To Rule in Kansas City

[petrel]

You can only add to Will Thompson's legend.

[Imgran]

Jeeze, just thought of this: The Cubs now have all of Chicago to themselves. No competition. They must be making a mint and it looks like they might be unstoppable this year.

Bud Selig must be thrilled. A vibrant Cubs team should help absorb disgruntled White Sox fans and distract the town from its disappointment at losing the White Sox. The quicker the PR nightmare fades into the history books the better for him.

And if the Cubs win the World Series Chicago might be lost to the American League forever.

[CatKnight]

Imgran/petrel: Yeah, I'm starting to wonder if Thompson is TOO cool.

Imgran: I hadn't thought of it, but you're right. The Cubs are on pace for one of the best seasons in Major League history. This will do much to swing the former ChiSox fans over. If they actually end their 64 year dry spell and take the Series?

I think if we were to ask Joe Cronin, he would say that if/when the AL got around to another round of expansions, Chicago would have to be taken very seriously. If the Cubs have a good few years, then any expansion would either fail or be greatly reduced in stature, sort of like the Yankees/Mets relationship..

In NY, however, there are enough people that even with the Yanks dominant the Mets have enough fans/revenue/etc. to survive. Is Chicago?
*******

Late June 1972

Strange news out of Washington. The Democratic National Committee claims that someone broke into the office of DNC Chairman Larry O'Brien. Washington police concede there's evidence of a break in, and O'Brien reports several papers are missing...but that's it. Whoever it was escaped.

President Nixon condemned the break in, though cautioned the Democrats against making a political spectacle of the crime. Most newspapers outside of New York City (a Democratic stronghold) agree. Nixon's spent the year stabilizing the economy, ended the Vietnamese war that Kennedy and Johnson started, and is supposed to go to China later this year. His popularity nationwide is enormous, and it's hard to imagine him losing in November.

Also in Washington the Supreme Court finally ruled on Curt Flood's outstanding case. If you'll recall Flood first filed suit after being traded to Seattle in the '69-70 offseason, missed several months while that resolved, played out 1970, then changed his mind and jumped ship weeks into the '71 season. As far as we're concerned he's retired - technically eligible to come back, but who wants this troublemaker?

The Supreme Court agreed with every other court: Flood's charges of 'slavery' were unfounded. They noted the mere existence of the MLBPA, and this year's agreement wiping out the reserve clause once and for all as proof that baseball treats its players fairly. End of discussion.

Fine with me. Flood can stay in Denmark for all I care.
*******

Minnesota (26-35) (6th, -12g) at Kansas City (35-26) (2nd, -3g)

17: Alright, whoever told me Bunker was washed up owes me..and him..an apology. Brilliant game, with Mays' 2R double putting us ahead for good. Royals 4-2
WP: Bunker (3-0)(CG)

18: Torrez has a good game, but Fitzmorris finally avenges himself on us with a complete game. Cardenal gets our only RBI. Twins 3-1
LP: Torrez (5-8)

19: A day after Carew threatens Andrews' career (see below), White helps us get our revenge: 1 for 2, 2 walks. Russell went 3 for 4 with 3 RBI, perhaps pleased his spot at short is now safe. Royals 5-4
WP: Hedlund (1-2), HR: Thompson (16)
*******

On the 18th Rod Carew slid into second with a double. Mike Andrews tried to block while waiting for the throw from Mays. Carew arrived first, shoving Andrews' legs out from under him. He twisted...wrong...as he fell and didn't get up. Both team doctors swarmed him, and finally he was carried off, writhing. Broken cervical disc. Three months if not longer.

We call up Frank White to take over second. Joe Torre also takes back the catcher position, resulting in Grote going down. Ellie Rodriguez, usually a big part of our offense is obviously miserable and only batting .209.
*******

Kansas City (37-27) (2nd, -3g) at Milwaukee (31-35) (3rd, -10g)

20: Comiskey Park looks like a tomb. I'm told the 7,000 that show up is actually a good number. Our offense doesn't do bad...but Bill Butler pitches the Brewer 8th and gives up 4 runs. Brewers 10-6
LP: Butler (3-1)

21: We tied the series in the 10th when Thompson doubled, then scored on Robinson's double. We go through five pitchers before settling the matter. Royals 8-7 (10)
WP: Fingers (2-2), SV: Clemons (1), HR: Thompson (17)

