Thirty Years Ago Redux

[CatKnight]

After some thought I decided to start over. I didn't think the format would work for me, and while letting the AI make all the roster moves is a neat idea I think I'd be left gnashing my teeth in frustration pretty quickly. Also, since 1984 is in the midst of my personal 'golden era' of baseball, I wanted to be able to pay attention to the league as a whole.


I'll be following BigT's format, which I admire. For one thing, it lets us get right into the action.


House Rules are similar to before. As a review:
Injuries and suspensions were off til Spring Training. Normal thereafter.
Trades are off until May 31. Hard difficulty thereafter.
Minor League Options are off during the offseason.
Waivers are off period.
No recalc (Players develop per game engine)
I can be fired.

[CatKnight]

1984 Boston Red Sox
Spring Training (40 man) Roster

After dropping Marc Sullivan per the previous dynasty, we are left with 31 players and will invite all to camp to see what they can offer. They are:

Starters	Team	Age	W-L	ERA	GS	IP	WHIP
'Oil Can' Boyd	Red Sox	24	4-8	3.28	13	99	1.28
Roger Clemens	A-AA	21	7-2	1.33	11	81	0.80
Bruce Hurst	Red Sox	25	12-12	4.09	32	211	1.43
Al Nipper	Red Sox	24	1-1	2.25	2	16	1.50
Dennis Eckersley	Red Sox	29	9-13	5.61	28	176	1.49
Bob Ojeda	Red Sox	26	12-7	4.04	28	174	1.42

As mentioned before, Eckersley imported as a middle reliever, but I hope he can be 'saved.' On the other hand, with our relief corps pretty weak having him there should strengthen things considerably.

If Eck does go to the bullpen, then all five starters will go north with us.

Relievers	Team	Age	W-L	ERA	SV	IP	WHIP
Mike Brown	Red Sox	24	6-6	4.67	0	104	1.47
Mark Clear	Red Sox	27	4-5	6.28	4	96	1.76
Steve Crawford	AAA	25	8-11	5.18	27s	155	1.69
Rich Gale	Reds	30	4-6	5.82	1	90	1.63
John H. Johnson	Red Sox	27	3-2	3.71	1	53	1.46
Jim Dorsey	AAA	28	5-7	4.01	8	105	1.47
Charlie Mitchell	AA	21	2-4	2.88	13	100	1.18
Bob Stanley	Red Sox	29	8-10	2.85	33	145	1.26

After Stanley the talent drops off pretty quickly. Crawford actually started for AAA-Pawtucket in 1983 while the rest are unknown quantities I only dimly remember from my youth.

Catchers	Team	Age	AB	HR	RBI	AVG	OPS
Gary Allenson	Red Sox	29	230	3	30	0.230	0.311
Rich Gedman	Red Sox	24	204	2	18	0.294	0.345
Jeff Newman	Red Sox	35	132	3	7	0.189	0.255

I'm leaning towards Allenson and Gedman going north with us, but Newman can refuse a demotion which could put a wrinkle in things.

Infielders	Team	Age	AB	HR	RBI	AVG	OPS
Mike Easler	Pirates	33	381	10	54	0.307	0.349
Dave Stapleton	Red Sox	30	542	10	66	0.247	0.297
Marty Barrett	Red Sox	25	44	0	2	0.227	0.271
Jerry Remy	Red Sox	31	592	0	43	0.275	0.320
Wade Boggs	Red Sox	25	582	5	74	0.361	0.444
Chico Walker	Red Sox	25	5	0	1	0.400	0.400
Jackie Gutierrez	Red Sox	23	10	0	0	0.300	0.364
Glenn Hoffman	Red Sox	25	473	4	41	0.260	0.306
Ed Jurak	Red Sox	26	159	0	18	0.277	0.350

There isn't much competition for the starting roles in most of our infield: Easler, Barrett and Boggs at the bases. Shortstop might have a battle brewing between Hoffman and Jurak.

Outfielders	Team	Age	AB	HR	RBI	AVG	OPS
Jim Rice	Red Sox	30	626	39	126	0.305	0.361
Tony Armas	Red Sox	30	574	36	107	0.218	0.254
Rick Miller	Red Sox	35	262	2	21	0.286	0.356
Reid Nichols	Red Sox	25	274	6	22	0.285	0.352
Dwight Evans	Red Sox	32	470	22	58	0.238	0.338

Again, our outfield starters are set: Rice, Armas and Evans. I like having two outfielders in reserve, so all five will probably go north with us.

Historically the Red Sox finished 86-76, in 4th place and 18 games behind one of the best Tigers teams in history. Since there can only be minimal roster movements until I let the AI start trading in late May, I expect a more or less historical result barring injuries.

[CatKnight]

Spring Training, 1984

AL East	W-L	PCT	GB		NL East	W-L	PCT	GB
Boston Red Sox	17-7	0.708	--		Philadelphia Phillies	15-9	0.625	--
Detroit Tigers	15-9	0.625	2		New York Mets	14-10	0.583	1
New York Yankees	14-10	0.583	3		St. Louis Cardinals	13-11	0.542	2
Cleveland Indians	12-12	0.500	5		Pittsburgh Pirates	11-13	0.458	4
Milwaukee Brewers	12-12	0.500	5		Chicago Cubs	9-15	0.375	6
Baltimore Orioles	10-14	0.417	7		Montreal Expos	7-17	0.292	8
Toronto Blue Jays	10-14	0.417	7
AL West	W-L	PCT	GB		NL West	W-L	PCT	GB
Kansas City Royals	14-10	0.583	--		San Diego Padres	17-7	0.708	--
Minnesota Twins	14-10	0.583	--		Atlanta Braves	13-11	0.542	4
California Angels	13-11	0.542	1		Houston Astros	13-11	0.542	4
Chicago White Sox	11-13	0.458	3		Los Angeles Dodgers	13-11	0.542	4
Seattle Mariners	9-15	0.375	5		Cincinnati Reds	12-12	0.500	5
Texas Rangers	9-15	0.375	5		San Francisco Giants	7-17	0.292	10
Oakland Athletics	9-15	0.375	6

We emerged as one of the strongest teams in Spring Training. With only one major injury, we weren't the luckiest team in baseball, but nowhere near Montreal, who will start the season with three people on the 60-day DL.

So, how did we manage this?

Starters	W-L	ERA	GS	IP	WHIP	Comments
'Oil Can' Boyd	1-0	2.25	4	16	0.75
Roger Clemens	2-0	2.81	4	16	1.25
Al Nipper	1-1	3.38	4	16	1.38
Bob Ojeda	2-0	1.13	4	16	1.44
Bruce Hurst	1-0	1.80	3	10	1.30

With 5 starters and a projected 5 man rotation, that made it easy who to bring up. Hurst missed a start when he strained his calf, but will be back for opening day. Everyone pitched very well. Our projected rotation:

1) Clemens, 2) Boyd, 3) Ojeda*, 4) Nipper, 5) Hurst*
(* denotes a southpaw)

Relievers	W-L	ERA	SV	IP	WHIP	Comments
Dennis Eckersley	3-2	2.06	0	35	0.91
Charlie Mitchell	0-1	2.89	1	19	1.45
Steve Crawford	1-1	4.34	1 GS	19	1.55
Rich Gale	2-0	1.69	4 GS	16	1.31
Mike Brown	0-0	5.68	0	13	1.58
Mark Clear	0-0	2.53	0	11	1.31
Bob Stanley	1-0	4.50	6	10	1.00
John H. Johnson	2-2	5.40	0	10	1.50
Jim Dorsey	1-0	4.77	0	6	1.59

I'm not nearly as sanguine about our relievers. As you can see, manager Slider kept Eckersley as a reliever - then proceeded to use him twice as much as the starters. Whatever: He gives us a badly needed boost here.

Who to keep came down to who I thought would benefit from more time on the farm, coupled of course with their performance this spring.

My scouts suggested Dorsey belonged in A-Winter Haven (all other demotions were to Pawtucket). Given that, and he's 28 years old and unlikely to grow more, there's not much point in keeping him. I'll be trading him once the freeze ends.

Note that the game setup projects everyone having 5 starters and 8 relievers for 13 pitchers. I remember playing games from the '80s where 11 pitchers was correct, and will go with that until and unless proven wrong.

