April 1, 1967

NEXT SIM

Th 6/19 (to Apr 16)
 

UPCOMING SIMS

Sun 6/22 (to May 1)
Wed 6/25 (to May 16)
Sat 6/28 (to June 1)

OPENING DAY PROBABLES

*left-handed

1966 Stats

WAS
BOS

Rick Wise
*Mike Cuellar

15-16
15-12

4.66
3.42

LA
SF

*J. Antonelli
Fergie Jenkins

19-6
20-12

2.43
3.20

BRO
MAN

Gene Conley
Bob Anderson

19-8
10-8

2.51
3.46

DET
CLE

*Pedro Ramos
Johnny Podres

21-10
17-10

3.47
2.58

STL
ATL

Don Sutton
*Steve Carlton

23-12
 

3.62
 

DAL
CHI

*Jim Merritt
Bill Singer

7-9
 

4.90
 

FRANCHISE TRENDS

Change in wins in 1966

San Francisco

+21

Los Angeles

+16

Washington

+12

Brooklyn

+4

Atlanta

+2

Detroit

+2

Chicago

-4

Dallas

-7

Manhattan

-10

St. Louis

-11

Cleveland

-12

Boston

-14

HIGHEST PAID PLAYERS

#

Player

Salary

1

Willie Mays, WAS

$12,000

2

Mickey Mantle, BRO

9,950

3

Johnny Podres, CLE

9,570

4

Joe Torre, MAN

8,750

5

Rocky Colavito, CLE

8,300

6

Frank Robinson, LA

7,500

7

Bill Skowron, DAL

6,000

8

Frank Thomas, CLE

6,000

9

Harm Killebrew, ATL

5,600

10

Joe Adcock, CHI

5,500

11

Hank Aaron, LA

5,200

12

Gene Conley, BRO

4,820

13

Dick Howser, WAS

4,650

14

Ted Lepcio, BRO

4,600

15

Sammy Taylor, STL

4,500

16

Dick Williams, BRO

4,469

17

Gene Freese, CLE

4,219

18

Orlando Cepeda, BOS

4,200

19

Dom Demeter, CHI

4,198

20

Curt Flood, CLE

4,114

21

Dick Stuart, WAS

4,112

22

Vada Pinson, MAN

3,900

23

Jim Busby, STL

3,410

24

Sandy Amoros, CLE

3,300

25

Roger Maris, STL

3,150

W

L

Place

R

OR

Rank

1964

44

118

6/12

527

869

1965

54

108

6/12

752

1052

6-12

1966

56

106

6/12

702

942

9-12

W

L

Place

R

OR

Rank

1964

84

78

4/5

678

708

6 - 8

1965

81

81

4/6

726

794

8 - 10

1966

67

94

6/10

690

790

11 - 9

2B
SS
1B
3B
CF
C
LF
RF

SP
SP
SP
SP
CL

L
R
R
L
R
R
L
R

L
R
L
R
L

Joe Morgan
Ron Hunt
Harmon Killebrew
Eddie Mathews
Bob Allison
Don Pavletich
Lenny Green
Lou Clinton

*Steve Carlton
Jim Palmer
Steve Barber
Jim Nash
Don Gross
 

Carlton or Carew?  What would you do? After much debate, the Hillweeds finally settled on Lefty Carlton as the number one overall pick, even bucking their own predictions.  Glen Reed, usually very cautious with his youth, seems to have plugged Carlton right into the big boy round-a-bout.  And just because Reed didn’t reel in Rod, doesn’t mean he didn’t get some potential big offensive fish.  Young sluggers Reggie Smith and Bill Robinson should share a bright future in Atlanta.  In fact, the ‘Toppers added much too improve the future of the franchise as well as addressing the present.  Don Gross, Larry Sherry and Bud Daley came in through the Free Agent window, and suddenly the bullpen seems brighter.  Trade winds blew in the likes of Eddie Mathews, Bob Allison and Lenny Green, all key offensive components from the teams they were pilfered from and none too shabby with the leather either.  Steve Barber went from being the baby in Cleveland to the grizzled veteran of the zit-faced Hilltopper rotation.  There’s no way this team doesn’t crush last year’s effort, the offense will see to that.  But there’s way too much riding on young pitching to call this team a contender just yet.

