Seattle Mariners vs The Kingdome [Archive]

pogue_mahorsey

07-20-2004, 05:37 PM

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April, 1989, time to get busy

First things first, the Mariners acquired Randy Johnson in 1989 for Mark Langston and a player to be named later. So...

To Montreal
-Mark Langston 93/93 - one of the best in the league, and I'm sad to have to ship him out for historical accuracy.
-Clint Zavaras 66/76 - a pretty good 4/5 starter in my AAA system. In the real trade, it was a 'player to be named later' who I can't remember. So I named Clint.
To Seattle
-Randy Johnson - The Man, the Myth, the Unpredictable at this point in his career.
-Brian Holman - I think most of us believed that Brian Holman was going to be the best part of the trade after he went 4-8 with a 3.23 ERA for Montreal the previous year.
-Gene Harris - RP prospect with average stats
Summary
Seattle gets a future Hall-Of-Famer who's currently wild and may never settle in because it's 1989 and Randy didn't really come around for several years. Really, it's more of a swap of Langston for Holman with some prospects tossed in. Still, Seattle wins becuase Seattle is me.

Opening Day Lineups
2B Harold Reynolds
LF Mickey Brantley
CF Ken Griffey, Jr.
3B Edgar Martinez - replaces Jim Presley
RF Jay Buhner - one of the best trades the Mariners ever made!
1B Alvin 'Mr. Mariner' Davis
C Dave Valle
DH Mike Kingery
SS Rey Quinones

Bench
1B Jim Wilson
OF Henry Cotto
RF Darnell Coles
IF Dave Cochrane
C Scott Bradley

Rotation
Randy Johnson
Brian Holman
Erik Hanson
Bill Swift
Scott Bankhead

Bullpen
CL Mike Schooler
SU Mike Jackson
SH Tom Niedenfuer
MR Luis DeLeon
LR Steve Trout
Alt Mike Campbell

AAA Highlights
LF Greg Briley - he was one of my favorites when he played
3B Jim Presley - supplanted by Edgar, but still a great guy
SS Omar Vizquel - expect to see him make the bigs later this year, or early next.
RP Keith Comstock - throws hard
RP Gene Harris - could be something special
RP Jerry Reed - 34, but has good control and movement

Pre-Season Evaluation and Prospectus
Overall, this is a good looking team. I remember most of the names, and it's already the most fun I've had with a dynasty yet.

Ratings
area: rating/AL Average
Batting : 77/62
Lineup: 80/70
Rotation: 73/70
Bullpen: 55/50
Bench: 80/83
Pitching: 65/62
Defense: 98/91
Overall: 76/66

AAA Batting: 82/88
AAA Pitching: 73/84
AAA Defense: 75/82
AAA Overall: 77/87

Projections:
The 'real' Mariners were 73-89 that year, but I think this team is better than that, so I'm saying we finish with 85 wins. The 'real' Ms first broke .500 in 1991.

I figure that 85 wins should put us about 3rd place in the AL West. Remember? Just two divisions until 1994.

Season Opener
To kick off the New Era for the Ms, I figured I'd watch the first game (Orioles @ Mariners, April 1 1989). Here's my writeup as it goes...

Top 1: Randy Johnson steps on the hill for the first time as a Seattle Mariner and promptly strikes out Phil Bradley. After a Brady Anderson groundout and a Cal Ripken, Jr. walk, Chris Hoiles lines out to center. Pretty good stuff so far. 0-0

Bottom 1: Harold Reynolds pops up and Mickey Brantley grounds out. In 'real' life the first pitch Junior saw in the Kingdome went for a home run, but in this world, he strikes out to end the inning. Bummer. 0-0

Top 2: Randy showing some wildness as he walks the leadoff man, then strikes out Mickey Tettleton. Joe Orsulak doubles putting runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out. I'm a bit anxious as Randy pitches to Tim Hulett, but Hulett Ks with a full count. Billy Ripken Ks on four pitches. Nice work, Randy! 0-0

Bottom 2: Edgar Martinez Ks, Buhner and Davis line out to center. 0-0

Top 3: Phil Bradley leads off again, and lines out to left. Brady Anderson rips an 0-2 pitch for a single, the Cal Ripken singles through the right side to put two on with one out. Chris Hoiles looks bad, striking out on 3 pitches before Randy Milligan hits an infield single to Harold Reynolds at second to load the bases. Randy gets Mickey Tettleton to fly out to Buhner in right to end the threat. 0-0

Bottom 3: Dave Valle flies out, Mike Kingery walks, and Rey QUinones grounds into a double play. We're not putting on much of a hitting display here against Curt Schilling, but then, he is good. 0-0

Top 4: Joe Orsulak leads off and pops to Edgar at 3rd. Tim Hulett grounds out to Reynolds. Billy Ripken singles to center and steals second on a 2-0 pitch to Phil Bradley. Bradley gets an intentional walk to face Brady Anderson, who strikes out on four pitches. 0-0

Bottom 4: After Harold Reynolds flies out, Schilling has faced the minimum still. Mickey Brantley takes care of that on an 0-1 pitch that flies out to left. Junior Ks again and Edgar flies to left. 1-0 seattle

Top 5: Finally with a run behind him, Randy goes to work on Cal Ripken Jr. Cal Ks, and so does Chris Hoiles before Randy Milligan pops to first. Randy with 7Ks through 5. 1-0 seattle

Bottom 5: Jay 'Bone' Buhner strikes out to lead off. I'd better get used to that. Alvin Davis rips a single, which Dave Valle backs with a single to left, and AD is thrown out going for third. DH Mike Kingery singles through the hole to put two on for SS Rey Quinones with two out. Q launches a 1-0 pitch from Schilling over the left field fence for a 4-0 lead! Harold Reynolds keeps the pressure on with a single up the middle, and Mickey Brantley singles to left. 2 on with 2 outs for Junior, who has 2 Ks. You gotta know the kids going to bust out with a hit soon. Three pitches later, he launches a 2-1 pitch over the left field fence to make it 7-0. Mike Thurmond relieves Schilling and gets Edgar to strike out. 7-0 seattle

Top 6: Randy still humming along. Mickey Tettleton hits an infield single to Reynolds. That's wack. I thought Reynolds was fast and had range? Orsulak pops up and then Randy notches #8 against Tim Hulett before Billy Ripken singles to center. With two on and two out, Phil Bradley doubles down the left field line to make it 7-1. Brady Anderson grounds out, and the Big Unit has held up again. 7-1 seattle

Bottom 6: Bone pounds one at the 3rd baseman so hard he makes a throwing error, and we have one on. AD strikes out. Valle grounds into a double play. ouch. 7-1 seattle

Top 7: Two groundouts have things looking good, but then a walk to Randy Milligan and a fielding error by Q signals the end of Randy Johnson's day. Steve Trout comes in with two out and two on to pitch to Joe Orsulak. Orsulak singles to center and the sacks are loaded. Tim Hulett pounds one to the mound, but Trout snags it and makes the play. 7-1 seattle

Bottom 7: Ouch. Ouch. Ouch. Kingery, Q, and Reynolds strike out. 7-1 sea

Top 8: leadoff double by Billy Ripken. Phil Bradley grounds to short and we throw out Ripken. Bradley steals second before Brady Anderson advances him to 3rd on a grounder to the pitcher. Cal Ripken Jr strikes out to end the threat. 7-1 sea

Bottom 8: Mickey Brantly and Junior both line out to left before Edgar grounds out to the pitcher. 7-1 sea

Top 9: Chris Hoiles strikes out. Randy Milligan and Mickey Tettleton spray back-to-back singles before Joe Orsulak grounds out to short. Tim Hulett singles through the right side to load the bases with one out. Larry Sheets pinch hits for Billy Ripken and singles to center for an RBI. Mike Schooler comes in to pitch to Phil Bradley and gets him to fly out to Junior to end the game. Ms win 7-2

Impressive debut by Johnson going 6.2 with 9Ks in 119 pitches. Schooler picks up a save after decent relief from Trout. And hey, Junior homers in his first game after all!

Next Post...The Rest of April...

sliboa

07-20-2004, 09:35 PM

Mike Campbell was the player to be named later in the Randy Johnson trade.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/c/campbmi01.shtml

Lobsteve

07-20-2004, 11:45 PM

I think I already like this one better than your first. Looks like alot of fun in any case.

pogue_mahorsey

07-21-2004, 01:15 PM

Ah, well, so, apparently my research was incomplete. Mike Campbell it was. Oh well, I'm re-writing history anyhow. :)

Lobsteve, you're right. I'm enjoying it more. It'll be running at a slower pace, because I'm playing it at home and in the middle of getting ready for my wedding (September 5th at Safeco Field! Oh yeah!).

Thanks for reading!

goyanks225

07-21-2004, 05:50 PM

Originally posted by pogue_mahorsey
[B]getting ready for my wedding (September 5th at Safeco Field! Oh yeah!).
B]

Congradulations! Safeco Field, that should be awesome...

pogue_mahorsey

07-22-2004, 02:01 AM

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April, 1989, Contract Extension Time

There's far too many key players in the last years of their contracts, and I'm afraid I won't make enough money this year to talk extension at the end. Plus, I think now's a good time so...

Edgar Martinez 27 - 82/94 signed to $3.6/7 extension.
Jay Buhner 25 - 79/85 signed to $3.6/7 extension.
Ken Griffey Jr. 20 - 83/99 signed to $9.2/7 extension.

Brian Holman and Erik Hanson both want 2.5/2 extensions, but I'm going to wait a little bit on those. Maybe if they string together some bad starts I can get that price down.

Beyond that, I have 8 other guys in contract years, so don't be surprised if I start trading them off for young prospects.

Here's the recap of April that you've all been waiting for...
Month in Review
4/2 - after beating the Orioles 1-0 behind Brian Holman pitching 8 solid innings, the Phillies offer me a trade including Jeffrey 'the Hack Man' Leonard. Remembering that at one point the Mariners had him on the roster, I decline the trade. Take THAT, History!
4/3 - Mr. Mariner, Alvin Davis, drives in two in the bottom of the 11th for a 3-2 win, and the Mariners are 3-0 for the first time this year. or ever, or whatever.
4/4 - Edgar gets his first hit. Junior hits his second HR. After coming in as a defensive replacement in the 7th, Darnell Coles hits a Grand Slam. Ms are now 4-0.
4/5 - 'World Beater' Mariners win 6-0 behind Scott Bankhead's solid pitching and Junior's 3rd HR of this very young season.
4/6 - After beating the Blue Jays 7-6 for our 6th consecutive win!!!!, the Jays offer a trade.

To Toronto
LF Bruce Fields 66/68 - a decent bench player who is in a contract year
RP Keith Comstock 70/73 - another contract year player, quality reliever
To Seattle
P Alex Sanchez 64/73 - Good stats, and 66 endurance. making 300k through next year.
Breakdown
Toronto gets some relief help and a bench OF. Seattle removes some contract hassles and get's a decent long relief prospect. If it wasn't for the fact that the people they asked for were in AAA, I wouldn't have done it. Winner: Jays...but it was close.

4/7 - Mr. Mariner moves up to the 4 spot, pushing Edgar to 5 and Bone to 6. Ms win 7th straight, 7-4 over the BoSox.
4/8 - Erik Hanson gives up 2ER in 7IP, but the offense is shut down 3-0 as we lose our first game.
4/9 - Oh, the Flashbacks! Oil Can Boyd works his mojo, as the Ms lose 7-4.

Lineup Move
Seriously, why didn't I do this to start with? 'Little O' Vizquel takes over at SS as Rey Quinones moves to the bench, 1B Jim Wilson down to AAA.

4/10 - Scott Bankhead is now 2-0 with 15.1IP and a 0.59 ERA. Way to start the season, #5.
4/11 - Randy Johnson goes 7 to improve to 2-0 with a 4.08ERA. Harold Reynolds drives in 4 to lead the attack.
4/12 - With brooms in hand in Baltimore, the Ms take a 5-3 lead with 3 runs in the top of the 9th off Gregg Olson. In the bottom of the 9th, Mike Schooler served up all three runs right back with one out to drop the game 6-5.
4/14 - after taking 2 of 3 in Baltimore, we take a travel day and head to ... Baltimore for two more. Hanson and Jackson give up three each as we lose 6-2.
4/15 - Bill Swift, always a favorite of mine, goes 8.2 giving up 1 run on 3 hits for a 4-1 win. Mike Schooler earns his 5th save.

Psst...Don't tell anyone but we're 10-4 and 1 game behind Texas for the AL West lead.

