Even the Braves

[petrel]

March 1967

As Spring Training began, Sports Illustrated and the Sporting News came out with their predictions for who would be the best teams of the year: the first rating is the SI rating, the other is the Sporting News rating.

National League

East

1. Giants (1/1)
2. Braves (2/2)
3. Phillies (3/3)
4. Orioles (4/5)
5. Pirates (5/6)
6. Dodgers (6/4)

West

1. Stars (1/1)
2. Cubs (2/3)
3. Cardinals (3/4)
4. Astros (4/2)
5. Reds (5/6)
6. Brewers (6/5)

American League

East

1. Yankees (1/1)
2. Senators (2/2)
3. Indians (3/5)
4. Peaches (4/3)
5. Red Sox (5/4)
6. Tigers (6/6)

West

1. Seals (1/1)
2. White Sox (2/4)
3. Angels (3/2)
4. Spurs (4/5)
5. Blues (5/3)
6. Twins (6/6)

NLCS: Giants over Stars 3-1/3-0
ALCS: Yankees over Seals 3-2/3-0

World Series: Yankees over Giants 4-3/4-3

So, according to the Knights of the Keyboard, we're still going to be a second-place team. And it's still going to be Yankees-Giants. My two big questions for the season are 1) will the Yankees start trading players to bring their debt down, and 2) will Washington really challenge the Yanks for supremacy in the AL East?

(* * *)

There weren't many big stories in Spring Training: indeed, the big story took place off the field. In a bar in California, relief pitcher Ted Davidson of the Brewers was shot by his estranged wife during a domestic dispute taking place in a California bar. She shot him in the stomach and the chest with a .25 caliber pistol, which might keep him from pitching in the 1967 season. Davidson had a 6.03 ERA as a reliever for the Brewers in '66 so I don't know if you could call that a major loss to the Brewers.

However, the Dallas Stars finally got their uniforms ready for opening day!



Supposely, the colors of the Stars are red, black and gold. However, that "red" looks more like a burnt orange. Must be the Dallas heat, or someone mixed the dyes.

(* * *)

The managerial go-round in the off-season resulted in four new managers. The death of Johnny Keane of the Yankees gave Ralph Houk control of the Yankees dugout. The outspoken Birdie Tebbetts of the Stars retired and old hand Danny Murtaugh will take his place. Harry Craft was fired from the Orioles, and Dick Bristol will replace him.

But the big news in baseball is that Louie the Lip is back! Yes, Lou Durocher has taken a job with the San Francisco Seals, despite the more lucrative position open in Los Angeles with the Stars. Lou states that "I'm looking forward to taking the Seals to the World Series."

"When?" said a reporter.

"This year, stupid," said Durocher. "What do you think I was talking about?" Frankly, American League umpires should be warned to carry extra shoe polish, lest Lou bury their new clogs in dust during a tantrum. I think just having Lou around makes baseball a better sport.

(* * *)

As for the Braves, the team looked pretty good during Spring Training -- though not as good as the Giants, of course. Outfielder Jimmy Wynn, formerly a minor leaguer, fought his way onto the bench with a .560 BA in eight Spring Training games. Jim Bouton comes back from his pitching injury, with Jose Santiago and Gene Brabender earning spots in the bullpen with their minor league and Spring Training performances.

For pitching, we are definitely ready. But our hitters will have to come around if we're to have any chance to go to the posteason in 1967.

(* * *)

Around the world:

Jimmy Hoffa begins an eight year sentence for attempting to bribe a jury.
Joseph Stalin's daughter, Svetlana Alliluyeva, defects to the United States.
A thirteen-day TV strike begins in the US.

In baseball:

Mike Andrews (Blues) is out for the season and part of 1968 with a torn rotator cuff.
Jim Small (Reds) is out for the season with a broken wrist.
Bob Allen (Indians) is out for the season with a broken wrist.
Javier Rubio (Tigers) is out for the season with a severed knee ligament.
Terry Teed (Spurs) is out for three months with a ruptured cervical disk.
Jack Feller (Tigers) is out for two months with a broken ankle.
Sammy Ellis (Reds) is out for six weeks with a hip injury.

Timmy Willett (Angels) is out four months with severe elbow tendonitis.

[petrel]

Ladies and Gentlemen, your

1967 Boston Braves!!

Lineup

1. Joe Morgan, SS
2. Dick Smith, LF
3. Willie McCovey, 1B
4. Joe Cunningham, RF
5. Gordon Massa, C
6. Manny Mota, CF
7. Johnny Temple, 2B
8. George Smith, 3B

Bench

Floyd Robinson, RF
Tommy Davis, LF
Ellis Burton, OF
Phil Gagliano, IF
Jimmy Wynn, OF
Rene Lachemann, C

Rotation

Cecil Perkins, RHP
Harvey Branch, LHP
Jim Bouton, RHP
Hector Maestri, RHP
Bill Graham, RHP

Bullpen

Closer: Don Carpenter, LHP
Setup: Lindy McDaniel, RHP
Short Relief: Jose Santiago, RHP
Short Relief: Gene Brabender, RHP
Middle Relief: Bob Sadowski, RHP
Long Relief: Don Drysdale, RHP

AAA Jacksonville Suns

Santiago Rosario, 1B
Jose Cardinal, OF
Bart Shirley, IF
Ron Campbell, 2B
Tony Taylor, IF
Johnny Briggs, OF
Jim Barbieri, RF

Ralph Beard, SP
Hank Aguirre, SP
Nick Willhite, SP
Jim Lonborg, SP
Frank Beagle, SP
Bill Wilson, RP
Steve Mingori, RP

AA Austin Braves

Dick Green, 2B
Bill Davis, 1B
Paul Ratliff, C
Jim Lefebvre, IF
Don Pepper, 1B
John Sanders, 1B

Marcelino Lopez, SP
Dick Joyce, SP
Jerry Stephenson, SP
Jim Hardin, SP
Conrad Cardinal, SP
Tommy John, SP
Ken Holtzman, SP
Bruce Von Hoff, SP
Jim Bibby, SP

A Statesville Braves

Steve Whitaker, OF
Hector Torres, IF
Dave Robinson, LF
Joe Rudi, LF

Jim McAndrew, SP
Wally Bunker, SP
Jim Magnuson, RP
Jim Britton, SP

Rookie League Boise Braves

Ron Clark, IF
Rick Bladt, CF
Tom Paciorek, LF
Cesar Geronimo, OF
Von Joshua, OF

John Flavin, SP
Brent Strom, SP
Larry Gowell, SP

[petrel]

Early April 1967


Big news for women: the oral birth control pill.

We open at home against the same team we opened against last year -- the Los Angeles Stars. It looks like the New Braves will get tested on Day One of the new season.

April 1st-3rd, 1967
Los Angeles Stars (0-0) at Boston Braves (0-0)

April 1: Lindy McDaniel gives up three runs in the top of the 8th, tying the game, and sending it into extra innings. In the bottom of the 10th, Willie McCovey hits a home run off Bob Heffner with the first pitch. Braves 6, Stars 5 (10).
W: Gene Brabender (1-0) L: Bob Heffner (0-1)
President Johnson throws out the first ball of the year at Turnpike Stadium in Arlington, and gets to see John Park get his first save of the year as the Spurs win their first game, beating the Indians 4-3.
Pat Jarvis of the Angels gives up one hit in eight innings as the Angels shut out the Senators 2-0.

April 2: The Stars get three runs in the top of the 8th, but can't come back. Braves 6, Stars 4.
W: Harvey Branch (1-0) L: Fred Newman (0-1) S: Don Carpenter (1)

April 3: The Braves get five doubles on the way to a sweep of the 1966 NL West champions. Braves 10, Stars 4.
W: Jim Bouton (1-0) L: Carl Duser (0-1)

(* * *)

Dallas is off to a 3-0 start. What few remaining A's fans there were must be in mourning.

Up next: three away games against the Milwaukee Brewers.

April 4th-6th, 1967
Boston Braves (3-0) at Milwaukee Brewers (0-3)

April 4: Warren Bouie's triple in the bottom of the 9th keeps the Brewers from their third straight shutout. Braves 4, Brewers 1.
W: Hector Maestri (1-0) L: Darrell Millikin (0-1)

April 5: The Braves pitching staff holds the Brewers to two hits. Braves 5, Brewers 1.
W: Cecil Perkins (2-0) L: Bill Stoneman (0-1)

April 6: The Brewers get a pair of home runs and break their five-game losing streak. Brewers 4, Braves 3.
W: Mickey Lolich (1-1) L: Harvey Branch (1-1) S: Bob Garibaldi (1)

(* * *)

We're 5-1, but we're behind the Giants by one game. The Giants have started off 6-0. Of course, that 6-0 record is against the Braves and the Reds, two of the worst teams in the NL, who have a 1-6 combined record outside of the Giants.

Chicago comes to visit the Braves at Braves Field. Johnny Temple is out for a couple of days; Phil Gagliano will replace him.

Hank Aaron: off to a horrid 1-for-20 start in Cincinnati. Then again, pitchers can just pitch around him now.


April 7th-9th, 1967
Chicago Cubs (1-2) at Boston Braves (5-1)

April 7: Bill Dailey of the Cubs gives up a walk, a wild pitch, and the go-ahead single to Gordon Massa in the bottom of the 11th. Braves 3, Cubs 2 (11).
W: Don Carpenter (1-0) L: Bill Dailey (0-1)
Mukisa Sato of the Giants struck out 13 Cardinals in 8 2/3 innings on the way to a 4-1 win at Gianst Stadium. The Giants are now 7-0.

