Memories That You Won't Remember: MLB, 1990 and Beyond...

[kenyan_cheena]

This is where reality ends...

[kenyan_cheena]

...and OOTP begins.

[kenyan_cheena]

Okay, so after a little bit of a delay, I am finally getting started on this.

So, why am I starting the Dynasty in 1990, you may ask? Well, as I said in the sign-up thread, the 1990 World Series was the first time that I ever watched a baseball game on television. Back then as a 15-year-old here in Sydney, Australia, we did not have cable television, so the games were shown late at night on one of our five regular TV stations (channel 9, I believe it was).

Around about this time, I was developing a fascination for American sports in general. I and some of my school friends had followed the '89-'90 NBA and NFL seasons (as best as we could with what exposure they had here back then), so it was only natural that baseball also became a sport I was interested in.

I have vivid memories of being fascinated and intrigued as I watched the Reds sweep the Athletics that year. Cricket is my favourite sport, and so the vague similarities between the two sports made it quite easy for me to pick up on what was going on.

So, besides the nostalgia aspect, one thing I am also very interested in seeing is if those great Braves and Yankees dynasties of the '90s develop in a similar fashion in this reality. The Bronx Bombers didn't start their rise until the mid '90s, so whether they are able to assemble the same kind of roster here will be great to see. The Braves made the World Series in '91, so it would seem that many of the pieces that led to their domination of the National League during the decade are already in place.

Anyway, the first thing I need to do is create the seven fictional community players (three from the OT forum, three from the Dynasty Reports forum, plus one for me) who will be eligible for the 1990 Draft. When I created the league, I made June 15 the draft date, but the way I will describe it each year is that the draft takes place over the middle Friday-Sunday of June each season, so the dates will differ slightly from year-to-year (a minor detail, I know). So during the next couple of days, I will be posting screen shots of each fictional player as they are when created.

I am going to do my best to make this a long lasting dynasty, so hopefully it will bring everyone involved (and anyone who just follows along) a lot of enjoyment.

[kenyan_cheena]

1990 Draft Class, Off Topic forum players...

[kenyan_cheena]

1990 Draft Class, Dynasty Reports forum players (plus me)...

[kenyan_cheena]

Top 20 Position Players and Pitchers going into the start of the 1990 regular season...

[baseballfanmas]

I had totally forgotten about signing up for this. I was surprised to see my player make the cut. Good stuff, thanks for doing this.

As a guy that has done several interactive dynasties with college basketball games, I know the amount of work that goes into them, and how frustrating it can be when you don't get the kind of interaction you're looking for, or when you have to wait for people to make a decision on their players (or in my case, sometimes even coaches). So I hope you can keep this going and not let it fizzle out as so many do. Thanks.

[xepicx2729]

Subscribed.

[kenyan_cheena]

Originally Posted by baseballfanmas

I had totally forgotten about signing up for this. I was surprised to see my player make the cut. Good stuff, thanks for doing this.

As a guy that has done several interactive dynasties with college basketball games, I know the amount of work that goes into them, and how frustrating it can be when you don't get the kind of interaction you're looking for, or when you have to wait for people to make a decision on their players (or in my case, sometimes even coaches). So I hope you can keep this going and not let it fizzle out as so many do. Thanks.

I've been battling a cold and chest cough for the last month, which has made it difficult to do much writing. As a result, I got started on the actual dynasty thread a bit later than I was planning, so it's not really a surprise that you forgot you'd signed up for it, lol.

Yep, as I said, I want this dynasty to last for a long time. It's the only baseball one that I plan to do in the short and long term. The key will be to not get burnt out on it, which means not spending TOO MUCH time on it.

[royalflush]

Thanks for starting this. Go Dustin!

[kenyan_cheena]

Top Prospects going into the start of the 1990 regular season...

[kenyan_cheena]

Just a note on the format for this dynasty...

It will be a combination of screenshots from within the game and various types of write-ups/reviews. These will be in the format of newspaper and magazine articles and, as time progresses, online internet stories. I will be giving attention to our fictional players, but not at the complete expense of the league itself. I want to tell a good story as well as chronicling the exploits of OUR players. Anyone who has followed my boxing dynasty thread The Greatest Prize in Sports (such as Romy) will know what I mean.

