TCABT-XII (Oct 5, 2019): Team Selection …

TCABT-XII team selection is upon us.  Team selection will begin at noon on Saturday, July 6th, 2019.  Teams will be updated on this blog post, as they are validated.  Cut-off date for entering TCABT-XII is Friday, September 13th, 2019.

TCABT-XII Tournament date is:  Saturday, October 5th, 2019.

TCABT-XII: Selected Teams (click on team name for Baseball Reference link) –

1. 2018 DODGERS (JERRY JACOBS – ST. PAUL, MN)
2. 2011 YANKEES (TERRY BORTHWICK – CRYSTAL, MN)
3. 2018 YANKEES (GARY BORTHWICK – CRYSTAL, MN)
4. 1951 DODGERS (BRUCE TYLER – ELK RIVER, MN)
5. 1912 GIANTS (DARRELL SHREVE – ST. PAUL, MN)
6. 2018 RED SOX (GORDON RODELL – FT. MYERS, FL)
7. 1934 CARDINALS (PHIL GERAFFO – SHOREWOOD, MN)
8. 1990 REDS (GARTH ANDERSEN – ANDOVER, MN)
9. 2013 RED SOX (ERIC BERG – JACKSONVILLE, IL)
10. 1995 INDIANS (LEROY ARNOLDI – PRIOR LAKE, MN)
11. 1988 DODGERS (DAVE JONES – MINNEAPOLIS, MN)
12. 2004 CARDINALS (DARRELL SKOGEN – MAPLE GROVE, MN)
13. 1948 INDIANS (ROB SKOGEN – FOREST LAKE, MN)
14. 2018 BREWERS (CRAIG CHRISTIAN – EAU CLAIRE, WI)
15. 2010 TWINS (BARRY BOEVERS – CHAMPLIN, MN)
16. 1986 RED SOX (KURT BERGLAND – WAUKESHA, WI)
17. 1935 CUBS (FRED JOHNSON – COTTAGE GROVE, MN)
18. 1994 INDIANS (BEN LOFGREN – HAWLEY, MN)
19. 1970 REDS (JIM FRAASCH – SAVAGE, MN)
20. 2016 CUBS (PAT MARTIN – BROOKLYN PARK, MN)
21. 1911 GIANTS (DON SHREVE – DENTON, TX)
22. 2017 YANKEES (DAVE DRUK – BLAINE, MN)
23. 1978 DODGERS (KEVIN CLUFF – APPLE VALLEY, MN)
24. 1928 YANKEES (DAVE NORLANDER – DULUTH, MN)
25. 2006 TWINS (PAUL VAN BEEK – WINONA, MN)
26. 1969 ORIOLES (CHRIS KAUFMAN – MANKATO, MN)
27. 1931 YANKEES (JEFF BOEDING – PLATTE CITY, MO)
28. 1925 ROBINS (GEORGE ADAMS – LIBERTY, MO)
29. 2009 ROCKIES (ALEC OTTO – GREEN BAY, WI)
30. 1922 BROWNS (DEVIN HILL – MINNEAPOLIS, MN)
31. 1964 WHITE SOX (MARTY LEE – LENEXA, KS)
32. ?

 

TCABT-XII Tournament date is: Saturday, October 5th, 2019.

Any MLB team, 1901-2018, minus the following previous 11 TCABT Champions:

1927 Yankees, 1954 Giants, 1902 Pirates, 1937 Yankees, 2011 Rangers, 1930 Cardinals, 1930 Yankees, 1929 Athletics, 2017 Nationals, 1998 Yankees, 1972 Pirates.

Team selection will be open thru Friday, September 13th.

States represented by entrants for TCABT-XII:

TCABT-

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APBA’view: Jim Sce

I had the good fortune of meeting Jim Sce in person, once.  Everything you hear about Mr. Sce is 100% true.  The nicest person around, he would give you the shirt off his back … but Jim, please keep your shirt on!  It is safe to say, Jim is well known to most in the APBA Community.  While APBA has been an integral part of Jim’s life since the 1950’s, I would not hesitate to say, the good people involved in the hobby, have become a bigger part of Jim’s life.  I had not interviewed Jim before, only because he was too humble, and would always say you need to interview others before you interview me.  When I checked back with Jim in late 2018, after he had survived a heart-attack, the deal was finally made, and Mr. Sce agreed to do the APBA’view for my blog site.

For years on the APBA Between the Lines Delphi Forum, I had read dozens of posts made by Jim Sce (not counting the dozens where he referred to Roy Langhans as a “loser”), and responded to a few here and there.  I knew that Jim is a regular attendee of the APBA Conventions, held each year.  Having never been able to make one of the conventions myself, I finally had the chance to meet Jim Sce in person, in March of 2016, when we were both visiting Phoenix for different reasons.  Sce was taking in a few Spring Training games (Giants) and I was visiting my daughter who was attending Grand Canyon University in Phoenix at the time.  We made plans to meet for breakfast one of the mornings.  Fortunately for both Jim and I, Paul McEvoy (APBA Baseball for Windows developer) accepted Sce’s invite, and joined us as well.  Paul resides in the Phoenix area.  Let the record state, Mr. Sce, bought the breakfast for the 3 of us …

A random breakfast meeting in Phoenix, AZ, spring of 2016 (L to R:  Jim Sce, Paul McEvoy, Jim F.)

Onto the hard hitting questions for Jim Sce …

Jimsapbabarn question #1:  Tell us about yourself, your youth, etc (outside of APBA)?

Jim Sce:  I grew up in Syracuse, NY, or, as I call it, Siberacuse. We had two seasons – Winter and the 4th of July, and it usually rained on the 4th. I played Baseball from Little League, thru High School, American Legion Ball, and College. I was an only child. I graduated from Pennsylvania Military College in 1967. I did sign with Dodgers, but, quickly realized I was missing the ability to hit a real breaking ball. I had to fulfill my Military obligation as a product of the military school and my Commission and found myself in Cambodia several years before we were officially there. APBA did go with me.

Jimsapbabarn question #2:  Tell us about your work/career?

Jim Sce:  I am a Wholesale Insurance Broker which is a broker’s broker. When a normal agent or broker cannot place something in his Standard Market, they come to us as we have access to the high risk markets throughout the world. We do high risk deals. As a result I’ve traveled extensively on business, from all over the US to London, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, and Zurich. I have been toying with the idea of retirement for a while, and, in fact, several years ago, I did retire – for 3 days. Hated it. Went back to work. That said, since I just had a heart attack over Thanksgiving Weekend, I have decided to retire at the end of January, 2019.

Jimsapbabarn question #3:  When/how did you discover APBA?

