The Bucs Start Here - A Pirates Do-Over

[luckymann]

Originally Posted by Brad K

They both seem overpaid to me although Frank Thomas is only 1.1 under his career historical WAR with most of a decade to go.

Nuxhall, I have a hard time computing in my mind a guy having 20 WAR with a 4.12 ERA.

Re their salaries - I think you're right, although there's no salary data on BBRef for either, that they're on the high side. By a large margin, I suspect.

A number of factors have likely contributed to that. Definitely the fact that this has been an unrestricted FA environment from the start would have inflated salaries. Here are the settings at present in 1959:

I'm not sure if the default salary structure strictly adheres to a predetermined path or is affected by the conditions in play, but if the latter then there's no doubt my adding IRL salaries to Legacy and Marquee Players would have also accelerated their rise. I have inflation set between 1% and 4% p.a.


FYI Nuxhall's IRL career ERA was 3.90, so he's not that far off it. Which in itself is a minor miracle because, in those "wilderness years" between his age-16 CoC and full blossoming eight years later, during which his ratings tank because there's no historical stats to go off, his ERA gets inflated heavily as he plays in the MLB for a good chunk of it vs in the minors IRL. So '53 and '54 really hurt him in this metric. I suspect it would be different if you had historical minors switched on and more players from which to choose, which would perhaps keep him at AAA during that period. But here, he's the best option for the most part and stays up.

Here he is IRL thru 1959.

And BTW, don't forget OOTP uses the FIP version of WAR for pitchers, not the runs version.

[luckymann]

Once again our NL rivals are too gentlemanly for their own good, opting not to kick us while we're down, only for us to opt to kick them when we get back up.




Our solid looking 32-23 combined record over the sectional belies both a 3-10 stretch around the turn of the month and a recent 8-game win streak that coincides with Clemente returning to the fray.




Solid, unspectacular, IE our signature offence of recent years prevailing once again. Power has been a godsend, Maz solid again, Maris may well reach the 30-homer level this year and has given us at least some of the oomph we have been lacking.




Even without Pascual - who suffers a setback and is, at best, still some way off a return - this group is shining bright yet again. Jackson is nearly at full-bloom and wins the July pitching award, Friend is continuing to press for star status and Podres, while expensive at times compared to some of the others, is nevertheless adding heartily to his pWAR collection and wins the June pitching award.


The Sox continue to dominate the AL and are on pace for a 100-win season.




News, Leaders and Top 20s








Monthly Award Winners

June

American League

• Batter – Minnie Miñoso (White Sox): 422 / 4 HR / 16 RBI
• Pitcher – Frank Lary (Tigers): 5-0 / 1.40 / 29 K / 57.2 IP
• Rookie – George Altman (Athletics): 306 / 4 HR / 16 RBI

National League

• Batter – Tito Francona (Redlegs): 440 / 8 HR / 24 RBI
• Pitcher – Johnny Podres (Pirates): 5-1 / 3.02 / 36 K / 44.2 IP
• Rookie – Dick Ellsworth (Cardinals): 4-0 / 1.93 / 24 K / 37.1 IP

July

American League

• Batter – Rocky Colavito (Athletics): 270 / 10 HR / 28 RBI
• Pitcher – Warren Spahn (Yankees): 5-2 / 2.05 / 33 K / 57 IP
• Rookie – George Altman (Athletics): 305 / 2 HR / 13 RBI

National League

• Batter – Duke Snider (Giants): 381 / 10 HR / 21 RBI
• Pitcher – Larry Jackson (Pirates): 3-0 / 0.92 / 22 K / 39.1 IP
• Rookie – Dick Ellsworth (Cardinals): 3-1 / 1.82 / 11 K / 34.2 IP

Milestones and Observations of Note

• 300 HR: Duke Snider
• The Giants lose outfielder Bob Hazle for the remainder after he suffers a very unfunny broken humerus, with Phillies veteran Bill Howerton also done for the year thanks to a fractured ankle.
• The Red Sox will have to do without Closer Lindy McDaniel for the remainder due to bone chips in his elbow, while Baltimore’s Milt Pappas goes down with a partial UCL tear and is done for the year. (The game actually tried to retire him – at 20!!)
• The Braves ship 3B Luis Garcia to the Yankees for P Harvey Haddix.

