Dave Kingman Career Redux

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Jack Clark left his imprint on the 14-4 San Francisco win against the New York Mets. Clark, who leads the NL in RBI with 25, went 3-4 with a double, 2 singles, and a walk. He scored 3 times and drove in 4. With the loss, New York drops to 18-10.

The tide might have turned with two out in the top of the fifth, had not John Montefusco made a big pitch. With runners on 1st and 2nd and the Mets trailing 4-2, he retired slugger Dave Kingman, who popped out. Kingman had homered in the game earlier off RHP John Montefusco.

TOP OF THE 4TH
Count: 1-0
SOLO HOME RUN (Flyball, 7D), Distance : 377 ft

Season HR #7 - Career HR #197

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Cincinnati right-hander Paul Moskau made an effective start against the New York Mets at Riverfront Stadium, leading his team to a 6-3 win. Cincinnati has now won 6 straight.

Ed Armbrister aided the Cincinnati cause with a run-scoring single in the bottom of the sixth. For the game, the pinch hitter went 1-1.

"We played hard and won," said Moskau. "Sometimes, baseball really is that easy."

Kingman homered off RHP Rawly Eastwick.

TOP OF THE 7TH
Count: 0-0
SOLO HOME RUN (Flyball, 9D), Distance : 364 ft

Season HR #8 - Career HR #198

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It was a fun time at Veterans Stadium, where the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies tangled.

Philadelphia left fielder Greg Luzinski made his presence felt in the 6-5 Phillies triumph over the New York Mets. Luzinski went 2 for 4 with a home run, while adding 3 RBI and scoring once. The win was credited to Manny Seoane in relief. His record improves to 1-0. Rick Baldwin took the loss.

Luzinski was 2 for 4 with a home run. He drove in 3 runs and scored once against the Mets. With the game tied in the bottom of the seventh inning, he hit a run-scoring single that scored 1 and put Philadelphia in front, 6-5.

Luzinski expressed little emotion after the game. "Every game we win now," he said, "is one less win we'll need to get in the end."

The Phillies improve their record to 19-25 with the win over New York.

Kingman homered off LHP Randy Lerch.

TOP OF THE 3RD
Count: 1-1
2-RUN HOME RUN (Flyball, 7LD), Distance : 359 ft

Season HR #9 - Career HR #199

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The New York Mets handed the Montreal Expos a loss at Shea Stadium. The final score was 6-2. Dave Kingman was named player of the game for New York. In addition to his 1 single and 2 home runs, he scored 2 runs and drove in 5. New York leads the NL East Division by 2½ games.

Kingman contributed a big hit, a 2-run home run, for New York in the bottom of the first. With his team trailing 1-0, Kingman took a fastball from RHP Don Stanhouse and stroked the home run to right-center. His 10th home run of the season, and in his 200th career, allowed the Mets to leap in front, 2-1. Kingman later hit a 3-run bomb off LHP Will McEnaney.

"We'll enjoy this win," said Kingman. "But there's more we hope to accomplish."

BOTTOM OF THE 1ST
Count: 0-0
2-RUN HOME RUN (Flyball, 89XD), Distance : 386 ft

BOTTOM OF THE 7TH
Count: 1-2
3-RUN HOME RUN (Flyball, 89XD), Distance : 390 ft

Season HR #10 and #11 - Career HR #200 and #201

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The New York Mets bested the Montreal Expos 6-0 today behind the 5-hit pitching of left-hander Jon Matlack. The New York hurler had 6 strikeouts and no walks in going the distance.

"Pitching 9 innings is never easy, but it's rewarding on a day like today," Matlack said.

For the season Matlack has compiled a 6-2 record with a 2.88 ERA. He got all the offense he needed from slugger Dave Kingman's 3-run blast off LHP Dan Warthen.

TOP OF THE 5TH
Count: 2-1
3-RUN HOME RUN (Flyball, 89XD), Distance : 409 ft

Season HR #12 - Career HR #202

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It was a good time at Shea Stadium, where fans came to watch the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets get after it.

