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ZapMast · 03-09-2026, 08:17 PM

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Ernie Bewell Beat Reporter — Major Sim Baseball (1973)

As of June 1, 1973

Now that the calendar has turned and the first two full months are in the ledger, Major Sim Baseball has begun to separate into three classes: the clubs that are driving the season, the clubs that are still in the fight, and the clubs already showing signs of spending too much energy just to stay afloat.

At the top of the sport right now, there are three teams nobody can ignore: Baltimore, Dallas, and Boston. Those are not simply first-place clubs. Those are the teams setting the tone of 1973.

Major Sim Baseball is organized into four regions: the Northeast Region and Southeast Region in the Eastern League, and the Northwest Region and Southwest Region in the Western League. As June begins, each region is starting to show its own character.

Baltimore has become the league’s headline

The Baltimore Admirals, at 40–15 (.727), have not merely taken control of the Eastern League Southeast Region. They’ve practically padlocked it for the moment.

A club with 279 runs scored, only 167 allowed, and a +112 run differential is not just winning—it is imposing itself. Baltimore has been good at home (21–6) and just as comfortable away (19–9). That is the mark of a serious outfit. No soft underbelly. No hidden weakness in the travel bag. And though they come into June off a loss, the larger picture is plain enough: 9–1 over the last ten and miles ahead of the region.

The rest of that Southeast Region is not really chasing Baltimore so much as trying to keep from being swallowed by the summer.

Charlotte is second at 26–29, but 14 games back is not a race; it is a reminder.

Miami sits at 24–30 and looks increasingly stranded by that miserable 5–14 road record.

Nashville, at 21–32, is dragging a four-game losing streak and a -59 differential into June.

Atlanta, though last at 20–35, at least has a small spark with three straight wins.

If Baltimore continues playing at anything close to this level, the question in that region will not be who catches them. The question will be whether anyone else can even make the standings look respectable.

Boston has command in the North, and it looks earned

The Boston Corsairs lead the Eastern League Northeast Region at 36–18 (.667), and unlike some first-place teams that ride a timely week or two, Boston’s profile is clean.

They have scored 244 runs and allowed only 165, good for a +79 run differential. They are winning at home and on the road alike, with a sharp 19–10 away record. That matters. Good clubs defend home. Better clubs travel.

Boston also comes into June on a five-game winning streak, having gone 8–2 in the last ten. That is how region leads get real.

The clubs behind Boston are still trying to decide what kind of season they’re having.

Indy at 31–24 is still the most credible pursuer, though the timing could not be worse. The Racers have dropped four straight, and a good standing looks less impressive when it comes with bad momentum.

Philadelphia, at 26–27, is under .500, but the Freedom have quietly won four in a row and are at least beginning to act like a club with some self-respect.

Chicago is one of the oddest teams in the league: excellent at home (18–7), almost helpless away (8–23). That is not a contender’s profile, but it is enough to keep a club hanging around.

New York remains in the basement at 22–32, and though not dead, the Titans have yet to prove they can sustain anything beyond a brief correction.

So yes, Boston is in charge. The standings say so, and the underlying figures agree.

Dallas is the Western League’s muscle

Out West, the club carrying the strongest look is the Dallas Wranglers, who sit at 37–18 (.673) atop the Western League Southwest Region.

They have put up 282 runs and allowed only 185, which makes for a +97 differential—second only to Baltimore in raw authority. Like Baltimore, Dallas has shown that it can win anywhere. In fact, the Wranglers may be the best road club in the league right now at 22–8 away.

That’s championship posture.

Dallas enters June coming off a loss, but the broader form is still excellent: 8–2 over the last ten. This is not a fragile leader.

The team pressing them is Houston, and Houston has earned mention. The Oilers are 31–24, winners of five straight, and possess one of the more telling quirks in the sport: 16–8 in one-run games. That says they know how to keep their heads when things get uncomfortable.

Behind them:

Phoenix sits at 27–26, respectable enough, but still nine back.

Los Angeles is at 26–28, perfectly even in runs scored and allowed (236–236), which is about as plainspoken a .481 club as you’ll ever meet.

Las Vegas, at 23–32, is carrying too much negative baggage already.

The Western League Southwest Region, then, feels like this: Dallas is the standard, Houston is the pressure, and everybody else is trying to avoid being background scenery.

