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

[kevarms]

After the teams finish up their contract negotiations here are the top free agents.

Top 5 Batters

Name	 		Age	Team Seeking	
RF Jim Northrup (89)	27	DET	284,000	.315 22-81  5
3B Don Buford (85)	30	CHW	274,000	.281 22-78-29  Gold Glove
1B Ernie Banks	(83)	36	CHC   	274,000	.297 27-103 1  ex All Star
SS Rico Petrocelli (85)	24	BOS	260,000	.284 21-73 1
C Bill Freehan (89)	25	DET	257,000	.289 24-85 0    All Star

Top 5 Pitchers

Name                    Age     Team      Seeking
SP Steve Blass	(81/94)	25	PIT	201,000	15-9, 3.61, 3 CG
SP Rick Wise (73/77)	22	PHI	192,000	9-12,4.16, 4 CG
SP Bill Singer	(75/80)	23	LAD	186,000	11-15, 5.19, 0 CG
SP Nelson Briles (82/85)24	STL	181,000	9-14, 4.22,  4 CG
RP Clay Carroll	(77/80)	26	ATL	157,000	3-8, 5.67, 18 SV

After our disastrous season we need a quick fix for next season. We have decent prospects coming through but can't afford to wait. Top priority is the infield, where we really struggled. I would also really like a catcher who can actually hit. Neither Grote nor Brand did that for us this year. Cleon Jones did fine in the outfield, and I think either Ken Singleton or Amos Otis will be about ready very soon. We still need one more though. Pitching is not a huge concern. Another starter would be nice but I think our prospects are better than the available free agents.

[kevarms]

First up is the infield.

Don Buford (.281 22-78 29) had a breakout season with the White Sox, posting career high batting numbers and also winning a Gold Glove. Amazing that he is available and he fits the bill perfectly for us. He can play infield or outfield which is a big bonus. He signs for 3 years at $274k

The other infielders we talk to are Cookie Rojas (265 1-50 10) and Ron Hunt (.259 3-42 5). Both are former All Stars. In fact, Hunt was the first Met All Star, debuting with us in 1963 before being sent to the Dodgers as part of the Tommy Davis deal. He was very keen to come back to Shea but not keen enough to drop his asking price. We go with Rojas for 2 years at $156k.

In the outfield we talk to Don Lock (.160 1-9 1) and Mickey Stanley (.268 5-24 1). Lock struggled last year with the Phillies, apparently unhappy at being traded away by Washington. Stanley is six years younger and still has some upside. Stanley gets $134k for 3 years.

Finally, and the pick of the bunch, is catcher Bill Freehan (.289 24-85 0). Has everything Grote and Brand have behind the plate, exceptional leadership skills and can hit. He gets $283k for 4 years.

[3RunHomer]

Parallel paths ... Buford and Cookie are both on my team (in 1965). I've got Buford playing 3B, which I guess you'll do too. Cookie is off to a surprisingly good start as my lead-off hitter this season. Buford seems to love hitting in the 2 spot.

[kevarms]

NEW YORK CHRONICLE
November 15, 1967

GIL HODGES UNVEILED AS NEW METS SKIPPER
Crabtree Gets His Man

NEW YORK, N.Y. - After protracted negotiations the Washington Senators have finally released their manager Gil Hodges to take over the struggling New York Mets. The Mets have been without a manager since Wes Westrum resigned in September, leaving the Shea outfit to finish last in the National League with a 64-98 record.
The Senators were first approached about the availability of Hodges after the World Series and, at first, refused permission for the Mets to speak with him. Hodges took over the Nats in 1963 and they had been making steady progress under his tutelage. However, it is thought Hodges was growing increasingly frustrated following the loss of stars Camilo Pascual and Frank Howard, who were both traded away for prospects.
Hodges finished his playing career with the Mets after almost twenty years with the Dodgers and still has a home in Brooklyn. The appointment is sure to be popular with Mets fans. GM Roy Crabtree said, "The Dodgers were one of the teams I loved to watch, and Gil was one of my favourite players. It's absolutely fabulous to have him on board."
No details have been disclosed regarding the deal reached between the two clubs but an insider said it involves sizeable financial compensation for the Senators.

