NL 1979 End of June Report

Come on, little Cobra...

June is over in my 1979 APBA tabletop replay, and it's that time when the pretenders have had their day and begin to fade away--just ask my 1965 Yankees or my 1986 Brewers, who were both in first place at this point only to fade into the middle of the pack by season's end. 

For those of you not familiar with this project, I am replaying 1979 for the second time. The first time, it was basic game all the way, right out of the box with the (then) current set of cards. Now, lo these 40 years later, I am playing it again with the newest reissue of the cards, and using all the bells and whistles including my Orsino Board. But enough blather...on to the standings!

"Everybody chill. I got this!"

PIT   51-22  ----  (best 1-run 15-6, best x-inn 8-1, tie least times shutout 3, tie best June 18-7)
MON 40-33  11  (tie least times shutout 3)
CHI  38-35   13  (tie best June 18-7)
NYM 39-37  13.5 (end June on a 9-game losing streak.)
STL  37-39  15.5
PHI  35-42  18   (worst x-inn 2-7)

LAD  44-35  ----
CIN   40-38   3.5
SFG  36-42   7.5
HOU 36-46   9.5  (worst 1-run 6-16, most times shutout 12)
SDP  35-45   9.5  (worst June 8-19)
ATL  31-48  13

So, can the last place team in the west get closer to first place than the second place team in the east? Stay tuned. 

The first time I replayed '79, The Pirates led at the end of June then, too, but by only 3.5 over Philly. (The currently last-place Quakers long for those simpler days.) Cincy led the west by a big 7.5 game margin over Houston. 

Atlanta fans support group.

PITCHING and DEFENSE
The Buccos have given up the least runs (263), the least homers (41) and notched the most saves (24). The Cubbies have collected the most shutouts (10). The Cardinals have turned the most DP's (102) and made the fewest errors along with the Dodgers (41). The Pods have the most complete games (31), but have also made the most errors (70). Atlanta is a veritable record-book of dubious achievements with the most runs against (449, that's 54 more than anyone else), least complete games (8), least DP's turned (35) while giving up the most homers (86). To round things out, the Giants have the least saves, with 7.

"Where's the beef? Ou est le boeuf?"

HITTING
The homer-happy Dodgers (107) have plated the most runs (398) but have the least doubles (107). Pittsburgh has the least caught stealing (11) the least GIDP's (45), the most walk-off hits (6) and the most grand slams (4). Houston has stolen the most bases (85) but also been caught the most (34), and they have the most triples (33), but the fewest homers (24). St. Louis and Chicago have stolen the least bases (32). The Cards have the most doubles (160). Montreal, despite having only been blanked 3 times, are surprisingly last in runs scored (301), two fewer than SD. Which brings us to Atlanta, who check in with the least triples (11), and the most GIDP's (78). As in the AL, the NL is lagging behind its actual pace in grand slams, with just 11 league-wide, which puts them on pace to fall far short of the actual final total of 31. Every NL team has at least 1 walk-off, with the Dodgers and Padres having just the one apiece. "There are so many other things to do in SoCal!" they explain.

LEADERS (with first replay leader in parenthesis, where available. Certain restrictions and conditions apply. Must accept delivery by July 1. May cause headaches and constipation. Ask your doctor about Numberall.)

Canny right-hander or Nesferatu?

WINS: Kison-pit 11-3, 4 tied with 10. (Seaver 13-1)

Richard-hou has 145 K's (Richard 139)

How about "loser"? Does "loser" work for you?

LOSSES: Shirley-sd 4-11, Matula-atl 4-10 Matula losin' games in the A-T-L.

CG: Carlton-phi 10, Perry-sd 10  

SAVES: Tekulve-pit 21, Castillo-la 15, Lockwood-ny 15, Sutter-chi 15, Littell-stl 14, Sambito-hou 14 (Littell 13)

Horner attacks the post-game spread.

HR: Horner-atl 24, Clark-sf 20, Schmidt-phi 20, W.Robinson-pit 19, Winfield-sd 18 (Stargell 32) Mike Schmidt suffered through a terrible June this time, with just 2 HR and 7 rbi for the entire month. 

RBI: Horner-atl 73, Clark-sf 67, Parker-pit 59, Matthews-atl 58, W.Robinson-pit 58 (Stargell 68)

Winfield's rookie card.

RUNS: Parker-pit 58, Winfield-sd 56, North-sf 55, Madlock-pit 55  (Lopes 60)

2B: Parker-pit 37, Hernandez-stl 36, Youngblood-ny 25  Those top two on pace for around 80 doubles. Wild! 

Templeton and his skipper discuss three baggers and Victorian poetry.

3B: Templeton-stl 10, Taveras-ny 8

STEALS: Moreno-pit 26, North-sf 22, Cedeno-hou 20, Lopes-la 20 (North 33)

GIDP: Montanez-ny 13, Garvey-la 11, Hendrick-stl 11, Ontiveros-chi 11

Keep your eye on that grounder, Pepe! Keep your eye...oh crap. 

ERRORS: Frias-atl 17, 2 tied with 15

If you missed the AL report, just hit "older post." It's right below this one.

See you after the all-star game, July 17 at the beautiful and luxurious Kingdome!