went sniffing to see if he was going to be able to play RF with Barry obviously our long-term guy in left. When the price was so reasonable I once again found it impossible to turn down.


Three huge adds and we'll be looking at using our Draft picks and remaining transaction coupon to try plug our numerous pitching holes, mainly in the BP but also in regard to depth.

[luckymann]

Definitely one of the lower-key incoming classes we’ve seen with just 4 Legacy Players joining the fray.

That said, there a some handy types coming through unspoken for. Not quite at this level but of interest all the same, the father of future NFL HoFer Patrick Mahomes – eligible for our club, no less – is among them.

These are the Legacy Players for the 1992 Season:

Atlanta Braves: Javy Lopez (29.7; 1156)
Boston Red Sox: Pedro Martinez (83.9.5; 201)
California Angels: Tim Salmon (40.5; 1672 – one-club player)
New York Mets: Mike Piazza (59.5; 972 conceded)

Tim Wakefield (34.4; 430 GS) was also eligible for the Red Sox, but Petey’s higher WAR makes him the selection.


There are 162 rookies for this season, and the Draft will consist of 6 rounds.

The Draft order will be as follows (winning percentage from 1991 IRL season in brackets; bold indicates Legacy Pick in 1st Round):

Round 1

1. Boston Red Sox (519; dice roll)
2. New York Mets (478)
3. California Angels (500)
4. Atlanta Braves (580)
5. Cleveland Indians (352)
6. Houston Astros (401)
7. Baltimore Orioles (414)
8. New York Yankees (438)
9. Montreal Expos (441)
10. Cincinnati Reds (457)
11. San Francisco Giants (463)
12. Chicago Cubs (481; dice roll)
13. Philadelphia Phillies (481; dice roll)
14. Kansas City Royals (506)
15. Milwaukee Brewers (512; dice roll)
16. Seattle Mariners (512; dice roll)
17. St. Louis Cardinals (519; dice roll)
18. San Diego Padres (519; dice roll)
19. Oakland Athletics (519; dice roll)
20. Detroit Tigers (519; dice roll)
21. Texas Rangers (525)
22. Chicago White Sox (537)
23. Toronto Blue Jays (562)
24. Los Angeles Dodgers (574)
25. Minnesota Twins (586)
26. Pittsburgh Pirates (605)


Rounds 2 thru 6

1. Cleveland Indians (352)
2. Houston Astros (401)
3. Baltimore Orioles (414)
4. New York Yankees (438)
5. Montreal Expos (441)
6. Cincinnati Reds (457)
7. San Francisco Giants (463)
8. New York Mets (478)
9. Chicago Cubs (481; dice roll)
10. Philadelphia Phillies (481; dice roll)
11. California Angels (500)
12. Kansas City Royals (506)
13. Milwaukee Brewers (512; dice roll)
14. Seattle Mariners (512; dice roll)
15. St. Louis Cardinals (519; dice roll)
16. Boston Red Sox (519; dice roll)
17. San Diego Padres (519; dice roll)
18. Oakland Athletics (519; dice roll)
19. Detroit Tigers (519; dice roll)
20. Texas Rangers (525)
21. Chicago White Sox (537)
22. Toronto Blue Jays (562)
23. Los Angeles Dodgers (574)
24. Atlanta Braves (580)
25. Minnesota Twins (586)
26. Pittsburgh Pirates (605)


Eligible PIT players: 7 position players + 10 pitchers = 17.


As mentioned earlier, we have a most definitive subset of needs and go into this Draft with the sole goal of fulfilliing them as best we can. That said, if a high-quality position player is still up for grabs when we get our turn at them we’ll duly consider calling an audible.

Here are the new Bucco boys:

1. P Tim Wakefield, 25 (PIT IRL: 1992-3)

• I won’t lie to you, he wasn’t our top pick but when that guy went just one pick ahead of us Timmy was a pretty easy decision.

2. P Paul Wagner, 24 (PIT IRL: 1992-7)
3. P Mike Williams, 22 (PIT IRL: 1998-2003)

• No Johnson-Waddells in either of these guys’ futures but each should see at least some action over oncoming years.

4. C Tim Laker, 22 (PIT IRL: 1998-9)
5. OF Will Pennyfeather, 23 (PIT IRL: 1992-4)
6. SS Cris Colin, 22 (INELIGIBLE)

• AAA depth only.

Missed by that much.

[luckymann]

Another trio of MLB legends receive their baseball apotheosis in the form of a plaque at Cooperstown.

It continues to be a club that enforces a stringent door policy, with plenty of big names not quite making the grade in this timeline and others missing it by a long ways.

[luckymann]

The right of the game's final playoff to be known as the World Series gets a boost as the Blue Jays become the first club from outside the US to win it all. Who can forget the sight of lumbering Sid Bream "charging" toward home plate in the NLCS and sliding home just in time to earn the right to play them? Certainly no Pirates fan, that is for sure. A power struggle sees Commissioner Fay Vincent vacate the office, a harbinger of the strife to come.


AL EAST / WEST CHAMPIONS: Toronto Blue Jays (96-66) / Oakland A’s (96-66)
NL EAST / WEST CHAMPIONS: Pittsburgh Pirates (96-66) / Atlanta Braves (98-64)
ALCS: Blue Jays 4, A’s 2
NLCS: Braves 4, Pirates 3
WORLD SERIES: Blue Jays 4, Braves 2

Pittsburgh Pirates: 96-66, 1st in NL East

AL MVP: Dennis Eckersley (A’s)
NL MVP: Barry Bonds (Pirates)

AL CYA: Dennis Eckersley (A’s)
NL CYA: Greg Maddux (Cubs)

AL RoY: Pat Listach (Brewers)
NL RoY: Eric Karros (Dodgers)


Top Ten Lists (courtesy of thisgreatgame.com)

NL Hitters

1. BARRY BONDS, PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: .140 games, .311 average, 109 runs, 36 doubles, 5 triples, 34 home runs, 103 RBIs, 127 walks, 32 intentional walks, 39 stolen bases, .456 on-base percentage, .624 slugging percentage.
• In his final year at Pittsburgh, Bonds produced a 1.080 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentages), highest in the NL since 1969; if that wasn’t impressive enough, it would be below the 1.143 he would average for the rest of his career.

