To Rule in Kansas City

[CatKnight]

June 30, 1970

Standings

American League East
Team            W    L    GB
Baltimore       53   25   --
Washington      44   34    9
Boston          45   39   11
NY Yankees      39   42   15.5
Cleveland       35   43   18
Detroit         36   45   18.5

American League West
Team            W    L    GB
Oakland         54   30   --
Chi WSox        43   35    8
Minnesota       37   41   14
LA Angels       34   44   17
Kansas City     35   46   17.5
Seattle         25   56   27.5

National League East
Team            W    L    GB
Philadelphia    52   29   --
St. Louis       49   32    3 
Chi Cubs        49   35    4.5
NY Mets         46   35    6
Pittsburgh      42   39   10
Montreal        25   56   27

National League West
Team            W    L    GB
San Francisco   47   35   --
LA Dodgers      41   40    5.5
Cincinnati      39   39    6
Houston         40   41    6.5
Atlanta         34   47   12.5
San Diego       23   59   24

*******

American League Leaders
Average: Jim Ray Hart (KC) .352, Two tied with .345
HR: Frank Howard (WAS) 23, Two tied with 20
RBI: Frank Robinson (BAL) 74, Frank Howard (WAS) 72
Steals: Ron LeFlore (NYY) 40, Dave Nelson (CLE) 36

Wins: Dave McNally (BAL) 13, Catfish Hunter (OAK) 12
ERA: Tommy John (CHW) 2.07, Catfish Hunter (OAK) 2.31
Strikeouts: Catfish Hunter (OAK) 110, Bert Blyleven (KC) 105
Saves: Phil Hennigan (CLE) 12, Dave Baldwin (WAS) 12

National League Leaders
Average: Billy Williams (CHC) .339, Matty Alou (PIT) .339
HR: Willie Stargell (PIT) 25, Two tied with 24
RBI: Mike Schmidt (PHI) 74, Three tied with 72
Steals: Lou Brock (STL) 38, Bobby Bonds (SF) 21

Wins: Juan Marichal (SF) 12, Don Sutton (LA) 11
ERA: Bob Gibson (STL) 2.20, Steve Carlton (STL) 2.37
Strikeouts: Juan Marichal (SF) 124, Two tied with 120
Saves: Kent Tekulve (PIT) 15, Tug McGraw (NYM) 14

Kansas City Royals Leaders
Average: Jim Ray Hart .362 (1st)
HR: Jim Ray Hart 13
RBI: Jim Ray Hart 54
Steals: Pat Kelly 12 (7th)

Wins: Bert Blyleven, Ken Wright, Paul Splittorff 6
ERA: Paul Splittorff 3.40 (8th)
Strikeouts: Bert Blyleven 105 (2nd)
Saves: Eddie Watt 8 (7th-T)
*******

Trades
LA Angels to Baltimore-
SP Jim McGlothin (83) [26] (3-8 3.13 2 CG)(now S4)

Baltimore to LA Angels-
SP Mike Adamson (58/82) [22] (2-2 6.10 0 CG in 1969)(Minors: C)
One minor leaguer (RP)(Minors: C)

* The O's pick up a reliable fourth starter to complete their rotation. It looks like LA is giving up on doing anything this year. Messersmith (90) can fill McGlothin's shoes when he comes off the DL in FEBRUARY, but until then their pitching is mediocre at best. I'll call this a draw, as this gives the Angels some more prospects to compete by 1975-76.

Houston to LA Angels-
LF Curt Blefary (83) [26] (.258 6-29 1 SB)(now LF)

LA Angels to Houston-
RP Ken Tatum (76/78) [26] (0-6 7.07 8 SV)(now CL)
LF Lou Johnson (60/61) [35] (.316 1-9 0 SB)(Minors: A)
RP Rickey Clark (79) [24] (2-1 5.51 0 SV)(now SR)

* From LA's point of view this is a great move. Blefary can make an immediate contribution. Clark and Tatum were some of their better relievers, but within a year or two they have prospects to make up for it. This also works for Houston: They already have an outstanding outfield, and they'll try Tatum out as their new closer. Their old closer, Fred Gladding, has more saves but an abysmal ERA. Clark also joins in short-relief. Johnson...is a throwaway.
*******

Milestones
6/12: 1B Orlando Cepeda (ATL): 2,000 hits. (.299 11-44 2 this year)
6/18: LF Frank Howard (WAS): 300 HR. (.280 23-72 1)
6/24: LF Billy Williams (CHC): 1,000 RBI. (.339 24-72 1)
*******

Retirements
None

[CatKnight]

Early July 1970

At the half way mark we have 35 wins, on track for 70. This is despite a handful of injuries and a brutal early schedule. I think it's a reasonable goal for the year and asked Billy what he thought.

"I don't like to put up arbitrary numbers like that," he said. "It might mean people don't try quite as hard when we get close. Of course we'll get 70 wins. TSN said 73, right? I think we can at least match their prediction."

I reminded him we fell short of their prediction in 1969 by three games. He grinned. "Yeah, but now you have me!"
*******

Apparently Pat Kelly at Billy had words. No one will tell me exactly what happened, but I finally corned bench coach Bob Lemon when I noticed Kelly was riding the bench in favor of Northey. He said that Billy mentioned making some changes to help the team, and Kelly tried to talk him out of it. Billy took this as questioning his ability, and so...

Morehead hasn't gotten much pitching time as mopup, so he'll go down to A-Omaha, and we'll bring up Bill Butler. Butler takes over middle relief, and Mike Hedlund (0-1 6.57 1 SV) moves into the mopup role.


(AI maintains hold on my lineups for another month. Grr.)
*******

Kansas City (35-46) (5th, -17.5g) at Los Angeles (34-44) (4th, -17g)

6/30: Once more our fielding stinks, giving up 2 errors and 4 unearned runs. I don't even want to guess how many games this has cost us. Angels 8-6

1: Just in case I didn't get the hint, we give up FOUR errors and 3 unearned runs. Thompson hits his fourth homer as pinch hitter for both RBIs. Angels 3-2

2: Northey goes 2 for 3, 2 RBI and Watt picks up his ninth (and as it turns out last) save as we edge out the Angels. Royals 5-4

*******

Before our game started on the 1st, Angel SP Clyde Wright was inducted into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame for his performances at Carson-Newman college. He's now 9-3 3.41 ERA.

Meanwhile, in Cincinnati, Riverfront Stadium opened.



About time. Delays in construction made MLB nervous since the All Star Game will be held there in a few days. Like many other stadiums built in the last few years, this is a multipurpose complex and will also host the NFL Cincinnati Bengals. Riverfront has a capacity of about 53,000.
*******

Mister Bradley in Cleveland called with a possible trade:

He offers me OF Jose Cardenal (88/91) [26] (.324 6-35 15 SB) in exchange for:

RP Eddie Watt (77) [29] (2-0 1.32 9 SV)
RP Chris Zachary (77/92) [26] (1-3 8.10 0 SV) (3-1 3.33 0 SV in Omaha)
C/1B John Wathan (63/83) [20] (.350 0-48 12 SB in C-Waterloo)

This is a very tough call, especially after Bradley offered $140,000 to absorb most of Cardenal's salary for the next year.

My outfield is already very strong. Taking Cardenal means I can probably shop Piniella (81) (.273 6-33 0) or Fred Rico (72/81) (.300 3-25 4). They're both good players and could easily fetch me a reliever to replace Watt.

Watt's my closer and doing just fine, though in the next year or two Richie thinks others will eclipse him. Others like Chris Zachary. He's supposed to be great someday...but he's 26. He's running out of somedays, and even his performance in Omaha isn't great. Wathan we've been grooming to one day be Martinez's backup, but he's at least three years from the show - and Ellie Rodriguez is still young.

