The Tony Conigliaro Story -- What if he wasn't beaned?

[captaincarl]

David Watt's thread with Bobby Higginson gave me an idea of doing one on my own with one of my favorite Red Sox players from the 1960s, Tony Conigliaro. Tony was the youngest player, at that time, to get to the 100 home run mark and also one of the youngest players ever to lead his league in home runs.

We all know the story of his career being cut short due mostly to the beaning in August of 1967 by hurler Jack Hamilton. But what if Tony C. had started his career and wasn't beaned.

Tony Conigliaro, according to one site that I saw, would have projected to end up with over 3300 hits and 600 homers, even better than one of his contemporaries during his playing days, Reggie Jackson. Will he do that here? Let's see what comes up as we follow his career starting with his rookie debut in 1964.


Like David, I will only manage the Boston Red Sox or whatever team he gets sent to, if any. The game's GM will take care of roster movements, trades, etc. The only difference is that the financials are turned off due to the reserve clause being in effect until the mid '70s, when free agency started.


As an added bonus for reading this and, hopefully, add some feedback (or whatever), if anyone has any favorite players during this time that the person would like followed as well, please let me know.

[captaincarl]

After finishing 1963 in seventh place, 28 games behind the first place New York Yankees, the Boston Red Sox have brought up outfielder Tony Conigliaro, age 18. He is slated to be the starting center fielder for the club for the upcoming season.

[captaincarl]

1/4/64
Cincinnati Reds sent 27-year old minor league catcher Jimmie Coker to the Boston Red Sox in return for 30-year old pitcher Arnold Earley.

------------------------
1/22/64
St.Louis Cardinals sent 26-year old pitcher Mike Cuellar to the Boston Red Sox for 26-year old outfielder Lou Clinton.

[captaincarl]

2/10/64
The Boston Red Sox sent 33-year old third baseman Frank Malzone to the Houston Colt .45's for 33-year old pitcher Gordon Jones.

Manager's thinkings: I just can't figure out what the GM is thinking. Malzone did pretty well for us in 1963, batting .291 with 15 homers and 71 ribbies in 580 at bats. Now the GM has swapped for a couple of minor league relievers since the beginning of the year, Mike Cuellar and now Gordon Jones.

[captaincarl]

3/21/64
Red Sox starting outfielder Carl Yastrzemski suffered a torn hip muscle while running the bases and is expected to miss about 4 weeks.

-------------------------------
3/25/64
Red Sox reliever Wilbur Wood left the game today with a strained tricep tendon. He is expected to miss about 2 weeks.

[captaincarl]

The Boston Red Sox have left the spring training facilities and have headed north to take on the defending American League champion New York Yankees in Yankee Stadium. Here is the opening day roster:

Starting Pitchers
Ed Connolly
Bob Heffner
Bill Monbouquette
Earl Wilson

Relievers
Mike Cuellar
Dave Gray
Gordon Jones
Jack Lamabe
Dave Morehead
Dick Radatz
Jay Ritchie
Wilbur Wood

Catchers
Jimmie Coker
Russ Nixon
Bob Tillman

Infielders
Eddie Bressoud
Dalton Jones
Felix Mantilla
Al Moran
Chuck Schilling
Dick Stuart

Outfielders
Tony Conigliaro
Gary Geiger
Tony Horton
Dick Williams

Disabled List
Carl Yastrzemski (5 days left)


The opening day pitching matchup is Bill Monbouquette for Boston and Whitey Ford for the Yankees.

[captaincarl]

Game #1 - Boston (Monbouquette) @ New York (Ford)

Line Score
Boston 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 1 - 4 11 1
New York 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 - 2 10 1

WP - B.Monbouquette (1-0)
LP - W.Ford (0-1)
Sv - D.Radatz (1)

What a start for Tony C! He debuted by going 3-4 with a double. Conigliaro singled in his first at bat just out of the reach of Roger Repoz in short center field. He came back in the bottom of the second and made a tremendous diving catch to rob Mickey Mantle of a hit. Tony's outstanding play in the field continued as he made two great catches on the warning track in the bottom of the 8th to keep the Yankees from tying the game to preserve the win.