22: Torrez pitches seven wonderful innings. Butler shuts them down in the eighth. Sandy Alomar steals four bases, while Wilbur Wood and Gene Rounsaville shut us out. Grr... Brewers 1-0
LP: Torrez (5-9)

23: Again I ask: What the h-ell is with Milwaukee!? They slaughter us! Milwaukee's Lee Richards gets 5 RBI. Dierker - my ACE mind you - lasts 2 innings giving up 7 ER. Monty Montgomery, who's supposed to be taking up space until Splittorff returns, actually gives us 5 good innings with only 2 more ER! Brewers 11-3
LP: Dierker (9-3)
*******

The only comfort - a completely undeserved comfort I might add - is that Oakland manages to keep losing. It's now 5 straight for them.
*******

In the C-New York-Penn League housewife Bernice Gera begins her career as an umpire in the first of a doubleheader. Her career lasts one game. Citing resentment from her fellow umps, this game is full of many disputes and she ejects one manager. Gera will wind up in the Mets PR department.
*******

For today at least, Seattle's crawled into fourth place. Maybe Boeing made the right decision after all?
*******

Seattle (31-38) (4th, -9.5g)at Kansas City (38-30) (2nd, -2g)

25: Seattle wants to be taken seriously and we have no choice! We kick Marty Pattin out after 3, but Blyleven only goes 6. He's managed to go since June 3 without a decision as Mike Hedlund gets the loss. Pilots 7-6
LP: Hedlund (1-3), HR: Kelly (8)

26: We only fail to score in the sixth and ninth, and the latter 'cause we don't play it at all. Bunker gives us another very strong performance. Torre goes 4 for 5 with 2 RBI, while Hart gets 3 more. Royals 11-3
WP: Bunker (4-0), HR: Torre (8), Hart (7)

27: Seattle continues to make a respectable fight of it, while Torrez continues to struggle. We need FOUR homers to finally take the rubber match. Frank White gets his first career homer. Royals 7-6
WP: Drago (2-2), SV: Fingers (11), HR: Thompson (18), White (1), Cardenal (8), Kelly (9)
*******

Billy Congliaro (LF, Boston) decided he had enough of waiting for his chance in the majors. After watching his brother forced to leave the game due to long term effects of a beanball, and (so he says) dealing with cliques that kept him out of the Majors entirely, he decided after five years of minor leagues he's out. Congliaro jumped the B-league Pawtucket Red Sox to go home.
*******

A Sports Illustrated writer called today asking to do a story about the Royals' run on the American League West. I asked if it would be a cover story. He said "Absolutely!" I hung up on him. Then I warned, under penalty of severe fines, anyone against cooperating with SI.

I learned my lesson last year.
*******

It may seem strange, even presumptious, to talk about critical series in late June, but I think this qualifies. Soon after my dire warning we boarded a plane.

To Oakland.

For three games.

We are one game back.

[Imgran]

Wow. Climactic. Hope ya sweep. So far KC seems to match up well against OAK.

You gonna slow down and go in-depth for these games?

[gosensgo101]

Damned Brewers.

[bigpapi]

Billy Congliaro (LF, Boston) decided he had enough of waiting for his chance in the majors. After watching his brother forced to leave the game due to long term effects of a beanball, and (so he says) dealing with cliques that kept him out of the Majors entirely, he decided after five years of minor leagues he's out. Congliaro jumped the B-league Pawtucket Red Sox to go home.

This is why I love BM. Conigliaro was a washout in your dynasty and in mine, he is currently rated 87/94 with 94 contact and 95 power. He is hitting .313 17-72 in just over 400 AB's. Each dynasty takes on a life of it's own and is unique.

Anyway, great writing as always Cat! Yours is the dynasty I look for first, and I am glad you decided to continue with it. Go Royals!

[CatKnight]

Imgran: Yep!

Gosensgo: YEP

bigpapi: Congliaro will be back. Historically he jumped from the MLB BoSox because he felt the existing cliques prevented him from getting the playing time he was due. Offseason he signed with someone else. Here, since Billy's 'washed out' so far and never even hit arbitration, the BoSox own his soul so will probably trade him offseason. Billy is (76/92) [24] right now.
*******

June 28-30, 1972

"Hello, Kevin."