2. ANDY VAN SLYKE, PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: .324 average, 103 runs, 199 hits, 45 doubles, 12 triples, 14 home runs, 89 RBIs, 12 stolen bases.
• While Bonds went nowhere but up, Van Slyke’s 1992 output would represent a last hurrah; he would hit just .261 over three more injury-riddled seasons.

3. GARY SHEFFIELD, SAN DIEGO

• Key Numbers: .330 average, 87 runs, 184 hits, 34 doubles, 33 home runs, 100 RBIs.
• After years of off-field squabbling and poor on-field performance—he even confessed that he purposely made errors to get out of Milwaukee—Sheffield found solace in San Diego and finally achieved the potential so many had instantly expected of him as a rookie Brewer in 1989.

4. FRED MCGRIFF, SAN DIEGO

• Key Numbers: .286 average, 79 runs, 30 doubles, 35 home runs, 104 RBIs, 96 walks, 23 intentional walks.
• McGriff became the first player in the post-1900 modern era to lead both leagues in home runs, having paced the AL for Toronto in 1989.

5. RYNE SANDBERG, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: .304 average, 100 runs, 186 hits, 32 doubles, 8 triples, 26 home runs, 87 RBIs, 17 stolen bases.
• After being given a revised contract that made him baseball’s highest annually paid player (at $7.1 million), Sandberg responded with would be the last comprehensively solid campaign of his career.

6. DARREN DAULTON, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: .270 average, 80 runs, 32 doubles, 5 triples, 27 home runs, 109 RBIs, 88 walks, 11 hit-by-pitches, 11 stolen bases.
• A part-time catcher for much of his previous eight seasons with the Phillies, Daulton exploded with career highs in home runs and RBIs.

7. RAY LANKFORD, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: .293 average, 87 runs, 175 hits, 40 doubles, 6 triples, 20 home runs, 86 RBIs, 147 strikeouts, 42 stolen bases, 24 caught stealing.
• Lankford’s complete offensive game thrilled Cardinals fans into thinking they had their second Lou Brock.

8. LARRY WALKER, MONTREAL

• Key Numbers: .301 average, 85 runs, 31 doubles, 23 home runs, 93 RBIs, 18 stolen bases.
• The British Columbia native became the first Canadian-born player to win local honors as the Expos’ player of the year.

9. DAVE HOLLINS, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: .270 average, 104 runs, 28 doubles, 27 home runs, 93 RBIs, 19 hit-by-pitches.
• A career year for the young, hard-nosed third baseman—and although he would occasionally have a couple more good years, stardom would prove elusive due to a later diabetes diagnosis.

10. TERRY PENDLETON, ATLANTA

• Key Numbers: .311 average, 98 runs, 199 hits, 39 doubles, 21 home runs, 105 RBIs.
• A strong follow-up for the reigning NL MVP, who put together numbers every bit as good.

AL Hitters

1. FRANK THOMAS, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: .323 average, 108 runs, 185 hits, 46 doubles, 24 home runs, 115 RBIs, 122 walks, .439 on-base percentage.
• Sixteen of the Big Hurt’s 24 home runs were solo—and yet he still accumulated a broad number of RBIs.

2. EDGAR MARTINEZ, SEATTLE

• Key Numbers: .343 average, 100 runs, 181 hits, 46 doubles, 18 home runs, 73 RBIs, 14 stolen bases.
• A year before a devastating preseason injury turned him into a full-time DH, Martinez collected the first of two career batting titles while manning the bag at third base.

3. KIRBY PUCKETT, MINNESOTA

• Key Numbers: .329 average, 104 runs, 210 hits, 38 doubles, 19 home runs, 110 RBIs, 17 stolen bases.
• For the fifth and final time in his career, Puckett racked up over 200 hits.

4. ROBERTO ALOMAR, TORONTO

• Key Numbers: .310 average, 105 runs, 177 hits, 27 doubles, 8 triples, 8 home runs, 76 RBIs, 90 walks, 49 stolen bases.
• Gradually growing into an even better presence than the Blue Jays had imagined when they traded for him a couple of years earlier, Alomar hit .354 at home—and .354 with runners in scoring position.

5. MARK MCGWIRE, OAKLAND

• Key Numbers: 139 games, .268 average, 87 runs, 42 home runs, 104 RBIs, 90 walks, .585 slugging percentage.
• Strong comeback showing for Big Mac, who nearly doubled his home run output of a year earlier and hit for a decent average after batting a Dave Kingman/Rob Deer-like .223 over the previous three seasons.

6. BRADY ANDERSON, BALTIMORE

• Key Numbers: .271 average, 100 runs, 28 doubles, 10 triples, 21 home runs, 80 RBIs, 98 walks, 53 stolen bases.
• People were surprised to see prototypical leadoff guy Anderson, who in four previous seasons batted no higher than .231 through part-time duty, crush 21 home runs; wait until they see what he had in store for them in 1996.

7. PAUL MOLITOR, MILWAUKEE

• Key Numbers: .320 average, 89 runs, 195 hits, 36 doubles, 7 triples, 12 home runs, 89 RBIs, 31 stolen bases.
• In his last year with the Brewers before signing on with Toronto, Molitor fattened on more stats that would make him #2 on many all-time Milwaukee lists, behind long-time teammate Robin Yount.

8. RICKEY HENDERSON, OAKLAND

• Key Numbers: 117 games, .283 average, 77 runs, 15 home runs, 46 RBIs, 95 walks, 48 stolen bases.
• Numerous stays on the shelf possibly kept Rickey from winning yet another stolen base crown and setting a career high in walks.

9. DANNY TARTABULL, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 123 games, .266 average, 25 home runs, 85 RBIs, 103 RBIs.
• Now with the Yankees, Tartabull showed the same sort of on-and-off chemistry that frayed on the Royals—but when he was on, as he definitely was on September 8 when he had five hits and nine RBIs at Baltimore—wow.

10. KEN GRIFFEY JR., SEATTLE

• Key Numbers: .308 average, 83 runs, 174 hits, 39 doubles, 27 home runs, 103 RBIs, 10 stolen bases.
• Thanks to the exciting hitting exploits of Junior and batting titlist teammate Edgar Martinez, the Mariners were watchable at 64-98.

