May 1, 1984 - May Day

Game #285 - Cleveland Indians, 7 @ Baltimore Orioles, 6

April is behind us, and Cleveland was excited for that.  They responded to the calendar change with seven big runs.  Despite Bert Blyleven getting roughed up for four runs in under six innings, the Tribe managed to stay ahead of Baltimore.  That included a major jam in the bottom of the ninth, when a sub-optimal Ernie Camacho had runners on first and third with no outs.  But Rich Dauer flied out weakly, Gary Roenicke struck out, and Al Bumbry launched one to the warning track, but into Otis Nixon's glove. 

Winning Pitcher - Bert Blyleven
Losing Pitcher - Scott McGregor
Save - Ernie Camacho
Player of the Game - Andre Thornton, 3-5, HR, 4RBI's, 2R's
Hall of Famers in the Game - Bert Blyleven, Cal Ripken, Eddie Murray

Game #286 - Oakland A's, 3 @ California Angels, 12

Oakland is missing the injured Rickey Henderson in their lineup.  Though they had a 2-1 lead after four, the Angels combined for 10 runs between the fifth and seventh innings.  Many of the Halo's contributed to the win, including a solo homer from Reggie Jackson, but the unusually hot Gary Pettis secured his fourth "player of the game" honors, falling a home run short of the cycle.

Winning Pitcher - Ron Romanick
Losing Pitcher - Lary Sorensen
Player of the Game - Gary Pettis, 4-5, 2B, 3B, 2R's, 4RBI's, BB
Hall of Famers in the Game - Joe Morgan, Reggie Jackson

Month In Review - April

It took about two years and three months, but the first month of Statis Pro 1984 is in the books!  It feels awesome to pass that milestone.  I keep the scorecards from the games in a one inch binder, and it's just about full, so I'm starting a new one for the new month.

I would say the top storyline continues to be Joe Morgan's insane start to the year.  He has a slash line of .483/.603/.862.  His continued luck with the Fast Action Cards is unprecedented.  Joe only played about two-thirds of the games in 1984, so I've rested him against every left handed starter.  That might explain a small bump in his stats, but not all of it.  The month of May will help determine if Joe is for real, or a benefactor of smaller sample sizes.

Other Guys Besides Joe Morgan Who Are Playing Way Over Their Heads:

Mike Young, OF, Orioles
Wayne Krenchicki, 3B, Reds
Steve Kemp, OF, Yankees
Greg Minton, P, Giants
Terry Puhl, OF, Astros
Tony Fernandez, SS, Blue Jays

Favorite Game in April?

The Mike Flanagan one-hitter!

Your MVP Race So Far:

AL
1.  Joe Morgan
2.  Eddie Murray
3.  Mike Young

NL
1.  Dale Murphy
2.  Darryl Strawberry
3.  Dwight Gooden

Your CY YOUNG Race So Far:

AL
1. Doyle Alexander
2. Mike Boddicker
3. Dave Stieb

NL
1. Dwight Gooden
2. Bob Knepper
3. Bruce Sutter

ALL STATIS PRO TEAM THROUGH APRIL:

P - Dwight Gooden
C - Jody Davis
1B - Eddie Murray
2B - Joe Morgan
3B - Wade Boggs
SS - Tony Fernandez
OF - Dale Murphy
OF - Mike Young
OF - Darryl Strawberry

I'm An Awesome Manager Of...

The Houston Astros.  I've got them well in the lead in the NL West with a great combination of platoons and relief pitching.

I'm A Terrible Manager Of...

The Texas Rangers.  They're a better team than their record reflects.  Not sure why they're struggling so much, though they have had a fair share of injuries.

Looking Forward

I'm guessing it will be three to four years before I finish May.  Life is much busier than when I first started this endeavor.  Thanks to all of you who stop by from time to time!  The games are still fun and I'll keep plugging along. 

April 30th, 1984 - The Doorstep of May

Game #281 - New  York Yankees, 11 @ Chicago White Sox, 4

Butch Wynegar erased an early two run deficit with a three run homer in the fourth.  After that, it was all New York.

Winning Pitcher - Phil Niekro
Losing Pitcher - Tom Seaver
Player of the Game - Steve Kemp, 4-5, 2RBI's, R
Hall of Famers in the Game - Dave Winfield, Phil Niekro, Carlton Fisk, Tom Seaver

Game #282 - Montreal Expos, 6 @ Philadelphia Phillies, 2

Gary Carter continued the theme of three run blasts by catchers, launching his in the top of the first.  Charlie Lea shut down the city of brotherly love after that.

Winning Pitcher - Charlie Lea
Losing Pitcher - Shane Rawley
Player of the Game - Gary Carter, 3-5, HR, 3RBI's, 2R's
Hall of Famers in the Game - Gary Carter, Mike Schmidt

Game #283 - St. Louis Cardinals, 7 @ Pittsburgh Pirates, 4

Joaquin Andujar had himself a game.  He went eight innings with only surrendering 2 earned runs while smacking a solo homer as well.  David Green went yard too, as the Cards continue to dominate the NL East.

Winning Pitcher - Joaquin Andujar
Losing Pitcher - John Tudor
Save - Bruce Sutter
Player of the Game - Andujar, 8IP, 4K"s, HR

Game #284 - Los Angeles Dodgers, 4 @ San Francisco Giants, 3

San Fran scored two off reliever Burt Hooton in the bottom of the ninth, but couldn't tie the game before Scott Thompson grounded out to Greg Brock to end the game.  Brock had, surprise surprise, a three run homer too.

Winning Pitcher - Orel Hershiser
Losing Pitcher - Jeff Robinson
Save - Burt Hooton
Player of the Game - Hershiser, 8IP, 0ER's, 7K's