 IN: CF Bob Allison, SP Steve Barber, *SP Lefty Carlton, 3B Eddie Mathews, MR Bud Daley, MR Larry Sherry, CL Don Gross
OUT: 1B Norm Siebern, SP Billy O'Dell, SP Billy Loes, MR Bill Fischer, 2B Dick Green

CF
LF
C
1B
SS
RF
3B
2B

SP
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL

R
L
R
R
R
L
R
L

L
R
L
L
R
R

Jimmy Wynn
Manny Jimenez
Bill Freehan
Orlando Cepeda
Rico Petrocelli
Art Shamsky
George Scott
*John Donaldson

Mike Cuellar
*Gary Nolan
Chris Short
Herb Score
Bob Purkey
Ray Narleski
 

Shawn Martin has to be scratching his head, his team has been in a downward spiral since 1963.  Don’t look for things to get much better in ’67.  The Feds did make the most of their amateur selections, wheeling in Gary Nolan, possibly the best pitching prospect of the draft and Bobby Tolan, a multi-tooled outfield craftsman.  Kid hurlers Gene Brabender and Chuck Hartenstein could be a big part of whatever’s brewing in Beantown.  Free Agents Ray Narleski and Bob Purkey bring their experience to a pitching staff in constant flux, presumably to gnaw on innings while the toddlers wait for their teeth to come in.  Don’t look for anyone to make a Federal case out of the lumber supplied, as the materials look a lot like last year’s.
 

IN: *SP Gary Nolan, CL Ray Narleski, SP Bob Purkey, *2B John Donaldson, *MR Chuck Hartenstein
OUT: MR Bob Chakales, SP Dick Donovan, SP Curt Simmons, MR Dean Stone, MR Larry Sherry

W

L

Place

R

OR

Rank

1964

103

59

1/2

755

563

2 - 3

1965

99

63

1/2

849

632

1 - 3

1966

95

67

1/2

795

663

3 - 4

W

L

Place

R

OR

Rank

1964

105

57

1/1

845

516

1 - 1

1965

97

65

2/3

788

602

4 - 2

1966

101

60

1/1

796

591

2 - 2

RF
3B
1B
LF
C
CF
SS
2B

SP
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL

L
R
L
R
L
R
R
S

R
L
R
L
R
R

Al Spangler
Paul Schaal
Norm Cash
Joe Adcock
Ed Bailey
Don Demeter
Rocky Bridges
Horace Clarke

*Bill Singer
George Brunet
Tom Sturdivant
*Wilbur Wood
Ray Herbert
Russ Kemmerer
 

Lance Mueller has to be wondering how many title shots he’s got left in him.  The Colts started the off-season as benefactors of the Brooklyn/Burdette Break-a-way.  When they added Free Agent Wally Post, it looked like they were shoring up for another flag stand.  Then came the mysterious trade of their ’66 offensive superstar Bob Allison to improve draft standing.  In that respect the move paid off.  Mueller invited Bill Singer and Wilbur Wood to be the future of the Ponies rotation - but penciling them into the opening day roster smells a lot like rebuilding.

IN: SP Lew Burdette, SS Rocky Bridges, LF Wally Post
OUT: CF Bob Allison, MR Bud Daley, LF Jim Busby, MR Bob Grim, MR Chet Nichols, RF Tommy Harper





 

2B
SS
RF
1B
LF
3B
C
CF

SP
SP
SP
SP
CL

L
L
S
L
R
R
L
R

R
L
R
R
R

Don Blasingame
Dick McAuliffe
Mickey Mantle
Jim Gentile
Dick Williams
Ted Lepcio
Tim McCarver
Jim Hickman

Gene Conley
Whitey Ford
Johnny Kucks
Jim Perry
Dave Sisler
 

Not much changed in Brooklyn this off-season, probably a wise move when you’re the defending champs.  Moneyball came into play for the ‘Bas and they’ll enter the season without Sweet Lew Burdette, a huge cog in the championship machine.  But don’t bemoan a rotation that still whispers “Best Ever?” and a bullpen that screams “This Year’s Model.”  Once again (yawn), the team to beat in the East.  But the ‘Bas are not invulnerable, they have very little back-up in case of injury.

