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2006
SEASON
Houston
released SS Gary Templeton, and 2b Billy Goodman.
Houston
signs reliever Jeff Brantley, and utility man Nish Williams.
Houston
selects SP Jack Chesbro with the 182nd pick in the 2006 draft.
Houston
selects SP Pretzels Getzein with the 152nd pick in the 2006 draft.
Houston
selects OF George J. Burns with the 139th pick in the 2006 draft.
Houston
selects 2b Eddie Stanky with the 105th pick in the 2006 draft.
Houston
sends Scott Rolen (3b) to Baltimore for the 105th pick in the 2006
draft.
Houston
selects 3b Futoshi Nakanishi with the 103rd pick in the 2006 draft.
Houston
selects SP Pud Galvin with the 90th overall pick in the 2006 draft.
Houston
selects 1b George Giles with the 70th overall pick in the 2006 draft.
Houston
selects 3b Alec Radcliff with the 67th overall pick in the 2006 draft.
Houston
selects SP John Clarkson with the 55th overall pick in the 2006 draft.
Houston
sends Hank Aaron (RF), Gregg Olson (RP), Gaylord Perry (SP), and
Bill Dahlen (SS) to the Seattle Pilots for Barry Bonds (LF), Mitch
Williams (LH-RP), Dutch Leonard (LHP), and Gary Templeton.
Houston
selects SP Old Hoss Radbourne with the 42nd overall pick in the 2006
draft.
Houston
sends Double Duty Radcliff (SP/C) to the Boston Red Sox for the Red
Sox's 3rd round pick (#70)
Houston
selects SP Tim Keefe with the 8th overall pick in the 2006 draft.
Houston
selects SS Dobie Moore with the 7th overall pick in the 2006 draft.
Houston
sends Jim Palmer (SP) to Detroit for DET's 1st round draft pick (#8).
Houston
sends Jackie Robinson (3b) and John Wetteland (CL) to the New York
Giants for Amos Rusie (SP) and NYG's 3rd round draft pick (#67).
The
Chicago Cubs announce they are relocating to Houston and will be known
as the Houston Colt 45's and play in the Astrodome circa 1965-1999.
2005
Season
Chicago
signed free agent Johnny Podres (SP), releasing Sal Bando
(3b).
Chicago
sends Ted Wiliams (LF), Ryne
Sandberg (2b), Earnie Banks (SS) and Edd Roush (CF), to the New
York Mets for Oscar Charleston (CF), Jelly Gardner (RF), Bingo Demoss
(2b), and Bill Dahlen (SS).
Chicago
sends Roy Face (RP) to the Philadelphia Athletics for Scott Rolen (3b).
Chicago
signed free agent utility man Billy Goodman, and released outfielder
Dave Parker
Chicago
signed free agent Shortstop/Pitcher Takuro Ishii and released outfielder
Jose Canseco
Chicago
signed free agent outfielder Jimmy Sheckard and released first baseman
Andres Galarraga.
Chicago
sent outfielder Dale Murphy to New York Giants for outfielder Edd Rousch.
New
ownership takes over controlling
intrest of the Chicago Cubs.
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Colt 45’s
Simulation 2- Notes
Written by Tex
Slazenger
Game 5: April
9, 2005: The Colt 45’s jumped out to an early 2-0 lead, but couldn’t
add on. Giant pitcher Spud
Chandler pitched a gem baffling Colt batters for the final 7 innings, of
an 8-2 romp in the Giants favor. The
heart of the Colt 45s lineup continues to struggle with Bonds, and
Charleston going a combined 1-8 (the sole hit being Oscar’s first
homer of the year in the top of the first) on the night, and 7-for 38 on
the year. Third baseman
Alec Radcliff swiped a pair of bags one of which was a key component of
the run that was scratched across in the second inning.
Game 6 April
10, 2005: The Colt 45s dropped second straight on the road to the Giants
in what can be best classified as a heartbreaking affair.
Amos Rusie was the antithesis of effectiveness as he allowed 5
runs in 5 innings, leaving the game after allowing a leadoff dinger to
The Man, Stan Musial in the 6th, which brought the Giants
lead to 5-2. The 45s tied
it in the 7th, on the back of a three-run homer by Futoshi
Nakanishi, who was brought in the game via double switch in the bottom
of the fifth. Of course reliever Don Drysdale coughed up the slim lead
in the bottom of the inning, as the Giants pulled ahead 7-5.