Projected Bullpen:
CL) Stanley, SU) Johnson*/Eckersley, MR) Brown/Gale/Clear

Catchers	AB	HR	RBI	AVG	OPS	Comments
Rich Gedman	77	1	5	0.286	0.321
Gary Allenson	20	0	2	0.200	0.273
Jeff Newman	12	1	1	0.250	0.380

I really expected to be sending the older Newman to AAA or releasing him. He surprised me though and stole the backup job from 29 year old Allenson.

Infielders	AB	HR	RBI	AVG	OPS	Comments
Jackie Gutierrez	65	0	10	0.262	0.271
Ed Jurak	63	1	8	0.175	0.321
Mike Easler	61	2	7	0.180	0.324
Marty Barrett	60	0	5	0.300	0.403
Jerry Remy	32	0	6	0.281	0.314
Wade Boggs	28	0	0	0.250	0.344	Ready by Opening Day
Dave Stapleton	22	0	4	0.318	0.375
Glenn Hoffman	21	0	5	0.333	0.417
Chico Walker	6	0	0	0.000	0.000	60 day DL

As I mentioned, there was no realistic doubt about Easler, Barrett or Boggs starting. Boggs suffered an injury that caused him to miss most of Spring Training, but will be back for the opener.

Shortstop was a battle, and in my opinion Hoffman won. Neither Gutierrez or Jurak impressed. I'm hoping the latter is playing well below expectations. Stapleton and Jurak can both play any infield position, so we have ample reserves.

Chico Walker broke his elbow and will miss 3-4 months.

Outfielders	AB	HR	RBI	AVG	OPS	Comments
Tony Armas	91	5	18	0.253	0.293
Jim Rice	78	4	15	0.308	0.398
Dwight Evans	62	8	24	0.355	0.523
Rick Miller	44	1	9	0.364	0.420
Reid Nichols	40	1	9	0.175	0.327

Similar to the starting pitchers, we had 5 outfielders and I like to carry 5, so everyone comes north. Evans in particular was incredible, with Miller and Rice also putting in solid performances.

Projected Lineup(* denotes LHB)
RHP
1) 3B Boggs*, 2) 2B Barrett, 3) RF Evans, 4) DH Armas, 5) C Gedman*
6) 1B Easler*, 7) LF Rice, 8) CF Miller*, 9) SS Jurak

LHP
1) 3B Boggs*, 2) 2B Barrett, 3) RF Evans, 4) CF Armas, 5) C Gedman*
6) 1B Easler*, 7) DH Rice, 8) LF Nichols, 9) SS Jurak

[CatKnight]

Warming Up for 1984

BNN revealed its predictions for the season to come.

AL East	W-L	PCT	GB		NL East	W-L	PCT	GB
Detroit Tigers	102-60	0.630	--		St. Louis Cardinals	92-70	0.568	--
Toronto Blue Jays	99-63	0.611	3		Philadelphia Phillies	86-76	0.531	6
Boston Red Sox	85-77	0.525	17		New York Mets	85-77	0.525	7
Baltimore Orioles	83-79	0.512	19		Pittsburgh Pirates	82-80	0.506	10
New York Yankees	83-79	0.512	19		Montreal Expos	76-86	0.469	16
Cleveland Indians	82-80	0.506	20		Chicago Cubs	75-87	0.463	17
Milwaukee Brewers	55-107	0.340	47
AL West	W-L	PCT	GB		NL West	W-L	PCT	GB
Kansas City Royals	90-72	0.556	--		Los Angeles Dodgers	95-67	0.586	--
Oakland Athletics	86-76	0.531	4-		Houston Astros	87-75	0.537	8
Seattle Mariners	83-79	0.512	7		Cincinnati Reds	79-83	0.488	16
California Angels	78-84	0.481	12		San Diego Padres	76-86	0.469	19
Chicago White Sox	76-86	0.469	14		San Francisco Giants	72-90	0.444	23
Texas Rangers	70-92	0.432	20		Atlanta Braves	71-91	0.438	24
Minnesota Twins	66-96	0.407	24

No surprises here in the AL, especially given how dangerous Detroit was IRL. In our world, the 1984 NL winners were Chicago and San Diego. We'll see what happens.


Top Players

Pitchers	Team	W-L	ERA	GS	IP	WHIP	Comments
Dwight Gooden	NYM	19-4	2.50	27	191	1.22	A-Lynchburg
Orel Hershiser	LAD	0-0	3.38	1 SV	8	1.63
Nolan Ryan	HOU	14-9	2.98	29	196	1.20
Bob Welch	LAD	15-12	2.65	31	204	1.16
Bryn Smith	MON	6-11	2.49	3 SV	155	1.19

Fielders	Team	AB	HR	RBI	AVG	OPS	Comments
Rickey Henderson	OAK	513	9	48	0.292	0.414
Tim Raines	MON	615	11	71	0.298	0.393	60-day DL
Eddie Murray	BAL	582	33	111	0.306	0.393
Dan Gladden	SFG	63	1	9	0.222	0.275
Wade Boggs	BOS	582	5	74	0.361	0.444

Some of the more well known names of this era. Other 'Sox on this list include Jim Rice (Batter 14), Roger Clemens (Pitcher 10) and Oil Can Boyd (Pitcher 16).


Top Prospects

Pitchers	Team	W-L	ERA	GS	IP	WHIP	Comments
Dwight Gooden	NYM	19-4	2.50	27	191	1.22	A-Lynchburg
Roger Clemens	BOS	7-2	1.33	11	81	0.80	A/AA-New Britain
Jose Rijo	NYY	18-7	1.88	26	201	1.12	A/AA-Nashville
Bret Saberhagen	KCR	16-7	2.55	27	187	1.13	A/AA-Jacksonville
Ken Howell	LAD	8-11	4.49	27	172	1.61	AA/AAA-Albuquerque

Fielders	Team	AB	HR	RBI	AVG	OPS	Comments
Eric Davis	CIN	370	22	62	0.292	0.415	AA/AAA-Indianapolis
Kevin Mitchell	NYM	441	15	85	0.299	0.367	AA-Jackson
Mickey Tettleton	OAK	378	7	62	0.243	0.376	A-Modesto
Kirby Puckett	MIN	548	9	97	0.314	0.366	A, Out for 1 week
Danny Tartabull	SEA	481	13	66	0.301	0.362	AA-Chattanooga

I recognize most of the names on this list. Boston has no other members of the top 100. Despite that, our minors are ranked at #11.


Transactions: (through Opening Day)

For most of the preseason there were only two players in Free Agency:

Kiko Garcia (SS) was released by the Phillies, then later in the month signed with Baltimore. Last year Garcia batted .288 2-9 for the Phils.

We dismissed Marc Sullivan (C). Last year he batted .219 8-50 for AA-New Britain and AAA-Pawtucket. No one signed him during the offseason.

A flurry of activity while paring down rosters has added the following:

3B Jerry Royster (.235 3-35 with Atlanta)
CF Al Bumbry (.275 3-31 with Baltimore)
CF Ruppert Jones (.233 12-49 with San Diego)
RF Jeff Burroughs (.269 10-56 with Oakland)
RF Johnny Grubb (.254 4-22 with Detroit)
RF Lou Piniella (.291 2-16 with Yankees)

All peaked or past it. I'm considering going after Jones, who is at least young enough (29) to help out for a few years. He's certainly better than Reid Nichols, who would be demoted.


60-day DL

As the season starts, some big names are out of action.

Chico Walker (3B, Boston): 3-4 months (.400 0-1)
Rod Carew (1B, California): 4 months (.339 2-44)
Steve Farr (P, Cleveland: 4 months (13-1, 1 SV, 1.61 with AA-Buffalo)
Jerry Ujdur (P, Cleveland): 6 months (0-4 7.15 with Detroit)
Joe Beckwith (P, Kansas City): 4-5 months (3-4, 1 SV, 3.55 with Dodgers)
Keith Atherton (P, Oakland): 4-5 months (2-5, 4 SV, 2.77)
Steve McCatty (P, Oakland): SEASON (6-9, 5 SV, 3.99)
Mitch Webster (CF, Toronto): 3 months (.182 0-0)

Leon Durham (CF, Cubs): 4 months (.258 12-55)
Dave Owen (SS, Cubs): 4 months (.091 0-2)
Steve Rogers (P, Montreal): SEASON (17-12 3.23)
Bob James (P, Montreal): SEASON (1-0, 7 SV, 3.50 with Detroit/Montreal)
Tim Raines (LF, Montreal): 3-4 months (.298 11-71)
Don Robinson (P, Pittsburgh): 2-3 months (2-2, 4.46)


Season Expectation

Owner Buddy LeRoux expects us to play .500 ball. We should be able to manage that pretty easily. LeRoux, 60, is a lenient economizer who currently feels good about the team.

