Worst to First - The Sequel

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by MarkCuban

Wow, looks like the pennant is all but locked up by now. It might already be on to the next team!

As a Cubs fan, how have the North Siders been faring lately?

The Cubs have been the most dominant team in the league over the past 10 years, going to the playoffs five times and winning 4 World Series. Even since their run they've been a pretty good team with some bad luck,-8 and -12 for their pythagorean record.

[dawg_gone]

Talk about the Midas touch! (And I don't mean brakes.)

This team is on Cruz control.

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by dawg_gone

Talk about the Midas touch! (And I don't mean brakes.)

This team is on Cruz control.

Judging by the first game it's going to be a wild one.

[NYY #23]

I feel like I know my opponent, the Phillies, better than the Red Sox. It's been a strange, strange year so far. Javier Vazquez made just 11 starts this season going 4-6 with a 4.52 ERA, but by default he will get the start in Game 1. Taking the mound for the Phillies is 23 game winner Butch Wensloff. In my mind the Phillies are a better team in every way, shape and form, and in the bottom of the first inning the Phillies put up a 5 spot, so things weren't looking too good in Game 1.

But things aren't that simple, and this turned into a real ugly game. The Red Sox scored 2 in the second, third, and then 5 in the fourth. Both teams scored 3 in the fifth, and we took a 12-8 lead into the sixth inning.

The Phillies scored 2 in the eighth and scored 1 in the ninth, but left the bases loaded as we held on for a wild 13-11 win.

Jacque Jones was 4-6 with a home run and 4 RBI, and Ken Griffey went 3-5 with a home run and 4 RBI. Denis Menke and Adam Kennedy each went 3-5 for the night and the Red Sox collected 18 hits.

Ryan Rowland-Smith allowed 3 runs in 4 1/3 innings in relief to pick up the win.

It wasn't pretty, but we take a 1-0 series lead.

[NYY #23]

Dutch Ruether took the mound for the Red Sox after going 15-17 with a 5.60 ERA in the regular season. Tom Seaver got the ball for the Phillies after a 24-12 season with a 3.43 ERA.

The two teams combined for 15 runs, 29 hits, and 4 errors in what has been the ugliest World Series I can remember. But it isn't as ugly if you win, which we did 9-6.

Denis Menke, Adam Kennedy, and Jacque Jones all homered in the game and Andy Reese drove in 3 runs.

Ruether outlasted the Phillies for a 9-6 win, and the Red Sox are up 2-0 in the World Series.

[NYY #23]

Tonight's starter for the Red Sox, Bobby Burke, spent the majority of his season in the minors, where he posted a 5.46 ERA. The Phillies threw another 20 game winner at us in Bill Laskey.

We fell behind 4-0 early, but once again our offense picked us up. Adam Kenendy went 3-5 with 4 RBI. Ken Griffey, Jr. tripled home a pair of runs, and Jacque Jones doubled and scored 3 runs.

Again it wasn't pretty, but the Red Sox won 9-7 to take a 3-0 series lead and move to one win of winning the World Series.

[NYY #23]

With a 3-0 series lead the Red Sox sent out our "ace" Javier Vazquez, who gave up 7 runs in just 3 innings pitched. His ERA after 2 starts is now 17.61.

Our offense was quiet today as the Phillies blew us out 10-1.

[NYY #23]

Part of me still couldn't believe we are in the World Series, and the other part of me wanted to close out the series with a win at home.

We took an early 4-0 lead with a pair of runs in both the first and second innings, but the Phillies would come back with 4 in the fourth and a run in each the 5th and 6th innings.

Trailing 6-5 heading into the bottom of the 7th the Red Sox exploded for 10 runs to win the game 15-6, and win the World Series 4 games to 1.

Wow - is all I can think. Andy Seminick was 3-5 with a home run and 3 RBI. Adam Kennedy was a perfect 5-5 with his second home run of the series and 3 RBI. Jacque Jones and Larry Sheets each added 3 RBI.

With a 15-6 win the Boston Red Sox won the World Series.

