1968 Season Thread

[leecemark]

--Play Ball! The Opening Day series are compete. The Legends start what promises to a dominating season with a sweep of the Gamblers - outscoring them 20-3 in the process. The Gold Sox overhaul paid early dividends as they are the other team to pick up an opening sweep.

[catcher24]

Good luck to all in 1968 (except, of course, when playing the Legends!;)). Hope everyone enjoys the season. I'll be trying to get stats up on the website after every other series (every six games).

Be forewarned I will be gone for a week starting Good Friday (March 21st). No stats will be getting uploaded to the website for at least three and maybe four series of games. I will have internet access but I won't have the game to generate the web pages.

[leecemark]

--After 2 series the Gold Sox have a league best 5-1 mark. We have our furst serious injury as the Angels Dalton Jones goes down for 3 weeks.

[baseballPAP]

(AP)-reports from "league sources" indicate a player strike is imminent. No comments to reports that the Redbirds started this rumor in hopes of ending the season in a playoff spot.

[Erik Bedard]

One change: Please switch my rotation to a strict 5-man, as opposed to skip.

[Sockeye]

Dalton Jones goes on the DL

Ed Kranepool is called up to take his place on the roster.

Bill White will now bat 7th vs LHP

[catcher24]

Well, this isn't boding well for the Legends in the first six games. In all the sims I ran, I never lost more than 3 or 4 games to the Badgers all season - and now I've dropped two of the first three.:(

Anyway, I'll upload the stats shortly. However, I ran off 20 sims with the lineups/pitching assignments set by the human owners. The results of the 20 individual seasons are listed here (http://www.geocities.com/lougehrig24/autosimstandings1968.html) and the 20 game averages are listed here (http://www.geocities.com/lougehrig24/autosimstandingsaverages.html).
I have included a breakdown of finishes by team here (http://www.geocities.com/lougehrig24/finishes.html).

Several interesting items:
In season 3, the Gold Sox had the fifth best overall record, yet won their division. The Shoeless Joes had the fourth best record, but the Legends won that division and the Skipjacks took the WC – the Joes ending up with a bitter taste.

In season 4, the Knights suffered the same fate. They had 89 wins for fourth best overall record, yet didn’t make the playoffs. The Gold Sox won that division, while the Hornets and Diablos both finished at 81-87 (yup, sub .500) and yet tied for the Cartwright Division crown – with the Cider another game back.

Season 6 – The Knights have the sixth best overall record (88-80) yet win their division. The Skipjacks (4th best overall) and Joes (5th best overall) are sitting home watching the playoffs.

Season 12 – Happens again. This time the Gold Sox have sixth best record (89-79) but win their division. Once again the Joes suffer, having third best overall record buy no playoff berth; the Diablos have fifth best overall and go home as well.

Season 13 – Gold Sox go home with the fourth best record, as the fifth best Diablos take their division.

Season 14 – What goes around comes around. The Gold Sox have fifth best overall record but win their division. Skipjacks, with fourth best overall, head home.

The Skipjacks had the second best overall record eight seasons, yet never won the division title.

It’s interesting how variable the results can be. This occurs just as much for the individual players as it does for teams. Using my team as an example, Hank Aaron has as few as 24 and as many as 48 HR, with just about everything in between. His OPS ranges from 993 to 752. Pitchers: Tom Seaver wins vary from 29 to 20; ERA from 2.41 to 3.67; WHIP from 1.01 to 1.19. And over his 20 year “career”, he wins 481 games.

Check out the links and the tables. If you have any questions, about a particular season or player (they’re all in the encyclopedia – 20 seasons worth for each player), let me know.

[J W]

I wouldn't worry Lew. 20 times, 20 first place finishes, average total of 118 wins.

Worry about the playoffs. If we don't win the title, we'll be rooting for you to get over the hump. :cap:

[-Kyle-]

Dangit, I am not always in last place. Does anyone want Mantle?

[catcher24]

AARRGHHH!!:rant: I already hate the computer manager!:choke:

Checking my first six box scores. In six games, the idiot CM has already managed to use my lowest rated reliever in the 14th inning (although he had three higher rated choices), who of course gave up 2 runs and took the loss. He has also led Ron Santo off twice when Dick Green subbed for Don Buford!:hp

[buppers]

[QUOTE=catcher24;1121655]Well, this isn't boding well for the Legends in the first six games. In all the sims I ran, I never lost more than 3 or 4 games to the Badgers all season - and now I've dropped two of the first three.:(

Looking forward to May 1-3 where I hope to do the same again on your home turf :choke:

Ed:dance

[catcher24]

Posted by Ed of the bedraggled Badgers ;)
Looking forward to May 1-3 where I hope to do the same again on your home turf

Don't count on it!:grouchy We'll be kickin' butt and takin' names in that series!:nod:

[buppers]

If I'm "bedraggled" and you are 1-2 vs. me. What does that make you ? You should be ashamed, picking on one of the underpriviledged, poor owners - calling me out and calling me "bedraggled". When I go 2 -1 (or 3 - 0) against you in May, will you take back that insult? :)

Ed

[J W]

Awesome. Looking forward to the Badgers-Legends brawl in May :D Who's going to start it?

[buppers]

Since I'm the visiting team, I guess I'll have "first swings".

Who knows, maybe a bat will slip out of the leadoff batters hands and "might" head towards the mound.:shhh:

PS - if you see a scrub leading off......

Ed

[leecemark]

--The Legends bounce back from the horror of dropping a series to the Badgers to deliver a spanking to their long time rivals - hammering the Skipjacks to claim the leagues best record. The Gold Sox came to Tiger Stadium for the first meeting of what should be a season long battle. The Knights managed to take 2 of 3 hard fought games Billy Williams hit for the cycle and added a bonus triple for his 5th hit in a 9-8 win in the rubber match.

[catcher24]

Mark, you attached the wrong results file. Those are the previous series results. Or were you trying to rub a little salt into the wound over that ignominious series loss to the Bedraggled --I mean, Buppers Badgers. :(

If I'm "bedraggled" and you are 1-2 vs. me. What does that make you ?

Remember, Ed, even a blind squirrel finds a nut occasionally. No telling who Lady Luck will decide to shine upon in a given day.:shrug:

When I go 2 -1 (or 3 - 0) against you in May, will you take back that insult?

Nope. Win the season series from me and I'll take it back. Incidentally, Ed, in one of the sims I ran, you were actually the only team that managed a .500 record against the Legends. I pummeled everyone else - the Gold Sox were next best at 5-7. So, although as I mentioned previously I normally only lost 4 to 6 games out of the 24 to you, and at least once I went 24-0, you did have my number at least once!

You should be ashamed, picking on one of the underpriviledged, poor owners - calling me out and calling me "bedraggled"

Sorry, Ed, but sometimes the truth hurts! ;):laugh Didn't mean for it to be an insult. I've been in your shoes. In 62, I tied for the league's second worst record (excluding the doormat teams); 4th worst in 64; 2nd worst in 65. But then my plan reached fruition (nice word, huh?:)), and in 66 I tied for second best record and had my first 100 win season. So I have no doubt you'll turn it around as long as you have a plan and stick to it.

Awesome. Looking forward to the Badgers-Legends brawl in May Who's going to start it?

We'll see what happens....

--The Legends bounce back from the horror of dropping a series to the Badgers to deliver a spanking to their long time rivals - hammering the Skipjacks to claim the leagues best record.

Well, my team read the Badgers owner's comments in the paper and had to take it out on someone. The fact it was the Skipjacks helps the standings early on.

[Erik Bedard]

I've had the terrible seasons too. My '64 squad has to be the most overachieving team ever, with incredible seasons from below-average pitchers and only two offensive standouts. My '65 team looked better on paper, but it flopped terribly, as lots of guys failed to repeat their strong '64 campaigns. Then my '66 team was awesomely bad (I say awesomely because it got me Johnny Bench :dance), finishing with the second worst record in the league. A couple of seasons later, I'm back in contention. So you see, there's hope for anybody.

[J W]

Well, my team read the Badgers owner's comments in the paper and had to take it out on someone. The fact it was the Skipjacks helps the standings early on.

I bet Dick Williams had a field day with his team after that series. :eek: :shhh:

[leecemark]

Mark, you attached the wrong results file. Those are the previous series results. Or were you trying to rub a little salt into the wound over that ignominious series loss to the Bedraggled --I mean, Buppers Badgers. :(



.

--Its you own Groundhogs Day nightmare:shrug:.

[leecemark]

Well, my team read the Badgers owner's comments in the paper and had to take it out on someone. The fact it was the Skipjacks helps the standings early on.


.....but I guess I'll go ahead and show you the next series anyway

[buppers]

.....but I guess I'll go ahead and show you the next series anyway

Now thats the Badgers team we know and love :shrug:

Ed

[J W]

Yeech... a team should have no business giving up 30 runs in a series in 1968. And with my team defense too? I guess I better get used to it vs the Legends.

[catcher24]

--Its you own Groundhogs Day nightmare

Good one! :rofl::rofl:

Now thats the Badgers team we know and love


Another good one! :dance:p:laugh

I always come here when I need my laugh for the day!

[catcher24]

If anyone's interested at all, I found a file that I thought was long gone - the OOTP draft log for our league formation draft back at the beginning of the CKL. This would (or should) be exactly the same as our DM draft, since I followed right along in OOTP. The link to it is on the web page, bottom - under the rookie drafts.

[leecemark]

--Thats an awesome find! I thought that info was lost forever. I forgot how deep that draft went. There were players picked in the late 30s that went on to play significant roles for me. 17th round pick Tim McCarver is in his 5th year as my starting catcher.

[-Kyle-]

Again, if ANYONE needs a 142 OPS+ 1B for this year...Mickey Mantle at your service.

[Erik Bedard]

Doesn't he make over 20M?

[Erik Bedard]

The Skipjacks got Dean Chance in round 40? :eek:

[leecemark]

--That is definately a mistake with Chance. He was one of the first players who weren't going to contribute in 1961 to come off the board and started a run on pitching prospects (he definately went before I took Gary Peters). If memory serves, he also wasn't drafted by the Skipjacks. As I remember it, he was drafted by the Hard Cider and then traded as part of a deal for Mickey Mantle.

[-Kyle-]

Doesn't he make over 20M?

Errr...try 14.5 (maybe 13.5...off the top of my head).

[J W]

--That is definately a mistake with Chance. He was one of the first players who weren't going to contribute in 1961 to come off the board and started a run on pitching prospects (he definately went before I took Gary Peters). If memory serves, he also wasn't drafted by the Skipjacks. As I remember it, he was drafted by the Hard Cider and then traded as part of a deal for Mickey Mantle.

Yessir, Chance was Originally a $5 mil player making him a 7th rounder. He was packaged with Joe Horlen (8th round, $4 mil) and two lower draft picks, one of which I believe turned into and Felix Mantilla. Both sides of the deal totaled $10 mil.

That's when "Beanie Bill" was born... it looked so much like a move he'd make :D. We mortgaged the '61 and '62 seasons as soon as we drafted Yaz in round one (we won the '62 pennant by default). Mantle, the 10th overall pick, was never intended to play for us. In return, we cemented our '64 championship with that trade. Best one I ever made. :cap:

Not that Mac was the worse for ware, mind you. Mantle was a huge part of his team in '61 as you might imagine... the Hard Cider lost in our first DM Classic to the Knights. Mantle was lost to PFA I believe, protecting his more valuable 2nd rounder for future titles... Sandy Koufax.

I will double check MY file (I should have it in Excel complete with trades) to be sure... but the OOTP file is a little off Lew. I didn't know you guys didn't have it! I'll e-mail Lew when I get home.

[leecemark]

--The Legends minor early struggle has proved to be nothing more than a speed bump. They sweep the Gold Sox, running their winning streak to 7. The Shoeless Joes are right behind with a 6 gamer of their won.
--The Johnson features a 3 way tie - with the Knights, Gold Sox and Redbirds all at .500. The surprise of this sim was an Angels sweep of the Hard Cider. That put Sockeye in first - and the perennial champ Hard Cider in the cuellar.

[catcher24]

--Thats an awesome find!
Yeah, I thought so to. I couldn't believe it when I found it!:dance


but the OOTP file is a little off Lew. I didn't know you guys didn't have it! I'll e-mail Lew when I get home.

I was afraid of that when I saw that Chance went so late. Actually, he showed up as a doormat pick around the fourth or fifth round. I deleted their picks from this upload, but still have the original. I'm sure somehow I gave it to a doormat instead of Hard Cider, and how he showed up again in the last round is beyond me. But I figured this find was better than nothing, which is what I thought was left. If you've got it Jason, send it to me and I'll get it corrected. Thanks!

Again, if ANYONE needs a 142 OPS+ 1B for this year...Mickey Mantle at your service.

[catcher24]

--Thats an awesome find!
Yeah, I thought so to. I couldn't believe it when I found it!:dance


but the OOTP file is a little off Lew. I didn't know you guys didn't have it! I'll e-mail Lew when I get home.

I was afraid of that when I saw that Chance went so late. Actually, he showed up as a doormat pick around the fourth or fifth round. I deleted their picks from this upload, but still have the original. I'm sure somehow I gave it to a doormat instead of Hard Cider, and how he showed up again in the last round is beyond me. But I figured this find was better than nothing, which is what I thought was left. If you've got it Jason, send it to me and I'll get it corrected. Thanks!

Again, if ANYONE needs a 142 OPS+ 1B for this year...Mickey Mantle at your service.

Kyle, if we had instituted the DH this season rather than next, your internet connection would be burning up with guys trying to take Mantle off your hands!

That put Sockeye in first - and the perennial champ Hard Cider in the cuellar.

