1977 Alternate Universe (What if?)

[GrimmyDee]

I had posted a similar post back in 2003, but with this great version of 2007, I decided to rehash the idea with a few changes.

1) Moved the date up to 1977 from 1970.
2) Accepted the position to become manager of the Philadelphia Phillies' Single A ballclub that I will post along with the news from around the league.

So without further ado, here it goes. Please excuse the next few posts as they will be used for informational purposes as the years go on.

[GrimmyDee]

YEARLY RECAP

1977 Season In Progress!

[GrimmyDee]

WORLD SERIES / PLAYOFF HISTORY

1977 Season In Progress!

[GrimmyDee]

END OF SEASON AWARDS

1977 Season In Progress!


ALL-STARS

1977 Season In Progress!

[GrimmyDee]

RETIREMENTS

1977 Season In Progress!

[GrimmyDee]

DRAFT HISTORY

1977 Season In Progress!

[GrimmyDee]

LEAGUE LEADERS

1977 Season In Progress!


TEAM LEADERS

1977 Season In Progress!

[GrimmyDee]

TRANSACTIONS

1977 Season In Progress!

[GrimmyDee]

What happens when reality as we know it is changed?

The following posts will transcribe what happens when a comet passes too close to the earth causing a split in the fabric of reality. There is the Major League Baseball history that we all know and love, and then there is this untold version...the alternate universe caused by the comet known as "Babe".

(NOTE: Feel free to post similarities/differences between the two universes. I am mearly running a career league and monitoring/chronicling the events that take place and making notations of the things I see.)

January
Jan 1 - Brewers P Danny Frisella, 30, is killed in a dune buggy accident near Phoenix, Arizona.

Jan 2 - Commissioner Bowie Kuhn suspends Braves owner Ted Turner for one year as a result of tampering charges in the Gary Matthews free-agency signing, but the Braves are permitted to keep the outfielder.

Jan 3 - The Royals release P Lindy McDaniel, ending his 21-year career. He appeared in 987 games, 2nd only to Hoyt Wilhelm's 1,070.

Jan 4 - Mary Shane is hired by the Chicago White Sox as the first woman TV play-by-play announcer.

Jan 6 - Angels reserve SS Mike Miley, 23, is killed in an automobile crash in Baton Rouge, LA. Miley had been a star football player at LSU and was chosen twice in the first round of the June free-agent draft.

Jan 7 - Astronomer Philip Dukower discovers what appears to be a huge comet approximately 7 miles in diameter heading towards Earth. He predicts that the comet is not on a collision course with Earth but could be visible to the naked eye in late March as it passes the Earth. Being a huge baseball fan, Dukower called the comet, "Babe".

Jan 11 - In a five-player swap, the Cubs send OF Rick Monday (.272, 32 HR, 77 RBI in 1976) to the Dodgers for 1B-OF Bill Buckner (.301, 7 HR, 60 RBI) and SS Ivan DeJesus (.171, 2 RBI in 41 AB in '76).

Jan 17 - Kansas City releases Tommy Davis, ending an 18-year career spent with 10 different teams.

Jan 19 - The BBWAA elects Ernie Banks to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

Jan 20 - The Yankees obtain outfielder Paul Blair (.197, 3 HR, 16) from Baltimore for outfielders Elliott Maddox and Rick Bladt.

Jan 27 - Boston sports writers honor Luis Tiant as the Red Sox most valuable pitcher. This is the fifth year in a row that El Tiante has won, a record streak for this honor which was first awarded in 1952.

Jan 30 - Edward W. Stack is elected president of the Hall of Fame succeeding the retiring Paul Kerr.

Jan 31 - The Special Veterans Committee selects Joe Sewell, Amos Rusie and Al Lopez for the Hall of Fame.


February
Feb 3 - The Hall of Fame's Special Committee on the Negro Leagues picks Martin Dihigo, the versatile Cuban star, and John Lloyd for induction. The committee then dissolves, its fuctions being taken over by the veterans committee.

Feb 11 - The Cubs trade 3B Bill Madlock (.339, 15 HR, 84 RBI), the NL batting champ the past two seasons, and 2B Rod Sperring to the Giants for OF Bobby Mercer (.259, 23 HR, 90 RBI), IF Steve Ontiveros (.176, 0 HR, 5 RBI in 74 AB) and a minor league pitcher. Madlock leaves Chicago having hit .336 for them, which ties him with Riggs Stephenson for the top Cub career average.

Feb 19 - The A's sell P Paul Lindblad (6-5, 5 Sv, 3.06 ERA) to the Rangers for $400,000, calling into question Bowie Kuhn's policy on player sales. Kuhn had previously voided an Oakland sale of players (6/18/76) as "not being in the best interest of baseball," but had not specified the amount allowable in a player sale.

Feb 22 - "Babe", the seven-mile wide comet discovered by astronomer Philip Dukower, continues to increase in popularity. Scientists believe that the comet will be visible for millions (weather permitting) on the evening of March 25th.


