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

The_Myth · 06-21-2019, 06:49 PM

June 11, 1984

I’ll give it another couple weeks trying to fit Garry Maddox into the lineup. Von Hayes should play nearly every day, but I want to start playing him in a corner (preferably left field, far from the ball). That means less time for Glenn Wilson and Greg Gross, so again, gotta be nimble. Maybe Wilson gets some right field time in, and considering both Sixto Lezcano and Joe Lefebvre aren’t high in my plans, I can take this short-term indignation. Also, Maddox is hitting .188/.206/.250. Essentially we’re going to see if there’s anything left in the tank; if not, I’ll have to make a really tough decision.

Game 1984-61 - Veterans Stadium: POSTPONED.

June 12, 1984

We have a doubleheader now. Today, Kelly Downs makes his major league debut in game two. Steve Carlton goes first.

Game 1984-61 - Veterans Stadium: Cardinals 10, Phillies 8 / 26-35

The game gets away from us completely, which is a shame, because we score five runs in the ninth. Dave Wehrmeister has a 4.25 ERA with 17 strikeouts and 14 walks - his days might be numbered.

Game 1984-62 - Veterans Stadium: Cardinals 6, Phillies 4 (14) / 26-36

A really frustrating game. Tied at two. Cardinals score in the ninth, but we tie it. Cardinals score in the 13th, but we tie it. Cardinals score two in the 14th, and no dice. Kelly Downs pitches well (8.1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 5 K, 4 BB) but inexplicably is in the game in the ninth - something I’ll have to address with Paul Owens. Schmidty goes 0-for-6 - he’s 1 for his last 13. As bad as it’s been all season.

June 13, 1984

Game 1984-63 - Veterans Stadium: Cardinals 6, Phillies 1 / 26-37

Joaquin Andujar handles us with a complete game performance. Meanwhile, Charles Hudson allows six runs and goes into the eighth inning. Sweet. Apparently Owens doesn’t want me messing with starter hooks, so I may have to resort to setting pitch counts. I don’t want to do that, but maybe …

We’re now 10 back of first-place St. Louis, who is 36-27. We’re 2.5 behind the Cubs, who we get in a four-game series at Wrigley.

June 14, 1984

Let’s check in with our minor league squads.

At AAA Portland, Mike Diaz has a .312/.374/.551 mark with 24 XBH in 227 plate appearances. He has primarily played third base (and well, at that, with a +1.8 ZR) and is begging to be promoted. I’d need to get him suitable playing time if he comes up, so it’s hard to say yes just now. Meanwhile, Darren Daulton (.265/.388/.426, 14 XBH, 196 PA, +0.0 ZR, 7 PB) is looking like a mid-season callup; one trade away.

At AA Reading, starter John Machin looks close to a AAA assignment (72 IP, 3.13 ERA, 2.7 K/BB, 6.4 K/9). Plus, good stuff from reliever John McLarnan (7.3 K/9), who was promoted recently, and Arturo Gonzalez (7.4 K/9), who hadn’t pitched professionally since 1980. As for CF Todd Soares: growing pains (50 PA, .150/.320/.300, 2 XBH). LF Willie Darkis, however, is ready for a promotion (237 PA, .317/.363/.546, 25 XBH).

LF Willie Darkis promoted to AAA Portland
RF Bobby Mitchell demoted to AA Reading

Darkis, 24, will assume left field in Portland, while Jeff Stone slides into center field so he can build up some position flexibility (currently a 20 in CF with 45 OF range, 35 OF error, 45 OF arm, but a +5.2 ZR in LF). In Reading, 21-year-old Jim Olander moves to left field, his natural position.

