On the Wings of Angels (1977)

[CatKnight]

Introduction:

1977.

In baseball, the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners take the field for the first time. Just one year into owning the Atlanta Braves, Ted Turner gets suspended for interfering with the signing of Gary Matthews. 1976 RoY Mark Fidrych sees his career come to an end. Yankee manager Billy Martin and Reggie Jackson scuffle on national television, then go on to win the World Series over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Elsewhere, America is still healing after the scars of the Vietnamese War. President Carter takes office and pardons draft dodgers. SEATO, the South East Asia Treaty Organization, is disbanded. The first all-in-one personal computer, the Commodore PET, is launched and Apple is incorporated. In entertainment, Elvis Presley passes away while Star Wars sets box office records.

In a suburb of Hartford, Connecticut a young boy starts following baseball...

********
'Boys of Summer' isn't dead, but I am going to put it on hold for now. There's simply no drama in it right now for me, not when it's the All Star Break and I already am 95% certain who's going to be in the World Series.

1977 then, which takes me back to the players I grew up loving and/or hating. I decided to let fate decide where I'd end up and see which teams offered me a job: Montreal and California. While I liked the Expos well enough, it's been a long time since I've seen a Halo dynasty.

The 1976 Angels finished 76-86, good enough for a tie for fourth 14 games behind Kansas City. It's been six years since Halo fans have seen a winning season and they've never even sniffed the playoffs. The team is flailing, with serious gaps in their roster - but there's promise of better days as well.

Let's begin.

[CatKnight]

March 1977: Spring Training


California

The Angels invited 32 players to camp. We finished 12-12, third of the AL West teams and two games behind the White Sox.

CF Gil Flores [24](Rookie) sprained his knee on March 24 and is out for 3-4 weeks. That means he'll have to try all the harder to make the roster when he gets back.

RP Mike Cuellar [39](4-13 4.96 1 SV w BAL) sprained his elbow on the 24th and will miss 2 weeks. Like Flores, Cuellar will have to earn his position back.

RF Bobby Bonds [31](.265 10-54) separated his shoulder and will miss 5-6 weeks. "I'm gonna spend time with my son," he said. "Bring him up right." You do that Bobby. This is a major loss to the club as, unlike the others, he would have been on my opening day roster.

A few random thoughts:

I have three SP worth talking about. There's a fourth who Manager Norm Sherry believes belongs in reserve, and I tend to agree. Sherry was using Cuellar as a 5th starter before his injury, and RP Wayne Simpson (0-3 9.31 in ST) as my fourth. This will not do.

With Bonds and Flores out, I'm obliged to promote an OF I didn't even invite to Spring Training camp just to make sure I have enough.


Major Spring Training Injuries:

Cubs: RP Jim Todd [29](7-8 3.81 4 SV w OAK) will miss six months, perhaps the whole season, with a torn flexor tendon.

Cincinnati: RP Mike Caldwell [28](1-7 4.86 2 SV w SF) will miss 4 months with bone chips in his elbow.

Montreal: RP Dan Warthen [24](2-10 5.30) will miss 4 months with a torn rotator cuff.

Pittsburgh: RP Larry Demerey [23](10-7 3.17 2 SV) will miss the year with a torn UCL.

Pittsburgh: RP Rich Goosage [25](9-17 3.94 1 SV w CHW) will miss the year with a torn UCL.

Baltimore: RP Earl Stephenson [29](Last played '72 MIL) will miss 5 months due to shoulder inflammation.

Minnesota: CL Tom Johnson [25](3-1 2.61) had his season end before it began after he tore his rotator cuff.

[CatKnight]

April 1977: BNN Special Report

Projected Standings

AL East	W	L	PCT	GB		AL West	W	L	PCT	GB
Baltimore Orioles	87	75	0.537	---		Chicago White Sox	95	67	0.586	---
New York Yankees	87	75	0.537	---		Kansas City Royals	95	67	0.586	---
Boston Red Sox	85	77	0.525	2		California Angels	91	71	0.562	4
Milwaukee Brewers	81	81	0.500	6		Texas Rangers	91	71	0.562	4
Cleveland Indians	79	83	0.488	8		Minnesota Twins	74	88	0.457	21
Detroit Tigers	75	87	0.463	12		Oakland A's	73	89	0.451	22
Toronto Blue Jays	53	109	0.327	34		Seattle Mariners	71	91	0.438	24
NL East	W	L	PCT	GB		NL West	W	L	PCT	GB
Philadelphia Phillies	97	65	0.599	---		Los Angeles Dodgers	92	70	0.568	---
New York Mets	85	77	0.525	12		San Francisco Giants	91	71	0.562	1
St. Louis Cardinals	84	78	0.519	13		Houston Astros	91	71	0.562	1
Pittsburgh Pirates	81	81	0.500	16		Cincinnati Reds	86	76	0.531	6
Chicago Cubs	76	86	0.469	21		San Diego Padres	70	92	0.432	22
Montreal Expos	73	89	0.451	24		Atlanta Braves	50	112	0.309	42

Three very close races. September should be fun to watch. I'm amazed California's predicted to win 91 games - I think that's generous. Let's find out.


Top Batters

AL Batting Leaders	Team	AVG	OBP	HR	RBI	SB	AB
Jim Rice	BOS	0.347	0.404	47	148	4	688
Rod Carew	MIN	0.383	0.447	13	92	28	648
Carl Yastrzemski	BOS	0.302	0.374	42	116	3	635
George Brett	KCR	0.314	0.368	25	121	23	636
Oscar Gamble	CHW	0.292	0.391	36	103	3	604
Larry Hisle	MIN	0.302	0.371	28	118	18	611
Eric Soderholm	CHW	0.292	0.368	33	123	2	622
Chet Lemon	CHW	0.304	0.377	20	89	13	678
NL Batting Leaders	Team	AVG	OBP	HR	RBI	SB	AB
Bake McBride	PHI	0.337	0.375	24	111	53	637
Greg Luzinski	PHI	0.299	0.393	38	115	2	574
George Foster	CIN	0.302	0.363	39	133	4	635
Mike Schmidt	PHI	0.276	0.403	34	99	15	572
Joe Morgan	CIN	0.278	0.406	19	71	48	607
Dave Parker	PIT	0.309	0.373	24	87	22	631
Cesar Cedeno	HOU	0.286	0.354	17	74	80	654
Steve Henderson	NYM	0.298	0.368	19	86	14	626

Top Pitchers

AL Pitching Leaders	Team	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP
Ron Guidry	NYY	21	8	0	2.43	1.02	244	289.0
Gaylord Perry	TEX	22	6	0	2.92	1.13	193	274.0
Dennis Leonard	KCR	19	10	0	2.78	1.13	248	292.1
Frank Tanana	CAL	19	10	0	3.03	1.07	214	255.1
Ken Kravec	CHW	19	8	0	3.49	1.22	206	270.0
Mike Flanagan	BAL	16	10	0	2.87	1.19	175	266.2
Jim Palmer	BAL	18	11	0	3.63	1.22	195	291.1
Dave Goltz	MIN	17	13	0	3.17	1.22	174	275.1
NL Pitching Leaders	Team	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP
Steve Carlton	PHI	21	8	0	3.03	1.20	240	278.0
Tommy John	LAD	20	10	0	2.56	1.04	170	280.2
J.R. Richard	HOU	19	10	0	2.66	1.07	281	272.1
Tom Seaver	NYM	18	11	0	2.73	1.04	247	287.2
Jerry Reuss	PIT	19	8	0	2.82	1.12	178	269.2
Steve Rogers	MON	18	12	0	2.97	1.11	223	277.2
Jerry Koosman	NYM	16	13	0	2.99	1.22	221	267.0
Bob Knepper	SFG	18	9	0	3.32	1.32	163	226.0

[CatKnight]

Opening Day Roster:


Pitchers

Starters [Age]	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	Notes
Paul Hartzell [23]	7	4	2	2.77	1.26	51	166.0
Nolan Ryan [30]	17	18	0	3.36	1.32	327	284.1
Frank Tanana [23]	19	10	0	2.43	0.99	261	288.1
Relievers [Age]	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	Notes
Mike Barlow [28]	2	2	0	4.50	2.00	11	22.0	Houston
John Caneira [24]	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	Rookie
Dick Drago [31]	7	8	6	4.42	1.40	43	79.1
Don Kirkwood [27]	6	12	0	4.62	1.42	78	157.2
Mickey Scott [29]	3	0	3	3.23	1.51	10	39.0
Wayne Simpson [28]	---	---	---	---	---	---	---	Last played '75 PHI
John Verhoeven [24]	0	2	4	3.38	1.31	23	37.1
Closer [Age]	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	Notes
Gary Ross [29]	8	16	0	3.00	1.25	100	225.0

The good news is my 'true' starting rotation is young and strong, especially Ryan and Tanana. As it stands today Simpson would be the # 4 starter, with Drago the # 5 spot starter.

It's a curious choice, as you can see from the innings pitched our closer was a starting pitcher last year. The rest of our relievers are middle of the road and there may be an opportunity to upgrade later on.


