The Around the Horn League (AtHoL)

[luckymann]

KC rookie Anthony Rendon makes his presence known with a bang-up game against the Pelicans.

[luckymann]

Observations and Points of Interest

• Definitely some flattening across the league, and yet the dominant sides remain so. Philly's 60-25 is the best record at the halfway point. Montreal is strong early but Chicago gradually reins them in and now sits just 6 games back.
• Key extensions: P Sandy Koufax (San Francisco, 2/666); C Buster Posey (Chicago, 3/600); P Gaylord Perry (Chicago, 3/528); C Bill Perkins (Philadelphia, 2/190); 1B Andre Thornton (Pittsburgh, 2/122); OF Cristobal Torriente (Houston, 2/232); P Curt Schilling (Montreal, 2/368); SS Barry Larkin (Houston, 2/400); P Chris Carpenter (Houston, 2/246); P Matt Cain (Denver, 2/380); P Ed Walsh (Pittsburgh, 2/444); P Bert Blyleven (Baltimore, 2/252); P Sid Fernandez (Dallas, 2/316); P Jason Schmidt (Baltimore, 3/600); SS Roy Smalley III (Wichita, 2/288); P Kyle Hendricks (Philadelphia, 2/190); P Max Fried (Mobile, 3/548); 3B Billy Werber (Mobile, 3/430); OF Albert Belle (Mobile, 3/810); OF Denard Span (St. Louis, 2/207).
• Key injuries: OF Greg Vaughn (Denver) elbow surgery, 6 weeks; 2B Chuck Knoblauch (Vancouver) abdominal strain, 5-6 weeks; OF Ted Williams (San Francisco) oblique, 5 weeks; 2B Cupid Childs (Philadelphia) fractured thumb, 5 weeks; C Jack Clements (Louisville) groin, 2 months; P Jose Acevedo (Pensacola) shoulder, 7 weeks; SS Andrelton Simmons (Pittsburgh) PCL, 7 weeks.
• Sammy Sosa clubs his 500th career homer and is on 78 HR, 178 RBI pace this season; David Ortiz, Rafael Devers and Lou Gehrig all reach the 400 homer mark; Dizzy Dismukes wins his 200th.

Standings and Leaders






Top 20s - overall





Top 20s - rookies





Monthly Award Winners

April

Lincoln Association
Batter – Brandon Belt (Tucson): 385 / 9 HR / 27 RBI
Pitcher – Roger Clemens (St. Louis): 5-0 / 2.44 / 35 K / 48 IP
Rookie – Larry Dierker (San Francisco): 4-1 / 3.43 / 22 K / 42 IP

King Association
Batter – Jim Bottomley (New Orleans): 354 / 5 HR / 17 RBI
Pitcher – Cy Falkenberg (New York): 5-0 / 1.93 / 16 K / 42 IP
Rookie – Joe Magrane (Mobile): 4-1 / 2.40 / 35 K / 48.2 IP


May

Lincoln Association
Batter – Tommy Henrich (Dayton): 400 / 12 HR / 34 RBI
Pitcher – Scott Kazmir (Tucson): 5-0 / 2.06 / 20 K / 39.1 IP
Rookie – Lee Richmond (Montreal): 4-1 / 3.86 / 38 K / 46.2 IP

King Association
Batter – Larry Walker (Philadelphia): 340 / 8 HR / 32 RBI
Pitcher – Al Orth (Portland): 6-0 / 3.10 / 47 K / 49.1 IP
Rookie – Al Orth


June

Lincoln Association
Batter – Hack Wilson (Dallas): 360 / 12 HR / 27 RBI
Pitcher – Randy Johnson (San Francisco): 5-0 / 1.48 / 60 K / 48.2 IP
Rookie – Stan Baumgartner (Tucson): 4-1 / 1.84 / 25 K / 49 IP

King Association
Batter – Sammy Sosa (Philadelphia): 327 / 14 HR / 32 RBI
Pitcher – Red Ames (New Orleans): 4-0 / 0.63 / 14 K / 43 IP
Rookie – Joe Magrane (Mobile): 4-1 / 1.52 / 32 K / 47.1 IP


Prospect Pipeline

[luckymann]

Another no-hitter down in the minor leagues, this time in the 1BL with Port City's Steve Woodard dominating Fitchburg.