At A Peninsula, outfielders Keith Hughes (274 PA, .326/.409/.534, 28 XBH) and Kevin Ward (275 PA, .321/.393/.469, 21 XBH) are both about ready to move (Hughes, especially), but I’ll give them another two weeks or so. 3B Greg Jelks (263 PA, .266/.319/.508, 28 XBH) and his ridiculous power should also move up soon. And we’re close to promoting starter Jim Olson (106.1 IP, 3.13 ERA, 1.8 K/BB, 5.3 K/9). I imagine all the Peninsula promotions will come shortly.

The Peninsula squad has more 21-23-year-olds ready to jump to AA, while A Spartanburg primarily has talent closer to age 20, with a good deal of my 1984 draft class here. Of pitchers, I can see Tim Belcher moving to AA Reading quickest, as he’s 22 and, in 75 innings, has a 3.24 ERA with 50 Ks and 20 BBs. Offensively 2B Keith Miller could move quickest (235 PA, .324/.383/.441, 18 XBH).

At any rate, rookie ball begins June 25-26. That’s about two weeks away, and will be when I’ll decide on a bunch more players’ fates.

And now to start a series in Wrigley. Game one is against rookie lefty Jamie Moyer, who only went two and change his last time (and first time) out. Schmidty better light him up.

Game 1984-64: Wrigley Field - Phillies 6, Cubs 5 (10) / 27-37

Al Holland blows it by giving up a three-run, game-tying homer with two outs in the ninth to Ryne Sandberg. Luckily, Juan Samuel knocks the biggest hit of his young career right afterward, a solo shot in the 10th that ultimately wins it. John Russell adds a homer, as does - you’re damn right - Schmidty.

And congrats to the White Sox’s Greg Luzinski, who later in the night hit his 300th career home run.

June 15, 1984

Moving Joe Lefebvre up to the three-hole, as his OBP is above .350, and we could always use more guys on base.

Game 1984-65: Wrigley Field - Phillies 10, Cubs 1 / 28-37

How about this one? Schmidt hits another, while Bo Diaz adds two, part of a five-RBI afternoon. Fifteen hits in total for the good guys, and Kevin Gross goes a solid 6.1 IP (6 H, 1 ER, 8 K, 2 BB).

June 16, 1984

Game 1984-66: Wrigley Field - Cubs 7, Phillies 6 / 28-38

Our 5-0 evaporates in the seventh and eighth, naturally. Dave Wehrmeister can’t hold the lead, and with a 5.02 ERA, the 31-year-old journeyman can no longer hold his major league roster spot. Time to give someone young a shot.

June 17, 1984

Game 1984-67: Wrigley Field - Cubs 6, Phillies 1 / 28-39

After the series starts promising, it ends with a thud. Kelly Downs leaves a few too many hangers, as he allows five runs in 5.1 IP, and Leon Durham goes 3-for-3 with 2 RBI.

After the game, we make a move:

RP Don Carman promoted to MLB Philadelphia
RP Dave Wehrmeister placed on irrevocable waivers

Wehrmeister is out of options, but I’m not concerned about that. Time for some fresh blood in the majors, and by limiting his walks, Carman deserves it (26 IP, 2.08 ERA, 23 K, 11 BB).

Scouting report: Carman, 24, is a medium-build pitcher at 6’3” and 195 pounds, throwing sidearm. He has a good fastball (55/55) that runs around 90 mph, backing that up with an equally effective, biting changeup (55/55). Because of the delivery, he can deceive simply with those two pitches. He also throws a sinker, more of a change-of-pace pitch (45/45). It’s a good package (60/60 stuff) and it will get outs, but the lack of a horizontal pitch stands out, as he is prone to the long ball (35/35 movement). Ultimately, Carman is likely a middle reliever with the opportunity to pitch higher-leverage situations at his peak.

The new power rankings puts us 23rd. Here’s the top-five:

1. Toronto Blue Jays - 47-20
2. Pittsburgh Pirates - 39-28
3. Detroit Tigers - 40-24
4. St. Louis Cardinals - 39-28
5. Los Angeles Dodgers - 39-30

As you can tell, the Jays handled the Tigers once again. They’re starting to run away.

