A Shot of Redemption: The Story of Will Kane

[Coach Owens]

There he is!

I checked my records, and it doesn't appear that you have a created player in this yet. And yet I gave RSR two...

And this dynasty is going to continue for the foreseeable future. It might be a few days between updates, but just like Clay waits a few days to perfect his patches, I like to wait a few days to perfect my stories. Thanks for reading!

I created a guy! You must have forgot about him!

[PotatoOfCouch13]

I'ma just post my guy here for the 1991 draft so I don't forget. Okay, POC?


Name: Will Thompson
Position: LF
Birthdate: 12/21/74
Place of Birth: Seattle, Washington
Height: 6'7"
Weight: 260 Lb.
Age (as of 1991): 16
Bats/Throws: R/L
Overall: 67
Peak: 92
Health: 86
Best skill: Power, glove, speed.
Worst skill: Contact, eye
Additional info: The most preferred stats for him at peak would be ~ .270/.340-.350/.610.

I stand corrected. Looks like I was the one to forget about him

[Coach Owens]

*Cough* THAT'S RIGHT! YOU DID FORGET ABOUT HIM! HMMPH!!

[200tang]

if his worst skill is eye how is his OBP 60 points more than his average?

[Coach Owens]

if his worst skill is eye how is his OBP 60 points more than his average?

Hey! SHUT UP!

[OregonDuck1989]

There's love in baseball?

[PotatoOfCouch13]

O.D. There is if I say so! Plus, it advances a storyline, so keep quiet, you...

***

27. September, Part II

Milwaukee (79-70) at Seattle (78-70)

16 – SEE ABOVE. Erik Hanson dominated the Brew Crew for 8.1 innings. Mariners 5-1

17 – Paul Molitor proved to be the hero of the day, knocking in 2 runs with an RBI single, giving the Brewers the winning edge. Brewers 3-1

18 – The M’s take advantage of a Brewers error, scoring the tiebreaking run in the 7th inning to beat the Brewers. Mariners 3-2

19 – The Big Unit was set up and ready to roll, holding the Brewers to only 2 hits over 8 innings, while striking out 11. Alvin Davis and Ken Griffey, Jr. hit home runs to ensure the Mariners first .500 season in team history! Mariners 5-0

Seattle (81-71) at Toronto (76-76)

No one said winning the division was going to be easy. The Mariners travel to Canada for the last time this year to face off with the Blue Jays, who are all but mathematically eliminated from the Eastern division race. Hopefully we can finish the job while cutting into the Angels’ 3 ½ game lead.

20 – Despite giving up a 3-run 1st-inning home run to Ken Griffey, Jr., Dave Stieb settled down enough to give the Jays’ offense time to recover and pass the Mariners, making Stieb the second 19-game winner in the AL this season. Blue Jays 9-5

21 – Jimmy Key does a number on the Mariners, and that number is 0: as in, how many runs did Seattle score? Key’s shutout was his first of the season, and the Blue Jays clobbered the visitors. Blue Jays 11-0

22 – Rob Murphy’s 9th-inning wild pitch starts a chain reaction, one which ultimately leads to the Blue Jays completing the sweep at home. Mark Whiten drives home the game winner with a Texas League single. Blue Jays 5-4

New York (83-72) at Seattle (81-74)

The last home series of the year, as the Yankees come to town to close out the Kingdome’s regular season. That’s good because the Seahawks are starting to get on our backs about field usage. Of course, if we pull out a miracle and win the West, they’ll just have to wait. We sit 5 ½ GB with 7 games left: possible, but highly improbable. Meanwhile, the Pinstripers are just 2 games behind the rival BoSox, with one week to play in the season.

23 – With all the minor injuries, it was a rag-tag group of Mariners on the field today against Tim Leary. And while Alvin Davis went 2-4 with 2 home runs, the rest of the team went 1-27, and the Yankees cut the Sox’ lead to 1 game. Yankees 12-5

24 – The Mariners scored 3 times in the 1st inning, thanks in large part to Ken Griffey, Jr.’s RBI double, and that was all that Randy Johnson needed. The Big Unit went 8.2 innings (really AI? He couldn’t throw the 4 pitches that Schooler threw?), striking out 11 Yankee batters en route to his 13th win of the season. Mariners 5-1

Unfortunately, there will be no postseason for us, as the Angels were victorious today, eliminating Seattle from the division race.

