To Rule in KC II: A New Dawn

[gosensgo101]

Early May 1973"They were as white as you and me."

Hmm, for some reason I always though Dale was black. Oh well.

Its good to see you back with your old format though.

[CatKnight]

Coach Owens: Thompson's hopefully too busy hitting the ball to talk

hanramtrumps: Thanks

PotatoofCouch: No! I want two entries in the HoF! I want immortality! I want riches! I want...

Oh, alright.

gosensgo101: Nope. I think I described Dale initially as a tall, thin redhead. As for the format: Yes. I thought the other way would make it more dynamic, but I was losing track of who does well for the team and who uhm.. needs to go.
*******

Late May 1973
Part I

J.J. Testor was a thin, pale man, with thick jowls and light green eyes rimmed with yellow. He looked tired, as if the night life was more his style, and dressed in a brown sports jacket two sizes too big. A pitiful figure, somewhat surprising in someone running a construction company.

"Mister Hunter," he hissed, offering a cold, clammy hand. "A pleasure."

"Thank you for coming, Mr. Testor. I have some questions about your company's involvement here."

His eyelids drooped slightly. "Yes?"

"Your company joined the project late. Why not earlier when we first asked for bids?"

"We are a relatively new company, Mister Hunter...I felt at the time we required more...experience...before tackling something of this magnitude. By the time your project manager (delectable thing) asked for more contractors, I felt we were ready."

"And your company handled the wiring for much of the complex?"

"Yes."

"Including the scoreboard?"

His eyelids opened further and he returned my stare. "Yes."

"Did you have workers here the day it exploded? March 31st?"

"No, Mister Hunter." Cold eyes regarded me. "Our last day of work to that point was Friday the 30th. We returned Monday, of course, after the...incident."

"Incident?" I started. "Curious word for an accident."

"Do not play with me, Mister Hunter," he hissed. "You would not have asked to see me if you did not suspect something unusual happened. The scoreboard explosion has been the only incident of note in the past few months. We wired the scoreboard. The connection is obvious."

"I'm merely trying to get to the bottom of what happened," I replied innocently. "The scoreboard worked fine before the explosion. I'm trying to find out what could have changed that."

"I would not know."

"Mmm." I tried to read his eyes, but something about them made me nervous. "Does your company use drills in its electrical work?"

"Occasionally, yes. On this project we need to dig through the concrete to get at the underlying wires."

That sounded innocent enough, but... "Why were you working on the 26th?"

"We did not work on the 26th."

"I heard drilling."

He opened his mouth in a soundless laugh. "Did you check the security logs? Contractors must sign in."

I did, and they hadn't.

"Mister Hunter, I understand you were injured last month, for which I wish you a ... quick recovery. Apparently that is still pending."

"My secretary heard it also," I insisted, leaning forward.

He cast an eye towards my door and muttered something about vacuum heads. "Nonetheless I cannot help you."
*******

About ten minutes after he left Karl Holtz limped in. He sat down across from me, breathing a little hard as he lay his cane across his lap.

"Are you alright?" I asked.

He nodded and mopped his brow. "I'm fine. The leg is sore today. It is nothing."

"Well." I walked to the cooler and brought us both back waters. He gulped his down and sighed. "What can I do for you?"

"I think I must leave you," he said. "You seem to be mostly recovered and no longer need assistance."

For what little assistance Holtz actually gave after my return. "I understand. Where will you go?"

"Here and there," he smiled, eyes glittering behind his glasses. "There is always a need for someone with my talents."

"Well, give Joe Cronin my best and thank him for me." I lifted my cup in salute.

"Wh..? Oh, yes. Mr. Cronin. I will do that." He drank.

[CatKnight]

Late May 1973


So I met a contractor who, frankly, creeps me out and lost an assistant that had much the same effect. I'm willing to call that a draw.