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[luckymann]

Most Innings without a Decision

[Brad K]

I wasn't considering Nuxhall and Frank Thomas over paid in actual $. My basis was relative $.

[luckymann]

Originally Posted by Brad K

I wasn't considering Nuxhall and Frank Thomas over paid in actual $. My basis was relative $.

I think you're right either way...

[Brad K]

I think any game set to FA during the historical reserve clause era will have higher salaries. If it doesn't OOTP has made an error.

What it takes for a player in the top 10 or whatever to be overpaid is the coincidence of a player thinking he can get the money and one scout thinking he's worth it.

At $114,000 a year Frank Thomas is making more than he would have as a priest!

[luckymann]

Originally Posted by Brad K

I think any game set to FA during the historical reserve clause era will have higher salaries. If it doesn't OOTP has made an error.

What it takes for a player in the top 10 or whatever to be overpaid is the coincidence of a player thinking he can get the money and one scout thinking he's worth it.

Timing also plays a huge part.


EDIT Just noticed this in my AtHoL save. I had him with me at San Fran in this save for a couple years. 0-11. Yikes.

[Brad K]

He's really awful.

[luckymann]

The all-time leader is Ty Cobb with 5685 - can Teddy overhaul him? Or Stan, for that matter?

[luckymann]

Our long and glorious reign as World Champs comes to an end, as all things must. No disgrace in that, especially with what has happened to us down the stretch, injury-wise.




We only get our full complement back in the final week and close out the season with 5 straight wins in which we outscore our opponents by 53-22. A sign of what could have been, perhaps, although no complaints from us - we've had a great run, and if we had to lose to anyone I'm glad it is the Cards, whose supporters have been through all kinds of hell these past 59 years but now get to see their boys in the World Series for just the second time. They'll meet the Red Sox, who lock down their 4th straight Pennant (and 6th this decade) by winning 100 on the nose and just streeting the field.




At one point we have Lemon, Power and Groat all on the IL and that is pretty much all she wrote for our chances. Even with that final week flourish, we go a combined 21-27 over August and September.



Only Blanchard finishes below replacement value on the year.


Patata only makes it back for two starts at the very end but he manages to provide one of the highlights of the season with his first career homer in Game 162.



Stellar yet again from our SP crew and a special mention to Roy Face, who has been a real unsung hero in the BP these past few years after a shaky start. Again, we have just the one neg-WAR pitcher on the staff.




A couple incredibly tight batting title races, with Baltimore's Joe Cunningham edging out Richie Ashburn in the AL and Tito Francona pipping both Orlando Cepeda and Maury Wills in the NL - a first win for each. Rocky Colavito's 42 HR lead all comers while Dick Stuart heads the list with 119 RBI.

Larry Jackson posts the league's lowest ERA with 2.75 and that NL Johnson-Waddell vote should be fascinating, with Larry and Bob Friend in the thick of it along with rookie sensation Bob Gibson, who is a real chance for the RoY-JWM double and perhaps even the Wagner-Lajoie trifecta which would be a first. Sandy Koufax wins the strikeout title with 236 and Frank Sullivan is the only 20-game winner in either league. Hoyt Wilhelm's 37 saves are the most by any pitcher and take him to 167 in total, well within reach of Bill Sayles' all-time career record of 196.


Final Top 20s and Leaders







Monthly Award Winners

August

American League

• Batter – Rocky Colavito (Athletics): 345 / 8 HR / 20 RBI
• Pitcher – Gene Conley (Red Sox): 5-0 / 2.61 / 30 K / 51.2 IP
• Rookie – Jack Fisher (Orioles): 4-1 / 2.78 / 20 K / 45.1 IP

National League

• Batter – Ken Boyer (Cardinals): 414 / 6 HR / 22 RBI
• Pitcher – Bob Gibson (Cardinals): 6-0 / 2.72 / 26 K / 43 IP
• Rookie – Bob Gibson

September

American League

• Batter – Dick Stuart (Orioles): 322 / 7 HR / 28 RBI
• Pitcher – Bill Monbouquette (White Sox): 4-1 / 2.18 / 30 K / 45.1 IP
• Rookie – Ernie Broglio (Indians): 3-1 / 2.31 / 33 K / 35 IP

