lendurr

[lendurr]

Morbid (too interested in unpleasant subjects, especially death) Stars.

Players who, often due to circumstance beyond their control, were unable to showcase their talent to its ultimate due to outside intervention. Or their own demon.

Donnie Moore (2016HER required to autho)

Ken Hubbs (2016HER required to autho)

Willard Hershberger (2021HER required to autho)

Hal Carlson (2016HER required to autho)

Each zip includes the comp files, plus W's selection of pix with his alias line.

A very irregular & occasional series.

[lendurr]

R.I.P. Super Stiff

A Legend before my time. I thought he was emblematic of my Mets ineptitude growing up. But for the bros & sis of Metdom,

Ed Kranepool Super Star (2010 HER to autho)

[lendurr]

Best of the Decade, many reset

Forest City Steve has updated a bunch of these COMPUTER ONLY sets by replacing cards from the seasons released since the original publication: 1950s, 1970s, 1980s.

He dug in to the 1994 season to utilize a few better season cards (Belle, Griffey Jr, Thomas) for the 1990s. We had shied away from using the shorter seasons when we’d done the 90s Decade originally.

He tinkered with the 2000s as well.

And he probably secretly fixed all the Decade sets so that Cleveland finishes first in the American League, even above Washington. We’ll pretend we didn’t notice.

Unaltered, available again are the 1920s, 1930s, & 1960s. Steve’s a denizen at Dan’s so you can lobby him there to make a first timer for the 2010s, if that would interest you.

Next up, something similar, but different, from Ed, Steve, & me.

You MUST own ALL of the ML seasons of each particular decade to use that set. Every season within a Decade set is represented in that Decade set.

Best of the 1920s

Selected & prepared by Buck and Len.

The 1920s is the first Decade set that includes Double Duty cards. BON & BRN each have a DD player who’s been selected on merit as a batter & pitcher, & so have 1 extra player card on their roster.

http://u.pc.cd/96P

Best of the 1930s

Selected & prepared by Buck and Len.

As we said, we would skip over the 1940s. Similar in construction to the 1950s set.

http://pc.cd/ls5otalK

Best of the 1950s

Prepared by Steve.

Significant changes from the pattern of the previously released sets are that we dropped the Closer category in the CMs, and we will continue to do without it as we backtrack chronologically. That Closer selection has been replaced with a Swing Man.

http://u.pc.cd/28M

Best of the 1960s

Selected & prepared by Buck and Len.

* When the 60′s set was published we nested a couple of players from the 4 1969 expansion teams in FA. If you wanted to swap them in to replace any of the players from the not-quite-a-decade 1961 & 1962 newcomers. *

http://pc.cd/vJV

Best of the 1970s

Prepared by Steve.

http://u.pc.cd/CMwitalK

Best of the 1980s

Prepared by Steve.

http://u.pc.cd/l7AitalK

Best of the 1990s

Prepared by Steve.

http://u.pc.cd/LExrtalK

Best of the 2000s

Prepared by Steve.

http://u.pc.cd/T95otalK

If you’re unfamiliar with criteria we use to assemble the teams, here are some of the guidelines we’ve been using:

The idea is this. We pick the premier single-season representative of every team at the 7 field positions, plus 2 catchers (minimum), and for the AL a DH. The best utility players (who were actual utility/part-timers), 6 NL, 5 AL. 5 starting pitchers and 4 relievers plus a closer. Every team has a 25 player roster, and if a person was the qualifier for more than 1 team during the decade he will represent multiple teams with his different season cards. These sets are a lot of fun, nothing more.

No traded players, unless the player appears on that team in April and remains on it until the end of season.

An actual backup at every position. Not someone who played < 5 G. (A lot of players were rated at positions by SOM but they didn’t make any, or many, GS. We try to avoid using that type as the backup.) We use players who started enough G to fill in, in case of injury, so the full roster feels realistic.

Player should be on the roster from April. This is a best-case, as some rosters are so weak, even with a decade to chose from, that infrequently this needs to be fudged. -  That’s why, for example, McCovey’s ‘59 and  Hazle’s ‘57 are not included. Using only full season players means there are often better players who are passed over.

A UT player should have >20 games where he appeared in games, but was not a starter.

