The Major, The Captain & I - resurecting the Yanks

[OldYankFan]

July 19, 1970

Ralph and I arrive in Mike Burke's office at the same time. Mike waves us in and asks us to sit.

"I have been going over these salary projections you sent me A.G." Mike starts without preamble. "and since the trading deadline is fast approaching, I think it is time to unload some high priced talent."

"What!?!" Shouts the Major "We are in a pennant race, we should be..."

"We were in a pennant race." Mike interupts correcting him "this losing streak has shattered that dream."

"It's no dream!" Ralph snarls "We just need another starter, maybe a leadoff man and a good arm for the pen."

"Is that all?" Mike says sarcasticly "And then what, we finish 3rd instead of 4th? Look, Ralph, we were swept by the Senators! We are out of it."

"We go into a little slump and your panicing. You want to unload Stottlemyre? Murcer? Peterson? White?" Ralph asked "We won't compete for years."

"Look, attendance has been great," Mike explained "But, we can't expect people to turn out now that we are out of it. Look at these salary numbers!"

"We got rid of Pepitone, and Downing last year! How can we compete if you keep stripping the team?" Ralph snapped. "We need to be picking people up. I can't keep running Klimkowski or Verbanic out there, if I still had Al Downing..."

"We were out of the race last year, you know that Ralph." Mike said

Suddenly they both looked at me. "What do you think, A.G.?" they said together.

"I think your both wrong." I said quietly.

"What?!?" says Burke

"How can we both be wrong?" asked the Major.

"Look", I said "We really don't have anyone on the down hill side, unloading our top talent will just set us back. Not to mention alienating the fans. And the only thing we have to trade to get a top pitcher is a bunch of prospects, our minor leagues aren't stacked now. We would be bidding against all the contenders, we would have to give up alot."

"No, we should stand pat, try to close the race up again, give the young guys some experiance." I continued "It'll pay off next year. In the off season, maybe I can make some deals to fill in the holes when the price won't be so stiff."

"And Mike, we don't trade the young stars. We lockem in with long term contracts." I said "Prices are going up, and who knows what this Curt Flood thing is going to lead to."

Ralph nodded. Mike rubbed his chin.

"OK, A.G." Mike said "But, we have to try to beat these guys down on salary and the dead wood has to go. I am not paying for guys to hit .185."

"I got it" I said. I just hope it works.

[OldYankFan]

July 25, 1970

In Cleveland

Game 1, Ron Guidry deservers a better fate he gives up just 2 runs in 7 innings but Eric Raich and Dennis Higgins hold the Yanks to 5 hits and 1 run. Final 2-1 Cleveland. The ninth loss in a row.

Game 2 Mel Stottlemyre and Sparky Lyle turn the tables on the Indians and the losing streak finally comes to an end. It is Mel’s 12th win and Sparky’s 15th save. Final 2-1 Yanks.

Game 3 Ralph shuffles the lineup up. Horace Clarke and his anemic .205 batting average are dropped from lead-off to eighth, Jerry Kenny plays short and leads off. John Ellis spells Munson behind the plate, Ron Blomberg gives Roy White a day off and Danny Cater is moved to the clean-up spot. The team response with 6 runs including homeruns from Blomberg and Murcer. Fritz Peterson and Sparky Lyle hold the Indians in check. Final Score 6-3 Yanks. The team heads home to face the first place Red Sox.

Game 1 vs. Boston, Ralph reverts to his traditional line-up and only a ninth inning Bobby Murcer homerun keeps the Yanks from getting shut out. Ron Klimkowski is not up to the task again giving up 5 runs in 4 2/3rds innings, including Big Yaz’s 17th homerun of the year. The bullpen pitches valiantly but it is too late. Final 6-1 Red Sox.

Game 2 Ralph goes back to his shake up line-up but, Gary Peters has no problem with it. Yaz homers again and so does Bob Gallagher. Guidry, McDaniel and Aker can not keep the hot Sox bats quiet. 6-1 Red Sox, it is the Sox’s thirteenth straight win.

