1941 Boston Red Sox Replay – September Summary/Completion …

“Replay” Ted started September, batting .392.  Ted saw his batting average reach as high as .404 on September 12th after a 10 for 10 hot streak came to an end.  Ted’s last dance  with .400 in this replay is when he is clinging to .400 on September 14th.  After the season ending slump and a late 5 for 11 charge in the final series, he closes out the season batting .391.

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:

How the rest of the American League faired vs the Red Sox:

The month of September, 1941:

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

Series #50:  Senators @ Red Sox, September 1 (2)

  AT 

Game #132-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 12, SENATORS 1  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 13, SENATORS 9)

Game #133-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 4, SENATORS 2  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 10, SENATORS 2)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (77-56)  –  Actual (70-63)

Ted Williams opens the month of September going 0 for 2 (with 3 walks) and 3 for 4, in the 2 game series.  His batting average raises 1 point to .393.

 

Series #51:  Yankees @ Red Sox, September 3, 4

  AT 

Game #134-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 5, YANKEES 3  –  (Actual Score:  YANKEES 2, RED SOX 1)

Game #135-  Replay Score:  YANKEES 5, RED SOX 4  –  (Actual Score:  YANKEES 6, RED SOX 3)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (78-57)  –  Actual (70-65)

In 2 games vs the Yankees at Fenway, Ted goes 1 for 4 and 0 for 2 (with 2 walks), dropping his average down to .390.

 

Series #52:  Red Sox @ Yankees, September 6, 7

  AT 

Game #136-  Replay Score:  YANKEES 6, RED SOX 4  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 8, YANKEES 1)

Game #137-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 8, YANKEES 7  –  (Actual Score:  YANKEES 8, RED SOX 5)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (79-58)  –  Actual (71-66)

Boston travels to New York for remainder of the home and home series, with 2 games at Yankee Stadium.  Williams goes 1 for 4 and 2 for 2, raising his batting average back up to .392.

 

Series #53:  Tigers @ Red Sox, September 9, 10

  AT 

Game #138-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 13, TIGERS 1  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 6, TIGERS 0)

Game #139-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 11, TIGERS 4  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 11, TIGERS 2)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (81-58)  –  Actual (73-66)

The offense and Ted Williams takes center stage when the Red Sox return to Fenway to face the Tigers.  Williams goes 3 for 3 with 2 walks, and 4 for 4 with a walk, raising his batting average to .402 by the end of the series.  Ted is now 9 for 9 in his last 9 AB.  The Red Sox plate 24 runs in the 2-game series vs Detroit.

 

Series #54:  Browns @ Red Sox, September 12, 13

  AT 

Game #140-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 15, BROWNS 11  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 5, BROWNS 0)

Game #141-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 9, BROWNS 7  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 7, BROWNS 2)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (83-58)  –  Actual (75-66)

The Browns come to town, as Ted Williams continues his hot hitting with a 2 for 3 performance in game 1 (at one point he was 10 for 10 in his last 10 AB) and is batting .404 heading into game 2 of the series.  Cooling off with an 0 for 3 in game 2, Ted is now hitting .401.  The Red Sox continue their torrid pace at the plate, scoring another 24 runs in this 2-game series.

 

Series #55:  White Sox @ Red Sox, September 14 (2), 15

  AT 

Game #142-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 3, WHITE SOX 1  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 9, WHITE SOX 2)

Game #143-  Replay Score:  WHITE SOX 10, RED SOX 7  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 5, WHITE SOX 1)

Game #144-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 6, WHITE SOX 2  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 6, WHITE SOX 1)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (85-59)  –  Actual (78-66)

The story of this series is Dick Newsome (CZ) continuing to pile up wins.  Newsome pitches game 1 of this series, gets a 3-1 win over the Chisox.  His record is now 17-4 with a 2.99 ERA.  Meanwhile, Ted Williams goes 2 for 9 in the series with 1 HR.  He drops back below .400, and is now batting .397.  (Special thanks to Fred Johnson for rolling game 3 of this series as Red Sox skipper vs the White Sox who I managed at our “Board of Winter” get together at Gregg Nelson’s home in mid-February.)

 

Series #56:  Indians @ Red Sox, September 17, 18

  AT 

Game #145-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 11, INDIANS 2  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 3, INDIANS 2)

Game #146-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 3, INDIANS 0  –  (Actual Score:  INDIANS 6, RED SOX 1)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (87-59)  –  Actual (79-67)

Dick Newsome does it again, pitching game 2 of this series vs Cleveland and Bob Feller.  Red Sox win 3-0.  Newsome pitches a CG shut-out giving up 3 hits and 1 walk.  Dick’s record is now 18-4 and he has a 2.86 ERA.  Meanwhile, Ted’s “slump” continues and is now batting .393.  (Special thanks to Bruce Tyler for rolling game 2 of this series as Red Sox mgr vs Fred Johnson, managing the Indians at our “Board of Winter” get together at Gregg Nelson’s home in mid-February.  Fred Johnson was Red Sox mgr in game 1 vs me as mgr of the Indians.)

 

Series #57:  Yankees @ Red Sox, September 20, 21

AT 

Game #147-  Replay Score:  YANKEES 5, RED SOX 3  –  (Actual Score:  YANKEES 8, RED SOX 1)

Game #148-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 5, YANKEES 2  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 4, YANKEES 1)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (88-60)  –  Actual (80-68)

Ted Williams goes 2 for 5 in this 2 game series, raising his average slightly to .394.

 

Series #58:  Red Sox @ Senators, September 23, 24 (2)

  AT 

Game #149-  Replay Score:  SENATORS 5, RED SOX 2  –  (Actual Score:  SENATORS 4, RED SOX 3)

Game #150-  Replay Score:  SENATORS 10, RED SOX 5  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 7, SENATORS 2)

Game #151-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 8, SENATORS 0  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 5, SENATORS 4)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (89-62)  –  Actual (82-69)

The timing of Ted’s latest slump is unfortunate, with only 3 games now remaining in the season.  Ted goes 2 for 10 in this series, and is now batting .389.

 

Series #59:  Red Sox @ Athletics, September 27, 28 (2)

  AT 

Game #152-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 7, ATHLETICS 5  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 5, ATHLETICS 1)

Game #153-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 8, ATHLETICS 7  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 12, ATHLETICS 11)

Game #154-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 5, ATHLETICS 4  –  (Actual Score:  ATHLETICS 7, RED SOX 1)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (92-62)  –  Actual (84-70)

Williams finishes strong, going 5 for 11 in the final 3 games of the season, however, it was too little, too late, with Ted finishing his wonder season hitting .391.  He finished just 8 hits short of his actual hit total in 1941, with 3 fewer AB.  Ted matches his HR total by powering homer #37 in game 1 of this 3 game set vs Philadelphia.  Ted drove in 134 RBI, 11 more than his actual.

 

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

1941_RED_SOX_BATTING_FINAL

1941_RED_SOX_PITCHING_FINAL

1941_RED_SOX_FIELDING_FINAL

 

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 (W-L):  21-14  (18-17 Actual)

SEPTEMBER (W-L):  17-6 (16-7 Actual)

Replay note:  The Red Sox finish the season with a 51-26 record at home and a 41-36 record on the road.

