Kevin Burghardt: Great Teams of the 70s AL-style

Kevin Burghardt is back.  I posted his NL update of his Great Teams of the 70s project last week. 

Now, as he promised, it’s time to present the AL side.  Kevin is 108 games through his project.  Besides, it gives me another chance to post a photo of Kevin with one of his cool hats.  -Tom

A.L. East

’70 Orioles (64-44, .593 -)

The Baltimore Orioles hold a comfortable five game lead in the East at the 2/3 mark of the campaign. The offense has been led by All-Star game MVP Paul Blair (.321, 12, 52, 29 SB), Frank Robinson (.279, 13, 63), and slugger Boog Powell (.248, 21, 76).

The pitching staff has been led by Jim Palmer (18-5, 3.04), who has thrown the only no-no in either league thus far. Dave McNally (12-8, 2.98) and Mike Cuellar (11-8, 3.18) have also reached the double digit mark in wins. Pete Richert (4-4-12, 3.12) has been the ace of an otherwise shaky bullpen. Baltimore is third best in team e.r.a. (3.62).

’78 Brewers (59-49, .546 5 GB)

Milwaukee is in second place and it’s mostly because of their offense. The Brewers rank second in runs scored (564) and team batting average (.273). They’re also third in team homers (114). The biggest contributors have been Cecil Cooper (.314, 11, 55), Larry Hisle (.296, 21, 78), Ben Oglivie (.283, 10, 58), and Gorman Thomas (.255, 22, 70).

The pitching staff has been led by Mike Caldwell (18-6, 2.70). Larry Sorensen (12-9, 3.47) and Andy Replogle (9-2, 2.89) have had fine seasons as well thus far. Bill Castro (1-2-15, 2.05) has been a top closer for the Brew Crew.

’72 Tigers (58-50, .537 6 GB)

Detroit has struggled on the offensive side (third worst in runs scored with 438), although Aurelio Rodriguez (.281, 20, 66) has been the league’s biggest surprise. Al Kaline (.289, 12, 44) has been solid in right field and Tony Taylor (.320, 4, 26) leads the team in average.

The pitching staff ranks first in the league in e.r.a. (3.55). Mickey Lolich (12-10, 3.19) has been the rotation’s ace, while Joe Coleman (11-8, 3.62) and Tom Timmerman (9-5, 3.11) have helped the cause as well. Chuck Seelbach (9-7-15, 1.99) has done a stellar job in the bullpen.

’77 Yankees (49-59, .454 15 GB)

New York has been the most disappointing team in the project to date. Thurman Munson (.307, 14, 75) and Mickey Rivers (.302, 10, 49, 26SB) have led the offense, but Reggie Jackson (.232, 7, 58) has performed far below expectations.

Ron Guidry (10-5, 2.46) and Ed Figueroa (11-8, 2.65) have been good, but Sparky Lyle (8-9-12, 3.43) has also let down the Gotham faithful. The team e.r.a. of 4.23 is third worst in the A.L.

’78 Red Sox (45-63, .417 19 GB)

Boston has also had a disappointing season thus far. Jim Rice (.287, 20, 80) has been the leader on offense, but the Bosox team batting average of .240 is dead last in the Junior Circuit. George Scott (.184, 6, 30) stands out in the awful category.

Dennis Eckersley (14-10, 3.61) leads the team in wins, but he’s the only member of the squad in double digits. Mike Torrez (5-17, 4.66) is well on his way to a 20+ loss campaign. Bob Stanley (2-3-21, 2.42) has been a bright spot in the closer role. Boston’s team e.r.a. of 4.16 is 9th in the American League.

’76 Indians (44-64, .407 20 GB)

Cleveland has the lowest runs scored (418) in the A.L. Rico Carty (.278, 11, 52), Buddy Bell (.282, 8, 44), and George Hendrick (.263, 20, 70) have been the bright spots on an otherwise inept offense.

The pitching staff has lacked a star in the rotation. Jim Bibby (6-5, 3.45) has that rotation’s best e.r.a. and Dennis Eckersley (8-13, 4.51) leads the team in wins. Jim Kern (5-7-9, 2.25) and Dave LaRoche (3-3-10, 3.24) have provided a nice 1-2 combo in the ‘pen.

A.L. West

’77 Royals (62-46, .574 -)

Kansas City holds a slim one game lead in the West after 108 games. Al Cowens (.329, 19, 87) has been the team’s main offensive force. Hal McRae (.288, 16, 67) and Darrell Porter (.263, 12, 48) have also been good. George Brett (.246, 10, 55) has been surprisingly subpar.

Dennis Leonard (17-5, 2.34) is a strong Cy Young candidate. Jim Colborn (13-8, 3.56) has been the team’s second best starter. Mark Littell (1-4-14, 3.20) has been decent in the closer role, while Steve Mingori (4-2-1, 3.45) has been the squad’s best setup man.