March
Mar 7 - The Braves file suit against Commissioner Kuhn, challenging the severity of the penalty for tampering charges.

Mar 15 - The Pirates trade outfielders Tony Armas (.333, 1 RBI in 6 AB), OF Mitchell Page and four pitchers, including Rick Langford (0-1, 6.26 ERA in 23 IP), to the A's for 2B Phil Garner (.261, 8 HR, 74 RBI), IF Tommy Helms (.276, 1 HR, 13 RBI in 87 AB) and P Chris Batton.

Mar 17 - Federal Judge Frank McGarr rules in favor of Commissioner Kuhn, saying that the Kuhn acted within his authority in voiding the 1976 player sales engineered by A's owner Charlie Finley.

Mar 21 - Mark Fidrych (19-9, 2.34 ERA), the 1976 Rookie of the Year, rips the cartilage in his left knee and will undergo surgery in ten days.

Mar 25 - In a spectacular display, the comet affectionately called "Babe" by it's many supporters, streaks through the night sky - much closer to the earth than any comet has come before. The resulting magnetic disturbance knocks out power and disrupts controllers across North America.

Mar 26 - The Athletics trade former All-Star OF Claudell Washington (.257, 5 HR, 53 RBI, 37 SB) to the Rangers for P Jim Umbarger (10-12, 3.15 ERA), infielder Rodney Scott (.400 in 10 AB) and cash.

Mar 28 - The Rangers Lenny Randle, angry for having been benched during spring training, attacks 50-year old manager Frank Lucchesi, sending him to the hospital with a shattered cheekbone. Lucchesi helped precipitate the incident by calling the good-natured Randle "a punk."

The Reds swap Joel Youngblood (.193, 1 RBI in 57 AB) to the Cardinals for P Bill Caudill. Tomorrow they'll send Pat Darcy (2-3, 2 Sv, 6.23 ERA in 39 IP) to the Cards for Mike Caldwell (1-7, 2 SV, 4.86 ERA). Darcy will retire before the season starts.

April will be posted tomorrow.

[petrel]

Good luck in Spartanburg! I'll be reading!

--Pet

[GrimmyDee]

Originally Posted by petrel

Good luck in Spartanburg! I'll be reading!

--Pet

I appreciate you being on board. While I did update all of the stadiums and managers to fit the 1977 era, I unfortunately was not able to do all of the minor league teams, so alas, I will be managing the...Lake City (GA) Moths.

Oy.

[petrel]

Originally Posted by GrimmyDee

I appreciate you being on board. While I did update all of the stadiums and managers to fit the 1977 era, I unfortunately was not able to do all of the minor league teams, so alas, I will be managing the...Lake City (GA) Moths.

Oy.

Oy indeed. What a shande. Oh well...go moths!

--Pet

[GrimmyDee]

Due to a car accident involving a deer playing chicken with my car and the fact that April produced ALOT of newsworthy stories - there was a delay in my posting. My apologies. I have also broken April into 2 parts, and will have a seperate post for the April standings and league leaders. What would be better, a screen shot of the leaders and standings or the coded box version?

April


Apr 1 - A little over a week since ripping the cartilage in his left knee, Tigers pitcher Mark Fidrych puts off season ending surgery and will instead will wear an oversized brace to add support to the knee. Fidrych stated he felt no simulated pain after throwing a 5-inning simulated game one day ago.


Apr 3 - Lake City manager Monty Harris suffers cardiac arrest while arguing balls and strikes in a game against East Los Angeles and is transported to Lake City General Hospital in critical condition but is expected to recover. Hitting coach Ty St. John will serve as interim manager until a replacement can be named.



Apr 5 - The White Sox trade SS Bucky Dent (.246, 2 HR, 52 RBI) to the Yankees for OF Oscar Gamble (.232, 17 HR, 57 RBI), pitchers LaMarr Hoyt and Bob Polinsky and an estimated $200,000. Somewhere in Beantown, a psychic wakes up screaming in a cold sweat.


Director of Minor League Operations for the Philadelphia Phillies, Douglas Baker, names unknown Dave Grimm to take over the thier Single-A affiliate in Lake City. It is later learned that Grimm and Baker are related.



Apr 6 - The Seattle Mariners make thier debut, losing 3-2 to the Angels on a Tony Solaita RBI single and a Ken Landreaux sacrifice fly off of reliever Mike Kekich. Seattle starter Gary Wheelock pitches 8 2/3 innings giving up 3 hits and an unearned run before giving way to Kekich, while California's Frank Tanana gives up just 5 hits and one run in 8 innings before being relieved by eventual winner Dick Drago.


Apr 7 - The White Sox ruin the American League baseball debut in bitter cold Toronto (46 degrees) where 25,428 watched Chicago defeat the Blue Jays 4-3 when Jorge Orta singles home Richie Zisk in the top of the 9th off of Jays closer Dennis DeBarr. DeBarr would give up 4 hits and 2 runs in the inning.



