[ctorg]

October 8, 1957. As Walter O’Malley prepares to make an announcement later in the day that the Brooklyn Dodgers will be headed west to a new home in Los Angeles, there is a knock at his door. His personal assistant announces that someone has come to see him. O’Malley opens the door to see Chadwick Harrelson III, an eccentric multi-millionaire from Brooklyn known to have an interest in baseball, though he had never owned a team. Behind Harrelson is Ethan Kurtz, Harrelson’s most trusted attorney.

“Hello, Chadwick,” says O’Malley. “What an unexpected surprise. What can I do for you today?”

“I’ve come to talk business,” says Harrelson. “I know you want to move the Dodgers. I want to make you a better offer.”

“I’m sorry, Chadwick, but the deal is done. It is to be announced today.” O’Malley is visibly nervous. Harrelson is not a man who likes to be refused, and is known to exert great power, both political and monetary, to get what he wants.

“The deal is off,” says Harrelson, “pending your agreement to call it off. I have discussed the situation with our mutual friends in Los Angeles.”

O’Malley is caught off guard and is speechless.

“I am not here to ruin your day, Walter,” says Harrelson. “I know you are a businessman. So am I. We both know that money does the talking, so I’m going to offer you a lot more than you could possibly have made by moving the Dodgers to that dreadful place.” Kurtz produced a small slip of paper – a personal check – from his briefcase and handed it to O’Malley. “I suspect that this will help you change your mind.”

O’Malley’s eyes bulge at the figure on the check. He knows he cannot turn down a deal like this. No sane businessman would. This would make him richer than he had ever dreamed. He nods assent. Kurtz steps forward and produces a contract. O’Malley signs ownership of the Dodgers over to Harrelson.

“What about the Giants?” O’Malley asks.

“I don’t care about the Giants,” says Harrelson. “Let them go. More fans to divide between us and the Yankees. Let them have San Francisco.”

O’Malley shrugs. They shake hands, and Harrelson and Kurtz leave. The former owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers stares at the check for twenty minutes, laughing giddily.

[ctorg]

Harrelson’s first move is to change the Dodgers’ name back to the Robins. He has always found the name “Dodgers” to be inappropriate for a baseball team and now that he owns them, he can finally fix that. The newspapers have already begun calling after the Daily News broke the story that the Dodgers would stay in Brooklyn. Talk of building a new stadium has started already. Harrelson has had his men pay Robert Moses a visit to convince him to allow the Robins to build a new stadium in Brooklyn. Moses’ refusal had been one of the reasons for O’Malley’s sickening decision, but Harrelson had better means and more will, and he knew he could change the man’s mind. If nothing else, he knew he could threaten him politically if he needed to.

Yes, the Robins would stay in Brooklyn, and they would be Harrelson’s team. He would control them. He would hire the best talent, he would make the decisions. They would be his new favorite toy. He should have done this years ago, and was ashamed it had taken the threat of the city losing the team for him to make the necessary expenditures. But it was his now, and that was what was important.

[ctorg]

This is the story of the Brooklyn Robins, 1958 and on. It is a "what if" story, asking what would have happened if the Dodgers had never left Brooklyn. Here’s how it will work:

The Dodgers, renamed the Robins (mostly so I could give the name to Los Angeles later, which will be interesting), will remain in Brooklyn in 1958. Rookies will enter each year with their original teams. I have revised the database so that Brooklyn will receive what would have been Los Angeles’ teams until 1961. In 1962, instead of an expansion New York team, the Los Angeles Dodgers will be the expansion team. From 1962 on, the Robins will receive all the Mets’ rookies and the Dodgers will get the Dodger rookies. I did this in order to get all the subsequent Dodger players in LA and Met players in New York. So Dwight Gooden will come up with the Robins, while Mike Piazza will come up with the Dodgers.

I will try to follow history as far as managerial and stadium changes, except, of course, for Brooklyn. They will stay in Ebbets field until such time as I decide to create a new stadium for them.

I’m using the real 1958 schedule (including doubleheaders), but may or may not do the same for 1959. I haven’t decided yet. Coaches and scouts are disabled. Financials are enabled, as are all the financial rules except for the Rule 5 draft. Injuries are normal and trade frequency is low. I plan to sim most games, but will play out opening days, playoffs, and several larger games as I desire. Reports will be a mix of single game, weekly, event-based (like trades and injuries and monthly, depending on how interesting things are in a particular period of time. I’ll also give occasional reports about the rest of the league.

Hopefully I can keep this going for a while.

[ctorg]

The Robins begin the year on a down note. Their star catcher, Roy Campanella, has become paralyzed in a car accident and will no longer be able to play. Campanella was a true star, and the team will have to learn to get by without him.

Here, then, is a summary of the 1958 Robins, opening day.

Rotation:
LHP Sandy Koufax, 22, 5-4, 3.88 ERA in 1957. He’s young with a lot of potential, but he hasn’t realized that potential yet. Look for a breakout year in 1958 if he is going to have one.

RHP Don Drysdale, 21, 17-9, 2.69 ERA in 1957. Another youngster, but a little more proven, Drysdale hit big with Brooklyn last year.

LHP Johnny Podres, 25, 12-9, 2.66 ERA in 1957. Very good pitcher, still young, could be great.

RHP Don Newcombe, 31, 11-12, 3.49 ERA in 1957. A superb pitcher in the past (won 27 games 2 years ago), Newcombe is looking to bounce back from a bad year in ’57.

Starters:
C Johnny Roseboro, 24, hit .145 in 69 AB in 1957. With Campanella gone, the Robins will look to him to assume catching duties. How well will he fill the superstar’s shoes?

1B Gil Hodges/Frank Howard, 33/21, .299, 27 HR in ’57 / Rookie. Hodges, a solid player still, is aging quickly and Frank Howard is a potential big bat in the future Robins’ lineup. Look for 1B to be a battle this year.

