Don't mind the grammer......
The Fans have voted and Game 7 of the ATB XI World Series was indeed the greatest game in our league’s history.
Drama? Helena, the beloved underdog, trying to win their first every World Championship.
More Drama? Bellevue came back from a 3-0 series deficit in the LCS, and was now trying to come back from a 3-1 deficit.
Did I Say Drama? Dude, it’s Game 7!
Clutch Hitting? Uh, there were:
- 7 lead changes or new ties
- Not one, not two, but three game changing home runs in the 8th inning or later
- SIXTEEN runs scored after the 8th inning
- 38 total hits.
What about the pitchers you say? Shut-out innings from the Top 2nd through Top of the 8th, all with the game in the balance 3-2. For the heck of it, let’s add on incredible double plays and a bases loaded no-out situation where nobody scored. Baseball heaven.
Plus, we broadcast live making the anticipation all but unbearable.
It is not possible to write this up properly, so I must stick to the highlights (and low-lights).
1st Inning (3-1 Helena)
- Aaron hits a one out 3-run bomb to open the scoring
- A 2-out rally plates one for Bellevue. Key blows are a Sam Thompson double and a run scoring Tommy Holmes scoring single
2nd Inning (3-2 Helena)
- 2 strikeouts against Helena in Top of innings
- Another Bellevue 2-out rally. HBP for Scott Rolen after running the count 3-0, followed by two singles from Hughie Jennings and Nap Lajoie. 1 run scores, and after a walk, Bellevue left the bases loaded.
3rd Inning (3-2 Helena)
- BFF starter Allan Anderson yanked after walking Freddie Lindstrom to open the frame. Three easy outs recorded by Rob Murphy in relief. Murphy was key, giving up no runs and only yielding to another member of the BFF pen to start the 6th .
- HBP for the Franchise, but no threat.
4th inning (3-2 Helena)
- Helena gets runners at first and second with no-outs only two squander the opportunity with a strikeout and Pete Resier ground-out double play.
- Franchise almost duplicates the feat, by getting runners on 1st and 2nd with 1-out, but Sam Thompson grounds into a double play of his own.
5th Inning (3-2 Helena)
- Stan Musial triples with 2-outs but Albert Pujols couldn’t come through, weakly grounding out to short.
- Tommy Holmes singles with 1-out, steals second, but Helena starter Derek Lowe buckles down and retires the side.
6th Inning (3-2 Helena)
- Steve Reed now in for BFF, but only gives up a 1-out walk to Magglio Ordonez
- Terrible, terrible inning for BFF. Derek Lee singles to start the innings, Rolen follows with another, and famous Hughie Jennings gets plunked. Bases loaded no-outs, in the middle innings of Game 7. You gotta score right? Nope. Nap Lajoie flies out to right, but Lee wont’ run on Aaron’s arm and then Sam Thompson grounds into ANOTHER inning ending double play with runners in scoring position.
7th Inning (3-2 Helena)
- Can you feel the Helena faithful praying for an insurance run? Bellevue has put runners all over the place all evening, but to little avail. Arthur Rhodes comes in for Reed and gives up a 2-out single to Freddie Lindstrom but nothing else.
- Does Bellevue have any life in them after the horrid 6th? Nope – a 2-out single by Campy is all they get.
Top of 8th inning (4-2 Helena)
- The insurance run! Pujols leads off with a single; Hank Aaron gets on thanks to a fielding error by Rhodes. Another killer double play shuts down the chance at a big inning, but Ordonez at least gets Pujols to 3rd with 2-outs. Cal Ripken comes through in the clutch with a single to right to make the score 4-2.
Bottom of the 8th (6-4 Bellevue)
- How Helena ever came back from this is beyond me. Derrek Lee singled and 1-out later, Pujols boots a ball putting runners on 1st and second. Lajoie follows with a seeing eye single up the middle, but Lee can’t score and the bases are loaded with 1-out. Joel Hoerner comes in to pitch and gives up a Sac Fly to Sam Thompson, making the score 4-3.
- With 2-outs the game is still in hand, but Oscar Charleston drills a 1-0 fastball over the right field fence. 3-runs score, 6-4 Bellevue.
Top of the 9th (8-6 Helena)
- Somehow, someway, Helena comes back. Against the BFF closer Armando Benitez no less.
- Pete Reiser walked followed by a Frank Robinson single. Earl Averill pinch hits for Freddie Lindstrom and singles to left, loading the bases.
