The Bucs Start Here - A Pirates Do-Over

[luckymann]

Five Bucs get a guernsey this time around.




It's a Red Sox quinella in the HR Derby, with young gun Gus Zernial upsetting club champion Ted Williams in the final, while Gil Hodges leads the NL to a 4-0 win in the main event. That's the first shutout in ASG history and narrows the AL's cumulative lead to 10-8.

[luckymann]

IRL, banged up after years of injuries and generally run down by life, Joltin' Joe takes his leave of the game after an especially tough 1951 campaign, with his career stats finishing as follows:




Of course it is only in the abstract that real life plays its role here, by which I mean the stats he produced are reapplied under whatever settings the save is operating - in this case, 3-year recalc and a max age of 45 - whilst all the other extraneous stuff is stripped out. So, Joe will play on with dev kicking in after the stats run out, and I reckon he'll do so for roughly 3-5 years longer than he did IRL.

Here's how his stats in this timeline look at the time of writing:



Interestingly, despite him not missing time like he did whilst in the service, Joe will need these extra seasons to catch his real-life totals in the major cats, apart from hits. You'd have to think he probably makes it to 2500 of those and close to 400 homers.

Presuming the Yanks retain him, this sets up the juicy prospect of Joe and the Mick spending more than just a brief cameo together. Joe is currently contracted thru next year.

If he keeps up with this sort of form, the Yanks would be mad to let him walk.




EDIT People often ask me how I keep all of the various saves in order. Given that I've had a senior moment and posted this in the wrong thread, the answer should perhaps be "perilously"...

[luckymann]

Well, despite everything we find ourselves in the mix and, to try and maximise our chances, we make the following move with our in-season trade ticket.

This is a completely one-dimensional trade to improve us NOW. I've had my eye on Larry for a while and when I noticed the Tigers put him on the Block, the time seemed right to try get him. We have plenty of pitchers, and Larry is rising 30 with not much left to offer after the next couple years, but he should make our rotation somewhat sturdier for that period.

Bruce was a player they threw up as an option but we needed a short-term replacement until House is ready to slot up, which is where The Horse fits in. At 38, he still gets the job done. It's his walk year and he'll be (part of) one and done with us.

[luckymann]

All-time leader is Reggie Richter with 159.

[luckymann]

Like some bizarre video-generated equine-primate hybrid from the future, it is most definitely on.

A strong sectional has us within a half-game of the Dodgers entering August, but it is far from a two-horse race. The lads have applied themselves so, so well this year and this past couple months in particular. Stirring stuff indeed.





Hard not to jump at shadows in this situation; to overthink things. You have to expect the Brooky boys have another gear in them. Do we? If so, where is it hiding and how do we coax it out and keep it out? Obviously the return of injured players has helped stabilise things and will hopefully continue doing so. Will that be enough?



To suggest that we could get a better spread from our hitters is to overlook the potential for regression from Kiner, who has been simply monstrous but who does have a bit of a rep for late-season fadeouts. At 33, Elliott - superb as well to this point - is also a risk of gassing. So, while I naturally want the other guys to pick up as much slack as they can, I just think that ends up being a wash. If not, then we are a huge chance.

We've tinkered with our lineup as well, with Kiner at 1B, Paf at LF and Westlake in CF. This takes Easter's big bat out of the mix more than I'd like but it does give us a stronger - perhaps less weak is more accurate a descriptive phrase here - formation around the park.

Joost has been out for a week and is hopefully only going to need a minimum IL stint. Sisti has been fantastic in a backup role all year and steps into the breach here.




Even ignoring the fact that our staff has been ravaged by injuries, their effort has been monumental. Now with players returning and the addition of Jansen, we are looking good. But will the earlier exertions take a toll down the stretch? You'd think if we can just squeeze that ERA down below 4 it would do our chances the world of good.

Stobbs is still at least two months away so we aren't counting on him at all.




Like I said, it's not as if the Dodgers and us have it all to ourselves. The Cards are handy and any of the others bar the Jints can put themselves into contention with a strong start to August. The AL is even tighter and we seem all but guaranteed of another enthralling final couple of months. The heavier volume of trading at the deadline tells you that plenty of teams see this as being wide open.


News, Leaders and Top 20s

George Kell looks like he's going to have a serious run at hitting 400, which hasn't been done since Tubby Scales in '31 and only five times all told. Ralph is on pace to hit 56 HR, just shy of Gehrig's record of 58. 50 in itself is rare air, with just the four occasions so far on which it has been reached - most recently by Hank Greenburg with 51 in 1938. More corroboration, if anything, of my concerns re Ralph tailing off.








