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

[kevarms]

OCTOBER PREVIEW

It would have been nice to have reached our target so we could give some of the rookies some big league experience and allow players with contracts expiring a final chance to impress. But we are still six games short, with nine to play. It's a big ask so we'll be putting out as strong a team as we can. Not easy with Kranepool on the DL. Jerry Koosman is brought back into the rotation for another look.

Lineup			Bench			Rotation	Bullpen

SS Harrelson		C Sullivan		Fisher		Taylor
RF Luplow		2B Hiller		Belinsky	Selma
CF Jones		OF Swoboda		Terry		Grzenda
LF Stahl		OF Singleton		Seaver		McGraw
1B Johnson		CF Bosch		Koosman	        Shaw (Bob)
C Brand		        LF Davis				Graham
3B Pfeil		RF Yates				Shaw (Don)
2B Buchek		RF Lewis				Gentry
			OF Reynolds				McAndrew
			C Goossen				Frisella
			3B Moock				Dilauro
			CF Otis					Connors
			LF Williams
			IF Boswell
			1B Jorgensen

[kevarms]

Yogi Berra will stand in as skipper for the final nine games. Johnny Murphy covers for Berra as first base coach...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OCTOBER 1967

October 1-3
New York Mets (61-92) @ Atlanta Braves (80-79)

October 1: We are down 9-0 going into the seventh. Joe Torre hits two homers for the Braves. Braves 9-3
W: Bob Bruce (2-6) L: Jack Fisher (10-12)

October 2: Only three runs in the ninth prevent this from being a complete embarassment. Joe Torre hits another home run. Braves 12-3
W: Danny Lemaster (11-9) L: Bo Belinsky (9-8)

October 3: Clete Boyer hits two homers and gets 6 RBI to hand us a third crushing defeat. Ralph Terry is knocked out in four innings. Bill Graham relieves and promptly gives up nine earned runs. Braves 16-1
W: Ken Johnson (13-9) L: Ralph Terry (6-17)


Pennant Races:

AL : The Orioles had three days off enabling the Yankees to close the gap with a three game sweep of the Indians. The Twins slim chances are gone after they went 1-2 against Detroit.

NL: The Astros won two games at the Giants, including a 13-3 hammering. The third game was a pitching duel that the Giants squeaked 3-0. The Reds are eliminated.

[kevarms]

October 4-6
Philadelphia Phillies (77-79) @ New York Mets (61-95)

October 4: Bud Harrelson goes 3 for 4 but the rest of the team play like zombies. Phillies 5-4
W: Dick Ellsworth (13-8) L: Tom Seaver (8-17) S: Bob Lee (15)

October 5: Pinch hitter ties the game for the Phillies in the top of the ninth with a 2 RBI double. Cleon Jones comes off the bench to pinch hit for Dick Selma which leads to a flurry of defensive changes by Phillies skipper Gene Mauch. Jones takes the count to 3-0 and then smashes a single to right field. He was advanced to second by a sac bunt from Bud Harrelson. Larry Stahl then hit a line drive into right centre field. Jones reached third and kept going to beat the ball to the plate by two strides. Mets 4-3
W: Dick Selma (8-6) L: Bill Wilson (2-4)

October 6: Nice to get the win but, in fairness, the Phillies were coasting. Mets 5-4
W: Jack Fisher (11-12) L: Bill Wilson (2-5) S: Dick Selma (9)


Pennant Races

AL: The Orioles went 1-2 against the White Sox but still have six games to play.

NL: The Astros won the first two games against the Giants again, meaning the Giants needed to win the final game to win the pennant. The error-filled game went seventeen innings with the score tied at 3-3. The Giants winner came when Vada Pinson made a throwing error that let Ollie Brown take home.