Batters

Catchers [Age]	AVG	OBP	HR	RBI	SB	AB	Notes
Andy Etchebarren [33]	0.227	0.305	0	21	0	247
Ike Hampton [25]	0.000	0.000	0	0	0	2
Corner IF [Age]	AVG	OBP	HR	RBI	SB	AB	Notes
Bruce Bochte [26]	0.258	0.346	2	49	4	466
Ron Jackson [23]	0.227	0.289	8	40	5	410
Tony Solaita [30]	0.261	0.348	9	42	1	283	Royals/Angels
Rance Mulliniks [21]	---	---	---	---	---	---	Rookie
Middle IF [Age]	AVG	OBP	HR	RBI	SB	AB	Notes
Bobby Grich [28]	0.266	0.373	13	54	14	518	Baltimore
Jerry Remy [24]	0.263	0.313	0	28	35	502
Dave Chalk [26]	0.217	0.308	0	33	0	438
Outfielders [Age]	AVG	OBP	HR	RBI	SB	AB	Notes
Don Baylor [27]	0.247	0.329	15	68	52	595	Oakland
Thad Bosley [20]	---	---	---	---	---	---	Rookie
Joe Rudi [30]	0.270	0.323	13	94	6	500	Oakland
Ken Landreaux [22]	---	---	---	---	---	---	Rookie
Rusty Torres [28]	0.205	0.299	6	27	4	264
Bobby Bonds [31]	0.265	0.337	10	54	30	378	DL 3-4 weeks

Catcher is going to be an issue. Etchebarren is aging and doesn't look all that impressive, while Hampton had all of 2 at bats last year.

Mulliniks and Landreaux are slated to start despite being rookies - the Angels are definitely trying to shake things up this year. Landreaux was actually the OF I didn't invite to Spring Training, so it'll be interesting to see how well he can pull it together before Bonds returns.

Solaita will DH with Bochte at first and Jackson backing first and third up. In the middle it's Grich and Remy, with Rudi and Baylor rounding out the outfield.

Analysis:

My rotation is strong, but too small. My bullpen is inadequate. I have a poor catcher. BNN also thinks I'm weak at first and in center - the latter is definitely true.

Yeah, 91 wins is probably generous. I'll be happy with 81. So will Mr. Gene Autry, the team owner.

[CatKnight]

April 6-10, 1977

Games:

April 6: Mariners 5 Angels 4
WP: Glenn Abbott (1-0), LP: Frank Tanana (0-1), SV: Dave Pagan (1)
HR: (CAL) Don Baylor (1), Joe Rudi (1), (SEA) Larry Cox (1)
PoG: (SEA) Larry Cox went 2 for 2 with a double, homer, 2 runs and 3 RBI.

April 7: Angels 8 Mariners 1
WP: Paul Hartzell (1-0), LP: Dick Pole (0-1)
HR: (CAL) Bruce Bochte (1), Joe Rudi (2), (SEA) Leroy Stanton (1)
PoG: (CAL) Joe Rudi went 3 for 5 with a double, homer, run and 4 RBI.

April 8: Angels 6 Mariners 2
WP: Nolan Ryan (1-0), LP: Mike Kekich (0-1)
HR: (SEA) Ruppert Jones (1)
PoG: (CAL) Nolan Ryan went 8.2 innings allowing 2 ER 6 hits 1 walk and 11 strikeouts.

April 9: Angels 13 Mariners 5
WP: Wayne Simpson (1-0), LP: Diego Segui (0-1)
HR: (CAL) Joe Rudi (3), Rusty Torres 2 (2)
PoG: (CAL) Rusty Torres went 2 for 2 with 2 homers, 3 walks, 3 runs and 4 RBI.

April 10: Mariners 6 Angels 3
WP: Bob Galasso (1-0), LP: Dick Drago (0-1), SV: Dave Pagan (2)
HR: (CAL) Bruce Bochte (2), Bobby Grich (1), (SEA) Ruppert Jones (2)
PoG: (CAL) Bobby Grich went 3 for 5 with a homer, run and RBI.


Comments

So the first game in Mariners history is a win for them, and we could only take 3 of 5. Not that good. Whose idea was it to start the season with a five game set anyway?

We actually don't get a day off until the 18th - so 12 straight game days. Too many of these and I'm really going to be on the lookout for a #5 pitcher.


Team News

OF Thad Bosley [20](Rookie) was injured on April 9, clearing the way for Rusty Torres to shine with his 2 HR performance.

1B Bruce Bochte [26](.258 2-49) was named AL Player of the Week. He went 11 for 19 (.579) with 1 HR and 4 RBI.


League News

Cincinnati: LF George Foster [28](.306 29-121) was named NL Player of the Week. He went 6 for 13 (.462) with 2 HR and 4 RBI.

Philadelphia: 3B Mike Schmidt [27](.262 38-107) will miss 2-3 weeks with a fractured foot.

Kansas City: CF Amos Otis [29](.279 18-86) has suffered a setback in his recovery from hamstring tendinitis and will miss another week.

Texas: SP Gaylord Perry [38](15-14 3.24) shutout the Orioles 9-0 on 1 hit, 3 walks and 3 strikeouts.

Toronto: The Blue Jays debuted against the White Sox and lost 4-3. Pete Vuckovich earned the loss while Otto Velez hit the club's first homer.

Standings:

AL West	W	L	PCT	GB
Oakland A's	3	0	1.000	---
Kansas City Royals	2	1	0.667	1
Chicago White Sox	2	1	0.667	1
California Angels	3	2	0.600	1
Seattle Mariners	2	3	0.400	2
Texas Rangers	1	2	0.333	2
Minnesota Twins	0	3	0.000	3

[CatKnight]

April 11-17, 1977

Games:

April 11: Athletics 10 Angels 2
WP: Stan Bahnsen (1-0), LP: Frank Tanana (0-2)
HR: (CAL) Tony Solaita (1), (OAK) Tony Armas 2 (3)
PoG: (OAK) Tony Armas went 3 for 4 with 2 homers, 4 runs and 3 RBI.

April 12: Angels 13 Athletics 1
WP: Paul Hartzell (2-0), LP: Jim Umbarger (0-1)
HR: (CAL) Don Baylor (2), Ron Jackson (1)
PoG: (CAL) Ken Landreaux went 2 for 3 with a double and triple before being injured, scoring once and hitting 5 RBI.

April 13: Angels 6 Athletics 3
WP: Nolan Ryan (2-0), LP: Gary Ross (1)
HR: (OAK) Dick Allen (1)
PoG: (CAL) Nolan Ryan went 7 innings allowing 3 ER, 4 hits, 5 walks and 10 strikeouts.

April 14: Angels 3 Athletics 0
WP: Wayne Simpson (2-0), LP: Rick Langford (0-1), SV: Gary Ross (2)
HR: (CAL) Don Baylor (3), Bobby Grich (2), Tony Solaita (2)
PoG: (CAL) Wayne Simpson pitched 7.2 innings allowing 3 hits, 3 walks and 3 strikeouts.

April 15: Mariners 3 Angels 2
WP: Gary Wheelock (2-0), LP: Dick Drago (0-2), SV: Dave Pagan (4)
HR: (SEA) Carlos Lopez (1), Craig Reynolds (2)
PoG: (SEA) Craig Lopez went 2 for 4 with a homer, run and 2 RBI.

April 16: Angels 5 Mariners 3 (12)
WP: Mickey Scott (1-0), LP: John Montague (0-1)
HR: (SEA) Ruppert Jones (4), (CAL) Don Baylor (4), Bobby Grich (3)
PoG: (CAL) Frank Tanana went 9 innings allowing 3 ER, 6 hits, 2 walks and 12 strikeouts.

April 17: Angels 8 Mariners 3
WP: Paul Hartzell (3-0), LP: Dick Pole (0-2)
HR: (SEA) Leroy Stanton (2), (CAL) Don Baylor 2 (6), Gil Flores (1)
PoG: (CAL) Don Baylor went 3 for 4 with 2 homers, 3 runs and 3 RBI.

Comments
Three of four from the then division leaders, then two of three from the Mariners. Not bad for a team scraping the barrel for outfielders.

On the mound, Tanana's struggling though he did go nine innings for no decision on the 16th. Drago...eh. I'll give him a little longer, but he's just not a starter.


All stats below are for 1976 unless otherwise noted.

Team News

Update on Thad Bosley [20](Rookie). He's out for the season with a concussion. He finishes the year batting 2 for 9 (.222) with 1 RBI. In comes Bob Jones [27](.211 6-17).

SS Dave Chalk [26](.217 0-33) went 5 for 5 (all singles) on August 12 versus Oakland.

CF Ken Landreaux [22](Rookie) tore his abdominal muscle and will miss five weeks. Primarily to have a warm body until Flores can return, 1B Dan Briggs [24](.214 1-14) will come up. Added bonus: Briggs has experience in the OF and is our new center fielder.

Precisely one day later (on the 13th), Briggs bruised his knee and will miss six days. I sent him down, since Flores will be ready by then. He went 1 for 2 with an RBI.