’73 Athletics (61-47, .565 1 GB)

Oakland is just a game behind the West leading Royals. Reggie Jackson (.266, 26, 74, 14SB) has been a great #3 hitter and Sal Bando (.281, 18, 71) has been one of the league’s top cleanup hitters. Bill North (.287, 4, 35, 45SB) has been a speed demon in the leadoff spot. The A’s are second in the league in team homers (116).

Catfish Hunter (9-8, 3.23), and Vida Blue (11-8, 3.92) have been the A’s two best starters. Rollie Fingers (9-7-26, 1.37) is the leading contender for the Fireman of the Year award, and Horacio Pina (3-1, 3.19) has been solid in the setup role.

’70 Twins (59-49, .546 3 GB)

Minnesota is in third place and in contention in the West. Harmon Killebrew (.273, 33, 73) leads the league in homers and Tony Oliva (.288, 16, 72) has also had a fine season to date. Rod Carew (.320, 4, 29) has been fantastic in part time duty.

Jim Kaat (14-5, 3.05) and Jim Perry (10-9, 3.27) have been the Twins’ best rotation men. Stan Williams (7-6-9, 2.03) and Ron Perranoski (3-5-15, 2.35) have been a great 1-2 punch in the ‘pen. In addition, Tom Hall (6-5-2, 2.58) has been a terrific swingman.

’77 Rangers (53-55, .491 9 GB)

Texas ranks third worst in team batting average (.247) and runs scored (446). Mike Hargrove (.270, 16, 71) leads the team in homers and rbi’s. Toby Harrah (.268, 14, 53) has done a fine job at the hot corner.

The Rangers rank second best in team e.r.a. (3.57). Bert Blyleven (8-7, 2.77), Gaylord Perry (10-5, 2.94), and Doyle Alexander (9-9, 3.77) have been the team’s best starters. Adrian Devine (10-7-13, 2.58) has done a great job in the bullpen and he’s received ample support from Darold Knowles (4-1, 2.86).

’79 Angels (48-60, .444 14 GB)

California is first in team batting average (.278) and runs scored (592). Rod Carew (.348, 4, 34, 24SB) leads the league in average and Brian Downing (.340, 6, 63) is right behind him in second place. Don Baylor (.305, 24, 77) has been a designated hitting stud and Bobby Grich (.257, 21, 83) has provided plenty of pop as well.

The pitching staff has been the polar opposite, with the worst team e.r.a. in the league (5.33). Nolan Ryan (11-9, 4.56) and Jim Barr (10-8, 3.83) have reached double digit wins, but Mark Clear (5-8-16, 4.13) has struggled in the closer role and Don Aase (6-11, 6.60) has been downright awful.

’77 White Sox (46-62, .426 16 GB)

The White Sox lead the league in homers (121) and errors (101). They’re third in runs scored (527) behind only California and Milwaukee. The South Side Hit Men are led by Oscar Gamble (.321, 19, 58) and Richie Zisk (.279, 21, 83). Ralph Garr (.289, 10, 38, 14SB) has been a good leadoff man and Eric Soderholm (.275, 13, 52) has made a positive contribution to the team.

The pitching staff ranks second to last in team e.r.a. (5.10). Steve Stone (12-8, 4.98) has reached double digits in wins thanks to stellar run support. Francisco Barrios (7-9, 3.66) leads the rotation in e.r.a. Lerrin LaGrow (5-7-18, 3.64) has been Chicago’s top man out of the ‘pen.

A.L. Offensive Leaders

Average                                     Home runs                   Runs batted in

1)R. Carew-.348                         1)H. Killebrew-33           1)A. Cowens-87

2)B. Downing-.340                     2)R. Jackson-26             2)B. Grich-83

3)A. Cowens-.329                      3)G. Nettles-25              2)R. Zisk-83

4)P. Blair-.321                           4)D. Baylor-24               4)J. Rice-80

4)O. Gamble-.321                      5)G. Thomas-22             5)L. Hisle-78

Stolen bases                            OBP                               SLG

1)B. North-45                             1)R. Carew-.433             1)Killebrew-.610

2)F. Patek-42                            2)B. Downing-.422           2)Gamble-.604

3)B. Wills-34                              3)O. Gamble-.399          3)Cowens-.574

4)C. Tovar-30                            4)H. Killebrew-.390         4)Baylor-.549

5)P. Blair-29                              5)P. Blair-.389               5)Thomas-.540

A.L. Pitching Leaders

E.R.A.                                      Wins                             Saves

1)D. Leonard-2.34                      1)M. Caldwell-18            1)R. Fingers-26

2)R. Guidry-2.46                        1)J. Palmer-18               2)B. Stanley-21

3)T. Hall-2.58                             3)D. Leonard-17            3)L. Lagrow-18

4)E. Figueroa-2.65                     4)D. Eckersley-14          4)M. Clear-16

5)M. Caldwell-2.70                     4)J. Kaat-14                  5)C.Seelbach-15

Strikeouts

1)N. Ryan-209

2)D. Leonard-200

3)M. Lolich-190

4)D. Eckersley-177

5)J. Coleman-173

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Don’t forget to check out Kevin’s blog!   Thanks, Kevin!