New York vs Chicago 1957

 Today I'm back to give a summary of a recent APBA series I played. The 1957 New York Giants versus the 1957 Chicago Cubs. A match up of two future hall of famers, Willie Mays (The Say Hey Kid) and Ernie Banks (Mr. Cub). This three game series was played using the master game addition. 1957 was the last year that the Giants played in New York. After the season they left the Polo Grounds behind and moved to San Francisco.

GAME 1: Location: New York, Polo Grounds.

Visiting team Chicago got the scoring started with a first inning homerun from Chuck Tanner. In the bottom of the 2nd New York answered with a home run of their own off the bat of Whitey Lockman. The Giants scored again in the 4th and then put up a two spot in the 6th on a two-run double by Don Mueller. The Cubs scored in the 8th on a triple by Mr Cub, driving in Tanner, who had singled. The Giants win 4 to 2 on the pitching from Curt Barclay and Marv Grissom, who got the save. The biggest Highlight of the game came in the 6th, with the Cubs threatening to score, the game referred to the RP boards and the Giants pulled off a triple play with Danny O'Connell spearing the line drive, stepping on 2nd and throwing to first. Giants 4 Cubs 2

GAME 2: Location: Chicago, Wrigley Field

This game sees a pitching match-up between Ruben Gomez of the Giants and Moe Drabowsky of the Cubs. The Cubs strike first in the bottom of the first with a run scoring double by Banks driving in Tanner. Gomez is able to shut down the Cubs until the 8th when they score three more runs. The Giants were held at bay until the 6th and 7th innings when they put up two in the 6th and four in the 7th. Willlie Mays drove in two and Hank Sauer drove in three. The Giants score 2 more in the 9th to win 8 to 4.

GAME 3: Location: Chicago, Wrigley Field

This game shaped up to be a pitchers duel between Johnny Antonelli of the Giants and Dave Hillman, Dick Littlefield, and Don Elston of the Cubs. Both teams plate two in the first inning with the Giants coming from a two run blast off the bat of Mays. The Cubs scored two when the first four guys reached and Banks and Dale Long drove in the two runs. The only scoring after the first was Gail Harris coming home on a double play. Giants 3 Cubs 2

 Today I'm going to deviate from my APBA summaries and write about the Timberwolves recent trades. I'd like to hear what everyone thinks and if these moves put them over the top.

Let's recap: 

On June 22nd, the Wolves shipped Julius Randle and the 28th pick in the draft to Brooklyn, in exchange got the 33rd pick from Brooklyn and Mo Gueye from Chicago. This deal was actually more about dumping Randle's salary than picking up quality players. The 33rd pick ended up to be Isaiah Evans. 

This move allowed the Wolves to lock up Ayo Dosunmu to a long-term contract. 

On June 25th the Wolves shipped fan favorite Naz Reid and a boatload of picks to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for LaMelo Ball and Josh Green.

I don't think the Wolves are done dealing but they don't have a lot of capital left to use. They may have to roll with what they have and hope it is enough to win them a championship.

What does the roster look like now and what would the starting lineup be?

With Randle and Reid gone, they will have to find a way to make up 34 points and 13 rebounds. Ball should be able to cover 20 points and about 5 rebounds (What he averaged last year). He also averaged 7 assists which gives the Wolves a nice point guard. They will also have Dosunmu for a full season and he averaged 14 points last year. He will most likely come off the bench and spell Ball or Edwards.

They still need someone to back-up Gobert and be able to play power forward and pull down rebounds. They have too many guards. Will they package a couple to get the power forward they need? Do they sign a PF in free agency? 

Some free agents that are available are: LeBron James, Kristaps Porzingis, Tobias Harris, Draymond Green, Harrison Barnes. Do they sign one of these guys with some of the cap space money they freed up?

I'd like to hear what you think. Leave a comment.