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RE: 50's Pittsburgh Alpha Association - 4/29/2006 7:47:49 AM

PadresFan104

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1956 Update - End of Regular Season

The Braves (94-60) will meet the Yankees (96-58) in the fall classic. The Pirates improved on their 1955 record by 11 games, and looked poised to do even better in 1957.

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Post #: 31

RE: 50's Pittsburgh Alpha Association - 4/29/2006 7:53:54 AM

PadresFan104

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1956 Update - World Series

The Yankees repeat history by winning the 1956 World Series 4 games to 1 over the Braves.

In good news for the Pirates, Frank Robinson won the Best Rookie Player award for the NL, and Al Worthington won the Best Rookie Pitcher award. Signs of good things to come!!!!

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Post #: 32

RE: 50's Pittsburgh Alpha Association - 4/29/2006 8:22:13 AM

KG Erwin

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Cool -- you will be entering the year of my birth, and the beginning of the space age with the Russians' launching of Sputnik. Cool stuff on the radio now -- we got Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash on the airwaves.

Meanwhile, the Pirates continue their rebuilding. Looking good. A pennant winner before 1960? The faithful are closely gathered 'round the stoves in discussing possiblities.

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Post #: 33

RE: 50's Pittsburgh Alpha Association - 4/29/2006 5:23:10 PM

PadresFan104

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THe overnight upload of files is complete and you can browse the almanac for 1955 and 1956 here....

http://homepage.mac.com/sixwilsons/PureSimAlpha/index.html

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Post #: 34

RE: 50's Pittsburgh Alpha Association - 4/30/2006 4:14:40 AM

Fouts

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Oooo, split stats for Eddie Mathews in the html, nice! (even though you stole him

)

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Post #: 35

RE: 50's Pittsburgh Alpha Association - 4/30/2006 8:14:17 PM

PadresFan104

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Guys - It looks like Beta 1 will be out at some point today, so I'll pick up with 1957 once it's out. In the meantime, I may do some pre-season analysis...

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Post #: 36

RE: 50's Pittsburgh Alpha Association - 5/1/2006 2:18:53 AM

PadresFan104

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1957 Update - Amateur Draft

The Pirates enter the 1957 draft looking to improve at Catcher (having not resigned Canpanella), second base and of course they are still looking for some more starting pitching. The draft class was pretty weak and the Pirates decided to stop looking at new players past the third round.

1) With their first pick the Pirates select Dick "Hummer" Drott. Besides the awesome nickname, the Pirates liked Drott's ratings: 88/73/71 with decent potential and good endurance. He's only 21, but should be able to contribute immediately.

2) With their second pick, the Pirates took the best available catcher. 22 year old Dick Brown (another great name) was selected for his great defense and potential to be an everyday player.

3) Second Baseman Ken Aspromonte was Pittsburghs third pick. The 26 year old has average numbers all around, but could turn into a starter at some point.

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Post #: 37

RE: 50's Pittsburgh Alpha Association - 5/1/2006 3:17:57 AM

PadresFan104

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1957 Update - Amateur Draft

Elsewhere in the league, Curt Flood, 3B, was taken by KC as the first pick, Don Cardwell, P, was taken as the second pick, and Roger Maris, OF, was taken by the Indians as the third pick overall. (Pittsburgh had the fourth overall pick)

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Post #: 38

RE: 50's Pittsburgh Alpha Association - 5/1/2006 3:20:05 AM

MizzouRah_slith

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This is a fantastic read.

I've never played a historical career, but I'm thinking about trying one if/when I get Puresim 2006. Maybe I could start in my birth year, 1971 and go on from there. I think it would be fun to hardly knowing any players in the league and then getting into the 80's when I starting getting into baseball.

Keep this up, it's great!

One question, I would assume after the 2005 season, the game would then continue on with fictional players?

< Message edited by MizzouRah -- 5/1/2006 3:23:45 AM >

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Post #: 39

RE: 50's Pittsburgh Alpha Association - 5/1/2006 3:51:50 AM

PadresFan104

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1957 Update - Free Agent Period

Ok, the Pirates are going to be aggressive this year, although the pickings are kinda slim. Target acquitsitons are:

Pitcher Frank Lary. Looks like he could be a great starter for many years. In 1956 he was 14-8 with a 2.56 ERA for the Tigers. He's leaning towards the Yankees offer of 1.7 a year for 4 years, so I'm going to try to do a bit better.