4/16 - Continuing our 14 game road trip, we head to Detroit. Scott Bankhead is superb again, allowing only one run as the entire lineup manages at least one hit in a 7-1 win.
4/17 - Junior hits two solo shots, giving him 5 this year. The first tied the game, the second gave us the lead in the top of the 10th. But then there's Mike Schooler...Tigers win 4-3.
4/18 - The first five hitters in the lineup go 0-20, but we win 4-2. Nice.
4/19 - Mr. Mariner, Alvin Davis goes 0-3, but draws two walks. He's hitting .409 in the fourth spot in the order. Erik Hanson gives up 2 runs in 8.1 IP for a 6-2 win.
4/20 - down 5-3 in the top of the 9th at Milwaukee, Dave Valle hits a leadoff double. After Kingery Ks, Reynolds is HBP. Henry Cotto singles to load the bases and Jim Pressley pinch hits for Omar Vizquel with a bases-clearing double. Ms win 7-5.
4/21 - Mr. Mariner and Scott Bankhead complete the three game sweep in Milwaukee 2-1. Davis hit a two-run blast, and Bankhead pitched 8 innings, giving up just the one run.
4/22 - Randy Johnson gives up 4 in 5 innings to the Red Sox en route to an 8-0 loss. Still, we are now tied for 1st.
4/23 - Brian Holman gives up 5 in 3ip as we lose 10-1. BoSox are lead by Wade Boggs.
4/24 - final game of the road trip. Erik Hanson complete game 6-1 win.

Lineup Move
Jay Buhner, hitting .191, moves to 7th. Little O (.315) moves from 9th to 6th.

4/25 - We return to Seattle to face the Yankees. Alvin Davis goes deep twice, driving in three, as the Ms win 9-1. Bill Swift 8IP, 1ER.
4/26 - Scott Bankhead finally has an off day, giving up 5 in 4.1 IP. Yankees win 6-0.
4/27 - In a great early season, we beat the Yankees 3-1 on 8 strong innings by Randy Johnson.
4/28 - Brian Holman gives up 5 in 4ip while Chris Bosio holds the Ms in check for a 5-2 Brewers win.
4/29 - As Erik Hanson holds the Brewers at bay, Bone slams 2 for 4RBI and a 9-2 Ms win.
4/30 - final game of the month, and the Brew Crew takes it 7-2 as they rough up Billy Swift early.

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Month In Review

Record: 19-10 (2nd - 1 game behind Texas)
Team Average: .259 (.261 league average)
Team ERA: 3.11 (3.94 league average)
Runs Scored/Game: 125/4.3 (average 4.2)
Runs Allowed/Game: 98/3.3 (average 4.2)

Player of the Month: Junior is off to a nice.300/5/12 start, but we're going with Mr. Mariner and his .321/7/16 this time around.

Pitcher of the Month: This is tough. Not just because Erik Hanson and Bill Swift are so close, but because Tom Niedenfuer has a 1.65 ERA in 16.1IP of short relief! Still, I'm going with Bill Swift (4-1 2.10) over Erik Hanson (3-2 2.22) by the narrowest of margins.

Farmhand of the Month: 1B Jim Wilson is off to a great start down in AAA, hitting .378 since his recent demotion.

Other Random Whatnot: Jeffrey 'The Hack Man' Leonard and Greg 'Pee Wee' Briley are both hitting .300 down in AAA. Jerry Reed, who was demoted to AAA to start the year, has a 3.65 ERA and .215 OBA down there as well.

With Wins, comes Money
but I'm only drawing about 22k per game. I just checked my ticket prices, and they're about $8 above average, so I'm dropping from $32 down to $28 (average: 24.81). Even so, I've made just about $2M through April, and project to make about $15M this year. A good start towards Safeco Field, but I'll have some nasty contracts coming up I think.

Next Post...The Absolutely In No Way Drug Induced Flashbacks Continue...

pogue_mahorsey

07-22-2004, 05:37 PM

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May, 1989, Contract Extension Time...Again

Still feeling as though there are too many unanswered contract questions, but also seeing some good signs from young pitchers, I opt to do some signing.

Brian Holman 25 - 80/85 signed to $3.1/6 extension.
Erik Hanson 24 - 82/90 signed to $5.2/7 extension.

I got bit by waiting while they both improved and got off to good starts, but I have a feeling they'll be worth the money for a while.

Beyond that, the highest request is from Middle Reliever Luis DeLeon for 2.4/6, but he's 31...so we'll see. 34 year old RP Jerry Reed is asking for 1.5/4 down in AAA.

And now, it's time to play through May a bit...
Month in Review
5/2 - Scott Bankhead pitches well, but Mike Jackson gets the 5-3 Mariner win in relief. Injury Harold Reynolds bruised his toe and will miss a couple days. Ray Quinones will play 2B while he's out.
5/3 - Randy Johnson vs. Curt Schilling, and it's a great game until Chris Hoiles hits a three run bomb off Randy to steal the game 3-2.
5/5 - Ms win 3-0 with a complete game shutout of the BoSox by Brian Holman.
5/6 - Oil Can Boyd pitches the Red Stockings to a 3-1 series-splitter.
5/8 - after splitting two at home against the RedSox, we head to Boston for two. Mike Schooler gives up a run in the bottom of the 10th for a 2-1 RedSox win.
5/9 - Randy Johnson outduels Mike Boddicker as the Ms score three unearned runs to win 3-0. Schooler picks up save #10.

Lineup Moves
-Harold Reynolds returns to the lineup to play 2B and bat leadoff.
-C Dave Valle will sit for a few games as he is hitting a meager .179. Scott Bradley replaces him at 8th in the order.

5/10 - Ms respond with a 9-5 slamming of the Yankees in New York. Jay Buhner drives in 4 with a three-run HR and sac fly.
5/11 - Don't Poke The Tiger! Yanks belt 5 HR in a 10-2 win. Brian Holman lasts only 3IP.
5/12 - We take game three as Junior scores the winning run in the top of the 9th on an RBI single by Little O.

Lineup Moves
-Leadoff man Harold Reynolds drops to 8th in the order. Everyone else moves up a notch.

5/13 - Somebody talk to the schedulers. After three in New York, we take a day off and play two more? Ok.
5/14 - Ms pitch 12.2 innings of a 6-6 tie. Too bad we couldn't make it 13. Yanks win 7-6.
5/15 - Brian Holman (5-2) cruises for 8.2 IP with only 1ER. Junior (7) and Mr. Mariner (10) both homer twice to provide 5 of our 7 runs.
5/16 - Erik Hanson (4-4) gets the benefit of huge offense in a 17-1 drubbing. Alvin Davis (12) hits two HR for the second straight game, and is joined by Edgar (2), Junior (8), and Buhner (6) as they take turns trotting the paths. Poor Brewers.
5/17 - Don't pity the Brewers. They pound Billy Swift (3-3) for 5 in 3.2 innings on the way to a 6-1 redemption.
5/18 - Detroit comes to Seattle only to be treated rudely. Mr. Mariner misses the cycle by a double, hitting his 13th HR in a 10-3 win for Scott Bankhead (5-1)
5/19 - Mike Jackson and Mike Schooler (sv13) back up Randy Johnson (5-2) in a 5-4 squeaker. Injury: LF Mickey Brantley sprained something and will miss 4 days. Henry Cotto to fill in.

Roster Moves
-Mike Jackson is laboring with a 5.23 ERA and has given up 5HR in 20.1 innings as the setup man. Jerry Reed steps in to let Jackson get some work in AAA.

5/20 - Henry Cotto 3/5 with 3 runs scored as Ms win 8-6 to complete sweep of Detroit. Jerry Reed gives up 3ER in 1IP. Brian Holman (6-2) wins, Schooler saves (14)
5/21 - Jackson might not be in AAA for long as Reed repeats his 3ER in 1IP performance and takes the loss 7-4.
5/22 - Blue Jays sweep the two game set 5-2. Reed 1ER in 2IP of late relief as Junior (3) and Buhner (4) try to see who can strike out most in one game.
5/24 - Scott Bankhead improves to 6-1 with a 2.28ERA as the Ms win 3-2. Reed 0.2 innings of scoreless relief as the Ms get all their runs on a Henry Cotto 3 run jack. Schooler saves number 15.
5/25 - In one of the guttiest pitching performances in quite some time, Randy Johnson (5-2) takes a 1-1 game into the 10th before he gets touched for two runs. Schooler (1-4) is unable to stop the bleeding and gives up 2 more for a 5-1 tigers victory.
5/27 - At Cleveland, the Ms back Brian Holman's (7-2) 7 innings of 2 run ball with 8 runs.
5/28 - Ms score 2 in the top of the 8th, but fall short, losing 3-2.
5/29 - a Pinch-Hit Grand Slam by Mickey Brantley (8) powers the Ms to a 6-5 win and series victory in Cleveland. Junior goes 3/5 and scores twice.
5/30 - Brewers come to Seattle, but run smack into Junior who doubles and homers (9th) and Scott Bankhead (7-1). Ms win 8-4
5/31 - Alvin Davis and Junior combine for five hits, three doubles, and five RBI supporting Randy Johnson (6-2) in a 9-4 rout.

Lineup Move
Seriously, why didn't I do this to start with? 'Little O' Vizquel takes over at SS as Rey Quinones moves to the bench, 1B Jim Wilson down to AAA.

4/10 - Scott Bankhead is now 2-0 with 15.1IP and a 0.59 ERA. Way to start the season, #5.
4/11 - Randy Johnson goes 7 to improve to 2-0 with a 4.08ERA. Harold Reynolds drives in 4 to lead the attack.
4/12 - With brooms in hand in Baltimore, the Ms take a 5-3 lead with 3 runs in the top of the 9th off Gregg Olson. In the bottom of the 9th, Mike Schooler served up all three runs right back with one out to drop the game 6-5.
4/14 - after taking 2 of 3 in Baltimore, we take a travel day and head to ... Baltimore for two more. Hanson and Jackson give up three each as we lose 6-2.
4/15 - Bill Swift, always a favorite of mine, goes 8.2 giving up 1 run on 3 hits for a 4-1 win. Mike Schooler earns his 5th save.

Psst...Don't tell anyone but we're 10-4 and 1 game behind Texas for the AL West lead.

4/16 - Continuing our 14 game road trip, we head to Detroit. Scott Bankhead is superb again, allowing only one run as the entire lineup manages at least one hit in a 7-1 win.
4/17 - Junior hits two solo shots, giving him 5 this year. The first tied the game, the second gave us the lead in the top of the 10th. But then there's Mike Schooler...Tigers win 4-3.
4/18 - The first five hitters in the lineup go 0-20, but we win 4-2. Nice.
4/19 - Mr. Mariner, Alvin Davis goes 0-3, but draws two walks. He's hitting .409 in the fourth spot in the order. Erik Hanson gives up 2 runs in 8.1 IP for a 6-2 win.
4/20 - down 5-3 in the top of the 9th at Milwaukee, Dave Valle hits a leadoff double. After Kingery Ks, Reynolds is HBP. Henry Cotto singles to load the bases and Jim Pressley pinch hits for Omar Vizquel with a bases-clearing double. Ms win 7-5.
4/21 - Mr. Mariner and Scott Bankhead complete the three game sweep in Milwaukee 2-1. Davis hit a two-run blast, and Bankhead pitched 8 innings, giving up just the one run.
4/22 - Randy Johnson gives up 4 in 5 innings to the Red Sox en route to an 8-0 loss. Still, we are now tied for 1st.
4/23 - Brian Holman gives up 5 in 3ip as we lose 10-1. BoSox are lead by Wade Boggs.
4/24 - final game of the road trip. Erik Hanson complete game 6-1 win.

Lineup Move
Mickey Brantley returns to the outfield after sitting on the bench since his injury. Henry Cotto hit .244 filling in.

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Month In Review

Record: 15-10
Overall: 34-20 (1st +2.5)
Team Average: .260 (.264 league average)
Team ERA: 3.42 (4.01 league average)
Runs Scored/Game: 254/4.7 (average 4.3)
Runs Allowed/Game: 194/3.5 (average 4.3)

Player of the Month: Alvin Davis again powers the team. His average drops from .321 to .312, but he tacks on another 6 home runs and 23 RBI. Way to go, Mr. Mariner!

Pitcher of the Month: #5 starter Scott Bankhead is now 7-1 (2nd in AL) with a 2.49 ERA (10th in AL)

Farmhand of the Month: 1B Jim Wilson is hitting .364 down in AAA. Is this guy for real? He shouldn't be able to do that. I wonder if I can get anything good for him in a trade.

Other Random Whatnot: Jerry Reed improved to a 2.62 ERA down in AAA, but didn't fare well in his callup, so he's back down and Jackson returns to setting up. Jeffrey Leonard is still hitting .303, while Pee Wee Briley has fallen off slightly to .280

Moo-la Report
After adjusting prices, I'm now drawing 24k per game, but still $6 over league average for tickets, so down to $26 it goes. I'm now projected for about a $7M profit after salary changes and ticket adjustment.

Next Post...The Fun rolls into June, and it might be trade time...

pogue_mahorsey

07-23-2004, 05:33 PM

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June, 1989, Are we for real?

