Brewers 1982

Covering the Milwaukee Brewers throughout the 1982 season, in real-time, as it would have happpened.

Down on the Farm

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Paul Molitor
Is the next Paul Molitor waiting in the Brewers system?

The Brewers may have swung trades to nab stars like Rollie Fingers, Pete Vuckovich, Ted Simmons, Cecil Cooper and Ben Oglivie, but others such as Robin Yount and Paul Molitor are homegrown. This team does have a strong nucleus, but some of the veterans are getting up there in years.

On Opening Day of 1985, the average age of the current starting lineup will be 33. The average age of the team’s current best pitchers will be 36. As a result, the Brewers will need to have some prospects develop into stars over the next few years to remain at a high level.

“As long as you don’t let it [age] get too big on you, you’re all right,” said Brewers general manager Harry Dalton. But if you do stand pat, get lulled by your success, you’re going to get hurt. We won’t plan to make any wholesale changes in our ballclub at the winter meetings in Hawaii, but in the back of my mind will be the fact we have some players getting up in years.”

To be blunt, there isn’t much talent immediately ready for 1983, but the deeper you look the more talent you will find. As a result, the Brewers are built to rely on their current team now and will have the next crop of stars rising up during the coming two to three years.

Let’s take a look at each level, including quotes from an unnamed scout.

Vancouver Canadians (AAA)

If you are looking for a good back-up catcher, this is where you start. The Brewers have two solid prospects at the position in Bill Schroeder and Steve Lake. Of course, the Brewers already have three catching capable players on the big league roster, but the depth could be a source of a potential trade.

The scout thinks that Schroeder “could be a good second catcher” and that Lake has a “hell of an arm.” But neither are projected to be the starting catcher if Ted Simmons’ career submarines.

Bob Skube may be the player most likely to make an impact in 1983. He has a “better than average arm, he’s a better than average runner and a fair hitter.” That could be exactly what the Brewers need in the outfield, even as a backup.

Unfortunately, there is not much immediate help in the pitching ranks. We’ve already seen Chuck Porter and Doug Jones. The scout says that Jones is “below average in most of his pitches,” and due to his age he “has to make it now or else.” Porter has “good velocity but spotty control.”

Pacific Coast League (AAA)
 
North Division
Tm Aff W L W-L% GB
Tacoma Tigers OAK 84 59 .587 —
Spokane Indians ANA 78 65 .545 6
Vancouver Canadians MIL 72 72 .500 12.5
Edmonton Trappers CHW 70 74 .486 14.5
Portland Beavers PIT 65 79 .451 19.5
 
Top Hitting Prospects
Name Age AB R H HR RBI SB AVG
Bill Schroeder 23 425 66 113 22 77 2 .266
Larry Rush 25 477 58 125 13 70 14 .262
Doug Loman 24 411 57 106 14 64 10 .258
Bob Skube 24 433 55 121 13 61 13 .279
 
Top Pitching Prospects
Name Age W L ERA IP H BB SO
Rich Olsen 25 5 5 3.56 101.0 101 54 52
Chuck Porter 27 8 12 3.98 183.1 196 59 102
Michael Anderson 29 5 5 3.29 101.1 92 64 61
Doug Jones 25 5 8 2.97 106.0 109 31 60
 

El Paso Diablos (AA)

It’s easy to get excited about offensive stats of the Diablos while being concerned about the stats of the pitchers, but the truth in their respective abilities aren’t accurately reflected by statistics. “You should take about 20 points off every batting average,” said the scout, “and a run and a half off every earned run average. So with that in mind…

There is some excellent offensive talent in El Paso, though they may be a couple of years from reaching Milwaukee. Randy Ready, a 22-year-old third baseman, led the Texas League in batting at a staggering .375 clip while smacking 20 homers and driving in 99. Ready is athletic and the Brewers will either be forced to make room for him or shift the rising star to the outfield.
Scout on Ready: “Can’t see him not hitting .300 wherever he plays.”

