Even the Braves

[hoosiergoody]

bump before this goes to page 2... this one should be stickied!

[CatKnight]

No argument there. Hope you get back to this soon, pet!

[petrel]

Thanks for the kudos...it's been a horrible week!

1967 All-Star Game
Part I


HIPPIES!

I was a bit busy during the 1967 All-Star Game...because, probably for the final time ever, the All-Star Game would take place at Braves Field!!

The league felt it should honor the old girl with one final fling, as 1968 would be the final year that the Braves would play at Braves Field. Ron Stark Jr. made that rather clear to me during the preparations for the game. I attended a "shovel" ceremony with him as we broke ground on the new stadium which will be built between the North Washington Street Bridge and the U. S. Coast Guard base.

Frankly, despite the fact that the area is old money, I'd like to see more Coast Guard members show up during the games. Maybe we'll lower prices for them as they're so close nearby. A military presence would be a welcome relief to the young men I see attending games today with hair falling over their ears and eyebrows. Well, that hasn't happened in baseball, not yet, and it never will.

However, this kept me busy as we all put the grounds crews to work scraping off the pidgeon dung (were they born crapping?) in an attempt to dress the place up for one last game. However, I heard that one National League executive said, "It's about time they tore this train wreck down."

(* * *)

First, an introduction to the 1967 American League All-Stars. You might recognize a few familiar names.

American League

C: Joe Torre, Yankees (3)
1B: Harmon Killebrew, Yankees (7)
2B: Jerry Kindall, Angels (5)
3B: Eddie Mathews, Senators (13)
SS: Bob Johnson, Seals (7) *overall vote leader
OF: Dave Nicholson, Spurs (2)
OF: Frank Howard, Red Sox (4)
OF: Frank Thomas, Red Sox (3 -- first appearance since 1957)

* Vada Pinson, White Sox (1)
Don Mincher, Tigers (2)
Glenn Beckert, Blues (1)
Tod McDonald, Twins (1)
Gene Oliver, Seals (5)

Dee Geer, Peaches (1)
Jim Palmer, Indians (1)
Bob Hendley, Yankees (2)
Jim Proctor, Yankees (6)
Milt Pappas, Senators (2)
Steve Blass, Yankees (1)
Kelly Osborne, Yankees (4)
Dennis Ribant, Spurs (1)
Leo Salazar, Spurs (3)
Ron Piche, Peaches (2)
Pete Cimino, Senators (2)

* - Pinson is injured and will not play

Manager: Merrit May, Angels (replacing the late Johnny Keane of the Yankees)

Merrit May gets the nod as manager as he managed the Los Angeles Angels, last years AL West champions.

The Yankees pull out six All-Stars, and the rest of the league is more or less evenly distributed. The Senators and Spurs place three All-Stars, and the Tigers, Angels (of all teams), White Sox, Blues and Twins only put a single obligatory All-Star on the roster. As for "All-Star Rookies", there are seven players with that honor.

Everyone should take special note of Eddie Mathews, making his 13th All-Star appearance, tying him with Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams for most All-Star appearances in a career. He's the pride of Washington, but he was a Brave once, too. However, he's not the only 13-time All-Star here today.

(* * *)

National League

C: Earl Battey, Giants (7)
1B: Boog Powell, Orioles (1)
2B: Frank Bolling, Cubs (10)
3B: Ken Boyer, Giants (8)
SS: Dal Maxvill, Stars (3)
*OF: Mickey Mantle, Stars (13)
OF: Carl Yastrzemski, Giants (7)
OF: Hank Aaron, Reds (11)

Bob Skinner, Cardinals (8)
Jose Tartabull, Dodgers (1)
Warren Bouie, Brewers (1)
Gary Geiger, Phillies (6)
Norm Cash, Pirates (4)
Danny Kravitz, Stars (3)

Cecil Perkins, Braves (1)
John Fitzgerald, Astros (2)
Claude Osteen, Giants (7)
Shane MacJames, Stars (1)
Gaylord Perry, Giants (1)
Bill Graham, Braves (1)
Jim Bunning, Stars (6)
Phil Regan, Stars (2)
Bob Heffner, Stars (2)
Bob Locker, Giants (1)

* - Mantle is injured and will not play. Gary Geiger will start in center field.

Manager: Sam Mele, Giants

The press complained loudly about the choice of All-Stars. With ballot stuffing and player choice combining, seven Stars and six Giants dominated the roster. The Braves had two All-Stars, in one of their lowest showing in years, but at least Cecil Perkins would start. Nine National League teams would only send one All-Star, which is nothing short of ridiculous. I suppose the only reason we got two All-Stars at all is because it's our home park.

In particular, the press went after the choice of Milwaukee's Warren Bouie as an All-Star alternate. Bouie was a 29-year old player with a one fifty-two average! He had only played eight years, never full time, and only had 730 lifetime at-bats! The only year he ever cracked a .200 batting average is in 1965, when he had two at-bats. It was the worst sort of joke.

What made it worse is that the Brewers had acquired 10-time All-Star Roy McMillan from the free agent market in June. This year alone with the Brewers, he had 77 at bats and a .400 OBP. True, he hadn't been a Brewer for very long, but any choice would have been better than Bouie. "No one even knows who our players are," mocked the Milwaukee press, perpetually at war with the clubs abysmal direction. The Brewers just can't catch a break.

Mickey Mantle made his appearance for the 13th time as an All-Star, joining DiMaggio, Williams and Mathews in that illustrious group. (I'm proud that three of these All-Stars: Mathews, Williams and Mantle) once wore the uniform of the Boston Braves.

[petrel]

1967 All-Star Game
Part II

(* * *)

Of course, for those who wanted the complete All-Star Game experience, there was the Home Run Derby the night before. The year's competitors were:

Hank Aaron (Reds)
Ken Boyer (Giants)
Norm Cash (Pirates)
Frank Howard (Red Sox)
Bob Johnson (Seals)
Eddie Mathews (Senators
Don Mincher (Tigers)
Gene Oliver (Seals)
Boog Powell (Orioles)
Bob Skinner (Cardinals)

Oddly enough, Willie McCovey of the Braves, tied with Boog Powell for second place, didn't even get the nod. I can't figure that one out.

In the first round, with ten outs to a player, Don Mincher was absolutely peppering the field with home run shots. Frankly, it wasn't a contest, as the early leaders came out and never really lost their leads. Mincher hit nine home runs, followed by Hank Aaron, Frank Howard and Gene Oliver with seven each. Bob Skinner and Ken Boyer hit five each, but it wasn't enough to go to the second round.

Each player only had five outs in the second round. Aaron ran out of gas early and fell behind quickly, with the other three leaders moving ahead. With one out apiece, Don Mincher and Frank Howard had three home runs apiece, but Mincher hit his out and Howard hit a long fly ball to the disappointment of visiting Red Sox fans. This left Mincher and Oliver in the final round.

It was the same format: five outs for each player, and whoever hit the most long balls won. Mincher, who had led or tied in every round, did the same in the final round, and edged out Oliver four runs to two as Oliver could not come back.

1967 would not be the best year for the Tigers. But Detroit fans could take pride in Don Mincher, the 1967 Home Run Derby king!

(* * *)

Cecil Perkins didn't do a bad job in the first All-Star inning he ever pitched, giving up just a hit and a walk to the visitors. Whereas the National League scored six hits off Atlanta starter Dee Geer, with Gary Geiger -- substituting for Mickey Mantle -- hitting a three-run homer off Geer over the center field fence to make it a three-run game. Nationals 3, Americans 0. Boog Powell, Hank Aaron, and Ken Boyer then singled to load the bases, but Dal Maxvill hit into an inning-ending double play.

With Gaylord Perry of the Giants on the mound in the top of the third, he would give up a single to Roberto Clemente and walk Bob Johnson, letting Joe Torre single down the first base line and driving in Clemente. Nationals 3, Americans 1. However, Perry struck out Jerry Kindall to get out of the third. But in the top of the fourth, with Perry still on the mound, Perry would give up a walk to pinch-hitter Don Mincher, and then Dave Nicholson would homer to left center field to drive in two runs and tie up the game. Americans 3, Nationals 3.

In the bottom half of the fourth, the Nationals answered back. With Jim Palmer of the Indians on the mound, Dal Maxvill would lead off with a walk, and one out later, Frank Bolling would hit a Jim Palmer fastball into the left field stands to put the home team back on top by two. Nationals 5, Americans 3.

Claude Osteen would give up a double in the top of the fifth but keep the Americans off the bases, and the Nationals would also fail to score.