Dodger RF Reggie Smith hits 2 home runs, the second being a walk-off blast in the bottom of the 11th inning off of RP Dave Heaverlo to beat the Giants 3-2. Smith would end up with 3 of the LA's 5 hits and drive in all of thier runs. Elias Sosa would get the win after Burt Hooton would go 10 innings for Los Angeles.



Before 47,269 in the Opener at Yankee Stadium, Ron Guidry pitches 12 innings, giving up just 6 hits and 2 runs before finally giving way to Sparky Lyle in the 13th. Yankee LF Lou Pinella would then double home Mickey Rivers in the bottom of the frame for the victory. Reggie Jackson, in his first start as a Yankee, would go 1-for-5 with an RBI.


New manager Dave Grimm arrives in Lake City, Georgia to take over the team from hitting coach Ty St. John. However, nobody informed him that the Moths were en route to Arizona to start a 3-game series with the Glendale Locusts. Grimm makes the 1800 mile trip and arrives just before gametime and watches the Moths score 6 in the 9th to win 6-3.



Apr 9 - The Angels send 2B Bobby Grich (.266, 13 HR, 54 RBI in '76) to Cleveland in exchange for SP Don Hood (3-5, 1 Sv, 4.87 ERA). Hood would go on to pitch 7 shutout innings tonight for the win against Seattle while Grich is stuck behind Buddy Bell n Cleveland and only playing against LH pitching.



The Mets commit 4 errors in thier loss to the Cubs 5-4, the last coming in the bottom of the 15th inning when CF Lee Mazzilli muffs a Willie Hernandez ground ball while playing out of position at 3B. Hernandez would later score on a Larry Biittner sacrifice fly which would have made the third out.



Sam Ewing hits a pinch hit 2-RBI home run in the 8th inning in Toronto's 5-4 loss to the White Sox to become the first Blue Jay to homer in a game. Pitcher Jeff Byrd will get the historical first win for the Blue Jays in tomorrow's game, defeating Chicago, 6-3. Three days later against Detroit, fan Wilbur Alias would be the first to pound 8 hot dogs in a game at Exhibition Stadium.



Wearing a huge brace that makes his left leg look twice as big as his right, Tiger pitcher Mark Fidrych pitches 8 innings, scattering 8 hits and 1 run while making 135 pitches - all without pain. Fidrych would be quoted as saying, "...there isn't much pretty about me, why would my leg be any different?"


With a 10-4 victory over Glendale, Lake City sweeps the Locusts and runs new manager Dave Grimm's record to 3-0. DH/C Eugene Thompson and SS Ben Ball each have 3 hits in the game. Grimm's use of the bench for pinch-hitting duties has been criticized as "pure luck" by the local media.



Apr 11 - San Diego and Texas swap 33-year olds as the Rangers send 2B Sandy Alomar (.239, 1 HR, 10 RBI in '76) in exchange for OF Merv Rettenmund (.229, 2 HR, 11 RBI). Rettenmund would go 0-for-6 with 2 strikeouts in his first game with his new team. Nice first impression Merv.



Yankees LF Roy White (.636, 1 HR, 2 RBI) collects 5 hits, including a 2-run home run in the 9th inning off of Kansas City reliever Steve Mingori (1-0, 1 BS, 27.00 ERA) to tie the game at 6. However it would be for not, as the Royals would score a run in the bottom of the frame on a Freddie Patek (.250, 2 RBI) sacrifice fly against Sparky Lyle (1-1, 6.75 ERA) to win the game.


Apr 12 - Quickly adapting to the rules of the game, the Blue Jays send 38-year old RF Ron Fairly to Kansas City for reliever Steve Mingori (1-0, 27.00 ERA). While not confirmed, some reports state the trade came as a result of Mingori's tirade during last night's game after giving up a game tying home run to Roy White. Others say he is just VERY moody.


Philip K. Wrigley, owner of the Chicago Cubs, dies at the age of 82. He had just started his 42nd season with the Cubs. William Wrigley succeeds his father as chairman of the executive committee of the team.



Apr 13 - 3B Phil Mankowski (.750, 2 HR, 5 RBI) has 5 hits and 4 RBI as the Tigers destroy the Blue Jays 12-1. Everyone except rookie SS Alan Trammell (.111, 2 RBI) has at least one hit and Detroit starter Dave Roberts (1-0, 1.00 ERA) cruised to victory scattering 8 hits. Toronto starter Jesse Jefferson (0-1, 3.18 ERA) contributed to his own woes as his error in the 5th inning turned into 5 unearned runs.


Texas pitcher Gaylord Perry (1-1, 1.59 ERA) gets his first win of the year against the Indians as he blanks his former team, allowing just 2 hits in a 3-0 win. Cleveland starter Dennis Eckersley (1-1, 2.70 ERA) goes the distance as well, giving up all 3 earned runs on just 6 hits. In his first start as an Indian, Bobby Grich (.000) goes hitless in 3 at bats.