Game 3, Twelve game winner Mel Stottlemyre faces off against thirteen game winner, Jim Lonborg. Mike Andrews error leads to a five run Yankee 5th inning. Pete Ward hits number 13 for the Sox but it’s just a solo shot. Bobby Murcer hits number 15. Mel gets some help from Jack Aker. Final Score 7-2 Yankees.

Late in the game the Red Sox assistant GM stops by my box seat.

“I hear your interested in getting Pete Ward back.” he says.

“I didn’t know you got the Bergen Record in Boston.” I tell him “No, sorry not interested.”

I look up at the press box and sure enough, more writers are watching me than the game. We’ll see what they make up tomorrow.

[OldYankFan]

August 1, 1970
The Newark Star Ledger:
Houk: Yanks Not Out of it Yet!
Manager says Yanks poised for run.

New York Daily News:
Yanks ready for Major Charge!
Houk says Yanks can win Flag

New York Post:
Houk to AL East: Look Out
Major says Yanks can catch Leaders

Apparently after the Yanks victory over the Red Sox Ralph had an outburst of optimism. He told the assembled reporters that the Yankees were going to contend the rest of the year. The pronouncements kept my meeting with the Bosox AGM out of the papers. Speaking of AGMs why don’t I have one. I know, CBS is too cheap.

Game 1 against the Indians. Fritz Peterson returns to form, giving the Tribe fits. Even so he is behind 3-2 going into the eighth. In the bottom of the inning, Jerry Kenny gets a leadoff walk, Thurman Munson tags Mike Paul’s first pitch for a double. Roy White draws the intentional pass and Danny Cater lofts one to center for a sac fly to tie it up. Lyttle lined out but then Celereno Sanchez comes through with a RBI double. Al Dark orders Bobby Murcer intentionally passed, then called on Bob Miller to pitch. Houk counters with Graig Nettles pinch hitting for Clarke. Nettles works a bases loaded walk and that’s all the Yanks need. Lyle closes it out for save 17. Yanks win 5-3

Game 2 Ron Klimkowski takes the hill and pitches his best game. The Indians scratch out just one run and the Yanks pound Dick Elsworth for 7 runs. Yanks win 7-1, maybe they believe Houk.

Game 3 Ron Guidry’s record falls to 9 and 7 as the Indian bats wake up. 7-3 Tribe.

As the team heads to Minnesota on the off day. I field numerous calls from G.M.s from both leagues, some thinking we are sellers, some thinking we are buyers. Since no one is giving anything away, and most want way too much, I turn each one down. Even the Red Sox offer to send us back Pete Ward. He really must not fit in up there.

On the field in Minnesota before the game Phil Rizzuto is interviewing Bobby Murcer. A sudden clap of thunder scares the devil out of Phil he drops the microphone and runs. Bobby picks up the mike looks into the camera and says “We’ll be back after these words from our sponsor.” Quick thinking.

Game 1 Jim Kaat pitches well but Mel Stottlemyre pitches better. Celereno Sanchez hits homerun number 4. The Yanks win 3-2

Game 2 Fritz Peterson just can’t put back to back games together. He gives up 8 before he gets out of the 5th inning. The Yankees rally late but it is not enough. Twins win 8-7

Game 3 Ron Klimkowski is pounded again, and Luis Tiant baffles the Yanks all day. El Tiante strikes out ten in a 10-4 Twins win.

Thank goodness July is over. I hope August is a much better month.

[OldYankFan]

August 1, 1970

The Daily News gives me the end of July Standings...

