FABL: Murderers Row - Page 2

blubbla · 01-08-2003, 12:24 AM

3 Titles in a row for Detroit. KC took it to the limit in the ALCS, but the Cubs didn't put up as much of a fight, going down in 5.

Mark Lemongello got 3 of the 8 wins, while every Detroit regular batted at least .277 except Lou Pinella, only .093 for the postseason.

blubbla · 01-08-2003, 02:51 AM

I'm gonna mention the age factor again for the Detroit bats before 1981.

Before I do, I just want to mention that the pitching staff got overhauled over the last few seasons. Jim Lonborg, Pat Jarvis, and Floyd Weaver have retired, while all the injuries took a toll on Gary Nolan and he has turned into AA junk.

Replacing those guys have been FA signees Larry Gowell and Joe McIntosh, both in their prime, and youngsters Floyd Bannister and Mark Lemongello. Gene Garber remains in the rotation, but lost a lot of time due to injury in 1980. The Tigers have enough money to go out and get another hurler at any time.

Now for the bats:
Catching is not a problem with Tim Blackwell and Steve Nicosia having claimed spots. Blackwell's played well, but the Tigers think Nicosia has a bigger upside.

1B: Lou Pinella is 37 and losing it, as he showed in the postseason. Frank Ortenzio has finally begun to do something and Mike Hargrove is still around.

2B: Eddie Leon flip flopped with Tony LaRussa last season. The 11th year player is 34 and lost range at short prompting the move.

SS: It's not ideal to see a 2B move to short at the age of 36, but Tony LaRussa did for the Tigers. Expect LaRussa to stay at short til 20 year old Lenny Faedo claims the position for his own.

3B: Ralph Garr has been in the bigs since 1969 and has never left Detroit. Now 34, the veteran is being asked to fill the spot for another couple of seasons until prospect Dale Berra is ready or a different alternative is found.

OF/DH: Bobby Bonds, Amos Otis and Tom Paciorek are still at their peak, but for how much longer? All are at least 33. Dave Parker is not hitting at all like he was expected to and Dwight Evans is still not claiming even a bench spot full time.

Right now, it looks like the Tigers will be able to stay up top for 2 more seasons, but some major changes are ahead.

LaRussa, Garr, Leon, and Paciorek have been Tigers since at least 1970.

blubbla · 01-08-2003, 05:07 PM

The Tigers have landed an 11th straight AL East title, but got bounced in the ALCS by the White Sox.

Player Stats for 1981:
Otis: .358-23-94
Blackwell: .329-12-61
Bonds: .302-36-133 and League MVP
LaRussa: .293-20-81
Paciorek: .276-15-90
Parker: .266-9-88
Garr: .263-16-83
Leon: .244-16-95
Ortenzio: .226-9-67

Pitchers:
McIntosh: 13-9 2.45
Pat Zachry: 14-7 2.87
Bannister: 18-4 3.05 AL Cy Young
Lemongello: 14-3 3.26
Gowell: 13-5 3.33
Romo: 9-10 3.83 39 SV

On to 1982 and certain changes. Ralph Garr is a free agent.

blubbla · 01-09-2003, 01:37 AM

As expected, Ralph Garr walked. The Tigers signed 35 year old Kevin Collins to fill the slot. Coliins regularly hit 30 or more homers each season with Cleveland, and with the strong supporting cast in Detroit, just may have his biggest season to date.

The bigger problem for the Tigers is that Floyd Bannister defected to the Expos. The Tigers are going to plug Gene Garber back in behind McIntosh, Zachry, Gowell, and Lemongello, so they won't be hurting as badly. Still, Bannister's loss makes the future look even more bleak.

For 1982, Steve Nicosia has been promoted to full time starter, up from platoon status. Tim Blackwell, a free agent at the conclusion of 1982, will become the reserve.

Also, 22 year old SS Lenny Faedo is waiting for the promotion over aging Tony LaRussa.

It will remain interesting to see how much the old guys have left in the tank. Nicosia is the only starter under 30.

blubbla · 01-09-2003, 05:25 PM

The Tigers have trouble...

Catcher Steve Nicosia has fractured his hip in a collision at the plate. He will miss about a month. Tim Blackwell moves back into the starters role, while longtime AAA backstop Jesus De La Rosa will fill in.

Veteran SS Tony LaRussa injured his shoulder, so the future is arriving a bit early, in the forms of Glenn Hoffman and Lenny Faedo.

#2 starter Pat Zachry broke his hand and was lost for 5 weeks. Lary Sorensen fills the vacancy.

