This Week in Baseball 1969

[Big T]

I have decided to do a Historical Replay of the 1969 MLB season and beyond. I am using real transactions and will be using actual line-ups. As well with the help of an old Injury DL database, will account for injuries that were 2 weeks or longer.

The idea will be to update the standings and cover top performances and transactions with a touch of baseball history in real life. (with the help of Wikipedia)



The 1969 MLB season celebrated the 100th anniversary of professional Baseball. Each division now had 12 teams with the Expansion. The new teams were the Montreal Expos, San Diego Padres, Seattle Pilots and because of Charlie Finley moving the Kansas City Athletics to Oakland, Kansas City was awarded another franchise.... the Royals. The story goes deeper as Finley had moved the Athletics the year before even though public funds were used to build a new stadium for the Athletics in Kansas City. Basically baseballs anti trust exemption was challenged and the MLB agreed to move up a planned expansion from 1971 to 1969.

To add to the turmoil, 400 players refused to report to spring training as the Collective Bargaining agreement had expired at the end of the 1968 season, its first in MLB History. A major sticking point was the pension plan as the owners refused to increase it although revenues had increased due to increased TV revenue. TV broadcasters eventually placed pressure on the MLB and new commissioner Bowie Kuhn in turn pressured the owners and the boycott was averted by March 1st, enough time for players to get ready.

Another issue was resolved by MLB...... low scoring games. The trend for increasing less offense was hoped to be resolved by lowering the mound height by 5 inches and by decreasing the size of the strike zone. As well for the first time, the stat called the "save" was introduced as an "Official Statistic".

The 1969 Final Standings


The 1969 Leaders

[Big T]

April 6th, 1969


It will be opening day tommorrow, but some teams will be missing a few players due to injuries sustained over spring training. Some of the injuries to key players are....

Pittsburgh Pirates 2B Gene Alley has been placed on the DL and will miss up to 3 months. The 28 year old hit .245 with 4 HRs and 39 RBIs in 133 games last year for the Pirates. Alley had a career high 173 hits during the 1966 season with the Pirates, in 147 games he hit .299 with 7 HRs and 43 RBIs.

Atlanta Braves LF Rico Carty is on the DL and will miss up to 3 weeks. The 29 year old hit 255 with 15 HRs and 64 RBIs in 1967 for the Braves. He missed the complete 1968 season as well. Carty had a career high 175 hits during the 1970 season when he hit .366 with 25 HRs and 101 RBIs in 136 games with the Braves.

Los Angeles Dodgers CF Willie Davis will be on the DL and is expected to miss up to 3 weeks. The 28 year old hit .250 with 7 HRs and 31 RBIs in 160 games for the Dodgers last year. Davis set a career high with 180 hits in 1964 when he hit .294 with 12 HRs and 77 RBIs in 157 games for the Dodgers.

San Francisco Giants LF Ken Henderson will miss up to 4 weeks and is on the DL. The 22 year old hit .333 with 0 HRs and 0 RBIs in 3 games last year for the Giants. Henderson had a career high 36 hits and when he hit .190 with 4 HRs and 14 RBIs in 65 games for the Giants in 1967.

Chicago White Sox LF Tommy McCraw will miss up to 6 weeks and is placed on the DL. The 28 year old hit .235 with 9 HRs and 44 RBIs in 136 games with the White Sox last year. McCraw set a career high with 112 hits in last season.

Top Performers of the Week

New York Yankees SP Mel Stottlemyre allowed 7 hits and struckout 5 over 7.1 IPs in a 2-1 win over the Senators. The 27 year old is now 2-0 with a 1.88 ERA in 2 starts. Stottlemyre is a 3-time All Star.

New York Mets SP Tom Seaver allowed 4 hits and struck out 12 in a 8-1 complete game win over the Expos. The 24 year old is now 1-1 with a 2.65 ERA in 2 starts. Seaver was the 1967 NL Rookie of the Year and is a 2-time All Star.

Chicago Cubs SP Fergie Jenkins allowed 5 hits and struck 8 in a complete game 2-0 win over the Phillies. The 26 year old is now 2-0 with a 2.00 ERA in 2 starts. Jenkins was an 1967 All Star.

St Louis Cardinals SP Bob Gibson allowed 6 hits and struck out 10 in a complete game 4-1 win over the Pirates. The 33 year old is now 2-0 with a 1.00 ERA in 2 starts. Gibson won the 1968 NL Cy Young, he also won the 1968 ML MVP award. Gibson is a 5-time All Star and a 2-time World Series MVP.

This Weeks Major Transactions

The Chicago White Sox have released LF Leon Wagner. The 34 year old did not appear in a game this season, last year he hit .284 with 1 HR and 18 RBIs in 69 games with the White Sox. Wagner was an All Star in 1962 and 1963.

The California Angels have signed 1B Dick Stuart as a free agent. The 36 year old hit .242 with 7 HRs and 22 RBIs in 69 games for the Dodgers and Mets in 1966, the last year he played in the MLB. Stuart was an All Star in 1961.

The Montreal Expos originally the Expos drafted Donn Clendenon in the expansion draft in 1968 from the Pirates. He was later traded to the Houston Astros along with Jesus Alou for Rusty Staub. Clendenon refused to report to Houston so the Expos send Jack Billingham to the Houston to complete the trade and Clendenon is back in Montreal. The 33 year old Clendenon hit .257 with 17 HRs and 87 RBIs in 158 games with the Pirates last year. The 26 year old Billingham was 3-0 with 8 saves, a 2.17 ERA in 50 games for the Dodgers in 1968.

April 14th, 1969




Cleveland Indians 3B Larry Brown was named the AL Player of the Week. The 29 year old is hitting .545 with 1 HR and 6 RBIs in 5 games this year.

New York Mets LF Cleon Jones was named the NL Player of the Week. The 26 year old is now hitting .583 with 1 HR and 5 RBIs in 6 games this year.

[Big T]

April 14-20, 1969


Top Performers of the Week

Los Angeles Dodgers SP Bill Singer allowed 2 hits and struck out 10 in a complete game 2-0 win over the Padres. The 24 year old is now 1-1 with a 1.13 ERA in 2 starts. Singer was signed by the Dodgers as a amateur free agent in before the 1961 season.

San Francisco Giants SP Juan Marichal allowed 5 hits and struck out 10 over a complete game 5-0 win over the Padres. The 31 year old is now 2-0 with a 2.22 ERA in 3 starts. Before the 1957 season, Marichal was signed by the New York Giants as an amateur free agent.

New York Yankees SP Stan Bahnsen allowed 3 hits and struck out 5 over a complete game 3-0 win over the Senators. The 24 year old is now 2-1 with a 1.08 ERA in 3 starts. Bahnsen was drafted by the Yankees in the 4th round of the 1965 amateur draft.

San Francisco Giants 1B Willie McCovey goes 3 for 4 with 2 HRs and 4 RBIs in a 7-2 win over the Padres. The 31 year old McCovey is now hitting .400 with 6 HRs and 14 RBIs in 11 games. McCovey was signed as a amateur free agent by the Giants in March 1955.

Minnesota Twins 3B Harmon Killebrew hits his historic 400th HR today in a 6-5 loss to the Angels. The 32 year old is now hitting .294 with 4 HRs and 13 RBIs in 10 games. Killebrew was originally signed as a amateur free agent by the Washington Senators in June 1954. He made his MLB debut on June 23rd, 1954 at age 17 (6 days short of his 18th birthday) vs the White Sox. Killebrew is hitting .261 with 401 HRs and 1021 RBIs in 1543 games. Killebrew is an 8-time All Star.

Oakland Athletics SP Catfish Hunter was named the AL Player of the Week. The 23 year old is 3-0 with a 1.73 ERA in 3 starts. Hunter was signed by the Kansas City Athletics as an amateur free agent in June 1964.

Chicago Cubs SS Don Kessinger was named the NL Player of the Week. The 26 year old is hitting .350 with 0 HRs and 5 RBIs in 13 games this year. Kessinger was originally signed as a amateur free agent by the Cubs in June 1964.

This Weeks Major Transactions

Montreal Expos 1B Bob Bailey will miss up to 3 weeks and is on the DL. The 26 year old is hitting .306 with 1 HR and 7 RBIs for the Expos in 12 games. Bailey was originally signed as an amateur free agent by the Pirates for the 1961 season. He was then traded in December 1966 to the Dodgers for Maury Wills. The Montreal Expos purchased Bailey from the Dodgers in October 1968.