[kevarms]

I can’t tell you how excited I am to have Gil Hodges as the new manager. I have to confess I’m feeling a bit starstruck around him. As well as being a legend as a player, he is also one of the nicest and most respected baseball people I’ve met so far. I have a good feeling about this appointment.
Gil can’t wait to get started either. First thing he wanted was to go down to Florida and look at our prospects in the Instructional League. I’m sure he’ll like what he sees.
From there it’s off to Mexico City where this year’s winter meetings are being held. Main discussion points will be a possible extra draft taking place involving minor league players. With our extremely healthy farm situation we are obviously against that. Also, Charlie Finley will announce where he will be relocating the A’s to. I expect the owners to ratify his choice if only to shut him up once and for all.
----------------------------------------------------------------------


3RunHomer: Heh I noticed you had Rojas and Buford. Quite a coincidence as you are in 1965. Thanks for the tip about putting Buford in the #2 slot. I was going to make him our lead-off man but maybe I'll leave Harrelson there instead.

[kevarms]

WINTER MEETINGS 1967

He finally got his wish. Charlie O. Finley got his A’s out of Kansas City and they will be relocating to......

San Diego, California.

The A’s will share their new home, San Diego Stadium, with the AFL Chargers who are in their first season at the city-owned facility.

Our main concern was the proposed minor league players re-draft. The idea had a couple of enthusiasts, claiming it would prevent the big city teams from dominating. This completely ignored the fact that the Orioles had won the World Series two years straight.
Most clubs, including the Mets, agreed there is no evidence that clubs ‘stock-pile’ players in their farm systems. The idea is shelved but may be discussed again at a later date.

[What really happened: this seems to be popular now among dynasty writers and I did start to experiment myself (hence the delay in getting the 1968 season going). I was having a distinct lack of fun doing it and decided there was no real need for it. Maybe I will need to do it at some stage in the future but, after simming multiple seasons a few times, I didn’t have any occurrences where the Yankees or Dodgers were invincible.)

I had an interesting chat with Tal Smith, my counterpart with the Astros. We made a trade back in July that involved a catcher and a pitcher for a catcher and a pitcher. We got Brand and Belinsky. They got Grote and Estrada.

Brand: played entire season but disappointed at the plate, released and picked up by Pittsburgh
Belinsky: ‘problem child’, could have been good for us but not worth the trouble, released and surprisingly found his way to the Cubs. Suckers!

Grote: never started a game and disappointed when he did come off the bench, released, now with Cleveland.
Estrada: started two games then missed the rest of the season with a broken elbow, released and expected to retire.

Tal said to me, “I really thought I had one up on you when I fobbed off Belinsky on you.”
I laughed, “I had a feeling Estrada wouldn’t last the season.”
“Not as naive as you make out are you?“ He chuckled. “Well, I guess we’ll call that one even. I’ll get you next time.”

Baseball. It’s fun.

[kevarms]

It was a busy off season. Gil Hodges needed to get familiar with his new club and players. He seems particularly interested in our youngsters. We also picked up a couple more free agents.
OF Ty Cline (72): a 28 year old who has been around the majors for a few years. I don't think he'll start for us but may be a useful pinch hitter.
OF Doug Clemens (66): also 28 and may be useful off the bench.

The most difficult task though was rebuilding our radio network. Until last season Mets games had been covered by WHN, a strong New York station. Then the station owner, George Storer, announced they will only be covering the Yankees. It turns out Storer is good friends with former Yankees president Dan Topping. Stiffed or what?
We can't afford to let the Yankees take away what fanbase we have so we decided to create our own network. It was a lot of work, very boring but very important. We are a long way from finished, but in 1968 thirty stations will carry Mets games throughout the northeast from Maine to eastern Pennsylvania. They will even be broadcast on a shortwave so Lord Fawcliff can follow them when he in in England.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

Good luck with the radio station venture, sounds like a big undertaking.