In Oakland the Director of Player Development didn't get a secretary. Even the titular General Manager, a large, unhappy man I'd only met once or twice, didn't get one....not that one was needed. Here Charlie O called all the shots, and if you didn't like it, then the door's right there.

Kevin Calahan was thinner than I saw him last, and similarly unhappy. A curious mixture of pleasure at having any company and wariness what I could want battled for control of his expression. "Chuck? Hello. What are you doing here?"

I sat down in a dinky little wood chair. Despite obvious signs that someone made an effort at cleaning this office some time in the past decade, mildew filled the air and I kept glancing around for signs of green fuzz. Kevin's desk was as neat as one could ask. His filing cabinet stood open and empty.

"What's playing?" I asked, nodding to his radio. "Beatles?"

"50s and 60s music," he agreed, turning it off. "It..." He looked down and visibly mastered himself. "What are you doing here?"

I was here to find out if he tanked the Pilots, and if so bawl the h-ell out of him. Looking around his bleak surroundings though, I didn't know if I had the heart. "Want to go to lunch?"

He shook his head rapidly, still staring at his desk. "Charlie needs me here."

I glanced at the barren files. "To do what?"

"I don't know! To..." He sighed, stood and grabbed his coat. "Let's go."

We walked past the other offices at Oakland-Alameda, all similarly barren, small and dingy. "Where is everyone?"

"Oh, it's just me at Nat," he said, referring to the GM. "Sometimes Dick (Williams) stops by if he needs anything, but usually he goes to Charlie directly."

"And where's his office?" I asked, glancing about.

"Indiana."

"He...oh." I shook my head. "So what do you do here?"

"You know what a Player Development director does!" he snapped.

I nodded. "You didn't seem that busy."

"Oh....well, Charlie lets me know if he needs anything. Last week that emu in D-ball ate a fan's hat. He had me call them and try to settle. Two tickets per game for our last series with you guys. Charlie didn't like that."

"But shouldn't you...well, call the farm teams? Advise Nat and Charlie on who's ready to come up? Maybe..."

"Charlie does all that." He put his hands in his pockets.

About a month ago, after a long night I came home and turned on the TV. Star Trek was playing, having gone straight from production to syndication after NBC cancelled the contract. In that episode Captain Kirk was replaced by a supersmart (and ultimately insane) computer, and the Commodore called him 'Captain Dunsel,' Dunsel meaning a useless part with no function.

"Kev?" I still wanted to ask him about the Pilots. Was this his 'reward' for betrayal?

He turned and grimaced. "Restaurant's this way." He then turned and walked silently on
*******

Game 1: June 28
Larry Dierker (9-3) vs. Catfish Hunter (9-4)

Charlie arrived at some point while we were out, because after an aside to Kevin about 'taking a long lunch,' he migrated to the owner's box. In an interview on KEEN radio he promised commentator Monte Moore that 'his' A's would sweep the Royals and knock us out of contention.

We went down in order in the first. Sal Bando walked with one out in the second, then scored on Joe Rudi's homer to the left field bleachers. With two outs the A's put runners on first and third, but Mickey Stanley grounded out to end the inning. 2-0 Oakland.

Bill Robinson reached first on an error to start the second, and with one out Jim Ray Hart singled to put runners on first and second. Frank White fouled out however, and Bill Russell flew to center. Oakland's Jim Lefebvre doubled, and with two outs Bando brought him home with a single. Rudi also singled, but Rick Monday grounded out. 3-0 Oakland.

Pat Kelly walked with one out in the third, then an out after that Will Thompson scorched a ball over the center field fence. Robinson flew to left to end the inning, while the A's, for once, went down in order. 3-2 Oakland.

White singled in the fourth and stole second, but Russell stranded him with another fly. Once more Oakland fell 1-2-3. Neither side managed a runner in the fifth.

Robinson singled with one out in the sixth, but couldn't advance. Gene Tenace singled for Oakland, but George Hendrick hit into a 6-4-3 double play to take care of that.

Bill Russell singled with one out in the seventh, which should have brought up Dierker. Instead Jose Cardenal PH for him - a mistake. Cardenal struck out, Russell stole second, and Kelly grounded out.

