To Rule in Kansas City

[CatKnight]

PotatoofCouch: I'm worried about Blyleven. Hopefully it's just a slump and he'll come roaring back next year. His rating hasn't moved from 89/94 since the season began.

And yes, I'm really enjoying pet's Win Shares sheet. I highly recommend it! (Thanks, pet!)
*******

July 30, 1972

Standings

American League East
Team            W    L    GB
Boston          58   39   --
Baltimore       55   43    3.5
Detroit         49   48    9
New York        48   48    9.5
Cleveland       43   52   14
Washington      39   58   19

American League West
Team            W    L    GB
Oakland         58   39   --
Kansas City     57   39    0.5
Minnesota       45   51   12.5
Milwaukee       45   53   13.5
Los Angeles     41   53   15.5
Seattle         41   56   17

National League East
Team            W    L    GB
Chicago         71   28   --
St. Louis       60   34    8.5
New York        48   47   21
Pittsburgh      40   59   31
Philadelphia    38   59   32
Montreal        30   66   39.5

National League West
Team            W    L    GB
Los Angeles     62   34   --
Houston         56   42    7
San Francisco   53   46   10.5
Cincinnati      44   53   18
Atlanta         41   54   20.5
San Diego       38   59   24.5

*******

American League Leaders
Average: Tony Oliva (MIN) .352, Cecil Cooper (BOS) .341
HR: Will Thompson (KC) 28, Rick Monday (OAK) 23
RBI: Jim Spencer (LAA) 79, Will Thompson (KC) 78
Steals: Ron LeFlore (NYY) 53, Sandy Alomar (MIL) 32

Wins: Dave McNally (BAL) 14, Jim Lonborg (BOS) 14
ERA: Ray Culp (BOS) 2.49, Dave McNally (BAL) 2.51
Strikeouts: Joe Coleman (WAS) 125, Catfish Hunter (OAK) 123
Saves: Tug McGraw (BOS) 16, Denny Riddleberger (WAS) 14

National League Leaders
Average: Garry Jestadt (MON) .349, Dusty Baker (ATL) .347
HR: Bobby Bonds (SF) 29, Johnny Bench (CIN) 27
RBI: Reggie Jackson (LAD) 90, Andre Thornton (CHC) 83
Steals: Lou Brock (STL) 33, Joe Morgan (HOU) 31

Wins: Fergie Jenkins (CHC) 20, Nelson Briles (STL) 16
ERA: Fergie Jenkins (CHC) 1.88, Nelson Briles (STL) 2.67
Strikeouts: Rick Wise (PHI) 141, Fergie Jenkins (CHC) 139
Saves: Sal Campisi (ATL) 16, Jose Pena (CIN) 16

Kansas City Royals Leaders
Average: Pat Kelly .333 (5th)
HR: Will Thompson 28 (1st)
RBI: Will Thompson 78 (2nd)
Steals: Pat Kelly 9

Wins: Dierker, Bunker, Splittorff 9 (T-9th)
ERA: Larry Dierker 3.84
Strikeouts: Bert Blyleven 110 (4th)
Saves: Rollie Fingers 12 (5th-T)
*******

Major Injuries
CLE-RF Richie Schieinblum (75) [29] (.264 3-32 1 SB) - 6 months
DET-RF Al Kaline (81) [37] (.306 12-48 1) - 2 months
DET-CF Joe Pepitone (81) [31] (.277 17-56 4) - 7 months
MIN-SP Dean Chance (80/81) [31] (7-8 4.59 0) - 3 months
NYY-SP Stan Bahnsen (88) [27] (10-5 2.86 2) - 3 months
PIT-RF Richie Zisk (89/94) [23] (.304 7-33 0) - 3 months
SD-SP Claude Osteen (76) [32] (5-9 4.74 4 CG) - 8 months
STL-C Tim McCarver (80) [30] (.256 0-11 0) - 11 months
*******

Trades

NYM-PIT: RP Ron Fulton (73/86) [23] (Minor leaguer)
NYM-PIT: RP Tommy Moore (71/86) [24] (Minor leaguer)
PIT-NYM: SP Dock Ellis (86) [27] (2-8 6.77 1)

Pittsburgh dumps some payroll here. I'm inclined to say they won this one.

BOS-PHI: SP Roger Moret (77/91) [22] (Minor leaguer)
BOS-PHI: RP Rick Kreuger (64/79) [23] (Minor leaguer)
BOS-PHI: SP Dick Pole (64/80) [21] (Minor leaguer)
PHI-BOS: LF Alex Johnson (90) [29] (.335 7-29 2)

Johnson seems to finally be figuring out he needs to field if he wants to play. Call this a draw down the road, helping the Sox in their pennant chase.

