April 9th, 1987 - Big Blowout in Baltimore and Another Cleveland Beatdown (A.L. Action)

Disappointed with their first two losses at home to the Texas Rangers (2-1), the Baltimore Orioles (1-2) took out their frustrations on the Rangers' pitching by slugging 7 home runs at Memorial Stadium. During this extraordinary outburst, the O's Larry Sheets carved himself out a performance of his own, by producing a trifecta (3 home runs) for the night. Sheets had a 4-for-5 day, while producing 5 ribbies to go along with 3 runs. Sheets currently leads the Majors with 4 HR's. Texas starting pitcher Bobby Witt had a short day, working only 1 2/3 innings, and allowing 6 hits, 5 runs & 2 home runs (although he did have 4 strikeouts in that short time). Eddie Murray batted 3-for-4 with a Grand Slam, while drawing a walk & scoring twice. Not to be outshined by his teammates at the plate, Orioles' pitcher Eric Bell pitched a complete game shutout with 5 strikeouts, allowing only 6 hits & 2 walks. The Orioles also had 20 hits in their, 17-0 victory.

The California Angels (1-2) won their 1st game, defeating the Seattle Mariners (2-1), 3-1. Trailing 1-0, the Angels' young star first baseman Wally Joyner smacked a bases-clearing double during the bottom of the 8th inning. The Angels' reliever DeWayne Buice (1-0, 0.00) earned the two-inning win, while Seattle's starter Mike Morgan (0-1, 3.52) gets the loss.

The Detroit Tigers (2-1) defeat the New York Yankees (1-2) in a back-and-forth affair, in which Detroit finally put the Yankees away, scoring 4 runs during the bottom of the 7th inning. Lou Whitaker hit a two-run homer, while going 3-for-5 & scoring three times. It was Kirk Gibson's three-run double in the 7th that was the team's major highlight. For the Yanks, Dave Winfield batted 2-for-4 with 2 RBI & catcher Joel Skinner batted 1-for-3, which included a two-run homer. Tigers win, 9-5 as Eric King (1-0, 3.00 ERA) gets the win in relief.

The Kansas City Royals (3-0) won despite their lineup only able to gather together two hits. Steve 'Bye Bye' Balboni clobbered a three-run homer in the bottom of the 2nd inning, which would prove to be just enough as the Royals won (yet) another close game over the Chicago White Sox (0-3). The White Sox lost by scores of 3-2, 5-3 & 3-2 during their series at Kaufman Stadium. Chicago's Jose DeLeon (0-1, 2.25 ERA) pitched the entire game: 8 IP, 2 H, 3 R (2 ER) with 6 K's and 1 walk allowed. Danny Jackson was credited with the win for K.C., pitching 8 innings, allowing only 5 hits & 2 earned runs while striking out 5 batters. Dan Quisenberry recorded his 3rd save in as many games. 

The Boston Red Sox (1-2) were not going to have any more of the Milwaukee Brewers' late game shenanigans, as Boston made sure to walk away with their 1st victory, winning 6-3 at Milwaukee County Stadium. Rookie Todd Benzinger, playing first base, batted 2-for-4 with a two-run HR, BB & 2 runs. Milwaukee's Paul Molitor jacked a solo shot, while drawing a walk, and stealing a base in the lost against Boston. Boston's starting pitcher Al Nipper (1-0, 3.38 ERA) earned the win, while Tom Bolton earned the Save. 

The Oakland Athletics (2-1) led 3-0 through 5 1/2 innings, until the Minnesota Twins (1-2) unleashed 7 unanswered runs to win, 7-3. Oakland starting pitcher Steve Ontiveros (0-1, 11.12) was pitching a pretty solid game up to that point, until the wheels all came off. The big inning was capitalized with a three-run triple by 2B Steve Lombardozzi. Kirby Puckett batted 3-for-4 with an RBI & run. Oakland's Mike Gallego batted 2-for-3 with a solo HR & double.

The Toronto Blue Jays (3-0) once again made mince meat out of the Cleveland Indians' pitchers, as the Jays scored in double-digits in all 3 games of their home-opening series at Exhibition Stadium. Steve Carlton (0-1, 13.50), following Phil Niekro the other day, is the latest future Hall of Fame pitcher for the Indians to look anything but. The Jays' outfield trio in Lloyd Moseby, Jesse Barfield & George Bell shined once again. Moseby batted 3-for-5 with a solo HR, double & 3 runs... Bell had a double & RBI on 2-for-3 hitting, while drawing two walks & 2 runs... and Barfield batted 2-for-4, while adding 2 runs & 2 RBI to his MLB-leading 9 RBI through 3 games. Toronto's starter Dave Stieb (1-0, earned the win, allowing only 6 hits & 2 runs (but 3 BB) through 8 innings. The tribe was outscored in the series, 35-8. 

National League Action (Day 3 / April 8th, 1987)

The Cincinnati Reds (0-2) were close to winning their first game of the season, until the Expos' Hubie Brooks hit a game-tying two-run homer during the top of the 9th inning off Reds closer John Franco. Mitch Webster's RBI double during the top of the 12th & a Randy St. Claire save would secure a victory for the Montreal Expos (2-0). The Reds' Kal Daniels batted 2-for-6 with a HR & double, while Dave Conception batted 2-for-5 with a double & RBI. Ted Power pitched a good game before handing off the game to the bullpen. Power allowed only 3 hits, no runs & 3 walks, while striking out 5 batters through 7 innings. The Expos' Jeff Parrett was credited with the win, while Rob Murphy (0-1, 1.80 ERA) got the loss. 3-2, Expos beat Reds in 12.

The Los Angeles Dodgers (1-2) finally broke through with their 1st win against their division rival Houston Astros (2-1). Fernanado Valenzuela showed glimpses from his 'Fernandomania' days, pitching a complete game, allowing 6 hits, 2 earned runs & a walk. Valenzuela struck out 6 Astros hitters. The Dodgers' lineup was led by Dave Anderson (2-5, 2 RBI), Pedro Guerrero (2-5, 2 doubles, 2 R) & Mike Marshall (2-4, RBI double & a run). Danny Darwin (0-1, 9.00) just didn't have his stuff, while the Astros' big highlight was a pinch-hit home run by Phil Garner. Dodgers win 6-2.

The San Diego Padres (2-1) edge the San Francisco Giants (1-2), 5-4. The Padres' Benito Santiago didn't hit a home run this time, but did go 1-for-4 with a three-run triple. Santiago has 7 RBI during this young season. John Kruk added a two-run homer, while drawing two walks & scoring twice. Tony Gwynn (.455 AVG) continues to rake, batting 2-for-4 while scoring twice, and stealing a bag. The Giants' Chris Brown batted 2-for-4 with a HR, 2 RBI & 2 runs, while Chris Speier earning a start after his game-winning hit the other night, batted 2-for-5 with a solo home run. 

1987 BBW Replay - April 8th, 1987 (Day 3 / A.L. Action)

The Baltimore Orioles (0-2) could not lock down their game against the Texas Rangers (2-0), as Baltimore reliever Mark Williamson blown the save, as Scott Fletcher hit a go-ahead, eventual game-winning two-run single during the top of the 9th. The Rangers and the Orioles each had 11 hits. Texas' Larry Parrish was a triple short of the cycle, batting 3-for-3 with a two-run homer & double. Backstop Mike Stanley got his first start of the season, and took advantage of it by collecting 3 hits (including a double). Besides getting the game-winning hit, Fletcher finished the day batting 2-for-5 with 3 RBI (5 RBI for the season). The Ripken brothers tried their best to pull out their first season win... Billy batted 3-for-5 with a RBI double (1 run), while older brother Cal batted 2-for-4 with a RBI single. Cal's RBI single in the 7th inning momentarily gave the O's a 4-3 lead. After recording a win the day before, Charlie Hough came into the 9th, and completed the save. Rangers win, 5-4.

The Seattle Mariners pitching showed up again, as the M's defeated the California Angels, 5-1. Although he wasn't perfect by any account (7 hits & 4 walks), Mike Moore pitched 7 2/3 innings, allowing only 1 run. Mike Kingery getting his first start as a Mariner (after being involved in the Danny Tartabull trade), hit a three-run homer in his very first at-bat, to give Seattle an early 3-0 lead. John Moses would help Seattle by adding a solo home run. The Angels' Don Sutton (0-1, 6.00) showed his age, while allowing 7 hits & 4 runs with only 1 strikeout. California's Johnny Ray batted 2-for-4 with a RBI & BB; Ray currently is batting .625 (5-for-8) through the first 2 games of the season.