[kenyan_cheena]

Oakland Tribune

FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 1990

ATHLETICS TROUNCE TWINS,
SECURE SEASON-OPENING SWEEP

Story by Dave Newhouse

The Oakland Athletics scored a dominant 13-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins at the Hubert H Humphrey Metrodome yesterday afternoon, the win capping a three-game sweep for a perfect start to the defending World Champions' 1990 campaign. Outfielder Rickey Henderson had been quoted before Tuesday's opening day outing as saying they wanted to "make a statement of intent", and they certainly did. After wins of 8-2 and 6-5 in games one and two, yesterday's thrashing resulted in the A's outscoring Minnesota 27-8 in the series.

They were led by a complete game gem from the veteran Bob Welch, who allowed just four hits and struck out four batters on 93 pitches. Henderson was in fine form, batting 2-for-5 with three RBI and a home run in the top of the 9th, his two-run blast kicking off what ended up being an eight-run inning. Shortstop Walt Weiss was 3-for-5, scoring three runs, while second baseman Lance Blankenship drove in three runs on 2-for-4 hitting. First baseman Mark McGuire recorded two RBI, taking his tally for the series to six...

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HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Saturday, April 7, 1990

Gibson continues great start

Story by Larry Eddelson

Former National League MVP Kirk Gibson appears to be settling in fine at his new home after recording an outstanding 4-for-5 evening at the plate for the Astros in last night's 13-3 demolition of the Braves at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. Remarkably, all four of Gibson's hits were doubles, and the 32-year-old drove in three runs as Houston improved to 2-2 on the season. The Astros also received excellent outings from center fielder Gerald Young (4-for-6, two RBI), catcher Craig Biggio (2-for-5, three RBI and two home runs) and starting pitcher Jose Cano, who went the distance and struck out seven batters while throwing a Herculean 148 pitches.

Gibson, the '88 NL MVP and a World Series champion with the Tigers in '84 and Dodgers in '88, was traded to Houston on March 20 along with $400,000 in cash, in exchange for veteran relief pitcher Danny Darwin and the young outfield prospect Kenny Lofton, who had yet to make his major league debut before the season started. It was a trade that was met with criticism from Dodger fans, as Gibson earned eternal hero status among the LA faithful with his Game 1 walk-off home run in the '88 World Series that gave the Dodgers a 5-4 win. Los Angeles GM Matt Krueger acknowledged the difficulty in going ahead with the trade, as it was a situation where sentiment had to be put to the side in favour of what was the best outcome for the organisation...

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[kenyan_cheena]

The Seattle Times

THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 1990

MARINERS WIN ANOTHER TIGHT ONE,
REMAIN UNDEFEATED AT 9-0

Story by Robb Gaskins

The Seattle Mariners continued their remarkable and unexpected start to the 1990 MLB season last night with a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over the California Angels at Anaheim Stadium. In doing so, they not only improved to a perfect 9-0, but also recorded their fourth consecutive one-run win, with the last three all coming against the Angels, who they have now already swept twice in the space of nine days. Trailing 2-1 at the end of the 5th, the Mariners secured the win thanks to Greg Briley's lead-off home run in the 6th and Pete O'Brien's two-out RBI single in the 8th...

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Oakland Tribune

MONDAY, APRIL 16, 1990

ATHLETICS SWEEP MARINERS,
IMPROVE TO 10-2

Story by Dave Newhouse

It was an early-season marquee matchup of two ballclubs who had made a combined 16-2 start, and so the expectation was for a close, hard-fought series. In a way, it was, but in another way, it wasn't. When the Athletics arrived in Seattle on Friday, the Mariners were an undefeated team flirting with the all-time record for consecutive wins to start a season. By 7.15 on Sunday night, they weren't even leading the division anymore. After prevailing in Friday and Saturday's nailbiters, the Athletics blew open Sunday's series finale early, scoring three in the 1st and two in the 4th for a 5-0 lead that eventually became a 6-3 victory.

Mariners starter Brian Holman sent Carney Lansford and Rickey Henderson back to the dugout on groundouts to start the 1st, but after Mark McGwire wore a 2-1 fastball on the bicep, a Jose Canseco double to left was immediately followed by Dave Henderson's three-run blast to left-center, and the score was suddenly 3-0. Canseco singled to leadoff the 4th, and was driven in by Stan Javier's two-out single up the middle. Javier stole second and scored on Ron Hassey's double to center. Oakland starter Bob Welch pitched his third consecutive complete game of the season, giving up twelve hits but stranding thirteen Mariners on base...