06-21-2019, 06:49 PM	#17
The_Myth Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: World Posts: 172	June 11, 1984 I’ll give it another couple weeks trying to fit Garry Maddox into the lineup. Von Hayes should play nearly every day, but I want to start playing him in a corner (preferably left field, far from the ball). That means less time for Glenn Wilson and Greg Gross, so again, gotta be nimble. Maybe Wilson gets some right field time in, and considering both Sixto Lezcano and Joe Lefebvre aren’t high in my plans, I can take this short-term indignation. Also, Maddox is hitting .188/.206/.250. Essentially we’re going to see if there’s anything left in the tank; if not, I’ll have to make a really tough decision. Game 1984-61 - Veterans Stadium: POSTPONED. June 12, 1984 We have a doubleheader now. Today, Kelly Downs makes his major league debut in game two. Steve Carlton goes first. Game 1984-61 - Veterans Stadium: Cardinals 10, Phillies 8 / 26-35 The game gets away from us completely, which is a shame, because we score five runs in the ninth. Dave Wehrmeister has a 4.25 ERA with 17 strikeouts and 14 walks - his days might be numbered. Game 1984-62 - Veterans Stadium: Cardinals 6, Phillies 4 (14) / 26-36 A really frustrating game. Tied at two. Cardinals score in the ninth, but we tie it. Cardinals score in the 13th, but we tie it. Cardinals score two in the 14th, and no dice. Kelly Downs pitches well (8.1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 5 K, 4 BB) but inexplicably is in the game in the ninth - something I’ll have to address with Paul Owens. Schmidty goes 0-for-6 - he’s 1 for his last 13. As bad as it’s been all season. June 13, 1984 Game 1984-63 - Veterans Stadium: Cardinals 6, Phillies 1 / 26-37 Joaquin Andujar handles us with a complete game performance. Meanwhile, Charles Hudson allows six runs and goes into the eighth inning. Sweet. Apparently Owens doesn’t want me messing with starter hooks, so I may have to resort to setting pitch counts. I don’t want to do that, but maybe … We’re now 10 back of first-place St. Louis, who is 36-27. We’re 2.5 behind the Cubs, who we get in a four-game series at Wrigley. June 14, 1984 Let’s check in with our minor league squads. At AAA Portland, Mike Diaz has a .312/.374/.551 mark with 24 XBH in 227 plate appearances. He has primarily played third base (and well, at that, with a +1.8 ZR) and is begging to be promoted. I’d need to get him suitable playing time if he comes up, so it’s hard to say yes just now. Meanwhile, Darren Daulton (.265/.388/.426, 14 XBH, 196 PA, +0.0 ZR, 7 PB) is looking like a mid-season callup; one trade away. At AA Reading, starter John Machin looks close to a AAA assignment (72 IP, 3.13 ERA, 2.7 K/BB, 6.4 K/9). Plus, good stuff from reliever John McLarnan (7.3 K/9), who was promoted recently, and Arturo Gonzalez (7.4 K/9), who hadn’t pitched professionally since 1980. As for CF Todd Soares: growing pains (50 PA, .150/.320/.300, 2 XBH). LF Willie Darkis, however, is ready for a promotion (237 PA, .317/.363/.546, 25 XBH). LF Willie Darkis promoted to AAA Portland RF Bobby Mitchell demoted to AA Reading Darkis, 24, will assume left field in Portland, while Jeff Stone slides into center field so he can build up some position flexibility (currently a 20 in CF with 45 OF range, 35 OF error, 45 OF arm, but a +5.2 ZR in LF). In Reading, 21-year-old Jim Olander moves to left field, his natural position. At A Peninsula, outfielders Keith Hughes (274 PA, .326/.409/.534, 28 XBH) and Kevin Ward (275 PA, .321/.393/.469, 21 XBH) are both about ready to move (Hughes, especially), but