Complete League Standings Through April 30-
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Complete League Standings Through April 30-
James Gorman Thomas III
Born: December 12, 1950 in Charleston, South Carolina
Contract: $25,000 Until Arbitration in 1978
Debut: September 14, 1972 v. Chicago Cubs
How Acquired: Trade with St. Louis Cardinals July 17,1973--Gorman Thomas and Steve Foucault for Dock Ellis
First Hit: September 14, 1972 v. Chicago Cubs (Single)
First HR: September 9, 1974 v. Baltimore off Wayne Garland (2 run HR)
Gorman Thomas is in his second full season with the Red Sox, hitting .231 with 10 homeruns and 25 RBI. In 104 AB, covering 29 games, he has 24 hits, including 6 doubles, and a 26/23 BB/K ratio. Last year, his first full season with the Sox, Thomas hit just .193, but hit 29 homeruns and drove in 90. He also had an even 98/98 BB/K ratio. Thomas is known for his lumberjack size arms and even stronger swings.
On his extended playing time despite a .193 average a year ago-- "Hey, chicks dig the long ball, what can I say? My job is to drive in runs, not to hit singles, and you drive in runs with homeruns. No seriously, I am working to make more contact. I have always been of the school that you swing hard in case you make contact, and I need to tone that down a bit, especially with 2 strikes."
On having a great batting eye for a slugger-- "I'm not sure. I just seemed to always have the ability to lay off bad pitches, or the pitcher's pitches, ya know? I can see the spin of the ball out of the pitchers hand and I know what it is, so I know where it's going to end up."
On who helped him get used to the big leagues-- "It wasn't really one person, but that year ('74), we were in the middle of a pennant race and I got to see all the guys who had been there before and I watched how they acted. They were all having fun, but it was almost like the expected to be there, and I got alot from that. Rico told me a few days after I had been called up to enjoy it, because although we were in it that year, you never know what will happen. There are players who experience team success within their first year or two, but never again. I didn't want to be that guy, so I am always working to improve myself."
Greatest Individual Accomplishment--"Probably my first 2 homerun game (September 12, 1974 off Zack MacFadden), because it showed me that I belonged. People have always talked about my low averages, but if I can continue to hit homeruns, I should have a place here, and that excites me."
On his moustache-- "(Laughs) Ya, well everyone has to be their own person and make a statement and this is how I do it. Between the 'stache and the hair, I figure that if I am ever walking down an alley late a night, muggers will leave me alone. It's a little nuts, but I like it."
April 30, May 1,2 v Baltimore Orioles (15-11)
April 30-Denny McClain continued his unusual mastery of his former team as the 32 year old righty, pitched a complete game, 2 hitter. McClain threw 152 pitches, walking just 3 and striking out 5 in the win. He got all the support he would need from Tony Conigliaro who, after a 2 minute standing ovation in his first AB back in Boston, hit an RBI double, driving in Boog Powell in the first inning as the Orioles blanked Boston 5-0. (18-7)
W-Denny McClain (4-2) L-Vern Ruhle (2-3)
May 1-Rookie Dave Winfield hit a 3 run opposite field HR in the 7th inning, and that was all the run support Rick Mahler would need as the rookie pitched his first career shutout, allowing just 5 hits and 1 walk, while striking out 4 as Boston returned the favor, shutting out Baltimore, 6-0. (19-7)
W-Rick Mahler (4-0) L-Dave Roberts (2-2)
May 2-Ted Simmons hit a 1st inning, 2 run HR and Baltimore would eventually tie the game at 2, and then in the bottom of the 9th inning, George Brett would come up and end the game with a 2 run blast of his own as Boston doubled up Baltimore 4-2. (20-7)
W-Tom Hall (2-1) L-Frank Bertaina (1-1)
May 3,4,5 at Cleveland Indians (10-18)
May 3-George Foster hit a tie breaking, 2 run HR in the 8th inning to make a winner of Dennis Eckersley, who pitched 2.1 innings, striking out 4 as Cleveland got past Boston 3-1. (20-8)
W-Dennis Eckersley (2-0) L-Fergie Jenkins (4-2)
May 4-All 9 Red Sox runs came via the homerun today as Boston blasted 7 homeruns, by 7 different players as they beat the Indians 9-7. Gorman Thomas and Ken Griffey each hit 2 run shots for Boston in the victory. (21-7)
W-Gene Garber (1-1) L-Don Carrithers (0-1) S-Tom Hall (9)
May 5-Rico Petrocelli and Gorman Thomas each hit 2 run homeruns, and Vern Ruhle pitched 7 1/3 innings of 1 run ball as Boston took two of three from Cleveland, winning 6-1. (22-7)
W-Vern Ruhle (3-3) L-Ray Burris (5-2) S-Steve Foucault (2)
MLB Contract News:
The last big free agent is off the market as the San Diego Padres and 1B John Mayberry have agreed on a one year deal worth just $360,000. Mayberry hit .288 37-106 a year ago for the Kansas City Royals. Most observers feel however, that this is a one year thing only, and Mayberry will be gone next season. He had been playing in the Mexican Leagues, where he was hitting .544 12-37 in 29 games.