Not a “rule” for us, but when there’s no stand-out UT choice who would be overlooked, we try to include 3 Catchers. Especially when 1 of the Catchers is a LHB who can be used to PH.

A few of the ways that we attempt to give these teams an appearance of realism by filling the benches with actual utility players rather than (the runner-up) stars who weren’t reserves.

[lendurr]

2024 Peak Universe, by Position

April 30: Right Handed Starting Pitchers, big bumper edition

That's yer lot (until 2025)

What I think is useful, & the reason I share these lists, is there are a number of players not yet added to the Hero sets. I know many of you wish to, or like to, supplement the various Stars whose cards you own. For those notable ML players this list provides a season you can use as a credible stand-in until the card gets an official release. (Easier done for comp roster owners than card sharpies, understood.)

This time 'round I've done something different. If you've seen these lists they included a suggested $dollar value for that player within the context of a large format draft. At this stage, with so many cards listed, that's gotten unwieldy, so the time spent on my end isn't justified. Instead I've included the draft rung the player was selected in an open position draft. There's a few ways you can put that knowledge to use, so have at it.

(Some draft #s are missing from these lists- my PeakUniverse numbers over 100 per position, over 500 pitchers. There are a bunch of interesting players I've carded whose names I don't yet wish to share, which you will understand.)

Hope these lists are of use & a pleasure for you to use.

Catch

New: JT Realmuto

Up: Osee Schrecongost

1B

New: Joe Adcock

Up: Jack Fournier, Freddie Freeman

2B

New: Phil Garner, Bucky Harris, Brian Roberts, Dan Uggla

3B

New: Clete Boyer, Don Money, Jose Ramirez, Kyle Seager

Up for 2023: Manny Machado

SS

New: Brandon Crawford, Francisco Lindor, Marcus Semien, Buck Weaver

LF

New: Dusty Baker, Michael Brantley, Ron Gant, Raul Ibanez, Hank Sauer, Christian Yelich

CF

New: Jose Cardenal, Tony Gonzalez, Adam Jones

RF

New: Mookie Betts, Oscar Gamble, Ken Griffey, Socks Seybold, Billy Southworth, Casey Stengel

Up for 2023: Bryce Harper

LHSP

New: Johnny Podres

RHSP

New: Dick Donovan, Dave Giusti, Chan Ho Park, Rick Rhoden, Bob Rush

Set Up

New: Bobby Bolin, Clint Brown, Mark Eichhorn, Eddie Fisher, Tony Fossas, Terry Forster, Adam Ottavino, Ron Reed, Diego Segui

Closer

[lendurr]

W’s ML Pix & Logos / All of Z’s BPs

Z has compiled ALL of his BP items, ML as well as Specials, as of 2024. 

W is supplying his ML Pix & Logos to support the ML universe of sets as of 2024.  

But not here at the Shack. The links are over the jump....

Z’s (Ken Zionce)

ML BPs

https://app.box.com/s/vsdtzf6g6f7tmrsvhf5s65mfbx8wtxwr

Cuba BPs

https://app.box.com/s/f9gzxpasi1cf75xvxy5vtt9q1sdukcot

Japan BPs

https://app.box.com/s/jqmqesa5anf7vl5bfmzr03gnt94bno98

Negro BPs

https://app.box.com/s/jl148sev2hos0jlv39vgvplb7ugdtq7z

W’s (Ken Wenger) 

Pix

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1fkoIGZjMT0IugwSfDDLMEtjbHabe9nj2?usp=sharing

Logos

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1JixXxe03ATl0T7bjgyoIcmuc4cHD_oPj?usp=sharing

[lendurr]

Tan Ball Player Pix

Thanks are due to W, who compiles the sets every year, & Z, for any new colorizations & improvements to this catalog for 2024. 

I think they’re both active participants at Dan’s, so please, if you’re there, tell them you appreciate them for what they do, & for being nice folk. That will make you feel good for sure, & it will make them feel great. Thank you.