IN: *MR Dick Selma, C Del Crandall, *MR Dennis Higgins, *2B Glenn Beckert, *3B Joe Foy, *LF Rick Reichardt
OUT: SP Lew Burdette





  

W

L

Place

R

OR

Rank

1964

83

79

2/6

676

626

7 - 5

1965

74

88

4/9

727

742

7 - 9

1966

67

95

5/11

706

824

7 - 11

LF
CF
2B
1B
RF
3B
C
SS

SP
SP
SP
SP
CL

R
R
L
L
R
R
L
R

L
R
L
R
R

Chuck Hinton
Curt Flood
Bernie Allen
Norm Siebern
Frank Thomas
Gene Freese
Johnny Roseboro
Dick Groat

Johnny Podres
Earl Francis
Billy O'Dell
Bob Friend
Tom Acker
 

Probably the team that’s changed the most that isn’t rebuilding with youth.  Gone are franchise men Eddie Matthews and Harvey Kuenn.  Gone are closers Don Elston and Pete Richert.  This is a team that got a few years older despite it only being one year later.  Billy O’Dell replaces Steve Barber in the rotation, a rotation that may be the best in the League.   The bullpen, however, could be the weakest the Barons have seen in a long time.  Glovemaster Dick Groat gets his first shot at everyday use since his Lone Star days, any offensive output will be appreciated.  Watch for even more emphasis to be placed on defense as it’s unclear how the new look offense will respond.  Starter Jim Hardin was the only amateur pick-up of note for Cleveland.

IN: *SP Larry Jaster, 1B Norm Siebern, MR Tom Acker, SP Billy O'Dell, 2B Dick Green, SP Billy Loes, *LF Jesus Alou,
OUT: SP Steve Barber, 3B Eddie Mathews, SS Harvey Kuenn

2B
CF
LF
3B
1B
RF
SS
C

SP
SP
SP
SP
CL

L
R
L
R
L
L
R
L

L
L
L
R
R

*Rod Carew
Roberto Clemente
Boog Powell
Bob Bailey
Marv Throneberry
Curt Blefary
Bobby Del Greco
*Duke Sims

Jim Merritt
*Ken Holtzman
Gaylord Perry
*Pat Jarvis
Ray Crone

Uniforms had already been stitched up for Steve Carlton, but how can you complain about having to settle for Rod Carew?  The Texans can’t be thrilled about coming off their worst season yet, but they’ve made no bones about the fact that they are rebuilding.  Bill Sarni may be on his way out with the pick up of catcher Duke Sims. Watch for the Cowboys to lasso the cellar position in the West, despite Atlanta having the only rotation younger than their own.

IN: *2B Rod Carew, *SP Ken Holtzman, *SP Pat Jarvis, *SP Rich Nye, *C Duke Sims, *MR Casey Cox
OUT: CL Ray Narleski, SP Bob Purkey, SP Art Ceccarelli, LF Wally Post, 2B Hector Lopez, C Gene Green,
 

W

L

Place

R

OR

Rank

1964

82

80

3/7

739

697

3 - 7

1965

77

85

3/8

723

731

9 - 8

1966

93

69

2/3

705

633

8 - 3

W

L

Place

R

OR

Rank

1964

81

81

5/8

679

691

5 - 6

1965

84

78

3/5

789

682

3 - 4

1966

86

76

3/5

738

767

6 - 7

1B
SS
RF
LF
CF
2B
3B
C

SP
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL

L
R
R
R
L
R
R
L

L
L
R
R
L
L

Bill White
Harvey Kuenn
Hank Aaron
Frank Robinson
Jimmie Hall
Felix Mantilla
Ken McMullen
Tom Haller