STL-PIT: RP John Andrews (66/78) [23] (Minor leaguer)
STL-PIT: SP Brian Hurt (67/79) [24] (Minor leaguer)
PIT-STL: RP Darold Knowles (83) [30] (3-0 4.15 1 SV)

Knowles is one of the pitchers Kevin traded away from Seattle early this year. He's also not making that much money, so I'm going to call this a Card victory.

DET-MON: LF Wayne Redmond (72/73) [26] (Last played ML 1971) (Out for season)
DET-MON: 1B Norm Cash (79) [37] (.329 2-11 0)
DET-MON: RP Don Leshnock (79/81) [25] (3-1 2.70 1)
DET-MON: SP Rich Nye (70/71) [27] (Last played ML 1971)
DET-MON: SP Les Rohr (64/67) [26] (Last played ML 1971)
MON-DET: SP Mudcat Grant (76/77) [36] (3-10 4.93 1)
MON-DET: LF Stan Swanson (76/78) [28] (.273 1-3 0)
MON-DET: CF Ron Davis (68/69) [30] (.158 0-0 0)

Uhm....?

BAL-PHI: SP Randy Sterling (60/78) [21] (Minor leaguer)
BAL-PHI: SP Rich Wortham (59/78) [18] (Minor leaguer)
PHI-BAL: RP Daryl Patterson (81) [28] (0-3 3.86 2 SV)

It seems Philly's decided to be fair and rearm both sides of the AL East race.

NYM-SD: RP Jesse Hudson (67/81) [24] (Minor leaguer)
NYM-SD: SP Craig Swan (71/81) [21] (1-0 1.74 0)
SD-NYM: LF Cleon Jones (88) [29] (.312 6-20 3 with Expos)

Poor Cleon. That's his FOURTH team of the year. Is that a record?
*******

Milestones

CIN-RF Pete Rose (93) [31] (.330 9-61 10): 1,000 runs
SEA-C Ted Simmons (89/95) [22] (.320 14-64 2): Hit for the Cycle against us in the 13-12 slugfest on the 28th.
*******

Notable Retirements

Nope.
*******

Created Players

Will Thompson (1B, Kansas City) leads the league in homers and is second in RBI, going .314 28-78 with 1 SB. His 1.021 OPS is best in the AL, and only trails luminaries like Bonds, Jackson and Dusty Baker. He continues to bat 3rd.

Colin Merritt (SP, Cincinnati) has slipped to the #4 spot. He's not doing much better, but has at least stabilized with a record of 2-5, 8.27 ERA with 65 BB and 64K in 74 IP. Next year he turns 20, and that could be a big year.

The Emu (RF, D-Coos Bay (OAK)) actually had a good month, going 4 for 21 (.190) to raise his average to .164. As aforementioned the joke's pretty thin now, and most people are just waiting for Charlie to come to his senses and send the bird home to Australia.

[Coach Owens]

I'm calling it, Thompson will hit 40 HRs and win the MVP award..

[gosensgo101]

How many times has Alex Johnson been traded now? It must be atleast five I think.

[CatKnight]

Coach Owens: Don't jinx it!

gosengo101: Four. CIN-KC (5/70), KC-CIN (7/70), CIN-PHI (11/71), PHI-BOS (7/72)
*******

Early August 1972

Well, Boeing's begun their ruse de guerre and announced they're looking for a buyer. So far Kings County, Washington isn't budging. No one really wants to stick their neck out for a perennial cellar dweller.

Except...it may not be a ruse. Joe Cronin sent a letter to the GMs asking us to consider alternate sites for the Pilots. He specifically mentioned both Chicago and Dallas. I called asking him if this was part of Boeing's bluff.

"It's no bluff," he replied curtly. "The Pilots were to have a domed stadium by 1970. We're approaching three years later. If they can get moving on this, fine. If they can't, then I'm tired of (playing) around."

Does the National League have problems like this? Rumors that the Phils hired someone to sabotage Three Rivers seem positively tame in comparison.
*******

Ewing meanwhile asked me a very curious question. Do I think Bob Lemon is old?

Well, he's 51...not a spring chicken anymore, but certainly not on his last legs either. H***, Bob's probably in better condition than I am.

"I think he's a bit attached to older players. I seem to recall he tried to protect Satchel Paige, and didn't approve of your moving Johnny Podres. Now he supports this switching off outfield positions with Willie Mays. I think we may need to invest in younger blood."

"Bob's led us to half a game behind Oakland," I replied. "I think he's doing a great job."

"We'll see at the end of the season."
*******

Speaking of which, I broke the news to Lemon and Mays that I wanted our main outfielders to finish the season. Kauffman was right about one thing: Bob didn't like it. "Mays still has a lot to offer this team," he said. "You're shackling him by putting him on the bench. It's a waste of talent and resources."

