Even the Braves

[CatKnight]

I wonder why no one's signing the FAs. League finances must be real shaky. I'd say Pet needs to talk to Ron Stark again. Mickey could be decisive.

[petrel]

CatKnight,

Yes, I wonder why no one is signing FAs. It seems that the balance is tilting to pitchers -- we only had one 50 HR guy in baseball last year -- and maybe teams have figured it's the way to do.

Or it's that everyone's financial situation is indeed so shaky that no one can be signed. (For a minute there, I thought it was collusion.)

CatKnight and abben,

I'm going to try to get Mantle, or Christopher, or Torre. But "Moneybags" Stark might not let it happen.

--Pet

[petrel]

Ladies and Gentlemen, your....

...1966 Boston Braves!!

Position Players

C: Gordon Massa (72). Yeah, the scouts sure don't think much of him. But he hit .329 last year in his first full season with the Blues, with a .375 OBA. A pity that's his only full season. I'm hoping to pick up Dalyrimple or Torre as a full time backstop; for now, he'll do.

1B: Don Mincher (93). He hit 52 home runs last year, setting the record for baseball in 1965. The question is, was that a fluke year in 1965 or can he keep it up?

2B: Joe Morgan (90/94). This kid just blew away Spring Training, with a .404 BA in 15 games. A pity he only hit .230 last year. We like hitters in Boston and I want to see this kid hit like he did in the minors.

3B: Pumpsie Green (74). Every year, he manages to hit just well enough to keep his job. But he's turning into **** in the field, and I might have to consider a trade lest I have to buy Pumpsie a matador's cape.

SS: Bernie Allen (81). Last year was the first year this 25-year old came close to hitting to his promise, with a .272 BA and 14 HR. Had a good spring training, maybe this is his breakout year.

LF: Dave Nicholson (93/94). Every year he gets better and better, hitting 41 home runs last year. The problem for me is...this is his final year.

CF: Vic Davalillo (86). Got him for a song on the free agent market. Lifetime .308 average. Why so cheap? A history of weeks-long injuries in his past had most teams shying away.

RF: Joe Cunningham (79). A D-class right fielder; basically a first baseman shoved into a right-fielder's shoes. Hoping some new young outfielder can knock him out of the spot.


Bench

Manny Mota (86). This 27 year old has managed to constantly play under the level of his talent, with a lifetime line of .295BA/.348OBP/.331SLG. He's an okay left fielder; if he could finally put the wood to the ball he might start someday.

Rudy Regalado (73). Scored 82 runs last year for the Cubs and an excellent defensive third baseman. Hired to be a replacement part for Pumpsie Green if he can't keep his job.

Floyd Robinson (81). One of the few good hitters to come out of the Athletics organization, he has had a sad two years at Boston, with an OBA of .333 in 1965. Everyone is hoping he'll come off the bench.

Lou Berberet (81). A 35-year old weak-hitting catcher getting slower and slower. He's just keeping the bench warm before he gets sent to AAA after Dalyrimple or Torre is signed.

Tommy Davis (90/92). A young player in the peak of his career, but who has never measured up to playing in the big leagues. Hit .284 BA in 1965 but a measly .320 OBP. He has to learn to stop swinging at every pitch that comes his way, but it might be too late to learn discipline.

Dick Smith (82/860. A good defensive first baseman that's never really had a chance to play.


Starters

Harvey Branch (86). Went 12-8 with a 2.95 ERA in his rookie year. At 27, he can only get better.

Howie Koplitz (88). Finally found his stride and some confidence after being traded to St. Louis. Maybe it taught him a lesson and he straightened up.

Don Drysdale (82). He's been a Brave since 1955 but is always an irritant. Somehow manages to win more than he loses. So many times I've been tempted to trade him. 144-97 lifetime, and 143 of those wins come as a Brave.

Hank Aguirre (74). 15-10 with a 3.84 ERA last year, 3.00 ERA lifetime. But he's 35 and he looked awful in Spring Training.

Jason Dejban (72). Did well last year, going with a 2.52 ERA in 25 IP. But his lifetime walks are close to his lifetime strikeouts.


Bullpen

Closer: Don Carpenter (82/90). He's been the guy to go to for the last two years. Over that time, he's 9-12, with 47 saves and 4 blown saves. But last year, he had 22 BB and 38K. Is he really good enough?

Setup: Ron Herbel (93). Great 2.68 ERA in 100 2/3 IP last year. However, this is the last year of his contract, and his agent threatens that Herbel could be a closer with the Athletics. "So could Phyllis," I retort.

Short Relief: Lindy McDaniel (83). Free agent acquistion from the Pirates. 2.69 ERA in 120 2/3 IP. Casey won't be needing him, so I'll take him.

Short Relief: Cecil Perkins (82/91). 2.94 ERA over 88 2/3 IP over the last four years. There's never been a space in the starting lineup for him, so he'll be the first one penciled in in case my starters fail.

Middle Relief: Ralph Beard (63). This 37-year old forkballer went 2.99 in 117 1/3 innings pitched in '65 and won 7 games. The scouts say he's lost it, but I want to see what happens on the playing field.

Long Relief: Jim Bouton (83). After a shaky 1963, his talent appears ready to shine again. Maybe the "Bulldog" will get a chance to bite the opposition.


AAA Jacksonville Suns

Jose Cardenal, OF
Phil Gagliano, IF
Ron Campbell, 2B
Bob Schmidt, C
Santiago Rosario, 1B
Bill Freehan, C
Bart Shirley, IF

Bill Graham, SP
Jose Santiago, RP
Nick Willhite, SP
Bob Sadowski, SP
Ray Herbert, SP
Jim Lomborg, SP
Gene Brabender, SP
Frank Beagle, SP

AA Austin Braves

Jimmy Wynn, OF
Johnny Briggs, OF
Dick Green, 2B
Bill Davis, 1B

Dick Joyce, SP
Marcelino Lopez, SP
Jerry Stephenson, SP
Jim Hardin, SP
Bill Wilson, RP
Conrad Cardinal, SP
Steve Mingori, RP
Jim McAndrew, SP

A Shelby Rebels

Jim Lefebvre, IF
Don Pepper, 1B
Tito Fuentes, IF
Fred Rico, RF
Jerry Davanon, IF
Steve Whitaker, OF
John Sanders, 1B
Hector Torres, IF
Dave Robinson, LF

Tommy John, SP
Ken Holtzman, SP
Bruce Von Hoff, SP
Wally Bunker, SP
Jim Bibby, SP
Ron Keller, SP
Jim Magnuson, SP
John Flavin, SP

Rookie League Boise Braves

Ron Clark, IF
Rick Bladt, CF
Rene Lachemann, C
Joe Rudi, LF
Tom Paciorek, LF

Jim Britton, SP
Dick Woodson, SP

[petrel]

Early April 1966


This would become one of the most controversial issues of TIME magazine, ever.

The awful part about the beginning of the season is that we have to wait three games before we can start it: the Braves and the Stars are scheduled to start last this year. But the good thing is that after years of being someone else's hope opener to start the season, the Braves finally get the chance to start at home.

