Even the Braves

[petrel]

March 1964

The Sporting News has come out with their predictions for the 1964 Season:

National League:

1. Giants
2. Dodgers
3. Orioles
4. Cubs
5. Phillies
6. Braves
7. Cardinals
8. Pirates
9. Reds
10. Brewers

American League:

1. Yankees
2. Tigers
3. Blues
4. Angels
5. Seals
6. Senators
7. White Sox
8. Red Sox
9. Indians
10. Athletics

The Sporting News predicts that the New York Yankees will defeat the New York Giants in the series four games to three.

As for the predictions -- well frankly, I wanted to see the Braves higher than sixth, which is where we finished last year. And look at our crosstown rivals: the Boston Red Sox in eighth place? I doubt it:

You could make a ton of money betting on Yankees first, Tigers second, Red Sox third, and Angels fourth. That's the way things have finished in the American League over the last three years and I don't see any changes.

What's very interesting is that this is the highest I've ever seen the Orioles or the Blues ever predicted to finish. The Blues haven't finished above third since 1945, when they were the St. Louis Browns; the best finish of the Orioles ever was their fifth-place finish last year.

(* * *)

While the WBA didn't get much attention, the city of Atlanta took center stage in baseball. A new baseball stadium was approved by the city's Board of Aldermen, to begin construction immediately. The stadium will be of major league standards. Until then, Ponce de Leon Park in Atlanta, the current home of the AAA Atlanta Crackers of the Washington Senators, will be expanded from its current 20,000 seat capacity to make it a professional baseball stadium until the new stadium can be completed.

And of course, Charlie O. Finley had to keep baseball interesting, even when it wasn't being played. Finley introduced the "K. C. Pennant Porch" to the vocabulary of every Blues fan in Missouri.

When teams come back from Spring Training, they usually come back a bit early. Sometimes, it's a chance to get used to the bigger ballpark, perhaps exhibition games are played against crosstown rivals (Phillies/Athletics, Cubs/White Sox), or against the big university in town.

Charlie O. Finley, the Most Hated Man in Baseball, had been desperately trying to decipher why the New York Yankees won championship after championship while other teams like the Blues struggled. In the end, he figured that the Yankees had an unfair advantage over the other teams: not in attendance, and not in finances, but rather in the way Yankee Stadium was configured for baseball.

The right-field fence at Yankee Stadium is only 296 feet from home plate, with a wall just a few feet off the ground. If you can pull the ball to right field, and hit it hard, odds are you can hit a home run at Yankee Stadium.

So what he did over the last two exhibition games at Municipal Stadium is to unveil his new "K. C. Pennant Porch" -- basically, he created an extra set of bleachers that dragged the distance to the right field wall from 347 feet to 296 feet.


A rare photo of the K. C. Pennant Porch.

After those two games, the American League home office told him he wasn't allowed to do that. In 1958, when the Los Angeles Angels and San Francisco Seals were created, the American League passed a rule that stated that all outfield fences had to be at a minimum distance of 325 feet. The Angels would be allowed an excemption until their new stadium was completed; and any park that had a fence distance of less than 325 feet would be "grandfathered in" and not required to comply as long as they stayed in the same park and didn't change the fence lengths. (Incidentally, the Brewers closest distance is 320 feet and the Orioles have a scant 309 feet to the closest point to the wall.)

Finley states that he will comply with the new rule. He has until April 22nd to get his stadium into shape, when he opens at home against the Red Sox.

(* * *)

In terms of how the club looked, I was disappointed during Spring Training on a number of fronts.

First, Ray Herbert. For a 34 year old man, he's pitching like he's 64. Something happened to him in the off-season. His 5.65 ERA in 28 2/3 innings pitched is surprisingly misleading -- misleadingly good. His fastball had virtually zero pop to it. In the end, we had to send Herbert down to AAA at the end of Spring Training. Herbert didn't take it well, but he had gotten off to a slowwww start in 1963 and the numbers don't lie.

Second, the performance of our Rookie Leaguers: never have I seen such a poor performance from our future Braves. Usually a slew of people will get promoted after Spring Training; this year it was only a trickle. I'm starting to worry about the future of this club, particularly in terms of position players.

Third, Joe Torre got hurt. That's not a real disappointment; it just means he won't be with us for our opening game against the Orioles in Baltimore. Lou Berberet will temporarily take Torre's place.

(* * *)

As for injuries, Milt Pappas will be out for at least four months. He was injured in an automobile accident as some old lady hit him while he was crossing the street from Spring Training. Back injury. He's out at least four months, which has to disappoint the Senators. He was their big-ticket acquisition.

Rene Valdez of the Yankees has it worse: he blew out his knee during Spring Training and will be out for the entire 1964 season.

Around the World:

Soviet military forces shoot down a US bomber that had strayed into East Germany; all of the flyers parachute to safety.
Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr. wins the New Hampshire Republican primary.
Malcolm X leaves the Nation of Islam.
Kitty Genovese is stabbed to death in Queens, New York. Her 38 neighbors fail to respond to her cries for help.
The Good Friday Earthquake hits Alaska, killing 125 people.
Jeopardy! goes on the air on NBC, hosted by Art Fleming.

In baseball:

Russ Kemmerer (Angels) is out four months with severe elbow tendonitis.
Milt Pappas (Senators) is out for five months with a broken back vertebra.
Rene Valdez (Yankees) is out for the season with a severed knee ligament.

[petrel]

Ladies and Gentlemen, we now present....

...your 1964 Boston Braves!!

Lineup

Pumpsie Green, 2b
Joe Christopher, CF
Frank Howard, LF
Roger Maris, RF
Joe Cunningham, 1B
Joe Torre, C
Brooks Robinson, 3B
Dal Maxvill, SS

Bench

Manny Mota, OF
Dave Nicholson, LF
Lou Berberet, C
Ellis Burton, OF
Harvey Kuenn, SS
Tommy Davis, LF

Rotation

Hank Aguirre, SP
Don Drysdale, SP
Bill Graham, SP
Eduardo Camacho, SP
Ray Herbert, SP

Bullpen

Don Carpenter, closer
Bob Sadowski, setup
Ron Herbel, short relief
Howie Koplitz, short relief
Dean Stone, middle relief
Keith Paden, long relief

AAA Denver Bears

Dick Smith, 1B
Bernie Allen, IF
Jim Bouton, SP
Jason Dejban, SP
Steve Ridzik, SP
Harvey Branch, SP
Cecil Perkins, SP
Bob Hartman, SP

AA Austin Senators

Bill Freehan, C
Jimmy Wynn, OF
Santiago Rosario, 1B
Jose Santiago, SP
Darold Knowles, RP

A Greenville Braves

Bart Shirley, IF
Phil Gagilano, IF
Johnny Briggs, OF
Dick Green, 2B
Don Pepper, 1B
Gene Brabender, SP
Nick Willhite, SP
Larry Bearnarth, RP
Bill Wilson, SP
Jim Lonborg, SP
Jim McAndrew, SP
Bruce Von Hoff, SP
Jim Bibby, SP
John Flavin, SP

Rookie League Boise Braves

Jose Cardenal, OF
Bill Davis, 1B
Jim Lefebvre, IF
Tito Fuentes, IF
Rene Lachemann, C
Fred Rico, RF
Jerry Davanon, IF
Steve Whitaker, OF
Ron Clark, IF
John Sanders, 1B
Hector Torres, IF
Tommy John, SP
Frank Beagle, SP
Conrad Cardinal, SP
Marcelino Lopez, SP
Jerry Stephenson, SP
Jim Hardin, SP
Steve Mingori, RP
Dick Joyce, SP
Ray Culp, SP
Ed Sukla, RP
Jim Britton, SP
Ron Keller, SP
Dick Estelle, SP
Wally Bunker, SP
Dick Woodson, SP

[petrel]

Early April 1964

The Boston Braves begin their fifth consecutive year with an opener away from home as they travel to Milwaukee to play the Brewers.

April 1st-3rd, 1964
Boston Braves (0-0) at Milwaukee Brewers (0-0)

Projected starters:
April 1: Hank Aguirre (0-0) vs. Dexter Magor (0-0)
April 2: Don Drysdale (0-0) vs. Corky Valentine (0-0)
April 3: Bill Graham (0-0) vs. George O'Donnell (0-0)

April 1: Only 15,000 show up for the Milwaukee home opener as the Braves hit seven runs in the fifth inning. Braves 11, Brewers 3. Frank Howard had five RBIs.
Before their opening home game against the Tigers, new Cleveland Manager Birdie Tebbets complained of chest pains and was rushed to a Cleveland hospital. The Indians report that Tebbets suffered a heart attack. George Strickland, a Cleveland coach, will take over until Tebbets recovers.
April 2: Corky Valentine and Ed Roebuck shut out the Braves on three hits. Brewers 3, Braves 0.
April 3: Roger Maris gets his first home run of the year. Braves 8, Brewers 2.

(* * *)

We now open at home against the Brooklyn Dodgers.

April 4th-6th, 1964
Brooklyn Dodgers (2-1) at Boston Braves (2-1)

Projected starters:
April 4: Gene Snyder (0-0) vs. Eduardo Camacho (0-0)
April 5: Earl Wilson (0-0) vs. Steve Ridzik (0-0)
April 6: Dee Geer (0-1, 22.50 ERA) vs. Hank Aguirre (1-0)

April 4: The Braves sell out their home opener, and lose despite 16 hits. Dodgers 5, Braves 4.
At the brand new Giants Stadium, the home Giants beat the Philadelphia Phillies 9-4 in front of a sold-out crowd, advancing their record to 4-0.
April 5: Frank Howard hits two home runs in the Braves first home win. Braves 9, Dodgers 2. Howard hits six RBIs.
April 6: Frank Howard hits the game winning home run to take the series. Braves 8, Dodgers 6.