NL Pitchers

1. GREG MADDUX, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 2.18 ERA, 20 wins, 11 losses, 35 starts, 268 innings, 14 hit-by-pitches, 26 stolen bases allowed.
• Maddux made the most of what many believed was a “salary drive” campaign, becoming a free agent with a sterling, Cy Young Award-winning performance; it was actually the beginning of an impressive reign.

2. BOB TEWKSBURY, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: 2.16 ERA, 16 wins, 5 losses, .762 win percentage, 32 starts, 233 innings, 20 walks, 25 grounded into double plays.
• Mixing up various curves and a fastball barely registering 85 MPH, Tewksbury posted the NL’s best walk rate per nine innings (0.773) since Red Lucas in 1933.

3. CURT SCHILLING, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: 2.35 ERA, 14 wins, 11 losses, 2 saves, 1 blown save, 42 appearances, 26 starts, 10 complete games, 226.1 innings.
• Two months after an early-season graduation to the rotation, a young Schilling set a personal mark by throwing 30.1 straight shutout innings. Not a bad return for the Phillies after obtaining him from the Astros, one-up, for Jason Grimsley.

4. DENNIS MARTINEZ, MONTREAL

• Key Numbers: 2.47 ERA, 16 wins, 11 losses, 32 starts, 226.1 innings, 22 stolen bases allowed, 17 caught stealing/picked off.
• Tougher than ever to get a hit off of, Martinez set career lows in opposing batting average (.211) and on-base percentage (.273); even those who got on then had troubles, as noted in the caught stealing/picked off note above.

5. TOM GLAVINE, ATLANTA

• Key Numbers: 2.76 ERA, 20 wins, 8 losses, .714 win percentage, 33 starts, 5 shutouts, 225 innings.
• Glavine’s second straight successful dance with 20 wins including a streak of 13 straight triumphs in midseason.

6. BILL SWIFT, SAN FRANCISCO

• Key Numbers: 2.08 ERA, 10 wins, 4 losses, 1 save, 30 appearances, 22 starts, 164.2 innings, 43 walks, 26 grounded into double plays.
• The third Giant in 10 years (after Atlee Hammaker and Scott Garrelts) to sneak away with the NL ERA crown, Swift ensured the title even after a nerve injury reduced his activity to long relief duty in September.

7. DOUG JONES, HOUSTON

• Key Numbers: 1.85 ERA, 11 wins, 8 losses, 36 saves, 6 blown saves, 80 appearances, 111.2 innings, 17 walks.
• The reliever appeared often and effectively, but no one outside of Houston seemed to notice.

8. MIKE MORGAN, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 2.55 ERA, 16 wins, 8 losses, 34 starts, 240 innings, 11 wild pitches, 29 grounded into double plays.
• Now on major league team #7, the well-traveled Morgan hit his career acme with his best record and (almost) best ERA.

9. JOSE RIJO, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: 2.56 ERA, 15 wins, 10 losses, 33 starts, 211 innings, 44 walks.
• With a voodoo doll and snake oil placed in his locker for good luck, Rijo continued to put a hex on opposing hitters.

10. DOUG DRABEK, PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: 2.77 ERA, 15 wins, 11 losses, 34 starts, 10 complete games, 256.2 innings, 11 wild pitches, 20 grounded into double plays.
• Before becoming part of the voluminous exodus of free-agent ex-Pirates, Drabek wrapped up a Pittsburgh tenure with a 3.02 ERA—the second lowest by a Bucs starter (500 innings minimum) since the end of the Deadball Era.

AL Pitchers

1. ROGER CLEMENS, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: 2.41 ERA, 18 wins, 11 losses, 32 starts, 11 complete games, 5 shutouts, 246.2 innings, 24 stolen bases, 28 grounded into double plays.
• The Red Sox were 21-11 when Clemens, who grabbed his third straight AL ERA title, started; they were 52-78 when he didn’t.

2. MIKE MUSSINA, BALTIMORE

• Key Numbers: 2.54 ERA, 18 wins, 5 losses, .783 win percentage, 32 starts, 241 innings.
• In his first full year, the future Hall of Famer didn’t get intimidated by the bandbox dimensions at brand-new Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Opponents hit just .175 with a single home run in 154 at-bats when runners were in scoring position.

3. CHARLES NAGY, CLEVELAND

• Key Numbers: 2.96 ERA, 17 wins, 10 losses, 33 starts, 252 innings, 12 stolen bases allowed, 15 caught stealing/picked off, 34 grounded into double plays.
• A strong breakout year for the 25-year-old Nagy, pitching a scoreless inning in the All-Star Game and winning 17 games while no other Cleveland starter collected more than six.

4. KEVIN BROWN, TEXAS

• Key Numbers: 3.32 ERA, 21 wins, 11 losses, 35 starts, 11 complete games, 265.2 innings, 10 hit-by-pitches, 29 grounded into double plays.
• The steady-handed Brown became a fixture on a Texas staff that to many baseball fans—even Rangers fans—seemed to consist only of Nolan Ryan.

5. DENNIS ECKERSLEY, OAKLAND

• Key Numbers: 1.91 ERA, 7 wins, 1 loss, 51 saves, 3 blown saves, 69 appearances, 80 innings, 11 walks.
• At the end of his incredible reign as the game’s elite closer—his ERA would catapult from the 1.00’s to the 4.00’s starting in 1993—Eckersley wasn’t at his absolute stingiest, but was clearly valuable enough to take home both the AL MVP and Cy Young Award plaques.

6. KEVIN APPIER, KANSAS CITY

• Key Numbers: 2.46 ERA, 15 wins, 8 losses, 30 starts, 208.1 innings.
• Appier turned in a strong record despite playing on a losing (72-90) Royals team and getting a paltry 3.4 runs per start, among the lowest in baseball.

7. JIM ABBOTT, CALIFORNIA

• Key Numbers: 2.77 ERA, 7 wins, 15 losses, 29 starts, 211 innings, 22 grounded into double plays.
• The one-handed lefty wasn’t afforded the same kind of luck as Appier on another 72-90 team; the Angels notched 1.6 runs when he didn’t win—and it wasn’t much higher even when he did earn the W.

