Baseball in Seattle-History with a Twist

[coffeyfiend]

In 1970, it felt like my life was over; which is really saying something, considering that I was only 25 years old. As the assistant general manager for a Major League baseball team; I was well on my way to living my dream. And then, as quickly as it had begun, my hopes and dreams were suddenly there at my feet, shattered on the ground.

But, I’m getting ahead of myself; this story really begins three years earlier, when I was fresh out of college with the entire world in front of me. While I was putting myself through college, I worked for the Seattle Rainiers (calling them the Angels, just wasn’t the same). When I was a freshman, I started out in the locker room. Even though I was cleaning up after grown men, I still loved spending every day at the ball park, watching the games. My hard work and dedication (as well as baseball knowledge) caught the eye of Emil Sick, the owner of the Rainiers. Mr. Sick hired me to work in the front office, learning the business and bureaucratic side of the game. I spent the next three years of college; between cramming for tests and partying too much, at the stadium, learning how to run a baseball team. When the California Angels bought the Rainiers from Mr. Sick in 1965; they changed the name to the Seattle Angels, but I got to stay on with the club until I graduated in 1967 with a degree in Business Management. Following my graduation, Mr. Sick introduced me to the man that would further my dreams and change my life.

Dewey Soriano was a pitcher at heart. Although he never made it out of the minors, he was well known and loved by fans when he pitched in the 1940’s. When his dreams of making it to the big show faded and reality sent in, Dewey couldn’t imagine his life without baseball. He went back to school and after graduating with a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, took a job with the Pacific Coast League. He worked himself up through the ranks, and eventually became President of the PCL in 1960.

I spent the summer of 1967 working under Dewey, running the PCL and loved every second of it. Dewey and I would talk baseball for hours and hours and became fast friends and I became the catcher to his pitcher. We spent the following year working side by side. But I noticed that Dewey was starting to change, we spoke less and less as he became more and more reserved. He would spend the majority of his day in his office with the door closed. By July, I was starting to become a bit put off and I finally confronted him about it.

Sitting there in his office, he stared at me from behind his desk. He didn’t say anything for the longest time, just stared at me, analyzing me. I stared back, waiting for him to speak. Finally, in a low voice, just above a whisper he said, “Steve, I know I can trust that what I tell you will stay between us, until the time is right.” I nodded solemnly, letting him know that his trust was well placed.

“I’m going to buy a baseball team.”
“Just one? Isn’t that going to make the league uneven?” I asked.
“You don’t understand. I am buying a baseball team, not the league; me.”
“Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
“Yes, Steve. I am bidding to bring a major league team to Seattle.”

I stared at him, speechless. Trying to fathom the impossibility of what he had just told me. While I knew that Dewey was relatively well off, he was by no means rich and didn’t possess anywhere near the amount of money required to run a decent baseball team-or even a horrible one for that matter.

“Did you rob a bank or something?”
“No, I found an investing partner to put up the majority of the majority of the expansion fee. If the other owners approve this winter, we’ll own a major league team.”

[coffeyfiend]

From there, the rest of the 1968 season is a blur. Dewey worked with William Daley, former owner of the Cleveland Indians to put up the majority of the money required for the required expansion fee. In return, Daley would own 47% of the stock and serve as chairman of the board, and Dewey would be the president. Dewey offered me the job of Assistant General Manager and I accepted before he could even finish the offer.

During the owner meetings of 1968, Major League Baseball voted to expand in four cities: San Diego, Montreal, Kansas City and Seattle. Expansion was set to take place for the 1971 season, but fate intervened.

Instead of being given three years to plan and prepare for a Major League team in Seattle, we were given 5 months. Under pressure from Senator Stuart Symington of Missouri, who couldn’t stand to wait until 1971 for baseball to be played in Kansas City, Major League baseball forced the expansion to move up to the 1969 season.

Now, I’ve been to Missouri and Kansas City and St. Louis aren’t THAT far apart! Furthermore, does anyone really believe that Missouri is big enough for 2 major league teams? When Seattle joins the league, we’ll be the only major league team in 800 miles! That’s about the equivalent of three trips from Kansas City to St. Louis…
This was just further proof to me that politicians are scum.

To make matters worse, Dewey and Daley were required to pay the PCL one million dollars to make up for the loss of one of the leagues most successful franchises. The Seattle Pilots hadn’t even signed a single player, and already we’re one million dollars in the hole. Not a good way to start a baseball team.

Sick’s Stadium was fine for a AAA ballclub, but wasn’t really cut out for a major league team. There weren’t enough seats, and when seats were added, many of them didn’t have a clear view of the games. It didn’t help that, most games we couldn’t fill the original seats, let alone the new additions. By June, we were loosing enough games to keep the fans at home.

After a dismal 64-98 record, the start of the offseason was actually a relief; until Dewey began to closet himself away in his office again. Unfortunately, this time it wasn’t because he was working on buying a baseball team; in fact, it was exactly the opposite…

[coffeyfiend]

"You did what!?" I yelled.
"I sold the team." Dewey replied, infuriatingly calmly.
"You sold THE TEAM!? The team that you bought a year ago!?"
"Yes, I sold the team, Steve."
"Please, please tell me that the buyer is local." I pleaded.
"Not exactly." Dewey stated; looking not in the least bit ashamed.
"What do you mean, 'Not exactly'?"
"Well, I sold the team to Bud Selig."
"Bud 'I tried to buy the White Sox' Selig? Bud 'I live in freaking Milwaukee, freaking Wisconsin' Selig?" I yelled; unable to contain my rage.
"Yes, that Bud Selig" Dewey responded; still infuriatingly calm.

I'd heard enough, I felt betrayed by a man I had considered my friend. I stormed out of the room, slamming his office door behind me.