Catcher Smoky Burgess. He's 30, and won't put Campanella like numbers for power, but he's a good contact guy. I'll be trying to steal him away from first choice of the Red Sox.

Second baseman Johnny Temple. Batted .287 for the Reds last year and would be an improvement for the Pirates.

Results:
Signed Burgess at the end of Week 1
Temple signed at the end of Week 7
Lary signed at the end of Week 8 (5 years - 2.5 Million a year)

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Post #: 40

RE: 50's Pittsburgh Alpha Association - 5/1/2006 3:53:47 AM

PadresFan104

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quote:

ORIGINAL: MizzouRah

One question, I would assume after the 2005 season, the game would then continue on with fictional players?

Thanks Mizzou - and yes it will continue with fictional players after 2005.

Al

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Post #: 41

RE: 50's Pittsburgh Alpha Association - 5/1/2006 4:06:09 AM

PadresFan104

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1957 Update - Spring Training Preview

There is an optimism that hasn't been felt in Pittsburgh for quite some time. The Pirates finally feel that they are ready to contend for the NL pennant, only three years since their new GM took over. Here's how the roatation is looking:

1) Frank Lary, (1956: 14-8, 2.87)
2) Bob Friend, (1956: 10-9, 3.61)
3) Al Worthington, (1956: 9-10, 3.21)
4) Vern Law, (1956: 5-8, 4.39)

Starting in AAA this year will be Dick Drott, the Pirates 21 year old prospect who may be ready for the big leagues by July.

The Pirates starting lineup has the rest of the NL taking notice. Scouts agree that there isn't one player in this starting 8 that can't hit for .280 or better this year.

1) Stan Musial (1B)
2) Roberto Clemente (CF)
3) Frank Robinson (RF)
4) Eddie Mathews (3B)
5) Smoky Burgess (C)
6) Johnny Temple (2B)
7) Dick Groat (SS)
8) Frank Thomas (LF)

Be back soon with the Spring Training results and the dreaded ratings changes....

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Post #: 42

RE: 50's Pittsburgh Alpha Association - 5/1/2006 4:12:53 AM

MizzouRah_slith

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Seems easy to sign players in FA?

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Post #: 43

RE: 50's Pittsburgh Alpha Association - 5/1/2006 4:39:42 AM

MizzouRah_slith

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Another question if you don't mind?

When expansion happens and or realignment in RL, does Puresim adapt accordingly?

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Post #: 44

RE: 50's Pittsburgh Alpha Association - 5/1/2006 6:20:31 AM

PadresFan104

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quote:

ORIGINAL: MizzouRah

Seems easy to sign players in FA?

Well there was something not right, (maybe a bug), when this association began. Tons of leftover money. So yeah, with a basically unlimited budget, it's been too easy and I've been able to sign any free agent I want since I can throw the bank at them. As a matter of fact, the Pirates now have the highest payroll in the league due to my latest forays into the free agent market.

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Post #: 45

RE: 50's Pittsburgh Alpha Association - 5/1/2006 6:20:58 AM

PadresFan104

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quote:

ORIGINAL: MizzouRah

Another question if you don't mind?

When expansion happens and or realignment in RL, does Puresim adapt accordingly?

Don't think so. We'll have to wait for the next major release after 2006 for that feature....

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Post #: 46

RE: 50's Pittsburgh Alpha Association - 5/1/2006 6:54:31 AM

PadresFan104

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1957 Update - Ratings changes and the year ahead. (Using Beta 1 now...)

The Pirates had a good spring training with both positive and negative ratings changes for some of their starters.

- 37 year old Stan Musial saw his contact increase by 2, his power increase by 5, and his eye increase by 2. However, his speeds, hands and and arm all took decent hits.

- 23 year old third baseman Gene Freese got a huge contact boost of +11, but his power and eye dropped by 2.

- 22 year old Frank Robinson got a contact boost of 4, but his power dropped by 8 and his eye dropped by 6. His potential is still climbing, so this may still turn around again.

- 23 year old Roberto Clement was this Springs biggest dissapointment. His contact decreased by 12(!) and his power dropped by 5. His eye, on the other hand, got a +13 boost. His potential sits at 100, and the Pirates front office is wondering if some time in the minors would do Roberto some good.

