When It Was A Game

GrimmyDee · 06-02-2009, 07:15 AM

Prelude

I really have no business writing this. I have very little spare time anymore that my wife and family doesn't already have control of. There is grass to be mowed, cars to be fixed, T-Ball games to be coached...

Yet, I just can't stay away.

I love the game of baseball. I won't lie.

Not the over-priced, over-marketed, steroid mess of today. I can do without the juiced players, the smaller ballparks and the 15-11 softball scores. You can give me a 2-1 pitching duel anytime.

Collecting baseball cards as a child, watching my heroes of the 70's & 80's on television and imagining I was one of them. Eddie Murray, Mike Schmidt, Johnny Bench, George Brett, Nolan Ryan and Fred Lynn were my idols and I wished to be just like them - smashing wiffle balls over the house and losing more than a few dozen to what we called "the ball eating tree".

Alas, bum knees and marginal ability left me to relive this era over and over in my head.

That's part of the reason I decided to start in 1977. Salaries aren't ridiculous yet, and steroids are not as much as an influence as the athletes of today. I plan on keeping the league power numbers lower to simulate just how baseball might have been in a non-steroid era.

So what can you expect from this? I'm not sure. Everybody seems to have their own favorite format when it comes to dynasties - so I decided to take what I felt were the best qualities from each. Dare I say, this is essentially 2 or 3 dynasties in one - Something for the in-depth readers, the stat-junkies and the fictional minor league managers. My hopes are that there will be something for everyone in here, (but probably everyone will hate it) and that you might feel inspired to write about your favorite players of the era.

This will be my Opus, if you will. My final dynasty work. I am just getting too damn old to be putting the month of effort in setting up my dynasty just the way I want. That being said - I will be putting all of my effort into this and not throw out a crappy product. The road may be a long one and it may take forever to get there, but it's the ride that counts and when I am old and gray, I want to be able to look back and say I was a part of history - so to speak. Because history itself doesn't change, until it happens in my retro-reality.

Next up you will get an overview of important happenings in the league circa Jan-March 1977. I won't insult you and say I wrote these, but merely transferred them from baseballlibrary.com (a great chronology resource). Then I may throw some Spring Training happenings followed by league summaries from fictional journalist Kevin Moss from the fictional USA Plain Beacon Journal Dealer Gazette Telegraph. So send any fictional hate mail his way, not mine.

GrimmyDee · 06-02-2009, 07:18 AM

January

Jan 1 - Brewers P Danny Frisella, 30, is killed in a dune buggy accident near Phoenix, Arizona.

Jan 2 - Commissioner Bowie Kuhn suspends Braves owner Ted Turner for one year as a result of tampering charges in the Gary Matthews free-agency signing, but the Braves are permitted to keep the outfielder.

Jan 3 - The Royals release P Lindy McDaniel, ending his 21-year career. He appeared in 987 games, 2nd only to Hoyt Wilhelm's 1,070.

Jan 4 - Mary Shane is hired by the Chicago White Sox as the first woman TV play-by-play announcer.

Jan 6 - Angels reserve SS Mike Miley, 23, is killed in an automobile crash in Baton Rouge, LA. Miley had been a star football player at LSU and was chosen twice in the first round of the June free-agent draft.

Jan 7 - Astronomer Philip Dukower discovers what appears to be a huge comet approximately 7 miles in diameter heading towards Earth. He predicts that the comet is not on a collision course with Earth but could be visible to the naked eye in late March as it passes the Earth. Being a huge baseball fan, Dukower called the comet, "Babe".

Jan 11 - In a five-player swap, the Cubs send OF Rick Monday (.272, 32 HR, 77 RBI in 1976) to the Dodgers for 1B-OF Bill Buckner (.301, 7 HR, 60 RBI) and SS Ivan DeJesus (.171, 2 RBI in 41 AB in '76).

Jan 17 - Kansas City releases Tommy Davis, ending an 18-year career spent with 10 different teams.

Jan 19 - The BBWAA elects Ernie Banks to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

Jan 20 - The Yankees obtain outfielder Paul Blair (.197, 3 HR, 16) from Baltimore for outfielders Elliott Maddox and Rick Bladt.

Jan 27 - Boston sports writers honor Luis Tiant as the Red Sox most valuable pitcher. This is the fifth year in a row that El Tiante has won, a record streak for this honor which was first awarded in 1952.

Jan 30 - Edward W. Stack is elected president of the Hall of Fame succeeding the retiring Paul Kerr.

Jan 31 - The Special Veterans Committee selects Joe Sewell, Amos Rusie and Al Lopez for the Hall of Fame.

GrimmyDee · 06-02-2009, 07:45 AM

February

Feb 3 - The Hall of Fame's Special Committee on the Negro Leagues picks Martin Dihigo, the versatile Cuban star, and John Lloyd for induction. The committee then dissolves, its fuctions being taken over by the veterans committee.

Feb 11 - The Cubs trade 3B Bill Madlock (.339, 15 HR, 84 RBI), the NL batting champ the past two seasons, and 2B Rod Sperring to the Giants for OF Bobby Mercer (.259, 23 HR, 90 RBI), IF Steve Ontiveros (.176, 0 HR, 5 RBI in 74 AB) and a minor league pitcher. Madlock leaves Chicago having hit .336 for them, which ties him with Riggs Stephenson for the top Cub career average.

Feb 19 - The A's sell P Paul Lindblad (6-5, 5 Sv, 3.06 ERA) to the Rangers for $400,000, calling into question Bowie Kuhn's policy on player sales. Kuhn had previously voided an Oakland sale of players (6/18/76) as "not being in the best interest of baseball," but had not specified the amount allowable in a player sale.

Feb 22 - "Babe", the seven-mile wide comet discovered by astronomer Philip Dukower, continues to increase in popularity. Scientists believe that the comet will be visible for millions (weather permitting) on the evening of March 28th.

CatKnight · 06-02-2009, 09:13 AM

This is definitely "my" era, Grimmy. I started really paying attention to baseball in 1977. I'll be here for the ride!

GrimmyDee · 06-02-2009, 09:26 AM

With Mel Allen
Preseason Edition
TWIB Notes
Mar 7 - The Braves file suit against Commissioner Kuhn, challenging the severity of the penalty for tampering charges.

Mar 15 - The Pirates trade outfielders Tony Armas (.333, 1 RBI in 6 AB), OF Mitchell Page and four pitchers, including Rick Langford (0-1, 6.26 ERA in 23 IP), to the A's for 2B Phil Garner (.261, 8 HR, 74 RBI), IF Tommy Helms (.276, 1 HR, 13 RBI in 87 AB) and P Chris Batton.

Mar 17 - Federal Judge Frank McGarr rules in favor of Commissioner Kuhn, saying that the Kuhn acted within his authority in voiding the 1976 player sales engineered by A's owner Charlie Finley.

Mar 21 - Mark Fidrych (19-9, 2.34 ERA), the 1976 Rookie of the Year, rips the cartilage in his left knee and is scheduled to undergo surgery in ten days.

Mar 25 - In a spectacular display, the comet affectionately called "Babe" by it's many supporters, streaks through the night sky - much closer to the earth than any comet has come before. The resulting magnetic disturbance knocks out power and disrupts controllers across North America.