So, through 20 games, the Tigers are flirting with the .500 mark.

blubbla · 01-09-2003, 05:35 PM

And it gets worse...

Now Bobby Bonds has landed on the DL with a pulled muscle in his back. Tom Paciorek and Dave Parker are grabbing the time in CF, while Joe Lefebvre and Ed Armbrister are getting the AB's now available.

blubbla · 01-09-2003, 07:31 PM

The storm has been weathered, and the Tigers are starting to creep away from the AL East.... again.

blubbla · 01-09-2003, 07:56 PM

Not for long.... the Yankees have gotten hot and look to give Detroit a run down the stretch in '82

The Tigers are up just 1 1/2 as we close July, and the Yanks are probably the hottest team in baseball.

blubbla · 01-09-2003, 08:37 PM

Well, the Yankees gave the Tigers the best run that Detroit's had in the AL East in 12 seasons, but the Tigers pulled it out.

Kevin Collins (.276-45-143) did have his best season ever, and kept the team afloat during the rash of injuries.

blubbla · 01-09-2003, 09:01 PM

The Tigers were able to return to the World Series, but lost to the Padres.

What's next for the old guys? Well, team captain Tony LaRussa is a free agent that likely will follow the leads of John Bateman and Ralph Garr and finish his career elsewhere.

Gene Garber, Larry Gowell, and Tim Blackwell are other FA's.

The Tigers know they have to get younger, NOW -- or give up their rank as most popular FABL team.

blubbla · 01-10-2003, 06:00 PM

Well, the '83 Free Agency period is done, and the Tigers focused on offense.

They re-signed Tim Blackwell to backup Steve Nicosia at catcher, while veteran infielders Jerry Royster, Dave Concepcion, and Ron Cey (who is a SS in the FABL) were brought in to replace Tony LaRussa at SS and backup Eddie Leon at 2B. Glenn Hoffman and Lenny Faedo will return to the minors.

We'll see if the Tigers retooled enough to gain their 13th straight AL East title, or if they begin the slide that has been at least 5 years overdue.

blubbla · 01-11-2003, 07:12 PM

It's not looking good after 2 months. The Tigers are floating along at about .500, 6 back of Baltimore and in 4th place.

I sense the changing of the guard happening right now.

blubbla · 01-11-2003, 08:40 PM

Another sign of the changing of the guard: Tom Paciorek is back in AAA. Joe Lefebvre and top prospect Darryl Motley are getting a look as the Tigers continue to wander in the middle of the pack.

blubbla · 01-14-2003, 02:46 PM

Somehow, the Tigers rattled off a 12 game winning streak in August to get back into the 1983 race, and were one game up going into the final weekend. They lost 2 of 3 as the Yankees won 2 of 3, so the AL East Crown will take 163 games to decide.

Detroit, in search of their 13th straight AL East title and 15th postseason appearance in 17 years, has to go to Yankee Stadium to make it happen. Allen Wirth toes the rubber for Detroit, while the Yankees counter with Dennis Leonard as they look for their first AL East title..

I will be watching this game unfold and will post updates as necessary.

blubbla · 01-14-2003, 02:53 PM

Tigers strike first...

TOP 1st

Dennis Leonard is clearly showing jitters. Ron Cey led off with a single, Jerry Royster also singled and Kevin Collins drew a walk. Yankee catcher Mike Scioscia then made a visit to the hill to try to calm Leonard down and Leonard was able to strike out Bobby Bonds. Steve Nicosia then drew another walk and Cey came in with the first run. Dave Parker then doubled into the left field corner, scoring Royster and Collins. Nicosia tried to score as well, but Ivan DeJesus cut off Pat Sheridan's throw and pegged a strike to Scioscia to get Nicosia. Leonard was able to strike out Tom Paciorek to get out of the inning.

TIGERS 3, YANKEES coming up...

blubbla · 01-14-2003, 03:04 PM

BOTTOM 1st

Alan Wirth gets 2 easy outs, but then Gorman Thomas comes up. Gorman makes the ball fly the other direction easily -- 421 FT in the other direction to be exact. Thomas now has 34 HR and 103 RBI for the year. Mitchell Page connects with the next pitch for his 14th of the year. Dave Revering singles to left and now Wirth is the rattled pitcher. Wirth settles down and strikes out Pat Sheridan to avoid any further damage.

TIGERS 3, YANKEES 2

blubbla · 01-14-2003, 03:08 PM

TOP 2nd

Errors by Hal McRae and Brad Mills set the Tigers up to strike again. Jerry Royster responds with an RBI double that brought home Darryl Motley and moved Ron Cey to third. A Kevin Collins groundout advanced the runners and scored Cey.