He finally relented, mainly because I started saying "Because I said so."

Mays took it calmly, though sadly. "I regret that I didn't meet your expectations," he said, then walked away.

Later I heard Cardenal talking to Piniella, though I'm pretty sure the comment was meant for me.

"Welcome to Kansas City, where dreams go to die."
*******

Andy's face is looking better. The last of the bandages comes off this week.
*******

Katrina came to town to watch us play the Twins. "It's my last few days of freedom," she said, smiling. "My internship begins on the 21st."

I offered her my (Kauffman's) private box, but she declined saying she wanted to be where the action was, so we sat in the lower box along the first base line. No foul balls, but plenty of memories dredged up of life in our hometown.
*******

Minnesota (45-51) (3rd, -12.5g) at Kansas City (57-39) (2nd, -0.5g)

7/30: In a thriller, Busby loses his arm in the sixth but Frank White hits a two-run homer to cap off a four run comeback. Butler pitches 3 IP of 2 hit relief. Royals 7-6
WP: Butler (6-1), HR: White (4)

7/31: This time it's Dierker who loses it in the 7th, and no one to save him. Acosta debuts for us going 1 IP, 0 ER. Twins 9-4
LP: Dierker (9-6)

1: They take the rubber match (and Fitzmorris once more snubs us) as Wally has his third straight bad outing. Twins 7-5
LP: Bunker (9-2), HR: Thompson (29)
*******

In a press conference today Thompson thanked Fitzmorris for adding to his home run total. He then listed who gave him the other 28 HR and thanked them too. Sure, Will. Let's make the whole league mad at us.

Meanwhile, with rain threatening the BoSox tried to stall their game against Detroit, while the Tigers tried to hurry things along. The game finally ended after 6 innings, and umpire Frank Umont recommended fines for both managers.
*******

Kansas City (58-41) (2nd, -1g) at Boston (59-41) (1st, +3g)

2: Mays fills in and goes 3 for 4 with a walk as Splittorff pitches a shutout. Royals 4-0
WP: Splittorff (10-6)(CG), HR: Robinson (13)

3: A well fought game, with Hart getting 2 RBI, but Busby's mistakes ultimately cost us. Red Sox 5-4
LP: Busby (2-1)

4: After 3 we lead 6-0. After 6 it's tied. On to extra innings, where Hart singles home Cardenal for the win. Red Sox 7-6 (10)
WP: Clemons (3-0), HR: Robinson (14), Russell (1)
*******

The Star called this series a preview of the ALCS - which is kinda presumptious considering we still trail the A's. If so, however, then I'm starting to like our odds.

Torre returned from the DL yesterday and will meet us in KC.
*******

Detroit (52-51) (4th, -8g) at Kansas City (60-42) (2nd, -1g)

5: Bunker returns to form and earns his 10th win. Torre returns with a homer and 4 RBI, while Cardenal gets 3 of his own. Royals 10-0
WP: Bunker (10-2)(CG), HR: Torre (9)

6: The Tigers get 4 runs in the 1st (none of them earned), while our offense got used up yesterday. Ick. Tigers 4-3
LP: Splittorff (10-7)

7: Mays (PH for Clemons) lines an eleventh inning single down the right field line to score Cardenal. Royals 5-4 (11)
*******

In Midland, Texas a horde of grasshoppers invades a Texas League game. Then they refuse to leave. Final score: Grasshoppers 1, Baseball 0 as the game's cancelled.

We're now tied for first!
*******

Kansas City (62-43) (1st-T, +0g) at Seattle (43-63) (6th, -19.5g)

9: I don't care what place they're in, the Pilots are dangerous. They simply outlast us. Pilots 6-5
LP: Fingers (5-4)

10: Butler starts for Bunker and crafts a 10K performance. Robinson gets 5 RBI and one homer. Royals 7-0
WP: Butler (7-1), HR: Robinson (15)

11: Splittorff only gives up 1 R in 7 IP. It's enough, as Marty Pattin shuts us out allowing only four hits. Pilots 1-0
LP: Splittorff (10-8)
*******

Well...that sucked. Needless to say we couldn't afford it.
*******

Kansas City (63-45) (2nd, -1g) at Milwaukee (50-60) (5th, -15g)

12: This we can handle though! Busby puts together a great performance as we score four in the first. Royals 5-3
WP: Busby (3-1), SV: Fingers (13), HR: Cardenal (10)

13: Trailing 2-1 in the ninth, Frank White and Lou Piniella (PH for Russell) come alive. Lou's double erases all doubt. Royals 6-2
WP: Hedlund (4-3)