April 8: The Braves score two runs off ex-Brave Ron Herbel in the bottom of the seventh. Braves 6, Cubs 4.
W: Hector Maestri (2-0) L: Ron Herbel (0-2) S: Lindy McDanilel (1)

April 9: In the top of the 12th, Al Ferrara of the Cubs singles with the bases loaded to put the Cubs up 8-6. However, a throwing error by Gail Harris of the Cubs at first base and a wild pitch by pitcher Pat Dobson allows the Braves to load the bases. Johnny Temple singles and Floyd Robinson walks, and the two runs tie the game 8-8. Gordon Massa then gets another game-ending RBI single for another Braves victory. Braves 10, Cubs 8 (12).
W: Bob Sadowski (1-0) L: Pat Dobson (0-1)

(* * *)

We ended the nine game span 8-1, tied with the Giants for first place. Then, we took three days off. The Giants took two out of three from the Astros while we were off to take a 1/2 game lead in the NL East.

The Stars have won six straight to take first place in the NL West, 1/2 game ahead of the Cardinals. The Yankees lead in the AL East, and the Spurs hang on to a one-game lead in the AL West after being swept by the Yankees in the Bronx. And the poor Blues are off to an 0-9 start.

The Brewers come to Boston for three games.

April 13th-15th, 1967
Milwaukee Brewers (3-6) at Boston Braves (8-1)

April 13: Tommy Davis hit's Ed Roebuck's second pitch into the left field bleachers in extra innings. Braves 4, Brewers 3 (12). The Braves now lead by 1/2 game in the NL East.
W: Don Carpenter (2-0) L: Ed Roebuck (0-2)

April 14: In 41-degree weather, Jim Bouton pitches a complete game, holding Milwaukee to three hits. Braves 7, Brewers 1.
W: Jim Bouton (2-0) L: Karl Spooner (1-2)
Kansas City is the last team in 1967 to get its first win, shutting out the Tigers 6-0 in K. C.

April 15: Ellis Burton and Willie McCovey both hit home runs, but they are the only runs the Braves score as they suffer their first home loss. Brewers 4, Braves 2.
W: Don Sutton (2-1) L: Hector Maestri (2-1)

(* * *)

Around the world:

Martin Luther King Jr. denounces the Vietnam War during a religious service in New York City.
Israeli fighters shoot down seven Syrian MiG-21s.

In baseball:

Art Lopez (White Sox) is out for two months with a broken forearm.
Dusty Buehl (Spurs) is out for ten weeks with a broken hip.
Choo Choo Coleman (Phillies) is out for the season with a broken back vertebra.
Clay Dalrymple (Peaches) is out for two months with a broken elbow.
Dick Howser (Red Sox) is out for the season with a broken wrist.
Dick Ricketts (Reds) is out for the season with a severed knee ligament.
Bob Chakales (Reds) is out for three months with a broken elbow.
Martin Tidy (Tigers) is out for six weeks with a hip injury.
Bob Conley (Dodgers) is out for for weeks with a wrist stress fracture.

[petrel]

Late April 1967

The Braves now travel to Cincinnati for the first time this season to play the Reds. It will be odd seeing Hank Aaron as a Redleg.

April 16th-18th, 1967
Boston Braves (10-2) at Cincinnati Reds (5-10)

April 16: Hank Aaron drives in the only run in the 9th inning for the Reds. Braves 6, Reds 1.
W: Cecil Perkins (2-0) : Imbert Silva (0-4)

The win, combined with the Giants 5-4 loss to the Los Angeles Stars puts the Braves in first place by 1/2 game. However, Jim Bouton goes out for at least two weeks with a pulled groin. Bill Graham will replace Bouton in the lineup, and Ralph Beard gets a call from AAA Jacksonville.

April 17: All five Braves runs are scored in the first inning. Braves 5, Reds 3.
W: Harvey Branch (2-1) L: Waylon Mayner (1-2) S: Don Carpenter (2)

April 18: Floyd Robinson hits a three RBI double in the top of the ninth to help the Braves to a sweep. Braves 7, Reds 4.
W: Lindy McDaniel (1-0) L: Bob Miller (0-1) S: Don Carpenter (3)

(* * *)

We lead the NL East now by 1 1/2 games over the Giants. The good news is that the Giants lost two of three to the Stars in Queens. The bad news is that the Braves have to travel to the west coast to play that very same Stars team.

April 19th-21st, 1967
Boston Braves (13-2) at Los Angeles Stars (10-5)

April 19: New superstar pitcher Shane MacJames holds the Braves to just four hits to go 4-0 with a 0.60 ERA. Stars 5, Braves 0.
W: Shane MacJames (4-0) L: Hector Maestri (2-2)

April 20: Jimmy Wynn gets his first home run as the Braves return the favor. Braves 6, Stars 0.
W: Cecil Perkins (3-0) L: Jim Bunning (1-1)

April 21: Lindy McDaniel gives up a couple of walks and a single in the last two innings, but gets the save. Braves 2, Stars 1.
W: Harvey Branch (3-1) L: Fred Newman (1-3) S: Lindy McDaniel (2)

(* * *)

The Braves are now holding on to a 1 1/2 game lead in the National League East. The Giants are right behind us, but the Phillies have won six straight and are now four games behind. The Stars still lead the NL West by a half-game because St. Louis couldn't advance and the Cards are a half-game behind.

The Yankees lead the AL East by 1 1/2 games, but the Senators are still looking good. Dallas, with a 12-9 record, is leading the White Sox by one game in the AL West.

The Braves travel back to Boston to play three games against the Reds, who are in last place in the NL West.

April 22nd-24th, 1967
Cincinnati Reds (6-15) at Boston Braves (15-3)

April 22: Joe Morgan hits three solo home runs for the Braves in an amazing game. Braves 7, Reds 1.
W: Bill Graham (1-0) L: Jim Maloney (2-3)

April 23: Tom Seaver, the #1 draft pick from 1963, somehow hangs on for his first win despite the Braves outhitting the Reds. Reds 3, Braves 1.
W: Tom Seaver (1-0) L: Don Drysdale (0-1) S: Johnny James (1)

April 24: Willie McCovey hits two home runs as the Braves score seven runs in the sixth inning. Braves 13, Reds 5.
W: Cecil Perkins (4-0) L: Imberto Silva (0-6)

(* * *)

The Braves keep their 1 1/2 game lead in the NL West alive. They go on a six-game western swing that starts in Houston and ends in Chicago.

April 25th-27th, 1967
Boston Braves (17-4) at Houston Astros (8-13)

April 25: Manny Mota's triple breaks the game open for the Braves in the 12th. Braves 3, Astros 1 (12)
W: Don Carpenter (3-0) L: Julio Navarro (0-1)

April 26: Bill Graham strikes out seven Astros in a complete game win. Braves 2, Astros 1.
W: Bill Graham (2-0) L: Jim O'Toole (1-4)

April 27: Three doubles and a home run in the Astrodome prevent the Astros from getting swept at home. Astros 5, Braves 3.
W: Bo Belinsky (2-0) L: Hector Maestri (2-3) S: Julio Navarro (4)

(* * *)

I didn't believe what I was reading in the papers. Cassius Clay, current Heavyweight Champion of the World, has let his dalliances with the Black Muslims go straight to his head. He is refusing induction into the United States Army.


Cassius Clay dodges the draft.

I remember in December 1940 when I had my first serious asthma attack. I was 13 years old and I thought I was going to die. For the most part, it's under control now, but I had to have injections for five years and I was very closely monitored.

I wanted to fight in World War II, and I was drafted in December 1944, because by that time, they were taking 17 year olds. I thought about not even telling them I had asthma, but my father said, "what if you have an asthma attack somewhere in a foxhole and your buddies are counting on you?" So I told the men that I had asthma.

The second they heard that, they took me out of the line. My draft card was returned to me -- 4-F. It's one of the many times I've regretted telling the honest truth.

It was one of the most humiliating moments of my life. I wouldn't get to go and serve my country. Not in World War II, and not in Korea.

There are lots of healthy fellows going to serve their country in Vietnam. Cassius Clay isn't so much a champion as a menace. He's taken to calling himself "Muhammad Ali" for the last three years and calls himself a "Black Muslim". His excuse was that he was some kind of minister.

Some of his 'statements of faith', most of which are in the cause of formenting racial hatred:

"No intelligent black man or black woman in his or her right black mind wants white boys and white girls coming to their homes to marry their black sons and daughters."

"We're not all brothers. You can say we're brothers, but we're not."

And now, he somehow thinks that because he's boxing champion, he will evade the consequences. Milton Gross of the New York Post said, "Clay seems to have gone past the borders of faith. He has reached the boundaries of fanaticism.":

What's the penalty for being a draft-dodger? Leavenworth? Maybe Mr. Clay should go and break a few rocks along with his co-religionists. His vestments can have horizontal stripes labeled with a number, for all I care.

(* * *)

Around the world:

Montreal's Expo 67 World's Fair opens.

In baseball:

Hal Woodeshick (Spurs) is out for the season with a broken wrist.
Dick Taylor (Angels) is out for the season with a severed knee ligament.
Todd Cotter (White Sox) is out for two months with a severe shoulder separation.
Stan Williams (White Sox) is out for five weeks with a wrist stress fracture.
Buddy Prichard (Seals) is out for four weeks with a wist stress fracture.
Art Shamsky (Reds) is out for four weeks with a wrist stress fracture.