I think you meant the cellar, Mark, although I'm sure Mac would love to have the Cuellar! And don't worry Mac, this happened all the time in my test sims - you'd drop into last in the early going, but at the end you were at the top more often than not.

[leecemark]

--There are only a few teams that could afford that contract even if Mantle was the last piece of the puzzle for them.

[Sockeye]

--The Legends minor early struggle has proved to be nothing more than a speed bump. They sweep the Gold Sox, running their winning streak to 7. The Shoeless Joes are right behind with a 6 gamer of their won.
--The Johnson features a 3 way tie - with the Knights, Gold Sox and Redbirds all at .500. The surprise of this sim was an Angels sweep of the Hard Cider. That put Sockeye in first - and the perennial champ Hard Cider in the cuellar.

The local media here has dubbed this years Angels "The ragtag band of brigands" A rather fitting name if I do say so myself.

[mac195]

... not the best start in HC history.

We'll DL Hiatt and bring up Barton.

Lineup vs. RHP
1 Andrews 2B (B Allen DR)
2 White CF (Callison)
3 Robinson LF (Gabrielson 30%)
4 D Allen RF (Callison DR)
5 Haller C (Barton)
6 Cash 1B (G Brown)
7 Charles 3B (D Allen)
8 L Brown SS (Andrews)
PH vs RHP: G Brown, Gabrielson, Callison
PH vs LHP: G Brown, Hiatt, Gabrielson
Lineup vs. LHP
1 Andrews 2B (B Allen DR)
2 White CF (Callison)
3 Robinson LF (Gabrielson)
4 Allen RF (Callison DR)
5 Charles 3B (D Allen)
6 Haller C (Barton 10%)
7 Cash 1B (G Brown)
8 L Brown SS (Andews)
PH vs RHP: G Brown, Gabrielson, Callison
PH vs LHP: G Brown, Gabrielson, Callison

[buppers]

The local media here has dubbed this years Angels "The ragtag band of brigands" A rather fitting name if I do say so myself.


Better than the "Bedraggled Badgers"

[buppers]

Do my eyes deceive me?
I took 2 of 3 from the Legends and now I take 2 of 3 from the Knights?

Bedraggled my a&* :)

[catcher24]

Bedraggled my a&*

Give 'em time, give 'em time....;)

[leecemark]

--The Shoeless Joes run their winning streak to 9 games, but the Legends hold onto the division lead. Lew's took 2 of 3 from the Hard Cider to run their record to a league best 12-3 - and send the Macmen deeper into the basement. The Diablos move into the Cartwright lead. The Knights sweep the Gold Sox to gain the Johnson lead.

[catcher24]

Tough nine game stretch coming up before my rematch with the Badgers - 3 against the Knights, 3 vs Shoeless, then 3 more vs Knights. This has been a tough schedule early on. Looking ahead a bit, I never see the Angels until mid June and don't see the Hornets until mid July. But looking further ahead, if I can stay in or close to first, I close with 12 of my last 24 games against the Angels and Hornets, with three against the Badgers as well.

[J W]

The Skipjacks are going to sign two more players to 1 yr / $.25 mil deals:

Pat Corrales
Ron Hansen

DL Dietz for 15 days and call up Corrales in his place. Have Corrales start vs. RHP (Torre 50%) and sub Corrales 0% vs LHP.

Hansen stays in the minors.

[-Kyle-]

The local media here has dubbed this years Angels "The ragtag band of brigands" A rather fitting name if I do say so myself.

Better than the "Bedraggled Badgers"

I don't have a name (can't think of one) but my team is much worse this season.

[J W]

"crapped out gamblers?" :D

[mac195]

HC sign free agent pitcher Pete Mikkelsen to a 3 yr / $250K contract.

[catcher24]

"crapped out gamblers?"

How about "Grungy Gamblers" or "Garbage Gamblers"?;)

[-Kyle-]

I like Garbage Gamblers...has a nice ring to it. And sounds like some failed slot jockeys.

[-Kyle-]

Gamblers announce the trade:

Gamblers send:
Mickey Mantle (13m)
Moe Drawbosky (1.5m)

Gold Sox send:
Ron Perranoski (7.75)

When approached about the team's motivation to compete this year, the GM gave the reporter a blank stare and left the conference room.

EB please confirm.

[Erik Bedard]

Gold Sox confirm. Drabowsky will be the closer, with Perry getting the #1 setup roles against both LHP and RHP. Mantle will be the #1 starter vs. both, with Staub starting 60% vs. RHP.

Rusty Staub is officially on the block.

P.S: Great line, Kyle.

EDIT: Looks like I'll have to option somebody out... eenie, meenie, minie, Ted Kubiak.

[catcher24]

I don't think this trade bodes well for the Knights...:dismay:

If I could use a DH this year, I'd try to get Staub back. The salary is certainly right.

[Erik Bedard]

Gold Sox management: We felt that our 6-9 start, including 1-5 against the Knights, was not up to par with our expectations. We needed to address this, and getting future Hall of Famer Mantle, as well as top reliever Drabowsky, was a good step to take. Perranoski was a guy we were hoping would play a major role for us in upcoming seasons, but we couldn't pass up on this deal.

I think I'm finally starting to get the hang of this trading thing!

[leecemark]

--Knights management has no comment on the deal. At least none that can be printed:grouchy.

[-Kyle-]

Well the Gambler's saw it as trading aging Mantle, who had no hope for a championship this year with the Gambers (:shh: don't tell the fans) and Drawbosky, who is on the decline, for Perranoski, who is great next year and the year after that.

[leecemark]

--It was a good deal for both the Gamblers and the Gold Sox, considering their differing expectations for this year. The only loser in the deal was the Knights. The Gold Sox were already going to give me all I could handle. Seeing them improve their lineup and bullpen in one move makes things even tougher.

[leecemark]

--The Shoeless Joes saw their winning streak snapped at 11, but still pull into a tie with the Legends in the Hulbert. The Redbirds run off a 4 game streak to pull into a tie with the Knights in the Johnson. The Diablos take two of three from the Hard Cider to extend their lead in the cartwright. The Macmen are off to easily the worst start in franchise history.

[ElHalo]

While the Diablos are pleased to have so many starters performing well, they admit to being somewhat perplexed by the poor showing from Wilbur Wood, from whom better was expected. Sources close to the team have said that Wood is in danger of hitting the waiver wire should his performance not improve. Rumors have begun to circulate that potential investors in the team are en route from Cleveland via steam barge, who apparently have started this talk of Wood's release. In related news, longtime manager Gabe Paul was replaced today by Billy Martin, who was in turn replaced as manager by a hunk of gargonzola cheese scant hours after his introductory press conference.

[Erik Bedard]

The Gold Sox announce a trade: Rusty Staub will go to the Shoeless Joes for their 1969 second-round pick.

Management: "With the acquisition of Mickey Mantle, Staub was expendable. We were hoping to get a later year for him, but getting something is better than nothing at the end of the year, since Staub doesn't have a place on this team now."

Joe, please confirm.

Kubiak will be called back up to replace Staub.

[catcher24]

Rusty Staub will go to the Shoeless Joes for their 1969 second-round pick.

Uh-Oh. This doesn't bode well for the Legends or Skipjacks. :hp:cry::dismay:

Rumors have begun to circulate that potential investors in the team are en route from Cleveland via steam barge, who apparently have started this talk of Wood's release. In related news, longtime manager Gabe Paul was replaced today by Billy Martin, who was in turn replaced as manager by a hunk of gargonzola cheese scant hours after his introductory press conference.

Jim, you've gotta post more often. This one had me laughing out loud. :laugh:applaud::p

[leecemark]

--The Legends take 2 of 3 from the Shoeless Joes to regain sole possession of the Hulbert lead. The Knights regain sole possession of the Johnson. The Diablos extend their lead in the Cartwright. The Gold Sox sweep the Hard Cider - dropping Mac's squad into a shocking position as the worst team in the league.
--Still need confirmation on the Straub trade from the Joes. Scott still need a plan for dealing with the multiple injuries the Redbirds suffered last series.

[baseballPAP]

ACK! Thats what I get for "skipping a series". Updated MP on the way Mark.

[mac195]

6-15... ouch.

I've poured over the statistical data and come to the following conclusion - our hitters aren't hitting and our pitchers are pitching lousy.

[buppers]

DL Hendricks. Activate Gibbs. Place him in Hendricks spot start vs. RHP, backup vs. LHP.

Ed

[catcher24]

our hitters aren't hitting and our pitchers are pitching lousy.

If your hitters aren't doing well, that's the source of the problem. In the 20 sims I ran, your batters were always in the top three (fourth twice) in runs, and first about one third of the seasons. Your pitchers were rarely exceptional (second in team ERA the 20th and final season; fourth twice, but otherwise fifth or lower, and tenth three times), but good enough with that offense supporting them. Without the offense, it could get very ugly.

[catcher24]

I see Ron Kline lost that extra inning game against the Shoeless Joes - his first failure of the season. Picked a bad time to do that...

Now three more against the Knights. If I can come out of this nine game set above .500, I'll be happy, but that means taking two of three from an annual nemesis.

[Sockeye]

The Angels option Roger Repoz to the minors and call up Andy Kosco to take his place on the roster.

The Angels lineups will now be as follows

VS RHP

1. Ron Swoboda RF (R)
2. Willie Crawford LF (L)
3. Bill White 1B (L)
4. Andy Kosco CF (R)
5. Randy Hundley C (R)
6. Max Alvis 3B (R)
7. Cookie Rojas 2B (R)
8. Hal Lanier SS (R)

VS LHP

1. Bobby Cox 3B (R)
2. Norm Miller LF (L)
3. Brant Alyea RF (R)
4. John Bateman C (R)
5. Andy Kosco CF (R)
6. Cookie Rojas 2B (R)
7. Dalton Jones 1B (L)
8. Hal Lanier SS (R)

[-Kyle-]

Could this be our current roster please.

Gamblers 25 Man Roster
LF/3B/1B Harmon Killebrew (12m, Franchise Player)
LHP Jim Kaat (8.50m, 61 Draft, Trade with Defunct Nails)
LHP Ron Perranoski (7.75m 61 Draft, Trade with Gold Sox)
CF Willie Davis (7.5m 67-70)
RHP Mel Stottlemyre (3.25m, 64 Draft)
SS Rico Petrocelli (1.50m, 63 Draft)
C Paul Casanova (1.50m, 65 Draft)
RHP Gary Wagner (1.50m, 65 Draft)
3B/1B Pete Ward (1.25m 68-69)
2B Bill Mazeroski (.75m 68-68)
LHP Jerry Koosman (.75m, 67 Draft)
OF Jose Cardenal (.75m, 63 Draft)
2B John Donaldson (.50m, 66 Draft)
RHP Gene Brabender (.50m, 66 Draft)
1B Tom McCraw (.25m 68-68)
LHP Steve Barber (.25m 68-68)
OF Vic Davalillo (.50m 67-68)
C Ed Kirkpatrick (.25m 67-69)
RHP Jim Britton (.25m 67-69)
RHP Joe Sparma (.25m 68-68)
RHP Sammy Ellis (.25m 68-68)
RHP Jeff James (.25m 68 Draft)
RHP Gary Waslewski (.25m 67 Draft)
C Dave Duncan (.25m 68-68)

Farm Hands (14)
OF Rico Carty (2.50m, 63 Draft) on the DL technically :P
RHP Ron Herbel (1.50m, 63 Draft)
3B Bill Melton (.75m 68 Draft)
RHP Bill Stoneman (.50m 67 Draft)
SS/3B Eddie Leon (.25m 68 Draft)
C Dick Billings (.25m 68 Draft)
1B Gary Holman (.25m 68 Draft)
2B Frank Quilici (.25m 68-68)
RHP Bruce Dal Canton (.25m, 67 Draft)
LF Danny Walton (.25m 68 Draft)
RHP Marty Pattin (.25m 68 Draft)
C Dave Adlesh (.25m, 66-68)
2b Marv Staehle (.25m (66-68)
SS Sandy Alomar (.25m 67-69)


Total: 58.75m 39 Players

Roster (by Position)

Position Players:
C: Paul Casanova
1B: Harmon Killebrew
2B: Bill Mazeroski
3B: Pete Ward
SS: Rick Petrocelli
LF: Vic Davalillo (Kirkpatrick 60%)
CF: Jose Cadenal
RF: Willie Davis (Davalillo 60%)

Bench:
C: Dave Duncan
C/OF: Ed Kirkpatrick
1B: Tom McCraw
IF: John Donaldson

Pitching Rotation:
SP1: Jerry Koosman
SP2: Mel Stottlemyre
SP3: Jim Kaat
SP4: Gene Brabender
SP5: Joe Sparma
Spot: Steve Barber
Mop: Sammy Ellis
Long: Gary Waslewski
RH Setup: Jim Britton
LH Setup: Ron Perranoski
Closer: Gary Wagner

Lineup:
CF: Jose Cadenal
LF: Vic Davalillo (Kirkpatrick 60%)
1B: Harmon Killebrew
3b: Pete Ward
SS: Rico Petrocelli
2b: Bill Mazeroski
C: Paul Casanova (Duncan 40%)
RF: Willie Davis (Davalillo 60%)
Pitcher

Profile
Batting
Bunt for hit: Normal
Sac bunt: More
Squeeze: Normal
Steal: Less
Take extra bases: More
Take pitches: More

Pinch hitting
for pitchers: Standard
for non-pitchers: Less
for platoon partners: Standard
in blowouts: Standard

Pitching
pitch around - Normal
IBB - Standard
use relievers - standard
use closers - More

Defense
hold runners - Standard
IF in - Standard
guard lines - Standard

[J W]

erg, 21 games in and Dean Chance has zero wins. He needs 12 to reach the magic 100-win plateau. After seven seasons, the only members of that exclusive club are Sandy Koufax, Camilo Pascual, Jim Bunning, and Juan Marichal.

