To Rule in Kansas City

[Imgran]

Winning records are good. Any year in which you win more than you lose isn't a total failure unless you're Oakland.

[petrel]

I don't know about you, but I want a Magnavox Odyssey.

--Pet

[CatKnight]

PotatoOfCouch13: Hopefully! That would be all kinds of great.

Coach Owens: Well...Thompson gets his fair share. He's finally producing and leads the team in homers.

thegreatbambino: Hi bambino! Wow, three requests in a game month. Well, reminds me at the end of the season and we'll see what's going on. I don't want to flood the dynasty with too many peeps

ragecage: Yep, late April and May have been kind.

Coach Owens: Uh...huh....

PotatoOfCouch13: It only took two years and a month!

Imgran: True!

petrel: I want my old Atari 2600
*******

Late May 1972


Though protests mostly died in Milwaukee thanks to a strong police presence and the fact this year's Brewers weren't very good, demonstrators ruined the Brewers' first visit to Comiskey. Perhaps ten thousand people ringed the stadium shouting, chanting, burning Selig in effigy, and ceremonially burying a 71 White Sox banner. Police did little but curb any excesses, and the Chicago Tribune gleefully covered the story. 10,000 people: A high number considering only 1,300 paid to watch the actual game.

At home, fans remained cautiously optimistic. We'd gone from a cataclysmic 1-10 to a very respectable 17-16 in under a month. The sad part was we would probably have to do as well or better if we planned to catch Oakland. They'd won six straight, eight of ten, and seventeen of twenty.

As part of their platooning, Kelly reentered the lineup while Robinson took time off.
*******

Minnesota (15-18) (4th, -10.5g) at Kansas City (17-16) (2nd-T, -8.5g)

17: With White and Mays on board and two outs in the tenth, Will Thompson slammed a fastball past the left field foul pole. After the Twins chased Blyleven out after five, Bill Butler pitched five more innings of two hit relief. Royals 9-6 (10)
WP: Butler (2-0), HR: Thompson 2 (10)

18: We led 5-0 after 1, they led 8-6 after 4, and the offensive duel was on. Thompson went 4 for 4, Mays 4 for 5, Kelly 3 for 5 with 3 runs and 2 RBI. Royals 10-9
WP: Bunker (1-0), SV: Hedlund (1), HR: Kelly (6)

19: Minnesota battled back from a 7-3 deficit to tie it after 8. In the tenth Robinson doubled to score Kelly and give us the sweep. Fitzmorris didn't make it out of the third against us, though Rooker pitched 3 IP of strong relief. Royals 8-7 (10)
WP: Fingers (1-1)
*******

Bob Lemon gave Thompson a three game suspension from the club. From what I understand, in his exuberance over his recent hot streak he put Lemon's shaving cream in the freezer and, once frozen, cut the bottom off the can. He then put the can in Lemon's desk, where the cream melted and overflowed the drawer.

We take a day off. Oakland's stumbling, so we make up some ground.
*******

Kansas City (20-16) (2nd, -5.5g) at New York (17-20) (4th, -7.5g)

21: The Yanks have a 5 run 8th, we have a 3 run 9th. Do the math. Mike Fiore and Andrews both homer. Yankees 6-4
LP: Hedlund (0-2), HR: Andrews (3), Fiore (1)

22: Our pitching finally surfaces again as Blyleven gets a CG victory. Fiore goes 2 for 3, White 3 for 5. Mays grounds into THREE double plays. Royals 6-2
WP: Blyleven (3-2)(CG)

23: Ugh. Torrez is beyond bad: 4.2 IP, 11 H, 7 ER. Our offense can't overcome that kind of incompetence. Yankees 9-4
LP: Torrez (3-5)
*******

The only mercy being Oakland continues to fall back to Earth, so we lose no more ground.
*******

Los Angeles (19-20) (3rd, -7.5g) at Kansas City (21-18) (2nd, -5.5g)

24: Splittorff goes all 9, while Hart hits a two-run homer to give us the narrow win. Royals 3-2
WP: Splittorff (6-3)(CG), HR: Hart (2)

25: Three runs in the fourth tie it, and 3 more in the 7th allows us to inch past the Angels. Cardenal goes 2 for 4 (a double and triple) with 2 RBI. Royals 6-5
WP: Dierker (6-1), SV: Fingers (6)

26: We could have used this game. Tied 2-2, a solo shot by Jim Spencer puts us away. Angels 3-2
LP: Blyleven (3-3)
*******

Another day off (the schedulers are generous this year), then on to division leader Baltimore.
*******

Baltimore (26-16) (1st, +0.5g) at Kansas City (23-19) (2nd, -6.5g)

28: Torrez allowed just 4 hits in 8 innings, while Oriole Jim Palmer was brilliant enough for the CG. A great pitching duel broken only by RBIs from Kelly and Thompson. Royals 2-0
WP: Torrez (4-5), SV: Fingers (7)

29: We take an early lead kicking Dave McNally out after 3. After that we coast under a very strong performance by Larry Dierker. Andrews goes 3 for 3 with a homer and 3 RBI. Royals 6-2
WP: Dierker (7-1)(CG), HR: Thompson (11), Andrews (4)

30: Blyleven holds them to 4 hits. Mike Cuellar holds us to 5. One of those is an RBI single by Thompson. Royals 1-0
WP: Blyleven (4-3)(CG)
*******

As Kansas City roared with triumph, shock out of Seattle. Boeing, who's watched the Pilots drift back into a tie for 5th/6th with Minnesota, has had enough. They fired Kevin Calahan as well as skipper Dave Bristol!

