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ayaghmour2 · 12-15-2025, 10:56 PM

LF Sam Morrison
Acquired: Via Draft: 5th Round, 76th Overall (1960)
1974: 160 G, 677 PA, .267/.318/.354 (90 OPS+), 83 R, 28 2B, 4 3B, 6 HR, 48 RBI, 24 SB, 1.8 WAR
Career: 1,228 G, 5,088 PA, .277/.335/.405 (118 OPS+), 582 R, 240 2B, 39 3B, 92 HR, 530 RBI, 125 SB, 26.4 WAR

You may not remember Sam Morrison, but the then 20-year-old was an interesting prospect when I took over for the quick original revival. Now one of our few good pieces, he's carved out a solid career as a FABL outfielder, expected to make more then 140 starts for the eight consecutive season.

By all meanings of the word 1974 was a down year, but he did salvage it with a career high 24 stolen bases. Always a threat on the diamond, he's picked up double digits in each full season of his career and 15 or more in 4 of the last 6 seasons. Now 32, the 3-Time All-Star has 125 to his name, presented with a .277/.355/.405 (118 OPS+) batting line and 26.4 WAR. Debuting to a cup of coffee in 1966, he was best in his first three full seasons as a starter, but even his "down" years have seen WRCs+ of 98 and 96. 1970 gets the nudge as best season due to the All-Star selection, as the then 27-year-old hit .291/.362/.518 (143 OPS+) with 41 doubles, 11 triples, 24 homers, 95 RBIs, 98 runs, and more walks (65) then strikeouts (59). Unlikely to repeat that, he's still good for at least a 115 WRC+, and that's a huge plus in a lineup with as many weaknesses as ours. Add in the speed and ability to play either corner outfield spot well, and you see quickly why he's one of our most valuable players.

3B Cal Randall
Acquired: Via Trade with Kings (1963)
1974: 28 G, 40 PA, .135/.179/.270 (26 OPS+), 3 R, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, -0.2 WAR
Career (FABL): 1,260 G, 4,095 PA, .271/.322/.394, 4,095 PA, 144 2B, 13 3B, 95 HR, 493 RBI, 5 SB, 15.1 WAR
Career (CHC): 938 G, 2,847 PA, .268/.316/.390 (104 OPS+), 289 R, 100 2B, 7 3B, 67 HR, 348 RBI, 3 SB, 16.5 WAR

Acquired on a busy day that brought Doc Griffin to town, Cal Randall was picked up for a package that brought Dutch Miller to the Pioneers. He spent just a season with the then Kansas City Kings, just as Miller did with the Pioneers, hitting .287/.336/.443 (104 OPS+) with 19 doubles, 11 homers, and 54 RBIs. A little better then the only season of three he played much with St. Louis, I was hoping Cal could stabilize a position for us or at least provide Jack Gibson insurance.

His debut with the Cougars wasn't great, hitting just .267/.305/.384 (89 OPS+), but a strained Achilles really seemed to impact him far after he was deemed healthy. I didn't get to enjoy it, but with a full offseason of rest he had a career year, slashing .306/.364/.450 (133 OPS+) with 17 doubles, 18 homers, 70 runs, and 85 RBIs. Selected to his first and only All-Star game, he was worth a still career high 5.1 WAR in the clear peak of his career. Now 38, he hasn't had as good of a WRC+ (127) or OPS+, and his homers, runs, RBIs, walks (51), average, OBP, and slugging have never been as high. In most cases it wasn't close, but he gave us two more solid seasons before his demotion to a bench role.

39 in April, he could be one of the first players released, as he hasn't started double digit games since his 39 in 1969. The two-time Diamond Defense winner hasn't looked bad in limited play, so he could still get some late inning defensive opportunities if Gene Homer (25, .273, 12, 61, 1) hits but can't handle the hot corner. Last year's starter Pablo Vazquez (35, .240, 13, 57, 1) was a statue, leading allowing Randall to replace him late, but his power is way more valuable off the bench. Out of options, we could try to pass him through waivers, but at this point in his career I'm not sure he wants the minor leagues. A veteran of over 4,000 plate appearances, his WRC+ (99) is just a percentage point below average, and his reliable defense has led to a nice chunk of his 15.1 WAR. Even if the line does end here, he did exactly what he was supposed to when I traded for him, and it's cool he's still around many years later.

