To Rule in KC II: A New Dawn

[SrMeowMeow]

I want a guy too!

[dannymac910]

I want a guy too!

Are you gay?

[CatKnight]

RSR, SrMeowMeow: Normally I'd say 'wait until the end of the season,' but since we're right AT the amateur draft I suppose we can go ahead.

I've PMed you the worst 5 teams in the Majors for '72-'73 (weighting 1973 equally) and what appears to be their most immediate needs. Please PM me your name, team, position, and if there's anything special you'd like me to at least try for. (Good stealer, etc.)

These will be the last 'homegrown' characters until someone retires or is clearly deteriorating. I don't want to overwhelm the historical players too badly.

dannymac: And if he is, that's bad?
*******

1973 AMATEUR DRAFT


Before we get much further, let's talk about the Amateur Draft.

Going into the draft, I was looking for a first baseman who could eventually back up Thompson. I also wouldn't say no to strong starting pitchers and infielders. The latter seemed to be in short supply this year.

Before the draft I tried talking to John Young again. Young (79/80) [24] played for the Tigers from 1969-72, but remained unsigned due to his high salary demands. He's a good prospect, having gone .293 17-79 last year with 3 SB, but he doesn't really want to be anyone's backup, and his salary demands are simply too high.

Our conversation went roughly as follows:

"My client would like $75,000 for the rest of this year, prorated, to play for your club."

"Considering how many good players are still in free agency, perhaps $45,000 is more reasonable."

"If you're not going to take this seriously, neither are we. We want $76,000 with a player's option for '74."

"Last bid: $55,000."

"We laugh in your general direction. However, we are willing to drop the player's option if you give us $81,000!"

"Tell your client to enjoy his year off."

We're still seriously overbudget. I can afford to use Torre and Robinson to back up Thompson for the rest of the year.
*******

So the draft came and went. The top picks were:

1) SEA: SP Dennis Martinez (70/93) - Good endurance and defense. Boeing's starting him in C-ball.
2) MON: SP Bryn Smith (59/83) - Not much to say. A generally solid player considering his inexperience.
3) PIT: SP Jack Morris (67/93) - Excellent endurance, and hasn't missed a day of school since third grade. In a fit of desperation the Pirates have made him their spot-starter.
4) SD: SS Robin Yount (68/93) - Another player who just doesn't get sick, he starts in C-ball.
5) WAS: SP Erik Debrackel (72/82) - Good endurance and defense. The Sens have him as THEIR spot-starter.

6) ATL: RP Greg Harris (61/92) - Projects to be a power pitcher with 42K in 33 IP as a senior.
7) CLE: RP Sandy Wihtol (47/92) - Generally solid with good defense and a decent bat.
8) MIN: 1B Scott Ullger (49/84) - Another solid player, with a .400 BA as a senior. Gets sick a lot.
9) PHI: LF Lonnie Smith (56/86) - Very fast and a good eye for the ball.
10) CIN: 1B Rafael Santo Domingo (51/94) - Another sickly player with no real bonuses or weaknesses.

Kansas City Picks

1) CF Dwayne Murphy (60/93) - Ensuring long term strength in the outfield (or at least a good trade), good arm and a decent eye for the ball. Batted .438 as a senior.

2) SP Gorman Heimueller (48/93) - Anyone with that mouthful of a last name has to be tolerably tough. Already (as of June 14) 1-1 with a 3.09 ERA in two starts. Decent power and defense.

3) 1B Marshall Brant (50/82) - Spent some time in HS in Japan. Again, good arm and a decent eye for the ball.

4) RP Renie Martin (49/86) - Rarely gets sick and never injured. Good defensive player and an excellent hitter as pitchers go.

5) C Pat Kelly (72/75) - No relation to our OF. No major strengths or weaknesses.

6) 2B Todd Chiste (51/72) - Our oldest draftee at age 20, Chiste strikes out a little too often and batted .216 as a college freshman. We'll see if he lasts.

[CatKnight]

Mid June 1973


In Lake Geneva, Wisconsin Dave Arneson and E. Gary Gygax were busy expanding on a paragraph or two about fantasy creatures in their 'Chainmail' miniatures game to allow for Tolkien style heroic combat and sorcery. In 1974 they published the first three digest-sized brown paperbacks of their 'Dungeons and Dragons' game, and the rest would be history.