Wayne Garland and the Baltimore Orioles have agreed on a 3 year deal worth $520,000. Garland has gone 1-2 3.32 this year after posting a mark of 12-9 3.07 a year ago.
MLB Injury News:
OF Lyman Bostock of the Minnesota Twins will miss the rest of the season after breaking his wrist crashing into the outfield wall. Bostock was having a fine season, hitting .353 1-10 for the Twins this year after hitting .324 1-33 in his rookie season a year ago.
Ron Swoboda of the California Angels will be out until the All-Star break with a torn ligament in his knee. Swoboda, in his first year in the AL after spending the last 10 years with the Mets, was hitting .269 3-9 in 70 AB at the time of the injury.
Up next for the Sox is a rare 4 game series at home against Dave Kingman and the Minnesota Twins. After that, Boston goes to Baltimore to play the first 3 of a 6 game roadtrip.
Update tonight hopefully after work. If anyone has any questions or comments feel free!
May 6,7,8,9 v Minnesota Twins (15-15)
May 6-Billy Conigliaro had a 2 run single, and rookie Rick Mahler continued his impressive start, throwing 7 innings, allowing just 5 hits and 1 run as Boston beat the Twins 3-1. (23-8)
W-Rick Mahler (5-0) L-Buzz Stephen (3-3) S-Tom Hall (10)
May 7-Dave Kingman went 3-5 with a pair of 3 run homeruns, driving in 6 for the game, and Dave Boswell pitched 7 2/3 innings of 1 run ball as Minnesota hammered Boston 14-1. Ollie Brown had 3 hits and 2 RBI in the win. (23-9)
W-Dave Boswell (2-4) L-Mike Flanagan (2-1)
May 8-Homeruns by Ted Simmons (12), Gorman Thomas (11) and Reggie Smith (10) helped Boston beat up on Minnesota 13-3. Fergie Jenkins struck out 12 in 8 innings and Billy Conigliaro added 2 RBI in the victory. (24-9)
W-Fergie Jenkins (5-2) L-Jim McAndrew (4-2)
May 9-Dwight Evans hit a 2 run HR, George Brett had 3 hits and and RBI and Billy Grabarkewitz hit a solo HR as Boston took three of four from the Twins, winning 7-5. (25-9)
W-Steve Foucault (1-0) L-Ray Corbin (3-2) S-Tom Hall (11)
May 10,11,12 at Baltimore Orioles (20-14)
May 10-Paul Blair had a 2 run double, and Dave Roberts pitched 8 innings, scattering 6 hits and 6 walks as Baltimore beat Boston in a pitchers duel 3-1. (25-10)
W-Dave Roberts (4-2) L-Vern Ruhle (3-4) S-Elias Sosa (5)
May 11-Reggie Smith hit a leadoff HR in the 6th inning, and that accounted for all the scoring as Rick Mahler and Wayne Garland engaged in a classic pitchers duel with Mahler and the Sox coming out on top 1-0. Mahler pitched 7 shutout innings, striking out 5 in the win. (26-10)
W-Rick Mahler (6-0) L-Wayne Garland (1-4) S-Tom Hall (12)
May 12-George Brett and Dan Driessen each had 3 hits and 2 RBI to help Boston take two of three from the Orioles, winning 7-5. Ted Simmons added a 2 run double in the win. (27-10)
W-Fergie Jenkins (6-2) L-Paul Mitchell (2-3) S-Tom Hall (13)
MLB Trade News:
Oakland sends P Jim Nash (62/63), P Jim Johnson (63/66), and P Wayne Granger (84)
Pittsburgh sends P Ed Sprague (81), 3B Enos Cabell (76/77), and OF Bobby Thompson (66/75)
Granger is the best talent here, but I think the Pirates gave up just a bit too much to get him.
MLB Injury News:
Oakland has lost P Paul Lindblad for the next 9-10 weeks with a bad shoulder. Lindblad had been a key part of a surprising Oakland team thusfar, going 1-0 1.66 in 21.2 innings after going 7-4 2.89 in 57 games a year ago.
Philadelphia will be without the services of ace Rick Wise until August as Wise tore a ligament in his elbow. Wise was 4-1 2.95 this year, a nice comeback after struggling to a 9-7 4.91 mark a year ago.