Apr 14 - Philadelphia promotes Single-A catcher Pedro Manuel to Double-A Lincoln, however nobody tells Lake City manager Dave Grimm until the lineup cards are exchanged and Grimm has a hole in the cleanup spot. The Moths still win 9-4 when they score 5 runs in the top of the 13th inning.



Apr 15 - Cubs starter Bill Bonham (1-0, 1.06 ERA) 4-hits New York, getting 3 hits apiece from 2B Manny Trillo (.407) and newly acquired 1B Bill Buckner (.400) - both of whom are hitting at the.400 mark in the young season. RF Mike Vail had 2 of the hits for the Mets, lifting his team-leading average up to .429.



The Expos play thier first game in Montreal's Olympic Stadium before a crowd of 33,543. Steve Rogers (1-1, 3.18 ERA) outduels Steve Carlton (0-1, 3.52 ERA) to give Montreal a 2-1 victory. After Carlton walked Sam Meijas with the bases loaded to tie it up, pinch hitter Del Unser hit a walkoff 2-out RBI single for the win.

[petrel]

I always feel that text is easier to read. You might want to add a picture here and there, though.

--Pet

[GrimmyDee]

Added pics to the news above, trying to get a format I am happy with and is easy for everyone to read. Want the reader to get the feel of the league without overloading thier brains.

I have more April news ready, just wanted to get some suggestions...

Thanks Petrel for replying - it is very appreciated. Nice blog BTW.

[GrimmyDee]

Apr 17 - The trend of 5-hit games continue as Padres rookie LF Gene Richards (.390, 2 RBI) delivers in a 7-2 win over Cincinnati. Doug Radar (.250, 2 HR, 5 RBI) and Dave Winfield (.257, 4 HR, 5 RBI) each hit two homers for San Diego off of Reds' pitchers Gary Nolan and Jack Billingham. Padre starter Randy Jones (1-2, 4.76 ERA) scatters 8 hits and 2 runs to get his first win of the year.

Apr 18 - Red Sox starter Reggie Cleveland (1-0, .56 ERA) blanks the Tigers on just two hits in winning 5-0. Cleveland strikes out 3 while walking only 1 in his 105 pitch masterpiece. 2B Steve Dillard (.321, 2 HR, 7 RBI) collects three hits and 1B George Scott (.276, 1 HR, 5 RBI) drives in two to pace the Boston offense.

Apr 19 - CF Mickey Rivers (.459, 1 HR, 5 RBI) of the Yankees comes within a home run away from hitting for the cycle while collecting 5 hits against Toronto, while RF Reggie Jackson (.321, 1 HR, 6 RBI) comes within a double of doing the same in the 14-1 victory. Yankee starter Dick Tidrow (1-0, 0.00 ERA) pitched all but the last out to get the win.

Seattle loses its ninth game in a row, thanks to a 6-hit shutout from the Rangers Bert Blyleven (3-0, 3.24 ERA). Texas gets home runs from Jim Sundberg (3), Mike Hargrove (2) and Bump Wills (1) to give Blyleven all of the support he needs. Seattle starter Glenn Abbott gives up 4 runs in 7 1/3 innings and actually LOWERS his ERA to 8.80 while falling to 0-3.

Coming into the game hitting just .171, Padre SS Bill Almon collects 5 hits, including a game-winning double in the top of the tenth to put away the Braves. The hitting barrage raises his average to .261 and his 4 RBI quadruples his output for the season so far. Padre closer Rollie Fingers (12.00 ERA) gives up 3 runs to blow his first save, but comes away with his second win thanks to Almon's late inning heroics.

Apr 20 - In a surprising move, the Red Sox trade slugging RF Dwight Evans (.333, 1 HR, 2 RBI) to Texas in return for first basemen Kurt Bevacqua (.229, 2 HR, 3 RBI) and Pat Putnam (.143, 2 RBI in AA). Boston will later try to clear Putnam through waivers, only to have Texas pick him back up just 3 days later.

In what is becoming a common occurance, another player has a five hit game. This time it's Milwaukee 1B Cecil Cooper (.298, 2 HR, 6 RBI) in a 7-6 win over Oakland. Cooper would save the best for last as he sent a 2-run home run over the left field wall in the top of the ninth off of A's reliever Dave Giusti (0-1, 3 BS, 9.59 ERA) for the go-ahead runs.

Apr 21 - It has taken him 2 weeks, but Lake City manager Dave Grimm finally realizes he has TWO players named Javier Garcia - one a catcher, the other a left fielder. Grimm has the clubhouse director replace add the letters (LF) to the back of the outfielders jersey so that it now says Javier Garcia(LF). After winning 9 of his first 12 games, Grimm finally loses a series to Fountain Hills.

