It’s almost a mirror image of last season as we lose our starting CF early, this time George Hendrick for 4-5 weeks with a rib fracture. Cobra Parker’s poor D isn’t much worse at CF, so we’ll move him there and restore Roberto to RF, with Gene Clines coming in as a defensivue sub at CF in close games. Johnny Jeter gets his first-ever call-up to the bigs to fill the gap, but then not long after that
Arriba – who we do retain with a 3-year deal at $150k per – also goes down for a minimum IL stint.
None of which helps the sluggish start by our bats that wastes some strong early pitching, but then we go on a nice little run winning 8 on the trot in early May, culminating in a 22-hit 16-3 demolition job on the Astros in which every starter including Pitcher Jim Bibby gets at least one hit and one ribbie.
We get
Arriba back and rehab Hendrick for a fortnight before he, too, rejoins the squad and we go 24-16 for our first 40 games, before finishing May at 31-18 and narrowly on top of the NL East.
All in all, a most acceptable start.
A nice even spread of contribution, with only Ron Brand WAR neg. Richie Hebner's last fortnight has been incredibly encouraging after a quietish start. Let's hope Dave Cash follows suit.
Liking what we're seeing so far from Jerry Reuss, while Jim Bibby is having a nice rebound season after struggling for us last year. Ramon Hernandez and Rich Gossage pitch just shy of 40 scoreless innings between them before Ramon gives up 2 runs at the end of May. Goose is still riding his streak as we enter June, with it currently sitting at 19 innings and a perfect 18 Saves from 18 Opportunities. Cue the
Manager's Curse music...
We retain Joe Coleman for two more years at a bargain $160k per, the same as he’s making this season, and Tom Griffin also agrees to a team-friendly 2/160 deal. George Hendrick, Gene Garber, Jim Bibby and Ron Brand will all be back next season as well.
Here come the Yanks.
Monthly Award Winners
April
American League
- Batter – Rod Carew (Twins): 451 / 1 HR / 16 RBI
- Pitcher – Rick Waits (Yankees): 4-0 / 1.59 / 18 K / 39.2 IP
- Rookie – Rick Waits
National League
- Batter – Keith Hernandez (Cardinals): 402 / 3 HR / 18 RBI
- Pitcher – Tom Seaver (Mets): 4-1 / 2.11 / 40 K / 47 IP
- Rookie – Keith Hernandez
May
American League
- Batter – Don Money (A’s): 374 / 5 HR / 19 RBI
- Pitcher – Rick Waits (Yankees): 4-1 / 1.30 / 23 K / 48.1 IP
- Rookie – Rick Waits (taken 63rd overall...)
National League
- Batter – Cliff Johnson (Mets): 355 / 9 HR / 20 RBI
- Pitcher – Sandy Koufax (Dodgers): 5-2 / 1.13 / 57 K / 55.2 IP
- Rookie – Dale Murray (Reds): 3-0 / 0.56 / 2 SV / 8 K / 16 IP
News and Leaders
Milestones and Observations of Note
- 500 HR: Willie McCovey
- 400 HR: Norm Cash
- 2000 Hits: Willie McCovey, Pete Rose
- 200 Wins: Jim Kaat
- I neglected to mention that ST took a particularly hard toll, knocking out Felipe Alou (Expos) for 5 months and and Rick Wise (Mets) for 7 months, while writing off 1974 completely for Billy McCool (Tigers) and Blue Moon Odom (Indians).
- Lou Brock is beaned and will miss the entire season with a concussion and the same fate befalls Cleon Jones later in the sectional, although he is thought to have a sliver of a chance of returning. Meanwhile, Rangers OF John Briggs will miss 4-5 months with an ankle fracture.
- Joe Morgan will remain a Red for another 4 years at a cost to the club of $2.76m, while the Phils retain Dick Allen on a 5/2750 deal.
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