In media related news, Pittsburgh is this years PSPN pick to win it all, quite a surprise given the Pirates 7th place finish last year. In additon, 3 Pirates have made the annual "Most Feared Hitters" list.

- Frank Robinson, who is projected to bat .315 and hit 29 home runs.
- Stan Musial, who is projected to hit .320 and belt 27 homers.
- Eddie Mathews, who is projected to hit .275 and hit 34 home runs.

In financial news, the Pirates now have the highest payroll in the majors. At nearly 21 million, the Pirates are 4 million dollars higher than the nearest team, the Cardinals, who have a payroll of 17 million. Kansas City has the lowest payroll of 11 million.

Pittsburgh is now the new "New York" and has some high expectations to live up to.

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Post #: 47

RE: 50's Pittsburgh Alpha Association - 5/1/2006 7:09:30 AM

MizzouRah_slith

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Thanks for those answers!!

... and good luck!

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Post #: 48

RE: 50's Pittsburgh Alpha Association - 5/1/2006 7:42:57 AM

PadresFan104

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1957 Update - Pirates trade for Maz!

This is definitely a case of trading with my heart, and not my head, but it may still work out ok. I've been wanting to get Mazeroski on the bucs ever since I passed him up in the 1956 draft. He was drafted by the Red Sox, but was traded to the Yankees in July of 56, and went on to win a World Series.

I wasn't in a position to get him before, but with the Yankees looking for pitching, and my strong changes in the pitching corps, I was able to work out a deal. The Pirates bid farewell to the "Al's", Al Grunwald and Al Worthington. Grunwald is a cup of coffee middle of the road reliever, and Worthington was to be the #3 guy in the Pirates rotation. Taking Worthington's place will be Ron Kline, the Pirates #1 reliever, who's numbers went up this Spring, leading some to believe he should be in the rotation anyway. (Even the Auto-Rotation generator liked him!)

So I give up a pitcher I'd never use, and a starter who wasn't doing that great but my pitching corps doesn't get much weaker and I can now play with Mazeroski. I'm good.

Oh, and for the reasoning, I went to school at the University of Pittsburgh. I stood where home plate used to be at Forbes Field, where Maz hit the HR to win the 1960 World Series. How can you coach the Pirates in the 50's without Maz on your team? It's like coaching the 70's Red Sox without Yaz....

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Post #: 49

RE: 50's Pittsburgh Alpha Association - 5/1/2006 8:06:50 AM

PadresFan104

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1957 Update - More changes

In an effort to shore up their pitching, the Pirates have signed 37 year old free agent pitcher, Early Wynn. Wynn was 22-19 over the past 2 years for the Indians, and led the AL in shutouts last season with 3. Wynn signed a one year deal with the Pirates for $859,000. He will probably find a spot in the starting rotation....

His numbers are still strong... 89/71/85, with an edurance of 81.

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Post #: 50

RE: 50's Pittsburgh Alpha Association - 5/1/2006 6:47:06 PM

Fouts

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quote:

ORIGINAL: PadresFan104
Well there was something not right, (maybe a bug), when this association began. Tons of leftover money. So yeah, with a basically unlimited budget, it's been too easy and I've been able to sign any free agent I want since I can throw the bank at them. As a matter of fact, the Pirates now have the highest payroll in the league due to my latest forays into the free agent market.

This was a problem with last years version. Too much money to sign FA's, but if you go with all small market teams, you end up with some good players not getting signed. I suppose the answer is to manually adjust everyone's cash levels.

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Post #: 51

RE: 50's Pittsburgh Alpha Association - 5/1/2006 7:05:42 PM

KG Erwin

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The financial model for the "reserve clause" years kinda bothers me, too. For example, in 1946 the finances are set at 1%. By 1955 this jumps to 12%.

So, a 1946 Pirates team has a budget of circa $3 million. Within nine years, this jumps to $31 million -- that's a heck of an inflation rate!

This is why I'm debating on whether to use the financial model at all for the pre-free agency era, or else ask Shaun to look into a toggle to keep player salaries, but simply turn off the free-agent signing period, and/or reducing the available money.