This gives me a chance to watch the rest of the league in action. On a cold, foggy night in Cincinnati, Wayne Genser of the Pirates struck out 10 Cincinnati Reds to get the Pirates on a winning track with a 5-4 win. But the Pirates would lose the next two.

None of the NL East teams took a commanding lead in that three-game stand, with Baltimore, Brooklyn and New York tied 2-1, all 1/2 game ahead of us. The Giants did score 26 runs, though.

Brian O'Kelley, last year's AL strikeout leader for the Indians, landed in Atlanta and helped the Peaches beat the Senators 7-2 at their home opener in Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. Hey, maybe the Peaches can rise to the top of the AL West. As for new stadiums, the Stars don't open theirs until the 7th, when they host the World Champion New York Giants.

The New York Yankees whipped the Chicago White Sox, 7-1, 6-2, and 7-0 to take a 3-0 jump for the AL East lead. However, the Athletics won two out of three on the road against the Angels, despite being whipped 14-2 in game two of the series.

(* * *)

April 4th-6th, 1966
Los Angeles Stars (0-0) at Boston Braves (0-0)

April 4: Harvey Branch gives up 12 hits but somehow manages a complete game victory. Manager Gil Hodges was thrown out disputing Pumpie Green getting thrown at at third after running from first on a single from Gordon Massa. Braves 5, Stars 1
W: Harvey Branch (1-0) L: Jim Bunning (0-1)

April 5: The Stars jump to a 7-0 lead and never look back. Stars 7, Braves 3
W: Hector Maestri (1-0) L: Howie Koplitz (0-1)

April 6: This time, the Braves jump out to a 9-0 lead with help from homeruns by Don Mincher and Dave Nicholson. Don Drysdale strikes out eight in nine innings. Braves 9, Stars 2.
W: Don Drysdale (1-0) L: Carl Duser (0-1)

(* * *)

The Cardinals take a trip to Boston to visit. We won't play an NL East team until the Pirates later in the month.

April 7th-9th, 1966
St. Louis Cardinals (2-4) at Boston Braves (2-1)

April 7: Dave Nicholson hits two home runs and Hank Aguirre strikes out eight in nine innings. Braves 12, Cardinals 1.
W: Hank Aguirre (1-0) L: Bob Nicholson
The Stars open Anaheim Stadium with a 6-1 win over New York, temporarily in last place at 4-3.

April 8: Don Nicholson gets his fourth home run as the Braves come back from behind to win, going through four pitchers. Braves 6, Cardinals 4.
W: Lindy McDaniel (1-0) L: Bob Lee (0-1) S: Don Carpenter (1)

April 9: Despite failing to strike out a single batter, Koplitz pitches a complete game and gets his first win. Braves 5, Cardinals 1.
W: Howie Koplitz (1-1) L: Larry Jackson (0-3)

(* * *)

Our homestand comes to an end as we host the Astros, who are tied for the lead in the NL West...at 3-3.

April 10th-12th, 1966
Houston Astros (3-3) at Boston Braves (5-1)

April 10: Two lead off doubles and a following single in the bottom of the 7th give the Braves a comeback win. Braves 4, Astros 3.
W: Don Drysdale (2-0) L: Jim Bailey (1-1) S: Ron Herbel (1)

April 11: Dave Nicholson homers off Julio Navarro in the bottom of the 9th for another comeback Braves win. Braves 6, Astros 4.
W: Cecil Perkins (1-0) L: Julio Navarro (0-1)
The Orioles shutout the Brewers in Milwaukee 7-0 to hang on to a 1/2 game lead in the NL East as the Brewers lose their 10th straight.

April 12: A six-run 5th inning helps the Braves along to their 7th straight win. Braves 7, Astros 2.
W: Harvey Branch (2-0) L: Jim O'Toole (0-1)

(* * *)

It's now time for the Braves to go on the road, to play the Cubs at Wrigley.

In the meantime, I'm desperately trying to negotiate with Ron Stark Jr. to allow me to sign either Mickey Mantle, Joe Christopher or Joe Torre. Our discussions almost become acrimonious. Finally, Stark chooses the lesser of three evils. "Fine! If you have to sign someone, sign Torre! At least he's a Brave!" Then he hung up on me, like a discontented old woman.

Word from Torre's agent is that Torre's asking for $5.7 million. We start at $5.3 million, but Torre doesn't counter at $5.7 million again. I got the impression that he missed playing and wanted to come back to Boston for one more year. Surprise of Surprises, I sign Joe Torre to a $5.45 million contract this year, prorated. He'll bat in place of Gordon Massa, who batted .286 but his OBA was .297, taking only one walk in 35 plate appearances. Pitchers were definitely not scared of Massa in the #2 spot.

Trades:
to Braves: $650,000
to Peaches: Lou Berberet (C)

Berberet is 35 years old, but good enough to knock Eric Ogle out of the lineup -- which tells you how bad Ogle is.


April 13-15h, 1966
Boston Braves (8-1) at Chicago Cubs (3-9)

April 13: Dave Nicholson hits three home runs off Cubs pitching in a massacre. Braves 14, Cubs 2. The Braves move into a tie with the Orioles.
W: Howie Koplitz (2-1) L: Jim Perry (1-2)
In St. Louis, the Brewers catch a break and beat the Cardinals 5-4, ending an 11 game losing streak.
The New York Yankees have played seven straight games against the San Francisco Seals -- and won all of them, winning their 10th straight since the beginninng of the season.

April 14: Despite scoring only five hits to the Cubs thirteen, the Braves edge the Cubs to take a one game lead in the National League East. Braves 5, Cubs 4.
W: Don Drysdale (3-0) L: Manny Montejo (0-2) S: Don Carpenter (2)

April 15: The Braves sweep the Cubs, scoring 10 runs in the last three innings. Braves 16, Cubs 4.
W: Hank Aguirre (2-0) L: Dick Rusteck (0-4).

(* * *)

In baseball:

Jerry Lumpe (Twins) is out two months with a ruptured cervical disk.
Jim Stump (Cardinals) is out three months with a torn knee ligament.
Allan Henry (Athletics) is out for four weeks with a broken collar bone.
Terry Teed (Athletics) is out for four weeks with a wrist stress fracture.
Stu Locklin (White Sox) is out for four months with a torn ankle ligament.
Simon Scherr (Pirates) is out for three months with a broken ankle.
Dick Radatz (White Sox) is out for three weeks with a wrist stress fracture.
Tony Oliva (Athletics) is out for three months with an injured hip.
Larry Beggs (Seals) is out for eight weeks with a fractured skull.
Ed Connolly (Cardinals) is out for four months with severe elbow tendinitis.
Steve Kraly (Stars) is out for two months with a broken forearm.
Ron Santo (Athletics) is out for five weeks with an inflammed rotator cuff.

[CatKnight]

Lessee....that would make him about 148-14.

That MIGHT do it, Pet. I'd play it safe and go for 161-1 though.