[luckymann]

Max Muncy has become an elite power hitter, one of the AtHoL's very best, these past few seasons with 50+ HR in both '59 and '60 and he seems certain to pass the same mark again this time around.

At 79-37, he and his Dallas teammates are humming and must be included among the favourites to make a deep playoff run and perhaps win the franchise its first title.

This is another dominant performance from them, with Max leading the way.

[luckymann]

There's something altogether pleasant and satisfying about this early phase at a new club spent assembling a group, the group hopefully, for the most part unmolested by the pressures of performance and expectations. You get to watch things with an eye on next year and beyond rather than the exigencies of today, and judge players in that context.

The new names you'll be hearing about in this recap have been acquired via the following trades:

... and look like this at the time of writing:

This recent spell has been made even more pleasant by the concerted effort the lads have been putting in on the field, which has seen us - by dint of a win in Game 120 - climb back to exactly 500, record-wise: 60 wins; 60 losses. Given we were 10 games under 500 at our worst, that's a really strong push in the right direction.

As this has been going on, we've also been able to make some moves that put us in an excellent position moving forward. So, all in all, things are well and truly on track.

BATS

Little to add at this point other than to say that there have been clear signs of the main pieces of our puzzle starting to gel.

After much flipping and flopping on the idea, I have decided to call up Larry Doby and Vlad Guerrero for the remainder of this season. I'd really like us to hit the ground running next year and I think exposing these two for the next 40-odd games to the rigours of the bigs gives us the best chance of doing so. I'm also going to bring up Brady Anderson - whom we have acquired in recent months and who I see as one of our backup OFs along with Armas - once rosters expand on Sep 1.

BALLS

A really positive period for our staff, with some super encouraging signs. Still far from perfect and the BP remains schizophrenic to say the least, but I like what I'm seeing for the most part and think we have a nice little staff that is also sustainably cheap for the next few years, as you'll see a bit further down this update.

In Smoltz, Gubicza, Tudor, Wells and surprise packet Rob Gardner, I believe we have the makings of a top-notch rotation. We've got Billy Pierce in the wings but not much else, and that's something we are keen to address, along with making sure our BP is more reliable than at present.

GLOVES

No doubt out #1 position player priority is a young gun catcher who is defensively strong but also holds his own offensively. Not easy to come by, but we'll see what the Draft has to offer and then go trade-hunting if we need to. Aside from that, looking good here.

WINGS

At the time of writing and as they are promoted, Larry and Vlad are ranked 2 and 3 respectively. We've been slowly accumulating a bunch of guys who, while unranked, we feel have a decent chance of figuring in our future plans - guys like Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Dave Koslo and Hoot Evers. We'll continue adding to these whenever possible; at worst, they give us some good farm depth.

POCKETS

I also alluded earlier to some key signings, and they are as follows:

• 3B Bobby Bonilla: 4/320
• SS Travis Jackson: 3/465
• P David Wells: 3/96
• P Milt Pappas: 3/90
• 1-year deals to 2B Jay Bell, P Ray Collins

Thereby leaving very few loose ends to be dealt with.

Extremely eager to see what these young guns have to show us down the stretch. We're only a handful of games out of the WC2 slot - can we sneak in ahead of schedule?

[luckymann]

After having been on the wrong end of the rag three times, Vancouver gets its first ever no-hitter courtesy of NeLer George Harney against Oakland.

[luckymann]

A swing and a miss for us with none of our guys deemed worthy this year. I can't argue with that.

Here are the full squads and details of the break:

Game Score

Lincoln Association 4, King Association 3

MVP

Lou Gehrig (Hollywood)

HR Derby

Max Muncy (Dallas) def Jason Giambi (San Francisco) 10-9


Undoubtedly their belated promotions took Vlad and Larry out of the reckoning here, with just Grady Sizemore getting the nod.

