The Bucs Start Here - A Pirates Do-Over

[luckymann]

The early-season challenges continue as Al Oliver has to sit out the first week with a knee injury but Kong eases the pain with a slam in his second AB of the season. HE can do nothing, however, about the loss of Dave Cash for 5 weeks to a broken collarbone. Kurt Bevacqua, who we have regained through a minors FA deal, comes back into the group.

Why do I get the feeling it’s going to one of those seasons?

Almost predictably, Mads’ return is delayed indefinitely. At least we’re hopefully getting all the bad stuff out of the way early in the season (crosses everything…).

And yet, in the face of all this, we fly out of the barrier and swing at a smart 15-6 clip for April and finish our first 30 games at 22-8, by which time Dave Cash has been activated. We’ll run him in the soft side of a platoon at 2B with Lee Lacy and come in as a defensive sub when not starting.

Not long after this we suffer another setback when Pops goes down with an oblique strain that will see him miss a month as well. Challenges aplenty in the early going although fortune favours us in that this happens the day before Mads return and we slot him straight back in, with Jangles Robinson moving to 1B.

It does hurt our performance, however, as the offence comes completely off the boil in the middle of May and we lose 6 of 8.

Then we lose Al Oliver again to a knee injury for 6 weeks.

It is relentless, an onslaught. Dave Kingman will take over at LF and Wayne Nordhagen is recalled to the squad.

Bruce Kison finally loses a game after winning his first 8 decisions as Roger Erickson of the Expos 1-hits us.

We finish one of the most hectic and full-on first sectionals I can remember at 28-21 and tied for second in a bunched field (just 3 ½ games between top and 5th), a fantastic effort by the group all things considered but who knows what the long-term ramifications of all this turmoil might be come the pointy end of the season.




A true sign if ever there was one of the logic behind our rotational policy and striving for depth and flexibility in our playing group.




Everyone doing their bit, with Bruce Kison - who wins the April pitching award - the pick so far. Bill Almon shining in a backup role and Tim Foli making an excellent case for us keeping him at the club.




Still some improvement needed. Gene Garber off to another rough start, let's hope he comes good like he did last year. He is key to our BP's optimal performance and getting us to Goose with a lead intact.


A horror start for the Jints, who lose 9 straight en route to a 5-16 April record. The Twins win the same amount in a row and currently have the league’s best record.




Monthly Award Winners

April

American League

• Batter – Ron LeFlore (Twins): 430 / 2 HR / 15 RBI
• Pitcher – Jim Palmer (Orioles): 5-0 / 2.16 / 25 K / 41.2 IP
• Rookie – Danny Darwin (Mariners): 2-1 / 2.84 / 27 K / 44.1 IP

National League

• Batter – Greg Luzinski (Phillies): 386 / 5 HR / 15 RBI
• Pitcher – Bruce Kison (Pirates): 4-0 / 1.54 / 25 K / 35 IP
• Rookie –Tom Hume (Padres): 1-1 / 0.60 / 3 SV / 4 K / 15 IP

May

American League

• Batter – Jim Rice (Red Sox): 312 / 8 HR / 24 RBI
• Pitcher – Jim Wright (Rangers): 3-0 / 0.39 / 4 SV / 8 K / 23 IP
• Rookie – Darrell Jackson (Twins): 5-0 / 2.95 / 19 K / 36.2 IP

National League

• Batter – Mike Schmidt (Phillies): 366 / 12 HR / 25 RBI
• Pitcher – Pete Redfern (Cardinals): 4-1 / 1.35 / 27 K / 46.2 IP
• Rookie – Don Robinson (Padres): 3-0 / 3.24 / 28 K / 41.2 IP

News and Leaders






Milestones and Observations of Note

• 200 Wins: Steve Carlton, Phil Niekro, Fergie Jenkins
• The struggling A’s lose reliever Dave McNally to a knee injury for 4 months.
• Houston extends WS hero Joe Niekro on a 2/444 deal. He celebrates it with a rare dinger against LA the following start.
• Stretch McCovey has just one homer so far this season, putting him on 606 and still 15 behind Mantle; yet again it seems those ones are going to be the toughest to get.

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[luckymann]

Three in for us this year: Guidry, Kison (his first appearance) and Parker.