[petrel]

Late April 1966

We now travel to Houston, and play our very first game ever...on plastic carpet.

April 16th-18th, 1966
Boston Braves (11-1) at Houston Astros (3-9)

April 16: A double by Bernie Allen and a wild pitch by Jim O'Toole in the 8th inning help stretch the Braves win streak to 11 games. Braves 2, Astros 1.
W: Harvey Branch (3-0) L: Jim O'Toole (0-2) S: Ron Herbel (2)
The Yankees beat the Blues 15-1 for their 13th consecutive win since Opening Day, establishing a new record.

I talked to Manager Gil Hodges over the phone and asked him what playing on plastic grass was like. "Hard. Hard as a rock," he said, "it's like playing on cushioned concrete." He likened it to playing on a high school basketball court. "What that ball hits that outfield turf, it just takes off. I hope that the Astros have some fast players."

April 17: Dave Nicholson hits his 12th home run to match the Braves 12th straight win. Braves 3, Astros 1
W: Howie Koplitz (3-1) L: John Fitzgerald (0-3) S: Don Carpenter (3)

April 18: A three-run 8th inning, capped with a Bernie Allen 2-RBI double, completes the sweep as the Astros lose their 10th straight game. Braves 3, Astros 2.
W: Lindy McDaniel (2-0) L: Jim Bailey (1-3) S: Don Carpenter (4)

(* * *)

The Braves come back home to face the Chicago Cubs before heading back out on the road again.

The incredible Yankees have now won fifteen straight since the opening bell. They have scored 98 runs in this span and have only had 18 runs scored against them! Five Yankees opponents were shut out and four were just held to one run. The Yankees might already have it all wrapped up by mid-April.

April 19th-21st, 1966
Chicago Cubs (4-14) at Boston Braves (14-1)

April 19: Joe Cunningham homers off Bob Duliba in the bottom of the 8th to extend the streak. Braves 3, Cubs 2
W: Hank Aguirre (3-0) L: Bob Duliba (1-2) S: Don Carpenter (5)

April 20: Down 6-4 in the bottom of the 9th, the Braves put together another run off a Joe Morgan double and a Rudy Regalado pinch-hit single. With men on second and third and Don Mincher at bat, Bill Dailey came in to pitch for the Cubs. Don Mincher grounded to third, and the Braves 14-game win streak comes to an end. Cubs 6, Braves 5.
W: Leonard Johnson (1-1) L: Jim Bouton (0-1) S: Bill Dailey (2)
In Washington, the Yankees beat the Senators 7-3 to go 17-0 to start the season.

April 21: The Braves make a few changes with Rudy Regalado replacing Pumpsie Green and Tommy Davis taking Joe Cunningham's place in the outfield. In the bottom of the ninth, Joe Morgan steals second and Manny Mota gets a pinch-hit RBI single that drives in the winning run. Braves 2, Cubs 1.
W: Don Carpenter (1-0) L: Bill Dailey (0-1)
Darold Knowles of the Senators holds off the visiting Yankees in the top of the 9th for a 3-2 Senators win, ending the Yankees' streak at 17 games.
Frank Robinson of the Giants goes 5 for 5 with a double and an RBI as the Giants beat Houston on the road 11-2
(* * *)

It's time for a 15-day road trip for the Braves. New York has crawled out of the cellar and the Giants are 2 1/2 games behind. I'm keeping my eye on those bastards.

Milwaukee and the Athletics are in fifth place. Could this be the year both teams climb out of the cellar?

We start off against the fifth-place Pirates, who are playing .500 ball.


April 22nd-24th, 1966
Boston Braves (16-2) at Pittsburgh Pirates (9-9)

April 22: With the Pirates up 3-2, and the bases loaded with one out in the top of the ninth, Frank Carpin throws a routine ground ball into the stands for two unearned Braves runs. Braves 6, Pirates 3
W: Howie Koplitz (4-1) L: Frank Carpin (1-1) S: Don Carpenter (6)

April 23: Rudy Regalado and Tommy Davis both hit home runs. Braves 8, Pirates 3.
W: Don Drysdale (4-0) L: Fred Klages (1-1)

April 24: The Braves win it in the eighth with the help of a 2-run Joe Torre homer. Braves 7, Pirates 6.
W: Lindy McDaniel (3-0) L: Frank Carpin (1-2) S: Ron Herbel (3)

(* * *)

The Giants also won their last three, so they stay 2 1/2 back. The Stars lead the NL West by two games, and the Peaches, of all teams, lead the AL West at 11-10.

Next up: Houston, which has fallen to fourth place in the National League West.

April 25th-27th, 1966
Boston Braves (19-2) at Houston Astros (6-15)

April 25: Despite the Braves being outhit 8 to 4, the Braves win again. Braves 3, Astros 2.
W: Harvey Branch (4-0) L: Jim O'Toole (0-3) S: Ron Herbel (4)

April 26: The Braves get seven runs in their final three innings. Braves 11, Astros 4.
W: Howie Koplitz (5-1) L: Joe Shipley (1-1)

April 27: The Astros lead 4-0 after the first inning and never look back. Astros 7, Braves 2.
W: Bo Belinsky (2-1) L: Don Drysdale (4-1)

(* * *)

As it turns out, Manager Gil Hodges said that he'll be resting a few players here and there. He said that Fred Haney "rode them too hard". I told Hodges that as long as we don't fall behind the resurgent Giants, I can deal with it.

Next: a trip to Crosley to visit the Reds.

(* * *)

April 28th-30th, 1966
Boston Braves (21-3) at Cincinnati Reds (9-15)

April 28: Joe Torre's eighth-inning home run drives in two runs and wins it for the visiting Braves. Braves 3, Reds 1.
W: Lindy McDaniel (4-0) L: Paul Lindblad (0-1) S: Don Carpenter (7)

April 29: Down 8-1 after two innings, Tommy Davis's three-run homer in the 8th puts the Braves up for good in an amazing comeback. Braves 9, Reds 8.
W: Lindy McDaniel (5-0) L: Tom Steele (0-1) S: Ron Herbel (5)

April 30: Three runs in the top of the 12th give the Braves a sweep of the Reds and their first extra-inning win of the year. Braves 8, Reds 5 (12).
W: Don Carpenter (2-0) L: Sherman Jones (0-1) S: Ralph Beard (1)

(* * *)

Around the world:

An artificial heart is installed in the chest of Marcel DeRudder in a Houston, Texas hospital.
Haile Selassie visits Jamaica for the first time, meeting with Rastafarian leaders.
The Church of Satan is founded by Anton Szandor LaVey in San Francisco.

In baseball:

Jim Maloney (Reds) is out for four weeks with a wrist stress fracture.
Gene Alley (Pirates) is out for the season with a broken wrist.
Steve Ridzik (Angels) is out for three months with a torn knee ligament.
Han Manning (Red Sox) is out for three months with elbow tendonitis.
Dick Rusteck (Cubs) is out for four months with elbow tendonitis.
Felipe Alou (Red Sox) is out for the season with a broken wrist.
Billy Cowan (Cardinals) is out for four weeks with a stretched knee ligament.