[petrel]

1967 Batting             Team    G   AVG    AB    H  2B  3B  HR   BB    K   SB  CS    R  RBI   SLG   OBP
McCovey, Willie           BOB   24  .313    96   30   5   1   7    9   12    0   0   22   14  .604  .377
Morgan, Joe               BOB   24  .213    89   19   2   0   7   23   16    3   2   20   12  .472  .372
Massa, Gordon             BOB   23  .326    89   29   4   0   0    3   16    0   0   10   11  .371  .355
Mota, Manny               BOB   24  .388    80   31   4   2   1    6    5    1   0    8   19  .525  .433
Temple, Johnny            BOB   22  .325    77   25   8   0   0   11    7    1   1    7    7  .429  .411
Davis, Tommy              BOB   23  .328    64   21   1   0   3    3    4    1   0    8    9  .484  .358
Smith, Dick               BOB   18  .333    60   20   4   0   3    5   11    1   0   12    9  .550  .394
Gagliano, Phil            BOB   22  .271    59   16   1   2   0    8    7    1   0    6    8  .356  .353
Cunningham, Joe           BOB   18  .135    52    7   3   0   0    7   13    0   0    6    6  .192  .250
Wynn, Jimmy               BOB   17  .256    39   10   0   1   2    9    7    0   1    9    4  .462  .396
Smith, George             BOB   12  .100    30    3   1   0   1    2    8    0   0    3    2  .233  .182
Burton, Ellis             BOB   22  .304    23    7   0   0   2    3    5    0   0    4    6  .565  .407
Robinson, Floyd           BOB   15  .150    20    3   2   0   0    2    3    0   0    0    5  .250  .261
Perkins, Cecil            BOB    6  .133    15    2   2   0   0    1    3    0   0    1    1  .267  .188
Branch, Harvey            BOB    6  .200    15    3   2   0   0    0    3    0   0    1    2  .333  .200
Lachemann, Rene           BOB    9  .250    12    3   0   0   0    1    1    0   0    3    2  .250  .286
Maestri, Hector           BOB    5  .000    11    0   0   0   0    0    3    0   0    0    0  .000  .000
Graham, Bill              BOB    3  .000     9    0   0   0   0    1    2    0   0    0    0  .000  .100
Bouton, Jim               BOB    3  .125     8    1   0   0   0    0    2    0   0    1    0  .125  .125
Drysdale, Don             BOB    1  .000     2    0   0   0   0    0    1    0   0    0    0  .000  .000
Sadowski, Bob             BOB    0  .000     2    0   0   0   0    0    0    0   0    0    0  .000  .000

1967 Pitching            Team     IP   ERA    G  GS   W   L  SV    K   BB   R/9
Branch, Harvey            BOB   43.2  3.09    6   6   3   1   0   18   13 12.57
Perkins, Cecil            BOB   40.2  2.21    6   6   4   0   0   23    7  7.52
Maestri, Hector           BOB   33.0  2.73    5   5   2   3   0    7    5 10.91
Graham, Bill              BOB   24.0  2.25    3   3   2   0   0   11    6 11.63
Bouton, Jim               BOB   20.0  2.70    3   3   2   0   0   12    5  8.10
McDaniel, Lindy           BOB   15.1  2.93   12   0   1   0   2   17    8 14.09
Santiago, Jose            BOB   12.1  0.73    6   0   0   0   0    5    3  8.03
Carpenter, Don            BOB    9.0  0.00    7   0   3   0   3    9    1  7.00
Brabender, Gene           BOB    9.0  1.00    7   0   1   0   0    7    2  9.00
Sadowski, Bob             BOB    8.0  3.38    4   0   1   0   0    4    1 11.25
Drysdale, Don             BOB    6.0  3.00    1   1   0   1   0    2    3 12.00
Beard, Ralph              BOB    3.0  0.00    1   0   0   0   0    1    0  3.00

[petrel]

Early May 1967


Dragnet made it back to television in "Dragnet 1967"

(Note: I just found out that my April 28th-April 30th games were not saved somehow. Therefore, I have had to replay them and start "Early May" in Late April of 1967. -- Pet)

We travel to Chicago to finish up April. The Cubs are 9-12 overall...but 6-3 at Wrigley.

Meanwhile, in the AL West, the Dallas Spurs have lost four straight, and the White Sox are leading the Spurs by 1 1/2 games. The Angels have fallen to fifth place at 10-17.

April 28th-30th, 1967
Boston Braves (19-5) at Chicago Cubs (9-12)

April 28: Cecil Perkins goes to 5-0 as Willie McCovey hits two home runs. Braves 7, Cubs 4. McCovey hit five RBIs, but goes out for two days with a mild elbow inflammation. Joe Cunningham replaces him in the lineup.
W: Cecil Perkins (5-0) L: Jim Perry (2-2) S: Don Carpenter (4)

April 29: Despite only getting six hits to the Cubs' eleven, the Braves score four runs in the first inning and Harvey Branch throws 5 Ks in a complete game win. Braves 5, Cubs 2.
W: Harvey Branch (4-1) L: Tom Hughes (1-3)

April 30: Joe Cunningham pulls his weight substituting for McCovey with a home run. Braves 2, Cubs 0.
W: Bill Graham (3-0) L: Eric Durant (1-2) S: Don Carpenter (5)

(* * *)

As May starts, we actually have close races in all four divisions!

In the NL East, the Braves still lead the Giants by 1 1/2 games. The Stars and Cardinals are tied in the NL West. The Senators have won six straight to climb to within one game of the Yankees in the AL East, and due to a five-game win streak by the Seals, Dallas still leads in the AL West but Chicago and San Francisco are each just one-half game behind.

The Cardinals come to Boston to visit the Braves in a battle that might determine supremacy of both NL divisions.

May 1st-3rd, 1967
St. Louis Cardinals (17-10) at Boston Braves (22-5)

May 1: The Cardinals score six runs in the first four innings before the Braves get a chance to answer. Cardinals 6, Braves 2. The Brewers beat the Stars 8-7, and St. Louis takes the NL West lead.
W: Fritz Peterson (4-2) L: Hector Maestri (2-4)

May 2: Cecil Perkins remains undefeated and pulls the Braves to a win despite giving up seven hits in six innings. Braves 5, Cardinals 2.
W: Cecil Perkins (6-0) L: Troy Caldwell (2-2) S: Don Carpenter (6)

May 3: Larry Jackson gives up three singles, a walk and a wild pitch in the bottom of the seventh which allow the Braves to take the rubber game of the series. Braves 6, Cardinals 5.
W: Jose Santiago (1-0) L: Larry Jackson (5-2) S: Don Carpenter (7)

(* * *)

The Stars have taken a one-game lead in the NL West again and teams are starting to pull away: the Braves lead by 2 games, the Spurs by 2 1/2 and the Yankees by three. (The White Sox have lost six straight.)

Up next: a visit to Wrigley Field. Cecil Perkins goes down for about a week with a pulled quadriceps and Don Drysdale takes his place. We want Cecil to be back and healthy for the six-game series against the Giants in mid-May.

May 4th-6th, 1967
Boston Braves (24-6) at Chicago Cubs (10-17)

May 4: Bill Graham gets a complete game win, giving up six hits and no walks. Braves 3, Cubs 0.
W: Bill Graham (4-0) L: Eric Durant (1-3)

Manager Gil Hodges gives me a call and states that we need a better backup infielder than George Smith. I look to see who is unsigned and sign Ken Aspromonte to a one-year pro rata contract for $800K. He'll start in tomorrow's game.

May 5: The Braves score a double, three singles and three straight walks in the top of the ninth to break the game open. Aspromonte goes one for four. Braves 5, Cubs 2.
W: Jose Santiago (2-0) L: Leonard Johnson (0-2) S: Don Carpenter (8)

May 6: Don Drysdale pitches 8 2/3 innings, but the Cubs score two in the bottom of the ninth and Don Carpenter is called in to get the save. Braves 3, Cubs 2.
W: Don Drysdale (1-1) L: Jim Perry (2-3) S: Don Carpenter (9)

(* * *)

San Francisco has won three straight and they take over the lead in the AL West by 1/2 game. The Stars lead the Cardinals in the NL West by 1/2 game.

We've done very well against the NL West -- a 27-6 record in 33 games. It's now time to play our NL East opponents, whom I think are tougher. Our first stop is in Baltimore, to face the Orioles, who have sunk to the bottom of the NL East.

Unfortunately, Jimmy Wynn, our #5 batter, sprained his ankle and will be out for at least two weeks. Ellis Burton will replace him in right field.

May 7th-9th, 1967
Boston Braves (27-6) at Baltimore Orioles (9-21)

May 7: Harvey Branch pitches a complete game shutout, giving up seven hits but no walks. Braves 6, Orioles 0.
W: Harvey Branch (5-1) L: Bill Hands (0-3)

May 8: The Orioles put together a dramatic win in the tenth. With Don Carpenter on the mound, Harry Petrick singles. Mazeroski bunts to second, and Harry Petrick steals third off Gordon Massa behind the plate. Mel Roach lays down a sacrifice bunt, and the throw to the plate is not in time. Orioles 6, Braves 5 (10).
W: Brett Lunn (2-2) L: Don Carpenter (3-1)

May 9: The Orioles win on just four hits as the Braves can't push anyone across the plate. Orioles 3, Braves 1.
W: Joel Cataldo (3-4) L: Jim Bouton (2-1) S: Brett Lunn (3)

(* * *)

The last two losses to the worst team in the NL East were very disturbing. The Braves will take two days off, play the Giants three times in New York, take a day off, and then play the Giants three more times.

We're two games ahead of the Braves. The Stars have opened up their lead in the NL West to four games, but the AL West is still a very tight race, with San Francisco leading with an 18-18 record. Only 3 1/2 games separate five of the six AL West teams.

Next up: the Giants, in New York. Our goal is to win four out of the six games and go up by four games in the NL East.