Dewey had sold the Pilots-my Pilots-to Bud Selig for $12 million. Selig was going to move the team to Milwaukee, freaking Wisconsin and rename them the Brewers after his favorite childhood minor league baseball team. I vowed to do whatever it took to see that this deal did not happen. I needed to find a local buyer; hopefully someone willing to pay Dewey as much or more than Selig had agreed to pay. Someone who would keep the team in Seattle.

I didn't have any trouble finding people who were as upset as I was by this sudden turn of events. Both of Washington's senators, as well as the state attorney general were all upset. Things were looking up when the fellow Major League owners rejected the move to Milwaukee under pressure from the Washington politicians. Fred Danz, a local theater chain owner then came forward with an offer for $10 million. Dewey turned it down though, when the bank came to collect on a $4 million loan it had made to him and Daley; apparently $6 million just wasn't enough to sell the team. Eddie Carlson, owner of Westin Hotels came forward with a nonprofit organization and offered to purchase the team. This deal too, was nixed by fellow owners, who felt that having a nonprofit organization as a teams owner would devalue the other Major League teams.

After a winter of hemming and hawing, the Major League owners tentatively approved of the sale to Selig. On March 17th, 1970, the State of Washington filed an injunction to stop the deal from occurring. In response, Dewey filed for bankruptcy. At the bankruptcy hearing, my boss, General Manager Marvin Milkes, testified that there wasn't enough money to pay the players, coaches and other staff. Due to rules put in place by Major League Baseball, if player salaries were 10 days late, then the players became free agents. If all our players became free agents, then Seattle wouldn't have a team anyway. In light of this situation, the Seattle Pilots were declared a bankrupt team and the sale of the team to Bud Selig was approved.

I HATE Bud Selig...

[Recte44]

I'll be listening to this intently, but I'm a Brewers fan.

[coffeyfiend]

After a few weeks spent moping and accomplishing nothing besides feeling sorry for myself; I have resigned myself to spend the remainder of the baseball season as a spectator. I've vowed to myself that I will be a true student of the game, I'll do just as much work as I would have if I were still an assistant general manage. Although I feel jaded by my experience, the fact of the matter is: I still love the game of baseball, and since no one has made any offers for my services, I'll ensure that I don't get rusty by keeping up with the league. I have enough money saved up to get by without having a "real" job for a while and frankly, there is nothing I'd rather be doing.

I went to the store today and bought a bunch of notebooks, pens and other supplies to assist in my documentation of the inner workings of the league. With opening day just around the corner, I didn't have any time to waste.

I bought a notebook for each Major League team; when I got home I labeled each one. I then got on the phone and started contacting my connections throughout the majors, requesting as much information as I could get. Once it began arriving, I began recording the information I had received. Using the information provided; as well as the standard 20-80 scouting ranking system I began ranking all the players based on statistics and what scouts were saying about each player.

[coffeyfiend]

Atlanta Braves
Offseason Transactions
November 26, 1969: Sold Paul Doyle (MR) to the Angels
December 1, 1969: Drafted Hal King (C) from the Red Sox in the Rule 5 Draft
December 3, 1969: Traded Felipe Alou (RF) to the Athletics for Jim Nash (SP)
January 29, 1970: Released Bob Priddy (MR)
February 4, 1970: Claimed Max Alvis (3B) off waivers from the Brewers

Active Roster (current/potential) 20/80 scale
Starting Rotation
Pat Jarvis RHP (71/71)
George Stone LHP (60/60)
Milt Pappas RHP (57/57)
Jim Nash RHP (51/63)
Ron Reed RHP (47/74)
Ron Schueler RHP (42/42) *Spot Starter*

Bullpen
MR Rick Kester RHP (36/51)
MR Larry Jaster LHP (40/46)
SR Hoyt Wilhelm RHP (56/56)
SR Ron Schueler RHP (42/42)
CL Julio Navarro RHP (66/66)

Lineup vs RHP
CF Ralph Garr (60/62)
SS Sony Jackson (44/44)
LF Rico Carty (76/76)
RF Hank Aaron (74/74)
1B Orlando Cepeda (63/63)
C Hal King (63/63)
2B Larvell Blanks (30/30)
3B Clete Boyer (25/25)

Lineup vs LHP
CF Ralph Garr (60/62)
2B Larvell Blanks (30/30)
LF Rico Carty (76/76)
RF Hank Aaron (74/74)
1B Orlando Cepeda (63/63)
C Hal King (63/63)
SS Sony Jackson (44/44)
3B Clete Boyer (25/25)

Bench
3B Max Alvis (21/21)
OF Dusty Baker (20/68)
LF/RF Oscar Brown (20/21)
CF John Fuller (20/20)
OF Mike Lum (42/42)
2B Felix Millan (29/30)
C Bill Tillman (21/21)

Disabled List [Days before healthy/Days left on DL]
OF Tony Gonzalez (41/41) Strained Hamstring [7/9]

Minor Leagues
AAA Richmond Braves
SP Jimmy Freeman (22/42)
MR Mike McQueen (34/34)
MR Gary Neibauer (39/39)
CL Tom House (34/68)

AA Shreveport Braves
CL Aubrey Gatewood (20/20)
C Bob Didier (20/20)
1B Tommie Aaron (20/20)
3B Bob Aspromonte (20/20)
SS Gil Garrido (20/20)

A Deland Sun Caps
C Earl Williams (20/58)
3B Darrell Evans (20/68)
SS Leo Foster (20/20)

SA Kinston Eagles
SS Bucky Guth (20/20)

R Magic Valley Cowboys

[coffeyfiend]

