Must-See Blogging

For all my readers, I plan to do my posts on particular nights, much in a way that a television station would do. For example, back in the day, NBC had "Must-See TV" on Thursday (and later on Tuesdays as well), so you knew Seinfeld and Friends was going to be on Thursday and there you would catch that show.

With all my projects, I am going to try to shoot and spread out those posts in the same way, at least this is the goal. The current projects are...

• Oakland Dynasty (Out of the Park Baseball): Featuring the Oakland Athletics, what life could have been if the Owner Finley didn't break up the team.

• Atlanta Braves / No Expansion (Out of the Park Baseball): It was life without expansion in 1993 & 1998 for the majors, where we still have 28 teams, and the Braves are the focus of this project.

• UAL Baseball Season (APBA Baseball): Updates on my Traverse City Fighting Tigers, who are members of a 24-team mail-in league.

• 1978 MLB Season (APBA Baseball) "Brothers In Dice": My brother Chris and I, are replaying the 1978 MLB season. He has the National League, I have the American League. We are around the May 22nd-28th area of the schedule right now.

• Features on Hall of Fame debates, cheating schemes, things about the game itself.

• APBA Stories.

It's an idea that I am definitely kicking around, and may take some time to get into a groove. I kind of want to do this so people can look forward to certain times when a post is about to hit the site...

Well until next time.

So Thankful for Our APBA Family

This post is long overdue, I wanted to send this post off around the New Year, even around Christmas... but better late than never.

I want to to take the time and thank everyone in my APBA family for donating your hard-earned money to help my wife and I during a very tough time. We feel truly blessed and we could not have got through the holiday season if it were not for your generosity, we simply can't put it into words on how much everyone came through for us.

For the ones that may not know, my wife Becky was sick in early August. At the time, we thought it was Bronchitis, but an X-Ray reviewed that there was a mysterious growth on wife's upper right lung. She was scheduled for a biopsy, but the doctor at the biopsy felt the growth was too close to a major artery, so she was referred to a thoracic surgeon instead. The surgery took place in late October, and was an overall success, the tumor that turned out to be cancerous was completely removed, along with 17 lymph nodes (one of those lymph nodes also had cancer as well), and her upper and middle lobes to her right lung. Becky had to spend 10 days in the hospital to recover. The surgeon and the oncologist both confirmed that she is now 100% cancer-free. She couldn't go back to work until right after the New Year, and was out of work since mid-October, so that left me bringing in the income during that time.

The recovery process hasn't been perfect, since the double lobectomy. She has developed esophagus issues in which she has been vomiting, we are trying to figure out all that right now, and if there is any connection to the surgery, or just really bad timing. Coughing is part of the process with her lungs (particularly her right lung) recovering, so we didn't think much when she was coughing a lot, but once she was not able to hold down fluids or solids raised concerns. None were related to influenza as well.

We have many bills now, and more doctor appointments, but we try not to let it overwhelm us. We have good friends and family in our corner and that's what matters.


Special Thanks to my friends Ron Emch and Pastor Rich Zawadzki.

A huge weight has been lifted off our shoulders thanks to Ron setting up the GoFundMe page for us. He was concerned on how we were going to pay for the incoming bills, and has seen GoFundMe help some of his friends. He got the word out on the APBA Facebook Group, and our APBA family came through in more ways than they could ever imagine.... Such an amazing APBA community that we have, nothing surprises me with this group any more! One of the people that donated, John Cochrane commented on the site & said it best "We take care of our own."

My friend, Pastor Rich also came through by selling some APBA cards and using those proceeds towards Becky's bills. He sold $150 worth and donated another $100 to GoFundMe. Becky's online friend also sent $200, while both my sister Sara, and my brother-in-law have each donated large amounts of money as well.

I can't say enough about Ron and Rich, these are two stand-up guys in the APBA community, and are always looking out for people in need. I really can't say enough about their friendship, I am honored to have such friends in our corner.