We finally have our home opener on the 15th and lose to the Mariners again.

On the 17th, Gil Flores [24](Rookie) finally makes his career debut and goes 1 for 3 with a grand slam, 2 runs and 4 RBI.


League News

Minnesota: 1B Rod Carew [31](.331 9-90) was named AL Player of the Week after going 15 for 34 (.441) with 2 HR and 8 RBI.

Toronto: SP Bill Singer [32](9-9 3.77) earned the first shutout in 'Jay history. He did this over the White Sox on 6 hits, 2 walks and 3 strikeouts.

Houston: CF Cesar Cedeno [26](.297 18-83) has suffered a nagging back injury and is day-to-day.

Houston: LF Cliff Johnson [29](.226 10-49) was named NL Player of the Week after giong 9 for 23 (.391) with 2 HR and 8 RBI.

NY Mets: SP Tom Seaver [32](14-11 2.59) re-upped with the Mets for $410K/year over the next two years. This is actually down from his current $560K figure which is tied for fourth highest in the Majors.

Philadelphia: CF Garry Maddox [27](.330 6-68) will miss the rest of this year with a torn labrum. In 1977 he was 0 for 3.

Philadelphia: SS Larry Bowa [31](.248 0-49) hit 5 hits including a double versus the Cubs.

Philadelphia: SP Steve Carlton [32](20-7 3.13) shutout the Expos on 6 hits, 2 walks and an amazing 13 strikeouts.

San Francisco: SP John Montefusco [26](16-14 2.84) shutout the Padres on 5 hits, 1 walk and 7 strikeouts.

San Francisco: 3B Darrell Evans [29](.205 11-46) has taken a leave of absence to deal with 'personal issues.' He refused to elaborate.

St. Louis: SP John Denny [24](11-9 2.52) shutout the Mets on 5 hits, 2 walks and 6 strikeouts. In his next appearance he shutout Pittsburgh 5-0 on 1 hit and 4 strikeouts.

St. Louis: SS Garry Templeton [21](.291 1-17) will miss 2-3 weeks with a strained rib cage muscle following a collision.


Standings:

AL West	W	L	PCT	GB
California Angels	8	4	0.667	---
Chicago White Sox	5	3	0.625	1
Minnesota Twins	5	5	0.500	2
Oakland Athletics	5	5	0.500	2
Kansas City Royals	4	4	0.500	2
Texas Rangers	3	6	0.333	3.5
Seattle Mariners	4	8	0.333	4

[royalblue5]

I am excited to see the new thread, this was also about the time I began to fall in love with baseball. Of course being a Royals fan this will be fun to follow.

btw, how do you place links to other threads in your signature?

[CatKnight]

royalblue: Welcome! Go to your User CP, then Edit Signature on the left. Now use the following code:
[.URL="http://(etc.)"](Description)[/.URL] - without the periods.
*******

April 18-24, 1977

Games:

April 18: Off Day

April 19: White Sox 11 Angels 4
WP: Wilbur Wood (1-0), LP: Nolan Ryan (2-1)
HR: (CHW) Oscar Gamble (5), Eric Soderholm 2 (4), (CAL) Don Baylor (7), Ron Jackson (2)
PoG: (CHW) Eric Soderholm went 2 for 4 with 2 homers, 3 runs and 5 RBI.

April 20: Angels 8 White Sox 6
WP: Don Kirkwood (1-0), LP: Ken Brett (1-2)
HR: (CHW) Richie Zisk (3), (CAL) Dave Chalk (1)
PoG: (CAL) Dave Chalk went 1 for 4 with the game winning homer, run and 3 RBI.

April 21: Angels 3 White Sox 2
WP: Frank Tanana (1-2), LP: Steve Stone (1-1), SV: Gary Ross (3)
HR: (CAL) Don Baylor 2 (9)
PoG: (CAL) Don Baylor went 2 for 3 with 2 homers, 2 runs and 2 RBI.

April 22: Brewers 8 Angels 0
WP: Lary Sorensen (2-1), LP: Paul Hartzell (2-1)
HR: (MIL) Cecil Cooper (3), Jim Wohlford (1)
PoG: (MIL) Lary Sorensen pitched a 6 hit shutout allowing 1 walk and 4 strikeouts.

April 23: Angels 11 Brewers 5
WP: Dick Drago (1-2), LP: Jim Slaton (1-1)
HR: (MIL) Sal Bando (3), Von Joshua (1), Charlie Moore (1), (CAL) Don Baylor (10)
PoG: (CAL) Joe Rudi went 4 for 5 with a double, 2 runs and 3 RBI.

April 24: Angels 3 Brewers 1
WP: Nolan Ryan (3-1), LP: Bill Travers (1-3), SV: Gary Ross (4)
HR: (CAL) Joe Rudi (4)
PoG: (CAL) Nolan Ryan went 7 innings allowing 1 ER, 2 hits, 7 walks and 9 strikeouts.


Comments

Two of three from Chicago then Milwaukee. I'll take it.

Don Baylor is on track for 90 homers. I know it can't last, but I'm going to enjoy it in the meantime.

Bobby Bonds should be back late next week. It looks like we pass our first test.

Each of the Divisional Leaders (Boston over New York and Detroit, California over Kansas City, Pittsburgh over Chicago, San Francisco over Cincinnati) have half game leads.


Players of the Week

AL - California: LF Don Baylor [27](.247 15-68) went 12 for 20 (.600) with 6 HR, 10 RBI and 9 runs.
NL - Atlanta: RF Jeff Burroughs [26](.237 18-86) went 7 for 20 (.350) with 5 HR and 8 RBI.


Team News

We are third in power rankings, up from fifth. Interestingly, Kansas City is second.


League News

Atlanta: RP Jamie Easterly [24](1-1 4.91) should expect to be fined after missing the team flight.

Cincinnati: 2B Joe Morgan [33](.320 27-111) will miss 3 weeks with a quad strain.

NY Mets: CF Pepe Mangual [24](.237 4-25) hurt himself while training and will miss a few days.

Montreal/Pittsburgh: A fight broke out between the two teams resulting in four game suspensions for Montreal RP Joe Kerrigan [23](2-6 3.81 1 SV) and Pittsburgh 1B Willie Stargell [37] (.257 20-65)

Pittsburgh: Despite going 3-0, SP Ed Whitson [21](Rookie) is battling some obvious control issues. He's given up 12 walks in 18 innings so far and has a WHIP of 2.17.

San Diego: SS Bill Almon [24](.246 1-6) strained his abdominal muscle and will be out for about four weeks.

San Diego: RP Rollie Fingers [30](13-11 2.47 20 SV) has suffered a setback in recovering from a bone spur and will miss at least another week.


Standings:

AL West	W	L	PCT	GB
California Angels	12	6	0.667	---
Kansas City Royals	10	5	0.667	0.5
Oakland Athletics	9	7	0.563	2
Texas Rangers	8	8	0.500	3
Chicago White Sox	7	8	0.467	3.5
Minnesota Twins	6	11	0.353	5.5
Seattle Mariners	6	13	0.316	6.5

[CatKnight]

April 25 - May 1, 1977

Games:

April 25: Athletics 4 Angels 3
WP: Paul Mitchell (1-0) LP: Wayne Simpson (2-1), SV: Dave Giusti (1)
HR: (OAK) Tony Armas (5), (CAL) Bobby Grich (4)
PoG: (OAK) Tony Armas went 1 for 4 with a homer, run and 3 RBI.

April 26: Athletics 3 Angels 1
WP: Rick Langford (1-2), LP: Frank Tanana (1-3), SV: Mike Torrez (1)
HR: (OAK) Tony Armas (6), (CAL) Rance Mulliniks (1)
PoG: (OAK) Rick Langford pitched 8 innings allowing 1 ER, 8 hits, 1 walk and 6 strikeouts.

April 27: Athletics 7 Angels 4
WP: Stan Bahnsen (2-0), LP: Paul Hartzell (3-2), SV: Mike Torrez (2)
HR: (OAK) Wayne Gross (4), Earl Williams (5), (CAL) Joe Rudi (5)
PoG: (OAK) Earl Williams went 1 for 5 with a homer, run and 2 RBI.

April 28: Off Day

April 29: Angels 5 Orioles 1
WP: Nolan Ryan (4-1), LP: Dennis Martinez (1-2), SV: Mickey Scott (1)
HR: (CAL) Rance Mulliniks (2)
PoG: (CAL) Nolan Ryan went 6.2 innings allowing 0 ER, 3 hits, 6 walks and 5 strikeouts.

April 30: Angels 6 Orioles 4
WP: Don Kirkwood (2-0), LP: Tippy Martinez (0-2)
HR: (CAL) Joe Rudi (6), (BAL) Lee May (3), Eddie Murray (3)
PoG: (CAL) Don Baylor went 3 for 5 with a double, run and 3 RBI.

May 1: Angels 6 Orioles 4
WP: Frank Tanana (2-3), LP: Dyar Miller (1-3), SV: Gary Ross (5)
HR: (CAL) Joe Rudi (7)
PoG: (BAL) Eddie Murray was 2 for 3 with a double, run and RBI.


