This Week in Baseball 1969

[Big T]

July 14th-July 21st, 1969


This Weeks Top Performers

Chicago White Sox SP Tommy John allowed 5 hits and struck out 5 in a complete game 8-1 win over the Twins. The 26 year old is now 15-3 with a 2.16 ERA in 22 starts. John was signed by the Cleveland Indians in June 1961 as an amateur free agent. He was traded to the White Sox in January 1965 along with Tommie Agee in a 3 team deal that included as well the Kansas City Athletics.

Los Angeles Dodgers SP Don Sutton allowed 4 hits and struck out 6 over 7.1 innings in a 5-0 win over the Astros. The 24 year old is now 12-4 with a 2.12 ERA in 24 starts. Sutton was signed as an amateur free agent in September 1964.

Pittsburgh Pirates LF Willie Stargell was 4 for 6 with 2 HRs and 7 RBIs in a 14-9 win over the Expos. The 29 year old is hitting .298 with 15 HRs and 56 RBIs in 87 games. The Pirates signed Stargell as an amateur free agent in August 1958.

Baltimore Orioles SP Dave McNally allowed 5 hits and struck out 4 over a complete game 5-2 win over the Indians. The 26 year old is now 13-3 with a 2.18 ERA in 24 starts. The Orioles signed McNally as an amateur free agent in September 1960.

New York Yankees SP Fritz Peterson allowed 3 hits and struck out 2 in a complete game 1-0 win over the Senators. The 27 year old is now 16-4 with a 1.73 ERA in 23 starts. The Yankees signed Peterson as an amateur free agent before the 1963 season.

Detroit Tigers LF Willie Horton was named the AL Player of the Week. The 26 year old is hitting .299 with 12 HRs and 43 RBIs in 87 games. The Tigers signed Horton as an amateur free agent in August 1961.

Houston Astros CF Jim Wynn was named the NL Player of the Week. The 27 year old is now hitting .260 with 19 HRs and 55 RBIs in 96 games. Wynn was originally signed by the Reds as an amateur free agent before the 1962 season, but was later drafted by the Houston Colt 45's.

This Weeks Major Transactions

Oakland Athletics SP Jim Nash will miss up to 4 months with an injury. The 24 year old is now 7-4 with 1 save, a 2.60 ERA in 16 starts. Nash was on the cover of Sports Illustrated in March of 1967 along with up and coming pitchers Catfish Hunter and Blue Moon Odom. Nash failed to live up to the hype.

Cincinnati Reds 2B Tommy Helms will miss up to 3 weeks. The 28 year old is hitting .273 with 0 HRs and 24 RBIs in 87 games. In 1967 Helms displaced then 2B Pete Rose to LF as the Reds shuffled the infield to make room for 3B Tony Perez. Helms later would be traded to the Astros in a deal that would bring Joe Morgan and Jack Billingham to the Reds in 1971.

[Big T]

The 1969 All Star Rosters


The Rosters have been announced for the 1969 MLB All Star game scheduled for Washington, DC.

[Big T]

July 21st- July 28th, 1969


This Weeks Top Performers

Atlanta Braves RF Hank Aaron was named the 1969 All Star MVP in a 9-0 National League win over the American League. The 35 year old was 1 for 1 with a HR and 3 RBIs in the game. Aaron is now hitting .287 with 17 HRs and 47 RBIs in 98 games. For his career, Aaron is hitting .313 with 527 HRs and 1674 RBIs in 2377 games.

Cincinnati Reds 3B Tony Perez 2 for 5 with a triple and RBI in a 9-0 NL win over the AL in the 1969 All Star Game. The 27 year old is now hitting .297 with 23 HRs and 69 RBIs in 94 games. For his career, Perez is hitting .279 with 83 HRs and 350 RBIs in 625 games.

Houston Astros LF Jim Wynn was 1 for 4 with 2 RBIs in a 9-0 NL win over the AL in the 1969 All Star Game. The 27 year old is hitting .256 with 19 HRs and 55 RBIs in 99 games. For his career, Wynn is hitting .257 with 131 HRs and 409 RBIs in 812 games.

Chicago Cubs SP Fergie Jenkins allowed 6 hits and struck out 6 in a 2-0 complete game win over the Dodgers. The 26 year old is now 13-7 with a 2.65 ERA in 27 starts. For his career, Jenkins is 61-44 with 6 saves, a 2.80 ERA in 173 games including 117 starts.

Los Angeles Dodgers SP Bill Singer allowed 5 hits and struck out 8 in a complete game 5-1 win over the Cubs. The 25 year old is now 15-3 with a 1.45 ERA in 24 starts. For his career, Singer is 40-29 with a 2.38 ERA in 100 games including 91 starts.

Washington Senators SP Dick Bosman allowed 6 hits and struck out 5 over a complete game 4-2 win over the Athletics. The 25 year old is now 10-3 with 1 save, a 2.45 ERA in 20 games and 13 starts. For his career, Bosman is 17-19 with 2 saves, a 3.45 ERA in 86 games including 37 starts.

Minnesota Twins 2B Rod Carew was named the AL Player of the Week. The 23 year old is now hitting .311 with 4 HRs and 35 RBIs in 93 games. For his career, Carew is hitting .290 with 13 HRs and 128 RBIs in 357 games.

Houston Astros SS Denis Menke was named the NL Player of the Week. The 29 year old is not hitting . 294 with 8 HRs and 53 RBIs in 99 games. For his career, Menke is hitting .252 with 73 HRs and 357 RBIs in 934 games.

This Weeks Major Transactions

Los Angeles Dodgers will be without 1B Wes Parker for about 2 weeks due to an injury. The 29 year old is now hitting .339 with 6 HRs and 50 RBIs in 92 games. The slick fielding Parker won World Series rings with the Dodgers in 1965 and 1966. In real life, Parker is not eligible for the Hall of Fame as he played in just 9 out of the 10 seasons that are required.

The Washington Senators acquired 2B Zoilo Versalles as they purchased his contract from the Cleveland Indians. The 29 year old was hitting .247 with 0 HRs and 12 RBIs in 72 games with the Indians. The Cuban born Versalles played on the Twins 1966 team that lost to the Dodgers in the World Series. More the batsman then a glovesman, "Zorro" had 5 errors at SS in a double header in 1963. Versalles won the AL MVP in 1965 while with the Twins. With his trade to the Senators, Versalles was one of nine players that played for the original and expansion Senators.

[Big T]

July 28th- August 3rd, 1969


This Weeks Top Performers

San Francisco Giants SP Juan Marichal allowed 8 hits and struck out 5 in a 2-1 loss to the Cubs. The 31 year old is now 12-5 with a 2.42 ERA in 23 starts. Last year, Marichal was 26-9 with a 2.43 ERA in 38 starts for the Giants. He led the NL with 26 wins and 326 IP's in 1968.

New York Yankees SP Fritz Peterson allowed 5 hits and struck out 3 in a complete game 2-0 win over the Athletics. The 27 year old is now 18-4 with a 1.59 ERA in 25 starts. Last year, Peterson was 12-11 with a 2.63 ERA in 36 games including 27 starts for the Yankees. In 1968 he led the AL with a 1.2 BB/9 rating. Along with the rest of his performance in July, Peterson snagged the AL Pitcher of the Month for July.

Washington Senators SP Dick Bosman allowed 3 hits and struck out 4 in a complete game 4-0 win over the Angels. The 25 year old is now 11-3 with 1 save, a 2.27 ERA in 21 games including 14 starts. Bosman was 2-9 with 1 save and a 3.69 ERA in 46 games including 10 starts last year for the Senators.

Chicago White Sox 3B Bill Melton was 3 for 4 with a HR and 3 RBIs in a 5-4 win over the Tigers. The 24 year old is now hitting .291 with 24 HRs and 75 RBIs in 105 games. Last year Melton hit .266 with 2 HRs and 16 RBIs in 34 games for the White Sox.

