To Rule in Kansas City

[CatKnight]

October 8, 1970


My phone buzzed. "Mr. Kauffman is here to see you, sir."

"Send him in." I stared straight ahead at the door. The Royals logo, reversed in frosted glass on the frame, darkened and I lifted my head in silent prayer.

Ewing Kauffman opened the door and paused, as if not quite sure what to say. Finally he grunted to himself and put his briefcase down. "Hello, Chuck."

"Mr. Kauffman. Please have a seat."

He walked to my coat rack and hung his brown trenchcoat before retrieving his briefcase.

"Would you like a drink? I have some scotch, I think."

"Water, thank you." He studied me intently. "How was last night's party?"

"It went well. The team's happy to have ended the season on a good note and optimistic about next year."

"Yes. As I recall you were pretty optimistic at the end of last year also."

There wasn't much to say to that. I hit the intercom. "Marcie, could you bring Mr. Kauffman some water? Me too, actually." I released the button. "I suppose that's why you're here? To discuss the season?"

"Yes, Chuck. I don't claim to know much about baseball, but I do understand healthy teams go in cycles. They're on top for awhile, drift back down as players age or their budgets catch up to them, then begin rebuilding. Would you agree with that?"

"It's a simple view, but more or less right." The door opened and Marcie handed us our drinks. I thanked her and she left.

"And an expansion team, since they don't have high quality players, needs time to build up."

"Yes, sir. That's why I said it'd be a few years before we broke .500, and..."

"Aren't teams that are building or rebuilding supposed to get better, Chuck?"

"If you mean our standings, it's not really that simple. This was a bad year in that some teams dominated and it threw everyone else's records off. Montreal and Seattle also lost more games, and San Di..."

"I don't want to hear excuses, Chuck," he said in a near snarl. In two years I don't think I've ever seen him angry.

"That's not an excuse," I said softly. "It's the truth."

"The truth is our payroll went up, and our performance went down. I did not ask much of you, Chuck. I asked for steady growth, a sign we're moving in the right direction. At best we are stagnating, sir. At worst we are losing ground!" He finished his glass of water in one gulp and slammed it down. "Chuck, last year you did well enough but this year can be considered nothing but a complete failure."

I inhaled, trying to think of something to say that wouldn't come off as whining.

He took my silence for acquisence: "There will be some changes around here, Chuck. I intend to rework the front office significantly. That includes getting rid of some people. You will decide if that includes you or not. I have hired you an assistant..."

"Kraft?" I asked. "Was that why you were showing him our roster notes?"

"Yes. As I said, he is the son of a shareholder and I believe he has potential. I would rather he learn from you, but if you can't stay after I've spoken, I understand."

"What else?"

"Your scouting director hired a boy to a hundred thousand dollar contract, and the boy choked in September. Perrin's gone. So is Martin. You will tell them."

No scout...no manager...would Billy have wanted to stay anyway? And what do I tell Richie?

"At one point you guaranteed me we'd be a .500 team in 1972. I will hold you to that, however I am adding a benchmark. I expect the Royals to win 72 games in 1971. That will show me that you're capable of winning 81 the year after. I need you to think about whether you believe we can do that or not."

"I'd hoped to do that this year. Our projection was..."

"Fine. Then here's what is going to happen. In March I will announce to the Star that you have guaranteed me 72 wins, which you will effectively be doing by staying. If you fail, you will be terminated. I will add that while I've never blacklisted a man in my life, I believe that your being fired from such a mediocre team will have a devastating effect on your future offers."

Kauffman paused. "Or...you resign. If you don't believe you can meet my expectations, then I will find someone who can. I will talk to a few people and try to help you find a job in baseball somewhere, perhaps as a scouting or player development director. Perhaps in a few years you can try to lead another team."

"The choice is yours, Chuck. You can risk it all to prove to me you're capable of running my team, or you can play it safe and do something else with your life."

"Seventy-two wins..." 8 games over this year. Possible? Certainly. Risky though. Very, very risky. "How long do I have to decide?"

He grimaced. Wrong question. "I can give you through the championship games," he said. "After that I need to sit down with my GM and go over our roster needs before free agency starts."

[Coach Owens]

You should hire another certain ex-Yankee for the mangerial position.

[XyankeefanX]

You should hire another certain ex-Yankee for the mangerial position.

Yogi Berra? I really should know since I'm a Yankee fanatic.

[CatKnight]

I think he's still referring to Stengel.

Casey was 'retired' by the Yanks in 1960 for being too old (age 70). He'd made some tactical errors. He did come back for the '62-'65 Mets... but 1) continually expressed his frustration at their poor performance, and 2) broke his hip in August '65. I think it'd be hard to get him to come over.

As for Berra, in 1970-71 he's a coach with the NY Mets. It'd be more probable to get him to come over. Historically he takes over the Mets in '72. Of course, I'm not sure how big my repetoire of Yogiisms is.

