Impossible Dream???

[bigpapi]

1967 League Batting Leaders:

AL BAA: Al Kaline (DET) .335
NL BAA: Orlando Cepeda (SF) .342

AL HR's: Rocky Colavito (CLE/BOS) 40
NL HR's: Willie Mays (SF) 54

AL RBI's: Tony Oliva (MIN) 129
NL RBI's: Willie Mays (SF) 152

AL Hits: Cesar Tovar (MIN) 232
NL Hits: Pete Rose (CIN) 214

AL Doubles: Al Kaline (DET) 51
NL Doubles: Pete Rose (CIN) 48

AL Triples: Don Buford (CHI) 10
NL Triples: Gene Alley (PIT) 14

AL HBP: Frank Robinson (BAL) 13
NL HBP: Ron Hunt (LA) 13

AL OBP: Harmon Killebrew (MIN) .430
NL OBP: Billy Williams (CHI) .391

AL SLG: Carl Yastrzemski (BOS) .562
NL SLG: Willie Mays (SF) .629

AL OPS: Carl Yastrzemski (BOS) .976
NL OPS: Willie Mays (SF) 1.013

AL Runs: Al Kaline (DET) 124
NL Runs: Willie Mays (SF) 116

AL Sacrifices: Bert Campaneris (KC) 25
NL Sacrifices: Hal Lanier (SF) 23

AL Steals: Bert Campaneris (KC) 63
NL Steals: Maury Wills (PIT) 66

AL Strikeouts: Mickey Mantle (NY) 129
NL Strikeouts: Donn Clendenon (PIT) 151

AL Walks: Harmon Killebrew (MIN) 146
NL Walks: Willie McCovery (SF) 96

1967 League Pitching Leaders:

AL Wins: Jim Palmer (BAL) 29
NL Wins: Rick Wise (PHI) 21

AL Losses: Jim Nash (KC) 22
NL Losses: Jerry Koosman (NY) 18

AL ERA: Jim Palmer (BAL) 2.06
NL ERA: Gaylord Perry (SF) 2.42

AL IP's: Jim Palmer (BAL) 318.1
NL IP's: Gaylord Perry (SF) 323.0

AL Strikeouts: Mickey Lolich (DET) 225
NL Strikeouts: Gaylord Perry (SF) 261

AL Complete Games: Jim Palmer (BAL) 13
NL Complete Games: Bob Gibson (STL) 16

AL Shutouts: Jim Palmer (BAL) 7
NL Shutouts: Jim Bunning (PHI) 6

AL Appearances: Larry Sherry (DET) 75
NL Appearances: Billy O'Dell (PIT) 77

AL HR's Allowed: Denny McClain (DET) 42
NL HR's Allowed: Don Wilson (HOU) 34

AL Saves: Fred Gladding (DET) 36
NL Saves: Pete Mikkelsen (PHI) 27

Offseason moves, followed by Spring Training Reports for each team upcoming!

[bigpapi]

1967 Offseason Awards:

AL Gold Gloves:
P- Jim Palmer (BAL)
C- Bill Freehan (DET)
1B- Ken Harrelson (WAS)
2B- Bobby Knoop (CAL)
3B- Brooks Robinson (BAL)
SS- Luis Aparicio (BAL)
OF- Pete Ward (CHI)
OF- Paul Blair (BAL)
OF- Ken Berry (WAS)

AL Rookie of the Year:
Rod Carew (MIN) .299 0-67 206 hits 49 doubles 32 steals

AL Cy Young:
Jim Palmer (BAL) 29-6 2.06 318.2 IP 222 K 13 CG 7 Shutouts

AL MVP:
Jim Palmer (BAL) 29-6 2.06 318.2 IP 222 K 13 CG 7 Shutouts

NL Gold Gloves:
P- Mike Cuellar (HOU)
C- Tom Haller (SF)
1B- Ernie Banks (CHI)
2B- Glenn Beckert (CHI)
3B- Bob Bailey (LA)
SS- Dal Maxvill (STL)
OF- Curt Flood (STL)
OF- Amos Otis (NY)
OF- Ron Fairly (LA)

NL Rookie of the Year:
Gary Nolan (CIN) 11-7 3.27 181.1 IP 125 K

NL Cy Young:
Jim Bunning (PHI) 20-8 2.48 298 IP 237 K 10 CG 6 Shutouts

NL MVP:
Willie Mays (SF) .295 54-152 14 steals 187 hits

Next are offseason moves!

[bigpapi]

We made a couple of moves, neither earth shattering, but helpful. First we sent Tony Taylor to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for minor league 2B, Davey Lopes. Taylor was a teriffic addition to the Sox last year, but when we had the opportunity to pick up a prospect like Lopes, we had to pounce. Taylor hit .281 4-44 in 113 games with Boston after being picked up midseason from the Phillies. Lopes hit .389 14-104 in AA last year with 46 steals in 54 chances. He will start in AA and may be our starting 2B next year.

