June 20, 1994                                                                 Volume 3 Issue 5

Just a quick note: This league began based on real players and their real historical stats. All embellishments about league events are about the simulation, not the actual people, and are the product of my imagination.

	
All Star Votes through Week 6


LATE STARS
C
ChanceFrank	Granolas	40.8
1B
BagwellJeff	Frangos		89.4
GreenbergHank	Granolas	18.9
CashNorm	Jets		12.0
2B
LajoieLarry	Granolas	20.3
3B
SS
Ripken JrCal	Granolas	 8.0
OF
ParkerDave	Granolas	91.6
WilsonHack	Egrets		66.5
BellCoolPapa	Hayseeds	34.9
HermanBabe	Hayseeds	32.9
BondsBarry	Egrets		20.9
StearnesTurkey	Frangos		19.3
McGeeWillie	Frangos		16.0
MageeSherry	Granolas	13.6
WilliamsTed	Hayseeds	 9.2
FosterGeorge	Jets		 9.0
BrockLou	Granolas	 4.0
MedwickJoe	Frangos		 2.0
WanerPaul	Frangos		 1.4


EARLY STARS
1B
FoxxJimmie	Collective	86.1
GehrigLou	Islanders	30.0
SislerGeorge	Allouets	11.8
2B
WilliamsJimmy	Islanders	34.0
HornsbyRogers	Barristers	30.2
AllenNewt	Collective	 5.9
RobinsonJackie	Collective	 1.0
3B
MolitorPaul	Destroyers	54.0
KillebrewHarmon	Destroyers	 7.1
TraynorPie	Allouets	 6.0
SS
WellsWillie	Destroyers	52.7
OF
MantleMickey	Destroyers	82.2
MitchellKevin	Islanders	56.4
GwynnTony	Allouets	39.0
CobbTy		Barristers	30.9
HendersonRickie	Barristers	29.5
FurilloCarl	Destroyers	15.6
JacksonJoe	Allouets	 9.4
RainesTim	Allouets	 4.5
CrawfordSam	Collective	 4.0
TartabullDanny	Barristers	 0.8

One would expect that the All Star break should bring with it some clarity about the divisional races, an opportunity to take a peek into the possibilities of Autumn: will it be Chet Brewer or Bill Foster beginning to twitch as Joe Jackson dances off first, Sisler slyly holding his bat as if it were a whip, not a sword?

In some ways, this is true. In the Early, the Allouets took sole possession of first, and moved out to the biggest lead that division has seen all year, two games. The Granolas, who have sat atop their division since the first day, stretched their lead to five games over the pack.

But the teams are still taking shape, and there could be many hems and yaws before the leaves fall. The Collective, expected to be the Allouets' main threat, started out strong (and with a full team), then have been holding on while the cracks in the dike become more noticeable each week. Benny Kauff's imitation of Oscar Charleston is wearing thin, and the Evergreen nine has played .500 ball the last 4 weeks (8-8), slipping out of first for the first time this season when they dropped 2 of 3 to the Jets. Likewise, the DL has claimed the heart of Seattle's lineup, but earlier in the season. Seattle got out to a 3-8 start and found themselves 6 games behind Bellingham. The Destroyers have also felt the sting of the injury bug, and their "4-0 one week, 0-5 the next" season shows it.

Given all this, there are no great surprises as yet. There are, however, rumblings that may grow with the season. The Hayseeds are 12-6 in the last three weeks, the Allouets 12-4 . Both the Evergreen and Seattle have played .500 ball with replacement lineups. We can't begin to write those "classic match up" pieces just yet, but we know there'll be good press in August.

Nolan Ryan, of all people (C), leads in allowing less than a walk a game (in 30 IP). Unfortunately, his 2 HRs per game negate this advantage. Pitch around a little, Nolan.

Johnny Antonelli (E), relieved of his catching duties, is blossoming, 2-1, 2.66, 8 BR/9 and 1 HR in 27 IP. Old Pete looking solid for Egrets, as is Christy for Destroyers (mentioned last week), both in rebound seasons.

Leaders

Dutch Leonard (D) and Alan Poole (I) lead the cheap ERA qualifiers, each under 1.50, but Ray Brown (E) is the only legitimate under 2 pitcher. Al Holland (J) and Tug McGraw (B) have been effective in relief, but Holland gives up lots of BBs (4 per 9) and McGraw has 2 dingers in 14 IP. Chet Brewer (G) and Dutch Leonard (D) have clean slates, Brewer 6 wins, Leonard 5. Mike Scott (G) and Catfish (A) have no losses and 4 victories. Vida Blue (F) and Roger Clemens (D) are tied with nearly 5 Ks per 9; again, Dutch Leonard (D) is close with 4.6. Allie Reynolds (H) has gone the longest (31 IP) without giving up a HR, despite playing in Wrigley. Dutch Leonard, new superstar, hasn't given up a HR.