Regarding Kevin, Boeing pointed to several questionable trades including giving up another pitcher just two weeks ago (see May summary).

"It is Boeing's stance that Mr. Calahan can best utilize his unique positives elsewhere, and that after over three years of subpar performance we could best leverage the Pilots organization by seeking executives with new paradigms," said James Steere, President of Pilot Operations and now acting General Manager. Calahan finishes his tenure with a record of 109-343.

[Coach Owens]

Oh, well that's a shame about Kevin.

[CatKnight]

Coach Owens: Well, he's made some really...questionable...trades lately. Maybe Boeing thinks they can do better?
*******

May 31, 1972

Standings

American League East
Team            W    L    GB
Boston          29   17   --
Baltimore       26   19    2.5
New York        25   22    4.5
Cleveland       21   23    7
Detroit         21   24    7.5
Washington      18   29   11.5

American League West
Team            W    L    GB
Oakland         31   15   --
Kansas City     26   19    4.5
Los Angeles     21   24    9.5
Milwaukee       20   26   11
Minnesota       18   28   13 
Seattle         18   28   13

National League East
Team            W    L    GB
Chicago         37   10   --
St. Louis       30   14    5.5
New York        22   23   14
Pittsburgh      21   27   16.5
Philadelphia    17   29   19.5
Montreal        12   33   24

National League West
Team            W    L    GB
Los Angeles     29   15   --
Houston         28   19    2.5
San Francisco   23   24    7.5
Atlanta         20   26   10
San Diego       19   27   11
Cincinnati      17   28   12.5

*******

American League Leaders
Average: Pat Kelly (KC) .370, Willie Crawford (LAA) .364
HR: Joe Rudi (OAK) 12, Three tied with 11
RBI: Jim Spencer (LAA) 48, Joe Rudi (OAK) 38
Steals: Ron LeFlore (NYY) 24, Mickey Rivers (LAA) 15

Wins: Dave McNally (BAL) 8, Jim Lonborg (BOS) 8
ERA: Ray Culp (BOS) 1.77, Jim Hardin (BAL) 1.90
Strikeouts: Larry Dierker (KC) 66, Jim Palmer (BAL) 57
Saves: Tug McGraw (BOS) 9, Chuck Seelbach (DET) 9

National League Leaders
Average: Wes Parker (LAD) .376, Amos Otis (NYM) .374
HR: Three tied with 13
RBI: Andre Thornton (CHC) 47, Jimmy Wynn (HOU) 44
Steals: Joe Morgan (HOU) 17, Lou Brock (STL) 15

Wins: Fergie Jenkins (CHC) 10, Two tied with 7
ERA: Fergie Jenkins (CHC) 2.00, Jim Merritt (CIN) 2.14
Strikeouts: Rick Wise (PHI) 78, Two tied with 76
Saves: Sal Campisi (ATL) 9, Two tied with 8

Kansas City Royals Leaders
Average: Pat Kelly .370 (1st)
HR: Will Thompson 11 (2nd-T)
RBI: Will Thompson 36 (3rd-T)
Steals: Jose Cardenal, Pat Kelly 5

Wins: Larry Dierker 7 (3rd)
ERA: Larry Dierker 3.56
Strikeouts: Larry Dierker 66 (1st)
Saves: Rollie Fingers 7 (3rd)
*******

Major Injuries
CLE-SP Luis Tiant (88) [31] (2-4 4.41 1 CG) - 8 months
DET-2B John Knox (74/81) [23] (Last played ML 1971) - 3 months
LAA-SP Bill Singer (84) [28] (3-5 1.95 3 CG) - 6 months
PIT-1B Bob Robertson (88) [25] (.278 9-18 1 SB) - 2 months
PIT-LF Willie Stargell (93) [32] (.247 7-27 0 SB) - 6 months
*******

Trades

SEA-BAL: SP Danny Frisella (83) [26] (3-3 3.86 0 CG)
BAL-SEA: SP Jesse Jefferson (70/84) [23] (Minor leaguer)

Sure, Seattle. We all have a 69 as our #3 starter and a 59 at #5. It's a good thing everyone uses 4-man rotations or Seattle would be doing even worse!

MON-OAK: 1B Orlando Cepeda (82) [34] (.353 3-16 2 SB)
OAK-MON: SS Dwain Anderson (72/87) [24] (Last played ML 1971)

Much to like about this one from Montreal's point of view, though it's a shame they're giving up so soon. Oakland just gets stronger.
*******

Milestones (All stats for 1971)

DET-RF Al Kaline (86) [37] hit his 1500th run and RBI 8 days apart. (.310 7-25 1)
PIT-CF Roberto Clemente (78) [37] Hit for the Cycle in an 11-5 drubbing of LA. (.315 5-26 0)
SEA-3B Art Howe (74/84) [25] finished a 28g hitting streak (.362 0-20 0)
*******

Notable Retirements

C Hawk Taylor, our first catcher, retired at age 33 after 12 seasons.
He didn't sign after being released last November.
Lifetime he finishes .212 13-63 0 SB 156 H
He played for the Mil. Braves (57-63), Mets (64-67), Cal. Angels (67), Royals (69), Orioles (70) and Dodgers (71)
He won no awards.
*******

Created Players

Will Thompson (1B, Kansas City) has turned into the hottest player in KC's offense, now batting .358 with 11 HR, 36 RBI (all in the top 10 league wide) with .448 OBP .642 SLG. His old confidence (cockiness) has returned after a two year absence and he currently bats 3rd.

