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redmachine · 11-08-2004, 02:35 PM

1904 SEASON PREVIEW…………………………

AMERICAN LEAGUE…………………..
Baltimore is again going to be the favorite for a repeat. Long time pitching coach Jamaal Long retired but pitching will still be the O’s strong suite. J.Trimm(13-7, 2.65), A.Johnson(16-7, 2.95) and D.Desousa(8-8, 3.44) are back, the offense still has R.Imes(.282,37,83) and M.McIntyre(.297,34,114). Prediction 1st.

Oakland has 2 18-game winners in B.Clayton and G.Bibeau along with W.Bertram(12-9,3.57) and M.Elsner(15-12, 4.14). J.Nardi(.320,34,85) will hit 3rd. Prediction: 2nd

New York is the only other team we see competing. C.Ly(13-10, 2.97) and D.Leedom(13-12, 2.97) should give just enough pitching for a good young offense led by C.Lachance(.308,43,103), B.Stockstill(.303,25,89), R.Loflin(.318,35,87) and M.Dolin(.315,21,76). Prediction 3rd, may even move up to 2nd.

CLEVELAND- Good pitching led by CY YOUNG winner James Bahr(19-7, 2.97) and B.Kleinschmidt(16-10, 3.16). MVP D.Cogdell(.312,48,107) and 3B B.Hunsinger(.357,15,86) will lead the offense. Prediction 4th

DETROIT- Look for the Tigers to rebound somewhat under new manager Willie Horton. Pitching could be trouble but F.Jakes(12-14, 3.91) should rebound. J.Obrien(.319,39,100) again will carry the load….Predict: improved from 8th to 5th.

MINNESOTA- Trenton Saad(16-10, 3.58) is now 36 and not getting any younger. But a good hitting team led by C K.Longshore(.328,22,73), SS H.Johnson(.307,23,89) and RF C.Victorino(.313,21,81)..Predict 6th

CHICAGO(A)- Stud J.Madrigal(14-11, 3.41) and T.Artz(15-7, 3.59) wont keep the Sox from falling this year. 1B D.Robertson(.334,25,107) and CF K.Pugsley(.309,16,64) cant hurt however. Predict: 7th

CALIFORNIA- Desptie W.Burford(15-8. 2.96) being a good pitcher the Angels hit just .242 as a team. Prediction 8th

BOSTON- The Sox are headed in the wrong direction. J.Barreto(16-9, 3.36 is about it in the rotation. And the team hit just .246 last year. Prediction: 9th

KANSAS CITY- Hit .262 as a team but has the worst pitching in the AL. 2B Garland Carrick(.302,21,66,24sb) can only dream about the 1900 team that won the AL.

NATIONAL…………..

CINCINNATI- Look for the Reds to finally win it after 3 straight 2nd place finishes. K.Urbanek(18-9, 3.08), R.Squier(13-7, 3.55) and R.Gordon(17-7, 3.37) can compete with anyone. T.Setliff(.312,39,113) and F.Eastland(.277,377,103) lead an offense that hit .267 last year. Prediction: 1st

PITTSBURGH- The defending NL champs will be in the race till the end. Not quite as good a pitching as the Reds but R.Stevens(18-9, 3.15), H.Ferrer(4-4,2.56), C.Hibner(18-11, 3.50), and P.Sandoz(19-6, 2.75) might have more depth. 2-time MVP G.Frasure(.357,41,109) and H.Hairston(.318,30,103) lead one of the best offenses in the league. Prediciton 2nd.

CHICAGO(N)- The Cubs last won the Pennant in 1901 and this year should be in the race. B. Millsaps(20-9, 3.17) was last years only 20 game winner. A. McCoy(16-10,3.10) combines to give the Cubs the pitching they need. R.Salter(.285,21,70), A.Sabb(.270,43,96) and N.Dodson(.284,19,84) will determine how far this team goes. Prediction: 3rd

NEW YORK(N)- The Mets won it all in 1900. W.Potts(17-10, 3.31) and K.Drake(12-11, 3.19) need to pitch well for the Mets to contend. B.Townley(.301,25,76) the 1901 MVP and 3B R.Tatham(.278,30,85) are still the straws that stir the drink. 1B B.Long(.253,31,114) will also need to duplicate his numbers this year…Predict 4th

PHILADELPHIA- J.Dixon(10-11, 3.37) needs to improve his numbers and R.Fraser(16-12, 3.70) and D.Friedman(14-11, 3.67) need to pitch well for the Phills to be a threat. The bats are solid led by S.Geist(.283,22,77) and 3B J.Jones(.310,19,60). Predict: 5th again.