Ready may be one of the most polished prospects in the Brewers’ system, but outfielder Dion James may have the most upside. At only 19 years old, James was the youngest player in the Texas League in 1982. He projects to have above average speed and power with the ability to hit for average.
Scout on James: “He has it all.”

Bob Gibson and Jamie Cocanower are a bit old at 25 to be in AA, but they also may be primed to make the leap to the big club at some point in 1983 if the Brewers need immediate pitching help.
Scout on Gibson: “He throws 89-92 consistently.”

Texas League (AA)
 
West Division
Tm Aff W L W-L% GB
El Paso Diablos MIL 76 60 .559 —
Midland Cubs CHC 67 66 .504 7.5
San Antonio Dodgers LAD 68 68 .500 8
Amarillo Gold Sox SDP 61 74 .452 14.5
 
Top Hitting Prospects
Name Age AB R H HR RBI SB AVG
Randy Ready 22 475 122 178 20 99 13 .375
Dion James 19 422 103 136 9 72 16 .322
Steven Michael 25 435 92 150 19 89 9 .345
Bill Foley 25 415 76 128 23 106 0 .308
 
Top Pitching Prospects
Name Age W L ERA IP H BB SO
Bob Gibson 25 6 2 2.17 66.1 55 39 66
Jaime Cocanower 25 3 1 3.32 62.1 73 30 29
Daniel Burns 23 10 4 3.78 116.2 128 29 63
Andy Beene 25 8 2 4.15 80.1 73 51 62
 

Beloit Brewers (A)

There is a nice mixture of exciting, young hitting and pitching in Beloit. Bill Wegman, a rising young hurler, and Jim Paciorek, a versatile player who is the brother of White Sox first baseman Tom Paciorek, may be the most likely to see time on the Brewers. Paciorek’s progress has been slow, however, though he made a leap in 1982. Wegman projects as a top of the rotation starter, though he may be three or four years away.

Midwest League (A)
 
Central Division
Tm Aff W L W-L% GB
Springfield Cardinals STL 83 53 .610 —
Beloit Brewers MIL 71 68 .511 13.5
Clinton Giants SFG 63 75 .457 21
Danville Suns CAL 57 80 .416 26.5
 
Top Hitting Prospects
Name Age AB R H HR RBI SB AVG
Jim Paciorek 22 312 38 101 4 37 6 .324
Ty Van Burkleo 18 412 61 99 22 65 5 .240
Butch Kirby 20 415 54 92 0 37 45 .222
Collin Tanabe 23 365 49 102 10 51 6 .279
 
Top Pitching Prospects
Name Age W L ERA IP H BB SO
Bill Wegman 19 12 6 2.81 179.2 176 38 129
Bryan Clutterbuck 22 13 6 3.63 173.2 165 56 138
Rob Derksen 22 3 3 1.79 55.1 39 16 48
Wendell Walker 21 8 6 3.28 123.1 114 56 89
 

Stockton Ports (A)

Scott Roberts may be the best pitching prospect in the Brewers’ organization. He has a plus fastball that should be able to get out hitters at the big league level.
Scout on Roberts: “He needs to use his fastball more because he can overpower a game.”

Speed and defense are the name of the game in Stockton, and Ernie Riles and Mike Felder personify that. Riles is a flashy shortstop and Felder is likely the fastest player in the California League — if not all of baseball. Felder, who stole 92 bases in 1982, could add another dimension for the Brewers on the base paths, though his bat still needs to develop.

Tim Crews projects as a middle of the rotation starter or solid arm out of the bullpen.

California League (A)
 
North Division
Tm Aff W L W-L% GB
Modesto A’s OAK 94 46 .671 —
Stockton Ports MIL 81 57 .587 12
Reno Padres SDP 70 68 .507 23
Redwood Pioneers ANA 65 75 .464 29
Lodi Dodgers LAD 58 82 .414 36
 
Top Hitting Prospects
Name Age AB R H HR RBI SB AVG
Ernie Riles 21 447 60 128 2 56 21 .286
Mike Felder 20 524 102 138 7 47 92 .263
Carlos Ponce 23 489 59 140 6 79 17 .286
Juan Castillo 20 483 60 130 0 42 36 .269
 
