1967 Season Thread

[leecemark]

--Welcome to the 1967 Classic Keeper league season. This marks the 7th seasons of the CKL. Opening Day is right around the corne, coming November 11. Attached is the April schedule.
--For the first series you'll just getting game results and the injury report. After the 2nd one I'll add the standings and team batting and pitching reports. After the third one the batting and pitching leaderboards will replace the team reports. Subsequent series will alternate between team report and league leaderboards. Reports after each series will have game results, standing and current injuries.
--Play Ball!

[ElHalo]

Mark, to let you know, I updated my roster and lineups in the roster thread, for the season.

[buppers]

Some players I haven't given contracts.

Fuentes - 3 years
Hamilton - 1 year
Hershberger - 2 years
Landis - 1 year
Oyler - 3 years
Reed - 3 years
Stargell - 3 years

Ed

[catcher24]

Ed, Mark probably knows the amount you bid for each player (wasn't Stargell the record contract at 23M per year?), but it might be easier for him if you included the amount of the contract along with the length. Just a suggestion.

Incidentally, you are aware that you can sign Stargell for five years at the 23M if you want, right? If you sign him for five, you pick up that 185 OPS+ season in 1971. I can see the bidding on Stargell getting out of control :eek: again when his contract runs out. He's got some HUGE seasons in the early 70s.

The free agent contract rule is:

Bid 250K to 4.75M = 1 to 3 year contract
Bid 5M to 7.75M = 2 to 4 year contract
Bid 8M+ = 3 to 5 year contract

Contract length is at the owner's discretion as long as it falls within the above guidelines. I know the rules are somewhat complex - I frequently have to look back to see what a certain section says. But they've worked well for us, and once you've been here a while they get easier to deal with.

[ElHalo]

Incidentally, you are aware that you can sign Stargell for five years at the 23M if you want, right? If you sign him for five, you pick up that 185 OPS+ season in 1971. I can see the bidding on Stargell getting out of control :eek: again when his contract runs out. He's got some HUGE seasons in the early 70s.

All the more reason for my frustration at losing him to forced free agency last offseason... grrr...

[catcher24]

Incidentally, I forgot to add above -

GOOD LUCK TO ALL IN 1967!!

:homeplate::cap::baseball::clapping:gt:gt:clapping :baseball::cap::homeplate:

I'll be updating the website after every other series (six games), which is when Mark sends out the league file. So if you've checked out the website and still find last year's info there, don't worry. Everything should be up to date as soon as I get the file from Mark.

[catcher24]

All the more reason for my frustration at losing him to forced free agency last offseason... grrr...

Well, Jim, you drafted him in 1962, so he'd be a free agent after this season anyway. You'd only get the 10% Hometown Discount that is allowed on 62 and 63 draftees, so even if you had offered him a 20M contract, it seems someone would've offered 22M (the 10% added), and then he'd have gone to bid anyway. But you'll have your shot after 1969 if Ed goes with the 3 year deal!

But no argument, that was a tough loss for 1967, and could end up costing you a playoff spot.

[buppers]

Can I change Stargell to 5 years? If so, I'll change my roster to show it.

[catcher24]

Since you're new and still somewhat unfamiliar with the rules, I don't see any problem with that, but Mark will have to verify that the change is OK.

[buppers]

I have updated roster salaries and contract years. Still trying to pin down contracts. Info on Pirates is scarce and most info I had was outdated. As a matter of fact, salaries listed before FA and Draft were outdated and were about 9-10 million short. I have tracked down all signings of all players on roster and just needed clarification on 61 draftees to finish paperwork.

Will update contract length ASAP

Ed

[mac195]

Good luck everybody!

[catcher24]

Info on Pirates is scarce and most info I had was outdated. As a matter of fact, salaries listed before FA and Draft were outdated and were about 9-10 million short. I have tracked down all signings of all players on roster and just needed clarification on 61 draftees to finish paperwork.

Will update contract length ASAP

Sounds like you were left an even bigger mess than we all thought!:ughh

Nice to have you take over the team and straighten things out, Ed. BTW, I have an Excel worksheet that I developed to use to help track my team's contracts. I have offered it to anyone who wants it previously, and if you're interested let me know and I'll email it to you.

[catcher24]

Mark had a bit of a problem with his Fever connection, so I am posting results of the first three games here. I will also upload stats/boxes to the website as soon as I can. But here are the text files listing the game results and current injuries. Kyle has the Gamblers off to a good start at 2-1, as they take two from the Legends (two 2-1 losses, one in 13 innings :hp). And the Gold Sox are off to a perfect start, while the new guy's Badgers were the victims (sorry, Ed) and are still looking for their first win.
31360

31361

[-Kyle-]

-Please Put Rico Carty at first, and Tom McCraw in Left field until Manlte's injury is over.

-Please put Rojas at SS until Petrocelli comes back.

[leecemark]

Can I change Stargell to 5 years? If so, I'll change my roster to show it.


--No problem

[catcher24]

-Please Put Rico Carty at first, and Tom McCraw in Left field until Manlte's injury is over.

-Please put Rojas at SS until Petrocelli comes back.

You were off to a good start, but this sure won't help!:eek:

[Erik Bedard]

And the Gold Sox are off to a perfect start, while the new guy's Badgers were the victims (sorry, Ed) and are still looking for their first win.
31360

31361

Always nice to start off with a few wins. But I think I did this last year as well.

[leecemark]

--Series #2 in the books. The Gold Sox are a perfect 6-0. The Badgers earn their first 2 wins, taking a series from pre-season favorite Lew's Legends.

[-Kyle-]

You were off to a good start, but this sure won't help!:eek:

Yeah I know, but I guess you kinda can expect this stuff from Mantle.

[ElHalo]

Mark;

I see Stan Williams started, and lost, a game for me. Do you have my roster updates set (from what I put in the roster thread)? Because Williams isn't in my rotation.

[Erik Bedard]

Jerry Buchek is once again red-hot to start off the season, just as he was last year. If only he could keep hitting past the first four series. And sadly enough, this is the biggest lead I've had in any race ever.

[catcher24]

Stats through first six games uploaded and ready for viewing.

[leecemark]

Mark;

I see Stan Williams started, and lost, a game for me. Do you have my roster updates set (from what I put in the roster thread)? Because Williams isn't in my rotation.

--Checked your profile and he is not in your rotation. He is listed as spot starter, but you had no pitching injuries that would have required him to fill in. Wish I could explain it, but there doesn't seem to be any reason for him to have gotten that start.

[J W]

I'm a bit late, but good luck to everybody & let's root for a terrific season!

:cap: :highfive: :gt

[baseballPAP]

--Checked your profile and he is not in your rotation. He is listed as spot starter, but you had no pitching injuries that would have required him to fill in. Wish I could explain it, but there doesn't seem to be any reason for him to have gotten that start.

Check the rotation setting Mark...could be set to "Time"...the most idiotic default setting ever IMO.

[catcher24]

Scott could be right, although the file Mark sent me has Jim's rotation set to Skip. The Help file says this about the Time setting:
In Time mode, the computer manager ignores your rotation. Instead, it looks at how many starts each pitcher is limited to and spreads those starts evenly over the season. The pitcher with the most real-life starts will be selected on opening day even if he is not listed in the #1 slot in the rotation. The computer manager will choose starting pitchers who are not in the rotation if their games started limit is greater than zero.

Sounds like that's what could be happening, but if the rotation is set to Skip it shouldn't be happening. Maybe if you went back in, set it again and resaved it the problem would go away, Mark. Or maybe the computer manager just really, really likes Stan Williams.

[Wasp]

4-2, a fine start! (Don't put a damper on my spirits as I already know I'm in for a rough year. :hp )

[leecemark]

Check the rotation setting Mark...could be set to "Time"...the most idiotic default setting ever IMO.

--No, its set for skip

[catcher24]

--No, its set for skip

Just that fine computer manager again, doing as he wishes without regard for what's best for the team! :laugh :laugh

[ElHalo]

Oh well. As long as Dal Maxvill doesn't take Pete Rose's spot at 2B, I should hopefully be all right.

[leecemark]

--Something odd is definately going on with your profile, Jim. Just ran the next series and Eddie Fisher got a start (and win). He is not listed as a spot starter or even rated to start and your regular guys are healthy. I can't see anything that looks out of place, but I reset your pitching anyway. Hopefully that will that care of the problem. Otherwise you may just have to fire your manager and find someone who follows directions better:noidea.

[catcher24]

The Legends are certainly struggling out of the gate. Still haven't put two wins back to back, and if not for the Badgers I'd be in last place in the Hulbert. I was very positive going into the season, but I've seen this game recreate bad seasons for a majority of players on a team before, and certainly I hope that isn't happening. Sure hope things turn around pretty soon....

[leecemark]

--The Gold Sox 6-0 start was followed by a 6 game losing streak, with the Knights and Legends each bouncing back from slow starts at EB's expense. The Shoeless Joes have a 6 game winning streak giving them a league best 9-e mark. New owner Kyle has the Gamblers on top of the Johnson and Mac has the Hard Cider in their accustomed position leading the Cartwright. The Diablos rotation issues appear to be resolved (at least for this series:)).

[Wasp]

While Wise is injured, Lemaster will fill his role in the rotation.

[ElHalo]

The Diablos rotation issues appear to be resolved (at least for this series:)).

So I guess the theme for this season will be "Merritt, Singer, Clark, and pray for dark"?

[-Kyle-]

Wooo...and for the record...I was ahead of leecemark at one point. ;)

I am pretty sure he will beat me in the long run though.

[leecemark]

--The Shoeless Joes run their win streak to 9 and, of course, still boast the league's best record and a 4 game lead in the Hulbert. The Gamblers and Hard Cider continue to lead their divisions, each with 10-5 marks.

[ElHalo]

Sammy Ellis, my number 4 starter, still apparently has yet to start a game. Stan Williams, one of my relief experts, will apparently run out of innings a third of the way into the season.

Yeah, this bodes well.

[catcher24]

Joe has his Shoeless Joes playing great. They didn't perform will in any of my sims, so he has them playing much better than projected. And except for the sweep of the Gold Sox, my Legends continue to stumble badly, having one 1-2 against all other opponents.

[leecemark]

Sammy Ellis, my number 4 starter, still apparently has yet to start a game. Stan Williams, one of my relief experts, will apparently run out of innings a third of the way into the season.

Yeah, this bodes well.

--Okay, I found the problem. Ellis is in the rotation, but he was not on the active roster. Fixed that. Sorry about the mixup. I won't count the innings used by Williams in those unwanted starts when considering his usage.

[leecemark]

Joe has his Shoeless Joes playing great. They didn't perform will in any of my sims, so he has them playing much better than projected. And except for the sweep of the Gold Sox, my Legends continue to stumble badly, having one 1-2 against all other opponents.


--Not only are you off to an awfull start for a team projected to the be the best in the league (7-8, third place, 5 games out), but I just noticed the Legends have suffered an injury that will set you back for awhile. Willie McCovey is out for a month. As I recall he had a series of injury problems last season too.
--Not that I'd worry too much. The Knights scuffled along around .500 and trailed the Gold Sox a month or more into last season. A little rearranging and a trade for Juan Marichal jumped started the team and we ended up putting up the league's best record and winning the division by 40 games.
--The 67 Legends look better on paper than the 66 Knights - or anybody this year. You probably won't run away with your division like that. Not with the Skipjacks around and the Joes playing so well. I'll be very sruprised if you aren't in the playoffs though - even if most of your guys are near the bottom range of their programming.

[leecemark]

--This was perhaps our most exciting set of series so far. The Gamblers swept the Shoeless Joes, taking JKC's spot as the league's best team. Shoeless held on to the Hulbert division lead, but the Skipjacks and Legends each won their series to tighen things up. The Diablos swept the Hard Cider to pull into a tie for first in the Cartwright.

[Wasp]

Hmm, I guess Tillman is my catcher for awhile. :/ If anyone has a spare catcher available, I could use one, lol. :hp

[catcher24]

Willie McCovey is out for a month.