LOS ANGELES- W.Weems(14-3, 2.68) missed 2 ½ months last year but is still a major player. SS S.Leblanc(.333,17,70) however cant do it alone. D.Yeldell(.300,12,77) saw his average drop 73 points after setting a league record with a .373 average in 1902...Predict 6th

SAN FRANSICO- H.Amundson(14-10, 3.22) and C.Layfield(11-13, 3.81) give them okay pitching. R.Crews(18-10, 3.28) will be hard pressed to duplicate his 1903 season. The Giants however hit just .235 last year, low in either league. 3B T.Swatzell(.322,42,100) is the lone bright spot…Predict 7th

HOUSTON- The Astros have a new manager in Joe Morgan and some decent pitching in A.Middleton(15-12, 2.79), J.Johnson(12-13, 3.56) and youngster J.Castellano(6-9, 3.75). Their hitting is dreadful however. On a side note, last years #2 pick overall J.Kling won the catching job and will leadoff…Predict 8th

ST.LOUIS- A new manager in Lou Brock wont make this team hit. Young pitcher J.King(12-7, 3.33) is a solid prospect. 31yr old C M.McCreary(.269,26,85) is still capable… Prediction 9th for 3rd straight year.

ATLANTA- Also with a new manager in Davey Johnson. He may want to give the job back after the year ends as the Braves were not a very good hitting team and the pitching was the worst in the league…. Predict 10th.

1904 ALLSTAR BREAK SUMMARY

Baltimore again sits atop the AL with a 47-35 record. As expected, Cleveland(1) and New York(2.5) are still in the hunt. Detroit has been playing as good as anyone lately and is just 3 back. KC has also been a surprise and is 1.5 back. Oakland has been the biggest disappointment despite B.Clayton(13-3, 3.09) having a great year.

The Cubs, Reds and Pirates are at the top where expected. Chicago leads Cincy by 2 and PIT by 2.5, New York has been a dissapointment falling 8.5 back.

NEWS AND NOTES………..
Three pitchers have already thrown no-hitters, Greg Bibeau(OAK), Robert Squier(CIN) and Larry Cammarata(CAL).

In trades of note, the Giants sent starting 1B B.Long(.236,8,27) to St.Louis for P Bill Canale and 2B Bill Dreher. Long had averaged 30 homers a year the last 4 years but the Mets felt 26yr old T.Ngo(.273,3,17) was the answer at 1B. Canale(9-6,3.65) gives the Mets a #3 starter while Dreher was packaged and sent to Cincy in another deal.

The Whitesox pick up a #3 starter in Richard Desouza(8-8, 3.30). Desousa went 17-8 for the Red Sox in the first year of the league and looked like he would be a great pitcher. However he had been just mediocre the last 3 years for the Twins. In return the Twins got 1B Hyman Barbour who will get a chance to play everyday for the Twins replacing M.Rigney(.278,13,38).

1904 ALLSTAR GAME……………

J.Madrigul of the Whitesox and Brett Millsaps of the Cubs will both be starting their 2nd AS game. Madrigal was the CY winner in the NL in 1901 and 1902 while Millsaps was the league’s only 20-game winner last year. Millsaps(14-2, 1.95) had one of the better 1st halves ever for a pitcher.

The NL jumped on Madrigul for 3 runs in the first 3 innings and went on to defeat the AL 7 to 5. Tony Swatzell (SF) went 3 for 4 and was named the games MVP. Swatzell is a 4-time allstar who has hit 42 homers each of the last 2 years.

TRADE DEADLINE……………

The Cubs made a huge trade at the deadline getting allstar RF Gary Weedman(.295,15,52) from the Braves for their closer S.Bailey. The Cubs will move 31yr old set-up man Matthew Curtiss who had 17 saves last year for the Cubs back into that role.

The Reds traded SP Randy Gordon(9-6, 5.41) who has been the ace of the staff for 5 years to the Angels for Larry Cammarata(11-5, 3.42) who also threw a no-hitter this year.

The Mets sent powerful 3B Raymond Tatham(.250,19,65) to the Dodgers for LF Rubin Rudy(.242,10,54,27sb).

The Orioles didn’t stand on their laurels as they ship SP Paul Sanmiguel to the Red Sox for Gold glove Cfer Richard Stowell(.278,6,34,20sb). Stowell takes over in CF for last years World Series MVP C. Sarvis(.238,6,26) who had been struggling.

PENNANT RACE SUMMARY……….. SEPTEMBER 1, 1904
Baltimore saw a 7 game lead dwindle to a 1.5 game lead over the Tigers, Cleveland(2) and Oakland(4) are still hanging around. In the NL, Cincinnati continues to hold off the Pirates(2.5). While the Cubs and Phillies are only 4 back.

PENNANT SUMMARY END OF SEPTEMBER 1904.…..

The Orioles won 8 straight to end the month and clinched their 3rd straight pennant. In the NL, the Reds holding on to a ½ game lead over the Pirates, will head to New York for 3 games against the Mets while the Pirates are at home for 2 against the Giants. Here is how it played out…….