TIGERS 5, YANKEES 2

blubbla · 01-14-2003, 03:13 PM

TOP 3rd

Singles by Paciorek and Motley knock out Leonard after just 2 2/3 innings. Bill Parsons is the new Yankee hurler. Frank Ortenzio greets him with a double that scores Paciorek and Motley.

TIGERS 7, YANKEES 2

blubbla · 01-14-2003, 03:25 PM

BOTTOM 6th

Mitchell Page opens the frame for the Yankees by doubling. Dave Revering singled and Page beat the throw home from RF Paciorek. Revering got to second on the throw and scored on a single up the middle by Pat Sheridan. Sheridan also moved up on a throw home. Mike Scioscia flew out to Bonds in deep center. Sheridan tagged and tried to advance to third. Bonds tried to gun him down, but threw the ball in the dugout, allowing Sheridan to score. Wirth got out of the inning without further damage, but it was a ballgame again.

TIGERS 7, YANKEES 5

blubbla · 01-14-2003, 03:29 PM

TOP 7th

Kip Young is the pitcher for the Yankees at this time. Paciorek gets a 2 out single, and Motley doubles him home. Young is chased and Ed Halicki becomes New York's 4th pitcher, getting out of the inning.

TIGERS 8, YANKEES 5

01-08-2003, 12:24 AM	#21 (permalink)
blubbla Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chebanse, IL Posts: 2,402 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	3 Titles in a row for Detroit. KC took it to the limit in the ALCS, but the Cubs didn't put up as much of a fight, going down in 5. Mark Lemongello got 3 of the 8 wins, while every Detroit regular batted at least .277 except Lou Pinella, only .093 for the postseason. __________________ BATT in progress

01-08-2003, 02:51 AM	#22 (permalink)
blubbla Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chebanse, IL Posts: 2,402 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	I'm gonna mention the age factor again for the Detroit bats before 1981. Before I do, I just want to mention that the pitching staff got overhauled over the last few seasons. Jim Lonborg, Pat Jarvis, and Floyd Weaver have retired, while all the injuries took a toll on Gary Nolan and he has turned into AA junk. Replacing those guys have been FA signees Larry Gowell and Joe McIntosh, both in their prime, and youngsters Floyd Bannister and Mark Lemongello. Gene Garber remains in the rotation, but lost a lot of time due to injury in 1980. The Tigers have enough money to go out and get another hurler at any time. Now for the bats: Catching is not a problem with Tim Blackwell and Steve Nicosia having claimed spots. Blackwell's played well, but the Tigers think Nicosia has a bigger upside. 1B: Lou Pinella is 37 and losing it, as he showed in the postseason. Frank Ortenzio has finally begun to do something and Mike Hargrove is still around. 2B: Eddie Leon flip flopped with Tony LaRussa last season. The 11th year player is 34 and lost range at short prompting the move. SS: It's not ideal to see a 2B move to short at the age of 36, but Tony LaRussa did for the Tigers. Expect LaRussa to stay at short til 20 year old Lenny Faedo claims the position for his own. 3B: Ralph Garr has been in the bigs since 1969 and has never left Detroit. Now 34, the veteran is being asked to fill the spot for another couple of seasons until prospect Dale Berra is ready or a different alternative is found. OF/DH: Bobby Bonds, Amos Otis and Tom Paciorek are still at their peak, but for how much longer? All are at least 33. Dave Parker is not hitting at all like he was expected to and Dwight Evans is still not claiming even a bench spot full time. Right now, it looks like the Tigers will be able to stay up top for 2 more seasons, but some major changes are ahead. LaRussa, Garr, Leon, and Paciorek have been Tigers since at least 1970. __________________ BATT in progress

01-08-2003, 05:07 PM	#23 (permalink)
blubbla Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chebanse, IL Posts: 2,402 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	1981 The Tigers have landed an 11th straight AL East title, but got bounced in the ALCS by the White Sox. Player Stats for 1981: Otis: .358-23-94 Blackwell: .329-12-61 Bonds: .302-36-133 and League MVP LaRussa: .293-20-81 Paciorek: .276-15-90 Parker: .266-9-88 Garr: .263-16-83 Leon: .244-16-95 Ortenzio: .226-9-67 Pitchers: McIntosh: 13-9 2.45 Pat Zachry: 14-7 2.87 Bannister: 18-4 3.05 AL Cy Young Lemongello: 14-3 3.26 Gowell: 13-5 3.33 Romo: 9-10 3.83 39 SV On to 1982 and certain changes. Ralph Garr is a free agent. __________________ BATT in progress Last edited by blubbla; 01-08-2003 at 05:09 PM.