1941 Boston Red Sox Replay – August Summary …

“Replay” Ted started August, batting at a .391 clip.  He closes out August batting .392.

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 August, 1941:

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

Series #38:  Tigers @ Red Sox, August 2, 3

  AT  

Game #97-  Replay Score:  TIGERS 9, RED SOX 5  –  (Actual Score:  TIGERS 6, RED SOX 5)

Game #98-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 3, TIGERS 0  –  (Actual Score:  TIGERS 6, RED SOX 3)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (55-43)  –  Actual (50-48)

While Ted Williams was going 4 for 7 in the 2 game series for the Red Sox, raising his season batting average to .396, Barney McCosky put his name on the map with a 6 for 6 performance in game 1 of the 2 game series.  McCosky finished the series going 7 for 10.  Pete Fox also had a big day for the Bosox in game 1, going 4 for 4.

 

Series #39:  Athletics @ Red Sox, August 4, 5

  AT  

Game #99-  Replay Score:  ATHLETICS 4, RED SOX 3  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 7, ATHLETICS 6)

Game #100-  Replay Score:  ATHLETICS 10, RED SOX 6  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 6, ATHLETICS 5)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (55-45)  –  Actual (52-48)

Ted Williams posing with former Boston Braves great, Hugh Duffy, during the 1941 season … In a losing cause, Ted goes 2 for 2 with a homer (#22) and a double in game 1, briefly hitting the .400 mark, before going 1 for 5 with his 23rd homer in game 2.  Williams’ batting average dips back to .396.

 

Series #40:  Yankees @ Red Sox, August 6 (2), 7

  AT  

Game #101-  Replay Score:  YANKEES 8, RED SOX 7  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 6, YANKEES 3)

Game #102-  Replay Score:  YANKEES 4, RED SOX 3  –  (Actual Score:  YANKEES 3, RED SOX 1)

Game #103-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 13, YANKEES 1  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 9, YANKEES 5)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (56-47)  –  Actual (54-49)

Joe Dimaggio goes 7 for 13 at Fenway in the 3-game series, with 4 homers, and 8 RBI.  Meanwhile, Ted goes 2 for 15, dropping his season batting average to .388.

 

Series #41:  Senators @ Red Sox, August 8, 9, 10 (2)

  AT 

Game #104-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 6, SENATORS 4  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 15, SENATORS 8)

Game #105-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 12, SENATORS 1  –  (Actual Score:  SENATORS 8, RED SOX 6)

Game #106-  Replay Score:  SENATORS 7, RED SOX 2  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 7, SENATORS 6)

Game #107-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 12, SENATORS 2  –  (Actual Score:  SENATORS 8, RED SOX 2)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (59-48)  –  Actual (56-51)

Jim Tabor is the star of this 4 game series, as the Red Sox take 3 of 4.  Tabor goes 8 for 16 in the series with 2 doubles, a triple and a homer.

 

Series #42:  Red Sox @ Yankees, August 11, 12

  AT 

Game #108-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 8, YANKEES 6  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 8, YANKEES 0)

Game #109-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 9, YANKEES 3  –  (Actual Score:  YANKEES 4, RED SOX 0)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (61-48)  –  Actual (57-52)

With his batting average down to .378, Ted rose up in this 2-game series vs the Yankees.  Going 4 for 5 in the 1st game and 3 for 5 in the 2nd game, raising his batting average to .388 by the end of the 2 game series.  Ted also blasted his 24th homer and smacked his 27th double, and drove in 7 runs, increasing his RBI total to 87.

 

Series #43:  Red Sox @ Athletics, August 13, 14 (2)

  AT 

Game #110-  Replay Score:  ATHLETICS 5, RED SOX 4  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 4, ATHLETICS 0)

Game #111-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 11, ATHLETICS 4  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 11, ATHLETICS 8)

Game #112-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 12, ATHLETICS 8  –  (Actual Score:  ATHLETICS 10, RED SOX 8)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (63-49)  –  Actual (59-53)

In game 1 of the double-header played on August 14th, perhaps Ted’s best game in the replay thus far, in terms of hits, power and production.  Williams goes 4 for 5, with 2 homers, a triple, 4 runs scored and 6 RBI and a walk.  He had a chance to hit for the cycle (missing the double) in his last 2 plate appearances, but he walked and flew out to CF.  Williams was hit-less in games 1 and 3 of this series.  His season batting average was holding at .385 by the end of the 3 game series.

 

Series #44:  Red Sox @ Senators, August 15, 16, 17

  AT 

Game #113-  Replay Score:  SENATORS 5, RED SOX 4  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX won forfeited game)

Game #114-  Replay Score:  SENATORS 5, RED SOX 1  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 8, SENATORS 6)

Game #115-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 3, SENATORS 0  –  (Actual Score:  SENATORS 6, RED SOX 2)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (64-51)  –  Actual (61-54)

Dick Newsome (CZ) gains his 12th win of the season, a 3-0 shutout of the Washington Senators in game #115.  Jim Tabor blasts a 3-run homer in the top of the 8th, as the Red Sox salvage the rubber game of the 3 game series.

 

Series #45:  Red Sox @ Browns, August 19 (2), 20 (2)

  AT 

Game #116-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 11, BROWNS 7  –  (Actual Score:  BROWNS 3, RED SOX 2)

Game #117-  Replay Score:  BROWNS 5, RED SOX 3  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 10, BROWNS 7)

Game #118-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 11, BROWNS 7  –  (Actual Score:  BROWNS 11, RED SOX 9)

Game #119-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 7, BROWNS 6  –  (Actual Score:  BROWNS 4, RED SOX 3)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (67-52)  –  Actual (62-57)

While Hugh Duffy points to his 1894 season batting average, Ted Williams has a big series vs the Browns, going 10 for 19, with 2 homers, 3 doubles and reaching the 100 RBI mark on the season.  His 2-run homer in the top of the 9th in game 2 of the double-header on the 20th put the Red Sox ahead, 7-6.  Williams is now batting .392 thru 119 games.

 

Series #46:  Red Sox @ White Sox, August 21, 22, 23

  AT 

Game #120-  Replay Score:  WHITE SOX 6, RED SOX 4  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 8, WHITE SOX 5)

Game #121-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 13, WHITE SOX 4  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 2, WHITE SOX 1)

Game #122-  Replay Score:  WHITE SOX 5, RED SOX 3  –  (Actual Score:  WHITE SOX 3, RED SOX 0)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (68-54)  –  Actual (64-58)

In game 2 of the series, the Red Sox put up 11 runs in the top of the 6th inning, and go on to win the game 13-4.

 

Series #47:  Red Sox @ Indians, August 24 (2), 25, 26

  AT 

Game #123-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 7, INDIANS 4  –  (Actual Score:  INDIANS 4, RED SOX 3)

Game #124-  Replay Score:  INDIANS 5, RED SOX 4  –  (Actual Score:  INDIANS 5, RED SOX 2)

Game #125-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 5, INDIANS 4  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 1, INDIANS 0)

Game #126-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 3, INDIANS 2  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 9, INDIANS 4)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (71-55)  –  Actual (66-60)

Dick Newsome (CZ) improves his record to 13-4 with his game CG victory over Cleveland in game 4 of the series.