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS WIN THE NATIONAL LEAGUE

[kevarms]

October 7-9
Houston Astros (87-72) @ New York Mets (63-96)

October 7: Joe Morgan was walked in the first by Bo Belinsky, then stole second. He was brought home by Sonny Jackson. Although Belinsky went on to pitch a strong game the single run was enough for the win. Astros 1-0
W: Larry Dierker (12-15) L: Bo Belinsky (9-9)

October 8: We are holding our own until the fifth inning when starter Ralph Terry has a meltdown giving up seven runs. He is replaced by Bill Graham who gives up another six. Astros 15-2
W: Don Wilson (14-11) L: Ralph Terry (6-18)

October 9: A composed performance from Tom Seaver to wrap up 1967. He pitches eight innings giving up only four hits and three walks. Mets 3-1
W: Tom Seaver (9-17) L: Chris Zacary (13-13) S: Ron Taylor (10)


Pennant Races

AL: The O's secure the AL pennant on October 12th. Despite going down to the White Sox, the Yankees were beaten 10-7 by California which gives the O's an unassailable lead

BALTIMORE ORIOLES WIN THE AMERICAN LEAGUE

[kevarms]

OCTOBER SUMMARY


Final Standings

American League         		       National League	


		W	L	GB				W	L	GB
Baltimore	98	64	--   		San Francisco	92	70	--    
New York	94	68	4 		Houston	        89	73	3  
Minnesota	92	70	6  		Cincinnati	87	75	5     
Detroit		86	76	12		Atlanta		83	79	9
Chicago	        82	80	16		Pittsburgh	82	80	10
Boston		79	83	19		Los Angeles	82	80	10
Kansas City	78	84	20		Philadelphia	80	82	12
California	72	90	26		St Louis	76	86	16
Washington	68	94	30		Chicago	        75	87	17
Cleveland	61	101	37		NEW YORK	64	98	28

MLB Injury News
None

MLB Milestones
October 6: Luis Aparicio (BAL) 1,000 Runs

MLB Retirements
None

[kevarms]

1967 League Leaders

			American League	        National League	        Mets		

Home Run Leader:	42 Powell BAL		45 Colavito SFG	        14 Kranepool
			42 Pepitone NYY

Batting Average:	.361 Oliva MIN		.354 Clemente		.312 Kranepool

RBI Leader:		156 Mantle NYY	        140 Cepeda STL	        70 Kranepool

Stolen Base		70 Campaneris KCA	91 Brock		20 Harrelson
						(#4 All Time)		(#8 in NL)


ERA 			2.78 McLain DET	       2.73 Sutton LAD	        3.38 Fisher
									(#10 in NL)

Wins			23 Palmer BAL		21 Niekro ATL		11 Fisher

Strikeouts		232 Tiant CLE		259 Carlton STL	        173 Seaver

Saves			20 Miller BAL		19 Hartenstein CHC	10 Taylor

[EVEN11323]

Just read through this and that sure was a rough season. Let's hope that your offense gets turned around quickly, possibly a big FA signing? Keep up the good work.

[kevarms]

1967 WORLD SERIES PREVIEW

Baltimore Orioles (98-64)



Last League Pennant: 1966
Last World Championship: 1966 (Reigning Champions)
Manager: Hank Bauer

C:	Clay Dalrymple	.240	8-51  0		
1B:	Boog Powell	.303	42-138 1	
2B:	Davey Johnson	.282	22-102 3
3B:	Tony Taylor 	.289	1-22 12		
SS:	Luis Aparicio	.288	4-54 33		
LF	Curt Blefary	.278	26-99 0		
CF:	Jimmy Wynn	.253	32-118 12	
RF:	Sam Bowens	.186	3-14 0		

S1:	Jim Palmer	23-7	2.90 11 CG	
S2:	Dave McNally	21-11	3.40 7 		
S3:	Larry Jackson	14-16	4.00 6				
S4:	Steve Barber	15-13	3.79 2
CL: 	Stu Miller	2-4	3.03 20 SV	

DL: 	Frank Robinson	 .297	30-104 10

The Orioles return to defend their World Series crown despite losing the two Robinsons, Frank (to a broken leg in September) and Brooks (traded to the Houston early in the season.
Stalwart Boog Powell tied for first in the league for home runs, while shortstop Luis Aparicio shows no sign that his age is slowing him down any.
Jimmy Wynn was acquired as part of the Robinson trade and has settled in nicely in Baltimore, having his career best homes run and RBI in a season. Surprise stand-in for Frank Robinson at right field is Sam Bowens, with Hank Bauer preferring to keep Russ Snyder available to pinch hit.
---------------------------------------------------------------------

San Francisco Giants (92-70)


