13
May

Monster Card Monday: 2004 Barry Bonds

bonds2004

APBA Blog reader Jim Shaw wrote me recently about my selection of Monster Cards.  Essentially, he said,  “I suggest something other than pitchers’ cards for the above as are a small sample size”. 

Fair enough.  Though the idea for the Monster Card series, was to get the most outlandish and fantastic “cards” out there and show them off, not necessarily the best “players”.  Occasionally, the twain shall meet, however as in this in this week’s case. 

To say that the 2004 Barry Bonds card (which I found on the APBA Games FB fan page recently) is based on 373 at-bats is misleading.  True, but misleading.  That’s because in 2004, he had 232 bases on balls for a total of 617 plate appearances.  I’m sure it left the card makers at APBA with a dilemma since of those 232 walks, over half of them (120) were intentional.  I remember that season.  That year, teams were intentionally walking Bonds out of fear, retribution, and possible resentment .  After a while though, I think they were doing it just because it was the “thing to do”. 

As a result, Bonds 2004 card was given nine 14s.  If my APBA math is correct, the Company gave Bonds credit for maybe 1/3 of a 14 for every intentional walk he received.  Which as you can see, is still pretty amazing. 

Split G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG
2004 Totals 147 617 373 129 135 27 3 45 101 6 1 232 41 .362 .609 .812
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 5/13/2012.

 

I still haven’t even addressed Barry Bonds’ power, the perceived reason he got those IBBs (though you all may have your opinions on that).  For his 45 homers and 75 overall extra base hits, he received a pretty yummy 1-1-1-6-6 (look out with a runner on third!).  With his six steals, Bonds even warranted a 15-10. 

As a result, against a Grade A pitcher, Bonds would get on base an automatic 15 times out of 36 results not counting any error numbers.  Not bad. 

One final point on Bonds’ 2004 card.  His real life batting average of .362 may be one of the highest of any APBA card to get a 55-8.  Of course, the nine 14s make a huge difference.  Using my Quick and Dirty method of determining a batting average of an APBA card, I estimate that it should bat around .367, pretty close to his real life average. 

Imagine that… I got through a Barry Bonds article without mentioning the ‘S-word’. 

7 comments

6
May

Monster Card Monday: 1974 Herb Washington

IMAG0087

I found this Monster Card in Ed Zack’s Handbook for APBA Baseball Cards and it’s one of the strangest APBA baseball cards issued by the Company.  That’s probably due to the nature of the person behind it.  Herb Washington wasn’t a hitter.  He was one of Charlie Finley’s experiments with the Oakland A’s.  Washington’s role was simply as a pinch runner (APBA even designated him as such for his position).  He did this 92 times in 1974.  He stole 29 bases and crossed the plate 29 times that year. 

Split G GS PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO
1974 Totals 92 0 0 0 29 0 0 0 0 0 29 16 0 0
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 5/6/2012.

 

Washington’s card obviously wasn’t meant to hit with.  It was a “steal-on-demand” pinch running card should you need a speedster on the base paths.  The directions were pretty much right on the card.  Should you declare a steal, a roll of the dice would determine if he was safe.  If he was attempting a steal of second, a result of 1-24 meant he was safe.  Third base?  You would need a result of 1-17.

In the Handbook, Ed Zack comments that APBA’s placement of the result numbers was pretty creative.  If you weren’t paying close attention, you might think this is just another (albeit strong) hitting card.  The “power numbers” are right where we expect them.  The steal numbers (11 and 10) are right there at 15 and 25.  Even the 12 is where it should be. 

In Zack’s words: 

“the manner in which the distribution scheme imitates actual play-result positions is very clever; it requires noticing how many error numbers there to be able to see that something fishy is going on”

Herb Washington never did bat (or play the field) in the majors.  His pinch running gig lasted one more year into 1975 but he wasn’t as prolific as the year before, getting into 13 games and stealing 2 bases and scoring 4 runs. 

6 comments

30
April

Monster Card Monday: 1972 Terry Forster

photo

Today’s Monster Card comes to us from Mel M who suggested a few players.  No doubt, we’ll be seeing some of them on future Mondays.  Thanks, Mel!! 

I think Terry Forster of 1972 ranks up there among the upper echelons of APBA Monster Cards.  While he certainly wasn’t a full time hitter, Forster didn’t get his reputation based on one or two at-bats, either.  In 1972 (the year before the DH was put in place, Mel M reminds us), reliever Forster managed to go 10 for 19.  That’s more than just a coincidence.  He had a bat! 

The Sox knew this apparently.  One of those ten hits was the result of his one and only pinch hit appearance that year.  Forster did ok on the base paths.  He stole one base (his only one of his 16 year career). 