Baltimore Orioles
Offseason Transactions
December 1, 1969: Cardinals drafted Milt Ramirez (SS) in the Rule 5 Draft
December 5, 1969: Sold Bill Dillman (CL) to the Expos
March 3, 1970: Traded Paul Blair (CF) to the Indians for Dick Ellsworth (MR)
March 24, 1970: Signed Brooks Robinson (3B) to a 3-year contract extension worth $996,600
April 1, 1970: Signed Barry Moore (SP) to a minor league contract

Active Roster
Starting Rotation
Jim Hardin RHP (74/74)
Jim Palmer RHP (74/74)
Dave McNally LHP (63/65)
Mike Cuellar LHP (62/62)
Tom Phoebus RHP (44/54)

Bullpen
MR Marcelino Lopez LHP (41/42)
MR Barry Moore LHP (22/24)
SR Dick Ellsworth LHP (48/48)
SR Eddie Watt RHP (41/74)
CL Pete Richert LHP (79/79)

Lineup vs RHP
LF Don Buford (70/70)
3B Brooks Robinson (56/56)
CF Merv Rettenmund (76/76)
1B Boog Powell (72/72)
RF Frank Robinson (69/69)
C Ellie Hendricks (43/43)
SS Davey Johnson (37/54)
2B Ron Dunn (23/48)

Lineup vs LHP
CF Dave May (56/56)
3B Brooks Robinson (56/56)
LF Merv Rettenmund (76/76)
RF Frank Robinson (69/69)
1B Boog Powell (72/72)
2B Davey Johnson (37/54)
C Andy Etchebarren (28/28)
SS Chico Salmon (23/27)

Bench
SS Mark Belanger (23/30)
LF/CF Don Buford (70/70) *vs LHP*
LF/RF Al Bumbry (20/64)
RF/1B Terry Crowley (40/40)
2B/3B Ron Dunn (23/48) *vs LHP*
C Andy Etchebarren (28/28) *vs RHP*
C Ellie Hendricks (43/43) *vs LHP*
CF/RF Dave May (56/56) *vs RHP*
LF Curt Motton (21/38)
IF Chico Salmon (23/27) *vs RHP*

Disabled List
MR Dick Hall (58/58) Ruptured Disk [305/53]

Minor Leagues
AAA Rochester Red Wings
SP Jesse Jefferson (22/24)
MR Dave Leonhard (20/31)
MR Tom Walker (23/61)
CL Wayne Garland (23/74)
SS Bobby Grich (23/68)

AA Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs
SP Don Hood (20/41)
MR John Montague (20/34)
CL Fred Beene (20/59)
C Dave Skaggs (20/56)

A Miami Marlins
C Johnny Oates (20/23)
2B Junior Kennedy (20/23)
RF Rich Coggins (20/35)

SA Stockton Ports
SS Bobby Floyd (20/20)
RF Roger Freed (20/39)
RF Don Baylor (20/59)

R Bluefield Orioles

[coffeyfiend]

Boston Red Sox
Offseason Transactions
November 25, 1969: Sold Fred Wenz (MR) to the Phillies
December 1, 1969: Drafted Mike Derrick (LF) from the Tigers in the Rule 5 Draft
Braves drafted Hal King (C) in the Rule 5 Draft
Royals drafted Ken Wright (MR) in the Rule 5 Draft
December 13, 1969: Traded Syd O'Brien (3B) and Jerry Janeski (SP) to the White Sox for Gary Peters (SP) and Don Pavletich (C)
Traded Dalton Jones (3B) to the Tigers for Tom Matchick (3B)
February 4, 1970: Twins claimed Dick Schofield (2B) off waivers
March 15, 1970: Signed Jose Santiago (MR) to a 1-year contract extension worth $75,800

Active Roster
Starting Rotation
Ken Brett LHP (76/76)
Gary Peters LHP (64/64)
Ray Culp RHP (63/63)
Sonny Siebert RHP (45/45)
Lynn McGlothen RHP (26/71)

Bullpen
MR Jose Santiago RHP (38/53)
MR Gary Wagner RHP (34/58)
SR Ed Phillips RHP (47/47)
SR Vicente Romo RHP (39/46)
CL Sparky Lyle LHP (74/77)

Lineup vs RHP
1B George Thomas (46/46)
3B George Scott (57/59)
LF Carl Yastrzemski (80/80)
CF Reggie Smith (78/78)
RF Tony Conigliaro (48/60)
SS Rico Petrocelli (60/63)
2B Mike Andrews (35/51)
C Jerry Moses (31/37)

Lineup vs LHP
1B George Thomas (46/46)
CF Billy Conigliaro (55/55)
LF Carl Yastrzemski (80/80)
3B George Scott (57/59)
SS Rico Petrocelli (60/63)
RF Tony Conigliaro (48/60)
2B Mike Andrews (35/51)
C Jerry Moses (31/37)

Bench
IF Luis Alvarado (23/23)
OF Billy Conigliaro (55/55) *vs RHP*
RF/LF Dwight Evans (26/71)
RF/LF Joe Lahoud (20/45)
IF Tom Matchick (20/20)
OF Rick Miller (20/37)
C Tom Satriano (24/25)
RF/CF Reggie Smith (78/78) *vs LHP*

Minor Leagues
AAA Louisville Colonels
SP Steve Barr (21/31)
SP John Curtis (21/57)
SP Roger Moret (21/39)
SP Mike Nagy (23/23)
MR Ray Jarvis (34/34)
MR Bill Lee (21/22)
MR Dick Mills (20/20)
CL Don Newhauser (21/63)

AA Pawtucket Red Sox
C Don Pavletich (22/22)

A Winter Haven Red Sox
C Bob Montgomery (20/20)

