April 6, 1969:
AL PREVIEW: PILOTS by Hy Zimmerman (Seattle Times)
Seattle, Wash. - To an expansion team, respectability is its pennant. And the Seattle Pilots, according to their manager, Joe Schultz, will command more than any other expansion team in history.
Schultz, quietly intrepid, has picked his Pilots to finish third in the Western Division of the American League. That means they would have to beat out at least two established teams, obviously the White Sox and the Angels, for it is conceded that Oakland and Minnesota should form the quinella.
Schultz's prediction suffered somewhat in exhibition games and there was fretfulness at the Pilots' losing streak. However, it was recalled that the Senators last season topped the Grapefruit League, then fell on their collective face. So, Schultz optimistically ruled out the exhibitions and waited for the bell.
When that bell rings, the Pilots, who meet the Angels in Anaheim, will answer with a lineup that includes Don Mincher at first, either Tommy Harper or Chico Salmon at second, Ray Oyler at short and Rich Rollins at third.
Tommy Davis, two-time batting champion of the National League, will be in left, with either Harper or Jim Gosger in center and Mike Hegan in right.
Harper's final deployment will be in abeyance until the season opens. At his request, Harper, who converted to the outfield six seasons ago, has been given a chance at reconversion.
Behind the plate, it will be either Gerry McNertney or Larry Haney, both highly respected defensively.
On the mound, Schultz will choose from among Steve Barber, Gary Bell, Gene Brabender and Marty Pattin. Mike Marshall, who won 15 games at Toledo last year, is another possibility.
The bullpen is a beauty, with the likes of Diego Segui and Jack Aker. Jim Bouton and his knuckleball also will be available.
This is a solid entry because of judicious selection in the expansion draft by General Manager Marvin Milkes and his aides.
It is a club which will score runs and will protect itself adequately on defense. The question is the pitching, and where is it not?
The Pilots last summer stocked up with enough spearbearers to provide depth and one of them, Hegan, who was scheduled for the wings, captured a starring role to become perhaps the biggest baseball bargain now extant.
Whereas the Pilots had to pay $175,000 each for lesser-endowed athletes, Hegan, frozen on the Syracuse roster, was purchased for $25,000 from the Yanks.
Using a big bat, Hegan forced his way into the Pilots' quarters. He should help them attain respectability.
MIKE HEGAN