The Detroit Tigers' Frank Tanana kept the New York Yankees (1-1) at bay, as the Tigers (1-1) would pull out their first win in front of a happy home crowd. Mike Heath (who came in for catcher Matt Nokes later in the game) hit the go-ahead winning two-run single in the bottom of the 8th. Lou Whitaker batted 2-for-4 with a double & RBI. Tanana may not have earned the decision, but pitched a solid game by allowing only 4 hits, 1 run & walk through 7 innings, while collecting 5 strikeouts along the way. Rickey Henderson hit a solo home run during the loss. Tigers win, 4-2. 

A rain delay, delayed the game in K.C. between the visiting Chicago White Sox and the Kansas City Royals. Pitchers came out rusty, especially the Sox' Richard Dotson, who surrendered 4 runs in the 1st inning, due to a RBI double by rookie Kevin Seitzer and a three-run homer by Danny Tartabull in his first at-bat as a Royal. Seitzer batted 1-for-2 (which included the RBI double), while drawing two walks, and scoring once. Speedster Willie Wilson stole two bases, while scoring 2 hits & 2 runs. The White Sox would come back with 2 runs, but the Royals' Dan Quisenberry would earn his 2nd Save, as the Royals win 5-3. Mark Gubicza (1-0, 1,80 ERA) earned the win, while Dotson (0-1, 12.27 ERA) only lasted 3 2/3 innings, allowing 6 hits, 5 runs & 3 walks. The Sox' Ivan Calderon batted 2-for-3 with a solo HR & BB.

Can lightning strike twice? In this case, yes. Last game, the Brewers won with a walk-off single in the 10th inning by pinch-hitter Bill Schroeder... This time, the Milwaukee Brewers (2-0) won with a walk-off home run by Bill Schroeder, once again in the 10th inning. The Boston Red Sox (0-2) lost again in extras and to the same player, not a great start for the defending American League Champions. The Brew Crew first got on the board thanks to Dale Sveum's solo HR during the bottom of the 5th. The Red Sox would tie the game back up, 1-1, on Sam Horn's bases loaded sacrifice fly. Boston's Bruce Hurst would pitch the entire game -- 9 2/3 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 4 BB & 6 K's. The Brewers' starter Bill Wegman had a no-decision, while allowing 4 H, 1 ER & 3 BB through 8 1/3 innings (3 K's). 

The Oakland Athletics score 7 runs during the top of the 9th inning to defeat the Minnesota Twins. Tony Phillips hit a three-run homer early on for the A's, while it was catcher Terry Steinbach's three-run homer in the 9th, which was the highlight of their big inning. The Twins' Bert Blyleven only allowed 2 earned runs through the first 7 innings, until getting tattooed with 4 earned runs through his final 1 1/3 innings -- resulted in a crooked line in the box score. Blyleven had 9 strikeouts. Tom Brunasky (1-4, two-run HR) and Greg Gagne (2-5, 3B, 2B & RBI) were Minnesota's big offensive stars. Dennis Eckersley may have blown the save (due to Brunasky's homer), but earned his first win.

Last, but not least, the Cleveland Indians at the Toronto Blue Jays.

Cleveland led 2-1 with 10 hits, while entering the bottom of the 5th inning; The Blue Jays had only 5 hits. Cleveland took a 2-1 lead on a solo HR by Julio Franco during the top of the 5th, but everything would fall apart for Phil Niekro (0-1, 9.64 ERA) and the Cleveland Indians (0-2). The Jays would score 12 runs between the 5th and 8th innings, on their way to a lopsided 13-3 win. Toronto has outscored Cleveland 25-6 during the first two games of this series. 

For Toronto, Jesse Barfield batted 3-for-4 with a double, 3 RBI & two runs. Ernie Whitt batted 3-for-4 with 3 RBI, a walk & a run. Cecil Fielder in his first start of the season, playing DH, smacked a solo HR, while drawing 2 walks & scoring 3 times. Lloyd Moseby added 3 hits, an RBI, stolen base & 2 runs.

Cleveland's Carmen Castillo batted 2-4 with an RBI double & run in their loss.

Toronto improves to 2-0, and will play the series finale tomorrow.

* * * Next, National League highlights from April 8th * * *

A Couple of N.L. West Games to End Day 2 (1987 BBW)

The San Diego Padres (1-1) rebound with a 2-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants (1-1) at Candlestick Park. 

The Padres were powered by an excellent showing from starting pitcher Eric Show. Show (1-0, 0.00 ERA) pitched a complete game, allowing only 4 hits,1 run (none earned) to go along with 6 strikeouts and 2 walks. Both teams had a hard time against pitching, as the Padres themselves could only manage 3 hits (verses Giants' 4 hits). The Giants' Kelly Downs (0-1, 1.50 ERA) allowed only 2 hits, 1 earned run & a walk through a strong, 6 inning effort.

In his 1st game with the Padres, Kevin Mitchell drove in the game's first run during the 1st inning by executing a perfect hit-and-run, RBI single. Rookie Benito Santiago's 2nd home run of the season was a solo HR during the top of the 7th that helped Show & the Padres get just enough cushion to hold off the Giants. Jeffrey Leonard hit an RBI double during the bottom of the 7th. 

Through the first two days of the season, Santiago is the only hitter with at least 2 home runs, momentarily leading Major League Baseball in homers. 

The other game, was the 2nd game of the Los Angeles Dodgers - Houston Astros series. The Astros' Mike Scott (1-0, 1.13 ERA) picks up where he left off in 1986, by shutting down the Dodgers with 8 solid innings. Scott allowed 6 hits, and only 1 earned run & 1 walk, while striking out 5 Dodgers. The Dodgers' Bob Welch (0-1, 2.57 ERA) did pretty good himself on the losing end, allowing 2 earned runs, while striking out 8 Houston batters through 7 innings. The Astros brought in closer Dave Smith to slam the door on Los Angeles, for his 1st Save of the season. 

The Astros' Denny Walling batted 2-4 with a double, 2 RBI & a run, while teammate Bill Doran batted 2-for-4 with an RBI. The Dodgers' Pedro Guerrero batted 2-for-4 which included an RBI double. 

Deadball-14's Opening Day: 1904 Highlanders at 1917 White Sox

 

At Chicago / Commiskey Park I

Jack Chesbro takes the mound for the 1904 New York Highlanders as he squares off against the 1917 Chicago White Sox' Eddie Cicotte. 

Bottom of the 1st

The White Sox' Eddie Collins draws a walk from Chesbro. Shortstop Buck Weaver follows with a control single, a textbook hit-and-run. 'Shoeless Joe' Jackson with no outs, grounds one to the right side, as Highlanders 2B Jimmy Williams is up with it, to first, for out number one, but Collins would score, while Weaver advances to second. Happy Felsch smacks a deep fly to center that goes over center fielder 'Honest' John Anderson's head. Felsch gets greedy and goes for third, and is thrown out by Anderson (score that as an RBI double, 8-5). Chick Gandil hits the ball back to the mound, as Chesbro relays it to first base for the final out. 

Top of the 3rd

Chicago's Cicotte exits without any damage after the Highlanders threatened with a potential run due to Wid Conroy's two-out triple. New York's backstop Jim McGuire failed to score in Conroy, as he hit a grounder up the middle to the White Sox' Collins for an easy 4-3 out. 

Bottom of the 3rd

Eddie Collins beats out a hit to first, as the Highlanders' 1B John Ganzel bobbles the grounder momentarily. A few batters later with two outs, and Collins on third, 'Shoeless Joe' would drive in Collins, narrowly beating out the throw from New York shortstop Kid Elberfeld. Felsch grounds out to short to end the inning, White Sox up, 3-0.

Top of the 5th

One out with the runners on the corners for the Yanks' Kid Elberfeld, infield in. Elberfeld hits a chopper back to the mound, Eddie Cicotte scoops it up, turns and fires to second for one, over to first... double play! Chicago pulls off a tough 1-6-3 double play to spoil New York's latest threat.

Bottom of the 6th

'Shoeless' Joe Jackson leads off the inning with a deep fly that results in a double. A few batters later, Ray Schalk with two outs, draws a walk. Runners on 1st & 2nd, LF Nemo Leibold score in Jackson on a RBI single, to give Chicago a commanding 4-0 lead. Weak-hitting Swede Risberg rips a single to center, driving in Schalk, while Leibold advances from first to third. Cicotte grounds out to end the bleeding. 