2B Charlie Neal, 27, .270, 12 HR in 1957. Neal is a solid second baseman, probably better than average. He did a good job starting last year and will get the chance again this year.

3B Jim Gilliam/Don Zimmer, 29/27, .250, 2 HR, 26 SB/.219, 6 HR in 1957. Another toss up position. Gilliam had a poor season in 1957. Zimmer has a bit more power and may take the position from him. Also look for a challenge from rookie Don Demeter.

SS Pee Wee Reese, 39, .224, 1 HR in 1957. A superstar in the twilight of his career, Reese has been a fixture on the Brooklyn team through the forties and the fifties. He can still get on base well. We will see how much life he has left in him in 1958.

LF Gino Cimoli, 28, .293, 10 HR in 1957. Cimoli had a strong rookie year in 1957. Fans will be looking for him to follow it up with a better sophomore performance. However, rookie Norm Larker may get some playing time if Cimoli does not come through.

CF Duke Snider, 31, .274, 40 HR, 93 RBI in 1957. The offensive centerpiece of the Robins, Snider is a true star in his prime.

RF Carl Furillo, 36, .306, 12 HR in 1957. How many rightfielders are a threat to throw out runners at first? Furillo has faded a bit, but he is still a good player and he still has a gun for an arm in rightfield.

The Robins will open the season in St. Louis on Aprl 15, where they will meet the cardinals on the 15th and 17th before coming back to Brooklyn, along with the Cards, for a three game series over the weekend.

[ctorg]

On April 15th, the Cardinals take their home opener thanks mostly to faulty relief pitching from the Robins. A rain delay early in the game cuts into Koufax’s energy level, forcing him out after 6 effective innings with a 4-2 lead. But Stan Williams and Roger Craig give up a combined five runs in the eighth. The final score is 7-5.

After a day off, Brooklyn drops the second game to St. Louis and looks bad doing it. They go down 9-1, giving up 15 hits. Drysdale lasts only 3 innings, during which he allows 9 hits and 7 runs without striking anyone out (or walking anyone for that matter). Other than Furillo’s three hits, the offense looks bad, barely hitting anything out of the infield and managing only six singles (including Furillo’s three).

For the home opener, Robins fans are out in full swing, many of them still wearing “Dodgers” shirts. The crowd is raucous, and Chadwick Harrison III is taking it all in from his owners box with a huge smile, waving to the adoring fans who see him as the man who saved Brooklyn baseball. He has spent a good chunk of his money to acquire this team, and standing there, feeling the adoration of the crowd, makes him feel that it has been worth it. The Robins dominate the game. Johnny Podres throws a four hit shutout as Pee Wee Reese, Carl Furillo, and Don Zimmer all hit round trippers. The Robins score six runs (five in the third inning) on eleven hits. The fans go wild with appreciation for a team that almost left them.

The second game of the home series against the Cardinals is a gut-wrenching loss for Brooklyn. The Robins score three times in the first and look good all game, but the Cardinals chip away gradually. In the top of the ninth, the Robins still have a one run lead as Roger Craig comes to the mound to protect a win for Sandy Koufax. His first pitch to Cardinal centerfielder Joe Taylor lands in the left field stands to tie the game. Joe Cunningham then singles, Wally Moon hits into a fielder’s choice, Don Blasingame walks, and Ken Boyer clears the bases with a triple. Gene Green then bloops one to deep right to score Boyer, giving the Cards a three run lead, 9-6. That is all the Cards need as the stunned Robins go down in order in the bottom of the inning.

After the game, Harrison calls an emergency meeting of his top baseball people, including his son Jack, whom he has appointed general manager. They gather at his office in Park Slope.

“I do not like what I am seeing,” says the elder Harrison. “This team is not the team that I want it to be. It needs to be better.”

“You have to give it time, Dad,” says Jack. “We’re not even a week into the season. And the Cardinals are a good team.”

“The Cardinals cannot be better than my team,” Chadwick booms. “We must win. Every loss is an insult to me and to the fans who screamed out to keep baseball in this city. We need to do something we need to make a move that will show everyone that we are about winning, and that we will do what it takes to win every game.”

They are silent. No one wants to contradict the imposing older man. Even his outspoken son keeps quiet. Finally, Chadwick Harrison slams his fist on the table. “We need to make a trade. A catcher. We need to replace Campanella, poor man. We need to get ourselves a catcher. Who can we afford to lose?”

“Well, there’s Frank Howard,” suggests head scout Willie Stanton. “We already have Gil Hodges at first. We could ship him—“

“What about Gil Hodges?” says Harrison. “He is aging. Howard looks like he may be great. We can lose Hodges and start the rookie. It will revitalize the team.”

The others are stunned. Hodges has been a fixture in Brooklyn for the past decade. Finally, Jack speaks. “I believe the Reds – I mean the Redlegs – are shopping Smokey Burgess around for a first baseman. Perhaps they would be interested.”

Chadwick Harrison smiles. “That’s thinking, my boy. Contact Cincinnati. Offer them a deal. Get Burgess here. Don’t offer Hodges first. Offer someone smaller. Work your way up. Oh, hell, you know how to do this. I don’t have to tell you. I trust you, my boy.”

And with that, the meeting convenes.

[ctorg]

Brooklyn fans were stunned today when they found out that fan favorite and longtime Brooklyn first baseman Gil Hodges had been traded to Cincinnati. Tempering their disappointment, however, was the fact that Brooklyn would receive catcher Smokey Burgess in return. Burgess is a high quality catcher with a .300 lifetime batting average. At 31, he can be a contributor to Brooklyn for the next several years. The move also vacates first base for highly touted rookie Frank Howard.