Forster’s card is truly a sight to behold.  I’ve talked about players having a 13-9 in the past.  How about a 13-7?  Even a 53-7?  Eights on the BOTTOM?  And the icing on the cake is the 11-10-10 thanks to his one steal (though if I had a runner on second facing a B pitcher, it would bug me to roll that 25 :)).

Split G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG
1972 Totals 63 22 19 1 10 0 0 0 3 1 0 1 2 .526 .550 .526
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 4/30/2012.

 

Terry Forster wasn’t a one-year wonder at the plate, either.  He also had batting averages of .400, .346, .500, and .667 throughout his career.  For his career, he hit a pretty amazing .397 (31 for 78) with only 9 strikeouts. 

Of course, the benefit here is that with the amazing hitting card comes a pitcher who can throw the ball.  In ‘72, APBA gave Terry “Hoss” Forster an A*XY grade based on his measly 2.25 ERA.  He was 6-5 with 29 saves (that was good for second in the AL).  Hard throwing Hoss struck out 104 in 100 innings. 

Thanks again to Mel M for passing this on.  Indeed a fun card!

See other Monster Card Monday selections

1 comment

23
April

Monster Card Monday: 1930 Buz Phillips

IMAG0028

 

We’re going back to 1930 for this week’s MCM (that year’s such a good source).  This time, it’s Albert “Buz” Phillips, a D pitcher for the Phillies.  He ranks up there as one of the best. 

In his short time in 1930, Phillips managed 6 hits in 13 at-bats.  Of those 6 hits, one was a double and another was a homer.  Buz gets power numbers 1-1-5-6-6 and four 7s.  His last 8 is at 61 and yes, he has a 13-9.

Split G GS PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG
1930 Totals 14 1 13 13 3 6 1 0 1 2 0 0 0 2 .462 .462 .769
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 4/23/2012.

 

We’ll never know how Phillips would have hit in other seasons.  He pitched so poorly even compared to the 1930 league average (8.04 ERA) that he never got called back.  1930 was his only season.  What a shame.  Maybe the Phillies should have made him an OF ala Rick Ankiel.  :-)

One more interesting thing about Phillips.  He got all his 13 at-bats with just one start (and eight games finished… I’m guessing he was the mop-up man) in 1930.  Such was the style of pitching back then.  

1 comment

9
April

Monster Card Monday: Cristobal Torriente

torriente

Thanks go to reader Tom Zuppa for suggesting this week’s MCM, Cristobal Torriente.  His card APBA card was published as part of the Negro League Set in 1994. 

Generally, not a lot is known about Negro League statistics though recently, Baseball Reference published what IS known in their new Negro League Statistics section. 

Here are Cristobal’s Torriente’s stats for his career, more or less:

Year Tm AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB BA OBP SLG
1912 Habana 101 11 26 1 2 1 14 7 9 .257 .318 .337
1913 Almendares 32 0 5 1 0 0 3 0 1 .156 .176 .188
1914 2 Teams 134 35 52 11 4 2 24 8 24 .388 .481 .575
1914 Cuban Stars of Havana 114 27 45 10 4 2 22 6 20 .395 .485 .605
1914 Almendares 20 8 7 1 0 0 2 2 4 .350 .458 .400
1915 2 Teams 214 43 75 12 4 2 35 15 25 .350 .418 .472
1915 Cuban Stars of Havana 188 32 65 11 3 2 31 11 18 .346 .403 .468
1915 Almendares 26 11 10 1 1 0 4 4 7 .385 .515 .500
1916 2 Teams 205 37 71 12 2 2 43 7 28 .346 .425 .454
1916 Havana 183 30 60 10 2 2 38 7 22 .328 .400 .437
1916 Kansas City 22 7 11 2 0 0 5 0 6 .500 .607 .591
1917 Kansas City 58 10 16 3 0 0 8 6 6 .276 .344 .328
1918 Havana 128 30 46 4 9 1 26 3 16 .359 .431 .555
1919 Chicago American Giants 142 31 46 10 3 3 35 7 32 .324 .448 .500
1920 Chicago American Giants 151 21 63 14 7 2 7 19 .417 .482 .642
1921 Chicago American Giants 168 35 54 4 8 4 3 3 .321 .333 .512
1922 Chicago 122 29 33 8 1 6 6 8 .270 .315 .500
1923 Chicago 261 69 101 22 5 4 12 44 .387 .475 .556
1924 Chicago 254 57 87 24 6 7 11 37 .343 .426 .567
1925 Chicago 299 47 79 11 7 9 5 54 .264 .377 .438
1926 Kansas City 296 50 103 19 5 4 12 36 .348 .419 .486
1927 Detroit 256 30 81 15 2 5 5 0 .316 .316 .449
1928 Detroit 118 15 38 7 3 1 2 6 .322 .355 .458
1932 Cleveland 32 1 8 1 1 0 4 1 .250 .273 .344
18 Seasons 2971 551 984 179 69 53 188 120 349 .331 .401 .491
NgM (10 seasons) 1957 354 647 125 45 42 67 208 .331 .395 .505
N/A (6 seasons) 835 167 289 50 21 10 165 40 120 .346 .428 .492
Fgn (4 seasons) 179 30 48 4 3 1 23 13 21 .268 .343 .341
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 4/9/2012.
 