Don Drysdale and Bob Gibson are going to eclipse that mark this season but both have under .500 records coming in.

[-Kyle-]

I know I am not doing well at all, but I am hypothetically speaking. I MIGHT have been able to compete if I didn't sell a lot of my team for draft picks (to a draft I was late to :cool:)

Koosman (Great this year), Stottlemyre meh, Kaat meh, Drysdale good, FA possibly, might have attempted to get Veale or McNally. Bullpen is shot, but I could have sold some draft picks for an okay one.

Killebrew (Mostly first and a stopgap at 3b) Mantle 1b, Ward 3b, Petrocelli SS, 2b someone, and catcher is bleh. OF is bad, wouldn't have traded Curt Flood though.

That leaves me with an below average lineup and shaky but okay pitching. That might have made 65-80 wins with no shot at getting the division. I think I started rebuilding at the right time.

[leecemark]

--April comes to a close and the Hard Cider start to get unracked. Mac records a sweep of the division leading Diablos to get back within 4. The Knights take 2 of 3 from the Legends and the Shoeless Joes take advantage, regaining a share of the division lead. The Gold Sox take 2 of 3 from the Skipjacks getting them back to .500 while the Skipjacks are not rivaling the Hard Cider for most disappointing start - trailing the Legends and Joes by 5 after a month of action.

[jkc32]

The Gold Sox announce a trade: Rusty Staub will go to the Shoeless Joes for their 1969 second-round pick.

Management: "With the acquisition of Mickey Mantle, Staub was expendable. We were hoping to get a later year for him, but getting something is better than nothing at the end of the year, since Staub doesn't have a place on this team now."

Joe, please confirm.

Kubiak will be called back up to replace Staub.

Confirmed...new MP will be sent in a few minutes. Staub is welcomed with open arms as the team needed a solid bat against RH.

[Sockeye]

12-12 one game out of first place. We'll take that for the first month.

[Erik Bedard]

Ditto for me, though it's not quite what I would have hoped. Given the schedule, though (21 out of 24 against playoff contenders), it's acceptable.

[leecemark]

--I'm pretty happy with my first month. 5-1 vs the bulked up Gold Sox. 4-2 vs the mighty Legends and a series win vs the Shoeless Joes. It would have been nice to have taken advantage of the Hard Cider's slow start and not to have been upended by the Bedraggled Badgers, but you can't win em all.
--Knights player of the month is Billy Williams. Williams leads the league in SLG and RBI and the team in BA. Sonny Seibert is our pitcher of the month at 4-1 with a 1.96 ERA.

[Erik Bedard]

Stan Bahnsen had an absolutely phenomenal first month, and looks like the early favorite for ROY. Unfortunately, the rest of my rotation hasn't been as awesome (particularly Jim Nash :ughh). My batter of the month is Jim Northrup, with a monster season thus far.

[catcher24]

Well, Mark has me 4-2 in games now, so I guess I'd better do something impressive in our last two series of the season. However, basing who I consider playoff contenders on the 20 sims I ran, I managed to get through what appears to be the toughest part of my schedule (18 straight games against playoff contenders) with a 12-6 record, and I'm sorry to say four of those losses were to the Knights. I see the Knights again for three games in May, then not until August for the final three. Hope my team has good head of steam up for those games!

[-Kyle-]

I'm pretty happy with mine too. I think I really could have lost more, but some of our players tried to hard.

[mac195]

I just noticed... Luke Walker is in the minor leagues?? He is supposed to be in the bigs.

Major League
C: Tom Haller (2.5M) '61
C-1B: Jack Hiatt (500K) '64
1B: Norm Cash (10.75M) '61
2B: Mike Andrews (750K) '66
2B: Bernie Allen (1.5M) '68-'70 FA
SS: Larry Brown (1.5M) '63
3B: Ed Charles (4.75M) '68 FA
3B-OF: Dick Allen (3M) '63
OF: Frank Robinson (12M) franchise
OF Johnny Calison (5M) '66-'69 FA
OF: Roy White (1M) '65
OF: Len Gabrielson (750K) '66-'68 FA
OF: Gates Brown (1.25M) '63
SP: Don Drysdale (14.5M) '64-68' FA
SP: Ken Holtzman (1M) '65
SP: Jim Hardin (500K) '67
SP: Pat Jarvis (500K) '66
SP: Bob Moose (250K) '67
SP: Jack Fisher (250K) '67-'68 FA
RP: Don McMahon (10.5M) '65-'69 FA
RP: Dick Selma (500K) '65
RP: Steve Hamilton (2.25M) '61 (from Legends)
RP: Horacio Pina (250K) '68
SP: Luke Walker (500K) '65
SP: Jerry Nyman (250K) '68
Minors
C: Bob Barton (250K) '68 FA
3B: Bill Sudakis (250K) '68
OF: Tommie Agee (5M) '68-'71 FA
OF: John Mayberry (250K) '68
OF-1B: Ron Fairly (2.5M) '61
OF: Merv Rettenmund (500K) '68
OF: Ted Savage (500K) '68-'70 FA
OF: Manny Jimenez (500K) '68 FA
SP: Jim Bunning (250K) '68-'70 FA
SP: Dick Hughes (500K) '66
SP: Lee Stange (1.75M) '61
SP: Steve Hargan (1M) '65
SP: Larry Jaster (1.5M) '65 (from Pirates)
RP: Cisco Carlos (500K) '67
RP: Alan Foster (250K) '67
40 players / $87.5M

Additional picks:
1st- '69 Gold Sox (for Sandy Koufax)
3rd- '69 Shoeless Joes (for Ron Hunt)
3rd- '70 Skipjacks (for Rick Reichardt)
Picks traded away:
3rd- '69 Skipjacks

Lineup vs. RHP
1 Andrews 2B (B Allen DR)
2 White CF (Callison)
3 Robinson LF (Gabrielson 30%)
4 D Allen RF (Callison DR)
5 Haller C (Hiatt)
6 Cash 1B (Hiatt)
7 Charles 3B (D Allen)
8 L Brown SS (Andrews)
PH vs RHP: G Brown, Gabrielson, Callison
PH vs LHP: G Brown, Hiatt, Gabrielson
Lineup vs. LHP
1 Andrews 2B (B Allen DR)
2 White CF (Callison)
3 Robinson LF (Gabrielson)
4 Allen RF (Callison DR)
5 Charles 3B (D Allen)
6 Haller C (Hiatt 30%)
7 Hiatt 1B (Cash 30%, DR)
8 L Brown SS (Andews)
PH vs RHP: G Brown, Gabrielson, Callison
PH vs LHP: G Brown, Gabrielson, Callison

Pitching
SP1: Jarvis
SP2: Drysdale
SP3: Hardin
SP4: Moose
SP5: Selma (skip)
Spot: Holtzman, Fisher, Nyman
Mop up: Fisher, Holtzman
Long man: Holtzman, Fisher
LH set up: Walker, Nyman
RH set up: McMahon, Pina
LH closer: Hamilton, Walker
RH closer: McMahon, Pina

Profile
Batting
bunt for hit: less
sac bunt: less (Andrews standard)
squeeze: less
steal: less
take extra bases: standard
take pitches: standard

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

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

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

[jkc32]

Shoeless trades Freddie Patek and our 1st round pick in 1969 to the Hard Cider for Roy White and Mac's 3rd round pick in 1970

[mac195]

Confirmed. I was reluctant, but the Joes really went hard after White. We take a hit for '68, but at least Callison can earn his money for a change this season, and it's nice having another 1st round pick to build for the '70s.

[Erik Bedard]

Well, I'm not getting the wild card now.

[jkc32]

Confirmed. I was reluctant, but the Joes really went hard after White. We take a hit for '68, but at least Callison can earn his money for a change this season, and it's nice having another 1st round pick to build for the '70s.

I needed White's bat now, but especially in 70. I hated to move Patek but he wasn't going to get significant playing time until 71.

Picks, who needs picks?!?!:ughh

Lineup changes have been emailed (check your junk mail Mark).

[Erik Bedard]

Picks, who needs picks?!?!

My views exactly. You can always get more picks. You can't always get more good players.

[mac195]

Patek goes to the majors. Tommy Agee comes up and Larry Brown goes down.

Major League (salaries updated for 1968)
C: Tom Haller (2.5M) '61
C-1B: Jack Hiatt (500K) '64
1B: Norm Cash (10.75M) '61
2B: Mike Andrews (750K) '66
2B: Bernie Allen (1.5M) '68-'70 FA
SS: Fred Patek (250K) '68
3B: Ed Charles (4.75M) '68 FA
3B-OF: Dick Allen (3M) '63
OF: Frank Robinson (12M) franchise
OF Johnny Calison (5M) '66-'69 FA
OF: Roy White (1M) '65 traded to Shoeless Joes
OF: Len Gabrielson (750K) '66-'68 FA
OF: Gates Brown (1.25M) '63
OF: Tommie Agee (5M) '68-'71 FA
SP: Don Drysdale (14.5M) '64-68' FA
SP: Ken Holtzman (1M) '65
SP: Jim Hardin (500K) '67
SP: Pat Jarvis (500K) '66
SP: Bob Moose (250K) '67
SP: Jack Fisher (250K) '67-'68 FA
RP: Don McMahon (10.5M) '65-'69 FA
RP: Dick Selma (500K) '65
RP: Steve Hamilton (2.25M) '61 (from Legends)
RP: Horacio Pina (250K) '68
SP: Luke Walker (500K) '65
SP: Jerry Nyman (250K) '68

Minors
C: Bob Barton (250K) '68 FA
3B: Bill Sudakis (250K) '68
SS: Larry Brown (1.5M) '63
OF: John Mayberry (250K) '68
OF-1B: Ron Fairly (2.5M) '61
OF: Merv Rettenmund (500K) '68
OF: Ted Savage (500K) '68-'70 FA
OF: Manny Jimenez (500K) '68 FA
SP: Jim Bunning (250K) '68-'70 FA
SP: Dick Hughes (500K) '66
SP: Lee Stange (1.75M) '61
SP: Steve Hargan (1M) '65
SP: Larry Jaster (1.5M) '65 (from Pirates)
RP: Cisco Carlos (500K) '67
RP: Alan Foster (250K) '67
RP: Pete Mikkelsen (250K) '68-'70 FA
41 players / $87M

Additional picks:
1st- '69 Gold Sox (for Sandy Koufax)
1st- '69 Shoeless Joes (for Roy White)
3rd- '69 Shoeless Joes (for Ron Hunt)
3rd- '70 Skipjacks (for Rick Reichardt)
Picks traded away:
3rd- '69 Skipjacks
3rd- '70 Shoeless Joes

Lineup vs. RHP
1 Andrews 2B (B Allen DR)
2 Robinson LF (Gabrielson 40%)
3 D Allen RF (Callison DR)
4 Haller C (Hiatt)
5 Cash 1B (Hiatt)
6 Callison CF (Agee)
7 Charles 3B (D Allen)
8 Patek SS (Andrews)
PH vs RHP: G Brown, Gabrielson
PH vs LHP: G Brown, Hiatt, Gabrielson
Lineup vs. LHP
1 Andrews 2B (B Allen DR)
2 Hiatt 1B (Cash 30%, DR)
3 Robinson LF (Gabrielson)
4 Allen RF (Callison DR)
5 Charles 3B (D Allen)
6 Haller C (Hiatt 30%)
7 Callison CF (Agee)
8 Patek SS (Andews)
PH vs RHP: G Brown, Gabrielson
PH vs LHP: G Brown, Gabrielson

[Sockeye]

For anyone needing an absolute stud verses LHP Brant Alyea is available. He's torching lefties this season to the tune of .440/.500/.880/1.380
Could be a big help to a contender or in the playoffs.

[leecemark]

-Mac, Hiatt is still on the DL. I inserted Callison and Patek and left your catching arrangement as posted when Hiatt originally went down.

[mac195]

-Mac, Hiatt is still on the DL. I inserted Callison and Patek and left your catching arrangement as posted when Hiatt originally went down.

That's fine. And Luke Walker is in the majors now, right?

[leecemark]

--Yes, he is. A shocking development in today's series. The Angels sweep the division leading Diablos to vault into first. Sockeye's scrappy gang of refugees from the waiver wire are at a minus 17 run differentual, but haven't been detered by that.
--The Skipjacks swept the Shoeless Joes to climb a little closer to the race. the legends took advantage of the Joes setback to reclaim sole possession of the Hulbert lead.
--The Redbirds came with a pitch of claiming a share of the Johnson lead. With 2 on and 2 out in the bottom of the 9th Willie Mays belted a 3 run walkoff HR for a 7-6 win. The Gold Sox have run off a 5 game win streak to catch the redbirds for 2nd.

[ElHalo]

Ugh. BOTH of my backup OF's injured?

Ok, could I put Lou Johnson on the DL and call up Ty Cline? This is great; six game losing streaks and players dropping like flies...

[catcher24]

Shoeless trades Freddie Patek and our 1st round pick in 1969 to the Hard Cider for Roy White and Mac's 3rd round pick in 1970

This really doesn't bode well for the Legends or Skipjacks, either.:hp

With the team he's built, I have to pick Joe right now as the favorite to win the new division in 1969 (no way he can avoid having the third best record in the Hulbert, so I know he'll be leaving).

I see the Badgers are still playing me tough. Could be a much longer season in Legends land than I anticipated...

[Erik Bedard]

Stan Bahnsen is GOD. :bowdown:

[catcher24]

Wait a minute - are the Cartwright Division standings listed upside down, or what?

I see McCovey goes down for the second time this season. I was hoping he'd manage to stay healthy. Oh, well, at least I'm fortunate to have Duke Sims backing him at first.