Monthly Award Winners

June

American League

• Batter – Don Lenhardt (White Sox): 343 / 6 HR / 27 RBI
• Pitcher – Vern Bickford (White Sox): 4-0 / 1.76 / 19 K / 41 IP
• Rookie – Don Lenhardt

National League

• Batter – Gil Hodges (Dodgers): 320 / 15 HR / 37 RBI
• Pitcher – Dutch Leonard (Cubs): 4-1 / 2.88 / 22 K / 50 IP
• Rookie – Ken Wood (Phillies): 365 / 4 HR / 22 RBI

July

American League

• Batter – Jackie Jensen (Red Sox): 361 / 14 HR / 27 RBI
• Pitcher – Howie Pollet (Indians): 4-1 / 2.28 / 22 K / 47.1 IP
• Rookie – Jackie Jensen

National League

• Batter – Monte Irvin (Phillies): 433 / 3 HR / 14 RBI
• Pitcher – Preacher Roe (Dodgers): 4-0 / 2.98 / 23 K / 42.1 IP
• Rookie – Willard Nixon (Reds): 3-1 / 2.57 / 17 K / 42 IP

Milestones and Observations of Note

• An oblique strain puts Yankees OF Hank Bauer on ice for six weeks and their cross-city rival Giants also lose a key OF when Johnny Hopp’s season ends thanks to a torn labrum, then another when Bobby Thomson is left with PCS after a beaning.
• Phil Cavaretta and Wally Moses reach 2000 career hits, Cy Buker 100 saves.

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[luckymann]

More Home Runs than Strikeouts (Minimum 100 PAs)

[luckymann]

A matchup with Brooky to kick August off sees the two of us go toe-to-toe in ferocious fashion before we come away from Ebbets with a points decision.

Six H2H games left in the season, each carrying more wait than under normal circumstances.

[luckymann]

With the White Sox leading strongly from the front and seemingly eager to atone for last season's late fold, the Yanks will need plenty more like this beaut from Gene Hermanski if they want to run them down.

[luckymann]

If we do manage to prevail here, this game at St. Louis will go down as one of the key reasons why as we climb off the canvas and come all the way back from 0-8 down to win it 10-8. That it happens on the same day a late implosion costs the Dodgers their game against the Giants makes it just that little bit sweeter.

[luckymann]

Or if, on the other hand, we miss out, this one will loom large as our BP is unable to close it out not once, but twice and we lose an absolute heartbreaker.

[luckymann]

Does anybody here know the number for 9-1-1?

Comment recently heard in the vicinity of the home dugout at Forbes Field.

That, it's fair to say, was emotional. Not much gas left in the tank right now for me to play silly buggers and drag out the suspense. We lose five in a row to fall into a tie with the Dodgers after 153 games.

We beat Cincy 9-2, the Dodgers lose their third straight at home to Philly by 4-2.

We win the pennant. We win the pennant. Now, where did I leave that bottle of Lagavulin?






Despite our late collapse and narrow escape, I have no problem with being parochial here: if we had lost out, it would have been a travesty. The effort the lads have put in this season has been beyond exemplary. They have set a new record with 217 HR (amazingly, the exact same number the Dodgers hit), scored an astonishing 921 runs, finished with a +152 run differential. Ralph Kiner has become just the 5th player to hit 50 HR in a season and falls just one shy of Chuck Klein's NL record of 54. Andy Pafko's stretch run is the stuff of legend...




... including 2 homers and 4 RBI in the clincher.

Every one of them has played their heart out.






It will be the White Sox facing us in the World Series, after they, too, dig deep and see off a gallant Cleveland outfit that rides a long win streak in early August to give themselves a chance but eventually comes up short by a few games.




George Kell wins his second straight batting title despite moving teams (and divisions), while Stan Musial wins his third. The NL MVP voting this year should be as close as it's ever been. Gil Hodges will be in the reckoning, and his 127 RBI just pip teammate Duke Snider for most in either league. Teddy B finishes podium in all three TC stat cats and looks primed for more silverware come awards time.

Robin Roberts shows he has fully arrived, tallying the most wins with 22 and the low ERA with 2.50. Ewell Blackwell is the King of K with 160, while Bill Sayles' 27 saves are the most.