Colin Merritt (SP, Cincinnati) is now 0-2 in 7 games (3 starts), with a 10.73 ERA in 26 IP. Struggling with a wild streak (25 BB), his 26 K promises great things in the future. The Reds believe he can work his kinks out best by watching others from the #5/mopup spot.

The Emu (RF, Oakland) continues to prove why birds don't belong in baseball. He's only played a handful of games in D-ball, and hasn't hit since April 15. If he manages to get on base though, he's excellent: 5 SB, 0 CS. He's batting .115 with 2 RBI. Fan interest is dying off since the emu only plays one or two games a week.

[Coach Owens]

You should trade Kelly for The Emu!

[PotatoOfCouch13]

:looks at standings:
[cues the 'Jaws' theme]

Look out Charlie O...

That's a shame about Kevin. Maybe he'll land on his feet?

[rockiesfan4ever]

Or maybe he'll land on his head?

[Imgran]

Failed GM's don't die. They just fade away into someone's scouting depratment. I mean, Allard Baird who screwed the Royals for years, is now a scouting exec in the Red Sox system, bringing us such delights as Kyle Snyder the long man and the aborted Runelvys Hernandez experiment..

I'm guessing Callahan won't be working for the Royals. I wouldn't be shocked if he turned up in the Oakland player development system though.

Great to see Thompson tearing the cover off the ball.

As for teams owned by corporations larger than themselves: Remember when Disney ran the Angels?

[CatKnight]

Coach Owens: Nah, that's a trade Seattle would do.

PotatoofCouch: I'm trying, but the road to catch Oakland is going to be very long.

rockiesfan4ever: Hm. Maybe.

Imgran: Better guess. Fortunately Boeing doesn't have any odd ambitions like Disney did, otherwise we might see the Seattle Pilots of Tacoma
*******

Early June 1972

TRANSACTIONS

American League
NEW YORK - Signed Bobby Cox, Jack Whillock to one year contracts.
OAKLAND - Named Kevin Calahan Director of Player Development
SEATTLE - Released Ed Stroud

I was still taking this in when the phone rang.

"Chuck? It's Bud! Bud Selig! How the h*** are you!?"

Oh God, from the machinations of idiots deliver us.. "I'm fine, Bud. What can I do for you?"

"Did you hear the news out of Oakland yet?"

"About Calahan?"

"Right."

"Just reading it now."

Selig paused. "That would explain some of Seattle's off season trades, wouldn't it?"

I drummed my nails. "What do you mean?"

"Kevin knew he was in danger of losing his job...no surprise with the Pilots not yet breaking 60 wins...so he makes a deal. More likely Charlie offers him a deal."

"If you're implying Kevin intentionally hurt the Pilots, then I don't believe you."

"Believe what you want, Chuck. You know as well as I do there were no reasons for those trades. Joe Cronin must have thought so too, 'cause he asked me what I thought and I said they looked odd. Kevin's no fool. He wants to stay in baseball, and maybe Charlie offered him a way to do so."

Kevin has been acting odd all season, not that I planned to give Selig the slightest opening.

"Chuck, I know you and I have had our...clashes. Fair enough. However, I've always consistently acted to bring baseball to Milwaukee. I do care about this game, and if Calahan tanked - or Charlie convinced him to do so - then we really need to do something about that, don't we?"

"Conceivably." Wasn't this pretty much the argument Finley used to get me to spy on Selig?

"Good, Chuck. Like I said we've had our clashes, but I know you care too. I've already brought Los Angeles on board. Cal Griffith is nervous about going up against Finley, but I think I can win him over."

"Going up against him!?" So much for a calm summer meeting. "What do you want to do?"

"Nothing," Selig replied smugly.

I paused. "Pardon?"

"Nothing. I won't ask you to do something Chuck. We need time to resolve our differences. All I'm asking is you do...nothing. Don't trade with Oakland. Don't make any kind of deal with the A's. If Charlie tries to change something in the meetings, then we....don't let him."

"If we're all not dealing with Oakland, isn't that collusion?"

"What's your point? Listen, Chuck. Whether or not Calahan tanked, Oakland's swallowing all the good players from the Pilots, Padres AND Expos. He's making a mockery of the '69 expansion, and because of that he has enough talent to make a mockery of any divisional race. We need to take Charlie down a peg, and all you have to do is say you won't deal with them, and that's that."

I frowned at the phone. "And if Cronin finds out?"

"Who's going to tell him? How's he going to prove it? There are a dozen teams KC hasn't traded with yet I imagine. Are you colluding against them as well? No. And if anyone asks, then you're just not dealing with your chief divisional rival."

Not that refusing to trade with Finley would do much good. Still... "Does this mean the Brewers aren't dealing with Finley either?"

"Nope! Nor are the Angels."

Well, it wouldn't hurt to say yes. Maybe it would weaken Finley in time - even just shutting him up in league meetings might be worth an alliance. And if Oakland held something REALLY juicy in front of my nose? Well...Selig's a car dealer by training. He doesn't exactly inspire trustworthiness.