Becky knew that I was part of a great APBA community, but she didn't realize how amazing and generous everyone was. She was overwhelmed (in a good way) with all the love that the group sent her way, and we were amazed by it all, many strangers donated without even batting an eye... God bless this group!

Also a special thanks to Ron Dean from the APBA community who donated $400 of his own money, we really appreciate it more than you'll ever know. I couldn't find you in the APBA Facebook Group, I hope this post finds its way to you. Also a  special thanks to the anonymous person who donated $500 as well.

Those are all big amounts, which were very generous, but we are thankful for ALL of the generous donations, big or small...

We were not expecting much, and are so thankful for everyone

Here is a list of all the names of the wonderful people that helped us get through this tough time in alphabetical order....

Curt Bartel

Jeff Boeding

Randal Coburn

John Cochrane

Patrick Cox

Ron Dean

Tim Dusseault

Ron & Marian Emch

Sara (Baier) & Morgan Evans

Julie & Michael Gaubatz

Ken Gornstein

Heather & Neil from San Jose

Michael Kehrer

Andy & Tammy Lammers

Charlene & Scott McClure

Patrick McGregor

Rod McLeod

Paul Pavao

Doug Pryzymierski

Bradd Romant

Sheri Sample

Jim Saska

Darren Schulz

Ken & Jackie Schulz

The Schwind Family

Chris Strovel

Dan Velderrain

Michael Walko

Wendell Watkins

James Welch

Rodney Woodward

Pastor Rich Zawadzki

and the 8 Anonymous who donated as well.

THANK YOU!!!

If you haven't donated, we could always use the help,

Go Fund me link (Click on the right) >>>  Helping Becky

Orioles Sweep Athletics, 3-0 (Oakland Dynasty: 1975 ALCS)

The Oakland Athletics led 6-2 during the top of the 9th in Game 1, and let the lead slip away.

It got worse, the Baltimore Orioles' Mike Cuellar against Oakland's Vida Blue, pitches a no-hitter, while Bobby Grich hit a two-run homer during the 5th, to cap off a 3 RBI night. Cuellar's magical night spawned 4 strikeouts.

Oakland's Game 3 starting pitcher, Ken Holtzman had his work cut out for him, in an attempt to turn around Oakland's luck. Oakland was hoping, behind Holtzman, to win their first of three straight games, but it was never meant to be. The Orioles won 6-5 in Game 3, putting the dagger in Oakland's backs by scoring 3 runs during the bottom of the 6th, to give the O's a 6-2 lead.

Grich was named the A.L. Championship Series Most Valuable Player, after batting .545 with 5 RBI for the series.

Meanwhile in the National League Championship Series, the Cincinnati Reds' troubles continue. Their quest to make that next step, taking the Big Red Machine, to the ultimate peak as World Champions came to an end, in a close, 3-2 series loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Baltimore Dead in the Water, Comes to Life! (Game 1)

The Baltimore Orioles had a 2-1 lead entering the bottom of the 7th. Their two runs came off one of Catfish Hunter's few mistakes, a Bobby Grich triple during the top of the 6th. Oakland's Gene Tenace smacked a 368-ft homer into the left field stands to cut the lead down to one run, during the bottom-half of the 6th inning.

Jim Palmer who was quite sloppy (allowed 7 walks) would walk the first two batters (Bill North & Hal McRae) during the bottom of the 7th. Joe Rudi followed with a single, that would load the bases for Reggie Jackson (who has yet to be named "Mr.October"). Jackson would knock in North (tying the game), while the others advance one base. Sal Bando would get walked, forcing in the go-ahead run, with Oakland taking a 3-2 lead. Phil Garner's sac fly to right, would make it 4-2, Jackson advances to 3rd base. Lee Lacy would smack a two-run double to officially end Palmer's night.

