Decision made

I’ve made my decision on what team I’m bringing to the Chicagoland Summer APBA World Series Tournament. 

The 1980 Los Angeles Dodgers. 

No particular reason why, I guess.  They weren’t the NL champions or even division champions.  They were good though.  They had a 92-70 record when the Astros beat them out by one game in the NL West that year. 

I’m not a Dodgers fan either.  On a good day, I think they’re a fun team.  They do have the hated Steve Garvey at first base.  As a Cubs fan, he’s not one of my favorite players though the reason why was when he was with the Padres. 

But, they do have some fun personnel too. 

They’re a solid pitching team.  Don Sutton is graded an A and Jerry Reuss and Bob Welch are both Bs.  Steve Howe hadn’t been caught with drugs yet and posted a 2.66 ERA.  Unfortunately, he is graded a BZ*. 

Offensively, there is lots of speed with Davey Lopes and Rudy Law.  Dusty Baker even stole 12 but his strength is his power (29 HR).  Behind him is Ron Cey (28 HR) and Garvey (26 HR).  OF Reggie Smith hit .322.  Off the bench, Jay Johnstone (.307) and XB Pedro Guerrero (.322) provide some offense. 

This the Dodgers so that means we have a good fielding team.  Garvey is a 1B-5, Cey is a 3B-5 and Lopes is a 2B-8.  By my count, they have a team fielding of 41 without the pitcher included. 

During my selection process, I told myself I wasn’t looking for a “great” team but a “fun” team.  I think I found one.  I sort of envy Jim Saska who picked the 77 Phillies.  Now he’s got a FUN team!  Here’s hoping he and I meet up again. 

Maybe I’ll get Dan Velderrain to “Make Me a Lineup” like he did for the 1966 Baltimore Orioles the last time around.