[ifspuds]

Drive for Third Pennant Hits High Gear
by Langford Thomason
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Back in 1965, when the dark days of the Pittsburgh Pirates still hung about like the most ominous storm clouds, did anyone think that come September of 1968, this squad would have an excellent chance to win their third straight National League pennant? Even the most optimistic of Pirates believers surely could not have imagined this. Yet here they are, sitting on a five and a half game lead over the Cincinnati Reds with a month left in the season. Both halves of the team are firing on all cylinders, and with a relatively favorable schedule in comparison to the rival Reds, the future looks bright for the formerly downtrodden franchise.

The month of August was particularly kind to the Pirates, who went from a 2-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers to this more comfortable cushion over the Reds. Two members of the team earned league-wide accolades, as Hipolito Castillo took home Pitcher of the Month honors, while Asa Booker won his second Batter of the Month award of the season. Castillo in particular is making a strong case to take the Murphy Award in the National League, leading the senior circuit in wins with 23, 6 more than Atlanta's Joe Cardinan, and his 2.38 ERA ranks 6th in the league. His August performance was particularly amazing, going 5-0 with a 1.04 ERA including 3 shutouts.

The race, however, is far from over. The Pirates face the Braves today, having lost the first 2 games of the series, then welcome the Houston Astros, a team they have struggled against this season. The middle of the month ought to provide a bit of a breather, with 6 games each against the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies. The Pirates would be wise to build the lead through that part of the schedule, as they finish up with home and away series against the Cubs sandwiching a 3-game set with the Reds in Forbes Field.

Can the Pirates make it three straight pennants and face the Minnesota Twins in the World Series with a shot to win their third straight World Series? Don't bother pinching yourself. It just might happen.

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September 1, 1968
Overall Record: 87-50, 1st place, 5.5 games in front of CIN

Top Hitter: Asa Booker won Batter of the Month for August, hitting .369/.413/.595 with 5 homers. He also moved into 15th place All-Time on the stolen base chart with his 602nd career steal. It's maybe a bit of a stretch, but he has a reasonable chance at another Batter of the Year award as well, 3rd in average (.301), 3rd in OPS (.832), 2nd in steals (29), 8th in RBI (67) and 2nd in runs scored (82). With a good September, he could really build a strong case.

Top Pitcher: Hipolito Castillo. His numbers are shown above. Since August 2nd, he's done this: 44 innings, 25 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks and 31 strikeouts. Not too shabby.

Injury News: Nothing to report.

Development News: Asa Booker (who will turn 33 this January), lost a point of speed (down to 8) and a point of range in left and right field, down to a 6/6/8 mark from left to right.

High Points: I'll give you three guesses and the first two don't count.

Low Points: Can't think of any. Prospects are doing well, the team's doing well, I have no complaints.