The Oakland Athletics looked solid with a 6-2 lead entering the 9th with Catfish Hunter still on the mound. The Orioles' Dave Kingman led off the top-half with a single to center, followed by a Bobby Grich walk. Kingman was acquired by the New York Mets mid-season along with 2B-Ken Perry in exchange for SP-Ross Grimsley.

Oakland decides to go to the pen, no problem, they have Rollie Fingers who is money, and all was looking good as he struck Lee May (without swinging) on a nasty split-fingered fastball. Brooks Robinson draws two balls, then Fingers throws a wild pitch past Tenace behind the plate... Kingman moves up to third, Grich to second. Brooks hits a single past short, driving in Kingman, while Grich reaches third. Orioles trail 6-3.

Pinch-hitter Al Bumbry for the Orioles, hits the ball to second baseman Phil Garner, who throws it over to shortstop Bert Campaneris for one, over to second... beats out the throw by inches, SAFE! Two outs, while Grich scores and trims the lead to two runs.

Trailing 6-4, Orioles' catcher Roger Freed, a surprise player this season who hit 21 home runs & 70 RBI for the birds, despite only batting .208, comes to the plate -- The Athletics one strike away from getting out of this jam, Freed hits a line-drive single to left, with Bumbry reaching second.

Rookie pinch-hitter Eddie Murray hits a ball to right, which appeared that Reggie Jackson had a good read on it, but the ball drops just in front of Jackson, loading the bases up.

With Rollie Fingers still on the mound, after giving up 3 hits -- Fingers pitches to Don Baylor, who hits a tapper to the mound, but Fingers throws it over the first baseman Joe Rudi's head, while two runs score and tie up the ballgame (Murray reaches third).

Oakland goes to the pen for Bill Campbell. Campbell walks Ken Singleton, runners on the corners. Dave Kingman crushes a double into the right-center gap, two runs score, while Oakland's nightmare continues -- surrendering a 6-2 lead, and now down 8-6. Campbell would go onto walk Bobby Grich, while Lee May hit into an inning-ending fielder's choice.

The Orioles bring in their closer Grant Jackson who led the MLB with 37 saves. Jackson gets the first two outs easily, but allows a single to Phil Garner & a walk to Gene Tenace. Winning run at the plate, Lee Lacy flies to right, as Baltimore closes out Game 1 with an unlikely win, rattling Oakland, while making a huge statement.

Orioles might be ready to shock the world.

Jim Palmer Pitches No-Hitter into 10th & Loses Game

Series Recap: The Orioles came close to sweeping Minnesota in Game 2 & handing them a possible 5th straight loss. The Orioles' future Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer was pitching a no-hitter through 9 innings, but could get no run or hit support from his Orioles lineup. The Twins' Dave Goltz was putting on a masterpiece of his own, pitching in his 1st game since April 21st. Goltz allowed only 5 hits, 3 of those 5 his being two-hit doubles. Game 1 had 4 HR by the 2 teams combined, while Dennis Martinez won his 6th game of the year.

Game 2 No-Hitter Bid Breakdown (from Facebook): 

1978 A.L. Replay - MAY 16, 1978

The Baltimore Orioles (16-15) roll into Minnesota to face Rod Carew & the Minnesota Twins (14-20). The Match-up would be a battle of two Grade A-Y starting pitchers - Jim Palmer (entering with a 3-2 record & 3.23 ERA) for the Orioles, and Dave Goltz (3-0, 1.39 ERA), who is just returning from injury -- Pitching for the first time this month.

It ended up playing out as advertised, a battle of wits on the mound. Palmer from the get-go had no-hit stuff, while the Orioles were not doing much better against Goltz. 3 of Baltimore's 5 hits were two-out doubles, while their biggest opportunity may have been in the 7th, with Billy Smith hitting a one-out double, followed by Andres Mora drawing a walk. I'm kicking myself for not pinch-hitting for either Mark Belanger (although defensive 10) and catcher Dave Skaggs, since I am trying to stick heavily with actual games played for the replayed, but I thought even with their anemic cards that they could pull off a hit, or get Smith closer to the plate... but no cigar.