Naturally I didn't know of this, but if I had I could have sympathized for deep within the bowels of Royals Stadium a small party of 'adventurers' sought their fame and fortune...or at least the answers to a few questions.

Security Chief Art McBair led the way, flanked on either side by Andy and myself with Scott Mackiewicz, the stadium engineer/head groundskeeper, taking up the rear. With the Twins in Oakland, Andy had a few days off. Similarly, I didn't follow the Royals to Seattle. I figure between Jack McKeon and Joe Torre, they can take care of themselves.

Overhead lights flickered dimly as we descended below the concourse by the right field waterfall. Andy spoke softly as we walked, explaining what he knew of the machinery that pushed the water to and fro as well as the large storage tank. Cold, grey metal and shaped like a tanker truck sans cabin and wheels, it lived near thick, shielded trunks of wires leading skyward into the scoreboard.

"If something was wrong, I'd know it," Mackiewicz complained. He turned on a flashlight and ran it over the surface of the tank. "No water on the ground. We're fine."

"Let's try over here," Andy said. He indicated an unlit corridor that led towards left. "We should eventually hit the plumbing and wiring for the far side of the concourse."

We all turned our flashlights on and proceeded, McBair in the lead. Smooth concrete. A single metal wire trunk ran over our heads, and I nearly struck mine on one of the junction boxes where another trunk broke off and disappeared into the cement.

"Where does that go?" I asked, turning to Mackiewicz. He looked nervous. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine!" he snapped. "Goes across the playing field and connects with the concourse in section 114. Can we go now?"

Maybe he didn't like closed spaces. Certainly I was starting to feel it. "Let's move on."

And so it went until we were under the concourse. Here a series of wire trunks and plumbing pipes fought for space. Several breaches led into the city's electrical, plumbing and sewage systems. The latter smelled about as you'd expect.

As we continued our sweep Scott grew more agitated. "We should go!"

"What's wrong?" I asked. He was sweating now.

"I don't like being down here, okay?!"

Curious trait in my engineer, but it confirmed my earlier suspicion. "We should be about to turn." We'd proceeded down the third base side of the concourse, and up ahead I could see a sharp bend in our corridor. "We'll continue up the other side, then we'll be..."

"No! Fool!" He looked wildly back and forth, then turned and fled up the corridor.

"Mr. Mackiewicz!" I shouted.

"I'll get him!" Andy offered, racing in pursuit.

"But..." So the man was afraid of closed spaces? It wasn't that big a deal...unless... "Andy!" I took off after him, with Art on my tail. I could hear nothing but my breathing and pounding footsteps. Ahead Andy's light faltered, then steadied on Mackiewicz's face and arm long enough for me to see he was holding his own flashlight like a weapon. He struck Andy across the face. Kraft's flashlight fell and went out. Mackiewicz doused his and fled blindly.

I shined my light on Andy and knelt next to him as McBair vaulted over both of us in pursuit. Blood flowed freely from a scalp wound. He grinned at me. "I hit him first."

"Hang in there. I'm going to get help."

His grin broadened, then faded. He closed his eyes and slumped.

"Andy! Don't you dare die, you son of a b****!"

He opened his eyes and regarded me as if I'd gone mad. "I'm fine," he muttered. "Just tired."

McBair reappeared. "He got away. Ran upstairs, and is probably still going."

"Help me with him. He's injured."

"I'm fine," he repeated. I now had some experience with head wounds though, and didn't feel like taking chances. Whatever panicked Mackiewicz would have to wait a little longer.

[CatKnight]

Late June 1973


Andy went back to Minnesota to rest. Doc Grissom says he's fine, just a bit scratched up. Andy thinks it'll make him more popular with the girls up there, and he's probably right.

Mackiewicz has disappeared off the face of the planet. Art McBair and his security team have closed off the stadium's 'basement' to all but emergency repair work until we can get this resolved. There's some routine maintenance that needs doing, but it'll wait.

Joe Cronin called to let me know the Pilots have a potential buyer in....Chicago! The Allyn brothers, former owners of the White Sox, want back in. Boeing Corp. is said to be discussing the matter with them now. I don't know if Kings County knows (or if they care.)
*******

Scratch that. When the Royals arrive at Sicks Stadium they're mobbed by a...well, mob of protestors waving signs concerning American League greed. A reporter asks manager Jack McKeon for a comment. Apparently it wasn't printable.