Philadelphia Phillies SP Chris Short will miss up to 6 months and was placed on the DL. The 31 year old was 1-1 with a 1.93 ERA in 2 starts. Last season Short was 19-13 with a 2.94 ERA in 42 games including 36 starts for the Phillies. Short was signed as an amateur free agent by the Phillies in June 1957.

The San Diego Padres have traded RP Al McBean to the Los Angeles Dodgers for SS Tommy Dean and RP Leon Everitt. The 30 year old McBean is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in 2 games including 1 start this year. McBean was originally signed as an amateur free agent by the Pirates in 1958. McBean was drafted by the Padres in the 1968 allocation draft.

The Boston Red Sox have traded RF Ken Harrelson with SP Dick Ellsworth and CL Juan Pizarro to the Cleveland Indians for C Joe Azcue, RP Vincente Romo and SP Sonny Siebert. The 27 year old Harrison is hitting .128 with 0 HRs and 6 RBIs in 10 games this year for the Red Sox. The 29 year old Ellsworth is 1-1 with a 4.60 ERA in 3 games including 2 starts this year for the Red Sox. The 32 year old Pizarro is 0-0 with a 5.40 ERA in 3 games for the Red Sox in 3 IPs. The 32 year old Siebert is 0-1 with a 3.60 ERA in 2 starts for the Indians.

[Big T]

April 21st-27th, 1969


Top Performers of the Week

Cincinnati Reds LF Alex Johnson was 4 for 5 with a HR and 5 RBIs in a 6-4 win over the Astros. The 26 year old is now hitting .386 with 3 HRs and 15 RBIs in 17 games. For his career, Johnson is hitting .291 with 20 HRs and 137 RBIs in 412 games.

San Francisco Giants SP Ray Sadecki allowed 3 hits and struck out 13 in a complete game 3-0 win over the Dodgers. The 28 year old is now 3-0 with 1.30 ERA in 4 starts. For his career, Sadecki is 97-95 with 4 saves, a 3.83 ERA in 296 games including 248 starts.

San Francisco Giants 1B Willie McCovey was 2 for 4 with a HR and 4 RBIs in a 9-4 win over the Braves. A few days later McCovey was 3 for 5 with a HR and 2 RBIs in a 4-2 win over the Astros. The 31 year old is now hitting .375 with 9 HRs and 27 RBIs in 18 games. For his career, McCovey is hitting .279 with 277 HRs and 760 RBIs in 1243 games.

Baltimore Orioles SP Dave McNally allowed 5 hits and struck out 6 over 8 innings in a 3-2 win over the Tigers. The 26 year old is now 3-1 with a 1.96 ERA in 5 starts. Over his career, McNally is 73-49 with 1 save, a 3.12 ERA in 193 games including 168 starts.

Chicago White Sox SP Tommy John allowed 4 hits and struck out 9 in a complete game 4-1 win over the Twins. The 25 year old is now 2-2 with a 3.71 ERA in 4 starts. For his career, John is 52-49 with 3 saves, a 2.73 ERA in 164 games including 135 starts.

San Francisco Giants SP Juan Marichal allowed 4 hits and struck out 8 over a complete game 9-0 win over the Astros. The 31 year old is now 3-0 with a 1.76 ERA in 5 starts. For his career, Marichal is 173-77 with 2 saves, a 2.62 ERA in 296 games including 289 starts.

Chicago Cubs Glenn Beckert was 5 for 10 with 4 RBIs in a double-header sweep of the Mets. The 28 year old is now hitting .296 with 0 HRs and 12 RBIs in 19 games. For his career, Beckert is hitting .276 with 13 HRs and 178 RBIs in 627 games.

New York Yankees LF Roy White was named the AL Player of the Week. The 25 year old is now hitting .269 with 2 HRs and 9 RBIs in 18 games. For his career, White is hitting .251 with 28 HRs and 112 RBIs in 376 games.

St Louis Cardinals C Tim McCarver was named the NL Player of the Week. The 27 year old is now hitting .375 with 1 HR and 10 RBIs in 18 games. For his career, McCarver is hitting .280 with 57 HRs and 252 RBIs in 857 games.

This Weeks Major Transactions

The Chicago Cubs have traded SP Joe Niekro, SP Gary Ross and SS Frankie Libran to the San Diego Padres for SP Dick Selma. The 24 year old Niekro is 1-0 with a 3.63 ERA in 2 starts. The 21 year old Ross was 1-0 with a 1.42 ERA in 4 games including 1 start. The 20 year old Libran has not played in the MLB yet. The 25 year old Selma is 0-3 with a 4.35 ERA in 4 games including 3 starts for the Padres.

The Montreal Expos have signed free agent RP Roy Face. The 41 year old was 2-4 with 13 saves, a 2.55 ERA in 1968. For his career, Face is 100-95 with 189 saves, a 3.46 ERA in 812 games including 27 starts.

[Big T]

April 28th- May 4th, 1969


Top Performers of the Week

San Francisco Giants SP Gaylord Perry allowed 7 hits and struck out 13 over 8 innings in a 4-1 win over the Reds. The 30 year old is now 5-1 with a 4.20 ERA in 6 starts. Last season Perry was 16-15 with 1 save, a 2.44 ERA in 39 games including 38 starts with the Giants.

Chicago Cubs SP Fergie Jenkins allowed 2 hits with 7 strikeouts over 7.1 innings in a 3-2 win over the Phillies. Jenkins also allowed 5 hits and struck out 9 in a complete game 5-0 win over the Mets. The 26 year old is now 5-1 with a 1.40 ERA in 7 starts. Last season Jenkins was 20-15 with a 2.63 ERA in a NL leading 40 starts with the Cubs.

San Francisco Giants SP Bobby Bolin allowed 4 hits and struck out 6 over 7.1 innings in a 5-1 win over the Reds. The 30 year old is now 3-2 with a 3.51 ERA in 6 starts. Last year Bolin was 10-5 with a 1.99 ERA in 34 games including 19 starts with the Giants.

St Louis Cardinals SP Bob Gibson allowed 1 hit and struck out 9 in a complete game 4-0 win over the Pirates. The 33 year old is now 3-0 with 1.27 ERA in 5 starts. Last year Gibson was 22-9 with a NL leading 1.12 ERA in 34 starts for the Cardinals.

Pittsburgh Pirates CF Matty Alou was 4 for 5 with 2 RBIs in a 12-0 win over the Expos. The 30 year old is hitting .282 with 0 HRs and 9 RBIs in 25 games. Last year Alou hit .332 with 0 HRs and 52 RBIs in 146 games with the Pirates.

Baltimore Orioles RF Frank Robinson was named the AL Player of the Month. The 33 year old is hitting .327 with 8 HRs and 23 RBIs in 28 games. Last year Robinson hit .268 with 15 HRs and 52 RBIs in 130 games for the Orioles.

San Francisco Giants 1B Willie McCovey was named the NL Player of the Month. The 31 year old is hitting .349 with 12 HRs and 33 RBIs in 24 games. Last year McCovey hit .293 with a NL leading 36 HRs and an NL leading 105 RBIs in 148 games for the Giants.

New York Yankees SP Fritz Peterson was named the AL Pitcher of the Month. The 27 year old is now 4-2 with a 1.01 ERA in 6 starts. Peterson was 12-11 with a 2.63 ERA in 36 games including 27 starts for the Yankees last year.

Los Angeles Dodgers SP Claude Osteen was named the NL Pitcher of the Month. The 29 year old was 5-1 with a 2.08 ERA in 6 starts for the Dodgers. Last year, Osteen was 12-18 with a 3.09 ERA in 39 games including 36 starts. His 18 losses was an NL high last year.

Boston Red Sox CF Billy Conigliaro was named the AL Rookie of the Month. The 21 year old is hitting .268 with 4 HRs and 12 RBIs in 17 games in his rookie season.

Montreal Expos 3B Coco Laboy was named the NL Rookie of the Month. The 28 year old is hitting .300 with 4 HRs and 16 RBIs in 24 games this year.

Chicago Cubs 3B Ron Santo clubs 3 HRs in a 11-6 loss to the Mets. Santo had 4 RBIs in the game as the Cubs could have used some base runners for him. So far this season Santo is hitting .265 with 7 HRs and 21 RBIs in 27 games. Last season Santo hit .246 with 26 HRs and 98 RBIs while leading the NL in walks for the 3rd straight season with 96 in 162 games for the Cubs.

Minnesota Twins RF Tony Oliva was named the AL Player of the Week. The 30 year old is hitting .348 with 5 HRs and 17 RBIs in 23 games. Last year Oliva hit .289 with 18 HRs and 68 RBIs in 128 games with the Twins.

