To Rule in Kansas City

[PotatoOfCouch13]

Coach Owens: We might be down to the 'other' ways. I might need to borrow F from the Phillies dynasty

***

I don't care if you're the Red Sox, Angels, or anyone in between. Sweeping the Yankees is always a sweet experience.

Well, he's not working for me anymore, so I guess you can have him. Watch out for Commissioner Landis though

Truer words were never spoken.

Your boys are coming on like gangbusters! Selig and his Brat(wurst) Sox had better watch themselves, otherwise it'll be a Royals pennant!

[CatKnight]

Coach Owens: Lessee, I have to win 15 of 60 right?

PotatoofCouch: It looks like we might just want to make a run for it. IF MY PITCHERS CAN GET HEALTHY!!!
*******

August 2, 1971

Standings[/b]

American League East
Team            W    L    GB
Baltimore       72   33   --
New York        60   45   12
Washington      59   46   13
Boston          51   54   21
Cleveland       37   65   33.5
Detroit         37   71   36.5

American League West
Team            W    L    GB
Chicago         60   45   --
KANSAS CITY     57   45    1.5
Oakland         55   50    5
Minnesota       54   51    6
Los Angeles     44   61   16 
Seattle         41   61   17.5

National League East
Team            W    L    GB
Chicago         57   49   --
New York        58   50   -- 
Philadelphia    52   53    4.5
St. Louis       51   54    5.5
Pittsburgh      49   54    6.5
Montreal        41   61   14

National League West
Team            W    L    GB
San Francisco   60   45   --
Los Angeles     58   47    2
Atlanta         58   47    2
Houston         57   48    3
Cincinnati      53   52    7
San Diego       34   68   24.5

*******

American League Leaders
Average: Tony Oliva (MIN) .354, Rod Carew (MIN) .339
HR: Reggie Jackson (OAK) 31, Boog Powell (BAL) 25
RBI: Reggie Jackson (OAK) 96, Tony Oliva (MIN) 80
Steals: Ron LeFlore (NYY) 38, Dave Nelson (CLE) 35

Wins: Mel Stottlemyre (NYY) 16, Two tied with 13
ERA: Mel Stottlemyre (NYY) 2.01, Jim Palmer (BAL) 2.55
Strikeouts: Bert Blyleven (KC) 142, Catfish Hunter (OAK) 119
Saves: Gene Rounsaville (CHW) 16, Two tied with 14

National League Leaders
Average: Johnny Bench (CIN) .375, Two tied with .345
HR: Johnny Bench (CIN) 29, Bobby Bonds (SF) 28
RBI: Johnny Bench (CIN) 100, Lee May (CIN) 95
Steals: Lou Brock (STL) 31, Tommy Harper (LAD) 27

Wins: Don Drysdale (LAD) 15, Two tied with 12
ERA: Don Sutton (LAD) 2.35, Joe Niekro (CHC) 2.78
Strikeouts: Steve Carlton (STL) 154, Tom Seaver (NYM) 150
Saves: Ron Taylor (NYM) 16, Two tied with 15

Kansas City Royals Leaders
Average: Pat Kelly .320 (8th)
HR: Bill Robinson 15
RBI: Jim Ray Hart 72 (8th)
Steals: Pat Kelly 14 (6th-T)

Wins: Bert Blyleven 13 (2nd-T)
ERA: Paul Splittorff 3.13 (5th)
Strikeouts: Bert Blyleven 142 (1st)
Saves: Rollie Fingers 10 (6th-T)
*******

Trades
NYM-DET: SP Les Rohr (66/76) [25] (Last played MLB 1968)
NYM-DET: SP Brent Strom (65/78) [22] (Minor leaguer)
NYM-DET: RP Ethan Bellairs (69/80) [22] (Minor leaguer)
DET-NYM: SP Bob Veale (86) [35] (3-6 6.65 0 CG)

MON-ATL: RP Sal Campisi (79/80) [28] (2-3 4.27 5 SV)
ATL-MON: 2B Mike Eden (68/78) [22] (.077 0-0 1 SB)

HOU-MON: CF Cesar Geronimo (73/83) [23] (.200 0-1 0 SB)
MON-HOU: 2B Joe Foy (82) [28] (.256 7-33 17 SB) - Guess taking Foy didn't work out.

BAL-CLE: RP Mickey Scott (70/81) [24] (2-1 6.10 0)
CLE-BAL: LF Lou Piniella (81) [27] (.307 3-44 1) - An Indian for all of four days

CHW-LAA: 2B Rich McKinney (74/86) [24] (Last played MLB 1970)
CHW-LAA: RF John Matias (72/83) [26] (Last played MLB 1970)
LAA-CHW: SP Tom Bradley (85/86) [24] (7-6 3.68 1 CG)

CHW-DET: SP Paul Edmondson (75/88) [28] (Minor leaguer)
DET-CHW: RF Jim Northrup (89) [31] (.186 3-14 1)

MON-CHC: RP Tom Walker (76/78) [22] (4-4 3.23 1 SV)
CHC-MON: 2B Ron Dunn (69/79) [21] (Minor leaguer)