Dave Kingman had a 5-RBI game, during New York's 7-2 triumph over the Philadelphia. Kingman contributed 1 single and 1 home run to the cause. New York starter Jon Matlack was credited with the win after throwing 94 pitches over 7.1 innings. His record now stands at 7-2. Bob Apodaca converted his 11th save in 13 tries.

Kingman's homer was a Grand Slam off RHP Warren Brusstar.

"Feels good to get the job done," Kingman said after the game.

The Mets bumped their record to 29-26 with this latest triumph.

BOTTOM OF THE 8TH
Count: 1-2
GRAND SLAM HOME RUN (Flyball, 7LD), Distance : 370 ft

Season HR #13 - Career HR #203

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The New York Mets defeated the Atlanta Braves, 12-6, in NL action at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, with New York third baseman Joe Torre named player of the game. The Mets bumped their record to 34-30 with this latest triumph.

Torre had a big at-bat with runners on 2nd and 3rd in the top of the first inning, when he hit a 2-run double. The Mets went on to win.

"We'll put this win in our pocket and go after the next one," said Torre.

Kignman homered off reliever LHP Jamie Easterly.

TOP OF THE 8TH
Count: 1-1
SOLO HOME RUN (Flyball, 9D), Distance : 371 ft

Season HR #14 - Career HR #204

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The Atlanta Braves topped the New York Mets, 8-3, in NL action at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. The player of the game was Atlanta center fielder Rowland Office. The Braves bumped their record to 35-27 with this latest triumph.

Office had a big at-bat with a runner on 2nd in the bottom of the first inning, when he hit a 2-run home run. The Braves went on to win.

"Baseball is about momentum," said Office, "and we feel we've got it in our favor after that win."

Kingman took Braves pitcher RHP Frank LaCorte deep.

TOP OF THE 6TH
Count: 1-1
2-RUN HOME RUN (Flyball, 78XD), Distance : 413 ft

Season HR #15 - Career HR #205

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In one of the blockbuster trades in baseball history, the New York Nlets sent Tom Seaver to the world champion Cincinnati Reds last night for four players of far less magnitude.

Seaver, the premier pitcher in baseball for the last decade, was traded after 14 months of public feuding with the chairman of the team'team hoard of directors, NT. Donald Grant.

But he also was traded after 11 years as a public favorite on the national sports scene, and the return value was surprisingly low: The Mets received Pat Zachry, a pitcher now in his second season in the major leagues; Doug Flynn, a utility infielder, and two minor league outfielders, Steve Henderson and Dan Norman.

Not only that, but the directors of the Mets did not stop there in breaking up their last‐place team as the annual deadline for trading players arrived. They sent the leading home‐run hiller on the club, Dave Kingman, to the San Diego Padres at midnight for Bobby Valentine, a utility infielder, and Paul Siebert, a pitcher fresh from the minors.

Then, having divested themselves of their two ranking “contract problems,” Seaver and Kingman, the Mets swung yet another midnight deal: Mike Phillips to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for Joel Youngblood, a reserve outfielder. Phillips was not a contract problem, but he was a utility infielder —and the Mets apparently were getting crowded with them.

The Mets’ most stunning move in the flurry of trades, sending Seaver to the Reds, was announced simultaneously in three cities: in New York, where the hoard of directors met to approve the deal “with sincere regret,” and in Atlanta, where the Mets were defeating the Braves while Seaver was flying home, and in Cincinnati, where the Reds were beating the Philadelphia Phillies.

Before it could be announced, though Seaver and his antagonists in the front office went through a series of longdistance telephone conversations that poured even more melodrama into their vendetta. Because of his seniority, the 32‐year‐old pitcher held a veto over any trade. And on Tuesday night, he apparently cast his veto during a call to Joe McDonald, the general manager.