Comments

Our loss on the 25th moved us into a tie with Kansas City. Our loss on the 26th brought Oakland into first place as well. We fell out of first on the 27th.

We then took three straight from Baltimore, but the Royals have won four straight. The Angels are now in 2nd place, 1 game behind KC. Full standings follow.

We should get Bonds back on May 3rd now, which is good as we've just lost Bobby Grich (below).


Players of the Week

AL - Yankees: RF Reggie Jackson [30](.277 27-91) went 9 for 19 (.474) with 4 HR and 12 RBI.
NL - Cubs: LF Jerry Morales [28](.274 16-67) went 11 for 15 (.733) with 1 HR and 5 RBI.


Team News

Our power ranking dropped to #8 from #3. Kansas City is 1st, followed by Boston and the Yankees.

RF Bobby Bonds suffered another setback in his recovery and will miss another 5 days or so.

2B Bobby Grich [28](.266 13-54) was injured on May 1st in a collision with Baltimore's Jim Palmer. He will miss 6 weeks with a sprained thumb. With Bonds due back shortly, he was added to the roster. Palmer's condition is still pending.


League News

Cleveland: SS Larvell Blanks [27](.280 5-41) will miss 4 weeks with a strained hamstring.

Kansas City: SS Freddie Patek [32](.241 1-43) hit for the cycle going 4 for 6 with 4 runs and 3 RBI, but it wasn't enough as Texas blasted them 19-12.

Oakland: CF Tony Armas [23](.333 0-1) was suspended for three games for making contact with the umpire during the last game versus California.

Oakland: SP Jim Umbarger [24](10-12 3.15) suffered a setback while recovering from a dead arm and will miss another 1-2 weeks.

Los Angeles: 2B Davey Lopes [31](.241 4-20) will miss 3 weeks with a torn thumb ligament.

[Painmantle]

Ahhhh... I too love this era....I was 14 and a total Baseball NUT playing statis Pro board game, we had a neighbor hood draft league with the new cards and I played out the entire 1958 season solo....Awesome days!

[CatKnight]

Painmantle: Ooh, I had StatisPro. I played through a good chunk of the '77 Red Sox season when a hurricane knocked the power out for five days.
*******

May 2, 1977


AL BATTER: CALIFORNIA - Don Baylor [27](.247 15-68 in '76) went .322 with 10 HR, 25 RBI and 21 runs

AL PITCHER: WHITE SOX - Ken Kravec [25](1-5 4.89 in '76) went 4-1 in 5 starts, striking out 35 in 40 innings with an ERA of 2.02

AL ROOKIE: TEXAS - Bump Wills [24](Rookie) went .353 with 2 HR, 17 RBI and 13 runs

NL BATTER: PITTSBURGH - Dave Parker [25](.313 13-90 in '76) went .400 with 3 HR, 12 RBI, 15 runs, 9 walks and a .459 OBA

NL PITCHER: SAN FRANCISCO - John Montefusco [26](16-14 2.84 in '76) went 4-0 0.64 striking out 35 in 42.1 innings

NL ROOKIE: HOUSTON - Julio Gonzalez [24](Rookie) went .289 with 0 HR and 13 RBI.



Standings:

AL East	W	L	PCT	GB		AL West	W	L	PCT	GB
Boston Red Sox	15	6	0.714	---		Kansas City Royals	14	6	0.700	---
Detroit Tigers	15	8	0.652	1		California Angels	15	9	0.625	1
New York Yankees	14	8	0.636	1.5		Oakland Athletics	13	9	0.591	2
Baltimore Orioles	10	11	0.476	5		Texas Rangers	10	11	0.476	4.5
Milwaukee Brewers	8	11	0.421	6		Chicago White Sox	9	11	0.450	5
Cleveland Indians	7	15	0.318	8.5		Minnesota Twins	9	14	0.391	6.5
Toronto Blue Jays	7	16	0.304	9		Seattle Mariners	7	18	0.280	9.5
NL East	W	L	PCT	GB		NL West	W	L	PCT	GB
Pittsburgh Pirates	13	7	0.650	---		Cincinnati Reds	14	7	0.667	---
Chicago Cubs	12	8	0.600	1		San Francisco Giants	13	7	0.650	0.5
Philadelphia Phillies	9	9	0.500	3		Houston Astros	10	11	0.476	4
New York Mets	10	11	0.476	3.5		Los Angeles Dodgers	10	11	0.476	4
St. Louis Cardinals	9	12	0.429	4.5		Atlanta Braves	9	12	0.429	5
Montreal Expos	4	14	0.222	8		San Diego Padres	10	14	0.417	5.5

Batting Leaders

AL Batting Leaders	Team	AVG	OBP	HR	RBI	SB	AB
Rod Carew	MIN	0.446	0.500	3	15	4	92
Reggie Jackson	NYY	0.315	0.409	9	24	0	73
Don Baylor	CAL	0.319	0.405	10	25	2	94
George Brett	KCR	0.333	0.382	3	17	2	81
Mike Hargrove	TEX	0.380	0.479	4	16	0	79
Graig Nettles	NYY	0.319	0.430	6	9	0	72
Ruppert Jones	SEA	0.256	0.346	6	18	4	90
Julio Cruz	SEA	0.346	0.400	1	4	10	78
NL Batting Leaders	Team	AVG	OBP	HR	RBI	SB	AB
Bill Madlock	SF	0.402	0.430	4	12	3	82
Dave Parker	PIT	0.405	0.461	3	13	3	79
Bob Watson	HOU	0.330	0.381	4	16	1	88
Dan Dreissen	CIN	0.373	0.430	3	9	7	83
Bake McBride	STL	0.349	0.385	3	12	9	83
Jeff Burroughs	ATL	0.283	0.371	8	16	0	60
Cliff Johnson	HOU	0.297	0.381	5	21	0	74
Frank Taveras	PIT	0.2	0.236	0	4	10	85

Pitching Leaders

AL Pitching Leaders	Team	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP
Mark Fidrych	DET	3	1	0	1.47	1.16	18	43.0
Ron Guidry	NYY	1	4	0	3.12	1.21	29	40.1
Vida Blue	OAK	1	3	0	2.91	0.99	26	43.1
Frank Tanana	CAL	2	3	0	3.86	1.05	44	46.2
Ken Kravec	CHW	4	1	0	2.02	0.97	35	40.0
Jack Morris	DET	3	0	0	0.69	0.88	16	26.0
Wilbur Wood	CHW	1	0	0	2.01	0.81	9	22.1
Don Aase	BOS	0	0	8	0.00	0.53	3	5.2
NL Pitching Leaders	Team	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP
Rick Reuschel	CHC	2	2	0	3.18	1.08	25	39.2
J.R. Richard	HOU	4	0	0	3.26	1.14	37	38.2
Bill Bonham	CHC	4	1	0	2.29	0.89	26	39.1
John Montefusco	SF	4	0	0	0.64	0.71	32	42.1
Steve Carlton	PHI	4	1	0	2.72	1.02	30	36.1
Jim Barr	SF	1	1	0	1.50	0.98	15	42.0
Tommy John	LAD	2	2	0	1.93	0.67	20	42.0
Bruce Sutter	CHC	0	0	7	0.00	0.58	17	10.1

[Painmantle]

How many times has Baylor been HBP so far

[CatKnight]

Painmantle: 3! I actually thought it was more since it seems like it happens alot. He's on pace for 20.25 this year, which would about match the 20 he earned in 1976.
*******

California Angels
May 2, 1977

Pitchers:

Starters	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	Notes
Frank Tanana	2	3	0	3.86	1.05	44	46.2
Nolan Ryan	4	1	0	2.80	1.22	40	35.1
Paul Hartzell	3	2	0	3.34	0.93	9	32.1
Relievers	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	Notes
Wayne Simpson	2	1	0	5.08	1.43	16	33.2
Dick Drago	1	2	0	5.91	1.31	5	21.1
Don Kirkwood	2	0	0	3.24	0.96	6	8.1
Mickey Scott	1	0	1	0.00	0.50	7	8.0
John Caneira	0	0	0	9.39	1.83	2	7.2
John Verhoeven	0	0	0	3.68	1.09	4	7.1
Mike Barlow	0	0	0	1.42	0.79	3	6.1
Closer	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	Notes
Gary Ross	0	0	5	0.00	1.00	7	9.0

I'm not as blown away as I'd like to be. Ryan of course strikes people out seemingly at whim, but he has 24 walks to go with those 40 strikeouts. Tanana and Hartzell are both also doing well, but their ERA bothers me. Simpson and Drago probably shouldn't be starting. I'll leave it alone for now, but I really want to upgrade as the season moves on.

My relief corps, with the pointed exception of John Caneira, has really come through. We've had quite a few come from behind victories. Again, I'll give Caneira another month before making any changes - 7.2 innings isn't a fair test.


