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

[kevarms]

Houston groundcrew get the Astrodome spick and span.

Game Three
Baltimore Orioles at Houston Astros
(Orioles lead 2-0)

The Orioles immediately have Astros starter Larry Dierker in trouble. Mark Belanger, a late replacement at second for Luis Aparicio leads off and gets a walk. He steals second with Curt Flood at the plate and advances to third when Flood grounds out to second. He scores off a Frank Robinson single to put the O's ahead.
The O's blow a chance to go further ahead when Bobby Floyd grounds out into a double play with two men on bases.
The Astros come back in the third. Dave McNally gets two outs but gives up two walks and a single to load the bases for batter Bob Watson. He takes three balls but doesn't look for the walk. Dierker gives him one down the middle that Watson powers high and long. It looks like a grandslam but hits the top of the wall in leftfield. Three runners come home but Watson only makes it to second after he slowed to admire his hit coming round first. He does score though, driven in by a Doug Rader single.
In the bottom of the fourth McNally is still struggling. He gives up a double to Vada Pinson, then another to Leo Cardenas. that scores Pinson. Joe Morgan drives in another one to put the Astros 6-1 ahead and Steve Barber is brought out to the mound and the inning is finished when Watson hits into a double play.
Boog Powell pulls one back for the O's in the eighth but the Astros wrap the game up in the bottom of the inning with RBIs by Cardenas, Allison and two from Doug Rader.
Curt Motton pinch hits a two run homer in the ninth to give the final scoreline some semblance of respectability.
Orioles 4, Astros 10


Game Four
Baltimore Orioles at Houston Astros
(Orioles lead 2-1)

The Astros start with Scipio Spinks but the Orioles look to ace Jim Palmer again. The youngster holds his own until the fourth when he walks two batters who both go on to score off a Clay Dalrymple double to put the O's ahead. Joe Morgan leads the fighback for the Astros in the bottom of the inning. He reaches second with a line drive down the left field line, then makes it to third off a Bob Watson single. He scores when Bob Allison smashes a single through the left side. Palmer is fortunate, getting into a jam with two out and bases loaded but fans Ellie Hendricks to keep the O's ahead.
The Orioles go further ahead in the sixth, Boog Powell hitting two run shot into the right field seats. By the bottom of the eighth the game is in the bag, with three more runs scored by Mark Belanger, Rick Joseph and Dalrymple.
Bob Watson drives in a consolation run but the Astros never really had a chance. Jim Palmer completed the game, giving up 6 hits, 2 walks and striking out 10
Orioles 7, Astros 2

[kevarms]

Game Five
Baltimore Orioles at Houston Astros
(Orioles lead 3-1)

Milt Pappas starts for the Astros as they desperately try to keep the series alive. But the Orioles come out all guns blazing, taking a 2-0 lead in the first. Ellie Hendricks hits a solo shot in the third to pull one back for the Astros.

In the fifth Milt Pappas serves up a single to Curt Flood. Frank Robinson is up next, there is a full count and then Robinson blasts a bomb into the rightfield seats to make the score 4-1 Orioles. Boog Powell walks and advances to second on a wild pitch but Pappas manages to get out of the inning with no further scores.

Rookie catcher Hendricks hasn't given up yet. He responds with a fierce line drive into the right field gap. Mark Belanger dives but misses and the normally plodding Hendricks tears around second. The throw comes in to third but Hendricks beats it with a slide that flattens Rick Joseph. The Astros bring in Brooks Robinson to pinch hit. He takes the first pitch then drives the next one into left field, reaching second and scoring Hendricks. Robinson scores but Jim Bunning gets out of the inning with no more damage done.

In the eighth, with Astros reliever Dave Giusti on the mound, the Orioles can smell victory. Jimmy Wynn leads off the inning with single. With Clay Dalrymple on the plate, Wynn steals second. That rattles Giusti who then throws a wild pitch with Wynn advancing to third. Dalrymple pops up as does Rick Joseph, but Wynn scores when Bobby Floyd hits a single through the middle.