The resilient 45’s fought back again in the top of the 8th
– to jump ahead 8-7, unfortunately the Colt 45s left at least a run on
the table, which might have ended up being the decisive run as Nakanishi
lined into a double play to end the inning stranding Roger Bresnahan at
third. Closer Tom Henke
came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth, but he was unable to slam the
door on the inning as the Giants pushed 2 runs across and give the
Giants the 9-8 win.
Game 7 April
11, 2005: The Colt 45s brought their hitting shoes tonight, as they
gained some measure of revenge for the previous two nights
disappointments. Popless
George Giles, smacked a pair of dingers for the second time this season
going 4-5 with 5 RBI’s and a stolen base.
Tim Keefe, pitched a solid game throwing 9 innings allowing 4
runs in the process.
Game 8 April
12, 2005: Despite the 45s
pushing 7 runs across the plate, the story of the game wasn’t a
hitter, but rather a hurler. John
Clarkson pitched his second straight complete game, this one even more
impressive than the fist, as he allowed no runs on only 2 singles, and a
pair of walks and no batter advancing past second base.
In this writers opinion it was the best pitched game of the
season thus far. Oscar
Charleston carried the offense, going 2 for 4 with a 3 run homer
bringing his season average up to .297.
Colt
45' Simulation 1 - Notes
Written By Tex Slazenger
Game 1 April 5, 2005: Colt 45 manager Flip Ferrell made a surprise decision to start Amos Rusie on opening day. Tm Keefe the team's nominal ace was one the first pitchers in professional baseball to effectively use the changeup. Ferrell thought the team would be best served with Rusie great fastball setting the table for Keefe. The Jelly Watch – (Jelly Gardner's quest for 100 SB) Two Stolen Bases. The team stole a franchise record 8 stolen bases in the 12 inning 5-4 defeat at the hands of the Dodgers. Gardner and "Superstar" Dobie Moore each stole a pair, Barry Bonds, Oscar Charleston, Bingo DeMoss, and Roger Bresnahan also stole bases. Eddie Stanky unexplainably pinch hit for Super Star Dobie more late in the game, forcing Old Hoss Radbourn to SS. Flip was quoted as saying, sure its not very bright to pinch hit for a superstar, but heck I had a hunch.
Game 2 April 6, 2005: The Colt 45s picked up their first win of the season with a come from behind 9-5 win, 45s to rally for 8 runs in the 7 th and 8th inning. Mitch Williams picked up his first win as a 45s recording a tough 5 outs, while allowing only 1 runner to reach base. Jelly Watch 0- One Stolen Base / Season Total 3. When superstar Dobie Moore scored the 45s 5th run in top of the 8th, it completed the 45s comeback from a 5 run deficit. Manager Flip Ferrell's decision to pitch Rusie ahead of Keefe in the season opener didn't pay immediate dividends as Keefe got ruffed up early allowing 5 runs in 4+ innings. Relievers Pretzel Getzein, Mitch Williams and Tom Henke held the Dodgers scoreless for the remainder.
Game 3 April 7th, 2005: Popless George Giles hit a pair of solo shots, to cap off a 4 hit night, while starting pitcher John Clarkson pitched out of trouble a countless times, as he through a complete game 114 pitcher effort, allowing 12 hits and 3 runs over nine complete innings.
Game 4 April 8th, 2005: The Colt 45s were the recipient of their second consecutive complete game, as Old Hoss Radbourn made his pitching debut of the season, throwing nine innings of 2 run ball, allowing only 4 hits. The Colts offense was carried by Dobie Moore, who has hit in all 4 (.444) of the 45s games this season, Moore hit his first homer of the year in the process of going 2 for 4 with 3 RBI. General Manager JR Bush, has mentioned that he is considering moving some pitching depth for a better backup middle infielder. They are also still actively shopping for potential matches at the catcher position.
Colt 45's
draft report through 3 rounds
The newly relocated Colt 45's couldn't be happier about the first three rounds of this year's draft. After 6 picks, they feel they have drastically strengthened the team's offense, defense and starting, while only the bullpen has taken a hit.
The 45's started the off season in dealing the disgruntled incumbent 3b Jackie Robinson and Closer John Wetteland to the Giants for starting pitcher Amos Rusie and their 3rd round pick. Robinson was extremely outspoken in his unhappiness playing for the former Chicago Cubs as he lost his starting job last year to the then newly acquired Scott Rolen (traded for Ryne Sanberg) the Colt 45's sited defensive concerns but the grape vine tells a different story. Wetteland was a situation where the Colts felt they had enough depth to trade a reliever for value, and the biggest concern going into the draft was improving the teams starting pitching. Rusie is a strong starter and instantly became the best starter on the team (though the designation didn't last long).