Batting:

Catchers	AVG	OBP	HR	RBI	SB	AB	Notes
Andy Etchebarren	0.234	0.350	0	9	0	64
Ike Hampton	0.125	0.222	0	0	0	8
Corner IF	AVG	OBP	HR	RBI	SB	AB	Notes
Bruce Bochte	0.337	0.360	2	13	0	95
Rance Mulliniks	0.165	0.217	2	4	0	85
Tony Solaita	0.182	0.341	2	7	0	66
Ron Jackson	0.353	0.389	2	2	0	17
Dan Briggs	0.500	0.667	0	1	0	2	Minors
Middle IF	AVG	OBP	HR	RBI	SB	AB	Notes
Bobby Grich	0.213	0.337	4	8	1	75	DL 6 weeks
Jerry Remy	0.232	0.346	0	4	8	69
Dave Chalk	0.309	0.361	1	8	0	55
Outfielders	AVG	OBP	HR	RBI	SB	AB	Notes
Joe Rudi	0.293	0.346	7	21	1	99
Don Baylor	0.319	0.405	10	25	2	94
Gil Flores	0.220	0.278	1	6	3	50
Ken Landreaux	0.438	0.526	0	8	0	16	DL 2 weeks
Rusty Torres	0.308	0.526	2	6	1	13
Thad Bosley	0.222	0.222	0	1	0	9	DL Season
Bob Jones	0.000	0.000	0	0	0	3

The proud, the battered...

Etchebarren's contract is up this year. I'm borderline: He's not embarassing himself, but I have to think we could do better.

At least he's doing better than Mulliniks (3B) and Solaita (DH). A DH below the Mendoza line is nigh on unforgiveable. If my manager doesn't deal with this by giving someone else a go soon, I will.

Remy may actually be an upgrade over Grich - I appreciate his speed at least - so no big loss here. I don't like that Chalk has no backup: Remy HAS filled in at short, but Remy has little experience at the position and anyway now he's stuck at second. Once Bonds is cleared to play in a few days I'm going to bring one of my reserve shortstops up.

Rudi and Baylor have really carried us offensively so far. Flores...I was borderline about bringing him on the 25-man roster before injuries took hold. I'll be curious to see how things pan out when Bonds returns. Bob Jones will probably go to the minors when Bonds heals so I can bring up the aforementioned shortstop.

[CatKnight]

May 2-8, 1977

Games:

May 2: Off Day

May 3: Yankees 1 Angels 0 (10)
WP: Ron Guidry (2-4), LP: Mickey Scott (1-1)
PoG: (NYY) Ron Guidry pitched a 10 inning shutout allowing 2 hits, 2 walks and 9 strikeouts.

May 4: Yankees 7 Angels 4
WP: Ken Clay (1-0), LP: Nolan Ryan (4-2)
HR: (NYY) Chris Chambliss 2 (5), Bucky Dent (1)
PoG: (NYY) Chris Chambliss went 2 for 3 (both homers) with 2 runs and 5 RBI.

May 5: Off Day

May 6: Angels 8 Red Sox 0
WP: Frank Tanana (3-3), LP: Luis Tiant (4-1)
PoG: (CAL) Frank Tanana pitched a 4 hit shutout allowing 2 walks and 8 strikeouts.

May 7: Angels 9 Red Sox 4
WP: Jesse Jefferson (2-2) , LP: Reggie Cleveland (0-1)
HR: (CAL) Don Baylor (11), (BOS) Butch Hobson (8)
PoG: (CAL) Andy Etchebarren went 1 for 3 with a triple, run and 3 RBI.

May 8: Angels 8 Red Sox 3
WP: Paul Hartzell (4-2), LP: Rick Wise (2-3), SV: Gary Ross (6)
HR: (CAL) Tony Solaita (3)
PoG: (CAL) Tony Solaita went 3 for 4 with a homer, 2 runs and 3 RBI.


Players of the Week

AL - MILWAUKEE: RF Sixto Lezcano [23](.202 6-14) went 12 for 34 (.353) with 4 HR and 10 RBI.

NL - HOUSTON: CF Cesar Cedeno [26](.342 2-21) went 14 for 29 (.483) with 7 RBI.


Comments and Team News

RF Bobby Bonds [31](.265 10-54 in '76) is finally ready to take the field on the 3rd. He was already on the 25 man roster. Down goes RF Bob Jones [27](.000 0-0 in 3 AB) to make room for SS Mario Guerrero [27](.284 1-18 in '76).

As aforementioned, SP Frank Tanana [23](3-3 3.23) shutout Boston on 4 hits, 2 walks and 8 strikeouts.

On May 8, Bobby Bonds signed a four year extension at $308K/yr. This is actually down from his current salary of $342K. He'll be 35 when his contract ends. Of course, I negotiated with him before he began the season 0 for 20.

I also signed a 2 year extension with C Andy Etchebarren [33](.276 0-16). I wasn't going to negotiate with him at all, but at $80K/yr an extra catcher is still useful, especially if his numbers continue to improve.

The only other player I could negotiate with is RP Mike Cuellar. Cuellar isn't on the active roster, and he just turned 40. He will not be tendered an offer, though I will see if anyone will give me anything for him as we get closer to the deadline.

On the 8th I lost Bonds for 3 days with hamstring tendinitis. He's batting 1 for 21. Despite his poor performance, we swept the 'Sox after getting swept by New York, impacting the AL East race for now.

Our power ranking is back up to #4 from 8. The top three are Kansas City (our next opponents), the Yankees and Cincinnati.


Team Trades

OK, I lied last time. I did something about our starting rotation:
CAL-TOR: C Terry Humphrey [27](.245 1-19 in '76)
CAL-TOR: RP Dick Drago [31](1-2 5.91)
TOR-CAL: SP Jesse Jefferson [28](1-2 4.98)
TOR-CAL: CF John Scott [25](Last played '75 Padres)

Humphrey was our #3 catcher and would not see action unless I have an injury. BNN says catching is a weakness, so punting here isn't a bad idea. I would have liked to keep Drago and see what he could do out of the bullpen, but he was the price of completing the deal.

I really wanted a starter - any starter, and Jefferson was the best one I could find cheaply. I added Scott so I wouldn't suffer a net loss in players while still depth poor.

In the aftermath, Jefferson becomes our #4 starter. Drago becomes their #5 in Jefferson's place, while Humphrey becomes their backup catcher behind Alan Ashby [25](.192 0-4) and Rick Cerone gets demoted.


League News

Baltimore: SP Jim Palmer [31](2-2 3.69), injured in his collision with Grich last week, will miss 4-5 months with a torn labrum.

White Sox: RF Oscar Gamble [27](.206 8-17) will miss 3 weeks with a bruised wrist.

Cleveland: Manager Frank Robinson exploded at the media today over remarks following his team's anemic 7-20 start. "It's just a matter of getting everyone on the same page," he said.

Milwaukee: LF Jim Wohlford [26](.192 1-5) will miss 4-5 months with a broken kneecap.

Yankees: SP Dock Ellis [32](1-2 1.89) will miss 4-5 months with a torn labrum.

Yankees: RF Reggie Jackson [30](.315 9-24) will miss 3 weeks with a strained back.

Cubs: CF Jose Cardenal [33](.261 1-11) is out for the year with a concussion.

St. Louis: RP Clay Carroll [36](0-1 3.68) will miss four months with bone chips.



Trades
STL-CHC: C Dave Rader [28](.000 0-0 in 7 AB)
STL-CHC: 2B Taylor Duncan [23](Rookie)
CHC-STL: 1B Bill Buckner [27](.279 2-5)

Standings

AL West	W	L	PCT	GB
Kansas City Royals	20	7	0.741	---
California Angels	18	11	0.621	3
Oakland Athletics	15	13	0.536	5.5
Chicago White Sox	13	14	0.481	7
Texas Rangers	12	14	0.462	7.5
Minnesota Twins	12	16	0.429	8.5
Seattle Mariners	11	20	0.355	11

[CatKnight]

May 9-15, 1977

Games:

May 9: Angels 4 Royals 0
WP: Nolan Ryan (5-2), LP: Dennis Leonard (4-2)
HR: (CAL) Andy Etchebarren (1)
PoG: (CAL) Nolan Ryan pitched a 5 hit shutout allowing 1 walk and 8 strikeouts.

May 10: Angels 2 Royals 0
WP: Wayne Simpson (3-1), LP: Marty Pattin (3-2), SV: Gary Ross (7)
HR: (CAL) Tony Solaita (4)
PoG: (CAL) Wayne Simpson pitched 8.1 innings allowing 0 ER, 2 hits, 6 walks and 3 strikeouts.

May 11: Angels 4 Orioles 0
WP: Frank Tanana (4-3), LP: Dennis Martinez (1-4)
HR: (CAL) Joe Rudi (8)
PoG: (CAL) Frank Tanana pitched a 3 hit shutout allowing 1 walk and 9 strikeouts.

May 12: Orioles 6 Angels 4
WP: Mike Flanagan (4-2), LP: Jesse Jefferson (2-3), SV: Tippy Martinez (8)
PoG: (BAL) Rick Dempsey went 3 for 4 with a triple, run and 3 RBI.