Apr 22 - Astros 1B Bob Watson (.333, 3 HR, 6 RBI) and C Cliff Johnson (.368, 2 HR, 5 RBI) go a combined 7-for-8 with 5 runs and 5 RBI's in a 9-5 victory against San Diego, with Watson hitting 5 himself. CF Cesar Cedeno (.367, 2 HR. 11 RBI) would add 2 more hits and 3 RBI as Padre starter Randy Jones fell to 1-3 with a 6.35 ERA. Astros starter Mark Lemongello (2.16 ERA) pitched 8 solid innings and ran his record to 3-0.

Apr 23 - Hell hath no fury like San Diego Padres' scorned. In the second game of a double-header, CF George Hendrick (.339, 5 HR, 17 RBI) led an offensive assault of 23 hits and 17 runs as the Padres' destroyed Houston 17-11 to sweep both games. Hendrick would go 6-for-6, scoring 5 runs and driving in 6 RBI. RF Dave Winfield (.310, 4 HR, 7 RBI) collect 5 hits in 6 at bats, scoring 5 runs himself and C Gene Tenace (.235, 8 RBI) would go 3-for-3 and drive in 4 RBI. Hendrick would have 3 home runs on the day.

Apr 24 - Struggling California star pitcher Nolan Ryan (2-2, 5.82 ERA) seemed to right his ship against Milwaukee as he blanks the Brewers 5-0 on a 5-hitter. Before today's game, Ryan's ERA had blossomed to very un-Ryanlike 9.95 in his 3 starts prior. C Terry Humphrey (.300, 1 HR, 1 RBI) would provide all of the offense Ryan would need with a solo shot in the 3rd against loser Moose Haas (1-2, 4.44 ERA).

Another day, another 5 hits on another Astros-Padres matchup. Astros 3B Enos Cabell (.323, 3 HR, 7 RBI) delivered the hits, but the Padres were the ones who pushed them across the plate in the 12th inning, as they beat Houston 7-3. Padres C Gene Tenace (.246, 1 HR, 12 RBI) would provide the final nail in the coffin, hitting a grand slam off of Ken Forsch (0-1, 4.82 ERA) in the top of the inning to win the game.

Apr 25 - In the 8th inning of Lake City's 5-3 win over Baton Rouge, Moth manager Dave Grimm calls time to ask Baltimore legend and Baton Rouge 1B Boog Powell for an autograph. Grimm would later get the signature of LF Manny Mota as well. The win would be Grimm's 13th in 18 games and would give the Moths a 1-game lead over the East Los Angeles Hippopotamuses.

Apr 26 - Cincinnati loses a main part of the Big Red Machine as Ken Griffey (.343, 12 RBI) fractures his jaw while making a spectacular catch while crashing into the right field wall. Orginally thought as being just mild sprain or deep bruise, the X-rays revealed Griffey may be on the shelf for close to 2 months. Cincinnati would go on to win the game, 3-0 as Pat Zachry (1-0, 0.00 ERA) goes 8 innings giving up 3 hits.

Apr 27 - The Angels, apparently satisfied with thier overabundance of outfielders, trade RF Don Baylor (.243, 4 HR, 8 RBI in just 37 AB) and a minor leaguer to Oakland for reliever Stan Bahnsen (0-2, 1.80 ERA) and minor league RF Larry Murray. Baylor had been used sparingly for the Angels, behind Joe Rudi, Bobby Bonds and Bruce Bochte and will now get a chance to play everyday for the A's.

Apr 29 - Baltimore's Jim Palmer (3-2, 2.11 ERA) and his 4-hit shutout outduels California's Nolan Ryan (2-3, 4.55 ERA), 1-0. Ryan only gives up 3 hits, but 2 walks with 2-out in the 4th followed by an RBI single by rookie Oriole 1B Eddie Murray (.216, 1 HR, 10 RBI) is all the difference.

Texas starter Gaylord Perry (4-1, 1.29 ERA) wins his fourth straight, this one a 4-hit, 11-0 shutout against the White Sox. Since losing his opening start, Perry has not given up more than 4 hits in 3 of his last 4 starts. CF Claudell Washington (.250, 1 HR, 10 RBI) and 1B Jim Fregosi (.348, 2 HR, 3 RBI) pace the Rangers offensive attack with 3 hits apiece.

[GrimmyDee]

with Mel Allen
Special Month of April Edition
Wednesday, April 6 - Saturday, April 30, 1977

Players of the Week

__ __
__ __

Player of the Month Awards - April

__ __
__ __

Prospecting For Gold

Mark Fidrych
Detroit Tigers
1974 Draft - 10th Round (Tigers)
Prospect Listing: 2

Scouting Report:
Even though he is only 22 years old, Mark "The Bird" Fidrych can hardly be called a prospect anymore. Making the Detroit roster as a non-roster invitee in 1976, Fidrych would go on to win 19 games for the Tigers, was named the starting pitcher for the American League in the All-Star game, earning the Rookie of the Year Award and finishing as the runner-up for the Cy Young Award. Even as dominating as his pitching numbers show, his popularity has soared due to his on-field antics, manicuring the mound, taking to the ball and his infamous strut around the mound after each out to name just a few. Many thought his 1977 year was over as he suffered a cartilage tear in his left knee late in spring training, but Mark has decided to put off surgery until the offseason - instead wearing a brace that immobilizes the knee and gives the leg enough support to land on. The brace is enormous,but adds to "The Bird" mystique.

