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

[kevarms]

1967 AMATEUR DRAFT

First Round Picks

Cubs:		Ted Simmons		C	67/93
Mets:		Danny Fife		P	49/95
Yankees:	Richie Zisk		RF	65/93
Washington:	Dusty Baker		LF	63/95
Boston:		Ben Ogilvie		LF	63/92
Houston:	John Mayberry		1B	56/93
Athletics:	Jerry Reuss		P	67/90
Cincinnati:	Leon Brown		CF	60/93
Angels:		Don Kirkwood		P	55/95
Cleveland	Jim Kern		P	67/80
White Sox:	Cecil Cooper		1B	59/92
St Louis	Mike Schmidt		3B	64/91
Atlanta:        Bob Didier		C	55/82
Phillies:	Jerry Martin		RF	54/92
Detroit:	John Wockenfuss	        C	63/80
Minnesota:	Dave Goltz		P	55/84
Pittsburgh:	Rick Dempsey		C	59/94
Giants:		Gary Lavelle		P	64/83
Dodgers:	Don Baylor		LF	58/93
Baltimore:	Bobby Grich		2B	59/88

Mets Draft Picks

1. Danny Fife P 49/95 struck out 60 in 78 innings in his senior year

2. Craig Caskey P 50/95 has some serious heat, clocked at 90+ mph but needs to work on his changeup and slider

3. Tom Brown P 49/93 arm needs strengthening but there is talent there

4. Mike Reinbach RF 51/91 hit .434 and has some speed

5. Bob Babcock P 48/88

6. Bob Rauch P 48/78

[kevarms]

June 8, 1967 - LaGuardia Airport, N.Y.

Most of the players sat around in groups in the lounge. Our flight to San Francisco was delayed.

"Hey Cleon. I hear Fawcliff is looking for a new chauffeur." called Johnny Lewis, loud enough for the whole room to hear despite Jones sitting right beside him.

"Yeah, but he said there's definitely no need for YOU to apply." added Tommy Davis.

That brought a few guffaws. Jones grinned but looked sheepish. He probably still felt terrible about 'the incident', but as far as I was concerned the matter was closed. The main thing was Don Cardwell didn't suffer any career threatening injuries. Maybe he would even be back this year.
Sitting alone was Ron Taylor. I hadn't had much of a chance to talk with him, but he had struck me as being one of the more intelligent players. I heard he had already earned a degree in electrical engineering. Very sensible. Baseball was only a life-time career for a fortunate few. As usual he had his nose stuck in a hefty looking book.

"Hey Ron." I gave him a slap on the shoulder.

"Hello Mr. Crabtree." he looked up from his book.

"Great set you had against the Giants. How are you settling in with the team."

"Thanks. Yes, I'm enjoying it so far and I'm pitching pretty well I think." That was an understatement. With an ERA of 1.44 he was in the top five relievers in the majors.

"Wes and I have been talking. So far Dick Selma has been our closer, but we’d like you to take-over. What do you think?"

"What about Dick? He's doing pretty well too."

True. He wasn’t doing too badly but he was still young the three losses he had racked up in his last three appearances seemed to have shaken him.

"He is, we just feel we need somebody more steady. Dick will be setting up for you, and I know you will keep helping him work on his stuff."

"Well, anything you say Mr Crabtree, but I'd be grateful if it's you who tell him. I don't think he'll take it too well."

"Of course, leave that with me. He has a long career ahead of him. By the way, what's that you're reading."

"It's a book on anatomy. Pretty interesting too."

**********************************************
**In real life, when his baseball career ended Ron Taylor went to medical school and was the long time team doctor of the Blue Jays. Apparently a very nice guy too.