- Stan Musial plasters a ball to deep right, a Top o’ the ninth game changing grand slam.
- Brandon Webb comes in relief and retires the side in order.
Bottom of the 9th (8-8 tie)
- They won’t go away!
- Against the feared Robb Nen, Campy reaches on a single to lead off the inning.
- Nen follows up with 2-strikeouts. Bottom of the 9th, 2-out, best pitcher on the mound with a 2-run lead.
- Lofton singles. Johnny Mize comes off the bench and triples, plating 2 and tying the game.
10th Inning (8-8 tie)
- One walk between both teams, nothing else but outs.
Top of 11th inning (10-8 Helena)
- Baker double, Musial 4 pitch walk, and a Pujols single load the bases with no outs.
- Uh oh
- Hank Aaron strikes again, this time a 2-run single to center.
- Ordonez grounds into another double play for the 1st and 2nd outs, leaving Pujols at third.
- Gil McDougald walks but Johnny Bassler grounds out to third to end the inning.
Bottom of the 11th (10-10 tie)
- Yet another comeback. At this point, it is almost expected it is so absurd
- Campy singles and 1-out later Lee homers down the right field line on 3-1 fastball.
Top of the 12th (10-10 tie)
- Reiser battles in an 8 pitch at bat but grounds out. Robinson and Baker follow suit with ground outs of their own.
Bottom of the 12th (11-10 Bellevue Win)
- Lajoie lines an opening single, but gets caught stealing!
- No matter, Sam Thompson singles. O-Charles singles. Bedrosian enters in relieve but walks the bases loaded.
- Roy Campanella comes to the plate with 3 hits in 6 at bats and delivers. A squeaker between first and second and Bellevue Wins!
Amazing stuff.
398 pitches
38 hits
29 batters
25 left on base
21 runs
18 pitchers
11 strike outs
5 double plays
3 holds
3 blown saves (!)
A centralized Diamond Mind Baseball league, using every full time player from 1871 'till today.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
The Greatest Game Ever Played?
Writeup tomorrow, just the box score tonight. Joe T of Helena watched live - I can't ever recall a game like this. Check out the box score here.
The 20 Faces of Babe Ruth
Bar none, Babe Ruth is the best player in ATB history. He is the undisputed 1st Round Pick of choice and year in and year out wins the MVP - well, almost. There have been a few non-Ruth MVP's, especially prior to the two league format. Point being, he's the consensus best player out there.
You can still be burned by him though. Here's his best and worst for a few statistics in the 20 sims.
Now, the chart is unfair as it portrays there is an equal chance of 36 HR or 66 HR, and that just isn't the case. Still, it is worth noting that down years happen to the best of them.
Here are those same stats for every season:
Please note, these are not stat lines. Each column is sorted individually from worst to best.
You can still be burned by him though. Here's his best and worst for a few statistics in the 20 sims.
Now, the chart is unfair as it portrays there is an equal chance of 36 HR or 66 HR, and that just isn't the case. Still, it is worth noting that down years happen to the best of them.
Here are those same stats for every season:
Please note, these are not stat lines. Each column is sorted individually from worst to best.
Game 7 Live Tonight!
10:30 PM Eastern! Post here or send email to alltimebaseball@yahoo.com if interested in watching.