NOOOOO!!:eek: :hp :rant: :grouchy

Should've expected it, since his games played in 1967 were the least in a six year stretch from 1965 to 1970. Must've had real life injury problems as well. I'll send you an updated MP, but Doug Rader won't be nearly as potent at first as Stretch!

For the other owners info, I'll put McCovey on the DL, promote Rader, put him at first. The lineup will be changed considerably; if anyone wants all the details, I'll post them, but for now I'll just plan on sending an updated MP to Mark.

[leecemark]

--The Knights sign pitcher Jim Roland to a 3 year/250K contract. As a reminder, you may sign players above 40 per team now that the season is underway. Limit of one extra signed between each series.

[leecemark]

NOOOOO!!:eek: :hp :rant: :grouchy

Should've expected it, since his games played in 1967 were the least in a six year stretch from 1965 to 1970. Must've had real life injury problems as well. I'll send you an updated MP, but Doug Rader won't be nearly as potent at first as Stretch!

For the other owners info, I'll put McCovey on the DL, promote Rader, put him at first. The lineup will be changed considerably; if anyone wants all the details, I'll post them, but for now I'll just plan on sending an updated MP to Mark.


--He is rated injury prone, so he was on the DL at least once during the 1967 season. The odds were in favor of him going down at some point this season, but there are only a few injuries of this length per DMB season. You're just lucky I guess:eek:.

[J W]

On a brighter note Lew, I dig the News & Views section! And adding the drafts are a nice touch too.

Bob Gibson gets his first complete game shutout of the season. We're still waiting for a banner year from this guy, and he struggled out of the gate again... is he ever going to live up to his real-life potential?

Re: catchers... here's a short list of available catchers with 50+ ABs:

- Earl Battey
- Ron Brand
- Doug Camilli
- Jim Campanis
- Jimmy Coker
- Dave Duncan
- Russ Nixon
- Johnny Romano
- Vic Roznovsky
- Mike Ryan
- John Sullivan
- Tim Talton
- Jeff Torborg
- Bob Ueker
- Jerry Zimmerman

...wow. That's actually a little longer "short list" that I anticipated...

Ya know what, he might not be much of a defender, but the Skipjacks are going to sign C Hawk Taylor and his 110 OPS+ to a 1 yr / $.25 mil contract. Taylor will play in the minors.

[catcher24]

Stats and box scores uploaded to the website.

[ElHalo]

--Okay, I found the problem. Ellis is in the rotation, but he was not on the active roster. Fixed that. Sorry about the mixup. I won't count the innings used by Williams in those unwanted starts when considering his usage.

Ah, thank you thank you. Good to know that's straightened out.

Could you do me a favor and... send Roseboro to the DL, call up Jim Price to replace him, and have them split games 70% Martin to the 30% Price at C for the next couple of series?

Thanks agains.

[leecemark]

Hmm, I guess Tillman is my catcher for awhile. :/ If anyone has a spare catcher available, I could use one, lol. :hp

--Max, JW provided a list of FA catchers a couple posts above. None of them are very good (of course neither are Oliver or Tillman:hp), but any of them beat trying to get by with only 1 catcher on the roster for a month.

[J W]

--Max, JW provided a list of FA catchers a couple posts above. None of them are very good (of course neither are Oliver or Tillman), but any of them beat trying to get by with only 1 catcher on the roster for a month.

Yep, at that point the best thing to do is ask Mark if any of those mentioned on the previous page are rated VG defensively or have a VG arm. None of 'em are going to hit (except perhaps Talton) but I've noticed having a good defensive catcher (especially with the arm) does make a bit of difference. Then I would sign the two best options off the list for your team... and of course talk trade on top of that.

BTW Mark, what are Taylor's defensive ratings?

[leecemark]

--The Legends swept the Shoeless Joes to pull into a tie with them for the Hulbert lead. JKC has now followed up their 9 game winning streak with a 6 game slide. The Skipjacks are only 1 game back in what promises to be a exciting divisional race.
--Joe has to hope this won't follow the pattern of the Gold Sox who, after starting the season 6-0, have gone 2-13 to fall into the JOhnson Division cellar. The Gamblers hold their lead in the Johnson and remain the most successfull team of the season's first month. The Knights sweep of the Stingers tightens the division up some though. That series was highlighted by a Gary Peters no hitter.

[leecemark]

Yep, at that point the best thing to do is ask Mark if any of those mentioned on the previous page are rated VG defensively or have a VG arm. None of 'em are going to hit (except perhaps Talton) but I've noticed having a good defensive catcher (especially with the arm) does make a bit of difference. Then I would sign the two best options off the list for your team... and of course talk trade on top of that.

BTW Mark, what are Taylor's defensive ratings?

PR with a FR arm.

[Erik Bedard]

The Gold Sox, as always, are looking for another pitcher. Just about everybody is available.

[leecemark]

- Earl Battey Av/fr
- Ron Brand fr/av
- Doug Camilli Fr/Fr
- Jim Campanis Fr/fr
- Jimmy Coker FR/FR
- Dave Duncan PR/FR
- Russ Nixon fr/fr
- Johnny Romano fr/pr
- Vic Roznovsky fr/fr
- Mike Ryan av/vg
- John Sullivan av/fr
- Tim Talton pr/pr
- Jeff Torborg vg/av
- Bob Ueker pr/av
- Jerry Zimmerman av/vg

--Not a very inspiring crew, but IMO Ryan is the best of a bad lot. The Stingers could use a couple of these guys regardless of quality though. Tillman will use up all his playing time if he is the regular while Oliver is out.
--Anybody else who doesn't have at least 3 catchers with a total of at least 600 PA ought to sign another one too. Catchers need regular rest and they tend to get injured.

[leecemark]

--The Knights sign Fred Lasher to a 3 year/250K deal. You can naver have enough pitching:).

[Wasp]

The Stingers sign Mike Ryan and Russ Nixon to one year deals, and Oliver and Tillman will be removed from the active roster to make room for the both of them. Mike Ryan will start with Nixon being at 40% of the time. Same place in the lineup though.

[catcher24]

The Legends announce the signing of catcher Ron Brand to a 250K, one year contract. Brand will initially be assigned to Buffalo, the Legends AAA affiliate.

[leecemark]

--April is in the books now. The Gamblers continue to play outstanding ball and end the month a league best 17-7. The Hard Cider and Kinghts are next best at 15-9, leading the Cartwrigth and WC races. There is a three way tie in the Hulbert with the Joes, Jacks and Legends all at 13-11.
--The injury bug continues to play a big role. We have our third month long injury in the last week and our third starting catcher to suffer a significant injury. Joe Azcue joins Johnny Roseboro and Gene Oliver on the sidelines.

[catcher24]

Web pages updated. Check out the News and Views this week - Dean Chance pitched what I would consider an even better game than Gary Peters' no hitter!

We have now played 14% of league games. I've listed below any player who is at or over one third (33%) usage at this point. Obviously these players will become a problem in regards to usage before too long, so the owners may wish to keep a close eye on their usage.

Cannons: Steve Bailey, 35
Gold Sox: Cecil Upshaw, 36; Jim Weaver, 33
Shoeless Joes: Johnny Edwards, 40
Stingers: Bob Tillman, 38 (farmed)

Doesn't really appear there are too many problems at this point. Good first month.

[catcher24]

I finally updated the all time team won/lost records. This is how it stands through 1966:

TEAM.............W......L.......PCT
Knights..........664....344....659
Hard Cider......656....352....651
Skipjacks.......575....433....570
Cannons........539....469....535
Diablos .........528....480....524
Legends........515....493....511
Pirates..........238....266....472
Shoeless Joes.316....356....470
Gold Sox........234....270....464
Redbirds........456....552....452
Gamblers.......446....562....442
Stingers........189....315....375

Our present expansion proposal is to place the top team (winning percentage wise) in each division into a single division with one expansion team, second place teams in another (with an expansion team), third place another, and finally the last place teams in another. If expansion happened right now, the divisions would be:
1: Knights, Hard Cider, Skipjacks, expansion (poor souls)
2: Redbirds, Legends, Cannons, expansion (Legends would be the class of this division for a couple of years at least)
3. Gold Sox, Pirates (Badgers), Diablos, expansion (I think Jim would finally win the division here)
4. Gamblers, Shoeless Joes, Stingers, expansion

Interesting that three of the bottom four teams come from the Johnson, no doubt caused by Mark's dominance over the six years and all those head to head games within the division. I can see some changes occurring based on the next two years' records, most notably the Gamblers and Diablos moving up while the Cannons, Gold Sox and Pirates (Badgers) likely dropping down. But whatever poor expansion team finishes in the top group will have a tough row to hoe for sure, and those three teams are virtual locks to maintain their spots. No way anyone catches the Knights or Hard Cider in two seasons,and my Legends won't make up 60 games on the Skipjacks in two years. The rest could see some shuffling.

[ElHalo]

I find it amusing that through six seasons, the Diablos are in fifth, four teams make the playoffs every year... and yet the Diablos never have.

Mark: On your first injury report for Roseboro, you had it listed as a 9 game injury, and now it's 15. Was that just an error the first time?

[-Kyle-]

Please put Tom McCraw in LF until Rico comes back. Thanks.

[Wasp]

Wise will be put back into the 5th spot of the rotation (set on skip). Also, Lemaster will be Spot Starter now.

[leecemark]

I find it amusing that through six seasons, the Diablos are in fifth, four teams make the playoffs every year... and yet the Diablos never have.

Mark: On your first injury report for Roseboro, you had it listed as a 9 game injury, and now it's 15. Was that just an error the first time?


--The minimum DL period is 15 days, so when you DLed him and brought up Price that changed his injury period from 9 to 15.

[leecemark]

I finally updated the all time team won/lost records. This is how it stands through 1966:

TEAM.............W......L.......PCT
Knights..........664....344....659
Hard Cider......656....352....651
Skipjacks.......575....433....570
Cannons........539....469....535
Diablos .........528....480....524
Legends........515....493....511
Pirates..........238....266....472
Shoeless Joes.316....356....470
Gold Sox........234....270....464
Redbirds........456....552....452
Gamblers.......446....562....442
Stingers........189....315....375

Our present expansion proposal is to place the top team (winning percentage wise) in each division into a single division with one expansion team, second place teams in another (with an expansion team), third place another, and finally the last place teams in another. If expansion happened right now, the divisions would be:
1: Knights, Hard Cider, Skipjacks, expansion (poor souls)
2: Redbirds, Legends, Cannons, expansion (Legends would be the class of this division for a couple of years at least)
3. Gold Sox, Pirates (Badgers), Diablos, expansion (I think Jim would finally win the division here)
4. Gamblers, Shoeless Joes, Stingers, expansion

Interesting that three of the bottom four teams come from the Johnson, no doubt caused by Mark's dominance over the six years and all those head to head games within the division. I can see some changes occurring based on the next two years' records, most notably the Gamblers and Diablos moving up while the Cannons, Gold Sox and Pirates (Badgers) likely dropping down. But whatever poor expansion team finishes in the top group will have a tough row to hoe for sure, and those three teams are virtual locks to maintain their spots. No way anyone catches the Knights or Hard Cider in two seasons,and my Legends won't make up 60 games on the Skipjacks in two years. The rest could see some shuffling.

--I thought we had agreed to move the 3rd overall team from each division to form a new division? I definately don't remember agreeing to putting all winningest teams into one division.
--Edit - this is from the final draft of our expansion thread
7) The team with the third best cumlative reord from each division will be moved to the new division and 1 expansion team will be added to each division

[catcher24]

7) The team with the third best cumlative reord from each division will be moved to the new division and 1 expansion team will be added to each division

Mark, I stand corrected and you are absolutely right. I think we discussed doing what I did in the above post, but then went with the proposal that you've quoted above - mostly for the obvious reason that whatever team landed with your Knights, the Hard Cider and the Skipjacks would be hopeless for years to come. Should've reread that thread before postulating what the divisions will look like. And with the third/fourth spots in every division still quite up in the air, it's anyone's guess who will actually end up in that new division.