 

Series #48:  Red Sox @ Tigers, August 27, 28

  AT 

Game #127-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 5, TIGERS 4  –  (Actual Score:  TIGERS 6, RED SOX 3)

Game #128-  Replay Score:  TIGERS 5, RED SOX 3  –  (Actual Score:  TIGERS 8, RED SOX 7)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (72-56)  –  Actual (66-62)

Game #127 at Detroit, Ted hits his 2nd grand slam of the season, his only hit in a 5-4 Red Sox replay win over the Tigers.  He finished 2 for 5 in the series, maintaining a .394 replay batting average.

 

Series #49:  Athletics @ Red Sox, August 30, 31 (2)

  AT 

Game #129-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 6, ATHLETICS 2  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 12, ATHLETICS 3)

Game #130-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 7, ATHLETICS 2  –  (Actual Score:  RED SOX 5, ATHLETICS 3)

Game #131-  Replay Score:  RED SOX 12, ATHLETICS 5  –  (Actual Score:  ATHLETICS 3, RED SOX 2)

RED SOX RECORD:  Replay (75-56)  –  Actual (68-63)

Back at Fenway Park, August closes with Ted Williams going 3 for 10 in the 3 game series vs Philadelphia, his batting average dropping to .392 with 1 month to go in the season.

 

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

1941_RED_SOX_end_of_AUGUST_BATTING

1941_RED_SOX_end_of_AUGUST_PITCHING

1941_RED_SOX_end_of_AUGUST_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 (W-L):  21-14  (18-17 Actual)

SEPTEMBER

Replay note:  Thru the end of August, the Red Sox are 39-23 at home and 36-33 on the road.

TCABT-XIII (June 6, 2020): Team Selection …

Ralph Branca, wearing #13 for the 1951 Brooklyn Dodgers.

TCABT-XIII team selection is upon us.  Team selection will begin on Saturday, January 4th, 2020 (wish lists can be submitted as early as Thursday, January 2nd).  Teams will be updated on this blog post, as they are validated.  Cut-off date for entering TCABT-XIII is on or around Friday, May 1st.  Note the change in dates is due to the COVID-19 virus.

TCABT-XIII Tournament date is:  Saturday, June 6th, 2020.

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

1.  1910 ATHLETICS (DAVE NORLANDER – GRAND RAPIDS, MN)
2.  1931 ATHLETICS (JIM FRAASCH – SAVAGE, MN)
3.  1967 CARDINALS (GARTH ANDERSEN – ANDOVER, MN)
4.  1905 GIANTS (GREG WELLS – WYOMISSING, PA)
5.  1928 ATHLETICS (JERRY JACOBS – ST. PAUL, MN)
6.  2018 DODGERS (TERRY BORTHWICK – CRYSTAL, MN)
7.  1987 TWINS (KURT BERGLAND – WAUKESHA, WI)
8.  2019 DODGERS (GARY BORTHWICK – CRYSTAL, MN)
9.  1976 REDS (DAVID JONES – MINNEAPOLIS, MN)
10.  2019 ASTROS (BEN LOFGREN – HAWLEY, MN)
11.  2019 TWINS (KEVIN CLUFF – APPLE VALLEY, MN)
12.  1998 BRAVES (FRED JOHNSON – COTTAGE GROVE, MN)
13.  2017 ASTROS (ROBERT ELLEY – LONGVIEW, TX)
14.  2018 ASTROS (JOHN KALOUS – BELLEVILLE, IL)
15.  1936 YANKEES (LEROY ARNOLDI – PRIOR LAKE, MN)
16.  1953 DODGERS (PHIL GERAFFO – SHOREWOOD, MN)
17.  1930 GIANTS (BRUCE TYLER – ELK RIVER, MN)
18.  1957 BRAVES (CRAIG CHRISTIAN – EAU CLAIRE, WI)
19.  1997 ORIOLES (GREGG NELSON – MAPLE GROVE, MN)
20.  2004 CARDINALS (DARRELL SKOGEN – MAPLE GROVE, MN)
21.  2019 NATIONALS (BARRY BOEVERS – CHAMPLIN, MN)
22.  1985 EXPOS (JIM HALL – OTSEGO, MN)
23.  1979 PIRATES (SCOTT EGGE – WOODBURY, MN)
24.  1995 INDIANS (ROB SKOGEN – FOREST LAKE, MN)
25.  1907 CUBS (PAT MARTIN – BROOKLYN PARK, MN)
26.  2019 ATHLETICS (MARTY LEE – LENEXA, KS)
27.  2009 RAYS (ALEC OTTO – GREEN BAY, WI)
28.  2000 GIANTS (BEAU LOFGREN – HAWLEY, MN)
29.  1969 ORIOLES (CHRIS KAUFMAN – MANKATO, MN)
30.  1908 GIANTS (DARRELL SHREVE – ST. PAUL, MN)
31.  1999 DIAMONDBACKS (ERIC BERG – JACKSONVILLE, IL)
32.  1982 BREWERS (ROB MILINKOVICH – DULUTH, MN)
33.  1956 TIGERS (DAN SKILLINGS – EDINA, MN)
34.  ?

Any MLB team, 1901-2019, minus the following previous 12 TCABT Champions:

1927 Yankees, 1954 Giants, 1902 Pirates, 1937 Yankees, 2011 Rangers, 1930 Cardinals, 1930 Yankees, 1929 Athletics, 2017 Nationals, 1998 Yankees, 1972 Pirates, 1938 Yankees.

Team selection for TCABT-XIII will be open thru Friday, May 1st.

Ralph Branca, entering the 1952 season, decided his #13 jersey needed to be thrown in the trash (thanks in part to Bobby Thomson), and he wore #12 for the ’52 season.

TCABT-XIII Tournament date is: Saturday, June 6th, 2020.

 

An APBA Baseball Resurrection: Cutthroat Baseball

If you are old enough, and you followed sports and baseball, and maybe you played table-top baseball games in your youth, you may have come across a magazine article in a popular (for the time) sports magazine, about a 4-team, draft APBA Baseball league played between 4 friends in their 30’s, now well into their careers, lives, marriages, and the general ups and downs of life.

The article I am referring to, “Cutthroat Baseball”, appeared in the October, 1977 issue of Sport magazine, featuring Rod Carew on the cover.  Written by one of the four league members (and an editor for Sport magazine at the time), Roger Director, you can read the actual Sport magazine article here:  ( Part 1 and Part 2 ).

I could say this article shaped my fascination with sports simulation games, as I was just 11 years old when I first read this article.  In 1977, I still had not purchased a stat based table top sports game.  I had an “ABC Monday Night Talking Football” game,

as well as one of the old Coleco table-top hockey games where you control the individual players, and puck and goalie, using the rods which run up-and-down the ice rink.

And I played my own 2-dice baseball game, where you added the 2 dice and the result was (if my memory serves me right): 2-triple, 3-walk, 4-K, 5-out, 6-single, 7-out, 8-out, 9-out. 10-out, 11-double, 12-HR.  Who the player was at-bat did not matter, they all had the same probability to hit a homer, to get a hit, etc.  Reading the Sport magazine article, made me realize, there were games out there which would statistically represent each player with probability, etc.