National League

• Batter – Bob Skinner (Cardinals): 344 / 5 HR / 14 RBI
• Pitcher – Vinegar Bend Mizell (Cardinals): 5-0 / 2.81 / 26 K / 41.2 IP
• Rookie – Jim Perry (Redlegs): 2-1 / 1.44 / 20 K / 25 IP

Milestones and Observations of Note

• 2000 Hits: Carl Furillo
• Connie Johnson’s fall from productivity has been precipitous and his disastrous season (0-1 / 10.38) comes to an early end courtesy of a torn labrum. That may well be him done..
• A setback in their quest for that long-awaited title as the Cards lose gun reliever Wes Stock for the season to a UCL tear, but it squares up as Boston – their likely (and eventual) opponent in the Fall Classic – subsequently loses Dick Hall.
• A torn ACL will see Giants legend Hank Thompson miss the final week of this season and first half of next, and the Cubs lose pitcher Bobby Shantz for a similar length of time through an elbow injury.

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[luckymann]

Boston Red Sox (100-54) v St. Louis Cardinals (89-65)
Best-of-seven, Red Sox with the home-field advantage.


BOSTON RED SOX S+ PAGE

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS S+ PAGE

The Cards in this save are the poster boys for the term star-crossed. So many good players have come through their ranks over the years it is almost unfathomable that this is just their second playoff appearance (their first was back in 1923, when they lost to the Browns in an ugly sweep). This being so is purely a reflection of the management’s inability to fashion a well-rounded squad and it is no coincidence at all that it coincides with the arrival of arguably the best pitcher in club history.

Even here, however, having ascended the mountain, they find their way to the summit blocked by the formidable cornice of a 100-win Red Sox club desperate to procure another title after three straight WS losses. Even the scheduling gods have forsaken them, with the Red Sox having home-field advantage. The Cardinal Way, it would seem, is doomed to be the road less travelled.

And yet, with presumptive RoY Bob Gibson set up to pitch three games, a – despite the unfortunate loss of Jack Harshman – more than serviceable rotation beside him and their deep and talented offence, St. Louis should prove anything but easybeats. The Redbirds’ lack of post-season experience can be traded off against the aforementioned pressure on the Boston boys to win it all, while they have the emotional impetus of doing it for club legend Stan Musial. That alone should provide all the desire they need to be competitive.

Still, this BoSox group is a beast. While disappointingly robbing us of the chance to see him go mano e Stano-el-mano, the extraction of the Splinter from Boston’s calloused palm has allowed Jackie Jensen to finally emerge from his willowy shadow and shine. With Ashburn and Runnels both finishing top-3 in BA this year, and five of their eight starters mashing double-digit taters, it’s no wonder the Red Sox led either league with their 829 runs and finished with an almost pornographic +219 run diff.

So much to like about this matchup for the neutrals – for the supporters of the respective combatants I suspect fear of failure would be the overriding emotion right now. Sox in six for mine.

[luckymann]

Game 1 in Boston

Frank Sullivan (20-7, 3.30) v Bob Gibson (18-11, 3.54)

Not sure it gets much better than this for a Game 1, with 20-game winner Frank Sullivan taking on Cards wunderkind Bob Gibson to get things underway.

And while the rook certainly doesn’t disgrace himself, it is the more experienced Sullivan who comes through with a sparkling 6 shutout innings to help the Red Sox draw first blood with a controlled 3-0 win. Jim Brosnan allows just one hit over 3 scoreless to preserve the win and 3B Lee Walls puts one in the seats.

Game 2 in Boston

Gene Conley (17-7, 3.14) v Billy O’Dell (10-10, 4.27)

Red Sox lead series 1-0

This one shapes up as another top-notch and incredibly even-looking contest with the 1957 Johnson-Waddell winner taking on the highly-underrated Gene Conley.

Another valiant effort by a Cardinals pitcher goes to waste as O’Dell holds Conley to a draw over 6 but the BoSox score one late on a Dee Brown solo shot off Karl Spooner to sneak home 2-1. Just 5 hits for St. Louis and only Bob Skinner at the top of the lineup showing any signs of life to this point as the series heads to the Gateway City and what's sure to be a rabid Sportsman's Park crowd.