The Western League Northwest Region is still open because nobody has seized it

The one region in MSB that still feels unsettled from top to bottom is the Western League Northwest Region.

Denver leads at 28–26, but that record comes with only a +6 run differential. That is a first-place standing with a shrug attached to it. Denver deserves credit for being on top, but it has not yet built the kind of case that makes you trust it.

Just behind:

Salt Lake City is 27–28, only 1½ games back, and has played better ball of late at 7–3 over the last ten.

San Francisco has become the region’s warning sign. The Seals are 25–29 and have lost seven straight. A season can get away from you in a week, and it appears theirs just did.

Seattle is no better off. At 24–29, the Cascades are 1–9 in their last ten, which is the kind of stretch that takes a competitive season and turns it into a rescue operation.

Portland, also in the low tier at 24–32, at least arrives with two straight wins, though the overall picture remains rough.

This region does not yet have a ruler. It has a nervous leader and a lot of clubs hoping June will be kinder than May.

The shape of the league as June begins

If you step back from the standings and ask what the first two months have truly revealed, the answer is fairly simple.

Baltimore looks like the best team in Major Sim Baseball.
Dallas looks like the best team in the Western League.
Boston looks like the steadiest club in the Eastern League Northeast Region.

After that, the league becomes more unsettled:

Houston is the live challenger.

Indy remains in position, though not in rhythm.

Philadelphia has shown signs of life.

Chicago is still split between one team at home and another on the road.

The Western League Northwest Region remains unresolved because nobody has had the nerve—or the consistency—to take it by the throat.

That is where June begins.

Two months are enough to establish a pecking order. Three months are enough to expose fraud.

And that, as ever, is where the game gets interesting.

End of Act I

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Views: 28
Size: 123.2 KB

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Welcome to the Major Sim Baseball
presented by Sim Baseball Vision (See it for yourself)

⚾Play the NimBLe way!

================================================== ================================================== ================================
MSB on StatsPlus | MSB on OOTP | MSB Quick Start | MSB Stat of the day | Sim Baseball Vision | MSB Real Time Sim | Action Baseball League | The ABL
The Players League, 1946 | DEFENDING THE SHIELD | The Baseball Observer

