Time Warp Baseball

[jdw]

> Middleton has struggled. Grant took a hit.
> Menard and Perly both cold at the plate.

I hate to say it, but I think the team is toast. :/ It might be time for rebuilding.

You might have to sort out who the keepers are in a 5+ year rebuilding program, such as Valeriano and your best prospects. Then looking into cashing in your older A-Talent that could bring prospects or youth in return, namely Billy Simson, Johnny Champagne, Frankie Bowers, and possibly Middleton.

In a time machine, it would be nice to go back and get back what you gave up for Perly. You could trade off more prospects this year, but it seems like chasing bad money with good.


John

[jdw]

> Kreitena is a friend of mine. We just thought
> it'd be fun if we shared the left side of an
> infield. Gotta have son fun with this stuff!

Okay... I was missing a in there. :P


John

[jdw]

> Why does it seem like you enjoying knocking
> on Hutch?

I have this "Alternating Generations Love/Hate Relationship With Met's Ancestors" complex going on:

Hate - Campbell "Overrated" Ditty
Love - Jimmy "Screwed By The War" Ditty

Love - Kaiser "Retired Too Soon" Kahle
Hate - Hutch "Pushed Too Young" Kahle

So the next Ditty that comes along is in for some grief, while the next Kahle that catches my eye and is my type of player will get much love.


John, saddened to see Jimmy off to a bad start...


Yes, I brought him up early...but I didn't have much of anything else and I persoanlly think that he'll eventually be a .300 hitter with 15-20 HR and 85-95 RBI each year...probably by '53. Watch out...you may just jinx Doug Williams into having a worse career than The Hutchmeister [/QUOTE]

[metsgeek]

Originally Posted by jdw

I have this "Alternating Generations Love/Hate Relationship With Met's Ancestors" complex going on:

Hate - Campbell "Overrated" Ditty
Love - Jimmy "Screwed By The War" Ditty

Love - Kaiser "Retired Too Soon" Kahle
Hate - Hutch "Pushed Too Young" Kahle

So the next Ditty that comes along is in for some grief, while the next Kahle that catches my eye and is my type of player will get much love.

I could be wrong, but I think that will be Patrick "Tricky" Ditty and John "Jock" Kahle, both of whom I only know from my family tree.

[jdw]

I'm glad to see the Pirates playing well, since I had tabbed them to be a team "better" this year than last in the TWB Board discussion about the Dodgers.

Obviously this team isn't going to keep hitting 20 HR and scoring 83 runs in every 10 games stretch. They opened in Wrigley and lit the Cubs up like the 4th of July - 30 runs and 10 HR. They also beat up the Braves, blew out the Phils twice, and smacked down the Dodgers in the first game of that series. They do have two more against the Dodgers, so they could run that record even higher. But then reality sets in:

* three at home against the Cards
* three in Boston and their unfriendly park
* three more against the Phils and their pitching

Their offense isn't going to keep it up.

That said, the Pirates have a very nice top five of the order in Bottoms, Vardaman, Perry, Giordano and Monchak. I think collectively those five will be better that the top 5 last season, even if only for Bottoms for Huschke switch. But their bottom 3 should be collectively better - Huschke's a big improvement over last season's SS being buried down there, Walker is bound to be better than last season's disaster, and Kruyt will likely be in the same range as last year.

Their rotation was young last year and some of it is likely to be better this year. Of course Gwaltney is lurking in AAA.

I thought the Pirates could be this year's 1950 Reds - a team that turns out better than expected. The Reds had to completly rebuild a rotation during the course of the season to do it. The Pirates already have most of what one would be their rotation. And a better offense than the Reds had last year.

I don't think they have enough to sustain a pennant challenge. They probably would need a Cotton Simson _and_ at least one other pitcher on their roster to shake out to be a very strong #2 for that to happen.


John

[pat]

Originally Posted by jdw

I hate to say it, but I think the team is toast. :/ It might be time for rebuilding.