Meanwhile, the team travels to Oakland to take on our eternal enemy. Ewing called to ask if we could sweep them. I said we'd try.
*******

Kansas City (22-18) (2nd, -2.5g) at Oakland (22-19) (3rd, -3g)

17: A's 3-2 That would be a no. Mike Fiore (filling in for Thompson) gets one RBI, and Torre gives us a 2-1 lead in the 7th, but Rick Monday hits an 8th inning two-run homer to ruin our day. Bunker gets the complete game.
LP: Bunker (2-1), HR: Torre (5)

18: A's 7-1 Butler does it again! Just when I think he's turning into a dominant pitcher he turns into a pumpkin like Cinderella's coach. 7 runs, 4.2 IP, and A's pitcher Chuck Dobson holds us to four hits. Ugh.
LP: Butler (5-2)

19: A's 6-1 BLYLEVEN ties the game in the 7th and goes 2 for 2 on the day. Then he dies in the bottom of the eighth. Torre doesn't bother taking him out.
LP: Blyleven (7-4)
*******

We lose no ground as Milwaukee's also sputtering. The A's move into a tie for first. Bloody great. I told Marcie to tell Ewing I'm not in.

This last series not withstanding, I'm finding we play better when Torre is doing his job in the field. This 'forces' Jack McKeon to play a more active role. From what I can tell the players like Jack - many of them played under him in Omaha. Maybe it's time to talk to Torre about letting McKeon manage full time.
*******

Kansas City (22-21) (3rd, -2.5g) at Washington (16-27) (5th, -14.5g)

20: Senators 1-0 Sens RF Dave Winfield hits an RBI single in the ninth. Ouch.
LP: York (1-1)

21: Senators 3-1 Where the hell is our offense? NO RBIs, and Bunker gets another undeserved loss.
LP: Bunker (2-2)

22: Senators 8-6 There's our offense. And theirs. Butler once more pitches a turkey. We get three homers, and White gets 3 RBI. We've now lost seven in a row.
LP: Butler (5-3), HR: Torre (6), White (6), Kelly (4)

23: Royals 2-1 Tied 1-1 after one, it takes every trick Blyleven has to prevent a sweep. Cardenal walks with the bases loaded in the seventh to give us our sole win.
WP: Blyleven (8-4), SV: Fingers (5)
*******

Giants pitching coach Don McMahon, who retired from the Tigers in 1970 with a lifetime record of 59-51 2.86 ERA 108 SV, took a challenge from reliever Skip Pitlock seriously. Pitlock (0-1 9.00 ERA) told McMahon that if he thought he knew how to pitch, then he was welcome to try. McMahon's now on the active roster, though I think GM Derek Turner might send him to A league (AAA) Phoenix instead. At age 43, he's really getting too old to pitch.
*******

New York (21-26) (4th, -11g) at Kansas City (23-24) (4th-T, -5g)

24: Yankees 10-4 Note that three of our runs were scored in the ninth, and you can see what kind of game this was. There are days I should really stay home. Kudos to Thurman Munson though, as he goes 3 for 5 with a homer and FIVE RBI.
*******

Ewing called to remind me that we won 86 games last year, and he would appreciate it if we could at least match that total. I told him it's far too early to panic.

The hell it isn't. It's trade time. Unfortunately, for the prospects I'm offering, anyone who makes even a decent offer wants to give prospects back.

We finally decide to make a deal with the de...er...Angels.

Trade
KC-CAL: C Jerry Grote (75) [30] (AAA)
KC-CAL: RF Reggie Walton (59/93) [20] (R)
KC-CAL: 2B Junior Kennedy (66/93) [22] (AA)

CAL-KC: SP Mike Adamson (75/93) [25] (AAA)

With Torre, Martinez AND Rodriguez available, Jerry was never going to catch for us again. Walton projects to be great, but we have two outfielders (Rice and Cowens) ahead of him who should also be spectacular. Similarly, Kennedy's blocked by Frank White, and we have another great 2B in Keith Drumright (53/89) currently in rookie ball.

Adamson...well, in a year or two he should be ready to break into our starting rotation. Put him together with Blyleven, Splittorff and maybe Busby or Butler, and we could have the strongest rotation in the league. Now, where were we?
*******

25: Yankees 3-2 We take a 2-1 lead into the eighth thanks to a White RBI single and Thompson homer, but Bunker loses it in the ninth and York can't save him.
LP: Butler (2-3), HR: Thompson (12)

26: Yankees 18-14 New York scores ELEVEN in the seventh. Of our four pitchers, none give up less than four earned runs. Frank White has a career day, going 5 for 6 with 4 doubles, a homer and 6 RBI in a losing effort. Kelly goes 3 for 5 with 4 RBI. Overall we hit 6 doubles, 4 homers and 13 singles. They only get 15 hits, but 12 walks.
LP: Fingers (1-3), HR: Thompson (13), White (7), Cardenal (2), Piniella (1)
*******

We get a day off having lost 10 of 11. I give Joe Torre the bad news about his managerial career.