[CatKnight]

And so it begins:

April 2 (California 6 Boston 1)
Clemens' career debut lasts 4.2 innings where he gives up 7 hits, 6 earned runs and 2 walks. Last year at this time he was in college: Perhaps he's being pushed too hard. Fred Lynn also gets some measure of revenge on his old teammates, going 3 for 4 with 2 runs, 3 RBI.
WP: Mike Witt (1-0), LP: Roger Clemens (0-1)
HR: (CAL) Doug DeCinces (1), Fred Lynn (1)

Britt Burns (P, White Sox) went 8 innings giving up 4 hits and 0 earned runs. Last year Burns was 10-11, 3.58

I've made an offer to OF Ruppert Jones, who Detroit released yesterday. Jones, 29, batted .233 12-49 for San Diego last year. Scouts project him to be pretty average, but that's okay: I'm not expecting him to start. (Though he wants to)

His $290K request is only mildly unreasonable: It would make him 7th on the team in payroll and I can easily afford it. If we're making a run and he's doing well, we can discuss extension. If July comes around and there's no hope, he's trade bait.


April 3 (Off)

Nolan Ryan (P, Houston) went 7 innings allowing 3 hits and 0 earned runs. Last year Ryan was 14-9, 2.98


April 4 (Boston 11 California 2)
Boston took over in the first when Dwight Evans hit a 2-RBI triple and came home on Tony Armas' two run smash. It was 8-0 in the seventh when the Angels finally got on the board. Rich Gedman added three more in the eighth on a 2-RBI double then later scoring. Oil Can Boyd lasted 8.2 IP giving up 4 hits and 2 earned runs.
WP: Oil Can Boyd (1-0), LP: Bruce Kison (0-1)
HR: (BOS) Tony Armas (1), Wade Boggs (1), Ed Jurak (1), (CAL) Mike Brown (1)

Ted Simmons (C, Milwaukee) went 4 for 4 with a HR, 3 runs and 4 RBI. Last year Simmons batted .308 13-108.


April 5 (Boston 10 California 1)
Once more Boston has two big innings: 4 in the 5th thanks to a 2-RBI double and run by Dwight Evans, then 3 in the 9th when Evans scored on a sac fly and Tony Armas hit a 2-run shot. Armas went 3 for 5 with 2 runs, 3 RBI and 2 homers.
WP: Bob Ojeda (1-0), LP: Jim Slaton (0-1)
HR: (BOS) Tony Armas 2 (3), Jim Rice (1)

Scott Sanderson (P, Cubs) went 8 innings giving up 3 hits and 0 earned runs. Last year he was 6-7, 1 SV, 4.65 for Montreal.
----------------------

One convincing loss, two convincing wins. Far too early to say what any of it means.

AL East	W-L	PCT	GB
New York Yankees	3-0	1.000	--
Detroit Tigers	2-0	1.000	0.5
Milwaukee Brewers	2-0	1.000	0.5
Boston Red Sox	2-1	0.667	1
Cleveland Indians	1-1	0.500	1.5
Baltimore Orioles	0-2	0.000	2.5
Toronto Blue Jays	0-2	0.000	2.5

[CatKnight]

April 6 (Oakland 2 Boston 1)
Ugh. We took a fourth inning lead when Rich Gedman doubled home Tony Armas. Oakland tied it when Rickey Henderson singled home Carney Lansford. On to the ninth: Our starter, who I expected to be a problem, had a brilliant game. Our closer gives up a solo shot to his first batter (Dwayne Murphy). Al Nipper went 8 innings giving up 7 hits and 1 earned run.
WP: Bill Caudill (1-0), LP: Bob Stanley (0-1)
HR: (OAK) Dwayne Murphy (1)

Wayne Gross (3B, Baltimore) went 2 for 3 with 2 HR, 5 RBI and 2 runs. Last year he went .233 12-44 for Oakland.

Danny Darwin (P, Texas) will miss about two months. Darwin had a 1.69 ERA in his 5 innings this year. Last year he went 8-13, 3.49 ERA.


April 7 (Oakland 9 Boston 4)
Oh dear. Trailing 3-2 in the 5th, the A's explode for 4 runs on a Davey Lopes homer, with Lansford and Henderson later scoring. They follow up in the 6th with 3 more when Henderson doubles home Lopes and Mike Heath, then later scores. Lopes went 2 for 5 with 2 runs and 2 RBI.
WP: Chris Codiroli (1-0), LP: Bruce Hurst (0-1)
HR: (BOS) Mike Easler (1), Rich Gedman (1), Reid Nichols (1), (OAK) Davey Lopes (1), Joe Morgan (1)

Glenn Hubbard (2B, Atlanta) went 3 for 4 with a homer, 5 RBI and 2 runs. Last year he went .263 12-70.


April 8 (Oakland 7 Boston 3)
Clemens (0-1, 11.57) vs. Ray Burris (0-1, 32.41): Who'd crash and burn first? The phenom of course. It was actually a pretty good 2-2 game until the 8th, though Clemens had already pitched out of two bases loaded situations when he created his third; and walked Bruce Bochte. John Henry Johnson came in to try and stop the bleeding, but allowed all of Clemens' runners to cross and one of his own. Burris pitched 8.1 innings allowing 5 hits, 2 earned runs in his win.
WP: Ray Burris (1-1), LP: Roger Clemens (0-2)
HR: (BOS) Tony Armas (4)

Old man Nolan Ryan (P, Houston) (37) proved he still has it when he struck out 15 Mets over 8 innings. On the year he's 2-0, 0.00 ERA: On April 3 he lasted 7 innings and struck out 11 Expos.

Jimmy Key (P, Toronto) pitched a shutout in his career debut, giving up 6 hits. I wonder if they'd like to trade for Clemens.

The AL named Harold Baines (RF, Chicago) PotW. Baines is batting .500 3-7 so far.

The NL named Mike Marshall (LF, Los Angeles) PotW. Marshall is batting .368 2-8 so far.

We are ranked 21st of 26 teams in the power ranking.


April 9 (Off)

German Rivera (3B, Los Angeles) went 4 for 5 with 2 RBI and a run. Last year he went .353 0-0.

Carney Lansford (3B, Oakland) will miss four weeks with a fractured foot. Last year he batted .308 10-45.

Butch Wynegar (C, Yankees) will miss 3-4 months with a fractured fibula. Last year he batted .296 6-42.

CF Ruppert Jones signed a one year contract with the Red Sox for $290,000. According to our manager, Jones becomes our every day starter while Armas moves to DH. In order to make room for him we sent down Reid Nichols (.222 1-2 this year, .285 6-22 in 1983)


April 10 (Boston 9 Seattle 6 (10))
We scored three in the first when Wade Boggs scored on Tony Armas' sac fly, and Rich Gedman followed up with a 2-run homer. The Mariners caught up however, so by the end of six they led 6-5. Stanley made up for his early defeat with 2 shutout innings.We won in the tenth when Ed Jurak doubled home Jim Rice and Ruppert Jones, then scored moments later. Rich Gedman batted 2 for 4 with 2 HR, 4 RBI and 2 runs to be named player of the day.
WP: Bob Stanley (1-1), LP: Dave Geisel (0-1)
HR: (BOS) Marty Barrett (1), Rich Gedman 2 (3), (SEA) Ken Phelps (4)

At least someone wanted him: C Marc Sullivan, released by Boston in January, signed with Baltimore and is currently in A-Hagerstown.

*******************
Lackluster. The Athletics swept us and we needed extra innings to hold off the Mariners. Through two outings Clemens is 0-2, 9.26 ERA in 11.2 IP. I'm thrilled.

AL East	W-L	PCT	GB
New York Yankees	5-2	0.714	--
Milwaukee Brewers	4-2	0.667	0.5
Baltimore Orioles	3-3	0.500	1.5
Cleveland Indians	3-3	0.500	1.5
Detroit Tigers	3-3	0.500	1.5
Boston Red Sox	3-4	0.429	2
Toronto Blue Jays	3-4	0.429	2

[NYY #23]

1984 was in the middle of my golden era of baseball as well, so it's nice to see a lot of familiar names. Good luck in Boston, as much as that pains me as a Yankees fan.