Last League Pennant: 1962
Last World Championship: 1954 (as New York Giants)
Manager: Herman Franks

C:	Tom Haller	.256	16-70 0 	
1B	Willie McCovey 	.276	41-109 2	
2B:	Hal Lanier	.234 	2-38 2		
3B:	Jim Ray Hart	.229	2-9-0		
SS:	Tito Fuentes	.270	6-43 14		
LF	Rocky Colavito	.283	45-133 0	
CF:	Willie Mays	.318	40-115 17	
RF:	Ollie Brown	.252	17-64 9		

S1:	Juan Marichal 	19-11	2.94 14 CG
S2:	Gaylord Perry	13-10	2.78 10
S3:	Bobby Bolin	14-13	3.88 1
S4:	Mike McCormick11-11	3.73 3		
CL:	Frank Linzy	7-2	1.95 18 SV	

DL: 	None

The Giants make the World Series, despite the surprise challenge from Houston. The acquisition of Rocky Colavito was undeniably a big help to the Giants pennant charge. The veteran has had no problems adapting to National League pitching, leading the league in home runs and driving in 133 runs. Alongside him in the outfield will be Willie Mays, the Say Hey Kid still going at 36, and a much improved Ollie Brown. Jim Ray Hart returns to third base after missing most of the season through injury.

[kevarms]

Even11323: It was awful. The 'Lovable Losers' tag is wearing a bit thing. Now we're turning into 'The Big Joke'. Definitely need to bring some people in for '68. Hopefully I can get some good free agents. If not I'll have to trade away some prospects. Thanks for reading.

[kevarms]

1967 World Series




Even these hippies are excited to see the World Series back in town. Probably.

Game One
Baltimore Orioles at San Francisco Giants

Candlestick Park is packed to capacity, as it has been for much of the season, despite the biting wind swirling in off the Bay.
Juan Marichal got off to an inauspicious start, giving up a hit to Luis Aparicio off his first pitch. Aparicio made it all the way to the third on two ground outs but Boog Powell could not bring him home. Orioles ace Jim Palmer struggled to get to grips with the conditions but got away with just a single for Ollie Brown.
It was the Orioles who opened the scoring in the second inning. Curt Blefary got on base with an infield single off a 90+mph fastball. Marichal reverted to his curveball for Clay Dalrymple. Dalrymple got a hold off it for what looked like a 2 RBI homer but the ball was knocked down by a gust. Blefary had the pace to make it all the way home but Dalrymple only made it to second. The Giants came back when Davey Johnson dropped a flyball from Tom Haller. With Hal Lanier up the Giants put on the hit and run. Lanier hit a hard line drive to bring Haller in from first to tie the game. Pitcher Juan Marichal was up next and he brought home Lanier with a single to make the score 2-1. Another RBI from Tito Fuentes saw the Giants 3-1 ahead and that's how it stayed until the bottom of the fifth.
Then the Giants extended their lead further with two solo shots from Jim Ray Hart and Tom Haller.
The game petered out after that with Marichal only giving up one more hit and Orioles relievers Mike Scott and knuckleballer Eddie Fisher keeping the Giants batters off balance.
Orioles 1, Giants 5


Game Two
Baltimore Orioles at San Francisco Giants
(Giants lead 1-0)

The wind was even gustier than the previous night as Game Two started, Gaylord Perry for the Giants, Dave McNally for the O's .
The first inning was over in quick time. At the top of the second. Perry got two quick outs when Powell and Johnson both popped up. Blefary took the count to 3-0 before unleashing a line drive into the right field gap for a double. Sam Bowens went for 0 for 3 in Game One but he finally got off the mark in the series, hitting Perry's first pitch up the middle allowing Blefary to open the account. A clearly hyped up Bowens was almost caught stealing with Dalrymple at the plate. Dalrymple connected with one up the right field line that stayed fair and Bowens made it all the way home to make it 2-0. Perry was fortunate with a wild pitch to Dave McNally, catcher Dick Dietz managing to recover quickly enough to hold Dalrymple at third, then went on to strike out the opposing pitcher.
The Orioles extended their lead in the sixth with a Boog Powell. The Giants almost had a rally going in the seventh. McNally walked Willie Mays, then got Willie McCovey to pop up to short. Next up was Rocky Colavito. The NL Home Run Leader hammered a two run shot into the left field seats. Dick Dietz got a base hit but that was it for the Giants.
Orioles 3, Giants 2

[kevarms]

Hank Bauer is hoping his O's can hold on to their crown.