"If you feel that way about my performance, maybe you should trade me," he growls and stomps off.

Certainly I'm not his only critic. The Kansas City Star wrote an interesting op-ed damning Torre for his inexperience, me for putting him in that position, and the first place A's....because.

Speaking of which...
*******

Kansas City (23-27) (5th, -7g) at Oakland (30-20) (1st, +1g)

28: Royals 5-2 Trailing 2-1 in the eighth, Thompson hits a two-run shot to put us ahead. We get some insurance runs and break our losing streak.
WP: Acosta (1-1), SV: York (3), HR: Thompson (14)
*******

And that's about when all hell breaks loose. Thompson's agent calls wanting to renegotiate his contract a year early. I tell him to shove off. He then tells me that if I don't make McKeon let him play, he's going to demand a trade. Loudly.

Since he played last night this is news to me, so I call McKeon. He has indeed suspended 'Thump' for four games.

"What for?" I demanded. "He's one of our best players!"

Which, it seems, is the problem. After hitting three homers in three games, he started rubbing Hart's nose in his success. Hart managed to keep his temper long enough to tell Will to get lost. Will wouldn't, so Jim Ray made some colorful remarks concerning Will's parentage, religion, sexual orientation and species. Thompson shoved Hart, and that's when hitting (now bench) coach John McGraw intervened.

"Will IS one of our best players," McKeon agreed. "But he needs to learn that he alone can't carry a team. We can get along just fine without him for four days. Then we'll see if he's ready to play nice."
*******

29: Royals 5-4 (11) Splittorff and Catfish Hunter both struggle. Oakland's lacksadaisal relief lets us tie it, then win it in the eleventh when Frank White singles with runners on first and second. Acosta pitches the bottom of the eleventh and shuts the door.
WP: Clemons (1-1), SV: Acosta (1)

30: Royals 5-2 The 'good' Butler resurfaces and pitches a gem for 7.2 innings. Hart gets 3 RBI and homers for the first time in weeks to put us ahead. Oakland's George Hendrick gets 2 homers, both solo shots.
WP: Butler (6-3), HR: Hart (10), Robinson (6)
*******

We needed that sweep. Badly. We're back in third place, and the Brewers are back in first.

[PotatoOfCouch13]

Geez, I was getting scared there for a minute! That was a nasty little stretch you had there.

Speaking of Frank White, how is he doing so far?

[hanramtrumps]

poor Thompson...bad boy!

[CatKnight]

Potato: Read on! He's having a pretty good year so far.

hanramtrumps: I know. Hopefully Coach..er..Will has learned his lesson
*******

TEAM STATISTICS THROUGH MAY 30


Win Shares
10: White
8: Thompson, Torre
6: Hart
5: Blyleven, Cardenal, Clemons, Kelly, Russell
4: Bunker
3: Acosta, Butler
2: Busby, Martinez, Robinson, Splittorff, York
1: Jeter, Soderholm

Batting

1973 Batting             Team    G   AVG    AB    H  2B  3B  HR   BB    K   SB  CS    R  RBI   SLG   OBP
Torre, Joe                KCR   51  .324   145   47   4   0   6   17   15    1   0   16   19  .476  .394
Martinez, Buck            KCR   30  .250    76   19   3   0   3    8   15    0   0    5    6  .408  .321

Thompson, Will            KCR   50  .300   190   57   4   1  14   19   31    1   0   28   43  .553  .360
Fiore, Mike               KCR    6  .158    19    3   0   1   0    1    4    0   0    2    2  .263  .200

White, Frank              KCR   53  .317   218   69  13   1   7   14   21    2   1   31   31  .482  .360
Russell, Bill             KCR   52  .289   211   61   9   2   0   11   20    3   3   32   15  .351  .327
Hart, Jim Ray             KCR   50  .278   194   54   8   2  10   10   19    1   1   20   28  .495  .317
Soderholm, Eric           KCR   27  .191    68   13   0   0   2    7    8    0   0    8    6  .279  .267
Andrews, Mike             KCR   12  .217    23    5   1   0   0    4    1    0   0    1    1  .261  .333

Kelly, Pat                KCR   52  .254   193   49   9   1   4   26   25    8   4   30   24  .373  .344
Robinson, Bill            KCR   53  .205   190   39   9   2   6   16   30    1   2   22   17  .368  .266
Cardenal, Jose            KCR   45  .293   140   41   7   1   2   19   16    5   4   22   12  .400  .385
Piniella, Lou             KCR   12  .200    40    8   2   0   1    3    3    0   0    2    3  .325  .256
Jeter, Johnny             KCR    7  .286    21    6   3   0   1    1    1    0   0    4    3  .571  .318

With us in third place, it's fair to start looking for deadweight and areas we can improve.