Bagwell maintains grip on lead in batting race as others fall off, injured Foxx #2 at .387. Chance, Parker down to .370's, Cool Papa drops 30 to .350, Pie Traynor is a surprise at .365. Mitchell hangs on to lead in round trippers with 10, Hack smacking, has 9. broad field with 7. But HRs still haven't translated to RBIs for Mitchell, who is tied with injured Turkey Stearnes out of top 5. Jackie working hard, leading an unlikely field in the RS category, including RBI men Cash, Santo, Kevin Mitchell and Hack Wilson.

Ted Williams: 24 BBs, 2 Ks. Both Carney Lansford (D) and Jim Bottomley (H) have gone 50+ AB without a K. George Sisler and the Pie-man, both Allouets (of course) are approaching a century of ABs with just one whiff. While Bagwell is the cheap batting champ, Jackie Robinson leads in hits (45) with his mate Newt Allen (42). Cobb, despite being out 2 weeks now, still has a 3 double gap in that race. Hurt Honus has 5 trips, giving old Nappy and Cool Papa a chance to catch Daddy Wags.

_______________________________________________________

HOT
_______________________________________________________

Simple Simon met a Pie-man, on his way to the fair. At that time, Pie couldn't've hit a pie with a two-by-four: 5-28. On his way back, Simple Simon was pelted with low liners; Harold has raised his avg. to .365 by going 29-63 (.460). And he hasn't struck out in those 63 AB (only once overall).

Mac (F) was 7-12 in limited action, got 2 dingers and 4 RBI to break a 2-11 slump. Despite the controversy, manager Leo Durocher has been impressed with Mac's attitude in the locker room. He may be causing controversy by his non-baseball actions off the field, but the only controversy he creates with the team is how to find him some more ABs, with Bagwell hot as well. The Hackster (E) racked up 3 dingers, 5 RS in 5 g, keeping avg. at .333. The Ks are picking up, too. Mitchell had 4 HRs last week, 1 more this week.

Dizzy Trout, getting lots of work in last 2 weeks, now showing his stuff. ERA down to 1.36 (13 IP). Antonelli looks to be comfortable as a spot starter, 2-1, 1 save in 6 appearances (3 starts), ERA at 2 and a half. Old Pete goes 9, 5 hits, lowers ERA by 1/2 R to 2.6 (3-2). High draft pick Mike Mussina (C) (acquired via the trade) is showing himself after first outing in bigs not impressive. ERA down to 3.

_______________________________________________________

Jets Lift Off
_______________________________________________________

Kirby Puckett, since getting off to 3-13 start, has gone 18-53 (.340 or so). He came up w/ a little power, too, 2 HRs this week. After letting his average slip to .240 earlier in the season, Norm Cash went 7-25 (.280) with 2 2Bs and 2 HRs this week, knocking in 7 and scoring 6. Foster (J), like Cash, had a hot beginning (9-25, .360), then just 9 for next 59, now blazing, 10-28 (.357). Picking up the power numbers, too, 6 RBIs in 6 G.

_______________________________________________________

... and NOT
_______________________________________________________

Jeff Russell's fake 1.50 ERA, now at 3.80), now more in line with his 0-3 record. Hersh (C) gives up 6 ERs, his 4-2 record not as indicative of his pitching as his 5+ ERA.

With one week to go, nobody seems to be within reach of Kevin Mitchell's record of 154 votes (1993); Dave Parker (G) leads a tight field with 91 (4 more are in 80s). It will probably be closer than teammates Bill Dickey and Larry Lajoie in 1991 (8). Someone might tie Honus' record for making the 2nd team with no votes. Willie Wells made the first team in '93 with 6 votes; that record is safe already.

More important than who is there is who is not there. Not one catcher has received a vote yet, nor has a third basemen for the Late Stars. In addition, three division races have just one contestant so far: Lajoie (G) and Ripken (G) for Late infield spots, and Wells (D) for the Early spot and short. All the votes seem to be going to first basemen and outfielders.