01-09-2003, 01:37 AM	#24 (permalink)
blubbla Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chebanse, IL Posts: 2,402 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	As expected, Ralph Garr walked. The Tigers signed 35 year old Kevin Collins to fill the slot. Coliins regularly hit 30 or more homers each season with Cleveland, and with the strong supporting cast in Detroit, just may have his biggest season to date. The bigger problem for the Tigers is that Floyd Bannister defected to the Expos. The Tigers are going to plug Gene Garber back in behind McIntosh, Zachry, Gowell, and Lemongello, so they won't be hurting as badly. Still, Bannister's loss makes the future look even more bleak. For 1982, Steve Nicosia has been promoted to full time starter, up from platoon status. Tim Blackwell, a free agent at the conclusion of 1982, will become the reserve. Also, 22 year old SS Lenny Faedo is waiting for the promotion over aging Tony LaRussa. It will remain interesting to see how much the old guys have left in the tank. Nicosia is the only starter under 30. __________________ BATT in progress

01-09-2003, 05:25 PM	#25 (permalink)
blubbla Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chebanse, IL Posts: 2,402 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	The Tigers have trouble... Catcher Steve Nicosia has fractured his hip in a collision at the plate. He will miss about a month. Tim Blackwell moves back into the starters role, while longtime AAA backstop Jesus De La Rosa will fill in. Veteran SS Tony LaRussa injured his shoulder, so the future is arriving a bit early, in the forms of Glenn Hoffman and Lenny Faedo. #2 starter Pat Zachry broke his hand and was lost for 5 weeks. Lary Sorensen fills the vacancy. So, through 20 games, the Tigers are flirting with the .500 mark. __________________ BATT in progress

01-09-2003, 05:35 PM	#26 (permalink)
blubbla Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chebanse, IL Posts: 2,402 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	And it gets worse... Now Bobby Bonds has landed on the DL with a pulled muscle in his back. Tom Paciorek and Dave Parker are grabbing the time in CF, while Joe Lefebvre and Ed Armbrister are getting the AB's now available. __________________ BATT in progress

01-09-2003, 07:31 PM	#27 (permalink)
blubbla Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chebanse, IL Posts: 2,402 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	The storm has been weathered, and the Tigers are starting to creep away from the AL East.... again. __________________ BATT in progress

01-09-2003, 07:56 PM	#28 (permalink)
blubbla Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chebanse, IL Posts: 2,402 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Not for long.... the Yankees have gotten hot and look to give Detroit a run down the stretch in '82 The Tigers are up just 1 1/2 as we close July, and the Yanks are probably the hottest team in baseball. __________________ BATT in progress

01-09-2003, 08:37 PM	#29 (permalink)
blubbla Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chebanse, IL Posts: 2,402 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Well, the Yankees gave the Tigers the best run that Detroit's had in the AL East in 12 seasons, but the Tigers pulled it out. Kevin Collins (.276-45-143) did have his best season ever, and kept the team afloat during the rash of injuries. __________________ BATT in progress

01-09-2003, 09:01 PM	#30 (permalink)
blubbla Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chebanse, IL Posts: 2,402 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	The Tigers were able to return to the World Series, but lost to the Padres. What's next for the old guys? Well, team captain Tony LaRussa is a free agent that likely will follow the leads of John Bateman and Ralph Garr and finish his career elsewhere. Gene Garber, Larry Gowell, and Tim Blackwell are other FA's. The Tigers know they have to get younger, NOW -- or give up their rank as most popular FABL team. __________________ BATT in progress

01-10-2003, 06:00 PM	#31 (permalink)
blubbla Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chebanse, IL Posts: 2,402 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Well, the '83 Free Agency period is done, and the Tigers focused on offense. They re-signed Tim Blackwell to backup Steve Nicosia at catcher, while veteran infielders Jerry Royster, Dave Concepcion, and Ron Cey (who is a SS in the FABL) were brought in to replace Tony LaRussa at SS and backup Eddie Leon at 2B. Glenn Hoffman and Lenny Faedo will return to the minors. We'll see if the Tigers retooled enough to gain their 13th straight AL East title, or if they begin the slide that has been at least 5 years overdue. __________________ BATT in progress

01-11-2003, 07:12 PM	#32 (permalink)
blubbla Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chebanse, IL Posts: 2,402 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	It's not looking good after 2 months. The Tigers are floating along at about .500, 6 back of Baltimore and in 4th place. I sense the changing of the guard happening right now. __________________ BATT in progress