14: Butler again puts in an excellent performance for 6 innings. Soderholm (PH for Fingers) singles in the ninth to bring home White and give us the sweep. Royals 2-1
WP: Fingers (6-4), SV: Clemons (8)
*******

August 15, 1972

American League West
Kansas City (66-45)
Oakland (65-46)(1)
Minnesota (53-59)(13.5)
Los Angeles (52-58)(13.5)
Milwaukee (50-63)(17)
Seattle (45-67)(21.5)

ALE: Baltimore (66-46), Boston (-4g), New York (-5g)
NLE: Chicago (80-32), St. Louis (-12.5g)
NLW: Los Angeles (71-39), San Francisco (-9.5g), Houston (-11g)

[gosensgo101]

Nice, in first place. It looks like its going to go down to the wire.

Mays appears to be doing well off the bench. Maybe he'd be a great DH.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

Hey Cat, how's Frank White doing? And any word on Buck Martinez yet?

[CatKnight]

gosensgo101: Conceivably. He's certainly doing much better than my scouts say he should be (75 overall).

potatoofcouch: As of September 2:

White's still my starting 2B until around the 19th when I'll have to decide between him and Andrews. He's rated 87/95. He's batting .275 4-46 with 4 SB ... solid and improving. Andrews might be better this year, but White may well be my starter in '73.

Martinez spent the year in Omaha. He's ready (82/96) and will probably be my backup next year unless Torre tumbles. In Omaha he batted .307 5-47 0.
*******

Late August 1972


Andy invited me to Royals Stadium and led me along the concourse - narrow, but serviceable. We passed the wide open space that would house a fountain behind right field in the coming months, and rows of what would be concession stands and shops.

He was quiet by his standards, probably partly because Ewing found out about the fiasco here last month and found Dale another interesting assignment. I didn't think that was particularly fair, as I could have recalled Andy easily enough. With her gone and Marcie not speaking, Kraft threw himself into his work....and it wasn't bad.

"I figure we can hang banners of the players along the outside walls to help spruce things up," Andy said. "The outside won't be much to look at otherwise, and we're pretty much in the middle of a parking lot." I didn't want to know how much these banners would cost, but for now I simply nodded.

Down an unnumbered section near first base. "Here's what I wanted to show you."

Green. Not a healthy green, more of a peach-fuzz type with plenty of brown still poking through... but a decisive improvement. "Good." I glanced at him, then back at the field. "Very good. What happened?"

He shrugged. "The last batch took. I ran the soil tests. Turns out one of the old contractors brought in the dirt from off-site and the lab says it was acidic. I never felt anything when I was out there."

"Maybe grass is more sensitive?"

"Maybe." Kraft flopped in an aisle seat and pointed at the center field towers. "Scoreboard. There's some lighting problems, but we have time." He indicated more towers to the right and left - new construction. "The last of our lights." A thinner pole in right: "Flags." Then another in left. "Pennants." He grinned. "Think we'll have one there when we open?"

"I hope so." I looked around for flaws in the construction. Nothing worth talking about. "When do you think the stadium will be ready?"

"March 10th."

I whistled. "That's not much leeway if something goes wrong."

"Nothing's going to go wrong! Anyway, city funds are drying up so I have to be careful. I don't want to tap into team funds unless we're desperate." We had a very healthy cash reserve, but were still ridiculously over budget.

"Alright. Keep me informed. And...good work."
*******

Boston (62-50) (2nd, -4g) at Kansas City (66-45) (1st, +1g)

15: Splittorff does well for the better part of 8 innings, but Boston's Jim Lonborg shuts us down. Red Sox 3-0
LP: Splittorff (10-9)

16: We tie the series with White's 2 for 4, 3 RBI performance. Busby only lasts 4 innings. Royals 7-4
WP: Hedlund (5-3), SV: Clemons (9)

17: Our tumble resumes: We score 7 in the first 4 to chase Ray Culp out, but they rally late annihilating Dierker and Fingers. Red Sox 12-8
LP: Fingers (6-5)

18: In a game we need, Bill Butler pitches the twelfth and gives up two singles, two walks and a double. Red Sox 8-5 (12)
LP: Butler (7-2)
*******

Oakland, realizing they're actually in danger, goes on a four game winning streak which means we're once more behind. We do get a day off to plan. Blyleven comes back. Dierker needs a few days off, but once he returns Bunker will probably go to long relief as he continues to struggle.
*******

Kansas City (67-48) (2nd, -2g) at Seattle (45-70) (6th, -24g)

20: Busby goes all 9. After a long drought, Thompson hits # 30 getting 5 RBI. Royals 10-2
WP: Busby (4-1)(CG), HR: Thompson (30)

21: Alright, bad idea. Blyleven gets creamed and our 2-3 combo of Cardenal/Thompson can't save us. Pilots 9-4
LP: Blyleven (4-7)

22: We win the rubber match on a strong performance by Bunker. Royals 7-3
WP: Bunker (11-2), SV: Butler (4), HR: Robinson 2 (17), Cardenal (11), Hart (13)
******

All Bert earns is a trip back to Omaha. We'll see him in September. Oakland's won 7 straight now with predictable results.