May 12th-14th, 1967
Boston Braves (28-8) at New York Giants (26-10)

May 12: Johnny Temple singles Manny Mota all the way in from second in the sixth inning to give the Braves the edge they need. Braves 2, Giants 1.
W: Don Drysdale (2-1) L: Gaylord Perry (7-3) S: Don Carpenter (10)

May 13: Despite twelve Braves hits, Don Clendenon hits two home runs and Carl Yastrzemski hits one to lead the Giants to victory. Giants 7, Braves 2.
W: Mukisa Sato (6-1) L: Harvey Branch (5-2)

May 14: Bill Kirk of the Giants: 9 IP, 8 H, 1 BB, 0 ER, 3 K. Giants 4, Braves 0.
W: Bill Kirk (5-2) L: Bill Graham (4-1)

(* * *)

Around the world:

Priscilla Beaulieu marries Elvis Presley.
Are You Experienced? is released by the Jimi Hendrix Experience.

In baseball:

Frank Howard (Red Sox) hits his 300th home run.

Zoio Versalles (Cardinals) is out for four months with a hip injury.
Javier Besantes (Blues) is out for five weeks with a hip injury.
Britt Hoad (Angels) is out for three months with severe elbow tendonitis.
Neil Chrisley (Senators) is out for three months with a broken hip.
Sandy Koufax (Blues) is out for four weeks with a broken finger.

Bill "Moose" Skowron retired from baseball at age 35.



He was a first baseman for the Yankees, Pirates, Cubs and Peaches, finishing his 13-year career with 212 HR and a .273 BA. He would win two Gold Gloves at first base, one with the Yankees and one with the Cubs. He was also a member of the 1954 New York Yankees championship team.

Billy Loes retired at age 36. A starting pitcher for Brooklyn and Detroit, Loes finished with a 138-72 record and a 3.51 lifetime ERA. He was an All-Star for Detroit in 1960 and 1961.
Ray Herbert retired as a starting pitcher at age 36. A pitcher for the Tigers, Reds, Braves and Twins, he had his most productive years as a Brave, named as an All-Star in 1958 and 1959. He finished with a 114-85 lifetime record and a 3.55 lifetime ERA.
Al Corwin retired at age 39. He was a starting pitcher since 1951, first for the Giants, then for the New York Yankees. He finished with an 87-55 record and a 3.64 lifetime ERA at age 39, finally earning a World Championship ring with the Yankees in 1963.
Harry Anderson retired at age 34. Known as "Harry the Horse", he finished with a .235 lifetime BA and 70 HR as a left fielder for the Phillies, Blues, Seals, Reds, Orioles, Angels, and Orioles (again). He won a Gold Glove as an outfielder for Cincinnati in 1962.
Johnny Blanchard retired at age 34 after a career with the Yankees, Blues, Dodgers, Peaches and White Sox. He would win his only Gold Glove with the Blues in 1963, his final year in Kansas City. He finished with a .251 BA and 138 HR.
Paul Smith retired at age 36 after 13 years as a first baseman. From 1953 to 1965, Smith played part time for Pittsburgh, and finished his career with Detroit and Minnesota. He had a lifetime .266 batting average and hit 30 home runs.

[Shortstop]

Go the Braves!

[petrel]

Late May-Early June 1967
Part I

The Braves still have three more games to play against the Giants in New York. We lost the last two games we played against them, and the hated Giants have climbed to just one game back.

May 16th-18th, 1967
Boston Braves (29-10) at New York Giants (28-11)

May 16: The Giants score three runs in the fourth inning off a 2-RBI single and a sac fly. A Phil Gagliano single in the top of the 7th brings the game to 3-2 Giants, but the Braves never get another hit for the rest of the night. Giants 3, Braves 2. The Braves and Giants are now tied for first place..
W: Claude Osteen (7-1) L: Cecil Perkins (6-1) S: Claude Raymond (5)

May 17: Gene Brabender comes in in the bottom of the 8th for the Braves. He throws a wild pitch with two out in the bottom of the 9th which lets the Giants close the game to one run, but strikes out Cory Parks for the save. Braves 6, Giants 5.
W: Harvey Branch (6-2) L: Gaylord Perry (7-4) S: Gene Brabender (1)

May 18: The Braves tie the game in the top of the 9th, with Tommy Davis scoring a run on a sac fly off Claude Raymond. But Lindy McDaniel comes in in the bottom of the 9th, and gives up a home run to the first batter -- Cory Parks, who had struck out the night before. Giants 2, Braves 1.
W: Claude Raymond (2-1) L: Lindy McDaniel (1-1)

(* * *)

The Braves come back home, but we get some horrible news. While driving back to his home in Boston the night the plane landed, Joe Morgan lost control of his car and crashed it. Joe's alright, but he fractured his right hip. The doctor says that it will be three months before Joe can even think of playing for the Braves again.

Hoo boy. We call up Tony Taylor from AAA Jacksonville and bring him up back up to the bigs. Johnny Temple will become our new lead-off man. Outfielder Jimmy Wynn might be back by the end of the week, so that's good news.

Before the game, however, I knew I desperately needed middle infield help. However, most teams made it plain: they wouldn't give up help up the middle unless they got a lot in return. Therefore, it was time to deal....

Trades
to Cardinals: Jim Bibby (SP: 74/92), Bruce Von Hoff (SP: 77/86), Jim Hardin (SP: 86/88) and $5 million
to Braves: Tom Carroll (3b: 84/87)

The Braves get a great fielding and great hitting (.382 OBP this year, .374 OBP lifetime) man at the hot corner. Furthermore, when Johnny Temple retires, Morgan can move to second base. The Cardinals get great minor leaguers, including Jim Bibby, who was a first-round pick for the Yankees and has a 1.22 ERA in AA.

May 19th-21st, 1967
Milwaukee Brewers (13-32) at Boston Braves (30-12)

May 19: Willie McCovey and Tommy Davis both hit home runs. Braves 8, Brewers 3.
W: Jim Bouton (3-1) L: Don Sutton (3-7)

May 20: Tony Taylor and Johnny Temple double in the bottom of the 11th. Braves 2, Brewers 1 (11).
W: Lindy McDaniel (2-1) L: Ed Roebuck (1-4)

(* * *)

At Ebbets Field, Norm Cash of the Pirates becomes the thirteenth player in major league baseball history to hit four home runs in a game. He got four homers off the Dodgers in Ebbets Field to help lead the Pirates to an 11-inning, 11-8 victory.

None of Cash's home runs were in the 10th or 11th, so it counts as four home runs in the first nine innings. He hit two home runs off Dodgers starter Earl Wilson, one off Jack Fisher and one off closer Kevin Trevenot that tied the game at 8-8. All in all, he would go 4-5 with one walk and eight RBIs.

Cash has hit home runs in seven of his last nine games. He currently leads baseball with 20 home runs.

(* * *)

May 21: With Willie McCovey resting, the Braves tie it up in the bottom of the 8th with Joe Cunningham leading the rally with a double. However, in the top of the ninth, the Brewers hit five runs off Lindy McDaniel. Brewers 8, Braves 3.
W: Bob Garibaldi (2-0) L: Lindy McDaniel (2-2)

(* * *)

We get more bad news. The Giants sweep the Astros in New York, and the Giants now lead the NL East by one game.

The Stars maintain a four game lead over the Cardinals in the NL West. Washington is making the AL East race closer than it's been in years, only three games behind the world champion Yankees. And the Dallas Spurs, with a 24-24 record, are 1/2 game ahead in the AL West. The top four teams in that division are separated by two games.

Up next: the St. Louis Cardinals, where Tom Carroll gets to visit his former team.

May 22nd-24th, 1967
Boston Braves (32-13) at St. Louis Cardinals (24-18)

May 22: Bob Skinner hits a double off Don Carpenter in the bottom of the 11th for two RBIs. Cardinals 5, Braves 3 (11). J
W: Shawn Smeeth (3-0) L: Don Carpenter (3-2)

Jim Bouton strains his knee, and the doctors expect him to be out for two weeks. Don Drysdale will take his place in the rotation.

May 23: Three Braves hit home runs as Drysdale strikes out seven in a complete game. Braves 8, Cardinals 2.
W: Don Drysdale (3-1) L: Larry Jackson (6-4)

May 24: Willie McCovey hits a two RBI single in the top of the 10th, and this time, the Braves win in extra innings. Braves 3, Cardinals 1 (10).
W: Lindy McDaniel (3-2) L: Shawn Smeeth (3-1) S: Don Carpenter (11)

(* * *)

Manny Mota manages to sprain his finger very badly just as Jimmy Wynn is off the disabled list. So they switch places, with Wynn taking his role back in center field.

The Giants won all three of their games against the Brewers. They've won seven straight, and they're two games ahead of the Braves.

The Braves host the Astros, who can probably write off their playoff hopes for 1967.

May 25th-27th, 1967
Houston Astros (20-28) at Boston Braves (34-14)

May 25: Willie McCovey hits two home runs to bring his yearly total to 16. Braves 9, Astros 3.
W: Harvey Branch (7-2) L: Larry Dierker (1-3)

May 26: Tommy Davis homers in a five-run sixth inning. Braves 8, Astros 5.
W: Bill Graham (5-1) L: Mike McCormick (1-6)

May 27: The Braves are leading by seven runs before the Astros score. Don Drysdale strikes out eight Astros in nine innings. Braves 7, Astros 2.
W: Don Drysdale (4-1) L: John Fitzgerald (6-3)

(* * *)

The good news: the Pirates took two out of three from the Giants! The Braves are tied with the Giants for first!