The other move was strictly to shore up our bench. We sent C Bob Tillman, P Don McMahon and 2B Pedro Gonzalez to the Washington Senators for C Bob French. McMahon fell apart from August on and lost his closers role to rookie Sparky Lyle. Tillman had an average bat and was well below average throwing runners out, which is French's specialty. French will back up Dick Deitz this year.

Up next is something I am going to try, so I am not sure how well it will read, but I will preview each team, giving brief information about both pitching staffs and lineups!

[bigpapi]

Baltimore Orioles (projected 100-62)
Offense:
The Oriole offense is powered by veterans Frank Robinson (.249 28-91), Boog Powell (.289 28-89) and Brooks Robinson (.294 21-94). Luis Aparicio (.265 2-34) stole 46 bases last year and makes a great placesetter for Paul Blair (.252 15-57) who wrested the starting CF job from Curt Blefary.
Pitching:
Starts and ends with reigning Cy Young and MVP winner Jim Palmer (29-6 2.06). At the other end of the bullpen is Stu Miller (2-3 1.10), who was 27/27 in save chances a year ago.

Minnesota Twins (projected 91-71)
Offense:
Tony Oliva (.327 23-129) spearheads this potent offense that has Cesar Tovar (.326 5-66 33 steals) and Rod Carew (.299 0-64 32 steals) at the top, and Harmon Killebrew (.281 35-123) and Bob Allison (.274 22-95) in the middle.
Pitching:
Jim Kaat (23-7 2.81) is the ace of this staff, and is supported by Jim Perry (17-7 3.36) and Dean Chance (16-13 3.66). Al Worthington (7-5 3.69 16/24 in save chances) holds onto the closers role by a hair.

Boston Red Sox (projected 89-73)
Offense:
Led by Carl Yastrzemski (.322 33-111) and mid season acquisition Rocky Colavito (.270 40-129). A full season from Tony Conigliaro (.298 3-10) should boost the Red Sox offense even more.
Pitching:
Workman like pitching staff lead by Jim Lonborg (13-10 3.23) and Lee Stange (17-10 2.68). Rookie Sparky Lyle (0-0 0.51 9/9 save chances) will close, and Tug McGraw (14-7 3.22) will be the workhorse out of the bullpen.

Chicago White Sox (projected 84-78)
Offense:
Leadoff hitter Don Buford (.275 18-71 10 triples) powers this mediocre offense. Youngster Tommy Agee (.260 24-92) and Moose Skowron (.258 19-70) supply the power.
Pitching:
24 year old Tommy John (16-13 2.92) leads this pitching staff. He is supported by Gary Peters (14-18 4.61) who struggled last year, and young knuckleballer Wilbur Wood (6-3 2.92) should play a bigger role this year.

Detroit Tigers (projected 84-78)
Offense:
The Tiger offense is powered by Al Kaline (.335 25-109), Norm Cash (.262 30-109), and Willie Horton (.277 20-101). 2B Dick McAuliffe (.287 23-83) is out for the first 6 weeks but should supply a boost when he returns.
Pitching:
4 starters with 16 wins or more, Denny McClain (16-16 4.76), Mickey Lolich (16-10 3.52), Earl Wilson (17-15 4.28) and Hank Aguirre (17-12 3.82) will make or break this pitching staff.

New York Yankees (projected 84-78)
Offense:
"The Mick" Mickey Mantle (.247 29-90) still leads this bunch, with help from mid season acquisition Frank Howard (.289 24-97) and Joe Pepitone (.227 29-92).
Pitching:
26 year old Mel Stottlemyre (16-12 3.48) is the ace, but gets alot of help from Al Downing (19-14 3.32) and setup man Dooley Womack (10-6 3.75 7 saves). Jack Aker (0-7 7.23 15/20 save chances) is still the closer for some reason.

California Angels (projected 79-83)
Offense:
Don Mincher (.272 39-112) had a career year last year and cannot be expected to duplicate that. He will need help from 25 year old Rick Reichardt (.291 8-50), and Jimmy Hall (.261 18-70).
Pitching:
Led by Clyde Wright (17-12 3.31) and will get help this year from 22 year old rookie Andy Messersmith (1-3 5.67) and 38 year old Jack Sanford (11-14 3.43)

Cleveland Indians (projected 73-89)
Offense:
33 year old Leon Wagner (.322 15-66) provides leadership to this team, but will need help from Vic Davalillo (.304 8-46) and Max Alvis (.275 19-65) for this team to approach .500.
Pitching:
A pair of 25 year olds, Luis Tiant (10-14 3.61) and Sam McDowell (11-14 4.02) should lead this staff for years to come. Jack Kralick (16-7 2.96) came out of nowhere to have a monster year.