The Orioles bring out knuckleballer Eddie Fisher while the Astros desperately look for a way back in their final two innings Joe Morgan hits a single but is then picked off first. The Astros batters are swinging at everything but can't get anything. Jose Herrera leads of the ninth with a double. Then Ellie Hendricks blasts the ball into deep right field but it's an easy catch for Flood. Keith Lampard pinch hits next but the rookie lines out to short. With two outs and the World Series on the line, Vada Pinson fouls off the first pitch. He hits the second but only as far as Mark Belanger on second who makes the easy throw to first. Orioles win their third straight World Series.

Orioles 5, Astros 3


BALTIMORE ORIOLES WIN THE WORLD SERIES




MVP Award: Jim Palmer. Two starts, two complete games, two wins, four earned runs and seventeen K's.

It just had to be.

.

[3RunHomer]

Woo!

[kevarms]

1968 SEASON AWARDS

American League:

Cy Young Award: Mel Stottlemyre NYY (23-8, 2.78 ERA, 9 CG)
MVP Award: Joe Pepitone NYY (.298, 35 HR, 115 RBI, 4 SB)
Rookie of the Year: Ron Woods DET (.240, 2 HR, 24 RBI, 3 SB)


Gold Glove (P) Mel Stottlemyre NYY
Gold Glove (C) Buck Rodgers CAL
Gold Glove (1B) Rod Carew MIN
Gold Glove (2B) Cesar Tovar MIN
Gold Glove (3B) Ken McMullen CAL
Gold Glove (SS) Don Kessinger NYY
Gold Glove (OF) Carl Yastrzemski BOS
Gold Glove (OF) Frank Robinson BAL
Gold Glove (OF) Pete Ward CHW



National League:

Cy Young Award: Don Wilson HOU (23-6, 3.57 ERA, 5 CG)
MVP Award: Roberto Clemente PIT (.398, 28 HR, 127 RBI, 4 SB)
Rookie of the Year: Doug Rader HOU (.267, 15 HR, 82 RBI, 3 SB)


Gold Glove (P) Claude Osteen LAD
Gold Glove (C) Joe Torre ATL
Gold Glove (1B) Wes Parker LAD
Gold Glove (2B) Joe Morgan HOU
Gold Glove (3B) Bob Bailey LAD
Gold Glove (SS) Jim Fregosi PIT
Gold Glove (OF) Cleo James LAD
Gold Glove (OF) Adolfo Phillips CHC
Gold Glove (OF) Johnny Callison PHI
-------------------------------------------------------------------

3Run: Woo indeed. I'm pleased for the O's winning three straight (anything is better than Yankee domination). But next year is our turn!

[3RunHomer]

As long as the Os win the AL, I'm happy. It'd be nice if Brooks was still on team though.

I'm running an Orioles sim now. Started with 1962 -- I've finished 2nd to the darn Yankees the first 3 seasons. I've kept Brooks at 3B and moved Pete Ward to LF (he came through the minors as a 3B and I took over the team prior to his leaving the Orioles in the Luis Aparicio trade), so I'm glad to see that Ward won a gold glove in the OF in your 1968.

Something tells me that you're right -- 1969 will be the Met's turn. Wouldn't it be "amazin'" if you played the Orioles in the World Series?

[kevarms]