[Erik Bedard]

With the team he's built, I have to pick Joe right now as the favorite to win the new division in 1969 (no way he can avoid having the third best record in the Hulbert, so I know he'll be leaving).

But if I finish ten or more games ahead of Kyle (not that unlikely), then he'll be leaving the Johnson. This new division could be pretty exciting.

[-Kyle-]

But if I finish ten or more games ahead of Kyle (not that unlikely), then he'll be leaving the Johnson. This new division could be pretty exciting.

Yeah, you better finish 10 games in front of me. So who would it be: Me, jkcs, PaP, and Hornets?

[Erik Bedard]

Hornets, Joes, Gamblers, and an expansion team. Unless the overall standings change.

[catcher24]

I believe Mark is using team records since 1961, including prior incarnations of teams (Quakers/Joes; Cannons/Angels;Pirates/Badgers; Stingers/Hornets). That makes it a little more difficult to figure out, since it compares four year records with seven year records, but certainly not too hard. If that is correct, this is the way it stands right now:
Joes are most definitely the team from the Hulbert. The only way that won't happen is if the Legends finish 50 games behind the Joes (it could happen if the team plane crashes next week). The only way the Badgers could catch the Joes is if they finish 36 or more wins ahead of the Joes this season, certainly not likely at all (sorry, Ed).
In the Cartwright, the Hornets are out of it. It'll be either the Angels or the Diablos. If the Angels finish 20 or more games ahead of the Diablos (really quite unlikely, but I suppose possible), then the Diablos leave and Angels stay. Otherwise, the Angels leave for the new division.
The Johnson is the most interesting, and the only one really in doubt, IMHO. At this point, I would bet that the Gamblers will be leaving. The Gold Sox are likely to finish with 85+ wins, which secures the second overall spot for them, unless the Gamblers were to win 92+ games, a very unlikely scenario. If the Sox win those 85, it puts them out of reach of the Redbirds. So it basically will come down, I think, to the Gamblers or Redbirds. If the Gamblers finish within 25 games of the Redbirds, they stay and the Redbirds leave. If they finish 27 or more behind the Redibirds, they leave and the Redbirds stay. If they end up 26 back of the Redbirds, it's a tie and we figure out the tie breaker.

So I see the new division as the Joes, Angels, Redbirds and an expansion team. Of course, if only records from 1964 to the present were used (thus eliminating the "doormat team" seasons), this would change, but I believe Mark preferred using all season records to date.

[Sockeye]

Dalton Jones comes off the DL

Bill White is optioned to the minors

The Angels lineup will now be

VS RHP

1. Ron Swoboda RF (R)
2. Willie Crawford LF (L)
3. Andy Kosco CF (R)
4. Randy Hundley C (R)
5. Ed Kranepool 1B (L)
6. Max Alvis 3B (R)
7. Cookie Rojas 2B (R)
8. Hal Lanier SS (R)

VS LHP

1. Bobby Cox 3B (R)
2. Norm Miller LF (L)
3. Brant Alyea RF (R)
4. John Bateman C (R)
5. Andy Kosco CF (R)
6. Cookie Rojas 2B (R)
7. Dalton Jones 1B (L)
8. Hal Lanier SS (R)

[Sockeye]

--A shocking development in today's series. The Angels sweep the division leading Diablos to vault into first.

Looks like our Ragtag Band of Brigands is at it again.

--
Sockeye's scrappy gang of refugees from the waiver wire

Those 11 players were not chosen by random. They were chosen for a reason.

--are at a minus 17 run differentual, but haven't been detered by that.


9-1 in one run games! This group makes the most of their ability and they do all the little things well to win the close games.

[leecemark]

[QUOTE=Sockeye;1127439


Those 11 players were not chosen by random. They were chosen for a reason.



[/QUOTE]

--Was that reason the "Will work for food" signs they were holding up outside your Spring Training complex:)?

[leecemark]

--The Hard Cider sweep the Angels, but remain in last in a division steeped in mediocrity. The Cartwright now features 3 .500 teams tied for first. with Mac 2 games back of the pack. The Knights sweep the Badgers to extend their lead and tie the Legends for league's best record. The Skipjacks suffered a setback, dropping 3 to the Gamblers.

[mac195]

We'll bring Hiatt up and send Barton down.

Major League (salaries updated for 1968)
C: Tom Haller (2.5M) '61
C-1B: Jack Hiatt (500K) '64
1B: Norm Cash (10.75M) '61
2B: Mike Andrews (750K) '66
2B: Bernie Allen (1.5M) '68-'70 FA
SS: Fred Patek (250K) '68
3B: Ed Charles (4.75M) '68 FA
3B-OF: Dick Allen (3M) '63
OF: Frank Robinson (12M) franchise
OF Johnny Calison (5M) '66-'69 FA
OF: Roy White (1M) '65 traded to Shoeless Joes
OF: Len Gabrielson (750K) '66-'68 FA
OF: Gates Brown (1.25M) '63
OF: Tommie Agee (5M) '68-'71 FA
SP: Don Drysdale (14.5M) '64-68' FA
SP: Ken Holtzman (1M) '65
SP: Jim Hardin (500K) '67
SP: Pat Jarvis (500K) '66
SP: Bob Moose (250K) '67
SP: Jack Fisher (250K) '67-'68 FA
RP: Don McMahon (10.5M) '65-'69 FA
RP: Dick Selma (500K) '65
RP: Steve Hamilton (2.25M) '61 (from Legends)
RP: Horacio Pina (250K) '68
SP: Luke Walker (500K) '65
SP: Jerry Nyman (250K) '68

Minors
C: Bob Barton (250K) '68 FA
3B: Bill Sudakis (250K) '68
SS: Larry Brown (1.5M) '63
OF: John Mayberry (250K) '68
OF-1B: Ron Fairly (2.5M) '61
OF: Merv Rettenmund (500K) '68
OF: Ted Savage (500K) '68-'70 FA
OF: Manny Jimenez (500K) '68 FA
SP: Jim Bunning (250K) '68-'70 FA
SP: Dick Hughes (500K) '66
SP: Lee Stange (1.75M) '61
SP: Steve Hargan (1M) '65
SP: Larry Jaster (1.5M) '65 (from Pirates)
RP: Cisco Carlos (500K) '67
RP: Alan Foster (250K) '67
RP: Pete Mikkelsen (250K) '68-'70 FA
41 players / $87M

Additional picks:
1st- '69 Gold Sox (for Sandy Koufax)
1st- '69 Shoeless Joes (for Roy White)
3rd- '69 Shoeless Joes (for Ron Hunt)
3rd- '70 Skipjacks (for Rick Reichardt)
Picks traded away:
3rd- '69 Skipjacks
3rd- '70 Shoeless Joes

Lineup vs. RHP
1 Andrews 2B (B Allen DR)
2 Robinson LF (Gabrielson 40%)
3 D Allen RF (Callison DR)
4 Haller C (Hiatt)
5 Cash 1B (Hiatt)
6 Callison CF (Agee)
7 Charles 3B (D Allen)
8 Patek SS (Andrews)
PH vs RHP: G Brown, Gabrielson
PH vs LHP: G Brown, Hiatt, Gabrielson
Lineup vs. LHP
1 Andrews 2B (B Allen DR)
2 Hiatt 1B (Cash 30%, DR)
3 Robinson LF (Gabrielson)
4 Allen RF (Callison DR)
5 Charles 3B (D Allen)
6 Haller C (Hiatt 30%)
7 Callison CF (Agee)
8 Patek SS (Andews)
PH vs RHP: G Brown, Gabrielson
PH vs LHP: G Brown, Gabrielson

[Sockeye]

Ron Swoboda is optioned to the minors

Willie Smith is called up

The Angels lineup will now be as follows

VS RHP

1. Willie Crawford LF (L)
2. Willie Smith RF (L)
3. Andy Kosco CF (R)
4. Randy Hundley C (R)
5. Ed Kranepool 1B (L)
6. Max Alvis 3B (R)
7. Cookie Rojas 2B (R)
8. Hal Lanier SS (R)

VS LHP

1. Bobby Cox 3B (R)
2. Norm Miller LF (L)
3. Brant Alyea RF (R)
4. John Bateman C (R)
5. Andy Kosco CF (R)
6. Cookie Rojas 2B (R)
7. Dalton Jones 1B (L)
8. Hal Lanier SS (R)

[-Kyle-]

Come on JW, I thought you were better than that. :P

[J W]

Please send down Pat Corrales and insert Dick Dietz; use the original profile.

Maybe these players aren't taking too well to Dick Williams. Oh well; can't bring ol' Codfish back now. :confused:

[leecemark]

--The Knights have reeled off an 8 game winning streak to pull 4 games up in the Johnson. The last three of those were a sweep of the Shoeless Joes. The Legends took advantage, running their own winning streak to 5 and opening a 6 game cushion. The Diablos win streak is a more modest 2, but that is enough to get them back into sole possession of first in the Cartwright.
--Joe, I noticed in our series that Ron Reed was active. He didn't pitch in 1968 and is ineligible. i sent him down, leaving you at 24 players for now.

[Sockeye]

Willie Crawford and Max Alvis are optioned to the minors

Jesus Alou and Don Wert are called up

The Angels lineup will now be

VS RHP

1. Willie Smith RF (L)
2. Jesus Alou LF (R)
3. Randy Hundley C (R)
4. Andy Kosco CF (R)
5. Ed Kranepool 1B (L)
6. Don Wert 3B (R)
7. Cookie Rojas 2B (R)
8. Hal Lanier SS (R)

VS LHP

1. Bobby Cox 3B (R)
2. Norm Miller LF (L)
3. Brant Alyea RF (R)
4. John Bateman C (R)
5. Andy Kosco CF (R)
6. Cookie Rojas 2B (R)
7. Dalton Jones 1B (L)
8. Hal Lanier SS (R)

[catcher24]

I've updated the web site through games of May 7. We've now played 18% of our games, so I thought I'd list any players who were at or over 50% usage already, since they would definitely be a problem.
Hard Cider - Horacio Pina, 48
Angels - Willie Crawford, 49

And that was it - two players. There were perhaps another four or five over 30%, but everyone seems to be doing a great job usage wise this season.

[-Kyle-]

I can't believe my pitching isn't downright disgraceful...I have Koosman, Stottlemyre, and Kaat...then scrubs.

[Erik Bedard]

And my pitching is disgraceful, despite having guys with ERA+s of 141, 139, 136, 123, and 107. At least my Big Five of Wynn, Mantle, Shannon, Alou, and Northrup are hitting the cover off the ball.

[catcher24]

I have a suspicion that before this season is over, some players who are way over their heads (Jim Fregosi, Jerry Grote) will come back to earth, and some players who are doing very poorly so far (Ron Santo and Don Buford from my own team come right to mind:ughh) will probably turn things around a bit. Actually, most of Mark's batters seem to be playing well above reality, while most of my pitchers are doing much worse. I only hope these things even out in the long run.

[leecemark]

--I probably can't sustain my current pace. Even my best sims had the Knights not quite this good. I'll enjoy it while I can and hope that this is the season where everything goes right for me though:cap::dance:). I don't have to be quite this good anyway - just 1 game better than the Redbirds and/or Gold Sox is my goal for 1968.

[jkc32]

----Joe, I noticed in our series that Ron Reed was active. He didn't pitch in 1968 and is ineligible. i sent him down, leaving you at 24 players for now.

Ron Reed pitched 201 innings in 1968. Cito Gaston should be the only player on my team who did not play in 1968.

[mac195]

We will replace Pina with Hamilton as backup RH closer.

Pitching
SP1: Jarvis
SP2: Drysdale
SP3: Hardin
SP4: Moose
SP5: Selma (skip)
Spot: Holtzman, Fisher, Nyman
Mop up: Fisher, Holtzman
Long man: Holtzman, Fisher
LH set up: Walker, Nyman
RH set up: McMahon, Pina
LH closer: Hamilton, Walker
RH closer: McMahon, Hamilton

[leecemark]

Ron Reed pitched 201 innings in 1968. Cito Gaston should be the only player on my team who did not play in 1968.

--So he did, although if you check you roster you'll see the version of Ron Reed you have did not. I've got the correct version on there now, as you'll see in the next file. Not sure how that happened. Sorry for the mixup:confused:.

[leecemark]

--The Hard Cider have won 8 of 10, but the Diablos have won 5 straight to hold the division lead. The Legends have also won 8 of 10 and are pulling away in the Hulbert. Likewise the Knights, but the Redbirds remain hot on their heels and are the current WC leaders.

[baseballPAP]

--The Hard Cider have won 8 of 10, but the Diablos have won 5 straight to hold the division lead. The Legends have also won 8 of 10 and are pulling away in the Hulbert. Likewise the Knights, but the Redbirds remain hot on their heels and are the current WC leaders.

Already being printed on t-shirts and the 1969 Media Guide ;)

[catcher24]

Interesting that the Badgers and Legends have been on the road so much in the early going. Both teams have had nine home but 27 away games so far.

[Sockeye]

In post #103 Ron Swoboda was sent to the minors. I noticed their isn't an (f) by his name and he received 3 PA's in the last series. Please make the correction. Thanks

[Sockeye]

Randy Hundley is sent to the minors

Bob Tillman is called up to the majors

The Angels lineup will now be

VS RHP

1. Willie Smith RF (L)
2. Jesus Alou LF (R)
3. John Bateman (Bob Tillman 40%) C (R)
4. Andy Kosco CF (R)
5. Ed Kranepool 1B (L)
6. Don Wert 3B (R)
7. Cookie Rojas 2B (R)
8. Hal Lanier SS (R)

VS LHP

1. Bobby Cox 3B (R)
2. Norm Miller LF (L)
3. Brant Alyea RF (R)
4. John Bateman (Bob Tillman 30%) C (R)
5. Andy Kosco CF (R)
6. Cookie Rojas 2B (R)
7. Dalton Jones 1B (L)
8. Hal Lanier SS (R)

[leecemark]

--Sorry, I called Smith up and changed the lineup, but neglected to send Swoboda down. He was your 26th man last series. Fixed and made Hundley for Tillman switch. You are quite the hands on manager, keeping me busy with that Angels roster:cap:.