In their “other” blockbuster of the night, the Mets finally unloaded Kingman, his big bat and his unsigned contract. The 28‐year‐old outfielder led the major leagues in homers and RBI last year, but he refused to sign his contract this season in another running battle with Grant. The Mets offered him $200,000; he demanded five‐year package for about $2 million.

He then said he would play out his option and would offer himself as free agent at the end of the season. He was the Mets’ only established power hitter.

https://www.nytimes.com/1977/06/16/a...two-minor.html

Lightly edited for fictional replay

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So the AI executed the IRL trade to the Padres, but no way would this have happened in the fuctional replay. In the replay, the Mets are 1/2 game out of first place, and Kingman is leading the NL in homers and 2nd in RBI, despite hitting .225 at the moment.



This just doesn't look right, plus the Padres AI skipper wants to play him at 3B (despite his 1 defensive rating).

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Starting pitcher Pete Broberg pitched well enough to help the Chicago Cubs beat the San Diego Padres by the score of 9-3. The losses continue to mount for San Diego, which has now dropped 7 in a row.

Bill Buckner, who is tied for 9th in the NL in total bases with 117, aided the Chicago cause with a 2-run double in the top of the fourth. For the game, the center fielder went 2-5 with a double and a walk, while adding 2 RBI and scoring once.

"We're in a funk and we need to shake ourselves out of it," said San Diego manager .

Newly acquired slugger Dave Kingman homered in his first game with the Padres, taking Cubs' RHP Pete Broberg deep.

BOTTOM OF THE 4TH
Count: 0-1
2-RUN HOME RUN (Line Drive, 78XD), Distance : 405 ft

Season HR #16 - Career HR #206

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Spirited fans at Jack Murphy Stadium greeted the San Diego Padres for their clash with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Pittsburgh Pirates got a stellar performance from pitcher Larry Demery, who handcuffed the San Diego offense en route to a 6-1 win at Jack Murphy Stadium. Pittsburgh is now 27-39, San Diego 35-38.

Mike Easler, who is tied for 5th in the NL in doubles with 18, aided the Pittsburgh cause with a 2-run single in the top of the fifth. For the game, the left fielder was 2-4 with 2 singles and a walk. He drove in 2 runs.

"I just try to see the ball and put a good swing on it," said Easler

Kingman hit a solo shot off RHP Larry Demery.

BOTTOM OF THE 9TH
Count: 2-1
SOLO HOME RUN (Flyball, 9D), Distance : 372 ft

Season HR #17 - Career HR #207

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Benefiting from Willie Montanez's productive game, the Atlanta Braves downed the San Diego Padres, 9-6. Montanez went 2 for 4 with 2 doubles and a walk. He scored 2 times and drove in 2 for the Braves. Andy Messersmith was the winning pitcher. Over 7.1 innings, he allowed 6 runs on 9 hits, with 7 walks and 6 strikeouts. The Braves bumped their record to 41-28 with this latest triumph.

Montanez had a game-changing double in the bottom of the seventh. On a 1-2 slider from John D'Acquisto, he banged a run-scoring double to center, giving the Braves a 6-5 lead. It was the 19th double of the year for Montanez.

"It feels good to get this one," Montanez told the Atlanta Today.

Kingman homered off RHP Andy Messersmith.

TOP OF THE 5TH
Count: 1-1
SOLO HOME RUN (Flyball, 7LD), Distance : 380 ft

Season HR #18 - Career HR #208

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Atlanta and San Diego duked it out at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium and the Braves came out victorious.

Atlanta right-hander Dick Ruthven made an effective start against the San Diego Padres at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, leading his team to a 5-3 win. At 42-28, the Braves find themselves in third place in the NL West Division.

Rod Gilbreath's at-bat in the bottom of the seventh inning was a big one for Atlanta. Coming to bat with two out, runners on 2nd and 3rd and Atlanta leading 3-0, the second baseman reached on an error by the left fielder, driving in 2 runs.

"I just tried to attack the bottom of the zone," Ruthven said.

Kingman went 3 for 4 with a homer off RHP Dick Ruthven. It was his 4th homer as a Padre, and he is batting .406 since the trade.

