An Englishman in New York (or, British Invasion:The Second Echelon)

[kevarms]

SEPTEMBER SUMMARY

It was a horrible month for us both on and off the field. We can still finish .500 but need to win 5 out of 7 games remaining. Possible but, sadly, not very likely.

Elsewhere, Frank Howard is two homers away from setting a new single season record. The Braves have seven games remaining.

In the pennant races: it's a straight fight between the Astros and the Pirates in the NL.

The American League is in for a wild finish. The Yankees lie 2 1/2 games behind the Orioles, but the two teams will finish the season with a nine game set in the Bronx. Think whoever does the scheduling is a Yankees fan??? Boston, San Diego and California also have a mathematical chance to win it.

Standings at October 1 (games remaining in parentheses)

American League				        National League

		W	L	GB				W	L	GB
Baltimore	88	65	--    (9)	Houston	        95	62	--  (5)
New York	84	66	2.5 (12)	Pittsburgh	92	65	3  (5)
Boston		84	69	4    (9)	------------------------------------------------
San Diego	83	73	6.5 (6)		Philadelphia	77	75	15.5
California	79	74	9    (9)        San Francisco	77	77	16.5
---------------------------------------------	Los Angeles	76	78	17.5
Detroit		77	76	11		NEW YORK	76	79	18
Cleveland	73	77	13.5		St Louis	76	80	18.5
Minnesota	73	80	15		Atlanta		72	83	22
Chicago	        68	88	21.5		Cincinnati	67	86	26
Washington	56	97	32		Chicago	        66	89	28

MLB Injury News
None of note

MLB Milestones
Sep 15: Joe Pepitone (NYY) 25 Game Hitting Streak
Sep 18: Joe Torre (ATL) Hit For The Cycle
Sep 27: Mickey Mantle (NYY) 2,500 Hits
Sep 28: Luis Aparicio (BAL) 2,000 Hits

MLB Retirements
None of note

[kevarms]

Cat: Fingers crossed. Hopefully Gil will make a full recovery. Then I just have to worry about holding onto my free agents and arbitration cases. Then hope we don't get mauled too much in the expansion draft.

3RH: Billy Williams has hit a career best 34 homers. Not too shabby...he's 5th in the NL

[kevarms]

OCTOBER PREVIEW


Stand-in skipper Rube Walker makes some wholesale changes to the batting order with speedsters Bud Harrelson and Don Buford batting 1, 2. Cleon Jones is still not fully fit but should see some playing time before the season finishes.

**I actually think I accidentally clicked autosort on the lineup page before I simmed

Lineup			Bench			Rotation	Bullpen	

SS Harrelson		C Sullivan		Seaver		Taylor
3B Buford		IF Shirley		Fisher		Selma
RF Stahl		OF Swoboda		Cardwell	McGraw
1B Kranepool		RF Brown		Terry		McAndrew
CF Stanley		LF Davis				Shaw (Bob)
LF Jones		OF Singleton				Koosman
C Freehan		OF Alou		        MU: Frisella	Grzenda
2B Rojas		IF Johnson				Shaw (Don)
			OF Cline				Dilauro
			CF Bosch				Connors
			OF Luplow				Johnson 
Disabled List		C Goossen				Bell
			3B Pfeil
SP Bolin		CF Otis
			IF Buchek

[kevarms]

OCTOBER 1968


October 1
New York Mets (76-79) @ Philadelphia Phillies (77-75)

October 1: An extra innings win, a Don Buford triple driving in the run that puts us ahead. Mickey Stanley and Tommy Davis bring in another two. Dick Selma brings out his heater to finish off the Phillies. Mets 7-4 (11)
W: Dick Selma (10-5) L: Al Raffo (1-1)


Pennant Races

AL: The Yankees lose 4-3 against the Senators, with the A's losing against the Tigers. California are eliminated after losing 5-4 at the White Sox.