Manager's notes: Dick "The Monster" Radatz came on in the bottom of the 7th with one out and walked 3. The star of the game was Dick Stuart. He went 2-4 including a 2-run homer in the fifth inning to break the 1-1 tie. He also drove in the first run of the game in the top of the 3rd with a sac fly. I hope that Yastrzemski hurries back. I don't like the looks of Dick Williams in left field.

[captaincarl]

4/16/64
Game #2 - Boston (Lamabe) @ New York (Downing)

Line Score
Boston 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 1 7 1
New York 0 5 6 0 0 2 0 0 x - 14 14 1
WP - A.Downing (1-0)
LP - J.Lamabe (0-1)
HR - Howard (1), Boyer (1), Tresh (1), Pepitone (1), Maris (1), Repoz (1)

Tony C had another good day at the plate, going 2-4 with two singles. Made another great catch in deep right center to rob Pepitone of extra bases.

Manager's Notes: Lamabe got rocked as Howard's home run in the second inning opened the flood gates as the Bronx Bombers belted six home runs in destroying us. Now we head to Boston for our home opener against the Chicago White Sox. Before today's game, the GM came into the office and told me that he had sent pitcher Dave Gray down to triple A and called up pitcher Jim "Mudcat" Grant.

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Other MLB News

Minnesota's Tony Oliva smacked five hits in five at bats, including two homers, and drove in three runs.

[Scottiedog]

One of the nastiest pics I ever saw on a SI cover was Tony C with the big fat shiner. What a shame he was a very talented guy and from what I know he was an ok guy.

[captaincarl]

4/17/64
Game #3 - Chicago (Herbert) @ Boston (Wilson)

Line Score
Chicago 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 6 1
Boston 2 1 0 2 1 0 2 0 x - 8 14 0
WP - E.Wilson (1-0)
LP - R.Herbert (0-1)
HR - Bressoud (1), Conigliaro (1), Stuart (2)

A double by Conigliaro then a home run by Bressoud opened the scoring of the Red Sox's home opener as they won 8-0 behind the pitching of Earl Wilson. Wilson went eight innings, striking out eight batters, and was named player of the game.

Tony C continued his hot hitting as he went 2-4, with a walk, from the leadoff spot with a double and a home run, his first of the season and of his career. Conigliaro is now hitting .583 (7-12), with 1 home run and 2 RBIs.

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Other MLB News

San Francisco's Willie Mays went 5-for-6 and drove in 7 runs, including two in the first inning, each on singles, as the Giants defeated the Cardinals 21-3 at Candlestick Park.

[captaincarl]

Originally Posted by Scottiedog

One of the nastiest pics I ever saw on a SI cover was Tony C with the big fat shiner. What a shame he was a very talented guy and from what I know he was an ok guy.

Thanks for reading.

Was it this one?




I heard that he was an ok guy, too, but a little cocky and brash on the field.

[captaincarl]

4/18/64
Game #4 - Chicago (Peters) @ Boston (Connolly)

Line Score
Chicago 4 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 - 6 7 0
Boston 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 - 1 8 1

Gary Peters scattered eight hits and three walks in his complete game as the Red Sox couldn't get anything going as the Chicago White Sox defeated the Red Sox, 6-1. Peters was the player of the game for his pitching effort.

Tony Conigliaro had his first 0'fer going 0-for-4 with a strikeout. He is now 7-16 (.438).

Manager's Notes: Connolly never got on track as he got racked for four runs in the opening inning. Gordon Jones and Mike Cuellar saw their first action of the season. I don't know who's worse, Dick Williams or Tony Horton in the outfield. Horton is a better hitter but Williams might be a slightly better fielder.