Mar 26 - The Athletics trade former All-Star OF Claudell Washington (.257, 5 HR, 53 RBI, 37 SB) to the Rangers for P Jim Umbarger (10-12, 3.15 ERA), infielder Rodney Scott (.400 in 10 AB) and cash.

The White Sox sufferes a minor blow as starting pitcher Wilbur Wood will miss two weeks due to a strained back muscle suffered in a game against the Mariners. Although team officials are being careful with the injury, early reports say Wood should not miss any starts.

Mar 28 - The Rangers Len Randle, angry for having been benched during spring training, attacks 50-year old manager Frank Lucchesi, sending him to the hospital with a shattered cheekbone. Lucchesi helped precipitate the incident by calling the good-natured Randle "a punk."

The Reds swap Joel Youngblood (.193, 1 RBI in 57 AB) to the Cardinals for P Bill Caudill. Tomorrow they'll send Pat Darcy (2-3, 2 Sv, 6.23 ERA in 39 IP) to the Cards for Mike Caldwell (1-7, 2 SV, 4.86 ERA).

In a spectacular display, the comet affectionately called "Babe" by it's many supporters, streaks through the night sky - much closer to the earth than any comet has come before. The resulting magnetic disturbance knocks out power and disrupts controllers across North America.

Mar 29 - Len Randle receives more bad news as it was announced today that he became the first player to become suspended for violation of the league's new Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. Although Randle was unavailable for comment, the Rangers plan on following through with the league's mandated 10-game suspension.

Spring Training Injury Updates

Pos
1B
SS
SS
SS
SP

Name
Terry Crowley
Alan Bannister
Roy Smalley
Craig Reynolds
John D'Acquisto

TM
BAL
CWS
MIN
SEA
STL

INJURY
Scratched Cornea
Pinched Nerve (neck)
Strained Groin Muscle
Strained Hamstring
Damaged Menisus (knee)

LENGTH
6 Days
3 Weeks
1-2 Weeks
5 Days
5 Weeks

on DL
on DL

on DL

GrimmyDee · 06-02-2009, 09:45 AM

Earl Weaver	Manager	9th season	812-551	.596

Cal Ripken	Bench Coach
Jim Frey	Hitting Coach
George Bamberger	Pitching Coach

Memorial Stadium (54,000 / Grass)

	LFL	LF	LC	CF	RC	RF	RFL
Distances	352	358	390	440	390	358	352
Walls	12	12	12	12	12	12	12

1976 All-Stars:

SS Mark Belanger

Key Offseason Transactions:

Lost Bob Bailor, Mike Darr and Mike Willis to TOR in expansion draft.
Lost Dave Pagan and Bob Galasso to SEA in expansion draft.
Traded Dave Duncan to CWS for Pat Kelly.
Released Tommy Harper.
Released Mike Cuellar.
Traded Paul Blair to NYY for Elliott Maddox and Rick Bladt.
Signed Billy Smith as a free agent.
Released Terry Crowley.
Signed Terry Crowley as a free agent.

Starting Pitching: B-

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

W

L

S

IP

BB

K

ERA

AVG

SP
SP
SP
SP
SP

Jim Palmer
Rudy May
Ross Grimsley
Mike Flanagan
Dennis Martinez

31
32
27
25
21

11
9
6
2
1

A+
B
C-
C
B+

22
15
8
3
1

13
10
7
5
2

0
0
0
0
0

315.0
220.1
136.2
85.0
27.2

84
70
35
33
8

159
109
41
56
18

2.51
3.72
3.95
4.13
2.60

.220
.247
.265
.255
.235

Bullpen: C+

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

W

L

S

IP

BB

K

ERA

AVG

MR
MR
MR
MR
MR

Scott McGregor
Mike Parrott
Earl Stephenson
Dyar Miller
Fred Holdsworth

23
22
29
30
24

1
0
2
2
4

B-
C+
F
A
B+

0
0
0
2
4

1
0
0
4
1

0
0
0
7
2

14.2
0.0
0.0
88.2
39.2

5
0
0
36
13

6
0
0
37
24

3.68
0.00
0.00
2.94
2.04

.293
.000
.000
.241
.178

Closer: A+

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

W

L

S

IP

BB

K

ERA

AVG

CL

Tippy Martinez

26

3

A+

5

1

10

69.2

42

45

2.33

.207

Infield: D+

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

C
1B
2B
3B
SS

Rick Dempsey
Eddie Murray
Billy Smith
Doug DeCinces
Mark Belanger

27
21
23
26
32

8
0
2
4
12

F
A
D+
C-
F+

216
0
8
440
522

42
0
3
103
141

12
0
0
36
66

0
0
0
11
1

12
0
0
42
40

.194
.000
.375
.234
.270

1
0
0
8
27

.263
.000
.375
.284
.336

Outfield: C

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

LF
CF
RF

Pat Kelly
Al Bumbry
Ken Singleton

32
29
29

10
5
7

C
D+
B-

311
450
544

79
113
151

42
71
62

5
9
13

34
36
70

.254
.251
.278

15
42
2

.349
.316
.366

Designated Hitter: C

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

DH

Lee May

34

12

C

530

137

61

25

109

.258

4

.312

Bench: B

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

C
1B
SS
CF
CF

Dave Skaggs
Terry Crowley
Kiko Garcia
Larry Harlow
Elliott Maddox

25
30
23
25
29

0
8
1
7
7

F
F
C+
C-
C-

0
67
32
0
46

0
15
7
0
10

0
5
2
0
4

0
0
1
0
0

0
6
4
0
3

.000
.224
.219
.000
.217

0
0
2
0
0

.000
.303
.219
.000
.275

Prediction: 66-96. Last in the AL East.

struggles_mightily · 06-02-2009, 10:13 AM

Awesome (and awesome-looking) team report, there. How did you get the grades for players and the predicted record incidentally? Just your own prognostications, or is there a mod that does this?

GrimmyDee · 06-02-2009, 10:26 AM

Don Zimmer	Manager	4th season	156-224	.487

Johnny Pesky	Bench Coach
Walt Hriniak	Hitting Coach
Al Jackson	Pitching Coach

Fenway Park (39,000 / Grass)

	LFL	LF	LC	CF	RC	RF	RFL
Distances	308	320	358	390	382	377	302
Walls	37	37	37	18	5	5	5

1976 All-Stars:

C Carlton Fisk / LF Carl Yastrzemski / CF Fred Lynn / SP Luis Tiant

Key Offseason Transactions:

Lost Ernie Whitt to TOR in expansion draft.
Lost Dick Pole, Rick Jones, Steve Burke and Roy Thomas to SEA in expansion draft.
Signed Bill Campbell as a free agent.
Sold Bob Heise to KC.
Traded Cecil Cooper to MIL for George Scott and Bernie Carbo.
Released Rico Petrocelli.