Tough call - but I think we'll do it and move an outfielder by the deadline. For the next few days Northey goes down. (Billy still doesn't want to use Kelly.) Steve Busby comes up for short relief work.
*******

Kansas City (36-48) (5th, -16.5g) at Chicago (45-36) (2nd, -6g)

3: Rooker struggles early, and our offense doesn't really show up to bail him out. White Sox 5-3

4: Chicago's Jim Horlen holds us to TWO hits in his CG. White Sox 6-1

5: Once more unearned runs cover the margin of our defeat. Oliver goes 2 for 4. Our pitching continues to be questionable. White Sox 5-4
*******

Gary in St. Louis hinted to me that he'd be up for an exhibition game - a "Show Me Showdown" for the 'Missouri Cup.' I told him we'd be interested next year. This year...well, this year I need to take a good look at our roster.

Once more I'll be sending down people who could benefit more from experience in the minors rather than getting benched or shoved around in the majors. I also need to look at our defense. If I can find a half way decent fielder who's ready to retire, I'll happily promote him to manage Omaha and let him figure out what's going on.
*******

Four days after Wright's award in Los Angeles, Minnesota starter Dean Chance had his moment of notoriety. He wore a flag pin on his cap in commemoration of Independence Day. Technically this is illegal (no glass or metal objects on uniform), but it's still pretty cheap to do this the day after the fourth.
*******

Team          W    L    GB
Oakland      56   34    --
Chicago      48   36     5
Minnesota    41   43    12
Los Angeles  36   48    17  
Kansas City  36   51    18.5
Seattle      28   59    26.5

AL East: Baltimore (59-25), Washington (-13g), Boston (-14.5g)
NL East: Philadelphia (53-31), St. Louis (-2g), Chicago (-6g)
NL West: San Francisco (50-37), Houston (-5g), Los Angeles (-6g)

Team Leaders:

AVG: Jim Ray Hart (.343)
HR:  Jim Ray Hart (13)
RBI: Jim Ray Hart (54)
SB:  Jose Cardenal (15)/ (Pat Kelly (12))

W:   Bert Blyleven, Ken Wright (6)
ERA: Paul Splittorff (3.51)
K:   Bert Blyleven (115)
SV:  Ken Wright (4)/ (Eddie Watt (9))

[CatKnight]

July 9, 1970


The 1970 All Star festivities were held in brand new Riverfront Stadium, all of ten days old. Today would be the Hall of Fame inductees, formal announcement of our rosters (and meet and greet with any fans who showed up), and the home run derby. Tomorrow would be the game of course, then on the 11th we would have Summer Meetings.

In the American League we didn't really expect anything to happen except more or less formal reports. Gary tells me the Nationals might have a little more excitement. First, Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh continues to suffer delays and it might now be 1972 instead of '71!

Second, the Padres are awful. Historically awful. If things continue as it stands this will be two straight years where they can't even manage fifty games. No team drafts that bad. The Nationals want to look at San Diego's finances and find out what's going on down there. The "integrity of the National League" is at stake, according to Feeney, if they can't put forward a decent team.
*******

13,000 fans, a huge number for these pregame festivities, crowded the lower reserved seats as Bowie Kuhn stepped to the pitcher's mound and solemnly named this year's inductees.

SP Warren Spahn was by far the favorite of the Baseball Writer's Association, earning 99% of the vote.
Spahn played 21 seasons and finished 363-245 lifetime, 3.09 ERA, with 382 CG and 29 saves.
He came up with the 1942 Boston Braves, followed them to Milwaukee through '64, then played in 1965 for the Mets and Giants before calling it a career.
Spahn's 363 wins are good enough for 5th all time, as are his 2,583 strikeouts.
Spahn was a 14 time All Star and won the Cy Young in 1957.

2B Nellie Fox finished second in voting with 84%.
Fox played 19 seasons. Lifetime he batted .288 35 HR 790 RBI 76 SB with 2,663 hits.
He came up with the 1947 Philadelphia Athletics, went to the White Sox in 1950 then finished with the Houston Colts/Astros from 1964-65.
Fox was a 12 time All Star, won 3 Gold Gloves and was MVP in 1959.

I smiled when SP Bob Lemon stepped on the field. My bench coach looked quite comfortable in his Indians uniform, though I thought it strange. He had 79% of the vote.
Lemon played 13 seasons and finished 207-128 3.23 ERA with 188 CG and 22 SV.
He came up with the 1946 Indians and stayed there until he retired in 1958.
Lemon was a seven-time All Star.

Lastly, SP Hal Newhouser approached. He also scraped in with 79%.
Newhouser played 17 seasons and went 207-150 with a 3.06 ERA and 212 CG, 26 SV.
Newhouser played with the 1939-53 Tigers (somehow avoiding World War II despite his youth) and the 1954-55 Indians.
Newhouser was a seven-time All Star and won MVP Awards in 1944 and 1945.

Per league guidelines, their numbers are to be retired by the Braves, White Sox, Indians and Tigers respectively.
*******

Next came the rosters. For the first time since 1958 fans voted on the starting lineup. Some of their choices were...interesting.

AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL STARS

Manager: Earl Weaver (BAL)
Bench Coach: John McNamara (OAK)
Honorary Cpt: Nellie Fox (CHW)
Team Captain: Frank Robinson (BAL)

Pos   	Name			Team   App 
C	Carlton Fisk		BOS	2
1B 	Norm Cash		DET	3	INJURED
2B	Rod Carew		MIN	4
3B	Sal Bando		OAK	1
SS	Jim Fregosi		LAA	6
OF	Frank Robinson		BAL    10
OF	Rick Monday		OAK	2
OF	Reggie Jackson		OAK	1

C	Duke Sims		CLE	1
IF	Jim Ray Hart		KC	3
IF	Phil Gagliano		SEA	1
OF	Roy White		NYY	1
OF	Bob Allison		MIN	4
OF	Frank Howard		WAS	3

SP	Tommy John		CHW	2
SP	Luis Tiant		CLE	3	INJURED
SP	Catfish Hunter		OAK	4
SP	Dave McNally		BAL	1
SP	Joe Coleman		WAS	1
SP	Milt Pappas		MIN	3
SP	Jim Palmer		BAL	2

RP	Eddie Fisher		LAA	2
RP	Ken Wright		KC	1
RP	Paul Lindbald		OAK	1
RP	Dick Hall		BAL	1

The 'visiting' American League features ten first timers, not to mention two Royals! I'm actually happy for Phil Gagliano, who's apparently found some success with the troubled Pilots.

With Weaver managing I was rather surprised not to find more Orioles. I suppose he wants to rest them. Frank Robinson is here, however. He's the 'veteran' with 10 appearances.

One name missing from the list is Detroit's Al Kaline. After acquiring Pepitone over the winter he's been relegated to warming the bench. I think it's a mistake...and a shame.
*******

NATIONAL LEAGUE ALL STARS

Manager: Clyde King (SF)
Bench Coach: Red Schoendienst (STL)
Honorary Cpt: Warren Spahn (MLN)
Team Captain: Willie Mays (SF)

Pos	Name			Team   App
C	Johnny Bench		CIN	2
1B	Lee May			CIN	1
2B	Bill Mazeroski		PIT	8
3B	Ron Santo		CHC	7
SS	Gene Alley		PIT	3
OF	Billy Williams		CHC	6
OF	Willie Stargell		PIT	4
OF	Vada Pinson		STL	3

IF	Jerry Adair		MON	1
IF	Mike Schmidt		PHI	1
OF	Willie Mays		SF     17
OF	Hank Aaron		ATL    16	INJURED
OF	Jimmy Wynn		HOU	2
OF	Nate Colbert		SD	1	INJURED

SP	Don Sutton		LA	1
SP	Tom Seaver		NYM	4
SP	Juan Marichal		SF	9
SP	Gaylord Perry		SF	3
SP	Bob Gibson		STL	7
SP	Fergie Jenkins		CHC	2
SP	Jim Bunning		PIT	9

RP	Grant Jackson		PHI	1
RP	Dave Giusti		STL	1
RP	Ken Forsch		HOU	1
RP	Claude Raymond		ATL	2

Spahn surprised everyone by wearing the old Milwaukee uniform from his playing days rather than the modern Atlanta Braves. He has the right, of course, but it was unusual and a bit of a snub. I happened to watch Bud Selig's face as he was introduced and Selig grinned.