New York Mets LF Cleon Jones was named the NL Player of the Week. The 26 year old is hitting .376 with 2 HRs and 15 RBIs in 25 games. Last year Jones hit .297 with 14 HRs and 55 RBIs in 147 games for the Mets.

This Weeks Major Transactions

Los Angeles Dodgers SP Don Drysdale was placed on the DL and is expected to miss up to 6 weeks. The 32 year old is 2-2 with a 3.56 ERA in 4 starts. Last year Drysdale was 14-12 with a 2.15 ERA in 31 starts.

[Big T]

MLB Batting Leaders by OPS (82 PA)


MLB Pitching Leaders by ERA (25 IP)


Facts and More Facts

The 1969 MLB HR's Totals in Real Life

A regular winner of the MLB's HR race yearly was the Twins Harmon Killebrew. Killebrew lead the MLB in 1963 with 45, 1964 with 49, 1967 with 44 and in 1969 with 49. Killebrew never ever did reach the 50 plateau hitting 49 twice. Only in 1968 when he was limited to 100 games when he hit 17 did he hit less then 25 HRs for 14 seasons.

Washington Senators Frank Howard finished the 1969 campaign with 48 HRs. Howard won the HR title just once, in 1968 when he hit 44. "Hondo" has 8 HRs so far this season and is on pace for 48, exactly what he hit. Howards 48 that he hit in 1969 was a career high and in the middle of a 3 year run of 40 or more (44, 48, 44.)

Oakland Athletics RF Reggie Jackson had a coming out sort of in 1969. What was hard to believe at age 23, Jackson would never hit more then the 47 HRs he hit in 1969. He did get to 41 in 1980 for the Yankees and over his career he would hit 563, but never reach 50.

San Francisco Giants 1B Willie McCovey hit 45 HRs in 1969. For McCovey or as he was nicknamed "Stretch" because of his 6'3" frame, it was a career high breaking his 44 that he hit in 1963. McCovey was coming off a 4 year run of 30 or more homers before 1969. McCovey would finish his career with 521.

Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves would round out the top 5 HR hitters in 1969. Surprizing enough for all the HRs Aaron hit over his career, he only led the Majors once with 44 in 1957. Aaron had a career high 47 HRs in 1971 with the Braves as he acheived the 40 HR mark 8-times. As we all know at this point he was chasing down Babe Ruth's 714 HRs and at this point he is at 514 with the 4 he has hit so far this season.

[Big T]

May 5th- May 11th, 1969


Top Performers of the Week

Cleveland Indians SP Sam McDowell allowed 2 hits and struck out 13 in a complete game 3-0 win over the Twins. The 26 year old is 3-2 with a 1.88 ERA in 7 starts. McDowell is a 3-time All Star (1965, 1966, 1968)

St Louis Cardinals SP Bob Gibson allowed 5 hits and struck out 10 in a complete game 3-0 win over the Giants. The 33 year old is now 4-0 with a 1.05 ERA in 6 starts. Gibson won the Cy Young in the NL for 1968, he also won the 1968 NL MVP. Gibson is a 2 time World Series MVP and a 5 time All Star.

Houston Astros SP Larry Dierker "NO HITS" the Phillies. The 22 year old pitched a gem in a 1-0 win at Connie Mack Stadium. He did allow 2 walks and struck out 15 facing just 29 batters. Dierker is now 5-2 with a 2.01 ERA in 8 starts.

New York Yankees CF Bobby Murcer was named the AL Player of the Week. The 22 year old is hitting .300 with 2 HRs and 12 RBIs in 31 games.

San Francisco Giants LF Ken Henderson was named the NL Player of the Week. The 22 year old is hitting .500 with 1 HR and 6 RBIs in 4 games this season.

This Weeks Major Transactions

No Major Transactions to Report

[italyprof]

GREAT format and reporting. Thanks ! Plus it's a year I remember so well, the first year I followed baseball. And for now, the Yankees are in first place too !

[Big T]

Originally Posted by italyprof

GREAT format and reporting. Thanks ! Plus it's a year I remember so well, the first year I followed baseball. And for now, the Yankees are in first place too !

Thats awesome, I picked that year for the exact same reason... the first year I really followed because of the Montreal Expos.

[Big T]

May 12th- May 19th, 1969


Top Performers of the Week.

Chicago Cubs SP Fergie Jenkins allowed 6 hits and struck out 8 over a complete game 4-1 win over the Padres. The 26 year old is now 6-2 with a 1.87 ERA in 10 starts. Last season, Jenkins pitched a career high 308 innings and led the NL with 40 starts while going 20-15 with a 2.63 ERA.

St Louis Cardinals SP Bob Gibson allowed 7 hits and 9 strike outs over a complete game 5-1 win over the Dodgers. The 33 year old is now 5-0 with a 0.89 ERA in 7 starts. Gibson pitched a career high 304.2 innings in 1968 going 22-9 with a 1.12 ERA in 34 starts in the process.

Cincinnati Reds SP Jim Maloney allowed 7 hits and struck out 9 over 8 innings in a 5-0 win over the Phillies. The 28 year old is 6-1 with a 1.74 ERA in 8 starts. Maloney set a career high with 255.1 innings pitched in 1965 while with the Reds, he finished the season 20-9 with a 2.54 ERA in 33 starts.

Cleveland Indians SP Sam McDowell allowed 5 hits and struck out 8 in a complete game 6-2 win over the Royals. The 26 year old is now 4-2 with a 1.90 ERA in 8 starts. McDowell set a career high with 273.0 innings pitched in 1965 for the Indians. That season he was 17-11 with a AL leading 2.18 ERA in 42 games including 35 starts. McDowell led the AL as well with 325 strikeouts that season.

New York Yankees SP Fritz Peterson allowed 3 hits and struck out 5 in a complete game 3-0 win over the Angels. The 27 year old is now 5-3 with a 1.16 ERA in 9 starts. This is Peterson's 4th year in the MLB, he had a career high 215.0 innings pitched in his rookie season when he was 24. That season he was 12-11 with a 3.31 ERA in 34 games including 32 starts.

St Louis Cardinals LF Lou Brock was 3 for 4 at the plate with 2 HRs and 3 RBIs in a 7-5 win over the Padres. The 29 year old is now hitting .329 with 8 HRs and 20 RBIs in 35 games. Brock had a career high 21 HRs in 1967 with the Cardinals. He also hit 299 with 76 RBIs in 159 games. Brock led the NL with 724 plate appearances, 113 runs scored and 52 SB's that season.

Chicago White Sox SS Luis Aparicio collects his 2000th hit in a 10-3 win over the Tigers. The 35 year old is hitting .287 with 1 HR and 6 RBIs in 30 games. Aparicio started his MLB career with the White Sox in 1956, he was traded to the Orioles in January 1963 in a deal that included Hoyt Wilhelm. In November 1967, Aparicio was traded back to the White Sox. In his 14th MLB season, besides his now 2010 hits (13 hits this week), Aparicio 67 HRs and 570 RBIs in 1962 MLB games. To his credit, Aparico led the AL with SBs every season from his rookie season in 1956 till 1964. For his 1956 season, he was awarded the AL Rookie of the Year. He has also been an 8 time Gold Glover and 7 time All Star. As well, the AL bestowed the Player of the Week Award to Aparicio, as he hit .481 with a HR and an RBI.

San Francisco Giants SP Juan Marichal was named the NL Player of the Week. The 31 year old is now 6-0 with a 1.56 ERA in 9 starts. In 1968, Marichal set a career high with 326.0 innings pitched. In doing so he also went 26-9 with a 2.43 ERA in 38 starts. He led the NL with wins and IPs in 1968.

This Weeks Major Transactions.

The California Angels have traded Bobby Knoop to the Chicago White Sox for 2B Sandy Alomar Sr and Bob Priddy. The 30 year old Knoop is hitting .216 with 1 HR and 1 RBI in 25 games for the Angels. Knoop had a career high 17 HRs during the 1966 season for the Angels, he also hit .232 with 72 RBIs in 161 games. The 25 year old Alomar is hitting .182 with 0 HRs and 2 RBIs in 20 games with the White Sox, in 302 career MLB games, he has not hit a HR. The 29 year old Priddy has not pitched this season.

[Big T]

May 20th- May 26th, 1969


Top Performers of the Week

St Louis Cardinals SP Bob Gibson allowed 3 hits and struck out 6 in a complete game 9-0 win over the Giants. The 33 year old is now 7-0 with a 0.69 ERA in 9 starts. For his career, Gibson is 154-97 with 4 saves, a 2.77 ERA in 323 games including 285 starts.