The game goes into the bottom of the 10th, and Roy Smalley breaks up the no-hitter with a double (11-6), while Mike Cubbage followed with a walk-off double (11-0, 36-6) to win the game for the Twins.

This is the 2nd no-hitter that I have had broken up in extras, the other was Nolan Ryan with the 1986 Astros in a 64-game tournament -- broken up by Don Baylor with a walk-off home run for the 1979 California Angels.

I have pitched close to 25 no-hitters in my life, while rolling one perfect game with Don Sutton in my BATS1 season.

Jim Palmer (3-3, 2.92 ERA, 2 CG) gets the loss, while Dave Goltz, not losing any of his stuff after the injury, remains perfect (4-0 in 5 GS, 3 CG, 2 SHO & 1.06 ERA) allowing only 5 earned runs through 42 1/3 innings.

1975 League Championships are Ready to Go.

Cleveland's Oscar Gamble had a huge season.

The Baltimore Orioles and Oakland Athletics are setup to face one another during the 1975 A.L. Championship Series. Baltimore won the A.L. East with a 93-69 record, 4 games over the surprising Cleveland Indians, while Oakland never really had a challenge, winning the division with a 105-57 record. The Athletics won the division by 16 games over the California Angels.

Reggie Jackson won the A.L. Home Run title with 42 HR, Catfish Hunter won the A.L. ERA title (2.08 ERA), Ken Holtzman led the league with 22 victories, and Bill North led the A.L. in WAR (7.6) and Stolen Bases (60). Hunter also led the A.L. in complete games (21), shutouts (8) & ERA+ (188).

The N.L. Championship Series will be between the Pittsburgh Pirates (97-65) and the Cincinnati Reds (98-64). The Pirates won the N.L. East by 3 games over the Montreal Expos, the St. Louis Cardinals (who were in the hunt during the All-Star Break) had a rough second-half and finished below the Philadelphia Phillies in 4th place, 12 games back. The Reds finished 6 games ahead of the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Reds' Joe Morgan had a solid MVP-caliber season, winning the batting title (.356), leading the league in home runs (37), and finishing 11 RBI behind the Pirates' Richie Zisk (133) for a possible Triple Crown, finishing with 122 RBI. Morgan also led the league in hits, OBP, SLG, OPS (1.119), Runs, Total Bases, Bases on Balls & WAR (13.8).

Phil Niekro, who was acquired by the Montreal Expos in late June, from the Atlanta Braves, in exchange for C-Larry Johnson, OF-Bombo Rivera & SS-Gary Gingrich, would go on to win the ERA crown (2.64). The Pirates' Dock Ellis and the Reds' Don Gullett tied for the N.L. lead in wins (21), while the New York Mets' Tom Seaver led the league in strikeouts (233), while also leading the N.L. pitchers in WAR (7.4).

The Cleveland Indians' Rico Carty and the Texas Rangers' Mike Hargrove tied for tops in the A.L. in batting average (.324). Boston's Fred Lynn won the RBI title (134 RBI). Cleveland's Oscar Gamble had a huge season, batting .296 with 40 HR & 102 RBI, while leading the league with a .939 OPS. The Twins' Bert Blyleven won the strikeout crown on the pitching side of things, leading both leagues with 247 strikeouts.

Dynasty Driven (Down the Stretch 1975)

It's been just over two weeks since I have reported on the Oakland Dynasty project, so let's continue shall we...

On June 28th, literally the same day that I made deals that acquired DH-Hal McRae, RP-Bill Campbell & prospect SP-Rich Gale. Oakland received news of an injury to Dick Bosman, one of their rotation arms, although he was the worst of the bunch with a 5-9 record and 4.76 ERA for the season.