The San Diego Padres lose P Frank Tanana for the foreseeable future as Tanana suffered a broken ankle in a collision and first base. Tanana has struggled since the Padres brought him up 3 years ago, posting a line of 1-7 8.50 this year after leading the NL in losses a year ago, going 5-25 with a 7.89 ERA in 39 starts.
Up next for the Sox is a 3 game series in Cleveland against the Indians followed by a 3 game set in the Bronx against the Yankees.
May 13,14,15 at Cleveland Indians (13-24)
May 13-Four Red Sox homeruns, one each from Reggie Smith, George Brett, Gorman Thomas and Billy Congiliaro powered the Boston offense to a 9-1 win over the Indians. Roger Moret pitched a complete game, 3 hitter to pick up his 3rd win of the year. Jack Morris picked up the loss (0-9) and fell to 2-37 on his career. (28-10)
W-Roger Moret (3-1) L-Jack Morris (0-9)
May 14-Bob Robertson hit a 3 run HR and George Foster added a 2 run shot as the Indians, who had jumped to a 5-0 lead, held on to beat the Sox 6-5. Carlton Fisk hit a 3 run HR in the loss. (28-11)
W-John Denny (1-4) L-Vern Ruhle (3-5) S-Ed Farmer (1)
May 15-Dan Driessen hit a 2 run double and George Brett added a solo HR to support Rick Mahler, who improved to 7-0 as Boston doubled up the Indians 6-3. (29-11)
W-Rick Mahler (7-0) L-Ray Burris (6-3) S-Tom Hall (14)
May 17,18,19 v New York Yankees (24-18)
May 17-Dan Driessen drove in Ted Simmons, who had reached on an error by CF Al Bumbry, against closer Greg Thayer as Boston got past the Yankees 6-5 in 10 innings. Bobby Grich hit 3 solo HR's in the loss. The story of the game however was off the field as Sox 1B Reggie Smith was ejected from the bench after running into the stands and attacking a fan in the 6th inning. Smith tried to drag the fan back onto the field before he was restrained by teammates. Apparantely, the fan, who has not been identified had been heckling Smith all game long. Disciplinary action is expected to be taken against Smith by the team and the league. (30-11)
W-Mickey Scott (2-0) L-Greg Thayer (1-1)
May 18-Doug Rader homered and drove in 4 runs, and Dave Coleman added 3 hits and a solo HR as New York squeaked past Boston, winning 7-6. Gorman Thomas homered, but also struck out 3 tmes in the loss. (30-12)
W-Derek Pritchard (6-4) L-Roger Moret (3-2) S-Greg Thayer (4)
May 19-Ray Knight hit a bases clearing double in a 4 run 6th inning to make a winner of Vern Ruhle, who pitched 6 innings, allowing just 2 runs as Boston beat the Yankees 4-2. (31-12)
W-Vern Ruhle (4-5) L-Wayne Simpson (4-2) S-Tom Hall (15)
MLB Injury News:
Texas lost C John Wockenfuss for the rest of the year with a broken leg he suffered in a home plate collision this week. Wockenfuss was hitting .229 4-15 this year after hitting just .195 a year ago, but with 26 homeruns. Randy Brown, a FA pickup from the Angels will start in his place.
Minnesota has lost starting 2B Cookie Rojas for the next 8 weeks with a broken ankle. Rojas, a surprise starter this year for the Twins, was hitting .287 0-11 and playing stellar defense, committing just 1 error all year long. Rojas spent last season with Atlanta where he hit .400 (40-100) all in pinch hitting appearances.
Baltimore will be without the services of RP John Lamb until next season as Lamb tore a ligament in his elbow during a relief outing last week. Lamb was 1-0 4.91 this year after going 1-4 6.18 in 23 games a year ago.
Detroit will be without newly signed OF Richie Zisk until September as Zisk broke his wrist crashing into the OF wall. Zisk was hitting .280 with 9 HR and 38 RBI in just 31 games with the Tigers. George Scott moves back into the lineup to replace Zisk.
Texas will be without 3B Mike Cubbage until after the All-Star break as Cubbage hurt his rotator cuff. Cubbage was hitting .331 6-36 in his Sophomore season after hitting .294 9-52 in an injury shortened rookie campaign.
MLB Retirements
Milt Pappas retired officially this week after not being signed by anyone in the off-season. Pappas, a veteran of 19 big league seasons, played for Baltimore, Cincinnati, Seattle/Milwaukee, Washington/Texas, and San Diego. Perhaps best known as the man traded for Frank Robinson, Pappas had a solid career, going 206-155 with a 3.41 ERA. He pitched in 522 games, 488 of the starts, throwing 3,332.2 innings, and posting a 996/2,027 BB/K ratio. He completed 126 games, including 51 shutouts. He made 4 All-Star Games (1962,65,67,1971). His finest year came in 1967 for Cincinnati, when he had his only 20 win year (20-10) with a 2.81 ERA. He pitched 282.1 innings that year, completing 8 games and pitching 5 shutouts while striking out 187 and limiting opponents to hit just .221 off him.