When the baseball publications came out later in winter/early spring of 1978, I was now determined to look at a few different table top baseball games, and with some lawn mowing money, make a purchase.  I had mailed away for 2 different game brochures:  APBA Baseball and Strat-o-Matic Baseball.  Both game brochures captured my imagination.

While I had read the “Cutthroat Baseball” article in Sport magazine which described the APBA Baseball game in use, each of the game brochures I now had in my hand, had sold me on the fact that I needed to purchase A game.  The price of each game was the same.  By the summer of ’78, I recall asking my dad to write out the check.  $14.50 was the price I paid, for my first APBA Baseball game.  My dad, while not a fervent sports fan as I was, was never one to get in the way of a good hobby.  Besides, he knew I was using my lawn mowing money to help pay for it.

The above game is from the same time, showing the $14.50 on the smaller box, but is not my game.

What is left of my original game box …

The game included the complete 1977 season card set (I did not order the XB’s until later).  For the remainder of the summer of ’78, I was in heaven, playing my favorite 1977 Minnesota Twins, and marveling at all the homers that the ’77 Boston Red Sox were hitting, and all of the batters who were whiffing vs Nolan Ryan (AXYW) of the ’77 California Angels.

By the end of the summer of ’78, I was hooked.  Suddenly, the “Cutthroat Baseball” article in my October 1977 issue of Sport magazine made all the sense in the world to me.  I understood exactly what each of the 4 “managers/GM’s” in Roger Director’s league felt and experienced by playing in such a league.  How could this not be fun!?!

From the drafting of players, to the reasons why this team needed this player, with these skills, to the rolling of the dice as they played their season, game by game.  Roger Director’s article captured the nuances and the excitement, which their periodic gatherings at Bennie’s apartment, brought to life … the games, the interaction, the arguments, the “thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat”!

Their league, to the reader, became an APBA version of another real-life baseball league … some fringe league, but each team had current MLB players (the cards based on the 1976 MLB season stats).  This league’s cast of characters had one of Roger’s buddies, Bennie, reigning 3-time champ, managing the Dayton Grits whose roster included the likes of Larry Hisle, John Mayberry, Manny Sanguillen, Larry Bowa, Bake McBride and Tom Seaver.  Another friend, Mark Cosgrove, managed the New York Highlanders with Catfish Hunter as the ace pitcher.  The Rahway Rocketmen were managed by friend, Jack Randazzo.  The Rocketmen featured Willie Stargell and Davey Lopes.  The one roster where you know the majority of the players, was Roger Director’s Vinton Hybrids.  His team included Joe Morgan, Thurman Munson, Mike Schmidt, Reggie Jackson, Bobby Grich, Jim Palmer, and Luis Tiant, among others.

A nice, concise, 4-team league, where each team’s roster is filled with stars, or top-end players.

It sure would be nice to know how long their league stayed together …

TCABT-XII is in the books!

30 entrants for TCABT-XII, held Saturday, October 5th, 2019 in Maple Grove, MN.

With 30 teams participating in TCABT-XII, another 153 tournament games were rolled, bringing the TCABT all-time games rolled total to 1487.  Of the 30 teams entered, exactly half, 15, were teams being used for the first time in TCABT history.  And of the 30 entrants, 4 entrants were newcomers to the TCABT scene:  Richard Golden, Jerry Jacobs, Tom McHenry, and Don Shreve.

8 states, were represented by the 30 entrants (10 from out-of-state).

From Florida:  Gordon Rodell

From Illinois:  Eric Berg

From Kansas:  Marty Lee

From Maryland:  Richard Golden

From Missouri:  George Adams and Jeff Boeding

From Texas:  Don Shreve

From Wisconsin:  Kurt Bergland, Craig Christian and Alec Otto

From Minnesota:  The remaining 20 entrants

<<< DIVISION RESULTS >>>

CATCHER DIVISION	W	L	R	OR	RDIFF
1948 INDIANS (ROB SKOGEN)	7	2	48	31	17
1994 INDIANS (BEN LOFGREN)	4	5	35	33	2
1960 PIRATES (TOM MCHENRY)	4	5	46	43	3
1988 METS (PHIL GERAFFO)	3	6	34	56	-22
TOTALS	18	18	163	163	0

Clockwise from left:  Tom McHenry (1960 Pirates), Rob Skogen (1948 Indians), Ben Lofgren (1994 Indians), and Phil Geraffo (1988 Mets).

 

 

1ST-BASE DIVISION	W	L	R	OR	RDIFF
1978 DODGERS (KEVIN CLUFF)	7	2	53	36	17
1922 BROWNS (DEVIN HILL)	6	3	34	27	7
2014 ORIOLES (RICHARD GOLDEN)	3	6	34	45	-11
1999 BLUE JAYS (BARRY BOEVERS)	2	7	39	52	-13
TOTALS	18	18	160	160	0

In the library, clockwise from lower-left:  Barry Boevers (1999 Blue Jays), Kevin Cluff (1978 Dodgers), Richard Golden (2014 Orioles, hidden behind lamp) and Devin Hill (1922 Browns).

Kevin Cluff awaits his next opponent …

 

3RD-BASE DIVISION	W	L	R	OR	RDIFF
1904 GIANTS (DARRELL SHREVE)	6	3	45	41	4
1951 DODGERS (BRUCE TYLER)	4	5	42	38	4
1995 INDIANS (LEROY ARNOLDI)	4	5	36	35	1
2017 YANKEES (DAVE DRUK)	4	5	43	52	-9
TOTALS	18	18	166	166	0

In the basement, familiar foes meet early in division play, clockwise from lower left: Leroy Arnoldi (1995 Indians), Darrell Shreve (1904 Giants), Dave Druk (2017 Yankees) and Bruce Tyler (1951 Dodgers).

 

 

SHORTSTOP DIVISION	W	L	R	OR	RDIFF
2004 CARDINALS (DARRELL SKOGEN)	5	4	45	38	7
2018 YANKEES (GARY BORTHWICK)	5	4	45	38	7
1968 TIGERS (FRED JOHNSON)	5	4	41	42	-1
2018 BREWERS (CRAIG CHRISTIAN)	3	6	21	34	-13
TOTALS	18	18	152	152	0

Note, with the 3-way tie for 1st place in the Shortstop division, run differential was used as the 1st tie-breaker, which eliminated only Fred Johnson and his 1968 Tigers (note, see postmortem write-up by Fred at the end of this blog post).  Darrell Skogen and Gary Borthwick wound up in a tie-breaker, 1-game playoff, which Darrell’s 2004 Cardinals won over the 2018 Yankees.

Gary Borthwick (2018 Yankees) on left, vs Darrell Skogen (2004 Cardinals) on right.

An early division round meeting between Craig Christian (2018 Brewers) on left, and Gary Borthwick (2018 Yankees) on right.

Fred Johnson (1968 Tigers) vs Gary Borthwick (2018 Yankees).

 

LEFT-FIELD DIVISION	W	L	R	OR	RDIFF
1921 GIANTS (JEFF BOEDING)	6	3	48	34	14
2018 DODGERS (JERRY JACOBS)	6	3	35	28	7
2018 RED SOX (GORDON RODELL)	4	5	38	47	-9
2015 ROYALS (GEORGE ADAMS)	2	7	25	37	-12
TOTALS	18	18	146	146	0

Jeff Boeding and his 1921 Giants managed to win the division by having a 2-1 record vs Jerry Jacobs’ 2018 Dodgers.

