Decided reunite with my old flame - Page 3

David Watts · 11-19-2018, 11:25 AM

My Southern League has reached August of 1982. Fort Worth has put together quite the offensive team. The once dominant Mustangs fall from grace hasn't been pretty. But, that awfulness is starting to show signs of turning. They drafted Wally Joyner and Hank Greenberg. They signed last years MVP Jimmie Foxx to a free agent contract. These 3 have Fort Worth in 2nd place in the Southern League North division and sitting atop the wildcard standings. Greenberg struggled to say the least in his first 3 big league seasons, but his 4th season may end up being one of the best in Southern League history. Two weeks into August and Hank is hitting .400 with 121 RBI. His teammate Jimmie Foxx is hitting .380+ and leads the league in home runs with 29. Wally Joyner is also hitting for a high average and driving in runs at a high clip. The Mustangs are scoring runs at a record clip, but their pitching, well it stinks. That poor pitching has them trailing the Texarkana Grasshoppers in the standings by a handful of games.

Texarkana is no slouch offensively either. The Grasshoppers trot out Tim Salmon, Joe Pepitone and A.J. Pollock in the 3,4,5 spots in the order. Pepitone just keeps driving in runs. He set a Southern League record in 1980 with 173.

David Watts · 11-19-2018, 11:38 AM

Pete Rose is now 43 years old. Rose has roughly 3740 hits(at work, so estimate). He is having a nice season for the Shreveport Captains. Batting in the 2 hole, bouncing between .280 and .290. It's going to be a blast to see if Pete can hang around long enough to reach 4000 hits.

I'm thinking Ken Griffey Jr. will be the Southern Leagues next 3000 hit guy. Ken has 2700+ and seems to be catching a second wind career wise. Griffey may also be the next 500 home run member. Sitting at roughly 425 right now.

David Watts · 11-20-2018, 10:28 AM

Ah a few posts back I was saying I probably made my expansion draft too tough for the new teams. Well I may have spoken too soon. The Little Rock Diamonds are right in the thick of things for one of the 1982 wildcards. Led by Harold Baines the Diamonds are a blast to watch. They have some stiff competition though, as Shreveport, Baton Rouge, Biloxi, Mobile and Corpus Christi are all bunched together. The other expansion team the Pensacola Rattlers continue to struggle, but they improving.

Fort Worth now has 3 players with 100+ RBI. Crazy thing is, this team is so stacked they moved Hank Greenberg to the leadoff spot about a month ago. Jimmie Foxx now has 39 home runs.

David Watts · 11-21-2018, 08:45 AM

Man, I've been on here bragging about all the runs Fort Worth is scoring. Didn't even realize Texarkana is outscoring them. Unlike Fort Worth, Texarkana can pitch as well. The Grasshoppers have given up the fewest runs in the Southern League this season. That being said, Texarkana's lead in the North is down to just 2 games. Shreveport and Little Rock are now tied for the 2nd wildcard spot, with Biloxi and Baton Rouge close behind. Going to be a fun September.

11-19-2018, 11:38 AM	#42
David Watts Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Looking for a place called Leehofooks Posts: 8,847	Pete Rose is now 43 years old. Rose has roughly 3740 hits(at work, so estimate). He is having a nice season for the Shreveport Captains. Batting in the 2 hole, bouncing between .280 and .290. It's going to be a blast to see if Pete can hang around long enough to reach 4000 hits. I'm thinking Ken Griffey Jr. will be the Southern Leagues next 3000 hit guy. Ken has 2700+ and seems to be catching a second wind career wise. Griffey may also be the next 500 home run member. Sitting at roughly 425 right now. Last edited by David Watts; 11-19-2018 at 11:46 AM.

11-19-2018, 11:25 AM	#41
David Watts Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Looking for a place called Leehofooks Posts: 8,847	My Southern League has reached August of 1982. Fort Worth has put together quite the offensive team. The once dominant Mustangs fall from grace hasn't been pretty. But, that awfulness is starting to show signs of turning. They drafted Wally Joyner and Hank Greenberg. They signed last years MVP Jimmie Foxx to a free agent contract. These 3 have Fort Worth in 2nd place in the Southern League North division and sitting atop the wildcard standings. Greenberg struggled to say the least in his first 3 big league seasons, but his 4th season may end up being one of the best in Southern League history. Two weeks into August and Hank is hitting .400 with 121 RBI. His teammate Jimmie Foxx is hitting .380+ and leads the league in home runs with 29. Wally Joyner is also hitting for a high average and driving in runs at a high clip. The Mustangs are scoring runs at a record clip, but their pitching, well it stinks. That poor pitching has them trailing the Texarkana Grasshoppers in the standings by a handful of games. Texarkana is no slouch offensively either. The Grasshoppers trot out Tim Salmon, Joe Pepitone and A.J. Pollock in the 3,4,5 spots in the order. Pepitone just keeps driving in runs. He set a Southern League record in 1980 with 173.

11-20-2018, 10:28 AM	#43
David Watts Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Looking for a place called Leehofooks Posts: 8,847	Ah a few posts back I was saying I probably made my expansion draft too tough for the new teams. Well I may have spoken too soon. The Little Rock Diamonds are right in the thick of things for one of the 1982 wildcards. Led by Harold Baines the Diamonds are a blast to watch. They have some stiff competition though, as Shreveport, Baton Rouge, Biloxi, Mobile and Corpus Christi are all bunched together. The other expansion team the Pensacola Rattlers continue to struggle, but they improving. Fort Worth now has 3 players with 100+ RBI. Crazy thing is, this team is so stacked they moved Hank Greenberg to the leadoff spot about a month ago. Jimmie Foxx now has 39 home runs.

11-21-2018, 08:45 AM	#44
David Watts Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Looking for a place called Leehofooks Posts: 8,847	Man, I've been on here bragging about all the runs Fort Worth is scoring. Didn't even realize Texarkana is outscoring them. Unlike Fort Worth, Texarkana can pitch as well. The Grasshoppers have given up the fewest runs in the Southern League this season. That being said, Texarkana's lead in the North is down to just 2 games. Shreveport and Little Rock are now tied for the 2nd wildcard spot, with Biloxi and Baton Rouge close behind. Going to be a fun September.