Alltime Allstar League begins operation

[Eugene Church]

NOTE: THE BALTIMORE ORIOLES WERE CHANGED TO THE ST. LOUIS BROWNS ON MAY 4TH...because someone (I think the credit goes to knuckler) designed one of the best Browns' logos I have seen and two fine versions.

My Alltime Allstar League has begun. Teams are made up of arguably the franchise's 21 best players...9 pitchers and 12 position players. I will give daily reports on each day's play to see if there is any interest in me continuing it...so far only lukewarm response.

Let me know if I am overdoing the details...I am aware many forum members do not read long posts... or if you could care less about this league...the latter would really save me some time...and the former could, too.

Constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated.

I intend to give daily writeups and weekly standings and stats update. And if there is enough interest, let dbacks create me a league website.

Well here goes......

Thursday, April 10, 1901

It happens every spring....the Boys of Summer are now back in business. The Alltime Allstar League opened its inaugural 1901 season yesterday with a full slate of 8 games. Cy Young outdueled Lefty Grove, Ed Walsh bested Herb Score, Bob Gibson outpitched Mordecai Brown and Sandy Koufax outlasted Pete Alexander.

In the Junior Circuit at Fenway Park, the Red Sox scored three times in the first inning on the way to a 4-1 win over the Athletics. Young stopped the powerful A's on only 5 hits. Doubles by DiMaggio, Garciaparra and Vaughn led Boston to an opening day win, defeating Grove, who surrendered only 7 hits. Nomar led the Sox with 2 hits and 2 rbis.

The Chicago White Sox opened the season at home in Comiskey Park in grand style, rapping out 13 hits in a 7-3 victory over the Cleveland Indians. Frank Thomas hammered the game's only homer, scored three times, drove in two runs and leadoff man, Eddie Collins, had 4 hits to lead the hit parade. Big Ed Walsh went all the way, scattering 8 hits. Lefty Herb Score was roughed up early and surrendered all 7 runs and 9 hits in only 5 innings. Shoeless Joe Jackson, Carlton Fisk and Thomas garnered two hits each.

Baltimore's Hoyt Wilhelm in 2 scoreless innings of relief of Mike Mussina got the 5-4 win over the Tigers in Detroit, scoring the winning run in the ninth. Hank Severeid's sac fly scored Vern Stephens with game winner. Prince Hal Newhouser pitched a complete game and took the loss, giving up 8 hits and Brooks Robinson's four bagger. Hank Greenberg was the only bright star for the Tigers with a 3 run homer in the fourth giving Detroit an early 4-0 lead.

At Griffith Stadium the Washington Nationals took advantage of poor fielding by the Yanks' Jeter, Nettles and Gordon and came away with a 7-5 victory. The Big Train, Walter Johnson, stopped Ruth, Gehrig and Company when it counted and got his first win of the season by allowing 8 hits. The Yankees failed time after time in the clutch and it cost them. Herb Pennock took the loss as he was touched for 5 runs, 3 earned and 8 hits in 5 innings. Rod Carew topped the Nats with 3 hits, Cecil Travis had 2 triples and scored twice, with Gary Gaetti the top rbi man with two. Sam Rice also had 2 hits. Ruth had two doubles and Combs two singles to lead the New Yorkers.

Over in the National League, Bob Gibson led the Cardinals to a 6-3 triumph over the Chicago Cubs, who were held to only 5 hits by the Cards ace righthander. Meanwhile Stan Musial and the Cardinals battered Three Fingers Brown and three relievers for 12 hits. Musial was 4 for 5, scored two and drove in two and Ken Boyer had a pair of hits. The Big Cat, Johnny Mize had the game's only home run. The Chicubs Big 3, Hack Wilson, Ernie Banks and Sammy Sosa, totalled only 1 hit in 12 at bats against Gibson.

At Veterans Stadium Sandy Koufax got great offensive support from the Dodgers with 14 hits and an 11-6 win. Jackie Robinson had a great day at bat and led the Bums with 4-5, including 3 doubles and a home run, scoring 4 times and driving in 5. Zach Wheat added a double, triple and 4 hits, too. Duke Snider also added 3 rbis. Koufax needed that today as he was not at his sharpest as the Phils got to him for 11 hits, scoring 4 runs in the ninth. Still he got the complete game victory. Dick Allen homered for Philadelphia. Pete Alexander suffered the loss, giving up 6 runs in 6+ innings. Tug McGraw was hammered for 5 runs in the 8th and 9th innings.