Left-Field Division round action featuring, clockwise, from left:  George Adams (2015 Royals), Jeff Boeding (1921 Giants), Gordon Rodell (2018 Red Sox) and Jerry Jacobs (2018 Dodgers).

 

 

CENTER-FIELD DIVISION	W	L	R	OR	RDIFF
1911 GIANTS (DON SHREVE)	7	2	50	36	14
2009 ROCKIES (ALEC OTTO)	5	4	38	34	4
1990 REDS (GARTH ANDERSEN)	4	5	36	37	-1
1970 REDS (JIM FRAASCH)	2	7	23	40	-17
TOTALS	18	18	147	147	0

Action just starting to heat up in the Center-Field Division, with the dueling lego dice towers, clockwise from left:  Alec Otto (2009 Rockies), Jim (1970 Reds), Don Shreve (1911 Giants) and Garth Andersen (1990 Reds).

 

 

UTILITY DIVISION	W	L	R	OR	RDIFF
1980 DODGERS (KURT BERGLAND)	8	1	46	21	25
1938 YANKEES (DAVE NORLANDER)	6	3	24	30	-6
2013 RED SOX (ERIC BERG)	4	5	25	22	3
1964 WHITE SOX (MARTY LEE)	4	5	34	43	-9
1988 DODGERS (DAVID JONES)	3	6	25	30	-5
2016 CUBS (PAT MARTIN)	2	7	23	31	-8
TOTALS	27	27	177	177	0

With 2 late drops prior to tourney day, the previously named 2nd-Base Division and Right-field Division were merged into one, 6-team division, called the Utility Division.  Because there were 6 teams (compared to 4 in the other 6 divisions), we had the top 2 teams qualify for bracket play from this division, to round out the 8 team bracket play field.

In the 6-team Utility Division, Marty Lee (1964 White Sox) on left, Pat Martin (2016 Cubs) on right.

 

More from the Utility Division, in view, background, Kurt Bergland (1980 Dodgers) on left, Pat Martin on right.  Foreground, clockwise from middle left, Dave Norlander (1938 Yankees), Eric Berg (2013 Red Sox) and Marty Lee (back).

 

4 on the porch, clockwise from left, Marty Lee, Eric Berg, Kurt Bergland and David Jones (1988 Dodgers).

 

Eventual TCABT-XII champion, Dave Norlander on left, Pat Martin on right.

 

<<< 8 – TEAM BRACKET ROUND RESULTS >>>

Seed	QUARTER-FINALS	G1	G2	G3	SERIES
1	1980 DODGERS (KURT BERGLAND)	1	1	8	1
	vs
8	1938 YANKEES (DAVE NORLANDER)	0	2	10	2
2	1948 INDIANS (ROB SKOGEN)	9	8		2
	vs
7	2004 CARDINALS (DARRELL SKOGEN)	8	7		0
3	1978 DODGERS (KEVIN CLUFF)	5	2		0
	vs
6	1904 GIANTS (DARRELL SHREVE)	6	4		2
4	1911 GIANTS (DON SHREVE)	8	1	5	2
	vs
5	1921 GIANTS (JEFF BOEDING)	5	4	4	1

Quarter-Finals, in action foreground:  Don Shreve (1911 Giants) vs Jeff Boeding (1921 Giants.  Background:  Kevin Cluff (1978 Dodgers) vs Darrell Shreve (1904 Giants).

More Quarter-Final action with Rob Skogen (1948 Indians) on left vs his uncle, Darrell Skogen (2004 Cardinals), on right.

Quarter-Final’in on the Pennant Porch, Dave Norlander (1938 Yankees) on left vs George Adams (filling in for Kurt Bergland who had to leave, 1980 Dodgers).

 

Seed	SEMI-FINALS	G1	G2	G3	SERIES
2	1948 INDIANS (ROB SKOGEN)	1	4		0
	vs
8	1938 YANKEES (DAVE NORLANDER)	6	6		2
4	1911 GIANTS (DON SHREVE)	7	0	7	2
	vs
6	1904 GIANTS (DARRELL SHREVE)	1	3	4	1

In one Semi-Final, Dave Norlander and his 1938 Yankees battle Rob Skogen and his 1948 Indians.

In the other Semi-Final, 2 brothers with 2 Giants teams, Don Shreve (1911 Giants) faces off with his brother Darrell Shreve (1904 Giants).

 

Seed	TCABT-XII CHAMPIONSHIP	G1	G2	G3	SERIES
4	1911 GIANTS (DON SHREVE)	7	5	2	1
	vs
8	1938 YANKEES (DAVE NORLANDER)	2	6	4	2

Survival of the fittest!  The championship series featured newcomer, Don Shreve and his 1911 Giants (on left) vs TCABT veteran, Dave Norlander and his 1938 Yankees (on right).  In the background, Jeff Boeding handles the game booklet as play goes on …

Dave Norlander pens the exciting finish:

“In the championship round 1938 Yankees faced  the 1911 NY Giants with their 3 A starters and speed demons.  Mathewson is an AYZZ, and in the
1st game the Yankees (with 4 guys with 6 14’s) couldn’t get anybody on base against Mathewson.  A 7-2 loss to the Giants.  Facing elimination
down 3-0 in the bottom of the 8th to the AYZ Crandall the Yankees exploded.  Gordon walked, Selkirk tripled.  Little used Bill Knickerbocker
(with four 8’s) pinch hit for Myril Hoag…44-8! base hit.  Crosetti followed with a double to tie the game.  Henrich and Gehrig went out and
with Crosetti on 3B Dimaggio walked.  Bill Dickey rolled a 33-5!  3 run homer for the winning runs.  A 6 run 8th.

Championship game Crosetti homers in the top of the 3rd.  Gordon hit a SF in the 6th to make it 2-0 Yankees. Giants scored in the bottom 
of the 6th on a “Laughing Larry” Doyle SF.  Top of the 8th Gordon doubled Red Rolfe to third with 1 out….Knickerbocker whiffed.
With 2 outs Crosetti rolled a 22-8….a 2 run single for a 4-1 lead.  Lefty Gomez relieved Bump  Hadley and proceed to give up an 
RBI single to Fred Snodgrass to make it 4-2.  Art Wilson flew out to end the game…….A championship for the 1938 Yankees!
Frank Crosetti was named Championship round MVP with his HR and 3 RBI in game 3.
Spud Chandler (a BZ) was named my tournament Cy Young going 4-0 with a 2.00 ERA.

Overall the Yankees finished 12-5 with my ace, Red Ruffing (AYZ), going 2-4 with a 3.48 ERA.
The other 4 B starters went 10-1 with a 3.38 ERA.  Ruffing received only 1 run of support
in the 4 losses.”

A hearty CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! to Dave Norlander, who has been to the finals, twice previously, once with the 1938 Yankees, but came up just short.  3rd-time was a charm for Dave!

TCABT-XII Finalists, Dave Norlander on left, Don Shreve on right.