[dynaboyj]

Even if a lot of it was luck, I'm impressed--a true worst-to-first. Make sure to keep a tab on how Ken Griffey develops.

Also, how have the Braves done in the ten years after your makeover of them? How's Babe Ruth?

[yougo1000]

Incredible this reminds me of the Braves and Twins 21 years ago.

[dawg_gone]

Worst to first to fast!

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by dynaboyj

Even if a lot of it was luck, I'm impressed--a true worst-to-first. Make sure to keep a tab on how Ken Griffey develops.

Also, how have the Braves done in the ten years after your makeover of them? How's Babe Ruth?

Thanks! Although I'm glad to win in one year, it is a little disappointing to not have Ken Griffey on my team. I'll keep an eye on him though.

The Braves really puzzled me after I left. I noticed that they immediately went in to rebuilding mode, a la the Marlins. They did manage to finish tied with the Cubs the next year, although they lost the one game playoff, and things really went downhill from there. With the Cubs emergence, along with the Phillies the Braves didn't make the moves to remain competitive.



Ruth can't be blamed though. He isn't as good as he was in real life, but he's right in the 35-40 home run range each year, hitting between .270 and .300 and has won the Hitter of the Year Award 4 times. He has gone from the picture of health (no injuries except one day to day) to missing at least a month in each of the last three seasons though. He's still 30 though, and needs 51 home runs to reach 400. I think he'll get to 400 easily, and likely 500. 600 home runs might be pushing it though.

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by yougo1000

Incredible this reminds me of the Braves and Twins 21 years ago.

Originally Posted by dawg_gone

Worst to first to fast!

Thanks! This was definitely a wild one, but pretty fun. It definitely was an ugly World Series, but one of those ones where everything just seemed to go right.

[NYY #23]

As I look back over the past year I wonder what just happened? This year was a first since I've been doing this, in either version. From worst to World Series Champion in a single year.

Sometimes you have bad luck, sometimes you have goo d luck, and this year I had incredible luck. Even better that this luck came with the Red Sox and I'll get to move along. There were no trades or deals made with the Red Sox, and I didn't make any changes except bringing in a new manager. We played most of the year without our number 2 starter, and the playoffs without our number 1 and number 2 starter.

The Red Sox improved by 30 games, our batting average improved by 31 points and 18 year old centerfielder Ken Griffey Jr. will probably become a fixture in Boston with the Red Sox after winning the Rookie of the Year, hitting.306 with 16 home runs, 90 RBI, and 92 runs scored.

In news around the league, Craig Counsell of the Browns hit for the cycle in a September game against the Tigers.

Two pitchers were elected to the Hall of Fame in 1929, including one of my former players Brian Bannister. Vic Willis was also elected.





Boston Red Sox - 63-91 (.409) 28 GB
1929 - Boston Red Sox 93-61 (.604) - GB, Won World Series 4-1 over Philadelphia Phillies (Season Score - 100)

[NYY #23]

With the Philadelphia Athletics I'll be taking control of my sixth team, but will only be going to my third city, as this is my second stop in Philly, after two in Boston and two in St. Louis.

According to the OSA the Athletics have weaknesses at catcher, center field, the rotation, and bullpen. We also have slight weaknesses at shortstop, left field, and right field.

The Athletics haven't come closer than 16 games out of first place since 1922, and haven't won the AL since 1915, when they made their only playoff appearance and won their only World Series. The Athletics have an all-time winning percentage of .482.

A couple of bad things that I've noticed, my leader in both home runs and RBI, Clarence Kraft, is 38 years old. Joe Coleman, 34, and Jim Gardner, 36, make up half my rotation.

And a couple of good things - C Josh Willingham, LF Kal Daniels, 2B Bernie Allen, and SP Red Lucas all finished the year on the disabled list, but represent significant upgrades.

