| SEASON
HIGHLIGHTS |
|
1. Dick
Bosman pitches 1st UL perfect game (Aug. 21)
2. Gene
Conley notches 300th career win (Aug. 19)
3. Ollie Brown
25-game hitting streak (ended May 30)
4. Steve Carlton 44
consecutive shutout innings (Aug. 4 to Sept. 1)
5.
Superbas Win 10th East Division title
|
INJURIES
min. 4 months |
|
CHI MR Eddie Watt (6 mo)
CLE SP
Alan Foster (5 mo)
CLE CF
Bill Robinson (5 mo)
DET SP Bill Hands (6-7 mo)
MAN RF Ron Fairly (10
mo)
SF Fergie
Jenkins (5-6 mo)
SF CF Roger Repoz (4-5 mo)
SF RF Billy
Williams (3 mo)
|
|
PAST ISSUES |
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10/1
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L.A., Manhattan Win
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10/30
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World Series: Sox in Six
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11/1
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Campy Elected to Hall
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3/1
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Offseason
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4/1
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1969 Preview
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4/16
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Gray Sox Begin Defense
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5/1
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Bahnsen Seeks Redemption
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5/16
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Carlton Finds His Groove
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6/1
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McGlothlin Snaps Ligament
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6/16
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Red Hot Maroons
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7/1
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Aaron Leads East to Win
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7/8
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Griffins Seek Threepeat
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7/20
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Texans Take the Cup
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7/21
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Man on the Moon
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8/1
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Beanball Fractures Clinton's Skull
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8/16
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Big Shake by the Lake
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9/1
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Bosman is the Boss
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9/14
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Mantle Eyes 7th Ring
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9/24
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West Race Tightens
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| |
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 Maroons Win Pennant
on Last Day
St. Louis Returns to First Series in 12 Years
ST. LOUIS (Oct. 1) -- The St. Louis Maroons shook off a three-game sweep
by Dallas to win two of three in Chicago to clinch their first West
Division title since 1957. The Maroons used a 20-2 run to surge
past Atlanta in June and led the division by eight games at the All-Star
Break. But Atlanta was 35-19 in July and August and clawed to
within 2.5 games going into the final month, led by Steve Carlton, who
was 9-1 and pitched 44 consecutive shutout innings during that stretch.
But the Toppers were just 13-16 in September and were never able to win
more than three games at a stretch, and ultimately fell short, though
they were in the race until the very last innings of the very last day.
The pennant race was
the closest in UL history, as St. Louis and Atlanta were
within a few games of each other for the last five weeks of the season.
The final two-game margin ties Chicago's lead over Los Angeles in 1966,
when the Outlaws trailed by nine games on Sept. 18 but nearly stole the
pennant from the Colts with a nine-game win streak.
Mays Called Up for World
Series
Veteran center fielder Willie Mays was promoted to
the Maroons' active roster in time for the World Series. Mays has
not face a single pitch in the UL this season, playing 105 games in
Triple-A Denver (.300-9-55 with a .850 OPS) before fracturing his wrist
in late July. St. Louis has suffered against left-handed pitching,
and in particularly lacks outfielders who can hit lefties, a weakness
acutely felt during Roberto Clemente's recent injury. Mays, 37, is
second all-time with 491 home runs, 1,597 RBIs, and 655 stolen bases.
 Superbas Streak to 10th East Title
BROOKLYN (Oct. 1) -- The Brooklyn Superbas, who battled the crosstown
rival Gray Sox all season, were the hottest team in baseball in
September, going 23-6 including 17-2 after Sept. 11 to pull ahead of
Manhattan and claim their 10th East Division crown, but only second in
the last five years. Brooklyn boasts the most prolific offense in
the circuit, led by the scariest 3-4-5 hitters in the league: Hank Aaron
(.285-24-100), Mickey Mantle (.330-33-121), and Dick McAuliffe
(.295-31-110). Mantle played like a man possessed in the last
month, hitting 14 homers in his last 24 games, including a record five-game
home run streak. Mickey ended the year with his eighth straight
100-RBI season and the second best batting average of his 19-year
career.
 Reggie
Wins HR Title While Suspended for Brawl
DETROIT (Oct.
1) -- The only blast Detroit right fielder Reggie Jackson delivered in
the final week of the season was a left hook to the jaw of Manhattan
starter Tom Seaver, but that was enough to win his first UL home run
title, as his main rivals Frank Robinson and Willie Stargell both fell
one homer short of his league-leading 41. On Sept. 25, Richie
Allen launched a three-run homer in the top of the first, and "Terrific
Tom" retaliated by beaning the next hitter, Jackson, who charged the
mound and decked Seaver, who punch Reggie in the belly, instigating a
bench-clearing brawl. Both players were suspended for seven games,
effectively ending their seasons. L.A.'s Robinson hit four homers
in the last six days, but ended with 40. Stargell, on the other
hand, had 39 homers after a two-homer game at Boston Sept. 21, but
sputtered to the finish with only one longball in the last nine days.
Podres Wins Third Cy Young, Torre Grabs Second MVP
DETROIT (Oct. 25) -- Manhattan catcher Joe Torre won his second
consecutive Most Valuable Player Award today, after batting .379 with 38
homers and 118 RBI. Torre also won his second straight batting
title, and became the first back-to-back MVP since Granny Hamner in
1961-62. The 29-yeard-old also matched Hall of Famer Roy
Campanella with his fifth All-UL Team nomination.
Torre's Gray
Sox teammate Johnny Podres, who joined the club on Aug. 1, won his third
Cy Young Award in five years, marking the first time teammates won MVP
and Cy Young awards since Superbas Granny Hamner and Gene Conley a
decade ago. Podres, 37, was 22-6 with a 2.06 ERA, including 8-2,
2.31 in 12 starts with Manhattan down the stretch. Podres has been
the league's dominant pitcher since 1965. The southpaw from
Plattsburgh, N.Y. was 97-39 with a 2.15 ERA over the last five seasons,
winning five straight WHIP titles, and posting two of the four best
single-season ERAs in league history in 1965 and 1967. Podres is
now one shy of matching four-time Cy Young winners Johnny Antonelli and
Gene Conley.