[CatKnight]

NYY#23: Thanks! Well, you can't be too upset with the Yankees so far. They're leading the division. Dave Winfield's batting .510!
*******

April 11: Boston 6 Seattle 5
The Mariners score 5 in the 2nd on a comedy of errors including 2 walks, a balk and a passed ball. We then chase Seattle SP Mark Langston from the game with 6 runs in the third highlighted by Jim Rice's 2 RBI single and Rich Gedman's 2 RBI double. Rice went 3 for 4 with a run and 2 RBI.
WP: Bob Ojeda (2-0), LP: Mark Langston (1-1), SV: Bob Stanley (1)

Danny Cox (P, St. Louis) pitched a CG shutout over the Padres, allowing only 4 hits and 1 walk. Last year Cox was 3-6, 3.25.

Pete Rose (1B, Montreal) cemented his place in the Hall of Fame (:cough by earning his 4,000th career hit. In 21 seasons, mostly with Cincinnati, Rose is batting .306 with 4,000 hits, 214 homers and 1,416 RBI. In our world Rose retired after the '86 season with 4,256 career hits.

John Lowenstein (2B, Baltimore) will miss 3 weeks with a strained hamstring. Last year he batted .281 15-60


April 12: Off Day

Mike Witt (P, California) pitched 7.2 innings, allowing 2 hits and 1 earned run. Last year Witt was 7-14, 5 SV, 4.91.


April 13: Detroit 5 Boston 4
We scored early on a 2-run Jim Rice homer and Marty Barrett's RBI single, then added to it in the fifth when Easler homered. They struggled back with two in the seventh and one in the eighth. In comes Stanley to save it in the ninth, and he implodes. Rice went 2 for 4 with a run and 2 RBI.
WP: Aurelio Lopez (1-0), LP: Bob Stanley (1-2), SV: Willie Hernandez (1)
HR: (DET) Lance Parrish (3), Lou Whitaker (2), (BOS) Mike Easler (2), Jim Rice (2)

Rick Rhoden (P, Pittsburgh) will miss 3-4 months with a partially torn labrum. Last year he was 13-13, 1 SV, 3.09.

Orel Hershiser (P, Los Angeles) shutout the Giants 3-0 on 4 hits. Last year he was 0-0, 1 SV, 3.38 ERA

All this was overshadowed by Buddy Black (P, Kansas City) who NO HIT the Brewers in a 1-0 win. He struck out 8 and walked 2. This was the first no-hitter since September 29 when Mike Warren led Oakland over the ChiSox. (IRL we're actually late: Jack Morris no-hit Chicago while with Detroit on April 7, 1984). Last year Black was 10-7, 3.79.


April 14: Off Day

Well, you can't argue with KC pitching. Today Charlie Liebrandt shut out the Brewers on 3 hits. Last year Liebrandt was in AAA for both the Reds and Royals.


April 15: Boston 4 Detroit 2
In a game with four bouts of rain, the last which caused a 64 minute delay. the Sox persevered. Dwight Evans hit an RBI double in the second, but Detroit battled back including Kirk Gibson's triple that later turned into a run to give them a 2-1 lead. Ruppert Jones homered, followed by Marty Barrett's RBI single with two on to take the lead back in the 5th. That would be all into after the rain delay, when the Tigers tried to leave SP Dan Petry in and paid with Rich Gedman's homer. On the day Bruce Hurst pitched 7.1 innings allowing 6 hits and 2 earned runs.
WP: Bruce Hurst (1-1), LP: Dan Petry (2-1), SV: Mike Brown (1)
HR: (BOS) Rich Gedman (4), Ruppert Jones (1)

Doyle Alexander (P, Toronto) shutout the Rangers 11-0 on 7 hits. Last year Alexander was 7-6, 3.93.

*******
Well, the boss asked for .500 ball and that's what he's getting. Jim Rice had a good week and is curently .324 2-8, but our star seems to be 2B Marty Barrett, who's 2nd in baseball in batting average at .463.

AL East	W-L	PCT	GB
New York Yankees	8-3	0.727	--
Cleveland Indians	5-4	0.556	2
Boston Red Sox	5-5	0.500	2.5
Toronto Blue Jays	5-5	0.500	2.5
Baltimore Orioles	4-5	0.444	3
Detroit Tigers	4-5	0.444	3
Milwaukee Brewers	4-6	0.400	3.5

[CatKnight]

April 16: Boston 5 Detroit 2

A pitcher's duel (Milt Wilcox no hit us until the 6th, Roger Clemens earned 9 strikeouts) threatens to turn ugly when Clemens loses control in the 7th to the tune of two runs. Rice answers with a three-run shot, and Dwight Evans follows up with two more. John Henry Johnson pitched 2 innings of perfect relief. On the day, Jim Rice went 1 for 3 with a run and 3 RBI.
WP: Roger Clemens (1-2), LP: Milt Wilcox (0-2), SV: John Henry Johnson (1)
HR: (BOS) Dwight Evans (1), Jim Rice (3)

Mike Young (RF, Baltimore) went 4 for 4 with 3 runs and 3 RBI. Last year Young batted .167 0-2 in 36 at bats.

Bobby Grich (2B, California) will miss 3-4 months with a concussion. Last year he batted .292 16-62.

The NL named Claudell Washington (LF, Atlanta) Player of the Week. Washington batted 11 for 24 with 2 HR, 4 RBI. On the season he's batting .349 2-5.

The AL named Dave Winfield (RF, Yankees) Player of the Week. Winfield batted 11 for 21 with 2 HR, 5 RBI. On the season he's batting .510 5-9.

The Red Sox are ranked # 12, up from 21.


April 17: Texas 9 Boston 4
That was painful to watch. SP Oil Can Boyd gave up 17 hits and 7 earned runs in 6.2 innings work, and the Rangers picked up 4 stolen bases (and 2 CS). They struck early with Larry Parrish's solo blast in the 2nd, and scored two runs in the 2nd, 5th, 7th and 8th innings. Ranger Billy Sample went 5 for 5 with a run and 2 RBI in the drubbing.
WP: Dave Stewart (2-1), LP: Oil can Boyd (1-1)
HR: (TEX) Larry Parrish (1), (BOS) Marty Barrett (2)

Steve Balboni (1B, Kansas City) went 2 for 4 with 2 homers, 4 RBI and 2 runs. Last year he batted .233 5-17 with the Yankees.


April 18: Boston 9 Texas 7
We exploded in the second for 5 runs led by a surprise 2 RBI double from Ed Jurak. Just to make things exciting, we let them back into it including a 4 run fifth where Gary Ward doubled home 2 runs of his own. At the 7th inning stretch it was 8-7 Sox. Ruppert Jones scored on a sac fly to end the excitement. On the day Ward went 4 for 5 with 2 runs and 2 RBI.
WP: Bob Ojeda (3-0), LP: Frank Tanana (2-1), SV: Bob Stanley (2)
HR: (TEX) Donnie Scott (1), (BOS) Mike Easler (3), Rich Gedman (5)

Nolan Ryan (P, Houston) pitched a complete game allowing 5 hits and 2 earned runs vs. Los Angeles. On the year Ryan is 3-1, 1.41 ERA and is averaging 14.06 K/9.

Jack Morris (P, Detroit) shut out the Royals 5-0 on 5 hits. Last year Morris was 20-13, 3.34.


April 19: Texas 9 Boston 4
For almost half the game this was a see-saw affair: 1-0 Texas, 2-1 Boston, 3-2 Texas, 4-3 Boston, 5-4 Texas after 4. Following that both pitchers settled down, and Nipper simply made one more error. Eckersley and John Henry Johnson also fouled up the ninth to the tune of three more runs. Mickey Rivers went 4 for 5 with a run and 2 RBI.
WP: Mike Mason (2-0), LP: Al Nipper (0-1)
HR: (TEX) Pete O'Brien (1), Mickey Rivers (1), (BOS) Dwight Evans (2)

Bruce Berenyi (P, Cincinnati) went 7 innings allowing 2 hits, no earned runs and 10 strikeouts to beat San Francisco. Last year he was 9-14, 3.86


April 20: Boston 5 Oakland 3
A small measure of revenge for C Rich Gedman (see below notes on Texas), who throws out three runners in SB attempts. He also opened the game up in the third with a 2 RBI double. Oakland tied it, but then he gave the Sox the lead for good when he scored in the fifth. Regardless, the star of the show was Marty Barrett, who went 5 for 5 with 2 runs.
Phil Garner (2B, Houston) also had 5 hits (5 for 6) vs. Atlanta. Last year he batted .238 14-79.

