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

[kevarms]

CatKnight: Thanks for the kinds words. I am not too disheartened with how things are going. This year's target is 67 wins. Still very reachable I think.

July 12-14
New York Mets (38-46) @ Houston Astros (46-35)

July 12: Jack Fisher is soon back in the groove after his All Star experience, holding the Astros to two runs in the ninth. Mets 4-2
W: Jack Fisher (8-4) L: Chris Zachary (7-7) S: Ron Taylor (5)

July 13: It is a nightmare return to Houston for Bo Belinsky. Even I feel slightly nauseous after he gives up six runs in the first inning. He does not return to the game but the damage is done. After the game I hear a rumour that he was seen sneaking back into the team hotel at 4 AM this morning. Unfortunately I am unable to substantiate them but we will need to keep an eye on him. Astros 10-5
W: Don Wilson (9-6) L: Bo Belinsky (4-4)

July 14: An awful second inning sees Ralph Terry throw two wild pitches and give up six runs, two of them courtesy of an error by rightfielder Al Luplow. Astros 8-3
W: Mike Cuellar (9-4) L: Ralph Terry (4-8)

July 15-17
New York Mets (39-48) @ Cincinnati Reds (42-45)

July 15: Bud Harrelson ties the game in the ninth, only for Tony Perez to hit a game winning single off Danny Frisella. Reds 6-5
W: Ted Abernathy (1-1) L: Danny Frisella (1-2)

July 16: Gordy Coleman pinch hits in the eleventh inning for the Reds and brings in Don Pavletich for the winning run. Reds 4-3 (11)
W: Ted Davidson (2-0) L: Dick Selma (2-6)

July 17: Another strong game from Jack Fisher, who gives up just seven hits and a walk. Mets 4-2
W: Jack Fisher (9-4) L: Turk Farrell (3-2) S: Dick Selma (8)


July 18-20
New York Mets (40-50) @ Atlanta Braves (45-45)

July 18: Jerry Buchek ties the game with a three run homer in the ninth. Joe Torre hits the winning run in the eleventh. Braves 5-4 (11)
W: Clay Carroll (1-4) L: Ron Taylor (6-3)

July 19: First inning runs by Ralph Garr and Denis Menke are enough for the Braves to squeak the win. Braves 2-1
W: Tony Cloninger (8-10) L: Ralph Terry (4-9) S: Clay Carroll (10)

July 20: Phil Niekro allows just five hits and three walks and gets the sweep for the Braves. Braves 4-2
W: Phil Niekro (12-7) L: Tom Seaver (5-8) S: Clay Carroll (11)


July 21-23
New York Mets (40-50) @ Chicago Cubs (46-44)

July 21: Johnny Lewis hits a three run homer in the top of the ninth to tie the game, but the Cubs get the win after an error by Tommy Davis lets in Ernie Banks. Cubs 6-5
W: Chuck Hartenstein (2-3) L: Danny Frisella (1-3)

July 22: Our fifth straight loss and we are never in it. Cleon Jones goes 2-2 with two walks but the rest of the offense are impotent against teenager Vida Blue claiming his first win since being drafted in June. Cubs 4-2
W: Vida Blue (1-1) L: Jack Fisher (9-5)

July 23: We struggle to contain the Cubs hitters using five pitchers and give up five doubles as we go down to a second successive sweep. Cubs 11-6
W: Ken Holtzman (12-6) L: Bill Graham (2-2)


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

The mood was sombre on the flight back from Chicago. So it should be after going 2-10 on this road trip. The thing with Belinsky was bothering me. It had been a gamble bringing him in and it looked like it was already backfiring. I sank deeper into my seat and pondered what to do next. Just then somebody slid into the empty seat beside me. It was Pete Murphy, the Chronicle man who covered the Mets.
I had stopped reading the sports sections of every other paper, except the Chronicle. Pete was one of the few reporters who did not regard the Mets as a joke. I heard he had covered the Dodgers before they headed west, spent a couple of years covering fringe sports, then volunteered to cover the Mets in the franchise’s first season.