From there, there was little action until the bottom of the seventh inning. With Jim Proctor of the Yankees on the mound, Gary Geiger led off with a single and then Boog Powell hit a shot to left field to the right of the foul pole in left field for two more Nationals runs. Nationals 7, Americans 3. Hank Aaron would single, Ken Boyer would reach first on a fielding error by Jerry Kindall and Dal Maxvill would draw a walk to load the bases. Danny Kravitz would ground into a double play -- but there were no outs, and another NL run would score. Frank Bolling drove in another run with a single, and the Nationals led by six runs after seven innings. Nationals 9, Americans 3.

Shane McJames, pitching for the Nationals, would give up a run in the eighth on two singles and two walks, loading the bases, to close the score to Nationals 9, Americans 4. But Gary Geiger, having a fantastic game, would homer off Ron Piche for his second home run of the game to rebalance the scales. MacJames would strike out Joe Torre and Jerry Kindall in the top of the ninth, and the National League was victorious.

FINAL SCORE: Nationals 10, Americans 4.

(* * *)

The National League set an NL performance record with 17 hits, beating their former record of 14 hits in 1963. Gary Geiger went 3 for 5, with two home runs and four RBIs.

All in all, it was a great game for Boston, and it might have been the last contest at Braves Field that would draw the attention of the entire baseball world. However, I still had one and a half more years at the ol' Pigeon Dung Hole before the Braves would be forced out to a cleaner (and hopefully, pidgeon-free) home.

[petrel]

Late July 1967
Part I

After an exciting All-Star Game, the Braves staff is still wide awake. We get one day of rest, but after that, we know the stadium will be packed to the pidgeon-poop covered rails because our rivals, the New York Giants, come to town for a three game series. We win two out of three, and we're back in business.

Meanwhile, New York fans are hoping that Bob Hendley of the Yankees can become the first person to win 30 games in a season since Jim Proctor did it last year. Hendley is 17-0 and his last loss was on September 3, 1966 -- he won 6 more times to finish the 1966 season, giving him 23 straight wins The All-Time leader is Hank Aguirre, who went over a year without a regular-season loss, winning 26 straight.

July 12th-14th, 1967
New York Giants (61-23) at Boston Braves (61-26)

July 12: Bill Kirk and Hank Aguirre both get roughed up in the early innings, but Aguirre gets the worst of it. McCovey hits HR #27 in a losing effort. Giants 10, Braves 5.
W: Bill Kirk (12-4) L: Hank Aguirre (1-1)

July 13: Claude Osteen pitches a complete game, but it won't be enough as the Braves eke out a close win. Braves 2, Giants 0. Three pitchers combine for the shutout.
W: Cecil Perkins (14-1) L: Claude Osteen (10-2) S: Don Carpenter (22)

July 14: The Giants rallied in the ninth from a five run deficit, but too late. Braves 5, Giants 2.
W: Bill Graham (12-3) L: Gaylord Perry (13-7) S: Don Carpenter (23)

(* * *)

The Braves have now closed the gap with the Giants to one-half game. The Giants will go to St. Louis to take on the Cardinals...while the Braves have to take on the first-place Los Angeles Stars, who lead the NL West by 15 1/2 over the Cubs.

July 15th-17th, 1967
Boston Braves (63-27) at Los Angeles Stars (62-28)

July 15: A bizarre game. Stars starter Jim Bunning gives up two walks and an RBI single to Ellis Burton, scoring a run for the Braves. It will be the only run and the only hit the Braves get in the game. But Don Drysdale strikes out nine, and shuts out the Stars for the win! Braves 1, Stars 0.
W: Don Drysdale (7-3) L: Jim Bunning (10-7)
In Cleveland, Bob Hendley of the Yankees gives up four earned runs in 4 2/3 innings as the Yanks go down 9-4, ending Hendley's 23-game win streak.

July 16: In a strange reversal of fortune, the Braves are held to just four hits and Lou Brock's RBI single is the only Stars run. Stars 1, Braves 0.
W: Fred Newman (3-5) L: Hank Aguirre (1-2) S: Nijel Schrum (17)

July 17: Down 3-2 going into the eighth, Willie McCovey's 28th home run of the year gives the Braves the victory. Braves 4, Stars 3.
W: Cecil Perkins (15-1) L: Bob Heffner (4-3) S: Don Carpenter (24)

(* * *)

The Giants also win 2 out of 3 against the Cards, so we gain no ground. But the good news is, we don't lose any ground. We're still hot on the heels of the Giants, still one-half game back.

After a consultation with Manager Gil Hodges, we might rest a few players against the Brewers as we fly to Milwaukee.

July 18th-20th, 1967
Boston Braves (65-28) at Milwaukee Brewers (30-63)

July 18: Dick Smith goes 4 for 4 after being dropped from the lead-off spot to seventh in the lineup. Braves 3, Brewers 1.
W: Bill Graham (13-3) L: Karl Spooner (4-11) S: Lindy McDaniel (5)

July 19: Up 8-1 going into the seventh, Don Sutton gives up seven runs, including a grand slam to Tommy Davis. Braves 9, Brewers 8.
W: Jose Santiago (4-0) L: Ted Davidson (1-2) S: Lindy McDaniel (6)

July 20: The state of the Brewers: Warren Bouie, Roy McMillan and Mickey Lolich drive in runs a six-run second. Brewers 6, Braves 3.
W: Mickey Lolich (7-11) L: Hank Aguirre (1-3)

Trades:
to Dodgers: Bill Buckner (1B: 58/80), Dick Estelle (SP: 64/78)
to Stars: Earl Wilson (88)

The Dodgers get two prospects for cheap, including the Stars' second-round draft choice this year. (Buckner is struggling.) Earl Wilson goes to a winning team and the Dodgers drop about $5 million in salary.

(* * *)

We move forward to another three-games series against the New York Giants at home. Maybe this time we can get over the 1/2 game hump.

July 21st-23rd, 1967
New York Giants (66-27) at Boston Braves (67-29)

July 21: Three Braves pitchers hold the Giants to three hits as the Braves take the NL East lead. Braves 6, Giants 0.
W: Cecil Perkins (16-1) L: Claude Osteen (11-3)
[color=orange]West Klenow of the Orioles strikes out ten Pirates in six innings in a 7-6 win at Memorial Stadium.[color]

July 22: Nick Willhite pitches only four innings in his first start for the Braves, but Don Carpenter gets a rare win and save. Braves 5, Giants 2.
W: Don Carpenter (5-3) L: Gaylord Perry (14-8) S: Don Carpenter (25)

July 23: Don Drysdale strikes out six in nine innings and shuts out the Giants! Braves 5, Giants 0.
W: Don Drysdale (8-3) L: Mukisa Sato (11-6)

(* * *)

On July 23rd, 1967 Detroit police raided an unlicensed liquor establishment on 12th street. This wouldn't have caused much trouble except for the fact that the Detroit police only expected two patrons to be in attendance. Instead, there were 82. Detroit police decided to arrest all eighty-two patrons...all of whom were black.

With this raid on a speakeasy, the "12th Street Riots" started, which would be the worst city riots to take place in the United States until 1992. On July 23rd and July 24th, the black population of Detroit rioted. Shops were looted, including black-owned shops. Snipers were shooting at people. By the end of the violence, 43 people would be dead and over 450 injured.

The source of the riot was the same as the source of the riots in other American cities: black resentment, which had been capped for decades, finally going off. Detroit had already had racial riots in 1943.

Add to that many other sources:

-- the Detroit police. Detroit police, about 95 percent white in a city with a significant black minority, had been known to be particularly brutal to black citizens.

-- urban renewal projects which targeted black neighborhoods, since the whites didn't care if black neighborhoods went under. A neighborhood called "Black Bottom" -- the center of black cultural life in Detroit -- was wiped out completely and replaced with freeways. This caused years of resentment.

-- "white flight". Many whites, unconfortable with living among blacks, retreated to the suburbs. The whites got the best of both worlds: having access to the benefits of a large city without having to pay taxes for its upkeep. The blacks got the worst of it: their taxes alone couldn't pay for the upkeep of a major city, and parts of the city began to fall apart. Real estage agents did their best to boost these white fears: "You'd better move out, since blacks are moving in and your property values will decline. I can get you a nice house out of Detroit!"

-- the changing industrial base. Blacks were attracted to Detroit as young males without an education could get jobs in Detroit's factories. When the industrial base in American began to decline, the path to factory work was the first one closed to blacks. This left uneducated black men who weren't qualified for white-collar jobs, and the jobs remaining didn't pay nearly the salary that working at Ford or General Motors would have paid.


Detroit police begin an unsuccessful crackdown.

However, this time the Detroit police were no longer in control. The violence continued unabated. (The Tigers were on a long road trip and were unaffected.) Finally, after two days of death and destruction, Michigan governor George Romney (father of future presidential candidate Mitt Romney) asked for Federal help in quelling the riots. President Johnson sent in U. S. Army paratroopers and the National Guard, who finally left on July 29th.