[Sockeye]

--Sorry, I called Smith up and changed the lineup, but neglected to send Swoboda down. He was your 26th man last series. Fixed and made Hundley for Tillman switch. You are quite the hands on manager, keeping me busy with that Angels roster:cap:.

Right now our team is undergoing something of an extended spring training. Still trying to figure out what lineups work the best. Once Bobby gets a handle on that I'm sure the lineup will be much more stable. The only switches likely to be made will be due to injuries and the usual usage changes late in the season. Although these early season substitutions should lesson the late season usage impact.

[Sockeye]

In our lineup vs LHP we have John Bateman batting 4th. Now with Bob Tillman called up he's going to be platooning and will see 30% of the playing time vs LHP. When Bob Tillman plays vs LHP I'd rather not have him batting clean up. Is there a way to specify a different batting order when Tillman starts opposed to Bateman?

[leecemark]

--Unfortunately not. Whenever there are any subs in the lineup the CM uses what its sees as the optimum lineup. This may or may not be similar to your normal lineup. If John Bateman is your cleanup hitter then where is backup slots in wouldn't seem to be the biggest lineup issue you have to worry about anyway. Just keep hoping you win all the one run games:candle:.

[catcher24]

Still trying to figure out what lineups work the best.

One of the PRIME reasons to get the DM game. I ran dozens of sims working out my optimum lineup and pitching assignments prior to the season, and the 20 test sims I ran. You would also then be able to make your lineup changes and simply send Mark a file - it's quick, easy and painless!:cap:

When Bob Tillman plays vs LHP I'd rather not have him batting clean up.

Unfortunately you're simply outta luck on this one.

Whenever there are any subs in the lineup the CM uses what its sees as the optimum lineup. This may or may not be similar to your normal lineup.


It usually produces something you would only come up with at the end of a weekend long drinking binge, or after smoking some strange weeds. Whenever Dick Green substitutes for Don Buford in my lineup, it has Ron Santo leading off! :confused::eek: And I can't do anything about it...:hp

In fact the biggest complaint I have about Diamond Mind is the apparent total incompetence of the CM. I've looked at some of the lineups that are created when you use the option to have the CM set them for the league, and they're usually pretty strange.

[leecemark]

--The Legends have won 9 of 10 and appear to be asserting themselves as the dominating team expected in the preseason. The Gold Sox sweep their series to pick up 2 games in the Johnson. The Hard Cider inch closer to .500 and the Cartwright division leading Diablos.

[Erik Bedard]

Looks like Jim Nash finally remembered how to pitch after missing the entire 1967 season.

[Sockeye]

It usually produces something you would only come up with at the end of a weekend long drinking binge, or after smoking some strange weeds. Whenever Dick Green substitutes for Don Buford in my lineup, it has Ron Santo leading off! :confused::eek: And I can't do anything about it...:hp

:eek: is right. That explains a lot actually. Gives me a pretty good idea of how our team was so poor last season. We used platoons at nearly every position so very seldom was the regular lineup ever all together at one time. In light of this development I'm going to make another change. John Bateman will now be the full time regular vs both righties and lefties. The Angels lineup should now be


VS RHP

1. Willie Smith RF (L)
2. Jesus Alou LF (R)
3. Andy Kosco CF (R)
4. Ed Kranepool 1B (L)
5. John Bateman C (R)
6. Don Wert 3B (R)
7. Cookie Rojas 2B (R)
8. Hal Lanier SS (R)

VS LHP

1. Bobby Cox 3B (R)
2. Norm Miller LF (L)
3. Brant Alyea RF (R)
4. John Bateman C (R)
5. Andy Kosco CF (R)
6. Cookie Rojas 2B (R)
7. Dalton Jones 1B (L)
8. Hal Lanier SS (R)

[ElHalo]

Please call back up Lou Johnson and send down Ty Cline.

When asked about his recent demotion, Cline told reporters: "I just can't believe I was actually on a major league roster! The GM must have been taking some heavy-duty drugs when he signed me."

When asked about Cline's comments, Diablos' GM Timothy Leary stated: "Mr. Cline's comments were purple with blue pokadots, and had a distinct flavor of lavender. Why does the infield grass keep plucking out my chest hair?"

[-Kyle-]

9 game losing streak...wow :eek:

[leecemark]

--We're a quarter of the way through the season and the Legends have opened a 9 game gap over the Shoeless Joes. The struggling Skipjacks are a game back of that. The Knights take 2 of 3 from the Gold Sox, while the Redbirds drop a pair to the Gamblers, to open a little more breathing space. The Diablos continue to pace the Cartwright with the perennial champs still limping along in the cellar.

[catcher24]

When asked about his recent demotion, Cline told reporters: "I just can't believe I was actually on a major league roster! The GM must have been taking some heavy-duty drugs when he signed me."

When asked about Cline's comments, Diablos' GM Timothy Leary stated: "Mr. Cline's comments were purple with blue pokadots, and had a distinct flavor of lavender. Why does the infield grass keep plucking out my chest hair?"

:laugh:clapping:rofl: Excellent, Jim!! :thumbsup:

[-Kyle-]

Agr, still not in last place...

edit: Yeah, ElHalo's stories are pretty funny. :laugh

[catcher24]

Agr, still not in last place...

You just need to play me more often, Kyle! I'm 9-0 so far against your team. :) Wish I could manage that sometime against the Knights, who continue to be a large thorn in my side every season!:rant::grouchy

[Sockeye]

Milt Pappas goes on the DL

Tommy Davis is called up

The Angels pitching assignments will now be

Rotation
SP1-Dave McNally
SP2-Gaylord Perry
SP3-Mike Cuellar
SP4-Dick Ellsworth
SP5-Mudcat Grant (skip)

Bullpen
LHSU-Tom Hall
Closer-Andy Messersmith
Longman-Jim McAndrew
RHSU-Diego Segui
Mop up-Rich Nye
Mop up-Bill Kelso

[leecemark]

--The rudderless Hornets sweep the Diablos and ride a 6 game winning streak to the Cartwright Division lead. A couple struggling teams add injury to insult with the Badgers having 4 dinged up players and the Gamblers two long ones.

[catcher24]

Well, I see the Gold Sox put a big hurt on me in our series, and I expect no less from the Knights in the next series. Bill Hands has really been a disappointment so far. Thank goodness Tiant and Jenkins are holding things up.

[Erik Bedard]

Jim Nash really has gotten it going again. 10 straight scoreless, plus a 3-0 victory in his latest start.

PS: Lew, Mel Stottlemyre isn't on my team. Though I wish Jerry Koosman was.

[catcher24]

Jim Nash really has gotten it going again. 10 straight scoreless, plus a 3-0 victory in his latest start.

Yeah, he shut out his old team. He's probably upset because we traded him and he wanted to show us what a mistake that was!:(:shrug:


PS: Lew, Mel Stottlemyre isn't on my team. Though I wish Jerry Koosman was.

OK, thanks, Dan. I fixed it and they should both be with the Gamblers now.

[Erik Bedard]

If only he could face the Legends every start....

Funny, though, how the third player in that deal (Shannon) has turned out to be the best.

[-Kyle-]

Yeah...not to keen on trading Jerry Koosman...

but a 10 game losing streak???? Come on. =/

[catcher24]

Funny, though, how the third player in that deal (Shannon) has turned out to be the best.

:lookitup Actually, I thought you might be happy with his season. His OPS+ is only the eighth highest for players with 75+ games at 3B in 1968, but he's very decent and not that far behind even the leaders (with Ed Charles at the top:eek::noidea): Charles, 128; Santo, 126; Perez, 125; Rader, 119; McMullen, 117; Robinson, 116; Ward, 114; Shannon, 113; Bando, 108. However, moving him from Busch Stadium (a definite pitcher's park) to Wrigley Field (a definite hitter's park) for half his games will undoubtedly have a pretty dramatic effect on his production.

[leecemark]

--The Knights take 2 of 3 from the Legends while the Shoeless Joes sweep the Gamblers, allowing JKC to claw back to within 6. Six back is also where both the Redbirds and Gold Sox sit in the Johnson. The Cartwright is a different story with only 3 games separating first and last in that division.
--Couple of significant injuries this series. The Legends 4 man rotation experiment experiences a setback with Luis Tiant going down for a couple weeks. The Hard Cider lose Stormin Norman Cash for the better part of a month.

[J W]

Man... I don't know what to do with the team except wait. No injuries... four games under .500 with a +18 run differential... a 1-5 starting pitcher with a 3.11 ERA and Rick Reichardt outhitting Ken Harrelson by a mile. Ah well, still too early.

[mac195]

Cash to the DL... Rettenmund up.


Lineup vs. RHP
1 Andrews 2B (B Allen DR)
2 Rettenmund CF (Agee)
3 Robinson 1B (Hiatt)
4 D Allen RF (Callison DR)
5 Gabrielson LF (Callison)
6 Haller C (Hiatt)
7 Charles 3B (D Allen)
8 Patek SS (Andrews)
PH vs RHP: G Brown, Callison
PH vs LHP: G Brown, Hiatt, Callison
Lineup vs. LHP
1 Andrews 2B (B Allen DR)
2 Rettenmund CF (Agee)
3 Robinson 1B (Hiatt)
4 Allen RF (Callison DR)
5 Charles 3B (D Allen)
6 Haller C (Hiatt 30%)
7 Callison LF (Gabrielson)
8 Patek SS (Andews)
PH vs RHP: G Brown, Gabrielson
PH vs LHP: G Brown, Gabrielson

[leecemark]

--Yeah the Skipjacks have been the biggest surprise so far. In most sims you had the second or third best team in the league. Easily the wild card favorite. As you say, its still early though.

[catcher24]

--The Knights take 2 of 3 from the Legends

Of course. Wouldn't have expected anything better.:rolleyes:

I was afraid Tiant would get injured. He's the only starter of the four who doesn't have an Iron injury rating, and he got injured in a pretty high percentage of my test sims. I'll send you a new PM, but the plan will be for Nelson to pick up his starts, and I'll just set him so that he's average at getting pulled (all the others are at less or least).

[leecemark]

--The Knights are playing at their highest possible level so far this season. We're on a pace to match our very best pre-season sims - if not exceed them. There are some guys who are likley to regress somewhat, but I do have a few pitchers who are underpreforming that could pick up for them.
--Juan Marichal should be my ace, but instead he has been the weak link of the rotation. Flat out terrible to be frank. Tommy John is also performing below expections. He didn't sim well (never approaching his real life 154 ERA+), but he usually wasn't this bad.

[Sockeye]

Andy Kosco is optioned to the minors

Jay Johnstone is called up

The Angels lineup will now be

VS RHP

1. Jay Johnstone CF (R)
2. Jesus Alou LF (R)
3. Ed Kranepool 1B (L)
4. Willie Smith RF (L)
5. John Bateman C (R)
6. Don Wert 3B (R)
7. Cookie Rojas 2B (R)
8. Hal Lanier SS (R)

VS LHP

1. Bobby Cox 3B (R)
2. Norm Miller LF (L)
3. Brant Alyea RF (R)
4. John Bateman C (R)
5. Jay Johnstone CF (R)
6. Cookie Rojas 2B (R)
7. Dalton Jones 1B (L)
8. Hal Lanier SS (R)

[catcher24]

He didn't sim well (never approaching his real life 154 ERA+), but he usually wasn't this bad.

I have to agree with that. I decided to check the 20 test sims (they get auto saved to the encyclopedia, so they're still there for now), and he pretty much finished between 3.50 and 4.30 in ERA. Once he was lower (not much, 3.31), but he was above 4.30 five times, with a worst of 5.40 (which is right where he's at now - haven't loaded the new file yet) in season 5, when he went 7-20 in 195 innings (boy, those career records sure make easy).

Sorry to say, Mark, but Marichal really didn't fare well in those sims, either. For the 20, his career ERA was 3.57, and he only had three seasons under 3.00 - really pretty terrible for a pitcher who was 2.43 in real life!:eek: His best was 2.88 in season seven, his worst was 4.12 in season three.

Bill Hands, my fourth starter, is presently at 3.97 and, I hope, on a comeback. His career ERA was 3.32, and he had two seasons at 2.52. His worst was 4.07, so he's definitely playing closer to his worst than his best, and I'm counting on him turning it around. Seaver is also currently higher than he was in all but four sims, so I'm hoping he comes around as well!

You actually might get Willie Mays' production all season, or close to it. He had an OPS over 1.000 twice, and he was over .900 five times. Although his real life OPS was 860, his CAREER (20 seasons) OPS in the sims was 892. You should like that, Mark!:dance

[baseballPAP]

I have to agree with that. I decided to check the 20 test sims (they get auto saved to the encyclopedia, so they're still there for now), and he pretty much finished between 3.50 and 4.30 in ERA. Once he was lower (not much, 3.31), but he was above 4.30 five times, with a worst of 5.40 (which is right where he's at now - haven't loaded the new file yet) in season 5, when he went 7-20 in 195 innings (boy, those career records sure make easy).

Sorry to say, Mark, but Marichal really didn't fare well in those sims, either. For the 20, his career ERA was 3.57, and he only had three seasons under 3.00 - really pretty terrible for a pitcher who was 2.43 in real life!:eek: His best was 2.88 in season seven, his worst was 4.12 in season three.

