2
August

Free ’66 All-Stars download from the Company

frobbie66

CLuke wanted to point out that the APBA Co. was providing the 1966 All-Star team free as a downloadable pdf file.  You can get it from APBA’s Download page.

Here is the direct link.

MVPs in 1966 were Frank Robinson of the Orioles and Roberto Clemente of the Pirates.  Sandy Koufax, Cy Young award winner, is an A&C.

Interestingly, Matty Alou who won the batting title with the Pirates in 1966, did NOT make the All-Star team that year.  I did a quick check on his splits.  He had a good first half hitting .338.  I don’t know.  The Pirates DID already have Stargell, Clemente, Maz, and Veale already on the team.  Otherwise, I’m out of ideas why he didn’t make it unless he was hurt or something.

Another piece of of trivia… the set includes catcher Tim McCarver.  Bad broadcasting jokes aside, McCarver led both leagues in triples with 13 in 1966.  If I’m not mistaken, he’s the last catcher to lead either league in triples.  You have to kinda look at it to notice it but it’s there.  He’s got eight 2s and a 5 behind three 0s.

It’s a fun set.  Good hitting.. good pitching and yes, even good fielding.

thanks, CLuke!

Note:  CLuke also points out the 1940 All-Stars are also available.  Ted Williams rated as a DYZ!

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1
August

Smokey Joe’s A&B and the new 1912 season

Has anyone ordered/gotten the 1912 season yet? 

It’s a previously unreleased set by APBA but we got a sneak peak when they released their World Series set a while back which included the 1912 pennant winners, the Red Sox and Giants teams. 

That was a while ago but one thing that stands out was Smokey Joe Wood’s card.  Based on a 34-5 record over 344 innings, they gave him the heralded A&B rating.  His ERA was a fantastic yet mortal 1.91.

My guess is that they’ll have to down grade Wood to probably an A&C.  The concept of neutralized stats was not that prevalent back when the original set came out. 

Besides, if Wood DOES get his A&B, there are two pitchers with comparable stats,  Ed Walsh and Walter Johnson.

Johnson had just one fewer win than Wood (33) but his ERA was much lower (1.39 to 1.91).  Walsh’s stats didn’t quite reach Wood’s or Johnson’s (27 wins, 2.15 ERA) but he was a workhorse, pitching almost 400 innings (393 IP). 

So I’d be interested to see if Smokey Joe retains his coveted A&B and further, if he is the only one.  I’d be surprised if both were true. 

while I’m at it,

Other highlights of the 1912 season:

  • Cobb’s .409 batting average followed by Jackson’s .395
  • top HR in either league was Chicago’s Heinie Zimmerman of the with 14
  • Clyde “Deerfoot” Milan led both leagues in SB with 88
  • This was the year of Pittsburgh’s Owen Wilson’s record breaking 36 triples

1912 MLB Stats via Baseball Reference

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