Starting Pitching: B

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

W

L

S

IP

BB

K

ERA

AVG

SP
SP
SP
SP
SP

Luis Tiant
Fergie Jenkins
Reggie Cleveland
Rick Wise
Tom House

36
34
28
31
29

13
12
8
12
6

B+
B+
B+
B
C-

21
12
10
14
1

12
11
9
11
3

0
0
2
0
4

279.0
209.0
170.0
224.1
43.2

64
43
61
48
19

131
142
76
93
27

3.06
3.27
3.07
3.53
4.33

.257
.250
.245
.251
.242

Bullpen: B-

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

W

L

S

IP

BB

K

ERA

AVG

MR
MR
MR
MR
MR

Bob Stanley
Mike Paxton
Tom Murphy
Jim Willoughby
Jim Burton

22
23
31
28
27

0
0
9
6
1

C+
B-
C
A
B+

0
0
4
3
0

0
0
6
12
0

0
0
9
10
0

0.0
0.0
99.1
99.0
0.0

0
0
34
31
0

0
0
39
37
0

0.00
0.00
4.17
2.82
0.00

.000
.000
.295
.255
.000

Closer: B-

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

W

L

S

IP

BB

K

ERA

AVG

CL

Bill Campbell

28

4

B-

17

5

20

167.2

62

115

3.01

.232

Infield: C

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

C
1B
2B
3B
SS

Carlton Fisk
George Scott
Denny Doyle
Butch Hobson
Rick Burleson

29
33
33
25
25

7
11
7
2
3

B+
D+
F
C-
C+

487
606
432
269
540

124
166
108
63
157

76
73
51
34
75

17
18
0
8
7

58
77
26
34
42

.255
.274
.250
.234
.291

12
0
8
0
14

.336
.334
.285
.272
.365

Outfield: B

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

LF
CF
RF

Carl Yastrzemski
Fred Lynn
Jim Rice

37
25
24

16
3
3

C+
A
B

546
507
581

146
159
164

71
76
75

21
10
25

102
65
85

.267
.314
.282

5
14
8

.357
.367
.315

Designated Hitter: B

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

DH

Bernie Carbo

29

8

B

238

56

25

5

21

.235

2

.348

Bench: D

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

C
1B
2B
2B
RF

Bob Montgomery
Jack Baker
Steve Dillard
Doug Griffin
Dwight Evans

32
26
26
29
25

7
1
2
7
5

F
F
D-
F
D+

93
23
167
127
501

23
3
46
24
121

10
1
22
14
61

3
1
1
0
17

13
2
15
4
62

.247
.130
.275
.189
.242

0
0
6
2
6

.283
.160
.341
.248
.324

Prediction: 97-66. AL East Champions

GrimmyDee · 06-02-2009, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CatKnight

This is definitely "my" era, Grimmy. I started really paying attention to baseball in 1977. I'll be here for the ride!

I truly hope you like reading this as much as I enjoy writing it. Feel free to add any insights or memories you have throughout! Although I thought I knew alot of this era, I am finding something new with each new day I sim.

Quote:

Originally Posted by struggles_mightily

Awesome (and awesome-looking) team report, there. How did you get the grades for players and the predicted record incidentally? Just your own prognostications, or is there a mod that does this?

For the grades, I switched the Ratings calculator tool to the following: (I believe - the numbers are not in front of me ATM)
75% - Based on 1976 stats.
20% - Based on 1975 stats.
5% - Based on ratings.

From there, I just figured the adjusted ratings into a grading scale and went from there.

NOTE: I am not actually playing with the above numbers, just used them for grading purposes. I will give you my actual numbers when I get back into the game (at work ATM).

struggles_mightily · 06-02-2009, 12:45 PM

Ah, I see. Thanks for the response. Just a tip: averaging the player ratings to get the overall "bench" grade might not be the best way of doing that. Figured like that, most teams will have a bench graded C or lower (since bench players are usually league-average players or worse). It might be best to rate a bench based on how much its players exceed the quality of the league-average bench.

GrimmyDee · 06-02-2009, 06:26 PM

Ok, just made it home and checked my numbers - I was a little off.

On the AI Player Evaluation Options, here is what I have,
65% - Previous Year Stats Weight
25% - Two Years Ago Stats Weight
10% - Ratings Weight

Once I completed the Team Summaries, I switched then to this:
65% - Current Year Stats Weight
25% - Previous Year Stats Weight
5% - Two Years Ago Stats Weight
5% - Ratings Weight

As far as the bench ratings - what you are saying makes a hell of alot of sense. I just wish I would have realized that. I'll make the changes.

GrimmyDee · 06-03-2009, 12:58 PM

Frank Robinson	Manager	3rd season	160-158	.504

Jeff Torborg	Bench Coach
Rocky Colavito	Hitting Coach
Harvey Haddix	Pitching Coach

Cleveland Stadium (78,000 / Grass)

	LFL	LF	LC	CF	RC	RF	RFL
Distances	320	353	385	400	385	353	320
Walls	7	7	7	7	7	7	7

1976 All-Stars:

CL Dave LaRouche

Key Offseason Transactions:

Traded Alan Ashby and Doug Howard to TOR for Al Fitzmorris.
Signed Wayne Garland as a free agent.
Traded Stan Perzanowski and cash to CAL for Bill Melton.
Traded John Lowenstein and Rick Cerone to TOR for Rico Carty.
Traded George Hendrick to SD for Johnny Grubb, Fred Kendall and Hector Torres.
Traded Jackie Brown to MON for Andre Thornton.
Traded Hector Torres to TOR for John Lowenstein.
Released Boog Powell.

Starting Pitching: B+

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

W

L

S

IP

BB

K

ERA

AVG

SP
SP
SP
SP
SP

Wayne Garland
Dennis Eckersley
Jim Bibby
Al Fitzmorris
Pat Dobson

26
22
32
31
35

4
2
5
8
10

A+
A-
B+
A-
B-

20
13
13
15
16

7
12
7
11
12

1
1
1
0
0

232.1
199.1
163.1
220.1
217.1

64
78
56
56
65

113
200
84
80
117

2.67
3.43
3.20
3.06
3.48

.250
.211
.259
.269
.267

Bullpen: C-

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

W

L

S

IP

BB

K

ERA

AVG

MR
MR
MR
MR
MR

Rick Waits
Don Hood
Larry Anderson
Jim Kern
Tom Buskey

24
27
23
28
30

3
4
1
3
4

F
F
C
A+
B+

7
3
0
10
5

9
5
0
7
4

0
1
0
15
1

123.2
77.2
0.0
117.2
94.1

54
41
0
50
34

65
32
0
111
32

4.00
4.87
0.00
2.37
3.63

.295
.295
.000
.218
.254

Closer: A+

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

W

L

S

IP

BB

K

ERA

AVG

CL

Dave LaRoche

28

7

A+

1

4

21

96.1

49

104

2.24

.174

Infield: D

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

C
1B
2B
3B
SS

Ray Fosse
Andre Thornton
Duane Kuiper
Buddy Bell
Larvell Blanks

30
27
26
25
27

10
4
3
5
5

D-
B-
F
C
D

276
268
506
604
328

83
52
133
170
92

26
28
47
75
45

2
11
0
7
5

30
38
37
60
41

.301
.194
.263
.281
.280

1
4
10
3
1

.347
.323
.303
.329
.337

Outfield: C-

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

LF
CF
RF

Johnny Grubb
Rick Manning
Jim Norris

28
22
28

5
2
0

C-
C
C-

384
552
0

109
161
0

54
73
0

5
6
0

27
43
0

.284
.292
.000

1
16
0

.391
.337
.000

Designated Hitter: B+

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

DH

Rico Carty

37

12

B+

552

171

67

13

83

.310

1

.379

Bench: F+

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

C
SS
3B
LF
RF

Fred Kendall
Alfredo Griffin
Bill Melton
John Lowenstein
Charlie Spikes

28
19
31
30
26

8
1
9
7
5

F
F
D
F
F

456
4
341
229
334

112
1
71
47
79

30
0
31
33
34

2
0
6
2
3

39
0
42
14
31

.246
.250
.208
.205
.237

1
0
2
11
5

.302
.250
.300
.283
.294

Prediction: 69-93. Sixth place in the AL East.