1900 NG Player Pix

http://pc.cd/JPLotalK

1906 NG Player Pix http://u.pc.cd/zmvitalK

1908 NG Player Pix http://pc.cd/qBbctalK

1911 NG Player Pix http://u.pc.cd/4WbctalK

1912 NG Player Pix http://pc.cd/ch8

1913 NG Player Pix http://u.pc.cd/w9hotalK

1914 NG Player Pix http://pc.cd/vHQotalK

1915 NG Player Pix http://pc.cd/HnIctalK

1916 NG Player Pix http://pc.cd/wBJrtalK

1917 NG Player Pix http://pc.cd/92bctalK

1918 NG Player Pix http://u.pc.cd/Xhd

1919 NG Player Pix http://pc.cd/NQOitalK

1920 NG Player Pix http://pc.cd/nsbctalK

1921 NG Player Pix http://u.pc.cd/K5GrtalK

1922 NG Player Pix http://pc.cd/nhurtalK

1924 NG Player Pix http://pc.cd/8pQotalK

1927 NG Player Pix http://pc.cd/7sbctalK

1928 NG Player Pix http://u.pc.cd/JrfrtalK

1931 NG Player Pix http://pc.cd/GWbctalK

1932 NG Player Pix http://u.pc.cd/gOictalK

1933 NG Player Pix http://pc.cd/bvc

1934 NG Player Pix http://pc.cd/gsbctalK

1935 NG Player Pix http://pc.cd/bDbctalK

1936 NG Player Pix http://pc.cd/fuhrtalK

1937 NG Player Pix http://pc.cd/L2bctalK

1938 NG Player Pix http://pc.cd/datitalK

1941 NG Player Pix http://u.pc.cd/dmGrtalK

1942 NG Player Pix http://pc.cd/JDbctalK

1943 NG Player Pix http://u.pc.cd/6gCrtalK

1944 NG Player Pix http://pc.cd/spQotalK

1945 NG Player Pix http://pc.cd/C2bctalK

1946 NG Player Pix http://u.pc.cd/e4irtalK

1947 NG Player Pix http://pc.cd/XtD7

1948 NG Player Pix http://pc.cd/usbctalK

1949 NG Player Pix http://pc.cd/usbctalK

1950 NG Player Pix http://u.pc.cd/fQ6ctalK

1953 NG Player Pix http://pc.cd/q2g7

1954 NG Player Pix http://pc.cd/s8trtalK

[lendurr]

Tan Ball League & Team Logos

Inclusive thru 2024

1900 NG Team Logos 

http://pc.cd/JeXotalK 

1906 NG Team Logos

http://u.pc.cd/39x7  

1908 NG Team Logos 

http://pc.cd/vqk7

1911 NG Team Logos

http://pc.cd/J2bctalK

1912 NG Team Logos

http://pc.cd/5J0otalK

1913 NG Team Logos

http://u.pc.cd/BoV

1914 NG Team Logos

http://pc.cd/apQotalK

1915 NG Team Logos

http://pc.cd/do 

1916 NG Team Logos

http://pc.cd/99krtalK

1917 NG Team Logos

http://pc.cd/wsiitalK

1918 NG Team Logos

http://u.pc.cd/sOBctalK  

1919 NG Team Logos

http://pc.cd/SOUitalK

1920 NG Team Logos

http://pc.cd/tWbctalK

1921 NG Team Logos

http://u.pc.cd/7UritalK  

1922 NG Team Logos

http://pc.cd/uDbctalK

1924 NG Team Logos

http://pc.cd/3pQotalK

1927 NG Team Logos

http://pc.cd/5sbctalK

1928 NG Team Logos

http://u.pc.cd/zVvitalK  

1931 NG Team Logos

http://pc.cd/KWbctalK

1932 NG Team Logos

http://u.pc.cd/FiIctalK  

1933 NG Team Logos

http://pc.cd/Ufb7

1934 NG Team Logos

http://pc.cd/gUQrtalK

1935 NG Team Logos

http://u.pc.cd/QfactalK

1936 NG Team Logos

http://pc.cd/vbK7

1937 NG Team Logos

http://pc.cd/q2bctalK

1938 NG Team Logos

http://pc.cd/f73ctalK 

1941 NG Team Logos

http://u.pc.cd/V3i

1942 NG Team Logos

http://pc.cd/QDbctalK

1943 NG Team Logos

http://u.pc.cd/ayortalK  

1944 NG Team Logos

http://pc.cd/yFQotalK

1945 NG Team Logos

http://pc.cd/CBbctalK

1946 NG Team Logos

http://u.pc.cd/ztl7

1947 NG Team Logos

http://pc.cd/5SN 

1948 NG Team Logos

http://pc.cd/Ukc

1949 NG Team Logos

http://u.pc.cd/jA0rtalK

1950 NG Team Logos

http://u.pc.cd/04octalK  

1953 NG Team Logos

http://pc.cd/vqM7 

1954 NG Team Logos

http://pc.cd/VIirtalK 

[lendurr]

Player Pix & Logos for the 2024 Japan Franchise & Stars set

W has expanded his Player Pix package to include those added for the 2024 Deluxe release.