Randy Lerch (P, San Francisco) shut out the Reds on 5 hits. Last year Lerch was 1-0, 3.38.

****
Note to self: Texas in an incredibly fast team. In our three game set they had 8 SB, and were caught stealing thrice for a 72.7% success rate.
If you watched the Sox in the era, you would recognize this pattern: Strong hitting. Excellent power. Good run production (3rd in the AL). Crappy pitching. (Runs Against: 11th in the AL) Crappy fielding. (13th)
We must do better.

AL East	W-L	PCT	GB
New York Yankees	10-4	0.714	--
Boston Red Sox	8-7	0.533	2.5
Baltimore Orioles	7-7	0.500	3
Toronto Blue Jays	7-7	0.500	3
Cleveland Indians	6-7	0.462	3.5
Detroit Tigers	5-8	0.385	4.5
Milwaukee Brewers	4-9	0.308	5.5

[CatKnight]

April 21: Boston 11 Oakland 6
Through 3 innings we trailed 6-1, and while I'd like to blame Clemens (6 R 3 ER) the real culprit is Ed Jurak, who made two errors today and has 9 on a very young season. His fielding rate is .857, while his efficiency is .878.

We bounced back in the 6th though with 6 runs of our own including 4 straight runners followed by Dwight Evans' 3-run blast; one of four homers we picked up today. On the day Ruppert Jones went 3 for 4 with 3 runs, 2 RBI, a double and homer.
WP: Roger Clemens (2-2), LP: Mike Warren (0-1), SV: Mike Brown (2)
HR: (OAK) Bruce Bochte (1), Davey Lopes (3), (BOS) Tony Armas (5), Dwight Evans (3), Ruppert Jones (2), Jim Rice (4)

Roger Clemens was injured in the seventh inning and left the game. Trainers haven't diagnosed his injury yet. Clemens is 2-2, 6.04 ERA so far.

Mark Langston (P, Seattle) pitched a shutout on 4 hits over Milwaukee. This year Langston is 3-1, 3.58.


April 22: Oakland 3 Boston 1
Our pitching (Boyd, Eckersley, Johnson) is pretty good. Theirs is better. Home runs by Dave Kingman and Bruce Bochte give them all the runs we need, while we score late when Gedman doubles home Tony Armas. Oakland starter Ray Burris went 7.1 innings allowing 6 hits, 0 earned runs and striking out two.
WP: Ray Burris (3-2), LP: Oil Can Boyd (1-2), SV: Tom Burgmeier (3)
HR: (OAK) Bruce Bochte (2), Dave Kingman (2)

For the second straight day we lose our starting pitcher: Oil Can Boyd left in the fifth inning, diagnosis still pending. Boyd is 1-2, 5.68 so far.

Mike Moore (P, Seattle) went 8.2 innings giving up 3 hits and 0 earned runs n another victory over Milwaukee. Last year Moore was 6-8, 4.71 ERA

Enos Cabell (1B, Houston) went 5 for 5 with a triple against Atlanta. Last year Cabell batted .311 5-46 with Detroit.

Cal Ripken (SS, Baltimore) was named AL Player of the Week after going 12 for 31 with 4 HR and 15 RBI. On the year he's batting .338 7-20.

David Green (1B, St. Louis) was named NL Player of the Week after going 10 for 21 with 1 HR and 7 RBI. On the year he's batting .362 1-11.

The Red Sox are ranked #12 this week, same as last week.


April 23: Boston 6 California 5
Angel and former Sox SS Rick Burleson and Ruppert Jones trade 3-run homers in the 4th, which gives you some idea how this game went. California clawed their way to a tie in the 7th when another former alumni, CF Fred Lynn, scored. Rich Gedman soloed in the eighth for the win. On the day Rick Burleson went 2 for 4 with a run and 4 RBI.
WP: Rich Gale (1-0), LP: Ron Romanick (0-1), SV: Bob Stanley (4)
HR: (CAL) Rick Burleson (1), (BOS) Wade Boggs (2), Rich Gedman (6), Ruppert Jones (3)

Nolan Ryan continues to impress, this time by shutting out the Dodgers on 2 hits, 2 walks and 13 strikeouts. Ryan is now 4-1, 1.10.

Pedro Guerrero (CF, Los Angeles) will miss 2 weeks with a strained oblique. Last year Guerrero batted .298 32-103.


April 24: Boston 4 California 3
A back and forth affair: Doug DeCinces put the Angels on the board with a solo blast in the 1st. Rice answered in the 5th, then Ed Jurak scored on a double play in the 6th. California replied with a 2-run homer, then in the 7th Mike Easler tripled home Jim Rice, then scored on a sacrifice to take it home. On the day Jim Rice batted 3 for 3 with 2 runs and an RBI.
WP: Al Nipper (1-1), LP: Tommy John (0-2), SV: Bob Stanley (5)
HR: (CAL) Doug DeCinces (4), Daryl Sconiers (1), (BOS) Jim Rice (5)

For the third day in four we have an injured pitcher: Bob Stanley hurt his wrist on the last play of the game. Fortunately it's only score and he'll be day-to-day for a week or so.

Well, now we know. Oil Can Boyd tore his rotator cuff. He is out for the year. Roger Clemens partially tore his labrum and will miss 4 months or so.

Up comes Charlie Mitchell and Steve Crawford from Pawtucket. Mitchell was 0-0, 2.45 in 3.2 IP while Crawford was 1-0, 1.93 in 4.2 IP. Crawford at least has Major League experience, with a lifetime record of 3-5 from 1980-82.

Johnny Ray (2B, Pittsburgh) went 5 for 5 with a homer versus Philadelphia. Last year Ray batted .283 5-53.


April 25: Boston 3 Seattle 2
We took an early lead when Rice scored on an error, but Seattle bounced back with a 6th inning rally where Phil Bradley and Jack Perconte scored. Dwight Evans tied it almost immediately, but it wasn't until the ninth when Glenn Hoffman singled home Mike Easler that we could call it a win. Starter Bruce Hurst did great, going 8 innings and allowing 6 hits and 2 earned runs while striking out 8.
WP: John Henry Johnson (1-0), LP: Dave Geisel (0-2)
HR: (BOS) Dwight Evans (4)

Joe Niekro (P, Houston) pitched a 1-0 shutout vs. Los Angeles allowing 2 hits and 1 walk. Last year Niekro was 15-14, 3.48.

******
Well, isn't that special? We lose our #1 and #2 pitchers on back to back days. Clemens won't be back until August, and we might see Boyd by spring training!

Since trading is off until June, and the only FA now is CF Al Bumbry, I can't really deal with it either. My rotation now consists of Ojeda, Nipper, Hurst, Gale and Eckersley.

Gale (1-0, 1.13 this year) has the stamina and three pitches. He won't be brilliant, but he might answer. Eckersley (0-0, 2.00) doesn't have the stamina due to the way he imported. Well, I was hoping for an opportunity to 'convert' him back and I guess this was the game's way of granting my wish.

Crawford and Mitchell are not their equals (though at least I remember Crawford pitching.) Our bullpen just took another step backwards.
Ugh.

AL East	W-L	PCT	GB
Boston Red Sox	12-8	0.600	--
New York Yankees	11-8	0.579	0.5
Toronto Blue Jays	10-9	0.526	1.5
Detroit Tigers	9-9	0.500	2
Baltimore Orioles	9-10	0.474	2.5
Cleveland Indians	8-10	0.444	3
Milwaukee Brewers	4-14	0.222	7

Meanwhile, file under stating the obvious...

[Carlton]

Very nice layout

How do you format the standings and stats? I try to get them aligned but it never works

[CatKnight]

Carlton: Big T can probably answer this better than I. What I do is 'switch editor mode.' To do that, if you look at the top right of your reply window you should see a box that has two As in it.




If you don't see that box, try another browser. For example, I don't get that box with Google Chrome, but I do with Internet Explorer.

Once your editor is changed, you can paste stats and standings in directly from your favorite spreadsheet program. Nowadays I use Excel, though OpenOffice works as well and is free in the bargain.