(* * *)

On April 5, 1964, General Douglas MacArthur died.



For those of you too young to remember him, he was an American icon. He was the general, who, when driven out of the Phillippines by the Japanese Army, said, "I shall return". He distinguished himself with glory throughout the Pacific Campaign. And when the Japanese came to surrender to the United States on the USS Missouri, MacArthur gave a very gracious speech to all assembled, both victor and vanquished.

But MacArthur was a man a lot better at giving orders than he was at taking them. He always clashed with his superiors, and during the Korean War, his clashes with President Harry Truman were legendary. Finally, the Chinese crossed the Yalu River and MacArthur wanted to strike at the Chinese with nuclear weapons, if necessary. When MacArthur began speaking to the press, warning of a "crushing defeat" if his advice was not heeded, Truman had had enough. He fired MacArthur, and MacArthur's military career was over.

However, I think that what MacArthur should be remember for was his reconstruction of Japan, writing a constitution and given women education and the vote. He proved an effective leader, but unfortunately, an ineffective subordinate.

(* * *)

We go back to Milwaukee and play the Brewers, who have already dropped to the bottom of the league at 1-5. I'm starting to worry about the financial health of this club.

Joe Torre comes off the disabled list, but as long as Lou Berberet is doing well, the job is Berberet's to lose.

April 7th-9th, 1964
Boston Braves (4-2) at Milwaukee Brewers (1-5)

Projected starters:
April 7: Bill Graham (1-0, 3.00 ERA) vs. George O'Donnell (0-1, 9.00 ERA)
April 8: Eduardo Camacho (0-1, 7.50 ERA) vs. Ray Semproch (0-1, 21.00 ERA)
April 9: Steve Ridzik (0-0) vs. Chuck Stobbs (0-0)

April 7: The Braves are held to four hits and score their only run in the final inning. Braves 9, Brewers 1.
April 8: It takes four Braves pitchers, but 17 hits help the Braves win again. Braves 11, Brewers 5.

The Brewers got some sad news that Jim Umbricht passed away at age 33. Umbricht died of cancer. A tumor had been found in a leg and he had had surgery in March of 1963. Umbricht finished with a 3.63 ERA in 26 appearances for the Brewers in 1963. Milwaukee has announced that his number, #32, will be retired by the club.

April 9: A twelve run third inning leads to a walloping of the Brewers as the Braves sweep a mourning Brewers club. Braves 18, Brewers 0.

(* * *)

Frank Howard has six home runs so far this year and the Braves have moved into a tie with the Giants. Of course, playing the Brewers has helped. Playing the Phillies in Philadelphia will be a much better test.

April 10th-12th, 1964
Boston Braves (7-2) at Philadelphia Phillies (4-5)

Projected starters:
April 10: Bill Graham (2-0, 1.38 ERA) vs. Jim O'Toole (1-0, 1.42 ERA)
April 11: Eduardo Camacho (0-1, 8.10 ERA) vs. Pete Craig (1-1, 5.25 ERA)
April 12: Steve Ridzik (0-0) vs. Bill MacDonald (0-2, 8.64 ERA)

April 10: Sparky Anderson's RBI single in the bottom of the 10th gives the home team the win. Phillies 7, Braves 6 (10).
In New York, demolition begins on the Polo Grounds. As a wrecking ball painted like a baseball smashes into the stadium, Ralph Branca is on hand -- he was the Dodger who gave up the pennant-winning home run to the Giants in 1951.
April 11: As Joe Torre returns to the lineup, Ted Abernathy melts down in the top of the ninth and gives up three runs. Braves 6, Phillies 4.
April 12: Six doubles and seven runs in the third inning give the Phillies the rubber game. Phillies 10, Braves 6.

(* * *)

The road trip continues with a visit to the 4-8 Orioles.
In Philadelphia, the Athletics have started the season 0-12, just four off the 0-16 start of the Chicago Cubs in 1961.

April 13th-15th, 1964
Boston Braves (8-4) at Baltimore Orioles (4-8)

Projected starters:
April 13: Hank Aguirre (3-0, 1.85 ERA) vs. Joel Cataldo (2-1, 4.42 ERA)
April 14: Don Drysdale (0-1, 5.29 ERA) vs. Jim Coutant (1-1, 7.98 ERA)
April 15: Bill Graham (2-0, 1.35 ERA) vs. Earl Francis (0-0, 1.71 ERA)

April 13: Joel Cataldo strikes out eight braves in seven innings pitched. Orioles 8, Braves 3.
April 14: Joe Torre hits his first home run of the year. Braves 8, Orioles 4.
April 15: The Braves are held to just four hits. Orioles 5, Braves 1.

Around the world:

The Beatles hold the Top 5 Positions on the American pop charts:
#1: Can't Buy Me Love
#2: Twist and Shout
#3: She Loves You
#4: I Want to Hold Your Hand
#5: Please Please Me
A Delta rocket's third stage motor ignites prematurely in an assembly room at Cape Canaveral, killing three.

In baseball:

Atlanta begins work on a new baseball stadium. The stadium will be called the Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium and be ready for play by 1966.

Jack Spring (Orioles) is out two months with a broken ankle.
Vada Pinson (Dodgers) is out two months with a broken elbow.
Ron Santo (Athletics) is out six weeks with a dislocated hip.
Jack Curtis (Dodgers) is out four weeks with a wrist stress fracture.
Frank Bork (Pirates) is out five weeks with a shoulder separation.

[petrel]

Late April 1964


Tearing down a monument -- the Polo Grounds in the midst of demolition.

The Braves come back home for three games against the Brooklyn Dodgers, who are in sixth place but only two games behind us.

April 16th-18th, 1964
Brooklyn Dodgers (7-8) at Boston Braves (9-6)

Projected starters:
April 16: Earl Wilson (0-0) vs. Eduardo Camacho (0-2, 11.08 ERA)
April 17: Randy Towers (0-0, 6 IP) vs. Steve Ridzik (0-0)
April 18: Fritz Ackey (1-1, 6.26 ERA) vs. Hank Aguirre (3-1, 3.62 ERA)

April 16: Frank Howard's three RBI home run in the bottom of the 8th can't make up the deficit. Dodgers 6, Braves 4.
April 17: Hank Aguirre and Howie Koplitz shut out the Dodgers on five hits. Braves 5, Dodgers 0.
The Philadelphia Athletics lose to the White Sox 4-1 at home, for their 14th straight loss. This sets the record for most losses from the start of the season in the American league, breaking the record of the 1904 Senators and 1920 Tigers of 13 losses. The 1961 Chicago Cubs hold the record in losses, starting 0-16.
April 18: Frank Howard hits his 10th home run on the way to a Braves win. Braves 8, Dodgers 4.

The Philadelphia Athletics beat the Chicago White Sox 6-1, breaking a 14-game losing streak to start the season.


(* * *)

Up next: the seventh place Baltimore Orioles. The Braves are just two games behind the league-leading Giants.

April 19th-21st, 1964
Boston Braves (11-7) at Baltimore Orioles(8-10)

Projected starters:
April 19: Bill Graham (2-1, 2.57 ERA) vs. Jim Coutant (1-2, 7.78 ERA)
April 20: Steve Ridzik (0-0) vs. Earl Francis (0-0, 2.88 ERA)
April 21: Eduardo Camacho (0-3, 8.55 ERA) vs. Dave McNally (1-1, 2.54 ERA)

April 19: Four different Braves hit home runs to help Bill Graham to his third win. Braves 12, Orioles 3.
April 20: Dal Maxvill's 8th inning home run gives Steve Ridzik his first win as a starter. Braves 6, Orioles 4.
April 21: Frank Howard's 2 RBI triple in the 8th helps the Braves sweep. Braves 6, Orioles 5.
Edmund Richardson of the Pittsburgh Pirates struck out 13 Dodgers in 8 innings for a 2-0 Pirates victory.

(* * *)

The Braves take a couple of days off before returning home for a series against the Orioles, and then one against the league-leading Giants.

The big disappointment this year has been Roger Maris. He's only hit .250/.292/.477, with only four home runs. We're keeping him at #7 in the lineup. Bill Graham is moved to the #2 starter behind Hank Aguirre. Furthermore, the Washington Senators are trying to sell Juan Marichal. We're not interested -- yet -- but I have permission to sign him despite his $6.1 million salary if it comes to that.

In Kansas City, only 18,000 show up to see the home opener as the Blues down the Red Sox 6-3. Finley moved the "Pennant Porch" to an absolute minimum 325 feet.

After two days off, we are only one game behind the New York Giants.

(* * *)

April 24th-26th, 1964
Baltimore Orioles (8-13) at Boston Braves (14-7)

Projected starters:
April 24: Joel Cataldo (3-1, 4.50 ERA) vs. Hank Aguirre (4-1, 3.12 ERA)
April 25: Jim Coutant (1-3. 8.64 ERA) vs. Bill Graham (3-1, 2.75 ERA)
April 26: Earl Francis (0-0, 3.00 ERA) vs. Don Drysdale (2-1, 5.02 ERA)

April 24: The Braves get three singles for 4 RBI in the bottom of the 8th. Braves 7, Orioles 6.
April 25: The Orioles score 6 runs in the final 3 innings. Orioles 8, Braves 2.
April 26: Don Carpenter gets his 4th save as the Braves close to within one game of the lead. Braves 6, Orioles 5.

(* * *)

We take one day off, and then we face the Giants at home in a critical series for early National League dominance.

The New York Yankees win their 10th straight to start out the season 22-5, while the Athletics have lost 9 straight and rest at the bottom of the American League at 1-23.