RHP Hub Russell
Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 11th Overall (1963)
1974 (AA): 7-5, 35 G, 55 IP, 2.45 ERA (176 ERA+), 1.25 WHIP, 28 BB, 41 K, 1.0 WAR
Career (FABL): 1-0, 3 SV, 18 G, 30.1 IP, 2.37 ERA (146 ERA+), 1.25 WHIP, 13 BB, 18 K, 0.4 WAR

Finishing things off is a guy I took in the first round who ranked as high as #2 on the prospect list, as my most recent first rounder before yesterday was actually Hub Russell. A guy who everyone thought would be an ace, he never really got a chance, as parts of three seasons and a DFA led him to toil away in our minor league system. Quickly becoming our highest ranked prospect, he had great stuff, and just like the guys I drafted this week well along for his age. OSA and Dixie Marsh viewed him as a frontline starter, and it seemed like we had found our ace for the foreseeable future.

I couldn't tell you what made him go from stud to bum, but I can tell you that I'm glad that I didn't have to experience his fall-off first hand. When I left him he was coming off a nice debut in the then C-Ball, eventually debuting for 3 games in 1968. 13 in 1969 and 2 more in 1970 will likely compose the entirety of his FABL career, as despite solid results he just never got a chance to pitch in a rotation. Allowing just 25 hits, 8 runs, and 13 walks with 18 strikeouts in 30.1 innings, he had a solid ERA (2.37, 146), FIP (3.07, 84), and WHIP (1.25), but by then the prospect shine had long worn off. Peaking at the #2 ranked prospect in 1966, he didn't even graduate in the top-100, but there's no injury to point to. He even had some successful dev lab roles, but once his velocity went down he went from the new hot commodity to filler depth and a good clubhouse figure.