Bottom of the 7th

Jack Chesbro still in the game for the Highlanders, as he will have to face the top of the order in Eddie Collins, Buck Weaver & Joe Jackson. Collins leads off with a hot smash single to center, that's Collins' 3rd hit of the game. The Highlanders' Manager/Pitcher Clark Griffith is asking Chesbro for the ball, and calls on Walter Clarkson from the pen. Walter is the brother of John & Arthur 'Dad' Clarkson. Weaver steps up to the plate to face Clarkson, swing and miss, as Collins steals second safely. Weaver still at the plate, tops the ball as it bounces through the left side, Collins races around third as he scores. Weaver holds on first with a single. 'Shoeless Joe' pulls one deep to right, but lands just foul. Jackson would move Weaver up to second on a ground out, while the Highlanders intentionally walk Happy Felsch in an attempt to come up with a double play to get out of the inning. The Highlanders would rather face Chick Gandil. Gandil goes down on strikes for out number two. Up 6-0, the White Sox want more, and get more as Ray Schalk hits a single to left, driving in Weaver, Felsch advances to second, but gets greedy, as he is out by only inches (7-5). Inning over, but the White Sox now lead 7-0.

Bottom of the 8th

The White Sox are back at it. Nemo Leibold leads off with a single to right. Swede Risberg drives a ball to deep center to drive in Leibold, who was off-and-running. Chicago pitcher Cicotte lines out to left, one out. Eddie Collins grounds out to first, for the 2nd out. Buck Weaver, with Risberg on second, hits into a 5-3 groundout to finish the inning. Chicago tacks on another, 8-0.

Top of the 9th

Chicago ace Eddie Cicotte gets the Highlanders to go down 1-2-3, as Cicotte finishes with a strong shutout performance in which he only surrendered 5 hits. Cicotte had 4 K's and 1 BB.

These White Sox can score in bunches, and they demonstrated that today as they whooped the Highlanders, 8-0. The Sox' Eddie Collins finished the day batting 3-for-4 with a double, 2 steals, while scoring twice.  It's no surprise that Joe Jackson had a solid day, batting 2-for-4 with 2 RBI & a run. The surprise came from Swede Risberg who batted 2-for-4 with 2 RBI & a double. 

1987 BBW Replay (Day 2) - Opening Day for Other Teams

It's day two for the season, while there is opening days in Anaheim, Minnesota, Atlanta and at Wrigley & Shea.

The Seattle Mariners spoiled the California Angels' home opener with home runs by Scott Bradley (solo HR) & Jim Presley (two-run HR during the 7th). The Mariners' Harold Reynolds added a triple, run & stolen base, while Alvin Davis batted 2-for-4 with 2 doubles. Mark Langston (1-0, 1,23 ERA) earned the win, striking out 11 batters through 7 innings of work, allowing 6 hits & 2 walks. California's Johnny Ray provided the only offense, batting 3-for-4, which included a solo home run to lead off the bottom of the 1st.  Mike Witt earned the loss (0-1, 5.14 ERA) Seattle's Jerry Reed earned the Save, while Seattle won 4-1.

The Oakland Athletics came into the Metrodome, and walked out with a 6-1 road victory over the Minnesota Twins. Oakland's Dave Stewart, acquired from the Phillies last season, continues his progress & transition as a starting pitcher by striking out 11 Twinkies in his season debut. Stewart (1-0, 1.23 ERA) allowed 5 hits, 2 walks & 1 run through 7 1/3 innings. Oakland outfielder added a two-run homer, scoring twice with a stolen base, while veteran shortstop Alfredo Griffin batted 2-for-4, which included an RBI single, two runs & a steal. Frank Viola (0-1, 4.91) earned the loss, while Kirby Puckett batted 2-for-4, scoring once. Dennis Eckersley (who entered the 8th with a 4-1 lead) earned the save.

The St. Louis Cardinals - Chicago Cubs rivalry kicks off the 1987 season at Wrigley Field. The Cubs would win in a low-scoring affair, 3-2. Jerry Mumphrey's two-run single gave Chicago a 2-1 lead during the bottom of the 3rd. Leon Durham's solo home run during the 5th inning would give the Cubs extra insurance toward the win. Rick Sutcliffe (1-0, 2.84, 6 K) would earn the win, while Joe Magrane (0-1, 3.86) earned the loss. The Cards' Willie McGee had a 2-for-4 day which included a double, RBI & run. Frank DiPino would earn the save.

The Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves battled it out for 12 innings, which involved 38 players combined from both teams that appeared in this close, heavily-strategized game. The Braves' Dale Murphy knocked in 3 RBI on 3 different hit, which one of the hits was a solo home run for the slugger. The Phillies' Juan Samuel batted 3-for-5 with a solo HR, 3 runs, walk & steal. New addition Lance Parrish, the former Detroit All-Star catcher homered in his first at-bat as a Phillie. Mike Schmidt recorded no hits, but added 2 RBI on a walk & sac fly. Schmidt was walked 3 times (2 intentional walks). The Phillies' reliever Steve Bedrosian got the win (1-0, 0.00 ERA), while Charlie Puleo (0-1, 2.25 ERA) got the loss.

The New York Mets, the defending 1986 World Champions, won their season-opener with a walk-off single by Keith Hernandez in the 12th inning. Lenny Dykstra (who was the winning run) batted 3-for-6, which included a solo HR, double & two runs. The Pittsburgh Pirates' catcher Mike LaVaillere knocked in both of the Pirates' only runs on two different hits. LaVaillere's 2nd RBI single scored in the game-tying run that forced extras. Pirates started Rick Reuschel pitched really well by striking out 9 Mets hitters, allowing 7 hits, 1 run & 3 walks. Mets win, 3-2.

1987 BBW Replay - Opening Day

The 1987 MLB Season was a special season. The Milwaukee Brewers jumped out to a 13-0 record to make MLB history, The Detroit Tigers 5 games down caught the Toronto Blue Jays with 9 days remaining in the season. The San Francisco Giants gave their fans the most excitement they had in 25 years, and Mark McGwire shattered the MLB rookie season home run mark with 49 HR's in what is considered a juiced ball season for the Majors. Andre Dawson and George Bell also had nearly 50 HR's.

For me, it was the first real season that I actually followed closely. The 1986 Postseason pulled me in, while it was the 1987 season that I was officially all-in. The 1987 Topps Baseball Cards were also the first set that I bought packs of cards on a regular basis. Seeing Lance Parrish's 87' Topps card was odd, knowing that he signed with the Philadelphia Phillies. He was probably the first Tigers star that reminded me of the cruelty of free agency, the first Tigers star that made me realize that our heroes can go to other teams. Of course, rookie Matt Nokes would help us forget the loss of Parrish, as Nokes had an excellent rookie year which helped the Tigers win the division.

I was 10 years old when the season started, and when I was turning 11 on October 28th, I feel it should have been my Tigers winning the whole thing, than the (I hate to say it) fluky Minnesota Twins. The Twins had a Pythagorean record of 79-83, and came from a division in which no team truly had a real championship identity. Meanwhile, the A.L. East had four teams with 89+ wins. Most of the American League's best hitters also came out of the East with Alan Trammell, George Bell, Wade Boggs, Paul Molitor & Don Mattingly having huge years. 

Our teacher rolled the TV into the classroom for us to watch Game #162 between the Toronto Blue Jays and Detroit Tigers at Tigers Stadium. Frank Tanana was fantastic, while it was Larry Herndon's solo HR, the game's only run that helped us break the hearts of Blue Jays fans. The previous two games were also 1-run victories over the Jays... Talk about close!

Doyle Alexander was 9-0 with a 1.53 ERA for us, after we acquired him from Atlanta. Those final weeks of the season, the excitement around Alexander was the most excitement Tiger fans had around a pitcher since Denny McLain and Mark Fidrych. He was like a God in Motown down that stretch. 

We also took advantage of signing Bill Madlock, who was considered washed up by the Los Angeles Dodgers and released. The former 4-time N.L. Batting Champion Madlock was only batting .180 through 21 games for L.A. when they released him. Tigers signed him on June 4th, and he would go on to bat .279 with 14 HR & 50 RBI through 87 games. I was really bummed that he retired after the season.

So this was one of the reasons I bought the 1987 digital data file from APBA, and why this is one of the seasons that I am playing in the BBW (APBA Baseball for Windows) format.

So here is what happened on opening day in the 1987 APBA Replay...

The day experienced 3 walk-off wins (all in extras), starting with the Boston Red Sox at the Milwaukee Brewers...

The Brewers' pinch-hitter Bill Schroeder hit a walk-off single, while Paul Molitor collected 4 hits (2 doubles), Glenn Braggs batted 2-4 with 2 RBI & Mike Felder batted 2-4 with an RBI triple. The Red Sox' Dave Henderson batted 2-for-2 with a solo HR (2 runs), while Boston backstop Marc Sullivan, who came into the game with a lifetime .200 batting average, had a two-run single that momentarily gave Boston a 3-1 lead. Milwaukee wins 4-3 in the 10th on Schroeder's hit.

By the way, we are doing actual transactions for this, so Henderson, Don Baylor & Bill Buckner are still with the Red Sox at the moment.