Johnny Antonelli
Fritz Peterson
Larry Dierker
*Jim McGlothlin
Hank Aguirre
*John Hiller 

Apparently Peter Vays used the lure of owning Hank Aaron as a diversion to put all the pieces in place for a serious title shot.  Add one legendary place setter in Harvey Kuenn for Roy White and some prospects.  Oh, and there’s a case of the HK glove… Looking for a fourth starter, can Hank Aguirre hold on?  Can Bunning bounce back?  Is Mahaffey too far gone?  Are newest draftees Jim McGlothlin, Joe Coleman and John Hiller ready to jump in?Looks like that’s gonna be the story of Vays’ triumph: too many options.  Loads of young talent, and guess what?  He’s still got Hank!

IN: SS Harvey Kuenn, *SP Jim McGlothlin, *CL John Hiller, MR Bob Chakales, MR Chet Nichols, C Earl Averill, MR Dean Stone
OUT: RF Roy White, 2B Jim Lefebvre

 

CF
2B
RF
1B
LF
SS
C
3B

SP
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL

R
R
L
R
R
R
L
R

R
L
R
R
R
R

*Cesar Tovar
Eddie Bressoud
Joe Cunningham
Dick Allen
Frank Howard
Woodie Held
Johnny Edwards
Denis Menke

Pedro Ramos
Tommy John
Joey Jay
*Froggy Hands
Bob Gibson
Tex Clevenger 

The Griffins want so badly to jump into the pennant race, but not much has been done to improve their standing in the standings. Pedro Ramos, Tommy John and Joey Jay are a 1-2-3 to stand up to the division leaders, but where’s that number four?  Sean Holloway wisely used the draft to invest in bullpen futures.  Mel Queen, Danny Frisella and Ramon Martinez will likely see or need very little time in Canada.  Rookie pen help, success at fourth starter and continued solid D could make the Griffs a sleeper.

IN: *SP Froggy Hands, LF Carl Yastrzemski, 2B Eddie Bressoud, *CF Cesar Tovar, *MR Dave Giusti, *MR Bob Humphreys
OUT: CL Don Gross
 
 

W

L

Place

R

OR

Rank

1964

71

91

4/10

643

740

9 - 9

1965

90

72

2/4

790

719

2 - 6

1966

79

83

4/8

746

752

5 - 6

W

L

Place

R

OR

Rank

1964

72

90

6/9

674

780

8 - 11

1965

79

83

5/7

655

714

12 - 5

1966

69

93

5/9

664

789

12 - 8

1B
LF
CF
3B
SS
RF
C
2B

SP
SP
SP
SP
CL

L
R
L
R
R
L
L
S

R
R
L
R
R

Frank Torre
Jim Busby
Roger Maris
Tony Perez
Jim Fregosi
Lee Thomas
Sammy Taylor
Jim Lefebvre

Don Sutton
Bob Shaw
Art Ceccarelli
Bob Sadowski
Bob Locker
 

One needs a crystal skull to unravel the mystery of where the Maroons are headed. Looked like they meant to misbehave by working that cap space muscle, landing Kuenn, Taylor and Busby.  But then added no legitimate starters and traded Kuenn and draft picks for prospects.  Maybe notorious multi-tasker Tim Smith isn’t happy unless he’s simultaneously hole-filling, rebuilding and selling the farm.  The Western Division just had a ton of raw, young talent dumped into it, and very little landed in the 'roons back yard.  Joe Niekro and glove men Jack Hiatt and Gene Michael will sure give it all they've got though.