Oakland Athletics (projected 64-98)
Offense:
Led by a couple of guys barely old enough to drink in 21 year old Reggie Jackson (.270 15-59) and 22 year old Rick Monday (.254 14-70). The sparkplug is Bert Campaneris (.233 2-27 66 steals).
Pitching:
Catfish Hunter (11-17 3.60) is the young ace, and Jim Nash (2-22 5.07) has the skill if last year doesn't permanently damage him. Blue Moon Odom (10-16 5.01) fills out the rotation.

Washington Senators (projected 63-99)
Offense:
35 year old Jim King (.239 20-53) is the best the Senators have to offer. He gets a bit of help from Gates Brown (.278 15-52) and Sonny Jackson (.276 0-41 33 steals).
Pitching:
21 year old Joe Coleman (4-20 5.58) and Dick Bosman (7-17 3.53) are the future, but Pete Richert (4-14 5.63) and Jim Hannan (4-13 4.72) are the present.

The National League is next!

[bigpapi]

San Fransisco Giants (projected 91-71)
Offense:
Powered by two people, Willie Mays (.295 54-152), and Willie McCovey (.254 49-105). They get help from Jim Ray Hart (.282 21-59) and Tom Haller (.299 21-76).
Pitching:
Led by ace Gaylord Perry (20-12 2.42) and supported by veteran Juan Marichal (17-12 3.48) and Mike McCormick (10-13 3.43). The bullpen is anchored by Lindy McDaniel (3-3 2.56 21/25 save chances).

Cincinnati Reds (projected 90-72)
Offense:
25 year old Tony Perez (.287 25-120) powers this offense with help from Ken Boyer (.268 24-79) and Vada Pinson (.288 14-90). Hit leader Pete Rose (.307 8-73) bats leadoff.
Pitching:
Veteran Milt Pappas (20-10 2.81) is the ace of a staff that includes Rookie of the Year Gary Nolan (11-7 3.27) and Sammy Ellis (14-7 4.10). The bullpen is led by mediocre Jack Baldschun (5-7 4.82 15/19 save chances).

Los Angeles Dodgers (projected 88-74)
Offense:
Led by Willie Davis (.281 14-87 33 steals) and Ron Fairly (.269 17-77) as the Dodgers didn't have a hitter with more than 17 homeruns or hit over .285.
Pitching:
Don Drysdale (13-14 3.63), Don Sutton (18-9 2.90), Claude Osteen (15-9 2.83), reliever Bob Miller (10-7 3.23) and closer Ron Perranoski (3-5 2.81 23/28 save chances) keep Dodger hope afloat.

Atlanta Braves (projected 85-77)
Offense:
Hammerin Hank Aaron (.312 34-112) approaches 500 career homeruns. He is assisted by Rico Carty (.295 27-83) and C Joe Torre (.313 14-72). All 8 Brave starters from a year ago hit at least 10 homeruns.
Pitching:
Knuckleballer Phil Niekro (18-14 3.55) leads this struggling staff. Others include Denny Lemaster (7-18 4.32), Ken Johnson (10-7 4.32) and Clay Carroll (6-7 4.25 19/25 save chances).

Philadelphia Philles (projected 85-77)
Offense:
Dick Allen (.321 28-78) and Johnny Callison (.271 28-105) spearhead the offense of the defending champions. World Series MVP Bill White (.275 22-87) plays a supporting role to these two.
Pitching:
Reigning Cy Young winner Jim Bunning (20-8 2.48) is the ace but gets plenty of help from Rick Wise (21-10 2.87), Larry Jackson (15-11 3.78) and Dick Ellsworth (14-9 3.39).

Chicago Cubs (projected 83-79)
Offense:
Three headed monster of Ernie Banks (.277 36-106), Billy Williams (.306 35-113) and Ron Santo (.290 29-82) lead this ferocious offense.
Pitching:
4 pitchers with 15 wins or more, Fergie Jenkins (17-12 2.57), Ken Holtzman (16-13 4.00), Ray Culp (15-10 4.28) and Curt Simmons (15-10 3.19) will make or break this team this season.

Pittsburgh Pirates (projected 75-87)
Offense:
Willie Stargell (.284 35-105), Roberto Clemente (.303 12-91) and Donn Clendenon (.272 25-102) are the firepower in Pittsburgh with help from Matty Alou (.296 5-59) and his 38 steals.
Pitching:
37 year old Vern Law (15-12 3.96) lead this team in wins. If he duplicates this, it will be a long year for the Pirates. Closer Pete Mikkelsen (2-0 1.41 27/28 save chances) is a dominating closer.

New York Mets (projected 73-89)
Offense:Tommy Harp
Very weak offense lead by Ed Kranepool (.274 14-61), Tommy Harper (.270 13-59 46 steals) and Sandy Alomar (.254 0-32 50 steals). Noone hit more than Kranepools 14 homeruns.
Pitching:
Tom Seaver (10-15 3.48) and Jerry Koosman (10-18 4.33) are the future, but for now the Mets rely on Bob Shaw (5-14 3.70) and Don Cardwell (8-9 3.42).

