[bigdawg2003]

This is my first time doing this, so give me some feedback, positive or negative.





SYNOPSIS:

The Houston Astros won two full-season N.L. West crowns in the 1980s, one in 1980, the other in 1986. They lost to the eventual World Series champions in the NLCS both times (Phillies 1980, Mets 1986.) My goal is to lead my beloved Astros to at least two World Series crowns in the 80s, then change the history of playoff failure in the 1990s.


1980 REALITY:

World Series: Philadelphia over Kansas City in 6 games, Mike Schmidt named MVP
NLCS: Philadelphia over HOUSTON in 5 games, Manny Trillo named MVP
(HOUSTON defeats Los Angeles in a one game playoff to determine champion)
ALCS: Kansas City over New York in 3 games, Frank White named MVP

NL MVP: Mike Schmidt, 3B, Philadelphia
AL MVP: George Brett, 3B, Kansas City

NL Cy Young: Steve Carlton, Philadelphia
AL Cy Young: Steve Stone, Baltimore

NL ROY: Steve Howe, Los Angeles
AL ROY: Joe Charboneau, Cleveland


MEET THE ASTROS:

Starting Rotation (1979 stats listed):

J.R. Richard, 113 IP, 1.91 ERA, 10-4, 40 BB, 119 K
Vern Ruhle, 159 IP, 2.38 ERA, 12-4, 29 BB, 55 K
Nolan Ryan, 223 IP, 3.36 ERA, 11-10, 98 BB, 200 K
Ken Forsch, 222 IP, 3.20 ERA, 12-13, 41 BB, 84 K
Joe Niekro, 256 IP, 3.55 ERA, 20-12, 79 BB, 127 K

Richard is absolutely maxed out in the game. In reality, he was on track to be one of the greats, but had a stroke in spring training one year that ended his career. He has an 11 in avoiding hits and 9 in strikeouts with an 8 throwing velocity. He’ll give up a few walks, but this guy is an ace. This rotation will not give up many homeruns, but pitching in the Astrodome will make the opposing longball a rare sight indeed.

Mopup Relievers:

Gordie Pladson, 41 IP, 4.39 ERA, 0-4, 16 BB, 13 K

Middle Relief:

Dave Smith, 102 IP, 1.94 ERA, 7-5, 32 BB, 85 K, 10 saves
Randy Niemann, 33 IP, 5.45 ERA, 0-1, 12 BB, 18 K, 1 save
Gordie Pladson, (see above)

Setup Relief:

Joaquin Andujar, 122 IP, 3.91 ERA, 3-8, 43 BB, 75 K, 2 saves
Frank LaCorte, 83 IP, 2.82 ERA, 8-5, 43 BB, 66 K, 11 saves

Closer:

Joe Sambito, 90 IP, 2.20 ERA, 8-4, 22 BB, 75 K, 17 saves

1980 is a little before my time, but this bullpen doesn’t look very championship caliber. Sambito is a stud though, and every one of these guys has great avoiding HR ratings. Gotta play to your park’s strengths, so I will definitely focus on pitching in the draft.

Starting Lineup (Only against RHP)

Joe Morgan, 2B, .243 AVG, 11 HR, 49 RBI, 66 R, 24 SB
Enos Cabell, 3B, .276 AVG, 2 HR, 55 RBI, 69 R, 21 SB
Jose Cruz, RF, .302 AVG, 11 HR, 91 RBI, 79 R, 36 SB
Cesar Cedeno, LF, .309 AVG, 10 HR, 73 RBI, 71 R, 48 SB
Art Howe, 1B, .283 AVG, 10 HR, 46 RBI, 34 R, 1 SB
Terry Puhl, CF, .282 AVG, 13 HR, 55 RBI, 75 R, 27 SB
Alan Ashby, C, .256 AVG, 3 HR, 48 RBI, 30 R, 0 SB
Craig Reynolds, SS, .226 AVG, 3 HR, 28 RBI, 34 R, 2 SB

This team just cries out for a small-ball coach. 5 out of 8 regular hitters with 20+ steals, excellent fielders at most positions except Howe at 1B, and no regulars with more than 13 HRs.


PENDING FREE AGENTS:

J.R. Richard, SP, age 30
Joaquin Andujar, RP, age 27
Joe Sambito, RP, age 27
Denny Walling, 1B, age 25
Enos Cabell, 3B, age 30
Craig Reynolds, SS, age 27

Richard and Sambito are definite keepers; they will anchor my bullpen and rotation for at least the next 5-10 years. Andujar & Cabell will depend on how they perform this season, because in OOTP, middle relievers are ultra plentiful. Walling & Reynolds will probably either be let go at the end of the season or be traded, although I doubt I could get anything of value for either of them.


COACHES/SCOUTS:

Hitting Coach: Matthew Howze, age 56
Above Average

Pitching Coach: Rueben Armstrong, age 44
Average

Scouting Director: Roy Moss, age 43
Average w/ hitters, Above Average w/ pitchers

AAA Manager: Eddie Kitt, age 51
Above Average w/ hitters, Good w/ pitchers

AA Manager: Jamie Waddy, age 59
Above Average w/ hitters, Excellent w/ pitchers

A Manager: John Forster, age 55
Above Average w/ hitters, Good w/ pitchers

Could be worse, but will definitely be much improved when I can actually pick my guys.


NEXT: End of April report