AL EAST
Boston 67-39
Baltimore 64-42
Detroit 59-47
New York 55-46
Washington 50-58
Cleveland 36-71

AL WEST
Oakland 77-29
California 52-55
Minnesota 50-57
Milwaukee 46-60
Chicago 44-62
Kansas City 37-67

NL EAST
Pittsburg 62-45
New York 63-46
Philadelphia 55-54
Chicago 49-56
St Louis 48-59
Montreal 39-67

NL WEST
San Francisco 69-37
Atlanta 63-45
Cincinatti 57-51
Los Angeles 52-54
Houston 52-55
San Diego 32-74


The good news is we are still well over .500 the bad news... The red hot Red Sox have opened a big lead and we have slipped to fourth. And those dang Met's are tied for 1st.

It is apparent that no one will catch the A's and their Bay Area cousins the Giants are holding off the NL West.

The trading deadline has past and we stood pat. Playing the hand we were dealt. Dance with the one who brung ya. I always fall back on cliches when I'm worried.

[OldYankFan]

August 7, 1970

It is a warm summer night in the Bronx, the old Stadium looks great under the lights. Attendance has slipped a little since the salad days of June, but a very respectable crowd of 46,670 file in (many wearing sombreros) to see Ron Guidry face off with Dennis Leonard and the Kansas City Royals.

Game 1 Guidry is in fine form surrendering just one run on a Lou Piniella double in the 5th. The Yankees crack the game wide open in the bottom of that inning when Ralph calls back Stick Michael and sends Graig Nettles up to pinch hit with the bases loaded. The man the Newark Star Ledger said “may never play again” launches one into the upper deck of the short porch in right for a Grand Slam! 10-1 Yanks.

After the game I strolled up to the press box to see if I could catch the Star Ledger writer, to… well frankly to gloat. However, the press box was empty except for some long-haired kid wearing a Villanova t-shirt. He is busily scratching out what looks to be the words to a poem or song. Looking over his shoulder I saw…

Ralph was nimble, Ralph was quick, Ralph pinch hit for Gene the Stick, cause, power is a managers only friend.

He looked up kind-a embarrassed and said, “Uh, hi.”

“Hello, you can call me A.G.,” I smiled at him “I’m the Yanks General Manager.”

“Yeah? Wow man.” he said sticking out his hand. “Don, uh Don McLean, I, uh, work on the college newspaper, uh Villanova, so they let me into the press box for the game. I hope it’s not a problem.”

“Nope, not at all.” I said “always willing to accommodate the press. But, that doesn’t look like a story for the paper.”

“Well, it’s not really” he blushed “I like writing songs, and I have this tune running through my head, so I kind-a jot words down that fit the tune.”

“I doubt if there is much of a market for songs about the Yankees.” I said.

“Your probably right,” he sighed “but, just filling in words will let me move on with it. Who knows it may take years to finish.”

“Well, good luck with it” I said turning to go. “when you get if finished could you send me a copy?”

“Sure!” he brightened up. “See ya!”

Game 2 vs. the Royals, Mel Stottlemyre battles Dick Drago as each team manages just 2 runs off the starters. John Cumberland and Sparky Lyle hold the door closed in the late innings as does Ken Wright of the Royals till the bottom of the ninth. Then a Horace Clarke double followed one out later by a Roy White ground rule double, gives the Yanks a 3-2 win.

Game 3 Brooms and sombreros go together. Celereno Sanchez raises his average to .354 as both teams get the bats working and each pounds out 11 hits. Bobby Murcer hits number 16 on the season and that is the difference. Lindy McDaniel picks up the win in relief of Fritz Peterson. Sparky Lyle gets save number 19 as the Yanks sweep the Royals 7-6

We head to Baltimore, the Orioles are hot on the Red Sox heels just 2 games back.

Game 1, A lineup as good as the Orioles are just too much for Ron Klimkowski, Boog Powell, Paul Blair and Jim Fuller homer. Despite scoring six the Yanks fall 9-6. The Red Sox loss means the O’s are 1 back now.

