The 1967 Astros

I feel bad for the Houston Astros. Not only did that weasel of a commissioner Bud Selig pack them off to the American League after 50 years in the National League (instead of doing the right thing and returning his own Milwaukee Brewers to AL), but Topps did not make any team cards for the Astros until 1970. 

 

Selig was quoted as saying “Milwaukee is a National League town. They should remain in the NL.” Yeah Bud, the NL Braves were in Milwaukee for all of 13 years, while the Colts/Astros were in the NL for 50+ years. He must have been picking his nose while his classmates were learning arithmetic.

 

Here are the starting pitchers:

Mike Cuellar led the staff with 16 wins, and after 1968 was rewarded for his perseverance by being traded to the Orioles, where he flourished for many years.

 

Dave Giusti was primarily a staring pitcher from 1966-68, the only 3 seasons he won in double figures. After ’68, he was traded away, and became a reliever for his last 9 seasons. Don Wilson won 10 games in his rookie ’67 season. He won between 11-16 games for the next 7 years. Those were the top 3 starters in 1967. The next 4 pitchers all started between 10 and 18 games. 

 

Bo Belinsky was picked up from the Phillies in the rule 5 draft before the season, and pitched 27 games (18 starts) for Houston. After winning only 3 games, he found himself in the minors for all of 1968.

 

After winning 10 games in 1966, Larry Dierker only won 6 in 1967. He didn’t pitch after late-June (his spot seemingly taken by Wade Blasingame). Blasingame was acquired on 6/15 for Claude Raymond, and started 14 games for the Astros. 

 

Bruce Von Hoff joined the team in mid-August, and appeared in 10 games (all starts) over the final 6 weeks. Curiously, he never played in the majors again. Chris Zachary pitched 7 games (6 starts) over the first 2 months, then was sent down for the next 3 months. He appeared in 2 games in September. 

 

 

This is a long list of relievers used in 1967:

Larry Sherry was picked up at the end of June, and led the team with 6 saves in 29 games. Barry Latman appeared in 29 games, all but 1 in relief. His 77 innings were tops among those who were primarily relievers. He was able to achieve that despite being released in late-August.

 

Carroll Sembera pitched 59 innings over 45 games, but was back in the minors for all of 1968. Dave Eilers pitched for the Braves and Mets from 1964-66, but started the 1967 season in the minors. He was recalled in mid-June (seemingly to replace the departed Claude Raymond) and pitched 35 games in his final MLB season. 

 

 

Dan Schneider was acquired from the Braves (along with Tom Dukes) in an inexplicable trade for 3 minor-leaguers after the 1966 season. The only lefthander in the bullpen, he pitched 52 innings over 54 games. Like several other pitchers here, he then spent all of 1968 in the minors. Claude Raymond led the team with 16 saves in 1966 while also making the All-Star team. He was leading the staff with 5 saves when he was traded to the Braves in mid-June for Blasingame. 

 

Dan Coombs pitched for Houston from 1963-65, but spent most of ’66 and ’67 in the minors. He returned to the Astros for 6 games in September. Tom Dukes was acquired from the Braves in the Dan Schneider deal, and pitched 23 innings over 17 games after his mid-August recall. 

 

Howie Reed appeared in 4 games after his September recall. Ex-Phillies (and famed Dalton Gang members) Turk Farrell and Jim Owens both started the 1967 with the Astros. Farrell had been a standout in Houston’s early years, making the All-Star team in '62, '64, and '65. After slumping to 6 wins in 1966 he was dealt to the Phillies in early-May 1967. Owens was a key bullpen cog from 1964-66. After just 10 appearances in 1967, he was released in mid-July and joined the coaching staff. 

 

Arnold Earley began his pro career in 1953, and pitched for the Red Sox from 1960-65. Thankfully he pitched for the Cubs in 1966, otherwise we wouldn't have this great-looking card! He spent most of 1967 in the minors, only pitching 1 1/3 innings over 2 games in late July for the Astros. His 27.00 ERA guaranteed it would be his last appearance. 