Game 3 in St. Louis

Vinegar Bend Mizell (13-12, 4.94) v Joe Nuxhall (19-7, 3.38)

Red Sox lead series 2-0

Definite touch of the do or die here for the Cards – if the present situation and a stadium full of fans can’t rouse you from your torpor then, one would think, nothing can. The responsibility for at least giving them a chance falls at the feet of Vinegar Bend Mizell, who despite only being 29 seems to have been around forever. He is facing Joe Nuxhall, who is in a similar boat – in his 10th season despite having only just turned 31.

And the Redbirds do finally get that elusive first World Series game win in a tight tussle that ends with a 4-2 final. The quality pitching prevalent throughout continues in this one as Mizell allows just 2 runs on 2 hits over 6, although Nuxhall’s early shakiness ends up proving the difference as St. Louis stakes itself to a 3-0 lead and hangs on grimly for the duration. Skinner and Brown each hits his second homer of the series, while Cards shortstop Wayne Causey goes 3-for-4.

Game 4 in St. Louis

Art Ditmar (1-1, 3.00) v Billy Pierce (10-6, 4.20)

Red Sox lead series 2-1

No doubt Boston has the edge here, with Pierce well on the way to a 200-win career. But all that counts for little if Ditmar can keep the Redbirds close and the bats do their thing.

And it follows the expected script as Pierce is dominant in a CG win made immeasurably less stressful by the 4-spot the Red Sox post in the top 1st. Red Sox catcher Dick Brown continues his splendid series with 2 hits and 3 ribbies and it looks pretty dire from here for the boys from St. Louis.

Game 5 in St. Louis

Bob Gibson (0-1, 3.38) v Frank Sullivan (1-0, 0.00)

Red Sox lead series 3-1

All is far from lost for the Cards with Gibson going for them, but they obviously have zero room for error and Sullivan has already shown what a money pitcher he is.

And the big righty comes through for the home side to send this series back to Beantown. Hoot is almost untouchable thru 8 as his offence gives him a 4-run cushion and the last one of those via a Musial homer in the 8th ends up proving vital as Bob flags and the Sox tag him for 3 before he finally closes it out operating on fumes.

Game 6 in Boston

Gene Conley (1-0, 1.00) v Billy O’Dell (0-0, 1.50)

Red Sox lead series 3-2

How twitchy are the Red Sox feeling at this moment in time, having of course blown a similar 3-1 lead to us a year ago? That sort of experience can often be a double-edged sword and only a strong performance and getting the job done can make it cut the right way.

As it turns out, they gather themselves and take no risks of a Game 7 with a strong 7-3 win for the club’s 9th Championship. 5 runs in the first 3 frames set the tone for a relatively straightforward win, although the Cards never stop trying and keep it close enough to keep the Sox honest to the very end. Conley is wild but nevertheless effective and gilds the lily with a 2-run bomb in the 2nd. Dick Brown is a deserved MVP.

BOSTON WINS SERIES 4-2

SERIES MVP: Dick Brown (Boston)

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[luckymann]

In the name of keeping things as competitive for me and (hopefully) interesting for you guys and gals following along as possible, I'll be incorporating a new rule into this save, effective immediately.

For the 1960 season and beyond, only 3 players (with a minimum of either 1 hitter or 1 pitcher) will be permitted at any one time on our Active Roster who weren’t at one time part of the Pittsburgh franchise IRL.

Obviously this cannot be feasibly effected overnight, but in order for it to happen in a timely manner, at least two ineligible players must be moved on per season until it has. At the same time, only eligible players can be added to our squad until there is room under this new 3-player rule. We can draft or acquire ineligible players on minor league deals but cannot promote them to the AR until a spot is freed up. Players already on our books can be promoted along the way regardless of eligibility provided the other overarching rules are being adhered to or worked toward.

To help facilitate this process and enable us to manage our roster effectively under what are now some pretty tricky and incredibly limiting guidelines, I am increasing the number of trades we are permitted each year from 2 to 3. Our Free-Agent signing limit remains at one per season.