25 – The Bronx Bombers live up to their moniker, as the Yankees pound 6 home runs, including a 10th-inning game-winner by Mel Hall. Good news: Brian Turang made his Major League debut, pinch-hitting in the 9th inning, and tying the game with a 2-run double. Welcome to the big leagues, kid! Yankees 8-7 (10)

26 – Alvin Davis goes 3-4, including his 28th home run of the season, and Erik Hanson kept the Yankee bats at bay, allowing only 4 hits over 8 innings of work. Mariners 6-1

Seattle (83-76) at Chicago (84-75)

Only pride is on the line in the final series of the year, as 2-5 in the AL West are separated by only 2 games. I just hope that the injuries subside for once this year…

27 – Light-hitting SS Craig Grebeck’s 3-run home run was the straw that broke the Mariners’ backs, as Frank Thomas and Sammy Sosa lead the charge with 9 runs. White Sox 9-5

Sure enough, Alvin Davis went down with an injury, and will be out for the season. The longtime 1Bman hit .301, with 28 HR and 111 RBI in arguably the best season of his career.

28 – Everything was going great, until Bill Swift collapsed in the 8th inning, allowing 4 runs, and giving the White Sox plenty of cushion to take victory. White Sox 5-2

29 – Randy Johnson gets roughed up in the final game of the season, allowing 6 runs in 5.1 innings. Frank Thomas’ 26th home run helped propel the White Sox to a season-ending sweep. White Sox 7-1

30 – DAY OFF – END OF REGULAR SEASON

***

ONE-GAME PLAYOFF for the AL EAST TITLE

NEW YORK YANKEES (88-74) at BOSTON RED SOX (88-74)

This ancient rivalry has been renewed, as the Red Sox and Yankees finished the 1990 season with identical 88-74 record. Therefore, a one-game playoff will be held on September 30, to determine the winner of the American League East, and who would face the California Angels in the ALCS.

As was the case in 1978, the Red Sox won the coin flip, and would be the home team for this decisive game.

…and that’s where the similarities end. The Red Sox sent out ace Roger Clemens to the mound, and the Rocket was his usual, dominant self: 8 innings, 8 strikeouts, 0 runs allowed. Meanwhile, the Yankees Chuck Cary was not, and the veteran southpaw was touched for 5 runs in the 4th inning, capped by Matt Nokes’ 3-run homer.

All the drama and suspense leading into this game were burned up by the Sox’ “Rocket”. Red Sox 6, Yankees 0

(Just think what could’ve been if the Yankees didn’t split a four-game series in the season’s last week with the MARINERS!!!)

***

[PotatoOfCouch13]

END OF SEASON REVIEW

STANDINGS

AL WEST
California	92-70	-
Chicago		87-75	5
Texas		87-75	5
Oakland		85-77	7
Seattle		83-79	9
Kansas City	77-85	15
Minnesota	61-101	31

AL EAST
Boston		89-74	-
New York	88-75	1
Milwaukee	85-77	3.5
Toronto		82-80	6.5
Baltimore	77-85	11.5
Cleveland	71-91	17.5
Detroit		71-91	17.5

NL WEST
Houston		86-76	-
San Diego	84-78	2
San Francisco	83-79	3
Cincinnati	82-80	4
Atlanta		82-80	4
Los Angeles	80-82	6

NL EAST
Pittsburgh	94-68	-
St. Louis	83-79	11
Montreal	77-85	17
Chicago		76-86	18
New York	74-88	20
Philadelphia	71-91	23

LEAGUE LEADERS
AMERICAN LEAGUE

BATTING AVERAGE	
Dion James (CLE)	.349
Kevin Seitzer (KCR)	.344
Lou Whitaker (DET)	.342
	
HOME RUNS	
Mark McGwire (OAK)	57
Cecil Fielder (DET)	46
Jim Thome (CLE)		43
	
RUNS BATTED IN	
Albert Belle (CLE)	148
Cecil Fielder (DET)	144
Dante Bichette (CAL)	142
	
STOLEN BASES	
Alex Cole (CLE)		55
Steve Sax (NYY)		41
Willie Wilson (KCR)	39
	
WINS	
Roger Clemens (BOS)	22
Dave Stieb (TOR)	21
Mark Langston (CAL)	19
	
ERA	
Roger Clemens (BOS)	2.56
Bert Blyleven (CAL)	2.99
Mark Langston (CAL)	3.32
	
STRIKEOUTS	
Roger Clemens (BOS)	264
Randy Johnson (SEA)	254
Nolan Ryan (TEX)	213
	
SAVES	
Dave Righetti (NYY)	41
Jeff Montgomery (KCR)	35
Robb Nen (TEX)		34

NATIONAL LEAGUE

BATTING AVERAGE	
Mark Grace (CHC)	.352
Larry Walker (MON)	.336
Garry Templeton (SDP)	.337
	
HOME RUNS	
Barry Bonds (PIT)	53
Matt Williams (SFG)	44
Tom Brunansky (STL)	36
	
RUNS BATTED IN	
Bobby Bonilla (PIT)	131
Joe Carter (SDP)	131
Paul O'Neill (CIN)	130
	