Bob Lemon historically takes over. (Actually he could have taken over in mid '70.) Lifetime he finishes with a winning managerial record, including getting the IRL Royals to go 85-79 in just their third season. (Unfortunately, THOSE Royals seem stronger than mine...)

On the other hand, the Mets' Director of Player Development in 1970-71... HE might be interesting.....

[Coach Owens]

Talking about Berra.

[CatKnight]

Coach Owens: Hm...well, we'll keep him in mind. I never thought much of his Yogisms. They make him seem much dumber than I'm sure he is. Kinda like Bush's rambling quotes.
*******

October 10-11

And so I had my ultimatum. Right the ship, or get out of the way. Pick up eight more wins next year or good luck finding a new job.

At the risk of seeming weasly, the first thing I did was find out what my options were. I knew the BoSox, Washington and Mets were 'reviewing their options.' In other words, their GMs were in contract years and so especially vulnerable. A few quick calls convinced me that heading for greener pastures was not in the future: The Red Sox intended to keep things as they were, and the Senators already had people in mind for their top spot. New York's Joan Payson was brutally direct, asking "shouldn't you get your own house in order before visiting someone else's?"

So I'm back to Ewing's ultimatum: Try to win 72 games and risk being fired, or just quit. I know Gary in St. Louis would take me back if I asked. Maybe not as Player Development Director, but he'd find me somewhere as a scout or assistant.

Telling Billy that he wouldn't be coming back next year was surprisingly easy. He said that he needed a team with a different, "more competitive" field and was talking to Kyle about managing the Detroit Tigers next year.

Richie was a different story. He stared at me as if I'd shot him. "But...what do I do now? Why are you doing this?" Hard questions, and no easy answers. Given how I feel at the moment I had no qualms about laying the blame at Ewing's doorstep. That only made things worse: "Can't you talk to him? I've given everything I have to this club. Please!" Finally, a plaintive "What do I tell Mary?"

God, I hate my job. I'm not fond of Kansas City either. I'm not at all ready or interested in finding a field manager or scout right now, though both should be on the top of my agenda. Maybe I do need to 'do something else with my life' for awhile...
*******

NLCS Game 1

While I mourned my future, the Astros and Cardinals met in Houston. This was the first time an expansion team made it to the playoffs and Houston was already celebrating. A capacity crowd filled the stands with orange and blue streamers and the Astrodome shook with their joy.

Larry Dierker started for the Astros and put together a respectable performance. Bob Gibson took the mound for the Cardinals and faltered badly.

Joe Morgan led off the game for Houston and sent a shot to deep-right center. One error by Gibson, three walks and two outs later they enjoyed a healthy 3-0 lead.

The Astros added to their lead in the fourth and fifth before Red Schoendienst finally pulled Gibson for the night. Both teams wasted numerous opportunities over the next few innings, both leaving the bases loaded in the seventh.

In the ninth the Cardinals finally showed up. Bob Johnson doubled with two on to put them on the board and Ken Tatum finally came in for Dierker. Byron Browne hit his first pitch to deep left for two more RBIs. He advanced on a wild pitch and error, then came home on Jose Cruz's fly out. This left the tying run on second with two outs, but Vada Pinson popped out.

Cardinal pitching only gave up seven hits...but ten walks (and ten strikeouts.) Houston's Jimmie Hall went 0 for 2 with 3 walks and 2 runs scored.

Houston Astros 5, St. Louis Cardinals 4
(Astros lead series 1-0)
*******

ALCS Game 1

Catfish Hunter and Jim Palmer squared off in what promised to be a pitching duel between two aces at the top of their game. Baltimore fans would be disappointed however, as both pitchers struggled letting runners on third in the first inning.

Oakland scored in the second when Sal Bando walked, advanced on a single by Gene Tenace, then scored on Rich Reese's single. Tenace came home minutes later on a sacrifice.

Hunter's dominant pitching finally faltered in the sixth however, when Frank Robinson tripled, Blair singled to score him, then Davey Johnson slapped a liner into the left field bleachers to give the Orioles the lead.

Oakland's revenge would be terrible: In the seventh, tied 3-3 after Joe Rudi came home on a Rick Monday single, Sal Bando hit a towering, arcing grand slam around the right field foul pole. That ended Palmer's night. (Catfish already yielded to a pinch hitter earlier in the evening.)

Baltimore threatened later that inning putting runners on first and third with two outs, but Oakland relievers Marcel Lachemann and Carroll Sembera retired the next seven batters to end it.

Johnson led the O's effort going 3 for 4 with a homer and 2 RBI. Bando outclassed him however, going 2 for 4 with 2 runs and his grand slam.

Oakland Athletics 7, Baltimore Orioles 3
(Athletics lead series 1-0)
*******

NLCS Game 2

Game 2 saw Houston's Don Wilson and the Cards' Steve Carlton struggle early. Lou Brock and Vada Pinson doubled, then Joe Torre grounded to bring Pinson in to put the Cards up 2-0. Houston struck back immediately when Joe Morgan opened with a walk, went to third on a single, then scored on Bob Watson's sacrifice fly.