You might have to sort out who the keepers are in a 5+ year rebuilding program, such as Valeriano and your best prospects. Then looking into cashing in your older A-Talent that could bring prospects or youth in return, namely Billy Simson, Johnny Champagne, Frankie Bowers, and possibly Middleton.

In a time machine, it would be nice to go back and get back what you gave up for Perly. You could trade off more prospects this year, but it seems like chasing bad money with good.


John

Yeah, I'm thinking of rebuilding soon. I need to think it over, I guess.

[Matt from TN]

WEB PAGES UPDATED... INCLUDING PLAYER PAGES


April 1951

The A's and Yankees jumped out to big early leads, and 3rd place Boston is already 5 games back. Hershel Lee pounded 9 homeruns for Philly and was named BOTM.

In the NL, four teams have winning percentages over .600, and the biggest surprise would have to be Pittsburgh. The Pirates are the top offense in baseball so far, led by 1B "Samoan Ben" Giordano, who is hitting .313 with 8 HR and 22 RBI. RF William Perry won BOTM honors as well for the team.

In The News

Apr 5: The Athletics played the first home Opening Day night game in American League history, defeating the White Sox 3-2.

Apr 5: Cold weather, including snow in Chicago, held Opening Day attendance for the eight games to 171,678. Last year it was 252,700.

Apr 17: In the pregame ceremonies at Wrigley Field, golfer Sam Snead teed off from home plate and hit a golf ball off the CF scoreboard, the only ball ever to reach the structure. The Cubs then went out and beat the Giants 7-6.

Apr 25: Former Athletics pitcher, 34-year-old Mel Kauble contested the reserve clause. His lawyer, Frederic Johnson, filed a $150,000 suit, alleging that his client's trade from Syracuse to Beaumont in the Texas League constituted a breach of the nation's antitrust laws.

Apr 26: In a 11-3 defeat of the Indians, Tony Seats became the 8th player, but the first White Sox, to hit a ball over the RF grandstand, added 26 years ago, at Comiskey Park. His blast came in the 1st inning off Bernard Homic.

Apr 29: El Paso owner Jack Corbett sought a writ to prevent Commissioner Happy Chandler from removing records pending outcome of his antitrust suit.

Apr 30: Adam Heanue, formerly of the Kansas City Blues (NYA), sued major league baseball for $150,000 to test the legality of the reserve clause. The 32-year-old lefty contends the reserve clause is monopolistic and violates anti-trust laws.


American League-Pitcher of the Month:
Bob "Chin Music" Stevens (PHA)!
He had a record of 4-0 in 6 games started, with an ERA of 1.88 and 1 shutouts.

American League-Batter of the Month:
Hershel Lee (PHA)!
He batted .347 in 75 AB, with 9 homers and 22 RBI.

National League-Pitcher of the Month:
James Bajofer (CIN)!
He had a record of 3-1 in 6 games started, with an ERA of 1.08.

National League-Batter of the Month:
William Perry (PIT)!
He batted .470 in 100 AB, with 6 homers and 18 RBI.

American League Standings 
  
Philadelphia (A) 18  6 .750 -
New York (A)     17  6 .739 0.5
Boston (A)       13 11 .542 5.0
Detroit          12 11 .522 5.5
Washington       12 12 .500 6.0
Chicago (A)       8 15 .348 9.5 
St. Louis (A)     8 16 .333 10.0 
Cleveland         6 17 .261 11.5
 
National League Standings 
 
St. Louis (N)    16  8 .667 -
New York (N)     15  8 .652 0.5
Boston (N)       14  9 .609 1.5  
Pittsburgh       14  9 .609 1.5
Cincinnati       11 13 .458 5.0 
Philadelphia (N) 10 13 .435 5.5
Chicago (N)       7 16 .304 8.5
Brooklyn          6 17 .261 9.5