[CatKnight]

April 26: Seattle 9 Boston 8
Rich Gale makes his first start as a member of the Red Sox. (He started 7 games for the '83 Reds and 29 for the '82 Giants) He does great for 4 innings, then collapses in the 5th (4.1 IP 6 ER). Steve Crawford, fresh from AAA, is a joke (1.1 IP 3 ER). Jim Rice has a grand slam which kept us competitive and went 2 for 6 (both HR), 2 runs, 6 RBI on the day.
WP: Mark Langston (4-1), LP: Rich Gale (1-1), SV: Dave Geisel (8)
HR: (SEA) Al Cowens (2), Alvin Davis (1), Bob Kearney (4), (BOS) Jim Rice 2 (7)

Bert Blyleven (P, Cleveland) pitched a shutout vs. the ChiSox on 6 hits, 2 walks and striking out 9. Last year he was 7-10, 3.91.

San Diego manager Dick Williams blasted the press over their lack of 'journalistic integrity' while covering his team. The Padres are 4-17, and by far the worst team in baseball.

Tom Henke (P, Texas) is out for the year with a torn rotator cuff. He finishes the season 0-1, 4.05 ERA. Last year he was 1-0, 3.38 ERA, 1 save in 8 games.


April 27: Chicago 8 Boston 2
Time for Dennis Eckersley's first start of the year. Last year he started 28 games with the 'Sox. HE can't make it out of the third (2.1 IP 6 ER). Crawford does better than last time. (2 IP 2 ER). Sigh. We actually held the lead after 1 when Wade Boggs scored on a sac fly, but then Chicago bats simply did us in. ChiSox 1B Greg Walker went 3 for 4 with a homer, 2 runs and 3 RBI.
WP: Rich Dotson (1-1), LP: Dennis Eckersley (0-1)
HR: (CHW) Vance Law (2), Greg Luzinski (6), Greg Walker (7)

Greg Luzinski's homer in our game was the 300th of his career. Luzinski began his career with the 1970 Phillies before coming to Chicago in '81. Lifetime he's batting .279 300-1085.

David Palmer (P, Montreal) pitched 8 shutout innings vs. St. Louis allowing 3 hits, 2 walks and striking out 5. Palmer is 4-1, 2.56 this year.

Jim Essian (C, Oakland) will miss 4 months with a torn labrum. Last year Essian batted. 204 2-11 with the Indians.


April 28: Boston 2 Chicago 1
On the other hand, Bob Ojeda pitches a brilliant game and outduels Tom Seaver. The ChiSox started off when Daryl Boston doubled and scored on ex Bosox catcher Carlton Fisk's single. Easler homered in the fifth to tie it. In the ninth Marty Barrett reached on an error, advanced on a wild pitch and scored on Tony Armas' hit to win it. On the day Bob Ojeda lasted 8 innings giving up 1 ER, 5 hits, 3 walks and striking out 5.
WP: Bob Ojeda (4-0), LP: Salome Barojas (1-2), SV: John Henry Johnson (2)
HR: (BOS) Mike Easler (4)

Orel Hershiser (P, Los Angeles) pitched 8 shutout innings vs. San Diego allowing 5 hits and striking out 9.

Brian Downing (C, California) hit in his 20th consecutive game versus Seattle. On the season Downing is batting .357 1-9.


April 29: Chicago 5 Boston 4 (11)
At one point we led 3-0 as Al Nipper outduelled a 4-0 Britt Burns, but over time they wore him down. It would be our relievers who blow it though. Vance Law doubled Jerry Hairston home to tie it in the eighth. We pitched ourselves out of jams in the ninth and tenth, but Harold Baines hit a homer with one out in the eleventh to end it. On the day Baines went 3 for 6 with 2 homers, 3 runs and 2 RBI.
WP: Ron Reed (2-1), LP: John Henry Johnson (1-1)
HR: (CHW) Harold Baines 2 (10), Greg Walker (8)

Bob Stanley suffered a set-back while healing his sore wrist. He's still day-to-day, but will need another 4 days to return to full strength. On the year he's 1-2, 4.00, 5 SV.

Dan Gladden (LF, San Francisco) went 4 for 8 in a doubleheader vs. Cincinnati with two doubles, a homer, 4 runs and 3 RBI. Last year he batted .222 1-9.

Brian Downing (C, California) had his 20 game streak end in a loss against the Mariners. The last time Downing failed to hit in a game was April 4 vs. Boston.

Doug DeCinces (3B, California) was awarded AL Player of the Week after going 12 for 30, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 5 runs. On the year he's batting .250 6-20.

Johnny Ray (2B, Pittsburgh) was named NL Player of the Week after going 11 for 24, 2 HR, 5 RBI. On the year he's batting .307 2-12.

The Red Sox are #12 in the power rankings, and have been the past two weeks.


April 30: Off Day

Juan Samuel (2B, Philadelphia) went 4 for 4 vs. Montreal, earning 3 HR, 5 RBI and 3 runs. Last year Samuel batted .277 2-5.


*******
Well, what do you expect when two of your starters should be in the 'pen? Though we're competitive for now, this could well be the end of our 1984 season.

Meanwhile, catcher Jeff Newman (.333 0-1 in 12 AB) asked about extending his contract. It's really too early for me to think about our future. He's 35 though, and barely made the team. I think unless Gary Allenson (.275 1-3 in AAA)(29 y.o.) suffers a CEI, this is Newman's last year in Boston.

[CatKnight]

April 1984 - League Standings and Leaders

AL East	W-L	PCT	GB		NL East	W-L	PCT	GB
Detroit Tigers	13-9	0.591	2		Pittsburgh Pirates	14-8	0.636	--
Baltimore Orioles	14-10	0.583	0.5		New York Mets	13-9	0.591	1
New York Yankees	14-10	0.583	0.5		St. Louis Cardinals	12-11	0.522	2.5
Toronto Blue Jays	14-10	0.583	1.5		Chicago Cubs	11-11	0.500	3
Boston Red Sox	13-11	0.542	--		Philadelphia Phillies	11-11	0.500	3
Cleveland Indians	9-14	0.391	3		Montreal Expos	9-15	0.375	6
Milwaukee Brewers	7-15	0.318	7
AL West	W-L	PCT	GB		NL West	W-L	PCT	GB
Seattle Mariners	15-9	0.625	--		Los Angeles Dodgers	18-7	0.720	--
Chicago White Sox	14-9	0.609	--		Houston Astros	14-8	0.636	2.5
Kansas City Royals	11-12	0.478	1		Cincinnati Reds	13-11	0.542	4.5
California Angels	12-14	0.462	3		San Francisco Giants	10-14	0.417	7.5
Oakland Athletics	11-14	0.440	5		Atlanta Braves	9-13	0.409	7.5
Texas Rangers	10-14	0.417	5		San Diego Padres	4-20	0.167	13.5
Minnesota Twins	9-15	0.375	6

AL Batter of the Month: Harold Baines (RF, CHW) batted .391 10-24 with 19 runs and a .420 OBP

AL Pitcher of the Month: Mike Moore (SEA) went 4-0 in 4 starts with 33 IP, 26K and a 1.36 ERA

AL Rookie of the Month: Barbaro Garbey (RF, DET) batted .424 1-6 with 25 hits and 7 runs.

NL Batter of the Month: Dan Dreissen (1B, CIN) batted .315 6-18 with 17 runs scored.

NL Pitcher of the Month: Nolan Ryan (HOU) was 4-1 in 6 starts with 49 IP, 73 K and a 1.10 ERA

NL Rookie of the Month: Dan Gladden (LF, SFG) batted .365 2-13 with 35 hits and 15 runs.