"Alright Bud, sure."

I hung up the phone, thinking: The enemy of my enemy....is still my enemy.
*******

Going into the amateur draft, my only priority was to get a decent first baseman. After Thompson and Fiore, there's no one in the organization worth talking about. In an emergency there are people I can convert over, such as Chico Salmon, but all in all it's better if I can deal with this now.

We chose twelfth this year and would get our first bagger. The relevant parts of the draft looked like this:

Top 10

1) CLE: RP Dennis Eckersley (69/94) [17] - Could be a superstar given time.
2) SEA: SP Bruce Berenyi (73/91) [17] - Would be an improvement in Seattle's rotation TODAY. If Boeing's smart they'll give him at least a few months to develop.
3) SDP: C Gary Carter (68/91) [18] - Perhaps the best catcher out of a draft since Carlton Fisk.
4) DET: SP Mark Fidrych (68/79) [17] - Looks like a big mistake to me.
5) LAA: RF Andre Dawson (65/91) [17] - The Angels, on the other hand, make a smart move.
6) MON: SP Dennis Blair (66/82) [18] - Not bad, though there were better choices left.
7) CIN: RF Claudell Washington (59/91) [17] - Will need time to develop.
8) PIT: 2B Willie Randolph (59/92) [17] - Ditto.
9) NYM: SP Rich Gale (59/93) [18] - Should be a fine addition to a formidable rotation in a few years.
10) PHI: RF Keith Moreland (60/86) [18] - Solid, if unspectacular.


Kansas City Royals

1) 1B Willie Aikens (53/87) [17] - Not necessarily the best of who was left, but a solid first baseman with excellent power. Hit 12 HR in 34g as a senior.

2) SP Chuck Rainey (47/93) [17] - Could be a valuable member of the rotation in the late '70s. .193 BAA in his senior year.

3) 3B Ralph Governor (49/86) [16] - Very young, but still managed to go .339 as a senior.

4) RP Bill Paschall (47/84) [18] - 2.17 DICE in 35 IP

5) 2B Keith Drumright (49/78) [17] - Not much to say. We'll see how he develops.

6) SP Kevin Gearuil (48/80) [20] - 7-3, 69K in 76 IP in one year of college. Again, we'll see how he's doing in a few years.
*******

In the aftermath of the Rule IV (June) draft, several teams dumped some of their less promising players. We followed suit, saying fairwell to 3B Juan Bernhardt (51/71) [18]. Bernhardt was our sixth round pick last year. He actually wasn't doing badly in rookie ball (.338 4-13 1), but with Hart and Soderholm, I need an at best backup third baseman like I need a hole in my head.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

4) DET: SP Mark Fidrych (68/79) [17] - Looks like a big mistake to me.
5) LAA: RF Andre Dawson (65/91) [17] - The Angels, on the other hand, make a smart move.

Detroit should've gone with a Hawk instead of The Bird.

It makes sense to not trade with Oakland, but Selig still creeps me out a little. I hope Chuck makes the right decision...

[CatKnight]

PotatoofCouch: Oh, Selig can't be trusted...but Charlie just might be the bigger problem at the moment.

After this post though, there's some doubt....
*******

Early June 1972

So I start June by making a deal with the devil. Do I trust Selig? H-ell no. I'm not even convinced he's right about Kevin, though next time I'm in Oakland I plan to look him up. However, if all he wants is for me not to trade with Oakland...something that wasn't on my list of things to do anyway...whatever. Anything that even has a chance of weakening the A's helps me, right?

Selig called a few days later to tell me Boeing wasn't the least interested in our little turf war. Cal Griffith is also staying out of it, though he promised not to say anything.

Our sweep of Baltimore knocked them out of first place. Now we get to see if we can do similar damage to the new first place team in their division: the Boston Red Sox
*******

Kansas City (26-19) (2nd, -4.5g) at Boston (29-17) (1st, +2.5g)

5/31: The Sox get 10 hits including 2 homers to outlast us. Splittorff didn't do badly, just not well enough and our offense wasn't up to the task. Red Sox 4-2
LP: Splittorff (6-4), HR: Thompson (12)

1: This time it's OUR offense who leads the way, hitting four homers. Torrez only gave up 1 ER in 7 IP. Royals 7-5
WP: Torrez (5-5), SV: Fingers (8), HR: Thompson (13), Andrews (5), Robinson (5), Mays (3)

2: We take a 9-0 lead into the ninth with another four homers, then Boston begins one of the great comebacks in franchise history. Dierker gives up 4 ER before leaving with one out. Drago gives up 4 more ER before leaving with two. Fingers finally ends the game, but also yields two hits. Royals 9-8
WP: Dierker (8-1), SV: Fingers (9), HR: Torre (7), Cardenal 2 (6), Hart (3)
*******

Possibly part of the problem was that we had to switch catchers in the ninth. While facing Carl Yastrzemski, Torre made a rookie mistake and got his ungloved hand in front of his glove to help guide the ball in. Yaz swung...and struck his hand. A brawl erupted as several Royals thought the hit intentional. By the time the umpire cleared things up, we had to pull him out of the lineup. He's going to miss about two weeks with a stress fracture.

