Jim Bouton Hall of Famer?

Pierreless · 07-10-2018, 02:13 PM

My favorite baseball book is Jim Bouton's Ball Four. One of the main themes was Bouton's pushing the Seattle Pilots coaching staff to give him a chance to be knuckleballing starter. However, once they saw he was never going to return to his fireball form, they had no use for him except as a mop-up reliever. My question is has anyone ever done a historical Seattle Pilot season with Bouton in the rotation full-time. Did he become the next Phil Niekro? Or was Sal Maglie's judgement right. In my historical, he eventually developed into a workhorse reliever and holds the MLB record for most appearances in season (99). But he never had any real eye-popping seasons before retiring.

Edster007 · 07-10-2018, 06:28 PM

In mine he played 13 seasons all with the Angels he appeared in 540 games, 289 as a starter he went 122-114 with 14 saves and a career ERA of 3.78. He had knuckle curve but his curve ball and change up were better pitches.

I wouldn't torture myself replaying the Pilots season

but I am going to go out on a limb say Maglie was correct. Bouton appeared in many games that season and if he would have been an effective starter he would have been given the ball. The fact his career ended after one season in Houston is another indicator.

Tiger Fan · 07-10-2018, 08:51 PM

I did enjoy reading the book many years ago. Probably one I should read again in the near future. As for Bouton, he has not done much in my league which is presently in 1967. Using 3 year recalc for ratings with full minors.

Best year was 14-6, 2.06 in 1963 but Bouton has spent much more time in the minors than in the big leagues. Maybe the expansion Pilots will draft him in a year and a half.

Pierreless · 07-10-2018, 09:34 PM

In my historical, he started his career with the Cubs in 1961. He got a signing bonus of $117,700!! He was a 3-time International League All-Star, pitcher of the year in 1964. But he bounced around a lot as a big leaguer (12 teams in 14 years). He did set the Mlb appearance record with 99 games (2 starts) for the Pilots in 1969 but little to show for it (6-3 record; zero saves. Traded to Oakland in the off-season (for Felix Millan).

07-10-2018, 02:13 PM	#1
Pierreless Bat Boy Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 14	Jim Bouton Hall of Famer? My favorite baseball book is Jim Bouton's Ball Four. One of the main themes was Bouton's pushing the Seattle Pilots coaching staff to give him a chance to be knuckleballing starter. However, once they saw he was never going to return to his fireball form, they had no use for him except as a mop-up reliever. My question is has anyone ever done a historical Seattle Pilot season with Bouton in the rotation full-time. Did he become the next Phil Niekro? Or was Sal Maglie's judgement right. In my historical, he eventually developed into a workhorse reliever and holds the MLB record for most appearances in season (99). But he never had any real eye-popping seasons before retiring.

07-10-2018, 08:51 PM	#3
Tiger Fan Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 9,541	I did enjoy reading the book many years ago. Probably one I should read again in the near future. As for Bouton, he has not done much in my league which is presently in 1967. Using 3 year recalc for ratings with full minors. Best year was 14-6, 2.06 in 1963 but Bouton has spent much more time in the minors than in the big leagues. Maybe the expansion Pilots will draft him in a year and a half. Attached Images __________________ Cliff Markle HOB1 greatest pitcher 360-160, 9 Welch Awards, 11 WS titles Columnist- The Figment Sporting Journal MY FIGMENT LEAGUE BROOKLYN KINGS DYNASTY PAST DYNASTYS My History of Hockey Replay Tiger Fan's Sporting News : the mid 1940's Tiger Fan's All Sport Replay: The 1920s History of Sports 1901-15 Historical Tutorial and Feedback League My first fictional attempt The HOB4: The last of my series of history of baseball replays that go back to OOTP2 and the old message board. Last edited by Tiger Fan; 07-10-2018 at 08:52 PM.

07-10-2018, 06:28 PM	#2
Edster007 All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: New York, NY Posts: 1,678	In mine he played 13 seasons all with the Angels he appeared in 540 games, 289 as a starter he went 122-114 with 14 saves and a career ERA of 3.78. He had knuckle curve but his curve ball and change up were better pitches. I wouldn't torture myself replaying the Pilots season but I am going to go out on a limb say Maglie was correct. Bouton appeared in many games that season and if he would have been an effective starter he would have been given the ball. The fact his career ended after one season in Houston is another indicator.

07-10-2018, 09:34 PM	#4
Pierreless Bat Boy Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 14	In my historical, he started his career with the Cubs in 1961. He got a signing bonus of $117,700!! He was a 3-time International League All-Star, pitcher of the year in 1964. But he bounced around a lot as a big leaguer (12 teams in 14 years). He did set the Mlb appearance record with 99 games (2 starts) for the Pilots in 1969 but little to show for it (6-3 record; zero saves. Traded to Oakland in the off-season (for Felix Millan).