The Worst to First Association

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motnahp
Posts: 1837
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:20 pm

The Worst to First Association

Post by motnahp »

I have taken the current 30 MLB franchises and selected their worst teams, from 1969-2007.

Using Sandbox Mode, I created an association with these 30 teams, with division and league alignments done as current MLB.

Parameters:

No finances
DH AL Only
Injuries Can Occur
Allow AI Trades
Modern Closer Option "ON"

I will manage the 1988 Atlanta Braves. The schdeule will follow the 2006 MLB season, so there will be some interleague play.

There are a few poor souls who appeared on 2 or more of these bad teams. I recall importing OF Jerry Morales three times. There were several others I saw imported twice. So be it. It's possible that a pitcher could even end up starting against himself. That would be cute.

Trying to go "Worst to First" are:

American League East
1988 Baltimore Orioles
1992 Boston Red Sox
1990 New York Yankees
2002 Tampa Bay Devil Rays
1979 Toronto Blue Jays

American League Central
1970 Chicago White Sox
1991 Cleveland Indians
2003 Detroit Tigers
2005 Kansas City Royals
1982 Minnesota Twins

American League West
1994 California Angels
1979 Oakland A's
1978 Seattle Mariners
1972 Texas Rangers

National League East
1988 Atlanta Braves
1998 Florida Marlins
1969 Montreal Expos
1993 New York Mets
1972 Philadelphia Phillies

National League Central
1981 Chicago Cubs
1982 Cincinnati Reds
1975 Houston Astros
2002 Milwaukee Brewers
1985 Pittsburgh Pirates
1978 St. Louis Cardinals

National League West
2004 Arizona Diamondbacks
2005 Colorado Rockies
1992 Los Angeles Dodgers
1969 San Diego Padres
1985 San Francisco Giants

"Better to sleep with old hen than pullet" - Redd Foxx
motnahp
Posts: 1837
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:20 pm

RE: The Worst to First Association

Post by motnahp »

Starting the season with 3 games in LA against the Dodgers. The preseason edition of PSPN news ranked the Dodgers #1 of the 30 teams. Atlanta was ranked a respectable 7th.

Henry Rodriguez belted a 2-run homer, as the Dodgers took the season opener from the Braves 4-3 in 10 innings. Atlanta had taken a 3-2 lead in their half of the 10th on an RBI double from Dion James. Bruce Sutter came on to try and nail down the win, but was greeted with a Jose Offerman single and the Rodriguez game-winning homer.

MON APR 4

ATL_____3___9___0 (10 innings)
LA______4__10___0
"Better to sleep with old hen than pullet" - Redd Foxx
motnahp
Posts: 1837
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:20 pm

RE: The Worst to First Association

Post by motnahp »

Ken Oberkfell went 4-5 with 2 doubles and 4 RBI to lead the Braves over the Dodgers, 6-1. Zane Smith went 6 strong innings, allowing only 1 run. Paul Assenmacher (2 IP) and Jose Alvarez (1 IP) provided scoreless relief.

TUE APR 5

ATL_____6___8___0
LA______1___9___2
"Better to sleep with old hen than pullet" - Redd Foxx
motnahp
Posts: 1837
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:20 pm

RE: The Worst to First Association

Post by motnahp »

Kevin Gross and 2 relievers combined to stifle the Braves, as the Dodgers blanked Atlanta 1-0. The Braves were held to only 2 hits, singles by Tom Glavine and Ted Simmons. Gross allowed only one hit in 7 innings, while walking 2 and striking out 7. Roger McDowell and Jay Howell each chipped in with a scoreless inning out of the LA bullpen. The Dodgers' lone run came in the bottom of the 2nd on an RBI single by Dave Hansen.

WED APR 6

ATL_____0___2___0
LA______1___5___0

Season record: 1-2, tied for 3rd in NL East. The Mets lead the division at 2-0.

The Braves stay on the west coast, traveling to San Francisco for a 4-game series. They need to find some production from the 3 and 4 spots in the batting order. Gerald Perry is 1-for-13 and Dale Murphy is 0-for-14 from the 3rd and 4th spots, respectively.
"Better to sleep with old hen than pullet" - Redd Foxx
motnahp
Posts: 1837
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:20 pm

RE: The Worst to First Association

Post by motnahp »

The Braves jumped out to a 6-0 lead at San Francisco, then coasted to a 9-6 loss. Chris Brown's 6th inning homer off Charlie Puleo broke a 6-6 tie and gave the Giants the lead for good. In the 5th inning, Jeffrey Leonard tied the game with a grand slam off Atlanta starter Pete Smith. Both Smith and Giants' starter Bill Laskey allowed 6 earned runs in 4 1/3 innings. Jeff Robinson picked up the win in relief, while Mark Davis notched a save with a 1-2-3 9th.

THUR APR 7

ATL_____6___13___0
SF______9___12___1
"Better to sleep with old hen than pullet" - Redd Foxx
motnahp
Posts: 1837
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:20 pm

RE: The Worst to First Association

Post by motnahp »

Rookie John Smoltz was impressive in his first start, going 7 innings and picking up the win in the Braves' 5-2 decision over the Giants. Bob Brenly homered twice for San Francisco and has now homered 3 times in the series and 4 times this season. Bruce Sutter pitched the 9th and earned his 1st save for the Braves.