[J W]

The Skipjacks brass will draw a big collective sigh of relief now. Don't scare us like that! :)

We can also keep the old Hard Cider/Cannons and budding Skipjacks/Legends rivalries going that way. Although by the time the 70's hit, things will look different (I know it will for us).

[J W]

Ugh, too bad about Chance... one strike away and the pitcher messes up the perfect game? Thbbpt.

Just adds to the legacy Chance is building w/ the Skipjacks though. He's a hometown favorite now. :cap: It's interesting watching some of these guys (Camilo Pasqual anyone?) rewrite history. But alas, they won't have the longevity to keep it up into the 70's.

[catcher24]

Which in Chance's case is 100% accurate. One of the great pitchers of the sixties, then was done. Assuming no one picks him up in the expansion draft, and they might for one very good season of relief pitching, you'll keep him for his entire career. In Pascual's case, his early bad years AND the early good years are missing, but with Mark's team, had his seasons from about 1956 to 1960 been included, he'd have a lot more wins.
In Marichal's case, only his short rookie season was missed; Gibson only misses two short years, so those guys should put up huge numbers before retiring. Off hand, the one guy we really caught in mid career and missed some of his best seasons - although he also had some of his best seasons with the CKL - is Jim Bunning. On Mac's team, he could very realistically have 80 to 100 more wins if all his seasons had been included.
I think the pitcher who made out the best is Sandy Koufax. All of his poor to average seasons were missed, but all of his best seasons show up in the CKL records, and that being the case he will most likely end up having the highest sustained career performance of any CKL pitcher.

[leecemark]

--We move into May with the Gamblers holding the top spot. The increase their lead in the Johnson as the Redbirds go into Tiger Stadium and sweep the Knights. The three way tie in the Hulbert is shaken up as the Legends sweep the Badgers take sole possesion of 1st. The Skipjacks took two of three from the sliding Shoeless to take sole possesion of 2nd and tie the Knights for the (very) early top seed in the WC. The Hard Cider hold firm 3 games up in the Cartwright.

[leecemark]

-With no word from Chris (538280) for several months now I'm afraid the time has come to start advertising for new ownership for the Cannons. I'll post the opening in the "interested in joining our league" thread in a few days, but first I'd like to hear any nominations any of our current group may have. The Cannons have a solid talent base and a good owner could have them back in contention by next season.

[leecemark]

--The Knights send down pitchers Casey Cox and John Wyatt and call up pitchers Camilio Pascaul and Fred Lasher. Pascaul will join the rotation with struggling rookie Mel Queen going to the pen.
--The Leecemark staff is very concerned about the ineffectiveness of the bullpen in the early going. We would be very open to talks with a team who might be able to upgrade our relief corps. We've got good pitching depth, but no shut down guy. A couple good (or developing) relievers for one really good one is what we are hoping for, but any offers will get serious consideration.

[leecemark]

--The Hard Cider sweep the Cannons to gain a tie with the Gamblers for league's best record. The Diablos now have a 5 game winning streak of their won to hang with Mac though. The Shoeless Joes got back on track with a sweep of the Redbirds. They moved back into a second place tie with the Skipjacks - one back of the Legends for the division and also 1 back of the Knights for the WC.
--A week into May we have and we have 7 teams within a game of a playoff spot. The rest might already be turning their thoughts to 1968. Sounds like the recipe for some trades.

[buppers]

Is it too early? If anyone can afford Hoyt Wilhelm and his 11M contract, I am open to offers.

Still trying to figure out why I kept him. Could have used the money and gotten Fregosi along with Stargell :noidea :)

Ed

[Erik Bedard]

Well, at least the new guys (Scott, Gonzalez, McCormick) and rookies (Hiller, Weaver) are playing well. Everybody else except Swoboda seems to be permeated by the losing atmosphere surrounding Wrigley Field.

[catcher24]

I'm sure sorry to see Chris disappear. Losing both Wil and Chris in the same year is sad. Kyle has done a great job with the Gamblers and it's great having him in the league, but seeing two original owners depart in one off season.....

I can't really think of anyone off the top of my head, but I don't frequent the boards as much as some of the other owners, so perhaps they would know someone who's interested.

[-Kyle-]

On the standings file, what does Mgr (Manager?) and Mcg mean?

[catcher24]

On the standings file, what does Mgr (Manager?) and Mcg mean?

Kyle - I don't see the abbreviations that you mention. I see Mgn and Mgc.
Mgn is the runs margin - the runs scored minus the runs allowed, used in Bill James Pythagorean method of estimating a team's won/lost record. A team with a positive margin should theoretically have a winning record, one with a negative margin a losing record. I'm not positive of the formula off hand, but it is generally pretty accurate.
Mgc is simply the Magic Number - combination of that team's wins and the other teams' losses required for the team to win the division.

Hope that helps.

[catcher24]

Stats page has been updated. I'm absolutely astounded by the Hard Cider pitching staff, which to date has TEAM ERA of 2.48!!

[-Kyle-]

As soon as Tony C. runs ou of playing time, I am probaby screwed. :D

[ElHalo]

Ok; With Roseboro having taken a nice 15 game break, I'm going to have Price sent back down to the minors, and bring back in Roseboro... set the splits at Roseboro 75%, Martin 25%.

[leecemark]

--The Legends sweep the Gamblers to knock them off their perch as the league's best team. The Knights take advantage of the Gamblers misfortune to pull into a tie for the Johnson lead.

[-Kyle-]

--The Legends sweep the Gamblers to knock them off their perch as the league's best team. The Knights take advantage of the Gamblers misfortune to pull into a tie for the Johnson lead.

Well, all things must pass. Not that surprised.

[Erik Bedard]

How did a guy who isn't on my active roster get two losses in the last series?

[leecemark]

--I believe your active roster is the same as it has been since Opening Day. If there is an error it has been in effect the entire time. Let me know what you want changed.

[leecemark]

--Some rather surprising names on top of the batting lists. Jim Northup, Ernie Banks and Bert Campaneris are all battting .360 or better - none of whom you'd expect to be leading in that department. Banks just had a 21 game hit streak snapped. Jim Fregosi has bounced back from a slow start and has a 20 game streak going.
--Harmon Killebrew is on a pace for 65 HR and 190 RBI. Yaz has matched him in HR and actually leads in Runs Created. Campy has stolen 14 bases and is in the top 10 at Runs Created. An MVp quality season if not for the total collapse of the Cannons. Bill Freehan is in the top 10 in Runs Created from the catcher spot for the Legends - which does make him an MVP contender.
--A 5th of the way through the season we have 4 starting pitchers with sub-2.00 ERA. Two of them, Sonny Seibert and Steve Carlton, have 4-0 records to go along with that. Joe Horlen and Don Drysdale lead with 5 wins apiece.
--Jim Bunning, Fergie Jenkins and Horlen are all on a pace for 300 IP. Three relievers are on a pace for 100 games pitched. Dick Bosman is on a pace to break the single season saves record. Of course its awfully early to talk about pace for any of the above.

[catcher24]

Some interesting leaders, as Mark mentions. Northrup has been red hot for the Legends, and Monday is not far behind him. Mark has touched on the highlights; check out his attachments and/or the website for more details.

[Erik Bedard]

--I believe your active roster is the same as it has been since Opening Day. If there is an error it has been in effect the entire time. Let me know what you want changed.

I found the problem. I only had 24 guys listed, and the CM thought that Krausse was the most logical 25th guy. Since the only other options I really have for that spot are Kubiak and Belanger, I think I'll keep Krausse there, but unassigned.

[J W]

...what a horrific start for my original closer Don McMahon. One save out of six, and an ERA over 5.0, for a pitcher who in real life had a WHIP under 1.0? It's really too bad Chris isn't around, because this screams "trade bait" for anyone who can take his salary. McMahon has IMO been our best reliever so far this decade -- a position that has been VERY hard to find stability at.

Only two measly pitchers have over an .800 save percentage?!! (Phil Regan, Barney Schultz). I thought someone would have this stat for the 1960's available, but I'm having a lot of trouble comparing this to real life. In any case, it's a lot different than today, isn't it?

Hoyt Wilhelm is getting hammered by this program. He was so utterly dominating in the 1960s I would have (and did) consider him over most starting pitchers. In the DMCKL however, he is listed as having a 7.0 average run support over his career (#1 in history) and has a .660 save percentage to show for it (his 33% blown save percentage is #3 in history behind Wyatt and Perranoski).

I have yet to look into whether or not this is a factor of a different environment, or if this is a flaw in the program. I know my teams have historically done well out of the pen, getting our closer save percentages in the .800 to .850 range. Is it attention to defense? Something subtle in the managerial profile? I don't really know and I would like to find out.

Anyone care to join in on this?

[baseballPAP]

...what a horrific start for my original closer Don McMahon. One save out of six, and an ERA over 5.0, for a pitcher who in real life had a WHIP under 1.0? It's really too bad Chris isn't around, because this screams "trade bait" for anyone who can take his salary. McMahon has IMO been our best reliever so far this decade -- a position that has been VERY hard to find stability at.

Only two measly pitchers have over an .800 save percentage?!! (Phil Regan, Barney Schultz). I thought someone would have this stat for the 1960's available, but I'm having a lot of trouble comparing this to real life. In any case, it's a lot different than today, isn't it?

Hoyt Wilhelm is getting hammered by this program. He was so utterly dominating in the 1960s I would have (and did) consider him over most starting pitchers. In the DMCKL however, he is listed as having a 7.0 average run support over his career (#1 in history) and has a .660 save percentage to show for it (his 33% blown save percentage is #3 in history behind Wyatt and Perranoski).

I have yet to look into whether or not this is a factor of a different environment, or if this is a flaw in the program. I know my teams have historically done well out of the pen, getting our closer save percentages in the .800 to .850 range. Is it attention to defense? Something subtle in the managerial profile? I don't really know and I would like to find out.

Anyone care to join in on this?

I can tell you that in my PAP league, closers are traditionally not treated well. It must be something inherent to the program...I have tried every setting there is without any luck at providing stability. One owner in my league uses a starter at all times to close games...his theory being that the pitch counts make closers too tired.

[leecemark]

--Its been my experience that relievers are very unpredictable in the program. Even more so than in real life. A great season will usually get you at least a good one, but a good one might get you anything from awfull to great.

[catcher24]

You looking at the Encyclopedia online for stats, or did you spring for the DM program?:)

At any rate, I must agree with Scott and Mark. Relievers seem to be very inconsistent, although I do find that they're a lot more predictable in the CKL than in Scott's PAP2 League (players from all eras combined). I've had reasonable success in the CKL with top relievers, although they haven't performed up to real life standards. In PAP2, I had two terrific relievers this past season (Doug Jones in one of his best seasons, and Brendan Donnelly in his best season), and both kept getting lit up like Christmas trees. After discussing it with Mark and Scott via email, I finally started using Howie Pollett, a starter, as my closer, and he was great and probably saved my season.

In the CKL, things seem to be working a bit better since I stopped using any setup men - I just go from my middle relievers to the closer. Don't know if that would help or not. This also worked better in the PAP2 League.

[leecemark]

--The Legends and Hard Cider extend their leads and the Gamblers reclaim sole possesion of the Johnson Division lead. The injury bug continues to strike more frequently and for longer periods than I can recall from past seasons.

[Erik Bedard]

Huh. DL Uhlaender, call up Belanger. He will be the defensive replacement at SS and 2B, and have no other roles. And please don't make him hit.

[mac195]

Mark, we will put Selma on the DL and bring up Steve Hamilton.

Pitching
SP1: Bunning
SP2: Hughes
SP3: Hargan
SP4: Stange
SP5: Holtzman (skip)
Spot: Jaster
Mop up: Jaster
Long man: Miller, Jaster
LH set up: Hamilton, Taylor, Miller
RH set up: Hardin, Taylor, Miller
LH closer: Hardin, Taylor
RH closer: Carlos, Hardin

[catcher24]

You're right, Mark. I don't ever recall that number of really serious injuries. Too bad for Dan that Uhlaender got that serious an injury in what is his only above average season.

