Meh To Yeh: The Story Of The 1987 Pirates

[TheBigBomber]

Yes I know I have a dynasty already but I've gotten very bored of it, sorry to the readers, anyways, I've decided to go with a new look, the 1987 Pittsburgh Pirates. Jim Leyland is the skipper of the team and he's also the Tigers' skipper atm, anyways, I do have Barry Bonds BEFORE he took steroids, so hah. Well look at the post below for more info, I'll have a totally different format, and I shall be going month by month so I can get through it quicker. My point of view is Jim Leyland so my thoughts and when I talk, I'm Jim Leyland.

[TheBigBomber]

"Jim step in my office."
"Yes Mr. Thrift?"
"What is your problem, you've signed a man named Van Slyke and a man named LaValliere, do you want to lose your job?"
"No sir, don't worry, Andy[Van Slyke] may not have the power, but he's a decent contact hitter and he is only **** of a base steal and Mike[LaValliere] is an excellent catcher, making only 6 errors in 108 games last year and he's got decent offense skill."
"You better be right, your job depends on it, who in the world is Doug Drobek, I've never heard of him."
"Lets just say he only gave up 50 walks, and he's got loads of power, he amazing."

I was extremely nervous and frightened because Syd was a rough and tough manager and he would fire all and everything so I decided to listen to him and make a trade. He did not ask, he demanded me to go and trade for a young slugger by the name of Sammy Sosa. I had never heard of him but my scouts said he was good, a power hitter so I decided why not. I have the best outfield in baseball, well one of the best so he could back them up. I gave away John Cangelosi, a backup centerfielder, R.J Reynolds a nice left fielder, and 2 million dollars of cash for Sammy Sosa, did I make a mistake or not, we'll have to find out.

SOSA IS TRADED TO THE PIRATES
BIG THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN



I knew Syd wasn't done trading because he absolutely hates us after last season, it was sad and I was inches away from getting fired so he ordered me to speak with the Braves' skipper and I did. Syd wanted reliever, John Smoltz, and I traded away Tim Wakefield and Vicente Palacios and they accepted. One more deal crossed through the mind of Syd and I was getting frustrated. He promised this would be his last deal. He has been eying Mariners minor league superstar and an amazing shortstop rarely committing errors, Omar Vizquel. We traded Hipolito Pena and Sam "I Am" Khalifa.

MORE TRADES BRING IN VIZQUEL & SMOLTZ
GOOD FIELDER & GREAT RELIEVER

[TheBigBomber]

Our starting lineup wasn't perfect at least not for me but for Mr. Thrift it was great. Well here it is.

Starting Batters & Defense

#1 Shortstop U L Washington[Speed & Uh Speed]
#2 Second Basemen Johnny Ray[Contact Hitter]
#3 Right Fielder Andy Van Slyke[Speed & Some Power]
#4 Center Fielder Barry Bonds[Our Top Hitter, Speed, Power, Contact Hitter]
#5 Left Fielder Bobby Bonilla[Decent Power]
#6 First Basemen Sid Bream[Contact hitter and not a lot of power]
#7 Third Basemen Jim Morrison[Power]
#8 Catcher Mike LaValliere[Outstanding catcher but bad offense]
#9 Pitcher Slot

Bench Left Fielder Bill Almon
Bench Right Fielder Sammy Sosa
Bench Catcher Junior Ortiz
Bench Shortstop Omar Vizquel
Bench Left Fielder Moises Alou

Starting Pitchers & Relief Pitchers

#1 Rick Reuschel[Endurance, Control, Power]
#2 Doug Drobek[Great Control & Power]
#3 Bob Walk[Some Control & Some Power, not great]
#4 Mike Bielecki[Power]
#5 John Smiley[AMAZING control and good power]

Closer Don Robinson
Setup Barry Jones
Short Relief Bob Patterson
Middle Relief Brian Fisher
Long Relief John Smoltz
Alternate Mike Dunne

[TheBigBomber]

REUSCHEL GOES DOWN
THE PIRATES CONTINUE LOSING



Oh no, one of our top starters is injured, this stinks, well at least we have Smoltz for the backup so for now, Smoltz is going to be my number 1 starter. Mikey Ross will take his place, hopefully this helps us.