Game 2, Ron Guidry scatters 7 hits showing poise beyond his years, Danny Cater gets a couple big RBI and Sparky gets save number 20. 3-1 Yankees

Game 3 When Mel Stottlemyre and Jim Palmer pitch you expect a low scoring game, not this time. In a wild windblown afternoon in Baltimore, Celereno Sanchez and Thurman Munson lead the way with a homerun each. Lindy McDaniel survives a late Oriole surge and the Yanks escape with a 8-7 win. That’s five of the last six, I am liking August better than July already.

[oriole^]

Looking good here, OYF! A lot of fun to read.

[OldYankFan]

Looking good here, OYF! A lot of fun to read.

Thank you! No surf, just the big city.

[OldYankFan]

August 18, 1970

There is a point in each season when there is no letup, no easy games, no mercy on you. We are coming to that point. 3 games at home against the runaway leaders in the West the Oakland A’s, 3 games in Fenway Park against the Eastern leading Red Sox, then the coast to coast trip to play 3 more in Oakland. 9 games against the best our league can throw at us. Deep breath, here we go.


Game 1, The 67,000 fans are here as much to see the phenomenal Oakland A’s as they are to see the Yankees. The two teams put on a show for them, the young stud Vida Blue and the crafty lefty Fritz Peterson match out for out , mistake for mistake. Celereno Sanchez once again goes 3 for 4 with his 24th double of the year a run scored and an RBI.
The score tied at 4 and Sparky Lyle is on the mound in the ninth. Bobby Brooks singles with 2 outs, Gonzalo Marquez grounds an inning ending ball to short, but Stick Micheal boots it then throws it away. Runners on second and third and Ralph goes to the mound, he instructs Lyle to walk the hot hitting but, left handed, Reggie Jackson to get to the right handed Felipe Alou. Lyle the lefty wants to go after Jackson but Houk overrules him. With the bases full Alou leans out over the plate and is hit by Lyles first slider. Houk storms out of the Dugout to protest as Brooks crosses with the go ahead run. None of the Major’s hat kicking antics change Umpire Ron Luciano’s mind. The Yanks can get nothing off Rollie Fingers in the bottom of the ninth. Final 5-4 Oakland.

Game 2 Another full house and a pitching mismatch, ex-Yank Al Downing vs. Ron Klimkowski. Ron has given up six runs by the time he comes to bat in the fourth, and Houk has seen enough of him and pinch hits. But the Yanks also have their hitting shoes on and in the bottom of the 4th Thurman’s RBI double plates the sixth run for the Yanks, John MacNamara sends Downing to the showers. In a battle of the bullpens Jack Aker, John Cumberland and Sparky Lyle out pitch Diego Segui and Dooley Wolmack. Yanks win 8-6

Game 3 The Yanks are dazzled by Catfish Hunter and young Ron Guidry gives up Reggie Jacksons 29th homer of the year. The late rally against Rollie Fingers falls just short. Final 5-4 A’s. Did I mention they are good.

In Boston Game 1 Mel Stottlemyre is off his game giving up home runs to Carmen Fanzone and Bob Gallagher. Ray Culp keeps the Yanks in check. 6-2 Sox.

Game 2 Down 5-0 in the eighth the Yanks string together a Kenny walk, White single, Murcer walk, Nettles single, Sanchez single and Lyttle single for 4 runs. In the ninth Red Sox’s hard throwing reliever Craig Skok reaches 100 mph but is way wild, he walks the bases full and then goes 3-0 on Graig Nettles. The next 100 fastball goes out just as fast as it came in, Nettles hits his 2nd Grand Slam of the month. Where is that guy from the Star Leger now? Final 8-5 Yanks.

Game 3 belongs to Roy White. With a triple, single and homerun, Roy propels the Yanks to a 8-3 win. Danny Cater chips in with a homerun as the old knuckleball specialist Wilbur Wood struggles all day. The Yanks knock the Red Sox out of first place. I hope the Orioles send us a thank you note.