The bad news: we play those same Pirates. Norm Cash is leading the majors with 22 home runs.

May 28th-30th, 1967
Pittsburgh Pirates (26-25) at Boston Braves (37-14)

May 28: Despite the score, neither team hits a home run. Braves 10, Pirates 2.
W: Cecil Perkins (7-1) L: Alan Hyte (3-5)

May 29: Jeff Budovsky, who last pitched a pro game in 1959 for the Blues, gives up 8 hits in 4 2/3 innings. Harvey Branch gives up 10 hits but gets the shutout win as Jimmy Wynn hits two home runs. Braves 13, Pirates 0.
W: Harvey Branch (8-2) L: Jeff Budovsky (0-1)

May 30: Jimmy Wynn picks up a home run as the Braves sweep. Braves 6, Pirates 3.
W: Bill Graham (6-1) L: Simon Scherr (6-4) S: Don Carpenter (12)

(* * *)

While we sweep the Pirates, the Giants sweep the Orioles, and Boston and New York are neck and neck in the NL East. Our next three games are away against the last-place Orioles.

In the NL West, the Spurs have opened up their biggest lead of the year, 7 1/2 games ahead of the Cardinals. The Yankees remain four games ahead of the Senators...and the Dallas Spurs have won 10 straight to take a three game lead in the AL West.

May 31st-June 2nd, 1967
Boston Braves (40-14) at Baltimore Orioles (17-37)

May 31: Ellis Burton homers off Brett Lunn in the top of the 10th to run Boston's winning streak up to nine games. Braves 5, Orioles 4 (10).
W: Lindy McDaniel (4-2) L: Brett Lunn (2-5)

June 1: Tied 2-2 going into the ninth, Floyd Robinson hits his first home run of the year -- off Brett Lunn, the goat from the day before -- to put the Braves in the lead for good. Braves 5, Orioles 2.
W: Lindy McDaniel (5-2) L: Brett Lunn (2-6) S: Don Carpenter (13)
The Spurs beat the White Sox 10-5 for their 12th straight victory.

June 2: With Harvey Branch out a start with an elbow inflammation, Hector Maestri gets the call. Maestri gives up 12 hits in 4 2/3 innings, and the Braves pitching staff gives up 20 hits. The Braves hit four home runs, but the Orioles hit five. Orioles 12, Braves 6.
W: Joel Cataldo (6-5) L: Hector Maestri (2-5)
Mickey Mantle's RBI single in the top of the 3rd against the Cubs is his 2500th lifetime hit. His Stars beat the Cubs 6-3 at Wrigley.

[petrel]

Late May-Early June 1967
Part II

It never rains, but it pours.

The Braves 10-game winning streak comes to an end. And the @#$#@% Giants, of course, win, sweeping the Brooklyn Dodgers to take a one-game lead in the National League East.

But the worst is yet to come. Grounding out in the ninth inning, Johnny Temple comes back to the bench complaining of pain. A lot of pain. It appears that he tore the ligament of his right elbow on some freak hyperextension accident. The doctors tell me that the 38-year old Temple is out for the season. He might have to wait until mid-1968 to come back.

What a year. First Joe Morgan is hurt. Now temple. We shove Tony Taylor into the lead-off position, and Phil Gagliano takes over at second.

Hector Maestri's horrible outing earned him a trip to AAA Jacksonville, and got Hank Aguirre a reprieve and a call back to the majors.

The Braves go back home to host the Pirates for three more games.

June 3rd-5th, 1967
Pittsburgh Pirates (27-30) at Boston Braves (42-15)

June 3: Norm Cash gets his 23rd home run, but the Braves get three home runs of their own. Braves 5, Pirates 3.
W: Bill Graham (7-1) L: Simon Scherr (6-5) S: Don Carpenter (14)

June 4: Don Drysdale strikes out seven batters in five innings. Braves 7, Pirates 5.
W: Don Drysdale (5-1) L: Wayne Genser (1-7) S: Lindy McDaniel (3)

We get news that reliever Bob Sadowski has broken his right elbow. He'll be out for at least four months. Goodbye, Bob. Left-hander Nick Willhite gets another visit to the majors.

After the game, we get an offer from the Chicago Cubs. They want Maestri! Well, we're happy to let him go....

Trades
to Cubs: Jim Magnuson (SP), Hector Maestri (SP)
to Braves: Vic Roznovsky (C), Dick Hughes (P)

June 5: Dick Smith hits a three-RBI homerun in the top of the ninth. Braves 3, Pirates 1.
W: Cecil Perkins (8-1) L: Chuck Hartenstein (1-3) S: Don Carpenter (15)
The White Sox beat the Spurs 6-4 to snap a 14-game Spurs winning streak.
Bob Skinner of the Cardinals homers off Casey Cox of the Cubs for his 400th lifetime home run, but the visiting Cubs beat the Cardinals 10-6

(* * *)

The morning of June 6, we hold the Amateur Draft. More on that later, but I will report the score of the game in Houston that day. Houston beat us 5-1, and we're one game behind the Giants.

However, the big news during 1967 has been taking place in the Middle East where a series of events is threatening the state of Israel's existence. Since the beginning of 1967, according to the national news, there have been multiple incidents between Arabs and several Israeli kibbutzim, or communal farms. These incidents escalated severely in April, where Syrian gunners fired on a Israeli tractor which was farming in the demilitarized border zone. Israel sent up MiG fighter planes, the Syrians sent up their planes, and Israel shot down six of the Syrian planes.

Syria shelled an Israeli village. Israel's Prime Minister accused the Syrians of sabotage. Normally, this would have been an Israel-Syria war, but at the time Syria was part of an entity called the "United Arab Republic" with Egypt, and Egypt began openly mobilizing its forces en masse along the Sinai peninsula. Gamel Abdel Nasser, the President of Egypt, ordered UN peacekeeping forces to leave the area.


Israeli paratroopers begin preparing themselves for war.

From there, Israel began planning for a war. By that time, the Egyptians had 40,000 soldiers in the Sinai. The Egyptians closed the Straits of Tiran to cut of Israeli oil, and this would be considered an act of war by any government. The Israel citizens began mobilizing as well, preparing for war. The reserves were activated, and a pool cleaner in the morning might be a soldier by nightfall.

On the 27th, four Egyptian MiGs flew over Israel -- and the Israelis weren't able to intercept. However, Nasser held his troops back. He had planned to attack Israel on the 27th but concluded that the Israelis had advance knowledge of the plans and held back.


Nasser: "We will not accept any...coexistence with Israel...the war with Israel is in effect since 1948."

Jordan and Lebanon joined Egypt and Syria. It was now going to be Israel vs. the Arab world. Iraq pledged its support. The United Nations was helpless to do anything, and neither Great Britain nor the United States could turn the tide of war.

Finally, on June 5th, the Israel Air Force struck first...they basically sent their entire compliment of fighter craft into attacks on Egyptian air fields. The Israelis lost 19 planes. But the Egyptian Air Force was essentially wiped out. The Middle East was at war.

(* * *)

Around the world:

Governor Buford Ellington of Tennessee repeals the law against teaching evolution in the public schools. Tennessee was the location of the famous "Scopes Monkey Trial" in 1925.
The Australian referendum of 1967 removes discriminatory passages regarding aborigines from the Australian Constitution.
Biafra, in eastern Nigeria, announces its independence.
The Beatles release Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Richard Speck is sentenced to death in the electric chair for killing eight student nurses.

In baseball:

Tim Talton (Angels) is out ten weeks with a ruptured cervical disk.
Gates Brown (Phillies) is out four months with a fractured hip.
Dick McAuliffe (Indians) is out for the season with a broken wrist.
Andrew Axmacher (Seals) is out for the season with a broken wrist.
Jason Magauran (Pirates) is out for the season with a torn achilles tendon.
Wes Covington (Red Sox) is out for the season with a broken back vertebra.
Tim McCarver (Blues) is out six weeks with a torn elbow ligament.
Pat Jarvis (Angels) is out for the season and out for most of 1968 with a torn rotator cuff.
Michael Wade (Astros) is out for the season with a broken wrist.
Bernie Allen (Red Sox) is out for the season with a severed elbow ligament.
Jack Curtis (Dodgers) is out for the season with a torn achilles tendon.
Tom Cheney (Phillies) is out three months with a hip injury.
Claude Osteen (Giants) is out four weeks with ruptured knee ligaments.
Bill Kunkel (Yankees) is out for three months with a hip fracture.
Charlie Rudman (Phillies) is out four months with a hip fracture.
Jorge Orta (Pirates) is out four weeks with a wrist stress fracture.

Wally Moon, the 1956 NL Rookie of the Year, retired at the age of 36 after a 12 year baseball career with the Cardinals and Tigers. In his award-winning year, he hit .307 in 228 AB as a left fielder. He would be an All-Star for the Detroit Tigers in 1962.

Duke Maas, who won two championship rings with the Boston Braves in 1956 and 1957, retired at age 38 after 11 seasons in baseball with the Braves, Angels and Twins. Originally a Detroit acquisition, he was obtained by the Braves in 1955 and remained with them until 1960. He finished with a 54-38 record and a 3.35 lifetime ERA.

Herb Moford retired after a 12 year career as a starting pitcher for the Phillies, Pirates, Red Sox, and Angels at age 37. He finished with a 73-55 record and a 3.73 lifetime ERA.

[petrel]

1967 Amateur Draft

It's June, and thoughts turn to...the Amateur Draft. I tell you, the crop looks very weak this year, but somehow, in some way, most of these kids become major leaguers and a few become stars. Here's what we're looking at for 1967.

