OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - The Dead Zone: The Philadelphia Phillies (1984-

The_Myth · 08-17-2019, 01:52 AM

Nov. 2, 1984

No news today, and still waiting on Dick Howser. We’re happy with our draft. One thing to keep in mind for 1985: We no longer have a GCL club (Bend is now our only rookie squad), while we just added a third A-level team, the Clearwater Phillies. Here’s how we’re defining the system:

MLB Philadelphia
AAA Portland
AA Reading
A Clearwater / A Peninsula
A Spartanburg
R Bend

Advanced draftees (college kids, mostly) will start in Spartanburg. If we’re high on a kid, we’ll move him to the more competitive Clearwater squad (the Florida State League is better than the Carolina League). Peninsula is for players we’re still sorting out.

This will change some things. Primarily, someone like Luis Polonia, who we originally tabbed for Reading, will now probably start in Clearwater to get his feet wet there.

Nov. 3 , 1984

Still quiet.

Nov. 4, 1984

Second-round draftee Blaise Ilsley has agreed to his signing bonus. The 20-year-old lefty will start in Spartanburg.

Nov. 5, 1984

A phone call from Dick Howser’s representative: He wants to meet us in Philly for dinner tomorrow. Giddy up.

Nov. 6, 1984

It’s arbitration hearing day, but we’re preoccupied with Dick Howser, who flies in and meets with us in the afternoon. Just before our arb hearing with Dave Stegman, we have a nice chat, and Howser is in. Of course, we knew it all along.

Dick Howser is the new manager of the Philadelphia Phillies. He’ll make $285K per season through 1987. We call a press conference for the next day, a Wednesday, which just so happens to be the day before free agency filings. Perfect timing.

As for Stegman, he demands … ahem … $172,000. We propose $90,000. The arbitrator rules in our favor. Good win for us. Good, good win.

How should we celebrate? How about a steak dinner with vintage 1936 wine (his birth year) with our new skipper Dick Howser?

Nov. 7, 1984

We call the 11 a.m. press conference. A chipper mood at Veterans Stadium today, with all the press assembled (the 4-5-1 Eagles aren’t necessarily swallowing all the air).

Howser speaks about starting anew in Philly, watching the Phils compete from afar, the allure of managing Mike Schmidt and Steve Carlton, and how much potential we have throughout the organization. He’s a good speaker, a calming influence, and should lead us with a steady hand. I’m excited about him.

08-17-2019, 01:52 AM	#56
The_Myth Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: World Posts: 172	Nov. 2, 1984 No news today, and still waiting on Dick Howser. We’re happy with our draft. One thing to keep in mind for 1985: We no longer have a GCL club (Bend is now our only rookie squad), while we just added a third A-level team, the Clearwater Phillies. Here’s how we’re defining the system: MLB Philadelphia AAA Portland AA Reading A Clearwater / A Peninsula A Spartanburg R Bend Advanced draftees (college kids, mostly) will start in Spartanburg. If we’re high on a kid, we’ll move him to the more competitive Clearwater squad (the Florida State League is better than the Carolina League). Peninsula is for players we’re still sorting out. This will change some things. Primarily, someone like Luis Polonia, who we originally tabbed for Reading, will now probably start in Clearwater to get his feet wet there. Nov. 3 , 1984 Still quiet. Nov. 4, 1984 Second-round draftee Blaise Ilsley has agreed to his signing bonus. The 20-year-old lefty will start in Spartanburg. Nov. 5, 1984 A phone call from Dick Howser’s representative: He wants to meet us in Philly for dinner tomorrow. Giddy up. Nov. 6, 1984 It’s arbitration hearing day, but we’re preoccupied with Dick Howser, who flies in and meets with us in the afternoon. Just before our arb hearing with Dave Stegman, we have a nice chat, and Howser is in. Of course, we knew it all along. Dick Howser is the new manager of the Philadelphia Phillies. He’ll make $285K per season through 1987. We call a press conference for the next day, a Wednesday, which just so happens to be the day before free agency filings. Perfect timing. As for Stegman, he demands … ahem … $172,000. We propose $90,000. The arbitrator rules in our favor. Good win for us. Good, good win. How should we celebrate? How about a steak dinner with vintage 1936 wine (his birth year) with our new skipper Dick Howser? Nov. 7, 1984 We call the 11 a.m. press conference. A chipper mood at Veterans Stadium today, with all the press assembled (the 4-5-1 Eagles aren’t necessarily swallowing all the air). Howser speaks about starting anew in Philly, watching the Phils compete from afar, the allure of managing Mike Schmidt and Steve Carlton, and how much potential we have throughout the organization. He’s a good speaker, a calming influence, and should lead us with a steady hand. I’m excited about him.