Houston Astros CF Jim Wynn was 2 for 3 with a HR and 4 RBIs in a 10-4 win over the Expos. The 27 year old is now hitting .258 with 10 HRs and 23 RBIs in 45 games. For his career, Wynn is hitting .257 with 122 HRs and 377 RBIs in 758 games.

Los Angeles Dodgers SP Bill Singer allowed 7 hits and struck out 11 over 8.1 innings in a 6-0 win over the Cubs. The 25 year old is now 5-2 with a 1.93 ERA in 10 starts. Over 6 seasons now, Singer is 30-28 with a 2.64 ERA in 86 games including 77 starts.

Cleveland Indians SP Sam McDowell allowed 5 hits with 14 strikeouts over 8.1 innings in a 7-0 win over the Pilots. The 26 year old is now 5-3 with a 1.87 ERA in 10 starts. In 233 career games including 197 starts, McDowell is 76-69 with 9 saves, a 2.89 ERA.

Detroit Tigers SP Earl Wilson allowed 6 hits and struck out 7 over 8 innings in a 7-1 win over the Angels. The 34 year old Wilson is now 4-2 with a 2.95 ERA in 10 starts. For his career, Wilson is 108-89 with a 3.63 ERA in 280 games including 260 starts.

Pittsburgh Pirates SP Jim Bunning wins career 200th game in a 6-2 win over the Padres. The 37 year old allowed 7 hits and struck out 7. For the season, Bunning improves to 5-2 with a 2.58 ERA in 9 starts. Bunning started his MLB career with the Detroit Tigers in 1955 where he stayed until December 1965 when the Tigers traded him to the Phillies. He remained with the Phillies until a December 1967 trade sent him to the Pirates in a deal that included Don Money and Woody Fryman. Along with his win against the Padres, for his career Bunning is 201-149 with 15 saves, a 3.10 ERA in 503 games including 445 starts. Bunning is a 7-time All star who led the NL in 1966 with 41 starts and 1967 with 41. Bunning was a 20 game winner in 1957.

Chicago White Sox SP Tommy John was named the AL Player of the Week. The 26 year old is now 6-2 with a 3.16 ERA in 10 starts. For his career, John is 56-49 with 3 saves, a 2.73 ERA in 170 games including 141 starts.

Houston Astros SS Denis Menke was named the NL Player of the Week. The 28 year old is hitting .321 with 4 HRs and 32 RBIs in 45 games. For his career, Menke is hitting .250 with 69 HRs and 336 RBIs in 880 games.

This Weeks Major Transactions

Atlanta Braves 1B Tito Francona will miss up to 3 weeks and will be placed on the DL. The 35 year old is hitting .307 with 1 HR and 8 RBIs in 28 games. For his career, Francona is hitting .272 with 120 HRs and 612 RBIs in 1580 games.

St Louis SP Dave Giusti will miss up to 3 weeks and is on the DL. The 29 year old is 4-0 with a 1.05 ERA in 8 games including 7 starts. For his career, Giusti is 51-53 with 5 saves, a 3.86 ERA in 184 games including 125 starts.

[Big T]

May 26th, 1969- June 2nd, 1969


Top Performers of the Week

Minnesota Twins SP Jim Perry allowed 5 hits and struck out 1 over 7.1 innings in a 7-4 win over the Senators. The 33 year old is now 4-1 with a 2.19 ERA in 8 games including 6 starts. Last season Perry was 8-6 with 1 save, a 2.27 ERA in 32 games including 18 starts for the Twins.

Minnesota Twins 3B Harmon Killebrew was 2 for 4 with a HR and 2 RBIs in a 7-4 win over the Senators. The 32 year old is now hitting .268 with 14 HRs and 37 RBIs in 45 games. Last season, Killebrew hit .210 with 17 HRs and 40 RBIs in 100 games for the Twins.

Oakland Athletics 3B Sal Bando was 2 for 2 with 2 HRs and 2 RBIs in a 3-2 win over the Tigers. The 25 year old is now hitting .263 with 11 HRs and 32 RBIs in 45 games. Last season Bando hit .251 with 9 HRs and 67 RBIs in 162 games for the Athletics.

Oakland Athletics SP Catfish Hunter allowed 5 hits and struck out 6 over a complete game 4-1 win over the Tigers. The 23 year old is now 6-2 with a 2.26 ERA in 11 starts. In 1968, Hunter was 13-13 with 1 save, a 3.35 ERA in 36 games including 34 starts for Oakland.

New York Yankees LF Roy White was 4 for 9 with a HR and 7 RBIs in a double header sweep of the Royals. The 25 year old is now hitting .275 with 5 HRs and 23 RBIs in 47 games. Last year White hit .267 with 17 HRs and 62 RBIs in 159 games for the Yankees.

Los Angeles Dodgers SP Bill Singer allowed 3 hits and 9 strikeouts over a complete game 5-0 win over the Phillies. The 25 year old is now 7-2 with a 1.76 ERA in 12 starts. In 1968 Singer was 13-17 with a 2.88 ERA in 37 games including 36 starts for the Dodgers.

Cleveland Indians RF Ken Harrelson was named the AL Player of the Month. The 27 year old is now hitting .267 with 10 HRs and 32 RBIs in 43 games with the Red Sox and Indians this season. Last year Harrelson hit .275 with 35 HRs and an AL leading 109 RBIs in 150 games for the Red Sox.

Houston Astros SS Denis Menke was named the NL Player of the Month. The 28 year old is hitting .321 with 5 HRs and 35 RBIs in 51 games. In 1968 Menke hit .249 with 6 HRs and 56 RBIs in 150 games for the Astros.

Chicago White Sox SP Tommy John was named the AL Pitcher of the Month. The 26 year old is 7-2 with a 2.85 ERA in 11 starts. Last season John was 10-5 with a 1.98 ERA in 25 starts for the White Sox.

Houston Astros SP Denny Lemaster was named the NL Pitcher of the Month. The 30 year old is now 5-5 with a 1.92 ERA in 11 starts. Last season Lemaster was 10-15 with a 2.81 ERA in 33 games including 32 starts for the Astros.

Boston Red Sox CF Billy Conigliaro was named the AL Rookie of the Month. The 21 year old is hitting .333 with 6 HRs and 17 RBIs in 36 games. Conigliaro has won the Rookie of the Month Titles for both April and May.

Los Angeles Dodgers 3B Ted Sizemore was named the NL Rookie of the Month. The 24 year old is now hitting .288 with 1 HR and 11 RBIs in 46 games.

New York Yankees 2B Horace Clark was named the AL Player of the Week. Clark wins the award on his 29th birthday. For the season, he is hitting .263 with 0 HRs and 21 RBIs in 48 games. In 1968 Clark hit .230 with 2 HRs and 26 RBIs in 148 games for the Yankees.

San Diego Padres 1B Nate Colbert was named the NL Player of the Week. The 23 year old is hitting .247 with 8 HRs and 21 RBIs in 48 games. Last year Colbert hit .151 with 0 HRs and 4 RBIs in 20 games for the Astros.

This Weeks Major Transactions

The California Angels have traded RF Vic Davalillo to the St Louis Cardinals for RF Jim Hicks. The 32 year old Davalillo was hitting .246 with 0 HRs and 8 RBIs in 20 games for the Angels. Davalillo hit .277 with 3 HRs and 31 RBIs in 144 games for the Angels and Indians in 1968. The 29 year old Hicks was hitting .244 with 4 HRs and 12 RBIs in 13 games for the Cardinals. Hicks was not on a MLB roster since 1966 when he played 18 games for the White Sox.

[Big T]

MLB Leaders by OPS (156 PA)


MLB Leaders ERA (46 IP)


Facts, and more Facts

The 1969 Strikeout Leaders

The expectation with the smaller strike zone and the lower mound that pitchers would have a more difficult time. Well tell that to these guys....

In 1969, Indians LHP SP Sam McDowell was in the middle of his 3 year run at leading the Majors in strikeouts. After leading the AL in 3 of the past 4 years including a career high 325 Ks in 1965, McDowell led the Majors with 279 strikeouts in 1969. McDowell was with Cleveland his whole career to this point starting in 1961 winning 17 games in 1965 when he also led the AL with a 2.18 ERA, although his career best was to this point was 1.81 in 1968.