On October 2nd, the Pirates played an afternoon game and sent 25yr old Thomas Bock(14-9, 3.32) to the mound against Henry Amundson(9-19, 3.65). Amundson if you remember won 2 games for the Orioles in the 1902 World Series but this year is trying not to be a 20-game loser. Bock is a reliever turned starter and has done very well.
On this day it was all Pirates as G.Frasure showed why he is a 2-time MVP going 3 for 5, driving in 4 runs as the Pirates win 10 to 4. And yes Amundson lost his 20th. The Pirates have now won 6 straight.

On the night of the 2nd, the Reds jumped all over Mets starter William Potts(11-11, 4.73) and won 12 to 7 to stay ½ game up on the Pirates.

On October 3rd, the Pirates had a day off and the Mets turned the table on the Reds in a slugfest 11 to 9.
As we go into the final day of the season here are the pitching matchups:

Cincinnati- R.Squire(20-5) vs. K.Drake (13-13, 4.09)
Pittsburgh- R.Stevens(16-12, 4.12) vs. San Francisco- Roy Bridgeman(14-8, 3.15)

Pirate catcher Steven Michalski(.209.22,68) hit a 3-run homer in the 2nd and 5 Giant pitchers made it stand up in a 4 to 3 win. While in New York, Keith Drake shutout the Reds for 8 innings and then hung on for a 4 to 2 win. So both the Pirates and the Reds lose and we have a one game playoff on October 5th.

ONE GAME PLAYOFF PITS 2 TEAMS THAT WON 97 GAMES………

Cincinnati sent its hard throwing strikeout pitcher Kenneth Urbanek(15-10, 3.15). Urbanek is the only pitcher in the league to K 300 hitters in a season which happened last year. He struck out 254 in 237 innings this year.

Pittsburgh countered with finesse pitcher Christian Hibner(13-11, 4.33). Chris was an 18 game winner last year and also went 1-1 in last years World Series so pressure isn’t new to him.

Hibner and the Pirates took a 3-0 lead into the 7th when Adrian Dillman who had entered as a replacement catcher hit’s a 2-run homer to cut the lead to 3 to 2. In the top of the 8th, Fred “Craps” Eastland(.314,21,103) hit another 2-run shot off Hibner and the Reds win 4 to 3. Not all is well in Cincy however as K.Urbanek did leave the deciding game in the 3rd with elbow trouble and is questionable for the Series.

WORLD SERIES PREVIEW……………..

The 2-time defending World Series champs look very similar this year as they are very balanced with the 2nd best pitching and the 3rd best hitting in baseball. The Orioles will send Jamel Trimm(17-10, 2.49) who at 25yrs old is turning into one of the leagues best, also in the starting rotation will be Donnie Desousa(15-9, 3.05) who went 7 strong innings last year in his only Series start. In the #3 slot will be 35yr old Austin Johnson(16-12, 4.47). Austin was the ace of the staff the first two years but now is just an important piece. Johnson is 2-2 in 4 World Series starts. Timm pitched as a 23yr old reliever in 1902’s Series and went 1-0 in 2 starts with a 2.65 era last year.
Hitting wise the Orioles again have the usual case but even better. Matty McIntyre(.306,54,131) joined C.LaChance of the Yankees as the only players to hit 50+ homers in a season. Robert Imes(.322,37,117) joins Mac as the most feared combo in baseball.

Cincinnati has the pitching, finishing just ahead of the Orioles as the 2nd best but their hitting finished 7th.

The Reds finally got off 3 straight 2nd place finishes thanks to pitching. Robert Squier(20-6, 3.00) was tremendous including throwing a no-hitter in June. Kenneth Urbanek will be pitching with a sore elbow, we will have to see how effective he is. And in the #3 spot, Sylvester Allen(16-8, 2.89) who went 0-2 back in the 1900 Series on a losing KC Royals team.
The hitting still has 1B Timothy Setliff(.338,36,100) and RF Fred Eastland(.314,21,103) but it has been better.

Prediction: Orioles win their 3rd straight Series in 6 games.

BALTIMORE 0.……………CINCINNATI 5
Robert Squire pitches a 5-hit shutout, striking out 10.
BALTIMORE 2.……………CINCINNATI 10
1B Timothy Setliff hit his 2 and 3 homers of the Series as the Reds roll. A sore armed Kenneth Urbanek pitched into the 8th and got the win for his gutsy performance.

As the Series switches over to Baltimore, people all over have to be thinking what is with the Orioles.

CINCINNATI 7.……………..BALTIMORE 8
The Orioles jumped out to a quick lead, running S.Allen in the 5th after he had given up 7 runs. But old war horse A.Johnson fared no better giving up 7 runs , 5 earned in just 6.2 innings. The O’s scratched out a run in the bottom of the 7th to hang on for the win. Setliff unbelievably hit his 4th homer in the Series and already has 9 Rbi.
CINCINNATI 1.…………….BALTIMORE 7
This time it was Trimm who dominated, going the distance and striking out 10. Squier also went the distance but gave up 7 runs. SS Robert Reder was the hitting hero going 3 for 4 and driving in 4 with 2 homers. Reder’s output was a surprise in that the most homeruns he has hit in a season is 7 back in 1902.
CINCINNATI 9.…………….BALTIMORE 8
In a slugfest, the Reds hold on to go up 3 games to 2. Urbanek struggled as did D.Desousa both giving up 5 runs thru 6.2 innings. The Reds catcher K.Kuffrey was the player of the game hitting the 1st grand slam in Series history.