***********************************************

June 9-11
New York Mets (28-32) @ San Francisco Giants (34-23)

June 9: Jerry Koosman somehow starts. I thought he was in Florida. Nonetheless, he has a fine game and is unlucky to get the loss. Buchek lets the Giants back into the game in the eighth with a throwing error. Giants 7-6
W: Lindy McDaniel (7-2) L: Jerry Koosman (0-5)

June 10: Wilie McCovey hits two homers and knocks in four runs. Giants 6-3
W: Juan Marichal (9-3) L: Jack Fisher (5-4)

June 11: Willie McCovey grabs another homer and four RBI as our pitching collapses and we are swept. Giants 9-1
W: Gaylord Perry (8-3) L: Ralph Terry (2-5)


June 12-14
Cincinnati Reds (27-36) @ New York Mets (28-35)

Jun 12: Sammy Ellis gives up only four hits and four walks. Reds 3-1
W: Sammy Ellis (2-4) L: Chuck Estrada (5-7)

Jun 13: We have a 4-1 lead with two outs at the top of the ninth. Pete Rose hits a three run homer off Tom Seaver to tie the game and the Reds squeak it. Reds 5-4 (11)
W: Don Nottebart (4-1) L: Dick Selma (2-4) S: Ted Abernathy (2)

Jun 14: Tommy Davis goes 1 for 5 but hits a two run double to win the game. Mets 6-5
W: Danny Frisella (1-0) L: Billy McCool (1-2) S: Ron Taylor (3)


June 15-17
New York Mets (29-37) @ St Louis Cardinals (33-33)

Jun 15: Two homers from Cleon Jones and Ron Swoboda put the game out of reach of the Cards. Mets 5-1
W: Jack Fisher (6-4) L: Jim Cosman (1-1)

Jun 16: Bob Gibson strikes out twelve. Cardinals 6-2
W: Bob Gibson (9-4) L: Ralph Terry (2-6)

Jun 17: Cardinals take it with a late two run double by Tim McCarver. Cardinals 4-3
W: Steve Carlton (7-5) L: Danny Frisella (1-1) S: Joe Hoerner (7)

[CatKnight]

Don't you just hate it when pitchers (Koosman) show up out of nowhere to lose for you?

I really liked your vignette switching closers.

[kevarms]

CatKnight: I think Wes is going behind my back and recalling him
I was not sure if it was realistic for the GM rather than the manager to be telling a player that, nor indeed of the premise for doing it (need a more mature hand at closer). But that's how things work in my baseball imagination

********************************

June 18, 1967 Shea Stadium, N.Y.

Wes Westrum and Whitey Herzog were seated on the other side of my desk. It would be fair to say Wes and I had not got off to the best of starts. The manager's sullenness spoke volumes. He did not appreciate having an outsider for a boss. The sulking irritated me. Herzog on the other hand was not one for sulking. During spring training he actually told me to my face that I knew nothing about baseball. That was right after I told him he would be taking up a scouting role rather than coaching. He had done a stellar job with the young players but I wanted him on the road looking for new talent and checking out existing talent around the country. This was the first time I had had the both of them in my office.

"Good morning gentlemen. Thanks for coming in."

Whitey nodded. Wes just scowled.

"I'll make this as brief as I can. The trade deadline is next month. If we are going to make any moves I'd rather do them sooner rather than later. Any suggestions?"

Wes shuffled in his seat for a moment, then finally spoke.

"Jerry Grote. He can't hit and he can't run."

I pulled out Grote's file. Prior to this season he had a career hitting average of .210.

"He's hitting .270 this year, Wes."

"Just a fluke. He'll be back around .220 by October."

I wasn't sure it would be a good idea to get rid of a top drawer catcher like Grote, but I saw the skipper's point. We needed somebody who could generate runs. We had the lowest team batting average in the league, as well as only hitting 37 homers. The next lowest, St Louis, had 49.

"Anybody spring to mind, Whitey?"

"Uh-huh, couple a guys."

"Okay, we can work on that later. Now, I hear there are some concerns about Chuck Estrada."