SA Winston-Salem Red Sox
3B Carmen Fanzone (20/38)
LF Mike Derrick (20/20)
RF Ben Ogliviv (20/59)

R GCL Red Sox

[coffeyfiend]

California Angels
Offseason Transactions
November 25, 1969: Traded Jim McGlothlin (SP) and Pedro Borbon (MR) to the Reds for Alex Johnson (LF) and Chico Ruiz (2B)
November 26, 1969: Purchased Paul Doyle (MR) from the Braves
January 4, 1970: Traded Chico Ruiz (2B) Doug Griffin (2B) to the Expos for John Boccabella (C)
January 9, 1970: Traded Bill Voss (RF) and Terry Cox (CL) to the Dodgers for Tom Haller (C)
February 4, 1970: White Sox claimed Joe Azcue (C) off waivers
Senators claimed Tommie Reynolds (RF) off waivers
February 23, 1970: Traded Jim Fregosi (SS) and Steve Kealey (MR) to the Expos for Rusty Staub (1B) Jim Qualls (2B)

Active Roster
Starting Rotation
Andy Messersmith RHP (70/70)
Rudy May LHP (69/70)
Tom Bradley RHP (58/70)
Clyde Wright LHP (23/23)
Tom Murphy RHP (23/40)

Bullpen
MR Ken Tatum RHP (52/52)
MR Eddie Fisher RHP (50/50)
SR Greg Garrett LHP (57/57)
SR Mel Queen RHP (56/63)
CL Dave LaRoche LHP (65/70)

Lineup vs RHP
SS Sandy Alomar (28/28)
3B Aurelio Rodriguez (36/36)
CF Jay Johnstone (58/58)
1B Rusty Staub (74/74)
C Tom Haller (62/62)
LF Rick Reichardt (58/58)
RF Roger Repoz (52/52)
2B Jim Qualls (20/28)

Lineup vs LHP
SS Sandy Alomar (28/28)
1B Billy Cowan (40/40)
LF Alex Johnson (63/63)
RF Rusty Staub (74/74)
CF Rick Reichardt (58/58)
C Tom Haller (62/62)
3B Aurelio Rodriguez (36/36)
2B Jim Qualls (20/28)

Bench
C John Boccabella (26/26)
LF/1B/RF Billy Cowan (40/40) *vs RHP*
OF Jay Johnstone (58/58) *vs LHP*
SS/3B Rudy Meoli (20/20)
SS Marty Perez (20/27)
OF Roger Repoz (52/52)
1B Jim Spencer (33/33)
CF/RF Jarvis Tatum (26/26)

Disabled List
SS Ray Oyler (20/20) bruised wrist [3/7]

Minor Leagues
AAA Hawaii Islanders
SP Andy Hassler (20/53)
MR Clint Compton (21/21)
CL Llyod Allen (51/51)

AA El Paso Sun Kings
MR Harvey Shank (20/20)
CL Wally Wolf (20/20)
C Tom Egan (23/23)

A Quad City Angels
CF Mickey Rivers (20/53)

SA Bend Rainbows
C Randy Brown (20/20)
CF Tom Silverio (20/20)

R Idaho Falls Angels
RF Jim Hicks (20/20)

[coffeyfiend]

Chicago White Sox
Offseason Transactions
December 1, 1969: Drafted Gene Rounsaville (MR) from the Phillies in the Rule 5 Draft
December 2, 1969: Sold Dan Osinski (MR) to the Astros
December 13, 1969: Traded Gary Peters (SP) and Don Pavletich (C) to the Red Sox for Syd O'Brien (3B) and Jerry Janeski (SP)
December 15, 1969: Traded Angel Bravo (CF) to the Reds for Gerry Arrigo (MR)
December 18, 1969: Sold Pete Ward (3B) to the Yankees
January 4, 1970: Traded Duane Josephson (C) and Ossie Blanco (1B) to the Mets for Jerry Koosman (SP) and Rich Folkers (CL)
February 1, 1970: Traded Joe Horlen (SP) and Bob Christian (LF) to the Brewers for Bernie Smith (RF)
February 4, 1970: Claimed Joe Azcue (C) off waivers from the Angels
March 9, 1970: Signed Ken Berry (CF) to a 1-year contract extension worth $54,200
March 22, 1970: Signed Luis Aparicio (SS) to a 3-year contract extension worth $1,702,200
Active Roster
Starting Rotation
Wilbur Wood LHP (75/75)
Bart Johnson RHP (62/62)
Tommy John LHP (59/71)
Jerry Koosman LHP (58/71)
Jerry Janeski RHP (44/44)

Bullpen
MR Billy Wynne RHP (26/27)
MR Tommie Sisk RHP (23/56)
SR Jim Magnuson LHP (40/40)
SR Floyd Weaver RHP (32/32)
CL Don Eddy LHP (56/56)

Lineup vs RHP
SS Luis Aparicio (63/63)
1B Gail Hopkins (45/45)
C Ed Herrmann (79/79)
3B Bill Melton (70/70)
LF Carlos May (62/62)
CF Ken Berry (37/37)
RF Tommy McGraw (23/32)
2B Rich McKinney (23/29)

Lineup vs LHP
SS Luis Aparicio (63/63)
1B Gail Hopkins (45/45)
C Ed Herrmann (79/79)
3B Bill Melton (70/70)
LF Carlos May (62/62)
RF Bernie Smith (30/30)
CF Ken Berry (37/37)
2B Syd O'Brien (22/23)

Bench
C Joe Azcue (27/27)
OF Buddy Bradford (23/33)
LF Ken Hottman (20/20)
2B Bobby Knoop (20/20)
OF/1B Tommy McGraw (23/32) *vs LHP*
2B Rich McKinney (23/29) *vs LHP*
IF Syd O'Brien (22/23) *vs RHP*
RF Bernie Smith (30/30) *vs RHP*
RF/LF Walt Williams (21/29)