GrimmyDee · 06-03-2009, 05:19 PM

Ralph Houk	Manager	14th season	1147-1085	.514

Fred Hatfield	Bench Coach
Jim Hegan	Hitting Coach
Fred Gladding	Pitching Coach

Tiger Stadium (52,416 / Grass)

	LFL	LF	LC	CF	RC	RF	RFL
Distances	340	353	365	440	370	348	325
Walls	9	9	9	9	9	9	9

1976 All-Stars:

SP Mark Fidrych / CF Ron LeFlore / RF Rusty Staub

Key Offseason Transactions:

Lost Dennis DeBarr and Dave Lemanczyk to TOR in expansion draft.
Lost Dan Meyer, Frank MacCormack and Bill Laxton to SEA in expansion draft.
Released Bill Freehan.
Released Pedro Garcia.
Released Alex Johnson.
Signed Tito Fuentes as a free agent.
Released Marvin Lane.

Starting Pitching: C-

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

W

L

S

IP

BB

K

ERA

AVG

SP
SP
SP
SP
SP

Dave Roberts
Dave Rozema
Mark Fidrych
Fernando Arroyo
Vern Ruhle

32
20
22
25
26

8
0
1
1
3

D+
D+
A+
F
C

16
0
19
0
9

17
0
9
0
12

0
0
0
0
0

252.0
0.0
250.0
0.0
199.2

63
0
53
0
59

79
0
97
0
88

4.00
0.00
2.34
0.00
3.92

.260
.000
.232
.000
.284

Bullpen: D

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

W

L

S

IP

BB

K

ERA

AVG

MR
MR
MR
MR
MR

Jack Morris
Ray Bare
Milt Wilcox
Bruce Taylor
Jim Crawford

21
27
26
23
26

0
4
6
0
3

F+
F
F
A
D+

0
7
0
0
5

0
8
0
0
1

0
0
0
0
8

0.0
134.0
0.0
0.0
109.1

0
51
0
0
43

0
59
0
0
68

0.00
4.63
0.00
0.00
4.53

.000
.292
.000
.000
.284

Closer: A+

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

W

L

S

IP

BB

K

ERA

AVG

CL

John Hiller

33

11

A+

12

8

13

121.0

67

117

2.38

.215

Infield: D

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

C
1B
2B
3B
SS

Milt May
Jason Thompson
Tito Fuentes
Phil Mankowski
Alan Trammell

26
22
33
24
19

7
1
11
1
0

F
F
F
C+
B-

25
412
520
85
0

7
90
137
23
0

2
45
48
9
0

0
17
2
1
0

1
54
36
4
0

.280
.218
.263
.271
.000

0
2
5
0
0

.280
.328
.287
.300
.000

Outfield: B-

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

LF
CF
RF

Steve Kemp
Ron LeFlore
Ben Oglivie

22
28
28

0
3
6

B
B-
C+

0
544
305

0
172
87

0
93
36

0
4
15

0
39
47

.000
.316
.285

0
58
9

.000
.376
.313

Designated Hitter: C+

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

DH

Willie Horton

34

14

C+

401

105

40

14

56

.262

0

.342

Bench: B+

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

C
2B
3B
SS
RF

John Wockenfuss
Lou Whitaker
Aurelio Rodriguez
Mark Wagner
Bob Molinaro

28
19
29
23
26

3
0
10
1
1

C-
B+
F
F
C-

144
0
480
115
0

32
0
115
30
0

18
0
40
9
0

3
0
8
0
0

10
0
50
12
0

.222
.000
.240
.261
.000

0
0
0
0
0

.309
.000
.267
.298
.000

Prediction: 96-67. Second Place in the AL East

GrimmyDee · 06-05-2009, 06:47 AM

Alex Grammas	Manager	3rd season	70-96	.422

Harvey Kuenn	Bench Coach
Frank Howard	Hitting Coach
Cal McLish	Pitching Coach

County Stadium (53,194, Grass)

	LFL	LF	LC	CF	RC	RF	RFL
Distances Walls	315 8	354 8	392 8	402 8	392 8	354 8	315 8

1976 All-Stars:

3B Don Money / SP Bill Travers

Key Offseason Transactions:

Sold Kurt Bevaqua to SEA.
Lost Butch Edge, Steve Bowling and Larry Anderson to TOR in expansion draft.
Lost Pete Broberg and Greg Erardi to SEA in expansion draft.
Signed Sal Bando as a free agent.
Traded George Scott and Bernie Carbo to BOS for Cecil Cooper.
Traded Jim Colborn and Darrell Porter to KC for Jim Wohlford, Jamie Quirk and Bob McClure.
Released Ray Sadecki.
Released Gary Sutherland.
Purchased Ken McMullen from OAK.
Purchased Steve Brye from MIN.
Claimed Rich Folkers off of waivers from SD.

Starting Pitching: C

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

W

L

S

IP

BB

K

ERA

AVG

SP
SP
SP
SP
SP

Jerry Augustine
Jim Slaton
Moose Haas
Bill Travers
Lary Sorensen

24
26
20
24
21

2
6
1
3
0

B
B-
F
B
C-

9
14
0
15
0

12
15
1
16
0

0
0
0
0
0

171.2
292.2
16.0
240.0
0.0

56
94
12
95
0

59
138
9
120
0

3.30
3.44
3.94
2.81
0.00

.256
.256
.197
.235
.000

Bullpen: C-

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

W

L

S

IP

BB

K

ERA

AVG

MR
MR
MR
MR
MR

Sam Hinds
Gary Beare
Rich Folkers
Eduardo Rodriguez
Bob McClure

23
24
30
25
24

0
1
6
4
2

C+
F
D
C+
B+

0
2
2
5
0

0
3
3
13
0

0
0
0
8
0

0.0
41.0
59.2
136.0
4.0

0
15
25
65
8

0
32
26
77
3

0.00
3.29
5.28
3.64
9.00

.000
.272
.282
.243
.214

Closer: B-

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

W

L

S

IP

BB

K

ERA

AVG

CL

Bill Castro

25

3

B-

4

6

8

70.1

19

23

3.45

.265

Infield: D

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

C
1B
2B
3B
SS

Charlie Moore
Cecil Cooper
Don Money
Sal Bando
Robin Yount

23
27
29
33
21

4
6
9
11
3

F
C+
B-
B-
F

241
451
439
550
638

46
127
117
132
161

33
66
51
75
59

3
15
12
27
2

16
78
62
84
54

.191
.282
.267
.240
.252

1
7
6
20
16

.314
.304
.333
.335
.292

Outfield: F

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

LF
CF
RF

Steve Brye
Von Joshua
Sixto Lezcano

28
28
23

7
7
3

F
F
D

258
579
513

68
154
146

33
57
53

2
5
7

23
30
56

.264
.266
.285

1
9
14

.295
.291
.348

Designated Hitter: F+

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

DH

Jim Wohlford

26

5

F+

293

73

47

1

24

.249

22

.314

Bench: D

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

C
1B
SS
LF
LF

Larry Haney
Ken McMullen
Jim Gantner
Mike Hegan
Dan Thomas

34
34
24
34
25

10
15
1
11
1

F
F
C-
F
F+

177
186
69
218
105

40
41
17
54
29

12
20
6
30
13

0
5
0
5
4

10
23
7
31
15

.226
.220
.246
.248
.276

0
1
1
0
1

.280
.305
.316
.324
.372

Prediction: 74-88. Fourth Place in the AL East.