Mays once more leads his team which has another former Royal alumni, IF Jerry Adair, on it along with six other newcomers.
*******

HOME RUN DERBY

The ten invitees represented ten different clubs, five American and five National. With the exception of Minnesota's Harmon Killebrew (tied for 3rd-AL with 20 HR) the list represented the best in each league, a vast improvement over last year.

Oakland's Reggie Jackson dominated the early going, strutting confidently to the plate and exciting a crowd that nonetheless groaned when the Red's representative failed to advance.

FIRST ROUND (10 Outs)

PLAYER                          HOMERS
Reggie Jackson (OAK-20)             10
Norm Cash (DET-20)                   8
Frank Robinson (BAL-21)              8
Willie Stargell (PIT-26)             8
--------------------------------------
Lee May (CIN-24)                     7
Billy Williams (CHC-25)              5
Bob Allison (MIN-20)                 5
Frank Howard (WSA-26)                3
Jimmy Wynn (HOU-24)                  2
Mike Schmidt (PHI-22)                1

Jackson and Robinson continued their battle hitting ball after ball out of the stadium, as Cash and Stargell finally stumbled and returned to more normal levels of output.

SECOND ROUND (5 Outs)

PLAYER                          HOMERS
Reggie Jackson (OAK)                 6
Frank Robinson (BAL)                 5
--------------------------------------
Norm Cash (DET)                      3
Willie Stargell (PIT)                2

Four outs into the last frame Robinson led 3-0. He managed a last towering fly to deep center before 'flying out.' Jackson finally managed to get on the board, but he got too far under the next pitch and 'fouled out' to right.

FINAL ROUND (5 Outs)

PLAYER                          HOMERS
FRANK ROBINSON (BAL)                 4
Reggie Jackson (OAK)                 1

[CatKnight]

July 10, 1970

Cincinnati on a warm night in July. A gentle drizzle fell through the game, enough to perhaps annoy players and fans alike but not enough to convince the umpires or League officials to not bother playing.

Dodger Don Sutton came to the mound in the first to restrained applause as Cincy fans were reluctant to root for a divisional rival. Jim Fregosi and Reggie Jackson singled to threaten, but Rick Monday's fly out ended the American first.

White Sox pitcher Tommy John didn't have even this much trouble. He retired the Nationals in order.

With two outs in the second Sal Bando walked and stole second. Roy White, pinch hitting for John, grounded to short however to again end an American threat.

Dave McNally pitched the National second, allowing Lee May to single. Johnny Bench hit into a 5-4-3 double play moments later however.

Most All Star games tend to be high scoring, offensive affairs. So far good pitching and defense dominated. Probably because no Royals were in the field to commit errors. Like last year I sat next to Kevin as he mourned the woes of the Pilot clubhouse.

"I've never seen anything like it!" he said. "First they're angry with Bouton, now it's Flood. I can't fault the play of either one of them, but the club's falling apart!" Nor did it help that their ace, Marty Pattin, would miss the next year with a torn rotator cuff and their #3 pitcher probably belonged in C ball.

Rod Carew singled to open the third, but Sutton retired the next two batters. He stepped aside in favor of Bob Gibson who induced Jackson to pop to second.

With one out in the third Oakland's 3B Sal Bando threw a routine grounder away putting Gene Alley on first. He advanced on Mike Schmidt's ground out, but Vada Pinson then lined to second.

Tom Seaver pitched the American fourth. Frank Howard singled with one out, then advanced when Johnny Bench allowed a ball to get by him. Like his predecessors, Seaver retired the next two batters to escape trouble.

McNally retired the Nationals in order to finish his tenure.

Duke Sims pinch hit for McNally and walked. Carew walked as well, putting two on with no outs. Seaver caused Fregosi to fly out and followed that up with two strikeouts.

Catfish Hunter pitched the National fifth and once more they fell in order.

The American sixth went the same way. In the bottom half Jimmy Wynn pinch hit for Seaver and walked. He went to third on a Ron Santo single, but Billy Williams grounded out. Through six no one had scored.

Grant Jackson pitched the American seventh. Bando walked, then so did Bob Allison (PH for Hunter.) Jim Ray Hart pinch hit for Carew and grounded into a force at third. Fregosi walked to load the bases, then Frank Robinson singled to score the first run of the day. Jackson retired Robinson and Reggie Jackson. Americans 1-0

Eddie Fisher pitched the National seventh. Lee May walked, but was stranded at first on a Bill Mazeroski grounder.

In the eighth Dave Giusti came in to pitch. Frank Howard singled, then Sal Bando homered with one out. Americans 3-0 The Nationals escaped further damage and plotted their revenge.

Leaving Fisher in (rather than pinch hitting for him in the eighth when they could) was perhaps a mistake. Willie Mays pinch hit for Giusti and walked. Vada Pinson singled, then Ron Santo walked to load the bases with one out. Billy Williams grounded to third for the Nationals' first run. Willie Stargell and Lee May then hit back to back singles for two more runs. Ken Wright took over and retired Johnny Bench to limit the damage. Tied 3-3

Ken Forsch pitched the American ninth. With two outs Athletic OF Reggie Jackson slapped a homer to deep right. Americans 4-3

This left Wright to finish the game. This he did after Mazeroski grounded out, Alley dribbled to the catcher, and Jerry Adair (PH for Forsch) flied to center.

American League 4, National League 3

American League All Stars at National League All Stars
July 10, 1970

                     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 +  R  H  E
      All Stars (AL) 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 1    4  8  1
      All Stars (NL) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0    3  5  0

AMERICAN LEAGUE      ab  h bb  r hr bi  k sb     avg
R. Carew (2B)         2  1  1  0  0  0  0  0    .363
 J. Hart (P)          1  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .343
 P. Gagliano (P)      1  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .255
J. Fregosi (SS)       4  1  1  0  0  0  1  0    .316
F. Robinson (LF)      5  1  0  0  0  1  1  0    .339
R. Jackson (RF)       5  2  0  1  1  1  2  0    .309
R. Monday (CF)        5  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .343
F. Howard (1B)        4  2  0  1  0  0  1  0    .288
C. Fisk (C)           4  0  0  0  0  0  2  0    .269
S. Bando (3B)         2  1  2  1  1  2  0  1    .289
T. John (P)           0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .171
 R. White (P)         1  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .336
 D. McNally (P)       0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .155
 D. Sims (P)          0  0  1  0  0  0  0  0    .221
 C. Hunter (P)        0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .131
 B. Allison (P)       0  0  1  1  0  0  0  0    .316
 E. Fisher (P)        1  0  0  0  0  0  1  0    .000
 K. Wright (P)        0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .000
TOTALS               35  8  6  4  2  4  8  1

   HR:  S. Bando, R. Jackson

                   ip  h bb hr  r er  k pit    ERA
         T. John  1.0  0  0  0  0  0  1  12   2.08
      D. McNally  3.0  1  0  0  0  0  2  33   3.43
       C. Hunter  2.0  1  1  0  0  0  0  35   2.31
       E. Fisher  1.2  3  3  0  3  3  0  44   1.61
       K. Wright  1.1  0  0  0  0  0  0  15   2.83
          TOTALS  9.0  5  4  0  3  3  3 139

NATIONAL LEAGUE      ab  h bb  r hr bi  k sb     avg
V. Pinson (CF)        4  1  0  1  0  0  1  0    .325
R. Santo (3B)         3  1  1  1  0  0  1  0    .325
B. Williams (RF)      4  0  0  0  0  1  0  0    .339
W. Stargell (LF)      4  1  0  0  0  1  0  0    .334
L. May (1B)           3  2  1  0  0  1  0  0    .277
J. Bench (C)          4  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .285
B. Mazeroski (2B)     4  0  0  0  0  0  1  0    .300
G. Alley (SS)         4  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .293
D. Sutton (P)         0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .151
 B. Gibson (P)        0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .244
 M. Schmidt (P)       1  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .273
 T. Seaver (P)        0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .089
 J. Wynn (P)          0  0  1  0  0  0  0  0    .281
 G. Jackson (P)       0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .000
 D. Giusti (P)        0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .182
 W. Mays (P)          0  0  1  1  0  0  0  0    .312
 K. Forsch (P)        0  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .100
 J. Adair (P)         1  0  0  0  0  0  0  0    .272
TOTALS               32  5  4  3  0  3  3  0