 

John Buzhardt was purchased from the Orioles on 9/25. Why then? 

Pat House pitched 6 games after his September call-up. He would return for 18 games in 1968, his 2nd and final season.

These are the primary starters at each position:

John Bateman was the regular catcher in ’63, ’66, and ’68, and split the job with Ron Brand in 1967. Eddie Mathews was acquired from the Braves in the off-season and installed at 1st base. He moved on to the Tigers in August, and wrapped up his Hall of Fame career with the champion Tigers in 1968. 

 

Joe Morgan was the Astros’ 2nd baseman from 1965-71, then reached greater fame with the Reds. Sonny Jackson was a star rookie in 1966, but slumped in ’67. He was traded to the Braves after the season. 

 

Bob Aspromonte was an original Colt .45, and also the last active Brooklyn Dodger. Ron Davis played left field, and started 59 games. (Rookie Norm Miller and veteran Jim Landis also shared this job.)

 

Jim Wynn roamed center field, and was the team’s main power threat. Rusty Staub made his first of 5 consecutive All-Star teams in 1967. Primarily the right fielder, he moved to 1st base in 1968. 

 

These are the bench players, in order of at-bats.

The Cardinals’ starting shortstop in 1962, Julio Gotay was otherwise a utility infielder during his career. He was the Astros’ backup middle-infielder for his last 3 seasons (1967-69). Ron Brand was the Astros’ starting catcher in 1965, but shared the job with Bateman in 1967. 

 

Norm Miller was recalled in early-May, and started 49 games in left field. Chuck Harrison was the Astros’ regular 1st baseman in 1966, but was platooned with the newly-acquired Eddie Mathews for the first half of 1967. After Mathews’ mid-August trade to the Tigers, Harrison caddied for rookie Doug Rader (who moved to 3rd base in 1968). 

 

 

Doug Rader was called up in late-July and took over the starting 1st base job as a rookie. In 1968 he moved over to 3rd base. Jim Landis was traded to Detroit in late-June for Larry Sherry. He was subsequently traded to the Red Sox. 

 

Dave Adlesh played a handful of games for Houston from 1963-66, then spent all of ’67 and ’68 with the Astros as a backup catcher, but mostly warmed the bench. He played about 40 games each season (starting 75% of them). In his 11th and final season, Jackie Brandt was acquired from the Phillies in mid-June, and released 3 months later. In-between, he started 13 consecutive games at 1st base in July.

 

 

Bob Lillis was the team’s regular shortstop from 1962-65, then backed up Jackson in his final 2 seasons. Hal King played 15 games (11 starts) in his major-league debut in September. 

 

Ivan Murrell played 10 games after his September call-up. Bill Heath played 55 games as the Astros’ 2nd-string catcher in 1966. After only 9 games in April 1967, he was returned to the minors and replaced by Ron Brand. 

 

 

Bob Watson would go on to play 19 seasons, but he only played 6 games in his September call-up this year. Jose Herrera made his major-league debut with 5 pinch-hitting appearances in early-June, then was sent back down until August 1968. 

 

John Buzhardt pitched 2/3 of an inning after his final-week acquisition. The Astros were his 3rd team that season. Grady Hatton managed the Astros from 1966 to midway through 1968. 

 

 

Aaron Pointer, Wes “Lee” Bales, and Alonzo “Candy” Harris each appeared in a few games. The others played more extensively in 1967. 

 

Derrell Griffith had a card in the 1967 set, but did not play for any MLB team in 1967. 

 

Transactions from the end of the 1966 season to the end of 1967:  

11/26/66 - Drafted Bo Belinsky from the Phillies in the rule 5 draft. 

11/26/66 - Drafted Alonzo "Candy" Harris from the Orioles in the rule 5 draft. 

11/26/66 - Released Felix Mantilla. 

 

11/29/66 - Drafted Dave Eilers from the Mets in the minor league draft. 

11/29/66 - Drafted Pat House from the Braves in the minor league draft. 

11/29/66 - Drafted Hal King from the Angels in the minor league draft. 