Catcher: Torre leads the team in BA and OBP. He started off hot, but seems to be drifting back to Earth. After a brief stint as starter Martinez has continued his reliable, if not outstanding, backup. Should either of them get injured, we have Ellie Rodriguez in Omaha. If we don't win the pennant or at least division however, this is almost certainly the last year we'll have Ellie.

First: After a slow start Thompson's improved his BA and leads the team in HR and RBI. If he can learn to control his tongue he should do well. Fiore...well, we don't expect anything out of Fiore. Up to now he's usually pulled something out of his hat, but this year is just bad. Worse, the nearest dedicated first baseman in our system that I can rely upon is in D ball. I'll be on the lookout for a new bench player.

Infield: White is arguably the best player on the team right now, having led in BA for most of the season with tolerable power. Russell and Hart are reliable. Soderholm hasn't taken his demotion to the bench well, and his performance is suffering for it. Perhaps that's Andrew's story as well. While we have Frank Duffy for emergencies, all eyes are on Roy Smalley (B league), Jose Baez and Keith Drumright (D ball).

Outfield: Kelly and Cardenal continue to do well. Robinson...not so much. It may be time to give Jeter a shot as in very limited play he's done well enough. Piniella also isn't impressive so far. Al Cowens and Jim Rice are both in B ball, and should make their appearance in the next few years.

CHANGES: Soderholm and Fiore will go down in favor of Duffy and Ellie Rodriguez. We do have other people who can fit in at first, and we may as well see what they can do.
*******

Pitching

1973 Pitching            Team     IP   ERA    G  GS   W   L  SV    K   BB   R/9
Blyleven, Bert            KCR  101.0  3.56   14  14   8   4   0   74   30 10.25
Splittorff, Paul          KCR   88.0  4.19   13  13   5   5   0   33   23 10.13
Butler, Bill              KCR   73.1  3.56   11  11   6   3   0   53   37 11.41
Bunker, Wally             KCR   58.2  2.76    8   8   2   3   0   31   17 11.05
Busby, Steve              KCR   39.2  4.08    6   5   1   4   0   17   18 11.34

York, Jim                 KCR   29.1  3.68   22   0   1   1   3   20    8 10.43
Clemons, Lance            KCR   24.1  1.48   17   0   1   1   5   19    8 11.10
Acosta, Cy                KCR   20.0  1.80   12   0   1   1   1   19    2 10.35
Fingers, Rollie           KCR   13.2  7.90   13   0   1   3   5    8    9 19.10
Wright, Ken               KCR   12.2  5.68    7   0   0   0   0    9    6 14.21
Hedlund, Mike             KCR   11.2  8.49    5   1   0   1   0    4    7 19.29
Drago, Dick               KCR    5.0  9.00    2   1   0   1   0    2    1 14.40

Starters: Blyleven seems to have returned to his form of two years ago, and despite some very poor luck Bunker's done the same. Splittorff appears to be having an iffy year, but hopefully he'll recover. Butler is very unpredictable: He'll give us some outstanding games, then completely die for a match or two. Busby's currently our mopup starter.

Relievers: Clemons is having another great year and seems to be duelling Fingers for the closing spot - a decision I plan to make easier for Jack McKeon. Acosta and York have also been great (though the latter makes me cringe sometimes.)

Fingers has blown too many saves leading to losses. Wright and Hedlund haven't really seen enough action, though Hedlund's 8.49 ERA really bothers me. Drago went down to Omaha earlier this month to make room for Bunker.

CHANGES: We have two hopefully excellent relievers waiting in Omaha: Jerry Cram and Doug Bird. They'll come in for Fingers and Hedlund. We have amazing depth at pitching (at least for relievers), it makes no sense not to start using it.

[hanramtrumps]

how do u keep ur starting roto's era so low? it confuses me

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

how do u keep ur starting roto's era so low? it confuses me

1. Talented starting pitchers with good vitals, not just good overall rating as the overall can be very, very deceiving.
2. Catcher with a good, preferably great, fielding rating.
3. Good infield defense.
4. Good outfield defense.