Up next for the Sox is 3 games at home against the Cleveland Indians followed by a trip to Milwaukee to square off against the Brewers.
Smith Designated for Assignment
Boston, MA-Two time MVP Reggie Smith was designated for assignment by the Red Sox today, stemming from his May 17th fight with a fan during the Red Sox 6-5 win over the Yankees.
Smith, who had the day off was sitting on the top step of the dugout when a Yankee fan allegedly harassed him throughout the game. In the top of the 6th inning, 37 year old Michael Dooley and Smith had an exchange that lead to Smith racing into the stands, attacking Dooley, grabbing him, hitting him repeatedly and trying to drag him back onto the field before Smith was restrained by teammates. Smith was ejected from the game, and Dooley was arrested for attempted assault.
"It's a shame it had to end this way, it really is." Said Red Sox Manager Darrell Johnson. "With that said however, the way Reggie acted is against everything that this franchise stands for, and unfortunately for him, he's got to pay the price."
Johnson said that Smith had been becoming increasingly disgruntled with his contract status, and that frustration may have boiled over on Monday. "There had been alot of talk, inside the clubhouse between the Reggie and the other players, that Reggie wanted out. He was upset that the team locked up Billy (Conigliaro) and Tom (Hall), but weren't willing to negotiate with him."
"We apologize to Mr. Dooley and his family." said GM Dick O'Connell. "As a fan, he is entitled to saying what he feels, and should be able to feel safe at a baseball game. There is no place for that kind of action in this game, especially here at Fenway Park and we have acted accordingly. Mr. Smith will be missed on the field, but his actions have made it impossible for us to look the other way."
Smith's only comment on the incident was, "I know in my heart I was right in my actions. He (Dooley) crossed the line with some of his comments, and I reacted. I thank the Red Sox organization for giving me the opportunity in the major leagues. However, now I turn the page, end this part of my career and look forward to starting over someplace else and showing the Boston management that they made a mistake."
The Red Sox now have 10 days to either place Smith on waivers, where someone could pick him up, paying the rest of his salary for the year, about $322,000, trade him, or release him, paying Smith the rest of his 1976 salary. This will be a sizeable blow to the Sox lineup, as Smith was hitting just .269 but with 12 homeruns and 29 RBI. His 334 career homeruns place him 3rd on the Sox all time list behind Ted Williams and Tony Conigliaro.
(Editors Note: While I put my own spin on this, this did actually happen, in 1981. Smith ran into the stands in San Fransisco, while playing for the Dodgers and attacked Dooley, who had actually thrown a batting helmet at him. The following year, Smith signed with the Giants.)
May 20,21,22 v Cleveland Indians (15-29)
May 20-Buddy Bell had 3 hits and 2 RBI, and George Foster hit a solo HR as AL ERA leader Ray Burris shut down the Sox offense, limiting them to a solo HR from Dwight Evans over 8 innings as Cleveland beat Boston 5-1. (31-13)
W-Ray Burris (7-3) L-Rick Mahler (7-1)
May 21-George Foster went 3-7 with a 2 run HR in the top of the 13th inning, giving him 5 RBI for the game, and helping Cleveland to a 10-8 win over the Sox. Dan Driessen had 2 homeruns in the loss for Boston. (31-14)
W-Rick Austin (2-1) L-Tom Hall (2-2) S-Dennis Eckersley (2)
May 22-The Red Sox hit 6 homeruns, including 3 run shots from Dan Driessen and Billy Conigliaro, who also had 4 hits as Boston avoided the sweep, hammering Cleveland 12-2. (32-14)
W-Fergie Jenkins (7-2) L-Jack Morris (0-11)
May 24,25,26 at Milwaukee Brewers (11-35)
May 24-Dan Driessen hit a 3 run HR, his 3rd straight game with 3 RBI and new acquisition Rico Carty went 3-5 with a HR as Boston outslugged the Brewers 8-6. (33-14)
W-Roger Moret (4-2) L-Bob Knepper (1-9) S-Tom Hall (16)
May 25-A 0-0 pitchers duel after 7 innings turned into a rout as Dan Driessen drove in 3 more runs with a 8th inning HR and Gorman Thomas hit his 17th shot of the year, also a 3 run bomb as Boston beat Milwaukee 8-1. Ron Guidry, making his first start of the year, pitched 7 2/3 innings, allowing 1 run while striking out 5 in the win. (34-14)
W-Ron Guidry (1-0) L-Pete Vuckovich (0-1)
May 26-Dennis Leonard pitched a complete game shutout, allowing 6 hits and 2 walks while striking out 5, and Dan Ford hit a solo HR as the Brewers avoided the sweep, blanking Boston 3-0. Rick Mahler, who started the season 7-0 has now lost his last 2 starts after pitching 6 1/3 innings, allowing 3 runs. (34-15)
W-Dennis Leonard (3-6) L-Rick Mahler (7-2)
MLB Free Agent News:
The Minnesota Twins surprised everyone by claiming former Sox 1B/CF Reggie Smith off waivers from Boston. Smith will bat after Tony Oliva and before Dave Kingman giving the Twins a suddenly scary lineup. The Twins are on the hook for the rest of Smith's contract on the year, totalling $318,500.