Boston Red Sox CF Reggie Smith was 3 for 8 with a HR and 2 RBIs in a double header sweep of the Athletics. The 24 year old is now hitting .319 with 18 HRs and 72 RBIs in 107 games. Last year, Smith hit .265 with 15 HRs and 69 RBIs in 155 games for the Red Sox while leading the AL with 37 doubles. Smith went on to be named the AL Player of the Month for July.

Cincinnati Reds 3B Tony Perez was named the NL Player of the Month. The 27 year old is hitting .295 with 24 HRs and 74 RBIs in 100 games. Last year Perez hit .282 with 18 HRs and 92 RBIs in 160 games for the Reds.

Atlanta Braves SP Pat Jarvis was named the NL Pitcher of the Month for July. The 28 year old is 13-7 with a 2.36 ERA in 24 games including 22 starts. Last year Jarvis was 16-12 with a 2.60 ERA in 34 starts for the Braves.

New York Yankees SP Bill Burbach was named the AL Rookie of the Month for July. The 21 year old is 9-5 with a 3.20 ERA in 18 starts. Burbach is a huge 6'4" frame 1st round pick in the 1965 draft by the Yankees. Unfortunately for Burbach, in real life his only real good season was 1969 as after that he was limited to just 20 innings over 1970-71 before ending up in the minors.... and never to be heard from again.

Los Angeles Dodgers 2B Ted Sizemore was named the NL's Rookie of the Month for July. The 24 year old is hitting .301 with 2 HRs and 37 RBIs in 102 games. In real life, Sizemore won the NL Rookie of the Year award for 1969. Drafted as a catcher in 1966, he became an outfielder to get a few more at bats as the Dodgers organization was impressed with his first professional season in the minors. Eventually out of need for infielders, and the departure of Zoilo Versalles in the expansion draft, a shift to middle infield in 1969.

Cleveland Indians RF Ken Harrelson was named the AL Player of the Week. The 27 year old is hitting .249 with 27 HRs and 77 RBIs in 109 games with the Indians (99) and Red Sox (10). Last year Harrelson hit .275 with 35 HRs and a AL leading 109 RBIs in 150 games for the Red Sox.

Cincinnati Reds C Johnny Bench was named the NL Player of the Week. The 21 year old is hitting .287 with 20 HRs and 49 RBIs in 91 games. Last year Bench hit .275 with 15 HRs and 82 RBIs in 154 games for the Reds.

This Weeks Major Transactions

The Seattle Pilots have purchased the contract of SP George Brunet from the California Angels. The 34 year old is 5-10 with a 3.55 ERA in 17 starts for the Angels. Last season, Brunet was 13-17 with a 2.86 ERA in 39 games including 36 starts for the Angels. Last year Brunet led the AL with 17 losses. He had 19 losses in 1967 which also led the AL, despite having a 3.31 ERA and 2.86 ERA's in those seasons. In Jim Bouton's book "Ball Four", Bouton referred that Brunet will fit in with the Pilots roster of crazy's, as Brunet admitted he did not wear underwear in fear he would lose them.

[Big T]

MLB Leaders by OPS (Min 363 PA)


MLB Leaders by ERA (Min 107 IP)


Facts..... and more Facts

The 1969 MLB Pennant Races in Real Life.

The 1969 season was the first year in Major league history that the two leagues had divisions. The first round was now a League Championship Series to determine the eventual World Series combatants.

The NL East
The Cubs won 35 of their first 50 games to start the season and by mid August led the Mets and Cardinals by 9 games. The Mets won 37 of their last 48 games while the Cubs were 20-28 over the same period. The Mets won the pennant by 8 games. Well the Miracle Mets are going to need more than a miracle, they will need a "commissioner mode"intervention to win the pennant and go on to a World Series championship. The Mets would have to go 56-4 to match their real life record. In real life the Mets were 58-44 on this date, we don't have to take a look much farther then SP Tom Seaver's season. Seaver was 25-7 with a 2.21 ERA in 35 starts in real life in 1969, in the sim he is 6-12 with a 3.04 ERA in 23 starts so far. At the plate, Cleon Jones is hitting in the sim .324 with 4 HRs and 45 RBIs with an .814 OPS. In real life he was 340 with 12 HRs and 75 RBIs and a .904 OPS.

The NL West
With 3 weeks to play, 5 teams were all within 2 games of each other. With 2 weeks to play, the Giants led the Dodgers and Braves by 1/2 game with the Reds just 2 back. The Dodgers then lost 8 in a row to fall to 4th place. The Brave won 10 in a row and clinched the pennant on the 2nd last day of the season. In the sim its certainly not a 5 team race, but definitely a 3 team race. The Braves who won the NL West are currently tied with the Dodgers, so this looks like it could be tight race like in real life.

The AL East
In the AL East, the Orioles took the division in a landslide 19 game lead over the defending World Champions, the Detroit Tigers. The Senators were a pleasant surprise as the finished with 86 wins and their first winning season since joining the league in 1961. The Orioles are within striking distance of the Yankees, but I doubt it will be the blowout that happened in real life. The Yankees were just 52-56 on August 4th of the 1969, they are 20 games better in the sim mostly because of the exploits of SP Fritz Peterson. In real life Peterson was 17-16 with a 2.55 ERA in 37 starts. In real life the Orioles won 109 games, they would have to finish 44-12 to match that record

The AL West
The Twins led the divisions most of the season and won the pennant by 9 games over the Athletics. In the sim the race is quite close, on August 4th of 1969 in real life the Athletics were 61-42 while the Twins were 67-41.

[Big T]

August 4th- August 10th, 1969


This Weeks Top Performers

Cincinnati Reds 3B Tony Perez was 3 for 7 with 2 HRs and 4 RBIs in a doubleheader split with the Mets. The 27 year old is hitting .307 with 26 HRs and 82 RBIs in 107 games. Perez is now a 3-time NL All Star. (1967, 1968, 1969)

Atlanta Braves SP Pat Jarvis allowed 5 hits and struck out 6 in a complete game 1-0 win over the Expos. The 28 year old is now 14-8 with a 2.50 ERA in 26 games including 24 starts. Jarvis No-Hit the Padres on July 11th, 1969.

St Louis Cardinals SP Bob Gibson allowed 3 hits and struck out 7 over 8.1 innings in a 2-1 loss to the Padres. The 33 year old is now 13-4 with a 1.59 ERA in 24 starts. Gibson is a Cy Young Award Winner (1968 NL), a MVP Winner (1968 NL) 4-time Gold Glover and 2-time World Series MVP (1964, 1967)

San Francisco Giants SP Juan Marichal allowed 6 hits and struck out 10 over a complete game 3-0 win over the Phillies. The 31 year old is now 13-5 with a 2.27 ERA in 25 starts. Marichal is an 8-time All Star.

Baltimore Orioles SP Dave McNally allowed 2 hits and struck out 6 over a complete game 2-0 win over the Royals. The 26 year old is now 14-4 with a 2.20 ERA in 28 starts. McNally was an AL All Star for the 1st time this season.

Washington Senators LF Frank Howard was 2 for 3 with 2 HRs and 5 RBIs in a 6-2 win over the Pilots. The 33 year old Howard is now hitting .279 with 30 HRs and 74 RBIs in 115 games. Howard was the 1960 NL Rookie of the Year and 2-time AL All Star (1968, 1969)

Oakland Athletics RF Reggie Jackson was 4 for 8 with 2 HRs and 3 RBIs in a split of a doubleheader with the Yankees. The 23 year old is now hitting .286 with 28 HRs and 64 RBIs in 110 games. Jackson was an AL All Star for the 1st time in his career in 1969.

Houston Astros SP Larry Dierker allowed 6 hits and struck out 7 in a complete game 2-0 win over the Expos. The 22 year old is now 13-9 with a 2.24 ERA in 26 games including 25 starts. Dierker had a No Hitter against the Phillies on May 7th, 1969

Cleveland Indians RF Ken Harrelson has extended his hitting streak to 20 games in a 5-4 win over the Athletics. The 27 year old is now hitting .249 with 28 HRs and 80 RBIs in 117 games with the Red Sox (10) and Indians (107). Harrelson was an AL All Star in 1968. Harrelson had his hitting streak snapped at 21 games by the Athletics in a 4-1 loss.