Top Pitching Prospects
Name Age W L ERA IP H BB SO
Tim Crews 21 10 4 3.37 139.0 151 28 83
Raymond Gallo 23 6 2 1.81 44.2 37 22 39
Brian Mignano 22 1 4 2.89 28.0 21 13 14
Scott Roberts 22 14 6 2.53 174.1 151 41 137
 

Pikeville Brewers (Rookie)

Experts were enamored with the Brewers 1982 draft, and several draftees already put up solid numbers. Sveum is yet another solid, young shortstop who projects to have power, while Billy Jo Robidoux may be the power hitting first baseman the Brewers need when Cecil Cooper passes his prime (though he is playing third base for now).

The best pitching overall in the Brewers system may in fact be in Pikeville. Sure, they likely won’t see the big stage for at least three more years, but Bosio, Crim and Aldrich may be a fixture in the Brewers rotation for years to come.

Appalachian League (Rookie)
 
North Division
Tm Aff W L W-L% GB
Bluefield Orioles BAL 47 22 .681 —
Paintsville Yankees NYY 43 27 .614 4.5
Pulaski Braves ATL 36 33 .522 11
Pikeville Brewers MIL 25 42 .373 21
 
Top Hitting Prospects
Name Age AB R H HR RBI SB AVG
Dale Sveum 18 223 29 52 2 21 6 .233
Billy Jo Robidoux 18 167 28 48 0 13 2 .287
Edgar Diaz 18 24 4 2 0 0 0 .083
Dewey James 21 213 38 56 6 27 22 .263
 
Top Pitching Prospects
Name Age W L ERA IP H BB SO
Chris Bosio 19 3 2 4.91 51.1 60 17 53
Chuck Crim 20 4 6 2.56 77.1 62 18 76
Jay Aldrich 21 1 2 4.19 53.2 44 28 37
Hipolito Pena 18 0 2 4.64 21.1 23 16 23
 

Brewers Re-Sign McClure

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Bob McClure
The Brewers inked McClure to a four year deal

The Milwaukee Brewers announced today that they have signed free agent Bob McClure to a four year, $1.95 Million contract. The deal includes $150,000 in bonuses, a $100,000 buyout and an option for a fifth year.

McClure, who became a free agent on November 10, was considered a hot commodity and was seven different teams in the re-entry draft. The offer from the Brewers was rumored to be lower than that of the A’s, who some thought had signed McClure a couple of weeks ago.

“It’s very hard to leave a contending team to go someplace else where you don’t know what’s going to happen,” said McClure. “And there are other things. For one thing, the support these fans showed for us last year — especially after the strike — was the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen. These fans love this club. I wouldn’t want to come back here and get booed by 40,000 or 50,000 people.”

Did McClure receive any pressure from teammates to re-sign with the Brewers? It’s not clear if he was joking, but McClure says Robin Yount taunted him the past few days from outside of his window.

“He stood there swinging a bat,” said McClure. “He was trying to show me what it would be like having to pitch against those guys next year. Heck, I wouldn’t want to pitch against these guys. I might be dumb, but I’m no fool.”

McClure has been a Brewer since a 1977 trade with the Kansas City Royals. Prior to 1982, the 30-year-old hurler was used almost exclusively out of the bullpen. But the Brewers had trouble finding stability in the back-end of their rotation early on last season, so McClure got to see action as a starter in 26 games. He was signed to be a starter, but his flexibility is also an attractive asset.

Signing McClure guarantees he will be a Brewer through the 1986 season, when he will turn 34. Since it is unclear whether he has a spot in a rotation that has only two spots open (Mike Caldwell, Don Sutton and Cy Young award winner Pete Vuckovich anchor the first three spots), should the Brewers have made such a commitment to a pitcher who may be used primarily out of the bullpen for four years?

You tell us.

Grading the Brewers: Hitters

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Paul Molitor and Robin Yount
Robin Yount and Paul Molitor led a potent Brewers offense in 1982

It would be easy to give every Brewer a grade of A for the 1982 season because they came within one win of a World Series title. But while the team will receive an A (whoops, did I ruin the surprise?), like the Brewers season, nothing is easy, not even grading this team.