“Don’t be too down Roy.” he said, “Here have a drink.” He handed me a glass of whiskey. Yuck! Soda. I gagged, but downed it anyway. He continued, “There’s still a lot of games to play. You can still get your sixty-seven wins.”

He was right. It had been another bad month, but not a complete disaster. We had lost a lot of games but, on the bright side, the fielding had improved dramatically with far fewer errors and we were starting to generate runs. Now if only we could stop the bloody opposition scoring more than us!

“I’m just glad to be going back to New York. That was terrible.”

“Well, I can tell you I’ve seen worse teams. Like the Mets from 1962 to 1966. They just sucked.” He laughed.

“This team is going to get better. It will just take time that’s all. Patience, my friend, patience. Do you know how long I had to wait for the Dodgers to actually win it all? Let me tell you, it was a long time coming. We moved to the Bronx, the Bronx of all ****ing places, when I was fifteen and that was not a fun place for a teenage Dodgers fan to be in the 1930s. But I always knew our day would come. Yours will too.”

The man was passionate I’ll give him that.

“I know Pete. I just hate it when things don’t work out how I expected.”

“Belinksy? Don’t you worry about him. I heard from a friend of a friend: that thing in Houston... he was just saying goodbye to an old girlfriend. He’s thirty years old. He can have another five years in the majors if he wants it, and he does. I know that ‘cos he told me.”

“That’s good to hear.” I forced a smile. It was the first time in nearly two weeks so it hurt a little bit. “Any other information you want to share?”

“That’s all I’m giving you today. Now, what about that interview you’ve been stalling on?”

The sly dog.

“Alright. Come by my office tomorrow. Eleven o’clock.”

[rockiesfan4ever]

LOL, a reporter knows how to get his story. You can still get 67 if you don't complete bomb these last few months. No pressure

[CatKnight]

LOL! Indeed. Very tricky reporter. On the other hand, he could turn into a pretty good ally if you throw him a bone now and then.

[rockiesfan4ever]

Yea get some more butts in those seats.

[kevarms]

NEW YORK CHRONICLE
July 25, 1967

METS BIGWIG GIVES FIRST MAJOR INTERVIEW
"Season Not Over Yet"

In his first major interview since becoming Mets GM, Englishman Roy Crabtree talks exclusively to the Chronicle's Pete Murphy.

Thanks for talking to us today Roy. How are you enjoying life so far as a major league GM?
It's harder work than I expected but very interesting.

English nobles are not usually associated with America's past-time, so the takeover by Lord Fawcliff took a lot of people by surprise. How did it come about?
Well, as you know, Lord Fawcliff is a long time baseball fan. He spends a lot of time over here and just wanted a way to get involved.

And your appointment?
Freddy [Fawcliff] and I have a long history, going back to the war actually, and I've worked with him in various capacities ever since. He wanted somebody he knows involved with the day-to-day things. Saying that , he was very disappointed that Bing [Devine] didn't feel he could work with us.

The club has struggled badly since the franchise was started in 1962. What shape is it in today?
I certainly wouldn't be here if it was a dead duck. Far from it. We have great prospects coming through. George Weiss and Bing Devine left a strong legacy and we're starting to see the fruits of it now with Tom Seaver. We've had debuts for guys like Amos Otis, Ken Singleton, Jerry Koosman and there are a lot of other great prospects in the system. The future is very bright for the Mets.

How long before you have a winning team?
We haven't written off this season yet but I don't think it's over-optimistic to say we can go over .500 next year and be serious contenders in three.

The English connection was widely derided earlier in the year but attendances have risen enormously. It seems New Yorkers are starting to warm to their newest team.
I put it down to the Fish 'n' Chips Night we had back in May. It was a roaring success. The Jellied Eels Night, not so good. But seriously, I think the Mets have filled, or at least are starting to, the huge vacuum left by the Dodgers and Giants. Not every New Yorker wants to root for the Yankees.