8. JACK MCDOWELL, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 3.18 ERA, 20 wins, 10 losses, 34 starts, 13 complete games, 260.2 innings, 29 stolen bases allowed.
• The White Sox workhorse jumped out to a big-time start, winning each of his first seven starts on the way to his first 20-win campaign.

9. JUAN GUZMAN, TORONTO

• Key Numbers: 2.64 ERA, 16 wins, 5 losses, .762 win percentage, 28 starts, 180.2 innings, 14 wild pitches, 27 stolen bases allowed.
• Lost amid the optics of a star-studded Blue Jays team, the second-year Guzman allowed just six home runs, gave up an anemic .207 batting average and had his most productive season in a three-year, 40-11 spurt to begin his career.

10. JAIME NAVARRO, MILWAUKEE

• Key Numbers: 3.33 ERA, 17 wins, 11 losses, 34 starts, 246 innings, 23 grounded into double plays.
• The 25-year-old right-hander appeared to be on a nice trajectory toward stardom, but the coming live-ball era would not be kind to him; from 1993 through to the end of his major league career in 2000, he posted a 5.29 ERA.

[luckymann]

The Phillies, White Sox, Mariners and Cardinals are all prominent with some key big-dollar adds. Always like seeing the timelines align as Willie Randolph heads back to the Yanks and Ozzie Guillen ends up at the White Sox.

On the topic of the Bronx Bombers, they continue to make really poor moves (see the HoJo and Bernie trades as exhibits for the prosecution) and it’s no wonder they have so wildly underperformed in this timeline.

OF Brett Butler: Mets, 4 years / $25.2m / AAV $6.30m
3B Terry Pendleton: Mariners, 5 years / $29.0m / AAV $5.80m
1B Paul Molitor: White Sox, 3 years / $16.5m / AAV $5.50m
C Brian Harper: Astros, 2 years / $10.6m / AAV $5.30m
3B Kelly Gruber: Cardinals, 7 years / $36.4m / AAV $5.20m
C Mike LaValliere: Red Sox, 4 years / $20.8m / AAV $5.20m
P Dennis Martinez: White Sox, 2 years / $10.4m / AAV $5.20m
OF Ellis Burks: Rangers, 3 years / $13.4m / AAV $4.45m
OF Roberto Kelly: Mariners, 4 years / $17.6m / AAV $4.40m
OF Harold Baines: Twins, 3 years / $12.0m / AAV $4.00m
P Tim Belcher: Cardinals, 3 years / $11.6m / AAV $3.88m
P Jack McDowell: Phillies, 3 years / $10.9m / AAV $3.64m
OF Brian Downing: Twins, 1 year / $3.2m / AAV $3.16m
C Don Slaught: Dodgers, 5 years / $14.3m / AAV $2.86m
C Mike Stanley: Phillies, 2 years / $5.5m / AAV $2.76m
P Jose De Leon: Royals, 2 years / $5.5m / AAV $2.76m
1B Randy Milligan: Phillies, 4 years / $10.9m / AAV $2.73m
2B Willie Randolph: Yankees, 2 years / $5.4m / AAV $2.72m
OF Dion James: Angels, 3 years / $7.2m / AAV $2.41m
P Jeff Montgomery: Phillies, 3 years / $7.1m / AAV $2.36m
2B Jody Reed: Cardinals, 3 years / $6.7m / AAV $2.24m
P Ron Darling: Phillies, 1 year / $2.2m / AAV $2.24m
C Lance Parrish: Braves, 1 year / $2.2m / AAV $2.20m
C Mike Macfarlane: Orioles, 3 years / $6.5m / AAV $2.17m
P Doug Jones: Twins, 2 years / $4.2m / AAV $2.08m
P Scott Sanderson: Cardinals, 1 year / $2.0m / AAV $2.04m
OF Dale Murphy: Expos, 1 year / $1.9m / AAV $1.90m
P Mark Gubicza: Yankees, 3 years / $5.1m / AAV $1.70m


SS Tim Naehring and P Rich DeLucia from Expos to Giants for 3B Matt Williams (LEGACY) and P Paul Abbott
P Paul Boris and OF Milt Cuyler from Blue Jays to Phillies for 2B Mike Gallego
1B Lee Stevens from Mets to Giants for P Tom Henke and 1B Don Barbara
3B Jose Vizcaino and 2B Miguel Flores from Dodgers to Mets for SS Greg Gagne
2B Chip Hale from Tigers to Rangers for P Chris Bosio (retaining 30%)
P Shawn Boskie and C Brent Mayne from Mariners to Phillies for OF Tom Brunansky
P David West, 3B Dean Palmer and SS Gary DiSarcina from Orioles to Padres for P Brian Barnes
P Mike Hartley and 2B Tony Manahan from Padres to Mets for OF Kirk Gibson (retaining 80%)
P Mark Mimbs from Expos to Cardinals for 2B Jose Oquendo (retaining 90%)
2B Geronimo Pena and P Joe Grahe from Mariners to Giants for P Rob Dibble and P Alex Fernandez
P Tommy Greene and SS Ozzie Guillen from Dodgers to White Sox for P Greg Harris and 3B Dave Hansen
P Scott Gardner and OF Phil Plantier from Rangers to Indians for OF Chili Davis and P Scott Scudder
P Rick Aguilera from Royals to Braves for OF Danny Tartabull
1B Sid Bream and 2B Bobby Rose from Indians to Brewers for P Bill Laskey and OF Reggie Sanders
OF Derrick May from Rangers to White Sox for P Jay Howell
OF Derek Bell from Tigers to Indians for C Dave Valle (retaining 85%)
OF Howard Johnson (retaining 55%) from Yankees to Giants for P Mike Henneman
P Rusty Meacham, OF Eric Anthony and OF Bernie Williams (LEGACY) from Yankees to Indians for P Steve Howe
P Charlie Rogers and Hector Wagner from Expos to Angels for 1B Eddie Murray
1B Jim Leyritz from Mariners to Cubs for P Pascual Perez (retaining 90%)
C Pat Borders from Tigers to Indians for OF Ruben Sierra (retaining 55%)
OF Mark Carreon, OF Brian McRae and P Scott Erickson from Orioles to Indians for 3B Gary Sheffield


We are terrible in Spring Training, going 4-14. On the positive side we suffer no injuries.