We fly to Oakland for 3 more with the A’s.

Game 1 Mel Stottlemyre gives up just 7 hits, but Catfish Hunter only allows 5. One of those, a Sanchez solo homer, accounts for the Yankees only run. 5-1 A’s win

Game 2 in a fourteen inning marathon both teams use almost everyone they have. Scoreless through nine thanks to Fritz Peterson and Chuck Dobson, the Yanks push a run across in the top of 10th but Lyle gives one up in the bottom of the 10th. Finally, in the 14th Big John Ellis hit’s a 3 run pinch hit homer. Even then the A’s scare the Yanks scoring one in the bottom of the 14th before Jack Aker can end it. Final 4-2 in 14 Yanks.

Game 3 A wild affair of 13 inning with homers by Joe Rudi, Don Mincher, Reggie Jackson, Thurman Munson and Ron Blomberg. The Yanks use seven pitchers the A’s use five and it does not end until Pat Dobson throws a wild pitch in the 13th to score John Ellis. Final Score 11-10 Yanks in 13.

I am proud of our team. In 9 games against the American Leagues best we went 5 and 4. Winning 3 times in our last at bat. We pass by the Tigers and are back in 3rd place. Whew. We are heading home to spend some time with the Indians and Orioles. I should say the first place Orioles.

[OldYankFan]

Sanchez borrows a sombero from a fan.

[OldYankFan]

August 22, 1970

Before the Indian series I sat with Ralph and discussed the team.

“We are going to catch them, I can feel it!” Ralph exclaimed

“Catch the Orioles?” I asked “First place? Ralph, we could scare them if we sweep the Indians and then sweep the Orioles. But, how can we do that when Klimkowski gets shelled each time out?”

“True.” said Ralph, “Klim has potential but, it has not been his year.”

“Not his year? Ralph, his ERA is over 6.” I exclaimed “What other choice is there?”

“Verbanic? Pagan? Kline? Medich?” Ralph pondered

“Verbanic’s ERA is as high as Klims. Kline and Medich have no major league experience. Pagan didn’t have much luck up here early but he is 13-0 at Syracuse. Maybe he is ready.” I said “Let’s bring him back up and give it a shot.”

“Great!” said Ralph “Boy, do I want to scare the pants off Earl Weaver.”

Game 1 vs. the Indians with Mel Stottlemyre and Steve Harden locked up in a 1-1 game. Al Dark and Ralph pulled the starters for pinch hitters and left the game to the bullpens. Lindy McDaniel and Jack Aker were perfect for the Yanks, Steve Hargan tossed zeros for the Tribe. Then Al Dark brought in Bob Miller and before you could get a Cracker Jack, the Yanks had scored 5 runs. Final 6-1 Yanks.

Game 2 Fritz Peterson’s see-saw season continues, he has nothing and the Yanks are down 7-1 when Ralph pulls Fritz in the 7th. The Yank bullpen holds the tribe in check, and the lineup begins to chip away at the lead. In the 7th Munson’s single drives in Murcer 7-2, In the eighth Murcer doubles in Sanchez, and Munson double drives in Murcer and Boehmer 7-5. In the ninth Jerry Kenney singles to drive in Blomberg and Murcer 7-7, Extra innings. In the eleventh Celereno Sanchez singles with the bases loaded to end the game 8-7 Yanks.

Game 3 Dave Pagan is up from Syracuse and on the mound matched with Sudden Sam McDowell. Pagan looks good but gives up a 2 run shot to Lou Klimchock and a solo shot to Duke Sims. Down by 2 in the eighth Ron Blomberg hit’s a 2 run homer to tie the game. Sparky Lyle holds the Tribe in check until the Yanks get a Roy White walk and a Danny Cater RBI walk off double. The sweep is complete 4-3!

We have closed to 41/2 of the Orioles and the Birds are coming to town. Can we scare Earl Weaver? I would love to see that.