It would get much worse for Carlton. He yielded two walks and two singles in the second to give Houston a 3-2 lead, then after limping out of the third loaded the bases in the fourth with no outs. A three RBI double to right center by Joe Morgan ended his day. Morgan eventually came home under reliever Bob Forsch to put Houston up by five.

It would have been a mistake to dismiss the Cards however. In the sixth Pinson and Torre hit back to back doubles. Torre scored on a Tim McCarver double. Then, in the eighth, Houston reliever Fred Gladding disintegrated giving up a single, double, and Byron Browne's pinch hit home run to tie the game.

Cardinal reliever Ron Willis pitched the Astro eighth. Morgan doubled with one out, then scored on a Rusty Staub single. Two walks loaded the bases with one out, but Jimmy Wynn grounded into a rare 3-2-3 double play. Despite a Joe Torre double the Cards couldn't score in the ninth.

Bob Forsch pitched 4 shutout innings in relief for the Cards giving them even the hope of coming back. Of St. Louis's 13 hits, 7 were doubles, one triple and Browne's homer. Joe Morgan continued his mastery of the Cards, going 3 for 3 with 2 doubles, 2 walks, 3 runs and 4 RBI.

Houston Astros 8, St. Louis Cardinals 7
(Astros lead series 2-0)
*******

ALCS Game 2

If any AL fan felt cheated out of their pitcher's duel the night before, the A's and O's made it up to them in game two as Dave McNally and Chuck Dobson spent the night dominating their opponents.

If you don't mind slower paced games, there was nothing not to like about this one. It would be the Oriole second before a runner made it on base. Frank Robinson doubled, then came home on his "brother's" single to put them up 1-0. Donn Clendenon would break McNally's perfect game half an inning later but couldn't advance.

That would be it for Oakland until the sixth. Baltimore fared little better, only managing two walks in that time. In the sixth John Donaldson doubled, then scored on a Bert Campaneris single tying the game. Rick Monday singled as well with two outs putting runners on the corners, but Reggie Jackson grounded out. Mark Belanger tried to make up for it in the bottom half with a double, but three consecutive outs foiled that.

No runner made it on in the seventh. Joe Rudi (PH for Dobson) doubled with one out in the eighth and went to third on a groundout, but Rick Monday flied out. Carroll Sembera pitched the Oriole eighth and yielded only a single.

Mickey Scott pitched for Baltimore in the ninth. Sal Bando doubled with one out, then went to third on a grounder, but again a flyout foiled Oakland's attempt to take the lead. In the bottom half Boog Powell opened with a walk, advanced on a one-out sacrifice bunt, and scored on Davey Johnson's double.

Dobson pitched 7 innings giving up 3 hits, 2 walks and a run. McNally pitched 8 innings giving up 5 hits, a walk and his run. Strikeouts were strangely absent: 2 for Dobson, 2 for Sembera and 1 for McNally. Mark Belanger 'led' the Oriole offense with a double and walk.

Baltimore Orioles 2, Oakland Athletics 1
(Series tied 1-1)

[AthleticsFan2k8]

Coach Owens: Hm...well, we'll keep him in mind. I never thought much of his Yogisms. They make him seem much dumber than I'm sure he is. Kinda like Bush's rambling quotes.
*******

October 10-11

And so I had my ultimatum. Right the ship, or get out of the way. Pick up eight more wins next year or good luck finding a new job.

At the risk of seeming weasly, the first thing I did was find out what my options were. I knew the BoSox, Washington and Mets were 'reviewing their options.' In other words, their GMs were in contract years and so especially vulnerable. A few quick calls convinced me that heading for greener pastures was not in the future: The Red Sox intended to keep things as they were, and the Senators already had people in mind for their top spot. New York's Joan Payson was brutally direct, asking "shouldn't you get your own house in order before visiting someone else's?"

So I'm back to Ewing's ultimatum: Try to win 72 games and risk being fired, or just quit. I know Gary in St. Louis would take me back if I asked. Maybe not as Player Development Director, but he'd find me somewhere as a scout or assistant.

Telling Billy that he wouldn't be coming back next year was surprisingly easy. He said that he needed a team with a different, "more competitive" field and was talking to Kyle about managing the Detroit Tigers next year.

Richie was a different story. He stared at me as if I'd shot him. "But...what do I do now? Why are you doing this?" Hard questions, and no easy answers. Given how I feel at the moment I had no qualms about laying the blame at Ewing's doorstep. That only made things worse: "Can't you talk to him? I've given everything I have to this club. Please!" Finally, a plaintive "What do I tell Mary?"

God, I hate my job. I'm not fond of Kansas City either. I'm not at all ready or interested in finding a field manager or scout right now, though both should be on the top of my agenda. Maybe I do need to 'do something else with my life' for awhile...
*******

NLCS Game 1

While I mourned my future, the Astros and Cardinals met in Houston. This was the first time an expansion team made it to the playoffs and Houston was already celebrating. A capacity crowd filled the stands with orange and blue streamers and the Astrodome shook with their joy.

