FABL: Murderers Row - Page 3

blubbla · 01-14-2003, 03:41 PM

BOTTOM 9th

Greg Heydeman is the 3rd Tiger reliever of the day, and he retires the side. The Tigers win 8-5, clinching their 13th straight AL East title. Darryl Motley is named the player of the game, as he was 3-5 with a double, 2 runs scored, and an RBI.

The Tiger celebration was more spirited than usual after the division title, as the way they won it and all the newcomers (Cey, Royster, and Motley the main ones) made it a bit different than the previous 12 division titles. They also realized it could be their last.

blubbla · 01-14-2003, 03:45 PM

Unfortunately for the Tigers, there will be no more celebrations this year, as Texas disposed of them in a 7 game ALCS.

blubbla · 01-14-2003, 03:56 PM

Looking ahead, most of the bullpen members are FA's, and the Tiger warchest is starting to shrink. After years of completely controlling their fanbase, a couple percent of the fans have begun to find other things to do. The players are really old now, and little help seems on the way. Longtime middle IF Eddie Leon is going to leave as a FA, like Garr and LaRussa in previous seasons. Bobby Bonds and Kevin Collins are the stars of the offense, but they are both 37. Tom Paciorek and Amos Otis are 36, Ron Cey is 35.

Every year, there has seemed to be more to worry about. Every year, the Tigers seem to patch things together and keep going. Can they possibly make one more run?

blubbla · 01-15-2003, 03:13 PM

We're early in 1984, and somehow, some way, the Tigers continue to fight at the top of the AL East. Bobby Bonds is no longer the centerpiece of the lineup. He and his strikeouts were moved to leadoff to begin the season.

Bonds does have a replacement looming in the minors. It's the Tigers top draft choice in 1984, Kirby Puckett.

And the team rolls on...

blubbla · 01-15-2003, 03:46 PM

Halfway into June, the Tigers are still fighting with Toronto and New York at the top of the division.

The key this year is Dave Parker, hitting .380 and taking more responsibility than he ever has.

blubbla · 01-15-2003, 03:52 PM

Bad news from AAA....

Kirby Puckett broke his wrist and is gone for the year. It's now more important that Bonds doesn't lose too much more, because the safety net is gone.

blubbla · 01-15-2003, 04:04 PM

All Star Break ... Detroit remains just behind New York.

blubbla · 01-15-2003, 05:22 PM

And DOWN THE STRETCH THEY COME!

Once again, in shades of 1983, the Tigers and Yankees appear to be taking the divisional title down to the last week.

blubbla · 01-15-2003, 05:41 PM

Yankees wilt, Tigers clinch 14th straight AL East title.

This time, the Yankees faded down the stretch as the old Detroit Tiger squad relied on the veterans to finish off a tough season.

Amos Otis (.325-28-97), Dave Parker (.300-14-73), and Kevin Collins (.245-30-109) led the bats, along with catcher Steve Nicosia (.305-25-79)

Bobby Bonds (.280-19-58) is only going to start against lefties this postseason, as Darryl Motley (.272-18-59) has played well and claimed the everyday CF job.

Starters Joe McIntosh, Alan Wirth, Larry McWilliams, Pat Zachry, Rick Jones, and Mark Lemongello all won at least 10 games with ERA's below 3.50. Bert Roberge saved 32 games with a 1.45 ERA.

blubbla · 01-15-2003, 05:52 PM

KC bounced Detroit again, as Otis and Parker chose the wrong time to stop hitting.

Looking ahead, the 1985 lineup looks to change slightly. Only reserve OF Joe Lefebvre is a free agent, but the ages of Bonds, Paciorek, and Otis may force changes. Expect Kirby Puckett to join Parker and Motley in the OF next season. Collins may also find his way out of the everyday lineup.

blubbla · 01-16-2003, 12:58 AM

Just looked back at the old record, and have realized I'm giving the Tigers credit for one more title than they really had.

AL EAST WINNERS:
69-71 Boston Red Sox
72-84 Detroit Tigers

Also, the Tigers have won 100 games each of those seasons except in the 1983 season that went 163 games.

Absolutely amazing.

blubbla · 01-16-2003, 08:56 PM

I believe the end is here.

We are almost through July, 1985, and the Tigers are in 5th place, flirting with .500.