All-UL Team Announced: Mantle, Conley
8-Timers
The 1969 All-UL Team was
announced at interim league headquarters in Broomfield, Colorado today,
and Manhattan and Atlanta each had 3 players on the squad: MVP catcher
Joe Torre, Cy winner Johnny Podres, and 1B Willie Stargell for the Sox,
and 2B Bernie Allen, starter Steve Carlton, and reliever Don Gross for
the Toppers. Brooklyn CF Mickey Mantle and Dallas SP Gene Conley
joined Johnny Antonelli and Ernie Banks on the list of 8-time Ullies.
Other winners include Detroit's 3B Dick Allen and LF Reggie Jackson,
Brooklyn SS Dick McAuliffe, and Los Angeles LF Frank Robinson.
Struggling Colts Win Three Gold Gloves
They may have finished last place for the second year in a row, but the
Chicago Colts can take solace in being the only team with three Gold
Glove winners. In a sparsely attended press conference at interim
league headquarters in Broomfield, Colo., the league unveiled the 1969
Gold Glove awards, and Chicago 2B Davey Johnson, 3B Tony Perez, and P
Bill Champion all took home hardware for the first time. Atlanta
RF Roger Maris won his fifth Gold Glove, and Boston's Ron Hansen won his
fourth at shortstop, tying him with Harvey Kuenn. Maris five GG's
ties him for second on the all-time list behind only Hank Aaron (7).
Other repeat winners were Boston LF Jimmy Wynn, who won for a third
straight year, and Brooklyn catcher Tim McCarver. Other first time
winners were LA's Mike Epstein (1B) and Don Demeter (CF).
Down the Stretch: Summary of the Last Week
| |
West |
East |
| Sept. 24 |
STL 5, LA 4
-- Lew Burdette notched his fourth win in as many starts, and
Jimmie Hall and Johnny Romano homered.
ATL 7, SF 4 -- Harmon
Killewbrew's 3-run homer in the fourth gave the Toppers a 4-1
lead and they never looked back, as Jose Cardenal hit a 2-run
pinch single in the fifth and Jim Perry won his 15th.
STL 91-63 -- MN=6
ATL 90-64 1
|
BRO 5, DET
2 -- Mickey Mantle was 3-for-4 with a homer and Bill Stoneman
got his 6th win in 7 starts, allowing just 4 hits and fanning
11.
MAN 6, BOS 2 -- Johnny Podres tossed a five-hit complete
game for his 21st win. Pete Ward doubled twice and drove in a
pair.
BRO 90-64 -- MN=3
MAN 86-68 4
|
| Sept. 25 |
DAL 7, STL
6 (10) -- Joe Morgan tied the game 3-3 with a two-run homer in
the 9th, and the Maroons took a 6-3 lead with a 3-run 10th
inning, only to have Bob Locker blow it in the bottom half of
the inning, culminating in Johnny Bench's 3-run homer.
LA 6,
ATL 2 -- Fritz Peterson shut down the Maroons, Marv Throneberry
had four hits, and Frank Robinson crushed his 37th home run.
STL 91-64 -- MN=5
ATL 90-65 1 |
BRO 9, WAS
2 -- Dick McAuliffe homered and tripled, driving in 6 runs in a
Brooklyn rout. Johnny Kucks went the distance for a 7-hit CG,
as the Mons extended their winning streak to 5 (and 13 of their
last 14) and cut their magic number to two, and moved into a tie
with St. Louis for best overall record.
MAN 5, DET 4 (12) --
Tony Oliva singled off Tex Clevenger to drive in Willie Stargell
for the game-winning run, keeping Manhattan's slim playoff hopes
alive. Stargell hit his 40th and Joe Torre his 38th homer of
the season, and Dick Allen hit his 30th for Detroit.
BRO
91-64 -- MN=2
MAN 87-68 4
|
| Sept. 26 |
DAL 5, STL
3 -- The Texans jumped to a 5-0 lead, chasing Luke Walker in the
third with solo shots by Boog Powell and Duke Sims.
LA 1, ATL
0 -- Stan Bahnsen, hero of the Outlaws' 1968 pennant run,
authored eight shutout innings, capped by John Hiller's 25th
save, and Lee Thomas' leadoff homer in the first carried the
day.
STL 91-65 -- MN=4
ATL 90-66 1 |
BRO 4, WAS
3 (11) -- Washington rallied with a game-tying Bill Mazeroski
single in the ninth, but Brooklyn recaptured the lead for good
two innings later. Dick McAuliffe homered in the seventh and
hit the game-winning double in the 11th, and Mantle homered for
the fifth game in a row.
MAN 1, DET 0 -- Jim Nash pitched
eight shutout innings and Sandy Koufax matched him step for step
until Vada Pinson's solo homer in the bottom of the eighth
provided the game its only run. Russ Kemmerer notched his
league-leading 34th save.
BRO 92-64 -- MN=1
MAN
88-68 4
|
| Sept. 27 |
West tied with 3 games to play. St.
Louis travels to Chicago while Atlanta goes to Dallas.
DAL 11, STL 2 -- Joe Niekro blew
chunks as Willie Crawford paced the Texans' 13-hit attack with a
single, double, and home run. Gene Conley got his 15th win,
improving to 6-1, 1.72 since joining the Texans Aug. 1.
ATL
2, LA 1 -- Rookie Ed Herrmann's 2-run double off Bobby Del
Canton in the second inning stood up behind the pitching of Earl
Francis, who allowed just five hits in eight shutout innings
before Don Gross flirted with disaster in the ninth.
STL
91-66 -- MN=4
ATL 91-66 -- MN=4
Tomorrow:
STL Phoebus (12-5, 3.74) @ CHI Wood (9-12,
4.02)
ATL Carlton (20-6, 2.12) @ DAL Merritt (15-9, 3.23)
|
Superbas Clinch With Late Rally, Dave
Nelson is Hero
BRO 8, WAS 7
-- A four-run rally in the ninth gave red-hot Brooklyn its 15th
win in 16 games and 10th East Division crown. Washington
touched Bob Friend for four homers and took a 7-4 lead going
into the ninth, but the Superbas scored four off rookie Clay
Kirby and Gerry Arrigo. Fittingly, Aaron, Mantle, and McAuliffe
(with 326 RBIs between them) got the rally started with
consecutive singles, but the game-winning hit was a 2-run double
by rookie second baseman Dave Nelson. Mantle's homer streak
ended at five games, but he was 3-for-5 with 2 RBIs.