Catchers:
1. Ted Simmons: A catcher who can hit and hit for power, could be the next five-tool player. Top five pick, and he'd be #1 if I had the first pick.
2. John Wockenfuss: The cheaper version of Ted Simmons, good behind the plate, great eye for the strike zone. Late first round.
3. Rick Dempsey: Could be the steal of the draft, .504 OBP senior year, can take pitches for ball. They say he has holes in his swing but our scouts didn't see them. Early third round.

First basemen
1. Andre Thornton: Got a great eye for a first baseman, .491 OBP his senior year, 16 home runs. Mid first round.
2. Cecil Cooper: You have to hit your way into a high draft spot, and this kid's .465 BA got him there. Late first round.
3. Bill Buckner: Great patience at the plate, doesn't take a lot of walks though. Will have to curtail his free-swinging. Early second round.

Second basemen:
1. Bobby Grich: Hit .417 in his senior year, great patience at the plate. Early first round.
2. Phil Garner: Okay hitter, .443 OBP senior year, but tends to be hit-or-miss in evaluations. Mid second round.

Shortstop:
1. Mario Guerrero: Probably the best shortstop in the draft, with a .393 OBP. Fought his way out of the Dominican Republic. Late second-rounder

Third basemen:
1. Mike Schmidt: I don't think he draws walks well enough, but he hit 21 home runs in his senior year in high school, and if fielding were all there were to baseball, he could make it in the bigs. Probably the #1 or #2 pick.

Outfielders
1. Oscar Gamble. Can play either left or right fielder, good hitter but change-ups and curves give him problems. He'll learn or die. Early first round.
2. Garry Maddox: A pure center fielder, has a lot of speed, .413 BA but only five home runs his senior year. Mid first round.
3. Don Baylor. Ridiculous OBPs, .487 OBP his senior year with 14 home runs. Needs to nail his fielding skills, sinker gives him a lot of trouble. Mid first round.
4. Dusty Baker: Hits even better than Baylor, .542 OBP in junior year and got better in senior year. Mid first round.
5. George Hendrick: The scouts love him, but I don't know why. Nice power, but didn't dominate the other players in his HS league. Late first round.
6. Ben Oglivie: Doesn't have a "weak pitch", good patient batter with .473 OBP. Late first round.
7. Richie Zisk: Very hard worker, able to judge the ball well in the outfield. .541 OBP senior year in a weak league. Early second round.
8. Bake McBride: Started very slowly, but has improved year by year, .426 OBP senior year. Might be late developer. Early third round.
9. Jay Schlueter: Talented, but his OBP has dropped over his last three years of HS. Middle third round.

Pitchers:
1. Rick Reuschel: Relies too much on the slider for my taste. I think he's highly overrated, but he'll go high. Probably a #1 or #2 pick.
2. Steve Rodgers: He has five pitches already, but he's eaten up a ton of innings: over 100 in his senior year of HS. Top five pick.
3. Jerry Reuss: Good fast ball, and can strike out a lot of players with it. Top five pick.
4. Vida Blue: This kid can make the fastball sting, but he needs to learn how to control it. Batters are afraid of him. Early first round.
5. Jim Kern: Reliever, had an .095 BAA in his senior year, four good pitches and very nice fastball. Mid first round, but I'd pick him lower.
6. Mike Thompson: Already throwing in the nineties. Mid first round.
7. Dave Pagan. Relief pitcher type, very consistent, could be a bit more aggressive. Mid first round.
8. Dave Goltz: Doesn't have the overpowering velocity of the other guys, throws a two-seamer. 6'4" tall, and that will move him up in the scouts eyes. Mid first round.
9. Gary Lavelle: An okay pitcher with a fastball that needs development. Has had a lot of experience in the closer role. Late first round.
10. Mac Scarce: Amazing final year of high school, gave up 4 BB in 33 2/3 IP. Late first round.
11. Steve Busby: Not the best pitching power, but the scouts say he picks up instruction very well. Late first round.
12. Al Hrabosky: His fellow teammates called him "The Mad Hungarian", and this kid really is crazy. Add that to a good fastball, and he might go high in the draft. Early second round.

(* * *)

And now, here's how the draft went....

1. Spurs: Bobby Grich, 2b
2. Brewers: Mike Schmidt, 3b
3. Pirates: Jerry Reuss, SP
4. Blues: Rick Reuschel, SP
5. Orioles: Don Baylor, LF
6. Twins: Dave Goltz, SP
7. Indians: Jim Kern, RP
8. Reds: Steve Rogers, SP
9. White Sox: Ted Simmons, C
10. Dodgers: Vida Blue, SP
11. Cardinals: Oscar Gamble, RF
12. Astros: Ben Oglivie, LF
13. Red Sox: Cecil Cooper, 1b
14. Tigers: John Wockenfuss, C
15. Peaches: Dusty Baker, LF
16. Seals: Dave Pagan, RP
17. Cubs: Mike Thompson, SP
18. Stars: Phil Garner, 2b
19. Phillies: Mac Scarce, SP
20. Senators: Gary Lavelle, SP
21. Angels: Garry Maddox, CF
22. Braves: Andre Thornton, 1B
23. Giants: Steve Busby, SP
24. Yankees: Mike Caldwell, SP: Can throw in the 90s, 47K in 64 2/3 IP his senior year.

And now, a closer look at the choices of the Braves:

First round: Andre Thornton, 1B (52/87) : Only knock on him is that he's a real "God-squadder". Nothing wrong with being a Christian, but major league baseball can be pretty profane sometimes. Will he adjust?

Second round: Pat Osburn, SP (48/81) : Has three good pitches, but below average control. Threw 68 K in 67 1/3 IP in his final year of HS.

Third round: Don Durham, SP (47/76) : Throws in the mid-nineties, but I don't know if he can command a major league game. He's strictly a hit-or-miss prospect.

Fourth round: Jimmy McMath, LF (48/74) : Almost worth drafting for the name alone. Hit .371 and .375 his final two years of HS.

Fifth round: John Young, 1B (47/68) : Needs a lot of development, but over .500 OBP his senior HS year. It's unlikely that he'll see the bigs, though.

We bailed out of the sixth round. Nobody good left, we'll fill our minor league rosters with the pickings. Pay attention to some of those names...you might see them wearing a Braves uniform five years from now.

[Gravybill]

Good to see this still active. Still enjoying your work!

[petrel]

Early June 1967
Part I

The Braves are still hanging in there, but are 1 1/2 games behind the Giants. The Phillies, a formerly hot team, have lost a tire and are now 11 games behind the Giants. It looks like this year in the NL East will look like a lot of past years -- Giants vs. Braves.

June 6th-8th, 1967
Boston Braves (45-16) at Houston Astros (21-19)

June 6: Larry Dierker -- only nineteen years old! -- holds the Braves to just five hits. Astros 5, Braves 1. Manny Mota and Jim Bouton return to the lineup, but Bouton will have to stay a fifth starter -- Drysdale has earned his spot in the rotation in his contract year.
W: Larry Dierker (3-4) L: Harvey Branch (8-3)

(In the news: Israeli forces have completely surrounded the Palestinian city of Jerusalem. Egyptian forces take a step backwards in the Sinai.)

June 7: Despite a double and a HR by McCovey, the Astros somehow hold on for a win. Astros 3, Braves 2.
W: Mike McCormick (3-6) L: Bill Graham (7-2) S: Tug McGraw (3)

(Israel has now taken complete control of the Old City part of Jerusalem. Jordanian forces have been pushed back across the Jordan river, and a mediated cease-fire between Israel and Jordan takes place.)



June 8: Julio Navarro gives up two singles and two walks in the top of the 10th to put the Braves up 3-2. Don Carpenter gives up a double to Don Buford in the bottom of the 10th, then throws a wild pitch sending Buford to third with two out, but strikes out Johnny Callison to end the game. Braves 3, Astros 2 (10).
W: Lindy McDaniel (6-2) L: Julio Navarro (0-4) S: Don Carpenter(16)
After being traded to the Cubs from the Braves, Hector Maestri shuts out the Dodgers 10-0 on his first start as a Cub.

(The Israels rout the Egyptians, and as the Egyptians retreat, the Israeli Air Force attacks the retreating Egyptian army. The Egyptians will lose about 11,000 troops in the war. The Israelis reach the Suez Canal, and a cease-fire begins between the Egyptians and the Israelis.)

(* * *)

However, on June 8th, the USS Liberty, a signals intelligence ship, was sunk by Israeli fighter jets. What exactly happened is still a matter of controversy. It was the deadliest attack on an US Naval vessel since World War II at the time. The Liberty was severely damaged, over 30 sailors were killed and over 100 wounded.

(* * *)

The Braves have fallen to 1 1/2 games back while the Giants were off for three games. We host Mickey Mantle and the NL West-leading Stars for three games in Boston.

June 9th-11th, 1967
Los Angeles Stars (43-20) at Boston Braves (46-17)

June 9: Mickey Mantle hits a three-run blast in the top of the 8th to help the Stars to four runs to close it to 6-5 Braves, but the Braves answer with three runs and knock Stars pitcher Paul Williams out of the game. Braves 9, Stars 5. Willie McCovey hits two home runs and gets five RBIs.
W: Cecil Perkins (9-1) L: Keith Paden (0-1)
Phil Niekro goes to 5-5 as the Giants beat the Phillies 5-4 for their 10th straight win.

(Facing Syrian bombardment, the Israelis advance on the Golan Heights.)

June 10: Shane McJames's perfect 11-0 record goes up in smoke as Willie McCovey hits his 24th HR, tying him with Norm Cash for the lead in baseball. Braves 2, Stars 1.
W: Harvey Branch (9-3) L: Shane MacJames (11-1) S: Don Carpenter (17)
Davin Brown triples in the bottom of the 9th to lead the Seals to a 5-4 victory over the Blues at Seals Stadium. The Seals now lead the AL West by 1/2 game.

