The Bucs Start Here - A Pirates Do-Over

[luckymann]

Our form has deserted us at the worst possible moment and at the time of writing we have slipped out of first place. Our bats are again the main problem with the problems we had all last year returning in full force. The Dodgers, Cubs and Redlegs are also on the charge and the NL is now an absolute lottery.

Johnny Podres missed this entire year IRL and it has turned him into a liability, proneness-wise. Pretty much every start results in him having to leave the game injured and finally he is put out of his misery for the year, the second season in a row he has suffered a similar fate.

[luckymann]

Like the better sides usually do, when challenged - and, in fact, briefly surpassed - the Red Sox have responded mightily, currently fresh off an 11-game win string that has pretty much locked up the AL for them.

But then, this...




Not that we need it, but this gives us just that little added incentive to try get this done.

[luckymann]

They'll miss out again this year but you feel the White Sox aren't too far off getting another shot at the title à la their IRL counterparts, who of course made it to the WS in '59. They've got a really solid squad and guys like Little Louie can do it all, as this game shows.

[luckymann]

In no way do I wish to sound churlish here as we win our 30th NL Pennant, but we do so in less than convincing style. Still, the lads stare down two really good clubs in the Dodgers and Giants - both of whom come at us pretty strongly over the final weeks - and come away with the prize, which in the end is all that matters. We will be taking on the Red Sox, who do it a fair way easier than us.




Were it not for our pitching and a select few hitters, I have no doubt we'd have come up short. That said, we post a 15-9 September that would be even better if we don't falter late with four straight losses.





Groat and Smith are titanic down the stretch as others go familiarly quiet. You look at our metrics and the problem's not a difficult one to work out. 1st in both BA and OBP but 5th in runs and last in SLG. We are getting plenty on but leaving too many of them unscored. Our IF defence is also a real problem, hopefully Maz as our full-time 2B next year will remedy it to some degree.

He'll be in the squad for the playoffs, but all the same it's a nice touch when Ralph Kiner belts a 2-run homer in his final official regular season AB for us.




Haddix has a fantastic season and leads the pitchers admirably to the very end. Johnson bounces back well after his horror start and shows slow but steady improvement throughout the season. Pascual is a gem and Sturdivant is once again the glue that binds our BP.




The Giants' run at the pennant mirrors star Willie Mays' run at the single-season HR record: just a bit too quiet in the latter part, with The Say Hey Kid finishing with 55, the second-most in league history. He also leads the league with 139 RBI but his late tapering off also costs him the TC as our own Dick Groat wins his second batting title in three years (sandwiching an ugly 240 BA last season) with a fine 354 mark. Al Kaline wins it in the AL with 350. Willie's 11.7 bWAR is the fourth-highest ever. A stunning season indeed.

For the pitchers, ex-Pirate Warren Hacker is the league's only 20-game winner, finishing at 20-8, while Billy Pierce posts the low ERA with 2.55. Herb Score easily defends the King of K crown with 258, while Tom Sturdivant's 34 saves are the most.


Final Top 20s and Leaders







Monthly Award Winners

August

American League

• Batter – Ted Williams (Red Sox): 406 / 7 HR / 27 RBI
• Pitcher – Warren Hacker (Indians): 4-1 / 2.41 / 14 K / 52.1 IP
• Rookie – Ed Bouchee (Athletics): 282 / 5 HR / 18 RBI

National League

• Batter – Frank Robinson (Redlegs): 408 / 11 HR / 28 RBI
• Pitcher – Chuck Stobbs (Cubs): 5-0 / 2.06 / 27 K / 48 IP
• Rookie – Frank Robinson

September

American League

• Batter – Al Kaline (Detroit): 392 / 10 HR / 30 RBI
• Pitcher – Brooks Lawrence (Athletics): 5-0 / 3.61 / 16 K / 42.1 IP
• Rookie – Gino Cimoli (Red Sox): 365 / 3 HR / 14 RBI

National League

• Batter – Jackie Robinson (Dodgers): 376 / 8 HR / 21 RBI
• Pitcher – Don Drysdale (Dodgers): 5-1 / 3.52 / 39 K / 46 IP
• Rookie – Don Drysdale

Milestones and Observations of Note

• 2000 Hits: Vern Stephens
• 100 Saves: Hoyt Wilhelm
• Veteran Yankees outfielder Enos Slaughter suffers a knee fracture that pulls down the curtain on his season, while Artie Portocarrero of the Redlegs also makes an early departure thanks to a bout of radial nerve compression.

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[luckymann]

Boston Red Sox (92-62) v Pittsburgh Pirates (89-65)
Best-of-seven, Pirates with the home-field advantage.


BOSTON RED SOX S+ PAGE

PITTSBURGH PIRATES S+ PAGE

Some measure of vindication for us here after last year’s disappointment but, as I mentioned in the regular season wrap, our entry into the post-season was by no means the clean and clinical one I was hoping for. We showed just how tough we can be but also how prone our offence is to drying up completely, and how we go here will be all about which side of this split personality shines through.