Don't worry too much about getting Hodges acclimated. In my dynasty, he's gone from A ball to the Majors in under a year, so he's used to it!

Great job so far, despite the losing. So long as you keep moving forward, everything will be alright.

[kevarms]

I finally got a break. It was great to get away from freezing New York. As much as I love the place those winters are really harsh. Seven weeks in damp and grey London seemed much more appealing. At least the temperatures were the right side of minus. Besides, London is 'swinging' apparently. Then, it was back in time for spring training in sunny St Petersburg, Florida.
Gil was taking the major league players through their paces for the first time. I'm already thinking this is going to work. Every player, to a man, seems to be working hard and eager to impress.


1968 NEW YORK METS

CATCHERS

Bill Freehan (87) Age: 26 (.289 24-85 0 with Detroit)
CON: $283,000 thru 1971 ACQ: Off season 1968 (Free Agent)
MLB: 1961 Detroit Tigers (7th season)

John Sullivan (74/79) Age 27 (.204 0 HR 2 RBI 0 SB in 54 AB)
CON: $12,900 until Arb 69 ACQ: Off season 1967 from Detroit (Rule 5 draft)
MLB: 1963 Detroit (2nd season)

Last year we used two great catchers in Jerry Grote and Ron Brand, but neither of them could hit. Hopefully we've found somebody who can do both for us in Freehan.


FIRST BASEMEN

Ed Kranepool (85/92) Age 23 (.312 14-70-0)
CON: $315,000 thru 1968 ACQ: June 1962 (Amateur Free Agent)
MLB: 1962 New York Mets (7th season)

Kranepool led our offense last year despite missing fifty games through injury. We would surely have done much better if he had been available.


INFIELDERS

Cookie Rojas (77) Age 29 (.265 1-50 10 with Philadelphia)
CON: $156,000 thru 1969 ACQ: Off season 1968 (Free Agent)
MLB: 1962 Cincinnati (3rd season)

Don Buford (88) Age 31 (.281 22-78 29 with Chicago White Sox)
CON: $302,000 thru 1970 ACQ: Off season 1968 (Free Agent)
MLB: Chicago White Sox (6th season)

Bud Harrelson (78/83) Age 23 (.257 1-34 20)
CON: $12,900 until Arb 1970 ACQ: June 1963 (Amateur Free Agent)
MLB: 1965 New York Mets (4th season)

Bob Johnson (71) Age 32 (.254 5-48 6)
CON: $124,000 thru 1969 ACQ: Off season 1967 from Baltimore)
MLB: 1960 Kansas City (9th season)


The infield was our most obvious weak spot in '67. Buford and Rojas should help improve things significantly.


OUTFIELDERS

Larry Stahl (70) Age 26 (.228 6-48-2)
CON: $18,000 thru 1968 ACQ: Off season 1967 from Kansas City
MLB: 1964 Kansas City (5th season)

Mickey Stanley (83/89) Age 25 (.268 5-24 1 with Detroit)
CON: $134,000 thru 1971 ACQ: Off season 1968 (Free Agent)
MLB: 1964 Detroit Tigers (5th season)

Cleon Jones (81) Age 25 (.291 11-56 7)
CON: $80,000 thru 1968 ACQ: July 1962 (Amateur Free Agent)
MLB: 1963 New York Mets (5th season)

Ty Cline (72) Age 28 (.273 0-3 0 in 66 AB with Atlanta)
CON: $15,000 thru 1969 ACQ: Off season 1968 (Free Agent)
MLB: 1960 Cleveland (9th season)

Don Bosch (68/78) Age 25 (.184 0-0 3 in 38 AB)
CON: $12,900 until Arb 1971 ACQ: Off season 1967 from Pittsburgh
MLB: 1966 Pittsburgh (2nd season)