Hes also playing in an era where the level of offense was fairly low, compared to today's standards.

[hanramtrumps]

1. Talented starting pitchers with good vitals, not just good overall rating as the overall can be very, very deceiving.
2. Catcher with a good, preferably great, fielding rating.
3. Good infield defense.
4. Good outfield defense.

Hes also playing in an era where the level of offense was fairly low, compared to today's standards.

1. i already know
2. i already know
3. i already know
4. i already know
im not a mogul novice...

O O O!!!
the era is the thingie... aha, cuz my 1993 team is getting shattered...

[PotatoOfCouch13]

Hanram - your team is also an expansion team, meaning it was laden with cast-offs and prospects. Cat's been building this team for a few years. It's the natural order of things.

Also, 7 HR from a 2Bman is tolerable power? I'd hate to have to live up to your standards!!!

[CatKnight]

hanram, DAWWG: As DAWG explained - this is a lower offensive era. The league ERA right now is 3.99. Also I've had a few years to try and find decent pitchers.

Potato: I expect 30 HR from all my players! In April! And they should walk all the time too!
*******

May 31, 1973
Standings

American East
Team            W    L    GB
Baltimore       36   17   --
Cleveland       33   21    3.5
New York        26   27   10
Detroit         23   29   12.5
Washington      22   31   14
Boston          19   35   17.5

American West
Team            W    L    GB
Milwaukee       31   22   --
Oakland         30   23    1
Kansas City     26   27    5
California      25   28    6
Seattle         24   28    6.5
Minnesota       23   30    8

National East
Team            W    L    GB
Chicago         31   22   --
St, Louis       28   25    3
Philadelphia    28   26    3.5
New York        27   26    4
Montreal        24   27    6
Pittsburgh      21   32   10

National West
Team            W    L    GB
Houston         30   23   --
San Francisco   28   24    1.5
Atlanta         28   25    2
Cincinnati      26   27    4
Los Angeles     25   30    6
San Diego       22   31    8

*******

American League Leaders
Average: Gary Holman (WAS) .383, Roy White (NYY) .382
HR: Rick Monday (OAK) 19, Two tied with 14
RBI: Rick Monday (OAK) 48, Carlton Fisk (BOS) 45
Steals: Ron LeFlore (CLE) 42, Mickey Rivers (CAL) 18

Wins: Mike Cuellar (BAL) 10, Jim Palmer (BAL) 9
ERA: Mike Cuellar (BAL) 1.63, Tommy John (MIL) 2.08
Strikeouts: Bert Blyleven (KC) 74, Jim Palmer (BAL) 72
Saves: Horacio Pina (CLE) 11, Chuck Seelbach (DET) 11

National League Leaders
Average: Bill Stein (STL) .359, Johnny Bench (CIN) .346
HR: George Foster (SF) 21, Reggie Jackson (LA) 19
RBI: Reggie Jackson (LA) 53, Two tied with 49
Steals: Frank Taveras (PIT) 24, Joe Morgan (HOU) 22

Wins: Three tied with 8
ERA: Fergie Jenkins (CHC) 1.89, Ken Forsch (HOU) 2.05
Strikeouts: Fergie Jenkins (CHC) 78, Tom Seaver (NYM) 73
Saves: Bob Locker (PIT) 7, Four tied with 6

Kansas City Royals Leaders
Average: Joe Torre .324 (9th)
HR: Will Thompson 14 (2nd-T)
RBI: Will Thompson 43 (3rd)
Steals: Pat Kelly 8

Wins: Bert Blyleven 8 (3rd-T)
ERA: Wally Bunker 2.76 (10th)
Strikeouts: Bert Blyleven 74 (1st)
Saves: Clemons, Fingers 5 (7th-T)
*******

Major Injuries
NYY-CF Tommie Agee (84) [30] (.280 4-20 9) - Season
CAL-RF John Matias (74/77) [28] (.000 0-0 0 in 7 AB) - September

PHI-1B Gene Stone (85/86) [29] (.300 4-22 2) - Season
HOU-SP J.R. Richard (90/91) [22] (4-2 2.54 0) - July
SDP-1B Ed Goodson (86) [25] (.306 3-25 0) - July
*******