Canadian born Fergie Jenkins finished 2nd with 273 strikeouts in 1969. He did actually have a career high with 274 Ks the following season in 1970. Jenkins led the NL with 40 starts last year and is coming off back to back 20 win seasons at the point in real life. In this simulation he is 6-5 with a 2.56 ERA in 13 starts. In fact, Jenkins is in year 3 of a 6 year run of 20 + win seasons. (it would have been 8 but he was 14-16 in 1973, his final season with the Cubs).

Detroit Tigers LHP Mickey Lolich finished 3rd in the MLB with 271 strikeouts in 1969. So far in this simulation he is off the mark slightly (8.4 K/9 vs 8.7 K/9) by about 2 Ks. Lolich is 4-4 with a 3.38 ERA in 10 starts with 65 Ks so far this season. Lolich set a career high with 308 Ks in real life in 1971, the only season that Lolich would reach 300 and only season he would lead the Majors. Lolich made his MLB debut at age 23, he is currently 28.

St Louis Cardinals SP Bob Gibson is already 4th amoung active players in career strikeouts with 1928. Only Pirates Jim Bunning (2552) Dodgers Don Drysdale (2478) Senators Camilo Pascual (2139) have more and they all trail Walter Johnson who finished his career in 1927 with 3509. Gibson is currently ranked 24th career in strikeouts. In 1969 in real life he finished with 269 strikeouts, his career best was 1970 when he had 274. Gibson's ERA doubled in 1969 (2.18) from 1968 (1.12) in real life with his 1968 ERA being the 3rd best in MLB history to that point. (Dutch Leonard 0.96 in 1914 and Mordecai Brown 1.03 in 1906). The closest qualifying ERA leader since 1968 was Dwight Gooden in 1985 with a 1.52 ERA. In this simulation Gibson has a sub 1.00 ERA at 0.92.

Dodgers 25 year old SP Bill Singer finished 5th in the MLB that season with 247 strikeouts, it would be is career high as he hit 200 Ks three times over his 14 year career. ( including 12 unimpressive starts with the 1977 Toronto Blue Jays) Singer had 227 Ks in 1968 and 241 with the Angels in 1973. It was Dodgers famous announcer that referred to Singer as " the Singer throwing Machine". 1969 was Singers break out season when he would finish with 20 wins in real life. As well Singer was the first player to be officially credited with a "save" as MLB considered it an official stat for the 1st time in 1969.

[Big T]

June 2nd, 1969- June 8th, 1969


Top Performers of the Week

Boston Red Sox CF Reggie Smith was 3 for 4 with 2 HRs and 2 RBIs in a 7-2 win over the White Sox. The 24 year old is now hitting .346 with 9 HRs and 26 RBIs in 52 games. Smith is in his 4th season in the MLB, he set a career high with 148 hits including a AL leading 37 doubles in 1968 with the Red Sox. He hit .265 with 15 HRs and 69 RBIs in 155 games last year.

Minnesota Twins 3B Harmon Killebrew was 2 for 5 with 2 HRs and 6 RBIs in a 13-12 win over the Senators. The 32 year old is now hitting .274 with 19 HRs and 49 RBIs in 51 games. Killebrew had a career high 160 hits during the 1966 season with the Twins. He also led the AL with 103 walks that year. For the 1966 season, Killebrew hit .281 with 39 HRs and 110 RBIs in 162 games.

Los Angeles Dodgers SP Bill Singer allowed 3 hits and struck out 9 in a complete game 3-0 win over the Expos. The 25 year old is now 8-3 with a 1.65 ERA in 14 starts. Singer set a career high with 13 wins last year with the Dodgers. For the season he was 13-17 with a 2.88 ERA in 36 starts.

Minnesota Twins SP Jim Kaat was named the AL Player of the Week. The 30 year old is now 8-4 with a 3.07 ERA in 12 starts. Kaat set a career high for wins with 25 in 1966 for the Twins. That season he was 25-13 with a 2.75 ERA in 41 starts. His 25 wins, 41 starts and 304.2 innings pitched all led the AL in 1966.

St Louis Cardinals CF Curt Flood was named the NL Player of the Week. The 31 year old is now hitting .310 with 3 HRs and 26 RBIs in 54 games. Flood set a career high with 211 hits in 1964, that led the NL that season. For the season, Flood hit .311 with 5 HRs and 46 RBIs in 162 games. Flood also led the NL with 739 plate appearances and 679 at bats in 1964.

This Weeks Major Transactions.

In April of 1969 the California Angels signed free agent Dick Stuart for the season, but it appears that this week the end of a career for Stuart as he was released by the Angels. After taking off 2 years to try his craft in Japan with the [league redacted] and the Taiyo Whales, the Angels thought they would check to see if there was anything left in the tank. Stuart was hitting .190 with 0 HRs and 3 RBIs in 13 games this season. Stuart had a career high 168 hits in the 1964 season for the Red Sox. He hit .279 with 33 HRs and 114 RBIs that season in 156 games. He was nicknamed "Dr Stranglove" for his defensive struggles at 1B or as Hank Aaron called him "Stone Fingers".

After drafting SP Mudcat Grant from the Dodgers in the 1968 expansion draft, the Montreal Expos have traded Grant to the St Louis Cardinals for RP Gary Waslewski. The 33 year old Grant is 1-7 with a 9.41 ERA in 10 starts for the Expos. Grant had a career high 21 wins during the 1965 season when he was 21-7 with a 3.30 ERA in 39 starts for the Twins. His 21 wins led the AL in 1965. The 27 year old Waslewski is 2-0 with a 5.00 ERA in 7 games for the Cardinals. Waslewski had a career high 4 wins with the Red Sox in 1968 when he went 4-7 with 2 saves, a 3.67 ERA in 34 games including 11 starts. Mudcat Grant was the first black pitcher to win 20 games when he won 21 for the Twins.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have released RP Pedro Ramos. The 34 year old was 0-0 with a 27.00 ERA in 1 inning so far this season. Ramos had a career high 14 wins during the 1958 season when he was 14-18 with 3 saves, a 4.23 ERA in 43 games including 37 starts. His 18 losses led the AL that season. Ramos was credited with the 1st Twins win in 1961.

The Seattle Pilots have traded Gary Bell to the Chicago White Sox for Bob Locker. The 32 year old Bell was 3-4 with a 5.18 ERA in 11 starts this season. Bell had a career high 16 wins in 1959 when he was 16-11 with 5 saves, a 4.04 ERA in 44 games including 28 starts for the Indians. The 31 year old Locker is 1-0 with a 2.77 ERA in 11 games (13 IPs) for the White Sox.

[Big T]

June 9th, 1969- June 15th, 1969


Top Performers of the Week.

Chicago White Sox RF Bill Melton was 4 for 5 with 3 RBIs in a 10-4 win over the Indians. The 23 year old is now hitting .312 with 16 HRs and 50 RBIs in 54 games. As a result, Melton was named the AL Player of the Week.

St Louis Cardinals C Tim McCarver went 3 for 5 with a HR and 3 RBIs in a 15-2 win over the Reds. The 27 year old is now hitting .326 with 3 HRs and 27 RBIs in 56 games. McCarver is a 2 time All Star (1966, 1967)

Los Angeles Dodgers SP Bill Singer allowed 4 hits and struck out 11 in a complete game 4-0 win over the Phillies. The 25 year old is now 9-3 with a 1.53 ERA in 15 starts.

Cincinnati Reds C Johnny Bench was named the NL Player of the Week. The 21 year old is now hitting .243 with 8 HRs and 23 RBIs in 51 games. Bench was the 1968 NL Rookie of the Year, as well as a 1968 All Star and 1968 Gold Glover at C.

This Weeks Major Transactions.

Seattle Pilots SP Steve Barber will miss up to 5 weeks and was placed on the DL. The 31 year old is now 3-5 with a 4.24 ERA in 13 games including 7 starts. Barber is a 2-time All Star (1963, 1966) In 1963 Steve D Barber was 20-13 with a 2.75 ERA in 36 starts for the Orioles.

The New York Yankees have purchased SP Ken Johnson from the Atlanta Braves. The 36 year old is 2-1 with a 2.91 ERA in 7 games including 2 starts. Johnson is the only MLB player to ever lose a complete game nine inning no hitter.