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Other MLB News

Yankees' pitcher Jack Fisher threw a 3-hit shutout against Baltimore.

Milwaukee's Hank Aaron banged out five hits, including his first home run of the season, in five at bats against Houston.

[captaincarl]

4/19/64
Game #5 - Chicago (Buzhardt) @ Boston (Monbouquette)

Line Score
Chicago 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 - 1 7 0
Boston 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 - 3 7 1

WP - B.Heffner (1-0)
LP - J.Buzhardt (0-1)
HR - Bos: Stuart (3)

Dick Stuart sent the Fenway faithful home with a one-on, one-out home run in the bottom of the ninth to give Boston a 3-1 win over the Chicago White Sox. Bill Monbouquette pitched the first eight innings before giving way to Dick Radatz. On the first play, Dick Radatz suffered a ruptured bicep tendon and was replaced by Bob Heffner, who gave up a sac fly in the ninth to allow the White Sox to tie the game before Stuart's heroics in the bottom of the inning. Bill Monbouquette was the player of the game.

Tony C went 1-3 with an rbi double in the second inning to give Boston the lead. Conigliaro finishes his first week batting .421 with three doubles and a home run.

Manager's Notes: Before the game, the GM told me that Carl Yastrzemski was activated from the disabled list and he has sent catcher Russ Nixon down to triple A. After the game, the GM told me that Dick Radatz was being placed on the 60-day disabled list and he was calling up Dave Gray to take his place.

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Other MLB News

Yankees' pitcher Whitey Ford won his 200th game.

St.Louis's pitcher Curt Simmons threw a 4-hit shutout against Houston.

Detroit's pitcher Mickey Lolich was placed on the 15-day DL with a tender shoulder.

Minnesota's Tony Oliva and San Francisco's Willie Mays were selected AL and NL Players of the Week, respectively.

[Scottiedog]

captaincarl yep that's the pic. Makes your stomach ache some...can't believe someone could ever attempt to play after that. I really don't think I could ever get back onto the batters box again.

And, really a lot of guys fall into the "little cocky and brash on the field" thing LOL.

[captaincarl]

Originally Posted by Scottiedog

captaincarl yep that's the pic. Makes your stomach ache some...can't believe someone could ever attempt to play after that. I really don't think I could ever get back onto the batters box again.

And, really a lot of guys fall into the "little cocky and brash on the field" thing LOL.

It was amazing that he hit 30+ homers in a season when he attempted his comeback in Boston before being sent to the Angels. He then had trouble again with his sight and retired but later tried again in 1975 with the Bosox and retired again for good a short time into the season when he went to triple A.

Tony C was the first player to have two World Series rings and not play an inning in either one. Notice I didn't say World Championship rings, I said two World Series rings. The losers get rings for being their league's champs. The Red Sox gave him a ring in both 1967 and in 1975 for being a member of the team.

[captaincarl]

Note to all: in order to keep my number of posts down, I will be making 1 post with the week's happenings. Doing it a game at a time, I think, is kinda crazy to do.

Is this okay with you?

[AZTarHeel]

Hey Captain, new format sounds good ...

If you have time, if you can check periodically on OF Bill Voss. He's a friend of mine through a church I used to attend. He was a journeyman OF who played for several teams from 1965-72. Just curious how the game will handle him. He flamed out in the minors in the one dynasty from that era I tried a few years ago

AZ

[captaincarl]

Originally Posted by AZTarHeel

Hey Captain, new format sounds good ...

If you have time, if you can check periodically on OF Bill Voss. He's a friend of mine through a church I used to attend. He was a journeyman OF who played for several teams from 1965-72. Just curious how the game will handle him. He flamed out in the minors in the one dynasty from that era I tried a few years ago

AZ

You got it, AZ.

I'll put his happenings in the section with the other MLB news.