The casulties thus far:
Bobby Bonds is in AAA.
Tom Paciorek has been benched in favor of long time AAA OF Dwight Evans.
Amos Otis, new FABL 500 member Kevin Collins, and Ron Cey have all taken major talent hits.
Darryl Motley stinks this year, without major protection.
Frank Ortenzio's deficiencies are showing with the rest of the lineup going to junk all at once.
The pitchers aren't carrying the load as they did in '84. Mark Lemongello is the worst offender with an ERA over 8.

Top prospect Kirby Puckett likely won't be up until September, while this years top choice, 1B Andres Galarraga, will not be ready until next year at the earliest.

The taps are playing for the 13 time defending division champion Tigers...

Tiger Fan · 01-16-2003, 09:35 PM

It was great while it lasted.

blubbla · 01-17-2003, 02:00 AM

Yeah, I don't think I've ever seen a team stay at the top as long as the Tigers did, while turning over every position at least once. Tom Paciorek is the only player that has been a Tiger since 1972 (although you could make a case for Dwight Evans having been in the system that long, too.

To think I wouldn't have caught this if I wasn't tracking Willie McCovey and Gene Oliver so closely.

blubbla · 01-17-2003, 02:31 AM

Quick progression of positions in Tiger dynasty:

C: Bateman - Suarez - Blackwell - Nicosia
1B: McCovey - Ortenzio - Pinella - Ortenzio
2B: LaRussa - Leon - Royster
SS: Cardenas - Leon - LaRussa - Cey
3B: Garr - Soderholm - Garr - Collins
OF (and usually DH): Oliver- Hall - Bonds - Paciorek - Cruz - Lane - Parker - Otis - Motley

blubbla · 01-17-2003, 02:40 AM

The icing has just been put on the cake. Usually the Tigers put about a 10 game winning streak together to finish off the AL East. This season, the Yankees just did it.

blubbla · 01-17-2003, 03:05 AM

Just noticed this...

The Tigers brought Kirby Puckett up for the last week of July, and he DH's and collects hits in his first 5 games.

So what do they do? They dealt him to Philadelphia for 3B Terry Pendleton and a relief pitcher. Granted, the Tigers needed a 3B to replace Kevin Collins NOW, but Puckett's upside looked very promising.

Another reason that when the Tigers completely crash, they will crash hard. Right now they are still riding halfway decent on a couple flats.

blubbla · 01-17-2003, 03:20 AM

The Tigers have officially been eliminated from the division race for the first time since 1971.

blubbla · 01-20-2003, 01:43 AM

I can't quite leave this alone yet, because the Tigers are trying to come back in '86.

--Officially out are Bobby Bonds, Kevin Collins, and Tom Paciorek.

--John Tudor was signed as the future staff ace and Joe McIntosh was re-signed to continue to anchor the rotation now.

--Pete Mackanin was signed to play third base, continuing to show that the current Tigers GM has no clue. Remember, Terry Pendleton was added to fill that void, and Kirby Puckett was the price.

--Amos Otis, Steve Nicosia, Dave Parker, and Dwight Evans continue to hit and provide the link to the past glory.

--Fred Manrique is now at SS, while reserve 2B Juan Samuel and backup SS Lenny Faedo have replaced Ron Cey as DH.

blubbla · 01-20-2003, 01:48 AM

I failed to mention that the Tigers are once again fighting the Yankees for the division lead early in '86, hence the continuing of the team tracker for the time being. 14 titles in 15 years would still be a heck of an accomplishment.

01-14-2003, 03:41 PM	#41 (permalink)
blubbla Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chebanse, IL Posts: 2,402 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	BOTTOM 9th Greg Heydeman is the 3rd Tiger reliever of the day, and he retires the side. The Tigers win 8-5, clinching their 13th straight AL East title. Darryl Motley is named the player of the game, as he was 3-5 with a double, 2 runs scored, and an RBI. The Tiger celebration was more spirited than usual after the division title, as the way they won it and all the newcomers (Cey, Royster, and Motley the main ones) made it a bit different than the previous 12 division titles. They also realized it could be their last. __________________ BATT in progress

01-14-2003, 03:45 PM	#42 (permalink)
blubbla Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chebanse, IL Posts: 2,402 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Unfortunately for the Tigers, there will be no more celebrations this year, as Texas disposed of them in a 7 game ALCS. __________________ BATT in progress