Larry Dierker started for the Astros and put together a respectable performance. Bob Gibson took the mound for the Cardinals and faltered badly.

Joe Morgan led off the game for Houston and sent a shot to deep-right center. One error by Gibson, three walks and two outs later they enjoyed a healthy 3-0 lead.

The Astros added to their lead in the fourth and fifth before Red Schoendienst finally pulled Gibson for the night. Both teams wasted numerous opportunities over the next few innings, both leaving the bases loaded in the seventh.

In the ninth the Cardinals finally showed up. Bob Johnson doubled with two on to put them on the board and Ken Tatum finally came in for Dierker. Byron Browne hit his first pitch to deep left for two more RBIs. He advanced on a wild pitch and error, then came home on Jose Cruz's fly out. This left the tying run on second with two outs, but Vada Pinson popped out.

Cardinal pitching only gave up seven hits...but ten walks (and ten strikeouts.) Houston's Jimmie Hall went 0 for 2 with 3 walks and 2 runs scored.

Houston Astros 5, St. Louis Cardinals 4
(Astros lead series 1-0)
*******

ALCS Game 1

Catfish Hunter and Jim Palmer squared off in what promised to be a pitching duel between two aces at the top of their game. Baltimore fans would be disappointed however, as both pitchers struggled letting runners on third in the first inning.

Oakland scored in the second when Sal Bando walked, advanced on a single by Gene Tenace, then scored on Rich Reese's single. Tenace came home minutes later on a sacrifice.

Hunter's dominant pitching finally faltered in the sixth however, when Frank Robinson tripled, Blair singled to score him, then Davey Johnson slapped a liner into the left field bleachers to give the Orioles the lead.

Oakland's revenge would be terrible: In the seventh, tied 3-3 after Joe Rudi came home on a Rick Monday single, Sal Bando hit a towering, arcing grand slam around the right field foul pole. That ended Palmer's night. (Catfish already yielded to a pinch hitter earlier in the evening.)

Baltimore threatened later that inning putting runners on first and third with two outs, but Oakland relievers Marcel Lachemann and Carroll Sembera retired the next seven batters to end it.

Johnson led the O's effort going 3 for 4 with a homer and 2 RBI. Bando outclassed him however, going 2 for 4 with 2 runs and his grand slam.

Oakland Athletics 7, Baltimore Orioles 3
(Athletics lead series 1-0)
*******

NLCS Game 2

Game 2 saw Houston's Don Wilson and the Cards' Steve Carlton struggle early. Lou Brock and Vada Pinson doubled, then Joe Torre grounded to bring Pinson in to put the Cards up 2-0. Houston struck back immediately when Joe Morgan opened with a walk, went to third on a single, then scored on Bob Watson's sacrifice fly.

It would get much worse for Carlton. He yielded two walks and two singles in the second to give Houston a 3-2 lead, then after limping out of the third loaded the bases in the fourth with no outs. A three RBI double to right center by Joe Morgan ended his day. Morgan eventually came home under reliever Bob Forsch to put Houston up by five.

It would have been a mistake to dismiss the Cards however. In the sixth Pinson and Torre hit back to back doubles. Torre scored on a Tim McCarver double. Then, in the eighth, Houston reliever Fred Gladding disintegrated giving up a single, double, and Byron Browne's pinch hit home run to tie the game.

Cardinal reliever Ron Willis pitched the Astro eighth. Morgan doubled with one out, then scored on a Rusty Staub single. Two walks loaded the bases with one out, but Jimmy Wynn grounded into a rare 3-2-3 double play. Despite a Joe Torre double the Cards couldn't score in the ninth.

Bob Forsch pitched 4 shutout innings in relief for the Cards giving them even the hope of coming back. Of St. Louis's 13 hits, 7 were doubles, one triple and Browne's homer. Joe Morgan continued his mastery of the Cards, going 3 for 3 with 2 doubles, 2 walks, 3 runs and 4 RBI.

Houston Astros 8, St. Louis Cardinals 7
(Astros lead series 2-0)
*******

ALCS Game 2

If any AL fan felt cheated out of their pitcher's duel the night before, the A's and O's made it up to them in game two as Dave McNally and Chuck Dobson spent the night dominating their opponents.

If you don't mind slower paced games, there was nothing not to like about this one. It would be the Oriole second before a runner made it on base. Frank Robinson doubled, then came home on his "brother's" single to put them up 1-0. Donn Clendenon would break McNally's perfect game half an inning later but couldn't advance.

That would be it for Oakland until the sixth. Baltimore fared little better, only managing two walks in that time. In the sixth John Donaldson doubled, then scored on a Bert Campaneris single tying the game. Rick Monday singled as well with two outs putting runners on the corners, but Reggie Jackson grounded out. Mark Belanger tried to make up for it in the bottom half with a double, but three consecutive outs foiled that.

No runner made it on in the seventh. Joe Rudi (PH for Dobson) doubled with one out in the eighth and went to third on a groundout, but Rick Monday flied out. Carroll Sembera pitched the Oriole eighth and yielded only a single.