American League

• SP Bert Blyleven (MIN) - 12-5, 3.15 ERA, 148.2 IP, 1.18 WHIP, 5.4 K/9, 2.6 WAR
• SP David Clyde (NYY) - 7-1, 1.91 ERA, 117.2 IP, 1.24 WHIP, 4.4 K/9, 2.0 WAR
• SP Mike Flanagan (BAL) - 8-2, 2.92 ERA, 123.1 IP, 1.14 WHIP, 5.1 K/9, 2.6 WAR
• SP Tommy John (BOS) - 9-4, 2.94 ERA, 137.2 IP, 1.23 WHIP, 4.1 K/9, 3.1 WAR
• SP Dennis Martinez (BAL)* - 10-4, 2.39 ERA, 131.2 IP, 1.19 WHIP, 5.3 K/9, 3.4 WAR
• SP Nolan Ryan (NYY) - 12-6, 3.50 ERA, 149.1 IP, 1.48 WHIP, 9.5 K/9, 2.4 WAR
• RP Jim Wright (TEX) - 6-5, 6 SV, 2.30 ERA, 54.2 IP, 1.28 WHIP, 3.1 K/9, 0.6 WAR
• CL Pedro Borbon (CAL) - 2-3, 19 SV, 1.85 ERA, 34.0 IP, 1.38 WHIP, 3.2 K/9, 1.2 WAR
• CL Dave LaRoche (KC) - 4-5, 20 SV, 2.58 ERA, 59.1 IP, 1.26 WHIP, 6.1 K/9, 1.5 WAR
• CL Monty Montgomery (MIN)* - 0-1, 22 SV, 0.33 ERA, 27.2 IP, 0.65 WHIP, 4.9 K/9, 1.1 WAR
• C Bob Boone (TEX)* - .284/.359/.347, 225 AB, 1 HR, 3 SB, 106 wRC+, 2.1 WAR
• C John Stearns (MIN) - .311/.421/.431, 209 AB, 4 HR, 12 SB, 150 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
• 1B Enos Cabell (CWS) - .328/.355/.458, 332 AB, 7 HR, 32 SB, 130 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
• 1B Rod Carew (MIN)* - .350/.403/.512, 326 AB, 6 HR, 15 SB, 153 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
• 1B Cecil Cooper (DET)* - .307/.333/.482, 274 AB, 6 HR, 8 SB, 129 wRC+, 1.6 WAR (Injured)
• 2B Lou Whitaker (DET)* - .261/.351/.371, 299 AB, 5 HR, 12 SB, 105 wRC+, 2.5 WAR
• 3B George Brett (KC)* - .317/.372/.505, 293 AB, 7 HR, 20 SB, 134 wRC+, 3.5 WAR
• 3B Roy Howell (NYY) - .344/.411/.476, 288 AB, 5 HR, 1 SB, 152 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
• 3B Pete Rose (BOS) - .342/.395/.508, 307 AB, 4 HR, 5 SB, 156 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
• SS Roy Smalley (MIN)* - .240/.384/.306, 258 AB, 2 HR, 2 SB, 98 wRC+, 2.4 WAR
• LF Jim Rice (BOS)* - .337/.407/.610, 323 AB, 20 HR, 2 SB, 181 wRC+, 4.7 WAR
• CF Ron LeFlore (MIN)* - .369/.438/.547, 298 AB, 7 HR, 51 SB, 171 wRC+, 5.5 WAR
• CF Chet Lemon (DET) - .308/.372/.542, 286 AB, 14 HR, 6 SB, 156 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
• RF Bernie Carbo (ML4) - .321/.416/.500, 252 AB, 11 HR, 2 SB, 164 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
• RF Reggie Jackson (OAK) - .327/.390/.556, 284 AB, 15 HR, 11 SB, 167 wRC+, 3.4 WAR
• RF Ken Singleton (BAL)* - .314/.445/.467, 287 AB, 8 HR, 164 wRC+, 3.6 WAR