Jim Sce:  I discovered APBA in 1957. There were four of us, close friends growing up, and one of them, Ron, bought the game (1956 season). The four of us played that game all year. There were three “Jims” and one Ron. One Jim was a Dodger fan, (Brooklyn, of course), the other Jim was a Yankee fan and I was a Braves fan. In 1958 I bought my first APBA game, (1957 Season), and have played, almost without interruption ever since. I think my friends outgrew it. I never did.

The game went with me to College, Cambodia, and a slew of job transfers from Philadelphia, to Chicago, to San Francisco, to Boston, then Atanta and finally to Los Angeles. (I live in Pasadena). I remember one year I drove from Philadelphia to Lancaster to pick up the new Baseball cards. I ran into a major snowstorm and I knew APBA closed at 5:00. I found a gas station, (no cell phones then, back in 1968-69), called APBA and Dick Seitz answered. I asked him if he could wait, that I wasn’t far away, but, I was on the road almost three hours because of the storm. He said, “NO!”

Then he recanted and said he’d wait until 5:15, not one minute more. There was a pause and then he said, and I quote, “And bring exact change.” I made it. This was the same Dick Seitz who, every year I was at Pennsylvania Military College, sent me four free tickets in the APBA Box to the Phillies at Connie Mack Stadium. Go figure.

In Chicago we had a 12 team face to face league for 5 years until my transfer to San Francisco. In Boston I started a neighborhood Baseball league, 20 teams and a Football League, 8 teams. In Atlanta I was in a Baseball League with 9 other guys. One of the guys was Danny Landers.

The CABLE III photo above shows Jim Sce and Danny Landers standing next to each other, top Left, from page #24, March 1991, APBA Journal.

Danny was the developer of StatMaster and the computer bowling game. I bought my first computer because of APBA for Windows, and I knew nothing about computers, nothing, including copy protection. After a gazillion calls to APBA, who, at the time, knew less than I did, they noted I lived in Marietta, GA, also where Danny lived. They gave me his work number and I discovered he lived just 5 houses down – and thus began a lifelong friendship until his untimely death about 10 years ago.  He once tried to trade me Donnie Moore a day after Moore committed suicide. Maybe he wasn’t that close a friend.<g>

 

Jimsapbabarn question #4:  Please talk about your years in Vietnam, and how APBA was woven into your years of service during the war.?

Jim Sce:  The game found it’s way to Cambodia with me. I was in charge of an LRRP Unit, (Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol Unit). The four of us played between missions. That ended when a mortar attack destroyed the game in our bunker. If memory serves, I was leading 3-1 in the 7th, so, it was an official, albeit, last game. We all survived. Two of us remain in touch until this day although, again, I’m the only one still playing.

While recovering from another wound at Ft. Lewis, we had an 8 team league. I was there for a year. We had not much else to do and we played incessantly.

 

Jimsapbabarn question #5:  Which APBA board game is your favorite?

Jim Sce:  My favorite game is APBA Baseball … I prefer the Cards and Dice for my Replays/Sims, thanks to BallStat, which brought me back to the cards.  I also play BBW in a League and am currently finishing a long running 1970 replay in BBW. I also play APBAGo because it’s fun to play “face-to-face” online (ed. note, I recently had the honor of playing vs Jim Sce in the first round of the first APBA sponsored APBAGo tournament). I also really like the Soccer game and am currently into Week 4 of the 2017-18 English Premier League. My current Baseball Cards & Dice project is 2014 – I’m into early July.

 

BAT FLIPS at the ‘Barn with Jim Sce …

– Your favorite sport(s)/team(s)?

Jim Sce:  Baseball and the Braves

– Your favorite sports venue?

Jim Sce:  Wrigley Field

– Your favorite movie?

Jim Sce:  Dr. Zhivago

– Your favorite APBA memory?

Jim Sce:  Meeting many of the guys at the APBA conventions, especially Roy Langhans, who, despite his complete inability to manage any Braves team, is the classiest person I have ever met, and I don’t mean low class.

Roy Langhans, on left, proudly showcasing the “L” which Sce created for Roy, with Jim Sce on right.

Included, but not limited to that group is Nick Braccia, Mike “Pengy” Davidson, John Herson, Richard Hormel, Randy Egan. All of these guys stay in regular contact with me. I know there are others, but, you get the gist.

Clockwise from upper left:  Mike “Pengy” Davidson, Randy Egan, Jim Sce, John Kalous

A closing note from Jim Sce:  I’m married to Loraine and we have four daughters. My wife of 21 years has a high tolerance for my APBA playing. I am very fortunate that way. This is my second marriage. I’m pretty sure APBA was one of the causes of my first wife divorcing me. <g>

Mr. Jim Sce, thank you so much for taking the time to answer another round of hard hitting questions from the ‘barn … your passion for the game and hobby, and more importantly, your friendships with all of those in APBAland, show your true colors.  You are “Hall of Fame” material, both in and out of the APBA realm.

Jim Sce, Homer Simpson, Roy Langhans

 

 

 

 

 

1941 Boston Red Sox Replay – July Summary …

Joe congratulating Ted, after Ted’s heroics in the 1941 All-Star Game.

My 1941 Boston Red Sox replay:

• APBA Baseball, Basic Game, latest version of game booklet, released in 2013.
• Latest 1941 APBA Baseball season card set, which contains all of the players used during the 1941 season issued in 2017.
• Advanced Basic Rules.  Not using pitching grade advancement.  Using pitching grade reduction (NOTE:  The newer re-issued, re-formulated APBA season sets tend to slightly favor the pitching over the hitting, thus no need to advance the grade of any pitchers who are stringing together scoreless innings)
• Using APBA Journal Error Distribution card and Unusual Play Distribution card.
• Using Master Game Rare Play charts when rolling either a “12” or a “65” during the Unusual Play re-roll.
• Using actual lineups.
• Attempting to come close as possible to actual number of innings pitched for pitchers and plate appearances for hitters, knowing that they will be + or – a certain amount due to uncontrollable game circumstances.
• Following actual trades as they occurred during the season.

 

The Ted Williams “hits for .406” watch:

The month of July, 1941:

(click on game scores below for either the REPLAY boxscore or the ACTUAL boxscore)

Series #28:  Red Sox @ Yankees, July 1 (2), 2

  AT 

Game #67-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 5, YANKEES 2  –  (Actual Score:  YANKEES 7, RED SOX 2)

Game #68-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 7, YANKEES 5  –  (Actual Score:  YANKEES 9, RED SOX 2)

Game #69-  Replay Score:  YANKEES 8, RED SOX 4  –  (Actual Score:  YANKEES 8, RED SOX 4)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (38-31)  –  Actual (36-33)

After “slumping” to .381 by the end of June, Ted picks up the pace in the first series of July vs the Yankees.  Ted goes 6 for 12 in the 3 game series, hitting 3 homers and 2 doubles.  Ted is now batting .388.