“It’s the way of baseball,” Hodges said in an interview as he packed up his locker. “I’ll always treasure my years in Brooklyn. The fans here are great. But I’m sure the fans in Cincinnati will be great, too. I’m looking forward to a new experience.”

Burgess could not be reached, but he is reportedly happy with the deal and looks forward to playing in New York City.

Each man is expected to report to his new team today.

[ctorg]

Despite two hits by new arrival Smokey Burgess, the Robins are never really in the next game and lose 5-3. It could have been worse, as there are no baserunners for any of the three homeruns surrendered by starter Don Newcombe. The Robins do manage to stage a small rally in the bottom of the ninth. With two outs and a score of 5-1, Furillo doubles, Neal walks, and Zimmer doubles them both in. But the Cards bring in Lindy McDaniel to break up the rhythm and Reese pops out to left center to end the game.

Brooklyn has now lost four of its first five. After a two game sweep by the Cardinals in St. Louis, that same team has taken two of three at Ebbets Field. They will have a day off to think about it as they travel to Cincinnati and then San Francisco for three games apiece. Harrison, meanwhile, is quite angry and ready to make further moves if necessary.

After a full week of play, here’s how things are shaping up…

Team Batting:

Name		G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	
B. Birrer	3	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1.000	1.000	1.000	
D. Zimmer	3	9	5	1	0	1	6	1	0	0	.556	.556	1.000	
S. Burgess 	4	14	7	0	0	1	5	1	0	2	.500	.467	.714	
C. Furillo 	5	21	9	3	0	1	4	5	0	0	.429	.429	.714	
C. Neal 	5	17	5	0	0	1	4	3	1	1	.294	.333	.471	
P. Reese 	5	21	5	1	0	1	1	3	3	2	.238	.333	.429	
F. Howard 	5	13	3	0	0	0	0	1	2	3	.231	.333	.231	
J. Roseboro	3	10	2	0	0	1	2	2	1	1	.200	.273	.500	
D. Snider 	5	17	3	0	0	0	0	4	4	4	.176	.333	.176	
J. Gilliam	3	13	2	1	0	0	3	0	0	1	.154	.154	.231	
N. Larker 	3	8	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.125	.125	.125	
G. Cimoli 	3	12	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	.083	.083	.167	
D. Drysdale 	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000	
S. Koufax 	2	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	.000	.000	.000	
B. Lillis 	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000	
D. Newcombe	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000	
J. Podres 	1	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000	
E. Valo 	3	3	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	.000	.000	.000	
R. Walker 	1	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000

Team Pitching:

Name		G	GS	W	L	SV	ERA	IP	HA	R	ER	BB	K	
J. Podres 	1	1	1	0	0	0.00	9.0	4	0	0	3	4	
B. Birrer 	3	0	0	0	0	6.75	5.1	8	4	4	0	3	
R. Craig 	2	0	0	2	0	63.00	1.0	6	7	7	2	0	
D. Drysdale	1	1	0	1	0	21.00	3.0	9	7	7	0	0	
S. Koufax 	2	2	0	0	0	4.22	10.2	8	5	5	7	8	
C. Labine 	1	0	0	0	0	0.00	0.1	0	0	0	0	0	
D. Newcombe	1	1	0	1	0	5.14	7.0	10	4	4	2	1	
L. Sherry 	1	0	0	0	0	4.50	2.0	1	1	1	3	0	
S. Williams 	3	0	0	0	0	3.86	4.2	2	2	2	1	5	
C. Mclish 	1	0	0	0	1	0.00	1.0	0	0	0	0	0

Standings:

American League Standings

AL														

Team		W	L	PCT	GB									
Cleveland	6	1	0.857	-										
New York	6	1	0.857	-										
Detroit		5	2	0.714	1										
Washington	4	2	0.667	1.5										
Chicago (A)	3	4	0.429	3										
Baltimore	2	4	0.333	3.5										
Boston		1	6	0.143	5										
Kansas City	0	7	0	6										

National League Standings														

NL														

Team		W	L	PCT	GB									
St. Louis	4	1	0.8	-										
Pittsburgh	4	2	0.667	0.5										
Cincinnati	3	3	0.5	1.5										
Milwaukee	3	3	0.5	1.5										
San Fran	3	3	0.5	1.5										
Chicago (N)	2	3	0.4	2										
Phila.		2	3	0.4	2										
Brooklyn	1	4	0.2	3

[rogmax11]

As a life-long Dodger fan, I will be following this closely. Nice premise, ctorg, particularly the idea of flip-flopping the Mets/Dodger placements. I cant believe the idea never dawned on me, but Im sure to use it in the future. Nice job with the writing, too.

[ctorg]

Originally Posted by rogmax11

As a life-long Dodger fan, I will be following this closely. Nice premise, ctorg, particularly the idea of flip-flopping the Mets/Dodger placements. I cant believe the idea never dawned on me, but Im sure to use it in the future. Nice job with the writing, too.

Good to know at least someone is reading.

[ctorg]

4/22

Drysdale pitches beautifully for 7+ innings, giving up a run on four hits and no walks while striking out six, as the Robins take game 1 from the Redlegs, 3-1. Frank Howard cranks out a double and a triple to drive in two and score one, leading the team to victory.

4/23

The Robins come out of the box swinging, but despite eleven hits, they are only able to score twice. The first inning, which should have been big, includes two failed steal attempts. Koufax lasts just over four innings, giving up three runs on five hits, including a homerun, and five walks. The final score is 6-2. Brooklyn fans are beginning to wonder where the team they fought so hard to keep is. With only eight games played, there are plenty of games left to reverse the pattern, but it has not been a promising start.