It wasn't a mistake due to Cardenal however, but because of RP Mike Hedlund. With one out in the seventh Hunter singled, then Bert Campaneris and Bando walked to load the bases. Rudi hit a single down the right field line for two runs. Monday and Tenace both popped out, but Oakland now led 5-2.

Thompson walked in the eighth, but that's all KC managed. In the bottom half Hendrick singled, Stanley walked, and Lefebvre singled to score a run. Campaneris flew to left for the second out, and Stanley tagged up to go home. This ended Hedlund's day as Steve Busby took over, and Bando struck out. Hart walked to start the ninth, but five runs is a lot to overcome.

Oakland A's 7, Kansas City Royals 2
WP: Hunter (10-4)(CG), LP: Dierker (9-4), HR: (OAK) Rudi (17); (KC) Thompson (19)
*******

Game 2: June 29
Bert Blyleven (4-4) vs. Jim Nash (5-6)

A crowd eager for blood booed heartily as the Royals began warming up. Several times over the hours leading up to the game I thought about calling Bob and telling him how important it was we do well in this series... but he knows his job.

That's what I keep telling myself.

Joe Torre walked with one out in the first, but after Thompson struck out he tried to steal..and failed. Oakland fell quickly in their half.

We couldn't manage anything in the second either. The A's Rick Monday singled, then with one out Orlando Cepeda, their new 1B from Montreal, homered just clearing the right field foul pole. Ted Kubiak singled, but he'd wind up stranded. Oakland 2-0.

Once more Nash mowed down our offense in the third. Campaneris walked in their half, but Bando grounded into a double play and Rudi grounded as well.

In the fourth Kelly walked, advanced on Thompson's groundout, and scored on Robinson's single to left. Robinson then stole second, but Willie Mays stranded him with a routine grounder. Oakland's Rick Monday retaliated immediately with a homer to center. Oakland 3-1.

Neither side felt inclined to let this lie. Hart singled to start the fifth, then scored on Russell's triple. He then scored on Kelly's single to tie it at 3. With one out in the bottom half, Campaneris tripled, then scored on Bando's triple. He in turn came home on a sacrifice fly by Rudi. Monday doubled, but Tenance struck out to end the inning. Oakland 5-3.

Will Thompson opened the KC sixth with a single, advanced on Robinson's walk, then scored on Mays' single to short left. No outs, runners on first and second should have promised great things for the Royals, but Hart popped to short, White grounded to first, and Russell lined out. Oakland couldn't get anyone on in their half. Oakland 5-4.

As the game passed the 2/3 mark, new pitchers entered the game: Oakland's Carroll Sembera retired us in order, while Hedlund did the same for them. Robinson walked with one out in the eighth but was stranded, while Oakland still managed nothing.

Ninth inning, down by one, trying to avoid being THREE behind Oakland, and Frank White opens with a single. He stole second, then scored on Russell's single to tie the game. Ellie Rodriguez PH for Hedlund and grounded out, as did Kelly. Torre flew to center. Rollie Fingers pitched the A's ninth and shut them down for the third straight inning. Tied 5-5.

With hope at least somewhat alive, Robinson and Mays walked putting two runners on with one out in the tenth. Hart flew to short left however, and White grounded into a 6-4 force. Bobby Brooks (PH for Sembera) opened the tenth with a single. He went to second on Campaneris' ground out, and third on Bando's, but Joe Rudi flew to left stranding him.

Paul Lindblad pitched the Royals eleventh. Russell opened with a single, then Lou Piniella (PH for Fingers) sent him to third with a single. Kelly flew to center and Russell came home after tagging up, then Joe Torre grounded into a 4-6-3 double play.

We led by one as Bill Butler came into the game to pitch against Oakland. Monday flew to right, then Tenace grounded to the pitcher. Cepeda hit a routine pop out to second, tying the series at 1.

Kansas City Royals 6, Oakland A's 5 (11)
WP: Fingers (3-2), LP: Lindblad (5-4), SV: Butler (1), HE: (OAK) Cepeda (5), Monday (9)

[CatKnight]

Game 3: June 30
Wally Bunker (4-0) vs. Chuck Dobson (4-3)

The atmosphere was a great deal less jubilant, and significantly more grim as I entered the stadium. Like an angry dog, the A's just couldn't shake us, and now we once more sat only one game behind them.