[OldYankFan]

August 23, 1970

Before the first game with the Orioles, because I was too antsy just to sit in the stands, I strolled out to left field to check on the Con Ed Kids. Roy White and John Ellis were playing catch with a couple of kids out on the field.

"Hey A.G.!" Shouted Roy, "Check out the arm on this kid." He is playing catch with a skinny black kid about 16 years old with a strong arm.

"He throws better than you, Roy." shouts Sparky Lyle as he jogs past on his way to the bullpen. Roy made as if to throw the ball at Lyle.

"What's your name kid?" I ask

"Willie, sir" he answered

"Well no wonder Roy, you got Willie Mays here." I joked

"It's Willie Randolph sir." the kid said seriously.

"Well, Mr. Randolph you can call me A.G." I said.

"Ok, Mr. Agee" said Willie

"No son, not Mr. Agee, thats the Mets outfielder. Just A.G." I smiled. "But I'll remember your name, Willie Randolph. Enjoy the game."

I walked back to my box, passing by a large contingent of fans along the third base line with somberos. Then I looked into the visitors dugout at Earl Weaver. Well, he doesn't look scared. Not yet anyhow.

[OldYankFan]

August 23, 1970

Baltimore’s Ace Jim Palmer with 15 wins under his belt already, against young Ron Guidry who is 11 and 8. Over 66,000 fans jam the old ballpark. Palmer is everything as advertised, wiggling out of jams in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th innings as the Yanks strand at least two in each of those frames. Guidry scatters a few hits and we are scoreless as the Yanks come to bat in the bottom of the sixth.

Stick Michael lines one over Brooks Robinson’s head and into the left field corner. The ball caroms off the wall to Merv Rettemund and Stick just beats the throw to second.
“That’s real aggressive base running.” says the Scooter
Ron Guidry misses 2 bunt attempts and swings away grounding to short. Belanger tags out the Stick who was being too aggressive.
“You can’t be aggressive all the time.” says the Scooter “Ed Stanky did that to me in the ‘56 series. That Huckleberry.”
Horace Clarke hit’s a tapper toward short and legs out an infield hit. Munson bangs one back to Palmer who goes for 2 but Munson out-hustles the return throw. Runners on the corners 2 outs. It looks like Palmer will wiggle off the hook again, when Roy White taps one to third. But the speedy White beats Brooks Robinson’s throw by an eyelash as Guidry races home 1-0.
Earl Weaver storms out of the dugout and pitches a fit at first base umpire Nester Shylock. Ralph looks up in the stands at me and mouths the words “He’s scared!”
With Earle back in the dugout, Bobby Murcer hits a grounder to the human vacuum Brooks Robinson. But, one of those once in season moments occurs and Brooks bobbles the ball and the bases are loaded. Palmer looks completely rattled by the proceedings and walks Danny Cater on 4 pitches scoring Munson. Earle comes out and balls Palmer out. That works and Palmer gets Sanchez to pop out. 2-0 Yanks.

Palmer settles back down, and Guidry pitches valiantly into the ninth. Tiring visibly, Ron falls behind 3-0 to Boog Powell, his 89 mph fastball is just what the big man is looking for and it’s in the right field bleachers in a heartbeat 2-1. Guidry gets Rettemund to ground to shot but Paul Blair singles. Weaver puts on the hit and run and as Dave May grounds to first the tying run moves to second. With Lyle heating up in a hurry, Ralph strolls to the mound and instructs Guidry to give the intentional pass to Andy Etchebarren. Ralph then waves the left arm and Lyle stalks to the mound.

“He looks like Count Dracula!” say Frank Messer “Let’s see if he can suck the life out of this rally.”

Earle counters the Count, by pinch hitting with Jim Fuller for Dick Hall. Lyle throws one slider and Fuller taps it back to the mound. Yanks win 2-1!

The Yanks have closed to 3 ½ games out. My Oh My.

