OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - The 1977 Kansas City Royals (a groovy do-over)

webrian · 05-27-2019, 04:35 PM

***

AROUND THE LEAGUE:

ST. LOUIS: — The scuffling St. Louis Cardinals (47-48) didn’t need more bad news but they got it anyway. Starting pitcher John Denny tore a back muscle (probably from trying to carry this team) and will miss the rest of the season. Then again, it could be addition by subtraction: Denny was 5-11 with a 4.64 ERA.

CHICAGO — The White Sox have lost patience with their 1977 chances and with LHP Ken Brett (5-11, 6.28), who is NOT the George Brett of left-handed pitchers it turns out. The Sox have shipped the lefty to Montreal for a trio of minor leaguers you’ve never heard of in your life. // The Sox also shipped right-handed reliever Bart Johnson (0-2, 5 saves, 3.13) to the New York Yankees for a 22-year old kid named Doug Heinhold.

DETROIT — The Tigers also went prospect shopping. They traded switch-hitting 2B’man Tito Fuentes to the Oakland A’s in exchange for a minor league catcher and a younger switch-hitting 2B’man named Larry Murray.

TORONTO — Who says a first-year organization can’t make rookie mistakes? The Toronto Blue Jays just got hornswoggled in a deal with the Texas Rangers. They sent past legend Ron Fairly and future legend Jesse Barfield (he’s 17, people) to the Rangers for three minor leaguers, including 22 year-old David Clyde and his shattered right arm. Fairly is batting .282 with 14 HRs. Said Toronto GM Garrett McLaren of the deal: “We have gone back to the drawing board five or six times in the past few weeks. I’m glad we finally got the deal done. I think it is a good deal for both teams.”

Note to Toronto owners: Fire Garrett McLaren right now.

Ok, folks. Back to the action on the field!

***

Game 94, Sunday July 24, 1977 ~

At New York

Royals 5, Yankees 4

WP: Steve Renko (6-6, 4.84 ERA); LP: Dock Ellis (9-4, 2.84); Sv: Mark Littell (8, 6.59)

The Royals jumped on Dock Ellis for five runs in the first inning, then nervously held on as the Bronx Bombers chipped away.

Amos Otis’ 2-run triple in the first was the big blow for KC. It looked like the Yanks would have no choice but to get Ellis out of there. But no. They left him in, he settled down and the Yankees almost came back to win it.

Steve “Wreck It” Renko allowed just 2 runs on 6 hits over seven innings. Mark Littell got the two-inning save, but not before giving up a 2-run HR to Graig Nettles (his league-leading 32nd) in the ninth. Bucky Dent hit his 11th homer of the season off of Renko in the third inning.

Yankees’ RF’er Reggie Jackson missed the game with a strained hamstring. His status is doubtful for Monday’s game as well.

***

Game 95, Monday July 25, 1977 ~

At New York

Yankees 5, Royals 3

WP: Don Gullett (9-6, 3.81); LP: Marty Pattin (5-2, 4.22); Sv: Bart Johnson (2, 0.00*)

* Since joining Yankees

Mickey Rivers and Graig Nettles hit two doubles apiece and Don Gullett allowed just 4 hits over 7.1 innings of work to lift the Yankees in this one.

George Brett also banged a couple of doubles, including a 2-run double in the fourth inning, but it just wasn’t enough. With the addition of Bart Johnson, the Yankees have an embarrassment of riches in their bullpen. Kansas City only has an embarrassment.

KC led 2-1 going into the bottom of the sixth, but then Piniella and Nettles rapped back-to-back RBI doubles off SP Marty Pattin, who pitched well otherwise.

We did catch a minor break. Texas lost 8-1 at Cleveland, ending its 8-game winning streak, so we’re still 10 games back. *Sigh*

NOTE: In another AL game, the Boston Red Sox MURDERED the White Sox, 21-6, in a game at Fenway. Jim Rice went 4-for-6 with a double, a homer and 6 RBI. Carlton Fisk went 3-for-5 with 2 homers and 5 RBI. Rice now has 93 RBI and it’s not even August yet.

NOTE 2: In the NL, New York Mets’ pitchers Jerry Koosman and Neil Allen threw a combined no-hitter against the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers. Koosman improved to 12-5 with a 2.66 ERA with six innings of work, with 1 walk and 6 strikeouts.