Game Three
San Francisco Giants at Baltimore Orioles
(Series tied 1-1)

The teams head to Baltimore for Game Three with Larry Jackson starting for the Orioles. The veteran makes his first ever appearance in the Series after being traded from the Phillies in June.
Jackson disposed of the Giant's leadoff Tito Fuentes in quick-time, getting him to pop up after fouling off the first pitch. Jackson then switched to the fastball but did not seem to have much control, going behind 3-0 in the count to Ollie Brown before Brown hit a groundball up the middle for a base hit. Willie Mays was next up, again Jackson went behind, then Mays popped up to catcher Tom Haller. Willie McCovey grounded out to end the half inning.
The O's fans were going wild in the bottom of the inning. Sam Bowens came to the plate with bases loaded and Giants starter Bobby Bolin struggling. Bowens hit a single to centre field for 2 RBIs. Clay Dalrymple was unable to extend the lead and grounded to third for the third out.
Things got ugly in the bottom of the second when Bolin hit Curt Blefary with a 90 mph fastball. Blefary went down for a while and a clearly furious Hank Bauer approached the mound, eventually calming down before he was thrown out.
Larry Jackson settled down, giving the Giants very little to hit. McCovey did manage a base hit at the top of the fourth but Rocky Colavito and Mays both struck out. Rick Joseph , starting at third in place of Tony Taylor, got his second hit of the game when he drove one into the left field gap for a double. Larry Jackson was next up, and hit a hard grounder into centre field. He made it safely to first while Joseph continued past third and headed for home. He slid in and scuffle ensued with catcher Haller when he was called out, again bringing Bauer out from the dugout.
Joseph was back in the bottom of the fifth with bases loaded after Bolin had walked two and a Jim Ray Hart error had let Clay Dalrymple reach first. Bolin's first pitch was a ball. The second hit Joseph in the knee to give the O's another run, but Joseph could play no further part and limped off to the clubhouse for treatment, Tony Taylor coming in to play third.
With Bolin out of sorts, Joe Gibbon took the mound for the Giants in the seventh only to give up a solo homer to Davey Johnson making it 4-0 Orioles.
Willie Mays brought in a run in the eighth but the O's made it 5-1 with an RBI by Jimmy Wynn
Giants 1, Orioles 5


Game Four
San Francisco Giants at Baltimore Orioles
(Orioles lead 2-1)

Both teams went back to the #1 starters for the crucial fourth game, with Jim Palmer ready to make amends for his poor first game.
Both started well with the first hit not until the third when Palmer's fastball was hit to left for a single by Hal Lanier. Lanier was advanced to second by a sac bunt by Marichal and opened the scoring courtesy of Tito Fuentes drive deep into right field. It was Palmer himself who came close to tying the game. With two outs, he got on base with a single and made it all the way to third when Marichal made a hash of the throw following a hit by Luis Aparicio. But Curt Blefary flied out to end the half inning.
The Orioles did come back at the bottom of the fourth. Marichal struck out three but gave up a solo homer to Boog Powell.
In the sixth Palmer got two quick outs then walk the next two batters. They both ended up crossing the plate , with one run RBIs from Haller and Lanier to put the Giants 3-1 ahead.
They looked to be coasting toward the win by the ninth but the Orioles weren't killed off yet. Davey Johnson hit what looked like a routine single up the middle but the Giants seemed to already have their minds on Game Five. Johnson went for second and slid in. SAFE! Sam Bowens got himself another base hit with Johnson making third. Dalrymple grounded out for the first out and Russ Snyder came in to pinch hit. Marichal got the first strike but the second pitch Snyder hit to second for a run scored and men on first and third. Tony Taylor came off the bench next, and hit a groundball past first. The game is tied at 3-3!
In the tenth Stu Miller took the mound for the O's and went through his whole repertoire to get three outs, no hits. The Giants brought out their bullpen star Frank Linzy. He struck out Blefary but gave up a double to Jimmy Wynn. Memorial Stadium was jumping when Boog Powell went to the plate, having hit a homer earlier in the game. With the Giants concentrating on Powell, Wynn took a long lead and stole third before the defense realised what the deafening roar was all about. When the pitch came Powell seemed to check his swing. Instead of the blast into the stands everybody was expecting he connected with a firm knock that hit the ground and rolled passed the mound and on past second base into short centre field. Wynn made it home!
Giants 3, Orioles 4 (10)