MAN 4,
DET 1 -- The Sox won their fourth straight but were eliminated
nonetheless. Phil Niekro pitched a five-hitter as Manhattan
scored all their runs in the first three innings to beat Bob
Gibson.
BRO 93-64 -- Clinched
MAN 89-68 4 |
| Sept. 28 |
Carlton Falters, Maroons Up by 1 with 2
to play.
STL 7, CHI 4 -- Three
Colts errors contributed to four unearned runs as the Maroons
rallied from a 4-1 deficit. Three relievers combined to pitch
4.2 shutout innings after Tom Phoebus was chased in the fifth
trailing 4-1. Back-to-back errors by Joe Adcock and Wilbur Wood
set up two RBI groundouts in the fifth, and Tony Perez' error
set up Jimmie Hall's two-run dinger in the four-run sixth
inning.
DAL 8, ATL 2 -- Steve Carlton was lit up for 8 runs
in his worst outing in 17 starts since June 26. Killebrew got
the scoring started with a leadoff homer in the 2nd, but the
Texans quickly took the lead on pitcher Jim Merritt's RBI double
and Willie Crawford's 2-run single. Crawford was 3-for-5 with 2
runs and 2 RBIs, and Merritt gave up just three hits in eight
innings.
STL 92-66 -- MN=2
ATL 91-67 1
Tomorrow:
STL Burdette (9-7,
4.83) @ CHI Reed (10-17, 4.44)
ATL J. Perry (15-9, 3.72) @
DAL Score (7-10, 4.56)
|
BRO 4, BOS
1 -- Woodie Fryman and George Stone combined for a four-hitter,
as Mantle hit his 20th double and his 118th RBI.
MAN 5, CLE 2
-- Chuck Hinton had four hits and two stolen bases and Pete Ward
homered as Bob Anderson beat Mudcat Grant.
BRO 94-64 --
Clinched
MAN 90-68 4
|
| Sept. 29 |
Ghosts of Maroons Past Haunt St. Louis,
But Toppers Fail to Make Ground
CHI 6, STL 1 -- Homers by former Maroons
Sammy Taylor and Tony Perez accounted for all six runs, as the
ghosts of Maroons past haunted St. Louis. Lew Burdette kept it
close until Perez' grand slam in the eighth broke the game
open. Ron Reed saved his best start of the season for last,
allowing two hits and striking out eight in eight shutout
innings.
DAL 3, ATL 1 -- Atlanta failed to capitalize on St.
Louis' loss, as Jim Perry blew an early 1-0 lead. Billy
Consolo tied the game with a two-out RBI single in the fourth,
and Dallas went ahead in the seventh on Boog Powell's RBI double
and Johnny Bench's RBI single. Herb Score struck out nine,
allowing just three hits but eight walks.
STL 92-67 --
MN=1
ATL 91-68 1
Last day of season:
STL Kline (15-10, 3.86) @ CHI Champion (9-9, 4.65)
ATL Barber
(10-15, 4.09) @ DAL McAndrew (6-7, 3.97)
|
BRO 6, BOS
2 -- Another day, another win, as Mickey Mantle and Pat Kelly
homered, and Bill Stoneman cruised to his 7th win in eight
starts with a five-hit CG, as the Superbas clinched home-field
for the World Series.
MAN 6, CLE 2 -- Johnny Podres beefed up
his Cy Young credentials with his 22nd win, allowing just 3 hits
and 1 run in 7 innings.
BRO 95-64 -- Clinched
MAN
91-68 4 |
| Sept. 30 |
Maroons Book First World Series in 12
Years with Wild Pitch Heard Round the World
STL 4, CHI 3 (11) -- St. Louis rallied
from 3-1 behind with runs in the 7th, 9th, and 11th innings to
clinch their first pennant in 12 years. Roy White, hitting just
4-29 (.138) in his previous 8 games, was 4-for-6 with a pair of
doubles and 2 RBIs, and the St. Louis bullpen turned in another
stellar performance. Four relievers combined to pitch 5.1
shutout innings, allowing just one hit. In the top of the
11th, Mike de la Hoz lead off with a single, and pinch runner
Bob Aspromonte advanced on sac bunt, fielders choice and a Dan
Osinski wild pitch to score the go-ahead run. The Maroons
clinched their first pennant in a dozen years, setting up a
rematch of the first UL World Series in 1957.
DAL 5, ATL 3 --
Dallas completed a three-game sweep of Atlanta with a
seven-hitter by rookie Jim McAndrew and a balanced attack. The
Texans lead 4-0 after three after Curt Blefary, Rod Carew, and
Boog Powell slapped consecutive doubles. Atlanta lost five of
their last six games and finished two games back of St. Louis.
STL 93-67 -- Clinched
ATL 91-69 2 |
BOS 7, BRO
1 -- Boston ended Brooklyn's nine-game win streak, handing the
East Division champs just their second loss since Sept. 11.
Jerry Kindall homered and drove in a pair and Rocky Colavito hit
3-for-4 with an RBI.
CLE 4, MAN 2 -- Johnny Callison homered
with two RBIs and Dick Groat had three hits as former Gray Sock
Joe Gibbon beat Jim Nash.
