1962 Season

[leecemark]

--Counting down to Opening Day....and we're all tied for first! I'll post the schedule by team. It will be easier to follow (plus the league schedule exceeded the max file size).

[leecemark]

Cartwright Division preview

--The Hard Cider ran away with this division in 1961 and return with an outstanding team for 1962. They lost superstar Mickey Mantle to free agency and traded away Roger Maris, but signed speedy CFer Willie Davis and traded for hard throwing pitcher Juan Pizzaro. Rookie Dick Radatz looks to make an impact in the bullpen and the Macmen are looking for a big year from Hank Aguirre.
--The Cannons took the Wild card in 1961 and look to make a move on the division title in 62. They signed Mantle away from the Hard Cider and traded for Steve Barber and Bob Skinner from the Knights, mortaging a big chunk of their future to do so. Part of their future arrives this year in rookie SS Tom Tresh.
--Diablos fans didn't enjoy the offseason as much. Starters Willie Davis, Joe Adcock and Zolio Versalles signed elsewhere and their replacements will be hard pressed to match their production. Lenny Green and Al Smith lead the newcomers. First round draft pick Willie Stargell looks like a future star, but isn't expected to contribute this season.

[leecemark]

Hulbert Division preview

--The Hulbert figured to be the leagues weakest divison in 1961 as both the Legends and Skipjacks sacrificed the short term to build for the future. Many observers figured the Quakers to coast to the division title. The scrappy Legends stuck with them all the way and eventually eeked out the title though.
-- However, that Legends team no longer exists, with 2/3 of the team let go and a new crop of role players signed to try and duplicate the feat. Young stars Willie McCovey, Vada Pinson and Juan Marichal will again headline a patchwork crew with Joe Adcock, Jack Kralick and Woody Held the biggest names amoung this years group of veterens.
--The Quakers aren't looking to settle for 2nd place again this year. They made the division's biggest offseason signing, making young slugger Frank Howard the league's 2nd highest paid player. Most of the rest of last years team return and figures to be in the thick of it again in 62.
--The Skipjacks met their goal of beating out the doormats in 1961, but there was little else to brag about. This season should give their fans a little more to cheer about. Several young players figure to step forward and heralded rookies Dean Chance and Jim Fregosi should make immediate contributions. Several offseason pickups should also help the Skipjacks rise to respectablilty or even contention this year. Relief ace Don McMahan, GG 2B Bill Mazeroski and 1B Pete Runnells all provide significant upgrades.

[mac195]

I'm starting the season with a 15-game road trip... ...should be nice and warm in New York by the time we play a game there.

[leecemark]

Johnson Division preview

--The Knights cruised to the divison title enroute to their championship and bring back most of their frontline players to defend it. Ricky Colavito was lost to free agency, but was replaced by MVP runnerup Roger Maris, ensuring another offensive juggernaut. The pitching saw more changes, with several young arms being counted on to contribute in 1962.
--With a year to reshape the team after assuming control just before Opening Day in 1961, the Redbirds look ready to challenge in 62. The lefty tilt to their pitching staff that proved to be such a problem in Fenway has been fixed. Zoilo Versalles provides an upgrade at SS, Ernie Banks was picked up to blast a few balls over the Green Monster and Tommy Davis is expected to challenge for Rookie of the Year honors.
--The Gamblers fell out of the race early in 1961, but made some big moves in the offseason in hopes of giving their fans something to cheer about in 62. Their bandbox of a park had the staff shellshocked last season, but a move to spacious new Chavez Ravine and the acqusition of workhorse LHP Jim O'Toole should take a little pressure off the hitters. The lineup was also given an upgrade by signing Rocky Colavito away from the Knights. Ed Broussard looks like he may solve the Gamblers problem at SS as well.

[mac195]

I think it was written somewhere, but I don't remember where. After teams cut to 40 men before opening day, they may begin signing extra players, one per day, until they run out of cap room. What is the time when teams can make that first extra signing? Is there a different time when teams can begin resigning players they cut, but are still paying in '62 (dead contracts), or is it the same?

[leecemark]

--The first day for signing playing players above 40 is 13 April (12:01 EST). Any players signed that day will be eligible beginning with the second series of the season. You may sign one player that day and continue signing one per day as long as you want and can fit them under the cap.
--Resigning a player you cut to get down to 40 won't be permited until 14 April, to allow them to "clear waivers" from all other teams. Also, if you resign a player you cut they must be resigned at their previous salary rather than minimum wage.
--Only the Redbirds and Legends have let me know that their rosters and profiles are updated for this season (actually Scott and Lew own the program and e-mailed me their team files). You have until Monday, but if you are ready sooner let me know. As of Tuesday, I'll use whatever is in there and make my own adjustments if you don't have 25 active, have a player no longer with your club listed or whatever other discrepancies may exist. Any roster adjustments received after 10 April will not be input for the first series.

[J W]

Managerials are up Mark.

Lookin' forward to the season! You won't have the Skipjacks to kick around anymore!

I doubt we'll finish much above .500 but that may still be enough to take the division from the Quakers. Time will tell. I believe that, like last year, our pitching will be better than advertised. And it's a given we'll score more runs than last time.

[leecemark]

--Still need rosters updated for Quakers and Diablos. Please get them done by tomorrow night.

[ElHalo]

My rosters are up in my team thread. Wanted to ask you: You said I needed to make two cuts, but I reflect only 39 players on my roster now after the two cuts. If there's somebody I'm missing, let me know.

Thanks.

[ElHalo]

The Cannons and Diablos have a trade pending; Chris, if you could confirm.

Billy Garnder and the Diablos' 1963 second round pick are going to the Cannons for Luis Aparicio.

[538280]

The Cannons and Diablos have a trade pending; Chris, if you could confirm.

Billy Garnder and the Diablos' 1963 second round pick are going to the Cannons for Luis Aparicio.

Confirmed.

BTW, my roster page and managerial profile are ready.

[mac195]

Mark, I'd like to many a couple minor adjustments before we start:

Lineup vs. RHP
1 CF Davis (Spangler)
2 LF Floyd Robinson (Spangler)
3 RF Frank Robinson (Clinton)
4 1B Fairly (Sievers)
5 C Haller (Camilli)
6 3B Davenport (Rollins)
7 SS Kubek (Rogers)
8 2B Moran (Rogers)
PH vs RHP: Spangler, Camilli, Clinton
PH vs LHP: Camilli, Clinton, Sievers

[Nails]

Mine are up in the roster thread as well.

[J W]

Last minute, I've added some detailed managerial settings for the season, Mark... it should be up on the roster post.

OK, we're set! :gt