Pittsburgh Pirates RF Roberto Clemente collected his 2500th hit in a 6-2 win over the Padres. The 34 year old is now hitting .315 with 12 HRs and 45 RBIs in 103 games. Clemente has played his whole career with the Pirates which started in 1955. For his career he has 196 HRs and 1053 RBIs in 2056 MLB games, he is a career .312 hitter. Clemente won the 1966 NL MVP Award, is an 8 time Gold Glover and an 8-time All Star. A few weeks ago Clemente had a walk off GRAND SLAM against the Dodgers.

Minnesota Twins RF Tony Oliva was named the AL Player of the Week. The 31 year old is hitting .354 with 14 HRs and 68 RBIs in 112 games. Oliva was the 1964 AL Rookie of the Year, 1966 AL Gold Glover and a 6-time All Star.

Cincinnati Reds C Johnny Bench was named the NL Player of the Week. The 21 year old is now hitting .299 with 24 HRs and 60 RBIs in 98 games. Bench was the 1968 NL Rookie of the Year, 1968 NL Gold Glover and 1968 NL All Star.

This Weeks Major Transactions

The Seattle Pilots will be without the services of RF Mike Hegan for 2 weeks. The 27 year old is hitting .315 with 10 HRs and 35 RBIs in 97 games. Hegan in real life hit the Pilots 1st ever HR on April 8th, 1969. Also in real life, Hegan had an error less streak as a 1B for a total of 178 games. It was an AL record until broken by Kevin Youkilis in September 2007. When Hegan retired, he spent 12 years as a TV colour commentator for the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Detroit Tigers have traded RP Don McMahon to the San Francisco Giants for a player to be named later. The 39 year old is 7-6 with 14 saves and a 4.24 ERA in 47 games. McMahon was a 1958 NL All Star. In real life, McMahon was used exclusively as a relief pitcher, in 874 games he had 2 starts. Over his career that spanned from 1957-1974, McMahon never spend any time on the DL. He won 2 World Series rings (1957 with the Milwaukee Braves and 1968 with the Detroit Tigers)

The Chicago Cubs purchased the contract of Ken Johnson from the New York Yankees. Johnson's contract was purchased earlier this season by the Yankees from the Atlanta Braves. The 36 year old is 3-3 with a 2.85 ERA in 14 games with the Braves (7) and Yankees (7) including 6 starts. Johnson was a natural left hander but became right handed because a left handed glove was the only one his dad could find for him. As mentioned earlier, Johnson is the only MLB pitcher ever to lose a complete game no hitter, 1-0 to the Reds as a result of 2 errors (one belonging to Johnson himself)

The Los Angeles Dodgers have released SP Don Drysdale. The 33 year old is now 5-4 with a 4.45 ERA in 12 starts. Drysdale is leaving the game because of an torn rotator cuff in his pitching shoulder. Drysdale was the 1962 AL Cy Young Award winner. He is also a 8-time All Star. Know for his aggressive inside pitching to keep batters off balance, Drysdale once said "Why use four pitches to put someone on base intentionally when I can do it with one". He was also an excellent hitting pitcher, in real life he had 29 career HRs and was often used as an pinch hitter. Drysdale holds the current record in the NL for hit batsman at 154. For his career (SIM) Drysdale is 107-170 with 6 saves, a 2.97 ERA in 521 games including 465 starts.

[BrianSul]

When ever I play the years 1969-1972 the Pittsburgh Pirates always over perform. Typically it is their pitching that over perfortms the most.
They almost always win the NL East.

[Big T]

Interesting, I did a Historical replay several years ago and the Pirates didn't make the post season in 1969 or 1970, made it in 1971 and lost to the Giants.

Just a quick glance of how the Pirates starting pitching is looking in the SIM vs Real life in 1969

Dock Ellis 10-9 2.69 (11-17 3.58)
Steve Blass 9-8 3.21 (16-10 4.46)
Luke Walker 5-3 4.75 (4-6 3.64)
Jim Bunning 13-6 2.66 (10-9 3.81)
Bob Veale 14-6 3.05 (13-14 3.23)
Bob Moose 9-2 1.36 (14-3 2.91)

Moose had 19 starts in RL and has 11 so far in the SIM so he has a few left. Walker had 15 starts in RL and he has just 6 so far, so we will be seeing more of him

[Big T]

August 11th- August 17th, 1969

This Weeks Top Performers

San Francisco Giants RF Bobby Bonds was 3 for 3 with a HR and 2 RBIs in a 6-1 win over the Pirates. The 23 year old is hitting .304 with 19 HRs and 56 RBIs in 119 games. Bonds is in his 2nd season in he MLB, last year he hit .254 with 9 HRs and 35 RBIs in 81 games with the Giants.

Atlanta Braves SP Pat Jarvis allowed 2 hits and struck out 4 in a complete game 2-0 win over the Phillies. The 28 year old is now 15-8 with a 2.42 ERA in 29 games including 25 starts. In 1968 Jarvis set a career high with 256 IPs, he was 16-12 with a 2.60 ERA in 34 starts for the Braves.

Baltimore Orioles SP Mike Cuellar allowed 2 hits and struck out 2 in a complete game 1-0 win over the Pilots. The 32 year old is now 16-8 with a 2.12 ERA in 29 starts. Cuellar had a career high 246 IPs in 1967 when he was 16-11 with 1 save, a 3.03 ERA in 36 games including 32 starts.

Los Angeles Dodgers SP Bill Singer allowed 4 hits and struck out 4 over a complete game 2-1 win over the Expos. The 25 year old is now 16-4 with a 1.56 ERA in 29 starts. Singer had a career high 256 IPs in 1968, he was 13-17 with a 2.88 ERA in 37 games including 36 starts for the Dodgers.

New York Yankees SP Bill Burbach allowed 10 walks in a 8-7 loss to the White Sox. Burbach also allowed 4 hits and struck out 4 and is now 9-5 with a 3.43 ERA in 19 starts. Burbach is in his rookie season.

St Louis Cardinals RF Vada Pinson collects his 2000th hit in a 6-1 loss to the Braves. The 31 year old is hitting .278 with 7 HRs and 45 RBIs in 113 games. Pinson started his MLB career by being signed as an amateur free agent by the Cincinnati Redlegs before the 1956 season. He was traded by the Reds to the Cardinals in October 1968 for Wayne Granger and Bobby Tolan. For his career, Pinson is hitting .296 with 193 HRs and 859 RBIs in 1678 MLB games. Pinson won a Gold Glove in CF in 1961 and is a 2-time All Star (1959, 1960)

Kansas City Royals CF Ed Kirkpatrick was named he AL Player of the Week. The 24 year old is hitting .290 with 10 HRs and 44 RBIs in 98 games. Kirkpatricks previous high for HRs was in 1966 when he hit .192 with 9 HRs and 44 RBIs in 117 games for the Angels.

Atlanta Braves RF Hank Aaron was named the NL Player of the Week. The 35 year old is hitting .284 with 19 HRs and 59 RBIs in 118 games. Aaron set a career high for HRs in 1962 when he hit .323 with 45 HRs and 128 RBIs in 156 games for the Milwaukee Braves.

This Weeks Major Transactions

The Pittsburgh Pirates have traded SP Jim Bunning to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Ronald Mitchell, Chuck Goggin and cash. The 37 year old Bunning is 13-7 with a 2.69 ERA in 25 starts for the Pirates. Bunning had a career high 314 IPs in 1966 for the Phillies when he was 19-14 with 1 save, a 2.41 ERA in 41 NL leading starts. Bunning is the sole Major League baseball player to be elected to the US Senate and the National Baseball Hall of Fame. On June 21st, 1964, Bunning pitched a perfect game against the Mets.

The Montreal Expos released RP Roy Face, the 41 year old is 2-3 with 2 saves, a 4.18 ERA in 42 games. Face had a career high 135 IPs in 1955 with the Pirates when he was 12-13 with 6 saves, a 3.52 ERA in 68 games including 3 starts. Many claim the Face was the first real "closer". In 1959 Face had 18 wins...... in relief. This looks like the end of the road for Face.