Billy Hunter retired as a shortstop at age 36. He played 12 seasons with the St. Louis Browns/Kansas City Blues, Washington Senators, and Cleveland Indians. In mid 1965, he was traded from the Indians to the Giants to be a defensive replacement, but took over during the World Series when Bob Johnson was injured and helped the Giants win a World Championship.

Hunter's retirement leaves Ed Charles of the Boston Red Sox as the last active baseball player ever to have worn a St. Louis Browns uniform.

[petrel]

1966 Batting             Team    G   AVG    AB    H  2B  3B  HR   BB    K   SB  CS    R  RBI   SLG   OBP
Davalillo, Vic            BOB   27  .393   107   42   3   0   3    6   10    3   0   13   19  .505  .427
Allen, Bernie             BOB   27  .202    94   19   5   0   3   13    8    0   0   12   13  .351  .303
Morgan, Joe               BOB   27  .223    94   21   5   1   1   15   13    2   0   16   10  .330  .327
Nicholson, Dave           BOB   24  .376    93   35   1   1  14   21   12    0   0   31   36  .860  .491
Mincher, Don              BOB   27  .207    92   19   8   0   6   12    9    0   0   19   20  .489  .311
Torre, Joe                BOB   18  .367    79   29   3   1   4    9   10    0   0   19   15  .582  .432
Cunningham, Joe           BOB   23  .244    78   19   5   2   2    8   13    0   0   12    6  .436  .322
Green, Pumpsie            BOB   23  .214    70   15   0   2   0   10   16    0   0   13    3  .271  .309
Davis, Tommy              BOB   22  .344    61   21   3   2   4    4    9    0   1   11   18  .656  .388
Regalado, Rudy            BOB   20  .356    59   21   1   0   3    1    6    1   0    9   12  .525  .367
Massa, Gordon             BOB   11  .324    37   12   1   0   0    1    6    0   0    5    4  .351  .333
Koplitz, Howie            BOB    7  .105    19    2   0   0   0    0    3    0   0    1    0  .105  .105
Drysdale, Don             BOB    6  .235    17    4   0   0   0    0    4    0   0    1    0  .235  .235
Mota, Manny               BOB   13  .267    15    4   0   0   0    2    3    0   0    2    2  .267  .389
Branch, Harvey            BOB    7  .286    14    4   1   0   0    0    2    0   0    2    1  .357  .286
Aguirre, Hank             BOB    6  .000    14    0   0   0   0    1    3    0   0    1    1  .000  .067
Smith, Dick               BOB   13  .455    11    5   0   0   0    0    0    0   0    1    1  .455  .455
Robinson, Floyd           BOB   12  .222     9    2   0   0   0    2    0    0   0    0    1  .222  .364
Bouton, Jim               BOB    1  .000     1    0   0   0   0    0    1    0   0    0    0  .000  .000

1966 Pitching            Team     IP   ERA    G  GS   W   L  SV    K   BB   R/9
Koplitz, Howie            BOB   47.2  2.45    7   7   5   1   0   19    4 11.52
Branch, Harvey            BOB   45.2  2.96    7   7   4   0   0   22   10 10.45
Drysdale, Don             BOB   40.2  3.98    6   6   4   1   0   40   15 12.84
Aguirre, Hank             BOB   37.0  2.92    6   6   3   0   0   19    9  9.97
Herbel, Ron               BOB   19.0  1.89   11   0   0   0   5    8    3  9.00
Perkins, Cecil            BOB   14.0  0.00    8   0   1   0   0    1    2  7.07
McDaniel, Lindy           BOB   13.0  2.77    8   0   5   0   0   11    2 11.08
Carpenter, Don            BOB   11.0  0.82    9   0   2   0   7    8    3  9.82
Beard, Ralph              BOB   10.1  1.74    7   0   0   0   1    2    3  8.71
Bouton, Jim               BOB    7.2  5.87    4   1   0   1   0    5    6 15.26

[petrel]

Early May 1966

As we prepare to head to St. Louis, there is one stadium that's yet to open: the new Busch Stadium, which is going to replace the old Busch Stadium, namely, Sportsman's Park. Another piece of baseball history is going to go out the door. It seems that so many new stadiums have opened: Atlanta-Fulton, Anaheim, Angels Stadium, Giants Stadium...baseball's past is being bulldozed and turned into parking lots.

The stadium isn't going to get to open until May 20th, when the Reds come to St. Louis to start the show. I've seen some design plans, and I told Phyllis, "Leave it to Gussie Busch to design a stadium that looks like a beer bottle cap!"

Until then, we pay our last visit -- ever -- to the old Sportsman's Park. Dave Nicholson will miss it, as he's on the disabled list with a bruised knee. Manny Mota will take over in right field.

May 1st-3rd, 1966
Boston Braves (24-3) at St. Louis Cardinals (12-15)

May 1: Joe Morgan hits a ninth-inning home run, but the Cardinals keep the edge. Cardinals 4, Braves 3.
W: Larry Jackson (2-3) L: Don Drysdale (4-2) S: Bob Lee (4).

We get some bad news. In addition to losing, Harvey Branch has injured his foot. He'll be out for a couple of weeks. Cecil Perkins will replace Branch in the rotation, and Bill Graham gets the call from AAA Jacksonville.

May 2: Hank Aguirre shuts out the Cardinals on three hits. Braves 2, Cardinals 0.
W: Hank Aguirre (4-0) L: Troy Caldwell (0-2)

May 3: Manny Mota, filling in for Dave Nicholson, gets his first home run of the year. Braves 7, Cardinals 2.
W: Cecil Perkins (2-0) L: Fred Norman (0-1)

(* * *)

The Braves travel to Anaheim Stadium for a peek at the new home of the Los Angeles Stars.


An early picture of the new stadium in 1966.

From what I understand, it is a truly beautiful three-tiered ballpark with some of the best ushers and attendants you'll ever meet. The Stars have sold out all of their games so far this year.

Supposedly, the reason for choosing a 333 foot distance to left and right field and a 406 distance to center field is that these dimensions supposedly provide "perfect balance" between offense and defense, which theoretically tilts the balance towards the Stars, who are theoretically built to balance both offensive and defensive power. We'll see how well those theories work out.

May 4th-6th, 1966
Boston Braves (26-4) at Los Angeles Stars (16-14)

May 4: The Braves score a run in the top of the 12th to go up 6-5, but a double by Jim McAnany and a single by Lou Brock tie it, and Brock races all the way home on a double by Eric Morrison to beat the Braves. Stars 7, Braves 6 (12)
W: Corey Rubenstein (2-0) L: Bill Graham (0-1)

May 5: The Braves score seven runs in the first 2/3 innings of the game off pitcher Carl Duser. Braves 7, Stars 3.
W: Don Drysdale (5-2) L: Carl Duser (2-5)

May 6: The Braves are outhit 11 hits to 4, but win anyway. Braves 3, Stars 2
W: Hank Aguirre (5-0) L: Herb Score (3-2) S: Don Carpenter (8)
The Yankees shut out the Peaches at home, 4-0, for their 31st win in 33 games!!