 

Series #29:  Red Sox @ Athletics, July 3

  AT 

Game #70-  Replay Score:  ATHLETICS 6, RED SOX 3  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 5, ATHLETICS 2)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (38-32)  –  Actual (37-33)

Chubby Dean began his MLB career as a firstbaseman for the Philly A’s in 1936.  After a few seasons as a modest hitting 1st-sacker, Chubby began to pitch for Philadelphia.  He pitched 9 innings in 1937, while still primarily a firstbaseman in 1937.  By 1940, Chubby started 19 games with 159+ IP.  In this replay start for Chubby vs the Red Sox in ’41, Chubby goes the distance, earning the win, a CG, 10-hitter, while allowing 7 walks with 4 K’s.  Chubby also managed a 1 for 3 at the plate.

 

Series #30:  Senators @ Red Sox, July 5, 6 (2)

  AT  

Game #71-  Replay Score:  SENATORS 6, RED SOX 4  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 5, SENATORS 0)

Game #72-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 3, SENATORS 2  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 6, SENATORS 2)

Game #73-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 6, SENATORS 5  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 4, SENATORS 3)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (40-33)  –  Actual (40-33)

In 1939, Alejandro (Alex) Carrasquel (flanked by 2 unnamed Washington teammates in the photo) became the first Venezuelan to play in the Majors.  1941 Red Sox replay, in game 1 of the 3 game set vs the Red Sox, Washington,  thanks to 3 shut-out innings in relief by Carrasquel, wins 6-4 in 10 innings.  Carrasquel is credited with his 2nd win vs Boston.

 

Series #31:  Red Sox @ Tigers, July 11, 12 (2)

  AT 

Game #74-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 9, TIGERS 2  –  (Actual Score:  TIGERS 2, RED SOX 0)

Game #75-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 11, TIGERS 8  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 7, TIGERS 5)

Game #76-  Replay Score:  TIGERS 12, RED SOX 7  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 10, TIGERS 2)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (42-34)  –  Actual (42-34)

Heading into replay Game #75, Williams had just gone 0 for 3 in Game #74, dropping his season batting average down to .383.  In the first game of a double-header, Ted goes 4 for 4 with 4 singles, raising his average back up to .394.  An injury causes Ted to miss the 2nd game of the double-header and Ted will not be back in the starting lineup until July 22nd.

 

Series #32:  Red Sox @ Indians, July 13 (2), 14, 15

  AT 

Game #77-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 2, INDIANS 1  –  (Actual Score:  INDIANS 9, RED SOX 6)

Game #78-  Replay Score:  INDIANS 6, RED SOX 3  –  (Actual Score:  INDIANS 2, RED SOX 1)

Game #79-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 6, INDIANS 5  –  (Actual Score:  INDIANS 4, RED SOX 1)

Game #80-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 6, INDIANS 2  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 6, INDIANS 2)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (45-35)  –  Actual (43-37)

Joe Cronin, not only was he the almost everyday SS for Boston in 1941, but also their manager.  The Williams-less Red Sox take 3 of 4 from Cleveland, thanks in part to the hitting of Joe Cronin in these 4 games.  Cronin goes 8 for 14, with 2 homers and 2 doubles, and 7 RBI.

 

Series #33:  Red Sox @ White Sox, July 16, 17, 18

  AT 

Game #81-  Replay Score:  WHITE SOX 5, RED SOX 3  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 2, WHITE SOX 1)

Game #82-  Replay Score:  WHITE SOX 6, RED SOX 0  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 7, WHITE SOX 4)

Game #83-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 5, WHITE SOX 1  –  (Actual Score:  WHITE SOX 4, RED SOX 3)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (46-37)  –  Actual (45-38)

Thornton Lee (AYZ) pitches a complete game, shut-out, a 1-hitter vs Boston, in Replay Game #82.  This was the first time in the replay the Red Sox had been shut-out.  Jimmie Foxx had the only hit.

 

Series #34:  Red Sox @ Browns, July 19 (2), 20 (2)

  AT 

Game #84-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 9, BROWNS 2  –  (Actual Score:  BROWNS 9, RED SOX 3)

Game #85-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 4, BROWNS 0  –  (Actual Score:  BROWNS 4, RED SOX 3)

Game #86-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 8, BROWNS 5  –  (Actual Score:  BROWNS 6, RED SOX 3)

Game #87-  Replay Score:  BROWNS 2, RED SOX 0  –  (Actual Score:  BROWNS 10, RED SOX 0)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (49-38)  –  Actual (45-42)

Mickey Harris (BX) for Boston and Bob Muncrief (BZ) for the Browns, traded complete game shutouts at the back-end of each doubleheader played in this 4 game series.  Muncrief’s shutout was the 2nd time the Red Sox have been shutout in this replay, each occurring in a 4-day stretch.

 

Series #35:  White Sox @ Red Sox, July 22, 23, 24

  AT  

Game #88-  Replay Score:  WHITE SOX 7, RED SOX 5  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 6, WHITE SOX 2)

Game #89-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 11, WHITE SOX 8  –  (Actual Score:  WHITE SOX 10, RED SOX 4)

Game #90-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 2, WHITE SOX 1  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 11, WHITE SOX 1)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (51-39)  –  Actual (47-43)

Luke Appling of the White Sox and Ted Williams put on a hitting clinic at Fenway, with Appling going 9 for 16 and Williams going 6 for 10 in the 3 game series.

 

Series #36:  Indians @ Red Sox, July 25, 26, 27

  AT  

Game #91-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 9, INDIANS 2  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 10, INDIANS 6)

Game #92-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 5, INDIANS 4  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 4, INDIANS 3)

Game #93-  Replay Score:  INDIANS 6, RED SOX 5  –  (Actual Score:  INDIANS 4, RED SOX 0)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (53-40)  –  Actual (49-44)

Lou Finney goes 8 for 15 in the 3-game  series vs Cleveland.

 

Series #37:  Browns @ Red Sox, July 29, 31 (2)

  AT  

Game #94-  Replay Score:  BROWNS 5, RED SOX 3  –  (Actual Score:  BROWNS 3, RED SOX 2)

Game #95-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 5, BROWNS 3  –  (Actual Score:  BROWNS 16, RED SOX 11)

Game #96-  Replay Score:  BROWNS 2, RED SOX 1  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 4, BROWNS 1)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (54-42)  –  Actual (50-46)

Jimmie Foxx, in game 1 of the July 31st double-header, walks off the Brownies in the bottom of the 9th with a pinch-hit, 3-run homer.  In game 2 of the double-header, mired in a smallish slump, just 1 for his previous 15 AB, Ted Williams goes deep in the bottom of the 9th to tie the game at 1-1, his 20th of the season.  The Red Sox would lose to the Browns, 2-1, giving up a run in the top of the 10th.  Williams’ batting average sits at .391 at the end of July.