MIN-CLE: SS Jerry Terrell (65/75) [25] (Last played MLB 1970)
CLE-MIN: RP Vicente Romo (76/77) [28] (2-0 3.70 2 SV)

SFG-DET: RP Jim Willoughby (70/84) [24] (Minor leaguer)
SFG-DET: RP Mike Cosgrove (67/80) [20] (Minor leaguer)
DET-SFG: RP Mike Kilkenny (83/87) [26] (5-0 3.69 1 SV)
*******

Major Injuries
BOS-3B Carmen Fanzone (88) [27] (.257 6-35 1 SB) for 3 months
CLE-LF John Lowenstein (87/95) [24] (.263 17-48 12 SB) for 3 months

OAK-1B George Hendrick (92) [21] (.262 11-63 1 SB) for 3 months

CHC-LF Billy Williams (93) [33] (.293 13-65 2 SB) for 2 months
* These are the first games Williams is missing since 1962!
PHI-C Mike Compton (60/64) [26] (.000 0-1 0) for 2 months
STL-RP Dave Giusti (82) [31] (2-2 5.37 3 SV) for 2 months

CIN-1B Fred Whitfield (70/71) [33] (.263 8-31 1 SB) for 3 months
*******

Milestones
LF Bob Allison (MIN): 1,000 RBIs (74/75) [37] (.253 8-42 2 SB)
LF Bob Allison (MIN): 1,000 Runs (One day later!)
SP Don Drysdale (LAD): 3,000 K (90/91) [35] (15-5 3.49 7 CG)
2B Felix Millan (PHI): 22g Hitting Streak (85) [27] (.328 1-42 4 SB)
3B Ron Santo (CHC): 1,000 Runs (94) [31] (.305 18-82 0)
LF Lou Brock (STL): 500 SB (84) [32] (.276 3-25 31)
*******

Notable Retirements

C Chris Cannizzaro (NY Yankees): Age 33, 9 seasons
1971: Released by SD 4/13, Signed by NYY 4/30: 000 0-0 0 in 1 AB
Career: .234 5-76 3 SB 262 H
Teams: Cardinals (60-61), Mets (62-65), Pirates (68), Padres (69-70), Yankees (71)
Awards: All Star (69)

RP Steve Jones (San Diego): Age 30, 1 season
1971: DNP
Career: 3-5 4.30 0 SV
Teams: White Sox (67), Senators (68), Royals (69)
Awards: None

[Coach Owens]

There could always be a horrible... accident... to Blyleven.

[CatKnight]

Coach Owens: Or Thompson...
*******

August Stats and Preview

We haven't gained nor lost ground on the ChiSox. We have 60 games left in our season. I'm determined to make as good a show of it as possible. The players are pleased with themselves - they have a right to be.

I had one FA signing left for the year and pulled the trigger, grabbing RP Josh Brown (60/87) [17]. No, he can't help us now, but he's shown sudden and sharp improvement from the Amateur Draft and may be able to contribute in a few years. We signed him for $18,000, plus a player's option for $17,000 over the winter. He seems to like it here, so I think he might take it.

Batting:

1971 Batting       Team    G   AVG    AB    H  2B  3B  HR   BB    K   SB  CS    R  RBI   SLG   OBP
Grote, Jerry        KCR   70  .310   271   84  13   1   3   30   32    0   2   32   29  .399  .379
Rodriguez, Ellie    KCR   46  .309   152   47   9   0   0   26   18    2   2   20   11  .368  .412

Fiore, Mike         KCR   35  .257   101   26   4   0   3   16   17    0   0   17   16  .386  .359
Oliver, Bob         KCR   68  .215   186   40   8   0   9   19   40    0   0   26   26  .403  .290
Thompson, Will      KCR   38  .227   110   25   4   0   1   19   21    0   0   15   14  .291  .356

Andrews, Mike       KCR   57  .228   136   31  10   0   2   25   25    1   0   18   17  .346  .352
Concepcion, Dave    KCR  101  .281   391  110  20   4   4   30   51    4   1   50   45  .384  .330
Duffy, Frank        KCR    7  .182    22    4   1   0   0    2    2    0   1    1    1  .227  .250
Hart, Jim Ray       KCR  101  .255   361   92  22   3  14   37   59    0   0   56   72  .449  .329
Russell, Bill       KCR   13  .297    37   11   2   0   0    1    4    2   0    4    3  .351  .316
Salmon, Chico       KCR   94  .266   312   83  14   0   2   23   51    3   0   42   31  .330  .322

Cardenal, Jose      KCR  101  .298   393  117  28   2  12   31   50   11   1   64   69  .471  .345
Kelly, Pat          KCR  102  .320   378  121  28   3  10   58   57   14   3   84   43  .489  .415
Maye, Lee           KCR   91  .288   288   83  17   0   6   19   27    5   3   36   37  .410  .334
Northey, Scott      KCR   32  .269    67   18   3   0   1    6   15    2   1    7   11  .358  .329
Rico, Fred          KCR   28  .310    71   22   2   0   2    7   13    1   0    5   13  .423  .367
Robinson, Bill      KCR   99  .286   350  100  21   1  15   31   65    6   5   47   55  .480  .343

Bob wants to give Jerry Grote one more shot as our starting catcher. Says he controls the game better. I'd rather not irritate him further - he's furious I've interfered with Satch's "conditioning", so I concede the point.

