Worst to First - The Sequel

[NYY #23]

In the end we just couldn't hold on, as the Phillies went 10-15 in September, and the Cubs finished 19-7, then rolled over the Senators 4 games to one to win the World Series.

I don't even have much to say about the end of the season. Sure, injuries are a part of the game, but we had more than our share this season, which was more than a little frustrating, especially when there are multiple ones at the same position. You go a couple seasons without any major ones, and then you get a stretch like this and it's hard to recover.

It's even tougher because I went "all-in" with our trade for Collins, but we improved from last season, and while we are a little short in the depth department, I still feel we have a good team. The amateur draft is a great chance to add depth, but when you select the best player available, sometimes you are picking a position you don't need help in. Maybe this draft will lead to a trade.

Amateur draft results:
3B - Mike Pagliarulo
LF - Jim Fridley
LF - Showboat Fisher
MR - Walter Clarkson
C - Marty Pevey

The Phillies were pretty golden this season, with four players winning Gold Gloves:
1B- Joe Hauser
2B - Eddie Collins, Sr.
3B - Kelly Gruber
RF - Bill Harbridge

Dustin Ackley of the Cubs had a 27 game hitting streak ended at the end of the season, but Ackley won the Batter of the Year award in the NL, hitting .371 with 7 home runs, and 106 runs scored.

The players were elected to the Hall of Fame, former Cardinals Arlie Pond and Jack Stivetts.





Philadelphia Phillies - 61-93 (.396) 27 1/2 GB
1921 - Philadelphia Phillies 69-85 (.448) 11 1/2 GB (Season Score - 17)
1922 - Philadelphia Phillies 80-74 (.519) 7 GB (Season Score - 52)
1923 - Philadelphia Phillies 82-72 (.532) 6 1/2 GB (Season Score - 27)
1924 - Philadelphia Phillies 84-70 (.545) 6 GB (Season Score - 34)

[NYY #23]

I had a hard choice to make this offseason, go with the established veteran at third base, Kelly Gruber, or turn the reigns over to young Mike Pagliarulo. Gruber hit .294 for us last season, is better defensively, and is only 29 years old. Pags has more pop with the bat, but has his flaws. The one big advantage Pags has is he was one of my favorite players growing up.

So call it the intangibles, but Pags won out over Gruber and I sent Gruber and Archdeacon to the Reds in exchange for CF Cecil Espy.

I also sent SP Sam Kimber, 2B Will Rhymes, and LF Jim Fridley to the Yankees can got back 32 year old starting pitcher Gene Krapp. Krapp was 12-9 last year with a 3.04 ERA, and will provide us with some pitching depth.

The string of injuries started in right field this season, with Bill Harbridge, backup BJ Upton, and backup to the backup Chick Stahl all out with injury. It's early though, and we are off to an 8-8 start.

Tom Sexton of the Yankees and Eddie Siber each picked up the 2000th hit of their career. Lee Grissom of the Cubs picked up career win number 250.



Just 5 active players are above Collins in the hit list, as we pick back up with Collins in 14th place.

Career Hit List
1. Dick Allen - 2911
2. Red Murray - 2573
3. Jerry Mumphrey - 2527
4. John McGraw - 2403
5. Starlin Castro #- 2329
6. Chipper Jones #- 2327
7. Rogers Hornsby - 2291
8. Larry Gardner - 2287
9. Pablo Sandoval #- 2243
10. Home Run Baker - 2224
11. Jack Smith #-2147
12. Ken Hubbs - 2137
13. Gus Williams #- 2077
14. Eddie Collins, Sr. #- 2058

[NYY #23]

The Phillies had a winning month, but are in the middle of a tight race with the Cardinals, Cubs, Robins, and Giants. Mike Pagliarulo has played really well this year, hitting .310 with 12 home runs and 39 RBI, and won his second straight Rookie of the Month award. Our other new addition, Cecil Espy is hitting .381.

Toad Ramsey of the Athletics picked up career win number 250.



Collins moved up one spot on the hit list, and is now 4th on the active players list.

Career Hit List
1. Dick Allen - 2911
2. Red Murray - 2573
3. Jerry Mumphrey - 2527
4. John McGraw - 2403
5. Starlin Castro #- 2361
6. Chipper Jones #- 2360
7. Rogers Hornsby - 2291
8. Larry Gardner - 2287
9. Pablo Sandoval #- 2273
10. Home Run Baker - 2224
11. Jack Smith #-2183
12. Ken Hubbs - 2137
13. Eddie Collins, Sr. #- 2104

[NYY #23]

After an 18-10 month, the Phillies moved into first place. It's still crowded at the top of the NL, with the Cubs trailing by just a game, the Giants by 3 1/2, and both the Cardinals and Reds 4 games behind.

