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

[kevarms]

May 28-30
Pittsburgh Pirates (32-16) @ New York Mets (28-17)

May 28: We are humiliated at Shea with Roberto Clemente (6 RBI) and Jim Pagliaroni (4 RBI) doing most of the damage. Our only score is a solo shot from Ron Swoboda. Pirates 15-1
W: Vern Law (6-3) L: Jack Fisher (2-4)

May 29: We lead 7-5 going into the ninth. The Pirates tie the game when Willie Stargell hits a two run double. In the tenth Tug McGraw takes the mound for us. He strikes out two before being relieved by Ron Taylor. He immediately gives up a double to Ron Mazeroski who then scores off a single by pinch hitter Jose Pagan. Pete Mikkelson pitches for the Pirates and only walks one to end the game. Pirates 8-7 (10)
W: John Gelnar (1-0) L: Ron Taylor (2-2) S: Pete Mikkelson (7)

May 30: Ron Swoboda goes 3 for 4 in what should have been a rout. Mets 8-4
W: Ralph Terry (4-2) L: Juan Pizarro (3-2) S: Dick Selma (3)

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


In football (alright, soccer if you insist ) Manchester United become the first English winners of the European Cup since the competition was inaugurated in 1955. About time too considering the game was invented by us!

The English champions are held to a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes by Portuguese side Benfica at Wembley. In extra time George Best puts United ahead with a magical goal. A minute later, Brian Kidd puts away a header to make it 3-1. Victory was sealed when Bobby Charlton flicked the ball past the Benfica keeper for his second of the game.

Bobby Charlton and his victorious team-mates

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


May 31-June 2
New York Mets (29-19) @ Los Angeles Dodgers (29-25)
May 31: Tom Seaver pitches well but Doug Rau is better. He gives up just six hits and two walks. Dodgers 4-2
W: Doug Rau (3-4) L: Tom Seaver (6-3)

[PotatoOfCouch13]

Go with the Beavers for Vancouver. There was a minor league team called the Vancouver Beavers from 1908-1922.

As for Phoenix, you may have to go with Coyotes. No one in America cares too much about hockey anymore...

[kevarms]

MAY SUMMARY

Pittsburgh extended their lead in the NL with the whole line-up batting well. The standout is Roberto Clemente with a league leading .418 average.

National League Standings

	W	L	GB
Pittsburgh	35	17	--
Houston	        32	20	3
NEW YORK	29	20	4.5
Los Angeles 	30	25	6.5
Philadelphia	26	26	9
San Francisco	25	26	9.5
Chicago	        26	29	10.5
Cincinnati	21	31	14
Atlanta		19	33	16
St Louis	19	35	17

Baltimore (34-18) go further ahead in the American League with a 5 1/2 game lead over the Yankees. The A's went 11-19 in May and now lie tenth


MLB Injury News
May 1 :Johnny Edwards (SDA) -Torn ankle ligament-5 months (.232 Avg, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 0 SB)
May 6: Jimmy Wynn (BAL) - Broken tibia- 2 months (.229, 7-24-3)
May 21:Gene Alley (CLE) - Broken wrist-8 months (.242, 0-9-2)
May 26:Tony Perez (CIN) - Torn knee ligament-3 months (.321, 9-37-0)

MLB Milestones
May 8: Orlando Cepeda (STL) 1,000 RBI
May 13: Eddie Matthews (DET) 1,500 RBI
May 28: Roberto Clemente (PIT) 1,000 RBI

MLB Retirements
May 24: First baseman Bill 'Moose' Skowron retires after fourteen seasons in the bigs. The 37-year old started his career with the Yankees, making his debut in 1954. He made five All Star appearances as a Yankee but his career highlight is undoubtedly the 1958 World Series when he hit the winner in Game Six and then hit a three run shot in Game Seven. Skowron played single seasons for the Dodgers and Senators in 1963 and 1963, before seeing out his career with the White Sox. (Career Stats .Avg .286, HR 214, RBI 899,

[kevarms]

JUNE PREVIEW

Once again we suffer injuries to crucial players. Kranepool and Freehan will both be out for most of June. That means a recall for Cookie Rojas, with Bob Johnson moving to first. Also, Greg Goossen is called up from Williamsport. He can play at first or catcher.
Now Jerry Koosman is a serious concern. He's really struggling (ERA 5.82 ERA) and, ideally, I'd send him down to Jacksonville for a while. The problem is there is nobody to replace him. We may be in the market for a left-handed starter soon.
Joe Grzenda has been struggling out of the bullpen. He is sent down to Jacksonville and Don Shaw is called up. He should make his major league debut this month.

