FABL: Murderers Row

[blubbla]

The 1973 Detroit Tigers have to have the most powerful lineup ever assembled in the FABL. Surrounding HR King Willie McCovey and FABL 500 member Gene Oliver is a lot of talent. Here's a look at what the base lineup did during the regular season in 1973.

3B Ralph Garr, 27: .285-4-57
LF Tom Paciorek, 26: .306-13-67
1B Willie McCovey, 35: . 286-41-107
C John Bateman, 33: .286-31-93
RF Bobby Bonds, 27: .251-31-105
DH Gene Oliver, 38: .253-34-91
CF Jimmie Hall, 35: .268-24-88
2B Tony LaRussa, 28: .282-12-74
SS Leo Cardenas, 34: .258-4-45

Only Garr is a free agent in the coming offseason, and young OF Jose Cruz is being groomed to replace Oliver or Hall in the lineup. Oliver ended the season as a part-timer, so it's likely that he will start next season on the bench (he signed a one year extension)

Defensively, there are some leaks (Garr, Bonds, and Hall), but the bats and a strong pitching staff (Gary Nolan, Jim Lonborg, Doyle Alexander) have neutralized those weaknesses.

[blubbla]

Just a note: The Detroit murderers row of 1973 steamrolled through Kansas City and the Cubs, taking the World Series.

As usual, Willie McCovey led the way, with a .394 AVG, 8 HR and 19 RBI in the 12 postseason games that the Tigers played. John Bateman (.283-3-9) also had a good postseason, and Bobby Bonds knocked in 11 runs despite hitting .211.

[blubbla]

The 1974 Tigers weren't as potent, but the sluggers still did their jobs and combined with hurlers Gary Nolan, Jim Lonborg, Doyle Alexander, and Gene Garber, ran away with the AL East and went 8-3 in the postseason for another World Series title.

LF Jose Cruz, 27: .288-6-47 / DH Marvin Lane, 24: .333-1-14
3B Ralph Garr, 28: .265-5-81
1B Willie McCovey, 36: . 269-43-125
C John Bateman, 34: .299-39-121
RF Bobby Bonds, 28: .257-25-98
CF Jimmie Hall, 36: .266-25-103
DH/LF Tom Paciorek, 27: .294-13-82
2B Tony LaRussa, 29: .279-21-90
SS Eddie Leon, 28: .256-8-36 / Leo Cardenas, 35: .258-3-23

Only reserve OF Chico Salmon, 33 (.263-4-35), is a free agent, and he is deemed expendable with Bonds, Paciorek, Cruz, Lane, and top prospect Dwight Evans around. The team is getting a little concerned with the advancing ages of McCovey, Bateman, and Hall, and veteran slugger Gene Oliver has hung up his spikes after playing out the string in the minors.

The sluggers should be able to give the ball a heavy pounding for one more season at least.

[blubbla]

1975 has begun and the Tigers have returned every bat they had in 1974, with the exception of backup catcher Jim Campanis, who had been passed anyway by Ken Suarez.

An interesting note: Tiger management has made a significant change to the batting order. Longtime 3-4 hitters Willie McCovey and John Bateman have been moved down in the order. Bobby Bonds has moved up to take the 3 spot. It will be interesting to see what this change does to the numbers of Bonds, McCovey, Bateman, 6 hitter Jimmie Hall, and 7 hitter Tony LaRussa.

Chico Salmon (re-signed in the offseason) will start the season as DH against lefties, as Marvin Lane was sent down for more seasoning. All other starters remain the same.

All bats except platoon SS Leo Cardenas are signed at least until 1976, but pitchers Gary Nolan and Gene Garber are scheduled to be free agents at the close of the season.

[blubbla]

Early returns....

Bobby Bonds took well to being the featured star in the murderers row, pounding 5 HR in the first week of the season.

Willie McCovey is off to a horrid start, but he'll come around.

The Tigers decided that John Bateman would hit better with another slugger behind him, so Bateman and McCovey were flipped to return Bateman to cleanup man.