Sicks Stadium, the point of contention between the AL and first Kevin Calahan, then Boeing, is...well, getting old. Rust covers the supports and girders. I don't think it'll fall any time soon, but it is a bit of an eyesore. Add to that its minor league appearance, with temporary seating shoved into the outfield behind the wall to bring Sicks up to Major League capacity, and you have a problem. Now add in Seattle's wet climate.

A gentle sprinkle, not enough to slow down a game in K.C., let alone here, fell as our boys took the field...
*******

Kansas City (35-30) (3rd, -3g) at Seattle (28-36) (5th, -9.5g)

14: Royals 10-8 Blyleven falls apart in the seventh, but by then the damage is done. White goes 3 for 6 with 2 runs and 5 RBI.
WP: Blyleven (11-5), SV: York (4), HR: White (9)

In that game, freshly acquired 2B Ivan Rosmekov debuts for Seattle and goes 2 for 5 with a double, two runs and an SB

15: Royals 7-4 A four run seventh led by Jim Ray Hart's three run blast lifts us past the struggling Pilots. Again the starter doesn't necessarily deserve the win, as Splittorff leaves losing 4-3, but reliever Cy Acosta doesn't come in until after we've taken the lead.
WP: Splittorff (7-6), SV: Acosta (2), HR: Hart (13)

16: Royals 5-2 We score five in the third on homers by White and Frank Duffy. That's all we need, as despite ten hits the Pilots have trouble bringing people home.
WP: Butler (9-3), SV: Clemons (8), HR: White (10), Duffy (1)
*******

Well, we're still in third place....HALF GAME behind Milwaukee AND Oakland.
*******

Kansas City (38-30) (3rd, -0.5g) at Minnesota (31-37) (5th, -7.5g)

18: Twins 4-2 (10) Ow. Minnesota ties in the ninth, then wins when Rick Dempsey hits a homer off Lance Clemons.
LP: Clemons (2-2)

19: Twins 8-2 OW. Splittorff falls apart, again in the seventh. Our offense just isn't there, with White getting two hits and Hart a homer. Former Royal Al Fitzmorris gets his revenge by pitching a CG.
LP: Splittorff (7-7), HR: Hart (14)

In Pittsburgh, new LHP Oscar Heller's debut doesn't go well as he gives up 6 R in 6.2 IP with 7 H and 2 HR.

20: Royals 3-1 We prevent a sweep, nickel and diming our way to victory despite only getting five hits. Butler put together an outstanding performance. White and Robinson combined for four of our hits, two runs and two RBI.
WP: Butler (10-3), SV: Clemons (9)
*******

That didn't go so well. No time for tampering with the stadium now, as the team comes home to meet up with one of the hottest teams in baseball.
*******

Baltimore (45-27) (1st, +6g) at Kansas City (39-32) (3rd, -2g)

21: Orioles 7-5 (10) I'm starting to have my doubts about Clemons, as he blows another extra inning game. No particular heroes in our offense, as everyone but our pitching puts up a credible effort.
LP: Clemons (2-3), HR: Torre (10)

22: Orioles 4-2 O's SP Jim Palmer controls this game through eight. Will Thompson gets both of our runs on a two-run shot in the fourth.
LP: Blyleven (11-6), HR: Thompson (18)

23: Orioles 2-1 The kind of game you hate to lose, as Splittorff put together an unusually (this year) good game. Our only run comes when Russell doubles home Torre.
LP: Splittorff (7-8)
*******

Fortunately Oakland and Milwaukee both stumble as well, so we don't fall as badly as we could have. Unfortunately, Thompson spikes his own foot and will miss about a week.
*******

Kansas City (39-35) (3rd, -3.5g) at Cleveland (40-35) (2nd, -8g)

24: Indians 10-7 Trailing 6-1, we come back to trail 7-6 before the Indians put us away. Our relief corps struggles, theirs doesn't. White had 4 RBI, Robinson 3 in a losing effort.
LP: Butler (10-4), HR: Robinson (7)

25: Royals 5-2 A big ninth led by White's 2 run single pushes us past Cleveland. Bunker pitches eight scoreless innings, while both runs Doug Bird gives up in the bottom of the ninth are unearned. (Kelly threw the ball away.)
WP: Bunker (5-3), HR: Hart (15)

26: Royals 7-5 Another offensive show on both sides. Of our eleven hits, there are three doubles, two triples and two homers. Hart and Robinson have the 2 triples and homers, while Piniella lead with 2 RBI.
WP: Blyleven (12-5), SV: York (5), HR: Hart (16), Robinson (8)
*******

Well, it had to happen. We'd been too lucky this season (or Doc Grissom was too good.) Our first major injury: Jose Cardenal sprained his ankle and possibly broke his foot slamming into the wall after an Indians hit. Doc says he'll miss one to two months.