Line-up			Bench			Rotation	Bullpen

SS Buford		C Sullivan		Seaver		Taylor
CF Stanley		IF Buchek		Fisher		Selma
LF Swoboda		OF Jones		Cardwell	McGraw
RF Stahl		SS Harrelson		Terry		Shaw (Don)
1B Johnson		LF Davis		Koosman	        Shaw (Bob)
2B Rojas		OF Singleton				Graham
C Goossen
3B Shirley

Disabled List

1B Kranepool
C Freehan

[kevarms]

JUNE 1968

June 1-2
New York Mets (29-20) @ Los Angeles Dodgers (30-25)

June 1: We have the lead for most of the game but are unable to kill off the Dodgers. The game goes to extra innings with the scored tied at 4-4. We go ahead in the tenth and eleventh innings, but the Dodgers keep coming back. Tug McGraw takes the mound in the thirteenth and serves up a single to Bill Sudakis. He is moved along to second by a sac bunt. Luis Alcaraz hits a hard groundball down the left field line. It stays fair and Sudakis keeps running. Goossen has the plate covered but Sudakis ploughs straight through him for the winner. Goossen stays down and has to be carried from the field. It's discovered Goossen has a broken collar bone. Great. Just what we needed. Dodgers 7-6 (13)
W: Geoff Zahn (2-1) L: Tug McGraw (3-2)

June 2: We get off to a great start in the first with Cleon Jones hitting solo homer and Ron Swoboda making it 3-0 with two-run shot. The optimism is short-lived, with the Dodgers scoring in every one of the first six innings. Cleon Jones hits another solo shot later in the game but we are deservedly swept. Dodgers 10-4
W: Don Drysdale (5-7) L: Don Cardwell (4-2) S: Gary Wagner (1)


June 3-5
Cincinnati Reds (22-32) @ New York Mets (29-22)

June 3: Lee May hits two homers for the Reds but we are a little unlucky to lose. Reds 5-4
W: Jim Maloney (3-7) L: Tug McGraw (3-3) S: Turk Farrell (4)

June 4: Incredibly tight game with each team only giving up three hits. We squeak it when Larry Stahl reaches second on a fielding error by Rusty Staub in the fifth. Stahl is brought home by John Sullivan. Mets 1-0
W: Tom Seaver (3-1) L: Gary Nolan (4-4) S: Ron Taylor (4)

June 5: Jack Fisher pitches a complete game, giving up just three hits and two walks. Mets 4-2
W: Jack Fisher (3-4) L: Wayne Simpson (2-1)

[kevarms]

1968 AMATEUR DRAFT

First Round Picks

Cleveland:	Randy Jones		P	78/96
Mets:		Gary Matthews		LF 	66/97
Washington:	John Matlack		P	74/92
California:	John Balaz		LF	62/91
Cubs:		JR Richard		P	79/88
St Louis:	Milt May		C	71/94
San Diego:	Jim Slaton		P	68/95
Boston:		Lynn McGlothen	        P	57/92
Philadelphia:	Greg Luzinski		LF	59/94
White Sox:	Brian Downing		LF	66/94
Los Angeles: 	Ken Griffey		RF	66/94
Pittsburgh: 	Bruce Kison		P	60/82
Atlanta         Gorman Thomas	        CF	63/95
Detroit:	Doug DeCinces		3B	66/92
Cincinnati:	Ross Grimsley		P	63/92
Houston:	Otto Velez		LF	62/96
Minnesota:	Glenn Borgmann	        C	63/86
NY Yankees:	Wayne Tyrone		LF	61/96
San Francisco:	Ron Guidry		P	68/89
Baltimore:	Jim Fuller		RF	60/88

Mets Draft Picks

1. Gary Matthews LF 66/97 hit .430 with good plate discipline, great glove

2. Pete Broberg P 57/93 has a good fastball, can learn control

3. Jim Wright P 54/93

4. Rudy Arroyo P 50/90 clocks 96+ mph

5. Richie Moloney P 49/87

6. Mike Willis P 48/85

[PotatoOfCouch13]

Really nice draft class. Nice pickup with the Sarge. Maybe you can get the rights to his offspring too...

Although I might trade with Los Angeles before I do that....

[3RunHomer]

Phoenix Firebirds! ! Or Scorpions.