GrimmyDee · 06-05-2009, 06:57 AM

Billy Martin	Manager	8th season	609-498	.550

Yogi Berra	Bench Coach
Bobby Cox	Hitting Coach
Cloyd Boyer	Pitching Coach

Yankee Stadium (57,145 / Grass)

	LFL	LF	LC	CF	RC	RF	RFL
Distances Walls	312 8	371 7	430 7	417 8	385 8	348 8	310 10

1976 All-Stars:

1B Chris Chambliss / SP Catfish Hunter / CL Sparky Lyle / C Thurman Munson / 2B Willie Randolph / CF Mickey Rivers

Key Offseason Transactions:

Granted Doyle Alexander free agency.
Lost Jim Mason, Garth Iorg and Otto Velez to TOR in expansion draft.
Lost Grant Jackson and Juan Bernhardt to SEA in expansion draft.
Signed Don Gullett as a free agent.
Signed Reggie Jackson as a free agent.
Released Cesar Tovar.
Traded Elliott Maddox and Rick Bladt to BAL for Paul Blair.
Traded Sandy Alomar to TEX for Greg Pryor, Brian Doyle and cash.
Traded Terry Whitfield to SF for Marty Perez.
Traded Kerry Dineen to PHI for Sergio Ferrer.
Traded Oscar Gamble, LaMarr Hoyt, Bob Polinsky and $200,000 to CWS for Bucky Dent.

Starting Pitching: A-

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

W

L

S

IP

BB

K

ERA

AVG

SP
SP
SP
SP
SP

Ed Figueroa
Dock Ellis
Ron Guidry
Don Gullett
Catfish Hunter

28
32
26
26
30

3
9
2
7
12

A
B-
A+
A+
B+

19
17
0
11
17

10
8
0
3
15

0
0
0
1
0

256.2
211.2
16.0
126.0
298.2

94
76
4
48
68

119
65
12
64
173

3.02
3.19
5.63
3.00
3.53

.241
.242
.294
.249
.236

Bullpen: C

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

W

L

S

IP

BB

K

ERA

AVG

MR
MR
MR
MR
MR

Ken Clay
Larry McCall
Gil Patterson
Dick Tidrow
Ken Holtzman

23
24
21
29
31

0
0
0
5
12

B
C
F
B+
B-

0
0
0
4
14

0
0
0
5
11

0
0
0
10
0

0.0
0.0
0.0
92.1
246.2

0
0
0
24
70

0
0
0
65
66

0.00
0.00
0.00
2.63
3.65

.000
.000
.000
.229
.274

Closer: A+

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

W

L

S

IP

BB

K

ERA

AVG

CL

Sparky Lyle

32

10

A+

7

8

23

103.2

42

61

2.26

.221

Infield: C

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

C
1B
2B
3B
SS

Thurman Munson
Chris Chambliss
Willie Randolph
Graig Nettles
Bucky Dent

29
28
22
32
25

8
6
2
10
4

B+
C-
B-
B
F

616
641
430
583
562

186
188
115
148
138

79
79
59
88
44

17
17
1
32
2

105
96
40
93
52

.302
.293
.267
.254
.246

14
1
37
11
3

.337
.323
.356
.327
.300

Outfield: B

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

LF
CF
RF

Roy White
Mickey Rivers
Reggie Jackson

33
28
30

12
7
10

B
B
A-

626
590
498

179
184
138

104
95
84

14
8
27

65
67
91

.286
.312
.277

31
43
28

.365
.327
.351

Designated Hitter: D+

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

DH

Lou Pinella

33

10

D+

327

92

36

3

38

.281

0

.322

Bench: B

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

C
1B
2B
2B
RF

Fran Healy
Carlos May
George Zeber
Marty Perez
Jimmy Wynn

30
28
26
30
35

7
9
0
8
14

F+
F
A
F
D+

144
351
0
428
449

35
91
0
110
93

12
45
0
49
75

0
3
0
3
17

10
43
0
32
66

.243
.259
.000
.257
.207

5
5
0
3
16

.306
.344
.000
.315
.377

Prediction: 94-68. Third Place in the AL East.

TribeFanInNC · 06-05-2009, 07:58 AM

I like these writeups Grimmy. I laughed out loud at Mark Belanger's F+.

GrimmyDee · 06-05-2009, 08:39 AM

Roy Hartsfield	Manager	1st season	0-0	.000

Jackie Moore	Bench Coach
Bobby Doerr	Hitting Coach
Bob Miller	Pitching Coach

Exhibition Stadium (38,522 / Grass)

	LFL	LF	LC	CF	RC	RF	RFL
Distances Walls	330 12	353 12	375 12	400 12	375 12	353 12	310 12

1976 All-Stars:

None

Expansion Draft:

Picked Bob Bailor, Mike Darr, Mike Willis from BAL.
Picked Jerry Garvin, Al Woods, Bill Singer and Dave McKay from MIN.
Picked Jim Clancy, Jeff Byrd, Doug Ault and Steve Hargan from TEX.
Picked Gary Woods and Leon Hooten from OAK.
Picked Rico Carty from CLE.
Picked Butch Edge, Steve Bowling, Larry Anderson from MIL.
Picked Al Fitzmorris, Steve Staggs and Tom Bruno from KC.
Picked Pete Vukovich, Jesse Jefferson and Sam Ewing from CWS.
Picked Dennis DeBarr and Dave Lemanczyk from DET.
Picked Jim Mason, Garth Iorg and Otto Velez from NYY.
Picked Ernie Whitt from BOS.

Key Offseason Transactions:

Traded Larry Anderson to CWS for Phil Roof.
Purchased Dave Hilton, Dave Roberts and John Scott from SD.
Purchased Chuck Hartenstein from SD.
Traded Al Fitzmorris to CLE for Alan Ashby and Doug Howard.
Traded Rico Carty to CLE for John Lowenstein and Rick Cerone.
Signed Pedro Garcia as a free agent.
Traded Dave Roberts to SD for Jerry Johnson.
Traded Mike Weathers and cash to OAK for Ron Fairly.
Traded John Lowenstein to CLE for Hector Torres.