Unfortunately, the city had effectively been "killed" -- although no one knew it yet. Not only whites, but middle-class blacks began to flee the city in record numbers. The population of Detroit began to drop, and that dropping has continued unabated. Businesses began to move out of Detroit, and whites stopped visiting, leaving Detroit not merely with a crumbling infrastructure, but with a lack of even basic grocery stores, malls, or theatres.

This marked the day that Detroit stopped being a major American city, save in population. What happened to Detroit could happen to any other major American city where racial problems are ignored or exacerbated by ignorance or neglect.

(* * *)

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! WE SWEPT THE GIANTS IN BOSTON! WE'RE TWO AND A HALF GAMES IN THE LEAD!

Sorry to shout, but everyone is ecstatic in the Braves office as we've had to look at the a s s end of the Giants for the last six years or so. We're hoping that we can keep it up and knock the Jints right off their porch. However, we still have a ways to go.

We'll travel to New York, but not to face the Giants. We'll go to Ebbets Field in the bad part of Brooklyn to face the Dodgers, in last place in the NL East and 11th of 12 in the league.

[petrel]

Late July 1967
Part II

July 24th-26th, 1967
Boston Braves (70-29) at Brooklyn Dodgers (36-60)

July 24: Down 6-5, the Braves come back with four runs in the top of the ninth. Braves 9, Dodgers 7.
W: Jose Santiago (5-0) L: Dennis Higgins (11-10) S: Don Carpenter (26)

July 25: Manny Mota returns to right field. Braves 4, Dodgers 1.
W: Cecil Perkins (17-1) L: Bob Conley (1-4) S: Don Carpenter (27)

Trades:
to Red Sox: Al Raffo (RP:71/82)
to Phillies: Carl Cochran (SP:78)

Good trade for both teams. The Red Sox, at 44-57, get minor league talent and the Phillies get a starter to add to the injured bullpen.

Trades
to Dodgers: Steve Yeager (C:54/65)
to Senators: Ollie Brown (RF:69)

One of those head-scratching trades. Brown at least has great minor-league numbers.

(* * *)

Knowing that we need some a catcher who can hit, we make a trade of our own....

Trades:
to Braves: Tim McCarver (C:78)
to Blues: Gordon Massa (C:71) and $3 million

That $3 million sounds like a lot, but Massa's contract was for $2.7 million anyway. McCarver's only 24 and the Blues were $40 million in debt, so everyone was happy.

(* * *)

July 26: Tim McCarver goes 0 for 2 with 2 BB on his first day as a Braves catcher. Braves 5, Dodgers 1.
W: Bill Graham (14-3) L: O. J. Mackinney (1-11)

(* * *)

The Braves take a day off before heading back home to play the Cubs for three games. But during that day off, the Giants make the move they hope will be the "killer trade".

Trades:
to Giants: Frank Thomas (CF:84)
to Red Sox: Ralph Garr (LF:64/87)

The Giants let the 37-year old center fielder go to free agency at the end of 1966, and with Cory Parks out for the season with a broken elbow, they need him back. In order to get Thomas back, they had to give the Red Sox a man who has been killing rookie league pitching, with a .391/.426/.536 line this year.

Trades:
to Brewers: Jerry Janeski (SP:56/79), Buddy Harris (RP:52/77)
to Stars: Dick Stuart (1B:83)

The Stars get "Doctor Strangeglove" to bolster a killer lineup -- the Stars are 20 games ahead in the NL West and preparing for the post-season. As for the Brewers, they get two minor leaguers with potential whose development has been a bit bumpy.

July 28th-30th, 1967
Chicago Cubs (47-52) at Boston Braves (69-30)

July 28: Home runs by Dick Green and Dick Smith end ex-Brave Hector Maestri's 6-0 run as a Cub. Braves 3, Cubs 2.
W: Don Drysdale (9-3) L: Hector Maestri (8-6) S: Don Carpenter (28)

July 29: Going into the bottom of the 9th down 3-2, Bob Dubila gives up a single, a wild pitch, and an RBI single to Ellis Burton, tying the game. With men on first and second, Leonard Johnson comes in to pitch for the Cubs, but Phil Gagliano hits a single and Burton runs from second to home, beating the tag. Braves 4, Cubs 3.
W: Lindy McDaniel (8-5) L: Bob Duliba (2-8)
New re-acquistion Frank Thomas hits a two-run homer in the bottom of the 16th to give the Giants an extra-innings win over the Stars, 4-2.

And now, in my opinion, the big earth-shaking trade:

Trades:
to Stars: Sandy Koufax (SP:82)
to Blues: Dennis Musgraves (SP:75/89)

The Kansas City press is hanging Charlie Finley in effigy. Koufax has been playing for the Blues since he was 17, and his a killer, with a 144-169 record, a 3.74 lifetime ERA, and 2,668 K. He puts the fear of God in batters.

Rumor has it that Koufax had no intention of returning to the madhouse that has become the Kansas City Blues in his contract year. So the Blues get Dennis Musgraves, a 22-year old minor-leaguer who has a lot of potential.

July 30: Johnny Briggs, a 23-year old benchwarmer, get his first lifetime home run. Braves 4, Cubs 0.
W: Cecil Perkins (18-1) L: Jim Perry (8-7)

(* * *)

Another Blues player gets off the carousel:

Trades:
to Angels: Diego Segui (RP:86)
to Blues: Al Closter (SP:55/78), John Strohmayer (RP:63/74), Skip Guinn (RP:60/74), Steve Arlin (SP:60/76)

The Blues definitely didn't get value, as they let Segui go in his contract year to shore up their financial position and populate their minor leagues. Segui goes to the Angels, who are in 3rd place in the AL West, 9 1/2 out and hoping to make a late-season run against the Seals.

(* * *)

The Braves get a couple of days off, including the final day of July 1967. After that, we'll play the Giants for three more games at home. We've won nine straight and lead by 3 1/2, but I wonder if that will be enough. I know how dangerous the Giants are.

We make our final trade of the year:

Trades:
to Peaches: Brent Strom (SP:49/76), Jim Barbieri (RF:63/78) and $2 million
to Braves: Pumpsie Green (2B:77)

Green is having a very good year in Atlanta, with a .391 OBP. He's okay at second base, and no Dick Green in the field, but his bat alone makes him a worthy replacement. Jim Barbieri, tearing up AA and AAA pitching, didn't have much of a chance of breaking into the Braves lineup.

On July 31st, the trades keep flooding in:

to Phillies: Jimmie Coker (C:85)
to Red Sox: Ken Turner (RP:79/90)

The Red Sox have already made plans to prepare for next year, and Turner might be a part of the Red Sox future. The Phillies need catching help desperately, even though Coker's only hitting .184 this year.

to Yankees: Wayne Genser (SP:81)
to Pirates: Terry Harmon (2B:68/81), Billy Murphy (CF:62/79), Fred Rath (SP:63/75)

Despite a 5.33 lifetime ERA for the Pirates, the Yanks pencil in Genser as their #2 starter. The Pirates get a wealth of minor league talent in return.

(* * *)

And of course, I was working very hard and ignoring Phyllis. Phyllis had been a bit sick recently, and I paid her no notice when she headed off to the MDs.

I stayed on the phone all day on July 31st. I managed to get back home and into bed sometime around 1 am. Phyllis smiled, grabbed my hand, and said, "Ronnie?"

(I should have guessed something. Everyone calls me "Pet". Even my wife calls me "Pet". "Ronnie" is only saved for special occasions.)

"Uh...yes, Pumpkin?"

"...I'm pregnant."

(* * *)

Around the world:

French President Charles de Gaulle declares "Long live free Quebec!" to a crowd of 100,000 in Montreal, angering the Canadian government.
An electrical power surge from an F-4 phantom leads to an explosion aboard the US Navy aircraft carrier USS Forrestal leaves 134 dead. Lieutenant Commander John McCain is aboard the vessel.

In baseball

Carl Yastrzemski (Giants) hit his 1000th RBI
Al Kaline (Cubs) hit his 300th home run.
Bob Johnson (Seals) hit his 1000th RBI.

Joe Horlen (Indians) is out two months with a broken ankle.
Jerry Casale (Twins) is out six weeks with a torn ankle ligament.
Cory Parks (Giants) is out for the season with a broken elbow.
Kevin Stevens (Tigers) is out for the season with a broken neck vertebra.
Rico Carty (Indians) is out for the season with a torn ankle ligament.
Eli Winters (Red Sox) is out for the season with a broken fibula.
Gail Harris (Cubs) is out seven weeks with a torn elbow ligament.
Ernie Bowman (Peaches) is out for the season with a broken fibula.
Don Rudolph (White Sox) is out for this season and possibly part of 1968 with a severed knee ligament.
John Kennedy (Brewers) is out for two months with a broken forearm.
Javier Basantes (Blues) is out for the season with a broken ankle.
Humberto Robinson (Angels) is out for two months with a severe shoulder separation.
Bob Smith (Red Sox) is out for this season and possibly part of 1968 with a severed knee ligament.
Mark Baer (Spurs) is out for the season with a broken wrist.