In a seesaw, nip and tuck clash at County Stadium with the Giants, the Braves scored last with 3 in the 8th inning to take home the game 6-4. Warren Spahn and reliever Don McMahon teamed up to beat the Polo Grounders. Spahn gave up 4 runs and 7 hits in 7 innings with McMahon tossing a scoreless 8th and 9th. All of the Braves starters had at least one hit and tallied 11 for the day. Batting stars were Rafael Furcal, 2 hits including a triple and Eddie Mathews and Javy Lopez, each with 2 hits and a double. The game's only roundtripper was slugged by the Giants Jeff Kent. Christy Mathewson hung on with a 4-3 lead going into the bottom of the 8th, but a critical error by third baseman Freddie Lindstrom gave up two unearned runs and the ballgame.

The Cincinnati Reds sent their fans home happy with a come-from-behind triumph at Crosley Field. They scored twice in both the 8th and 9th to overcome the Pirates 5-3. Frank Robinson pounded a 2 run homer to tie the score at 3-3 and Tony Perez came through with a 2 run walkoff blast in the ninth. Pirates' Deacon Phillippe was the loser in a complete game effort. Paul Derringer toiled the first 7 innings and gave up only 2 runs with the win going to Clay Carroll for a superb relief job. He came in for Rob Dibble in the 8th and got the Reds out of trouble and finished the Buccos off with a hitless ninth. Among the Reds 12 hits, Robinson was the big bat with 3 hits and 2 rbis, Perez had 2 hits and 3 rbis, with Joe Morgan, Ed Roush and Pete Rose tossing in a pair of hits each.

[YankeeFanatic04]

Looks Pretty good. But can we get Rosters for the teams to see who is on them.

[Eugene Church]

Sure, YankeeFanatic. I will post all the important elements of the league if there is enough interest. Sorry, don't know how to post the team rosters...not very computer literate. I will have to just type them out.

Here are the Yankees...I suppose that is your favorite team.

Each team will carry only 9 pitchers and 12 position players...which means each team will really need several utility infielders...that's why you see Tom Tresh on the team as he can play IF and OF.

Starting Pitchers and position starters will be determined on the basis of performance...poor performers will subject to being demoted and replaced by another player from the franchise's historical roster. However, I will make sure every player is given a chance to perform and will be very patient with them, giving them one or two seasons before replacing them.

The starters right now are Herb Pennock, Whitey Ford, Ron Guidry and Spud Chandler with Mel Stottlemyre and Lefty Gomez as spot starters/relievers.

Starters will sometimes relieve and reliever may sometimes start...however, pure relievers will just relieve. I play doubleheaders, which means I will have to use some relievers as starters...which is the way baseball used to be played prior to 1970. I play Golden Age of Baseball (1946-1960)...no DH...no double switches...and no 11 man pitching staffs where no one ever completes a game...even a shutout. I sim the first six innings and then play out the rest of the game. That way I make 90% of the pitching changes and substitutions. The OOTPB AI has trouble with overuse of pitchers and not letting a starter finish the game...even when he has a very safe 5-10 run lead...long relief is rarely seen in OOTPB..but will be common in my league.

Relievers are Mariano Rivera, Sparky Lyle and Goose Gossage.

Catchers are Bill Dickey (RHP) and Yogi Berra (LHP).

Lou Gehrig 1B...backed up by Mickey Mantle.
Joe Gordon 2B...backed up by Tony Lazzeri.
Graig Nettles 3B (RHP) and Tony Lazzeri 3B (LHP) backed up by Tom Tresh.
Derek Jeter SS...backed up by Lazzeri and Tresh
Tony Lazzeri Utility IF
Tom Tresh Utility IF

Babe Ruth LF...backed up by Mantle, Combs, Tresh, and Berra.
Joe DiMaggio CF...backed up by Combs, Mantle and Tresh.
Earl Combs RF (RHP)...backed by Mantle and Tresh.
Mickey Mantle RF (LHP)...backed by Combs and Tresh.