Disabled List
MR Jerry Crider (23/24) Tender Shoulder [0/2]
CF Jose Ortiz (20/53) damaged knee meniscus [7/0]

Minor Leagues
AAA Tucson Toros
MR Dennis O'Toole (20/66)
MR Stan Perzanowski (20/52)
MR Gene Rounsaville (20/20)
MR Don Secrist (22/22)
CL Rich Hinton (23/74)

AA Mobile White Sox
MR Richie Moloney (20/20)
CL Rich Folkers (20/77)
C Bruce Kimm (22/42)
1B Bob Spence (21/21)
SS Rich Morales (20/20)

A Appleton Foxes
C Art Kusnyer (20/20)
1B John Matias (20/20)

SA Williamsport Wranglers
1B Lamar Johnson (20/44)
2B Glenn Redmon (20/20)
3B Hugh Yancy (20/20)

R GCL White Sox
C Chuck Brinkman (20/20)

[coffeyfiend]

Chicago Cubs
Offseason Transactions
November 17, 1969: Traded Dick Selma (CL) and Oscar Gamble (RF) to the Phillies for Johnny Callison (RF)
December 1, 1969: Drafted Jim Cosman (CL) from the Mets in the Rule 5 Draft
Drafted Cleo James (CF) from the Dodgers in the Rule 5 Draft
December 4, 1969: Traded Rich Nye (SP) to the Cardinals for Boots Day (CF)
December 8, 1969: Signed Adrian Garrett (LF) to a 1-year contract worth $30,975
March 31, 1969: Signed Randy Hundley (C) to a 1-year contract extension worth $45,000

Active Roster
Starting Rotation
Fergie Jenkins RHP (77/77)
Bill Hands RHP (70/70)
Ken Holtzman LHP (69/69)
Juan Pizarro LHP (40/40)
Joe Decker RHP (39/39)

Bullpen
MR Phil Regan RHP (27/27)
MR Hank Aguirre LHP (27/27)
SR Steve Barber LHP (34/34)
SR Ted Abernathy RHP (29/29)
CL Jim Colborn RHP (76/76)

Lineup vs RHP
CF Boots Day (51/51)
2B Glenn Beckert (26/34)
LF Billy Williams (78/78)
1B Jim Hickman (65/65)
3B Ron Santo (60/60)
RF Johnny Callison (51/51)
SS Don Kessinger (41/41)
C Randy Hundley (25/31)

Lineup vs LHP
CF Boots Day (51/51)
2B Glenn Beckert (26/34)
LF Billy Williams (78/78)
RF Jim Hickman (65/65)
3B Ron Santo (60/60)
1B Ernie Banks (28/28)
SS Don Kessinger (41/41)
C Randy Hundley (25/31)

Bench
1B Ernie Banks (28/28) *vs RHP*
RF Johnny Callison (51/51) *vs LHP*
LF/RF Jimmie Hall (20/20)
CF/RF Cleo James (20/23)
C J.C. Martin (20/20)
SS Roger Metzger (20/29)
CF/RF Billy North (20/64)
IF Paul Popovich (20/20)

Minor Leagues
AAA Tacoma Cubs
MR Jim Dunegan (32/32)
MR Larry Gura (21/44)
MR Pat Jacquez (20/20)
MR Archie Reynolds (24/25)
MR Jim Todd (21/45)
CL Earl Stephenson (22/67)

AA San Antonio Missions
MR Jim Cosman (20/27)
CL Paul Reuschel (20/59)
1B Willie Smith (20/20)

A Quincy Cubs
C Ken Rudolph (20/20)
CF Brock Davis (20/26)

SA Medford Mavericks
1B Pat Bourque (20/24)
3B Terry Hughes (20/20)
3B Matt Alexander (20/22)

R Caldwell Cubs
1B Roe Skidmore (20/20)
LF Adrian Garrett (20/20)

[Syd Thrift]

Bring the Brewers back to Seattle! Come on, you can do it!

[coffeyfiend]

Cincinnati Reds
Offseason Trades
November 5, 1969: Traded George Culver (MR) to the Cardinals for Ray Washburn (MR)
November 25, 1969: Traded Alex Johnson (LF) and Chico Ruiz (2B) to the Angels for Jim McGlothlin (SP) and Pedro Borbon (MR)
December 1, 1969: Dodgers drafted Jose Pena (MR) in the Rule 5 Draft
December 15, 1969: Traded Gerry Arrigo (MR) to the White Sox for Traded Angel Bravo (CF)
January 4, 1970: Traded Angel Bravo (CF) to the Twins for Leo Cardenas (SS)
Claimed Frank Johnson (1B) off waivers from the Giants
February 4, 1970: Claimed Mike McCormick off waivers from the Giants

Active Roster
Starting Rotation
Don Gullett LHP (78/78)
Jim Merritt LHP (76/76)
Gary Nolan RHP (67/75)
Wayne Simpson RHP (52/52)
Jim McGlothlin RHP (46/49)
Tony Cloninger RHP (26/38) *Spot Starter*

Bullpen
MR Mel Behney LHP (40/40)
MR Tony Cloninger RHP (26/38)
MR Mike McCormick LHP (22/22)
MR Milt Wilcox RHP (21/35)
MUR Ross Grimsley LHP (20/46)
SR Wayne Granger RHP (71/71)
SR John Noriega RHP (42/46)
CL Clay Carroll RHP (77/77)

