Having fun with Brando’s 1930 replay

A few days ago, I got an email from my cross-town buddy John Brandeberry asking if I could come over today and help him with some computer problems.  I texted him back with the obvious logical question…

“Shall I bring my dice?”

APBA was indeed on the agenda (once computer problems were solved).  John is in the middle of a 1930 baseball replay and was happy to have a live opponent to help play a few games.  Using actual lineups and rotations, he is at the June 21 mark in the replay.  So we got in some games this afternoon.

A quick recap:

New York at Pittsburgh

First up, it was the Giants vs Pittsburgh.  Being the good host, John let me choose the team but either one would have suited me since both have solid hitters.  In retrospect, in would have been fun to manage Bill Terry and Fred Lindstrom but I took the Waner Bros. and the Bucs.  Alas, Lloyd Waner had the day off for the game we were playing (Bill James says he’s overrated anyways).

John’s Giants took advantage of starter Erv Brame and scored 7 runs in six innings.  For the game, Terry and Lindstrom were a combined 6 for 11 with 7 rbis.  Giants win 11-4.

Philadelphia at St Louis

For the second game, it was Philly against St Louis.  While the Cardinals were a first place team and the Phils ended up in last, baseball historians know of Philadelphia’s hitting prowess with Chuck Klein and Lefty O’Doul.  Again, I was happy with either team so John put both teams behind his back and had me pick “left or right”.  I ended up with the Phillies which I secretly wanted anyway.  Klein was one the best hitting APBA cards I could think of who played for a last place team.

I had “Fidegty Phil” Collins (Grade C) going against Cardinals’ starter Pop Haines (a CZ).  Philly was rolling along with a 6-0 lead thanks to homers by O’Doul and Klein.  Things changed in the bottom of the sixth when Phil got a little too ‘fidgety’ and gave up six runs due partially to a key E-1 by Collins himself.  The Cardinals tied the game in the seventh on a Jim Bottomley solo homerun.  In the ninth, Frankie Frisch, scored the winning run on the sacrifice fly by George Watkins.

Doubleheader at Wrigley

Boston came to Wrigley Field for a doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs.  I had to insist… I get the Cubs.  Not because I’m a Cubs fan but because the Braves were a little unexciting.  Brando being the good host, acquiesced.

In game one, the Braves got off to a 2-1 lead but that changed in the bottom of the fourth.  Leading off the inning, Hack Wilson took a swig, went to the plate, and knocked out a solo homer to tie it.  Brave starter had a rougher fifth inning giving up three walks along with three hits.  Five more runs for the Cub fans to cheer about.  By the end of the game, it 8-6 Cubs despite a Wally Berger homerun.

Finally, in game two of the doubleheader, it was Cubs starter John ‘Sheriff’ Blake who was ready to lay down the law. A Grade DW pitcher, I had my doubts but Blake put them to rest as he mowed down the Braves.  He kept them scoreless for five innings and advanced to a C.  He pitched a 5-1 complete game win helped by another Hack Wilson dinger.

One of things I noted was that of the four games we played, it seemed that the good players did well.

Top performers were:

• Bill Terry (3 for 5, 2 2B, 3 rbi) though he did hit into a triple play
• Freddie Lindstrom (3 for 5, 2B, 3B, 4 rbis)
• Lefty O’Doul (HR, 2 rbi)
• Chuck Klein (5 for 5, HR, 2 runs, 2 rbis)
• Frankie Frisch (4 for 5, 2 2B, 2 runs)
• Hack Wilson (2 HR, 3 runs)
• Wally Berger (2 for 5, HR, 2 rbis)

Maybe that’s an obvious statement.  I mean good hitters should do well, right?  It was just fun to actually see it happen.  Of course, there was Sheriff Blake’s CG win too.  That was fun too especially when he was pitching for my Cubs.

But most of all, it was good just to play some APBA with a friend just for the fun of it.  I really enjoy the excitement of league play but sometimes it’s nice just to chill and play APBA WITH somebody.

thanks John!