Philadelphia Phillies owner and GM Bruce Muench has promised fans something to cheer for this year, and with Bob Ojeda and Tim Raines joining last years rookie sensations OF Willie Mcgee and closer Cecilio Guante, the probability of that happening looks very good.
After 5 straight losing seasons, culminating in a league worse 61-101 record in 82, the Phanatics are growing restless, and rightly so. "All that will change this year" says Muench. "I understand the phans phrustrations, I understand they're tired of being told to be patient. This year, that patience will be rewarded as we take the first big step toward respectability."
"I'm not promising a World Title, a division title, or even a .500 record. I am promising some very exciting baseball. Last season Mcgee and Guante gave them a small glimpse of the future. This season Raines and Ojeda will bring more for them to like. Future all-star SS Cal Ripken will be given every opportunity in spring training to make the big club this season. With the #1 over-all pick in the draft, we have our eye on a couple of players, and hope to fill the role of staff ace. Our phans have waited long enough, we will deliver a phun and exciting product on the phield this year."
Things really are looking up in Philly, and 1983 promises to be a very exciting season in the city of brotherly love.
The 1982 season seems so far away now, the Cubs run to the World Series is all but a distant memory, the near Triple Crown season of Dale Murphy is nothing more than a mere footnote in the pages of the CDL History books (Murphy lead the league in HR's and RBI's and was third in batting average). For GM Chris Hansen, this is probably the most challenging of off seasons he's had to face during his tenure as GM of the Cubs.
Following their defeat in the World Series at the hands of a stronger Baltimore team, the Cubs lineup had more holes than a piece of Swiss cheese. 1B Lee May retired. Starters Darrell Evans (3b) and Otto Velez (CF) became free agents along with key backups Steve Garvey, Dave Roberts, and Ed Kirkpatrick. Thankfully for GM Hansen, the pitching staff was left untouched... until now.
In an effort to fill some holes and add some power to keep up with new divisional rivals, the Cincinnati Reds, the Cubs announced the placement of 32 year old pithing ace, Jim Wright on the proverbial 'trading blocks'. In five seasons with the Cubs, Wright has posted a 66-39 record with a 3.06 era. That wasn't enough to keep him 'untouchable' but it was plenty good to receive offers almost as soon as the announcement was made that he was available.
It didn't take long for those offers to become a deal, and the Cubs front office are pleased to announce one of the biggest deals in team history. Management has sent Wright packing to his new home in San Francisco for CDL Legend 1B Cecil Cooper. The 33 year old, 9 time All-Star will be an instant impact in Wrigley Field. The Cubs also add two to the outfield in Terry Puhl and Greg Gross. In addition to Wright, the Cubs also send the Giants their first and second round picks in this season's upcoming CDL Rookie Draft.
"We are very pleased with this deal," states GM Hansen. "We believe we now have the power to take on the very talented Reds team." He continued on by saying, "Not only does Coop bring us power every day, it's well known around the league he's what is known as a 'Quiz-killa', so this should help us keep the Pirates where they belong."
With the departure of Wright, the Cubs look to rely on youngsters Marty Bystrom and Alfredo Martinez to fill the void in the starting rotation. The Cubs will also be looking for one or two more utility players for the infield before the free agency period is over.
"Why?"
"You know why. Isn't it obvious?"
"It can't be!"
"But it is. They fear it. And they act out against it."
"But it's unfair! How can they base decisions on superficial things like that!"
SLAP
"Ow... that hurt!"
"Never show it disrespect. Superficial! It is a great thing of beauty, strength, wonderment --- and, yes, even power! Why are they unfair? Why do they cheat, lie and commit falsehoods against it? Because their shrivelled yellow bellies are at once repulsed and attracted to it. They know it is not theirs to attain; that they cannot even dream of the heights that it can bring them, heights they covet so much.
"So they snivel and curl up in balls on the floor, defecating on themselves as they fill out their frowsy ballots. And as the shit flows from them it flows into the ballot, denying us our rightfull place."
"Oh my god! I never knew it was like that"
"You are young my boy, a mere rookie. I have been here and seen it, seen the vile hatred spewed about in fear and vindictiveness. It is their fear of the unknown, their sexual vulnerability which they are afraid to confront, those dark secrets which are kept repressed behind drawn blinds.
"Look over there Tommy..."
"Where?"
"Over there. At him"
"Tony?"
"Yes. Tony. He is fine. There is no fear. Or hatred, loathing, vileness. It is he, Tommy boy. He is the one. Because there is nothing there. Nothing to fear."
"And all because of..."
"Yes, Tom. All because of the 'stache."