BRO 95-65 -- Clinched
MAN
91-69 4 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
TOTAL ATTENDANCE |
TOTAL REVENUE |
PLAYER EXPENSES |
NET PROFIT |
|
1969 ($M) |
Change |
|
Atlanta |
3,185 |
276 |
|
Manhattan |
3,152 |
943 |
|
Brooklyn |
2,848 |
527 |
|
St. Louis |
2,741 |
652 |
|
Cleveland |
2,711 |
-796 |
|
Los Angeles |
2,217 |
-538 |
|
Dallas |
1,850 |
411 |
|
Boston |
1,765 |
-378 |
|
Detroit |
1,681 |
297 |
|
Chicago |
1,538 |
-306 |
|
San Francisco |
1,456 |
-106 |
|
Washington |
13811,416 |
-611 |
|
Total
|
26,567 |
70372 |
|
Average
|
2,213 |
1.4%
|
|
|
1969 ($M) |
Change |
|
Manhattan |
79.62 |
7.44 |
|
Atlanta |
74.96 |
6.79 |
|
Brooklyn |
74.80 |
5.81 |
|
Cleveland |
73.22 |
-7.96 |
|
St. Louis |
71.52 |
6.53 |
|
Los Angeles |
68.99 |
-7.54 |
|
Boston |
66.29 |
-4.53 |
|
Chicago |
65.56 |
-1.84 |
|
Detroit |
63.63 |
3.58 |
|
Dallas |
63.25 |
12.76 |
|
San Francisco |
61.12 |
-2.18 |
|
Washington |
138159.26 |
-6.12 |
|
Total
|
822.22 |
7012.74 |
|
Average
|
68.52 |
1.6%
|
|
|
1969 ($M) |
Change |
|
Atlanta |
73.93 |
11.62 |
|
Chicago |
72.82 |
-0.08 |
|
Brooklyn |
72.79 |
11.75 |
|
Manhattan |
70.13 |
3.77 |
|
Los Angeles |
68.25 |
3.13 |
|
Cleveland |
67.96 |
-3.48 |
|
Detroit |
63.16 |
2.22 |
|
St. Louis |
62.54 |
2.93 |
|
Boston |
61.86 |
4.63 |
|
Washington |
58.10 |
-2.10 |
|
San Francisco |
56.16 |
3.60 |
|
Dallas |
138150.84 |
-2.74 |
|
Total
|
797.90 |
7054.61 |
|
Average
|
66.49 |
7.3%
|
|
|
1969 ($M) |
Change |
|
Dallas |
12.41 |
15.50 |
|
Manhattan |
9.49 |
3.67 |
|
St. Louis |
8.98 |
3.60 |
|
Cleveland |
5.26 |
-4.48 |
|
San Francisco |
4.96 |
-5.78 |
|
Boston |
4.43 |
-9.16 |
|
Brooklyn |
2.01 |
-5.94 |
|
Washington |
1.16 |
-4.02 |
|
Atlanta |
1.03 |
-4.83 |
|
Los Angeles |
0.74 |
-10.67 |
|
Detroit |
0.47 |
1.36 |
|
Chicago |
1-7.26 |
-1.76 |
|
Total
|
24.32 |
-41.87 |
|
Average
|
2.03 |
-63.3%
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
L E A G U E A W A R D S |
|
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER |
CY YOUNG AWARD |
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR |
GOLD GLOVE AWARD |
ALL-UL TEAM |
 |
|
Joe Torre, MAN
.379, 38 HR, 117 RBI |
|
|
|
|
Johnny Podres, MAN
22-6, 2.06, 201 K |
|
 |
|
Willie Crawford, DAL
,307, 20 HR, 65 RBI |
|
|
C |
Tim McCarver, BRO |
|
1B |
Mike Epstein, LA |
|
2B |
Davey Johnson, CHI |
|
3B |
Tony Perez, CHI |
|
SS |
Ron Hansen, BOS |
|
LF |
Jimmy Wynn, BOS |
|
CF |
Don Demeter, LA |
|
RF |
Roger Maris, ATL |
|
P |
Bill Champion, CHI |
|
|
C |
Joe
Torre, MAN (6) |
|
1B |
Willie Stargell, MAN |
|
2B |
Bernie Allen, ATL (2) |
|
3B |
Dick Allen, DET |
|
SS |
Dick McAuliffe, BRO (2) |
|
LF |
Frank Robinson, LA (6) |
|
CF |
Mickey Mantle, BRO (8) |
|
RF |
Reggie Jackson, DET |
|
SP |
Johnny Podres, MAN (4) |
|
SP |
Steve Carlton, ATL |
|
SP |
Gene Conley, DAL (8) |
|
RP |
Don Gross, ATL (3) |
|
|
S E A S O N S U M M A R I E S
by Charlie Qualls |
|
W E S T D I V I S I O N |
E A S T D I V I S I O N |
|
Record: 93-67
(+3)
6th in Batting -
3rd in Pitching
First back-to-back winning seasons in 12
years
Scored nearly 150 fewers runs, but won three more games
Best Player:
Reggie Smith (.302-27-95)
Biggest Flop: Lew Burdette (9-8,
was 18-14)
Variations
On A Team Effort
The Maroons achieved World Series
glory with very few standout performances. That meant everyone
had to pitch in. Here’s how they did it:
• 17 players
with 100+ AB’s
• Only one player with more than 61 RBI
(R. Smith, 95), 11 players with more than 30 RBI
• 7
pitchers with 12 or more starts each
• Only one
pitcher with a sub-4.00 ERA (L. Burdette, 4.97)
• 10
players with double-digit 2B’s
• Ace Don Sutton a
non-factor: Injured after only six starts (Or was he? Before the
injury, Sutt was 2-0 - the Maroons won the division by two
games).
• Closers Sparky Lyle and Bob Locker:
Kicking ass and taking… turns?
• 6 pitchers with 9 or
more wins, none with more than 15.
• 19 months of
total missed time due to injuries.
• Starting pitching
recorded only 2 CG and 0 SHO.
Did You Know…?
…Granny Hamner was on this team? And he played in
almost 100 games! Effectively, too!
…The Maroons were only
slightly above average every month except June when they busted
out a 20-3 record.
|
Record: 95-65
(+18)
1st in Batting -
6th in Pitching
Led league in runs for first time since
1964
18-game improvement best in club history
1,117
pitching Ks are most in UL in five seasons
Best
Player:
Mickey Mantle (.330-33-121)
Biggest Flop:
Ed Charles (.338
SLG, was .404)
The Bro Code: Just Win.