I decided not to take any chances and traded prospects OF-Mark Budaska and C-Denny Haines to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for pitcher Pete Broberg. I placed Bosman on the 15-day disabled list, while they figure out his diagnosis. I also bumped starting pitcher Glenn Abbott from the 5th slot to the 4th slot, while Broberg will fill the 5th slot of the rotation.

Broberg was 5-5 with a 4.84 ERA & 3 Saves for the Brewers, while he has pitched in 34 games with 7 starts this season.

The deal ended up being a good choice, found out on July 31st, on the trade deadline that Bosman will be out for 4 months (Surgery to remove a bone spur / elbow).

Oakland led the division over 2nd place California by about 18.5 games at one point, but watched that lead diminish a bit, to 11 games, but Oakland finished strongly with a 105-57 record, winning the division by 16 games. Sal Bando put a solid finishing touch, smacking a walk-off two-run homer against those Angels for the Athletics, winning the final game of the season -- setting up a good vibe as Oakland enters the postseason.

Kicking off the New Year with 1978 A.L. Action!

I got to kick off the New Year with five games in my 1978 A.L. Replay (My brother Chris is replaying the N.L. side). Since I had to go into work early because of New Year's Eve (I work overnights), it meant that I would get off earlier the next day as well.

So after having some New Year celebration brownies with the wife... no, not those kind of brownies. It was time for me to dive back into my 1978 A.L. Replay. It's May 15th, and I already played the Yankees-White Sox & Athletics-Indians game the night before, which left the following games all pre-prepped and ready-to-go....

• Seattle (G.Abbott / D-Z) at Detroit (Slaton / C)
• Boston (Ripley / D-Z) at Kansas City (Gale / B-YW)
• Baltimore (De.Martinez / B-Y) at Minnesota (R.Erickson / C-YZ)
• Milwaukee (Travers / C) at Texas (Jenkins / B-XZZ)
• California (K.Brett / D) at Toronto (Garvin / D-Z)

The Seattle Mariners would go on to defeat the Detroit Tigers, 4-1, with Glenn Abbott having his best game of the season, allowing 7 hits, 1 run & 1 walk through 7 frames. Rupert Jones batted 3-for-5 with a triple, RBI & run. The Mariners (17-19) are currently 5 games ahead of their real-life pace, I believe the major factor is that Bruce Bochte (.336, 4 HR & 30 RBI) has had an amazing start to the season. Another reason, while I do play real-life starting lineup players and use real-life game starting pitchers -- I do make my own lineups with those actual starters. Case in point, I am in no way going to bat DH-Leroy Stanton in the clean-up slot, when he batted only .182 with 3 HR & 24 RBI in 93 games for the 1978 MLB Season, not to mention his piss-pour .514 OPS. 

The Tigers (16-12) have now lost 6 of their last 9 games. At the end of the day, Detroit is still in 2nd place, but are now 3 games back, after an 8-3 start. 

The 1st place Boston Red Sox entered the day with an American League best 22-11 record, but had to face the Kansas City Royals in K.C. with Allen Ripley on the mound. Ripley is now reflecting his Grade D-Z card, after a 1-1, 2.70 ERA start in his first 20 innings of work. The Royals would score 8 runs between the 5th & 7th innings, with Hal McRae's three-run homer breaking the game open 7-1, after the 6th. Tom Poquette's two-run single in the 7th would make it 9-1. 

Rich Gale made things a little too interesting for the Royals. The scoreboard may have reflected 1 run allowed through 8 innings, but he was far from perfect, and kept escaping big opportunities for Boston hitters. By the time the 9th inning came along, Gale's luck ran out, allowing a RBI triple to Jerry Remy, which was followed by back-to-back walks to Jim Rice and Carl Yastrzemski. With two outs, and the bases loaded, Carlton Fisk cleared the bases with a double. The Royals' skipper saw enough, and brought in Marty Pattin, in a non-save situation, 9-5 lead with a runner on second. Pattin would go on to strikeout Dwight Evans.