There's a fair chance some more tinkering will be needed to get the mix right, but this also means our playing group will much more closely resemble the historical, which is something I'm looking forward to.

At the end of 1959, the following players on our Active Roster are members of what I'll be terming the Cutlass Club (CCs for short), in other words eligible players under this new rule:

• 2B Bill Mazeroski (Legacy)
• SS Dick Groat (Legacy)
• OF Roberto Clemente (Marquee)
• P Bob Friend (Legacy)
• P Vern Law (Legacy)
• P Roy Face (Legacy)
• P Don Gross (1958-60)
• P Bob Purkey (1954-57, 1966)

That leaves 20 ineligible players currently on our Active Roster and I'm giving us a 5-year window to have wrung the necessary changes.

G

[luckymann]

Our Wilkes-Baron boys stumble at the final hurdle, blowing a 2-0 series lead before going down in five to the Beaumont Exporters.

[luckymann]

No managerial firings, but there is a change of ownership in Milwaukee.

We exercise Lew Burdette's option and send John Roseboro, Seth Moreland and Rocky Bridges to arbitration.

We let Harry Simpson walk, although frustratingly he is an eligible CC having spent a small part of 1959 with us IRL, and doesn't count toward our charter.

Retirees include Andy Pafko, Bob Lemon, Ray Boone, Al Dark, Hank Sauer, Connie Johnson, Alex Kellner, Ferris Fain, Ken Raffensberger and a couple I'll deal with anon.

[luckymann]

Hard to think of two more physiologically diametric players than Roy Campanella and Ted Kluszewski, both of whom have called time on their illustrious careers.

With Campy gone only two NeLers now remain - Jackie and Larry, kind of fitting in a way given they were 1 & 2 on the integration train. He clearly benefited from all those extra seasons, especially given his early start at the pro level, and has finished up in this save greatly eclipsing his IRL numbers as a result. While he didn't quite have the individual success of his historical counterpart, Roy won one more Championship in this timeline and his 80+ bWAR should ensure his enshrinement at C-Town.




I doubt Big Klu will be joining him, unfortunately. Nevertheless - with in excess of 300 homers and 2 Wagner-Lajoie Medals on some pretty horrid Reds teams - his career is a credit to him and he'll be sorely missed. That stellar 1955 campaign of his will be spoken about for many years to come.

[luckymann]

AL 1959 HISTORY INDEX

NL 1959 HISTORY INDEX

AWARDS HISTORY


The run of maiden Johnson-Waddell winners continues with Frank Sullivan and our own Larry Jackson getting the nod, while the Mickey and Willie Wagner-Lajoie show is reunited with them winning numbers 7 and 5, respectively. This year's RoYs go to George Altman and Maury Wills, while Hoyt Wilhelm and Karl Spooner take out the Paige Plates.


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[Brad K]

Originally Posted by luckymann

In the name of keeping things as competitive for me and (hopefully) interesting for you guys and gals following along as possible, I'll be incorporating a new rule into this save, effective immediately.

For the 1960 season and beyond, only 3 players (with a minimum of either 1 hitter or 1 pitcher) will be permitted at any one time on our Active Roster who weren’t at one time part of the Pittsburgh franchise IRL.

Obviously this cannot be feasibly effected overnight, but in order for it to happen in a timely manner, at least two ineligible players must be moved on per season until it has. At the same time, only eligible players can be added to our squad until there is room under this new 3-player rule. We can draft or acquire ineligible players on minor league deals but cannot promote them to the AR until a spot is freed up. Players already on our books can be promoted along the way regardless of eligibility provided as the other overarching rules are being adhered to or worked toward.

To help facilitate this process and enable us to manage our roster effectively under what are now some pretty tricky and incredibly limiting guidelines, I am increasing the number of trades we are permitted each year from 2 to 3. Our Free-Agent signing limit remains at one per season.

There's a fair chance some more tinkering will be needed to get the mix right, but this also means our playing group will much more closely resemble the historical, which is something I'm looking forward to.