As we go back to Cincy, T.Setliff has 11 Rbi in the Series. Baltimore manager says he still likes his chances.

BALTIMORE 6.…………….CINCINNATI 5
Matty McIntyre’s bat finally woke up as his 2nd homer of the day was with 1 out in the top of the 9th to give the Orioles the lead. T.Setliff is the talk of baseball however as he hit his 5th homerun of the Series and now also has 12 rbi. On a side note, S.Allen the Reds starting pitcher was hit by a line drive in the 3rd and left with a broken wrist.
BALTIMORE 3……………..CINCINNATI 4
Game 7 shaped up to be the 3rd matchup between Jamel Tripp and Robert Squier. Both pitchers are as good as you can get.
We went 5 ½ scoreless when Orioles starter J.Tripp bobbles Reds pitcher Squiers grounder to start the 6th. A one out single by 2B Delbert Salazar sent Squiers to 3rd and up to the plate came T.Setliff. After fouling several pitches off on a full count he ripps one to right field that Matty McIntyre makes a diving catch of at the track. Squier tags up however and the Reds break the scoreless tie.
The Reds added 2 in the 7th to lead 3-0 before Matthew Enlow broke up the shutout with a 2-run homer for the Orioles making it 3 to 2. Each team was able to add a run from there but the Reds win 4 to 3.

NOTES……………………
Timothy Setliff had a great series hitting .397 with 5 homers and 13 Rbi. Easily the greatest postseason performance to date. He was named the Series MVP.

AWARD WINNERS…………….1904

AL CY YOUNG Bill Clayton(OAK) (22-8, 2.81)
NL CY YOUNG Brett Millsaps(CHN) (25-5, 2.22)

AL MVP Matty McIntyre(BAL) (.306,54,131)
NL MVP Gerald Frasure(Pit)- (.343,43,122)--- Wins his 3rd straight.

AL ROY Don Turner(Bos)- (.325,20,83)……Just 20yrs old.
NL ROY Terry Ngo(Nym)- (.280,9,52)

AL BATTING- David Robertson(Cha)- (.354)
NL BATTING- Gerald Frasure(Pit)- (.343)

RECORDS BROKEN………………………..

AL HITS DAVID ROBERTSON(CHA)- 206
AL 3B JAMES KERNEY(OAK) 13
AL HR CANDY LACHANCE(NYA) 55
AL RBI MATTY MCINTYRE(BAL) 131
AL WINS BILL CLAYTON(OAK) 22
AL ROOKIE WINS MARVIN HAWLEY(CLE) 13
AL ROOKIE K’S MARVIN HAWLEY(CLE) 131

NL WALKS ANTHONY WILHAM(ATL) 121
NL HIT STREAK KENNETH MCCARTHY(PHI) 23
NL WINS BRETT MILLSAPS(CHI) 25
NL ROOKIE K’S ANTHONY BRADFORS(STL) 199

NEWS AND NOTES…………………..

Nap Lajoie the KC Athletics 24yr old 2B is considered the best prospect in baseball. Nap hit .339 in AA last year with 25 homers. This year he hit .361 with 17 homers at the AAA level before getting the call up. He hit .263 in 95 at-bats for the A’s

William Donovan of the Tigers is considered the best pitching prospect. Donaovan went 13-9 with a 3.52 era at AA this year. He went 15-6 with a 2.47 era last year at A ball.

31yr old SS Edwin Stamant became the 1st player in league history to steal 300 bases and finished the season with 301. He has played his whole career for the Pirates and had a major league record 68 steal in 1901.

The Dodgers announced today that they have fired Tommy Lasorda. Lasorda had a career 370-440 record in 5 years with the Dodgers. Their last place finish was the last straw. They have replaced him with Walter Alston.

The Giants also fired Dusty Baker today. Baker’s best finish was his first year 1900 when the Giants finished with an 81-81 record and in 4th. Baker leaves the Giants with a 384-426 career record. Frank Robinson will be the new manager.

Back to back last place finishes cost Don Baylor his job with the Angels. After finishing 84-78 and in 3rd in 1902, the Angels have went a combined 138-186 the last 2 years. Baylors career record is 385-425.

The Royals let 2-time Manager of the Year Fred Patek go after 3 straight 9th place finishes. Patek guided the Royals to the AL pennant in 1900 winning 92 games and won his 1st MOY award. In 1901 they finished 3rd but with all the injuries the Royals suffered won his 2nd MOY award. Patek’s career record with the Royals was 399-412.

Just 2 months after being let go by the Royals, Fred Patek has been named the manager for the California Angels.

