A simply stunning turn of events this past fortnight.
Until that point, it seems the inconsistency and streakiness that has plagued us all year is going to be our undoing. We slip 7 back and into 4th place in early September and look done for.
But then, just when we need to most, we catch fire. A series of late, dramatic and occasional walkoff wins ensues and, suddenly, with 10 games remaining we trail the Cubs by 3 and the Reds by 2.
A road sweep at Cincy, who are hamstrung by the successive losses to injury of Frank Robinson and Tony Thomas, moves us past them and into second, although we've only made up one of the three games on the Cubs with 7 to play. That series forms the middle part of an 8-game win streak, our longest of the year.
Meanwhile, the Cubs have completely stopped in their tracks. We briefly get our noses in front but by Game 151 as we go into our final series, this is how things stand:
The Braves, despite sitting a few games behind us in the standings, have given us problems the past few years and are 11-8 head-to-head so far this season, so we know we've got a mountain to climb, even with the games at home.
It plays out as follows:
Friday, September 30
Another day like this one and we are home.
Saturday, October 1
We can NOT get a Stopper to save our lives this year, as Nunn implodes - not for the first time. Thankfully, the Cubs' slide continues and we are now at least guaranteed a share of first. Let's
not go there, though.
Sunday, October 2
While we don't end up needing it as the Cubs end a 10-18 run from the start of September (while we go 17-9) with another loss, the lads clinch an unlikely 33rd NL Pennant for the club in fine style behind a sublime Podres 4-hitter.
We'll be facing off against the Athletics, who do it fairly comfortably in the end across in the AL and get to watch all of this drama unfold from the cushy vantage of an early clinch.
A mighty effort indeed from the group, who simply don't know how to lie down.
Looking at those metrics, you have to say we deserve to be where we are. Inarguably the most rounded performance by our group in recent times, and very even across the season, as the fact that we do not win one of the monthly awards all year attests.
While it might not be quite up there with Pafko's a few years back, Roberto Clemente's stretch run - and, indeed, his entire season, is something to behold. He is a
bona fide superstar now.
He gets plenty of help, though, with Maris, Maz and Gary Geiger most prominent among the rest.
Another standout season from Pascual, while Podres and Friend go OK despite struggling to hold their form throughout and Law has been much improved.
Despite the problems I have mentioned, the BP is far from a disaster. With relievers most prone to being unprotected for the upcoming Expansion Drafts, we face a real challenge to keep this area of our staff up to snuff.
Arriba destroys the competition with his 383 the 17th highest BA in league history. Washington's Jackie Brandt wins the AL title, his first. Willie McCovey belts 40 HR to lead either league, and Rocky Colavito's 126 ribbies are also the most.
KC's Mike McCormick leads with 21 wins and, while I suspect it will be of scant consolation right now, a special mention to Cubs hurlers Jim O'Toole and Toothpick Sam Jones, each of whom wins 20 and has a career-best year. O'Toole, in fact, leads two of the three TC categories (including an MLB-low 2.71 ERA), while our own Camilo Pascual finishes on the podium for all three without leading any. Sandy Koufax is the King of K once again, ahead of teammate Don Drysdale, while
Hoyt Wilhelm's 29 saves not only lead the MLB this season but leave him tied at 196 with Bill Sayles atop the all-time career list.
Final Top 20s and Leaders
Monthly Award Winners
August
American League
- Batter – George Altman (Athletics): 357 / 4 HR / 24 RBI
- Pitcher – Dave Hillman (Athletics): 5-1 / 1.75 / 21 K / 36 IP
- Rookie – Jim Brewer (Indians): 3-1 / 1.93 / 4 SV / 21 K / 18.2 IP
National League
- Batter – Willie McCovey (Giants): 330 / 9 HR / 27 RBI
- Pitcher – Jack Kralick (Dodgers): 5-0 / 1.42 / 34 K / 50.2 IP
- Rookie – Don Nottebart (Cubs): 2-0 / 2.95 / 5 SV / 11 K / 18.1 IP
September
American League
- Batter – George Altman (Athletics): 374 / 6 HR / 23 RBI
- Pitcher – Frank Lary (Tigers): 4-1 / 2.11 / 19 K / 47 IP
- Rookie – Ron Piche (Tigers): 3-1 / 1.93 / 3 SV / 13 K / 14 IP
National League
- Batter – Eddie Mathews (Braves): 349 / 8 HR / 20 RBI
- Pitcher – Don Drysdale (Dodgers): 4-2 / 2.25 / 41 K / 48 IP
- Rookie – Tony Gonzalez (Phillies): 349 / 8 HR / 20 RBI
Milestones and Observations of Note
- A setback for the Cinderella Sens as they lose key reliever Joe Landrum for the year to a UCL tear. They also lose gun OF Floyd Robinson in their very last game to a knee injury that will see him miss the early stages of next year.
- Veteran Ted Williams has a resurgent 1960 and will enter what might well be his final season in the game needing 23 HR to pass Lou Gehrig's 571 all-time record.
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