To try remediate this issue, we are taking 16 position players and just 10 pitchers into the WS. Thomas gets first go at LF, but at the first sign of him not performing as required, Kiner or even Lemon will come in. I believe he is the right guy for us longer-term, but I just don’t know that I trust him completely yet, particularly when the heat is on. Law moves to the BP, where he’ll spend his career if I have my way – he is a liability, but as a Legacy we are stuck with him and best use him. Friend, while undeniably improved this year, needs to be better still to win me over. All the same, with Podres out he is our SP4 for this contest.

It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking the Red Sox are greatly diminished by Williams’ absence. Sure, they’re a better group with him in it, but they are still incredibly potent without. Hodges, Jensen and Lopata can hit it a mile with great regularity, Campy is a threat off the bench and Ashburn is a weapon from the leadoff spot. If they do have a weakness it is their starting pitching, and how well we exploit this will, I believe, be the deciding factor here in this series featuring the league's two most successful franchises to this point.

It is nice to be back in this position. Not like it’s been forever – we won it all in 1950, if you remember – but it can sometimes feel that way. And this will only increase as the financial metrics continue to work against us with ever-increasing influence. So all I ask of the lads is that they make the most of this opportunity.

[luckymann]

Game 1 in Pittsburgh

Harvey Haddix (14-10, 3.03) v Frank Sullivan (16-10, 3.49)

So much rides on this opening game with regard to hopefully setting the tone for those to follow. For us, heading to Boston anything shy of 2-0 ahead is not the optimal result. Easier said than done, however, against the always tough Frank Sullivan, fresh off arguably the best of his four seasons to date. Harvey Haddix gets the job of starting us off on the right foot in this series. We need Roberto Clemente, who had a rough final week or so that saw his BA dip under 300 on the year, back to his best here.

Harvey gives us just what we need, going within one out of a CG shutout while allowing just 6 hits and fanning 7, and the bats chip away with single runs in each of the first three frames and another late to get us a 4-0 win. Clemente knocks in a pair, while Piersall, Thomas and Groat each has two hits in a nice opening game for our lads.

Game 2 in Pittsburgh

Camilo Pascual (15-5, 3.12) v Lew Burdette (14-13, 4.61)

Pirates lead series 1-0

One would have to think our Patato Pequeño will feature prominently in the Johnson-Waddell calculations this year and deservedly so—he’s been fantastic for us. He faces Lew Burdette here and we’ll need to be patient and wait for our pitches rather than try to force things.

Our big concern in this game was how Camilo would handle the occasion, a point rendered all but moot when we get to Burdette early with four in the 1st and another tacked on in the next. That allows him to relax and in the end he follows in Haddix’s footsteps by going deep into the game without surrendering a run, although Law then comes in and botches the shutout with some late trouble. Still, we do what we needed to do and head to Boston up by two.

Game 3 in Boston

Paul Foytack (14-8, 4.64) v Connie Johnson (12-11, 4.18)

Pirates lead series 2-0

My comments about Boston’s rotation notwithstanding, we also recognise that on their day, each of their starters is a potential world-beater. Paul Foytack, their starter today, has fantastic stuff and if he can corral his occasional wildness he’ll be a proper handful. All of which makes it even more crucial that we fight the natural urge to just ease up a bit and do everything we can to press our advantage fully. One would hope Connie Johnson is the right man for the job in these circumstances. His 1954 Championship with the Tigers not only earned him a nice bit of bling, but also some priceless experience as to what is required of him here.

Once again our bats take a bunch of pressure out of the game with a hot start, a three spot this time with Clemente bombing out a 2-run homer. That’s the first of four hits for Arriba as CJ doesn’t give up a hit until the 6th and, while he gasses late and gives up a deuce, is never truly threatened. Runnels ties a playoff record with 4 bases on balls, while Piersall and Groat are key contributors again.

Game 4 in Boston

Joe Nuxhall (11-10, 4.89) v Bob Friend (12-7, 4.40)

Pirates lead series 3-0

As annoying a trait as I know it must be to the players from time to time, I consider it an integral part of my duty to point out the aspects of our game I feel need improvement, often at the risk of downplaying the things that are working. To wit, our inability in these three games to put our opponents away after taking control early. It hasn’t cost us yet, but that doesn’t make it any more acceptable to my way of thinking. I doubt we’ll get the same free ride three games in a row, and with Friend on the mound the likelihood is elevated of us needing a few more runs than we’ve so far provided. He takes on another tough character in Joe Nuxhall – a bit of a late bloomer who has really come on in leaps and bounds these past couple years. I’m going to bring Kiner in at LF here against the southpaw, push Thomas to 1B and sit Wertz until the later frames. I’ll also play Maz at 2B just to tighten up our D a bit.

Our bats rise to the occasion, bashing out 14 hits and taking control from the off to give us a stunning sweep and title number 19 with a runaway win. Thomas has a massive game with 3 hits and 4 RBI, while Wilson also belts a 3-run homer. Jim Piersall’s dream run continues with a 3-hit game and eventual MVP honours. Friend does all that is asked of him, giving us 8 strong innings and this group really timed its run to perfection here with four near-perfect games. We even get a hit for Ralphie boy in his true farewell game and wish him all the best from here on in. A real treat for all involved.