Thompson isn't where we want him...but he's gaining ground fast. He's batting .321 in the last 10 games. He'll stay as starter (in the 8 slot for now), Fiore backing him up. Oliver goes back to Omaha to make room for Fred Rico, who's simply having a better year.

Andrews continues to get the reluctant nod at second, though I hope he can hit better than .228 before this is over. Concepcion at short, though Russell may try to take his job away in the near future. Hart at third.

In the outfield it's Robinson, Cardenal and Kelly for the forseeable future. Maye's done alright and even started a few games here and there. Rico returns to the majors by virtue of his strong offense.

Probable Lineup
Kelly (CF)
Concepcion (SS)
Grote (C)
Robinson (LF)
Hart (3B)
Cardenal (CF)
Andrews (2B)
Thompson (1B)

Pitching

1971 Pitching            Team     IP   ERA    G  GS   W   L  SV    K   BB   R/9
Blyleven, Bert            KCR  172.2  3.28   23  23  13   5   0  142   52 10.58
Bunker, Wally             KCR   20.1  4.43    4   4   2   1   0   15    5 11.95
Busby, Steve              KCR    6.0  4.50    1   1   0   1   0    2    0 10.50
Butler, Bill              KCR   16.1  2.76    3   2   3   0   0   13   14 16.53
Fitzmorris, Al            KCR   99.2  4.15   16  16   6   4   0   47   32 13.09
Montgomery, Monty         KCR   91.0  5.34   16  16   3   6   0   68   40 15.03
Rooker, Jim               KCR  131.2  4.99   22  22   9   5   0   88   58 14.35
Splittorff, Paul          KCR  109.1  3.13   16  16   7   2   0   67   33 10.70

Cram, Jerry               KCR   44.1  4.87   30   0   2   3   2   32   13 11.57
Drago, Dick               KCR   43.0  2.30   15   1   1   0   1   29   19 10.26
Fingers, Rollie           KCR   22.1  5.64   21   0   2   5  10   17   15 15.72
Hedlund, Mike             KCR   43.2  2.27   29   0   2   3   3   19   16 10.51
Lopez, Aurelio            KCR   15.1  1.76    8   1   1   1   0   14    4 11.74
Wright, Ken               KCR   40.2  6.20   26   0   3   3   1   25   35 16.82
York, Jim                 KCR   64.1  3.78   41   0   3   6   4   63   26 13.01

With injuries continually rocking our pitching, there's really no way to even attempt to put together an ideal rotation. York will be back on the 6th, Bunker the 24th.

Blyleven is, of course, our ace. It doesn't hurt him that his two main rivals - Bunker and Splittorff - are hurt. Paul will return in early OCTOBER. Butler's pitching like he really wants to stay in the Majors. In fact, other than Montgomery (who was never meant to be more than a spot starter until injuries hit) no one's doing all that badly. Busby belongs in Omaha and will go back once York returns. When Bunker's ready to come back there will be decisions to make.

Strangely the only reliever suffering is my CLOSER, but I'm reluctant to change him out in mid-year, especially since closers don't see that much action. It does mean Wright, who according to scouts/ratings is a great pitcher, will probably finish the year in Omaha.

Probable Bullpen
1) Blyleven
2) Rooker
3) Fitzmorris
4) Butler
Spot> Montgomery

CL) Fingers
SU) Lopez
SR) Cram
SR) Drago
MR) Hedlund
LR) Busby

When York returns, he'll take a SR spot, Drago to MR, Hedlund to LR.

August's Schedule
2-4) at Washington
5-7) vs Seattle
8-10) vs Los Angeles
11-13) at Chicago
14-16) vs Seattle

17-19) at Los Angeles
20-22) at Chicago
23-25) vs Oakland
26-28) at Los Angeles
29-31) vs Chicago

[Coach Owens]

What was your record in July?

[Coach Owens]

And Josh Brown? I wonder if he's the real father of Dreamboat.

[CatKnight]

Coach: We went 9-11 in July, and are exactly .500 since our incredible April. As for Josh Brown...apparently he's our first fictional character to creep in. (Well, second after Thompson.) I kept watching the FA list wondering if I should bite the bullet and get a 47/82 RP, and suddenly he showed up. No one released him. He must have had a random spike.

Oh, I have to go 7-38 to reach my goal
*******

Early August 1971

I'm supposed to meet Richie in Chicago on the 11th when we go up to play. Both series this month against the ChiSox are actually at Comiskey. (When Bud announced which games would be in Milwaukee, he never imagined we'd be fighting them for the pennant.) Maybe we can find out what's going on.

I talked to Andy once more about going to other GMs about trades. I suppose he got the message, because he repeated that it and/or I was square, and left it at that. Trading season is over anyway, so it's not like he can do that much harm.

Bob's barely speaking to me since I asked Satch to cut it out. He's gone so far as to imply the recent injuries are due to their not following his conditioning plan. "They were nice and limber, and now they're tightening up late in games!"