National League

• SP Doyle Alexander (SD) - 8-6, 2.68 ERA, 124.1 IP, 1.11 WHIP, 3.1 K/9, 2.3 WAR
• SP Mark Fidrych (HOU)* - 8-7, 2.61 ERA, 134.1 IP, 1.21 WHIP, 4.6 K/9, 3.8 WAR
• SP Ron Guidry (PIT) - 10-5, 3.32 ERA, 127.1 IP, 1.31 WHIP, 6.5 K/9, 2.8 WAR
• SP Bruce Kison (PIT) - 11-3, 2.57 ERA, 126.0 IP, 1.13 WHIP, 5.4 K/9, 2.7 WAR
• SP Jon Matlack (NYM) - 8-3, 4.44 ERA, 103.1 IP, 1.35 WHIP, 5.0 K/9, 1.6 WAR
• SP J.R. Richard (HOU) - 8-7, 2.53 ERA, 145.2 IP, 1.14 WHIP, 8.2 K/9, 3.8 WAR
• RP Mike Caldwell (NYM)* - 7-1, 8 SV, 2.61 ERA, 76.0 IP, 1.01 WHIP, 5.8 K/9, 1.1 WAR
• CL Bill Campbell (SF) - 3-5, 13 SV, 2.36 ERA, 53.1 IP, 1.03 WHIP, 6.8 K/9, 1.3 WAR
• CL Tom Hume (SD) - 5-4, 13 SV, 2.25 ERA, 64.0 IP, 1.23 WHIP, 4.4 K/9, 1.3 WAR
• CL Bruce Sutter (PHI) - 3-6, 15 SV, 2.60 ERA, 55.1 IP, 1.14 WHIP, 7.3 K/9, 1.8 WAR
• C Gary Carter (MON) - .273/.320/.441, 256 AB, 7 HR, 6 SB, 116 wRC+, 2.0 WAR
• C Ted Simmons (STL)* - .294/.353/.452, 252 AB, 7 HR, 128 wRC+, 1.6 WAR
• 1B Keith Hernandez (STL) - .285/.394/.483, 302 AB, 11 HR, 5 SB, 150 wRC+, 3.1 WAR
• 1B Lamar Johnson (NYM) - .333/.390/.484, 312 AB, 10 HR, 149 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
• 1B Jason Thompson (CHC)* - .305/.380/.516, 256 AB, 14 HR, 152 wRC+, 2.3 WAR (Injured)
• 2B Bump Wills (CHC)* - .285/.345/.397, 312 AB, 7 HR, 36 SB, 109 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
• 3B Ron Cey (LAD) - .277/.390/.460, 278 AB, 12 HR, 146 wRC+, 2.8 WAR
• 3B Mike Schmidt (PHI)* - .296/.396/.607, 280 AB, 23 HR, 6 SB, 183 wRC+, 5.1 WAR
• 3B Eric Soderholm (CHC) - .282/.321/.514, 280 AB, 19 HR, 124 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
• SS Garry Templeton (SD)* - .295/.318/.390, 349 AB, 2 HR, 24 SB, 93 wRC+, 2.0 WAR
• LF George Foster (CIN)* - .329/.387/.550, 298 AB, 17 HR, 1 SB, 164 wRC+, 3.5 WAR
• LF Greg Luzinski (PHI) - .306/.362/.588, 291 AB, 20 HR, 1 SB, 166 wRC+, 2.9 WAR
• CF Andre Dawson (MON)* - .305/.349/.505, 311 AB, 11 HR, 30 SB, 137 wRC+, 3.6 WAR
• CF Terry Puhl (HOU) - .296/.390/.422, 294 AB, 4 HR, 27 SB, 135 wRC+, 3.7 WAR
• RF Dave Parker (PIT) - .316/.372/.509, 269 AB, 9 HR, 11 SB, 145 wRC+, 3.2 WAR
• RF Dave Winfield (SD)* - .314/.351/.550, 318 AB, 18 HR, 16 SB, 155 wRC+, 3.6 WAR

Jim Rice wins the Derby from Graig Nettles. Bob Boone takes out the ASG MVP as the AL narrows the running score to 22-23 with a 5-2 win in the main event.

[luckymann]

I’ve had a bit of a rethink and, a few seasons in with both this and the Bay save running in simultaneous simulation, I see no reason to put this one on ice as I am managing the load AOK.

On further reflection, I’d really like this timeline to have chronological priority seeing as it has its own full history rather than the Bay save, which simply adopted the IRL one from ’68 and I think it preferable to see this one play out in advance of the other.

I believe that if I just play out this save in slightly accelerated fashion to the Oakland one then the time differential will stay far enough apart for my fear of repetition to be unfounded, with more than a decade at all times to be the goal.

We’ll see how it goes but that’s how I’m feeling right now.

That being the case, I best get this Pirates club into shipshape for the 80s as I’ve been selling the farm a bit for the ’79 push!

Can't believe we are nearly eight decades through! What a fun ride it has been so far and things only get more interesting from here on in as the powerhouses emerge and we have to try and keep up with them on a fraction of the budget.

G

[luckymann]

Look there's no doubt we are there or thereabouts this season and with all three trade tickets still up my sleeve I pull the following swap with the Giants just to tighten the BP up a bit in anticipation of the stretch run.