4/24

It is a hard battle, but Brooklyn takes the win in the third game with the Redlegs, securing their first series of the year. While they are never behind after scoring twice in the first, Cincinnati ties the game twice and looks like they will surely come back for good, but Brooklyn manages to keep focused and keep scoring, eventually winning it 7-6. While not as sharp as his dominant first outing, Podres doesn’t lose his poise on the mound until the eighth inning, when he loads the bases. Williams walks in the tying run, but gets out of it without further damage. Brooklyn comes back in the top of the ninth and goes ahead for good. Howard stars again, going 2 for 2 with three walks, three runs scored, and two RBI. Gil Hodges, playing against his old team, is 0 for 5 with three strikeouts.

4/25

Friday’s game is a showdown between the team that left and the team that didn’t, the Giants against the Robins, and the deserters win, 7-5. Newcombe looks uncomfortable on the mound for six innings, in which time he gives up seven runs on ten hits. Despite 15 hits, the Robins fall and drop to 3-6 on the year. Seals Stadium, the Giants’ new home, is not a major league ballpark, and it is odd to see major leaguers running around in it. The Giants will soon have a new home, though, and in time will become as synonymous with San Francisco as they were with New York.

4/26

Drysdale does not have his best stuff in the second game against the Giants. In 6.1 innings, he gives up four runs on six hits and walks three. By the same token, the Robins touch San Francisco’s starter, Johnny Antonelli, for seven runs on nine hits. The Brooklyn bull pen cannot hold the game, though. Roebuck gives up two hits in a third of an inning, and Labine gives up three runs in two thirds of an inning for the loss. Brooklyn is now 3-7 on the year.

[ctorg]

Harrelson is furious. He calls another meeting of his baseball people.

“This is ridiculous,” he tells them. “We have all the resources we need. I am willing to spend whatever it takes to get whatever we need. Why are we not winning games?”

“Dad,” says Jack, “it is impossible for a baseball team to win every game.”

The elder Harrelson pauses a moment and sighs. “It is not that I criticize the team for not winning every game. These boys are out there playing hard every day. I see them. It is that we are not doing everything we can to make this team win. Surely no team can win every game. Even I know that. But we have to try to win every game.”

The others stare at him, and then Ronnie Marrs, one of the VPs, speaks. “So what would you have us do, sir? What do you think needs to be done that is not being done?”

“That is what I pay you men to figure out,” says Harrelson. “If this team does not start winning games, some of you will not be invited back into this office. Now go and do what I pay you to do!”

The men scamper out, heads down.

[ctorg]

4/27

The final game in San Francisco is a disaster. The Giants complete their sweep, winning 10-4. The Robins put up four runs in the first two innings, but so do the Giants. Koufax gives up six runs (four earned), four hits, and four walks in three innings of work. Smoky Burgess hits his first homerun for Brooklyn, but it is a wasted piece of offense.

The next day is a day off for all teams, and Harrelson uses it as an opportunity to fire every employee who remained from the old Dodgers and replace them with new hires of his own who share his views.

The team now heads home for five games against Milwaukee followed by five against Chicago. The Robins are 3-8, in the basement of the National League.

4/29

The Robins are thoroughly destroyed by the Braves. Warren Spahn holds them to one run in his full nine innings of work. Podres, who has been effective until now, gives up seven runs and thirteen hits in 7.1 innings of work. The Robins have now lost three times the number of games they have won. Their team ERA is 6.71, the worst in baseball by a good margin.

4/30

The Robins drop their fifth straight game to close out the first month of the season at 3-10, eight games down from the first place Cardinals and the worst in the NL. In all of baseball, only Boston (3-12) and Kansas City (2-13) have had a worse month.

[ctorg]

END OF APRIL

Standings:

American League Standings														

AL														

Team	W	L	PCT	GB										
New York	13	3	0.813	-										
Chicago (A)	10	5	0.667	2.5										
Cleveland	10	6	0.625	3										
Detroit		10	6	0.625	3										
Washington	8	6	0.571	4										
Baltimore	5	10	0.333	7.5										
Boston		3	12	0.2	9.5										
Kansas City	2	13	0.133	10.5										

National League Standings														

NL														

Team	W	L	PCT	GB										
St. Louis	11	2	0.846	-										
Pittsburgh	11	4	0.733	1										
Milwaukee	8	6	0.571	3.5										
San Francisco	7	7	0.5	4.5										
Cincinnati	6	8	0.429	5.5										
Philadelphia	4	8	0.333	6.5										
Chicago (N)	4	9	0.308	7										
Brooklyn	3	10	0.231	8

Overall Batting:	

Name		G	AB	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	R	BB	K	AVG	OBP	SLG	
B. Birrer 	9	3	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	.667	.667	.667	
B. Lillis 	5	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.500	.500	.500	
D. Newcombe 	2	4	2	0	0	0	1	1	1	0	.500	.600	.500	
E. Robinson 	2	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.500	.500	.500	
C. Furillo 	13	53	21	4	0	1	12	10	2	2	.396	.411	.528	
N. Larker 	10	21	8	2	0	0	1	3	7	4	.381	.536	.476	
D. Zimmer 	9	29	11	2	0	1	7	4	1	3	.379	.400	.552	
S. Burgess	12	43	15	1	0	2	12	6	2	4	.349	.354	.512	
C. Neal 	13	44	13	2	0	1	6	6	3	5	.295	.340	.409	
F. Howard 	13	44	12	1	1	0	3	7	7	12	.273	.373	.341	
J. Roseboro	9	17	4	0	0	1	2	2	1	1	.235	.278	.412	
J. Gilliam 	8	30	7	2	0	0	6	3	2	1	.233	.281	.300	
D. Snider 	13	46	10	1	0	1	4	8	9	7	.217	.339	.304	
D. Drysdale	4	10	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	.200	.200	.200	
P. Reese 	13	54	9	1	0	1	2	4	5	3	.167	.237	.241	
J. Podres 	3	8	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	2	.125	.125	.375	
G. Cimoli 	9	27	3	1	0	0	1	0	2	5	.111	.172	.148	
S. Koufax 	4	7	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	.000	.000	.000	
E. Valo 	8	5	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	.000	.167	.000	
R. Walker 	2	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000	.000	.000