Mickey Scott pitched for Baltimore in the ninth. Sal Bando doubled with one out, then went to third on a grounder, but again a flyout foiled Oakland's attempt to take the lead. In the bottom half Boog Powell opened with a walk, advanced on a one-out sacrifice bunt, and scored on Davey Johnson's double.

Dobson pitched 7 innings giving up 3 hits, 2 walks and a run. McNally pitched 8 innings giving up 5 hits, a walk and his run. Strikeouts were strangely absent: 2 for Dobson, 2 for Sembera and 1 for McNally. Mark Belanger 'led' the Oriole offense with a double and walk.

Baltimore Orioles 2, Oakland Athletics 1
(Series tied 1-1)

So far the A's are in the ALCS but their tied with Baltimore 1-1 now we need to win the ALCS for Oakland to the World Series!

[broocks]

How did Staub manage to get back to Houston?

And does the 1970 Baseball Mogul work the same way as the 1970 NLCS. 2 games at Houston and then 3 games in St. Louis?

I also read some your Expos one, and I'd never seen the debate between Fehr and Ravitch on Charlie Rose.

And while Fehr is by no means nice it seems to me that Fehr blows Ravitch out of the water. And why doesn't someone point out during the debates that the biggest things that will hurt these small-market teams that are doing well like Kansas City, Cleveland, Montreal and Cincinnatti is not giving them the revenues that they need to pay players.

Argh. As much as I love baseball, '94 still pisses me off.

[CatKnight]

AthleticsFan2k8: Oakland has a really strong team. Let's see how they do.

broocks: Hi! First, yep: The championship series are best 3 of 5 right now. The only problems I've seen with BM as far as playoffs go are:

1) It doesn't do the best 5 of 9 Series from the early 20th century, and

2) For the WS it uses the modern rules regarding DHs (DH in the AL home city). From 73-75 there were no DHs in the WS, 76-86(?) it alternated year by year, THEN the modern system came into play.

3) Can't really be helped, but of course there was no WS in 1901, 02 or 04. (Ignoring the messes in '81 and '94.) Also, no All Star game before '33(?)

Everything else works okay though.

Rusty Staub was traded back to Houston on July 28, 1970 for LF Keith Lampard (78/92). The Expos are obviously planning for the future. Lampard batted .274 after the trade, Staub .295. Neither team can be disappointed.

As for the '94 Expos - I went into that dynasty expecting to stop the strike. The more I read about it though, the more it became obvious that it was nearly inevitable...both sides really wanted a showdown. The MLBPA is opposed to anything like revenue sharing which would help the low market teams, because they're afraid it'll hurt salaries. They also don't trust Selig et.al.....and I don't blame them. '94 still irritates me. Actually '94 through oh...call it '03 I'd rather just pretend didn't happen.
*******

October 13-14


"Well, look who just came in. The worst GM in Missouri!" Gary Gregg, GM of the St. Louis Cardinals, paused at the door to his office. "Also the glummest. Are you alright, Chuck?"

"I'm fine." I shook his hand and walked into his cramped office.

"No, no you aren't. Have a seat. I'll pour us drinks." He did this and sat behind his desk. "What's wrong?"

So I told him about my meetings with Kauffman, about firing Billy Martin and Richie Perrin, my new 'assistant' Andy Kraft, and that I really didn't feel up to looking for their replacements. "I have until the Series to decide if I even want to stay or not.".

"So what do you think happened?"

I shook my head. "Bad luck? Sophmore jinx? Our fielding was horrible. I never saw so many f______ errors. I'm SURE that cost us a couple of games."

"Enough to satisfy Kauffman?"

"Eight? I don't know."

"For what little it's worth, I think you can do it. Your farm system has been quietly building for two years. I would have liked giving it another year or two, but I think you're more or less ready to make a serious run. Not against the Athletics yet, but I think 72 wins is quite doable. Just cover your weaknesses in free agency and you're all set."

"Are you releasing anyone?" I asked.

"That's proprietary!" he snapped. "No...sorry, Chuck. This whole collusion mess has me jumpy. I can't discuss Cardinal business with anyone, not even as a joke."

"I'm sorry." I finished my drink. "What happened there anyway?"

"You'll find out at Winter Meetings. Basically, Bowie Kuhn's lost his **** mind! ****, there you go, Chuck. You guys could use a really good catcher. Seattle needs pitching, which you have. Tell them you want Ted Simmons. At least then I'd know he was with a friend."
*******

NLCS Game 3

A near capacity crowd filled Busch Stadium as the Cardinals fought for their lives against the surprising Houston Astros. Card Mike Torrez and Astro J.R. Richard put together respectable, if not outstanding, performances.

St. Louis took the early lead when Vada Pinson doubled to score Jose Cruz in the first.

It wasn't until the fourth when Jimmie Hall broke Torrez's perfect game with a single. He would be thrown out at second mnutes later, but then Rusty Staub singled and scored on a Bob Watson double to tie the game.

In the bottom frame Ron Allen singled, advanced on a Joe Torre double, then scored on Mike Shannon's ground out. This still left Torre on third with one out, but Richard struck out the next two batters. As the game passed the half-way mark Brock singled, stole second and came home on a Jose Cruz double to give St. Louis a two run lead.

Despite an acceptable performance manager Harry Walker pulled Richard with one out and one on in the seventh. Reliever Fred Gladding came in and surrendered a single and wild pitch to put men on second and third. Jose Cruz grounded to Gladding, who threw to home to catch Mike Torrez coming in. As Astro fans breathed a sigh of relief Gladding threw a second wild pitch scoring Brock. Pinson walked, then Ron Allen singled to bring Cruz home.

Houston wasn't quite done: Marty Martinez singled, then Joe Morgan and Hall both walked before Rusty Staub hit a 3-RBI double. After Watson walked, the Cards pulled Torrez for Ron Wilson who induced Jimmy Wynn to hit into a 6-4-3 double play.

Allen went 3 for 4 with 2 RBI for the Cards, while Staub went 2 for 4 with 3 RBI. After Torrez's departure, Cardinal relievers Wilson and Joe Hoerner didn't give up a hit.

St. Louis Cardinals 5, Houston Astros 4
(Astros lead series 2-1)
*******

ALCS Game 3

A more confident crowd poured into Oakland-Alameda County Stadium. They'd been here last year and somehow Baltimore snatched victory away from them. They didn't want their Athletics to make the same mistake twice.

Oakland's Jim Nash escaped the first two innings despite poor defense (two errors). He'd go against Mike Cuellar. Cuellar gave up one run in the first on a Bobby Brooks double and Reggie Jackson single, then completely fell apart in the second. With the bases loaded and one out, Bert Campaneris singled for one run, Brooks doubled for two more, Rick Monday singled for another two, and then Jackson cleared the bases with a homer. Reliever Fred Beene came in and gave up a double and walk of his own before finally settling and retiring the next two batters.

Trailing by 8 the Oriole offense faltered. Boog Powell reached on an error by the first baseman in the third. Davey Johnson and Brooks Robinson made it on base in the fourth, but two strikeouts ended the inning. Mark Belanger reached on an error in the fifth but fell to a double play. Johnson was hit by a pitch in the sixth.

Finally Clay Dalrymple reached first when on an error by the third baseman to start the seventh. Jim Hardin walked, then Belanger singled to bring Baltimore's first run home. Nash threw a wild pitch to score Hardin.

Dave Morehead(!) pitched the Baltimore eighth and loaded the bases on three walks with two outs. Tony Gonzalez grounded to third however, and in the bottom half Jackson walked, then fell victim to a double play. In the ninth Morehead yielded a fourth walk but retired the side.

For those keeping track, Oakland suffered through FIVE errors in this game and persevered anyway through their one big inning. The two runs Nash gave up were unearned. Campaneris, Brooks and Monday all had 3 hits, while Jackson led with 3 RBI. Baltimore's Fred Beene suffered through 3.2 IP giving up 7 hits, but no runs. Jim Hardin and Pete Richert split the last three innings work giving up only one hit.

Oakland Athletics 8, Baltimore Orioles 2
(Athletics lead series 2-1)
*******

NLCS Game 4

For Game 4 Red Schoendienst turned back to Bob Gibson, while the Astros brought back Larry Dierker. Houston scored first when Morgan opened with a walk, advanced on Jimmie Hall's single then scored on Staub's. So the game remained until the third, when Johnny Edwards hit a bases loaded single for two runs, then Damaso Blanco followed with an RBI single of his own.

Cardinal fans sighed, realizing how serious this situation was. Their ace couldn't handle the Astros, while Dierker only allowed a single in the first and walk in the third.

Morgan's two out error put runners on first and second in the fourth, then Dierker threw two wild pitches in a row to score Allen. Mike Shannon then popped up to end the inning. Gene Michael threatened in the fifth, going to third on a Brock single, but again Dierker escaped harm.

Joe Morgan homered in the sixth to increase Houston's lead. This seemed to crush the Cards, who only managed two walks and a single in the last four innings of play.

Dierker pitched a complete game, only giving up 3 hits, 5 walks and his unearned run. Morgan went 2 for 4 with 2 runs and an RBI.

Houston Astros 5, St. Louis Cardinals 1
The Houston Astros won the 1970 National League Pennant

If some thought it a bit cheap that a team that barely cleared 90 wins would be in the World Series, NLCS MVP Joe Morgan (.500 7-for-14 2 doubles, 2 homers, 7 RBI, 1.703 OPS) had an answer. "St. Louis is good, but this year we're better. I've waited eight years for a chance to bring Houston a pennant! Whoever wins (the ALCS) better watch out!"
*******

(Split into two posts because of your friend and mine, the 10K character limit.)