Webbo Clarke retires after 12 years as a relief pitcher from 1954-65, all with the Washington Senators. An All-Star for the Senators in 1955, he went 53-46 with a 2.76 ERA lifetime. His 208 saves are eighth all time tied with the late Ryne Duren.

Charlie Rabe retires at age 34. In 1953, and in 1956-66 he was a starting pitcher for the Reds, Cardinals and Red Sox, finishing with a 94-78 lifetime record and a 4.07 lifetime ERA. In 1962, Rabe went 21-5 with a 3.53 ERA for the Red Sox.

[petrel]

Early August 1967
Part I

Over Tuesday, we let the news out that Phyllis was expecting a child. Her parents and my parents were frankly, ecstatic, I received a lot of congratulations from my close friends, and every was celebrating the "blessed event".

However, deep inside, I was scared. I mean, by the time this baby was going to be born, I'd be a forty year old man! Furthermore, did we need a house? Or should we stay in a townhouse? I worked twelve to sixteen hour days -- would my son or daughter get a chance to see me, at all? What about Phyllis's job? She tried being a housewife and it didn't work for her at all -- what about a baby that needed full time care?

Coping with this change, I did the only thing I knew how to do: I worked. The Giants were returning to Boston, and even though I'm sure the Giants execs had nothing but best wishes for me, I knew they hoped to make me miserable after this three-game series was over.

August 2nd-4th, 1967
New York Giants (71-31) at Boston Braves (76-29)

August 2: Down 6-4 in the bottom of the ninth, we score a run off a double by Dick Green. However, Dick Smith and Manny Mota strike out, and the Giants bring in Claude Raymond to get Ellis Burton out to end the game. Giants 6, Braves 5.
W: Gaylord Perry (15-8) L: Jose Santiago (5-1) S: Claude Raymond (20)
The Cubs lose their 12th straight game, this time to the Stars 5-4.

August 3: Ahead 4-0 going into the top of the 9th, Don Drysdale walks Carl Yastrzemski and gives up a home run to Donn Clendenon. However, he gets the final two Giants out and seals a complete-game, 6 K win. Braves 4, Giants 2.
W: Don Drysdale (10-3) L: Bill Kirk (13-7)

August 4: Ken Boyer gets two home runs and the Braves just can't catch up. Giants 5, Braves 3.
W: Claude Osteen (13-3) L: Jose Santiago (5-2) S: Claude Raymond (21)

(* * *)

The insanity of the Kansas City Blues and Charlie O. Finley has knocked all of the news off the front pages in a series of episodes marking all of the Blues' dysfunctions.

The Blues have already had to do with the trade deadline defections of Sandy Koufax and Diego Segui. On August 3rd, the Blues got on a plane in Detroit for a very brief flight to Chicago. The Blues had actually taken a couple from the Tigers, 6-3 and 8-5, so they were in about as high spirits as you can find in a decimated team.

The team started to let off steam, playing grabass and generally acting up on the flight. After the flight landed, one of the stewardesses complained to the traveling secretary. The traveling secretary told his version of the story to Charlie O. Finley.

Finley decided that something had to be done. So he levied a fine against who he thought was the malefactor, a ten-year relief pitcher for the Blues named Barry Latman. The problem? The traveling secretary got the wrong guy. Who the right guy was, wasn't important because this was just minor stuff, nothing worth a complaint from a stewardess.

The traveling secretary let the team know that Latman had been fined, which put everyone in a bad mood because Latman had nothing to do with the incident. That afternoon, a traveling reporter from the Kansas City Star asked Blues outfielder Rex Johnston what was wrong with the club, and Johnston expounded on a litany of woe. When asked about Charlie O. Finley, Johnston said, "You want to know why we stink? A fish stinks from the neck up."

Of course, the press had to ask Charlie O. for a comment. He had none. Instead, he asked manager George Strickland to fine Johnston. Strickland refused, having had enough of Finley's meddling.

So, Finley fired manager George Strickland. Then, he put Rex Johnston on waivers, releasing a starting outfielder to free agency.

A group of players then decided that they would meet with Commissioner Pete Rozelle to discuss their errant owner. When Charlie Finley got word of this future meeting, he threatened to fine any player meeting with the Commissioner, or to release them, or to reassign them to AAA, or to make their lives miserable.

Therefore, several Blues players are filling a suit with the National Labor Relations Board against Finley for his coercive tactics. They have Marvin Miller as their lawyer, and it looks like this carousel is going to go around and around and around....

(* * *)

John Fetzer, the owner of the Tigers, announced a three-year deal between NBC and Major League baseball. The deal includes Saturday and Sunday games, 42 in all, along with the All-Star Game and the World Series for the next three years.

Commissioner Rozelle tried to interject himself in the process, but the owners made it clear that they would have none of it. Rozelle would have distributed that TV money evenly among the teams, but now, Rozelle has to wait almost to the end of his first term as Commissioner before he can try again.

(* * *)

Not exactly what I had hoped for -- losing two games at home.

However, we get three games at home against the fifth-place Baltimore Orioles. Hopefully, we can do better. The Giants go to Ebbets Field to take on the Dodgers.

August 5th-7th, 1967
Baltimore Orioles (44-64) at Boston Braves (76-29)

August 5: A six-run 5th inning includes Willie McCovey's 30th home run this year. Braves 10, Orioles 4.
W: Cecil Perkins (19-1) L: Bob Bruce (3-1)
The Cubs beat the Reds 8-1 in Cincinnati, breaking a 13-game losing streak.

August 6: Bill Graham holds the Orioles to four hits, walking one and striking out two. Braves 5, Orioles 0.
W: Bill Graham (15-3) L: Joel Cataldo (10-10)

August 7: Troy Storey's three RBI double keeps the Os from being swept. Orioles 4, Braves 2.
W: Jim Coutant (6-11) L: Don Drysdale (10-4)

(* * *)

The Giants also go 2 for 3 against the Dodgers, so they gain no ground. They remain 2 1/2 games behind us for the NL East lead, and they play Philadelphia at home for three games coming up.

Up next: three games at home against Hank Aaron and the Cincinnati Reds.

August 8th-10th, 1967
Cincinnati Reds (46-65) at Boston Braves (79-32)

August 8: Despite McCovey's two home runs, Jim Landis goes 4 for 5 with a homerun and a triple. Reds 8, Braves 6.
W: Bob Miller (2-4) L: Lindy McDaniel (8-6) S: Johnny James (11)

August 9: Cecil Perkins: 8 IP, 5 H, 1BB, 3K -- and 20 wins. Braves 4, Reds 1.
W: Cecil Perkins (20-1) L: Jim Maloney (7-14) S: Don Carpenter (29)

August 10: Bill Graham is backed up by six extra base hits. Braves 7, Reds 3.
W: Bill Graham (16-3) L: Tom Seaver (5-7)

[petrel]

Early August 1967
Part II

Unfortunately for the Braves, the Giants sweep the Phillies in three straight and close the gap even further, to just 1 1/2 games behind the Braves.

The Orioles come back to Boston for three more games, while the Giants go back to Brooklyn to play the Dodgers. After this series -- the Braves have to go on a four-week road trip.

August 11th-13th, 1967
Baltimore Orioles (46-68) at Boston Braves (81-33)

August 11: Boog Powell's 40th home run of the year is a grand slam that sinks the Braves. Orioles 6, Braves 4. The New York Giants close to a half-game.
W: Sean Bramwell (4-6) L: Don Drysdale (10-5) S: Brett Lunn (16)

August 12: Tim McCarver, benched by Manager Gil Hodges, gets a pinch-hit in the ninth and scores a run, but it is not enough. Orioles 4, Braves 2. The Giants take a 1/2 game lead in the NL East.
W: Bill Hands (6-9) L: Jim Bouton (3-4) S: Brett Lunn (17)

August 13: Curt Motton hits a home run off Don Carpenter in the 10th, and the Braves go down in three straight games. Orioles 6, Braves 4 (10).
W: Ryan Ulmer (4-6) L: Don Carpenter (5-4)

(* * *)

Beaten. In three straight. By a team like the Orioles. The Giants win all three games against the Dodgers, and now, they....THEY lead by 1 1/2 games. It makes my heart sick to think about it.

I get to read all kinds of nasty articles in the papers, about how the game has "passed (me) by" and how "(I) can't beat the Giants". The Boston writers have already written the Braves season off, and I'm absolutely frustrated. So is Gil Hodges.