April 28th-30th, 1964
New York Giants (17-7) at Boston Braves (16-8)

Projected starters:
April 28: Ralph Beard (2-2, 5.63 ERA) vs. Steve Ridzik (1-0, 5.14 ERA)
April 29: Greg Liokumovich (2-0, 3.09 ERA) vs. Eduardo Camacho (0-3, 8.55 ERA)
April 30: Claude Osteen (4-0, 2.20 ERA) vs. Hank Aguirre (4-1, 3.57 ERA)

April 28: The Giants score 13 hits and wallop the Braves. Giants 11, Braves 1.
April 29: Claude Osteen goes to 5-0. Giants 3, Braves 1.
April 30: Giants pitching delivers the final punch as the Braves lose three straight at home. Giants 2, Braves 1.

Around the world:

Nelson Mandela makes his "I Am Prepared to Die" speech at the opening of the Rivonia Trial.
BBC2 starts broadcasting in the United Kingdom.
The 1964 World's Fair opens in Flushing Meadows, New York (near the new Giants Stadium).
Thieves steal the head of the Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen.



In baseball:

Mickey Mantle (Red Sox) gets his 2000th hit.

Rico Carty (Indians) is out four months with a broken leg.
Jerry Davie (Tigers) is out for the season and for part of 1965 with a torn rotator cuff.
Don Lassetter (Cardinals) is out for seven weeks with a broken foot.
Don Cardwell (Athletics) is out for two months with a broken elbow.
Glen Gorbous (White Sox) is out two monts with a ruptured cervical disk.

[petrel]

Early May 1964

The sweep by the Giants was rather disheartening. It indicates we have a far way to go.

Trades:
to Tigers: Brooks Robinson (3b) and $1 million
to Braves: Don Wert (3b)

Brooks Robinson just hasn't come along. We found Bill Graham in the Tigers minor league system; it's time for Don Wert to get his promotion.

The losses to the Giants knocked us four games back. We travel to sixth-place Philadelphia for hopefully a leg up.

May 1st-3rd, 1964
Boston Braves (16-11) at Philadelphia Phillies (14-13)

Projected starters:
May 1: Don Drysdale (3-1, 5.15 ERA) vs. Jim O'Toole (3-0, 2.41 ERA)
May 2: Steve Ridzik (1-1, 4.91 ERA) vs. Pete Craig (3-3, 5.81 ERA)
May 3: Eduardo Camacho (0-3, 8.55 ERA) vs. Bill MacDonald (3-3, 4.59 ERA)

May 1: Don Drysdale and Dean Stone shut out the Phillies, holding them to five hits. Braves 6, Phillies 0. Unfortunately, Joe Cunningham has suffered a bruised right knee which might be a partial fracture of the kneecap. The doctors want him out of the lineup for about a month. We'll call Dick Smith in from AAA Denver, who has been hitting over .400.
May 2: Dick Smith gets a hit but only three other Braves get hits. Phillies 3, Braves 1.
May 3: Not a good day for Hank Aguirre, who gives up 4 ER in 5 IP. Phillies 6, Braves 4.

(* * *)

Right now, it seems that everyone in the Braves lineup is slumping. We go back home to play the Giants again, who have won six straight. We are six games out of first.

May 4th-6th, 1964
New York Giants (25-8) at Boston Braves (17-13)

Projected starters:
May 4: Claude Osteen (5-0, 2.02 ERA) vs. Bill Graham (3-3, 3.00 ERA)
May 5: John Fitzgerald (4-2, 4.29 ERA) vs. Don Drysdale (4-1, 4.33 ERA)
May 6: Ralph Beard (3-2, 4.38 ERA) vs. Steve Ridzik (1-2, 4.26 ERA)

May 4: Frank Robinson's home run in the top of the 8th clinches it for the Giants. Giants 4, Braves 3.
May 5: Frank Howard's home run in the bottom of the 9th finally breaks the Braves losing streak. Braves 6, Giants 5.
May 6: Frank Robinson adds two home runs to his total of 11 as the Giants win the series. Giants 6, Braves 3.

(* * *)

The two losses knock us to 7 games behind the Giants, and we fall to fourth place, behind Chicago and Philadelphia.

We host Baltimore at home. Milwaukee is suprisingly in 8th place, while Baltimore has fallen to the bottom.

May 7th-9th, 1964
Baltimore Orioles (10-20) at Boston Braves (18-15)

Projected starters:
May 7: Jim Coutant (2-3, 7.05 ERA) vs. Hank Aguirre (4-2, 3.99 ERA)
May 8: Earl Francis (0-2, 3.86 ERA) vs. Bill Graham (3-4, 3.20 ERA)
May 9: Bob Hendley (1-1, 3.86 ERA) vs. Don Drysdale (4-1, 4.62 ERA)

May 7: Joe Adcock homers in the top of the 12th for the Orioles, but Joe Christopher hits a 2 RBI single in the bottom of the 12th to win it. Braves 8, Orioles 7 (12).
May 8: Dick Smith gets a double and his first career home run. Braves 8, Orioles 6.
We get word that Steve Ridzik has severe shoulder pain and goes on the disabled list for about a month. We call up Jim Bouton from AAA Denver to replace him (he has a 0.21 ERA in 42 innings pitched). Ellis Burton will replace a slumping Roger Maris in the lineup, and Bernie Allen will replace Dick Wert.

Trades:
to Reds: Jerry McNertney (C), Jim Small (CF)
to Tigers: Roy Wright (SP)

That's one of those trades no one wins. Wright at least has some significant major league experience.

May 9: Don Drysdale pitches a complete game, and Ellis Burton hits his third home run. Braves 5, Orioles 1.

(* * *)

We now host the surprising Chicago Cubs, who are resurgent in the National League. They are in second place, 5 1/2 games back and 8-2 in their last 10.

What's most annoying is that after we traded Jim Perry to them last year, they converted him to a starter. Perry is 8-0 with a 2.14 ERA.

May 10th-12th, 1964
Chicago Cubs (19-11) at Boston Braves (21-15)

Projected starters:
May 10: Cal Hogue (3-4, 5.18 ERA) vs. Jim Bouton (0-0)
May 11: Carl Duser (1-3, 6.08 ERA) vs. Eduardo Camacho (0-3, 8.55 ERA)
May 12: Steve Kraly (0-0) vs. Hank Aguirre (4-2, 4.11 ERA)

May 10: Jim Bouton gets the win, helped by a five-run sixth inning. Braves 10, Cubs 5.
May 11: Frank Howard hits a 2-RBI single in extra innings. Braves 7, Cubs 5 (13).
May 12: Jim Perry brings his best stuff, pitching six innings, giving up only one hit, no walks, and striking out six. Cubs 5, Braves 2.

(* * *)

Bob Sadowski, my closer, is slumping: 6.75 ERA in 20 IP. I send him down to long relief and call up Bob Hartman from AAA Denver to fill out the bullpen.

We take a couple of days off. The New York Giants are 31-8 and have the best record in baseball, winning seven straight games. This puts us in second place with the Cubs, 8 games back.

(* * *)

Trades:
to Pirates: Adrian Goulding (2b)
to Athletics: Kirk Hansen (CF)

A swap of two D-class players. We should know: Hansen played for the Braves -- briefly -- in 1958.

(* * *)

In the American League, the Angels are 1 1/2 games behind the New York Yankees.

Up next: another visit to Baltimore to play the 9th-place Orioles, supplanted by Cincinnati for the bottom spot.

May 15th-17th, 1964
Boston Braves (23-16) at Baltimore Orioles (12-24)

Projected starters:
May 15: Jim Bouton (1-0, 4.50 ERA) vs. Dave McNally (1-3, 4.50 ERA)
May 16: Eduardo Camacho (0-3, 8.55 ERA) vs. Bob Hendley (1-1, 3.86 ERA)
May 17: Hank Aguirre (4-2, 4.08 ERA) vs. Joel Cataldo (4-2, 4.57 ERA)

May 15: The Orioles score 5 runs in the last two innings and zoom ahead for the win. Orioles 7, Braves 1.
May 16: The Orioles get 11 hits, but the Braves win anyway with a homerun contributed by Roger Maris. Braves 9, Orioles 3.
Ellis Burton goes out 2-3 weeks with an ankle stress fracture. Dave Nicholson will replace him in right field.
May 17: Hank Aguirre and Dean Stone hold the Orioles to five hits. Braves 3, Orioles 1.

(* * *)

Around the world:

The first program is written in the computer language BASIC.
The first major student demonstration against the Vietnam War takes place in several cities: 400-1000 students march through Times Square.

In baseball:

Mickey Mantle (Red Sox) gets his 1500th run.

In Japan, Sadaharu Oh of the Yomiuri Giants becomes the first Japanese player to hit four home runs in a game, against the Hanshin Tigers.

Don Mossi (Red Sox) is out four months with severe elbow tendonitis.
Freddie Burdette (White Sox) is out four months with a hip injury.
Jim King (Indians) is out two months with a torn elbow ligament.
George O'Donnell (Brewers) is out three months with a ruptured cervical disk.
Ron Hansen (Brewers) is out for six weeks with a broken foot.
Eddie Haas (Pirates) is out for two months with a broken elbow.
Nelson Chittum (Athletics) is out for five weeks with a dislocated hip.
Al Spangler (Red Sox) is out for five weeks with a stretched knee ligament.
Angelo Lipetri (Seals) is out for four weeks with an inflammed rotator cuff.