The closest race for 1st team is at 1st base, with Jeff Bagwell (F) 3 votes ahead of injured Jimmie Foxx (C). The loser could break Hornsby's 3 year old record for most votes on the second team (97). Paul Molitor (D) is 50 votes ahead of all third basemen in his division, and none in the Late have garnered a vote. Rogers Hornsby (B) is within striking distance of the Allouets' surprise Jimmy Williams at second (a Lou Brock special), and the winner will probably best Lajoie for the 1st team position. Two Hayseeds are fighting for the 3rd outfield spot in the Late Division, Cool Papa Bell leads Babe Herman by 2 votes. Both can't catch Parker or Hack Wilson (E). Again, an update on those who have appeared in every game so far: Willie Wells (D): 53 votes and cruising, and Joe Jackson (A): 9 votes, 7th place; Bill Dickey (G): 0 (and out until after the game).

No One At Home

At catcher, the answer is clear: we must look to the DL to find the past glories of the league. Both of last year's AS game starters, Bill Dickey (G) and Jimmie Wilson (A), are on the shelf, as are Mickey Cochrane (D) and Josh Gibson (F), the reserves. Rick Ferrell started two years ago.

Rick Ferrell (D) was the Early starter two years ago, and he has only regained a starting role on his team due to Cochrane's mishap. He's playing well. The only other starter in the history of the league is Ted Simmons, who is 5-17 this year, but, well, that's an ugly thought.

The tools of ignorance seem also to be implements of torture, as Wally Schang, Ray Schalk, Ernie Lombardi and Roger Bresnahan are down, in addition to the three stars. Among the rest, rookie Mike Piazza (I) is probably having the best season. Campy, just off the DL himself, is doing OK. Ferrell, Johnny Bassler (B), John Bench (C) and Gary Carter (J) are also performing adequately. There's been some talk around the league office of allowing Frank Chance to catch, since he has been doing some catching since Dickey's injury. Butch Henline is their regular catcher, though. Here's a complete listing of all vote getters to date.

Are guys coming back? Certainly not as many guys are leaving, but we're -3 overall this week.

We received word from the medical field on 30 injuries this week, but only 9 men came off the DL, most notably Cal Ripken of the Granolas. The Egrets are poised to make a comeback as Bonds and DiMag returned to their depleted outfield. They also get Campy back behind the plate. For more on catcher and injuries, Indries has attempted to explain the complexities involved.

Twelve new injuries, but most don't look serious. Yaz (B) is the only one that looks like it will last, but we'll know more in a week when the swelling goes down. Billy Williams suffered a definite ankle sprain, but reports out of Renton suggest that he'll be back before the week is out.

The Collective still lead the league in significant injuries, with Mays, Foxx and Charleston, but the Frangos and the Destroyers both have big holes in their lineups.

Ruth, Babe Frangos

Looking good. It was the knee, but rest (and perhaps a little weight loss) will due him good.

_______________________________________________________

• 6/15/94 Granolas 8 Hayseeds 5 Musial 3-4.
• 6/16/94 Granolas 4 Hayseeds 1 Back and forth game featuring heroes and goats, sometimes the same guy. Parker gets early inning triple, but is caught when he overruns third. Munson gets to second on Greenberg's error, but is picked off second as he naps. Musial (3) and Greenberg (7) homer. Rogan unimpressive in relief, but Lee Smith closes the door - a tough task with Herman hitting long fly to LC for out.
• 6/14/94 Islanders 9 Jets 3 Mitchell continues hot streak, 2 run shot in 1st off Viola, his 10th of the year.
• 6/15/94 Islanders 4 Jets 3 Holland in in a tie game, gives up go ahead single to Nellie Fox. Puckett battles Maddux, drops tying run over LC wall. Holland plunks Piazza to start the 10th. Maddux goes 11 2/3, longest outing of the year? Stone bunts in to double play in the top of the 13th. Joe Torre's line drive catches pinch runner Andy Hawkins off 3rd for DP in top 14. Red Rolfe makes error to start bottom 14. Two outs: Lindstrom and Franco single, Billy Williams holds at third! It's that old team speed again. Bowa flies out.
• Gehrig leads off 15th with dominating blast (7). Foster gets 2-out single in the bottom half, but Puckett chokes.
• 6/16/94 Islanders 2 Jets 9 Puckett is on fire (4-5), the rest of team (except Gary Carter) is hitting below .250. Bowa hits 3 run HR, then makes out with bases loaded twice, all by the 6th inning.
• 6/14/94 Egrets 0 Frangos 2 Classic rivalry. Ducky takes Brown yard and Debs Garms squeezes in Bagwell, who reached on a walk. Williams goes the distance, 6 hits, no walks; Brown only 4 hits, but 3 for extra bases, and one costly walk.