Overall Pitching:	

Name		G	GS	W	L	SV	ERA	IP	HA	R	ER	BB	K	
S. Williams 	10	0	1	0	0	3.75	12.0	12	5	5	6	11	
D. Drysdale 	4	4	1	2	0	6.17	23.1	26	16	16	5	16	
J. Podres 	3	3	1	1	0	4.50	24.0	26	12	12	8	11	
B. Birrer 	9	0	0	0	0	8.78	13.1	23	14	13	3	7	
R. Craig 	3	0	0	2	0	47.26	1.1	6	7	7	2	0	
S. Koufax 	4	4	0	2	0	6.00	18.0	17	14	12	16	15	
C. Labine 	3	0	0	1	0	20.26	1.1	2	3	3	2	1	
D. Newcombe	2	2	0	2	0	7.62	13.0	20	11	11	4	2	
E. Roebuck 	2	0	0	0	0	18.00	1.0	4	2	2	0	0	
L. Sherry 	4	0	0	0	1	7.36	3.2	4	3	3	6	1	
C. Mclish 	1	0	0	0	1	0.00	1.0	0	0	0	0	0

AL LEADERS

# 	TOP 10 AVG		AVG	
1 	N. Siebern  		(NYA)	.404	
2 	P. Ward 		(CLE)	.396	
3 	H. Plews 		(WS1)	.383	
4 	M. Minoso 		(CLE)	.373	
5 	V. Wertz 		(CLE)	.371	
6 	C. Courtney		(WS1)	.370	
7 	J. Lumpe 		(NYA)	.367	
8 	G. Mcdougald		(NYA)	.357	
9 	F. Malzone  		(BOS)	.356	
10 	B. Boyd 		(BAL)	.355	

# 	TOP 10 HR			HR	
1 	T. Williams 		(BOS)	6	
2 	R. Colavito 		(CLE)	5	
2 	V. Wertz 		(CLE)	5	
2 	W. Held 		(KC1)	5	
2 	L. Doby 		(CLE)	5	
6 	R. Boone 		(DET)	4	
7 	G. Harris 		(DET)	3	
7 	J. Lemon 		(WS1)	3	
7 	N. Cash 		(CHA)	3	
7 	G. Zernial 		(DET)	3	

# 	TOP 10 RBI			RBI	
1 	V. Wertz 		(CLE)	15	
2 	R. Nixon 		(CLE)	14	
2 	J. Lemon 		(WS1)	14	
2 	R. Bertoia 		(DET)	14	
5 	F. Malzone 		(BOS)	13	
5 	T. Williams 		(BOS)	13	
5 	J. Lumpe 		(NYA)	13	
5 	L. Doby 		(CLE)	13	
9 	G. Mcdougald 		(NYA)	12	
9 	N. Fox 	 		(CHA)	12	

# 	TOP 10 Wins			W	
1 	D. Lee 			(DET)	3	
1 	R. Moore 		(CHA)	3	
1 	T. Sturdivant 		(NYA)	3	
1 	B. Monbouquette 	(BOS)	3	
1 	M. Garcia 		(CLE)	3	
1 	D. Donovan 		(CHA)	3	
7 	H. Score 		(CLE)	2	
7 	F. Lary 		(DET)	2	
7 	J. Bunning 		(DET)	2	
7 	H. Wilhelm 		(CLE)	2	

# 	TOP 10 ERA			ERA	
1 	C. Pascual 		(WS1)	0.90	
2 	R. Moore 		(CHA)	1.73	
3 	B. Shantz 		(NYA)	2.33	
4 	B. Pierce 		(CHA)	2.34	
5 	D. Donovan 		(CHA)	2.45	
6 	T. Sturdivant 		(NYA)	2.57	
7 	B. Monbouquette 	(BOS)	2.84	
8 	M. Garcia 		(CLE)	3.00	
9 	W. Ford 		(NYA)	3.09	
10 	H. Score 		(CLE)	3.41	

# 	TOP 10 Strikeouts		K's	
1 	H. Score 		(CLE)	43	
2 	J. Bunning 		(DET)	33	
3 	B. O'dell 		(BAL)	26	
4 	B. Pierce 		(CHA)	22	
5 	B. Monbouquette 	(BOS)	21	
6 	H. Wilhelm 		(CLE)	20	
6 	C. Johnson 		(BAL)	20	
6 	R. Duren 		(NYA)	20	
9 	F. Lary 		(DET)	19	
9 	R. Moore 		(CHA)	19

NL LEADERS

# 	TOP 10 AVG			AVG	
1 	W. Moon 		(SLN)	.450	
2 	O. Cepeda 		(SFN)	.442	
3 	H. Aaron 		(ML1)	.441	
4 	S. Musial 		(SLN)	.412	
4 	E. Mathews 		(ML1)	.412	
6 	R. Clemente 		(PIT)	.400	
7 	C. Furillo 		(BRO)	.396	
8 	W. Mays 		(SFN)	.389	
9 	R. Ashburn 		(PHI)	.380	
10 	F. Thomas 		(PIT)	.364	

# 	TOP 10 HR			HR	
1 	S. Lopata 		(PHI)	6	
1 	E. Banks 		(CHN)	6	
3 	D. Stuart 		(PIT)	5	
3 	W. Moon 		(SLN)	5	
3 	E. Mathews 		(ML1)	5	
6 	K. Boyer 		(SLN)	4	
6 	D. Ennis 		(SLN)	4	
6 	F. Thomas 		(PIT)	4	
9 	W. Mays 		(SFN)	3	
9 	H. Anderson 		(PHI)	3	