Ron Swoboda (77/91) Age 23 (.250 1-9 1 in 80 AB)
CON: $12,900 until Arb 1969 ACQ: September 1963 (Amateur Free Agent)
MLB: 1965 New York Mets (4th season)

Tommy Davis (74) Age 29 (.278 12-56 2)
CON: $166,000 thru 1969 ACQ: Off season 1967 from Dodgers
MLB: 1959 LA Dodgers (10th season)


Jones was one of the few position players to perform adequately last year. Davis did well coming off the bench, but his fielding skills leave something to be desired. Stanley is another new face I have high expectations of. Swoboda has huge potential but is still far from ready for a starting spot.

[kevarms]

STARTERS

Tom Seaver (89/93) Age 23 (9-17 4.05 ERA 8 CG)
CON: $12,900 until Arb 70 ACQ: April 1966 (Amateur Free Agent)
MLB: 1967 New York Mets (2nd season)

Jack Fisher (85/93) Age 29 (11-12 3.38 4)
CON: $226,000 thru 1971 ACQ: Off season 1964 from San Francisco (special draft)
MLB: 1959 Baltimore (10th season)

Don Cardwell (81) Age 32 (2-1 1.54 3 in 35 IP)
CON: $121,000 thru 1969 ACQ: Off season 1967 from Pittsburgh
MLB: 1957 Philadelphia (12th season)

Ralph Terry (76/77) Age 32 (6-18 3.53 6 )
CON: $101,000 thru 1968 ACQ: August 1966 from Kansas City
MLB: 1956 New York Yankees (13th season)

Jerry Koosman (85/89) Age 25 (1-10 4.30 ERA 0)
CON: $12,900 until Arb 70 ACQ: August 1964 (Amateur Free Agent)
MLB: 1967 New York Mets (2nd season)

Last year we got an early blow when our ace Cardwell was involved in a bizarre accident causing him to miss most of the season. In the four starts he did make he was outstanding Fisher did very well in his stead, so I was surprised that Gil preferred to make Seaver our #1 pitcher. He's still a little bit raw. Last year was patchy. Some excellent spells interspersed with terrible ones. I would also have preferred to give Koosman another year in AAA, but Gil seems very impressed with him.


RELIEVERS

Ron Taylor (81) Age 30 (7-5 2.36 10 SV in 49.2 IP)
ON: $80,000 thru 1968 ACQ: Off season 1967 from Houston
MLB: 1962 Cleveland (7th season)

Dick Selma (80/81) Age 24 (8-6 2.31 9)
CON: $12,900 until Arb 69 ACQ: May 1963 (Amateur Free Agent)
MLB: 1965 New York Mets (4th season)

Tug McGraw (81/85) Age 23 (0-0 4.97 0 in 12.2 IP)
CON: $12,900 until Arb 69 ACQ: June 1964 (Amateur Free Agent)
MLB: 1965 New York Mets (4th season)

Joe Grzenda (75/77) Age 30 (3-2 3.21 3)
CON: $33,000 thru 1968 ACQ: Off season 1967 from Kansas City
MLB: 1961 Detroit (5th season)

Bob Shaw (74/75) Age 34 (2-2 3.56 3 )
CON: $120,000 thru 1969 ACQ: June 1966 from San Francisco
MLB: 1957 Detroit (12th season)

Bill Graham (57/62) Age 31 (3-7 6.73 0)
CON: $12,900 until Arb 70 ACQ: Off Season 1967 from Detroit
MLB: 1966 Detroit (2nd season)


Taylor took over as closer and was superb. McGraw steps up from AAA. The only glaring weakness in the bullpen is spot starter Bill Graham. Unless we have another disaster happen to our starters he’ll be sent down to the minors at the earliest opportunity.