• 6/15/94 Egrets 10 Frangos 0 Egrets roar back. Old Pete throws 0's, doesn't allow an extra base hit. Sluggers come out against score. 4 HRs: Schmidt, Sandberg, and Travis Jackson all do the trot for the first time this season, Hack does his seventh dance. 4 runs in 9th an insult? Will the resilient Frangos make them pay?
• 6/16/94 Egrets 2 Frangos 3 Campy goes yard in 1st game back, his 4th. Hack again for his 8th. McCovey in for Stearnes, he gets a dinger. Dizzy Trout throws 5 solid innings of relief, 1 hit, 2 walks and a string of Cherrios.
• 6/14/94 Collective 0 Destroyers 2 Mantle pegs Sam Crawford at home, but for naught as Appier throws 5 hitter.
• 6/15/94 Collective 4 Destroyers 9 The Evergreen squad seem out of step all day, Schang's 3-4 not much against the Destroyer's frontal attack on Orel. Wells' 6th homer helps him overtake Mantle for RBI lead, 28 to 27 (in 26 g). Matty bends, doesn't break.
• 6/16/94 Collective 4 Destroyers 5 Dutch Leonard serves up a midweek junkball special, one run spread over 8. Jeff 'Loser' Russell tries to undo it, giving up 4 runs in his inning of relief.
• 6/14/94 Allouets 8 Barristers 1 Cuyler sorely missed as Danny 'Chunks' Tartabull does not have range in center field. Hold on folks, it looks like the Allouet train is gaining speed! Hunter throws 3 hitter to match, nay, best Appier. Traynor 3-5, the team 5 of 6 in SB off Ted 'call me spaghetti' Simmons.
• 6/15/94 Allouets 4 Barristers 2 Toot! Toot! A comeback win from a 2-0 deficit, 6 doubles in game for Allouets.
• 6/16/94 Allouets 6 Barristers 4 Feller pitches well, Allouets crank up the engine in the 3rd for 4 runs. Barristers load up bases for the Horny Toad and Mize in the 8th, 2 on for them in the 9th. Horny delivers RBI 1b, Mize sacs in a run, but why? 6-3, 2 outs. Dibble falters, Hernandez gets Tartabull to pop out for his 3rd save.
• 6/17/94 Granolas 2 Hayseeds 3 Santo takes advantage of 15 mph winds, hits 5th dinger, but it's Trammell's 3rd that wins it.
• 6/17/94 Egrets 2 Frangos 5 Walter slips off his game, Bagwell (2) and Carty (3) homer.
• 6/18/94 Egrets 5 Frangos 2 Antonelli strong, gets support from Hack (9) and Campy (5). Mac (5) continues to show why he deserves the Albert Belle "I'm an asshole but I'm good, so play me" Award.
• 6/17/94 Jets 6 Collective 2 The Collective thought they'd get healthy vs. Renton, but no! Cash shows why they paid him the big $$$, hits his 6th, and little Richie Ashburn manages his 1st round tripper.
• 6/18/94 Jets 1 Collective 5 Jets just can't do it, but Foster is looking good (3-4), he homers (7), as does Jackie Robinson (4), cheap shot. Puckett 2 hits, but does not do it with men on. Tris 3-4, Covo solid outing, only 7 hits and 2 walks.
• 6/19/94 Jets 10 Collective 3 Collective trying to get something going after winning yesterday to end a 6 gam losing streak. Jets actually get some 2 out hitting, Cash knocks in Dihigo, Gary Carter triples, Foster singles him in, then a Lindstrom single...course, for no good reason, George Foster gets caught off second to end the 5th. Puckett a 2-out double to score Bowa in the 6th, Norm Cash uses a 9 iron to bring 3 home. Is this the same Appier who pitched a 5-hitter recently?
• Bench hitting the ball well. Cash 4 RBIs, Lindstrom 4-5. Mussina does well in 3 innings of relief.