While in Washington I met up with Senator GM Roger Crombie and we went to dinner. Over drinks we relaxed and told war stories: This is Roger's first year as GM, but he served as AGM for years under two different men.

"So the truth: Why did you decide to stay in Washington instead of try to go to Dallas?"

"Oh, I didn't really pay attention to that end of it," Roger replied. "I had a team to run, whether we stayed or went. I do know Joe Cronin called Robert (Short) a lot over the two weeks or so leading up to the All Star Break. Robert wouldn't say what they talked about, but it shook him up. He always needed a stiff drink after talking to Joe." He grinned.

"I'm surprised the Dallas folk didn't put up more of a fight."

"Who says they didn't?" he grinned. "Threatened to sue, but it seems they only had a gentleman's agreement. Verbal and completely deniable. Rather shoddy trick if you ask me, but." He shrugged. "No one did, and as I said personally I could care less."
*******

Kansas City (57-45) (2nd, -1.5g) at Washington (59-46) (3rd, -13g)

2: Washington's Joe Coleman pitches a CG win. Our only run comes on a Hart single. Senators 5-1
LP: Blyleven (13-6)

3: This time it's Dick Bosman holding us to 3 hits in 8 innings and Grote gets the RBI. Senators 5-1
LP: Rooker (9-6)

4: At least this time our offense makes a token effort, but Fitzmorris and Cram are having off days. Senators 5-3
LP: Cram (2-4), HR: Thompson (2), Robinson (16)
*******

Egad that was bad! Chicago goes 1-2 so we only fall to 2.5g back. Oakland's won five straight and wants to make a fight of it: They're 3 back. York will be ready to play on the 6th, so we send Busby down.
*******

Seattle (43-62) (6th, -16.5g) at Kansas City (57-48) (2nd, -2.5g)

5: Our offense takes another &*() day off. Butler does okay for five innings, but we need to score runs! Pilots 3-1
LP: Butler (3-1)

6: It looks like more of the same for 7 long innings. In the eighth our offense finally rallies for four runs off a walk, 3 singles, an error and a double. Royals 6-4
WP: Lopez (2-1)

7: We get 18 hits and run the score up by 8 after 2 innings. Blyleven gets a CG. Royals 9-1
WP: Blyleven (14-6) (CG), HR: Robinson (17)
*******

And we've lost Jerry Grote. Again. I've implied he's a hypochondriac and quitter, but there's no denying x-rays: He snapped his wrist. Doctors say he will be out for the rest of the year and may even miss Spring Training. With Dennis Paepke traded away I guess we'll see what Buck Martinez (71/94) [22] (.324 5-49 0) learned from Jack McKeon in Omaha. Rodriguez is our starter.
*******

Los Angeles (45-63) (5th, -16.5g) at Kansas City (59-49) (2nd, -2.5g)

8: Rooker does great for 6 innings, stumbles in the 7th, and dies in the 8th. We made a game of it as Fred Rico hit a grand slam homer in the 9th, but not quite enough. Angels 8-7
LP: Rooker (9-7), HR: Kelly (11), Rico (3)

9: Trailing 6-2 in the ninth, Rico doubles for 2 RBI, and Robinson and Andrews get one run in apiece to tie it. In the tenth Kelly singled, stole second, and came home on Salmon's base hit. Royals 7-6 (10)
WP: Fingers (3-5), HR: Thompson (3)

10: Another extra inning game ends when Concepcion walks, advances on Thompson's ground out, and scores on Kelly's single. Butler's up to 7 IP an outing. Royals 3-2 (10)
WP: Fingers (4-5)
*******

Chicago continues to flail shockingly. They've won 3 of 10 and 8 of 20. We're now half a game out, and Oakland's only half a game behind us.

I get to Chicago, but Richie cancels our meeting. He says we'll meet for sure when we return on the 20th. I don't really need his scouting report...Comiskey Park is jammed for this series. Maybe not quite full capacity, but a h*** of a lot more than 6 or 7,000!

Meanwhile, sixteen researchers and analysts found the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR). Sounds interesting. I send a copy of their announcement to the James kid at the University of Kansas. They sound like his kind of people.
*******

Kansas City (61-50) (2nd, -0.5g) at Chicago (63-51) (1st, +0.5g)

11: Chicago wins the first of our duel when Blyleven stumbles after 6. Robinson gets our team's only RBI going 2 for 4. White Sox 5-2
LP: Blyleven (14-7)

12: Trailing 5-1 we erupt in the seventh. Dave Concepcion gets a 3 RBI double on the way to a six run inning. Royals 7-5
WP: Cram (3-4), SV: Lopez (1)

13: Fitzmorris and Drago both blow it as the 'Sox take the rubber match. Hart led the way with 2 RBI, Rodriguez went 3 for 3. White Sox 9-5
LP: Fitzmorris (6-5), HR: Hart (15), Kelly (12)
*******

Well...not the result I was hoping for. Not disastrous either though. However, Charlie Finley's Athletics take advantage of our beating on each other and move into a tie for first!
*******

Seattle (44-70) (6th, -19.5g) at Kansas City (62-52) (3rd, -1.5g)