Gale (2-1, 4.57) would go on to earn the ugly win, allowing 11 hits, 5 earned runs & 7 walks, while striking out 4 players from Boston. Ripley falls to 1-3 with a 4.95 ERA. 

For Boston, it might be an encouraging sign to see Fisk go 2-for-4 with a BB, 3 RBI & SB during the game. The hits got his batting average over the .200 mark (now at .207), while he finally got over 10 RBI (11)... but his OPS is still just a smidge below .600 for the season.

The 3rd game of the morning was between the Baltimore Orioles (15-15) and the Minnesota Twins (14-19). Pat Kelly back in action for the Orioles, got things rolling early with his 1st home run of the season, a two-run blast off Roger Erickson, to make it 2-0. Doug DeCinces would hit his 12th home run of the season, a two-run homer, giving Baltimore a 4-0 lead through 6 innings. DeCinces' 12 home runs, trails only Oakland's Gary Alexander (13).... Yes, you read that correctly.

The Orioles' Dennis Martinez was cruising through seven shutout innings, getting a grade-bump to an Grade A in the process, but would get touched up in the 8th, allowing a lead-off single & stolen base to Rob Wilfong. Three batters later, Roy Smalley (with 2 outs) would smack a two-run homer, which was then followed up with a solo home run to Mike Cubbage. The game was suddenly 5-3 Orioles, but Martinez would finish the inning without allowing any more damage, while Don Stanhouse (3 blown saves this season) actually slammed the door for his 5th save. 

Smalley's home run is already his 7th of the season (through 34 games), while his 3 RBI now moved him past teammate Dan Ford (22) for the team lead in RBI (24). Smalley in real-life 1978 hit 19 HR & 77 RBI... The replay has him on pace for 33 HR & 112 RBI. 

The O's Martinez improves to 6-2 with a 3.42 ERA & 51 strikeouts through 68.1 innings, while Erickson has had no luck, falling to 1-7 with a 4.83 ERA.

The Texas Rangers defeated the Milwaukee Brewers, 6-3 -- Thanks to strong pitching by Fergie Jenkins. Jenkins allowed a two-run homer in the 1st to Sal Bando, then Bando tacked on another run in the 3rd with a sac fly, to give Milwaukee a 3-2 lead at the time... but Jenkins settled on down, not allowing another run through the next 6 innings, earning his 1st complete game victory of the season. The season has not been kind to Jenkins (2-1, 5.63 now) or the Rangers. The Rangers were 8-18 at the end of the day on May 12th, but has now won a season-best three straight games, lifting their record to 11-18. 

The Rangers in real-life actually started off slow with a 3-10 record, but then woke up and won seven straight games. The Rangers' hitters in the replay have finally been coming around with Al Oliver, Richie Zisk and others batting much better, and good things are on the horizon with Bobby Bonds arriving any day now (acquired from the White Sox in exchange for Claudell Washington). The real-life Rangers finished in 2nd place tied with the California Angels at 87-75. At the moment though, the A.L. West Division is between the Royals and the Angels, both at 19-12 at the end of the day. Angels lost, Royals won.

The Angels would lose to the sad Toronto Blue Jays (10-21). The Blue Jays scored 5 runs in the 1st inning, sending up 10 batters. Ken Brett was lousy, while other Grade D pitcher Jerry Garvin (1-4, 5.66 ERA) would win his 1st game of the season. Tony Bosetti who led off all season was moved down to the 6th slot for the game, and hit a two-run triple and RBI sac fly. The Angels have slowed down of late (particularly their lineup), losing 5 of their last 6 games, while in all 6 games they have scored 2 runs or less. 

That concludes a day of 1978 A.L. Replay action, I hope you enjoyed reading the latest. We still have a long way to finish 1978, but it's been a lot of fun so far.