Lineup vs RHP
CF Pete Rose (70/70)
2B Jimmy Stewart (40/40)
3B Tony Perez (78/78)
C Johnny Bench (78/78)
LF Lee May (39/47)
RF Ken Griffey (28/71)
SS Leo Cardenas (41/41)
1B Frank Johnson (29/29)

Lineup vs LHP
CF Pete Rose (70/70)
SS Leo Cardenas (41/41)
3B Tony Perez (78/78)
C Johnny Bench (78/78)
LF Lee May (39/47)
RF Ken Griffey (28/71)
2B Dave Concepcion (28/28)
1B Frank Johnson (29/29)


Bench
2B/SS Darrel Chaney (24/24)
IF Dave Concepcion (28/28) *vs RHP*
C Pat Corrales (20/20)
2B/3B Jimmy Stewart (40/40) *vs LHP*
IF Woody Woodward (20/20)

Disabled List
RF/LF Bernie Carbo (79/79) back spasms [27/8]
LF Hal McRae (29/64) strained calf muscle [2/3]
CF/RF Bobby Tolan (79/79) bruised ribs [4/9]

Minor Leagues
AAA Indianapolis Indians
MR Pedro Borbon (40/57)
CL Rawley Eastwick (21/78)

AA Asheville Tourists
MR Bo Belinsky (20/20)
CL Jim Maloney (20/66)
2B Tommy Helms (20/23)

A Tampa Tarpons
SS Frank Duffy (20/23)

SA Modesto Reds
C Bill Plummer (20/20)
3B Jay Ward (20/20)

R GCL Reds

[coffeyfiend]

Cleveland Indians
Offseason Trades
November 21, 1969: Traded Jose Cardenal (CF) to the Cardinals for Vada Pinson (CF)
December 5, 1969: Traded Dave Nelson (3B) and Horacio Pina (MR) to the Senators for Dennis Higgins (MR) and Barry Moore (MR)
December 10, 1969: Traded Luis Tiant (MR) and Stan Williams (CL) to the Twins for Dean Chance (SP), Bob Miller (MR), Ted Uhlaender (CF) and Graig Nettles (3B)
February 26, 1970: Released Barry Moore (MR)
March 3, 1970: Traded Dick Ellsworth (MR) to the Orioles for Paul Blair (CF)
March 14, 1970: Signed Ray Fosse (C) to a 3-year contract extension worth $1,569,000
March 15, 1970: Signed Lou Klimchock (1B) to a 1-year contract extension worth $39,800
March 25, 1970: Signed Larry Brown (SS) to a 1-year contract extension worth $52,400

Active Roster
Starting Rotation
Sam McDowell LHP (68/68)
Dean Chance RHP (59/77)
Steve Dunning RHP (36/36)
Steve Hargan RHP (33/47)
Rich Hand RHP (24/28)

Bullpen
MR Phil Hennigan RHP (29/36)
MR Bob Miller RHP (22/22)
SR Rick Austin RHP (53/53)
SR Dennis Higgins RHP (52/52)
CL Steve Mingori LHP (57/67)

Lineup vs RHP
LF Chuck Hinton (46/46)
C Ray Fosse (68/68)
CF Vada Pinson (68/68)
3B Graig Nettles (68/68)
RF Roy Foster (54/57)
1B Tony Horton (36/39)
SS Larry Brown (28/28)
2B Eddie Leon (24/24)

Lineup vs LHP
LF Chuck Hinton (46/46)
1B Tony Horton (36/39)
CF Paul Blair (65/65)
RF Roy Foster (54/57)
C Ray Fosse (68/68)
3B Graig Nettles (68/68)
SS Larry Brown (28/28)
2B Eddie Leon (24/24)

Bench
3B/RF/CF Buddy Bell (21/59)
CF Paul Blair (65/65) *vs RHP*
RF Ken Harrelson (20/52)
SS Jack Heidemann (20/20)
RF Russ Nagelson (22/22)
OF Vada Pinson (68/68) *vs LHP*
C/LF Duke Sims (72/72)
OF Ted Uhlaender (33/33)

Disabled List
SP Mike Paul (49/65) tender elbow [0/4]

Minor Leagues
AAA Wichita Aeros
SP Rick Sawyer (22/33)
SP Dick Tidrow (23/72)
MR Vince Colbert (23/23)
MR Bob Kaiser (20/20)
MR Jim Rittwage (26/26)
CL Ed Farmer (27/44)


AA Savannah Indians
2B Jack Brohamer (20/22)
2B John Lowenstein (20/56)

A Reno Silver Sox
C Vic Correll (20/57)
2B Vern Fuller (20/26)

SA Lewiston Broncs
C Alan Ashby (20/44)
SS Lou Camilli (20/20)
RF Ted Ford (20/22)

R GCL Indians
C Larry Johnson (20/20)

[coffeyfiend]

Detroit Tigers
Offseason Transactions
December 1, 1969: Red Sox drafted Mike Derrick (LF) in the Rule 5 Draft
December 3, 1969: Traded Joe Sparma (SP) to the Expos for Jerry Robertson (MR)
December 4, 1969: Traded Pat Dobson (SP) and Dave Campbell (2B) to the Padres for Joe Niekro (MR)
December 13, 1969: Traded Tom Matchick (3B) to the Red Sox for Dalton Jones (3B)
January 7, 1970: Claimed Ellie Rodriguez (C) off waivers from the Royals
February 10, 1970: Claimed Bruce Dal Canton (MR) off waivers from the Pirates
March 18, 1970: Signed Norm Cash (1B) to a 3-year contract extension worth $3,667,000
Signed Joe Niekro (MR) to a 2-year contract extension worth $133,600
March 20, 1970: Signed Al Kaline (RF) to a 2-year contract extension worth $1,248,000