[View the Pitching Grades]

It will come as no surprise that Robin Yount received the highest grade while others such as the injured Larry Hisle bottomed out.

INFIELDERS

Cecil Cooper, 1B
Is there a better first baseman in the American League? Nope. He’s a legit Triple Crown threat each season. For the third consecutive full season, Coop hit at least .300 (.313), he slammed 32 homers and was second in the AL with 121 RBI. He added 38 doubles as a part of his 205 hits and scored a career-high 104 runs. He committed only five errors.
Grade: A

Jim Gantner, 2B
Played in 132 games, the fewest of all the regular Brewers infielders, which isn’t surprising, considering his hard-charging style and his ability to hang in when runners are bearing down on him. For a guy who hit from the nine-hole, a .295 average wasn’t too shabby. He’s not a masher (four homers), but a good bottom of the order guy.
Grade: B

Paul Molitor, 3B
The Ignitor lived up to his name as he provided the spark for the American League’s most potent offense. Led the league in AB (666), plate appearances (751) and runs scored. Hit .302 and had career highs in homers (19), RBI (71) and stolen bases (41). One of the best baserunners you’ll ever see. Adequate in the field.
Grade: A

Robin Yount, SS
Simply one of the finest seasons ever by a shortstop. His 129 runs, most ever by a shortstop. His 114 RBI, third all-time. Add to that a .331 batting average with 29 taters, 46 doubles, 12 triples and you get a .578 slugging percentage, which was .001 behind Ernie Banks for best ever. But Banks hit .285. Yount hit for power and average. Would have won the AL batting title if Willie Wilson had been man enough to play the last day of the season. He led the league in hits (210), doubles, slugging percentage and total bases with 367. And to think, he’s only 26. He was the clear MVP.
Grade: A+

Don Money, DH, INF
A damn good season for the 35-year-old Money, who platooned with Roy Howell at DH. In 275 ABs, Money slugged .891 as 33 of his 78 hits went for extra bases, including 16 home runs, the third highest total of his career.
Grade: B+

Roy Howell, DH INF
The Brewers had plenty of power, but only four taters? That’s Gantner territory (no offense, Gumby). Howell hit .260 and managed to drive in 38 runs. Other than that, the Crew may need to find another left-handed bat at DH.
Grade: C

Ed Romero, 2B
Backed up Gantner at second and played in 52 games and hit .250. He didn’t walk much, didn’t steal a base and hit one homer. He’s a typical light-hitting middle infielder.
Grade: C-

Rob Piccolo, INF
Came over from Oakland in a midseason deal, hit .286 in 21 ABs in 22 games.
Grade: Inc.

CATCHERS

Ted Simmons, C
Simba’s slower than the orbit of Pluto, but few backstops call a better game. He also’s a switch hitter and the Crew doesn’t need to sit him depending on who is pitching. His 97 RBI were the most since he drove in 100 with the Cardinals in 1975 and his 23 homers were the most since he hit 26 in 1979. His 29 doubles were fourth on the team. At 32, Simmons is what he is.
Grade: B

Ned Yost, C
His homer in Boston proved to be one of the biggest hits of the season, as it helped the Crew get a four-game lead with five to play. Other than that, he played in 40 games, hit. 276 and was OK as Simmons’ backup. He’s 27, but he’s not starter material.
Grade: C+

OUTFIELDERS

Ben Oglivie, LF
Benji, with Coop, provided the left-handed pop in the lineup smashing 34 homers and driving in 102 runs. He won’t hit for average, but his .244 followed the 1981 season where he hit .243. This from a guy who hit .282 or better in his first three seasons with the Crew.
Grade: B

Gorman Thomas, CF
Stormin’s 39 homers and 112 RBI were beautiful. His .245 average and 143 strikeouts were not. Gorman’s not gonna hit for average, ever, but his 29 doubles were third on the team, even ahead of Molly, who had 26 doubles. With Gorman, what you see is what you get: a gritty dude who’ll swing for the fences.
Grade: B

