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May 1 1961
Extensions signed late April 1961
SP Bob Friend age 30 $1.664m/6yr $277k AAV last two vesting 160 IP required
SS Dick Schofield age 26 $255k/3yr $85k AAV
SP Camilo Pascual age 27 $1.704/6yr $284k AAV last two players option at $272k. I had to concede players option as Pascual was ready to break off negotiations.
The team is off to a bad start, 6-11. Contract extensions have boosted fan interest and attendance is a bit higher than last year despite lower season ticket sales.
On a connection to real life, I discovered real life ex Pirate Carlos Bernier as the starting 3B for the Reds. Bernier played MLB only in 1953 but is getting ratings based on his excellent minor league career. He, rather than Curt Roberts, was probably the first Black Pirate. At the time the white press considered Bernier to be Puerto Rican not Black. The Black press considered him Black as did Bernier. He had the misfortune of playing when minority players had to be stars to make the teams.
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