The Houston Astros win with a walk-off hit by Billy Hatcher at the Astrodome over the Dodgers. Billy (like Molitor in Milwaukee) also had 4 hits, which included a double, RBI & 2 runs. Rookie Gerald Young had a fantastic debut, batting 2-for-5 with 2 stolen bases. It helped that the Astros had Nolan Ryan on the mound, who got the no-decision, pitching 9 solid innings, allowing no earned runs on 4 hits, to go along with his 7 strikeouts and 2 walks. The Dodgers' Franklin Stubbs momentarily tied the game with a two-run homer early on in the game, while Dodgers starter Orel Hershiser allowed 2 earned runs with 4 K's through 9 innings. Reliever Alejandro Pena was credited with the loss, allowing 2 hits & the winning run in no innings. 

The last walk-off came in San Francisco, as the San Francisco Giants won 5-4 through 11 innings over the San Diego Padres. Giants' catcher Bob Brenly gave the Giants a 3-1 lead with a three-run HR during the 3rd inning. The Padres' catcher Benito Santiago matched Brenly with a three-run blast of his own, to tie the game, 4-4 during the 6th inning. The game went to extras and veteran 3B Chris Speier (who came in for Chris Brown a few innings back) would deliver the game-winning hit off Padres' Greg Booker.

Other Games...

Charlie Hough pitches a complete game against the Baltimore Orioles, allowing only 5 hits and no earned runs (1 run) as the Texas Rangers win easily, 7-1. The Rangers' Scott Fletcher batted 3-for-5 with 2 RBI & the Rangers' Jerry Browne batted 2-for-4 with 2 doubles, an RBI, while swiping a base. Mike Boddicker (0-1, 5.40 ERA) gets the loss.

Don Mattingly's three-run home run off the Tigers' Jack Morris (0-1, 3.86) would be the difference as the New York Yankees come into Tiger Stadium with a 3-1 win. The Yankees Dennis Rasmussen (1-0, 1.23 ERA) earns the win, while the Tigers' Alan Trammell batted 2-for-4 with an RBI in a losing effort.

The Kansas City Royals had to earn their win in a difficult way, as the Royals' starting pitcher Bret Saberhagen hurt himself on the first pitch. Kansas City 'benched' their rotation prior to the game, and had to call on Steve Farr to basically start the game. Farr would go on to pitch an excellent game, pitching 6 innings, allowing 5 hits, and only 2 runs & a walk -- while striking out 7 Chicago White Sox hitters. The Royals' George Brett hit a two-run homer in the 3rd. The White Sox eventually tied the game, but it was the Royals' Frank White (2-for-4) who would hit the go-ahead, winning single during the 8th. The White Sox' Carlton Fisk batted 2-for-3 with a double & RBI in the loss.

The Toronto Blue Jays were too much for the Cleveland Indians, winning big, 12-3. The Blue Jays' trio of outfield stars, Lloyd Moseby, Jesse Barfield & George Bell all played major factors. Moseby was the game's biggest star, batting 3-for-5 with a HR, 3 ribbies, 2 runs & a stolen base. Barfield also hit a home run, while batting 3-for-4 with 4 RBI (which included a sac fly) & 2 runs. Bell drew a walk, while hitting a two-run homer in the 1st inning. Jimmy Key (1-0, 3.38) earned the win, allowing only 1 run through his first 8 innings. The Indians' Cory Snyder collected 3 hits, which included a double, while it wasn't a good day for Tom Candiotti (0-1, 13.50 ERA).

Last, but not least... The Montreal Expos, despite 3 errors in the field, win 7-2 over the Cincinnati Reds, on a solid complete by Pascual Perez. Perez allowed 6 hits, 2 runs (none earned) & 3 walks, while striking out 6 batters. The Expos' Mitch Webster batted 3-for-5 with 2 RBI, while Montreal's 9th hitter in the lineup Reid Nichols batted 2-4 with a two-run HR (2 runs). The Reds' Buddy Bell batted 2-for-4 with a RBI & run scored, while Reds starter Bill Gullickson (0-1, 10.80) earned the loss.

That concludes opening day for the 1987.

Deadball-14's Opening Day: 1919 Reds at 1906 Cubs

 

At Chicago / West Side Grounds

The 1919 Cincinnati Reds will face off against the 1906 Chicago Cubs at the West Side Grounds. The Cubs' rotation may be scary good, but the Reds' rotation is definitely not too shabby. The Reds will need to scrape out some lucky hits to keep up with the Cubs lineup, and to beat out their tough infield. The Reds send Dutch Ruether to face 'Three-Finger' Brown in a game which should be about the pitching.

Bottom of the 2nd

Leadoff triple by Cubs' first baseman/manager Frank Chance. Harry Steinfeldt would knock in Chance with an RBI single, a liner over the Reds' Morrie Rath at second base. Joe Tinker lays down a sacrifice bunt to move Steinfeldt over to second. One out, Johnny Evers at the plate, he hits this one down the right field line, it's caught by Neale, Steinfeldt tags up, the throw, and he's safe, just getting under the tag at third. The Reds' Dutch Ruether ends up walking the Cubbies' ace Mordecai Brown, nothing good usually comes out of a situation when you end up walking your counterpart. Bases loaded, two outs, for Jimmy Slagle. Slagle drills it, it's deep, it's fair, and it's caught by the Reds' Greasy Neale. Cubs 1, Reds 0

Both lineups are quite for a few innings until...

Top of the 7th

The Reds' Heinie Groh beats out a infield single to kick off the inning. Edd Roush would hit a liner past a diving Joe Tinker, advancing Groh to third. No outs with runners on the corners for Reds catcher Ivey Wingo, the pitch, and the ball rolls from under the Cubs' Johnny Kling behind home plate (Passed Ball), Groh scores, and Roush moves up to second. Wingo bounces one to the mound, Brown knocks it down, but only has a play at first, one down, but the runner moves up to third. Jake Daubert lines one to the pitcher, caught for out number two. The last two plays will be big if 'Three-Finger' can get out of this inning. The Reds' Greasy Neale steps up to the plate, he makes no contact -- The throw from Kling to third, and Roush is caught trying to steal third! 

But this one is all knotted up at 1-1 as we head to the 7-inning stretch.

Top of the 8th

Greasy Neale just beats out a single, as he tries to give the Reds a spark. LF Rube Bressler is up to the plate, strike, but there goes Neale, Kling's throw is too late, Neale has robbed second. Bressler strikes out against Brown for out number one. Reds pitcher Dutch Ruether hits a shot at Evers, Evers waves at it, it's by him, Neale rounds third, Schulte is up with it, the throw, but Neale is in standing. Reds take a 2-1 lead here late in this one. 

Bottom of the 8th

Top of the order for the Cubbies, but nothing happens as they go down 1-2-3 on fly balls to the outfield. Time is running out for Chicago. 

Top of the 9th

With one out, and Edd Roush on second (after a single & a steal), Ivey Wingo hits a deep fly to right, Roush tags up only to be thrown out at third on amazing throw from right fielder Frank Schulte.

Bottom of the 9th

The Reds' Dutch Ruether needs to get past Frank Chance, Harry Steinfeldt, and Joe Tinker. Ruether appeared to have struck out Chance, when Chance started jumping up and down, but wait, the Umpire says the ball hit him in the hand, but he seems to be okay as he wanders down to first. One on, no outs, Steinfeldt with a swinging bunt, squibs the ball to the left side, Groh comes up to field it, guns it to first, and they get him at first, while Chance moves on down to second. One out, tying run at second, Joe Tinker up at the plate. Tinker puts down a bunt pose, Ruether spins toward second, throws it to shortstop Larry Kopf, and they picked off Chance at second. It's all up to Tinker to make something happen, no wait... Chance calls from the dugout, they will have 'Circus Solly' Hofman come to the plate, while Tinker goes down to sit on the bench. Solly raps it back to the mound, Ruether is up with it, the throw to first and this one's over. 

The Reds win, 2-1.

Dutch did it on both ends for the Reds this afternoon, only allowing 1 run on the mound, while hitting the go-ahead & eventual winning run to give the Reds, the 2-1 edge. The Cubs' Mordecai 'Three-Finger' Brown gets the loss in an honorable effort in which he yielded only 1 earned run and 6 hits in 9 innings, plus 3 strikeouts. 

Deadball-14's Opening Day: 1915 Red Sox at 1902 Pirates

 
At Pittsburgh / Forbes Field

The 1915 Boston Red Sox come into Pittsburgh to play the 1902 Pittsburgh Pirates. Ernie Shore (Grade 20-YZ) toes the rubber for Boston, while he will face Jack Chesbro (Grade 19-Y). 