IN: LF Jim Busby, C Sammy Taylor, RF Roy White, MR Bob Grim, 2B Jim Lefebvre, SP Art Ceccarelli, MR Don Elston, 2B Hector Lopez, SP Curt Simmons
OUT: SP Joe Presko, C Earl Averill, MR Tom Acker, 2B Davey Williams
 
 

CF
2B
C
1B
SS
3B
LF
RF

SP
SP
SP
SP
SP
CL
CL

L
S
R
L
R
L
R
L

R
L
R
R
R
R
R

Vada Pinson
Don Buford
Joe Torre
Willie Stargell
Granny Hamner
Pete Ward
Rico Carty
Tony Oliva

Bob Anderson
Joe Gibbon
Don Larsen
Sonny Siebert
Dick Donovan
Ted Abernathy
Dick Radatz 

I don’t think we realize how close we came to having “Colt Seaver” in the league.  But the Sox swoop in and nab Tom Tom for their club.  Top that with the Elder Niekro, Philip, and you might finally be able to get Gibbon and Anderson the help they need.  The bullpen is trying to untangle last season before this one starts.  No one doubts that Granny Hamner can’t continue his slap-happy ways, ergo, the offense is going to be productive to ridiculous proportions.  However, in an effort to “Go Green” the Sox have made all their gloves from recycled tires, so watch for the defense to be a little stiff this year.  But score ten runs a game and you get used to the smell.

IN: SP Dick Donovan, SP Don Larsen, *1B Ed Kranepool, *3B Don Wert
OUT: C Del Crandall, 2B Eddie Bressoud



 

W

L

Place

R

OR

Rank

1964

87

75

3/4

584

535

10 - 2

1965

71

91

6/10

675

727

11 - 7

1966

83

79

4/7

872

821

1 - 10

W

L

Place

R

OR

Rank

1964

65

97

5/11

577

771

1965

64

98

5/11

710

951

10-11

1966

85

77

3/6

756

704

4 - 5

LF
3B
RF
CF
1B
SS
2B
C

SP
SP
SP
SP
CL
CL

L
S
L
L
L
R
R
L

R
R
R
R
L
L

Lou Brock
Pete Rose
Billy Williams
Roger Repoz
Willie McCovey
Clete Boyer
Tony Taylor
J.C. Martin

Fergie Jenkins
Luis Tiant
Fred Newman
Ron Kline
Tug McGraw
*Paul Lindblad

This team on the rise needs to stabilize their starting pitching situation if they hope to continue their climbing ways.  As always, the Spiders have no shortage of promising young arms, but getting them to develop is another matter.  Despite a run of bad luck, Jeff Tonole has woven together a tight little offense, the core of which has been playing together for years.  Draft day breathed new life into the Spider relief corps as they picked up "Dr." Mike Marshall, Grant “I Can’t Decide Which President I Am” Jackson and George “Butter Burger” Culver.

IN: MR Bill Fischer, *MR Paul Lindblad, *MR Grant Jackson, *MR George Culver, *2B Billy Moran
OUT: MR Don Elston

 

SS
LF
3B
CF
1B
RF
C
2B

SP
SP
SP
SP
CL

R
L
R
R
R
L
R
R

R
R
R
L
R

Dick Howser
Floyd Robinson
Ron Santo
Willie Mays
Dick Stuart
Willie Kirkland
Johnny Romano
Davey Williams

Rick Wise
*Dick Hughes
*Don Wilson
Bob Veale
Jack Aker
 

The Monuments utilized the draft to address a burning need: starting pitching, but it may be too soon for draftees Dick Hughes and Don Wilson to be of much help. They sent Yaz to a place where big names are free to suck – Detroit, in exchange for a couple cases of bat polish and the absorption of Yaz’s wallet demands.  Otherwise, Washington’s bat battalion should continue to march forward.  After a slow maturation process, Ron Santo has finally had his breakout year.  Dick Howser proves you don’t have to hit home runs or RBI’s to be an MVP.

IN: *SP Dick Hughes, *SP Don Wilson, SP Joe Presko, C Gene Green, 2B Davey Williams, *LF Al Ferrara, *MR Rob Gardner, RF Tommy Harper
OUT: SS Rocky Bridges, C Sammy Taylor, SP Don Larsen, LF Carl Yastrzemski