Frank, who has previously played for us in this timeline and played for the club IRL in 1964, his sole season in the bigs) is purely a rental to replace Fryman at the big club.




Eddie, who played for us IRL from 1980-82, will likely end up with us in 1980 when we start our rebuild. Guys like Gossage are unlikely to be able to be retained so we'll need some warm bodies to get us through the transition phase and Eddie looks suitable for that.

[luckymann]

The bottom pretty much falls out for us as we start June with some bad losses to the Reds and a total of six in a row that send us tumbling down the standings and put us at an ugly 6-17 since hitting 22-8 in early May.

Seems like the opportune time to ring a change and we promote Lance Parrish. Sangy will head elsewhere at the end of this season but we send Gary Alexander to AAA for now because we have too many low-contact guys in our lineup. We will, however, hand over the everyday reins to Lance and play Sangy predominantly against LHP.

We get Pops back at the same time and he comes straight back in.

That seems to staunch the bleeding with three straight wins although we look very shaky indeed. Three more at Houston are much more confident and hopefully we are back on track.
Quite the ride.

A string of 7 straight wins at the end of June return us to top spot in the NL East as the turnaround continues, although it remains very tight indeed, with only the Expos not in the running.

We reach the midpoint at 47-34 Scoop, after a shortish rehab stint, rejoins the squad not long after the ASB to put us back at full strength.

We come back from the break in terrible nick, scoring just one run in each of three straight home losses to the Gians. These fadeouts have become far too common this year, something I tell the group in no uncertain terms at the end of this series.
We get back to our winning ways but Candy picks up a little niggle that we’ll have to watch carefully, although he doesn’t miss a start.

Scoop’s return sees us hit a good run of form with six straight wins but then the bats go right back into their shells and a tough West Coast swing that sees us go W-L including another long losing string and also lose Pops for a month to a separated shoulder ends the sectional on a poor note and with us in a virtual tie for first with the Mets.





Just a little off where we'd like to be in all facets, but still a good effort on the whole.




Cobra should be well in the MVP mix. Big Wheel Parrish has certainly settled in nicely. We bite the bullet a re-up with Tim Foli on a chunky 3-year deal, while efforts to trade away Dave Cash for a utility IF come to nought.




Slight improvements from both Jerry Reuss and Rick Rhoden are nice but we need that to continue.




Their aggressive offseason sees the Yanks more competitive than they have been of late and they sit nicely-placed entering the stretch at 62-44 and just two behind the O’s. The AL East seems a race between them. The Twins look home, while the Padres' good run continues and has them in the box seat for a maiden playoff campaign.


News, Leaders and Top 20s











Monthly Award Winners

June

American League

• Batter – Rico Carty (Rangers): 353 / 9 HR / 30 RBI
• Pitcher – Shane Rawley (Rangers): 6-0 / 0.81 / 25 K / 44.2 IP
• Rookie – Shane Rawley

National League

• Batter – George Foster (Reds): 379 / 8 HR / 26 RBI
• Pitcher – Dave Goltz (Reds): 5-1 / 2.96 / 37 K / 48.2 IP
• Rookie – Don Robinson (Padres): 3-0 / 2.72 / 19 K / 43 IP

July

American League

• Batter – Bernie Carbo (Brewers): 338 / 7 HR / 18 RBI
• Pitcher – Tug McGraw (Tigers): 3-0 / 0.82 / 8 SV / 17 K / 22 IP
• Rookie – Darrell Jackson (Twins): 3-0 / 1.95 / 27 K / 37 IP

National League

• Batter – Bob Horner (Braves): 421 / 3 HR / 23 RBI
• Pitcher – Rick Reuschel (Cubs): 4-1 / 1.62 / 25 K / 50 IP
• Rookie – Bob Horner

Milestones and Observations of Note

• 2000 Hits: Roy White
• 200 Wins: Wilbur Wood
• It'll take an almighty slump by Ron LeFlore and Rod Carew for him to finish it off, but Jim Rice is having a decent Triple Crown crack all the same. Bruce Kison is also two from three stat cats but is no chance for the third.
• The Twins lose SP Steve Comer for the year with a torn labrum.
• Reggie Jackson looks set to be an A for life in this timeline as he signs a 5-year, $6m deal that will keep him at the club thru his age-37 season.
• Down at AAA, Eugene’s Kenneth Fuller throws a perfecto against Helena.
• A flurry of late trades at the Deadline, with these the most noteworthy:

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[luckymann]

Mr McCovey has gathered some momentum in his efforts to chase down Mickey Mantle's MLB mark of 621 home runs.