On the surface, the St. Louis Cardinals sunk even lower in 1982, winning only 68 games, two less than in 1981. However, there are reasons for optimism, as the team, under new owner/GM Christian Trudeau, seemed to have a plan and started rebuilding.
The good things :
-At age 26, Pedro Guerrero emerged as a star, hitting ,326/,378/,457. He is one of the player around whom the Cards will build.
-The rotation was strong. Ken Forsch, Bob Knepper and John Tudor are steady and all had solid seasons. Forsch is 36 and will be in the last year of a big contract. It's unclear what the Cards will do with him. Knepper and Tudor, both 28, are part of the team's plans.
-The first player drafted by the Trudeau administration, Frank Viola, had an up-and-down but promising rookie season, losing 20 games put showing his great talent. His 176 strikeouts led the team. After being roughed up in April and May, he had a 3,62 ERA and a 7-10 record the rest of the season.
-The team dumped some veterans for prospects in June, adding some much needed youth and depth to the organisation. Veteran reliever Mike Kilkenny was sent to the Reds for young relievers Guy Hoffman and John Henry Johnson and prospect George Vukovich. St. Louis also took the contracts of 1B Doug Rader and OF Jerry Morales. Johnson was good (3,99 ERA) but there were troubles in his contract negociation. He was eventually signed to a lucrative 4 year-contract. Hoffman was disappointing (6,54 ERA, poor peripherals) but he will get other chances. Vukovich had a strong year at AA and probably will make the team next year. Kilkenny was a key part of the Reds' pennant.
The other deal made by St. Louis sent catcher Duffy Dyer and outfielder Oscar Gamble to the Mets for starter Steve Dunning, prospect 2B Scott Fletcher and CF Dwayne Murphy. Dunning was horrible (0-7, 6,22) and Fletcher had a rough year in A-ball, but he remains a solid prospect. Dwayne Murphy was the team's best acquisition, with his ,386 OBP. A former first-round pick, Murphy was making his MLB debut at age 27 and finally showed his potential. Dyer was atrocious, but Gamble pretty useful to the Mets, who felt just short of a playoff spot.
The bad things :
-Apart from Guerrero, the infield was a mess. Veterans 2B Ontiveros and Stennett had empty ,250 averages. SS Money showed some power but had a ,297 OBP. He's now a free agent. At 3B, 28 year-old rookie Wayne Krenchicki had a horrible year. Sent down to AAA in August, he had a good sequence there, giving hope that he might be able to hold on the the job in 1983.
-The outfield wasn't much better. Dave Parker was a total disaster. He's signed for three more years. Dwight Evans had a down year, but he's still solid. Murphy is a keeper in CF, but there's not much depth.
-Prospect Ron Kittle had a tough year and the team still has few good prospects, with many holes to fill. Catcher, second base and shortstop are the weakest spots, but the team is not expected to make big splashes on the free agent market. Pedro Guerrero might be moved permanently to 3B, with Bruce Bochte taking over at 1B.
All in all, while 1982 was a step in the good direction, there's still a lot of work to do to turn the Cardinals into contenders.
Saturday 10/1/1982 :
American League-Pitcher of the Month :
Bart Johnson (MIN) !!
He had a record of 5-0 in 7 games started, with an ERA of 1.13 and 2 shutouts.
American League-Batter of the Month :
Bill Madlock (OAK) !!
He batted .404 in 99 AB, with 7 homers and 23 RBI.
National League-Pitcher of the Month :
Mike Hedlund (SF) !!
He had a record of 3-0 in 3 games started, with an ERA of 0.63.
National League-Batter of the Month :
Dale Murphy (CHN) !!
He batted .344 in 96 AB, with 13 homers and 32 RBI.
Oakland A's 3B Wade Boggs increased his chances of being named Rookie of the Year by having a great September. In 121 at bats, he hit ,426/,478/,574 with 1 homerun and 21 RBIs.
For the year, he hit an impressive ,347-6-67. For the trouble, Boggs was named Rookie of the Month of September in the American League. He also won the title in July.
Harold Baines of the Red Sox (,336-6-16) and Howard Johnson of the Yankees (,283-4-21) were runner-ups.
In the National League, the honor went to St-Louis Cardinals CF Dwayne Murphy. Murphy hit for ,264/,393/,402 in 87 AB, with 2 homers and 7 RBIs.
A former 1st round pick of the Mets (4th overall) in 1978, Murphy was traded to the Cards in June, and made his MLB debut at age 27 soon after that. He hit ,249-6-30 with a ,386 on base percentage for the season.
Philles CF Willie McGee (,316-1-7) and Mets starter Tim Lollar (4-2, 2,98) were also considered.