Charlie Moore, RF
A converted catcher, Moore’s hose accounted for 23 outfield assists. And who can forget the throw that nailed Reggie Jackson in Game 5 of the ALCS? Like the rest of the Crew outfield, Moore didn’t hit for average (.254), but he had 22 doubles. Other than that, he hit like a catcher.
Grade: B-

Mark Brouhard, RF
Brouhard saved the Crew’s bacon in Game 4 of the ALCS, his finest moment of the season. His worst moment, losing the job in right field to Moore after being injured. Brouhard played in 40 games and had four homers and 10 RBI.
Grade: C

Marshall Edwards, OF
The only outfielder on the Brewers with any speed, but he suffered from the same affliction of the other Crew outfielders: low batting average. Edwards hit .247 and worse yet, walked only four times. For a team that drove in runs by the bunches, Edwards didn’t distinguish himself in any fashion.
Grade: C-

Larry Hisle, OF-DH
It was sad to see the man who helped the Crew’s renaissance in ’78 succumb to injury. He hit .129 in what will likely be his last season.
Grade: D

Bob Skube, OF, UTL
Never saw enough time to make an impact, compiling 12 ABs between them.
Grade: Inc.

OVERALL

Stats don’t lie: They hit a major-league leading 216 home runs, drove in an MLB-high 843 RBI, led the majors in total bases (2606), runs (891), slugging percentage (.455) and at bats (5733). Wait, we’re not done yet. The Crew was second in hits (1599, four behind the Royals), doubles (277, also behind the Royals), batting average (.279, six points behind the Royals) and second-last in strikeouts (714). They didn’t walk much (484, 14th in the majors) and they don’t steal bases (84), but when you pound the ball like the Crew did this season, you don’t need to go station-to-station.

There is no other grade for this team. It was second to none at the plate.

GRADE: A

Grading the Brewers: Pitchers

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Don Sutton
Don Sutton gets the only straight A among Brewers pitchers.

Now that we’ve had a month to absorb the finality of the 1982 season and dust off the painful ending, it’s time to take a balanced look at what went right and what went wrong. We’ve gotten our pencils out and are going to grade three main categories: Offense, Starting Pitching and Relief Pitching. Under each section, we will grade players individually. Today we’ll start with pitchers. An average result will be a C, so such a grade should be the typical expectation. We will not grade more loosely or harshly based on expectations.

Additionally, note that we will not grade players who are no longer with the team (like Randy Lerch). Minimal number of plate appearances to receive a grade is 100 and pitchers must log at least 25 innings pitched. Anyone else will be given an Incomplete grade.

Starting Pitching
Despite the big names of Pete Vuckovich, Don Sutton and Mike Caldwell, the Milwaukee Brewers starting rotation was very average until Don Sutton arrived. In fact, one could argue that the Brewers were not a playoff caliber team without Don Sutton on it. The Brewers’ starting pitchers were at or a bit above the league average in several key categories: complete games (fifth with 34), shutouts (seventh with six) and quality starts (fourth with 84). They also led the American League in wins (76) and innings pitched per games started (6.7). While the Brewers had difficulty finding consistency at the back end of the rotation, the Sutton-Vuckovich-Caldwell trio was one of the best in the game, and the starting five finished as one of the better groups in the AL.
Overall Grade: B

Relief Pitching
While the starting rotation got a boost near the end of the regular season, the bullpen took a major hit when Rollie Fingers went down. The Brewers could not replace the 1981 AL Cy Young and MVP winner. In fact, not close to adequately, as the bullpen threw several key games down the stretch to make the regular season conclusion much more interesting than it should have been. While the relievers were a surprising bright spot in th ALCS, it’s quite possible the Brewers are World Champs with a healthy Rollie Fingers in the World Series. Jim Slaton was a rock in the bullpen, but otherwise a Fingers-less relief corps was far below average. And while Fingers would make this group a B- by himself, it’s all about how the team finished.
Overall Grade: D+