Irv Noren retired at age 39. After spending 1950-52 with the Senators, he was signed by the Yankees and remained there until his retirement. He was an All-Star for the Yankees in 1956 and was named on four World Championship rosters.
Ruben Gomez retired at age 36. He spent a 10 year career with the Giants and the Orioles, finishing with a 52-57 record and 4.04 lifetime ERA. He was an All-Star for the Orioles in 1962 and 1963.
Jim Busby retired at age 37. He would play with the White Sox, Senators, be picked by the Angels in the 1958 Expansion Draft and end his career with the Pirates. He was an All-Star in 1951 for the White Sox and won Gold Gloves as an outfielder in 1956 (Senators) and 1959 (Angels).

[petrel]

Late June-Early July 1964

The good news is, we're still in second place. The bad news is, we're 16 games out of first. It looks as if the Giants are going to try to go for the record set by the Yankees back in 1960, when they won the AL by 32 games.

This can't be good for the league, this continuous New York dominance. Right now, the Philadelphia Athletics, at the rate they're going, they won't even break 800,000 at the gate this year.

And all of this makes a third league look very good. Since the new league doesn't have a New York team, it would break the cycle of New York dominance. Right now, there's a lot of speculation about the World Baseball Association in the press, and it's only going to get worse as the year goes by.

Up next: the fourth place Cubs, at 32-34. Only three National League teams have a record above .500: the Giants, the Braves and the Phillies.

June 18th-20th, 1964
Cincinnati Reds (32-34) at Boston Braves (40-29)

Projected starters:
June 18: Carl Duser (4-7, 5.08 ERA) vs. Hank Aguirre (8-4, 3.38 ERA)
June 19: Steve Kraly (1-5, 6.00 ERA) vs. Don Drysdale (8-4, 3.80 ERA)
June 20: Willard Nixon (0-1, 5.00, 18 IP) vs. Jim Bouton (4-2, 4.17 ERA)

June 18: An Al Kaline homer in the top of the first breaks the Cubs six-game losing streak. Cubs 3, Braves 1.
An ankle stress fracture takes out Ron Herbel for 25 days. Jason Debjan is called up from AAA Denver.
June 19: Don Drysdale strikes out eight and allows only four hits. Braves 1, Cubs 0.
June 20: Cubs pitching loses this one, walking two runs across the plate and letting a wild pitch score a third Braves runner in the 8th. Braves 8, Cubs 6.
Joel Cataldo of the Orioles struck out 13 in 7 2/3 inning pitched on the way to a 4-2 win over the Phillies.

(* * *)

We finish our home stand against the Cardinals. There are only 9 games separating 4th place from 10th place; there are 16 separating 1st from 2nd.

June 21st-23rd, 1964
St. Louis Cardinals (28-41) at Boston Braves (42-30)

Projected starters:
June 21: Tom Hughes (5-10, 4.19 ERA) vs. Bill Graham (6-9, 3.55 ERA)
June 22: Larry Jackson (3-10, 4.84 ERA) vs. Steve Ridzik (1-3, 4.91 ERA)
June 23: Bob Anderson (5-9, 5.81 ERA) vs. Hank Aguirre (8-5, 3.49 ERA)

June 21: Tom Hughes pitches a complete game victory. Cardinals 5, Braves 1. It is the 7th straight win for the Redbirds.
June 22: Joe Christopher and Dave Nicholson both hit home runs en route to a Braves rout. Braves 11, Cardinals 1.

Trades:
to Blues: James White (RP), Jackie Davis (LF)
to Phillies: Brad Austin (SP), Charlie Rudman (SP), Fred Lasher (RP), and Leo Burke (RF)

The only one of these players who is any good is Fred Lasher, so I'll give this one to the Phillies.

June 23: The Braves score nine hits and only push one runner across. Cardinals 3, Braves 1.

(* * *)

Well, in a 15 game homestand against some of the worst teams in the National League, we went 5-10. Once again, the press is rumbling, looking for a scalp. Not only are they mentioning the name of Manager Fred Haney, my name is coming up for my supposed incompetence, mainly, my incompetence of getting rid of Haney.

The losses move us to 16 1/2 games out. The Phillies leapfrog ahead of us and are 15 games out of first place.

We go to Cincinnati to play the Reds, then take a couple of days off and play them again, then take another day off, and play them again.

Jim Bouton is out for three days, and his place in the lineup will be taken by back-up starter Steve Ridzik.

June 24th-26th, 1964
Boston Braves (43-32) at Cincinnati Reds (25-47)

Projected starters:
June 24: Steve Ridzik (1-3, 4.91 ERA) vs. Ken McBride (2-11, 6.95 ERA)
June 25: Bill Graham (6-10, 3.54 ERA) vs. Waylon Mayner (5-4, 4.85 ERA)
June 26: Hank Aguirre (9-5, 3.28 ERA) vs. Tom Steele (0-3, 4.30 ERA)

June 24: The Braves fall short on the road, ensuring a losing record for June. Reds 3, Braves 2.
June 25: The Reds quickly fall behind in the early innings, and the Braves win. Braves 8, Reds 1.
June 26: Hank Aguirre strikes out nine in a complete game win as Frank Howard hits two home runs. Braves 5, Reds 1.

(* * *)

The Braves take a couple of days off before hosting six straight games against the Reds in Boston. We are still 17 games out, and in 3rd place.

June 29th-July 1st, 1964
Cincinnati Reds (26-49) at Boston Braves (45-33)

Projected starters:
June 29: Paul Toth (5-9, 3.34 ERA) vs. Don Drysdale (9-5, 3.62 ERA)
June 30: Jim Maloney (3-11, 4.90 ERA) vs. Jim Bouton (4-2, 4.55 ERA)
July 1: Ken McBride (3-11, 6.62 ERA) vs. Bill Graham (7-10, 3.35 ERA)

June 29: The Reds are held to five hits. Joe Torre gets two home runs. Braves 7, Reds 0.
June 30: Jim Bouton pitches a five-hit shutout. Braves 7, Reds 0.
July 1: Don Carpenter holds the Reds to one run in the top of the 9th for his 9th save. Braves 7, Reds 6.
The Yankees beat the White Sox 6-5 on "Taxi Day" at Yankee Stadium. Over 5000 cabbies and their families show up.

(* * *)

We take one day off, and finish the first half of the 1964 season against the Reds at home.


Dr. Martin Luther King looks on as the Civil Rights Act is passed by President Lyndon Johnson.

On our day off, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The act:

* barred unequal application of voter registration requirements
* outlawed discrimination in hotels, motels, restaurants and theatres
* allows the US Attorney General to file suits to force desegregation in public schools
* prohibits government discrimination
* prohibist descrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin

It was a very comprehensive and powerful bill, and in the Senate, the Southern senators invoked their right to filibuster. It was an 83-day filibuster, the longest in the history of the Senate. The debate ended when cloture was invoked.

Cloture is a means of stopping a filibuster by bringing debate to an end. There had been no successful cloture in the Senate since 1927 -- it requires a 2/3 majority of Senators -- and the southern senators had used filibusters to block civil rights legislation without fear of cloture. But with a 71-29 vote, debate was ended.

Barry Goldwater voted "nay" to the Civil Rights bill. His statement was "you can't legislate morality". Undoubtedly, Goldwater is hoping to carry disaffected Southern states with his stand.

(* * *)

July 3rd-July 5th, 1964
Cincinnati Reds (26-52) at Boston Braves (48-33)

Projected starters:
July 3: Waylon Mayner (5-5, 4.84 ERA) vs. Hank Aguirre (10-5, 3.14 ERA)
July 4: Tom Steele (0-3, 4.30 ERA) vs. Don Drysdale (10-5, 3.41 ERA)
July 5: Paul Toth (5-10, 3.63 ERA) vs. Jim Bouton (5-2, 3.92 ERA)

July 3: Bobby Klaus hits a home run off Don Carpenter in the top of the 11th. Reds 2, Braves 1 (11). Waylon Mayner struck out 11 Braves in 7 IP.
In Cleveland, Birdie Tebbets returns to limited duty as manager of the Indians after his heart attack at the beginning of the season.
July 4: The Braves get 16 hits and treat Boston fans to some extra fireworks on the Nation's holiday! Braves 11, Reds 2.
July 5: Walk, walk, walk, walk, out, walk: that's how the Braves scored their go-ahead runs in the bottom of the 8th. Braves 8, Reds 6.

Trades:
to Dodgers: Jack Palacios (SP)
to Indians: Dick Gernert (1b), Duane Wilson (SP), Whitey Herzog (RF), Al Montreuil (2B)

I don't know why Brooklyn wanted Palacios. With Gernert and Wilson, Cleveland got the best of that deal.

(* * *)

Around the world:

US Senator Edward Kennedy is seriously injured in a private plane crash in Southampton, Massachusetts. The pilot is killed.
Three civil rights workers are killed in Philadelphia, Mississippi by local segregationist law enforcement officials.
The Vatican condemns the birth-control pill.
Casualties in Vietnam reach 399 dead.

In baseball:

Joe Adcock (Orioles) gets his 2000th hit.
Roberto Clemente (Yankees) gets his 1000th RBI.
Johnny Temple (Yankees) gets his 1000th run.

Fred Valentine (Phillies) is out two months with a ruptured cervical disk.
Willard Nixon (Cubs) is out two months with a broken elbow.
Chuck Cottier (White Sox) is out three months with a torn knee ligament.
Frank Linzy (Seals) is out for three months with a broken ankle.
Frank Bork (Pirates) is out for seven weeks with a dislocated hip.
Chuck Essegian (Indians) is out for seven weeks with a dislocated hip.
Jack McMahan (Athletics) is out for seven weeks with a broken forearm.

Frank Smith retired at age 35.



Smith spent his entire career with the Cincinnati Reds. From 1950 to 1960, he went 60-88 as a relief pitcher, but finished with a 3.75 lifetime ERA and 257 saves, tying Hoyt Wilhelm for the most saves ever in baseball.