Estrada had found himself at number three in the rotation following Don Cardwell's injury and the unimpressive starts from the two rookies. He had a $60,000 deal for this season but in his last few starts had been knocked out after five or six innings.

Wes piped up, "He won't last the rest of the year. I'd be inclined to put him in the bullpen but we need a starter."

That was true and, with Jerry Koosman not doing too well, we should probably be looking for a leftie.

"Whitey?"

Wes shot a glance at Whitey. There seemed to be some friction between the two.

"There's a guy down in Houston, name of Bo Belinsky. He has some baggage but I think he's worth a shot."

Wes snorted, " ****, that playboy? Bring him to New York and he'll be in the papers more often than Mickey Mantle. 'Cept it won't be on the sports pages."

Belinsky? The name rang a bell. Then I remembered. He had had a promising start to his career with the Angels but then had went off the rails, distracted by the glamour of Hollywood.

Whitey continued, "He's only getting spot starts for the Astros but I was talking with him down there. He's really serious about making a comeback."

We were in the office for another hour. Later that afternoon I had been in touch with the Houston GM, Tal Smith. It had not taken us long to work out a deal.


To Mets:
SP Bo Belinsky (77) Age 30 (3-1, 4.44 ERA in 26 IP)
$20,300 6th season

C Ron Brand (74) Age 27 (.200 Avg in 14 AB)
$12,600 4th season

RP Buddy Harris (58/89) Age 18 (1-2, 2.48 ERA, 1 SV in R-Ball)
Rookie


To Astros:
SP Chuck Estrada (67) Age 29 (5-7, 3.76 ERA, 1 CG)
$59,500 7th season Former All-Star

C Jerry Grote (68) Age 24 (.270 Avg, 1 HR, 21 RBI, 0 SB)
£20,300 4th season

3B Wayne Garrett (62/81) Age 19 (.315, 2-16-0 in R-Ball)
Rookie

Bo Belinsky

[kevarms]

June 19-21
New York Mets (30-39) @ Pittsburgh Pirates (37-29)

Jun 19: Tom Seaver dominates the Pirates with 11 strikeouts. Mets 5-3
W: Tom Seaver (3-6) L: Dennis Ribant (3-3)

Jun 20: Koosman and Frisella are lit up. Jose Pagan goes 2 for 3 with a walk, homer and 3 RBIs. Pirates 11-3
W: Steve Blass (6-3) L: Jerry Koosman (0-6) S: Woodie Fryman (1)

Jun 21: Bo Belinksky and Ron Brand both debut. Belinsky throws a fantastic game giving up just 4 hits. Ron Brand goes 2 for 5 and knocks in a run. Mets 6-1
W: Bo Belinsky (4-1) L: Tommie Sisk (4-3)


June 24-26
New York Mets (32-40) @ Houston Astros (41-31)

Jun 24: Vada Pinson showed just why the Astros signed him as he drives in all 5 Houston runs with 2 homers. Astros 5-4
W: Larry Dierker (6-6) L: Ralph Terry (2-7) S: Arnold Earley (3)

Jun 25: Tom Seaver allows just 3 hits and 2 walks with Pinson going 0 for 4. Mets 2-1
W: Tom Seaver (4-6) L: Chris Zachary (6-6)

Jun 26: He almost blows it, giving up two in the bottom of the ninth and being pulled with the bases loaded, but Jerry Koosman gets his first career win. Mets 6-5
W: Jerry Koosman (1-6) L: Don Wilson (7-6) S: Ron Taylor (4)


June 27-29
Atlanta Braves (41-34) @ New York Mets (34-41)

Jun 27: Ed Kranepool and Bud Harrelson turn three double-plays (Hank Aaron twice). Our fielding seems to have improved dramatically this month, with few errors. Mets 5-3
W: Jack Fisher (7-4) L: Tony Cloninger (7-8) S: Dick Selma (7)