Top of the 1st

Harry Hooper leads off the game with a triple off Chesbro. Chesbro would end up walking Larry Gardner, putting runners on the corners. Boston first baseman Dick Hoblitzel hits an RBI single up the middle to drive in Hooper. Hoblitzel was picked up off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds, midway through 1914, and now finds himself getting the majority of the starts for this Red Sox team. Gardner gets careless and is picked off at second, thanks to a wonderful throw by Pittsburgh's backstop Harry Smith. Two outs, Hoblitzel tries to steal second and is thrown out. The Red Sox score one run, but shot themselves in the foots, because the early lead could have been bigger. 

Bottom of the 1st

Ginger Beaumont leads the inning off with a single to right. Beaumont steals second base. A couple batters later, Beaumont would score from second base on a RBI single by Tommy Leach. The play would cost Boston not only a run, but a catcher, as Beaumont ran over catcher Chet Thomas. Early reports from the Boston clubhouse is that Thomas may be out for awhile, it certainly didn't look good (Forrest Cady came in to replace Thomas). Game tied, 1-1.

Bottom of the 2nd

Ernie Shore walks back-to-back hitters in Claude Richey and Wid Conroy, no outs. After Harry Smith flied to Speaker in right, Bucs pitcher Jack Chesbro lays down a perfect sacrifice to move the runners up to 2nd & 3rd. Two outs, Ginger Beaumont steps up to the plate, but flies out to Hooper in center. Score remains 1-1.

Top of the 3rd

Weak-hitting Everett Scott leads off the bottom half with a single to right. Chesbro would go on to walk the pitcher Shore, plus Harry Hooper (back-to-back walks). Bases loaded, no outs for 3B Larry Gardner. Gardner strokes it sharply to short, Conroy only has a play at first, gets him... but Scott scores from third, to make it 2-1 Boston. Pittsburgh intentionally walks Tris Speaker to face Hoblitzel. Hoblitzel flies to left center, Beaumont is there, the runners are tagging but will hold as they did not want to test Ginger's strong arm. Chesbro walks Duffy Lewis to score in another run, bases still loaded. The inning ends on a hard hit grounder to Richey at second, relaying it to first to finish the inning. Boston leads, 3-1.

Bottom of the 3rd

Honus Wagner hits a liner to center that skips under Harry Hooper's glove, luckily Tris Speaker came over quickly to back him up, as they hold Wagner to a double. Cleanup hitter Tommy Leach grounds one deep in the hole, Scott is over, long throw to first... Out! Wagner would advance to third. Ernie Shore strikes out Kitty Bransfield strikes out, leaving Wagner stranded.

Bottom of the 5th

Speedy Ginger Beaumont reaches on a error (E-6) by Scott. Fred Clarke follows through with a textbook hit-and-run. Runners on the corners, no outs, as Honus Wagner steps up to the plate. Wagner smacks this one, Duffy Lewis has his back to the fence, runs out of room... and this one is gone! Three-run blast by Wagner, and the Pirates suddenly have a 4-3 lead. The next batter, Leach hits one to the mound, over to first, for the 1st out. First Baseman Kitty Bransfield puts some wood to the ball, sending the ball to deep center. The ball hits the base of the wall, and Hooper is up with it, but Bransfield won't test Hooper's strong arm. Runner on 2nd, 1 out, Claude Richey steps up to the plate, but whiffs at it, two down. Wid Conroy smashes one to the gap in right center, Harry Hooper is over quickly, cuts it off, Bransfield is rounding third, running through a red light, the throw... and he's out! What a throw from Hooper, these Red Sox OF arms can be deadly, as Bransfield is gunned down at the plate.

Regardless, the Pirates have bounced back to take the lead thanks to Mr. Wagner... Pirates lead, 4-3.

Top of the 6th

With one out, Pittsburgh's pitcher Jack Chesbro allows his 7th walk to Cady. Everett Scott hits a hard grounder to deep first, Bransfield is up with it, but has no play.... Runners safe at 1st & 2nd. Two hits for Scott. Boston's ace, Ernie Shore lets Chesbro off the hook as he hit into a 4-6-3 double play to get out of the inning unscathed.

Bottom of the 6th

Pirates catcher Harry Smith kicks off the inning with a single to right. The Pirates skipper/player Clarke calls on Fred Crolius to pinch-run for Smith and for Al Davis to pinch-hit for Chesbro. Davis would hit one to deep second, they get the force at second (4-6), but Davis just beats it out the throw at first, 1 out. Ginger Beaumont excutes the hit-and-run, runners on the corners. Fred Clarke follows Beaumont's plate appearance by lining a hit to right, and scoring in Davis. It's now 5-3, Pittsburgh. Wagner hits one to short, but is out at first on a great play by Boston's Scott, runners move up, two outs. Tommy steps up to the plate, he already has a RBI single from earlier, let's see if he can tack on some more. The pitch from Shore, hits a clothesline to deep center, Harry Hooper puts his glove up, and he's out... It nearly went over his head. Inning over.

Top of the 7th

The Pirates send out lefty Ed Doheny to face Boston's left-handed bats, while Charlie Zimmer takes over catching duties for Smith. 

Doheny would strike out 3 batter in 2 1/3 innings. The Pirates would call on Sam Leever to face Boston's dangerous Del Gainer, who was in pinch-hitting for the pitcher. Leever would lock down the save on 2/3 innings pitched, as Pittsburgh comes back from a 3-1 deficit to win 5-3... On the strength of a Honus Wagner homer during the bottom of the 5th. 

The tip of the Pirates' lineup: Ginger Beaumont, Fred Clarke & Honus Wagner combined on 6-for-13 hitting and 4 RBI. 

The Deadball Greatest Teams League

I decided to do a 14-team Deadball league on BBW (APBA Baseball for Windows), involving the best deadball teams from my two World Series disks from the deadball period. From there, I tried to keep most teams with one team representing their franchise, but a few teams have a couple teams representing them.

• 1902 Pittsburgh Pirates
• 1903 Boston Americans
• 1904 New York Giants
• 1904 New York Highlanders
• 1906 Chicago Cubs
• 1909 Detroit Tigers
• 1911 Philadelphia Athletics
• 1912 New York Giants
• 1914 Boston Braves
• 1915 Boston Red Sox
• 1915 Philadelphia Phillies
• 1916 Brooklyn Robins
• 1917 Chicago White Sox
• 1919 Cincinnati Reds

I decided to go with two Giants teams, although some of the same pitchers, different position players. I went with the 1915 Boston Red Sox over the 1912 team, simply for Babe Ruth to pitch for the Red Sox. 1903 Boston Americans (although Red Sox) are quite different from 1915 team, plus their ace is Cy Young. 

If two teams play each other, and they have the same player, the player has to sit for both teams. 

AGBA Faces Changing Places

 

The APBA Galaxy Baseball Association (AGBA) witnessed some major deals prior to its Trade Deadline. Many of the teams decided to do their deals during the All-Star Break, to compete on even footing. There is still some time for some small deals to be made if needed.

Keep in mind, that we have to imagine that these owners don't see into the future, they have no crystal ball. They will be making moves on what they are feeling at the time. Plus the teams will make moves depending on their current team status.

So let's start with one of the big ones...

Transaction #0030

• Brooklyn Mets receive OF Bobby Bonds
• San Francisco Seals receive SP/RP Nolan Ryan

We all know that Nolan goes on to collect 5,000 strikeouts, while we all know that Bobby had the potential to be a possible Hall of Famer, but could never get past his personal demons. In the AGBA world, Nolan has been horrible on the mound for the Mets. 

Ryan was 0-4 with a 13.25 ERA in only 18.1 innings and 4 starts (he had one bullpen appearance). Although Nolan had 17 strikeouts, he had no pitching control, allowing 17 walks and 33 hits. Ryan had an astronomical 2.727 WHIP -- Nearly 3 baserunners per inning! 

Some people may read this and think that the Mets should have given Ryan more time, but time is the essence, especially during a 72-game season. The Mets needed at least another hitter to add to their weak hitting lineup, and had to pull the trigger to acquire Bonds.

Sure, in this weird universe of players playing from three different eras, we did have the chance of Bobby coming up to the Seals, and playing with his son Barry. Although this Bobby would be 6 years younger (22 in 1968) than his son Barry (who is 28 in 1993)... Think of it as a Baseball Heaven or weird Baseball Twilight Zone dimension or heck... Field of Dreams.

In this world, the San Francisco Seals were trying to keep Bobby out until September, so that his full regular season salary wouldn't have been activated. The Seals have more than enough players on their team, and outfield, that they could afford to do this. As the season went on though, Bobby started to voice his frustrations at the minor league level, on his desire to play now on the big league club. 