 

RED SOX end of July Season Stats (click on link to read):

1941_RED_SOX_end_of_JULY_BATTING

1941_RED_SOX_end_of_JULY_PITCHING

1941_RED_SOX_end_of_JULY_FIELDING

 

RED SOX month-by-month Blog Summaries (click on links to read previous months):

APRIL (W-L):  8-5  (7-6 Actual)

MAY (W-L):  17-8  (12-13 Actual)

JUNE (W-L):  11-17  (17-11 Actual)

JULY (W-L):  18-12  (14-16 Actual)

AUGUST

SEPT/OCT

Replay note:  Thru the end of July, the Red Sox are 31-17 at home and 23-25 on the road.

TCABT-XI: One Happy Host … The Results

The TCABT-XI Champion, and regular host, Darrell Skogen (1972 Pirates), is congratulated by runner-up, not too mention, first time entrant, Barry Boevers (1977 Red Sox).

With 2 1970’s teams in the championship, one might assume we held a ’70’s only “theme” tournament … not the case.  TCABT has always been an “open” tourney, welcoming any MLB team issued by APBA Game Co, from the 1901 season thru the present, meaning for TCABT-XI, any team was eligible for our tourney from 1901 to 2018 (sans the previous 10 TCABT Champion teams).

Thanks to some wet weather outside, we were forced to take the group photo indoors again, and apparently, I had my iPhone on the wrong setting, as the quality of the group photo shows.  Thanks to Paul Van Beek’s 9 year old son, all 29 entrants are in the picture with Preston taking the photo.

 

Later on, with Paul Van Beek’s 1969 Orioles treading their way through division play, Preston pinch-rolls for dad, hoping for that elusive “66”!

 

Some big/interesting moments/stats (which were passed along by their managers) in tourney play:

– Mike Cuellar for the 1969 Orioles (Paul Van Beek) pitched a no-hitter.

– Kevin Millwood for the 1999 Braves (Ben Lofgren) pitched a no-hitter (in a later round division game vs Mike Cuellar).

– Kevin Millwood of the 1999 Braves (Ben Lofgren) finishes tourney play with a 5-0 record and a 1.90 ERA (Maddux was 3-0).  The Braves launched 25 homers.

– Later in the quarter-final round of bracket play, Mike Paxton, of the 1977 Red Sox (Barry Boevers), would throw another no-hitter, our 3rd no-hitter of TCABT-XI.

– 1977 Red Sox (Barry Boevers, TCABT-XI Runner-Up) hit 23 homers in 17 games played.  The starting pitching staff of the TCABT-XI Runner-Up had 3 C’s and a D, and not much more than 1 B in the bullpen.

– The 2001 Mariners (Leroy Arnoldi) began division play, winning their first 5.  Leroy lost his last 5 games to finish 5-5, not making bracket play.

– Hank Aaron and Eddie Mathews of the 1957 Braves (Dave Norlander) each failed to hit a homerun in 8 division games played.

– Torii Hunter of the 2006 Twins (Scott Ellingworth) blasted 6 HR in division play.

– The 1912 Giants (Darrell Shreve) out SB their opponents by a 26-1 margin.

– The 1995 Indians team (Chuck Penttila) hit 20 homers.

– 1972 Pirates (TCABT-XI Champion, Darrell Skogen) hit .311 as a team in 18 games, with 23 HR, 8 triples, and 40 doubles.

– 1961 Yankees (Kevin Cluff) hit 25 homers in 15 games played.  Maris hit 6 of them.  Light hitting Tony Kubek had a huge series, hitting .296 with 10 XBH (3 2B, 4 3B, 3 HR) and 11 RBI.  The 1961 Yankees might be the only team in the tournament with 0 SB.

 

The Final Standings (** – won division, * – wild card):

TCABT-XI
Saturday, April 6th, 2019
LUIS APARICIO DIVISION	W	L	R	OR	RDIFF
1977 RED SOX (BARRY BOEVERS)**	7	3	54	41	13
1972 PIRATES (DARRELL SKOGEN)*	6	4	54	44	10
2018 DODGERS (GARY BORTHWICK)*	6	4	55	45	10
1978 BREWERS (CRAIG CHRISTIAN)	5	5	50	48	2
2008 RAYS (GARTH ANDERSEN)	3	7	44	56	-12
1974 DODGERS (ROB SKOGEN)	3	7	28	51	-23
TOTALS	30	30	285	285	0
CARL HUBBELL DIVISION	W	L	R	OR	RDIFF
1995 INDIANS (CHUCK PENTTILLA)**	8	2	43	25	18
2016 RED SOX (FRED JOHNSON)	6	4	32	23	9
1995 REDS (ALEC OTTO)	5	5	38	33	5
2018 ASTROS (JOHN KALOUS)	5	5	26	30	-4
1977 DODGERS (DAVID JONES)	4	6	21	42	-21
2006 TWINS (SCOTT ELLINGWORTH)	2	8	41	48	-7
TOTALS	30	30	201	201	0
BARRY LARKIN DIVISION	W	L	R	OR	RDIFF
1961 YANKEES (KEVIN CLUFF)**	8	2	46	29	17
2001 MARINERS (LEROY ARNOLDI)	5	5	55	47	8
2018 YANKEES (TERRY BORTHWICK)	5	5	50	50	0
1934 TIGERS (GEORGE ADAMS)	5	5	44	58	-14
1939 YANKEES (ROBERT ELLEY)	4	6	68	62	6
1964 TWINS (DEVIN HILL)	3	7	43	60	-17
TOTALS	30	30	306	306	0
EDGAR MARTINEZ DIVISION	W	L	R	OR	RDIFF
1912 GIANTS (DARRELL SHREVE)**	5	3	43	30	13
1946 RED SOX (PHIL GERAFFO)*	5	3	32	32	0
1948 INDIANS (JIM FRAASCH)	4	4	31	25	6
1957 BRAVES (DAVE NORLANDER)	3	5	33	37	-4
1932 YANKEES (STEVE SOLMONSON)	3	5	30	45	-15
TOTALS	20	20	169	169	0
PAUL WANER DIVISION	W	L	R	OR	RDIFF
1999 BRAVES (BEN LOFGREN)**	9	1	60	34	26
1969 ORIOLES (PAUL VAN BEEK)	5	5	36	33	3
1988 ATHLETICS (SCOTT EGGE)	5	5	36	41	-5
1935 CUBS (BRUCE TYLER)	4	6	35	38	-3
1977 ROYALS (GREGG NELSON)	4	6	27	40	-13
1908 GIANTS (JEFF BOEDING)	3	7	37	45	-8
TOTALS	30	30	231	231	0

Master Skogen (Darrell on right, 1972 Pirates) to the nephew (Rob Skogen on left, 1974 Dodgers):  “Patience young Grasshopper …”

Dave Norlander realizing a 3rd straight trip to the TCABT Finals was not in the cards, or the ’57 Braves … Aaron and Mathews finish with 0 homers between them.