Wally Bunker had a lot to prove - mostly to us. We'd given him up for dead. He had to know that - one doesn't get demoted from the #3 slot to A-Omaha without a pretty good reason. He hadn't lost a game since last year.

As for Dobson, after going 10-1 in 1970, he was 15-13. At age 28. For the best team in baseball. People already whispered that Dobson was a flash in the pan, that his career might as well be over as he sunk back into mediocrity. He, too, had something to prove.

The defense, apparently, had nothing to prove. We combined for six errors.

We opened the first with a single by Kelly, then Torre reached on the first of these errors. Dobson grit his teeth however, and struck the next three out. With two outs Rudi ruined Bunker's perfect game, no hitter and shutout in one blow: A shot over the center field wall. Oakland 1-0.

White reached second on Oakland's next error, but Bunker fouled out to end the inning. With one out Bunker hit Cepeda with a pitch, then let Stanley single, but now the bottom half of Oakland's batting order was up and Dobson struck out to retire the side.

Thompson doubled with two outs in the third, but again KC couldn't put anything together. Bunker allowed Rudi to single and walked Monday, but Tenace grounded out ending the inning.

Yet again KC tried to threaten in the fourth with a two-out double by Frank White, yet again they couldn't advance. Cepeda opened the fourth with a single, but his teammates stranded him.

With one out in the fifth Kelly ripped a homer to deep left. Campaneris reached on the first KC error, but two ground outs including a double play answered for that. Tied 1-1.

We took the lead in the sixth: Hart singled, then White reached second on Oakland's third error. Dobson threw a wild pitch scoring Hart, and Russell flew to left. Oakland fell in order. KC 2-1.

We went down quickly in the seventh. After the stretch Lefebvre reached first on our second error, but a strikeout and groundout ended the inning.

Enrique Romo pitched to us in the eighth. Thompson reached first on Oakland's fourth error. Two outs later Hart walked putting runners on first and second, but White struck out.

Bando flew to left, then Rudi struck out. Monday singled, then Tenace singled advancing him to third Cepeda hit into a 6-3 groundout though, giving us the advantage entering the ninth.

Russell walked to start the ninth. Rodriguez (PH for Bunker) grounded out, then Kelly and Torre struck out. We led 2-1 and turned to...

...Rollie Fingers. Stanley flew to right. Lefebvre struck out, and Dave Duncan came in to PH for Romo.

Ball outside. Strike low. Strike inside. Ball somewhere by Sacramento. STRIKE.

Kansas City Royals 2, Oakland A's 1
WP: Bunker (5-0), LP: Dobson (4-4), SV: Fingers (12), HR: (OAK) Rudi (18), (KC) Kelly (10)


AL West Standings (July 1, 1972)

Oakland (42-32)
Kansas City (42-32)
Seattle (35-40) (7.5)
Los Angeles (33-39) (8)
Milwaukee (35-41) (8)
Minnesota (32-41) (9.5)

[petrel]

Six errors in the final game of that series? That's when your team gets a Purple Heart and a "Thanks for Participating" ribbon. That the Royals could make chicken salad out of chicken...stuff must have Charlie "The Genius" O'Finley fuming.

--Pet

[Imgran]

WOOT! Tied!

You guys got exactly what you wanted out of that series. Object lesson delivered.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

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

[Jaws music quickens]

The Royals are smokin' hot! Hopefully they keep their roll going, and not falter to lesser teams.

[CatKnight]

petrel: Yep, 4 Oakland errors, 2 KC. I kept thinking: "These are the top two teams in the division!?"

Imgran: Yep! Tied with about half the season to go

PotatoofCouch: I hope we can keep it up!
*******

July 1, 1972

Standings

American League East
Team            W    L    GB
Boston          45   29   --
Baltimore       41   33    4
New York        40   34    5
Detroit         37   36    7.5
Cleveland       32   41   12.5
Washington      29   45   16

American League West
Team            W    L    GB
Oakland         42   32   --
Kansas City     42   32   --
Seattle         35   40    7.5
Milwaukee       35   41    8
Los Angeles     33   39    8 
Minnesota       32   41    9.5

National League East
Team            W    L    GB
Chicago         56   19   --
St. Louis       48   24    6.5
New York        38   35   17
Pittsburgh      31   45   25.5
Philadelphia    25   49   30.5
Montreal        21   52   34