NL: The Astros win 9-6 in Pittsburgh. The Pirates need to win the last game of the set to stay in contention.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Now we take you over to Atlanta where the the Braves play the Cubs. Both teams pennants hopes were over back in June or July, but it's a full house here with all eyes are on Frank Howard. The Braves slugger has hit 60 home runs this season. He's one away from tying Roger Maris' 1961 record of 61 homers in a 162-game season......

Bottom of the first, score tied 0-0, two outs, runner on first.
Ken Holtzman pitches, low and inside... umpire says ball.
Holtzman... winds up, throws, Howard connects... it's deep, Shamsky is under it. But it's GONE!
We have a new joint leader for the single season home record.

Bottom of the third, Braves lead 2-0, one out, runner on first.
Pitch comes in, outside, oh Hundley almost lost it there. Count is 1- 0.
Holtzman looks, Millan has a big lead. He keeps him honest with a throw to first. Felix Millan is not known for steals but with Howard at the plate he knows the ball is likely going somewhere. Still 1-0, Holtzman throws, Millan is away... pitch is in the dirt. Hundley to second...SAFE!
Count is now 2-0, the pitch comes in, Howard looks, high and outside.
Millan is taking another big lead here. Here's the pitch, Howard drives it through the left side. Arcia can't reach that one. It's gone to Shamsky. And both runners are safe. Single for Howard there.

Bottom of the fifth, Braves lead 5-0, one out, bases empty.
The Cubs have brought out Cal Koonce to the mound, Holtzman is not having a good game. He doesn't have the fastest pitch in the game but let's see what he can come up with.
Pitch comes in, 1-0
Koonce throws, Howard slaps it out past the mound, Beckert picks it at second and throws to first. He was out by a mile. Frank Howard is one of the giants of the game, and I mean that literally. Certainly not built for speed.

Bottom of the seventh, Braves lead 7-1, one out, runner on first.
Koonce throws, wow, he's over 90 with that one. I don't think he's thrown that hard all season. But it's a ball, low and outside.
Torre takes a big lead, Koonce looks but winds up, another heater there but that one's outside too. 2-0 count.
Koonce keeps Torre honest with the throw to first, the crowd are getting restless here. They're on their feet chanting "HONDO! HONDO!"
Winds up, it's high. Koonce mixing up now with a change-up there. 3-0
Howard might be happy with a walk here now with Hank Aaron on deck. Not sure if the fans will be though.
Pitch comes in, runner is away. Howard's got that one. It's way back into centrefield. Phillips chases it but THAT IS GONE. HOME RUN! The crowd are ecstatic. Frank Howard has got the record. He's hit 62 home runs in a single season.

[kevarms]

October 2-4
Cincinnati Reds (67-86) @ New York Mets (77-79)

October 2: Tommy Harper hits two homers for the Reds as they squeak the win. Reds 6-5
W: Jim Maloney (5-7) L: Don Cardwell (12-13) S: Ted Abernathy (15)

October 3: Mets win in extra innings with a walkoff homer by Larry Stahl. Tug McGraw pitches two innings, giving up one hit. After the game he complains of a sore shoulder. His season is over. Mets 5-4 (12)
W: Ron Taylor (6-6) L: Dan McGinn (0-6)

October 4: Another extra innings game but this time it's the Reds who get the win. In the bottom of the eleventh Ed Kranepool comes to the plate with one out and men on first and second, but he grounds out into a double play. Reds 9-8 (11)
W: Ted Abernathy (3-4) L: Ron Taylor (6-7)


Pennant Races

AL: The Yankees trade wins with Washington before preparing for a nine game set against the Orioles. In Game One, Fritz Peterson outpitches Jim Palmer to give the Yankees the win. Boston lose at the Angels while the A's are eliminated after another loss against Detroit.

NL: Roberto Clemente hits a walk-off single to keep the Pirates hopes alive with 9-8 win. They travel to LA and beat the Dodgers, but lose the second game 5-3.