[Big T]

August 18- August 24th, 1969


This Weeks Top Performers

Boston Red Sox CF Reggie Smith was 4 for 4 with 4 RBIs in a 12-2 win over the Twins. The 24 year old is now hitting .336 with 19 HRs and 84 RBIs in 124 games. Smith was originally signed by the Twins as a amateur free agent in June 1963. He was later redrafted by the Red Sox from the Minnesota Twins in December 1963.

Cincinnati Reds RF Pete Rose was 2 for 3 with 4 RBIs in a 14-2 win over the Pirates. The 28 year old is now hitting .309 with 10 HRs and 55 RBIs in 121 games. Rose was signed by the Reds as an amateur free agent in July 1960.

Minnesota Twins 3B Harmon Killebrew was 3 for 3 with a HR and 3 RBIs in a 7-6 win over the Red Sox. The 33 year old is now hitting .273 with 42 HRs and 101 RBIs in 125 games. Killebrew was originally signed as an amateur free agent in June 1954 by the Washington Senators. (who later became the Twins)

Oakland Athletics SP Blue Moon Odom allowed 2 hits and struck out 3 over a complete game 7-0 win over the Indians. The 24 year old is now 18-4 with a 2.24 ERA in 28 starts. Odom was signed as an amateur free agent by the Athletics when they were in Kansas City in June 1964.

Baltimore Orioles SP Tom Phoebus allowed 5 hits and struck out 10 over 8.1 innings in a 7-0 win over the Angels. The 27 year old is now 12-10 with a 2.20 ERA in 26 starts. The Orioles signed Phoebus as an amateur free agent in June 1960.

Boston Red Sox SS Rico Petrocelli was 4 for 5 with 2 HRs and 5 RBIs in a 16-2 in over the White Sox. The 26 year old is now hitting .299 with 30 HRs and 108 RBIs in 124 games. The Red Sox signed Petrocelli as an amateur free agent in July 1961. Petrocelli was also named the AL Player of the Week while hitting 11 for 21 with 7 HRs and 22 RBIs in 6 games.

Baltimore Orioles RF Frank Robinson was 2 for 4 with 2 HRs and 5 RBIs in a 12-2 win over the Athletics. The 33 year old is now hitting .292 with 30 HRs and 90 RBIs in 125 games. Robinson was originally signed by the Cincinnati Reds in 1953 as an amateur free agent. Robinson was traded to the Orioles in December 1965. Robinson's trade did not sit well with the Reds fans as the Reds GM tried to downplay what was left in Frank, saying that Robinson was an "old 30" referring to his age.

San Francisco Giants RF Bobby Bonds was 4 for 4 with 4 RBIs in a 16-5 win over the Expos. Bonds is now hitting .304 with 20 HRs and 64 RBIs in 126 games. Bonds was signed as an amateur free agent by the Giants in August 1964.

Pittsburgh Pirates SP Bob Veale NO HITs the Houston Astros in a 3-0 win. Veale facing just 28 batters gave up 2 walks and struck out 6. The 33 year old is now 15-7 with a 2.87 ERA in 27 starts. The Pirates signed Veale to a free agent amateur deal in 1958.

San Francisco Giants CF Willie Mays collects his 600th HR in a 16-5 win over the Expos. The 38 year old is hitting .287 with 13 HRs and 41 RBIs in 115 games. Mays started his career with the New York Giants when he signed a amateur free agent deal in June 1950. The Giants later moved to San Francisco. For his career, Mays also has 2904 hits, 600 HRs and 1695 RBIs while hitting .307 in 18 seasons with the Giants. Mays is a 2-time MVP (1954, 1965), the 1951 NL Rookie of the Year, 12-time Gold Glover and 15-time All Star.

Cincinnati Reds LF Alex Johnson was named the NL Player of the Week. The 26 year old is now hitting .366 with 10 HRs and 69 RBIs in 114 games. Johnson was originally signed as an amateur free agent by the Phillies in July 1961. He was traded by the Phillies to the Cardinals in a deal that included Bob Uecker in October 1965. In January 1968, Johnson was traded to the Reds for Dick Simpson.

This Weeks Major Transactions

The Oakland Athletics have purchased the contract of 1B Tito Francona from the Atlanta Braves. The 35 year old is hitting .301 with 1 HR and 13 RBIs in 61 games for the Braves. In March 1961, Francona hit a HR in an exhibition game in Tucson Arizona against the Red Sox. When a city parks employee went to get the ball, he discovered the body of Fred Burden who was wanted by the police in connection with the shooting death of boxer James Cocio.

The Seattle Pilots have traded RP Jim Bouton to the Houston Astros for Roric Harrison and Dooley Womack. The 30 year old is now 1-3 with 2 saves, a 3.88 ERA in 41 games including 1 start. Although besides baseball, Bouton is most well known for his book "Ball Four", he was also one of the creators of "Big League Chew".

[Big T]

August 25th- August 31st, 1969


This Weeks Top Performers

Minnesota Twins 3B Harmon Killebrew was 3 for 4 with a HR and 3 RBIs in a 13-3 win over the Senators. The 33 year old is now hitting .279 with 46 HRs and 109 RBIs in 131 games. Last season Killebrew hit .210 with 17 HRs and 40 RBIs in 100 games for the Twins. Killebrew was named the AL Player of the Week hitting 8 for 19 with 4 HRs and 8 RBIs. Killebrew was also named the AL Player of the Month as he hit .372 with 8 HRs and 21 RBIs in August.

San Francisco Giants SP Gaylord Perry allowed 2 hits and struck out 11 over a complete game 6-0 win over the Phillies. The 30 year old is now 21-8 with a 2.32 ERA in 32 starts. Last season, Perry was 16-15 with 1 save, a 2.44 ERA in 38 starts.

San Francisco Giants SP Juan Marichal allowed 1 hit and struck out 6 in a complete game 3-0 win over the Mets. The 31 year old is now 16-6 with a 2.32 ERA in 29 starts. In 1968, Marichal was 26-9 with a 2.43 ERA in 38 starts for the Giants. He led the NL in wins with 26 and IPs with 326.

Cincinnati Reds 3B Tony Perez was 3 for 4 with 2 HRs and 4 RBIs in a 7-6 win over the Cardinals. The 27 year old is now hitting .300 with 32 HRs and 105 RBIs in 130 games. Last season, Perez hit .282 with 18 HRs and 92 RBIs in 160 games for the Reds.

Chicago White Sox 3B Bill Melton was 3 for 4 with a HR and 3 RBIs in a 13-3 win over the Indians. The 24 year old is now hitting .302 with 28 HRs and 91 RBIs in 128 games. Last year, Melton in his rookie season hit .266 with 2 HRs and 16 RBIs in 34 games with the White Sox.

Atlanta Braves 1B Orlando Cepeda hits his 300th HR today in a 13-11 loss to the Cubs. The 31 year old is now hitting .256 with 16 HRs and 62 RBIs in 128 games. Cepeda started his career when he was signed as an amateur free agent in 1955 by the New York Giants. After the move to San Francisco, the Giants traded Cepeda to the Cardinals for Ray Sadecki. The Cardinals traded Cepeda to the Braves before the start of this season for Joe Torre. Cepeda got the nickname "The Baby Bull" as his father, a very accomplished professional baseball player in Puerto Rico was nicknamed "The Bull". For his career he is now hitting . 299 with 300 HRs and 1071 RBIs with 1877 career hits in 1673 games. He led the NL in his rookie year in 1958 with 38 doubles and led the NL with 46 HRs and 142 RBIs in 1961 with the Giants. He also led the NL with 111 RBIs in 1967 with the Cardinals. Cepeda won the NL MVP award in 1967, he was the 1958 NL Rookie of the Year and is a 7-time All Star. Fittingly Cepeda's 300th HR was a Grand Slam.

