Back to 1983

[Sykes25]

Hoboken Murphs 1983 Summary-

MANY MANY faces changed during the season. Ultimately this group of rejects managed to get into the playoffs and into the Finals, but came up short in game 5 of the finals when a win was both needed and expected.

Starting Pitching continues to be the sore point of this team. Each year one SP shows up to pitch and everybody else decided to throw batting practice. Jerry Reuss showed up to lead the team with a 16-9 record but gave up 30 more hits than innings which is extremely poor considering the foul territory at the Murph. Late spring training invitee Mike Krukow gave us a chance in every game, but probably lost most of those games on the road. The rest of the starters sucked Moose c0ck with only Bruce Hurst almost pitching well enough down the stretch after a horrific start of the season. Late season aquisitions of Dave "84 mph fastball" Dravecky and Bill "tipping pitches" Gullickson really made it exciting when they took the mound. Reuss, Hurst and Krukow will be back next season as well as Shane "train" Rawley. Gullickson is not allowed back in the park unless he is wearing a visitor's uniform or a janitor outfit.

Relief pitching was adequate with perenial All-Star Steve Howe hooking up with some really good blow this year and shutting the door for over 50% of the Hoboken wins. Rob Murphy was solid in his role and late season picks ups Bob James and Donnie Moore did well enough down the stretch to help make up for poor SP.

The Catching corps of Mike Heath and Andy Ashby came through with a combined 29 HR. How Heath hit 14 HR in only 195 AB is beyond me. His card reveal told me that he would hit about .110 vs RHP.

The infield was productive offensively and gave the fans above the home team dugout plenty of souvenier baseballs. Only Dickie Thon hit under 30 HR. The OBP was a little light, but all in all, production was as expected. Dave Lopes even came back for a cameo tour of duty and provided some spark vs LHP.

The OF was overhauled the most during the year with the team MVP Award going to [b:011701725f]TERRY FREAKIN PUHL![/b:011701725f] Terry stole 34 bases, hit .343 with 39 2B's and landed a lofty .402 OBP. Rookie Mike Marshall showed up early in the year and knocked in 33 HR and provided some mild stability for the OF corps. Jonny grubb was too little, too late depsite his lofty totals. Omar Moreno retired early after management had to let him go in an effort to squeeze into the playoffs.

Looking ahead...

The Hoboken front office always looks forward to re-tooling in the offseason, and this year will be no exception.

With 4 SP and 1 RP expected to return, pitching depth will not be a primary focus this offseason as 1 SP and maybe 2 RP will suffice to fix this mess. Bad cards are bound to turn around.

Catching is solid until 1987. With Whitaker and Thon signed until 1989, the middle IF is not too much worry. 3B Continues to be strong with Nettles and Wallach. 1B will be shard by Wallach and Mike Marshall who is likely to be re-signed as he plays RF as well.

Terry Puhl begins his final season in LF/RF with Eddie Milner and Leanard/Herndon slated for CF. RF will be Grubb/Marshall for the time being.

This year's draft will likely be one where the Hoboken squad will take the best available player and not a player needed for a specific position.

[BC Manager]

[b:eb6bbc88c1]MVP[/b:eb6bbc88c1]

1. George Brett, Fatboys
2. Bill Madlock, Mangos
3. Terry Puhl, Murphs

[b:eb6bbc88c1]CY YOUNG[/b:eb6bbc88c1]

1. Dan Petry, Canucks
2. Don Sutton, Canucks
3. Dave Smith, ...of Ten

[b:eb6bbc88c1]ROOKIE OF THE YEAR[/b:eb6bbc88c1]

1. Wade Boggs, Mangos
2. Alan Trammell, Chapter
3. Bob Brenly, Fat Boys