Detroit hopes to have the 3 sluggers plus Jimmie Hall and maybe Tony LaRussa drive in 100 runs each.

[blubbla]

The 1975 edition of the Detroit murderers row posted probably the best spread of individual numbers during the regular season, but an injury to staff ace Gary Nolan crippled the pitching staff, and when MVP John Bateman got hurt in a collision against Kansas City early in the LCS, the Tigers were doomed, losing that series 4-2.

RF Tom Paciorek, 28: .308-29-103
3B Ralph Garr, 29: .250-14-74
CF Bobby Bonds, 29: .295-41-113
C John Bateman, 35: .317-47-134
1B Willie McCovey, 37: . 262-30-110
LF Jimmie Hall, 37: .271-26-101
2B Tony LaRussa, 30: .294-11-79
DH Marvin Lane, 25: .285-10-72
SS Eddie Leon, 29: .245-16-44 / Leo Cardenas, 36: .354-4-32

Everybody is again slated to return, but the lineup is not likely to be as strong. McCovey is obviously in freefall, Hall is slowly showing age, Cardenas is getting up there, and the injury to Bateman may alter his game a bit. Paciorek and Lane really busted out this season, and Jose Cruz and Dwight Evans remain in the wings as outfield options. If McCovey really goes, there will be an instant hole, as nobody is ready to replace him.

[blubbla]

I have resumed the FABL, but the Tiger dynasty is clearly crumbling in 1976 (at midseason.

Willie McCovey sits against lefties. Jimmie Hall just got sent to AAA. John Bateman and Tony LaRussa have missed time due to injuries. Leo Cardenas finally gave up his half of the platoon with Eddie Leon.

The pitching staff has also been affected, with #2 Gary Nolan and #3 Jim Lonborg out for significant periods of time.

There are still plenty of bright spots left, though, and the Tigers remain the class of the AL East. Bobby Bonds is putting up monster numbers. McCovey is still terrorizing righties, even though his legendary power is much reduced. Tom Paciorek has taken it to another level, and Jose Cruz has finally nailed down a full time gig after lots of flirtation with it.

Staff ace Gene Garber has been awesome, while Floyd Weaver and Pat Jarvis have moved up in the rotation to cover for Nolan and Lonborg, and 1976 top pick Mark Lemongello has proven more than capable in the last month, taking his first 3 games with a decent ERA.

More to come later...

[dsvitak]

This is a terrific replay!

I first became aware of Major League baseball about 1964, and have been a huge fan ever since.

Living in California during the sixties, it was Mays, McCovey, Marichal, Dickie Dietz, Ray Sadecki, Lanier, Davenport, the Alou's, Jimmy Ray Hart, and a whole bunch of others.

It brings back memories to see you talk of McCovey terrorizing righties....he WAS the most feared hitter in the league!

And I remember Bobby Bonds very first game in the Majors...a walk in the first, and a grand slam in the third

[LivnLegend]

Originally posted by dsvitak
Living in California during the sixties, it was Mays, McCovey, Marichal, Dickie Dietz, Ray Sadecki, Lanier, Davenport, the Alou's, Jimmy Ray Hart, and a whole bunch of others.

That does not sound like baseball in California in the 1960’s...Koufax, Wills, Drysdale, Gilliam, Podres, the Davis boys, and Osteen. Now that was California baseball in the 60's

[dsvitak]

Hey, it could be worse....I could have said....Reggie, and Sal, and Rudi, and Campy, and Blue Moon, and Catfish!

Sorry to hijack the thread!

[blubbla]

Hey, no problem. I'm glad the interest is out there.

Late season note: Tom Paciorek got hurt in late July (tore calf I believe) forcing Dwight Evans to get extended time. Frank Ortenzio continues to steal time from Willie McCovey, who should hang them up after this season. Jimmie Hall returned to the big as the platoon DH with Marvin Lane, and Mark Lemongello continues to impress as a rookie injury replacement. I likely will finish the 1976 season tomorrow and slide right in to the 1977 expansion.