Vancouver Lumberjacks?

[kevarms]

June 6, 1968 - Los Angeles

Robert Kennedy, campaigning in LA for the Democratic Presidential nomination, is shot and later dies from his wounds. The Senator was greeting hotel workers when he was gunned down. The alleged assassin is apparently from Arab stock and, given it is the anniversary of last year's Six Day War, it would appear Bobby's support for Israel was the motive. What a waste. This year just gets worse and worse.

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

June 6-8
San Francisco Giants (25-29) @ New York Mets (31-23)

June 6: Don Buford hits two solo homers Mets as Don Cardwell dominates the Giants offense, giving up only five hits. Mets 3-2
W: Don Cardwell (5-2) L: Mike McCormick (3-7) S: Ron Taylor (8)

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

Despite the win the players minds were clearly not on baseball. It had been announced that Bobby Kennedy's funeral would take place on June 8 at St Pat's Cathedral in New York. The clubhouse was very solemn when Ed Kranepool approached me.

"Mr Crabtree, I've been asked to speak to you on on behalf of the team."
I had a good idea what was coming next.
"We don't think it's right that we play on the day of the funeral so..."
"You want the game postponed?"
He was taken aback slightly. "Yes, we do. We'll be happy to play a double-header next time the Giants are in town but ...."
"Leave it with me Ed. I'll need to make some calls."

The first person I spoke to was Giants GM Chub Feeney. I explained the situation, that the players felt it was inappropriate to play on the day of the funeral. We had had our ups and downs with the Giants since my arrival but he was supportive.

"Roy, if you can get the Commissioner to reschedule, the Giants will have no problem playing any date he decides."

So I called the Commissioner, William Eckert. He wasn't quite so accomodating.

"The game will go ahead as scheduled. Do you think the Senator would have wanted the whole country to grind to a halt?"
"Well sir, I never met the man but...."
"No buts Mr Crabtree. Baseball will carry on."
He hung up on me.

When I went back to tell the players they were furious. There was a lot of cursing and door slamming. Then I had an idea. My friend at the Chronicle, Pete Murphy. I told him all about my conversation with Eckert and let Pete do his work. Later that night, back at the hotel, I got a phonecall. It was Eckert.

He told me that all games on the 8th would be postponed until the evening. Our game was cancelled, as I had hoped. What I did not expect was his announcement that we would have to play a double-header tomorrow. A little short notice I thought. Still, in the scheme of things, baseball is not the most important thing in the world. Not at the moment anyway.

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

June 7 (Day Game): We lose a heartbreaker. 10-4 down at the bottom of the ninth we load the bases with one out. Don Buford brings in two runs with a line drive to left field. Ron Swoboda pops up behind. Then Mickey Stanley smashes smashes one over the center field wall to put us within one run of tying the game. The Giants bring in ace relieve Frank Linzy to get the final out. He throws two balls to Bob Johnson, then Johnson connects with the third pitch. The ball goes deep into center field, he reaches first and sees Willie Mays hesitate. Johnson goes for an extra base but is easily thrown out at second. Giants 10-9
W: Ron Guidry (1-0) L: Tug McGraw (3-4) S: Frank Linzy (8)

June 7 (Night Game): The playes are clearly jaded. All we can manage is four hits and one run off a strong pitching performance by Juan Marichal. Giants 4-1
W: Juan Marichal (6-5) L: Jerry Koosman (1-4)

[kevarms]

The players had been right. There was no way we could have played on the 8th. Instead, we watched TV coverage of the funeral. Bobby's brother, Ted, gave a moving eulogy at the funeral mass. Then the coffin was taken by train to Washington. Hundreds of thousands of people of every creed and colour lined the tracks to pay their respects. I'm not American, but I should think these people have grieved enough for one year.
The crowds had meant the train was delayed getting to Washington and it was late in the evening by the time the coffin arrived at Arlington Cemetery. Bobby was buried there, close to his brother John.

[kevarms]

We fly to Chicago first thing in the morning after the funeral. Let's try to get things back to normal.