San Francisco Giants 1B Willie McCovey slams his 300th HR of his career in a 9-8 loss to the Mets. The 31 year old is now hitting .282 with 32 HRs and 88 RBIs 130 games. McCovey was originally signed as an amateur free agent by the New York Giants in March 1955 and made the move to San Francisco. Cardinals SP Bob Gibson discribed "Big Mac" as the "scariest hitter in baseball". For his career spanning 11 seasons and 1355 games, McCovey has 1218 hits, 300 HRs, 821 RBIs and a .278 batting average. McCovey led the NL with 44 HRs in 1963, he also led the NL last season with 36 HRs and 105 RBIs. McCovery won the 1959 NL Rookie of the Year award and is a 4-time NL All Star.

Atlanta Braves "knuckleballer" SP Phil Niekro was named the NL Player of the Week. The 30 year old is now 14-10 with a 2.74 ERA in 28 starts. Niekro was 14-12 with 2 saves, a 2.59 ERA in 37 games including 34 starts last season.

Cincinnati Reds 1B Lee May was named the NL Player of the Month. The 26 year old had 11 HRs and 31 RBIs in August. May is now hitting .302 with 29 HRs and 85 RBIs in 130 games. Last year May hit .290 with 22 HRs and 80 RBIs in 146 games with the Reds.

Oakland Athletics SP Blue Moon Odom was named the AL Pitcher of the Month with his 5-0 record and 1.50 ERA in August. The 24 year old is now 19-4 with a 2.27 ERA in 29 starts. Last year he was 16-10 with a 2.45 ERA in 31 starts with the Athletics.

Veteran Los Angeles Dodgers SP Claude Osteen was named the NL Pitcher of the Month. The 30 year old was 5-1 with a 1.42 ERA in 7 starts in August. Osteen is now 19-8 with a 2.29 ERA in 33 starts this year. Last year Osteen was 12-18 with a 3.09 ERA in 36 starts, his 18 losses led the NL in 1968.

Cleveland Indians LF Frank Baker was named the AL Rookie of the Month. The 25 year old is now hitting .272 with 2 HRs and 12 RBIs in 34 games.

New York Mets SP Gary Gentry was named the NL Rookie of the Month. The 22 year old was 4-2 with a 1.43 ERA in 6 starts in August. This season Gentry is 13-12 with a 3.05 ERA in 27 starts. Gentry has had 3 +10 strikeout games this season. Gentry was named the MLB's 3rd ranked prospect in April 1969.

This Weeks Major Transactions

The Seattle Pilots have traded LF Tommy Davis to the Houston Astros in exchange for LF Sandy Valdespino and LF Danny Walton. The 30 year old Davis is hitting .253 with 5 HRs and 55 RBIs in 119 games with the Pilots. The 30 year old Valdespino is hitting .230 with 2 HRs and 6 RBIs in 42 games for the Astros. The 22 year old Walton is hitting .176 with 1 HR and 6 RBIs in 37 games for the Astros. Davis in real life was an accomplished pinch hitter, maybe one of he best in MLB history as he hit .320 (63 for 197) in a pinch hit role. Over his career he played on 10 different teams.

The San Francisco Giants have signed free agent LF Leon Wagner. The 35 year old has not played this season in the MLB since being released by the White Sox in April before the season started. Wagner was nick named "Daddy Wags" mostly due to his lower body movement before taking his hitting stride. More known for his hitting then his fielding, Wagner hit a career high 37 HRs in 1962 while with the Angels.

[Big T]

MLB Leaders by OPS (Min 455 PA)


MLB Leaders by ERA (Min 134 IP)


Facts.... and more Facts

The 1969 Season was most remembered for the "Miracle Mets" and Major League Expansion, but there were other events during the season in real life.

* Dodgers Willie Davis 31 game hitting streak from August 1st-September 3rd. (Davis was 54 for 124 with 1 HR and 23 RBIs hitting .435. Davis started the streak hitting .260 and ended the streak hitting .318.

* 6 Players hit for 3 HRs in a game, PIT Roberto Clemente, WAS Mike Epstein, OAK Reggie Jackson, BOS Joe Lahoud, CHA Bill Melton and ATL Bob Tillman. For Tillman July 30th represented 25% of his HR production for the season.

* 2 Players had 6 hits in a game, DET Jim Northrup and KCA Bob Oliver.

* Cubs LF Billy Williams had 4 doubles in an 11-3 win over the Phillies on April 9th.

* Athletics RF Reggie Jackson hit double figures in RBIs with 10 on June 14th in a 21-7 blowout of the Red Sox. Jackson was 5 for 6 with 2 HRs.

* Giants 2B Ron Hunt while with the Expos in 1971 set a MLB high with 50 times getting hit by a pitch, so its no surprise that on April 29th as a Giant, he got hit 3 times in a 4-3 win over the Reds in 13 innings. Luckily for the Reds, Hunt never scored once after being plunked.

* There were 6 NO-HITTERS pitched in 1969. Montreal Expos's SP Bill Stoneman got the 1st of the season on April 17th in a 7-0 win over the Phillies, I am sure that the expansion fans in Montreal did not expect to see that feat so early in the franchises infancy, in game 9. The others were CIN Jim Maloney, HOU Don Wilson, BAL Jim Palmer, CHN Ken Holtzman and late in the season, PIT Bob Moose. There were 16 One Hitters in 1969 as well. On May 1st Maloney no hits the Astros, the next day Wilson no hits the Reds. Talk about pay back. Palmer's no hitter was viewed with best seat in the house by home plate umpire Lou DiMuro. 41 years later, DiMuro's son Mike was calling balls and strikes for Roy Hallidays perfect game. Lou DiMuro's name comes up again in the World Series when he over-turns a call that Mets manager Gil Hodges argued was a Hit by a Pitch. With the Orioles up 3-0 Hodges shows DiMuro a scuff mark on Cleon Jones shoe that convinces DiMuro he was in fact hit by a pitch, the Mets go on to win the game and the World Series... its a Miracle.

* Cardinals SP Steve Carlton struck out 19 hitters in a September 15th 4-3 loss to the Miracle Mets. All the starting 9 of the Mets had struck out at least once including LF Amos Otis would was given a seat by Carlton 4 times.

* "Pitcher has a Rubber Arm" as 18 Major League starting pitchers pitched past the 10th inning in 1969 including Giants SP Juan Marichal. On August 19th, Marichal went 13.1 innings allowing 6 hits while striking out 13 in a 1-0 loss to the Mets in the 14th inning. Marichal's counterpart Gary Gentry went 10 innings. Tommy Agee hit a walk off, 1-out HR to hand Marichal the loss. St Louis SP Bob Gibson went 13 innings in a 2-1 win over the Giants. Gibson beat Giants Gaylord Perry who pitched 12 innings in the game. Gibson actually opened the bottom of the 13th with a Single off Frank Linzy, he moved to 2nd on a Linzy's Wild Pitch, moved to 3rd on a Phil Gagliano single and eventually scored on Curt Flood's walk off single.

* Phillies Grant Jackson and Indians Luis Tiant both surrendered 5 HRs in an outing. Jackson lasted 5 innings in a 6-3 loss to the Braves while Tiant's tatter tough night was in a 10-7 loss in Fenway to the BoSox. We mentioned Bob Tillman of the Braves earlier with his 3 HR game, well it was at the cost of Grant Jackson's night.

* Over stayed their Welcome. 7 MLB pitchers gave up 9 runs in a game during the 1969, 2 of them did it in less the 4 innings. Cubs Ken Holtzman got lit up in Montreal's Jarry Park in a 11-4 Expos win over the Cubs. Holtzman's line was 3.2 IP, 9 H, 9 R, 7 ER, 1 BB and 2 Ks. To add insult to injury, Expos CF Adolfo Phillips swiped home off of Holtzman. Dodgers SP Joe Moeller accomplished the feat in 3.2 innings as well. He allowed 10 hits in a 14-13 loss to the Giants.

* On July 15th, Padres SP Clay Kirby had a little bit of a control problem. In a 10-3 win over the Giants. Kirby walked 10 while giving up 4 hits over 7.2 innings.

* 10 Free Passes, on April 15th in a 11-10 win by the Reds over the Giants in 12 innings, both teams combined for 10 Intentional Walks. Gaylord Perry came on in relief for the Giants with the bases loaded, no outs in the 10th inning. Over the next 2 innings including the walk off single in the 12th Johnny Bench, Perry was asked to throw 4 wide ones 4 times.