W’s Player Pix

http://u.pc.cd/MiD

W’s Logos

http://u.pc.cd/MCzctalK

[lendurr]

2024 Japan Stars w the Chunichi, Hanshin, Yomiuri Franchises, online links

If you're interested in background on all of the players in the 2024 Japan Stars & Franchise Deluxe release. Or just seeing who is new to this set.

(Remember, if you previously purchased the 2023 Japan Stars you get this 2024 Deluxe version for free. If you haven't purchased it, this is an opportune time with so many cards being added for 2024.)

The SOM guys are adding a Cuban Stars backgrounder/bio update for 2024 to their Library shortly, so watch for that to be published at SOM. There's accessible info online, in English, for the Japan Stars so I didn't feel the need to do a similar write up as for Cuba. Let me know if this sheet's links are sufficient for you to fully enjoy the J Stars.

(Remember, if you previously purchased the 2013 Cuban Stars you get this 2024 Deluxe version for free. If you haven't purchased it, this is an opportune time with so many players, a bunch you're familiar with from MLB, being added for 2024. Plus, I forgot, dyum, to include 1 ML vet player card in the 2024 set so I'll release it here in a bit.)

[lendurr]

2024 update to the 2001 Negro Stars Fielding positions

Here, should you be interested, is a fresh look at the positions used for the hitters in this set. Lots of water under the bridge since NS I was released, and lots of seasons since created.

Have not changed any of the original ratings here. Have added positions played frequently enough, and during a player's prime, to add those ratings for the card. Have realigned the order of appearance of positions for some players to account for use. (See Newt Allen as an example of this.)

Have not added DD cards for pitchers who frequently played field positions (or fielders who frequently pitched.) Maybe with NS II.

Thank you to Ed for compiling the list, & to Steve for formatting & making the sheet more user reference-able. [Change of order in yellow; positions added underlined.]

Will the 2025 BB incorporate these changes? That'll be up to John this year, so for now, if you want to make use, this pdf gives you the source to edit your paper & comp for your own use.

We hope this is of great benefit to you.

[lendurr]

Tan Ball Bonus sets

All of our G bonus teams & leagues. Gold.

From the Specialists & SOM. These releases are, just like the official G releases & made by that same cast, "major league equivalent" so you can confidently incorporate these G teams historically with the relevant ML or G teams, play them as stand-alone, or in whatever way you please. A comment or expression of interest wouldn’t be amiss.

1900 Giants (2)

Around the (previous) turn of century the 2 premier teams of black ball were true Giants, Cuban-X & Page Fence.

A snapshot of these players from a few contiguous years surrounding the turn of the 20th century. Not enough game data & lore survives to restrict our facsimile to a single year, but this is not is a "hero" version of these players' career. Some of these men are captured in the flush of tender youth, with more to be seen of them in the 1908 set. Some are long in the tooth in baseball years, having spent their majority in the 1880s & earlier 1890s. Those men are as they were circa 1900, so for some not near their best. But for many, we're finally able to see them for the exceptionally skilled athletes they truly were.

http://pc.cd/UfGctalK

* This 1900 release requires the 1900 ML season authorization code. The 1900 ML league is great value- it includes the AL.

http://www.strat-o-matic.com/product/1900-baseball-season-roster/

1906 Grand Central Giants

Frank Grant, post 40, could still draw a crowd in NY & could still hold his own with the young ‘uns, if no longer dominate them. He’s joined by Jesse Bragg & Bill Land in giving the strong Philadelphia & Boston town teams some tough competition.

http://u.pc.cd/dkk7

Please move the cards in FA to the 190698.