Trades
NYM-WAS: Two minor leaguers (2xRP)
WAS-NYM: RP Jack Dilauro (76/78) [30] (0-2 1.84 0)

KCR-CAL: C Jerry Grote (75) [30] (Last played 1972)
KCR-CAL: RF Reggie Walton (59/93) [20] (Last played 1972)
KCR-CAL: 2B Junior Kennedy (70/95) [22] (Last played 1972)
CAL-KCR: SP Mike Adamson (75/93) [25] (Last played 1972)

BOS-CLE: 3B Carmen Fanzone (87) [29] (.247 5-15 1)
CLE-BOS: One minor leaguer (SP)
*******

Milestones
CLE-SP Sam McDowell (84) [30] (8-5 4.45 1) - 2000 K

CIN-1B Lee May (95) [30] (.302 10-45 1) - Hit for the Cycle
CIN-CF Felipe Alou (81) [38] (.254 3-16 2) - 2000 H
PHI-LF Dick Allen (93) [31] (.302 14-32 1) - 300 HR
*******

Notable Retirements
Clete Boyer (3B, Free Agent): 36 years, 17 seasons
1973: DNP (Unsigned after released by Brewers last year)
Career: .244 161-648 40: 1361 H
Teams: KC Athletics (55-57), Yankees (59-66), Braves (67-71), Indians (71), Brewers (72)
Awards: Gold Glove (69)

Claude Raymond (RP, Detroit): 36 years, 12 seasons
1973: DNP
Career: 57-49 3.21 2 CG 74 SV: 559 K
Teams: White Sox (59), MIL Braves (61-63), Astros (64-67), Braves (67-71)
Awards: All Star (66, 70)

Dick Kelley (RP, Free Agent): 33 years, 8 seasons
1973: DNP (Released by Pilots in April)
Career: 16-22 3.30 4 CG 4 SV: 320 K
Teams: MIL/ATL Braves (64-68), Padres (69-70)
Awards: All Star (69)

Earl Wilson (SP, Free Agent): 38 years, 13 seasons
1973: DNP (Unsigned after released by Padres last year)
Career: 135-129 3.92 66 CG: 1693 K
Teams: Red Sox (59-60, 62-66), Tigers (66-70), Padres (71-72)
Awards: All Star (69)
*******

Created Players

Will Thompson (1B, Kansas City) (93) [21] is currently serving a suspension for shoving a player. He leads the team in HR and RBI batting .300 14-43 1. He will probably take over the cleanup spot upon his return.

Colin Merritt (SP, Cincinnati) (85/93) [21] has suffered a setback and is now back in the spot start position in Cincy's rotation. Nonetheless he's 6-2 5.30 with 1 CG and has earned 57 K.

Michael Tatlock (C, Montreal) (68/90) [18] is still 'stuck' on the bench behind another catcher. An NTC prevents easy movement to another team. He's currently 0/1 on the year, having played in 2 games.

[YEAH DAAAAWG]

1. i already know
2. i already know
3. i already know
4. i already know
im not a mogul novice...

O O O!!!
the era is the thingie... aha, cuz my 1993 team is getting shattered...

Well you asked.

I'm just speculating here, but since your team is an expansion team, as POC said its made up mostly of castoffs, has-beens, should-have-beens, and never-weres, so the team probably isn't that talented. However, in addition to that, because your team probably isn't that good your players probably aren't too happy, and I'm assuming that you haven't touched the Happiness Effect on Performance setting, so that may be affecting your player's, and consequently your team's, performance negatively.

Just a thought .

[CatKnight]

DAWWG: Perhaps. His team seems to be doing better now though.
*******
Early June 1973


Just in case the world's not strange enough, Gary Gregg called me: "What do you know of Eddie Chiles?"

The name rang a bell, but God knows from where. "Nothing. Why?"

"Wasn't he in charge of the bid to move the Senators to Dallas?" Gregg asked snappishly.

"I...maybe, Gary. You'd have to ask Bob Short. He never addressed who was sponsoring the move, just that he didn't think the Sens could survive with the Orioles next door...why?"

"You haven't talked to Brett Carter lately?" Gregg said.

Brett was Minnesota's GM before Andy took over. Where did he end up? Ah... "San Diego? Nope. He's in your league now. I haven't had any dealings with them since last July."

"Brett announced that the Padres are looking for new owners, and Eddie Chiles is at the head of the list."