After waiving Smith, Boston moved quickly in signing his replacement as Rico Carty was brought in to fill the void. Carty had been playing in the Dominican Republic, where he hit .449 5-51 in 185 AB covering 49 games. Carty will play DH and a little first base against lefties to give Dan Driessen a break. The deal calls for Carty to be paid $150,000 for the rest of this year and gives Boston a player option for 1977 at a mark of $250,000.
MLB Milestones:
Curt Flood of the Detroit Tigers picked up his 1,000th RBI
MLB Retirements:
Roger Repoz retired this week after being released by the San Diego Padres. Repoz played for 12 seasons, where he hit a career .235 with 151 homeruns. His best year came in 1971 for the Washington Senators, when he hit .250 26-95 with 18 steals in 152 games.
Ron Hansen also retired from the Padres this week. Hansen hit a career .235 with 159 homeruns. He played for 4 teams in his career (Baltimore, Chicago (AL), Houston and San Diego). Hansen was named 1960 AL Rookie of the Year when he hit .255 22-86 for the Orioles. He made 3 All-Star Teams (1960,68,69) and won two Gold Gloves (1968,1971). His best year came in 1969 when he hit .268 20-70 for the Chicago White Sox.
MLB Injuries:
The Cleveland Indians suffered a major blow this week as they lose OF George Foster for the next 8-10 weeks with a broken leg. Last year, he hit .320 45-136 in 153 games. Foster was the lone bright spot in a weak Indian offense, hitting .263 15-39 and the 27 year old has a career BA of .313 to go along with 245 homeruns.
The Cincinnati Reds lost Pete Rose for the rest of the year with a broken wrist suffered after being hit by a pitch. Rose was hitting .321 1-15 for the Reds and had been closing in on 2,500 hits for his career, currently standing at 2,442. He is a career .307 hitter over 14 seasons, all with Cincinnati.
St. Louis will lose C Tim McCarver for the 6th year in a row to a serious injury. McCarver broke his leg in a home plate collision and will be out until August. McCarver was hitting .286, but had hit just 7 homeruns in 177 games since the start of the 1975 season. For his career, he has hit .300 in 18 years, all with the Cardinals.
Ending May and into June for the Sox are 3 games in New York to face the Yankees followed by 3 games at home against the Detroit Tigers. End of the month stats and league standings are also upcoming as well as the 1976 Amateur Draft Preview and results!
Complete Team Batting Stats Through May 31-(team leaders in bold)
Complete Team Pitching Stats Through May 30-(team leaders in bold)Code:1976 Batting Team G AVG AB H 2B 3B HR BB K SB CS R RBI SLG OBP
Brett, George BOS 53 .290 214 62 13 4 7 34 21 4 2 40 26 .486 .386
Simmons, Ted BOS 48 .338 195 66 12 3 15 31 9 0 0 35 37 .662 .424
Conigliaro, Billy BOS 48 .269 193 52 9 1 9 16 42 0 1 34 32 .466 .325
Evans, Dwight BOS 52 .242 190 46 9 2 11 51 30 0 0 40 29 .484 .403
Thomas, Gorman BOS 51 .224 183 41 9 0 19 47 36 0 1 34 43 .585 .379
Grabarkewitz, Billy BOS 46 .203 177 36 2 0 3 14 50 3 1 17 17 .266 .268
Knight, Ray BOS 43 .238 168 40 7 2 1 19 19 0 0 17 20 .321 .326
Driessen, Dan BOS 35 .306 121 37 12 1 7 19 14 0 0 24 33 .595 .401
Petrocelli, Rico BOS 27 .283 99 28 5 0 3 10 13 0 0 12 14 .424 .355
Carty, Rico BOS 10 .326 43 14 4 0 1 4 8 0 0 7 4 .488 .383
Winfield, Dave BOS 8 .485 33 16 4 0 2 3 4 1 0 11 9 .788 .553
Fisk, Carlton BOS 8 .259 27 7 1 0 1 4 6 0 0 3 4 .407 .355
Griffey, Ken BOS 8 .231 26 6 2 0 1 5 2 2 0 4 3 .423 .355
Sutherland, Gary BOS 2 .167 6 1 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 1 0 .167 .444