Re-Sim All Stars - Harry Cary Pitching Staff
Sp 1) Greg Maddux - P10 (Yr15)
Sp 2) Lady Baldwin* - JuP (Yr4)
Sp 3) Al Orth - JuP (Yr10)
Sp 4) Babe Adams - WPP (Yr10)
Sp 5) Garland Braxton* - OPR (Yr5)
LR) Nolan Ryan - OPR (Yr2)
Se R) Joe Neale - WPP (Yr11)
Se L) Rob Murphy* - BFF (Yr8)
Cl 1) Jonathan Papelbon - CR (Yr3)
Cl 2) Dennis Eckersley - WPM (Yr11)
Single Season Leaders
W: .- 26, Greg Maddux Yr 13, P10
ERA - 1.70, Greg Maddux Yr 15, P10
QS: - 31, Greg Maddux Yr 7, P10
Wpct: 22-2, Lady Baldwin Yr 13, Jup
CG: - 22, Lady Baldwin Yr 3, Jup
ShO:- 9, Lady Baldwin Yr 3, Jup
ShO:- 9, Greg Maddux Yr 2, P10
SO: - 314, Lady Baldwin Yr 11, Jup
RCERA-1.80, Greg Maddux Yr 15, P10
WHIP:-0.90, Greg Maddux Yr 15, P10
Sp 2) Lady Baldwin* - JuP (Yr4)
Sp 3) Al Orth - JuP (Yr10)
Sp 4) Babe Adams - WPP (Yr10)
Sp 5) Garland Braxton* - OPR (Yr5)
LR) Nolan Ryan - OPR (Yr2)
Se R) Joe Neale - WPP (Yr11)
Se L) Rob Murphy* - BFF (Yr8)
Cl 1) Jonathan Papelbon - CR (Yr3)
Cl 2) Dennis Eckersley - WPM (Yr11)
Single Season Leaders
W: .- 26, Greg Maddux Yr 13, P10
ERA - 1.70, Greg Maddux Yr 15, P10
QS: - 31, Greg Maddux Yr 7, P10
Wpct: 22-2, Lady Baldwin Yr 13, Jup
CG: - 22, Lady Baldwin Yr 3, Jup
ShO:- 9, Lady Baldwin Yr 3, Jup
ShO:- 9, Greg Maddux Yr 2, P10
SO: - 314, Lady Baldwin Yr 11, Jup
RCERA-1.80, Greg Maddux Yr 15, P10
WHIP:-0.90, Greg Maddux Yr 15, P10
Re-Sim All Stars - Vin Scully Pitching Staff
Sp 1) Pedro Martinez - WTP (Yr17)
Sp 2) Lefty Grove* - OFB (Yr7)
Sp 3) Walter Johnson - CBS (Yr16)
Sp 4) Bill Bernhard - WMB (Yr12)
Sp 5) Tex Hughson - OFB (Yr17)
LR) Jeff Zimmerman - DCC (Yr5)
Se R) Bryan Harvey - WMB (Yr7)
Se L) Frank Killen* - OFB (Yr9)
Cl 1) Kent Tekulve - JMF (Yr4)
Cl 2) Cla Meredith - WMB (Yr3)
Single Season Leaders
W: .- 25, Lefty Grove Yr 7, OFB
ERA - 1.82, Pedro Martinez Yr 17, WTP
QS: - 34, Lefty Grove Yr 15, OFB
Wpct: 21-3, Pedro Martinez, Yr 4, WTP
CG: - 17, Bill Bernhard Yr 11, WMB
ShO:- 9, Pedro Martinez Yr 16, WTP
SO: - 289, Pedro Martinez Yr, 19, WTP
RCERA-1.84, Pedro Martinez Yr 17, WTP
WHIP:-0.85, Pedro Martinez Yr 17, WTP
Sp 2) Lefty Grove* - OFB (Yr7)
Sp 3) Walter Johnson - CBS (Yr16)
Sp 4) Bill Bernhard - WMB (Yr12)
Sp 5) Tex Hughson - OFB (Yr17)
LR) Jeff Zimmerman - DCC (Yr5)
Se R) Bryan Harvey - WMB (Yr7)
Se L) Frank Killen* - OFB (Yr9)
Cl 1) Kent Tekulve - JMF (Yr4)
Cl 2) Cla Meredith - WMB (Yr3)
Single Season Leaders
W: .- 25, Lefty Grove Yr 7, OFB
ERA - 1.82, Pedro Martinez Yr 17, WTP
QS: - 34, Lefty Grove Yr 15, OFB
Wpct: 21-3, Pedro Martinez, Yr 4, WTP
CG: - 17, Bill Bernhard Yr 11, WMB
ShO:- 9, Pedro Martinez Yr 16, WTP
SO: - 289, Pedro Martinez Yr, 19, WTP
RCERA-1.84, Pedro Martinez Yr 17, WTP
WHIP:-0.85, Pedro Martinez Yr 17, WTP
Post Season Awards - MVP
Vin Scully
In a no-brainer, Babe Ruth handily wins the Vin Scully MVP while Barry Bonds takes an easy second. Both were the best offensive talents in the league and by a wide margin. While Bonds is a better player than all others save Ruth, he didn't sweep the second place votes mainly because his team didn't challenge for a playoff spot. Dick Allen and Tris Speaker for instance were playing meaningful games (gotta love that phrase Omar!) the last week of the season and the voters found it important.
Still, one has to wonder why Allen received a first place vote. Ruth was the far superior player in every single major offensive statistic and Allen was one of three standouts in the John McDonald lineup. Hard to make a case he was the Most Valuable Player in the entire league.