Fred Johnson on left, and his 2016 Bosox battling John “The Cooler” Kalous and his 2018 Astros.

Newcomer, Devin Hill, and his up-start 1964 Twins, facing off vs long-time APBA veteran, Leroy Arnoldi (back, with pile of dice) and his 2001 Mariners.

TCABT foursome at the turn, clockwise from left, George Adams (1934 Tigers), Terry Borthwick (2018 Yankees), Robert Elley (1939 Yankees) and Kevin Cluff (1961 Yankees).

Clockwise starting with Brewer attired, Alec Otto (1995 Reds), Scott Ellingworth (2006 Twins), Chuck Penttila (1995 Indians) and Fred Johnson (2016 Red Sox).

David Jones (1977 Dodgers, on left) “monkeys” with his lineup vs The Cooler (John Kalous, 2018 Astros).

Can Darrell Shreve and his 1912 Giants solve the TCABT enigma?

Jim in his ’48 Indians flannel (1948 Indians) battles division foe, Steve Solmonson (1932 Yankees in gray hoodie), as Phil Geraffo (1946 Red Sox) looks on.

In the “Pennant Porch”, division foes, Gregg Nelson (1977 Royals, on left) vs Ben Lofgren (1999 Braves, on right).  Ben’s ’99 Braves would finish TCABT-XI with the best division record, 9-1, not losing until his final division game, 6-2 to the 1969 Orioles.

Bruce Tyler contemplating his next roll with the 1935 Cubbies.

Garth Anderson (2008 Rays) on left and Craig Christian (1978 Brew Crew) on right.

Jeff Boeding (1908 Giants) on left vs Scott Egge (1988 A’s) on right.

Devin Hill (1964 Twins) on left vs Kevin Cluff (1961 Yankees) on right.

 

The Bracket Results:

Seed	TCABT-XI   QUARTER-FINALS	G1	G2	G3	SERIES
1	1999 BRAVES (BEN LOFGREN)	7	7		2
vs
8	2018 DODGERS (GARY BORTHWICK)	2	4		0
2	1995 INDIANS (CHUCK PENTTILLA)	6	6	4	1
vs
7	1972 PIRATES (DARRELL SKOGEN)	7	4	8	2
3	1961 YANKEES (KEVIN CLUFF)	6	0	8	2
vs
6	1946 RED SOX (PHIL GERAFFO)	0	2	5	1
4	1977 RED SOX (BARRY BOEVERS)	1	0	3	2
vs
5	1912 GIANTS (DARRELL SHREVE)	0	1	1	1
Seed	TCABT-XI   SEMI-FINALS	G1	G2	G3	SERIES
1	1999 BRAVES (BEN LOFGREN)	5	4	3	1
vs
7	1972 PIRATES (DARRELL SKOGEN)	3	5	13	2
3	1961 YANKEES (KEVIN CLUFF)	2	4		0
vs
4	1977 RED SOX (BARRY BOEVERS)	6	5		2
Seed	TCABT-XI   CHAMPIONSHIP	G1	G2	G3	SERIES
4	1977 RED SOX (BARRY BOEVERS)	4	1		0
vs
7	1972 PIRATES (DARRELL SKOGEN)	10	6		2

 

QUARTER-FINALS:

Quarter-finals action, Chuck Penttila (on left) and his #2 seed, 1995 Indians, are eliminated by Darrell Skogen’s #7 seed, 1972 Pirates, 2 games to 1.

Quarter-finals action, Kevin Cluff (on left) and his #3 seed, 1961 Bronx Bombers, eliminate Phil Geraffo’s #6 seed, 1946 Red Sox, 2 games to 1.  The look on Phil’s face pretty much sums it up.

Quarter-finals action, Barry Boevers (on left) and his #4 seed, 1977 Red Sox, take 2 of 3 to up-end Darrell Shreve’s #5 seed, 1912 Giants.  Barry’s victory included the 1-0, no-hitter tossed by C pitcher, Mike Paxton.

(Note – Picture missing for the Quarter-finals series with the #1 seed, Ben Lofgren and his 1999 Braves vs the #8 seed, Gary Borthwick and his 2018 Dodgers, ended with a 2-0 sweep by the 1999 Braves).

SEMI-FINALS:

With the honorable Jeff Boeding manning the results booklet, #7 seed, Darrell Skogen and his 1972 Pirates, up-set the #1 seed, Ben Lofgren and his 1999 Braves, 2 games to 1, after Ben opened the series with a win.

In the other semi-final, Kevin’s #3 seed, the heavy hitting 1961 Yankees would fall to Barry’s very surprising #4 seed, 1977 Red Sox, 2 games to none.

TCABT-XI CHAMPIONSHIP:

For ALL the marbles … it is ALL 1970’s, Darrell’s 1972 Pirates vs Barry and his 1977 Red Sox.  Not as much suspense in this series as the ’72 Pirates hammer out 10-4 and 6-1 wins in the sweep of the ’77 Bosox, with Jeff Boeding looking on.

CONGRATULATIONS TO DARRELL SKOGEN AND HIS 1972 PIRATES!!!!

Darrell has hosted all 11 of our TCABT tournaments, ranging from a low of 8 entrants to a high of 30 entrants.  He would not have it any other way, and his sincere generosity of opening his home to dozens of APBA fanatics near and far, is not lost on anyone.  Looking forward to seeing the April trophy displayed in Darrell’s home for the upcoming October tourney!

Thanks to all who provided photographs, especially Gary and Terry Borthwick!

Coming in October, TCABT-XII, Saturday, October 5th, 2019.  Contact “Jim” if interested.  Team selection for TCABT-XII will begin July 6th at noon.

A few additional “stories” on TCABT-XI …

One “meeting” which occurred on the Friday night, April 5th, prior to tourney day, was 5 of us showing up at Badger Hill Brewing in Shakopee, MN.  A little back story here … I had sent APBA CEO, John Herson an email, asking if he might want to “donate” an APBA Baseball Game which I would end up placing on the game shelf at Badger Hill Brewing, my favorite local Twin Cities brew house, with many fine freshly brewed beers on tap.  John provided the game, and soon after it ended up on the game shelf at Badger Hill Brewing.  Apparently it sat their for a few months, not seeing much action.  By chance, Phil Geraffo, who had no idea this game had been placed at the brew house, nearby his place of work, Badger Hill Brewing, made a trip their with a few co-workers.  Imagine the surprise on his face when he saw the APBA Baseball game on the shelf.  He even sent a photo of it sitting unused to the TCABT email distribution.  I let him know how the game ended up there, and we decided the game which appeared to be not played, needed to be played.  Several weeks later, the 5 of us met up at the brew house and rolled a game.  As the game went on, we did have 3 local female teachers who were enjoying a few libations, ask us what the game was about.  They seemed fairly “impressed” with 5 guys enjoying rolling the dice and drinking their beers … oh, and the game rolled, the 2018 Yankees routed the 2018 Dodgers.

