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1979 NL Baseball APBA Replay

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NL East Recap

Two themes continue to surround the NL East.  One is their domination of the NL West.  The other is parity within the division.  As of July 26, even the last place New York Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates have winning records.  That said, only six games separate them from them the first place Cardinals.  The volatility of the division is evidenced best by the Montreal Expos who have languished in last place all season up until the All-Star break.  Suddenly, they caught fire and won 6 games in a row and found themselves in third.  An exciting division that could belong to anyone.

St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals who have been in first place since the middle of May have seen their lead slipping a bit.  This is mostly due not to their performance (they are still 13 games over .500) but rather other teams picking up games against the NL West.  They continue to lead the league in hitting (.282) thanks to Lou Brock (.375), Garry Templeton (.302), and Keith Hernandez (.320).  Power is still scarce as Ted Simmons (18) and George Hendrick (15) are the only players in double figures in homeruns.  

Pete Vukovich maintains good stats but has relegated himself to the mortal realm after a 12-2 1.90 start.  He has since lost four in a row and owns a 2.59 ERA.  Mark Littel has 15 saves and a 2.29 ERA.

Philadelphia Phillies

The Phils and their potent hitting attack up and down the lineup have seen fit to challenge the Cardinals for the NL East lead.  They lead the league with 555 runs.  There are two major reasons for this.  Firstbaseman Pete Rose has been hovering around .400 for most of the year and currently is hitting .396 with a .470 OBP both tops in the NL.  Thirdbaseman Mike Schmidt is having an equally fabulous year.  Schmidt has 33 homers (2^nd in NL) and leads the NL in rbis (101), runs (86), and walks (66).  All-Star pitcher Nino Espinosa leads the team in wins (11) and ERA (3.79). 

Montreal Expos

The Expos waited till after the All-Star break to make their move when they won 6 in a row.  They packed up and moved out of the cellar that they occupied since early May and moved into third place.  The ‘Spos have had stellar pitching all year (3.42 ERA, tops in NL).  Almost every starter is putting in a solid year (Bill Lee 7-7 3.26, Steve Rogers 9-7 3.36, Ross Grimsley 8-8 3.76, Scott Sanderson 9-9 3.80).  However, it is the bullpen that really shines.  Rudy May is 5-0 with a 1.93 ERA.  Stopper Elias Sosa has a 1.54 with 19 saves.  Woodie Fryman (1.57 ERA) and David Palmer (2.71 ERA) also contribute from the pen.

Timely hitting seems to be the key this time as Ellis Valentine (19 HR) and Larry Parrish (.281, 15 HR) are picking up the slacking up the slack.  Moving Rodney Scott (.256 OBP) out of the leadoff spot could only have helped.

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs, NL leaders before the Cardinals took over in May, have lost a bit as the season progresses.  Without a doubt, the Cubs’ success depends on two players, Dave Kingman and Rick Reuschel.  Cleanup hitter Kingman is hitting .301 with 32 homeruns (4^th in NL) and 83 rbis (5^th).  Reuschel is 14-8 (2^nd in NL) with a 2.85 ERA (5^th).  Closer Bruce Sutter leads the NL with 21 saves.

It’s a case of feast or famine with the Cubs’ pitching staff.  Four pitchers have an ERA under 4.00.  However, six have an ERA over 6.00.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Despite a formidable lineup and a respectable pitching staff, the Bucs have not been able to get it going this season.  They find themselves tied for last place going into the last days of July.  Dave Parker has overcome a slow start and is starting to put together a fantastic season (.312, 21, 85).  Willie Stargell, team captain, banged out 31 homers with 77 rbis.  Bill Robinson has hit 25 dingers.  Leadoff man Omar Moreno leads the league with 56 stolen bases. 

New York Mets

Despite their last place standing, the Mets take heart that they are only 6 games back of the first place Cards.  All-Star rightfielder Joel Youngblood has continued to hit all year with a .356 BA (3^rd in NL).  Lee Mazzilli sets the table with 54 walks (5^th) and a .298 BA. 

However the Mets suffered a blow when Tom Hausman injured his pitching arm and will be out for the season.  Hausman was 8-2 with a 2.79 when he went down.  NY traded for Dock Ellis and Andy Hassler to pick up the slack.  

NL West Recap

Cincinnati Reds

            The Reds have battled their way to the top.  George Foster has been dynamite batting .333 with 33 Hrs and 85 Rbi.  Buffy LaCoss is 11-4 with a 3.14 era and Tom (Terrific) Seaver is 13-6 with a 2.94 era.  This is a solid team with a deep bullpen, but it’s not the “Big Red Machine”.

Los Angeles Dodgers

            The Dodgers got off to an early lead and looked like they were going to run away with the division championship.  They are still in the running but their lack of a quality stopper and two stints on the DL for Burt Hooton has really hurt their chances.  Trades for Lerrin LaGrow and Ken Brett have had little impact.  Right now its bullpen by committee with starter Rick Sutcliffe getting an occasional save opportunity as well.

Ron Cey is having a career year with 34 Hrs and 91 Rbi after 104 games.

Houston Astros

            This is an interesting an exciting team with an excellent pitching staff.  The Astros have a lot of speed, no power and maybe too many holes in the defense to win the division championship.  Don’t count them out; they do have J R Richard (15-7 and a 2.17 era) heading the staff.  If they can get to the eighth inning with the lead, Joe Sambito (20 sv) would love to pitch the final 2 innings.  Dennis Walling is a dangerous ph and very capable of spelling the outfielders when they need a rest.  The trade for Bo Roberge has been a bust so far.

San Diego Padres

            Randy Jones (8-11, 3.40 era) and Gaylord Perry (8-10, 2.87 era) have pitched their hearts out, but Bob Shirley (10-6, 3.76 era) is the only pitcher on the staff with a winning record.  Dave Winfield’s hitting (.306-27-78) and Ozzie Smith’s defense is the main source of entertainment.  Mickey Lolich should be coaching or attending old timers games.  Rollie Fingers looks like he’s at the end of an excellent career.

Atlanta Braves

            This team might have a future once they decide pitching and defense are important aspects of the game.  The hitting is there with Gary Matthews (.299-17-69), Bob Horner (.309-21-66) and a young Dale Murphy (.268-16-64) leading the way.

If Phil Niekro could pitch 120 games a season they could move to the upper division.

San Francisco Giants

            It’s time for the Giants to start over.  Unload everybody drawing a paycheck, acquire the best prospects they can and roll the dice.  The odds should be slightly better than winning the lottery.  Minton and Lavelle are really wasted on this team and should be able to get top Dodger prospects in return to start rebuilding.