(* * *)

The Braves finally return home for a three-game home stand against the Cubs. We're 28-5 and, amazingly, lead the Giants by three games.

At 17-16, the Stars hold a three-game lead in the NL West. The Yankees have won 13 straight, are 31-2, and threaten to make a mockery out of baseball itself. And the Angels, with a losing record -- 16-17 -- are leading the AL West by 1/2 game over the Seals.

May 7th-9th, 1966
Chicago Cubs (13-20) at Boston Braves (28-5)

May 7: In the top of the 13th, with the score tied 1-1, Al Ferrara of the Cubs, pinch-hitting for Bob Duliba, hits a home run off Don Carpenter to give the Cubs a 2-1 lead. However, in the bottom of the 13th, with Leonard Johnson on the mound for the Cubs and two out, Dick Smith, pinch-hitting for Don Carpenter, walks, setting up the home run by Rudy Regalado to left field. Braves 3, Cubs 2 (13).
W: Don Carpenter (3-0) L: Leonard Johnson (1-2)

May 8: Joe Cunningham hits two doubles as Howie Koplitz wins his sixth game. Braves 6, Cubs 2.
W: Howie Koplitz (6-1) L: Eric Durant (1-3)
The Yankees won their 15th straight, beating the Senators 6-2, but Eddie Mathews hit a homerun off Jim Brady in the 8th for his 2000th lifetime hit. It was his only hit of the game.

May 9: The Braves score six home runs -- Dave Nicholson has two -- and the Braves score all 12 runs in the first five innings. Braves 12, Cubs 4.
W: Don Drysdale (6-2) L: Al Downing (2-2)

(* * *)

The Braves take three days off.

The Yankees ended up winning 17 straight games before falling to the Twins 8-7 in Minnesota. The Yanks have won 36 and lost 3 this year. They lead the AL East by 11 games, and it's only the middle of May. God help us all.

While we take off, the New York Giants win three straight, flattening the Dodgers 5-1, 5-1 and 10-7. They close to 2 1/2 games behind us.

Both Los Angeles teams lead the Western Divisions: the 19-17 Stars by four games and the 20-19 Angels by two games.

Next up: a three-game home stand against the Cardinals.

(* * *)

May 13th-15th, 1966
St. Louis Cardinals (15-21) at Boston Braves (31-5)

May 13: Hank Aguirre holds the Cardinals to two hits in eight innings. Braves 3, Cardinals 1.
W: Hank Aguirre (6-0) L: Denny Lemaster (4-1) S: Don Carpenter (9)

May 14: Four Braves pitchers combine to give the win to Boston. Braves 6, Cardinals 5.
W: Cecil Perkins (3-0) L: Troy Caldwell (1-3) S: Don Carpenter (10)

May 15: The Braves get 18 hits -- and lose, as the Cardinals score 10 runs on 12 hits and break the Braves seven-game winning streak. Cardinals 10, Braves 4.
W: Fritz Peterson (2-6) L: Howie Koplitz (6-2)

(* * *)

In baseball:

Roy McMillan (Seals) scored his 1000th run.
Carl Yastrzemski (Giants) scored his 1000th run.

Gordon Armellino (Twins) is out for the season with a severed knee ligament.
Ed Charles (Red Sox) is out seven weeks with a fractured skull.
Zoilo Versalles (Cardinals) is out two months with a severe shoulder separation.
Don Pavletich (White Sox) is out for three months with a broken ankle.
Maury Wills (Dodgers) is out for four months with a hip injury.



Billy Klaus retired after 14 seasons with the Braves, Red Sox and Twins. He would score 1653 hits and a .269 lifetime AVG with a .346 lifetime OBP. Klaus won a Gold Glove as a shortstop for the Red Sox the same year he was traded to them in 1955 and was a three-time All Star for the Red Sox.

Charlie White retired after 11 seasons as a catcher with the Braves, White Sox and Tigers. He finished with a .246 AVG and in 1816 at-bats.
Ernie Banks retired after 11 seasons with the Chicago Cubs. Nicknamed "Mr. Cub" for his sunny disposition, Banks retired wtih a .265 lifetime average and 170 HR. He was a rookie on the 1955 Chicago Cubs World Championship team.

[CatKnight]

ba..ba..ba....wow....those Yankees are even more obnoxious than reality. If I was in the AL East I'd start forfeiting games in protest. There's really no point playing the season out under those conditions.

I see the Giants are still on your tail. I don't think they like you stealing their limelight.

[CaseyWebNet]

One of the greatest dynasties I've ever read, Amazing you've kept it going over three generations of the game. Keep it going!

[petrel]

Late May 1966
Part I


Indians Rookie Leaguer Sam McDowell, in a picture from Spring Training. Take a look at the hair on this kid! It's over his ears!

Baseball was given some shocking news on May 16th. Charlie "Chuck" Dressen, manager of the San Francisco Seals since 1961, has suffered his second heart attack in two years. He managed the Seals to a 5-4 victory over the Senators in San Francisco, then check into the hospital the next day. Coach Bob Swift will take over for the Seals while Dressen is recuperating.

In the press, this has led to much speculation calling for Dressen to retire from baseball for health reasons. I know managers, though -- they like to hang on as long as they can. If he can come back within a week, he will, otherwise who can say?

(* * *)

A game I forgot to report about is the New York Giants beating the Cincinnati Reds 28-5 on the 15th. The Giants racked up eight home runs at Crosley Field. It's the most scored by one team in a long time since the Red Sox scored 29 in a game in 1950, which is the American League record. The National League record of 36 dates back to 1897. Surprisingly enough, the Giants did it on just 24 hits.

We play the Reds at home before going on a one-week road trip.

May 16th-18th, 1966
Cincinnati Reds (15-24) at Boston Braves

May 16: Dave Nicholson hits his 21st home run as the Braves score four runs in the bottom of the 8th. Braves 8, Reds 3.
W: Don Drysdale (7-2) L: Tom Steele (0-2)

May 17: Hank Aguirre goes to 7-0 as Rudy Regalado has a two HR game. Braves 6, Reds 3.
W: Hank Aguirre (7-0) L: Lyle Sanders (1-5) S: Lindy McDaniel (1)

May 18: Dave Nicholson hits #22 as the Braves sweep the Reds. Braves 4, Reds 1.
W: Cecil Perkins (4-0) L: P Toth (3-5) S: Ron Herbel (6)

(* * *)

After the sweep, I hear the awesome news: Mickey Mantle is ready to see things our way during a contract negotiation!!

Mantle drops by. "Mr. Petrel, I'm ****ing glad to be out of the goddamn Mexican League!" Mantle was "warming up" and hitting .439 for a team I can't pronounce, and hopped on the first plane to Boston.

