Don George’s 1974 Reds replay nets 102 wins

Don George is back and has news about his newly-finished 1974 Cincinnati Reds replay. Batting averages were down compared to real life but Joe Morgan fueled a 102-61 for the Reds.

Don writes:

The Cincinnati Reds cruised to 102 wins in the replay. The Reds exactly matched their actual wins against six of their eleven opponents. The Reds played 163 games in the replay. In actual play, game 143 was called due to
rain and was recorded a 1-1 tie after 5 innings.

The replay games were often closer than those in actual play. There were 24% more one-run games in the replay (61 vs.49) versus actual play and 13% fewer blowouts (39 vs. 45). The replay produced ten additional extra-inning games versus actual play. The additional extra-inning games in the replay resulted in 3.5% more innings pitched for Reds pitchers.

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Season at a Glance

The Reds tracked their actual win/loss sequence very closely during the replay. The Reds won four more games in the replay versus actual play, mainly by dominating the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres which together accounted for eight additional wins versus actual play.

The Reds team batting average was .236 in the replay versus .260 in actual play. Reds team replay ERA was 3.10 versus 3.41 actual.

The Reds scored 745 runs in the replay versus 776 in actual play. Reds replay home runs were 136, one more than actual play. Reds posted 716 RBI’s in the replay versus 714 in actual play. In the replay, the Reds scored in 28% of innings batted, identical to actual play.

Joe Morgan was the only player with over 100 plate appearances that bested his actual average. Morgan broke a three-way tie for the team home run lead in game 162.

Take a look at Don’s excellent summary filled with stats, stories and leaderboards.

I couldn’t help notice the uptick in George Foster’s homeruns from 7 to 17 in the relatively same amount of playing time. He must like your dice, Don!