 

12/31/66 - Traded Bob Bruce and Dave Nicholson to the Braves for Eddie Mathews, Sandy Alomar, and Arnold Umbach. 

 

01/04/67 - Traded Lee Maye and Ken Retzer to the Indians for Doc Edwards, Jim Landis and Jim Weaver. 

 

02/10/67 - Sold Ron Taylor to the Mets. 

 

02/24/67 - Sold Jim Ray to the Mets. 

 

03/24/67 - Mets returned Jim Ray to the Astros. 

03/24/67 - Traded Sandy Alomar to the Mets for Derrell Griffith. 

 

04/28/67 - Signed Bob Lillis as a free agent. 

 

05/08/67 - Sold Turk Farrell to the Phillies. 

05/08/67 - Sold Bill Heath to the Tigers. 

 

06/01/67 - Purchased Marv Breeding from the Braves. 

 

06/09/67 - Purchased Jackie Brandt from the Phillies. 

 

06/15/67 - Traded Claude Raymond and Derrell Griffith to the Braves for Wade Blasingame. 

 

06/27/67 - Traded Marv Breeding to the Cubs for Arnold Earley. 

 

06/29/67 - Traded Jim Landis to the Tigers for Larry Sherry. 

 

07/14/67 - Released Jim Owens. 

 

07/20/67 - Sold Gary Kroll to the Indians. 

 

08/07/67 - Traded Jim Weaver to the Angels for Hector Torres. 

 

08/17/67 - Traded Eddie Mathews to the Tigers for TBA (Fred Gladding) and pitcher Leo Marentette. 

 

08/19/67 - Released Barry Latman. 

 

09/09/67 - Released Jackie Brandt. 

 

09/25/67 - Purchased John Buzhardt from the Orioles. 

 

10/08/67 - Traded Chuck Harrison and Sonny Jackson to the Braves for Denny Lemaster and Denis Menke. 

 

10/17/67 - Released Bob Lillis. 

 

11/28/67 - Drafted Skip Lockwood from the Athletics in the rule 5 draft. 

11/28/67 - Drafted Joe Moeller from the Dodgers in the rule 5 draft. 

11/28/67 - Lost Doc Edwards to the Phillies in the minor league draft. 

 

 

 

Only 2 more team reviews to go ('67 Mets, '69 Padres) and I'm so glad. Dealing with Google Blogger's default paragraph mode is a major pain in the ass, especially with so many paragraphs in a post like this. 

 

Click on the 'team review' link below to see all my other 1967 reviews on this blog. (The Tigers are on my 1968 blog, and the expansion teams are on my 1969 blog.) 

 

The 1967 Angels

The Angels finished in 5th place in 1967, with a record of 84-77. They also hosted the All-Star game that summer. 

They were loaded with aging veterans, with Jack Sanford, Curt Simmons, Lou Burdette, Jim Coates, Bill Skowron, Jim Piersall, and John Werhas all in their final seasons. 

The much-traveled George Brunet (9 teams in 15 seasons) headed up the Angels’ rotation, despite leading the AL with 19 losses. Jim McGlothlin posted a 12-8 record and was named to the All-Star team. Rule 5 draftee Rickey Clark posted a 12-11 record in his rookie season. It would be his best year. Jack Hamilton was acquired from the Mets on June 10th for Nick Willhite. 

 

 

Clyde Wright posted a 5-5 mark in his 2nd season, but would eventually be a 22-game winner in 1970. Jack Sanford was wrapping up his 12th and final season, and was traded to the Athletics in June for Roger Repoz. Nick Willhite was acquired from the Dodgers in the off-season. After posting an 0-2 record, he was flipped to the Mets for Jack Hamilton. Curt Simmons came over from the Cubs in early-August. 

 

 

These four were the primary relievers. Minnie Rojas was the team’s closer, and led the AL with 27 saves. He also won 12 games. In his first full season, Bill Kelso posted 11 saves. He was traded to the Reds after the season. Pete Cimino (3-3) was acquired from the Twins in the off-season for Dean Chance. Jim Coates was 1-2 in 52 innings in his final season. 