PITTSBURGH WINS SERIES 4-0

SERIES MVP: Jim Piersall (Pittsburgh)

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[luckymann]

We miss the chance for a rare double as our AAA Barons are beaten in a dramatic series that goes all five with Austin scoring two in the 9th and then two in the 10th to win their 5th Championship.

[luckymann]

We are once again reminded on how much of a knife-edge the life of an MLB Manager rests as Brooklyn skipper Kent Greenfield gets the chop just three years after winning it all and promptly retires. He and Cards GM Tom Connelly are the only two from the upper executive echelon to lose their jobs this time around.

We exercise Frank Thomas's final year option - whether his tenure with us goes beyond that will depend greatly on his demands, but also on how we are situated and assess his value. Jim Lemon is almost his equal on a much reduced rate of pay and with both Al Smith and Chuck Diering able to play 3B it's safe to say he wouldn't want to be too exacting with the sort of dollars he is after if he wants to continue on here, even though we have roughly $100k in freed-up payroll with the departures of Kiner, Runnels and Sam Dente.

We send Red Wilson and Harry Simpson to arbitration, although we offer each a fairly generous figure so perhaps they'll sign on beforehand.

This year's retirees include Eddie Lopat, Allie Reynolds, Willard Marshall, Dave Koslo, Bill Sayles, Hank Majeski, Preacher Roe, Howie Pollet, Mickey Vernon, Marty Marion, "Prince" Hal Newhouser, Bob Feller, Leon Day and Bob "Mr Team" Elliott, whose number 8 is retired by our club. There's one more guy I'll deal with separately.

[luckymann]

Well we got a few more years out of him than IRL, both in the middle and end of his illustrious career, but all good things must end and so it is with the great Joe DiMaggio. One HR shy of 400 and 0.1 over 100 total bWAR both seem suitably enigmatic for Joe, who also ends up with 600-odd more hits albeit at a 20-point lower clip.

His number 5 is retired by the Yanks, matching the amount of time we'll have to wait until we next see him and his HoF induction.

[luckymann]

AL 1956 HISTORY INDEX

NL 1956 HISTORY INDEX

AWARDS HISTORY


Unanimous Wagner-Lajoie wins to Mickey Mantle (his 4th) and Willie Mays (his 3rd) come as no surprise. The Johnson-Waddells, however, are somewhat of a shock with Frank Lary winning the AL unanimously and our own Harvey Haddix beating out Don Drysdale in the NL. Big Don ends up coming away empty-handed after Frank Robinson dominates the NL RoY voting, with Don Buddin taking out the AL award. We nab another gong with Tom Sturdivant winning the NL Paige Plate alongside the AL's Karl Spooner.


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[luckymann]

Another really thin pool this year with just two Legacy Players and a fairly weak group overall coming in.

These are the Legacy Players for the 1957 Season:

Baltimore Orioles: Milt Pappas (43.7; 232 GS)
Brooklyn Dodgers: Claude Osteen (41.2; 335 GS)

There are 99 rookies for this season, and the Draft will consist of 6 rounds.

The Draft order will be as follows (winning percentage from 1956 IRL season in brackets; bold indicates Legacy Pick in 1st Round):

Round 1

1. Baltimore Orioles (448)
2. Brooklyn Dodgers (604)
3. Kansas City Athletics (338)
4. Washington Senators (383)
5. Chicago Cubs (390)
6. Pittsburgh Pirates (429)
7. New York Giants (435)
8. Philadelphia Phillies (461)
9. St. Louis Cardinals (494)
10. Detroit Tigers (532)
11. Boston Red Sox (545)
12. Chicago White Sox (552)
13. Cleveland Indians (571)
14. Cincinnati Redlegs (591)
15. Milwaukee Braves (597)
16. New York Yankees (630)


Rounds 2 thru 6

1. Kansas City Athletics (338)
2. Washington Senators (383)
3. Chicago Cubs (390)
4. Pittsburgh Pirates (429)
5. New York Giants (435)
6. Baltimore Orioles (448)
7. Philadelphia Phillies (461)
8. St. Louis Cardinals (494)
9. Detroit Tigers (532)
10. Boston Red Sox (545)
11. Chicago White Sox (552)
12. Cleveland Indians (571)
13. Cincinnati Redlegs (591)
14. Milwaukee Braves (597)
15. Brooklyn Dodgers (604)
16. New York Yankees (630)


No pre-Draft transactions for us, but I do anticipate some tinkering once we know what we have to work with. Fourth pick after the Legacies and we enter the Draft with three players earmarked for our first pick.

In the end, it pans out as follows:
1. C John Roseboro, 20

• Were he not taken beforehand, we almost certainly would have used this pick on Roger Maris, but John was our #2 rated guy (Tony Kubek was the other). He comes pretty much fully-formed and frees up Red Wilson to be trade bait as he gets too expensive.