1911 Barnstormers

Baseball pioneers, this "team" shines a light on a bunch of players who plied their trade outside of the then small group of the blackball "mainstream."

http://pc.cd/3BbctalK

1914 Barnstormers

Some interesting names are included. The best of the All Nations- John Donaldson and Jose Mendez and Frank Blattner, are here.

http://pc.cd/jHQotalK

The 1915 Florida Hotel League

Ed, who’s never stayed in The Breakers, provides this companion piece. Cyclone Joe, Spot Poles, Lyons, Donaldson, Santop, Hall, Handy, & 3 Taylor brothers.

http://pc.cd/2BV

You need 1915G to authorize.

1916 Columbus Easters

Another of our Barnstormers. Hurley McNair, Edgar Wesley, Joe Scotland, & Jack Marshall are a few of these featured “near-westerners” who plied their trade outside the more well known outfits of the day, from Ohio to parts further west & south. 32 players exclusive to this team.

                                      + PLUS +

The 1916 Florida Hotel League

The Purple Moose compiled this baseball clash of the ritzy Palm Beach hotels, post season. Rube, Pop, Oscar, Spots, Bingo, John Preston, Zack, Smoke, Cannonball & String, plus a ton more right off the 1916G playing fields. 

http://pc.cd/Nho

You need 1916G & 1917G to authorize the FHL.

The 1917 Florida Hotel League

Much of the same cast as in ‘16 appear. While the tournament was a treat for those fortunate enough to relax in the splendorous surroundings, for the players this was no busman’s holiday. Money was at stake, never mind reputation. The participants were expected to go at the opposition full tilt.

http://pc.cd/ne3

You need 1916G, 1917G & 1920G to authorize the FHL.

1918 Leland Giants

There was so much baseball being played around the heartland that there was plenty of talent for a 2nd & competitive Giants. Bennett, Blackwell, Beckwith, McAdoo, Gatewood, Drake, School Boy.

http://u.pc.cd/HQprtalK

Please move the cards in FA to the 191898.

1919 Barnstormers

We know you’ll want this as it includes the legendary 25th Wreckers army ballclub. Cap Rogan, Cooper, Johnson, McNair, Moore all not in the main set as they served. But you didn’t want to be without these stars. Here they face off with the Jewels of Beckwith, Jeffries, Pudge & The Rabbit.

http://u.pc.cd/PSF7

Please copy the Bullet Rogan batting card to the 191998 “league.”

1921 Barnstormers

Homestead Grays had been around for ‘bout a decade, with the early 20′s the time they began to raise their profile & their talent level above local town & company teams. Cum Posey was always a better basketballer than outfielder; he was an even better organizer & promoter. He had a keen eye for talented ballplayers, & Western PA was loaded back then: Oscar Owens, Lefty Williams, Mo Harris & Jap Washington feature.

Cuban teams became a popular touring attraction over the first 2 decades. Whoever filled the roster that year would play smart and whole hearted ball so promoters liked to book them as folks would come out to watch. These All Cubans feature Isidro Fabre,  Alejandro Oms, Jose Maria Fernandez, Ramiro Ramirez.

http://u.pc.cd/Xb8ctalK

Please move the cards in FA to the 192198.

1924 Homestead Grays

Just like our 1927 Bonus of the Grays team, though unlike in 1927 this season’s group didn’t raid the Leagues. But injuries did hinder this touring outfit so we supplement, as did Posey, with a few off the Pittsburgh Giants & Keystones ballpark.

http://u.pc.cd/6zQotalK

1927 Homestead Grays

The Homestead travelers are a worthy addition to the main set.

http://pc.cd/VWbctalK

1928 Giants (2)

Joe Green’s Giants from Chicago, & Ben Gates’ revived Giants of St. Louis. Dobie Moore dragged his busted up dead leg through who knows how painful a barrier to play the game he couldn’t let go of. He could still hit! A young Lefty Tiant hooked up for a stretch with the ‘Loos. Plenty of names here that you’ll be glad to trot out onto your field of dreams.

http://u.pc.cd/gzlrtalK

Please move the cards in FA to the 192898.

1932 Barnstormers

Brooklyn Royal Giants was a well established club, entering its 4th decade as a drawing card in the north east. No longer level with the top teams, its players could still earn decent summer wages playing for the Brooks. That’s why you find the likes of pitcher/manager Dick Redding, Huck Rile, Jake Spearman, Babe Melton, Irvin Brooks wearing the royal blue.