The Cincinnati Reds have signed recently released Pirates RP Pedro Ramos. Ramos was 0-0 with a 27.00 ERA in 1 game (1 1P) with the Pirates this season. Ramos was an All Star in 1959 when he went 13-19 with a 4.16 ERA in 35 starts with the Senators.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have traded RP Ron Kline to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for RP Joe Gibbon. The 37 year old Kline is 0-0 with 1 save, a 1.69 ERA in 6 games (5 IPs). The 34 year old Gibbon is 2-0 with 3 saves, a 0.00 ERA in 11 games (11 IPs)

The Montreal Expos have traded RF Manny Mota with SS Maury Wills to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for 1B Ron Fairly and 2B Paul Popovich. The 31 year old Mota is hitting .330 with 0 HRs and 5 RBIs in 50 games for the Expos. The 36 year old Wills is hitting .263 with 0 HRs and 9 RBIs in 49 games for the Expos. Wills was the 1962 NL MVP, a 2 time Gold Glover and 5 time All Star. In 1962 Wills hit .299 with 6 HRs and 48 RBIs in 165 games for the Dodgers, his 10 triples and 104 SBs led the NL. The 30 year old Fairly is hitting .361 with 2 HRs and 14 RBIs in 35 games for the Dodgers. The 28 year old Popovich is hitting .318 with 0 HRs and 5 RBIs in 19 games for the Dodgers. Wills was the last SS to win the NL MVP until Reds Barry Larkin did it in 1995. Wills played an extra 3 games in 1962 as a 3 game tie breaker series with the Giants. Late in the season in 1962, Giants manager Alvin Dark ordered the grounds crew to water down the base-paths in an attempt to slow down Wills.

The Cincinnati Reds have purchased RP Al Jackson from the New York Mets. The 33 year old is 0-2 with a 4.91 ERA in 10 games (11 IPs). On August 14th, 1962 Jackson pitched a complete game 3-1 loss that took 4 hours and 35 minutes. The longest complete game in terms of playing time in MLB history.

The San Diego Padres have traded CF Tony Gonzalez to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for C Walt Hriniak and 2B Van Kelly. The 32 year old Gonzalez is hitting .263 with 1 HR and 10 RBIs in 55 games for the Padres. Gonzalez was the first MLB player to wear the pre-molded ear flap on his batting helmet, mostly due because he was regular among the top "hit by pitcher" stat. The 26 year old Hrniak is hitting .000 with 0 HRs and 0 RBIs in 2 games with the Braves. The 23 year old Van Kelly has not played yet this season.

The New York Yankees have traded SS Tom Tresh to the Detroit Tigers for LF Ron Woods. The 30 year old Tresh is hitting .168 with 5 HRs and 14 RBIs in 47 games this year with the Yankees. Tresh was the 1962 AL Rookie of the Year when he hit .286 with 20 HRs and 93 RBIs in 157 games for the Yankees. Tresh is also a 2 time All Star and a 1965 Gold Glover at SS. The 26 year old Woods is hitting .240 with 0 HRs and 3 RBIs in 34 games for the Tigers.

The Montreal Expos have traded 1B Donn Clendenon to the New York Mets for 3B Kevin Collins and SP Steve Renko. The 33 year old Clendenon was hitting .281 with 3 HRs and 12 RBIs in 48 games for the Expos. The 22 year old Collins was hitting .222 with 1 HR and 3 RBIs in 16 games for the Mets. The 24 year old Renko has not made his MLB debut at this time yet. In Real life, Clendenon was a huge acquistion for the Mets as he was named the 1969 World Series MVP. In college, his school "Morehouse College" assigned Big Brothers to help freshman adjust to college and school life, Clendenon was assigned a gentleman by the name of Martin Luther King Jr.

The Montreal Expos have purchased RP Dick Radatz from the Detroit Tigers. The 32 year old has not pitched in the MLB since 1967. Radatz is a 2-time AL Reliever of the Year (1962, 1964) and 2 time All Star. In 1962 Radatz was 9-6 with 24 saves, a 2.24 ERA in 62 games for the Red Sox. In 1964 he was 16-9 with 29 saves, a 2.29 ERA in 79 games. The "Monster" as he was nicknamed for his 6' 6" frame and a rough ride that he gave Mickey Mantle in a 1963 game in Fenway Park. Radatz spent the 1968 season with the Tigers AAA team, the Toledo Mud Hens.

[Big T]

June 16th, 1969- June 23rd, 1969


Top Performers of the Week

Houston Astros SP Larry Dierker allowed 4 hits and struck out 6 in a complete game 5-0 win over the Braves. The 22 year old is now 9-5 with a 2.26 ERA in 15 starts. Dierker was originally signed as an amateur free agent by the Houston Colt .45's before the 1964 season.

New York Yankees SP Fritz Peterson allowed 8 hits and struck out 9 over a complete game 1-0 win over the Tigers. The 27 year old is now 11-3 with a 1.91 ERA in 17 starts. The New York Yankees signed Peterson as a amateur free agent prior to the 1963 season.

Los Angeles Dodgers SP Bill Singer allowed 4 hits and struck out 14 in a complete game 2-0 win over the Padres. The 25 year old is now 10-3 with a 1.41 ERA in 17 starts. Prior to the 1961 season, Singer was signed as an amateur free agent by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

New York Yankees SP Stan Bahnsen allowed 4 hits and struck out 4 in a complete game 1-0 win over the Tigers. The 24 year old is now 8-2 with a 2.35 ERA in 15 starts. Bahnsen was drafted in the 4th round of the 1965 amateur draft by the Yankees.

California Angels SP Andy Messersmith allowed 7 hits and struck out 10 over 8.1 innings in a 2-0 win over the White Sox. The 23 year old is now 6-4 with a 2.45 ERA in 14 games including 11 starts. Messersmith was originally drafted by the Tigers in the 1965 draft in the 3rd round, but did not sign. He was drafted the following year by the Angels in the 1st round, 12th overall.

Oakland Athletics 3B Sal Bando was 5 for 8 with 2 HRs and 5 RBIs in a double header split with the Twins. The 25 year old is now hitting .271 with 15 HRs and 46 RBIs in 63 games. Bando was drafted by the Kansas City Athletics in the 6th round of the 1965 amateur draft.

Cleveland Indians 1B Tony Horton was named the AL Player of the Week. The 24 year old is now hitting .285 with 13 HRs and 38 RBIs in 64 games. Horton was originally signed as an amateur free agent by the Boston Red Sox in October 1962. The Red Sox traded him to the Indians for Gary Bell.

Montreal Expos RF Rusty Staub was named the NL Player of the Week. The 25 year old is now hitting .310 with 13 HRs and 38 RBIs in 62 games. Staub was originally signed by the Houston Colt 45's as an amateur free agent in September 1961. The newly nicknamed Astros traded Staub to the Expos for Donn Clendenon and Jesus Alou. The deal was later revamped when Clendenon refused to report to the Astros due to what Clendenon suggested were racist issues in the Astros management.

This Weeks Major Transactions

The Cleveland Indians have traded RF Lee Maye to the Washington Senators for RP Bill Denehy and some cash. The 34 year old Maye was hitting .310 with 4 HRs and 20 RBIs in 41 games for the Indians. The 23 year old Denehy has not pitched in 1969. Lee Maye had dual careers as he started a professional baseball career and professional recording career as a singer in 1954. He is also can be hear in the background of Richard Berry's original recording "Louie Louie".

[Big T]

June 23rd, 1969- June 30th, 1969


Top Performers of the Week.

Pittsburgh Pirates SP Bob Moose allowed 7 hits and struck out 9 in a complete game 4-1 win over the Cubs. The 21 year old is now 8-2 with 4 saves, a 1.30 ERA in 18 games including 11 starts. For his career, Moose is 17-14 with 7 saves, a 2.27 ERA in 58 games including 35 starts.

Minnesota Twins SP Jim Perry allowed 4 hits with 11 strikeouts over 8.1 innings in a 1-0 win over the Angels. The 33 year old is now 7-3 with a 2.49 ERA in 14 games including 12 starts. For his career, Perry is 113-91 with 9 saves, a 3.33 ERA in 389 games including 222 starts.

Los Angeles Dodgers SP Bill Singer allowed 6 hits and struck out 5 over a complete game 3-1 win over the Braves. The 25 year old is now 11-3 with a 1.39 ERA in 18 starts. For his career, Singer is 36-29 with a 2.43 ERA in 94 games including 85 starts.

Oakland Athletics 3B Sal Bando was 5 for 5 and completed the cycle with 2 singles, a double, triple and HR and added 7 RBIs in a 15-0 win over the White Sox. The 25 year old is now hitting .278 with 18 HRs and 56 RBIs in 70 games. For his career, Bando is hitting .251 with 27 HRs and 130 RBIs in 290 games.

San Francisco Giants 1B Willie McCovey was 4 for 7 with 2 HRs and 3 RBIs in a doubleheader sweep of the Reds. The 31 year old is now hitting .310 with 25 HRs and 60 RBIs in 73 games. For his career, McCovey is hitting .280 with 293 HRs and 793 RBIs in 1298 games.