Jun 28: Bo Belinksy is knocked out after giving up ten hits in five innings. Braves 4-2
W: Phil Niekro (10-6) L: Bo Belinsky (4-2)

Jun 29: Bob Johnson drives in five runs as the Braves are clobbered. Mets 9-1
W: Ralph Terry (3-7) L: Ken Johnson (4-4)


June 30-July 2
New York Mets (36-42) @ Los Angeles Dodgers (35-43)

Jun 30: Tom Seaver gets his first career complete game shut-out, giving up just a hit and three walks. Mets 2-0
W: Tom Seaver (5-6) L: Don Drysdale (5-12)

[CatKnight]

Realistically I suppose a manager might be the one to (at least officially) appoint a new closer, but certainly some GMs/owners take much more active roles than others. It might even partly explain why Westrum doesn't love you.

There's just one thing that doesn't make sense.

To Astros:
SP Chuck Estrada (67) Age 29 (5-7, 3.76 ERA, 1 CG)
$59,500 7th season Former All-Star

C Jerry Grote (68) Age 24 (.270 Avg, 1 HR, 21 RBI, 0 SB)
£20,300 4th season

3B Wayne Garrett (62/81) Age 19 (.315, 2-16-0 in R-Ball)
Rookie

Grote was letting you pay him in pounds and you STILL got rid of him? That's not fair!

[kevarms]

NEW YORK CHRONICLE
June 25, 1967

INDIAN'S WOES CONTINUE
Colavito Traded To Giants

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Indians fans are mourning the loss of fan favourite Rocky Colavito a second time. This time the outfielder is headed to the Giants, who will be hoping he can help sustain their pennant challenge. The Rock's first spell in Cleveland ended in 1960 amid anger from fans when he was traded to Detroit. He returned, via Kansas City, in 1965 and continued from where he left off, hitting 26 and 30 homers. This year he hit 16 in 72 games.
His departure leaves the Tribe's offense severely weakened. They are already struggling in the American League, in tenth and 20 games back from leaders Baltimore.
Despite Vernon Stouffer's takeover last year the club's financial problems will take some time to stabilise. An unofficial source said Colavito's high salary was the main reason for the trade.
Headed the other way is pitching prospect Rich Robertson who is likely to be taking the mound for the Portland Beavers AAA organisation, despite pitching well in the majors in seven games for the Giants.

Rocky Colavito

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

JUNE SUMMARY

I'm relieved we stopped the slide into oblivion, going 13-11 in June. The Belinsky trade should shake things up a little and Ron Brand has got off to a terrific start. He is hitting .379 in seven Mets appearances. Tom Seaver is starting to pitch consistently well. On the other hand, Jerry Koosman is a real concern at the moment.

National League Standings

		W	L	GB
Houston 	43	33	--
Pittsburgh	42	34	1
San Francisco	42	34	1
Atlanta		42	37	2.5
St Louis	39	40	5.5
Chicago	        37	39	6
Cincinnati	38	41	6.5
NEW YORK	37	42	7.5
Los Angeles	35	44	9.5
Philadelphia	34	45	10.5

In the American League the Orioles went 18-9 in June and now lead the Twins by 5.5 games. The hapless Indians did not get out of the starting blocks this year. They are already 20 games back.


MLB Injury News
June 22: Cesar Tovar (MIN) - Torn ankle ligament - 7 months (.265 Avg, 0 HR, 33 RBI, 22 SB)

MLB Milestones
June 1: Hank Aaron (ATL) 2,500 Hits
June 13: Eddie Mathews (DET) 1,500 Runs
June 23: Hank Aaron (ATL) 1,500 RBI


MLB Retirements
June 30 - Knuckleballer Hoyt Wilhelm hung up his glove today after 15 years in the majors. The 44 year old played for the Giants, Cardinals, Orioles and White Sox and took the mound 832 times, second in all-time pitching appearances. He is also the all-time leader in career saves. (Career Stats ERA 2.57 Saves 180 Strikeouts 1,313)

--------------------------------------------------------
CatKnight: I don't know about in 1967, but today the exchange rate is almost $2 to £1. If I were Grote I would be demanding the Astros keep paying me in pounds.