2. P Glen Hobbie, 20
3. P Barry Latman, 20

• Our third- and fourth-rated pitchers of the group and very much of a type. Both will start at AAA and, while neither is a HoFer in the making, both project as decent enough lower-rotation types.

4. P Seth Morehead, 22

• As with Taylor Phillips in this same pick last year, Seth will come in very handy given our lack of LHRP.

5. IF Bobby Henrich, 17
6. OF Don Lassetter, 23

• MiLB filler

All things considered, we’ve had less fruitful days at the office.

FULL DRAFT LOG

[luckymann]

Two new plaques needed this time around, with one of our club's favoured sons and an NeL legend getting the nod. Sadly for Lefty Gomez, however, he comes up short and will have to wait until the centennial veterans' vote in 2001 for another chance at immortality.

[luckymann]

It has always seemed kind of fitting to me that, in this season that drew such a distinct line in the sand for the game’s national ambitions, it was a team newly-located in its most remote outpost that won it all, the first time in a decade a non-NY team could claim that honour. This ushered in what I see as the game’s true Golden Era – one that was, unlike its earlier incarnations, untarnished by the rust of racial prejudice.

AL CHAMPIONS: New York Yankees (98-56)
AL CHAMPIONS: Milwaukee Braves (95-59)
WORLD SERIES: Braves 4, Yankees 3

Pittsburgh Pirates: 62-92, last in NL

AL MVP: Mickey Mantle (Yankees)
NL MVP: Henry Aaron (Braves)

AL CYA: not given
NL MVP: Warren Spahn (Braves)

AL RoY: Tony Kubek (Yankees)
NL RoY: Jack Sanford (Phillies)


Top Ten Lists (courtesy of thisgreatgame.com)

NL Hitters

1. WILLIE MAYS, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: .333 average, 112 runs, 195 hits, 26 home runs, 20 triples, 35 home runs, 97 RBIs, 75 walks, 38 stolen bases, 19 caught stealing, .626 slugging percentage.
• Mays helped make the Giants’ New York coda a memorable one as he was the third National Leaguer to total 20 doubles, triples and home runs each.

2. HANK AARON, MILWAUKEE

• Key Numbers: .322 average, 118 runs, 198 hits, 27 doubles, 6 triples, 44 home runs, 132 RBIs.
• In winning the NL MVP, Aaron helped give the Braves their only instance of the team fielding both MVP and Cy Young Award (Warren Spahn) recipients.

3. STAN MUSIAL, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: 134 games, .351 average, 82 runs, 176 hits, 38 doubles, 29 home runs, 102 RBIs, 67 walks, 19 intentional walks, .422 on-base percentage, .612 slugging percentage.
• A wonderful year for Stan the Man; he captured his seventh (and last) batting crown, knocked out his 3,000th hit and drove in 100 runs for the 10th (and last) time—all at the tender age of 36.

4. ERNIE BANKS, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 156 games, .285 average, 113 runs, 169 hits, 34 doubles, 6 triples, 43 home runs, 102 RBIs, 70 walks.
• Let’s play two every day; Banks began the happy stage of his Hall-of-Fame career, hitting 40-plus homers for the first of four straight years.

5. EDDIE MATHEWS, MILWAUKEE

• Key Numbers: .292 average, 109 runs, 167 hits, 28 doubles, 9 triples, 32 home runs, 94 RBIs, 90 walks.
• The slugger hit most of his home runs (19) away from County Stadium—but then again, so did the Braves, who launched a then-record 124 on the road.

6. GIL HODGES, BROOKLYN

• Key Numbers: .299 average, 94 runs, 173 hits, 28 doubles, 7 triples, 27 home runs, 98 RBIs.
• Brooklyn would miss Hodges—and vice versa, as he finished a 10-year run based at Ebbets Field averaging 30 homers and 104 RBIs per season. The fade would begin for the 34-year old the following year in Los Angeles.

7. FRANK ROBINSON, CINCINNATI

• Key Numbers: .322 average, 97 runs, 197 hits, 29 doubles, 5 triples, 29 home runs, 75 RBIs, 12 hit-by-pitches, 10 stolen bases.
• In a relatively muted but still highly productive encore to his 1956 rookie campaign, Robinson was one of the few Reds who deserved All-Star recognition from overzealous Cincinnati voters who stuffed the ballots.

8. DUKE SNIDER, BROOKLYN

• Key Numbers: 139 games, .274 average, 91 runs, 25 doubles, 7 triples, 40 home runs, 92 RBIs, 77 walks, 104 strikeouts.
• No one was going to miss Ebbets Field more than Snider, who launched 40 homers for the fifth straight year; he’d only hit more than 20 once more in the next (and final) seven years of his career.

9. ED BOUCHEE, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: .293 average, 78 runs, 168 hits, 35 doubles, 8 triples, 17 home runs, 76 RBIs, 84 walks, 14 hit-by-pitches.
• The Montana-born Bouchee would experience his finest days as a 1957 rookie, but even with fellow top first-year pitcher Jack Sanford, their efforts would only be enough to pull the Phillies to an even .500.