 

 

Other pitchers were Jim Weaver (13 games in August and September), Lou Burdette, Bobby Locke (9 games in a September call-up), and Marcelino Lopez (traded to the Orioles in mid-June for Woodie Held). Burdette pitched 18 innings over 19 games in the first half of the year, then was released one week before the end of the season. 

 

 

These were the regulars at each position. 

Bob Rodgers was the team’s starting catcher every season from 1962-68. Don Mincher was acquired from the Twins (with Cimino and Jimmie Hall) for Dean Chance, and clubbed 25 home runs. He was also one of the team’s 3 All-Stars. Bobby Knoop won his 2nd of 3 consecutive Gold Gloves. Jim Fregosi won a Gold Glove, and made the All-Star team. 

 

 

Paul Schaal started 74 of the first 90 games at 3rd base, then only played 19 games (1 start) the rest of the way. Rick Reichardt hit 17 homers as the regular left fielder. Jose Cardenal platooned in center field with Jay Johnstone (first half) and Roger Repoz (2nd half). Ex-Twin Jimmie Hall was the primary right fielder. 

 

 

These are the subs, in order of at-bats. 

Jay Johnstone alternated in center field with Cardenal during the first half of the season. Tom Satriano was the backup catcher, and shared 3rd base with rookie Aurelio Rodriguez in the second half. Bubba Morton was the team’s 5th outfielder. Roger Repoz was acquired from the Athletics for Jack Sanford in mid-June, and shared center field with Cardenal. 

 

 

Utility player Woodie Held was obtained in mid-June for Marcelino Lopez. Rookie Aurelio Rodriguez was the primary 3rd baseman from July 1967 through the 1969 season. Long-time Yankee Moose Skowron joined the Angels in May and was mostly used for pinch-hitting. John Werhas was acquired in mid-May for Len Gabrielson. 

 

 

Hawk Taylor was acquired from the Mets in July, and played 23 games as the 3rd-string catcher. He spent all of 1968 in the minors. Orlando McFarlane was the 3rd-string catcher in the first half, but did not play after Taylor arrived. Len Gabrielson was traded to the Dodgers for Werhas after 11 games. Ed Kirkpatrick spent most of the season in the minors, but did play 3 games for the Angels. 

 

 

Jim Piersall played in 5 games, then retired in May to accept a front-office job with the Angels. Fred Newman spent most of the year in the minors, but played 3 games for the Angels in mid-season. Tom Egan mostly played for the Angels' double-A El Paso team, and only 1 game for the Angels. Bill Rigney managed the Angels from 1961-69. 

 

Don Wallace played 23 games in the first half, mostly as a pinch-runner. Others who appeared briefly for the Angels were pitchers Ken Turner and Jorge Rubio, and pinch-hitters Moose Stubing and Jim Hibbs.

 

 

Transactions from the end of the 1966 season to the end of 1967:

11/28/66 - Drafted Rickey Clark from the Tigers in the rule 5 draft. 

11/28/66 - Drafted Jim Hibbs from the Dodgers in the rule 5 draft. 

11/28/66 - Drafted Don Wallace from the Yankees in rule 5 draft. 

11/28/66 - Lost Ramon Hernandez to the Braves in the rule 5 draft. 

12/02/66 - Traded Dean Chance and Jackie Hernandez to the Twins for Pete Cimino, Jimmie Hall and Don Mincher. 

12/07/66 - Traded pitcher Dick Egan to the Dodgers for pitcher Howie Reed. 

12/14/66 - Traded 1B Norm Siebern to the Giants for Len Gabrielson. 

12/15/66 - Traded pitcher Bob Lee to the Dodgers for Nick Willhite. 

02/13/67 - Released outfielder Al Spangler. 

02/16/67 - Purchased infielder Chuck Cottier from the Senators. 

04/10/67 - Purchased Orlando McFarlane from the Detroit Tigers. 

05/06/67 - Traded Cotton Nash to the White Sox for Bill Skowron. 

05/10/67 - Traded Len Gabrielson to the Dodgers for John Werhas. 