Pittsburgh Pirates LF Willie Stargell hit for the cycle in a 14-4 win over the Cubs. Stargell was 4 for 5 with 4 RBIs in the game. The 29 year old is now hitting .292 with 11 HRs and 37 RBIs in 71 games. For his career, Stargell is hitting .273 with 147 HRs and 515 RBIs in 852 games. Stargell was also named the NL Player of the Week.

Boston Red Sox LF Carl Yastrzemski was named the AL Player of the Week. The 29 year old "Yaz" is hitting .241 with 15 HRs and 32 RBIs in 74 games. For his career, Yastrzemski is hitting .295 with 177 HRs and 688 RBIs in 1295 games.

This Weeks Major Transactions

Philadelphia RF Johnny Callison will miss up to 3 weeks. The 30 year old is now hitting .208 with 8 HRs and 30 RBIs in 70 games. For his career, Callison is hitting .267 with 181 HRs and 656 RBIs in 1435 games. In 1964 while the Phillies were in the midst of blowing a 6 1/2 game lead with 12 games left, on September 29th Callison did not start because of a high fever and the chills. Callison did PH late in the game and against MLB rules was allowed to wear his jacket to run the base paths due to his high fever. The Phillies ended falling behind the Cardinals by 1 game that season.

The San Diego Padres released SP Johnny Podres today. The 36 year old was signed as a free agent by the Padres for the 1969 season. He last pitched in the MLB for the Tigers in 1967 and was released. Podres was 1-6 with a 8.39 ERA in 8 starts this season. For his career, Podres is 144-116 with 11 saves, a 3.75 ERA in 431 games including 339 starts. Podres was the 1955 World Series MVP posted a shutout in game 7 over the Yankees for the Brooklyn Dodgers. This was the first time in MLB History a World Series MVP was awarded.

[Big T]

June 30th, 1969- July 6th, 1969


Top Performers of the Week

Los Angeles Dodgers SP Bill Singer allowed 3 hits and struck out 6 in a complete game 2-0 win over the Astros. The 25 year old is now 12-3 with a 1.47 ERA in 20 starts. Singer set a career high with 13 wins during the 1968 season when he went 13-17 with a 2.88 ERA in 36 starts for the Dodgers.

Boston Red Sox CF Reggie Smith was 3 for 7 with 2 HRs and 7 RBIs in a split of a doubleheader with the Senators. The 24 year old is hitting .318 with 13 HRs and 49 RBIs in 82 games. Smith set a career high with 148 hits in 1968 with the Red Sox. Over 155 games, Smith hit .265 with 15 HRs and 69 RBIs which included a AL leading 37 doubles. Smith was named the AL Player of the Week.

Boston Red Sox SS Rico Petrocelli was 4 for 8 with a HR and 6 RBIs in a split of a doubleheader with the Senators. The 26 year old is hitting .310 with 16 HRs and 58 RBIs in 82 games. Petrocelli set a career high with 127 hits during the 1967 season when he hit .259 with 17 HRs and 66 RBIs in 142 games with the Red Sox. Petrocelli also was 4 for 8 with a HR and 4 RBIs in a 9-5 win over the Senators the next night.

Minnesota Twins SP Jim Perry allowed 1 hit and struck out 7 over a complete game 3-0 win over the Athletics. The 33 year old is now 9-3 with a 2.26 ERA in 16 games including 14 starts. Perry set a career high with 18 wins during the 1960 season. Perry was 18-10 with 1 save, a 3.62 ERA in 40 games including 36 starts for the Indians. Also that season, Perry led the AL with 18 wins, 36 starts while giving up a AL leading 35 HRs.

Minnesota Twins 3B Harmon Killebrew was named the AL Player of the Month. The 33 year old is hitting .247 with 31 HRs and 72 RBIs in 80 games. Killebrew had a career high 160 hits during the 1966 season when he hit .281 with 39 HRs and 110 RBIs in 162 games for the Twins. Killebrew led the NL that season with 103 walks.

Cincinnati Reds C Johnny Bench was named he NL Player of the Month. The 21 year old is hitting .271 with 15 HRs and 40 RBIs in 73 games. Bench set a career high in his 1st full season last year with 155 hits. During 1968, Bench hit .275 with 15 HRs and 82 RBIs in 154 games for the Reds.

Oakland Athletics SP Blue Moon Odom was named the AL Pitcher of the Month. The 24 year is now 13-3 with a 2.15 ERA in 18 starts. In his 6th season in the MLB, he had a career high in wins with 16 in 1968. Odom was 16-10 with a 2.45 ERA in 31 starts for the Athletics in 1968.

San Francisco Giants SP Gaylord Perry was named the NL Pitcher of the Month. The 30 year old is now 14-5 with a 2.40 ERA in 20 starts. In his 8th season in the MLB, Perry set a career high with 21 wins during the 1966 season. That year he was 21-8 with a 2.99 ERA in 35 starts for the Giants.

New York Yankees C Thurman Munson was named the AL Rookie of the Month. The 22 year old is hitting .439 with 1 HR and 17 RBIs in 38 games for the Yankees.

Los Angeles Dodgers 2B Ted Sizemore was named the NL Rookie of the Month. The 24 year old is hitting .286 with 2 HRs and 29 RBIs in 79 games for the Dodgers.

St Louis Cardinals 1B Joe Torre was named the NL Player of the Week. The 28 year old is hitting .317 with 15 HRs and 62 RBIs in 83 games. Torre set a career high with 193 hits during the 1964 season. That year, Torre hit .321 with 20 HRs and 109 RBIs in 154 games for the Milwaukee Braves.

This Weeks Major Transactions

The Boston Red Sox have purchased the contract of RP Ron Kline from the San Francisco Giants. The 37 year old is 0-0 with 3 saves, a 0.71 ERA in 14 games (12 IPs) so far with the Pirates and Giants this year. Kline had a career high 14 wins in 1956 when he was 14-18 with 2 saves, a 3.38 ERA in 44 games including 39 starts with the Pirates. Kline made his MLB debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 21st, 1952.

The Cincinnati Reds have purchased the contract of SP Camilo Pascual from the Washington Senators. The 35 year old is 2-8 with a 4.50 ERA in 21 games including 13 starts. Pascual set a career high with 21 wins during the 1963 season when he went 21-9 with a 2.46 ERA in 31 starts for the Twins. Ted Williams described Pascual's overhand curveball as "the most feared curveball in the American League. Interesting enough was the Pascual and the previous mentioned Ron Kline were traded for each other in December 1966.

[Big T]

MLB Leaders by OPS (Min 275 PA)


MLB Leaders by ERA (Min 81 IP)


Facts..... and more Facts

The 1969 MLB June Amateur Draft.

The amateur draft over the years has been a starting point for many teams success.... and fails. Lets take a look at the Top 5 picks in 1969 and some of the other notables in the draft.

The Washington Senators had the first pick in the 1969 Draft, they selected Long Beach California's OF Jeff Burroughs. Burroughs is considered a good offensive player with a defensive liability, primarily because he was slow. Burroughs had a reasonably good career, appearing in 1689 MLB games in real life hitting 240 HRs with a .261 career batting average. Burroughs was the 1974 AL MVP when he hit 25 HRs for Texas Rangers while driving in 118 runs, he was the first Ranger to win the award. Burroughs later coached his son Sean to two Little League World Series Championships in 1992 and 1993.

The Houston Astros selected next, they found RHP SP J.R. Richard. James Rodney Richard was drafted out of high school 19 years after being born in Vienna, Louisiana. The Astros brought Richard into the fold slowly until 1975 when he became a full fledged starter. Richard was one of the top pitchers in the Majors from 1975-1980 until a stroke collapsed him before a game on July 30th 1980. Richard did attempt a comeback in 1981 with the Astros, but unfortunately the damage was done and he was unable to play at the MLB level. He did spend a couple of seasons in the minors.

The Chicago White Sox had the 3rd pick in 1969 and selected INF Ted Nicholson. The 6-4 197 pounder never made his way to the MLB, never getting past A ball. Nicholson retired from professional baseball in 1973 while still being in the White Sox organization.

The New York Mets had the next pick in the draft, they selected RHP Randy Sterling. The native of Key West, Florida pitched a total of 3 game for the New York Mets in 1974. He finished with a career total of 9.1 innings, a 1-1 record with a 4.82 ERA. He retired from professional baseball in 1975.