National League West
Team            W    L    GB
Los Angeles     45   27   --
Houston         43   31    3
San Francisco   41   35    6
Cincinnati      34   40   12
San Diego       31   43   15
Atlanta         30   43   15.5

*******

American League Leaders
Average: Willie Crawford (LAA) .357, Tony Oliva (MIN) .352
HR: Will Thompson (KC) 19, Bob Spence (MIL) 19
RBI: Jim Spencer (LAA) 68, Joe Rudi (OAK) 59
Steals: Ron LeFlore (NYY) 41, Sandy Alomar (MIL) 26

Wins: Dave McNally (BAL) 13, Three tied with 10
ERA: Bill Singer (LAA) 1.95, Dave McNally (BAL) 2.37
Strikeouts: Sam McDowell (CLE) 94, Joe Coleman (WAS) 93
Saves: Tug McGraw (BOS) 14, Rollie Fingers (KC) 12

National League Leaders
Average: Rusty Staub (HOU) .354, Two tied with .347
HR: Three tied with 19
RBI: Andre Thornton (CHC) 64, Reggie Jackson (LAD) 64
Steals: Joe Morgan (HOU) 26, Lou Brock (STL) 24

Wins: Fergie Jenkins (CHC) 15, Two tied with 11
ERA: Fergie Jenkins (CHC) 1.80, Jim Merritt (CIN) 2.15
Strikeouts: Rick Wise (PHI) 118, Fergie Jenkins (CHC) 108
Saves: Three tied with 13

Kansas City Royals Leaders
Average: Pat Kelly .328 (9th)
HR: Will Thompson 19 (1st-T)
RBI: Will Thompson 56 (5th-T)
Steals: Jose Cardenal 7

Wins: Larry Dierker 9 (5th-T)
ERA: Paul Splittorff 3.95
Strikeouts: Larry Dierker 92 (3rd)
Saves: Rollie Fingers 12 (2nd)
*******

Major Injuries

ATL-3B Darrell Evans (93/96) [25] (.242 9-28 1) - 7 months
HOU-CF Jimmy Wynn (94) [30] (.284 13-46 3) - 8 months
LAA-CF Jarvis Tatum (70/73) [25] (Last played ML 1970) - 3 months
MON-RP Bob Reynolds (81/90) [25] (2-5 5.54 5 SV) - 2 months
PHI-RP Lowell Palmer (74/75) [24] (1-1 5.20 0) - 3 months
PIT-LF Bob Allison (70/71) [37] (.264 5-23 2) - 6 months
PIT-RP Jim Shellenback (78/85) [28] (0-0 4.37 0) - 13 months
SEA-SP Jim Bouton (69) [33] (4-4 3.00 1 CG) - 2 months
WAS-SS Jim Mason (67/92) [21] (Last played ML 1969) - 5 months
*******

Trades

NYY-MON: RP Tippy Martinez (71/84) [22] (Last played ML 1970)
MON-NYY: RF Bobby Murcer (87) [26] (.263 7-18 1)

Hm...one anomaly taken care of!

PIT-HOU: RP Sparky Lyle (81/82) [27] (3-1 4.62 0)
HOU-PIT: SP Joaquin Andujar (68/85) [19] (Minor leaguer)
HOU-PIT: RP Bo McLaughlin (65/80) [18] (Minor leaguer)

I'd say advantage Pittsburgh in five years or so.
*******

Milestones

LAD-SP Don Drysdale (87/88) [35] (3-7 4.94 2 CG) got win # 250, a CG shutout over Cincinnati. He has an outside shot at 300, if he can step up his game and LA doesn't lose faith. He's alone in 19th all-time. The next active player is Juan Marichal with 241.
*******

Notable Retirements

None
*******

Created Players

Will Thompson (1B, Kansas City) continues his career year in the #3 slot. He's batting .322, and his 19 HR lead the AL. He has 56 RBI, .411 OBP and .599 SLG.

Colin Merritt (SP, Cincinnati) has advanced to the #3 slot primarily through attrition. He's now 2-4 8.89 ERA with a 6.58 DICE. His 50K over 53.2 IP is still excellent, though his 52BB are not.