05/12/67 - Released Jim Piersall. 

06/08/67 - Released catcher Chris Krug. 

06/10/67 - Traded Nick Willhite to the Mets for Jack Hamilton. 

06/15/67 - Traded Marcelino Lopez to the Orioles for Woodie Held. 

06/15/67 - Traded Jack Sanford and Jackie Warner to the Athletics for Roger Repoz. 

07/24/67 - Traded a player to be named later (Don Wallace) to the Mets for Hawk Taylor. 

08/07/67 - Purchased Curt Simmons from the Cubs. 

08/07/67 - Traded shortstop Hector Torres to the Astros for Jim Weaver. 

09/23/67 - Released Lew Burdette. 

10/09/67 - Released Curt Simmons and Bill Skowron. 

10/17/67 - Sold John Werhas to the Senators. 

11/28/67 - Lost Elrod Hendricks to the Orioles in the rule 5 draft. 

11/29/67 - Traded Jose Cardenal to the Indians for outfielder Chuck Hinton. 

11/29/67 - Traded Bill Kelso and Jorge Rubio to the Reds for pitcher Sammy Ellis.

The 1967 Athletics

Last week on my 1969 blog I reviewed the first Royals team to play in Kansas City. Today on this blog I am reviewing the last Athletics team to play in Kansas City.

I started collecting baseball cards in May 1967. Before that time, I has NO IDEA who any of the players were, except for four: Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris, who were pop culture figures in the early-1960s so I must have heard of them on the TV; the Phillies' Johnny Callison, because I remembered some kids referring to him in elementary school recess (“I wanna be Johnny Callison!”); and Harmon Killebrew, because my elderly neighbors' grandchildren would come visit them from Minnesota every summer, and they would go on about Killebrew and the Twins.

My knowledge of the team names probably came from my brother and me having those child’s baseball jackets, with all the team logos on them. When I started collecting cards in May 1967, I can remember the first Athletics card I got was Phil Roof. I had never heard of the Athletics, probably because they were not on that jacket I had a few years earlier. I remember saying to my brother “Who are the Athletics? Are they a minor-league team? Do they make minor-league cards too?” (That is how naïve I was at the time.) Thinking back now, I probably never heard of the Astros or Angels either, but I don’t remember questioning them.

In their final season in Kansas City, a few good things were happening. They were building a foundation of good, young starting pitchers (Jim Hunter, Jim Nash, Johnny Odom, Chuck Dobson, and Lew Krausse), it was Rick Monday’s rookie season, and Reggie Jackson made his major-league debut in June. Otherwise they were a bad team, finishing in last (10th) place with a 62-99 record.


Here are the pitchers, in order of innings pitched:

Jim Hunter (13-17), Jim Nash (12-17), and Chuck Dobson (10-10) were the top three starters. Lew Krausse (7-17) (hey, what’s with this "losing 17 games" trend?) and John Odom (3-8) each started about half their games. All five were between the age of 21 and 24 and surprisingly, all were righthanders. In fact, the only lefties on the staff were Paul Lindblad and Tony Pierce.

Paul Lindblad was primarily a reliever but also made 10 starts. Rookie Tony Pierce appeared in 49 games (43 in relief). Jack Aker pitched in 57 games (all in relief) and led the staff with 12 saves. Diego Segui was the 9th and last member of the "core 9" pitchers (all the remaining hurlers pitched in less than 16 games), working 70 innings in 36 games. Segui was the "old man" of that group at age 29.

Roberto Rodriguez (see rookie stars card below) appeared in 15 games, mostly in August and September. These next three were veterans at the end of their careers: Jack Sanford was acquired from the Angels in mid-June for Roger Repoz, and wrapped up his 12-year career with 10 games for the A’s. Bill Stafford spent most of the season in triple-A, but pitched his final 14 major-league games in August and September.  Bob Duliba finished up with 7 games in April and early-May. George Lauzerique and Bill Edgerton also pitched for the Athletics in 1967.