Don Sutton, SP
Sutton was everything Harry Dalton could have asked for when he pulled the trigger on a late season trade with the Astros. In seven regular season starts with the Brewers, Stutton went at least seven innings in all but one, when he went 6 2/3. The Brewers won five of his seven starts, including all of his final four. It was Sutton who stopped the bleeding in Baltimore on the final day of the season, where Vuckovich and Caldwell could not. Sutton’s regular season ERA was a shiny 3.29. If that trade was not made, the Brewers would not have made it to the postseason.
Grade: A

Pete Vuckovich, SP
Vuke just wins games. In 30 starts, he won 18 and lost only six. His 3.34 ERA was lowest of any regular starter on the team, he led the Brewers with 105 strikeouts and was second in complete games (9) and innings pitched (223 2/3). While he never made it easy on himself by walking an excessive number of batters, Vuke will also be remembered for his big 11-inning complete game win over the Red Sox in a crucial game in the final month in Boston. Then again, he’ll also be remembered for not winning another game from that point forward through the end of the postseason.
Grade: A-

Rollie Fingers, RP
This evaluation is nearly incomplete since Fingers missed the final month and change due to an injured forearm. It’s difficult imagining what the Brewers could have done with a healthy Rollie Fingers. Rollie was on his way to another fantastic season, posting a 2.60 ERA and 29 saves before being lost for the season. Fingers was leading the league in saves at the time of his initial injury, and is still the premier closer in the game when healthy. Fingers only gets a minus here because of factors outside of his control, as we wonder what could have been.
Grade: A-

Mike Caldwell, SP
The unsung hero on this staff. Pete Vuckovich gets the attention as the Cy Young winner and Don Sutton as the savior, but Mike Caldwell was the team’s iron man. He led the Brewers in starts (34), complete games (12), shutouts (3) and innings pitched (258), and was second with 17 wins.
Grade: B+

Jim Slaton, SP/RP
Slaton was used as an all-purpose pitcher for the Brewers in 1982, used in high leverage situations out of the bullpen as well as an occasional spot start. His 3.29 ERA was the best of any reliever not named Fingers, and other than a blip in his final regular season appearance in Boston, Slaton was solid from August on while his bullpen-mates were coughing up games regularly.
Grade: B

Moose Haas, SP/RP
Haas was solid overall, but imploded in June (6.96 ERA) and August (5.49 ERA). Still, Moose finished strong with a 2.22 ERA in September and October, and was also solid in the postseason. Haas was third on the team in innings pitched (193 1/3) and second in strikeouts (104). Yet, his lack of consistency kept him from being a dependable pitcher for the Brewers.
Grade: C+

Dwight Bernard, RP
Bernard’s final 3.76 ERA isn’t bad, but he was worst when the Brewers needed him most. He actually had an ERA of 2.92 on September 2, but then fell apart. Bernard allowed 10 earned runs in his final eight regular season appearances, which covered most of the final month. Harvey lost confidence in Bernard and used him sparingly from that point forward.
Grade: C

Doc Medich, SP
A late season addition for the Brewers from Texas, Medich was not what the doctor ordered. Hoping he’d be a stabilizing force as a veteran starter in the rotation, the Brewers signed Medich and let go of Randy Lerch. Medich (5.00 ERA in 10 starts) wasn’t any better than Lerch (4.97 ERA).
Grade: D+

Jerry Augustine, SP/RP
He’s been a Brewer since 1975, but Jerry Augustine was not a fan favorite in 1982. While injuries may have contributed to and shortened his season, Augustine was ineffective and did not play a major role on this staff. A May 11 start against the Royals resulted in 12 earned runs on 15 hits in five innings, and was used primarily out of the bullpen from then on. Augustine was a non-factor after the All-Star break, partly due to injuries and partly due to ineffectiveness. In his final 12 innings pitched, Augie allowed 14 earned runs.
Grade: D

Jamie Easterly, RP
Like Augustine, injuries and ineffectiveness limited Easterly’s role on the Brewers in 1982. He started well, posting a 3.27 ERA through June. But as seems to be the case with many of the Brewers’ relievers, Easterly fell apart when the injury to Fingers required production. Easterly allowed six earned runs in two appearances against the Yankees in September and his ERA ballooned to 5.27. He was a mop-up man from then on.
Grade: D

Pete Ladd, RP
While Ladd wasn’t spectacular in his 16 regular season appearances (4.00 ERA) in 1982, he did show glimpses of what may be to come, particularly in the ALCS when he retired 10 batters in a row.
Grade: Inc.