AL AVG
.370 Em Pelto, BOS
.365 Morris Lutske, BOS
.351 Tom Foraker, WSH

NL AVG
.470 William Perry, PIT
.412 Herman Dunkel, STL
.411 Mike Fellner, STL

AL HOMERUNS
9 Hershel Lee, PHA
6 Bobby Johnson, BOS
5 Luther Ormiston, DET
5 Ray Kress, DET

NL HOMERUNS
8 Ben Giordano, PIT
7 Mike Fellner, STL
6 William Perry, PIT
6 Ken Chaucer, BSN

AL RBI
25 Bobby Johnson, BOS
23 Ray Kress, DET
22 Hershel Lee, PHA

NL RBI
22 Ben Giordano, PIT
20 Mitch Leibowitz, BSN
19 Three Players Tied

AL STEALS
12 Hans Habermehl, PHA
11 Jonny Perly, SLA
4 Hershel Cooley, PHA

NL STEALS
16 Ben Cook, STL
9 Moses Bottoms, PIT
6 Francis Gilmartin, BSN

AL ERA
1.88 Bob Stevens, PHA
2.16 Danny Mau, PHA
2.16 Chris Frays, WSH

NL ERA
1.08 James Bajofer, BSN
2.06 Ace Shipley, STL
2.33 Glenn Howell, BSN

AL WINS
4 Eight Players Tied

NL WINS
5 Garland Sisk, NYG
5 Ron Fleischmann, PIT
4 Six Players Tied

AL STRIKEOUTS
39 Bob Stevens, PHA
36 Cotton Simson, SLA
35 Carpenter Erickson, NYA

NL STRIKEOUTS
28 Scottie Allen, BSN
27 Ron Fleischmann, PIT
26 Grady Ingram, STL

AL SAVES
5 Bernard Client, WSH
4 Daniel Earley, NYA
3 Five Players Tied

NL SAVES
7 Bob Rustia, BSN
6 Rich Lunde, PHI
3 Jay Wallsworth, CHN
3 Tommy Light, NYG

[canadiancreed]

National League-Pitcher of the Month:
James Bajofer (CIN)!
He had a record of 3-1 in 6 games started, with an ERA of 1.08.

Very nice Isnt that like four POM's for the Reds in a row now, with Gajan, Lepre, and I think either Bajofer or Stell last year?

I need to give Boots a raise

[Vris]

This team shouldn't be 14-9, sorry. Not without some sort of bat in centerfield. I'm throwing Mau out there because

a) he's getting ratings hits just sitting there
b) he has to be a lot better than Gilmartin/Zenisek, and if he's not then I have 3 CF's who can hit below .200
c) gotta find out now before I go wheeling and dealing

Others:
*Scottie Allen has hit a wall, and my rotation is in shambles. Probably should try Cavalluzzo one last time as the 4th guy
*No homeruns from either catcher yet, not that I'm expecting any from Lock.
*Shadle and Brekke are among the best Top 2 hitters in the game right now
*I can't develop prospects for anything as Surette is off to a crappy start

[canadiancreed]

Well I know of a good solution to your rotation and CF woes. They're on my roster

[DamnYankees]

Anybody else a little a-feared of that Athletics starting rotation? All 4 guys 25 or younger, all 4 really solid, with 2 possible superstars? This could be a dynasty in the vein of the 90's Braves. The A's could be in for a great decade.

[metsgeek]

Originally Posted by DamnYankees

Anybody else a little a-feared of that Athletics starting rotation? All 4 guys 25 or younger, all 4 really solid, with 2 possible superstars? This could be a dynasty in the vein of the 90's Braves. The A's could be in for a great decade.

You might want to check out Cleveland's AAA pitchers. If they don't rot in the minors due to overprotection, I think they could be even better.

As for boston, I'm just hoping McCarty survives the AI development engine of doom.

[BPS]

Originally Posted by DamnYankees

The A's could be in for a great decade.

I wish.

But the aptly named "AI development engine of doom" has still to decide what it will do to Danny Mau. He could be a star or he could simply flame out. But for now he's doing pretty good for a one-star potential pitcher.

