The American Baseball League

[glenn]

March 9th, 1972

Spring training is a time for players to get ready for the season ahead. It’s a time to watch both young and old compete for that last roster spot. A time to look forward to opening day, where every team has hope for the year ahead, and starts off in a tie for first place. A chance for a fresh start, where the World Champion Pittsburgh Pirates start off with the same record as the teams that lost 100 games the year before, the San Diego Padres, and the Cleveland Indians.

The Chicago White Sox, who finished 3rd in the AL West last year with a 79-83 record, made a couple of moves over the winter that they hope will take them to the next level. The White Sox traded left-handed pitcher Tommy John and middle infielder Steve Huntz to the Los Angeles Dodgers for 1B Dick Allen. Rumors out of spring training are speculating that the White Sox players voted 31-0 in favor of a strike, if necessary. In a bit of irony, the 1969 swap of Dick Allen for Curt Flood, in which Curt Flood challenged the reserve clause in court, believed to be one of the potential issues of the strike.

Here’s to hoping that this deal turns out better, and there will be no strike. Play Ball!

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After reading Yoda's Top 75 Dynasty thread, and enjoying many of the dynasties in the countdown, I figured what better time to write my first one. I came up with a couple of ideas that I didn't see done, but I figured I'd start with this first, and see how it goes. I've got the roadmap laid out for where I want to go, and the league created, and I'm filling in some of the blanks now, but I think I've got enough to start putting out some of the back story now. I guess it's kind of a history with a twist, and we'll see if it all plays out how I'd like it to.

Hopefully some of you will enjoy, but if not, at least I've had fun writing it so far.

[LeafsFan2005NC]

Hmmm, 1972. American Baseball League. I think I can see where this is headed, but I could be wrong. Can't wait to see what happens.

[glenn]

In what was first believed to be a cruel April Fool’s Day joke, Major League Baseball players stage their 1st strike. It has been reported that the main issue is over an increase in pension fund payments. Marvin Miller, the executive director of the player’s union, issued a statement that the five year Collective Bargaining Agreement signed in 1968 does not go far enough to protect the player’s best interests, and the recent proposal from the owners is a step backwards. Miller stated that the current reserve system is unfair and needs to be changed.


As a longtime baseball fan, one can’t help but wonder if the National Pastime will ever be the same.

[glenn]

For the first time in the history of Major League Baseball, the season failed to start on time due to a player strike. Opening day, scheduled for April 5th, has come and gone, and the anxiety level of baseball fans throughout the country continues to grow. Day 9 of the player’s strike and there have been no signs that the players are ready to end the strike any time soon.

When asked during an interview when he expected the strike to end, Marvin Miller responded “The fundamental issue is that the owner’s continue to get richer, and don’t feel it is necessary to share the increased revenue with the player’s responsible for making the game what it is today. Until the players are fairly rewarded for their efforts on the field, this will continue to be an issue. The players hope that the owners do what is right, and that the strike will end shortly.”

Today President Nixon recommended to both sides that they meet with the director of Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, because it was in everyone’s best interests that the strike ends soon.

[glenn]

Behind closed doors, 25 of the most powerful men in professional sports gathered to address the problem at hand.

Joe Brown, the Pittsburgh Pirates owner spoke up first, “We must stand strong and united. The player’s union is weak and we must put them in their place, and force them to cave. This absurd strike is the final straw. If we don’t stop them now they will keep coming back, and asking for more of our money. This strike is unacceptable.”

Commissioner Bowie Kuhn interrupted, “Joe, calm down, we need to act rationally.”

Gussie Busch, the Cardinals owner, spoke up next, “The players don’t deserve one more cent of our money. They need to get back on the field and do what we pay them to do.”

“This behavior can’t be tolerated”, yelled out another owner.

“They are trying to ruin the game, we need to show them who is in charge”, shouted another owner.

And on and on the comments went, and the tempers flared, until the plan started to come together. The plan to end baseball’s labor problems for good, a plan to break the union, and a plan to give the owners back the power they have had for so long. A few smiles broke out, but mostly relief.

Commissioner Kuhn called a vote of approval for the plan, as each owner would give their approval with a shout of “Yeah”. A 23-1 display of unity, that was as close to unanimous as possible with this group. The secret plan was in place, the plan to take back control of the game. The meeting adjourned, and Commissioner Kuhn immediately went to work making sure the plan would be executed flawlessly.

[glenn]

The Major League Baseball Player’s Association announced today that they will be ending their current 13 day strike. The first strike in the history of Major League Baseball has officially ended. In the end, the owners agreed to add an additional $500,000 to the player's annual pension fund payments.

Commissioner Kuhn and Marvin Miller, the Executive Director of the player’s union issued a joint statement that they were pleased that the differences have been worked out, and vowed to work together to extend the Collective Bargaining Agreement that is set to expire after this season. They indicated that negotiations would continue early next month.