[OldYankFan]

Bill Gallo's look at the Yanks August Pennant threat.

[OldYankFan]

August 25, 1970

Every seat in Yankee Stadium is sold out. The Yankees are in a pennant race in late August. CBS is making money. Earle Weaver is scared. What more could I want?

Actually I wanted a lot of things , but, at the moment I stop and soak it all in.

The sounds of the crowd, Bob Shepard intoning the lineups, the Yankee flag hanging on the second place pole, the chatter of the ballplayers warming up, the green grass, the smell of the wet infield dirt, the sound metal cleats make on the concrete steps of the dugout, the horsehide hitting the leather of the catchers mitt, Toby playing peppy tunes on the organ, the monuments and flagpole in centerfield, the Bronx courthouse beyond the bleachers, Phil Rizzuto interviewing Ron Guidry in front of the dugout, the Con Ed Kids banner hanging in leftfield, the venders hawking their wares and the pinstripes.

And then the game… Game 2 vs. the Orioles

Mel Stottlemyre goes against Dave McNally. The Orioles come out and score early, Boog Powell driving in Mark Belanger. 1-0 Os. The Yanks tie it in the most ignominious fashion as Sanchez scores while Clarke grounds into a double play in the second 1-1. Mel loses the plate in the sixth, walks the base loaded then Brooks Robinson hit’s a sac fly, 2-1. In the bottom of the sixth Ron Blomberg drives one over the right field wall, 2-2. Then in the seventh, Curt Motton finds the right field bleachers with Rettenmund on board, 4-2 Orioles. Dave McNally has allowed all he will for the day. The Orioles tack one more on. Final 5-2 Orioles. They increase their lead to 4 ½ games.

After the game, I find out Roy White sprained his back making a sliding catch in the eighth inning. He will be out for 3 weeks. This is a huge blow, Roy is hitting .289 with 12 homers and 60 RBI. He has been a fixture in the middle of our lineup. Roy joins CF Rick Bladt, 1st baseman Curt Blefary, P Stan Bahnsen, SS Frank Baker and two minor leaguers 2B George Zeber and P Rob Gardner on the DL. Even though we are spending a minor fortune on the medical and training staffs, we are going down the stretch shorthanded.

Ron Woods is recalled from AAA, and though he has improved some, he is still a .220 hitter. Not good.

Game 3. The weather changes and suddenly if feels like fall, a rain squall delays the start of the game and holds down the walk-up gate. Still there is over 63,000 paid admissions to see Fritz Peterson and Mike Cuellar toe the rubber.

The zeros line up across the scoreboard till the third. Andy Etchebarren leads off with a walk and is replaced by Belanger who grounds into a force. Sanchez makes and error on a wet roller off the bat of Don Buford. Paul Blair raps one into the leftfield corner to score two runs. 2-0 Orioles. Bottom of the third, Jerry Kenney singles to left. Fritz bunts him over, Clarke strikes out, but Munson get a clutch 2 out RBI single, 2-1. Etchebarren throws away Sanchez’s tapper in front of the plate. Murcer walks to load them up. Ron Blomberg lays off of a 3-2 screwball and walks to force in Munson, 2-2.

The two pitchers then take control, as a steady rain begins to fall. Fritz works out of jams in the seventh and eighth, Culler squelches rallies in the fourth before giving way to a pinch hitter in the seventh. The Oriole bullpen of Mickey Scott and Dick Hall carry on into extra innings giving way to closer Eddie Watt in the 10th. With 2 out Watt works carefully to Murcer walking him, Blomberg singles to left and then both runners move up on a wild pitch. Earle orders Watt to walk Cater to get to Ron Woods. All that work in Syracuse pays off as Woods singles up the middle to drive in Murcer. Yanks win 3-2 in ten.