We have to hope that the Braves don't let the lead out of their sight and that the arrival of Joe Morgan from the DL in about two or three weeks will give a much-needed spark of life to this team.

The long road trip begins, with a stay in St. Louis.

August 14th-16th, 1967
Boston Braves (81-36) at St. Louis Cardinals (50-67)

August 14: Bill Graham holds the Cardinals to three hits in eight innings. Braves 6, Cardinals 2. The Braves climb to 1/2 game back.
W: Bill Graham (17-3) L: Troy Caldwell (2-12)
The Los Angeles Stars win their 14th straight game, beating the Brewers in Milwaukee 5-1. They now take over the best record in the National League.

August 15: Two errors by the Cardinals allow three runs to score in the top of the 10th. Braves 8, Cardinals 4 (10).
W: Lindy McDaniel (9-6) L: Jim Hardin (2-1)
In the Bronx, Steve Blass walks the first Seals batter -- and four other Seals -- but gives up no hits, throwing a 3-0 no hitter!

August 16: Ellis Burton and Tom Carroll hit back to back home runs in the 9th to sweep the Cardinals. Braves 3, Cardinals 1.
W: Lindy McDaniel (10-6) :L: Shaun Smeeth (4-5)

(* * *)

Around the world:

Israel annexes East Jerusalem. A general strike in the Old Quarter of Jerusalem protests the forced unification.

In baseball:

Al Kaline (Cubs) scored his 1000th run.

Jim Roland (Pirates) is out for four weeks with a pulled hamstring.
Hector Maestri (Cubs) is out for four weeks with a broken collarbone.
Rogelio Alvarez (Indians) is out for four weeks with a stretched knee ligament.
Carl Bouldin (Red Sox) is out for four weeks with a wrist stress fracture.



Steve Ridzik retires at age 37. Ridzik went 146-94 for the Phillies, White Sox, Yankees, Seals, Braves and Angels. He had pitched since 1950 and had a 3.31 lifetime ERA as a starter, with All-Star appearances is 1959, 1960 and 1965. Ridzik would win his only World Championship as a Yankee in 1960, not far from his birthplace of Yonkers, NY.

Norm Larker, a first baseman for the Brooklyn Dodgers between 1954 and 1966, retired at age 35 with a .315 batting average and 99 HR lifetime. He would win a World Series ring with the Dodgers in 1959, would be named to the All-Star Team in 1961 and 1963 and win the Gold Glove for first basemen in 1963.

A long-time member of the Boston Red Sox, Ike Delock retired at age 36. He had played for the Red Sox between 1952 and 1963, and spent the last four years in the minors and independent leagues. He finished with a major-leage record of 42-44, with 29 saves and a 3.49 lifetime ERA. DeLock would be named to the All-Star team in 1959 and 1961.

[CatKnight]

Be sure to congratulate 'Ronnie' on the baby!

The Blues look like they're about to explode. Life over there might be fun for awhile

[petrel]

Late August 1967

We get some very bad news. Cecil Perkins, our 20-1 pitcher and our ace, has sprained his finger. The doctor says he'll be out for two to three weeks, and we'll have to wait one to two weeks for Joe Morgan to return to the lineup. Until then, Nick Wilhite takes Perkins's place in the starting rotation and Jim Lonborg gets called up from AAA Jacksonville to fill a spot on the roster.

Up next: a visit to Ebbets Field and the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Bums have lost nine straight and are tied with the Brewers for last place in the National League. The Giants are off for three games, so if we win two of three, we'll be tied for the NL East lead.

August 17th-19th, 1967
Boston Braves (84-36) at Brooklyn Dodgers (41-79)

August 17: Tim McCarver goes 2-4 with a BB, and the Braves get 14 hits. Braves 5, Dodgers 3. The Braves and Giants are now tied for the NL East lead.
W: Hank Aguirre (2-3) L: Phil Ortega (0-1) S: Don Carpenter (30)
The Stars beat the Cardinals 6-4, winning their 17th straight game.

August 18: McCarver, along with three other Braves, hit home runs. Braves 13, Dodgers 5. The Braves now lead the NL East by 1/2 game.
W: Bill Graham (18-3) L: Moe Drabowsky (0-5)
The Stars get an amazing 18th straight win beating the Cards 5-2 in St. Louis.
August 19: Don Drysdale gets his 7th lifetime home run as the Braves score 11 in the first four. The Dodgers have lost 12 straight. Braves 11, Dodgers 4.
W: Don Drysdale (11-5) L: Joey Jay (6-7)
Two Stars errors in the bottom of the 7th allow the Cardinals to get the two runs they need to beat the Stars 3-2 and snap LA's 18-game winning streak.

(* * *)

We now lead the NL East by a full game, but now the Giants start to play. They'll take on the Astros at Giants Stadium, while we'll go to Forbes Field to play the Pirates.

August 20th-22nd, 1967
Boston Braves (87-36) at Pittsburgh Pirates (51-69)

August 20: Jorge Orta only lasts 2 2/3 innings, giving up 7 earned runs. Braves 8, Pirates 4.
W: Jim Bouton (4-4) L: Jorge Orta (5-6)

August 21: Tied 2-2 going into the ninth, Manny Mota hits a two-run homer off Luis Trujillo that proves to be decisive. Don Carpenter gives up a home run to Jim Mahoney but gets the win. Braves 5, Pirates 3.
W: Nick Willhite (1-0) L: Luis Trujillo (2-2) S: Don Carpenter (31)

August 22: Manny Mota goes 3-for-4 with a double as Bill Graham and Gene Brabender shut out the Pirates for the sweep. Braves 12, Pirates 0.
W: Bill Graham (19-3) L: Simon Scherr (9-9)

In front of 34,000 Cardinals fans and with the Stars down 4-0, Mickey Mantle hits his 599th lifetime home run off Ed Connolly to score the first two Stars runs of the game. The game goes into the top of the 12th inning when most of the fans remaining at Busch Stadium watch Mickey Mantle homer again, this time off relief pticher Cal Koonce to get his 600th lifetime home run and secure a 7-5 Stars victory.

Mantle is the 3rd player in baseball history to reach the 600 home run mark. He is only eight home runs behind Ralph Kiner for second place.

(* * *)

While the baseball world celebrates Mickey Mantle, my mind is on the Reds in Cincinnati. The Reds are 51-72 and no threat to make the postseason, but they do have the dangerous Hank Aaron, tied with Willie McCovey for second in the NL with 35 home runs.

August 20th-22nd, 1967
Boston Braves (90-36) at Cincinnati Reds (51-72)

August 20: Three runs in the first inning are all that the Reds need. Reds 5, Braves 2. The doctors clear Joe Morgan to practice with the team.
W: Waylon Mayer (9-5) L: Don Drysdale (11-6) S: Johnny James (14)
The Giants and Claude Osteen shut out the Pirates at Forbes Field 7-0 and are now tied with the Braves for first.

August 21: The game sees seven pitchers as despite fourteen hits by the Braves, the Reds win on six hits. Reds 6, Braves 4. Phil Gagliano suffers a tear in his elbow ligament, effectively ending his season.
W: Tom Steele (2-2) L: Jim Bouton (4-5) S: Johnny James (15)
The Giants win their 7th straight, a 6-2 win over the Pirates, and take the NL East lead by one game.

August 22: The Braves tie the game 3-3 in the ninth with a Floyd Robinson RBI double. But with Lindy McDaniel on the mound, and two out in the bottom of the ninth, pinch-hitter Jim Landis homers off McDaniel as the Reds sweep the Braves. Reds 4, Braves 3.
W: Johnny James (4-3) L: Lindy McDaniel (10-7)

(* * *)

And of course, the Giants sweep. They beat Pittsburgh 5-3 and suddenly they're on top by two games. Good Lord.

But finally, Joe Morgan is cleared to play. We move him to second, Carroll to third and Pumpsie Green to second, giving us the semblance of a real infield. Willie McCovey is moved to seventh in the batting order, amidst much growling. Manager Gil Hodges said McCovey resisted all the way. I told Hodges that if McCovey has a problem with it, he can call me. If he had hit over that series in Cincinnati, he wouldn't be batting seventh.

Brooklyn is still tied with Milwaukee for the rights to be the worst team in the National League. We travel to Ebbets Field again and hope a train hits the Giants.