June 9-11
New York Mets (32-25) @ Chicago Cubs (28-32)

June 9: Tom Seaver has a fine game, holding a 2-1 lead up until the eighth. He then gives up five hits that include a two run homer and three doubles and is pulled with the score 5-2 Cubs. Dick Selma finished the inning but we only manage a single and a walk in the ninth. Cubs 5-2
W: Vida Blue (3-8) L: Tom Seaver (7-4) S: Jack Baldschun (7)

June 10: Jack Fisher pitches eight strong, giving up just three hits and a walk. Mets 3-1
W: Jack Fisher (4-4) L: Fergie Jenkins (6-5) S: Ron Taylor (9)

June 11: We take a five run lead in the first but let the Cubs back into the game. In the ninth Larry Stahl blasts a three run triple to put us ahead. Mets 9-6
W: Dick Selma (6-2) L: Chuck Hartenstein (0-3)


June 12-14
New York Mets (34-26) @ Los Angeles Dodgers (35-28)

June 12: Ralph Terry gives up three homers and Jim McAndrew one with the Dodgers handing us a lesson on offense. Dodgers 7-2
W: Don Drysdale (7-7) L: Ralph Terry (4-3)

June 13: Bob Bailey takes the game for the Dodgers. With the scored tied at 7-7 in the ninth he hits a single that brings home Tony Gonzalez for the winner. Dodgers 8-7
W: Ron Perranoski (4-2) L: Dick Selma (6-3)

June 14: Bob Bailey and Ron Fairly hit homeruns. We are pretty well annihilated and deservedly swept by the Dodgers. Again. Dodgers 9-2
W: Claude Osteen (8-4) L: Tom Seaver (7-5)

[kevarms]

June 15-17
San Francisco Giants (30-33) @ New York Mets (34-29)

June 15: Don Buford hits a two run homer in the first and John Sullivan scores off a Bud Harrelson double in the second. After that we only manage two more hits, but the three runs prove enough to give Jack Fisher his third straight win. Jack is back! Mets 3-1
W: Jack Fisher (5-4) L: Mike McCormick (3-9) S: Dick Selma (4)

June 16:Juan Marichal dominates us again, completing the game and giving up only seven hits. He is not having a great season so far by his high standards, but he's doing just fine against the Mets. Giants 5-2
W: Juan Marichal (8-5) L: Don Cardwell (5-3)

June 17: Shea Stadium is rocking as we turn it on against the league champs. The Giants take the lead in the first with a two run homer from Willie Mays but we proceed to rack up 21 hits. Standout performances from Bud Harrelson who goes 1 for 2 with four walks, and Ron Swoboda, 3 for 4 with two walks. Incredibly, Mays' shot is the only home run of the game. Mets 15-2
W: Ralph Terry (5-3) L: Gaylord Perry (6-4)


June 18-20
Chicago Cubs (31-38) @ New York Mets (36-30)

June 18: Bud Harrelson strikes out three times as we struggle to get a groove going. Some canny substitutions by Cubs skipper Leo Durocher give them the edge. Cubs 3-2
W: Fergie Jenkins (7-5) L: Jerry Koosman (1-5) S: Chuck Hartenstein (1)

June 19: We come back twice, tying the game in the ninth with a double by John Sullivan. The game goes to eleven with a Billy Williams solo shot off Ron Taylor giving the Cubs the win. Cubs 3-2 (11)
W: Jack Baldschun (3-0) L: Ron Taylor (2-3) S: Chuck Hartenstein (2)

June 20: The fans are treated to a thriller. At one stage we are down 7-3 but stage a remarkable comeback to go into the bottom of the ninth with the score tied at 8-8. Tommy Davis comes in to pinch hit with the bases loaded and two outs. He gets hold of the second pitch and drives it past first baseman John Boccabella bringing in Cleon Jones for the winning run. Mets 9-8
W: Ron Taylor (3-3) L: Carl Koonce (2-3)


June 21-23
San Francisco Giants (31-38) @ New YorkMets (37-32)

June 21: Our third homestand against the Giants this month, yet the Commissioner made us play a double-header earlier in the month??!! Jim McAndrew comes in in the sixth and makes his first career save, pitching four strong innings. Mets 7-5
W: Don Cardwell (6-3) L: Gaylord Perry (6-3) S: Jim McAndrew (1)

June 22: Jim Ray Hart goes 5 for 5, driving in five runs for the Giants. Worse, Ralph Terry cops a line drive from Jim Ray Hart full in the face and is out cold. He is taken to hospital suffering concussion and broken jaw. Giants 7-4
W: Bobby Bolin (9-2) L: Ralph Terry (5-4) S: Jim Barr (1)

June 23: Jerry Koosman is shelled for five runs early on with Rocky Colavito doing most of the damage. Giants 5-3
W: Mike McCormick (4-10) L: Jerry Koosman (1-6) S: Frank Linzy (9)