01-11-2003, 08:40 PM	#33 (permalink)
blubbla Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chebanse, IL Posts: 2,402 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Another sign of the changing of the guard: Tom Paciorek is back in AAA. Joe Lefebvre and top prospect Darryl Motley are getting a look as the Tigers continue to wander in the middle of the pack. __________________ BATT in progress

01-14-2003, 02:46 PM	#34 (permalink)
blubbla Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chebanse, IL Posts: 2,402 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Somehow, the Tigers rattled off a 12 game winning streak in August to get back into the 1983 race, and were one game up going into the final weekend. They lost 2 of 3 as the Yankees won 2 of 3, so the AL East Crown will take 163 games to decide. Detroit, in search of their 13th straight AL East title and 15th postseason appearance in 17 years, has to go to Yankee Stadium to make it happen. Allen Wirth toes the rubber for Detroit, while the Yankees counter with Dennis Leonard as they look for their first AL East title.. I will be watching this game unfold and will post updates as necessary. __________________ BATT in progress

01-14-2003, 02:53 PM	#35 (permalink)
blubbla Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chebanse, IL Posts: 2,402 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Tigers strike first... TOP 1st Dennis Leonard is clearly showing jitters. Ron Cey led off with a single, Jerry Royster also singled and Kevin Collins drew a walk. Yankee catcher Mike Scioscia then made a visit to the hill to try to calm Leonard down and Leonard was able to strike out Bobby Bonds. Steve Nicosia then drew another walk and Cey came in with the first run. Dave Parker then doubled into the left field corner, scoring Royster and Collins. Nicosia tried to score as well, but Ivan DeJesus cut off Pat Sheridan's throw and pegged a strike to Scioscia to get Nicosia. Leonard was able to strike out Tom Paciorek to get out of the inning. TIGERS 3, YANKEES coming up... __________________ BATT in progress

01-14-2003, 03:04 PM	#36 (permalink)
blubbla Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chebanse, IL Posts: 2,402 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	BOTTOM 1st Alan Wirth gets 2 easy outs, but then Gorman Thomas comes up. Gorman makes the ball fly the other direction easily -- 421 FT in the other direction to be exact. Thomas now has 34 HR and 103 RBI for the year. Mitchell Page connects with the next pitch for his 14th of the year. Dave Revering singles to left and now Wirth is the rattled pitcher. Wirth settles down and strikes out Pat Sheridan to avoid any further damage. TIGERS 3, YANKEES 2 __________________ BATT in progress

01-14-2003, 03:08 PM	#37 (permalink)
blubbla Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chebanse, IL Posts: 2,402 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	TOP 2nd Errors by Hal McRae and Brad Mills set the Tigers up to strike again. Jerry Royster responds with an RBI double that brought home Darryl Motley and moved Ron Cey to third. A Kevin Collins groundout advanced the runners and scored Cey. TIGERS 5, YANKEES 2 __________________ BATT in progress

01-14-2003, 03:13 PM	#38 (permalink)
blubbla Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chebanse, IL Posts: 2,402 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	TOP 3rd Singles by Paciorek and Motley knock out Leonard after just 2 2/3 innings. Bill Parsons is the new Yankee hurler. Frank Ortenzio greets him with a double that scores Paciorek and Motley. TIGERS 7, YANKEES 2 __________________ BATT in progress

01-14-2003, 03:25 PM	#39 (permalink)
blubbla Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chebanse, IL Posts: 2,402 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	BOTTOM 6th Mitchell Page opens the frame for the Yankees by doubling. Dave Revering singled and Page beat the throw home from RF Paciorek. Revering got to second on the throw and scored on a single up the middle by Pat Sheridan. Sheridan also moved up on a throw home. Mike Scioscia flew out to Bonds in deep center. Sheridan tagged and tried to advance to third. Bonds tried to gun him down, but threw the ball in the dugout, allowing Sheridan to score. Wirth got out of the inning without further damage, but it was a ballgame again. TIGERS 7, YANKEES 5 __________________ BATT in progress

01-14-2003, 03:29 PM	#40 (permalink)
blubbla Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chebanse, IL Posts: 2,402 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	TOP 7th Kip Young is the pitcher for the Yankees at this time. Paciorek gets a 2 out single, and Motley doubles him home. Young is chased and Ed Halicki becomes New York's 4th pitcher, getting out of the inning. TIGERS 8, YANKEES 5 __________________ BATT in progress

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode