To Rule in Kansas City

[Coach Owens]

Fire the hitting coach!

[AthleticsFan2k8]

Ask us after the '71 season if the White Sox move to Milwaukee, and don't move the Senators to Dallas!, Instead expand it to Dallas in '72!

[CatKnight]

Coach Owens: Conceivably. Thompson's not the only one having issues.

AthleticsFan2k8: You may be more right than you know.
*******

April 1971, Part II

I drove to the 'Baseball Academy' to see how they were coming along. Now that baseball was officially back, and the Royals wonder of wonders actually seemed to be doing well applications flooded the school for next winter semester. (Little point trying to run a baseball class in autumn through the heart of the Chiefs' season.)

The registrar is Dale Arness, a tall, thin red-head with large brown eyes. She greeted me in the waiting room and we walked through the complex together. Around us the continued banging of hammer on wood added a curious backbeat to our conversation.

"We're hoping for three classes of 20 next year," she said. "Most of our applicants are from the suburbs so far, but I'm hoping for a few more inner city kids before all is said and done. It's the tuition, of course. Being a private school we have to make money to pay our teachers and coaches, buy supplies and so forth."

"How much is tuition?"

"$1,650." She clenched her eyes shut as I whistled. "I know, I know. Even that's just barely scraping by. If Mr. Kauffman actually wanted us to turn a profit it would be closer to $2,000. And that doesn't include meals."

I made some calculations and shook my head. I couldn't answer for the $100,000 the school needed in tuitions, not when I'd already commited Ewing to 500,000 just building this place.

"The good news is we're tying in to some Federal programs and may be able to offer grants, scholarships and loans. We also have leads on some good teachers in the area who think our idea is worth exploring. We'll be ready when school opens next January."
*******

Kansas City (4-2) (1st, +1g) at Washington (5-1) (1st-T, +0g)

7: Senators 5, Royals 4 (11)
LP: Fingers (0-1)

A close fought game. After one it was tied 2-2. They inched ahead 4-3, then we caught them and went into extra innings. Rollie Fingers relieved in the 11th and gave up a single and double.

Former alumni Ed Kirkpatrick unwittingly helped us by hitting into two double plays, one with bases loaded and 2 Washington runs already across to end the inning. Fitzmorris struggled a little but made it through six innings. York and Wright pitched well.

Combined my three first baseman are now 1 for 27 (.037). Disgusting. Chico Salmon's spent time at first base. I suggested to Lemon we see how he does.

Important news out of Seattle: Curt Flood's appeal failed. The three person Court failed to see any merit to his case. Flood's threatening to appeal to the Supreme Court.

Kevin Calahan held a press conference publicly reminding Curt that his contract is up this year, and if he's not happy he doesn't have to sign. He promised not to invoke the reserve clause.

Unfortunately the strain of controlling a perennial 100-game loser has given him a petty streak. As an aside, he mentioned transferring Curt to A-Portland to work on his fundamentals. Flood's batting .286 and leads the team in RBI.

In happier news of the future, the Philadelphia Phillies opened Veterans Stadium today,.They bombed Atlanta 10-4.
*******

8: Royals 11, Senators 4
WP: Rooker (1-0), SV: Drago (1), HR: Salmon (2), Hart (1)

Salmon's first at bat as a starter is a first inning grand slam. He went 2 for 5. Hart went 4 for 6 with 3 runs, 2 RBI. Grote, my catcher-who-can't-hit went 4 for 4 with a double and now has a .364 batting average.

Bob used the pitchers curiously tonight. I don't want to ask him, because the only time he gets surly is if he thinks someone's questioning what he knows about pitching... but he let Rooker bat with two on and two outs in the fifth. Rooker struck out. He then gave up 4 runs in the sixth including a bases loaded walk. Drago came up to bat with the bases loaded...and popped out to end the eighth.

I should just shut up and be grateful we won...but we left 14 on base.

Montreal released SS Bobby Wine today, who promptly retired at age 32 after 10 seasons.
He didn't play in '71. Lifetime he finished .217 29-213 with 7 SB and 510 H.
Winn played for the 1960 and 62-68 Phillies, and 69-70 Expos having 30 AB last year.
He won a Gold Glove in 1963.
*******

9: Senators 6, Royals 5
LP: Cram (0-1)

Entering the sixth we were leading 4-0 buoyed by a first inning 2 RBI single by Concepcion. So what happened?

Bob left Splittorff in too long. I know he knows pitchers better than I do, but we really should have had this one. In all fairness it wasn't only his fault: Concepcion threw the ball away in the seventh and bears responsibility for 2 unearned runs. We still led 5-4, but Jerry Cram pitched the 8th yielding a triple and single. In the ninth Pat Kelly lost track of a routine fly ball which eventually turned into the winning Senator run. We had three errors in this game, Washington two.

Andrews is batting 1 for 17 (.059). I asked John McGraw (our bench coach) to start working with the hitters. We don't really have a seperate hitting coach. For most of the players, who are really coming into their own, it's not needed...but we have some notable weaknesses.

The Angels signed George Spriggs, our former outfielder, for the year. May it profit them both.

Meanwhile, Marvin Miller, Executive Director of the MLBPA, came out against Kevin's demoting Curt Flood. He declared (correctly, I'm afraid) that this is nothing more than a punishment for Flood's daring to challenge the status quo, and only proves management tyranny and their tendency to treat their players like objects to be promoted, demoted, traded and released at will.

He went on to state this would have a serious effect on negotiations between labor and management this year.

We now head home for 3 before going out again.
*******

Cleveland (3-6) (6th, -5g) at Kansas City (5-4) (1st, +1g)

10: Royals 6, Indians 2
WP: Blyleven (2-1) (CG), HR: Cardenal (2)

Blyleven only stumbled once (in the fifth) letting out a string of hits that let the Indians close the gap to 4-2. They never seriously threatened and Jose Cardenal's two run blast put the game away for good. Grote (my catcher-who-can't-hit) went 3 for 4 with two doubles and 2 RBI and raised his BA to .400.

After the game I found Chico talking with his former teammates. He hasn't played for Cleveland since '68, but I think he misses his old friends like C Joe Azcue and SP Luis Tiant. Unfortunately being traded or leaving your coworkers behind is part of baseball, and most of us have friends in other cities. Like me and St. Louis.
*******

11: Indians 11, Royals 2
LP: Fitzmorris (1-1)

Ugh. There's not much else to say.

We took a 1-0 lead when Mike Andrews hit an RBI single scoring Fitzmorris after he tripled! Heck, Fitzmorris is batting .571 this year. I wonder how he'd be in the infield.

That's about all that went right with this game. Al gave up 3 runs in the 4th, then 2 more in the 5th. Bob Lemon tried hard to get him through that fifth, since he was up to bat next, but he couldn't quite make it. In came Cram who gave up 3 ER in 2.1 IP, then Drago who gave up another 3 ER in 2. We gave up four homers. Cleveland's John Lowenstein hit 2 of them, going 4 for 5 with 3 runs and 5 RBIs.

Will Thompson came back from his sabbatical in Omaha hopefully read to play. He asked if everyone missed him. Salmon moves to second, he takes first, and Andrews will go to the bench. Both he and Will are struggling badly. One of them needs to break out of it soon.
*******

12: Royals 6, Indians 5 (10)
WP: Fingers (1-1)

Winning 3-2 entering the seventh, Bob Lemon made a bunch of defensive changes. Maybe he should have brought out SP Jim Rooker as well, for he threw the ball away allowing Cleveland to take a 5-3 lead. We limped back: Indians RP Eddie Watt (another former Royal) threw the ball away letting Hart score in the 8th, and in our first sacrifice bunt of the year Andrews (PH for reliever Ken Wright) brought in Jose Cardenal.

In the tenth we did it again: Northey doubled, advanced on a groundout, then scored on Rich Severson's sacrifice.

Bob's been rotating people out for the last two games. He tells me it's to give the bench players playing time. Certainly Northey did well enough today, going 3 for 5 with 2 R and 1 SB.
*******

Team          W    L    GB
KANSAS CITY   7    5    --
Oakland       4    5     1.5
Chicago       5    7     2
Los Angeles   5    7     2
Seattle       4    8     3
Minnesota     2    7     3.5

Team Leaders:

AVG: Jose Cardenal (.426) (2nd)
HR:  Jose Cardenal, Chico Salmon (2)
RBI: Jim Ray Hart (11) (Tied 4th)
SB:  Jose Cardinal (3) (Tied 3rd)

W:   Bert Blyleven (2) (Tied 1st)
ERA: Bert Blyleven (2.88)
K:   Bert Blyleven (23) (1st)
SV:  Rollie Fingers, Dick Drago (1) (Tied 6th)

[CatKnight]

April 1971, Part III


Bob Lemon's gone through several different lineups so far this season, trying to find the perfect combination. I think some of the players are a bit flustered, as they're not sure from one series to the next where they'll be batting.

Still, no one can or will say anything because...we're winning. We have a winning record, in what for the past two years has been our worst month by far. I don't think it can stand. Frankly, I'm shocked it's lasted this long...but it's nice to have Oakland and Chicago chasing us for once.
*******

Kansas City (7-5) (1st, +1.5g) at Detroit (8-4) (3rd, -1.5g)

13: Royals 7, Tigers 1
WP: Splittorff (2-1), HR: Hart (2)

Paul Splittorff allowed only four hits in eight innings. Our offense started slow, but Pat Kelly tore the game open with a 3 RBI double in the fourth. Hart's two run homer was icing on the cake.

Thompson still can't hit to save his life, but at least he walked twice today to keep rallies going. He's now 0 for 19, and every failure just makes him more tense. Usually a laughing optimist he's grown quiet and moody. The bench coach, McGraw, is working on his swing.

The Padres released three players today, including their sole 1969 All Star, C Chris Cannizarro (69) [32]. They were right to do so. The sooner they dump the players that can't be part of their future the sooner they can begin climbing out of the NL West cellar.
*******

14: Royals 9, Tigers 3
WP: Montgomery (1-0), HR: Hart (3)

With Jim Rooker once more complaining of arm soreness, Monty Montgomery pitched his career debut today. Luck in the form of three double plays helped him as he pitched 6 innings, giving up 7 hits, 1 walk and 3 earned runs.

Entering the seventh we trailed 3-1, our offense exploded for six runs. Cardenal singled, then Hart homered to tie it. Salmon walked and scored on Piniella's double. Lou in turn came home on Will Thompson's RBI single. Joe Keough (PH for Montgomery struck out), then Pat Kelly walked to put two on. Concepcion popped out, then Grote doubled for the last two RBI.

Thompson's hitting slump ended in style today: 3 for 4 with a double, two runs and two RBI. Piniella also went 3 for 4 with 2 runs. Wright pitched 2 innings lowering his ERA to 1.74, and Cram finished up.
*******

15: Royals 3, Tigers 1
WP: Fitzmorris (2-1) (CG), HR: Cardenal (3), Concepcion (1)

Fitzmorris once more batted as well or even better than he pitched, going 2 for 4 with an RBI. Lemon took a risk keeping him in the entire game: Fitzmorris still doesn't have the endurance of most starters and struggled a little in the ninth. Cardenal and Concepcion hit solo homers in the fourth to blow the game open. Dave Concepcion in particular went 3 for 4, also picking up his 8th double.

We are doing...well. Ewing Kauffman called to offer his unrestrained congratulations. "I realize it can't last," he said, "but the people are very pleased. The city's starting to rally around the Royals."
*******

Washington (9-6) (2nd, -2.5g) at Kansas City (10-5) (1st, +2g)

16: Senators 5, Royals 3
LP: Blyleven (2-2)

After several days off due to juggling the pitching rotation, Blyleven's off his rhythm. He gives up 4 runs in the second inning, and we spend the rest of the game trying to battle back. Concepcion went 3 for 4 with his first triple of the year. York pitched two innings of iffy relief, giving up Washington's fifth run.
*******

17: Royals 6, Senators 2
WP: Splittorff (3-1), HR: Thompson (1)

Thompson's still struggling badly, but in the second inning of today's game he hit his first career grand slam. Splittorff gave up one run in the first and third inning, but otherwise mastered his opponents. Salmon went 2 for 3 with 2 walks and 2 runs scored.

C Bob Tillman retired today after being released by the Atlanta Braves.
He's 34 and played nine years.
Tillman didn't play in 1971. Lifetime he finishes .236 74-303, 1 SB (1968) and 584 H
He played for the Red Sox (62-67), Yankees (67) and Braves (68-70)

3B Lou Klimchock retired after being released by the Cleveland Indians
He's 31 and played twelve seasons.
Klimchock didn't play in 1971. Lifetime he finishes .215 7-59 0 with 101 H
A lifetime part time player, he never managed more than 57g (1961) and only two other seasons more than 20.
He played for the KC Athletics (58-61), Mil Braves (62-65), Senators (63), Mets (66) and Indians (68-70)
*******

18: Senators 9, Royals 1
LP: Montgomery (1-1)

Montgomery started again for Rooker. More on that in a moment. Suffice to say, it was 6-0 Senators before the first out. As you can see it didn't get any better.

While the players undressed after the game I stormed into the clubhouse. Many looked at me, surprised. I very rarely 'storm' everywhere and don't usually go into their bailiwick. Bob sat in his office talking to McGraw. I didn't bother knocking.

He looked up, saw my face and nodded to John. "Will you excuse us?"

I waited for the door to close behind me. "What the h___ is wrong with Rooker? And don't tell me his arm is sore."

"Okay, I won't." He sized me up. "You're upset about the game. It's only one of many, and..."

"And you had a raw pitcher out there. I thought Montgomery was our backup? Our spot starter? He got lucky that first time."

"I hoped his luck would hold," Bob said. "As for Jim, you could say he's having a motivational crisis."

"Explain!"

"He's not trying very hard, and though I do believe him when he says his arm is sore... I don't think he's trying hard enough to pitch through the pain and limber up."

"Montgomery's our backup," I repeated. "I expect Rooker to be out there next time his spot is up in the rotation."

"I hope so too. We'll see."

"No we'll see. Unless he breaks his pitching arm he will be out there!"

Lemon spoke very softly: "I thought we agreed I would handle the pitchers as I saw fit."

I nodded rapidly. "So long as you do so in such a manner as it brings us victories. You're right. This is April. But every single game counts."

He opened his mouth, closed it, then abruptly smiled. "Alright, Chuck. You win. This time. I intend to make him my number four starter though. Do you object?"

"So long as he pitches, I don't care."

"Done."

I left thinking I'd won the argument. What I didn't realize, and Lemon did, was that we'd play 3 more games, take a day off, three after that, day off, three more, day off and so on. Our #4 pitcher wouldn't play again until May 4.
*******

Team          W    L    GB
KANSAS CITY  11    7    --
Oakland       9    6     0.5
Chicago       8   10     3
Los Angeles   7   11     4
Minnesota     5   10     4.5
Seattle       6   12     5

AVG: Jose Cardenal (.361) (Tied 3rd)
HR:  Jose Cardenal, Jim Ray Hart (3)
RBI: Jim Ray Hart (15) (5th)
SB:  Jose Cardinal (3) (Tied 5th)

W:   Paul Splittorff (3) (Tied 2nd)
ERA: Paul Splittorff (2.79) (8th)
K:   Bert Blyleven (29) (1st)
SV:  Rollie Fingers, Dick Drago (1) (Tied 10th)

[PotatoOfCouch13]

Looks like your manager pulled a fast one on you there. But at least you're winning. Hope you can keep this up and end some of that Oakland domination.

[CatKnight]

PotatoOfCouch: Rooker has missed two starts due to a 'sore' arm. Last time, to make sure the AI didn't do something dumb like use my long reliever, I moved Montgomery into his slot...and forgot to move him out again. Ugh.

I hope someone can catch Oakland. Nothing really against the Athletics, but they're supposed to dominate our division and I do love underdogs.

COMMENTS:

As you can see, I changed my style a bit for this season. I'm now advancing 6 games at a time (which is about when I have to start keeping an eye out for that 10K character limit).

This allows me to be more in depth. I've watched (but not interfered in) every game so far, so it gives me a better feel for the ebb and flow and report on it. It also lets me react to what's happening on the field, such as Will's ongoing slump and Rooker's missing two starts now. It also lets me give a little more insight into what's happening elsewhere, such as major injuries and retirements.

While I'm not interfering, I do think going game by game is helping the team a little. The AI doesn't have to decide what to do if someone's out for a few days, for example, because I'll make the decision. Further, I can tinker with the lineup trying to make it more effective. I think the team's overachieving right now....but .500 ball might happen going game-by-game.

The price of all this....is speed. If I average three updates per week it'll take me 9-10 weeks to go through a season vs. the 4-5 weeks we've enjoyed up until now. The price of this detail is that we may lose sight of the big picture (Washington and Chicago scheming to move, the ongoing debate about the designated hitter, and so forth.)

Personally I'm torn. I like watching the league change, scheme and evolve over time. On the other hand, it's interesting watching the dynamics of this team on the field and being able to react to a situation instantly.

Which do you, as a reader, prefer? Push the speed back up to 2 posts/game month, or keep it here? (4-5 posts/month)

[phillies999]

4-5 posts in a month.

it's really intresting reading about the games you sim now that the Royals are winning.

[michaelg123789]

Very nice writeups!

[Imgran]

What's with all the swearing?

You're a fan of baseball, you're seeing two baseball men engaged in a heated disagreement, and you have to ask?

On a more current topic, go ahead and do it the way you want to. I'll enjoy it either way.

Great to see the Royals on a roll.

[scooterbracy]

Have to agree with Imgran on this one...it's a good read either way.

Plus, what ever it is that gets you more excited will probably show through in your writing and make it a better read for all of us.

It may happen that by late May or June you have that feel for you team and decide to go at a faster pace until September when you start worrying about you 40 man roster, contract extensions and the like.

Anyway...great read and whatever path you lead us on will certainly be enjoyed by all.

[royalblue5]

I enjoy the slower 6 game stretches, however, in my own thread, when I get a good storyline/ idea going it is very tempting to fly along so that you can implement your story. It is going great.

[CatKnight]

All: Thanks for the comments and support. We'll keep going as is for now, though perhaps at a slower pace. (Life is getting busy) Sorry for not responding personally - I'm right at the 10K limit.
*******

April 1971, Part IV


Since Big John is effectively our hitting instructor, I called him aside to ask about several players. Our batting so far is very...odd. Several players are putting up career numbers: Cardenal's batting .361, Salmon .348, Concepcion .342 .... and several players are looking like C-leaguers: Thompson's .139, Severson .167, Oliver .071, Andrews .111.

McGraw tried to assure me this was usual - statistical variation from such a small sample size and all that. Well...this isn't normal. One or two players? Sure. Half the team?

"Do I need to send all these people to Omaha at the end of the month?" I demanded. It was partially a bluff...normally I would indeed want to get rid of my sub .200 hitters, but who do I bring up? White, Fiore and Duffy? Can I be sure they'll be any better?

"I am doing what I can for them," McGraw said. "I cannot guarantee when they will get out of their slumps however."

The rumor's going around that I'm more testy now that we're winning than I ever was when we stunk up the division. I suppose that's true...we're starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and I want to get there very badly.
*******

Kansas City (11-7) (1st, +0.5g) at New York (12-6) (1st, +0.5g)


19: Yankees 7, Royals 4
LP: Fitzmorris (2-2)

Fitzmorris had one bad inning, giving up 4 runs. Up until then we'd exchanged minor rallies to a 2-2 tie, but this was too much to try and overcome. Yankee Ron LeFlore played today and he was fantastic, going 4 for 5 with a double and triple.

On our side the only consistent offense came from Chico Salmon (3 for 4, 2 RBI.) Our only extra base hit was a double by RP Ken Wright who now enjoys a 1.000 batting average.

Overall a disappointing game made more so by the fact we've fallen into second place. Oakland's won four straight.
*******

20: Royals 5, Yankees 4
WP: Blyleven (3-2), SV: Fingers (2)

For reasons that aren't entirely clear, Bob's in the habit of pinch hitting Joe Keough - my defensive outfielder who is now 0 for 9 this year. I wouldn't be overly worried except instead of keeping him in for the ninth, he took Keough and Piniella out, replacing Lou with Scott Northey - my offensive outfielder who can't field. Hmm.

Blyleven did well until the eighth when he finally tired and started giving up hits. He managed to hang in there though, and Rollie relieved perfectly in the ninth with two strikeouts. Pat Kelly went 3 for 3 with 2 walks and 4 runs scored, while Grote went 3 for 5 with a run and 3 RBI.

We're still 1/2 game behind Oakland...and now the Yanks trail Baltimore by 0.5 games. For those curious, Chicago leads the NLE by 1.5g, Los Angeles the NLW by 1g. Ah, the joys of April baseball when anyone can be in front.
*******

21: Royals 9, Yankees 5
WP: Splittorff (4-1), HR: Grote (1)

I'm not sure Paul deserved this victory. We leapt to a 5-0 lead throwing Yankee SP Ron Guidry out of the game after 3 innings. Jerry Grote hit a 3 run blast (he finished the day 1 for 6 with 4 RBI) to put us ahead for good...but not for lack of New York trying.

They battled back, especially in the sixth when Splittorff gave up 3 runs to narrow our lead to 6-5. Paul Schall, our former SS, hit a 2 RBI double that ended Paul's day. In came Jerry Cram, much to my trepidation...but he pitched the next 2.1 innings well only giving up 3 hits. York pitched the ninth.

Kelly went 4 for 5 with 2 RBI. Splittorff scored 2 runs. Meanwhile, Bob Oliver increased his BA to .176 vs. .156 for Thompson, so I suggested to Lemon that we let him start for awhile. He reminded me that Thompson's OBP is still better (.296 vs. .222) and urged we wait a little while longer.

In San Francisco, Cub All Star Billy Williams (the 1969 Triple Crown winner) scored his 1,000th career run. That's 9 on the year. SF still won 3-2.
*******

The 22nd was an off-day, our first of the year, so I talked to Satchel Paige about Jim Rooker. Paige naturally didn't want to go against his friend 'Bobby,' but finally reluctantly agreed that Jim could have and should have pitched on the 18th.

"Do you think Rooker is loafing?" I asked.

"He's young," Paige replied with a grin.

28 isn't that young for a ball player, but whatever. "Then you can give him a message for me."

His ready smile faded. "Shouldn't you be talking to him yourself, Mister Hunter?"

"It might sound better coming from you. Just remind Jim that he was to be our spot starter this year. Bunker's injury is giving him a chance to prove himself. It would have been him or Butler as our fifth man going forward, but Butler was injured too. If he wants to be a part of this team's future...he has until they get back. I'll ask Bob...nicely...to let him play, but he needs to go out there and prove he wants to be here."

LF Al Ferrara retired today after being released by the San Diego Padres.
He is 31 years old, and played seven seasons.
Ferrara didn't play in '71. Lifetime he finishes .243 26-113 1 SB (1969) and 232 H
He played for the Dodgers (63, 65-68) and Padres (69-70)

Now time for the first (unlikely) battles for control of the AL West.
*******

Oakland (12-6) (1st, +0.5g) at Kansas City (13-8) (2nd, -0.5g)


23: Royals 5, Athletics 4
WP: Rooker (2-0), SV: York (1)

Bob reluctantly agreed to let Jim Rooker try to win his spot back. Jim didn't do spectacularly, but well enough giving up 3 R in 7 IP. Pat Kelly hit a 5th inning bases loaded double to tie the game at 3 then came home on a Jim Grote double. We each scored one more run as, for today at least, KC reclaimed first place.

York pitched two innings of relief. In the eighth he struggled badly giving up two doubles and a single, but a double play saved him. Kelly went 1 for 3 after 2 runs and his 3 RBI, Grote went 3 for 4 with a double.
*******

24: Royals 8, Athletics 7
WP: Wright (1-0), SV: Fingers (3), HR: Cardenal (4)

An incredibly ugly, tense game. Jose Cardenal and Oakland's Reggie Jackson traded three-run blasts early. We took the lead on three singles, a walk and wild pitch by Oakland's Chuck Dobson.

Lemon started Al Fitzmorris: I'm not sure why, except perhaps he's still uncertain who should be his 3 pitcher. Al lost it in the sixth: after letting them score a run, Rich Reese hit his own three run shot to put Oakland up 7-5. Ken Wright took over in relief.

We tied the game on two walks, a Jim Ray Hart single and yet another wild pitch, then snatched the lead in the eighth when Pat Kelly doubled home Lou Piniella.

After the game Oakland players walked around in shock,no doubt feeling they should have had this game. I tend to agree.

The Mets lost RP Rich Folkers (78/80) [24] until late next year - perhaps September - with a torn rotator cuff. He was 0-1 2.61 in 7 IP this year, 3-2 2.38 1 SV lifetime.

Washington meanwhile dumped RF Ted Savage, who retired. He's 35 and played 8 seasons.
Savage didn't play in '71. Lifetime he finishes .228 23-118 40 SB 257 H
He played for the Phillies (62), Pirates (63), Cardinals (65-67), Cubs (67-68), Dodgers (68), and Reds (69-70). Washington picked him up off season but apparently had no use for him.
*******

25: Royals 7, Athletics 4
WP: Blyleven (4-2), SV: Fingers (4)

After this game I found Reggie Jackson walking the halls, staring at the ground in disbelief. "What happened?" he asked, over and over. "What happened?"

I don't have any answers. I just know we SWEPT the ATHLETICS!

This wasn't really a good day for Bert. He managed to go 8 innings and only give up 4 hits, but 2 of those were homers. Only a rash of hits leading to a 4-run rally allowed us to take this one home. Grote went 1 for 3 with 3 RBI, lowering his BA to .340, Kelly 2 for 3 with 2 walks and 3 runs.

We received some bad news. It must have happened during the game, but no one can tell when. Grote himself thinks it was in the seventh. Late in the game Grote had more and more trouble getting his glove on. Afterwards he had to ask for help getting it off again. His hand's swollen remarkably - a fracture that will keep him out about two weeks.

Completely unexpectedly, Grote's turned into one of the focal points of our offense. I hope Ellie Rodriguez can take up the slack. Dennis Paepke (1.000 OPS in AAA!) will take his spot on the bench.

I suppose if we can get these injuries out of the way now we'll be okay. After the All Star Break our schedule gets...frightening.

July 15 - September 12 .... without a break. Sixty games. What could they have been thinking?

St. Louis released 2B Gus Gil, who retired at age 32 after 2 seasons.
He didn't play in '71. Lifetime he finishes .188 0-35 5 with 106H
Gil played for the Indians (67), Pilots (69) and Cardinals (70)
*******

Team          W    L    GB
KANSAS CITY  16    8    --
Oakland      12    9     2.5
Chicago      12   13     4.5
Los Angeles  10   15     6.5
Minnesota     8   14     7
Seattle       7   15     8

AVG: Pat Kelly (.354) (5th)
HR:  Jose Cardenal (4)
RBI: Jerry Grote (19) (7th)
SB:  Pat Kelly (4) (Tied 4th)

W:   Paul Splittorff, Bert Blyleven (4) (Tied 2nd)
ERA: Paul Splittorff (3.45)
K:   Bert Blyleven (39) (1st)
SV:  Rollie Fingers (4) (Tied 1st)

[Imgran]

Kauffman's probably over the moon, heh. SWEEPING the ATHLETICS is all kinds of awesome from his perspective.

I loved the Reggie Jackson thing. That was a great touch.

Say, you know, the 1967 Red Sox weren't that long ago in this era. In fact it was only about 2 years before this dynasty started Hunter was with the Cardinal team that took them down. Too much more of this and you might start getting "Impossible Dream" references in the media.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

I suppose if we can get these injuries out of the way now we'll be okay. After the All Star Break our schedule gets...frightening.

July 15 - September 12 .... without a break. Sixty games. What could they have been thinking?

Wow, those random schedule generators must not like you all too much...

Congrats on the sweep of the A's. Hopefully this makes you the team to beat.

[CatKnight]

Imgran: Over the moon, in orbit...yeah, Kauffman and the entire city must really be enjoying embarassing the Athletics.

PotatoofCouch: I think we are. At least so far. I'm not sure whether to be pleased or not...don't want this to be TOO easy, but I have to say I'm impressed with how the team's doing so far.
*******

April 1971, Part V


April 26: Another day off, three games, day off, three games just to prove the schedule makers have a sense of humor.

The Kansas City Star asked for an interview. I replied asking to hold off a little longer. It...well, call me superstitious. People once believed you could anger fate through presumption and arrogance, which is part of where "pride goeth before a fall" comes from. If we can keep this up another month...then sure, we can talk.

Bob held a clubhouse meeting today saying that if any of the players or coaches wanted to talk to the press, okay...but to avoid criticizing or downplaying any other team whatsoever. Not the Athletics, not the Padres. The last thing we need is to give someone a reason to play hard and pound us into the ground.

It's too bad no one talked to Ewing Kauffman. I don't even think he meant to say it, but after a general congratulations on 'a great month,' he went on to snub Chuck Finley. "If he'd stayed in Kansas City, maybe it would be his boys on top right now."

Soon after Ewing's statement Andy Kraft came to me. Apparently Chuck Finley caught wind of Kauffman's feelings and ordered a clubhouse meeting of his own. We have another three games with Oakland, and he expects to win the series.
*******

Oakland (12-9) (2nd, -2.5g) at Kansas City (16-8) (1st, +2.5g)

April 27: Royals 7, Athletics 2
WP: Splittorff (5-1), HR: Oliver (1), Hart (4)

Splittorff allowed 0 runs, 2 hits entering the 9th where he gave up 4 more hits and 2 runs before Mike Hedlund pitched the last out. We took the lead early on solid offensive play including Oliver's 1st homer as he continues to try and reclaim the first base slot.

In Seattle, Curt Flood jumped ship! Angered and humiliated by the court's decision and Kevin demoting him to A-Portland, he simply didn't show up for the game and has resurfaced in Denmark. He's still continuing his appeal to the Supereme Court.

Though stopping short of a formal ban, Commissioner Kuhn reminded all teams that Curt's under sole contract to the Seattle Pilots, and that he's suspended indefinitely. Given the trouble he's caused, even should everything get resolved I can't see any team wanting him.

Kevin's bringing up Gorman Thomas (77/91) [20] to take over. Last year Thomas batted .270 in 37 AB.

Curt Flood effectively retired at age 33 after 15 seasons.
In 1971 he was batting .340 0-6 1, 17 H in 50 AB through 12 games
Lifetime Curt finishes .292 86-658 89 SB 1829 H
He played for the Reds (56-57), Cardinals (58-69) and Pilots (70-71)
Flood was an All Star (64,66,68) and Gold Glove (63-68)
*******

28: Royals 7, Athletics 6
WP: Rooker (3-0), HR: Oliver (2), Hart (5)

Through 5 we held a slim 1-0 lead before Rooker made his one serious mistake: Giving a two-run homer to Reggie Jackson. Catfish Hunter and RP Carroll Sembera then gave up three run blasts to Oliver and Hart. Nonetheless Oakland fought back hard, scoring three in the ninth off RP Jim York before finally succumbing.

Hart went 2 for 3, 2 runs, 4 RBI to lead the team. Oliver continues to impress. Chuck Finley continues to rave as the ChiSox (on a 5 game winning streak) move into second place.
*******

29: Royals 5, Athletics 4 (13)
WP: Hedlund (1-0)

Al Fitzmorris and Oakland's Jim Nash duelled most of the game and we trailed 2-1 entering the ninth. Ted Kubiak tripled to score Gene Tenace and give them a 3-1 lead. In the bottom half Hart, Jim Keough (with his first hit of the year!) and Piniella loaded the bases. Oliver hit a sacrifice fly to score Hart, and PH Scott Northey singled to bring in Keough.

In the tenth Sal Bando singled, advanced on a wild pitch and ground out, but failed to score. Rodriguez, Cardenal and Severson loaded the bases with one out, but Piniella and Oliver struck out to extend the game.

In the eleventh they left a runner on second. We left runners on first and second.

RP Ken Wright came in to pitch the twelfth. Campaneris singled, stole second, and scored on Reggie Jackson's single. In our half Lou Piniella singled to score Hart and put Severson at third with no outs. Oliver grounded to the pitcher forcing Severson at home, Dennis Paepke forced Oliver, and Kelly flew out.

Mike Hedlund pitched the Oakland 13th and retired them in order. Marcel Lachemann pitched for Oakland: Chico Salmon opened with a double, then Ellie Rodriguez singled to end the game.

In the end we went through five pitchers, Fingers arguably doing best allowing one hit in two innings (10th-11th). Rodriguez went 3 for 5 with a SB, Salmon 3 for 7.

RF Gary Kolb retired after being released by the Yankees at age 31 after 8 seasons.
He spent 1970 in the Pirates minors. They released him on the 9th. The Yanks tried their luck on the 20th but gave up after 9 days.
He finished batting .225 6-28 10 SB with 100 hits
Kolb played for the Cardinals (60, 62-63), Mil Braves (64-65), Mets (65) and Pirates (68-69)

St. Louis has lost CF Vada Pinson (91) [32] for the year. He gained some notoriety in 1969 for not wanting to play on the anniversary of King's death. This year he batted .257 0-10 2 in 24 games and 101 AB. St. Louis doesn't really have good depth anymore: They're turning to Boots Day (70/85) [23] to take over.
*******

The Kansas City Star ran an article titled "Kansas City 6, Chuck Finley 0." I think the resentment towards his leaving runs much deeper than I ever suspected. Needless to say that unless you count last October (5-2, .714) this is by far the best month in Royal history. We finish 19-8, .704.
*******

COMMENTS:
I wanted to break early to discuss what's different and speculate why KC is doing so well. Honestly in a way I find it disturbing. I like to win as much as the next person, but when a 64-98 team comes back next year and starts by going over .700 and twice sweeping the team that should be running away with the division...that calls for an explanation.

I'm being a bit more deliberate about my lineup this time around, partially to experiment and partially because Lemon was a very good manager. After doing some studying I've been working with my best OBA guys in the 1 and 3 slots, Slugging in 4 and 6, and the rest in declining order of OPS. I'm ordering the rotation pretty much by DICE - Lemon knows pitchers, he can see well beyond the basic stats available in 1970.

There are other factors, but I think this is one of the main reasons KC's doing so well this time around. We've benefited from a number of credible rallies.

The other thing that's very different from last year is I turned my 'sacrifice bunts' slider all the way off. After more research I decided Bill James is right - especially with the way the AI uses bunters - they're counterproductive. I've seen the AI bunt a few times here and there this season, and while sometimes it buys them a run...it never buys them a rally. I've noticed that because I'm not bunting, the AI isn't bunting nearly as much either. Just to make sure, as of the 27th I turned the AI's sacrifice bunts to -90% in sim settings, intentional walks to -90%, and bunting for a hit to -80%

I think Grote (and Rodriguez having another year to mature) is definitely helping my defense. Blyleven and Splittorff (especially) are having career years. Rooker's also doing well and Fitzmorris at least isn't embarassing himself. Also, our number of errors is far, far below what they were last year. I'm not sure if a good fielding catcher helps with that as well. You wouldn't think so, but I read some posts suggesting that here and there.

The team's matured somewhat of course since last year, and has higher ratings. No doubt that's helping as well, but I think it's a distant fourth to the other three factors I've mentioned. (If this trend doesn't settle down, I'll finish over 40 games ahead of last year. That just doesn't happen normally.)

It'll be interesting to see how the next month or two goes.