Jim congratulating TCABT-XII Champion, Dave Norlander … note his vice grip on the October Trophy … we might not be getting this one back!

Meanwhile, the runner-up, Don Shreve, Darrell Shreve’s brother from Texas, making the most of his trip to Minnesota, and surviving into the championship round with his 1911 Giants, before losing to Dave’s ’38 Yankees.  My 1970 Reds opened the tournament, with a 3-game series vs Don’s 1911 Giants.  While my ’70 Reds managed to take 1 of the 3 games, it was the start of a bad day for my Reds, but a long and fruitful day for Don’s Giants.  No one could have predicted a meeting between brothers, Don and Darrell Shreve in the Semi-Finals of TCABT-XII.  Rumor has it, they spent the previous day rolling some warm up games using the 1953 Dodgers and Yankees.

Congrats to the 8 making the bracket play portion of the tourney.  And to the other 22, it was fun from start to finish.  Some new faces, and mostly familiar faces.

I also want to take the time to say “THANK YOU” to Terry Borthwick, for taking all of the wonderful pictures of the action on Saturday.  Terry had offered to fill in for a late drop, but she ended up as our dedicated photographer for the day, what she had originally intended to do.

Some “highlights” and “lowlights” during the 153 games rolled this past Saturday:

• Wei-Yin Chen had pitched no-hit ball for 6 innings, but then gave up 5 straight hits  for the 2014 Orioles (Richard Golden).
• From the Champion, 1938 Yankees (Dave Norlander), Red Ruffing (AYZ) was 2-4 on the day, where the Yankees scored just 1 total run in those 4 losses.  His other “B” starters went 10-1 on the day.  Spud Chandler was 4-0 with a 2.00 ERA.   The team hit just .187.  In winning the championship, the Yankees went 12-5, but had only a +1 run diff in the 17 games, 61-60.  6 of the 12 wins were by 1 run.
• Joe McGinnity was 4-0 for the 1904 Giants (Darrell Shreve).  Pitching 2 shutouts in those 4 wins.  Meanwhile, Christy Mathewson went 2-2 and gave up 26 runs in 34 innings pitched.  CF Sam Mertes drove in 15 runs, and threw 2 runners out at the plate.
• The 1960 Pirates (Tom McHenry) won their first 4 games of the day, but then lost their last 5, to finish 4-5.  The 1960 Pirates blasted 16 homers in 9 games.  Lead-off hitter, Bill Virdon had a big day, going 13 for 39, with 3 homers, 4 singles, 2 doubles, 4 triples, 8 runs, and 4 RBIs.
• The 1922 Browns (Devin Hill) saw Tobin hit .390.  Entering game 7 of 9 in division play, the ’22 Browns were tied with the 1978 Dodgers (Kevin Cluff) for first place in their division at 5-1.  The 1978 Dodgers overcame the 1922 Browns in a low-scoring extra inning game that went 11 innings.  The ’78 Dodgers won the series 2 games to 1, to advance as the division champ.
• The 2018 Dodgers (Jerry Jacobs) saw his team thrive on XBH, with 24 singles and 36 XBH in the 9 division games.  In 2 of Jerry’s wins, they never had a single.  6 hits in each of those games, all for XBH.  Puig was the star of the Dodgers, hitting .457, hitting 6 homers, including 3 in one game vs the 2015 Royals, where the final homer was a 2-run walk-off homer in the bottom of the 9th.  The Dodgers finished tied for the division lead with a 6-3 record, but lost out on the head-to-head tie-breaker with Jeff Boeding’s 1921 Giants.
• The 2018 Red Sox (Gordon Rodell) had a pretty bad day on both sides of the ball.  In 9 games, just 4 HR for the powerful team.  For their 9 starts, the starting staff ERA was 6.39.
• The 1970 Reds (Jim) did not come close to expectations as the entire lineup seemingly forgot they had 9 games to play this day.  Hitters 3 thru 7, batted a collective .171, with an OBP of .212 and a SLG of .335.  They drove in a whopping 13 RBI among them.  In all, the Reds batted just .210 as a team, and hit just 8 homers in the 9 games.  Light-hitting, Jim Stewart, led the team with 5 RBI from the 8th position in the batting order.  The Reds scored 23 runs in the 9 games.
• The 1948 Indians (Rob Skogen), out-scored his opponents in division play, 51-30, finishing a division best, 7-3.  Bob Feller finished division play with a 3-0 record and a 1.33 ERA, allowing just 1 HR.  Rob has asked us to forget Bob’s playoff performance, where he surrendered 10 runs and gave up 5 homers in 2 starts.  Judnich posted the following stat line:  .348/.576/.435.  Rob also noted that when he had the 1948 Indians in TCABT-VIII, he had used the old GTOP version (this time he used the new version with 3 A starters).  Coincidentally, that ’48 Indians team also finished 7-3 in division play, with 53 runs scored and 34 allowed, almost matching this tourney’s performance!
• The 1994 Indians (Ben Lofgren) finished 4-5, and had lost 4 consecutive 1-run games, 3 as walk-offs.  They did manage to win their last 3 games.  Manny Ramirez slugged 5 homers with 12 RBI.  On the flip-side, Jim Thome batted .059, 2 hits, both were homers, and 17 K’s.
• The 2018 Brewers (Craig Christian) assisted in ruining the day for the 1968 Tigers (Fred Johnson), a collapse Fred knows all to well.  Fred’s ’68 Tigers were leading Craig’s 2018 Brewers, 5-1, in the final division game of the day for the 2 teams.  A win for the ’68 Tigers would mean Fred advancing to the Bracket play round.  A loss, would mean a 3-way tie, which would have to be decided by total run differential, as the 1st tie-breaker.  Craig’s 2018 Brew Crew rallied big time, in the top of the 9th, trailing Denny McLain (A&B), 5-1, by scoring 5 runs, including a 3-run bomb by Eric Thames, the go ahead hit at the time.  There is a rather vivid account of the game in Fred’s semi-annual write-up (posted below) …

 

Last but not least, to help put TCABT-XII to bed, none other than another “postmortem” written by Minnesota Historian, the esteemed, Fred Johnson.  His 1968 Tigers, “eliminated” in EPIC fashion, in the regular division play round.  You will have to read to believe how it all went down …

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

Where is Albert Pujols? A TCABT Tourney Mystery

By Fred Johnson, Senior APBA Correspondent

Under the pressure of an ongoing rain and wind storm, Tournament Director Jim Fraasch, a skilled executive but perennial also-ran as a competitor, ordered deployment of Skogen Field’s costly convertible roof just minutes before the first pitch in the October 5 Twin Cities ABT-XII tournament. Tourney CFO and host, Darrell Skogen, a wealthy entrepreneurial educator, had recently installed the system thus guaranteeing no interruptions of baseball action.

As usual the TCABT baseball series, now in its twelve season, drew competitors from across the United States and Wisconsin [This editor knows Wisconsin is recognized as one of the United States, however, Mr. Johnson chose to list Wisconsin this way for effect … the “competitors” are listed after intro paragraph in this blog post – Ed.].