[captaincarl]

4/20/64 - Game #6: New York (Downing) @ Boston (Lamabe), 1st of 2

Line Score
New York 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 - 6 6 1
Boston 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 1 5 1

WP - Downing (2-0)
LP - Lamabe (0-2)
HR - NY: Mantle (1), Tresh (2)

Mantle and Tresh each had homers to lead the Yankees to a 6-1 win over Boston in the first game of the double header. Tresh was named player of the game as he went 2-4 with a homer, 2 rbi's, 2 runs scored and a stolen base. New York starter Al Downing left the game early with back spasms.

Tony C went 1 for 4 with a single and also made another diving catch.

Manager's Notes: Outfield is playing dynamite and all three are hustling and diving for balls. Unfortunately, they can's stop the gopher ball problem of Lamabe.

Game #7 - New York (Stottlemyre) @ Boston (Heffner) - 2nd of 2

Line Score
New York 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 - 4 6 0
Boston 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 - 5 11 1

WP - Heffner (2-0)
LP - Renliff (0-1)
HR - NY: Maris (2)

Chuck Schilling tied the game in the bottom of the ninth with a 2-run double then Eddie Bressoud hit a walk-off double to pull out a dramatic 5-4 win over the Yankees. The player of the game was Roger Maris, who went 3-3 with a homer and 2 ribbies.

Tony C went 1 for 2 with a walk and was hit by a pitch by Stottlemyre.

Manager's Notes: Heffner cruised through the Yankee lineup until the eighth but hung on to complete the game. We are now in 4th place with a 4-3 record.

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4/21/64 - Off Day

We head to Baltimore for two games then off to the "windy city" to take on the White Sox for a 3-game weekend series.

Other MLB News
Minnesota's Tom Cheney threw a 3-hit shutout against Washington.

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4/22/64 - Game #8: Boston (Monbouquette) @ Baltimore (Roberts)

Line Score
Boston 0 0 0 1 4 0 1 0 0 - 6 11 0
Baltimore 0 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 4 12 1

WP - Morehead (1-0)
LP - Roberts (1-1)
SV - G.Jones (1)
HR - Baltimore: Orsino (1), B.Robinson (1). Boston: Geiger (1), Stuart (4).

After spotting the Orioles a 4-0 lead, Boston scores 1 in the 4th and 4 in the 5th to take the lead as the Red Sox go on to win 6-4. The player of the game was Boston's Gary Geiger, who went 2-4 with a homer and 2 ribbies.

Tony C went 0 for 4 as he starts off the week with a 2-10 slump.

Manager's Notes: Monbo just didn't have it today but Morehead came in and pitched great. Unfortunately for him, however, the GM came in and told me that Dave Morehead was being sent down to triple A and that he was bringing up 3b Bob Aspromonte.

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4/23/64 - Game #9: Boston (Connolly) @ Baltimore (Pappas)

Line Score
Boston 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 - 5 11 2
Baltimore 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 2 - 7 14 0

WP - Starrette (1-0)
LP - Grant (0-1)
HR - Boston: Conigliaro (2), Mantilla (1). Baltimore: Saverine (1).

Saverine drove in the tying run in the eighth with a double then hit a 2-run walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th to give Baltimore a 7-5 win, snapping Boston's two game winning streak.

Tony C went 2 for 4 with a double and a home run and drove in 2 runs. He also was hit by a pitch, the second time this season. The homer led off the 8th inning to tie the game.

Manager's Notes: Bob Aspromonte started the game at 3b for us and quickly started contributing as he drove in the run to break the 4-4 tie in the eighth to give us a short lived 5-4 lead.

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4/24/64 - Game #10: Boston (Cuellar) @ Chicago (O'Dell)

Line Score
Boston 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 - 1 6 0
Chicago 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 x - 2 4 0

WP - O'Dell (1-0)
LP - Lamabe (0-3)
HR - Chicago: Ward (1)

Eddie Bressoud gave Boston the lead before Pete Ward hit a 2-run homer in the bottom of the 8th that proved to be the winning runs as the White Sox defeated the Red Sox, 2-1. Chicago's Billy O'Dell was the player of the game as he went the distance and scattered 6 hits.