If you thought they
were going away or hibernating, guess again. A few key moves in
the off-season and the Superbas find themselves in an all too
familiar setting: October baseball. But make no mistake, this is
not your weird Uncle Glen’s baseball club. The Magar Group’s
signing of Hank Aaron may have seemed like overkill on this
already power mad team, but Hank comes with much more than just
his Hammer. Speed, defense and a wicked eye still make him one
of the league’s most dangerous men. Just add Mickey Mantle and a
blossoming Ollie Brown and you’ve got a scary outfield indeed.
Dick McAuliffe has stepped into the role of the UL’s mashing-est
shortstop since Ernie Banks, and second only to Mantle in terms
of team value. The Bas have also reconstituted nowhere man Ed
Charles into a serviceable everyday third sacker.
A
Pair Of “F’s” Make The Grade
Unlike the great Superba
teams of old, the ‘69 rotation needed no superstar starters to
get the job done. In his Big Apple return, journeyman Bob Friend
lent a career year to the cause. The 37-year-old won 16 while
leading the UL in K’s with 237 in 238 innings pitched while only
issuing 68 free passes. But Woodie Fryman was the big surprise,
contributing a breakout year, also winning 16 games and landing
in the top ten in nine league leader board pitching categories.
In Closing
Dick Kelley opened the season as the ‘Bas
primary closer and notched 22 saves, but gave management fits as
he also swallowed seven losses while nurturing a monstrous 7.55
ERA. Rookie Dan McGinn assumed the role, quickly proving
himself to be one of the organization’s top arms. McGinn saved
19 (including nine in the Superbas' meteoric 23-6 September)
while keeping his ERA under 3.00. Dan the Man even managed to
earn a handful of W's before throwing his back out with mere
days left in the season.
|
|
Record: 91-69
(+1)
4th in Batting -
2nd in Pitching
Third straight 90-win season (4th in club
history)
Three straight 1/2 finshes following four straight
last place finishes
Led league in OBP (.345)
Best Player: Steve Carlton (20-7, 2.26, 209 K)
Biggest Flop: Steve Barber (10-16, was 18-5)
Headlines You May Have Missed:
Gross Points, Blanks
Barber Gets Poled
Veale Penned,
Delicious Results
Lefty’s Right On In Ten Inning Gem
Timmermannn: Consonants and Consistence
Baron Blowout Brings
Ballers
Cakes And Catfish Off The Menu
Brew Proves
Refreshing
Marooned!!!
Fast Fun Facts:
Ron Hunt: 11 K’s in 687 PA
Offensive BB/K (excluding
pitchers): 602/614
Carlton: League leading 11 CG, 4 SHO
including this bad boy:
http://www.circuitclouts.com/1969/box_scores/game_box_123.html
|
Record: 91-69
(+1)
3rd in Batting -
1st in Pitching
Attendance nearly doubled in two seasons
to club record 3.1 million
League low 621 runs allowed
Best Player:
Joe Torre (.379-38-117)
Biggest Flop:
Chuck Hinton (.576 OPS after trade)
Holes Found, Sox Darned
It seemed like all the defending champs had to do was stay the
course and they’d have no trouble repeating as East Champs. Then
when they traded for defending Cy Young Award winner Johnny
Podres (who was already on pace to repeat the feat), it looked
like they had sealed the deal. But those vampires in Brooklyn
never gave up, pulling off a September upset and stunning the
Sox.
Multiple O-Gasms
The very model
of health and consistency, the Gray Sox had seven players with
over 550 AB’s. Willie Stargell and Joe Torre both threw their
helmets into the MVP consideration ring. Vada Pinson, Ron Santo
and Pete Ward all swatted .780+ OPS. Help off the bench was a
little tougher to come by and was one of the reasons the Sox
fell short in ’69.
New York State Of Shock
Don’t blame the arms. The pitching found some consistency as
well, despite having seven starters with 12 or more starts each.
Former Monuments ace Jim Nash boasted a 3.54 ERA and 157 K’s,
but found himself with a losing record (10-13). Bob Anderson was
the clear ace of the staff (until Podres showed up), posting a
17-5 record, 2.81 ERA and 1.11 WHIP. Podres brought his best
stuff with him, going 8-2 in the final two months of the season.
Phil Niekro won 15 games from the 5th starter spot. 37-year-old
closer Russ Kemmerer racked up a league leading (and career
high) 34 saves but lost 8 games in the process.
Johnny Pop’s Guide To Self Help
There’s a rumor
going around that Johnny Podres can pitch a little, but did you
know he’s also quite stunning with the lumber? JPod slapped
together a .341 AVG. (29/85) in 1969.
|
|
Record:
87-73 (+18)
5th in Batting -
8th in Pitching
Breakout year: Record 18-win improvement
after three years under 70 wins
Highest attendance since 1963
Best Player:
Rod Carew (.348, .386 OBP, 223 H)
Biggest Flop:
Curt Blefary (.707 OPS, was .857)
Tex Nation With Representation
The Texans
87-73 record was their best showing since the monstrous 1962
inaugural season when they finished 97-65, giving the Colts a
good title scare. The pitching in 1969 held Dallas back from
approaching that '62 record. However, if the offense keeps
improving like it has been, there may not be a need for much
more pitching.
Gene Splicing
A
deadline deal cut veterans Gene Conley and Herb Score into the
Tex mix. In the final two months, Conley and Score combined for
a 11-3 record and 101 K's. Likewise did the rest of the team's
fortunes change. Dallas' record after the deal was 34-22,
including a scorching September (21-7) in which they overtook
the Outlaws for third place in the division.
Seeing Red
The Texans ran up the league's best
record versus the first place Maroons (14-7), and were the only
team in the West to have a winning record against the eventual
WS Champs.
|
Record: 76-84
(-11)
11th in Batting -
4th in Pitching
Record low 74 home runs, ends 5-year of
1st/2nd place finishes
Best Player:
Johnny Podres (14-4, 1.92 before trade)
Biggest Flop:
Johnny Callison (.611 OPS, was .905)
Penalty For Early Withdrawal
Barons record
after trade deadline: 24-31
Six swapped out starters combined
record after trade deadline: 30-13
Team
Seamstress' Lament
The Barons sent 24 different
pitchers (15 starters) to the hill in 1969.