It's actual a good move for both franchises moving forward. Bonds would give this lineup some power right away. Brooklyn is one of the few AGBA teams, that doesn't have a slugger with at least 10 home runs; Brandon Nimmo currently leads the team with 7 home runs. 

Adding Ryan to the staff, should only be a bonus for the Seals. The Seals are obviously investing in his long-term future and believe that they can turn this guy around. Ryan would join a pitching staff that already has Juan Marichal, Gaylord Perry and Ray Sadecki. The Seals were using a 4-man rotation, with the before-mentioned being the top 3 slots in the rotation, while John Burkett and Madison Bumgarner split the 4th slot, working every other outing (Once every 8 games). The Seals (19-18-1), a preseason darling are hoping to play much better in the second half.

Despite giving away an athlete such as Bobby Bonds, the Seals feel that they were able to get Ryan while his stock was low. Ryan for this season at least, may still work out of the pen. 

Transaction #0031

• Florida Rockets receive OF Kevin Pillar, 1B/DH Rowdy Tellez & P Sean Reid-Foley [NC]
• Toronto Reds receive 3B Miguel Andujar and RP Drew Rucinski [NC]

The Florida Rockets trading away one of their better lineup pieces is not a surprise, with the struggling Rockets selling. The Toronto Reds will have more stability (and another option) at third base, which could keep Paul Molitor at first base and John Olerud at DH. 1B/OF Rhys Hoskins has struggled for the Reds, and adding Miguel Andujar to an already great top half of the lineup, may help the bottom-half of the lineup at having a better flow. 

The three eras are 1968, 1993 & 2018. Andujar had a big season for the Yankees in 2018, and has produced with this card during his AGBA Season -- batting .278 with 7 HR & 26 RBI for the Rockets, while his HR & RBI numbers were 2nd on the team. 

The Reds are buying, building on their recent winning momentum, trying to make a serious postseason push. The Rockets also traded prospect RP Matt Turner to Philadelphia for $500,000 in cash, while taking chances on SP Doc Gooden (who was bad for the New York Knights) and SP Kyle Freeland to help shore up their pitching problems now.

Transaction #0034

• Atlanta Firebirds receive DH/3B/2B Chip Hale
• New York Knights receive OF Mike Lum, plus $720,000 in cash.

The New York Knights took advantage of getting some out of nothing. It's not to say, that Chip Hale's 1993 card in nothing, which would be a great addition on Atlanta's bench. The Knights acquire a prospect in outfielder Mike Lum, plus cash to work with towards next year's roster. Hale was one of the Knights more productive bats earlier this season, until he cooled off in recent weeks. 

Atlanta was rumored to be possibly parting with OF Ron Gant, and one of the players mentioned was the Knights' RP Collin McHugh, but Gant started heating up while Atlanta outfielders Ronald Acuna Jr and David Justice cooled off. Gant has since won playing time, and Atlanta decided to keep Gant. With that in mind, Atlanta made cuts elsewhere, sent down OF Sandy Valdespino and decided to bring up RP Shane Carle, which activated his big league salary.

Transaction #0036

• Chicago Union receives OF/DH Matt Kemp
• New Orleans Pirates receive SP Jason Bere

In real life, the 33 year-old outfielder Matt Kemp returned to the Dodgers where he made a name for himself, having a strong season in 2018. During this AGBA season, his numbers may even be bigger, batting .309 with 6 HR & 25 RBI (through 37 games) in a weak, unpredictable New Orleans lineup. The Chicago Union's lineup has been underperforming, but could have better production adding Kemp to the mix. The addition of Kemp should be both beneficial to Kemp and Chicago, while the Pirates acquired SP Jason Bere, who had no room to play in Chicago's impressive rotation. 

Bere will be immediately plugged into the Pirates' rotation with the departure of their ace Steve Avery. Bere (Grade B/13-XW) will have to work on his control, but will give the team some strong innings, and will send hitters down swinging.

Transaction #0037

• Chicago Union receives 2B Ryne Sandberg
• Chicago Legends receive 2B Sandy Alomar Sr & OF Melky Cabrera

A notable trade, although a non-impact one to say the least. It's a trade that all the players will just have relocate in the city (or maybe not) to play for their Central League, opposite division rivals. The Legends want to play 2B Glenn Beckert more, who in the Majors was a National League All-Star between 1969-1972 -- Moving out Sandberg allows Beckert and other players more time. The Legends acquire a few pieces back.

Transaction #0038

• Cleveland Spiders receive 3B David Freese & OF Lee Maye
• Portland Thorns receive 3B Josh Donaldson

This trade is really a win-win for both teams. Cleveland has acquired a few more bench options, while they trade away a player who wasn't getting any playing time with Jose Ramirez at third. Josh Donaldson if you recall had a frustrating, injury-plagued 2018 MLB season, in which he split time with the Blue Jays and Indians. Portland should definitely benefit next season with Donaldson's comeback year with the Braves in 2019, but this was a move for the Spiders to make, who are in the win-now mode. David Freese's 2018 APBA card didn't translate for Portland, but could help in bigger pinch-hitting spots in a star-studded lineup such as Cleveland's. Lee Maye was likely picked up as another pinch-runner for the bench.

Transaction #0041

• Portland Thorns receive 2B Horace Clark, P Scott Sanders & SS Ricky Gutierrez
• San Diego Tigers receive 2B Lou Whitaker & SS Dick Schofield Sr

Portland made some more moves by trading Western League All-Star Lou Whitaker to the Tigers, in exchange for a younger, but weaker 2B prospect Horace Clark, plus pitching in Scott Sanders. Whitaker has been rumored for weeks on being dealt, it wasn't a matter of when, but where. For awhile, the Chicago Union seemed to be the favorite, but a deal couldn't be struck, and the Union went with a few different options instead. 

Whitaker is having a big year, batting .318 with 6 HR, 21 RBI, while carrying an outstanding .422 on-base percentage & .998 OPS. 'Sweet Lou' has been a doubles machine, smacking 23 in only 38 games (currently leading AGBA in that category). 

Transaction #0043

• Detroit Wolverines receive SP Steve Avery
• New Orleans Pirates receive SP Spencer Turnbull, RP Shane Greene, RP Blaine Hardy, C/OF Wayne Comer & a player to be named later.

Going into this inaugural AGBA season, the Detroit Wolverines or most of AGBA Baseball didn't expect the Wolverines to be neck-and-neck with the Cleveland Spiders at this point. The Spiders were a clear division favorite, not to mention a World Champion contender on top of that. But here they are, 4 points (2 games) back of Cleveland at the top of the Cobb Division Standings (Central League).

Detroit has adopted a 'win now mentality' knowing that the roster could be very much in flux next season. A few weeks ago, they added left-hand specialist Oliver Perez to the pen, shortstop Freddie Benavides for infield depth & speed, while calling up P/RP Daryl Patterson to the big league club. Now they add Steve Avery to pitch alongside with Denny McLain and Mickey Lolich in the rotation.

Despite having a 1-5 record, Avery had a 2.92 ERA & 1.146 WHIP to go along with 36 strikeouts in 52.1 innings for the Pirates.

And we'll end the post with a big deal between Vegas and Washington...

Transaction #0048

• Las Vegas Lizards receive OF Bryce Harper & SP Ken Hill
• Washington Maroons receive SP Pete Harnisch, 1B/3B Yuli Gurriel, RP Kenley Jansen, a player to be named later, plus $5 million in cash.

The Washington Maroons were expecting a much better season than the one that has played out. Trading Harper may make people scratch their heads, but he has been playing first base (1B-2) for the Maroons all season, due to a crowded outfield that has Larry Walker, Juan Soto and Marquis Grissom, plus Rondell White on the farm. The Maroons wanted to have an actual first baseman and now they have one in Yuli Gurriel (1B-4), who can also play third. The Maroons basically swapped Pete Harnisch for Ken Hill. Harnisch was dominate with Las Vegas and is among the strikeout leaders in all of AGBA this season. Washington adds another reliever in Kenley Jansen (14*-XZ) to go along with John Wetteland (24*-XY), Sean Doolittle (21*-XYZ) and Mel Rojas (14*). 

Las Vegas acquires Bryce Harper, bringing home a hometown hero and mega building block for a franchise that needs a solid pillar to build around. Ken Hill replaces Harnisch in the rotation, and should be a stable rotation piece for years to come.

Opening Day 1921 - Comebacks by Yankees and Browns

The Philadedelphia Athletics came into Yankees Stadium to face off against Babe Ruth and the New York Yankees. Reliever turned starter, Eddie Rommel enters his 2nd season at the top of the rotation as he faces off against Carl Mays. Mays like Ruth, was sent to Boston for basically peanuts, as we open the season with a faded former dynasty in the A's taking on a dynasty on the rise in the Yankees.