John Romonosky retired at age 34. He was a relief pitcher with the Cardinals and Athletics, and went to the All-Star Game for the Cardinals in 1955 and 1957. He finished with a 37-24 record and a 3.42 lifetime ERA.
Luis Arroyo retired at age 37. He was a relief pitcher with the Cardinals and Orioles, and went to the All-Star Game for the Orioles in 1963. A shoulder injury ended his career. He retired with a 41-24 record and 3.64 lifetime ERA.

[michaelg123789]

I love this dynasty!

[petrel]

MichaelG,

Thanks! I really appreciate the kudos.

If there's anything anyone wants to know or see in the dynasty, just let me know.

--Pet

[michaelg123789]

MichaelG,

Thanks! I really appreciate the kudos.

If there's anything anyone wants to know or see in the dynasty, just let me know.

--Pet

I think you pretty much have everything covered.

This by far is THE greatest dynasty thread i've ever seen.

[petrel]

1964 All-Star Game
Part I

The 1964 All-Star Game was held in Kansas City, Missouri. It was the first time the All-Star Game has ever been held there, and it is the furthest west an All-Star Game has ever been held.



Municipal Stadium is the home of the Kansas City Blues, and as a stadium, Charlie O. Finley, the Blues owner, will tell you that it leaves a lot to be desired. It's an old stadium, which has been around since 1923. It wasn't originally built with an upper deck, but once Kansas City got the Blues (so to speak), an upper deck was added.

Parking around the stadium is terrible. Even in weekday games, it's very hard to find a parking space, and according to those in the know, you're left to park in lots run by...uh...private individuals. The chance of getting your car broken into is quite good, and "True Blue" fans have to suffer these petty indignities, much less the losses on the field.

Normally, I can't imagine an All-Star Game being held here. This is the third straight year that an AL team has hosted it. But I suspect that in order to quell Finley's incessant whining about the stadium and threats to move, Commissioner Frick gave Kansas City the honor.

I didn't get much of a chance to talk to Finley, as he was with the other American League owners, but he's acting like he's **** of the walk every odd minute, and complaining about his inadequate accomodations the other minute. Thank God I don't have to spend any more time with him than necessary.

(* * *)

However, there was an individual that stole Finley's thunder today. He stole everyone's thunder. Branch Rickey, President of the World Baseball Association showed up to watch a game from one of the box seats.

When the press found out that Rickey was here, they flooded him with attention. The Mahatma took it all in stride -- he was an expert at talking to the press, and was a great public speaker.

How is the World Baseball Association doing? "We have everything we need to be successful next year."

Do you have adequate facilities? "Some of the facilities we will have will put the most modern ballparks to shame! Son, if you could only imagine what the new Houston stadium would look like, you'd believe your own eyes were liars!"

Will you honor National League and American League contracts? "We shall cross that bridge when we come to it. Frankly...I believe in competition." And then Rickey smiled, like a cat with a dead mouse in his mouth.

I was later told that the owner's suite was close enough for the collective American League to watch what was going on down below in the box seat where Rickey sat. Walter O'Malley, the owner of the Angels, turned to Finley and with a pudgy finger, pointed at him and said, "Why did you let that ******* in here?"

"Because," said Finley, smugly, "he bought a ticket. He's a paying customer! I need all the money I can get!"

"If you ran your club better," said O'Malley, "Kansas City wouldn't be a problem."

"I've squeezed dollars out of stone in this tight little cowtown and if Branch Rickey wants to sit in a seat in my stadium, it's fine by me!"

"You know what this is?" shouted O'Malley. "It's treason! It's treason to the American League! You and Cal Griffith are going to jump to that ramshackle league of Rickey's! You even think about it, and I'll run you out of baseball!"

Then Griffith jumped in to argue about his stadium problems and before long, the celebration descended into a brouhaha, with O'Malley walking out. "I wouldn't set foot in your god-damned stadium if my life depended on it!"

"Serves you right!" said Finley. "You didn't pay for your damned ticket, anyway!"

(* * *)

As for the All-Star Game roster, it was...uh...interesting.

1964 National League All-Stars:

C: Earl Battey, Giants (5 straight)
1B: Donn Clendenon, Giants (1)
2B: Jerry Kindall, Giants (4)
3B: Ken Boyer, Cardinals (6 straight)
SS: Bob Johnson, Giants (4)
OF: Frank Robinson, Giants (5)
OF: Carl Yastrzemski, Giants (4 straight)
OF: Joe Christopher, Braves (1)

Frank Howard, Braves (3)
Jim Gilliam, Dodgers (9, only missing 1960)
Roy McMillan, Reds (8)
Gary Geiger, Phillies (4)
John Orsino, Phillies (2 straight)
Bill Mazeroski, Orioles (2 straight)

Joel Cataldo, Orioles (1)
Jim Perry, Cubs (2)
Corky Valentine, Brewers (1)
Mickey McDermott, Pirates (4)
Claude Osteen, Giants (4)
Bill Kirk, Giants (1)
Hank Aguirre, Braves (3)
John Boozer, Phillies (1)
Jack Lamabe, Giants (2)
Ted Abernathy, Phillies (1)
Dean Stone, Braves (3)

Manager: Walter Alston, Dodgers

All in all, the starting lineup looked like a reunion of the New York Giants, as the Giants fans stuffed the ballot boxes. There were six Giants in the starting lineup and nine Giants overall. The Braves and Phillies each sent four All-Stars and the Orioles sent only two. The Cardinals, Dodgers, Reds, Cubs, Brewers, and Pirates had to make due with one All-Star.

Leading all National League All-Stars in appearance was Jim Gilliam, the lone Dodger, in his 9th appearance. There were seven first-time All-Stars, including Joe Christopher of the Braves and Donn Clendenon of the Giants. Myself, I don't think Clendenon belongs there -- he's only in because he's a Giant; there are more deserving All-Stars.

As Ralph Houk, manager of last years NL Champion Giants retired to become GM of the Yankees, Walter Alston of the Brooklyn Dodgers takes over as manager.

[petrel]

1964 All-Star Game
Part II

1964 American League All-Stars:

C: Gene Oliver, Yankees (2 straight)
1B: Don Gile, Seals (1st All-Star appearance and top vote-getter)
2B: Frank Bolling, Tigers (7 straight)
3B: Eddie Mathews, Senators (11 straight)
SS: Jose Pagan, Yankees (1)
OF: Bob Skinner, Yankees (5)
OF: Mickey Mantle, Red Sox (11)
OF: Hank Aaron, Angels (8 straight)

Roberto Clemente, Yankees (5)
Stu Locklin, White Sox (2 straight)
Matty Alou, Indians (2 straight)
Dick Howser, Blues (3 straight)
Stew Karpinski, Athletics (1)
Clay Dalrymple, Seals (1)

Mike McCormick, Angels (4 straight)
Kelly Osborne, Senators (1)
Carl Boudlin, Red Sox (1)
Dick Ellsworth, Seals (1)
Jim Proctor, Tigers (3)
Curt Simmons, Angels (9)
Juan Marichal, Senators (2)
Ed Bauta, Yankees (2 straight)
Jim Brady, Yankees (1)
Jack Aker, Seals (1)
Fred Gladding, Tigers (1)

Manager: Casey Stengel, Yankees

The Yankees lead all teams with six All-Stars, including three starters. The Seals surprisingly send four All-Stars, including starting first baseman Don Gile -- the San Francisco Seals had a campaign to get Gile the most votes, and it paid off big. The Tigers, Senators and Angels sent three players each, the Red Sox sent two players, and the White Sox, Indians, Blues and Athletics sent one player each.

And the surprise was the player chosen to represent the Philadelphia Athletics! Karpinski has been laboring eight seasons in Philadelphia, and he has a .192 lifetime batting average to show for it! And he's an outfielder! ****, couldn't they have sent Gaylord Perry? (Rumor has it he "caught the flu" and "was unable" to attend the All-Star Game, if you can read between the lines.) Such a sad representative only underscores the pathetic plight of the Philadelphia Athletics.

Ten American League All-Stars lose their All-Star virginity, including starters Gile and Jose Pagan. Eddie Mathews and Mickey Mantle -- two "Hall of Famers, fer sure"-- lead both teams in All-Star Game appearances with 11 each. There are only three players in baseball history with more All-Star Game apperances: Mel Ott with 12 and Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams with 13.

(* * *)

Before the game, as always, the 1964 Home Run Derby. The participants:

Hank Aaron, Angels
Ken Boyer, Cardinals
Don Gile, Seals
Frank Howard, Braves
Jerry Kindall, Giants
Mickey Mantle, Red Sox
Eddie Mathews, Senators
Frank Robinson, Giants
Bob Skinner, Yankees
Carl Yastrzemski, Giants

With 10 outs before being eliminated, the Giants decided to put on an intimidating display of hitting, with only Frank Robinson falling behind out of contention. (Along with Hank Aaron, who only hit two home runs in the first round). But Eddie Mathews surged ahead, and it was a close race to the second round, with Mathews leading with eight runs, Kindall with seven, Yastrzemski and Howard with six and Mickey Mantle just missing the cut with five home runs.

The Giants had a 1 in 2 chance of making the final round, but Frank Howard of the Braves was going to claim one of those places as he found his rhythm and hit five home runs out. The race would be between Jerry Kindall, Eddie Mathews and Carl Yastrzemski, and it was Kindall as the surprise winner with four home runs to Yaz and Mathews's three.

But the last round was an anticlimax. Jerry Kindall's bat went dead. (Was he using a corked bat in the earlier rounds?) Frank Howard only needed to hit three home runs to clinch the title, as Frank Howard of the Braves is the winner of the Home Run Derby.