The Royals took Alan Trammell who has spent 5 years managing the Detroit Tigers.

Next up 1905................................

11-08-2004, 02:35 PM	#2
redmachine Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Billings, MT Posts: 145	1904 SEASON PREVIEW………………………… AMERICAN LEAGUE………………….. Baltimore is again going to be the favorite for a repeat. Long time pitching coach Jamaal Long retired but pitching will still be the O’s strong suite. J.Trimm(13-7, 2.65), A.Johnson(16-7, 2.95) and D.Desousa(8-8, 3.44) are back, the offense still has R.Imes(.282,37,83) and M.McIntyre(.297,34,114). Prediction 1st. Oakland has 2 18-game winners in B.Clayton and G.Bibeau along with W.Bertram(12-9,3.57) and M.Elsner(15-12, 4.14). J.Nardi(.320,34,85) will hit 3rd. Prediction: 2nd New York is the only other team we see competing. C.Ly(13-10, 2.97) and D.Leedom(13-12, 2.97) should give just enough pitching for a good young offense led by C.Lachance(.308,43,103), B.Stockstill(.303,25,89), R.Loflin(.318,35,87) and M.Dolin(.315,21,76). Prediction 3rd, may even move up to 2nd. CLEVELAND- Good pitching led by CY YOUNG winner James Bahr(19-7, 2.97) and B.Kleinschmidt(16-10, 3.16). MVP D.Cogdell(.312,48,107) and 3B B.Hunsinger(.357,15,86) will lead the offense. Prediction 4th DETROIT- Look for the Tigers to rebound somewhat under new manager Willie Horton. Pitching could be trouble but F.Jakes(12-14, 3.91) should rebound. J.Obrien(.319,39,100) again will carry the load….Predict: improved from 8th to 5th. MINNESOTA- Trenton Saad(16-10, 3.58) is now 36 and not getting any younger. But a good hitting team led by C K.Longshore(.328,22,73), SS H.Johnson(.307,23,89) and RF C.Victorino(.313,21,81)..Predict 6th CHICAGO(A)- Stud J.Madrigal(14-11, 3.41) and T.Artz(15-7, 3.59) wont keep the Sox from falling this year. 1B D.Robertson(.334,25,107) and CF K.Pugsley(.309,16,64) cant hurt however. Predict: 7th CALIFORNIA- Desptie W.Burford(15-8. 2.96) being a good pitcher the Angels hit just .242 as a team. Prediction 8th BOSTON- The Sox are headed in the wrong direction. J.Barreto(16-9, 3.36 is about it in the rotation. And the team hit just .246 last year. Prediction: 9th KANSAS CITY- Hit .262 as a team but has the worst pitching in the AL. 2B Garland Carrick(.302,21,66,24sb) can only dream about the 1900 team that won the AL. NATIONAL………….. CINCINNATI- Look for the Reds to finally win it after 3 straight 2nd place finishes. K.Urbanek(18-9, 3.08), R.Squier(13-7, 3.55) and R.Gordon(17-7, 3.37) can compete with anyone. T.Setliff(.312,39,113) and F.Eastland(.277,377,103) lead an offense that hit .267 last year. Prediction: 1st PITTSBURGH- The defending NL champs will be in the race till the end. Not quite as good a pitching as the Reds but R.Stevens(18-9, 3.15), H.Ferrer(4-4,2.56), C.Hibner(18-11, 3.50), and P.Sandoz(19-6, 2.75) might have more depth. 2-time MVP G.Frasure(.357,41,109) and H.Hairston(.318,30,103) lead one of the best offenses in the league. Prediciton 2nd. CHICAGO(N)- The Cubs last won the Pennant in 1901 and this year should be in the race. B. Millsaps(20-9, 3.17) was last years only 20 game winner. A. McCoy(16-10,3.10) combines to give the Cubs the pitching they need. R.Salter(.285,21,70), A.Sabb(.270,43,96) and N.Dodson(.284,19,84) will determine how far this team goes. Prediction: 3rd NEW YORK(N)- The Mets won it all in 1900. W.Potts(17-10, 3.31) and K.Drake(12-11, 3.19) need to pitch well for the Mets to contend. B.Townley(.301,25,76) the 1901 MVP and 3B R.Tatham(.278,30,85) are still the straws that stir the drink. 1B B.Long(.253,31,114) will also need to duplicate his numbers this year…Predict 4th PHILADELPHIA- J.Dixon(10-11, 3.37) needs to improve his numbers and R.Fraser(16-12, 3.70) and D.Friedman(14-11, 3.67) need to pitch well for the Phills to be a threat. The bats are solid led by S.Geist(.283,22,77) and 3B J.Jones(.310,19,60). Predict: 5th again. LOS ANGELES- W.Weems(14-3, 2.68) missed 2 ½ months last year but is still a major player. SS S.Leblanc(.333,17,70) however cant do it alone. D.Yeldell(.300,12,77) saw his average drop 73 points after setting a league record with a .373 average in 1902...Predict 6th SAN FRANSICO- H.Amundson(14-10, 3.22) and C.Layfield(11-13, 3.81) give them okay pitching. R.Crews(18-10, 3.28) will be hard pressed to duplicate his 1903 season. The Giants however hit just .235 last year, low in either league. 