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Old 06-06-2019, 11:37 PM   #7
The_Myth
Minors (Double A)
 
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: World
Posts: 172
April 3, 1984

Time for our opener in Atlanta. But first, expectations:

Essentially, I want to be in the mix. After winning the National League in 1983, we’re trying to get younger but stay close enough to contention. I’m not gullible here - I know this team has weak spots, and specifically the corner outfielders, first base, possibly the middle infield, and maybe the bullpen. Okay, maybe a lot of weak spots. I’m not expecting the postseason this year, but I think we can turn it around quickly.

Will we sell? Maybe. Depends on how poorly it’s going, but I’m not going to trade pieces that can help me win in 1985. I couldn’t see a John Denny trade down the line, for example, but I could definitely see a Bo Diaz or Sixto Lezcano trade, even if those returns aren’t very strong. Also, if we’re like five games back on July 1, I’m not throwing in any towels. Fifteen games back, however …

***

With Atlanta throwing righty Pascual Perez out there for the first one, here’s my opening day lineup and roster:

1. Von Hayes - CF
2. Greg Gross - LF
3. Mike Schmidt - 3B
4. Joe Lefebvre - RF
5. Juan Samuel - 2B
6. Len Matuszek - 1B
7. Bo Diaz - C
8. Ivan de Jesus - SS
9. Steve Carlton - SP

Bench: John Wockenfuss - C/1B, John W Russell - C/1B/LF/RF, Kiko Garcia - SS/2B/3B, Glenn Wilson - LF/RF, Garry Maddox - CF, Sixto Lezcano - RF/LF

Starting Rotation: John Denny - SP, Charles Hudson - SP, Jerry Koosman - SP, Kevin Gross - SP

Bullpen: Al Holland - RP, Bill Campbell - RP, Larry Andersen - RP, Tug McGraw - RP, Steve Mura - RP, Dave Wehrmeister - RP

I’ll play a few platoons (left / right) to start the season: left field (Gross / Wilson), right field (Lefebvre / Lezcano), and first base (Matuszek / Wockenfuss). Hayes, Schmidt, and Samuel will play just about every day, while de Jesus will get sporadic days off, and Diaz will play every couple games before being subbed out by either Wockenfuss or Russell. As the season continues, I’d like to give more playing time to the younger guys (Wilson and Russell especially).

***


Game 1984-1 - Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium: Phillies 7, Braves 4 (11 innings) / 1-0

After surrendering three first-inning runs, Steve Carlton hunkers down and throws 116 pitches in a nine-inning, seven-strikeout performance. We tie it in the seventh thanks to a two-run Von Hayes single, then win it in extras with a Mike Schmidt homer, plus a few more hits.

April 4, 1984

After waiving both Mark Corey and Max Venable (minor league free-agent signings before spring training), both players clear, so I release them. Would rather they get a shot somewhere else than to languish in extended spring training.

Game 1984-2 - Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium: Phillies 3, Braves 2 / 2-0

John Denny’s first start after winning the Cy Young is a 119-pitch effort in which he goes eight and surrenders 11 hits, nine of them singles. Joe Lefebvre gets a big early hit to put the Phils ahead for good.

April 5, 1984

Good news: Larry Andersen has signed the offered contract extension of two years at $300,000 per. That takes care of one of my owner goals.

April 6, 1984


Game 1984-3 - Riverfront Stadium: Phillies 2, Reds 1 / 3-0

In a tight one, Charles Hudson goes eight, giving up just five hits while striking out four. Mike Schmidt hits his second home run, and Len Matuszek adds a solo shot. We’re 3-0, and Al Holland has three saves.

Meanwhile, after three games all of the NL East teams are above .500, while all the NL West teams are below .500.

April 7, 1984

Game 1984-4 - Riverfront Stadium: Reds 7, Phillies 6 / 3-1

Plenty of fight from my offense, including a three-hit day from Juan Samuel (including his first home run of the season).

April 8, 1984

Game 1984-5 - Riverfront Stadium: Reds 7, Phillies 6 (10) / 3-2

Larry Andersen unfortunately lets up the winning run, but we had chances to win it. Meanwhile, Kevin Gross doesn’t pitch too well (3 IP, 5 ER, 6 H, 1 K, 1 BB), but John Russell hits two homers in his first start of 1984.

April 9, 1984

An off day before the home opener. We’re ranked 13th in the first power rankings, or right in the middle. The top five:

1. Milwaukee Brewers - 5-0
2. St. Louis Cardinals - 5-0
3. Pittsburgh Pirates - 4-1
4. Montreal Expos - 4-1
5. Toronto Blue Jays - 4-1

The NL East has started out hot.

Last edited by The_Myth; 06-06-2019 at 11:41 PM.
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