"Ahh.." I knew Dallas wanted a team. Badly. I didn't know they were contacting owners directly now. "Well...what do you think?"

"I'm beginning to think the entire '69 expansion was a mistake," he growled. "Seattle goes bankrupt, your stadium blows up, baseball in Quebec of all places, and now this."

"Are they in trouble financially?" Stupid question, and Gary reminded me of it.

"Of the 12 teams, 11 are losing money so far thanks to the f-ing arbitration rules. Now, San Diego is the one more or less breaking even...but they also have the smallest cash reserve. One good setback, and..."

"I understand. I don't know much about Chiles unfortunately. Maybe you should call Washington."

"Thanks, and Chuck? Keep this under your hat for now."
*******

Not difficult, as Boeing Corp. once more began their ruse de guerre. Only I'm not sure it's a ruse anymore. They announced that if King County, Washington wasn't going to honor their commitment to build a new stadium with the bonds passed in 1968 and collected since then, then the Pilots wanted out.

I wonder if Eddie Chiles is talking to them as well. Charlie Finley in Oakland called to pick my brain on the matter. Unfortunately, my only real contact in Seattle was former GM Kevin Calahan, who now worked for Finley.

"I don't know what they're doing," I said. "I imagine it's a bluff. Boeing doesn't want to anger that many people so close to their headquarters, and the Pilots are doing pretty well." Relatively speaking anyway.

Finley for once sounded serious. "I'm not sure, Chuck. Boeing - the company itself - has lost money and backers since Nixon announced he wanted to end the Apollo program. Maybe they're getting tired of waiting for the Pilots to turn around, especially with all of us losing money." In our league Washington was the only one to show a profit so far.

I wanted to ask about Eddie Chiles, but Finley's about as trustworthy as a rabid politician. "Do you think Dallas is bidding for the Pilots?"

"That wouldn't surprise me," Finley said. "That, and I'm sure there are those who'd like to see Chicago rejoin the league. Other cities as well perhaps."
*******

Milwaukee (31-22) (1st, +1g) at Kansas City (26-27) (3rd, -5g)

5/31: Royals 8-3 Northrup gets all their runs on a ninth inning blast, while we score seven in the first three innings. Cardenal goes 4 for 5, Russell and Torre also get 3 hits.
WP: Bunker (3-3), HR: Torre (7), Cardenal (3)

6/1: Royals 13-4 Blyleven did fine until we had a 10-0 lead after 3, when he got lazy. Hart and Piniella both had 3 hits, a homer, and 4 RBI/3 RBI respectively. Russell, White and those two scored at least two runs each.
WP: Blyleven (9-4), HR: Hart (11), Piniella (2)

6/2: Brewers 5-3 This time they're the ones who luck out early, leaving us trying to battle back. Alas a complete lack of power does us in.
LP: Splittorff (5-6)
*******

I called Will Thompson into my office to see if he was ready to resume his career. It actually restarted yesterday: He pinch hit for Splittorff, singled and eventually scored.

"Did you miss me?" he demanded.

"We're 4-1 since you were suspended," I replied. "You pinch hit in the loss."

"Ouch," he smirked. "But seriously, you missed me."

"Clubhouse wasn't the same." That was true. No practical jokes. No lip. Well, no more lip than normal. "I'm sure Jim Ray's happy to have you back."

"He's just jealous," Thompson grinned. "You know if Jack hadn't suspended me I'd be leading the league in home runs."

"Maybe, but that wouldn't change the fact we're in third place." I leaned forward. "Will, leading the team in this or that, or even the league, is fine. Great. But we're a team first. That shirt on your back doesn't say 'Will' on it."

"No! It says Thompson! See?" He stood and turned.

"Sit down!" I grimaced. "Will, I don't want you to provoke Jim Ray any more. Or anyone else. Just shut up and do your job. Hell, you're not even the best player on the team."

"Eh!?"

"Frank White." I held up my paper with Bill James' Win Shares. Not that I had any clue how he calculated them.