The 5th pick in the 1969 MLB amateur draft was OF Alan Bannister by the California Angels. Bannister did not sign with the Angels and went back into the draft in 1973 when he was selected by the Phillies. Bannister played in the Majors until 1985. Bannister was considered mostly a bench player throughout his career starting over 100 games only twice over his 12 year career. A very versatile player, he played every postion on the field except pitcher or catcher. Bannister finished with 972 games hit .270 with 19 HRs and 288 RBIs.

Some other Notables..........

The Cincinnati Reds selected a pitcher in the 1st round, 14th overall. Lefty SP Don Gullett was the Reds selection. Gullett had a 109-50 record with a 3.11 ERA in 266 MLBs games, including 186 starts from 1970-1978. The Lynn, Kentucky native was considered a three sport athlete and tossed a perfect game in high school. He struck out 20 of 21 batters he faced. Unfortunately shoulder problems shortened his MLB career that had 6 World Series Championships in 9 MLB seasons. (4 with the Reds, 2 with the Yankees)

The Chicago Cubs selected SS Roger Metzger in the 1st round, 16th overall. Metzger played 11 seasons, mostly with the Astros and played 1210 regular season MLB games. Not exactly know for his bat, he hit a career .231 with 5 HRs and 254 RBIs over his career. Metzger was a 1973 Gold Glover at SS and his speed propelled him to 14 triples in 1974. Metzger's career ended as a result of a home project accident. He lost the tips of 4 fingers while using an electric saw to make a wooden playhouse for his children at Christmas time. He tried to make a comeback in 1980 but was later released by the Giants after 28 games.

The 1st round, 21st overall pick was SS Gorman Thomas by the Seattle Pilots. Gorman played in 1436 games over a 13 year MLB career. He had a career batting average of .225 with 268 HRs and 782 RBIs. His career covered from his debut in 1973 with the Milwaukee Brewers to his final game with the Brewers in 1986. With Thomas, most of hit at bats ended up with a HR or SO. Shoulder surgery in 1984 slowed his defensive game as he became a DH and eventually retired after the 1986 season. Thomas was temporarily traded to the Rangers after the 1977 season, but was sent back in what considered a gentleman's agreement a few months later as the Brewers regained a roster spot for Thomas. Thomas had a career high 45 HRs in 1979 with Milwaukee.

In the 2nd round, 32nd overall the Los Angeles Dodgers selected OF Lee Lacy. Lacy played in 1523 MLB games over 16 seasons spanning from 1972-1987. Lacy ended his career with a .286 batting average, 91 HRs and 458 RBIs. Lacy had a career high 152 hits in 1984 with the Pirates while hitting .321 with 12 HRs and 70 RBIs in 138 games that season. Lacy was one of a bunch of players caught in the Pittsburgh drug scandal. In 1985 several former and current Pirate players including Dale Berra, Lee Lacy, Lee Mazzilli, John Milner, Dave Parker and Rod Scurry were involved in an MLB cocaine investigation.

The Boston Red Sox picked OF Rick Miller in the 2nd round, 37th overall in the 1969 MLB draft. Miller played 1482 games in the MLB from 1971 to 1985, most of which was with the Red Sox. A .269 hitter with 28 HRs and 369 RBIs over 15 seasons. Miller won a Gold Glove in 1978 at CF for the Angels. Miller married Carlton Fisk's sister.

The Chicago Cubs selected 16th in the 2nd round, 40th overall and picked up LHP Larry Gura. Gura appeared in 403 games including 261 starts from 1970-1985. Over 16 years, Gura was 126-97 with a 3.76 ERA in 2047 IPs. Gura was on top of his game when he went 18-10 with a 2.95 ERA in 36 starts for the Royals in 1980. From 1978 to 1984 Gura hit double figures in wins accumulating 99 wins over the span.

Later rounds.....Gems !!!

The Minnesota Twins selected SP Bert Blyleven in the 3rd round, 55th overall in 1969.

The Cleveland Indians drafted C Alan Ashby in the 3rd round, 63rd overall.

The Boston Red Sox selected 3B Dwight Evans in the 5th round, 109th overall in 1969.

The Philadelphia Phillies picked 3B Bob Boone in the 6th round, 126th overall.

The Oakland Athletics selected C Jim Sundberg in the 6th round 129th overall in the 1969 MLB amateur draft.

The Minnesota Twins selected SS Rick Burleson in the 8th round, 175th overall in 1969.

The Oakland Athletics selected RHP Glenn Abbott in the 8th round, 177th overall in 1969.

The Seattle Pilots selected SS Doug Bird in the 8th round, 189th overall in 1969. Bird converted to a Pitcher.

The St Louis Cardinals selected 3B Bucky Dent in the 9th round, 212th overall in 1969.

The St Louis Cardinals selected 3B Bill Madlock in the 11th round, 260th overall pick in 1969.

The Cleveland Indians selected 2B Buddy Bell in the 16th round, 376th overall in 1969.

The San Diego Padres selected 3B Doug DeCinces in the 18th round, 432nd overall pick in 1969.

The Baltimore Orioles selected RHP Dick Ruthven in the 20th round, 473th overall pick.

The Cincinnati Reds selected OF Ken Griffey in the 29th round, 682nd overall in the 1969 draft.

The Baltimore Orioles selected RHP Dave Winfield in the 40th round, 884 overall pick in 1969. Lets just say Winfield's 465 career HR's made him a better hitter then pitcher.

[Big T]

July 7th- July 13th, 1969


Top Performers of the Week

New York Yankees SP Fritz Peterson allowed 2 hits and struck out 5 over a complete game 4-0 win over the Orioles. The 27 year old is now 15-4 with a 1.82 ERA in 22 starts.

Minnesota Twins SP Jim Perry allowed 3 hits and struck out 7 in a complete game 1-0 win over the Royals. The 33 year old Perry is now 10-4 with a 2.20 ERA in 18 games including 16 starts. Perry was an AL All-Star in 1961.

Los Angeles Dodgers SP Don Sutton allowed 2 hits and struck out 7 in a complete game 4-1 win over the Giants. The 24 year old is now 11-4 with a 2.27 ERA in 22 starts.

Detroit Tigers SP Denny McLain allowed 3 hits with 7 strikeouts in a complete game 4-0 win over the Indians. The 25 year old is now 13-10 with 1 save, a 2.15 ERA in 25 games including 23 starts. McLain was the 1968 AL Cy Young Award winner and the 1968 AL MVP with his 31-6 record, 1.96 ERA in 41 starts in last year. McLain is also a 2 time AL All Star.

Boston Red Sox CF Reggie Smith was 4 for 10 with 3 doubles and a HR with 7 RBIs in a doubleheader split with the Orioles. The 24 year old is hitting .314 with 14 HRs and 58 RBIs in 90 games. Smith won a Gold Glove in 1968 for CF in the AL.

Baltimore Orioles RF Frank Robinson was 3 for 5 with 2 HRs and 3 RBIs in a double header split with the Red Sox. The 33 year old is hitting . 289 with 18 HRs and 58 RBIs in 88 games. Robinson is a 2-time MVP, 1961 in the NL and 1966 in the AL. He won the 1956 NL Rookie of the Year Award. Robinson was named the 1966 World Series MVP and is a 8-time All Star.

Los Angeles Dodgers SP Bill Singer allowed 2 hits and struck out 10 over a complete game 6-0 win over the Giants. The 25 year old is now 14-3 with a 1.34 ERA in 22 starts.

Atlanta Braves SP Pat Jarvis NO HITS the Padres today in a 4-0 win. Jarvis faced just 30 batters in the game walking 3 and striking out 4. The 28 year old is now 10-6 with a 2.54 ERA in 20 games including 18 starts.

Oakland Athletics RF Reggie Jackson was named the AL Player of the Week. The 23 year old is hitting .284 with 19 HRs and 42 RBIs in 84 games.

Cincinnati Reds 3B Tony Perez was named the NL Player of the Week. The 27 year old is hitting .292 with 17 HRs and 56 RBIs in 84 games. Perez is a 2-time All Star, 1967 and 1968 in the NL.

This Weeks Major Transactions

The Detroit Tigers have lost the services of 2B Dick Mcauliffe for up to 4 months. The 29 year old is hitting .234 with 9 HRs and 30 RBIs in 76 games. Mcauliffe is a 3-time AL All Star. Mcauliffe was best known for his unorthodox batting stance and high leg kick. Mcauliffe tied an AL record in 1968 when he went the complete season without hitting into a double play. He also got suspended in 1968 for his involvement in a brawl that resulted in White Sox SP Tommy John separating his shoulder.