[buppers]

Belanger??? - Make him hit ???

NOBODY could make Belanger hit

Ed

[Erik Bedard]

You're right, Mark. I don't ever recall that number of really serious injuries. Too bad for Dan that Uhlaender got that serious an injury in what is his only above average season.

Actually, that's next year. The bad thing about this is that it means I have to call up Belanger and his 32 OPS+, with Ted Kubiak and his 33 mark next in line :ughh

Belanger??? - Make him hit ???

NOBODY could make Belanger hit

Ed

I think we should just chalk it up as an out and keep going. :D

[leecemark]

--3 more games in the books. Sorry for the short time between series this time. Well take tomorow off to celebrate Thanksgiving and give everyone a little time to review their team.
--The Gamblers and Hard Cider are tied for league's best record with the Legends one game back. The Skipjacks and Knights are one more back and would be tied for the WC. The Shoeless Joes and Diablos are a game over .500 and still have hopes for the season. Everybody else is probably already in a situation where they should be looking to build for 1968.
--Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Hope you all have a great holiday.

[J W]

Well, we have had teams come back from double-digits down to at least make things interesting if I recall... do we have info on comebacks, say, from the All-Star break on?

[catcher24]

If I have time, I'll check it out. I'd have to go to the encyclopedia and check the standings around the third week in July (usually about the time of our All Star break), then compare to final standings. Don't know if I'll get to it or not. :confused:

[catcher24]

Mark - The most recent series you ran went through May 17th. Since that's Willie McCovey's return date, please return McCovey to my lineup and send Ollie Brown back to the minors in place of Doug Rader. I'll send you an updated MP.

[leecemark]

--Almost forgot to congratulate Camilio Pascaul on recording his 100th career win in the last series. He is the second CKL pitcher to achieve that mark, trailing Sandy Koufax who retired with 112. Teammate Juan Marichal came into the season with 92 and is up to 95 now. Jim Bunning had 84 wins entering the season and seems likley to join the 100 win club this year.
--Bob Gibson had 80 wins entering the year, but has gotten off to a bad start and seems more likely to be our first 100 game loser. He was tied with Jim Kaat at 93 losses entering the season. Don Drysdale has a shot at either 100 wins or 100 losses, entering the season at 76-87 and off to a good start.

[Wasp]

I'll replace Kessinger with Lumpe in the lineup while Kessinger is injured.

[leecemark]

--A fourth of the way through the season and the Gamblers still boast the league's best record. The Legends took 2 of 3 from the Hard Cider leaving those clubs a game back of Kyle's team. The Knights and Skipjacks hang a game back of that.
--In a season where batting averages should be bottoming out we have 7 men hitting over .350. Harmon Killebrew has 50 RBI. Don Drysdale and Joel Horlen each picked up their 7th win. Horlen got there in dramatic fashion, winning a great 1-0 pitching duel with the Diablos Jim Merrit.

[buppers]

Farm Fryman
Add Bob Hendley - 1 year .25

Rotation - Short, Boswell, Brandon, Hendley, Niekro

Pizarro - 50% for Hendley spot start

Ed

[leecemark]

--Ed, I don't know how to assign Pizzaro to 50% of Hendley's starts. I can give him 50% spot starts, but the CM (as far as I know) would decide who/when to have him fill for. If you know how to do that please let me know and I'll fix it.

[catcher24]

Mark - If Hendley is the fourth starter in the main rotation, go to the spot starter list and put Pizarro in the fourth slot, and put 50% in the percentage box. According to the Help file, that should do it. I stumbled across that information a couple of weeks ago while looking for something else.

Incidentally, unless Ed has changed his spot starting assignments, it should already be set up for Pizarro to get 50% of the spot starts in the fourth slot. It is in the most recent file you sent out.

This info may be interesting to some of the others as well. You can designate a pitcher to take a certain percentage of the starts at any slot in the rotation as the spot starter for that slot.

[buppers]

Thanks Lew.

Mark can you also set pitcher usage to "strict"

Thanks, Ed

[leecemark]

--The Gold Sox sweep the Legends and are sporting a league best 4 game winning streak. Meanwhile the Skipjacks took 2 of 3 from the Gamblers to take the division lead. The Knights pull back to within 1 in the Johnson. The Hard Cider hold the safest lead at 5 games over the Diablos.

[buppers]

Have John Kennedy play ss vs. LHP while Oyler is hurt. He can bat in same pos.

Thanks, Ed

[mac195]

Mark, I'll DL Holtzman, replace him with Jaster, and bring up Fisher to take Jaster's spots.

[ElHalo]

This is two years in a row where I just keep getting repeatedly hammered by injuries (it most assuredly cost me a playoff spot and Willie Stargell last year). Argh.

[catcher24]

The Gold Sox sweep the Legends and are sporting a league best 4 game winning streak.

You've gotta be kidding!:hp The offense certainly shut down for this series, scoring 4 runs total in the three games. Starting to get a little concerned now that I can't get a decent winning streak going. :dismay:

[Erik Bedard]

I believe that's my first series win since the first week of the season.

[-Kyle-]

Jesus Christ, Killebrew isn't amazing at OBP or BA, but he is slugging the crap out of the ball...15 homeruns already?

[leecemark]

--May is almost in the books. The big matchup of the last series was the Diablos taking 2 of 3 from the Hard Cider to make the Cartwright race a little tighter. That series featured a great pitchers duel between Ricky Clark and Steve Hargan, with the Diablos coming out on top 1-0 in 10 innings. Clark went 9 for the win with Fred Gladding picking up the save. Hargan went 8 scoreless before giving way to Cisco Carlos who took the loss in the 10th, surrending a triple to Pete Rose and a pinch single to Lou Johnson.

[mac195]

Since he's been tearing up the league, and May has done nothing, we'll give Haller a little more playing time.

Lineup vs. LHP
1 Howser SS (Andrews)
2 Morton RF (Callison) Callison DR
3 Robinson LF (Callison)
4 Allen 3B (Howser)
5 Hiatt 1B (Cash) Cash DR
6 Reichardt CF (Callison)
7 May C (Haller 50%) Haller DR
8 Andrews 2B (Hunt) Mazeroski DR

[J W]

Please put Joe Verbanic on the 15-day DL and call up Jay Ritchie:

Mop up: Cimino, Verbanic, Ritchie
Long man: Verbanic, Lamabe, Ritchie

[leecemark]

--A little over a quarter of the way through the season and Yaz is looking as awesome as he did 40 years ago - although the Triple Crown is unlikley. Harmon Killebrew, leader of the surprising Gamblers, is his chief competition in the early MVP handicapping. The Legends Bill Freehan and Ron Santo are just behind. Tom Haller of the Hard Cider is having an amazig season and was being moved from his strict platoon role - if his rates don't suffer - could make him a contender. Last year's runner up Dick McAuliffe is having another great season, but he has also been platooned regularly keeping his counting numbers out of the first rank.
--Frank Howard is having a great season and could be a contender if the Shoeless Joes can stick in the race. Roberto Clemente and Pete Rose are keeping the Diablos in contention and could be factors if they make the postseason. Bert Campaneris, Lou Brock and Willie Horton are having tremendous seasons, but their clubs are not keeping up with them.
--Joe Horlen has established himself as the early favorite in the CYA chase. Don Drysdale has matched Horlen's 8 wins and has a bery respectable ERA - especially considering he calls Fenway Park home. Gary Peters and Soony Seibert are off to a great starts for the Knights. Phil Neikro is having a very strong season for the Stingers.
--As usual, I don't have a real good idea who all the rookies are. Tom Seaver is off to a 5-1 start for the Legends. The Knights have 2 rookie hurlers with 5 wins - Jm McGlothlin (5-2) and Mel Queen (5-4). If your team has a rookie you'd like to shine the spot light on, please spread the word.

[Erik Bedard]

The Gold Sox have two outstanding rookies, lefty relievers Jim Weaver (2.21 ERA) and John Hiller (2.65).

[catcher24]

Web site is updated.

Mark has hit most of the highlights as far as early season award contenders. I haven't really looked too much at that, but I know Yaz, Killebrew and my own Freehan and Santo are having great years (and Yaz's performance this past week won't hurt him a bit - Player of the Week). As for rookies, I have Seaver who Mark mentioned, with five wins but a high ERA. I also have Rick Monday, having a decent season, as well as reliever Eddie Watt (who may become my closer very soon if Ted Abernathy doesn't get straightened around).

And I think I've found part of the reason for my early season doldrums. In looking at team vs team records, I find that to date I have played exactly zero games against three of the league's worst teams - Cannons, Redbirds, Stingers. I have a total of 33 (out of 48) against teams with .500 or better records, with nine each so far against the Knights and Gamblers, and six against the Hard Cider. The only sub-.500 teams I've played to date are the Badgers (six games) and the Gold Sox (nine games). Perhaps things will pick up when the schedule favors me.:)

[Erik Bedard]

Speaking of turning rookies into closers, here's my new bullpen alignment:

Long man: Ford, Krausse
Mopup: Upshaw
LHSU: Weaver, Allen
RHSU: Face, Upshaw
CL: Hiller, Face, Weaver

[Wasp]

Lemaster will be in the fifth slot, set on skip, to replace the injured Wise.

[leecemark]

Dan, Weaver is already on 70% of usage. Bumping him up to #1 LH SU guy will probably have him on the shelf by the AS break. Its in effect now though.

[Erik Bedard]

Whoa, then put him back at #2, and Allen at #1.

[J W]

Our best rookie so far is reliever Paul Lindblad (13.1 IP, 2.02 ERA) which is to say, not much.

If it weren't for Killebrew's cozy confines, I think Yaz would actually have a shot at the triple crown this year. Some of the highest batting averages are going to go down as the year progresses (I think anyway). But with Killer taking Yaz's place in Fenway, I don't think it's in the cards with the RBI race.

That's why they play the games though... :cap:

[J W]

Also, the Skipjacks are still willing to hear in-season trade offers for prospects Graig Nettles and Ray Fosse. In particular we would like to hear from Chris or the new owner of the Cannons, whichever comes first. The Cannons aren't receiving any of our phone calls. :p

[J W]

Lew,

Earl Wilson is a SP on my team (4-3, 4.64). The pitcher who had the shutouts for the Redbirds in weeks 7 & 8 should be Don Wilson (3-5, 3.58).

I wonder if Earl will live up to his trade potential. Ernie Banks is batting .311/.322/.479 for the Diablos while Banks' replacement Ray Webster is batting .246/.295/.296 for us. But that's how badly we needed that starting pitcher. Can't argue much though -- he's over .500 and that's all we really ask from him.

Claude Raymond meanwhile is 4-2 with a 1.33 ERA and 1.04 WHIP for the Redbirds, and a candidate for the All-Star game. His real life ERA and WHIP were 2.89 and 1.26. Ah well, can't win 'em all. Go get 'em Frenchy!

[-Kyle-]

If it weren't for Killebrew's cozy confines, I think Yaz would actually have a shot at the triple crown this year. Some of the highest batting averages are going to go down as the year progresses (I think anyway). But with Killer taking Yaz's place in Fenway, I don't think it's in the cards with the RBI race.

Heh, sorry bud, it wasn't my intention to make that happened...as Yaz is one of my favorite players of all time. My real intention was to protect Crappy Rico Carty in LF.

[J W]

Hey, your intention should be whatever it takes to improve the franchise, and moving to Fenway appears to have made a difference. Don't feel bad for Yaz after making a good decision... both players will be in the MVP race just like in real life.

Have we gotten any triple-crown hitters or pitchers yet in the DMCKL? Can't remember... I know Koufax got close with us but missed the ERA title by inches.

[J W]

Just checked... yep, we do have one triple-crown winner:

Orlando Cepeda, 1963 Redbirds

And the Baby Bull wasn't the unanimous MVP? wow.