Other than the Astros, BNN sees something of a changing of the guard with the Tigers, Royals and Cardinals (by 1 over us) winning the divisions.

[luckymann]

Fair to say we’ve shoved all of our chips into the middle of the table for this one. Plenty went our way over the break and we need to take maximum advantage.

Joe Oliver steps into the everyday catcher role with Junior Noboa the backup. Big Cat at 1B, Robbie at 2B and Bobby Bo moves to RF.

Mike Benjamin makes his debut in a backup IF role with Dunston and Oberkfell.

Joe Orsulak did OK last year but is back to a less prominent role in tandem with Moises. We are thin at CF but have either Finley or Stan Javier to call on if needed. I’d prefer to keep Steve on ice for just one more year.

Smiley moves to the top of the spin, Burkett to the bottom.

We picked up Danny Jackson on a minors deal and he’s one of a few old / new faces in this year’s BP, with Jim Gott getting first crack at being its Closer.

Time to turn green into blue…

[luckymann]

Our top priority is retaining Robbie and initial discussions give me confidence we'll be able to swing it. Other players will eventually have to make way but if we are smart about it we might even get two years from this squad remaining close enough to intact at its core. Which to me means two really good shots at breaking this drought.

Our main problem remains pitching and we really need to stay focused on that for a while longer in our roster management. The recent Draft went some way to redressing the problem but we're still a few pieces shy of where we need to be.

[luckymann]

We kick off the season with two walkoff wins, the second on a 2-run homer by Mike Benjamin in his first AB in the bigs. How easy is this gig?

In fact 4 of our first 6 wins are walkoff jobbies, which is exciting for the fans but I am all too familiar with how using so much good fortune early invariably comes back for recompense when you least welcome it.

A clumsy period follows as the rotation struggles to find its groove and our top 2 in the order – Alomar and Van Slyke – contribute little. 8 losses in 9 bring us back to 500 at 15-15 after 30 played, 5 back of the Cards.

The guys show what they are capable of with a 12-0 thumping of the Dodgers with Jay Bell’s red-hot start to the year continuing as he homers and knocks in 5 and a 12-1 win against the Jints with Big Cat also putting together a 5-RBI game.

These, however, are the exception not the rule as we bumble, fumble and stumble our way to 26-22, 4½ GB of the Mets.




Discussions with Robbie Alomar prove fruitful for all parties as we agree on a monster 10-year, $58m deal.

We also sign a 1-year deal with Charlie Hayes for $355k.

We claim reliever Joe Boever (PIT IRL 1996) from the Cards and put him straight to work, with Roger Mason off to AAA.

Danny Darwin wins his 100th game for the club (against 69 losses).





Monthly Award Winners

April

American League

Batter – Jack Clark (Brewers): 266 / 10 HR / 26 RBI
Pitcher – Kevin Appier (Royals): 5-0 / 0.65 / 26 K / 41.1 IP
Rookie – Tim Salmon (Angels): 305 / 9 HR / 19 RBI


National League

Batter – Barry Bonds (Pirates): 328 / 7 HR / 19 RBI
Pitcher – Dave Fleming (Mets): 3-0 / 0.45 / 27 K / 40 IP
Rookie – Mike Piazza (Mets): 294 / 5 HR / 13 RBI


May

American League

Batter – Tim Salmon (Angels): 319 / 11 HR / 24 RBI
Pitcher – Sid Fernandez (Red Sox): 6-0 / 2.66 / 37 K / 47.1 IP
Rookie – Tim Salmon (Angels)


National League

Batter – Cecil Fielder (Dodgers): 341 / 10 HR / 28 RBI
Pitcher – Juan Guzman (Braves): 5-0 / 1.16 / 41 K / 46.2 IP
Rookie – Mike Piazza (Mets): 218 / 7 HR / 17 RBI


News and Leaders




Milestones and Observations of Note

2500 Hits: Eddie Murray

2000 Hits: Brian Downing, Ozzie Smith

300 HR: Andre Dawson

The Cards lose rookie reliever Mark Wohlers for 5 months after he ruptures a tendon in his finger, while Expos 2B Jose Oquendo is done for the year thanks to a medial rupture.

The Dodgers lose Orel Hershiser for the maximum 3-month Legacy stint to elbow problems.

A profusion of players hitting for the cycle in this first stanza, with Dwight Smith, Luis Gonzalez, Jeff Blauser and Neon Deion Sanders all achieving the feat.

[luckymann]

This one predates Scott's IRL no-no by a couple years and is his first in this timeline.

[luckymann]

Barry is easily the highest vote-getter again, and he'll be joined by first-timer Charlie Hayes as well as Bobby Bo, Andy Van and Jay Bell, each making his second appearance.