The starting eight:

Phil Roof had started 119 of the final 128 games in 1966, but got more of a break in 1967, starting 107 games. Rookie Ramon Webster started 78 games, splitting the job with Ken Harrelson and Danny Cater. Rookie John Donaldson was called up in early June and started all but 10 games the rest of the season. Bert Campaneris led the team with 145 starts.

Danny Cater was all over the place, starting 51 games at 3rd base, 54 in left field, and 33 at 1st base. Jim Gosger was actually the 3rd outfielder but he split his time at all 3 positions (LF/34 starts, CF/27, RF/29). Although his 841 outfield innings were double that of 4th outfielder Cater, he played less in left field than Cater.

Rookie Rick Monday took over the center field job in game #10 and never looked back. He was named to the Topps All-Rookie team, but Topps forgot to put the trophy on his 1968 card. Mike Hershberger was the Athletics’ starting right fielder from 1965-67. In 1968 Reggie Jackson came along, and that was it for Mike's playing time.


Here are the subs, in order of at-bats:

Dick Green was the starting 2nd baseman until Donaldson arrived in early-June. He made 48 starts at 2B and another 47 starts at 3B. Ken Harrelson was the team's regular 1st baseman in 1966, but began the '67 season with the Senators. He returned in early-June and started most games at 1B in July and August, until he was released in late-August following Al Dark's firing.

Although Joe Nossek played in the same number of games (87) that he did in when he was the primary center fielder in 1966, with Monday onboard Joe was the 5th outfielder in ’67. Sal Bando started 38 games at 3rd base in mid-May and September, but spent the rest of the season in triple-A.

Reggie Jackson had 2 stints with Kansas City in 1967, starting 18 games in left field in June, and 13 games in right field in September. Ted Kubiak played in 53 games as a rookie, mostly as a pinch-hitter or defensive replacement, although he started 14 games at shortstop.

Dave Duncan was the Athletics' backup catcher in June and September, appearing in 34 games. Roger Repoz started 6 of the first 9 games in center field, then Rick Monday took over. Roger found a seat on the bench until his mid-June trade to the Angels for Jack Sanford.

Ken Suarez started 22 games as Phil Roof’s backup, although he had no playing time during Duncan’s June stint with the team. Ed Charles began the season as the starting 3rd baseman, but was traded to the Mets in early-May when Bando was called up. Ossie Chavarria played 38 games as a backup infielder, also starting 10 games at 2nd base. Joe Rudi played 19 games in April and September, but spent most of the season in the minors. Allen Lewis played in 34 games, mostly as a pinch-runner.


Others:

Al Dark was the manager for 1966 and most of 1967, but was fired in late-August. He returned to manage the A’s in ’74 and ’75, and with better players finished in first both years, winning the World Series in 1974. Wes Stock retired before the season and became the pitching coach.  He was activated for 1 game (May 7th). Gil Blanco and Rene Lachemann were in the minors for all of 1967.


Rookie Stars cards:

Randy Schwartz had cups of coffee in September ‘65 and ’66, but didn’t play for the Athletics again. Tim Talton played 46 games, mostly as a pinch-hitter.  He was with the team for the entire season, but did not play from mid-May to mid-July. George Lauzerique played 3 games in September.


The back of the 1968 team card:

Transactions from the end of the 1966 season to the end of 1967: 
10/14/66 - Larry Stahl selected by the Mets off waivers.

11/28/66 - Bill Landis drafted by the Red Sox in the rule 5 draft.
11/28/66 - Tommie Reynolds drafted by the Mets in the rule 5 draft.
11/28/66 - Drafted Dave Roberts from the Pirates in the rule 5 draft.

11/29/66 - Manny Jimenez selected by the Pirates in the minor league draft.
11/29/66 - Rick Joseph selected by the Phillies in the minor league draft.

04/07/67 - Returned Dave Roberts to the Pirates.

04/11/67 - Released Wes Stock.

05/02/67 - Signed Wes Stock as a free agent.

05/10/67 - Traded Ed Charles to the Mets for Larry Elliot.

05/16/67 - Released Wes Stock.