As of August 1, he has hit 10 this season and now sits on 615, needing six to tie and seven to go outright top.

From here, we'll count them down as they happen.

[luckymann]

618 DOWN, 4 TO GO!



#616 in the 4th off Steve Finch v Cleveland




#617 in the 8th off Jim McAndrew at Kansas City




#618 in the 3rd off Bob Knepper v California

[luckymann]

620 DOWN, 2 TO GO!!



#619 in the 5th off Vida Blue v Oakland




#620 in the 2nd off Dan Schatzeder v Seattle

[Brad K]

"#619 in the 3rd off Vida Blue v Oakland"

Bringing Texas from one run down into a 0-0 tie.

[luckymann]

Originally Posted by Brad K

"#619 in the 3rd off Vida Blue v Oakland"

Bringing Texas from one run down into a 0-0 tie.

Well spotted, and now fixed.

You'll understand why in a few minutes.

[luckymann]

After dominating in the regular season then surviving an almighty scare against Lamesa in the first round, our Links get it done in the end, winning it in 4 from Moline for AAA title number 19.

[luckymann]

This one was up there with the best yet, folks.

We begin the final section with an epic 17-inning 6-5 win at Montreal in which the BP gives us 8+ scoreless and are tied with the Cubs for first when they host us for three at Wrigley.

They beat us three from three as once again we fail to show our usual level of application and professionalism. It is a real problem with this current group, who simply float in and out of the proper mindset far too regularly. That won’t work, especially against teams as hot as the Cubbies are at this point, running up a 14-game win streak around this series and looking like a team on a mission this year. Granted, all the flux this season hasn’t helped but we need to cut this out.

Three more straight losses to the Phils give us our third 6-game run of losses this season and this time it reaches 8 before we get a win against Cincy. That puts us at 6-16 in our last 22 and, if not torpedoing our season entirely, it must has gone very close to, leaving us six adrift of the Cubs with 40 to play.

Next on the injury roundabout is Sangy, who goes down for a minimum IL stint with an ab strain, paving the way for Gary Alexander’s return.

We are lucky in that the Cubs come back to earth and the field bunches once again in mid-August with just 3 ½ games separating us in fourth from them, with the Phils and Mets in between us. But we certainly can’t afford any more slip-ups.
We’d like some of what our AAA Links have at this point as they win 11 straight and look almost guaranteed of a post-season berth, which they subsequently lock down easily.

We neither lose nor make ground on the Cubs over the next 10 and still trail by 4 ½ with 30 to play. Whatever happens from here Al Oliver can say he did his bit and wins the August batter award for his efforts. In the end, his stretch run is among the best I’ve ever seen. From August 1 to the final game, he hits 395 with 8 HR and 43 RBI.

Sadly, however, it looks doomed to be for nothing as a shocking home series against the Braves sees us lose three of four and Pop is incapacitated again, this time for a week or so. But none of the other teams are playing well either and so we somehow remain in the hunt and when we take tow of two from the Mets we are just two back again with 20-odd to play.

Every race bar the AL West is at this point, held with just a one-game lead.

The final push – which includes six against the Cubs (1st), three against the Mets (2nd) and five against the Phils (3rd) – begins.

We immediately put ourselves under the pump, dropping some games as the Cubs win all of theirs but hang in there just and we know that, with all of those games still to play against the Cubs, we still have some sliver of a chance if we just stay close enough.

When the first of those fixtures arrive, three at Wrigley, we have strung together 5 straight wins and trail them by just 1 ½ with 10 to play. The Phils and Mets are just one game behind us.

They beat us two from three and that final series between us looms larger than ever.

A trip to Montreal before that gets completely under our guard and we lose both to be on the precipice: 2 ½ back; 6 to play. The Phils now lead by a half-game from the Cubs.

A loss the next day and we’re done. there are few pennant races in which you go 3-7 over the closing stages and come out on top. This was not one of them.

Entering the final day, the standings are just full-blown chaos:




We knock off the Phils 3-2 in the final game, meaning that when the Mets beat the Cubs 3-2 they also lock down the second playoffs appearance in franchise history.

The Padres win their final game but have their hearts broken when Cincy does as well to get home by a game.