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[kenyan_cheena]

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

Wednesday 18 April 1990

HILL STRIKES OUT TEN
IN SHUTOUT OF PIRATES

Story by Bob Broeg

24-year-old St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Ken Hill produced what was surely the best performance of his young career to date when he struck out ten batters and walked one while giving up just two hits in his side's 4-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates at Three Rivers Stadium last night. Hill threw 120 pitches in the complete game outing and was given great support at the plate by Milt Thompson. The left fielder hit 4-for-4 with two runs scored, two RBI, and a 9th inning two-out home run that gave Hill some extra breathing room going into the bottom of the inning. The win improved the Cardinals' record to 9-5 and knotted the series, which concludes today, at 1-1...

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THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

Thursday, April 19, 1990

RIJO OUTDUELS WHITSON
IN CLASSIC PITCHER'S DUEL

Story by Jason Caylor

The crowd at Riverfront Stadium were treated to a brisk but enthralling spectacle last night as Reds starter Jose Rijo and Padres hurler Ed Whitson engaged in a fantastic pitching duel. In the end, it was Rijo and the Reds who emerged with a 1-0 victory, with the young Dominican striking out twelve batters and walking two, while also giving up just two hits on 130 pitches. Whitson struck out five, walked three, and allowed four hits. Cincinnati right fielder Paul O'Neill was 3-for-3 at the plate and scored the game's only run, which came on a throwing error when he attempted to steal third base in the bottom of the 6th. Rijo improved to 3-1 on the season and brought his ERA down to 2.65...

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HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Monday, April 23, 1990

Gibson scores twice as
Astros rally past Dodgers

Story by Larry Eddelson

Former NL MVP and Los Angeles Dodgers World Series hero Kirk Gibson came back to haunt his former ballclub last night at Dodger Stadium as he scored two runs on 2-for-5 hitting as part of an outstanding late comeback for the Astros. After giving up seven runs in the first two innings, Houston scored three in the 6th and five in the 7th to rally for an 8-7 victory. While Gibson did his part, the critical moment came when Glenn Davis crushed a two-out three-run homer to the stands in left field, with both Gibson and Craig Biggio scoring. Biggio had doubled to move Gibson to third in the previous at-bat. Gibson is hitting .292 on the season with a home run and nine RBI...

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[kenyan_cheena]

Oakland Tribune

MONDAY, APRIL 23, 1990

ATHLETICS RALLY IN 8TH,
RUN WINNING STREAK TO TEN

Story by Dave Newhouse

The Oakland Athletics maintained their brilliant start to both the 1990 season and their world championship defense with a come-from-behind 4-3 victory over the Mariners last night at Oakland Coliseum. It was their tenth consecutive victory and concluded a four-game sweep of Seattle during which the A's outscored them 20-5. They are 7-0 against the Mariners, with all seven victories coming within the current win streak. Trailing 3-0 going into the bottom of the 8th, Oakland's fightback was led by Rickey Henderson, who drove in both Stan Javier and Carney Lansford on a single to left field...

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The Detroit News

MONDAY, APRIL 30, 1990

WHITAKER DRIVES IN FOUR
IN ROUT OF BREWERS

Story by Larry Masters

Tigers second baseman Lou Whitaker had a field day at Tiger Stadium yesterday afternoon, recording four RBI as Detroit unleashed a 12-3 beating of the Milwaukee Brewers to take a 2-1 edge in their four-game set. Whitaker batted 1-for-4, but that one hit was a bases clearing triple to deep right field in the bottom of the 1st that opened up the day's scoring. He also brought Tony Phillips home from third on a sac fly in the bottom of the 8th to conclude the evening's scoring. Earlier, Cecil Fielder smashed his MLB-leading eleventh home run of the season, a two-run shot in the 4th that also increased his RBI total to 28...

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[kenyan_cheena]

MLB Standings and Stats Leaders as at end of April 1990...

[kenyan_cheena]

Chicago Tribune

Wednesday, May 2, 1990

FERNANDEZ SHUTS OUT RANGERS,
SOX WIN FOURTH IN A ROW

Story by Mike Gibson

20-year-old Chicago White Sox prospect Alex Fernandez gave an outstanding indication of why he is thought of so highly as a future superstar of the league last night when he shutout the Texas Rangers, allowing just one hit in a 1-0 victory at Comiskey Park. In just the third start of his major league career, Fernandez struck out six batters and walked three on 135 pitches. Fernandez (3-0, 2.13) also threw his first complete game in helping the White Sox win their fourth consecutive game to improved to 18-6 and move within three wins of the Athletics for the AL West lead.