Equally predictable, the Republicans nominated Richard Nixon to carry their banner in the fall elections.

This next series is critical. A sweep would be great, but we really MUST take two.
*******

Oakland (72-46) (1st, +3g) at Kansas City (69-49) (2nd, -3g)

23: Splittorff makes me wonder if he belongs in Omaha too! Not much to say about this laugher. A's 6-2
LP: Splittorff (10-10), HR: Torre (10)

24: Our pitching's still unsteady, but we break Oakland's 8 game win streak. Robinson gets another 2 homers, while Soderholm pinch hits his fifth for the win. Royals 7-6
WP: Fingers (7-5), HR: Robinson 2 (19), Soderholm (5)

25: D***. Blue Moon Odom and Paul Lindblad outduel Larry Dierker. Soderholm again PH and gets our only RBI. A's 3-1
LP: Dierker (9-7)
*******

D***. What more is there to say? Further, we've lost Kelly for about ten days. In comes Lou Piniella.
*******

Los Angeles (57-64) (3rd, -17g) at Kansas City (70-51) (2nd, -4g)

26: Bunker pitches 8 solid innings but leaves with a sore hamstring. Like yesterday, their pitching is just better. Angels 4-2
LP: Bunker (11-3)

27: Butler comes in and only lasts two innings. Despite Cardenal, Robinson and White's best efforts we falter yet again. Angels 9-6
LP: Butler (7-3)

28: We take the last when Busby gives us 8 very strong innings allowing only four hits. Again our offense sucks wind. Royals 3-1
WP: Busby (5-1), SV: Clemons (10)
*******

Bunker's sore hamstring is worse. He'll be out for about three weeks. We shuffle the staff and bring back Blyleven...he can't do worse. Meanwhile, maybe experience will answer where youth isn't, and Willie Mays rejoins the outfield. Our season's almost over...
*******

Kansas City (71-53) (2nd, -5.5g) at Minnesota (55-69) (5th, -21.5g)

29: Dierker struggles. Ken Wright relieves, and does worse. Hart gives us 3 RBI and our first homer in several days, but it's not enough. Twins 7-6
LP: Wright (0-1), HR: Hart (14)

30: Three errors and more struggling from Blyleven allows the Twins to blow us out of the sky despite two homers (both solo shots.) Twins 10-5
LP: Acosta (4-8), HR: Thompson (31), Mays (6)

31: Despite a late inning rally, we manage to hold on with gritted teeth. White and Thompson both get 2 RBI. Royals 8-6
WP: Splittorff (11-10), HR: Thompson (32), Mays (7)

9/1: The final stretch begins with a surprise as Monty Montgomery starts. And annihilates Minnesota. Thompson once more homers and Hart goes 2 for 4 with a double. Royals 5-0
WP: Montgomery (1-0)(CG), HR: Thompson (33)
*******

There are 26 games left in the season. We're now 6.5 out. Logically it's over, though of course the A's gained 7.5 games on us in just 17 days so anything's possible. Still, it's time to take a look at where we are... and get ready for next year.

[Coach Owens]

Is this the last we'll see of Chuck Hunter as the GM of the Kansas City Royals?

[petrel]

I thought the plague of "locusts" in the Texas League was going to be a sign that Kansas City was destined to win the Division Championship.

But what a stumble.

--Pet

[Coach Owens]

I thought the plague of "locusts" in the Texas League was going to be a sign that Kansas City was destined to win the Division Championship.

But what a stumble.

--Pet

They're like the Mariners last year.

[CatKnight]

Coach Owens: I doubt it, but you can be sure KC's looking for a scapegoat.

petrel: Indeed. 7-10, while the A's must have gone what...about 14-3 to so handily annihilate us? It's kinda disheartening.