   GIDP:  J. Bench

                   ip  h bb hr  r er  k pit    ERA
       D. Sutton  2.2  3  1  0  0  0  2  45   3.11
       B. Gibson  0.1  0  0  0  0  0  0   5   2.04
       T. Seaver  3.0  1  2  0  0  0  3  54   2.55
      G. Jackson  1.0  1  3  0  1  1  1  30   3.59
       D. Giusti  1.0  2  0  1  2  2  2  21   2.88
       K. Forsch  1.0  1  0  1  1  1  0  19   2.58
          TOTALS  9.0  8  6  2  4  4  8 174

     WP: K. Wright
     LP: K. Forsch

     Temperature: 86F
     Wind: 3 MPH (out to center)
     Attendance: 50,000
     Time: 3:08

MVP: Sal Bando (OAK) (1 for 2, 2 walks, 1 run, 2 RBI)

This was Bando's first All Star game, and afterwards he praised the Nationals on a great game. "I look forward to seeing their best again in October or November."

[CatKnight]

July 11, 1970


It might surprise some to learn that the National League and American League are really seperate entities. What I mean is that we have completely different leadership, and absolutely zero say in what the other does. For example, the Nationals could decide to move the Cardinals to Kansas City, the Giants to Oakland, and the Phillies to Baltimore and all we could do is whine to the Commissioner, who in turn has lost considerable power since the days of Keensaw Mountain Landis.

Fortunately we have no reason to squabble. The All Star Game and World Series gives us every reason to cooperate. It does mean, however, that what the Nationals do is technically none of my business. If Gary Gregg in St. Louis and I weren't such good friends, I might not even know.

Cooperation is important in Major League Baseball. There are certainly exceptions, especially in the older days of baseball history, but generally everyone agrees that the League is only as strong as its weakest member. If a team collapses and is unable to continue play, or so consistently horrible that their fans drift away to watch the NFL, then everyone loses. Certainly any GM wants their team to win ... but you don't necessarily want to annihilate all your opponents to do it.

This is why we interfered when Seattle went bankrupt last year, and why the Nationals are so worried about San Diego. They won only forty-six games last year, and are on pace to do so again. This is horrendously bad play. Even the Pilots, with all their hardships, are projected to win fifty-two.

Aside from the potential of artificially boosting win/loss records and player performances throughout the National League in general and the West in particular, some papers are beginning to mock the Padres and compare them unfavorably to local high school teams. One San Diego paper has relegated team news to page 5 of their Sports section and now focuses almost exclusively on the AFL .. sorry, AFC Chargers.

They don't want to lose San Diego. Failing that, they don't want their twelfth team to be the laughing stock of Major League Baseball. Therefore the Nationals are asking very serious questions about finances, roster decisions, pretty much anything to do with the 'Sick Man' of their league. Apparently Chub Feeney's ready to step in at Winter Meetings if the Padres can't at least make a game of it.

The other hot spot is Pittsburgh. For the past few years they've worked on a stadium. Initially it was to be ready by the beginning of this year. Then the middle. As of last winter it was to open in 1971. Problems with contractors, city ordinances, county officials and a group of citizens trying to save Forbes Field have combined to delay them yet again.

Forbes is just too old for modern baseball. Feeney told the Pirates to get their affairs in order, and to expect fines if they couldn't open by 1972.
*******

We were positively docile compared to the Senior Circuit. Cronin asked me for an update on Royals Stadium, and scowled at Kevin when he reported Kings County, Washington, is still examining a list of sites for their domed stadium.

"**** it Kevin, you know how often it rains there. Probably better than all of us. I don't care about the postponements, but the Player's Association is on my ____ about their people playing in the mud, slipping and getting hurt."

The only oddities were Robert Short of Washington and Bud Selig in Chicago both being unable to provide exact income figures for the year so far. Selig said he was still reconciling systems he planned to use for the 'Milwaukee Brewers' with his team that effectively has two homes. Short said he didn't have firm attendance figures available.

Both teams are in second place. I would hope they're doing well.

After the meeting Kevin came to me and said he'd been talking to Charley Finley.

"It's the oddest thing, Chuck. He reminded me of his help when I made my proposal to keep the Pilots in Seattle. It's almost like he's reminding me I owe him a favor."

That was...interesting. I looked up and watched him cozying up to Selig again. "What kind of favor?"

"He didn't say, and maybe I'm imagining it. I just found it strange he'd bring up what happened last year."

[petrel]

Ah, Charlie O. Finley, that magnificent *******. Combine the worst autocratic bullying of Walter O'Malley and the creative elan of Bill Veeck and you get the angel AND the demon.

I fear to think what he might want.

--Pet

[CatKnight]

petrel: One year Finley suggested baseballs with little sensor chips inside so that the home plate umpire wouldn't need to call balls and strikes. It would just beep if the pitch was in the strikezone. It..uhm..didn't go well.
*******

Mid July 1970


It's time to start thinking about next year, and that means sending down those I think would benefit from more time in Omaha. Naturally no one wants to go down, but I don't want them to stagnate on the bench. Plus, it's only for a month and a half.

Down goes Will Thompson for Mike Fiore, and catcher Buck Martinez for Dennis Paepke. Defensively LF Alex Johnson and 3B Jim Ray Hart are both a mess, but I need their bats so they stay.

In the bullpen Dick Drago and Steve Busby also head down. Up comes Dave Morehead and Don O'Riley.

Billy Martin lets me know what he thinks of 1)my weakening his team, and 2)my wrecking the clubhouse atmosphere with so many changes. I tell him I don't give a **** about the clubhouse atmosphere. We're not doing well enough to seriously consider remaining at full strength when it would be better to get people ready for next year.

"Maybe if you'd teach some of these bastards how to field we wouldn't be having this conversation!" I said before storming off.
*******

Kansas City (36-51) (5th, -18.5g) at New York (41-43) (4th, -18g)

12: Splittorff didn't do well. We'd later find out why. (See below) Our offensive bounced back though, especially with strong performances by Johnson and Cardenal. Royals 8-5

13: A close game, with four of our players getting two hits a piece. O'Riley struggles late though. Kelly's done well off the bench twice now and I wonder when Billy will let him out of the doghouse. Yankees 4-3

14: A strong performance by Bunker, while Foy goes 3 for 4. Bunker goes 2 for 4, 2 runs, 3 RBI to lead the offense! Royals 7-2
*******

After the 12th we found out Splittorff hurt his back badly. He'll be out about three weeks. This puts Rooker (and Morehead) in the rotation for a bit.

Meanwhile, in Atlanta, Chief No-Katuma picked up a friend: Chief Round-the-Horn. Native American groups are furious, but the fans love him so far.

Now we go to Baltimore. The Orioles are on a seventeen game winning streak dating back to June 19! They are 27-3 (.900) since June 1st!
*******

Kansas City (38-52) (5th, -16.5g) at Baltimore (62-25) (1st, +13g)

15: We would have won if Hart hadn't given up an error allowing 3 runs in the first. I ordered Billy to bench him for the series. I don't care WHAT his average is! Orioles 3-1

16: We get no errors, but they get twelve runs as Wright gives up 7 in 0.1 IP. Orioles 12-2

17: Finally! Piniella goes 5 for 5 with 2 RBI. Royals 8-4
*******

We had a few days off and so I asked Billy to stop by. He barely waited for the door to close before he started in.

"Are you through with Hart? I want him back in the lineup!"

I'd planned on letting Jim play again, but I didn't like Martin's attitude. "I dunno Billy, we're winning half our games without him. That's better than we have been doing."