Cuban Stars, of course, was barnstorming again this summer. Between North America & the Carib these cats played year round. Quite a decent side with the well regarded “Oscar” (Oscar Levis), Al Oms, Cando Lopez, & led by the whip smart catcher JM Fernandez.

John Donaldson had paid his dues by playing everywhere, and with and against everyone. He assembled a star team of his own to take across  towns mid west & up into Canada, welcomed as a favorite son. Still doing double duty at 41. Joined by Lefty Ligon, Hurley McNair, Eddie Dwight & Marvin Barker.

http://u.pc.cd/yNlctalK

Please move the cards in FA to the 193298.

1933 Barnstormers

The Monarchs & the Bacharachs. Allen, Brewer, Giles, Joseph, Young, & Cooper & Rogan again for KC. Burbage, Carr, Cockrell, Stone, & Winters for the Phillies.

http://pc.cd/06jrtalK

Please copy the Bullet Rogan batting card to the 193398.

1936 Barnstormers

The NY Black Crusaders & the Philadelphia Bacharachs. Both were road teams. The Crusaders ventured further afield, while the Bacharachs (a west Philly based new iteration of the old AC set) trod the northeast playing, primarily, on the white semi-pro circuit. We sprinkle in a few of JM Fernandez’ Cuban Stars & some Mohawk Giants to allow us to roster up for an 80 game schedule. Most of the contestants will be known to the G aficionados, & of course there’s also Beckwith, Hensley, Lundy, Holloway, & old man Redding here too.

http://u.pc.cd/UqpotalK

1937 Dominican League

A reflection of the top caliber Negro & Carribean baseball hotly contested summer season in the Dominican Republic. Many of the top players went AWOL from the Negro League to contest this high stake championship series. Alongside were the best and brightest of the Carrib talent quite a few who are carded only in this package. We call this 2 team set Paige’s All Star League.

http://u.pc.cd/mWs

You must own the 1937G to use this.

1938 Barnstormers

Two mainly east coast road teams, Beckwith’s Brooklyn Royal Giants & Pompez’ Cuban Stars (Havana Cubans). The Brooks, a team with a long pedigree in black ball & still able to attract the crowds with its quality of player- Lundy, Hawk, Country Jake, Sardo, & Boss Beckwith. The Cubans were good travelers distances long & short. Sungo Carreras, Cando & Vargas provided the hits while Tiant, Poppa, & the Profesor denied.

http://u.pc.cd/bowitalK

Please copy the batting cards of Gisentaner, Diaz & Fabre to 193898.

1943 St. Louis/Harrisburg War Bond Bombers

After a shaky start in St. Louis, a patriotic Gus Greenlee reintroduced himself to the baseball scene by moving & sponsoring this war bond promoting outfit. Not the most talented side that Greenlee ever associated with, but their heart & their loyalty, if not always reciprocated by a segregated public, was admirable.

http://u.pc.cd/eqGitalK

Please move the cards in FA to the 194398.

1943 Inter-racial Barnstormers

8 games from late October/early November, played in California & featuring ML stars (Pafko, Metkovich, Stephens, Peanuts & Bobo) vs high caliber Negro stars (Satch, Buck, James Bell, Booker, Radcliffe, Ankleball).

http://u.pc.cd/idirtalK

Ed includes a Read with background, & notifies that you must own the following to use: 1933ML, 1935ML, 1937ML, 1938ML,1942ML, 1942G, 1943 ML,1943G,1945G, 1945ML, 1947G, 1949ML

1944 Pittsburgh Crawfords

Gus Greenlee’s attempt at a real comeback after his serious money and health issues. In 1945 he’d margin his Craws into the Rickey/Greenlee USL, which we feature at the Bonus page. In 1944 he had the Craws storming around the east. As his pocketbook started to refill he would spend some of that flush on pinching players from other League teams. His adversarial relationship with many of those nobs still strong.

http://pc.cd/VHQotalK

Along with 4 new cards we borrow heavily from the 1945G set for players, so you’ll need to own the 1945G set as well as the 1944G.