Coach Owens: Yep
*******

September 2, 1972

Standings

American League East
Team            W    L    GB
Baltimore       76   52   --
Boston          73   55    3
New York        69   59    7
Detroit         61   67   15
Cleveland       59   67   16
Washington      49   79   27

American League West
Team            W    L    GB
Oakland         79   48   --
Kansas City     73   55    6.5
Los Angeles     62   66   17.5
Milwaukee       59   69   20.5
Minnesota       57   71   22.5
Seattle         49   78   30 - ELIMINATED

National League East
Team            W    L    GB
Chicago         91   37   --
St. Louis       75   51   15
New York        67   60   23.5
Philadelphia    56   71   34.5 - ELIMINATED
Pittsburgh      47   81   44 - ELIMINATED
Montreal        46   82   45 - ELIMINATED

National League West
Team            W    L    GB
Los Angeles     81   46   --
San Francisco   73   56    9
Houston         66   63   16
Cincinnati      62   67   20
Atlanta         52   73   28
San Diego       49   78   32 - ELIMINATED

*******

American League Leaders
Average: Tony Oliva (MIN) .342, Cecil Cooper (BOS) .336
HR: Will Thompson (KC) 33, Joe Rudi (OAK) 33
RBI: Joe Rudi (OAK) 110, Jim Spencer (LAA) 105
Steals: Ron LeFlore (NYY) 71, Sandy Alomar (MIL) 38

Wins: Three tied with 17
ERA: Jim Palmer (BAL) 2.81, Stan Bahnsen (NYY) 2.86
Strikeouts: Catfish Hunter (OAK) 164, Sam McDowell (CLE) 162
Saves: Al Severinsen (BAL) 21, Tug McGraw (BOS) 20

National League Leaders
Average: Rusty Staub (HOU) .343, Vada Pinson (STL) .337
HR: Johnny Bench (CIN) 36, Reggie Jackson (LAD) 36
RBI: Reggie Jackson (LAD) 115, Johnny Bench (CIN) 105
Steals: Joe Morgan (HOU) 42, Freddie Patek (PIT) 37

Wins: Fergie Jenkins (CHC) 25, Nelson Briles (STL) 20
ERA: Fergie Jenkins (CHC) 1.76, Nelson Briles (STL) 2.61
Strikeouts: Fergie Jenkins (CHC) 182, Steve Carlton (STL) 179
Saves: Cecil Upshaw (CHC) 22, Ron Taylor (NYM) 21

Kansas City Royals Leaders
Average: Pat Kelly .329 (5th)
HR: Will Thompson 33 (1st-T)
RBI: Will Thompson 101 (3rd-T)
Steals: Pat Kelly 13 (9th-T)

Wins: Bunker, Splittorff 11
ERA: Paul Splittorff 3.62
Strikeouts: Larry Dierker 120
Saves: Rollie Fingers 14 (8th-T)
*******

Major Injuries - All for the season unless noted otherwise
NYM-3B Wayne Garrett (83/94) [24] (.232 14-50 5 SB)
ATL-SP Ron Reed (87) [29] (8-9 4.82 2 CG)
NYY-SP Mel Stottlemyre (93) [30] (11-6 3.99 5)
NYY-RP Steve Hamilton (70) [36] (2-6 5.34 10 SV)
MIL-SS Lee Richard (78/93) [23] (.272 0-35 12)
MON-1B Norm Cash (79) [37] (.331 7-28 0 for Tigers/Expos) - until May 1973
BAL-LF Frank Robinson (93) [37] (.309 22-84 4)
WAS-SS Ed Brinkman (83) [30] (.228 4-36 1)
*******

Trades - All 7/31

CHC-CLE: LF Wayne Tyrone (67/84) [22] (Rookie)
CLE-CHI: C Duane Josephson (83) [30] (.316 2-33 0)

SF-WAS: SP John Denny (64/80) [19] (Rookie)
WAS-SF: C Jack Hiatt (81) [30] (.203 1-5 0)

BAL-PIT: SP Dusty Cox (68/81) [20] (Last played ML 1971)
PIT-BAL: RP Luke Walker (81) [28] (3-0 2.75 1 SV)
*******

Milestones

SF-1B Willie McCovey (90) [34] (.280 21-68 1): 1,000 runs
*******

Notable Retirements

Nope.
*******

Created Players

Will Thompson (1B, Kansas City) is tied for the AL lead in homers and 3rd in RBIs. He hit for less power this month but more often, now hitting .323 33-101 with 1 SB. His 1.034 OPS leads the Majors, and he's still batting third.

Colin Merritt (SP, Cincinnati) is back to the 5 slot, but steadily improving. He won three games in August, improving his record to 5-5, 6.63 ERA with 75 BB, 83 K in 97 IP.

The Emu (RF, D-Coos Bay (OAK)) continues to improve, even though due to anatomy and basic physics his 'hits' are more like bunts with him running at blinding speed. He's up to .216 with 8 RBI and 9 SB. Still, it's obvious this bird isn't going to break the species barrier on MLB any time this decade.

[petrel]

I wonder if The Emu inspired The Famous Chicken.