Batting
Batting Average
BagwellJeff	FRA	.416
FoxxJimmie	COL	.387
ChanceFrank	GRN	.376
+CobbTy		BAR	.375
ParkerDave	GRN	.372
TraynorPie	ALL	.365
JacksonJoe	ALL	.363
StearnesT	FRA	.358
GehrigLou	ISL	.358
BellCoolPapa	HAY	.356
RobinsonJack	COL	.354
MageeSherry	GRN	.351
WellsWillie	DES	.350
AllenNewt	COL	.350
-LajoieLarry	GRN	.347
-HornsbyRgrs	BAR	.343
+CroninJoe	FRA	.340

HomeRuns
MitchellK	ISL	10
WilsonHack	EGR	9
MantleMickey	DES	7
HermanBabe	HAY	7
GreenbergH	GRN	7
GehrigLou	ISL	7
FosterGeorge	JET	7
CashNorm	JET	7
WellsWillie	DES	6
StearnesTurk	FRA	6
HornsbyRgrs	BAR	6
FoxxJimmie	COL	6
TartabullD	BAR	5
SantoRon	HAY	5
McCoveyW	FRA	5
KillebrewH	DES	5
CampanellaR	EGR	5

Strikeouts
MadduxGreg	ISL	32
McLainDenny	JET	28
BlueVida	FRA	24
GibsonBob	COL	22
MathewsonC	DES	21
CarltonSteve	EGR	19
AppierKevin	COL	19
TiantLuis	HAY	16
ScottMike	GRN	16
ChesbroJack	JET	16
BenderChief	HAY	16
HunterJim	ALL	15



Slugging
FoxxJimmie	COL	.758
GehrigLou	ISL	.716
WilsonHack	EGR	.712
StearnesTurk	FRA	.654
GreenbergH	GRN	.613
ParkerDave	GRN	.607
WellsWillie	DES	.605
HornsbyRgrs	BAR	.578
MitchellK	ISL	.577
BellCoolPapa	HAY	.574
BagwellJeff	FRA	.566
CobbTy		BAR	.541
CashNorm	JET	.522
RobinsonJack	COL	.519
HermanBabe	HAY	.518
GibsonJosh	FRA	.500

RBIs
WellsWillie	DES	28
MantleMickey	DES	27
ParkerDave	GRN	25
WilsonHack	EGR	24
HermanBabe	HAY	23
HornsbyRgrs	BAR	23
+FosterGeorge	JET	21
LajoieLarry	GRN	21
MitchellK	ISL	21
StearnesTurk	FRA	21
AllenNewt	COL	18
+CashNorm	JET	18
GehrigLou	ISL	18
GreenbergH	GRN	18
WilsonJimmy	ALL	18



		SB	CS	Pct
WilliamsJim	ISL	8	0	1.000	
MolitorPaul	DES	7	0	1.000	
GwynnTony	ALL	7	1	 .875	
SislerGeorge	ALL	5	1	 .833	
ChanceFrank	GRN	5	1	 .833	
CobbTy		BAR	9	2	 .818	
BellCoolPapa	HAY	9	2	 .818	
McGeeWillie	FRA	13	4	 .764	
HendersonR	BAR	13	4	 .764	
RainesTim	ALL	15	5	 .750	
JacksonJoe	ALL	12	5	 .705	



On Base Average
BagwellJeff	FRA	.492
FoxxJimmie	COL	.464
WilsonHack	EGR	.452
BondsBarry	EGR	.439
WilliamsTed	HAY	.434
ParkerDave	GRN	.428
GehrigLou	ISL	.428
MageeSherry	GRN	.421
ChanceFrank	GRN	.414
RobinsonJack	COL	.414
SpeakerTris	COL	.410


Hits
RobinsonJack	COL	45
AllenNewt	COL	42
WellsWillie	DES	40
LajoieLarry	GRN	40
JacksonJoe	ALL	40

Doubles
CobbTy		BAR	12
CroninJoe	FRA	9
WellsWillie	DES	7
TraynorPie	ALL	7
LajoieLarry	GRN	7
HendersonR	BAR	7

Pitching
Baserunners per 9 
(Hits & Walks)
FosterBill	HAY	 6.8
BrownRay	EGR	 7.8
AntonelliJ	EGR	 8.0
BrewerChet	GRN	 8.1
VaughnHippo	GRN	 8.2
PooleAlan	ISL	 8.6
WilliamsJoe	FRA	 9.2
HunterJim     	ALL	 9.6
HollandAl	JET	 9.8
AlexanderG	EGR	10.2
MathewsonC	DES	10.6
RadcliffeTed	DES	10.6
ScottMike	GRN	10.7
LeonardDutch	DES	10.8

Stan Kovinsky is travelling in the minors. Good luck to him, and we should have something from him soon. - Ed

• Standings
• All Star Voting
• Drazen on Divisional Races
• Robin on Statistical Leaders
• Indries on the All Star Game
• I. M. Lame, the Injury Beat
• Game Notes
• Statistical Leaders
• hot
• not
• Kavinsky on leave

Tom Link