FRI APR 8

ATL_____5___5___1
SF______2___7___1
"Better to sleep with old hen than pullet" - Redd Foxx
motnahp
Posts: 1837
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:20 pm

RE: The Worst to First Association

Post by motnahp »

Ken Oberkfell's 2-out single in the top of the 9th scored pinch runner Albert Hall with the eventual winning run, as the Braves edged the Giants 2-1. Rick Mahler went 8 innings for the win, while Bruce Sutter pitched a 1-2-3 9th for his 2nd save.

The Braves are now 3-3 and are still looking for their first homer. Cleanup man Dale Murphy is struggling badly, hitting .091 (2-for-26) with no RBI.

SAT APR 9

ATL_____2___9___0
SF______1___5___0
"Better to sleep with old hen than pullet" - Redd Foxx
motnahp
Posts: 1837
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:20 pm

RE: The Worst to First Association

Post by motnahp »

The Braves took 3 of 4 from the Giants with a 3-2 win at Candlestick. Gerald Perry's RBI single and Dale Murphy's sac-fly in the top of the 7th put the Braves ahead. Zane Smith improved to 2-0 with 7 strong innings on the mound. Paul Assenmacher kept the Giants off the board in the final two innings to earn a save.

The Braves now head to Atlanta for their home opener against the Phillies.

SUN APR 10

ATL_____3___9___0
SF______2__10___1

Season record 4-3, 2nd place in NL East, 2 1/2 GB the 6-0 Mets. The Mets have allowed only 4 runs (3 earned) in 6 games. They beat the Expos 2-1, 2-0, and 4-1. They beat the Marlins 6-0, 3-2, and 4-0.
"Better to sleep with old hen than pullet" - Redd Foxx
motnahp
Posts: 1837
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:20 pm

RE: The Worst to First Association

Post by motnahp »

In the team's home opener, the Braves dropped a tough one to the Phillies, 10-9 in 11 innings. Atlanta led 4-3 after 2 innings. Philadelphia eventually built an 8-4 lead and took that 4-run lead into the bottom of the 9th. The Braves scored 4 times to tie the game at 8-8 going into extra innings. The Phillies tallied 2 runs in the top of the 11th, taking a 10-8 lead. Atlanta staged a 2-out rally and scored once, but Dale Murphy struck out with runners on the corners to end the game.


Denny Doyle went 5-6 with a double and 4 RBI for Philly. Tim McCarver was also 5-6 with one RBI. For the Braves, Lonnie Smith went 4-5 with a double and 2 RBI, Jerry Royster was 3-5 with a double and 2 runs scored, and Ron Gant hit the team's first homer of the season. Bucky Brandon pitched a scoreless inning of relief and improved to 2-0. Bill Wilson picked up the save (1). Jim Acker allowed 2 runs in the 11th and took the loss (0-1).

MON APR 11

PHA_____10___23___0 (11 innings)
ATL______9___15___1
"Better to sleep with old hen than pullet" - Redd Foxx
motnahp
Posts: 1837
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:20 pm

RE: The Worst to First Association

Post by motnahp »

The Braves dropped another extra inning affair to the Phillies, this time 4-1 in 12 innings. John Smoltz took the loss.

WED APR 13

PHA_____4___9___2 (12 innings)
ATL_____1___8___0

"Better to sleep with old hen than pullet" - Redd Foxx
motnahp
Posts: 1837
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:20 pm

RE: The Worst to First Association

Post by motnahp »

Bill Robinson's solo homer (2) in the 7th snapped a 1-1 tie. The Phillied added 3 more in the 8th and beat the Braves 5-2 for a 3-game sweep. Bill Champion (2-0) picked up the win. Mac Scarce saved his 5th game, including all 3 games in this series. Rick Mahler falls to 1-1 with the loss.

THUR APR 14

PHA_____5___11___0
ATL_____2____9___1

Season record 4-6, T3 in NL East, 4 1/2 GB the Mets (8-1)
"Better to sleep with old hen than pullet" - Redd Foxx
motnahp
Posts: 1837
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:20 pm

RE: The Worst to First Association

Post by motnahp »

Clay Kirby (2-0) and Jack Baldschun (SV 4) combined on a 3-hitter, as the Padres blanked the Braves 2-0. Zane Smith (2-1) allowed 2 first-inning runs and was charged with the loss.

The Braves are still seeking their first home win of the season (0-4).

SAT APR 16

SD______2___5___0
ATL_____0___3___0
"Better to sleep with old hen than pullet" - Redd Foxx
motnahp
Posts: 1837
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:20 pm

RE: The Worst to First Association

Post by motnahp »

Dale Murphy doubled home Ron Gant with the winning run, as the Braves snapped a 4-game losing streak, beating the Padres 3-2 in 10 innings. Bruce Sutter picked up the win and Frank Rebgerger took the loss.