Final Top 20s





Final Leaders




Monthly Award Winners

August

American League

• Batter – Ted Williams (Red Sox): 302 / 9 HR / 23 RBI
• Pitcher – Mike Garcia (Indians): 7-0 / 4.14 / 32 K / 50 IP
• Rookie – Don Lenhardt (White Sox): 337 / 8 HR / 25 RBI

National League

• Batter – Jackie Robinson (Dodgers): 465 / 5 HR / 18 RBI
• Pitcher – Art Houtteman (Pirates): 6-3 / 4.38 / 7 SV / 9 K / 24.2 IP
• Rookie – Bill Howerton (Cubs): 337 / 3 HR / 25 RBI

September

American League

• Batter – Ted Williams (Red Sox): 375 / 5 HR / 19 RBI
• Pitcher – Howie Pollet (Indians): 4-0 / 1.76 / 18 K / 41 IP
• Rookie – Danny O’Connell (Indians): 373 / 3 HR / 15 RBI

National League

• Batter – Stan Musial (Cardinals): 430 / 8 HR / 22 RBI
• Pitcher – Robin Roberts (Phillies): 6-0 / 0.83 / 19 K / 54 IP
• Rookie – Bill Howerton (Cubs): 229 / 6 HR / 19 RBI

Milestones and Observations of Note

• 200 wins: Dutch Leonard, Leon Day, Bob Feller

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[luckymann]

Pittsburgh Pirates (91-63) v Chicago White Sox (85-69)
Best-of-seven, Pirates with the home-field advantage.


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CHICAGO WHITE SOX S+ PAGE

White Sox fans will undoubtedly like the serendipity at play here, with the first of their two consecutive Championships all the way back in 1907 – their only two post-season appearances until now – coming at our expense in an epic series that went the distance and saw us blow a 3-1 game lead. They’d also fancy their chances here, knowing they have a squad that is on the way up thanks to gun youngsters like Nellie Fox, Minnie Miñoso, Sherm Lollar and ace Billy Pierce.

We feel similarly confident despite our nearly fumbling the ball a yard short of the end zone, to mix my sporting metaphors. For a club with the history of success we have, ten years is a lifetime between wins, and the lads seem resolved to rectify that situation here.

So much at stake for both clubs as the big get bigger and the good get better in this league, and these opportunities become more precious and difficult to procure.

[luckymann]

Game 1 in Pittsburgh

Vic Raschi (15-7, 3.62) v Billy Pierce (11-12, 3.90)

This enthralling series gets underway with highly-touted southpaw youngster Billy Pierce taking on our grizzled veteran Vic Raschi. Actually, while it feels like he has been around forever, Vic is just 31 and in only his fourth MLB season, and tonight he faces the team that drafted him in 1946 then traded him to us the following year. We’d like him to show them the error of their ways in the most decisive terms here.

It doesn’t work out that way as they get to him early and stay on him throughout, and when he leaves the game after 7, we look done for despite scoring 2 in the 7th to make it 8-4. But then this amazing offence of ours kicks into gear, batting around and posting a 5-spot in the 8th to take an unlikely lead. The BP does all it can to throw the game away, loading the bases with just one down, but Houtteman gets Jethroe to pop up and closes it out by retiring Weintraub on a flyout to LF.

Game 2 in Pittsburgh

Larry Jansen (17-9, 4.00) v Tom Poholsky (10-5, 4.84)

Pirates lead series 1-0

While the midseason acquisition of Larry Jansen hasn’t gone as planned – he has been poor for us, going 6-4 / 4.97 – this is where we are hoping it really pays off. We know how good he can be and would love him to be that good today. Rookie Tom Poholsky going for them, a guy who has really impressed in his debut season.

It’s another nip-and-tuck affair that requires extra innings after we blow a 4-1 lead late then need a run of our own in the home 9th to extend it. Kiner comes to our rescue in the 12th, crushing a hanger for a walkoff solo shot and a 6-5 win. Dark, as he has been all year, is sensational with 4 hits including a 2-run jack.

Game 3 in Chicago

Vern Bickford (11-9, 3.62) v Bill Wight (12-5, 4.16)

Pirates lead series 2-0

Bill Wight on for us tonight and one feels almost certain that this game will come down to his ability to avoid the wildness that can plague him. He’ll face a solid competitor in Vern Bickford, who made it to the ASG this year. Another high-scoring game would surprise little and we’ve opted to go with Easter over Westlake for this one.

Talk about the Cardiac Kids as we push out to an 8-0 lead then stop dead in our tracks and in the end get home by just the one run. Elliott has 4 hits, Dark a solo homer, Wight does well enough and the prize is so close we can nearly touch it—and yet, we look ever so raggedy and I wonder if there’s even a drop left in the tank to get us over the line.