HOUSTON ASTROS WIN THE NATIONAL LEAGUE

[kevarms]

After our final homestand of the season we have three days off as we prepare to finish off the season against the Phillies at Connie Mack Stadium. We need to win all three if we are to achieve our goal of a .500 season.

Pennant Races

AL: Jim Bunning pitches a one-hitter to give the O's a 3-0 win in Game Two versus the Yankees. Honours are even in the next two games. The Orioles need three more wins to seal the pennant. Boston are all but eliminated, going down to the Angels and the Tigers.


October 8-10
New York Mets (78-81) @ Philadelphia Phillies (80-79)

October 8: Great offensive performances sees us rack up seventeen hits. Ed Kranepool goes 3 for 4 with a walk and scores 3 runs, while Bud Harrelson chips in with a 2 doubles. Mets 10-2
W: Jack Fisher (11-9) L: Chris Short (13-12)

October 9: Jake Wood goes 4 for 4 with walk, hitting 2 homers and a double. We can no longer finish .500. Phillies 10-3
W: Doyle Alexander (4-12) L: Don Cardwell (12-14)

October 10: We are shutout by Jeff James and Dick Hall. Ralph Terry gives up five earned runs in four innings. Phillies 10-0
W: Jeff James (4-10) L: Ralph Terry (7-10)


Pennant Races

AL: The Orioles win 6-4 meaning they need to win one of four remaining. In Game Six they come from behind to win 8-7.

BALTIMORE ORIOLES WIN THE AMERICAN LEAGUE

[CatKnight]

Well....79-83 is regrettable, but RESPECTABLE considering the Mets' history up to this point! Of course, with your expansion-mate Astros winning the pennant there are going to be hard questions from the NY press.

Still, I'll root for them. The Astros don't win in BM often enough.

We're approaching 1969. Are you going to let the league expand/divide into two divisions normally?

[kevarms]

OCTOBER SUMMARY


Final Standings

American League				        National League
		W	L	GB				W	L	GB
Baltimore	93	69	--		Houston	        98	64	--
New York	89	73	4		Pittsburgh	95	67	3
Boston		87	75	6		Philadelpia	82	80	16
San Diego	87	75	6		Los Angeles	81	81	17
California	82	80	11		San Francisco	81	81	17
Detroit		82	80	11		NEW YORK	79	83	19
Minnesota	80	82	13		St Louis	79	83	19
Cleveland	77	85	16		Atlanta		75	87	23
Chicago	        73	89	20		Cincinnati	71	91	27
Washington	60	102	33		Chicago	        69	93	29

MLB Injury News
None of note

MLB Milestones
Oct 5: Orlando Cepeda (STL) 300 Home Runs

MLB Retirements
None of note

[kevarms]

Cat: Yes, the leagues will be dividing into east-west divisions. I'm curious to see how the Vancouver franchise fares. I think I may have made a mistake insisting all the expansion teams were in the west. In retrospect, Montreal or Toronto would probably have been a better choice for a Canadian franchise.

The Astros have done very well with a team that, at first glance, is no great shakes. Vada Pinson and Joe Morgan are the only big stars. Bringing in Milt Pappas from Cincinnati almost backfired. He went 5-7 for the Astros. Not that I begrudge them, but I'll be rooting for the Orioles to win it all for the third straight year.

As for the New York press.... I hope they will be a little sympathetic after what happened to Gil. We do need to continue to improve next year though.

[kevarms]

1968 League Leaders

			American League	        National League	        Mets

Home Run Leader:	37 Robinson  BAL	65 Howard  ATL	        24 Buford
			37 Whitfield  CLE
						(# 1 All Time)

Batting Average:	.326 Oliva   MIN	.398 Clemente PIT	.299 Freehan
						
RBI Leader:		120 Scott   BOS		164 Howard  ATL	        84 Stanley
					
Stolen Base Leader:	63 Campaneris SDA 	58 Brock  STL		22 Harrelson
									(# 5 in NL)
	


ERA:			2.78 Stottlemyre NYY	2.63 Gibson  STL	3.54 Seaver
									(# 7 in NL)

Wins:			23 Stottlemyre NYY	23 Wilson  HOU	        15 Seaver

Strikeouts:		209 Palmer  BAL	        249 Gibson STL	        204 Seaver
									(# 4 in NL)

Saves:			24  Radatz  CLE 	22 Mikkelsen PIT	16 Taylor
									(# 6 in NL)

[3RunHomer]

Go Os! Woo-hoo!