[kevarms]

DOWN ON THE FARM

AAA-Jacksonville Suns (International League)

Ken Singleton LF/RF


AA-Memphis Blues (Texas League)

Greg Goossen C
Danny Frisella RP


A-Mankato Mets (Northern League)

Amos Otis CF
Joe Moock 3B
Jerry Hinsley RP


R-Marion Mets (Appalachian League)

Mike Jorgensen 1B
Frank Estrada C
Mike Reinbach RF
Danny Fife SP
Bob Babcock RP
Tom Brown RP
Craig Caskey SP

[kevarms]

NEW YORK CHRONICLE
March 31, 1968


1968 SEASON PREDICTIONS

AMERICAN LEAGUE
1. Baltimore Orioles (1967- World Champ)
2. Detroit Tigers (4th)
3. New York Yankees (2nd)
4. Chicago White Sox (5th)
5. Boston Red Sox (6th)
6. Minnesota Twins (3rd)
7. San Diego Athletics (7th)
8. Cleveland Indians (9th)
9. California Angels (8th)
10. Washington Senators (9th)

NATIONAL LEAGUE
1. San Francisco Giants (NL Champ)
2. Atlanta Braves (4th)
3. St Louis Cardinals (8th)
4. Pittsburgh Pirates (5th)
5. Philadephia Phillies (7th)
6. Cincinnati Reds (3rd)
7. Houston Astros (2nd)
8. Los Angeles Dodgers (6th)
9. Chicago Cubs (9th)
10. NEW YORK METS (10th)

--------------------------------------------------------------
Hey guys, no big write up this year. I'm keen to get started on the new season. Just curious.... how/when is the projected record calculated? I'm pretty sure I'll do better than tenth place. (I would say that though, wouldn't I? )

[kevarms]

APRIL PREVIEW

Line-up			Bench			Rotation	Bullpen

SS Harrelson		C Sullivan		Seaver		Taylor
3B Buford		IF Johnson		Fisher		Selma
1B Kranepool		OF Cline		Cardwell	McGraw
C Freehan		CF Bosch		Terry		Grzenda
CF Stanley		LF Swoboda		Koosman	        Shaw (Bob)
RF Jones		LF Davis				Graham
2B Rojas
LF Stahl

[kevarms]

APRIL 1968


April 1-3
New York Mets (0-0) @ Atlanta Braves (0-0)

April 1: Tom Seaver gives up two earned runs early on but then pitches a fabulous game, giving up only four hits in eight innings. Most impressive of our debutants is Bill Freehan who goes 3 for 4 with 2 RBI. Mets 5-2
W: Tom Seaver (1-0) L: Phil Niekro (0-1) S: Joe Grzenda (1)

April 2: We have a 2-0 lead going into the fifth but a 2 RBI homer from Frank Howard inspires the Braves to come back and win. Braves 4-2
W: Denny Lemaster (1-0) L: Jack Fisher (0-1) S: Ron Reed (1)

April 3: Pitcher Don Cardwell gets us into an early lead, knocking in 2 RBI and we hold on in the face of a late rally from the Braves. Mets 6-5
W: Don Cardwell (1-0) L: Ken Johnson (0-1) S: Bob Shaw (1)

[kevarms]

April 4-6
New York Mets (2-1) @ St Louis Cardinals (1-2)

April 4: Last year's NL RBI Leader Orlando Cepeda clobbers three homers for 4 RBI. Cardinals 9-6
W: Tom Hilgendorf (1-0) L: Joe Grzenda (0-1)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The loss was irrelevant. There had been a strange murmur in the crowd in the ninth inning. Then word came that Martin Luther King was dead, shot by a sniper at a Memphis motel. There was barely a cheer from the Cardinals fans at the final out. The stadium emptied quickly and quietly.
I have never seen such a sombre set of ball players as I did in the clubhouse. Some cried, both black and white. God only knows what this is going to lead to. We consulted with the Cardinals people and agreed it would not be appropriate to play tomorrow. The game is postponed and we will play a double header on the 6th.

King on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel, Memphis