Game Score

Lincoln Association 10, King Association 9

MVP

Kouichi Beames (Amarillo, R) - the first award won by one of the fictional players now in the league.


While the LA Flood and our KA Chandler remain the only two races viably still in play, both WCs and particualrly across in the King Association are far from done deals. Sandy Koufax maintains a decent shot at the LA pitching triple crown, but Sammy Sosa and crew will really need to get a motor on if they want to make it to the HR mountaintop.

[luckymann]

The Terrapins look playoff-bound again and always seem to get things going at this time of year. Their star catcher is obviously seeing them like watermelons at the moment as he leads Baltimore to an 18-2 demolition job on Brooklyn to give Mickey Lolich his 20th win of the season.

Meanwhile, Hollywood are once again out of the running but can take heart from this outstanding performance against Oakland from young Henry "Big Splo" Spearman.

[luckymann]

[luckymann]

We get our first bit of shiny since I've taken over as our Rochester Red Wings cruise to their second 3BL Championship, dropping just one game all post-season.

[luckymann]

My old bête noir the Brownsville Charros catch a wave and ride it all the way from the WildCard round to their maiden 2BL title.

[luckymann]

Another team to find form just at the right time is the Anniston Rams, who also win it all from the second WC slot, their first 1BL Championship.

[luckymann]

Only a skerrick of late drama and it plays out on the penultimate day when results lead to Chicago and St. Louis missing out as Montreal claims the Flood Band title and Houston the second LA WildCard.

That leaves the final standings this year as follows:

Somewhat amazingly, given he is the league's all-time hits leader and goes into next season needing just 60 to become the founding member of the 3000-hit club, Roberto Clemente's 336 BA earns him his first batting title, with Tommy Henrich matching that total in only his second campaign. Max Muncy leads all comers with 63 HR, while Sammy Sosa's 145 RBI are the most. Ty Cobb swipes 102 bases to pace the AtHoL and, in sad news, Hack Wilson - whose 8+ bWAR will no doubt make him a frontrunner for LA Elysian Medal honours - will be unable to join his Dallas teammates in the playoffs after suffering a season-ending oblique strain.

Cy Falkenberg's 2.77 ERA is the AtHoL low-marker this year, while Catfish Hunter's 24 wins just edge out Sandy Koufax and rookie Joe Magrane for top honours. Another first-year player, Portland's Al Orth, is this year's King of K with 285, while Bill Wise leads both leagues. with 42 saves.

Key extensions: C Johnny Bench (Baltimore, 2/410); P Jon Lester (Denver, 3/558); P Edwin Diaz (San Francisco, 2/97); SS Larnie Jordan (Kansas City, 3/224); 1B Chris Sabo (Kansas City, 2/162); P Madison Bumgarner (Fresno, 3/325); OF Jason Giambi (San Francisco, 3/296); 1B Chris Davis (San Francisco, 3/153); C Mickey Cochrane (Montgomery, 3/404); P Nate Moreland (Cincinnati, 2/254); OF Harry Breeden (Chicago, 2/137); OF Joe Medwick (Chicago, 3/570); OF Curtis Granderson (Mobile, 3/224).

Key injuries: OF Tris Speaker (Philadelphia) elbow, 7 weeks; P Ron Reed (Brooklyn) elbow, season; OF Ted Williams (San Francisco) fractured rib, 4-5 weeks; 1B Harry Heilmann (Chicago) back, season; OF Earl Gurley (Philadelphia) biceps, 6 weeks; P Sid Fernandez (Dallas) UCL tear, season; P Corbin Burnes (Denver) elbow, season; P Dupee Shaw (Hollywood) back, season; Hack Wilson (Dallas) oblique, season; P Cannonball Titcomb (Houston) elbow, season.