Oakland's still losing, so we pick up a game.
*******

Kansas City (28-20) (2nd, -3.5g) at Milwaukee (22-27) (4th, -10g)

3: We score 2 in the first, they score 3. We nickel and dime each other. I have to admit Milwaukee Stadium is PACKED as they outlast us. Brewers 5-4
LP: Blyleven (4-4)(CG)

4: Splittorff has another good game to no avail. Brewer Wilbur Wood allows 6 hits and 4 walks...but no runs. Brewers 3-0
LP: Splittorff (6-5)

5: Relievers take over as the game goes into extra innings and we try to avoid the sweep. We fail as Brian Downing hits a 2 run shot off of Fingers. Brewers 7-5 (10)
LP: Fingers (1-2), HR: Hart (4)
*******

Balls. And other assorted baseball equipment. We haven't been swept since April, and it comes at the worst possible moment. Oakland starts a winning streak, so the last month's work gets erased in one lousy series.

Well, with a little luck maybe we can make up some ground again here....
*******

Oakland (35-17) (1st, +6.5g) at Kansas City (28-23) (2nd, -6.5g)

7: It's 4-0 after 2, 12-0 after 4, and Oakland's day goes downhill from there. We embarass our new rivals. Andrews goes 2 for 5 with 2 R, 5 RBI. In fact, Thompson and Hart are the only ones NOT to get RBIs. Royals 16-1
WP: Dierker (9-1)(CG), HR: Andrews (6), Cardenal (7)

8: Another slugfest, though this time Oakland shows up and briefly leads 5-4. A solid offensive performance: Russell is the only fielder not to get an RBI. Both starters are out before the fifth. Royals 9-5
WP: Drago (1-2), HR: Hart (5), Robinson (6)

9: We complete the sweep and undo the damage Milwaukee did! Trailing 4-0 we score 5 in the fifth, and that's all she wrote. Splittorff gets the win, but it was Drago's pitching the 6th-8th that saved us. Too bad that's not how stats work. Royals 5-4
WP: Splittorff (7-5), SV: Fingers (10)
*******

At the risk of gloating....Bwahahahahhahahahaha!

I think we've proven we have a right to be in this pennant race. Now can we close the gap further?
*******

Kansas City (31-23) (2nd, -3.5g) at Cleveland (26-27) (5th, -6g)

10: Torrez stinks. Badly. Couple that with our offense being out of rhythm, and the Indians hand us a nasty surprise. Indians 7-2
LP: Torrez (5-6)

11: Revenge is short in coming. Wally Bunker (filling in for Dierker) is brilliant, completely ruining the reputation of my scouts who said he was done. Royals 7-1
WP: Bunker (2-0), HR: Andrews (7), Robinson (7)

12: Trailing 4-3 we score 5 in the ninth to take it. Three homers propel us to victory as four batters (the HR hitters plus Cardenal) get 2 RBI. Royals 8-4
WP: Butler (3-0), HR: Thompson (14), Hart (6), Mays (4)

13: We take the final match with another 5 run inning. Splittorff gives up 10 hits, but gets his complete game. Royals 5-2
WP: Splittorff (8-5)(CG), HR: Robinson (8)
*******

We now have to face our demons...the Milwaukee Brewers. Only two weeks ago they swept us, throwing us temporarily out of contention. We really need to do better if we're going to catch Finley...
*******

Milwaukee (28-32) (3rd, -9g) at Kansas City (34-24) (2nd, -2g)

14: We were leading 5-1 until the ninth, when Torrez lost it. Lemon left him in for the tenth, but he didn't get any outs...and did allow a run. Brewers 6-5 (10)
LP: Torrez (5-7), HR: Robinson (9)

15: ...and strikes. How come we can trash the division leaders, but we can't handle MILWAUKEE!? Dierker gives up 4 R (2 ER) in 4 IP, and Drago makes it worse. Brewers 7-2
LP: Dierker (9-2)

16: The Brews opened with 5 in the first. Desperate to avoid another sweep, we struggled back to make it 5-3. They scored two more. We scored FIVE in the seventh taking an 8-7 lead. They scored two in the 8th to lead 9-8. We tied it in the ninth. Both teams scored three runs in the tenth. With one out in the eleventh Thompson belted a towering fly to center that cleared the wall by inches. Ballgame! Royals 13-12 (11)
WP: Clemons (1-0), HR: Thompson (15), Kelly (7)
*******

I've lost Paul Splittorff for about three weeks with an ankle stress fracture. I guess we'll find out just how right/wrong my scouts were about Wally Bunker.
*******


The Expos, looking for prospects, want to deal.

They offer LF Cleon Jones (87) [29] (.312 6-20 3) and want:

2B Jerry Remy (57/82) [19] (D-ball)
LF Derek Bryant (56/86) [20] (D-ball)

I accept. You may be wondering why, when our budget is already stressed and I have more outfielders than God. Two words. Trade bait. I'm sure Cleon's a great player, but I have outstanding promises to both Lou and Willie...and I can't afford him. He'll never wear a Royals uniform, unless you count Omaha. As for Remy and Bryant....Frank White and Jim Rice are better, and closer to being ready.
*******

American League West
Oakland (38-23)
Kansas City (35-26) (3.0)
Milwaukee (30-33) (9.0)
Los Angeles (27-33) (10.5)
Seattle (27-35) (11.5)
Minnesota (26-35) (12)

ALE: Boston (35-26), Baltimore (-0.5g), New York (-3.5g)
NLE: Chicago (49-14), St. Louis (-8g), New York (-15.5g)
NLW: Los Angeles (38-21), Houston (-4.5g), San Francisco (-7g)

[CatKnight]

And, just because it's the most exciting game I've seen since the Cardinals dynasty, I present...