Any truth to the rumours the team could be relocating to London, England?
I've heard them but I can state categorically it won't be happening for a thousand and one reasons. Firstly, can you imagine the other National League clubs agreeing to fly across the Atlantic three, four times a season? Second, our own transport costs would be astronomical. Third, there is no call for professional baseball there. The country just won the soccer World Cup last year. That's the sport people want to see over there, not baseball.

What about exhibition games?
Interesting idea, but it's not on the agenda just yet.

Let's talk about players now. Who has impressed most so far?
Tom Seaver, for obvious reasons, is who people are talking about. He's had a few setbacks but so far has bounced back well. Jack Fisher is doing a great job with little fanfare. He's very steady and really deserved his All Star nomination.

Actually, I would say it's Bo Belinsky who people are talking about.
Bo came with baggage. We knew that when we brought him over. We've taken a gamble, now it's up to him whether he wants to be a major league pitcher or not.

What about hitters? That seems to be where the Mets are struggling most.
We have struggled, especially while Ed Kranepool was out. But he's back and hitting well, and guys like Cleon Jones and Bud Harrelson are hitting better too. Everybody is contributing more overall.

And who has been the biggest disappointment so far?
Mr Met. He's just some guy in a costume.

Nice dodge. Finally, can we expect any major moves in the off season?
This season isn't over yet but we have a lot of contracts up in October. We'll be considering all our options.

Roy, thanks for talking with us today.
It's been a pleasure Pete.

[CatKnight]

I dunno if that was a good idea. Mr. Met might show up in your office demanding a trade now...

[kevarms]

July 25-27
St Louis Cardinals (48-48) @ New York Mets (40-56)

July 25: Orlando Cepeda leads the rout knocking in six runs. Cardinals 9-0
W: Nelson Briles (8-8) L: Ralph Terry (4-10)

July 26: Tom Seaver gives up two hits and a walk in his second complete game shut-out. Mets 2-0
W: Tom Seaver (6-8) L: Mike Torrez (1-8)

July 27: Bob Gibson dominates the Mets offense. Cardinals 4-2
W: Bob Gibson (13-7) L: Jerry Koosman (1-8)

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

We had a couple of days off before another three game set against the Cardinals. Seems like strange scheduling but, I suppose, they have to come back here some time. It doesn't matter too much whether it's two days or two months after the previous set.
Sitting at my desk, I had just gone through the list of players whose contracts were coming up at the end of the season. There were a lot. Now I had time to look at the Chronicle sport section. Poor Chuck Estrada. He broke his arm last night in Cincinnati on only his second start for the Astros. I doubt he will come back from that. I'm quietly glad it's somebody else's problem but I do feel a bit sorry for him. I hope he can pick up a coaching job somewhere.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in." I put the paper to one side and in walked manager Wes Westrum. "Wes, come in. Everything alright?" He didn't return my smile as he took a seat.

"Trade deadline day is three days away. Are we bringing anybody in?" He said it as if I had forgotten about it.

"Anybody in mind?"

"Yup, I could use a couple of infielders, an outfielder or two, preferably guys who know one end of a bat from the other. Oh, and a starting pitcher wouldn't hurt either."

The British blood in me is partial to a little sarcasm, but this wasn't exactly constructive.

"Wes, I've been going through these contracts. There are a dozen of them up for renegotiation in October. Two dozen if you count the players with the farm teams. I don't think there's much point in rushing into anything now. "

"So, we're not bringing in anybody?"

I shook my head. Wes exhaled loudly.

"I don't know how the ---- you expect us to win games with this bunch."

He was annoyed but I couldn't be bothered arguing the point.

"Look Wes, we're just going to have to work with what we've got. We can bring in new guys during the off-season if we need to. For now we don't need to."

"Whatever you say, your majesty."

Now I was getting annoyed.

"Another thing Wes. Jerry Koosman. No more starts this year." Wes started to interrupted, but I continued, "He can go in the bullpen, but we don't want to totally destroy his confidence getting mauled every time he starts a game."