Bill Hands, my fourth starter, is presently at 3.97 and, I hope, on a comeback. His career ERA was 3.32, and he had two seasons at 2.52. His worst was 4.07, so he's definitely playing closer to his worst than his best, and I'm counting on him turning it around. Seaver is also currently higher than he was in all but four sims, so I'm hoping he comes around as well!

You actually might get Willie Mays' production all season, or close to it. He had an OPS over 1.000 twice, and he was over .900 five times. Although his real life OPS was 860, his CAREER (20 seasons) OPS in the sims was 892. You should like that, Mark!:dance

None of this should be too surprising....we're playing in a runs environment that scores about 1.5 more per game!

[leecemark]

--I'd settle for Marichal's "career" ERA from your sims. He is almost 2 runs worse than his WORST performance in your 20 tests right now:eek:.

[catcher24]

He wasn't that bad when I put up that post, but both the Badgers and Legends lit him up good in the two games he started last week, so he's pretty putrid right now.:ughh

[leecemark]

--We close the books on May with the Cartwright Division pulling even tighter. The Diablos and Hornets are deadlocked with the Hard Cider just a game back - and the Angels just 3 down. Things got a little tougher for the defending division champs though. Frank Robinson had his hand broken by a Rich Nye fastball and is out for a month - joinng Norm cash whose place he had taken at 1B after Cash went down in the previous series.
--The Johnson clubs took it to their Hulbert foes winning 3 of four series (the Badgers took the Gamblers in the BrawL in the Basement). The Knights have now moved ahead of the Legends for best record and the Gold Sox and Redbirds are tied for the Wild Card lead.

[ElHalo]

--We close the books on May with the Cartwright Division pulling even tighter. The Diablos and Hornets are deadlocked with the Hard Cider just a game back - and the Angels just 3 down. Things got a little tougher for the defending division champs though. Frank Robinson had his hand broken by a Rich Nye fastball and is out for a month - joinng Norm cash whose place he had taken at 1B after Cash went down in the previous series.
--The Johnson clubs took it to their Hulbert foes winning 3 of four series (the Badgers took the Gamblers in the BrawL in the Basement). The Knights have now moved ahead of the Legends for best record and the Gold Sox and Redbirds are tied for the Wild Card lead.

<sigh> Why do my backup outfielders keep dropping like flies? This is the second injury so far for Gonzalez, totalling over fifty games! And it's only May! He was supposed to be a linchpin of my offense this year...

Ty Cline had no comment today on being recalled to fill in yet again for the apparently oft-injured Gonzalez. Apparently, he was hoping nobody would notice his return; that effort was stymied, however, by GM Leary's magical flying eyeball, that sees and knows all in the clubhouse. Asked to comment on Cline's return, Leary was quoted as saying "Lemmings, lemmings... YOU'RE ALL LEMMINGS!! YOU'RE GONNA BE THE FIRST ONES UP AGAINST THE WALL, YOU KNOW!!!" Mr. Leary then went back to chewing on his fingernails, which appeared to have been bleeding for several days.

[leecemark]

--If Gonzalez and his sub-700 OPS was going to be a linchpin of your offense what do your weak links look like?

[mac195]

Frank Robinson had his hand broken by a Rich Nye fastball and is out for a month - joinng Norm cash whose place he had taken at 1B after Cash went down in the previous series.
That's adding insult to injury.

[ElHalo]

--If Gonzalez and his sub-700 OPS was going to be a linchpin of your offense what do your weak links look like?

Ty Cline. And if Cline goes down, the next options are Greg Goossen (.562 OPS) and Jim Gosger (.462 OPS). At least Tony Gonzalez' OPS+ is over 100.

[Sockeye]

Ty Cline. And if Cline goes down, the next options are Greg Goossen (.562 OPS) and Jim Gosger (.462 OPS). At least Tony Gonzalez' OPS+ is over 100.

If you need offense Hal Lanier is available.....! :laugh

[mac195]

Robinson to the DL, and Charles sent down. Barton and Sudakis up.

Lineup vs. RHP
1 Andrews 2B (B Allen DR)
2 Rettenmund CF (Agee)
3 Sudakis 3B (D Allen)
4 D Allen RF (Callison DR)
5 Gabrielson LF (Callison)
6 Haller C (Barton)
7 Hiatt 1B (G Brown)
8 Patek SS (Andrews)
PH vs RHP: G Brown, Callison
PH vs LHP: G Brown, Callison
Lineup vs. LHP
1 Andrews 2B (B Allen DR)
2 Rettenmund CF (Agee)
3 Sudakis 3B (D Allen)
4 Allen RF (Callison DR)
5 Haller C (Barton 10%)
6 Hiatt 1B (G Brown)
7 Callison LF (Gabrielson)
8 Patek SS (Andews)
PH vs RHP: G Brown, Gabrielson
PH vs LHP: G Brown, Gabrielson

[catcher24]

--The Johnson clubs took it to their Hulbert foes winning 3 of four series

Boy, this is getting old in a hurry.:grouchy But I think I feel a 20 game winning streak coming on!:laugh

[Sockeye]

Boy, this is getting old in a hurry.:grouchy But I think I feel a 20 game winning streak coming on!:laugh

Don't misunderestimate our bunch of scrappers!

[leecemark]

--The Hulbert got their revenge on the Johnson squads, taking all 4 series in a rematch. The Hulbert triumph allowed the Legends to move back ito first overall. The Skipjacks got a sweep to get up to .500.
--The Hard Cider aren't letting injuries get them down and have reeled off a 5 game win streak to move into 2nd in the Cartwright. The Hornets got a sweep of their own to hold the lead.

[leecemark]

--Bob Gibson and Don Drysdale have each won their 99th CKL game. A belated "congratulations" to Drydale for joining the 100 loss club too. He is at 101, joining Gibson, Jim Kaat and Larry Jackson. Camilio Pascaul is up to 111 wins - 1 short of career leader Sandy Koufax.

[Erik Bedard]

Hey, we've got a claim to Pascual and Koufax. Though I highly doubt either of them will go into the CKL HoF as Gold Sox, Pascual's 15 wins for me in 1964 were absolutely crucial, and without Koufax, I wouldn't have Stan Bahnsen right now. Speaking of Bahnsen, was my pitching always this bad? Nash, Veale, and Jackson are all hovering around a 5.00 ERA. Wrigley can't hurt that much, can it?

[leecemark]

---Wrigley plus having our league set to the nuetral era rather than 1968 levels are going to drive those ERAs up. You are pitching down to the level of your worst sims though. The sims where you won the division your team EA was closer to 4. Big series coming up with the Gold Sox at the Knights. Down 6 its as close to a must win for you as you can get in early June.

[Sockeye]

The Angels lineup will now be as follows

VS RHP

1. Jay Johnstone CF (R)
2. Bob Tillman C (R)
3. Dalton Jones 1B (L)
4. Willie Smith RF (L)
5. Tommy Davis LF (R)
6. Don Wert 3B (R)
7. Cookie Rojas 2B (R)
8. Hal Lanier SS (R)

VS LHP

1. Bobby Cox 3B (R)
2. Norm Miller LF (L)
3. Brant Alyea RF (R)
4. John Bateman C (R)
5. Jay Johnstone CF (R)
6. Cookie Rojas 2B (R)
7. Dalton Jones 1B (L)
8. Hal Lanier SS (R)

[leecemark]

--The league's hottest teams, the Shoeless Joes, met its coldest, the Angels and not surprisingly got the sweep. That puts JKC 2 games up on the Gold Sox and Hard Cider in the WC. The Knights took 2 of 3 from the Gold Sox. EB was saved from the sweep by putting a savage beating on Leecemark's erstwhile ace Juan Marichal - pushing the Dominican Dandy's ERA up to 6.48 in the process:eek:.

[catcher24]

Well, the 20 game winning streak hasn't started yet, but at least I'm winning two out of three again!:clapping:gt

ace Juan Marichal - pushing the Dominican Dandy's ERA up to 6.48 in the process

Man, that hurts just hearing about it.:hp And I don't want to admit he was originally a Legend - and not surprisingly, never pitched very well for us, either.

Speaking of Bahnsen, was my pitching always this bad? Nash, Veale, and Jackson are all hovering around a 5.00 ERA.

Dan, through games of June 4th (most recent file I've got from Mark) your team ERA is 4.59. In the 20 tests I ran, you were NEVER that high. Your highest team ERA for a season was 4.51 (twice). Your lowest was 3.72, and you had seven seasons under 4.00. Veale went from 2.85 to 5.40, with a 20 year "career" average of 4.15; he was a 20 game winner once. Nash varied from 2.66 to 4.23, career 3.62, never had a 20 win season. Jackson varied from 2.65 to 5.54, career 4.02, no 20 win seasons (and pitched a surprisingly small number of innings each season, with 152 being his highest). Happy to provide details for anyone else you might want.

[Sockeye]

0-5 since Lanier's injury answers the question are we better with or without him With Hal Lanier ailing we'll use Don Wert at SS.

The Angels lineup for the next few games will be

VS RHP

1. Jay Johnstone CF (R)
2. Bob Tillman C (R)
3. Dalton Jones 1B (L)
4. Willie Smith RF (L)
5. Tommy Davis LF (R)
6. Bobby Cox 3B (R)
7. Cookie Rojas 2B (R)
8. Don Wert SS (R)

VS LHP

1. Bobby Cox 3B (R)
2. Norm Miller LF (L)
3. Brant Alyea RF (R)
4. John Bateman C (R)
5. Jay Johnstone CF (R)
6. Cookie Rojas 2B (R)
7. Dalton Jones 1B (L)
8. Don Wert SS (R)

[mac195]

Mark, we will switch Gabrielson in for Callison in LF vs. LHP, and put him in the #5 slot.

Lineup vs. LHP
1 Andrews 2B (B Allen DR)
2 Rettenmund CF (Agee)
3 Sudakis 3B (D Allen)
4 Allen RF (Callison DR)
5 Garielson LF (Callison)
6 Hiatt 1B (G Brown)
7 Haller C (Barton 10%)
8 Patek SS (Andews)
PH vs RHP: G Brown, Callison
PH vs LHP: G Brown, Callison

[leecemark]

--The Redbirds sweep the Knights to tighten things up in the Johnson. The Shoeless Joes remain the league's hottest team, but don't make up any ground. All the Hulbert teams - even the Bedraggled Badgers:) - have winning records over their last 10 games, while only the Hard Cider from outside that division have managed the same.

[buppers]

--All the Hulbert teams - even the Bedraggled Badgers:) - have winning records over their last 10 games,

Sure, I go 6 - 4 and STILL lose ground on everybody :hp

[leecemark]

--Congratulations to Don Drysdale for picking up his 100th win. The veteran hurler, who has talked about retiring after this season, now sets his sights on finishing with a winning record for his CKL career.
--The Skipjacks are officially the hard luck team of the early going. JW is third in the league in run differential, but has only a .500 record to show for it - and currently sits 3rd in his division and 5th in the WC. A slumbering giant?

[J W]

Yeah well, that seems to be our MO... we'll have a strong second half as usual, I'm confident. We just need to hang in there so we aren't buried too far behind to catch up. :cap:

[Sockeye]

Milt Pappas comes off the DL.

Willie Smith is optioned to the minors.

The Angels pitching roles will now be

Rotation
SP1-Dave McNally
SP2-Gaylord Perry
SP3-Mike Cuellar
SP4-Milt Pappas
SP5-Dick Ellsworth (skip)

Bullpen
LHSU-Tom Hall
Closer-Andy Messersmith
Longman-Jim McAndrew
RHSU-Mudcat Grant
RHSU-Diego Segui
Mop up-Rich Nye
Mop up-Bill Kelso

Hal Lanier is healthy again. The Angels lineup will now be

VS RHP

1. Jay Johnstone CF (L)
2. Bob Tillman C (R)
3. Dalton Jones 1B (L)
4. Jesus Alou RF (R)
5. Tommy Davis LF (R)
6. Don Wert 3B (R)
7. Cookie Rojas 2B (R)
8. Hal Lanier SS (R)

VS LHP

1. Bobby Cox 3B (R)
2. Norm Miller LF (L)
3. Brant Alyea RF (R)
4. John Bateman C (R)
5. Jay Johnstone CF (L)
6. Cookie Rojas 2B (R)
7. Dalton Jones 1B (L)
8. Hal Lanier SS (R)

[catcher24]

we'll have a strong second half as usual,

Don't know if that'll happen or not, Jason. In my tests, your team tended to fade in the second half. But what the heck, those sims weren't too accurate for my team so far, either!:p

[leecemark]

--The Legends sweep the Shoeless Joes to pull 8 games ahead. The Hard Cider sweep the Redbirds to pull into a tie for first. The Skipjacks also got a sweep to run their winning streak to 5, pulling to within a game of the WC (although 1 game back still leaves them in 4th).

[baseballPAP]

Blair in for Alou for a few sims Mark....the trainer of the Redbirds is definitely overpaid!

[leecemark]

--I mentioned pitching milestones a few days ago, but overlooked some career marks achieved by batters. Willie Mays hit his 300th HR and got his 1,000 RBI. He is the first CKL hitter to reach those numbers. Mays has also slipped past Jim Gentile for #1 in career slugging, although he'll need to keep up his pace for that to still be true at the end of the season. Hank Aaron and Roberto Clemente become the first CKL batters to get 1500 hits.

[catcher24]

Glancing at my encyclopedia as well, it appears that the following milestones have also occurred this season so far (if some of these are repeats, I apologize - I didn't have everything Mark has posted available):
Vada Pinson and Maury Wills reached 1400 hits
Willie Mays scored his 900th run (with Hank Aaron and Frank Robinson closing in)
Mays and Aaron reached 1000 RBI (Aaron just got there last series)
Mays clubbed his 300th homer
Mays and Aaron are both just shy of 600 career extra base hit.
Mickey Mantle passed 700 career walks.
Bob Gibson's last strike out was his 1400th.
Ron Perranoski pitched in his 500th game.