After some shuffling around, Piniella moves into the starting lineup while Jim Ray Hart takes over first. Eric Soderholm, fresh from AAA, returns to third base.

Cardenal was batting .277 4 HR 22 BI 6 SB
*******

Boston (30-48) (5th, -20g) at Kansas City (41-36) (3rd, -3.5g)

28: Royals 5-2 Splittorff gives a solid performance as Hart and Soderholm each get two RBI. York pitches two innings of near perfect relief for the win.
WP: York (2-2), HR: Hart (17), Soderholm (3)

29: Royals 5-4 Butler struggles early, but we bounce back late in the game. PH Buck Martinez brings home Piniella in the ninth to give us our fourth straight win. York gets another two innings of near perfect ball.
WP: York (3-2), HR: White (11)

30: Royals 6-4 Bunker gives us 8.1 decent innings before leaving holding his elbow. White hits two homers with 3 runs and 3 RBI.
WP: Bunker (6-3), HR: White 2 (13)
*******

When the injury bug hits, it hits multiple times. Now we've lost Bunker for two weeks, so he'll go on the 15-day DL and I guess we'll see how Steve Busby does.
*******

COMMENTS: I probably won't post for a few days, so here are the divisional standings now.

Milwaukee (47-35)
Oakland (46-35) (0.5)
Kansas City (44-36) (2)
California (39-42) (7)
Minnesota (37-43) (9)
Seattle (35-45) (11)

ALE: Baltimore (52-29), Cleveland (-9), Detroit (-10)
NLE: Chicago (48-33), St. Louis (-0.5), New York (-6), Philadelphia (-6)
NLW: San Francisco (46-34), Houston (-5), Atlanta (-7.5), Cincinnati (-7.5)

[RedsoxRockies]

Ya! IVAN!

[CatKnight]

RSR: That was a great start for him. I 'watched' that game and was quite impressed.
*******

July 1, 1973
Standings

American East
Team            W    L    GB
Baltimore       52   29   --
Cleveland       43   38    9
Detroit         42   39   10
New York        40   41   12
Washington      30   51   22
Boston          30   51   22

American West
Team            W    L    GB
Milwaukee       47   35   --
Oakland         46   35    0.5
Kansas City     44   36    2
California      39   42    7.5
Minnesota       37   43    9
Seattle         35   45   11

National East
Team            W    L    GB
Chicago         48   33   --
St, Louis       47   33    0.5
Philadelphia    42   39    6
New York        42   39    6
Montreal        37   41    9.5
Pittsburgh      31   50   17

National West
Team            W    L    GB
San Francisco   46   34   --
Houston         42   40    5
Atlanta         39   42    7.5
Cincinnati      39   42    7.5
Los Angeles     39   43    8
San Diego       32   48   14

*******

American League Leaders
Average: Roy White (NYY) .375, Gary Holman (WAS) .364
HR: Carlton Fisk (BOS) 20, Two tied with 19
RBI: Carlton Fisk (BOS) 70, Dave Parker (SEA) 58
Steals: Ron LeFlore (CLE) 56, Two tied with 25

Wins: Three tied with 12
ERA: Mike Cuellar (BAL) 2.10, Jim Nash (OAK) 2.36
Strikeouts: Bert Blyleven (KC) 105, Sam McDowell (CLE) 97
Saves: Horacio Pina (CLE) 15, Chuck Seelbach (DET) 15

National League Leaders
Average: Bill Stein (STL) .370, Garry Jestadt (MON) .344
HR: Reggie Jackson (LA) 29, George Foster (SF) 27
RBI: Reggie Jackson (LA) 75, George Foster (SF) 71
Steals: Frank Taveras (PIT) 38, Joe Morgan (HOU) 32

Wins: Juan Marichal (SF) 12, Five tied with 9
ERA: Juan Marichal (SF) 2.49, Fergie Jenkins (CHC) 2.50
Strikeouts: Fergie Jenkins (CHC) 114, Tom Seaver (NYM) 103
Saves: Grant Jackson (PHI) 11, Gary Lavelle (SF) 11