1945 United States League

Messrs. Branch Rickey and Gus Greenlee, impresarios. Here represented by two teams, the Pittsburgh "Brown Bombers" vs the Brooklyn "Globetrotters".

http://u.pc.cd/9ER

1945 Inter-racial Barnstormers

Ed’s recreated the 5 game series between Biz Mackey’s Negro stars vs Charlie Dressen’s ML stars. 5 games at Wrigley in LA plus 1 at Ebbets Field (BP ratings incl.)

http://u.pc.cd/idirtalK

Ed includes a Read with background, & notifies that you must own the following to use: 1943ML, 1945G, 1945ML.

Thanks very much to Todd Peterson, Retrosheet, & Ed our favorite Purple Moose.

1946 USL Stars

The United States League was a short-lived alternative to the Negro baseball establishment. This all star group is a team of players dominated by those from Allen Johnson’s Boston Blues, George Armstrong’s Brooklyn Brown Dodgers, & some of Gus Greenlee’s Pittsburgh Crawfords, who played under the watching eyes of Branch Rickey.

http://u.pc.cd/piQ

{Cut the 5 pitchers on the Pitchers to 98 “team” & paste them into the 194698 “league”. Then delete that Pitchers to 98 “team.”}

1947 Detroit Senators

Gus Welch, a pretty good ballplayer but a very sharp manager, organized this western road team. Not the most talented but able to give the American Giants & the Clowns some pretty tough contests. But never the Monarchs, a class above. If you miss Cool Papa & the Radcliffes in the main set, you’re in luck.

http://u.pc.cd/GtA

Please copy the batting cards of Gipson, Markham, Parker, & Radcliffe to 194798.

1947 Inter-racial Barnstormers

Ed’s recreated the 8 game series between the Kansas City (mostly Monarchs) Royals vs Bob Feller’s ML star team, in California. 

http://u.pc.cd/C3l7

Ed includes a Read with background, & notifies that you must own the following to use: 1946ML, 1947ML, 1945G, 1947G.

Thanks very much to Todd Peterson, Retrosheet, & Ed our favorite Purple Moose.

1948 Harlem (baseball) Globetrotters

Once there was this barnstorming baseball "brand", too. This is a hybrid team, because we added some Mexico returnees (Easterling, Clarkson) with a few vagabonds (Bell, Radcliffe).

http://u.pc.cd/23w7

1948 Inter-racial Barnstormers

Ed’s recreated the 6 game series between the Kansas City (mostly Monarchs) Royals vs a mostly ML star team (that includes Jackie Robinson & a few minor leaguers). 5 games at Wrigley in LA plus 1 at San Diego’s Lane Field (BP ratings incl.) Bob Lemon vs Satchel Paige- let’s f go!

http://u.pc.cd/RQi

Ed includes a Read with background, & notifies that you must own the following to use: 1948ML, 1948G, 1942ML. 

Thanks very much to Todd Peterson, Retrosheet, & Ed our favorite Purple Moose.

1949 Barnstormers

The Homestead Grays, Cum having passed on so under the watch of See Posey, & the Harlem Globetrotters (baseball), in an 80 game Negro American Association competition. Sprinkled in a couple of Black Yankee Travellers & New Orleans Creoles as well. Sam Bankhead’s Grays feature Leonard who is still the man @ 1B, alongside Partlow, Fields, & Josh Jr. Saperstein’s Trotters counter with the raw power of Thad Christopher, Mule Miles & Ted Strong.

                                            + PLUS +

1949 Negro Leaguers of Triple A

8 vets of Negro baseball spent all of 1949 in AAA ball without being promoted. Since it’d be a shame to overlook players of their quality, here they are, MLE’d from 3A to ML. Pee Wee Austin, Sam Jethroe, Luis Marquez, Jim Pendleton, John Ritchey, Artie Wilson, & Dan Bankhead & Dave Barnhill. Use them as you see fit; add them to the G or to the ML, or just satisfy curiosity what they would look like had there not still been barriers up because of what they looked like. 

http://pc.cd/9AXctalK

Ownership of the 1949G is required.

1950 Barnstormers

The baseball version of the Harlem Globetrotters was a nice side earner for Abe Saperstein. Much less so for the players he had recruited on sharp wages, & those players would jump his roster with frequency to play in various California leagues. Alongside elder statesmen Parnell Woods, Thad Christopher, & Paul Hardy, Herb “Briefcase” Simpson was the main attraction.