Top 20s - overall





Top 20s - rookies





Monthly Award Winners

July

Lincoln Association
Batter – Max Muncy (Dallas): 326 / 14 HR / 26 RBI
Pitcher – Gaylord Perry (Chicago): 5-1 / 2.11 / 26 K / 47 IP
Rookie – Larry Dierker (San Francisco): 4-0 / 2.51 / 24 K / 43 IP

King Association
Batter – Steve Finley (Pensacola): 327 / 9 HR / 27 RBI
Pitcher – Tony Mullane (Vancouver): 4-1 / 1.84 / 19 K / 49 IP
Rookie – Jose Berrios (Vancouver): 3-1 / 2.43 / 24 K / 29.2 IP


August

Lincoln Association
Batter – Hack Wilson (Dallas): 373 / 6 HR / 18 RBI
Pitcher – Jim Whitney (Louisville): 6-0 / 2.64 / 16 K / 47.2 IP
Rookie – Fred Beck (Houston): 259 / 11 HR / 25 RBI

King Association
Batter – Bryce Harper (Philadelphia): 272 / 13 HR / 31 RBI
Pitcher – Don Drysdale (San Jose): 4-0 / 1.48 / 35 K / 42.2 IP
Rookie – George Harney (Vancouver): 4-0 / 1.67 / 39 K / 43 IP


September

Lincoln Association
Batter – Kiki Cuyler (Montreal): 400 / 3 HR / 26 RBI
Pitcher – Tim Leary (Hollywood): 4-0 / 2.01 / 22 K / 49.1 IP
Rookie – Wally Berger (San Francisco): 349 / 6 HR / 22 RBI

King Association
Batter – Tim Salmon (Portland): 318 / 7 HR / 17 RBI
Pitcher – Don Drysdale (San Jose): 4-0 / 1.56 / 35 K / 52 IP
Rookie – Jose Berrios (Vancouver): 4-0 / 2.36 / 46 K / 42 IP

[luckymann]

Tight wins to Baltimore and Louisville set up what looks almost certain to be another riveting playoff draw.

[luckymann]

Some wild old games but all four series end fairly quickly, with the Baltimore upset of Philly the biggest news and Dallas unable to keep their hot form going without Wilson.

[luckymann]

Third Base AAA League

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

PITCHER OF THE YEAR

RELIEVER OF THE YEAR




Second Base AA League

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

PITCHER OF THE YEAR

RELIEVER OF THE YEAR




First Base A League

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

PITCHER OF THE YEAR

RELIEVER OF THE YEAR

[luckymann]

My former charges at San Francisco bow out in the most unbelievable way, unable to close out the series at home and in particular when leading 2-0 in the 9th inning of Game 7, which they eventually lose 8-2 in 10 to waste a superb performance by series MVP John Valentin. That pits Louisville up against two-time Champions Baltimore, who see San Jose off in six.

Here, for the sadists following along, is that amazing Game 7 in its entirety...

[luckymann]

In a tight but fairly decisive five-game series, Baltimore's class is simply too much for Louisville and they wrap up their third AtHoL Championship. Frank Robinson hits 333 with 4 home runs to earn MVP honours.

Game 1





Game 2





Game 3





Game 4





Game 5





BALTIMORE WINS SERIES 4-1

SERIES MVP: Frank Robinson (Baltimore)

[luckymann]

Not too much commentary from me at this juncture. We got as much as we could out of this season and learned plenty from it about our playing group, which - despite the rather dismal on-field performance - makes it a success in my eyes. My actions over the next few weeks, months and seasons will tell you all you need to know about who impressed me and who did not.

BATS




BALLS




GLOVES




WINGS






POCKETS

We exercise Ivan Nova's final year but void Cream McHenry's. The boss has ticked our budget up to $1.74m but "asked" that I use some of it to acquire a top player. He is also looking for more runs and further improvement on our BP metrics. Oh, and more bums in seats, too.

Our weak finish has one upside, namely that we are in the mix for a lottery upgrade. Fingers crossed we get a massive bump.

[luckymann]

Here's the list by JAWS of this year's retirees.

I think Jackie's a lock and that's about it unless the voters are feeling generous.