Starting Pitching: D

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

W

L

S

IP

BB

K

ERA

AVG

SP
SP
SP
SP
SP

Dave Lemanczyk
Jeff Byrd
Jim Clancy
Steve Hargan
Bill Singer

26
20
21
34
32

4
0
0
11
13

F
D-
C-
B-
D+

4
0
0
8
13

6
0
0
8
10

0
0
0
1
0

81.1
0.0
0.0
124.1
236.2

34
0
0
38
96

51
0
0
63
97

5.09
0.00
0.00
3.62
3.69

.268
.000
.000
.258
.259

Bullpen: D

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

W

L

S

IP

BB

K

ERA

AVG

MR
MR
MR
MR
MR

Jerry Garvin
Jerry Johnson
Chuck Hartenstein
Dennis DeBarr
Mike Willis

21
33
34
24
26

0
9
5
0
0

F
D
D+
C
C

0
1
0
0
0

0
3
0
0
0

0
0
0
0
0

0.0
39.0
0.0
0.0
0.0

0
26
0
0
0

0
27
0
0
0

0.00
5.31
0.00
0.00
0.00

.000
.265
.000
.000
.000

Closer: D+

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

W

L

S

IP

BB

K

ERA

AVG

CL

Pete Vukovich

24

2

D+

7

4

0

110.1

60

62

4.65

.282

Infield: D

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

C
1B
2B
3B
SS

Alan Ashby
Doug Ault
Steve Staggs
Hector Torres
Bob Bailor

25
27
25
31
25

4
1
0
8
2

F
F
B
F
B

247
20
0
215
6

59
6
0
42
2

26
0
0
8
2

4
0
0
4
0

32
0
0
15
0

.239
.300
.000
.195
.333

0
0
0
2
0

.310
.333
.000
.254
.333

Outfield: F+

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

LF
CF
RF

Al Woods
Gary Woods
Otto Velez

23
22
26

0
1
4

F
F
C-

0
8
94

0
1
25

0
0
11

0
0
2

0
0
10

.000
.125
.266

0
0
0

.000
.125
.410

Designated Hitter: B+

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

DH

Ron Fairly

38

19

B+

156

40

22

3

31

.256

0

.379

Bench: F

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

C
2B
2B
CF
RF

Phil Roof
Pedro Garcia
Dave McKay
John Scott
Sam Ewing

36
26
27
35
27

14
4
2
2
2

F
F
F
F
F

55
333
138
0
41

11
68
28
0
9

1
33
8
0
3

0
4
0
0
0

4
29
8
0
2

.200
.204
.203
.000
.220

0
4
1
0
0

.228
.244
.272
.000
.256

Prediction: 73-89. Fifth Place in the AL East.

GrimmyDee · 06-05-2009, 09:05 AM

Norm Sherry	Manager	2nd season	37-29	.561

Bob Clear	Bench Coach
Dave Garcia	Hitting Coach
Marv Grissom	Pitching Coach

Anaheim Stadium (43,000 / Grass)

	LFL	LF	LC	CF	RC	RF	RFL
Distances Walls	333 8	354 8	374 8	406 8	374 8	354 8	333 10

1976 All-Stars:

SP Frank Tanana

Key Offseason Transactions:

Granted Paul Dade, Tim Nordbrook and Billy Smith free agency.
Lost Gary Wheelock, Dave Collins, Carlos Lopez, Leroy Stanton and Julio Cruz to SEA in expansion draft.
Signed Don Baylor as a free agent.
Signed Joe Rudi as a free agent.
Signed Bobby Grich as a free agent.
Traded Bill Melton to CLE for Stan Perzanowski.
Signed Mike Cuellar as a free agent.
Traded Mike Easler to PIT for Randy Sealy.

Starting Pitching: B

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

W

L

S

IP

BB

K

ERA

AVG

SP
SP
SP
SP
SP

Frank Tanana
Nolan Ryan
Paul Hartzell
Gary Ross
Mike Cuellar

23
30
23
29
39

4
10
1
9
14

A+
B+
A-
A-
F

19
17
7
8
4

10
18
4
16
13

0
0
2
0
1

288.1
284.1
166.0
225.0
107.0

73
183
43
58
50

261
327
51
100
32

2.43
3.36
2.77
3.00
4.96

.201
.192
.262
.255
.298

Bullpen: C

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

W

L

S

IP

BB

K

ERA

AVG

MR
MR
MR
MR
MR

Sid Monge
Don Kirkwood
Mike Barlow
Mickey Scott
John Verhoeven

25
27
28
29
23

2
3
2
4
1

F
F+
C
B+
A+

6
6
2
3
0

7
12
2
0
2

0
0
0
3
4

117.2
157.2
22.0
39.0
37.1

49
57
17
12
14

53
78
11
10
23

3.37
4.62
4.50
3.23
3.38

.245
.275
.303
.301
.261

Closer: D+

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

W

L

S

IP

BB

K

ERA

AVG

CL

Dick Drago

31

8

D+

7

8

6

79.1

31

43

4.42

.265

Infield: D

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

C
1B
2B
3B
SS

Terry Humprey
Tony Solaita
Jerry Remy
Ron Jackson
Rance Mulliniks

27
30
24
23
21

6
4
2
2
0

F
C-
F+
D-
B+

196
283
502
410
0

48
74
132
93
0

17
29
64
44
0

1
9
0
8
0

19
42
28
40
0

.245
.261
.263
.227
.000

0
1
35
5
0

.306
.348
.313
.289
.000

Outfield: D+

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

LF
CF
RF

Don Baylor
Bruce Bochte
Bobby Bonds

27
26
31

7
3
9

D+
F+
C+

595
466
378

147
120
100

85
53
48

15
2
10

68
49
54

.247
.258
.265

52
4
30

.329
.346
.337

Designated Hitter: B-

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

DH

Joe Rudi

30

10

B-

500

135

54

13

94

.270

6

.323

Bench: A

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

C
3B
SS
CF
CF

Ike Hampton
Dave Chalk
Bobby Grich
Thad Bosley
Ken Landreaux

25
26
28
20
22

3
4
7
0
0

D+
F
A
D
D+

2
438
518
0
0

0
95
138
0
0

0
39
93
0
0

0
0
13
0
0

0
33
54
0
0

.000
.217
.266
.000
.000

0
0
14
0
0

.000
.308
.373
.000
.000

Prediction: 109-53. AL West Champions

GrimmyDee · 06-05-2009, 09:25 AM

Bob Lemon	Manager	3rd season	207-218	.487

Larry Doby	Bench Coach
Bobby Knoop	Hitting Coach
Minnie Minoso	Pitching Coach

Comisky Park (52,000, Grass)

	LFL	LF	LC	CF	RC	RF	RFL
Distances	352	358	390	440	390	358	352
Walls	12	12	12	12	12	12	12

1976 All-Stars:

SP Rich Gossage

Key Offseason Transactions:

Traded Phil Roof to TOR for Larry Anderson.
Lost Pete Vukovich, Jesse Jefferson and Sam Ewing to TOR in expansion draft.
Lost Bill Stein and Roy Thomas to SEA in expansion draft.
Traded Hugh Yancy to CIN for Tom Spencer.
Traded Pat Kelly to BAL for Dave Duncan.
Signed Steve Stone as a free agent.
Signed Eric Soderholm signed as a free agent.
Traded Rich Gossage and Terry Forster to PIT for Richie Zisk and Silvio Martinez.
Released Blue Moon Odom.
Traded Clay Carroll to STL for Lerrin LaGrow.
Realeased Dave Duncan.
Purchased Tommy Cruz from TEX.
Signed Bruce Dal Canton.
Traded Bucky Dent to NYY for Oscar Gamble.