Torriente’s APBA card, based presumably on a compilation of his seasons (I think.  Someone correct me if I’m wrong.), definitely shows his speed.  He has triple power in his extra base numbers of 1-2-2-6.  Plus he has 11-11-10 and one of his four 14s is adorned with an asterisk.  Torriente’s good glove work is vindicated with a OF-3.  Should you need a pitcher, he can even fill in.  He’s a grade DYZ. 

I certainly don’t claim to be a Negro Leagues expert but from what I do know, Cristobal Torriente was a talented ballplayer.  He was good enough to make it to the Baseball Hall of Fame.  No doubt, he every bit deserved this card. 

Thanks again to Tom Zuppa for the suggestion!!

2 comments

2
April

Monster Card Monday: 1916 Limb McKenry

McKenry

 

Thanks to reader Jeff Papas for this week’s Monster Card.  And what a Monster card it is!  You like 2s??  1916 Limb McKenry’s got 2s for you.  All the way out to 61. 

Tm Lg G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO BA OBP SLG
CIN NL 6 5 5 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 0 1 .400 .400 1.200
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 4/2/2012.

 

Jeff says:

“Baseball-reference.com has some fun info on him — the most notable being that four of his seven big league hits were triples.

I used this card on 4/18 of my 1916 replay, which stats indicated was McKenry’s last start in the major leagues, against Pittsburgh. Despite his D1W McKenry pulled off one of those wonderful APBA unpredictabilities, pitching a complete game win. I also hit that 61-2 in each of his first two at-bats, the second time turning it into a home run due to the on-base situation.”

Thanks, Jeff.  This ranks up there as one of the best!

3 comments

31
March

A working list of all 3B-2 players

There was a thread on our league’s internal mailing list that got me thinking about this.  Something about Miguel Cabrera’s current glovework at third base during spring training.  That got us on who in the history of APBA has gotten the dreaded 3B-2 rating. 

Our list is incomplete.  Hell, it may not even be correct.  But here’s what we came up with:

  • Harmon Killebrew
  • Dave Kingman
  • Darnell Coles
  • Jim Thome

[Added]

  • Ted Cieslak- 1944 Philadelphia Phillies
  • Warner, Fred      1883O     (Created in 1994)
  • Williamson, Ned   1883O     (Created in 1994)
  • Briody, Charlie   1883O     (Created in 1994)
  • Whiting, Ed       1883O     (Created in 1994)
  • McCormick, Jerry  1883O     (Created in 1994)
  • Lillie, Jim       1883O     (Created in 1994)
  • Kelly, Charlie    1883O     (Created in 1994)
  • Freeman, J. Buck  1906O     (Created in 1999)
  • Kelley, Joe       1906O     (Created in 1999)
  • Ritter, Lew       1906O     (Created in 1999)
  • Needham, Tom      1906O     (Created in 1999)
  • Barbeau, Jap      1906O     (Created in 1999)
  • Morgan, Red       1906O     (Created in 1999)
  • Neff, Doug        1915O     (Created in 2004)
  • Roth, Bob         1915O     (Created in 2004)
  • McConnell, Sam F. 1915O     (Created in 2004)
  • Malone, Lew       1915O     (Created in 2004)
  • Lear, Fred        1915O     (Created in 2004)
  • Conway, Owen      1915O     (Created in 2004)
  • Evans, Joe        1915O     (Created in 2004)
  • Hoffman, Tex      1915O     (Created in 2004)
  • Damrau, Harry     1915O     (Created in 2004)
  • Reinecker, Wally  1915O     (Created in 2004)
  • Forsyth, Ed       1915O     (Created in 2004)
  • Grimm, Charlie    1918O     (Created in 2005)
  • Austin, Jimmy     1925O     (Created in 1999)
  • Ott, Mel          1944O     (Created in 2004)
  • Cieslak, Ted      1944O     (Created in 2004)
  • Skowron, Bill     1958RR    (Created in 2005)
  • Cepeda, Orlando   1959R     (Created in 1991)
  • Cepeda, Orlando   1959RR    (Created in 2007)
  • Killebrew, Harmon 1961RR    (Created in 2004)
  • Griffith, Derrell 1964R     (Created in 1989)
  • Kingman, Dave     1977O     (Created in 1978)
  • Coles, Darnell    1987O     (Created in 1988)
  • Williams, Kenny   1988O     (Created in 1989)
  • Coles, Darnell    1990O     (Created in 1991)
  • Hershiser, Orel   1993O     (Created in 1994)
  • Martinez, Pedro   1993O     (Created in 1994)
  • Durrington, Trent 2005O     (Created in 2005)
  • Thome, Jim        2011O     (Created in 2011)
    [ed. thanks to Kevin Cluff and Jeff Papas for the full list!]