June 24-26
Pittsburgh Pirates (47-28) @ New York Mets ( 38-34)

June 24: Bob Veale and Pete Mikkelson shut us out as we only manage three hits and three walks. Pirates 3-0
W: Bob Veale (4-1) L: Tom Seaver (7-6) S: Pete Mikkelson (10)

June 25: Jack Fisher is knocked out early while Pirates starter Dock Ellis drives in three runs, going 2 for 3. Pirates 6-3
W: Dock Ellis (7-2) L: Jack Fisher (5-5) S: Pete Mikkelson (11)

June 26: Don Cardwell throws a one hitter, his first complete game shutout of the year. We take the game with late runs batted in by Ed Kranepool, Ron Swoboda and Cleon Jones. Mets 4-0
W: Don Cardwell (7-3) L: Vern Law (8-6)


June 27-29
New York Mets (39-36) @ Chicago Cubs (34-41)

June 27: Bill Graham starts in place of the injured Ralph Terry. He gives up five runs in three innings and is pulled, afterwards complaining of a sore shoulder. We come back with five runs of our own in the fifth but Art Shamsky puts paid to that with two homers late in the game. Cubs 7-6
W: Joe Niekro (5-2) L: Jim McAndrew (0-1) S: Jack Baldschun (9)

June 28: Jerry Koosman goes eight innings and gives up only two hits and a walk in his most assured performance of the year. Mets 7-1
W: Jerry Koosman (2-6) L: Vida Blue (3-12)

June 29: Tom Seaver comes out on top of a pitching duel with Fergie Jenkins. Mets 3-1
W: Tom Seaver (8-6) L: Fergie Jenkins (8-6) S: Ron Taylor (10)


June 30- July 2
New York Mets (41-37) @ St Louis Cardinals (33-45)

June 30: We score ten in an incredible fourth inning which proves just enough to squeak the win. Mets 10-9
W: Tug McGraw (4-4) L: Bob Gibson (10-8) S: Ron Taylor (11)

[kevarms]

JUNE SUMMARY

For the Mets it was not a great month. We went 13-17 in June and lost two pitchers to the Disabled List.
In the rest of the league, Bob Bailey is showing the Dodgers the way. They now lie second after going 17-7 in June with Bailey already matching his season record of 18 home runs.


National League Standings

		W	L	GB
Pittsburgh	49	32	--
Los Angeles	47	32	1
Houston	        46	33	2
NEW YORK	42	37	6
Philadelphia	40	39	8
San Francisco	37	41	10.5
Chicago 	36	43	12
Cincinnati	35	47	14.5
St Louis	33	46	15
Atlanta		32	47	16

In the American League, Baltimore (46-30) still have the lead, five games ahead of the Tigers and six ahead of the Yankees.


MLB Injury News
June 4: Jim Maloney (CIN) - Severe elbow tendonitis-3 months (3-7, 5.18 ERA, 78 K. 0 CG)
June 12: Randy Hundley (CHC) - Broken ankle-2 months (.218, 0-6-0 in 55 AB)
June 26: Roy White (NYY) - Broken fibula-3 months (.274, 11-57-4)


MLB Milestones
June 9: Tony Coniglario (BOS) 25 Game Hitting Streak
June 18: Harmon Killebrew (MIN) 1,000 RBI
June 20: Don Drysdale (LAD) 200 Wins
June 26: Hank Aaron (ATL) 500 Home Runs
June 28: Joe Morgan (HOU) 20 Game Hitting Streak


MLB Retirements
June 21: Shortstop Dick Groat calls it a day after fourteen seasons. Debuting for his local team Pittsburgh in 1952, Groat proved to be an all-round performer - excelling with the glove and at the plate. Eventually becoming team captain, in 1960 he helped the Pirates to a World Series win and also won the National League MVP Award and Batting Title. In 1962 he was traded to the Cardinals and won another World Series Ring with them in 1964. He moved back to Pennsylvania in 1966 with the Phillies where he saw out his career. (Career Stats .Avg .287, HR 40, RBI 767)

[kevarms]

JULY PREVIEW


With Kranepool and Freehan now off the DL, the batting lineup is back to full strength. Cleon Jones reclaims his outfield spot with some decent pinch-hitting performances.
The rotation is in tatters. Starter Ralph Terry and long relief man Bill Graham will be out for the month. Jerry Koosman, despite his good game in Chicago, just does not look like a top drawer pitcher at the moment.
With nobody in the minors anywhere near ready for a call-up as a starter we have to turn to the trading block. To start the month though we will go with a 3-man rotation and use Koosman only when we really have to.