His agent initially offered $5.8 million, but we had him. He didn't want to go back to Mexico. I knew that Mantle liked to drink and I told Gil Hodges what I had heard. "We can keep Mick happy," he said. "I'll babysit him myself, to get a player like that!"

So we offered $5.1 million and he settled for $5.25 million! Mickey Mantle was now a Boston Brave!! Maybe for just one year...but maybe that would be enough!

Trades:
to Braves: $3.5 million
to Peaches: Floyd Robinson (RF)

I need that cash. Because I intend to sign Joe Christopher, and I'll be fully loaded for the Giants' title. The Giants have won four straight games and are keeping up with us.

We'll take the Mickey Mantle Show to Pittsburgh to see how it plays. Mick will start in left field in place of Tommy Davis.

May 19th-21st, 1966
Boston Braves (36-6) at Pittsburgh Pirates (18-24)

May 19: Mantle goes 0 for 2 with 2 walks, but the Pirates beat us as we start our road swing. Pirates 2, Braves 1.
W: Dick Burwell (1-3) L: Howie Koplitz (6-3) S: Josh Kite (7)

May 20: Mantle hits no home runs -- but five other Braves do, including Dave Nicholson's 23. Braves 9, Pirates 3.
W: Don Drysdale (8-2) L: Jorge Orta (4-3). Hank Aguirre goes out for two weeks with a strained knee, but Harvey Branch takes his place in the rotation.

May 21: Branch is sensational, as he one-hits the Pirates, giving up only a hit and a walk on the way to a shutout win. Braves 7, Pirates 0.
W: Harvey Branch (5-0) L: Wayne Genser (3-3)

(* * *)

The Giants have won six straight games and remain hot on our tails, only 1 1/2 games behind.

Therefore, the Braves make their final free agent acquisition. As the market hasn't budged, we re-sign Joe Christopher at $5.35 million, pro-rated. And he's going to sit on the bench, because we are just so loaded in the outfield! Whee!

Hopefully, the Giants will take the hint and go away as we fly to Los Angeles to play the Stars, who are leading the NL West -- at 22-23.

May 22nd-24th, 1966
Boston Braves (38-7) at Los Angeles Stars (22-23)

May 22: Nine runs in the second inning is enough to hold the Stars back. Braves 10, Stars 4.
W: Carl Perkins (5-0) L: Herb Score (3-3)

May 23: Joe Christopher hits a pinch-hit home run for two RBIs in the top of the 11th as the Braves win in extra innings. Braves 5, Stars 3 (11)
W: Don Carpenter (4-0) L: C Rubinstein (3-1) S: L McDaniel (2)

May 24: Despite Dave Nicholson's 24th home run, the Stars score 10 runs in the first three innings on the way to avoid the sweep at home. Stars 11, Braves 5.
W: Carl Duser (4-7) L: Don Drysdale (8-3)

[petrel]

Late May 1966
Part II

The Giants have beaten the Orioles in 2 straight, the last one by 11-2. They have won nine straight games and are exactly one game behind us at 40-10.

Meanwhile, we take two days off. The Giants continue their sweep of the Orioles to close within 1/2 game of us -- then take a day off themselves.

While the Giants play the Orioles in Baltimore, we play the Stars at home. Both teams take one day off -- then it's off to New York for the first Giants/Braves matchup of the year.

May 26th-28th, 1966
Los Angeles Stars (23-25) at Boston Braves (40-8)

May 26: Harvey Branch throws his second consecutive one-hitter as the Braves shut out the Stars at home. Mickey Mantle hits his first home run as a Brave, his 545th lifetime. Braves 4, Stars 0.
W: Harvey Branch (6-0) L: Hector Maestri (3-7)

May 27: Both sides are limited to three hits, but Eric Morrisson of the Stars scores the only points on a home run. Stars 1, Braves 0.
W: Carl Duser (5-7) L: Cecil Perkins (5-1)
The New York Giants beat the Baltimore Orioles 7-6 for their 12th straight in. They take the lead in the National League East by a half-game.

May 28: Free agent acquistions Joe Christopher and Mickey Mantle hit home runs as the Braves win the three-game series. Braves 6, Stars 2.
W: Howie Koplitz (7-3) L: Herb Score (3-4)

(* * *)

The Giants, however, make short work of the Orioles, beating them 4-1 to take their 13th straight win. They remain 1/2 game ahead of the Braves.

Braves fans have eternal hope, however, as the Braves head to Giants Stadium for the first three-game series of the year against the hated Giants.

May 31th-June 2nd, 1966
Boston Braves (42-9) at New York Giants (44-10)

May 31st: The Giants score five runs in the first inning and never look back as Don Drysdale gets in trouble early. The Braves defense doesn't help, giving up five unearned runs. Giants 10, Braves 3.
W: Fred Newman (11-1) L: Don Drysdale (8-4)

June 1st: Harvey Branch manages his seventh win with help from the Braves bullpen, ending the Giants 14-game win streak. Braves 9, Giants 5.
W: Harvey Branch (7-0) L: Jack Lamabe (3-1)

June 2nd: In an astonishing game, the Giants get 10 hits and cannot advance a single runner! The Braves shut out the Giants, win the series, and take over the NL East lead. Not only that, but 9 of the 11 Braves runs are scored in the final inning, with Giants reliever Bob Locker giving up six earned runs and getting no one out. Braves 11, Giants 0.
W: Cecil Perkins (6-1) L: Claude Osteen (8-4)

In Chicago, Bob Bowman of the Washington Senators makes baseball history as he becomes the eleventh player in major league history to hit four home runs in one game.



Bowman (no relation) went 4 for 6, scoring four home runs and eight RBI. He hit two home runs of Dick Bosman and the other two off Don Rudolph of the White Sox. The last time a player hit four home runs in a game was in 1963, when Bill Skowron of the Cubs hit four home runs against the Orioles.

(* * *)

Around the world:

Martin Luther King Jr. makes his first speech on the Vietnam War.

In baseball:

Frank Thomas (Giants) scores his 2000th hit.

Willie Kirkland (Dodgers) is out for the season with a broken neck.
Mike de la Hoz (Cubs) is out for the season with a broken wrist.
Bob Burda (Indians) is out for the season and for most of 1967 with a severe rotator cuff tear.
Russ Nixon (Seals) is out for three weeks with a ruptured cervical disk.
Dennis Ribant (Athltetics) is out for three months with a broken elbow.
Tony Taylor (Senators) is out for four weeks with ruptured knee ligaments.
Willard Schmidt (Brewers) is out for four weeks with a wrist stress fracture.
Freddie Burdette (White Sox) is out for three months with a ruptured cervical disk.

Cass Michaels retired from baseball at the age of 40.

A second baseman for the White Sox, Senators, St. Louis Browns, Athletics, Giants, Reds (for six games), Blues, Yankees, Athletics (again), Seals, and finally Orioles, Cass Michaels was baseball's ultimate spare infielder. He rarely played full time, but when he did, he played brilliantly, becoming the only person in baseball history to be nominated for an All-Star Game in three different decades. (The White Sox in 1949 and 1950 and the Athletics in 1960).