The 3B-2 rating is most definitely the rarest rating that APBA has given.  It it somewhat odd since gives out tons of 1B-2 ratings and the 1B and 3B ratings in general ALMOST parallel each other. 

I believe the 3B-2 was thought to be an error at first but now is seen as more of an strange anomaly. 

If anyone has others (or happen to have years for these guys), give a shout out and I’ll add the info. 

8 comments

26
March

Monster Card Monday: 1990 Rickey Henderson

rhenderson

This week’s Monster Card is the “Man of Steal” himself, Rickey Henderson.  Dom Provisiero should appreciate this choice. 

1990 is not the year Rickey Henderson broke the all-time steals record (you could probably tell that from the APBA card).  But one could make an argument that 1990 was one of his best all-around offensive years.  That year, he had his highest career batting average (.325), slugging percentage (.577), and OBP (.439) all rolled into one season.  He led the AL with 65 stolen bases and runs scored.  On top of that he hit 28 homers and 31 doubles. 

No wonder Dom P. loved him.

Split G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG
1990 Totals 136 594 489 119 159 33 3 28 61 65 10 97 60 .325 .439 .577
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/18/2012.

 

APBA rewarded Henderson with a card that any team would love to have.  The question is:  where would you bat such a card?  His card had power (1-5-5-6), speed (11-10, plus four 14*s), and also on base value ( a total of six 14s). 

If all that weren’t enough, Henderson was rated as a (F) runner and a OF-3. 

Like his attitude or personality or not, the man put out.  One look at his total career stats will tell you that.  His listing of Awards and Leaderboard appearances takes up three pages on my browser. 

See other Monster Card Monday selections

3 comments

19
March

Monster Card Monday: 1989 Cris Carpenter

IMAG0052

Some of best things are found when cleaning your office.  I had this week’s Monster Card chosen already chosen when I ran across this baby when doing some spring cleaning Sunday afternoon.   The other one will have to wait till next week.

Enter 1989 Cris Carpenter of the St Louis Cardinals (not the Cardinals’ “Chris” Carpenter of today).  Cris Carpenter was a reliever and occasional spot starter who pitched between the years of ‘88 and ‘96 for St L, FL, Tex and Mil.  For his career, he had a 27-22 record with a decent 3.91 ERA. 

For the year 1989, he received an XB card (though he pitched a good 68 innings).  He struck out 35 and walked 26 and had a 3.18 ERA.  His record was 4-4 for the 3rd place Cardinals.  For his work, APBA gave him a D(C)Z grade for the year.

Split G GS PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG
1989 Totals 36 5 11 9 1 4 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 .444 .444 .444
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/19/2012.

 

Pitching, Pitching… what we care about how he got that amazing card. As long as I’ve done this feature, I don’t think I’ve run across anyone who’s had a 53-9.  He has a 13-9 to along with that too.  Carpenter has an incredible total of ten 7s on his card that stretch out to 51-7.

Carpenter’s stats were quite simple in 1989.  Four singles in 9 at-bats.  He scored once and drove in a run.  No walks for Cris and ABPA appropriately didn’t give him any 14s. 

Interestingly, Carpenter batted .333 twice in a season later in his career.  Both times he went 1 for 3. 

1 comment

12
March

Monster Card Monday: 1953 Al Corwin

IMAG0045

New York Giants pitcher Al Corwin didn’t have an incredible 1953 campaign on the mound with his 4.98 ERA.  However, he did manage to get a few hits at the plate.  As a result, the spot starter got a pretty tasty card. 

For his one double, one triple and two homeruns, APBA appropriately awarded him a 1-1-2-6.  In addition, Corwin received two 7s, three 8s and two 9s. 

Split G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB CS BB SO BA OBP SLG
1953 Totals 54 33 32 5 9 1 1 2 4 0 0 0 12 .281 .281 .563
Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 3/12/2012.

 

Al Corwin only lasted five years in the majors (1951-1955 all with the Giants) but he did manage a winning record (18-10) and a respectable ERA (3.98).  Never once though, did he achieve his hitting glory that he had in 1953. As a matter of fact, only one other year did he have two hits in a season. 

See other Monster Card Monday selections

No comments yet

« Previous Entries