Milwaukee Brewers at Kansas City Royals
June 16, 1972

TOP OF THE FIRST
Bert Blyleven takes the mound for the Royals.
Sandy Alomar walked. <--1>
The Brewers put on the hit and run.
Ken Berry singled to center, advancing the runner to third. <3-1>
Bob Spence struck out. <3-1>
Brian Downing walked. <321>
Jim Northrup grounded to first, scoring a run. <3-1>
Bill Melton hit an infield single to short, scoring a run. <-21>
Ed Herrmann homered around the foul pole in left for three RBIs. <--->
Lee Richard flied out to center. <--->
5 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the first, Milwaukee leads 5 to 0.

BOTTOM OF THE FIRST
Joe Horlen takes the mound for the Brewers.
Pat Kelly homered to right-center. <--->
Chico Salmon grounded to second. <--->
Will Thompson dribbled weakly to the catcher. <--->
Lou Piniella singled through the right side. <--1>
Jose Cardenal struck out. <--1>
1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the first, Kansas City trails 5 to 1.

TOP OF THE SECOND
Joe Horlen flied out to right. <--->
Sandy Alomar flied out to left. <--->
Ken Berry struck out. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the second, Milwaukee leads 5 to 1.

BOTTOM OF THE SECOND
Jim Ray Hart grounded to first. <--->
Ellie Rodriguez singled to center field. <--1>
The Royals put on the hit and run.
Bill Russell doubled to right field, scoring a run. <-2->
Bert Blyleven struck out. <-2->
Pat Kelly hit an infield single to first. <3-1>
Chico Salmon grounded to short. <3-1>
1 run, 3 hits, 0 errors, and 2 left on base.
At the end of the second, Kansas City trails 5 to 2.

TOP OF THE THIRD
Bob Spence flied out to center. <--->
Brian Downing struck out. <--->
Jim Northrup walked. <--1>
Bill Melton grounded to third. <--1>
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the third, Milwaukee leads 5 to 2.

BOTTOM OF THE THIRD
Will Thompson grounded to the pitcher. <--->
Lou Piniella grounded to short. <--->
Jose Cardenal singled to center field. <--1>
Jim Ray Hart grounded to short. <--1>
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the third, Kansas City trails 5 to 2.

TOP OF THE FOURTH
Ed Herrmann doubled to left-center. <-2->
Ed Herrmann went for an extra base and reached third. <3-->
Lee Richard struck out. <3-->
The Royals brought the infield in.
Joe Horlen flied out to right. <3-->
Sandy Alomar grounded to the shortstop. <3-->
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the fourth, Milwaukee leads 5 to 2.

BOTTOM OF THE FOURTH
Ellie Rodriguez reached first on a throwing error by the second baseman. <--1>
Bill Russell struck out. <--1>
Bert Blyleven singled through the left side. <-21>
Pat Kelly lined out to center. <-21>
Chico Salmon singled through the right side. <321>
Ellie Rodriguez went for an extra base and reached home, scoring a run. <-21>
Will Thompson walked. <321>
Lou Piniella struck out. <321>
1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, and 3 left on base.
At the end of the fourth, Kansas City trails 5 to 3.

TOP OF THE FIFTH
Ken Berry singled back through the middle. <--1>
Bob Spence flied out to left. <--1>
Brian Downing popped up foul down the first base line. <--1>
Ken Berry was picked off first. <--->
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the fifth, Milwaukee leads 5 to 3.

BOTTOM OF THE FIFTH
Jose Cardenal flied out to right field. <--->
Jim Ray Hart grounded to short. <--->
Ellie Rodriguez grounded to the pitcher. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the fifth, Kansas City trails 5 to 3.

TOP OF THE SIXTH
Jim Northrup singled to center. <--1>
Bill Melton singled to left. <-21>
Ed Herrmann singled to right, scoring a run. <-21>
Lee Richard grounded to the second baseman, forcing the runner at second. <3-1>
Dick Drago came in to pitch for the Royals. <3-1>
Jorge Orta pinch hit for Joe Horlen. <3-1>
Jorge Orta flied out to center. <3-1>
Sandy Alomar singled to center field, scoring a run. <3-1>
Ken Berry grounded to the second baseman. <3-->
2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the sixth, Milwaukee leads 7 to 3.

BOTTOM OF THE SIXTH
Jerry Janeski came in to pitch for the Brewers. <--->
Bill Russell singled to right field. <--1>
Dick Drago grounded to the shortstop for a double play (6-4-3). <--->
Pat Kelly walked. <--1>
Chico Salmon popped up to second. <--1>
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the sixth, Kansas City trails 7 to 3.

TOP OF THE SEVENTH
Bob Spence doubled in the right field gap. <-2->
Brian Downing grounded to the pitcher. <-2->
Jim Northrup walked. <-21>
Bill Melton popped up behind home plate. <-21>
Ed Herrmann lined out to second. <-21>
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 2 left on base.
In the middle of the seventh, Milwaukee leads 7 to 3.