The Emu (RF, Oakland) has long ceased to amuse anybody, but they still drag him out every few days. Perhaps Charlie sees something no one else does. In a particularly ludicrous game he 'hit' a bunt triple and now enjoys a .147 BA.

[CatKnight]

Early July 1972

We rushed back from Oakland to host the Senators. As I strode into my office, Marcie followed me with the usual mix of bills, love mail, bills, hate mail, contract offers and bills. I filed through them as she updated me on who called. Hm, a letter from that kid in Lawrence.

I opened it up and found a single neatly folded, typewritten page.

Kansas City Royals
Win Shares

Thompson 15
Kelly 13
Andrews 11
Robinson 10
Torre, Cardenal 8
Splittorff, Fingers, Dierker 6
Mays, Hart, Bunker 5
Torrez, Russell 4
Piniella, Hedlund, Butler, Soderholm, White 3
Rodriguez, Fiore, Busby, Salmon, Wright, Clemons 1

I'm sure this would mean something if I knew what the heck a Win Share was!
*******

Dodger right fielder Reggie Jackson's opening his mouth again. "This is what Finley gets for trading me!" he boasted. "They move me to L.A., and now the Dodgers are going to the playoffs while the A's aren't goin' nowhere! How do I feel?" He pulled out a familiar blue and white cap and I groaned. "Go Royals!"
*******

Good news from the docs. Paul Splittorff will be back after the All Star break. Then I'll have to decide who to demote or move off the rotation, 'cause right now it's not Wally Bunker! Cardenal moves into the lineup for Kelly, while Mays continues in CF.
*******

Washington (29-45) (6th, -16g) at Kansas City (42-32) (1st-T, +0g)

1: Torrez once more falls apart, going only four innings and giving up 6R. Not much to say after that, though Monty Montgomery's ERA drops to 3. Senators 7-3
LP: Torrez (5-10), HR: Thompson (20), Robinson (10)

2: Dierker does well, giving up 2 ER in 7.2 IP, but Washington does better. Torre gets our only RBI scoring White. Senators 2-1
LP: Dierker (9-5)

3: The Sens continue to do well, but this time we manage to drag them into extra innings, where Robinson hits a two run homer. Royals 5-3 (10)
WP: Fingers (4-2), HR: Robinson (11)
*******

Bunker moves to our #2 slot...which unfortunately means we skip him for two games. Hopefully it'll be worth it. I've decided: He's staying, and Torrez will go down. Monty Montgomery, our #5 starter, is mediocre to the point of pain...but I know where I stand with him, and he seems content with the occasional appearance. We demote Dick Drago now and bring back Ken Wright.
*******

Kansas City (43-34) (2nd, -1g) at Los Angeles (33-42) (5th-T, -10g)

5: Busby pitches 7.2 IP in his first career start. Lemon brought in Lance Clemons as our new closer, saying 'He's earned the shot.' He succeeds. Royals 5-3
WP: Busby (1-0), SV: Clemons (2)

6: Torrez redeems himself, giving up 5 hits in 8 innings. Thompson's two run homer in the first leads things off, and they never come close. Royals 7-1
WP: Torrez (6-10), HR: Thompson (21)

7: LA's Dennis Leonard outduels Bunker giving up 2 H in 8 IP, though again no one can complain about Wally's performance (2 ER in 7 IP). Angels 2-0
LP: Bunker (5-1)
*******

Starting Busby on the 5th was meant to avoid having Torrez start again. As you can see, that didn't work out. Larry Dierker fell from a tree... (God knows what he was doing in a tree.) ...and sprained his back. He'll be out until late this month.
*******

All Star Break Standings

Oakland (46-34)
Kansas City (45-35) (1)
Milwaukee (40-43) (7.5)
Seattle (38-43) (8.5)
Los Angeles (34-44) (11)
Minnesota (34-46) (12)

ALE: Boston (48-32), Baltimore (-4g), New York (-6g)
NLE: Chicago (61-20), St. Louis (-8.5g), New York (-18g)
NLW: Los Angeles (48-30), Houston (-4g), San Francisco (-6g)

[Imgran]

I imagine Kauffman's delighted.

Chicago. Wow.

[gosensgo101]

What a series against the A's. Imagine what a playoff series that would be. But, since you're in the same division I doubt that will ever happen.