06/09/67 - Purchased Ken Harrelson from the Senators.

06/15/67 - Traded Roger Repoz to the Angels for Jack Sanford and Jackie Warner.

08/14/67 - Sold Joe Grzenda to the Mets.

08/15/67 - Released Jack Sanford.

08/20/67 - Fired manager Al Dark. Named coach Luke Appling as interim manager.

08/25/67 - Released Ken Harrelson.

10/15/67 - General Manager Eddie Lopat resigned.

10/19/67 – Purchased Andy Kosco from the Twins.

11/21/67 - Traded Ron Tompkins to the Reds for Floyd Robinson and Darrell Osteen.

11/28/67 - Drafted Ed Sprague from the Cardinals in the rule 5 draft.
11/28/67 - Jim Holt drafted by the Twins in the rule 5 draft.
11/28/67 - Andy Kosco drafted by the Yankees in the rule 5 draft.
11/28/67 - Skip Lockwood drafted by the Astros in the rule 5 draft.
11/28/67 - Ken Suarez drafted by the Indians in the rule 5 draft.
11/28/67 - Bill Edgerton selected by the Angels in the minor league draft.

12/03/67 - Purchased Jim Pagliaroni from the Pirates.


Team reviews remaining: Mets, Tigers, Astros, Angels, Padres.
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The 1967 Reds

I last posted a 1967 team review in August 2016 (and that was after a 2-year delay since the previous one), so today’s post is long overdue. I have 7 more teams to review after the Reds, but those should occur more frequently now, since I only have about 100-120 player cards remaining (and only about a dozen stars). The upside to this delay is that most of these Reds players' cards have already been posted, so there are links to follow.

Here are the Reds, pictured in their 1966 uniforms. I think that was the last year for the vests and white hats (if Gary Nolan's and Lee May's 1968 cards are any indication). I seem to recall that the Reds spent a lot of time in first place in 1967. Unfortunately for them, September and October were not included in that run.

Only Gary Nolan, Tony Perez, Pete Rose, and Johnny Bench would still be around for Cincinnati's "Big Red Machine" days.


The first 5 are the starting pitchers, in order of innings pitched:

Gary Nolan didn't even have a card in the 1967 Topps set, but as a 19-year-old rookie he led the team in starts (32), innings (226), complete games (8), and strikeouts (206, 53 more than perennial leader Maloney). He also led the starting staff in winning percentage (.636) and ERA (2.58).

Milt Pappas led the Reds with 16 wins as the #2 starter. Long-time staff ace Jim Maloney won 15 games and struck out 153 in 29 starts. In his first year as a full-time pitcher, #5 starter Mel Queen won 14 games and struck out 154.

Sammy Ellis was the team's #4 starter, but had an off year (8-11) with 80 strikeouts. Ted Abernathy was stolen from the Braves in the Rule 5 draft after the 1966 season, and led the team with 28 saves and a 1.27 ERA while pitching 70 games.

Bill McCool had primarily been a reliever since breaking in with the Reds in 1964, but started 11 games in '67 along with 20 relief appearances. Don Nottebart was just the opposite – although a starter for the Colt .45s from 1963-65, he was a reliever for the Reds in '66 and '67. In 79 relief innings, he posted a 1.93 ERA but an 0-3 record, and found himself relegated to triple-A for all of 1968.

Gerry Arrigo was a reliever and spot starter for the Reds in 1967. He and McCool were the only lefthanders on the 10-man full-season staff. Bob Lee was acquired from the Dodgers at the end of May, and pitched 50 innings in 27 games, all but one in relief.

Jack Baldschun spent most of the season in AAA, only pitching 13 innings across 9 games, all from mid-June to late-July. Ted Davidson’s season mirrored Baldschun’s – 13 innings pitched in 9 games, his all in September.


Here are the starting eight players:

Johnny Edwards was the Reds’ catcher from 1961 until 8/28/1967 – the day Johnny Bench made his 1st start. In his final season with the Reds, Deron Johnson split his time between 1st base and 3rd base.