Lineup against Right Handed Pitchers:

Combs RF
DiMaggio CF
Ruth LF
Gehrig 1B
Dickey C
Gordon 2B
Nettles 3B
Jeter SS

Lineup against Left Handed Pitchers:

Jeter SS
DiMaggio CF
Ruth LF
Gehrig 1B
Mantle RF
Berra C
Gordon 2B
Lazzeri 3B

[dbacks]

Looks good. I'll follow this league whether I'm making and updating your website, or not.

[Eugene Church]

Thanks, dbacks. We should know in a few days if a website is needed to host it. If you are still willing to do it, we'll do it, if there is enough interest to justify it.

Maybe if you build it they will come.

It seems to work in the movies and for ballparks...and maybe websites, too.

[dbacks]

Haha, no rush. I'm still willing to do it, but keep in mind I'm working on a few others right now too.

[knuckler]

I'll definitely be folowing along Eugene. And with that, when you get a chance, I'd love to see the Nats and the O's rosters.

[Eugene Church]

Originally Posted by knuckler

I'll definitely be folowing along Eugene. And with that, when you get a chance, I'd love to see the Nats and the O's rosters.

I will post them later today.

Thanks for the reply and interest.

Did I try to cover the league in too much detail?

I would appreciate any suggestions from you...and anyone else...both positive and especially constructive ones.

[seth70liz76]

I'm curious on how you selected the players for the roster--and why only a 21 man roster? More what was the general criteria you used, or was it more a "gut" feeling? Understanding some choices, like the Tom Tresh example, was more to fill out the roster than because he was a Yankee great.

[knuckler]

Thanks Eugene, I'm definitely looking forward to seeing those teams.

I don't think you covered it in too much detail. But, I would be worried that it coud get too time consuming for you. It's a great read, just hoping it doesn't get to be too much.

[Eugene Church]

Originally Posted by seth70liz76

I'm curious on how you selected the players for the roster--and why only a 21 man roster? More what was the general criteria you used, or was it more a "gut" feeling? Understanding some choices, like the Tom Tresh example, was more to fill out the roster than because he was a Yankee great.

I had done an elaborate research project to create the top 100 players in each franchise history and created an enormous league where each major league team had 3 farm clubs: AAA, AA and A. This totalled about 2000 players. I created 4 separate OOTPB leagues (one for each classification) and used Pierre's Player Import Editor to promote and demote based on stats at the end of each season. That arrangement took entirely too much time to administer, so I abandoned it. But I did gain quite a bit of knowledge about the players and used this to create a simple Alltime Allstar League with only 16 teams and one league with two divisions.

Basically I just used Baseball-Reference's pitching and positional charts for each team and then used my baseball knowledge and career stats to select the players that I thought were the best at each position...used "gut feeling", too...when a player played for multiple teams, he would be placed on the team where he played the most fulltime seasons (400 AB or 150 innings)...in case of ties, I would put him on the team that he had the most success with.

I chose 9 pitchers because that is the minimum number the game will allow me to play 1930-1960 style baseball...Teams used to carry 7-8 man staffs...I had tried 8 in a previous league, but found that I couldn't use starters as relievers as much as I wanted to...especially using doubleheaders. They were always tired and the AI would use position players way too often in extra inning games...with 9 pitchers it rarely occurred.

As far as 21 players I like the minor league roster limits that many leagues had 1920-1960...that's what I grew up with...I could add 4 more position players...maybe a third catcher, backup first baseman, infielder and outfielder...but just prefer the smaller rosters.

[Eugene Church]

knuckler, you are right, it will demand a lot of time. But will try it as long as you guys are interested. I don't want to do it just to do it. However I am retired and have plenty of time. I have two hobbies: OOTPB and R'n'R Oldies, Pop and Country music...I was a dj for over 31 years and really love music...I am putting my music collection on hard drive...just finished 1800 country oldies...many recorded off of vinyl discs...which sounds better than cd's to me. Soon I will start on Pop/Rock and R'n'R Oldies...then Southern Gospel music, which is really my favorite music because it lifts my spirit and makes me want to be a better person. I will hear my spiritial shortcomings in a song and it will hopefully inspire me to become a better person in gratitude to our Creator.

