Confederate Baseball Association (solo fictional)

[jmm8356]

March 1, 1973

Offseason Recap


The Confederate Baseball Association Hall of Fame Class of 1973 has just one member:

Six-time Slick Fielder and seven-time All-Star SS Mike Shepard calls it a career at age 42 and is awarded "Instant" induction into the Hall. Mike won just one championship ring (1954 with Memphis) in his twenty seasons with Nashville, Memphis and Miami, but he compiled an impressive statistical record, hitting a career .308 with 2670 hits, 936 stolen bases and 1543 runs.
[.308, 101 HR, 887 RBI, 1543 R, 936 SB, 2670 H, 6x Slick, 7x All-Star, 1x champ]

As for next year's "Second Look" candidates:

Nine-time All-Star Charlie Wilkinson retires at age 40. Charlie was the closer for the Miami Meteors squad that won six straight CBA championships. In twenty years with Carolina and Miami, Wilkinson earned 370 saves and a 2.87 ERA, both of which rank second all-time.
[Yes. Almost 100 saves clear of #3.]

1957 Confederate Series MVP CF Randy Geiger also hangs up his spikes after twenty seasons with New Orleans, Jacksonville, Tampa and Norfolk. A six-time All-Star, Randy hit .290 in his career with 284 homers and 1330 RBIs.
[Yes. #9 on all-time RBI list.]


The last of the league's original skippers, Lloyd Jorgensen retires from the Ospreys bench as the CBA's all-time leader in wins. In twenty-five seasons at the helm for Norfolk, Tampa and Jacksonville, Lloyd collected a record of 4051-2087, six pennants, three championships and seven Manager of the Year awards. Jacksonville hires rookie Bill McGinty to replace Jorgensen.

Nashville cans Blake Dotson after he wins just 64 and 62 in his two years of service. The Hounds pick up Dave Boger...

...recently fired by Memphis after two seasons with 69 and 68 wins. The Blues hire newcomer Kevin Fitz.


New Orleans receives $5 million in revenue sharing.

Last year's MVP, Dallas RF Douglas Andre (.342, 23 HR, 88 RBI, 102 R) wins the biggest arbitration award this year, up to $5.8 million from $5.2 million last year. Elsewhere, Carolina gets hit with a pair of big awards: $5.3 million for SP Keith Becker (14-10, 3.04, WHIP 1.04) and $5.1 million for C Mike Weber (.294, 20 HR, 85 RBI, 92 R, 84 BB).


Free Agency Highlights

February 1 - LF Nick Duggins (.315, 6 HR, 62 RBI, 33 SB) quickly signs with San Antonio for four years at $6.0 million.

February 3 - Jacksonville re-signs CF Matt Alexander (.293, 28 HR, 109 RBI, 99 R, 29 2Bs, 30 SB), giving him $6.9 million for four years.

February 6 - The Ospreys keep the checkbook open, inking SP Gene Arndt (9-12, 3.26, WHIP 1.37) to a four-year deal for $7.6 million per.

February 7 - Nashville lands SP Don Downey (8-12, 3.90, WHIP 1.51) from Atlanta at $11.1 million for the next four years.

February 12 - Atlanta strikes back by signing RF Richard Stark (.262, 20 HR, 66 RBI, 94 R, 23 2Bs, 23 SB) to four years at $8.5 million.

March 2 - Rule 5 Draft

The blockbuster deal of the spring is announced during the draft when Carolina sends SP Justin Randolph (19-6, 3.36, WHIP 1.26) and $10 million to Tampa for 1971 MVP CF David Powell (.300, 29 HR, 100 RBI, 113 R, 111 BB).

Meanwhile, Jacksonville sets a new record with three Rule 5 picks:

Nashville (from HOU) - RP Joe Perryman, 5.54 in 37 1/3 P for AAA Baton Rouge

Jacksonville (from NSH) - 3B Brian Shumpert, .243 in 387 AB, 15 HR, 50 RBI at AA Savannah

Jacksonville (from DAL) - CF Donald Lewis, .296 in 307 AB, 12 HR, 59 RBI, 53 BB for AA Daytona

Jacksonville (from MEM) - CF Tony Godwin, .280 in 211 AB at Single-A Jackson