St. Louis Cardinals (projected 72-90)
Offense:
Orlando Cepeda (.342 25-97) was Mr. Everything for the Cards last year. He got a little help from Lou Brock (.284 4-37 44 steals) and Curt Flood (.321 13-70).
Pitching:
Bob Gibson (18-6 2.87) is the ace, but will need better production from second year player Mike Torrez (3-16 5.26) and Nelson Briles (8-8 3.89).

Houston Astros (projected 69-93)
Offense:
As Joe Morgan (.287 23-97 50 steals) go, so do the Astros. He is supported by the Toy Cannon, Jimmy Wynn (.252 17-61), Rusty Staub (.300 20-102) and veteran Eddie Mathews (.218 28-94).
Pitching:
Mike Cueller (20-7 2.63) leads this staff which includes Larry Dierker (16-13 3.10), Don Wilson (12-14 4.28) and closer Claude Raymond (7-4 2.38 21/24 save chances).

Up next is the Opening Day Roster for the 1968 Boston Red Sox!

[bigpapi]

1968 Boston Red Sox

Starting Lineup:
2B Joe Foy (78)
CF Reggie Smith (88/94)
1B Carl Yastrzemski (90)
RF Rocky Colavito (86)
LF Tony Conigliaro (82/93)
SS Rico Petrocelli (87/90)
3B George Scott (82)
C Dick Deitz (80)

Bench:
OF Jose Tartabull (75)
1B/RF Tony Horton (77)
2B Mike Andrews (71/78)
C Jim French (73/74)
OF Don Demeter (71)
OF George Thomas (74)

Pitching Rotation:
Jim Lonborg (85)
Lee Stange (82)
Dennis Bennett (81)
Jose Santiago (78)
Jerry Stephenson (76/89)

Bullpen:
Closer Sparky Lyle (79/92)
Setup Tug McGraw (84/90)
Short John Wyatt (76)
Short Bill Landis (78)
Medium Dick Radatz (77)
Long Gary Waslewski (80/84)

Leading off the season for the Sox is 3 in Baltimore against the Orioles followed by a 3 game set in Fenway against the Minnesota Twins!

Editors Note: If there is anything you would like to see from this season, or any questions or comments you may have, I am all ears!

[CatKnight]

I liked your giving a rundown on the different teams.

I noticed your projection puts you in third. What do you think your weakness is at this point?

[bigpapi]

I noticed your projection puts you in third. What do you think your weakness is at this point?

I would have to say my pitching. I have a starting lineup that, 1-7, could each hit 20 homeruns, my 8th place hitter could walk 90 times. Outside of Lonborg however, I have no idea what I am going to get from the starting rotation. The end of the bullpen is solid with McGraw and Lyle, but everything else is a crapshoot currently.

[bigpapi]

April 1,2,3 at Baltimore Orioles (0-0)

April 1-Davey Johnson hit a leadoff homerun off Tug McGraw in the bottom of the 9th giving Baltimore a dramatic 3-2 win on Opening Day. (0-1)
W-Eddie Fisher (1-0) L-Tug McGraw (0-1)

April 2-Davey Johnson had 3 hits, including a 2 run HR as the Orioles beat Boston by one run for a 2nd straight day, 6-5. (0-2)
W-Dave Leonhard (1-0) L-Tug McGraw (0-2)

April 3-Baltimore completed the sweep of Boston, as Phil Roof had 4 RBI and Davey Johnson had 3 more RBI in the 12-3 shellacking of the Sox. (0-3)
W-Wally Bunker (1-0) L-Jerry Stephenson (0-1)

April 5,6,7 v Minnesota Twins (3-0)

April 5-Rico Petrocelli, Reggie Smith and Tony Congiliaro each hit their 1st homeruns of the season as Boston won its home opener over the Twins 7-1. (1-3)
W-Jose Santiago (1-0) L-Jim Merritt (0-1)

April 6-Boston's bats continue to come to life back at Fenway as Rocky Colavito picks up his first 4 hits of the year, including a 2 run HR, driving in 4, and Carl Yastrzemski homered and drove in 3 as Boston pounded Minnesota 14-6. (2-3)
W-Jim Lonborg (1-0) L-Jim Perry (1-1)

April 7-Tony Conigliaro hit a 2 run HR and Carl Yastrzemski drove in the go ahead run with an RBI single in the 7th inning as Boston finished off the sweep of the Twins, winning 3-2. (3-3)
W-Tug McGraw (1-2) L-Jim Kaat (1-1) S-Sparky Lyle (1)

Around the MLB:
Boston completed a trade with the Chicago Cubs that had been in the works since last season. Boston sends 4 players, including Tony Horton, Dick Radatz, and prospect John Milner to the North side of Chicago in exchange for 22 year old knuckleballer Joe Niekro. Niekro was 2-3 4.11 in limited action last year, and will move directly into the Sox rotation. Horton never lived up to the potential that we had for him, hitting just .261 2-30 last season for the Sox in 234 AB's.