"I need his bat!"

"You do? We just scored eight runs without him. We also haven't allowed an error in two games. Were you able to find him a glove?"

"______! You little ______! Don't you dare sit there preaching what this team does and doesn't need! ______, you arrogant _______ _______! What the _____ do you know of baseball anyway?"

"What the ____ is that supposed to mean?" I jumped to my feet.

"I mean you spend the off season saying 'I need infielders' so you hire two, including Hart. Only now you have too many, so what's the first thing you do this season? Get rid of Paul Schall for an outfielder. Then you give away two good prospects for another outfielder! And you know what? Now we have too many of those! I know ____ well you want to trade one! What should we get now? We have enough starters. Why don't you trade for one or two of those?"

The conversation deteriorated from there, and ended with Hart still on the bench and him out of the clubhouse until August 2 when we got back from Los Angeles. I brought Billy in because I wasn't sure Bob Lemon had enough self confidence to lead. He just entered the ______ Hall of Fame. If he's not confident now, I don't know what to do.

[CatKnight]

Late July 1970


Oakland (58-38) (1st, +1.5g) at Kansas City (39-54) (5th, -17.5g)

21: Blyleven gives up two homers - which is one too many. Hart comes on as PH to impress us with his bat and grounds out. Each of the starting fielders gets one hit. Rodriguez gets two. Athletics 5-3

22: Bunker gets run over for five runs in three innings. Fitzmorris takes over and pitches six shutout innings: A fantastic performance. Foy surprised everyone by hitting his second homer of the year. Athletics 5-3

23: Oakland's Rick Monday goes 2 for 5 with 2 homers and 6 RBIs. On our side Rodriguez went 1 for 1 with 3 walks, Severson 2 for 5 with 2 RBI. O'Riley gets hammered for four runs in 1.1 IP. Athletics 7-5
*******

The Mets offer OF Leroy Stanton (72/90) [24] for Joe Foy (82) [27]. It looks fair on paper, but as Billy said: I'm considering getting rid of outfielders, not adding to my collection.

I think I've made my point, and anyway we're starting to accumulate errors again, so I tell Bob Lemon he can start Hart if he wants to.
*******

Minnesota (47-49) (3rd, -12.5g) at Kansas City (39-57) (5th, -20.5g)

24: Not much to say, except Bill Butler got his first appearance of the year and now has a 135.00 ERA. You can do the math. We also allow two errors - neither by Hart. Twins 12-1

25: Minnesota's Tony Oliva goes 4 for 5 with a homer. Jim Kaat only gives up four hits. Another error: First base. Twins 7-2

26: A ninth inning two run homer by Oliver makes it close, but not quite enough. Yes, another error - this one causing an unearned run, and this one by our shortstop! Twins 5-4
*******

Washington asks if I'd like OF Dick Smith (66/78) [25] for C Ellie Rodriguez (77/79) [24]. I reply "Sure, but we need five million to cover expenses." He hangs up. Point made.

I talked to Bob while we flew to Washington and asked what he thought was going on with our six game losing streak.

"They miss Billy," he said quietly. "I can't provide what this team needs. Not right now, anyway. They need someone to light a fire under them, and I don't think I can do that."

I asked him what he thought of our outfield situation. "I have to pull the trigger soon if I'm going to."

"If I were to choose who to get rid of, I'd say Jose."

"Cardenal? He's putting up good numbers isn't he?"

He nodded. "Yes, but first he's blocking Pat and Pat's your captain as well as a fine player. Second, he's not happy. He keeps talking about wanting to go to San Diego."

"San Diego!?" The Padres were 30-72, 16.5 games out of fifth.

"Friends, or so he says. He might just be being smart. "Anywhere but here," that kind of thing.
*******

Kansas City (39-60) (5th, -23.5g) at Washington (55-44) (2nd, -15g)

27: After his performance a few days ago I ask Bob to start Al Fitzmorris. He pitches six innings giving up one run, dropping his ERA to 1.77. We get several opportunities but can't capitalize. Senators 1-0

28: Senator Dick Bosman hands us our eighth straight loss (a club record) with a CG shutout. He holds us to TWO hits and one walk. Senators 4-0

29: This time Bert holds them to four hits, earning his own CG shutout. Hart hits two doubles in 4 AB with 2 RBI, Oliver goes 3 for 4. Royals 3-0
*******

In the end I surprised everyone by not moving any MLB outfielders. Perhaps that was a mistake, but I think I'd like just a little more time to see how things pan out.

I did get rid of SP Dave Morehead (81) [27] (1-5 7.11 0) however. Dave led the team in strikeouts last year, but has struggled badly and already got sent down once this year. Al Fitzmorris will be our new fifth starter and/or long reliever. He's lost some endurance from when he was in the minors, but I think he can get it back.

As part of my deal with Chuck Finley and Oakland, he offered to take on some players that probably aren't going anywhere in Kansas City. He says that maybe he can help them develop better... yet after talking to Kevin at the All Star break, I have to wonder if he's trying to put me in his debt.

Anyway, with Morehead went RP Barry Raziano (63/71) [23] (1-3 6.11 3 SV in C ball), 2B Juan Rios (62/65) [28] (.340 3-62 7 in C ball), OF Dan Thomas (54/77) [19] (.266 2-20 4 in D ball) and RP Don O'Riley (69/75) [25] (0-2 5.71 1 SV).

WE get RP Rollie Fingers (82/84) [23] (5-6 3.05 10 SV), who more than makes up for my giving up Chris Zachary earlier this year.

Rollie's our new closer. Oakland makes Morehead their middle reliever(!?), O'Riley goes to B ball, Raziano stays in C, Thomas stays in D, and Rios is promoted to B.

When he arrived I asked Rollie if he had any reservations about going from the division leader to a team barely out of expansion. He paused for a moment, then smiled and shook his head.

"So long as I get to pitch, I don't care. At least in KC no owner's trying to change the size or shape of the pitcher's mound!"
******

A bit of bad news: SS Rich Severson (.238 0-12 1) has some sort of inflammation in his elbow. He's on a full course of antibiotics, but our doc thinks he'll miss about two weeks. Concepcion will take his place.
*******

Kansas City (40-62) (5th, -25.5g) at Los Angeles (46-56) (4th, -19.5g)

30: A see saw game, with Fred Rico coming in from the bench to hit a two run shot to give us the game. Drago pitched four innings in relief giving up one hit for the win. Royals 5-4

31: For the 2nd straight day LA errors hurt them, while Bob Oliver goes 3 for 5 with his 2nd homer in as many days. Royals 6-3

8/1: Richie keeps telling me Fitzmorris doesn't really have the endurance to be a good starter anymore. Well..he just pitched a CG. Oliver homers for his 3rd straight day. Royals 5-1
*******

Charlie Finley called and asked how I liked Fingers so far. Then he asked if I needed any more relievers. If so, he'd happily let me have RP Dave Hamilton (66/81) [22] for Joe Foy (82) [27]. I said I'd get back to him before the deadlne. I forgot. Whoops.
******

Then Cincinnati makes an offer I have to take more seriously. They want LF Alex Johnson (82/88) [27] (.280 4-27 3). In exchange, I get SS Frank Duffy (72/83) [23] and 2B Junior Kennedy (61/84) [19].

Hm. Losing Johnson would put Lou Piniella back in the lineup ... as well as Rico probably. (They've been switching off almost at random.) Piniella's better offensively (.295 7-38 0) but he's probably not getting any better.

On the other hand, Johnson is by far the worst fielder on my team. Even Hart's much, much better.

Duffy will not be ready for a few years, and by then he'll probably be duelling Concepcion for backup shortstop. It'll be even longer before Kennedy's ready. Then again, in a few years if something happens to 2B Frank White (now 72/94) he might be useful. Even if he isn't...

We're a young, hopefully strengthening team. Prospects are good. Iffy fielders aren't. Let's do it.

