Paul's Franchise League - 1968 Draft

That's because the rest of the team stinks.

Carl - Senators

The Senators draft Phil Niekro and Dean Chance to lead their rotation. Sadly the recently drafted Clyde Wright will get starts for Boston.

Boston's 5 man rotation will come from the below stellar SP choices:

Clyde Wright
Dick Ellsworth
Juan Pizzaro
Lee Stange
Jim Lonborg
Ray Culp

and in case of desperation...Dave Morehead. If any of them fail (I can't imagine that happening pitching in Fenway Park) I can always bring up Gary Bell.

That's because the rest of the team stinks.

Carl - Senators

Don't worry, Carl. In 1972, they become the Texas Rangers. That's when things get really interesting. I encourage anyone who hasn't read it to find Mike Shropshire's "Seasons in Hell" detailing the 1973-75 Rangers.

Here's a link: https://www.amazon.com/Seasons-Hell-Bas ... e-redirect

I read that book Paul I think based on your suggestion. Excellent read. I just found a Phil Niekro book written about one season I believe as it is layed out by day similar to Ball Four by Jim Bouton (still one of the best baseball books ever) and the Bronx Zoo by Sparky Lyle. I look forward to starting the Niekro book.

I really like Boston's lineup for 1968.

C - Elston Howard
1B - Norm Sieburn
2B - Mike Andrews
SS - Rico Petrocelli
3B - Joy Foy
LF - Yaz
CF - Reggie Smith
RF - Hank Aaron

The only weak spot is at 3B on virtual paper that is. However this lineup needs to score a ton of runs to keep up with the runs the pitching will be giving up.

I just ordered the new SOM DVD about the history of SOM. Might not learn anything new as I have read the book but will be enjoyable to watch I'm sure.

I just read Keith Hernandez's book about the 1985 season If At First and it was really funny. I also recommend Summer of '68, about the Cards and Tigers. There are so many great baseball books out there.

The Senators draft Phil Niekro and Dean Chance to lead their rotation. Sadly the recently drafted Clyde Wright will get starts for Boston.

Boston's 5 man rotation will come from the below stellar SP choices:

Clyde Wright
Dick Ellsworth
Juan Pizzaro
Lee Stange
Jim Lonborg
Ray Culp

and in case of desperation...Dave Morehead. If any of them fail (I can't imagine that happening pitching in Fenway Park) I can always bring up Gary Bell.

Ellsworth, Pizzaro and Culp have pitched well in Wriggly. They will do fine in Fenway. I think Ellsworth is a steal in any league.

Round One
1. Red Sox - Hank Aaron
2. Senators - Mickey Mantle
3. Phillies - Luis Aparicio
4. Dodgers - Rod Carew
5. Orioles - Jim Fregosi
6. Cubs - Al Kaline
7. Pirates - Harmon Killebrew
8. Mets - Norm Cash
9. Cardinals - Wilbur Wood
10. Reds - Joe Horlen, SP
11. Giants - Dick McAuliffe
12. Athletics - Felipe Alou

Round Two
1. Red Sox - Fred Gladding
2. Senators - Hoyt Wilhelm
3. Phillies - John Hiller
4. Dodgers - Ruben Amaro
5. Orioles - Don McMahon
6. Cubs - Tony Olivia
7. Pirates - Eddie Mathews
8. Mets - Stu Miller
9. Cardinals - Jim Bouton
10. Reds - Joe Morgan
11. Giants - Dennis Bennett
12. Athletics - Pete Ward

Round Three
1. Red Sox - Tom Burgmeier
2. Senators - Joe Torre
3. Phillies - Ken Johnson
4. Dodgers - Roy White
5. Orioles - Bill Freehan
6. Cubs - Jim Kaat
7. Pirates - Johnny Roseboro
8. Mets - Ron Perranoski
9. Cardinals - Mike Cuellar
10. Reds - Duke Sims
11. Giants - Chico Salmon
12. Athletics - Denis Menke

Round Four
1. Red Sox - Wayne Causey
2. Senators - Dean Chance
3. Phillies - Cesar Tovar
4. Dodgers - Ray Oyler
5. Orioles - Horace Clarke
6. Cubs - Larry Sherry
7. Pirates - Sonny Siebert
8. Mets Willie Horton
9. Cardinals Eddie Fisher
10. Reds Tommy Harper
11. Giants - Gene Michael
12. Athletics - Lindy McDaniel

Round Five
1. Red Sox - Clyde Wright
2. Senators - Phil Niekro
3. Phillies
4. Dodgers
5. Orioles
6. Cubs
7. Pirates
8. Mets
9. Cardinals
10. Reds
11. Giants
12. Athletics

I really like Boston's lineup for 1968.

C - Elston Howard
1B - Norm Sieburn
2B - Mike Andrews
SS - Rico Petrocelli
3B - Joy Foy
LF - Yaz
CF - Reggie Smith
RF - Hank Aaron

The only weak spot is at 3B on virtual paper that is. However this lineup needs to score a ton of runs to keep up with the runs the pitching will be giving up.

Should be tons of fun in Fenway!!!