Kansas City Royals Leaders
Average: Frank White .334 (5th)
HR: Will Thompson 18 (4th)
RBI: Will Thompson 56 (3rd-T)
Steals: Pat Kelly 9

Wins: Bert Blyleven 12 (1st-T)
ERA: Wally Bunker 2.59 (5th)
Strikeouts: Bert Blyleven 105 (1st)
Saves: Lance Clemons 9 (6th-T)
*******

Major Injuries
MON-RP Don Shaw (72/73) [29] (4-6 6.45 1 SV) - September

CLE-2B Horace Clarke (84) [33] (.172 0-15 13 SB) - Season
WAS-C Bill Fahey (75/87) [23] (.222 0-3 0) - August

MIN-SP Milt Pappas (76) [34] (1-4 6.71 0) - June 1974
OAK-SP Stan Williams (71/72) [36] (2-0 4.56 1 SV) - September
OAK-SP Dave Roberts (77/78) [28] (0-0 3.38 3 SV) - September
*******

Trades
MON-BOS: RP Tippy Martinez (72/82) [23] (Last played 1970 for NYY)
BOS-MON: SP Carl Motton (83) [29] (1-7 5.12 0)

PHI-BOS: SP Roger Moret (77/90) [23] (Last played 1972)
PHI-BOS: One minor leaguer (RP)
BOS-PHI: SP Jim Lonborg (89) [31] (5-5 4.96 2 CG)

MON-SD: C John Bateman (72/73) [32] (.241 1-8 0)
SD-MON: One minor leaguer (RP)
*******

Milestones
NYM-3B Van Kelly (76/79) [27] (.300 5-30 5) - Hit for the Cycle
LAD-CF Willie Davis (92) [33] (.270 7-37 4) - 2000 H
PHI-LF Dick Allen (93) [31] (.297 21-55 2) - 1000 R

BAL-1B Boog Powell (87) [31] (.234 10-50 0) - 300 HR
DET-2B Dick McAuliffe (92) [33] (.287 12-53 5) - 1000 R
SEA-RF Dave Parker (89/93) [22] (.292 14-58 4) - 22g Streak
*******

Notable Retirements
Ernie Banks (1B, Detroit): 42 years, 20 seasons
1973: .235 1-3 0 in 17 AB. (Signed May 10 from FA)
Career: .272 566-1786 56; 2821 H
Leaderboards: 4th Career HR
Teams: Cubs (53-70), Expos (71-72), Tigers (73)
Awards: All Star (55-62, 65, 67), Gold Glove (60), MVP (58, 59)

Phil Regan (RP, Free Agent): 36 years, 12 seasons
1973: DNP (Unsigned after released by Phillies last year)
Career: 90-81 3.85 20 CG 73 SV; 732 K
Teams: Tigers (60-65), Dodgers (66-68), Cubs (68-70), Phillies (71)
Awards: All Star (66)

Vic Davalillo (CF, Free Agent): 36 years, 10 seasons
1973: DNP (Unsigned after released by Astros last year)
Career: .276 32-267 107; 948 H
Teams: Indians (63-68), CAL/LA Angels (68-72), Astros (72)
Awards: Gold Glove (64), All Star (65)

George Spriggs (LF, Free Agent): 32 years, 3(!?) seasons
1973: DNP (Unsigned after released by Red Sox last year)
Career: .220 6-38 11; 76 H
Teams: Pirates (65-67), Royals (69-70)
Awards: None
*******

Created Players

Will Thompson (1B, Kansas City) (93) [21] has just come back from spiking his foot, the third time he's sat down this year. He's missed 11 games so far. Assuming he remains on board, he's the team's cleanup hitter batting .310 18-56 1 SB.

Colin Merritt (SP, Cincinnati) (85/93) [21] is still in the spot start position and hasn't pitched since May 22. He's 6-2 5.30 with 1 CG and has earned 57 K.

Michael Tatlock (C, Montreal) (68/90) [18] should have received a boost when the Expos (I..) traded away John Bateman. Instead the Expos found another backup catcher to share the bench with Tatlock. Tatlock's now played in 4 games, and is 0/3 for his career.

Oscar Heller (SP, Pittsburgh) (68/93) [19] has pitched in three games including his debut against the Astros on the 18th. He's currently their #3 man, though many fear the Pirates are pushing him too far, too fast. He's 1-1 5.82 ERA with 1 CG (on the 30th against St. Louis) and 9 K in 21.2 IP.