League Leaders

AL Leaders		BAvg			NL Leaders		BAvg
Dave Winfield	NYY	0.411			Dan Gladden	SFG	0.365
Harold Baines	CHW	0.391			Jody Davis	CHC	0.354
Gary Ward	TEX	0.388			Willie McGee	STL	0.347
AL Leaders		HR			NL Leaders		HR
Harold Baines	CHW	10			Ron Cey	CHC	7
Cal Ripken	BAL	8			Dan Dreissen	CIN	6
Greg Walker	CHW	8			Two tied with		5
AL Leaders		RBI			NL Leaders		RBI
Harold Baines	CHW	24			Mike Marshall	LAD	22
Don Mattingly	NYY	24			Juan Samuel	PHI	19
Two tied with		23			Dan Dreissen	CIN	18
AL Leaders		SB			NL Leaders		SB
Dave Collins	TOR	14			Juan Samuel	PHI	13
Willie Wilson	KCR	12			Mookie Wilson	PHI	12
Brett Butler	CLE	11			Four tied with		10
AL Leaders		bWAR			NL Leaders		bWAR
Cal Ripken	BAL	2.0			Johnny Ray	PIT	1.1
Three tied with		1.8			Dan Dreissen	CIN	1.1
					Jose Cruz	HOU	1.1
AL Leaders		W			NL Leaders		W
Seven plus tied with		4			John Candelaria	PIT	5
					Bob Welch	LAD	5
					Five plus tied with		4
AL Leaders		ERA			NL Leaders		ERA
Charlie Liebrandt	KCR	0.80			Mike Scott	HOU	1.09
Jimmy Key	TOR	1.08			Nolan Ryan	HOU	1.10
Mike Moore	SEA	1.36			Ed Lynch	NYM	1.19
AL Leaders		K			NL Leaders		K
Jack Morris	DET	40			Nolan Ryan	HOU	73
Mike Witt	CAL	38			Bruce Berenyi	CIN	47
Dave Stieb	TOR	35			Dwight Gooden	NYM	43
AL Leaders		SV			NL Leaders		SV
Dave Geisel	SEA	10			Ken Howell	LAD	8
Dave Righetti	NYY	8			Three tied with		6
Tippy Martinez	BAL	6
AL Leaders		pWAR			NL Leaders		pWAR
Mike Smithson	MIN	1.2			Nolan Ryan	HOU	2.6
Jack Morris	DET	1.2			Steve Carlton	PHI	1.8
Mike Moore	SEA	1.2			Five plus tied with		1.5

[Big T]

Ouch Clemens and Boyd in 2 straight games going down. Still lots of games left... Good luck!

[Carlton]

I concur with the OUCH of two SP going down with injury...if you can stay at .500 until they get back, do a dance of joy

1. and thanks for the editor response, I was wondering why I didn't have that...and I had the basic editor as my preference in my control panel, changed it and now my Dynasty report
   
   
   
   
   should be much easier:

[CatKnight]

Big T: Thanks. I think we're in for a rough haul.

Carlton: I hope the editor helps you. We'll get Clemens back around August. Boyd's out for the year.
*****

Team Statistics and Musings, April 1984

The Red Sox are 13-11, one game out and in FIFTH place in the AL East. It's an extremely competitive race, but I doubt we have the resources to stay in it.

	Total	Rank	Prev.
Runs Scored	121	3rd	N/A
Batting Average	0.286	2nd	N/A
On Base Pct	0.357	1st	N/A
Home Runs	35	1st	N/A
Stolen Bases	1	14th	N/A
Runs Against	117	11th	N/A
Starters ERA	5.19	14th	N/A
Bullpen ERA	3.61	7th	N/A
Defensive Eff.	0.682	11th	N/A
Power Rank (vs MLB)		12th	N/A

Pretty much as I expected. Great offense, mediocre to poor defense. Our bullpen is actually stronger than I thought (IE- average). Our starters are pathetic. Speaking of which...

Starters	W-L	ERA	GS	IP	WHIP	VORP	Comments
Al Nipper	1-1	3.89	5	37	1.38	3.9
Bob Ojeda	4-0	4.50	5	34	1.47	1.4
Bruce Hurst	2-1	3.90	4	27.2	1.27	3.1
Oil Can Boyd	1-2	5.68	4	25.1	1.58	(2.1)	Inj. Season
Roger Clemens	2-2	6.04	4	25.1	1.70	(3.0)	Inj. 3-4 mo.
Rich Gale	1-1	5.11	1	12.1	0.89	(0.2)
Dennis Eckersley	0-1	6.35	1	11.1	1.41	(1.8)

There is zero I can do until trading is allowed in June, unless the AI releases somebody. (Note: I'm glad I turned waivers off. The AI's far too active bouncing decent players up and down.) Gale and Eckersley's WHIP are low due to their time as relievers. We'll see how they stand a month from now.

Relievers	W-L	ERA	SV	IP	WHIP	VORP	Comments
John H. Johnson	1-1	4.22	2	10.2	1.13	0.8
Mike Brown	0-0	3.86	2	9.1	0.86	1.0
Bob Stanley	1-2	4.00	5	9	1.11	0.9
Charlie Mitchell	0-0	0.00	0	4	0.50	2.1
Mark Clear	0-0	4.50	0	4	1.75	0.2
Steve Crawford	0-0	13.50	0	3.1	2.70	(3.1)

Again, zero I can do. Our only other pitcher is Jim Dorsey, who's struggling (6.00 ERA) in A-Winter Haven.

Catchers	AB	HR	RBI	AVG	OPS	VORP	Comments
Rich Gedman	85	6	21	0.318	0.990	10.4
Jeff Newman	12	0	1	0.333	0.801	0.8

Gedman in particular is doing well. Newman is doing well enough. No changes.

Infielders	AB	HR	RBI	AVG	OPS	VORP	Comments
Marty Barrett	94	2	10	0.351	0.846	8.4
Mike Easler	88	4	7	0.330	0.958	8.5
Wade Boggs	86	2	8	0.337	0.901	9.9
Ed Jurak	71	1	8	0.268	0.712	1.8
Glenn Hoffman	6	0	2	0.333	1.056	1.3
Jerry Remy	5	0	0	0.200	0.400	(0.4)
Dave Stapleton	0	0	0	0.000	0.000	0.0

Again, for the most part this is good enough. For reasons I'll mention below, we're going to demote Stapleton. He's only appeared in one game anyway as a defensive replacement.

Outfielders	AB	HR	RBI	AVG	OPS	VORP	Comments
Tony Armas	101	5	11	0.149	0.496	(10.2)
Dwight Evans	87	4	16	0.253	0.831	5.6
Jim Rice	83	7	20	0.337	1.021	11.1
Ruppert Jones	56	3	9	0.286	0.869	5.8
Rick Miller	27	0	1	0.185	0.620	(0.5)
Reid Nichols	9	1	2	0.222	0.856	0.7

And...wow. Armas had a really, really horrible month. He has precisely one month to straighten out or he'll be demoted. If he refuses demotion, he'll be traded.

Coming up for Stapleton is Reid Nichols. Nichols didn't deserve his demotion and batted .324 1-8 in AAA-Pawtucket. He's a center fielder like Miller and Armas, and may push one or the other out.

[Carlton]

It's funny seeing the same cup of coffee players in your league as mine.

Mike Brown in my league was still active, even though his last year IIRC was 1986

He made the AS game in 1995 as a RP

[CatKnight]

Carlton: That's something. I never thought of Brown as more than a journeyman who didn't quite belong where he was.
*******

May 1: Detroit 6 Boston 2
A little confusion in changing the rotation leads to Al Nipper pitching on one day rest. It actually doesn't go too bad, though he leaves after three. It probably doesn't matter, as Charlie Mitchell lets Chet Lemon hit a 7th inning grand slam to decide the game. Tiger starter Dan Petry pitched a complete game allowing 9 hits, 1 walk, 1 ER and striking out 8.
WP: Dan Petry (4-2), LP: Charlie Mitchell (0-1)
HR: (DET) Howard Johnson (3), Chet Lemon (3), Lou Whitaker (4)

Ray Burris (P, Oakland) pitched a complete game vs. California allowing 2 hits, 4 walks, 1 ER and strikine out 4. Burris is now 4-3, 3.33

Ted Simmons (C, Milwaukee) is asking for a trade. Simmons, 34, lost the starting job this year to Bill Schroeder. He's batting .333 1-7 in 39 AB.

Pitcher Steve Rogers was let go by the Expos. Rogers is out for the year with a torn flexor tendon, and at 34 is unlikely to come back strong. Last year he went 17-12, 3.23.



May 2: Boston 6 Detroit 2
Well, no more worried about Rich Gale, who lasted 8.2 innings before tiring. We scored two in the first (one thanks to two wild pitches), homered in the second, picked up a fourth run in the fourth, and rallied for two more in the sixth. The Tigers made it interesting in the ninth when a bases loaded walk made it 6-2, but RP John Henry Johnson got the last out to end the game. Wade Boggs and Marty Barrett had identical lines in the 1 and 2 spots: 4 for 5, 1 run, 2 RBI.
WP: Rich Gale (2-1), LP: Milt Wilcox (1-3), SV: John henry Johnson (3)
HR: (BOS) Ed Jurak (2), (DET) Barbaro Garbey (2)

Walt Terrell (P, Mets) pitched 8 shutout innings vs. the Cubs allowing 4 hits, 2 walks and striking out 7.