I'm determined to find out if Jim Wilson is a freak of nature or not, so up he comes, sending Darnell Coles down to AAA while we find out if he can hit at the big league level. His .364 average through 100 ABs down in AAA has warranted a shot as my DH for a bit. Scott Bradley is hitting .301 since replacing Dave Valle, so he continues to be the catcher and moves to the #5 spot. Wilson will bat 6th for not less than one week.

Also, Scott Bankhead (7-1 2.49) has earned the right to pitch regularly, so he moves to #4 and Bill Swift (3-4 4.64) moves to #5 in the rotation.

And now, it's time to play through June...
Month in Review
6/1 - Bone slams a 3-run shot for a 6-3 win over the Tigers in Detroit. Jim Wilson 0/4.
6/2 - Jim Presley slams a 3-run shot for a 5-4 win. Jim Wilson 0/4.
6/3 - @ home against the Indians, Billy Swift get's shellacked for 7 runs in 5 innings. Jim Wilson 0/4. Injury: Mickey Brantley out three days with a sore foot of some kind. Henry Cotto steps in.
6/4 - As Jim Wilson goes 0/4 again, Edgar hits a walk-off solo shot in the bottom of the 11th for a 3-2 victory.
6/5 - Edgar does it again, this time in the bottom of the 9th for a 2-1 win. Jim Wilson 0/3. His week is up, as is any chance of ever playing for me again.

Roster Moves
Jim Wilson returns to AAA as a failure. Jeffrey 'The Hack Man' Leonard joins the bench. Mickey Brantley returns to LF, and Mike Kingery returns to DH.

6/6 - Brian Holman (9-2) throws 8 shutout innings in Toronto, and Edgar hits a 3-run shot for a 3-0 win. Jim Wilson got one more game and went 1/4 to finish with an .042 batting average.
6/7 - Second consecutive shutout of the Jays, as this time Erik Hanson (6-5) goes 9 scoreless and Mike Kingery provides a solo home run.
6/8 - Billy Swift (3-6) gives a solid effort, allowing only 1 run in 8innings, but this time we're shut out 1-0.
6/9 - back in Seattle, Mike Jackson (3-1) gives up 4 in the 9th as the White Sox win 8-4.
6/10 - Randy Johnson (6-3) is victimized by two Seattle errors in a 3-1 loss.
6/11 - Brian Holman, staff ace? He's now 10-2 with a 3.13 ERA and the first 10 game winner in the Majors as Bone (11) and Brantley (10) provide HR support in a 9-2 win.
6/12 - After 16 straight days playing, both on the road and at home, we get a much needed rest.
6/13 - In Texas, Mickey Brantley misses the cycle by not stopping at first. He pounds a HR, triple, and two doubles to drive a 2-1 Ms victory for Erik Hanson (7-5) over Jamie Moyer.
6/14 - Junior hits #10 as Scott Bankhead improves to 8-1 on the year with 2 runs in 7 innings. Poor Nolan Ryan only lasted 2 innings, giving up 4r/2er
6/15 - Mike Jackson takes the loss as Tom Niedenfuer walks the first man he faces with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the ninth for a 3-2 Rangers win.

Roster Moves
In an effort to bolster the Defense, Edgar moves to DH and Jim Presley moves to 3B. Mike Kingery moves from DH to the bench. Presley will bat 7th.

6/16 - Randy Johnson's complete game 1-hitter moves him to 7-3. The one hit was a solo home run, as the Ms win 3-1 in Toronto.
6/17 - Ms take a 6-4 lead into the bottom of the 9th, but Mike Schooler serves up four runs without recording an out for an 8-6 Blue Jay win and a split of the two game series.
6/18 - Erik Hanson (7-6) gives up 4 runs, 1 earned as the Ms drop 4-2 to at home against the White Sox.
6/19 - Scott Bankhead improves to 9-1 as the Mariners hit two solo shots (A. Davis 15, M.Brantley 12) to the White Sox 1 (Ivan Calderon 9)
6/20 - Bill Swift goes to 4-6 as the Ms outscore the White Sox 17-3! Every Mariner got a hit, as Scott Bradley went 4/6 and Mickey Brantley went 3/6 each driving in 4 runs.
6/21 - Cleveland jumps all over Randy Johnson (7-4) for 5 runs in 3.2 innings, then 4 in 2.1 off Mike Campbell as they cruise to a 9-4 win.
6/22 - Brian Holman (10-3) gives up just 2 runs in 7 innings, but it's not enough as the Indians win 2-1.
6/23 - Back in Seattle, Erik Hanson (8-6) gives up just four hits in a complete game shutout. Buhner's Grand Slam (13) caps an 11-0 win.

Trade Time
To Milwaukee
1b Jim Wilson 68/72, he of the amazing AAA average and inability to hit in the bigs.
To Seattle
P Mark Knudson 65/67, he of phenomenal control and otherwise average.
The Rundown
I get rid of Wilson, whom I officially don't like. Knudson is the same salary for two more years, so a little depth in the pen in case of emergency.

Another action, I lower ticket prices to $25. The league average continues to dive, as it is now at just over $20, and teams are having a hard time filling the stands.

6/24 - Mickey Brantley drives in 4 to push the Ms to a 10-4 win. Scott Bankhead improves to 10-1, becoming the 7th 10 game winner in the majors this year.
6/25 - Bill Swift improves to 5-6 as the Ms win 4-2. Texas' young DH, Sammy Sosa, misses the cycle by a single.
6/26 - Ms slam Nolan Ryan for another 4 runs in 2 innings en route to w 12-1 drubbing. Randy Johnson (8-4) pitches 8.2 of 1 run ball. 7 Ms starters drive in a run.
6/27 - Edgar drives in the only two runs for the Ms, but Brian Holman improves to 11-3 by giving up just one run through 7 innings.
6/28 - Kevin Brown shuts down the Mariners to avoid the four-game sweep, 5-0.
6/30 - we take a day off to travel to...Texas. Scott Bankhead (11-1 2.32) shuts out the Rangers for 8 as the Ms put up 6 in the first inning off Bobby Witt to win 6-0.

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Month In Review

Record: 18-10
Overall: 52-30 (2nd -.5)
Team Average: .267 (.262 league average)
Team ERA: 3.16 (3.99 league average)
Runs Scored/Game: 380/4.6 (average 4.3)
Runs Allowed/Game: 273/3.3 (average 4.3)

Our Pitching continues to excell and improve, while our offense toes the line. I like this 10-loss per month streak. If we keep that up, we're awesome.

Player of the Month: Without making a lot of noise, Junior is now hitting .292/11, but this month it goes to Mickey Brantley who's hitting .321/13 in the leadoff spot and his average leads the Majors by .003

Pitcher of the Month: Scott Bankhead goes a perfect 4-0 this month and lowers his ERA to 2.32, 6th in the Majors, 1st in the AL. He's tied for the Major League lead in victories with Brian Holman and Frank Viola with 11.

Farmhand of the Month: With Jim Wilson gone, this goes to LF/IF Dave Cochrane with a .317 average.

Other Random Whatnot: Greg Briley is back up to .289 down in AAA, and Jerry Reed is sporting a 3.75 ERA. Beyond them, and Dave Cochrane, it ain't pretty.

With Wins, comes Money
As ticket prices continue to fall, I'm now drawing 25,625 per game. I'm still projected to make $5M this year, and I have $14.7 in the bank.

Next Post...July, the month of All-Stars and Air-Conditioned Domes...

pogue_mahorsey

07-23-2004, 07:05 PM

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Can these Mariners pull off the Big Trade? YES!

I believe we can, and with the run we're making, it's worth a shot. In honor of an article I just read on ESPN.com, there's really only one man to go after. It means a substantial upgrade to the lineup, and answers a problem the Real-Life Mariners had until last year.

The Big Trade
To Pittsburgh
- 34 year old RP Jerry Reed o75/p75
- 31 year old RP/Stud Luis DeLeon o83/p83
- 27 year old RF Darnell Coles o75/p75
To Seattle
- 25 year old LF Barry Bonds
Breakdown
Are you kidding? This one actually hurt a bit. DeLeon had a 1.35 ERA in 19 games for me in the bullpen. He wants a raise in his contract year, and so does Reed. Coles has been down in AAA for a month or so, and picking up another OF puts him further down the depth chart. Barry is locked up for another three years at $1.8M, and then I'll have serious salary issues to deal with, but who knows...maybe he can go into the Hall as a Mariner. Here's hoping Simulated Barry is anything like Real Barry.

With the Big Trade completed, the lineup has to shuffle a bit. First off, to fill DeLeon's spot in the bullpen, Gene Harris (74/84) moves into the Middle Relief role. Barry takes over in LF, and I'll let him bat leadoff because he has 87 speed. I now have a lot of OFs on the bench and in AAA, so I expect to make another trade soon for positional depth or pitching. Meanwhile, here's my new lineup:

LF Barry Bonds
CF Ken Griffey, Jr.
1B Alvin Davis
DH Edgar Martinez
C Scott Bradley
RF Jay Buhner
3B Jim Presley
SS Omar Vizquel
2B Harold Reynolds

Why Wait?
To Chicago White Sox
- 29 year old OF Henry Cotto 76/76
- 34 year old LF Jeffrey Leonard 71/71
To Seattle
- 28 year old RP Tom McCarthy 72/78
- $1M
Breakdown
I have way too many OFs, and McCarthy is a quality relief pitching prospect. He'll be in the pen this year or next, and he'll do well.

This pretty much seals my drafting fate, as I have only three position players left in AAA. Interesting, as I typically run shy of pitchers. Oh well!

pogue_mahorsey

07-23-2004, 07:53 PM

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July, 1989, The Barry Era Begins

I hate to do it, but one more lineup change before the month begins as Mickey Brantley takes over for Jay Buhner in RF. Bone is hitting only .211/4 while Brantley is hitting .321/13. Not a tough call. Brantley will lead off (again) and everyone else moves down one.

Here's hoping we didn't call it the HomerDome for nothing...
Month in Review
7/1 - In his first game as a Mariner, Bonds goes 0/5 as Texas hands us our hats 8-4.
7/2 - Randy Johnson (9-4) bests Nolan Ryan again. This time Bonds is 1/4 with 3 Ks and a run scored.
7/4 - Fireworks! And Errors! Ms make 4 errors, and Brian Holman (11-4) falls prey to 6 (six!) unearned runs in 3 innings pitched.
7/5 - Bonds draws two walks and Erik Hanson (9-7) goes 6 for a 5-4 win. Jim Presley is hitting .354! Amazing.

All-Star Break
Home Run Champ: Darryl Strawberry outslugs Danny Tartabull in a flip-flop of current Home Run standings.

All Star Game: Strawberry jacks another one to power the NL to a 5-3 win. No Mariners played, though Scott Bankhead (11-1 2.32) got an invite.

7/12 - Alvin Davis gives us a two run homer, but All Star Scott Bankhead (11-2) is outpaced by Nolan Ryan for a 3-2 loss.
7/13 - Kevin Brown gets the best of Bill Swift in a 7-1 Rangers win. What happened to winning, guys?
7/15 - game 3 of 12 on the road, in KC. Randy Johnson (10-4) goes 8 for the win. Bonds hits #9
7/16 - Five! errors by the Ms, and Brian Holman gives up 6/1earned in 4.2 innings. We lose 11-0
7/17 - Erik Hanson (10-7) goes 8 as Barry goes 0/4 to drop his average to .245. Ms 5 - Royals 1
7/18 - Jim Presley (4) goes yard, and Scott Bankhead (11-3) gives up 3 in 5 innings as Dave Stewart is too much in a 6-3 loss.
7/19 - I have upset the Gods. As 7 - Ms 0 and we are now 4-7 on the month.
7/20 - Randy Johnson (11-4) gives us everything he has, and we get 3 in the top of hte 9th to win 5-3.
7/21 - Junior hits #12. Steve Trout gives up 3 in the bottom of the 12th, when we were ahead 1. As 7 - Ms 5.
7/22 - We needed this day off, as we're now 2.5 back of Oakland in the AL West.
7/23 - In Minnesota against the 51-42 Twins. Erik Hanson (11-7) becomes the second 11 game winner on the team as he goes 6 in a 9-3 Ms win.
7/24 - Scott Bankhead (12-3) picks up the 10-4 win behind 10 runs on 12 hits.
7/25 - Packing brooms to the park was a bad idea. Gene Harris gives up 6 in the bottom of the 7th as the Ms lose 10-8.

Roster Move Tom McCarthy replaces Gene Harris (15.19 ERA) as the Middle Reliever.

7/26 - After a 5-7 road trip, three at home against the Yankees. Bonds (11), A. Davis (17), and Bradley (4) go yard as we pull out a slugfest 11-7.
7/27 - Every Mariner scores as Barry drives in 5 and Junior drives in 3. Holman improves to 12-5 in a 12-1 laugher.
7/28 - Three run doubles by Brantley (in the 7th) and Bonds (in the 8th) give Mike Jackson (4-2) a win and Mike Schooler his 28th save. Oh, yeah, and WE SWEPT THE YANKEES!