3B T.Swatzell(.322,42,100) is the lone bright spot…Predict 7th HOUSTON- The Astros have a new manager in Joe Morgan and some decent pitching in A.Middleton(15-12, 2.79), J.Johnson(12-13, 3.56) and youngster J.Castellano(6-9, 3.75). Their hitting is dreadful however. On a side note, last years #2 pick overall J.Kling won the catching job and will leadoff…Predict 8th ST.LOUIS- A new manager in Lou Brock wont make this team hit. Young pitcher J.King(12-7, 3.33) is a solid prospect. 31yr old C M.McCreary(.269,26,85) is still capable… Prediction 9th for 3rd straight year. ATLANTA- Also with a new manager in Davey Johnson. He may want to give the job back after the year ends as the Braves were not a very good hitting team and the pitching was the worst in the league…. Predict 10th. 1904 ALLSTAR BREAK SUMMARY Baltimore again sits atop the AL with a 47-35 record. As expected, Cleveland(1) and New York(2.5) are still in the hunt. Detroit has been playing as good as anyone lately and is just 3 back. KC has also been a surprise and is 1.5 back. Oakland has been the biggest disappointment despite B.Clayton(13-3, 3.09) having a great year. The Cubs, Reds and Pirates are at the top where expected. Chicago leads Cincy by 2 and PIT by 2.5, New York has been a dissapointment falling 8.5 back. NEWS AND NOTES……….. Three pitchers have already thrown no-hitters, Greg Bibeau(OAK), Robert Squier(CIN) and Larry Cammarata(CAL). In trades of note, the Giants sent starting 1B B.Long(.236,8,27) to St.Louis for P Bill Canale and 2B Bill Dreher. Long had averaged 30 homers a year the last 4 years but the Mets felt 26yr old T.Ngo(.273,3,17) was the answer at 1B. Canale(9-6,3.65) gives the Mets a #3 starter while Dreher was packaged and sent to Cincy in another deal. The Whitesox pick up a #3 starter in Richard Desouza(8-8, 3.30). Desousa went 17-8 for the Red Sox in the first year of the league and looked like he would be a great pitcher. However he had been just mediocre the last 3 years for the Twins. In return the Twins got 1B Hyman Barbour who will get a chance to play everyday for the Twins replacing M.Rigney(.278,13,38). 1904 ALLSTAR GAME…………… J.Madrigul of the Whitesox and Brett Millsaps of the Cubs will both be starting their 2nd AS game. Madrigal was the CY winner in the NL in 1901 and 1902 while Millsaps was the league’s only 20-game winner last year. Millsaps(14-2, 1.95) had one of the better 1st halves ever for a pitcher. The NL jumped on Madrigul for 3 runs in the first 3 innings and went on to defeat the AL 7 to 5. Tony Swatzell (SF) went 3 for 4 and was named the games MVP. Swatzell is a 4-time allstar who has hit 42 homers each of the last 2 years. TRADE DEADLINE…………… The Cubs made a huge trade at the deadline getting allstar RF Gary Weedman(.295,15,52) from the Braves for their closer S.Bailey. The Cubs will move 31yr old set-up man Matthew Curtiss who had 17 saves last year for the Cubs back into that role. The Reds traded SP Randy Gordon(9-6, 5.41) who has been the ace of the staff for 5 years to the Angels for Larry Cammarata(11-5, 3.42) who also threw a no-hitter this year. The Mets sent powerful 3B Raymond Tatham(.250,19,65) to the Dodgers for LF Rubin Rudy(.242,10,54,27sb). The Orioles didn’t stand on their laurels as they ship SP Paul Sanmiguel to the Red Sox for Gold glove Cfer Richard Stowell(.278,6,34,20sb). Stowell takes over in CF for last years World Series MVP C. Sarvis(.238,6,26) who had been struggling. PENNANT RACE SUMMARY……….. SEPTEMBER 1, 1904 Baltimore saw a 7 game lead dwindle to a 1.5 game lead over the Tigers, Cleveland(2) and Oakland(4) are still hanging around. In the NL, Cincinnati continues to hold off the Pirates(2.5). While the Cubs and Phillies are only 4 back. PENNANT SUMMARY END OF SEPTEMBER 1904.….. The Orioles won 8 straight to end the month and clinched their 3rd straight pennant. In the NL, the Reds holding on to a ½ game lead over the Pirates, will head to New York for 3 games against the Mets while the Pirates are at home for 2 against the Giants. Here is how it played out……. On October 2nd, the Pirates played an afternoon game and sent 25yr old Thomas Bock(14-9, 3.32) to the mound against Henry Amundson(9-19, 3.65). Amundson if you remember won 2 games for the Orioles in the 1902 World Series but this year is trying not to be a 20-game loser. Bock is a reliever turned starter and has done very well. On this day it was all Pirates as G.Frasure showed why