The Baltimore Orioles and Washington Senators also completed a couple of trades they had been working on since Spring Training.

Baltimore sends P Eddie Fisher P John Miller
Washington sends C Bob Tillman 2B Dick Green
Edge Senators here as they bolster a very weak bullpen without giving much up.

Baltimore sends P Eddie Watt
Washington sends P Jim Hannan LF Dick Smith 2B Pedro Gonzalez
Edge Washington here as well as they have sufficiently upgraded their pen over the last couple of days.

Up next for Boston is 6 straight more home games against the Twins!

[bigpapi]

April 9,10,11 v Minnesota Twins (3-3)

April 9-Reggie Smith hit a solo HR in the bottom of the 8th inning, leading Boston to it's 4th straight win over the Twins with a 3-2 victory. (4-3)
W-Tug McGraw (2-2) L-Mudcat Grant (0-1) S-Sparky Lyle (2)

April 10-Tony Conigliaro homered twice and drove in 7 and Carl Yastrzemski homered twice and drove in 6 as Boston beat Minnesota in a football like score of 20-7. (5-3)
W-Gary Waslewski (1-0) L-Mudcat Grant (0-2)

April 11-Jim Perry pitched a complete game 4 hitter allowing just 1 run, and Bob Allison hit a solo HR as the Twins beat Boston 3-1. (5-4)
W-Jim Perry (2-1) L-Jim Lonborg (1-2)

April 13,14,15 v Minnesota Twins (4-5)

April 13-A pinch hit 2 run double by Don Demeter followed by a 2 run HR by Joe Foy gave Boston a come from behind 4-1 win over Minnesota. (6-4)
W-Lee Stange (1-0) L-Jim Kaat (1-2) S-Sparky Lyle (3)

April 14-Newly acquired Joe Niekro pitched 7 innings, allowing 6 hits and just 2 runs, and he was supported by Rocky Colavito's 400th career HR, a 2 run shot, and Rico Petrocelli's 2 run HR in a 7-3 win. (7-4)
W-Joe Niekro (1-0) L-Dean Chance (1-1)

April 15-Tony Conigliaro continued his hot start, pounding 2 more homeruns, driving in 4, and the Sox bullpen held the Twins at bay as Boston took 8 of 9 from the Twins early on this year with an 8-6 win. (8-4)
[B]W-Tug McGraw (3-2) L-Dwight Seibler (0-1) S-Sparky Lyle (4)[/B

Around the MLB:

Tony Conigliaro seems to have no ill effects from missing most of last year with a broken back vertabre, sporting a line of .356 6-19 through 12 games this year. He and Carl Yastrzemski .467 3-11 have carried the offense thusfar.

Up next for the Sox is 3 more in Baltimore against the 13-2 Orioles, followed by 3 at home against the relocated Oakland (Formerly Kansas City) Athletics.

[bigpapi]

April 16,17,18 at Baltimore Orioles (13-2)

April 16-Carl Yastrzemski hit a pair of solo homeruns, and Reggie Smith added a 2 run shot as Boston beat the Orioles 7-3. (9-4)
W-Jim Lonborg (2-1) L-Wally Bunker (1-2) S-Sparky Lyle (5)

April 17-Steve Barber pitched 8 shutout innings, allowing just 4 hits, while striking out 4, as Baltimore beat the Red Sox 2-0. (9-5)
W-Steve Barber (4-0) L-Lee Stange (1-1) S-Stu Miller (5)

April 18-Jim Palmer scattered 10 hits over 8 1/3 innings, and Bob Johnson had 2 hits and 2 RBI as the Orioles took 2 of 3 from the Sox, winning 5-2. (9-6)
W-Jim Palmer (3-1) L-Jose Santiago (1-1) S-Stu Miller (6)

April 19,20,21 v Oakland A's (6-9)

April 19-Mike Andrews and Reggie Smith drove in runs in the bottom of the 9th inning, capping a come from behind 6-5 Boston win. (10-6)
W-Gary Waslewski (2-0) L-Blue Moon Odom (0-3)

April 20-Rico Petrocelli hit a 2 run HR and Tony C. added a pair of RBI as Boston beat up on the Athletics 7-1. (11-6)
W-Jim Lonborg (3-1) L-Catfish Hunter (3-2)

April 21-Boston completed the three game sweep of the A's, as George Scott homered and drove in 2 and Mike Andrews had 2 RBI in a 8-1 Boston win. (12-6)
W-Dennis Bennett (1-0) L-Jim Nash (0-2)

Around the MLB:
After completion of the Oriole series, we got a call from the New York Mets with a trade offer. We hadn't thought about a move like this, but it seemed too good to pass up so we accepted. Boston sends OF Rocky Colavito, C Carlton Fisk, 3B Ken Poulson, and $150,000 in cash to help pay for Colavito's salary to the Mets in exchange for 25 year old lefty Jerry Koosman and C Ted Simmons.