BOTTOM OF THE SEVENTH
Will Thompson lined out to right. <--->
Lou Piniella singled to left. <--1>
Jose Cardenal doubled to deep center field. <32->
Jim Ray Hart singled to right for two RBIs. <--1>
Jim Ray Hart stole second. <-2->
Ellie Rodriguez doubled down the left field line, scoring a run. <-2->
Bill Russell flied out to center. <-2->
Bill Robinson pinch hit for Dick Drago. <-2->
Bill Robinson doubled to deep right field, scoring a run. <-2->
Dan Neumeier came in to pitch for the Brewers. <-2->
Pat Kelly singled to left, scoring a run. <--1>
Chico Salmon flied out to left. <--1>
5 runs, 6 hits, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the seventh, Kansas City leads 8 to 7.

TOP OF THE EIGHTH
Bill Butler came in to pitch for the Royals. <--->
Lee Richard walked. <--1>
Ken Hottman pinch hit for Dan Neumeier. <--1>
Ken Hottman doubled down the third base line. <32->
Sandy Alomar lined out to first base. <32->
Ken Berry singled through the hole, scoring a run. <3-1>
Bob Spence struck out. <3-1>
Brian Downing reached first on a fielding error by the shortstop - a run scored. <-21>
Jim Northrup grounded to short. <-21>
2 runs, 2 hits, 1 error, and 2 left on base.
In the middle of the eighth, Milwaukee leads 9 to 8.

BOTTOM OF THE EIGHTH
Don Eddy came in to pitch for the Brewers. <--->
Will Thompson flied out to left. <--->
Lou Piniella flied out to center. <--->
Jose Cardenal lined out to center. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
At the end of the eighth, Kansas City trails 9 to 8.

TOP OF THE NINTH
Bill Melton popped up to second. <--->
Ed Herrmann struck out. <--->
Lee Richard flied out to right field. <--->
0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, and 0 left on base.
In the middle of the ninth, Milwaukee leads 9 to 8.

BOTTOM OF THE NINTH
Jim Ray Hart singled to left. <--1>
Ellie Rodriguez popped up to the shortstop. <--1>
The Royals put on the hit and run.
Bill Russell lined out to right field. <--1>
The Brewers guarded the lines.
Mike Andrews pinch hit for Bill Butler. <--1>
Mike Andrews doubled down the third base line, scoring a run. <-2->
Pat Kelly grounded to third. <-2->
1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
At the end of the ninth, the game is tied at 9.

TOP OF THE TENTH
The Royals guarded the lines.
Rollie Fingers came in to pitch for the Royals. <--->
The Royals guarded the lines.
Bill Davis pinch hit for Don Eddy. <--->
Bill Davis grounded to the pitcher. <--->
Sandy Alomar walked. <--1>
The Brewers put on the hit and run.
Sandy Alomar stole second. <-2->
Ken Berry walked. <-21>
Ellie Rodriguez allowed a passed ball. <32->
Bob Spence flied out to left. <32->
Sandy Alomar tagged up and reached home, scoring a run. <-2->
Brian Downing singled to right field, scoring a run. <--1>
Rollie Fingers balked. <-2->
Jim Northrup singled to short right-center, scoring a run. <--1>
Rollie Fingers balked. <-2->
Bill Melton grounded to third. <-2->
3 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the tenth, Milwaukee leads 12 to 9.

BOTTOM OF THE TENTH
Gene Rounsaville came in to pitch for the Brewers. <--->
Chico Salmon grounded to the pitcher. <--->
Will Thompson walked. <--1>
Will Thompson took second on defensive indifference. <-2->
Lou Piniella singled up the middle. <3-1>
Jose Cardenal singled up the middle, scoring a run. <-21>
Jim Ray Hart doubled down the left field line for two RBIs. <-2->
Ellie Rodriguez walked. <-21>
Bill Russell singled through the right side. <321>
Willie Mays pinch hit for Rollie Fingers. <321>
Willie Mays flied out to left. <321>
Pat Kelly grounded to short. <321>
3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, and 3 left on base.
At the end of the tenth, the game is tied at 12.

TOP OF THE ELEVENTH
Lance Clemons came in to pitch for the Royals. <--->
Ed Herrmann struck out. <--->
Lee Richard singled up the middle. <--1>
The Royals guarded the lines.
Ollie Brown pinch hit for Gene Rounsaville. <--1>
The Brewers put on the hit and run.
Ollie Brown struck out. <--1>
Lee Richard stole second. <-2->
Sandy Alomar grounded to the second baseman. <-2->
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, and 1 left on base.
In the middle of the eleventh, the game is tied at 12.