10. WALLY MOON, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: .295 average, 86 runs, 28 doubles, 5 triples, 24 home runs, 73 RBIs.
• The fourth-year outfielder set a personal best with 24 homers; he wouldn’t even hit that many with the Dodgers in later years while being celebrated for his “Moon Shots” over the driving range-like netting at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

AL Hitters

1. MICKEY MANTLE, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: .365 average, 121 runs, 173 hits, 28 doubles, 6 triples, 34 home runs, 94 RBIs, 146 walks, 23 intentional walks, 16 stolen bases.
• In winning his second straight AL MVP, Mantle added to his fast-growing Hall-of-Fame résumé with the highest batting average ever by a switch-hitter.

2. TED WILLIAMS, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: 132 games, .388 average, 96 runs, 163 hits, 28 doubles, 38 home runs, 87 RBIs, 119 walks, 33 intentional walks, .526 on-base percentage, .731 slugging percentage.
• The ageless Williams (39) recorded the majors’ highest batting average since his fabled .406 mark 16 years earlier, and collected two of his three career home run hat tricks—but he still finished second in AL MVP voting by a slim 24 votes to Mantle, as his chances were once again hampered by two writers (presumably Boston-based) who picked him ninth and tenth in the voting.

3. ROY SIEVERS, WASHINGTON

• Key Numbers: .301 average, 99 runs, 172 hits, 23 doubles, 5 triples, 42 home runs, 114 RBIs, 76 walks.
• With the help of Griffith Stadium’s ever-shrinking outfield real estate, Sievers became the only Senator to pace the AL in homers before the team’s move to Minnesota.

4. MINNIE MINOSO, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: .310 average, 96 runs, 176 hits, 36 doubles, 5 triples, 12 home runs, 103 RBIs, 79 walks, 21 hit-by-pitches, 18 stolen bases, 15 caught stealing.
• Minoso would only hit three home runs at spacious Comiskey Park, none after June 16; a trade to Cleveland after the season would help ramp his power back up.

5. VIC WERTZ, CLEVELAND

• Key Numbers: .282 average, 84 runs, 28 home runs, 105 RBIs, 78 walks, 11 sacrifice flies.
• The veteran first baseman continued to admirably fill in the Cleveland power gap vacated by Al Rosen and Larry Doby, and soon to be filled by Rocky Colavito.

6. GENE WOODLING, CLEVELAND

• Key Numbers: 133 games, .321 average, 25 doubles, 19 home runs, 78 RBIs, 64 walks.
• Back to a level comparable (if not better) than his early-decade tenure with the Yankees, Woodling set career highs in batting average, homers and RBIs—and saved his best for his ex-New York mates, scoring season-high totals of five homers and 21 RBIs against them.

7. NELLIE FOX, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 155 games, .317 average, 110 runs, 196 hits, 27 doubles, 8 triples, 6 home runs, 61 RBIs, 75 walks, 16 hit-by-pitches.
• Fox began a streak of 76 straight games at his home park (Comiskey Park) without striking out once.

8. JACKIE JENSEN, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: .281 average, 82 runs, 29 doubles, 23 home runs, 103 RBIs, 75 walks, 22 grounded into double plays.
• The Red Sox’ 1950s version of Bobby Doerr continued to effectively bring them home—but also couldn’t shake his nasty habit of hitting into twin-killings, leading the AL for the third time in four years.

9. AL KALINE, DETROIT

• Key Numbers: .295 average, 83 runs, 170 hits, 29 doubles, 23 home runs, 90 RBIs, 11 stolen bases.
• Mr. Kaline could have been confused for Mr. Konsistency, hitting between .290 and .314 in the season’s five full months—but he did produce a power spike with 12 of his 23 home runs in August.

10. CHARLIE MAXWELL, DETROIT

• Key Numbers: 138 games, .276 average, 75 runs, 24 home runs, 82 RBIs, 76 walks.
• Kaline’s muscular sidekick for the time, Maxwell made his second All-Star appearance in as many full-time seasons.

NL Pitchers

1. WARREN SPAHN, MILWAUKEE

• Key Numbers: 2.69 ERA, 21 wins, 11 losses, 3 saves, 39 appearances, 35 starts, 18 complete games, 271 innings, 24 grounded into double plays.
• Like Stan Musial and Ted Williams, the 36-year-old Spahn showed off how cool it was to be old by leading the NL in wins for the first of five straight years.

2. BOB BUHL, MILWAUKEE

• Key Numbers: 2.74 ERA, 18 wins, 7 losses, .720 win percentage, 31 starts, 216.2 innings, 121 walks, 11 caught stealing/picked off, 33 grounded into double plays.
• Buhl managed an exact duplicate of his totals in wins and innings pitched from the year before, but improved in the ERA department, at nabbing baserunners and inducing double play grounders.

3. DON DRYSDALE, BROOKLYN

• Key Numbers: 2.69 ERA, 17 wins, 9 losses, 34 appearances, 29 starts, 221 innings.
• Drysdale will always be associated with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but for one solid year he gave the folks at Flatbush something to remember.