* Who would guess. The Montreal Expos franchises 1st HR did not come from anyone named Bailey or Staub, it was none other than pitcher Dan McGinn on April 8th off Tom Seaver.

* On May 18th, the Twins steal 5 bases in the 3rd inning against Tigers SP Mickey Lolich and C Bill Freehan, 4 of them coming on Harmon Killebrew's at bat. Cesar Tovar and Rod Carew both stole home that inning.

* On June 21st, with the score tied 3-3 entering the 10th inning, The Twins score 11 runs to beat the Athletics 14-4.

On July 9th with 1 out in the 9th inning, Cubs Jim Qualls lines a single to ruin Mets Tom Seaver's perfect game. The Mets go onto a 4-0 win and would be later known as "Tom Seaver's Imperfect Game"

* On August 14th, the Chicago Cubs have a 9 1/2 game lead on the New York Mets. When the season is done, the Cubs trail the Mets by 8 games, a 17 1/2 game swing.

[Big T]

September 1st- September 7th, 1969


This Weeks Top Perfomers

Pittsburgh Pirates SP Bob Moose allowed 4 hits and struck out 5 over 9 innings in a 4-0 win over the Braves. The 21 year old is now 10-4 with 6 saves, a 1.53 ERA in 37 games including 15 starts. In his 3rd season in the MLB, Moose had a career high 8 wins last year when he was 8-12 with 3 saves, a 2.73 ERA in 38 games including 22 starts for the Pirates.

Baltimore Orioles SP Dave McNally allowed 4 hits and struck out 5 in 8.1 innings in a 5-0 win over the White Sox. The 26 year old is now 16-6 with a 2.21 ERA in 35 starts. McNally had a career high in wins last season when he was 22-10 with a 1.95 ERA in 35 starts for the Orioles.

Baltimore Orioles SP Tom Phoebus allowed 4 hits and struck out 6 over 8 innings in a 1-0 loss to the Tigers. The 27 year old is 13-12 with a 2.13 ERA in 29 starts. Phoebus set a career high in wins in 1968 when he was 15-15 with a 2.62 ERA in 36 starts.

California Angels SP Rudy May allowed 7 hits and struck out 5 over 8 innings in a 7-3 win over the White Sox. The 25 year old is now 9-6 with a 2.49 ERA in 26 games including 23 starts. May has spent the last 3 seasons with the Angels minor league teams and had only one previous season in the MLB, 1965. That season he was 4-9 with a 3.92 ERA in 30 games including 19 starts for the Angels.

San Francisco Giants RF Bobby Bonds was 3 for 3 with 2 HRs and 3 RBIs in a 9-4 win over the Astros. The 23 year old is now hitting .310 with 25 HRs and 72 RBIs in 138 games. Last year during Bond's rookie season, he hit .254 with 78 hits, 9 HRs and 35 RBIs in 81 games for the Giants.

Washington Senators LF Frank Howard was named the AL Player of the Week. The 33 year old is now hitting .286 with 36 HRs and 92 RBIs in 139 games. Howard set a career high for hits in 1968 when he hit .274 with 164 hits, 44 HRs and 106 RBIs in 158 games for the Senators. Howard led the AL with 44 HRs and .552 SLG %.

New York Mets 1B Donn Clendenon was named the NL Player of the Week. The 34 year old is now hitting .314 with 11 HRs and 49 RBIs in 97 games for the Mets (49) and Expos (48). Clendenon had a career high for hits in 1965 when he hit .301 with 184 hits, 14 HRs and 96 RBIs in 162 games for the Pirates.

This Weeks Major Transactions

The California Angels have traded RP Hoyt Wilhelm and RP Bob Priddy to the Atlanta Braves for Clint Compton and Mickey Rivers. The 47 year old Wilhelm is 3-4 with 6 saves, a 3.99 ERA in 37 games (49 IPs) for the Angels. A late bloomer, Wilhelm did not start his MLB career until he was 29. Wilhelm's knuckle-ball is partially responsible for his longevity. But military toughness could be another reason. He carried a piece of shrapnel in his back as a result of an injury he sustained during WWII. The 29 year old Priddy is 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA in 1 appearance for the Angels. The Angels got back CF Mickey Rivers who will make his debut in the MLB next season and RP Clint Compton who will make his debut with the Cubs in 1972.

[Big T]

September 8th- September 14th, 1969


This Weeks Top Performers

San Francisco Giants SP Juan Marichal allowed 3 hits and struck out 6 in a 2-0 complete game shutout over the Reds. The 31 year old is now 18-7 with a 2.43 ERA in 32 starts. Marichal is an 8-time All Star.

Boston Red Sox CF Reggie Smith was 4 for 4 with a HR and 2 RBIs in a 8-5 win over the Orioles. The 24 year old is now hitting .336 with 20 HRs and 95 RBIs in 144 games. Smith won a AL Gold Glove at CF in 1968 and was an 1969 AL All Star. Smith was named the AL Player of the Week hitting 14 for 32 with a HR and 4 RBIs.

Los Angeles Dodgers SP Bill Singer allowed 5 hits and struck out 11 in 9 innings with a 3-0 win over the Padres. The 25 year old is now 20-6 with a 1.49 ERA in 35 starts. Singer was an 1969 NL All Star.

Minnesota Twins 3B Harmon Killebrew was 2 for 4 with a HR and 4 RBIs in a 21-3 win over the Royals. The 33 year old is now hitting .287 with 52 HRs and 125 RBIs in 145 games. Killebrew is a 9-time All Star.

Pittsburgh Pirates LF Willie Stargell was 2 for 3 with 2 HRs and 4 RBIs in a 12-2 win over the Mets. The 29 year old is now hitting .282 with 27 HRs and 86 RBIs in 133 games. Stargell is a 3-time All Star.

Cleveland Indians SP Sam McDowell allowed 1 hit and struck out 11 in a complete game 4-1 win over the Orioles. The 26 year old is now 17-14 with a 2.65 ERA in 35 starts. McDowell is a 4-time All Star.

Los Angeles Dodgers 1B Wes Parker was named the NL Player of the Week. The 29 year old is now hitting .339 with 9 HRs and 68 RBIs in 122 games. Parker won the 1967 and 1968 NL Gold Glove at 1B. Parker was also an NL All Star this year.

The Weeks Major Transactions

The New York Yankees have traded CFJimmie Hall to the Chicago Cubs for a player to be named later. The 31 year old is hitting .214 with 1 HR and 19 RBIs in 66 games for the Yankees. Hall is a 2-time All Star. Making his professional baseball debut in 1956 with the Washington Senators D-Level Superior Senators, it took until April 1963 for him to make his MLB debut. But when he did, a timely injury to the Twins CF on allowed Hall to start 125 games in 1963 hitting 33 HRs and 80 RBIs. The 33 HRs is still his current career high. Hall combined with Harmon Killebrew, Bob Allison and Tony Oliva to help the Twins tie a MLB record for 4 consecutive HRs to break a 3-3 tie with the Kansas City Athletics in 1964. After a beaning by LHP Bo Belinsky a few weeks later, Hall began to wear a protective flap on his helmet and appeared to be tentative against LHP the rest of his career to the point where the Twins would sit him against tough lefties.

[Big T]

September 15th- September 21st, 1969


This Weeks Top Performers

Washington Senators SP Dick Bosman allowed 5 hits and struck out 6 over a complete game 6-1 win over the Orioles. The 25 year old is now 16-5 with 1 save, a 2.37 ERA in 31 games including 24 starts. Bosman was originally signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as a amateur free agent in 1963. He was drafted from the Pirates in December 1963 by the San Francisco Giants and then again by the Washington Senators in 1964.

Boston Red Sox CF Reggie Smith was 2 for 3 with a HR and 5 RBIs in a 11-1 win over the Indians. The 24 year old is now hitting .338 with 22 HRs and 103 RBIs in 151 games. Smith was orginally drafted by the Minnesota Twins in 1963 and he Red Sox drafted him from the Twins in December 1963.