Going
Green
Average age of Barons starting rotation,
Opening Day, 1969: 36.2
Average age of Barons starting
rotation, Closing Day, 1969: 28.2
Projected average age of
Barons starting rotation, Opening Day, 1970: 24.2
Night-Ted
Closer Ted Abernathy's ERA at
night: 1.83
Closer Ted Abernathy's ERA during the day: 8.56
Dough!!
The Barons shaved roughly $30
million off their payroll by the end of '69.
|
|
Record:
85-75 (-14)
2nd in Batting - 5th in Pitching
4th place = lowest finish in seven years
Best Player:
Frank Robinson (.293-40-107)
Biggest Flop:
Fritz Peterson (12-7, 3.94, after 24-11,
2.70)
Outlaw Gang Captured!
Frank Robinson? Check.
Don Demeter? Check.
Fe-Man? Check.
Superjew? Check.
Haller/Averill? Check.
Ken McMullen? Check.
With all
these guys doing their jobs so well, how did the defending
division champs fall to fourth place? Well, for one thing, the
division got a lot tougher. The Maroons had an inspired
championship season and the Hilltoppers pulled out all the
stops. Dallas' deadline deal and hot streak to the end was also
a factor. The top of the Outlaws line-up featured Lee Thomas and
Harvey Kuenn each performing less than expected, the legendary
latter may finally be showing his age. Injuries were also a
problem...
Breaking The 'Laws
Injuries plagued the entire United League in 1969, enough so
that the Commissioner finally had to issue a statement telling
everyone to "safen up." The most tragic, however, is the CEI,
especially when it happens to those just digging in their
cleats. L.A.'s 24-year-old starter John McGlothlin wasn't
exactly fooling UL hitters before his elbow became permanently
unhinged in May, but certainly the former first rounder and 1968
21-game-winner figured prominently in the Outlaws' future plans.
Last season's ace Fritz Peterson saw a solid season interrupted
by elbow issues and spent some time on the blocks as well.
Offensively, a late season disc rupture to 34-year-old Don
Demeter could have painful implications down the 1970 road and
beyond..
Disarming
Overall, it was
the starting pitching that was the Outlaws main weakness this
season. With Johnny Antonelli a distant memory and the
aforementioned hurt parade, it was up to Stan Bahnsen to take
the ace reins, and he didn't disappoint. But while the Burner
was an open flame all season, his colleagues had trouble getting
warmed up. True to form, the bullpen smoked the competition with
a league wide low ERA (2.91).
|
Record: 71-89
(+2)
7th in Batting -
10th in Pitching
Highest attendance since 1960
Best Player:
Reggie Jackson (.299-41-128)
Biggest Flop:
Tommy John (8-21, 4.69, was 8-7, 3.63)
Detroit Suck City
You
think you’ve got problems? Try Bob Gibson as your ace. How about
being forced to use Denny McLain in a handful of starts? All the
while, Tommy John is bucking to be the next ineffective big name
Griffins starter who never gets traded or cut. But wait, there’s
still All-star Joey Jay and an improving Froggy Hands, right?
Sure, those guys are great when they’re not hurt. But things
aren’t all bad. The bullpen had some previously unsung heroes
like Joe Hoerner, Wayne Granger and Ramon Hernandez and well
sung closer Tex Clevenger. Also, Clevenger, Hoerner and Jay had
strong showings in the 1969 All Star game, helping the East to
victory.
Reggie Jacks ‘Em
Swing over,
Dick, the Griffins newest power package has arrived. On a team
already well invested in the long ball, Reggie Jackson sets the
new gold standard, banking 41 homers in his sophomore portfolio.
Four Griffins stamped over 20 clouts each, not including Frank
Howard, who suffered a rare power drain and only knocked 14 out
(he’s been good for at least 30 in each of the past 6 seasons).
But with great power also comes great whiffability. The Griffins
batters fanned a league worst 1,109 times (165 more K’s than the
11th ranked Spiders). So it’s no surprise that Detroit had the
UL’s 2nd lowest team OBP (.315).
|
|
Record:
69-91 (-13)
12th in Batting - 7th in Pitching
Yo-Yo: Average wins in odd years 67, even
years 83 (since '65)
94 errors
are fewest in UL in 3 years
Led league in SB for 7th straight year
Best Player:
Lou Brock (.307-11-66, 102 SB)
Biggest Flop:
Mike Andrews (.232-2-41, .295-19-78)
Neither Amazing Nor Spectacular
Spider men, Spider men,
Trendy neighborhood Spider men.
Got some power, that’s a Stretch.
Got some leather, the kids
can fetch.
What the…?
We should be better men.
Bobby Moose? Heavy Cy.
Finally back but not the same guy.
Pitching help on the way
‘til the doc checks Jimmy Ray.
Hey! Ow!
Hurts to be Spider men.
Need a streak of
light?
Louis Brock’s here to stay.
Leads the team in ribs.
Man, you just can’t win that way.
Bullpen has feat of
Clay.
Need a loss? Try Rudy May.
Runs across? Tough to
get.
Striving for penultimate.
Hey now, try not to do
what they did.
Inj’ry bug’s an arachnid.
There go the
Spider fans!
|
Record: 70-90
(-13)
10th in Batting -
9th in Pitching
Lowest
run total since 1961
Second lowest win total of decade
Best Player:
Orlando Cepeda (.303-19-76)
Biggest Flop:
Mike Cuellar (11-13, was 16-9)
On The Go
It was no
departure
that the Feds yielded
a sub-average showing in 1969. But that doesn't mean they've
abandoned
hope. Check out
Gary Nolan, Mike Cuellar and Chris Short as a solid core of
starters to continue building around. The Feds also
pulled out
rookie Jim Rooker who showed he just might be that support. That
leaves
Gene Brabender, Jerry Koosman and Mike Wegener to
sew up the
final
rotation spot. The bullpen also had a lot to
give. Notice
Ray Narleski, who
turned in 6
wins and 19 saves while
surrendering only 13 earned runs
all season. An injury to Bill Fischer
left him flat
on his hurt back and had to
pack it in
ice.