[leecemark]

--The Hard Cider brutalize the Cannons 54-8 in a sweep that officially ends the 538280 era. The league office will turn the team over to new ownership by tomorrow. The Legends pull back into a tie with the Skipjacks for the Hulbert lead

[mac195]

We will activate Selma and send Hamilton back down.

Long man: Selma, Miller, Jaster
LH set up: Taylor, Selma, Miller
RH set up: Hardin, Taylor, Miller
LH closer: Hardin, Taylor
RH closer: Carlos, Hardin

[mac195]

Bunning has been unlucky so far in his W-L record, but he currently has a triple crown going in opponent ave, obp, and slg. He also leads the league in innings, Ks, and complete games.

[leecemark]

--The Cannons have been awarded to Chickazoola.
--Sockeye has been awarded an expansion team for 1969.
--Welcome to our new owners.
--I'm sure the Cannons will be active in the trade market. Lets give Chickazoola a couple days to get his bearing though:). Also, the Cannons have a restriction on trading draft choices during the current season. I don't want to see the Cannons future compromised during the transition. That restriction will be lifted in the offseason.

[J W]

I think the Cannons will do better with an actual managerial profile. It's really too bad for Chris, but things happen. Please save Don McMahon!

Welcome Chickazoola, and welcome sockeye (I know you've been around awhile ;))

[catcher24]

Welcome Chickazoola! :waving Good luck with the Cannons. You've still got a decent core of players to work with, so take your time to sort things out and then trade wisely - which, of course, means trading with the Legends!:laugh:laugh

And welcome Sockeye. Glad to have you aboard.

If either of you have any questions, comments or concerns, feel free to post them. And make sure to join in on discussions. The more involved you are, the better we like it!

[catcher24]

The pitcher who had the shutouts for the Redbirds in weeks 7 & 8 should be Don Wilson (3-5, 3.58).

OK, Jason, thanks for pointing that out. And it certainly proves that at least one person is perusing the News and Views!

[Wasp]

Welcome to our league, Chickazoola and Sockeye. :) The other owners are really great, so I'm sure you will enjoy being in our league. :D

[ElHalo]

Mark,

Now that Clemente is back in the lineup, could you up his usage to 95%? Wouldn't want to waste all that downtime...

[leecemark]

--The Knights sweep the Badgers while the Skipjacks swept the Gamblers. Both of the old powers reclaim first in their respective divisions. Meanwhile a change in ownership brings good fortune to the Cannons who break out the broom against the Hard Cider.

[baseballPAP]

With close races all over, and the Redbirds headed to the crapper (again)...I have a couple guys who may be of interest.
All of the following could be had for a decent offer:
Orlando Cepeda
Willie Horton
several starters in the 3rd starter class

Youth is the key, but any starter I trade needs to return someone who can eat up the lost innings.

[Wasp]

Wise will go back into the 5th spot of the rotation, and Lemaster will become Spot Starter once again. The Stingers also sign 1B Dick Nen, and stick him on the active roster in place of White. Nen will bat in the same place in the line, but Sieburn will be at 20% usage for now.

[catcher24]

The stats are uploaded and everything through games of June 4th is available.

In case Chickazoola and Sockeye aren't aware, I maintain a website for the CKL HERE (http://www.geocities.com/lougehrig24/). Mark sends me the league DB after every six games and I upload the stats for each team. There are also links to a lot of other information, including league batting and pitching leaders; player usage percentages; game box scores; news and views; and a link to the league encyclopedia, which contains the history of the league, including yearly standings, stats, etc. This info is put there for everyone's info, but I think it benefits those who don't have the Diamond Mind game the most. And let me make my plug here - if you don't have Diamond Mind, you should seriously consider purchasing it. It makes it much easier to review any stats you want; make lineups and pitching assignments; try various "what if" scenarios, etc.

[J W]

With close races all over, and the Redbirds headed to the crapper (again)...I have a couple guys who may be of interest.
All of the following could be had for a decent offer:
Orlando Cepeda
Willie Horton
several starters in the 3rd starter class

Youth is the key, but any starter I trade needs to return someone who can eat up the lost innings.

Took a look in the Rosters thread but your profile isn't updated -- how much is Mickey Lolich making?

[leecemark]

-The Knights have reeled off 7 wins in a row to open a 4 game lead over the slumping Gamblers. The Hulbert squads took it to the Cartwright, wiining 3 of 4 matchups - with the Stingers salvaging one series for the AC by winning their series with the Badgers.

[leecemark]

--We are a little past the 1/3 mark of the season so anybody much over 40% bears watching. Please check the website for a full listing. These are guys over 50% who will definatley require some adjustments to their playing time to make it trhough the season.
Badgers: Howard 51
Gold Sox: Allen 60, Boyer 57, Buchek 50, Hiller 57, Perry 56, Upshaw 97, Weaver 75
Diablos: Brewer 50, Hoerner 56, Wiliams 69 (with a few innings coming back for his unscheduled starts)
Shoeless Joes: Bosman 65, Edwards 77
Gamblers: Conigliaro 64
Legends: John 53
Hard Cider: Hiatt 63, Howser 62
--The Gold Sox have some serious pitching issues. You may need to sign some warm bodies just to make it through the season, Dan.

[buppers]

Sign Bob Hendley 1 year .250

Demote Niekro, Hamilton, Davidson and Pizarro
Promote Brandon, Humphreys and Dillman

Rotation - Short, Boswell, Hendley, Brandon and Dillman

Ed

[Erik Bedard]

The Gold Sox are urgently in need of innings eaters, no matter how they pitch. Please send me a PM if you've got a spare.

[J W]

Please give Boog Powell some time to spell Torre & Webster at 1B:

Lineup vs. RHP
1) RF - Oliva* (Lock)
2) 2B - Johnson (Salmon)
3) LF - Yastrzemski* (Jones*)
4) CF - Jones* (Lock)
5) C - Torre (Haney 5%)
6) 1B - Webster* (Powell* 5%)
7) 3B - Robinson (Salmon)
8) SS - Hansen (Salmon 5%)

PH vR - Powell*
PH vL - Lock

Lineup vs. LHP
1) RF - Oliva* (Lock 25%)
2) CF - Lock (Jones*)
3) LF - Yastrzemski* (Jones*)
4) 3B - Robinson (Salmon)
5) 1B - Torre (Powell* 2%)
6) C - Haney (Dietz 30%)
7) SS - Hansen (Salmon)
8) 2B - Johnson (Salmon 10%)

PH vR - Jones*, Powell*
PH vL - comp control

Horlen and Richert can be handled at season's end. I'm not really sure what to do with Frank Linzy. He's on pace for a 16-win season... I don't want to mess him up!

[Sockeye]

Looks like I'm taking over the Cannons instead of an expansion franchise in 1969. So let me get the ball rolling by making my first official move.

I demote Jay Johnstone to the minors.
I recall Rocky Colavito to the majors

Here is my starting lineup, roster, and managerial profile. I'm learning on the fly here so if there is anything missing or needs correcting please point it out to me.

Starting Lineup
C-Duke Sims (.50) (drafted 1964, leaves after 1969)
1B-Ken Harrelson (1M) (drafted 1963, leaves after 1968)
2B-Jim Lefebvre (.75) (drafted 1965, leaves after 1970)
3B-Don Buford (1.0) (drafted 1963, leaves after 1968)
SS-Bert Campaneris (1.25) (drafted 1964, leaves after 1969)
LF-Al Ferrara (.50) (drafted 1963, leaves after 1968)
CF-Jimmy Wynn (1.25) (drafted 1963, leaves after 1968)
RF-Hank Aaron (12) (franchise player)

Bench
C-Jim Pagliaroni (5.50) (drafted 1961)
C-John Bateman (.75) (drafted 1963, leaves after 1968)
1B-Fred Whitfield (1.50) (drafted 1962, leaves after 1967)
IF-Dalton Jones (.50) (drafted 1964, leaves after 1969)
OF Rocky Colavito (.25) (signed 1967, contract expires after 1967)
OF-Tom Tresh (2.25) (drafted 1961)


Rotation
SP1-Ray Sadecki (9.25) (contract expires after 1968)
SP2-Rich Nye (.50) (drafted 1966, leaves after 1971)
SP3-Dick Ellsworth (4.25) (drafted 1961)
SP4-Ray Washburn (1.75) (drafted 1961)
SP5-Dennis Bennett (.25, FA 67) (skip)


Bullpen
LHSU-Ron Perranoski (7.50) (drafted 1961)
Closer-Don McMahon (10.5) (contract expires after 1969)
Longman-Orlando Pena (1M) (drafted 1961)
rp-Hal Reniff (.25, FA 67)
RHSU-Bill Kelso (.50) (drafted 1964, leaves after 1969)
Mop up-Bo Belinsky (.25) (signed 1967, contract expires after 1967)

Minor League Roster
1B Brant Alyea (.25) (drafted 1965, leaves after 1970)
OF Willie Crawford (.50) (drafted 1964, leaves after 1969)
SP Mudcat Grant (2.25) (drafted 1961)
SP Tony Cloninger (1.25) (drafted 1961
SP Jim Ray (.25) (drafted 1965, leaves after 1970)
RP Wes Stock (1.50) (drafted 1961)
SP Steve Barber (2.25) (drafted 1961)
SP Mike Adamson (.25) (signed 1967, contract expires after 1967)
IF Luis Alcaraz (.25) (signed 1967, contract expires after 1967)
OF George Altman (.25) (signed 1967, contract expires after 1967)
RP Steve Bailey (.25) (signed 1967, contract expires after 1967)
IF Lee Bales (.25) (signed 1967, contract expires after 1967)
OF Walt Bond (.25) (signed 1967, contract expires after 1967)
C Bob Barton (.25) (signed 1967, contract expires after 1967)
OF Ty Cline (.25) (signed 1967, contract expires after 1967)
OF Jay Johnstone (.50) (drafted 1966, leaves after 1971)
IF Marty Martinez (.25) (signed 1967, contract expires after 1967)

Total Salary = $76.25

Additional Picks
None

Picks given away
2nd round pick in '68 to Knights

Managerial Profile

vs RHP

SS Bert Campaneris
3B Don Buford (Jones 10%)
RF Hank Aaron
2B Jim Lefebvre (Jones 10%)
LF Al Ferrrara (Tresh 50%, Tresh DR)
1B Fred Whitfield ( Harrelson 50%)
CF Jimmy Wynn
C Duke Sims (Bateman 10%)

vs LHP

SS Campeneris
3B Buford
RF Aaron
2B Lefebvre
LF Colavito
CF Wynn
1B Harrelson
C Paglironi (Bateman 10%)

Batting
bunt for hit: standard
sac bunt: Standard
squeeze: Standard
steal: Standard
take extra bases: standard
take pitches: standard

pinch hitting
for pitchers: standard
for non-pitchers: standard
for platoon partners: standard
in blowouts: standard

Pitching
pitch around: standard
IBB: standard
use relievers: more
use closers: More

Defense
hold runners: standard
IF in: standard
guard lines: standard

[leecemark]

--After reviewing how much he needed to do to get caught up, Chickazoola decided he did not have the time right now. He may be back as an expansion owner. Meanwhile, as he has already indicated, Sockeye has taken over the Cannons.

[catcher24]

Well, welcome Sockeye. Sorry that Chickazoola didn't have the time now, but I think that you may have a better base to start from than the expansion teams will have and will be glad you made the move now. I don't think you would get anyone like Hank Aaron or even Jimmy Wynn in the expansion draft. You would've gotten one very decent player in the rookie draft, but not of Aaron's caliber.

BTW, I have an Excel program that I use to track my contracts. If you're at all interested, let me know and I'll send it to you. Good luck!

[catcher24]

Sockeye, on your roster you show that I have your 1969 second round pick, but I don't show that in my records anywhere. I had the Cannons 1967 second round pick, so perhaps somehow the 7 got changed to a 9, but I did take Roger Nelson with the Cannons second round slot this year, so you can eliminate that. As far as I'm concerned, you still have your 1969 second rounder.