Tom Seaver finally started to pitch like an ace this month, going 6-1 with a 2.50 ERA and won the NL Pitcher of the Month. Eddie Collins hit .455 for the month with 5 home runs, 23 Rbi, and 30 runs scored to win the NL Batter of the Month. With our offense rolling along, I'm hoping that we can have a couple good months to put some distance between us and second place.

Stan Musial of the Indians had a 24 game hitting streak end this month. Monte Ward of the Senators won the 250th game of his career.



Collins moved up one more spot to 12th on the career hit list.

Career Hit List
1. Dick Allen - 2911
2. Red Murray - 2573
3. Jerry Mumphrey - 2527
4. John McGraw - 2403
5. Chipper Jones #- 2398
6. Starlin Castro #- 2370
7. Pablo Sandoval #- 2312
8. Rogers Hornsby - 2291
9. Larry Gardner - 2287
10. Home Run Baker - 2224
11. Jack Smith #-2209
12. Eddie Collins, Sr. #- 2155

[NYY #23]

We got a little breathing room opening up a 2 1/2 game lead over the Cubs, but got some bad news when Tom Seaver went down with an injury that will cause him to miss the rest of the season. It happened right before the trade deadline, so I at least had the opportunity to explore what was out there, but I couldn't find a deal worth doing.

The problem with trading on hard is that sometimes it is hard to make a fair deal. I don't mind overpaying for someone who is good, but the price to add bad starting pitching was just too high. It didn't make sense to trade Eddie Collins or Al Downing for a 36 year old on the downside of their career. So for better or worse this will more or less be the team that we try to win it all with.

Eddie Collins had a 24 game hitting streak end, while teammate Jim Pagliaroni had a 34 game hitting streak end.

After an 18-10 month, the Phillies moved into first place. It's still crowded at the top of the NL, with the Cubs trailing by just a game, the Giants by 3 1/2, and both the Cardinals and Reds 4 games behind.

Tom Seaver finally started to pitch like an ace this month, going 6-1 with a 2.50 ERA and won the NL Pitcher of the Month. Eddie Collins hit .455 for the month with 5 home runs, 23 Rbi, and 30 runs scored to win the NL Batter of the Month. With our offense rolling along, I'm hoping that we can have a couple good months to put some distance between us and second place.

Stan Musial of the Indians had a 24 game hitting streak end this month. Monte Ward of the Senators won the 250th game of his career.



Career Hit List
1. Dick Allen - 2911
2. Red Murray - 2573
3. Jerry Mumphrey - 2527
4. Chipper Jones #- 2430
5. John McGraw - 2403
6. Starlin Castro #- 2370
7. Pablo Sandoval #- 2338
8. Rogers Hornsby - 2291
9. Larry Gardner - 2287
10. Jack Smith #-2235
11. Home Run Baker - 2224
12. Eddie Collins, Sr. #- 2193

[NYY #23]

A 13-17 month, and another injury to a starting pitcher, this time losing Mario Soto. We've got relievers starting games now with 3 starting pitchers on the DL. Our plan for the rest of the year is to try and outslug our opponents and hope for a miracle.

We've got just 2 games left with the Cubs this season, on September 26th and 27th.



Career Hit List
1. Dick Allen - 2911
2. Red Murray - 2573
3. Jerry Mumphrey - 2527
4. Chipper Jones #- 2475
5. John McGraw - 2403
6. Starlin Castro #- 2370
7. Pablo Sandoval #- 2369
8. Rogers Hornsby - 2291
9. Larry Gardner - 2287
10. Jack Smith #-2257
11. Eddie Collins, Sr. #- 2239

[NYY #23]

Year 5 is now in the books, and while the Phillies have made improvements every year since I've got here, we've still been able to get to the next level. Our biggest problem the past two years has been depth, and injuries, which in my mind are closely tied to each other.

We either need to figure out how to stay healthy the entire season (unlikely), or I need to add another pitcher. I've struggled doing that, because the price to acquire another starting pitcher has been prohibitive. Between the amateur draft and the offseason the number one goal is to add another pitcher capable of stepping in when we lose a pitcher for an extended period of time.

Of course, drafting lower and lower in the amateur draft makes it hard to get the players you need. Based on what was left when the Phillies picked 18th, I had to go with the best available, which meant 1B Kevin 'No' Maas. SS Onix Concepcion was our second pick, followed by MR Ambrose Puttmann, RF Bill Barrett, and catcher Palmer Hildebrand.