03-09-2026, 08:17 PM	#101
ZapMast Major Leagues Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 469	MSB May 1973 News ⚾ Ernie Bewell Beat Reporter — Major Sim Baseball (1973) As of June 1, 1973 Now that the calendar has turned and the first two full months are in the ledger, Major Sim Baseball has begun to separate into three classes: the clubs that are driving the season, the clubs that are still in the fight, and the clubs already showing signs of spending too much energy just to stay afloat. At the top of the sport right now, there are three teams nobody can ignore: Baltimore, Dallas, and Boston. Those are not simply first-place clubs. Those are the teams setting the tone of 1973. Major Sim Baseball is organized into four regions: the Northeast Region and Southeast Region in the Eastern League, and the Northwest Region and Southwest Region in the Western League. As June begins, each region is starting to show its own character. Baltimore has become the league’s headline The Baltimore Admirals, at 40–15 (.727), have not merely taken control of the Eastern League Southeast Region. They’ve practically padlocked it for the moment. A club with 279 runs scored, only 167 allowed, and a +112 run differential is not just winning—it is imposing itself. Baltimore has been good at home (21–6) and just as comfortable away (19–9). That is the mark of a serious outfit. No soft underbelly. No hidden weakness in the travel bag. And though they come into June off a loss, the larger picture is plain enough: 9–1 over the last ten and miles ahead of the region. The rest of that Southeast Region is not really chasing Baltimore so much as trying to keep from being swallowed by the summer. Charlotte is second at 26–29, but 14 games back is not a race; it is a reminder. Miami sits at 24–30 and looks increasingly stranded by that miserable 5–14 road record. Nashville, at 21–32, is dragging a four-game losing streak and a -59 differential into June. Atlanta, though last at 20–35, at least has a small spark with three straight wins. If Baltimore continues playing at anything close to this level, the question in that region will not be who catches them. The question will be whether anyone else can even make the standings look respectable. Boston has command in the North, and it looks earned The Boston Corsairs lead the Eastern League Northeast Region at 36–18 (.667), and unlike some first-place teams that ride a timely week or two, Boston’s profile is clean. They have scored 244 runs and allowed only 165, good for a +79 run differential. They are winning at home and on the road alike, with a sharp 19–10 away record. That matters. Good clubs defend home. Better clubs travel. Boston also comes into June on a five-game winning streak, having gone 8–2 in the last ten. That is how region leads get real. The clubs behind Boston are still trying to decide what kind of season they’re having. Indy at 31–24 is still the most credible pursuer, though the timing could not be worse. The Racers have dropped four straight, and a good standing looks less impressive when it comes with bad momentum. Philadelphia, at 26–27, is under .500, but the Freedom have quietly won four in a row and are at least beginning to act like a club with some self-respect. Chicago is one of the oddest teams in the league: excellent at home (18–7), almost helpless away (8–23). That is not a contender’s profile, but it is enough to keep a club hanging around. New York remains in the basement at 22–32, and though not dead, the Titans have yet to prove they can sustain anything beyond a brief correction. So yes, Boston is in charge. The standings say so, and the underlying figures agree. Dallas is the Western League’s muscle Out West, the club carrying the strongest look is the Dallas Wranglers, who sit at 37–18 (.673) atop the Western League Southwest Region. They have put up 282 runs and allowed only 185, which makes for a +97 differential—second only to Baltimore in raw authority. Like Baltimore, Dallas has shown that it can win anywhere. In fact, the Wranglers may be the best road club in the league right now at 22–8 away. That’s championship posture. Dallas enters June coming off a loss, but the broader form is still excellent: 8–2 over the last ten. This is not a fragile leader. The team pressing them is Houston, and Houston has earned mention. The Oilers are 31–24, winners of five straight, and possess one of the more telling quirks in the sport: 16–8 in one-run games. That says they know how to keep their heads when things get uncomfortable. Behind them: Phoenix sits at 27–26, respectable enough, but still nine back. Los Angeles is at 26–28, perfectly even in runs scored and allowed (236–236), which is about as plainspoken a .481 club as you’ll ever meet. Las Vegas, at 23–32, is carrying too much negative baggage already. The Western League Southwest Region, then, feels like this: Dallas is the standard, Houston is the pressure, and everybody else is trying to avoid being background scenery. The Western League Northwest Region is still open because nobody has seized it The one region in MSB that still feels unsettled from top to bottom is the Western League Northwest Region. Denver leads at 28–26, but that record comes with only a +6 run differential. That is a first-place standing with a shrug attached to it. Denver deserves credit for being on top, but it has not yet built the kind of case that makes you trust it. Just behind: Salt Lake City is 27–28, only 1½ games back, and has played better ball of late at 7–3 over the last ten. San Francisco has become the region’s warning sign. The Seals are 25–29 and have lost seven straight. A season can get away from you in a week, and it appears theirs just did. Seattle is no better off. At 24–29, the Cascades are 1–9 in their last ten, which is the kind of stretch that takes a competitive season and turns it into a rescue operation. Portland, also in the low tier at 24–32, at least arrives with two straight wins, though the overall picture remains rough. This region does not yet have a ruler. It has a nervous leader and a lot of clubs hoping June will be kinder than May. The shape of the league as June begins If you step back from the standings and ask what the first two months have truly revealed, the answer is fairly simple. Baltimore looks like the best team in Major Sim Baseball. Dallas looks like the best team in the Western League. Boston looks like the steadiest club in the Eastern League Northeast Region. After that, the league becomes more unsettled: Houston is the live challenger. Indy remains in position, though not in rhythm. Philadelphia has shown signs of life. Chicago is still split between one team at home and another on the road. The Western League Northwest Region remains unresolved because nobody has had the nerve—or the consistency—to take it by the throat. That is where June begins. Two months are enough to establish a pecking order. Three months are enough to expose fraud. And that, as ever, is where the game gets interesting. End of Act I ⚾ ⚾⚾⚾ Welcome to the Major Sim Baseball presented by Sim Baseball Vision (See it for yourself) ⚾Play the NimBLe way! ================================================== ================================================== ================================ MSB on StatsPlus \| MSB on OOTP \| MSB Quick Start \| MSB Stat of the day \| Sim Baseball Vision \| MSB Real Time Sim \| Action Baseball League \| The ABL The Players League, 1946 \| DEFENDING THE SHIELD \| The Baseball Observer Last edited by ZapMast; 03-09-2026 at 09:25 PM.