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Post #: 52

RE: 50's Pittsburgh Alpha Association - 5/2/2006 12:05:28 AM

PadresFan104

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1957 Update - June 1st - Pirates are finally a contender.

It's June 1st, and the Pirates find themselves in the thick of the NL pennant race for the first time in years. They are currently in 3rd place with a 25-18 record, 3.5 games back of the Reds, and a half a game behind the Cardinals. Cincinnati starters Joe Nuxhall (5-0) and Bob Lemon (7-2) have been dominating the NL, and they have 4 batters hitting .335 or better at the top of their lineup. (Jackie Robinson [free agent signing], Johnny Logan, Wes Covington, and Gus Bell.)

Here are some other notable happenings so far:

- Bob Friend threw a 3 hit shutout vs. Brooklyn on opening day. (Managed that one!)

- The Pirates only injury so far was to Closer Roy Face who missed 8 days with a pulled groin. Face has pitched 14 innings, has 14 saves, and a perfect 0.00 ERA!

- There are currently 14 players on the DL around the league, but nobody notable.

- Pittsburgh is now 4th on the list of projected winning percentages, behind the Yankees, Reds, and Indians.

- Pittsburgh currently has the 9th best offense and 5th best defense. We don't have any individual stat leaders in any category, let alone anyone in the top 5.

- Our rotation is the best in the past 3 years. Lary is 4-2, Wynn is 5-4, Law is 3-2, and Friend is 2-3. The relievers have been playing great, with a combined record of 11-7.

- The lineup has been great with the exception of Roberto Clemente. He's only batting .200 and recently went through an 0-31 slump. I'm going to send him down to AAA for the month of June to see if he can get his swing back.

- June is a very important month in the pennant race, as the Pirates have 6 games against the Cards and 7 games against the Reds. I'll be managing the games against these teams...

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Post #: 53

RE: 50's Pittsburgh Alpha Association - 5/4/2006 2:07:08 AM

PadresFan104

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1957 Update - June 7th

The Pirates just finished a 3 game series with the second place Cards, losing 2 out of 3. Each game had plenty of offense with 42 total runs being scored over the 3 games. The Pirates lost 9-7, 4-3 and won 11-8. The Reds keep on winning and the Pirates remain 4.5 games back. In the Pittsburgh win, Roy Face notched his 16th save and has yet to let a run score all season.

After a 3 game series with the Braves, the Pirates welcome the Reds to town for 4.

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Post #: 54

RE: 50's Pittsburgh Alpha Association - 5/4/2006 9:12:43 AM

PadresFan104

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1957 Update - June 10th

The Pirates start the 4 game series with the NL leading Reds, trailing the Reds by 7 games. The Pirates are coming off of a home series against the Braves where they lost 2 of 3. They really need a good series against the Reds...

Game 1: I haven't seen too many pitchers duels this season, but this was a doozy! The Pirates trailed 2-0 going into the bottom of the 9th. 3 doubles led to a one out, walk-off single by Skinner that scored Dick Groat for the dramatic come from behind victory. I brought Face in to keep the damage to the minimum in the 9th, and he ends up getting the win. His stats are now: 17.1 IP, 15 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 12 K, 1-0, 16 Saves, 0.00 ERA.

Game 2: Big offense returned as Stan Musial and Frank Robinson each hit home runs and the Pirates won their second straight game, 8 to 5.

Game 3: With a one run lead, runners on first and second and 2 outs in the 9th, Face just needed one more out to notch yet another save. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be as Wally Post took Face deep for a big 3-run HR. Roy Face gives up his first earned runs of the year and gets his first loss.

Game 4: Pirates lose the 4th game of the series and settle for a split. Pirates leave way to many runners on base in their 7-2 loss.

It's June 13th and the standings at the top of the NL:

Reds 38-18
Cardinals 34-20 (3.0 back)
Pirates 31-26 (7.5 back)

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Post #: 55

RE: 50's Pittsburgh Alpha Association - 5/4/2006 9:02:48 PM

PadresFan104

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1957 Update - June 18th - Two important series, back to back...

As Pittsburgh prepares for a 3 game series against the Cardinals in St. Louis, and then 4 games in Cincinnati, they find themselves 6.5 games back of both the Reds and Cards who are tied for first.

Game 1: The Cardinals handle the Pirates easily in the first game, winning 6 to 1. The Cards belted out 15 hits compared to the Pirates 5. Meanwhile, the Reds are losers in Brooklyn.