Chuck Porter, RP
Porter spent most of his 1982 season in Vancouver, but is expected to have a much larger role on the Brewers in 1983.
Grade: Inc.

Doug Jones, RP
The 25-year-old rookie allowed five hits and three runs in his only 2 2/3 innings pitched with the Brewers this season. It’s unlikely that he has a long term future with the club.
Grade: Inc.

Ripken Wins AL ROY

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Cal Ripken
Ripken played like a seasoned veteran in his rookie season.

Cal Ripken, Jr. has been announced as the runaway winner of the American League Rookie of the Year Award by the Baseball Writers Association of America.

Ripken, who received 24 of 28 possible first place votes, hit .264 with 28 homers and 93 RBI. The voters undoubtedly considered factors other than offensive numbers since Minnesota’s Kent Hrbek (.301, 23 homers, 92 RBI) was equally as impressive with the bat.

This is a point that did not go unnoticed by ornery Twins owner Calvin Griffith who called the result “an out-and-out travesty.”

Griffith said that he thinks Ripken is a good player, but “by no stretch of the imagination is he the all-around baseball player that Hrbek is.”

The voters disagreed. And, really… The stats did as well.

Ripken’s Orioles team was more involved in the pennant race, though they lost the division to the Brewers on the final day. And Ripken is also a shortstop, which is a much more demanding position than first base, which is Hrbek’s position.

What do you think? Did the award go to the right player?

Player – Tm Pts 1st AVG HR RBI W ERA SV
Cal Ripken, BAL 132 24 .264 28 93      
Kent Hrbek, MIN 90 4 .301 23 92      
Wade Boggs, BOS 10 0 .349 5 44      
Ed Vande Berg, SEA 9 0   0 0 9 2.37 5
Gary Gaetti, MIN 4 0 .230 25 84      
D Hostetler, TEX 3 0 .232 22 67      
Von Hayes, CLE 2 0 .250 14 82      
Jesse Barfield, TOR 1 0 .246 18 58      

Sax Wins NL ROY

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Steve Sax
Sax is one of the game’s most exciting young players.

Steve Sax of the Los Angeles Dodgers has been named the National League’s Rookie of the Year by the Baseball Writers Association of America, edging out Pittsburgh’s Johnny Ray by six points.

It’s become an award reserved only for members of the Dodgers, who have now won in four consecutive seasons. Other members of the Dodgers Rookie of the Year Club include Rick Sutcliffe (1979), Steve Howe (1980) and Fernando Valenzuela (1981). So, which new member of the Dodgers will win in 1983? Mike Marshall?

Sax squeaked by with only nine of a possible 24 first place votes. Five different players received first place votes with Ray (six), Willie McGee of the Cardinals (five), Chili Davis of the Giants (five) and Ryne Sandberg of the Cubs (one) receiving the other votes.

The honor is, however, not unanimously recognized. Ray has been named Rookie of the Year by The Sporting News, with Sax taking second.

Player – Tm Pts 1st AVG HR RBI W ERA SV
Steve Sax, LAD 63 9 .282 4 47      
Johnny Ray, PIT 57 6 .281 7 63      
Willie McGee, STL 39 5 .296 4 56      
Chili Davis, SFG 32 3 .261 19 76      
Luis DeLeon, SDP 10 0 .091 0 0 9 2.03 15
R Sandberg, CHC 9 1 .271 7 54      
S Bedrosian, ATL 4 0 .038 0 0 8 2.42 11
Dave LaPoint, STL 1 0 .053 0 1 9 3.42 0
Eric Show, SDP 1 0 .146 0 0 10 2.64 3