BTW, once again Detroit's nucleus is scheduled to stay intact, with the likely exceptions of McCovey (FA) and Hall (retirement). #2 starter Gary Nolan, plagued by injuries in the last couple of seasons, may also be allowed to walk away, with Lemongello, former staff member Doyle Alexander, and Mike Pazik in AAA.

[blubbla]

Willie McCovey has been resigned for 1977 by the Tigers. The all time HR king, after having received a salary of nearly $10 millionthe last several years, settled for $558,000 to finish his career in the Detroit organization.

It has become painfully obvious that McCovey, Jimmie Hall, and Leo Cardenas are shadows of what they once were. The Tigers are also increasingly concerned about the health of 36 year old all-star catcher John Bateman, who has taken a pounding since his injury in last year's ALCS. McCovey's replacements may have big shoes to fill, but it will be Bateman that will be the hardest to replace in the next few seasons.

[blubbla]

1976 has ended, and only Bobby Bonds cleared 100 RBI. John Bateman just missed with 98. Ralph Garr and Tony LaRussa did each chip in with 80. Willie McCovey did nothing and missed 30 HR (he only hit 19) for the first and likely only time in his career. Pitchers Garber, Lonborg, Nolan, and Jarvis carried the team.

1977 has begun, and 2 key bats have been added. Amos Otis becomes the LF and leadoff man, while Eric Soderholm (36 RBI so far) comes in as part time DH, part time 3B. Both have been key to the 22-5 start of the Tigers. Bonds and Bateman have continued their solid contributions.

McCovey is in AAA, and Frank Ortenzio has a toe in the large footprints left behind. Jimmie Hall's career is over. Floyd Bannister and Enrique Romo were drafted to join the staff. Jose Cruz and Dwight Evans are still not gaining a solid spot in the lineup.

The 1977 offseason is key, as Bateman, McCovey (who will retire), LaRussa, Garr, SS Eddie Leon, Cruz, Bonds, and RF Tom Paciorek are all eligible for Free Agency. Up to 6 more starters could change before 1978.

[blubbla]

The Tigers have continued to roll through the AL here in 1977. DH Eric Soderholm (.282-24-129) has proven to be a welcome addition, CF Bobby Bonds (.316-36-109) continues to play at his peak, John Bateman continues to drive in runs, and 3B Ralph Garr has passed 100 RBI for the first times. FA Signee Larry Gowell has joined Nolan, Lonborg, Garber, Jarvis, Lemongello, and Bannister in the rotation, and all except Lemongello have pitched well.

Most of the potential FA's were just re-signed, but 3 remain. Jose Cruz is gonna walk and won't be missed. John Bateman may be at the point of his career that he should be replaced anyway, but that would be a big loss. Bobby Bonds, at his peak, would be the biggest loss of all if he walks. Bonds controls the direction of the dynasty.

Willie McCovey and Leo Cardenas have announced that they will retire at the conclusion of the season. McCovey finishes his career with 719 HR.

[blubbla]

Once again KC bounced the Tigers in the ALCS, this time cruising to win it all.

Individually, the Tigers put up some of their finest numbers yet.

CF Bonds: .315-40-127
C Bateman: .302-26-108
OF Otis: .302-15-76
3B Garr: .302-25-109
SS Leon: .290-18-101
2B LaRussa: .288-14-89
OF Paciorek: .272-17-84
DH Soderholm: .267-26-143
1B Ortenzio: .222-7-54

Lonborg: 23-5, 2.85
Nolan: 11-9, 3.36
Jarvis: 15-9, 3.49
Garber: 11-5, 3.78

Again, the worries center around what happens to Bonds and Bateman, and if a quality 1B can be found, especially if one or both of the main guys leave.

[blubbla]

We'll know very soon if the Detroit Dynasty of the last 10 seasons is coming to an end. There was some major retooling done, not all by choice.