Game 2: Pittsburgh bounces back in the second game of the series, winning 9 to 3. Vern Law gets his 6th win of the season for the Pirates. The Reds lose another in Brooklyn.

Game 3: Pittsburgh's pitching finally puts in a really strong performance and helps the Pirates take 2 out of 3 from the Cardinals. The Pirates 7-2 victory keeps them close in the NL pennant race. Also, the Reds finally take one from the Dodgers.

The Pirates are now 5.5 back of both the Reds and Cards.

Game 4: The Reds win a tight game 2-1 which saw great pitching from both bullpens. In St. Louis, the Cards beat the Dodgers to remain tied for first.

Game 5: Pittsburgh comes back in game 2 for a 10-8 victory. The Cardinals beat the Dodgers again and they now own the NL lead.

Game 6: In the first game of a double header, Pittsburgh loses 4 to 5.

Game 7: In the back end of the twin-bill, the Pirates win with a 9th inning comeback, 6 to 5. The Cards continue their winning ways by completing the sweep of the Dodgers in St. Louis.

If there's one thing that's clear, is that the top three NL teams are pretty evenly matched, and this race could easily go down to the wire, although the Pirates need to get some better starting pitching.

Here are the standings as of 6/24/57

Cardinals 42-22
Reds 42-25 (1.5 back)
Pirates 37-31 (7 back)

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Post #: 56

RE: 50's Pittsburgh Alpha Association - 5/4/2006 9:13:44 PM

KG Erwin

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What's funny about this is that it's closely related to the current situation in the NL Central, except that the lowly Pirates are replaced by the Astros.

For Al's league, it seems that the Bucs need to shore up their pitching. Good middle-relievers are very important PureSim, as complete games are rare. Just look at the W-L records of these guys.

General impression: starting pitchers' endurance is underrated in earlier historical periods.
This is a function of the XML, which leans towards modern pitcher usage. As a later goal, maybe Shaun could look at developing XMLs geared to specific historical eras. For many years, the starting rotation consisted of 4 main guys plus one or two spot starters.
This was necessary in the days when double-headers were commonplace. They are non-existent today, except maybe in making up incomplete or rain-cancelled games.

< Message edited by KG Erwin -- 5/4/2006 9:20:47 PM >

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Post #: 57

RE: 50's Pittsburgh Alpha Association - 5/4/2006 10:03:41 PM

puresimmer

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quote:

General impression: starting pitchers' endurance is underrated in earlier historical periods.
This is a function of the XML, which leans towards modern pitcher usage. As a later goal, maybe Shaun could look at developing XMLs geared to specific historical eras. For many years, the starting rotation consisted of 4 main guys plus one or two spot starters.
This was necessary in the days when double-headers were commonplace. They are non-existent today, except maybe in making up incomplete or rain-cancelled games.

Interestingly, I just tweaked that today and it is in tonight's Beta 3 build.

_____________________________

Developer, PureSim Baseball

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Post #: 58

RE: 50's Pittsburgh Alpha Association - 5/4/2006 10:05:54 PM

PadresFan104

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1957 Update - All Star Break

Wow, what a great 2 weeks for the Pirates. Having won 10 out of their last 11, the Pirates have closed the gap in the NL to just five games. They are now 5 games behind the Cards and 2 games ahead of the Reds.

Pittsburgh is sending 6 players to the All-Star game this year:

Eddie Matthews (3B) Second highest vote getter, behind Duke Snider
Stan Musial (3B)
Smokey Burgess (C)
Frank Robinson (RF)
Early Wynn (P)
Frank Lary (P)

I'm a little dissapointed that Roy Face didn't make it as a reliever with 24 saves, a 2-1 record, and a 2.40 ERA. Can't argue with the Leagues pick though. Frank Smith of the Cards has 30 saves, a 1-1 record, and 1.64 ERA...

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Post #: 59

RE: 50's Pittsburgh Alpha Association - 5/4/2006 10:54:01 PM

KG Erwin

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That's what I'm gettin at on the issue of using relief pitchers in the golden age. The concept of a closer was being recognized in the 50s, but they existed much earlier. Joe Page of the Yankees is a good example. Classic example of "if it works, copy it".

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Post #: 60