Chevrette vs Wolfman Shapiro
( Part II, Play-by-mail, later in 1973 )
 

Battle of Sexes II
BY DONNA CHEVRETTE

If you read the April issue of the Review, my name, along with Rick Shapiro's, should be familiar. For those of you who really have no idea at all what I'm referring to, I'll explain.

In April's issue, there was an article by Rick Shapiro about a 17-game baseball series which he and I played by mail. I managed a 1971 American League all-star team and Rick a National League. Well, to make a long story short, I lost the series, 9-8 Close, but you really couldn't tell who was the better manager. So, Rick and I decided to switch teams. It would again be a 17-game series, with four-game sets alternating between Skokie, IL [Rick's hometown] and Plainfield, CT [my hometown]. Since, I would be managing the N.L. all-stars, this would really tell who the better manager was.

Before I tell you how this second series came out, let me tell you a little bit about my playing SOM. I have been playing for approximately a year and-a-half. Except for the first few games, I have played almost exclusively solitaire. This has made me unhappy, not being able to play SOM with any female (or male) companion in my area. I wrote the Review asking if there were any gals out there who played SOM. Not one replied. Obviously there are no other female subscribers to the Review.

But Rick did answer my S.O.S. signal and suggested we play an SOM series by mail. I gladly accepted his offer. He explained to me how to play by mail and, because his instructions were so clear, I had no trouble whatsoever. But I don't think I'm ready for any mail leagues just yet, however.

Series two started with the first four games being played in Plainfield. Telling myself, I'm bound to win this series--it will be easy--I soon found out there would be no room for overconfidence. Rick's A.L. won the first two games by scores of 2-1 and 4-1. That brought me back to my senses.

I came down From cloud nine long enough to win the next two games, 4-1 and 2-0. In the next four games (at Skokie) the teams split again, tying the series at four games each. It was starting to look like a replay of the first series. Back in Plainfield, my N.L. really put on a show and beat the A.L. three games to one. So, now there were only five games to go, possibly, and my N.L. team was leading in games, 7-5, needing only two more victories to win the series.

Aha! I've won the series, I thought. Rick will never be able to win four out of five games. I was going to win a series from (as Rick would say] an experienced pro in Strato.

Confident again, I returned to cloud nine and waited for Rick's results from Skokie. Well, sly old Rick returned the results and cleverly placed game No. 16 on top for me to see. My N.L. had won that game, 11-0. It was deceiving--the A.L. had won the other three games! I stared in disbelief. A playoff would be necessary. Again I realized this series really wouldn't close the issue as to who was the better manager, but maybe I could at least win it.

I played the playoff game in Plainfield late in the evening at 10:30. Every move I made was an important one, so the game lasted until 11:15. The starting pitchers were Vida Blue for the A.L. and John Cumberland for the N.L. I took an early 1-0 lead on a surprise squeeze play by Bud Harrelson in second inning. Cumberland was breezing along and more and more it looked like it would be the only run of the game. Blue was take early for a pinch-hitter.

The SOM games I played with Rick were great Fun. I know with the right team I can beat anyone who plays Strato-- yes, anyone.

After all I did spot Willie Mays' card and, as Rick said, "He's just impossible to keep off base." Mays, of course was voted the MVP of the series.

So guys, there are some womenfolk out there who like baseball and would probably like to play Strat-O-Matic. All is look a little harder.

 

Battle of the Sexes, Part I
Chevrette vs Shapiro, early 1973

(click above)

1973 Strat-o-matic Convention
Brookyln, New York (SOM Game Co.)

(click above)

To correspond with the "Wolfman" feel free to send him an email at:
wolfmanshapiro@gmail.com

Good luck everyone with your Strat-o-matic Seasons

................ the Skokie Wolfman