[Sockeye]

Diego Segui will be the closer for the next 3 games while Messersmith mends.

[-Kyle-]

Mickey Mantle passed 700 career walks
For the one year I actually had him, he was a walking machine. He wasn't even an incredible 50 home run hitter that year either, he just drew a ton of walks.

[leecemark]

--The Legends gain a little more breathing room in the Hulbert and the Skipjacks move into a tie for 2nd. The Knights and Gold Sox each take a pair from division foes. The Hornets and Hard Cider remain neck and neck, while the early Cartwright leading Diablos continue to slump.

[Erik Bedard]

For the one year I actually had him, he was a walking machine. He wasn't even an incredible 50 home run hitter that year either, he just drew a ton of walks.

He leads my team in OBP by a wide margin... and this is a team featuring an all-time great walker in Jimmy Wynn.

Gene Alley is showing the Angels, Legends and Shoeless Joes that they all made mistakes by trading him away this offseason.

[mac195]

We'll put Callison back in CF batting 7th.

Lineup vs. RHP
1 Andrews 2B (B Allen DR)
2 Hiatt 1B (G Brown)
3 Sudakis 3B (D Allen)
4 D Allen RF (Callison DR)
5 Gabrielson LF (Callison)
6 Haller C (Barton)
7 Callison CF (Agee)
8 Patek SS (Andrews)
PH vs RHP: G Brown
PH vs LHP: G Brown
Lineup vs. LHP
1 Andrews 2B (B Allen DR)
2 Hiatt 1B (G Brown)
3 Sudakis 3B (D Allen)
4 Allen RF (Callison DR)
5 Garielson LF (Callison)
6 Haller C (Barton 10%)
7 Callison CF (Agee)
8 Patek SS (Andews)
PH vs RHP: G Brown
PH vs LHP: G Brown

[leecemark]

--Recent developments have the season shaping up like deja vu all over again. The Skipjacks take 2 of 3 from the Shoeless Joes to take sole possesion of 2nd place and a share of the wild card lead (with the Gold Sox and Hornets). The Hard Cider edge back into their accustomed spot on top of the Cartwright. The Knights sweep the Redbirds, pushing the slumping PAP squad below .500 and double digit games back in the division.

[ElHalo]

Ugh... I guess Don Cardwell's place will have to be taken by Jim Merritt.

I actually had some hopes of competing this season... guess not.

[Sockeye]

Norm Miller goes on the DL

Andy Kosco is recalled to take his place on the roster

Andy Messersmith takes over again as the teams closer

The Angels lineup will now be

VS RHP

1. Jay Johnstone CF (L)
2. Bob Tillman C (R)
3. Dalton Jones 1B (L)
4. Jesus Alou RF (R)
5. Tommy Davis LF (R)
6. Bobby Cox 3B (R)
7. Cookie Rojas 2B (R)
8. Hal Lanier SS (R)

VS LHP

1. Bobby Cox 3B (R)
2. Jay Johnstone CF (L)
3. Brant Alyea RF (R)
4. John Bateman C (R)
5. Tommy Davis LF (R)
6. Cookie Rojas 2B (R)
7. Dalton Jones 1B (L)
8. Hal Lanier SS (R)

[catcher24]

Dang, maybe I should've left Roger Nelson in the fourth slot and used Tiant as a reliever. Luis got pummeled in return!:(

[mac195]

Cash and L Brown up, Rettenmund and Patek down.

Lineup vs. RHP
1 Andrews 2B (B Allen DR)
2 Haller C (Hiatt)
3 Sudakis 3B (D Allen)
4 D Allen RF (Callison DR)
5 Gabrielson LF (Callison)
6 Cash 1B (Hiatt)
7 Callison CF (Agee)
8 L Brown SS (Andrews)
PH vs RHP: G Brown
PH vs LHP: G Brown, Hiatt
Lineup vs. LHP
1 Andrews 2B (B Allen DR)
2 Sudakis 3B (D Allen)
3 Allen RF (Callison DR)
4 Gabrielson LF (Callison)
5 Haller C (Hiatt 50%)
6 Cash 1B (G Brown)
7 Callison CF (Agee)
8 L Brown SS (Andews)
PH vs RHP: G Brown
PH vs LHP: G Brown, Hiatt

[leecemark]

--The Hard Cider sweep the upstart Hornets to take control of the Cartwright. The Legends sweep the slumpung Redbirds to go 10 up in the Hulbert. The Shoeless Joes sweep the Gold Sox to move back into a tie for 2nd in the Hulbert and first in the WC. Camilio Pascaul nailed down his 6th win of the season and 112th of his CKL career, tieing Sandy Koufax for the career lead.

[catcher24]

A sweep is nice, but my pitching sure isn't doing me any favors. Luis Tiant hasn't been sharp since his injury (lingering effects?). Good thing I have some decent bats!

[mac195]

HC will change the "use closers" setting from more to standard.

[buppers]

To quote Marks email. "The buyers and sellers for this season are at least starting to clear up."

Guess that makes me a seller.

Looking for draft picks and/or players for the future.

Ed

[Sockeye]

Bob Tillman is optioned to the minors

Randy Hundley is recalled

The Angels lineup will now be

VS RHP

1. Jay Johnstone CF (L)
2. Randy Hundley C (R)
3. Dalton Jones 1B (L)
4. Jesus Alou RF (R)
5. Tommy Davis LF (R)
6. Bobby Cox 3B (R)
7. Cookie Rojas 2B (R)
8. Hal Lanier SS (R)

VS LHP

1. Bobby Cox 3B (R)
2. Jay Johnstone CF (L)
3. Brant Alyea RF (R)
4. John Bateman C (R)
5. Tommy Davis LF (R)
6. Cookie Rojas 2B (R)
7. Dalton Jones 1B (L)
8. Hal Lanier SS (R)

[catcher24]

We are now 43% of the way through the 1968 season. Any players who have exceeded 60% playing time at this point should be watched so as not to exceed the usage limits. I have listed those players below.
Hornets: Joe Pepitone, 63 Note that Briggs is at 59, Satriano at 58 and Oliva at 57. Pitchers all look good.
Badgers: Ellie Hendricks, 72; Roger Maris, 66; Cleon Jones, 59 (close enough); Joe Gibbon, 83 (farmed)
Gold Sox: None. Mantle is at 57.
Diablos: Joe Hoerner, 64
Shoeless Joes: None. Azcue is at 57, Romo at 58.
Skipjacks: Looking very good, Jason!:thumbsup:
Gamblers: Harmon Killebrew, 69; Ed Kirkpatrick, 74; Rico Petrocelli, 66
Knights: Fred Lasher, 65; Lee Maye, 58. I don't recall this happening before!:lookitup
Legends: None, but Monday (58) and Buford (57) are close.
Hard Cider: Bill Sudakis, 93; Freddie Patek, 100 (farmed); Merv Rettenmund, 98 (farmed); Don McMahon, 73; Horacio Pina, 76.
Redbirds: Clay Carroll, 61; Darold Knowles, 71. Carew (57) and Grote (56) are getting close.
Angels: Brant Alyea, 63; Jay Johnstone, 85; Mike Cuellar, 64; Tom Hall, 60

[-Kyle-]

Please put McCraw in at 1b, with Killebrew as backup of 30%. Donaldson at 40% as backup of Petrocelli.

[leecemark]

--I'm actually going to be facing some serious usage issues with my pitching before the season is over. Lasher has already been farmed once and he isn't going to make it through the season without some more down time. I don't have alot of depth to work with - anybody I call up will be a scrub this year who is just driving their future salary up.
--My position players aren't going to give me as much trouble. I've got a timesharing situation in RF and Mays needs to be rested some in CF. Again not any good call up candidates on the farm though.

[catcher24]

I'm a little better off than you, Mark, in the reserve situation. The only spots I have to worry about are Buford at second and Monday in left, but I have Dick Green with his second best season to cover that spot, and I have Art Shamsky with a decent season to cover for him - or Ed Stroud, who is also having a decent season. And I see that I can actually use Duke Sims in left as well, which is what I'll likely do, since he's having a great season for me.

I'll say one thing - I should've kept Shannon and traded Santo. Shannon is tearing it up, while Santo is struggling mightily. Dan has a bunch of ex-Legends on the leaderboards - Shannon, Felipe Alou, Alley, Northrup. If he was getting any pitching at all (4.50 team ERA), the Knights would be in a heap o' trouble!:hp

And I sure don't know what the deal is with my pitchers giving up so many walks. Hands has pitched only 44% of his real life innings, but has already given up more walks than he really did, and only six less homers. Seaver has pitched 49% of his innings, and has only three less walks than he had all season. Those guys should be at the bottom in walks allowed per nine, not on the leaderboard for walks allowed.

[leecemark]

--We have an owner for the Hornets. Joe Terry who is in another league run by Scott, with Lew, Ed and myself, will be taking over the team. Welcome and good luck Joe!

[baseballPAP]

And on that note, I have a plea to the DMB owners here. I have just been "drafted" to take over a league very similar to this one (though a little less complicated), and have the defending WS team available, the dreaded Yankees. If one of you guys could help me out, I'd be very thankful!
~Scott

[catcher24]

Welcome, Joe! :waving Great to have you aboard! Hope your stay is long and enjoyable with us.

Regarding the other league, Scott, I'd be happy to help you out. I'll give you the White Sox :hp team that you got me to take, and I'll take the dreaded Yankees off of your hands!:):p:laugh

[Sockeye]

Jay Johnstone and Brant Alyea are optioned to the minors

Roger Repoz and Ron Swoboda are called back up

The Angels lineup will now be

VS RHP

1. Roger Repoz CF (L)
2. Randy Hundley C (R)
3. Dalton Jones 1B (L)
4. Jesus Alou RF (R)
5. Tommy Davis LF (R)
6. Bobby Cox 3B (R)
7. Cookie Rojas 2B (R)
8. Hal Lanier SS (R)

VS LHP

1. Bobby Cox 3B (R)
2. Ron Swoboda RF (R)
3. Roger Repoz CF (L)
4. John Bateman C (R)
5. Tommy Davis LF (R)
6. Cookie Rojas 2B (R)
7. Dalton Jones 1B (L)
8. Hal Lanier SS (R)

[leecemark]

--Two game swings in both the Johnson and cartwright division races. The Gold Sox sweep the Hard Cider, while the Hornets were taking two of 3 from the Knights. That gets Hornet's new owner Joe Terry within 2 and gets EB back within snifffing distance of the Knights. The Legends continue to pull away from the pack, sweeping the Shoeless Joes to run their winning streak to 7. Still a long way to go to that 20 gamer though Lew:cap:.
--The All Star voting thread will go up in a day or two. Time to start campaigning for any of your guys having a great season. Half the Knights starting lineup deserves a good look - CF Willie Mays, LF Billy Williams, 2B Dick McAuliffe and SS Jim Fregosi (and to think I was trying to dump his salary in the offseason:dance). My pitchers have not been nearly as good, with only Sonny Seibert looking like a good candidate at the moment.

[leecemark]

Garry, didn't get your changes in time for todays games. Will make them now.

[mac195]

Robinson and Charles up, Sudakis and Barton down.

Lineup vs. RHP
1 Andrews 2B (B Allen DR)
2 Haller C (Hiatt)
3 Robinson LF (Gabrielson 30%)
4 D Allen RF (Callison DR)
5 Cash 1B (Hiatt)
6 Callison CF (Agee)
7 Charles 3B (D Allen)
8 L Brown SS (Andrews)
PH vs RHP: G Brown, Gabrielson
PH vs LHP: G Brown, Hiatt
Lineup vs. LHP
1 Andrews 2B (B Allen DR)
2 Haller C (Hiatt 50%)
3 Robinson LF (Gabrielson)
4 Allen RF (Callison DR)
5 Charles 3B (D Allen)
6 Cash 1B (G Brown)
7 Callison CF (Agee)
8 L Brown SS (Andews)
PH vs RHP: G Brown, Gabrielson
PH vs LHP: G Brown, Hiatt

[catcher24]

Mark, somehow you put the Team Pitching file in your daily rather than the game results.

I have to say that the Legends also have players at several positions who should at least be considered for the all star team. I'll post their credentials in the all star thread when Mark gets it up, but those Legends who should certainly be considered include Bill Freehan, Willie McCovey, Don Buford (as a reserve; McAuliffe looks like a lock at 2B), Hank Aaron, Luis Tiant and Fergie Jenkins.

[-Kyle-]

If I need a pity All-Star (if we do that) probably Vic Davadillo with a .322 BA and 11 SB...or Joe Sparma :eek:

[jterry619]

Welcome, Joe! :waving Great to have you aboard! Hope your stay is long and enjoyable with us.

Regarding the other league, Scott, I'd be happy to help you out. I'll give you the White Sox :hp team that you got me to take, and I'll take the dreaded Yankees off of your hands!:):p:laugh

Thanks for the welcome....looking forward to making changes with the Hornets to get them out of second and headed to the cellar..looks like a great league!

[leecemark]

--Oops. Here the team game results. That team pitching that was accidently posted with the last series would be one series behind too, not including the games attached here.

[Erik Bedard]

As far as All-Stars go...

Gene Alley is definitely worthy of an All-Star spot, and maybe some midseason MVP consideration, with his offense and Ex defense from the SS spot. Mickey Mantle is leading the league in OBP. Jimmy Wynn is having a very fine season in his own right. Felipe Alou is leading the league in hits. Stan Bahnsen is having a good season, better when adjusting for park. Roy Face and Jim Perry are making their cases in the bullpen. Finally, Mike Shannon is tearing up the league and making a case to be the starting All-Star 3B.

Now, about those other four pitchers...