We are close, but we just need to get over that edge. The Cubs won their third straight World Series, but defeating the Chicago White Sox 4 games to 2. The National League has a 16-9 edge in World Series victories.

Reggie Jefferson of the Cincinnati Reds had a 31 game hitting streak.

Mike Pagliarulo won the National League Rookie of the Year award, hitting .305 with 20 home runs, 104 RBI, and 92 runs scored. Eddie Collins won the Outstanding Hitter Award after hitting .410 with 9 home runs, 68 RBI, and 1000 runs scored. Collins also added a Gold Glove, the only Phillie to win. This was Collins 7th Outstanding Hitter Award, but first since coming to the NL.

It's the fifth anniversary of the draft in which we chose Tom Seaver over Peak-a-Boo Veach and John Smoltz. I figured it was a good time to look back. Seaver has gone 77-58 with a 3.32 ERA in his career. Smoltz has gone 63-43 with a 3.51 ERA. Meanwhile, Veach has gone 101-56 with a 2.85 ERA, and has added a Rookie of the Year award and 3 Outstanding Pitcher Awards. I can't help but wonder if we drafted Veach instead it would be the Phillies who have won 3 straight World Series, and not the Cubs.

The 1925 Hall of Fame class feature one of my former players, Bret Saberhagen:


along with three other pitchers: Ken Chase:


Sig Jakuchi:

Nino Espinosa:


My first reaction about the last three was who are they? And my second reaction is I really don't like the default Hall of Fame settings during the deadball era.

Career Hit List
1. Dick Allen - 2911
2. Red Murray - 2573
3. Jerry Mumphrey - 2527
4. Chipper Jones #- 2498
5. John McGraw - 2403
6. Pablo Sandoval #- 2402
7. Starlin Castro #- 2372
8. Rogers Hornsby - 2291
9. Larry Gardner - 2287
10. Jack Smith #-2278
11. Eddie Collins, Sr. #- 2242



Philadelphia Phillies - 61-93 (.396) 27 1/2 GB
1921 - Philadelphia Phillies 69-85 (.448) 11 1/2 GB (Season Score - 17)
1922 - Philadelphia Phillies 80-74 (.519) 7 GB (Season Score - 52)
1923 - Philadelphia Phillies 82-72 (.532) 6 1/2 GB (Season Score - 27)
1924 - Philadelphia Phillies 84-70 (.545) 6 GB (Season Score - 34)
1925 - Philadelphia Phillies 87-67 (.565) 3 GB ( Season Score - 46)

[NYY #23]

One of the things I really don't like to do is draft a guy then immediately trade him, but I felt my hands were tied with the last draft. With 25 year old Joe Hauser entrenched at first base I faced my second straight offseason where I had to deal with the fall out of having two players at the same position because of the amateur draft. I kept the veteran last year, but decided to deal Kevin Maas if I could find a good offer.

The Yankees were willing to send us SP Butch Wensloff, who at 26 years old went 17-21 with a 3.13 ERA in his first season in the majors last season. We also got back MR Todd Coffey, and shipped off Kevin Maas along with shortstop Onix Concepcion.

We struggled in April, going 9-8. Our pitching has led us so far as we wait for our offense to heat up. It's a real small sample size though, but at this point just about everyone is struggling offensively, but we are pitching real well.

If good news comes from injuries, the Cubs will be without Peek-A-Boo Beach for the next two months with a forearm injury.



Chipper Jones picked up his 2500th hit of his career and I expect him to move up to second place this season. Collins has gotten off to a slow start and remains in eleventh place.

Career Hit List
1. Dick Allen - 2911
2. Red Murray - 2573
3. Jerry Mumphrey - 2527
4. Chipper Jones #- 2509
5. Pablo Sandoval #- 2410
6. John McGraw - 2403
7. Starlin Castro #- 2372
8. Jack Smith #-2295
9. Rogers Hornsby - 2291
10. Larry Gardner - 2287
11. Eddie Collins, Sr. #- 2256

[dynaboyj]

How have the Cardinals done after the ten years since you've left them?

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by dynaboyj

How have the Cardinals done after the ten years since you've left them?

They actually did pretty well winning the next three World Series with the core, but the age of their pitching staff, in particular, caught up with them. Dan Miceli got old quick between 1919 and 1920, and Jack McDowell went from a 21 game winner to a 6 game winner although he pitched decent if both Miceli and McDowell didn't drop off so much they would have at least won the NL again in 1921. After that it really was a combination of age and a couple of bad transactions that did the Cardinals in.

[NYY #23]

The Phillies went 20-7 for the month, and moved into first place. We now hold a 2 1/2 game lead over the Braves, and a 4 game lead over the Cubs. That's the good news for the month.