Tommy Helms was the 1966 Rookie of the Year at 3rd base, but moved to 2nd base in 1967 and made 2 consecutive All-Star teams. Chico Cardenas was the Reds’ regular shortstop from 1962-68, making 4 All-Star teams during that time.

Tony Perez moved across the diamond to 3B in early-May 1967 to accommodate Lee May. He was an All-Star from 1967-70 and 1974-76. Perez topped 100 RBI 6 times, and 90 RBI 5 times in an 11-year stretch. Pete Rose led the league in hits 6 times in 11 years (from 1965-76), but only collected 176 hits in ’67 (his lowest total from 1965-80).

Vada Pinson started 156 games in center field, and led the NL with 13 triples in 1967. Tommy Harper started 87 games in right field, but was out of the lineup from late-May to late-July, and also the season’s final 2 weeks.


Here are the bench players, in order of at-bats:

Lee May started 68 games at 1B and 47 more in the outfield in his rookie season. He had more at-bats than all but Pinson, Perez, Rose, and Helms. Chico Ruiz started 47 games at 2B, mostly in July when Cardenas was out of the lineup (with Helms moving to SS).

Don Pavletich started 57 games at catcher (same as Edwards), but with the arrival of Bench, neither of those 2 were going to see any more playing time. Art Shamsky was a left-handed pinch-hitter, also starting a few dozen games at the corner outfield spots.

Floyd Robinson was primarily a pinch-hitter, but also started 30 games in right field. Jimmy Coker was the #3 catcher, starting 22 games (mostly in late-June and early-July when Edwards was unavailable).

Johnny Bench made his major-league debut on August 28th, and started 26 of the final 36 games. Dick Simpson had 54 at-bats in 44 games, mostly as a pinch-hitter.

Jake Wood was acquired from the Tigers in late-June for infield depth. Gordy Coleman was the Reds’ 1st baseman for the first half of the decade, but lost playing time to Perez in 1966, and with May joining the team in ’67, was a spare part. After playing 4 games during the first month, Coleman played in AAA for the rest of the season.

Len Boehmer (shown on his 1969 Yankees Rookies card) had 2 pinch-hitting appearances during a mid-season callup. John Tsitouris was a regular starter for the Reds from 1963-65, but only pitched 2 games in 1967.


Others:

Dave Bristol was the youngest major-league manager (age 33) in 1967. Aurelio Monteagudo did not play for the Reds in 1967 (or ever, for that matter). After a 15-year career with the Reds (which began in 1944 as a 15-year old), Joe Nuxhall retired before the 1967 season.

Darrell Osteen pitched 11 games in relief for the Reds, all before mid-June. He also appeared with Lee May on the 1966 Reds Rookies card.


Transactions from the end of the 1966 season until the end of 1967:

11/28/66 - Drafted Ted Abernathy from the Braves in the rule 5 draft.

12/15/66 - Traded Jim O'Toole to the White Sox for Floyd Robinson.
12/15/66 - Traded Hank Fischer to the Red Sox for pitchers Dick Stigman and Rollie Sheldon.

5/31/67 - Purchased Bob Lee from the Dodgers.

6/23/67 - Purchased Jake Wood from the Tigers.

7/15/67 - Signed Aurelio Monteagudo.

7/22/67 - Released Aurelio Monteagudo.

9/18/67 - Traded Len Boehmer to the Yankees for pitcher Bill Henry.

10/10/67 - Traded Deron Johnson to the Braves for outfielders Jim Beauchamp and Mack Jones, and pitcher Jay Ritchie.

10/11/67 - Sold Jake Wood to the Indians.

10/20/67 - Traded Floyd Robinson and Darrell Osteen to the Athletics for pitcher Ron Tompkins.

11/8/67 - Traded Art Shamsky to the Mets for infielder Bob Johnson.

11/21/67 - Traded Tommy Harper to the Indians for pitcher George Culver and 1B Fred Whitfield.

11/28/67 - Drafted Jimmie Schaffer from the Phillies in the rule 5 draft.

11/29/67 - Traded Sammy Ellis to the Angels for pitcher Bill Kelso.