Kudos to Dan Oliverio! After the Chicagoland APBA tournament was canceled due to COVID-19 (boo, virus!), Dan took it upon himself to replay the Chicagoland tournament in a one and done fashion. Branding it “ChicAPBA 2020”, he even elicited the participation of those who couldn’t attend by letting them set the lineups and rotation if they wish.
After two rounds, forty-eight teams have been whittled down to just twelve. Check out the Tremendous Twelve:
ChicAPBA Round #3 Matchups
Game #37
(37)—1986 New York Mets ( Pops Spatz )
(30)—1985 St Louis Cardinals ( Scott Dike )
Game #38
(34)—1989 Oakland A’s ( Rip Lowe )
(33)—1977 Philadelphia Phillies ( John Roels )
Game #39
(41)—1977 California Angels ( Don Smith )
(29)—2000 St Louis Cardinals ( Larry Eichman )
Game #40
(35)—2010 Texas Rangers ( Maddelyn Vanicelli )
(40)—2001 Seattle Mariners ( Kirk Weber )
Game #41
(46)—1993 Toronto Blue Jays ( Dave Bednarek )
(13)—1993 Atlanta Braves ( Jeffrey Niemi )
Game #42
(43)—1977 Chicago Cubs ( Jim Smith )
(4)—–1974 Chicago Cubs ( Thomas Nelshoppen )
Some people of interest… my league-mate Don Smith always picks an Angels team. This year’s 1977 team is actually good. Ryan and Tanana are both A starters. Both have obviously started so hitting will have to step up. My APBA Blog colleague Kirk Weber has the 2001 Mariners.
Let me point out that there are two Chicago Cubs teams from the 1970s in the final twelve. Wow! One of those teams is my 1974 Cubs and Jim Smith has the 1977 Cubs. I think I got few sideways glances when I drafted the ’74 team. Vindication is a good feeling.
When I pick teams for tournaments, I don’t always go for the best. The ’74 Cubs aren’t the first cellar team I’ve picked for Chicagoland. I go these tournaments to meet people and catch up with those I already know.
That said, my Cubs led by Rick Reuschel and Bill Bonham are doing okay! Check out my leadoff man, Vic Harris’ card. Many would be turned off by an 11-8 and a 55-36. As it turns out, only two players on the team have more on-base numbers on their card than Vic Harris who is bolstered by his five 14s.
If you’re interested, this is what I sent Dan Oliverio before he started his replay:
1974 Cubs Lineup
- Harris 2B
- Monday CF
- Morales LF
- Williams DH
- Thornton 1B
- Cardenal RF
- Madlock 3B
- Mitterwald C (against C and D pitchers)
Swisher C (against A and B pitchers) - Kessinger SS
Rotation
- Bonham
- Reuschel
- Stone
- Hooton
Zamora is the save guy if we’re that lucky! Bonham can pinch run if necessary.
Roll lotsa 66s!
So far, it is with some luck that we have won two straight games and outlasted some very good teams. I only wish that the 1977 Cubs and the 1974 Cubs couldn’t battle it out in the final.
Thanks Dan Oliverio for making some lemonade out of the lemons that we were dealt.