--Pet

[CatKnight]

petrel: Quite possibly! Or it might encourage more pet lovers to try and break baseball's species barrier
*******

Kansas City Royals - 40-Man Roster

Pos Name              OV/PK AVG  HR  RBI  SB - Notes
 C  Joe Torre         87    279  10   50   0
 C  Ellie Rodriguez   81    251   0   16   1
 C  Jerry Grote       76    286   1    2   0 - Spent most of year in Omaha
 C  Buck Martinez     82/96 ---   -    -   - - A/B ball
 C  Greg Mahlberg     57/76 ---   -    -   - - C/D ball

 1B Will Thompson     93    323  33  101   1
 1B Mike Fiore        74    333   2    6   0
 
 2B Frank White       87/95 275   4   46   4
 2B Junior Kennedy    67/93 ---   -    -   - - B/C ball
 2B Mike Andrews      84    309   7   31   0 - On DL will return Sep 18
 
 3B Jim Ray Hart      89    278  14    2  59
 3B Eric Soderholm    87/95 294   5   22   0
 3B Jose Baez         53/92 ---   -    -   - - Will go down when Andrews returns. D ball
 
 SS Bill Russell      88/96 268   1   36   9
 SS Frank Duffy       75/77 125   0    0   0 - Spent most of time in A-Omaha
 SS Roy Smalley       69/94 ---   -    -   - - B ball
 
 LF Lou Piniella      82    283   1   12   2
 LF Jim Rice          69/95 ---   -    -   - - B/C ball
 
 CF Willie Mays       75    254   7   37   2
 CF Jose Cardenal     86    291  11   74   8
 CF Bill Robinson     85    286  19   76   3 - Spent much of year in LF
 
 RF Pat Kelly         92/94 329  12   60  13 - Out until Sep 4
 RF Al Cowens         67/95 ---   -    -   - - B/C ball
 RF Reggie Walton     56/93 ---   -    -   - - C/D ball

Pos Name             OV/PK  W  L   ERA  CG SV - Notes
 SP Steve Busby      84/92  5  1  4.32   1  0 - Out until Sep 4
 SP Larry Dierker    90     9  7  4.43   3  0
 SP Bert Blyleven    90/94  4  7  5.85   4  0
 SP Paul Splittorff  93/94 11 10  3.62   5  0
 SP Monty Montgomery 80/82  1  0  3.27   1  0
 SP Bill Butler      83/84  7  3  3.11   0  4 - Served as RP much of year
 SP Mike Hedlund     85/86  5  3  2.85   0  1 - Some time in Omaha
 SP Mike Krukow      70/91  -  -  ----   -  - - Will go down when Bunker returns. A/C ball
 SP Wally Bunker     83/84 11  3  3.64   3  0 - On DL will return Sep 18
 
 RP Lance Clemons    84/92  4  0  1.80   0 10
 RP Rollie Fingers   84/85  7  5  4.11   0 14
 RP Cy Acosta        85/93  4  8  4.62   0  5
 RP Ken Wright       82/83  0  1  5.59   0  1 - Spent time in Omaha
 RP Jim York         87/88  1  3  8.80   0  0 - Ditto
 RP Dick Drago       83/92  2  2  5.82   0  2 - Ditto
 RP Jerry Cram       81/95  -  -  ----   -  - - A ball
 RP Aurelio Lopez    76/79  -  -  ----   -  - - A ball
 RP Doug Bird        75/88  -  -  ----   -  - - A/B ball

[PotatoOfCouch13]

I don't care about the species barrier, just promise me that there won't be any "Air Bud" movies stemming from your decisions...

[CatKnight]

PotatoofCouch: How did you know next year's plot!????
*******

Early September 1972

Time to see what some of our youngsters can do. Soderholm goes back into the starting lineup and is joined by Buck Martinez. Drago and Jerry Cram join our relief corps. I'm not quite giving up on 1972, but it'd be silly not to give them playing time on a distant longshot.

The mood in KC is...not quite angry, but close. Bewildered, frustrated and upset might be closer to the mark. The media firmly believed that we would unseat Oakland this year, or at the very least make a masterful show of it. We finished sub .500 for August and are on the verge of turning into also rans.

The media wants blood. I refused to play, so one reporter went to Ewing Kauffman and asked if I was to blame for our sudden crash. "No," he answered. "Mr. Hunter has done everything in his power to bring us a pennant. He cannot directly control what happens on the field any more than I can." He refused to directly add to the grist mill, but said he felt there would probably be 'leadership changes' for 1973.

The players mostly blame themselves, with a few nods to Murphy and bad luck. No one's said it to my face, but I found out at least one person is saying it's bad karma because Mays isn't starting 3/4 of the time anymore.

I've also learned that Leo Durocher is walking away from the Cubs at the end of this season. Continuing disagreements with the players for the past two years have forced his hand.