August 26th-28th, 1967
Boston Braves (90-39) at Brooklyn Dodgers (44-85)

August 26: Lindy McDaniel gives up an RBI single in the ninth, but hangs on for the save as Bill Graham becomes a 20-game winner. Braves 3, Dodgers 2.
W: Bill Graham (20-3) L: Phil Ortega (0-2) S: Lindy McDaniel (7)

August 27: The Braves give up two home runs in the seventh -- including a grand slam -- but hang on. Braves 9, Dodgers 7.
W: Don Drysdale (12-6) L: Shayne Hanlon (0-1) S: Jose Santiago (2)

August 28: Joe Morgan hits a home run and the game is never in doubt, as the Braves sweep. Braves 8, Dodgers 3.
W: Jim Bouton (5-5) L: Joey Jay (6-9)

(* * *)

On Friday, August 26th, a meeting between Commissioner Pete Rozelle, Charlie Finley, and Marvin Miller sorts out the entire Kansas City Blues mess. Finley agrees to drop his threats of retribution against the rebelling Blues players (Miller makes sure to get that promise in writing), and the players agree to drop their National Labor Relations Board suit.

You'd think there would be happiness in the world. But that wouldn't be the last we heard of Charlie Finley this year...not by a long shot.

(* * *)

We sweep, but unfortunately, the Giants sweep the Cardinals in New York. The Giants have now won 11 straight games. We gain no ground and the Giants still lead by two games.

From the 29th to the 31st, the Braves got some much needed rest. We watched the Giants go to Pittsburgh to play the Pirates again. They won the first game, 7-3, but Frank Thomas broke his hip in a fall down some stairs at the hotel. Thomas, the big ticket acquisition that was to guarantee the Giants another pennant, is out for the season. Carmen Mauro takes his place in center.

On the 30th, the Pirates break the Giants 12-game win streak with a 4-3 win. In Philadelphia, Carl Cochran would strike out 11 Orioles in 7 innings in a 5-2 Phillies home win.

However, the Giants win again on the 31st. But lightning strikes the Giants again, this time in the form of injuries. Carl Yastrzemski tears his achilles tendon, and will be out for the season! A man who hit .321 with 32 HR and 102 RBI this year isn't going to be (easily) replaced -- and definitely not by Sam Bowens, a 28 year old rookie with a 1 for 9 lifetime batting average.

As September starts, we have to make up a 2 1/2 game deficit. The series with the Giants in New York on the 4th, 5th, and 6th of September will be crucial.

(* * *)

Around the world:

In baseball:

Frank Bolling (Cubs) hits his 300th home run.

Corey Rubenstein (Stars) is out four weeks with a partially dislocated hip.

Ted Abernathy retired at age 34. A relief pitcher from 1955 to 1964 with the Senators (for 7 2/3 innings) and the Phillies, he finished with a 39-44 lifetime record, a 3.91 ERA and 131 saves. Abernathy was named to the All-Star team in 1964, but was not resigned by any team after his contract expired, and pitched for three years in the independent leagues before retiring.

Glenn Mickens, a relief pitcher for the Dodgers and White Sox since 1959, retired with a 3.27 lifetime ERA and a 39-25 record as a relief pitcher. He was an All-Star for the Dodgers in 1963, but was traded to the White Sox at the trade deadline where he spent the rest of his career.

[petrel]

Early September 1967


The Braves' Tim McCarver gets his own Sports Illustrated cover.

There are thirty games separating the Braves from the end of the 1967 season. What happens during this last part of the season will be critical. Three of those games are against the hated Giants, but first we go to Pittsburgh to transact some business with the Pirates.

September 1st-3rd, 1967
Boston Braves (90-39) at Pittsburgh Pirates (52-80)

September 1: The Braves get eight hits in the last two innings and pull away from the Pirates. Braves 6, Pirates 1. The Braves close to 1 1/2 games of the Giants.
W: Hank Aguirre (3-3) L: Jorge Orta (5-9)
Wes Klenow of the Orioles strikes out thirteen Giants in just six innings, but leaves with a sore arm. He accounts for 13 of the 14 Orioles strikeouts.

September 2: Bill Graham holds the Pirates to four hits in eight innings. Braves 2, Pirates 0. The Braves close to within 1/2 game of the Giants.
W: Bill Graham (21-3) L: Joe Niekro (0-2) S: Don Carpenter (32)
Joel Cataldo strikes out ten Giants in eight innings, but it takes Boog Powell's 48th home run of the year in the bottom of the 11th to give the Orioles a 9-6 win over the Giants.

September 3: A pinch-hit single by Floyd Robinson drives in two Braves runs in the top of the 9th, but Tim McCarver grounds out with men on first and third and the Pirates avoid the sweep. Pirates 7, Braves 6.
W: Clay Carroll (5-0) L: Jose Santiago (5-3) S: Josh Kite (17)
Bill Hands of the Orioles throws a complete game shutout of the Giants, as the Orioles sweep the Giants with a 2-0 win.

(* * *)

And now, it finally comes down to our last three-game series with the Giants, which takes place at Giants Stadium in Queens. The Giants have always managed to get the best of us in the past, but we have some new hope for several reasons:

1) The schedule. The Giants have played almost all of their home games -- as a matter of fact, these three games are the final home games for the Giants this year. They'll have to overcome playing the rest of the tough NL East on the road.
2) Injuries. Both Carl Yastrzemski and Frank Thomas are gone for the season, limiting the Giants arsenal.
3) Cecil Perkins is back. He'll start the first game against the Giants, facing off against the White Rat himself, Claude Osteen.

Our goal: to win two out of three games and deliver the Giants a giant-killing blow.

September 4th-6th, 1967
Boston Braves (95-40) at New York Giants (94-38)

September 4: The Braves get nine hits -- but are unable to score a single run. Giants 5, Braves 0.
W: Claude Osteen (20-3) L: Cecil Perkins (20-2)

September 5: The score is not as close as it looks, as the Giants score 11 hits to the Braves four. Sam Bowers, the back-up for Yaz, goes two for three with a double. Giants 2, Braves 1.
W: Bill Kirk (18-10) L: Jim Bouton (5-6) S: Claude Raymond (26)

September 6: The Braves score one in the first inning. The Giants score two. And it's all the Giants need to deliver a devastating sweep to the Braves. Giants 2, Braves 1.
W: Mukisa Sato (17-6) L: Bill Graham (21-4) S: Claude Raymond (27)

Mickey Mantle hits his 601st lifetime home run as the Braves beat the Reds 8-2 in front of a sold-out crowd to clinch their third straight National League West championship.

The Los Angeles Stars are 1967 National League West Champions!

(* * *)

That night, after Game 3, Manager Gil Hodges called. "Well Pet," he said, "they kicked the s hit out of us again."

Truer words were never spoken. We had the Giants on the ropes...and we let them off, like we've done so many times in the past. We just lost. There's no other way to put it.

We have 3 1/2 games to make up against the Jints between now and the end of the season. If we can't do it, we have no one to blame but ourselves.

We go back to Pittsburgh for our final games ofthe year against the Pirates. We pray we have better luck against them. The Giants try the Orioles again, after losing three straight to them.

September 7th-9th, 1967
Boston Braves (95-43) at Pittsburgh Pirates (55-83)

September 7: Ellis Burton's ninth inning three-run homer puts the Braves in the lead, and Gil Hodges throws five defensive replacements on the field to make sure the win is secure. Braves 6, Pirates 5.
W: Lindy McDaniel (11-7) L: Bobby Bolin (3-5)

September 8: Willie McCovey hits two home runs as the Braves flatten the Pirates. Braves 15, Pirates 3.
W: Cecil Perkins (21-3) L: Joe Niekro (0-3)
But we get horrible, horrible news. Willie McCovey complains of pain after the game. As it turns out, McCovey is suffering from a broken collarbone. Our top home run hitter, Willie McCovey is out for the season. Johnny Briggs will take McCovey's place at first.

September 9: Briggs hits his second home run this year, and the Braves sweep the Pirates. Braves 8, Pirates 1.
W: Jim Bouton (6-6) L: Simon Scherr (10-11)

(* * *)

Unfortunately, the Giants sweep the Orioles in Baltimore. They've won six straight, and four of those games have been one run games.

The Giants go to Brooklyn to play the Dodgers...while we take three days off. Brooklyn gives up a hand up on the 10th as they beat the Giants 8-4, closing the gap to just three games.

On September 11th, a lot happens to New York teams. The Brooklynites clobber the Gothams 8-1 on eight strong innings by Dodgers pitcher Jack Palacios. And, late that night in Los Angeles, the Yankees come on strong in the last two innings with help from Joe Torre (3-4, 2BB, double) to beat the Angels 14-9 and continue their string of pennants.

The New York Yankees are 1967 American League East Champions!

Finally, on September 12th, the Dodgers give the Giants the dirty bird as a going-away present as Art Quirk pitches eight shutout innings at Ebbets Field to help the Bums beat the Jints 3-0 as Brooklyn sweeps the Giants.

(* * *)

More amusing stuff from the Kansas City Blues.

Remeber Rex Johnston? The outfielder who was waived by the Blues because he compared Blues owner Charlie Finley to a stinking fish? Well, Dallas was interested in signing Johnston and Finley got wind of it.