STOLEN BASES	
Vince Coleman (STL)	87
Gerald Young (HOU)	63
Lenny Dykstra (PHI)	46
	
WINS	
Doug Drabek (PIT)	21
John Smoltz (ATL)	20
Greg Maddux (CHC)	20
	
ERA	
Mike Scott (HOU)	2.92
Greg Maddux (CHC)	2.98
John Smoltz (ATL)	3.26
	
STRIKEOUTS	
John Smoltz (ATL)	245
Greg Maddux (CHC)	238
Frank Viola (NYM)	205
	
SAVES	
Billy Wagner (HOU)	46*
Todd Worrell (STL)	38
Chad Fox (ATL)		36

* = Major League Record

MILESTONES
9/11 - Tigers RF Chet Lemon: 1000th run
9/25 – Cubs RF Andre Dawson: 300th stolen base

EXTENSIONS
9/9 – Brewers C B.J. Surhoff: 3 yrs, $1.3M per
9/18 – Reds RF Paul O’Neill: 4 yrs, $2.05M per
9/24 – Royals 3B Kevin Seitzer: 3 yrs, $1.45M per
9/26 – Mets RF Darryl Strawberry: 5 yrs, $1.6M per

***

[RedsoxRockies]

It seems all your dynasties have Red Sox-Yanks tie breakers. How do you pull that off so often?

[PotatoOfCouch13]

RSR: As far as I can remember (and I've been wrong before, check the top of the thread for proof), this is the first one. Just a pair of big-market teams that are willing to go 'all in'.

SEATTLE MARINERS SEASON IN REVIEW

HITTING


PITCHING


***

[Mizerak]

You could probably take screenshots of the Box Score Parser for your stats. It might load easier, unless you want the stats in a particular format. Just a thought.

[RedsoxRockies]

RSR: As far as I can remember (and I've been wrong before, check the top of the thread for proof), this is the first one. Just a pair of big-market teams that are willing to go 'all in'.



***

I recall it occurring in Trapped in the Basement.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

Mizerak: Nice shameless plug! Anyways, that's a fantastic idea. I may have to download the LATEST VERSION for next year!

RSR: D***!!! Who'd have thought that I'd lose my memory before turning 21? Nice save, kid.

***

28. The Place We All Want To Be: October

ALCS – CALIFORNIA ANGELS V. BOSTON RED SOX

CALIFORNIA ANGELS - AL WEST CHAMPIONS
DIVISION TITLES: 4 (1990, 1986, 1982, 1979)
AL PENNANTS: 0

BOSTON RED SOX – AL EAST CHAMPIONS
DIVISION TITLES: 4 (1990, 1988, 1986, 1975)
AL PENNANTS: 9 (1986, 1975, 1967, 1946, 1918, 1916, 1915, 1912, 1903)

*

NLCS – PITTSBURGH PIRATES V. HOUSTON ASTROS

PITTSBURGH PIRATES – NL EAST CHAMPIONS
DIVISION TITLES: 7 (1990, 1979, 1975, 1974, 1972, 1971, 1970)
NL PENNANTS: 7 (1979, 1971, 1960, 1927, 1925, 1909, 1903)

HOUSTON ASTROS – NL WEST CHAMPIONS
DIVISION TITLES: 3 (1990, 1986, 1980)
NL PENNANTS: 0

*

ALCS GAME 1 – The Red Sox must’ve left their bats back on the East Coast, because Mark Langston shut them out for 8 innings, giving the Angels the early series lead. Angels 4-0

NLCS GAME 1 – The Pirates are saved by late game heroics from Mark Ryal, whose 8th inning pinch-hit single with the bases loaded drove in the eventual winning run. Pirates 4-3

NLCS GAME 2 – The Pirates again need a late-inning lift, and Sid Bream provided it. The first basemen hit a pinch-hit 2-run homer to break a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the 7th, and the Pirates bullpen held off a late Astros charge for the win. Pirates 4-3

ALCS GAME 2 - A classic matchup between Bert Blyleven and Roger Clemens: The Rocket struck out 12 batters, but left after 8 innings with the score tied at 3. The Red Sox took a lead in the top of the 9th inning, when Kevin Romine’s pinch-hit double capped a 3-run inning, but the Angels fought back. Jeff Reardon loaded the bases with 2 singles and a walk, and Lance Parrish made him pay, blasting a walk-off grand slam into the right field bleachers. Angels 7-6

ALCS GAME 3 – Mike Boddicker takes advantage of an Angels lineup that apparently left its equipment back in Anaheim. Boddicker twirls a 6-hit shutout to help put the Red Sox in the win column. Red Sox 4-0

NLCS GAME 3 – Barry Bonds breaks out of his postseason funk, going 3-5, and driving in the eventual game-winning run with an RBI single in the 8th inning. Pirates 4-3