I would like to point out the start that Dave Winfield has gotten off to, hitting an insane .485 2-9 in 33 AB. His splits are even more crazy as he is hitting just .154 (2-13) off righties and an spectacular .700 (14-20) off lefties.Code:1976 Pitching Team IP ERA G GS W L SV K BB R/9
Guidry, Ron BOS 14.2 0.61 2 2 2 0 0 8 4 9.20
Montefusco, John BOS 25.0 1.08 12 1 3 0 0 16 7 7.92
Scott, Mickey BOS 15.2 1.72 13 0 2 0 0 10 2 10.34
Foucault, Steve BOS 35.2 2.78 27 0 1 0 2 24 16 11.36
Mahler, Rick BOS 75.2 3.21 11 11 7 2 0 41 19 11.89
Hall, Tom BOS 29.2 3.94 25 0 3 2 17 32 11 13.65
Jenkins, Fergie BOS 91.2 4.03 12 12 7 3 0 74 16 9.72
Ruhle, Vern BOS 68.2 4.33 11 11 4 5 0 25 17 14.42
Moret, Roger BOS 57.2 5.31 9 9 4 3 0 30 19 13.42
Brett, Ken BOS 12.2 5.68 6 1 0 0 1 6 8 15.63
Flanagan, Mike BOS 31.2 5.97 6 6 2 1 0 14 15 15.35
Garber, Gene BOS 23.0 6.26 18 0 1 1 0 24 7 14.48
League Standings up next!
Complete League Standings Through May 31--
1976 Amateur Draft
1. Wade Boggs, 3B, San Diego Padres--Hit .462/.620/.744 with a rediculous 48/5 BB/K ratio. Added some power (6 homeruns) and 11 doubles. Projects to a .300 hitter with 10-15 HR and 40 double power for years to come. There are questions about his glove however, he does need work.
2. Rickey Henderson, LF, Kansas City Royals--.344/.531/..664 as a senior with 9 HR and 27 RBI. His real strength is his speed however as he stole 23 bases as a senior and 77 bases in high school while being caught just 10 times. Also posted a 52/15 BB/K ratio as a senior. Should hit 20 HR's a year and steal upwards of 50 or 60 bases.
3. Julio Franco, SS, Montreal Expos--Hit a whopping .532 as a senior without a lot of power, hitting just 3 homeruns while driving in 47. He projects to be a doubles machine, with a BA well above .300. Excellent eye as well, posting a 103/57 BB/K ratio throughout high school.
4. Orel Hershiser, P, Milwaukee Brewers--The first pitcher taken in the draft posted a 5-2 2.14 ERA as a senior. Started 11 games, pitching 75.2 innings, allowing just 66 hits while putting up a 91/12 K/BB ratio and allowed opponents to hit just .165 against him. Hershiser projects to be a future ace for the Brewers.
5. Gary Gaetti, 3B, Minnesota Twins--Gaetti was the first real power hitter taken, hitting 10 homers as a senior after busting out and hitting 16 as a junior. Also added hitting for average as a senior, posting a mark of .438 up from .294 as a junior. Projects to a middle of the lineup hitter and should hit 25-30 HR's a year.
6. Dave Henderson, OF, Oakland Athletics--Some felt Henderson should have been taken ahead of Gaetti after he hit .404/.527/.952 15-40 as a senior. Also showed an excellent eye putting up a 26/13 BB/K ratio. Henderson should hit close to .300 with 20 homeruns.
7. Willie McGee, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates--McGee is a hitting machine. He hit .443 as a senior and .535 as a junior. Won't hit for a ton of power, should hit 10-15 a year, but should hit 35+ doubles, steal 30+ bases and play stellar defense.
8. Alan Trammell, SS, Houston Astros--Very solid pick by the Astros as Trammell does everything well. He should hit for average (.430 as a senior), power (6 HR's), great eye (35/11 BB/K ratio) and field (only 3 errors). Houston should be very happy with what Trammell becomes.
9. Mike Scioscia, C, Cleveland Indians--The first catcher picked in the draft, Scioscia brings the intangibles to the table, fantastic eye, posting a 34/6 BB/K ratio, as well as being able to hit the long ball 5 homeruns, and a great feel for calling games behind the plate. If the Indians are patient, they could have a superb player on their hands.