[catcher24]

Alley and Shannon have definitely been excellent so far this season, and at this point the only real competition to Alley at SS is Jim Fregosi, who is also having a spectacular season. Those two are extremely close, with Alley holding the advantage in fielding. Had I known Alley would even approach this type of offensive output, I wouldn't have bothered getting Campy in a trade.

Shannon (another one I let get away) is a clear cut choice to me at 3B. Pete Ward has a higher OPS, but in half the at bats. Among full time starters at third, Shannon is 94 OPS points ahead of the next player (Jim Ray Hart), so I'll likely be picking Shannon to start and Ward as the backup.

Campy has done well at short, so I'm not too bothered by that switch, but with Shannon clearly outperforming Ron Santo, I wish I had held onto him. And to think I pretty much had to beg to get him included in the deal....:shrug::(

[Erik Bedard]

:laugh

Yeah, as I recall, I really wanted Nash, and Staub was my second choice. I didn't want Shannon at all until I realized that the 3B platoon I had planned (Boyer and Ward) were both FAs. Shannon has definitely turned out to be the best, as Staub isn't a Gold Sox any more and Nash is struggling badly.

Alley was literally a member of a third of the league this offseason. I guess he's happy enough just to know where he's playing (the fact that it's Wrigley has to be nice) that he's turning in a better season than I could have hoped for.

Oh, and one change: Perry and Drabowsky will switch roles. Farm out Hiller for Ryan, who will be the mopup man.

[leecemark]

--The Legends run their winning streak to 10. The Skipjacks have a 4 gamer of their own to pull ahead in the WC. We're into July now. Time to make your move - if you have one:gt.

[mac195]

We'll DL Moose and bring up Lee Stange. Selma replaces Moose in the rotation, Holtzman replaces Selma as the 5th starter. Stange replaces Holtzman in the bullpen.

[baseballPAP]

Blair back to the bench, Alou back to the lineup.....

Calling all trade offers......

[catcher24]

The Legends run their winning streak to 10

Halfway there...:gt:clapping

[-Kyle-]

Pete Ward can be had for a crappy 3b and draft pick (2nd...maybe 3rd).

[Sockeye]

I was just looking through our team stats and noticed the Jesus Alou's batting average this season is .268 while his on-base percentage is .265?? Now ya know your team is struggling when players OBP is lower then their batting averages! :crazy

[mac195]

Heh... good ole' Jesus Alou. I once made a case in the history forum that he was the worst player with substantial playing time ever to grace the Major Leagues. That might have been a little harsh but...

[leecemark]

--The Legends come up 9 short of Lew's hoped for 20 as the Skipjacks take 2 of 3 to gain some breathing room in the WC race. Two other contenders suffered major injuries. The Gold Sox Gene Alley and the Hornets Tom Satriano are both out til after the All Star break.

[Erik Bedard]

That is not good. Start Renick at SS for the next few sims.

EDIT: Actually, make that Kubiak. Renick's PAs are too valuable to use here. Also, DL Alley and call up Hiller, in his previous roles.

[catcher24]

--The Legends come up 9 short of Lew's hoped for 20 as the Skipjacks take 2 of 3 to gain some breathing room in the WC race.

Just have to start another streak, I guess. I was hoping Jason's pitching would cool off before I played him again, but I guess not. With 18 head to head games yet to go, this race is far from over.

[jterry619]

--The Legends come up 9 short of Lew's hoped for 20 as the Skipjacks take 2 of 3 to gain some breathing room in the WC race. Two other contenders suffered major injuries. The Gold Sox Gene Alley and the Hornets Tom Satriano are both out til after the All Star break.


Bringing up Martinez to replace Satriano (ugh)....I'll send a revised MP this evening.

[leecemark]

--We're at the halfway point now. Any player over 60% you may want to consider gettiing them some time off. 3 more series left before the All Star break. About 10 days til the trade deadline.

[catcher24]

Well, once again JW gets the best of my guys. That 3-2 loss in 12 innings hurt. And the Jacks pounded Jenkins and Seaver. But Tiant's one hit shutout the final game of the series might get us headed in a good direction again. I was hoping with the staff I have that I wouldn't suffer any losing streaks over three games, but the Skipjacks took care of that as well.

Incidentally, I probably won't get the website updated for about nine days. I'm going to be going on vacation, and although I will have some computer access, I won't have the DM game with me to generate the files. If Mark can get six more games done by early Thursday evening, I can try to get it updated one more time before I go - at least the stats, which don't take very long to do. And perhaps he can cut back to a series every other day for the seven days I'm gone, which would also help.

[catcher24]

As Mark notes, we are now halfway through the season. At this point, any player at 65% usage or higher is likely to go over their permitted usage by season's end unless their playing time is adjusted. I have listed all players with 65% or higher below.

Hornets: Johnny Briggs, 70; Tony Oliva, 66; Joe Pepitone, 72; Tom Satriano, 65 (currently on DL)
Badgers: Ellie Hendricks, 88; Cleon Jones, 69; Roger Maris, 76; Joe Gibbon, 83 (farmed)
Gold Sox: Mickey Mantle, 66; Rick Renick, 73
Diablos: Joe Hoerner, 69; Stan Williams, 67
Shoeless Joes: Joe Azcue, 66
Skipjacks: None. This doesn't bode well for the Legends!:hp Very nice job, Jason. :thumbsup:
Gamblers: Harmon Killebrew, 74; Ed Kirkpatrick, 87; Rico Petrocelli, 77
Knights: Fred Lasher, 68 Looking very good, Mark.
Legends: Don Buford, 67; Rick Monday, 68 Good think I have Green, Shamsky and Sims!
Hard Cider: Freddie Patek, 100 (farmed); Merv Rettenmund, 98 (farmed); Bill Sudakis, 106 (farmed); Don McMahon, 81; Horacio Pina, 100 (Could be trouble in the pen, Mac).
Redbirds: Rod Carew, 65; Jerry Grote, 65; Clay Carroll, 71; Darold Knowles, 77
Angels: Brant Alyea, 71 (farmed); Jay Johnstone, 96 (farmed); Mike Cuellar, 74

[Sockeye]

Sent down

John Bateman
Dalton Jones
Bobby Cox
Jesus Alou
Andy Kosco

Called up

Willie Crawford
Bob Tillman
Bill White
Max Alvis
Brant Alyea

The Angels lineup will now be as follows (please make sure this is correct)

VS RHP

1. Ron Swoboda RF (R)
2. Ed Kranepool 1B (L)
3. Willie Crawford LF (L)
4. Roger Repoz CF (L)
5. Don Wert 3B (R)
6. Bob Tillman C (R)
7. Cookie Rojas 2B (R)
8. Hal Lanier SS (R)
PH vs RHP Bill White
PH vs LHP Max Alvis, Brant Alyea

VS LHP

1. Tommy Davis cF (R)
2. Ed Kranepool 1B (L)
3. Max Alvis 3B (R)
4. Brant Alyea LF (R)
5. Randy Hundley C (R)
6. Ron Swoboda RF (R)
7. Cookie Rojas 2B (R)
8. Hal Lanier SS (R)
PH vs LHP Don Wert
PH vs RHP Willie Crawford, Roger Repoz

The pitching roles will now be as follows (please make sure these are correct)

Rotation
SP1-Dave McNally
SP2-Gaylord Perry
SP3-Milt Pappas
SP4-Dick Ellsworth
SP5-Mike Cuellar (skip)

Ellsworth is now our regular 4th starter. Cuellar due to performance and usage issues is now the 5th starter set to skip.

LHSU-Rich Nye
Closer-Jim McAndrew
Longman-Andy Messersmith
RHSU1-Diego Segui
RHSU2-Mudcat Grant
Mop up1-Bill Kelso
Mop Up2-Tom Hall

Lots of changes to the pen. McAndrew is now our closer, Messersmith takes over as our longman. Nye is now the LHSU man while Hall is reduced to mopup #2 duties only to be used in extreme blowout situations. Segui is now the #1 set up man vs RH with Grant #2. Kelso is the only pitcher remaining in his original role.

Batting
bunt for hit: standard
hit and run: most
sac bunt: most
squeeze: more
steal: standard
take extra bases: most
take pitches: most

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

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

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

Please note a few changes were made for the managerial setting as well in an attempt to even out usage a little more evenly.

[Erik Bedard]

If Renick is starting at SS while Alley is out, switch it to Kubiak. Move Renick's starting percentage down to 5% for a while.

[leecemark]

--Lew I'll get Thursdays games in early so you'll be able to update the website thru game 90. The All Star break comes after game 93 and we'll pause 3 days real time for that to allow people to shuffle their rotation or whatever they may wish to do. The trade deadline is not long after the break so those 3 days are also a good time to be working on any deals you may hope to make.
--I will go every other day until the deadline, both to allow time for dealmaking to to avoid getting too far ahead of the website. For owners who don't have the DMB program I hope you are checking Lew's website. There is more information available there (including boxscores) than I am copying into the game reports here. Even if you do have the game you might want to check out the site's News and Views feature. The outstanding games of the week and Player and Pitcher of the Week can be found there.

[-Kyle-]

Pete Ward 3b
McCraw 1b
Davis RF
Davillo LF
Donaldson SS

[catcher24]

--Lew I'll get Thursdays games in early so you'll be able to update the website thru game 90

Thanks, Mark, that'll help. Between that and the All Star break, I don't think there'll be too much of a lag. I only expect to be gone a few days. And thanks for the plug for the website! Don't know how many guys bother to check it, but there is a lot of info there.

[jterry619]

The AC Hornets announce the following moves:

Joe Pepitone, Tony Oliva and John Briggs farmed along with pitchers Cal Koonce, Wayne Granger and Ron Taylor

call ups:

..."Downtown" Ollie Brown (from my hometown), Bill Robinson, Jimmie Hall, Pat Kelly, Dooley Womack and Ron Willis...

[leecemark]

--There will be something close to a double header today and tomorrow. I'll get a series in in the next hour or so - and then another one tomorrow morning so I can get the data to Lew to update the website before his vacation. If you have changes to make, please get them in quick - and check in later tonight for results.

[jterry619]

AC Hornets shopping SP Rick Wise, Turk Farrell and John Buzhardt ...looking for offensive help or pick (if it is allowable at this point to trade picks) and a 5th starter (just an inning eater)...any combination of those elements...perhaps Wise could help a team looking for pitching help in the second half.

[catcher24]

AC Hornets shopping SP Rick Wise, Turk Farrell and John Buzhardt ...looking for offensive help or pick (if it is allowable at this point to trade picks) and a 5th starter (just an inning eater)...any combination of those elements...perhaps Wise could help a team looking for pitching help in the second half.

Joe - You can trade for picks any time trading is permitted. Trading isn't permitted from August 1 to the end of our Championship Series, as I recall.

[-Kyle-]

Pete Ward (114 OPS+) .305/.436/.496 this year at 3b and can play 1b is still being shopped around. He is signed for this year and next at 1.25m.

[leecemark]

--The Shoeless take 2 of 3 from the Legends to get back on track. The Knights sweep the Gamblers to gain some more breathing room. The Hard Cider-Hornets race stays tight. Sonny Seibert tossed an unusual 9 hit shutout for his 10th win.

[catcher24]

-The Shoeless take 2 of 3 from the Legends to get back on track

The Legends are certainly stumbling into the all star break after their eleven game run, with a 3-6 record in the last nine games. :hp The only saving grace is that the Skipjacks dropped two out of three to the Badgers, so I didn't lose any ground to my closest pursuer. Maybe the break will be good for my team!

[Erik Bedard]

I've got a few changes to make in my batting order.

Alley
Alou
Mantle
Wynn
Shannon
Northrup
Beckert
Bench

Backups and positions will remain the same, just changing around the order.

[leecemark]

--I made the changes, but Alley is still injured. Its Kubiak leading off for him unless you tell me different.

[Erik Bedard]

Definitely do not want Kubiak leading off.

Alou
Beckert
Mantle
Wynn
Shannon
Northrup
Bench
Kubiak

[leecemark]

--The Legends extend their lead to 10 and the Knight extend theirs to 9. The Skipjacks, Shoeless Joes and Gold Sox are all probably turning their focus to the Wild Card race at this point. The Cartwright remains a tighter battle. The Hard Cider drop 2 of 3 - but still add a game to their lead as the Hornets get swatted by the Legends. Attached are the last team reports you'll see before the All Star break. One series to go (late Friday or Saturday) before the break. The All Star team will be announced Monday night.

[leecemark]

--The attached leaderboards are expanded to top 25 to assist in forming your All Star ballot. Only one series to go before the break so please visit the voting thread and cast a ballot.

[J W]

That figures McMullen would get hurt. Well, only 3 games left so I guess Bubba Morton gets more time to boot the ball around. Leave the roster be until the all-star break.

[catcher24]

as the Hornets get swatted by the Legends.

Good one, Mark!:laugh Finally. I was getting pretty concerned after dropping three series in a row. That hadn't happened all season - even when I was struggling early on.

[catcher24]

Thanks for speeding up the last couple days, Mark. The web site is now updated through games of July 16. Everyone have a nice Easter!

[jterry619]

No way we were sliding thru with the usage problems ahead so the Hornets signed the following slugs to give the decent players on the squad a little R & R...please hold your collective gasps until the list is completely digested:

Bud Harrelson (2 year contract)
Rick Joseph
Rich Rollins
Phil Roof (2 year contract)
Jose Tartabull
Leon Wagner
Fred Whitfield

Al McBean
Jon Warden
John Wyatt

[leecemark]

--Didn't notice this when I posted yesterday's results, but the Gamblers suffer another blow to their miserable season. Jim Kaat will miss a month with a bum shoulder. Kaat wasn't exactly having a great (or even good:hp) season, but his innings will be hard to replace.