[kevarms]

JULY PREVIEW

Kranepool is back in the lineup so we are nearly at full strength. Brand has made a great start, catching well and batting .379.
In their try-outs Ron Swoboda was super, Amos Otis just so-so. Both are sent back down to Jacksonville. Next up is Ken Singleton.
I still have serious doubts, but Wes has persuaded me that Jerry Koosman is worth a spot in the rotation after his lucky win in Houston.

Lineup			Bench			Rotation	Bullpen

SS Harrelson		C Goossen		Fisher		Taylor
1B Kranepool		IF Buchek		Belinsky	Selma
CF Jones		OF Singleton		Terry		Grzenda
RF Luplow		RF Lewis		Seaver		Frisella
3B Johnson		LF Davis		Koosman	        Shaw (Bob)
C Brand		        2B Hiller				Graham
LF Stahl
2B Collins

[kevarms]

JULY 1967

July 1-2
New York Mets (37-42) @ Los Angeles Dodgers (35-44)

July 1: I don't know whether to be angry at Wes or myself for trusting his judgement. A shell-shocked Koosman is knocked out after four. Dodgers 9-1
W: Don Sutton (8-7) L: Jerry Koosman (1-7)

July 2: Cleo James knocks in three runs for the Dodgers. Dodgers 4-3
W: Claude Osteen (6-7) L: Dick Selma (2-5) S: Ron Perranoski (12)


July 3-5
Chicago Cubs (39-39) @ New York Mets (37-44)

July 3: Billy Williams hits his 20th homer to seal a thrilling game. Cubs 8-6
W: Bill Hands (5-6) L: Bo Belinsky (4-3) S: Cal Koonce (3)

July 4: First complete game shutout of the year for Ralph Terry who allows just three hits and two walks whilst the offense runs riot. Tommy Davis makes a rare start, going 3 for 4 and driving in three runs in an Independence Day treat for Mets fans. Mets 10-0
W: Ralph Terry (4-7) L: Bob Hendley (2-4)

July 5: The Cubs bounce right back with Ken Holtzman getting his fifth complete game shutout of the year. Seaver starts for the Mets and is pitching just as well until the 5th when he gives up a grandslam homer to Adolfo Phillips. Cubs 6-0
W: Ken Holtzman (10-5) L: Tom Seaver (5-7)

[kevarms]

Here are the current leaders at the All Star break.

		American League	        National League	        NY Mets

Batting Ave.	.371 Oliva MIN		.380 Clemente PIT	.314 Kranepool

Home Runs	23  3-way tie		25 Aaron ATL		9 Kranepool

RBI		83 Mantle NYY		80 Williams CHC	        45 Kranepool

OBA		.455 Mantle NYY	        .438 Clemente PIT	.369 Jones

Steals		40 Campaneris KCA 	60 Brock STL		11 Harrelson



ERA		2.43 McLain DET	        2.64 Perry SFG		3.06 Fisher (#5 in NL)

Wins		14 2-way tie		11 Marichal SFG	        7 Fisher

Strikeouts	124 Hunter KCA	        127 Gibson STL	        94 Seaver

Saves		11  2-way tie		13 Hartenstein CHC	7 Selma

And the standings for both leagues

American League				        National League	


		W	L	GB				W	L	GB
Baltimore	55	32	--		Houston	        46	35	--
Minnesota	47	37	6.5		Pittsburgh	46	35	--	
New York	46	38	7.5		San Francisco	43	38	3
Detroit		47	40	8		Chicago	        41	40	5
Chicago	        45	39	8.5		Atlanta		42	42	5.5
Kansas City	41	43	12.5		Cincinnati	41	43	6.5
Boston		42	48	14.5		St Louis	41	43	6.5
California	38	49	17		Los Angeles	39	45	8.5
Washington	35	49	18.5		NEW YORK	38	46	9.5
Cleveland	30	51	22		Philadelphia	37	47	10.5