[Sockeye]

Sockeye, on your roster you show that I have your 1969 second round pick, but I don't show that in my records anywhere. I had the Cannons 1967 second round pick, so perhaps somehow the 7 got changed to a 9, but I did take Roger Nelson with the Cannons second round slot this year, so you can eliminate that. As far as I'm concerned, you still have your 1969 second rounder.

Thank you for catching that. I was just going by 538280 had listed in his roster. I can use every draft pick I can get. Especially a 2nd rounder. Sure by all means if you don't mind sending that program to me anything that makes keeping track of the player saleries easier will be greatly welcomed. Thanks.

[leecemark]

--Sockeye, I think your first move is a good one. Colavito's overall line isn't very good, but he mashs lefties.

[ElHalo]

I believe Brewer actually also had a mystery start (might have been Gladding though). For the moment, I'll pull Hoerner and replace him with Hartenstein.

[leecemark]

--The Skipjacks hold their lead on the Legends and tie the Knights for league's best record, but lose 2 starting outfielders for a couple weeks. The Sockeye Angels get their first win.

[leecemark]

I believe Brewer actually also had a mystery start (might have been Gladding though). For the moment, I'll pull Hoerner and replace him with Hartenstein.

--It was Eddie Fisher, but he has hardly pitched otherwise.

[ElHalo]

--It was Eddie Fisher, but he has hardly pitched otherwise.

Hardly surprising, since he's not supposed to be on my active roster (bullpen is listed as Gladding, Wood, Brewer, Williams, and Hoerner (now Hartenstein)).

Also, after reviewing my usages, I should probably change both "use relievers" and "use closers" from "More" to "least."

[leecemark]

--He has been on your active roster all season and would have showed on every team pitching report. If that was a mistake I'm sorry, although it seems it might have been caught before now. Please review the most recent reports and tell me if anyone is active who shouldn't be or not active who should be. The Hartenstein for Hoerner switch was made after that report was generated.

[mac195]

I'll bring Holtzman up and move him back into the #5 starter role. Larry Brown also comes up and replaces Andrews at SS, Andrews moves to 2B in place of Hunt. Fisher goes down, and Hunt goes on the DL.

Pitching
SP1: Bunning
SP2: Hughes
SP3: Hargan
SP4: Stange
SP5: Holtzman (skip)
Spot: Jaster
Mop up: Jaster
Long man: Selma, Miller, Jaster
LH set up: Taylor, Selma, Miller
RH set up: Hardin, Taylor, Miller
LH closer: Hardin, Taylor
RH closer: Carlos, Hardin

Lineup vs. RHP
1 Andrews 2B (Mazeroski) Mazeroski DR
2 Maris RF (Callison)
3 Robinson LF (Callison)
4 Allen 3B (Hunt)
5 Cash 1B (Hiatt)
6 Reichardt CF (Callison)
7 Haller C (May)
8 Brown SS (Howser)
PH vs RHP: Callison
PH vs LHP: Hiatt, Morton, Howser
Lineup vs. LHP
1 Howser SS (Brown)
2 Morton RF (Callison) Callison DR
3 Robinson LF (Callison)
4 Allen 3B (Howser)
5 Hiatt 1B (Cash) Cash DR
6 Reichardt CF (Callison)
7 May C (Haller 50%) Haller DR
8 Andrews 2B(Maz)
PH vs RHP: Cash, Maris, Haller
PH vs LHP: Hunt

[ElHalo]

--He has been on your active roster all season and would have showed on every team pitching report. If that was a mistake I'm sorry, although it seems it might have been caught before now. Please review the most recent reports and tell me if anyone is active who shouldn't be or not active who should be. The Hartenstein for Hoerner switch was made after that report was generated.

Not a big deal; I think the problem was that he was initially on the active roster instead of Sammy Ellis at the beginning of the year.

Running back through the lineup schedules... you're showing Lee Thomas as active, while I had him farmed; I was trying to ride very thin in the outfield when both Clemente and Gosger went down, because I didn't want to have to DL somebody, so it's possible he got called up automatically?

Anyway, Thomas should be farmed, and I don't see any stats for two guys who should be on my active roster... Vern Fuller (20% of the starts at SS) and Ed Kranepool (15% at 1B).

[leecemark]

--Okay, Fisher and Thomas are farmed and Kranepool and Fuller are up. Fuller and Kranepool did have their playing time entered, but weren't on the active roster:blush:.
--Having Banks playing everyday has worked out pretty good for you. He really doesn't have to be rested, so you might want to think about whether you want the CM playing catchup to give Eddie Kranepool his 15%. Aparicio you may not want playing everyday, but Fuller is not the optimal backup. He is PR at SS and AV at 2B. You've got Maxvill backing up 2B. He is AV there, but VG at SS. Maxvill has been surprising good with the bat in the early going too - not that I'd expect that to hold up with more playing time.

[Erik Bedard]

Now that Uhlaender's injury has expired, we'll activate him, in his previous roles, and farm out Belanger (who I believe is not due a raise for next season, as he never appeared at the plate).

[J W]

A) Please put Mack Jones and Tony Oliva on the 15-day DL.

B) Please call up Bobby Tolan. Tolan will play CF. Don Lock will slide over to RF covering Oliva; he will also play some CF.

C) The Skipjacks will sign OF Cap Peterson to a 1 yr / $.25 mil contract. Peterson will be the 4th OF. May I have his ratings please?

------------------------------------------

Lineup vs. RHP
1) CF - Tolan* (Lock)
2) 2B - Johnson (Salmon)
3) LF - Yastrzemski* (Jones*)
4) C - Torre (Haney 5%)
5) 1B - Webster* (Powell* 5%)
6) 3B - Robinson (Salmon)
7) RF - Lock (Peterson)
8) SS - Hansen (Salmon 5%)

PH vR - Powell*
PH vL - Salmon

Lineup vs. LHP
1) RF - Peterson (Tolan*)
2) CF - Lock (Tolan*)
3) LF - Yastrzemski* (Jones*)
4) 3B - Robinson (Salmon)
5) 1B - Torre (Powell* 2%)
6) C - Haney (Dietz 30%)
7) SS - Hansen (Salmon)
8) 2B - Johnson (Salmon 10%)

PH vR - Powell*
PH vL - Salmon

----------------------------------------

D) Is Joe Verbanic off the DL yet, or is that next series?

[Sockeye]

Now that I've had a chance to study the splits and usage for my players I've decided to make some lineup changes. Here is my new lineup

VS RHP

1. SS Bert Campaneris
2. 3B Don Buford (Jones 10%)
3. RF Hank Aaron
4. CF Jimmy Wynn
5. LF Al Ferrara (Tresh 30%)
6. 1B Ken Harrelson (Whitfield 45%)
7. 2B Jim Lefebvre (Jones 10%)
8. C Duke Sims (Bateman 20%)

VS LHP

1. SS Bert Campeneris
2. 3B Don Buford
3. LF Rocky Colavito
4. 1B Fred Whitfield
5. RF Al Ferrara
6. CF Hank Aaron
7. 2B Jim Lefebvre
8. C Jim Paglironi (Bateman 15%)

[Erik Bedard]

In a deal that may be the most inconsequential in CKL history, the Gold Sox send their fourth-round picks in 1968 and 1969 to the Angels for Steve Barber and the Angels' fifth-round pick in 1968. In an accompanying move, the Gold Sox release Wayne Comer (unless I don't have to).

[leecemark]

--JW, Verbaniac is eleible to be activated
--Dan, you don't need to release Comer. You can be over 40 players during the season.
--Sockeye, you need to post a confirmation of the trade before it is executed.

[Sockeye]

Trade confirmed.

We hated to part with Steve. He was putting up solid numbers in the minors this season and we were looking forward to seeing him back with the club in september.

Two 4th round picks were just too much to pass up and fits in with the ultimate goal of both winning today while also building a stronger future for tomorrow.

[Sockeye]

In a deal that may be the most inconsequential in CKL history, the Gold Sox send their fourth-round picks in 1968 and 1969 to the Angels for Steve Barber and the Angels' fifth-round pick in 1968. In an accompanying move, the Gold Sox release Wayne Comer (unless I don't have to).

Just one correction. My 5th rd pick you received was in '69, not '68. Please confirm the correction. Thanks

[J W]

Is the trade ban on the Cannons lifted then? We'd like to know here in Balmer.

[leecemark]

--The Skipjacks have reeled off a 4 game winning streak to move 2 game sup on the Legends and claim sole possesion of the league's best record. The ever streaky Gold Sox have another 6 game winning streak. The newly minted Angels have lost 4 in a row to sink to the league's worst record. Nowhere to go but up for you, Sockeye!

[J W]

Please activate Verbanic and send Jay Ritchie back down. Return all pitching assignments to original -- which should be no changes really, just take Ritchie off the list.

[Sockeye]

Is the trade ban on the Cannons lifted then? We'd like to know here in Balmer.

I wasn't aware there was a trade ban on my team. Curious as to the turn of events that caused such a ban? Now that it is under no ownership can it be lifted?

[leecemark]

--The Cannons were not able to make trades while under league control. When Chickalooza briefly took control of the team I restricted him from trading away draft choices during the current seasons to make sure he had time to get his bearings and learn their value before mortaging the team's future. Trades of players are fine and I didn't care about the 5th rounder given up in the Barber deal (the 4th and 5th rounders have very little value anyway). I failed to mention that restiction when Sockeye took over and I won't apply it retroactively.

[leecemark]

--The Hard Cider sweep the Badgers while the Legends are sweeping the Diablos, opening up some space between Mac and the rest of the Cartwright Division. The Gamblers take 2 of 3 from the Knights to toghten the Johnson race.
--Sockeye gets his first injuries to deal with - losing John Bateman for a month and Jim Lefebrve for a couple weeks. The Shoeless Joes also have a month long injury to Ken Johnson to deal with.

[baseballPAP]

Mark, please activate Carew, and farm out Bailey.

~S

[Sockeye]

--The Cannons were not able to make trades while under league control. When Chickalooza briefly took control of the team I restricted him from trading away draft choices during the current seasons to make sure he had time to get his bearings and learn their value before mortaging the team's future. Trades of players are fine and I didn't care about the 5th rounder given up in the Barber deal (the 4th and 5th rounders have very little value anyway). I failed to mention that restiction when Sockeye took over and I won't apply it retroactively.

I think I have a pretty good grasp as to the value of draft picks. I doubt you'll see me making any deal where I don't improve my draft picks.

[Sockeye]

Place John Bateman and Jim Lefebvre on the DL.

Call up Marty Martinez & Bob Barton

Dalton Jones takes over starting 2B duties with Marty Martinez becoming the backup.

Jim Paglironi becomes the backup C vs RHP

[leecemark]

I think I have a pretty good grasp as to the value of draft picks. I doubt you'll see me making any deal where I don't improve my draft picks.

--You're a faster learner than I am then:). In our first season I traded the draft pick that turned out to be Dick Allen for a season and a half of Bill Stafford and 2 years of Bill Dailey:eek:. Being able to pick uo good players and occasionally great players at a big discount makes team building ALOT easier. Free agent prices are so high that nobody is going to land more than 1-2 major contributors to a championship team that way.

[Sockeye]

--You're a faster learner than I am then:). In our first season I traded the draft pick that turned out to be Dick Allen for a season and a half of Bill Stafford and 2 years of Bill Dailey:eek:. Being able to pick uo good players and occasionally great players at a big discount makes team building ALOT easier. Free agent prices are so high that nobody is going to land more than 1-2 major contributors to a championship team that way.

I come from a fantasy baseball backround. The format here is different from the stand point that we are drafting players already knowing the results. The only thing that is different about the draft picks is the extent of the their value. A 4th or 5th round pick in this league doesn't mean very much. Even a 3rd rd pick is somewhat marginal. Where as a 4th or 5th rd pick in a fantasy baseball league is of very high quality. So for me that will be the biggest thing to get use to. In this league a 2nd or 3rd rd pick may be worth a player with only 1 or 2 big seasons if that is the last piece to the puzzle and enables the team to win a championship. Just all depends on the situation. and the owners trading philosophy.