The Yanks and O’s are never more than a couple games apart the entire race and finish within that margin as the New Yorkers win a 4-3 decision against the Tribe on a walkoff 10th-inning RBI double by Cesar Cedeno and the Orange Birds lose 6-1 at Detroit to put the Pinstripers in the postseason for the just the third time since 1950.

How, might I ask, have we got through all of that with no need for a tiebreaker?

The Twins, no fun at all as usual, take the AL East emphatically, including a run of 13 straight wins in the final swing.

Hooley effing dooley. What a run we’ve had these past few seasons.





Disappointed as I am at missing out, the standings rarely lie and they aren't here. We're close but not quite there and changing that will be my entire focus over the break.









Batting titles to Ron LeFlore, who had an absolute breakout year, and George Foster, who also leads all players with 125 RBI and finishes top 3 across the TC stat cats. Mike Schmidt is easily the King of Clout this season with 44, 9 more than his nearest rival.

Willie Wilson knocks off Morris Nettles' single-season steals record of 124 by a single swipe.

Dave Goltz's 23 Wins are the most of all, while unheralded David Clyde records the low ERA with 249 and Nolan Ryan wins the K title with 280.


Final Top 20s and Leaders








Monthly Award Winners

August

American League

• Batter – Eddie Murray (Orioles): 340 / 7 HR / 24 RBI
• Pitcher – Scott Sanderson (Indians): 5-0 / 1.69 / 22 K / 48 IP
• Rookie – Scott Sanderson

National League

• Batter – Al Oliver (Pirates): 417 / 7 HR / 21 RBI
• Pitcher – Dave Goltz (Reds): 6-0 / 2.38 / 39 K / 56.2 IP
• Rookie – Bob Horner (Braves): 311 / 8 HR / 19 RBI

September

American League

• Batter – Cecil Cooper (Tigers): 348 / 6 HR / 20 RBI
• Pitcher – Jim Palmer (Orioles): 4-1 / 1.29 / 24 K / 49 IP
• Rookie – Scott Sanderson (Indians): 3-1 / 2.22 / 39 K / 44.2 IP

National League

• Batter – George Foster (Reds): 415 / 6 HR / 26 RBI
• Pitcher – Doug Rau (Mets): 5-1 / 1.63 / 26 K / 49.2 IP
• Rookie – Don Robinson (Padres): 3-2 / 1.81 / 25 K / 44.2 IP

Milestones and Observations of Note

• 2000 Hits: Bert Campaneris, Joe Morgan, Reggie Smith
• 250 Wins: Jim Kaat
• Chicago pitcher Mike Hedlund’s season ends early and he’s off for some elbow surgery that will keep him out of the game close enough to a full year. The Cubs lose Don Aase for the rest of the campaign to a torn RC
• Stretch finishes the season on 620, just one shy of a tie and will have to come back again next year if he wants all that glory.

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[luckymann]

American League
Minnesota Twins (100-62) v New York Yankees (97-65)

Which club is better off – the one who gets to cruise or the one who has to fight to their last drop of energy to get through? Clearly, we are about to find out.

Despite their different entry paths, only three regular-season wins separate these two and they are in fact very similar squads. More smallball than big, good starting pitching, BPs prone to wobbly spurts. I expect a few 6-5 type scorelines and actually think the Yanks will win this in a close one.

Blyleven gives the Twins a gem in Game 1 to open their account, allowing just 2 hits over 8 scoreless in a 1-0 victory, and then come from the clouds to take the next one as well as our old mate Terry Forster does his implosion trick and they score all their runs in the home 9th for a walkoff 4-3 win.

The Yanks get on the board with a strong 10-2 win back at their home park as young David Clyde’s dream run continues and they send it back to Minnesota for a decider with a 6-2 win in Game 4.

But Bert Blyleven lives up to his big-game reputation and squashes the Yanks as the Twins take out their 9th AL pennant courtesy of a 7-2 win.

Ron LeFlore is named series MVP.




National League
Cincinnati Reds (92-70) v New York Mets (88-74)

The Mets are a bit like we are at the moment—while they don’t do anything spectacularly well, nor do they do anything terribly. Cincy definitely has the class advantage here, but they also suffer periods where the bats can go quiet.

The longer New York is in this series, the more I like their chances but I’m tipping the Reds in four.

The Mets kick things off with a tidy 3-1 win behind Tom Terrific but the Reds tie it at one the next day, running over the top of them for a 6-2 final.