Colavito was integral in helping Boston stay in the pennant race last year after being acquired from the Indians. However, we have logjam in the outfield now that Conigliaro is back from injury and Rocky was the one to go. He was hitting .298 2-10 at the time of the trade. Fisk was the toughest part of this to let go, as he was hitting .370 3-10 in AAA this year, but we think Simmons has more long term potential. Koosman was 10-18 4.33 last year in New York, but took a step backwards this spring, so he will stay in AAA until he can learn how to put some movement on his pitches. Simmons was the 1st round pick of the Mets last season and was hitting .316 1-4 in A ball and will be moved right to AA in the Sox system. Unless we are blown away with another offer, this should be the last move we make for sometime.

Up next for Boston are 6 straight games at home, the first three against the New York Yankees and the next 3 versus the Oakland A's once more.

[bigpapi]

April 22,23,24 v New York Yankees (9-9)

April 22-Mike Andrews hit a solo HR in the bottom of the 8th, giving Boston a lead that they would not relinquish in a 3-2 victory over the Yankees. (13-6)
W-Lee Stange (2-1) L-Dooley Womack (1-2) S-Sparky Lyle (6)

April 23-Frank Howard homered twice, including a first inning grand slam, as the Yankees held off Boston, winning 9-7. (13-7)
W-Al Downing (4-0) L-Jose Santiago (1-2)

April 24-Mel Stottlemyre pitched a complete game shutout, scattering 7 hits, striking out 4 as New York blanked Boston 7-0. (13-8)
W-Mel Stottlemyre (4-2) L-Jim Lonborg (3-2)

April 25,26,27 v Oakland A's (7-14)

April 25-Tony Conigliaro hit his 9th HR of the year, a 3 run shot in the 6th inning, helping Boston to a 4-2 win. (14-8)
W-Dennis Bennett (2-0) L-Jim Nash (0-3) S-Sparky Lyle (7)

April 26-Tony C. hit his 2nd 3 run HR in as many days, as Boston scored 7 times in the first two innings, and made it hold up in a 7-4 win. (15-8)
W-Lee Stange (3-1) L-Dave Morehead (0-2) S-Sparky Lyle (8)

April 27-Tony Conigliaro hit his 3rd and 4th homeruns of the series, giving him 12 on the year, driving in 3, and Jose Santiago struck out 8 in 7 innings as Boston swept Oakland, winning 5-1. (16-8)
W-Jose Santiago (2-2) L-Chuck Dobson (1-5)

Around the MLB:
Mickey Mantle of the Yankees drove in his 1500th Run
Harmon Killebrew of the Minnesota Twins knocked in his 1000th Run
Luis Aparicio of the Baltimore Orioles scored his 1000th Run

Finishing up April and starting May for Boston is 3 at home against the California Angels followed by 3 in Detroit against the Tigers. In between these series, I'll post end of the month statistics.

[bigpapi]

Complete Team Stats: (team leaders in bold, league leaders in italics)

1968 Batting             Team    G   AVG    AB    H  2B  3B  HR   BB    K   SB  CS    R  RBI   SLG   OBP
Waslewski, Gary           BOS    0  .500     2    1   0   0   0    0    0    0   0    0    0  .500  .500
Conigliaro, Tony          BOS   25  .389    95   37   6   2  13   12   17    0   0   24   38  .905  .458
Gibson, Russ              BOS    2  .375     8    3   0   0   0    0    1    0   0    3    1  .375  .375
Yastrzemski, Carl         BOS   27  .336   107   36   3   2   6   13   13    0   0   20   16  .570  .413
Stephenson, Jerry         BOS    2  .333     3    1   0   0   0    0    0    0   0    0    0  .333  .333
Santiago, Jose            BOS    4  .333     6    2   0   0   0    0    2    0   0    1    0  .333  .333
Dietz, Dick               BOS   20  .323    65   21   4   0   3   10   14    0   0   16    9  .523  .413
Rudi, Joe                 BOS   13  .275    51   14   5   0   2    1   13    0   0    7    4  .490  .283
Demeter, Don              BOS   24  .267    30    8   1   0   2    0    3    0   0    4    8  .500  .290
Scott, George             BOS   27  .266    94   25   6   2   6   16   19    0   0   18   14  .564  .372
Andrews, Mike             BOS   20  .254    59   15   5   0   2    7   11    0   0    9    7  .441  .348
Thomas, George            BOS    4  .250     4    1   0   0   0    0    2    0   0    0    0  .250  .250
Petrocelli, Rico          BOS   27  .238   101   24   3   0   5   15   13    0   0   11   18  .416  .333
Smith, Reggie             BOS   27  .224   107   24   3   0   6   19   16    4   2   20   16  .421  .341
Foy, Joe                  BOS   10  .216    37    8   0   0   1    9    5    2   0    7    6  .297  .362
Stange, Lee               BOS    6  .200    10    2   0   0   0    2    3    0   0    1    1  .200  .333
Lonborg, Jim              BOS    7  .182    11    2   0   0   0    0    4    0   0    1    0  .182  .182
Tartabull, Jose           BOS    8  .167     6    1   0   0   0    0    0    0   0    1    2  .167  .143
French, Jim               BOS    6  .167    18    3   0   0   0    1    2    0   0    0    1  .167  .211
Bennett, Dennis           BOS    6  .083    12    1   0   0   0    1    5    0   0    1    1  .083  .154
Niekro, Joe               BOS    2  .000     5    0   0   0   0    0    3    0   0    0    0  .000  .000
McGraw, Tug               BOS    0  .000     1    0   0   0   0    0    0    0   0    0    0  .000  .000

