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HerbD · 03-26-2025, 06:10 PM

July Blues: Chiefs' Struggles and Starr's Rise in Windy City Drama

Chicago, Illinois – Ah, July of '63—what a mixed bag it turned out to be for our beloved Chicago Chiefs of the FABL. After a sizzling start to the summer with back-to-back 18-win months, the dog days hit hard, and the Chiefs limped through July with just 14 victories. They slipped four-and-a-half games and one spot in the standings, leaving even the faintest hopes of a miracle August run gasping for air. Now, the mission is simple: claw their way into the top half of the league before the curtain falls on the season. Sure, 14-17 isn’t a trainwreck, but with a plus-nine run differential, it stings worse than a beanball to the ribs.

Let’s talk about the kid, shall we? John Thomas, the 20-year-old phenom who set the league abuzz in 1962, showed flashes of brilliance this month. A 2.08 ERA in July? That’s Hall of Fame stuff. But alas, the lineup left him out to dry, handing him just two wins in five decisions. And don’t sleep on Dutch Lane, the stopper who found his mojo again with a tidy 2.35 ERA—though he let two saves slip through his fingers in four tries. And then there’s Vern Osbourne, the wily vet who teased us all with a throwback June, only to revert to his recent struggles with a 1-4 record and a ballooning ERA that nearly doubled to 4.00.

At the dish, it was all eyes on the rookie sensation Bob Starr. The kid had us worried with a sluggish start, but boy, did he silence the doubters in July. Not only did he nab Rookie of the Month honors in the Fed, but he also brought home Hitter of the Month. Starr was electric, smashing 10 long balls, driving in 25 runs, and crossing the plate 26 times. His .366 batting average and jaw-dropping .491 on-base percentage weren’t just numbers—they were a statement. And let’s not forget, the kid held it down defensively in center field, too.

Al Padgett, the seasoned backstop, had himself a solid month, batting .324 and knocking in 13. Joe Flanagan? Quietly tearing it up with a .350 average over 120 at-bats. But questions linger around Ed Bloom and Irv Clifford. Their bats might be pulling their weight, but are their gloves costing more than they’re worth? That’s a dilemma the Chiefs’ brass will have to chew on heading into ’64.

And last but not least, the legend himself, Ron Shearer, made his triumphant return. Suiting up for the final nine games of July, Shearer slapped his 2,000th career hit and is knocking on the door of two more milestones: just one homer shy of 400 and nine RBI away from 1,500. For a team clinging to pride and momentum, milestones like these are the stuff of inspiration.

Let’s see what August holds, folks—because if the Chiefs want to make some noise, it’s going to take grit, guts, and a dash of Windy City magic. Stay tuned.

-John "Scoop" Mitchell, Windy City News Sportswriter

PLAYERS OF THE MONTH FOR MAY
Hitter of the Month: Bob Starr(.366/.491/.763, 34-93, 5 2B, 3B, 10 HR, 25 RBI, 26 RS, 22 BB)
Pitcher of the Month: John Thomas(2-3, 2.08 ERA, 39.0 IP, 22 K, 8 BB, 1.08 WHiP)
Rookie of the Month: Bob Starr(.366/.491/.763, 34-93, 5 2B, 3B, 10 HR, 25 RBI, 26 RS, 22 BB)
Minor League Player of the Month: Bob Miller(B)(3427/.440/.646, 41-96, 5 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 14 RS, 16 RBI, 2 BB)

Game of the Month for June 1963

Chicago Chiefs Set Off Fireworks in LA with Shutout Victory

Los Angeles, California – July 5, 1963

Chicago Chiefs Set Off Fireworks in LA with Shutout Victory

The Chicago Chiefs stormed into Wilshire Park and lit up the scoreboard like a Fourth of July parade, delivering a masterclass in pitching, hitting, and defense. A crowd of 13,000 Suns fans watched their hometown heroes struggle to find a spark, as Chicago's 20-year-old ace, John Thomas, blanked Los Angeles with a complete-game shutout. If you ask me, folks, this game had all the ingredients of baseball at its finest—a true showcase for Windy City pride.