American League

• SP Jim Abbott (DET) - 9-6, 2.99 ERA, 147.1 IP, 1.15 WHIP, 5.1 K/9, 3.1 WAR
• SP Kevin Appier (KC)* - 11-2, 2.09 ERA, 142.1 IP, 1.10 WHIP, 6.1 K/9, 3.9 WAR
• SP Roger Clemens (BOS) - 9-6, 3.24 ERA, 147.0 IP, 1.20 WHIP, 7.4 K/9, 4.8 WAR
• SP Sid Fernandez (BOS) - 11-4, 2.24 ERA, 124.2 IP, 1.12 WHIP, 7.2 K/9, 2.6 WAR
• SP Mark Langston (CAL) - 9-4, 2.53 ERA, 135.1 IP, 1.17 WHIP, 5.7 K/9, 2.3 WAR
• SP Charlie Leibrandt (OAK) - 7-4, 2.69 ERA, 140.1 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 4.4 K/9, 3.2 WAR
• CL Bryan Harvey (BOS) - 3-3, 23 SV, 1.94 ERA, 46.1 IP, 0.82 WHIP, 5.6 K/9, 0.6 WAR
• CL Mike Henneman (NYY) - 3-4, 19 SV, 2.42 ERA, 44.2 IP, 1.07 WHIP, 4.8 K/9, 0.8 WAR
• CL Jay Howell (TEX) - 2-1, 21 SV, 2.18 ERA, 45.1 IP, 1.08 WHIP, 4.8 K/9, 0.6 WAR
• CL Mike Jackson (BAL)* - 2-4, 14 SV, 1.96 ERA, 46.0 IP, 1.26 WHIP, 7.2 K/9, 1.4 WAR
• C Darren Daulton (TEX) - .261/.386/.487, 226 AB, 13 HR, 2 SB, 152 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
• C Terry Steinbach (BOS) - .353/.397/.480, 221 AB, 6 HR, 1 SB, 153 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
• C Mickey Tettleton (NYY)* - .223/.341/.471, 238 AB, 16 HR, 135 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
• 1B Mark McGwire (OAK) - .254/.408/.482, 280 AB, 17 HR, 158 wRC+, 3.3 WAR
• 1B Frank Thomas (CWS)* - .299/.414/.545, 288 AB, 17 HR, 4 SB, 173 wRC+, 3.5 WAR
• 2B Craig Grebeck (KC) - .294/.382/.476, 248 AB, 7 HR, 143 wRC+, 3.5 WAR
• 2B Chuck Knoblauch (MIN) - .323/.391/.442, 319 AB, 4 HR, 21 SB, 142 wRC+, 4.5 WAR
• 2B Willie Randolph (NYY)* - .311/.408/.404, 270 AB, 5 HR, 1 SB, 136 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
• 3B Chris Sabo (OAK) - .295/.362/.493, 302 AB, 15 HR, 5 SB, 146 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
• 3B Gary Sheffield (BAL)* - .289/.349/.511, 305 AB, 16 HR, 6 SB, 142 wRC+, 3.4 WAR
• SS Jeff Blauser (CLE)* - .248/.355/.443, 282 AB, 12 HR, 3 SB, 130 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
• LF Chad Curtis (KC) - .323/.401/.495, 303 AB, 9 HR, 51 SB, 161 wRC+, 4.6 WAR
• LF Roberto Kelly (SEA)* - .338/.389/.477, 302 AB, 7 HR, 24 SB, 151 wRC+, 4.1 WAR
• LF Kevin Mitchell (CAL) - .300/.374/.530, 270 AB, 16 HR, 1 SB, 161 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
• LF Paul O'Neill (NYY) - .308/.385/.495, 299 AB, 12 HR, 1 SB, 157 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
• CF Lenny Dykstra (NYY)* - .286/.398/.406, 315 AB, 4 HR, 15 SB, 132 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
• CF Juan Gonzalez (CAL)* - .286/.326/.547, 311 AB, 24 HR, 1 SB, 145 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
• RF Andre Dawson (BOS) - .325/.352/.531, 286 AB, 14 HR, 2 SB, 150 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
• RF Tim Salmon (CAL) - .289/.372/.574, 305 AB, 25 HR, 6 SB, 172 wRC+, 3.9 WAR
• RF Danny Tartabull (KC)* - .295/.380/.572, 292 AB, 20 HR, 3 SB, 168 wRC+, 3.7 WAR

National League

• SP Steve Avery (HOU) - 11-5, 2.45 ERA, 135.2 IP, 1.05 WHIP, 5.6 K/9, 3.1 WAR
• SP John Candelaria (LAD) - 8-3, 2.36 ERA, 103.0 IP, 1.18 WHIP, 7.0 K/9, 3.4 WAR
• SP Tom Candiotti (CHC) - 6-8, 4.44 ERA, 140.0 IP, 1.39 WHIP, 6.0 K/9, 2.6 WAR
• SP Dave Fleming (NYM) - 9-6, 2.36 ERA, 145.0 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 4.8 K/9, 3.7 WAR
• SP Juan Guzman (ATL) - 12-3, 2.02 ERA, 146.2 IP, 1.15 WHIP, 8.2 K/9, 3.2 WAR
• SP Greg Maddux (ATL) - 13-4, 2.36 ERA, 156.1 IP, 1.11 WHIP, 6.0 K/9, 3.8 WAR
• SP Mike Morgan (CHC) - 9-5, 2.28 ERA, 142.1 IP, 1.17 WHIP, 4.5 K/9, 3.9 WAR
• SP Terry Mulholland (NYM) - 14-3, 2.44 ERA, 151.1 IP, 0.94 WHIP, 4.4 K/9, 4.0 WAR
• SP Jose Rijo (CIN)* - 10-4, 2.95 ERA, 140.1 IP, 1.16 WHIP, 6.4 K/9, 3.5 WAR
• SP John Smoltz (ATL) - 11-5, 2.42 ERA, 145.0 IP, 0.98 WHIP, 6.5 K/9, 3.0 WAR
• RP Rod Beck (PHI)* - 1-1, 3 SV, 4.26 ERA, 25.1 IP, 1.26 WHIP, 8.2 K/9, 0.6 WAR
• RP Mike Norris (SF) - 4-1, 2.45 ERA, 58.2 IP, 1.09 WHIP, 6.4 K/9, 0.8 WAR
• RP Alejandro Pena (NYM) - 4-1, 3 SV, 2.30 ERA, 27.1 IP, 1.17 WHIP, 5.3 K/9, 0.9 WAR
• CL Jim Neidlinger (LAD) - 1-3, 7 SV, 2.43 ERA, 29.2 IP, 0.88 WHIP, 4.9 K/9, 0.8 WAR
• C Phil Clark (STL) - .341/.364/.502, 217 AB, 6 HR, 1 SB, 149 wRC+, 1.8 WAR
• C Chris Hoiles (STL)* - .286/.397/.540, 161 AB, 10 HR, 169 wRC+, 3.0 WAR (Injured)
• C Mike Piazza (NYM) - .267/.329/.504, 262 AB, 18 HR, 133 wRC+, 1.6 WAR
• C Mike Stanley (PHI) - .269/.362/.546, 119 AB, 8 HR, 154 wRC+, 1.1 WAR
• 1B Jeff Bagwell (HOU) - .296/.395/.493, 304 AB, 12 HR, 2 SB, 159 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
• 1B Cecil Fielder (LAD)* - .297/.355/.574, 296 AB, 24 HR, 163 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
• 2B Delino DeShields (LAD) - .304/.396/.396, 303 AB, 3 HR, 52 SB, 126 wRC+, 3.3 WAR
• 2B Ryne Sandberg (CHC)* - .332/.409/.580, 295 AB, 15 HR, 5 SB, 183 wRC+, 4.9 WAR
• 3B Charlie Hayes (PIT)* - .282/.302/.485, 291 AB, 12 HR, 2 SB, 123 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
• SS Jay Bell (PIT) - .314/.374/.483, 261 AB, 5 HR, 1 SB, 144 wRC+, 3.7 WAR
• SS Barry Larkin (CIN)* - .290/.353/.480, 300 AB, 14 HR, 8 SB, 138 wRC+, 4.2 WAR
• LF Barry Bonds (PIT)* - .332/.444/.671, 277 AB, 25 HR, 18 SB, 206 wRC+, 5.9 WAR
• LF Luis Gonzalez (ATL) - .280/.320/.568, 257 AB, 17 HR, 3 SB, 151 wRC+, 2.7 WAR
• CF Andy Van Slyke (PIT)* - .262/.333/.424, 302 AB, 8 HR, 3 SB, 119 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
• RF Dante Bichette (PHI) - .326/.352/.473, 298 AB, 8 HR, 12 SB, 138 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
• RF Bobby Bonilla (PIT) - .293/.351/.534, 294 AB, 15 HR, 153 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
• RF Tony Gwynn (SD) - .352/.391/.467, 304 AB, 3 HR, 1 SB, 146 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
• RF Larry Walker (ATL)* - .297/.354/.529, 293 AB, 16 HR, 5 SB, 148 wRC+, 3.8 WAR (Injured)