May 3: Boston 10 Detroit 5
When Lou Whitaker came home on a wild pitch and Howard Johnson hit a grand slam to put Detroit up 5-0 in the 2nd, I expected a long, painful game. We rallied for 4 runs in the third including a 3-run blast by Tony Armas and continued to fight: We tied it in the 4th, then Wade Boggs hit an RBI single in the 6th to put us ahead for good. Armas hit a 2-run shot in the 9th as the final nail. On the day, Tony Armas was the MLB Player of the Day, going 3 for 5 with 2 homers, 2 runs and 5 RBI.
WP: Dennis Eckersley (1-1), LP: Jack Morris (3-2), SV: John Henry Johnson (4)
HR: (BOS) Tony Armas 2 (7), (DET) Howard Johnson (4)

I didn't think it would fly, but sure: Steve Rogers signed a minor league contract with Boston today. For all intents and purposes he's free. We'll find out if he still has anything left next spring. Given his injury, and in RL he was 8-19 with a 1.54 WHIP in 1984-85, I doubt it.



May 4: Boston 5 Chicago 4
Both teams traded runs in the first inning, then remained quiet until the middle of the game. Tony Armas opened the fourth with a homer and Mike Easler later scored on a Wade Boggs single to put the Sox up 3-1. Back to back homers by Dwight Evans and Armas in the fifth made it 5-1. The ChiSox didn't give up though: Vance Law hit an RBI single in the sixth, and it stayed that way until the ninth. RP Bob Stanley, pitching for the first time since 4/24, nearly blew it when two consecutive singles and an error scored Daryl Boston, and a ground out brought Scott Fletcher home. On the day Tony Armas, whose slump appears to be over, went 2 for 4 with 2 homers, 2 runs and 2 RBI.
WP: Bob Ojeda (5-0), LP: Britt Burns (4-1), SV: Bob Stanley (6)
HR: (BOS) Tony Armas 2 (9), Dwight Evans (5)

Daryl Sconiers (1B, California) went 5 for 6 with a double, 2 homers, 5 RBI and 3 runs vs. Seattle. On the year Sconiers is .247 3-9.

Terry Francona (1B, Montreal) went 5 for 5 vs. Atlanta, including a double and RBI.



May 5: Chicago 6 Boston 5
Almost! The ChiSox scored two in the first, but we tied it on Armas' RBI single in the third. Wade Boggs doubled home Jim Rice in the fourth to put us on top, and it stayed that way for a long time. Things fell apart when Ron Kittle hit a 2-run HR in the 8th followed by Jerry Dybzinski in the 9th. ChiSox RP Lamarr Hoyt tried to let us back in the game though: Boggs singled home Jeff Newman with two outs, and Marty Barrett immediately followed up with an RBI single of his own. Dwight Evans was hit by pitch to load the bases, by Armas struck out to end the game. On the day Ron Kittle went 2 for 3 with a homer, run and 2 RBI.
WP: Lamarr Hoyt (4-1), LP: Bruce Hurst (2-2), SV: Salome Barojas (6)
HR: (CHW) Jerry Dybzinski (2), Ron Kittle (1)

Joaquin Andujar (P, St. Louis) pitched 8 shutout innings vs. the Giants allowing 4 hits, 2 walks and striking out 7.

Bill Buckner (RF, Cubs) hit his 2000th career hit vs. San Diego. Buckner came up with the 1969 Dodgers before going to Chicago in 1977. Lifetime he's batting .296 122-806 with 2000 hits.

AL East	W-L	PCT	GB
Toronto Blue Jays	17-11	0.607	--
Boston Red Sox	16-13	0.552	1.5
Baltimore Orioles	15-13	0.536	2
Detroit Tigers	14-13	0.519	2.5
New York Yankees	14-14	0.500	3
Cleveland Indians	12-15	0.444	4.5
Milwaukee Brewers	9-18	0.333	7.5

[CatKnight]

May 6: Chicago 5 Boston 3
Rudy Law took the first pitch of the game for a homer, and we never caught up. They scored 2 in the first and 1 in the third. We almost caught up when Boggs doubled Ruppert Jones home and Jurak scored on a ground out, but when Fisk opened the sixth with a homer there wasn't much else to do. We wasted several opportunities with men on third. On the day ChiSox C Carlton Fisk went 3 for 4 with two doubles, a homer, one run and 3 RBI.
WP: Tom Seaver (3-1), LP: Al Nipper (1-2), SV: Salome Barojas (7)
HR: (CHW) Carlton Fisk (5), Rudy Law (1)

Rookie Dwight Gooden (P, Mets) went 8.1 innings allowing 0 ER, 3 hits, 1 walk and striking out 11 in a 1-0 win over Houston. Gooden is 6-0, 1.47 this year.

Rookie Kirby Puckett (CF, Minnesota) went 5 for 5 with a double and triple vs. Oakland. On the season Puckett is .304 0-7.

Non-rookie Atlett Hammaker (P, San Francisco) shut out the Cardinals on 2 hits, 3 walks and 7 strikeouts. On the year he's 2-1, 2.61.

Davey Lopes (2B, Oakland) earned the AL Player of the Week award by going 13 for 25 with 2 HR, 6 RBI and 9 runs. Lopes is batting .288 5-14.

Juan Samuel (2B, Philadelphia) was named NL Player of the Week after going 11 for 24 with 4 HR and 9 RBI. Samuel is batting 291 6-24 so far.

Atlanta announced they've lost Bob Horner (3B) for 2-3 months with a torn ligament in his thumb. Horner was batting .138 1-7.

The Red Sox are ranked 14th this week (down from 12th)


May 7: Off Day

Charlie Hudson (P, Philadelphia) pitched 7 innings allowing 3 hits, 1 ER and striking out 6 vs. Atlanta.


May 8: Texas 4 Boston 0
Rich Gale struggled early, but managed a complete game. Too bad his rival did better. The Rangers scored in the first when Curt Wilkerson game home on a grounder to first and Pete O'Brien on a sac fly. Buddy Bell copied Wilkerson's feat one inning later, and George Wright on an error. Their star, and the star of the day, was SP Dave Stewart who held us to 3 hits and 1 walk while striking out four.
WP: Dave Stewart (4-3), LP: Rich Gale (2-2)
HR: None

Jack Perconte (2B, Seattle) went 5 for 7 with 3 RBI as the Mariners thrashed Oakland 17-1. On the year Perconte is batting .359 0-19. Fun fact: In a career that began in 1980 and now spans 402 AB, he has zero homers.


May 9: Texas 7 Boston 4
2 earned runs by all rights should go to SS Ed Jurak as they're what cost us the game. We took a comfortable 4-0 lead in the first on Tony Armas' 3 run HR and Reid Nichols singling Rice home, but then it fell apart. They tied it in the sixth when Billy Sample doubled home Pete O'Brien, Larry Parish scored on a ground out, then Sample came home on a single. Jurak's error and 2 WPs combined to kill us the next inning. On the day Tony Armas went 3 for 5 with his homer, run and 3 RBI.
WP: Frank Tanana (5-2), LP: Steve 'Wild Thing' Crawford (0-1), SV: Dave Schmidt (9)
HR: (BOS) Tony Armas (10)

Bryn Smith (P, Monteal) shut out the Reds on 5 hits and striking out 3.

Tony Fernandez (SS, Toronto) will miss 4 weeks with a bruised kneecap. Fernandez was batting .254 2-14.


May 10: Off Day

Pete O'Brien (1B, Texas) went 4 for 4 with a homer, 2 RBI, 3 runs and a walk vs. Chicago. O'Brien is batting .341 5-18 so far.


********
Ruppert Jones (.291 3-10) would like to talk extension. It's far too early for that kind of conversation, though at age 29, and with the season he's having so far, it's a chat worth having.

Jim Rice (.284 7-20) also wants to talk extension. Again, too early. Again, a discussion worth having.

In other news, it's starting to slip away...

AL East	W-L	PCT	GB
Detroit Tigers	18-13	0.581	--
Toronto Blue Jays	18-14	0.563	0.5
Baltimore Orioles	17-15	0.531	1.5
Boston Red Sox	16-16	0.500	2.5
New York Yankees	16-17	0.485	3
Cleveland Indians	15-17	0.469	3.5
Milwaukee Brewers	12-19	0.387	6