Thomas was simply electric on the mound. His poise belied his age, carving up the Suns’ lineup with precision and grit. The only hiccup came in the fourth inning, with the Chiefs already sitting comfortably on a 5-0 lead. Thomas hit Bill Bell with two outs, then issued a free pass to Russ Hawkins on four pitches. Veteran catcher Al Padgett couldn’t handle a 2-2 offering to Pat Adair, allowing the runners to move into scoring position. With the count full, Adair sent a screamer to center field—a shot that seemed destined to ignite the Suns’ hopes. But Bob Starr, the rookie phenom, had other ideas. With the grace of a trapeze artist, Starr scaled the nine-foot fence and snatched the ball out of thin air, preserving the shutout and deflating the home crowd in one jaw-dropping moment. From that point forward, the Suns were more interested in beating traffic than beating Thomas.

The young pitcher never faltered again, finishing the day with just four singles, one walk, and a hit batsman allowed. His command and calm under pressure make it clear that this kid is destined for greatness—and let me tell you, Chiefs fans, he’s only getting started.

But it wasn’t just the arm of Thomas that made fireworks fly. The Chiefs’ bats came alive in a relentless display, tallying seventeen hits in total. Six players notched multiple hits, including Thomas himself, and the lineup piled on single after single like a steam engine. Joe Flanagan, Irv Clifford, and Tom Spruill led the charge with three singles apiece, while Joe Siniscalchi delivered the big blows, driving in three runs on the day. Every starter except rookie Jorge Vallejo got in on the action, spreading the fun across the lineup and reminding everyone why Chicago’s offense can’t be underestimated.

As we head into the holiday festivities, this game serves as a timely reminder of what the Chiefs are capable of—when the arms are dealing, the bats are connecting, and the defense is dazzling, they’re a force to be reckoned with. Let’s tip our caps to young John Thomas and Bob Starr, who are proving that the future is bright in the Windy City.

Stay tuned, folks, because if July continues like this, the Chiefs might just have more fireworks left to come. Until next time, this is John "Scoops" Mitchell, signing off from Chicago's finest sporting desk.