Starting Pitching: C-

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

W

L

S

IP

BB

K

ERA

AVG

SP
SP
SP
SP
SP

Ken Brett
Steve Stone
Francisco Barrios
Ken Kravec
Wilbur Wood

28
29
23
25
25

9
6
2
2
15

B+
C-
D-
D-
C

10
3
5
1
4

12
6
9
5
3

2
0
3
0
0

203.0
75.0
141.2
49.2
56.1

76
21
46
32
11

92
33
81
38
31

3.28
4.08
4.32
4.89
2.24

.230
.244
.250
.254
.238

Bullpen: D+

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

W

L

S

IP

BB

K

ERA

AVG

MR
MR
MR
MR
MR

Dave Frost
Bart Johnson
Chris Knapp
Dave Hamilton
Bruce Dal Canton

24
27
23
29
34

0
7
2
5
10

B-
F
F
B
C+

0
9
3
6
3

0
16
1
6
5

0
0
0
10
1

0.0
211.1
52.1
90.1
73.1

0
62
32
45
42

0
91
41
62
36

0.00
4.73
4.82
3.59
3.56

.000
.276
.271
.238
.243

Closer: D+

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

W

L

S

IP

BB

K

ERA

AVG

CL

Lerrin LaGrow

28

6

C-

0

1

0

24.1

7

10

1.48

.236

Infield: C

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

C
1B
2B
3B
SS

Jim Essian
Jim Spencer
Jorge Orta
Eric Soderholm
Alan Bannister

26
29
26
28
25

4
9
5
5
3

C+
F
B
B
C

199
518
636
0
145

49
131
174
0
36

20
53
74
0
19

0
14
14
0
0

21
70
72
0
8

.246
.253
.274
.000
.248

2
6
24
0
12

.326
.315
.316
.000
.317

Outfield: D

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

LF
CF
RF

Ralph Garr
Chet Lemon
Oscar Gamble

31
22
27

9
2
8

D-
F
C+

527
451
340

158
111
79

63
46
43

4
4
17

36
38
57

.300
.246
.232

14
13
5

.322
.298
.317

Designated Hitter: B+

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

DH

Richie Zisk

28

6

B+

581

168

91

21

89

.289

1

.343

Bench: C

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

1B
3B
SS
LF
RF

Lamar Johnson
Jack Brohamer
Kevin Bell
Jerry Hairston
Wayne Nordhagen

26
27
21
25
28

3
5
1
4
1

D
D-
C-
F
F+

222
354
230
119
53

71
89
57
27
10

29
33
24
20
6

4
7
5
0
0

33
40
20
10
5

.320
.251
.248
.227
.189

2
1
2
1
0

.372
.333
.302
.352
.233

Prediction: 84-78. Third in AL West

GrimmyDee · 06-05-2009, 09:40 AM

Whitey Herzog	Manager	5th season	180-190	.486

Steve Boros	Bench Coach
Charlie Lau	Hitting Coach
Galen Cisco	Pitching Coach

Royals Stadium (40,625 / Grass)

	LFL	LF	LC	CF	RC	RF	RFL
Distances Walls	330 12	353 12	375 12	410 12	375 12	353 12	330 12

1976 All-Stars:

3B George Brett / LF Hal McRae / RP Steve Mingori / CF Amos Otis / SS Freddie Patek

Key Offseason Transactions:

Lost Al Fitzmorris, Steve Staggs and Tom Bruno to TOR in expansion draft.
Lost Ruppert Jones and Bob Stinson to SEA in expansion draft.
Purchased Bob Heise from BOS.
Traded Jim Wohlford, Jamie Quirk and Bob McClure to MIL for Jim Colborn and Darrell Porter.
Traded Sheldon Mallory to NYM as part of three team trade.
Received Pete LaCock from CUB as part of three team trade.
Released Ken Sanders.
Released Tommy Davis.
Signed Joe Lahoud as a free agent.

Starting Pitching: C

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

W

L

S

IP

BB

K

ERA

AVG

SP
SP
SP
SP
SP

Dennis Leonard
Paul Splittorff
Jim Colborn
Andy Hassler
Marty Pattin

25
30
30
25
34

3
7
8
5
9

B
C
D+
D-
A-

17
11
9
5
8

10
8
15
12
14

0
0
0
0
5

259.0
158.2
225.2
147.0
141.0

70
59
54
56
38

150
59
101
61
65

3.51
3.97
3.71
3.61
2.49

.251
.271
.266
.250
.217

Bullpen: B-

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

W

L

S

IP

BB

K

ERA

AVG

MR
MR
MR
MR
MR

Doug Bird
Tom Hall
Randy McGilberry
Steve Mingori
Larry Gura

27
29
23
33
29

4
9
0
7
7

B+
D+
D+
A+
A-

12
2
0
5
4

10
2
0
5
0

2
1
0
10
1

197.2
35.0
0.0
85.1
62.2

31
23
0
25
20

107
27
0
38
22

3.37
4.63
0.00
2.32
2.30

.248
.248
.000
.239
.209

Closer: A+

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

W

L

S

IP

BB

K

ERA

AVG

CL

Mark Littell

24

3

A+

8

4

16

104.0

60

92

2.08

.187

Infield: D-

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

C
1B
2B
3B
SS

Darrell Porter
John Mayberry
Bob Heise
George Brett
Freddie Patek

25
28
29
23
32

6
9
10
4
9

F
F
F
B+
D

389
594
56
645
432

81
138
15
215
104

43
76
5
94
58

5
13
0
7
1

32
95
5
67
43

.208
.232
.268
.333
.241

2
3
0
21
51

.298
.322
.293
.377
.318

Outfield: C

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

LF
CF
RF

Hal McRae
Amos Otis
Al Cowens

31
29
25

8
9
3

B+
C+
F

527
592
581

175
165
154

75
93
71

8
18
3

73
86
59

.332
.279
.265

22
26
23

.407
.341
.298

Designated Hitter: D

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

DH

Pete LaCock

25

5

D

244

54

34

8

28

.221

1

.337

Bench: B-

Pos

Name

Age

Exp

Grd

AB

H

R

HR

RBI

AVG

SB

OBP

C
2B
SS
LF
LF

John Wathan
Dave Nelson
U.L. Washington
Joe Lahoud
Tom Poquette

27
32
23
29
25

1
9
0
9
2

F+
F
B+
F
D+

42
153
0
185
344

12
36
0
37
104

5
24
0
18
43

0
1
0
1
2

5
17
0
9
34

.286
.235
.000
.200
.302

0
15
0
1
6

.333
.298
.000
.312
.361

Prediction: 85-77. Second in the AL West.