SEASON RECORD: 10-17
APRIL RECORD: 10-17

"Leyland, your about to lose your job."
"What why?"
"Because our pitchers aren't winning, Bielecki has a sub 7 ERA, he's out!"
"No, give him a chance, I'm sure he can improve."
"If his ERA goes past 7, your fired!!!"

Oh my goodness, my job is on the line, please Mike improve. Morrison at least has 5 homers but I need more from Barry. Bobby Bonilla isn't a help either, I think I should talk with him.

"Bobby...Bobby Bonilla."
"Yeah Mr. Leyland?"
"We need to talk."
"If it's about my performance, it's fine, Van Slyke and Barry are keeping us alive, I'll improve, I promise."
"You know Mr. Thrift, he'll fire you right off the bat if you don't, you better get this team rolling, or I might lose my job."

I think I'm turning into my boss, Syd. Well let's hope we can get going in May.

TEAM LEADERS:

ERA: Doug Drobek (2.23)
Wins: Doug Drobek (3)
Saves: Don Robinson (3)
AVG: Mike LaValliere (.353)
HR: Jim Morrison (5)
SB: Andy Van Slyke & Barry Bonds (5)

Fifth Place (NL East)

[TheBigBomber]

BONDS SLUGGING THE PIRATES TO VICTORY
THE PIRATES' RECORD IMPROVES



SEASON RECORD: 26-27
MAY RECORD: 16-10

"Well god ****** Jim, you're actually turning this team around."
"What can I say, when Barry homers the team wins."
"Not Barry, Smoltz, he's a sure thing, but I suggest you keep him in long relief, keep him there until next year, don't want to waste his pitching skill when we have a top notch starting rotation."
"Wouldn't call Bob Walk a sure thing."
"I'm liking Vizquel and Sosa, we'll try 'em out in about 2 years, depending on U L Washington and Bonilla."

I'm very ecstatic, our teams finally going and Bonds along with Bonilla are batting in a ton of runs. LaValliere has a nice average but he's not really batting in runs or hitting homers. We might have to look for a new catcher doing the off-season. Johnny Ray is a bit better, but I'm not so sure about him. I might switch up Vizquel into a second basemen to play in place of Ray.

TEAM LEADERS

ERA: Doug Drabek (3.26)
Wins: Doug Drabek (6)
Saves: Don Robinson (7)
AVG: Mike LaValliere (.335)
HR: Barry Bonds (13)
SB: U L Washington (8)

Fourth Place (NL East)

[filihok]

Bonds and Sosa??? Oh gods

[RedsoxRockies]

Are you trying to become the Pittsburgh Steriods?

[TheBigBomber]

Lol no, Bonds is amazing, but Sosa's a rookie, Bonds looks skinny anyway, look at the pic lol.

[RedsoxRockies]

So he was anerexic

[TheBigBomber]

RedsoxRockies: As long as he hits, I'm good.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
PIRATES SNAG ANOTHER SLUGGER IN BALBONI
MORE POWER IN THE PIRATES' BENCH



SEASON RECORD: 38-44
JUNE RECORD: 11-17

I'm so happy, we've just got another great slugger and first basemen, Steve Balboni. He can smack runs like Syd Thrift(My Boss) smacks workers, he he. He does cost 3 mil for 2 years but with his power, it's a deal.

"Jim, tell me you did not see what happened this month?"
"What?"
"I have two words for you, not you're fired, REUSCHEL AAA!"
"Who will replace him?"
"SMOLTZ!"
"As you want sir."

Well, John Smoltz is our number 1 starter once again, don't know why but ok. Wow wee, Balboni has 5 homers in June, that guy was a nice choice, I love him. Bonds hit 12 in June, 25 on the year but he's a bit short because we're still losing. Bream has hit 10 homers and LaValliere is killing me. A trade was in the midst, and I knew it, so Syd got on the phone, called me up and made me, I mean DEMANDED that I hire Mike Piazza a rookie in LA earning $10,000, I protested Syd, but he put my job on the line so I had no choice. I gave away Mike LaValliere, Bill Almon, and Junior Ortiz along with a million bucks for Mike Piazza, I knew he could homer but I don't know if he can do a lot. In fact, I shed a ton of cash on this deal, a ton. Piazza will start in place of LaValliere while Felix Fermin takes Bill Almon's spot on the lineup.