May 13: Angels 7 Yankees 6
WP: Don Kirkwood (3-0), LP: Gil Patterson (1-1)
HR: (CAL) Tony Solaita (5)
PoG: (CAL) Tony Solaita went 1 for 1 with a walk off PH grand slam.

May 14: Angels 6 Yankees 5
WP: Mike Barlow (1-0), LP: Dick Tidrow (1-2)
HR: (NYY) Chris Chambliss (6), Graig Nettles (8), (CAL) Don Baylor (12), Bobby Bonds (1), Joe Rudi (9)
PoG: (NYY) Chris Chambliss went 2 for 4 with a homer, run and 2 RBI.

May 15: Angels 4 Yankees 2
WP: Wayne Simpson (4-1), LP: Dick Tidrow (1-3)
HR: (NYY) Mickey Rivers (1), (CAL) Bobby Bonds (2), Jerry Remy (1)
PoG: (CAL) Wayne Simpson pitched a complete game allowing 2 ER, 9 hits, 2 walks and 2 strikeouts.


Players of the Week

AL - MILWAUKEE: LF Von Joshua [29](.327 4-16) went 12 for 27 (.444) with 1 HR and 5 RBI.

NL - PITTSBURGH: LF Bill Robinson [33](.336 6-26) went 13 for 29 (.448) with 2 HR and 9 RBI.


Comments and Team News

On May 9 Nolan Ryan [30](5-2 2.89) shutout the Royals on 5 hits, 1 walk and 8 strikeouts.

During the same game Don Baylor [27](.282 11-27) took a pitch to the knee and missed three days with a contusion.

On May 11, Frank Tanana [23](4-3 2.78) shutout the Orioles on 3 hits, 1 walk and 9 strikeouts. Even more impressively, through eight innings Tanana and Baltimore's Dennis Martinez [21](1-4 3.59) combined to allow only three hits. Joe Rudi [30](.285 8-28) ended it with a walk off grand slam.

May 12 saw Bonds return, May 13: Baylor. Tony Solaita [30](.200 5-16) hit a walk off grand slam to win that one.

Bonds saw his average slip to .040, and I was seriously considering demoting him, 'star' or no. He seems to be getting his act together though with two homers in two games. His average has jumped to .132.

After taking two from the first place Royals, splitting with Baltimore then sweeping the Yanks, we're back in first. We're also first in the power rankings, up from 4th. 2-3 are Houston and the Yankees.


League News

Baltimore: LF Pat Kelly [32](.167 1-3) suffered a setback recovering from a sprained wrist and will need another four days.

Boston: C Carlton Fisk [29](.330 9-29) will miss 4 weeks with a strained groin.

Milwaukee: SS Robin Yount [21](.299 2-10) currently enjoys a 20 game hitting streak.

Minnesota: SS Roy Smalley [24](.258 2-8) will be out 5 weeks with a strained shoulder.

Texas: 2B Bump Wills [24](.372 4-24), like Yount, currently enjoys a 20 game hitting streak.

Cincinnati: LF George Foster [28](.281 6-19) will miss 3-4 weeks after fracturing a rib on a defensive play. This is Foster's second injury of the year: He also missed 2-3 weeks of spring training with a sore shoulder.

Pittsburgh: 2B Rennie Stennett [26](.352 1-14) announced he's reupped with the Pirates for a year at $160K. He's currently making $150K.


Standings

AL West	W	L	PCT	GB
California Angels	24	12	0.667	---
Kansas City Royals	20	13	0.606	2.5
Oakland Athletics	18	15	0.545	4.5
Texas Rangers	18	15	0.545	4.5
Chicago White Sox	15	18	0.455	7.5
Seattle Mariners	17	21	0.447	8
Minnesota Twins	14	19	0.424	8.5

[CatKnight]

May 16-22, 1977

Games:

May 16: Red Sox 10 Angels 5
WP: Luis Tiant (6-1), LP: Frank Tanana (4-4)
HR: (CAL) Bobby Bonds 2 (4)
PoG: (CAL) Bobby Bonds went 3 for 4 with 2 homers, 2 runs and 4 RBI.

May 17: Red Sox 4 Angels 3
WP: Reggie Cleveland (1-1), LP: Jesse Jeferson (2-4), SV: Don Aase (9)
HR: (BOS) Jim Rice (5)
PoG: (BOS) Jim Rice went 3 for 3 with a homer, run and 2 RBI.

May 18: No Game

May 19: Twins 5 Angels 1
WP: Dave Goltz (4-5), LP: Paul Hartzell (4-3)
PoG: (MIN) Dave Goltz pitched a complete game allowing 0 ER, 1 hit, 2 walks and 2 strikeouts.

May 20: Angels 6 Twins 5
WP: Mickey Scott (2-1), LP: Pete Redfern (3-4), SV: Gary Ross (8)
HR: (CAL) Bobby Bonds (5), Joe Rudi (10)
PoG: (CAL) Bobby Bonds went 1 for 2 with a homer, 2 walks, 2 runs and 2 RBI.

May 21: Twins 4 Angels 3
WP: Geoff Zahn (3-3), LP: Frank Tanana (4-5), SV: Tom Burgmeier (6)
HR: (MIN) Larry Hisle (5), Butch Wynegar (4)
PoG: (MIN) Butch Wynegar went 3 for 4 with a homer, run and 2 RBI.

May 22: Angels 8 Twins 2
WP: Jesse Jefferson (3-4), LP: Jim Hughes (3-2)
HR: (CAL) Bobby Bonds (6)
PoG: (CAL) Jesse Jefferson pitched a complete game allowing 2 ER, 6 hits, 5 walks and 2 strikeouts.


Players of the Week

AL - TEXAS: 3B Roy Howell [23](.347 3-27) went 10 for 14 (.714) with 2 HR and 6 RBI.

NL - HOUSTON: LF Cliff Johnson [29](.309 10-39) went 11 for 21 (.524) with 2 HR and 6 RBI.

Comments and Team News

CF Gil Flores [24](.306 1-15) will miss four months with a fractured ankle. Fortunately, the man he replaced, Ken Landreaux [22](.438 0-8) just came off the DL and will fit right into place.

Not a good mini-series with the Red Sox, then splitting four with a relatively week Minnesota team. The Royals briefly took first place back. Now we're tied again as we round the first turn. California's # 5 in power rankings, down from 1. The top 3 are the Yanks, Houston and Pittsburgh.


League News

Milwaukee: SS Robin Yount [21](.298 2-10) ended his hitting streak at 22 games when he went 0-4 vs. Toronto.

NY Yankees: RP Sparky Lyle [32](1-0 1.88 4 SV) suffered a setback recovering from an oblique strain and will miss another 5 days. It then worsened further, adding six more days to the total.

Texas: Bump Wills [24](.360 4-24) had his hitting streak snap at 20 while playing the Tigers.

Pittsburgh: CF Al Oliver [30](.280 3-23) will miss 4-5 months with a concussion.


Trades

MIN-LAD: 1B Craig Kusick [28](.174 2-14)
LAD-MIN: LF Jeffrey Leonard [21](Rookie)
LAD-MIN: 2B Rafael Landestoy [23](Rookie)

MIL-BAL: SP Jim Slaton [26](2-4 3.02)
BAL-MIL: RP Mike Parrott [22](0-0 5.40 in 1.2 IP)

TEX-CHW: SS Jim Fregosi [35](.278 1-15)
CHW-TEX: 1B Jim Spencer [30](.333 1-1 in 6 AB)

MON-BOS: 2B Wayne Garrett [29](.256 5-13)
BOS-MON: C Bo Diaz [24](.000 0-0 in 1 AB)

CLE-OAK: 1B Andre Thornton [27](.252 6-22)
OAK-CLE: SP Doc Medich [28](4-3 3.19)
OAK-CLE: SP Steve McCatty [23](Rookie)

NYM-ATL: 1B Ed Kranepool [32](.238 0-1)
ATL-NYM: RP Dave Campbell [25](2-0 2.87 1 SV)
ATL-NYM: RP Mickey Mahler [24](Rookie)

TOR-MIL: LF Gary Woods [22](.303 1-2)
MIL-TOR: 3B Ken McMullen [34](.225 1-5)


Standings

AL West	W	L	PCT	GB
Kansas City Royals	24	14	0.632	---
California Angels	26	16	0.619	0
Oakland Athletics	21	18	0.538	3.5
Texas Rangers	20	18	0.526	4
Chicago White Sox	18	20	0.474	6
Seattle Mariners	19	25	0.432	8
Minnesota Twins	16	23	0.410	8.5

[CatKnight]

May 23-29, 1977

Games:

May 23: No Game

May 24: Angels 6 Tigers 4
WP: Paul Hartzell (5-3), LP: Mark Fidrych (4-5), SV: Gary Ross (9)
HR: (CAL) Bobby Bonds (7)
PoG: (CAL) Bobby Bonds went 1 for 5 with a homer, run and 3 RBI.

May 25: Tigers 5 Angels 3
WP: Vern Ruhle (4-4), LP: Nolan Ryan (5-3), SV: John Hiller (11)
HR: (DET) Ron LeFlore (4), Phil Mankowski (5)
PoG: (DET) Phil Mankowski went 3 for 4 with a homer, 2 runs and an RBI.