Next the 45's continued to dismantled its starting rotation as they traded former number 1 starter Jim Palmer to Detroit for the teams number 1 picks 8th overall. Palmer who has a long history of feuding with management had nothing but good things to say about the 45's "the team finished in last place, they are moving to a new city with a new identity, I'd try and clean house as well."
The first day of the draft went better than the Colts could have possibly imagined. They picked up the player they viewed as the best player in the draft and the best defensive player in the league in short stop Dobie Moore (EXE, 33!!)and then with their second first round pick they picked up the pitcher they had rated as the best pitcher in the draft in Tim Keefe
The drafts second day was also surprising as they saw a lot of talent on the board they didn't expect and tried to pick up extra draft picks to scoop up some of the value. Unfortunately the trades didn't pan out, but the Colt 45's still cracked a smile as they selected one of the top 5 pitchers in the draft in Old Hoss Radbourne. The day concluded with a second flurry of trade talks that got them close to making a blockbuster deal. They also made a minor deal moving Double Duty Radcliff for a third round pick.
The third day opened with the second biggest trade in this franchises history as well as being one of the biggest days in franchise history as they have 3 draft picks. They agreed to an 8 player deal with the Seattle Pilots sending 2 Hall of Famers, a good closer and one the best defensive Short Stops in baseball history to the Pilots for 2 head cases a swing man, and a perpetually disgruntled slugger. The Colt 45's expected media backlash for trading well liked players Hank Aaron, Gaylord Perry, Greg Olson, and Bad Bill Dahlen for player of ill temperament such as Barry Bonds, Mitch Williams, and Gary Templeton - while Dutch Leonard is expected to be a welcome addition to the clubhouse. The Colt 45's were correct in their guess, as the media has raked them over the coals; however, the media is missing the big picture. The team was offensively challenged, Bonds will help to fix that - Colts believe they have the infrastructure in place to keep Bonds in check as they believe Oscar Charleston the teams best player will be a calming influence on Bonds. Aaron had quietly been shopped around for nearly a year now, with no real success, its not so much that they wanted to trade Aaron, but that they wanted to free up right field which would allow them to move leadoff man Jelly Gardner to his strongest position and free up centerfield for Charleston where he is the best defensive outfielder in the league (EXE, 55). They have had talks with every team who was looking to move a big bat but this was the first nibble they received. Templeton was a non factor in the trade and will likely find himself released when the time comes as the team is all ready carrying two back up shortstops. Williams will be the team's primary left reliever and 3rd man out of the pen while Dutch Leonard will work as the left-handed swing man a role that Jim O'tool was a miserable failure in last season.
The third round of the draft was also amazingly productive with their first pick they selected starting pitcher John Clarkson who was rated similarly to Radbourne as one of the top 5 pitchers in the draft and will instantly strengthen the starting rotation. With their second pick of the round they drafted third baseman Alec Radcliff, to man the hot corner. Radcliff by no means a superstar is an exceptional defender (VG, 50) with a productive but unspectacular bat (750 OPS in
the Astrodome). Radcliff is an important cog as it brings a decent hitter to the middle of the lineup, which the team was drastically lacking. With the third, third round pick the Colts drafted left-handed hitting 1b George Giles. Giles was a great value pick at an area of need. The Colts had him rated favorably compared to fist sackers Brouthers, Conner, and Anson who all went much earlier in the draft. Again with the under valued aspect of Giles skills being his defense. Giles nothing to write home about is a Scott Hatteburg type hitter (300/360/430) in the Astrodome which doesn't stand out, however, when you couple that with being the best defensive 1b in the game (EXE, 33!!) you have an very sound ball player who will contribute to the COlt 45's for years to come.
The State of the Team:
The Colt 45's look to be in pretty good shape, the rest of the draft will go towards building some depth and strengthening the bench and bullpen which are relative weaknesses. The team stands now much improved over last year's addition, but they are a little concerned about how that translates to the league as most teams are improved of varying amounts.
Projected Starters
Jelly Gardner - RF
Frank Chance - C (team captain)
Barry Bonds - LF
Oscar Charleston - CF
Dobie Moore - SS
George Giles - 1b
Alec Radcliff - 3b
Bingo Demoss - 2b
Starting Pitchers
Tim Keefe
Old Hoss Radbourne
John Clarkson
Amos Rusie
Don Drysdale
Relief Pitchers
Tom Henke
Jeff Reardon
Mitch Williams
Dutch Leonard
Jack McDowell |