The Braves trailed 2-0 in the 8th inning, before tying the game with single runs in the 8th and 9th innings.

SAT APR 16

SD______2___10___1 (10 innings)
ATL_____3____9___2
"Better to sleep with old hen than pullet" - Redd Foxx
motnahp
Posts: 1837
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:20 pm

RE: The Worst to First Association

Post by motnahp »

Tommie Sisk and Frank Reberger combined on a 4-hitter, as the Padres topped the Braves 3-1.

SUN APR 17

SD______3___9___0
ATL_____1___4___1

Season record 5-8, 4th place in NL East, 5 1/2 GB

The Braves now travel to New York for 3 games against the division-leading Mets (10-2).
"Better to sleep with old hen than pullet" - Redd Foxx
motnahp
Posts: 1837
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:20 pm

RE: The Worst to First Association

Post by motnahp »

Pete Smith was masterful, allowing only 3 hits. He took just 85 pitches to subdue the Mets 4-1 at Shea Stadium. Smith (1-0) struck out 4 and walked 1. He lost his bid for a shutout when Jeff Kent homered (1) in the 5th inning.

MON APR 18

ATL_____4___9___0
NYM_____1___3___0
"Better to sleep with old hen than pullet" - Redd Foxx
motnahp
Posts: 1837
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:20 pm

RE: The Worst to First Association

Post by motnahp »

The Mets played long ball and pounded the Braves at Shea, 9-3. Eddie Murray (2), Bobby Bonilla (3) and Todd Hundley (1) all went deep for New York. Atlanta's runs came on a 3-run homer in the 8th inning from Ozzie Virgil (1). Frank Tanana (3-0) picked up the win. Rick Mahler (1-2) lasted only 2 1/3 innings. He was charged with 6 runs (5 earned). Jose Alvarez worked 3 2/3 scoreless innings of relief and collected a single at the plate.

TUE APR 19

ATL_____3___9___2
NY______9__14___0
"Better to sleep with old hen than pullet" - Redd Foxx
motnahp
Posts: 1837
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:20 pm

RE: The Worst to First Association

Post by motnahp »

Todd Hundley's 2-run double in the bottom of the 1st provided the game's only scoring. The Mets blanked the Braves 2-0 behind 7 shutout innings from Dwight Gooden (4-0). Gooden has now pitched 25 innings this season without allowing a run. He got relief help from Jeff Innis (1 IP) and Mike Maddux (SV 7) in the 8th and 9th innings. Zane Smith (2-2) took the loss for the Braves.

The Braves will take Thursday off, then continue the road trip with 3 games in Montreal.

WED APR 20

ATL_____0___7___0
NY______2___5___0

Season record: 6-10, 4th place in NL East, 6 1/2 GB 1st place New York
"Better to sleep with old hen than pullet" - Redd Foxx
motnahp
Posts: 1837
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:20 pm

RE: The Worst to First Association

Post by motnahp »

The Montreal Expos doubled up the Braves 12-6, sending Atlanta to their 3rd straight loss. Mack Jones was 3-4, including two 2-run homers (2,3). Jerry Robertson went 6 innings for the win. Tom Glavine allowed 7 earned runs in 5 innings to suffer the loss and fall to 0-2. Dale Murphy went 2-5 with a double and 2 RBI for the Braves.

FRI APR 22

ATL_____6___10___1
MON___12___14___0
"Better to sleep with old hen than pullet" - Redd Foxx
motnahp
Posts: 1837
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:20 pm

RE: The Worst to First Association

Post by motnahp »

The Braves' consistency continues, as they are unable to both hit and pitch in the same game. In Montreal, the Expos blank the Braves 1-0 in 11 innings. Manny Mota led off the 11th with a triple off Jim Acker (0-2). Rusty Staub and Mack Jones were intentionally walked to load the bases. With the infield and outfield both playing in, Donn Clendenon grounded to short and Mota was forced at the plate. Coco Laboy then lined to shallow center for the 2nd out. Not satisified with this success, Acker then walked Bobby Wine to force in the winning run. Carroll Sembera (1-0) picked up the win for the Expos. Starters Pete Smith and Mike Wegener pitched 7 and 8 scoreless innings, respectively.

SAT APR 23

ATL_____0___6___0 (11 innings)
MON____1___7___1
"Better to sleep with old hen than pullet" - Redd Foxx
motnahp
Posts: 1837
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:20 pm

RE: The Worst to First Association

Post by motnahp »

Trailing 3-1, the Atlanta Braves plated 5 runs in the top of the 8th and went on to beat the Expos 6-4. Included in the 8th-inning barrage was a 2-run triple by Dale Murphy. Rick Mahler (2-2) picked up the win. Bruce Sutter allowed a run and survived a shaky 9th for his 3rd save. Gary Roenicke (1) hit a solo homer for the Braves, who now travel to Milwaukee for 3 games.

SUN APR 24

ATL_____6___11___4
MON____4___10___0

Season record: 7-12, 4th place in NL East, 9 GB 1st place New York
"Better to sleep with old hen than pullet" - Redd Foxx
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