[CatKnight]

August 2, 1970

Standings

American League East
Team            W    L    GB
Baltimore       73   32   --
Washington      57   47   15.5
NY Yankees      54   51   19
Detroit         50   55   23   
Boston          51   57   23.5
Cleveland       45   59   27.5

American League West
Team            W    L    GB
Oakland         70   38   --
Chi WSox        58   47   10.5
Minnesota       53   52   15.5
LA Angels       46   59   22.5
Kansas City     43   62   25.5
Seattle         32   73   36.5

National League East
Team            W    L    GB
Philadelphia    67   38   --
St. Louis       63   42    4 
Chi Cubs        57   48   10
NY Mets         54   48   11.5
Pittsburgh      55   52   13
Montreal        32   73   35

National League West
Team            W    L    GB
San Francisco   62   46   --
Houston         55   47    4
Cincinnati      54   51    6.5
LA Dodgers      51   53    9
Atlanta         47   58   13.5
San Diego       32   73   28.5

*******

American League Leaders
Average: Rick Monday (OAK) .358, Rod Carew (MIN) .351
HR: Frank Howard (WAS) 30, Two tied with 27
RBI: Frank Howard (WAS) 99, Frank Robinson (BAL) 97
Steals: Ron LeFlore (NYY) 56, Dave Nelson (CLE) 39

Wins: Dave McNally (BAL) 16, Two tied with 13
ERA: Joe Coleman (WAS) 2.50, Tommy John (CHW) 2.55
Strikeouts: Bert Blyleven (KC) 140, Catfish Hunter (OAK) 129
Saves: Dick Hall (BAL) 16, Two tied with 15

National League Leaders
Average: Billy Williams (CHC) .339, Matty Alou (PIT) .329
HR: Lee May (CIN) 32, Billy Williams (CHC) 29
RBI: Lee May (CIN) 96, Billy Williams (CHC) 92
Steals: Lou Brock (STL) 50, Bobby Bonds (SF) 29

Wins: Juan Marichal (SF) 15, Two tied with 14
ERA: Bob Gibson (STL) 2.21, Juan Marichal (SF) 2.59
Strikeouts: Gaylord Perry (SF) 158, Juan Marichal (SF) 155
Saves: Kent Tekulve (PIT) 18, Tug McGraw (NYM) 17

Kansas City Royals Leaders
Average: Jim Ray Hart .343 (4th)
HR: Jim Ray Hart 13
RBI: Jim Ray Hart 62
Steals: Jose Cardenal 20 (5th)

Wins: Bert Blyleven 8
ERA: Paul Splittorff 3.73
Strikeouts: Bert Blyleven 140 (1st)
Saves: Rollie Fingers 10 (6th-T)
*******

Trades
Montreal to Boston-
SP Carl Morton (84/88) [26] (6-8 6.34 2 CG) (Now S3)

Boston to Montreal-
RP John Curtis (72/84) [22] (B ball, Last played MLB 1969)
SP Ken Brett (69/80) [21] (0-3 5.73 0 CG) (C ball)
-----

Seattle to Houston-
SP Gary Bell (79/80) [33] (6-8 4.90 1 CG) (S4)

Houston to Seattle-
RP Bob Watkins (67/78) [22] (C ball)
RP Ramon de los Santos (64/77) [21] (C ball)
-----

LA Dodgers to LA Angels-
C Tom Haller (75) [33] (.284 8-29 0) (Bench)
OF Willie Crawford (85) [23] (.344 13-43 3 SB)(LF)
SP Bill Singer (83) [26] (7-9 6.04 3 CG)(S3)
RF Andy Kosco (72) [28] (.240 4-18 0)(A ball)

LA Angels to LA Dodgers-
SS Jim Fregosi (91) [28] (.302 4-35 6)(SS)
RP Greg Garrett (76/81) [23] (0-1 4.76 1 SV) (B ball)
-----

Philadelphia to Seattle-
One minor leaguer (LF, D ball)

Seattle to Philadelphia-
RF Tommy Davis (79) [31] (.313 5-33 1) (Bench)
-----

Seattle to Pittsburgh-
SP Gene Brabender (80) [28] (3-2 3.18 1 SV) (MR)

Pittsburgh to Seattle-
3B Art Howe (66/81) [23] (.083 0-0 0) (B ball)

I hope Kevin knows what he's doing, because I'm not really liking any of these deals.
-----

Montreal to Houston-
1B Rusty Staub (89) [26] (.260 6-30 1)(1B)

Houston to Montreal-
LF Keith Lampard (78/92) [24] (.500 0-2 0 in 6 AB)(LF)
-----

LA Angels to San Francisco-
OF Rick Reichardt (81) [27] (.242 9-35 2 SB)

San Francisco to LA Angels-
Three minor leaguers (LF, C ball) (SS, D ball) (RF, D ball)
-----

Montreal to Cincinnati-
OF Don Bosch (68/73) [28] (.179 4-15 2) (CF)

Cincinnati to Montreal-
One minor leaguer (SP, C ball)
****

Milestones
OF Billy Williams (CHC): 300 HR. (.339 29-92 1 this year)
OF Frank Robinson (BAL): 1,500 R. (.318 25-97 6)
OF Vada Pinson (STL): 1,000 RBI. (.315 18-91 14)
3B Ron Santo (CHC): 1,000 RBI. (.322 21-76 1)
*******

Retirements

SP Pedro Ramos (Age 35) retired after 14 seasons
In 1970 he was 0-0 2.45 ERA in 7.1 IP for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Lifetime he finished 114-157 4.02 ERA 73 CG 53 SV
He played for the 'old' Washington Senators (55-60), Minnesota Twins (61), Cleveland Indians (62-64), New York Yankees (64-66), Philadelphia Phillies (67) and Pirates (69-70)
He was an All Star in 1959.

RP Don McMahon (40) retired after 13 seasons
In 1970 he was 1-3 4.56 ERA in 23.2 IP for the Detroit Tigers
Lifetime he finished 59-51 2.86 ERA with 108 SV
He played for the Milwaukee Braves (57-62), Houston Colts (62-63), Cleveland Indians (64-66), Boston Red Sox (66-67), Chicago White Sox (67-68) and Tigers (68-70)
He was an All Star in 1958.
*******

Fun little fact: Don Drysdale (90/91) [34] (5-14 5.16 1 CG 119K for Dodgers) and Jim Bunning (87) [38] (14-6 4.26 3 CG 151K for Pirates) are now tied for second all time in strikeouts with 2846. First belongs to Walter Johnson (3509 between 1907-1927)

[CatKnight]

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

STATS THROUGH JULY 1970

Batting (not including pitchers)

1970 Batting       Team    G   AVG    AB    H  2B  3B  HR   BB    K   SB  CS    R  RBI   SLG   OBP
Rodriguez, Ellie    KCR   83  .230   257   59  12   1   0   51   39    1   4   31   22  .284  .361
Paepke, Dennis      KCR   33  .148    81   12   1   0   0    7   15    0   0    4    5  .160  .216
Martinez, Buck      KCR    9  .286     7    2   0   0   0    0    1    0   0    0    0  .286  .286

Oliver, Bob         KCR   85  .227   317   72  11   1  11   21   50    0   3   32   39  .372  .281
Fiore, Mike         KCR   22  .182    22    4   0   0   0   11    6    0   0    4    0  .182  .455
Thompson, Will      KCR   37  .270    89   24   6   0   4   12   15    0   1   15   15  .472  .359

Foy, Joe            KCR   88  .243   309   75  10   1   2   56   52    9  11   39   29  .301  .361
Severson, Rich      KCR   67  .238   185   44   7   0   0   11   41    1   0   24   12  .276  .295
Hart, Jim Ray       KCR   86  .343   324  111  19   4  13   29   47    5   1   52   62  .546  .396
Concepcion, Dave    KCR   46  .258   120   31   7   1   0   13   17    1   3   14   15  .333  .336
Salmon, Chico       KCR   75  .294   214   63  10   2   4   16   29    5   7   26   24  .416  .352

Cardenal, Jose      KCR   98  .316   383  121  28   6   6   41   49   20  11   39   43  .467  .383
Kelly, Pat          KCR   96  .281   285   80  18   1  10   45   47   13  11   55   41  .456  .378
Northey, Scott      KCR   20  .258    62   16   2   0   2    6    5    3   2   12    7  .387  .324
Piniella, Lou       KCR   90  .293   304   89  14   4   7   17   19    0   5   37   38  .434  .332
Rico, Fred          KCR   90  .279   269   75  15   0   4   25   51    5   1   32   30  .379  .342
Spriggs, George     KCR   34  .225    71   16   3   1   3    9   16    3   1   14   12  .423  .310

Catcher: Ellie's BA has slowly climbed to the point where I don't feel the need to scream. He's always been good at getting on base though, with a .361 OBP and 51 walks. Paepke will continue to back him up so Martinez can develop in Omaha.