(EDITED: SINCE SOMEONE DID SOME GREAT LOGOS FOR THE ST. LOUIS BROWNS, I CHANGED THE ORIOLES TO THE BROWNS)

Sorry for the personal digressions...here are the Senators and the Browns:

St. Louis Browns
Starters
Mike Mussina
Mike Cuellar
Urban Shocker
Jim Palmer

Spot Starters/Relievers
Dave McNally
Ned Garver

Relievers
Hoyt Wilhelm
Stu Miller
Milt Pappas

Hank Severeid C...back up Rick Dempsey
Eddie Murray 1B...back up George Sisler
Marty McManus 2B...back up Red Kress
Brooks Robinson 3B...back up Vern Stephens and Red Kress
Cal Ripken, Jr. SS...back up Vern Stephens and Red Kress
Red Kress UIF
Vern Stephens UIF

George Sisler LF...back up Baby Doll Jacobson and Sam West
Sam West CF (RHP)...Baby Doll Jacobson CF (LHP)
Ken Williams RF...back up West and Jacobson

Just an observation: Why isn't Ken Williams in the Hall of Fame?

Washington Senators starters (changed from the Nationals in honor of Shirley Povich and knuckler's mother)
Walter Johnson
Bert Blyleven
Frank Viola
Jim Perry

Spot Starters/Relievers
Jim Kaat
Camilo Pascual

Relievers
Rick Aguilera
Bill Dailey (one of my alltime favorite players for the Mobile Bears)
Dutch Leonard

C Muddy Ruel (RHP) and Earl Battey (LHP)
1B Harmon Killebrew...back up Pete Runnels
2B Rod Carew...back up Buddy Myer and Pete Runnels
3B Gary Gaetti...back up Myer and Runnels
SS Cecil Travis...back up Myer and Runnels

LF Goose Goslin...back up Tony Oliva
CF Kirby Puckett..back up Sam Rice
RF Sam Rice...back up Tony Oliva

If your favorite Browns and Senators are missing I'm sure they will show up as the years go by.

[Cuss]

keep up the good work EC!

[Eugene Church]

Friday, April 11, 1901

Only two contests on the Alltime Allstar League schedule today. On a chilly and rainy day in Chicago, Cleveland's Addie Joss was splendid in a 2-1 pitching duel with the Chisox's Ed Cicotte. Leftfielder Earl Averill drove in Tris Speaker with a 5th inning two bagger for the game winner. Joss held the Pale Hose to only one run and 7 hits, struck out two and walked only one. Luke Appling got to him for a home run in the 4th for the Sox's only score. Losing pitcher Cicotte was almost as stingy, giving up only two runs and 8 hits over 8 innings. Bobby Thigpen pitch a scoreless 9th. Speaker and Appling led their teams with two hits each. So far the teams have split the two games played.

In Cincinnati, the Pirates pounded the Reds 15-5 to get their first win of the new season. Everyone in the lineup got at least one hit, even pitcher Jesse Tannehill, as Pittsburgh evened the 3 game series at one game apiece. Roberto Clemente, Honus Wagner and Tony Pena led the 17 hit attack with 3 hits each. Clemente had a home run and 4 runs batted in. Wille Stargell also homered. Ralph Kiner and Arky Vaughan delivered 3 rbi's each. They wrapped up the game early with 3 in the first and 5 in the third to make it an easy win for Tannehill, who coasted to the win. He gave up 5 runs and 11 hits in a complete game effort. Joe Morgan topped the Redlegs with 4 hits. Starter Dolph Luque took the loss, being hammered for 8 runs in less than 3 innings. 3 Cincinnati relievers didn't do much better.

Cleveland, Chicago, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati will be off tomorrow and conclude their 3 game series on Sunday afternoon.

[Eugene Church]

Thanks, Cuss...let me know how I can improve it...especially if I get dbacks to create the website...would like your input.

[Jack4Jack]

jays rosters would be great!