[kevarms]

Game Five
San Francisco Giants at Baltimore Orioles
(Orioles lead 3-1)

The Giants got off to a good start as they looked to rescue the series. Tito Fuentes got a base hit leading off and Willie McCovey was walked by Dave McNally. Rocky Colavito brought the first run of the night in, followed an RBI from Jim Ray Hart to put the Giants 2 ahead.

The Orioles came back quickly with a two-run homer by Boog Powell at the bottom of the first.
Neither team managed a hit in the second, but in the third the visitors went ahead again with another two run shot, this time from Willie Mays. Again the lead did not last. Perry walked Curt Blefary then gave up a double to Jimmy Wynn. Boog Powell was the next hitter but could only hit a pop fly to second. Davey Johnson took the plate next, fouled off the first pitch, then hit the second way back but short of the wall in centre. Two runs scored to tie the game.

In the fourth Gaylord Perry reached first after a throwing error by third baseman Rick Joseph but then Tito Fuentes grounded into what was probably the most crucial double play of the season. The O’s seized the initiative in the bottom of the inning, loading the bases with no outs. Jimmy Wynn flied out to right but Dave McNally tagged up and made home to put the O's ahead for the first time in the game. Next Boog Powell and Davey Johnson drove in another two runs, which was quite enough for Giants skipper Herman Franks. He took out Perry and put in rookie Jim Barr for his first appearance of the series. Barr came in with men on second and third. Both of them were brought home by Sam Bowens with a 2 RBI single to make the score 9-4 Orioles. Before the end of the inning the bases were loaded again but Barr only gave up one more run.

It was all over for the Giants in the sixth with Joe Gibbon on the mound he gave up 4 RBI to give the O's an unassailable lead. Willie Mays hit a three-run homer to close the deficit in the seventh, but the Giants were a broken team.

The final out of the series came at the top of the ninth when Willie Mays hit a fly ball into the waiting glove of Sam Bowens.

Giants 7, Orioles 14


BALTIMORE ORIOLES WIN THE WORLD SERIES



MVP Award: Larry Jackson. The Baltimore pitcher pitched a superb six hitter and completed Game Three to put the Orioles ahead in the series.



My own vote goes to Sam Bowens, the right field replacement for Frank Robinson. Despite little playing time this year the 28 year old had a great series with 5 RBI and faultless defense.

[kevarms]

1967 SEASON AWARDS


American League:

Cy Young Award Jim Palmer BAL
MVP Award Mickey Mantle NYY
Rookie of the Year Reggie Jackson KCA

Gold Glove (P) Mel Stottlemyre NYY
Gold Glove (C) Buck Rodgers CAL
Gold Glove (1B) Joe Pepitone NYY
Gold Glove (2B) Davey Johnson BAL
Gold Glove (3B) Don Buford CHW
Gold Glove (SS) Don Kessinger NYY
Gold Glove (OF) Roy White NYY
Gold Glove (OF) Jimmy Wynn BAL
Gold Glove (OF) Frank Robinson BAL



National League

Cy Young Award Juan Marichal SFG
MVP Award Willie Mays SFG
Rookie of the Year Bob Watson HOU

Gold Glove (P) Phil Niekro ATL
Gold Glove (C) Joe Torre ATL
Gold Glove (1B) Wes Parker LAD
Gold Glove (2B) Joe Morgan HOU
Gold Glove (3B) Ron Santo CHC
Gold Glove (SS) Jim Fregosi PIT
Gold Glove (OF) Johnny Callison PHI
Gold Glove (OF) Vada Pinson HOU
Gold Glove (OF) Cleo James LAD

[kevarms]