First: Similarly, Bob's BA doesn't impress and his OBP is similarly bad, but he has enough power to be an asset - at least for this year. Fiore will back him up, Thompson will develop.

Infield: No changes here either, though our new acquisition, Frank Duffy, will sit on the bench with Salmon while Severson finishes healing up. Foy, Severson (Concepcion in his absence) and Hart are our starters.

Outfield: When Billy came back, Pat talked to him and they seem to have made up. Kelly's switching to right field so Cardenal can keep center and Piniella left. Rico and Spriggs will be our backups while Northey continues to develop in Omaha.

(Yet again the AI maintains control of the lineup. Kelly is rated well in all outfield positions, but since his 'primary' is CF, Cardenal blocked him. Switching him to RF means he displaces Rico...who's done well enough, but has a low overall/peak and not nearly as much power.)
*******

Pitchers

1970 Pitching            Team     IP   ERA    G  GS   W   L  SV    K   BB   R/9
Blyleven, Bert            KCR  189.0  3.95   28  28   8  15   0  140   69 12.95
Bunker, Wally             KCR  149.1  4.76   26  26   6  10   0   82   59 13.32
Fitzmorris, Al            KCR   44.2  1.61   16   2   1   1   1   20    9 10.28
Rooker, Jim               KCR  108.2  4.39   18  18   6   8   0   74   57 13.50
Splittorff, Paul          KCR  115.2  3.73   19  19   6   6   0   46   31 11.90

Butler, Bill              KCR    4.1 10.38    3   0   0   0   0    6    2 14.54
Drago, Dick               KCR   22.1  4.03   12   0   2   1   0   11   11 14.51
Fingers, Rollie           KCR   44.1  3.05   33   0   5   6  10   31   14  9.95
Hedlund, Mike             KCR   37.1  5.06   18   0   1   1   1   14   16 12.78
Wright, Ken               KCR   55.2  4.04   44   0   6   6   4   39   37 14.87
York, Jim                 KCR   54.0  2.50   36   0   3   2   4   50   20 10.33

Busby, Steve              KCR    1.0  0.00    1   0   0   0   0    1    0  0.00

Bob Lemon, now just a bench coach again, advised me that shaking things up in the rotation wouldn't do much good. Everyone's performing fairly well at this point except Butler, who only has 4 innings to go by.

With Splittorff back from the DL he takes over the 3 spot and Fitzmorris becomes our spot starter. I'd really rather see him get some more starts, but I think Bob's afraid it'll shake up the rotation at a time when they need to set a certain routine so they can get better. Fine, I'll bow to his wisdom...for now at least.

Rollie is our closer down the stretch, with York the new setup guy. Wright and Drago will take short relief, Hedlund middle, and Butler long. If Butler continues to falter I may tell them to put HIM in the spot start position where he can sit and watch for the rest of the year.

[Coach Owens]

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

STATS THROUGH JULY 1970

Batting (not including pitchers)

1970 Batting       Team    G   AVG    AB    H  2B  3B  HR   BB    K   SB  CS    R  RBI   SLG   OBP
Rodriguez, Ellie    KCR   83  .230   257   59  12   1   0   51   39    1   4   31   22  .284  .361
Paepke, Dennis      KCR   33  .148    81   12   1   0   0    7   15    0   0    4    5  .160  .216
Martinez, Buck      KCR    9  .286     7    2   0   0   0    0    1    0   0    0    0  .286  .286

Oliver, Bob         KCR   85  .227   317   72  11   1  11   21   50    0   3   32   39  .372  .281
Fiore, Mike         KCR   22  .182    22    4   0   0   0   11    6    0   0    4    0  .182  .455
Thompson, Will      KCR   37  .270    89   24   6   0   4   12   15    0   1   15   15  .472  .359

Foy, Joe            KCR   88  .243   309   75  10   1   2   56   52    9  11   39   29  .301  .361
Severson, Rich      KCR   67  .238   185   44   7   0   0   11   41    1   0   24   12  .276  .295
Hart, Jim Ray       KCR   86  .343   324  111  19   4  13   29   47    5   1   52   62  .546  .396
Concepcion, Dave    KCR   46  .258   120   31   7   1   0   13   17    1   3   14   15  .333  .336
Salmon, Chico       KCR   75  .294   214   63  10   2   4   16   29    5   7   26   24  .416  .352

Cardenal, Jose      KCR   98  .316   383  121  28   6   6   41   49   20  11   39   43  .467  .383
Kelly, Pat          KCR   96  .281   285   80  18   1  10   45   47   13  11   55   41  .456  .378
Northey, Scott      KCR   20  .258    62   16   2   0   2    6    5    3   2   12    7  .387  .324
Piniella, Lou       KCR   90  .293   304   89  14   4   7   17   19    0   5   37   38  .434  .332
Rico, Fred          KCR   90  .279   269   75  15   0   4   25   51    5   1   32   30  .379  .342
Spriggs, George     KCR   34  .225    71   16   3   1   3    9   16    3   1   14   12  .423  .310

Catcher: Ellie's BA has slowly climbed to the point where I don't feel the need to scream. He's always been good at getting on base though, with a .361 OBP and 51 walks. Paepke will continue to back him up so Martinez can develop in Omaha.

First: Similarly, Bob's BA doesn't impress and his OBP is similarly bad, but he has enough power to be an asset - at least for this year. Fiore will back him up, Thompson will develop.

Infield: No changes here either, though our new acquisition, Frank Duffy, will sit on the bench with Salmon while Severson finishes healing up. Foy, Severson (Concepcion in his absence) and Hart are our starters.

Outfield: When Billy came back, Pat talked to him and they seem to have made up. Kelly's switching to right field so Cardenal can keep center and Piniella left. Rico and Spriggs will be our backups while Northey continues to develop in Omaha.

(Yet again the AI maintains control of the lineup. Kelly is rated well in all outfield positions, but since his 'primary' is CF, Cardenal blocked him. Switching him to RF means he displaces Rico...who's done well enough, but has a low overall/peak and not nearly as much power.)
*******

Pitchers

1970 Pitching            Team     IP   ERA    G  GS   W   L  SV    K   BB   R/9
Blyleven, Bert            KCR  189.0  3.95   28  28   8  15   0  140   69 12.95
Bunker, Wally             KCR  149.1  4.76   26  26   6  10   0   82   59 13.32
Fitzmorris, Al            KCR   44.2  1.61   16   2   1   1   1   20    9 10.28
Rooker, Jim               KCR  108.2  4.39   18  18   6   8   0   74   57 13.50
Splittorff, Paul          KCR  115.2  3.73   19  19   6   6   0   46   31 11.90

Butler, Bill              KCR    4.1 10.38    3   0   0   0   0    6    2 14.54
Drago, Dick               KCR   22.1  4.03   12   0   2   1   0   11   11 14.51
Fingers, Rollie           KCR   44.1  3.05   33   0   5   6  10   31   14  9.95
Hedlund, Mike             KCR   37.1  5.06   18   0   1   1   1   14   16 12.78
Wright, Ken               KCR   55.2  4.04   44   0   6   6   4   39   37 14.87
York, Jim                 KCR   54.0  2.50   36   0   3   2   4   50   20 10.33

Busby, Steve              KCR    1.0  0.00    1   0   0   0   0    1    0  0.00

Bob Lemon, now just a bench coach again, advised me that shaking things up in the rotation wouldn't do much good. Everyone's performing fairly well at this point except Butler, who only has 4 innings to go by.