01-14-2003, 03:56 PM	#43 (permalink)
blubbla Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chebanse, IL Posts: 2,402 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Looking ahead, most of the bullpen members are FA's, and the Tiger warchest is starting to shrink. After years of completely controlling their fanbase, a couple percent of the fans have begun to find other things to do. The players are really old now, and little help seems on the way. Longtime middle IF Eddie Leon is going to leave as a FA, like Garr and LaRussa in previous seasons. Bobby Bonds and Kevin Collins are the stars of the offense, but they are both 37. Tom Paciorek and Amos Otis are 36, Ron Cey is 35. Every year, there has seemed to be more to worry about. Every year, the Tigers seem to patch things together and keep going. Can they possibly make one more run? __________________ BATT in progress

01-15-2003, 03:13 PM	#44 (permalink)
blubbla Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chebanse, IL Posts: 2,402 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	We're early in 1984, and somehow, some way, the Tigers continue to fight at the top of the AL East. Bobby Bonds is no longer the centerpiece of the lineup. He and his strikeouts were moved to leadoff to begin the season. Bonds does have a replacement looming in the minors. It's the Tigers top draft choice in 1984, Kirby Puckett. And the team rolls on... __________________ BATT in progress

01-15-2003, 03:46 PM	#45 (permalink)
blubbla Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chebanse, IL Posts: 2,402 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Halfway into June, the Tigers are still fighting with Toronto and New York at the top of the division. The key this year is Dave Parker, hitting .380 and taking more responsibility than he ever has. __________________ BATT in progress

01-15-2003, 03:52 PM	#46 (permalink)
blubbla Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chebanse, IL Posts: 2,402 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Bad news from AAA.... Kirby Puckett broke his wrist and is gone for the year. It's now more important that Bonds doesn't lose too much more, because the safety net is gone. __________________ BATT in progress

01-15-2003, 04:04 PM	#47 (permalink)
blubbla Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chebanse, IL Posts: 2,402 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	All Star Break ... Detroit remains just behind New York. __________________ BATT in progress Last edited by blubbla; 01-15-2003 at 04:14 PM.

01-15-2003, 05:22 PM	#48 (permalink)
blubbla Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chebanse, IL Posts: 2,402 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	And DOWN THE STRETCH THEY COME! Once again, in shades of 1983, the Tigers and Yankees appear to be taking the divisional title down to the last week. __________________ BATT in progress

01-15-2003, 05:41 PM	#49 (permalink)
blubbla Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chebanse, IL Posts: 2,402 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Yankees wilt, Tigers clinch 14th straight AL East title. This time, the Yankees faded down the stretch as the old Detroit Tiger squad relied on the veterans to finish off a tough season. Amos Otis (.325-28-97), Dave Parker (.300-14-73), and Kevin Collins (.245-30-109) led the bats, along with catcher Steve Nicosia (.305-25-79) Bobby Bonds (.280-19-58) is only going to start against lefties this postseason, as Darryl Motley (.272-18-59) has played well and claimed the everyday CF job. Starters Joe McIntosh, Alan Wirth, Larry McWilliams, Pat Zachry, Rick Jones, and Mark Lemongello all won at least 10 games with ERA's below 3.50. Bert Roberge saved 32 games with a 1.45 ERA. __________________ BATT in progress

01-15-2003, 05:52 PM	#50 (permalink)
blubbla Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chebanse, IL Posts: 2,402 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	KC bounced Detroit again, as Otis and Parker chose the wrong time to stop hitting. Looking ahead, the 1985 lineup looks to change slightly. Only reserve OF Joe Lefebvre is a free agent, but the ages of Bonds, Paciorek, and Otis may force changes. Expect Kirby Puckett to join Parker and Motley in the OF next season. Collins may also find his way out of the everyday lineup. __________________ BATT in progress

01-16-2003, 12:58 AM	#51 (permalink)
blubbla Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chebanse, IL Posts: 2,402 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Just looked back at the old record, and have realized I'm giving the Tigers credit for one more title than they really had. AL EAST WINNERS: 69-71 Boston Red Sox 72-84 Detroit Tigers Also, the Tigers have won 100 games each of those seasons except in the 1983 season that went 163 games. Absolutely amazing. __________________ BATT in progress