Current Status:
Majors: 3-1 / 3.45 ERA / 47.0 IP / 21 BB / 17 K / 1.34 WHIP

After a superb first outing against the Royals in which he gave up just 1 earned run in 8 innings, Fidrych struggled against Toronto as the brace appeared to be a major burden to him and its bulk hurt his control. Fidrych would give up a total of 8 runs in 7 1/3 innings and really seemed out of sorts. Since that game however, Mark has been lethal, as he has gone 4-for-4 in quality starts and has yet to give up more than 3 runs in a game. The his walk total is surprisingly high for someone with the accuracy as Fidrych, however those could be a side effect of the gigantic brace on his left leg.


TSN Power Rankings Top Ten

1 (-) - (14-6): In a team full of veterans, it's 23-year old Paul Moskau (5-0, 1.54 ERA) leading the Reds' charge.
2 (-) - (13-8): LHP Ron Guidry (3-1, 2.66 ERA) has taken to the starters role very nicely.
3 (-) - (13-7): Team leads NL in extra base hits with 1B Bob "Bull" Watson leading the way (.746 SLG).
4 (-) - (15-8): George Hendrick (.341, 5 HR, 19 RBI) and Dave Winfield (.313, 5 HR, 12 RBI) are a pitchers nightmare.
5 (-) - (14-8): Rookie LF Steve Kemp is hitting .325 and The Bird is still the word in Detroit - even on one leg.
6 (-) - (14-8): 1B Rod Carew (.378) is seemingly on a quest for .400 every single season.
7 (-) - (11-6): 2B Don Money (.338, 5 HR, 8 RBI) is on pace for career highs in HR, RBI and AVG.
8 (-) - (12-8): Gaylord Perry has yet to pitch less than 8 innings in a game or give up more than 3 runs in a game.
9 (-) - (14-9): Frank Tanana and Paul Hartzell are a combined 8-1 with a 1.50 ERA. Rest of rotation? 4-7, 3.91.
10 (-) - (11-9): C Ted Simmons (19 RBI) has doubled the RBI total of any other player on the Cardinals.

[batted balls]

Grimmy Dee,

Hey, this is great! 1977 was one of my favorite years to follow as a kid. Keep up the posts and good work!

[GrimmyDee]

with Mel Allen
Special Month of April Edition
Wednesday, April 6 - Saturday, April 30, 1977

Offensive Leaders

_ _

_ _ _

_ _ _

_ _

Trades

April 9
Trade between Cleveland and California (N) :
Cleveland gets :
2B Bobby Grich (28) - $303,000 / 1
_ CAL : .000 / 0-2 / 1 R / 1 BB
_ CLE : .200 / 6-30 / 1 R / 2 2B / 2 RBI / 7 K
CF Tim Melton (23) - AAA
California gets :
SP Don Hood (27) - $483,258 / 1
_ CLE : 3-5 / 1 SV / 4.87 ERA / 1.67 WHIP in 1976
_ CAL : 2-3 / 3.38 ERA / 1.30 WHIP
SP Terry Miller (23) - A

The Angels were obviously scared to death about having Gary Ross and his 5.85 spring training ERA in the rotation and while they do make an improvement with Hood - one has to wonder if they gave up too much in Grich. Hood has pitched decently for California, but has failed to get the run support Angel aces Frank Tanana and Paul Hartzell have been given. After starting the year in the bullpen, Rick Waits quickly stepped back into the Cleveland rotation and shined, going 2-2 with a 2.56 ERA. While Grich is mainly serving as a backup for the Indians with an occassional start against LHP, his future looks very good and he could quite possibly be the starting 2B by the end of the year. The Angles released MR Jim Hennessey to make room for Hood and called up SS Orlando Ramirez to fill the utility infielder role. The Indians would send shortstops Larvell Blanks and Alfredo Griffin to AAA Madison to make room for Grich and recalled MR Cardell Camper to fill the Hood pitching vacancy.

Edge: The slightest advantage goes to California. Grich has the potential and may pan out in Cleveland but he needs to make the most of his chances now.


April 11
Trade between San Diego and Texas :
Texas gets :
LF Marv Rettenmund (33) - $359,000 / 3
_ SD : .000 / 6 AB / 2 K
_ TEX: .262 / 42 AB / 4 R / 3 2B / 1 HR / .295 OBP / .405 SLG
San Diego gets :
2B Sandy Alomar (33) $187,000 / 1
_ TEX: .250 / 4 AB / 1 R / .250 OBP / .250 SLG
_ SD : .284 / 67 AB / 7 R / 3 2B / 0 HR / 1 SB / .364 OBP / .328 SLG

Looking to improve thier 3-man rotation of Bobby Valentine, Dave Roberts and Pat Scanlon, the Padres went out and got Sandy Alomar and his .239 average to fill thier need. So far, it looks as if Alomar has resurrected his career in San Diego as he is thier main guy at 2B, sending Bobby Valentine to AAA Chandler in the process. Texas has been looking for an opening to get 2B Bump Wills (.239, 2 HR, 4 RBI) into the lineup and the addition of Rettenmund gives them a solid bat at the 6 or 7 spot in the lineup and makes rookie LF Keith Smith (0-8) the odd man out.

Edge: Almost too close to call, but I am going to give the edge to Padres on this one. The trade will help both clubs and it may be some time before a clear winner can be made.


April 12
Trade between Kansas City and Toronto :
Kansas City gets :
RF Ron Fairly (38) - $1,117,000 /
_ TOR: 333 / 12 AB / 2 R / .385 OBP / .333 SLG
_ KC : Currently in AAA.
RF Jose Tavares (21) - AA
Toronto :
RP Steve Mingori (33) - $2,183,820/ 3
_ KC : .1-0 / 27.00 ERA / 1 IP / 3.00 WHIP / .500 OAVG
_ TOR: 0-1 / 2.45 ERA / 3.2 IP / 1.36 WHIP / .286 OAVG

Following a performance against the Yankees in which he gave the game-tying home run to Roy White, Mingori proceeded to destroy the clubhouse locker room. Mingori would ironically win that game, but would lose favor with Royals management who deemed his behavior "detrimental" to the team. Unfortunately for Kansas City, this trade does absolutely nothing for them. Fairly is average, but at age 38 will we ever see him out of AAA again? Here's hoping that they are not pinning thier hopes on Tavares because from what I here, he will never see a major league game. Mingori will definately help the Blue Jays bullpen, but why send down reliever Mark Willis who has given up no earned runs in 10 2/3 innings? It looks as if Toronto will have Willie Horton take over Fairly's DH duties and Gary Lance will take Mingori's role in the bullpen for the Royals.

Edge: Toronto by far. Kansas City gave up a temperamental but very good reliever for one outfielder who may be past his prime and another whose prime may never materialize.


April 20
Trade between Boston and Texas :
Boston gets :
1B Kurt Bevacqua (30) - $312,900 / 2
_ TEX: .229 / 35 AB / 6 R / 2 2B / 2 HR / 3 RBI / .270 OBP / .457 SLG
_ BOS: .107 / 28 AB / 1 R / .107 OBP / .143 SLG
1B Pat Putnam (23) - A - $60,575 / 1
Texas gets :
RF Dwight Evans (25) - $807,840 / 1
_ BOS: .333 / 18 AB / 4 R / 1 HR / 2 RBI / .368 OBP / .500 SLG
_ TEX: .250 / 32 AB / 4 R / 1 HR / 3 RBI / .324 OBP / .344 SLG

This trade confuses me on alot of fronts. Now while I can understand the Red Sox trading Evans because he really has no place to go when he is stuck behind Fred Lynn, Bernie Carbo, Jim Rice and Carl Yastrzemski in the outfield, I cannot grasp getting 1B/2B Ken Bevacqua in the deal and handing him the starting job when your starter, Steve Dillard, is hitting .323 at the time. Evans will get playing time now as he will take over Claudell Washington's spot as Texas' everyday right fielder and will send RF Ken Henderson down to AAA. Since Dillard got pushed to the bench, the Red Sox optioned 2B Denny Doyle down to AAA Akron. To add insult to injury in this trade, the Red Sox tried to clear Putnam through waivers after designating his for assignment only to have the Rangers sneak in and pick him up.

Edge: Gotta go with Texas on this one. Evans batting in the cleanup for the Rangers should bolster an offensive threat that continues to get better.


April 27
Trade between California and Oakland :
California gets :
MR Stan Bahnsen (32) - $309,060 / 3
_ OAK: 0-2 / 1.80 ERA / 10 IP / 1.20 WHIP / .256 OAVG
_ CAL: Has not played as of yet.
RF Larry Murray (24) - AAA - $60,575 / 1
Oakland gets :
RF Don Baylor (27) - $587,520 / 2
_ CAL: .243 / 37 AB / 7 R / 1 2B / 1 3B / 4 HR / 8 RBI / .300 OBP / .649 SLG
_ OAK: .250 / 12 AB / 2 R / 1 2B / .308 OBP / .333 SLG
LF Henry Harris (24) - AA

California wasn't finished this month as the shipped off reserve OF Baylor to really shore up thier bullpen with Bahnsen. The trade is great for Baylor as he goes from being stuck behind Bruce Bochte, Thad Bosley and Bobby Bonds in California to replacing Sheldon Mallory as the starter in Oakland. However the key to this trade has to be Bahnsen becoming the main go-to guy in the middle innings for the Angels and turning what was a good bullpen into a great one. The Angels rank first in starters ERA (2.65) and third only to Minnesota and Los Angeles in bullpen ERA (2.08) and the acquisition of Bahnsen should only make that better. LF Gil Flores will fill the backup outfielder spot left by Baylor and SP Matt Keough was brought up to Oakland to fill Bahnsen void - sending Doc Medich to the bullpen.