14: Bill Butler pitches all nine innings for his first career CG and shutout. Andrews leads the attack with his third homer of the year. Royals 6-0
WP: Butler (4-1) (CG), HR: Andrews (3)

15: We score 9 in the 7th, giving us the win despite Blyleven's shaky performance. Lee Maye (not to be confused with Lee May in Cincy) is the only starting fielder NOT to get an RBI. Royals 10-5
WP: Cram (4-4)

16: This time it's Jim Rooker with the CG shutout! Hart gets 3 RBI! Thompson annoys Seattle pitching by going 0 for 1 with 3 walks. Royals 5-0
WP: Rooker (10-7) (CG), HR: Hart (16)
*******

We needed this sweep badly. Chicago's stumbling again, but Oakland's now won 7 straight, 9 of 10, and 16 of 20.

In other news, the Detroit Tigers are the first team eliminated this season. They're 44 games behind Baltimore in the AL East.

The rest of this month won't be easy. Six at Los Angeles doesn't sound so bad, but we have six more against Chicago (3 home, 3 away) and host Oakland for 3.

By September 1, we should know whether we have a realistic chance of contending.

Team          W    L    GB
Oakland      68   52    --
KANSAS CITY  65   52     1.5
Chicago      65   52     1.5
Minnesota    62   55     4.5
Los Angeles  48   69    18.5
Seattle      44   73    22.5

AL East: Baltimore (84-36), New York (-15.5g), Washington (-16.5g)
NL East: Chicago (63-57), NY Mets (63-57), Philadelphia (-1g)
NL West: San Francisco (69-48), Atlanta (-4g), Houston (-6g)

Team Leaders:

AVG: Pat Kelly (.334) (4th)
HR:  Bill Robinson (17)
RBI: Jim Ray Hart (80) (9th-T)
SB:  Pat Kelly (17) (7th)

W:   Bert Blyleven (14) (3rd-T)
ERA: Bert Blyleven (3.40) (9th)
K:   Bert Blyleven (168) (1st)
SV:  Rollie Fingers (10) (10th)

[CatKnight]

Late August 1971

And so to Los Angeles. When I arrived for Tuesday's game I found Angel owner Robert Reynolds in the guest reserved box going over some drawings.

"Hello?"

"Eh?" He looked up, startled, and stood. "Oh, Mister Hunter. Come in. I can be out of your way in just a minute."

"No, that's fine." It wasn't like I planned to do anything but watch a ball game. "Though I'm surprised you're not using your box."

"Oh, I let Eric (Badlamenti, the Angel GM) use it. Anyway, I like my solitude when I'm thinking."

I sat next to him and glanced at the drawings: Team uniforms. One actually had tiny wings sprouting from the back.

"Very...interesting."

"Do you think so?" His face lit up like a boy's. "Eric doesn't like them."

"Well, maybe the wings have to go. I don't think they fit with the rules."

"Yes, I suppose you're right."

Reynolds and I had an enjoyable chat. As part owner of KMPC radio and Golden West Broadcasting he was one of the pivotal forces (the other being Gene Autry) in bringing the American League to Los Angeles. He expressed frustration with Signal Companies, an LA conglomerate who owned 49% of Golden West and therefore the Angels. "I love Gene like a brother, but he really needs to stand up to those men. Bullies, every one of them."

I told him how surprised everyone was that he voted against Finley. "Were they?" he asked, clearly pleased. "I mean, I know Charlie was. Poor Charlie. He tries so hard, and he has tremendous ideas, but he just doesn't always think them through."

He leaned towards me as if telling a great secret, though we were alone. "I voted against Charlie out of spite. Or at least to make a statement. I know the League thinks I'm a doddering fool that likes to play with his logos and team names and other fluff. Well, I do that because no one else thinks of it and I want my baseball boys to concentrate on what they do well. Charlie thought he could run me over with a few platitudes and a pat on the head. I needed to tell him he's mistaken."
*******

Kansas City (65-52) (2nd-T, -1.5g) at Los Angeles (48-69) (5th, -18.5g)

17: Fitz only goes four innings, which is long enough to blow it. Five batters get 2 hits each, but we can't put it together into anything meaningful. Angels 7-3
LP: Fitzmorris (6-6)

18: At least we tried. Rodriguez hits a 2 RBI single, and Andrews a 3 RBI homer to tie the game at 8 in the 9th. Lopez gives up a homer to Roger Ropez to lose it. Angels 10-8
LP: Lopez (2-2), HR: Kelly (13), Andrews (4)

19: We stave off disaster as Blyleven pitches a strong 8.2 IP and Hart gets a 3-run homer. Royals 6-2
WP: Blyleven (15-7), SV: Fingers (11), HR: Hart (17)
*******

And so back to Chicago. This time I did meet up with Richie.

"Chuck, without going row by row or section by section, I can't be sure but I think you're right. Recent official attendance figures seem to be...close, but not quite accurate. I'd say he's off by at least 5,000 a shot."

I nodded.

"Good luck proving it, though."

I nodded again. "Short of getting into his receipts, it's our word against his."

He agreed. "Well...I can do that."

"You can? How!?"

