Automatic Substitions

[ultimate7]

Some of the previous pinch hitter talk got me to thinking about any substitution that I will make basically 100% of the time first time through the order in a competitive game.  There aren't many that I do, but here's the list

Boston
#1 Barret (Burks)
#8 Owen (Armas)

Detroit
#5  Herndon (Madlock) This one may be 95% for 1st AB

New York
#8 Santana (usually HoJo)

That's it for Automatics.

In addition I will usually get Ruppert in the game in the 1st itime through, but sometimes for Grich sometimes for Boone.  Lopes and Garner often get in first time through but sometimes only one or the other.  

I didn't include All-Star teams since I haven't used in a long time, they have some obvious ones also.

[Flood]

I have so many automatics that I can't think of them all...I go through pinch hitters like my grandma goes through hips.

[Gantry]

Beautiful line Flood...

But I'll list my automatic subs:

Cali
#1 Wilfong
#6 Rupperto
#8 Hendrick

Boston
#1 Armas
#2 Burks
#8 Henderson

Detroit
#5 Sheridan

Minnesota
#1 Bush
#6 Smalley (though I don't know why I do)
#8 Dee-Nee Larkin

NY
#2 HoJo
#6 Heep/Mazilli
#8 Teufel

Houston
#1 Lopes
#3 Garner
#8 Puhl

St Louis
#3 Morris
#7 Lindeman

San Fran
#1 Spilman!
#8 Aldrete

Think that covers it.  Some guys (like Lemon) I do sub most of the time, but it isn't always the same...

[ultimate7]

Wow, I knew straight pitch players would have more, but that's a lot.

[fknmclane]

CA
1st - Wilfong
6th - Jones
8th - Hendrick

BO
1st - Hendu
2nd - Burks
8th - Armas

DT
5th - Sheridan
8th - Madlock/Bergman - depends on pitching matchup

MN
1st - Larkin
8th - MmmmBush

NY
6th - Teuful
8th - HoJo

HO
1st - Lopes
3rd - Garner
8th - Puhl

SL
7th - Lindeman

SF
1st - Youngblood
6th - Spilman
8th - Speier/Aldredte - depends on pitching matchup

Great topic.  These choices rarely vary.  As noted, pitching matchups can affect the choices, but the starter is 100% yanked.
Many are wondering why Hendu bats before Burks.  I don't know.  Always done it that way, I guess just because Hendu is the first choice.  It stuck.
 

[JoeDirt]

interesting choices...which brings me to a question: in straight/slurve, are you allowed to intentionally walk batters?

[BDawk]

McLane, you smoking crack again?
You take out Brookens?? He's too good to take out. I'd get rid of Nokes before Brookens.

[ultimate7]

I agree Brookens stays, of course I never hit for Nokes either, but Brookens has some pop.

I also think subbing for Pettis in non-straight pitch is unusual, Pettis is fast, gets lots of infield hits

[Gantry]

We do not allow intentional walks....  

[JoeDirt]

We do not allow intentional walks....  

Crap.  Minnesota is probably a sweet straight pitch team, then.  Their line up is so easy to pitch around.

[RockRaines4life]

For curve pitch...

CAL
1 Hendrick
8 Jones

BOS
1 Burks
8 Armas

DET
5 Madlock

MIN
8 Bush

HOU
1 Lopes
7 Garner
8 Puhl

NY
6 Heep
8 Johnson

STL
7 Lindeman

SF
1 Aldrete
8 Speier/Spilman

In our game we intentionally bean instead of intentionally walk, to save stamina.

[Baines]

interesting choices...which brings me to a question: in straight/slurve, are you allowed to intentionally walk batters?

We don't intentionally walk anybody but we reserve the right to plunk somebody if we get pissed.  It doesn't happen often and there's no strategy involved, just a way to relieve frustration.

[JoeDirt]

In our game we intentionally bean instead of intentionally walk, to save stamina.

Funny...we do the same thing--and the batter has no choice but to accept it if the pitcher calls, "Plunk 'em!"

[fknmclane]

Balls are not allowed period, thus, intentional walks are also illegal.  But, we, like Baines, do allow the occassional beaning to relieve frustration or to just put Reggie on after he's hit four bombs.

No, I'm not smoking crack.  I take Brookens out because it's something I've done since I was 10.  I think I've batted with him maybe once.  I gotta give him a chance next time around because everyone seems to love the mustache.
"Who wants a mustache ride?"

[Flood]

I AM ALL THAT IS MAN

[Baines]

Here's mine:

CA: Jones for Grich, Hendrick for Pettis
BO: Burks for Barrett, Armas for Owen
DT: Madlock for Herndon
MN: Bush for Gladden, Larkin for Lombardozzi
HO: Lopes for Reynolds, Garner for Ashby\
NY: HoJo for Backman, Timmy Two Step for Santana
SL: Lindeman for Herr, Morris for Ford
SF: Spilman for Uribe, Aldrete for Thompson
AM: McGwire for Randolph, Molitor for Schroeder
NA: Murphy for Santiago, Guererro for the Big Cat, Kruk for Pedrique

[JoeDirt]

NA: Murphy for Santiago, Guererro for the Big Cat, Kruk for Pedrique

So you let Sandberg play?  I know you're straight pitch, so it might differ for me, but is he any good?  He's one of those guys that I've never let hit.

I know All Stars are extremely unpopular, but for those who use 'em, I go:

Raines
Guerrero
Murph
Dawson
EDavis
Schmidt
Kruk
Gwynn

1-6 is as good as it gets!

[Baines]

I do sub for Sandberg a lot but just didn't list it because he's not always an automatic for me.  I usually give him an AB or two and then take him out if he pisses me off.  He's not great but he does come through for me occasionally.

[Gantry]

Though I rarely play with the All-Stars, I take the Sperling approach and sub four batters right away.  It leaves me with no pinch hitters later on, but I do it anyway...

[ultimate7]

I think if I were to play a real game with the All-Stars I would do the following:

NL
#3 Santiago (Murphy)
#7 Galaraga (Guerrero)
#8 Pedrique (Kruk)

Save Gwynn for later

AL
#1 Randolph (Molitor)
#8 Shroeder (McGwire)