06-02-2009, 07:15 AM	#1
GrimmyDee Major Leagues Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 359	When It Was A Game Prelude I really have no business writing this. I have very little spare time anymore that my wife and family doesn't already have control of. There is grass to be mowed, cars to be fixed, T-Ball games to be coached... Yet, I just can't stay away. I love the game of baseball. I won't lie. Not the over-priced, over-marketed, steroid mess of today. I can do without the juiced players, the smaller ballparks and the 15-11 softball scores. You can give me a 2-1 pitching duel anytime. Collecting baseball cards as a child, watching my heroes of the 70's & 80's on television and imagining I was one of them. Eddie Murray, Mike Schmidt, Johnny Bench, George Brett, Nolan Ryan and Fred Lynn were my idols and I wished to be just like them - smashing wiffle balls over the house and losing more than a few dozen to what we called "the ball eating tree". Alas, bum knees and marginal ability left me to relive this era over and over in my head. That's part of the reason I decided to start in 1977. Salaries aren't ridiculous yet, and steroids are not as much as an influence as the athletes of today. I plan on keeping the league power numbers lower to simulate just how baseball might have been in a non-steroid era. So what can you expect from this? I'm not sure. Everybody seems to have their own favorite format when it comes to dynasties - so I decided to take what I felt were the best qualities from each. Dare I say, this is essentially 2 or 3 dynasties in one - Something for the in-depth readers, the stat-junkies and the fictional minor league managers. My hopes are that there will be something for everyone in here, (but probably everyone will hate it) and that you might feel inspired to write about your favorite players of the era. This will be my Opus, if you will. My final dynasty work. I am just getting too damn old to be putting the month of effort in setting up my dynasty just the way I want. That being said - I will be putting all of my effort into this and not throw out a crappy product. The road may be a long one and it may take forever to get there, but it's the ride that counts and when I am old and gray, I want to be able to look back and say I was a part of history - so to speak. Because history itself doesn't change, until it happens in my retro-reality. Next up you will get an overview of important happenings in the league circa Jan-March 1977. I won't insult you and say I wrote these, but merely transferred them from baseballlibrary.com (a great chronology resource). Then I may throw some Spring Training happenings followed by league summaries from fictional journalist Kevin Moss from the fictional USA Plain Beacon Journal Dealer Gazette Telegraph. So send any fictional hate mail his way, not mine. Last edited by GrimmyDee; 06-06-2009 at 08:43 AM.

06-02-2009, 07:18 AM	#2
GrimmyDee Major Leagues Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 359	January Jan 1 - Brewers P Danny Frisella, 30, is killed in a dune buggy accident near Phoenix, Arizona. Jan 2 - Commissioner Bowie Kuhn suspends Braves owner Ted Turner for one year as a result of tampering charges in the Gary Matthews free-agency signing, but the Braves are permitted to keep the outfielder. Jan 3 - The Royals release P Lindy McDaniel, ending his 21-year career. He appeared in 987 games, 2nd only to Hoyt Wilhelm's 1,070. Jan 4 - Mary Shane is hired by the Chicago White Sox as the first woman TV play-by-play announcer. Jan 6 - Angels reserve SS Mike Miley, 23, is killed in an automobile crash in Baton Rouge, LA. Miley had been a star football player at LSU and was chosen twice in the first round of the June free-agent draft. Jan 7 - Astronomer Philip Dukower discovers what appears to be a huge comet approximately 7 miles in diameter heading towards Earth. He predicts that the comet is not on a collision course with Earth but could be visible to the naked eye in late March as it passes the Earth. Being a huge baseball fan, Dukower called the comet, "Babe". Jan 11 - In a five-player swap, the Cubs send OF Rick Monday (.272, 32 HR, 77 RBI in 1976) to the Dodgers for 1B-OF Bill Buckner (.301, 7 HR, 60 RBI) and SS Ivan DeJesus (.171, 2 RBI in 41 AB in '76). Jan 17 - Kansas City releases Tommy Davis, ending an 18-year career spent with 10 different teams. Jan 19 - The BBWAA elects Ernie Banks to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Jan 20 - The Yankees obtain outfielder Paul Blair (.197, 3 HR, 16) from Baltimore for outfielders Elliott Maddox and Rick Bladt. Jan 27 - Boston sports writers honor Luis Tiant as the Red Sox most valuable pitcher. This is the fifth year in a row that El Tiante has won, a record streak for this honor which was first awarded in 1952. Jan 30 - Edward W. Stack is elected president of the Hall of Fame succeeding the retiring Paul Kerr. Jan 31 - The Special Veterans Committee selects Joe Sewell, Amos Rusie and Al Lopez for the Hall of Fame. Last edited by GrimmyDee; 06-02-2009 at 09:33 AM.

06-02-2009, 07:45 AM	#3
GrimmyDee Major Leagues Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 359	February Feb 3 - The Hall of Fame's Special Committee on the Negro Leagues picks Martin Dihigo, the versatile Cuban star, and John Lloyd for induction. The committee then dissolves, its fuctions being taken over by the veterans committee. Feb 11 - The Cubs trade 3B Bill Madlock (.339, 15 HR, 84 RBI), the NL batting champ the past two seasons, and 2B Rod Sperring to the Giants for OF Bobby Mercer (.259, 23 HR, 90 RBI), IF Steve Ontiveros (.176, 0 HR, 5 RBI in 74 AB) and a minor league pitcher. Madlock leaves Chicago having hit .336 for them, which ties him with Riggs Stephenson for the top Cub career average. Feb 19 - The A's sell P Paul Lindblad (6-5, 5 Sv, 3.06 ERA) to the Rangers for $400,000, calling into question Bowie Kuhn's policy on player sales. Kuhn had previously voided an Oakland sale of players (6/18/76) as "not being in the best interest of baseball," but had not specified the amount allowable in a player sale. Feb 22 - "Babe", the seven-mile wide comet discovered by astronomer Philip Dukower, continues to increase in popularity. Scientists believe that the comet will be visible for millions (weather permitting) on the evening of March 28th. Last edited by GrimmyDee; 06-02-2009 at 09:33 AM.

06-02-2009, 09:13 AM	#4
CatKnight All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 1,199	This is definitely "my" era, Grimmy. I started really paying attention to baseball in 1977. I'll be here for the ride!

06-02-2009, 10:13 AM	#7
struggles_mightily Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 292	Awesome (and awesome-looking) team report, there. How did you get the grades for players and the predicted record incidentally? Just your own prognostications, or is there a mod that does this?

06-02-2009, 12:45 PM	#10
struggles_mightily Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 292	Ah, I see. Thanks for the response. Just a tip: averaging the player ratings to get the overall "bench" grade might not be the best way of doing that. Figured like that, most teams will have a bench graded C or lower (since bench players are usually league-average players or worse). It might be best to rate a bench based on how much its players exceed the quality of the league-average bench.

06-02-2009, 06:26 PM	#11
GrimmyDee Major Leagues Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 359	Ok, just made it home and checked my numbers - I was a little off. On the AI Player Evaluation Options, here is what I have, 65% - Previous Year Stats Weight 25% - Two Years Ago Stats Weight 10% - Ratings Weight Once I completed the Team Summaries, I switched then to this: 65% - Current Year Stats Weight 25% - Previous Year Stats Weight 5% - Two Years Ago Stats Weight 5% - Ratings Weight As far as the bench ratings - what you are saying makes a hell of alot of sense. I just wish I would have realized that. I'll make the changes.

06-05-2009, 07:58 AM	#16
TribeFanInNC Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 4,019	I like these writeups Grimmy. I laughed out loud at Mark Belanger's F+.