The bad news is that we lost starting pitcher Butch Wensloff for the season. Wensloff's career with the Phillies has been brief but impressive, going 5-2 with a 2.05 ERA. So much for adding starting pitching depth…

Tom Seaver went 7-0 with a 2.48 ERA in 7 starts to pick up the NL Pitcher of the Month award.

Mike Pagliarulo became just the third player to hit 3 home runs in a game, when he went 4-5 with 4 RBI against the Giants. Cy Williams and Billy Cowan both hit 3 homers in a game in 1912.

3B Mike Hessman of the White Sox hit for the cycle in a 8-7 loss to the Yankees. Cookie Rojas of the Cardinals hit safely in 33 straight games before seeing his streak end after an 0-4 outing against the Reds.



Chipper Jones moved up to 3rd place on the career hit list, while Eddie Collins moved into a tie for 10th place.

Career Hit List
1. Dick Allen - 2911
2. Red Murray - 2573
3. Chipper Jones #- 2532
4. Jerry Mumphrey - 2527
5. Pablo Sandoval #- 2411
6. John McGraw - 2403
7. Starlin Castro #- 2373
8. Jack Smith #-2317
9. Rogers Hornsby - 2291
10. Eddie Collins, Sr. #- 2287
11. Larry Gardner - 2287

[NYY #23]

After going 11-17 for the month we've fallen into 3rd place, but still are 2 1/2 games back. We've definitely had some bad luck this season, as our expected record would put us in first place.

Our offense is starting to heat up, and our pitching is continuing to do well. We have some weaknesses, but hopefully we'll be able to hang around and make a run for the Cubs.

Joe Hauser started to heat up, winning the NL Hitter of the Month after hitting .340 with 4 home runs, 29 RBI, and 15 runs scored.

Eddie Collins moved into 9th place on the career hit list.

Career Hit List
1. Dick Allen - 2911
2. Red Murray - 2573
3. Chipper Jones #- 2555
4. Jerry Mumphrey - 2527
5. Pablo Sandoval #- 2450
6. John McGraw - 2403
7. Starlin Castro #- 2373
8. Jack Smith #-2349
9. Eddie Collins, Sr. #- 2324

[NYY #23]

The Phillies went 14-13 for the month and fell to 5 1/2 games behind the Cubs. I debated a lot heading in to the deadline about buying vs selling. In the end I took one more chance and sent LF Hideki Matsui, SS Spider Wilhelm, and SP Gene Krapp to the Philadelphia Athletics for 26 year old Jason Werth. We will see if that helps, but if not it may be time for some major shakeups in Philadelphia.

Oliver Perez of the Senators picked up career win number 200. Ray Fisher of the Robins won his 250th game.



Chipper Jones moved into second on the career hit list, while Collins moved closer to the next two players on the list.

Career Hit List
1. Dick Allen - 2911
2. Chipper Jones #- 2582
3. Red Murray - 2573
4. Jerry Mumphrey - 2527
5. Pablo Sandoval #- 2497
6. John McGraw - 2403
7. Jack Smith #-2379
8. Starlin Castro #- 2373
9. Eddie Collins, Sr. #- 2362

[yougo1000]

Is Starlin Castro retired as his hit numbers aren't going up?

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by yougo1000

Is Starlin Castro retired as his hit numbers aren't going up?

He was actually injured in spring training, and will miss most of 1926. We'll have to see how well he comes back from it.

[NYY #23]

The Phillies went 17-11 for the month, but couldn't keep up with the Cubs who went 20-10 and now hold a 5 1/2 game lead. I don't have a great deal of confidence that we can catch Chicago either.

Pablo Sandloval of the Robins collected the 2500th hit of his career. Shag Shaughnessy of the Giants hit for the cycle in a 5-2 win over the Reds. Jim Gardner of the Athletics picked up career win number 250.

Babe Ruth of the Braves won the NL Batter of the Month after hitting .357 with 8 home runs, 22 RBI, and 24 runs scored.

Collins jumps two spots to move in to seventh.

Career Hit List
1. Dick Allen - 2911
2. Chipper Jones #- 2609
3. Red Murray - 2573
4. Jerry Mumphrey - 2527
5. Pablo Sandoval #- 2522
6. John McGraw - 2403
7. Eddie Collins, Sr. #- 2399

[NYY #23]

With six seasons now in the books, and a guaranteed seventh season, the Phillies become the second longest team I've been with, and it has been the longest I've had a team that hasn't made it to the World Series. I'm really struggling with the Phillies and getting to the next level. It's been a combination of things, and the Chicago Cubs juggernaut doesn't help. For the fourth time in four seasons the Cubs won the World Series, this time defeating the Tigers. No other team besides the Cardinals won four straight, and no other team has won 5 World Series.