12-15-2025, 10:56 PM	#1651
ayaghmour2 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 3,100	Familiar Faces: Part 3 LF Sam Morrison Acquired: Via Draft: 5th Round, 76th Overall (1960) 1974: 160 G, 677 PA, .267/.318/.354 (90 OPS+), 83 R, 28 2B, 4 3B, 6 HR, 48 RBI, 24 SB, 1.8 WAR Career: 1,228 G, 5,088 PA, .277/.335/.405 (118 OPS+), 582 R, 240 2B, 39 3B, 92 HR, 530 RBI, 125 SB, 26.4 WAR You may not remember Sam Morrison, but the then 20-year-old was an interesting prospect when I took over for the quick original revival. Now one of our few good pieces, he's carved out a solid career as a FABL outfielder, expected to make more then 140 starts for the eight consecutive season. By all meanings of the word 1974 was a down year, but he did salvage it with a career high 24 stolen bases. Always a threat on the diamond, he's picked up double digits in each full season of his career and 15 or more in 4 of the last 6 seasons. Now 32, the 3-Time All-Star has 125 to his name, presented with a .277/.355/.405 (118 OPS+) batting line and 26.4 WAR. Debuting to a cup of coffee in 1966, he was best in his first three full seasons as a starter, but even his "down" years have seen WRCs+ of 98 and 96. 1970 gets the nudge as best season due to the All-Star selection, as the then 27-year-old hit .291/.362/.518 (143 OPS+) with 41 doubles, 11 triples, 24 homers, 95 RBIs, 98 runs, and more walks (65) then strikeouts (59). Unlikely to repeat that, he's still good for at least a 115 WRC+, and that's a huge plus in a lineup with as many weaknesses as ours. Add in the speed and ability to play either corner outfield spot well, and you see quickly why he's one of our most valuable players. 3B Cal Randall Acquired: Via Trade with Kings (1963) 1974: 28 G, 40 PA, .135/.179/.270 (26 OPS+), 3 R, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, -0.2 WAR Career (FABL): 1,260 G, 4,095 PA, .271/.322/.394, 4,095 PA, 144 2B, 13 3B, 95 HR, 493 RBI, 5 SB, 15.1 WAR Career (CHC): 938 G, 2,847 PA, .268/.316/.390 (104 OPS+), 289 R, 100 2B, 7 3B, 67 HR, 348 RBI, 3 SB, 16.5 WAR Acquired on a busy day that brought Doc Griffin to town, Cal Randall was picked up for a package that brought Dutch Miller to the Pioneers. He spent just a season with the then Kansas City Kings, just as Miller did with the Pioneers, hitting .287/.336/.443 (104 OPS+) with 19 doubles, 11 homers, and 54 RBIs. A little better then the only season of three he played much with St. Louis, I was hoping Cal could stabilize a position for us or at least provide Jack Gibson insurance. His debut with the Cougars wasn't great, hitting just .267/.305/.384 (89 OPS+), but a strained Achilles really seemed to impact him far after he was deemed healthy. I didn't get to enjoy it, but with a full offseason of rest he had a career year, slashing .306/.364/.450 (133 OPS+) with 17 doubles, 18 homers, 70 runs, and 85 RBIs. Selected to his first and only All-Star game, he was worth a still career high 5.1 WAR in the clear peak of his career. Now 38, he hasn't had as good of a WRC+ (127) or OPS+, and his homers, runs, RBIs, walks (51), average, OBP, and slugging have never been as high. In most cases it wasn't close, but he gave us two more solid seasons before his demotion to a bench role. 39 in April, he could be one of the first players released, as he hasn't started double digit games since his 39 in 1969. The two-time Diamond Defense winner hasn't looked bad in limited play, so he could still get some late inning defensive opportunities if Gene Homer (25, .273, 12, 61, 1) hits but can't handle the hot corner. Last year's starter Pablo Vazquez (35, .240, 13, 57, 1) was a statue, leading allowing Randall to replace him late, but his power is way more valuable off the bench. Out of options, we could try to pass him through waivers, but at this point in his career I'm not sure he wants the minor leagues. A veteran of over 4,000 plate appearances, his WRC+ (99) is just a percentage point below average, and his reliable defense has led to a nice chunk of his 15.1 WAR. Even if the line does end here, he did exactly what he was supposed to when I traded for him, and it's cool he's still around many years later. RHP Hub Russell Acquired: Via Draft: 1st Round, 11th Overall (1963) 1974 (AA): 7-5, 35 G, 55 IP, 2.45 ERA (176 ERA+), 1.25 WHIP, 28 BB, 41 K, 1.0 WAR Career (FABL): 1-0, 3 SV, 18 G, 30.1 IP, 2.37 ERA (146 ERA+), 1.25 WHIP, 13 BB, 18 K, 0.4 WAR Finishing things off is a guy I took in the first round who ranked as high as #2 on the prospect list, as my most recent first rounder before yesterday was actually Hub Russell. A guy who everyone thought would be an ace, he never really got a chance, as parts of three seasons and a DFA led him to toil away in our minor league system. Quickly becoming our highest ranked prospect, he had great stuff, and just like the guys I drafted this week well along for his age. OSA and Dixie Marsh viewed him as a frontline starter, and it seemed like we had found our ace for the foreseeable future. I couldn't tell you what made him go from stud to bum, but I can tell you that I'm glad that I didn't have to experience his fall-off first hand. When I left him he was coming off a nice debut in the then C-Ball, eventually debuting for 3 games in 1968. 13 in 1969 and 2 more in 1970 will likely compose the entirety of his FABL career, as despite solid results he just never got a chance to pitch in a rotation. Allowing just 25 hits, 8 runs, and 13 walks with 18 strikeouts in 30.1 innings, he had a solid ERA (2.37, 146), FIP (3.07, 84), and WHIP (1.25), but by then the prospect shine had long worn off. Peaking at the #2 ranked prospect in 1966, he didn't even graduate in the top-100, but there's no injury to point to. He even had some successful dev lab roles, but once his velocity went down he went from the new hot commodity to filler depth and a good clubhouse figure. Last edited by ayaghmour2; 12-15-2025 at 10:58 PM.