May 26: No Game

May 27: Blue Jays 7 Angels 6
WP: Dennis DeBarr (2-1), LP: Gary Ross (0-1)
HR: (TOR) Steve Bowling (2), Ron Fairly (4)
PoG: (TOR) Ron Fairly went 2 for 5 with a run and 4 RBI caused by a walk-off grandslam.

May 28: Blue Jays 7 Angels 6 (13)
WP: Dennie DeBarr (3-1), LP: Mickey Scott (2-2)
HR: (TOR) Ron Fairly (5)
PoG: (TOR) Steve Staggs went 3 for 4 with a double, 2 runs and 2 RBI.

May 29: Angels 5 Blue Jays 3
WP: Paul Hartzell (6-3), LP: Dave Lemancyzk (1-8), SV: Don Kirkwood (1)
HR: (CAL) Ken Landreaux (1), (TOR) Ron Fairly (6)
PoG: (CAL) Ken Landreaux went 2 for 3 with a homer, 2 runs and 2 RBI.


Players of the Week

AL - BOSTON: 3B Butch Hobson [25](.324 11-42) went 16 for 35 (.457) with 3 HR, 14 RBI and 6 runs.

NL - SAN FRANCISCO: LF Gary Thomasson [25](.274 5-26) went 12 for 26 (.462) with 1 HR, 6 RBI and 8 runs.


Comments and Team News

On May 24, Ken Landreaux [22](.371 0-11) suffered his second injury of 1977, a groin strain that'll make him day-to-day for 6 days.

Another pretty crappy week (2-3). The only reason we don't fall behind is because Kansas City is also struggling badly. Meanwhile, the Athletics have invited themselves to our dance. We're 6th in power rankings (down from 5), with the top 3 being Houston, Oakland and the Yanks.


League News

St. Louis: CF Tony Scott [25](.309 4-25) is out for the year with a broken kneecap.

Boston: LF Jim Rice [24](.343 7-28) HIT FOR THE CYCLE as the Red Sox pummelled Kansas City 15-3.

Texas: SP Nelson Briles [33](3-3 6.37) injured himself while stretching before practice and is day-to-day.

Texas: LF Mike Hargrove [27](.344 4-22) suffered a setback recovering from a sprained ankle and will miss another 4 days.


Trades

MIL-MIN: RP Eduardo Rodriguez [25](1-3 6.17 1 SV)
MIN-MIL: 2B Larry Wolfe [24](Rookie)

Standings

AL West	W	L	PCT	GB
Kansas City Royals	26	17	0.605	---
California Angels	28	19	0.596	0
Oakland Athletics	26	18	0.591	0.5
Chicago White Sox	22	21	0.512	4
Texas Rangers	21	22	0.488	5
Seattle Mariners	23	26	0.469	6
Minnesota Twins	20	24	0.455	6.5

[CatKnight]

May 30-June 5, 1977

Games:

May 30: Indians 6 Angels 5
WP: Dennis Eckersley (2-0), LP: Mickey Scott (2-3)
HR: (CAL) Rance Mulliniks (3), (CLE) John Lowenstein (4), Ron Pruitt (3)
PoG: (CLE) Ron Pruitt went 3 for 4 including a double, triple, walk-off homer, 3 runs and an RBI.

May 31: Angels 4 Indians 0
WP: Wayne Simpson (5-1), LP: Pat Dobson (0-7)
PoG: (CAL) Wayne Simpson went 8 innings allowing 0 R, 4 hits, 2 walks and 4 strikeouts.

June 1: No Game
June 2: No Game
June 3: No Game

June 4: Tigers 2 Angels 1
WP: Mark Fidrych (5-5), LP: Frank Tanana (4-6), SV: John Hiller (12)
HR: (DET) Lou Whitaker (1)
PoG: (DET) Mark Fidrych went 8 innings allowing 1 ER, 2 hits, 4 walks and 4 strikeouts.

June 5: Tigers 1 Angels 0
WP: Vern Ruhle (6-4), LP: Paul Hartzell (6-4), V: John Hiller (13)
PoG: (DET) Vern Ruhle went 8 innings allowing 0 R, 5 hits, 1 walk and 3 strikeouts.


Players of the Week

AL - KANSAS CITY: 3B George Brett [24](.348 10-39) went 11 for 24 (.458) with 3 HR and 6 RBI.

NL - NEW YORK: LF Steve Henderson [24] (.281 3-19) went 10 for 24 (.417) with 3 HR and 8 RBI.


Comments and Team News

After three straight sub .500 weeks I have to wonder if this is our true level of play and we were just lucky before. Both games with the Tigers could have gone either way, but didn't.

We are now 10th in the power rankings, down from 6th. The top three are Houston, the Yanks and Kansas City.


League News

Houston: RF Jose Cruz [29](.286 3-21) signed a 5 year extension worth $410K/year. This is a raise from his current $382K.

Los Angeles: SP Tommy John [34](7-2 2.35) will miss 5 weeks with a torn hip flexor tendon.

Los Angeles: 3B Ron Cey [29](.205 4-14) has been put on the trading block according to Dodger officials.

San Diego: SP Randy Jones [27](6-3 3.01) was suspended for two games for fighting with SF's Bob Knepper.

San Francisco: SP Bob Knepper [23[(3-5 4.86) was suspended for two games for fighting with SD's Randy Jones.

St. Louis: C Ted Simmons [27](.321 8-28) will miss 4 weeks with a quad strain.

Chi. White Sox: RF Oscar Gamble [27](.229 8-17) will miss 6 weeks wit a hamstring strain.

Oakland: SS Rodney Scott [23](.221 0-16) will miss 5-6 weeks with bone chips in his elbow.

[CatKnight]

June 6, 1977

AL BATTER: BOSTON - LF Jim Rice [24](.326 9-36) went .333 6-24 in May, scoring 26 runs, earning 16 walks and posting a .422 OBP

AL PITCHER: NEW YORK - SP Ron Guidry [26](8-4 2.36) went 6-0 1.88, striking out 48 in 57.1 IP.

AL ROOKIE: DETROIT - 3B Phil Mankowski [24](.303 5-22) went .367 5-15 with 36 hits, 3 walks and a .398 OBP

NL BATTER: PITTSBURGH - RF Dave Parker [25](.403 10-35) went .419 7-21 and scored 20 runs.

NL PITCHER: HOUSTON - SP Joe Niekro [32](7-3 3.40) went 6-0 2.92 with 34 strikeouts in 49.1 IP.

NL ROOKIE: ATLANTA - 3B Barry Bonnell [23](.320 1-17) went .331 0-8 with 4 doubles, 1 triple and 17 runs.


Standings:

AL East	W	L	PCT	GB		AL West	W	L	PCT	GB
New York Yankees	35	19	0.648	---		Kansas City Royals	30	19	0.612	---
Detroit Tigers	29	22	0.569	4.5		California Angels	29	22	0.569	2
Boston Red Sox	28	24	0.538	6		Oakland Athletics	29	22	0.569	2
Baltimore Orioles	21	32	0.396	13.5		Texas Rangers	27	23	0.540	3.5
Toronto Blue Jays	20	31	0.392	13.5		Chicago White Sox	25	25	0.500	5.5
Milwaukee Brewers	20	34	0.370	15		Minnesota Twins	25	26	0.490	6
Cleveland Indians	17	34	0.333	16.5		Seattle Mariners	27	29	0.482	6.5
NL East	W	L	PCT	GB		NL West	W	L	PCT	GB
Pittsburgh Pirates	28	22	0.560	---		Houston Astros	33	19	0.635	---
Chicago Cubs	27	24	0.529	1.5		San Francisco Giants	31	22	0.585	2.5
Philadelphia Phillies	26	25	0.510	2.5		San Diego Padres	30	28	0.517	6
New York Mets	26	29	0.473	4.5		Cincinnati Reds	26	25	0.510	6.5
Montreal Expos	24	27	0.471	4.5		Los Angeles Dodgers	21	32	0.396	12.5
St. Louis Cardinals	24	27	0.471	4.5		Atlanta Braves	19	35	0.352	15

Batting Leaders:

AL Batting Leaders	Team	AVG	OBP	HR	RBI	SB	AB
Rod Carew	MIN	0.404	0.458	6	32	7	213
George Brett	KCR	0.348	0.389	10	39	4	201
Ruppert Jones	SEA	0.287	0.357	14	44	7	216
Mitchell Page	OAK	0.291	0.382	12	30	9	203
Graig Nettles	NYY	0.272	0.376	12	24	0	184
Lou Piniella	NYY	0.330	0.354	8	49	0	224
Reggie Jackson	NYY	0.309	0.408	12	30	3	123
Larry Lintz	OAK	0.194	0.276	1	24	27	175
NL Batting Leaders	Team	AVG	OBP	HR	RBI	SB	AB
Dave Parker	PIT	0.403	0.466	10	35	6	196
Cesar Cedeno	HOU	0.318	0.366	5	37	25	220
Cliff Johnson	HOU	0.310	0.389	14	49	0	184
Joe Ferguson	HOU	0.263	0.386	8	32	1	171
Bill Madlock	SF	0.338	0.385	5	26	10	216
Rennie Stennett	PIT	0.3841	0.406	1	18	4	155
Bake McBride	STL	0.313	0.347	8	27	17	201
Frank Taveras	PIT	0.267	0.296	2	18	28	206