"White's cool. But he's not ME."
*******

Oakland (33-23) (1st, +1g) at Kansas City (28-28) (3rd, -5g)

3: Royals 8-6 Gene Tenace got all six of Oakland's RBIs including a grand slam as they battled back from a 6-0 deficit to nearly tie it 7-6. Kelly led the way with 4 RBI and one of the team's three HR.
WP: Butler (7-3), SV: Clemons (6), HR: Thompson (15), Kelly (5), Cardenal (4)

4: Royals 3-2 Bunker gave up 3 hits in 8 innings, giving us time to tie it at 1 after 8. They scored one in the ninth off Clemons, then the A's fell apart in the ninth giving up a double and two singles with two outs. White had three doubles.
WP: Clemons (2-1)

5: A's 6-5 Oakland prevents what would have been a beautiful sweep by scoring three in the eighth to take a 6-5 lead. Torre led the losing effort going 3 for 4 with 2 runs and RBIs. Hart's error accounts for three unearned runs, as had he made his play Lefebvre wouldn't have hit a three-run blast in the third to give Oakland a 3-1 lead.
LP: Blyleven (9-5), HR: Torre (8)
*******

I followed the team to Minnesota to catch up on Andy Kraft. He seemed happy to see me - in truth I think he wanted to show off. He gave me the grand tour of the Twins' executive offices, as if I've never walked through them before when talking to his predecessor.

"Dale called me," he said when we were alone. "She says you think the scoreboard blew up for a reason."

Well, no sense denying it. I told him what little I learned.

His smile broadened. "I knew there was nothing wrong with that scoreboard when I left!"

I grimaced. "Yes, but that doesn't explain why."

He shook his head. "That I don't know. I have a suggestion though. You have a long road stand coming up don't you?"

I nodded. "We're off the thirteenth, go to Seattle for three, off a day, then here for three more."

Kraft's eyes narrowed. "Eight days should be enough time. I think the answer's somewhere in the stadium. If you're suspicious about this contractor, then that would be where I'd look. He did most of the wiring for the place, so we need to make sure they haven't done anything else to sabotage it."

"We?"

He grinned. "Of course. I helped build the damn thing. I don't want someone knocking it down and making me look bad!"
*******

Kansas City (30-29) (3rd, -4g) at Minnesota (28-33) (6th, -8g)

7: Royals 5-0 Steve Busby gets his first start in over a month and produces a three-hit complete game shutout. Thompson leads the offense with a hit and three walks, while White scores two runs and gets an RBI.
WP: Busby (2-4)

8: Royals 12-1 This time it's Butler giving up 4 hits in 7.2 IP, but it's our sixteen hit offense that is the story of the day. Thompson goes 3 for 4 with 2 R, 4 BI. Robinson and White both have 3 hits, 2 R, 2 BI. Robinson's hits are all doubles. Former Royal Al Fitzmorris goes 5 innings before we chase him off the field.
WP: Butler (8-3), HR: Thompson (16)

9: Royals 9-1 Blyleven gets a CG of his own. Thompson and Cardenal have 3 hits, Hart gets 4 RBI.
WP: Blyleven (10-5), HR: White (8), Hart (12)
*******

And so we continually slowly creeping up on the A's and Brewers. I'm afraid to look.
*******

California (30-32) (4th, -6g) at Kansas City (33-29) (3rd, -3g)

10: Royals 5-2 That's now three complete games in four days as Splittorff joins the club. Robinson and White both get two runs as we close to within two.
WP: Splittorff (6-6)

11: Angels 7-6 Well, it had to happen. We never recover from a six run third as the 'pathetic' Bill Butler shows up. Surprisingly we battle back to tie it at six, but reliever Jim York wastes Doug Bird's near perfect three innings trying to save Butler. White goes 4 for 5 with a double and triple, as he and Piniella get 2 RBI.
LP: York (1-2), HR: Torre (9)

12: Royals 5-4 We take the rubber match, but not by much as Clemons gives up a run in the ninth to try and blow his save. Of the three runs Bunker surrendered, only one was earned. On our end, Thompson went 2 for 2 with 2 BB, a R, HR and 2 RBI.
WP: Bunker (4-3), SV: Clemons (7), HR: Thompson (17)
*******

Standings (June 14)
Oakland (38-27)
Milwaukee (37-29) (1.5)
Kansas City (35-30) (3)
California (32-34) (6.5)
Seattle (28-36) (9.5)
Minnesota (28-37) (10)

ALE: Baltimore (42-24), Cleveland (-5g), Detroit (-9.5g)
NLE: Chicago (38-27), St. Louis (-1g), Philadelphia (-2.5g)
NLW: Houston (36-30), San Francisco (-0.5g), Atlanta (-0.5g)

[Coach Owens]

My guy is so cool!

[RedsoxRockies]

Can I make a guy?