The Athletics opened the first inning with a 3-0 lead, after catcher Cy Perkins hit a three-run blast to left, but Yankees starting pitcher Carl Mays would settle down after that. Wally Pipp's RBI single during the bottom of the 1st, puts the Yankees on the board, down 3-1. 

The Yankees would inch closer during the 4th inning as Elmer Miller smacked a one-out triple into the right field corner. Later that inning, Yankees starter Mays reached on a error (The Athletics' 3rd error in the game), and Roger Peckingpaugh singles (and advances to 2nd), putting runners on 2nd & 3rd with two outs. 2B Aaron Ward pops up behind third base in foul territory stranding Ruth on the on-deck circle.

During the bottom of the 7th inning, Babe Ruth would get his chance, tying it up 3-3 with a solo home run to deep center. 

The Athletics continue to watch the game slip away. With runners on 1st & 2nd during the bottom of the 8th, the Yankees' Ward hit a two-run single as the ball bounced off a diving Frank Welch in center (Mays & Peckingpaugh score). Mays completes the game for the Yankees, allowing only 4 hits all game. In a game that started off promising, the A's lose to the Yankees, 5-3.

The defending World Champion Cleveland Indians traveled to St. Louis to face an optimistic St. Louis Browns team. The Browns know they got the hitters, but good timely pitching will be key if they want any success this season. It's a solid starting pitcher face-off between the tribe's Stan Coveleski and the Browns' Urban Shocker.

 

 

Leading off the game, Cleveland's Charlie Jamieson draws a walk. Jamieson is coming off a break-through season (at age 28) in which he batted .319 while reaching base nearly 39% of the time. Jamieson will be Cleveland's everyday starting left fielder this season, and looks to build off his 1920 season. The 2nd batter in the lineup, Bill Wambsganss executed the hit & run, moving Jamieson up to third. The dangerous Tris Speaker would take advantage of the situation, while smacking a two-run double into the right-center field gap, while Speaker would advance to third (on the throw to home). With momentum going Cleveland's way, shortstop Joe Sewell hits a single that parachutes between 2B Marty McManus and RF Johnny Tobin, scoring in Speaker to give Cleveland a 3-0 lead. Shocker not able to locate his pitches, plunks Larry Gardner. The Browns would finally record an out on the 6th batter of the Indians' lineup, getting RF Elmer Smith to pop-out. The Indians would do no more, while stranding runners on 1st & 2nd.

Already plunking a batter in the 1st inning, and a batter earlier in the 2nd inning, Urban Shocker is thrown out of the game after he plunked his 3rd hitter of the game. Shocker (Grade 18) finished the game allowing 4 hits, 2 walks, 3 HBP & 3 earned runs in only 2 1/3 innings. The Browns called on Ray Kolp to pitch the next 1 2/3 innings, in which he only allowed 1 hit and 1 base on balls. 

Still down 3-0, the Browns battle back during the bottom half of the 4th inning. The Browns pulled off a hit-and-run with Ken Williams' big bat. With one out, Browns backstop Hank Severeid would hit a RBI single to put the team on the board. Marty McManus drives in Williams in the next at-bat, to bring St. Louis within a run. With runners on 1st & 2nd with two outs, shortstop Wally Gerber goes on to tie the game 3-3 with an RBI double. The Browns call on Allen Sothoron to take over during the top of the 5th inning, and would go on to pitch until the end of this one.

During the bottom of the 6th, the Browns' Baby Doll Jacobson would smack what appeared to be a home run, but Jamieson would time his jump perfectly robbing him at the wall.

The Brown's Sothoron continues pitching solid, keeping the Indians off the boards.

This game would go to extras...

Bottom of the 11th, the Browns' Severeid collects his 2nd hit of the game. The Browns call on pinch-runner Dud Lee (a backup shortstop) to run for the slow Severeid. The move to pinch-run with Lee would prove pivotal, as Lee beats out the force attempt at second (in a failed double-play attempt) which would result as a single for McManus.

With one out, and runners on 1st & 2nd, Wally Gerber hits a ball hard to SS Joe Sewell in which Sewell botches the grounder, and Gerber reaches first safely (E-6). Bases loaded, pitcher Allen Sothoron hits a ball back at Sewell, Sewell bobbles it, throws desperately to home plate, but the pinch-running Lee would beat out the throw, as the Browns win the ballgame!

Sothoron earns the win, pitching 7 solid innings in relief, striking out 6 batters, while allowing 5 hits.

AGBA All-Star Selections

 

The APBA Galaxy Baseball Association (AGBA) is now at its All-Star Break, here are the All-Star Selections for this season. There will be no game for this season, due to the 3 Leagues, but next year add four more teams, and make it strictly 2 leagues, which is definitely a lot less funky.

Here are the selections...

EASTERN LEAGUE ALL-STARS

STARTERS

C - Chris Hoiles (BAL)

1B - John Kruk (PHI)

2B - Gleyber Torres (NYP)

SS - Trea Turner (WSH)

3B - Dick Allen (PHI)

LF - Tommy Pham (CAR)

CF - Lenny Dykstra (PHI)

RF - Mookie Betts (BOS)

DH - Fred McGriff (ATL)

SP - Greg Maddux (ATL)

RESERVES

Atlanta Firebirds

SP - Phil Niekro

RP - Greg McMichael

Baltimore Bombers

SP - Dave McNally

Boston Colonials

SS - Xander Bogaerts

OF - Carl Yastrzemski

Brooklyn Mets

SP - Tom Seaver

Carolina Twins

3B/2B/OF - Don Buford

DH/OF/1B - Gates Brown

SP - Blake Snell

SP - Tommy Greene

Florida Rockets

OF - Ken Harrelson

Montreal Voyaguers

OF - Roy White

New York Knights

1B - Sadaharu Oh

3B - Ed Charles

New York Pigeons

C - Mike Stanley

1B - Don Mattingly

Pittsburgh Arsenal

SP - Bob Veale

RP - Ron Kline

Washington Maroons

RP - John Wetteland

CENTRAL LEAGUE ALL-STARS

STARTERS

C - Rick Wilkins (NASH)

1B - Norm Cash (DET)

2B - Roberto Alomar (TOR)

SS - Francisco Lindor (CLE)

3B- Jose Ramirez (CLE)

LF - Tim Raines (CHU)

CF - Reggie Sanders (CIN)

RF - Christian Yelich (MIL)

DH - John Olerud (TOR)

SP - Sam McDowell (CLE)

RESERVES

Chicago Legends

DH/OF - Glenallen Hill

Cincinnati Buckeyes

2B - Pete Rose

SP - Hideo Nomo

Cleveland Spiders

SP - Corey Kluber

RP - Vincente Romo

Detroit Wolverines

SS - Alan Trammell

3B - Travis Fryman

Kansas City Monarchs

C/DH - Mike Macfarlane

1B - Wally Joyner

SP - Brad Keller

RP - Jeff Montgomery

Milwaukee Braves

OF/3B/1B - Ryan Braun

SP - Ray Washburn

RP - Jeremy Jeffress

New Orleans Pirates

DH/OF - Matt Kemp

St. Louis Saints

1B - Gregg Jefferies

Toronto Reds

C - Joe Azcue

OF - Rickey Henderson

SP - Bobby Bolin

Twin Cities Giants

3B - Chris Sabo

WESTERN LEAGUE ALL-STARS

STARTERS

C - Chad Kreuter (SD)

1B - Andres Galarraga (DEN)

2B - Lou Whitaker (POR)

SS - Trevor Story (DEN)

3B - Alex Bregman (HOU)

LF - Barry Bonds (SF)

CF - Mike Trout (LAG)

RF - Dante Bichette (DEN)

DH - Willie McCovey (SF)

SP - Luis Tiant (SEA)

RESERVES

Arlington Stars

C - Ivan Rodriguez

Denver Miners

3B - Nolan Arenado

SP - Pat Jarvis

RP - Adam Ottavino

Houston Rattlers

1B - Jeff Bagwell

SP - Mike Cuellar

SP - Justin Verlander

RP - Ryan Pressly

Las Vegas Lizards

SP - Pete Harnisch

Los Angeles Royals

OF - Joc Pederson

SP - Walker Buehler

San Diego Tigers

3B/OF/DH - Phil Clark

OF - Felipe Alou

San Francisco Seals

SS - Brandon Crawford

SP - Juan Marichal

RP - Rod Beck

San Jose Athletics

2B/DH - Scooter Gennett

OF - Rick Monday

Seattle Captains

OF - Ken Griffey Jr

Where Were We?

 It's safe to say that it's been awhile since I last posted. Lots going on in Becky and I's personal life, while we have been very busy at home and work life as well. We are literally scraping by, I honestly can't really get into what's been going on with us, until we actually find out answers ourselves.