[Eugene Church]

Originally Posted by Jack4Jack

jays rosters would be great!

Sorry, Jack4Jack...I have only included the 16 original franchises...I will probably use the expansion players when I run out of players for the original teams...don't know when that will be, but I do know from my original Alltime League, once you go through about 50 players on each team, the quality really begins to drop. It may take 25 years or so to reach the point where I will need to use expansion team players like the Blue Jays...But I will not neglect all of those great players like Joe Carter, Carlos Delgado, Dave Stieb and Company.

[Eugene Church]

Saturday, April 12, 1901

In American League action, the Washington Nationals surprised the powerful New York Yankees for the second game in a row with a hard earned 2-1 triumph. Bert Blyleven and Whitey Ford were locked a scoreless battle when in the bottom of the 7th Goose Goslin led off with a double and scored on Cecil Travis' single. Gary Gaetti doubled in Travis to put the Nats up 2-0. He also drove in the eventual winning run in the series opener. Babe Ruth doubled in Derek Jeter in the top of the 8th, but that was it for the Bronx Bombers. Blyleven baffled the Yanks with his sharp breaking curveball and pinpoint location, holding them to just 7 hits. Ford was almost as good as Washington only managed 6 off of him over 8 innings. Sparky Lyle pitched the scoreless 9th.

The Orioles took their second straight game from the Tigers at Briggs Stadium, edging them out 4-3 behind Mike Cuellar and Hoyt Wilhelm. The knuckleballer came in with the bases loaded and one out to put a stop to Detroit's 8th inning rally. Wilhelm finished them off in order in the 9th for his first save of the year. Cuellar gave up 3 runs and 9 hits in 7+ innings for the win. Jim Bunning took the loss. Eddie Murray, Sam West and Marty McManus has 2 hits each for the Birds with 2 rbi's from Murray and West. McManus score 2 runs.

In Boston, Ed Plank was cruising along with a 5 to 1 lead in the 8th inning when a singleton by Nomar Garciaparra and a 3 run shot by Jim Rice tied the score. The A's Mickey Cochrane scored on Jimmy Dykes' double for the deciding score in the 9th. Plank scattered 10 hits and held on to beat the Bosox 6 to 5. Mel Parnell in relief, was tagged with the loss. Philadelphia and Boston have split the first two games of the series.

Over in the Senior Circuit, Duke Snider's two run blast in the 8th inning gave Brooklyn its second victory in a row over the Phillies in a game played at the Vet. The final score was 4-2. Dazzy Vance allowed only 6 hits and whiffed 9 for the Dodgers, while Curt Schilling gave up 9 hits and struckout 9 batters. Both pitchers went the route.

In Atlanta, the New York Giants cracked 2 homers and 6 doubles in route to a 12-3 rout over the Braves. Bill Terry got a pair for the Giants, while Eddie Mathews and Javy Lopez each hit one in a losing cause. King Carl Hubbell got his first win of the season with a steady 8 hit performance. John Smoltz suffered an embarrassing loss being plastered for 7 runs in 4 innings of work. He was wild and walked 6. Matt Williams and Hubbell drove in 3 runs apiece for the winners. Both teams are now 1-1 on the season.

At Sportsman's Park in St. Louis, Ed Reulbach pitched a 6 hitter as the Cubs beat the Cards 8 to 2. Loser Dizzy Dean didn't have it today and took the brunt of the defeat, lasting only 6 innings and being battered for 6 runs and 8 hits. Chicago totalled 11 for the day off 3 Redbird hurlers. Kiki Cuyler led the way with 3 for 5 and 3 rbi's. The Cardinals had won the series opener.

[Eugene Church]

Sunday, April 13, 1901

In the American League, the Yankees took to the field with vengence and swept both ends of a twinbill from the Washington Nationals, 3 to 1 in the opener and smashing them 15 to 4 in the nightcap. Louisiana Lightning, Ron Guidry was outstanding in the first game, holding the Nats in check on a 7-hitter. Joe Gordon was the Yanks offensive leader with a home run and two hits. Lefthander Frank Viola deserved better for the Capitol City boys surrending only 3 runs and 6 hits and striking out 10. In the second game, New York jumped all over Camilo Pascual for 7 runs in the first inning and never looked back. Bill Dickey and Earl Combs got 3 hits each with Dickey and Graig Nettles the rbi leaders with 3 each. Babe Ruth and Nettles smashed home runs. Spud Chandler breezed along for the victory, scattering 9 hits, striking out 7 and walking 4 in a complete game. The teams split the four game series.