From left, George Adams, Jeff Boeding, Kevin Cluff, Phil Geraffo and Jim.

Note, the tradition has just begun … this October, we will send out an email to the group letting them know the Friday afternoon/evening prior to tourney day, there will be a gathering in Shakopee for dinner at the Muddy Cow followed up with a few beers and maybe some dice rolling at Badger Hill Brewing.

Finally, last and certainly not least, no TCABT tournament would be complete without the fabulous “postmortem” write-up by none other than Fred Johnson … the write-up is always very “introspective” and never full of self-pity or blame … as Fred’s 2016 Red Sox failed to make bracket-play, even with a solid 6-4 record and a +9 run differential.  Note, the 2 teams just ahead of him who did qualify for bracket-play also finished 6-4, but with a +10 run differential.  The math all checks out!

TCABT-XI: How One Manager Saw It (By Fred Johnson)            

Making the most of home field advantage, Darrell Skogen steered his 1972 Pittsburgh Pirates to a convincing April 6 triumph during Twin Cities APBA tourney action at Maple Grove’s rainy Skogen Fields. Long-shot Skogen parlayed timely hitting and clutch pitching to secure a surprise TCABT-XI victory. But enough about Darrell!  

In the big news, Fred Johnson’s 2016 Red Sox (FredSox) launched a title challenge that carried him to victory’s precipice. He opened by ambushing tough newcomer David (Don’t call me Davy) Jones in the opening two-game set: 1–0 (a one-hit beauty by Rick Porcello) and 8–1. In the second round, Handy Hanley Ramirez ricocheted a first inning line drive off Twin’s twirler Johan Santana’s pitching hand helpfully, for the Soxers, finishing the lefty’s day. Tear-stained Twins boss Scott Ellingsworth and his club collapsed. FredSox won 3-0. To his credit, Ellingsworth rallied for 7-4 win in game two.

John Kalous, the Don Quixote of national APBA circles—he ceaselessly roams the nation in futile search of victory for his vagabond Houston clubs—next faced the FredSox. Kalous seemed to err in game one when an over-eager Soxer batted out of turn. The Don discovered the miscue after three rolls and three Sox runs. FSox management instantly fired the bench coach and awaited Kalous’s wrath.

“No problem,” observed Kalous, a gracious sportsman. He said, “Let’s just recreate what would have happened.” Totally unfamiliar with such lofty altruism—the FredSox manager had once attended a weekend ethics workshop at a scammy North Korean call-center but was axed for being too unscrupulous—the confused Sox boss accepted. The re-creation gave FSox the three runs back! Generosity—who would have thought—paid off for Kalous whose club eventually won, 6-4. FredSox took game two, 4-1.

Alec Otto, soon to be known as “Double O” for two quick losses, then limped into Fenway with his 1995 Reds. FredSox’s Drew Pomeranz promptly pitched the team’s second tourney one-hitter, a 16-strikeout, 1-0 masterpiece. In game two, Double O went with C-twirler Jose Rijo, who shut down the Soxers for five innings. However, Otto dissolved in panic when Xander Bogaerts hit a solo HR in the sixth; he went to the bullpen. Relieved to see a reliever, the FredSox rapped four straight hits for three runs and produced a 4-3 win.

The Fighting Finn, Chuck Penttila, now appeared with his 1995 Indians and tallied two, one-run conquests over the Sox, 3-2 and 2-1. Punchless Big Papi Ortiz sabotaged his own team in Game Two with a suspiciously hideous performance. First inning, runner on third, one out=strikeout; third inning, runners on first and third=double play; sixth inning (game score 2-1 Reds)= walk and a kamikazi-like try at stealing second! ninth inning= K. Did somebody get to Big Papi???

Soxer fans soon learned their team qualified for the second round by virtue of their splendid 6-4 record and hefty plus-9 run differential. They became instant an odds-on favorite. Then, some supposed late “results” were mysteriously produced and carried to Commissioner Frick. These “documents” showed the FSox had been pushed off the podium. With admirable equanimity and praiseworthy graciousness, the FredSox manager accepted the news.

Suddenly a strident call rose from the crowd demanding, “Let’s give Fred a trophy anyway!” Pseudo-APBA umpire Gregg Nelson counseled— “Shut up, Fred.”

 

TCABT-XI: All Systems Go for Saturday, April 6th, 2019 …

30 of us APBA fans may not have noticed the NCAA Final 4 is occuring in Minneapolis the same weekend.  For the Twin Cities APBA Baseball Tournament #11, divisions were randomly set a few Saturdays ago, when 7 of us met up for lunch at the Meadows Bar and Grill at Mystic Lake Casino in Prior Lake, MN.

The division names honor famous MLB players who wore a #11 jersey.

    

TCABT-XI		30 teams
Saturday, April 6th, 2019	(Play begins at or around 8:30am)

LUIS APARICIO DIVISION

1978 BREWERS (CRAIG CHRISTIAN)

2008 RAYS (GARTH ANDERSEN)

1977 RED SOX (BARRY BOEVERS)

1972 PIRATES (DARRELL SKOGEN)

2018 DODGERS (GARY BORTHWICK)

1974 DODGERS (ROB SKOGEN)

CARL HUBBELL DIVISION

2016 RED SOX (FRED JOHNSON)

1977 DODGERS (DAVID JONES)

2018 ASTROS (JOHN KALOUS)

1995 REDS (ALEC OTTO)

1995 INDIANS (CHUCK PENTTILLA)

2006 TWINS (SCOTT ELLINGWORTH)

BARRY LARKIN DIVISION

1939 YANKEES (ROBERT ELLEY)

1934 TIGERS (GEORGE ADAMS)

2018 YANKEES (TERRY BORTHWICK)

1964 TWINS (DEVIN HILL)

2001 MARINERS (LEROY ARNOLDI)

1961 YANKEES (KEVIN CLUFF)

EDGAR MARTINEZ DIVISION

2018 BREWERS (KURT BERGLAND)

1946 RED SOX (PHIL GERAFFO)

1932 YANKEES (STEVE SOLMONSON)

1912 GIANTS (DARRELL SHREVE)

1948 INDIANS (JIM FRAASCH)

1957 BRAVES (DAVE NORLANDER)

PAUL WANER DIVISION

1999 BRAVES (BEN LOFGREN)

1908 GIANTS (JEFF BOEDING)

1977 ROYALS (GREGG NELSON)

1935 CUBS (BRUCE TYLER)

1969 ORIOLES (PAUL VAN BEEK)

1988 ATHLETICS (SCOTT EGGE)

The 5 division winners plus 3 wild-card teams will enter the best-of-three/8-team bracket play round once division play is wrapped up.