1967 NEW YORK METS FINAL STATS

1967 Batting             Team    G   AVG    AB    H  2B  3B  HR   BB    K   SB  CS    R  RBI   SLG   OBP
Jones, Cleon              NYM  147  .291   495  144  38   3  11   58   83    7   2   69   56  .446  .367
Harrelson, Bud            NYM  144  .257   556  143  29   4   1   78   84   20   2   79   34  .329  .349
Luplow, Al                NYM  140  .222   487  108  12   1  13   55   82    2   4   47   55  .331  .298
Davis, Tommy              NYM  137  .278   399  111  21   0  12   23   57    2   1   45   56  .421  .318
Stahl, Larry              NYM  135  .228   469  107  13   3   6   38  104    2   8   48   48  .307  .293
Johnson, Bob              NYM  125  .254   437  111  16   1   5   30   83    6   1   40   48  .330  .305
Buchek, Jerry             NYM  117  .210   343   72   7   1   5   23   68    2   1   30   31  .280  .257
Kranepool, Ed             NYM  110  .312   449  140  34   1  14   37   56    0   2   62   70  .486  .367
Brand, Ron                NYM  103  .198   298   59  11   0   0   25   41    4   1   21   15  .235  .258
Collins, Kevin            NYM   94  .166   314   52  15   2   0   17   68    3   0   17   16  .226  .205
Lewis, Johnny             NYM   75  .237   194   46   7   0   8   31   40    1   0   33   19  .397  .341
Selma, Dick               NYM   55  .500     2    1   0   0   0    0    0    0   0    0    1  .500  .500
Grzenda, Joe              NYM   47  .000     7    0   0   0   0    0    5    0   0    0    1  .000  .000
Shaw, Bob                 NYM   45  .133    15    2   0   0   0    3    4    0   0    1    3  .133  .278
Swoboda, Ron              NYM   39  .250    80   20   3   1   1    5   22    1   0    7    9  .350  .284
Pfeil, Bobby              NYM   33  .248   121   30   7   0   1    4   23    0   0   10    8  .331  .283
Seaver, Tom               NYM   33  .118    76    9   0   0   0    3   25    0   0    3    1  .118  .152
Sullivan, John            NYM   31  .204    54   11   3   0   0    5   13    0   0    4    2  .259  .271
Fisher, Jack              NYM   31  .117    60    7   0   0   0    3   25    0   0    2    0  .117  .159
Terry, Ralph              NYM   31  .115    61    7   0   0   0    1   15    0   0    0    1  .115  .129
Hiller, Chuck             NYM   28  .200    40    8   1   0   1    4    2    0   0    3    3  .300  .273
Graham, Bill              NYM   25  .103    29    3   0   1   0    1    9    0   0    2    3  .172  .133
Koosman, Jerry            NYM   23  .080    50    4   0   0   0    2   27    0   0    2    1  .080  .115
Belinsky, Bo              NYM   22  .154    39    6   0   0   0    2   14    0   0    0    4  .154  .195
Singleton, Ken            NYM   17  .176    17    3   0   1   0    0    2    0   0    0    2  .294  .167
Otis, Amos                NYM   16  .273    44   12   4   1   0    5    6    2   0    8    3  .409  .347
Frisella, Danny           NYM   16 1.000     1    1   0   0   0    0    0    0   0    1    0 1.000 1.000
Jorgensen, Mike           NYM   15  .250    48   12   1   0   0    8    7    0   2    5    5  .271  .368
Goossen, Greg             NYM   14  .231    13    3   0   0   0    3    4    0   0    1    1  .231  .412
Bosch, Don                NYM   12  .184    38    7   1   0   0    3    8    3   1    2    0  .211  .244
McAndrew, Jim             NYM    5  .000     1    0   0   0   0    0    1    0   0    0    0  .000  .000
Cardwell, Don             NYM    4  .000    12    0   0   0   0    0    8    0   0    1    0  .000  .000
Shirley, Bart             NYM    2  .333     6    2   1   0   0    1    0    0   0    2    0  .500  .429
Moock, Joe                NYM    1  .000     1    0   0   0   0    0    1    0   0    0    0  .000  .000