"So who am I supposed to use as the fifth starter? Bill Graham?"

"Yes Wes, Bill Graham. And Don Cardwell may be back sooner than we thought. No more starts for Koosman though."

"Alright, I heard you." He got to his feet and walked to the door muttering to himself. Opening it, he turned and said, "Mr Crabtree, you are a clueless --------."

Well done Wes. You just talked yourself out of a job.

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

July 30-August 1
St Louis Cardinals (50-49) @ New York Mets (41-58)

July 30: Jack Fisher looked like he was going to get the complete game shutout with the Mets holding a 1-0 lead at the top of the ninth. Orlando Cepeda hit the tying run with a double into the leftfield gap. Fisher then threw a couple of wild pitches but was fortunate to get away with no more scores. We get the win after John Sullivan, of all people, tags up and crosses the plate after Bud Harrelson flies out to right. Mets 2-1 (12)
W: Dick Selma (3-6) L: Ron Willis (6-5)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After the game infielder Bob Johnson is diagnosed with an ankle stress fracture. Hopefully he won’t be out long. He's hitting .269. On this team that's pretty good!

July 31: A five run second inning sets us on the way to victory with Ron Brand driving in three runs. Mets 8-4
W: Bo Belinsky (5-4) L: Nelson Briles (8-9)

[kevarms]

Rockiesfan: That's a big 'if'.

Cat: I think Pete Murphy will be a fun character to have around. As for Mr Met... I hope he won't be too hasty. We may need him to bat clean-up if things get a lot worse.

[kevarms]

NEW YORK CHRONICLE
August 1, 1967

SENATORS TRADE AWAY STARS
Nats Planning For Future

WASHINGTON, D.C.- The Washington Senators, 1961 model, has had losing seasons in every one of their existence. This one could be their worst ever as they lie nineteen games behind leaders Baltimore with a 44-60 record. On yesterday’s trade deadline day they traded away two high profile players, outfielder Frank Howard to Atlanta and All Star pitcher Camilo Pascual to Pittsburgh. In return they received a total of seven prospects.
It appears the strategy of buying in stars has failed, both on and off the field, and the Nats will seek to develop their farm system further.

Frank Howard

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JULY SUMMARY

Another horrible month for us. If it hadn’t been for the All Star break we would have done a lot worse than 6-16 too.
The Astros had almost as bad a month as we did. Chuck Estrada was not much of a loss, but their ace Mike Cuellar will be out until October with a broken collarbone.


National League Standings

		W	L	GB
San Francisco	56	45	--
Houston	        53	48	3
Pittsburgh	52	49	4
Los Angeles	53	51	4.5
Atlanta		53	51	4.5
Cincinnati	51	50	5
St Louis	50	51	6
Chicago	        50	51	6
Philadelphia	47	54	9
NEW YORK	43	58	13

The Orioles were on the road all month in the American League. They slipped up a few times enabling the Yankees to gain some ground on them.

MLB Injury News
July 12: Ken Boyer (CHW) - Torn ankle ligaments- 3 months (,297 Avg, 13 HR, 66 RBI, 4 SB)

MLB Milestones
July 15: Whitey Ford (NYY) 2,000 Strikeouts
July 20: Roberto Clemente (PIT) 1,000 Runs
July 24: Jimmie Hall (CAL) 23 Game Hitting Streak
July 29: Mickey Mantle (NYY) 1,500 RBI
July 30: Curt Simmons (CAL) 200 Wins
July 30: Tony Oliva (MIN) 27 Game Hitting Streak

MLB Retirements
July 2 - Just days after Hoyt Wilhelm announced his retirement baseball says farewell to another pioneer of modern pitching with Pittsburgh closer Roy Face announcing his decision to quit the game. Face played his entire thirteen year career with the Pirates and won a World Series ring in 1960 when he saved three games versus the Yankees. (Career Stats ERA 3.60 Saves 165 Strikeouts 776)

[kevarms]

AUGUST PREVIEW


Jerry Buchek will at third for a week or two while Johnson is out. Callups for Ron Swoboda and Don Bosch. I considered Tommy Davis as a starter but he made a lot of errors towards the end of the month. He'll be riding the pine for a little longer.
Jim McAndrew is called up to the bullpen in favour of Danny Frisella who has been giving up too many hits in relief.