4. JOHNNY PODRES, BROOKLYN

• Key Numbers: 2.66 ERA, 12 wins, 9 losses, 3 saves, 31 appearances, 27 starts, 6 shutouts, 196 innings, 44 walks.
• After a year in the Navy, Podres returned and led the NL in ERA and shutouts.

5. LEW BURDETTE, MILWAUKEE

• Key Numbers: 3.72 ERA, 17 wins, 9 losses, 37 appearances, 33 starts, 256.2 innings, 59 walks, 30 grounded into double plays.
• Burdette didn’t reach 20 wins—unless you count the three he nailed down against the Yankees in the World Series.

6. BOB FRIEND, PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: 3.38 ERA, 14 wins, 18 losses, 40 appearances, 38 starts, 277 innings.
• An epitomizing year for the Pirates ace: Solid ERA, underwhelming record. Bad run support was one issue; so was bad defense, which allowed more runners to reach by error when Friend was on the mound than any other NL pitcher.

7. JACK SANFORD, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: 3.08 ERA, 19 wins, 8 losses, .704 win percentage, 33 starts, 236.2 innings, 12 wild pitches, 188 strikeouts.
• In arguably his most effective year as a pitcher amid a 12-year career, the 28-year-old rookie shared space on the first-year award parade with teammate Ed Bouchee, who won Sporting News rookie honors while Sanford garnered the BBWAA trophy.

8. LARRY JACKSON, ST. LOUIS

• Key Numbers: 3.47 ERA, 15 wins, 9 losses, 41 appearances, 22 starts, 210.1 innings, 57 walks, 26 grounded into double plays.
• After a season all but fully spent in the bullpen, Jackson was eased back toward rotation duty—but was still at his stingiest when relieving, posting a 1.91 ERA as opposed to 4.04 as a starter.

9. CURT SIMMONS, PHILADELPHIA

• Key Numbers: 3.44 ERA, 12 wins, 11 losses, 32 appearances, 29 starts, 212 innings, 50 walks.
• While Robin Roberts continued his sharp decline and rookie Jack Sanford made his presence felt, Simmons continued to provide the element of stability within the Phillies’ rotation.

10. VERN LAW, PITTSBURGH

• Key Numbers: 2.87 ERA, 10 wins, 8 losses, 31 appearances, 25 starts, 172.2 innings, 32 walks.
• One of the many young Pirates who absorbed a prolonged baptism of torture throughout the early 1950s, Law turned the corner toward the better portion of his career.

AL Pitchers

1. FRANK SULLIVAN, BOSTON

• Key Numbers: 2.73 ERA, 14 wins, 11 losses, 31 appearances, 30 starts, 240.2 innings, 48 walks, 21 grounded into double plays.
• The tougher the situation, the better Sullivan pitched; batters hit just .198 against him with runners in scoring position, and .167 with the bases loaded.

2. TOM STURDIVANT, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 2.54 ERA, 16 wins, 6 losses, .727 win percentage, 28 starts, 201.2 innings, 15 caught stealing/picked off.
• On Yankees manager Casey Stengel’s bingo card of rotation choices, Sturdivant emerged as the winner with the team lead in wins and starts.

3. DICK DONOVAN, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 2.77 ERA, 16 wins, 6 losses, .727 win percentage, 28 starts, 16 complete games, 220.2 innings, 45 walks, 24 grounded into double plays.
• Donovan’s stellar slider must have been in top form as he threw the only two one-hitters of his career in 1957.

4. BILLY PIERCE, CHICAGO

• Key Numbers: 3.26 ERA, 20 wins, 12 losses, 37 appearances, 34 starts, 16 complete games, 257 innings.
• The White Sox’ offense must have been coming around; the typically unsupported Pierce won 20 games for the second straight year.

5. BOBBY SHANTZ, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 2.45 ERA, 11 wins, 5 losses, 5 saves, 30 appearances, 21 starts, 173 innings, 40 walks, 22 grounded into double plays.
• Soon to be transformed into a full-time reliever, Shantz grabbed the AL ERA title in his last year pitching enough innings to qualify.

6. CONNIE JOHNSON, BALTIMORE

• Key Numbers: 3.20 ERA, 14 wins, 11 losses, 35 appearances, 30 starts, 242 innings, 1 stolen base allowed, 12 caught stealing/picked off.
• Finally receiving decent support in his fourth year at the major league level, Johnson was one of the primary reasons the Orioles had their best non-wartime staff ERA since 1922 when they were the St. Louis Browns.

7. JIM BUNNING, DETROIT

• Key Numbers: 2.69 ERA, 20 wins, 8 losses, .714 win percentage, 45 appearances, 30 starts, 267.1 innings, 11 hit-by-pitches, 182 strikeouts.
• In his first full campaign, Bunning reduced a lot of future frustration by winning 20 games in his first full season as a starter; he’d win 19 in four future campaigns, but never more.