But, like many, the first thing I do after every sim is look at the development report to see who has been crushed by the AI development engine of doom. (AI-DEoD?)

CLE has far too many potentially great pitchers working on the farm. I'm a-feared of them. TWB must work collectively to do CLE in! Some on guys, we can do it!

[jdw]

> Isnt that like four POM's for the
> Reds in a row now, with Gajan,
> Lepre, and I think either Bajofer
> or Stell last year?

04/50: Willard Carte (PHI) 4-0, 1.48 ERA
05/50: Scottie Allen (BSN) 6-1, 1.68 ERA
06/50: Abraham Emberling (STL) 3-0, 0.29 ERA
07/50: Ace Shipley (STL) 4-0, 1.45 ERA
08/50: Julius Charnley (STL) 5-1, 1.18 ERA
09/50: Walt Gajan (CIN) 3-0, 0.38 ERA
04/51: James Bajofer (CIN) 3-1, 1.08 ERA

You're probably thinking of Stell's 5-1 with a 1.77 ERA last June getting jobbed by Emberlings three brilliant starts. And also that Emberling and Shipley were both members of the Reds 1947 World Champions. "Feels" almost like four out of the last five were Reds.

Bajofer is an amazing story. Started horribly in 1950 for the Pirates, going 1-2 with an 8.31 ERA. He was traded to the Reds, and got red hot. 11-4 with a 2.83 ERA from May through July. Then he had a bone chips that ended his season, during which he took a minor talent hit. He's come back like nothing happened. Though the Reds have had him now for a "year" (May-Apr), he's started just four full months for them. 14-5 with a 2.44 ERA. He's allowed a stunning 127 hits in 184.2 IP. He's been quite possible the best pitcher in the NL over the course of those four months he's pitched, even before taking into considerate the parks. It's nice to see him comeback and win something. Hell, he should have gone 5-0 if the Reds could score more runs.

John

[jdw]

> *Scottie Allen has hit a wall,

Really? He's still a 8/7/9 over 7/7/8 talent. I don't see any talent hits. For the moment, I would chalk it up to that "Very inconsistent" rating he has.

He's coming off of two exceptional seasons, though no doubt the park helps to some degree. He really only was hammered in the first two games. He's pitched very well in three games (getting stuck with a 1-1 & ND line), and passable in the other (which he won). I wouldn't hit the eject on him yet. The WHIP is still strong. Only 2 dingers allowed. Mostly pitching very well since the hard start.


John

[jdw]

And while of thinking of it, Lutske's problem has been running into the Pirates twice to get torched. A pair of 8 run performances, lasting only 5 and 4 IP. Three of his other starts were brilliant, and the forth wasn't bad.

Howell has been fine. I'm not a huge fan of his, but he's pitched well. Bell is a mess... I'm not sure what you expected there.

The offense is 3rd in the NL. More than a CF, you need to shake the tree for a better #4 starter, and probably get a #5 who could step in when there's an injury. Bell is too big of a stretch right now.


John

[DamnYankees]

Against all teams other than Pittsburgh, Joe Lutske is 3-0 with a 1.03 ERA. Damn Bucs.

[Vris]

I'm panicking, leave me alone!

How would you react if you didn't have a CF hitting over .200?!

Bell is doing better than Cavalluzzo.

[canadiancreed]

How would you react if you didn't have a CF hitting over .200?!

I'd say ti was par for the course in Cincy.

Then wait till May and like the blossoming of the magnolia trees, all the bats wake up

[jdw]

> I'm panicking, leave me alone!
>
> How would you react if you didn't
> have a CF hitting over .200?!

Join the club. Frank's got issues with the Cards.

Meanwhile the Giants are making big deals (the one for Pond) and small deals (the interesting one with the Yanks) to fill in holes and tinker around. This is a club that usually starts slow, then plays well in the middle of the year. They're not really a frightening team yet, but they seem pretty solid. One wonders if they're pulling the Stoller-Fellner spot with Roth going to SS and Howard moving over to 2B, a spot he is stronger at.


John