Tony C was given the day off but came on to pinch hit in the 8th inning and struck out.

Manager's Notes: Although he was scheduled to start for us in game 2, I brought in Jack Lamabe to pitch in the 8th. He gave up the 2-run bomb by Ward that lost us the lead.

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4/25/64 - Game #11: Boston (Lamabe) @ Chicago (Buzhardt)

Line Score
Boston 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 - 2 8 0
Chicago 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 x - 4 7 1

WP - Buzhardt (1-1)
LP - Lamabe (0-4)
HR - Chicago: F.Robinson (1), T.Gonzalez (1).

Tony Gonzalez hit a solo homer in the bottom of the fifth to break a 1-1 tie as the pale hose made it two in a row over the Red Sox, 4-2. John Buzhardt went the distance, scattering 8 hits, and was named the player of the game.

Tony C went 2 for 3, a double and a single, and also was hit by a pitch for the third time this week. Conig also gunned down Ron Fairly at the plate in the 8th inning, his first assist of the season.

Manager's Notes: Another game, another one or more gopher balls thrown by Lamabe. Otherwise, he pitched pretty good. Tony C crowds the plate when he bats. I hope that the HBPs don't become a habit. Chuck Schilling stole second in the first inning. This is our first stolen base this season and was our first attempt. A running team we certainly are not.

Other MLB News
Baltimore's Steve Barber threw a 5-hit shutout against New York.

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4/26/64 - Game #11: Boston (Grant) @ Chicago (Pizarro)

Line Score
Boston 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 4 2
Chicago 3 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 x - 4 5 0

WP - Pizarro (1-2)
LP - Grant (0-2)
HR - none

Juan Pizarro allowed only four hits as he shut down and out the Red Sox, 4-0, as the White Sox swept the series. Pizarro also struck out ten and was named the player of the game.

Tony C went 1-3, a single, with a walk.

Manager's Notes: Chicago's got some kinda pitching staff as they totally shut us down. This loss now makes it four in a row and we are now 5-7.

Other MLB News
Baltimore's Dave McNally blanked the Yankees, allowing only 4 hits.
Cleveland's Tommy John strained a bicep muscle and will be placed on the 15-day DL.



Conig's Corner
Tony C finished the week batting .333 (7 for 21) with two doubles and a home run. He is now batting .375 (15 for 40) with two homers and 5 RBIs.

Major League Standings 
as of April 26, 1964

AL            W   L   PCT  GB     NL              W   L   PCT  GB
Baltimore     7   3  .700  --     Los Angeles     8   4  .667  --
Minnesota     7   4  .636   0.5   Pittsburgh      8   4  .667  --
Kansas City   6   4  .600   1     San Francisco   8   4  .667  --
Chicago       5   5  .500   2     Houston         6   6  .500   2
Detroit       5   5  .500   2     Philadelphia    6   6  .500   2
Los Angeles   6   6  .500   2     Cincinnati      6   7  .462   2.5
Boston        5   7  .417   3     Chicago         5   6  .455   2.5
Washington    5   7  .417   3     St.Louis        5   7  .417   3
New York      4   6  .400   3     New York        5   8  .385   3.5
Cleveland     4   7  .364   3.5   Milwaukee       3   8  .273   4.5

[MrHaroldG]

Originally Posted by Scottiedog

captaincarl yep that's the pic. Makes your stomach ache some...can't believe someone could ever attempt to play after that. I really don't think I could ever get back onto the batters box again.

And, really a lot of guys fall into the "little cocky and brash on the field" thing LOL.

And what about Jack Hamilton, the pitcher who beaned Conigliaro? The beaning affected him psychologically - he never again pitched inside for fear of seriously injuring another hitter. Consequently, his K/IP plummeted, his OBA rose, and his ERA soared. He was out of baseball after the 1969 season—two years after the beaning.