Pitching Leaders:

AL Pitching Leaders	Team	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP
Ron Guidry	NYY	8	4	0	2.36	1.04	84	106.2
Ken Kravec	CHW	7	2	0	2.24	1.03	78	92.1
Mike Flanagan	BAL	6	4	0	2.34	1.14	58	88.1
Frank Tanana	CAL	4	6	0	3.43	1.06	84	97.0
Bert Blyleven	TEX	7	5	0	3.88	1.20	81	97.1
Vida Blue	OAK	6	5	0	3.16	1.15	58	94.0
Larry Gura	KC	4	4	0	3.00	1.33	39	81.0
Adrian Devine	TEX	0	0	13	1.35	0.90	16	20.0
NL Pitching Leaders	Team	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP
John Montefusco	SF	7	3	0	1.63	0.91	72	94.0
J.R. Richard	HOU	9	1	0	2.56	1.05	74	91.1
Rick Reuschel	CHC	6	4	0	3.53	1.22	57	89.1
Bill Bonham	CHC	7	5	0	3.51	1.16	64	89.2
Steve Carlton	PHI	9	2	0	2.81	1.03	94	96.0
Burt Hooton	LA	4	4	0	2.55	1.22	72	88.1
Tommy John	LA	7	2	0	2.35	0.82	59	95.2
Bruce Sutter	CHC	0	0	16	0.00	0.62	39	26.0

[CatKnight]

CALIFORNIA ANGELS
June 6, 1977

I've come to the conclusion that this team is broken. Perhaps not badly, but broken. The past three weeks have killed us, and as I've mentioned below it's only because the Royals are also fumbling that we aren't further behind.

I think our first big clue comes from the AL Pitching Leader boards. Most of that, except where needed at the end to include stat leaders, comes from WAR. When one of the highest ranked pitchers by WAR has a losing record, that points at the offense being the problem.

Team Rankings:

Total	Category	AL Rank
249	Runs Scored	6
0.250	Batting Avg.	12
0.331	On Base Pct.	5
52	Home Runs	7
34	Stolen Bases	6
197	Runs Against	1
3.48	Starter ERA	4
3.22	Bullpen ERA	3
0.731	Defensive Eff.	1
98.4	Power Rank	6

And this seems to bear me out. Batting Average is very low, and while that by itself means little, none of our offensive categories are particularly good. Our best is OBP (we must walk a fair bit) at 5th in a 14 team league. Pitching is a solid 1st-4th.

Therefore, let's do the easy analysis first:


Team Pitching Stats:

Starters	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP	VORP	Notes
Frank Tanana	4	6	0	3.43	1.06	84	97.0	15.7
Paul Hartzell	6	4	0	2.43	1.09	26	77.2	21.6
Nolan Ryan	5	3	0	3.69	1.37	78	75.2	10.0
Jesse Jefferson	2	2	0	4.38	1.43	11	37.0	1.9
Relievers	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP		Notes
Wayne Simpson	5	1	0	3.20	1.24	25	59.0	11.1
Mickey Scott	2	3	1	1.88	1.08	10	24.0	8.2
Don Kirkwood	3	0	1	3.27	1.09	18	22.0	4.0
Dick Drago	1	2	0	5.91	1.31	5	21.1	-3.1	Trade to TOR
John Verhoeven	0	0	0	2.45	0.73	6	11.0	3.0
Mike Barlow	1	0	0	2.53	0.94	4	10.2	2.8
John Caneira	0	0	0	9.31	1.97	2	9.2	-5.0
Closer	W	L	SV	ERA	WHIP	K	IP		Notes
Gary Ross	0	1	9	2.40	1.13	11	15.0	4.2

Though perhaps taking a step back from April, if you don't look at win/loss records we have a fairly solid rotation. Even Jefferson, who's turning out not to be the answer I hoped, isn't bad. I'm rather hoping Manager Sherry realizes Simpson is a better starter than #5 and moves him up the rotation. Ryan continues to frustrate me because along with that incredible strikeout total he's walking far too many batters. Notice his WHIP.

Of my other relievers, the only one I cringe upon seeing is Caneira, and he only worked 2 innings last month. That tempts me to just leave it alone, but if we do actually pull this off and take the division, can we really say Caneira did his part? If I do switch him out, it's mostly cosmetic: No one in reserve is an obvious improvement.

As far as I'm concerned, Gary Ross is a great closer. He's only had one truly bad outing so far which explains his loss and much of his ERA.


Team Batting Stats:

Catchers	AVG	OBP	HR	RBI	SB	AB	VORP	Notes
Andy Etchebarren	0.255	0.345	1	28	0	149	3.7
Ike Hampton	0.083	0.214	0	0	0	12	-1.7
Corner IF	AVG	OBP	HR	RBI	SB	AB	VORP	Notes
Rance Mulliniks	0.221	0.289	3	14	1	181	-0.6
Tony Solaita	0.210	0.339	5	19	0	143	3.3
Bruce Bochte	0.338	0.404	2	19	0	139	10.6
Ron Jackson	0.239	0.300	2	3	0	46	1.1
Dan Briggs	0.500	0.667	0	1	0	2	1.0	Minors
Middle IF	AVG	OBP	HR	RBI	SB	AB	VORP	Notes
Jerry Remy	0.239	0.320	1	15	12	184	6.7
Dave Chalk	0.239	0.331	1	13	1	134	1.9
Bobby Grich	0.213	0.337	4	8	1	75	4.1	DL 2 days
Mario Guerrero	0.200	0.200	0	0	0	15	-0.3
Outfielders	AVG	OBP	HR	RBI	SB	AB	VORP	Notes
Don Baylor	0.247	0.329	12	34	2	186	7.9
Joe Rudi	0.278	0.324	10	32	1	169	12.0
Gil Flores	0.306	0.337	1	15	7	98	6.4	DL 3 months
Bobby Bonds	0.219	0.306	7	18	7	96	2.2
Ken Landreaux	0.302	0.362	1	14	1	63	5.3
Rusty Torres	0.194	0.390	2	8	1	31	2.5
Thad Bosley	0.222	0.222	0	1	0	9	-0.7	DL Season
Bob Jones	0.000	0.000	0	0	0	3	-0.7	Minors

Let's break this down a bit:

CATCHER: Etchebarren steadily improved through most of May. He's our #9 hitter and has set up for Remy (#1) a fair bit of the time. I'm no longer too worried about him. Hampton vexes me, but since I traded away my third string catcher in the Jefferson deal, I don't think I have much choice unless a cheap catcher winds up on the trading block.

FIRST: When Bonds came back, Baylor took first. Not a bad choice, but it did shut out Bruce Bochte, who as you can see was having a pretty good offensive year. The answer may actually be to demote Solaita - Solaita is our DH. With him gone, perhaps Sherry would use both players.

SECOND: Grich and Remy had been more or less platooning. Remy's held his own, so I really haven't felt Grich's loss. When he returns I will probably demote Guerrero.

SHORTSTOP: Shortstop is an upgrade possibility (as is second), but I have more pressing concerns than Dave Chalk. Guerrero has been his backup since Grich was hurt. With Guerrero gone that will probably fall on Remy.

THIRD: Here I think is one of my big issues (getting Bochte back in the lineup is the other Mulliniks isn't cutting it. To be fair, this is his rookie season and perhaps he simply wasn't ready. Unfortunately I don't have any appealing alternatives. The Dodgers do have Ron Cey on the trading block, but they haven't yet realized this isn't going to be their year and want too much. Perhaps closer to the deadline. Mulliniks' backup is Jackson. Enough said.

LEFT FIELD: Perhaps to give Bochte playing time, Sherry has begun excluding Rudi from the lineup. This is a huge mistake, as during April the 3-4 combo of Rudi/Baylor was great. Again, Solaita may be the key as when Baylor isn't on 1st, he's here.

CENTER FIELD: Center's been volatile with Flores and Landreaux both suffering injuries. Currently this is Landreaux's territory. I don't give much for the man, but at least his OBP is friendly.

RIGHT FIELD: When Bonds returned he took over the position. As you may have read, he started 1 for 24 or so before beginning to turn it around, so clawing his way up to .219/.306 is actually pretty good. Because of this I think I need to give him more time to straighten out.

If I do nothing, the lineups for June will be:

RHP             LHP
2B Remy
1B Bochte
RF Bonds
LF Baylor       DH Baylor
3B Mulliniks    LF Rudi
DH Solaita      3B Mulliniks
SS Chalk
CF Landreaux
C  Etchebarren

S1 Tanana       CL Ross
S2 Hartzell     SU Scott
S3 Ryan         SU Kirkwood
S4 Jefferson    MR Verhoeven
S5 Simpson      MR Barlow
                MR Caneira

Any thoughts?