[CatKnight]

ALCS Game 4

A celebratory crowd of Oakland faithful watched Catfish Hunter go up against Jim Palmer in a repeat of game 1. Similar to game one Baltimore scored in the first on consecutive singles by Mark Belanger, Dave May and Boog Powell. Similar to game one Oakland struck back quickly on a Bert Campaneris double and Rick Monday single.

Both teams only managed a single over the next two innings, then Baltimore once more took the lead. This time Frank Robinson walked, went to third on a Paul Blair single, then scored when Davey Johnson hit into a 5-4-3 double play. This time Oakland couldn't respond right away, getting only one more hit until the sixth when they returned fire.

Campaneris singled to open the sixth, stole second, then came home on a Monday single to tie it at 2 a piece. Baltimore loaded the bases on a double and two walks just before the Stretch, but Paul Blair struck out to strand all three men.

Oakland stranded two runners of their own, so the game was left up to relievers Carroll Sembera for Oakland and Al Severinsen for Baltimore. Sembera surrendered a walk, Severinsen a single, and the game entered the ninth frame tied.

Mark Belanger popped to third, Dave May struck out, then Boog Powell silenced the Oakland crowd with a thundering shot over the right field fence. Frank Robinson struck out to retire the side, but now Oakland needed one run to avoid a final confrontation tomorrow.

Gene Tenance opened the A's ninth with a single, then Rich Reese singled. Jim Driscoll struck out, then Donn Clendenon (PH for Sembera) lined to short. Two on, two outs, trailing by one, and Bert Campaneris sent a shot up the middle to tie the game. Bobby Brooks then walked to load the bases.

Rick Monday sent a Texas League single to right scoring Reese. Ball game!

Though Palmer pitched well for 7 innings, Severinsen's stumbling broke Baltimore's heart. Powell in particular went 2 for 4 with a homer and 2 RBI. Hunter gave up 10 hits and 2 runs in 7 innings, while Monday went 3 for 4 with 3 RBI.

Oakland Athletics 4, Baltimore Orioles 3
The Oakland Athletics won the 1970 American League Pennant

Jim Nash (7 IP 2 H 2 R 0 ER 2BB 6K) seemed an odd choice for ALCS MVP, and he gave a lot of credit to his teammates. "The Athletics are a world class organization," he said. "I'm looking forward to bringing a second championship to the Bay Area!"

[AthleticsFan2k8]

Yeah Let's Go Oakland, time to win the 1970 World Series!

[CatKnight]

AthleticsFan2k8: I'd say Oakland is favored...but then again Houston's been a big surprise and pretty hot. Doug Rader should be back at third for them by the time the Series starts making them that much stronger.
*******

October 15, 1970


After a late night's mourning I drove back along I-70 and reached my office in Kansas City a little after 2:00. Not much hate mail. A message from a reporter at the Star asking if I had any prospects for field manager. Another from Joe Foy asking when we can sit down and discuss his contract. A second message from the Star asking my opinion on the Athletics winning the pennant, and whether they could have had they stayed in Kansas City another three years. Then a twenty-page essay from some kid at the University of Kansas.

Pointing to both general data such as the league's batting average (.265), extra base hits and so forth he launched a coordinated assault on some of baseball's most cherished strategies. He suggested that other than very specific situations (runner on third, tied game) there's no point to a sacrifice bunt. Advancing a runner from first to third by two sacrifice bunts still only works some 17% of the time as it requires a single at the end. First to second by one sacrifice, allowing for two hitters, works a little better (37%). Just hitting away comes out about the same, and allows for a potentially bigger inning.

He added that while getting a hit is always well and good, anything that doesn't produce an out is at least as valuable - notably walks - and encouraged me to go forward with that in mind. Further, while homers are wonderful for offense, doubles and triples are also valuable.

Interesting concepts. None (other than the bunting) I didn't know. I'm not sure I need some college kid telling me my business. I suppose I'll write this 'Bill James' fellow and thank him for the gumball.

Lastly a note in pencil from some kid in Wichita. Unsigned.

DEAR ROYALS

DONT GIVE UP! I B LEEV!

Well, I'm glad someone does. I taped the note to my desk and stared at it for a long time, before picking up the phone. "Marcie? Call Mr. Kauffman and tell him we can go over the roster whenever he likes."

[XyankeefanX]

Haha, nice Bill James reference. Where do you think you would end up if you don't stay in Kansas City?

[CatKnight]

Xyankeefanx: I don't know. According to the way I handle GMs, Pittsburgh WILL be looking for a new one after 1971. So might (depending on performance) Philadelphia, Houston, Cincinnati and the ChiSox. I'm not really against playing any of those teams, though Chicago with Bud as owner would be...

Eww...
*******

October 21-22


The three of us - Ewing Kauffman, Andy Kraft and myself - met in Ewing's office at Marion Pharmaceuticals. From operating out of his basement with a $5,000 grant in 1950, he'd built up his company to a 75 million dollar enterprise. His headquarters stood about twelve miles south of downtown near Route 71 overlooking a large private campus housing his labs.