Active Roster
Starting Rotation
Mickey Lolich LHP (57/67)
Mike Kilkenny LHP (53/53)
Earl Wilson RHP (52/52)
Bruce Dal Canton RHP (47/60)
Denny McLain RHP (38/56)
Joe Niekro RHP (34/51) *Spot Starter*

Bullpen
MR Dennis Saunders RHP (54/54)
MR John Hiller LHP (45/63)
MR Joe Niekro RHP (34/51)
SR Tom Timmermann RHP (69/69)
SR Jerry Robertson RHP (66/66)
CL Fred Scherman LHP (75/75)

Lineup vs RHP
3B Elliott Maddox (39/46)
2B Ike Brown (57/62)
1B Norm Cash (71/71)
CF Jim Northrup (66/66)
LF Willie Horton (54/58)
RF Al Kaline (57/57)
SS Dick McAuliffe (50/50)
C Bill Freehan (51/57)

Lineup vs LHP
SS Elliott Maddox (39/46)
2B Ike Brown (57/62)
RF Al Kaline (57/57)
1B Norm Cash (71/71)
LF Willie Horton (54/58)
C Bill Freehan (51/57)
CF Mickey Stanley (31/34)
3B Don Wert (20/20)

Bench
LF Mike Adams (20/20) LF Gates Brown (28/28)
2B/SS Dick McAuliffe (50/50) *vs LHP*
OF Jim Northrup (66/66) *vs LHP*
C Ellie Rodriguez (24/44)
CF/1B/SS Mickey Stanley (31/34) *vs RHP*
SS Ken Szotkiewicz (23/23)
3B Don Wert (20/20) *vs RHP*

Disabled List
SP Les Cain (55/55) strained back muscle [3/7]

Minor Leagues
AAA Toledo Mud Hens
SP Bill Slayback (21/59)
MR Jim Foor (20/20)
MR Gary Ignasiak (21/21)
MR Lerrin LaGrow (42/42)
MR Fred Lasher (32/39)
MR Norm McRae (24/24)
MR Daryl Patterson (27/29)
CL Bob Reed (48/56)
3B Dalton Jones (24/24)

AA Montgomery Rebels
SP Bill Gilbreth (20/20)
C Jim Price (20/21)

A Lakeland Tigers
3B Kevin Collins (20/20)
SS Cesar Gutierrez (20/20)

SA Rocky Mount Leafs
C Tim Hosley (20/34)
C Gene Lamont (20/32)
SS Chuck Scrivener (20/20)

R Bristol Tigers

[coffeyfiend]

Houston Astros
Offseason Transactions
November 21, 1969: Traded Wayne Twitchell (CL) to the Brewers for Mike Marshall (MR)
December 1, 1969: Drafted Jack Dilauro (MR) from the Mets in the Rule 5 Draft
December 2, 1969: Purchased Dan Osinski (MR) from the White Sox
December 4, 1969: Traded Curt Blefary (1B) to the Yankees for Joe Pepitone (1B)

Active Roster
Starting Rotation
Larry Dierker RHP (67/74)
Jack Billingham RHP (59/59)
Don Wilson RHP (57/72)
Wade Blasingame LHP (51/51)
Tom Griffin RHP (29/38)

Bullpen
MR Jim Bouton RHP (49/49)
MR Denny Lemaster LHP (42/42)
SR Mike Marshall RHP (63/74)
SR Ron Cook LHP (53/53)
CL Fred Gladding RHP (77/77)

Lineup vs RHP
CF Cesar Cedeno (64/64)
LF Bob Watson (42/59)
2B Joe Morgan (77/78)
SS Denis Menke (67/67)
1B Joe Pepitone (54/54)
RF Norm Miller (34/34)
3B Doug Rader (49/53)
C Johnny Edwards (30/30)

Lineup vs LHP
CF Cesar Cedeno (64/64)
RF Jesus Alou (29/29)
2B Joe Morgan (77/78)
SS Denis Menke (67/67)
1B Bob Watson (42/59)
3B Doug Rader (49/53)
C Larry Howard (34/34)
LF Tommy Davis (26/26)

Bench
RF/LF Jesus Alou (29/29) *vs RHP*
LF/1B Tommy Davis (26/26) *vs RHP*
C Johnny Edwards (30/30) *vs LHP*
C Larry Howard (34/34) *vs RHP*
1B John Mayberry (27/60)
RF Norm Miller (34/34) *vs LHP*
SS Stan Papi (20/20)
1B/OF Joe Pepitone (54/54) *vs LHP*
2B/SS Derrel Thomas (20/34)
2B/SS Hector Torres (25/25)

Disabled List
RF Jimmy Wynn (46/67) torn abdominal muscle [207/50]

Minor Leagues
AAA Oklahoma City 89ers
SP Ken Forsch (21/69)
SP Bill Greif (20/48)
SP Scipio Spinks (21/52)
MR Jack Dilauro (36/62)
MR Buddy Harris (21/23)
CL Jim Ray (35/63)
RF Glenn Adams (30/34)

AA Columbus Astros
SP J.R. Richard (20/76)
1B Jim Beauchamp (22/22)
SS Marty Martinez (22/22)
LF Rich Chiles (23/23)
LF Keith Lampard (26/26)

A Cocoa Astros
CL Larry Yount (20/21)
RF Cesar Geronimo (20/27)

SA Peninsula Astros
LF Mike Easler (20/58)

R Covington Astros
C Don Bryant (20/20)
SS Leon McFadden (20/21)

[coffeyfiend]