On a heady night for New York sports fans, the Mets follow the lead of their “big brother” across in the Bronx and edge ahead again by winning Game 3 with Al Cowens going yard twice in a 6-2 final and suddenly the possibility of a Subway Series is the talk of the town.

Larry Volkening holds his nerve with 8 scoreless as the Reds level things up again with a 2-0 win and this one, too, is going the distance.

The Mets give it everything they’ve got but in the end the Reds’ class shines through and they take a hard-fought 5-3 win in the decider to book their spot in the World Series and keep their hopes of a second title alive.

I can’t remember this happening before. George Foster, who like Ron LeFlore, won the batting title, follows it up with an LCS MVP nod.

[luckymann]

Minnesota Twins v Cincinnati Reds
Best-of-seven, Reds with the home-field advantage.


MINNESOTA TWINS S+ PAGE

HOUSTON ASTROS S+ PAGE

Hard to believe it has taken the Twins nearly a decade to get back here after losing out to the Jints in 1969 given how they have been thereabouts nearly every season since, but that is reflective of how competitive this league is at the moment.

I don’t see them wasting their opportunity but the Reds are a formidable opponent that matches up well against them and the Twinkies will have to be at their absolute best to prevail here.

I don't think they’ll do it, with the Reds in possession of too many weapons, but I do believe it will take all seven to sort this one out and that means anything can happen.

[luckymann]

Game 1 in Cincinnati

Dave Goltz (23-11, 2.96) v Darrell Jackson (14-7, 3.49)

The Reds reveal on the eve of the first game that they have re-upped with Joe Morgan thru the 1981 season and look to have the advantage in this opening contest with 23-game winner Dave Goltz taking on rookie Darrell Jackson in Cincy.

A tentative start to this series with no score early but the Reds eventually grind the Twins pitchers down and go away with a 4-1 win. Goltz pitches 7 scoreless frames and also puts one into the seats while Jose Ortiz also goes deep for the victors. Jackson acquits himself well but gets no run support to help his cause.

Game 2 in Cincinnati

Ken Forsch (18-11, 3.41) v Bob Moose (13-8, 4.40)

Reds lead series 1-0

A couple of experienced, if well-travelled, pitchers face off in Game 2 and this is one of those games where you just don’t know what will happen.

In this case what happens is that the Reds lineup takes the long stick to Moose and pummel him then do the same to the Twins’ BP for a 13-5 walloping.

Tony Perez has 6 ribbies from 2 doubles and a 3-run jack and the Twins have got a long way to come back in this one now. That said, they do get the next three at home—let’s see if that gets them headed in the right direction.

Game 3 in Minnesota

Bert Blyleven (18-12, 3.13) v Mario Soto (18-14, 4.16)

Reds lead series 2-0

No excuses in this one for the Twins with their ace on the mound and their home fans in attendance. Still, the general opinion on Soto is that he is a superstar in the making and this would be an opportune moment to make his first move on that road.

Which is precisely what he does, allowing just a run on 5 hits over 7 as the Reds bats do just enough against Blyleven to make it three straight with a 4-1 win. Perez has another big game and must have a couple fingers on that MVP medal at this rate.

Game 4 in Minnesota

Joaquin Andujar (12-6, 3.89) v Larry Volkening (18-7, 3.69)

Reds lead series 3-0

Anything even vaguely resembling his NLCS performance will almost certainly keep Volkening in this game for a long while but, on his day, Andujar is a tricky customer. Still, I think the Twins are toast now.

They go so close to being eliminated but somehow explode for a crooked number in the 8th to spark this series to life.

Volkening must have walked off the mound after his 7 quality innings thinking he’d be the hero, only for veteran John Hiller to give up 7 ER and assume the mantle of the goat, despite Stan Bahnsen’s every effort to wrest it from him.

The significance of this one may take a few days to play out but miracle comebacks have been based on less.

Game 5 in Minnesota

Mark Fidrych (1-0, 2.76) v Frank Tanana (0-2, 4.72)

Reds lead series 3-1

Jackson will have taken plenty of heart from his Game 1 performance and, with Blyleven waiting in the wings this series is more evenly poised than it might look. The Reds must do all they can to get it done here and now.

What a fantastic game and the Twins dig deep to send this series back to Cincy with an 11-inning 2-1 win. Both starters earn their keep and then some but in the end Roy Smalley’s walkoff RBI single keeps Blyleven’s shot of an unlikely deciding Game 7 alive for now.