TRADE
To California
- 26 year old SS Rey Quinones o76/p76 and his request for 1.5M/year extensions
To Seattle
- 26 year old SS Kent Anderson o67/p78 and his two more years at $300k
Breakdown
Kent is a better fielder, and will be cheap for a couple years. Quinones isn't playing, so I'm not paying.

7/31 - after two days off, we head to Minnesota with a 10-9 record on the month. Scott Bankhead (13-3) picks up the win with 7 innings of 3-run ball as the bats explode and every starter manages at least TWO hits. Junior leads the way with 3/6 HR 4RBI.

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Month In Review

Record: 11-9
Overall: 63-39 (2nd -.5)
Team Average: .267 (.263 league average)
Team ERA: 3.26 (3.99 league average)
Runs Scored/Game: 491/4.8 (average 4.4)
Runs Allowed/Game: 377/3.6 (average 4.4)

Our pitching had an off month, but we still have four starters looking great:
Randy Johnson 12-4 2.90
Brian Holman 12-5 2.88
Erik Hanson 11-7 2.71
Scott Bankhead 13-3 2.78
Bill Swift 5-8 4.58

That's a great looking rotation! Too bad the bullpen took some hits with the trade of DeLeon, and all of their ERAs have climbed this month.

Player of the Month: Mickey Brantley continues to hit .321, Bonds is .251/12, Junior .281/13 and Davis .261/18...but this month it goes to Jim Presley! He's hitting .327 with 5HR, a .392 OBP and he's playing gold-glove third base.

Pitcher of the Month: Bankhead continues to lead the staff, but I'm going with Randy Johnson and his 12-4 2.90 for now, because that's a good improvement.

Farmhand of the Month: Wunderkind SS Kent Anderson is hitting .335/5...way out of his league...but he's still not coming up.

Other Random Whatnot: Greg Briley pushed his averate up to .304, and Dave Cochrane was at .317. With the recent trades, they are both on the bench and Cochrane is 2/4 while Briley has yet to get an AB.

With Wins, comes Money
Attendance is up a little, to 26,000 per game. I just slashed concession prices by 10% each. I'm also spending a boatload of money on AAA ($11M) and Scouting ($10M), but I only rank 9th in each category. With ticket prices so low, I don't know how teams are affording that kind of spending...and it's driving my scouting accuracy down to +-4. In addition, I'm now projected to only break even this year. it's not a good year for attendance, nor for Fan Loyalty, as everyone is in the C+ or B- range.

Next Post...The Dog Days of August...

pogue_mahorsey

07-23-2004, 08:47 PM

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August, 1989, Do Or Die Time

With all the changes I made this year, and the financial difficulties that the entire league seems to be having, I hereby declare this Do Or Die month. With that said, the roster will stand basically as is, except for injuries. It's time for the boys to earn their way.

Here's to not playing Golf in October...
Month in Review
8/1 - You just can't pitch to...Scott Bradley?!? 3HR, including the game-winner in the 10th as Ms win 5-4.
8/2 - Randy Johnson (12-5) gets lit for 4 runs through 5 as we lose 4-2.
8/3 - Bonds (13) 3-run jack makes a winner out of Brian Holman (13-5)
8/4 - Erik Hanson (12-7) shuts down the Angels 4-2.
8/5 - Dave Valle's 3-run pinch homerun and a solo shot by Mr. Mariner power the Ms to a 10-6 win and a 7-run 7th.
8/6 - Angels avoid a 4 game sweep as they torch Billy Swift for 5 in the 3rd and hold on 6-5.
8/7 - Solo Homers by Bradley (9) and Bonds (14) keep the game at 4 until the bottom of the 10th, when Mike Jackson serves up a two-run shot.
8/8 - Brian Holman improves to 14-5 as Junior goes 3/5 to raise his average to .289
8/11 - Two days off too many as Mike Schooler blows the save and wastes a three run shot by Edgar Martinez (6) and a solo job by Presley (10)
8/12 - Edgar jacks another, his 7th, and Schooler serves up a solo shot in the 9th, but the Ms win 4-3.
8/13 - Billy Swift (6-9) gets some great offensive support as the Ms jack Bret Saberhagen to win 13-0.
8/14 - After spending most of July, and the first two weeks of August on the road, the Ms return home for 10 games. Randy Johnson Ks 11 as the Ms beat Kevin Brown and Texas 2-0.
8/15 - Rafael 'I Kill the Mariners' Palmeiro goes yard twice off of Brian Holman (14-6) as the Rangers run by the Ms 5-2.
8/16 - Ms get all over Jamie Moyer as Erik Hanson (13-7) gives up only 4 hits in a complete game shutout, 9-0. Bonds hits #16, a Grand Slam, and drives in 5.
8/17 - Minnesota takes the sticks to Scott Bankhead (14-4) 10-3.
8/18 - Billy Swift (7-9) offers to carry the team, and they accept his complete game 2-1 victory to even the series at 1 each.
8/19 - This time it's Randy Johnson (14-5) as Junior hits #14 and Alvin Davis hits #20 in a 7-2 win.
8/20 - Ms make it 3/4 against the Twins as Edgar Martinez (8) provides the offense with a 3-run homer and a 3-1 win.
8/21 - I do not like the Angels. And neither does Erik Hanson (13-8) as he gives up 5 (2ER) in 4.2 innings of a 7-0 loss.
8/22 - Tom Niedenfuer and Mike Jackson combine to give up the two winning runs to the Angels, 4-2.
8/23 - Again? Niedenfuer and Jackson strike again, giving up three this time for a 6-3 Angels win, and series sweep.
8/24 - Needing a break, we head to Chicago. Edgar provides a two run homer for Randy Johnson (14-6), but he can't make it hold as we lose 3-2.
8/25 - Brian Holman (15-6) wisely asks Edgar to stay in the yard, as Junior, Bradley, and Vizquel drive in the runs for a 4-2 win.
8/26 - Sensing a trend, Erik Hanson (14-8) chats with Junior. Edgar is contained, Junior goes yard twice to give him 17 on the year. Ms win 7-3.
8/27 - Down to Oakland to face The Bash Brothers. Scott Bankhead (14-5) takes the loss on unearned runs, while Jose 'I Suck In The Field' Canseco hits two bombs and drives in 5 for an 8-0 As win.
8/28 - Tonight it's Mark McGwire's Grand Slam as the As win 5-2.
8/29 - Randy Johnson (15-6) threatens to cut his hair. Team responds with 12-2 drubbing. Junior's Grand Slam (18), Bond's solo (17), and AD's two-run shot (21) pace the Ms.
8/30 - Brian Holman falls to 15-7 as the Ms can't touch Bert Blyleven for any runs. 7 hits though. Angels win 5-0 in Seattle.
8/31 - Presley (11) and Bonds (18) both hit two run bombs...but it's not enough as we lose 9-6 and seal our worst month of the year. ouch.

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Month In Review

Record: 15-14
Overall: 78-53 (3rd -4.5)
I'm too depressed by this to do the runs and stuff this time. Just not good. No 'of the Month' awards. Randy probably deserved something though.

Next Post...Let's hope September isn't this depressing...

pogue_mahorsey

07-23-2004, 09:37 PM

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September & October, 1989, Oh the Horror!

Ok, so this whole "Let them earn it thing" isn't off to a great start, but I have no choice now.

Please don't make me cry...
Month in Review
I'm including the month record with each day this time around.

9/1 - Scott Bankhead and Steve Trout, I have tears welling! 7 runs in 6 innings? Angels win 7-5.
9/2 0-1 - To Kansas City we roll. To the Top of the 11th we play before taking the lead 4-3. Bottom 11? Who remembers Bo Jackson? I do. 4-4, solo shot. Probably went 600 thousand feet. a three-run bomb in the bottom of the 13th seals our doom, 7-4.
9/3 0-2 - Steve Trout, in an effort to keep me from crying, breaks his foot and will miss two weeks. Jim Presley hits a solo shot and Junior pounds a 3-run hammer, both in the top of the 9th for a 5-3 win.
9/5 1-2 - This whole, "lets try and score only in the 9th" thing isn't working. We get 2, but lose 3-2.
9/6 1-3 - Again?!? What is this, an instant replay?!?
9/7 1-4 - Well, this time we score in the first two innings, and then not again until Bonds hits a solo shot in the 12th for a 3-2 win.
9/8 - we get two days off. Interestingly, because of July and August being on the road so much, we'll play an 18 game homestand this month. Nice.
9/10 2-4 - Another clutch homer from Bonds (20) and we win 4-3.
9/11 3-4 - Scott Bradley homers in the bottom of the 9th to tie it at 1. Four batters later, Junior hits a walk-off Grand Slam.
9/12 4-4 - With 4 in the first to play with, Brian Holman (16-8) cruises to a 6-4 win. (we just swept the Twins)
9/13 5-4 - Erik Hanson (15-9) benefits from two homers off the bat of Harold Reynolds (6) in a 9-3 rout.
9/14 6-4 - Scott Bankhead (14-7) takes the blame in a 7-2 loss. Did I mention we're on that Monster Home Stand now? We are.
9/15 6-5 - Billy Swift (8-9) gets homers from Presley (13), Brantley (19), and Edgar (10) in a 7-0 complete game win.
9/16 7-5 - Randy Johnson (16-6) rides Junior's 21st homer to a 3-1 win.
9/17 8-5 - Brian Holman (17-8). As can't touch him for 8.1. 2-0 win.
9/18 9-5 - Erik Hanson (16-9) complete game 2-1 win.
9/19 10-5 - Scott Bankhead (15-7) gets support in the form of Very Deep Fly Balls from Junior (22) and Brantley (20) in a 7-5 win. Cough...Streak...Cough
9/20 11-5 - Billy Swift improves to 9-9 with a solid 8ip and a 2-1 win.
9/21 12-5 - Now only 1 game out of 1st place! Here come the Royals after a three game sweep of the As. Royals, Meet Randy Johnson (17-6) and his complete game shutout. Junior's 2 run double (33) provides enough offense in a 4-0 win.
9/22 13-5 - Brian Holman (17-9) takes the loss as the bats take a game off against Floyd Bannister. Royals win 2-1 to snap the winning streak at 6 and put the Ms into a 1st place tie!
9/23 13-6 - Danny Tartabull slams #40 for the Royals, but it's a 13th inning single by pinch hitter Mike Kingery that gives the Ms an 11-9 win.
9/24 14-6 - Tartabull slams #41 and Bo Jackson hits 2 (38), but the Mariners put on a singles parade to give Scott Bankhead (16-7) an 8-4 win.
9/25 15-6 - Royals use 6 pitchers in a 6-5 win in which the Royals get only 6 hits.
9/26 15-7 - Junior's clutch single in the bottom of the 8th gives the Ms a 2-1 win and a 4/6 series win. Seriously, the Royals were in town for 6 games. We now have a 4 game lead in the AL West, courtesy of somebody else sucking.
9/28 16-7 - Sporting a 5 game lead over Oakland, the A's stroll into town. Canseco's 35th homer and Dennis Eckersley push the A's to a 6-3 win. 4 game lead.
9/29 16-8 - Junior hits #23, but David Henderson hits #23 as well. A's win 5-3. 3 game lead.
9/30 16-9 - Junior hits his 40th double, but Dave Henderson hits two doubles. A's win 7-2. 2 game lead.

We now have 5 games left in the season and a 3 game lead over Oakland for the AL West crown. Let's head to Anaheim for three, then the last two are against those A's, in Seattle.

10/1 - Billy Swift breaks .500! He's 10-9 after all 9 runs in the game score in the first four innings. Mike Schooler with save number 44 (!) Ms win 5-4. 4 game lead. Magic Number is 1.
10/2 - Don't Mess With Edgar. That's our new slogan. Bonds rips a three run shot for his 23rd. Junior outdoes him with a two run shot for his 24th. Edgar, however. Edgar. Edgar hit 13 HR this year. THREE in this game. in his last three at bats. Ms win a nailbiting slugfest 10-9

We've Clinched! YAY FOR US!

10/3 - Schooler checks his brain at home and serves up three runs in the bottom of the ninth for a 3-2 Angels win.
10/6 - Two games remain against Oakland, who's given us fits this year, but they don't get to go to the Dance and we do. Let's play anyhow, shall we? Ok. McGwire hits two shots to give him 34 this year, but Barry hits one with more guys on and we pull out a squeaker 7-6.
10/7 - Final game. Barry goes 4/5 with a homer (25th) and 3 RBI. Edgar 'Dont Mess With Me' Martinez goes yard two more times, giving him 5 in 5 games and another 4 RBI. Alvin Davis hits his 23rd and Scott Bradley his 13th. All of that with Scott Bankhead (17-8) pitching lights out, and we win 14-3 to send a message to Oakland.