With Splittorff back from the DL he takes over the 3 spot and Fitzmorris becomes our spot starter. I'd really rather see him get some more starts, but I think Bob's afraid it'll shake up the rotation at a time when they need to set a certain routine so they can get better. Fine, I'll bow to his wisdom...for now at least.

Rollie is our closer down the stretch, with York the new setup guy. Wright and Drago will take short relief, Hedlund middle, and Butler long. If Butler continues to falter I may tell them to put HIM in the spot start position where he can sit and watch for the rest of the year.

What are you doing with my guy??

[CatKnight]

Coach Owens:


Nothing, why??

Seriously...he's been in A (AAA) Omaha since the Break. I wanted to give him a chance to develop and not stagnate on the bench. Here are his current stats:

Batting

Team         G  AB  R  H  2B  3B  HR  BI  BB  IB   K  SB  CS  SH  HB  DP  AVG  OBP  SLG  OPS
Spring      23  86 14 23   4   0   3  15  13   1  16   0   0   0   0   1  267  360  419  779
B-San Jose  27  98 25 37   5   0   9  23  20   6  17   0   0   1   1   3  378  479  704 1183
A-Omaha     19  75 15 20   3   0   3  15  13   0  10   0   0   0   0   1  267  371  427  798

Royals      37  89 15 24   6   0   4  15  12   0  15   0   1   0   1   5  270  359  472  831

Fielding

Team         P   G  GS  INN   A   PO  DP   E  PCT   RF  A/G  DP/G
Spring      1B  23  22  195  16  177  11   0 1000  839  070   048
B-San Jose  1B  27  26  228  13  212  21   2  991  841  048   078
A-Omaha     1B  19  19  159  11  160  17   3  983  916  058   089

Royals      1B  21  21  178  13  190  13   2  990  976  062   062
            LF   1   0    1   0    0   0   0  000  000  000   000

Personality

           Will   Royals
Aggression  +15     - 5
Ambition      0     -15
Camradery   +10     + 5
Charisma    +10       0
Community   +30     -10
Drive       +15     -10
Ego           0     +25
Greed       +25     +20
Serious     - 5     + 5  (B-)

Basic Skills

Overall     76      Peak     93          1B: 74      LF: 72    Curve      +5
Contact     80      Arm      73          RF: 65      CF: 57    Change     +5
Power       83      Range    72          3B: 48      SS: 46    Happiness  80
Speed       63      Fielding 68          2B: 46       C: 40    Popularity 50
Eye         85      Health   80

[petrel]

I'd say Will has to be pretty @#$# good if you can get Lyle and Yaz for him, even up.

--Pet

[CatKnight]

petrel: Uhm...yes. I stared at that screen in surprise for a very long time.
*******

Early August 1970

Not much to say as we enter the back half of the year. I can't make any more trades. (Thank God, say some.) Billy's back. (Thank God, say some.) And we open a six game homestand, three against the Angels who we just swept.

We're on track to win 66 games. I don't know if Billy still thinks we can make 73 ... we've silently agreed to avoid each other for a little bit ... but I really want us to hit 70.
*******

Los Angeles (46-59) (4th, -22.5g) at Kansas City (43-62) (5th, -25.5g)

2: We score 13 runs. In the fourth inning. Only three of those are earned. If my defense did that to me I'd send them all to D-Kingsport! Piniella and Concepcion both go 3 for 5, Oliver gets 3 RBI. Blyleven was knocked out in the 4th, but Butler pitched 5 solid innings. Royals 13-4

3: LA's Willie Crawford goes 6 for 6, Randy Brown 5 for 6, Jim Spencer 4 for 6 with a homer and 5 RBI. Suffice to say they had their revenge. Concepcion went 3 for 3, 2 RBI and Hart had another 2 RBI on a homer. Angels 15-6

4: They win the rubber match on a series of early runs - the third straight day our starter hasn't done well. Foy hit his 3rd homer with 2 RBI. Angels 8-6
*******

This team has no consistency. We go on our worst losing streak (8), then tie for the longest winning streak (5). Now we've lost two again. I can't describe the highs and lows involved in watching this team.

Seattle, Montreal and San Diego are having a macabre contest: They are all 33-75, tied for worst in Major League Baseball. Thank God KC wasn't invited to that party.
*******

Detroit (51-57) (5th, -24g) at Kansas City (44-64) (5th, -25.5g)

5: They get at least a run in the 5th-9th. Our performance is more choppy, but good for several runs a shot. Cardenal gets 5 RBI on two doubles. Royals 7-6

6: Ack. York gives up 5 ER in 0.1 IP. Kelly goes 2 for 3, 2 walks for all the good it does us. Tigers 10-3

7: We allow FOUR errors, though only one unearned run as our pitchers still can't get their heads on straight. Tigers 9-1
*******

I decided to watch the pitchers practice to see if I could figure out what was wrong. Granted, I know very little about pitching, but since I was once in charge of player development I hope I at least know what a good pitch should look like.

When I got there, I mainly found them standing around, talking. Sometimes they'd throw, but half-hearted. The pitching coach has been deferring to Bob most of the season, except when he took over for Billy. Now that Martin is managing again, he's been waiting for Lemon to take charge again...waiting in vain.

"Training them is your job," I told him. "They're not performing. Find out what they're doing wrong and fix it!"
*******

We get three days off, then begin our last great run: 27 games taking us into early September.

I hate our schedule makers.

On the other hand, our three days off is enough time for Rich Severson to heal up and return to action. He'll meet us in Oakland.
*******

Kansas City (45-66) (5th, -26.5g) at Oakland (73-41) (1st, +8g)

11: In a game where we continually traded the lead, Joe Foy's 2 run homer put us ahead for good. York earned his 5th save pitching 2 innings and giving up 1 hit. Royals 5-4

12: We scored in the 8th and 9th to take the lead. They tied it, so on to extra innings where Chico Salmon singled to bring Cardenal home. Royals 5-4 (10)

13: Splittorff gets a complete game, but he was clearly tiring in the ninth when Sal Bando hit a two-run double for Oakland. Athletics 2-1
*******

Overall...a very respectable series. I would have preferred a sweep, of course, but considering we were going up against the probable division champion? Not bad.

Of course, given our ups and downs, now the 4th place Angels will sweep.
*******

Los Angeles (50-67) (4th, -24g) at Kansas City (47-67) (5th, -25.5g)

14: A big 7th gives us the lead for good. Oliver gets two doubles, Kelly his 11th homer. Wright gets his first win in over a month. Royals 7-4

15: They blow Blyleven out of the game in the fourth. Fitzmorris pitches 5.1 IP of 1 hit relief, but the damage is done. Hart went 3 for 5, 2 RBI. Angels 7-5

16: Hart hits a double and homer and gets 5 RBI as Bunker gives up 1 run in 8 innings. Royals 8-1
*******

Team          W    L    GB
Oakland      76   44    --
Chicago      68   52     8
Minnesota    61   59    15
Los Angeles  51   69    25  
Kansas City  49   68    25.5
Seattle      39   81    37

AL East: Baltimore (84-36), Washington (-18.5g), New York (-20.5g)
NL East: Philadelphia (75-42), St. Louis (-2.5g), New York (-10g)
NL West: San Francisco (67-53), Houston (-5.5g), Cincinnati (-5.5g)

Team Leaders:

AVG: Jim Ray Hart (.342)
HR:  Jim Ray Hart (15)
RBI: Jim Ray Hart (75)
SB:  Jose Cardenal (23)

W:   Bert Blyleven (9)
ERA: Paul Splittorff (4.04)
K:   Bert Blyleven (159)
SV:  Rollie Fingers (12)

[petrel]

Getting 70 wins is going to be really tough if the best ERA on your staff is 4.04.

--Pet