Minnesota Twins RF Tony Oliva was 3 for 5 with a HR and 4 RBIs in a 7-1 win over the Angels. The 31 year old is now hitting .346 with 19 HRs and 102 RBIs in 150 games. Oliva was signed as an amateur free agent by the Twins in 1961.

Oakland Athletics SP Blue Moon Odom allowed 3 hits and struck out 10 over a complete game 9-0 win over the Royals. The 24 year old is now 21-4 with a 2.15 ERA in 32 starts. Odom was orginally signed as an amateur free agent by the Kansas City Athletics in 1964.

Los Angeles Dodgers SP Don Sutton allowed 3 hits and struck out 8 over a complete game 4-0 win over the Braves. The 24 year old is now 16-11 with a 2.21 ERA in 38 starts. Sutton was signed as an amateur free agent in 1964 by the Dodgers.

Oakland Athletics RF Reggie Jackson was 4 for 4 with a HR and RBI in a 6-1 win over the Angels. The 23 year old is now hitting .288 with 37 HRs and 83 RBIs in 150 games. Jackson was drafted by the Kansas City Athletics in the 1st round, 2nd overall pick in the 1966 MLB June Draft.

Washington Senators LF Frank Howard was 3 for 4 with 2 HRs and 4 RBIs in a 15-6 win over the Indians. The 33 year old is hitting .292 with 44 HRs and 104 RBIs in 152 games. Howard was originally signed as an amateur free agent in March 1958 by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Howard was later traded to the Senators in December 1964 with 3 others for SP Claude Osteen, another player and cash. Howard was named the AL Player of the Week when he hit 11 for 23 with 5 HRs and 9 RBIs in 6 games.

St Louis Cardinals LF Lou Brock was named the NL Player of the Week. The 30 year old is now hitting .297 with 10 HRs and 66 RBIs in 152 games. Brock was originally signed as an amateur free agent by the Chicago Cubs in 1960. Brock was traded to the Cardinals in June 1964 with RP Jack Spring and SP Paul Toth for SP Ernie Broglio, RF Doug Clemens and RP Bobby Shantz (1952 AL MVP). All of the players involved in the deal except Brock are retired.

This Weeks Major Transactions

The Oakland Athletics have purchased the contract via waivers of RP Juan Pizarro from the Cleveland Indians. The 32 year old is 1-5 with 4 saves, a 8.32 ERA in 45 games (57.1 IP) with the Red Sox (3) and Indians (42) this season. Pizarro was traded to the Indians in April of this year in a deal that included SP Dick Ellsworth and RF Ken Harrelson to the Indians for C Joe Azcue,, SP Vincente Romo and RP Sonny Siebert. The Puerto Rico born Pizarro made his MLB debut on May 4th, 1957 for the Milwaukee Braves at 20 years old. Despite going 7 innings and allowing just 1 run, Pizarro took the loss in a 1-0 game. He was 19-9 with a 2.56 ERA in 1964, but injuries limited Pizarro to 18 starts, by 1966 he was mostly used as a reliever.

[Big T]

September 22nd- September 28th, 1969

This Weeks Top Performers

Houston Astros SP Larry Dierker allowed 9 hits and struck out 11 in a complete game 8-3 win over the Braves. The 23 year old Dierker is now 20-11 with a 2.11 ERA in 36 starts. For his career, Dierker is 55-48 with a 2.94 ERA in 142 games including 131 starts since 1964.

Chicago White Sox 3B Bill Melton was 6 for 10 with a HR and 3 RBIs in a double header split with the Athletics. The 24 year old is hitting .303 with 32 HRs and 11 RBIs in 157 games. For his career, Melton is hitting .297 with 34 HRs and 127 RBIs in 191 games since 1968.

St Louis Cardinals SP Bob Gibson allowed 5 hits and struck out 2 in a complete game 6-1 win over the Mets. The 33 year old is now 19-6 with a 1.72 ERA in 34 starts. For his career, Gibson is 166-103 with a 2.72 ERA in 348 games including 310 starts since 1959.

San Diego Padres SS Roberto Pena was 3 for 4 with 4 RBIs in a 17-2 win over the Giants. The 32 year old is hitting .237 with 1 HR and 28 RBIs in 133 games. For his career, Pena is hitting .243 with 4 HRs and 79 RBIs in 328 games since 1965.

Washington Senators SP Dick Bosman allowed 5 hits and struck out 4 in a complete game 3-0 win over the Tigers. The 25 year old is now 17-5 with 1 save, a 2.27 ERA in 32 games including 25 starts. For his career, Bosman is 24-21 with 2 saves, 3.13 ERA in 98 games including 49 starts since 1966.

Atlanta Braves RF Hank Aaron was 3 for 3 with a HR and 2 RBIs in a 11-2 win over the Padres. The 35 year old is now .299 with 32 HRs and 94 RBIs in 155 games. For his career, Aaron is hitting .313 with 542 HRs and 1721 RBIs in 2434 games since 1954. Aaron was named the NL Player of the Week with his 9 for 22 at the plate, 4 HRs and 8 RBIs this week.

Detroit Tigers CF Jim Northrup was 3 for 3 with 2 HRs and 5 RBIs in a 13-2 win over the Red Sox. The 29 year old is hitting .272 with 20 HRs and 75 RBIs in 151 games. For his career, Northrup is hitting .261 with 69 HRs and 300 RBIs in 657 games since 1964.

California Angels SP Rudy May allowed 2 hits and struck out 5 over 7.1 innings in a 1-0 win over the Athletics. The 25 year old is now 12-8 with a 2.57 ERA in 32 games including 29 starts. For his career, May is 16-17 with a 3.05 ERA in 62 games including 48 starts since 1965.

Boston Red Sox 2B Mike Andrews was named the AL Player of the Week. The 26 year old is hitting .299 with 9 HRs and 52 RBIs in 143 games. For his career, Andrews is hitting .276 with 24 HRs and 137 RBIs in 437 games since 1966.

[Big T]

September 29th- October 4th, 1969 END OF REGULAR SEASON


This Weeks Top Performers

Boston Red Sox SS Rico Petrocelli was 3 for 5 with a HR and 4 RBIs in a 9-4 win over the Senators. The 26 year old is hitting .292 with 39 HRs and an AL leading 139 RBIs in 161 games. Last year Petrocelli hit .234 with 12 HRs and 46 RBIs in 123 games for the Red Sox.

San Francisco Giants SP Gaylord Perry allowed 3 hits and struck out 10 in a complete game 8-0 win over the Padres. The 31 year old is 23-11 with a 2.59 ERA in 39 starts. Last year, Perry was 16-15 with 1 save, a 2.44 ERA in 39 games including 38 starts for the Giants.

Washington Senators SP Dick Bosman allowed 4 hits and struck out 11 over 9 innings in a 1-0 win over the Red Sox. The 25 year old is 18-5 with 1 save, a 2.18 ERA in 33 games including 26 starts. Bosman allowed a league best 0.4 HR/9. Last season Bosman was 2-9 with 1 save, a 3.69 ERA in 46 games including 10 starts for the Senators. Bosman was selected as the AL Pitcher of the Month with his 5-1 record, 1.33 ERA in 6 starts.

Philadelphia Phillies SP Jeff James allowed 3 hits and struck out 6 over a complete game 14-1 win over the Cardinals. The 28 year old is 4-2 with a 4.60 ERA in 25 games including 5 starts. Last season James was 4-4 with a 4.27 ERA in 29 games including 13 starts for the Phillies.

Montreal Expos RF Rusty Staub was 2 for 3 with a HR and 2 RBIs in a 7-5 loss to the Pirates. The 25 year old is hitting .298 with 25 HRs and 81 RBIs in 159 games. Last year Staub hit .291 with 6 HRs and 72 RBIs in 161 games for the Astros.

Cincinnati Reds C Johnny Bench was 2 for 3 with 2 HRs and 4 RBIs in a 10-8 loss to the Braves. The 21 year old is hitting .271 with 33 HRs and 80 RBIs in 153 games. Last year Bench hit .275 with 15 HRs and 82 RBIs in 154 games for the Reds.