Team Pitching Stats: (team leaders in bold, league leaders in italics)

1968 Pitching            Team     IP   ERA    G  GS   W   L  SV    K   BB   R/9
Koosman, Jerry            BOS    2.0  0.00    2   0   0   0   0    3    0  9.00
Lyle, Sparky              BOS   11.0  0.82   12   0   0   0   9    6    1  9.82
Stephenson, Jerry         BOS   15.0  2.40    4   2   0   1   0    9    6 10.80
Niekro, Joe               BOS   14.0  2.57    3   2   1   0   0   10    4 10.93
McGraw, Tug               BOS   20.0  2.70   14   0   3   2   0   12    6 12.15
Stange, Lee               BOS   43.0  2.72    6   6   4   1   0   25    9  8.37
Santiago, Jose            BOS   26.0  2.77    4   4   2   2   0   26    9 10.38
Bennett, Dennis           BOS   39.1  4.12    6   6   3   0   0   23   13 10.53
Lonborg, Jim              BOS   42.0  4.50    7   7   3   3   0   27   20 13.71
Waslewski, Gary           BOS   13.2  7.90    8   0   2   0   0    7   10 17.12
Landis, Bill              BOS    8.2  9.35    8   0   0   0   0    7    8 19.73
Wyatt, John               BOS    5.2 14.29    5   0   0   0   0    7    5 19.06

Team Note: I had to post Sparky Lyle's career stats to this point: 0-0 0.63 30 games 28 2/3 innings, 18 hits 18/9 K/BB ratio 18/18 save chances

[bigpapi]

April 28,29,30 v California Angels (13-8)

April 28-Jim Fregosi homered and drove in 3, and Jimmy Hall hit a solo shot as California beat Boston 10-4. (16-9)
W-Jack Sanford (3-1) L-Jim Lonborg (3-3)

April 29-Tony Conigliaro and Reggie Smith each hit 3 run homeruns, as Boston beat up on the Angels 11-8. (17-9)
W-Dennis Bennett (3-0) L-Lew Burdette (0-2) S-Sparky Lyle (9)

April 30-Don Demeter hit a pinch hit 3 run HR, and 3 other Sox hit homers as the Sox took 2 of 3 from the Angels, winning 5-2. (18-9)
W-Lee Stange (4-1) L-Clyde Wright (3-3)

May 1,2,3 at Detroit Tigers (14-13)

May 1-Pinch hitter Lenny Green had a 2 run single in the 6th inning as Tiger pitchers shut down the Sox, winning 2-1. (18-10)
W-Hank Aguirre (3-2) L-Jose Santiago (2-3) S-Fred Gladding (3)

May 2-Bill Freehan hit a 2 run HR, and Mickey Lolich struck out 12 in 7 2/3 innings, helping Detroit beat Boston 3-2. (18-11)
W-Mickey Lolich (3-2) L-Joe Niekro (1-1) S-Larry Sherry (1)

May 3-Willie Horton hit a 2 run double in the 9th inning off Sparky Lyle, leading the Tigers to a 5-4 win and a sweep of the Red Sox. (18-12)
W-Larry Sherry (3-0) L-Sparky Lyle (0-1)

Around the MLB:
Willie Mays of the San Fransisco Giants hit his 600th Homerun, a solo shot off Mike Cuellar, in a 5-3 win over the Houston Astros. Boxscore below:

San Francisco Giants at Houston Astros
April 29, 1968

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
        Giants (SFG) 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 3  5  9  2
        Astros (HOU) 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0  2  5  1

SAN FRANCISCO        ab  h bb  r hr bi  k sb     avg
B. Bonds (RF)         5  1  0  0  0  0  2  0    .152
J. Alou (LF)          5  1  0  1  0  0  1  0    .264
W. Mays (CF)          5  2  0  2  1  1  0  0    .217
W. McCovey (1B)       5  2  0  1  1  3  1  1    .329
J. Hart (3B)          5  2  0  1  1  1  0  0    .351
T. Haller (C)         3  0  0  0  0  0  1  0    .290
H. Lanier (2B)        4  1  0  0  0  0  0  0    .231
B. Schroder (SS)      3  0  0  0  0  0  1  0    .304
 K. Henderson (P)     1  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .350
 T. Fuentes (SS)      0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .259
B. Bolin (P)          2  0  1  0  0  0  0  0    .000
 F. Linzy (P)         0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .000
 N. Siebern (P)       1  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .278
 L. McDaniel (P)      0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .000
TOTALS               39  9  1  5  3  5  6  1