"I'm pleased to see you, Chuck," he said, rising and shaking my hand. He held my hand a moment longer than necessary and looked me in the eye. "Seventy-two wins?"

I nodded and he released me. "Good. Then let's plan for the next month or so. First, as I understand it we have exactly one contract to worry about: Joe Foy." He looked at Andy. "What do you think?"

Andy looked at him, then at me. "I...well, he's reasonably fast - 11 stolen bases. I don't care for his batting though. He did what....242 this year? .245 last? That's just not good enough."

"He walks alot," I added. "Decent power, but I doubt he'll ever get more than fifteen homers. I'm inclined to see what he wants out of a contract. He's a good bench player, but all else being equal I think Chico Salmon's our starter. If Joe wants too much, we can let him go and bring up Frank White."

Kauffman nodded. "Then that brings us to free agency. What's our strategy?" He looked back and forth.

"We could use a catcher," Andy began.

I nodded. "Ellie Rodriguez did good last season, and the pitchers generally like him. If I can find someone who bats better than .245 and can handle them just as well however, I'll bring him on board. Buck Martinez is at least a year away from meaningful contribution, though he'll probably take and keep the bench spot this year. My main concern is finding good defensive players: Jim Ray Hart's a little weak there, but his bat is too useful, so if I can make up for him elsewhere I think that has to be our priority."

We discussed the rest of our roster: Bob Oliver's iffy offense, and whether Will Thompson would recover and meaningfully contribute in '71. Our outfielders and pitching were more or less in good shape if we could get the defense under control.

After several hours the meeting broke up and we had something of a plan in place, even if much of it heavily depended on Joe Foy's ability to be reasonable and who went to free agency. Ewing shook our hands as we left.

"I want the two of you working closely together. Good luck."
*******

World Series
Game 1

Perhaps in anticipation of their first game at home, the Astros held Larry Dierker back until game 3 and instead started Don Wilson. Perhaps the Athletics agreed, as they skipped Catfish Hunter in case he was needed in games 3 and 6 (at home.)

As it was, Chuck Dobson pitched for the A's and only allowed two walks through three innings. Wilson struggled early, and Gene Tenace made him pay with a solo shot in the second. One frae later Bobby Brooks singled, advanced on a walk, and scored on Reggie Jackson's single to put Oakland up by two.

Houston returned fire when Jimmie Hall reached on an error by Campaneris, advanced on a Bob Watson single and scored on a sacrifice fly. Watson in turn advanced on singles by Johnny Edwards and Damaso Blanco to tie it.

Oakland continued to threaten, getting runners on in each of the next five innings with no effect. Houston put runners in scoring position in the sixth, seventh and eighth with similar bad luck.

Carroll Sembera pitched the Astro ninth and allowed a single. Fred Gladding pitched the bottom half and gave up a single to Brooks then walked Jackson. Sal Bando came to the plate then, and with one out hit a shot that barely cleared center.

Dobson pitched 6 innings without giving up an earned run, while relievers Sembera and Marcel Lachemann shut Houston down for three innings. Jackson went 2 for 4 with an RBI, but it was Bando's homer that told the tale.

Oakland Athletics 5, Houston Astros 2
(Athletics lead Series 1-0)
*******

Game 2

Jim Nash tried to put the nail in Houston's coffin while J.R. Richard struggled to bring the underdogs a win. "Struggle" is the operative word, as Bert Campaneris doubled, advanced on a fly out, then scored on a grounder to give Oakland a 1-0 lead through 1.

He allowed two walks and a single in the second, escaping further damage only by a timely double play. In the third he allowed another walk and single. In the fourth it was two walks. Nash meanwhile dominated the visitors, only running into trouble in the fifth when Houston put runners on first and third with two outs. Richard grounded to third however, who threw to home to get the lead runner and Joe Morgan struck out to end the threat.

Richard wouldn't be so lucky: Reggie Jackson walked with one out, then Richard hit Bando with a pitch. Gene Tenace doubled Jackson home, then Rich Reese brought Bando and Tenace in with a double of his own. Fred Gladding took over shortly after that, and in the seventh Sal Bando slammed a rocket to left center to put Oakland up 5-0.

Only then did Nash's iron control falter. In the eighth Joe Morgan singled with one out, then Jimmie Hall homered to bring them both in. Nash retired the next two batters though, and Jim Ray retired the A's in order in their half.

Paul Lindblad pitched the Astro ninth: Jimmy Wynn led off reaching second when Jackson lost a fly ball and tipped it off his glove. Cliff Johnson (PH for Johnny Edwards), Blanco and John Mayberry (PH for Martinez) went down in order however ending the game and putting Houston's back to the wall.

Nash went 8 innings giving up 5 hits and 2 runs as Houston's pitching continued to struggle. Reese's 2 run single led the Oakland offense, while Jimmie Hall's 2 run homer led Houston's.

Oakland Athletics 5, Houston Astros 2
(Athletics lead Series 2-0)

[broocks]

No offense to A's fans, but screw the A's.

Go 'Stros!!!
Wynn will come through!!! Maybe...