Moving On
The Boston offense
was left hanging
with mid-season injuries to sluggers Rocky Colovito and Orlando
Cepeda. Cha Cha in particular was forced to
suspend his
shot at another MVP season. Jimmy Wynn's statistical
break-off
and Bobby Tolan's slow career start means they could
wind up
somewhere else. On the bright side, the Feds have
concluded
that they won't be cutting out
catcher Bill Freehan anytime soon. Double play tandem Dick
Howser and Ron Hansen have
discontinued hitting as much as
they have in the past,
but neither is afraid to take a
walk. Rico Petricelli is
getting out
there to prove he's one of the hottest
hot corner keepers before he calls
it quits.
|
|
Record: 67-93
(+0)
8th in Batting - 11th in Pitching
First back-to-back last place finishes in
club history
Best Player:
Tony Perez (.282-22-86)
Biggest Flop:
Ron Reed (11-17,
was 18-9)
You Can’t
Make Glue Without Killing A Few Ponies
Remember the
last time the Colts finished in last place? It didn’t last. The
year was 1952 and the subsequent draft season brought names like
Ernie Banks, Whitey Ford and Don Elston. Chicago’s had their
nose buried in the UL’s feedbag ever since. Until now. Eighteen
seasons later, age and economics finally tripped up the Colts,
who now find themselves flank deep in rebuild mode.
Walk The Dinosaurs
In 1969, old friends Joe
Adcock, Sammy Taylor, Al Spangler, Billy O’Dell and George
Brunet kept things from getting completely out of hoof. But how
much more blood can Lance Mueller squeeze from these drying up
stars?
Perez Tiltin’
The next
generation of Colts hitters is led by Tony Perez, who’s been
establishing himself as the team’s go-to slugger, swatting a
squad leading 22 long flies. Davy Johnson, Jim Gosger and Carl
Taylor are all putting on impressive early lap displays while
Ron Swoboda and Sonny Jackson are a little slower out of the
gate.
Unharnessed
The pitching angle
skews a little more to the sticky side as the youth gallop has
become a slow gait. Recent first round draftees Wilbur Wood,
Bill Singer and Ron Reed all turned in less than thoroughbred
performances. The Colts would have liked to see at least one of
these phillies show triple crown stuff. Even with well shown
vets O’Dell and Brunet to track innings, the Colts bump thumpers
still only managed to outrace the Monuments.
May
Flowers
The most buzz in Chicago surrounds the
budding stick man Carlos May. The sweet smelling 20-year-old
rookie led all Colts with a .491 SLG and .864 OPS.
|
Record: 65-95
(+8)
9th in Batting -
12th in Pitching
First back-to-back last place finishes in club history
Best Player:
Leon Wagner (.297-18-58)
Biggest Flop:
Cleon Jones (.272-2-24, .324-8-58)
Hot Mess
It's true
what they say: You can't build a monument without first digging
a giant hole. And "giant hole" just about sums up the state of
the Mons' pitching staff. Andy Messersmith was assigned ace
duties before being assigned a uniform number. But the rookie
held his own, leading the team in wins (12), ERA (4.04) and K's
(179). Another semi-bright spot shone on Mike Torrez. The rookie
reliever-turned-only-starter-with-a-winning-record ended
the season with a 3-2 record and 1.60 ERA in September. But the
fun stopped there. In fact, the Monuments pitching staff
finished last in the league in every pitching category except
strikeouts. Rookie Bill Butler served up a shaky start to his
career, losing 22 games and walking 112. Touted rookie Clay
Kirby popped his head into the big league mole hole, only to be
whacked by UL hitters. But he'll be back.
Not Too
Offensive
Company men Willie Kirkland, Dick Stuart
and Floyd Robinson got some help from last minute latch-ons Bill
Mazeroski and Leon Wagner. Together, they lifted Washington's
offense to "below average" status. Future hopefuls Richie Hebner
and Al Oliver kicked off their careers in promising, though not
spectacular fashion. Former fierce frosh Cleon Jones' sophomore
term brought a drop-off in production as well as a downgrade to
platoon duty.
|
LEADERBOARDS |
|
BATTING AVERAGE |
HOME RUNS |
RBI |
VORP |
RUNS/GAME |
|
Joe Torre, MAN |
.379 |
|
Rod Carew, DAL |
.348 |
|
Mickey Mantle, BRO |
.330 |
|
Bernie Allen, ATL |
.318 |
|
Ron Hunt, ATL |
.315 |
|
*Don Demeter, LA |
.308 |
|
Curt Flood, CLE |
.308 |
|
*Willie Crawford, DAL |
.307 |
|
Lou Brock, SF |
.307 |
|
Ollie Brown, BRO |
.306 |
|
|