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Month(s) In Review

Record: 20-11
Overall: 98-64 (1st +4.0) My depression has lifted! It's a miracle!
Team Average: .270 (league average .264)
Team ERA: 3.33 (league average 4.02)
Runs Scored/Game: 769/4.7 (average 4.4)
Runs Allowed/Game: 609/3.7 (average 4.4)

Um, we rule! Pitching carried this team to the #2 Team ERA in all of baseball, behind only the New York Mets (3.30)

Player of the Month: Ken 'The Kid' Griffey Jr. hit .300 even with 24 HR and 41 doubles. He scored 105 times and drove in 105. Nice rookie season!

Pitcher of the Month: Here's a scary number. Mike Schooler saved 45 games....but he blew 11 saves! Yikes! I really want to give this to Bankhead, but Randy has the better ERA and won-loss record...instead, Tom Niedenfuer wins it. 2.24 ERA in 80.1 innings of work out of the bullpen is a rock.

Farmhand of the Month: SS Kent Anderson (69/81) hit .321 with 5HR down in AAA. Nice. Nicey Nice.

Other Random Whatnot: Jim Presley crashed hard. His average is down to .252, and I was just wondering how I was going to get Buhner back on the field...no longer!

Lineup Move
It's a bad idea to tinker with the lineup just entering the playoffs, but gold-glove caliber RF Jay Buhner is back in right. Mickey Brantley moves to DH, and Jim Presley moves to the bench. 'Bone' will bat 7th, behind Scott Bradley. Sadly, Edgar is as much of a downgrade at 3B as Buhner is an upgrade in RF.

Harold Reynolds stole 30 bases batting 9th. Barry Bonds stole 25 batting leadoff. Little O swiped 22, Brantley 19, and Junior 13.

Next Post...THE MARINERS IN THE PLAYOFFS! IN 1989!!! AMAZING!...

pogue_mahorsey

07-24-2004, 04:01 AM

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Playoffs, 1989, It's already a Miracle

We scratched our way into the playoffs, which is fantastic, and amazing, and fantastic as well. So now what?

Playoff Preview
American League
Seattle Mariners (98-64)
The Mariners rode four quality starters all the way to a fantastic record. Among Mariner starting pitchers, only #5 starter Bill Swift had a record worse than 16-10. (10-9 3.92 ERA). The other four starters won either 16 or 17 games against 6 to 10 losses and THREE had ERAs under 3.00. Most telling is the Quality Start totals for the top 4. 90/130 starts lasted at least 7IP with 3ER or less.

The bats aren't bad either, with a young squad. The first four hitters in the lineup hit 23-25 HRs (Bonds, Brantley, Junior, Davis) with three others in double digits. 5 players were double digit base stealers. Defensively, Edgar Martinez and Jay Buhner display less than average range for their positions, but all other positions are above par.

Toronto Blue Jays (93-69)
The Blue Jays rode three good starters and a smattering of others to their 1st Place finish. Jimmy Key, Dave Stieb, and Todd Stottlemeyer paced the way, with Stottlemeyer going 16-8 to lead the staff.

Fred McGriff is the rock of the lineup, hitting .304 with 41HR. George Bell hit .312 with 31 HR just in front of him, and the rest of the lineup is a smattering of success and averageness. Lloyd Moseby stole 36 bases in the leadoff spot. Defensively, all positions have better range than Major League average.

National League
New York Mets (100-62)
David Cone went 20-8 to pace the staff with his 1.94 ERA. Sid Fernandez went 16-6 2.46, but the other three starters have ERAs in the mid 3s and close to .500 records. Randy Meyers saved 37 games as their bullpen rarely let them down.

Darryl Strawberry hit 41 HR in the cleanup spot, with Howard Johnson and Lenny Dykstra carrying most of the other work. Beyond those big three, the rest of the offense was unspectacular, but efficient and consistent.

Cincinatti Reds (87-75)
The Reds were the survivers in a division of middle-of-the-road teams. Tom Browning carried the pitching staff, going 18-6, and Eric Davis and Barry Larkin led the batters, with Davis falling 5HR short of 30/30.

Predictions
Seattle: Has the pitching to win against any of the teams, it's only a question of the bats being able to succeed against the other staff aces. 35% to win it all.
Toronto: Three good starters is all you need in the postseason, and a good veteran lineup bodes well. 20% to win it all.
New York: Best record of the bunch, and some top notch aces in the staff. Good power in the lineup. If they can play .500 in an AL park during the series, they stand a good chance. 35% to win it all.
Cincinatti: They'll have a tough time without some stellar performances from average players. 10% to win it all.

Apologies for the lack of game detail, I accidentally deleted my game recaps before I wrote this up
League Championship Series
ALCS Game 1: Blue Jays 3 @ Mariners 4, Mariners lead 1-0
ALCS Game 2: Blue Jays 4 @ Mariners 2, series even 1-1
ALCS Game 3: Mariners 6 @ Blue Jays 2, Ms lead 2-1
ALCS Game 4: Mariners 4 @ Blue Jays 3, Ms lead 3-1
ALCS Game 5: Mariners 2 @ Blue Jays 1, Ms win 4-1

Summary: Mariners Pitching did the job they get paid to do. Barry Bonds was a monster, as was Randy Johnson.

NLCS Game 1: Reds 1 @ Mets 5, Mets lead 1-0
NLCS Game 2: Reds 0 @ Mets 3, Mets lead 2-0
NLCS Game 3: Mets 7 @ Reds 5, Mets lead 3-0
NLCS Game 4: Mets 7 @ Reds 4, Mets sweep

Summary: Well, there it is. The Mets quality pitching shut the door.

World Series
I'm just happy to be here. Now I have to handicap this? Tough call. I give my pitching the nod in a long series, which this is. However, the Mets have some heavy bats and I lose one of my good hitters as the DH in their park. I call Mets in 6.

World Series Game 1: Mariners 1 @ Mets 6, Mets lead 1-0
World Series Game 2: Mariners 2 @ Mets 4, Mets lead 2-0 - It's painfully obvious that I need a lot of luck if I drop the DH.
World Series Game 3: Mets 3 @ Mariners 5, Mets lead 2-1
World Series Game 4: Mets 2 @ Mariners 12, series even 2-2 - The bats! And my 3/4 starters are better.
World Series Game 5: Mets 1 @ Mariners 3, Ms lead 3-2 - DH is huge for me, clearly, as the Aces are otherwise well matched
World Series Game 6: Mariners 4 @ Mets 6, series even 3-3 - Again, #2 starters pretty equal, but I'm shy a bat
World Series Game 7: Mariners 1 @ Mets 0, HOLY COW!

MARINERS WIN! MARINERS WIN! MARINERS! WIN!

Did that just happen?!?

Wow.

Postseason Stats
Pos Name Avg HR Runs RBI SB/CS
LF Barry Bonds .185 4 8 11 1/0
DH Mickey Brantley .289 1 8 3 1/0
CF Junior .313 2 8 9 0/1
1B Alvin Davis .362 1 5 6 0/0
3B Edgar Martinez .256 1 1 5 1/1
C Scott Bradley .178 0 1 0 0/0
RF Jay Buhner .238 0 2 3 0/0
SS Omar Vizquel .286 1 3 3 0/1
2B Harold Reynolds .263 0 6 3 1/0

Name G GS W L S ERA
Randy Johnson 4 4 2 1 0 3.38
Brian Holman 3 3 0 1 0 4.19
Erik Hanson 3 3 2 0 0 1.99 - Includes Game 7 Complete Game Shutout!
Scott Bankhead 2 2 2 0 0 2.45
Bill Swift 1 0 0 0 0 0.00

Mike Schooler 5 0 0 0 3 1.80
Mike Jackson 7 0 1 1 0 2.70
Tom Niedenfuer 4 0 1 0 0 1.50
Mike Campbell 2 0 0 0 0 6.75
Steve Trout 1 0 0 0 0 0.00

That's some fancy pitching, fellas! Nice work! Clearly it was all about the guys on the mound this year, with Bonds and Griffey doing the part of putting runs on the board. With some tweaks here and there, we might just make the playoffs again in the next couple years!

Next Post...Free Agent Transactions and the Minor League Draft...

pogue_mahorsey

07-24-2004, 04:26 AM

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PostSeason, 1989, World Champs, but will it get to our heads?

First things first, review goals
1) Junior, Edgar, Bone, and Little O are Ms for life. So far so good.
2) Obtain and keep Randy Johnson. So far so good.
3) Make the playoffs before 1995. CHECK!
4) Win the world series before 2001. CHECK!
5) Don't let the grey skies get me down. Uh, what grey skies?
6) New Win the World Series again before 1995.

OffSeason Outlook
We're locked up in the pitching rotation for another year, but Randy Johnson is going to get EXPENSIVE, and I imagine Scott Bankhead will too. Yep, we're going to run into financial issues if we don't start drawing fans.

There were some bad looking averages in that lineup, but with lifetime commitments to four players, how much room will I really have? Will that commitment have to give? I think there may be some free agent upgrades, if I can afford to take those chances. When the draft rolls around, I'll need to look long term, and to the bullpen.

AWARDS!
Randy Johnson, AL Strikeout Leader (266)
Mike Schooler, AL Save Leader (45-tie)
Omar Vizquel, Rookie of the Year (.260 with 46 RBI and 22/30 steals and .988 fielding %)
How in the heck does this beat out Junior's .300 with 24HR 41doubles 105runs scored and 105RBI?!?

Free Agent Transactions
C Scott Bradley wants $2.4M/4 - Accepted. He performed well, hitting .275 with 13HR, and Valle isn't good enough to beat him out at this point.
LF Greg Briley wants two years at $590k - Accepted. He's got the stick to play in the bigs, and the wheels. His arm and range are average, but his fielding is only 64.
C Bill McGuire wants two more years at $340k - Accepted. Depth at Catcher is good, even though he's not much better than a defensive fill-in.
SS Kent Anderson wants two years at $310k - Accepted. He hit a ton (.321) in AAA, but it's his crazy range and strong arm that make him a prospect worth holding.

Let's Play the Market
One of the luxuries of winning a few games is putting some cash in your pocket. That means, it's time to check the list...

Signed C Sandy Alomar Jr. to a $2.8M/7 contract. He's better than Bradley for just a little more cash.
Signed 1B John Olerud to a $5.5/7 contract. He's at least as good, I say better, than Alvin Davis, and he brings Gold Glove 'D' to a hot corner.

To Baltimore
C Scott Bradley (77/77) @ $2.4M a year, he's good. Alomar is better, and I have cheap backups.
To Seattle
P Mike Smith (68/75) @ 450k for two years, he's a prospect. He'll either be long relief, or a salary dump.

Alvin Davis is now expendable, or else a DH. I'm really not sure right now, so I'm going to wait until after the Minor League Draft.

Next Post...Minor League Draft...

pogue_mahorsey

07-24-2004, 05:15 AM

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Minor Leauge Draft, 1989, Anybody able to read the future?

Before I move on, one last look through the Free Agent Market has a nice little Nugget named...

Signed SP Kevin Brown for $5.2M/7 after he went 13-14 for the Rangers last year. He's better than they made him look, and I think he'll like being in my rotation.

But now what to do with my plethora of Starting Pitching?!? I'll deal with that after the draft.

Goals for the Draft
-If I can, a quality position player
-Depth, Depth, Depth in the bullpen
-High Upside position players

1990 Minor League Draftees
Round 1 (25th overall) SP Allen Kunkel (77/88) has great power and good control to go with 86 endurance. In a couple years, he could be really good.
Round 2 (51st overall) 2B Zach Crawford (62/88) He's average all around except power, and he's got a long way to go. Hopefully he'll be ready when Reynolds vacates 2B.
Round 3 (77th overall) SP Rich Lollary (69/79) is just above average in every area. Should be a good 4/5 starter or long relief in a year or two.
Round 4 (104th overall) RF Ramon Mica (66/76) has great speed, and average ability to hit. His range and fielding are just shy of average, and I'm hoping they can improve. If not, he'll have to find a different position than RF.
Round 5 (129th overall) SP Robin Hudson (58/76) High on endurance and power with average control and below average movement. I'm hoping he can either develop some movement or be good in short relief.
Round 6 (155th overall) SP Alex Paine (50/73) High on endurance and power, I'm hoping he works out in about the same way I hope Hudson works out.

More Free Agent Work
Right after the Minor League Draft, always check the Free Agent Market! 3B Jeff King (83/93) is on there with his 9.5 scouting, and he wants just 1.6M/2. In looking at his spectacular defense (97 range, 92 arm) and his already mid-80s contact and power, we sign him to a long term deal for $4.9M/7. He's a 26 year old rookie, and this feels safe. But now where to play Edgar?!?

So, here I sit adjusting my lineups and evaluating the talent...and I just can't keep Alvin Davis around. Olerud is his match, with room to improve and he's just 22! Plus, I love Olerud. So...

