The Directors Cut, Season 2, Part 2
POST 199
The team turns around. This is one of those happy coincidences that come up from time to time. If the team went out and lost 5 straight I likely would have written in a new clubhouse problem spun-off from the “Long Bat” thing. I am glad it worked out this way.
POST 203
In a complete fabrication, A.G. inadvertently shows Richard Nixon how to handle a crisis. Following these steps will cause Nixon to resign a few years later. The Mick Fleetwood line is a real stretch, but what the heck.
POST 208
The Yanks sweep the Red Sox. But, Thurman Munson has a season ending injury. When playing the game and this injury occurred I actually felt ill. Thurman was to be a center piece of this dynasty and the second half of the 71 season would have been focused on developing his character. It took me quite a while resolve to continue writing the dynasty. I had toyed with the idea of having a vengeful Nixon sending Munson’s reserve unit to Vietnam. But, after Post 203, I had Nixon liking the Yanks instead of hating us, so I could not justify turning that around. So, I kept with the conventional injury.
POSTS 209-214
Reactions to the Munson injury.
POST 215
Forced into a situation by the Munson injury. I have the Yankee “Brain Trust” examine the options for replacing Munson. I offer the choices as a readers post.. I thought the poll was a cool idea.
POST 216
The Poll was inconclusive. So A.G. combines the ideas and comes up with a plan.
The Yanks sweep the Orioles and take over first place! Yes, I was stunned.
POST 217
I have always loved the Bill Gallo cartoons. This one was from 1972.
POST 218
A.G and Clyde Klutz prepare for the draft and the Yanks win streak reaches 12 games.
POST 219
The photo is from 1972.
POST 222
The Draft. I always find the temptation of drafting a Hall-of-fame caliber player like Jim Rice a tough one. But, given the information available to A.G. Mike and Clyde taking Warren Cromartie made sense.
POST 223-227
Draft reaction and comments.
POST 228
The standings and stats for May.
POST 229- 230
The real Yanks and the Meadowlands had an on again, off again, romance. Mike Burke used the leverage to get the city to commit to a renovation of Yankee Stadium. With a lull in the story line, I figured I would launch that plot twist here.
POST 231
George Pfister will play a bigger role later in the story. I have to put some Phil Rizzuto commentary into an away game.
POST 232
I can not tell you how many times the Indians offered Tony Perez to the Yankees. Now, Tony Perez was a heck of a player, so I looked carefully at it. But, you know when you are on a diet and someone keeps offering you cake it gets annoying.
POST 237
The Yanks try to solve the pitching problems. I loved writing dialog for Jim Turner. Jim was a big league pitcher from 1937-1945, had managed in the minors in the 40s and in 1960, and had been a big league pitching coach for over 20 years. So, I write him as the old curmudgeon of the staff.
POST 238
This photo inspired the reason for Dave Pagan’s injury. Just like Stan Bahnsen’s chair did back in 1970.
POST 240
The stadium renovation plot plugs along and more injuries must be filled.
POST 242
I resign a number of players
POST 244
Alvin Dark was both field manager and general manager of the Indians, the type of thing that died in baseball in the 1970’s. (Though Mike Holgrem and others did it in football much more recently.) I paint Al Dark as overworked a desperate.
POST 245-246
The New York papers always made a big deal about Billy Martin in the early 70s. The Bruce Stark cartoon features both Billy and Ralph, making it one of my favorites from the time period.
POST 247
The City Council President actually made the suggestion that all the New York Baseball and Football teams share Shea. I wonder how he envisioned Sundays in September?
POST 248
Even though the Yanks had a 6.5 game lead here. I figured they would collapse before the end of the season.
POST 249
Yes the Twins organist did play “Up on a House Top” when Phil Roof came up to bat. It was a primitive forerunner of the individualized music played for modern players.
POST 250
In another happy coincidence, this cartoon was an exact match for Murcer’s lone selection in the All Star vote.
POST 252
The All Stars are congratulated. The team continues to win. Ed Herrmann is hurt.
POST 257
The All Star Break. Again I revisit the Delaware Water Gap. There was a Tocks Island Dam project that caused Camp Pahaquarra to be closed. However, the Dam was never built. (I suspect environmentalists). The baseball superstition discussion foreshadows the role superstition takes in the World Series.
POST 258
A.G. and Ralph decide go after a right-handed centerfielder.
POST 259
A.G. decides to trade Doc Medich. The Team rolls on.
POST 260
The Medich - Stanley deal. The inclusion of Elliot Maddox was the key to this one. I always try to get players that actually played for the Yanks.
POST 264
A Trade always calls for Headlines. Ron Woods asks to be traded.
POST 265
Ron Woods - Bernie Allen deal. In the real world the Washington Senators had an outright revolt against Ted Williams as manager. Ted always had a hard time realizing most hitters were not as talented as he was. Bernie Allen was part of that group of players.
Jim Mason would also play for the Yankees.
POST 266
More headlines, and yes I enjoyed writing them. The roster is shuffled.
POST 267-268
Game results as the lead stretches to 7 Games. Toby Wright, the organist, is introduced as A.G. plants a seed. We’ll see more of Toby later.
POST 269
Wild trades at the trading deadline. Pomp and Circumstance is introduced. (This became Sparky’s entry music in 1972 and while that may seem mundane today, it was a first at the time.) The Red Sox are swept effectively ending their pennant hopes.)
POST 271-272
Trying to get use to the idea that this team may win the pennant.
POST 273
Ticket prices rears its ugly head again. More injuries to the starting pitchers. Steve Kline joins Guidry in the rotation.
POST 274
A trip to California. I visit Disneyland.
POST 275
Trying to hold a lead, and getting swept in Detroit.
POST 276
After the 5th straight loss, A.G. tries to loosen up the team with some comedy. Billy Crystal (who is a huge Yankee Fan in the real world) is introduced. Billy was playing stand-up at the Improv at this time, it is not too much of a stretch to imagine what his reaction to having the whole Yank teams come in to see him.
POST 277
The loosened up team gets back on track.
POST 278
The cartoon ran in 1971. Thought it applied.
POST 279
September call-ups are decided and the Red Sox try to make it interesting.
POST 280
Another monthly recap. Not my favorite post to write, a necessary evil.
POST 281
The Yanks take revenge on Joe Verbanic.
POST 284
Ralph and A.G. don’t often disagree, in this post Ralph reminds A.G. of his place. The Red Sox make a rush.
POST 289
The Red Sox win their 10th straight but, the Yanks still hold them off. Dave Pagan’s injury gives Vida Blue another chance.
POST 290
The Red Sox collapse. The Pennant is in sight.
POST 291
The AL East is clinched. I spent a lot more time on this big game trying to capture the euphoria on the field and in the club house. The pictures are from 1972 when the Yankees actually celebrated clinching 2nd Place!
POST 294
Lyle’s injury is revealed. A.G. again gives line-up advice. The season winds down to an end. Graig Nettles takes over the Homerun lead.
POST 295
A.G. and Ralph finalize the Playoff Roster. Howard Cosell previews the playoffs. This was another fun sequence to write. Cosell was Americas number 1 national sports annalist. He did all the big events, Boxing, Football and Baseball. I tried to a capture Howard’s use of the language. We have the first reference to the “Twin Terrors” a play on the then just opened New York Twin Towers.
POST 296
One thing that the New York Yankees do better than any team in any sport is stay connected to their storied past. Here Mrs. Ruth and Mrs. Gerhig are the connections. In the second game Murcer and Nettles prove equal to the Ruth-Gerhig comparison.
POST 302
The Yankees win the AL Pennant. This was far more than I expected of this team.
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