NLCS GAME 4 – The Pirates score 10 times after the 3rd inning, and Rick Reed tosses a 5-hit complete game, as Pittsburgh makes easy work of Houston in the NLDS. Pirates 10-1

THE PITTSBURGH PIRATES ARE NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
MVP: SP John Smiley (Game 2 Winner) - 7 IP, 5 H, 2 R

ALCS GAME 4 – Ted Power continued the run of great Red Sox starting pitching, holding the Angels to just 4 hits over 8 innings of work, and the Red Sox ride a Mo Vaughn home run to even the series. Red Sox 5-1

ALCS GAME 5 – Clemens and Langston duel to a 1-1 tie after nine innings, and a battle of the bullpens ensues. The Red Sox manage to push across the winning run on a Mike Greenwell single in the bottom of the 11th inning. Red Sox 2-1 (11)

ALCS GAME 6 – Boddicker is masterful again, allowing only 3 hits over 8 innings. However, he left with the Red Sox trailing 2-1 entering the 9th inning. With Brendan Donnelly on the mound, the Angels looked primed to force a Game 7. However, with one out, Sox C Matt Nokes (yes, him again) blasted a fastball into the leftfield bleachers, tying the game at 2. R.J. Reynolds followed with a single, and he stole second, setting up Jody Reed. Reed proved to be the hero, knocking a single into right-centerfield, scoring Reynolds, and giving the Sox the lead. Jeff Reardon came in a slammed the door on the demoralized Angels, who had lost 4 straight after winning the first two games. Red Sox 3-2

THE BOSTON RED SOX ARE AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
MVP: SP Roger Clemens – 2 GS, 16 IP, 0-0, 2.25 ERA, 18 K, .190 BAA

***

[RedsoxRockies]

Nice series for Boston!

[PotatoOfCouch13]

RSR: Yep! Now lets see if they can reverse the curse in a rematch of the first World Series.

***

1990 WORLD SERIES PREVIEW
One of the major subplots of the series is the trade between these 2 teams back in May: CL Lee Smith for SP Ted Power, RF R.J. Reynolds, 2B Wally Backman, and C Mike LaValliere

***

BOSTON RED SOX – AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
DIVISION TITLES: 4 (1990, 1988, 1986, 1975)
AL PENNANTS: 10 (1990, 1986, 1975, 1967, 1946, 1918, 1916, 1915, 1912, 1903)
WORLD SERIES: 5 (1918, 1916, 1915, 1912, 1902)

2B Wally Backman - .313, 0 HR, 20 RBI
3B Wade Boggs - .337, 8 HR, 89 RBI
CF Ellis Burks - .307, 36 HR, 139 RBI
DH Mo Vaughn - .322, 26 HR, 124 RBI
LF Mike Greenwell - .325, 14 HR, 94 RBI
1B Pete O’Brien - .311, 30 HR, 105 RBI
C Matt Nokes - .288, 23 HR, 79 RBI
RF R.J. Reynolds - .314, 7 HR, 69 RBI, 29 SB
SS Jody Reed - .267, 2 HR, 53 RBI

SP Roger Clemens – 22-6, 2.56 ERA, 264 K
SP Mike Boddicker – 14-11, 4.66 ERA, 152 K
SP Ted Power – 13-14, 6.16 ERA, 79 K
CL Jeff Reardon – 4-8, 4.97 ERA, 19 SV

PITTSBURGH PIRATES – NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
DIVISION TITLES: 7 (1990, 1979, 1975, 1974, 1972, 1971, 1970)
NL PENNANTS: 8 (1990, 1979, 1971, 1960, 1927, 1925, 1909, 1903)
WORLD SERIES: 5 (1979, 1971, 1960, 1925, 1909)

CF Andy Van Slyke - .290, 25 HR, 104 RBI, 140 R, 13 SB
SS Jay Bell - .306, 19 HR, 90 RBI, 122 R
LF Moises Alou - .294, 20 HR, 87 RBI
RF Barry Bonds - .326, 53 HR, 126 RBI, 147 R, 17 SB
3B Bobby Bonilla - .316, 28 HR, 131 RBI
DH Sid Bream - .286, 3 HR, 18 RBI
1B Jeff King - .265, 23 HR, 97 RBI
C Don Slaught - .313, 17 HR, 85 RBI
2B Jose Lind - .265, 2 HR, 62 RBI

SP Doug Drabek – 21-9, 3.91 ERA, 177 K
SP John Smiley – 13-7, 3.57 ERA, 140 K
SP Walt Terrell – 15-12, 4.24 ERA, 100 K
SP Bob Walk – 12-7, 3.42 ERA, 80 K
CL Lee Smith – 8-10, 7.76 ERA, 20 SV

*