Kansas City Royals
Offseason Transactions
December 1, 1969: Drafted Aurelio Monteagudo (CL) from the Cardinals in the Rule 5 Draft
Drafted Ken Wright (MR) from the Red Sox in the Rule 5 Draft
December 3, 1969: Traded Joe Foy (3B) to the Mets for Amos Otis (CF) and Bob Johnson (SP)
January 4, 1970: Traded Lou Piniella (LF) to the Phillies for Doc Edwards (C)
January 7, 1970: Ellie Rodriguez (C) was claimed off waivers by the Tigers
January 8, 1970: Traded Dave Morehead (SP) to the Athletics for Frank Fernandez (C)
Active Roster
Starting Rotation
Bob Johnson RHP (66/66)
Mike Hedlund RHP (49/49)
Jim Rooker LHP (44/56)
Al Fitzmorris RHP (30/58)
Bill Butler LHP (23/34)
Paul Splittorff LHP (20/55) *Spot Starter*

Bullpen
MR Don O'Riley RHP (35/35)
MR Ken Wright RHP (34/34)
MR Paul Splittorff LHP (20/55)
SR Moe Drabowsky RHP (47/47)
SR Tom Burgmeier LHP (43/43)
CL Aurelio Monteagudo RHP (61/61)

Lineup vs RHP
RF Pat Kelly (54/60)
LF Joe Keough (46/46)
CF Amos Otis (73/73)
C Frank Fernandez (57/62)
1B Bob Oliver (38/38)
3B Bill Sorrell (34/34)
2B Paul Schaal (29/40)
SS Rich Severson (27/28)

Lineup vs LHP
RF Pat Kelly (54/60)
SS Rich Severson (27/28)
CF Amos Otis (73/73)
C Frank Fernandez (57/62)
3B Bob Oliver (38/38)
2B Paul Schaal (29/40)
1B Mike Fiore (25/45)
LF Al Cowens (22/52)

Bench
2B Luis Alcaraz (20/20)
OF Al Cowens (22/52) *vs RHP*
1B Mike Fiore (25/45) *vs RHP*
SS/3B Jackie Hernandez (20/20)
RF/LF Joe Keough (46/46) *vs LHP*
C/RF/LF/1B Ed Kirkpatrick (67/67)
3B Bill Sorrell (34/34) *vs LHP*
RF George Spriggs (23/23)

Disabled List
SP Dick Drago (69/69) strained tricep muscle [6/0]
MR Wally Bunker (27/42) torn labrum [344/36]

Minor Leagues
AAA Omaha Royals
MR Jim York (22/22)
CL Doug Bird (21/57)
C Doc Edwards (38/38)

AA Elmira Pioneers

A San Jose Bees
C Hawk Taylor (20/20)

SA Waterloo Royals
C Buck Martinez (20/27)

R Kingsport Royals

[coffeyfiend]

Los Angeles Dodgers
Offseason Transactions
December 1, 1969: Cubs drafted Cleo James (CF) from the Dodgers in the Rule 5 Draft
Drafted Jose Pena (MR) from the Reds in the Rule 5 Draft
January 9, 1970: Traded Tom Haller (C) to the Angels for Bill Voss (RF) and Terry Cox (CL)
March 22, 1970: Signed Joe Moeller (MR) to a 3-year contract extension worth $423,000

Active Roster
Starting Rotation
Bill Singer RHP (74/74)
Sandy Vance RHP (64/64)
Claude Osteen LHP (64/64)
Don Sutton RHP (63/74)
Ray Lamb RHP (63/69)

Bullpen
MR Mike Strahler RHP (41/41)
MR Camilo Pascual RHP (28/28)
SR Pete Mikkelsen RHP (65/65)
SR Joe Moeller RHP (46/60)
CL Jim Brewer LHP (77/77)

Lineup vs RHP
CF Willie Davis (66/66)
3B Maury Wills (53/53)
2B Billy Grabarkewitz (71/71)
C Bill Sudakis (74/74)
1B Wes Parker (68/68)
LF Willie Crawford (46/56)
SS Bill Russell (53/53)
RF Bill Buckner (23/46)

Lineup vs LHP
RF Bill Russell (53/53)
2B Ted Sizemore (55/55)
1B Wes Parker (68/68)
SS Billy Grabarkewitz (71/71)
CF Willie Davis (66/66)
LF Manny Mota (47/47)
3B Steve Garvey (48/63)
C Steve Yeager (22/37)

Bench
RF/LF Bill Buckner (23/46) *vs LHP*
RF/LF Willie Crawford (46/56) *vs LHP*
3B Steve Garvey (48/63) *vs RHP*
LF Von Joshua (40/40)
3B/2B Jim Lefebvre (26/36)
LF/RF Manny Mota (47/47) *vs RHP*
2B/SS Ted Sizemore (55/55) *vs RHP*
C/3B Bill Sudakis (74/74) *vs LHP*
RF/LF Bill Voss (36/36)
3B/SS Maury Wills (53/53) *vs LHP*
C Steve Yeager (22/37) *vs RHP*

Disabled List
MR Alan Foster (25/35) strained back muscle [39/8]

Minor Leagues
AAA Spokane Indians
SP Doyle Alexander (24/47)
SP Geoff Zahn (21/53)
MR Ted Cox (21/22)
MR Bruce Ellingsen (22/34)
MR Charlie Hough (33/33)
MR Bob O'Brien (20/36)
MR Stan Wall (20/53)
CL Al McBean (23/23)
2B Lee Lacy (22/51)
SS Bobby Valentine (21/28)

AA Albuquerque Dodgers
C Jeff Torborg (22/22)
RF Andy Kosco (20/25)

A Daytona Beach Dodgers
2B Davey Lopes (20/59)

SA Bakersfield Dodgers
C Bob Stinson (20/30)
C Joe Ferguson (20/55)
3B Ron Cey (20/68)
RF Len Gabrielsen (20/20)

R Ogden Dodgers