8. BOB TURLEY, NEW YORK

• Key Numbers: 2.71 ERA, 13 wins, 6 losses, 3 saves, 32 appearances, 23 starts, 176.1 innings.
• Finally tamping down his control issues after early seasonal walk numbers that approached 200, Turley’s ERA according dropped to a career-best figure.

9. BILLY LOES, BALTIMORE

• Key Numbers: 3.24 ERA, 12 wins, 7 losses, 4 saves, 31 appearances, 18 starts, 155.1 innings, 37 walks.
• The ex-Dodger had a terrific start, winning nine games by the end of June. When asked why he was throwing better in Baltimore, Loes simply stated, “Luck, and a bigger ballpark.”

10. RAY NARLESKI, CLEVELAND

• Key Numbers: 3.09 ERA, 11 wins, 5 losses, 16 saves, 46 appearances, 15 starts, 154.1 innings.
• The Indians’ virtual closer over his first three seasons, Narleski lobbied for more starting time as the once-vaunted Cleveland rotation wilted to injuries and age; he got his wish and justified the politicking.

[luckymann]

This one's a toughie and absolutely is only justifiable - and, even then, only maybe - in the context of our recent title win.

My overreaction to the disappointment of 1955 was based on my belief that we had a small window to get a Championship and that it was upon us already or nearabouts to.

While getting the job done clearly morphs those feelings into ones of relief, it doesn't alter the underlying facts: that our group is getting too old, too expensive, or both. The cycle of swings and roundabouts integral to all clubs but vastly more exaggerated for smaller ones had nearly reached midnight.

The choice in this situation is a fairly clear one: either you push for one more title straight away and be prepared for a longer nighttime of recovery and upswing before briefly becoming competitive again or you try and effect a successful pivot by offloading some present value for some future value in the hope of not totally cruelling your chances of success.

The motivation for this trade sits squarely in the latter camp.

Haddix is a gun, no argument here. Fresh off a Johnson-Waddell and all. My first move with him was an attempt to extend. His demands weren't ridiculous: 7/560 at an AAV of $80k. But with him already into his 30s I struggled to sign off on it, then started looking for alternatives. Similar quality, lower age was the simple equation. Jackson is that guy. On the min for '57 then 3 more years of TC.

Same goes with Vic Power, who will be deployed at 1B as the soft side of a platoon with Simpson now that we've moved Vic Wertz on. He (Wertz) still has some good years left in him, I am sure, but I just didn't feel they'd be good enough for the price paid, and Vic Power also gives us some corner IF flexibility should we need it, and can also play 2B.

Sturdivant was another tough one, given all he's done for us these past two seasons holding the BP together. But his presence was necessary and I felt we could live without him now we have Ryan Duren and Seth Morehead ready, along with a few others not far off. All of which also made Baumann expendable to get the deal over the line.

Far from a perfect deal but still, if we end up managing to keep Larry on our books for a chunk of time as is the plan, I believe it will prove to have been well worth it.

Keep in mind at all times as we stroll along posterity's crepuscular corridors that this save has three distinct goals of roughly equal hierarchy, although slightly favouring the order in which I present them: to provide a vaguely similar but still alternate history of the MLB in as organic a fashion as possible; to provide a challenge to yours truly; and to provide entertainment and elucidation to those of you following along (BTW thank you!). I don't want to dominate and I'm sure you don't want to read about me doing so, as you occasionally had to in the early parts. Obviously, even with our near-to-last budget we could at present run with some elite players on big bucks. But that's not how I want this franchise to be run. We will from time to time need to make large long-term investments in players, and not just Legacies or Marquees. And, as I state above, I have no problem with that as long as it's the right player and the right deal for our club.

[luckymann]

A slight pickup in turnover this offseason, with the Dodgers’ resigning of Jackie Robinson arguably the biggest news of all. Outside of that it is the Red Sox most prominent in the FA market, especially among the pitching ranks, and particularly those named Billy. Here are the highlights:

• OF Bob Niemann: Yankees, 7 years / $603000
• P Billy Pierce: Red Sox, 6 years / $600000
• P Billy Loes: Red Sox, 6 years / $492000
• 3B Al Rosen: Red Sox, 5 years / $409000
• C Les Moss: Indians, 5 years / $395000
• OF Cal Abrams: Orioles, 5 years / $390000
• 2B Pete Runnels: Red Sox, 5 years / $382000
• 2B Red Schoendienst: Braves, 4 years / $303000
• C Sherm Lollar: White Sox, 4 years / $258000
• OF Roy Sievers: White Sox, 4 years / $220000
• SS Gil McDougald: Cubs, 3 years / $280000
• 2B Jackie Robinson: Dodgers, 2 years / $162000 (extension)
• P Joe Nuxhall: Redlegs, 2 years / $148000
• 3B Ray Boone: Dodgers, 2 years / $142000
• P Don Mossi: White Sox, 4 years / $110600 (extension)
• C Jack Shepherd: Athletics, 4 years / $104600 (extension)

• SS Dick Schofield and 2B Bobby Richardson from Orioles to Dodgers for P Bob Turley
• 3B Sammy Esposito from White Sox to Phillies for OF Larry Doby
• P Royce Lint, C Johnny Blanchard and OF Bobby del Greco from Indians to Braves for 1B Gail Harris
• 3B Don Hoak from Redlegs to White Sox for P Tom Brewer

ST causes plenty of carnage as Gordon Jones (Phillies, rotator cuff), Cookie Cuccurullo (Red Sox, flexor tendon) and Cliff Chambers (Yankees, rotator cuff) are all lost for the season before it has begun.