Harry Caray
Ted Williams narrowly carries the vote in the HC. Personally, I don't agree with this but can't really argue with the results too much. Williams is definitely the best player in the league but I have a difficult time convincing myself he was more valuable the Tip O'Neill. Take a look at these statistics, O'neil bests Williams in:
RC: 159 to 117
RB: 390 to 255
H: 260 to 150
2B: 51 to 15
3B: 30 to 0
R: 124 to 89
SB: 41 to 0
Plus he had similar RBI totals, just "losing" 95 to 90. The cause for the difference? Playing time - Williams missed approximately 6 weeks of the season which must be considered.
Mickey Mantle was the clear 3rd place choice with Jeff Bagwell and Lou Gehrig garnering minimal interest.
In a no-brainer, Babe Ruth handily wins the Vin Scully MVP while Barry Bonds takes an easy second. Both were the best offensive talents in the league and by a wide margin. While Bonds is a better player than all others save Ruth, he didn't sweep the second place votes mainly because his team didn't challenge for a playoff spot. Dick Allen and Tris Speaker for instance were playing meaningful games (gotta love that phrase Omar!) the last week of the season and the voters found it important.
Still, one has to wonder why Allen received a first place vote. Ruth was the far superior player in every single major offensive statistic and Allen was one of three standouts in the John McDonald lineup. Hard to make a case he was the Most Valuable Player in the entire league.
Harry Caray
Ted Williams narrowly carries the vote in the HC. Personally, I don't agree with this but can't really argue with the results too much. Williams is definitely the best player in the league but I have a difficult time convincing myself he was more valuable the Tip O'Neill. Take a look at these statistics, O'neil bests Williams in:
RC: 159 to 117
RB: 390 to 255
H: 260 to 150
2B: 51 to 15
3B: 30 to 0
R: 124 to 89
SB: 41 to 0
Plus he had similar RBI totals, just "losing" 95 to 90. The cause for the difference? Playing time - Williams missed approximately 6 weeks of the season which must be considered.
Mickey Mantle was the clear 3rd place choice with Jeff Bagwell and Lou Gehrig garnering minimal interest.
Resim Power Alley: 16th through 13th
16th - Willets Point Mechanics (HC - It Could Be)
Owners: Matt Brody
Actual W/Avg Re-Sim W: 72/81
Re-Sim Max / Min Wins: 91/67
Avg RD: -8
Playoffs: 2
MWP: 98
With 72 regular season wins, these re-sims must be bittersweet for owner Matt Brody. In ATB XI the Mechanics sported a -97 run differential, a figure the team sunk to only once in all of the 20 re-sims. In short, ATB XI was about as unlucky of a season Willets Point could have suffered through. They underperformed in Win total (-11%), Runs Scored (-8%), and Runs Against (-4%).
There true level of talent is almost exactly a .500 team - 81 wins a minus-8 run differential.
15th - Old Pete's Rabble (HC - It Could Be)
Owners: PC, Grrrr
Actual W/Avg Re-Sim W: 75/82
Re-Sim Max / Min Wins: 92/72
Avg RD: 0
Playoffs: 2
MWP: 99
Here's the computer team that finished above .500 in 11 of the re-sims. Their early round picks were deferred to later in the draft as we searched for an owner too - what might have been.
14th - Edinburgh Caber Tossers (HC - It Might Be)
Owners: TJ Olszewski
Actual W/Avg Re-Sim W: 85/81
Re-Sim Max / Min Wins: 91/72
Avg RD: -20
Playoffs: 4
MWP: 99
We've gone through 9 teams and now encounter our first team that outperformed it's 20-resim average. I really don't know why that is, but there has to be something too it - nine in a row is too much for coincidence. Why would all the lower ranked teams play even worse in the regular season than the re-sims?
TJ led his squad to 85 wins and at the end of August actually had the wild card lead before trailing off quickly, ultimately losing the last WC slot to Planet 10. This was a clear over achievement that normally this can be attributed to a hands on computer manager, but in this case TJ had limited time and made few lineup adjustments.
In terms of Run Differential, the team outperformed the re-sim average by 70 runs, third highest of any team. Overall during the re-sims, Edinbrugh averaged an RD of -20. They fair well in the rankings, at least when compared with the bottom ranked teams, because their upside was fairly high - they won 87 or more games six times, made the playoffs 4 times, and had a solid max win potential of 99.