-John "Scoop" Mitchell, Windy City News Sportswriter

03-26-2025, 06:10 PM	#67
HerbD All Star Reserve Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Indiana Posts: 983	July 1963 July Blues: Chiefs' Struggles and Starr's Rise in Windy City Drama Chicago, Illinois – Ah, July of '63—what a mixed bag it turned out to be for our beloved Chicago Chiefs of the FABL. After a sizzling start to the summer with back-to-back 18-win months, the dog days hit hard, and the Chiefs limped through July with just 14 victories. They slipped four-and-a-half games and one spot in the standings, leaving even the faintest hopes of a miracle August run gasping for air. Now, the mission is simple: claw their way into the top half of the league before the curtain falls on the season. Sure, 14-17 isn’t a trainwreck, but with a plus-nine run differential, it stings worse than a beanball to the ribs. Let’s talk about the kid, shall we? John Thomas, the 20-year-old phenom who set the league abuzz in 1962, showed flashes of brilliance this month. A 2.08 ERA in July? That’s Hall of Fame stuff. But alas, the lineup left him out to dry, handing him just two wins in five decisions. And don’t sleep on Dutch Lane, the stopper who found his mojo again with a tidy 2.35 ERA—though he let two saves slip through his fingers in four tries. And then there’s Vern Osbourne, the wily vet who teased us all with a throwback June, only to revert to his recent struggles with a 1-4 record and a ballooning ERA that nearly doubled to 4.00. At the dish, it was all eyes on the rookie sensation Bob Starr. The kid had us worried with a sluggish start, but boy, did he silence the doubters in July. Not only did he nab Rookie of the Month honors in the Fed, but he also brought home Hitter of the Month. Starr was electric, smashing 10 long balls, driving in 25 runs, and crossing the plate 26 times. His .366 batting average and jaw-dropping .491 on-base percentage weren’t just numbers—they were a statement. And let’s not forget, the kid held it down defensively in center field, too. Al Padgett, the seasoned backstop, had himself a solid month, batting .324 and knocking in 13. Joe Flanagan? Quietly tearing it up with a .350 average over 120 at-bats. But questions linger around Ed Bloom and Irv Clifford. Their bats might be pulling their weight, but are their gloves costing more than they’re worth? That’s a dilemma the Chiefs’ brass will have to chew on heading into ’64. And last but not least, the legend himself, Ron Shearer, made his triumphant return. Suiting up for the final nine games of July, Shearer slapped his 2,000th career hit and is knocking on the door of two more milestones: just one homer shy of 400 and nine RBI away from 1,500. For a team clinging to pride and momentum, milestones like these are the stuff of inspiration. Let’s see what August holds, folks—because if the Chiefs want to make some noise, it’s going to take grit, guts, and a dash of Windy City magic. Stay tuned. -John "Scoop" Mitchell, Windy City News Sportswriter PLAYERS OF THE MONTH FOR MAY Hitter of the Month: Bob Starr(.366/.491/.763, 34-93, 5 2B, 3B, 10 HR, 25 RBI, 26 RS, 22 BB) Pitcher of the Month: John Thomas(2-3, 2.08 ERA, 39.0 IP, 22 K, 8 BB, 1.08 WHiP) Rookie of the Month: Bob Starr(.366/.491/.763, 34-93, 5 2B, 3B, 10 HR, 25 RBI, 26 RS, 22 BB) Minor League Player of the Month: Bob Miller(B)(3427/.440/.646, 41-96, 5 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 14 RS, 16 RBI, 2 BB) Game of the Month for June 1963 Chicago Chiefs Set Off Fireworks in LA with Shutout Victory Los Angeles, California – July 5, 1963 Chicago Chiefs Set Off Fireworks in LA with Shutout Victory The Chicago Chiefs stormed into Wilshire Park and lit up the scoreboard like a Fourth of July parade, delivering a masterclass in pitching, hitting, and defense. A crowd of 13,000 Suns fans watched their hometown heroes struggle to find a spark, as Chicago's 20-year-old ace, John Thomas, blanked Los Angeles with a complete-game shutout. If you ask me, folks, this game had all the ingredients of baseball at its finest—a true showcase for Windy City pride. Thomas was simply electric on the mound. His poise belied his age, carving up the Suns’ lineup with precision and grit. The only hiccup came in the fourth inning, with the Chiefs already sitting comfortably on a 5-0 lead. Thomas hit Bill Bell with two outs, then issued a free pass to Russ Hawkins on four pitches. Veteran catcher Al Padgett couldn’t handle a 2-2 offering to Pat Adair, allowing the runners to move into scoring position. With the count full, Adair sent a screamer to center field—a shot that seemed destined to ignite the Suns’ hopes. But Bob Starr, the rookie phenom, had other ideas. With the grace of a trapeze artist, Starr scaled the nine-foot fence and snatched the ball out of thin air, preserving the shutout and deflating the home crowd in one jaw-dropping moment. From that point forward, the Suns were more interested in beating traffic than beating Thomas. The young pitcher never faltered again, finishing the day with just four singles, one walk, and a hit batsman allowed. His command and calm under pressure make it clear that this kid is destined for greatness—and let me tell you, Chiefs fans, he’s only getting started. But it wasn’t just the arm of Thomas that made fireworks fly. The Chiefs’ bats came alive in a relentless display, tallying seventeen hits in total. Six players notched multiple hits, including Thomas himself, and the lineup piled on single after single like a steam engine. Joe Flanagan, Irv Clifford, and Tom Spruill led the charge with three singles apiece, while Joe Siniscalchi delivered the big blows, driving in three runs on the day. Every starter except rookie Jorge Vallejo got in on the action, spreading the fun across the lineup and reminding everyone why Chicago’s offense can’t be underestimated. As we head into the holiday festivities, this game serves as a timely reminder of what the Chiefs are capable of—when the arms are dealing, the bats are connecting, and the defense is dazzling, they’re a force to be reckoned with. Let’s tip our caps to young John Thomas and Bob Starr, who are proving that the future is bright in the Windy City. Stay tuned, folks, because if July continues like this, the Chiefs might just have more fireworks left to come. Until next time, this is John "Scoops" Mitchell, signing off from Chicago's finest sporting desk. -John "Scoop" Mitchell, Windy City News Sportswriter __________________ Last edited by HerbD; 03-30-2025 at 05:38 PM.