I’ll give them another two weeks or so. 3B Greg Jelks (263 PA, .266/.319/.508, 28 XBH) and his ridiculous power should also move up soon. And we’re close to promoting starter Jim Olson (106.1 IP, 3.13 ERA, 1.8 K/BB, 5.3 K/9). I imagine all the Peninsula promotions will come shortly. The Peninsula squad has more 21-23-year-olds ready to jump to AA, while A Spartanburg primarily has talent closer to age 20, with a good deal of my 1984 draft class here. Of pitchers, I can see Tim Belcher moving to AA Reading quickest, as he’s 22 and, in 75 innings, has a 3.24 ERA with 50 Ks and 20 BBs. Offensively 2B Keith Miller could move quickest (235 PA, .324/.383/.441, 18 XBH). At any rate, rookie ball begins June 25-26. That’s about two weeks away, and will be when I’ll decide on a bunch more players’ fates. And now to start a series in Wrigley. Game one is against rookie lefty Jamie Moyer, who only went two and change his last time (and first time) out. Schmidty better light him up. Game 1984-64: Wrigley Field - Phillies 6, Cubs 5 (10) / 27-37 Al Holland blows it by giving up a three-run, game-tying homer with two outs in the ninth to Ryne Sandberg. Luckily, Juan Samuel knocks the biggest hit of his young career right afterward, a solo shot in the 10th that ultimately wins it. John Russell adds a homer, as does - you’re damn right - Schmidty. And congrats to the White Sox’s Greg Luzinski, who later in the night hit his 300th career home run. June 15, 1984 Moving Joe Lefebvre up to the three-hole, as his OBP is above .350, and we could always use more guys on base. Game 1984-65: Wrigley Field - Phillies 10, Cubs 1 / 28-37 How about this one? Schmidt hits another, while Bo Diaz adds two, part of a five-RBI afternoon. Fifteen hits in total for the good guys, and Kevin Gross goes a solid 6.1 IP (6 H, 1 ER, 8 K, 2 BB). June 16, 1984 Game 1984-66: Wrigley Field - Cubs 7, Phillies 6 / 28-38 Our 5-0 evaporates in the seventh and eighth, naturally. Dave Wehrmeister can’t hold the lead, and with a 5.02 ERA, the 31-year-old journeyman can no longer hold his major league roster spot. Time to give someone young a shot. June 17, 1984 Game 1984-67: Wrigley Field - Cubs 6, Phillies 1 / 28-39 After the series starts promising, it ends with a thud. Kelly Downs leaves a few too many hangers, as he allows five runs in 5.1 IP, and Leon Durham goes 3-for-3 with 2 RBI. After the game, we make a move: RP Don Carman promoted to MLB Philadelphia RP Dave Wehrmeister placed on irrevocable waivers Wehrmeister is out of options, but I’m not concerned about that. Time for some fresh blood in the majors, and by limiting his walks, Carman deserves it (26 IP, 2.08 ERA, 23 K, 11 BB). Scouting report: Carman, 24, is a medium-build pitcher at 6’3” and 195 pounds, throwing sidearm. He has a good fastball (55/55) that runs around 90 mph, backing that up with an equally effective, biting changeup (55/55). Because of the delivery, he can deceive simply with those two pitches. He also throws a sinker, more of a change-of-pace pitch (45/45). It’s a good package (60/60 stuff) and it will get outs, but the lack of a horizontal pitch stands out, as he is prone to the long ball (35/35 movement). Ultimately, Carman is likely a middle reliever with the opportunity to pitch higher-leverage situations at his peak. The new power rankings puts us 23rd. Here’s the top-five: 1. Toronto Blue Jays - 47-20 2. Pittsburgh Pirates - 39-28 3. Detroit Tigers - 40-24 4. St. Louis Cardinals - 39-28 5. Los Angeles Dodgers - 39-30 As you can tell, the Jays handled the Tigers once again. They’re starting to run away.