Line-up			Bench			Rotation	Bullpen

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


Disabled List


SP Terry
SP Graham

[kevarms]

JULY 1968

July 1-2
New York Mets (42-37) @ St Louis Cardinals (33-46)

July 1: Don Cardwell threw a complete game shutout in his last start and he repeats the feat today, giving up four hits and a walk. The Cards starter, Steve Carlton, is shelled for ten hits in four innings, giving up five earned runs. Mets 5-0
W: Don Cardwell (8-3) L: Steve Carlton (4-10)

July 2: Our pitchers look to be off to a good month with Tom Seaver also throwing a shutout and completing. Our runs were batted in Harrelson, Buford and Freehan to sweep the Cardinals. Mets 3-0
W: Tom Seaver (9-6) L: Nelson Briles (8-5)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Yankees bring in Pete Richert from the Senators to add some depth to the rotation. The leftie seems to be quite injury prone, missing four months of last season and six weeks of this one, but when fit performs fairly solidly. The Yanks send three prospects to Washington as part of the deal.

To Yankees:
SPPete Richert (86) Age 28 (2-3, 3.55 ERA, 1 CG)
$115,000 7th season Former All Star


To Senators:
SP Cecil Perkins (61/83) Age 27 (Never played in majors)
$675

SP Ernie McAnally (65/75) Age 21 (Never played in majors)
$33.400 !!!!!

RP Gary Jones (63/75) Age 23 (Never played in majors)
$500
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We make a trade of our own. Our pitching rotation lacks depth at full strength. With two players on the DL it is in tatters. So we know what we are looking for, what can we offer as bait? A lot of our prospects aren't developing as well as expected, possibly because we have too many players in the minors system to spend the required time. So we put three of them on the trading block and came up with:


To Mets:
SP Bobby Bolin (84) Age 29 (10-3, 4.13 ERA, 0 CG)
$161,000 8th season

OF Jesus Alou (78/82) Age 26 (.462 Ave, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1 SB in 13 AB)
$19,800 6th season


To Giants:
RP Jerry Hinsley (63/85) Age 23 (2-1, 2.82 ERA, 1 SV in Single-A)
$2,400 2nd season

SP Gary Gentry (70/80) Age 21 (10-3, 2.84 ERA, 0 CG in Single-A)
$12,900 Rookie

SP Billy Wynne (67/79) Age 24 (7-4, 3.35 ERA, 0 CG in Single-A)
$675 Rookie


I'm sorry to see Gentry go as he was a kid I had particularly high hopes for when I took over.
Coming in, Bolin started out as a relief pitcher with the Giants but was converted to a starter. He rarely completes a game but pitches strongly for six or seven innings. Tom Seaver is the only guy we have with a better fastball.
Jay Alou has struggled to get out of the shadows of his older brothers. He can't field but will definitely add some pop to the bench.



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

July 3: The game is scoreless going into the ninth. Art Shamsky breaks the deadlock, bringing in Denis Menke from second. We reply with a solo shot from Bill Freehan, taking the game to extra innings. In the bottom of the tenth, Jesus Alou makes his Mets debut, pinch hitting for Dick Selma. He takes the first pitch and knocks the second one into right field for a single. With Don Buford up next, he steals second with the count at 3 and 1, but that's the end of the amazing debut, with Buford and Kranepool both grounding out. The Cubs go ahead in the twelfth, Ted Savage driving in the run. Cal Koonce strikes out the first two Mets batters, then walks Ed Kranepool. It's all over when Mickey Stanley flies out. Cubs 2-1 (12)
W: Cal Koonce (3-3) L: Ron Taylor (3-4)

July 4: Bobby Bolin makes his first start and gives up four runs in seven innings to leave us 4-1 down. We come back in the eighth with a solo homer from Bob Johnson and a two run bomb from Ron Swoboda. In the ninth Denis Menke hits his second homer, a three run shot, to put the Cubs ahead again. We comeback when Don Buford homers and Tommy Davis brings in Ed Kranepool, but Jack Baldschun holds on for the win. Cubs 7-6
W: Chuck Hartenstein (2-3) L: Jim McAndrew (0-2) S: Jack Baldschun (10)

July 5: Art Shamsky and George Altman hit home runs in a game we deserved to lose by more. Cubs 8-3
W: JR Richard (1-2) L: Don Cardwell (8-4)