10. Tim Leary, P, Cincinnati Reds--3-2 1.85 as a senior. Started just 7 games on the year, pitching 63 innings, allowing 45 hits and just 9 walks while striking out 56. If he lives up to his potential, you can add another great arm to an already improving Reds rotation.
11. Frank Williams, P, Philadelphia Phillies
12. Von Hayes, RF, Atlanta Braves
13. Walt Terrell, P, Chicago Cubs
14. Bruce Hurst, P, Detroit Tigers
15. Luis DeLeon, P, Baltimore Orioles
16. Jeff Calhoun, P, Chicago White Sox
17. Mike Madden, P, San Fransisco Giants
18. Carlos Diaz, P, California Angels
19. Marty Bystrom, P, New York Yankees
20. Dave Righetti, P, St. Louis Cardinals
21. Mark Huismann, P, New York Mets
22. Bill Doran, 2B, Boston Red Sox--Struggled as a senior, hitting just .279 5-24, but with a 35/12 BB/K ratio. Those struggles cost him draft position, but the Red Sox should be very happy with the end results and he and Ozzie Smith should be the starting middle infield for the Sox in about 4 years. Solid fielder as well, committing just 3 errors all year.
23. Dave Van Ohlen, P, Texas Rangers
24. Teddy Higuera, P, Los Angeles Dodgers
Other Sox picks:
2nd Round (46th overall) Dan Petry, P--5-1 2.48 in 11 starts as a senior. Threw 72.2 innings, allowing 55 hits and 18 walks while striking out 58. Ground ball pitcher who allowed just 1 homerun in his final year.
3rd Round (70th overall) Dickie Thon, SS--Solid third round pick, as Thon hit .402 with 8 homeruns and 24 RBI as a senior. Put up a 24/12 BB/K ratio as a senior and even stole 6 bases. Needs work on his fielding as he committed 9 errors in 35 games.
4th Round (94th overall) Ron Kittle, LF--Big time power hitter in the mold of Gorman Thomas, as he hit .320 with 15 HR and 37 RBI as a senior after hitting .254 16-30 as a junior. Not a good fielder, so hopefully his bat can carry him.
5th Round (118th overall) John Shelby CF--A bit of a reach here, but if he can improve his hitting, he could be a 4th outfielder type. Shelby hit .364 7-26 as a senior, but his real strength is hit fielding as he committed no errors in his final year.
6th Round (142nd overall) Mike Stenhouse, LF--Not expecting much here. Reminds scouts of another Sox minor leaguer in Dave Bergman. Hit .270 with 7 HR but just 18 RBI as a senior. He does have a good eye though, putting up a 43/18 BB/K ratio. Will probably never see the big club.
May 27,28,29 at New York Yankees (28-23)
May 27-Dan Driessen hit a bases clearing double in the top of the 10th inning to break a 5 all tie, giving Boston an 8-5 win over the Yankees. Rico Carty had 3 hits, including 2 doubles in the win. (35-15)
W-Tom Hall (3-2) L-Rick Sawyer (3-4)
May 28-Bob Hansen hit a 3 run HR, and Derek Pritchard pitched 8 innings of 1 run ball, striking out 9 helping New York beat Boston 4-1. (35-16)
W-Derek Pritchard (7-4) L-Fergie Jenkins (7-3) S-Greg Thayer (7)
May 29-5 different Yankees drove in runs, and New York held off a Boston comeback, as Don Gullett pitched 3 1/3 of perfect ball in relief as the Yankees took two of three from Boston, winning 5-4. (35-17)
W-Wayne Simpson (5-3) L-Roger Moret (4-3) S-Don Gullett (1)
May 31, June 1,2 v Detroit Tigers (29-26)
May 31-An 8 run 4th inning, capped by a 3 run HR from Gorman Thomas and bases clearing double from Billy Grabarkewitz handed Boston an 11-2 win over the Tigers. Ron Guidry pitched 7 shutout innings in the win. (36-17)
W-Ron Guidry (2-0) L-Jim Rooker (1-2)
June 1-Rick Mahler pitched 7 innings, allowing just 1 unearned run, and Dwight Evans had 2 hits and an RBI as Boston squeaked past Detroit 3-2. (37-17)
W-Rick Mahler (8-2) L-Mike Krukow (8-4) S-Tom Hall (18)
June 2-Ted Simmons went 3-3 with a HR and 3 RBI and Billy Conigliaro added 3 RBI in support of Vern Ruhle who pitched a complete game shutout, allowing just 5 hits and 1 walk while striking out 5 as Boston completed the sweep, hammering Detroit 11-0. (38-17)
W-Vern Ruhle (5-5) L-Pat Dobson (3-4)
MLB Trade News:
San Fransisco sends C Barry Foote (71/84)
Milwaukee sends RP Mike Marshall (82)
Not a bad deal for the Brewers as Foote is a solid prospect, albeit blocked by Yeager. Marshall wasn't going to help them get to .500.