[catcher24]

In this league a 2nd or 3rd rd pick may be worth a player with only 1 or 2 big seasons if that is the last piece to the puzzle and enables the team to win a championship. Just all depends on the situation. and the owners trading philosophy.

Dead on accurate about that, Gary. I traded away most of my big name players (Vada Pinson, Juan Marichal to name a couple) to teams looking to win right away, while I was planning on building for the future (which I hope is now). That's how I got four first rounders last year and four this year. However, there is a caveat in my situation. Those players were worth more, because our original 1961 draftees never become free agents - for us or for a team they were traded to.So the owners who picked up some of my 1961 players will have them as long as they want, which was a big advantage I had when offering them.

[Erik Bedard]

I'm assuming in-season stadium moves aren't allowed, but can I reserve a different park for 1968? It just doesn't seem right to have the league's worst offense playing in the best hitter's park.

[catcher24]

Sorry the last set of stats (thru June 11) was a day late in getting posted, guys. I've had a couple of crazy days, and never got a chance to upload the league files until last night. The newest stats will be going up tonight.

[leecemark]

I'm assuming in-season stadium moves aren't allowed, but can I reserve a different park for 1968? It just doesn't seem right to have the league's worst offense playing in the best hitter's park.

--No in-season moves are not permitted, although I made an exception for our new owner taking over with the season in progress. You can reserve you move for next year if you wish though. Of course, you might want to consider upgrading the "league's worst offense" instead:).

[Erik Bedard]

Okay, I'll tentatively reserve Candlestick Park.

Funny about my offense. I brought in three starters this offseason, but we're still last in the league in just about everything. Next year I'll get Alou back to '66 level, Bench coming up, and not much else. Gonzalez and Scott fall off, so I'll have to substitute a whole bunch of mediocre outfielders. My pitching, though, looks good.

[catcher24]

OK, stats are now updated through games of June 18. We are now very close to 40% of the way through the season. I've listed below any player who is presently at or over 60% usage, as these players would likely go over their usage limit if kept playing at this rate.

Badgers: Bruce Howard, 61
Gold Sox: Ken Boyer, 66; Bob Allen, 64; John Hiller, 62; Jim Perry, 67; Jim Weaver, 84; Cecil Upshaw, 109 Better do something with Upshaw, Dan.:hp
Diablos: Stan Williams, 82
Shoeless Joes: Johnny Edwards, 78; Dick Bosman, 76
Skipjacks: No one. Fine job, Jason. :thumbsup:
Gamblers: Tony Conigliaro, 74
Knights: No one, of course, as the master of usage does it again.:bowdown:
Legends: No one? :confused: First time I can recall that happening!
Hard Cider: Jack Hiatt, 74; Dick Howser, 71
Redbirds: Very nice job, Scott. :applaud:
Angels: Orlando Pena, 60
Stingers: Good work, Max! :dance

[Erik Bedard]

Yep, farm out Upshaw, call up Barber. Perry will take Upshaw's roles, and Barber will go into the rotation.

Also, IIRC, Weaver was over 60% on the last usage report, so he should be listed here.

[-Kyle-]

Lineup Vs RHP:
1.CF-Curt Flood
2.2b-John Donaldson
3.1B-Mickey Mantle
4.3b-Harmon Killebrew
5.RF-Tony Coniglario
6.SS-Rico Petrocelli
7.LF-Rico Carty
8.C-Paul Casanova (Buck Rodgers - 40%)
9.Pitcher

With This 40% of the time please

Lineup Vs RHP:
1.CF-Curt Flood
2.2b-John Donaldson
3.1B-Mickey Mantle
4.3b-Harmon Killebrew
5.LF- Tom McCraw
6.SS-Rico Petrocelli
7.RF-Rico Carty
8.C-Paul Casanova (Buck Rodgers - 40%)
9.Pitcher
Pinch Hitter: Default

[mac195]

Hard Cider: Jack Hiatt, 74; Dick Howser, 71

My platoons are wearing out fast. There must be an awful lot of lefty starters in the league this year.

[Sockeye]

Don McMahon is on the trading block for anyone needing a closer or top notch setup man. Make me an offer. All offers will be considered.

[Sockeye]

Move Bill Kelso to the longman role and Orlando Pena to RHSU

[leecemark]

Yep, farm out Upshaw, call up Barber. Perry will take Upshaw's roles, and Barber will go into the rotation.

Also, IIRC, Weaver was over 60% on the last usage report, so he should be listed here.

Weaver is at 84%

[leecemark]

--The Legends have a 6 game winning streak to pull into a tie for the Hulbert lead with the Skipjacks. Those 2 are also tied for best overall record - putting both of the #2 teams in the other divisions further out in the WC than their division races. The Knights swept the Redbirds (Gary Peters tossing a 9 hit shutout:cap:) to gain a little breathing room over the Gamblers. The Diablos took 2 of 3 from the Angels (now there is a natural rivalry:)) while the Hard Cider were getting swept by the Stingers to tighten that race.

[-Kyle-]

For the next 14 games, please put McCraw in for Carty at LF.

[catcher24]

Also, IIRC, Weaver was over 60% on the last usage report, so he should be listed here.

Absolutely correct, Dan. Sorry I missed that. Weaver is at 84% as of the report above (I edited him in), so you'll want to be keeping a close eye on him as well.

[catcher24]

There must be an awful lot of lefty starters in the league this year.

When you face the Legends, there's a decent chance you'll see both Tommy John and Al Downing. Mike Cuellar is also my spot starter, with the other three regulars being Jenkins, Seaver and Tiant. Don't know about the other teams.

(now there is a natural rivalry)

I'd missed that, but you're absolutely right. Too bad they won't end up in the same division after expansion.

[Erik Bedard]

Now that Uhlaender's injury has expired, we'll activate him, in his previous roles, and farm out Belanger (who I believe is not due a raise for next season, as he never appeared at the plate).

Just checked the website, and apparently Uhlaender is still on the DL, and Belanger batted.

[leecemark]

--sorry about the oversight. belanger has been sent down and uhleander activated. don't worry about the 2 ab. my mistake.

[leecemark]

--The Skipjacks and Legends continue to rest atop the league in what promises to be a great divisional race. The Skipjacks take 2 of 3 from the Knights in the latest series, with the Legends keeping pace in their series with the Redbirds.

[buppers]

Badgers sign Wade Blasingame to 1 year contract for .25

Ed

[catcher24]

The Skipjacks and Legends continue to rest atop the league in what promises to be a great divisional race.

Big series coming up in mid-July with six games head to head, all at Memorial Stadium in Skipjacks country!

[J W]

Bring it. :gt

Oliva misses the first game, but that's it; we'll be healthy again. Updates later today in those regards.

[Sockeye]

Place Duke Sims on the DL.

Jim Pagliaroni inserted as starting catcher vs RHP, Bob Barton takes over backup catching duties (10%)

[J W]

OK, send down OFers Cap Peterson and Bobby Tolan, and return to normal:

Lineup vs. RHP
1) RF - Oliva* (Lock)
2) 2B - Johnson (Salmon)
3) LF - Yastrzemski* (Jones*)
4) CF - Jones* (Lock)
5) C - Torre (Haney 5%)
6) 1B - Webster* (Powell* 5%)
7) 3B - Robinson (Salmon)
8) SS - Hansen (Salmon 5%)

PH vR - Powell*
PH vL - Lock

Lineup vs. LHP
1) RF - Oliva* (Lock 25%)
2) CF - Lock (Jones*)
3) LF - Yastrzemski* (Jones*)
4) 3B - Robinson (Salmon)
5) 1B - Torre (Powell* 2%)
6) C - Haney (Dietz 30%)
7) SS - Hansen (Salmon)
8) 2B - Johnson (Salmon 10%)

PH vR - Jones*, Powell*
PH vL - comp control

...it shouldn't be a big deal for one game. I'll be interested to see if Lock gets any ABs vs. LHP though.

[leecemark]

--The Legends and Skipjacks each win their series and continue to pace the league. The Knights give up a game of their lead over the Gamblers, while the Hard Cider extend their lead over the Diablos by one. The Angels have put together a 5 game losing streak to pull into a tie with Badgers in the race for first pick.

[leecemark]

--The Knights head into Fenway Park for a series with the upstart Kyle Gamblers. Leecemark holds a slender 2 game lead on June 30th - the deepest into the season they have been challenged for the division. Surprisingly this is only the second time the teams have met this season, the Gamblers taking the earlier series.
--Both teams are relatively healthy for the showdown. Willie Mays of the Knights and Rico Petrocelli are day to day with some nagging injuries (Mays has been struggling all year), but both should see action in the series. Game one has Knights rookie Mel Queen looking for his 10th win vs Gaylord Perry looking for his 9th. Game 2 pits struggling Juan Marichal, who back troubles have led to too many balls up in the zone, vs Cy Young candidate Don Drysdale - looking for his 12th win. Game 3 the Knight send their own Cy Young candidate, Gary Peters, up against Larry Jackson, who has not enjoyed the team's move to Fenway.

[catcher24]

A very tough nine game road trip on tap for the Legends, with three against the Diablos and then six against the Skipjacks. At least everyone is healthy going in, and I sure hope they stay that way!

[-Kyle-]

Larry Jackson, who has not enjoyed the team's move to Fenway.
Hah, your telling me. He has been downright awful. If he has any value at the trade deadline I am going to move him.

[leecemark]

--The Gamblers took the first 2 of the their series with the Knights to pull into a tie for the division lead, but Gary Peters reclaimed the top spot for the Knights with his 10th win in the finale. The Skipjacks regain a 1 game lead over the Legends heading into their 6 game mega-series. Only 5 series left till the All Star break. I'll have the ballot thread up by tomorrow morning.

[Erik Bedard]

The Gold Sox have three guys who should warrant All-Star consideration: center fielder Tony Gonzalez, first baseman George Scott, and starter Tommie Sisk (who?).

[Sockeye]

Now that Jim Lefebvre is off the DL he regains his starting job at 2B. Dalton Jones is the backup 2B at (5%) duty.

[J W]

I was going to vote, but several positions are log-jammed right now and so I'll wait four more series. Skipjacks for consideration:

C Joe Torre (finally)
2B Davey Johnson (heating up, doesn't platoon... but still behind)
3B Brooks Robinson (stiff competition, best defender though)
LF Carl Yastrzemski (no-brainer)
RF Tony Oliva (5th in RC/27, 7th in total RC)

SP Joe Horlen (another no-brainer)
RP Frank Linzy (7-2, 12 saves, 1.95 ERA, 60.0 IP)
RP Joe Verbanic (1-1, 3 saves, 2.41 ERA, 37.1 IP)

[-Kyle-]

Can you please change the usage of Drawbosky and Washington so Washinginton is complete set up?

[catcher24]

Losing two of three to the Diablos going into the Skipjack series is certainly not a good omen.:dismay: We'll know in a week!

[catcher24]

Stats page is updated through games of today (July 2, 1967).

I have to stump for some of my own players here. This may change after the Skipjacks series!

Bill Freehan, catcher: Of the eight catchers I found who have appeared in 30+ games, Freehan is first in batting, runs, OBP, OPS, RC and RC/27; second in slugging and homers. With all due respect to Tim McCarver, it has to be Freehan or Torre.

Ron Santo, 3B: A position with a lot of good choices: Santo, Killebrew, Allen, B. Robinson and Joe Foy (who is having a surprisingly good year!). Hitting wise, it comes down to Santo, Killer and Allen, with Santo being the best fielder of the three. Might be a good spot to vote for three and take one as an extra.