Juan Gonzalez becomes the first-ever repeat winner of the HR Derby, beating Danny Tartabull 4-3 in the final, with our own Andy Van Slyke named MVP in an 8-1 NL win in the ASG.

[luckymann]

Jim Gott picks up a niggle that requires a minimum IL stint and Mike Dyer gets the call-up, then Junior Ortiz tears a calf muscle and misses 3 weeks with Tom Prince making his big-league debut as his replacement.

Meanwhile, the lads start warming to the task with a 7-1 run to kick-off June only to quickly reverse course, going 3-7 over our next 10 with some of our worst performances to date and it looks like we’re going to have to do this the hard way once again.

We get Gott back and send hector Fajardo back to AAA where he might manage to get hitters out every so often.

Just as it looks like we’re getting things back on track, we lose Danny Darwin for 6 weeks to a hamstring tear.

He, too, has looked much better in recent outings after a rough start. Don Robinson is shuttled into the spin, with young Paul Wagner called up for his MLB debut.

We enter July at 43-33 and trail the Mets by 4 but by the time the ASG rolls around, they have been in freefall and we are 2 clear in top spot.

Another nice run of wins toward the end of the sectional seems to have consolidated our position only for us to once again lose our way, dropping 7 from 8 while scoring just 12 runs.

A squad as stacked as ours just shouldn’t be having periods like that and despite entering the stretch run narrowly in front we look like total also-rans next to the dominance of Boston and Atlanta.

Sincerely yours, Frustrated.


We use our remaining transaction ticket for this season on a low-key swap with the A’s that I'll once again include with the Deadline trades at the bottom of this update.




Even at this earlyish stage the AL East and NL West look done, with ours and the AL West seemingly headed for some drama.




Monthly Award Winners

June

American League

Batter – Travis Fryman (Tigers): 368 / 9 HR / 23 RBI
Pitcher – Bret Saberhagen (Royals): 6-0 / 2.77 / 34 K / 48.2 IP
Rookie – Pedro Martinez (Red Sox): 4-2 / 1.88 / 36 K / 38.1 IP


National League

Batter – Barry Bonds (Pirates): 379 / 10 HR / 24 RBI
Pitcher – Terry Mulholland (Mets): 4-1 / 1.88 / 22 K / 48 IP
Rookie – Donovan Osborne (Astros): 3-1 / 2.30 / 20 K / 43 IP


July

American League

Batter – Jose Canseco (A’s): 330 / 11 HR / 24 RBI
Pitcher – Roger Clemens (Red Sox): 5-1 / 2.01 / 38 K / 49.1 IP
Rookie – Pedro Martinez (Red Sox): 4-1 / 2.25 / 29 K / 40 IP


National League

Batter – Shane Mack (Cubs): 329 / 6 HR / 14 RBI
Pitcher – John Smoltz (Braves): 4-0 / 1.29 / 38 K / 49 IP
Rookie – Pat Listach (Mets): 490 / 0 HR / 9 RBI


News, Leaders and Top 20s




Milestones and Observations of Note

3000 Hits: George Brett

300 HR: Howard Johnson

A torn calf muscle ends Rangers 3B Steve Buechele’s season, a torn meniscus that of Yankee veteran Willie Randolph.

Dodgers catcher Jeff Reed is knocked out for the year with a knee fracture

Deadline trades of note:

[Brad K]

Who can forget the sight of lumbering Sid Bream "charging" toward home plate in the NLCS and sliding home just in time


We intended to see a World Series game that year I told my cousin after the game it would be a long time before we had that chance. And "just in time?" Sid was out.

[luckymann]

Sadly, Bradley, in this case the scoreboard and posterity get the final judgment on that...

[luckymann]

Eugene beats North Platte in 4 to lock down AAA title number five for the club.

[luckymann]

The spotty form continues early as we drop two games at home to the Mets and they take over in top spot. In fact we have gone 5-15 to this point since the final week of July.

A 4-game home sweep of the Braves at least stops the bleeding for the moment but that’s about it with us still trailing the Mets and Phillies come September.

We lose Robbie Alomar and Shawon Dunston in consecutive days. Robbie only misses a few days but Dunny needs an IL stint and we decide to give young Cesar Morillo – who never made it to the bigs IRL – his first shot at it in this timeline. Rosters have expanded now and the Links are not contending this season, so we’ll keep him up for the remainder and see how he handles himself.

We also lose Jim Gott for a month but get Danny Darwin back after a quick rehab at Lincoln.

Some improved pitching in early Sep push us to the top of the standings and we lead the Phils by 3 when they come to TRS, with the Mets tied with them as well and still with 6 games left to play against us including the final 3.