(* * *)

But we can't forget about the All-Star Game itself. Mike McCormick of the Angels (11-3, 1.69 ERA) would start for the Americans in the first inning, giving up only a double and a walk and keeping the visiting Nationals off the basepaths.

Strikeout artist Joel Cataldo (12-4, 3.33 ERA, 165 K) would get the nod in his first ever appearance in an All-Star game to start for the Nationals. But it would not be an easy start. Mickey Mantle would lead off with a walk, and Frank Bolling would single to center, putting runners on first and third. Hank Aaron would then double to score the first run of the game. Americans 1, Nationals 0. Cataldo would get at least one strikeout -- that of Bob Skinner -- before Gene Oliver of the Yankees singled to left field and drove two runs in for the home crowd. Americans 3, Nationals 0. Cataldo would give up one more single before ending the first on a Don Gile strikeout.

In the bottom of the second, the Americans would continue to beat up on the helpless Cataldo. With two out and men on first and second, Bob Skinner would homer over the center field fence and clear the bases on the way to a six run lead. Americans 6, Nationals 0. Cataldo would strike out both Hank Aaron and Jose Pagan, but after two innings, he had given up six earned runs.

Claude Osteen of the Giants would be called in at the bottom of the third, and he'd have no better luck, allowing Don Gile to walk and Roberto Clemente to bring him home with a triple to left center. Then, Osteen's battery mate, Earl Battey of the Giants, would allow a passed ball and Clemente would score from third. Americans 8, Nationals 0.

The fire was dead in this All-Star Game, with what few National League rooters there were in Kansas City praying for a rally. Frank Howard would pinch-hit for Claude Osteen in the top of the fifth and drive in a run for the Nationals to close the score to Americans 8, Nationals 1.

In the top of the sixth, however, the Nationals showed hope for a comeback. Dick Ellsworth of the Seals was on the mound for the Americans, and he gave up a walk to Carl Yastrzemski to lead off the top of the sixth. Bob Johnson would single, and Joe Christopher would double to left to score another Nationals run and bring runners to second and third. Ken Boyer would later hit a sacrifice fly, and Bob Johnson would tag up and score, closing the gap to five runs. Americans 8, Nationals 3.

But with Corky Valentine of the Brewers on the mound, the Americans would answer back. Frank Bolling would lead off the inning with a walk, and one out later, Bob Skinner would homer over the left field fence at Municipal Stadium for two RBIs. Americans 10, Nationals 3.

In the bottom of the eighth, with Ted Abernathy of the Phillies on the mound, Gene Oliver would double with a man on first and two out to advance runners to second and third. Jose Pagan would hit an RBI single driving both runs in to boost the American League lead to nine runs. Americans 12, Nationals 3.

Donn Clendenon of the Giants would homer off Jack Aker of the Seals in the top of the ninth to add one final run for the Nationals with one out. But Roy McMillan would ground to short, and Aker would strike out Frank Robinson to end the game at Kansas City.

FINAL SCORE: Americans 12, Nationals 4.

(* * *)

The pendulum of All-Star Games seemed to be turning back in the direction of the American League. The Americans had won four of the last five All-Star Games.

As an All-Star Game, it wasn't much to write about -- a clear, decisive win by the American Leaguers. But what was important in baseball would happen off the field in Kansas City, that night, with an edict from Commissioner Frick to make things very, very interesting....!

[petrel]

July 1964
Interim
Part I


The Hotel Phillips in Kansas City.

While watching the end of the All-Star Game in the 9th inning (I'm never one to leave early), one of the aides-de-camp of Warren Giles, the National League President walked over to my box.

"Mr. Bowman," he said, "Mr. Giles is requesting an emergency meeting of the National League. You'll have to stay in Kansas City overnight."

"I have plane tickets back to Boston," I said. "We play the Phillies at home on the 12th, and I'd like to be back to see that game." The game was on a Sunday, but I saw every game I could, following the path of ol' Bill Veeck.

"Mr. Giles is making this request on behalf of Commissioner Frick. He's asking that you cancel your tickets. He apologizes for the inconvenience this will cause you, but he doesn't see any way out of it."

"Can you tell me what this is about?" I asked. Unfortunately, he didn't know.

(* * *)

The National League met at the office Business Men's Assurance Company in Kansas City. A member of the firm knew one of the owners and he pulled strings to have us meet there after normal business hours.

We waited for Warren Giles, the National League president, to convene the meeting. He was on time, and he wanted to get the meeting over with quickly.

"Gentlemen," he said, "The American League has convened and has stated that they are not opposed, in principle, to an expansion to 11 teams. They want to know if the National League is also interested in expanding to 11 teams before they go ahead."

"Wasn't this matter already discussed, at length, before -- didn't we draw our conclusions in December at last year?" asked Barron Hilton of the Dodgers. "We turned down expansion. Myself, I voted in favor, but I'll go with what the league wants. Why are we doing this again and why are we trailing after the American League, Mr. President?"

"The Commissioner," said Giles, "asked the American League if they would reconvene and if they would make a second proposal. Gentlemen, the Commissioner wants an expansion of baseball. He thinks it will solve our problems with the World Baseball Association."

"Those pikers!" said Gussie Busch of the Cardinals. "That league's never going to get off the ground, Warren, and you know it."

"I don't know it. Branch Rickey shows up at our All-Star Game and makes a lot of cryptic remarks about competition. The Commissioner thinks that Rickey is going to lead this new league into a Federal League-type war for players. It's going to drive contracts up through the roof and it's going to hit all of our gates, and hard, too. I'm not trying to scare anyone, but I'm saying that this has to be considered very seriously. Rickey and his boys have real money and they can make this happen. We need some sort of weapon, and one of our only weapons is to directly compete for the attention of those cities that want to buy in. It certainly shows that all across America, there is a desire for big-league ball."

"You all know that by National League rules," he said, "it only takes one team to kill this proposal. Ron, I know you speak for Ron Stark in Boston. Are you sure that you represent his wishes?"

"Well," I said, "I know that John McHale (Brewers) and John Holland (Cubs) are in the same position I am. Our owners aren't here to speak for themselves. Mr. Stark has never gainsaid any of my decisions as GM of the Braves. Frankly, and I think John McHale will agree with me, that there are a lot of teams in financial trouble. Look at Bing Crosby's Athletics. He can write them off his taxes, but that franchise is in trouble and it's making the leagues look bad. And now, we're being asked to expand, to take money from the gates of nearby cities, or to not take care of our own house first? I don't see the point."

"Well," said Giles, "I don't know how Bing voted, but his league is in favor of an expansion and I'm sure they're well aware of the state of the A's. Instead of speaking of hypothetical circumstances, let's talk about the practical matter of an expansion."

"Where would we go?" asked Joan Whitney Payson of the Giants, a very dignified woman. "To which other cities is an expansion proposed?"

"Mrs. Payson, that's a very hard question to answer. I don't have the answer. Most likely, not New York. New York already has three ball clubs; it can't support any more and the Polo Grounds has already been torn down."

"Eleven teams?" said Bill DeWitt. "Why 11 teams? How are you going to have a schedule with 11 teams?"

"Interleague play," said Giles, "has been proposed."

The entire conference table groaned. "Interleague? With the Junior Circuit?" Most National League owners had contempt for the American Leaguers. We considered ourselves the classier of the two leagues.

"Won't that mess up every record book we have?" said Gussie Busch. "What kind of cheap stunt is that? That's a bush league idea!"

"Gussie," said Giles, "we don't know that's what the other league wants. Undoubtedly, they agreed to add one team to cut down the bargaining power of the WBA. Make those teams fight for our attention."

"And the Commissioner is still in Kansas City?" said Bob Carpenter of the Phillies.

"Yes."

"He could have had the class to show up himself," he grumbled.

"Don't let's make this about personalities," said Giles. "I propose a simple vote. I will talk to Phil Wrigley, Ron Stark and Bill Bartholomay later. All those in favor of an expansion, in principle?"

Seven hands went up. Jerold Hoffberger of the Orioles, Hilton of the Dodgers, John Holland of the Cubs, Bill DeWitt of the Reds, John McHale of the Brewers, John Galbreath of the Pirates and Gussie Busch of the Cardinals.

"Opposed?"

My hand went up. Joan Whitney Payson's hand went up and Bob Carpenter of the Phillies also voted against.

"Seven to three. Even under the American League rules, this motion would not have carried. I'll talk to the Commissioner. The National League will not expand."

[petrel]

July 1964
Interim
Part II

It was 1:24 am that night and I was at my hotel, asleep. A bellboy knocked on my door, loudly. In my pajamas, I crawled over to answer it.

"Yeah?"

"Mr. Bowman...I have a Ford Frick who wishes to speak to you. I'm gonna send him on up here if that's okay."

The Commissioner himself. "Uh...couldn't I get dressed first?"

"I'll let him know. Fifteen minutes okay?"

"Sure."

I put on a pair of slacks and a short-sleeved white shirt and ran some water over my head to wake up. I rearranged the covers and waited for Ford Frick to come up and talk to me. I could guess what it was about.

A few moments later, there was a knock. It was Frick, in the same suit he had worn to the All-Star Game that night.

"Hello, Pet."

"Hello, Mr. Commissioner. You want to go down to the lobby?"

"Afraid not, Pet. Press might be there. Pet, I'll come right out with it. I want you to change your vote on the National League expansion."

I raised an eyebrow. "Well, it's no secret that I would have voted against it. But don't you have to talk to Joan Whitney Payson and Bob Carpenter first?"

"I've already spoken with them. They've both agreed to change their votes in favor of expansion."

"So I'm the final holdout."

"Yes."

"Okay, Mr. Commissioner. Make your argument."