Perrin grinned. "All I have to do is tell him the truth. Or part of it. I'm a former scout with the Royals, and for a little money and a job I'll tell him whatever he wants to know about the team. Once I'm 'employed' I can do a little snooping around."

"Let's do it."
******

Kansas City (66-54) (2nd-T, -2.5g) at Chicago (66-54) (2nd-T, -2.5g)

20: Rooker and Lopez combine for a shutout. Thompson breaks out for a single, double and homer in 4 AB. Royals 4-0
WP: Rooker (11-7), SV: Lopez (2), HR: Thompson (4)

21: Fitz gets his act together, giving up 2 R and 1 ER in 6 innings. We do slightly better with Cardenal hitting a PH RBI double and Hart hitting a homer. Royals 3-2
WP: Fitzmorris (7-6), SV: Fingers (12), HR: Hart (18)

22: Tied in extra innings, we get 5 runs in the 11th led by Rodriguez' 2 RBI single. Royals 9-4 (11)
HR: York (4-6), HR: Thompson (5)
*******

Another sweep, but the Athletics are on fire and we gain no ground. The ChiSox actually tumble PAST the Twins into fourth!

In Chicago, Leo Durocher chews out his Cubs. He believes they're slacking off in the middle of their greatest pennant race in recent memory, going so far as accusing 3B Ron Santo of wanting time off because he can't perform in the clutch. Santo erupts. The team pulls the two men apart.

We now battle Oakland. If we perform badly here it might be over. If we can break their hot streak...

Wally Bunker will be back on the 24th. Blyleven has a sore arm, so Mike Hedlund (2-3 2.03 3 SV) gets the nod. Montgomery's already on the way back to Omaha.
***

Oakland (73-53) (1st, +2.5g) at Kansas City (69-54) (2nd, -2.5g)

23: Despite a 9th inning comeback (Lee Maye hit a 2 RBI single) the A's were just too far ahead. Hedlund actually performed honorably (6 IP 3 ER), but... Athletics 6-4
LP: Hedlund (2-4), HR: Hart (19)

24: Bunker has a good performance in his come back, but we're held to 5 hits...3 by Mike Andrews! Athletics 3-1
LP: Bunker (2-2)

25: The Cat holds us to four hits. Butler tried, but there's nothing to do when your offense doesn't show up. Athletics 6-0
LP: Butler (4-2)
*******

The atmosphere in the clubhouse was pretty low after our beating. We'd fallen to a three-way tie for second and now had to hope Oakland stumbled badly - which doesn't seem all that likely given their recent performance. The Star published an editorial cartoon with Cat's fists around a generic Royals player's throat.

Choke.
*******

Kansas City (69-57) (2nd-T, -5.5g) at Los Angeles (50-76) (5th, -24.5g)

26: Three singles and a walk translate to an extra-innings rally. Royals 11-8
WP: York (5-6), HR: Cardenal (13), Rico (4)

27: Blyleven fails after 3 innings. Robinson finally hits his eighteenth homer after losing the team lead to Hart. Angels 8-5
LP: Blyleven (15-8), HR: Robinson (18)

28: We lose it in the 9th when Lopez's youth betrays him. Our first four batters had two hits each, but only 1 RBI and 2 runs between them. Angels 4-3
LP: Lopez (2-3)
*******

Oakland continues to flirt with immortality. They are 24-4 in August. It looks very much like they're going to get to defend their pennant after a poor start to the season.

Jim Rooker's the latest starter to go down with a muscle tear. I don't even bother putting him on the DL this close to September call ups. Suffice to say we're done with Satch after this season.
*******

Chicago (70-59) (3rd-T, -6.5g) at Kansas City (70-59) (3rd-T, -6.5g)

29: It's starting to look like we're giving up...and I'm not sure I blame them. Butler's horrible and our relief staff is worse. White Sox 12-3
LP: Butler (4-3)

30: Fitz pitches 9 innings giving up only 2 runs...and it's not enough! It takes Bill Robinson's tenth inning homer to tie the series up. Royals 4-2 (10)
WP: Fingers (5-5), HR: Robinson (19)

31: Blyleven and Chicago's Tommy John pitch 8 innings a piece before going to relief. Robinson's RBI single wins it. Royals 3-2 (10)
WP: Lopez (3-3)
*******

Oakland finishes the month 26-4. Enough said. For those curious, we went 16-15.

[XyankeefanX]

Wow, Oakland's...on fire.

At least, you beat your prediction, or at least made it.

[Imgran]

[Kauffman]Well, Mr. Hunter.. if nothing else you have a job next year. Deliver a winning record and you might even have 2 years' grace.[/Kauffman]

[CatKnight]

Xyankeefanx: Yes, I suppose there's that. So there, Coach!

Imgran: Maybe. It's true I made my goal...and I SHOULD even be able to break 81 games. I think Kauffman may be wondering where the f*** Oakland came from. So am I for that matter.

I briefly wondered if switching to 09 corrupted the Athletics somehow...but I looked through several players and scanned their ratings. Nothing LOOKS wrong. I guess they're just, as yank says, on fire.