A big finish looms as mixed results for all three clubs leave us tied with the Phils and 2 ahead of the Mets as we start our final run of 6 games against NY from our remaining 9.

High drama in the first of those with Bonds saving our bacon with a walkoff grand salami and then again the following night when they get a 6-5 win in an epic 19-inning battle that likely did both clubs more harm than good as far as personnel goes.

Another long loss in extras against the Cubs doesn’t help one bit in that regard as the lads are operating on fumes by this point but by the time of our return bout with the Mets at Shea to finish the schedule, they are eliminated and we are still clinging onto a game lead over the Phils.

A tight win over Doc Gooden in the opener couple with a Phillies loss at St. Louis puts us on the verge of getting it done and a more convincing win the next night secures our passage to the promised land.




Boy how the complexion of this season changed in the final six weeks or so, only for the status quo at the beginning of this sectional prevail.

The Red Sox seem on the cusp of putting down their rivals ruthlessly and effortlessly with a hefty win streak in early August but then they do something very un-Boston-like (in this timeline, at least) and completely fall apart. Up by 12 at one point, the Sox’ lead shrinks to just 2 before they get ahold of themselves and eventually book another post-season berth, clinching first of the four and going on to win the div by 7 games. They will, however, be without catcher Mike LaValliere for the playoffs after a setback in his rehab from a rib fracture.

The Braves are next to advance after an untroubled passage in the NL West race.

In the AL West, the Royals make a charge during September with 11 straight wins but when they lose ace Bret Saberhagen for the season not long after it takes the wind right out of their sales and the Halos hang on to win it by 4.




Final Leaders and Top 20s

Darryl Hamilton and Ryne Sandberg win the batting crowns this year. Jose Canseco leads all players with 41 HR, pipping Fred McGriff by one, and his 118 RBI are also the high. Marquis Grissom leads both leagues with 80 SB.

Greg Maddux and Terry Mulholland both win 21 to lead all pitchers, with John Smoltz posting the year's low ERA with a crisp 2.26. 273 whiffs earns The Big Unit his first King of K title, with Rob Dibble top of the mast with 40 Saves.




Monthly Award Winners

August

American League

Batter – Jim Thome (Indians): 417 / 12 HR / 28 RBI
Pitcher – David Cone (Tigers): 5-1 / 3.22 / 37 K / 44.2 IP
Rookie – Dave Burba (Twins): 4-1 / 2.60 / 21 K / 34.2 IP


National League

Batter – Darryl Strawberry (Mets): 333 / 8 HR / 25 RBI
Pitcher – Jose Rijo (Reds): 6-0 / 2.08 / 46 K / 47.2 IP
Rookie – Butch Henry (Dodgers): 5-0 / 2.04 / 25 K / 39.2 IP


September

American League

Batter – Fred McGriff (Royals): 344 / 12 HR / 25 RBI
Pitcher – Kevin Appier (Royals): 5-0 / 1.74 / 43 K / 46.2 IP
Rookie – Robert Toth (Indians): 3-0 / 1.44 / 16 K / 25 IP (never made it to the bigs IRL)


National League

Batter – Ryne Sandberg (Cubs): 407 / 5 HR / 13 RBI
Pitcher – Dan Plesac (Pirates): 3-0 / 0.00 / 7 SV / 7 K / 16 IP
Rookie – Donovan Osborne (Astros): 4-1 / 1.93 / 22 K / 37.1 IP


Milestones and Observations of Note

2000 Hits: Lou Whitaker, Carney Lansford, Tim Raines, Gary Carter

300 HR: Kent Hrbek

The loss of both Nelson Liriano (fractured wrist) and Terry Mulholland (labrum) down the stretch very much cruels the Mets chances.

The Jays cut Manager Bill Robinson in mid-September.

In AAA, Syracuse’s Pat Rapp no-hits El Paso.

[luckymann]

American League
Boston Red Sox (93-69) v California Angels (92-70)

Who could ever doubt this timeline’s Red Sox? An amazing run of success and here they are in the firing line once again.

No doubt the LaValliere loss hurts them and perhaps even tips the scales on paper over to the Halos. Whether that translates from the potential to the actual is something we’ll soon find out.

The Halos open with a bang, posting a 3-spot in the top 1st of Game 1 but can’t add to them as Clemens gets his rhythm back and the Sox win it 5-3 with a late score.

Cali squares it up with a more polished performance against Pedro Martinez, finishing off their hosts with 4 in the 7th en route to an 8-1 win and withstand a late challenge over on the Pacific coast in Game 3 to get their noses in front with a 4-3 walkoff win in 10 on Juan Gonzalez’ second jack of the game.

The Sox prevail 4-3 in an extra-innings arm-wrestle to make it 2-2 but the Angels edge ahead once more with a 3-2 win in another top-quality contest.

All of which is merely the prelude for an amazing Game 6 in which the Sox – down to their final strike on two separate occasions in the home 9th – stave off elimination with a 4-3 win on a walkoff single by Mike Greenwell and break the hearts of Angels fans everywhere with another epic struggle and fifth-straight 1-run game, advancing with a 5-4 win.

Boston 1B Hal Morris takes out the MVP.





National League
Atlanta Braves (95-67) v Pittsburgh Pirates (92-70)

We are going to have to be at our absolute peak to get past a Braves club about which I have been espousing the virtues of for some time now.

Just Jim Gott out for us and shortstop Mario Diaz for them.

We get very little against Juan Guzman in the opener with just 6 hits and, despite threatening late, drop it 4-3 and lose a 5-4 walkoff the next night to send us home to Pittsburgh feeling the pressure.

A strong response by the lads sees John Smiley pitch a nifty 5-hitter and Bonds and Big Cat knock in a pair each as we win our first game 4-0 and we tie the series in dramatic fashion as Charlie Hayes singles in the winner for a 3-2 walkoff in Game 4.

Doug Drabek gets his own back for the Game 1 loss with a fantastic outing in which he give up just 2 hits over 8 scoreless and Joe Boever just holds on to give us a 1-0 win and keep the home side trend going. We’ll need to break it to get the win.

Break it we do at the first go as the lads come out swinging and chase Maddux with 6 runs then hang on grimly to close it out 6-4.

Charlie Hayes is a most deserving MVP.