To Detroit
-1B Alvin Davis (85/85) A very good 1B who can compete for the Gold Glove and the Silver Slugger if he can keep his average up.
-3B Jim Presley (77/79) slick fielding 3B who can hit decently well.
To Seattle
-2B Jose Wisener (75/96) He can step in for Harold Reynolds right now, but I'll give him a year in AAA first. He was drafted #4 overall this year and will be a hitting/stealing/fielding machine.

And now, some more salary work. (Is it just me, or were there a lot of contracts at their end in 1989/90??

Extension SS Omar Vizquel for $6.2M/8. Gold glove baby, and a pretty good developing hitter.
Extension SP Randy Johnson for $7.4m/8. He'll win Cy Young at least twice during that stretch. Mark it down.
Extension SP Scott Bankhead for $3.7M/4. I KNOW! I got Kevin Brown, so what am I doing this for? That part I don't know. Well, ok, I do. I lowered the rookies.ini value for pitching to 100 instead of 105, so I know that pitching is a premium in this world.
Extension CL Mike Schooler for $2M/3. He saved 45 while blowing 11, but I think he's worth teh $2M a year.

That leaves Tom McCarthy's $900k/2 request as the only extension outstanding that I haven't decided on. He'll have to earn it.

And that's it for the roster changes at this point. The lineups have shuffled quite a bit, and I have some quality trade bait for a July deadline-beater if it becomes necessary. Hey, I even got some nice new prospects!

Next Post...Setting the Lineups and the Budget for 1990...

pogue_mahorsey

07-24-2004, 10:13 PM

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Spring Training, 1990, And you thought I was done with Free Agents...

Signed RP Steve Wilson 76/88 to a $1.2/6 contract. He was left in the Free Agent market after the Giants released him. He's a rookie, and he's already good enough to be in the bullpen of any team in the league with 80 control and power, and 89 movement. He's going to do very well...I just hope that I've judged the contract length well for him.

Ah, a plethora of good young pitchers, I am a lucky man. Wilson takes over the Middle Relief role from Mike Campbell, who drops to long relief. He's really better suited to that anyhow, and Bill Swift drops to the Alt position. All of this lands Steve Trout down in AAA with his skills that are beginning to decline. And with that, it's time to sim through Spring Training, set the Opening Day Lineups, and share them with you...my loyal readers.

And so, here are my Opening Day Lineups:

Pos Name Avg SLG HR Runs RBI OBP
SS Omar Vizquel .298 .381 0 12 8 .354
LF Barry Bonds .280 .493 4 16 11 .375
CF Ken Griffey Jr. .342 .461 2 14 13 .412
DH Edgar Martinez .338 .649 6 11 14 .409
1B John Olerud .333 .469 2 11 11 .439 *Free Agent Pickup
3B Jeff King .325 .488 3 12 15 .385 *Free Agent Pickup
C Sandy Alomar Jr. .308 .551 4 11 10 .325 *Free Agent Pickup
RF Jay Buhner .280 .573 5 10 14 .372
2B Harold Reynolds .284 .378 1 8 5 .333

Bench
LF Mickey Brantley .279 .361 1 6 6 .343
LF Greg Briley .244 .378 1 4 3 .320
CF Mike Kingery .262 .357 1 3 7 .360
UT Dave Cochrane .250 .375 1 5 5 .333 *Contract Year
C Dave Valle .275 .373 1 4 6 .321

AAA
SS Mario Diaz .368 .474 0 4 2 .368 *Contract Year
C Bill McGuire .270 .459 1 5 1 .364
SS Kent Anderson .275 .450 1 2 5 .341 *1989 Trade Pickup
2B Jose Wisener .293 .390 1 8 5 .379 *1990 #4 Overall Pick (Acq via Trade)
2B Zach Crawford .253 .325 0 7 6 .311 *1990 Ms #2 Pick
RF Ramon Mica .333 .367 0 4 3 .382 *1990 Ms #4 Pick

P Name G GS W L S ERA BB K OBA
1 Randy Johnson 5 5 4 1 0 4.66 12 43 .241
2 Kevin Brown 2 2 1 1 0 6.08 6 9 .298 *Free Agent Pickup
3 Brian Holman 4 4 2 0 0 4.81 13 10 .247
4 Erik Hanson 3 3 1 0 0 3.13 5 18 .169
5 Scott Bankhead 3 3 0 1 0 4.70 3 12 .246

Bullpen
CL Mike Schooler 4 0 0 0 1 2.08 4 4 .103
SU Mike Jackson 10 1 1 0 0 3.38 10 17 .238
SR Tom Niedenfuer 10 1 0 0 2 3.13 3 19 .188
MR Steve Wilson 4 1 1 0 0 5.84 6 10 .213 *Free Agent Pickup
LR Mike Campbell 4 4 2 0 0 5.61 8 8 .260 *Contract Year
Alt Bill Swift 2 1 0 0 0 3.38 6 7 .179

AAA
RP Tom McCarthy 4 1 1 0 0 3.00 2 4 .200 *Contract Year
SP Mark Knudson 3 1 0 1 0 4.60 0 3 .266
RP Gene Harris 7 0 2 0 0 3.09 6 11 .205 *Contract Year
RP Julio Solano 7 2 1 0 0 3.13 8 10 .169
RP Dennis Powell 5 0 1 0 0 3.14 3 9 .173
SP Alex Sanchez 3 3 1 0 0 6.60 10 11 .308 *Contract Year
SP Mike Smith 1 1 0 0 0 6.35 4 1 .227
SP Allen Kunkel 2 2 2 0 0 3.21 7 1 .176 *1990 Ms #1 Pick
SP Rich Lollar 2 2 0 0 0 5.40 6 11 .255 *1990 Ms #3 Pick
SP Robin Hudson 2 2 1 0 0 4.15 3 11 .264 *1990 Ms #5 Pick
SP Alex Paine 3 3 0 2 0 5.95 16 14 .234 *1990 Ms #6 Pick

If Kevin Brown starts to struggle, he'll dunk right on down to #5 in the rotation...but I think he just had a bad Spring. Jose Wisener is looking good, and after some time in AAA, I'm sure he'll be ready to come up later this year, or next. I am also very happy with the work of Allen Kunkel this spring, and anticipate a solid future for him.

Budget Update
We are in serious trouble if we don't get some fans in the stadium...NOW. Our Projected Revenue sits at $72M, while our Payroll alone is at $82M. Tack on $10M for AAA, $10M for scouting, and $8M for medical, and we're projected to lose about $35M this year. After April is finished, I'll be revisiting the finances and seeing what there is to be done. I'm hoping that a World Series team that's active in the off-season will swing the fans around and pack the house.

Next Post...Pre-Season Ratings and The 1990 Season Begins!...

vale

07-24-2004, 11:11 PM

Just wondering. Will you add the Rockies and Marlins in 93?

pogue_mahorsey

07-25-2004, 04:22 AM

My plans are to do the following items:
1) Add the Rockies and Marlins in 1993
2) 3 Division realignment in 1994
3) Begin Interleague Play
4) Add the D-Rays and Diamondbacks in 1998

That's all I have on tap. Is there anything big that I'm missing?

pogue_mahorsey

07-26-2004, 05:38 AM

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April, 1990, Budget Crunch 1990 Begins...

Signed Long Man Mike Campbell 76/88 to a $700k/4 contract extension. He's a good reliever, and I think he has better years ahead. A quality Long Relief man who could step into the rotation if necessary, for $700k a year? I'll take it.

Gene Harris had a good spring, and I have a feeling he's touching on his peak years, though I show him at 74/81. It's a contract year for him, and he has yet to show success in the bigs. I'm seeing trade bait. Him and Tom McCarthy both. The real problem I face this year is the explosion in my Payroll numbers. While the fans are sure to come out and watch us win some games, I need the guys I paid good money to to hold up their end of the bargain or I'm sunk. I seriously doubt that we will break even this year, and I expect to cut that $23.7M dollar bank account in half. If we win it all, then it will have been worth it, but I'll have some fat contracts to sign next year, too. As it stands right now, I am projected to lose $19M...but that should shift after a month or so into the season. We'll be watching it this year.

Crossed Fingers? Check. Baited Breath? Check. Press F12? Check.
Month in Review
This time, I'll announce who we're playing in the first game of the series, and where. All other games will show position in the standings. Also, I'll include our record.

We Open with 9 games on the road against the Indians, Tigers, and Brewers.
4/1 (0-0) @ Indians (0-0) ~ Edgar Martinez (1) solo shot off Indians closer Jesse Orosco tied the game at 3. Mike Campbell couldn't hold the Indians in the bottom of the 14th as the Ms lose 4-3.
4/2 (0-1) 4th -1 ~ Edgar (1) and Junior (1) hit doubles, but it's Jeff King's bases loaded single in the first that gives Kevin Brown (1-0 CG, 1ER, 4Hits) the 2-1 win.
4/3 (1-1) 4th -1 ~ Brian Holman (0-1) takes a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the 7th, but can't hold on, as he gives up another two in that frame. Indians win 6-3.
4/4 (1-2) @ Tigers (0-3) ~ Erik Hanson (0-1) flat doesn't have 'it' today, giving up 5 in 3ip. Tigers win 10-2
4/5 (1-3) 6th -2.5 ~ Jeff King scores both Ms runs as Scott Bankhead (1-0) steamrolls the Tigers in a 2-1 win.
4/6 (2-3) 3rd -2 ~ Edgar (2) hits a solo shot, and Bonds (1) gets an RBI double, but it's not enough as Randy (0-1) gives up 3.
4/7 (2-4) @ Brewers (3-3) ~ Edgar's 3rd home run is a three-run blast, as Barry draws four walks and the bats wake up for an 8-3 win. Credit Kevin Brown (2-0) with the win
4/8 (3-4) 4th -1 ~ Junior's 2nd RBI double is the Ms only run, and though the Brewers only manage 2 off of Brian Holman (0-2), it's too many.
4/9 (3-5) 5th -1 ~ Jeff King's 1st Mariner HR drives in 3, and Junior drives in Barry after Barry hit a double. Those four runs made a winner out of Erik Hanson's (2-0) 8ip 2er performance.
4/10 (4-5) vs RedSox (5-4) ~ Scott Bankhead stayed in one out too many as the Sox rally for a 6-3 win off of Bankhead and Mike Jackson. Junior's 1st HR, and Olerud's (1) solo shot were wasted in the process.
4/11 (4-6) 6th -2 ~ 2-run blasts by Edgar (4) and Jeff King (2) in the first inning chase Roger Clemens. An RBI double by Sandy Alomar Jr (4) gets Randy Johnson (6.2ip 4er) off the hook and gives the win to Mike Jackson (1-0) in relief, 5-4.
4/12 (5-6) 4th -1 ~ Junior (2) hit a two run bomb to keep Kevin Brown (8ip 2er) in the hunt until Harold Reynold's RBI triple (2nd) in the 8th made him a 3-2 winner.
4/13 (6-6) @ Orioles (5-7) ~ Doubles by King (2) and Bonds (2) highlighted the scoring in the 5th and 6th, but a 3-run blast by Reynolds (1) put the nail in the 9-0 coffin built by Brian Holman's (1-2) 4 hit complete game.
4/14 (7-6) 2nd -1 ~ Jay Buhner's 2nd HR of the season gave us a 4-2 lead going into the bottom of the 9th, but Schooler blew his first save of the year. John Olerud's (2) solo shot in the 12th provided the win, 5-4
4/15 (8-6) t1st ~ Bone and King each hit their 3rd HRs of the year, Olerud had 2 doubles, and Little O chipped in a double as the rout was on, 11-7, which covered a poor start by Scott Bankhead.
4/16 (9-6) vs Tigers (6-9) ~ Barry Bonds (1) hit a 2-run shot, but everything else was poor pitching as the Tigers win 9-3.
4/17 (9-7) 2nd -1 ~ Olerud (5), King (4), and Edgar (2) all hit RBI doubles, with Olerud's coming in the Bottom of the 9th to make a winner out of Mike Jackson (2-1) as Kevin Brown gives up two with two outs in the top of the 9th to blow his shot at the 'W'. Ms win 3-2.
4/18 (10-7) t1st ~ What's up with losing to the Tigers? We shell their starters, then give them all back in a 6-5 loss, taken by Mike Jackson (2-2) who gives up 2 in the 8th.
4/19 (10-8) vs Orioles (7-11) ~ Erik Hanson gives up 3 in 6ip, but a two run double by Olerud (6) and an RBI triple by King (1) make up the difference in the 8th for a 4-3 Mariner win. Schooler saves #5.
4/20 (11-8) t1st ~ Ms hit four doubles, but are unable to push across more than two runs as Scott Bankhead (1-1) takes the 4-2 loss.
4/21 (11-9) t1st ~ Ms pitchers, led by Randy Johnsons 5ip 4er performance, give up 5 doubles and blow a save. Harold Reynolds saves the day with his 2nd HR of the season in the bottom of the 9th for a 7-6 Ms win.
4/22 (12-9) @ Indians (10-10) ~ Edgar drives in 3 and Junior hits HR #3 as the Ms jump ahead and stay there, 8-5. Kevin Brown improves to 4-0, Schooler Save #6
4/23 (13-9) 1st +1 ~ Bone triples (2) and Reynolds doubles (2) as every Mariner starter drives in a run (except King). With Brian Holman (2-2) pitching 8 innings and allowing only 1 run. Ms win 9-1.
4/24 DAY OFF! Finally we get a day off, after 22 consecutive games, including road trips and all. Consider a grievance filed.
4/25 (14-9) vs Indians (10-12) ~ a clutch bases loaded walk by John Olerud ends the game with a 3-2 Ms win, giving the 'W' to Mike Jackson (3-2).
4/26 (15-9) 1st +1.5 ~ Cleveland scores three early off of Randy Johnson, but they're all unearned. Mike Jackson improves to 4-2 as Harold Reynolds (3) hits a three run homer in the bottom of the 8th for a 5-3 win.
4/27 (16-9) 1st +1.5 ~ Kevin Brown now 5-0 as he allowes 2er in 7ip and Jeff King (4) drops a two run hammer for insurance in a 5-2 win.
4/28 (17-9) vs Tigers (11-16) ~ Solo blast by Junior (4) and a two run shot by Alomar (1) give Brian Holman(3-2) enough to work with in a 3-2 win. SV: Schooler (9)
4/29 (18-9) 1st +1.5 ~ two run homer by Bonds (2) and 5 more insurance runs spread around make Erik Hanson's (2-1) 8ip and 1er a winning performance.
4/30 (19-9) @ Yankees (13-13) ~ John Olerud hits his 7th double and his 3rd HR, a three run blast. Edgar (5) tacks on a solo shot. Scott Bankhead goes 6.2 allowing only 1er, but the win goes to Tom Niedenfuer (3-1). SV: Schooler (10)