Darrell Skogen immediately enmeshed himself in controversy as the action opened. He ordered his 2004 St. Louis Cards to take the field only to find slugger Albert Pujols, his cleanup hitter, had mysteriously disappeared. What appeared to be an internal contract dispute with tight-fisted management made All-Star Albert a no-show. The desperate Skogen pleaded for time, his savvy opponent, but Fred Johnson wily manager of 1968 Detroit Tigers, wasn’t having it. Johnson growled, “Quit stalling and play ball.”

Ignoring Johnson’s reasonable suggestion, Skogen continued to scour the field and, in a clear violation of the banned “stop and frisk” laws, finally discovered the Pujols card in the back pocket of the fashionable Johnson’s designer jeans. “Must have blown in there before the dome got in place,” explained the coach. Outraged by the violation of his Fourth Amendment right against “unreasonable search and seizure,” the Tiger manager offered a compelling legal defense. Skogen shamefully ignored the US Constitution and began rolling.

Justice prevailed as Tigers took the series thanks to the psyched-out Pujols, clearly unhinged by what his hyperbolic manager labeled a “kidnapping.” Al went one-for-seven in the first two games. Facing disaster, Skogen then grabbed some dice from a locked container at his feet—hmmmm—leading Albert to rally in game three. He hit for the cycle—a  three-run homer included—in a Cards victory. Johnson generously decided not to challenge the spurious die.

In other bracket play, meanwhile, the 1980 Dodgers (Kurt Bergland), 1938 Yankees (Dave Norlander), 1948 Indians (Rob Skogen), 1978 Dodgers (Kevin Cluff), 1904 Giants (Darrell Shreve), 1911 Giants (Don Shreve) and 1921 Giants (Jeff Boeding) advanced. They awaited Fred Johnson’s Tigers who had stormed past Darrell Skogen and Gary Borthwick—his 2018 Yanks won game three with suspicious back-to-back-to-back 66 rolls that resulted in three homers and victory—that, and a Yank win in game two, somewhat slowed Johnson.

Now only crestfallen Craig Christian and his hapless, hopeless, helpless 2018 Brewers remained to enter Skogen’s Coliseum and throw themselves to the Lions (fans of metaphor will agree Tigers/Lions are about same thing). The pitiful Brew Crew, sensational failures in early play, opted to stay in clubhouse playing poker. Team doctors could barely detect a heartbeat in the justifiably depressed Christian, but his tearful entreaties finally got Brewers on the field. To their credit the Brew Crew actually scored a run their first loss and thrilled their field boss by managing to score twice in a game two slaughter.

Johnson chilled the champagne while his 31-game winner Denny McLain and his A&B, YYYZZZ rating, manned the mound for the deciding contest. The Tigers gave Denny a 5-0 lead by the third frame, triggering victory celebrations in the Detroit dugout. Other APBA managers in the area passed by to study Johnson’s winning coaching techniques and to pay homage to his instinctual baseball knowledge. Johnson smiled modestly and provided a few autographs as he filled out his lineup card for the Quarter-Final Round. Talk of Johnson as Manager of the Year was in the air.

Mgr. Johnson chuckled as Christian Yelich punched a fourth inning cream puff thrown by the bored McLain, now pitching left handed, over the right field wall. Johnson was finishing a nap as McLain took the hill, leading 5-1 in the ninth. A leadoff walk and the first out came quickly. A second walk brought Johnson, carrying a beer and two dogs—or was it two beers and one hot dog—from the clubhouse. An error by sure-handed Norm Cash, meanwhile, brought in a second run and a following rbi single from Steve Braun made the count 5-3. Two men were still on.

“Okay, Denny, let’s get serious,” ordered the Tigers’ confident field general. Eric Thames then got hold of McLain’s next two-seamer launching it skyward. With an exit speed clocked at 180 mph, the ball blasted a hole in the convertible roof before disappearing forever into the clouds. Witnessing this shocking development, a gratified yet generous Darrell Skogen, comforted the shaken Johnson: “It looks like you still might advance to the second round,” he smiled. Skogen, still angry about the earlier Pujols disappearance knew the Tigers were toast, relished the situation. He was now advancing to the next round, not Johnson.

But the Tigers now contrite boss missed the Skogen sarcasm, and, with his mouth filled with bits of McLain’s APBA card that he had shredded and was trying to swallow, mumbled gratefully, “Thaampks Dryrllll.”

The late Dave Norlander—no, Dave thankfully has not passed, the storm kept him for reaching the ballpark on time—won the championship with his 1938 Yanks. He eliminated Kurt Bergland’s 1980 Dodgers in the three-game Quarter-Finals, swept Rob Skogen’s ’48 Indians in the Semis, and rallied to stop Don Shreve’s aging but effective 1911 NY Giants in the finals. The Giants took the opener 7-2 before losing to the Yanks 6-5 and 4-2.

All that was secondary, of course, to yet another debacle for the APBA’s Johnson whose quest to actually get into the second round of a TCABT tournament looks as likely as a Twins sweep of the Yankees in post-season play. He was already planning to come late for the spring tourney.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

 

Given the directive from APBA Game Co., for all regional tourneys, TCABT in our 12th tourney, raised money per the APBA Game Co/Regional Tournament request for ALS in the name of Randy Walker.  We are very blessed to have the group of guys we have, as our donations totaled $1759.00.  This cause happened to hit home with TCABT and Darrell Skogen, whose wife died from ALS years ago.  Darrell had a lot to do with how we ended up raising $1759.00.  Darrell issued a challenge early on, vowing to “match” the initial amount raised.  Thank you Darrell, and way to go TCABT!  Our best wishes and support to Randy and Lisa Walker!

The Neil Ess Memorial Twin Cities APBA Baseball Tournament is always looking to expand the roster of willing managers … check in with us to see what the fuss is all about!

TCABT-XIII is scheduled for next April, Saturday the 4th, 2020.

TCABT-XII … ready, set, go!

TCABT-XII is just around the corner.  Saturday, Oct 5th, 2019.  Not only will the MLB Playoffs be in full gear, so will 32 APBA Baseball enthusiasts, having their sites set on the October TCABT trophy.

With 32 teams entered, we have randomly divided the teams into 8, 4-team divisions, who will each play a 9-game division schedule.  The 8 division winners will advance to the best-of-three Quarter-Final Bracket Round, and play until we crown our TCABT-XII champion late into the afternoon/early evening.