He retires with 2143 hits despite a .257/.336/.356 line. He also won a Gold Glove for the San Francisco Seals in 1962.

Willard Nixon retired at age 36. A starting pitcher for the Red Sox, Phillies, and Cubs, Nixon finished with a 110-150 record and a 4.83 lifetime ERA. He was an All-Star for the Phillies in 1957, but was on a the 1961 Cubs team which went 46-116 and he went 5-25 that year with a 6.57 ERA.

[petrel]

1966 Batting             Team    G   AVG    AB    H  2B  3B  HR   BB    K   SB  CS    R  RBI   SLG   OBP
Davalillo, Vic            BOB   51  .327   205   67   6   0   4    8   21    4   1   27   23  .415  .353
Torre, Joe                BOB   45  .349   192   67   8   1   9   12   18    0   0   35   32  .542  .393
Morgan, Joe               BOB   54  .208   192   40  10   1   3   36   22    5   0   31   15  .318  .332
Nicholson, Dave           BOB   47  .331   178   59   4   2  24   42   30    0   0   53   53  .781  .459
Allen, Bernie             BOB   53  .240   171   41  10   1   7   25   17    0   1   22   27  .433  .337
Regalado, Rudy            BOB   47  .310   171   53   4   0  10   14   20    2   0   30   35  .509  .366
Davis, Tommy              BOB   42  .296   125   37   4   3   6   10   14    0   1   19   29  .520  .350
Cunningham, Joe           BOB   41  .240   125   30   7   2   5   20   24    0   0   22   16  .448  .349
Mincher, Don              BOB   43  .234   107   25   9   0   9   14   10    0   0   22   30  .570  .333
Green, Pumpsie            BOB   33  .222    90   20   0   2   0   14   18    0   0   16    6  .267  .324
Smith, Dick               BOB   35  .339    59   20   6   1   1    9    4    0   0   12   10  .525  .435
Mota, Manny               BOB   28  .292    48   14   0   0   1    2    5    0   0    6    8  .354  .333
Mantle, Mickey            BOB   12  .310    42   13   1   0   2    8   10    0   0    7    9  .476  .420
Massa, Gordon             BOB   14  .357    42   15   1   0   0    2    6    0   0    5    4  .381  .378
Drysdale, Don             BOB   13  .182    33    6   0   0   0    0    9    0   0    2    1  .182  .176
Koplitz, Howie            BOB   13  .125    32    4   0   0   0    1    8    0   0    2    1  .125  .152
Aguirre, Hank             BOB   10  .000    25    0   0   0   0    1    7    0   0    1    1  .000  .038
Christopher, Joe          BOB    8  .350    20    7   1   0   2    4    5    0   0    4    4  .700  .458
Branch, Harvey            BOB   10  .200    20    4   1   0   0    2    2    0   0    2    3  .250  .261
Perkins, Cecil            BOB    7  .071    14    1   0   0   0    0    5    0   0    0    0  .071  .071
Cardenal, Jose            BOB    2  .000     1    0   0   0   0    0    0    0   0    0    0  .000  .500
McDaniel, Lindy           BOB    0  .000     1    0   0   0   0    0    1    0   0    0    0  .000  .000
Graham, Bill              BOB    0 1.000     1    1   0   0   0    0    0    0   0    0    1 1.000 1.000
Bouton, Jim               BOB    1  .000     1    0   0   0   0    0    1    0   0    0    0  .000  .000
Beard, Ralph              BOB    0 1.000     1    1   0   0   0    0    0    0   0    0    0 1.000 1.000

1966 Pitching            Team     IP   ERA    G  GS   W   L  SV    K   BB   R/9
Koplitz, Howie            BOB   86.2  2.60   13  13   7   3   0   33   21 11.42
Drysdale, Don             BOB   83.2  4.73   13  13   8   4   0   80   39 14.31
Branch, Harvey            BOB   70.2  2.42   11  10   7   0   0   35   15  8.66
Aguirre, Hank             BOB   67.2  2.39   10  10   7   0   0   43   20  9.31
Perkins, Cecil            BOB   57.1  1.10   15   7   6   1   0   25   11  9.89
Herbel, Ron               BOB   42.1  1.28   25   0   0   0   6   17    3  7.23
McDaniel, Lindy           BOB   28.0  1.93   17   0   5   0   2   23    4  8.36
Carpenter, Don            BOB   22.0  1.23   16   0   4   0  10   15    5  8.59
Beard, Ralph              BOB   14.2  3.07    9   0   0   0   1    4    5 11.05
Bouton, Jim               BOB   10.0  5.40    6   1   0   1   0    9    6 12.60
Graham, Bill              BOB    7.2  5.87    6   0   0   1   0    4    0 11.74
Santiago, Jose            BOB    3.0  3.00    2   0   0   0   0    2    0 15.00

[CatKnight]

How dare you beat the Giants? The baseball gods are going to be after you now.

As you say, maybe now they'll take the hint and go away. Oooh, and I see the Yankees are slowing down.

Relatively speaking, of course

[petrel]

Early June 1966

June was a very busy month for us.

With the amateur draft taking place on June 7th, this required more time to prepare for it. As all teams were in the middle of an active baseball season, the amount of time per day we could devote on draft matters was decreased. It was a difficult adjustment to make, in the midst of a divisional race.

We had regained our lead of the NL East, beating the Giants 2 out of 3 and still leading by 1/2 game. We would take this lead to Milwaukee, then turn back around to Queens, New York for three more games against the Jints, who would be hosting the Reds at home.

June 3rd-5th, 1966
Boston Braves (44-10) at Milwaukee Brewers (13-44)

June 3: The Braves score 15 hits, with Joe Christopher hitting a double and a home run. Braves 10, Brewers 3
W: Howie Koplitz (8-3) L: Mickey Lolich (4-10)

June 4: Don Drysdale strikes out eight, but leaves after the fourth inning. Bill Graham gets the win. Braves 11, Brewers 3.
W: Bill Graham (1-1) L: Darrell Millikin (0-2)

We get some bad injury news. Cecil Perkins will go out five days with shoulder bursitis. Rudy Regalado, on the other hand, spikes his achilles tendon and is out for three weeks. Rather than trust the light-hitting, bad-fielding Pumpsie Green, Gil Hodges and I call up Phil Gagliano from AAA Jacksonville to start.

June 5: Mickey Mantle hits two home runs as the Braves sweep. Braves 11, Brewers 1.
W: Harvey Branch (8-0) L: Karl Spooner (1-8)

(* * *)

Up next: the New York Giants. The Giants had no problem with the Reds, sweeping them at home. Only 1/2 game still separates both teams, so we need to win 2 of 3 again to maintain our lead. Hank Aguirre comes off the disabled list and will start the first game on the 3rd.

The Stars, at 29-28, lead the NL West by two games. The Yankees have a 20-game lead in the American League East, which has been fodder for a lot of anti-Yankees reporting ("Does CBS Control Baseball?") and the Angels are 2 games ahead of the surprising Peaches.