[kevarms]

1967 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

Red Ruffing - Six times World Series winner with the great Yankees teams of the 30s/40s, Ruffing's career spanned an incredible 23 years. Ruffing missed a couple of seasons during WW2 and, on his return to baseball, looked to be as good a player as ever until breaking an ankle. He retired in 1947 with 273 career wins, 11th in all-time. (Red Sox 1924-30, Yankees 1930-46, White Sox 1947)

Lloyd Waner - Hitting .355 for the Pirates in his debut season, outfielder Waner would go on to hit over .300 ten times in his 18 season career. Known as a very disciplined batter he would take 420 walks to only 173 strikeouts. (Pirates 1927-41 1944-45, Braves and Reds (1941), Phillies (1942), Dodgers (1944)

[kevarms]

1967 AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR ROSTER

Starters

C	Bill Freehan 	DET
1B	Boog Powell 	BAL	- *1st All-Star
2B	Davey Johnson	BAL	- *1st All-Star
3B	Eddie Mathews	DET	-10th All Atar
SS	Jim Fregosi	CAL
LF	Mickey Mantle 	NYY   	-15th All Star
CF	Frank Robinson	BAL
RF	Tony Oliva 	MIN


Bench

1B	Joe Pepitone 	NYY
1B	George Scott	BOS	-*1st All Star
3B	Ken Boyer	CHW
OF	Chuck Hinton	CLE
C	Elson Howard	NYY	-10th All Star
C	Bob Tillman	BOS	-*1st All Star, Age 30


Pitchers

SP	Catfish Hunter	KCA
SP	Camilo Pascual  WSA
SP 	Jim Palmer 	BAL	-*1st All Star, age 21
SP	Mel Stottlemyre	NYY	
SP 	Denny McLain	DET
SP 	Jim Kaat	MIN
SP	Dave McNally 	BAL	-*1st All Star

RP 	Jack Aker	KCA 	-*1st All Star
RP 	Stu Miller	BAL
RP	Al Worthington	MIN	-*1st All Star, age 38
RP 	Minnie Rojas	CAL	-*1st All Star, age 33

[kevarms]

1967 NATIONAL LEAGUE ALL-STAR ROSTER

Starters

C 	JoeTorre 		ATL 
1B	Orlando Cepeda 	        STL
2B	Bill Mazeroski 		PIT
3B	Dick Allen 		PHI
SS	Leo Cardenas 		HOU 	
LF	Willie Mays 		SFG	- 14th consecutive, injured
CF	Hank Aaron 		ATL	- 13th consecutive
RF	Roberto Clemente	PIT	- 8th consec.


Bench

OF	Billy Williams 		CHC
1B	Tony Perez 		CIN	-*1st All Star
OF	Tony Gonzalez 		LAD	-*1st All Star, age 30
C	Johnny Roseboro 	LAD
C	Tim McCarver 		STL
2B	Pete Rose 		CIN


Pitchers

SP	Jack Fisher 		NYM	-*1st All Star
SP	Juan Marichal 		SFG	- 6th consecutive 
SP	Gaylord Perry 		SFG	
SP 	Ken Holtzman 		CHC	-*1st All Star
SP	Bob Gibson 		STL	
SP	Mike McCormick 	        SFG
SP	Phil Niekro 		ATL	-*1st All Star

RP	Frank Linzy 		SFG	-*1st All Star
RP	Chuck Hartenstein 	CHC	 -*1st All Star, rookie
RP	Bob Lee 		PHI	
RP	Claude Raymond 	        HOU						
RP	Lindy McDaniel 		SFG   	-*1st All Star

[kevarms]

I generally don't pay attention to the Home Run Derby, but if anybody is interested Phillie's Dick Allen won it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1967 ALL STAR GAME

Anaheim Stadium was the host for this season's showpiece game, with 3,000 extra bleacher seats being added in the outfield. The American League team was dominated by the league leading Orioles with six players, including first time appearances for Boog Powell, Davey Johnson and young pitcher Jim Palmer. Of note for the Nationals were no less than six Giants pitchers. The Mets sole representative was pitcher Jack Fisher, making his first All Star appearance.