Washington Senators LF Frank Howard was named the AL Player of the Month. The 33 year old is hitting .292 with 49 HRs and 115 RBIs in 161 games. Last year Howard hit .274 with a AL leading 44 HRs and 106 RBIs in 158 games with the Senators. For the month Howard hit .343 with 15 HRs and 30 RBIs.

Atlanta Braves RF Hank Aaron was named the NL Player of the Month. The 35 year old is hitting .300 with 32 HRs and 94 RBIs in 157 games. Last year Aaron hit .287 with 29 HRs and 86 RBIs in 160 games for the Braves. In September, Aaron hit .333 with 10 HRs and 21 RBIs.

Los Angeles Dodgers SP Bill Singer was named the AL Pitcher of the Month. The 25 year old is 22-7 with a NL leading 1.61 ERA in 40 starts. Singer also led the NL with 291 Ks and a 0.97 Whip. Last year Singer was 13-17 with a 2.88 ERA in 36 starts for the Dodgers. He led the NL with 8.0 K/9 last year. Singer was 5-1 with a 1.55 ERA in 6 starts last month.

New York Yankees C Thurmon Munson was named the AL Rookie of the Month. The 22 year old is hitting .352 with 4 HRs and 41 RBIs in 82 games this year. Munson hit a Grand Slam on August 29th, 1969 against the Royals this season. Munson hit .343 with 1 HR and 17 RBIs in September.

New York Mets 3B Wayne Garrett was named the NL Rookie of the Month. The 21 year old is hitting .225 with 8 HRs and 30 RBIs in 127 games. Garrett was named the MLB's #41 ranked prospect in April 1969. For the month, Garrett hit .312 with 3 HRs and 10 RBIs.

This Weeks Major Transactions

The Chicago White Sox have released SP Gary Bell. The 32 year old is 4-6 with 1 save, a 5.33 ERA in 42 games with the White Sox (30) and the Pilots (12) including 13 starts. Ding Dong as he was nicknamed, pitched for 4 different teams from his debut on June 1st, 1958 to his last appearance October 2nd in a 4-1 loss to the Twins. Bell was a 4-time All Star.



1969 MLB FINAL Standings

[Big T]

MLB Leaders OPS ( MIN 550 PA)


MLB Leaders ERA ( MIN 162 IP)


Facts.... and more Facts

The first season of the "Divisional Era" is complete and for the first time, the MLB will introduce a Best of 5 League Championship Series. For this SIM the playoff series will feature the AL East winning New York Yankees and the AL West champs the Oakland Athletics. In the National League it will be the NL East Pittsburgh Pirates and the late clinching Los Angeles Dodgers.

In real life, not one of the four teams that won a division won in the SIM. The 1969 Fall classic featured the Baltimore Orioles and Minnesota Twins, The Orioles who owned the best record in baseball that year (100-62) swept the Twins in 3 games. In the National League, the "Miracle" Mets faced the Atlanta Braves in a 3 game sweep that sent the Mets to the World Series.

The Mets went on to win the Best of 7 series with the Baltimore Orioles in 5 games on October 16th, 1969 with Donn Clendenon being the World Series MVP.

In 1969, Minnesota Twins 3B Harmon Killebrew and San Francisco Giants 1B Willie McCovey were named the MVPs of their respective Leagues. It appears that in the SIM, both have a very good chance to win as well.

Twins Rod Carew won the AL Batting Title hitting .332 while Cincinnati Reds Pete Rose won the NL title hitting .348. Like the SIM, Killebrew led the AL with 49 HRs while McCovey was the NL leader with 45 HRs.

Tigers SP Denny McLain led the AL with 24 wins while his NL counterpart Mets Tom Seaver won 25. Senators Dick Bosman was the AL leader in ERA with a 2.19 earned runs against with Giants Juan Marichal taking the NL title with a 2.10 ERA.

Other hardware that was handed out in Real Life 1969 was Tigers Denny McLain and Orioles Mike Cuellar sharing the AL Cy Young Award. Future MLB Manager Lou Pinella had a stellar rookie season in Kansas City to win the AL Rookie of the Year.

In the National, Mets Tom Seaver won the Cy Young Award while Dodgers Ted Sizemore won the NL Rookie of the Year Award in 1969. Of note in the NL, the Giants finished in 2nd place for the 5th straight season in heartbreaking fashion, like in the SIM, the Giants were eliminated in the second last night of the regular season.

[Big T]

MLB Playoffs AL League Championship

The Oakland Athletics go into the post season with just a 16-16 record in their past 32 games and winning just 4 out of their last 10 to end the season. After playing the first two months at 32-12, they were a pretty average team after that. The Athletics overall during the season were a pretty good pitching team with a slightly above average offense.

Blue Moon Odom led the way with his 21 wins, a young pitcher that should be effective for many years to come. Right behind him was Catfish Hunter with a 16 win season. Hunter is another young A's arm that can expected to be near the top of the rotation for years to come.

Offensively the Athletics are again led by a relative youngster, RF Reggie Jackson. Jackson improved on his 29 HR season last year hitting 37 round trippers in 1969. Oakland 3B Sal Bando had a break out season, the 25 year old had 25 HRs and 101 RBIs and started in every Oakland game.

Defensively, the Athletics maybe the best team in the AL but their downfall is that after Jackson and Bando, the power dries up.


Much like the Athletics, the Yankees started out hot out of the gate being 34-15 with a .694 winning percentage and a 6 1/2 game lead on the Orioles on June 1st. After September 1st, the Bronx Bombers played just slightly better than .500 ball with a 16-14 record. The Yankees did it with mostly pitching, as their offense was considered below average at best ranked 8th in runs scored.

The Yankees don't have to look past their #1 and #2 starters to determine their success. Fritz Peterson had 23 wins and Mel Stottlemyre had 21 wins for the 2nd straight season. Both pitchers pitched for over 300 innings this year.

The Yankees offense was anchored by lead off hitter Roy White, while Bobby Murcer and Joe Pepitone drove em in. Pepitone had nearly twice the HRs that any other Yankee hit in 1969, but the Yankees helped out on the basebaths with 4 players that disrupted pitchers as they each stole more than 30 times each.

The Yankees will need to find some offense against the strong Athletics pitching as they cannot count on HR power (10th in the AL) to bring the back in a game.

[Big T]

MLB Playoffs NL League Championship

The Pirates were as steady as they go all season, but turned it up late. On September 1st, the Pirates led the Chicago Cubs by 1 game with a 76-55 record. After that the Pirates played over .700 ball with a 23-9 record in September and October. With very good pitching (2nd in the NL) and pretty good offense (4th in the NL), the Pirates only weakness is that they are not patient at the plate.

Expect Veale (20 wins), Moose (14 wins) and Ellis (14 wins) to be the 3 man rotation. Veale is he experienced one, while Moose and Ellis are just starting their careers. The Pirates could get in trouble if the Dodgers get to the Pirate bullpen.

The Pirates can just about pencil in the names Alou, Clemente and Stargell every night for the Outfield. Not only are they critical to the Pirate defense, they all 3 hit in one of the top four spots in the order. Alou with his speed and batting average can often set the table for Clemente and Stargell.


The Dodgers spent most of the season in 2nd place in the NL West, not getting the lead in the division over the San Francisco Giants until September 19th. Taking over the division was not so much the Dodgers getting hot (18-14 after September 1st) as much as the Giants cooling off (15-14 after September 1st) But overall it was a tight race all season. The Dodgers ranked 6th in the NL with 639 runs scored while giving up 477 which was 1st in the NL. The Dodgers could pitch their way into wins, but the 12th ranked HR power made it difficult to over come deficits.

The Dodgers starting pitching was ranked number 1 in the NL, and when you think that 1 of their top 4 starters was on for nearly 85% of the innings the Dodger's defense was on the field, it was effective. Even with the loss of Don Drysdale, the Dodgers did not miss a beat trading for Pirates Jim Bunning.

The Dodgers for the most part will have to manufacture runs. They were 2nd in the NL with 123 stolen bases and were also 2nd with a .325 On base percentage. Andy Kosco led the team with 22 HRs, but after that its small ball.