Game 4 in Chicago

Bob Lemon (15-7, 3.84) v Vern Law (7-8, 5.03)

Pirates lead series 3-0

Of course this is the biggest start in rookie Vern Law’s short career. He’s struggled this year but has shown glimpses of the greatness we expect from him. Hopefully his journey to that destination begins with a big stride tonight against a tough old bird in Bob Lemon, who will likely make us work hard for every base earned.

Law gives us everything he’s got and does himself proud, but the hits completely dry up and we take our first loss for the series on the back of a really flat performance.

Game 5 in Chicago

Billy Pierce (0-0, 7.71) v Vic Raschi (0-0, 7.71)

Pirates lead series 3-1

With all due respect to our home fans, I’d just as soon have it that we wrap things up today because we know from experience how quickly and easily these short series can be flipped on their head. Raschi v Pierce again and I doubt it will be the runfest we saw in Game 1. In an effort to wake us up, Sisti comes in for Joost, hitless in the first 3 games, with Kennedy in for Wertz, who has also struggled to have an impact here.

Neither of those changes have much effect as we put in another ordinary showing to let the White Sox right back into this series. It stays close until the 8th when they put a deuce in the frame to kill us off for a 6-3 final. The momentum has done a full 180 here and I’m not sure how to turn it back around, or if it’s even possible to.

Game 6 in Pittsburgh

Larry Jansen (0-0, 4.50) v Tom Poholsky (0-0, 5.14)

Pirates lead series 3-2

That travel day couldn’t have come at a better time for us, allowing us to just step back, regather and remind ourselves that it is us, not them, who needs just the one win to win it all. Still, they have the wind in their sails now and we’ll have to be at our very best to avoid a decider. We’re going back to the lineup that got us here, let’s hope they can finish what they started.

And finish it they do, not in the prettiest fashion with misfields and poor decisions aplenty, but finish it all the same. We take an early lead on homers to Joost and Dark but once again bleed runs in the middle innings to see our advantage cut to one. It is regular starter Russ Meyer who comes to the rescue, giving us 3 scoreless for the save and clinching 4-3 win, meaning all of our four wins have been by a that narrowest of margins.

We knew we were a rough hope this season, but only a rough one. The lads have stepped up big time to make that dream a reality. A famous win indeed, and to have closed it out in a packed-to-the-rafters Forbes Field makes it all the more sweet.

PITTSBURGH WINS SERIES 4-2

SERIES MVP: Ralph Kiner (Pittsburgh)

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[luckymann]

After surviving one of the tightest AAA pennant races in history, our Wilkes-Barre boys go on to sweep the defending champs and make it a double for our club.

[Brad K]

So, what are you going to tell Kiner? "We won with you and we can win without you?" LOL.

[luckymann]

Originally Posted by Brad K

So, what are you going to tell Kiner? "We won with you and we can win without you?" LOL.

Ahhh you see Bradley my friend, by the Legacy Player rules he is under contract with us - and unable to be traded - until 1956. After the season he's just had and the win we've just locked down, the $90k salary he'll be getting in '51 is going to be somewhat easier to digest, especially with it being a blip and returning to a much more palatable $50k the following year.




One of your faves is about to make an appearance, although not automatically with us as I thought he would via those same Legacy Player rules. Still, we get a pretty good one joining us all the same.

[luckymann]

A tough old job this baseball managing gig, with Brooklyn’s George Milstead – pilot for their two recent Championships – unceremoniously dumped after they miss out by one lousy game this year. The only other skip to be flipped is Billy Wagner of the Yankees, while ownership of the Giants franchise changes hands.

We exercise the final year option for both Eddie Joost and Sibby Sisti, despite the latter suffering a massive defensive ratings slide across his secondary positions. Even with this he remains a cheap backup option for us, although he may well spend the year at AAA awaiting the call. We sit down with Bob Elliott but it becomes almost instantaneously clear that we are on different pages and he’ll head off to the FA market. The plan is for Wally Westlake to move over to 3B in his stead, with Paf back to CF, Ralph at LF and Luscious at 1B. That leaves us in the market for both a utility IF with special focus on SS and a catcher, with Frank House still at least a year off being ready. We also lose Hitting Coach Shoeless Joe Jackson to retirement.

Retirees this year include Eddie Miller, Thurman Tucker, Nick Etten, Vince DiMaggio, Barney McCosky, Babe Young, Stan Hack, Cliff “Mountain Music” Melton, Fritz Ostermueller and Schoolboy Rowe.