# 	TOP 10 RBI			RBI	
1 	E. Banks 		(CHN)	15	
1 	D. Ennis 		(SLN)	15	
3 	E. Mathews 		(ML1)	14	
3 	D. Stuart 		(PIT)	14	
5 	W. Moon 		(SLN)	13	
5 	W. Mays 		(SFN)	13	
7 	O. Cepeda 		(SFN)	12	
7 	S. Lopata 		(PHI)	12	
7 	C. Furillo 		(BRO)	12	
7 	H. Aaron 		(ML1)	12	

# 	TOP 10 Wins			W	
1 	S. Jones 		(SLN)	3	
1 	R. Face 		(PIT)	3	
1 	G. Witt 		(PIT)	3	
4 	G. Conley 		(ML1)	2	
4 	L. Jackson 		(SLN)	2	
4 	S. Miller 		(SFN)	2	
4 	B. Mabe 		(SLN)	2	
4 	W. Spahn 		(ML1)	2	
4 	G. Jones 		(SFN)	2	
4 	B. Lawrence 		(CIN)	2	

# 	TOP 10 ERA			ERA	
1 	S. Jones 		(SLN)	1.88	
2 	G. Conley 		(ML1)	2.38	
3 	G. Jones 		(SFN)	2.83	
4 	R. Face 		(PIT)	2.89	
5 	W. Spahn 		(ML1)	3.03	
6 	V. Law 			(PIT)	3.24	
6 	B. Purkey 		(CIN)	3.24	
8 	J. Jay 			(ML1)	3.95	
8 	G. Witt 		(PIT)	3.95	
10 	B. Lawrence 		(CIN)	3.98	

# 	TOP 10 Strikeouts		K's	
1 	R. Face 		(PIT)	25	
2 	T. Farrell 		(PHI)	24	
3 	B. Henry 		(CHN)	23	
4 	S. Jones 		(SLN)	22	
5 	G. Conley 		(ML1)	21	
5 	J. Jay 			(ML1)	21	
7 	B. Friend 		(PIT)	20	
8 	J. Meyer 		(PHI)	18	
8 	H. Haddix 		(CIN)	18	
8 	J. Antonelli 		(SFN)	18

American League-Pitcher of the Month:
Camilo Pascual (WS1)!
He had a record of 0-2 in 3 games started, with an ERA of 0.90.
American League-Batter of the Month:
Vic Wertz (CLE)!
He batted .371 in 62 AB, with 5 homers and 15 RBI.
National League-Pitcher of the Month:
Sam Jones (SLN)!
He had a record of 3-0 in 4 games started, with an ERA of 1.88 and 1 shutouts.
National League-Batter of the Month:
Dick Stuart (PIT)!
He batted .319 in 72 AB, with 5 homers and 14 RBI.

Around baseball, the Yankees are riding high atop the AL, while the Cardinals have been dominant in the NL.

The Yankees’ ace Whitey Ford went down with a badly pulled arm muscle in a game on April 23. He has been out since, and is not expected to return to the rotation for about another month. Ted Williams, despite his age, has continued to play well for Boston and is tops in the AL in OPS. Wally Moon, meanwhile, has been the NL MVP so far.

[ctorg]

Jack Harrelson sits in a quiet office. There are others around, but no one is talking at all. Chadwick Harrelson has just stormed through, knocking over filing cabinets and shouting like a madman. Jack knows his father’s sanity is questionable, that his tirades can do more harm than good, but he wants to impress him. He wants to put together a team that truly will win. He knows it will make his father happy, and that is what he truly wants to see.

He looks through scouting reports of minor leaguers. One in particular, a 23-year-old first baseman named Jim Gentile, stands out. Scouts have circled him as a future star. The Robins already have a young and talented first baseman in Howard. That makes Gentile expendable. Jack picks up the phone and begins calling around, making offers. The Washington Senators show the most interest. Jack can tell they have had their eye on Gentile, which is good. He manages to convince them to give up promising 1B/OF Bob Allison in exchange. Allison is major league ready, and could contribute to the Robins immediately. Gentile still needs a year or two in the minors. It is a good deal. The men agree on it and Allison is sent to Brooklyn.

Jack sends Earl Robinson back to the minors to clear room on the roster. He also designates Ed Roebuck for assignment and puts him on waivers to bring up Cal McLish, whom the Robins claimed off waivers earlier in the season. Allison will be the new starter in leftfield for the Robins. McLish will share time in the rotation with Newcombe.

[ctorg]

5/1

Another heartbreaker. The Robins get an early lead and are up 5-3 after five innings. Koufax falls apart in the sixth, letting Milwaukee tie it. The teams battle it out until the ninth. With the score at 7-7, reliever Stan Williams gives up three runs. The Robins score once in the bottom of the inning, but they cannot come back all the way and fall 10-8.

5/2

In the fourth game against Milwaukee, the Robins fall again, dropping their record to 3-12. They have now won just one of every five games and have lost seven straight. This particular game ends 5-3. McLish takes the loss in his first start, despite pitching reasonably well, giving up five runs on eight hits and a walk in a complete game effort. If they lose tomorrow, it will be the completion of a five game sweep by Milwaukee.

After the game, Harrelson announces to his staff that he will fire one of them for each loss until they win another game.

5/3

The Robins fall again. Podres is the victim of several bloop hits and poor fielding plays. The offense is potent, led by Neal, who is 3 for 3 with a homer, two runs scored, and three RBI, but the pitching just doesn’t hold up. It is the eighth straight loss and a five game sweep for the Braves.

Harrelson fires the VP of operations after less than a week of employment. The offices are quiet with fear.