Both NL races are so close right now. Have a look:

05-27-2019, 04:35 PM	#36
webrian Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 232	* AROUND THE LEAGUE: ST. LOUIS: — The scuffling St. Louis Cardinals (47-48) didn’t need more bad news but they got it anyway. Starting pitcher John Denny tore a back muscle (probably from trying to carry this team) and will miss the rest of the season. Then again, it could be addition by subtraction: Denny was 5-11 with a 4.64 ERA. CHICAGO — The White Sox have lost patience with their 1977 chances and with LHP Ken Brett (5-11, 6.28), who is NOT the George Brett of left-handed pitchers it turns out. The Sox have shipped the lefty to Montreal for a trio of minor leaguers you’ve never heard of in your life. // The Sox also shipped right-handed reliever Bart Johnson (0-2, 5 saves, 3.13) to the New York Yankees for a 22-year old kid named Doug Heinhold. DETROIT — The Tigers also went prospect shopping. They traded switch-hitting 2B’man Tito Fuentes to the Oakland A’s in exchange for a minor league catcher and a younger switch-hitting 2B’man named Larry Murray. TORONTO** — Who says a first-year organization can’t make rookie mistakes? The Toronto Blue Jays just got hornswoggled in a deal with the Texas Rangers. They sent past legend Ron Fairly and future legend Jesse Barfield (he’s 17, people) to the Rangers for three minor leaguers, including 22 year-old David Clyde and his shattered right arm. Fairly is batting .282 with 14 HRs. Said Toronto GM Garrett McLaren of the deal: “We have gone back to the drawing board five or six times in the past few weeks. I’m glad we finally got the deal done. I think it is a good deal for both teams.” Note to Toronto owners: Fire Garrett McLaren right now. Ok, folks. Back to the action on the field! * Game 94, Sunday July 24, 1977 ~ At New York Royals 5, Yankees 4 WP: Steve Renko (6-6, 4.84 ERA); LP: Dock Ellis (9-4, 2.84); Sv: Mark Littell (8, 6.59) The Royals jumped on Dock Ellis for five runs in the first inning, then nervously held on as the Bronx Bombers chipped away. Amos Otis’ 2-run triple in the first was the big blow for KC. It looked like the Yanks would have no choice but to get Ellis out of there. But no. They left him in, he settled down and the Yankees almost came back to win it. Steve “Wreck It” Renko allowed just 2 runs on 6 hits over seven innings. Mark Littell got the two-inning save, but not before giving up a 2-run HR to Graig Nettles (his league-leading 32nd) in the ninth. Bucky Dent hit his 11th homer of the season off of Renko in the third inning. Yankees’ RF’er Reggie Jackson missed the game with a strained hamstring. His status is doubtful for Monday’s game as well. * Game 95, Monday July 25, 1977 ~ At New York Yankees 5, Royals 3 WP: Don Gullett (9-6, 3.81); LP: Marty Pattin (5-2, 4.22); Sv: Bart Johnson (2, 0.00) Since joining Yankees Mickey Rivers and Graig Nettles hit two doubles apiece and Don Gullett allowed just 4 hits over 7.1 innings of work to lift the Yankees in this one. George Brett also banged a couple of doubles, including a 2-run double in the fourth inning, but it just wasn’t enough. With the addition of Bart Johnson, the Yankees have an embarrassment of riches in their bullpen. Kansas City only has an embarrassment. KC led 2-1 going into the bottom of the sixth, but then Piniella and Nettles rapped back-to-back RBI doubles off SP Marty Pattin, who pitched well otherwise. We did catch a minor break. Texas lost 8-1 at Cleveland, ending its 8-game winning streak, so we’re still 10 games back. Sigh NOTE: In another AL game, the Boston Red Sox MURDERED the White Sox, 21-6, in a game at Fenway. Jim Rice went 4-for-6 with a double, a homer and 6 RBI. Carlton Fisk went 3-for-5 with 2 homers and 5 RBI. Rice now has 93 RBI and it’s not even August yet. NOTE 2: In the NL, New York Mets’ pitchers Jerry Koosman and Neil Allen threw a combined no-hitter against the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers. Koosman improved to 12-5 with a 2.66 ERA with six innings of work, with 1 walk and 6 strikeouts. Both NL races are so close right now. Have a look: Last edited by webrian; 05-27-2019 at 04:36 PM.