George Strickland, the manager who refused to fine Johnston for his remark, was given the axe by Finley. This left the command of the Blues in charge of baseball legend Luke Appling, who was acting as a coach for the Blues. However, Finley, regretting his decision, wanted Johnston back. So, he rehired George Strickland as manager on September 11th -- and told Strickland that he had to talk Johnston into re-signing with the Blues.

So Strickland dutifully called Johnston. Johnston, however, was having none of it. Strickland reported the unsuccessful conversation to Finley. At least he had tried to talk Johnston into coming back.

Strickland was fired a second time. He had been manager for a grand total of three hours. The next day, Johnston signed with the Dallas Spurs. If Johnston was going to come back to the Blues, it wasn't going to be in 1967.

(* * *)

We play the Phillies in what will be our final away games of the season. After this month-long road trip, we don't have to do any more traveling -- hopefully, not until the post-season.

The Giants play the Pirates on the road. We can only hope their losing streak continues, as the Phillies are a very tough team.

September 13th-15th, 1967
Boston Braves (98-43) at Philadelphia Phillies (90-51)

September 13: The Phillies hit four doubles, the Braves are unable to score. Phillies 2, Braves 0.
W: Carl Cochran (10-14) L: Cecil Perkins (21-3) S: Ron Willis (2)
The Cubs score 12 runs in the first inning and beat the Cardinals 17-0 at home. Joe Durham of the Cubs gets his 1000th RBI.

September 14: Tied 7-7 going into the bottom of the 9th, Chet Boak tags up and reaches home with two outs on a fly ball by Chet Boak to right field. Phillies 8, Braves 7.
W: Gary Wagner (7-6) L: Lindy McDaniel (11-8)

September 15: Despite five extra base hits by the Braves, five Philadelphia pitchers combine for the win, knocking the Braves to five games behind the Giants. Phillies 8, Braves 7.
W: Ron Willis (3-1) L: Jose Santiago (5-4) S: Joe Gibbon (2)

(* * *)

Around the world:

Nguyen Van Thieu is elected president of South Vietnam.

In baseball:

Gary Geiger (Phillies) scored his 1000th run.
Anthony Capretz (Dodgers) hit his 300th home run.

Dave Nicholson (Spurs) is out for the season with a broken wrist.

George O'Donnell retired at age 37. From 1954 to 1966, he was a starter for the Pirates, Brewers, and Giants. For seven years, he started for the Brewers, ending with a 2-22 record in 1963 which contributed to a 49-105 lifetime record and 4.58 lifetime ERA. Nevertheless, he was on the 1964 and 1965 World Champion Giants teams, pitching three scoreless innings in a World Series game in 1965.

[petrel]

Late September 1967



With eighteen games left till the end of the season, and the Braves five games behind the Giants, we need a lot of hope to catch up.

However, hope is not completely lost. All of our remaining games are home games. All of the remaining games of the Giants are away games. And the Giants have proven strangely vulnerable, getting swept at times by teams like the Dodgers and Orioles.

We start our home stand with a three-game series against the Dodgers, languishing in the cellar of the NL East. We move Tommy Davis to left field and put Dick Smith at first in an attempt to regenerate offense.

September 16th-18th, 1967
Brooklyn Dodgers (55-95) at Boston Braves (98-46)

September 16: Offense and how! The Braves get 24 hits, including a home run by Tommy Davis. Braves 16, Dodgers 5. The Braves climb to within four games of the Giants.
W: Jim Bouton (7-6) L: Art Quirk (7-12)

September 17: Cecil Perkins and Steve Mingori one hit the Dodgers in a rout. Braves 10, Dodgers 0. The Braves close the gap between the Giants to three games..
W: Cecil Perkins (22-3) L: Jack Palacios (6-11)
Only 4,160 fans show up for a Blues-Twins games in Kansas City. The Twins win, 7-4, in fifteen innings as few Blues fans stay till the end of the game.
In Milwaukee, Jim Bunning of the Stars strikes out 11 batters in 8 innings in a 3-0 win over the Brewers.

In San Francisco, fans watching the live feed of the White Sox/Spurs game scream at the top of their lungs as Larry Sherry of the White Sox gets the final out in the ninth inning, beating the Spurs 6-3 and securing the AL West championship for the Seals.

The San Francisco Seals are 1967 American League West Champions!

It is the first time since the expanded playoff system that a team other than the Los Angeles Angels has represented the AL West.

September 18: Floyd Robinson's long fly out to right with one out in the 9th allows George Smith to tag up and reach home, allowing the Braves to sweep the Dodgers at home. Braves 3, Dodgers 2.
W: Don Carpenter (6-4) L: Tom Butters (1-2)

In the bottom of the 8th against the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium, Kevin Jackson doubles to bring in Rafael Dejesus from second to put the Yankees up over the Red Sox 3-2. Don McMahon comes in at the top of the ninth, gives up a single to Chico Fernandez, but none of the other Red Sox hit the ball out of the infield. The Yanks win 3-2.
It is Don McMahon's 40th save of 1967. This beats the season saves record set by Barney Schulz of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1957.

(* * *)

We've managed to close the gap to three games between the Giants, as the Giants lose two out of three in Houston to the Astros. However, we face a tough and determined Philadelphia team, which, believe it or not, is still mathematically alive. The Giants go to Baltimore to play the Orioles.

September 19th-21st, 1967
Philadelphia Phillies (93-51) at Boston Braves (101-46)

September 19: Another ninth inning victory for the Braves, as Dick Smith and Tony Taylor hit a pair of back to back doubles. Braves 6, Phillies 6. The Braves move to within two games of the Giants.
W: Don Carpenter (7-4) L: Joe Gibbon (7-5)

September 20: The Braves score seven runs in the first inning. Braves 7, Phillies 3.
W: Jim Bouton (8-6) L: Bill Monbouquette (10-5)

September 21: Tommy Davis and Tom Carroll hit home runs as the Braves sweep the Phillies at home. Braves 4, Phillies 1. The Braves move to within one game of the Giants.
W: Cecil Perkins (23-3) L: Carl Cochran (10-15) S: Don Carpenter (33)
The Orioles beat the Giants 4-1 as Giants first baseman Donn Clendenon goes out for four weeks with a wrist fracture.

(* * *)

I'm still worried about the Phillies. We have to play the Phillies six more times this year, although we play them all at home.

However, I'm very happy about the turnaround against the Giants. We're just one game back and I hope they feel our hot breath on the back of their necks. We get to rest for three glorious days while the Giants go to Philadelphia to wrestle with those same Philllies.

On September 22nd, it's the Phillies turn to help the Braves as Deron Johnson hits a bottom of the 9th-two out home run which proves critical as the Phils beat the Giants 2-1. The win closes the gap down to 1/2 of a game.

The next day, the Phillies almost do it again. Down 3-0, they get three hits off of the Giants in the bottom of the ninth but can only score two runs as the Giants win 3-2, giving the Giants an extra 1/2 game of breathing room.

And unforunately, on the 24th, the Giants shut out the Phillies 4-0, giving 11-1 Norm Bass his first loss of the year. The Giants end up gaining a 1/2 game overall, and make our job that much tougher with just a few games left in the season.

(* * *)

The Braves will just have to help themselves. The Orioles come to visit us at Braves Field, while the Giants go to Forbes Field to play the Pirates.

September 25th-27th, 1967
Baltimore Orioles (68-88) at Boston Braves (104-46)

September 25: Three runs by the Orioles in the top of the ninth don't help. The Braves score two runs in the bottom of the ninth, but an Ellis Burton ground ball leaves the bases loaded and the Braves with the loss. Orioles 6, Braves 4.
W: West Klenow (5-5) L: Bill Graham (21-5)
Claude Osteen and the Giants shut out the Pirates 2-0, and move to 2 1/2 games ahead of the Braves.

September 26: Don Drysdale throws a wild pitch in the top of the ninth and walks four Orioles batters, allowing three runs to score. Drysdale strikes out eight in 8 2/3, but Cataldo strikes out 10 in six innings. Orioles 3, Braves 1.
W: Sean Bramwell (8-8) L: Don Drysdale (12-7) S: Brett Lunn (22)
Joe Sparma of the Atlanta Peaches no-hits the New York Yankees in Atlanta on the way to a 4-0 victory.

September 27: The game goes to thirteen innings, but the Braves win it on a Joe Morgan single. Braves 3, Orioles 2 (13).
W: Don Carpenter (8-4) L: Ryan Ulmer (5-8)
Simon Scherr of the Pirates strikes out 10 Giants in 6 innings on the way to a 6-3 Pirates win.

(* * *)

The race so far:
Giants: 108-48, six games remaining
Braves: 105-48, 1 1/2 games back, nine games remaining.

We will play three of those games against the Phillies at home. The Giants will be resting, and I'm sure they'll be watching us closely.