Ricky Reuschel switched positions with Smoltz and is now in long relief. He got mad but Syd whipped out a cigar and was pleased with himself. This will haunt him as well as me.

TEAM LEADERS:

ERA: Doug Drabek (4.28)
Wins: Doug Drabek (7)
Saves: Don Robinson (8)
AVG: Andy Van Slyke (.316)
HR: Barry Bonds (25)
SB: U L Washington (12)

FIFTH PLACE (NL EAST)

[TheBigBomber]

BONDS MAKES THE ALL-STAR SQUAD
HAS 30 HOMERS ON THE SEASON



SEASON RECORD: 49-56
JULY RECORD: 11-11

Barry Bonds was the sole Pirate who made the all star squad and has 30 homers in the season along with 100 RBIs. Bobby Bonilla has 11 homers on the season, Sid Bream has 10 homers, while Jim Morrison has 11 homers. Speaking of Jim, he broke his forearm on a 95 mph pitch from Cubs' Ace, Greg Maddux and fell to the floor, and when the reports showed that he would be out for 52 long days. Bobby Bonilla will take over as third basemen and Sammy Sosa will take over as starting left fielder putting hopes up for August. Rafael Belliard will take his roster spot.

Sid Bream has a .994 average at first base leading the team with 5 errors. Steve Balboni was just phenomenal, his power was incredible, he has 27 homers on the season, 11 with us and 16 with the Royals.

Mike Piazza has a .183 average which is a bit iffy but he does have 2 home runs along with 9 RBIs. Piazza should improve over the years, we'll keep him to see his true potiental.

John Smoltz has been a top notch guy, he has a 3.72 ERA along with 6 wins and only 2 losses. Our number 5 starter, John Smiley broke his elbow when he dove for a fly ball and hit the ground elbow first allowing a triple on the play. Rick Reuschel will be put back in the lineup unfortunately as our number 5 starter and Mike Dunne will be put in long relief. Drobek has 10 wins leading our team but also 9 losses.

TEAM LEADERS:

ERA: Doug Drabek (4.14)
Wins: Doug Drabek (10)
Saves: Don Robinson (10)
AVG: Andy Van Slyke (.309)
HR: Barry Bonds (30) Leads League
RBI: Barry Bonds (100) Leads League
SB: U L Washington (12)

FIFTH PLACE (NL EAST)

[jcbarr]

Wow, 100 runs batted in at the all star break? He is having a monster season, whats wrong with the rest of your pitching staff? I ask that because if you have a guy that is driving in that many runs, then I am assuming the rest of your pitching staff must be pretty bad.

[TheBigBomber]

Yeah its not amazing, Smoltz and Drabek are the best on my team and Smoltz is the only starter with at least less than a 4 ERA, Drabek has wins but he's almost .500 % and the rest are under .500%. Without Bonds, I'd be nowhere.

[TheBigBomber]

VAN SLYKE BELTING 6 BAGGERS IN JUNE
THE PIRATES ARE ONE GAME ABOVE .500



SEASON RECORD: 67-66
AUGUST RECORD: 18-10

Andy Van Slyke along with many other contributed to our Pirates offense in August as we had an 18-10 record in August putting us one game over around. Andy did great hitting 6 homers and stealing and stealing 7 bases in June, he now has 10 homers and 15 stolen bases. Barry came up slugging again, with 7 big bombs to raise his season total to 37 and he has 127 RBIs on the season.

Bobby Bonilla got injured in the final game against the Expos and has a mild shoulder separation only putting him out for a week. He's done great so far with 13 homers but not excellent.

Balboni cooled down in August only hitting 2 homers but still has 29 on the season. Sosa hit 4 homers in August along with 25 RBIs only second to Barry's 27.

Our pitchers weren't anything special but they got the job done. Smoltz got injured after he snapped his wrist tripping on the wet grass in Three Rivers Stadium also called "The Stadium of Champions." He has 8 wins and 4 losses with a 3.82 ERA. Mike Dunne, the Pirates long relief man took over Smoltz place in the starting lineup and Rick Reuschel became number 1 starter again. Smoltz will join John Smiley in DL.

