Well, this is bitter sweet. My first reaction was of disappointment; after leading ATB in regular season wins I really wanted to be in the top spot for the resims. However, after mulling it over I decided not be an elitist and simply be happy winning a playoff bid 19 times, having the 2nd best offense, 7th best pitching staff, and the 2nd best run differential in the game.
Even my draft strategy was a mixed success. On one hand I felt I proved doubles can work and we don’t all have to be slaves to on base percentage. Sure, my team OBP was near the top at .346 but that was mostly because of John McGraw, a.k.a, the best lead-off hitter I ever had. With a .417 OBP he scored 118 runs per season. But six other regulars averaged just a .327 on base, making up for the failing by hitting doubles seemingly at will at times. My Red Eagles hit 396 team doubles in the regular season, obliterating the old record, and it stood up in the resims, where we scored on average 390 per year. (In Sim 18, 437 doubles were hit thanks to Joey Votto’s 80 and Turkey Stearns’ 74).
Why the mixed success? Without my trades this team would have won only 88 games per season. Only securing Russ Ford (15-9, 4.24 ERA, 1.24 WHIP) and Charlie Gehringer (.257 / .328 / .367 with 35 doubles at second base) vaulted me into the top 3.
But all this aside, the true question is the validity of Turkey Stearnes, is he a legit first round draft pick? Resoundingly the answer is yes. The Vg defending outfielder hit 62 doubles, 12 triples, and 40 home runs per year. He drove in average of 152 and owned 9 of the top 12 RBI season in the resims, once hitting 181. But he’s also a liability with a .324 on base average. Ten times it was below .320 and two of those times, below .295. That’s too risky for me and I vow never to draft him in the first round again, although, man was it fun to watch him on a hot streak.
Finally, the pitching was good, with the only frustration coming from Norman “Walk in Runs 3 Consecutive Times in the Playoffs” Yokely. His 4.41 ERA (and 73 BB in 127 innings) was an eyesore on an otherwise solid staff.
800 OPS Batters:
.912 – Turkey Stearnes
.823 – Frank Thomas
.808 – Lip Pike
Sub 4.00 ERA Starters
3.45 – Garland Braxton
3.93 – David Cone
Sub 3.25 ERA Relievers
2.70 – Fernando Rodney
3.15 – Porter Charleston
3.17 – Jeff Gray
Best Value Draft Pick
Rd 14 – Joey Votto (.266 / .375 / .400 with 68 doubles, 103 runs)
Bust Draft Pick
None, but I was hoping for a better OBP for my 3rd Rounder, Ed Delahanty (.277 / .333 / .457)
20 Resim Results
24) 64 wins, Downsouth Brews
23) 66 wins, Colorado Green Sox
22) 72 wins, Lancaster Pretty Ladies
21) 69 wins, Detroit Tigers
20) 74 wins, Platte County Burnt Ends
19) 75 wins, Leesburg Snowhole
18) 77 wins, Planet 10 Red Lectroids
17) 78 wins, Rochester Beau Brummels
16) 79 wins, Otherton Fishbiscuits
15) 79 wins, North Valley Bears
14) 81 wins, Niagara Frontier Blackbirds
13) 81 wins, Rusty Kuntz Traveling All Stars
12) 80 wins, Shamokin Miners
11) 81 wins, Helena Handbasket
10) 83 wins, Carlisle "Mechanics"
9) 82 wins, Puerto Cabellas Pandas
8) 83 wins, DC Chips
7) 85 wins, Wildlings of the Wall
6) 89 wins, Ball Four
5) 90 wins, John McDonald Fanclub
4) 90 wins, Sparta Hoplites
3) 93 wins, Manetheren Red Eagles
5) 90 wins, John McDonald Fanclub
4) 90 wins, Sparta Hoplites
3) 93 wins, Manetheren Red Eagles
Cone ...I had him a few years back ..Like my RandyvJohnson mistake year!!Great season Lou.
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