John Bateman, Detroit's starting catcher since 1969, left for San Diego and a 3 year, $16.5 million dollar deal. The Tigers immediately made a knee jerk reaction, acquiring Dave Parker from the Padres to protect against losing Bobby Bonds. But the Tigers may have dealt too much, parting with DH/3B Eric Soderholm, he of 143 RBI in 1977.

Bobby Bonds did come back into the fold, taking home just under $61 million over the next 7 years. Parker will DH, replacing Soderholm in the order.

The next move the Tigers made was to replace Bateman behind the plate. Former Tiger reserve Jim Campanis, beaten out by Ken Suarez a couple of seasons ago, now will team with Suarez in handling the pitchers.

Lou Pinella was added to replace Frank Ortenzio at first. The Tigers wanted to avoid having 2 light bats in the order, and one is guarateed behind the plate for now.

Detroit's top draft choice, #26 overall, was spent on another catcher, Steve Nicosia. Tiger management hopes that Nicosia will be the regular backstop in 1979.

Soon, we'll see if Detroit remains worthy of reports, or if they've just slid back into the pack.

[blubbla]

Well, we've made it 23 games into the new season, and once again the Tigers are beginning to break from the pack.

Bonds, Otis, Parker, Garr, LaRussa, and Paciorek are sharing the load equally, and Pinella is hitting .313.

Garber, Lonborg, Gowell, and Bannister are pitching well, too.

[blubbla]

The Tigers again walked all over the AL East, and then blew through the playoffs for another title.

There aren't any regular season stats that are notable, but there are a couple of post season notes:

Tony LaRussa and Ralph Garr both missed the postseason with injuries. Longtime reserve Ron Dunn covered for LaRussa, while minor leaguer Dale Berra was brought up from A ball to fill in for Garr.

Bobby Bonds and Dave Parker carried the entire offense on the way to the title.

Also, Tim Blackwell was called up in late August to replace Jim Campanis on the roster. Blackwell finished the season on the main part of a platoon with Ken Suarez.

For 1979, Mike Hargrove was signed to platoon with Lou Pinella at 1B.

[blubbla]

Give 108 more wins and another world title to the team of the 1970's, the Detroit Tigers.

Just as the Red Sox of Mathews and Pagliaroni retooled and stayed up top, the Tigers of LaRussa, Garr, and Paciorek changed leaders, going from Oliver, McCovey, and Bateman, to having Soderholm pass through, to Bonds, Otis, and Parker starring.

Bonds, at .312-34-102, set the pace as usual, with Parker (.275-7-84) going through a power outage. Otis (.315-29-104) picked up the pace, Paciorek (.264-19-84) was steady. Lou Pinella (.289-10-72) set the table well, and Tim Blackwell (.284-5-62) gave an unexpected contribution. LaRussa (.272-14-63) and Garr (.264-18-93) also gave their normal numbers.

Larry Gowell (20-9, 2.84) had a no-hitter to his credit while leading the staff. Gene Garber(17-9, 3.24), Floyd Bannister (14-3, 3.25), Joe McIntosh (16-10, 3.55), and closer Enrique Romo (5-6, 3.01, 45 SV) kept throwing the ball well all year.

If the Tigers were worried about age before, they certainly have to be concerned now. Pinella is 36; LaRussa 35; Bonds, Garr, and Eddie Leon are 33; Otis and Paciorek 32.

[blubbla]

Another division title and 100 more wins for the Tigers in 1980. That's 10 AL East titles in a row and 12 postseason appearances in 14 years.

Bonds (.304-32-107) led the way, with regular supporting cast members LaRussa (.313-22-91 and a shift to SS) and Garr (.282-19-94) doing much of the heavy lifting.

Pitchers Joe McIntosh (18-6, AL ERA Leader at 2.27) and Floyd Bannister (16-7, 3.00) were capable all season, and Enrique Romo (8-7, 3.49, 41 SV) consistently finished the job.

Unfortunanately for the Tigers, McIntosh and Romo are on the DL and inactive for the postseason.