5/4

A double header against Chicago. The Robins lose the first game, and Harrelson fires his human resources manager. The staff is baffled at how the firing could possibly impact the game, but it sends the message that no one in the organization is safe until the team wins. Brooklyn scores four times in the first, but again, as always, the pitching does not hold up. Drysdale gives up seven runs in four innings. The game ends at 9-6. Everyone in the organization is making suggestions about what to do, what pitchers to get and bring to Brooklyn. And this is all before the start of the second game.

The second game is worse. Up 4-1 after 7 innings, the Robins look to be in good shape. Then they give up two in the eighth and two in the ninth to lose the game 5-4. On top of everything else, Podres has to leave the game with a sore shoulder that is diagnosed later as a pulled rotator cuff muscle.

[ctorg]

Harrelson fires half the secretaries, most of whom have just been hired. Jack suggests to his father that firing people may not be the best way to make the team better, but Chadwick Harrelson is furious and is not willing to listen much. Jack wonders how a man with such a temper managed to become so rich in the first place.

After the game, Jack calls around with trade offers. By the end of the next day (a day off for Brooklyn), he hammers out a quick one with the Yankees: Johnny Roseboro – no longer important now that Smoky Burgess is on the team – in exchange for right hander Ryne Duren. Duren has been a mediocre starter for the Yankees. His control problems have hurt him a lot. Jack hopes he will have more success with the Robins. The disappointing Don Drysdale is sent down to the minors and Randy Jackson is called up to replace Roseboro on the roster.

[ctorg]

5/6

After ten straight losses, the Robins finally win a game, sending a sigh of relief through the entire organization. They do it in dramatic fashion, too. Down 3-1 in the ninth inning, the team suddenly comes alive, scoring three quick runs to win the game. The crowd gives them a standing ovation for the effort. For the first time in many days, Chadwick Harrelson is standing and smiling in the owner’s box.

Brooklyn shortstop Pee Wee Reese comes to speak to Jack Harrelson after the game.

“Hello, Mr. Harrelson,” says Reese, entering the office.

“Ah, Reese,” Jack says. “How can I help you?”

“Well, sir, I know I haven’t been performing this season,” says Reese. “I’m batting .162, and I’m going to be forty pretty soon. I just want to tell you that I’m still feeling strong. I don’t want you to think you have to replace me. I can still play good.”

Jack smiles. “Are you concerned that the recent shakeups have us looking to upgrade at short?”

“Yes.”

“Well, I can admit that there have been inquiries, but I’ve been a Brooklyn fan for my whole life, and I’ve seen what you can do. You may have lost a step or two, but you’re still one of the best shortstops out there. I’m confident you’ll come around. Understand, though, that if you’re still hitting under .200 in July, we may not have much choice. The fans love you, but they want wins or they won’t pay to come to the games.”

“I understand,” says Reese. “And your father.”

“My father has been extremely upset, as everyone is aware. Between you and me, I am not as rash. I have patience. Anyway, he likes you, and he knows you’ll come around. So get back out there and play, Reese. We believe in you.”

“Thank you, Mr. Harrelson. I will.”

[ctorg]

5/7

Ryne Duren looks great in his debut for Brooklyn. Unfortunately, he doesn’t last five innings. With two outs in the fifth and up 1-0, he grabs his elbow in pain. While it later turns out to be nothing more than a minor pull and he will not need to go on the DL, he leaves the game. The bullpen, as always, lets the game get away. Chicago scores twice in the sixth and three times in the ninth, with Brooklyn adding only one run more, in the seventh. Brooklyn loses 5-2. No one is fired, but Harrelson can be seen in his owner’s box with his head in his hands.

After the game, the Robins sign 37-year-old free agent right hander Bob Lemon, a former superstar with fading skills. They hope he can provide some much needed help for the bullpen. Roger Craig is sent down to make space on the roster.

5/8

Another loss for Brooklyn, the final score at 4-2. The offices, which perked up after the win on Tuesday, return to a silent intensity. This time it is the offense that fails, as McLish pitches well for a complete game loss.

5/9

On Friday, a win in St. Louis against one of the better teams in the league, and a decisive won at that. The Robins top the Cards 7-0 on a sparkling complete game shutout by Don Newcombe, who gives up six hits and no walks. It is a sorely needed performance and a real lift for the Robins. Fans and sportswriters theorize that this is the win Brooklyn needs to spark the team and set them on a winning path, finally.

5/10

On Saturday, they do it again, a 10-1 slaughter of the Cardinals. Koufax strikes out 7 in 6 innings of work for his first win. Neal, a surprisingly good offensive contributor this season, slams a three run homer. Furillo raises his batting average to .385 (6th in the league) with two hits. Robins fans finally have something to cheer about. Bob Lemon even makes his first appearance for Brooklyn, giving up just a hit and a walk in two innings of work.

5/11

Carl Furillo slams two homers, a double, and a single to lead the Robins to a 5-2 victory, their third straight win, over the Cardinals. Erskine pitches very effectively for eight innings, allowing just two runs on four hits.

5/12

The Robins go down late in the game, an 8-7 loss. Reliever Stan Williams racks up his fourth loss of the season.

5/13

Don Newcombe is a hard luck loser in a 3-1 loss. He pitches a complete game and gives up three hits, two of them homeruns. Besides Jim Gilliam, who has two hits, the offense looks mostly like it is sleeping as Cardinals pitcher Sam Jones holds them to a run on five hits.

5/14

Cincinnati pays Brooklyn a visit and falls. Brooklyn scores an efficient six runs on six hits to earn Sandy Koufax his second win, pulling him even in the won-loss column. Furillo blasts his fourth homer.

5/15

Despite giving up 11 hits to the Redlegs, the Robins let them score just twice and put up four runs of their own. Duren wins his fourth of the year. Larker is the hitting star, going 3 for 3 with a homerun and a walk.