(* * *)

On June 10th, Israel takes the Golan Heights. A cease-fire is declared between Israel and Syria. The fighting is effectively over.

All and all, the Six Day War resulted in a total victory for the Israelis. Furthermore, it was pretty much seen that way by the world. Unfortunately, just because Arab nationalists like President Nasser were defeated, did not mean that the issues regarding Israel's place in the Middle East had been settled. A new, more violent generation of militants would rise up and continue to fight against the Israels. However, the Israelis had sent their own message to the Middle East: they were there to stay.

(* * *)

June 11: Going into the 9th at 5-5, Alex Jenks homers off Lindy McDaniel for two runs to make the score 7-5 Stars. Dick Smith doubled off Nijel Schrum for an RBI to close the gap to 7-6 in the bottom of the ninth, and ended up on third after a Tommy Davis ground ball. Ellis Burton, however, flew out to left and the Stars avoided the sweep. Stars 7, Braves 6.
W: Corey Rubenstein (3-0) L: Lindy McDaniel (6-3) S: Nijel Schrum (12).

However, I won't be at Braves Field that night, at least not for the early innings. I'll be at Fenway Park, attending Jimmy Piersall Day. Yep, that's right, the man who has spent nine years playing second base or shortstop for either the Red Sox or the Braves finally got his own day. It was one of those rare moments where I got a chance to talk to Tom Yawkey, my cross-town rival.


Jimmy has fans from two Boston clubs.

We established a college fund for Piersall's kids. He seemed touched. Unfortunately, the Braves lost their game that night and Piersall went 0 for 3 with a strikeout as the visiting Indians shut out the Red Sox on four hits, 3-0.

(* * *)

Trades:
to Brewers: Bill Voss (RF: 62/79), Ken Tatum (RP: 66/77)
to Cardinals: Pat MacGillegowie (3B: 78)

The Brewers get some minor leaguers who might be worth something someday. The Cardinals get a third baseman who can start. It looks like the Brewers are already giving up for 1967, but MacGillegowie didn't like playing for a losing team.

[petrel]

Early July 1967
Part II

The Giants are just winning games left and right. They've rolled off a 12-game winning streak in the NL East, putting us 2 1/2 games out of first. Furthermore, third baseman Tom Carroll throws out his back. He's out for at least two weeks. Can't we catch a break, I ask? George Smith comes back from AAA Jacksonville and Manager Gil Hodges does all kinds of infield shuffling.

The Stars still lead the Cardinals by 9 1/2 in the NL West. The Yankees have a 7 1/2 game lead in the AL East, but in baseball's most interesting division, the Seals under Leo Durocher hang on to a 1/2 game lead over the Dallas Spurs.

The Philadelphia Phillies have lost six straight games, and we go to Connie Mack Stadium to take on the Phils. We hope that their losing ways continue.

June 12th-14th, 1967
Boston Braves (48-18) at Philadelphia Phillies (35-28)

June 12: In the bottom of the 10th, the Phillies lead off with a double and two successful sacrifice bunts -- the final bunt coming from reliever Garry Wagner -- end the Phillies 6-game losing streak. Phillies 2, Braves 1 (10).
W: Garry Wagner (4-2) L: Lindy McDaniel (6-4)
The Seals beat the Twins 9-3 in Minneapolis to win their 10th straight game.

June 13: Willie McCovey hits his 25th home run of the year, putting him in the lead ahead of Norm Cash in the NL. Braves 5, Phillies 2.
W: Cecil Perkins (10-1) L: Jack Hamilton (2-1)

June 14: Three hits in the bottom of the 11th for the Phillies break up a 0-0 shutout. Harvey Branch pitched nine scoreless innings; Bill Monbouquette pitched ten. Phillies 1, Braves 0 (11).
W: Ron Perranoski (4-0) L: Don Carpenter (3-3)
The Giants beat the Dodgers 9-0 and sweep the Dodgers for their 15th straight win.

(* * *)

Trades:
to Spurs: Jerry Lumpe (2b: 84)
to Twins: Willie Montanez (1b:64/87), John Donaldson (2b:60/81)

Both teams get what they want: the Spurs get a true starter at second base, and the Twins get help for their non-existent minor league system.

We continue to fall backwards to 4 1/2 games out of first. When the team in front is winning 15 straight games, there's not a lot you can do. Getting catchers or infielders from other teams is becoming impossible -- we're weaker at catcher and the infield positions than we've been in over a decade.

Manager Gil Hodges and I had an hour-long conversation regarding the woes of the Braves. We brought up Dick Green from the AA Austin Braves in an attempt to solve our infield/hitting problems. It's a big jump, but he's starting at second base for our three-game series at home against the Bucs.

June 15th-17th, 1967
Pittsburgh Pirates (29-37) at Boston Braves (49-20)

June 15: Dick Green goes 1 for 3 as the visitors are shut out by Bill Graham. Braves 3, Pirates 0.
W: Bill Graham (9-2) L: Alan Hyte (4-7)
Jim Owens of the Dallas Spurs holds the Kansas City Blues to two hits, winning 7-0. It is the Blues 12th straight loss.
Bob Johnson of the San Francisco Seals homers off Ron Taylor in the top of the 8th against the Red Sox in Boston, on the way to a 4-1 Seals victory. It is Johnson's 300th home run as a shorstop, putting him 46 behind Vern Stephens for the all-time record for shortstops.

We get news of Harvey Branch complaining of severe elbow pain every time his pitches. Aspirin won't help it, ice packs won't help it. We send him to our team physician. The verdict? Severe elbow tendonitis. Most likely, Harvey Branch is out for the season. Jim Bouton will take Branch's place in the rotation.

June 16: Norm Cash hits his 25th home run, and the Pirates only needed an extra run, anyway. Pirates 3, Braves 2.
W: Fred Klages (3-2) L: Jim Bouton (3-2) S: Josh Kite (9)
The Stars beat the Giants 7-6 despite Carl Yastrzemski's grand slam in the top of the 9th. The Giants 16-game win streak is over.

June 17: Willie McCovey takes the NL lead again with his 26th home run, and Cecil Perkins shuts out the Pirates. Braves 3, Pirates 0.
W: Cecil Perkins (11-1) L: Jeff Budovsky (0-2) S: Don Carpenter (18)

(* * *)

Around the world:

The Soviet Union severs diplomatic relations with Israel in the aftermath of the Six-Day war.
Loving vs. Virginia is decided by the Supreme Court, which declares state laws prohibiting interracial marriage unconstitutional.
Thurgood Marchall is nominated as a judge of the Supreme Court.
The People's Republic of China announces a successful hydrogen bomb test.



In baseball:

Ken Boyer (Giants) hit his 1000th RBI.

Bob Bowman (Senators) is out for the season with a torn ankle ligament.
Joe Christopher (Angels) is out for two months with a broken forarm.
Artie Portocarrero (Spurs) is out for the season and at least the start of 1968 with a torn rotator cuff.
Martin Tidy (Tigers) is out one months with ruptured knee ligaments.
Cisco Carlos (Blues) is out for five weeks with a broken jaw.
Jack Palacios (Dodgers) is out for seven weeks with a dislocated hip.
Ken Berry (Blues) is out for six weeks with a broken foot.
Carl Warwick (Cardinals) is out for the season with a severed elbow ligament.
Bob Anderson (Cardinals) is out for four weeks with a shoulder separation.

Curt Simmons, a nine-time All-Star starting pitcher and the 1957 American League Cy Young Award winner, retired at the age of 37.

Simmons, a player with the Phillies, Yankees, Angels and Twins, ended his career with 215 wins and 144 losses. At the time he retired, he had the most wins of any pitcher in baseball (Hank Aguirre is the current wins leader with 201). He finished with a 3.45 ERA and 1,649 K lifetime.

The only championship Simmons won was with the Yankees in 1954. Lifetime in World Series play he was 2-0, pitching 15 innings and only giving up two earned runs.

What made Simmons so feared as a pitcher was that he threw two fastballs: a rising fastball and a sinking fastball. He would be the first of a new generation of pitchers who threw more than one type of fastball.

Starting pitcher Cal Hogue retired at the age of 38. He finished with a 115-90 record and a 3.77 lifetime ERA. A pitcher for the Pirates, Dodgers, Cubs, Astros and Stars, he would be primarily known as a member of the 1958-59 "SuperDodgers", for whom he won 17 games. Despite his two World Championship rings, he lost his only World Series decision in 1959. He would also win a Gold Glove as a pitcher for the Cubs in 1963.

[petrel]

Late June-Early July 1967
Part I

As we begin the countdown to mid-season, we go to Philadelphia to face the Phillies. If this were a 12-team league, they would be in fourth place right now, but in the NL East, they have to settle for third.

June 18th-20th, 1967
Boston Braves (51-21) at Philadelphia Phillies (39-30)

June 18: The Braves close it to 3-2 after the top of the 8th, but the Phillies answer with six runs, including a 3-RBI shot by Purnal Goldy. Phillies 9, Braves 2.
W: Pete Craig (1-0) L: Bill Graham (8-3) S: Fred Lasher (3)

June 19: Light-hitting Fred Whitfield hits two home runs against Braves pitching. Phillies 7, Braves 3.
W: Joe Gibbon (3-2) L: Don Drysdale (5-2) S: Jack Hamilton (1)

June 20: Phil Niekro strikes out eight in nine innings, holding the Braves to four hits in a humiliating sweep. Phillies 2, Braves 0.
W: Phil Niekro (7-5) L: Jim Bouton (3-3)

(* * *)

Egad. There is no balm in Gilead, and the season is becoming more of the same-old, same-old.