Rick Monday, CF: Yup, a surprise. But Monday, although only appearing in 56 games so far, is 4th in batting, 2nd in OBP, first in slugging (by a pretty wide margin). second in homers, 3rd in runs, 3rd in RBI, 3rd in RC, 1st in RC/27 among CFers with 200+ PA. And he's done all this while being LAST among the 11 qualifiers in PA, and he's behind Willie Mays (next to last in PA) by 37 PA!

[leecemark]

--The Legends take 2 of 3 from the Skipjacks to knot those teams atop the Hulbert. The Gamblers took 2 of 3 from the Hard Cider to move into a tie with the Knights in the Johnson.

[-Kyle-]

Looking at my run differentials, I have been an extremly lucky team. Lets hope it holds out. :D

[catcher24]

Don't be so modest, Kyle. You've done a fine job with the team. Perhaps you've have been a bit lucky (or Mark's been unlucky), but you are still +30 in run differential. Mark should probably have more wins than you, since he's +89, a pretty large difference. The two that amaze me are the Shoeless Joes and Diablos. The Joes are -48 but three games over .500, and the Diablos are -15 but 5 games over .500.

[Erik Bedard]

Well, with the Legends and Skipjacks hogging all the run differential, then there's not going to be enough to go around, and some good teams will have negatives.

[leecemark]

--We've reached the mid-point of the season. Time to cast your All Star ballots, decide if you are going to be a buyer or seller at the trade deadline and make some adjustments on playing time. If you've got guys over 60% they need to be watched. If they are over 70 they are going to go over unless you make some changes.
--The Legends took 2 of 3 again from the Skipjacks in the 2nd half of their showdown series to regain the division/league's top spot. The surprising Gamblers have run off a 5 game winning streak to take the lead in the Johnson.

[ElHalo]

How many innings am I getting back on Stan Williams? He's alarmingly high.

I must say, I expected better this season. I thought my bullpen would be lights out; they've been awful. I have no complaints with the offense, except of course for that lovely Bob Allison parting gift. But still, I thought I'd be competitive, and here I am four games back and no real hope of contending as my bullpen starts to get taxed late in the season.

[leecemark]

--Williams made 2 starts due to the programming error, totaling 15 IP. Those innings won't count against his 125%.

[baseballPAP]

The Redbirds are firmly in "sell" mode. Draft picks will get it done for almost anyone on the roster....this team is a year or 3 away from contending.

[leecemark]

--The Knights put Wes Parker on the DL. Andre Rodgers is signed to fill his spot on the roster. Dick Green is optioned to Kalamazoo. Leo Cardenas is recalled. Camilio Pascaul is optioned to Kalamazoo. John Wyatt is recalled.
--The Knights bullpen is still pretty unsettled. Anybody with a TOP quality reliever available at 5M or less I'd be interested.

[catcher24]

The Legends are extremely happy :) to come out of Skipjacks country with 4 out of 6! I would've been thrilled with a split in six away games. Now if I can keep up the momentum for three more months.....

The Legends have an ABUNDANCE of relief pitchers. The following players would be available for the right offer (67 stats listed - ERA+/WHIP): Ted Abernathy 295/0.98(won't come cheap!); Dan Osinski 137/1.18; Bill Monbouquette 135/1.03; Dave Baldwin 186/1.06; Dooley Womack 129/1.19. If interested, PM me. Also, if you're looking for a TOP starter, Mike Cuellar or Bill Hands could be had - but expect on paying a first rounder for them.

[J W]

What did Dean Chance ever do to you, Lew? :laugh:

The Skipjacks are in a quasi "buy" mode. They would like to get insurance for this season, and get better for '68-'69, but have little cap room.

[leecemark]

--A couple big series coming up tonight. The Knights and Gamblers will again square off for the Johnson Division lead. The Shoeless Joes take a 6 game winning streak to Shea Stadium and need to stay hot if they are going to hang with the Legends and Skipjacks. A series win could put the JKC front office in a buy mode (although even a sweep would still leave them 5 back, so maybe not). A loss would put them at least 9 games back and almost certainly looking towards next year.
--We've got 5 teams who are definate contenders and 5 who definately aren't at this point in the season. The Shoeless Joes and Diablos are the swing teams. JKC has the slightly better record, but trails both the Legends and Skipjacks by more than the Diablos trail the Hard Cider. Joe picked a bad year to have a pretty good season:).

[mac195]

I will bring Hunt up and send Brown back down.

Lineup vs. RHP
1 Andrews SS (Howser)
2 Maris RF (Callison)
3 Robinson LF (Callison)
4 Allen 3B (Hunt)
5 Cash 1B (Hiatt)
6 Reichardt CF (Callison)
7 Haller C (May)
8 Hunt 2B (Mazeroski) Mazeroski DR
PH vs RHP: Callison
PH vs LHP: Hiatt, Morton, Howser
Lineup vs. LHP
1 Howser SS (Andrews 40%)
2 Morton RF (Callison) Callison DR
3 Robinson LF (Callison)
4 Allen 3B (Howser)
5 Hiatt 1B (Cash 40%) Cash DR
6 Reichardt CF (Callison)
7 May C (Haller 40%) Haller DR
8 Andrews 2B (Hunt) Mazeroski DR
PH vs RHP: Cash, Maris, Haller
PH vs LHP: Hunt

[Erik Bedard]

The Gold Sox are in something of a sell mode. We could move a big bat, such as George Scott or Tony Gonzalez, but we'd need another bat back, preferably an infielder (2B or SS), and/or a bullpen arm, and/or draft picks.

EDIT: And please vote for Tommie Sisk. The very definition of a hard-luck pitcher, and it looks like it's his turn to be the guy the Gold Sox pull from out of nowhere to have an incredible year.

[leecemark]

--I have amended my ballot to include Sisk. He is in the top 10 in ERA and is 2nd in quality starts with a less than stellar team behind him. I'm also editting my own Wes Parker off my ballot at 1B. He got hurt (20 games) and not only won't be back in time for the game (well if their was a game), but he is going to be left behind by the other guys at a very competitive position.

[leecemark]

--The Gamblers take another series from the Knights to extend their lead. The Diablos pick up a game on the Hard Cider and the Legends hang onto their 1 game advantage over the Skipjacks.

[ElHalo]

Could Clemente be the first player in the history of DiamondMind or real baseball to hit .400 with an OBP under .410?

[J W]

We're 8-7 against the Buppers Badgers now. :shrug:

But hey, Mark is 4-5 against the Redbirds. :gt

[J W]

Could Clemente be the first player in the history of DiamondMind or real baseball to hit .400 with an OBP under .410?

:bowdown:

I'm so rooting for that. Arriba Roberto!!

[catcher24]

Could Clemente be the first player in the history of DiamondMind or real baseball to hit .400 with an OBP under .410?

Talk about not taking many walks.....

[catcher24]

Site is updated through games of July 9. Since that was our halfway point, I went through and checked usage again. Here are all the players at or above 66% (two thirds) - and as Mark noted, these guys are almost certain to go over if not watched closely.

Badgers - Willie Stargell, 67; Bruce Howard, 77; Joe Niekro, 67; Juan Pizarro, 67
Gold Sox - Ken Boyer, 82; Jerry Buchek, 74; Bob Allen, 67; Steve Blass, 70; Roy Face, 68; John Hiller, 68; Jim Perry, 74; Cecil Upshaw, 11 (farmed); Jim Weaver, 89
Diablos - Jim Brewer, 77; Fred Gladding, 66; Stan Williams, 95 Watch Williams closely, Jim!
Shoeless Joes - Johnny Edwards, 78; Duane Josephson, 90; Joe Pepitone, 66; Dick Bosman, 109; Bob Gibson, 70 (darn that broken leg he had in 1967!) Better think about doing something with Bosman, Joe.
Skipjacks - Frank Linzy, 68
Gamblers - Tony Conigliaro, 84; John Donaldson, 71
Knights - No one, of course.
Legends - Joe Morgan, 66; Tommy John, 72
Hard Cider - dick Allen, 70; Jack Hiatt, 88; Dick Howser, 90; Bubba Morton, 66; Rick Richardt, 66; Frank Robinson, 67; Cisco Carlos, 67; Ron Taylor, 69
Redbirds - Joe Foy, 66; Willie Horton, 74; Claude Raymond, 78; Don Wilson, 68
Angels - Jim Pagliaroni, 97; Orlando Pena, 71
Stingers - Ken Berry, 71; Tim Cullen, 68; Chuck Hinton, 66; Eddie Mathews, 67; Turk Farrell, 66; Phil Niekro, 69

[-Kyle-]

Please Sit Tony C until further notice, Tom McCarthy at LF, and Rico Carty at RF. Tom McCarthy second in lineup. Thanks.

[leecemark]

--The Knights send IF Dick Green to the Legends for minor league reliever Dick Baldwin. Knights GM Smokey Braithwaite said "Baldwin is having a great season in Triple A, but there hasn't been room for him in the Legends loaded bullpen. Our bullpen has struggled quite a bit in the first half of the season and we felt like we needed to make a move. Green is a fine player, but he wasn't going to displace McAuliffe at 2B for us."

[J W]

I'm not sure what to do about Linzy; he's got people to spell him. I guess I'll rest him in September.

I voted for Dick Bosman too durnit, and now he won't get to play in the All-Star game? Same goes for Wes Parker. Would it make sense for alternates to go in place of them, Mark?

[ElHalo]

Diablos - Jim Brewer, 77; Fred Gladding, 66; Stan Williams, 95 Watch Williams closely, Jim!

Well, Williams is actually only at 71%, since certain of his innings arose from a programming error, as Mark said above... I'm still keeping an eye on him, though.

I'll make some changes soon, but for now if my closers and relievers are both at "least," hopefully it'll be ok.

[catcher24]

Legends confirm the trade of Baldwin for Green.

[leecemark]

I'm not sure what to do about Linzy; he's got people to spell him. I guess I'll rest him in September.

I voted for Dick Bosman too durnit, and now he won't get to play in the All-Star game? Same goes for Wes Parker. Would it make sense for alternates to go in place of them, Mark?


--Since there isn't actually a game there is no reason to exclude injured players. I only took Parker off my ballot because he is going to miss all the games leading up to the All Star break and by the time it gets here he won't be one of the most deserving two anymore. I see 7 1B candidates with little to separate them and Parker was at least a bit of a homer pick for me in the first place. Bosman I left on my ballot. Heck, Bosman isn't even hurt - he is just projected (pretty safely projected:reporter:) to run out of gas around the break.

[leecemark]

--With Baldwin on board I'm not quite as desparate for relief pitching, but another quality arm is still on the Knights shopping list. I've got a little more cap room after tradign Green. I can go up to 6.5M plus the contract of whomever I trade away. Not looking to sell the farm, but if you've got a guy near the end of the line and want to get something out of him give me a call.

[Sockeye]

Duke Sims comes off the DL and again becomes the full time starter at C.
Jim Pagliaroni is optioned to the minors

[leecemark]

--The Knights sweep the Redbirds to reclaim a share of the Johnson division. Meanwhile the Hard Cider sweep the Skipjacks opening some s[ace in both the Hulbert and Cartwright.
--One series left before the All Star break. Deadline for casting your ballot is midnight EST on Monday, December 10. We'll pause 3 days in real time as well. No games Dec 10-12. That will give you an opportunity to reshuffle your rotation and/or pitching assignments if you want.
--There will only be a couple days between the AS break and the trade deadline so this break in the action is probably your best opportunity to work on some deals.

[J W]

:radio

The Skipjacks are announcing a deal with the Gold Sox, sacrificing a bit in 1968 for immediate help this season. 1B George Scott is heading to Memorial Stadium, along with P Cecil Upshaw and the Gold Sox 3rd round pick in 1970. 2B Glenn Beckert is sent to Wrigley Field, along with 1B Ray Webster and the Gold Sox original 2nd round pick in 1968:

Scott (.75)
Upshaw (.25)
3rd round, 1970
---------------
Beckert (.5)
Webster (.25)
2nd round, 1968 (from the Koufax trade, back to the Gold Sox)

Dan, please confirm.