   2B:  J. Alou (3), B. Bonds (3)
   HR:  W. McCovey (8), J. Hart (9), W. Mays (4)

   SAN FRANCISCO   ip  h bb hr  r er  k pit    ERA
        B. Bolin  8.0  5  3  0  2  2 10 132   4.23
        F. Linzy  1.0  0  0  0  0  0  0   9   8.53
     L. McDaniel  1.0  0  0  0  0  0  0  11   9.82
          TOTALS 10.0  5  3  0  2  2 10 152

HOUSTON              ab  h bb  r hr bi  k sb     avg
J. Morgan (2B)        5  0  0  0  0  0  1  0    .229
J. Wynn (CF)          5  1  0  0  0  0  3  0    .253
R. Staub (RF)         5  2  0  1  0  0  1  0    .298
E. Mathews (3B)       3  1  1  1  0  1  1  0    .215
B. Watson (1B)        4  0  0  0  0  0  1  0    .256
T. Tresh (LF)         4  0  0  0  0  0  1  0    .280
E. Brinkman (SS)      2  0  2  0  0  0  0  0    .144
B. Heath (C)          4  1  0  0  0  1  0  0    .192
M. Cuellar (P)        2  0  0  0  0  0  2  0    .000
 T. Farrell (P)       0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .000
 J. Grote (P)         1  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .200
TOTALS               35  5  3  2  0  2 10  0

   2B:  R. Staub 2 (9)

         HOUSTON   ip  h bb hr  r er  k pit    ERA
      M. Cuellar  9.2  9  1  3  5  2  6 143   2.80
      T. Farrell  0.1  0  0  0  0  0  0   5   2.84
          TOTALS 10.0  9  1  3  5  2  6 148

     WP: F. Linzy (1-1)
     LP: M. Cuellar (4-3)
     SV: L. McDaniel (2)

     Temperature: 66F
     Wind: None (Domed Stadium)
     Attendance: 34,144
     Time: 3:08

Up next for Boston is 3 at home vs the California Angels followed by 3 more in Detroit against the Tigers.

[bigpapi]

May 4,5,6 v California Angels (16-11)

May 4-Reggie Smith hit a 3 run HR, and Dennis Bennett pitched 7 innings of 1 run ball as Boston beat California 5-1. (19-12)
W-Dennis Bennett (4-0) L-Clyde Wright (3-4)

May 5-Carl Yastrzemski homered and drove in 4, and Reggie Smith added 3 hits and an RBI as the Sox beat the Angels again 5-1. (20-12)
W-Lee Stange (5-1) L-Andy Messersmith (2-3)

May 6-California avoided the sweep as Jimmy Piersall homered off Sparky Lyle in the 9th inning, and gave the Angels the lead in the 11th as the Angels beat Boston 5-4. (20-13)
W-Pete Cimino (2-0) L-Gary Waslewski (2-1) S-Marty Pattin (1)

May 7,8,9 at Detroit Tigers (18-15)

May 7-Jim Lonborg pitched a complete game shutout, allowing just 3 hits while striking out 10 and Carl Yastrzemski and Jim French homered as Boston blanked the Tigers, 5-0. (21-13)
W-Jim Lonborg (4-3) L-Denny McClain (1-4)

May 8-Tony C. (16), Carl Yastrzemski (9) and Boomer Scott (8) each hit homeruns as Boston beat the Tigers 7-4. (22-13)
W-Dennis Bennett (5-0) L-Earl Wilson (4-3) S-Tug McGraw (1)

May 9-A 5 run 8th inning, capped by a bases clearing double by Boomer Scott gave Boston the sweep of the 3 game series with Detroit, winning 6-4. (23-13)
W-Rollie Fingers (1-0) L-Hank Aguirre (3-3) S-Tug McGraw (2)

Around the MLB:

As you can see above we made another move to strengthen our bullpen. We had no intentions of making another trade, but then we lost Jerry Stephenson for over a month and needed to pick someone up who could help us immediately, and as long as we were looking, we were going to pick up someone solid. We sent Gary Waslewski, P Don Newhouser, and C Vic Correll to the Phillies for Rollie Fingers. Fingers was 2-2 5.28 with the Phillies this year and will move into a short relief position for the Sox.

One other deal was struck this past week:
Baltimore sends 2B Dick Green and CF Russ Snyder
Washington sends P Darrold Knowles
Edge Washington as Knowles is out for 2+ months with a broken hip.

Up next for Boston is 6 games at home, 3 vs the Cleveland Indians followed by 3 against the Chicago White Sox.