.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
Reggie Jackson, DET |
41 |
|
Frank Robinson, LA |
40 |
|
Willie Stargell, MAN |
40 |
|
Joe Torre, MAN |
38 |
|
Mickey Mantle, BRO |
33 |
|
Harm Killebrew, ATL |
32 |
|
Boog Powell, DAL |
32 |
|
Orlando Cepeda, BOS |
31 |
|
Dick McAuliffe, BRO |
31 |
|
Dick Allen, DET |
30 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reggie Jackson, DET |
128 |
|
Boog Powell, DAL |
122 |
|
Mickey Mantle, BRO |
121 |
|
Willie Stargell, MAN |
121 |
|
Joe Torre, MAN |
117 |
|
Dick McAuliffe, BRO |
110 |
|
Frank Robinson, LA |
107 |
|
Dick Allen, DET |
105 |
|
Hank Aaron, BRO |
100 |
|
*Harm Killebrew, ATL |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joe Torre, MAN |
103.7 |
|
Mickey Mantle, BRO |
72.8 |
|
Dick McAuliffe, BRO |
69.4 |
|
Bernie Allen, ATL |
63.8 |
|
Frank Robinson, LA |
62.9 |
|
Reggie Jackson, DET |
57.7 |
|
Rod Carew, DAL |
56.4 |
|
*Willie Crawford, DAL |
55.0 |
|
Don Demeter, LA |
54.3 |
|
Felix Mantilla, LA |
51.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BROOKLYN |
4.9 |
|
|
|
LOS ANGELES |
4.8 |
|
|
|
MANHATTAN |
4.8 |
|
|
|
ATLANTA |
4.7 |
|
|
|
DALLAS |
4.5 |
|
|
|
ST. LOUIS |
4.4 |
|
|
|
DETROIT |
4.2 |
|
|
|
CHICAGO |
4.1 |
|
|
|
WASHINGTON |
4.1 |
|
|
|
BOSTON |
4.0 |
|
|
|
CLEVELAND |
3.9 |
|
|
|
SAN FRANCISCO |
3.7 |
|
|
|
EARNED RUN AVERAGE |
WINS |
STRIKEOUTS |
VORP |
RUNS ALLOWED/GAME |
|
Gene Conley, DAL |
2.04 |
|
Johnny Podres, MAN |
2.06 |
|
Steve Carlton, ATL |
2.26 |
|
Woodie Fryman, BRO |
2.75 |
|
Bob Anderson, MAN |
2.81 |
|
Jim Palmer, CLE |
3.13 |
|
Jim Merritt, DAL |
3.15 |
|
Don Larsen, ATL |
3.35 |
|
Luke Walker, STL |
3.37 |
|
*Fergie Jenkins, SF |
3.47 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Johnny Podres, CLE |
22 |
|
Steve Carlton, ATL |
20 |
|
Stan Bahnsen, LA |
19 |
|
Bob Anderson, MAN |
17 |
|
Bob Friend, BRO |
16 |
|
Woodie Fryman, BRO |
16 |
|
Jim Merritt, DAL |
16 |
|
*Gene Conley, DAL |
15 |
|
*Larry Dierker, LA |
15 |
|
Ron Kline, STL |
15 |
|
*Phil Niekro, MAN |
15 |
|
*Jim Perry, ATL |
15 |
|
|
Bob Friend, BRO |
237 |
|
Stan Bahnsen, LA |
225 |
|
Steve Carlton, ATL |
209 |
|
Johnny Podres, MAN |
201 |
|
Gene Conley, DAL |
199 |
|
A. Messersmith, WAS |
179 |
|
Jim Merritt, DAL |
177 |
|
Herb Score, DAL |
177 |
|
Bob Gibson, DET |
168 |
|
Johnny Kucks, BRO |
168 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Johnny Podres, MAN |
84.0 |
|
Steve Carlton, ATL |
78.0 |
|
Gene Conley, DAL |
66.7 |
|
Bob Anderson, MAN |
53.8 |
|
Joey Jay, DET |
42.0 |
|
Jim Merritt, DAL |
39.1 |
|
Jim Nash, MAN |
38.3 |
|
Jim Ray, SF |
35.9 |
|
*Woodie Fryman, BRO |
35.9 |
|
Jim Perry, ATL |
34.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MANHATTAN |
3.9 |
|
|
|
ATLANTA |
3.9 |
|
|
|
ST. LOUIS |
3.9 |
|
|
|
CLEVELAND |
4.1 |
|
|
|
BROOKLYN |
4.2 |
|
|
|
LOS ANGELES |
4.2 |
|
|
|
SAN FRANCISCO |
4.3 |
|
|
|
DALLAS |
4.4 |
|
|
|
BOSTON |
4.4 |
|
|
|
DETROIT |
4.7 |
|
|
|
CHICAGO |
4.8 |
|
|
|
WASHINGTON |
5.2 |
|
|
| AWARDS & MILESTONES |
|
Batter of the Month |
Pitcher of the Month |
Rookie of the Month |
MILESTONES |
|
APR
|
Joe Torre, MAN |
|
MAY
|
Reggie Jackson, DET |
|
JUN
|
Frank Robinson, LA |
|
JUL
|
Reggie Jackson, DET |
|
AUG
|
Joe Torre, MAN |
|
SEP |
Mickey Mantle, BRO |
|
|
APR
|
Johnny Podres, CLE |
|
MAY
|
Jim Perry, ATL |
|
JUN
|
Ron Kline, STL |
|
JUL
|
Johnny Podres, CLE |
|
AUG
|
Steve Carlton, ATL |
|
SEP |
Johnny Podres, MAN |
|
|
APR
|
Richie Hebner, WAS |
|
MAY
|
Tom Phoebus, STL |
|
JUN
|
Bobby Bonds, DET |
|
JUL
|
Carlos May, CHI |
|
AUG
|
Willie Crawford, DAL |
|
SEP |
Tom Hall, DAL |
|
|
|
| PLAYER
of the WEEK |
|
4/7
|
Joe Torre, MAN |
|
4/14
|
Ken McMullen, LA |
|
4/21
|
Duke Sims, DAL |
|
4/28
|
Boog Powell, DAL |
|
5/5
|
Pete Ward, MAN |
|
5/12 |
Joe Torre, MAN |
|
5/19 |
Don Demeter, LA |
|
5/26 |
Duke Sims, DAL |
|
|
|
|
|
6/2
|
Dick McAuliffe, BRO |
|
6/9
|
Tony Perez, CHI |
|
6/16
|
Carl Yastrzemski, DET |
|
6/23
|
Felix Mantilla, LA |
|
6/30
|
Lou Brock, SF |
|
7/7 |
Davey Johnson, CHI |
|
7/14 |
Paul Schaal, ATL |
|
7/21 |
Roger Maris, ATL |
|
7/28 |
Reggie Smith, STL |
|
|
8/4
|
Rod Carew, DAL |
|
8/11
|
Felix Mantilla, LA |
|
8/18
|
Reggie Smith, STL |
|
8/25
|
Willie McCovey, SF |
|
9/1
|
Joe Torre, MAN |
|
9/8 |
Willie Crawford, DAL |
|
9/15 |
Mickey Mantle, BRO |
|
9/22 |
Reggie Smith, STL |
|
9/29 |
Mickey Mantle, BRO |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