MLB Milestones:
Brooks Robinson of the Kansas City Royals became the 11th player in Major League history to record 3,000 hits as "The Human Vacuum Cleaner" picked up his 3,000th, an infield single off Tigers P Jim Rooker in a 5-4 Royals win on May 27th. Boxscore and Play-By-Play below:
Code:Kansas City Royals at Detroit Tigers
May 22, 1976
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 + R H E
Royals (KCR) 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 4 10 1
Tigers (DET) 0 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 1 5 10 0
KANSAS CITY ab h bb r hr bi k sb avg
D. Augustine (CF) 5 2 0 2 0 0 0 1 .304
D. Anderson (SS) 5 2 0 1 0 0 1 0 .287
B. Robinson (3B) 5 3 0 1 0 3 1 0 .278
W. McCovey (1B) 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .231
J. Callison (RF) 4 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 .188
M. Lopez (C) 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .189
L. Sullwold (LF) 3 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 .128
J. Beniquez (DH) 4 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .341
T. Ragland (2B) 4 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 .269
TOTALS 36 10 3 4 0 4 9 1
2B: J. Callison (4)
3B: B. Robinson (2)
GIDP: M. Lopez
KANSAS CITY ip h bb hr r er k pit ERA
J. Hannan 5.1 6 6 0 4 4 4 118 7.17
S. Thomas 2.2 4 2 0 1 1 3 49 4.86
TOTALS 8.0 10 8 0 5 5 7 167
DETROIT ab h bb r hr bi k sb avg
R. LeFlore (CF) 3 1 2 1 0 1 0 0 .315
K. Szotkiewicz (SS) 5 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 .317
B. Christian (RF) 3 2 1 1 0 1 1 0 .364
W. Horton (LF) 5 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .258
P. Jata (1B) 4 1 1 0 0 1 2 0 .292
G. Scott (DH) 2 1 2 2 0 0 0 0 .252
W. Garrett (3B) 3 2 1 1 0 1 1 0 .229
G. Lamont (C) 4 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 .370
J. Knox (2B) 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 .270
TOTALS 32 10 8 5 0 5 7 0
2B: W. Garrett (6), R. LeFlore (8), W. Horton (5)
GIDP: K. Szotkiewicz, W. Horton
DETROIT ip h bb hr r er k pit ERA
J. Rooker 4.1 9 1 0 4 4 4 92 4.86
L. Cain 3.2 1 2 0 0 0 4 64 2.16
W. Twitchell 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 1 13 4.70
TOTALS 9.0 10 3 0 4 4 9 169
WP: W. Twitchell (2-2)
LP: S. Thomas (0-3)
Temperature: 57F
Wind: Calm
Attendance: 37,723
Time: 3:17
Up next for the Sox are 3 games in Texas against the first place Rangers followed by 4 games on the west coast to face the Angels.Code:TOP OF THE FIRST
Jim Rooker takes the mound for the Tigers.
Dave Augustine singled through the hole. <--1>
Dwain Anderson flied out to center field. <--1>
The Royals put on the hit and run.
Dave Augustine stole second. <-2->
Brooks Robinson singled to left, scoring a run. <--1>(2,999)
Willie McCovey popped up to second. <--1>
Johnny Callison doubled down the left field line, scoring a run. <-2->
Marcus Lopez flied out to center. <-2->
2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the first, Kansas City leads 2 to 0.
BOTTOM OF THE FIRST
Jim Hannan takes the mound for the Royals.
Ron LeFlore walked. <--1>
Ken Szotkiewicz grounded to the pitcher, forcing the runner at second. <--1>
The Tigers put on the hit and run.
Bob Christian singled through the right side. <-21>
Willie Horton grounded to second, forcing the runner at second. <3-1>
Paul Jata struck out. <3-1>
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 2 left on base.
At the end of the first, Detroit trails 2 to 0.
TOP OF THE SECOND
Lance Sullwold flied out to left. <--->
Juan Beniquez flied out to center. <--->
Tom Ragland struck out. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the second, Kansas City leads 2 to 0.
BOTTOM OF THE SECOND
George Scott walked. <--1>
Wayne Garrett struck out. <--1>
Gene Lamont flied out to left field. <--1>
John Knox grounded to the third baseman. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the second, Detroit trails 2 to 0.
TOP OF THE THIRD
Dave Augustine lined out to the shortstop. <--->
Dwain Anderson struck out. <--->
Brooks Robinson hit an infield single to second. <--1>(3,000)
Willie McCovey lined out to center. <--1>
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.