My setup with APBA booklet, dice, cards, a little caffeine and BaseballReference.com up on the laptop
I finally got my 1966 replay off the ground again tonight. Just two games but it’s a good start. In Game, I see that Willie McCovey hasn’t forgotten he’s on a hot streak. He went 3 for 4 with 3 rbis in a 4-2 San Fran win against Houston.
In Game Two, Pittsburgh beat up on St Louis’ Ray Washburn as their hurler, Tommie Sisk went the distance. Bob Bailey also continues his hot ways with the stick. He had three hits with a double and homer. Pittsburgh won 8-2.
As I’ve mentioned before, I’m using actual rotations and lineups and this is a learning experience for me. Why, for example would Houston be batting Joe Morgan (.285/.410/.391 actual) in the cleanup spot? With his .400+ OBP, I so want to lead him off. Instead, they have Lee Maye in the top spot. Manager Grady Hatton had his reasons, I’m sure.
Also interesting is that Tim McCarver is batting cleanup for the Cardinals. It’s working though as McCarver is 10 for 17 with three triples so far in the young season. I like him so much more as a ballplayer.
Hope to knock out a few more tomorrow. Once I get a good amount of games in, I’ll post some stats and standings.
Regarding Joe Morgan…I don’t think a guy like Grady Hatton ever looked at a stat like OBP back in ’66. In fact, I doubt you could have even found OBP listed anywhere back in the 1960’s at all. Still,without seeing the Astros lineup (why wasn’t Wynn batting cleanup?)you probably could do worse by having Joe in the cleanup spot.
Chuck, your point about OBP is well taken, of course.
Now, Morgan of the 70’s had some power. In ’66, he was a singles hitter. Of course, here I am with my fortune telling ways looking at his card and wondering why Hatton doesn’t agree with me. He’s the one who got paid to manage baseball, not me :)
Tom, a few years ago, when I was trying to decide which season to play, 1966 was a strong candidate. As I was looking through all the stats and cards I thought it might be interesting to trade the Cubs and Dodgers pitching staffs. I imagine the Cubs would have been a contender with Koufax and company.