September 28th-30th, 1967
Philadelphia Phillies (94-56) at Boston Braves (105-48)

September 28: The Phillies get 10 hits but can only score one run. Braves 12, Phillies 1.
W: Cecil Perkins (24-3) L: Bill Monbouquette (10-6)

September 29: Once again, the Phillies have no trouble getting on base -- the Braves give up 11 hits and 2 walks -- but are unable to score. Braves 4, Phillies 2. The Braves move to within 1/2 game of the Giants..
W: Bill Graham (22-5) L: Carl Cochran (10-6) S: Don Carpenter (34)

September 30: This time, the Phillies make sure of a win, holding the Braves to just five hits. Phillies 7, Braves 4.
W: Phil Niekro (13-9) L: Don Drysdale (12-8) S: Gary Wagner (7)

(* * *)

Around the world:

Jim Morrison and The Doors fail to remove the world "higher" from their song "Light My Fire", earning the ire of CBS censors on "The Ed Sullivan Show".
"Love Is a Many Splendored Thing", a soap opera, debuts in the US. It is the first soap opera to deal with an interracial relationship.
THE RMS Queen Mary completes her last transatlantic voyage.

In baseball:

Roberto Clemente (Yankees) scores his 300th home run.
Hank Aaron (Reds) scores his 1500th run.

Randy Weaver (Seals) is out for the season with a broken elbow.

[petrel]

Early October 1967

The race so far:
Giants, 108-48, six games left: October 1-3 @ Phillies, October 7-9 at Phillies
Braves, 107-49, six games left: October 1-3 Astros, October 4-6 Phillies

The Giants have a tougher time of it, six games on the road against the Phils -- but they get three games of rest. We play all our games at home, and get the Astros. The question is: can the Braves rise to the occasion, and overcome the one-game deficit.

October 1st-3rd, 1967
Houston Astros (68-88) at Boston Braves (107-49)

October 1: Ellis Burton hits two home runs and the Braves have no trouble with Houston. Braves 9, Astros 1.
W: Gene Brabender (2-0) L: Larry Dierker (7-17)

October 2: Cecil Perkins holds the Astros to two hits in eight innings. Braves 10, Astros 1.
W: Cecil Perkins (25-3) L: Mike McCormick (14-12)
In Philadelphia, Bill Monbouquette gives up just three hits in eight innings, and the Giants are shut out 1-0. The Braves and the Giants are now tied for the NL East lead with four games left.

October 3: On my 40th birthday, Bill Graham and Gene Brabender hold the Braves to three hits and shut out the Astros. Braves 6, Astros 0.
W: Bill Graham (23-5) L: John Fitzgerald (11-7)

(* * *)

All in all, it was a great birthday present. Three games left in the season, and both the Giants and the Braves tied. The Braves were in the thick of another exciting National League race.

The Boston Herald put it best in a headline:

Road to Postseason Goes Through Philadelphia For Braves, Giants

It was almost as if it were a contest. We'd play the Phillies in three games at home. Then, the Giants would play the Phillies in three games in Philadelphia. The team with the best record goes to the playoffs; the next best team goes home, and if both teams are tied: a one-game face to face matchup after the season.

Manager Gil Hodges said, "This is when I've got to push them." Drysdale, Bouton and Perkins would be my starters, and indeed, I wanted to put that last game of the season in Perkins's hands. All across Boston, people were saying prayers that the Braves would vanquish the Phillies and give the Braves at a shot of our first postseason since 1960.

October 4th-6th, 1967
Philadelphia Phillies (96-60) at Boston Braves (110-49)

October 4: In the top of the ninth, Gates Brown homers off Lindy McDaniel to left to give the Phillies the win. Phillies 6, Braves 5.
W: Gary Wagner (9-6) L: Lindy McDaniel (11-9) S: Ron Perranoski (22)

October 5: Two forty-man roster additions from AA -- Santiago Rosario and Paul Ratliff -- hit their first major league home runs for the Braves in a critical win. Braves 7, Phillies 5.
W: Jim Bouton (9-6) L: Ron Willis (3-2) S: Don Carpenter (35)

October 6: AN ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL GAME! Joe Morgan and Tim McCarver hit home runs, Cecil Perkins pitches eight great innings, and the Braves romp. Braves 11, Phillies 0.
W: Cecil Perkins (26-3) L: Phil Niekro (13-10)

(* * *)

The Braves...have had their term. Their season is over. Now the Giants go to Philadelphia and try to duplicate or surpass what we did in Boston.

If the Giants win all three games -- they become NL East champions.
If the Giants only win two of three -- there will be a one-game NL East playoff game.
If the Giants fall short of winning two games -- the Braves dethrone the Giants' six-year playoff run.

On October 4: despite outhitting the Phillies 8 to 6, the Giants can only come up with one run. The Phillies, however, come up with two and win 2-1. Chet Boak, the Phillies second baseman, breaks his wrist and is out for the season.

However...The BRAVES are guaranteed a piece of the NL East crown! If the Phillies win either on the 5th or 6th, it's all ours.

On October 5th, after nine hard-fought innings between the Phillies and Giants, the score was still tied at 2-2. Justin Cloutier would come in to play catcher for the Giants in the bottom of the 11th.

However, Gates Brown would draw a walk off Giants closer Claude Raymond, and the Phils would put Cloutier to the test. Gary Geiger, a great Phillies hitter, laid down a sacrifice bunt in front of home plate and move Brown over to second with the first out.

Jim Ray Hart would ground to short for the first Phillies out. Adolpho Phillips came in to pinch-hit for Jose Martinez. He hit a sharp grounder to short, but 34-year old shortstop Gair Allie, acquired in a July trade with the Twins, fumbled the fall!. This put Gates Brown on third base with just one out!

The other executives and I were in the office, listening on the radio as Phillies first baseman Danny Cater came to the plate. The first pitch from Raymond was a walk -- but the second pitch, a fastball was hit to left field! There was nothing the Giants could do but watch Gates Brown score as the Phillies won 3-2 in extra innings...and eliminated the Giants from post-season contention!

The Boston Braves are 1967 National League East Champions!

That night, when I came back home, I tried to hide the smile on my face from Phyllis. I wasn't very good at it. "Ronnie, you did it!!" she said. We both made plans for a celebratory dinner that next day at a great restaurant. I had a lot of work to do...but after seven years of waiting for another chance at the playoffs, I could afford a day off!

(* * *)

The Phillies beat the demoralized Giants 11-5 on October 6th. In the end...we won the NL East by two games, and we prepared for our post-game series with Mickey Mantle and the Los Angeles Stars.

From October 10th through 12th, the Cardinals took two of three from the Milwaukee Brewers. The season was finally over.

In the NL East, for the Phillies it was their third consecutive year in third place. They had won 93, 101, 93, and 100 and couldn't even crack second place. They were just as frustrated as the Braves had been all these years.

The Orioles had fallen to their worst record since 1959, the second year of their existence as a club. As for the Brooklyn Dodgers playing in their rotting stadium, their 58-104 record was the worst record for a Brooklyn team since 1908.

In the NL West, the Stars had gotten better every year they had played, in 1965, 66, and 67 -- and as for the Astros, they had gotten worse over the three years. The Cincinnati Reds, with the help of Hank Aaron, won 70 games for the first time since 1955 in a hopeful sign. As for the perpetually last place Brewers, their 56 wins oddly enough was the best finish for a Brewers team since 1961.

For the Yankees in the AL East, it was their ninth straight post-season appearance and 10th straight year with at least 100 wins as a team. The Senators had finished second for two straight years in a row, with at least 100 wins each time. The Peaches had gotten better all three years they had existed, and their 88-74 record was their best ever.

Boston, Cleveland and Detroit had tied for last with 68 wins each. For the Indians, it was their best record in nine years. For the Red Sox, it was their worst showing since their awful 1932 year when they went 43-111. As for the Tigers, it was their first losing season since 1953.

Summing up the AL West, Los Angeles took over second place from the Spurs, but Dallas's inaugural year was a successful 85-77. Minnesota's 66 wins was a team high, and the Blues 38-124 record was not only the worst in baseball, but their worst year since they had joined the American League.

(* * *)

Around the world:

Thurgood Marshall is sworn in as the first black justice of the Supreme Court.
Guerrila leader Che Guevara and his men are captured in Bolivia on October 8th. On October 9th, Guevara is executed for attempting to incite a revolution.



In baseball:

Ground is broken for a new stadium in Philadelphia.

Lou Brock (Stars) is out for eighteen days with a spiked achilles tendon.
Kelly Osborne (Yankees) is out for nine days with a hand stress fracture.

[CatKnight]

CONGRATS!!!

[jianoran]

I have a question, can i do the Football Reports for Even The Braves which will involve the NFL?, if not can i use the Even The Braves file to start my dynasty on my own, please?