Hurting most: the Baltimore Orioles and Philadelphia Athletics, each of which has lost 12 straight games.

June 6th-8th, 1966
Boston Braves (47-10) at New York Giants (48-12)

June 6: In a game marred by bad umpiring, Frank Robinson hits a double and two home runs to lead the Giants to victory in New York. Giants 9, Braves 0.
W: Claude Osteen (9-4) L: Hank Aguirre (7-1)

We get further bad news. Mickey Mantle bruised his knee and will go on the disabled list for about a week. Tommy Davis will take Mantle's spot in left field.

June 7: The Giants break open the game with four runs in the bottom of the fourth, and do not look back. Giants 12, Braves 3. It is the first time since 1965 that the Braves have lost two consecutive games.
W: Bill Kirk (11-3) L: Howie Koplitz (8-4)

June 8: With men on first and second in the bottom of the 9th, and the Braves hanging on to a two-run lead, Carl Yastrzemski grounds to reliever Don Carpenter who turns a 1-6-3 double play. Braves 7, Giants 5.
W: Bill Graham (2-1) L: Bob Locker (6-3) S: Don Carpenter (11)
In the American League, the Yankees sweep the Athletics with a 5-1 victory, sending the Athletics to their 15th straight loss.

(* * *)

We avoid the sweep, but the Giants even up the season series at three games apiece. Worse, they now lead the National League east by a half-game.

We return home for three games against the Brewers and Pirates each, and the Astros also show up to help finish a nine-game home stand.

June 9th-11th, 1966
Milwaukee Brewers (13-47) at Boston Braves (48-12)

June 9: Joe Torre hits a double and a home run as the Braves score in double digits against the Brewers. Braves 11, Brewers 2. As the Giants take a day off, Boston and New York are tied for the NL East lead.
W: Harvey Branch (9-0) L: Don Sutton (3-10)
The Athletics (losers of 15 straight) meet the Twins (losers of nine straight). The Athletics come out on top, 2-0.

June 10: Cecil Perkins comes back to the rotation, and Gil Hodges puts the 8-4 Don Drysdale in the bullpen. Drysdale isn't happy, but his cries go unheard as the Braves wallop the Brewers. Braves 17, Brewers 1.
W: Hank Aguirre (8-1) L: Karl Spooner (1-9)
In Chicago, Hank Aaron hits his 500th home run off Don Rudolph of the White Sox as the visiting Angels win 6-3.

June 11: Howie Koplitz holds the Brewers to four hits as the Braves sweep. Braves 7, Brewers 0.
W: Howie Koplitz (9-4) L: Dextor Magor (1-13)

(* * *)

The Braves host the Pittsburgh Pirates, which have crawled out of the cellar of the NL East to move up to fifth place. (Baltimore is now the cellar-dweller.) Our hope is that the Dodgers can hold off the Giants for a while.

June 12th-14th, 1966
Pittsburgh Pirates (27-39) at Boston Braves (51-12)

June 12: Cecil Perkins strikes out eight batters in eight innings. Braves 6, Pirates 2.
W: Cecil Perkins (7-1) L: Jorge Orta (4-6)

June 13: Harvey Branch pitches a NO-HITTER against the Pirates! Only a walk and two Braves errors kept it from being a perfect game. Braves 2, Pirates 0. The Braves take a 1/2 game lead over the Giants.
W: Harvey Branch (10-0) L: Dick Burwell (4-4)
Waylon Mayner of the Reds strikes out 13 Orioles batters in eight innings on the way to a 3-1 outing in Baltimore.
In the bottom of the third at D. C. Stadium, Eddie Mathews hits a grand slam off Ron Baer of the Athletics in the bottom of the third to hit his 500th lifetime homerun.


June 14: Mickey Mantlie hits his 5th home run of the year. Braves 5, Pirates 3.
W: Hank Aguirre (9-1) L: Wayne Genser (3-6) S: Ron Herbel (7)

(* * *)

On the 14th, Miami beats St. Petersburg in a 4-3 game in the Florida State League. The game took 29 innings tocomplete. It is the longest game in the history of organized professional baseball, finishing at 2:29 am. At 2 am, the umpires announced to the remaining fans that the game would not continue past 30 innings.

This brought boos. God bless 'em.

(* * *)

The Braves have moved ahead to a one-game lead over the Giants. Before we go back on the road again, we play three games at home against the Houston Astros.

June 15th-17th, 1966
Houston Astros (30-36) at Boston Braves (54-12)

June 15: A seven-run 7th inning helps the Braves to another win. Braves 11, Astros 1.
W: Howie Koplitz (10-4) L: Joey Jay (1-4)

June 16: A walk and a wild pitch by Lindy McDaniel in the top of the 8th end the Braves' 8-game winning streak. Joe Torre batted in all of the Braves runs. Astros 6, Braves 5. The Giants move back into a tie for first.
W: Joe Grzenda (1-2) L: Lindy McDaniel (5-1) S: Tug McGraw (4)

June 17: In the bottom of the 10th, Julio Navarro gives up two walks, Joe Torre flies out to left, and Mickey Mantle hits a pinch-hit single that brings Joe Christopher home from second. Braves 3, Astros 2 (10).
W: Don Carpenter (5-0) L: Julio Navarro (1-4)

(* * *)

Around the world:

US Astronaut Gene Cernan completes the second US Spacewalk aboard Gemini 9.
Civil Rights activist James Meredith is shot while trying to march across Mississippi.


This picture won the 1966 Pulitzer Prize for photography.

Sixteen people are killed by an tornado in Topeka, Kansas
The Supreme Court decides Miranda vs. Arizona, and rules that police must inform suspects of their rights before questioning them.
The Vatican abolishes the Index of Banned Books.

In baseball:

Ken Boyer (Giants) hit his 300th home run.
Al Kaline (Cubs) hit his 1000th RBI.

Bob Anderson (Cardinals) is out for the season with a broken wrist.
Art Lopez (White Sox) is out two months with a severe shoulder separation.

"The Chairman of the Board", Whitey Ford retires at the age of 36. A starting pitcher since 1953, Ford played for the Yankees, Giants, and Seals.



With a 181-126 record and a 3.80 ERA lifetime, Ford spent the bulk of his career -- from 1954 to 1963 -- with the New York Giants, a Giants All-Star in 1958 and 1961. He appeared in four World Series and never won a ring. He was 2-4 lifetime in World Series play. Injuries during 1964 hindered Ford, and in his last year, 1965, he was 7-8 with a 6.45 ERA.

Nellie Fox retires at age 37.



A seven-time All-Star, this second baseman spend 19 years in baseball with the Athletics, White Sox, Athletics again, Indians, Braves, and Seals. He won a World Series ring in 1953 as a member of the White Sox. He would win Gold Gloves twice, in 1953 and 1960.

An odd connection between the two: Whitey Ford once said, "Nellie was the toughest out for me. I might have struck him out once, but I think the umpire blew the call."