Third baseman Ron Santo noted that fury with Durocher and his abrasive, no-nonsense attitude is what's fuelled the Cubs into such an outstanding run. For Durocher's part, I think the only reason he's hung around this long is because the Cubs are winning and already heavily favored to win the Series.

The Olympics are getting ready to start in Munich. Sure, whatever makes the rest of the world happy.
*******

Washington (49-79) (6th, -27g) at Kansas City (73-55) (2nd, -6.5g)

2: I encouraged Bob to experiment, and Hart ended up in RF, while Torre came in at third in the seventh. White's grand slam puts it away while Dierker pitches a great game allowing only 3 hits. Martinez goes 2 for 3 with 2 runs in his season debut. Royals 6-1
WP: Dierker (10-7)(CG), HR: Hart (15), White (5)

3: All good things... Our offense does tolerably well, but Blyleven falls apart in the 8th. Senators 6-4
LP: Blyleven (4-8), HR: Thompson (34), Soderholm (6)

4: A see saw battle. They led 3-0, then we did 6-3. Washington takes a 9-6 lead into the 9th and we almost come back. Almost. Of our 13 hits, 6 are doubles. Senators 9-8
LP: York (1-4)
*******

I admit it. I'm getting depressed. Oakland's already selling playoff tickets.
*******

Kansas City (74-57) (2nd, -7.5g) at New York (70-61) (3rd, -9g)

5: The Yanks score 3 in the ninth, but this time it's we who hold the advantage and win. Kelly goes 3 for 5 with a homer. Royals 9-7
WP: Busby (6-1), HR: Kelly (13)

6: Trailing 5-3 in the ninth, an error, three singles and Hart's 16th homer gives us the win. Royals 6-5
WP: York (2-4), SV: Clemons (11), HR: Hart (16)

7: Blyleven gets his butt handed to him and leaves after 3.2 IP. Our relievers aren't much better and our offense takes the day off. Yankees 10-3
LP: Blyleven (4-9)

8: We squander a 4-0 lead and another 6 double/13 hit performance as Splittorff falters. Yankees 8-7
LP: Acosta (4-9)
*******

We've lost Pat Kelly due to a dislocated shoulder after he slammed into the wall chasing a fly ball. Doc Grissom says he could be back for the last game of the season. Uhm...why? Have a good winter, Pat. 1B Willie Aikens (52/86) is activated to replace him.

The good news is that our lacksadaisal play doesn't really signify. Oakland's not giving up any ground. The Twins, Brewers and Angels are all formally eliminated.

Terror struck Munich when eleven Israeli athletes were murdered in Olympic village. Some group calling themselves Black September claims responsibility. The world's in mourning, and the Israeli government's sworn revenge. Personally, I hope they get it.
*******

Detroit (62-73) (5th, -19.5g) at Kansas City (76-59) (2nd, -8.5g)

9: Busby only stumbles a few times, while Tiger Denny McLain does worse. Robinson's 2 RBI double highlights a big inning that gives us the win. Royals 5-3
WP: Busby (7-1)(CG), HR: Russell (2)

10: The Tigers get their revenge as our bats fall silent. Pitcher Dierker leads the way going 2 for 2. Tigers 4-1
LP: Dierker (10-8)

11: We win the rubber match scoring all our runs in a huge fifth inning. Blyleven finally pitches a credible, if not outstanding, game. Thompson goes 3 for 5 with a homer and 3 RBI. Royals 6-4
WP: Blyleven (5-9), SV: Clemons (12), HR: Thompson (35)
*******

We get a day off. Oakland practices being invincible. Oh well, there's next year. At least we're guaranteed to finish over .500.
*******

Cleveland (65-72) (4th, -19g) at Kansas City (78-60) (2nd, -9g)

13: Small ball. They score in the first. We score in the third and seventh, the last on a ground out. Splittorff holds the Indians to three hits. BOTH pitchers get CGs. Royals 2-1
WP: Splittorff (12-10)(CG)

14: We score 5 in the first, and Al Cowens in his MLB debut goes 2 for 5 with 2 RBI. Busby pitches well. Royals 6-2
WP: Busby (8-1)

15: Cleveland hits us hard in the sixth and seventh, but we hit back. Bill Robinson's 8th inning grand slam gives us the win. Royals 8-4
WP: Dierker (11-8), HR: Robinson (20)
*******

American League West

Oakland (89-52)
Kansas City (81-60)(8)
Los Angeles (69-72)(20)
Milwaukee (66-75)(23)
Minnesota (62-79)(27)
Seattle (52-88)(36.5)

ALE: Baltimore (87-53), Boston (-5.5g), New York (-13g)
NLE: Chicago (95-47), St. Louis (-12.5g)
NLW: Los Angeles (89-51), San Francisco (-6g)