Edge: Gonna give it California who was able to make a great team better with this trade. Baylor may be the future of the A's but now he has to run with this opportunity.

[GrimmyDee]

with Mel Allen
Special Month of April Edition
Wednesday, April 6 - Saturday, April 30, 1977

Pitching Leaders

_ _

_ _ _

_ _ _

_ _


Injuries

POS NAME               TEAM   INJURY                    DATE    TIME LEFT 
 1B  Ken McMullen	DET   Inguinal Hernia		4/17    OUT 2 more weeks
 SP  Tom Underwood	PHI   Strained Back Muscle	4/18	OUT 5 more weeks
 SP  Ken Brett		CWS   Finger Blister		4/19	D2D 2 more days
 SP  Jim Kaat		PHI   Dead Arm Syndrome		4/19	OUT 2 more days
 MR  Grant Jackson	PIT   Strained Back Muscle	4/24	OUT 2 more days
 MR  Mike Parrott	BAL   Finger Blister		4/24	OUT 3 more days
 2B  Joe Morgan		CIN   Strained Groin Muscle	4/24	OUT 4 more days
 RF  Leroy Stanton	SEA   Blurred Vision		4/24	OUT 6 more days
 MR  Jack Morris	DET   Tender Shoulder		4/24	D2D 3 more days
 2B  Davy Lopes		LA    Concussion		4/26	D2D 1 more week
 RF  Ken Griffey	CIN   Fractured Jaw		4/26	OUT 6 more weeks
 MR  Jackson Todd	NYM   Finger Blister		4/26	OUT 5 more days
 1B  Rico Carty		CLE   Strained Achilles Tendon	4/27	D2D 1 more week
 SP  Dan Schatzeder	MON   Tender Elbow		4/29    D2D 1 more week
 SP  Jon Matlack	NYM   Dead Arm Syndrome		4/30    OUT 1 more week

Performance of the Month
George Hendrick (SD) on April 23 against the Houston Astros : 6-6 / 5 R / 6 RBI / 2 HR / 119 Score

"The ball looked like a giant watermelon. I couldn't miss it if I tried." George Hendrick would say after this awesome offensive display. It was a hits blitz for Hendrick at Jack Murphy Stadium as the center fielder tore into Houston for 6 hits in 6 at-bats to pace the Padres to a 17-11 victory and wrote his name into the baseball record book. Astros manager Bill Virdon had another thoery. "Our @$%$ pitchers could make a @%#^! good pitch if thier @%#&* lives depended on it. We @#$% fell behind in the @%$# count and started throwing $#@&# batting practice up there. Pardon the french."



Rookie To Watch
2B Julio Cruz (SEA) - .315 (28-89), 2 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 7 SB

The Seattle Mariners knew they had someone special in Julio Cruz when they drafted him in last seasons expansion draft. The 22-year old Cruz has shown maturity beyond his age with the bat as well as with the glove as his sparkling play at second base has anchored an extremely young infield. Not orginally though of as much of an offensive threat, Cruz has surprised many so far this season combining a smooth, quick swing was blazing speed on the basepaths, If his offensive production continues, it would not be much of a stretch to consider Cruz a viable contender for the AL Rookie of the Year.



Major Contract Resignings
April 10 - Kansas City gave 3B George Brett a 3-year contract extension worth a total of $5,928,000. Deal is $1,976,000 a year.
April 12 - Philadelphia gave LF Greg Luzinski a 3-year contract extension worth a total of $8,398,332. Deal is $2,751,666 for next 2 years, $2,895,000 for the third.
April 16 - Boston gave MR Jim Willoughby a 3-year contract extension worth a total of $1,818,000. Deal is $606,000 a year.
April 18 - Houston resigned SP J.R. Richard to a 7-year contact extension worth a total of $15,792,000. Deal is $2,256,000 a year.
April 24 - St. Louis resigned RF Bake McBride to a 2-year contract extension worth a total of $2,106,000. Deal is $1,053,000 a year.
April 25 - Philadelphia resigned SP Steve Carlton to a 4-year contract extension worth a total of $8,584,000. Deal is $2,146,000 per year with the 4th year player option plus a $130,000 Cy Young Award incentive.
April 29 - Cleveland resigned SP Jim Bibby to a 3-year extension worth a total of $2,700,000. Deal is $900,000 per year.



Movin' On Up
Sparky Lyle (NYY) - Saves

On April 27th, the Yankees Sparky Lyle shut down the Baltimore Orioles in the 9th inning to record not only his 5th save of the year, but also his 181st of his career - moving him past Ron Perranoski for 3rd place on the career saves list. So far this season Lyle is 1-1 with a 2.84 ERA, 6 saves and no blown saves.