1968 NEW YORK METS FINAL STATS

1968 Batting             Team    G   AVG    AB    H  2B  3B  HR   BB    K   SB  CS    R  RBI   SLG   OBP
Harrelson, Bud            NYM  153  .254   536  136  29   3   1   93   82   22   2   93   35  .325  .364
Buford, Don               NYM  147  .261   574  150  20   6  24  102   70   21   9  113   78  .443  .374
Kranepool, Ed             NYM  128  .288   532  153  30   2  15   50   75    1   1   74   83  .436  .346
Swoboda, Ron              NYM  127  .290   348  101  14   2  12   56   70    1   0   62   52  .445  .389
Stanley, Mickey           NYM  126  .278   478  133  20   2  17   48   63    7   0   58   84  .435  .339
Stahl, Larry              NYM  124  .267   449  120  21   8   5   49   94    1   6   53   52  .383  .343
Jones, Cleon              NYM  107  .281   349   98  21   0  17   28   66    2   2   49   55  .487  .331
Freehan, Bill             NYM  107  .299   422  126  22   5  14   54   68    1   3   62   73  .474  .385
Johnson, Bob              NYM  104  .267   374  100  16   1   8   19   43    3   3   37   44  .380  .301
Rojas, Cookie             NYM   76  .255   274   70  17   1   1   11   27    3   2   37   28  .336  .284
Davis, Tommy              NYM   74  .317   142   45  10   0   0    5   12    2   1   14   23  .387  .336
Selma, Dick               NYM   70  .500     4    2   0   0   0    1    0    0   0    2    1  .500  .600
Cline, Ty                 NYM   69  .194   191   37   4   1   0   15   29    1   3   15   14  .225  .260
Brown, Ollie              NYM   67  .330    97   32   1   0   4   11   11    1   1   13   20  .464  .411
Sullivan, John            NYM   59  .205   185   38   7   0   0   19   36    0   0   15   15  .243  .277
McGraw, Tug               NYM   57  .208    24    5   2   0   0    1    9    0   0    3    4  .292  .240
Shirley, Bart             NYM   47  .290    93   27   4   1   0    3   17    0   0    9    5  .355  .309
Singleton, Ken            NYM   40  .260    50   13   2   0   1   10    6    0   0    7    5  .360  .383
Shaw, Bob                 NYM   36  .133    15    2   0   0   0    1    9    0   0    0    1  .133  .188
Seaver, Tom               NYM   35  .178    73   13   1   0   0    4   20    0   0    3    1  .192  .221
Cardwell, Don             NYM   35  .134    67    9   1   0   0    5   36    0   0    4    5  .149  .194
Fisher, Jack              NYM   34  .234    64   15   1   0   0    1   19    0   1    3    5  .250  .242
Alou, Jesus               NYM   29  .356    45   16   1   0   0    1    4    2   1    5    1  .378  .370
Terry, Ralph              NYM   29  .193    57   11   0   0   0    1   15    0   0    4    3  .193  .207
Koosman, Jerry            NYM   27  .125    40    5   0   0   0    2   21    0   0    3    3  .125  .167
Bolin, Bobby              NYM   23  .167    48    8   0   0   0    3   18    0   0    3    1  .167  .216
Bosch, Don                NYM   17  .172    64   11   1   0   1    4   17    0   0    8    5  .234  .221
Grzenda, Joe              NYM   17  .000     4    0   0   0   0    1    2    0   0    1    0  .000  .200
Buchek, Jerry             NYM   15  .269    26    7   0   1   1    1    3    0   0    1    5  .462  .286
Shaw, Don                 NYM   15  .000     4    0   0   0   0    1    3    0   0    0    0  .000  .200
Pfeil, Bobby              NYM   14  .346    26    9   2   0   0    2    5    0   0    1    6  .423  .393
McAndrew, Jim             NYM   14  .333     6    2   0   0   0    0    3    0   0    0    0  .333  .333
Otis, Amos                NYM   10  .059    17    1   0   0   0    2    2    1   0    2    0  .059  .158
Frisella, Danny           NYM   10  .000     2    0   0   0   0    0    1    0   0    0    0  .000  .000
Goossen, Greg             NYM    8  .185    27    5   0   0   0    0    4    0   0    1    1  .185  .185
Luplow, Al                NYM    7  .000     7    0   0   0   0    0    2    0   0    0    0  .000  .000