#11, Carl Hubbell, New York Giants

1941 Boston Red Sox Replay – June Summary …

Ted Williams, 1941

My 1941 Boston Red Sox replay:

• APBA Baseball, Basic Game, latest version of game booklet, released in 2013.
• Latest 1941 APBA Baseball season card set, which contains all of the players used during the 1941 season issued in 2017.
• Advanced Basic Rules.  Not using pitching grade advancement.  Using pitching grade reduction (NOTE:  The newer re-issued, re-formulated APBA season sets tend to slightly favor the pitching over the hitting, thus no need to advance the grade of any pitchers who are stringing together scoreless innings)
• Using APBA Journal Error Distribution card and Unusual Play Distribution card.
• Using Master Game Rare Play charts when rolling either a “12” or a “65” during the Unusual Play re-roll.
• Using actual lineups.
• Attempting to come close as possible to actual number of innings pitched for pitchers and plate appearances for hitters, knowing that they will be + or – a certain amount due to uncontrollable game circumstances.
• Following actual trades as they occurred during the season.

The high-lights and low-lights in the month of June …

• June 2nd, Ted goes 0 for 4 dropping him to .400 on the season.  Veteran catcher, Frankie Pytlak, goes 4 for 4.
• June 5th, the Cleveland Indians gain their first win over Boston in the 1941 season, thanks to a Lou Boudreau game-winning double in the bottom of the 12th.  Meanwhile, Ted Williams goes 3 for 6, raising his batting average to .405 on the season.
• June 6th, Williams 2 hits gets him to .408.
• June 8th, 2nd game of double-header vs Chisox, Williams goes 0 for 3 and drops to .395.
• June 12th, Teddy Ballgame’s 4 hits in double-dip vs Browns, raises season average to .404.
• June 15th, Jim Tabor drives in 5 runs, and Williams 3 for 4 performance puts him at .411 on the season.
• June 19th, 2 hits in series finale vs Tigers keeps Ted at .406.
• June 22nd, Mickey Harris (BX) mows down Browns in CG, 1-hitter, the only hit a solo-homer in the 5th inning.  4 hits in double-header puts Williams at .414 on season.
• June 26th, Ted finishes 3 game series vs Cleveland going 0 for 8, dropping him to .396.
• June 27th, Williams collects 2 hits vs Senators, raising his batting average to .398.
• June 28th and 29th (double-header), in the final 3 games of June, Ted goes 0 for 8 to finish the month of June batting .381.

The Ted Williams “hits for .406” watch:

The month of June, 1941:

(click on game scores below for either the REPLAY boxscore or the ACTUAL boxscore)

Series #18:  Red Sox @ Tigers, June 1 (2), 2

  AT  

Game #39-  Replay Score:  TIGERS 4, RED SOX 3  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 7, TIGERS 6)

Game #40-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 5, TIGERS 4  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 6, TIGERS 5)

Game #41-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 7, TIGERS 3  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 9, TIGERS 1)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (27-14)  –  Actual (22-19)

June 2nd, the same day Ted Williams puts up an 0 for 4, Frankie Pytlak, handling 50%+ of the Red Sox catching duties, goes 4 for 4 with a double and a walk, raising his batting average to .298.  Williams drops to .400.

 

Series #19:  Red Sox @ Indians, June 5

  AT  

Game #42-  Replay Score:  INDIANS 4, RED SOX 3  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 14, INDIANS 1)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (27-15)  –  Actual (23-19)

Lou Boudreau doubles home the game winning run for the Indians in the bottom of the 12th, as Cleveland defeats Boston, 4-3.  It is the first Cleveland win over Boston in 6 tries.

 

Series #20:  Red Sox @ White Sox, June 6, 7, 8 (2)

  AT 

Game #43-  Replay Score:  WHITE SOX 4, RED SOX 2  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 6, WHITE SOX 3)

Game #44-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 8, WHITE SOX 6  –  (Actual Score:  WHITE SOX 5, RED SOX 4)

Game #45-  Replay Score:  WHITE SOX 12, RED SOX 3  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 5, WHITE SOX 3)

Game #46-  Replay Score:  WHITE SOX 4, RED SOX 3  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 3, WHITE SOX 0)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (28-18)  –  Actual (26-20)

Thornton Lee (AYZ) goes the distance in an 11 inning affair, a 4-3 victory, as the White Sox take 3 of 4 from Boston.

 

Series #21:  Red Sox @ Browns, June 12 (2)

  AT 

Game #47-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 3, BROWNS 2  –  (Actual Score:  BROWNS 9, RED SOX 4)

Game #48-  Replay Score:  BROWNS 9, RED SOX 8  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 3, BROWNS 2)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (29-19)  –  Actual (27-21)

Ted Williams goes 3 for 3 in a losing effort in game 2 of the double-header vs the Browns.  A single, 2 homers, 5 RBI, and 2 walks.

 

Series #22:  White Sox @ Red Sox, June 14, 15 (2)

  AT  

Game #49-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 6, WHITE SOX 4  –  (Actual Score:  WHITE SOX 5, RED SOX 2)

Game #50-  Replay Score:  WHITE SOX 5, RED SOX 2  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 8, WHITE SOX 6)

Game #51-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 12, WHITE SOX 7  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 6, WHITE SOX 4)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (31-20)  –  Actual (29-22)

Jim Tabor drives in 5, as Red Sox claim 12-7 victory in rubber game.

 

Series #23:  Tigers @ Red Sox, June 17 (2), 18, 19

  AT  

Game #52-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 3, TIGERS 0  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 14, TIGERS 6)

Game #53-  Replay Score:  TIGERS 10, RED SOX 2  –  (Actual Score:  TIGERS 8, RED SOX 5)

Game #54-  Replay Score:  TIGERS 12, RED SOX 9  –  (Actual Score:  TIGERS 5, RED SOX 2)

Game #55-  Replay Score:  TIGERS 3, RED SOX 1  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 6, TIGERS 4)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (32-23)  –  Actual (31-24)

Detroit’s Tommy Bridges pitches a CG, scattering 8 hits, while giving up 7 walks, but allowing no earned runs in the finale of the series.