Comment: Game changed to BM09 11.04 (public release)
*******

September 1, 1971

Standings

American League East
Team            W    L    GB
Baltimore       89   45   --
New York        75   56   12.5
Washington      74   58   14
Boston          71   64   18.5
Detroit         46   86   42
Cleveland       43   88   44.5

American League West
Team            W    L    GB
Oakland         80   54   --
KANSAS CITY     72   60    7
Minnesota       72   60    7
Chicago         71   61    8
Los Angeles     53   79   26 
Seattle         47   82   30.5

National League East
Team            W    L    GB
New York        69   63   --
Chicago         67   62    0.5
Philadelphia    66   66    3
St. Louis       66   66    3
Pittsburgh      63   69    6
Montreal        56   73   11.5

National League West
Team            W    L    GB
San Francisco   76   56   --
Atlanta         72   57    2.5
Houston         70   56    3
Los Angeles     67   62    7.5
Cincinnati      62   64   11
San Diego       46   86   30

*******

American League Leaders
Average: Tony Oliva (MIN) .339, Rod Carew (MIN) .339
HR: Reggie Jackson (OAK) 41, Boog Powell (BAL) 31
RBI: Reggie Jackson (OAK) 124, Mike Epstein (WAS) 103
Steals: Ron LeFlore (NYY) 47, Dave Nelson (CLE) 39

Wins: Mel Stottlemyre (NYY) 18, Jim Nash (OAK) 18
ERA: Mel Stottlemyre (NYY) 2.14, Catfish Hunter (OAK) 2.36
Strikeouts: Bert Blyleven (KC) 181, Catfish Hunter (OAK) 167
Saves: Gene Rounsaville (CHW) 20, Sparky Lyle (BOS) 20

National League Leaders
Average: Johnny Bench (CIN) .370, Bob Watson (HOU) .354
HR: Dick Allen (PHI) 35, Johnny Bench (CIN) 34
RBI: Johnny Bench (CIN) 116, Two tied with 108
Steals: Lou Brock (STL) 33, Tommy Harper (LAD) 30

Wins: Don Drysdale (LAD) 16, Two tied with 14
ERA: Don Sutton (LAD) 2.12, Juan Marichal (SF) 2.86
Strikeouts: Steve Carlton (STL) 190, Tom Seaver (NYM) 187
Saves: Kent Tekulve (PIT) 21, Three tied with 18

Kansas City Royals Leaders
Average: Pat Kelly .325 (6th)
HR: Jim Ray Hart, Bill Robinson 19
RBI: Jim Ray Hart 86
Steals: Pat Kelly 19 (7th-T)

Wins: Bert Blyleven 15 (5th-T)
ERA: Bert Blyleven 3.47 (10th)
Strikeouts: Bert Blyleven 181 (1st)
Saves: Rollie Fingers 12 (8th-T)
*******

Trades
None. Post trade deadline
*******

Major Injuries
BAL-SP Tom Phoebus (78) [29] (5-4 4.26 1) for 8 months
DET-SP Joe Sparma (78/79) [29] (6-13 6.07 0) for 2 months
NYY-1B Dave McDonald (83) [28] (.291 16-75 3) for 2 months

CHW-LF Brian Downing (83/95) [20] (.264 12-58 1) for 3 months
OAK-LF Bobby Brooks (87) [25] (.295 10-51 2) for 4 months
SEA-2B Phil Gagliano (75) [29] (.246 0-2 0) for 3 months
SEA-1B Don Mincher (67) [33] (.239 2-12 0) for 6 months

NYM-RP Cal Koonce (79) [30] (5-5 4.39 1) for 7 months
STL-CF Boots Day (76/94) [24] (.269 3-33 4) for 3 months

ATL-2B Rod Gilbreath (51/68) [18] (.364 0-1 1) for 3 months
*******

Milestones
1B Norm Cash (DET): 1,000 RBIs (83) [36] (.263 18-47 3)
SP Jim Bunning (PIT): 3,000 Ks (85) [39] (6-7 5.52 2)
RF Johnny Callison (PHI): 1,000 Rs (90) [32] (.288 28-98 3)
3B Darrell Evans (ATL): 23g Streak (90/96) [24] (.281 26-77 4)
C Thurman Munson (NYY): 22g Streak (92) [24] (.304 9-68 2)
*******

Notable Retirements
None.

[CatKnight]

KANSAS CITY ROYALS
40-man Roster (September 1971)
S=starter, B=bench, R=reserve (Sept callup)

Catchers
S: Ellie Rodriguez (79) (.294 0-23 2)
B: Buck Martinez (75/96) (.324 5-49 0 in Omaha)

First Base (change in starter)
S: Mike Fiore (73) (.248 3-16 0)
B: Will Thompson (91/92) (.198 5-25 0)
R: Bob Oliver (80) (.215 9-26 0)

Second Base
S: Mike Andrews (85) (.272 4-35 1)
B: Chico Salmon (79) (,267 2-35 3)
R: Frank White (79/94) (.333 14-99 15 in Omaha)
R: Junior Kennedy (64/91) (C-ball)

Third Base
S: Jim Ray Hart (85) (.252 19-86 0)