1968 Pitching            Team     IP   ERA    G  GS   W   L  SV    K   BB   R/9
Seaver, Tom               NYM  241.2  3.54   35  35  15   9   0  204   72 10.43
Cardwell, Don             NYM  213.1  4.51   35  35  12  14   0  138   87 12.36
Fisher, Jack              NYM  206.2  4.75   34  34  11   9   0  143   60 12.72
Terry, Ralph              NYM  169.0  4.95   29  29   7  10   0   99   51 12.94
Bolin, Bobby              NYM  143.1  4.21   23  23  12   4   0   96   60 12.06
Koosman, Jerry            NYM  126.1  5.70   27  17   3  10   0   99   53 13.11
McGraw, Tug               NYM  117.1  3.76   57   0   7  10   5   96   53 12.27
Selma, Dick               NYM   90.0  2.70   70   0  10   5   5   80   33 11.10
Shaw, Bob                 NYM   82.2  4.57   36   0   1   0   2   44   26 11.98
Taylor, Ron               NYM   39.0  2.77   34   0   6   7  16   18    7  9.00
McAndrew, Jim             NYM   33.1  4.86   14   1   1   2   1   14   10 11.07
Grzenda, Joe              NYM   22.2  5.96   17   0   1   3   1   13   12 15.88
Shaw, Don                 NYM   22.2  2.38   15   0   2   0   0   19   13 13.50
Frisella, Danny           NYM   20.0  6.75   10   1   0   3   0   11   12 15.30

[kevarms]

This year's contract negotiations were a little tricky. Now we had a team that looked to be going places attendances were great, but the profits we had made were being reinvested. The bulk of it was going into the farm teams. We wanted to have the best coaches availabe and the best facilites. After a season plagued with injuries we also invested a sizeable amount into our medical facilities.
That meant we had to be a bit choosey who we retained for next year, and couldn't afford to be over generous with those we did want.

First up was first baseman Ed Kranepool (.288 15-83) in his first year of free agent eligibility. His average is a little down on last year, but still decent. He wanted a long-term deal, $300k for 5 years. I was happy to get him tied down.

Next up was Dick Selma (10-5 2.70 5 SV). He was in the bullpen being mentored by Ron Taylor to take over the closer's role. He was pretty impressive too but I thought he was joking when he asked for $120k. I was prepared to offer $50k but not prepared to lose the arbitration case.

With that, we don't have much option to re-sign Ron Taylor (6-7 2.77 16 SV) for another 3 years at $100k. Not a major problem, he will be a good pitcher for a few more years yet.

Cleon Jones (.281 17-55) is a player I like a lot but, with the possibility that Amos Otis and Ken Singleton will be ready to step up from the minors, his days as a regular starter in the outfield may be numbered. He gets $100k which I thought was pretty generous

Pitcher Ralph Terry (7-10 4.95 3 CG) is way past his prime but our rotation lacks depth. He gets $100k for 3 years

Another couple of youngsters seem to think the Mets have money to burn. Ron Swoboda (.290 12-52) and Bud Harrelson (.254 1-35) were both looking for $100k. Both of them are going to be great players. Harrelson will make a good lead-off man, steals bases and gets a lot of walks. Swoboda is more of a slugger. Sadly, neither of them will be with the Mets. Disappointing.

Another one who is released is Tug McGraw (7-10 3.76 5 SV). He had a much improved season in the bullpen but $95k is just too much.

Jerry Buchek (.269 1-5) was with Jacksonville for almost all the season but, like last year, his versatility wins him a new deal although it is a cut to $50k.

Ollie Brown (.347 4-13) was sent to us by the Giants in July. He warmed the pine for the last few months of the season and, like Jones, may not be a starting outfielder. Definitely good to have on the bench though. He wants $86k, which the arbitrator decides he's worth.

Another one who came from the Giants mid-season is Jesus Alou (.313 0-1). Lack of hustle can be infuriating at times as he has all the talent of his older brothers. If he can find the will he could be great. We'll look at him next season and decide if he's worth persevering with. He gets $50k

The final player we'll be retaining is Larry Stahl (.267 5-52). Yet more competition for an outfield spot, Stahl has an okay bat and good glove. I like his work ethic as gets on with the job with no complains even when he's on the bench. He gets $30k.