The crowd at Comiskey had to wait until the bottom of the 8th inning of an enthralling duel between Fernandez and Rangers starter Bobby Witt for the first run, when Ron Kittle's two-out double brought Lance Johnson home from second. Johnson accounted for four of Chicago's ten hits on the night, batting 4-for-4 before scoring the game's lone run as a fitting reward. Witt went the distance for the Rangers, striking out four and walking three, but only throwing 98 pitches. He is now 1-4 on the season, but has an excellent ERA of 2.83...

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The New York Times

MONDAY, MAY 7, 1990

VIOLA STRIKES OUT ELEVEN
IN SHUTOUT OF ASTROS

Story by David Hayes

Former World Series MVP and AL Cy Young Award winner Frank Viola produced his best performance of the season yesterday afternoon at Shea Stadium, striking out eleven Astros batters and walking none in a 2-0 Mets victory. Viola only allowed five hits in recording his fourth victory of the campaign in a tough duel with Houston starter Jim Deshaies. In his seventh start, Viola went the distance for the first time this year, throwing 116 pitches. His ERA is now 3.02. Mets leadoff hitter Daryl Boston scored both of New York's runs, and on both occasions he came home from third courtesy of a Darryl Strawberry sac fly. Boston singled in the 6th and walked in the 8th...

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[kenyan_cheena]

I'm sure I'm not the first person to have discovered this, but I've noticed something of a bug in the game. It puts rookies who were drafted IN THE YEAR when you start the dynasty on the team that drafted them AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON. So, as an example, Alex Fernandez was drafted by the White Sox in 1990. The draft was held in June, but he was already on their roster (in the game) at the beginning of the season. It's the same with Chipper Jones for the Braves. I would have thought that anyone drafted in 1990 would be part of the 1990 draft pool, and not already be with the team that drafted them in reality...?

[kenyan_cheena]

THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

Friday, May 11, 1990

REDS WIN TWO IN PITTSBURGH

Story by Jason Caylor

The Cincinnati Reds continued their promising start to the season with a pair of victories over the Pittsburgh Pirates at Three Rivers Stadium yesterday. Starting pitcher Jose Rijo was the standout in the afternoon game, striking out ten batters and allowing six hits in a 5-0 win. Rijo duelled with Pirates ace Doug Drabek, who struck out five but gave up ten hits to take the loss. Both men are amongst the National League's best pitchers, with Rijo improving to 6-1 on the season with an outstanding ERA of 1.75, while Drabek is now 4-2, with his ERA being 2.25. Reds outfielder Paul O'Neill drove in two runs on a 1st inning two-out triple and a sac fly in the 5th, while third baseman Chris Sabo smashed a solo home run and catcher Joe Oliver hit a two-out two-RBI double, both in the 4th.

In the evening matchup the Reds bludgeoned fifteen hits on the way to an 8-4 win. Leadoff hitter Billy Hatcher was 4-for-5 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored while Sabo collected his second home run of the day on the way to a 4-for-5 two RBI outing. Second baseman Mariano Duncan and center fielder Eric Davis both drove in two runs. Jack Armstrong pitched a complete game, striking out six and walking two while giving up seven hits on 160 pitches. Pirates starter Walt Terrell (4-2, 4.08) made it to the 6th inning, the Reds torching him for twelve hits. He walked five and struck out three, falling to 0-6 on the season.

It was Cincinnati's second double header in the space of four days, as a rainout on Sunday led to a Monday double in St. Louis. The Reds were also victorious in both of those games, and have now won seven in a row since May 3. Cincinnati finished yesterday at 22-11, enjoying a two-game lead over the 2nd placed Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West...

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THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

Saturday, May 12, 1990

REDS CRUSH CUBS IN SERIES OPENER

Story by Jason Caylor

After a nine-day road trip that saw them visit New York, St. Louis and Pittsburgh, the Cincinnati Reds showed how happy they were to be back at home with a 10-1 demolition of the struggling Chicago Cubs at Riverfront Stadium last night. All of the damage was done in the first two innings, with the Reds scoring five in the 1st and four in the 2nd. Right fielder Paul O'Neill drove in five runs on a two-RBI double in the 1st and a two-out, three-RBI home run in the 2nd. He was one of five Cincinnati hitters to record two hits. April's NL Batter of the Month Eric Davis was one of the other four, and he was also walked three times and finished the day 2-for-2. Reds starter Rick Mahler had a relaxing evening on the mound, giving up just six hits in a complete game outing...

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