[kevarms]

1968 WORLD SERIES PREVIEW

Baltimore Orioles (93-69)



Last League Pennant: 1967
Last World Championship: 1967 (Reigning Champions)
Manager: Hank Bauer

C: 	Clay Dalrymple		.240	6-61  1
1B:	Boog Powell		.285	35-103 1
2B:	Luis Aparicio		.243	6-45 18
3B:	Rick Joseph 		.188	1-9 0
SS:	Bobby Floyd		.258	1-20  0
LF:	Frank Robinson		.278	37-107  7
CF:	Jimmy Wynn		.273	20-65  8
RF:	Curt Flood		.324	11-56 10

S1:	Jim Palmer		18-10	3.24  7 CG
S2:	Jim Bunning		12-13	4.09  3 
S3: 	Dave McNally		14-17	4.10  7
S4:	Larry Jackson		15-7	3.07  7 
CL:	Stu Miller		6-3	3.18  12 SV


DL: 	Davey Johnson (2B)	.276	15-74  3

The Orioles strive to make it three in a row after holding off the challenge from the Yankees. They will be hoping for a strong performance from pitching ace Jim Palmer. After leading the AL this year with 209 strikeouts the youngster will hope to improve on last year's disappointing couple of Series starts.
On offense, Frank Robinson missed the '67 Series through injury but the popular veteran has been an ever present this year, appearing in 162 games and tying as AL Home Run Leader.
New faces in the O's line-up this time around include Curt Flood at rightfield. Flood was acquired from the Cardinals in July and is hitting an impressive .343 as an Oriole.
One of this season's blockbuster deals was when Jim Bunning made the move from the Phillies. He has struggled in his first season back in the AL, going 10-11, but still somebody batters do not enjoying facing.
-----------------------------------------------------------

Houston Astros (98-64)




Last League Pennant: Never won
Last World Championship: Never won
Manager: Grady Hatton

C: 	Ellie Hendricks		.201	5-16  0
1B:	Bob Watson		.303	21-88  1
2B:	Joe Morgan		.296	21-100  50
3B:	Doug Rader		.267	15-82  3
SS:	Leo Cardenas		.300	14-84  1	
LF:	Bob Allison		.246	19-88  5
CF:	Vada Pinson		.289	25-113  15
RF:	Jose Herrera		.300	1-31  4

S1:	Milt Pappas		13-12	3.11  5 CG
S2:	Mike Cuellar		22-11	3.46 10 
S3: 	Larry Dierker		11-7	4.29 5
S4:	Scipio Spinks		3-2	6.39 0
CL:	Jay Ritchie		10-4	3.28  9  SV


DL: 	Deron Johnson (OF)	.264	16-67 0
	Don Wilson (SP)	        23-6	3.57 5 CG

The franchise has only existed since 1962 but last year the Astros showed they are to be taken seriously, pushing the Giants all the way in the pennant race. Grady Hatton has done an amazing job, working with a lot of young players he was responsible for bringing to the club and developing during his time as farm director.
Those youngsters include last year's Rookie of the Year, Bob Watson, Jose Herrera, Doug Rader and Ellie Hendricks.
The Astros do have some injury worries. NL Win Leader Don Wilson is doubtful unless the series goes to seven while Leo Cardenas is still struggling with a groin injury.
Milt Pappas was brought in from Cincinnati this year but has gone a disappointing 5-7 amid rumours he is unhappy in Texas. It's sure to be an emotional reunion for Brooks Robinson as he takes a place on the bench against his old team.

[3RunHomer]

Seems to be a bit of mind-bending cross-pollination between the two champs. Jimmy Wynn on the Os? Hendricks on the Astros?