Game 6 in Cincinnati

Ken Forsch (2-0, 3.57) v Bob Moose (0-2, 15.26)

Reds lead series 3-2

I half suspected the Twins might have started Blyleven on short rest, given how dreadful Moose has been in the playoffs to this point, but they stick with him and save Bert for that dream of one more tomorrow.

Sadly, while Moose is much improved, that tomorrow never comes as the Reds finally close it out with a nervy 4-3 win. All of those runs come in the first two frames and from there it is just a battle of wills that the Reds survive to claim title number two.

And, just as in the first one, Tony Perez is indeed named the MVP.

S+ HOME

REPORTS HOME

PIRATES HOME

[luckymann]

[luckymann]

OUTS & OUTS

Randy Jackson from the Brewers is the only MLB pilot to be cut this year.


ROSTER MOVES

We exercise Gene Garber's 1979 option with everything crossed he gets back to his best after a dismal 1978 campaign. Nobody off to arb for us as we non-tender Frank Bork.

Bevacqua, Cash, Fryman and Sangy all walk.

We don't renew 1B Coach Lennie Merullo's contract and replace him with Mickey McGuire


SIM ACCURACY




*Ignore the SB figure, I often bump it up in the LTMs if I feel it's too low.


HANGIN' THEM UP

Sandy K's long and fruitful career in this timeline finally comes to an end. More on him in a sec. None of the other guys have much hope of a plaque, I'm afraid. Good to see no Stretch on that list, now will he get those two dingers?

[luckymann]

I've kept you fairly well apprised of Sandy's great run in this timeline and in the end he more than doubles his IRL win total, finishing with 338 - good for 6th all-time. He also stands as the all-time leader in Strikeouts and WAR for Pitchers, along with a couple others. I'll just give you them all - think that's the easiest way.

To honour him we will be changing the award for the best relief pitcher of the year to the Paige-Koufax Plate, effective immediately. No more room for such changes, all are now double-barrelled.

[luckymann]

AL 1978 HISTORY INDEX

NL 1978 HISTORY INDEX

AWARDS HISTORY


A first Johnson-Waddell to almost-Pirate Nolan Ryan, with Mark Fidrych repeating in the NL. Unanimous Wagner-Lajoie wins for Ron LeFlore and George Foster, the first for each, with Scott Sanderson and Bob Horner taking out the Mantle-Mays and Monty Montgomery - his second - and Bill Campbell (first) the Paige-Koufax Plates.


S+ HOME

REPORTS HOME

PIRATES HOME

[luckymann]

Well, we've had a change of tack from our original plans for this offseason - part from necessity but also on a philosophical basis as well.

Full disclosure is that, after the Nolan Ryan fiasco of a year ago, we had Lefty Carlton earmarked as our big add at this point. We felt that the staff was a quality guy or two shy of where we wanted it to be and that Steve would go a long way to redressing that issue.

But we entered this offseason with about $2m in spendable funds and all of that would have had to go to him. In fact, his opening offer was at that level and looked almost certain to head higher. So rather than waste our time in fruitless pursuit of a guy we were in reality little chance of getting - and, if we did, it would have left us precariously-poised in a financial context - we simply grabbed our chequebook off the table and walked away.

We're not the Yankees or some of these other big-market clubs. Never have been and sure as Sherlock Holmes never will. Even if we were slightly more flush, buying Championships is not the Pirates way. Our way is to put together a sustainably-affordable group of the highest quality that we can assemble. If the latter ever becomes the former, I'll walk away from the club.

The fact remains, however, that we are a smidgen off the pace at the moment and need to change that. So since crossing Carlton off the list, we have been busy plugging our holes in other ways, with other players.

One of our main weaknesses is a thinness up the middle. While we are full to overflowing with quality at the corners of both our IF and OF, we are desperately in need of some spinal reinforcement.

We feel this guy will help a great deal in this regard:

Derrel, who will take our third and final CC slot, will operate a roving commission, mainly at 2B and CF, just as Lee Lacy has been doing for the past few seasons. Lee will now move to the everyday 2B role. His D there (and pretty much everywhere, now) is shaky, so DT will come in as a defensive sub for him in close and late situations.

Given our dearth of suitable LH relief pitching, we ended up extending Woodie Fryman for one more year before he walked. We have also signed Andy Hassler on a minors deal but he'll almost certainly be with the big club come OD as a reliever.

All of our CC spots being taken means we cannot use Steve Trout and so, once the Draft is out of the way, we'll be figuring out the best means to turn him into some player or players we can avail ourselves of. We do also have our FA ticket to be deployed.