The 86 games that will be missed over a thirteen day period will not be made up. Opening Day is now scheduled for April 15th.

[glenn]

The games off the field are done, and the games on the field began today, as Major League Baseball kicked off the first season that has been delayed by a strike.

In Kansas City, the White Sox and Royals played an eleven inning thriller, with Lee Mayberry driving in the winning run in the bottom of the 11th to give the Royals a 2-1 opening day victory. Dick Drago and Wilbur Wood each pitched 9 solid innings, each giving up ninth inning homers. Dick Allen went deep in his first game for the White Sox, and Bob Oliver countered in the bottom of the ninth with a solo homer to send the game into extra innings. Tom Bergmeier pitched 1 2/3 innings to pick up the win for the Royals, and Bart Johnson picked up the loss for the Sox.

In other action, Steve Carlton pitched 8 strong innings picking up the win, as the Phillies beat the Cubs at Wrigley Field, 4-2. The Expos picked up the win in St. Louis, edging the Cardinals 3-2, the Cincinatti Reds lost their home opener 3-1 to the Dodgers, and Tom Seaver and the Mets blanked the Pirates 4-0.

[glenn]

Today the Supreme Court voted in favor of Major League Baseball, saying Congress were the only ones who could take amend the anti-trust exemption. A spokesman for Major League Baseball issued the following statement, “Major League Baseball is pleased that the Supreme Court upheld the anti-trust exemption. This means that baseball will continue to thrive and grow.”

On the field, Tom Seaver improved his record to 9-3 pitching a complete game, and striking out 7 in the Mets 2-1 victory over the Reds. Mickey Lolich did Tom Terrific one better, pitching a complete game shutout, and fanning 8 in the Tigers 2-0 victory over Nolan Ryan and the California Angels.



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I've been wondering how much I should be releasing at a time, but I think I'm going to keep it coming slowly at first. The next month or so will be a pretty hectic one for me, so I think I'm going to keep it coming slow for now, while I keep working ahead as I have time. I probably wrote too much of a back story for this, but I guess time will tell. I think this will all help get me where I want to go, at least in my head.

[glenn]

In today’s sports news, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced they have released 48 year-old knuckleballer Hoyt Wilhelm, just two days before his birthday. The future Hall of Famer has appeared in more games than any other pitcher in the history of Major League Baseball. He is also the last World War II vet to play in the majors. While serving in World War II, Hoyt suffered a permanent neck would in action.
In labor news, Commissioner Bowie Kuhn announced that talks have broken off with the players association. The players association has been attempting to include a provision in the Collective Bargaining Agreement to allow players to submit salary disputes to an independent arbitrator. Commissioner Kuhn says the owners will not tolerate this, but he is optimistic about baseball’s future. He is expected to be in attendance at the 43rd All-Star game, which will be held in Atlanta’s Fulton County Stadium in four days.

[glenn]

Joe Morgan was named MVP of the 43rd Annual All-Star game today. Baseball best and brightest put on a show for the 53,000 in attendance at Atlanta’s Fulton County Stadium. The National League All-Stars prevailed 4-3 over the American League Stars in extra innings. Morgan went 1-4 and drove in a run. Hammerin’ Hank Aaron also homered and drove in 2 runs for the home town fans. The Met’s Tug McGraw pitched the final two innings and picked up the win.

[glenn]

It has been a bad year for baseball, and things seem to be getting worse by the day. Commissioner Bowie Kuhn announced today that the owners would lockout the players. An unidentified source indicated that the owners are attempting to gain the upper hand in the current round of negotiations for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement that is set to expire after the season. The same source said that the owners voted 20-4 for the lockout. The owner’s opposing the lockout are believed to be led by controversial Oakland A’s owner, Charley Finley.

[glenn]

Today in Cooperstown, New York, baseball gathered to honor some of the finest to ever play the game, with a dark clouds looming. Today Yogi Berra, Josh Gibson, Lefty Gomez, Will Harridge, Sandy Koufax, Buck Leonard, Early Wynn, and Ross Youngs were inducted into Baseball’s Hall of Fame, as ominous dark clouds filled the sky, as Mother Nature voiced her displeasure with baseball’s current labor strife.

The former Yankee catching great, and current manager of the New York Mets, Yogi Berra, appeared in 14 World Series during his 19 year career with the Yankees, winning 10 championships, which is a record. Berra, a 15 time-all star, also won the AL MVP award three times in 1951, 1954, and 1955. When asked his thoughts regarding the current labor strife, simply commented “It Ain’t Over”.

Another former catcher, Josh Gibson, was elected by the Negro League committee. Gibson was one of the greatest power hitters in the Negro League history, but tragically died just three months before the integration of baseball.

Sandy Koufax, the dominating Dodgers left-hander, was a three time Cy Young Award winner, and also won the MVP in the 1963 season, when he compiled a 25-5 record, with a 1.88 ERA.