ALL TRANSACTIONS


We fortunately manage to escape all that, while limping to a 9-9 record. Despite which, we are somehow the experts' pick in the NL with the White Sox favoured in the junior circuit.

FULL PRESEASON PREDICTIONS

[luckymann]

Yeah, I ain't really buyin' it. We're the first to admit we've taken a step backward to hopefully enable us to make a leap forward at some point soon. We know we are shy on power and still far too reliant on our contact hitting. Too small ball, if you will, especially given how leadfooted we are. Our pitching should keep us competitive but no more than that, and I expect we'll finish a handful of games back in mid-table.

We decide to keep Red Wilson on the books for now after Frank House suffers a setback that will keep him off the park for almost the entire season. But he'll start the season at AAA so as not to waste Pete Daley's final option and I suspect he'll be off somewhere else in return for a big lefty bat and perhaps some organisational pieces before too long. Or, should events necessitate it, a replacement player in one of the positions at which we are thin, most notably CF.

[luckymann]

[luckymann]

All that is concerning and encouraging about both the Giants and Braves on display here in one wild little snapshot. The league's best position players can only do so much and it will all be for nought unless each club gets their pitching sorted.

[luckymann]

Like I said - right player, right deal and I have no problem with doling out the big bucks.

[luckymann]

A near dream start for us as we put ourselves in pole position with a torrid 30-13 first section, including a 22-8 May.




All of which is, of course, extremely pleasant. But it is already clear that our style of play relies on an incredibly thin margin of error. So this is almost certainly as good as it gets, and what we want from here is to minimise the regression as much as possible. The better we do that, the better our chances of ending up where we are right now.




It's all about the spread here, with a bunch of guys contributing. It also cannot be denied we've been lucky with regard to sequencing so far, squaring up last year with interest added. Again, this can tend to put unfeasible amounts of stress on our hitters, and we'll need to keep honing things to try remedy this situation to as big a degree as we can.




Simply stunning. 136 runs conceded in 43 games is extraordinary. Morehead has stepped into the Stopper's role and quickly made it his own, but once again the fact that he's already racked up 12 saves has its negative connotations as well. Touch wood, Podres has returned from his long injury layoff as good as ever.

Not long after the Pascual extension, we also lock down Vic Power on a very reasonable 6/160 deal. Thomas's form makes it hard to think about trading him away just yet, especially if we're going to make a run here. We will still be looking for a multi-slot (CF in particular) power LH outfielder / 1B but, if not, we'll exercise Lockman's expensive OY and keep Simpson at the parent club for another season. Thomas will cost 55k or so just for his final arb year, and so I really don't see him being with us past that. The most likely scenario is he plays out this year with us and is traded away with my remaining ticket after the season is over, or perhaps early next year. Maris is still my ultimate get but he cannot be traded until Jan 1 of 1958.




Just five games from top to bottom in the AL - here we go again, people.


Monthly Award Winners

April

American League

• Batter – Mickey Mantle (Yankees): 375 / 3 HR / 10 RBI
• Pitcher – Whitey Ford (Yankees): 2-0 / 2.16 / 19 K / 25 IP
• Rookie – Dick Drott (Indians): 2-0 / 2.16 / 19 K / 25 IP

National League

• Batter – Ken Boyer (Cardinals): 328 / 7 HR / 15 RBI
• Pitcher – Gene Conley (Cardinals): 3-0 / 0.73 / 12 K / 24.2 IP
• Rookie – Harry Anderson (Giants): 288 / 3 HR / 7 RBI

May

American League

• Batter – Mickey Mantle (Yankees): 337 / 7 HR / 20 RBI
• Pitcher – Roger Craig (Tigers): 4-1 / 2.56 / 22 K / 45.2 IP
• Rookie – Don McMahon (Senators): 5-2 / 3.54 / 7 K / 20.1 IP

National League

• Batter – Willie Mays (Giants): 383 / 8 HR / 24 RBI
• Pitcher – Bob Rush (Cubs): 6-1 / 3.19 / 19 K / 53.2 IP
• Rookie – Danny McDevitt (Cardinals): 4-0 / 0.46 / 10 K / 19.2 IP

News and Leaders






Milestones and Observations of Note

• Former Pirate Vic Raschi’s first start for the season turns out to be his only one as the Braves veteran goes down with elbow trouble.
• The Athletics lose Closer Clem Labine for the year to a UCL tear and then Starter Karl Drews also for the remainder after stretching a ligament in his elbow.
• Phillies hurler Sam Jones goes down with a torn labrum and won’t be back until next year.

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