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Month in Review

Record: 20-9 (1st +2.5 over KC, 1 game better than last year)
Team Average: .280 (.259 AL average)
Team ERA: 3.33 (4.16 AL average)
Runs Scored/Game: 131/4.5 (129/4.5 AL average)
Runs Allowed/Game: 103/3.5 (129/4.5 AL average)

MoneyWatch 1990: With the #3 team payroll in the AL (NYY 108.4, BOS 86.9, SEA 83.2), and #4 in all of baseball (NYM 111.1) I expect to win games. Lots of games. And we showed slight improvement over last year. The surprise this far has been attendance. Our average attendance is 5th in the Majors at 38,321 per game. We have the highest ticket price at $25. Concessions have just been increased to -6% across the board. Our "Normal Broadcast" revenue sits at about $105k per game. $10M to the Farm, $10M to scouting, and $8M to Medical, puts us now on pace to lose only $10M this year. That's right about on track, as we've lost $1.3M so far and sit at $22.4M in the bank.

Player of the Month: #5 batter, 1B John Olerud is hitting .354 with 7 doubles, 3hr, 14bb, 12r, and 23RBI! for a nice .426OBP and .515SLG. It's good to have a 22-year old hitting machine playing first.

Pitcher of the Month: Despite the fact that Brian Holman (2.45) has the best ERA amongst my starters, it's not difficult to choose Kevin Brown. He's 5-0 in 6 starts with 23Ks and a 2.80 ERA. Honorable Mention to Tom Niedenfuer and his 0.49 ERA in 18.1IP

Farmhand of the Month: Allen Kunkel (77/88 1990 1st Round) and Robin Hudson (61/80 1990 5th Round) lead the AAA Pitchers with 3.68 ERAs, and 5 hitters in AAA are hitting at .294 or better. The best of them all right now is RF Ramon Mica (67/76) and his .385 batting average. Three of those are extra base hits with his 93 speed.

Other Random Whatnot: Start the countdown to the replacement of Harold Reynolds with 20 year old 2B Jose Wisener (75/96). He's hitting .293 with 4HR and 5 steals, and his defense is steadily improving. Later this year, or early next, Mr. Reynolds will probably be job-shopping.

Somehow, Kent Anderson (68/78) can rake! He hit .321 last year after being acquired in a trade from CAL. This season, he's hitting at a .294 clip and definitely has the range and arm to be a good SS. With Little O in town, there's not much need for him though, so he's probably going to be shipped for other young talent closer to the deadline.

1990's 2nd Round Pick, 2b Zach Crawford (62/89) is steadily improving as well. He's a couple years away from the bigs I think, but he's hitting .298 this year after hitting .271 in AA last year.

Next Post...Extra Bonus Section...

pogue_mahorsey

07-26-2004, 05:45 AM

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EXTRA BONUS: Where are they now?
Just because I'm curious what's become of all the players I shipped out the last couple years (Waaaaay more than I normally do, let me tell you), let's review.

POS Name Rating ~ Reason for Departure ~ Current Status
SP Mark Langston 93/93 ~ Trade for Randy Johnson ~ went 13-10 for MON, and was released. Signed with CHC for 9.4/5 and is currently 1-3 with 7.13 ERA
SP Clint Zavaras 67/74 ~ Trade for Randy Johnson ~ spent the year in AAA and was released at the end of the season. 5.40 career ERA in AAA, and currently a Free Agent.
RP Keith Comstock 68/71 ~ Trade for Alex Sanchez ~ signed a three year extension in TOR, and has been in AAA ever since. 3.95 ERA and 15 out of 18 saves there.
LF Bruce Fields 67/68 ~ Trade for Alex Sanchez ~ signed a two year extension in TOR, and is playing in AAA still. Hit .297 last year, and .358 so far this year.
1B Jim 'AAA SuperFreak' Wilson 68/71 ~ Trade for Mark Knudson ~ The guy that tears up AAA is doing it still for MIL. He's .172 in 58 career ABs in the bigs, but hitting .338 down in AAA.
RP Jerry Reed 75/75 ~ Trade for Barry Bonds ~ Spent rest of '89 in AAA for the Pirates before his release. Now he's in the Dodgers farm system at 1.5/2
RP Luis DeLeon 82/82 ~ Trade for Barry Bonds ~ 2.53 ERA in 44 games for the Pirates, but they couldn't afford him and NYY signed him for 3.6/4
RF Darnell Coles 75/75 ~ Trade for Barry Bonds ~ hit .269 for the Pirates in AAA before his release. Signed a 400k/6 deal with NYM and is hitting .311 in their AAA system.
CF Henry Cotto 76/76 ~ Trade for Tom McCarthy ~ 3 hits in 13 ABs over the past two years with no time in AAA.
LF Jeffrey Leonard 70/70 ~ Trade for Tom McCarthy ~ Slugging his way through CHW's AAA affiliates at a .273 clip. No time in the majors since the trade.
SS Rey Quinones 76/76 ~ Trade for Kent Anderson ~ Sadly, relegated to AAA for CAL, though he did get a 1.2/4 extension to hit .314 in AAA. He deserves to play.
C Scott Bradley 77/77 ~ Trade for Mike Smith ~ Wasting away down in AAA where he's hitting .339.
1B Alvin Davis 86/86 ~ Trade for Jose Wisener ~ must be riding the pine, because he has only 17ABs in 8Gs this year, hitting .235
3B Jim Presley 76/76 ~ Trade for Jose Wisener ~ Sadly, playing in AAA, where Detroit is wasting his Gold Glove defense. He's hitting .287 down there this year. .303 last year. Paul Molitor is in the way of him moving up.

That's not impressive. Not in the least. TO have only Mark Langston and Luis DeLeon getting regular playing time? COme on! Alvin Davis deserves better...but then, I'm the one that did it to him. In retrospect, I still approve of all the trades, though McCarthy hasn't exactly lived up to hopes.

Next Post...Don't look in your wallet. Don't look in your wallet. Don't look at the money falling out all over the place...

pogue_mahorsey

07-26-2004, 06:03 AM

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OOps...The Pre-Season Ratings are Late!

I forgot to post these, so here they are, one month into the season.

Area: Rating/AL Average/NL Average - Rank (difference highest)
Batting: 94/82/74 - 1st (+12 TEX 82)
Lineup: 97/88/77 - 1st (+9 ATL 88)
Rotation: 89/71/78 - 1st (tie NYM 89)
Bullpen: 56/52/52 - t-11th (-13 SFG 69)
Bench: 87/75/80 - 1st (tie LAD, ATL 87)
Pitching: 75/64/67 - 2nd (-3 NYM 78)
Defense: 100/92/98 - 1st (tie CHW 100)
Overall: 90/77/76 - 1st (+10 LAD 80)

AAA Batting: 84/93/93
AAA Pitching: 95/95/78
AAA Defense: 74/97/96
AAA Overall: 89/96/90

Basically, the ratings say I should win the World Series, as I am the best or tied for best in 6 places, 2nd in one, and middle-of-the-road in only one. Not too bad at all.

And since I'm here...
Predictions for 1990 (after one month played)
1) Mariners will play in the World Series (won it last year)
2) Ms will win 105 games. (98 last year)
3) Ms will draw 3M fans for the first time in club history (2.5M last year)
4) Junior hits something like .310 with 35 HR and 120 RBI. (.300/24/105 last year)
5) Ms first 20 game winner will be Kevin Brown, followed by Randy Johnson.
6) Mike Schooler will blow 8 or more saves.
7) Jay Buhner will flirt with the Mendoza line, but finish just above it at .210. (30+ HR)

And that's that for my predictions this year.

Next Time...April Showers turn to May Flowers...

pogue_mahorsey

07-26-2004, 06:55 AM

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May, 1990, Budget Watch Continues, as does the World Series March...

No lineup changes or anything particular to report, other than I forgot to track the team detail this month like I did last month. I'll still show the W-L as the month progresses though.

Very, Very sleepy at 2am, but can't...resist...Mogul...
Month in Review
last two games of a three game series in New York
5/1 (0-0) ~ Randy Johnson (1-1) gets his first win of the year?!? as we POUND the Yanks, 11-3.
5/2 (1-0) ~ Kevin Brown (6-0) notches another win on the back of Junior's 3RBI double, 5-3.

two game set in Baltimore. We like to beat up on Baltimore.
5/3 (2-0) ~ W: Brian Holman (4-2) SV: Schooler (12) Edgar hits HR #7 in a 5-2 win.
5/4 (3-0) ~ Junior's 5th HR is a solo shot as we pound 5 doubles (Olerud gets two) and Erik Hanson improves to 3-1.

Home for three against the BoSox
5/5 (4-0) ~ Scott Bankhead gives up 4er in 5.1, but Tom Niedenfuer (4-1) packs in his 0.42 ERA for a couple innings to get the 5-4 win.
5/6 (5-0) ~ Randy Johnson (2-1) outdoes Oil Can Boyd as every Ms starter (not including pinch hitter Dave Valle) scores and drives in a run. Olerud hits two more doubles to reach 12 as we win 9-4.
5/7 (6-0) ~ The Red Sox hate streaks, and they pour 6 runs (5ER) across against K. Brown. The Ms force extra innings on Junior's solo shot in the bottom of the 9th off of Lee Smith, only to lose it on an error in the 11th, 7-6.

a day off, then two at home against the Orioles
5/9 (6-1) ~ With the streak snapped, Brian Holman (5-2) allows only 2runs (0ER) in 7IP as Olerud (4) and Junior (7) hit round-trippers to drive a 5-2 win.
5/10 (7-1) ~ Erik Hanson improves to 4-1 on 8.2IP of shutout ball. Jeff King (6) and Bonds (3) hit solo shots for the Ms in a 5-0 win.

Three against the Yanks, in Seattle
5/11 (8-1) ~ When a streak ends, start a new one, right? Right. Bankhead (2-1) 8IP, 1ER. Olerud(5) and King(7) with the homers and a 5-1 win.
5/12 (9-1) ~ Randy's (3-1) turn to go 8IP with 1ER, while Olerud (6) and Buhner (5) go yard in a 6-2 win.
5/13 (10-1) ~ Kevin Brown now 7-0 after Junior (8) and Edgar (8) go yard in a 4-3 win.

Three vs the Blue Jays, can we put together back-to-back 6 game win streaks?
5/14 (11-1) ~ Brian Holman (5ER in 5IP) struggles, but Niedenfuer (0.36 ERA), Jackson (5-3), and Schooler (sv18) don't. Junior (9) and Edgar (9, 10) go yard for a 6-5 come from behind win and six straight.
5/15 (12-1) ~ Erik Hanson (5-1) was shaky, but the runs flowed like wine as Bonds (4) hit a grand slam, Junior (10, 11) hit two 2-run shots, and Edgar (11) hit a solo blast for a 9-5 win and 7 straight.
5/16 (13-1) ~ Rule #1: Do Not Talk About Streak Club! Jays put the hammer down, 7-0. Ugly.