BOTTOM OF THE ELEVENTH
Sammy Ellis came in to pitch for the Brewers. <--->
Chico Salmon lined out to center. <--->
Will Thompson homered over the center field fence. <--->

ROYALS WIN: 13-12

[CatKnight]

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

Stats through June 16 (since I forgot in May)

Batting

1972 Batting       Team    G   AVG    AB    H  2B  3B  HR   BB    K   SB  CS    R  RBI   SLG   OBP
Torre, Joe          KCR   46  .302   172   52  12   2   7   18   23    0   0   29   31  .517  .378
Rodriguez, Ellie    KCR   24  .222    81   18   1   0   0   11    8    0   1   14    9  .235  .323
Grote, Jerry        KCR    4  .000     4    0   0   0   0    0    1    0   0    0    0  .000  .000

Thompson, Will      KCR   57  .324   216   70  12   0  15   33   42    0   0   40   47  .588  .412
Fiore, Mike         KCR    6  .318    22    7   1   0   1    4    3    0   1    4    3  .500  .407

Andrews, Mike       KCR   60  .311   196   61  11   1   7   39   27    0   2   45   31  .485  .421
Salmon, Chico       KCR   24  .220    41    9   2   0   0    3    7    1   0    5    2  .268  .273
Duffy, Frank        KCR    9  .143     7    1   0   0   0    0    1    0   0    1    0  .143  .143

Russell, Bill       KCR   36  .248   137   34   4   2   0   10    8    4   0   20   12  .307  .307
White, Frank        KCR   27  .253    95   24   7   1   0    4   12    0   0   12   13  .347  .280

Hart, Jim Ray       KCR   35  .241   137   33   8   0   6   11   28    1   1   20   16  .431  .295
Soderholm, Eric     KCR   27  .297   101   30   2   0   4    6   13    0   0   10   16  .436  .330

Cardenal, Jose      KCR   59  .307   205   63   8   3   7   19   36    6   3   35   42  .478  .364
Kelly, Pat          KCR   59  .343   198   68  10   1   7   34   30    6   4   41   30  .510  .441
Robinson, Bill      KCR   55  .321   187   60  18   0   9   13   25    2   0   30   37  .561  .366
Mays, Willie        KCR   50  .300   150   45   7   1   4   20   12    1   1   23   23  .440  .380
Piniella, Lou       KCR   34  .393    56   22   3   1   1    9    4    1   0    9    7  .536  .493

Jones, Cleon        KCR   57  .312   199   62  14   1   6   21   31    3   5   27   20  .482  .388

At catcher Torre is due back in a week or so. He's really taken the position by storm. Neither he nor Rodriguez have an error yet. With Torre around and Martinez kicking around, Grote will be traded.

At first Thompson's really stepped up and is by far our new power hitter. Fiore will stick around in case he gets hurt, but that's about his only value.

At second Andrews has had a good year and will hold the slot for this year at least. His .974 fielding is indifferent but Salmon's .980 isn't any better. Duffy's fielding is horrific. Both he and Salmon are on the bench to let White and Soderholm develop. Salmon may be trade bait depending on how things develop.

At short White stepped in when we demoted Russell, even though by training White's a second baseman. I'll review Russell at the end of the month and might switch them again.

Similarly, at third Soderholm moved in while Hart was injured and, offensively, did better. Hart's actually stepped up his defense this year (.989) which is a point in his favor. Again, we'll review at the end of the month.

As we finish June the 'platoon' begins again with Cardenal sitting out for two weeks, then Kelly, then Robinson for Mays. Mays' power just isn't where it needs to be for him to make a serious run on Ruth anymore. Offensively Jose, Pat and Bill are putting up better numbers and defensively only Kelly's worse than Mays. I'll let them 'platoon' for another two months. If we find ourselves in the thick of a division chase though, then I'll have Bob start our best fielders.

As aforementioned, Cleon Jones is here simply to be traded away in July.
*******

Pitching

1972 Pitching            Team     IP   ERA    G  GS   W   L  SV    K   BB   R/9
Dierker, Larry            KCR  107.1  3.44   15  15   9   2   0   85   38 11.99
Blyleven, Bert            KCR  105.0  5.74   16  16   4   4   0   74   37 14.91
Splittorff, Paul          KCR   93.1  3.95   14  14   8   5   0   38   31 11.96
Torrez, Mike              KCR   89.0  5.46   14  14   5   7   0   47   40 14.87
Bunker, Wally             KCR   11.2  2.31    2   1   2   0   0    6    2  8.49

Drago, Dick               KCR   33.2  6.42   17   0   1   2   2   19   13 17.91
Butler, Bill              KCR   27.2  2.93   10   1   3   0   0   19   10 12.04
Fingers, Rollie           KCR   21.1  3.38   19   0   1   2  10   13   10 11.81
Hedlund, Mike             KCR   19.2  2.75   14   0   0   2   1   10    9 13.27
Wright, Ken               KCR   12.1  5.11   11   0   0   0   1    8   13 17.51
York, Jim                 KCR   11.0 12.27    9   0   1   3   0   11    5 18.00
Busby, Steve              KCR    6.1  1.42    2   0   0   0   0    4    2  5.68
Clemons, Lance            KCR    6.0  3.00    5   0   1   0   0    6    5 15.00

Dierker's our staff ace this year Without him I don't know if we'd be giving Oakland such a run. I don't know what the h-ell is happening with Blyleven - he couldn't have peaked already could he? Splittorff's play isn't spectacular, but generally solid. Bunker's been phenomenal for a supposed has been. Again, with Paul injured we'll see how he handles three weeks of activity.

On the relief side, Wright and York are currently in Omaha. That may change at the end of the month. Drago's worrying me a bit with his high ERA, losses, and R/9.

Butler and Hedlund continue to develop as middle-long relievers for the most part, and continue to do outstanding work. Fingers....is performing...okay. I'm not sure he'll remain my closer though. Busby and Clemons are just getting some work in to help them develop.

[Imgran]

Thump with a walk-off! Alright!