01-16-2003, 08:56 PM	#52 (permalink)
blubbla Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chebanse, IL Posts: 2,402 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	I believe the end is here. We are almost through July, 1985, and the Tigers are in 5th place, flirting with .500. The casulties thus far: Bobby Bonds is in AAA. Tom Paciorek has been benched in favor of long time AAA OF Dwight Evans. Amos Otis, new FABL 500 member Kevin Collins, and Ron Cey have all taken major talent hits. Darryl Motley stinks this year, without major protection. Frank Ortenzio's deficiencies are showing with the rest of the lineup going to junk all at once. The pitchers aren't carrying the load as they did in '84. Mark Lemongello is the worst offender with an ERA over 8. Top prospect Kirby Puckett likely won't be up until September, while this years top choice, 1B Andres Galarraga, will not be ready until next year at the earliest. The taps are playing for the 13 time defending division champion Tigers... __________________ BATT in progress

01-16-2003, 09:35 PM	#53 (permalink)
Tiger Fan Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 5,443 Thanks: 2 Thanked 3x in 2 posts	It was great while it lasted. __________________ Cliff Markle HOB1 greatest pitcher 360-160, 9 Welch Awards, 11 WS titles My current dynasty - Fictional Breda Baseball League

01-17-2003, 02:00 AM	#54 (permalink)
blubbla Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chebanse, IL Posts: 2,402 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Yeah, I don't think I've ever seen a team stay at the top as long as the Tigers did, while turning over every position at least once. Tom Paciorek is the only player that has been a Tiger since 1972 (although you could make a case for Dwight Evans having been in the system that long, too. To think I wouldn't have caught this if I wasn't tracking Willie McCovey and Gene Oliver so closely. __________________ BATT in progress

01-17-2003, 02:31 AM	#55 (permalink)
blubbla Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chebanse, IL Posts: 2,402 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Quick progression of positions in Tiger dynasty: C: Bateman - Suarez - Blackwell - Nicosia 1B: McCovey - Ortenzio - Pinella - Ortenzio 2B: LaRussa - Leon - Royster SS: Cardenas - Leon - LaRussa - Cey 3B: Garr - Soderholm - Garr - Collins OF (and usually DH): Oliver- Hall - Bonds - Paciorek - Cruz - Lane - Parker - Otis - Motley __________________ BATT in progress

01-17-2003, 02:40 AM	#56 (permalink)
blubbla Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chebanse, IL Posts: 2,402 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	The icing has just been put on the cake. Usually the Tigers put about a 10 game winning streak together to finish off the AL East. This season, the Yankees just did it. __________________ BATT in progress

01-17-2003, 03:05 AM	#57 (permalink)
blubbla Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chebanse, IL Posts: 2,402 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Just noticed this... The Tigers brought Kirby Puckett up for the last week of July, and he DH's and collects hits in his first 5 games. So what do they do? They dealt him to Philadelphia for 3B Terry Pendleton and a relief pitcher. Granted, the Tigers needed a 3B to replace Kevin Collins NOW, but Puckett's upside looked very promising. Another reason that when the Tigers completely crash, they will crash hard. Right now they are still riding halfway decent on a couple flats. __________________ BATT in progress

01-17-2003, 03:20 AM	#58 (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 officially been eliminated from the division race for the first time since 1971. __________________ BATT in progress

01-20-2003, 01:43 AM	#59 (permalink)
blubbla Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chebanse, IL Posts: 2,402 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	I can't quite leave this alone yet, because the Tigers are trying to come back in '86. --Officially out are Bobby Bonds, Kevin Collins, and Tom Paciorek. --John Tudor was signed as the future staff ace and Joe McIntosh was re-signed to continue to anchor the rotation now. --Pete Mackanin was signed to play third base, continuing to show that the current Tigers GM has no clue. Remember, Terry Pendleton was added to fill that void, and Kirby Puckett was the price. --Amos Otis, Steve Nicosia, Dave Parker, and Dwight Evans continue to hit and provide the link to the past glory. --Fred Manrique is now at SS, while reserve 2B Juan Samuel and backup SS Lenny Faedo have replaced Ron Cey as DH. __________________ BATT in progress

01-20-2003, 01:48 AM	#60 (permalink)
blubbla Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chebanse, IL Posts: 2,402 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	I failed to mention that the Tigers are once again fighting the Yankees for the division lead early in '86, hence the continuing of the team tracker for the time being. 14 titles in 15 years would still be a heck of an accomplishment. __________________ BATT in progress

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