In Detroit, the Tigers finally got their initial win of the season, crushing Baltimore 12 to 1 behind the steady slants of Schoolboy Rowe, who finessed his way passed the Orioles, giving up only 8 hits. Hitting-wise it was Sam Crawford, 3 hits and 5 rbi's, Harry Heilmann, 3 hits, 3 rbi's and a homer and Ty Cobb with 3 hits. Detroit shellshocked the Birds with 16 hits. Urban Shocker took the loss. Baltimore had taken the first two games of the series.

At Fenway, it was Rube Waddell and Jimmy Foxx leading the A's to a 5 to 3 late inning win over Pedro Martinez and the Red Sox. Foxx's two run ninth inning home decided the game. Waddell in a fine outing, held the Bosox to 8 hits with 9 k's and only 1 walk. Pedro allowed 7 hits with 6 strikeouts and 1 base on balls. He just faltered in the 8th and 9th innings. He was up 2-1 after 7 innings. Foxx and Mickey Cochrane both slugged 3 hits off of him. This gave Philadelphia the series, two games to one.

In Chicago, the Indians almost wasted 15 hits, but finally came away with a 5 to 4 victory over the White Sox. Earl Averill and Al "Flip" Rosen paced Cleveland with 4 hits each. Eddie Collins had 4 hits for the second time in 3 games for the Sox. Reliever Ray Narleski pitched 2 shutout innings and received credit for the win, while Billy Pierce gave up 11 hits, but only 4 runs. It was tied at 4-4 when he exited. He walked none and struckout 3. Bobby Thigpen took the loss, yielding a triple to Averill and the game-winning single to Rosen in the ninth. The Tribe took the series 2 games to one.

Over in the National League in Philadelphia, the Phils and Dodgers split a pair, with the Phillies taking the first game 6 to 4 as Lefty Steve Carlton with help of Jim Konstanty beat Don Drysdale. Lefty O'Doul had 3 hits and 2 doubles to kayo Brooklyn. It was Philadelphia's first win of the season. Don Sutton bested Robin Roberts in the second game 7 to 4. Jackie Robinson and Gil Hodges each chipped in 3 hits with Hodges sealing the win with a 2 run 9th inning homer, his second of the year. Brooklyn took 3 out of 4 in the series.

It was an old-fashioned pitcher's duel in Atlanta's County Stadium with the Braves premier righthander, Greg Maddux outpitching Iron Man McGinnity 3 to 1. The Giants only got 5 hits off of him. The game was decided in the 8th when Hank Aaron and Bob Horner each singled in the go ahead runs. McGinnity was touched for 8 hits by Atlanta. The Braves captured the series 2 games to one.

The Cubbies missed a great chance to take the series from the homestanding Cardinals by wasting most of their 14 hit output. St. Louis' Mort Cooper was tough in the clutch and came away with a 4-3 triumph. In 7 innings he gave up 10 singles and one double, but only two runs, while walking only one batter. John Worrell pitched the last two innings and got a save. Chicago was hurt by two unearned runs. Charlie Root pitched a fine game, but came out the loser. He only gave up 4 hits and 1 earned run in 6 innings. Chick Hafey had 3 hits and 3 rbi's for the Redbird cause. Ron Santo was the Bruins offensive leader also with 3 hits.

Sloppy defense also cost the Pirates the game and the series in Cincinnati . They committed 3 errors and allowed 2 unearned runs in a 4-2 loss. The Reds' Pete Donahue stopped Pittsburgh on just 5 hits. He only had 1 strikeout, but issued no bases on balls. Sam Leever, the losing pitcher, deserved a better fate as he only gave up 7 hits and 4 runs, only 2 earned in 7 innings.

[knuckler]

Good stuff Eugene. Thanks for the Nats/Orioles stuff.

How often do you play the games?