TOP OF THE 9TH
Count: 1-1
SOLO HOME RUN (Flyball, 7D), Distance : 381 ft

Season HR #19 - Career HR #209

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The Houston Astros racked up a win at Astrodome, bumping off the San Diego Padres, 3-2. Doug Konieczny, who started for Houston, pitched effectively for his team. The losing streak for San Diego has now reached 4 games.

Houston took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the seventh inning. With no one out, pinch hitter Leon Roberts hit a solo home run that set the crowd abuzz.

"This level of focus will win us a lot of ballgames," RHP Konieczny said after the game. My only mistake was that hanger to Kingman.

TOP OF THE 4TH
Count: 1-2
2-RUN HOME RUN (Flyball, 7LD), Distance : 352 ft

Season HR #20 - Career HR #210

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San Diego right-hander John D'Acquisto made an effective start against the Houston Astros at Jack Murphy Stadium, leading his team to a 8-4 win. San Diego is now 39-45, Houston 30-50.

Dave Kingman was 1 for 3 with a home run off RHP J R Richard and a walk. He drove in 3 runs and scored once for San Diego. The 28-year old third baseman had a key at-bat in the bottom of the second. With two out and the bases loaded, he broke a 3-3 tie with a run-scoring walk off J R Richard. It was his 5th walk of the season.

"Nice to put this one in the win column," said D'Acquisto.

BOTTOM OF THE 1ST
Count: 3-2
2-RUN HOME RUN (Line Drive, 7LD), Distance : 373 ft

Season HR #21 - Career HR #211

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The San Francisco Giants went down to defeat to Bob Shirley and his San Diego teammates. The final score was 5-2 in favor of the Padres. The Padres move to 40-52 with the win, while the Giants drop to 52-36.

Early in the game, third baseman Dave Kingman had a 2-run home run off LHP John Curtis for San Diego. It was his 7th home run as a Padres and put the Padres on top, 2-0.

"It's nice to come out on top today," said Kingman.

BOTTOM OF THE 1ST
Count: 1-2
2-RUN HOME RUN (Flyball, 9D), Distance : 386 ft

Season HR #22 - Career HR #212

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Despite 22 HR and 64 RBI at the break...both Top 5 in the NL.

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The San Diego Padres defeated the Philadelphia Phillies, 5-4. Earning player of the game honors was center fielder Bake McBride, who was 3-5 with a double and 2 singles. He scored 2 runs. Brent Strom picked up the win in relief, improving his record to 5-4. Gene Garber was tagged with the loss. The Phillies, at 45-52, have lost 4 in a row.

Pedro Garcia was the walk-off hero for San Diego. With the game tied in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Padres second baseman hit a dramatic run-scoring single to send the teams home.

"It's great to get the crowd pumped up," Garcia said.

Kingman homered off RHP Jim Lonborg.

BOTTOM OF THE 3RD
Count: 2-1
SOLO HOME RUN (Flyball, 78XD), Distance : 387 ft

Season HR #23 - Career HR #213

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San Diego beat Montreal on the strength of starter John D'Acquisto's fine effort. The right-hander led his team to a 3-0 win. In 7.1 innings, D'Acquisto surrendered 7 hits, while striking out 4 and walking 4. He allowed no runs. Rollie Fingers converted his 21st save in 31 tries.

Bill Almon, who is tied for 2nd in the NL in stolen bases with 37, chipped in for San Diego with a 2-run home run in the bottom of the seventh. For the game, the shortstop had 2 hits in 4 at-bats with 1 home run, 1 single, 1 run scored, and 2 runs batted in.

"I tried to mix it up, keep them off balance," said D'Acquisto.

The Padres have now won 4 straight. Dave Kingman homered off RHP Don Stanhouse.

BOTTOM OF THE 4TH
Count: 1-2
SOLO HOME RUN (Flyball, 7LD), Distance : 384 ft

Season HR #24 - Career HR #214