 

Series #24:  Browns @ Red Sox, June 20, 21, 22 (2)

  AT  

Game #56-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 8, BROWNS 3  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 4, BROWNS 2)

Game #57-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 3, BROWNS 1  –  (Actual Score:  BROWNS 13, RED SOX 9)

Game #58-  Replay Score:  BROWNS 10, RED SOX 5  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 7, BROWNS 5)

Game #59-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 8, BROWNS 1  –  (Actual Score:  BROWNS 12, RED SOX 3)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (35-24)  –  Actual (33-26)

Mickey Harris commands the Browns in game 4 of the series, pitching a CG, 1-hitter.  Harris struck out 9, and the only Brownie hit came in the 5th inning, a solo-homer by shortstop, Johnny Berardino.

 

Series #25:  Indians @ Red Sox, June 24, 25, 26

  AT  

Game #60-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 13, INDIANS 3  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 13, INDIANS 2)

Game #61-  Replay Score:  INDIANS 5, RED SOX 1  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 7, INDIANS 2)

Game #62-  Replay Score:  INDIANS 6, RED SOX 4  –  (Actual Score:  INDIANS 11, RED SOX 8)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (36-26)  –  Actual (35-27)

Jim Bagby (D), the year prior, was pitching for the Red Sox, turns the tables on the Bosox with a CG, 5-1 win for the Indians in game 2 of the series, scattering 12 hits.  Jim Bagby’s father, Jim Sr., was a pitching great for the World Champion 1920 Indians, winning 31 games in 1920.

 

Series #26:  Red Sox @ Senators, June 27, 28

  AT 

Game #63-  Replay Score:  SENATORS 6, RED SOX 4  –  (Actual Score:  SENATORS 5, RED SOX 3)

Game #64-  Replay Score:  SENATORS 6, RED SOX 5  –  (Actual Score:  SENATORS 3, RED SOX 1)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (36-28)  –  Actual (35-29)

In an 11 inning, 6-5 win for the Senators, Jimmy Bloodworth’s big 3 for 5 with 2 homers and 4 RBI performance, helps extend the Red Sox losing streak to 4 games.

 

Series #27:  Red Sox @ Athletics, June 29 (2)

  AT 

Game #65-  Replay Score:  ATHLETICS 6, RED SOX 5  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 13, ATHLETICS 1)

Game #66-  Replay Score:  ATHLETICS 3, RED SOX 2  –  (Actual Score:  ATHLETICS 3, RED SOX 2)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (36-30)  –  Actual (36-30)

The A’s, Billy McCoy, goes 5 for 7 in the double-header sweep of the Red Sox, who have now lost 6 straight to end the month of June.  Ted Williams goes 0 for 8 in his last 3 games of June, and is now batting .381.

 

RED SOX end of June Season Stats (click on link to read):

1941_RED_SOX_end_of_JUNE_BATTING

1941_RED_SOX_end_of_JUNE_PITCHING

1941_RED_SOX_end_of_JUNE_FIELDING

 

RED SOX month-by-month Blog Summaries (click on links to read past months):

APRIL (W-L):  8-5  (7-6 Actual)

MAY (W-L):  17-8  (12-13 Actual)

JUNE (W-L):  11-17  (17-11 Actual)

JULY

AUGUST

SEPT/OCT

Replay note:  Thru the end of June, the Red Sox are 24-12 at home and 12-18 on the road.

Lit Uniform

Tom Brady wearing the Patriots road throwback jersey/helmet/uniform.

Ask Tom Brady or any other New England Patriot player since the 2001 season, does the uniform matter?  Chances are, the answer is “no”.  The Patriots have now won their 6th Super Bowl, all with Tom Brady as quarterback and Bill Belichick as the head coach.  What matters is:  #1 – You have a competent coach, capable of handling a roster of 50+ players, and coming up with the right game plan.  #2 – Having a hall-of-fame worthy quarterback.  #3 – An offensive line.  #4 – A defense which can still prevent points in a day and age when the rules favor the offense.

I am not a New England Patriots fan.  However, I am a big fan of their “alternate” or “throwback” uniforms.  Not only are the road whites wonderful, but the home “reds” are as well.

The Patriots looking good in “throwback” red.

Why then, do the New England Patriots choose to wear these?

2018 New England Patriots uniform.

Perhaps the marketing folks know more than I do (not a stretch).  If the navy blue jerseys are selling, then why change uniforms?  I’m not saying navy blue uniforms are all bad.  But when you have the old AFL Patriots colors, which are easy on the eyes, why not go with the throwbacks for all 16 games?  At this point, the Patriots have won their 6 Super Bowls, so there is almost no chance they change anything now.  About the only thing which may convince the Patriots to change, is if they start losing.  And even then, the marketing brass will figure it out.

Growing up in Minnesota, I had it made.  The Vikings purple and gold uniforms were bright and vivid.

Hugh McElhenny (#39) and Fran Tarkenton in early 60’s Viking threads.

The Minnesota North Stars colors were fresh and really different than the original 6 colors/sweaters (which are all terrific, yesterday and today).

Bill Goldsworthy and Cesar Maniago make North Star fans proud.

The North Stars green and gold were easy uniforms for me to like, as were the Oakland A’s of the early 1970’s.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – CIRCA 1976: Joe Rudi #26 of the Oakland Athletics bats against the Minnesota Twins during a Major League Baseball game circa 1976 at Metropolitan Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Rudi played for the Athletics from 1967-76 and 1982. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

Reggie Jackson, Gene Tenace, Joe Rudi.

Major League Baseball, uniform wise, has cycled through the old and the new and have offered plenty of throwback uniform scheduled games, which give the fans a nice look at what teams of yesteryear wore on game day.  This is a nice diversion from current day MLB uniforms which seem to follow a trend toward uniforms which do not always look much different from team to team.  The Cardinals, Red Sox and Reds should wear their red colors proudly.  However, the Angels, Rangers, Indians, Phillies and Nationals also favor red to the point where their uniforms do not stand out as much, since they really blend together, color wise.

WEST PALM BEACH, FL – FEBRUARY 25: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals bats against the Atlanta Braves during a Grapefruit League spring training game at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on February 25, 2018 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Washington won 9-3. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

When is red too much red?

Red is certainly a popular and bright color, however, in baseball it is probably over played.  Of course, if you are the NFL New England Patriots, your throwback red will never go out of style.

From sport to sport, and team to team, I tend to lean towards traditional, old-style, uniform looks, but more importantly, some variance is good.  When more and more teams start to look the same with each new uniform design marketed upon the buying rubes, different is good, even if “different” means going back to the old-school look.

1954 Washington Senators

 

For those interested, some great uniform sites:

Uni-Watch

Baseball Hall of Fame Uniform Database

Gridiron Uniform Database

NBA Jersey Museum

NHL Uniform Database