he is a 2-time MVP going 3 for 5, driving in 4 runs as the Pirates win 10 to 4. And yes Amundson lost his 20th. The Pirates have now won 6 straight. On the night of the 2nd, the Reds jumped all over Mets starter William Potts(11-11, 4.73) and won 12 to 7 to stay ½ game up on the Pirates. On October 3rd, the Pirates had a day off and the Mets turned the table on the Reds in a slugfest 11 to 9. As we go into the final day of the season here are the pitching matchups: Cincinnati- R.Squire(20-5) vs. K.Drake (13-13, 4.09) Pittsburgh- R.Stevens(16-12, 4.12) vs. San Francisco- Roy Bridgeman(14-8, 3.15) Pirate catcher Steven Michalski(.209.22,68) hit a 3-run homer in the 2nd and 5 Giant pitchers made it stand up in a 4 to 3 win. While in New York, Keith Drake shutout the Reds for 8 innings and then hung on for a 4 to 2 win. So both the Pirates and the Reds lose and we have a one game playoff on October 5th. ONE GAME PLAYOFF PITS 2 TEAMS THAT WON 97 GAMES……… Cincinnati sent its hard throwing strikeout pitcher Kenneth Urbanek(15-10, 3.15). Urbanek is the only pitcher in the league to K 300 hitters in a season which happened last year. He struck out 254 in 237 innings this year. Pittsburgh countered with finesse pitcher Christian Hibner(13-11, 4.33). Chris was an 18 game winner last year and also went 1-1 in last years World Series so pressure isn’t new to him. Hibner and the Pirates took a 3-0 lead into the 7th when Adrian Dillman who had entered as a replacement catcher hit’s a 2-run homer to cut the lead to 3 to 2. In the top of the 8th, Fred “Craps” Eastland(.314,21,103) hit another 2-run shot off Hibner and the Reds win 4 to 3. Not all is well in Cincy however as K.Urbanek did leave the deciding game in the 3rd with elbow trouble and is questionable for the Series. WORLD SERIES PREVIEW…………….. The 2-time defending World Series champs look very similar this year as they are very balanced with the 2nd best pitching and the 3rd best hitting in baseball. The Orioles will send Jamel Trimm(17-10, 2.49) who at 25yrs old is turning into one of the leagues best, also in the starting rotation will be Donnie Desousa(15-9, 3.05) who went 7 strong innings last year in his only Series start. In the #3 slot will be 35yr old Austin Johnson(16-12, 4.47). Austin was the ace of the staff the first two years but now is just an important piece. Johnson is 2-2 in 4 World Series starts. Timm pitched as a 23yr old reliever in 1902’s Series and went 1-0 in 2 starts with a 2.65 era last year. Hitting wise the Orioles again have the usual case but even better. Matty McIntyre(.306,54,131) joined C.LaChance of the Yankees as the only players to hit 50+ homers in a season. Robert Imes(.322,37,117) joins Mac as the most feared combo in baseball. Cincinnati has the pitching, finishing just ahead of the Orioles as the 2nd best but their hitting finished 7th. The Reds finally got off 3 straight 2nd place finishes thanks to pitching. Robert Squier(20-6, 3.00) was tremendous including throwing a no-hitter in June. Kenneth Urbanek will be pitching with a sore elbow, we will have to see how effective he is. And in the #3 spot, Sylvester Allen(16-8, 2.89) who went 0-2 back in the 1900 Series on a losing KC Royals team. The hitting still has 1B Timothy Setliff(.338,36,100) and RF Fred Eastland(.314,21,103) but it has been better. Prediction: Orioles win their 3rd straight Series in 6 games. BALTIMORE 0.……………CINCINNATI 5 Robert Squire pitches a 5-hit shutout, striking out 10. BALTIMORE 2.……………CINCINNATI 10 1B Timothy Setliff hit his 2 and 3 homers of the Series as the Reds roll. A sore armed Kenneth Urbanek pitched into the 8th and got the win for his gutsy performance. As the Series switches over to Baltimore, people all over have to be thinking what is with the Orioles. CINCINNATI 7.……………..BALTIMORE 8 The Orioles jumped out to a quick lead, running S.Allen in the 5th after he had given up 7 runs. But old war horse A.Johnson fared no better giving up 7 runs , 5 earned in just 6.2 innings. The O’s scratched out a run in the bottom of the 7th to hang on for the win. Setliff unbelievably hit his 4th homer in the Series and already has 9 Rbi. CINCINNATI 1.…………….BALTIMORE 7 This time it was Trimm who dominated, going the distance and striking out 10. Squier also went the distance but gave up 7 runs. SS Robert Reder was the hitting hero going 3 for 4 and driving in 4 with 2 homers. Reder’s output was a surprise in that the most homeruns he has hit in a season is 7 back in 1902. CINCINNATI 9.