Here is the division layout:

TCABT-XII

Saturday, October 5th, 2019

CATCHER DIVISION

1994 INDIANS (BEN LOFGREN)

1988 METS (PHIL GERAFFO)

1960 PIRATES (TOM MCHENRY)

1948 INDIANS (ROB SKOGEN)

1ST-BASE DIVISION

1999 BLUE JAYS (BARRY BOEVERS)

1978 DODGERS (KEVIN CLUFF)

2014 ORIOLES (RICHARD GOLDEN)

1922 BROWNS (DEVIN HILL)

2ND-BASE DIVISION

1938 YANKEES (DAVE NORLANDER)

1969 ORIOLES (CHRIS KAUFMAN)

2013 RED SOX (ERIC BERG)

1988 DODGERS (DAVID JONES)

3RD-BASE DIVISION

1951 DODGERS (BRUCE TYLER)

1904 GIANTS (DARRELL SHREVE)

2017 YANKEES (DAVE DRUK)

1995 INDIANS (LEROY ARNOLDI)

SHORTSTOP DIVISION

2018 YANKEES (GARY BORTHWICK)

1968 TIGERS (FRED JOHNSON)

2004 CARDINALS (DARRELL SKOGEN)

2018 BREWERS (CRAIG CHRISTIAN)

LEFT-FIELD DIVISION

2018 RED SOX (GORDON RODELL)

2015 ROYALS (GEORGE ADAMS)

2018 DODGERS (JERRY JACOBS)

1921 GIANTS (JEFF BOEDING)

CENTER-FIELD DIVISION

2009 ROCKIES (ALEC OTTO)

1911 GIANTS (DON SHREVE)

1970 REDS (JIM FRAASCH)

1990 REDS (GARTH ANDERSEN)

RIGHT-FIELD DIVISION

1964 WHITE SOX (MARTY LEE)

1980 DODGERS (KURT BERGLAND)

1906 CUBS (TERRY BORTHWICK)

2016 CUBS (PAT MARTIN)

Gary Borthwick, our last October champion, with his 1998 Yankees in TCABT-X.

APBA’view: Charlie Fouche

Charlie Fouche (Homestead Grays jersey) receiving his APBA Hall of Fame plaque from fellow HOF’er, Greg Wells (Padres jersey), June of 2018.

Kevin Cluff had been corresponding with SABR member and APBA Hall of Fame inductee, Charlie Fouche, who runs the Negro League site dedicated to APBA Baseball card offerings based on Negro League teams of the past.  (These card sets are offered under approval from APBA Game Co., where 100% of proceeds are donated to the Negro League foundations and charities).  Kevin asked me if I had interviewed Charlie Fouche, and of course I had not, but after a few texts back and forth, I asked Kevin if he wouldn’t mind doing an interview with Charlie via text, and providing the feedback so that I could post the interview.  So thanks to Kevin for making this latest “APBA’view” possible, with Charlie.

Onto the interview with Charlie Fouche …

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

Charlie Fouche:  I was born in Jacksonville, Florida, on November 25^th, 1960. Growing up in the Jacksonville area, I played baseball and football. My high school baseball team (William Marion Raines High School) included Vince Coleman.

I played college football at the University of Florida under head coach Charley Pell.

I received a BS in journalism from the University of Florida, and worked as a sportswriter and editor for seven years.

Later I received a Master of Divinity, a Doctorate of Theology, a Doctor of Education and a Doctor of Biblical Studies.

I have been teaching for the past 20 years or so, the last seven at an alternative high school. I have used the APBA Baseball Game to teach probability in mathematics.

Jimsapbabarn question #2:  When/how did you discover APBA?

Charlie Fouche:  I first played APBA with my brother and neighborhood kids in approximately 1973. I have played the APBA baseball, hockey, football, saddle racing and golf games.

I would like to say something about John Herson. When John heard that I was using APBA Baseball to teach students, he loaded me up with product that I never requested.

When I showed John my KNLBA cards (see Charlie’s website) and told him I was giving the money to charities, he wholeheartedly endorsed them and gave his permission to sell them without compensating APBA monetarily (meaning more money can go to the charities).

I know it is common knowledge that John Herson saved APBA, but few people know about his gracious heart. Yes, he saved APBA, and he turned it into a family more than a business.

 

Jimsapbabarn question #3:   How and when did your connection to Negro League Baseball begin?

Charlie Fouche:  My connection to the Negro Leagues goes back to my youth, growing up in Jacksonville, Florida. While attending games at the Myrtle Avenue Ballpark (Now named J. P. Small Memorial Stadium) I heard the older men talk about the players who had played there in the past. I listened, asked questions and learned of the tremendous history of the African-American Baseball Players who once played there, but were prevented from competing in Major League Baseball. I grew to love these players and I always wanted to do something to help get these great players their due attention and respect.

I created the “Keeping Negro League Baseball Alive” (KNLBA) project (see Charlie’s website) to educate casual fans about the great level of baseball that was played by the Negro League players. I created APBA-like cards that show the incredible skill sets of these great players. I sell these cards, and give all proceeds to Negro League charities and foundations (one of which is the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum).

 

Jimsapbabarn question #4:   Did you get a chance to meet any of the Negro League Players for whom you have made cards?

Charlie Fouche:  I have been able to talk to many of them by phone, over the years. Satchel Paige, Buck Leonard and James “Cool Papa” Bell, for example.

I have met family members of the players at card shows and similar type of events.

However, one of the greatest players I have ever had the privilege to meet and converse with in person was Ray Dandridge.

Ray Dandridge played for (among others) the Newark Dodgers (1934-1935) and the Newark Eagles (1936-1938, 1942, 1944). The Eagles featured the “Million Dollar Infield” that included Dandridge (3B), Willie Wells (SS), Dick Seay (2B), and George Suttles (1B). Dandridge primarily finished his career in Mexico only coming back to the Eagles in 1942 and again 1944.

According to a Sports Illustrated Article (July 6, 1987 – Nichols Dawidoff) , Bill Veeck had reached out to Dandridge offering a chance to integrate the American League with the Cleveland Indians. Dandridge ultimately turned down the chance to come back to America to play. Dandridge did not want to uproot his family from their home in Mexico, where he felt they were loved and his playing skill was appreciated.

When I met Ray Dandridge, I was struck by his humility. You have to remember, Dandridge was a great hitter, and Monte Irvin said Dandridge was the best defensive third-basemen he ever saw. And yet, while I was with Dandridge, he continually redirected attention from himself to others in the group, extolling their accomplishments and abilities.

When I called him by his nickname, “Hooks”, however, his face lit up and he beamed at me. It was a great moment for me.

Oh, why was his nickname “Hooks”?  He received that nickname (and other similar ones, like “Squat”) because of his legs. Ray Dandridge had short, bowed legs. His legs looked like he was standing on hooks, and he always looked like he was in a sort of a squatting position. It was said you could run a train through his legs but you could never get a ground ball through them!

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

Charlie Fouche:  I absolutely love the APBA Hockey Game, but it takes me too long to play a game. The APBA Baseball Game is my favorite game.

 

BAT FLIPS at the ‘Barn with Charlie Fouche …

– Your favorite sport(s)/team(s)?

Charlie Fouche:

NHL – Montréal Canadiens.

College – Florida Gators and the BYU Cougars

MLB – I really follow players, but I currently have access to the Braves every night, so I guess you can call them my team.

NFL – No team, but I do enjoy following the players.

– Your favorite sports venue?

Charlie Fouche:

My couch pointed at the TV.

– Your favorite movie?

Charlie Fouche:

It’s a Wonderful Life

– Your favorite APBA memory?

Charlie Fouche:

Oh! Way to many!!  Let me think about this one. . .

Winning the Scenic City Shootout this year was fun.

I like the APBA Convention, where old friendships are renewed.

Thank you, Charlie! I must say that you are a great man and a great APBA Hall of Famer! It was a pleasure to get to converse with you, to get to know you better and to get a sense of your own humility and personal strength! I love the history behind your KNLBA project, and I truly appreciate your selfless work for those men and women of Negro League Baseball. – Kevin Cluff

For more about Charlie Fouche, please check in and listen to this audio interview done by John Asalon on “This Week in APBA”.