The New York Giants were kind enough to lose a game, so we're only five games out of first in the NL East. The Stars have increased their commanding NL West lead to 12 1/2 games, and St. Louis trails behind with a 36-36 record.

The Yankees lead the Senators by 9 1/2 games -- so much for Washington making the AL East a contest of any kind. However, Dallas and San Francisco are still tied for the AL West lead.

The Braves go back home, for three against the Cardinals. It's a battle of second-place teams!

June 21st-23th, 1967
St. Louis Cardinals (36-36) at Boston Braves (51-24)

June 21: Ralph Beard gives up five earned runs in five innings, but the Braves hang on and tie it. Tied 6-6, the Cardinals pick up four runs in the top of the 10th, helped by a home run from Tom Tresh, and the Braves can't recover. Cardinals 10, Braves 8 (10).
W: Cal Koonce (4-2) L: Lindy McDaniel (6-5)
Atlanta Peaches starting pitcher Edmund Richardson strikes out 13 batters in seven innings of pitching, helping the Peaches beat the Twins 4-1.

Trades:
to Blues: Joe Hance (LF: 58/68)
to Spurs: Bob Hale (1B: 68/68)

The Spurs get rid of a crappy player, and the Blues get rid of over $2.7 million in salary.

June 22: Tony Taylor gets an RBI single in the bottom of the 12th, ending the Braves losing streak. Braves 5, Cardinals 4 (12).
W: Don Carpenter (4-3) L: Jeff Traill (1-3)

June 23: The Cardinals come back with four runs in the 8th, but the Braves hang on. Braves 7, Cardinals 6.
W: Bill Graham (9-3) L: Denny Lemaster (3-4) S: Don Carpenter (19)

(* * *)

And with this win, the Braves take two well-deserved days off at home. The Giants split a pair with the Orioles -- the Jints are an uncharacteristic 5-5 in their last 10 games -- and we're 4 1/2 games out.

Next up: three games at home against the Brooklyn Dodgers. Carroll returns at third base -- thank goodness.

June 26th-28th, 1967
Brooklyn Dodgers (30-45) at Boston Braves (53-25)

June 26: The Dodgers come back with two runs in the top of the ninth, but Lindy McDaniel gets the save. Braves 4, Dodgers 3.
W: Don Drysdale (6-2) L: O. J. Mackinney (1-7) S: Lindy McDaniel (4)
Hank Aaron hits two home runs, including #550, in a 5-4 victory over the Brewers.

June 27: Tied 4-4 going into the bottom of the ninth, Dennis Higgins of the Dodgers throws three walks and then a wild pitch that allows the go-ahead run to score. Braves 8, Dodgers 4.
W: Jose Santiago (3-0) L: Dennis Higgins (10-6)
However, we lose two players for at least a couple of weeks. Willie McCovey goes out with a strained neck, and Jim Bouton is out with a sprained finger.

Trades:
to Dodgers: Earl Williams (C:58/77)
to Peaches: Karl Olson (RF:75/75)

The Peaches pick up an experienced right fielder, but have to give up their slow-developing second-round draft pick of 1966.

June 28: Cecil Perkins pitches his very first no-hitter! He only walks two Dodgers as the Braves back him up. Braves 10, Dodgers 0.
W: Cecil Perkins (12-1) L: Joey Jay (2-5)

(* * *)

The Braves take a day off before playing the Dodgers three more times at Braves Field. We've won five straight, and the Stars beat the Giants 7-3, bringing the Braves to just 2 1/2 behind the Giants.

June 30th-July 2nd, 1967
Brooklyn Dodgers (30-48) at Boston Braves (56-25)

June 30: Bill Graham and Don Carpenter hold the Dodgers to four hits. Braves 3, Dodgers 1.
W: Bill Graham (10-3) L: Earl Wilson (5-8) S: Don Carpenter (20)
The Pirates lose 9-6 to the Giants in New York, but Norm Cash hits his 300th lifetime home run against Mukisa Sato. It is also Norm's 27th home run in 1967, putting him in the league lead.

July 1: Jimmy Wynn, substituting for Ellis Burton, hit his 7th home run of the year as the Braves break the game open for three runs in the bottom of the 8th. Braves 7, Dodgers 5. The Braves climb to within 1 1/2 games of the Giants.
W: Lindy McDaniel (7-5) L: T Qualters (3-2)

July 2: Hank Aguirre, in his first start in 1967, pitches a 6K, four hit complete games shutout. Braves 9, Dodgers 0.
W: Hank Aguirre (1-0) L: O. J. Mackinney (1-8)

[petrel]

Late June-Early July 1967
Part II

Trades:
to Red Sox: Dexter Magor (SP:80) and Dan Osinski (RP:71)
to Brewers: Garry Hill (SP: 47/75), Stan Pawloski (2B: 74), Dick Stuart (1B:83), Jesus Alou (RF:79)

The Red Sox get pitching help with longtime Brewers pitcher Magor (69-125, 4.69 lifetime ERA). The Brewers get Garry Hill and Jesus Alou, great prospects.

(* * *)

Somehow, with eight straight wins by the Braves, the NL East has become baseball's most interesting division again. We're just 1 1/2 games behind the Giants. Even the Seals have won six straight and have opened up a 4 1/2 game lead on the Spurs, while the Angels have worked their way up to a 40-41 record.

The plight of the bottom teams, however, is awful. Our next opponent, the Orioles, have lost seven straight. The Brewers, the worst team in the National League, have lost 10 straight. And the poor Kansas City Blues, the worst team in baseball, are 18-66 with another 12-game losing streak.

July 3rd-5th, 1967
Boston Braves (59-25) at Baltimore Orioles (30-51)

July 3: The Braves get 22 hits and score in seven of the nine innings. Braves 13, Orioles 1. However, Manny Mota will be out for over two weeks with a sprained ankle. Jose Cardinal will take his place.
W: Cecil Perkins (13-1) L: Joel Cataldo (6-9)

Trades:
to Twins: Wayne Granger (RP:57/73), Charlie Hudson (RP:56/73), Steve Grilli (RP:55/75)
to Giants: Gair Allie (SS:75)

The Twins get pitching help, including New York's #2 and #4 draft picks for this year, in exchange for Gair Allie, a great defensive shortstop hitting an atypical .301 in Minneapolis.

July 4: There are no fireworks during the 10th straight win for the Braves. Braves 3, Orioles 1. The Braves climb to a half-game back.
W: Bill Graham (11-3) L: Jim Coutant (4-9) S: Don Carpenter (21)

July 5: Don Drysdale gives up seven earned runs in five innings as Bill Hands pitches a complete game shutout with six strikeouts. Orioles 12, Braves 0.
W: Bill Hands (4-7) L: Don Drysdale (6-3)
The Dallas Spurs beat the Kansas City Blues 9-4, sending the Blues to their 15th straight loss.

(* * *)

Around the world:

The Beatles sing "All You Need is Love" to 400 million viewers through the miracle of satellite television.
Pope Paul VI ordains 276 cardinals, including Karol Wojtyla, the future Pope John Paul II.
Race riots occur in Buffalo, NY.
Jayne Mansfield dies in a car crash en route to New Orleans.
Canada celebrates 100 years of confederation.
Color broadcasting begins on the BBC.
Homosexuality is decriminalized by the British parliament.

In baseball:

Bob Skinner (Cardinals) hit his 2000th hit.

Pat Corrales (Phillies) is out for the season with a broken back vertebra.
Dick Brown (Cubs) is out for the season with a torn ankle ligament.
Dean Look (Dodgers) is out for the season with severe elbow tendonitis.
Andy Kosco (Blues) is out for thes season with a broken fibula.
Kevin Everett (Twins) is out for two months with a broken tibia.
Charlie James (Phillies) is out for the season with a broken back vertebra.
Bill Virdon (Orioles) is out for the season with severe elbow tendonitis.
Duke Sims (Indians) is out six weeks with a hip injury.

Chuck Stobbs retired after 20 seasons in baseball at age 37.



He started in 1947 with the Red Sox and finishing in 1966 with the Tigers. He pitched for the Red Sox, White Sox, Senators, White Sox (again), Cubs, Brewers and Tigers, finishing with a 134-192 record, a 4.63 lifetime ERA and 1,442 strikeouts.

Bill McDonald retired at age 38. A starting pitcher since 1950, McDonald played for the Pirates, Braves, Senators, Phillies, Astros and Blues. He would finisha 108-71 lifetime record and a 3.82 lifetime ERA. He would have a 10-4 season with Houston in 1965 and be named to the National League All-Star team, but be sent to the minors in 1966. A free agent in 1967, he was signed by the Blues, where he went 0-4 with a 12.27 ERA. He retired after the Blues wanted to send him to the minor leagues again.

John Briggs retires at the age of 33. A relief pitcher for six non-consecutive years with the Yankees and Angels, he was on the 1960 Yankees World Championship roster.
Tom Borland retires at age 34. He pitched from 1959-61 for the Red Sox and in 1965 for the Peaches. In 1961 he had an 8-3 record with a 2.46 ERA as a relief pitcher with nine saves, and was named to the 1961 American League All-Star team.
Willie Kirkland retires at age 33. A center fielder for the Giants, Brewers, and Dodgers, he sparked controversy when he was named to the 1965 National League All-Star team as the Brewers representative. That year, he finished with a .220 AVG and 110 strikeouts. He would finish with a .217 lifetime BA and 217 lifetime home runs.