Catcher John Sullivan (.205 0-15) is released. Very good behind the plate but he just can't hit and we have Greg Goossen ready to cover for Bill Freehan.

Al Luplow is also on the way out after spending the season in Jacksonville. At 30 years old I think he has missed his chance to make it.

The starting rotation is a concern but we have a few youngsters ready to step into the bullpen now. That means no new deal for 31 year old Joe Grzenda (1-3 5.96 1 SV) who had a pretty poor season.

[kevarms]

1969 would see four new teams in in the major leagues. In the American League: the Arizona Coyotes would be based in Phoenix while the league would **** a snook at A's owner Charlie Finlay with the Kansas City Royals. In the National League we would have new opposition in the Oakland Oaks and the first non-US franchise, the Vancouver Canadians.

It was exciting times for baseball but I didn't envy the GMs of the four new franchises. They would have to put together a team made up of the cast-offs of the established teams. The Mets had been in the same position in 1962 and was only now starting to become a respectable outfit.

Our next concern was deciding which 15 players to protect in the expansion draft.


C Bill Freehan, Greg Goossen
1B Ed Kranepool
2B ------
3B Don Buford
SS Bob Heise
LF Gary Matthews
CF Amos Otis
RF Ken Singleton


SP Jack Fisher, Tom Seaver, Jim McAndrew, Craig Caskey, Jerry Koosman
RP Tom Brown, Bob Babcock


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Arizona took:

OF Mickey Stanley (85/88) - starting centrefielder, salary $134k
SP Danny Fife ( 60/87) - 1967 1st round pick

Losing Stanley is a blow, but softened by having Otis and Singleton ready to step up. Fife....ouch!


Kansas City took:

LF George Theodore (66/86)
IF Ken Boswell (73/81)
SP Brent Strom (67/79)
SP Buzz Capra (69/72)


Oakland took:

RP Don Shaw (80/86)
SP Bill Parsons (68/82)

I had planned to use Shaw in the bullpen next year ...


Vancouver took:

RP Danny Frisella (80/87)
RP Rich Folkers (70/80)

... and Frisella was going to be my new set-up guy

[kevarms]

I'm running an Orioles sim now. Started with 1962 -- I've finished 2nd to the darn Yankees the first 3 seasons. I've kept Brooks at 3B and moved Pete Ward to LF (he came through the minors as a 3B and I took over the team prior to his leaving the Orioles in the Luis Aparicio trade), so I'm glad to see that Ward won a gold glove in the OF in your 1968.

Surprised to see Pete Ward has been released by the White Sox. He's only looking for $80k too I'd quite like to sign him to play third, but that's $80k I don't have.

[3RunHomer]

Surprised to see Pete Ward has been released by the White Sox. He's only looking for $80k too I'd quite like to sign him to play third, but that's $80k I don't have.

Even after losing all that talent to salary demands and to the expansion draft? I thought you'd have a lot of payroll room now.

It seems odd that a New York team can't afford whomever whenever they want.

[kevarms]

It's of little interest to us but here are this year's top free agents.

Top 5 Batters

Name			Age	Team	Seeking
1B Fred Whitfield  (80)	30	CLE	311k	.320 37-112  1	HR Leader
1B Wes Parker  (84)	28	LAD	287k	.305 12-87  13	All Star/Gold Glove
OF Jimmie Hall (82)	30	MIN	279k	.281 31-110 5 	All Star
3B Ken McMullen (84)	26	CAL	258k	.323 12-46-2	Gold Glove
OF Matty Alou (86/88)	29	PIT	252k	.306 3-71 18