I was called into Mr. Thrift's office after two months and I was really wondering where he wandered off to but I wasn't going to ask questions.

"Hey, Mr. Leyland, or Jim, you may have wondered where I was, well I wasn't looking at this team to tell you that. You know Kevin...McClatchy, the guy who gives us our checks, yeah him, well he bought a newspaper company so I was helping him manager, but I'm here and I'm happy with last month."
"Of course you are, 18-10, thats great."
"Yeah it is, but I have a problem, you know Walk[Bob], he's not working."
"What do you want, ANOTHER trade?"
"No, I want him fired after this season, but there's a problem some idiot signed him until 1989, I am not buying out his contract either."
"So trade?"
"Maybe, if he ends up with 10 losses on the season he's gone, so 9 or less or he must get 10 wins, if this does not occur, he will be ... TRADED!"
"As you please sir."

Well, Walk's out I think, but whatever, let's hope this team can rack up some wins. I'm keeping an eye on triple A phenomenon, Dave Johnson, hopefully he wins some games.

TEAM LEADERS:

ERA: John Smoltz (3.82)
Wins: Doug Drabek (11)
Saves: Don Robinson (16)
AVG: Andy Van Slyke (.311)
HR: Barry Bonds (37) Leads League
RBI: Barry Bonds (127) Leads League
SB: Barry Bonds (17)

THIRD PLACE (NL EAST)

[TheBigBomber]

PIRATES SEASON FINISHED
LEYLAND & PIRATES HAVE THEIR HEAD DOWN



Even after 17-12 in September and October, the Pirates could not overpass the Mets for first place in the NL East being 6 games behind them in second place. There season has ended.

SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER RECORD: 17-12
SEASON RECORD: 84-78 .519 %

SECOND PLACE (NL EAST)

Barry Bonds was the MLB leader in home runs with 51 on the season and 14 combined in October and September. Bonds also led the MLB in RBIs with 154 surpassing Don Mattingly by just 3. Lastly, he led the Pirates in stolen bases with 21.

Steve Balboni finished the season with 37 home runs which was third in the NL and he had 21 of those 37 on the Pirates' ball club.

Sid Bream and Bobby Bonilla finished with 18 homers both and both had 93 RBIs as well. Bream also had a .992 average committing only 9 errors.

U L Washington stole 18 bases and had 6 home runs but struck out 101 times and only batted in 38 runs. Johnny Ray hit 10 home runs, had 10 stolen bases, and had 60 RBIs.

Sammy Sosa was the starting left fielder as Bonilla took Jim Morrison's spot for the season and he had 7 home runs and 53 RBIs. Jim Morrison had 11 home runs in less than 100 games and also had 60 RBIs.

Andy Van Slyke led the team with a .312 average, had 13 shots along with 21 stolen bases for the team lead along with Barry Bonds. Van Slyke also had 80 RBIs.

Mike Piazza did well in 80 games blasting 8, with 36 RBIs and has a .992 fielding average. He has caught 25.1% of base runners attempting to steal and has a 0.91 steal per nine innings.

Bob Walk could not redeem himself earning 13 losses and 8 wins with a 4.80 ERA. Rick Reuschel had a 4.85 ERA with 9 wins and 10 losses. Mike Bielecki was a little iffy as well with a 5.41 ERA with 9 wins and 11 losses. Mike Dunne had a 5.03 ERA in his 6 starts with 2 wins and 1 loss. John Smiley who ended the season on DL had a 4.93 ERA along with 4 wins and 7 losses.

John Smoltz also ended the season on the DL leading the team with a 3.82 ERA and 8 wins with 4 losses. Doug Drabek, the best pitcher really for the team had a 4.19 ERA with 14 wins and 12 losses.

We might have to trade a ton of pitchers, Drabek in that mix but I don't know, it's really up to Syd.

TEAM LEADERS:

ERA: John Smoltz (3.82)
Wins: Doug Drabek (14)
Saves: Don Robinson (23)
AVG: Andy Van Slyke (.312)
HR: Barry Bonds (12) Leads League
RBI: Barry Bonds (154) Leads League
SB: Barry Bonds (21) & Andy Van Slyke (21)