Joining them in the 1972 Hall of Fame class was Early Winn, who won 300 games in his 23 year career, former Yankee great Lefty Gomez, New York Giants right fielder RossYoungs, whose career was prematurely ended at 26 due to a kidney disease, former Negro League 1B Buck Leonard, and Will Harridge, former American League president.

[glenn]

It’s been a month since baseball has played a game that mattered. The early season interrupted by a strike, and the current lockout have destroyed what was supposed to be a fine season. Both sides are gathering in New York, for a last ditch effort to save the season. Commissioner Kuhn has set a deadline of September 8th for an agreement to be reached, or baseball’s postseason would not be playing a postseason for the first time since 1904. A source close to the negotiations has indicated that the sides are no closer today than a month ago, and in fact, there is growing resentment on both sides of the table.

[glenn]

The deadline of September 8th to reach an agreement has come and gone. Neither side has made any public comments regarding the negotiations in over a week. Both sides were seen leaving the New York hotel where negotiations had been taking place. Attempts to reach Commissioner Kuhn and Players Union Director Marvin Miller for comments were unsuccessful. The last glimmer of hope on the 1972 season is starting to fade.

[glenn]

The silence has ended and the season is over. Commissioner Bowie Kuhn announced today and that baseball’s World Series would not be played for the first time since the 1904 season. In a brief statement, Kuhn said “The Player’s Union was unable to accept the terms of the collective bargaining agreement. The owners feel that the new collective bargaining agreement is in the best interest of the future of baseball. With great regret, I am forced to announce the cancellation of the remainder of the season, and the World Series.”

Baseball, America’s National Pastime, broke many hearts today. Through the Great Depression, World War I, and World War II, the games played on. In 1972, baseball let America down, as fan’s everywhere faced the unexpected, a season without an end.

NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle, watching the NFL kick-off another season, angrily questioned the timing of the announcement. In Kansas City, Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt, after watching his Chiefs lose their season opener to the Dolphins, also questioned the timing, “The deadline for a strike came and passed nine days ago. Waiting until the start of the NFL season is in poor taste, and disrespectful to both our players and fans.” President Nixon also issued a brief statement today expressing his disappointment in today’s announcement.

[glenn]

Major League Baseball announced yesterday that there would be no MVP, Cy Young, or Rookie of the Year awards this year, due to the abbreviated schedule. The World Series, scheduled to end last week, and postseason has already been cancelled.

In other baseball new, baseball legend and Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson died today at the age of 53. In 1947, Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier, and took home Rookie of the Year honors that same season. Robinson was named Most Valuable Player in 1949, was a 6 time all-star, and appeared in six World Series. Few players have forever changed the game the way Jackie Robinson did.

[glenn]

Marvin Miller, executive director of the player’s association, announced today that despite recent attempts to rekindle negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement, no talks have taken place with the owners in over two months. Miller expressed his disappointment with the owners and their recent negotiation tactics. When asked if he was optimistic baseball would be able to start the 1973 season on time, Miller responded with a simple “No, I’m not”.

[glenn]

Commissioner Bowie Kuhn held a press conference today after convening a three day session with owners of Major League Baseball. Kuhn announced that the owner’s voted 22-2 to impose a salary cap for the 1973 season, and that the owners were prepared to begin the season with replacement players, if the player’s union did not agree to the collective bargaining agreement currently on the table. Kuhn gave the player’s until the end of the year before preparations would begin to start the 1973 season with the replacement players. The owner’s also rejected the salary arbitration plan present by Miller, and instead plan to use a salary range, depending on the player’s time of service in the league. Kuhn also announced that Major League Baseball purchased the assets of two teams today. The league would be contracting both the Oakland Athletics, and the Texas Rangers effective immediately. The rights to both team’s players would be dispersed in a special draft that is set to be held in February.

A’s owner Charley Finley could not be reached for comment, but Finley is believed one of the two dissenting votes. The Rangers owner, who moved the team following the 1971 season from Washington, DC, also couldn’t be reached for comment.

[glenn]

Tragedy struck today, as Pittsburgh Pirates great Roberto Clemente died in a plane crash off the coast of Puerto Rico. Clemente was on a humanitarian mission to earthquake stricken Nicaragua, in a plane carrying medical supplies, clothes, and food to earthquake victims. Clemente played his entire 18 year career in Pittsburgh, winning four batting titles, 12 gold gloves, was the National League MVP in 1966, and was the World Series MVP in 1971, the last World Series played. He finished his career just shy of 3000 hits. Clemente leaves behind a wife and three sons, ages six, five, and two.

[glenn]

Marvin Miller, executive director of the player’s union, issued a statement today that the player’s union would not agree to the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, as expected. Miller announced that the player’s union would begin exploring alternatives.

An unidentified source claimed that Miller recently met with a group of businessman associated with the former American Football League believed to include Kansas City Chief’s owner Larry Hunt.