[ctorg]

Chadwick Harrelson calls his son Jack and manager Walter Alston into his office after the game.

“Gentlemen,” says Harrelson (an odd way to address one’s son, but appropriate in a business setting), “I was hoping I wouldn’t have to have this meeting, but we really must discuss this issue.”

“Is this about Reese?” asks Jack.

“Indeed, it is,” Chadwick Harrelson says. “He is batting .150, as I am sure you are both aware. I love his style, but I’m afraid his contribution to winning has been questionable.”

“He’s still a quality shortstop,” Alston reminds them. “I think his hitting will come around. He’s lost some bat speed, but he’s been working hard on making adjustments.”

“I do not question his work ethic,” says Harrelson. “I question whether he is the best we can put out there to play shortstop.”

“Currently, yes,” says Jack. “We have no minor league shortstops on his level. We have a third baseman, Don Demeter, who has 21 homeruns in the minors, but he’s never played short. Excellent third baseman, but I wouldn’t risk moving him on the major league level.”

Harrelson puts a finger to his chin and ponders. “Well, give his manager a call. See if we can maybe get him on the path to learning to play short. Sounds like his bat is more than ready.”

“I will,” says Jack.

“And what about Reese?” asks Alston. “Should I tell him anything? Let him know?”

“Not for now,” says Harrelson. “If he continues to play this way, we will address it. Demeter needs time to learn the position. Reese will have at least until then.”

[ctorg]

5/16

The two game series with Cincinnati complete, San Francisco comes to town, their first trip back to New York since moving. They receive the loudest boos of the season all game long. Much to the dismay of the fans, they promptly pick up where they left off against Brooklyn with another win. The game is tied until the ninth inning, when pinch hitter Hank Sauer belts a Cal McLish fastball over the towering rightfield wall. The Giants hold on to win, and McLish is the hard luck loser with a complete game in which he gives up just 7 hits, 1 walk, and 2 runs.

5/17

Brooklyn finally beats San Francisco in a 10-9 slugfest featuring 29 hits. Fate awards Newcombe with a win to make up for his previous undeserved loss, despite his going 7.2 innings in which he allows 13 hits, 9 runs (5 earned), 2 homers and a walk.Burgess and Neal both homer and even Newcombe himself has two hits.

5/18

Brooklyn beats San Francisco in dramatic fashion. With the score tied in the ninth inning, they load the bases against Hersh Freeman. Norm Larker hangs on for thirteen pitches to draw a walk, ending the game in a 4-3 win for a cheering crowd. Chadwick Harrelson’s smile is much fuller now as the Robins have begun to show life. Poor Pee Wee Reese, however, has another bad day and is now batting just .135.

5/20

After a day off, the Robins show up in Forbes Field to play Pittsburgh, but they lose on a series of poorly played balls. Duren strikes out eleven in six innings of work, but bloop singles and two damaging homeruns add up to five runs on six hits against him for the loss. Reese is hitless again and is now at .133. Bob Allison strains a ligament behind his knee and is removed from the game. He is sent to the disabled list later in the day and is expected to miss about a month.

5/21

Brooklyn comes from behind to top Pittsburgh, 5-4. After being held scoreless for seven innings by Bob Friend, they come alive with three runs on four hits in the eigth to take the lead. Pittsburgh ties it up again in the bottom of the inning, but four more hits and two more runs in the top of the ninth put the game out of reach for the Pirates. Cal McLish gets his much deserved first win.

5/22

The Robins head to Philadelphia to drop a heartbreaking 11-inning game to the Phillies. They lead 2-1 with one out to go in the game when Bob Bowman rockets a ball down the leftfield line that strikes the foul pole, tying it up against Koufax and sending the game to extra innings. The Robins lose in the eleventh as Bowman strikes again, this time with a game winning double.

5/23

The Robins pound out ten hits as Don Newcombe pitches a superb complete six-hit one-run game for his third win. Neal hits his team-leading eighth homerun, and adds four RBI to bring his team-leading total to 31.

5/24

Brooklyn comes alive for eleven runs on thirteen hits to win 11-3 over the Phillies. Duke Snider, who has been mostly dormant so far, smashes a homerun, a double, and two singles. Duren strikes out ten in 7.1 innings of work for his fifth win.

5/25

The Robins travel to Milwaukee split a double header, taking the first game 9-7 and dropping the nightcap 8-3.

5/26

The Robins pound out 18 hits and 13 runs in support of Sandy Koufax’s third win. Pee Wee Reese finally has a breakout game, going 4 for 4 with 3 RBI. His average is still only at .163 after the game. Koufax lasts 6.2 innings. He gives up seven runs, but only two are earned. The final score is 13-7.

5/27

A trip to Chicago brings another hard luck loss for Newcombe. After the scoring bonanza in Milwaukee, the Robins are shut out by Bill Henry and reliever Jim Brosnan. They manage only five hits. Newcombe allows one run on six hits and two walks in an eight inning complete game.

5/28

Ryne Duren strikes out eleven and gets his sixth win in the second game against the Cubs, a 6-3 victory for the Robins. Smoky Burgess strokes four singles to raise his average to .326. Reese, meanwhile, can’t seem to find the ball and goes 0 for 3 with a strikeout and a walk.

5/30

After a day off for all teams, the Robins come home to host Cincinnati. The Redlegs pound Koufax for eight runs (five earned) in five innings to hand him his third loss, 8-3.

5/31

In a memorably odd game, both the Redlegs and Robins get 19 hits, but the Redlegs win 12-10 in twelve innings. It is a day for hitters as Valo, Neal, and Jackson all smack homeruns. For Neal, it is his team-leading ninth. Don Newcombe lasts only three innings, but the loss goes to Larry Sherry.