In the amateur draft we went with the following:

SP - Erik Bedard
3B - Chone Figgins
SS - Milt Bolling
1B - Mike Jacobs
MR - Lance Painter
C - Jack Coveney

The A's have an extra second round pick for failing to sign last year's pick. I really wanted to take Curtis Granderson with the first pick, but it would have been a reach. He slipped to 14th going to the Detroit Tigers, and 9 of the top 10 picks were starting pitchers in this pitching heavy draft. I do feel like we had a good draft though, getting four players who I'm happy with.

James Shields won the AL Pitcher of the Year, going 19-4 with a 2.36 ERA and Tom Seaver won the NL Pitcher of the Year, going 24-12 with a 3.43 ERA.

After my Red Sox experience I don't expect a lot of moves during the offseason, and we'll see how things play out.

[NYY #23]

The Giants approached us with one deal in the offseason, offering shortstop Rabbit Maranville in exchange for 1B Al Maul and SP Tim Keefe. I overlooked Keefe when looking at my team as he was pitching as a middle reliever, but he was our top pick in 1927 and is one of the top prospects in the league.

In the long run I don't think I probably won't win this deal, but adding a 29 year old shortstop who is good with the glove and has hit .283 or better the past five seasons was worth it.

The Robins also offered catcher Jim Pagliaroni in exchange for reliever Travis Harper. I didn't go looking for either deal, but couldn't resist adding Pagliaroni, one of my former Phillies for a reliever, even though my bullpen looks pretty weak.

On the field we have struggled out of the gate, going 5-11 and starting off the year in last place. We feature bad pitching, bad hitting, and bad defense. It's early though, so I don't want to jump to conclusions based on a small sample.

Eddie Collins passed 3000 career hits this month, and finished the month with 3006 hits, trailing only Chipper Jones and his 3091 hits.

Babe Ruth became the fourth player to hit 3 home runs in a game, joining Mike Pagliarulo, who did it in 1926, and Billy Cowan and Cy Williams, who both accomplished the feat in 1912.

Mike Sullivan of the Cardinals picked up career win number 200, as did former Brave Orval Overall.

Both Ron Roenicke of the Phillies and Ed Hahn of the Tigers collected 6 hits in a game. Ken Singleton of the White Sox had a 28 game hitting streak that ended in April.

[mirrf]

Since the A's are my favorite team, I don't know if I want you to make them win quickly. I mean, I will enjoy reading about them for as long as you're there. So take your time. I mean, WIN NOW!

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by mirrf

Since the A's are my favorite team, I don't know if I want you to make them win quickly. I mean, I will enjoy reading about them for as long as you're there. So take your time. I mean, WIN NOW!

After my stop in Boston I have a feeling that the OOTP God's will punish me and I'll be doomed for a long stay soon, but I think you'll get your wish - although I'm not sure which one yet!

[NYY #23]

With a 16-13 month, the Athletics saw their first winning month during my tenure. We moved up to seventh place, or technically a sixth place tie.

We've now lost three center fielders to the disabled list, which even though they are the only three injuries we have, it hurts that I'm already thin at centerfield.

Eddie Collins was named Batter of the month after hitting .473 for the month, and continues to get closer to Chipper Jones, who is 4 years older than Collins.

Career Hit List
1. Chipper Jones #- 3119
2. Eddie Collins, Sr. #- 3058

[NYY #23]

Despite his solid glove at shortstop, Rabbit Maranville really struggled since coming to Philadelphia, and my manager insisted on playing him at second base too frequently or my liking, causing my second baseman to play third, and Lowrie to play shortstop. They all were capable of doing so, but were playing the weaker position that they are capable of.

Two things came out of that, I promoted my pitching coach to manager, and Rabbit Maranville was traded to the Chicago Cubs or 3B Jeff McCleskey. I probably gave up on Rabbit too early, but I couldn't keep Milt Bolling and his hot bat down in the minors too much longer.

We went 13-16 for the month, but remain in a 6th place tie.

Jim Rice of the Phillies picked up career hit number 2000.

Eddie Collins saw his 24 game hitting streak end, but was out hit by Chipper Jones hit month, 23-19.

Career Hit List
1. Chipper Jones #- 3142
2. Eddie Collins, Sr. #- 3077