Top 5 Pitchers

Name			Age	Team	Seeking
SP Pete Richert (79)	29	NYY	220k	8-4, 2.80, 1 CG	ex All Star
RP Dick Selma (87/88)	24	NYM	201k	10-5, 2.70, 5 SV
SP Ken Johnson (78)	35	ATL	177k	13-13, 4.18, 3 CG
SP Whitey Ford (73/74)	40	NYY	169k	4-8, 6.45	ex Cy Young winner
SP Sonny Siebert (80)	31	DET	168k	7-11, 4.74	ex All Star

------------------------------------------------------------------

3Run: Revenues are not as high as you might expect. We're competing with the Yankees for fans and we suck, so ticket prices are fairly low. Plus I'm first in medical, scouting and farm. In the NL the Dodgers, Cubs and Braves all have higher payroll budgets than me. Once we have a decent fanbase I'll start putting up the ticket prices.

[CatKnight]

That draft hurt pretty badly. Hopefully it hurt the other teams worse and will help you close the gap a bit more.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

I did like your strategy of protecting the future, especially your young outfielders.

I'm not too worried about you. Usually, the third year of the dynasty is the breakout year. Hopefully, the same holds true for the Mets. That would be [pause for effect]...

Amazin'

[kevarms]

While the players went home to their families and Gil Hodges recuperated after his heart attack it had been another hectic off-season for me. Apart from upgrading facilities and bringing in a lot of new staff we moved our Triple-A organisation to Norfolk, Virginia.

The Tidewater Tides will play in the International League, moving up from the Double-A Carolina League as part of the Cardinals system. We've also helped them build a brand new stadium. Mets Park is situated at the end of a runway at Norfolk Airport. All the low-flying planes ought to get the players acclimatised for when they finally make it to Shea.

We've also built a new facility in St Petersburg. Named for the team's owner, Fawcliff Field will be our base for spring training as well for the rookies in the Instructional League.

Gil and I were taking a stroll around the complex, discussing the upcoming season. Our major concern was the bullpen. We lost two prospects, Dick Selma and Tug McGraw, when they came out with ridiculous salary demands. Having picked up no free agents that meant we would need to call up a couple of prospects earlier than anticipated. We went with Jack Dilauro and Bob Johnson (not the infielder). Both of them were 25 years old and yet to pitch in the big leagues. Of the two, we had the highest hopes for Dilauro. Johnson (not the infielder) would really be just filling a hole. If he surprises us - great! We had been grooming Selma to take over as closer in a couple of seasons. He bailed, so Jim McAndrew gets a break. He's played in a handful of games over the past two seasons, even starting one, but not looked terrific. With some mentoring from Ron Taylor though I think he might be alright.

The infield was another concern. It had been since my arrival as GM two years ago. Shortstop Bud Harrelson was another youngster who valued himself very highly. True, he had some skills but hadn't really proved himself when and where it counted. We let him go.

Cookie Rojas and Don Buford could both play short, but we would still need somebody at second or third. Rookie Amos Otis had played at third in a couple of exhibition games and did very well. Bob Johnson (not the pitcher) could play either. Gil surprised me.
"I want to put Bart Shirley at short." Shirley put up a good .290 average last year in 93 at bats, but had a terrible glove.
"You're kidding right?"
"No I'm not. We need his bat. Offence is the team's weakness now, we can get by with his defence."
"But what about Otis? Norfolk?"
"His speed is wasted in the infield. He's an outfielder, that's where I'll play him."
"As a starter?"
Gil nodded, "Yeah, he'll start. We'll need to keep getting at him. You've seen how lackadaisical he gets, but he's ready."
I was delighted. Our farm system was reaping early dividends.
"And Singleton?"
Gil nodded again, "Singleton too," he said, with a smile.
Ken Singleton was another rookie, a superb prospect. He had been excellent in spring training, patient at the plate, striking out rarely but when he decided to swing it was quite often for extra base hits.

This was going to be an interesting season.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry for the delay in getting the new season going. Work is finally getting busy again, which is good in some ways but not in others. I see there are one or two new dynasties since my last post. Have to check out some of them, then I'll get to work on the 1970 New York Mets.