Shortstop (change in starter)
S: Bill Russell (79/92) (.289 0-3 2)
B: Dave Concepcion (82) (.253 4-58 4)
R: Frank Duffy (75/77) (.182 0-1 0)
R: Roy Smalley (64/94) (C-ball)

Left Field
B: Lee Maye (74) (.284 6-41 5)
R: Scott Northey (77/93) (.269 1-11 2)
R: Jim Rice (61/93) (C-ball)
R: Derek Bryant (56/91) (D-ball)

Center Field
S: Jose Cardenal (88) (.283 13-78 11)
S: Bill Robinson (83) (.303 19-70 10) (starts in LF)

Right Field
S: Pat Kelly (86/94) (.325 13-53 19)
B: Fred Rico (74/75) (.272 4-20 1)
R: Al Cowens (61/94) (C-ball)


S=Starter, B=Bullpen (Relief), R=Reserve (Sept callup)

Pitchers
S: Wally Bunker (90/93) (2-2 4.18)
S: Bert Blyleven (88/94) (15-8 3.47)
S: Bill Butler (85/92) (4-3 3.88)
S: Al Fitzmorris (84/89) (7-6 4.48)
S: Jim Rooker (85) (11-7 5.01)

B: Rollie Fingers (85/87) (5-5 4.20 12 SV)
B: Jim York (85/91) (5-6 3.46 4)
B: Dick Drago (80/92) (1-0 2.86 1)
B: Jerry Cram (79/94) (4-4 5.37 2)
B: Aurelio Lopez (79/87) (3-3 3.46 2)
B: Mike Hedlund (83/87) (2-4 2.39 3)

R: Ken Wright (85/86) (3-3 6.20 1)
R: Lance Clemons (79/93) (3-7 3.11 2 in Omaha)
R: Monty Montgomery (78/80) (3-6 5.40)
R: Doug Bird (71/87) (1-1 2.93 in Omaha)
R: Dave Rajsich (66/89) (B-ball)
R: George Throop (66/85) (B-ball)

[Coach Owens]

KANSAS CITY ROYALS
40-man Roster (September 1971)
S=starter, B=bench, R=reserve (Sept callup)

Catchers
S: Ellie Rodriguez (79) (.294 0-23 2)
B: Buck Martinez (75/96) (.324 5-49 0 in Omaha)

First Base (change in starter)
S: Mike Fiore (73) (.248 3-16 0)
B: Will Thompson (91/92) (.198 5-25 0)
R: Bob Oliver (80) (.215 9-26 0)

Second Base
S: Mike Andrews (85) (.272 4-35 1)
B: Chico Salmon (79) (,267 2-35 3)
R: Frank White (79/94) (.333 14-99 15 in Omaha)
R: Junior Kennedy (64/91) (C-ball)

Third Base
S: Jim Ray Hart (85) (.252 19-86 0)

Shortstop (change in starter)
S: Bill Russell (79/92) (.289 0-3 2)
B: Dave Concepcion (82) (.253 4-58 4)
R: Frank Duffy (75/77) (.182 0-1 0)
R: Roy Smalley (64/94) (C-ball)

Left Field
B: Lee Maye (74) (.284 6-41 5)
R: Scott Northey (77/93) (.269 1-11 2)
R: Jim Rice (61/93) (C-ball)
R: Derek Bryant (56/91) (D-ball)

Center Field
S: Jose Cardenal (88) (.283 13-78 11)
S: Bill Robinson (83) (.303 19-70 10) (starts in LF)

Right Field
S: Pat Kelly (86/94) (.325 13-53 19)
B: Fred Rico (74/75) (.272 4-20 1)
R: Al Cowens (61/94) (C-ball)


S=Starter, B=Bullpen (Relief), R=Reserve (Sept callup)

Pitchers
S: Wally Bunker (90/93) (2-2 4.18)
S: Bert Blyleven (88/94) (15-8 3.47)
S: Bill Butler (85/92) (4-3 3.88)
S: Al Fitzmorris (84/89) (7-6 4.48)
S: Jim Rooker (85) (11-7 5.01)

B: Rollie Fingers (85/87) (5-5 4.20 12 SV)
B: Jim York (85/91) (5-6 3.46 4)
B: Dick Drago (80/92) (1-0 2.86 1)
B: Jerry Cram (79/94) (4-4 5.37 2)
B: Aurelio Lopez (79/87) (3-3 3.46 2)
B: Mike Hedlund (83/87) (2-4 2.39 3)

R: Ken Wright (85/86) (3-3 6.20 1)
R: Lance Clemons (79/93) (3-7 3.11 2 in Omaha)
R: Monty Montgomery (78/80) (3-6 5.40)
R: Doug Bird (71/87) (1-1 2.93 in Omaha)
R: Dave Rajsich (66/89) (B-ball)
R: George Throop (66/85) (B-ball)

What is with my guy?

[XyankeefanX]

Maybe he doesn't have a good contact rating? Although I doubt he would have an overall that high if his contact was like a 65.

I did have Jason Giambi once hit 38 homers while only hitting like .192 though

[CatKnight]

I promised you a screenie. Here's what is so far the biggest (or at least the most obvious) change from 08 to 09.



Doesn't do much yet, but a neat summary!