And I'm almost afraid to ask ... where the heck is Brooks Robinson?

The room's spinning. I need to lay down.

[kevarms]

Yep
Early last season the Astros sent Jimmy Wynn to Baltimore in exchange for six players including Hendricks, Fred Beene and.... Brooks Robinson!

[kevarms]

1968 World Series

Baltimoreans want to forget this year's riots and enjoy another World Series

Game One
Houston Astros at Baltimore Orioles

The World Series returns to Memorial Stadium as the Orioles try to make it three in a row.
Things start badly for the Astros when O's lead-off man Luis Aparicio hits a line drive out to right field. Curt Flood should have made an easy out but somehow missed by ten feet allowing Aparicio to reach second. He scores when Curt Flood hits a double. Another extra base hit for batter number three when Frank Robinson hits a double, bringing in Flood to mak it 2-0. Robinson reaches third off a single from Boog Powell and scores when Jimmy Wynn hits a sac fly.
The Orioles go further ahead in the second. Bobby Floyd hits a double and scores off an Aparicio single. The lead-off man comes in himself, driven in by Robinson to make it 5-0.
In the top of the third Jim Palmer gives up his first hit of the game. Ellie Hendricks, making his first plate appearance, blasts the first pitch over the leftfield fence to pull a run back for the Astros. In the fifth they lower the deficit further with a run scored by Doug Rader.
Milt Pappas is taken out of the game at the bottom of the inning and the Astros bring in rookie Fred Beene, who spent several years in the O's farm system before being traded to Houston. Beene gets into a one out, bases loaded jam after walking the first two batters faced. Bobby Floyd grounds out but Powell scores making the score 6-2 before Beene strikes out Palmer to end the inning.
Beene is pulled from the game in the sixth after giving up a 3-RBI homer to Wynn that about wraps things up for the O's, but not before Rick Josephs hits a solo shot off Ted Davidson.
Astros 2, Orioles 10


Game Two
Houston Astros at Baltimore Orioles
(Orioles lead 1-0)

Jim Bunning starts against his old National League rival Mike Cuellar in an interesting match-up, with no score until the bottom of the third inning. Bobby Floyd is moved on to second off a sac bunt by Bunning and scores when Luis Aparicio blasts a double into leftfield.
The Orioles go further ahead in the fourth, Jimmy Wynn tagging up at third and scoring off a Rick Joseph flyball and Bunning hitting a one run single that brings home Clay Dalrymple.
In the sixth, Jimmy Wynn hits a solo bomb to put the O's four ahead.
By the eighth Bunning is tiring after putting up a magnificent performance. He gives up a single to Ellie Hendricks, only the third Astros hit of the game. With Leon McFadden at the plate, Bunning's pitches to the corners and gives up two balls and then fires one out of reach of backstop Dalrymple allowing Hendricks to reach second. McFadden takes the count to 3 and 1, then smashes the ball down the third base line bringing in Hendricks home. Next batter up has the crowd on their feet. It's Oriole great Brooks Robinson, facing his old team mates for the first time since he was traded last year. After the ovation dies down Bunning can finally wind up. He throws a slider for strike one. Next is a curve that Robinson sends deep into left field but the other Robinson, Frank, is always under it to make the first out of the inning. Bunning reverts to the fastball and fans Vada Pinson and Jose Herrera for his 8th and 9th strikeouts of the game.
The Orioles don't add any more scores to the board in the bottom of the inning. In the top of the ninth Bunning surprisingly comes out to the mound, going for the complete game win. Joe Morgan reaches second when Curt Flood misses a flyball in right. He advances to the third on a Bob Watson groundout, then scores off a single by Bob Allison that puts the Astros right back in it.
Skipper Hank Bauer comes to the mound and talks briefly with Bunning. He stays in but only for one more out. Bauer brings in closer Stu Miller to make the final out of the game, striking out Ellie Hendricks.
Astros 2, Orioles 4