Catfish Hunter was the first to take the mound for the Americans. The A's ace was making his second All-Star appearance and showed why he is regarded as a future great, getting three outs in short order. Our own Jack Fisher was first up for the Nationals. After Jim Fregosi grounded out, Fisher walked Tony Oliva as he struggled to keep his fastball in the strikezone. Boog Powell then hit a single to put two on bases. Frank Robinson struck out next and up stepped Mickey Mantle. With the count at 2-2 The Mick got hold of a fastball and hit it out to rightfield but Roberto Clemente was there to make the catch.

First blood went to the Nationals in the second and it was, not surprisingly, Hank Aaron hitting a triple with a booming drive down the left field line. Clemente was up next. He flied out to rightfield but by the time Tony Oliva got the ball back to Bill Freehan at the plate, Aaron had tagged up and reached home. 1-0 Nationals.

At the bottom of the second Jack Fisher gave up two hits but the Americans could not get anybody home. Fisher was replaced by Bob Gibson in the third who was ruthlessly efficient in despatching the American's batters.

Top of the fourth the first National's batter was Tony Gonzalez, making his debut in the All Star game. He hit a homer into the leftfield stand off of Denny McLain to make it 2-0 Nationals.

Things turned around in the bottom of the sixth with Gaylord Perry pitching his second inning. He took Tony Oliva to 3-2 but then threw one low and outside for a walk. Oliva was out at the next play, forced at second when Boog Powell hit a single. It was a bad day at the office for Perry with Frank Robinson up next. He was going high this time, but much too high. The ball cleared Robinson's head and Joe Torre had no chance with the pitch allowing Powell to make second. He was soon on third when Robinson hit a single. Mickey Mantle flied out but then Eddie Matthew's blasted one into the right field stands to the put the Americans ahead. 3-2 Americans

Joe Pepitone came in to play first base for the Americans in the top of the seventh. With two outs and Leo Cardenas on first, Pete Rose came in for Bill Mazeroski. He hit a weak line drive off a slider from Mel Stottlemyre. Pepitone reached to field the ball but somehow it slipped under his glove and both runners were safe. Tim McCarver was up next but he could only hit one into centerfield that was easy pickings for Mantle.

With the score still 3-2 at the top of the eighth and Jack Aker in for the Americans, he tossed three balls to Dick Allen. The fourth pitch Allen really got hold off, smashing it into the temporary bleachers in centerfield to tie the game. Tony Gonzalez grounded out, then Orlando Cepeda blasted another homer to make it 4-3 Nationals. As if things couldn't get worse for Aker on his All Star debut, Hank Aaron hit a double and then Clemente scored the third home run of the inning. Aker gave up two more singles before being relieved (I bet he was) by Stu Miller of the Orioles who ended the inning with no further hits. Nationals 6-3

Top of the ninth things went awry for Miller too. He gave up a single to Dick Allen then, with the count at 3-1, he tried to sneak one low and inside that hit Tony Gonzalez's knee. Hank Aaron brought both runners home late in the inning after he hit a double through the left field gap. Nationals 8-3

Bottom of the ninth the Americans Eddie Matthews hit his second home run of the game but the game finished 8-4 Nationals.

Hank Aaron was a popular choice for the MVP Award, going 3 for 5, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI.

[CatKnight]

Good for Hank! Sorry you're having so much trouble with your inaugural season, but it's still a great read!