Frick sat down. "Pet, baseball cannot afford a war. Now you know that the footballers recently had a war, and the American Football League fell apart. Frankly, I don't know how long another league would survive. One year? Two years? Maybe three if it were lucky. I have no doubt that the National and American Leagues would weather the storm. We have tradition on our side, Pet. The problem, however, is that any attempt to compete with us would be seen as a failure by the press. We should be seen to be so strong as to disinvite any form of competition."

"Furthermore," said Frick, "a league war, in addition to driving player prices up, would hit your team hard. You can't afford to bid against eight other clubs for the services of your players, particularly if none of those other clubs will honor Braves contracts. It will hurt everything you've wanted to build in Boston. You've performed a miracle there keeping the Braves alive. A league war might hurt the Braves chance of survival, and I know you don't want to see that."

"I see," I said. "But the reason I want the Braves to survive is because I want baseball to be healthy. It's what Morris Stark would have wanted more than anything, God rest his soul. Milwaukee has been a problem in the National League for years. Philadelphia, the Athletics...I don't know. This New York dominance is killing the league."

"Pet," said Frick, "I think Milwaukee can survive. They're in the black, and even though they're not winning, at least they're not an embarassment. As for the A's -- well, Pet, maybe the time for two-team baseball in Philadelphia is over. Besides...the willingness to relocate the Athletics could only strengthen our bargaining position."

"Why are we abandoning the fans of the Athletics?"

"I heard someone say," Frick said, "that of the kingdoms and monarchies of Europe, most of them were destroyed not by the rebellions of the time, but by their rabid defenders. Maybe it's just time to let the Athletics go."

"Mr. Commissioner, this league has too many problems that have to be met. Expansion just adds to the problems."

"Pet," said Frick with a sigh. "I am going to ask you again. As a personal favor to me...will you change your vote?"

I thought about it. Commissioner Frick had been very good to me over the years. We managed to give Kansas City the old Browns franchise and help the fans in Missouri. We found another buyer for the Athletics. We kept the Dodgers and Giants in their rightful places.

"All right, Mr. Commissioner. If you want this as a personal favor...I'll do it. But against my better judgment."

"Thank you, Pet. I'm going to let you go back to bed. I'll make the announcement to the press tomorrow morning. Now that both leagues agree to expansion, in principle, it's just a matter of working out the particulars."

I nodded. I would have to get another flight back to Boston. What those "particulars" meant, or when we would expand, or how we would expand, or if we would expand...those were all unanswered questions.

[petrel]

Late July 1964
Part I


Barry Goldwater wins a bitter convention battle this month to become the Republican nominee for President.

On July 11, 1964, the papers across the country trumpeted:

BASEBALL AGREES TO EXPANSION "IN PRINCIPLE"
Details not yet worked out
American, National Leagues in agreement
Announcement puts pressure on World Baseball Association

We still had not yet decided what "in princple" meant. I was opposed to any 11-team expansion and I definitely was not interested in interleague play. The Commissioner's Office put every team in the league under a press blackout. All inquiries were to be directed to the Commissioner's Office.

Meanwhile, both leagues, separately and together, had to negotiate the details of an expansion. What would it really mean?

At this moment, I didn't care. I was trying to find a plane out of Kansas City. I would miss the game against the Phillies, and with the July trade deadline looming, it was all just another unfortunate distraction. And we still had no assurances that this unnamed threat would hurt the World Baseball Association.

(* * *)

Trades:
to Phillies: Chet Boak (2b)
to Indians: Haywood Sullivan (C), Don Robertson (RF)

Even though Sullivan and Robertson are older, they are good acquisitions for the Indians.

July 12th-14th, 1964
Boston Braves (50-34) at Chicago Cubs (44-40)

Projected starters:
July 12: Hank Aguirre (10-5, 3.03 ERA) vs. Jim Perry (14-2, 2.42 ERA)
July 13: Don Drysdale (11-5, 3.37 ERA) vs. Art Mahaffey (4-4, 2.40 ERA)
July 14: Jim Bouton (6-2, 4.22 ERA) vs. Carl Duser (9-7, 4.13 ERA)

July 12: A tough game to start the second half of the season. With the score tied 3-3 after nine innings, the Braves went up 4-3 in the 10th on a wild pitch by Bill Tremel. But Eric MacKenzie, pinch-hitting for Tremel, scored a tying run in the 10th to tie it at 4-4. In the 11th, the Braves Bernie Allen hit a home run off Bill Daley and Joe Christopher hit an RBI single to make it Braves 6, Cubs 4. But with Don Carpenter on the mound, the Braves loaded the bases and allowed a walk and single and a to tie the game yet again 6-6 after 11 innings.
The 12th and 13th innings passed with no score. But in the bottom of the 14th, Danny Kravitz led off with a single, Al Kaline bunted Kravitz to second and Tookie Gilbert singled, and Kravitz beat the throw home for the win. Cubs 7, Braves 6 (14).
July 13: Joe Christopher hits a grand slam in the top of the 9th. Braves 7, Cubs 5.
Gino Cimoli spikes his knee, and he'll have to sit out for the Cubs. Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, Hank Aaron suffers a season-ending hip injury. In 1962, a broken forearm ended his season. Aaron finishes 1964 with 19 home runs, his lowest total as a major-leaguer.
July 14: Don Wert hits his second home run, but the Cubs come out on top. Cubs 4, Braves 2.

(* * *)

The Giants have won nine straight games, off to an incredible 71-16 record. They are 18 1/2 games ahead of Philadelphia. We're 20 games out of first place. As for the Athletics, they have lost nine straight and are 17-73.

Ron Herbel comes off the disabled list for the Braves.

We travel to Brooklyn. The Dodgers are tied with the Cubs for 4th place in the National League.

July 15th-17th, 1964
Boston Braves (51-36) at Brooklyn Dodgers (46-41)

Projected starters:
July 15: Bill Graham (8-10, 3.48 ERA) vs. Gene Snyder (9-7, 3.05 ERA)
July 16: Steve Ridzik (1-4, 4.83 ERA) vs. Earl Wilson (4-1, 1.94 ERA)
July 17: Hank Aguirre (10-5, 3.03 ERA) vs. Fritz Ackley (7-7, 4.05 ERA)

July 15: Bill Graham holds the Dodgers to five hits and a walk. Braves 7, Dodgers 0.
July 16: Joe Torre gets his 9th home run, but Aguirre takes the loss. Dodgers 6, Braves 4.
July 17: Drysdale strikes out seven in seven innings, but the Braves bats go dead. Dodgers 3, Braves 1.

(* * *)

The second-place Phillies are swept by the Giants. It is the 12th straight victory for the Jints.

Over the three days, here are the numbers: Runs scored -- Giants 18, Phillies 1. The Phillies were shut out twice. I can now honestly see the Giants winning the pennant by 30 games or more.

In the meantime, the National Leagues and American Leagues were struggling with the expansion question. How much to expand? The only thing keeping me from expanding to the minimum -- 11 teams -- was the thought of one team having to sit out during a crucial pennant race, or for someone to offer the odious idea of interleague play.

The American Leaguers were for interleague play, but the Nationals were against it. Finally, Comissioner Frick stepped in and suggested that the National League had to decide which was more important -- limited expansion, or no interleague play.

Reluctantly, on July 18th, the National League agreed to an expansion "in principle" from 10 to 12 teams by some undefined year. The American League concurred. They would also expand to 12 teams in the same year that the National League expanded. The news was announced to a waiting baseball world that there was the possibility of four places opening up in organized baseball.

(* * *)

July 18th-20th, 1964
Boston Braves (52-38) at Chicago Cubs (49-41)

Projected starters:
July 18: Jim Bouton (6-3, 4.24 ERA) vs. Carl Duser (10-7, 3.94 ERA)
July 19: Bill Graham (9-10, 3.28 ERA) vs. Cal Hogue (5-11, 4.20 ERA)
July 20: Steve Ridzik (1-4. 4.83 ERA) vs. Steve Kraly (2-5, 3.24 ERA)

July 18: Don Wert draws a walk with the bases loaded in extra innings for a Braves win. Braves 5, Cubs 4 (12).
July 19: Bill Graham and Ron Herbel shut out the Cubs. Braves 6, Cubs 0.
The Philadelphia Athletics sweep the Kansas City Blues at home, winning their 4th straight game.

Bob Skinner hits his 300th home run off Fred Gladding of the Tigers in the 9th inning in a game in Detroit. It is the only Yankee run as the Tigers win, 4-1.

July 20: Dave Nicholson hits his 21st home run and Jim Perry gets the loss as the Braves sweep the Cubs. Braves 6, Cubs 2.

(* * *)

Trades:
to Pirates: Reno Bertoia (3B), Joe Caffie (RF)
to Red Sox: Stan Pawloski (2B)

Both teams swap good infielders. Caffie is a good late-inning defensive player.

(* * *)

On July 18th, for the first time, President Branch Rickey of the World Baseball Association and Commissioner Ford Frick of Major League Baseball talked on the phone.

Rickey initiated the call. Both he and Frick exchanged pleasantries before getting down to business. There might be a mutual solution to the problems of both leagues. Perhaps, teams of the World Baseball Association could be accepted as possible expansion franchises for the National and American Leagues?

This was exactly what Ford Frick was wanting to hear. The problem was negotiation of the particulars. First -- when to expand?

Rickey stated that "his associates" -- Hofheinz and Autry -- wanted expansion as soon as possible. In 1965. That point was "non negotiable", along with "other intangibles" that had to be worked out between both parties.

One of those intangibles was "indemnity" -- if MLB agreed to absorb the WBA, then what would happen to the owners of the WBA who missed out on the expansion? Rickey felt that they should be compensated "in some agreeable fashion to the satisfaction of all concerned".

Frick felt that "there was a basis for further discussion". Rickey stated "Frankly, Commissioner, I think it's just a matter of working out the fine print."