…………….BALTIMORE 8 In a slugfest, the Reds hold on to go up 3 games to 2. Urbanek struggled as did D.Desousa both giving up 5 runs thru 6.2 innings. The Reds catcher K.Kuffrey was the player of the game hitting the 1st grand slam in Series history. As we go back to Cincy, T.Setliff has 11 Rbi in the Series. Baltimore manager says he still likes his chances. BALTIMORE 6.…………….CINCINNATI 5 Matty McIntyre’s bat finally woke up as his 2nd homer of the day was with 1 out in the top of the 9th to give the Orioles the lead. T.Setliff is the talk of baseball however as he hit his 5th homerun of the Series and now also has 12 rbi. On a side note, S.Allen the Reds starting pitcher was hit by a line drive in the 3rd and left with a broken wrist. BALTIMORE 3……………..CINCINNATI 4 Game 7 shaped up to be the 3rd matchup between Jamel Tripp and Robert Squier. Both pitchers are as good as you can get. We went 5 ½ scoreless when Orioles starter J.Tripp bobbles Reds pitcher Squiers grounder to start the 6th. A one out single by 2B Delbert Salazar sent Squiers to 3rd and up to the plate came T.Setliff. After fouling several pitches off on a full count he ripps one to right field that Matty McIntyre makes a diving catch of at the track. Squier tags up however and the Reds break the scoreless tie. The Reds added 2 in the 7th to lead 3-0 before Matthew Enlow broke up the shutout with a 2-run homer for the Orioles making it 3 to 2. Each team was able to add a run from there but the Reds win 4 to 3. NOTES…………………… Timothy Setliff had a great series hitting .397 with 5 homers and 13 Rbi. Easily the greatest postseason performance to date. He was named the Series MVP. AWARD WINNERS…………….1904 AL CY YOUNG Bill Clayton(OAK) (22-8, 2.81) NL CY YOUNG Brett Millsaps(CHN) (25-5, 2.22) AL MVP Matty McIntyre(BAL) (.306,54,131) NL MVP Gerald Frasure(Pit)- (.343,43,122)--- Wins his 3rd straight. AL ROY Don Turner(Bos)- (.325,20,83)……Just 20yrs old. NL ROY Terry Ngo(Nym)- (.280,9,52) AL BATTING- David Robertson(Cha)- (.354) NL BATTING- Gerald Frasure(Pit)- (.343) RECORDS BROKEN……………………….. AL HITS DAVID ROBERTSON(CHA)- 206 AL 3B JAMES KERNEY(OAK) 13 AL HR CANDY LACHANCE(NYA) 55 AL RBI MATTY MCINTYRE(BAL) 131 AL WINS BILL CLAYTON(OAK) 22 AL ROOKIE WINS MARVIN HAWLEY(CLE) 13 AL ROOKIE K’S MARVIN HAWLEY(CLE) 131 NL WALKS ANTHONY WILHAM(ATL) 121 NL HIT STREAK KENNETH MCCARTHY(PHI) 23 NL WINS BRETT MILLSAPS(CHI) 25 NL ROOKIE K’S ANTHONY BRADFORS(STL) 199 NEWS AND NOTES………………….. Nap Lajoie the KC Athletics 24yr old 2B is considered the best prospect in baseball. Nap hit .339 in AA last year with 25 homers. This year he hit .361 with 17 homers at the AAA level before getting the call up. He hit .263 in 95 at-bats for the A’s William Donovan of the Tigers is considered the best pitching prospect. Donaovan went 13-9 with a 3.52 era at AA this year. He went 15-6 with a 2.47 era last year at A ball. 31yr old SS Edwin Stamant became the 1st player in league history to steal 300 bases and finished the season with 301. He has played his whole career for the Pirates and had a major league record 68 steal in 1901. The Dodgers announced today that they have fired Tommy Lasorda. Lasorda had a career 370-440 record in 5 years with the Dodgers. Their last place finish was the last straw. They have replaced him with Walter Alston. The Giants also fired Dusty Baker today. Baker’s best finish was his first year 1900 when the Giants finished with an 81-81 record and in 4th. Baker leaves the Giants with a 384-426 career record. Frank Robinson will be the new manager. Back to back last place finishes cost Don Baylor his job with the Angels. After finishing 84-78 and in 3rd in 1902, the Angels have went a combined 138-186 the last 2 years. Baylors career record is 385-425. The Royals let 2-time Manager of the Year Fred Patek go after 3 straight 9th place finishes. Patek guided the Royals to the AL pennant in 1900 winning 92 games and won his 1st MOY award. In 1901 they finished 3rd but with all the injuries the Royals suffered won his 2nd MOY award. Patek’s career record with the Royals was 399-412. Just 2 months after being let go by the Royals, Fred Patek has been named the manager for the California Angels. The Royals took Alan Trammell who has spent 5 years managing the Detroit Tigers. Next up 1905................................