Homestead Grays kept rolling along years after the passing of Cum Posey (& Josh Gibson). See Posey & player manager Sam Bankhead now steered the Grays who featured Josh Gibson Jr &, of course, Buck Leonard. Southpaws Silent Roy Partlow, Jimmy “Squab” Hill, & Cecil Kaiser were still flinging strong.

NY’s Black Yanks had “evolved” into the Black Travelers, moderate talent marshalled by Marvin Barker & Rufus Baker. Kid pitcher Bob “Jiggs” Thweatt impressed and Curt Brown & quadragenarian Ed “Ace” Stone supplied a bit of power.

http://u.pc.cd/jDKrtalK

Please move the cards in FA to the 195098.

The 1953 Negro League

This 1953 league was a jumble of talent. The League was down to just 4 "tier one"  teams. The Majors was still using quite a restrictive quota on team rosters and, as you know, some teams kept the color barrier up. Some very good players were judged too old to be hired by the Majors. Some youngsters were being blooded to pro ball. Some were roster filler. Toni Stone and Doris Jackson were woman baseballers promoted by Indianapolis Clowns impresario Syd Pollock as crowd pleasing gate attractions, in the Clowns tradition of baseball as carnival and competition.

There was an East-West game this season, strange as that may seem for a 4 team league. Ken W, who does this for all of the official G seasons, compiled the file.

http://u.pc.cd/olK7

You must own the 1953ML (Deluxe) to authorize.

The 1954 Negro League

1954 added 2 teams to the League, Detroit & Louisville.

Expectations for Detroit were low- the team was assembled on the cheap & was enthusiastic though underfunded. It lacked competitive talent.

Louisville had the advantage of recruiting from an accomplished semi-amateur player pool in its surrounding area though struggled to find good pitchers. It got off to a decent start but by the last third of the season was run on fumes.

KC failed to adequately replace the players lost from 1953; Doc Connors was no Ernie Banks, & Hank Mason, while a good front line starter, lacked the guile of Gene Richardson. Buck O'Neil borrowed a page from Syd Pollock's playbook & brought over Toni Stone to improve the gate takings. Finding bright young talent to sell on to subsidize the team had taken a heavy toll on the iconic Monarchs.

Birmingham improved some (at the expense of the incoming teams) but, while dangerous, did not hit well enough to stay in contention into the latter part of the season. Young NY Giants loan-back Kelley Searcy was the ERA league leader.

Memphis had a big rebound. They hit with power, patience, & pitched well, leading the league in OPS & ERA. Isiah Harris had another ace-like season, & with fellow portsiders (19 year old) Whip Davis & Marshall Bridges formed a top-heavy rotation.

New Indianapolis manager Oscar Charleston ended his lengthy career as a winner. A determined man willing to ignore Syd Pollock's burlesque directives & demand solid play from his troop, the friction of the season was an element in Charleston's deteriorating health- he would pass on to the field of dreams in October. Pollock as impresario was still present- Stone was "replaced" by Miss Connie Morgan @ 2b, & Mamie "Peanut" Johnson's pitching was another attraction.

http://u.pc.cd/L0

You must own the 1954ML to authorize.

Thanks to our friends & colleagues at Strat for their help & encouragement & for allowing us to share these historical artifacts with you.

[lendurr]

Béisbol desde el Caribe

3 sets, 2 from Venezuela and one from the Dominican Republic. 

(The Cuba sets are on its own island.)

1948 Venezuela Winter League

Read the read inside.

From Len, Ken F y el equipo.

[You must own the 1948 ML set AND the 1948 G set.]

The set, W's pix, Z's BP, and the anthem

http://pc.cd/i0QotalK

2014-15 LVBP, the Venezuela Winter League

The league consists of 8 teams, and while this is not an AP set it uses the AP schedule.

Thanks to Gary y el equipo.

[You must own the 2014ML authorization to use this set.]

The set, Z's BPs, W's logos, and the anthem.

http://pc.cd/s5QotalK

2014-15 Dominican Winter League

Thanks to Gary y el equipo.

The league consists of 6 teams who play a 50 game schedule.

[You must own the 2014ML authorization to use this set.]

The set, Z's BPs and W's logos.

http://pc.cd/CJQotalK