13th - Chi Town Black Sox (VS - It Gets by Buckner)
Owners: Mike Thannasides, Zach Bernstein
Actual W/Avg Re-Sim W: 80/81
Re-Sim Max / Min Wins: 92/70
Avg RD: +6
Playoffs: 3 (1 Div Title)
MWP: 97
What immediately comes to mind with Chi-Town is figuring out an explanation as to why their pitching staff let up 57 fewer runs in the regular season. Their total Runs Against of 680 is easily better then each of the RA values in the re-sims, with just season six approaching, but not close to equalling, that level of success. Likely just another reason that 20 sims truly isn't enough to be completely accurate on team skill.
The first division winner we've come across, with an 86-76 record in season 18 the Black Sox took advantage of an across the board down season in "It Gets by Buckner" to narrowly edge Helena by 2 games. Their best record came the re-sim prior, but even with 92 wins fell short of the division lead by 4 games though they did secure a playoff birth via the wild card.
Chi-Town finished with a positive RD and 80 ore more wins 12 of 20 times. Their max win potential of 97 is a bit on short side considering the 92 win season under their belt, but the combination of a division title, and overall net positive RD boosted their score.
Owners: Matt Brody
Actual W/Avg Re-Sim W: 72/81
Re-Sim Max / Min Wins: 91/67
Avg RD: -8
Playoffs: 2
MWP: 98
With 72 regular season wins, these re-sims must be bittersweet for owner Matt Brody. In ATB XI the Mechanics sported a -97 run differential, a figure the team sunk to only once in all of the 20 re-sims. In short, ATB XI was about as unlucky of a season Willets Point could have suffered through. They underperformed in Win total (-11%), Runs Scored (-8%), and Runs Against (-4%).
There true level of talent is almost exactly a .500 team - 81 wins a minus-8 run differential.
15th - Old Pete's Rabble (HC - It Could Be)
Owners: PC, Grrrr
Actual W/Avg Re-Sim W: 75/82
Re-Sim Max / Min Wins: 92/72
Avg RD: 0
Playoffs: 2
MWP: 99
Here's the computer team that finished above .500 in 11 of the re-sims. Their early round picks were deferred to later in the draft as we searched for an owner too - what might have been.
14th - Edinburgh Caber Tossers (HC - It Might Be)
Owners: TJ Olszewski
Actual W/Avg Re-Sim W: 85/81
Re-Sim Max / Min Wins: 91/72
Avg RD: -20
Playoffs: 4
MWP: 99
We've gone through 9 teams and now encounter our first team that outperformed it's 20-resim average. I really don't know why that is, but there has to be something too it - nine in a row is too much for coincidence. Why would all the lower ranked teams play even worse in the regular season than the re-sims?
TJ led his squad to 85 wins and at the end of August actually had the wild card lead before trailing off quickly, ultimately losing the last WC slot to Planet 10. This was a clear over achievement that normally this can be attributed to a hands on computer manager, but in this case TJ had limited time and made few lineup adjustments.
In terms of Run Differential, the team outperformed the re-sim average by 70 runs, third highest of any team. Overall during the re-sims, Edinbrugh averaged an RD of -20. They fair well in the rankings, at least when compared with the bottom ranked teams, because their upside was fairly high - they won 87 or more games six times, made the playoffs 4 times, and had a solid max win potential of 99.
13th - Chi Town Black Sox (VS - It Gets by Buckner)
Owners: Mike Thannasides, Zach Bernstein
Actual W/Avg Re-Sim W: 80/81
Re-Sim Max / Min Wins: 92/70
Avg RD: +6
Playoffs: 3 (1 Div Title)
MWP: 97
What immediately comes to mind with Chi-Town is figuring out an explanation as to why their pitching staff let up 57 fewer runs in the regular season. Their total Runs Against of 680 is easily better then each of the RA values in the re-sims, with just season six approaching, but not close to equalling, that level of success. Likely just another reason that 20 sims truly isn't enough to be completely accurate on team skill.
The first division winner we've come across, with an 86-76 record in season 18 the Black Sox took advantage of an across the board down season in "It Gets by Buckner" to narrowly edge Helena by 2 games. Their best record came the re-sim prior, but even with 92 wins fell short of the division lead by 4 games though they did secure a playoff birth via the wild card.
Chi-Town finished with a positive RD and 80 ore more wins 12 of 20 times. Their max win potential of 97 is a bit on short side considering the 92 win season under their belt, but the combination of a division title, and overall net positive RD boosted their score.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
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