Lineup			Bench			Rotation	Bullpen

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

[CatKnight]

... What version BM are you using? I ask because as of 10.31 it wasn't tracking pitcher milestones due to a bug, and I don't remember it EVER tracking hitting streaks.

[kevarms]

Cat: I'm using 10.34.... should I be worried? The only bugs I've noticed is teams sometimes playing more than 162 games

[CatKnight]

*hisses softly*

Just keep your eyes open. If you haven't noticed anything, then no big deal.

My problems were twofold: First, the PbP screen is BLACK, and though I don't play my games sometimes I like to watch. Second, a few people (and I) reported runners getting 'lost' - they just vanish.

However it doesn't appear to be happening to you. (I may have been very unlucky to see it in my first game and it's much rarer than I thought) If 10.34 is doing what you ask of it then that's all anyone can ask

[kevarms]

Cat: I may be having runners disappear and just not noticed. I wasn't aware of that one. I just remembered another one I do have. I get things like this now and then:
"XXXX XXXXXXXX went for an extra base and reached home, scoring a run."
Not too often though and, unless I'm mistaken, is in all versions of BM08.
I get around the teams playing extra games thing by saving to a point, then simming the rest of the season to check everybody only played (or rather has added to it's W-L record) 162 games. That way I know my save is ok and reload.

[kevarms]

AUGUST 1967

August 1
St Louis Cardinals (50-51) @ New York Mets (43-58)

August 1: We take a 3-0 lead early on and never look back. Tom Seaver throws a four hitter to sweep the Cardinals. Mets 5-1
W: Tom Seaver (7-8) L: Mike Torrez (1-7)


August 2-4
New York Mets (44-58) @ Cincinnati Reds (52-50)

August 2: Today it's the Reds who get an early lead and hang onto it. Bill Graham struggles through seven innings. Reds 4-2
W: Sammy Ellis (5-7) L: Bill Graham (2-3) S: Ted Abernathy (9)

August 3: Tommy Davis goes 3 for 5 and gets both our runs but it's not enough. Reds 3-2
W: John Tsitouris (6-3) L: Jack Fisher (9-6) S: Ted Abernathy (10)

August 4: Spot start for Koosman. We take an early lead courtesy of a Pete Rose throwing error that lets in Larry Stahl from second, but Milt Pappas gives us only two more hits and gets the complete game win. Rusty Staub and Art Shamsky knock in all the Reds runs and we are swept. Reds 5-1
W: Milt Pappas (9-9) L: Jerry Koosman (1-9)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bo Belinsky was scheduled to start the last game against the Reds. He missed the curfew the night before. Nobody knows where he went, but he turned up back at the hotel after 5 AM. Next morning Wes chews him out in front of the whole team. He deserved it too. Privately, I inform him he is suspended for one week and fined $400. He seemed to find it funny. I think maybe he was still drunk. We have some talking to do, but for now he is on the way back to New York.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

August 5-7
New York Mets (44-61) @ Atlanta Braves (54-54)

August 5: Joe Torre and Mack Jones hit homers but the loss is heavier than we deserve. Braves 5-1
W: Pat Jarvis (3-4) L: Ralph Terry (4-11)

August 6: Mack Jones hits another homer. Today's loss is not as heavy as we deserve as Tom Seaver has a bad day giving up ten hits in seven innings. Braves 3-1
W: Phil Niekro (15-7) L: Tom Seaver (7-9)

August 7: Bill Graham is knocked out in the sixth inning after giving up six runs. We go down to a second consecutive sweep. Braves 10-2
W: Ken Johnson(7-5) L: Bill Graham (2-4)