NeLer Ramón “El Profesor” Bragaña has become a bit of a fave of mine for his sheer tenacity. He looked gone about a decade ago but has plodded on until this year, ending his long career with a far-from-shabby 184 wins, along with two Championship rings in 1931 and 1945.

[luckymann]

AL 1950 HISTORY INDEX

NL 1950 HISTORY INDEX

AWARDS HISTORY


Back to the customary as Williams and Musial take Wagner-Lajoie honours - that's six now for Teddy, four for The Man. At the other end of the scale, Howie Pollet and Robin Roberts each wins his maiden Johnson-Waddell.

RoYs to a Chicago duet with Don Lenhardt of the White Sox and the Cubs' Bill Howerton getting the gong, while the Paige Plate goes to a pair of first-timers in Bob Miller and Mel Queen.


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[luckymann]

We take steps to get ahead of the curve with regard to our immediate player needs by trading a couple surplus arms for them, as follows:




Lipon can tend to get lost in an organisation - he's just not strong enough at either hitting or defence to be a prominent performer - but he'll be more than serviceable for us in a backup role.





While Malone is the ideal cheap placeholder we need right now.

[luckymann]

Well this Legacy class will rank with the best of them so far, with two of the absolute greats joining the league as Marquees. There are just five in total, including another one for us.

These are the Legacy Players for the 1951 Season:

Boston Braves: Johnny Logan (33.0; 1351)
Cincinnati Reds: Roy McMillan (25.8; 1348)
New York Giants: Willie Mays (156.1; 2857) MARQUEE
New York Yankees: Mickey Mantle (110.2; 2401 – one-club player) MARQUEE
Pittsburgh Pirates: Bob Friend (40.8; 568)

Gil McDougald (40.6; 1336 – one-club player) was also eligible for the Yankees, but Mantle’s higher WAR makes him the selection.


There are 110 rookies (including Eddie Gaedel!!) for this season, and the Draft will consist of 6 rounds.

The Draft order will be as follows (winning percentage from 1950 IRL season in brackets; bold indicates Legacy Pick in 1st Round):

Round 1

1. New York Giants (558) – Willie Mays
2. New York Yankees (636) – Mickey Mantle
3. Pittsburgh Pirates (373) – Bob Friend
4. Boston Braves (539) – Johnny Logan
5. Cincinnati Reds (431) – Roy McMillan
6. Philadelphia Athletics (338)
7. St. Louis Browns (377)
8. Chicago White Sox (390)
9. Chicago Cubs (418)
10. Washington Senators (435)
11. St. Louis Cardinals (510)
12. Brooklyn Dodgers (578)
13. Philadelphia Phillies (591)
14. Cleveland Indians (597)
15. Boston Red Sox (610)
16. Detroit Tigers (617)


Rounds 2 thru 6

1. Philadelphia Athletics (338)
2. Pittsburgh Pirates (373)
3. St. Louis Browns (377)
4. Chicago White Sox (390)
5. Chicago Cubs (418)
6. Cincinnati Reds (431)
7. Washington Senators (435)
8. St. Louis Cardinals (510)
9. Boston Braves (539)
10. New York Giants (558)
11. Brooklyn Dodgers (578)
12. Philadelphia Phillies (591)
13. Cleveland Indians (597)
14. Boston Red Sox (610)
15. Detroit Tigers (617)
16. New York Yankees (636)


With our 1st-Rounder spoken for, it will from there pretty much come down to what’s available at the positions we are looking to fill—other than that, we have only the loosest of game plans as we enter the Draft.

Here’s who we come away with:

1. P Bob Friend, 20

• One from the top shelf and we’ll bring “Warrior” along slowly, given how well-stocked we are for pitchers right now, an asset we’ll need to utilise favourably to ensure our other needs are met.

2. 1B / OF Harry Simpson, 25

• “Suitcase” should provide us with solid depth at two positions we’re going to need reinforcing sometime soon.

3. IF Rocky Bridges, 23

• With almost all of the pitchers we had our eye on for these middle rounds taken, we opt instead for a guy who should give us decent service at AAA or perhaps become trade fodder.

4. P Al Corwin, 24

• A specialist relief type who looks ready to go and will slot into our BP straight away.

5. P Turk Lown, 26

• A late-bloomer who I reckon we’ll get some good use out of in a couple years.

6. P Leo Cristante, 24

• Warm body

We’ve done quite nicely once again.

FULL DRAFT LOG