TCBA Yearbook

1977

  INDEX

Seasons
1902  1903 
1904
1905  1906  1907 1908  1909  1910

1911  1912  1913
1914  1915  1916 1917  1918  1919

1920

1921  1922  1923
1924  1925  1926 1927  1928  1929

1930  1931  1932
1933  1934  1935 1936  1937  1938
1939

1940  1941  1942
1943  1944  1945 1946  1947  1948
1949

1950  1951  1952
1953  1954  1955 1956  1957  1958
1959

1960  1961  1962
1963  1964  1965 1966  1967  1968
1969

1970  1971  1972
1973  1974  1975 1976  1977  1978
1979

1980  1981  1982
1983  1984  1985 1986  1987  1988
 1989 

1990  1991  1992
1993  1994  1995 1996  1997  1998
1999

2000  2001  2002
2003  2004  2005 2006  2007  2008
 2009 

2010  2011  2012
2013  2014  2015 2016  2017  2018
  2019  

2020  2021  2022
2023  2024  2025 2026  2027  2028
   2029    

Miscellaneous
Foreword 1
Foreword II
Introduction
The Ad
The Letter
The Test
First Newsletter
Yesterday
Gold
Origins

TCBA Almanac

 

Eastern

 

 

 

 

Central

 

 

 

So. Starrucca

99

55

-

Harbor Beach

100

54

-

Greylock

89

65

10

Rockford

83

71

17

San Francisco

88

66

11

Mt. Greenwood

81

73

19

Hyde Park

71

82

27.5

Evanston

70

84

30

Northeast

61

93

38

Rolling Meadow

70

84

30

Connecticut

57

97

42

Bradenton

67

87

33

 

 

 

Western

 

 

 

Shiloh

98

56

-

Norfolk

81

73

17

Ruskin

76

78

22

Bergen

71

82

26.5

Morgantown

66

88

32

Toronto

58

96

40

 

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Dan Warren - Harbor Beach downed wildcard Greylock, and the Shiloh Spurs topped South Starrucca to set up the American League championship series. The Spurs breezed in five, eventually losing to Mike Bravard’s Boulder Bobcats in the TCBA World Series.

     Shiloh’s Joe Morgan (.348) topped the batters, while Bergen’s Graig Nettles collected 44 homers and 110 RBI to lead in both categories. Nettles just edged South Starrucca’s Mike Schmidt (109) for the RBI title.

     There were a batch of 20 game winners, led by Randy Jones (25): Mike Torrez, John Montefusco, Vida Blue, Phil Niekro, Jim Palmer, Jim Lonborg, John Candelaria, Doc Ellis, and  South Starrucca’s  three amigos; John Matlack, Bert Blyleven, and Frank Tanana.

      Stu McCorkindale and his Bergen Barflies, in a reversal of the politically correct trends to be later seen during the 90’s, replaced Teri Hackbart, the only woman manager in TCBA history. Jim McEneaney assumed control of the Toronto Nationals during the season, renaming the franchise the Long Islanders. Jim Lafargue also moved over from the National League, forming the Meadowlands Spartans at the end of the season as an expansion team. Jim Pertierra takes over an NL franchise.

     Mark “The Bird” Fidrych cost Mt. Greenwood $111,000 in the rookie draft, while Pat Zachary brought $101,000 (Mt. Pleasant).

Jim Lafargue in 11-7-77 TCBA Report - The American League expansion team will be managed by me, on a permanent basis. Because of my change in location and interest as president in getting to know the AL managers better, I have decided to make the switch.”

Marty Fiehl discussed Max the Hamster in one of the season’s newsletters.

Jim Lafargue discussed trading etiquette in the 6-9-77 TCBA Report.

     No-hitters continued to be plentiful in 1977. Shiloh’s Randy Jones had three, two on the road, including at Pilot Stadium against Norfolk. He missed a perfect game against Connecticut when he walked Jim Essian in the ninth with no out. Rockford’s Jim Palmer against Connecticut, San Francisco’s John Denny against the Numen, Shiloh’s JR Richard, Toronto’s Fergy Jenkins,  Mt. Greenwood’s Mark Fidrych, and Shiloh’s Bill Travers all pitched no-hitters during the season. Bob Wood’s Nolan Ryan pitched a no-hitter against Rockford in a face-to-face series with Al Zarse. Ryan only allowed 2 base runners.

     A 21-inning affair between Rolling Meadows and Harbor Beach set a new league record for the longest game.  

     A Fiehl Fact - Highest rookie bid in ‘78 was Bergen’s $112,000 on Dave Rozema.  Turned out Stu bid $111,000 more than he had to, as Rozema was unbid upon by the rest of us sane managers.   

      This year also marked entry in the league of Andre Dawson for a cool $100K bid by Mr. McEneaney.  Andre would go on to a ripe old age setting a majority of all-time TCBA hitting records.

 Diamond Dust - Toronto’s Luis Tiant lost a one-hitter (1-0) on a first inning home run by Rockford’s Willie Montanez.

     Greylock’s Ted Simmons hit for the cycle against the Spurs at Shiloh. The chances of his repeating the feat were estimated by Jerry III at 8 in 10 million.

 A Fiehl Fact - The Shiloh Spurs stole 37 bases against a team in a 7 game series!  We must have had some wild stolen base rules back then.

 Jim Lafargue in 5-18-77 TCBA Report - “While the lateness fines have not yet needed to be imposed, the $20,000 illegal trading fine has already been used twice. Marty Fiehl was fined for attempting to trade before cutting his roster. (ed. note: McEneaney wasn’t in the league yet.)  Selden was fined for making firm offers to two teams including the same player. (ed. note: McEneaney still wasn’t in the league yet.)

 Marty Fiehl - trades Jim Rice, Pete Falcone and Buddy Bell to Connecticut for Mike Schmidt, C. Moore, and Hughes (?).

 Bob Braun - The Vita-Men started on a rebuilding program after reaching the World Series in 1976. They had hoped for an even .500 season, but the pitching staff did not hold up. Newly acquired Rhoden and Alexander showed poorly, and the bullpen did not have sufficient depth to fill the gap. Despite the gloom, some of the young V-M performed well. John Stearns took over for the departed Jerry Grote, and Mike Flanagan pitched well in limited action. He had become the most sought after Hyde Park player. Highlight of the season was the routine thumping of Fiehl’s South Starrucca squad.

 TCBA Report of  7-22-77 - On behalf of the entire TCBA, the editor sends along best wishes to President Jim Lafargue, who will be married on August 21st.”

 Jim Lafargue in a letter of 12/13/77 to Jerry Siciliano and Doug Meyer -Any fines should be reduced if excused by lateness of other managers of which the statistician is aware. Delay by a manager in picking up his mail is not a valid excuse, however.”

 

TCBA At Willow Valley 1996

From left to right: (Standing) Jim McEneaney, Craig Shifflett, Pat Lowrey, Marty Fiehl, Ed Hebscher, Gary Sibley, and Bill Kirwin; (Seated) Frank Tedeschi, Frank Howard, Larry Smith, John Carter, and Mike Mancini; (In front) Dan Warren, Bob BRaun, Jim Lafargue, Casey Lyman, Al Keefer, Don Mahley

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