Last time I posted, we just got back from the Greater Michigan tourney in Jackson, and almost immediately we had one thing after another come up on us. When we do get a break from things, we spend our time at home with our three strange, cats that keep us entertained. 

We found out that our youngest cat, Athena (about 9 months old) apparently loves watching 'Murder She Wrote' with us. She was literally on the edge of her cat tower watching one of the episodes. My wife has been on MSW kick, and now we both watch it together while its dinner time... I guess when you are in your late 40's you have to start doing old people stuff like watching Angela Lansbury in action.

My niece turns ONE on August 22nd, and my sister and her husband Morgan will be up from Philadelphia visiting in Northern Michigan in late August to celebrate little Vivian's birthday. My niece's birthday is August 22nd, My sister's birthday is August 26th, and my mom's birthday is the 29th of August... I know they couldn't have planned that any better.

My hobbies of late are the following...

•  APBA (as if that's any surprise whatsoever).
• Creating my own Baseball replay game.
• Playing the DK Sports Basketball (Action PC) game, which is used for my UBL Basketball League.
• Printing and cutting out all the cards for the Status Pro Basketball game, that I plan to learn to play.
• Creating Custom-made Basketball cards of players from my UBL Basketball League. 
• Listening to my Bill Simmons and Ryen Russillo, The Ringer podcasts. 
• My brother Chris and I, joining our father and his friends' APBA League... Yeah, my dad started playing again, and he's enjoying it again (Yay!)
• Chris and I, starting our own 20-team APBA League, which we plan to do a Inaugural Draft starting with 1980 and then next year, 1981... More to come on that, we are still in the rough draft stages of the creation.
• Creating compilation album covers for my Spotify playlists... yes, you read that correctly.

Like I mentioned above, we are just scraping by, so that is the major reason among other reasons, that we unfortunately can't make it to the Glass City APBA Baseball Tournament. My friend, it's wonderful host Ron Emch won't be there, as him and his wife will be celebrating 50 years of marriage... Congratulations on 50 years, wow! No fear though, the tournament will be in good hands, as it will be hosted by father and son, Norm and Michael Zavela. The theme is non-playoff teams between the years, 1990-to current, I believe (but no 2020 season). 

If I had went, I would have played my 2007 Detroit Tigers, which didn't have much pitching but had an excellent lineup with the top bats being Curtis Granderson, Placido Polanco, and Magglio Ordonez. In my 2007 Detroit Tigers Season Replay, all three each had over 200 hits. 

I will go more in-depth with the hobbies listed above in future posts. 

Hope all is well for everyone else, plenty of Sixty-Sixes to everyone.

March Updates (AGBA & GMABT)

Here are some quick updates for the month of March, on projects and future posts.

AGBA Baseball Season I

Here are the standings for the APBA Galaxy Baseball Association (AGBA)

The New York Pigeons (of the Eastern League's Ruth Division) has acquired some more breathing room between them and their closest competition by sweeping their 4-game series at home, against the Florida Rockets (who have now lost 6 straight). The Pigeons have one of the best records in AGBA when playing at home, sporting a 15-6 record. The Baltimore Bombers have idled all season at the .500 mark, and are at the moment, the 2nd place team.

If this season's trends continue, there should be 3 playoff teams coming out of the Robinson Division. The Philadelphia Veterans appeared to be the solid third team, and possible 2nd place team, but has now hit the skids, sliding to 4th place, with Washington slipping past them. The Washington Maroons success has been due to their lineup starting to wake up. The Maroons moved shortstop Trea Turner up to the leadoff spot, and he hasn't looked back -- batting .389, 1 HR, 5 RBI with 6 runs, while reaching base with a .421 OBP and stealing 4 bases during recent 8-game stretch. 

The Carolina Twins remains by an edge on top of the Robinson Division, while both Carolina and the Atlanta Firebirds won each of their last 4-game series, 3-1. The Brooklyn Mets rebounded from an 4-0 sweep against Carolina two weeks ago, by going 5-2-1 their last 8 games. The Mets may be adding a big bat before the Trade Deadline, by trading one of their surplus of pitchers. The Mets are in 5th place in their division, 18 points back, but have the potential to get back into the division race with the rotation that they have.

The Detroit Wolverines may be starting to add their name to the AGBA Title contenders with their recent 7-2-1 stretch, while the Cobb Division favorite Cleveland Spiders have lost their webbing, and found themselves in their worst stretch of the season (4-6, last 10 games). The Wolverines host the same Toronto Reds that won their series, 3-1 against Cleveland, while the Spiders look to rebound against the gold & purple, facing off against the Kansas City Monarchs on the road. Toronto looked good against Cleveland, and hope to build on their recent momentum.

The Milwaukee Braves remain in 1st place in the Young Division, as they are in control with a 9-point cushion over the St. Louis Saints. The Braves host the struggling Saints next. The Saints have lost 7 of their last 10 games, as their bats cooled off. St. Louis has scored 4 runs-or-less during 8 of their last 10 games. 

The Twin Cities Giants continue to move in a positive position, but due to the rough start to the season, still remain 16 points (8 games behind).

The Houston Rattlers are tied with the Carolina Twins with the best record in the entire Galaxy League, each showing off a 23-10-1 record (.696 winning pct). The Rattlers are strong in all areas, lineup, rotation, pen & bench, and appear to be the overwhelming favorite to win the division. Houston's closest competition are the San Jose Athletics, who recently slowed down the hot Los Angeles Guardians. 

The Denver Miners now appear to be the team to beat in the Wagner Division. The Miners' lineup have been explosive at the plate, while they have got clutch starting pitching out of Pat Jarvis (5-1, 2.19) and Frank Viola, who has a 3-1 record and 2.72 ERA (1.93 ERA in last 3 starts) since being acquired from Twin Cities.

Denver's Andres Galarraga is making a serious push for the Western League's MVP Award, by hitting .479 with 4 HR & 14 RBI, plus 10 doubles during his last 12 games. Galarraga also has a remarkable .528 OBP, 1.063 slugging & a Ruthian-plus 1.591 OPS during the hot streak. Teammate Dante Bichette has also been one of AGBA's hottest hitters recently, batting .375 with 4 HR & 12 RBI (.426 OBP & 1.238 OPS) during the same stretch.

Don't look now, but the Arlington Stars have come alive, and quietly snuck past the underachieving Los Angeles Royals and San Francisco Seals (the two preseason favorites to go head-to-head for the division). The Stars' rotation has been consistently good for the past couple weeks, while the lineup has been much better, although they need Juan Gonzalez (.239 AVG) and Frank Howard (.222 AVG) to step up. Although Howard is among the league leaders with 11 home runs this season, he has not hit a dinger in two weeks, while he has batted .133 (6-for-45) during the stretch.

Greater Michigan APBA Baseball Tournament IX (GMABT)

I plan to do a future post on returning to Jackson, Michigan after a 6-year absence. What I can tell you right now is that Norm Zavela navigated the 1984 Detroit Tigers ("Bless You Boys") to win the tournament's 9th tourney. 

Many APBA-heads can tell you that guiding the 1984 Tigers to any success is a somewhat rarity. The 1984 Tigers and 1986 Mets, are two very memorable MLB teams, each with colorful characters and great bench players, but for some reason many dice rollers have had a hard time equally their MLB success. There could be numerous reasons for such, in my honest opinion is that many managers (including myself) have used numerous lineups for each of these teams, with many different starters as well, and APBA managers may have altered the lineups during one single tournament as well, once they felt they had to change things up.

I found out after my first few APBA tournaments that keeping one consistent lineup helps out tremendously, then it's all down to if you are rolling good dice or not. In my first GMABT tournament, I took the deadball 1917 Chicago White Sox and changed the lineup a few times over, with Eddie Collins and a couple others shifting around. I lost a couple close ones, but short story -- I didn't do well, plus my friend Ron Emch pointed out afterwards, I probably should have hit-and-run much more. Plus I think most APBA fans also know, unless it's a deadball era tournament, it's overall best to stay away from using a deadball team.

The next year, I ended up winning the Greater Michigan with a never-changing lineup in the 1993 Atlanta Braves, going 8-2 in the division, while winning my 3 playoff games for the title (11-2 overall record). I had the #1 seed in my 1st Glass City Tournament with the 1951 Brooklyn Dodgers, also due to sticking with one lineup -- by the way, all four of the top seeds (including mine) got knocked out by the bottom four seeded teams in that tournament.

It would be great to hear from Norman on how he navigated such a great (but difficult) team to the title. I do know that Ruppert Jones (pictured at top) was named the APBA Tournament MVP for the Tigers, having a 3 HR game during the day, while hitting the clutch homer in the GMABT championship game. Kudos on a job well done!

More to come on the tournament...