Ivan Rosmekov (2B, Seattle) (72/93) [17] has struggled after his amazing start against the Royals. Rosmekov is batting first in the Pilots' lineup, and is currently .154 0-1 with 7 SB (already second on the team.)

(Note: I suspect many of the ratings are off due to KC's scouting. New players are designed to enter play as 73/95s. I tried to clear the way for Tatlock to get more playing time, but the AI's not cooperating. Imgran: Do you want me to force-trade Tatlock, or should we wait to see what happens?)

[Coach Owens]

Wow, Merritt really is a great impersonation of you, Cat!

[gosensgo101]

Imgran: Do you want me to force-trade Tatlock, or should we wait to see what happens?)[/i]

Imgran? Did I die and leave Tatlock to Imgran in my will?

And, I don't care. Personally, I'd rather stick to my canadian roots (would make a good story if I ever did anything of merit one day). Who's their starter? (Age,Overall/Peak, time left on contract, etc.)

[CatKnight]

Coach: I keep waiting for Thompson to come down with a 16 month injury... I don't know if I'd be happy or sad.

gosensgo Sorry about that. It's been too long since I made him

The people ahead of Tatlock right this second are:

C Jim Pagliaroni (77/78) [35] (.271 6-35 0) - Earning $111K through 1973

...and the one that worries me.

C Terry Humphrey (75/95) [23] (.250 0-1 0) - Earning $18.3K through Arb 76
*******

Humphrey's been there all along. Looking at his vitals screen he was around (69/89) last year which would explain why I missed him until now.

What I could do is reverse the SD trade that was supposed to clear the way for Tatlock, and trade away HUMPHREY. That way Tatlock will still be on the bench, but the odds of him taking over the starting role in the next year or two improve. :rubs chin:

[gosensgo101]

gosensgo Sorry about that. It's been too long since I made him

The people ahead of Tatlock right this second are:

C Jim Pagliaroni (77/78) [35] (.271 6-35 0) - Earning $111K through 1973

...and the one that worries me.

C Terry Humphrey (75/95) [23] (.250 0-1 0) - Earning $18.3K through Arb 76
*******

Humphrey's been there all along. Looking at his vitals screen he was around (69/89) last year which would explain why I missed him until now.

What I could do is reverse the SD trade that was supposed to clear the way for Tatlock, and trade away HUMPHREY. That way Tatlock will still be on the bench, but the odds of him taking over the starting role in the next year or two improve. :rubs chin:

No hard feelings. First and foremost, I want any trade to make sense. Trading away Humphrey or myself would make the most sense I think, for a prospect elsewhere though, not a veteren though. Preferably its Humphrey who gets dealt. Of course, they could keep us both and have an awesome tandem once Pags is gone. Its your call really.

[Coach Owens]

Coach: I keep waiting for Thompson to come down with a 16 month injury... I don't know if I'd be happy or sad.

Just because you're jealous of my youth, how I'm actually in shape, and the fact that I have hair doesn't mean you have to kill Thompson!

[CatKnight]

gosensgo: Okay. I want to see what the Expos AI does until the deadline, then I'll think about what to do.

Owens: Yahyahyah
*******

Early July 1973

Boeing Corporation's negotiations with the Allyn brothers continue. If they buy out the Pilots, they would like to resurrect the White Sox.

On the other hand, Boeing's bid finally shook Kings County out of their torpor. The county commissioners will be meeting with company officials later this week to try and compromise. The Pilots are in our division's basement, as usual, but are much stronger than in previous years.
*******

The mystery here in Kansas City will have to wait. Hopefully we can resolve it during the All Star Break, though that'll be difficult with the game being played right here at Royals Stadium.
*******

"Come in?" I turned away from Milwaukee County Stadium towards the door leading to my guest box. Like in most stadiums the boxes were isolated from the main concourse by doors and security guards/valets. Nonetheless the knock startled me. Usually, other than hospitality staff asking me about food and pop, they left me alone.

Bud Selig walked in, all smiles. His hand trembled slightly as he shook mine though and he wouldn't quite meet my gaze. "How are you, Chuck?"

"I'm fine." What did Selig want? A trade? To confirm our ongoing, though mostly unnecessary, alliance against Charlie Finley's A's? "Have a seat." I turned back to the field where the Brewers warmed up while umpires and coaches checked the field.