1967 Pitching            Team     IP   ERA    G  GS   W   L  SV    K   BB   R/9
Seaver, Tom               NYM  238.0  4.05   33  33   9  17   0  173   80 11.50
Fisher, Jack              NYM  213.1  3.38   31  31  11  12   0  120   71 11.98
Terry, Ralph              NYM  199.0  3.53   31  31   6  18   0  119   55 12.17
Koosman, Jerry            NYM  150.2  4.30   23  23   1  10   0  100   45 13.20
Belinsky, Bo              NYM  131.1  4.52   22  21   9   9   0   86   66 12.81
Graham, Bill              NYM   96.1  6.73   25   9   3   7   0   65   57 17.00
Shaw, Bob                 NYM   93.2  3.56   45   0   2   2   3   51   30 11.53
Selma, Dick               NYM   74.0  2.31   55   0   8   6   9   74   33 10.46
Grzenda, Joe              NYM   67.1  3.21   47   0   3   2   3   38   33 12.56
Taylor, Ron               NYM   49.2  2.36   46   0   7   5  10   32    6  9.97
Cardwell, Don             NYM   35.0  1.54    4   4   2   1   0   16   14  7.97
Frisella, Danny           NYM   22.1  4.84   16   0   1   3   0   13   11 13.70
McGraw, Tug               NYM   12.2  4.97   11   0   0   0   0    8    6 15.63
McAndrew, Jim             NYM   10.2 11.81    5   0   0   0   0    8    7 17.72

[kevarms]

There were a lot of contract negotiations to wade through before we could get down to the serious business of getting the man to lead the Mets next season.

First up was the team's leading hitter Ed Kranepool (.313 14-70). He missed nearly two months playing time but without him we probably would have lost 100 games. Kranepool wanted $315k. We could have gone to arbitration but decided he's worth it. Have to keep the key players happy.

Next was our All Star pitching ace Jack Fisher (11-12, 3.38, 4 CG). At 28 years old he decided he would take a pay cut in return for some job security, asking for $226k for 4 years. Another one I didn't have to think too hard about.

Cleon Jones (.291, 11-56) didn't do as well as I hoped. We offered $80k and told him he might get $100k if he does better next year. We won arbitration.

Larry Stahl (.228, 6-48) and Al Luplow (.222, 13-55) were our other two starting outfielders. Very good gloves but awful hitters. I'll give them another year but I want to see much better batting. Luplow gets $45k, Stahl $18k.

Jerry Buchek (.210, 5-31) was another one who didn't hit at all but, with all the injuries we had, we found his versatility in the infield useful. Buchek gets another year at $80k

Bon viveur Bo Belinsky (9-9, 4.52, 3 CG) had me worried for a while but, once he decided to knuckle down, was impressive toward the end of the season. I was all set to give him another one-year deal and was amazed that he scoffed at it. He wanted $105k!!! Not worth the risk. He can go and find somebody else to give him a break. At 30 years old and with his reputation I'm not sure he will.

In the bullpen, an unsung hero was Bob Shaw (2-2, 3.56, 3 SV). No dramas, no fuss, he just got on with his job. I was delighted he accepted a 2-year $120k deal. He's 34 but has a few good seasons left in him.

Undoubted star of the bullpen though was Ron Taylor (7-5, 2.36, 10 SV). I hate to blow my trumpet but nobody else will. It was my idea to make him our closer and he was fantastic. Glad I got at least one decision right. He gets 1 year at $80k.

Like Shaw, Joe Grzenda (3-2, 3.21, 3 SV) just gets on with things. I offered $20k, which was a bit cheap of me. The arbitrator decided he's worth the $33k he wanted. He probably is to be honest.

I traded away Jerry Grote for Ron Brand (.198, 0-15). Not a great decision but that was Wes Westrum's call. Brand is a great backstop but, even in my most charitable mood, that batting average just stinks. Thanks Ron, and goodbye.

Also released are outfielder Johnny Lewis (.237, 8-19) and second baseman Chuck Hiller (.200 1-3).

Early in the season we signed a lot of rookies after holding open tryouts.

Retained are: Jim Williams, Al Yates, Jerry Bell, Larry Hardy, Lance Clemons and Norm Angelini.

Released are: Danny Walton, Fred Stanley, Pete Koegel, Jerry Terrell, Mike Corkins, Jerry Cram, Garry Lance and Ralph Garcia.