Potato: LOL, I expect the words 'amazin'' and 'miracle' to be used often this season. I hope so. I think we have a good shot of winning the division this year, not sure about the league.

[kevarms]

Get ready for another baseball season folks as we present the ....


1969 NEW YORK METS

CATCHERS

Bill Freehan (90) Age: 27 (.299 14-73 1)
CON: $283,000 thru 1971 ACQ: Off season 1968 (Free Agent)
MLB: 1961 Detroit Tigers (8th season)

Greg Goossen (76/93) Age: 23 (.185 0-1 0 in 27 AB)
CON: $14,100 until Arb 1972 ACQ: April 1965 from Dodgers
MLB: 1965 New York Mets (3rd season)

Freehan led the team with a .299 average last year in his first season as a Met. Greg Goossen get an early call-up from Triple-A following the departure of John Sullivan


FIRST BASEMEN

Ed Kranepool (93) Age 24 (.288 15-83 1)
CON: $300,000 thru 1973 ACQ: June 1962 (Amateur Free Agent)
MLB: 1962 New York Mets (8th season)

Kranepool's contribution on offence was slightly down, but still one of the team's top hitters. Also proving to be the exceptional first baseman many predicted.


INFIELDERS

Cookie Rojas (83) Age 30 (.255 1-28 3)
CON: $156,000 thru 1969 ACQ: Off season 1968 (Free Agent)
MLB: 1962 Cincinnati (4th season)

Don Buford (87) Age 32 (.261 24-78 21)
CON: $302,000 thru 1970 ACQ: Off season 1968 (Free Agent)
MLB: Chicago White Sox (7th season)

Bart Shirley (70/72) Age 29 (.290 0-5 0 in 93 AB)
CON: $14,100 until Arb 1971 ACQ: Off season 1967 from Dodgers (Rule 5 Draft)
MLB: 1964 Los Angeles Dodgers (3rd season)

Bob Johnson (73) Age 33 (.267 8-44 3)
CON: $124,000 thru 1969 ACQ: Off season 1967 from Baltimore)
MLB: 1960 Kansas City (10th season)

Still an area for concern, Bart Shirley fills in until we can find a capable enough infielder.


OUTFIELDERS

Cleon Jones (81) Age 26 (.281 17-55 2)
CON: $100,000 thru 1969 ACQ: July 1962 (Amateur Free Agent)
MLB: 1963 New York Mets (6th season)

Ty Cline (72) Age 29 (.194 0-14 1)
CON: $15,000 thru 1969 ACQ: Off season 1968 (Free Agent)
MLB: 1960 Cleveland (10th season)

Tommy Davis (81) Age 30 (.317 0-23 2)
CON: $166,000 thru 1969 ACQ: Off season 1967 from Dodgers
MLB: 1959 LA Dodgers (11th season)

Amos Otis (84/93) Age 21 (.059 0-0 1 in 17 AB)
CON: $14,100 until Arb 1972 ACQ: Off season 1967 from Red Sox (Rule 5 Draft)
MLB: 1967 New York Mets (Rookie)

Ken Singleton (85/91) Age 21 (.260 1-5 0 in 50 AB)
CON: $14,100 until Arb 1972 ACQ: Jan 1966 (Amateur Draft 1st round pick)
MLB: 1967 New York Mets (3rd season)

Ollie Brown (85) Age 25 (.347 4-13 1 in 72 AB)
CON: $86,000 thru 1969 ACQ: July 1968 from San Francisco
MLB: 1965 San Francisco Giants (5th season)

Jesus Alou (80) Age 27 (.313 0-1 1 in 32 AB)
CON: $50,000 thru 1969 ACQ: July 1968 from San Francisco
MLB: 1963 San Francisco Giants (7th season)

We lost our home run leader Mickey Stanley in the expansion draft to the Coyotes, but Singleton and Otis make the step up to the big leagues. Starting alongside them will be Davis. The slugger has mostly been on the bench for the past two seasons but we feel his offensive contribution will more than outweigh any deficiencies he has on defence.