There have been 11 teams with a World Series title, and 5 teams without. A look at the totals:
5 - Cubs, Cardinals
3 - Pirates, Red Sox
2 - Browns, Phillies, Braves
1 - Tigers, Yankees, Indians, Athletics
0 - White Sox, Robins, Senators, Giants, Reds

I know I talked about blowing up the team if we didn't win this year, but in reality it is easier said than done. Trading on 'Hard' is in fact hard. The return I can get for Eddie Collins, or Tom Seaver, or Al Downing is worth less than what they could potentially give me. It's hard to package multiple player to get back one better player because then I'm opening up another hole. Is it worth giving up on Eddie Collins, at 31, after a down year in which he hit .315/.423/.371? Or is it worth trading him and having to package someone else to get back a good player? I just can't bring myself to trade Tom Seaver, warts and all, for a middle reliever.

I'm not intending to complain, just laying out the facts. The best way to add is through the amateur draft in this alternative world. It gets harder and harder picking at the end of round 1 year after year though. I've found that it is easier to make the jump from last to second, than it is from second to first - generally speaking.

But it's draft time again, and I'm pretty pleased with this year's draft, as we added two guys who should help us in the outfield. So it looks like we won't blow up the Phillies, but we will see what happens in the offseason, and hopefully we can get over the hump and overtake the Cubs.

Amateur draft results -
CF -Ron Roenicke
LF - Branch Rickey
MR - Frank Baumann
3B - Dallas McPherson
RF - Dutch Mele

Chick Stahl has decided to call it quits and has announced his retirement. He hit .277 for his career, and I haven't mentioned him much, if at all, during my time with the Phillies. He's been useful as a fifth outfielder, hitting .382 in limited playing time, and bad as a fifth outfielder (.154, .231). But I've probably called him up and sent him down more than any player on my team.

Tom Seaver won the NL Pitcher of the Year Award after going 22-9 with a 3.18 ERA.

Jim Whitney of the Reds won his 250th game.

Ken Singleton of the White Sox won the batting title after hitting .357, and added the Rookie of the Year award. He lost out on the Outstanding Hitter of the Year award to Willie McCovey of the Tigers, who hit .320 with 22 home runs, and 125 RBI.

Babe Ruth captured the Outstanding Hitter Award in the NL, hitting .296 with 38 home runs and 108 RBI. Ruth has hit 265 home runs for his career, and twice hit 38 home runs in a year, the most in a single season.

The Hall of Fame inductees was crowded this year, with 5 players being inducted. Win Mercer:


Zane Smith:


Gene Conley:


John H Murphy:


and Bill Swift were all elected. (I'll post his stats next.)

Collins jumps one spots to move in to sixth.

Career Hit List
1. Dick Allen - 2911
2. Chipper Jones #- 2633
3. Red Murray - 2573
4. Jerry Mumphrey - 2527
5. Pablo Sandoval #- 2522
6. Eddie Collins, Sr. #- 2424



Philadelphia Phillies - 61-93 (.396) 27 1/2 GB
1921 - Philadelphia Phillies 69-85 (.448) 11 1/2 GB (Season Score - 17)
1922 - Philadelphia Phillies 80-74 (.519) 7 GB (Season Score - 52)
1923 - Philadelphia Phillies 82-72 (.532) 6 1/2 GB (Season Score - 27)
1924 - Philadelphia Phillies 84-70 (.545) 6 GB (Season Score - 34)
1925 - Philadelphia Phillies 87-67 (.565) 3 GB ( Season Score - 46)
1926 - Philadelphia Phillies 87-67 (.565) 7 GB (Season Score - 23)

[NYY #23]

Hall of Famer Bill Swift's career:

[ShagVT]

Those are some strange Hall of Fame inductees. Conley gets in with a career record of 184-207??? Smith gets in with a couple of solid years starting, but the bulk of his career as a journeyman reliever?

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by ShagVT

Those are some strange Hall of Fame inductees. Conley gets in with a career record of 184-207??? Smith gets in with a couple of solid years starting, but the bulk of his career as a journeyman reliever?

I definitely agree with you. Those are the out of the box defaults, so I believe it must by 150 wins and ERA less than 3.00 which let them in. I don't have the game in front of me so I can verify when I get home, but I definitely don't like the defaults for the dead ball era.

Edit - After confirming it's definitely the ERA under 3.00 with 150 wins that is what is getting in the weaker pitchers.