At the end of 1959, the following players on our Active Roster are members of what I'll be terming the Cutlass Club (CCs for short), in other words eligible players under this new rule:

• 2B Bill Mazeroski (Legacy)
• SS Dick Groat (Legacy)
• OF Roberto Clemente (Marquee)
• P Bob Friend (Legacy)
• P Vern Law (Legacy)
• P Roy Face (Legacy)
• P Don Gross (1958-60)
• P Bob Purkey (1954-57, 1966)

That leaves 20 ineligible players currently on our Active Roster and I'm giving us a 5-year window to have wrung the necessary changes.

G

Wow. That's a mountain.

[luckymann]

Originally Posted by Brad K

Wow. That's a mountain.

We shall see my friend, we shall see. As we say (albeit in slightly more profane form) here in Australia - I am not here to be on intimate terms with arachnids.

[luckymann]

A nice spread of players coming in again, with 6 Legacies and 1 Marquee among them.

These are the Legacy Players for the 1960 Season:

Chicago Cubs: Ron Santo (70.5; 2126 / 95% - MARQUEE)
Cincinnati Reds: Jim Maloney (37.5; 258 GS)
Detroit Tigers: Dick McAuliffe (37.6; 1656)
Los Angeles Dodgers: Willie Davis (60.7; 1952)
Milwaukee Braves: Joe Torre (57.5; 1037)
Philadelphia Phillies: Tony Gonzalez (27.0; 1118)
San Francisco Giants: Juan Marichal (62.9; 446 GS)

Leo Cardenas (27.2; 1157) was also eligible for the Redlegs, but Maloney’s higher WAR makes him the selection.


There are 105 rookies for this season, and the Draft will consist of 6 rounds.

The Draft order will be as follows (winning percentage from 1959 IRL season in brackets; bold indicates Legacy Pick in 1st Round):

Round 1

1. Chicago Cubs (481; dice roll)
2. San Francisco Giants (539)
3. Los Angeles Dodgers (564)
4. Milwaukee Braves (551)
5. Detroit Tigers (494)
6. Cincinnati Reds (481; dice roll)
7. Philadelphia Phillies (416)
8. Washington Senators (409)
9. Kansas City Athletics (429)
10. St. Louis Cardinals (461)
11. Baltimore Orioles (481; dice roll)
12. Boston Red Sox (487)
13. Pittsburgh Pirates (506)
14. New York Yankees (513)
15. Cleveland Indians (578)
16. Chicago White Sox (610)


Rounds 2 thru 6

1. Washington Senators (409)
2. Philadelphia Phillies (416)
3. Kansas City Athletics (429)
4. St. Louis Cardinals (461)
5. Cincinnati Reds (481; dice roll)
6. Baltimore Orioles (481; dice roll)
7. Chicago Cubs (481; dice roll)
8. Boston Red Sox (487)
9. Detroit Tigers (494)
10. Pittsburgh Pirates (506)
11. New York Yankees (513)
12. San Francisco Giants (539)
13. Milwaukee Braves (551)
14. Los Angeles Dodgers (564)
15. Cleveland Indians (578)
16. Chicago White Sox (610)


It will take a few goes to hone my process under the new rules and, of course, it makes is more vulnerable than ever to the luck of the draw. I’ll have no problem taking quality guys knowing we will have to hold them for a year and trade them on without ever using them – in fact this will become an ever more important skill for me to perfect.

There are just 10 eligible players for us to pick from in the entire Draft, but if we can nab the first two of them I’ll be stoked.

Call it beginner’s luck, but that’s precisely what happens:

1. OF Matty Alou, 20

• We add to our burgeoning Alou collection with Felipe’s little bro, our inaugural CC inductee. He should play all 3 OF slots eventually, but only the corners for now.

2. P Joe Gibbon, 24

• His availability this deep undoubtedly has a lot to do with him profiling as a reliever for the first few years, but he should graduate to the spin after that and is a really handy southpaw who’ll be a walk-up starter for us out of the BP in 1960.

3. P Earl Francis, 24

• We were sweating utility IF Julio Gotay for this pick but just missed him. Earl is a fine consolation prize who burned brief but bright IRL and who profiles as a spot starter at best.

4. OF Gary Kolb, 24
5. P Bill Short, 22
6. P Georges Maranda, 27 (ineligible)

• Organisational pieces.

Worked out way better than we expected.

FULL DRAFT LOG