On July 19th, the lawyers of the World Baseball Association flew to New York City to discuss terms of a possible agreement with the legal wizards of Major League Baseball regarding the plans of both leagues. At this point, there was more than an agreement "in principle" -- now the ayes had to be dotted and the tees had to be crossed.

(* * *)

July 21st-23rd, 1964
Boston Braves (55-38) at Brooklyn Dodgers (49-44)

Projected starters:
July 21: Don Drysdale (11-6, 3.51 ERA) vs. Dee Geer (6-12, 4.03 ERA)
July 22: Jim Bouton (6-3, 4.32 ERA) vs. Shayne Hanlon (7-8, 3.86 ERA)
July 23: Bill Graham (10-10, 3.13 ERA) vs. Gene Snyder (9-9, 3.37 ERA)

July 21: The Braves are outhit 10 to 9, but still manage a win. Braves 4, Dodgers 2.
July 22: The Braves four-game win streak comes to an end with a shutout. Dodgers 2, Braves 0.
July 23: The Braves tie the game in the top of the 9th, but Orlando Cepeda hits a game-winning home run in the bottom of the 10th. Dodgers 7, Braves 4 (10).

(* * *)

[petrel]

Late July 1964
Part II

We are in 3rd place, 23 games out of first. I really don't think I'm going to be making any spectacular free agent trades to make a late run for the pennant. Every other team other than the Giants is planning for next year. There are three American League teams 10 1/2 games behind the Yankees; you might see some action there.

The Philadelphia Athletics are 6-4 in their last 10 games. Maybe there's still some life in the White Elephants.

The Braves finally go back home, for three games against 9th-place Milwaukee.

July 24th-26th, 1964
Milwaukee Brewers (34-59) at Boston Braves (56-40)

Projected starters:
July 24: Jim Owens (6-6, 2.42 ERA) vs. Hank Aguirre (11-6, 3.10 ERA)
July 25: Corky Valentine (11-7, 2.31 ERA) vs. Don Drysdale (12-6, 3.47 ERA)
July 26: Mickey Lolich (0-1, 4.26 ERA) vs. Jim Bouton (6-4, 4.13 ERA)

July 24: Hank Aguirre and Don Carpenter hold the Brewers to three hits. Braves 2, Brewers 1.
July 25: Joe Cunningham homers off Craig McDougle in the top of the 16th in a 5 1/2 hour game. Braves 3, Brewers 2 (16).
The Giants win their 7th straight, beating the Dodgers 7-2. They are 81-17 on the year.
July 26: Don Carpenter gives up three straight solo home runs in the 11th -- off Luke Woodland, Leon Hefland and Ryan Smith -- as the Brewers avoid the sweep in extra innings. Brewers 10, Braves 7 (11).

In Los Angeles, there was an amazing 20 inning game, with the Indians beating the Angels 4-2. A home run by George Thomas in the top of the 20th would help break the logjam.

(* * *)

We are currently in 2nd place, although 24 games back. The Cubs are in fourth place, and we play them for the next to last time this year, the last time being at Wrigley in September.

July 27th-29th, 1964
Chicago Cubs (50-46) at Boston Braves (58-41)

Projected starters:
July 27: Jim Perry (15-3, 2.30 ERA) vs. Bill Graham (10-10, 3.09 ERA)
July 28: Art Mahaffey (5-5, 2.72 ERA) vs. Steve Ridzik (1-4, 4.83 ERA)
July 29: Carl Duser (10-7, 4.06 ERA) vs. Hank Aguirre (12-6, 2.95 ERA)

July 27: Bill Graham gives up three runs in the top of the 6th. Cubs 5, Braves 4.
In Cincinnati, Reds coach Fred Hutchinson enters a Cincinnati hospital for cancer treatment.

Trades:
to Pirates: Rudy Arias (RP), Ernie Fazio (2B)
to Red Sox: Willie Stargell (LF)

More or less an even trade for both clubs.

July 28: A high-scoring game with Joe Torre hitting two home runs. Braves 13, Cubs 9.
July 29: Drysdale strikes out 7 in 8 2/3 innings, but the Braves are held to three hits. Cubs 4, Braves 0.

(* * *)

The Braves get one day off before playing the Giants for three games at home.

Trades:
to Giants: Johnny Romano (C)
to Pirates: Chuck Nieson (RP), Danny Napoleon (LF)

The Giants get a back up catcher and the Pirates get a great prospect in Chuck Nieson.

And now...it was our turn to trade.

We had quite a few players up for contract.

1. Frank Howard. It's hard to believe that Hondo has been a Brave for three years. However, he wanted to re-sign at $9 million/year. So he'll go on the trading block.
2. Roger Maris. It's been an underperforming year for Maris, but he wants $7.15 million/year for no guarantee that he'll get better. Time to shop him out as well.
3. Ray Herbert: I keep getting conflicting reports about Herbert -- the scouts say he's terrible, but he's posting an 11-3 record in AAA Denver. I'll see what offers I can get.
4. Dean Stone: Dean Stone actually makes a reasonable offer. Dean Stone is re-signed for 2 years at $3.4 million/year, to end in 1965.
5. Lou Berberet: Berberet's agent keeps pressing his luck. He's wanting $3 million now after having to sign a desperation contract for $1.6 million out of free agency. I really don't want to deal with Berberet.
6. Manny Mota: Manny Mota is talking some sense. Manny Mota is re-signed for 2 years at $1.45 million.
7. Jim Bouton: Bouton is having his best year with us and he wants to avoid arbitration. He'll take $1.5 million/year until the end of 1965. We re-sign Jim Bouton..
8. Darold Knowles: $1.3 million a year for a pitcher that hasn't made it out of the minors? Uh...no. We'll see if we can shop him around.
9. Dave Nicholson: Somehow, Dave Nicholson's agent knew the magic numbers. Dave Nicholson avoids arbitration and Dave Nicholson is re-signed at $5.05 million/year until the end of 1966.

After that, we start making some trades:

Trades:
to Tigers: Frank Howard (LF)
to Braves: Doug Mincher (1B) and $3 million

Mincher is a great young prospect. We move him on to our bench and send Bernie Allen back to AAA. And Howard stays out of the National League.

to Angels: Roger Maris (OF) and $3 million
to Braves: Dick Rustek (SP), Floyd Robinson (RF)

Easy come, easy go. The Angels need a good back-up outfielder now that Aaron's out for the year. Floyd Robinson, long a mainstay for the Athletics, can start for us right now.

to Senators: Darold Knowles (RP)
to Braves: Ken Holtzman (SP)

Holtzman was the first round draft pick of Washington this year. He's only 18, and can only get better and better.

We can't move Ray Herbert or Lou Berbert in the market at all. But at least, we're ready for 1965.

(* * *)

As the tradeline approaches, we play the Giants at home for three games. We want to puncture their 11 game winning streak.

July 31st-August 2nd, 1964
New York Giants (85-17) at Boston Braves (59-43)

Projected starters:
July 31: Claude Osteen (18-2, 2.02 ERA) vs. Jim Bouton (6-4, 3.97 ERA)
August 1: John Fitzgerald (16-3, 3.49 ERA) vs. Bill Graham (10-11, 3.22 ERA)
August 2: Bill Kirk (13-1, 2.59 ERA) vs. Steve Ridzik (1-4, 4.83 ERA)

July 31: At a sell-out game, Frank Robinson hits his 35th home run of the year. Giants 11, Braves 4.

There were only two trades that broke the deadline:

Trades:
to Seals: Jacke Davis (LF), Rudy Minarcin (RP)
to Blues: Luke Walker (SP), Casey Wise (2B), Tod McDonald (CF), Steve Diaz (LF), Javier Basantes (RF), Phil Roof (C)

The Blues had to take a lot of crappy players to get prospect Luke Walker.

to Brewers: Willard Hunter (RP)
to Phillies: O. J. Mackinney (SP)

No one worth worrying about in this trade.

August 1: Floyd Robinson hits his second home run of the year, and the Giants streak comes to an end. Braves 4, Giants 3.
August 2: Bill Kirk increases his record to 14-1 as the Giants edge out Boston. Giants 4, Braves 2.

(* * *)

On August 1st, Sandy Koufax of the Kansas City Blues struck out Chico Carrasquel of the Athletics on the way to a 4-2 Blues victory in Philadelphia. Only 4, 411 people saw Sandy Koufax's 2000th strikeout.

People in baseball are taking notice of what a great pitcher Koufax is. The #2 Draft Pick in the very first amateur draft in 1954, Koufax has pitched his entire career in Kansas City, ringing up an 111-136 lifetime record and 3.79 lifetime ERA. And his accomplishments are so unappreciated.

Amazingly, Koufax is 12th on the All-Time strikeout list. Joel Cataldo is 18th, Mickey McDermott is 19th, and Whitey Ford is 21st. We might see an era of strikeout kings!

Walter Johnson is unthreatened, with a lifetime strikeout record of 3509 strikeouts.

Around the world:

Barry Goldwater claims the Republican Party nomination for president in San Francisco. He gives his famous speech that "extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice" and "moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue".
Six days of race riots begin in Harlem, New York after a white police officer shoots a 15-year old black male.
The United States increases total forces in South Vietnam to 21,000 soldiers and advisors.

In baseball:

Bob Skinner (Yankees) hit his 1000th RBI.

Johnny Blanchard (Dodgers) is out for the season with a ruptured cervical disk.
Bob Miller (Reds) is out for the season with a severed knee ligament.
Harry Fanok (Angels) is out for the season with a severed knee ligament.
Dave McNally (Orioles) is out for the season with a broken leg.
Don Landrum (Cardinals) is out for four weeks with a broken collarbone.