Selig took a Coke and we sat in surprisingly amiable silence for a few minutes. Surprisingly, because this is the man who'd blackmailed me after the '71 season into allowing the White Sox to move. Finally Bud tired of waiting and turned to me. "What do you think of Boeing's plan?"

I glanced at him. "To sell the team?" He nodded. "It depends. I haven't talked to them, but I imagine they're hoping Kings County will go ahead and build them their stadium."

"If it's their idea of a bluff, that's fine," Bud said. "I won't let them sell the team to the Allyns though."

"What do you care? You have your team."

"Chicago's part of my market," he explained. "Further, last year nearly every game had protests of one sort or the other. It's not time to incite them. Last, we are still paying rent at Comiskey Park. I'm not going to let a rival in to my stadium."

I regarded Selig. He faced the field, but I could still read the intensity behind his gaze. "How do you plan to stop them?"

"I'll start by voting against it, of course." He faced me. "I would appreciate your help."

Or what? I thought. Instead, I said, "I would have to talk to Ewing."

"Yes," he said uneasily. "I know. Just remember the argument you gave me back in '70 against moving the Pilots then. You didn't want to deprive Seattle of baseball then. Do you really want to take them away now that they're actually starting to win?"
*******

Kansas City (44-36) (3rd, -2g) at Milwaukee (47-35) (1st, +2g)

1: Royals 4-3 The Brews take an early 2-0 lead, but Blyleven settles giving our offense time to recover. Hart caps off a two-run eighth giving us the lead for good.
WP: Blyleven (13-6), SV: York (6), HR: Hart (18), Robinson (9)

2: Royals 3-1 White and Kelly hit back to back doubles to put us up 2-0 in the third, and we never look back. Splittorff pitches 8.2 innings of near flawless ball. Oakland takes over first, with us and the Brews 0.5 GB.
WP: Splittorff (8-8), SV: Clemons (10), HR: Thompson (19)

In Montreal, C Michael Tatlock gets his first career hit in his fourth at bat. With two outs in the ninth inning of a 5-5 game against the Phils, he singles off Grant Jackson and steals second. Curtis Brown then singled to bring him home and win the game.

3: Brewers 8-3 The 'bad' Butler shows up. Monty Montgomery, our new spot starter, pitches 4 IP and doesn't make it much worse. Russell goes 2 for 4 with a double and RBI.
LP: Butler (10-5)
*******

Three sell out games. A close pennant race is good for the turnstiles. Given the financial crunch almost every single team is feeling, that's a good thing.

We run home to get ready for the Angels...and after them, the best in all of baseball.
*******

California (39-45) (4th, -9g) at Kansas City (46-37) (3rd, -1.5g)

5: Royals 7-4 I don't know which is sadder: The way Cal's Bob Gibson fell apart early, or the way Bert Blyleven collapsed late. Fortunately California RP Pedro Borbon's worse than both of them, and Robinson's HR puts it out of reach.
WP: Blyleven (14-6), HR: Robinson (10)

6: Angels 9-5 The Angels score nine in the fifth. What else is there to say?
LP: Splittorff (8-9)

7: Royals 5-4 Monty Montgomery gets his starting debut and doesn't falter until late. Soderholm gets a homer and 2 RBI.
WP: Montgomery (1-0), SV: Clemons (11), HR: White (14), Soderholm (4)
*******

Meanwhile, Oakland's practicing being invincible again. Sigh.
*******

Standings at the All Star Break

Oakland (52-36)
Milwaukee (50-38) (2)
Kansas City (48-38) (3)
Minnesota (39-47) (12)
California (40-48) (12)
Seattle (35-51) (16)

ALE: Baltimore (56-31), Cleveland (-10), Detroit (-11)
NLE: St. Louis (53-34), Chicago (-2), New York (-7.5)
NLW: San Francisco (48-38), Houston (-3), Cincinnati (-6), Los Angeles (-6)

[PotatoOfCouch13]

Uh oh. Looks like Selig has your figurative b*lls in a vice...

As for the team, being 3 back at the All-Star Break is not bad, considering where you were to start the season. There's no need to panic yet, but I'm sure you're thinking up some offers to see if you can get an extra body...

[CDuffy26]

Hopefully the Royals continue and rise to the top of the division. And I hope Selig goes and digs a hole and buries himself in it. If you ever, and I mean EVER elect him as comissioner, I will come into the diary and personally show you what I think of Selig...that is all.


Oh, and GO ROYALS!!!