Day off, then two in New York.
5/18 (13-2) ~ After a little time to reflect on what they've done, Johnson (4-1) goes 6IP and King (8) hits a 3-run bomb before DeLeon (remember him?) can stop us. We win 4-2.
5/19 (14-2) ~ Kevin Brown get's shelled for 5ER in 4IP as he takes his first loss to drop to 7-1.

Day off, then two in Seattle...against New York
5/21 (14-3) ~ Bone with a pair of two run shots to give him 7 on the year. Brian Holman (6-2) went 8.2IP and allowed 1 run.
5/22 (15-3) ~ Tied at 3 from the 4th through the 8th until Harold Reynolds drives in Sandy Alomar Jr for a 4-3 win.

Three at home against Milwaukee
5/23 (16-3) ~ Scott Bankhead (2-3) served up a three run shot to Rob Deer, and Edgar's solo shot (12) wasn't enough as we lose 4-3.
5/24 (16-4) ~ Six runs in the second on singles...except for John Olerud's two doubles (16) make Randy Johnson (5-1) a 7-2 winner.
5/25 (17-4) ~ One six run inning wasn't good enough. This game we do it twice. In the 3rd and 5th. HRs from Bone (8) and Edgar (13) make a winner of Kevin Brown's complete game shutout (8-1) in a 17-0 laugher.

Three in Boston
5/26 (18-4) ~ Junior hits #12 and the bats keep blazing to make a winner of Brian Holman (7-2) by a score of 14-3.
5/27 (19-4) ~ SlugFest 1990 continues, but this time the BoSox get 8 in the last three innings (2 off of Mike Schooler in the 9th) to win 10-9.
5/28 (19-5) ~ Call the batboy, he can have the day off. Roger 'The Rocket' Clemens strikes out 12 as the Sox win 8-1.

Two in Milwaukee. Can we win 20?
5/29 (19-6) ~ Leading 7-1 in the 7th off three run homers by Olerud (8) and Edgar (14), but Campbell, Schooler, and Jackson can't hold on as the Brewers come back to win 8-7. Rob Deer AGAIN!
5/30 (19-7) ~ Short Answer. Yes. Kevin Brown (9-1) holds down the fort while King (10,11) and Edgar Martinez (15,16) provide the long balls in a 7-4 win. Mike Schooler has 22 saves.

Last game of the month, in Toronto
5/31 (20-7) ~ Brian Holman (7-3) gives up only 2ER, which would have been good enough for extra innings...if not for the one Unearned run he gave up to make it a 3-2 loss.

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Monthly Summary

Record: 20-7 (1st +10 over OAK, 15-10 last year)
Team Average: .288 (.264 AL average)
Team ERA: 3.31 (4.19 AL average)
Runs Scored/Game: 305/5.3 (262/4.6 AL average)
Runs Allowed/Game: 211/3.7 (262/4.6 AL average)

MoneyWatch 1990: A ridiculous start to the month, and 20 wins...and we're sitting pretty! We've profited $3M this year, and are now on pace to lose only $1M!!! We're drawing 41,634 fans per game, so I upped the ticket price by a dollar to $26. League average is $20.59. After just two months, we're already at HALF of last year's TV revenue as well. Some kind of Mojo or something

Player of the Month: #4 Batter, DH Edgar Martinez is now hitting .333 with 16HR and 40RBI. He's slugging .598 to lead the Major Leagues in Home Runs. (Junior 10th with 12) He's also tied for 9th in average. (Wade Boggs is hitting .381)

Pitcher of the Month: Ok, so Kevin Brown is still on fire at 9-1 to tie for the ML Lead with 9 wins. He's the eeeeasy choice. Brian Holman's 2.54 ERA is another quality choice. However, I'm giving it up for Tom Niedenfuer. His ERA is a paltry 0.83 after 32.2 innings of work, earning him a 4-1 record as my short man. Now THAT is a man who's earning his $2.8M a year.

Farmhand of the Month: Ramon Mica is "down" to .360 now, so let's look for someone else. SS Kent Anderson is up to .327, so that's nice. 2B Jose Wisener is up to .305 with 11 SB. This month, we're going with 5th round draft pick, SP Rich Lollar (61/80). He's got a decent 3.62 ERA and a 3-1 record to go with his .216 OBA down in AAA. That's a kid fighting to make the club!

Other Random Whatnot: I have 12 pitchers down in AAA. Only two of them have ERAs over 5. 4 are under 4. Pretty good. Better than I usually have. On the hitting side, there are 6 guys, and only IF Mario Diaz isn't hitting .286 or better. Come to think of it...He's a waste of space. RELEASED Mario Diaz That felt good.

Next Post...I wonder what will leave us warm and tingly in June?...

pogue_mahorsey

07-28-2004, 03:22 AM

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June, 1990, 20-20-20?...

Having won twenty games each of the last two months, can we do it again? I confess, I would not complain. At the very least, it points to a potent lineup! Without further ado, June.

Month in Review
@ Toronto
6/1 (0-0) ~ Barry's only hit is a game winning two run blast (5). Erik Hanson now 6-1, Schooler save #23
6/2 (1-0) ~ Scott Bankhead pitched a great game, giving up only two runs in 8ip, but we couldn't score and he falls to 2-5

@ Boston (32-27)
6/4 (1-1) ~ Dave Valle's pinch hit two run homer in the top of the 9th gave us a 7-2 lead and Randy Johnson (6-1) the win, but not before Jackson and Schooler made it interesting, giving up 3 in the 9th to make it a 7-5 finish.
6/5 (2-1) ~ Kevin Brown (9-2) takes the loss as we are held to a 3-1 deficit. 11 hits and three doubles and we only score 1?!?

@ Kansas City (25-35)
6/6 (2-2) ~ 3B Jeff King (13) hit two homers, driving in 3. Bonds (6) hit a two-run shot, and Edgar drove in 4 as Brian Holman (8-3) picks up the 10-1 win
6/7 (3-2) ~ Both starters get torched as Kansas City squeaks out a 12-9 win.
6/8 (3-3) ~ Where's Bo? He's not in the lineup again as KC flogs us 9-2. Ah, Bo is playing for San Fran. They picked him up as a Free Agent for $5M/5

@ Kansas City (27-36)
6/10 (3-4) ~ After a day of enjoying the sights, we're refreshed. So refreshed that we score 14 runs in the first four innings and coast to a 14-2 win. HRs from Alomar (3, 4) Olerud (9) King (14) and Junior (13) supply plenty for Randy Johnson (7-1)
6/11 (4-4) ~ Alomar hits #5, and triple #4 providing 4 runs for Kevin Brown (10-2) who becomes the second 10 game winner in the Majors this year.
6/12 (5-4) ~ Who poked the sleeping tiger?!? Ms push across 16 (!) runs on 20 hits for a 16-4 win. Seven doubles! Olerud leads the charge going 4/6 with two doubles (24), a HR (10), scoring 3 and driving in 3 while Brian Holman (9-3) holds the Royals at bay.

vs Indians (27-38) -- we are 46-21, and have an 11 game lead
6/13 (6-4) ~ It's the Erik Hanson (7-1) Show! Erik allows one run on four hits as Alomar (6) and Edgar (17) push across three with home runs for a 3-0 win.
6/14 (7-4) ~ Jay Buhner (9) hits a Grand Slam, and Scott Bankhead (3-6) makes it stand in a 10-5 win.

vs Brewers (33-33) -- 1st +11
6/15 (8-4) ~ Olerud's 11th homer and solid pitching by Randy Johnson almost go to waste as Jackson and Schooler can't hold the lead. Tom Niedenfuer (5-2) gets the win in extra innings when Jeff King rips an RBI single.
6/16 (9-4) ~ Kevin Brown shuts out the Brewers for win # 11, giving up 8 hits, but going the distance. Little O hit his first homer of the season.

vs Texas Rangers (36-34) -- 1st +11.5
6/18 (10-4) ~ Dean Palmer and Rafael Palmeiro (Dang Palmeiro!!!!) get the best of Brian Holman, and Bill Swift (0-1) takes the 13-8 loss in relief.
6/19 (10-5) ~ Erik Hanson gives up one run in a 9 inning complete game to go to 8-1 as the Ms rally for three in the bottom of the 8th and a 3-1 win.
6/20 (11-5) ~ Mike Schooler gives up 3 unearned runs in the top of the 9th to tie the game, but Jay Buhner (10) hits a solo shot to lead the bottom of the 9th for a 4-3 win.

Roster Move RP Gene Harris 77/86 is pitching very well down in AAA, but is going to want big money at the end of the year. I'm either going to sign him to a long term spot in my bullpen or trade him, so I need to evaluate him now. Harris to long relief, Swift to Alt. Mike Campbell down to AAA.

@ Kansas City (31-42) -- 1st +12
6/21 (12-5) ~ Gene Harris comes in to mop up after Randy (8-1) holds the Royals to 1 run in 7 innings. Harris has the jitters and gives up two runs in two innings, but rides out a big cushion to an 8-3 win.
6/22 (13-5) ~ Kevin Brown to 12-2. He allowed 1 run in a complete game. The big news? 21 RUNS! 21-1! Holy COW! Most of the lineup had three hits, most of the lineup scored at least twice, most everyone drove in runs, seriously, what an outburst! Edgar 4/4 with 5RBI

vs Chicago White Sox (42-34 2nd) -- 1st +12 over Chicago
6/23 (14-5) ~ With the Ms leading 6-0, Steve Wilson gives up 3 in the top of the 9th before Schooler nails it down for Brian Holman's 10th win.
6/24 (15-5) ~ This time it's Schooler giving up 2 in the top of the 9th but still saving a 4-2 win for Erik Hanson (9-1).
6/25 (16-5) ~ White Sox jump ALL OVER Scott Bankhead (3-7) en route to a 15-2 win.
6/26 (16-6) ~ Ms send Randy Johnson to a 9-1 record with a 6 run 6th and a 7-3 win.

@ Detroit Tigers (34-46) -- 1st +14
6/27 (17-6) ~ Ms score four runs early by way of Long Balls from Alomar (7), Bonds (11), and Griffey (15) as Kevin Brown dominates again to improve to 13-2.
6/28 (18-6) ~ Oh, the BATS! Homers from King (16), Bonds (12), Griffey (16) and Buhner (14) power the Ms to a 12-1 drubbing in support of Brian Holman's (11-3) complete game.

@ Chicago White Sox (44-38) -- 1st +14.5 over California, 15 over CHW
6/29 (19-6) ~ THREE STRAIGHT MONTHS! Erik Hanson and Gene Harris hold the Sox to 3 runs as every starter has a hit in the 9-3 win.
6/30 (20-6) ~ Another power game as the Ms and White Sox get all their runs via Homer. The Ms out homer the Sox 4-2, and outscore them 5-3. HRS: Bonds (13) Griffey (17) Martinez (18, 19)

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Monthly Summary

Record: 21-6 (1st +15.5 over CAL, 18-10 last year)
Team Average: .294 (.262 AL average)
Team ERA: 3.36 (4.14 AL average)
Runs Scored/Game: 492/5.8 (381/4.6 AL average)
Runs Allowed/Game: 317/3.7 (381/4.6 AL average)

MoneyWatch 1990: Still holding that $3M profit, as cash is sitting at 26.7M. Average attendance is just over 42k.

Player of the Month: Some numbers (Avg, HR, RBI) for you: .298/13/49, .278/17/66, .339/19/65, .332/11/65, .323/16/59. That's my 2-6 hitters. Bonds, Junior, Edgar, Olerud, King. How do you pick just one?!? Winner: Harold Reynolds and his .301 avg in the 9 hole. Why? Because the other guys all deserve it more, but Harold is fighting for his job. More in a second.

Pitcher of the Month: Kevin Brown is 13-2, and leads the Majors in wins. Still, I'm going with Brian Holman, who is 11-3 with a 2.55 ERA. Nice work Brian!

Farmhand of the Month: Ramon Mica is back up to .380. Amazing. Tough to overlook that. 3rd rounder Rich Lollar is 4-2 with a 3.99. Tough to overlook that. Still, where there's a Jose Wisener, there's a way. The kid 81/100 is hitting .310 with 8hr and is on the verge of displacing Harold Reynolds. His defense is only a couple points shy of Reynolds, and his speed is better. Reynolds may head out this July.

Other Random Whatnot: Only 1 AAA pitcher has an ERA over 5 now, and only Zach Crawford is hitting below .306. I dare say I have a thriving AAA system.

Just for fun, I have moved Little O to 9th with his .333 OBP, and moved Harold Reynolds to leadoff, with his .352 and 24 steals. Keep on truckin Harold, and don't look back. There's a Jose Wisener behind you.

Next Post...Something must give, watch out for the trade deadline...