There is little joy for me. As Murcer races home he slips in the slop around home plate and falls. He gamely rolls across the plate to score the winning run, but, he has fractured his wrist. He will be out 3 weeks. Bobby is hitting .308 and leads the team in homeruns and RBI. Now we must go on without our starting centerfielder and clean-up hitter.

We are 3 ½ games out again, as the team heads down to Washington. I call down to double A to have young Otto Velez meet the team in DC. The injuries are mounting up, the lineup has been gutted. Only Ralph Houk can be optimistic in a situation like this.

[OldYankFan]

August 31, 1970

The Red Sox have hit another hot streak and have interposed themselves between us and the Orioles. So, just 3 ½ games separate the first 3 teams in the AL East. We head to Washington, our lineup in shambles, to play the Senators.

Game 1 Ron Klimkowski returns to the mound, and the results are the same. The Senators score 2 in the first and are never behind. The Yanks manage just 6 hits including Thurman Munson’s 11th homerun of the year. Klimkowski gives way to Steve Hamilton and in the sixth. Then in the seventh Frank Howard hit’s a hot bouncer through the middle, Hamilton reaches out with the bare hand and …. Two weeks on the DL.
Final Score 4-2 Washington. I recall Bill Burbach, who I had sent down when Pagan was called up, to join the team.

Game 2 Ron Guidry’s complete game 4-1 victory and Graig Nettles homer are overshadowed by the news that Gene “The Stick” Michael suffered a ruptured cervical disc. With luck he will be back for spring training. White, Murcer, Hamilton, Michael, that’s 4 players on the DL in 4 days. With just one infielder left in the minors, Billy Almon in the Rookie League, I seem to have no choice. I put in the call to Johnson City, 17 year old Bill Almon becomes the youngest person to don the pinstripes. Lord help us.

Game 3 The Lord is not listening to me. Horace Clarke, is hit by a Cisco Carlos pitch on the wrist. It is fractured, Clarke will be out for 4 weeks, or about the rest of the season. I don’t even listen to the rest of the 4-3 loss. I am franticly searching the waiver wires for an infielder.

I call Clyde Klutz into my office, together we go over every name of every middle infielder on the waiver/free agent list. It is a pitiful lot. I am surprised when the phone rings and Celereno Sanchez is on the other end.

“Senor A.G.” says Celereno “you need a new infielder no?”

“We sure do” I said.

“I play with a fellow in Mexico, he is just a child, but he can field pretty good,” Celereno says “no hit at all. He play in Korea this year, he is back in U.S. now.”

“You think we should sign him?” I asked “ What is his name?”

“Si, you check him out, Michael Aynsley.” Sanchez said “He is at least as good as Almon, I think.”

“Thanks Celereno.” I said hanging up.

“What do you think Clyde?” I asked the head scout.

He tossed the waiver wire list down. “Why not?” he said “maybe we get lucky.”

I tracked Aynsley down in his home in Tulsa. Signed him sight unseen to the league minimum with an option for the next year. Told him to hustle up to Kansas City to meet his new team there.

Game 1 in Kansas City, We need a well pitched game from Fritz Peterson, we don’t get one. An offense basically reduced to Thurm Munson, Danny Cater and Graig Nettles scores 6 runs but, Fritz gives up 8 before the sixth inning ends. Final 8-6 Royals, at least no one got hurt.

Game 2 a pitiful performance by the Royals pitching staff is what we need, the makeshift Yanks knock in 13 runs on 16 hits. Ron Klimkowski and Bill Burbach give up 11 before Lyle comes in to restore order and get his 24th save. 13-11 Yanks.

Game 3 Dave Pagan gives up a 3 run homer to anemic hitting Mike Fiore, but the Royals “Ace” Wally Bunker holds the Yanks in check. Final 4-2 Royals.

The month of August ends and we had a wild month, posting a 17 and 11 record. We gave the Orioles a scare, then preceded to lose half the team to injuries. On paper we are still in the hunt, on the field we look like we are done.